Sideways

I’m a little behind in viewing this 2004 Oscar winning movie, however I can see why this was a winner. It’s real. That’s the best way to describe this movie. Some movies have real moments, but the cool thing about this movie is that the entire movie is real and it could happen to anyone watching the movie; and probably has. Why is it appealing? That’s the thing, it’s real and it draws you in because of the raw emotions of each character and how they deal with real life. Paul Giamatti is great and I’m not even a big fan. He made me laugh out loud several times. Thomas Haden Church is pretty good at being a mixture of an asshole and a guy mixed up with emotions of getting married. I bet a lot of guys could relate to how he feels in this movie. It’s strange, you know what he does is wrong in the movie, yet because it’s so true to live and real, it’s hard to hate him for doing it. Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh play great roles as the co-star females and their emotions are honest and again, real. I recommend this movie for everyone if you haven’t seen it yet. 4 Stars ****, A+ in my book!

Smoking Facilities

I heard on the radio this morning that companies in Chicago are building smoke house facilities for their smokers due to the smoking bans in their cities. Some companies are spending up to $100,000 on these buildings with heaters, ash trays and heated seats. One company did away with a 3% raise so they could build these smoke facilities!
Now, might I just say that if my company did away with my raise to build some jacked up smoke facility I would hit the roof. Some companies in Louisville are beginning to build them and there were phone calls this morning on my radio show. One lady called in and actually said, “Yes, I would forego my raise to have the smoking hut because I freeze in the winter.” Ok, but what about in the Spring when it’s warm and you need an increase in your pay to afford more items for yourself or to pay your bills? Are these people just idiots?
My favorite lady was the one that called in and said, “I’d like to have a place built for the non-smokers that might be called a sunshine hut where we can take OUR breaks and get out of the office two or three times a day and have a place to escape.” It was great and OF COURSE all the smokers started calling in to bash her comments.
Now, I’m not bashing smokers, I don’t care if you smoke or not, but she made a good point, if a place was built for non-smokers you have to admit there would be talk wouldn’t there? And, would the smokers want to hang out in both places? That was brought up too! It’s just an ugly topic I guess. It was on the show for my entire drive.
My only grievance is that if you would forego your raise to have a little plastic house built so you can smoke, I think you “might” have a problem and you “might” want to think about your priorities in life. Smoking hut vs. financial gain in life? Come on people – get a grip.

Dedication to LOVE

Beginning February 1st and continuing through February 14th my blog will be dedicated to LOVE. Why? Well it’s that time of year, Valentine’s Day, the time of Cupid, love, time to show those we love just how much we love them. I’m going to take the first 14 days of February to research love, find trivia, talk to people, and just spew out as much information as I can about LOVE. Hopefully at the end of my journey we’ll all just be a little smarter and a little more “in love” with LOVE.

5 Tuesday Tips

Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else!
The trouble with life is, you're half way through it before you realize it's a 'do it yourself' thing.
It's only premarital sex if you're going to get married
Learning from your mistakes is wise; learning from the mistakes of others is wiser
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

Good Conversation

What makes a good conversation? This is obviously something we will all answer differently, however I will now of course give my thoughts. I’m a Gemini and for those of you that know me I’m a fast thinker, pretty quick witted, analytical, creative, and always up on current events in most of the areas of the world. My friend Jacob is a good conversationalist. When we talk it’s a constant flow of words, never a dull moment, and no lulls in the conversation unless we happen to be tired. I also have a few girlfriends at work that can keep me entertained with their banter and wit. However, unfortunately there are those less fortunate that have not been given the gift of gab. Have you met them? The ones that bore you out of your mind and you wonder if when alone if they bore themselves? It’s as if you want to teach them how to have a good conversation, but how do you do this without being rude. Here are the different types of conversationalists:

The Repeater: Have you met this person? The one that tells you the same stories over and over each and every time you talk to them until you find yourself actually finishing their sentences for them. Why? Is it because they forget? Are they bored? Why? Shoot me now!

The Pauser: This is the person that while talking is preoccupied with other things and just sort of stalls while talking, or they are trying to think of what they are trying to say. All the while, you actually know what they want to say and you SO want to assist so you can move the conversation along. However, this just confuses them and prolongs the conversation even more.

Pretend Scholar: This is the person that pretends to know something about a subject matter when they really have no idea about anything you’re referring to just so they can be apart of the conversation. Don’t do this. Just listen and state that you aren’t up on this topic and try to learn. Don’t pretend to know the subject matter – you look like an idiot.

The Particular: This is the person that says this, “Well we went to the movie on Friday, or no was it Saturday, well maybe it was Friday, well it might have been Saturday because I don’t think it was after work, but it could have been Friday because I can’t really remember, yes, I think it was Friday. Well anyway, we went to the 2:00 movie, or was it 3:00, well I think it was 2:00, but it might have been 3:00, I know it was past 1:00 because I didn’t leave the house until 12:30. Have you met this person? I know one in particular. It makes me crazy!

The Polite One: This is the person that is just so polite all the time. “How was your day”, “I hope your day is great”, “I hope your night is great”, “I hope your weekend is great”. This is mostly a pet peeve when it’s a guy that I’m talking to and he is just “too nice” Blah.

Loud Talker: This is the person that feels the need to talk REALLY LOUD all the time to express themselves when there is really no need to do so. To laugh loud, talk loud, just be loud for what I assume to just get themselves out there for attention. I can’t take it.

No matter what you crave in a conversation you may have other pet peeves but these are mine.

Eating Oddities

My friends made fun of me today when they saw how I ate my M&M(s). I always eat the colors that I like the least first; leaving my favorite colors for last. I eat them in the following order: brown, orange, green, yellow, red and then blue. What can I say it's just my thing.

When I eat Chex Mix I tend to eat the items by categories. It just seems the thing to do for some reason. I don't however, eat one item on my plate at a time, I have a sister that does this and although it would drive me crazy, it works for her.

I don't like my food to touch, I don't see the need for anything to lap over on top of each other, but hey if you want it to - go for it. I also eat pizza with a fork most of the time because it's less messy and I get grief for that too. I think everyone has oddities, and I say the more power to you. You should enjoy your food just the way you want it.

Unique is good!

Evan Almighty

This was a very cute movie and I recommend it for anyone that just wants a good night at home with a good, clean cute, family fun movie. Steve Carell is just funny and he pulls off the Moses character to a tee. Morgan Freeman is back as God and as always, does an award winning job at playing the Big Man. Steve does a great job interacting with the animals and of course anytime you put animals in a movie it's just funny. I laughed out loud several times during the middle of the movie. The end isn't exactly climactic, but hey, it's still cute. All in all, I'd still give it an A rating. It's just a good movie.

Paul Harvey Writes

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the Holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you and remember we secure our friends, not by accepting favors, but by doing them.

Get Fuzzy Cartoon

Click on cartoon to make larger

Moment at Wendy's

OK, see this is one of those moments that called for tact (see earlier entry) and I wish I could be "tacky". There is a woman that works at the Wendy's by my work and she is the counter person, you know the one that takes your order, checks you out, takes your money and gives you change. Big role, lots of responsbilities and let me tell you SHE SUCKS. I don't mean sort of or kind of I mean TOTALLY!

I don't get it, I don't go there a lot, I think I've been there maybe 4 times in the past two months but EVERYTIME I'm in there she is messing up someone's order or messing up on the cash register. She is a mess. The thing is the manager is right there helping her, messing with her mistakes and dealing with angry customers and I'm like, "Dude, is she the owner's mother or something? Cut the cord and let her go." See, I feel bad saying this because she may really need a job and that's the thing; can't she work in the back doing something else? Isn't it obvious to us and everyone in the Wendy's establishment that "checker outer" isn't her thing?

If I was a harsh person I would complain but technically she has never truly messed up my change or order, she has only delayed my order by screwing up many others. What gets me is that she never loses her blank stare and she always ends up saying things like, "This machine is just not working" or "I'm not sure why it did that." Never catching on that she might have did something wrong AGAIN. It cracks me up.

I'm sure I'll go back and I'm sure she'll be at the counter, same blank stare, same screw ups going on, welcome to Customer Service..........life is good!

Perception

It’s one of the most misconstrued acts in today’s world and can cause controversy, missed chances of romance, friendship, promotions, and can change the outcome of people’s lives. What someone thinks of you is based on what they see, what they hear AND what they assume based on what they’ve seen and heard; and that is the part that I’m amazed by lately.

You have different levels of perception with the circle of people in your life. Ask yourself the following question; do the people in my life…….

Perceive me for who they knew me to be in the past?
Perceive me for who they want me to be?
Perceive me for who they need me to be?
Perceive me for whom I truly am and love me as I am?

If it’s any of the first three then chances are the relationship is not healthy. It’s only the last answer that you have a healthy relationship. I only have a limited number of people that I can say really, truly know me. Know me, get me and love me anyway.

When you’re at work you are perceived perhaps based on “blanket statements” that you make or people actually watch you and just assume things about you based on what you wear, things you have on your desk, items you purchase, the people you associate with (or date) and then they assume the rest. 80% of the time they are amazingly inaccurate on their assumptions about how you truly are at home and in your personal life.

“Never judge a book by its cover”, it’s a wonderful quote, but unfortunately everyone judges whether they like to admit it or not. The perception of others has become something I’m intrigued by even within family members. My family’s perception of me has always been completely off. They can’t help it; it’s just that they’ve known me all my life so that’s it – they think they know me and if I were to change it is hard for them to accept that I would actually change at some point in my life to a different type of person. Just because you acted a certain way at 20 yrs old doesn’t mean you will act this way at 40, but family members tend to think you will never change.

My personality ranges from classical music to rap, sappy love novels to horror novels, comedies to dramas, my range of interest are so vast my list would take up too much space to type, what is my true type of “soul mate”? Who knows, well I sort of know, but then again it varies doesn’t it? What I’m saying is I’m not the average, run of the mill, write it down once, and you’ll know her kind of girl, but if you were to ask my mom, she’d tell you she knows me inside and out. The true test however; I can bet you my house that I could ask my mom, my ex, my best friend and maybe my daughter and my sister to answer questions about me and if you read the answers you’d think you were reading answers about 3-4 different people. I truly feel people that I know perceive me totally different. Now, maybe a couple would answer the same as they fall into that fourth category up there that REALLY know me and get me, but for the most part perception is what people WANT to see in someone, not what they really are.

That is my point I guess, I think too often we take our friends, loved ones and we see in them what we need to see and what we need to get from them to love them instead of loving them for who they really are and seeing them for what they could give us. Think about this the next time you’re with that person you love. Try loving them for who they are and tell yourself, “I think this person is great, I should see them through their own eyes.” I bet you’ll be surprised what you really see and I bet you can open up a door of honesty that you never knew existed.

I want to speak to a Supervisor

In my profession this statement is used quite often and I’m bewildered most of the time once the request is fulfilled. Most of the time, by the time I get on the line with the requestor (Yes, you guessed it, I’m one of the lucky ones in the supervisory world) they have already belittled a customer service representative about a matter (usually a pointless matter I might add) and they have yelled, maybe screamed or sometimes even cursed. It’s funny though, I get them on the line and if I call them back I normally state my name and state I’m calling from XYZ Company. Now at this point you think they’d remember the company right? After all, this company has just devastated their life and ruined their day, but most of the time I have to repeat the name of the company AND remind them that they have asked a supervisor to call them back. What is that all about? You were devastated by my company, but you have to be reminded why I’m calling you back? Unbelievable!
The next step is the dissertation on why they are angry. I get the calmer version of course and they never let on that they have yelled, screamed or cursed at my CSR’s. They or course begin to explain they have graciously attempted to explain their situation to my team member and they in turn were treated horridly. They forget we also have recorded phone lines and I can review all calls! Most of the time these calls are resolved within minutes and I explain the EXACT same thing the CSR has explained but because I’m a SUPERVISOR they accept the information and hang up. Why is it that the same verbiage coming from a Supervisor makes it acceptable? I have yet to figure this out.
I’m not a “get me a supervisor” kind of girl. I don’t send food back to the kitchen. I don’t ask to speak to the manager when an employee has an attitude because I know in the reality of the real world the supervisor really isn’t going to do anything. Let’s get real folks. Do you really think if I tell a manager my steak was too rare he is REALLY going to go back to the kitchen and personally talk to the chef to make him feel bad? Right! If anything the chef is going to spit on my food before they bring it back out. Does ANYONE watch 20/20?
Errors happen in a processing world, humans are not perfect and I’m amazed that when you explain to a customer straight up, honestly, humbly, that an error was made, you are very sorry (note: I am sorry when we start the conversation because I feel everyone deserves a chance at being treated fairly), and that you will do what you can to rectify the situation that they still insist about ranting and raving as if you SHOULD be able to go back in time and make the error not occur. Well wouldn’t that be nice if we had those powers? LET IT GO, GET A HOBBY! I’m sure each, individual, customer service, processing department tries to be error free, but again we are human.
Customers should remember that when calling in to complain. If the Supervisor appears to be sincere during the apology process then take it and go with it. Do not continue to rant and rave. Accept it and move on.
My favorite customer is the one that calls in to speak to rep #1 and rants for lets say, 5-10 minutes and doesn’t like the resolution. Hangs up and then calls right back and gets rep #2 on the line. He/she pretends as if they have never called in that day and begins to rant and rave again. Not realizing the company may have a note system or tracking system that shows they just called in.

First Phone Call 10 minutes of Ranting and Raving
Second Phone Call 15-20 minutes of Ranting and Raving

Making the client look like an idiot by telling them you already have documentation of his previous phone call from 2 minutes ago and you see that someone is already working on the issue and they will call them back

PRICELESS!

Proving my point about frogs

Another creature on the list includes the Darwin frog in Chile. The male frog keeps its babies safe by swallowing them. "When the tadpoles are developing enough and wriggling in the egg, the male gulps them down into his vocal sac," an expert said.

How disgusting is this? OMIGOSH this just freaks me out that this male frog does this! I can't take it. Frogs freak me out! It's disgusting isn't it?

27 Things Every Woman Should Know About Sex

Just Because I like to keep my friends informed! These are just fun tips for women!

1. Every woman has a surefire happy-making position — find yours.
By all means, try new things, mix it up, find an alternate use for your baby's exersaucer when she's asleep if it adds to the variety — but figure out your no-fail move or position so you know you can always have an orgasm when you need one.

2. That position may change. Maybe in your misspent youth you were all about acrobatics and funky props, but now you strive for a deep connection with your guy. (Or maybe it's the other way around!) What you crave, both physically and emotionally, can shift over time, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. Pay attention to what you're feeling (or not feeling) and adapt to your new normal.

3. He doesn't have a flaw-o-meter. That would be you scanning your body for an errant pudge or a dimple in the wrong place. "During sexual arousal, men are experiencing such a neurochemical cocktail rush, they're really just caught up in the intoxication of it all," says REDBOOK Love Network expert and sex therapist Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First. In other words, he's too overwhelmed with joy to notice your "flaws." Put aside your body angst and you'll soon be having as much fun as he is.

4. Sex in a soft, clean, comfy bed is underrated. You're supposed to want to do it on the kitchen floor, in the airplane bathroom, and hanging from your light fixtures. Bah! There's no shame in enjoying your good sheets.

5. Sex clichés are clichés for a reason: They work. Get a hotel room. Have date night. Take a bubble bath. For God's sake, buy some scented candles already!

6. Everyone else is not having more (or better) sex than you are.
There is no "normal" amount we should all aspire to, no magic number of times per month that signifies your relationship is hunky-dory. There's only one question you need to answer: Are you having enough sex for you?

7. Asking for what you want is worth the embarrassment. What's a brief awkward moment of sounding like one of those women at the end of a 900 number compared to, well, getting what you need?

8. You need transition time into sex. Look at all the people who want a piece of you — your kid, your client, the guy who's supposed to be renovating your kitchen. So don't expect to make the leap from corporate exec or general contractor or mommy-on-the-spot to sex goddess without a little time to reassemble yourself. When you're done with the dinner dishes, take a shower — alone! — or read a book. Better yet, get your guy to do the dishes. After that, you might want to give him some action, after all.

9. The more sex you have, the more you want. It's simple: Delicious recent memories make you want to reenact the fun. But the reverse is also often true — if you go too long without, you forget how much you like it.

10. Masturbating isn't just for dry spells. First of all, it's plain fun, and second, when was the last time you disappointed yourself? Not to mention the fact that more frequent orgasms will keep you craving partner play, too (see above).

11. Worrying about your orgasm is the best way to chase it away. When your mind is reeling, It's not happening ... concentrate ... he'll think he failed ... what's wrong with me? you're thinking, not feeling. Focus on the lovely physical sensations instead and soon you won't be able to think straight — in a good way.

12. Planned sex can be even better than spontaneous sex.Anticipation as foreplay. Think about it.

13. Yes, you can give him a hand. Touching yourself to speed up your happy ending is not only allowed, it's appreciated, especially when your guy has had his neck in an awkward position for the better part of an hour.

14. He doesn't need you to know any fancy techniques. "There are many paths to male orgasm," says Kerner. As long as you pay attention to his reactions, refrain from inflicting pain (unless invited to) and don't do anything involving teeth (again, unless he asks), you won't hear any complaints.

15. Sometimes what your body lusts for most is sleep. An "off" night or a dry spell doesn't mean your relationship is tanking. It usually means you have children or a demanding job or you need to be alone in your head. Go ahead, take the night off.

16. But sometimes "Just do it" really does work. If you wait to be struck with a spontaneous urge to tear his clothes off, you may be waiting a very long time. But if you simply decide to give it a go, your body (and your desire) will often catch up.

17. Kegels are key. These exercises strengthen your pubococcygeal (PC) muscles, a.k.a. your pelvic floor muscles, giving you more control during sex and intensifying orgasm, says Minkin. To do them, squeeze as if you're holding back urine, then release. (For a more detailed how-to, go to redbookmag.com/kegels.)

18. Your birth control method is not till death do us part. You need to reevaluate your pregnancy-prevention method at least twice in your adult life, says Minkin: when you go from wild woman to a mutually monogamous relationship, and after you have children. Not only does your body change post-baby, but your habits may change, too (making you a less reliable Pill taker, for example).

19. Doggie-style can be fun — really! It can make you feel a bit raunchy — and that's a good thing. It just suffers from bad PR. Let's change the name — like how the marketing people changed prunes to "dried plums." Hands-free sex? Getting the backstory? Taking the bull by the horns? Heck, call it Loretta, but try it.

20. Pain during intercourse is not normal. Occasional discomfort may just mean that you're tense or haven't had enough foreplay, but if sex hurts often, see your doctor. "It could be as simple as a low-grade urinary tract infection," says Minkin. Whatever it is, you don't have to suffer.

21. The way your vagina looks, however, is perfectly normal. And no, we don't have to see it to know that.

22. Props are your friends. Vibrators, fun feathers, unusually shaped pillows — you name it, someone has probably patented it. At the very least, these tools will make you laugh, which can be its own turn-on.

23. Sex is how he shows love. It's an age-old problem: We gals need to feel cozy and loving to want to have sex, and guys need to have sex to access those cozy and loving feelings. "A lot of guys don't have many outlets for communication, and for them sex is a powerful form of emotional expression," says Kerner. Remember that the next time he wants to have make-up sex before you've really made up — to him, sex is a peace offering and a gift of love, all in one.

24. No matter how badly you want to cuddle and fall asleep, you gotta get up and pee after sex. Why? So you don't get a urinary tract infection.

25. He'll be snoring by the time you return from the bathroom.
The buildup to his ejaculation involves a lot of muscular tension, explains Kerner. When the wave has subsided, he relaxes and sleep-inducing hormones are released. In short, he can't help it.

26. It's okay to simply take. Consider how you feel when you perform a one-way act on your guy — you get a certain pleasure out of that, right? Don't deny him the same joy.

27. Sex gets better with age. (Or practice, or time with one partner, or all of the above.) The future is looking bright!

4 Ways to Sweep Him Off His Feet

I just thought these were kind of sassy and fun since it's close to Valentine's Day ladies. Not that we don't already know them but just for a refresher course!

Free Him from Family
Bonding with your folks is important. We get that. But once we're down with Dad, don't make us suffer through every family function. If you excuse your guy from attending a family affair every now and then (no guilt trips allowed), he'll worship you for weeks afterward. If you don't he'll end up feeling like Mike, 27, who says "Having weekly Sunday dinners with my girlfriend and her whole family has started to make me feel resentful. I wind up talking politics with her uncle when all I want is to be home, sprawled out on my own couch."

Indulge with Him
The old saying holds true: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But unlike you, we're not looking to be wined and dined at some fancy restaurant with entrées we can't pronounce. Nope, we just want to get our eat on with you. "I get so turned off when a woman is so rigid about her diet that she never sways from her order of grilled chicken over salad," says Tom, 28. "There's nothing more endearing than a chick who throws caution to the wind once in a while and goes for a burger with cheese."

Offer a Challenge
Guys get juiced over a little friendly competition. But facing off with your man doesn't require major athletic skills. Take us on in bowling, cards, or even a video game and we're bound to get hot and bothered. "I had a girlfriend who's invite me to play darts with her every time we entered a bar," says Tony, 24. "She'd bet me things like loser opens the winner's car door for a week. The challenge totally fueled me. It was like foreplay." Any babe who beats us is guaranteed a rematch.

Suggest a Sexcapade
We're not averse to a romantic roll in the hay; it's just that lighting candles and scattering flower petals on the sheets doesn't qualify. Instead, why not treat your guy to steamy circus sex moves ... in costume? Okay, I tried. You don't have to be an acrobat in bed, but switch things up from time to time: Fulfill a fantasy, consult the Kama Sutra, try anything that's not routine. "My fiancée and I were in a bookstore when I admitted that the ol' sexy librarian image does it for me," says Rudy, 24. "The next day, she met me at my place dressed the part. She peered over her glasses, pulled out her bun, and said 'Do you need help finding your Longfellow?' I couldn't get naked fast enough."

Tact - Where is it?

Tact (noun)

1. ability to avoid giving offense (skill in situations in which other people’s feelings have to be considered)
2. discretion (an intuitive sense of what is right or appropriate

OK, now this is the definition of this word, have you heard of it before? Personally I feel that this is something that you are either taught as a child growing up, or possibly you acquire as you get older because you realize you would like to be a better person in the professional world and fit in with professional or “tactful” people.

Sadly, however, more and more I find that “TACT” is losing its battle in the world we know today. It’s a simple concept really and it’s common sense for those that would like to get better at having tact and are clueless. Now sometimes it does come with age, we realize this and we are forgiving to the young at heart. We realize that you want to share about your crazy weekends, your drinking escapades and encounters with the opposite sex and we do overlook those Monday morning conversations due to your age. We are truly speaking of the older generation, the ones that should know better, the ones that should follow the rules of etiquette that should have been graciously laid down by their parents, but I’m finding apparently has not been!

Why is it that people think we need to know about your family issues in detail? Why do I need to know in detail every personal detail of every personal phone call from your desk? Most offices supply conference rooms and today, most of us have cell phones and you are allowed to step outside and make personal phone calls. I’m eluded as to why instead we must hear each and every personal detail of your life. Why do you think we need to know about your purchases of a financial matter that entails your financial information across a wall? There are taboo issues that should never be discussed at work, does anyone remember these? Finances, salary, religion, sex…..but more and more people just feel the need to cross those lines. NO TACT. Am I wrong here? All it does is lead to issues that end in confrontation.

I’m also amazed at comments you hear coming out of people’s mouths to other individual’s in a professional environment. Are we hanging out at Sam’s Tavern or are we working at a place of business? Sometimes it’s difficult to tell anymore isn’t it? This takes place in the customer service environment across counters daily. I’m stunned when I’m the customer across a counter and the employees are just talking, talking, talking, as if I’m invisible. I was at a Mexican restaurant the other evening and I was waiting to get my take out. As I’m waiting to get my change one guy attempted to “assist” the cashier and she rudely stated, “If you so much as touch this cash register one more freakin’ time I swear I’m going to go off on you. You are on my last freakin’ nerves today.” It was if they were in their own little world and I was non-existent. He continued to argue with her over the matter and I am standing the just waiting for my change. It was a joke. Two toddlers running a restaurant and no adult in sight, obviously lacking tact!

I’m constantly told by sales rep’s how miserable they are to be at work for the evening as they are waiting on me, checking me out, etc. as if that is my fault that they have to be working. NO TACT. I do feel bad that they have to work, maybe it’s their second job, I’m not sure, but I can’t help that and you know what, have some tact and just let it go.

Tact is something you either have or you don’t and I’m finding my tolerance as I get older is just less and less for those that don’t have it. Now am I perfect, absolutely not and I know the moment I lost my tact and I hate myself for losing it. That being said, I try daily to maintain a level of tact and wish others would do the same.

This is my vent for the day!

Fossil History Lesson

On the left is a fossil that I'm sure dates back to pre-historic days and can help us learn about important dinosaur history.

On the right however is a fossil in the NFL that caused an entire team to lose a playoff game to a team that really didn't deserve to advance. Now, I don't care mind you, he isn't one of my favorite players anyway and I think he should have retired two + years ago, but now he has gone and cost a team to lose an entire chance at a Super Bowl championship. Personally I love it as this is what he deserves continuing to play year after year when other respectable Quarterbacks such as Montana, Marino, Kelly and various others knew when to let it go.

So, we have had our lesson in fossils today! May the Giants not get too trampled by the Patriots. Had it not been for the Fossil, Green Bay may have had a chance at beating them.

Snow in Indiana

Omigosh it snowed in Indiana today, our first snow of winter, a whole 1/4 inch of snow. It was very beautiful but as usual, everyone was in a panic. The weathermen were all in a tizzy talking, talking, talking about the "road conditions" and how we should all be careful! It cracks me up. I could still see my yard when I walked outside. It wasn't like we even got a 1/2 inch!
Even funnier, the broadcast from Kentucky and they didn't even get 1/4 inch of snow, they mostly received rain. I am amazed year after year that we repeatedly act like fools when the first snow begins to fall from the sky and we act as if the sky itself is falling to the ground.
New England, New York, the get dumped on by feet of snow and they still go to work, school and I'm sure the general public continues to have a social life. Here in Indiana the world just stops - Oh, except the the grocery where there is a rush to get the normal bread and milk because you must have that when it's going to snow!
I love our town!

Too Funny

A friend of mine just shared this with me and it was too funny not to post:

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome
including toilet flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have
you laughing out LOUD!


Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet.


Here's what happened:

Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was "something
wrong" with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.

"He's just lying there looking sick," he told me. "I'm serious dad, can
you help?"

I put my best lizard-healer statement on my face and followed him into
his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back,
looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.

"Honey," I called, "come look at the lizard!"

"Oh my! gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies."
"What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!"

I was equally outraged.

"Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to
reproduce," I accused my wife.

"Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?" she
inquired. (I actually think she said this sarcastically!)

"No, but you were supposed to get two boys!" I reminded her, (in my most
loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth together).

"Yeah, Bert and Ernie!" my son agreed.

"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know,"
she informed me. (again with the sarcasm, you think?)

By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I
shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.

"Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience, I announced. "We're
about to witness the miracle of birth."

"Oh, gross!" they shrieked.

"Well, isn't THAT just great! What are we going to do with a
litter of tiny little lizard babies?" my wife wanted to know. (I
really do think she was being snotty here, too. Don't you?)

We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny
foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.

"We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted.
"It's breech," my wife whispered, horrified.

"Do something, Dad!" my son urged.

"Okay, okay." Squeamishly , I reached in and grabbed the foot when it
next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared. I tried several more
times with the same results.

"Should I call 911," my eldest daughter wanted to know. "Maybe
they could talk us through the trauma." (You see a pattern here with
the females in my house?)

"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly.

We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap. "Breathe,
Ernie, breathe," he urged.

"I don't think lizards do Lamaze," his mother noted to him.
(Women can be so cruel to their own young. I mean what sh e does to me
is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for God's sake.)

The Vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little
animal through a magnifying glass.

"What do you think, Doc, a C-section?" I suggested scientifically.

"Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak
to you privately for a moment?"

I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.

"Is Ernie going to be okay?" my wife asked.

"Oh, perfectly," the Vet assured us. "This lizard is not in labour. In
fact, that isn't EVER going to happen... Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie
is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most
male species, they um....um....masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on
his back." He blushed, glancing at my wife. "Well, you know what I'm saying,
Mr. Cameron."

We were silent, absorbing this.

"So Ernie's just...just... excited," my wife offered.

"Exactly," the vet replied, relieved that we understood.

More silence. Then my viscous, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle.
And then even laugh loudly.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman
I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.

Tears were now running down her face. Laughing "It's just...that...I'm
picturing you pulling on its... its...teeny little..." she gasped for
more air to bellow in laughter once more.

"That's enough," I warned. We thanked the Vet and hurriedly bundled the
lizards and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going
to be okay.

"I know Ernie's really thankful for what you've done, Dad," he told me.

"Oh, you have NO idea,"

Closed mouth, my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.

2 - Lizards - $140...

1 - Cage - $50...

Trip to the Vet - $30...

Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie.....Priceless

Moral of the story - finish biology class - lizards lay eggs

Shout Out to Puerto Vallarta Restaurant

(Jacob is not allowed to make comments on this entry as he feels Mexican cuisine only exist at Qdoba)

If you enjoy Mexican Food you should head over to Indiana, 4214 Charlestown Road, New Albany IN (It's in front of the Movie Theatre) and try the Mexican Food of Puerto Vallarta Restaurant.

It's a great family restaurant, but they do have a bar side as well. The food is authentic Mexican cuisine and it's moderately priced.  When it first opened we tried it and we loved it.  It is a chain, but they are all further up North.  There are none located in Kentucky at this time, but it's worth the drive.

I, of course, love the chicken and cheese nachos, but the tamales are good and the tacos are also good too.  I have heard good things about the burritos, but I can't say for certain, as I have not tried them myself.  The Queso is a white-cheese Queso and it is TO DIE FOR and it's a must try appetizer!  The Salsa is mild, but also good and the waiters are the best.  They are friendly, fast and  make you feel as if you are their only customer.

They are packed every night which tells me I'm not the only one that thinks they are a hit.  If you get a chance, try it out and see if you like it!

Dating Rules of Life

Before I even type this, let me preface this by saying I don't think there is a perfect answer to what I'm asking.  Actually I'm just sort of throwing some thoughts out there to be read.

Dating is hard enough as it is, and based on my "the one" topic we all want to find "the one" and live happily ever after.  Now, I'm the first one to step back and say that I truly believe in the old-fashioned days of "Leave it to Beaver" where the Dad goes to work and the Mom stayed home to take care of the home and the kids.  Yep, believe it or not I believe in the concept.  Simpler time, Simpler life and things seemed to just work out well for a well balanced child and family.

However, times change and we all must change with them and there is nothing wrong with that.  I accept that a child can be raised healthy by one single parent, two gay parents, two lesbian parents.  As long as the child is raised healthy and stable I'm all for it. 

That being said, dating...........in today's society have we evolved enough to say it's truly OK to "date around" and not label the guy or girl who chooses that life?  OR, better yet what is he/she wants to date two people at the same time?  Here is the thing....you start to date one person and you meet a second person and you like them both.  Most say you must choose one and go for it and go through the motions.  You put all this energy into this one person only to find out 6-7 months down the road (if not longer) it just wasn't meant to be and where does that leave both of you?  Back at square one.  Then you both start all over again.

So, if you are dating two people and you are open and honest with them and they maybe are doing the same then you have options.  Now, the intimacy comes in to play doesn't it?  That for me would have to be discussed that when you decide to make that choice then maybe you have to decide, maybe not - that is between the couples.  In today's world unfortunately you can't just sleep around.

All I'm saying is that why do we dictate ourselves to one person, one path, one disaster after another and then we start all over again time and time again.  It's like this ridiculous ritual that repeats itself.

Men seem to get away with dating several girls at a time, but women seem to get "labeled" when they try it.  This has always blown me away.  I think its time this changes. 

These are just random thoughts for the day and no I'm not revamping my life, just talking with friends today and we had some thoughts....

As always, points to ponder.

Key to Life................

What is the key to life? We all have thoughts don’t we? I always tell myself that everything happens for a reason. I have too because I try not to have regrets. I think regrets wear you down and take a toll on you. Not that I don’t have a few, you can scrape by without a few regrets in life. However I think the biggest key to life is timing.

Have you read some of the 9-11 stories where people were running late for work that morning and did things like went back to get their brief case or maybe got stuck in traffic? I don’t recall the exact details, but for whatever reason they didn’t go in to the tower that particular morning due to a 5-10 minute delay and their life was spared. TIMING – life is all about timing.

You are in a car wreck. Maybe you left the house 20 minutes earlier than you normally would have and if you had just stayed on schedule you could have avoided the wreck. TIMING.

My sister says that when it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go. As if we have a date on our souls. I don’t believe that for a moment. I truly believe life is all based on timing, chance and the decisions we make with each chance we have based on the timing around the event. A split second decision can change your life forever. Think about it because it truly can.

Decisions are totally yours and no one else can make up your mind for you. You are the ultimate final decision maker on most of the decisions you make. Now, disasters that fall upon us – that falls under fate, but how we react would be your decision.

Some days I truly know that decisions I make will more than likely come back to haunt me, but at that moment its how I feel and I have to go with that decision. At that moment, because I analyze like I do, I already know I’m messing with the TIMING of my life. How will this affect my fate? I could analyze this for hours. Fate is a powerful force that I believe in. Some don’t; one person I know in particular has never believed in it.

Timing is the key to life and every day you must focus on your decisions to make sure they work for you! Remember that before you change your daily routine, jump at a conclusion, make a rash decision or make a major change in your life.

No Worries

Wouldn't it be nice to have no worries, no responsibilities, no cares in your daily world. Just sort of exist, go to work, eat, play, sleep and not worry about the big stuff? You hear about people like this and you wonder how it's possible. How are they able to live like this? I know someone like this. It's amazing. You have to wonder if it's pure laziness or they just don't care enough about people around them to give a damn about other's lives.

It amazes me that you can just only think about yourself and not worry about anyone else. How selfish can one person really be and how do you even get this way? Do you develop over time in to this type of person or do you wake up one day and just think "Screw it, I think I'll just coast from here on out. I don't need to do much to live or exist so I'll just let everyone else do everything for me and don't give a damn about anything!".

Yep, it isn't a life I would choose, but I have to admit I'm intrigued that you can just exist in your own special, little world and not lift a finger to help anyone, care about anyone or do anything on a daily basis for anyone. It blows my mind.

Da Vinci Code

It's late and I can't sleep and there is a TV special on about the hunt for the real Holy Grail. It's hard not to get caught up in the hype of all the information and "facts" that are laid out in the picture isn't it? Was he married, could there still be a blood-line in existence today protected by a secret society? How incredible to thing there are children today that have a blood line to Jesus.

It will be never ending I guess between scholars trying to defend their side forever. To be in this picture it clearly appears to be a female. I of course, would love to see the original picture (wouldn't we all). Just to say I have seen it myself.

History is so a part of our lives and always a challenge to so many.

NFL Playoffs

It just hasn't been a good Football year for me. These two men are killing me. First I had to see Brett come back from a 14 point lead and win in the snow and then I had to see Brady Boy win (again). It's been a year filled with victories for these two teams, not to mention Dallas too. My only hope is for a final upset tomorrow with the Colts winning and hopefully we will be able to do SOMETHING.

Push comes to shove I would actually love to see Green Bay beat Dallas so they CAN get smacked by the Patriots in the final game. Nothing would please me more. Except maybe Dallas actually beating the Patriots but everyone is saying it can't be done.

It's the NFL and ANYTHING can happen during the playoffs.

There is always next year for me.............something has to give, but wait Brett is coming back, Thank God, I had lost sleep thinking he might have retired. Give it up dude. Marino, Montana, Elway, they all knew when to quit, even Vinny knows when it's time to go, but you...........well enough venting.

GO COLTS - I have to stay positive. We've done big things before. The coolest thing would be to actually see Colts and Giants. That would be something wouldn't it? Too much hype of course, but for the books, that would make history.

"The One"

My friend and I have had this discussion and I’ve actually asked several people and gotten a plethora of responses. It’s pertaining to being in love, actual love, the real thing, the whole kit and caboodle. Here is a question I present to anyone that would like to take a shot at it!

Do you know at least 5 couples in your family/friend/working environment that you would consider truly in love? Now when I ask this question you should ponder on the question before you start zipping out answers. Of course, as many, your first response in your head will either be a) me and my spouse or b) my parents. Again, take your time; make sure you really think this through.

I’m talking about “the one”; you know what I’m talking about. Maybe you dated him/her when you were younger and still have moments that he/she crosses your mind. The love that grabbed your heart like a spinning wheel, caused butterflies every time he/she was in your presence, finished your thoughts knew you inside and out, shared intimate moments you still think about today – yep I’m talking about “the one”.

Can you name 5 couples that live this kind of love in their marriage right now? Sadly I bet you can’t, and if you can I bet you’d be hard pressed to come up with #6.

Why is that, what happens to “that kind of love”? Are you only allowed that for a certain amount of time and then you grow up, become responsible and what? It just falls to the back burner. Does the commitment to our partners fall to bottom behind kids, work, bills, chores, etc.? Why don’t we keep it alive?

I can name 3 couples that I truly feel still put their partners first and co-exist, not only in the outside world, but still love each other as deeply as the day they met. When you see them and get to know them you know it can be existent for anyone that wants to have it.

True love, I believe in it and trust me if you’ve had it you know how great it can be and if you’ve lost it you wonder if you’ll ever have it again. I don’t believe there is just one chance of finding “the one”, as I think you can fall in love again, but can you hold on to it with all of life’s pressures?

Points to ponder………………

Food Particulars

There are many discussions that take place with my friends and family based on my food taste, or as they like to state, a lack of food taste. I thought once and for all I would throw down the gauntlet and set the record straight. I’ve been called picky, some call me a freak, but it’s just not true. I’m particular in the method that I choose to eat my meals. What is wrong with that may I ask? Here are some of my “methods of madness” as I like to call them:

• I don’t eat green food, except with the exception of occasional shredded lettuce on particular items. It must be shredded not leaf.
• I don’t eat vegetables; it’s a texture thing honestly. I do eat corn on the cob or I will eat regular corn IF it’s drained completely and I have it on top of mashed potatoes.
• I don’t eat pork except for bacon fried crisp and the occasional fried pork chop.
• I don’t eat anything BBQ. What is the point, no matter what you are eating just taste like BBQ so why not just drink the stuff and call it a day?
• Mushrooms are evil.
• I don’t eat condiments of any kind; again I don’t need additional flavor to my food.
• The concept of a salad blows my mind. Crunchy vegetables with liquid flavor soaking all over them. Never in my lifetime.
• Chicken, cheese Nachos are the best food combination known to man.
• I struggle with pizza; it used to be my favorite food; however I’m down to one restaurant at this point, Bonnie & Clyde’s pizza only. No other will suffice.
• Appetizers rule the world; mozzarella sticks, potato skins, queso, chicken fingers, quesadilla’s, you name them I love them. You can’t go wrong with appetizers!
• Food should never touch unless it’s gravy. Gravy is of course allowed to touch.
• Red meat should always be cooked well done.
• Chocolate cake, white icing – no substitutions.
• Segregated plates are the best plates ever created
• I don’t eat anything Strawberry
• I don’t really eat fruit except bananas, maybe an orange or an apple a few times a year.
• I’m not a big fan of ice cream except drum sticks ROCK.
• When I eat M&M’s I eat them by least favorite color’s first: Brown, green, red, yellow and then blue – blue is my favorite.
• Chex Mix has to been eaten by dividing it out by categories of items
• Bologna sandwiches are best eaten with chips on top
• I love livercheese
• I love cottage cheese
• I can only eat eggs, fried, yolks busted. Scrambled eggs freak me out
• I only eat raspberry or cherry Jello
• Dream Whip – never Cool Whip
• Ready Whip – never Cool Whip
• Oatmeal freaks me out – it’s slimy.

That should do for now – just a few things that makes me, well…………….ME!

Roses and their color meaning

This discussion came up recently with a friend of mine and I found this information on the web. For those of you that may want to send roses to someone special, here is the colors and what they represent:

Red
Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special.

Pink
As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. Pink rose bouquets often impart a gentler meaning than their red counterparts.

Yellow
The bright, sunny color of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend. As such, the yellow rose is an ideal symbol for joy and friendship.

White
White roses represent innocence and purity and are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings. The white rose is also a symbol of honor and reverence, and white rose arrangements are often used as an expression of remembrance.

Orange
With their blazing energy, orange roses are the embodiment of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of fervent romance. A bouquet of orange roses will send a meaningful message.

Lavender
The unique beauty of the lavender rose has captured many hearts and imaginations. With their fantastical appearance, lavender roses are a perfect symbol of enchantment. The lavender rose is also traditionally used to express feelings of love at first sight.

Guess I've never gotten Orange roses but it's something to strive for....might I say I should have once or twice.........but didn't!

Phone Etiquette

Granted I’m a parent, and I’m supposed to think young boys are stupid, but I’m also willing to cut them some slack in a lot of areas, but I guess phone etiquette just isn’t one of them.
Over the years I have answered the phone for my daughter on numerous occasions and you can always tell, right away, a boy right well from a boy raised wrong. When you pick up the phone and you are speaking to a good boy the conversation goes something as follows:

Parent: “Hello”
Good Boy: “May I or Can I (I’m not picky here) speak to [insert name of child]?”
Parent: “Yes, can I tell her who is calling?”
Good Boy: “Sure, it’s [Insert name of boy]”
Parent: “Hold on let me get her”

This is a pleasant exchange, all is happy and daughter is brought to the phone and she is now speaking to what we know to be a good-mannered boy. FYI – chances are he won’t be liked for very long.

Now, there is the bad boy whom we have learned to loathe at our house. One call from this idiot and you already know you want no physical contact to occur, nor do you want him to ever call your house again. Why? Simply because he has no communication skills and that is enough for you. He is an idiot. This is the basic conversation of a bad boy phone exchange:

Parent: “Hello”
Bad Boy: “Hello”
Parent: “Hello”
Bad Boy: Again only in a more stupid voice than before “Hello”
Now at this point I’m already knowing he’s an idiot but just to make sure I will try again…
Parent: Loudly - “Hello”
Bad Boy – For reaons unknown to man he says again “Hello”
I then disconnect the phone call.

It is inevitable that he will call back within a minute and then it happens.

Parent: “Hello”
Bad Boy: “Yeah, can I speak to [insert name of child]
Parent: “Yes, can I tell her who is calling?”
Bad Boy: Long pause (not sure if he just can’t remember or he’s too embarrassed to tell me) “uh it’s [insert name of boy]”

Now you know your daughter it talking to a complete idiot and chances are she will like him – it’s fate!

Oprah's Web Page

There is an author on Oprah's web page,Sandra Magsamen,and she wrote an article about the New Year - New Me concept and how it ticked her off because women spend so much time trying to develop themselves and every New Year we think a new look, new diet or a new change in our life will "fix" everything. Her article gave the following advice and I loved it.

She writes:
So, instead of looking at making yourself all over again this coming year, I'd like to impart just a small piece of advice. My one word of wisdom as you turn toward the new year is BE.

BE You—There is only one you, you are a gift, an original, no one else is qualified for the job! We need you. Be everything that you are. Be happy, be sad, be everything in between. Embrace the world with your own genuine style, do it your way, show us a new way and leave your mark on the world.

BElieve in yourself—Believe in your instincts and in that little voice deep down inside that speaks to you. Let go of fear and let your skills, talent, beauty and ideas shine through. Henry Ford said something that I love: "If you think you can or think you can't you are probably right." If you believe in yourself there is nothing that you can't do.

BE Passionate—Go for it, give it all you've got, live life like it matters, put your heart into everything you do, live loud, reach for the stars, dream big, get excited, go for it, feel life, taste life, hear life and celebrate life.

BElong to something you believe in. Join an organization. Start a club or find a group of friends whose ideas, company and values mean something to you.

BEgin today—Every day is an opportunity to learn something or discover something or someplace. Be curious, play, go out on a limb, walk a different way to work, try a new food at dinner, and keep learning and growing.

BEcome what you dream to be. Set goals, identify what matters, focus on where you want to go and go there. You are in the driver's seat—you are not the passenger when it comes to following your dreams. You are in charge so take a detour, take the back roads, get lost or decide your dream has changed just be sure you stay on the journey.

BEdazzle with your smile and laughter. Laugh until it hurts, until you cry, until you have everyone in the room laughing and you can't laugh anymore. Laughter is an instant vacation so have fun, play and enjoy life. Light up the room with sunshine and flash that beautiful smile. Remember a smile is a little curve that straightens everything out.

BEhave like it's your last day on the planet. Live in the moment, celebrate you and the people you love. Connect, hug, tell people that you appreciate them, sleep late or get up early, watch the sun rise or set. Use your senses and taste, hear and see the beauty all around you.

Say I love you as many times as you can.

This was a great article! I hope you get out of it as much as I did.

Backin' Bama

OK, this is huge for me. Ms. Non Political, Ms. Don't Get Involved. I'm making a statement. "I'M BACKIN' BAMA". Being the non-feminist that I am I just can't put a female in the White House and have "Bill" be our "First Man". I'm not ready. Sorry Ladies..........Sorry World. I can't do it. She cried the other day because she was under pressure. She cried. OK, so if things aren't going well in Iraq is she going to cry? I can't take it. We have women running other countries, but I'm sorry, I discussed with Jacob tonight they have lived much tougher lives and understand turmoil and grief. I'm not trying to offend anyone, as I am SO not political in any way for the most part, but I just can't foresee a woman in the White House!

I'm with Oprah and I'm Backin' Bama!

New Arrival Expected

I'm going to be a Great Aunt and we found out today it's going to be a boy! How exciting. Now we'll have two boys and they'll be about 3 years apart. I'm so excited to be a Great Aunt AND to welcome a new boy in to our family. Now that we've experienced a boy, we are SO knowing that they are layed back, sweet and just the best little bundles of joy! Actually I stand corrected, it's our third boy in the family recently with our cousin that came along about 6 month's ago so we are just moving the ratio of boys UP in our family.

Congrats to my niece and nephew and we are all looking forward to our new arrival in May! Also congrats to my sister and brother-in-law on the new title of Grandparents. You won't have any idea until you hold him for the first time and then it will hit you like a ton of bricks. It will change your life forever.

Winter Colds

Winter colds, they’re inevitable aren’t they? I felt it coming on. I tried to pump myself with over the counter products, water, OJ, but I got nabbed like a cheap, half price item at the Target clearance shelf! Before I knew it I was hacking up phlegm, blowing my nose until I couldn’t touch it any longer and I could no longer breathe, smell or taste anything worth living for….I hate winter colds.
They don’t just go away either, you have to pass them to co-workers who in turn pass them back. Everyone hacking, breathing, coughing all over each other in cubicles and touching things, it’s just a germ fest for all!
What is it, starve a fever, and feed a cold? What’s the point, you can’t taste anything. I’m not even hungry and I’m too tired to fix myself anything to eat anyway. I want someone to take care of me, but I’m so bitchy no one can stand to be around me long enough to be nice to me. AND it’s not like at my house things are going to get done while I’m sick. What is that about? You wake up from 2-3 days of sickness to find your house in this tornado zone, looking mess. It amazes me. Don’t worry; I’ll be better soon so it would be my joy to clean my entire house. Nothing would please me more!
I gotta tell ya, I’m getting ready to ask for a do over in this New Year. 2008 has not exactly rolled in my favor; it has basically rolled OVER my ass. Have you ever found yourself saying, “This is the first day of the rest of my life?” Well I have and I tried to say it on January 1st and I’ll be damn if I’m gonna have to say it again real soon to start fresh. What is up with that? Can you just keep saying it until what; you just believe it and things happen?
It’s also something like 70 degrees here today which just pissed me off. It’s winter so it should be cold, not spring weather. I’m all about cold weather when it should be cold. I want my mitten weather and my snow. I don’t want to wear t-shirts and shorts around my house in January. That is not normal. I need normal. I’m a freak. No wonder I’m sick. Give me zero temperatures, wind, snow, sleet! I want it all.
Oh well, I’ll just continue to blow my nose, lie in bed and feel sorry for myself. I’m sure my Prince Charming is right around the corner just about to come rescue me any moment. Yeah, I know…………….I’ve taken waaaaayy too much medicine at this point…..I’m getting quite fuzzy-headed at this point.

Going Home for the Night

Before I type this and it’s read, keep in mind that I love and respect my parents. I actually have the utmost respect for them. I also love their house and the property surrounding their house. It’s a security for me to go over to their house to visit and it’s filled with childhood memories. However, I don’t frequently spend the night over there any longer!
When is the last time anyone has done this? Now, if your parents live out of town you’re excluded from this because you visit and that’s normal. I’m talking about your parents live in your same town and you have to spend the night at their house for whatever reason. I had the opportunity last night due to my grandson being sick and he needed to stay there overnight since it was so cold. I bet I haven’t stayed at my parent’s house for years.
It was a mixture of humor, nostalgia, and just a basic trip back in time. I’m amazed at how tidy things are at my mother’s house. I started to remember how she made all of us keep our rooms tidy and clean, but now that we are all gone, it’s just clean to the point of craziness. The walls are white; clean, crystal, pure white and each room is accessorized perfectly to match the room. Curtains are crisp, ironed and hanging as if they have just been taken from the dry cleaners and hung up just for me to stay the night. The bathroom is clean, so clean that you try not to mess it up when you’re taking a bath. How does one person keep a bathroom so clean? I’m amazed at how clean one person can keep a bathroom!
I slept in the spare bedroom. I was going to sleep on the couch because I didn’t want to mess up the bedspread (white) as it looked so perfect. She informed me it was “just a bed” and not to be silly. I carefully folded it down, as to not mess it up and slid under the covers. I felt tiny in the bedroom that used to be mine and I tried to remember sleeping in there, as I had night after night for years but I couldn’t. The train passed by (about 100 times) during the night and I used to be able to sleep through it, but the first time it actually made me jump.
Here is the funny part, I had to make a couple of phone calls; one in particular to a guy and I just couldn’t bring myself to call a boy at my parent’s house. Yes, I was back in high school, 18 again and just didn’t want to talk on the phone with my parents around. Amazing. Just felt as if it was disrespectful to sit in their living room in front of the gabbing to a boy on the phone. Feeling this way just cracked me up. Do we ever out grow our parents and feeling like a child around them? Obviously not!!
We did the normal things we have done for years; my sister came over so we sat around the table and of course you talk. You discuss people (of course), family issues, church, town issues and you gossip. Then when she left my mom and I sat around the table and had a snack and talked again. We did this when I lived at home and again; for a moment I was young. (She also lectured me for a bit but that is to be expected!) Some things just never change. Dad was in the living room watching TV while we talked about life stuff.
As I fell asleep (after she brought me a blanket, brought me an alarm clock and double checked on what time I needed to get up) I realized that no matter how bizarre it feels to go home, it’s still home and I’m fortunate to have a home to go to when it’s needed. (Even though it’s clean and sterile!).

Selfish vs. Happiness

The pondering question of the new year is if you truly want to be happy do you have to be selfish to get there?

If you live alone and you don't have any children, family or pets to tend to then this truly doesn't apply to you. It's easier to live life just for yourself. Although I can only imagine that life, I don't even know if I would be happy being THAT alone.

Here is the issue - if you want to be happy and pursue your dreams you have to make sacrifices and most of the time it includes giving up time with family, friends, pets, life in general and it's tough to make those changes. If you have small children it's really tough, trust me I know.

Balance is a key to life, but that balance becomes more and more difficult that more you try to take on. Work, home life, family, social life, charity work, hobbies, church, kid's event's, family event's, holiday tradtions, just to name a few off the top of my head. What do you scratch off the list first?

Prioritization comes in to play and you do the best you can to divide yourself among the top items that you need to get to, but then you become tired, cranky, less effective all around and you defeat the purpose of the entire part that you are trying to become.

The only way to truly pursue your ultimate goals is to be selfish and focus on those goals and push the others aside. I find I can't be this person, thus I can't seem to get to my goals and thus I'm never truly doing what makes me happy. Is this just ridiculous? Yes, I think it is, there has to be a better way. Can I balance better? Do I need Dr. Phil to step in and help me find a way? ha ha.

I have vowed to step up to the charity part of my life in 2008, as it's something I've wanted to get back in to for years now and I'm going to do so, but what will suffer? Guess we'll see. Wish me luck. Maybe I'll learn the art of life/balance this year too.