How to explain 'fortunate' to a 6 year old

At the Grant household we live within our means, which isn't over the top, but we are spoiled.  Scott and I, along with Mat, each have a computer.  Scott has a 360 downstairs, while I have one upstairs.  (Of course this means that the kids each have one as we let them play on it!)  This fact along with vacations, and trips to zoos and museums...the kids have it pretty nice.  We don't go buying them everything they want, nor do we cave to their demands.  

That said, we've had to have several talks of late with Mat about how fortunate he is to have what he does have compared to other children.  We are trying to explain that there are kids who unlike him have never been to Disney (let alone multiple times), do not have a zoo membership, do not get to go once a month or so to COSI, and also, do not get to eat or snack whenever they want.  Some kids, we told him, have to work at his age!  Though no matter what we tell him, it doesn't sink in.  He fusses about wanting more Skylanders, or about having to go to school or do homework or that he wishes he had cooler things, etc, etc.  We realize this is probably due to us having alot of 'wants' in our house instead of 'needs', and that he hears at school how so and so has this or that...So anyway, Scott and I would love to show Mat that yes, we have nice things, and yes, we do lots of fun things.  BUT, we should be very happy about how fortunate we are, and thankful for what we do have.  We should not get upset at not getting something we want, nor should we be fussing over things like doing chores or doing homework (to the extent that he does).  

We're trying to find a nice foundation or charity that would allow Mat to tag along to events to show him these things.  We're also trying to find documentaries, that are decent for a 6 year old to watch that show him these things as well.  

Anyway, that is my long story that can really be shortened up by saying, "It's really difficult to demonstrate or to teach a 6 year old what 'fortunate' really means."

Respect for your own and others

So on Facebook I keep seeing posts from all walks of life. This is normal of course. The one thing that I have to speak up on is the utter lack of respect I see within the social media sites. It is one thing to be an activist, or someone who is passionate about what they believe in. It is another to be completely rude and disrespectful. I will admit that I have been guilty of this issue. Of late however, this issue has been running rampant. I will promise here and now that I will try to do better at respecting others and their beliefs, especially as it relates to responding to comments and what I RT. It is my hope too that others will be respectful as well. There is a fine line between offense and debating, and people need to learn this.

Heading Home from Vegas

I had a fantastic time in Vegas. Yesterday, we wrapped up with Craftsteak. Probably the best steak I had. But sorry, not $115 bucks good. $60 yea...but no more. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I went! But I don't think I'd go there again. Aside from that, Scott and I spent the morning walking the strip and enjoying each others company which was fantastic. It was really very nice being able to walk as a couple and not have jealous children attempting to steal you away. These past few days made me realize one more time how perfect Scott is, and how fortunate I am to have him. He truly is the love of my life:) Anyway I'll write more later, but I wanted to scribble something down.

Ode to Katrana

Well, I'm not really going to write an ode, but I want to write a blog post dedicated to my online persona...Katrana. Katrana was a character I created on The Final Challenge mud. A shaman actually. In my mind, she was powerful, smart, quirky, and could kill people who attempted to harm her. She was everything I thought I was not. Katrana quickly became my most favorite character on this text based game. My poor other characters fell by the wayside: neglected and abandoned. Katrana had friends, she had love interests. In playing her I escaped the hell known as middle and high school. In reality, I was a highly intelligent, booksmart, naive, awkward girl. I had a few close friends, but I always felt 'outside'. Within TFC, I thrived, I was not the most powerful, or the most knowledgeable. But people there knew me. I could talk to them without fear of ridicule or judgement...except for when we were role-playing, and hey that was allowed. Little did I realize...Katrana was me. For the most part, Katrana's personality, her phrases and quirks are my own. Now granted, I am not a goddess in real life, nor can I kill people with a single word. I also do not have a red aura, or weasels who worship me. But every now and then I wish I was her. People would ask, but wouldn't you miss Scott...my response? Well no, I married him there too! :)

Vegas Bound

Oh my own purpose for being in the airport!? To fly to Las Vegas. Why? For fun, for friends, for escape from everyday responsibilities.

Scott and I are meeting up with a group of friends in Vegas. These people have been my acquaintances and friends for over 15 years now. Whether or not they realize it, they've been there for me when others have not been. Just having a place to jump on and know that people there know 'me'. I say 'me' because to them, I'm not Jen, I'm Katrana. I'm some weirdo goddess who loves her cuddly weasel followers. She also happens to be 6 years old in the game right now as well. But hey, that's my 'other' self, I may need to give her props in her own post. Back to the purpose of this blog. These people, I met online...and not just online, but on a game. This also happens to be the same game I met Scott on. The Final Challenge mu happens to be one of the most important aspects of my life. Without it, I would not have the love of my life, or my children. It's incredible to think about, how one single decision can drive the direction of your life. For me? It was a text based game on the Internet.

All the little ants

As I sit here in the airport, watching people move about I think...All of these people have a place to be. They all move through the airport with a purpose. It truly is amazing to think about thought. I'm not sure that people often think about others in that manner. We tend to think of only ourselves and our tasks. To realize that the people in an airport are all working, or going to places. To sight see, to relax, to visit friends or loved ones, to travel home, to travel to work. Just amazing. We're all kind of like a HUGE colony of ants I suppose:)