Red Cardinal's blog: "Me "

Sometimes I feel like a one woman crusade - I fight for people with special needs,  for ending rape culture, for the working poor,  for teachers/firefighters/police/paramedics,  for LGBT rights, and for the innocent children in the classrooms who are afraid to go to school - in the only way I know how - by educating people. That is my calling - as an educator. I can no longer do it in the classroom, but that does not mean I can no longer do it. It feels, though, like I am fighting a losing battle. I will not stop, for if those of us who fight, stop fighting for those who have no voices, then who will fight for them?

Change is not easy and does not happen unless we voice our opinions and educate others on the reason for the need for change. I am ok with educating others - I just wish people would at least be mindful of other people's rights and feelings. Those are the main issues I fight for. I fight for a better society - one that can live in harmony. A peaceful society - It seems counterintuitive to have to "fight" for peace, but that seems to be the norm throughout history. As much as it gets me uptight and frustrated, I guess I have not choice. I know my place in this world is to try to make a difference by making it a better place to live - so fight I will.

Found this on FB, but have seen it other places. I could not copy and paste - so I only typed out my part plus the "how too", but you can look it up if you want to find yours.

“Your birth date describes who we are, what we are good at and what our inborn abilities are. It also points to what we have to learn and the challenges we are face. To figure out your Birth Number, add all the numbers in the Birth Date together until there is only one digit. A Birth Number does not prevent you from being anything you want to be, it will just color your choice differently and give you a little insight.
Example – March 20, 1950 = 3 + 20 + 1950 = 1973 = 1 + 9 + 7 + 3 = 20 = 2
#1 The Originator
#2 The Peacemaker
#3 The Life of the Party
#4 The Conservative
#5 The Nonconformist
#6 The Romantic
#7 The Intellectual
#8 The Big Shot
#9 The Performer “

Mine was a #2 –

“2’s are the born diplomats. They are aware of others’ needs and moods and often think of others before themselves. Naturally analytical and very intuitive. They don’t like to be alone. Friendship and companionship is very important and can lead them to be successful in life, but on the other hand, they’d rather be alone than in an uncomfortable relationship. Being naturally shy, they should learn to boost their self-esteem and express themselves freely and seize the moment and not put things off.  Famous 2’s: President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Whoopee Goldberg, Thomas Edison, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart."

Fits me to a T!

·         I am unable to have children but do not feel sorry about it – I think God made sure I did not have that “Oh I have to have a baby” gene - I have known since I was 8 yrs old I could not have a child – that is not to say I do not like kids or would not enjoy a readymade family.

·         I have only felt loved by a non-family member once in my life for about 5 months – but that does not mean I am not loving or uncaring – just the opposite – I have so much love to give – there have been times where I feel like I could be loved, but until I meet in person, one never really knows

·         I love to sing and will break out in a song if given even one word that reminds me of a song I love

·         I love to draw and paint and am fairly good at it I am told

·         My career has been centered on teaching students with multiple disabilities and I have loved it – they mean the world to me – unfortunately I have to take a disability retirement from that – however they will always hold a special place in my heart

·         I am hoping to make a new career working with a company that helps the environment, people, or animals.

·         I am a straight shooter – I do not beat around the bush – I do not mean to be rude when I talk at all – it comes from 16 years of teaching my students and having to be point blank with them in order for them to understand – please be patient as I re-acclimate into the adult world – I have a lot of years of straight talk to undo – though much of it I will stick to - lol

·         I do not play games and will not tolerate others who do – if you cause me to be in the middle of a game, then you can forget ever having anything to do with me again

·         I am a HUGE introvert (personality is INFP – the explanation of it fits me exactly) – HUGE – have always been a wallflower at parties, dances, events, you name it – once I meet you and feel comfortable, I come alive and have often been described as “animated”

·         I have a fear of: Broken Glass; Crowds; Calling people on the phone – even businesses; Being alone all of my life; and Not making a difference in this world

·         I am perfectly ok sitting at home reading a book as opposed to going out to a bar– or some other place – Hello – Introvert – however, if I am with someone, I enjoy going out

·         I have 2 tattoos and plans for 3 more – I will not get any that do not have a yellow rose in them and that do not have special meaning to me

·         I once had a wild skunk on my head while camping – I was once bitten by a leopard – I have played with alligators – I have held a legless lizard – I have let an African millipede and a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach crawl over me – I have held a Opossum, Cockatoo, Owl, Bat, and Falcon –

·         I grew up camping Pre-1840 – that is primitive as hell – we took showers when it rained or we warmed up water out over the fire or we took baths in the river – camping for 10 days at a time like that – all clothing, bedding, seating, and kitchen equipment must be from that time period – totally love it and miss it so much – have pictures of my mom pregnant with me so literally all my life until about 2 years into my marriage – Learned to shoot black powder guns at age 8 – throw knife and hawk at age 5 – have shot many other types of guns but do not own my own

·         I miss doing outdoor activities and hope to find someone who loves them – I particularly enjoy camping, boating, fishing, sitting by a campfire, sitting on the porch watching the sunset or reading a book

·         Dad raised me to be mostly self-sufficient – I know how to use most work-shop tools and would love to have my own work shop – dad is even willing me some of his really nice tools when he dies (no hurry dad!!!!!!!)  I helped him build a play house, shed, boat-port, rebuild our camper and roof the house – each summer a different project – all done by the time I was in the 9^th grade – and I don’t mean I held the wood either – I was measuring, cutting, sanding, leveling, etc. When he built his house about 10 yrs ago in TN, I was down there helping and some of the locals were mesmerized – dad said the women down there don’t have a clue what tools are let alone how to use them – dad raised me right

·         My mom was not just my mom but also my best friend – sadly we lost her to lung cancer Thanksgiving Day of 1997 – she had smoked for 30 years – if you love your family, quit for them – not a day goes by that I don’t think about her and want to pick up the phone and call her – even after 16 years

·         My Grandma and Grandpa were two major influences in my life. They taught me how to be the best person I can be. Grandma was the closest living example I have ever seen to what Jesus would have us be like. When trying to make sure I am doing right, I think What Would Grandma Do – if I live to be ¼ of the woman she was I will have been successful. Grandpa taught me how to laugh – he had the best twinkle in his eye – he and I were extremely close. He was always picking on people and he took it as an insult if you did not pick back at him – that is how I am – if I pick on you, it’s because I like you – if I don’t pick on you – I either don’t know you yet, or I am not comfortable around you, or I don’t like you. If I do pick on you – PLEASE pick right back!! I love it as it makes me feel accepted. I will never be mean or unkind with my teasing, just as he never was

·         I have had no doubt in my mind about God and Jesus since a very young age – After reading “Heaven is for Real” I wonder if I did not have a similar experience – I had been extremely ill like the boy in that book – I had 105 temp for a week, spiking to 107 for a few hours – my norm is 96 not 98, so that is even higher than it seems – I do not remember seeing Jesus or anything – but I have always known that God kept me alive for a reason – I don’t know what that reason is, except that I am to make a difference in this world somehow – I have TRIED to remember to place my trust in God and let Him lead my life instead of me leading my life – Right now I am being even more diligent about handing my life into His hands and trusting His signs – I do what I can, but leave the rest to Him

·         I am a Christian – obviously from above statement – but I am not like so many of the “fake” Christians as I call them – I was taught by Jesus to love unconditionally – I do not judge others for what they are or what they do (unless they wrong me – but even then I forgive them) – it is not my place to judge – He teaches us to love our brothers and sisters – period – so I do – regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, political views, religion, etc – if someone makes a mistake, guess what? I have made tons myself! Who am I to judge? Own up to it and move on – ask forgiveness and move on – but most importantly, I have learn to forgive myself and those who have done me wrong

·         Words others have used to describe me – whether I agree with them or not – outgoing, talkative, animated, kind, caring, loving, genuine, quiet, reserved, happy, bright eyed, bright, intelligent, book-smart but common sense dumb, sexy, curvy, classy sexy, cute, pretty eyes, weirdo*, crazy*, strange*, cuckoo*, nuts*, country girl (starred items I take as great compliments! Who wants normal?)

·         I sometimes talk “normal” and sometimes talk with a country accent. It is not on purpose. If you are around me and I am speaking with a country accent, consider it the highest of compliments. It only comes out when I feel extremely relaxed. Otherwise my self-conscious seems to feel it needs to be prim and proper – which is not really me, but that is the teacher in me coming out, at least, that is what I think it going on. I do use y’all and all y’all even with “proper speak” though - J

·         I am not now nor have I ever been a city girl. I am country through and through if you cannot tell that about me by now. I can deal with living in a city if I have to, like I am right now, but it is not where my heart is at all and I will never be happy spending all my time in the city. I must get out into the country. I like the quiet life and quiet times away from the hustle and bustle of life. I am never afraid to get dirty and I love running around barefoot. I have even told my family they better not bury me with socks or shoes or I will haunt them – lol. I love trucks though I do not currently own one. I enjoy roughing it, though it is harder on my body these days. I have lots of great stories to tell.