Katie-Anne Gustafsson's comments

Show Boat (1951) - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 02:16 PM

You're really hitting some of my favorite movies Tristi! This one has a soundtrack that's a dream to listen too. From the fun numbers to the spine shivering Ol Man River, the songs would have carried the movie even if the script hadn't been so great ...as it was, they just complimented each other.

By the way ....... HA.......PPY New Year! :)

Katie-Anne

When Kids Go Missing - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 02:11 PM

I can't believe that a school acted so irresponsibly! Apart from the security issues (and I'm not even going to go there because I'd get so mad!), she's not that old to be left walking off by herself. What were they thinking of! Is that what they'd want their own kids' schools to do?

That's my eldest cyber-niece they're taking risks with - go yell at them from me too!

Katie-Anne

Birthday Parties- Are Some Parents Going Too Far? - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 03:22 AM

Valorie, I think you misunderstood. I didn't think I said, or implied, who other people should invite, I said what I had heard from friends with children who held parties for their kids, and that to me, these are the only people I would invite. I agree that it is, as you say, cultural, because here in Sweden, if your child has any kind of party at all that includes anyone other than family - and only close family at that - it's out of the ordinary! As a displaced Brit, I find this odd too! :)

One of the interesting things of the Internet is learning about different cultures.

Katie-Anne

Avoiding Comparisons - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 03:12 AM

Comparison, when it comes to people, is often a form of judging and that's not a pretty trait to have. Having watched Oprah during her season of "living your best life" - possibly 2000-2001, I learned to notice when I was starting to "compare" what others were doing with what I believed to be right, and started to stop myself. I'm not perfect by any means, but I find that the most judgement I pass these days is upon myself. I'm also teaching my boys by example that people are individual and they must respect that other people have a right to their opinions as much as they do.

Katie-Anne

Watching Our Children Change - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 03:08 AM

They grow so fast. Every time I find myself irritated at something my little guys do, I remind myself in a too short time from now they won't be around as much to irritate me - kinda puts things back into perspective.

Katie-Anne

The Therapeutic Power of Coloring Books - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 03:06 AM

Oh I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only "adult" that still finds joy in coloring. My sister bought me a wonderful grown-up coloring book last year with fairies in it and it's a constant source of pleasure! As my artistic skill is all in the music area, I couldn't draw to save my life, but coloring ....coloring is one of the simple pleasures of life! :)

Katie-Anne

Should a Severely Disabled Girl Be Allowed to Grow Up? - Blog Entry

18 Jan 2007 02:33 AM

I've read a fair bit of stuff about people who are very negative about what the parents have chose to do, and to be honest, it's not something I'm entirely comfortable with mysef - BUT - I'm not the person who has to take care of this child (and she is still a child at the moment), and nor are these people who are so outraged. The parents are probably doing the best thing that they know how in order to be able to care for their child as long as they can.

There's no hope of the child getting any better, just bigger. So perhaps keeping her at a size where her parents can lift her without help isn't such a monsterous idea. And isn't it better to stop any monthly problems that would further add to the child's indignities as she gets a little older? Isn't this better for the child's continued quality of life - her physical needs as a full-grown adult would certainly seem to be more difficult.

Like both you and Julie, I'm glad I don't have to make the choice, but if I had to, I'd hope that anyone with a negative opinion was offering to come and help change adult diapers and lift her in and out of the tub before they opened their mouth to judge me on my decisions.

Compassion and understanding seem to be as lacking as real support for carers in our judgmental society.

Katie-Anne

Free Disney Goodies - Blog Entry

18 Jan 2007 02:10 AM

I'm not allowed to sign up for the Newsletter because I'm not in the US. I can however subscribe to the Disney site that's in my country - well I could if I could read the language (I'm an expat Brit living in Sweden). I speak the language but life is too short to what to read entertainment sites in a foreign language! The Newsletter I think is only available on the US site and it does seem to be an awesome resource for people who love Disney!

Katie-Anne

Dieting At 35,000 Feet - Blog Entry

18 Jan 2007 01:58 AM

Ahhh for the good ol' days of Air Canada with Salmon, steak and a nice desert!

Last time I flew transatlantic, the food was covered in peppers (I'm allergic and HAD told them beforehand) and so ate small bread rolls for 11 hours. Still could have been worse, they mightn't have had any bread!

I remember a few years back being given a banana as a snack about an hour from landing in the US on a transatlantic flight and everyone being told to eat them or leave them but they weren't allowed to take them into the US upon landing! That's about the strangest food related experience I've had (other than trying to identify what's actually in the box that is!).

Katie-Anne

Passports For Children--What You Need To Know - Blog Entry

18 Jan 2007 01:51 AM

You know what gets me about these passports? The photo! My 6 year old just had his passport renewed but until July last year he was traveling with photo ID where resembled a bald alien! It was taken when he was 3 months old (a preemie no less!) ready for his first flight - and he's traveled on that photo ever since. He's now very proud of his new one. Meanwhile my 3 year old shows his passport and says "baby connor" to the passport control just to make sure that they realize he's a bit older than he was when that was taken (also aged 3 months!).

I think kid's passports should be on a 2 year maximum renewal until they're at least 6 or 7 because otherwise there's not much point of having the photo at all really - but that's just my opinion!

Katie-Anne