What's In a Name???

This past Saturday, I was pleased to get to participate in a focus group to help narrow down the list of finalists for McMurry University's new mascot.

For those who don't know...the short story is that the NCAA made McMurry retire it's Indians mascot a few years back. There were some appeals, but to no avail. So, the school is been without a mascot for I think close to 4 years. People that are long supporters of McMurry were so sad to see the Indians go that the idea was to not replace it. However, that isn't fair to the current and future students.

So, sitting in that meeting with other alumni from the school it was so nice to hear about everyone's deep love for McMurry. There are so many people who want to go to a big name college. That made no difference to me. Don't get me wrong, I do wish more people had heard of McMurry, but that small school in Abilene, Texas will always hold a very special place in my heart no matter what.

When we were talking, I actually thought about my elementary school. When I went to Wallace Elementary, we were the Wallace Wallabies and our colors were purple and white. Now, Wallabies don't seem all that fierce, but then again, we didn't have any sports teams so why should that matter? I don't know exactly when or why, but the colors changed to navy and gold and the mascot is now the Wolverines. I hadn't thought about it much over the years, but as I sat in that meeting on Saturday, I felt like a piece of my connection to Wallace was lost with the changing of the mascot. It doesn't change the fact that i went there, it just changes something that I am at a loss of how to explain. I don't know how they went about changing the mascot and colors of it was just something that happened quickly.

I do know that McMurry has done a fabulous job of including everyone who wants to be included on the choosing of a new mascot. There was a time in which people could suggest possible mascots. Following that was the first vote. Now there are 8 finalists and there are focus groups of alumni, staff and current students to help get that down to 3. No matter which name wins, the place that McMurry holds in all of our hearts is a special one and that will not fade.

I am so proud of McMurry and all that it stands for!

ALA CUMBA!

Parents and their Teens

I was watching Parenthood last night. There is a particular situation happening on the show right now that intrigues me. Perhaps because I've experienced from different angles and seen it happen. Hattie is a 16 year old on the show. She recently started seeing a 19 year old named Alex. She met him at the food bank that she decided to volunteer at to pep up her resume. Alex is 19 (as I stated above). Alex is a recovering alcoholic. Alex is emancipated from his lowlife parents and therefore lives on his own. Alex is black. At a dinner where he met the parents, he talked about his childhood and how he ended up where he is. He was very honest and is doing better than plenty of people the same age with a "normal" upbringing. After it all, Hattie's parents talked amongst themselves and decided that because he lives on his own and is a recovering alcoholic, they think that is too much for the 16 year old to handle in the long run and they are afraid that her adolescence will be cut short. Then, her parents made what I think is one of the fundamental mistakes of parenting. The told her that she could no longer see Alex. They did not allow her to weigh in on the situation at all.

So, that is the set-up.

I can only speak as a former teenager and one who has seen this happen and experienced it in a very personal way. I also hope I remember this when I am a parent of a teenager some day. Also, I am in no way saying that teenager should have free reign to just do whatever they want. Rules are good. Boundaries are good. BUT...it is NEVER good to "forbid" a teenager from seeing someone (be it a friend or boyfriend). The only thing that does is make them want to see that person even more. It IS good to have a discussion with a teenager issuing concerns about said individual.

In my life, I truly believe that so far all has turned out as it is supposed to...even with some pain along the way.

5 Tips for parents from the eyes of a former teenager:

1. Share stories of your past. There is no need to include each and every detail, but be honest. Your kids will appreciate you much more. If you are honest with them, there is a better chance that they will be honest with you. If you don't share with them...they won't share with you and will find someone they feel more comfortable talking to.

2. Let your child learn from their mistakes. This doesn't mean to just let them get away with anything and everything. It is important to set boundaries. It is also important to know what is going on in their lives and the lives of their friends (not in a creepy invasive way...unless they give you reasons to be invasive). I DO NOT support the parents that simply say, "My child is going to drink somewhere, so it might as well be at my house." Breaking the law is breaking the law. They may decide to do so, but you don't need to condone it.

3. Don't "forbid" your child to associate with a person (be it friend or more). Share your concerns and allow them to talk about their feelings as well. Keep a watchful eye on the situation. Chances are things will work out as they are supposed to. However, if it starts getting out of hand, step in.

4. You are not their friend...you are their parent. That doesn't mean that you can't have a friendly relationship. Just make sure they (and you) know the boundaries. There is a great time when your children turn into adults that you can be friends.

5. Back to number one...COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE!

Again, I am not a parent. I am not an expert on parenting. I have parents and I have been a teenager. My experiences and observations are the only things that have led me to these opinions. Simply take it at face value.

Friends are Friends forever...or are they?

So, last night I got up around 4:30 to let Bevo go outside. Some nights he makes it all the way through the night, sometimes he doesn't. (REMINDER: Bevo is the dog) Usually I go right back to sleep. That is, if Bevo didn't jump into my spot before I can get back in bed (which then requires some middle of the night wrestling moves). Last night for some reason I just started thinking and therefore I had a little more trouble getting back to sleep. What was I thinking about? Well, I'm about to tell you.

For some reason, I started thinking about friends. Not just friends in general, but in particular about the different friends that have traveled in and out of my life throughout my almost 29 years. The friends that first came to mind are three fabulous sisters & their family. The lived next door to me on Giddings Circle. You see, my sister is 7 1/2 years older than me, so when I was little, she wasn't super interested in being my playmate. So, when these three girls lived next door, we had the times of our lives. One was a year older, one was a year younger and one was a few years behind that. We went to school together and came home together. I'm sure we rand "houses" and "schools" and maybe even our very own "beauty shops." We LOVED riding our bikes and trekking to the creek. Around 2nd grade, they moved away. Their dad took a great job in DC and off they went. We kept in touch through letters actually pretty regularly. Over the next few years, they visited in Dallas & I even had two long visits in DC seeing all the sites. I don't know exactly when it happened, but at some point, we just lost touch. Nothing happened, aside from perhaps just getting busier as we started getting older. I think after about 4 years they moved back to Dallas (though we didn't go to the same school nor live in the same neighborhood. So, we never really reconnected. Now, we are friends on facebook and though they will always hold a special place in my heart, that friendship that was so great so long ago, just isn't there anymore.

So, from thinking about them, I started thinking about all of the friends that I've had over the years. Most of which I either have no idea where they are, or I just keep up with by checking their facebook statuses. I thought as far back as preschool at Green Acres, Wallace Elementary & The Purple Panthers, Lake Highlands JH & Limited Edition, Lake Highlands HS with A Capella & Espree and Lake Highlands UMC and ALL the memories that place holds. Of course, I think about McMurry University. I learned who I was there. Not that I was ever really uncomfortable in my skin, but those who have been to college know that feeling of first leaving home is different than any other feeling. I love to remember those times, but then sometimes it makes me sad to think about the people that I no longer am in touch with. I could go through and list all of the names, but that would just go on and on. From sports teams, to singing groups to social clubs to even made up clubs (shout out to the Jack***, Bro****, IC and it's breakoffs and so many more).

Also, when does a friend go from a "best friend" to a "dear friend." I don't know whether there are specific definitions for either of those, but here is my definition. I best friend is the person you want to call the minute something good or bad happens or just call for no reason at all. I dear friend is someone you have known for a long time and perhaps used to be "best friends" with, but you have both changed and gone different directions. You don't see each other or talk very often, but when you do it seems like no time has passed. You can certainly have more than one of either, but sometimes the transitions between the two take time to weather. To all my "dear friends" and to my "best friend" and to all my friends past and present, I love you all!

I would love to include pictures to stroll down memory lane, but that will have to be another post. The only pictures I have on my computer are a few college and then adult life.

Of course, I wouldn't be who I am today without my husband who will forever by my very best friend! I LOVE YOU MIBB&BNFFDATUKB!

The Tube

For those of you who know me, you know that I watch a LOT of TV. Before DVR, it was hard to make plans on Tuesday night unless they revolved around Gilmore Girls at 7pm. There has always been one show on a given day of the week that I absolutely couldn't miss. Since college however, that list continues to grow. I always tell myself that I won't watch a new show until one of the current shows goes away, but of course the endless plugs for new drama draws me in.

My list of shows can mostly be wrapped up in a couple categories...Crime & Family Drama. There is of course Glee that doesn't feet into either one of those and a couple on again off again reality shows. One topic that I have no interest in is aliens. I don't get out. However, on a side note I have to admit being hooked on a cheesy show named Small Wonder back in the day which included an alien robot named Vicki.

When I lived by myself, it wasn't an issue. I balance what social life I desired with the schedule. Where is got hard to keep up is when my husband came into my life. He really wasn't interested in any show that I like. He suffered through the end of Gilmore Girls with me and some seasons of American Idol, but I think that is when he was trying to impress me. Now don't think he was the only one who took one for the team. I had NEVER watched an entire football game or basketball game on TV and that year I got sucked into March Madness & Basketball playoffs followed by college football and the 1,001 bowl games. I do have to admit though that now even I am a little sad when football season ends. No matter what, I am a Dallas girl and I will be cheering for the Rangers (first and foremost), the Cowboys and the Mavericks.

Okay, by now you've either tuned out or you're wondering where I'm going with all of this. I have been feeling guilt for the amount of TV I watch. One because I want to be a parent hopefully in the near future. I fully intend to be hands on and not be one of those parents that tells my kid to just "wait a few minutes until my program is over." Also, as I stated before, Danny doesn't really like but a few of the shows that I do. So, when he comes in and notices one of my shows, he heads straight back to the bedroom to flip channels or fall asleep. With him being still in school and working one-two nights a week, those nights are free. But, when he's home, call me crazy for actually wanting to spend time with him.

I suppose it was foreign to me at first. You see, my parents have quite similar interests in shows (which is pretty similar to mine) and so we watched TV as a family. We did other things as well. We certainly were not couch potatoes, but we just enjoyed the same programming. Maybe they started out differently. Maybe the just grew to like each others tastes. Who knows? BUT, what I do know is that I don't want to spend the nights that we are home together in separate rooms all the time.

I promise, I'm about to get to the point if you're still there. As I was watching one of my "can't miss" shows last night, I was thinking to myself (picture a word cloud above my head)..."If I had to give up all but one show during the week, what would it be?" Well, the current show on my list that I would pick hands down is Parenthood. I love family shows and I love shows that incorporate some great story lines. If you haven't watched it, tune in. If you have no idea what it is about, look it up on wikipedia and then tune in.

Of course, I don't think I can do something as drastic as giving all but one show, but I do think I could limit the amount of TV I watch when I get home from work. Usually I tell myself that if I get my workout in, all is fair game. But, on nights when Danny is not working late or playing basketball, I would like for us to be in the same room. It doesn't matter what we are doing, I just want it to be together.

I don't know exactly what that means yet. I'd like it to include some shows we can watch together because I don't think there is anything wrong with TV. I just think, like all things, there should be moderation.

To those of you still reading, thanks for hanging in there. So with that, I will leave you with a few pictures of the shows I hate to miss as of 1/12/11 in no particular order.

and the really guilty pleasure...

Memoirs

BOOKS, GLORIOUS BOOKS!

Okay, so let me preface this. Throughout all of my schooling, I could count the number of books I read on one hand. Don't get me wrong, I opened them and skimmed them, but reading from cover to cover was never on my to-do list. My mom was so confused. She had heard that if you read a lot to your child growing up that they will in turn enjoy reading. So not the case with me. It wasn't until after college that I truly understood why.

I didn't read the books because they were ASSIGNED. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a book store and pick out a book. Even in the age of the Kindle & Nook, I really love holding an actual book and turning real pages. So, from 2004 to now, I have read dozens of books. I have read love stories, best friend stories, scary stories, mysteries and more. I must give a shout out to Alice Sebold and Nicolas Sparks. They write totally different books, but both have a way of captivating me into their stories. However, until now, I had pretty much limited my selection to fiction. There is something about escaping from reality for a while (not that my reality is one that I feel the need to escape from).

The terms Biography & Autobiography always seemed so boring to me...more like a school assignment linked to the word "project" rather than something I would choose to spend time with. However, there is something sexy about the term "Memoirs." That just makes you want to dive in. So, that is my newest fascination. Let me share with you where I'm at.

For Christmas, I got...



Adam Richman is the host of the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food(a show that my husband will actually watch as well). In his book, he takes you on a tour of 9 cities. On this journey he doesn't only tell you about the amazing food he enjoys along the way, but also about the life experience and lessons he's picked up. I just finished that one the other day. If you pick this one up, just a note that he cleans up his language for his show, so he puts it all out there on the table in this quick read.

Also under the tree was...



George W. Bush, in my opinion, is as genuine as you can get. Not everyone agrees and really I don't care. During his presidency, he had to face some of the most challenging times. Any plans he had of things he wanted to accomplish during his time in office got derailed on September 11, 2001. I only just started this book, but after watching a few interviews following it's release, I am excited to read what he has to say about what he has experienced during his life and more specifically during his 2 terms in office.

The next books on my list...



I saw Portia di Rossi (Degeneres) on an interview with Oprah talking about her book. Hearing parts of her story made me just want to hear more. I have read plenty of magazine articles and seen a number of made-for-tv movies talking about eating disorders, but I am interested to see how she shares what she was going through and continues to struggle with. As someone who has pretty much tried every diet, I have never EVER been desperate enough for an eating disorder. I love food too much!!! In all seriousness, I have never been bullied or ridiculed by family or friends regardless of what size I am at any given time and for that I am eternally thankful.

And after that, I will dive into the controversial...



James Frey perhaps altered the story a bit to make it more "Hollywood," but anyone who has struggled with addiction has a story to tell. Even if some of his stories have been embellished to titillate the reader, it is still about tackling the demons of addiction.

So, I'll keep you posted on the list of memoirs and how it goes. But give me some time. George W. Bush had a lot to say in his almost 500 pages. Maybe up and coming will be "Memoirs of a Blogger."

The Blame Game

Okay, I've been thinking about this for the last day or so regarding the tragedy that happened over the weekend in Arizona. First of all, it hits close to home because I have grown up in a political family. My dad was an elected official and both of my parents currently work for elected officials. Shortly after hearing what happened and watching some news updates, I turned to the place where so many find out and share current events...everyone always has something to say.

I quickly noticed many just sharing that their thoughts and prayers were with those affected. BUT...I have also noticed another disturbing trend.

I have noticed (and maybe you have too) that following any tragedy, people always look for someone to blame. On Saturday, after the news broke, I noticed people blaming Glen Beck and people blaming Sarah Palin or just people blaming Republicans in general. I think that shows not only a lack of tact, but also a lack of intelligence. The man that shot a Congresswoman at point blank range in the head and then continued shooting into the crowd killing a number of others (including a child) and wounding even more...HE is the one to blame. He bought the gun (legally). I took it with him that day to the grocery store where she was speaking. He pulled the trigger and he kept pulling the trigger over and over again until the crowd got to him and held him down while they waited for authorities. I think people on both sides of the aisle would agree that this indeed was a terrible tragedy, but to blame anyone but the person who was actually involved is just plain ridiculous.

So, my prayers go out to Congresswoman Giffords, her family, and all of the other affected by this shooting.

It is sad when a senseless tragedy becomes a platform for so many to just project more negativity and hate. Think about it.

Anyone out there?

This is me.



I married my amazing husband in April of 2008...the best day of my life to date!



In December of that same year, we added another member to the family...



...our dog Bevo (circa December 2008)!


This is our family!



So, now that you know us I'd like to tell you why I have decided to give blogging another try.

1. I LOVE reading blogs from other people. At the present time, I keep up with blogs from people in town, in states including Kentucky, Arizona & New Mexico and in other countries like China! I am really enjoying keeping up with a friend and his wife who are spending a year literally traveling the world. Their latest post was from Zambia!

2. It gives you a better update than even facebook!

3. I feel like sometimes I have something to say (whether or not anyone is actually listening) and I just want to share it with someone.

I also want to just give a little note about the grand blog title I chose. The last name I married into is Patyrak. So, I'm sure my husband heard a number of times growing up..."Knick Knack Patyrak." He probably got tired of it, but I think it's kind of catchy, so thus the title of my blog.

So, this blog will be about anything that is in my mind. We are not yet parents to a human child so I won't be sharing any parental advise just yet, but I hope you enjoy what I have to say.