St Francis DeSales VA - General

I haven't really expanded on my faith, but I'll get to that at some point - yea know those damn bills wouldn't be able to get paid if I actually wrote as much as I actually wanted to; any who! Over the years I've been blessed with travels and "adventures" but with that also comes some beautiful spots where I get my reboot and peace when walking into a Catholic Church...

In the city of Purcellville, Virginia on a road where if you blink you could literally miss it, is a quaint little stop where the Catholic Church of St. Francis DeSales is. Beautifully in its interior simplicity and in my career, I had to take a note of the thought-out design of the style inside the church. You see, the seating inside this church is truly special because I've never seen ANY Catholic Church with the seating style that this one has and I'm not referring to the bench like seating, no what I'm referring to is the elevation layout of the seating. It's tastefully done that every attendee no matter their stature/height, would be able to see the alter without obstructions and a truly more visual participation to the Mass. 

Our family enjoyed it. Now for a little info on St. Francis de Sales from Catholic.org:

Feastday: January 24
Patron: of Catholic writers, the Catholic press, the deaf, journalists, adult education
Birth: August 21, 1567
Death: December 28, 1622
Beatified: January 8, 1661 by Pope Alexander VII
Canonized: April 19, 1665 by Pope Alexander VII

"St. Francis de Sales was born to a noble family at Chateau de Sales in the Kingdom of Savoy near Geneva, Switzerland on August 21, 1567. He was a Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Francis was both intelligent and gentle. From a very early age, he desired to serve God. He knew for years he had a vocation to the priesthood but kept it from his family. His father wanted him to enter a career in law and politics. In 1580, Francis attended the University of Paris, and at 24-years-old, he received his doctorate in law at the University of Padua. All the time, he never lost his passion for God. He studied theology and practiced mental prayers but kept quiet about his devotion. To please his father, he also studied fencing and riding. God made his will clear to Francis one day while he was riding. Francis fell from his horse three times that day. Every time he fell, the sword came out of the scabbard, and every time it came out, the sword and scabbard came to rest on the ground in the shape of the Christian cross. After much discussion and disagreement from his father, Francis was ordained to the priesthood and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, in 1593, by the Bishop of Geneva."

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Sound of Freedom - Recommend/General

Did you know that in 2021 the porn industry generated more income than the combined revenues of ABC, NBC, and CBS; also more than the combine revenues of the NFL, NBA, and MLB in the United States of America. Every second supposedly $3,075.64 was being spent on pornography; leading to a $15 to $97 billion a year "business". In 2023, globally it made $100 billion and nationally about $13 billion. 

Now take Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation...according to our governments website, 27.6 million victims worldwide. When you read into the data thats been collected (also on our governments website) it's sometimes still mind boggling to me. Here are the highlights that they posted on the website: the number of persons that have been prosecuted for human trafficking more than doubled from 2011 to 2021 (729 to 1,672 persons); in 2021, 92% of prosecuted were male and 60% of the men were white. With human trafficking being the nations second most profitable illegal industry and it being a $150 billion industry. As of right now, there is 49.6 million people in this horrible modern day slavery and whats stomach churning is that 12 million of those people are children.

Why did I start my post with all this information? Because of the movie that I saw and that this post is about...Whether your religious or not, whether you follow politics or not, whether you have kids or not, and whether or not you are a contributor as a viewer of porn or not - the movie Sound of Freedom is something I feel that every adult should and needs to watch...even if you can't stomach it, watch it. I feel that as a parent it should be on every parent watchlist-yes though emotional and probably something no parent would want to live through or go through (what is shown/happens in this movie) but it's something that IS a part of our daily lives, we just all don't perhaps take an active role in it directly...but every adult should have their heads on a swivel and be aware or at least knowledgable.

Being one to read books before their movies, this one was no different and let me tell you that there isn't much (actually almost nothing) that keeps me awake at night but after reading this book...I remember having to pray a few nights so I could literally pass out while praying. Granted I believe that it affected more than many other "true stories" because I'm a mother of two; that and the fact that my imagination is VERY vivid so it a little more haunting...anyway! My sister and some girlfriends wanted to go see it to also support the film but let me tell you that my sister and one of the other women (also a mother) didn't even make it past the first critical scene of the films that begins the storyline. Though I wanted to stay and watch the film, we all got out because shoot with four people what else were we supposed to do. 

I didn't go back to the theater though to watch it, I ended up watching it on Amazon during the time of still mixed reviews and even more so because it was included in the Amazon Prime videos. I watched the film at night, which I'm going to suggest to mothers to NOT do-it'll mess with your thoughts into sleep so I really don't recommend it - and I'm a woman who knows how to "turn off emotions" and also compartmentalize! I cried silently in some parts and personally quiet tears are more emotionally draining than the loud sobbing, I don't know why...anyway moving on. I can count on one hand the movies that I've seen in my lifetime that have an effect on me and when I mean effect me I mean physically, emotionally, and mentally; The Passion of Christ, 42, The Patriot, The Secret: Dare to Dream, and now this movie Sound of Freedom.

This movie effected on all levels and continues to touch my heart even remembering or seeing everytime an Amber Alert goes off or there's a missing child post on the news or on instagram the "OUR Rescue" organization about another sting operation and the mini description of the arrested and the victims found...

As a man I would say really grow a pair or if you have the so claimed balls to handle anything, watch that movie and PLEASE let me know if it doesn't affect you because if it doesn't then I would categorize you as an emotionally turned off person and possibly sociopath/psycho! As for the women, I think that high schoolers to women in their old age SHOULD watch this if nothing other than to be more aware of the world around you and be vigilant on what you see around you, because you never know if you come across someone being taken against their will...don't freeze up just have your head on a swivel and be prepared. We don't live in nice little safe bubbles so dont be naive to not at least notice signs or signals that could possibly help someone or even more so, prevent it happening to you...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Eagle Rock (Hazleton, PA) - General

If you're wanting a little oasis from the "coal mine" history of the Hazleton/Sugarloaf area then the Eagle Rock Resort area is the place to venture into and through...

There are a lot of winding roads and homesites so be careful where you drive and venture off into, but the sites and nature walks aren't and can't be missed. I wasn't able to get into the area for the sunrise but the sunset...now THAT was magnificent for me. 

Living in Virginia with the lush green of those mountains, the Eagle Rock area brought out the similarly beautiful landscape compared to the more dry and high rock mountains ridges you drive through and along as you make your way on highway 80 or 81. 

Now what I wouldn't recommend is the Clubhouse Restaurant...though the views are lovely in the restaurant once you request or are able to sit in one of the large window tables, the restaurant itself lacks character and color. I know I know, why do I care considering that it's labeled "clubhouse" for the area? It's supposed to a recommended site to eat at for visitors and also those on the golf course...the food was mediocre which was sadly disappointing considering also the price points for their beverages to desserts! I ordered my salmon medium, and they had to redo it twice because the first time was cooked so thorough that it was dry and hard on the outside. Then the second time they made it almost completely raw that the only thing that was cooked at all was the outer layer...don't get me started on the broccolini. I ordered one of their mixed drinks and that was sadly not worth the order nor the price...and I like paying high dollar for some whiskey too! So, it wasn't so much the price of the drinks but that it sucked...then the wait staff alone was something that was really teaching me patience. I had to ask her four times for the simple Cesar salad I had ordered with my plate. I had to remind her twice for the mixed drink I ordered, then when I asked for a refill on my water after getting our appetizer, I never got my refill of water until the second time my salmon arrived to the table...when it came to closing the ticket! She couldn't do a simple split the bill in half either...I literally made sure I had another drink at my hotel to lower my stress level from the dinner because since I was being taken around by a local who lived in the area, I was not wanting to make it uncomfortable for them! The best part was literally the driving and sunset for me...

Ya know what though if you want to do more than just site see and actually eat at the clubhouse, let me know what your experience was, because maybe mine was during their down or "off season"... 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Vesuvio’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar PA - Restaurant Review/Recommendation

If you're looking for that small town and all the locals enjoy spot, Vesuvio's is the place for you! Be careful though getting there because you could miss the location in Drums, PA (by Sugarloaf).

From their Pepsi flavor to any of their plates on the menu, I don't think there's anything here that you can go wrong with. I hand down loved their lunch special and I literally had nothing as a leftover! Quaint little mom/pop stop with the customers literally seeming like they've been going there for ages and then a few of the nearby company/workers. 

I feel like it's one of those hidden gems that doesn't get enough traction of publicity-then again maybe that's how they want it to, for that authentic word of mouth reference.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Annie’s Sweets and Treats - Restaurant Review/Recommendation

If you're either driving through or wanting to try a new place for something sweet along highway 380 in the McKinney/Frisco/Prosper area, then the ice cream or gelato and baked goods hear are definitely for you!

Annie's Sweets & Treats is a cute little dessert cafe to unwind, chill, or relax with deliciousness! Their location is easy to get to and GPS is on point in getting there! They seem to want to be the one stop shop for beverages, desserts, ice cream, gelato, and specialty boba or Vietnamese drinks. I personally would not recommend the drinks from this location, I feel like Feng Cha and Exotic Blendz has their beverage recipes and flavors more honed in to ANY individual's needs-so maybe in a few more months when I don't see literally a new employee every time I've gone, their drinks might have a better flavor and consistency. If you are wanting to have a beverage there though, no worries about the lactose free options because they have some!

My kiddos and I have not been disappointed by any of their gelato flavors, whether you choose from their dairy free options or non-dairy free options. We will recommend those any day and all day!

Now for their baked goods...I'm happy to say that they have some gluten free options so yay! I personally recommend the Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie because it doesn't have that awful after flavor or powdery taste that many restaurants tend to provide with their chocolate gluten free options; also, it doesn't just taste like powder or some blob of fudge either! I DO NOT recommend their apple crisp cheesecake, seriously disappointed in the texture and overall flavor, BUT the apples in it and that ingredient alone was the best thing! I wish they would just make an apple crisp cake or pie of some kind! My mom and little one are advocates for some of their baked homemade breads or pastries so just go for what tickles your fancy I would say. 

The environment here is so friendly and comfortable that whether you're there for a close to a date night with dessert or there with family you can be there a little while and chill. They have provided this cute little board game shelf at the very back of the establishment and they are pretty good games for all ages.

Don't take my word for it though - stop by to have a try! 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

No Kids Gloves Here - General/Family

This post might ruffle some feathers for any parents (especially moms reading this) but eh, I don't care and like I've said since starting my blog, these posts are therapeutic for me while always sharing in my opinions, thoughts, and suggestions. If you don't like it, you don't have to keep reading my blog, not like I'm forcing you to. So if you're offended, sorry but no sorry and I have no control of your emotions.

Growing up my mother was always pretty good about dividing her time with one-on-one time with me and all her house chores, but to be honest she didn't really play with me as much as I would have liked. That doesn't mean I hated my childhood by any means, it just helped me to understand better what type of mom or what things I wanted to do for when I had kids is all. So hence the "kids kitchen helper" was purchased; something used by not just my first kiddo but also my second. It actually helped immensely because while they began to start to stand up and walk, it was a great reinforcer, SO once each of my kiddos were in the kitchen area they would be using the kitchen help to stand up and crawl/walk up to be at the counter level. If my sister had her way, my kids would've had pillows surrounding the area or maybe some thick blankets and then she was anxious that I wasn't always immediately next to them. Like I couldn't run the five steps! Moving on...So each day they would gain confidence and reassurance of their movements and their task independently. The best part was that they each began seeing what their mommy was doing in the kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinners. 

By this time mind you, I've also incorporated my kids (as they're growing) into "playing" clean up; they would try brooming, vacuuming, dusting, and taking out the trash. SO having them be a part of each and every meal is only going to engage them some more but this time all of their senses. 

It really doesn't matter what you end up doing with your children so long as its a joint effort or that you don't go coddling them so much that they don't even feel able to do the task you've given them. Kitchen tasks can be both fun, stimulating, and engaging for their minds and their hands on learning experience. Don't go withholding that growth from them because YOU the parent are scare or fearful of the outcome, pretty big injustice if you ask me. And yes there's also the fact that the task might take about 20x LONGER! But that's how it will start, as they grow it becomes more fun and memorable than when it started...

The video below is when the dinner menu has green beans as one of the side dishes. So there we go prepping and doing the green beans :)

It started off with small things or simple things, kind of like the videos you see here, and then as they got older I started allowing them to work some kitchen appliances as well as sharper items-obviously all supervised, but the point I'm getting at is that I didn't allow concern or fear to hold back teaching them new things and having them help me. To date, my kids are both under eight years old and they know how to wash and store all fruits and vegetables, can assist me in all chores of the kitchen for set up and cleanup, they can assist me in all baking items and cooking items! They know how to make their own eggs and ham breakfast and warm up their tortillas, they can assist me in making homemade salsa's, etc. DO NOT let your own fears of the unknown or of the possibility of danger, especially knowing that you are physically right there in all senses (NOT on your damn phone and physically there but actually focused as much as your kids are in the task) then everything will be and work out fine! Then your kid/s little face/s of proud accomplishment will shine like no other! Yes don't be dumb and have them working a high pressured or dangerous appliance that they could really harm themselves-I mean hopefully you as the parent can use your sense of common sense or judgement and know what your child/ren CAN handle as far as the new task/s and responsibility that you are entrusting in them. Because entrusting your kid with those important tasks is how they build their self-esteem and character, don't do it and you're GOING to end up having a child who will ALWAYS struggle with responsibilities and hard tasks...

I know some of you are probably thinking "child labor" (laughing out loud) or that maybe I'm making my kids grow up to fast or thats too big of a responsibility - shut the fuck up is all I have to say! Because you are then the parent who is contributing to society these dumb ass kids who literally can't do anything without their mommy/daddy moving and doing or WORSE you're the parent who coddles your kid SO much that you even after to go into their job interview! Yes there are some weird stories that have been published of some of those crazy parents - go google them! 

Give it a try and see what your kids can accomplish or perhaps just help them enjoy some time with you while helping you...Let me know how it goes!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Motherhood - General/Family Life

I mean no disrespect or insult to any mother out so take this post with a grain of salt or simply as a form of entertainment, but I am expressing my personal opinion only. I also don’t claim by any means to state that I’m a professional in this subject nor am I stating that I am a perfect mother. Lord knows I’m far from it, however I will state that I’m continuing to learn, adapt, and evolve based off of life circumstances that’s for sure! For the records, father's will be getting their own post too so don't go assuming that I'm only singling out women/mothers. Dad's/Men are going to get theirs too :p Any who! Here we go.

If you haven't read any of my other posts than just some quick insight; I went through a lot during my first pregnancy, granted though I put myself in those situations it was still a hardship and challenge. Then my second pregnancy had a healthier surrounding circumstance, however, was no less stressful because of others involvement. Both pregnancies unplanned and little miracles in their own right, proved to be the most loving and previous times of my life. I really did and am a person who thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the pregnancies and I know that if I ever became pregnant again, I would welcome it whole heartedly. Now knowing that or perhaps now you want to go read those other posts, you can perhaps relate to this post more.

See there are some people in the world who like to state that their a parent (mother/father) and for me that title is just more than either you are contributing the sperm or you are contributing the egg. I've seen women who embrace motherhood whole heartedly, but I've sadly seen too many women who just like to claim the title without fully contributing to the actual role and responsibility that is motherhood. I feel like the women just don't like to openly admit in society or in general that they are just not cut out to be moms. Why is that the mantra is to be honest and truthful, but people can't or won't seem to be honest and up front about having kids or wanting kids or being a parent. There are some women out there who really SHOULD NOT procreate. There are also women out there who it's not even about whether they should procreate or not it's just their weird mentality of not being able to close their damn legs or at least to be cautious of NOT procreating! That they prefer to just have the kids because of the additional benefits they end up receiving, whether it's from the community, their own friends, or the state. 

I personally knew from an early age that I wanted to be a mom; I felt strongly in the vocation of being a mom. Lord knew that was always a dream and feeling after of course finding the partner that would be my ride and die for life. Women have become subjective instead of being objective to the term and role of motherhood. I got to witness first hand an individual who was an example of what NOT to do as a mom...she liked being called mom and "playing the role" when it suited her but she had literally everyone else raising her three sons from three different men; so the dad's families were the contributors to the education, examples, and upbringing of the boys while her own mother was more of a motherly role model than the woman who birthed the boys! 

Regardless of whether or not a fatherly figure or male figure is in the household the foundation, basis, baseline of the upbringing of the child/ren depends on the mother's full capacity. The father figure/male role model than serves as the enforcer and as also a second basis of a foundation to the key components to the education and upbringing of the child. Whether woman like to admit it or NOT the homelife might need to be "led" by the man but the foundation in which the man leads the household is solely on the shoulders of the woman!

As blessed as I was to have been able to see how great grandmothers taught their children and heard stories of "back in the day", then there's witnessing my own grandparents, then my parents and their married siblings who became mothers...I was able to take from them what I thought would benefit me, then through personal experiences of witnessing other mothers, I decided to evolve my thought process and began preparing myself mentally and emotionally during my first pregnancy. I would mentally process how I wanted to be as a mom and what things I would do differently from my own upbringing and what things I would do the same. So, I made a promise to myself that I would cherish the traditions of my time, enforce the etiquette of my upbringing, grow the emotional and physical components of my children while being crasser in the general development of my children especially regarding their coping mechanisms and that of their knowledge of topics based off of their maturity AND level of innocence. 

Maturity and innocence are BIG things for me as a mom. I truly HATE and I mean HATE going shopping for clothes for my girls because it doesn't matter what department store, you're shopping at fir girls' clothing it's as if the world is grooming the girls to already be little hoes. It doesn't help either that the population percentage of so-called mothers allow for their little loves (not even in their teenage years) to dress immodestly and provocatively. From the types of underwear sold, shorts and their lengths, dressed and their lengths, the type of tops sold, the level of tightness that leaves any immoral or pedophile to witness the exact shape of the lower body of our children because it leaves nothing to the imagination! Then we have the swimsuits and summer clothes in general...first off, when did kids' swimsuits HAVE to be two pieces? I get it for the diaper wearing age groups because it's easier and I can even reason with the toddlers possibly having reason for the two pieces because of the restroom necessity. BUT WHY are almost all the kids' swimsuits basically bikinis for kids!?! And why on earth are moms even allowing it, or more so fathers! Stand firm and don't let that be the norm of your child! I purposely spend time researching and finding the SPF 50 special one-piece swimsuits that provide a healthy reveal of skin while my kids can enjoy themselves openly AND maintain their innocence. 

As for summer clothes, I get it it's hot everywhere and I know more than anyone (because I'm always hot) that there's only so many clothes you can take off! Before you're actually comfortable-I know but that doesn't mean I'm going to allow not just my teenager but any child under the age of 17 to be wearing some hoe like, booty shorts that don't even leave anything to the imagination because of how tight they are and the fact that its riding up their ass like a second piece of underwear! Then the fact that the length of some shorts, dresses, and skirts aren't even decent enough for the innocence of our children is appalling. Yea I'm going to say it and I don't care - you are what you wear and if you're daughters are dressing up like sluts, hoes, and hookers than its really no surprise to you parents when they have sex early and get pregnant, or are raped, or are getting the unwanted attention of male crowds. HEY maybe teach your children self-respect, decency, and being respectful of others. Fine you don't like my statements, let's go on the moral side of things: evil smile: for perhaps some of you shocked or offended parents who are Christian and reading this...your daughters dressing so provokes thoughts of sin in men and not just single ones-you daughter now becomes the source of provoking sin in others. 2 Timothy 2:9 states "Clothes should never be worn that expose or unduly accentuate body parts or do not cover our nakedness."

Shoot! Then there's what they watch on TV and the movies you expose them to and at specific ages. What they read and also the friends that they surround themselves with. 

So, which one are you? 1)the mom who likes to only do mother and daughter things to post all over your social media 2) the mom that is like the two definitions below 3)the mom that only likes to do it on the weekends/weekdays 4) the mom that likes to "play mom" but needs her time at the switch of a hat without concern for her child 5) the mom that likes to be called mom but doesn't do any of the responsibilities that motherhood requires 6) the mom that likes to "play mom" in front of others but prefers to be in her own world while a nanny does the raising and rearing of her child/ren 7) the mom who plays the part well but prefers making the kids than actually taking care of them and prefers to portray a victim of circumstance to milk people and/or the system 8) the mom that is the definitions below but that knows how to manage her reboot time to be the full capacity mom to their kid/s

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman