New Cigarette Box Warning Labels!

I just L.O.V.E. watching the news and seeing some good news! I'm usually disappointed and saddened by stories of murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, or protest, but today... Today! Today there was a really great story :)

Wall Street Journal reports that FDA will soon add new graphic images to ALL cigarette boxes.

Images like these displaying the personal, health, and family trauma caused by smoking will be 

on the top half of the front box cover and the entire back of the box: 

It's said this is the biggest move the Surgeon General has made against smoking in decades.  

How exciting is that?!?!?!

Of course I think smoking is disgusting, but if I were (in some alternate universe) a smoker, these horrific images would definitely get planted in my head (and gag reflex) until I stopped!

Way to go, Government.  Way. To. Go. 

Worth Celebrating?

I am Susannah, and I love the British Monarchy.  I admit it! I never had a crush on William or planned to go to college at Cambridge or anything, but, seriously, who can resist the appeal of the royal family (well... my husband, but really... he's a boy)?

I was talking to my sister, Brett, last Thursday.  I suggested she watch the wedding coverage live because she typically wakes up with her three kids around 6 am anyway.  She retorted that I should watch it live, too! Why? I  asked.  I can sleep in.

She made a really good point to me... History is happening all around us every day.  The majority of "important" news, however, has been natural disasters, corrupt politicians, wars, and deaths.  Why not expose yourself to some good news? It just doesn't happen all that often. 


I fell for that, and watched the coverage live.  And I'm really glad I was part of that moment.  Everyone (alive at that time) remembers Diana's wedding and death, and this is one of those events that will be analyzed, talked about, and remembered for years to come.

Then I found out Monday morning that Osama Bin Laden had finally been found and killed by the U.S. Navy SEALS.

 Back to making history with terrorism and murder.

I was a freshman in high school when the Towers were struck, and vividly remember the devastation, hurt, and paranoia we witnessed through tv coverage that entire day and many, many more to follow.  It was a completely evil, senseless (to me) act.  Thousands of lives were unnecessarily cut short and affected.  I hate that that event happened, that anyone felt it could be justified, that so many of God's special spirits were taken from the earth and their families in that way, and that a decade-long war affecting even more lives shortly ensued.  

I think the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden was expected to be closure for lots of people.  Retribution, maybe. Revenge.  Fairness.  I wasn't personally affected by the attack on 9/11, but I can understand why some people would feel that way.

But this is just one of many videos of people chanting and celebrating his death.

George W. Bush stated that this act of death was "A victory for people who seek peace around the world." Really? A victory for peace? 

It's still the death of another human being.  Is that really something to celebrate? 

Bin Laden supporters were seen cheering when the towers fell.  Does this make us any better than them? 

Why we need our own spiritual gifts

I am a perfectionist.  After growing up the youngest in a family of 4 amazing siblings and an independent mother, it took me a while to figure out how to shine among them.  I wanted my own "things" and worked hard to make myself known. Now, as an adult, I've gotten used to achieving desired results with mediocre effort.  To be honest, when something is really hard for me I get so uncomfortable I usually just walk away. Hmm... I didn't realize I did that....

So, this summer Ben and I decided I should try running my own business designing and cutting vinyl decals for home decor. It's something I really love doing, and running my own business is fun, but it's also been a lesson in humility.  I have finally come to admit I can't do it by myself.

Running a business requires a lot of internet help.  I run an idea blog which took months to design, a Facebook page I just created, and a website for my store.  The problem is I do not understand technology very much and simply can't do those things on my own.

Yesterday I was trying to redesign my store website on my own, and, after hours and hours of effort of getting nowhere and actually deleting two websites (accidentally), I finally broke down and called Ben at work, frustrated and crying.  He told me to stop working, go to a new room of the house, and do something to take my mind off the business.

 I did, and when he came home he said:

"You know, I don't think setting up a website is something you should do. It's asking you to start a new project on step 26 before understanding and learning the basics." 

"That's so true.  I can do every other thing.  I can even modify the website for how I want it to look if someone else can at least set it up and show me what to do!" 

A couple hours later...

Ben: "I figured out how to change the things you wanted. It wasn't very hard, it just took some time to figure out where to start." 

Me: "Oh I'm sure it was simple... I'm just an idiot." 

Ben: "Don't say that." 

Me: "You're right. I am a daughter of God, and I shouldn't disrespect myself like that." 

It occurred to me that I was made in the sight of God with particular talents and abilities.  He also created Ben and everyone else with their own special gifts. I believe a gift of mine is the passion and vision to run this business, and a gift of Ben's is to understand technology so we can actually do it.  Together, we make a pretty good pair. If I were good at everything on my own, I wouldn't need Ben so much. But marriage is meant to complete two people.

We all need each other, because there is always someone who can pick up where we leave off. I know this seems like a simple concept, but it's one that I just had shoved in my face.  I feel so much better being able to admit that designing a website is something I tried to figure out, but really need help with, and to realize that that doesn't diminish the things I can do.