Hey er'body!
This fall weather has really come and gone rapidly. Where have the beautifully colored crunchy leaves gone? I hope that they will return soon before the snow comes and makes you soggy.
HOWEVER...
Though I am not ready for snowy nights, I have the urge my friends. I have the irresistible urge to 'accidentally' select Holiday tunes on the iPod. I know that I need to wait, but its hard to ignore the crooning soothing sounds of Bing, Nat, and Johnny.
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Dear Christmas,
We will be together soon. I have some homemade root beer to drink, some pumpkins to carve, and some costumes to wear, but once that is all over with, we will be together again. Decking the halls. Drinking the Nog. Singing with choirs of angels.
Til then sweet sweet sugar plum.
Cheri
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is this really the world we live in?
Where to begin? I was looking up an article on the Salt Lake Tribune and came across the feed of the court notes taken in court of Elizabeth Smart's testimonial given today. No words can express the horror and sadness you feel when reading the detailed account of those 9 horrible months of rape and forced marriage in Elizabeth's own words in the court transcripts.
If reading the article wasn't horrible enough, the comments people posted regarding the article were much worse. I cannot believe the sick, terrible, and ridiculous things people say. One person actually said that it's Elizabeth's fault, that "she being raised in the Mormon religion brain washed her female brain to follow any 'man' claiming religious authority." Others are stating that "the more this continues the more she is lying about everything. Her own testimony is proving she has never ever been victimized or traumatized at all as everyone is making it sound. This family is only proving to be attention seeking and exploitive." To these people I am disgusted. You are the scum of the earth and clearly have an impaired view of right and wrong, good and evil, the truth and a lie.
To these despicable people I'd like to say a few things. First of all Elizabeth was a CHILD. Barely 14 years old when abducted from her home by knife point. She was raped, drugged, and abused. Abusers will tell their victims vicious horrible things in order to keep them in a state of fear. In Elizabeth's case they threatened not only her life, but the life of those she held most dear, her family. Abusers use all sorts of lies and, in this case, drugs to keep their victims powerless and fearful. Abusers, Mitchell in this case, told her that God was punishing her. That she caused this to happen. Mitchell used every horrible cunning tactic against this poor girl. People accuse Elizabeth saying she 'brought this on herself’ or that she is lying, they even say she was pregnant (because she came back chubbier than she left) and this 'kidnapping' is nothing but a charade to cover up her disgrace. Do we really live in this world? Do we really live in a world that calls the 3-4 times per day rape that occurred for 9 months this young girls fault? Do we live in a world where we are so obsessed with conspiracy theories and our own agendas that we begin to blame victims and validate criminals?
I have met Elizabeth Smart. She is poised, soft spoken, graceful, and eloquent. I stared at her picture on the billboard outside my work for 9 months when she went missing and she has become this beautiful talented woman. She is going on an LDS mission to Paris in the next few weeks. I am appalled by this world, and in particular the horrible collection of people that are speaking out against this amazing girl.
This is a sad day for this world in which we live.
FYI: I wrote this yesterday. As such, the transcripts the Tribune posted were apparently against a court 'decorum order' given. So they have removed the transcripts I read and now the article posted (that I have it linked to) about her testimony but it is in the words of the reporter, rather than the actual transcripts from the court.
If reading the article wasn't horrible enough, the comments people posted regarding the article were much worse. I cannot believe the sick, terrible, and ridiculous things people say. One person actually said that it's Elizabeth's fault, that "she being raised in the Mormon religion brain washed her female brain to follow any 'man' claiming religious authority." Others are stating that "the more this continues the more she is lying about everything. Her own testimony is proving she has never ever been victimized or traumatized at all as everyone is making it sound. This family is only proving to be attention seeking and exploitive." To these people I am disgusted. You are the scum of the earth and clearly have an impaired view of right and wrong, good and evil, the truth and a lie.
To these despicable people I'd like to say a few things. First of all Elizabeth was a CHILD. Barely 14 years old when abducted from her home by knife point. She was raped, drugged, and abused. Abusers will tell their victims vicious horrible things in order to keep them in a state of fear. In Elizabeth's case they threatened not only her life, but the life of those she held most dear, her family. Abusers use all sorts of lies and, in this case, drugs to keep their victims powerless and fearful. Abusers, Mitchell in this case, told her that God was punishing her. That she caused this to happen. Mitchell used every horrible cunning tactic against this poor girl. People accuse Elizabeth saying she 'brought this on herself’ or that she is lying, they even say she was pregnant (because she came back chubbier than she left) and this 'kidnapping' is nothing but a charade to cover up her disgrace. Do we really live in this world? Do we really live in a world that calls the 3-4 times per day rape that occurred for 9 months this young girls fault? Do we live in a world where we are so obsessed with conspiracy theories and our own agendas that we begin to blame victims and validate criminals?
I have met Elizabeth Smart. She is poised, soft spoken, graceful, and eloquent. I stared at her picture on the billboard outside my work for 9 months when she went missing and she has become this beautiful talented woman. She is going on an LDS mission to Paris in the next few weeks. I am appalled by this world, and in particular the horrible collection of people that are speaking out against this amazing girl.
This is a sad day for this world in which we live.
FYI: I wrote this yesterday. As such, the transcripts the Tribune posted were apparently against a court 'decorum order' given. So they have removed the transcripts I read and now the article posted (that I have it linked to) about her testimony but it is in the words of the reporter, rather than the actual transcripts from the court.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A fitting tune, and an even better reminder.
Everyone has those moments which make it difficult to remember that there is indeed a plan for each of us. Sometimes when I read the cyber-version of people's lives, ie. blogs, Facebook, or even texts, it's hard not to compare, and it is even harder not to question. Today I took a very insignificant quiz on Facebook which promised to tell me what I should be for Halloween. Yay! I can never decide! This should be fun! The result was "a princess" and the description said "you are living a real life fairytale". I had to keep the snort laughs at bay! Ha ha. Well, I got a good chuckle thinking about how this period of my life is not exactly the fairytale ending I thought it would be and heaven knows I'm not the 'princess' I'd pictured either. After my chuckles subdued a song popped into my head "Count Your Blessings". A much needed reminder :-D. So! With that I will quit my bellowing, hunker down, and count. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9... jokes. And I am going to leave you with the song , er, lyrics, which have been playing in my head all afternoon. enjoy!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
PoWeLL BaBy!
the houseboat (summer sanctuary)This past weekend was monumental! "Why?" you may ask. Well, the last time I was in Lake Powell I wrecked (more like damaged) one of our rented wave runners. I was young. Much too young to be driving a mega machine by myself and that experience I suppose has scarred me for many years. Any who! After an absence of 16 years I went back to Powell with the fam this past weekend and luckily this time I did not cause any harm to the boats/wave runners/houseboat/ skis /wake boards/tubes etc... SUCCESS! And the best part is the entire Vreeken family was there which was a first in 3 years! All 28 of us on an awesome houseboat for a few days! Ad and I could only join them on Saturday-Monday but it was absolutely SPLENDID! I have tons of pics but haven't uploaded them yet, so these pics posted are from my sista.
the boys (nephews: jakers, dj, zach, tanner)!
the girls (nieces: holli, kiley, bella)!
hangin out at the back of the boat (my sis shelli, niece kelli and brother jd)
It was Adam's first time being to Powell and I do believe he had a blast! He particularly loved the new wave runner turbo's courtesy of the Cooks as well as wakeboarding, tubing, and skiing (pretty sure the only thing he disliked was the fact I wouldn't let him go cliff jumping).
For me the best part was the company! I don't get to see 3 of my siblings and their families very often so the best part was just being together! The houseboat was AMAZING and I am convinced this is the only way to do Lake Powell! Though they never check this blog, I just have to say thank you's to Mumsie & Dad, J & Mar, Vic & Der, Shells & Gar, Cinders & Rustoner for a WONDERFUL end to this summer! When we look back on this challenging and hard year, this will certainly be the highlight! Thank you for convincing us we couldn't miss out and for giving us a literal summer sanctuary (ironically the name of the boat)!
Monday, August 24, 2009
World er, Weekend in a Minute!
Thursday: FANTASTIC BBQ up BIG C with the friendicles! So awesome! Though, cut short. I remember the days when we would stay and stay till we were kicked out, however, this is no longer the case. We came, we ate, we socialized, those with kids left, those without kids left, the linger-longers cleaned up, then left. We were outta the canyon by 9 pm! Good times were had by all.
Friday: Chinese from our fav spot Dragon Diner + Desperate Housewives = a great evening.
Saturday: Um, strange day. Ad went to help Nick wire his home for some new lights as well as putting in plugs/surround sound hookups in their basement! I can't wait to see the finished product! These guys really are awesome! True Jacks of All Traits! This left me. Alone. No friends not working or tending to babes/homes, No fam near to chillax with, therefore I watched movies and did laundry. I watched "Victor Victoria". All I can say is miss this one if you can. I love me some Julie Andrews, but this was too bizarre even for me. Saturday eve howev's we went to a delightful bday party for Sir Brayden. Good food and good times had by all!
Sunday: Ad and I woke up early and went to the 9 am session of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. We got there right at 8:30 and luckily my cute sista's and bro's saved us a spot. The dedication was great as expected, but I must admit to getting distracted by what I like to call "Panda Woman". I was sitting in the chapel soaking up the inspiring words when I look ahead and see this woman holding what looks like a stuffed animal on her lap. It's kinda dark so I'm not sure, and this event is strictly for those 8 and older, so I knew it wasn't for a small child... Finally I looked over and she was kissing this little panda bear! I couldn't believe it! Then she put the bear back on her lap where I couldn't see it. I'd then forget about it and listen but occassionally would look back and this little panda bear stuffed animal up to her ear, then she'd kiss it, then she'd hold it to her shoulder as she would a baby his poor little soul then the bear would disappear again. It was very odd. I am truly not trying to poke fun as obviously this cute woman in her 50's had some sort of mental or physical disablity, but it was serioulsy one of the strangest things I have ever seen.
Friday: Chinese from our fav spot Dragon Diner + Desperate Housewives = a great evening.
Saturday: Um, strange day. Ad went to help Nick wire his home for some new lights as well as putting in plugs/surround sound hookups in their basement! I can't wait to see the finished product! These guys really are awesome! True Jacks of All Traits! This left me. Alone. No friends not working or tending to babes/homes, No fam near to chillax with, therefore I watched movies and did laundry. I watched "Victor Victoria". All I can say is miss this one if you can. I love me some Julie Andrews, but this was too bizarre even for me. Saturday eve howev's we went to a delightful bday party for Sir Brayden. Good food and good times had by all!
Sunday: Ad and I woke up early and went to the 9 am session of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. We got there right at 8:30 and luckily my cute sista's and bro's saved us a spot. The dedication was great as expected, but I must admit to getting distracted by what I like to call "Panda Woman". I was sitting in the chapel soaking up the inspiring words when I look ahead and see this woman holding what looks like a stuffed animal on her lap. It's kinda dark so I'm not sure, and this event is strictly for those 8 and older, so I knew it wasn't for a small child... Finally I looked over and she was kissing this little panda bear! I couldn't believe it! Then she put the bear back on her lap where I couldn't see it. I'd then forget about it and listen but occassionally would look back and this little panda bear stuffed animal up to her ear, then she'd kiss it, then she'd hold it to her shoulder as she would a baby his poor little soul then the bear would disappear again. It was very odd. I am truly not trying to poke fun as obviously this cute woman in her 50's had some sort of mental or physical disablity, but it was serioulsy one of the strangest things I have ever seen.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Rambings of a blogger...
The past few months I have not been able to get the idea of good vs. evil out of my head. Grimm I know. However, the term "evil" really turns me off the saying all together. It's so final. Hopeless. I suppose I mean "bad" more than "evil" anyways... and I digress.
Lately I have been hearing a lot about looking for the good in the bad and yes, this is always good to do. It is wise to not dwell on the dreadful. It is great to look for the hope and good in all situations... Count Your Blessings and all that. However, I have been hearing things lately that make my heart ache. In the scriptures and General Conference we are warned again and again that a 'sign of the times' is that even the elect will be deceived. Even the most righteous can have their hearts turned. And the 'chosen' can fall. Yes, there is good to be found in the bad... but with all I hear, and all I see, I cannot deny that there is bad in the good, in us.
Lately I have been hearing a lot about looking for the good in the bad and yes, this is always good to do. It is wise to not dwell on the dreadful. It is great to look for the hope and good in all situations... Count Your Blessings and all that. However, I have been hearing things lately that make my heart ache. In the scriptures and General Conference we are warned again and again that a 'sign of the times' is that even the elect will be deceived. Even the most righteous can have their hearts turned. And the 'chosen' can fall. Yes, there is good to be found in the bad... but with all I hear, and all I see, I cannot deny that there is bad in the good, in us.
I came across this quote on my dear friends blog. It is from the Life of Pi, by Yann Martel,
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"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless. …These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart."
This quote has really helped me to put things in perspective. No force outside of ourselves can cause our hearts to be corrupt. No one forces us to make bad decisions. We cannot lead a "tempt free" life. Even the Savior was tempted by the devil, but the difference is his heart remained pure and he did not faulter. Decisions are made in our hearts. We all know better and yet we willingly and knowingly turn our hearts from our Heavenly Father.
Yes. We have all been there once or twice, and will be again and again throughout our lives.
Though I am a completely flawed and imperfect individual, I can say without hesitation, nothing is worth it. Nothing is worth the pain/humiliation/sadness/depression and hopelessness of guilt.
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I hope that when the next temptations come, and they will, that we will not let the "evil" out.
~Love you.
-
"There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless. …These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart."
This quote has really helped me to put things in perspective. No force outside of ourselves can cause our hearts to be corrupt. No one forces us to make bad decisions. We cannot lead a "tempt free" life. Even the Savior was tempted by the devil, but the difference is his heart remained pure and he did not faulter. Decisions are made in our hearts. We all know better and yet we willingly and knowingly turn our hearts from our Heavenly Father.
Yes. We have all been there once or twice, and will be again and again throughout our lives.
Though I am a completely flawed and imperfect individual, I can say without hesitation, nothing is worth it. Nothing is worth the pain/humiliation/sadness/depression and hopelessness of guilt.
--
I hope that when the next temptations come, and they will, that we will not let the "evil" out.
~Love you.
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