Kids' Choice ;)

Since I have been sharing my personal opinions of movies and such - I thought it would be fun to share what the little people in my house are finding entertaining! They love this movie - it's crazy silly and definitely worth checking-out.

The Infidel - Official Trailer [HD]

Has anyone else heard of this movie?! I MUST SEE IT!!! Looks hilarious! Why haven't I heard of it until now?

LOVE Trailer - Angels & Airwaves Movie

I can only vaguely imagine how lonely death must be and how that moment in our life is an experience we can never fully comprehend or be prepared to encounter. For those that have been or that are close to death they have been given a very rare opportunity to ponder what is precious and what touches the very core of their heart and soul. I remember having a dream where I was dying and then waking-up with the terrible feeling of an aching heart at the thought of leaving behind my children and then realizing they are what breathes life into my soul each day. This feeling remained with me for several days…

Sometimes a movie such as “Into the Wild” (2007) can come along and remind us of what is precious and help us to capture a glimpse of what it might be like to face the end of our own existence…

I believe when confronted with death we learn that it is LOVE that is at the very core of our lives. Why else do we crave it, long for it, or seek it and find comfort in it's presence?

Here is a movie that I am looking forward to watching which is appropriately titled, “Love”. I am excited to view the imagery and hear the soundtrack blended together to convey a message that we can all understand because it is what makes us go on each day in this life.

Here is a quote from Atom Willard in an interview found at "Angels and Airwaves: Atom Willard". ShaveMagazine.com. “The idea behind the movie was really to accompany the music with tools that we could really get behind. The idea was that the first time you ever heard the music for a certain record it would be accompanied by all these images and iconography of things that we believe in and that we love, or that have inspired us…”

Snowfall and Smiles

Wishing you peace, love and joy - no matter how you chose to spend the day! 

Time for more "Florence and the Machine"

Just because...
Here is another video from my favorite beautiful and talented performer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Small steps towards making a big change.

We live in such a complicated world – a place with so much beauty and art and if we are lucky our world is also a place filled with loving and kind people.

Then there is the stuff we don’t like to talk about – the stuff that is better swept under a rug and forgotten…at least until that pile under the rug becomes too big to ignore.
I’ve recently been lucky enough to hear this talk from a woman that is trying to make a change in our world. Sunitha Krishnan is a strong woman who is lifting back the rug and exposing all the stuff we really don’t like to talk about.

Sunitha Krishnan fights sex slavery Video on TED.com
Warning - due to what is discussed this isn't a easy message to watch - but, it's worth it.
note: if you have a hard time understanding her accent - you can turn on English subtitles.
Once you listen to this talk and if you feel compelled to make a change – pass her message on or check out this organization http://www.gems-girls.org/ and see what you can do to make a difference.

We all have a voice in this great big beautiful complicated world – won’t you let yours be heard?

Spiritual Crisis

;)

This semester at school has been a very introspective experience - I challenge anyone to take a semester of courses which include topics such as: Death and Dying, Intro to Biblical Interpretations and Women's Studies and see how much your worldviews stay the same. 

I think these areas of study have created a sort of "spiritual crisis" in my life.  I am developing a greater empathy for anyone who is silenced and ashamed to speak out because they are afraid of not being accepted.  This world is not black and white and there are so many shades of gray that it seems foolish to stand in one corner and say this is the only true way to believe.

I am saddened that we live in a world where people are bullied because of so many things - including gender and sexual orientation.  I found this quote in an article about a Pastor of a church who recently announced his homosexuality after 52-years of silence where he said,  "There are two things in my life that are an absolute," he told his flock. "I did not ask for either one of them; both of them were imposed upon me, I had no control over either of them. One was the call of God on my life ... and the other thing ... was my sexual orientation." 

More of this article can be found at: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/torn-by-bullying-suicides-mega-church-pastor-jim-swilley-says-hes-gay/19717048. 

Why should anybody feel distanced from God because they are told their sexuality is wrong and sinful?  I know that the church I attend does not embrace homosexuality and even says it is not part of God's plan.  But, yet - there are members of the Mormon church who feel the desire to be true to themselves and still have a loving relationship with their Heavenly Father.  Luckily we have people who are trying to make their voices heard through websites like: http://mormonsformarriage.com/

I pray that my children will know that I will love them no matter what and that they are loving spirit children of a loving creator...IMHO (In My Humble Opinion).

Just for You!

Have you ever wanted to tell someone off or wished you knew voodoo magic and could make a voodoo doll?  It has been several years since I tried dating and during the last few years - I thought I was ready and put myself out there.  Instead, I experienced much more grief and heartache to even make it worth my time.

This is a song I have loved whenever I experienced a break-up!  I discovered this song in 1996 - and had  hell of a time trying to find the CD.  But, I was thrilled to have found it on e-bay.a few years ago.  And today while searching through this great abyss (aka - the Internet ) I discovered the video for this song (which I had no idea even existed!)

So, for all the lying cheating tools that I have ever dated - this songs for you baby!

Artist: Zoe  Song title:  Hammer

THE ORIGINAL Scary 'Mary Poppins' Recut Trailer

Happy Halloween!!
I hope you had a wonderfully creepy Halloween - if not, maybe this will help.  This recut trailer is genius!  I love it and I hope you do too!!

Motherhood+Feminism+Religion=?

As most adults I know (and even some younger people) I really dislike Barney. I also get a rash when I participate in lengthy discussions about diapers, what colors would be great to paint the dining room, the neighbors, or even about television shows.


Over time I have learned that I do enjoy having my young son disagree with me about the creation story in the Bible. (At least he’s thinking and having the confidence to express his thoughts!) I also take pleasure in trying to teach my children why some people believe the things they do. It’s even fun to completely ruin any attempt of my kids trying to play a word game trick on me when they ask me what color is the sky (I’m supposed to answer “blue” ) but, instead I answer that it is occasionally blue or gray or even sometimes pink and orange.

Over the years, I have been taught that in order to be a woman I need to act a particular way, I am also taught that when I want to be a mother that I need to act another way. I even hear at church that motherhood and marriage are revered as sacred callings – but, the isolation of single motherhood is ignored.

Guess what? I like being a single mother! I love going to college! I love spending time with my kids doing the silly things we do.

So, before my brain goes on lockdown from pondering issues of feminism, religion and motherhood – I think the kids and I will head out and see what we can explore. Maybe this time we will go to the local coffee shop, order ourselves a hot chocolate, and sit next to a business person just to watch their reaction.

Stay Strong Mama

Yesterday was an interesting day and fortunately it's not one I have to live through again!! You know, one of those days that when it comes around - it makes you wonder how do I get-up and take the next step?

While experiencing this kicked-in-the-ass day - I was (and am always) thankful for a friend that just seems to know what to say. Those little words that inspire and encourage can make a world a difference!! Yesterday three simple words made a world of difference, "Stay Strong Mama"!

This morning while driving to school and as I was listening to my Florence and the Machine CD - I heard a song that I want to share for those friends in my life that have always found a word or two to make a difference. Thank you!! I love you!!

You've Got The Love

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord I just don't care"

But you've got the love I need To see me through

Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough

And things go wrong no matter what I do

Now and then it seems that life is just too much

But you've got the love I need to see me through

When food is gone you are my daily meal

When friends are gone I know my savior's love is real

You Know it's real

You got the love

Time after time I think "Oh Lord what's the use?"

Time after time I think it's just no good

Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose

But you got the love I need to see me through

You got the love

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord I just don't care"

But you've got the love I need to see me through

Unanswered Questions

I remember when I was a little girl and how much I despised the boring craft and baking activities we had to do in Brownies. I never understood why we couldn’t go camping and do the same cool things the boys were doing in Boy Scouts. My involvement with scouting became tolerable when I finally reached the age where I officially became a Girl Scout and had the opportunity to participate in weekend camping trips.


These memories recently came to light when my girls started to ask me why they couldn’t participate in the same cool activities their brother was doing during his Cub Scout camp. He was coming home every day talking about his experiences of canoeing, shooting a bb gun, or testing his skills at archery. I was sad I didn’t have a good answer to give my girls and I was extremely disappointed this is something that is still going on 30 years later.

The Scoutmaster, 1956

Should I Be Laughing This Hard?

Another day people are saying the end is coming. My friend told me he heard about this day on a radio program - which is scheduled for May 21, 2011. Party at my place on May 20th!!

Reminds me of the movie "Calendar Girls"

Liberating, Sweet, and Funny - check this out. How wonderful all these women would come together to help a mother.

Florence and the Machine!!!!! <3

If you know me at all - you have heard over and over again from me about "Florence and the Machine". She is my absolute favorite perfomer and the unique imagery of this video is one of the things that helped me fall in love with this artist.
Enjoy - but, this isn't the last I will mention Florence

Welcome to Jane Austen's Fight Club

This video is making the rounds online and in the media. Including Time.com, Jezebel.com and http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org. Besides being extremely entertaining I am most impressed that it has been made by a group of Mormon women. Oh, why can't these women be in my ward?

Slut or Cunt?

I've recently stumbled upon a lusciously tempting quote from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, "Well-behaved women rarely make history".  I like it and it makes me wonder what I can do to make history during my lifetime. 

So, for the last couple of years I have watched as a longtime friend of mine has expressed her thoughts and opinions through a blog.  Maybe I am ready to make public a part of me...for the sake of "making history".

Hence the creation of my blog, "God loving Slut"...

I am not using the word slut to disrespect God or Women.  I am using the word almost in the same context as Judy Chicago and the California Girls did when they created "Cunt Cheerleaders" which is a performance art piece created in the 1970's  and was made to address the issues of female identity. http://judychicagoandthecaliforniagirls.com/history.html

I love both men and women.  But, I just want to understand why religion refuses to let go of the male dominated control that has existed since the beginning of time.

I will also be sharing some of the silly and mundane things of my life along with my opinions and comments as I explore the issues of religion and women. Will you join me?