Poor Thing

Further Proof That The Thong Is Just Wrong.

I recently put site meter back on this site. I'm not all that interested in "hits" I mostly just wanted it to see who was stopping by. The referrals feature is sort of fun though. A lot of people have probably been disappointed to find this site based on some of the more common searches that bring them here.

I've had a lot of people looking for thongs end up here, this should not be confused with the poor person looking for salad thongs which I'm sure was mortified to find out that thongs do not belong in salads at all, ever, which I'm sure was a major disappointment for them, but probably none is more sad then, "my mom bent over and I saw her thong." Having a mom of my own, I can only imagine this poor child's dismay at seeing his/her mother's thong. It must have been very troubling for the person, so troubling they sought out through internet searches information on this very subject.

I'm sorry I can't help more on that subject. My mom never wore thong underwears, although I do vaguely remember being completely shocked and dismayed when she bought some horrendous piece of naughty lingerie at the K-Mart store with my sister and I muffling uncontrollable snickering as we trailed behind her pretending not to see the bright red hooker outfit our mother was intending on, and actually did purchase. So, yeah kid, I feel your pain to some extent, although I never actually saw her WEAR the hooker outfit she bought, that's a whole 'nother monster.

I think the best thing I could suggest at this point is, pretend you didn't see it. Practice exercises in imagining cotton granny panties, although at this point in your delicate state I would not add imagining granny in them, that would be a very troubling thing that might take years with a good therapist to overcome.

Other interesting searches, and a surprisingly recurring one is, "bang my husband" Now, I don't know how I ended up being the authority on this subject, but apparently some words came together which bring people here looking for information on this subject. I have never posted on this matter, and consider it a topic that is not open for discussion. I always wonder, do they think I'm banging their husband, because I can assure any and all right here and now, I am not, and will not. Your husbands are safe with me. I've got my own, and one is plenty for me.

Now this next one, I'm a little glad to see, although I don't think I fit the bill. I'm not an "older broads", but I'm glad that older broads are finally getting their fair share of internet search hits. Older broads need love too.

One last thing, and I'll tell you, and thankfully they are far less often then most, there are some real sickos out there. Serious perves that make me wish we could colonize a special place on the moon just for them. I don't welcome such deviants here.

I Like Totally Apologize

I'm Like Sorry, You know?

Like I totally apologize for neglecting my little website. I've been you know, like totally busy.

I've been busy like totally enjoying my awesome new couch. Like oh my gosh, it's so pretty. I've been inviting everyone over to just you know, like sit on it.

All right, all right, I'll quit it already. I have been enjoying the couch, but mostly I've been guarding it from the children who wish to sit on it, or worse play with their filthy toys on it. The children are not allowed to sit on it, they've got the yucky one they can sit on. It sounds so cruel, but I don't care. Actually, I'll let them sit on it, if I'm present, and that's the last thing they want. I've got to stand strong and firm now, before they get too comfy with the idea that they are welcome on my new couch.

I went to the store tonight and all I could imagine was my daughter and her equally messy friend jumping on my couch with glasses full of red kool-aid, while sucking on purple popsicles. I just can't have that my friends, you understand. I just cannot tolerate a red kool-aid stain on my brand new couch, ever.

And you know what? I'm right. Given the opportunity my couch will have sticky hand print smudges, pizza sauce, grape juice and whatever they didn't mean to spill on it. NO. I say NO. Not this time. There will be no built in cupholders, there will be no toys, or potato chip crumbs under the cushions. I will not give in. I must remain vigilant. I must remain strong.

More couch updates to follow. Is it wrong to mention the opportunity to sit on my new couch when I invite people over to visit? I called my sister and invited her to come and visit my new couch, and being the faithful and loving one she is, she came right over. We didn't actually sit on the couch now that I think about it, but it is the thought that counts.

The day the couch arrived my friend and her two kids came over, I made fajitas for dinner and after we ate we all went and sat on the new couch. I think they just came over to sit on the couch if the truth were known.

It is a truly exciting life I lead isn't it? I don't even want a t.v. in there, that might encourage people to sit on the couch for long periods of time therefore increasing their desire to have a beverage which might be spilled on the couch. If only I could convince people the benefits of spilling their drinks on the carpet instead.

I'm a very sick woman. At least I erased the camera phone pictures of the couch, I'm taking steps here. Baby steps.

Yee Haw

Blogger Round Up.

This post by Johnny Virgil at 15 Minute Lunch is hilarious. A must read for all those who toil in the modern day cubicle.

When I read the post entitled "Aunt Sophie" by Tony at Blah Blah Blog, I knew I'd found a keeper.

I love this lady. Her blog is called, "Ask Mom" It doesn't get better than that. Read what she writes, there's a lot of wisdom in there just like a mom.

If you have any country in you at all, or even if you don't for that matter, you'll love I Was Trailer Trash When Trailer Trash Wasn't Cool.

These are some of the blogs I've found only recently, but they've been around a while.

I've also got all my favorites over there on the blog roll thingy. Easy and convenient.

Killer Smile

Sugar Overload.

Isn't it amazing how you can be having this great day, and you run into Ms. Sourpuss Face and somehow you just feel cruddy afterwards? I realize the world is full of all sorts of faces, but what is it about Ms. Sourpuss that just seems to spoil every great mood? Is it her haughty hateful attitude, or is it the way she sneers at the people serving her just because she can?

I used to have a boss that on a great many occasion looked like she had just taken a big old suck off of a lemon. She had the worst demeanor. She was such a sourpuss face that she could barely return a good morning through her clenched teeth, that is if she even bothered to respond beyond her usual glare.

Other people seem to just ignore the angry Ms. Sourpuss face. I usually can, in fact, I rather enjoy wrecking her day with an overwhelming amount of cheer. This is the antidote to the sourpuss face affliction, and if it doesn't work, well, it is fun to watch her anger grow all the while you smile and apologize for bothering her, while you are bending over backwards to serve her every want and need.

My dad always used to say when dealing with mean angry people the best thing to do is, "kill 'em with kindness." And you know, most of the time that works, at least it makes me feel better. If you have a Ms. Sourpuss face in your life, try a little sugar, no better yet try a sickeningly sweet molasses coated ridiculous amount of sugar, and enjoy watching her squirm.

Every once in a while I forget my dad's advice, and I get sucked into the anger vortex that is Ms. Sourpuss Face. I'm just reminding myself. Ahh, I feel better.

Mean People

They Do Suck.

I know it's a bumper sticker slogan, but it is true. It just depends on what you think is mean or not. Now, I admit I do have an eensy weensy teeny tiny little mean streak in me. I can be somewhat mean when provoked. Sometimes I use the F word when I probably shouldn't, and I've had moments of utter meanness that could make a preacher cuss.

I may be mean, but my meanness is nothing compared to those people who make fun of complete strangers. It is nothing compared to people who think themselves so fantastic and superior that they routinely post pictures of unattractive people on their websites just so they can have a laugh at them. I don't think that is funny. I don't think that is classy. I think that is downright to the core mean.

What amazes me even more is that these same people seem to have quite a following of other fantastic and superior people who think it is just dandy. Now of course I would not bother to make a comment, or criticize on their blog that would be rude, but that doesn't stop me from doing it here.

Oh I used to think I was mean, but I'm not. I just can't be that cruel. I guess I'm too soft. I'm not innocent, I've made fun of people who didn't deserve it at all, and it was wrong. However, seeing that trait in others has shown me just how ugly it is to carry on that way, even if it is not something I do on a regular basis, I'm guilty of it as well perhaps not to the same extent, but I'm still guilty.

I don't know. I just stumbled onto a website that made me cringe. The way that the subjects were mocked, laughed at and made fun of didn't set well with me. Not cool. Not cool at all.

I've Got To Clean My House

Yet, I'd Rather Blog.

Times up. I've pilfered my free time this week. Hanging around the internet, reading people's thoughts. I'm not going to say it was a waste of time, but I will say I probably should have tended to the home a bit more instead. I did make some wonderful stew last night, which I will probably have to freeze since there is no way daughter and I are going to eat that much stew anytime soon.

We're supposed to be getting another snowstorm. Neither my husband's new computer, nor my new couch and enormous ottoman has been delivered. I'm sort of bummed out about that. I got out the paperwork this morning, and was going to call the Furniture store and ask just where in the sam frap is my new couch and gigantic over indulgent ottoman, but when I read the fine print on the paperwork it said, "Please allow 14 days for delivery" Daggone it. I bought the thing on January first.

The fellow who sold me the couch said, "it will be here in 1-2 days..." Well, he put something else on the paperwork.

Oh who cares? I guess it will get her when it get's here. If I haven't heard from them by next Monday, I will be callling, and possibly even be asking for my money back. You just shouldn't give people that much time to have their buyer's remorse that's all. I could spend that money on something else, or better yet, just not spend it at all.

I've still got another over priced text book to buy for school. I've decided against adding that fourth class to my schedule. I think 3 will be enough this semester. Although I was thinking of taking an English class. English is pretty easy for me, but I don't want to get in over my head with the family, job and school combo.

My dear husband suggested I quit my job and just go to school full-time, but I just wouldn't feel right about that. He works so hard, I feel I must contribute financially to his efforts. Perhaps if I ever get to the University level I may just consider going full-time, but not now with the easier classes. This way I have a couple of years to save up some of the excess to carry us through the last couple of years at school.

I know I have to change careers. After visiting the Chiro, he confirmed that my body can't hold up to the work I'm doing much longer. He affirmed my decision to change careers, saying he understood it completely. My neck is completely jacked up. He was somewhat appalled at how messed up things were. I was amazed at what his hands found when he adjusted me. I did feel a lot better, although a bit sore in my muscle tissues. The soreness has abated, and I slept fairly well last night.

All right, I've got to get that vaccuum going. The kitchen floor could use a good mopping, and so on and so forth. Be back later.

Dinner's Done

I Have Nothing Important To Say.

As usual. I did have an actual thought today, so maybe I'll talk about that. There I was folding laundry and I was thinking about that Chavez fellow, and how he is virtually taking over the press, and I thought, it probably won't be long before folks are being imprisoned or worse for opposing the regime. Maybe they already are, I confess I don't know much about it all.

I thought what would I do if my freedom of speech was suddenly ripped out from beneath me? What if I were hunted down and imprisoned for the very things I've put on this blog. I remembered a man I met once, he was from Texas. He was a stranger to me, but in conversation he described something in a colorful way, and I said, "Are you a writer? That sounds like something a writer would say." He laughed and said that indeed he was a writer.

He told me a bit about his views, and the types of things he writes about, stuff right up my alley, but I could not let on in that particular situation, I'm not permitted to share such personal things like my own thoughts. Then he asked me point blank, "Is there anything (belief) you care so much about that you would be willing to die for it?"

A lot of things came to mind, my family first of all, which was the safe answer I gave him. I don't think I gave him the answer he was looking for, but he accepted it, and didn't delve further. I have since thought a lot about that question, and when I did, I realized that's not an easy question to answer at all. I've tried to imagine scenarios where I'm forced to make that sort of decision, but I can't. I have to look outside of this country to imagine a place so horrible that people are forced to choose between death and expressing their beliefs. I know there are plenty of places like that in the world.

I think of our troops overseas risking their lives for the people of this country. While I sit here comfortable spinning my moral compass to see where it lands, they've already made the decision. I have no tolerance for those who speak ill of the military folks, cough, John Kerry, cough.

As to the question, I'm still pondering it, and hoping things never get to that point. Could things ever get so bad in this country? At times I think wow, we are in for it if things continue like this, but I think we've probably got a long way to go for things to ever get that bad, and I pray it never happens.

Well, I better go fold some more clothes, maybe put another load in.

Midnight Posting

Why Not?

Are you over it yet? I think I've finally recovered from it. Although I still feel a bit under the weather, I think by the end of January I will have recovered from the stress of it all. I'm talking about the holidays. Never have I felt it like I did this time. I've heard people bemoan the commercialization of it all before, I never really saw it. I thought buying presents, shopping, the crowds, the excess was all part of the fun, but I guess I've finally reached the age where it becomes not fun.

Funny thing about working all of the holidays, you gain quite a different perspective on the whole thing. The only thing I thought about the holidays, was not about the presents, it was about the time with family I was missing. It was about mom's cooking, and sitting around the table enjoying each other's company, all of us, together. That's what it's all about for us. Simple.

December was quite a cranky month for a lot us. I notice at work people are really sort of burned out. We seem to be getting back to normal, but it was touch and go for a while there. I saw sides of my co-workers that they generally don't show at work, I was unable to contain myself at times as well. I figure it will take another week or two for people to feel better.

This is not what the holidays are supposed to be about. We've strayed so far. I'm not going to do it this way again. I'll work yes, that I must do, but I'm not doing all of that shopping, and stressing again. I think the 3 blizzards we had really sort of added to the pressure. People couldn't get out to do that last minute shopping. I ended up buying gift cards at the last minute at the grocery store. It was just nuts.

I'm so over it. I'm leaving the herd. I'm not doing it again. I'll buy the kiddo stuff, but that's it.

I Should Be In Bed

But I'd Rather Be Here With You.

My cat would prefer I go to bed so he can lay across my side. He's hanging out on the desk waiting for me.

It's been a busy week, and I have to say I've been missing reading people's blogs, and actually posting on my own.

This will just be a quick I'm still alive post. Tomorrow I have an appointment with the Chiro where he will hopefully be able to crack my neck back into place, and then my neck will hopefully stop making those squishy noises when I move my head certain ways.

My neck has been bothering me really bad lately. I've been in a fair amount of pain as a result. Not only that, but my back is hurting too.

I should have been getting care after my whiplash, but the idea of chalking up enormous bills with people under the belief that the insurance companies would actually take care of the costs has caused me to a great deal of anxiety about going to the doctor.

The thing is this, since I was injured in a car accident, my health insurance company will not cover any visits related to said accident. They say it is the car insurance people's responsibilities, well, the car insurance people are bickering back and forth over who is going to pay what, and in the meantime no one is paying anything at all. I've already been paying out of pocket for some of this stuff, but we just can't keep doing it.

I'm assured that my costs will eventually be covered by the insurance companies. I was at no fault at all in the accident. I was simply sitting in traffic when two cars slammed into me, and totalled our big enormous pick up. The pick up, by the way, is still sitting on the side of our house rotting with both insurance companies pointing the finger at each other as to who is going to pay for the thing. It's been over a year now. Dreadful.

I can't talk about it. I don't want to get upset. I just pray that justice is done.

This Can't Be Good

Commie Stuff.

I harp on Commies a lot because I grew up in the 80's, and I remember when most people in this country knew that communism was a bad thing. There are a lot of people who still know that, but there are an awful lot who are just plain dumb about the dangers of communism, in fact there's a whole bunch of liberals who seem to think it is a good thing. The way I see it is communism will always be one of the biggest threats to mankind, and something we must always combat.

Don't be fooled by it's cousin Socialism. That's just diet Communism. It may be even more dangerous because it sneaks up on its victims, slinking in like a thief in the night to steal from the productive and give to the non-productive. We've got a real problem with creeping Socialism right here in the good ole U.S.

At least we don't have it quite as bad as they do in Venezuela. They've got bad news all around. Over at Common Sense and Wonder, there is a post that details the harm that is done when the government tries to control the economy. Those commies always end up hurting the farmers, that's why North Korea is starving to death as I write this, that Kim junk ill dufus made them stop working the farms to serve his state. This Chavez guy is doing the same thing one way or the other. I've taken a snippet of the article posted there, but it would be better to go read it yourself.

Venezuela has only allowed farmers to raise the price of some foods, such as sugar, once in the last four years, compared with a 103 percent increase in consumer prices during the same period. That means farmers’ incomes aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of machinery, fertilizers and worker salaries.

To escape the controls and supplement their income, some farmers sell their crops at unregulated street markets for a higher price, Moreno said; others, such as dairy producers, are exacerbating a milk shortage by making more goods whose prices aren’t regulated, such as cheeses.

Reluctant to Invest

Meanwhile, companies are reluctant to invest to increase production. Manufacturers, concerned that Chavez will deepen state involvement in the economy, have trimmed spending on new plant and equipment to the point that non-government investment equals no more than 4 percent of gross domestic product, the lowest among Latin America’s 10 biggest economies.

Faust said many are reluctant to expand production because of a lack of private-property guarantees from the government. Chavez has seized rural estates and factories the government deems to be unproductive, including some assets of Lorenzo Mendoza, Venezuela’s second-wealthiest man., and of H.J. Heinz Co., the world’s largest ketchup maker. Foreign investors sold $778 million more in Venezuelan assets than they bought in the first nine months of 2006, according to the central bank; a decade ago, in the same period, they added $5.9 billion more than they disposed of.

“Companies are working three shifts a day,'’ the construction group’s Perret said. “But the next decision is to expand capacity, and they’re reluctant to do that.'’

Quite Possibly The Dumbest Piece Of Clothing Ever

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Dinner Date

With Hubby.

Lovely daughter is spending the night at the house of my friend since third grade. Handsome husband and I were all excited about a whole night alone. It has been a while since we've had time to just be together, alone. We decided to go out to eat, we went to Texas RoadHouse for a steak and some ribs.

The place was packed and noisy, but we didn't care, we were there together, just the two of us. We enjoyed our dinner. I love their ribs. Everything was great, except...now let me preface this by saying, I'm all for taking the kiddos out to eat, and I've always thought people who complained about kids in restaurants were just being snobs, but this kid kept screaming. Amid all the noise, the hustle and bustle, the table of 9 young adults, the music, the conversations, the clinking and clanking of plates and silverware, this kids high pitched squeal rang through the air, and everytime it did I would see the heads of other diners perk up and look around for the source of it.

I guess it was probably a young toddler, sounded like a frustrated 2 year old's scream. I'll tell you, everytime that kid screamed it was like nails on a chalk board to me. It was too much. My inclination was that the kid needed a trip to the bathroom, and a good talking to. It was just being a little stinker, and to be honest, I'm not a perfect parent, my kid can be as big of a spoiled brat as the rest of them, but I wouldn't have let her sit there screaming like that. Even if that meant getting a to go box. Just my opinion. I don't imagine the words, "Knock it off NOW!" are part of that kid's parents vocabulary from the sounds of things.

The Force

Switching Over.

I was forced to switch over my blog to the new thing that blogger has. I'm not complaining mind you, it is a free service, and it works quite nicely for my little meanderings. However, when I switched, I also had to switch my daughter's blog. Somehow my profile was overwritten by her profile, and my posts were being signed with her signature. I managed to switch it back to mine, but now her posts are signed by my signature, and I no longer have a profile, which isn't that big of a deal, I mostly wrote silly stuff on it anyway.

Anyway, that is what is going on with that. Now on to more important matters.

Party's Over

Take The Tree Down Already.

I'm well ahead of the game. I've already taken my tree down, and am completely done with holiday festivities until at least July. I like the 4th of July, I like a good barbeque. Whew. I'm actually glad that is all over.

I'm a tad superstititious, I believe one should try to start the new year off right, and that by doing so set things in motion for a good year. I'm afraid we've started off with a little debt, but hopefully we can get it whittled down some. If we were more patient we would have waited to buy the new things we bought until we could have just forked out the cash for it. We weren't patient, we bought a new computer, and a new couch, AND charged it! This goes against our principles, and we knew it wasn't the smartest thing, but we did it anyway.

Well, I'm paying cash for school, and we have some big expenses coming up which we will need to pay cash for, i.e. our car tags. That's about $2000.00 for all of those things, so it will all come out in the wash I suppose.

The couch was a bargain, I didn't want to pass it up. It was on clearance, I also bought the insanely humongous ottoman thing that was so comfy to put the feet up on when we were all sitting on the couch in the furniture showroom, will have pictures of that, believe me, it is huge. And I guess I was just feeding the beast of greed. I'm so looking forward to sitting on the thing and watching t.v. We will have a pretty living room, modest, but pretty. We have a cruddy family room downstairs, the couch is ugly, the furniture is functional, but cheap, the kind that falls apart if you move it once, well we've moved it a couple times, and it's pretty much at its permanent resting place until we get rid of it which won't be for a very long time.

When our child was younger she built in cupholders, yeah she actually took something and cut out cup holders in the arm of the couch. The cats have dug and pulled and tugged at the filling, and now the whole couch just looks completely jacked up. We will keep the cruddy couch until she is older, I'm thinking a nice housewarming gift when she gets her first place, yes, I'm that mean.

The kiddo has been given strict orders that there will be no funny business about the new couch. She'll be lucky if I let her sit on it. It is that nice. Yes, I'm that mean. She's got the ugly one that used to be a nice couch. It's downstairs where she can make her messes and people won't have to step over her junk when they first walk into the house. I don't know who these mystery people are, pretty much everyone I know is used to our house having a "lived in" look about it, and they are most definitely aware of the homemade built in cupholders in the couch, and know how they got there, and most of them think it is hilarious, but that's of course because it wasn't their couch it happened to.

So, pretty soon I will have to get a t.v. for the pretty living room otherwise it will just be sitting on the new couch and staring at my plants. I'll be able to watch t.v. again. I can watch all the HGTV, Food Network, Fox News, and Discovery channel I want to watch, and won't have someone pouting because they want to watch That's So Raven! Which is actually a pretty cute show, and I'm glad she'd like to watch that rather than many other things, I can even stand to sit and watch that one with her, but sometimes, just sometimes I like to just watch Fox News, and that is so boring to the kid.

We only have 2 t.v.s in this house, one in the family room, and one that is hooked up to a video game thing, and I don't like messing with it. Yes, I realize how nice we've got it. I wish the whole world could have things as good as we do in this country, but as far as I can tell, Communism, and Socialism has ruined things for many millions of people.

When you get to the point you start harping on Commies, albeit a legititimate source of griping, it is probably time to end the post. Give up your commie ways, and you too can have multiple t.v.'s and a brand new couch with an insanely enormous ottoman. Embrace freedom.

Happy New Year

Have a Marvelous Year!

The whole neighborhood seemed to be celebrating last night, several people were setting off firecrackers. I think the German neighbors behind us, actually we have German neighbors on both sides, were schnockered. They were hooting and hollering outside at midnight, and having an all around good time it seemed.

We could see the fireworks atop Pikes Peak, which I didn't actually think we would be able to see from here, but I could just barely see them out of my bedroom window. Seeing those go off was something I remember looking forward to when I was a kid.

My friend's daughter spent the night last night, she and my daughter were giggling half the night. They are still zonked out on the couch, it's a huge couch. I woke up at 10a.m. which is very late for me. I have this crazy bedhead thing going on, and I didn't even drink, but I did get pretty much 10 hours of sleep, which I think my body just needed.

I will feel a little sorry for the hung over today, but not that much. I'm not a drinker, mostly because when I drink alcohol I feel like I'm going to die when it starts to take affect. Seriously, it makes my heart hurt, and I hate the way I feel on it. Pretty much ever since I became a mom, I've had zero tolerance whatsoever, but it got really bad a few years ago, when I had one drink at a restaurant and experienced the most awful reaction to it, ever since then I have the same feeling everytime I go near the stuff. Half a beer, that's about all I can take. Sometimes I wish I could get wild and crazy and tie one on again like the good old days, but the thought of feeling that ill will never let me drink much alcohol ever again.

That said, from one of the sober, unhungover people of the world, Have a Happy New Year.

Forgive My Crankiness

If You Will.

I really don't have a good reason to be so cranky lately. Other than I just am. Life is good, I shouldn't waste so much time complaining on this blog about the rotten mood I've been in. I think there is a temptation here to say the things that I can't say outloud most of the time.

Well I can say stuff, it's just that some people would get mad about what I have to say. Although it may not seem like it here, I am really a pretty grounded person. I usually take most things in stride, but every once in a while I come on the blog and rip it all to shreds. I think I will stop doing that, or limit it as much as possible. :)

There's just not much going on lately. I've never been a person who gets bored all that often. I usually find something entertaining to do. I'll be glad when school starts again. I'm so excited about that, even if it means I will be going into stressed out psycho mode, at least I'll be doing something, moving forward. Blah blah, enough about me.

Have a Blessed and Happy New Year.

I Wish, I Wish

I Could Be Frank.

Not, Frank as in a guy named Frank. Gross. I would never want to be a man. Nothing against men, I like men, it's just I wouldn't want to be one, not for all the tea in China. I like being a woman, I like being loved by my man.

I mean, frank as in honest. I'm as honest as I can be, but I would love to talk about some of the ridiculous stuff that people say and do, but that could be to my detriment, so it's best I just keep it zipped. Oh well, I guess I can talk about my friend's job.

You know what happens when you are constantly harping on employees about the most ridiculous things, like making them walk a half a mile out of their way just to get to their workstations, and then picking on every single thing like saying they must take the stairs rather than the elevator, and other such things? I'll tell you, they reach a point, a point where they say, "I don't give a shit, I'm tired of being threatened all the time, I'm tired of all these ridiculous rules, I'm going to take the elevator instead of the stairs for once!" Of course that one time they decide to do that, someone is watching on one of the numerous cameras strategically placed around the joint and reports said employee to their supervisor, said supervisor has to bring employee in for a sit down chat. And what is employee going to say? What can they say? Only thing I can think of is the truth, "I didn't feel like walking all those stairs after walking so far from my workstation, I just wanted to get home."

That won't fly. There will be reprimand. There will be general frowning on the actions of the employee who meant no harm other than they just didn't feel like taking the stairs that particular day. They will tell the employee that being negative is not a good work ethic, that being negative is not professional, that not feeling like taking the stairs is negative. In the next staff meeting at least 20 minutes will be devoted to extolling the benefits of being positive. They will try to use peer pressure to make the negative ones suffer, they will discuss ways to diffuse negative people taking suggestions from the audience. They will outright say, "We don't want negative people here!" Paying no attention to the fact that most of their subjects are not negative people at all.

What gets to me sometimes is the insincerity of it all. Want to know what your employer thinks of you? Watch what they do when people leave. Do they just blink their eyes and move on? Where my friend works, when someone leaves they are immediately forgotten, and never mentioned again. I realize business is business, but you can't talk all that crap about we're a team, we're here for each other, and not care one iota about people. All the while harping on how actions are so important, yes, people do watch your actions as well. If you don't care, they know it. You can talk all the talk you want in your pep meetings, in the end your subordinates will watch your actions.

Your subordinates will take note of what you do when one of their own's neck is on the chopping block. If you don't do right by people, they don't forget that, they make a note of it, and tuck it away and get on with work, but they don't forget it. When you and your team each take turns taking off the holidays, while decreeing only a very small percentage of the pee'ons will have the opportunity to take even just one of those special days off, watch morale plummett to low levels never seen before. Just watch.

Three Sheets of Ice

Thanks To The Wind.

Treacherous roads around these parts. Yesterday I took my sister to work, then took myself to work. She has a fancy little hotrod type car that is horrible on ice and snow, so I took her in my Evil Gas Guzzling SUV. Actually, mine doesn't guzzle gas, it get's pretty good gas mileage. It's the little E of the Ford SUV line, it's cute, AND awesome on snow.

The ice was really thick on the roads. We saw a guy in a Forerunner doing 360's all the way down this particularly icy stretch of road, opposite of the side we were travelling, he was probably going too fast when he hit the ice. We were a somewhat afraid he was going to cross the median and hit us. He was really close, so close I was able to look him straight in the eye, and then he spun on finally landing on the shoulder. Nasty stuff.

We came home that same stretch when I picked her up after work, we knew we had to be very careful. We could have taken another route, but figured we'd rather slide off into the grass than traverse the several icy bridges that the other route offered.

I drive really slow anyway in this weather, and basically give the finger to anyone who gives me trouble about it, they can pass if they are in such a big hurry. As we approached the stretch of road where we saw the guy spinning out of control in the morning, we slowed down in anticipation of much sliding. There were about 5 cars piled up there, and I was glad we slowed down ahead of time. If not we might have been the 6th car in the pile up.

I don't think I've ever seen the streets so icy. The wind has blown the snow off of parts of the road exposing an icy sheet which offers no traction whatsoever. We are supposed to get some more snow, and wind. I will venture out again this morning to go to work, but at least my sister is off today.

Well, I've got to get ready to work. I'm leaving an hour before my shift starts. It's at most a 20 minute drive on dry pavement. Wish me luck. At least it is saturday and most of the M-F 9-5'ers will be off the roads.

Boom Boom Bang

Pow! Right in the Kisser.

He he. The title just came out, I promise, just like that I typed it out and there it was, and it made me chuckle so I kept it. It really doesn't have much to do with anything at all, but then again way more than half of the stuff that I post here is completely unimportant, and dare I even say, boring.

But I stopped over there at dear Francis Porretto's roadside stand where he was offering up some free ice cream and lemonaide, and he was talking about those angry Muslims that want to kill us all and gun control, and the way he approached the subject made a whole lot of sense to me, and it reminded me of a conversation that my husband and I had not too long ago about terrorism and the right to bear arms. Go read the post, and come back over here for the rest of what I've got to say.

Now a couple of weeks ago my husband and I were talking about home safety. You see sometimes I get downright skeered of my own shadow, 'specially when the hubbers is out of town, and it's just me and the youngin' here all alone. (no, I can't stop talking this accent, just work with me here people) We got another dog, she's turned out to be more pet than watch dog, but them burglerizers don't know that besides our male Pit-Bull would happily rip the 'nads off of any intruder, but still sometimes I think, well maybe I should have a nice shiny gun in my nightstand ready to blow some guy's brains out if necessary.

I mentioned that idea to my husband, now he knows me, knows me better than anyone, and he laughed his butt off. I've never so much as held a gun in all my life. I wouldn't know what to do with one anyhow, but I'm pretty smart and I can learn. In fact, my sister and I asked our Uncle, the cop, if he would teach us, he laughed, but said he would. Problem is, he lives two states away. Anyhow, my husband who was in the Marines for a number of years does know how to use one of them things, he could teach me too if he were so inclined, which initially he didn't seem to think it was such a good idea.

He said, "Yeah, I can see you pulling that thing out and pointing it at the guy, and he turns to run, and you shoot him multiple times in the back of the head, and you go to prison for the rest of your life." I said, "Well, just because he starts to run, doesn't mean he wasn't running to get a knife from the kitchen to come back and try to keel me with it, I can't take that chance."

I said, "Well, have you ever thought of this, remember Hurricane Katrina, and how there was madness and mayhem in the city, and no one knew what was going on, or where to go, or anything? Imagine being in that situation, and not being armed." I said, "Now, imagine if there was a major terrorist attack, and massive mayhem on a much larger scale, wouldn't you want to be armed if we were held up here in the house, and all of the police were unable to get things under control, just like with Katrina?"

I don't think it is paranoia to think such things possible. We've had multiple attacks on our citizens, our interests, and even our cities. As the country song said, it was a mighty sucker punch, which is what they intended it to be. Sure, it's not like we didn't know terrorism existed before 9/11, we just didn't think they would do something like that. And as the country song said, we put a boot in their ass, which is good, but that doesn't mean they've given up. By all means, they have not, and will not until their goals are achieved, or they are all dead.

I pray it never comes to that, but worse things have happened, and I have to face facts, there are some really bad people in this world. He and I decided we might check into one of those home alarm systems for now. Our child is too impulsive right now for us to feel comfortable bringing a gun into the house. Maybe when she is older. I imagine he and I will look into something a bit more, umm, powerful to protect ourselves.

That is our personal decision based on what we know about our situation, we have weighed the pros and cons. Until then, I will never support any political candidate that wants to inflict gun control on the law abiding citizens of this country. My grandfather knew this was coming. He ran out and bought a bunch of guns long before the state started regulating things. He knew that the state requiring registration of guns would just make it more convenient for them to come and take them away in the future. I don't know what became of all of those guns, wish I did.

The Snow

She Is Falling.

Supposed to get another big one. I see through the window the snow has started to fall. I suddenly feel an urge to rush out and stock up on food. I won't be alone in the store, I've noticed that before the storms come many people feel the same need to get out there and grab some groceries.

We've had a lot of snow this year so far which has been nice really. Usually before the big storm comes I call my mom and ask if she has everything she needs to weather the storm, I'm always amazed at the things she comes up with that she needs. She'll say stuff like, "Well, I need a couple books, some Dr. Pepper, and some Diet coke, and 7 lottos, cat food, and dog food, but you can only get those at certain places." Argh! "Mom, I mean stuff like bread, milk, meat, do you have all the food you need for the next couple of days?"

"Oh, yes, I just need those lottos." Argh! All right. Then she does it, the guilt trip thing, "Well, if you don't want to pick up that stuff, I'll just go out later and get it, if the snow is not too bad..." Argh! "No mom, I'll get the stuff for you..." And I do. That's my momma, and she's done a lot more for me all these years I just can't refuse her.

I just called her to see if she needs anything, "No, dad and I went out to the store yesterday, you can come by and have a ham or turkey sandwich if you want though." Isn't she the sweetest thing? She did mention she needed some letters mailed, but she's going to have my brother do that.

Well, I better get a move on. I've got a lot to do today. Back later when I decide to start avoiding responsibility again.

Really Important News

Eight Hundred Days.

That is how long a member of my family has been off of that horrible awful drug Meth. The message here is, it can be done. It is not easy, but it can be done. It is worth it to get off the drugs, life can get better.

Over 2 years ago we as a family were distraught as to how to save our addicted family member. We did not know what else to do. We watched helplessly as the drug turned a once very sweet, funny, lovable person into an unrecognizable paranoid psychotic person teetering on the edge of an abyss we might never be able to reach far enough into to retrieve him again. It was bad. We thought we might lose him to the drug, the streets, the law.

We did not know what to do. We gave it to God. He was the only one powerful enough to reach into that abyss to grab him. We were relieved when he called from jail. We made the mistake the first time thinking two weeks in there was long enough to sober him up, he started using again within hours of us picking him up. No, we could not make that mistake again. The second time he was picked up we knew as difficult as it was, we had to leave him there. We had no choice. It was that or watch his death helplessly from the sidelines. He got into jail, he had to get out.

He did the time, had his hearings, after several months he got out. He screwed up his first week there and decided to whack his cellmate in the face with a sock stuffed with something. The cellmate threw him around the cell for a bit, then the officers broke up the scuffle. Since he was the aggressor they sent him to a different jail, a much meaner jail. The one with all the dudes waiting to go to prison, the one with murderers and rapists, and all around mean men.

He managed to get by in there for several months until he was sent to another jail, it was better as far as jails go. It was horrible to think of him there, it was worse to think of him on the Meth and the people he was involved with. We kept in contact with him. We tried to encourage him. His first letters were jumbled and crazy sounding, it was the drugs in his system. His mind was not right. Meth truly imposes a state of mental illness on a person. He kept trying. All he could do in there was read. He kept reading. We sent him lots and lots of books and letters to read. His letters started making sense, his mind started clearing. His reality was right there before him, he had to make a change.

As much as we wanted to we could not make all the bad stuff go away for him. He had to face the cold hard facts. He had to make amends, repent, be made new. We all could use a bit of that now and then, though preferably not under such extreme circumstances.

In the last 800 days, he has paid his fines, hefty fines that they were. He has been working with a 12 step program. He has a job, has taken college courses, is going to take more. He bought himself a car. He has returned to being the sweet, lovable, funny person he once was. He's one of my best friends in the whole world. He has repaid his debts as best as he can. He cannot take back his actions of the past, but he cannot let that stop him from moving forward. I'm really really proud of him. A whole heck of a lot can be done in 800 days, and he's done it.

I Was Not Being Passive Aggressive

Reflections On Christmas Past.

Tonight my friend, since third grade, told me she thought my post about staying home on Christmas was directed at her, and she said, "How Passive-Aggressive can you get?" I had no idea what she meant, but she said that I wrote that post to send a message to her since she went out for dinner on Christmas. No, it wasn't directed at her actually, but she did go out on Christmas so I guess I struck a nerve on her.

What I really wanted to convey in that post was the epiphany I had over Christmas this year. As I worked the days leading up to, the day of, and the day after Christmas, I can honestly say it sucked. I had no choice, you know that whole deal, and I would better dollars to donuts many many people working on the holiday had no choice either. But I realized something, I realized as I hugged a co-worker in the hallway who was blinking back tears of her own, celebrating Christmas is deeply ingrained in my psyche, I'm not alone in that. My co-worker was having a "Christmas meltdown" she was feeling as stressed and overwrought as I was about working the whole holiday.

My deep seated desire to celebrate Christmas with my loved ones was conflicting with my need to maintain my good employment status. Sure, many people have to work on Christmas, I'm mature enough to realize that. That doesn't mean they like it. It is times like that, that lead a thinking person to ask, "is all this really necessary? Is someone going to die if we close on Christmas?" The answer to that question is inevitably, no. Yet there I was with the rest of them making the best of it, putting my best foot forward, all that good stuff, and trying to do it as gracefully as possible, while not letting on how extremely upset I was inside.

It was hard. I got cranky. Not only was I sick, and hormonal, we were busy as all get out. I honestly felt like Scrooge. I could barely utter the words Merry Christmas to anyone without clenching my teeth. I just wanted to pretend it wasn't Christmas at all.

I'm glad it is over. I will be starting new classes next month, I am working on a new career, one that won't require me to work on holidays, or weekends. I feel a huge sense of urgency to get through with school as fast as possible, before it is too late and my child is all grown up. These are precious times, and they are irreplaceable.

She's on Christmas break now, we slept in today. It was so wonderfully nice. I rarely get to sleep in anymore.

So, no I didn't mean to be passive-aggressive, but I did mean what I said. I wish people would be a little more considerate of others that way. I hope that in the future if given the opportunity to think of someone else's situation, I would do the same having been in those shoes myself.

People moan about commercialization, and all of that, which I agree with them completely. I found myself thinking this year, Christmas has become nothing other than a great transfer of wealth day, especially with the gift cards and all. I give you a $50 gift card, you give me a $50 gift card, couldn't we have just skipped the whole process. Next year I'm not buying anyone over the age of 16 a present. I mean it. I'm going to make that clear, and I'm not going to accept any gifts either.

My husband and I don't even buy each other gifts. When we were first married, we never could afford to anyway, it is a tradition we have kept going. We can buy each other whatever we want throughout the year whenever we want. We should just buy for the kids next year. I don't need a gift, I just like the time with family around the table at mom and dad's house, that's the best gift I could get.

A Little Karmic Delight

Superstitions.

The idea of Karma reminds me a bit of superstitions, knock on wood, that sort of thing. Mind you it couldn't hurt. Most superstitions seem to be pretty harmless as far as I can tell, what does it hurt to throw a bit of salt over your shoulder? My husband has come to believe in my left hand after all these years. When my left palm itches, we're getting some money honey. The last time it itched, he called home and I told him it was itching, sure enough he called to tell me he was getting a bonus check. Sure it's just superstition, but I tell you my left hand rarely fails me.

Well, my friend, the one who does hair told me of a story the other day, and all I could say between giggles was, "Sounds like a little karmic payback if you ask me!" You see she had a client one day who was basically what someone would call a cranky old man, although he wasn't all that old, but he sure was grouchy. In fact, he was particularly critical of her work, and he basically threw a sort of hissy fit about how she had combed his comb over. Now I know people are rightly concerned about their comb overs, but she has lengthy experience in working with comb overs, and has even dealt with a toupee now and then. It is not that she is aloof of the comb over, she pays it all the attention it needs, and even tries to keep it at a nice length to do it's intended job without looking like a piece of tangled up kelp should the wearer decided to spend an afternoon at the beach.

This fellow was rather huffy with her, and eventually broke her down and she cried. Which I think was pretty mean of him. It was so bad, that she declared, "I will never work on him again!" This is a woman who has on occasion given homeless people who did not smell so good haircuts, and never so much as thought about refusing them service. For her to say that, I knew he was beyond merely disagreeing with her technique, he was just being mean.

He came into the shop the other day. He sat in the chair waiting for her co-worker to give him the signal to hop into her barber chair. Apparently he had a cold my friend has surmised. "You're not going to believe what happened," she told me, "he sneezed and a big old booger flew out of his nose and landed on the floor!" He just sat there looking rather embarrassed occasionally focusing on the thing that flew out of his nose when he sneezed. Everyone just sort of tippy toed around the thing, not wanting to acknowlege it's existence there on the floor, and wishing there was a way to make it go away without everyone being embarrassed about the whole thing.

After seeing him squirm a bit my friend offered him some tissue, and went to the back for a moment. "I would have been so embarrassed!" she told me, and I agreed, I would have died of embarrassment. "Well after the way he treated you, I guess that was just his karma coming back and biting him in the rear." I told her.

That wasn't enough, what happened next is so gross I hesitate in even bringing it up. Well shucks, I guess I must. People routinely bring their dogs to the shop, it's a friendly place, kind of like Cheers, where everyone knows your name, and your pet's name, and there was a dog in there that day. Apparently everyone sat in suspended horror as the dog did what dogs will do, it ran over there and slurped that nasty booger right up off the floor, and it's owner was not too happy about it. My friend gagged when she told me that part. My response was, "EWWW!"

The karmic lesson here, if there is such a thing, I guess would be, don't go around humiliating people and making them cry, or that stuff might just reverberate back on you making you sneeze a big hocking boogie right in front of the person you attempted to embarrass before and you might find yourself feeling quite gross and stupid at the same time. What's worse, she might tell her friend, who has a blog, about it and the story might be retold on the internet.

No Place Like Home

For the Holidays.

No truer words have been spoken. People, stay home for the holidays. I mean this sincerely. Make sure that you have everything done before Christmas Eve and Christmas because I'm telling you honestly, people don't want to serve you on Christmas. They want to be home with their own families, not taking care of YOU and making YOU feel special. The rest of the year it can be all about you, fine.

But let me tell you this, if you think that person serving you is happy about it, think again. They have to do it you see. Most likely their employer gave them no choice about the matter whatsoever. If they don't do it, they will not be in good standing with their employer. Perhaps they really like their job, and realize that they have to do it to keep their job the rest of the year. It is up to you to keep your behind at home on the holidays giving employers the only incentive they need to close down: there are no customers to serve.

Since I'm being frank here, saying, "Ohhhh, I'm sorry you have to work on Christmas!" to someone who is serving you will cause them to clench their teeth. You see, we have to work BECAUSE YOU are here, if YOU weren't here, we could go home, but since YOU are here, so must we be. Don't assume that everyone who is serving you is being paid double pay, or holiday pay, in fact, most probably aren't. Don't assume that all employers give each employee at least one of the holidays off, most probably don't. Which reminds me, avoid statements like, "I'm sorry you have to work Thanksgiving, at least you will get Christmas off right?" Umm, no. "Well at least you get extra pay right?" Umm, no. "oh."

I'm serious. Even people with no family around would rather be off on Christmas. No one likes working on Christmas. I realize there are people who are in positions that are quite needed everyday of the year. Emergency room staff, firefighters, police and so on, but a lot of people are working who are not in critical lifesaving professions, and it is for one reason and one reason alone, someone is making the big bucks off of you people who just won't stay home, and it is NOT the people who are serving you. I'm just saying what the people would say if they could.

You got that? Enough said?

What To Do During A Snowstorm

Take Over Dog's Bed.

I had to put the doggie bed next to mine so that I could convince the little girl dog that she really didn't belong on the people's bed. Now I say, "Down!" and I point to her doggie bed, which she ignores completely. So then I call her over and pet her until she falls asleep beside me on her little bed.

One night I was talking on the phone with my best friend from third grade, and she heard me arguing and complaining about the dog trying to sleep on the bed. So b.f. went into full Dog Whisperer mode and instructed me on how to get that dog out of my bed. She lectured me on how I must not treat the dog like a human, that the dog does not understand human stuff, and that the dog needs to know her place, immediately, like now! I did as instructed, and had a great night of sleep.

Ms. Thang likes to spoon, she does seem to think she is a people, and darn it all if she is not the funniest dog. In her desire to be as close to me as possible while I sleep, she has taken to completely hogging up the bed, which is a bad thing. I'm a deep sleeper who likes to sprawl out. I'm going on and on, suffice it to say, the dogs no longer sleep on the bed, and I'm glad about it.

But the cats, well, that's another story. I can tolerate a cat on my side while I sleep. It is actually comforting, I kick him off when I've had enough.

The cats like the dog bed. It's much better than what they usually sleep on. You see, one of them likes to drag my husband's socks and underwear under the bed and make a nice little nest to sleep right in the center of. At least the cat finally quit dragging hubby's underwear into the cat box. Probably because there are none close by since we moved things around. We don't know why the cat did that in the first place, but we used to really crack up about it.

Anyway, I've got a lovely camera phone picture of the cats taking it easy on the dog bed. Yes, my husband is a patient man, and he hasn't even threatened to divorce me for having brought home 3 orange cats, although I wouldn't dare bring another critter into this house. A man can only be pushed so far.

You see, unless one has had direct experience, most people do not realize that Orange Cats are particularly onery. They are the types to wander around the neighborhood brawling with any Tom they meet. Some orange cats have even been known to frequent such places as The El Presidente bar and pool hall in Garden City, Kansas, and are widely known for knocking heads and breaking balls. The El Presidente is not for your run of the mill Siamese, or Persians, no, only the toughest thugs of the cat world would hang out there.

Well our 3 boys are rather tame for Orange cats, we pretty much keep them indoors. Every once in a while, usually during a BBQ when the back door is unattended one of them will slip out and go on a two week jaunt to Liberal and come back with many a scar and a story to tell. It is as all Orange cats are prone to do given the opportunity. That said, here they are:

Cabin Fever

It Hath Struck.

Been pretty much stuck in the house, although I could have ventured out today, and I did for a brief trip to Walgreens to pick up some makeup. I love Walgreens. I shop there way more often then I do the other Wal store. It is quite convenient. Yes, I buy make up at Walgreens, this is just one of the endearing qualities that keeps my husband happy. I'm low maintenance and willing to go cheap on most items.

Once I accidentally paid $98.00 for a skin product from one of those fancy department stores. I was with my sister, now she is much more expensive to have, but well worth it I'm sure. I figured the thing the lady suggested was about $30/bucks or something. She put a dab of the stuff on the back of my hand, rubbed it in, and instructed me to feel how much softer my skin felt. Oh and it did.

Then she told me to imagine how soft it would make my face feel, and I did. I asked her to wrap it up for me with one of their fancy dancy cleansers, and when I went to check out I didn't even pay attention to the amount, I just signed the receipt and went on my merry way. My husband would probably not be happy to know that I was so lackadaisical about the whole thing. When I looked at the receipt later I called my sister saying, "You won't believe how much that stuff cost me!" She said, "I know it's kind of expensive, but it's worth it." She's always been more of a spender than me, but that's for another post.

Now, now, I do have to say this, since I started using the more expensive cleanser and the fancy thing that cost $98.00 I have got a lot of compliments on my skin. Really. And the stuff has lasted a long time since somedays I don't use the expensive lotion thing, and it only takes a dab or so, I'm blessed with oily skin, believe me oily skin is much better for aging purposes, I rarely get pimples or anything so it's pretty balanced. I ran out of the cleanser and thought I would just try a different type, and I haven't been as happy with my skin. I'm generally not all that fussy about my skin anyway, but I have noticed a difference. I think I will get some more of that brand of cleanser, and it wasn't that much at about $40.00, it was just a lot more then I usually spent on stuff from Wal...

Oh gosh, that's not what I planned to write about at all. It was the storm. That's what I was going to talk about. What a doozy, but really, it was the wind that was so bothersome. I've seen way more snow than what we were left with, although some people seemed to get a lot more. I feel sorry for the people stuck in airports. I cannot even imagine, although I have slept on the floor of the SeaTac Airport, that was not so fun, those people stuck with the storm are in a much worse situation altogether though.

I missed out on two whole days of worry free Christmas shopping, BUT I got to spend two days with hubby and daughter with very little distraction, so, I spent the whole two days pretty much cleaning house, and spot shampooing carpets, but we were together, home together, it is a beautiful thing. Today I chilled out a bit more, satisfied that the cleaning I did yesterday was sufficient. I made a big ole pot of stew today. We ravaged it.

I'm officially sick of comfort foods, I'm dying for a pizza, but I wouldn't dream of ordering one and making someone else come out in this weather. My brother came over yesterday during the blizzard and we baked cookies. A ton of cookies. I'm sick of cookies too now, that won't last long though, who could become permanently tired of cookies?

Usually I try to cherish snow days, I consider them one of the true days off from life, assuming that one is able to enjoy it that way. I realize that life can encroach on a day off at random, and it is not fun to be in need during a blizzard, but if possible one should enjoy it. Most of the time I don't want the snow days to end to quickly as they often do. I want the safe cozy feeling of being home with no where to go to last as long as possible.

This time it got a bit old quickly, probably because we just had a couple of snow days not that long ago. It doesn't help that I had so many things planned that will have to be rescheduled. I'm not complaining mind you, I wouldn't trade this time for anything, although it's not special if it happens all the time.

Tomorrow it is back to the grind. I better get rested. I should have gone to bed already, I've been entertaining a slightly sore throat for a couple days now, whatever this is seems to be progressing slowly, but I have no idea how I'll feel tomorrow, and I can't very well just call in sick after just ending my days off.

Yuck

How I Feel.

I think I'm getting sick. I don't know who gave me this crud, but if I find out I'm going to make them give me 24 hour care, and a pedicure too for that matter. Hubby got home this afternoon. He's pooped. He worked all night and drove all day. That man wanted to get home, and I'm glad he's home safe and sound.

I'm disappointed that I feel like dirt, but hopefully it will be a quick thing. I've been looking forward to spending time with him this week, and having some fun together.

So it is with fair warning that I offer the following: Christmas is right around the corner, hubby is home, I'm not even close to finished with my Christmas shopping, and there is supposed to be a snowstorm coming in, sooooo....I won't be offering up much on the ole bloggy unless of course we get snowed in and I have nothing else I can do.

With that said, have a blessed week, and a Merry Christmas. I'll be back when I can.

Meet Puddles

Zee Poodle.

I saw this dog at the pet store. I fell in love. I sent the picture to my friend. She said, and I quote, "that's the ugliest dog I've ever seen in my life!" Of course I totally disagreed declaring, "I think it is the cutest dog I've ever seen, if I didn't have two already I would have brought that baby home!" I would have named her Puddles because she looked like she might make many of them being such a young boisterous pup and all. I love her. Notice how she is hanging over the edge of the enclosure practically screaming, "LOVE ME!"

The Naysayers Are Wrong

We Are Right.

Now that is a very bold statement, but I think it is correct. Every so often I hear people complaining about the copious use of cell phones that our society has seemingly taken quite a liking to. I'm no different than the rest of society, although I try to be polite about it. I don't talk on the cell phone while in the presence of other people, for example at a full table in lunch room at work.

I keep my cell phone in my purse, and rarely go near it while at work unless I want to check and see if I have any messages, it takes two seconds to look at it. Usually this is to check on my child and make sure all is well. I never just sit and b.s. on the thing while at work, I'm there to work.

I don't talk on the phone while in line at the grocery store. I put the thing away, and say "Hello" to the person who is checking me out. I thank the person who is bagging my groceries, although sometimes I practically have to bag my own which is bad business on the part of the store.

The sin I am most guilty of concerning the ole cellular phone is talking while driving (T.W.D) I generally keep my chatting to straightways, and I will actually put the darn thing down if traffic is the least bit congested.

I can think of many ways the cell phone has made my life easier. It was the cell phone that my husband called me from that night he crashed his car on that lonely Wyoming highway. Luckily he was in an area where he had reception which in Wyoming isn't always the case. The hills are big enough to make those bars disappear in an instant.

Every single day that my husband is away I know I can send him a voicemail, or a text and let him know I'm thinking of him, missing him, loving him, even if I can't call him directly, I know he will get the message when he has time.

I can send text messages to my friend in Japan. I send them to her email, which she gets on her phone. How cool is that? Seriously. It is expensive to call Japan.

I don't have any of those fancy things on my home phone anymore. I got rid of the voicemail, call waiting, and long distance. I kept the caller i.d. because it is an invaluable function, and I like to know who is calling before I pick up the phone. If Ohio doesn't stop calling me and trying to do surveys for the love of, oh wait, with caller i.d., I don't even pick up the phone anymore when they call. I don't need voicemail at home, I can check my voicemail instantly on my cell phone anytime of the day, conveniently.

Although, I prefer a text, to voicemail, with text the message is just right there waiting to be read quickly, no need to dial up, enter pin numbers or anything. The beauty of the text is, it can be used very discreetly, checked immediately, and the form allows only short messages!

I love this stuff. It is amazing technology. The naysayers look down on the widespread use of the technology, they attempt to argue that there is something wrong with the desire of millions of people to enjoy an immediate connection to those they care about. I'm here to say it, the naysayers are wrong. It is natural to want to connect. Nature is being aided by technology. I think it is a wonderful thing.

Sure some people abuse it, are rude with it. I get annoyed with that too. I think of the Wild West days when people sent letters to their loved ones back east via pony express, that was about they only means they had. I guarantee if they had this technology they would have embraced it and used it as wildly as everyone else is today. I do realize this technology is a convenience, just as the old house phones of yesterday, but if I have access to it, I'm darn sure going to enjoy it. Why not? Tell me.

My Brane Win It Werks

You Are 40% Left Brained, 60% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

a la Juggler's Mistress

Things To Remember

It's Not The Thought That Counts.

Did I say that right? Oh no, it's not the thought that counts, it is the thought that counts. Remember that during the gift giving season, and a Merry Christmas to you. Truly, this is something any well raised person knows. It is really only the act of giving the gift, not what you give. I learned this lesson by the age of 10. Most people know this.

It was a difficult lesson to learn. I still feel shame over my actions to this day. It was my 10th Birthday party and one of my mom's good friends bought me a Halloween costume for my birthday which was in October that year. I actually move the date around a lot. Sometimes I skip it altogether. It just depends on when I feel the need to be honored and have people give me presents, but mostly I stick to October.

So there I was wearing a red velvet dress, one of my grandmother's broaches, knee high socks, and my mousey brown hair cut in the famous Dorothy Hamil style, when I came upon the box with the costume in it, much to my dismay the plastic mask was that of some sort of monster or ghoul, and not the princess that I would have usually chosen. I was very disappointed and all I could think of was having to graciously wear a boyish monster costume, when what I wanted to be was a pretty blonde haired princess.

Being the bratty child I was, I looked at my mother, held up the costume and made the most horrendous yuck face I could muster. Of course, I didn't realize that the person who gave me the costume was standing right next to her and could see I did not like it. She later told me I could return it and get something different if I wanted to. Since I was raised well, I knew the polite thing to do would be to lie and say, "No, I love it!" And that is what I did, but in the back of my mind, I knew my mom would take me to buy a different costume. And we did, but my mom let me know right then and there that the sort of behavior I displayed at my birthday party was rather rude, and that is when I heard it, "It's not the gift, but the thought that counts!"

Since I was feeling so guilty and embarrassed for my behavior, the lesson stuck with me. I never meant for the lady to know I didn't like the costume, I knew that was considered rude of me. I was embarrassed that she saw me make that face. I never forgot the lesson.

With that in mind, let me say this, it is really the thought that counts, sometimes the thought says a lot.

Today I received a Christmas gift from my employer, it was a gift card. I thought the gesture was nice, and was happy for it. I thanked my boss, and told her I appreciated the gift. It was not an enormous amount of money, but it is enough to buy something. They didn't have to give me anything.

Tonight I told my sister, "I got a Christmas gift card from work," and I told her how much it was. She said, "I got my Christmas present from work too, and it wasn't any gift card, it was a little bitty bottle of some off brand shower gel, a miniaturized bath poof, and a company pen, I think they got the gel and bath poof at the Dollartree Store, and the pen was broken when I took it out of the package." And I'm not kidding you, I laughed my butt off. I'm sorry, but it was so funny how she described how she thought the pen was nice until she took it out of the wrapper and the thing just fell apart. We were raised by the same mother, I knew she was probably trying to think of a way to say, well it's the thought that counts.

What is the thought that counts here? Am I being contradictory when I say that the $2.50 they spent on the Christmas gifts for each employee was not money well spent? Personally for my money I would have bought a beautifully decorated card and wrote a genuine message of kindness in there. I mean really, that gift says a lot. A whole lot. I honestly don't know what else to say. I'm conflicted I've been told my whole life it is the thought that counts, and it still does, sometimes the thought just doesn't say much that's all.

Flush Turd Flush

Curses.

Who the hells bells bright idea was it to invent a low flush toilet anyway? I often wonder why, usually about every other day or so, sometimes more if I eat Chinese food. Why oh why won't you go away Mr. Turd? What do you want? Why do you insist on being flushed no less than 3 times before accepting your fate? Why not do the respectable thing and go quietly as all proud turds are commanded to do? Why all the fuss?

I know, it is not really your fault. You want to go, but someone invented a toilet that doesn't actually work as it should, and here we are, I'm cursing you, and you just sit there looking dumb waiting to be whisked away to a better place.

That's it, Monday morning I'm calling a plumber, I can no longer tolerate your insolence Mr. Turd. Maybe he can make the toilets work better somehow. I don't know how, but I'm sick of wasting all this water flushing the toilets over and over. I think that defeats the point now doesn't it?

Small World

Indeed.

Tonight I saw one of the babies I used to care for when I worked at the daycare center. She was a precious little thing--oh heck they all were--and was one of my babies. Certain babies attached themselves to certain providers for whatever reason. She was one of mine.

I stared at her parents for a moment thinking, "I know those people". Then it dawned on me, and I chased them down an aisle at the store. I said "I know you!" It took a minute before they remembered me. The mother was saying to her husband just as I walked up, "I know her from somewhere." Surprise, we met on the other side of the world. Imagine meeting you here.

They've been here for 2 years. I was delighted to see the baby had grown into a cute little 4 year old. She still had the same sweet face, it was all I could do not to pick her up and give her a big ole hug, but I knew that probably would have scared her to death. I was satisfied with a little smile and a sheepish hello.

We chatted very briefly, and then I wished them well and moved on. What a small world it is really. I would love to see all the kids I cared for again, they were such precious little dears. I doubt that will happen, but I would be overjoyed if it did. You never know, stranger things have happened I guess.

I miss that place. Not the daycare center, no, not that. I miss the island. I miss the people, and my friends. I hope I get to see them again one day. Someday maybe. It's not such a big world.

Out of the Dumps

Into The Light.

All right. I feel much better than yesterday. Sometimes I have to let it out. I was alone with no one to talk to with a lot of serious stuff on my mind and the blog was the place I went to talk it out. Every once in a while her problems seem so big, too much for me to handle.

My brother came by yesterday afternoon and I was wrought with anguish and worry. He asked what matter was bringing me down, and I said, "I'm just worried about a lot of stuff right now." He asked, "Is it something that you can hand over to God and let Him take care of?" And I knew that is what I had to do. I said, "I've given it to God, but sometimes I still worry about it." He said, "You can't give it to God, then keep taking it back!" How right could he be?

I knew part of my worries were that I had been to the school that morning and had a less than friendly discussion with the Principal about having my daughter work with a speech pathologist after school. I was upset that she could not receive those services during school hours, but it is just not possible at this time. She is already going to tutoring after school 4 days a week, and the speech would make it 5 long days a week for her, and me as well. She doesn't even have speech problems, but the pathologist will work on other things dealing with language processing which would be very helpful to her.

I realized that I had taken some of my frustrations out on the Principal, and I felt like a jerk. I called him and apologized to his voicemail. It was the least I could do. I know a lot of people hate the public schools, and think they are crap, but there are a lot of people who do actually care about what they are doing in the schools. I too wish the schools were better, and I get frustrated with them as well. I have thought maybe I need to take her out and homeschool her, but being honest with myself, I know I don't have the fortitude to handle that. I don't think I could do it better than the school, I'm just not creatively inclined that way.

I can't afford the schools that have the staff that is able to work one on one with kids like her. She likes the school she is in now. She is feeling really good about the work she is doing. She tells me just about every day about the successes she is having. I think she is where she needs to be right now. The answers come little by little. I never know if we are making the right decisions. I know what we have the means to do, and what our options are, that's it. The rest I have to surrender to God.

I know this, that girl is strong. I believe she is going to be all right. People adore her. Everyone I know is pulling for her, and believes in her. She may not be the best reader, but she can read, and she can get better. She's just not going to get there as fast as everyone else. She's got a ton of talents, and I'm sure she has the smarts to make them work for her. She's got her grandparents, her dad, her aunts and uncles, cousins, friends and I all on her side, all there to help.

In A Dark Room

Today.

I don't want to do anything. I'm in a dark room, and all I want to do is find something to make me feel better. I know it's just one of those things, a lot of people feel down in the dumps sometimes. Sometimes this type of feeling lasts for a few days, usually not more than that.

I can't shake it today. I'm feeling bad and worrying about my daughter. Of all the things I imagined parenthood to bring, I never thought learning problems would be an issue. The thought never crossed my mind. I worried about all the normal things, would the baby be healthy, would we be good parents, and how we could avoid raising a total degenerate.

Never did I think of, or plan for learning problems. Who does really? Well, she has trouble with learning, she has a hard time in school. School has never been good for her, it's been dreadful to her most of the time. I remember last year she begged me to take her out of her school, she told me, "The other kids are getting smarter, but I'm not!" It truly broke my heart to hear her say such a thing. I said, "You are getting smarter, you are just not like everyone else, and learning is not as easy for you." It is true, it is not easy for her. I encouraged her to keep trying and working hard on it.

I have failed her. One of the expectations I held when I first cradled that little baby in my arm was that I could fix any problem she ever had. Sure it was unrealistic, but it doesn't mean we don't try. I've never been able to fix this for her. I've never been much help to her because I truly do not know what to do to help her. I don't have the answers to this problem. I don't know which way to turn.

Today I'm in a dark room.

I Have No Use For Most Group Activities

I Loathe Them.

When I was younger, I liked group things. As I've grown in adulthood I avoid group activities whenever at all possible. I can't stand group things. There is always a group of people at work who do things together after work, these things mostly involve alcohol and are often the topic of discussion the next day at work. Everyone laughs and tells inside jokes, it's all fun.

These same groupie people will often put up invites for anyone to come and join the fun. The same people always go. I never do. I must sound like I'm not that fun to be around. In truth, if getting drunk and kissing someone else's wife is what it takes for me to be considered fun, then I am decidedly not a fun person. I don't drink alcohol in large doses, I don't like being the butt of a prank or joke, and I would rather spend time with my family at home.

It is not just the gross alcohol consumption that keeps me away. There are barbeques, movie nights, and so on that I also decline as gracefully as possible. There is just one reason for this, I hate groups. I distrust groups. I've seen how a group can target people and ostracize them. I have been the recipient of such.

When I started my job I was part of a large group of people who were hired at the same time. I am the last woman standing from the group. All of them have left to other things. I miss not one of them. A couple of girls, I won't call them women they behaved too much like teen age girls, took a pretty instant dislike to me for whatever reason. One was particularly brutal, and hateful towards me insulting me whenever the opportunity presented itself.

It was a particularly difficult time for me. I had been away from my field for a while, and was struggling to perform at the best of my ability. I was feeling quite insecure, I was not confident in myself at all, and it showed. This vulture sensed my weakness and picked at my eyeballs every chance she got. As I grew tired of her treatment, I decided to take it to management, I figured I was not the only person feeling that way, and that she had no right to make the work environment so unpleasant.

They dealt with her after that. She knocked the crap off, and I got on with my work in peace. Of course her little friends had to make their comments here and there, but I found that if I looked them straight in the eye and said, "What did you just say?" They were reluctant to repeat themselves. Eventually it all passed, and they left. I was glad to see them go. They eventually turned on each other as it was, and the group split right in half. It turned out to be the boys against girls. None of it affected me, I wasn't part of the group anyway.

I carried on and forged relationships with people on my own. I much prefer to deal with people on an individual level. I have friendly relationships with many of the people I work with. I don't socialize with any of them outside of work. Every once in a while I talk to one of them on the phone, but for the most part I go to work, have a decent time, then go home. I prefer it this way.

Every year our boss has a BBQ at her house, I actually told her the truth, that I probably wouldn't come because I hate group activities. She was very understanding, and said that it was perfectly fine with her. There are plenty of people who will go, who love that stuff.

The last time I went to a group dinner with co-workers was when we were overseas. One of the women I worked with was going away, so there was a dinner at one of the restaurants off base for her. My co-worker/good friend talked me into going to this thing. I ended up walking out, and dragging her along with me. The husband of the woman who was going away and his friend were really drunk and sitting across from my friend and I. They said some very cruel things about the two of us, I guess they thought in their inebriated states that we could not hear them. I did hear them.

I told my friend, I'm leaving, are you coming? She wanted to know why, I said I will tell you later. She was Japanese and I knew it would take some time to explain to her what they were saying. She didn't ask anymore questions, I guess she trusted I would not rudely leave without a good reason. Before we left, I walked around the table and leaned over and said to the husbands of my co-workers, "You two are a couple of assholes!" I said it as loudly as I could possibly say it, hoping to embarrass them. Then we left.

Outside, I explained to her what these two knuckleheads were saying, believe me it was nasty, I'll just say it involved lesbianism, and it was most disrespectful. I think if my husband were there he would have smashed that guy's face with his boot. My friend's husband upon hearing the story was very glad that I did what I did. Marines know you just don't talk about people's wives like that. These guys were Air Force, maybe there are different standards. In any event, no man with any decent upbringing would talk like that at such an occasion.

The fall out at work on Monday was pretty dreadful, I had a hard time dealing with either of them after that. Both women came to apologize, I told them something akin to "your husband is a complete jerk, needs to grow up, and lacks proper home training, but I accept your apology. Let's just move on." That was as graceful as I could be about it. It wasn't their fault, but I wanted them to know so they could relay that message to their husbands.

Everyone moved on. I came away knowing that those sorts of events are just not for me. I still avoid group gatherings of other than family and/or friends if at all possible. Life is too short.

Back From The Salt Pits

It Is Not That Bad I Guess.

Busy week at work. I took on a few extra hours this week so I was all tied up. This looks like it is setting up to be another boring post about me, which means it's not worth plagiarizing at all, so my friend will be disappointed. I will try to come up with something eventually. She told me she doesn't like the stuff about me, it doesn't make sense when she posts it on her blog. Hey, I'm just glad she bothers to read this stuff. It is a good friend that will read one's blog regularly.

My sister doesn't even read my blog. She says she can't remember the address. I said, why don't you just bookmark it in your favorites, she said, "I already have a favorite, and that is QVC." I see. She did give me some lovely snowflake earrings she bought on QVC, so I couldn't really complain. She brought them out and I adored them, and being the sweet sister she is, she immediately gave them to me. Then she pulled out her laptop and ordered another pair for herself. I think she may be addicted to home shopping. She won't even know I said that about her because she doesn't read my blog.

I don't know if my husband reads my blog, he doesn't usually say so if he does. I think he might read it because every once in a while he will come to bed laughing about something on my blog. It doesn't happen all that often, but it makes me feel good when he does. I love his laugh. It is even better when he snuggles up to me and snickers in my ear. God he is wonderful. I don't want him to leave tomorrow, but he has to. I pray for his safety, and comfort in the rugged weather of Wyoming.

It is almost time for bed. I'm pooped. Who isn't after a long day in the salt pits? Actually, I shouldn't make such comparisons, my job is quite cushy in reality. Oh yes, I work, work hard, but the environment is nothing like a salt mine. Nothing at all.

Good Night.

Off To The Races

Or Something.

I'm tied up with all sorts of stuff right now. Nothing bad, just life in action. I probably won't be able to post for the next few days or so. Working some extra hours this week. The good news is, I finished my class on Tuesday night, and I'm getting an "A". Have a wonderful weekend.

Today

Monday, December 4th.

I can't shake this feeling that I am supposed to be doing something today, but I don't know what it is. I went to bed last night trying to remember if I had some sort of committment that I had forgotten, or if I had an appointment, or what? I just can't think of anything I had planned for today other than catching up on homework and studying for my last test.

What is it? Gosh, I hope I'm not forgetting something important. Woe is me.

Can You Believe

What A Sweet Baby.

It is difficult to believe that dogs of this breed are so reviled. People always ask me what breed my dogs are and I happily tell them, Pit Bull Mixes. We don't know what our little girl here is mixed with, but I don't think she is full Pit. I've wondered if she might be mixed with Boxer, or even Shar Pei because of her wrinkly skin, but we don't know, and I suppose we never will.

It doesn't matter. She has a very sweet temperament, and has been an all around angel since we got her. Only bad thing I could say is she is a total bedhog, and hasn't figured out her place at the bottom of the bed. It has been a bit tough on her, as you can see she's good at making puppy eyes, all right, it's really tough on me I admit it. She's just so darn cute though, and just such a gem.

Spoiled Rotten. The whole lot of them.

Keeping On

The Drought.

Major dry spell for me lately. It has actually been going on for quite some time, I just keep putting stuff up so that I can hopefully get over the hump and find the words to say things again. That is how we get to the point where all I post about is the minor details of my daily life which I don't think is all that interesting to anyone at all.

My class is almost over so I'll have a little break until school starts again next year. I'm planning on taking more classes next time. I'm debating whether to take 3 or 4 classes. I don't want to get in over my head, but I would like to be finished or near finished before the start of the next decade. The next decade people! Goodness. That seems so far away, yet just around the corner.

I feel pretty driven right now about school, and I don't want to lose that momentum. At the same time I realize I have other commitments and responsibilities I must take care of. My work seems quite cooperative with me about things which makes me feel extremely happy about my job. I've been really happy at work lately, we've been having a lot of good laughs, it has been good. Like most things it is what you make of it. I could easily dig up some junk to complain about, but I have decided that I am not going to focus on the negative.

The good things are, I love my co-workers, I'm treated nicely, and with respect by my bosses. I make decent amount of money for the hours I work, so all in all I have nothing to complain about. This job is going to help me get through school. I don't have to leave the place I'm working either, I could just transfer at some point. I'm just thankful for things the way they are.

My husband has been very supportive of me going to school. I just have to decide what classes to take next semester. I have those dark moments where I doubt myself, and wonder, am I wasting time and money going to school at this point in my life. Maybe I should just throw myself into my work and try to move up, but going back to college was something I've wanted to do for years now, and I'm going to do it without regard to what reward may or may not come with that effort. Besides the only promotion that I could get at my job now would be into management, and I don't think that's how I want to spend my days at work.

I just need to hang in there and not ask "why?" so much. The "why" will get you in trouble sometimes. I don't know why, I just want to. Is that good enough? I've laid my arguments out, I've reasoned through them. I've tried to make a decision based on that. I've tried not to predict the future, only the possibilities. There is a good possibility my body won't last another 10 years at the level of use I'm currently at, nor do I wish to continue on indefinetly using it in this manner.

Throwing my back out this summer was enough to jump start me into action. I don't want to keep relying on it this way. I've got brains too, it is time to use them more. That's my goal. Anyway, we will see what comes of it all.