I have said for a long time that Mother Nature has a sick sense of humor. It is only recently I have discovered the whole damn universe is getting its kicks at my expense. As if Mother Nature's little jokes aren't enough. You know what it is I am talking about....Age
As we get older Mother Nature finds it humorous to "adjust" body parts, putting them in locations they have never been before. Then the medical community jumps on the band wagon and decides to see just how many orifices they can probe the older you get. No, they do not stop there. They take the body parts Mother Nature has repositioned and stretch them, pull them, smash them. Yes, they are now elastic.
As a woman I am accustomed to the medical community reeking havoc on my body to see how much it can take before cracking. Hell, childbirth alone requires procedures that no human should have to experience while already having that much natural pain. One word for you...Enema.
It creates shudders around the world.
My husband on the other hand hasn't had the pleasure of the medical community probes...Until now. Reaching the age where they gently ease you into the exams they will be continuously performing until you die, it has begun.
This story really isn't about his "procedure", more so the conversation that occurred with our daughter the night before.
I had to call her and confirm that she didn't have to work in the morning seen as I had to bring my husband to the hospital by 5:30am and we still have a 8 yr old to take care of. She confirmed she would be here to watch him and asked if her dad was ok....
Me: "Daddy's fine, its a routine procedure to make sure everything is ok"
Her: "Why wouldn't everything be ok?"
Me: "Well, as you get older they start doing all kinds of tests just to be sure."
Her: "What are they doing?"
Me: "It's called a colonoscopy."
Her: "I thought you only had that if there was a problem."
Me: "Nope, they also do it for preventive measures."
Her: "Mom, if this is for E.D. you can tell me. I'm just worried and need to know if something is wrong."
Me: "Nothing is wrong baby, promise. E.D.?"
Her: "Is that what it is? E.D.? You can tell me if it is."
Me: "E.D.? What is Ed?"
Her: "Not Ed mom, E.D. You know..."
Me: "No, I don't"
Her: "Erectile Dysfunction"
Me: "OH MY GOD!!! You did not just ask me that. No, your father is not having problems in that area. It's looking at his colon, his butt not his front!"
At this point my husband is hearing only my side of the conversation and is appalled. He is yelling "We are not having a conversation about my penis with our daughter!! Hell, I'm not that old yet anyway!" He is attempting to leave the room but is continuously drawn back which results in him pacing back and forth from the kitchen. I am laughing so hard there are tears.
I have decided my daughter watches to much television seen as this is where she seems to have learned the term. She is also aware of several forms of medication to correct that problem. What the hell are they putting on TV these days anyway??!!
The point of this story? Do not jump on the bandwagon with the rest of the universe and make fun of your parents as they are getting old. You too will have these experiences.
December 28, 2005
December 24, 2005
To cute, Had to share it
Mom's Letter To Santa
Dear Santa,
I've been a good Mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor.
I sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids. I'll take them in any color, except purple, which I already have. I would also like arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother", because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
And please don't forget the Play-Doh Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the In-laws' house seem just like mine.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
Oh, and If you don't mind...
I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always...Mom.
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in you.
Dear Santa,
I've been a good Mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor.
I sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids. I'll take them in any color, except purple, which I already have. I would also like arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother", because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
And please don't forget the Play-Doh Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the In-laws' house seem just like mine.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
Oh, and If you don't mind...
I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always...Mom.
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in you.
December 21, 2005
Almost There
OK I have tried but my remote seems to be broken. Could someone please hit the pause button?! I am soooo not ready for this holiday yet. I have 20 people coming for dinner and haven't even started on the house, have to order the table and chairs, haven't started cooking (well some baking is done) and still have x-mas shopping to do. There is no way I have enough time. Why am I so late this year? Well, because I am (at the moment anyway) the best mom in the world. Hey, I have to eat this up when I get it, it doesn't happen often. Our daughter received her x-mas gift from us a week early this year. We bought her a car. Not only is it a car but it is bad ass! Not an old car, a newer one, fully loaded, leather interior, moon roof, 5 disk CD changer. Yes, I am the greatest. That wasn't originally what we had in mind when we decided to get her a car but I got such an unbelievable deal on it I couldn't turn it down. Plus I get to maintain the greatest mom in the world title for at least a couple of weeks. So I think that I should have the authority to put off the holiday a day or two. Seen as that attempt isn't working, if someone could hit pause for me I would appreciate it!
December 17, 2005
The lesson
The cats have out done themselves. This truly takes the cake. Being the majority in my house they even have the dog trained. Being the stupid human that I am, I always assumed there was some sense of family or pack mentality amongst them. With the dog protecting the cats from other animals and the cats snuggling on the dogs bed with her. It wasn't until the other day that I realized what is truly going on.
One of our cats, Valkyrie, caught a mouse. It was her first catch so she wasn't really sure what to do with it. She played taxi to the mouse for a little while carting it room to room, then did the usual let it go to catch it again. The other cats were paying very close attention to this game. I only have one mouser in my house and he has self retired from the business so this is all new to the rest of them. One of the other cats, Anubis, happened to get lucky on one of
Valkyrie's releases and was able to steal the mouse from her. He then followed
her lead and taxied it room to room for a little while before playing the "let it go and catch it again" game. Once again the other cats are watching.....But so is the dog, Megan.
Megan decides to get up and see what was going on, atleast that's what I thought she was doing. Little did I know she wanted her turn. She followed the cats around and the next thing I know, on one of the cats releases, she grabs the mouse. She carries the mouse room to room and then releases it to catch it again. The end result? The dog killed the mouse with her paws, trying to play with it. As strange as this is it doesn't seem to be a one time deal.
Last night as hubby and I were preparing for bed, Megan brought us another one. It seems I have another mouser, a 75 pound mouser.
The cats? Well, they are continuing to lounge their fat little selves around the house while the dog does all the leg work.
One of our cats, Valkyrie, caught a mouse. It was her first catch so she wasn't really sure what to do with it. She played taxi to the mouse for a little while carting it room to room, then did the usual let it go to catch it again. The other cats were paying very close attention to this game. I only have one mouser in my house and he has self retired from the business so this is all new to the rest of them. One of the other cats, Anubis, happened to get lucky on one of
Valkyrie's releases and was able to steal the mouse from her. He then followed
her lead and taxied it room to room for a little while before playing the "let it go and catch it again" game. Once again the other cats are watching.....But so is the dog, Megan.
Megan decides to get up and see what was going on, atleast that's what I thought she was doing. Little did I know she wanted her turn. She followed the cats around and the next thing I know, on one of the cats releases, she grabs the mouse. She carries the mouse room to room and then releases it to catch it again. The end result? The dog killed the mouse with her paws, trying to play with it. As strange as this is it doesn't seem to be a one time deal.
Last night as hubby and I were preparing for bed, Megan brought us another one. It seems I have another mouser, a 75 pound mouser.
The cats? Well, they are continuing to lounge their fat little selves around the house while the dog does all the leg work.
December 10, 2005
Eye Opener
When all of the information became available regarding my daughters accident it was quite an eye opener. I was shocked and appalled to say the least. I had no idea how many rights have been taken away from the worker and how many laws employers are allowed to break, at the risk of their employees' safety, without repercussion. In my frustration I began to talk to people and found that I was not the only one shocked. I figured I would share my findings with you.
My daughter was burned on her face, neck, chest, both arms, both hands and fingers. She has 1st through 3rd degree burns. This accident was caused because she was using faulty equipment, the company knew the equipment was faulty and refused to replace it. They didn't want to spend the money. When the accident happened there was no first aid kit in the store. The company also was aware of this, the store manager had offered to purchase one with her own money and the headquarters told her no it wasn't a priority. There was also no cold running water due to a problem with the pipes that had been ongoing for months. Headquarters didn't feel this was a priority either.
Now, perhaps these issues could be more understandable if this was a small company who was working to fix all of these codes violations and just didn't have the money to have it all taken care of yet. It's not. This is a major fast food chain that most of us have visited many times in our lives. The major age group working in this facility is under the age of 20. Our children work there as their first jobs in high school.
Do you know there is nothing I can do to make them follow the law and have those things fixed? Even though each one of those issues is a violation of the law. Due to a law that was passed protecting corporations who have a workmans compensation carrier they can not be prosecuted even if they are breaking the law and causing unnecessary injuries to their employees.
It is important that you understand I had absolutely no interest what so ever in pursuing a law suit when this injury happened. I only wanted to make sure that my daughter was taken care of. It wasn't until I found out that even after this accident happened they had a 16 year old employee rig the piece of equipment that broke and caused my daughters injuries back together and continue to use it. None of the codes violations have been corrected and they are continuing to put the rest of the children employed there at risk of serious injury. It was then that I contacted an attorney and asked how I can make them follow the law. It was then that I was informed I cant. I was informed this by several attorneys. There is nothing we can do to make them follow the law, there is nothing we can do to make them keep these children safe from unnecessary injury. Due to this wonderful law that was passed to protect them they are, for the most part, exempt from following the law themselves.
What a wonderful world we live in.
My daughter was burned on her face, neck, chest, both arms, both hands and fingers. She has 1st through 3rd degree burns. This accident was caused because she was using faulty equipment, the company knew the equipment was faulty and refused to replace it. They didn't want to spend the money. When the accident happened there was no first aid kit in the store. The company also was aware of this, the store manager had offered to purchase one with her own money and the headquarters told her no it wasn't a priority. There was also no cold running water due to a problem with the pipes that had been ongoing for months. Headquarters didn't feel this was a priority either.
Now, perhaps these issues could be more understandable if this was a small company who was working to fix all of these codes violations and just didn't have the money to have it all taken care of yet. It's not. This is a major fast food chain that most of us have visited many times in our lives. The major age group working in this facility is under the age of 20. Our children work there as their first jobs in high school.
Do you know there is nothing I can do to make them follow the law and have those things fixed? Even though each one of those issues is a violation of the law. Due to a law that was passed protecting corporations who have a workmans compensation carrier they can not be prosecuted even if they are breaking the law and causing unnecessary injuries to their employees.
It is important that you understand I had absolutely no interest what so ever in pursuing a law suit when this injury happened. I only wanted to make sure that my daughter was taken care of. It wasn't until I found out that even after this accident happened they had a 16 year old employee rig the piece of equipment that broke and caused my daughters injuries back together and continue to use it. None of the codes violations have been corrected and they are continuing to put the rest of the children employed there at risk of serious injury. It was then that I contacted an attorney and asked how I can make them follow the law. It was then that I was informed I cant. I was informed this by several attorneys. There is nothing we can do to make them follow the law, there is nothing we can do to make them keep these children safe from unnecessary injury. Due to this wonderful law that was passed to protect them they are, for the most part, exempt from following the law themselves.
What a wonderful world we live in.
December 09, 2005
Update
Most of you have probably thought I have up and left the world of blogging without even a good bye. Not true. I am temporarily detained with important things here in the real world. My daughter was involved in a work accident and has been burned pretty badly. I don't have much time to sit and write but I will do the best I can. I just wanted to update you and let you know I haven't left, I'm just really stretched for time.
November 29, 2005
Change of Plans
Well I had this wonderful heartfelt post planned about the wonderful holiday's. How great it is to have such good friends and family all together blah blah blah. It was a great holiday and it was wonderful but I have other things to write about at the moment.
Today is my birthday. Normally I don't much care, never have been a big one on monetary things. I would rather spend time hanging out with people than get presents. I know, weird. It drives my husband nuts, he says "What do you want for you birthday?". I say " A big bow on you. But you could make me dinner if you like." Of course he doesn't have me cook on my birthday but he really wants to get me things. Manly thing I guess.
This year I will give him credit, I am all kinds of excited about my gift. He gave it to me last night. He got me a day at the spa. Not just an hour massage or a pedicure...A whole damn day!!! Yes, Mayberry has a spa.
So today I am going to get a body treatment, a wrap, a facial, a massage and soak in an aromatic Roman style bath. All the while, daydreaming of warm weather, cabana boys and drinks with little umbrellas in them. What? A girl can fantasize every now and then.
I am off to get ready for my day of pampering and cabana fantasies.
Today is my birthday. Normally I don't much care, never have been a big one on monetary things. I would rather spend time hanging out with people than get presents. I know, weird. It drives my husband nuts, he says "What do you want for you birthday?". I say " A big bow on you. But you could make me dinner if you like." Of course he doesn't have me cook on my birthday but he really wants to get me things. Manly thing I guess.
This year I will give him credit, I am all kinds of excited about my gift. He gave it to me last night. He got me a day at the spa. Not just an hour massage or a pedicure...A whole damn day!!! Yes, Mayberry has a spa.
So today I am going to get a body treatment, a wrap, a facial, a massage and soak in an aromatic Roman style bath. All the while, daydreaming of warm weather, cabana boys and drinks with little umbrellas in them. What? A girl can fantasize every now and then.
I am off to get ready for my day of pampering and cabana fantasies.
November 22, 2005
Someone call Time!!
Ok, I need a time out. How in the hell did the year go by so fast? We cant really be at Thanksgiving just yet. The turkey is defrosting and I start baking today along with cleaning. I'm just not sure how it's already this time of year. I put up holiday decorations yesterday in an attempt to recognize the upcoming festive occasion. It's working, slowly.
I really do love this holiday once it arrives but I so hate the preparations. We have 20 people coming, we tend to do a good size Thanksgiving. Sort of a tradition we started when we moved away from home. We have our closest friends and some family and celebrate together. There is never a dull moment and always a lot of laughs. I don't know how much time I'm going to have to blog between baking, cleaning, cooking and setting up. I will try but in case I don't get to, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I really do love this holiday once it arrives but I so hate the preparations. We have 20 people coming, we tend to do a good size Thanksgiving. Sort of a tradition we started when we moved away from home. We have our closest friends and some family and celebrate together. There is never a dull moment and always a lot of laughs. I don't know how much time I'm going to have to blog between baking, cleaning, cooking and setting up. I will try but in case I don't get to, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
November 16, 2005
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Preparing for school this morning my (now 8 yr old) son and I had an interesting conversation. As I am getting his coat out of the closet and holding it open for him to put on.
My son: "I hate this coat."
Me: "What do you mean you hate this coat?"
My son: "I hate this coat."
Me: "This is your big winter coat, it keeps you warm."
My son: "I hate it."
Me: "How can you hate this coat? You picked it out."
My son: "that's when I was little, I hate it now."
Me: "It wasn't even a full year ago!"
My son: "I'm 8 now. I don't like it anymore."
Me: "Well, just what is it you hate about it?"
I didn't get an answer to that question, he just walked out the door to catch the bus. Wearing a scowl because he is grown now at the ripe old age of 8.
*This post was supposed to be made 3 days ago but blogger is being pissy with me. Sorry for the delay :)
My son: "I hate this coat."
Me: "What do you mean you hate this coat?"
My son: "I hate this coat."
Me: "This is your big winter coat, it keeps you warm."
My son: "I hate it."
Me: "How can you hate this coat? You picked it out."
My son: "that's when I was little, I hate it now."
Me: "It wasn't even a full year ago!"
My son: "I'm 8 now. I don't like it anymore."
Me: "Well, just what is it you hate about it?"
I didn't get an answer to that question, he just walked out the door to catch the bus. Wearing a scowl because he is grown now at the ripe old age of 8.
*This post was supposed to be made 3 days ago but blogger is being pissy with me. Sorry for the delay :)
November 10, 2005
Your opinion
He had only been in his new town for 4 months. Having moved to a small country town half way across the country from the big city he had grown up in. A new high school, no friends, he strived for acceptance. Not being exactly what the current "in" crowd considered cool he wasn't readily accepted. He finally met a boy who was from that small town whom he called a friend. It was the only one he had successfully made. He and this boy hung out every day.
One afternoon, on the school bus is when it all began. He and his new friend were teasing a couple of other children. He began pawing through another child's backpack. The child told him to stop and regained possession of their backpack. A verbal confrontation occurred which turned into a mild physical one. There were 5 children involved in addition to the boy and his new found friend. Some children got grabbed when they got up to move away. Some where grabbed on the leg, some on the arm and one on the groin. The details are unclear.
Parents found out and became greatly concerned. Reports were filed with the Sheriff and Child Protective Services were called in. The accusation is one of a sexual predator due to a child being grabbed in the groin.
Was it a sexual attack or a case of bullying? Is the child a sexual predator? Does he deservingly need to carry the title of sexual offender for the rest of his life? Did he intentionally grab the child's groin or did his hand miss the mark as the child stood to move?
The boy is 16, tell me what you think.
One afternoon, on the school bus is when it all began. He and his new friend were teasing a couple of other children. He began pawing through another child's backpack. The child told him to stop and regained possession of their backpack. A verbal confrontation occurred which turned into a mild physical one. There were 5 children involved in addition to the boy and his new found friend. Some children got grabbed when they got up to move away. Some where grabbed on the leg, some on the arm and one on the groin. The details are unclear.
Parents found out and became greatly concerned. Reports were filed with the Sheriff and Child Protective Services were called in. The accusation is one of a sexual predator due to a child being grabbed in the groin.
Was it a sexual attack or a case of bullying? Is the child a sexual predator? Does he deservingly need to carry the title of sexual offender for the rest of his life? Did he intentionally grab the child's groin or did his hand miss the mark as the child stood to move?
The boy is 16, tell me what you think.
October 31, 2005
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!
As you can probably guess this is my favorite holiday! I'm just as excited as the kids. The costumes are ready, the kids are ready, I am ready...Let's go trick-or-treating!! Yes, I dress up. I even laid out hubby's chainmail so he can dress up. He doesn't get into it quite as much as I do but he says my excitement is contagious.
Be safe and everyone have a spooky, scary, ghoulish, freaky kinda Halloween!!!
As you can probably guess this is my favorite holiday
Be safe and everyone have a spooky, scary, ghoulish, freaky kinda Halloween!!!
October 30, 2005
The Gift
Last year my husband and I gave a lot of thought to the Christmas gifts we would give the children. Like most parents we took into consideration the things the really wanted and of course the things they would "just die" if they didn't have. Some they got, some they didn't but nobody died. Yet.
One of the things my son asked for, it was on the "die if I don't have" section of his list, was a guitar. Wanting to encourage artistic talent and expression in our child we thought this was a good idea.
Having had my brief stint with a musical instrument in childhood I wanted my son to have that as well. My mother did not encourage me in that area, to be honest I was only allowed to practice in the garage. I never felt encouraged to play the instrument. I wanted my son's experience to be wonderful, telling him what a good job he is doing. Hell, I had the boy playing Jimi Hendrix by age 10. Christmas morning he woke up to find his most sought after gift delivered by none other than the Jolly Old Elf who's only goal is to make my sons dreams come true. He was so happy, he carried it with him all day, he sat it by his chair at Christmas dinner, he kissed it goodnight that evening and gently set it by his bed. Which is where it has remained, until today.
He has pulled out his long forgotten gift, the book and the CD that accompanied it to learn how to play. In order to better share his gift with the rest of the family he has chosen to practice with the CD player in the living room. He found that learning to read the notes and learn the finger placement was just to hard. Choosing instead to find the notes on his own. The CD gently lulls a rendition of "Mary had a little lamb" accompanied by my son thrashing a horrific sound and saying "See mom, I don't need the book I can find the note on my own." Everytime he has found an even more horrific note than the last one I hear him yell out "Mom, did you hear that one? Didn't that sound good?!".
I found my body has forced itself in a slow retreat from the living room. I am now in the bedroom which only causes him to play louder to ensure my listening enjoyment. I don't know how long I can last before I feel the blood begin to trickle down my face as my eardrum has burst. I find that I am bombarded by one thought and one thought only....
"I will not be my mother!" No matter how much I would like to lock the child in the garage, I will not. Thus I do not know if I will survive to write to you again.
I have nobody to blame but myself, I bought this godforsaken present. My dreams are dashed, no Santana will hum from my 7 yr olds fingertips. But I will smile and assure him that is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. All the while attempting to fight my bodies instinctual reaction which is to use that damn thing as firewood!
One of the things my son asked for, it was on the "die if I don't have" section of his list, was a guitar. Wanting to encourage artistic talent and expression in our child we thought this was a good idea.
Having had my brief stint with a musical instrument in childhood I wanted my son to have that as well. My mother did not encourage me in that area, to be honest I was only allowed to practice in the garage. I never felt encouraged to play the instrument. I wanted my son's experience to be wonderful, telling him what a good job he is doing. Hell, I had the boy playing Jimi Hendrix by age 10. Christmas morning he woke up to find his most sought after gift delivered by none other than the Jolly Old Elf who's only goal is to make my sons dreams come true. He was so happy, he carried it with him all day, he sat it by his chair at Christmas dinner, he kissed it goodnight that evening and gently set it by his bed. Which is where it has remained, until today.
He has pulled out his long forgotten gift, the book and the CD that accompanied it to learn how to play. In order to better share his gift with the rest of the family he has chosen to practice with the CD player in the living room. He found that learning to read the notes and learn the finger placement was just to hard. Choosing instead to find the notes on his own. The CD gently lulls a rendition of "Mary had a little lamb" accompanied by my son thrashing a horrific sound and saying "See mom, I don't need the book I can find the note on my own." Everytime he has found an even more horrific note than the last one I hear him yell out "Mom, did you hear that one? Didn't that sound good?!".
I found my body has forced itself in a slow retreat from the living room. I am now in the bedroom which only causes him to play louder to ensure my listening enjoyment. I don't know how long I can last before I feel the blood begin to trickle down my face as my eardrum has burst. I find that I am bombarded by one thought and one thought only....
"I will not be my mother!" No matter how much I would like to lock the child in the garage, I will not. Thus I do not know if I will survive to write to you again.
I have nobody to blame but myself, I bought this godforsaken present. My dreams are dashed, no Santana will hum from my 7 yr olds fingertips. But I will smile and assure him that is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. All the while attempting to fight my bodies instinctual reaction which is to use that damn thing as firewood!
October 25, 2005
Good news all around
The camping trip rocked!!! We had so much fun! There were over 300 people there and it was organized so well that the number of people was never a problem. They had a archery and BB gun range set up, showed movies outside at the pavilion, did a midnight haunted forest hike and a million other activities. It was done so they had activities to do but still had plenty of free time to play. The boys had such a great time, they earned several beltloops and completed a lot of requirements to earn their patches. I have to say, I am really impressed with the Boy Scout Reservation. That place is unbelievably huge! We were only on one small section of it and t here was a castle built, tepees, a pirate ship docked on the lake. All of this the kids could play on. There were so many more things out there I just cant think of them all. I am really glad I was able to go.
On another note.....I'm pretty excited about this week. Tomorrow is girls night. We haven't had a girls night in many years. It was something some friends of mine and I did years ago once a week. We would get together at one friends house and just spend time together. Goofing off, laughing and just generally enjoying each others company. I have missed that and them. Well we're back and better than ever so its only reasonable girls night should be back :) I cant wait!
On another note.....I'm pretty excited about this week. Tomorrow is girls night. We haven't had a girls night in many years. It was something some friends of mine and I did years ago once a week. We would get together at one friends house and just spend time together. Goofing off, laughing and just generally enjoying each others company. I have missed that and them. Well we're back and better than ever so its only reasonable girls night should be back :) I cant wait!
October 22, 2005
Quick note
Just a quick note to let you know I am going camping! Yeah!! Justice has been kind enough to keep our dog, she's rather persistent. I tried to talk her out of it but she swears she understands what she is agreeing too. I realize that I will owe her big after this. Don't get me wrong, I love our little foster dog but to say she is special is putting it lightly. She is like a house full of 2 year olds, more work than I have ever seen in an animal. So Justice, I got lunch next week!
I'm heading out for the boy scout reservation, hope everyone has a good weekend!
Thank you Justice!
I'm heading out for the boy scout reservation, hope everyone has a good weekend!
Thank you Justice!
October 20, 2005
Change of Plans
Ok, I'm slightly disappointed. This weekend is our one and only big camping trip of the year with the boyscouts. I cant go :( Well, I guess I could go but if I did my dog would have free reign over the house for an entire weekend. I would come home to a dog poop filled house. So yea, I'm a bit bummed. I was really looking forward to going. Like last year, hubby will take the boy and I will stay home with the dog. Which means my son is destined to live off of hotdogs and donuts for the weekend. My husband, as much as he likes to camp, does NOT cook over a fire. Atleast not anything that requires more than shoving it on a stick and hanging said stick over a fire for 2 minutes.
So I am going to go sit and pout for a minute.
So I am going to go sit and pout for a minute.
October 14, 2005
They are killing me
I know I have been away for a little while but I have been busy avoiding the knife. You know, the one my children are constantly trying to stab in my chest. I believe I have told you before that they are trying to kill me, well, its true. I think I have figured out their strategy. You see, they run me crazy taking them back and forth to this and that making me exhausted. Cant think clearly if your exhausted, isn't that a technique for brainwashing? Hmmm gonna have to give that some thought too. Then, after I am completely exhausted, they will pop some horrible surprise just for shock value. You know, like "Hey mom, I want to go vacation in another country with a group of kids my age", or "Hey mom, I think maybe I might go to school overseas". Anything to knock me off of my feet.
So in my sleep deprived delirium I have put a deposit down for my daughter to go visit a foreign country FAR FAR AWAY with kids her own age to do God knows what (I cant think about that). 1 week after that I received a letter from the organization that handles foreign exchange students. Guess what? My daughter has been nominated to participate in their program. Ok, maybe you didn't catch the most important part of that sentence.....Key word here is "nominated". I do a little research to find out who is conspiring with my children to bring about my demise. What should I find? That a teacher, a TEACHER is participating in this act. Do I know exactly which teacher is in on this plan? Nope, I just know it is one of them. Now what did I ever do to them? My children attend school regularly and on time, are prepared for class, hell they are good students. My daughter gets straight A's. So why the torture? I thought the teachers were supposed to be on my side. Bastards, they have turned against me.
SO here I sit exhausted and apparently brainwashed because I am going to their stupid meeting to hear all about the wonderful things they want to do for my child FAR FAR FAR FAR away.
So in my sleep deprived delirium I have put a deposit down for my daughter to go visit a foreign country FAR FAR AWAY with kids her own age to do God knows what (I cant think about that). 1 week after that I received a letter from the organization that handles foreign exchange students. Guess what? My daughter has been nominated to participate in their program. Ok, maybe you didn't catch the most important part of that sentence.....Key word here is "nominated". I do a little research to find out who is conspiring with my children to bring about my demise. What should I find? That a teacher, a TEACHER is participating in this act. Do I know exactly which teacher is in on this plan? Nope, I just know it is one of them. Now what did I ever do to them? My children attend school regularly and on time, are prepared for class, hell they are good students. My daughter gets straight A's. So why the torture? I thought the teachers were supposed to be on my side. Bastards, they have turned against me.
SO here I sit exhausted and apparently brainwashed because I am going to their stupid meeting to hear all about the wonderful things they want to do for my child FAR FAR FAR FAR away.
October 04, 2005
Just a thought
Ok, let me ask you a question. Lets say I want to be a mechanic. Never really been under the hood of a car but I have read so many books I could draw you a blue print of your engine with my eyes closed. I can drive a car, change the tires, I know where everything is under the hood but I have never really been there myself. Would you bring your car to me? Do you think I could get a job with the most prestigious car company in the country as a mechanic?
Just a guess, but I don't think they would hire me without experience as a mechanic.
So why is it that you can be a supreme court judge without ever having sat on the bench? I know, I try to stay away from political posts for the most part but this one just has me puzzled. Do we not have enough judges in this country to choose from? Is there a shortage? Out of all the judges in this country are NONE of them qualified?
If I were a judge I think I might be offended.
Just a guess, but I don't think they would hire me without experience as a mechanic.
So why is it that you can be a supreme court judge without ever having sat on the bench? I know, I try to stay away from political posts for the most part but this one just has me puzzled. Do we not have enough judges in this country to choose from? Is there a shortage? Out of all the judges in this country are NONE of them qualified?
If I were a judge I think I might be offended.
September 25, 2005
I'm loosing it
I have come to understand the plan of my children. They are truly trying to kill me but they have no mercy in their hearts. They have decided to make it a slow and painful death. One that may take many many years, patient little people they are. I have had many revelations within the past few weeks all of which lead to the same thing, they are growing up. My oldest is almost grown. How in the hell has this happened?? I am NOT old enough to have to deal with this yet.
Everytime I successfully forget their growth there is the oldest to thrust it in my face at every opportunity....
"Mom, I need to order my high school ring."
"Mom, we need to go to college night"
"Mom, I found some new college scholarships"
"Mom I want to go to another country."
Yes, the last one is her newest way to plunge the knife straight into my heart and twist. I realize that my daughter is going to leave and go off to college. I am not happy with the idea of her being out there alone without me and all the perverts just waiting to prey on her. So yes, there is a good chance I'm going to be a bit crazy. But now, now she wants to go across the ocean. Far, far away! How can I get to her there? How in the hell do I protect my baby across a friggin ocean?!
Ever since she was a little girl she has wanted to go to Greece. She has researched it, dreamed of it ever since she was old enough to know what it is. Now her school is planning a trip the summer she graduates. You know what the worse part is? I recognize what a good idea it is, I recognize how wonderful the opportunity is. Have you any idea the arguments that is creating in my head?! I want her to have this opportunity, I want her to have this experience. But across the ocean????
Please, just shoot me in the head now. Show some compassion for a mother with a knife twisting in her heart. I told my husband yesterday that I was turning in my resignation, I'm not being a mom anymore. It's just to hard and the God's think it is funny that my daughter is ready to graduate high school and they are still with holding my instruction packet on raising children. I'm going blind here folks, I have no instructions, no children's "owners manual", nothing!
Oh God, I need valium; lots and lots.
Everytime I successfully forget their growth there is the oldest to thrust it in my face at every opportunity....
"Mom, I need to order my high school ring."
"Mom, we need to go to college night"
"Mom, I found some new college scholarships"
"Mom I want to go to another country."
Yes, the last one is her newest way to plunge the knife straight into my heart and twist. I realize that my daughter is going to leave and go off to college. I am not happy with the idea of her being out there alone without me and all the perverts just waiting to prey on her. So yes, there is a good chance I'm going to be a bit crazy. But now, now she wants to go across the ocean. Far, far away! How can I get to her there? How in the hell do I protect my baby across a friggin ocean?!
Ever since she was a little girl she has wanted to go to Greece. She has researched it, dreamed of it ever since she was old enough to know what it is. Now her school is planning a trip the summer she graduates. You know what the worse part is? I recognize what a good idea it is, I recognize how wonderful the opportunity is. Have you any idea the arguments that is creating in my head?! I want her to have this opportunity, I want her to have this experience. But across the ocean????
Please, just shoot me in the head now. Show some compassion for a mother with a knife twisting in her heart. I told my husband yesterday that I was turning in my resignation, I'm not being a mom anymore. It's just to hard and the God's think it is funny that my daughter is ready to graduate high school and they are still with holding my instruction packet on raising children. I'm going blind here folks, I have no instructions, no children's "owners manual", nothing!
Oh God, I need valium; lots and lots.
September 21, 2005
Doing it all over again
I have been slightly preoccupied lately. Saturday night D and I had a HUGE argument and I was completely irrational, his fault of course. My husband knowing the rule, you cant argue with crazy, realized that he was going to have to catch me off guard in order to get me to hear what he had to say. So he left the room for a moment allowing me time to catch my breath and shut my mouth. When he returned he brought his wallet with him. He pulled out a paper and handed it to me. When I looked at it I was confused. He said "It was supposed to be a surprise but I'm going to tell you. I had talked to some of our friends and asked them to assist me in preparations because I wanted to know if you would marry me again. What you are holding is the beginning of the vows I have written."
OK, yes, I felt like an ASS! Needless to say we made up and come to find out it was all just a huge misunderstanding. We were talking about two completely different things and didn't realize it. I wouldn't let him tell me about the rest of his plans explaining to him that it wasn't necessary to completely ruin the surprise. He wants us to get handfasted having the ceremony we didn't have the first time around. He told me to think about my dress and make it. (I make period clothing and have done some wedding dresses as well) I am really excited about all of this.
You see, all those years ago when we got married there was no ceremony. It was quite comical to be honest. We had moved 1000 miles away from my family to where his family was. Originally we were planning a wedding but we had a falling out with his family and the whole thing had become such a hassle that we decided to elope. The day we did it, we drove to Louisiana and found a justice of the peace. In all our excitement to make our relationship legal we forgot you have to have witnesses. My husband ran across the street to a little gas station and talked the manager and assistant manager to come sign as witnesses. I remember laughing so hard. Before he had finally decided to go to the gas station to get witnesses he was walking down the sidewalk asking anyone he came upon if he could get their help. It was a memorable experience, not very romantic, but definitely a story we giggle about today.
As you can probably guess, I am bubbling with excitement to have that ceremony with him. Having given it some thought I have devised a little surprise of my own. He wants to have a traditional Celtic handfasting. Since I am making our clothing for the event I thought it would be neat to do something special with that. My husbands genealogy has been traced all the way back to the first king of Northern Ireland. I thought in making his clothing I would use his family tartan and on my wedding cloak I am going to embroider his family crest. I just thought it would be cool to give him a little surprise too. I have plenty of time, this wont be something that happens until next year so I can really put some detail into it. .
It is a wonderful feeling knowing that if I could do it all over again I would and so would he. Now we are taking that opportunity and I couldn't be happier.
OK, yes, I felt like an ASS! Needless to say we made up and come to find out it was all just a huge misunderstanding. We were talking about two completely different things and didn't realize it. I wouldn't let him tell me about the rest of his plans explaining to him that it wasn't necessary to completely ruin the surprise. He wants us to get handfasted having the ceremony we didn't have the first time around. He told me to think about my dress and make it. (I make period clothing and have done some wedding dresses as well) I am really excited about all of this.
You see, all those years ago when we got married there was no ceremony. It was quite comical to be honest. We had moved 1000 miles away from my family to where his family was. Originally we were planning a wedding but we had a falling out with his family and the whole thing had become such a hassle that we decided to elope. The day we did it, we drove to Louisiana and found a justice of the peace. In all our excitement to make our relationship legal we forgot you have to have witnesses. My husband ran across the street to a little gas station and talked the manager and assistant manager to come sign as witnesses. I remember laughing so hard. Before he had finally decided to go to the gas station to get witnesses he was walking down the sidewalk asking anyone he came upon if he could get their help. It was a memorable experience, not very romantic, but definitely a story we giggle about today.
As you can probably guess, I am bubbling with excitement to have that ceremony with him. Having given it some thought I have devised a little surprise of my own. He wants to have a traditional Celtic handfasting. Since I am making our clothing for the event I thought it would be neat to do something special with that. My husbands genealogy has been traced all the way back to the first king of Northern Ireland. I thought in making his clothing I would use his family tartan and on my wedding cloak I am going to embroider his family crest. I just thought it would be cool to give him a little surprise too. I have plenty of time, this wont be something that happens until next year so I can really put some detail into it. .
It is a wonderful feeling knowing that if I could do it all over again I would and so would he. Now we are taking that opportunity and I couldn't be happier.
September 16, 2005
He is amazing
I just have to say that after 12 years the man still gives me butterflies.
Yesterday when my husband returned home from working a 12 hour day I was in "mom" mode, aka multitasking. I was working with my son on homework while talking on the phone with his den leader and sewing his patches on his uniform. Needless to say I was slightly distracted and caught completely by surprise when he handed me a dozen roses. I tried to wrap up the conversation with the den leader while arranging the flowers in a vase so I didn't notice what hubby was doing next. It wasn't until he came out of the bedroom informing me that I needed to get off of the phone. I cut the conversation off and said a quick goodbye. I was thrilled that he had been so sweet and thoughtful but I have to admit there was a side of me wondering "what have you done?".
When I got off of the phone he took it from me and led me by the hand through the bedroom into the bathroom. It was there I found what he had done in just a few moments of coming home. A bubble bath was being drawn and there were candles all over the bathroom. I almost cried. I said to him "Why are you doing all of this?". His response, "Because I love you and I want you to know how special you are.". Of course I wasn't completely out of "mom" mode so I told him "I'm helping A with his homework and I still have to cook your dinner." He just laughed and told me to get in the tub and leave it to him.
He finished doing the homework as well as cooked dinner. I came out of the bathroom about the time that he had finished cooking. We ate and he apologized for dinner taking so long to make. I told him that dinner hadn't taken long at all. He said "Yes it did, I wanted to bathe you but you were out of the tub by the time dinner was done."
No, we didn't have a fight recently. No, it isn't a special occasion. No, he hadn't done something wrong.
I love that man.
Yesterday when my husband returned home from working a 12 hour day I was in "mom" mode, aka multitasking. I was working with my son on homework while talking on the phone with his den leader and sewing his patches on his uniform. Needless to say I was slightly distracted and caught completely by surprise when he handed me a dozen roses. I tried to wrap up the conversation with the den leader while arranging the flowers in a vase so I didn't notice what hubby was doing next. It wasn't until he came out of the bedroom informing me that I needed to get off of the phone. I cut the conversation off and said a quick goodbye. I was thrilled that he had been so sweet and thoughtful but I have to admit there was a side of me wondering "what have you done?".
When I got off of the phone he took it from me and led me by the hand through the bedroom into the bathroom. It was there I found what he had done in just a few moments of coming home. A bubble bath was being drawn and there were candles all over the bathroom. I almost cried. I said to him "Why are you doing all of this?". His response, "Because I love you and I want you to know how special you are.". Of course I wasn't completely out of "mom" mode so I told him "I'm helping A with his homework and I still have to cook your dinner." He just laughed and told me to get in the tub and leave it to him.
He finished doing the homework as well as cooked dinner. I came out of the bathroom about the time that he had finished cooking. We ate and he apologized for dinner taking so long to make. I told him that dinner hadn't taken long at all. He said "Yes it did, I wanted to bathe you but you were out of the tub by the time dinner was done."
No, we didn't have a fight recently. No, it isn't a special occasion. No, he hadn't done something wrong.
I love that man.
September 15, 2005
Back :)
Let me just say I am so sorry for having been away for awhile. Things have been busy, but in a good way. A very good friend of mine had moved away a couple of years ago and has moved back and bought a home. So, I have been over there in my free time helping her to paint and make it her own. Not only has she moved back to the area and bought another house but she is now only right up the street. That is so nice!
Along with helping her to get settled and decorate her new home we have been busy with the kids. School has begun as most of you know. With that comes playing taxi for the dance team and boy scouts. So yes, we have been really busy but it has been quite enjoyable. I promise I will write more later but for the moment I need to help the boy with homework and get to dinner.
Along with helping her to get settled and decorate her new home we have been busy with the kids. School has begun as most of you know. With that comes playing taxi for the dance team and boy scouts. So yes, we have been really busy but it has been quite enjoyable. I promise I will write more later but for the moment I need to help the boy with homework and get to dinner.
September 08, 2005
The circle goes unbroken
A little over 6 years ago I met one of the most amazing women I have ever known. I was immediately drawn to her and we became very close friends very quickly. It was through her that I met the closest of my friends. She had a way of attracting people to her. I had never had a group of friends like this one. Until then I had come to the conclusion that women couldn't be that close in a group type setting. But these women could. I had never seen or experienced anything that wonderful. This group of women truly cherished each individual person and their differences. Nobody was jealous that one may have a personality trait that another didn't, each respected and cherished the special qualities that every individual brought to the group. We learned from eachother and grew from eachother. The support that this group of women gave to eachother was amazing. If someone was going through a hard time they were ALL there. They encouraged you to be your best, built you up when you were feeling down and genuinely loved you.
Over time we became separated, some moved away others walked away. I have missed them and the special bond we shared. I have reunited my friendship with one of the ladies that are still in the area and have been so happy for that. Two days ago I heard from the one who began it all, the one who brought us all together. We have all grown over the years and changed but the bond was never diminished. The cycle has come full circle and it seems as if it is only the beginning of a beautiful reunion. One I have looked forward to for a very long time.
Over time we became separated, some moved away others walked away. I have missed them and the special bond we shared. I have reunited my friendship with one of the ladies that are still in the area and have been so happy for that. Two days ago I heard from the one who began it all, the one who brought us all together. We have all grown over the years and changed but the bond was never diminished. The cycle has come full circle and it seems as if it is only the beginning of a beautiful reunion. One I have looked forward to for a very long time.
September 06, 2005
Just a note
I know I haven't posted about hurricane Katrina and the devastation that she wrought. It doesn't mean I haven't been affected by it. It has been a slightly emotional subject in my household. My husbands family lives in Mississippi only 10 miles from the Louisiana state line. Thank goodness they are all ok. There was a lot of damage and most of his family have fled to other family members homes further north. They weren't in the heart of the devastation but their homes are still without power and it doesn't look like they will be getting it back before October. To see the pictures of Louisiana breaks my heart. I was married just outside New Orleans. The people there are some of the best I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. If it weren't for having children who need me I would be down there now doing whatever I can to help out.
A very good friend of mine called yesterday to say he was heading down with the Red Cross to help out. He's in my prayers, they all are.
A very good friend of mine called yesterday to say he was heading down with the Red Cross to help out. He's in my prayers, they all are.
September 01, 2005
Never a dull moment
Sometimes things happen that lead you to believe that there is a plan. Things were just way to coincidental for there not to be. Yesterday started out as a pretty decent day. Justice and I went shopping most of the day, something we rarely get to do, and had a blast. My sister's birthday is Friday and I am hosting a party for her so when Hubby got home I had to go back out to pick up more supplies. As luck would have it I had to go to Walmart. We all know my feelings on Walmart so I wont go back into that now. Anyway, I had already had such a wonderful day I really didn't mind.
Of course, that was to change. I believe that stupid people breed way to much. I also believe they get together and pick a person to barrage with ignorance each day. Yesterday happened to be my lucky day. It began at the deli counter. The little old man who works behind the counter is such a sweet man, always smiling and friendly. He also happens to be black. There was a woman (a white woman) at the counter ordering something and decided to have a conversation with him. Being as friendly as he always has been he was happy to talk with her while he worked. She took it upon herself to inform him that she and her husband were looking into adopting another child and this time she had requested one with "darker skin" because she preferred them that way. Then went into telling him how her husbands mom, somewhere back in the lineage, was mixed with something. They didn't know what but it was "very obvious she isn't completely white" and they thought a darker skinned child would make her feel not so left out being not all white and all. As my body involuntarily began to shake and my head began to twitch I did my best to leave the area of the deli so I wouldn't have to smack her. The extent of the conversation seemed to be that she was letting him know it was ok that he was black. Like he needed her permission!!! Mr. Deli man, let me address you now. On behalf of the "lighter" race, I am sorry. We aren't all idiots nor do we all feel that you need to be excused for your skin color.
At the checkout, to my surprise, I had fallen in line behind BillyBob Redneck. I suppose having been exposed to his kin for the last 5 years I should have recognized him but in my neck twitching aneurysm I wasn't seeing clearly. He was by himself, which always spells disaster since he cant be happy not sharing his ignorance with someone. He spun around and informed me, in his loud booming voice, that "all those damn looters down there in New Orleans need to be shot. I think we should just shoot them all." I just stared at him. Don't respond, don't respond he will only speak again if you do. Since he received no response from me he turned to the man in front of him to try again with the same remark. My daughter quietly said to me "Yea, the looting does suck." I told her "Yes, the looting of TV's and peoples houses is horrible. But most people are looting food, diapers, formula. They have to eat and feed their children. They aren't doing anything I wouldn't do if I had no way to feed you." She got that. Seen as the man in front of him had paid for his items and left BillyBob turned back to attempt conversation with me. "I think looters are one step below child molesters. If I had a choice to save a looter or a child molester I'd probably save the child molester. I would kick him in the balls but I would save him." I could hold my tongue no longer. I had to inform him that this conversation needed to stop or he wasn't going to like where it was going to go. Stop talking to me!!!!!!!
BillyBob left. My turn to pay for my things, almost out of this God forsaken hell whole of stupidity. There are two men behind me, standing so close I can feel someone's breath on my arm. I write a check for my items and the cashier asks for my phone number. I give it to her, I hear the idiot behind me repeating it to his friend. Now, I have been bombarded with idiots since I have walked in this place. I'm feeling a bit like a wild animal who has been cornered. I turn around and get just as far from his face as he was from my arm and say "WHAT?!"
"Why do you want my number? Are you too going to bombard me with stupidity? If there is something you think you may just need to call and tell me say it now." They apologized, I paid and left. Of course, as I was leaving I had to find my daughter who had turned and bolted the second I spun around to speak with idiot #3. She cant let people know she's really related to me.
Of course, that was to change. I believe that stupid people breed way to much. I also believe they get together and pick a person to barrage with ignorance each day. Yesterday happened to be my lucky day. It began at the deli counter. The little old man who works behind the counter is such a sweet man, always smiling and friendly. He also happens to be black. There was a woman (a white woman) at the counter ordering something and decided to have a conversation with him. Being as friendly as he always has been he was happy to talk with her while he worked. She took it upon herself to inform him that she and her husband were looking into adopting another child and this time she had requested one with "darker skin" because she preferred them that way. Then went into telling him how her husbands mom, somewhere back in the lineage, was mixed with something. They didn't know what but it was "very obvious she isn't completely white" and they thought a darker skinned child would make her feel not so left out being not all white and all. As my body involuntarily began to shake and my head began to twitch I did my best to leave the area of the deli so I wouldn't have to smack her. The extent of the conversation seemed to be that she was letting him know it was ok that he was black. Like he needed her permission!!! Mr. Deli man, let me address you now. On behalf of the "lighter" race, I am sorry. We aren't all idiots nor do we all feel that you need to be excused for your skin color.
At the checkout, to my surprise, I had fallen in line behind BillyBob Redneck. I suppose having been exposed to his kin for the last 5 years I should have recognized him but in my neck twitching aneurysm I wasn't seeing clearly. He was by himself, which always spells disaster since he cant be happy not sharing his ignorance with someone. He spun around and informed me, in his loud booming voice, that "all those damn looters down there in New Orleans need to be shot. I think we should just shoot them all." I just stared at him. Don't respond, don't respond he will only speak again if you do. Since he received no response from me he turned to the man in front of him to try again with the same remark. My daughter quietly said to me "Yea, the looting does suck." I told her "Yes, the looting of TV's and peoples houses is horrible. But most people are looting food, diapers, formula. They have to eat and feed their children. They aren't doing anything I wouldn't do if I had no way to feed you." She got that. Seen as the man in front of him had paid for his items and left BillyBob turned back to attempt conversation with me. "I think looters are one step below child molesters. If I had a choice to save a looter or a child molester I'd probably save the child molester. I would kick him in the balls but I would save him." I could hold my tongue no longer. I had to inform him that this conversation needed to stop or he wasn't going to like where it was going to go. Stop talking to me!!!!!!!
BillyBob left. My turn to pay for my things, almost out of this God forsaken hell whole of stupidity. There are two men behind me, standing so close I can feel someone's breath on my arm. I write a check for my items and the cashier asks for my phone number. I give it to her, I hear the idiot behind me repeating it to his friend. Now, I have been bombarded with idiots since I have walked in this place. I'm feeling a bit like a wild animal who has been cornered. I turn around and get just as far from his face as he was from my arm and say "WHAT?!"
"Why do you want my number? Are you too going to bombard me with stupidity? If there is something you think you may just need to call and tell me say it now." They apologized, I paid and left. Of course, as I was leaving I had to find my daughter who had turned and bolted the second I spun around to speak with idiot #3. She cant let people know she's really related to me.
August 28, 2005
J
I received a very sad phone call yesterday. The headline on our local paper announced the death of a little boy, he was only three. J was the little brother of two of my players on our baseball team last year. There are some kids who just reach out and touch your heart immediately, he was one. J was born severely deformed. He didn't have proper use of his hands as the wrist was turned inwards and he had some deformities on his face. As with most handicapped children these deformities never got in his way. He was just like any little brother, he wanted to do whatever his older siblings did. Before the games his dad would help him play catch with some of the other kids. When we would go to the batting cage we all helped J have a turn hitting the ball. I will never forget that giggle as he would say "Did you see that?".
The ladies were always in trouble when J was around. He was such a flirt! He would pick out 2 different ladies every game and alternate sitting with them. He would smile and share his candy. He would yell for the team with the rest of us and giggle as the kids ran the bases. J was such a sweet and loving little boy. He had been through many surgeries to attempt to correct some of the deformities as well as for his little heart. He only had one more surgery to go, that's the one he didn't make it through.
I know what his family is going through and my heart breaks for them. If you have a moment during the day and you don't mind say a little something for his family. I only hope they can pull through this tragedy and find some since of peace through all of this. My thoughts are with them.
The ladies were always in trouble when J was around. He was such a flirt! He would pick out 2 different ladies every game and alternate sitting with them. He would smile and share his candy. He would yell for the team with the rest of us and giggle as the kids ran the bases. J was such a sweet and loving little boy. He had been through many surgeries to attempt to correct some of the deformities as well as for his little heart. He only had one more surgery to go, that's the one he didn't make it through.
I know what his family is going through and my heart breaks for them. If you have a moment during the day and you don't mind say a little something for his family. I only hope they can pull through this tragedy and find some since of peace through all of this. My thoughts are with them.
August 25, 2005
The Ride
It seems like it was another lifetime ago. Like so much time has passed that it couldn't possibly have happened this time around. But it did. Hubby and I were laying in bed discussing teenagers and Superman Syndrome (SS) last night. You know what I'm talking about, the "it wont ever happen to me". In that conversation I was reminded of a time that I myself was inflicted with this particular disorder.
I was about 16, cute as a button but didn't know it. A very rebellious kid for so many reasons I wont even go into now. At that point in my life I lived about 15 minutes from Washington DC. It may be the capital but it is not a very safe place to hang out. Whenever I needed to go somewhere I would hitchhike. Of course, I didn't have any clue as to how stupid that would be. I thought I could handle my own, proving my own infliction with SS. I remember one particular night I had been at my boyfriends house. It was getting late, somewhere around 10 or so and I needed to head home. My boyfriend walked with me for awhile but he lived about 30 minutes away by car so he couldn't go the entire way. Anytime a car would come by I would stick my thumb out trying to catch a ride. We walked for awhile before anyone finally stopped. When a car did stop I told the boyfriend bye and hopped in. I remember it was an older man, probably in his 50's. I didn't think much of it at first but I began to get uncomfortable pretty early in the ride. I thought it was odd that he wasn't speaking to me. After about 15 minutes of silence I told him to pull over that I could walk from there. He looked at me for a long minute and said no. I started to get kinda scared then he started to talk. He told me he had 2 girls that probably weren't much older than I was and if he ever caught them out hitchhiking he would beat them until they couldn't sit. He asked me if I had any idea how dangerous what I was doing was. At that point I didn't have much to say. To be honest, I was pretty shocked. Nobody had ever given me a hard time about giving me a ride before. He read me the riot act all the way home. When we arrived at my house he wouldn't unlock the door until I finished listening to what he had to say. He told me that he had never picked up a hitchhiker before and he hadn't planned on picking up another. The only reason he stopped to give me a ride was so nobody else would. I remember he said that I might not have enough care for my life to just put it at risk but he did, a perfect stranger.
Now I wasn't a stupid kid, or sheltered by any means. My parents were considered upper class but money doesn't mean love nor does it mean you know how to be a parent. So I knew there was a possibility of danger, I just didn't give it much thought. For some reason when this stranger said these things to me it made me think. That was the last time I ever stuck my thumb out for a ride.
I never saw him again, never knew his name. He made a difference in my life and didn't even know it.
I was about 16, cute as a button but didn't know it. A very rebellious kid for so many reasons I wont even go into now. At that point in my life I lived about 15 minutes from Washington DC. It may be the capital but it is not a very safe place to hang out. Whenever I needed to go somewhere I would hitchhike. Of course, I didn't have any clue as to how stupid that would be. I thought I could handle my own, proving my own infliction with SS. I remember one particular night I had been at my boyfriends house. It was getting late, somewhere around 10 or so and I needed to head home. My boyfriend walked with me for awhile but he lived about 30 minutes away by car so he couldn't go the entire way. Anytime a car would come by I would stick my thumb out trying to catch a ride. We walked for awhile before anyone finally stopped. When a car did stop I told the boyfriend bye and hopped in. I remember it was an older man, probably in his 50's. I didn't think much of it at first but I began to get uncomfortable pretty early in the ride. I thought it was odd that he wasn't speaking to me. After about 15 minutes of silence I told him to pull over that I could walk from there. He looked at me for a long minute and said no. I started to get kinda scared then he started to talk. He told me he had 2 girls that probably weren't much older than I was and if he ever caught them out hitchhiking he would beat them until they couldn't sit. He asked me if I had any idea how dangerous what I was doing was. At that point I didn't have much to say. To be honest, I was pretty shocked. Nobody had ever given me a hard time about giving me a ride before. He read me the riot act all the way home. When we arrived at my house he wouldn't unlock the door until I finished listening to what he had to say. He told me that he had never picked up a hitchhiker before and he hadn't planned on picking up another. The only reason he stopped to give me a ride was so nobody else would. I remember he said that I might not have enough care for my life to just put it at risk but he did, a perfect stranger.
Now I wasn't a stupid kid, or sheltered by any means. My parents were considered upper class but money doesn't mean love nor does it mean you know how to be a parent. So I knew there was a possibility of danger, I just didn't give it much thought. For some reason when this stranger said these things to me it made me think. That was the last time I ever stuck my thumb out for a ride.
I never saw him again, never knew his name. He made a difference in my life and didn't even know it.
August 23, 2005
Supreme Court Ruling
As I was getting the children ready for school this morning I was watching the Today Show. They did a piece on a supreme court ruling that I haven't heard about anywhere else. It was saying that the supreme court has ruled in favor of a law holding stores liable and able to be sued in drunk driving cases if they sell gas to customers who are intoxicated. I have been thinking about this quite a bit and am really confused as to how that will work. I mean, I get the idea and think where they are trying to take this is a good idea, I'm just not really sure how realistic that is.
I don't know about you but the majority of the time that I go to the gas station I don't even go inside. I normally pay at the pump unless I happen to need something from the store. How is that going to work? If the person pays at the pump the cashier never had face to face contact and probably wasn't even aware they had been drinking. Are we going to have breathalizers at the pump now? I think the idea is good and we need to do everything we can to get people to stop drinking and driving but I just don't see how this will be effective. Could you imagine being sued as liable for someone you never saw?
Has anyone else heard of this? Perhaps there is more to it than what they reviewed on the Today Show. What do you think?
I don't know about you but the majority of the time that I go to the gas station I don't even go inside. I normally pay at the pump unless I happen to need something from the store. How is that going to work? If the person pays at the pump the cashier never had face to face contact and probably wasn't even aware they had been drinking. Are we going to have breathalizers at the pump now? I think the idea is good and we need to do everything we can to get people to stop drinking and driving but I just don't see how this will be effective. Could you imagine being sued as liable for someone you never saw?
Has anyone else heard of this? Perhaps there is more to it than what they reviewed on the Today Show. What do you think?
August 20, 2005
The cat is out of the bag
OK, it is official. I am officially the crazy lady of my little Mayberry. I have no one to blame but myself, I have done this. I am not sure if it is necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, only time will tell. Let me regress a moment and tell you how it happened.
You see, the craziness wasn't instant, it had to be built up. It didn't just come on all of a sudden like some asthma attack. It was a gradual procession to crazy. First I had to do one of the many dreaded chores of parenthood, school clothes shopping. Normally I would do this during the week when there aren't so many people there. But as my husband would have to work late everyday this week and both days this weekend my only option was today. Off I went, to battle the traffic and people of the mall. We successfully lived through the ordeal with only a small kink which was promising my son if we left at that very moment we could stop at Walmart and get the spongebob shirt he had seen and wanted. OK, let me explain, I hate Walmart. So what exactly I was thinking to use that as a bribe on a Saturday at the end of the first week of school, I'm not sure. My mind was still in a daze from the whole mall experience, it's the only explanation I can come up with.
Walmart here we come! It went fairly smooth, well as smooth as Walmart can be on a Saturday afternoon at the end of the first week of school. Until the moment I announced my crazy. We had gotten the Spongebob shirt and I remembered we were almost out of vitamins. Since we were already at a store I figured we would just go ahead and pick some up. As we were walking to the vitamins a man was standing at the end of an aisle waiting for us to pass so he could turn. As we got just in front of him he decided to share his thoughts on my ass in the form of a "Mmmhmmm (insert male neanderthal grunt here)".
Now under normal circumstances that would have irritated me but I probably would have let it pass. But he did this in front of my son! He was not discreet in any way, was not quiet. Hell, we weren't even a good distance in front of him when he did it, we were less than 5 feet from him. OMG, I was pissed! My sister happened to be at the store with us but was looking in another section at the time of the "incident". I stopped abruptly and looked down to my son and asked him to go and see his aunt. When he did I spun around and got right up in that idiots face and told him exactly how I felt about his sharing. I will spare you the conversational details as there is no need to incriminate myself in writing. But I assure you he got the point as did anyone within the store, I am sure. So that's it, Mayberry knows. It's no secret anymore, they believe me to be slightly off. I will let you know when I have decided as to whether that is a good thing or not. For now, I really don't care.
You see, the craziness wasn't instant, it had to be built up. It didn't just come on all of a sudden like some asthma attack. It was a gradual procession to crazy. First I had to do one of the many dreaded chores of parenthood, school clothes shopping. Normally I would do this during the week when there aren't so many people there. But as my husband would have to work late everyday this week and both days this weekend my only option was today. Off I went, to battle the traffic and people of the mall. We successfully lived through the ordeal with only a small kink which was promising my son if we left at that very moment we could stop at Walmart and get the spongebob shirt he had seen and wanted. OK, let me explain, I hate Walmart. So what exactly I was thinking to use that as a bribe on a Saturday at the end of the first week of school, I'm not sure. My mind was still in a daze from the whole mall experience, it's the only explanation I can come up with.
Walmart here we come! It went fairly smooth, well as smooth as Walmart can be on a Saturday afternoon at the end of the first week of school. Until the moment I announced my crazy. We had gotten the Spongebob shirt and I remembered we were almost out of vitamins. Since we were already at a store I figured we would just go ahead and pick some up. As we were walking to the vitamins a man was standing at the end of an aisle waiting for us to pass so he could turn. As we got just in front of him he decided to share his thoughts on my ass in the form of a "Mmmhmmm (insert male neanderthal grunt here)
Now under normal circumstances that would have irritated me but I probably would have let it pass. But he did this in front of my son! He was not discreet in any way, was not quiet. Hell, we weren't even a good distance in front of him when he did it, we were less than 5 feet from him. OMG, I was pissed! My sister happened to be at the store with us but was looking in another section at the time of the "incident". I stopped abruptly and looked down to my son and asked him to go and see his aunt. When he did I spun around and got right up in that idiots face and told him exactly how I felt about his sharing. I will spare you the conversational details as there is no need to incriminate myself in writing. But I assure you he got the point as did anyone within the store, I am sure. So that's it, Mayberry knows. It's no secret anymore, they believe me to be slightly off. I will let you know when I have decided as to whether that is a good thing or not. For now, I really don't care.
August 16, 2005
My First
I am sure most of you have heard about this .
When I first heard it on the news it brought back memories. When I was a teenager we happened to live in Japan for 4 years. I remember the first time I experienced their particular proof of Mother Nature. I was about 13 years old, laying in my bed at night. I had snuck a book that my mother had told me I couldn't read, The Exorcist. I had successfully hid this book for the entire week that I was reading it and was finally down to the last couple of pages. It was then that it happened..... I had just finished the last word on the last page and was in the midst of closing the book when all of a sudden I felt my bed begin to move. Petrified, I could do nothing but lay there with my mouth open attempting a scream that was stuck somewhere in my throat. The bed began to shake violently and I felt as if my entire bedroom was swaying. When I looked over towards the window I noticed the sidewalk. Seeing a sidewalk directly out of your window may not be such a big deal if your on the first floor, my room was on the THIRD floor! You see, in Japan their buildings are made to accommodate the Earth shifting as much as possible. In the event of an earthquake the building sways. Of course, considering the book I had just laid to rest, an earthquake was the furthest thing from my mind. No, it did not occur to me that this was an event of Mother Nature. In my 13 year old mind it was Satan himself come to possess my soul. When I finally had control of my body I stood on the bed and did the long jump landing directly in the hallway. Why is the hallway safer than the bedroom? I don't know, I just wasn't willing to touch the ground anywhere near my room where Satan was erupting from beneath my bed. I ran with all my 13 year old might directly to my parents bedroom, informed them what was happening and demanded to be put on the next flight to the States. My parents, the cruel people that they are did not believe me and attempted to rationalize and tell me it was an earthquake. They refused to believe it was Satan. Then my mother, in her sadistic form of humor, announced that we could rent the movie The Exorcist tomorrow. They are horrible people.
To this day I have never seen the movie, wont watch it. Funny, since don't believe in the devil with the whole pagan thing. But I was traumatized, damn it! To this day I have also never visited California, which I never will if I have any say. They have Earthquakes there too and their buildings don't sway.
When I first heard it on the news it brought back memories. When I was a teenager we happened to live in Japan for 4 years. I remember the first time I experienced their particular proof of Mother Nature. I was about 13 years old, laying in my bed at night. I had snuck a book that my mother had told me I couldn't read, The Exorcist. I had successfully hid this book for the entire week that I was reading it and was finally down to the last couple of pages. It was then that it happened..... I had just finished the last word on the last page and was in the midst of closing the book when all of a sudden I felt my bed begin to move. Petrified, I could do nothing but lay there with my mouth open attempting a scream that was stuck somewhere in my throat. The bed began to shake violently and I felt as if my entire bedroom was swaying. When I looked over towards the window I noticed the sidewalk. Seeing a sidewalk directly out of your window may not be such a big deal if your on the first floor, my room was on the THIRD floor! You see, in Japan their buildings are made to accommodate the Earth shifting as much as possible. In the event of an earthquake the building sways. Of course, considering the book I had just laid to rest, an earthquake was the furthest thing from my mind. No, it did not occur to me that this was an event of Mother Nature. In my 13 year old mind it was Satan himself come to possess my soul. When I finally had control of my body I stood on the bed and did the long jump landing directly in the hallway. Why is the hallway safer than the bedroom? I don't know, I just wasn't willing to touch the ground anywhere near my room where Satan was erupting from beneath my bed. I ran with all my 13 year old might directly to my parents bedroom, informed them what was happening and demanded to be put on the next flight to the States. My parents, the cruel people that they are did not believe me and attempted to rationalize and tell me it was an earthquake. They refused to believe it was Satan. Then my mother, in her sadistic form of humor, announced that we could rent the movie The Exorcist tomorrow. They are horrible people.
To this day I have never seen the movie, wont watch it. Funny, since don't believe in the devil with the whole pagan thing. But I was traumatized, damn it! To this day I have also never visited California, which I never will if I have any say. They have Earthquakes there too and their buildings don't sway.
August 14, 2005
As the Wheel turns
Well, its that time of year again. Time to scramble through the packed stores fighting over the last pack of #2 pencils and waiting in lines that are 1/2 a mile long to check out. Yep, its the beginning of school. Of course, I dislike this time of year for the obvious not wanting to get up early. Although I must admit that I am ready for some quiet time during the day. It will be nice to once again have a sense of routine in the morning. Coffee just isn't the same with Spongebob blaring in the background.
We have done the supply shopping for my son, it wasn't to bad seen as he is still young enough to not really care what his notebooks look like. It's my daughters school shopping that I dread. Unfortunately I always seem to walk out of the store having spent way more than any normal human should on notebooks and pencils when buying her supplies. Although this year I have a plan. Seen as I have been doing this for all 10 years of her education I figure it is Daddy's turn. I am letting him take her school shopping this year, he has never enjoyed the experience personally. Oh he has heard me talk of it and isn't real happy about going but he is so going. Of course, I'm not going to let them go alone. He is new to this after all and she will have him conned so bad he will walk out of that store $500 poorer.
We have done the supply shopping for my son, it wasn't to bad seen as he is still young enough to not really care what his notebooks look like. It's my daughters school shopping that I dread. Unfortunately I always seem to walk out of the store having spent way more than any normal human should on notebooks and pencils when buying her supplies. Although this year I have a plan. Seen as I have been doing this for all 10 years of her education I figure it is Daddy's turn. I am letting him take her school shopping this year, he has never enjoyed the experience personally. Oh he has heard me talk of it and isn't real happy about going but he is so going. Of course, I'm not going to let them go alone. He is new to this after all and she will have him conned so bad he will walk out of that store $500 poorer.
August 10, 2005
Wonderful day in the neighborhood
It was 6am, way to early for any normal human to be up and about. I was taking my husband to work so I would have the car and be able to drive my daughter to work. I had my coffee with me in hopes that my eyes would open somewhere between his work and our home. On the last corner before turning onto our road the car in front of me slams on his breaks forcing me to hit mine. Of course it would all happen just as I was taking a sip of my coffee. Coffee goes everywhere, all over me, all over the dash, all over the steering wheel, all over the radio and is dripping slowly down my leg. Not a good way to start the morning, that alone should have told me to go home and get back in bed. Did I listen to that instinctual voice that said to return to the safety of my bed? Nope, there were things to be done. After cleaning the car and taking a shower it was time to take my daughter to work.
I get my son, who has the sense to still be sleeping, and put him in the car. We begin the 20 minute drive to the town she works in. We get about 2 miles from where she works and there is a police officer in the middle of the road waving some cars to pull into a parking lot and others to pass. Now, I don't have an issue with police officers, I respect what they do and have never had any problems with them. He waves me into the parking lot. We pull in and he approaches the car asking for my license and an ID from my daughter. I inform him she is my daughter, he laughs at me and says "yeah right.". He tells me he is ticketing me for 3 no seatbelts. We were all wearing our seatbelts, I point that out to him. He says we aren't wearing them properly as my car has the automatic seatbelts that pull across you when you sit in the car and close the door and I don't have the lap belt on. I apologize and told him I honestly never gave it any thought assuming that the shoulder belt was enough. I tell him that the lap belt on the passenger side has never worked since we have owned the car and we had been pulled over before so an officer could let me know my taillight had gone out and he never said a word about the lap belt and never ticketed me for it. His response: "Well, I am a traffic cop, this is my specialized field of expertise. Perhaps the officer that pulled you wasn't specialized in traffic law and didn't realize that it was a necessity to wear both belts. But this is my area of expertise so I am aware of the laws." As for my sons belt, my son was holding the shoulder harness away from his throat because that's where it falls on him. Apparently holding it away from your body qualifies as not wearing your seltbelt.
Then he ticketed me for not having a booster seat for my son. I informed him my son was well over 40 lbs and hasn't been in a booster seat since he hit that limit. The officer informed me that a new law has come into effect as of August 1 that says weight doesn't matter, if they are under 8 yrs old they have to be in a booster seat. I apologize again and tell him I wasn't aware. He doesn't care and tells me that new traffic laws are put in effect every year Aug 1 and if I wanted to know what they were I should contact the police department every year on that date and they would inform me.
He then asks for proof of insurance so I give him my insurance card. He wants to know where my policy papers are and I tell him they are at home in the file. He writes me a ticket for no insurance. I tell him I just gave him my card, I have full coverage insurance. Once again he tells me that as of Aug 1 insurance cards are not acceptable forms of proof, you must have your policy on you when you are operating a motor vehicle. He then writes me a ticket for improper equipment because the lap belt on the passenger side is broken. Then, to top it all off, he walks around to the passenger side of the car and writes my daughter a ticket for not wearing her seatbelt because she didn't have the lap belt on.
Once he was finally done, 45 minutes later and we were permitted to pull away I had to fight desperately the urge to run his ass over. I already had $300 worth of tickets, he must have used up all his spare ticket paper....What the hell was one more charge?
I get my son, who has the sense to still be sleeping, and put him in the car. We begin the 20 minute drive to the town she works in. We get about 2 miles from where she works and there is a police officer in the middle of the road waving some cars to pull into a parking lot and others to pass. Now, I don't have an issue with police officers, I respect what they do and have never had any problems with them. He waves me into the parking lot. We pull in and he approaches the car asking for my license and an ID from my daughter. I inform him she is my daughter, he laughs at me and says "yeah right.". He tells me he is ticketing me for 3 no seatbelts. We were all wearing our seatbelts, I point that out to him. He says we aren't wearing them properly as my car has the automatic seatbelts that pull across you when you sit in the car and close the door and I don't have the lap belt on. I apologize and told him I honestly never gave it any thought assuming that the shoulder belt was enough. I tell him that the lap belt on the passenger side has never worked since we have owned the car and we had been pulled over before so an officer could let me know my taillight had gone out and he never said a word about the lap belt and never ticketed me for it. His response: "Well, I am a traffic cop, this is my specialized field of expertise. Perhaps the officer that pulled you wasn't specialized in traffic law and didn't realize that it was a necessity to wear both belts. But this is my area of expertise so I am aware of the laws." As for my sons belt, my son was holding the shoulder harness away from his throat because that's where it falls on him. Apparently holding it away from your body qualifies as not wearing your seltbelt.
Then he ticketed me for not having a booster seat for my son. I informed him my son was well over 40 lbs and hasn't been in a booster seat since he hit that limit. The officer informed me that a new law has come into effect as of August 1 that says weight doesn't matter, if they are under 8 yrs old they have to be in a booster seat. I apologize again and tell him I wasn't aware. He doesn't care and tells me that new traffic laws are put in effect every year Aug 1 and if I wanted to know what they were I should contact the police department every year on that date and they would inform me.
He then asks for proof of insurance so I give him my insurance card. He wants to know where my policy papers are and I tell him they are at home in the file. He writes me a ticket for no insurance. I tell him I just gave him my card, I have full coverage insurance. Once again he tells me that as of Aug 1 insurance cards are not acceptable forms of proof, you must have your policy on you when you are operating a motor vehicle. He then writes me a ticket for improper equipment because the lap belt on the passenger side is broken. Then, to top it all off, he walks around to the passenger side of the car and writes my daughter a ticket for not wearing her seatbelt because she didn't have the lap belt on.
Once he was finally done, 45 minutes later and we were permitted to pull away I had to fight desperately the urge to run his ass over. I already had $300 worth of tickets, he must have used up all his spare ticket paper....What the hell was one more charge?
August 05, 2005
Strange
A 30 minute shower had finally cooled things off enough to be bearable outside. My son had asked me if I would sit outside and watch him ride his scooter, he had some new tricks he wanted to show me. Grabbing some lemonade and a chair I went outside to sit with him. We were out there for quite some time while he showed me his new tricks. I found myself relaxing enjoying the environment around me. As he played I watched him and the horses listening to the birds in the background. I guess I had gotten lost in the tranquility of it all and was staring at my son. What happened next was kind of weird, could very well have been daydreaming, who's to say? While watching him come around the corner on his scooter for a brief moment there were 2 of him. One on the scooter giggling about how fast he could take the turn and one standing just off of the walkway hands on his hips, head thrown back in a good belly laugh. For a moment I was caught off guard and stared at the second boy, it was my son, only older maybe around 15 or 16. He still had the same features, tall and skinny and tan as he is now. His hair was cut short and had blonde streaks on the top. He was wearing long pants that were slightly baggy no shirt. He was precious. As quickly as the other boy was there he was gone. Weird, huh? Dunno what it was, like I said may have just been a product of daydreaming although I didn't feel as if I were. I suppose time will tell. It was so strange, it wasn't as if the other boy were a ghost, he was solid, real as you or I standing there. It gave me pause wondering if the different dimensions theory could be possible, as if somehow for just a moment, 2 different times crossed. Who knows.
August 01, 2005
Better than expected
This weekend past was supposed to be a camping trip with some friends. It has been planned for a long time and we have all been looking forward to going and seeing everyone. Unfortunately hubby had to end up working both Saturday and Sunday so he wasn't going to be able to attend at all. It was tempting to stay home and just plan to attend the next gathering but we have already missed so many I didn't really want to miss another one. I decided that the boy and I would go, a kind of mother son camping trip.
We ended up having the best time! We went on nature trails, watched the animals, went horseback riding, went swimming. It was so much fun! We just hung out together and talked and laughed. Saturday night, after dinner we took a blanket down one of the trails and laid down to watch the stars. We wanted to come away from the campsites some so the lights wouldn't interfere with viewing the stars. Some of the other kids wanted to go too so we all went and laid there looking at the stars. The kids started a game of figuring out what animals the shape of the stars looked like, kind of what you do with clouds during the day.
Needless to say it was an extremely enjoyable weekend and I cant wait to do it again.
We ended up having the best time! We went on nature trails, watched the animals, went horseback riding, went swimming. It was so much fun! We just hung out together and talked and laughed. Saturday night, after dinner we took a blanket down one of the trails and laid down to watch the stars. We wanted to come away from the campsites some so the lights wouldn't interfere with viewing the stars. Some of the other kids wanted to go too so we all went and laid there looking at the stars. The kids started a game of figuring out what animals the shape of the stars looked like, kind of what you do with clouds during the day.
Needless to say it was an extremely enjoyable weekend and I cant wait to do it again.
July 22, 2005
Karma
Magic is a funny little thing. How many times have I said "don't play with things you don't understand?" How many times have I said "Do your research first." Some listen, others don't; you can always tell which ones paid attention to the advice by the results of their work or the chaos circling their lives afterwards.
There were 4 women who had a desire to heal. They wanted to do this together and for each other. Some of the women realized the depth of what they were about to do and knew the importance of pure thoughts in each of them. They called the other women together and held a pow-wow to discuss any unresolved issues that any might have. The two didn't know of any unresolved issues and had no reason to believe there were any but they wanted to be sure and take precautions before entering the circle. All of the women stated there weren't any issues that needed to be discussed and all claimed to understand the importance of discussing it if there were. Not all were being honest. They entered their circle with hearts and souls bared ready to discard that which was causing them pain; be it emotional, psychological or physical. They walked in complete trust.
For 4 weeks they held circle, 1 per week giving each woman their own individual healing. Helping to draw out the negativity and giving healing, helping her to banish whatever she needed to. The words were chosen carefully, the herbs were chosen carefully, the ritual was precise. They had taken great care so as not to encounter possible catastrophe. How could they have known they were about to cause each other more harm?
The one who wasn't honest, she harbored malicious thoughts towards some of the others. They lay there, open to her with complete trust. Did she push those thoughts aside to aide these women she once called friends? Was she even able to overcome the hate that had already begun to rule her life to help those women? The karmic backlash was cataclysmic. Unfortunately it wasn't just the one who paid the price. Each of the women had to pay, each of the women bore a responsibility. The price was different for each of the women all except the one they had in common....Their circle was destroyed. Their bond broken and their friendship was no more. In the end each of them had to heal alone, without the support they had so desperately wanted.
When all was said and done and time healed the wounds some of the women found each other once again. They had grown and learned and were able to rekindle their friendship and bring it to a tighter bond.
They learned a hard lesson about karma and about trust, but the lesson they did learn. Unfortunately not all were healed, not all grew and learned. For that one is alone and in the end the only destruction she was able to bring about was her own and her friendships with the others.
There were 4 women who had a desire to heal. They wanted to do this together and for each other. Some of the women realized the depth of what they were about to do and knew the importance of pure thoughts in each of them. They called the other women together and held a pow-wow to discuss any unresolved issues that any might have. The two didn't know of any unresolved issues and had no reason to believe there were any but they wanted to be sure and take precautions before entering the circle. All of the women stated there weren't any issues that needed to be discussed and all claimed to understand the importance of discussing it if there were. Not all were being honest. They entered their circle with hearts and souls bared ready to discard that which was causing them pain; be it emotional, psychological or physical. They walked in complete trust.
For 4 weeks they held circle, 1 per week giving each woman their own individual healing. Helping to draw out the negativity and giving healing, helping her to banish whatever she needed to. The words were chosen carefully, the herbs were chosen carefully, the ritual was precise. They had taken great care so as not to encounter possible catastrophe. How could they have known they were about to cause each other more harm?
The one who wasn't honest, she harbored malicious thoughts towards some of the others. They lay there, open to her with complete trust. Did she push those thoughts aside to aide these women she once called friends? Was she even able to overcome the hate that had already begun to rule her life to help those women? The karmic backlash was cataclysmic. Unfortunately it wasn't just the one who paid the price. Each of the women had to pay, each of the women bore a responsibility. The price was different for each of the women all except the one they had in common....Their circle was destroyed. Their bond broken and their friendship was no more. In the end each of them had to heal alone, without the support they had so desperately wanted.
When all was said and done and time healed the wounds some of the women found each other once again. They had grown and learned and were able to rekindle their friendship and bring it to a tighter bond.
They learned a hard lesson about karma and about trust, but the lesson they did learn. Unfortunately not all were healed, not all grew and learned. For that one is alone and in the end the only destruction she was able to bring about was her own and her friendships with the others.
July 11, 2005
Quick Update
Well the children left and arrived at their grandparents on Saturday. Of course, I sat by the phone until I received that call saying they had arrived safely. After that call came in some strange things happened around here.
My husband, one of the most intelligent men I have ever known, has lost his civility. He has taken to noises more of a Neanderthal nature. All clothing has been left behind. I wouldn't be surprised if he headed out back with a spear in an attempt to collect dinner. Thank goodness the man had to work today, my body is sore in places no woman should be sore. A girl needs some recuperation time, you know. Anyway, we are doing well. I don't know how much posting will get done this week, hubby is taking vacation starting Wednesday. I have a feeling that when that happens I am no going to get a chance to get here again.
Yesterday I did get him to put on clothes long enough to do some shopping. It took quite a bit of persuasion but he agreed. I did something unthinkable yesterday. I bought a bathing suit. I haven't worn one in about 4 years but here's the kicker.....I haven't worn a bikini since I was 17. I now own another bikini. Big step! Wouldn't you know that for the first time since I was 17 I buy and am happy with the appearance of myself in a bikini and it rains. So there will be no sun bathing today, no swimming in the new pool. The Gods do have their sense of humor.
My husband, one of the most intelligent men I have ever known, has lost his civility. He has taken to noises more of a Neanderthal nature. All clothing has been left behind. I wouldn't be surprised if he headed out back with a spear in an attempt to collect dinner. Thank goodness the man had to work today, my body is sore in places no woman should be sore. A girl needs some recuperation time, you know. Anyway, we are doing well. I don't know how much posting will get done this week, hubby is taking vacation starting Wednesday. I have a feeling that when that happens I am no going to get a chance to get here again.
Yesterday I did get him to put on clothes long enough to do some shopping. It took quite a bit of persuasion but he agreed. I did something unthinkable yesterday. I bought a bathing suit. I haven't worn one in about 4 years but here's the kicker.....I haven't worn a bikini since I was 17. I now own another bikini. Big step! Wouldn't you know that for the first time since I was 17 I buy and am happy with the appearance of myself in a bikini and it rains. So there will be no sun bathing today, no swimming in the new pool. The Gods do have their sense of humor.
July 08, 2005
Fear will make you crazy
My heart broke for the people of London and anyone who has a loved one there. What a horrible, horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I remember the fear of not being able to reach my cousin on 9/11. We didn't know if he was at the pentagon when the plane hit and it took forever to find out he was ok. I hate that anyone has to feel that kind of fear and terror.
Even though London is so far away from this little Mayberry town it had an effect. I was sad, afraid and angry for them. I started wondering if this was only the beginning of something bigger. Fear is such a crazy thing, especially in me who happens to be slightly psychotic at times. Less than 12 hours after hearing of London someone decided to drop off a bomb at our local grocery store. Here, in nowhere middle America, little as Mayberry. That was it, I was done. The children were being home schooled, never leaving my site again. They are supposed to go to their grandparents tomorrow for a week. I had convinced myself that even that wasn't safe. How could I protect them if I'm not close to them? They would be flying on a plane!!! We already know they aren't safe there! I had all kinds of crazy in my head.
My husband, bless him, tried rationalizing with me. Doesn't he know you cant rationalize with crazy? He was saying "Seriously baby, what are the chances that anything will happen to them? They are going to be fine." My response to this was "Well, lets think about this. If there is only a 1% chance of something bad happening and your kid is in that 1% do you really care that the odds were so low? If your the 1% does it really matter?" See, told ya, cant argue with crazy.
I have calmed down some and yes, my kids are going to their grandparents. I'm still scared shitless but I'm fighting off the crazy. I cant guarantee that there wont be more psychotic style posts but hey, I have to get it out somewhere.
I remember the fear of not being able to reach my cousin on 9/11. We didn't know if he was at the pentagon when the plane hit and it took forever to find out he was ok. I hate that anyone has to feel that kind of fear and terror.
Even though London is so far away from this little Mayberry town it had an effect. I was sad, afraid and angry for them. I started wondering if this was only the beginning of something bigger. Fear is such a crazy thing, especially in me who happens to be slightly psychotic at times. Less than 12 hours after hearing of London someone decided to drop off a bomb at our local grocery store. Here, in nowhere middle America, little as Mayberry. That was it, I was done. The children were being home schooled, never leaving my site again. They are supposed to go to their grandparents tomorrow for a week. I had convinced myself that even that wasn't safe. How could I protect them if I'm not close to them? They would be flying on a plane!!! We already know they aren't safe there! I had all kinds of crazy in my head.
My husband, bless him, tried rationalizing with me. Doesn't he know you cant rationalize with crazy? He was saying "Seriously baby, what are the chances that anything will happen to them? They are going to be fine." My response to this was "Well, lets think about this. If there is only a 1% chance of something bad happening and your kid is in that 1% do you really care that the odds were so low? If your the 1% does it really matter?" See, told ya, cant argue with crazy.
I have calmed down some and yes, my kids are going to their grandparents. I'm still scared shitless but I'm fighting off the crazy. I cant guarantee that there wont be more psychotic style posts but hey, I have to get it out somewhere.
July 06, 2005
When is enough enough?
I'm sure most of you have seen the news and reports regarding this .
I sit here once again wondering at what point will it stop? When is enough enough? The man that took this little girl had molested atleast 2 other times and was still loose. Why did this little girl have to go through this? I'm sure the man who took her had his own fucked up reasons but the only reason that comes to my mind is because our judicial system, once again, has failed the children of this country.
It has been proven over and over again that pedophiles can not be rehabilitated. This is not personal opinion, it is scientific fact. Yet we continuously release them to prey apon the most innocent and vulnerable of our society. This particular man had already spent over a decade in jail for molesting one child and was out on bail for molesting a second when he snatched the little girl. Can someone please tell me what the hell was that judge smoking?! How did he get bail??!!
I hate to sound completely redneck and say just shoot them all but, you know, that's the thought I'm having. I mean, lets think about this.....He spent a decade in jail for the first child he was caught molesting. A decade, I will put money that the child spent more than a decade paying for that crime. I bet the child is having issues in his life to this day because of that crime and the man served a decade. How long do you think this little girl is going to pay for his crime? What effect do you think this will have on her future?
At what point will this society stop giving chances to pedophiles? When will we take our childrens rights more seriously than the rights of those who prey on them? Everytime we hear these stories people are horrified and angry but shouldn't we expect this? Until something changes and the laws are made to protect our children this is going to happen again and again. It has happened again and again. The next could be my child, your child or the child of your best friend.
When is enough enough?
I sit here once again wondering at what point will it stop? When is enough enough? The man that took this little girl had molested atleast 2 other times and was still loose. Why did this little girl have to go through this? I'm sure the man who took her had his own fucked up reasons but the only reason that comes to my mind is because our judicial system, once again, has failed the children of this country.
It has been proven over and over again that pedophiles can not be rehabilitated. This is not personal opinion, it is scientific fact. Yet we continuously release them to prey apon the most innocent and vulnerable of our society. This particular man had already spent over a decade in jail for molesting one child and was out on bail for molesting a second when he snatched the little girl. Can someone please tell me what the hell was that judge smoking?! How did he get bail??!!
I hate to sound completely redneck and say just shoot them all but, you know, that's the thought I'm having. I mean, lets think about this.....He spent a decade in jail for the first child he was caught molesting. A decade, I will put money that the child spent more than a decade paying for that crime. I bet the child is having issues in his life to this day because of that crime and the man served a decade. How long do you think this little girl is going to pay for his crime? What effect do you think this will have on her future?
At what point will this society stop giving chances to pedophiles? When will we take our childrens rights more seriously than the rights of those who prey on them? Everytime we hear these stories people are horrified and angry but shouldn't we expect this? Until something changes and the laws are made to protect our children this is going to happen again and again. It has happened again and again. The next could be my child, your child or the child of your best friend.
When is enough enough?
July 03, 2005
A pleasant surprise
About a month ago we were contacted by a local boxer rescue league. We are friends with many animal lovers and activists and have a wonderful relationship with our local vet. Somewhere in those relationships the rescue league had heard our name and history with our animals so they contacted us to see if maybe we could help them. We discussed it and decided the way that would be best for us would be to volunteer as a foster home. When Bandito passed away we hadn't given any thought to us being registered with the rescue league, that was furthest from our minds. Had we thought about it we would have contacted them and said take us off the list for a little while, we need some time.
I received a phone call from the director informing me they had a 1 yr old female that needed to get into foster ASAP. She was sick, due for surgery and the vet wouldn't be able to board her over the weekend. They didn't have any other foster homes available at the moment. It was a difficult decision, we are all still so sad over our own loss. I wasn't sure how I would react much less the rest of my family having her in our home so soon after our loss. Especially seen as her coloring was identical to Bandito's. I was worried but felt as if I couldn't let this little girl down, I had made a commitment and it wasn't her fault I had been absentminded in contacting the league. So I agreed.
Her name is Meg and she is absolutely precious. The fears that I had were completely unfounded. I was really surprised to find my family viewed the situation the same as I do. Bandito was such a good dog and took such wonderful care of us for so long, this is kind of our way of being able to continue to give back. Meg was kept outside and never shown any attention. She has a skin condition from birth that has never been treated. The family that owned her didn't want to deal with it and because of it never pet her, loved her. They ignored her. She is so starved for affection which we have been more than happy to give to her. Because she hasn't really had any human contact she is short in the manners section. We have been working with her and after only 2 days she has come so far. She enjoys us teaching her and just seems to soak in any and all attention we can give to her. She really is very bright, she has learned so many commands in such a short time. Hell, she has only had 1 accident in the house and she has never been inside a house before. I am glad we never thought to call the rescue and pull off of the list. We would have missed this wonderful opportunity and this precious animal.
She needs love and we needed to give it. It's going to work out just fine.
I received a phone call from the director informing me they had a 1 yr old female that needed to get into foster ASAP. She was sick, due for surgery and the vet wouldn't be able to board her over the weekend. They didn't have any other foster homes available at the moment. It was a difficult decision, we are all still so sad over our own loss. I wasn't sure how I would react much less the rest of my family having her in our home so soon after our loss. Especially seen as her coloring was identical to Bandito's. I was worried but felt as if I couldn't let this little girl down, I had made a commitment and it wasn't her fault I had been absentminded in contacting the league. So I agreed.
Her name is Meg and she is absolutely precious. The fears that I had were completely unfounded. I was really surprised to find my family viewed the situation the same as I do. Bandito was such a good dog and took such wonderful care of us for so long, this is kind of our way of being able to continue to give back. Meg was kept outside and never shown any attention. She has a skin condition from birth that has never been treated. The family that owned her didn't want to deal with it and because of it never pet her, loved her. They ignored her. She is so starved for affection which we have been more than happy to give to her. Because she hasn't really had any human contact she is short in the manners section. We have been working with her and after only 2 days she has come so far. She enjoys us teaching her and just seems to soak in any and all attention we can give to her. She really is very bright, she has learned so many commands in such a short time. Hell, she has only had 1 accident in the house and she has never been inside a house before. I am glad we never thought to call the rescue and pull off of the list. We would have missed this wonderful opportunity and this precious animal.
She needs love and we needed to give it. It's going to work out just fine.
June 29, 2005
Encounter of the poisonous kind
I have been away from the blogosphere for a few days out of complete necessity. As luck would have it, I had an encounter with a spider and lost. Unfortunately said spider was extremely poisonous. So I have spent the last few days enjoying the company of my favorite people, doctors. Well, 1 ER visit, 3 doctors appointments and 3 shots later they think I'm going to be alright. My body, at this point, must be a walking antibiotic. I don't think I have ever seen so much medicine. Anyway, I'm back and will be posting more soon. But it is early and I haven't even had a full cup of coffee yet so it is going to have to wait a bit.
June 26, 2005
Storyteller
Everyone has a story. A story that could help someone, bring hope or teach a lesson. When that story is your own sometimes you cant see past the emotion to tell it. If you are lucky you may meet someone with an incredible command of language and they may want to tell your story. I have been fortunate enough to meet that person, one of the greatest writers I have known. She asked me for my story and I was honored.
This is my story.
This is my story.
June 25, 2005
Bandito
Yesterday was a very sad day in our household. I had started the night before with a minor ear infection which turned into something serious over night. I had contacted the doctor the day prior and he was able to fit me in that day. When I got up yesterday I was getting ready to go to my appointment when my son came in to see me. He told me that he thought something was wrong with our dog, Bandito. When I asked him what he meant he explained that he had defecated in his room and wouldn't respond to my son calling him. I immediately went to my sons room to check on the situation. I knew right away that Bandito had passed on. We had been fortunate to enjoy him as long as we had. Bandito was a boxer and their average life expectancy is 7 years, he was 11. He had shown no signs of being sick and looked as if he had just passed on in his sleep. As much as we knew it would happen eventually due to his age it didn't make the shock any less. We are all greatly saddened but at the same time thankful he passed so peacefully. My son and husband dug him a grave out back not far from our circle, they felt that would be a perfect place for him to rest. He was a good companion and will be missed.
My husband insisted that I keep my doctors appointment so I went. They gave me medication but as luck would have it I apparently have formed an allergy to this medication. I broke out in hives last night and have been fighting them all night. Things will get better, it would just be nice if the negative was spaced a part some.
My husband insisted that I keep my doctors appointment so I went. They gave me medication but as luck would have it I apparently have formed an allergy to this medication. I broke out in hives last night and have been fighting them all night. Things will get better, it would just be nice if the negative was spaced a part some.
June 23, 2005
Buck
When I was a child my grandparents were a very integral part of my upbringing. My mother had me when she was very young so we lived with them until I was 5 and she remarried. On and off during that marriage we lived with my grandparents but even when we weren't in their home it was rare for us to be far away. They were a big part of my life. I have been thinking a lot about them lately, my grandfather mostly. Probably because of Father's Day having just passed. He was such a funny man.
Grandaddy used to have a "secret" candy drawer. Nobody knew about it except me because I was the favorite (until my daughter was born anyway). He used to sneak me candy all the time but I got extra when I felt my parents were being mean to me.
He used to tell stories about growing up on a farm. His favorite part was telling about the times he had to work in the slaughter house, because it used to make my mom puke.
He used to come out of his bedroom just to walk into the living room where we were sitting to fart all the way through the room. He laughed so hard when he did that, he did that a lot.
Grandaddy could clear out a room quicker than anyone I have ever known.
He used to tell me stories about the war. He had everything he had ever received from the military. I wish I had recorded those stories.
He never sang although his favorite song was "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble". You younger generations wont understand that.
For as long as I can remember he flirted with every cute cashier at the grocery store.
Grandaddy had the bluest eyes I have ever seen.
He didn't say "I love you" often, hardly ever. You just always knew.
He would give you everything he had if you needed it, you wouldn't have to ask.
He believed in hard work, good manners, respecting your elders and always helping others in need.
He was the first stable man in my life, the only one until my husband.
He was a good man, one of the best.
I miss you Grandaddy.
Grandaddy used to have a "secret" candy drawer. Nobody knew about it except me because I was the favorite (until my daughter was born anyway). He used to sneak me candy all the time but I got extra when I felt my parents were being mean to me.
He used to tell stories about growing up on a farm. His favorite part was telling about the times he had to work in the slaughter house, because it used to make my mom puke.
He used to come out of his bedroom just to walk into the living room where we were sitting to fart all the way through the room. He laughed so hard when he did that, he did that a lot.
Grandaddy could clear out a room quicker than anyone I have ever known.
He used to tell me stories about the war. He had everything he had ever received from the military. I wish I had recorded those stories.
He never sang although his favorite song was "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble". You younger generations wont understand that.
For as long as I can remember he flirted with every cute cashier at the grocery store.
Grandaddy had the bluest eyes I have ever seen.
He didn't say "I love you" often, hardly ever. You just always knew.
He would give you everything he had if you needed it, you wouldn't have to ask.
He believed in hard work, good manners, respecting your elders and always helping others in need.
He was the first stable man in my life, the only one until my husband.
He was a good man, one of the best.
I miss you Grandaddy.
Just a thought
I try to keep up regularly with the what's going on in the world today, I read the news and watch it on television. My husband says its because I have gotten old. Maybe so, but as I have gotten older I have found that I want to know what's happening out there. I suppose when your younger it doesn't seem really important because you cant see a direct impact on your everyday life. As you get older you realize that there are a lot of things you didn't consider important that do impact your life. Most of what I see and hear on the news is negative, hell that's pretty much all you hear about. Every now and then something will air that is a good thing but they don't dwell on that to much. I think the media is afraid that if they report to many good things they wont be able to keep their fear hold on us.
Anyway, I was sent a story yesterday that just made me smile. It was about a 12 yr old girl in Ethiopia who was kidnapped by a group of men wanting to marry her. Apparently this type of thing is not uncommon in that region. Normally the girls are kidnapped, beaten and raped so that they are shamed and must marry. Well, this time things didn't seem to go as planned. The men had succeeded in the kidnap part and were in the midst of the beating part, that's where things got a little hairy for the men. While they were beating this child 3 lions walked out of the tall grasses. The lions took the girl, placed her behind them and proceeded for the men. Obviously the men ran out of fear of being eaten. Here is the even more interesting part. The lions didn't leave, they stayed there and guarded this child until authorities found her. At that point the authorities reported the lions just got up and left.
A scientist or two has tried to find a possible explanation as to why these lions reacted this way. They explained it by saying that the child may have been whimpering while she was being beaten which reminded them of a cubs cry. Well, lets think about that for a minute. First, these were male lions not lionesses. The first thing a male lion does when taking over a pride is to eat all of the young, he ensures the females will go into heat and that all of the young will be his own. So if they did mistake it for a cub, which I highly doubt, why didn't they eat her? Secondly, how common is it to see three male lions parading around together? Really.
Just something I found very interesting. Perhaps our scientists should stop trying to prove animals aren't that intelligent. Perhaps we should pay attention and see if there isn't something we could learn from them. Or perhaps the animal kingdom at times gets tired of watching us be so stupid and just cant stand by and let us continue to destroy eachother.
Perhaps.
Anyway, I was sent a story yesterday that just made me smile. It was about a 12 yr old girl in Ethiopia who was kidnapped by a group of men wanting to marry her. Apparently this type of thing is not uncommon in that region. Normally the girls are kidnapped, beaten and raped so that they are shamed and must marry. Well, this time things didn't seem to go as planned. The men had succeeded in the kidnap part and were in the midst of the beating part, that's where things got a little hairy for the men. While they were beating this child 3 lions walked out of the tall grasses. The lions took the girl, placed her behind them and proceeded for the men. Obviously the men ran out of fear of being eaten. Here is the even more interesting part. The lions didn't leave, they stayed there and guarded this child until authorities found her. At that point the authorities reported the lions just got up and left.
A scientist or two has tried to find a possible explanation as to why these lions reacted this way. They explained it by saying that the child may have been whimpering while she was being beaten which reminded them of a cubs cry. Well, lets think about that for a minute. First, these were male lions not lionesses. The first thing a male lion does when taking over a pride is to eat all of the young, he ensures the females will go into heat and that all of the young will be his own. So if they did mistake it for a cub, which I highly doubt, why didn't they eat her? Secondly, how common is it to see three male lions parading around together? Really.
Just something I found very interesting. Perhaps our scientists should stop trying to prove animals aren't that intelligent. Perhaps we should pay attention and see if there isn't something we could learn from them. Or perhaps the animal kingdom at times gets tired of watching us be so stupid and just cant stand by and let us continue to destroy eachother.
Perhaps.
June 20, 2005
Never a dull moment
This past weekend has been a very long but enjoyable one. There is one thing I can say about us, there is never a dull moment around here. Friday was a day of rushing around and making sure everything was in order for closing ceremonies. We fit in a doctors appointment because I have not been able to get Austin's cough under control. The doctor said he is fine, maybe forming allergies. I had so hoped my son would be able to skip out on those but I guess he is going to get his father's allergies. Then I had to go pick up the trophies. They turned out so good!!! I was so very impressed and will definitely be using this company in the future. The kids trophies were golden gloves big enough to hold a game ball set on a white marble base. The base had a black plate on the front that had gold engraving with each child's name and team on it. The trophies he made for the coaches were the glove but on a pedestal with a baseball beside them, they also had the engraving. I had each of the children put their names on the game balls so they could have those to set in their trophies. That evening was slightly crazy because nobody knew what time our game was on Saturday. There was a play off game being played Friday night and that would determine what time our game was the following day. I was up until 11pm Friday night trying to find out when we would play and still didn't find out.
Saturday morning around 8:30 I finally found out our game was at 1pm. Thank goodness I was able to reach all of the parents and everyone showed up. The game was just for fun so we decided to let the kids have fun with it. They could play whatever positions they wanted. The outfield played infield and the infield played outfield. It was hysterical and they had a blast. We had our pizza party for the kids immediately following the game and gave the kids their trophies. They were all so cute. I have to tell you, I am glad the season is over for the break but I am going to miss those kids. We are definitely coaching again next year and maybe fall ball. We have enjoyed this way to much not to continue it. After the pizza party we were unable to go back to the field because D and I had plans that evening so we went back home to get ready.
One of D's friends from work was having his annual bash at his house. It is a memorable event, people come from all over the country for this. Last year we went and had a really good time, it is truly an experience. A bunch of good people getting together, live music, good food, lots of harleys, lots of alcohol.....Its an experience. Last year I had a little to much fun and paid dearly for it so I knew this year I would be pacing myself so as not to get in that condition again. They say all first timers experience the initiation, I wasn't doing that again. Now let me tell you, D and I don't drink very often so it doesn't take much. Last year may have been my year but this year was most definitely his. I have talked to D and he has said it was ok to blog about it so long as I left out some very embarrassing moments for him, so all of this has his permission. Just didn't want you to think I would be here telling the world without him oking it. It all started out alright, just enjoying friends and the music. But as the night progressed D had a bit much to drink. No, he didn't get sick. But he did try and sign me up for a spaghetti wrestling contest. He also tried to sign me up for a wet t-shirt contest then proceeded to tell everyone why it is he believed I would win. Now anyone that knows my husband also knows that he is very shy around women. That is unless he has a bit of liquid courage, and boy did he have a bit. He was the life of the party, dancing and carrying on making sure everyone was having a good time. When he was explaining why it is he believed I would win the wet t-shirt contest one of the women showed him hers and said asked if hers weren't just as good. He smiled like a 5 year old that had been dropped smack in the middle of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and responded with "Oh those are very nice, I like those but Ravyn's would win, no offense." No, he wasn't in trouble for his actions that night. He was very intoxicated and just having a good time. Knowing how shy he is I knew he was going to be so embarrassed the next day, I was gaining ammunition. I laughed so hard watching him all night. Of course the following day when I told him all that he had done he could have curled up and died right then and there. Especially when I told him about grabbing our friends butt. He swears he is never leaving the house again. He is never drinking again, never facing people again. I figure I heard about my "initiation" for a whole year, he is so catching hell for this until next years party. Of course he knows it is coming and is accepting it with only covering his face from embarrassment and no complaint. Which is a good thing cause, boy did he give me hell. LOL
Sunday was fathers day and it was nice. We spent the day with the kids just relaxing. The kids and I got up that morning and made D a big breakfast. We just spent the rest of the day enjoying eachother and went out to dinner that night. It was a wonderful end to a crazy week. I hope all of you dad's out there had a wonderful father's day!
Saturday morning around 8:30 I finally found out our game was at 1pm. Thank goodness I was able to reach all of the parents and everyone showed up. The game was just for fun so we decided to let the kids have fun with it. They could play whatever positions they wanted. The outfield played infield and the infield played outfield. It was hysterical and they had a blast. We had our pizza party for the kids immediately following the game and gave the kids their trophies. They were all so cute. I have to tell you, I am glad the season is over for the break but I am going to miss those kids. We are definitely coaching again next year and maybe fall ball. We have enjoyed this way to much not to continue it. After the pizza party we were unable to go back to the field because D and I had plans that evening so we went back home to get ready.
One of D's friends from work was having his annual bash at his house. It is a memorable event, people come from all over the country for this. Last year we went and had a really good time, it is truly an experience. A bunch of good people getting together, live music, good food, lots of harleys, lots of alcohol.....Its an experience. Last year I had a little to much fun and paid dearly for it so I knew this year I would be pacing myself so as not to get in that condition again. They say all first timers experience the initiation, I wasn't doing that again. Now let me tell you, D and I don't drink very often so it doesn't take much. Last year may have been my year but this year was most definitely his. I have talked to D and he has said it was ok to blog about it so long as I left out some very embarrassing moments for him, so all of this has his permission. Just didn't want you to think I would be here telling the world without him oking it. It all started out alright, just enjoying friends and the music. But as the night progressed D had a bit much to drink. No, he didn't get sick. But he did try and sign me up for a spaghetti wrestling contest. He also tried to sign me up for a wet t-shirt contest then proceeded to tell everyone why it is he believed I would win. Now anyone that knows my husband also knows that he is very shy around women. That is unless he has a bit of liquid courage, and boy did he have a bit. He was the life of the party, dancing and carrying on making sure everyone was having a good time. When he was explaining why it is he believed I would win the wet t-shirt contest one of the women showed him hers and said asked if hers weren't just as good. He smiled like a 5 year old that had been dropped smack in the middle of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and responded with "Oh those are very nice, I like those but Ravyn's would win, no offense." No, he wasn't in trouble for his actions that night. He was very intoxicated and just having a good time. Knowing how shy he is I knew he was going to be so embarrassed the next day, I was gaining ammunition. I laughed so hard watching him all night. Of course the following day when I told him all that he had done he could have curled up and died right then and there. Especially when I told him about grabbing our friends butt. He swears he is never leaving the house again. He is never drinking again, never facing people again. I figure I heard about my "initiation" for a whole year, he is so catching hell for this until next years party. Of course he knows it is coming and is accepting it with only covering his face from embarrassment and no complaint. Which is a good thing cause, boy did he give me hell. LOL
Sunday was fathers day and it was nice. We spent the day with the kids just relaxing. The kids and I got up that morning and made D a big breakfast. We just spent the rest of the day enjoying eachother and went out to dinner that night. It was a wonderful end to a crazy week. I hope all of you dad's out there had a wonderful father's day!
June 14, 2005
Ceremonies, Ferocious Beasts and Reporters
I haven't been able to post as I would like because, well, things have been slightly crazy around here. Not necessarily a bad thing just busy as hell. With the end of baseball season approaching less than a week away and boyscouts ending their run until school starts I have been and will be attending more closing ceremonies than I can take. I have figured one thing out from all of this though. These people have absolutely no clue as to what the hell they are doing. I swear, you would think I had joined in their first year or something. The boyscouts ceremony was scheduled on the same day as my teams double header but it was timed to start an hour and a half before the first game. I figure, no biggie, we can head to the ceremony pick up his awards and patches then head to the game. Why on earth would I think it would be so simple? I should know by now it wont be that easy. The ceremony itself didn't even start until 15 minutes before we had to leave. Thank goodness they got to my sons award just as we were preparing to get up and head to the game. Of course they were missing some of his patches, we have gotten used to this by now. One day we will sit down and create an organizational system for them, just not today.
Baseball season is about over, we have one more game left. Well, two but the second doesn't count. Why a second game that doesn't count? Because a second game that counts would make way to much sense and be easy. Are you seeing a pattern here or is it just me? On a good note, I got their trophies ordered today and will have them in time for closing ceremonies on Saturday. Man, I probably shouldn't have said that because the trophy situation has gone way to easy and I may have just jinxed it.
I have a crazy habit of talking to my animals. Well, I don't find it crazy and few of my friends get it but most people think its crazy. Anyway, whenever I wrestle around with my cats I have told them they are ferocious beasts, little descendants of the lion. I know, weird...Cant help it. I find it funny, and its my house so I can do that. Well I think they have taken me seriously. This week I have saved my cat from the perilous clutches of my roof....
Twice
I must say I am proud of myself. I only almost killed an ump once this week. Hey, its a record for me and I'll take what I can get.
On a new record though I almost ate a reporter for the local paper. It was his fault, I swear. Just a big P.S. for anyone out there that might not have the common sense to know better. Do not, I repeat, do NOT hide in a corner with a camera taking pictures of my son while he is playing with other children then approach me asking for the child's name. Good way to get eaten. Hasn't he heard I'm crazy? Someone really should have warned him. He knows now. I must take a moment to explain this one though, cause I swear it was his fault. No, really. I'm coaching the game, because our coach cant read a schedule and didn't know we had a game that night, and my son is up to bat. The kids in the dugout are acting up so I turn to tell them to behave. One of my parents approaches the fence and tells me she thought she saw some man standing on the other side of field taking a lot of pictures of my son. I turn to look but don't see anyone and the kids are taking complete advantage of my lack of attention to them and act up even more. I turn back around and begin to get them settled and the parent tells me she had never seen him before. I figure I will keep a close eye out, we are a small town and everyone knows everyone around here. Two batters later we are switching to go to the outfield and I am instructing the kids as to what position to take on the field. Next thing I know there is a man standing beside me with a camera around his neck, never seen him before. He does not introduce himself, does not say hello, no courtesies at all. The only thing he says is "Hey, do you know that kids name? The one wearing number (my sons number) jersey." Of course I want to know why he is asking. He still does not tell me he is with the paper, his reply was "I would like to know how to spell it." He immediately found himself up against the fence, me in front of him and a row of bats within my reach. The inquisition had begun. It wasn't until after that he told me he was with the paper, a reporter. Well hell, how was I supposed to know? The only thought in my head was "pervert". I know I'm a nut, hell I'm even ok with it. But I still think he should have told someone he was there so he didn't look like a pervert lurking in the corner of the field taking pictures of my kids. Anyway, I didn't eat him, I didn't even hit him with a bat. I did good :)
Baseball season is about over, we have one more game left. Well, two but the second doesn't count. Why a second game that doesn't count? Because a second game that counts would make way to much sense and be easy. Are you seeing a pattern here or is it just me? On a good note, I got their trophies ordered today and will have them in time for closing ceremonies on Saturday. Man, I probably shouldn't have said that because the trophy situation has gone way to easy and I may have just jinxed it.
I have a crazy habit of talking to my animals. Well, I don't find it crazy and few of my friends get it but most people think its crazy. Anyway, whenever I wrestle around with my cats I have told them they are ferocious beasts, little descendants of the lion. I know, weird...Cant help it. I find it funny, and its my house so I can do that. Well I think they have taken me seriously. This week I have saved my cat from the perilous clutches of my roof....
Twice
I must say I am proud of myself. I only almost killed an ump once this week. Hey, its a record for me and I'll take what I can get.
On a new record though I almost ate a reporter for the local paper. It was his fault, I swear. Just a big P.S. for anyone out there that might not have the common sense to know better. Do not, I repeat, do NOT hide in a corner with a camera taking pictures of my son while he is playing with other children then approach me asking for the child's name. Good way to get eaten. Hasn't he heard I'm crazy? Someone really should have warned him. He knows now. I must take a moment to explain this one though, cause I swear it was his fault. No, really. I'm coaching the game, because our coach cant read a schedule and didn't know we had a game that night, and my son is up to bat. The kids in the dugout are acting up so I turn to tell them to behave. One of my parents approaches the fence and tells me she thought she saw some man standing on the other side of field taking a lot of pictures of my son. I turn to look but don't see anyone and the kids are taking complete advantage of my lack of attention to them and act up even more. I turn back around and begin to get them settled and the parent tells me she had never seen him before. I figure I will keep a close eye out, we are a small town and everyone knows everyone around here. Two batters later we are switching to go to the outfield and I am instructing the kids as to what position to take on the field. Next thing I know there is a man standing beside me with a camera around his neck, never seen him before. He does not introduce himself, does not say hello, no courtesies at all. The only thing he says is "Hey, do you know that kids name? The one wearing number (my sons number) jersey." Of course I want to know why he is asking. He still does not tell me he is with the paper, his reply was "I would like to know how to spell it." He immediately found himself up against the fence, me in front of him and a row of bats within my reach. The inquisition had begun. It wasn't until after that he told me he was with the paper, a reporter. Well hell, how was I supposed to know? The only thought in my head was "pervert". I know I'm a nut, hell I'm even ok with it. But I still think he should have told someone he was there so he didn't look like a pervert lurking in the corner of the field taking pictures of my kids. Anyway, I didn't eat him, I didn't even hit him with a bat. I did good :)
June 10, 2005
Why am I Insane? Reason #1
Most of you who have been reading for awhile have probably already come to the conclusion that when it comes to my children I am slightly neurotic and maybe even a bit paranoid. I'm aware of it, doesn't bother me, I'm cool with it. I figure I have lived every parents worse nightmare so I am allowed a little crazy. I have to tell you though, its situations like what happened yesterday that just confirm my craziness or my need to be anyway.
My children are going back home to visit their grandparents for a week this summer. We have been doing this for several years but normally my mom drives here to pick them up and my dad drives to bring them back. This year they decided to fly them. My sister is accompanying them, which is the only reason that I agreed to them getting on a plane. My mother bought the tickets, e-tickets, and forwarded them to me. In looking at what she forwarded it is only an itinerary of their flights. Figuring surely there must be more than that I called the airlines to see what type of documentation I would need to bring to put my children on an airplane. Here's where it gets good.
I explain to the airline representative what is going on and ask what I need to bring to the airport for them to board the plane. Maybe birth certificates or social security cards?
him: "Both of your children are under 18?"
me: "Yes"
him: "Oh well that makes it easy then. You aren't required to bring anything."
me; "No, you don't understand. We don't have the tickets in hand, these are e-tickets and it looks like nothing more than an itinerary. Their names aren't even on here. Plus, I'm not flying with them my sister is. So what do I need to do to show that I ok them getting on the plane and prove that they are who I say they are?"
him: "Ma'am, you don't have to show any proof. Federal law says that they don't have to show identification until they are 18 years of age. So you wont have any problems getting them on the plane. Your sister will have to show a valid drivers license to get her ticket but we don't need anything for the children."
me: "Your not serious"
him: "Yes ma'am, that's the law."
me: "So you mean to tell me that anyone can purchase an adult ticket and a child's ticket and board a plane with a kid without showing who they are?! All they have to do is show a drivers license?!"
him : (slightly hesitating) "Yes ma'am"
me: "DO you have any idea how easy it is to get a fake ID? They don't even have to show who this child is they are taking God knows where?! There are thousands of children snatched from their homes every year and your just going to give them a free ride on a plane?!"
him: "Ma'am we are in compliance with federal law."
me: " Well maybe you need to think about that. I can take any kid I want anywhere I want and your going to give me a ticket to do that?! Don't you find something crazy wrong with that?! (at this point I am screaming) Why not just put up a sign 'Kidnappers ride free'. I can not believe you people do absolutely nothing to ensure the safety of children on your flights. I wonder just how many flights you have booked for children who aren't who you thought they were."
The conversation only deteriorated from there. OK so it wasn't necessarily this guys fault that the laws are the way they are but I was pissed. I cannot believe it is that easy for someone to fly a child away. I know he thought he was making my life easier but all he did was make me scared shitless. Needless to say I am sure there is some type of notation somewhere on the computer system for my children's tickets so I am bringing all of the necessary documentation to the airport with me. Just in case I did make someone stop and think because apparently I was asking questions they weren't accustomed to answering.
You see, its things like this that make me crazy.
My children are going back home to visit their grandparents for a week this summer. We have been doing this for several years but normally my mom drives here to pick them up and my dad drives to bring them back. This year they decided to fly them. My sister is accompanying them, which is the only reason that I agreed to them getting on a plane. My mother bought the tickets, e-tickets, and forwarded them to me. In looking at what she forwarded it is only an itinerary of their flights. Figuring surely there must be more than that I called the airlines to see what type of documentation I would need to bring to put my children on an airplane. Here's where it gets good.
I explain to the airline representative what is going on and ask what I need to bring to the airport for them to board the plane. Maybe birth certificates or social security cards?
him: "Both of your children are under 18?"
me: "Yes"
him: "Oh well that makes it easy then. You aren't required to bring anything."
me; "No, you don't understand. We don't have the tickets in hand, these are e-tickets and it looks like nothing more than an itinerary. Their names aren't even on here. Plus, I'm not flying with them my sister is. So what do I need to do to show that I ok them getting on the plane and prove that they are who I say they are?"
him: "Ma'am, you don't have to show any proof. Federal law says that they don't have to show identification until they are 18 years of age. So you wont have any problems getting them on the plane. Your sister will have to show a valid drivers license to get her ticket but we don't need anything for the children."
me: "Your not serious"
him: "Yes ma'am, that's the law."
me: "So you mean to tell me that anyone can purchase an adult ticket and a child's ticket and board a plane with a kid without showing who they are?! All they have to do is show a drivers license?!"
him : (slightly hesitating) "Yes ma'am"
me: "DO you have any idea how easy it is to get a fake ID? They don't even have to show who this child is they are taking God knows where?! There are thousands of children snatched from their homes every year and your just going to give them a free ride on a plane?!"
him: "Ma'am we are in compliance with federal law."
me: " Well maybe you need to think about that. I can take any kid I want anywhere I want and your going to give me a ticket to do that?! Don't you find something crazy wrong with that?! (at this point I am screaming) Why not just put up a sign 'Kidnappers ride free'. I can not believe you people do absolutely nothing to ensure the safety of children on your flights. I wonder just how many flights you have booked for children who aren't who you thought they were."
The conversation only deteriorated from there. OK so it wasn't necessarily this guys fault that the laws are the way they are but I was pissed. I cannot believe it is that easy for someone to fly a child away. I know he thought he was making my life easier but all he did was make me scared shitless. Needless to say I am sure there is some type of notation somewhere on the computer system for my children's tickets so I am bringing all of the necessary documentation to the airport with me. Just in case I did make someone stop and think because apparently I was asking questions they weren't accustomed to answering.
You see, its things like this that make me crazy.
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