Tag: Random Thoughts

2020 · Be Kind · David's Thoughts · Uncategorized

2020 and the Election

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My husband, David, posted this yesterday on his Facebook. I felt it needed a broader posting which is why I am posting it here.

——-

So, four years ago, I woke up on the morning after the election filled with apprehension, confusion, disappointment and despair. But, in spite of not agreeing with their choice, I actually kind of understood where Trump voters were coming from. The Democrats had nominated their least likable candidate in years, there was a significant frustration with how things worked (or didn’t) in Washington, and I think a lot of them looked at Trump as a kind of political experiment. An inexperienced fox to throw into the DC chicken house. So they did.

This morning, my feelings are different. Today, I am overcome with a soul-crushing sadness. Not because Trump has been re-elected (as I write this the ballots are still being counted). But because half of this great country voted for him again. This time, the Democrats had nominated the least offensive, most middle-of-the-road candidate they could have. This time, we have a clear understanding of just what kind of president Trump will be. The travelling shit-circus that these past four years have been, with its cruelty, and narcissism, and stupidity, and incompetence, has provided ample evidence of what is in store for the next four, if Trump should win.

And yet, half the country voted for him. Again.

At this point, historically, I think I would have been tempted to add “in spite of the shit-circus”. But this morning I know better. His followers don’t vote for him “in spite” of what he is and the wreckage he creates. They don’t overlook his hatred and his evil because they think he’ll keep their taxes down. They voted for him because they like it. They like the hate, the meanness, the fury. The want the cruelty, the pettiness, the mocking. They don’t vote for him “in spite” of all that. They love him BECAUSE of all that.

And that is what has completely devastated me this morning. I have woken up with the realization that half of the country that I love so much, is made up of such people. I had no clue. I honestly thought most Americans were like me.

So here I am, a stranger in a strange land. And I have no idea how to get home, because I am not even sure where that is anymore…

——–

This summarizes my feelings as well. Much love to all of you.

Blessings always.

Jerry Ann

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Bucket List · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

Bucket List – Updated

jachancellor2 Comments

Below is a Bucket List that I put together in August of 2012. I have recently purchased a Passion Planner (www.passionplanner.com), and have written goals. I somewhat did this last year with my weight being the highest priority.
So this year I wanted to revisit my Bucket List. I have been thinking a lot of what I want to do, and how to go about getting there.

Original post in August 2012 – update
1. Get a good camera –August 2012
2. Travel to Australia
3. Travel to Japan
4. Travel to Scotland/Ireland (they are nothing alike, but are listed together. I am not sure why.)
5. Spend a week in New York –see a Broadway play a day.
6. Jump out of an air plane (preferably when I want to, not need to.)
7. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.
8. Dance on Broadway (was an original dream of mine at 17.)
9. Make a quilt (like my grandmothers.)
10. Learn to speak German – really!
11. Learn to speak Japanese
12. Open a restaurant.
13. Open a store (scrap?)
14. Write a cookbook
15. Walk on the Great Wall of China.
16. See Paris again with my love.
17. See London again with my love – September 2012
18. Conquer Algebra – beginning Math classes January 2017
19. Eat at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant in London – (The Savoy) September 2012
20. Eat at Morimotto’s sushi restaurant – Orlando, Disney Springs, August 2016
21. See U2 live in concert (front row preferred.)
22. See Motley Crue in concert (I tried in 1987), and now finally done!
23. See Poison in concert. – done
24. Meet Bret Michaels – done
25. Run a 5k. Walked a 5k December 10, 2016
26. Live at Disney World.
27. Be the Fairy God Mother at Disney World.
28. Grow a vegetable garden.
29. Write a book.
30. Be a mentor.
31. Refurbish a piece of furniture.
32. Color my hair (or parts of it) pink.
33. Be a size 12 again – on my way…size 16 or XL
34. Organize my scrap/craft area – if Stephen moves out – his room will be my craft room.
35. Take a trip around the world.
36. Be a tour guide.
37. Sew a dress – see 34.
38. Crochet a blanket.
39. Learn to knit – still basics but I know how to knit and purl January 2013
40. Meet the Queen of England.
41. Meet Nathan Fillion.
42. Speak in front of a group of people without freaking out.
43. Learn how to can vegetables.
44. Learn how to make jam or fruit preserves.
45. Be a friend to my children.
46. Get a Bachelor’s degree – in process – began my AA in October 2016
47. Learn more than 6 words in sign language.
48. Live in Germany.
49. Own a Corvette.
50. Own a BMW or Mercedes.
51. Go to a Dallas Cowboys Football game.
52. Attend an Olympic event.
53. Zip Line – done – Labedee Haiti – August 2016

So I have a ways to go with a lot of my items. But I find that I want to add things daily. Reminding myself to take things slowly as to not overwhelm myself.

Blessings!
Jerry Ann

Advice · Breathe · Momma Advice · thoughts · Uncategorized

Breathe

jachancellorLeave a comment

In all of life’s difficulties I always come back to “breathe.”  That is all you have to do.  Panicked? Breathe.  Stressed?  Breathe.  Overwhelmed? Breathe.  Baby won’t stop crying? Breathe.  You have to get calm to resolve the situation.  Remove yourself if needed.  Big, deep breaths. Breathe.

I have said before that I Momma.  I have Momma’ed since I was 16.  It is a gift or a curse, not sure which.  New moms not knowing what to do.  Breathe.

A song came on KLOVE the other day as I was driving into work.  Jonny Diaz – Breathe

 

This was so needed for me that day.  It is easy for me to calm others by saying Breathe, but this time I listened.

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe

Blessings, today and always.

Jerry Ann

 

family · Uncategorized

Stephen and Driving

jachancellorLeave a comment

2012-12-26 12.04.23

Stephen finally got his driving permit today. I must say I have been grateful that he waited so long to get it. In our state (Florida) you can get your driving permit at 15, but you have to drive with a licensed driver for a year.  I know that I am getting older, but not dealing with having him drive everywhere has been nice.

He turned 16 on December 2. Yep. Growing up. I love that he is finally able to do this, as I like for the kids to be independent.

I have taught him how to do dishes (although most of the time they aren’t the cleanest), his own laundry, and some ironing. I am thinking of a future where he will not live at home forever.  I know that there needs to be more, but taking it one day at a time.

So. Happy New Year?
Blessings,
Jerry Ann

family · Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · Uncategorized

Shootings in CT

jachancellor1 Comment

MORGAN FREEMAN ON THE SHOOTINGS YESTERDAY:

“You want to know why. This may sound cynical, but here’s why.

It’s because of the way the media reports it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? Disturbed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he’ll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody.

CNN’s article says that if the body count “holds up”, this will rank as the second deadliest shooting behind Virginia Tech, as if statistics somehow make one shooting worse than another. Then they post a video interview of third-graders for all the details of what they saw and heard while the shootings were happening. Fox News has plastered the killer’s face on all their reports for hours. Any articles or news stories yet that focus on the victims and ignore the killer’s identity? None that I’ve seen yet. Because they don’t sell. So congratulations­, sensationalist media, you’ve just lit the fire for someone to top this and knock off a day care center or a maternity ward next.

You can help by forgetting you ever read this man’s name, and remembering the name of at least one victim. You can help by donating to mental health research instead of pointing to gun control as the problem.”

I will not honor the killer.

I will do as Morgan has asked and remember the lost.

Charlotte Bacon, 02-22-06
Daniel Barden, 09-25-05
Rachel Davino, 07-17-83
Olivia Engel, 07-18-06
Josephine Gay, 12-11-05
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04-04-06
Dylan Hockley, 03-08-06
Dawn Hochsprung, 06-28-65
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07-10-06
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06-08-06

Chase Kowalski, 10-31-05

Jesse Lewis, 06-30-06
James Mattioli, 03-22-06
Grace McDonnell, 11-04-05
Anne Marie Murphy, 07-25-60
Emilie Parker, 05-12-06
Jack Pinto, 05-06-06
Noah Pozner, 11-20-06
Caroline Previdi, 09-07-06
Jessica Rekos, 05-10-06
Avielle Richman, 10-17-06
Lauren Russeau, 06-?-82
Mary Sherlach, 02-11-56
Victoria Soto, 11-04-85
Benjamin Wheeler, 09-12-06
Allison Wyatt, 07-03-06

And, this from Proverbs 31 Ministries:

Many times it’s hard to know what to do or say in times of tragedy, or how to process through the pain… Proverbs 31 Ministries has compiled these resources to help you. We’ll continue adding to it for you and are praying.

1. 4 Free Resources for Ministering in Times of Tragedy {Source: Pastors ToolBox with Rick Warren: http://pastors.com/resources-tragedy/

I wasn’t sure really what to say but I felt that I should say something.
Much love to you all.
Blessings – always.
Jerry Ann