Circus Protesters

We are really excited to go see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents Dragons in a couple weeks!  The one part of going to the circus that I do not enjoy is the protesters.  I know they are within their rights to picket outside the venue.  However I do not like that they try and push their propaganda on children in the form of coloring books.  I do get that animal cruelty is a big deal and I know that there are circuses and zoos throughout the world that treat their animals horribly.  The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO has rescued many of these animals throughout the years.  They are an amazing organization.  If you do not know about them I suggest you check out their website.  I think it is important to be informed about these things and to realize the reality of it.

I personally do not believe that Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey mistreat their animals.  Last year I paid close attention to how the whips and hooks were being used.  Never did the whips touch the animals.  The hooks used with the elephants never grabbed the animals, they would touch their legs every now and then with the side of the hook, but that was it.  These animals are their livelihood, they would not be smart to mistreat them.  If you attend one of the performance times you can arrive early and tour the animal enclosure.  You can see for yourself what their living conditions are like on the road.  Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey have large conservation centers for elephants and big cats.  They are doing some great work at these centers.

http://www.elephantcenter.com/

At the end of the day there is nothing to be done about the protesters.  We will be talking to our kids about the fact that they will be there.  About the fact that they should not ever take things from people they do not know without their parents permission.  We will also be talking about why the protesters are there, about the fact that there are places that mistreat their animals.  We will tell our kids to watch how the animals here are treated so they can decide for themselves what they think.  The protesters become a learning experience at the end of the day.  So I suppose I should not dislike them as they are giving me a reason to talk to my children about this important subject.  If you plan on taking your child(ren) to see the Dragons show, make sure to talk to them about this subject before you go. 

Time for a Change

I have had migraines since I was about 10 years old.  For as long as I can remember I have had a constant headache in addition to my migraines.  I'm sure there was a time where I didn't have a 24/7 headache, but I do not remember it.  I am up to about 20 days of migraines every month and it is getting really old.  I am search of a new neurologist, one who specializes in headaches/migraines.  There has got to be something out there that will help!  I have to keep hope that there is something out there.  So fingers crossed that I can find a new doc who has some new ideas!

Joys of Fall

Fall is definitely on its way!  The nights are colder, mornings are cooler, leaves are starting to change on the trees.  I really, really do love fall!  Another thing that my family loves about fall?  That would be the fact that the circus comes to town!  Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be in Denver at the end of the month.  This year their show is based on the Year of the Dragon.  Which is doubly cool as I was born in the year of the dragon!  Plus, dragons are just cool.  :)

The newest Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey show is looking to be really good and I am very excited to go see it with my family.  One of the parts I am most excited to see is the "Riders of the Wind".  They are a Cossack group of acrobatic equestrians.  Horses are at the top of my favorite things that I love.  I love everything about them, so watching a group of skilled equestrians and their mounts is a sight to behold!

This year's show also includes Shaolin monks (seriously cool!), a Russian bar act, motorcycle daredevils, trapeze artists, animals, and clowns.  I would bet that their will also be dragons at some point, though I'll have to wait and see on that point!

The Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be in Denver from September 27 - October 7 at the Denver Coliseum.  Tickets are $12 on opening night (excluding Circus Celebrity, Front row, or VIP seats.)  Kids tickets are only $10 for the Sept 27 - October 4th performances (excludes all VIP seating, good for kids 2-12.  Limit 4 kids' tickets per 1 adult ticket.)  Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.  Don't forget to mention code: TFFA to save $4 per ticket!  (Not valid on Oct 5 @ 7pm or any Oct. 6 or 7 performances, excludes all VIP seating.)

I am a Feld Family Activator, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to this event.  All opinions posted here are my own. 

R.I.P Neil Armstrong

Today the world lost an inspirational man.  He may not have inspired all, but he inspired many.  Among those that he has inspired are my children, especially my boys.  They have learned a lot from Neil Armstrong.

They learned that being a Boy Scout, and an Eagle Scout, is something that is important.  It is something that they can attain, just like their father did.

They learned that if you really want to do something you have to work hard and study hard to get it.  Nothing comes easy in life.  Neil Armstrong studied hard and became a pilot at the age of 16.

They learned that dreams can come true.  Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot upon the moon, something that up until then was thought to be unthinkable.  That "one small step" matters a lot.

They learned the importance of modesty in your accomplishments.  Even though Neil Armstrong is a name that is known across the world, he was not a man who sought attention.  In fact he actively stayed out of the lime light.  His focus was on his family, his friends, and his work.  He could have let his achievement go to his head, but he chose to continue living as he had.

They learned the importance of standing up for the things they believe in.  Even though Neil Armstrong shied from publicity he made a rare public appearance when NASA's Constellation program was cancelled. 

My boys have learned many things from Mr. Armstrong, but foremost they have learned to reach for the stars.  To push themselves to fulfill their full potential.

That it is not to say that these lessons have not been learned elsewhere along the way, as they have.  They have been learned repeatedly and through different sources.  Neil Armstrong was just one of my children's teachers.  He was a teacher of many things to them, even though he did not know them.  I am grateful to this man, this legend, for the example he has been to my children.  I am grateful for his contributions to the space program.  I am grateful to his family for sharing him with the world. 

The Eagle has landed, rest in peace Neil Armstrong, rest in peace.

Loss and Grieving

My brother-in-law and his wife just lost a baby to miscarriage recently.  My heart goes out to them and breaks for them.  It has brought back so many emotions for me this past week.  All the talk of miscarriage has brought to the forefront the memories of my losses.  The memories are still all too fresh and clear to me even though it has been a couple years since my last.  My brother-in-law and his wife decided to bury the fetus yesterday.  My sweet husband took the morning off and went to the burial so I could stay home.  I know I should have gone to be a support, but emotionally I know I could not have handled it.  I've been depressed and crying so much this past week as it is.  Part of that is for their loss and part for mine.  Miscarriage just sucks.  No matter how you look at it or how far along you were it is never fun.  It is  always heart wrenching.  I am sure I will always mourn those babies that did not make it.  However I will forever be grateful for the ones who did make it.

Fan Girl Geek Out

I have to let my inner geek out again...to be honest it is never really hidden.  I am SO very excited that Christopher Eccleston is going to be in Thor: The Dark World!!!  Phew, did not know if I could hold that in any longer.  To be honest, again, I have not really been holding it in.  I have been telling everyone!  I get a lot of, who?  Who is Christopher Eccleston?  Poor, poor people who do not know who this amazing actor is!  I was first introduced to him as the Ninth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who.  I will not lapse into a commentary of Doctor Who at this point of time.  Nor will I tell you why I believe the Ninth incarnation was the best of the current three.  That may come at a later date.  I have since enjoyed more of his work outside of Doctor Who.  He really brings a depth to a character and I cannot wait to see him play Malekith.  I was looking forward to the next movie in this Marvel franchise anyways, but the inclusion of Mr Eccleston brings that excitement to another level. For those who do not know Malekith is the ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim, one of the nine worlds of Asgard.  

So there you have it, my geek out moment of the day. It is early though so I may have more, but you will not be exposed to those.  :)


Seriously though.....is he not perfect to play the part?  The looks alone!  Next November will be here before you know it!

Saying Goodbye

Last Friday I attended a funeral for a beautiful woman, Rebecca Wingo.  She was one of those people who was beautiful not just on the outside, but on the inside.  Her smile would light up a room and she was a self-proclaimed hugger. 

I left early for the funeral so that I could pick up a couple hams that had been donated by the Honey Baked Ham Company.  I found where we were to set up food and met one of the other ladies bringing food coming in.  We got a ham ready to be served and went out to wait for the others bringing food.  While we were waiting I was asked if I would let people know they could have a t-shirt.  Rebecca's favorite color was purple and there were purple t-shirts with a beautiful RW logo and her picture on the back.  So I spent the next hour and a half greeting mourners, handing out t-shirts and memorial cards, and letting them know where to find the food.  I did not know many of those who I greeted, but we all knew Rebecca.  I received many hugs.  I shared tears and smiles.  I was thankful to be able to help out in that small way. 

Once the funeral was ready to begin I slipped inside the doors.  It as standing room only and so I waited in the foyer.  When a member of the Air Force honor guard played taps as others from the honor guard handed folded flags to Rebecca's daughters and her mother it really hit home.  I was going to sit on a sofa in the foyer, but another friend found me and took me back to the room where my MLM friends were.  For those who do not know, MLM was a mom's website which was shut down last year.  While it was up I met many amazing women who I call friends, those friends included Rebecca. We had the funeral piped into the room we were in, but mainly spent our time remembering Rebecca in our own way.  We shared memories of her, we smiled and we laughed.  We felt that was how she would have wanted to remember her.  At the end of the funeral purple and silver balloons were released and swirled off into the distance.  We fed many more people, received many more hugs, we said good-bye one last time to Rebecca.  At the end of the night we packed up all the leftover food which had been donated and it was taken to feed Rebecca's family for the next few nights. 

At the end of the night I was one of the last few people to leave the funeral home.  I was exhausted, both physically and mentally.  However, I was also comforted and uplifted.  I am glad that I went to pay my last respects to Rebecca.  I am glad that I was able to help in my small way.  I am glad that I was able to know Rebecca.

Her Smile
Though her smile is gone forever,

And her hand I cannot touch,

I still have so many memories,

Of the one I loved so much.
Her memory is my keepsake,

with which I'll never part.

God has her in his keeping,

I have her in my heart.
Sadly missed,

but never forgotten.

For those who may want to help out Rebecca's daughters, their father has asked for all donations to go to the girls 529 fund that he and Rebecca set up before her death. 

‎529 Fund for the Wingo Girls - checks must be made payable to Nebraska Educational Savings Trust. In the memo line, include the account number

Nebraska Educational Savings Trust
NEST Advisor College Savings Plan

P.O. Box 30277
Omaha, NE 68103-1377

Account Number: 748788940-01 only checks please or Paypal acct 529 for Wingo Girls.