Joint Anonymity...

Several years ago, I unexpectedly lost my 60 something year old Grandma.  This week, which oddly enough would have been her birthday, I set up her computer which has been in my possession for at least 2 years for the first time. 

Grandma was a newspaper writer for many years, but this computer I am sure came into her possession long after she had traded careers.  Still she was active in politics in her own ways and had several "letters to the editor" saved in her files.  One particular letter to the editor was particularly opinionated--which didn't really surprise me because of her personality.  What did surprise me was the way it was "signed" at the bottom. She had used her first given name and her maiden name.  What makes that so unusual was that Grandma ALWAYS went by her middle name and she had been married over 40 years.  Quite frankly, I would guess that few if any of her closest friends would have even suspected the letter had been written by her just by reading it and the name at the end.  Even as her grand-daughter, I would probably not have suspected it was her had I not read it on her computer instead of in the paper.

But what I really found interesting was the fact that both she and I have sought public ways to voice our opinions without actually having our associates know it is us making those statements.  I can't ask her why she did it, but I can make guesses because of the things I feel--and because of the content of the letter which would have been unpopular with a large number of people.

Perhaps one day in the eternal worlds she and I will get to have a funny little discussion about our "anonymity" in writing opinionated things.  But until then, I'll be grateful for the memories I have of her, and the new insights I have of her through the things I have gotten to read on her computer.

Wear pants to church Day

In the past few days, I have seen several facebook posts attempting to get LDS women to wear pants to church.  In my very brief visit to the LDS newsroom, I can't see the official response that I've heard mentioned on several of those posts.

Basically, the message that seems to have come from the Church is: Attending church is about worshiping the Lord.  We are encouraged to wear our best dress.

But like I said, I didn't actually read the official statement.  But that seems to be in line with what I would expect.  As an LDS woman, I have been encouraged on several occasions to wear "Sunday appropriate" attire.  And though I don't particularly like wearing a dress,  I think that dresses/skirts (of appropriate length!!!!) are appropriate attire.

And here is why---

The way you dress, changes the way you feel and act.  Don't believe me?  Ever gone to a job interview?  What did you wear?  I'm going to bet it was not the same thing you would wear to the grocery store.  I wouldn't. Dressing up for a job interview helps give me confidence--and I believe helps show my potential employer that I am a respectable person worthy of being hired.

If I am in a skirt, I'm going to feel and  act differently than if I am in raggy jeans. If I'm in high heels (which I never am) I am going to do different things than if I am in workboots.

A forgotten point may be that MEN are also asked to wear "Sunday appropriate" attire.  Living in the west (with a more lax dress code in the work week), I have been in numerous work settings where jeans are acceptable--for men and women.   I served my mission in the eastern United States.  The dress code at work there seemed much more defined, and jeans seemed much less common.  In that setting, it may be harder to see that men are being asked to dress differently than their normal work day.  But in the west....lots of men go to work in jeans--and are asked to come to church in dress slacks and a tie--preferably even a suit coat.

Tradition my help define WHAT is considered appropriate Sunday attire, but faith helps me define WHY.    We are going to worship a Being we believe to be Holy, Supreme, Omniscient, and in general, infinitely better than we currently are.  And to worship such a Being, I would prefer to be at my best self.  And I believe that the way I dress influences my ability to reach that best.

Do I think women have to wear a dress to church? No, but do I think they should?  Yes.

But hey, go ahead and participate in wear pants to church day....and bring a friend :)

Election Results..

Okay, I know the election was a week ago, but hey, no one is really reading my blog right now anyway, so what does it matter if I am a little behind on the current event topics??

Anyway, if you read my last post, you know that I voted for Romney.  It should therefore come as no surprise that I am a little disappointed in the election outcomes.  Does this mean that I will spend the next 4 years complaining because my candidate didn't win?  No.  but I will likely complain about some things.  That would likely have been true even if Romney had been elected.

I will admit, I'm a bit more nervous because I really think Romney was the better man for the job.  But I believe in supporting the President of the United States in so much as what he is doing is righteous....or a least not evil. And I will be praying for the leaders of this country to be able to do what is best for the country and that they will have God's help in so doing.

Congratulations, and best of luck to you President Obama.

Romney says 47% of voters will vote for Obama no matter what

I read and article today that stated that Romney says 47% of voters will vote for Obama no matter what because they don't pay income taxes and are dependent upon the government for so much crap.

Unfortunately, I probably fall into the 47% who don't pay income taxes because my husband and I don't make very much on an annual basis.  And though we do have government assistance to care for our baby, we would love to have the ability to care for ourselves.  I mistakenly assumed that that was the general feeling--Wanting to be able to care for your own family.

This belief was recently shaken up when I ran into a friend whom I associate with the liberal crowd.  She asked me what I was doing and I told her that I was being a stay at home mommy, in part because I had been laid of from my job.  Her response was shocking to me "Being laid off is always nice."  After a brief pause, she asked, "Are you getting unemployment?"  For her and for my readers, the answer to that is "No."  I am not getting, or seeking, unemployment because I believe I could find a job if I was willing to accept just any old job.  But I'm not--I need a job that allows me to stay home with my son.  So telecommuting or babysitting are the most dominant options.

When I explained my job requirements to her, she basically said that I could meet the job application requirements for unemployment and still not get a job by telling potential employers all the things I won't do when they interview me.  The problem is, there are probably a lot of people out there doing just that.  My uncle recently told me that he has people on unemployment come in and ask if they are hiring--he says he tells them yes and they basically walk right out the door!

So, though I don't think all 47%  of people who are not paying income taxes and are using government assistance feel entitled to all those things, it has recently become easy for me to see how that generalization could have formed in Romney's mind.

And--I am still voting for Romney!