WINTER DREAMS online Store Opening!

ANNOUNCING THE ONLINE STORE OPENING OF

WINTER DREAMS
at
winterdreams.etsy.com

If your goal this year for Christmas is to give beautiful fun one of a kind gifts to the people on your list that seem to have it all
or to continue your plight to reuse in an effort to lessen your landfill footprint ...
WINTER DREAMS
Handcrafts is the one stop shopping for you!

WINTER DREAMS
"ReNew Your Spirit Line "
Beautiful clothes, bags, etc out of recycled material.



WINTER DREAMS
"Handcrafted Line"
One of a kind handcrafted items:
Felted Christmas ornaments, designer knitted scarfs... Just to name a few!



Be sure to mention that you are a friend of BW&G in your order and I will hand deliver your WINTER DREAMS order to you anywhere in the KC Metro area!!!

THANKS SO MUCH for helping make WINTER DREAMS a reality!

Joanna

ETSY
Your Place to Buy and Sell All Things Homemade

winterdreams.etsy.com

A Home School Day

I know the jury is still out for home schooling. I anticipate it will be until my girls solve world hunger, cure cancer, run the country or win American Idol.

But, today is one of those days that I am just not worried about the jurors.

My fourteen year old has had a busy day: talking to her girl friends, watching t.v., checking Facebook to see who her favorite guy is a fan of today. Now she is relaxing in their computer room knitting a scarf and watching a documentary on World War II.

My younger daughter's busy day included: watching Discovery Channels video on angles and CREATE t.v., playing with her cats, making lunch. Now she has scattered her paints on the table and is not just painting but experimenting with her paints; mixing them on and off the page, etc.

For whatever else comes, in this moment their time is their own. That gift to them puts a smile on my face and gives me great pride in this part of who they are.

"If you can't believe,
if you can't accept anything on faith,
then you are
doomed
for a life
dominated by doubt."
- Kris Kringle

I often find myself looking out windows.

It seems such a bizarre habit. It's as if I have been sleep walking only to awake and find myself looking out one of our windows. Staring. Staring off into the same scenery I have seen day in and day out.

Is it a place for no thought; a minute to get lost in? I really don't know.

I do this most while I am standing in the bath tub waiting for the water to fill. I stare out the window above the tub into our back yard. It is a disastrous sight; overgrown weeds, broken toys, a pool we never figured out how to get to fill up correctly.

Still I stand there ... staring.

Another strange habit I have is watching my daughter's turtle, Jen.

I seem to be drawn into Jen's apparent quest for freedom. She swims at full speed to ram her head into the glass boundary...over and over and over; day after day after day.

Each time she makes her swim back from the glass, unsuccessful, I wonder what she is thinking...

"Just one more hard hit and I am out of here."

But even more then that I admire her, where does she find the courage inside herself to keep her plight going, to head back towards her window time after time after time.

Or ...

is it simply a habit and she too has no idea what the hell she is doing much less why.

I am thankful that at least for the moment I have one up on the turtle -
I am not ramming my head at my bathroom window, at least not at full speed!

Love's Quandary:

To miss someone you feel lonely with!

Don't Invite a Snail to your Pity Party.

I heard a tiny slurping
coming from the grass.
It was a snail drinking from
the self pity I was dripping.

I leaned down and looked him
square in the antennas to ask,
"You mean I am not the only thing
going on right this very minute?"

With a sigh and a splash
Snail started to leave, but
not before mumbling,
"Why does this always happen to me!"

3 Teen Girls!

1 white beaded necklace draped as a sash
2 headphones for 1 MP3 player
3 TEEN GIRLS!
4 cell phones
5 fingers texting while she talks with her beau on a different phone
6 messages taken for their friend playing on the soccer field
7 hoop earrings
15 bracelets
1,000 laughs

Need a Laugh?

Need a Laugh?
Click on this link and watch this short self filmed video by Sammi when her singing practice ends abruptly!!

Life With Sammi ... "Death Cab Sirens"

Served a Wake Up Call!

I was a having one of those moments that he, the husband, calls PMS. I call it over emotional about unresolved issues. Regardless, I was upset with him this morning. Outside of that I was trying to talk with him about plans for the weekend.

Let's just say we were having a strained conversation at best.

We talked about the soccer tournament. My plans for the day. (The same ones I have had every Friday for over FOUR YEARS!) Then I wanted to talk about Alice's visitation/funeral.

His Great Aunt Alice passed away earlier this week and the visitation is this evening. I just assumed we were going. He said that he didn't think he would go to the visitation but would go to the funeral in the morning. My mention that I (and, of course, our girls) would just go without him this evening was ambushed by these four words:

"It's not your family."

OUCH!

And I was served:

" Lady,

Your on the wrong tracks ... move aside and let me pass!

Thanks,
Your loving Husband of 17 years"

I keep avoiding the issue that he seems to be needing things of his own: friends, activities, and now his family. Like all things you choose not to deal with, eventually your served a hit on the side of your head causing a loud buzzing...

A.K.A.
your wake up call!

Trust Not This Ryan Rezzelle

The tall man came to

Kansas City masquerading

as friend to all
this Ryan Rezzelle

At first he was a
Kiss-the-baby
Shake-the-hand type man
this Ryan Rezzelle

He brought humor to his work place:
practical jokes, tossing co-workers.
Jovial was he
this Ryan Rezzelle

He swept his guise to
co-workers families.
Flimflammed were we ALL by
this Ryan Rezzelle

Stars aligned to bring the love
of a beautiful maiden;
a night of I-dos and dancing for
this Ryan Rezzelle

The newly weds adopted in
strays, four legged fun
and ball catching for
this Ryan Rezzelle

Thereafter, darkness set in; opportunity
fed his hunger for power.
Ugly OOZED from
this Ryan Rezzelle

Once baby kisser, now Supreme Judge.
Peers feverishly turned
to stepping stones by him for him
this Ryan Rezzelle

Under the cloak of friendship
water cooler gossip
went straight from the ears to the lips of
this Ryan Rezzelle

For his lips were attached to the ass
of the Dreaded Director of Evil,
This was a golden pass to the top for
this Ryan Rezzelle

The Dreaded Director of Evil, boss to all,
spun this gossip into F4 proportions.
A path of destruction followed Evil and
this Ryan Rezzelle

The aftermath of his fast whirlwind ride to the top:
a pile of old friends and families, his dignity.
Less not forget - a take home car for
this Ryan Rezzelle

CONGRATULATIONS on Your SUCCESS
Mr. Ryan REZZELLE!




*********************

Disclaimer:
These words and opinions are mine. I am not speaking for or influenced by anyone else.
As is obvious, this is a work in creative writing and should be taken as such.
As also is obvious, Ryan Rezzelle is a real person who, in my opinion,
turned out not to be the man my children and I thought he
was when we invited him in our circle and when we took care of his dogs and home.
I wish Ryan Rezzelle had followed the golden rule,
"Do not do onto others that which you would not have them do onto you!"
But, I guess when your chasing a take home car and POWER all rules
(including the ones your mama taught you)
are off!

Trust Not This Ryan Rezzelle - Update

September 5th is now the release date for Trust Not This Ryan Rezzelle. As excited as I am, I am a bit nervous that my blog poem, ...Ryan Rezzelle will be worth the excitement and anticipation! But, such as it is September 5th will tell the tale.

Thanks for your patience and anticipation :)

Trust Not This Ryan Rezzelle

This blog entry is currently under censorship.
Please check back in a few weeks.

Smiles and Hugs for Dad!

Sitting here on Fathers Eve watching all these young daddies give their all to win stuffed animals and toys for their kiddies, opens the memory gates to my own dad.

Sure back then the person sitting where I am would be waiting for their kids to exit the Scream Roller, the very first ride to take you upside down at Worlds of Fun, and the prizes have grown in proportion to the cost of playing the game. Otherwise, the scene here looks just about the same as some thirty years ago:

"Try one more time daddy!" ... " I want that one." ... "Please please let me try!"

Moms pushing strollers full of stuffed animals, balls and half asleep little ones.

The game I most recall my Dad playing along here was the one where you break the balloons with darts. Without too much call for exaggeration, I believe he always won. We spent the whole time trading up our prizes.

However, if I was to guess what my dads all time favorite ticket game was I'd say skee ball. At the 10 cent skee ball stand in Lake of the Ozarks he warranted his own ticket agent. They'd lock the door behind us posting a "SORRY out of PRIZES!" sign.

He still owns the skee ball machines at Showbiz (Chucky Cheese... if you must) As Grandpa, he continues his job to stuff little people's pockets with enough tickets that they walk away with something besides a pencil eraser for their treasures.

And what do all these dads and granddads walk away with that makes it all worth it?

SMILES & HUGS, Baby ...

SMILES and HUGS!

Superdelegate Math

The North Kansas City School District either didn't feel it was important to teach us the system in which we elect our President or ... this is the one I am leaning towards... they simply couldn't figure it out. Whichever the case may be, I must admit to you that every four years I think I have the voting system all figured out and then ... CURVE BALL... what, another crazy twist that takes us even further from the idealistic unrealistic

"EVERY VOTE COUNTS"!

This years curve - Superdelegates!

Superdelegates as in:
Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
and Missouri's very own Mark Bryant.

Just a few people running for president, their spouse, friends and ... Mark Who?

So, in honor of my new SUPER knowledge
here is some SUPERDELEGATE Math:

First PROBLEM:
In Missouri
405,284 people went to the polls and voted for Obama giving him 36 delegates
minus
395,287 people went to the polls and voted for Hillary giving her 36 delegates
=
9,997 people who could have stayed warm in bed; their vote didn't count toward a delegate.

Second PROBLEM:
795 SUPERDELEGATES
divided by
795 votes cast by Superdelgetes
=
1 vote per each SUPERDELEGATE!!!

Third PROBLEM:
800,571 Missourians who voted a Democratic ticket on Feb 5th, 2008
minus the
9,997 Missourians whose vote didn't count toward a delegate
divided by the
72 allotted Democratic delegates for Missouri
=
.0000936 vote per Missouri Democratic Voter.


A Word PROBLEM:
Q. If 857,208 Floridians go to the polls and vote for Hillary, 569,041 vote for Obama, 248,604 vote for Edwards and 9,537 vote for Kucinich how many Floridians voted a Democratic ticket?

A. 1,684,390 Florida Democratic Citizens voted on January 29, 2008


Extra Credit:
1,684,390 Democratic Florida Voters
divided by
0 Delegates *
=
0 vote per Florida Democratic Voter.

Let me repeat that for the students sitting in the back of the class:

One Million, Six hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Three hundred and Ninety United States Citizens living in Florida voted on January 29, 2008 and their vote earned exactly ZERO DELEGATES!

Their vote literally doesn't count!

Recap of todays lesson:

Each Democratic Superdelegate vote counts as 1 vote.
Each Democratic Missourian vote counted as .0000936 of a vote.
Each Democratic Floridian vote counted as ZERO, Zip, Nada.

Summarization:

ALL VOTERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!!!!!!

* The DNC gave Florida the toughest punishment in their power due to Florida holding it's primary on January 29th which is a violation of the DNC rules that no primary can be held before February 5th. Michigan was also stripped of it's delegates for the same violation.

Take 10 for Peace

Your invited to a Peace Rally on February 12th at Sundown - 5:20pm!

I believe in nonviolence. I'm for spreading peace from the peaks of the mountains, to the edges of each continent and into the valleys of hate and sorrow.

However, this Peace Rally is for OURSELVES to foster our inner peace and strength!

Peace from all the worrying, hopelessness, fear and constant battling within ourselves....

Joanna:
I thought you were stronger then this.

Joanna's Self:
Me too.

Joanna:
Do something about it.

Joanna's Self:
Okay. Hummm...
(Dramatic Pause)
How about some chocolate?

Joanna:
NO... fool... not chocolate!

Joanna's Self
(snap)
I've got it. You want Krispy Kreme!

So, on the day that I honor my mom and dad for bringing me into this world (the same way I still spend most my days; the same way I will probably go out... kicking and screaming) I invite YOU, my family and friends and any of your family and friends... EVERYONE but naysayers, to rally together for 10 minutes of solidarity to share in our collective strength via meditation, prayer, silence... it's all good and welcome!

We will met at 5:20 at EH Young Riverfront Park, in Riverside along the path closest to the river by the flags.

We can share strength over the miles, so if your in Springfield, Rolla or any other far away land, take 10 at the same time and join us!

Not even 33 cents

I was making important decisions at the grocery store. The kind that will either satifisy your checkbook or your taste buds... Ragu or the Hunts Spagetti sauce for a dollar less.... when my ears dropped in on the conversation on up the isle.

"I think that we have enough to buy one more."

I turned (I can't help it.) to see a young man kneeling on the ground reaching up trying to hand his Miss a box of Save Mac and Cheese which was on sale for

33 cents.

Their cart was perfectly organized with their few groceries: yogart, a carton of eggs, and now a few boxes of mac and cheese.

They were still discussing their last possible expenditure as I passed them.

My empty pockets went out to them. I wished I could scounge together from the bottom of my felted purse...

$.33.

I left Festival Foods that evening with Hunts for $1.07 and No Hope. No Hope that either my finances or this young couples finance will get any better. The No Hope is complimentary of the Red, White and Blue; free of charge - no need for a coupon, no need for a food stamp.

In fact, it won't cost that young couple, or even YOU ... my friend. It won't even cost you

Thirty Three Cents!

"I am Joanna Simmons and I approve this ad."

No apples for King

My cable is off, our KC Star subscriptions has ran out but still politics surfaces, mostly into conversation. How can it not...we are all searching under our car seats for a $1.69 to buy an apple, hoping to catch the KCP&L guy before he hits our power lines, and lets not even talk about the number of answers machines "customer service" representatives from credit card companies speak to a day.

Even those of us who are not sure about the legitimacy of the system spin off hope for these few months while wannabe presidents (or wannabe reelected presidents) do their own spinning and just enough truth telling to give us a taste for something better.

It is in this state of hunger that I myself have have come to believe that a leader offering a wider vision; whose feet appear to be planted firmly beside ours can pull us out of this recession.

And it is in this state of enthusiasm that I have instigated (on purpose) conversations about Mr. Obama only to be shot down numerous times with this kind of reply,
" I am not racist BUT...."

They didn't say, "Well, I don't agree with his foreign policy."
They didn't say, "He doesn't have enough experience for me to know what he will stand for as he leads our nation."
They didn't say, "I can't really tell what he thinks about health care."

They said, "BUT". NOTHING good ever comes after a BUT.

This is how on the eve of the day our nation has set aside to honor Martin Luther King Jr. my eyes were pried open to see that not only is our society still racist but it is prospering right outside my front door.

This promised land that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about us all arriving to... I hope he meant it in spiritual terms because in FORTY years we the people, for the people, by the people... are still people who spread hate, are still people who spread peace via bombs. As for poverty... well, all I can say is it is blind to race.

...And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as people will get to the promised land. So, I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.
- Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Memphis, April 3, 1968, the day before King was assassinated.