I suppose that is the kind of statement you’d expect to hear from someone who is celibate…

Before touching down for his first visit to Africa, Pope Benedict XVI took the opportunity to pontificate on the AIDS pandemic, saying that condoms are not the answer to the fight against AIDS.

I think we can all agree that condoms aren’t the solution to the AIDS pandemic, but they certainly are an effective preventative measure. Especially in a country with limited medical care and widespread occurrences of rape.

While the Pope views condom distribution as giving those with AIDS the green-light to have sex, I believe the intention is to protect those that do not have the disease from contracting the disease. Will some view the condoms as the green-light? Absolutely. But why are we comprising the protection of many based on the rash actions of a few?

Several of the comments on the article are very well stated, especially those that expand on AIDS and STDs being a public health issue and not necessarily a moral one.

I miss PJP.

Can you believe that I’ve never seen my husband all dressed-up in a suit and tie? Not even on the day we got married, which was super casual becuase we eloped in Las Vegas.

I think it would be really nice to see him all dressed to the nines. Especially since I’ve found the Best ties at BJ Brand New Ties that match some of my new summer dresses! Made from 100% silk in some of the prettiest and most vibrant colors you’ll find, their selection begs for a night out on the town.

As much as he tries to act all rugged, Mike loves nice things and enjoys getting cleaned up and going out to a nice dinner, and if a new tie can accomplish all that, I say it’s worth the puchase!

I watch the ABC World News with Charlie Gibson every evening while I am eating dinner or getting in some Wii Fit stepping. I absolutely love Charlie and the way he engages everyone in the news and I especially enjoy that he tells me that he hopes I had a great day at the end of every broadcast. It’s his signature sign-off.

The other evening, I was super excited to hear Charlie introduce a segment about something I’m going to get to see firsthand this fall…Dolphin Bubbles at SeaWorld! Just watch, and you’ll quickly see why I was so captivated by the video…

Everybody knows that dolphins are super intelligent, but the story goes that one dolphin started blowing bubbles and taught all the other dolphins how to do the same! Now they all blow perfect circles, push them around with their noses, and swim through them to entertain themselves and the SeaWorld guests! It’s easy to see why the dolphins are a huge attraction at the park.

All of their personalities really start to shine when you see all the dolphins playing and interacting with each other, and I can’t wait to see dolphin bubbles for myself when I visit in October!

Mike would normally describe me as partly cloudy with a chance of severe thunderstorms, high winds, and hail. I changed my medications from Lexapro to a combination of Effexor and Xanax (as needed – I love when doctors prescribe things as needed) a few weeks ago and didn’t tell him, just to see if he would see a change in my moods, and yesterday he described me as 70 and sunny!

Yes, I think that describes me perfectly.

In other news, I really enjoy following @jerrytaft on Twitter, hence the meteorlogical references.

While I’m contemplating my summer wardrobe and what sandals will look cute with my new sundresses, Mike is browsing 5.11 Tactical Gear because it’s time for new work boots. Just like my wardrobe, he needs a new pair of work boots when the seasons change. The big difference is that I go for fashion, while he prefers practicality. He goes the tactical route for his work boots because he loves the tough and sturdy boots he used to wear in the army and has to wear them for 24+ hours, while I just sit and look pretty in my strappy sandles and  wedges.