Me Myself and I

Abortion

2012-01-25T14:34:00.000-08:00

Well today is the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and I want to talk about Choice. I know some of my friends this will upset and for that I apologize However my beliefs and what I say often upset people. I not very often say things when my Christian friends post and I am offend, or when sweet things get posted about mothers since I do not have a relationship with mine. I do not post Daily Atheist posting nor do I have any plans to begin, I would not dare post a cartoon about abortion because not only is it offense to women who have had one but frankly it is bad taste. The line between when life begin gets thinner and blurrier every year and frankly with modern science soon that line will have a clear date. However if you don't walk a mile in someone else's shoes then you have NO RIGHT TO judge; Sorry Sarah I am calling you out on this one and challenging you, spend 1 year volunteering at Planned Parenthood THEN and only then can you post the garbage you did today! I have volunteered there and let me tell you I have seen THE absolute worst of Christianity. I have been spit on, called names, had garbage thrown on me and walked women and me of all ages in the clinic; some of these were children scared, the looks on these faces were of no hope. Now I have also seen the best of Humanist and Christians but I also know that no one is above being a hypocrite. Again I ask EVERYONE to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you judge. On my wrist you often find a purple bracelet that says “Trust Women” I am pro choice not because I support abortion and think that all women should have one and that it should be used as birth control but that I think it needs to stay LEGAL for women who have NO other choice. An unplanned pregnancy is a horrible thing to face and so many women face this alone and afraid. The other thing I want to talk about today is birth control SO many forms of birth control are considered illegal under certain states anti-abortion legislations and most voters don’t even know it. Birth control is the simple way to prevent abortions. WE need to educate on birth control TEACH it in the schools again, teenagers will have sex; birth control education is NOT permission but prevention. Let’s get it back into the schools. Adoption is also something else that needs to be brought up every talks about adoption and abortion like its one or the other it's not and the LOWEST majority or adoptive parents are white middle-class christian' (This is a fact you can spend about 5 minutes researching adoption numbers to find out it's true!) The majority of children end up in the foster care system that has it's own problems. For those who do get adopted great for the others it is a VERY hard life. IF you work Foster care you know! You want to prevent abortion then we need education, it is the answer plain and simple and education will not happen with the closed minded wanting sex education out of the schools. I know I am on a soapbox but I really tired of not offending people and keeping my mouth shut, if I offend you so what! Closed minded hate mongers offend me!

Two years

2012-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

So its been two years that Troy and I have been together today is our anniversary sort of.(more or less) I think back two years doesn't seem that long ago and in other ways it seems like a life time ago. I look back and go over things because I am a sap like that. I look at the emails we sent, I think about our first “date” at the Outback I think about the first time he cooked me diner. The first time I was at his house I'm not sure who was more nervous he or me? I think about how we almost ended before we started with his move, how hard of a choice it was for me to move. I think about how hard I am to love sometimes, how I want everything my way and I can be very passive aggressive. I want things my way. I also can be very needy in a relationship I want attention a lot, I want to know I'm needed and loved. For someone to deal with this on a daily ongoing basis and not go insane must be a very special person. Then there is my other issues, my family who are not always the most supportive people in the universe, my kids who I share with my ex-husband, my ex-husband who is not entirely over me and tries to be a pain, my health which is never good and at times scary terrible. The person to love me but also to deal with all of this has to be incredible and he is. I do get upset with him occasionally and he's not perfect but I don't want perfect. I wanted real and I wanted a partner and I found that. He makes me laugh and smile. He makes me look forward to the future. He makes me happy and above all else he loves me.

A single phone call

2012-01-12T15:41:00.001-08:00

With a single phone call today, I was reminded today that it the anniversary of my Grandfathers death. I really could have gone all day without that knowledge. His Death turned into a HUGE turning point in my life. Now I would go back in a heart beat and give almost anything to be at some of those times in his life that I missed; like his 80th birthday party. I had just started a new job with Kindercare (made great friends but NOT a great company to work for) and had no time off to take. His death was really the first death my children had to deal with with and my youngest Ryker took it very, very hard. The drive to Minnesota and the back was one of the worst of my life, it was snowing, and on the way home the kids were horribly sick, we stopped and pulled over countless times for them to puke. It was an awful time, one of the 3 times in a 14 year marriage my ex-husband went to Minnesota with me. The drive was long, cold, emotional and unpleasant to say the least. However I went because my Grandparents are very important to me, more so than my parents even at times. I was very lucky in a lot of ways, I got to spend time with my grandfather when he was still driving his 18 wheeler; I was a prissy girl to say the least but went in that truck; and for those of you that can remember it The Boardwalk (That used to be in Colorado Springs) all that moss rock outside my grandfather laid with his two hands. He was a simple hard working man. My family (on my mother side) is very lucky in a lot of ways because there are a lot of us, a lot of kids, grand kids and great grand kids and grandpa got to see them and spend time with them. Mostly I think he watched us and wondered what the hell did he get himself into because he was always so quiet and just watched everyone. My family is also like most with it share of Drama at time HUGE amounts. (Yes I will blame my mother for the majority of it thank you VERY much!) However thinking back to 3 years ago and all the change that single event brought into my life amazes me. I no longer live in Fountain, I thought I'd live there forever, I got out of an unhappy marriage I thought I'd never have the courage to leave, I finished up my Master's Degree. Now there are things I also wish didn't happen. I HATE, HATE sharing custody of my kids. I dislike the drift in my family, (again I blame my mother) & although we have had our own issues at times I miss my own father who is fading away from the world and reality. I can remember headed to work and getting the phone call. That single phone call changed so many things. You truly never know. So go find someone hug them and tell them you love them!

The Cruise was so great!

2012-01-07T10:41:00.001-08:00

SO how was the cruise? The cruise was so great!!! To start off with the ride to the harbor went Flawlessly thanks to our dear friend Mr. Chris Brown who also was kind enough to pick us up from the port as well. The staff at Baltimore Harbor really have it together. We got unloaded, and on ship within an hour. Getting on ship so fast our room was not ready yet. So we headed to the Lido deck and the lunch buffet. Now for whatever reason; I remember the food being better. IT wasn't bad but it was average buffet food. Got to our room which was not huge by any means but nice sized for a room on a ship. It had a king sized bed, a couch and a Balcony. The full sized bathroom did not included a bathtub but that's ok. The added cost would not have been worth the tub. Now for anyone who has been on a cruise knows you have to do the drill, which means putting on your life vest and going to your station. Now because of the temperature we just had to go to our station and not put on the vests. It was quick and painless. Then back to our room. Got to meet our Room Stewart “Prapa” she was a doll! Always; always called us by name! No Luggage yet but not worried about it. Our first nights sit down dinner was again ok. I had to ask for more bread and water (Not good when I have to ask for things!) The appetizer and desert was good the main course was just ok. Our Table mates were interesting couples, One was a couple on their anniversary and the other was a couple a bit younger than us from New Jersey. We watched the ship depart the dock and I think I took some very good pictures of the underside of the bay bridge. Then off to bed for the first night. The 1st full day at sea. Breakfast was better however the dining staff still not thrilling me. It is still pretty cold so no pool or deck today. Played some Bingo. Had lunch in the Dinning room versus the buffet not impressing us yet. Went to an Art Auction. This was great, bought some new art for the Dining room! This was also the Captains Dinner Night so it meant Dress Up!!! I got to wear my Formal Dress which I loved! We took some Pictures which did not turn out so great, didn't keep those. Went and say a show Called Vroom, Not bad kind of a History of Music told by a Roadie. Then went to see Comedian Al Ernst; He wasn't bad, however making fun of the TSA is like shooting Fish in a Barrel. Day Two at sea was sort of the Day for Us we played another game of Bingo, Dressed up again for Dinner and these are the picture that are posted on Facebook. Had Dinner at the Steakhouse, The Steakhouse was great! My only issue with it at all was the cost was not included in the cost of the cruise so it was an extra $60 however it was worth it. After that we went to a Physical Comedy show and called it an early Night. Day 3 Port Canaveral, Florida; So being huge tech geeks I have to say it was funny that one of the most exciting things about being in Florida was the ability to use our phone's. Since we had both done a lot in Florida we choose to stay on ship. We hit the Adult retreat with bathing suits and books! The swimming pool was ICE cold, not just COLD but FREEZE YOUR GENTILS COLD! I understand the ship recycles the ocean water for the pools but really heating it a bit more would help. So after freezing for a split second I went straight to the Hot Tub. Lots of sunning and Reading. Discovered a Drink called a Mocha Chocolate Experience IT was like a cold hot Cocoa with Alcohol so needless to say this was my favorite drink on the trip! Went to Dinner still not impressed. (Now I say this as the staff is very obviously afraid of me now, making sure my water is always full and I always have bread; however the main course is still just ok) Then off to another show called its a wonderful world. The show was very cute although not altogether Politically Correct however it was cute. Then Deck Party!! This was my highlight for the entire cruise was getting Troy to Dance with me!!! The deck party itself was a little insane and at times people made me crazy. Too many kids and the Guy who wet himself plus the couple who were hanging all over other people we just a few of the things I could have done without. However Getting Troy to Conga and Dance with ME!! PERFECT! Then onto Nassau; Now Nassau was not a great day and mostly I take the blame for that one. So packing for this trip I pack 4 pairs of shoes including a pair of flats but do I spend the extra time to find my good TEVA hiking sandals? (That’s a no) So then I get up in the middle of the night and stub my toe and take a layer of skin with it on the table. (Graceful me) So I cant wear my flats as they are rubbing my toe raw. SO I go with my High heeled sandals to walk the cobblestone streets of Nassau. Needless to say between my arthritis, my sciatica, plus my asthma because of all the smoke from god knows what I had to use my inhaler. I was a lot of no fun. I finally had to take my shoes off. Plus it RAINED! I'm really not sure why Troy loves me but this day I am very glad he does! (I am such high maintenance at times!) So onto Freeport; First off they only stop for 6 hours. Now for anyone who has been to Freeport I'm not even sure why they stop here. It is an UGLY port and anything you want to do is away from port so there is no getting off ship and walking anywhere! After the Nassau experience we opted to stay on ship. We did another smaller art auction but did not buy anything. I wanted this Kermit the Frog Painting but it was crazy $$$$. So we also hit the Adult Retreat again for some sun. Troy got a little bit of a sunburn and me I got nothing like always. This was the 2nd formal night on board so we went and did some more photos and carnival LOVES to take photos! I wish they would just give you a number and put them all on a disk and sell you the disk. Before Diner we did a Martini tasting. Just for the record I SHARED them but 8 is still a lot for me. The Berry was okay, The Mango was boring, The Grapefruit was good, The Spicy Chipolte was surprisingly good. The Pomegranate again surprisingly good, the Melon boring, the Classic was blah and the Jack was too strong for me. We both got these little prizes for this and we made a new friend, some lady who came down and starting talking to us then did the tasting as well so it was fun. Dinner again was okay. Then we saw the show this one called Jazzin it was better than the world show but not as good as the Vroom show. Sort of a salute to Jazz music and Motown. Then we went to see the Carnival Cruise line comedian and he was pretty good. He was R rated almost X rated and some parent had older kids in the audience which I don't get having teens myself (When it says adults show I figure sex jokes, props or worse) He may have been the best of the Comedians we saw. Then Christmas Eve out last full day on ship. So we played Bingo one last time had to see if we one with any of our raffle tickets, Then we watched the Christmas Show. It was very Cute and they included the kids from the ship in the show which was a nice touch and of Course Santa We did not see the show after Dinner but did go see the Comedian and he was awful, now this guy was the big name from Comedy central that they paid and I don't know why. AWFUL; He did this Soprano's type act that was NOT funny. I really can't think of anything he said that was funny. I'm not even sure how he got into comedy. Then we had to make sure we were packed early and ready to go for the arrival the next day. Now just like departure arrival went super fast. I think that is more a credit to Baltimore Harbor than to the Cruise line. Overall the cruise was great. The food could have been better, I think Troy and I are agreement that the next time we cruise we try someone new. Carnival is good for a basic cruise but too many kids! Now if you have kids (Younger than mine) then I think this is the place for you!

Venting

2011-12-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

I am just venting today, I have so much and yet I am really stressed out! Troy and I are leaving in days for this great trip on a cruise, it should be al im thinking off right, nope instead, I'm pissed off at my aunt who conned me into this cute little dog who cost me a pretty penny today, which started my stress level high, then all this stupid ebay stuff I had no idea that so many people were not going to get their stuff or say they did id have spent the extra $2 on every package to have delivery confirmation. This is going to cost me in the end. I know it will all be a tax write off but its really pissing me off right now. Then for tootsie to tell me to contact my mother grr that is so, SO not what I needed today!!!!! I've already cried and I need to cry again!!! I feel like I'm such a burden and I don't feel good. Waiting on all this Social security stuff is stressful, my leg hurts, my head hurts, then troy pays for everything, That man really loves me and I don't understand why. I'm just costing him money. im going to go cry now.

Hmmm

2011-10-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

Trying to start over again is not going as planned although not really sure there was a plan to begin with. I feel physically ill all the time, my heart hurts really hurts I don't think I have ever ached for someone before. I had no idea I could love someone like this much less how to move on, I don't know if I will. I want to hop the next plane back to Annapolis just to have him hold me, however knowing that he cares and loves me has to be enough for now. I wish a million things right now. Anyways, How do I tell someone else that I can't move on with out hurting them as well. I want everyone to be happy and in the end no one will be happy. I wish it was 5 years from now, I wish I could go back 5 years as well knowing what I know now. Things would be so VERY different!
Sadness, heartache and loneliness are my companions.

Tomorrow

2011-08-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

So I've been listening to this song "Tomorrow" lately and it is tearing my heart out! I am moving in 33 days, seems like I just moved, it will be my 4th move in 2 years! It's o hard, I feel lost. I know I am doing it for the right reasons but it's still hard; I have to work on me for a while and help out grandma whom I love more than anyone. However it is so hard not to have my expectations come to pass. I'm not sure what this move means to me, my kids, my career, my love life, however I am still doing it. It is one of the biggest things I have ever done going in pretty blind. I'm scared about so much and for so much. So today I'm going to try and take some advice, and advice from someone who I normally don't get advice from my uncle Jim, "put yourself out there and see where it takes you" So I'm going to do that. Hard as it is we'll see about Tomorrow or the 34th tomorrow from now.

It is what it is!

2011-07-26T07:41:00.001-07:00

So today I am having another "No good, very bad day" My friends in Early Childhood will understand the irony of this. My day went to hell in a hand-basket before I even walked out the front door. I am always amazed but the lack of understanding or lack of misunderstanding that others have for me. I often wonder if anyone really knows me at all? Maybe not, maybe I am a huge mosaic and it is hard for other to know me; that's why I frustrate people and that why I have so few close friends. I do have tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve and I also have tendency to offend. I often have no filter and don't think before I act, not out of malice or not caring but out of caring to much, caring for others, my friends, my children, my job and often last on my list is myself although my Blood family has been known to call me selfish a time or to, my few close friends would never say that. So goes back to the question of negativism? I am not by nature a negative person however I am a reflective person and I reflect for better or worse the feeling of those around around me plus my physical feelings. So if I have been negative lately its because I have been receiving it, to the point that I am manifesting physically symptoms. So my negative self is going back to the doctors for more tests starting next week. I already see the direction the tests are heading from the not 1 but 2 return phone calls from the doctors office since I made the appointment. This does make me negative as well as other things, like work and doing others peoples job and only getting paid for mine, being salary and working excessive hours, dealing with parents, teachers and supervisors who want everything right now! Doing all of this with a happy face, on top of riding the METRO to get to work which has been not working, crowded, hot, and walking extra on my hip because most if not all of the escalators are out lately! But still trying to be positive because I work with kids! I always do long commutes for work, LONG but I'm really done with them, so tired, I want to relax walk to work or better yet work from home again, this 2 hour commute shit is for the birds no wonder I'm tired and cranky! Then Working on a 45 hour in-class portfolio practicum for a professor, who won't return phone calls or emails or even grade papers because it is what I need to do for college but trying not to stress and not be rude about it! Why because it's what I do! After all need the grade need the finical aid money college is expensive and my mother didn't pay for mine, or the VA or my husband or employer or anyone but ME working my tail off and begging for money or filling out scholarship applications or as a last resort asking for a loan! Then trying to not upset my grandmother and get this tile done for my grandfathers internment bench at the last minute because NO ONE in my family thought it was important to tell me about it a month ago when all the other kids/grandkids were working on theirs. Then when I FINALLY found out about it. NO ONE bothers to answer my emails about it! But don't feel bad, don't feel like the black sheep or the outcast, Don't get negative, get it done because its what grandma wants! I will because its what I do! With a Happy Face!!!!! I will not be negative when my ex husband does nothing with my boys and always them to raise themselves in a house that needs an eight hour cleaning from the bleach fairy to even begin to be clean. I will not be negative when my oldest child goes on his first date and calls me instead of hugging me as he walks out the door and I will not be negative every time my youngest son calls me to tell me why he misses me today. I do NOT need to be reminded of the positives; I already am GRATEFUL for the positives I have in my life, my children, who I never get to see enough, (Colorado Child Custody LAWS SUCK! 70/30 is BULLSHIT, because I want a better life?Again though I wont be negative I do get them but not near enough) Troy who surprised me at a time in my life when I thought I was lost (Still not sure I've been really found), My grandmother who saves me time again from the worst in myself (I wonder why sometimes), my VERY close friends, Victoria (30 plus years is a long time), Dian (20 plus years is a long time), Derek (I love you like a son) , Mike (I love you like a son and brother), De (Are you sure you aren't my mother?), Amanda (My friend and confident) , Cortney (My friends and confident), Jim (My friend who teaches me patience and tolerance above all), and then the little things I have in my life, like the ability to learn and adapt. So today's lesson learned; Learning and adaptation. So today I am going to be negative, sorry it is what it is.

Friends, Foes, Family and Forging Foward

2011-07-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Friends:
Recently I learned that some friendships just don't last, that you are not as important to people as you believe and that sadly some people are only out for themselves or worse yet to see you fail. My friends over the years have been the greatest source of comfort and at times heartache to me; this last trip to Colorado was disappointing from the perspective, I know I made it a point to let everyone know I was not there for my friends but for my children, however I did expect some of my friends to come see to make time for me as I try and do for them. I have to admit to having some hurt feelings over the lack of visits and in some cases even a phone call to make sure I was ok and the kids were ok. However some friends like always come through, Jim went very much out of his way, Victoria who has been there for 30 plus years for me, Derik who couldn't be more family if he was blood related I got to see. The phone Calls From Amanda and Dian were great as well and I wish some mis-communication wouldn't have prevented visits. Anyway some friendships are lifetimes, some are brief, however I do value all my friends and really wish they all valued me the same.

Family & Foes:
So this trip meant seeing people who don't like me, the trip was however for my children and Dorathy not anyone else. Dealing with my former brother in law and his wife brought me frustration at times, when a few kind words couldn't even be spoken my direction. I know even when I was family I was not favored with them but during a time of family mourning you would think. I learned that they are exactly the people I have always believed them to be which makes me sad for them, people who think they are better than others and people judge without all the facts often get burned in the end. Then the big one the ex; I try very hard to be friends with him and during this visit I did try more so than ever before, this family has lost many loved ones, no one as much as Dorathy I knew he was going to be devastated and he was. However once again he showed his true colors by insulting me in front of our oldest child, THEN apologizing for it because someone saw him. Frankly I would rather not have had the apology at all. People should be honest 100% of the time not sugar coat it so in a way I'm glad to know where I stand and perhaps in some sad way where I have always stood with him. I had to not only deal with the former in laws on this trip but my mother as well. My former in laws many of them are great, my former sister in law Dana is a sweet kind hearted person, my former father in law Dave is Truly a nice guy. So many of the aunts, uncles and cousin are kind and sweet and I hated saying goodbye again to all of them. Hopefully though since my kids are family I sort of still am and can keep in better contact with some of them. As for my mother and brother, to say that we have been estranged would be an understatement. My Brother is angry at me for something that he won't talk to me about. Which is for the best I suppose because I have my own issues with him that I may not be kind about. As for my mother, I guess she is trying to be kind, a card and a birthday gift plus a few phone calls of concern for my well being during the drive. Considering she really hasn't spoken to me in months this is a step forward. However like my brother she does not want to discuss why she is upset. This is very much her way, be angry let it blow over, be friends, then be angry again and the cycle repeats. I guess nothing changes huh?

Forging Forward:
So here I am back in Annapolis trying very hard to process all my feeling from this trip and return to a "normal" life as well as move forward. The last Death in the family really lead me to a different life, made me so some things that I couldn't or didn't want to see before, I think this has the same effect, what those things are however I don't know. College is coming to an end for me and that will keep me busier than I have been in a long time but the pressure of the dissertation is getting to me and more now than ever before I want to quit; I have a Masters Degree which is lot more than some. Work is always busy and then just the normal day to day things life throws your way. My life seems to be as settled and calm as its going to be for a bit, however things change as much as I don't want them to they always do. I am going forward trying to see what the next move forward brings in change.

Goodbye Dorathy

2011-07-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

So how to say goodbye, it's not something life teaches us but life is full of goodbyes. These past few days have been hard for my boys and harder than I care to admit on me. My children lost a grandmother but so much more than that. They lost some comfort and stability in their lives as well. No matter what Dorathy's home was the same. For me she was a family, and friend, and at times drove me crazy, could never understand certain things, like the fact that voice mail was not an answering machine and no matter how many times you said pick up it wasn't going to happen. She told it like it was and at times hurt my feelings, she was one of the first people who knew that i was getting getting divorced which is funny because she is my ex husbands family not mine but her concern was for my children and always has been. I can't tell you how many holidays spent at her place, gathered as she watched all the kids big and little open gifts, how many meals were consumed around her dinner table, how many tears were shed in her arms for losses big and little in her home. I am very lucky though I am honored to be one of the few people ever to cook in her kitchen, I think she liked my deviled eggs most of all at least they were the most requested. The early morning yard sales, the bunco games, the simple stopping by to talk and then leaving 4 hours later because you couldn't just say hi. The years of pancake breakfast and parades, the pot roast everyone ate because no one had the heart not to, the BBQ everyone loved to eat will all be missed but nothing will be missed as much as walking in the door and seeing her sitting in her chair. Goodbye I will miss you.

People!

2011-07-01T02:23:00.000-07:00

So certain people really get to me sometimes! Here is my top 3. People who are not professional, people who can not make decisions and people who feel they are more important.

First: People who are not professional; these are the people who cause us all trouble at work; these are the people who make the rest of us do everyone else's job. In Early Education our job's are hard enough for little pay and over regulation we fight not to be seen as babysitter but as professionals then we have those who we work with who are not professional and that makes it even harder. These are those who refuse to be team players, those who think certain aspects of the job are above them, those who are the gossip mongers, and those who would walk away from a classroom of children to get back at co workers. Why do you even work in this field anyway? Early education is only for those who have a passion for children and families there is no money in it. The only reward we get is from the kids and co workers so be a professional or find another field to work in!

Second: people who want the others to make the choices or decisions for them, these are people who want to take no responsibility for actions, this way if something can or should go wrong they can say, it wasn't my choice, or I didn't do it. These people boggle me! Life is full of choices daily; hate the fact that I always seems to be making choices, when I ask for a choice from someone it really means i'm feed up you make the call can I make the decision absolutely but why no one else seems to want to anymore really bothers me. I think this goes for American in general as well. It is much easier to sit back and watch then to stand up and do something. At what point is the shift going to take place at what point is society or your breaking point?

Last: people who think they are more important than you; everyone knows these people, these are the people who cut in front of you in the store, cut into the median on the highway during a traffic jam, interrupt your conversation with your boss, etc, etc. Why? Why is anyone's time more valuable than anyone else's There are only 24 hours in a day for anyone that includes homeless, those who are rich, my time is just a valuable as anyone's and should be respected as such.

Bottom line I think all of this comes back to respect basic respect what happened to it? Where did it go?

30 to 1

2011-06-25T04:04:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am going to try blogging more again, I have a few die hard friends I love who have requested it! So to jump back in is my recent list from my videos of my 30 to 1. I was asked by another Facebook friend to do this for 30 days so I did it, some songs have deep heart felt meaning, others are simply songs I like. (please no comments about artist spellings, I'm just going to look them all up to correct them, thanks) I guess your job is to figure which is which or enjoy the list and maybe find a new or old artist to listen to.

So here is my list for those that missed my top 30!
30. Bon Jovi: It's My Life
29. Rascal Flatts: Unstoppable
28: Nickelback: Rockstar
27: Lee Greenwood: God Bless the USA
26: Smash Mouth: All Star
25: Bon Jovi: Wanted Dead or Alive
24: Rush: Countdown
23: Brook and Dunn: My Maria
22: That's what friends are for
21: Van Morrison: My Brown Eyed Girl
20: Bon Jovi: Undivided
19: Carrie Underwood: Before he cheats
18: Meredith Brooks : I'm a Bitch
17: Lynyrd Skynyrd: Free Bird
16: Reba: Fancy
15: Bryan Adams: Everything I do I do it for you
14: John Lenon: Imagine
13: Elvis: Always on My mind
12: Steve Winwood: Roll with it
11: Joshua Kadison: Beautiful in my Eyes
10: Led Zepplin: Immigrant Song
9: Carrie Underwood: Cowboy Casanova
8: Rascal Flats: What Hurts The most
7: Nickelback: Animals
6: Shine Down: Call Me
5: Wierd Al: Amish Paradise
4: Pink Floyd: The Wall
3: Halesotrm: I'm no Angel
2: Chris Young: Tomorrow
1: Alanis Morissette: Everything

Job Hunters!!!!!

2011-06-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Okay so I haven't blogged in a while and I'm taking my lunch break to blog should speak to my level of frustration with this topic! I do not understand where people come from or why they have to be greedy and ungrateful. In my new job I am Upper management and until we find a new HR person I am reviewing resume's and writing Ad's for job opening, not my area by ANY stretch of the imagination however; some job hunting tips.

1: READ the Entire Posting (for example don't call and ask how to I apply when you have just shown me you can read and follow directions)

2: Put in the subject line what job you are applying for (This should be a no brainier but it's not)

3: Don't call and tell me your life story THEN tell me you do NOT meet the minimum qualification for the job. (Why waste my time and yours?)

4: Also don't call and ask me if there is ANY was around the minimum qualifications (there is a REASON they say minimum!)

5: Don't call or email and ask for the salary, this is a questions left for a 2nd interview people!

6: Don't call and ask about Benefits again this is a question left IF you get called in for an interview.

7: A job posting is a posting not a magic wand to a interview I posted a job it may be a week or two before interviews calling me everyday is going to just drive me crazy and REALLY do you want someone who has a say in you getting a job or not already disliking you BEFORE the interview.

8: Don't place your Salary requirements in your resume unless asked, DON'T! Salary requirements are left for Upper management positions or for those who hold higher degrees!! You can't ask 35,000 for a Teachers Assistant job EVEN in DC sorry! I'm going to look at that and laugh more so when you only have a certificate and no college!

9: Spell check, spell check, Spell Check, Spell Check!!! If you miss spell in your cover letter, odds are you are going to the bottom of the pile!

10: Last but not least Attach the resume to the email!!!

Thank you for allowing me to vent, now I am going to do my "other" job this afternoon and leave the HR stuff alone before I need a white jacket!!! Love to all, hope everyone found this highly entertaining!!!

Love is...

2011-05-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV) It seems odd that me off all people quote something from the bible but it is a good book, I enjoyed reading it and I have a few different versions lying around the house. I like this quote not because it comes from the bible but becasue it has always been to me what Love is supposed to be about. Love is so supposed to be so simple and its all the other the complex stuff of the world that makes it hard. I am divorced and this is not a blog about that however that opened my eyes to the hurt that two people can cause each other and their children all in the name of love. I am a hopeless romantic at heart, I often put on this big tough exterior to most and some people even veiw me as a hearltess but I am truly a hopelss romantic. I like the flowers, candy and the opening of the door for me, I like respect, I like knowing the no matter what when I crawl into bed I get a good night kiss and an I love you whispered in my ear. I think we humans make it to complex, we worry about marriage (although for the record yes I want that again), the job, the car, the mortgage, instead of simply worrying is this person holding my hand happy today and if not how can I make it better? Can I listen to them, Can I take them to dinner, can I hold them, What is the one thing I can do no one else can. No instead we worry about who makes more money, who works harder or longer, who cleaned the toilet last or who walked the dogs. Its life that complicates love. I've spoken to many others on the subject, I've read countless books on it and during my divorce I even wrote on it, however I still find no answers for how not to let the complexities of life complicate love when it is such a simple thing. Some people are so scared of it they would rather be alone than willing to be hurt by love others want love so badly they make bad choices in the hopes of finding it for a moment. So me what do I want, I simply want the poem. I want love.

Expectations

2011-05-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

Do I have unrealistic expectations? I have to wonder? When I want something done I expect it to be done? When I set up an appointment I expect that person to be there, more so when they are supposed to be my supervisor or in some way my superior. I think maybe on some levels I set too high a standards for myself and that's why I get upset or piss people off, because I don't either clearly communicate what my expectations are or they pretend to understand what is expected of them when they clearly do not. Is it to much to ask when you don't understand you simply say I don't understand or when you can not make a meeting you say sorry that time does not work for me? A little bit of honestly goes a LONG way!!!!!

My mother

2011-04-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

So once again I allow myself to be hurt by my mother. She and I have never been the best of friends and considering its been almost a year since she has spoken even a few words to me I guess we wont be. Her birthday is this weekend and I was going to go online and order something and have it sent with a card, then I look and see she exchanged what I sent her from Christmas for something else. I guess it shouldn't surprise me since nothing I have ever picked out for her has been good enough. It just still hurts not to mention I didn't get so much as a thank you from her for Christmas, not a card nothing. Then my last trip to Colorado I sent her a letter before I left, left her a voice mail and texted her that I was coming and maybe we should do dinner, coffee something. I'm old enough to realize that someone has to make the first move. I'm even willing for it to be me. I get nothing except a text back the day I was leaving on my way to the airport saying she just got my texts. Really? I find that hard to believe. So I've decided selfishly I'm not sending her anything I'm not going to call or text her, I'm tired of it being "That's how Lizzy is". I'm hurt that its my mom and I want that relationship with her however I have enough positive people in my life I can live without the negative one even if it is my mother. Someday maybe she will make an effort because I'm done trying. Still though the little girl in me wants her mommy :-(

My Troy

2011-04-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

So realizing that sometimes I focus to much on the negative in my life sometimes, I need to focus more on the positive. I have two wonderful children who I love greatly, they are growing up to be fine young men. I write about people who anger me or upset me and don't write that much about Troy, at least I don't think I do. He was such an unexpected presence in my life, I was just learning to move on when he came out of nowhere to me, I wasn't trusting at first, I was very hesitant, was very unsure. He persisted and pursed although I believe he was feeling much of the same. It takes a lot to get over the loss of a marriage and dealing with a divorce is a lot like mourning the dead. So much hurt, anger and mistrust come out of it that I wonder how people move on. Yet they do, they learn to love and trust again. I love Troy, I trust him but more than that I like him, he is a nice guy, sometimes he is a stereo typical man and lets face it ladies all men are pigs, but he is still the good guy. I think the best thing about Troy is his view point which I have to admit can be hard sometimes, he looks at things from a different perspective than me which is good because sometimes I'm too nice too trusting and get hurt because of it. I sit and watch him sometimes and wonder what he is thinking then his eyes catch mine and they light up, his face lights up and so does mine as we make that eye contact that only those who are in love know. He is very special and at times I'm unsure where our path is taking us but I'm just glad I get to walk it with him.

I wonder

2011-04-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

So I have to wonder who reads my blogs and why, or for that matter who looks at my facebook page even. Recently I have learned that some people including family sadly want to watch me fail. I also learned that some people befriended me for information to give to the ex or accidentally friended me looking for my cousin. This is an open invitation to unfriend me then. I have made huge changes in my life over that past year, I am finally happy and living a life I never dreamed off. This after years of unhappiness and struggle. I have been called petty, selfish and a lair both to my face and behind my back. No I'm not perfect never claimed to be, get over it. Be a true friend or just go away, I have enough negative in my life in simple daily dealings that I want no more. I wan friends who will celebrate me, my new life and the adult me. I am no longer the person I was in junior high, high school or even the 1/2 of the Chris&Rob duo, you want that person sorry she's gone. You want to be a troll and a spy I hope your enjoying yourself because I know I am. To those who support but not always agree with me, thank you! To everyone else BITE ME!

I WILL Continue to express myself!

2011-04-09T07:53:00.001-07:00

I have to say it really bothered me when I discovered that someone had flagged my blog site so now I can not link it to Facebook or post new blogs, I'm going to move sites and post all my blogs to facebook, However I am really upset that someone who calls themself my friend would do this. My understanding of friendship must really be off; my feeling are hurt and you pissed me off whoever you are so well done, kudos to you now just unfriend me and be done. I want NO ONE as my friend who can not feel as though they can come to me. I may be load and outspoken at times but I value everyone's opionon even if it varies from my own. I know not everyone agrees with me on everything and that's fine, our differences are valued as much as our similarities. I will contunie to post Notes and I am moving blog sites to one that CAN NOT be blocked just becasue it gets flagged. If anyone wants to know where message me, for thoose already following my blog I'll send the link and you can follow me there. Another messge to the person that did this, bite me, go away, and be done, I don't want you around! Thanks bye bye! To all my friends and family thanks! To all the haters and trolls just go away! I don't need you to stalk me, go find someone else to bother! After all my life is good it's a shame your is so sad you have to be negitive!

Beautiful Words Seduce, But Actions Commit

2011-04-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

I wish I had written this but it echoes my thoughts today!

Beautiful Words Seduce, But Actions Commit
Posted by: T. L. Cooper @ 5:55 pm

It’s no secret that I love words. I mean I really love words. I’ve shared this before, and anyone who has ever had a conversation with me is now nodding with a knowing smile. Words hold power both in their use and in the restraint of their use.

Sometimes I’m surprised by my reaction to songs such as Extreme’s More Than Words and Madonna’s Words. Extreme asks “What would you do if I took those words away?/Then you couldn’t make things new/Just by saying I love you” and tears well up in the corners of my eyes. Madonna sings “I’m in love with your words” and “But your actions speak louder than words/And, they’re only words unless they’re true/Your actions speak louder than promises, promises/You’re inclined to make and inclined to break” and for some reason I feel slightly rebellious.

How many times in life do we hurt someone, intentionally or more likely unintentionally, and think that saying I love you will make it all better? How many times do we preface a hurtful statement with I love you, but…? How many times do we mumble I love you just because there doesn’t seem to be anything else to say? How many times do we say I love you as an afterthought? How many times do we say I love you because we’re too lazy, preoccupied, busy, or whatever to perform the action that would express that love so much better?

How often do we say I love you and really mean it?

How many times do we listen to someone say beautiful things and fall for them because the words are seductive and, dare I say it, intoxicating? How often do we ignore the fact that someone’s actions don’t match the love expressed in words? How often do allow someone to break promise after promise after promise simply because they say those the most intoxicating words - the ones we love to hear? How often do we forgive one more hurt because someone’s words seduce us? How often do we excuse away someone’s behavior because we want to believe the words they say?

Again, how often do we say I love you and really mean it?

I think about Extreme’s song, and I have to wonder. What would I do if someone took those words away ? What would I do if I couldn’t express my love with words. I have to admit, there are moments when just the idea terrifies me. Not because I think I’m less than loving in my actions - well, at least for the most part - but because I fear losing that safety net. I love you becomes a safety net for those moments when we mess up and want to fix it. It’s a starting point to fix the relationship. Note I said starting point not cure-all.

And then there’s the odd occurence when someone’s words are mean, but their actions are loving. I never know how to take this perhaps because I put so much emphasis on words. If your actions are loving, but you say mean things I will get confused. If you act in a loving manner, but say things that don’t support those actions I won’t know how to react. Is this any better? I don’t think so.

Let there be no mistake, I still love words. The problem comes in when the words mean more than anything else. The problem occurs when words are all we have left to hold on to. The problem is when there is no action to back up the pretty words we hear. And, it’s easy to be taken in by someone’s words when he/she knows exactly what we want to hear and he/she says it every single time we doubt him/her or call him/her on his/her behavior. It’s easy to accept the apology or the I love you because no one wants to turn away love or friendship. But I love you as manipulation has no place in any relationship.

In all honesty, the best thing is when words and actions are in harmony.

Writers, think about this as you write. Do you have a character who is prone to pretty words but never follows through? How can you use that in your storyline? Do you have a character who melts every time a character speaks? Does this get him/her in trouble? Do your characters show their feelings or just say them? Do you use conflict between words and actions to rachet up the tension in your writing?

As my friend, Kelly Deaton, says, ”Love is not a passive verb…” Remember that as you write. Your characters - and your readers - will thank you for it.

The nice thing about writing and life is that so often the lessons we need for life also apply to our writing. So ask yourself what role words play in your life and in your writing. See if you can make both a little more active. I know I plan to.

Hypocrites

2011-03-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

So basically people are Hypocrites, I know this and yet get reminded of it all the time, its sad that mostly it's my family that reminds me of this. Over the last few years my life has changed a lot, it happens, me being me I've gone with the changes one of the largest changes that has occurred is that my children do not live with me anymore, I became "The Non-custodial parent" This happened for a variety of reasons and many people do not understand nor do they care to they simply judge. This goes back to people being hypocrites, Women want equality but we still fall into traditional parenting roles and when we don't we are met with disdain and hatred,If I was a man this would not even be an issue at all but because I am a women and a women who holds a Degree in Children and Families this seems to be an even bigger issue. I have often taken care of other peoples children along with my own, I have taught others how to take care of children and yet my own do not live with me seems strange. Again if I was a man not an issue. I had a choice to make, my children who are older had a choice to make, We all made the choice we felt was best for all concerned. I have a good friend who sent me the following article to show me I'm not the only women to ever make this choice. Thank you for that. We all make choices, mine my not be yours but they were thought out and done with the best of intentions.

The Gender Gap in Motherhood by Rahna Reiko Rizzuto

"How can you leave your children?" It was the question leveled at me when I was away from my children for four months to interview the atomic bomb survivors in Japan. I heard it again, when I was facing divorce and my husband and I had to decide what was best for the children. We decided that he would keep primary physical custody and, as a joint legal custodian, I would move down the block and be a very involved, noncustodial mother. It worked for us. It was the best choice for the children in a time of heartbreak and loss.

But the rest of the world, it seems, could not agree.

An article about my choices that was published on Salon.com generated so much public conversation that it continued on television. Rage on behalf of my not-actually-abandoned children can be extreme. The responses directly to my website split along clear gender lines, and expose our great anxiety, not only about the perfect motherhood ideal that we can't live up to, but also about our transforming family structures and our high divorce rate.

Men -- not all but many -- tend to accuse, call names and threaten me. I am "evil," "worse than Hitler," "trailer trash and a perfect liberal," and other things that don't bear repeating. One told me I was only "created to create." Another man in the Huffington Post comment section made up a whole story about how the Vermont family court stripped me of custody. His comment was eerily authoritative, and entirely impossible: I don't live in Vermont!

These angry men have missed the point. I have not, as one accused, "left my children in an orphanage." On The View, Joy Behar pointed out that if I was a man, we would not be having this conversation, and it's true. When I was separated from my children to do my work, people called my husband "a saint" for taking care of his children. If he had left, and I, as the mother, had stayed behind, people would have asked me how he was doing over there and said how exciting it must be for him to be pursuing the work he loved!

As a noncustodial mother, I am exactly the opposite of a deadbeat dad. I give my children love, time and money. We cook together, do homework, play games and have an old-fashioned "how was your day?" conversation at dinner. Since I work from home, our days start after school, the minute they arrive, not after the traditional workday. They feel like they spend the same amount of time with me as with their dad, probably because our time together is focused, quality time when they are the center of my attention. And still, because I am a woman, people equate this with "leaving."

Women's responses to me have been different. More women than men have written to me directly, and they tell me their stories. Most are supportive, but even those who are not have shared advice or a glimpse into their own lives. So many have offered encouragement and thanked me for telling my truth, and some report, unfortunately, that when they tried to express their support in the comments on an article, they too were attacked in turn. But ambivalence about motherhood and struggles with divorce mark many of these stories. Even women who have dedicated themselves to a more traditional motherhood are sometimes exhausted by the overwhelming demands of the myth of the perfect mother and their role as caretaker in their marriage.

Why do we continue to cling to a dream that is increasingly impossible in a society where approximately half our children live with divorced parents, single moms, grandparents, LGBT parents and single dads? Partly, I think, because of our wish for unconditional, all encompassing love, much like the fairytale of the prince on the white horse coming to rescue the beautiful maiden. Love is essential, of course, and so is caretaking. The problem is that, in our society, we put the full responsibility for providing it on the woman. Our mothers are our knights in shining armor: our prince.

It has become clear, in my conversations with women, that too many are functioning as sole caretaker: caring for children, spouses, clients or patients at work if they do work, and then elderly parents as time moves on. Their needs wait until everyone else's are satisfied. Some women embrace this role and do it with love, but that doesn't make them less exhausted and ambivalent. It is this "role" that I was rejecting when I said I didn't want to be a "mother," but many people have put different words into my mouth, claiming that I do not want my children. This is wrong. These two things are not at all the same. But the misunderstanding is very important to look at. If we let the all-encompassing role of "mother caregiver" be the equivalent to love, there is no way to make changes and improve the situation for women.

My family is trying to recreate itself in love, honesty and support of every member in it-- adults and children alike. I love my sons and they know it. Like many divorced parents, I don't sleep in the same house with them, but that does not mean I am evil or human garbage. Roles and gender expectations, aside, the opinions that matter are the ones voiced by the people who see my family in action. Like the high school counselor at my sons' middle school who told me last week that my former husband and I were the best co-parents she has ever seen.

Stop being sheep!!!

2011-03-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

I really worry about society and the tendency of people to be sheep sometimes. This tragedy in Japan is a natural disaster, it is not God's will; it was not predicted in the bible SO STOP quoting it. I'm amazed how many people can quote the bible that have never actually read it. I have 7 versions of them! Read that many then come talk to me about the connections in natural disasters. The earth is a living organism, the earth is Billions of years old and is going to always disasters and problems, always! This is a process, this is the natural order of events, not something that was preordained. If you think for one second that we can save the planet you have a larger view of yourself than you should, the earth with shake off humanity when our time is up. Whole civilizations disappear all the time and historically have. It is a great tragedy right now, stop quoting the bible and do something about it! Lets help these people rebuild. Lets do this because it is the right thing to do for humanity NOT the right thing to do to score points in the after life.Over the next few days the numbers of dead and injured will grow, sadly nothing can change that. However we can stop being sheep, stop praying stop comparing and start donating or volunteering! AND PLEASE STOP BEING SHEEP! Any passage from any text, any number and any statistic can be twisted and used for a purpose it was not intended.

Drama Queen's , Hypocrites, and Religious zealots oh my!!!

2011-03-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

OK so to break down my pet peeve today: (For anyone who reads this and I offend, I am not sorry! I'm not trying to be cruel but trying to make a point!)

First off Drama Queens, get over it the world does not in fact revolve around you; if you don't like the way something is ging in your life change it or accept it BUT STOP complaining to everyone about it. Either pee or get of the pot plain and simple!!!!! (Are you pregnant and getting fatter, having morning sickness you knew that could happen DUH, stop complaining about it, have a toddler who is off the wall, they are a toddler duh, have a kid who won't eat anything but fast food, STOP feeding him only fast food DUH! Tired of your husband/boyfriends tryst, drinking, etc, then LEAVE DUH, stop complaining! Sad because you can't find a job or your failing at college get off Facebook and look for a job or do the work DUH, but stop complaining!)

Second Hypocrites, don't tell me how to live my life and I won't tell you how to live yours, I will give advice and I won't judge, HOWEVER stop judging before you know all the facts or all sides of the story (there are 3 sides to every story after all). Stop judging others for the choices they make, walk 100 miles in someone else's shoes before you open your mouth to me or about me, otherwise you have leg to stand on with me, period! (Want to complain about Abortions volunteer for planned parenthood and see what truly brings these women in, want to complain about gas prices stop driving for the day take public transportation or WALK (I know such a new concept), want to complain how pissed of you are at the UNITED STATES government for anything go live somewhere else!, LASTLY you want to tell me how to live my life, trade places with me for a week or else shut the hell up!)

Lastly Religious Zelots, I love all my friends and I have MANY friends who are Christians, I try ver hard not to judge anyone based on religion and even when I do say something it's based on facts, HOWEVER, I am tired of all the Christians who post (OR TEXT, OR EMAIL, OR say "I'll pray for you") who never once consider I don't believe. MY faith is my faith and I do not push it on anyone however today I will share it. I WAS once a "Christian" and by definition anyone who believes in Jesus is (so that means, even Catholics and Mormons are in Fact Christians!) So then I am because I do believe he existed I DO NOT believe he was the son of GOD, I also don't believe that GOD can be proven, the afterlife, heaven or hell. So then what do I believe, I believe in Humanism.
What is Humanism; it encompasses a variety of nontheistic views (atheism, agnosticism, rationalism, naturalism, secularism, and so forth) while adding the important element of a comprehensive worldview and set of ethical values (I am a VERY Ethical person), informed by scientific knowledge, and driven by a desire to meet the needs of people in the here and now. Humanism is a worldview which says that reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for how you act toward someone else. Humanism is nontheistic. By this, I don't mean to say that there is no God. I think that there is no proof for the existence of God, any gods, the supernatural or an afterlife. I do take very seriously the idea that "No deity will save us; we must save ourselves." (This is also the view of most Humanists) We are living the only life we'll have, in the only world we know about. The responsibility for the choices we make are ours and ours alone. All the choices we make should be based on this and this alone!

Goodbye, you are missed!

2011-03-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

So with much sadness I learned that one of my childhood teachers died. It made me think of all the countless times I spent in her class square dancing as she was the music teacher. I remember the concerts and her smile. I am very lucky to have know Mrs. Drury! So Today’s Blog is about teachers. I am thinking of changing careers and fields, Education is seeing so many changes, budgets cuts and other sweeping changes I’m not sure I want to be in this field anymore; if I do or not I still want to say thanks to all the teachers who have ever worked for me, I also want to say thanks to certain teachers in my life. Mrs. Anderson from 1st grade who sat me next to Victoria who I already kind of knew but that helped solidify our lifelong friendship; Ms.Parzz from 2nd grade who made me realize that individuality is okay. From 3rd grade Mrs. Hutka her love of books and listening to her read to the class helped with my love of books. Also from Elementary school Mrs. Ermal and her love of holidays. Jr. High and Mr. Muirro was my favorite because he really understood the material and was willing to hear new ideas and viewpoints and frankly mine were sometimes outside the box. Transferring schools in High school was hard however Mr.McIntire made it all worthwhile, he took and interest in me and helped me out without him, I really wonder if I would have even gradated! In College I had three VERY special Professors who made me want to teach college Michelle Bender, Delores McGorge and Chris Rudnick to all of these teacher plus so many others Thank you!!! Mrs. Drury, Goodbye, you are missed!!!

Mrs.Drury, Goodbye, you are missed!

2011-03-09T03:11:00.000-08:00

Breakfast burritos

2011-03-08T03:12:00.000-08:00

Breakfast burritos
These are great, they are not spicy so the kids will eat them if you like spicy use hot sausage and dip them in salsa!

You can make these ahead of time and re-heat in microwave
Makes 12
6 eggs
¼ cup heavy cream or milk
½ pound of breakfast sausage
1 cup grated cheese
1 package tortillas (12)

Scrambled eggs and cream together and cook until light and fluffy.
Brown sausage, drain and add to Cooked Egg mixture.
Top with cheese
Take 2 TBPS and place in center of tortilla and roll up.
Serve immediately or wrap each tortilla in Plastic warp and freeze for up to a week or place in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tagged: Silly I know

2011-03-07T02:57:00.000-08:00

So in the early facebook days and when myspace was around and before that when email was the main for of mass communication I did a lot more of these and I miss them so I'm doing one this morning.

I you read it then You've been tagged. You have the honor of copying all these goofy questions, writing your own responses, and tagging 25 victims. You have to tag me, so really you just need 24 more innocent bystanders.

To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your title as "Getting to know each other!", tag 25 people including me (tagging is done in the right hand corner of the app), make up some answers, then click publish.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Which time? 2:15, 4 ,or 5:15

2. How do you like your steak?
Rare

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Harry Potter

4. What is/are your favorite TV show(s)?
Californication, Men of a Certain age or Dexter.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Not sure?

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Eating an apple

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Fondue

8. What foods do you dislike?
Peas & Cilantro

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
The Melting pot,

10. Favorite dressing?
Honey Mustard

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
'06 Mazda 5 microvan

12. What are your favorite clothes?
comfortable jeans & Sweater

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Just about anywhere I've never been

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
1/2 full!

15. Where would you want to retire?
Maui maybe

16. Favorite time of day?
morning

17. Where were you born?
Colorado

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Football

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
many!

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
no idea

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
everyone I tag

22. Bird watcher?
I like to look at pretty birds, but I don't consider myself a 'watcher'!

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
morning!

24. Pets?
No

25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share?
Not really.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
a teacher

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Um, not sure? So many Lisa and I getting into trouble!

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog

29. Are you married?
no

30. Always wear your seat belt?
always

31. Been in a car accident?
yes

32. Any pet peeves?
People who always have something wrong with them, but aren't willing to do anything to help themselves; people not watching their own children and then getting upset if anyone else try to correct them, people who can not find blinkers, people who throw cigarette butts out of car windows. So many I'm making a list!!!

33. Favorite pizza topping?
Black Olives

34. Favorite Flower?
Carnations

35. Favorite ice cream?
Mint Choc chip

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Chick Fil A

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
Never!

38. From whom did you get your last email?
Troy?

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
I even have a credit card but Khols!

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Not really

41. Like your job?
yes!

42. Broccoli?
Yes

43. What was your favorite vacation?
Disney world

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Troy! (Motzi Sushi!)

45. What are you listening to right now?
Shower running

46. What is your favorite color?
Purple by itself OR Red white and blue

47. How many tattoos do you have?
A few

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
No one its a blog

49. What time did you finish this quiz?
6:08 am

50. What are you going to do right now?
Post this and get to work!

No Settling

2011-03-06T08:25:00.002-08:00

So I have discovered I'm selfish and I am beginning to be okay with it. I want what I want and for too long I settled for what was expected, doing the unexpected caused grief and STILL causes grief but if I'm damned if I do and Damned if I don't then I will never settle again! People can either get behind me and support me or bye bye with you! I love my new life! It is not the life I settled for it is NOT the life I planned IT IS the life I choose and will continue to choose! I love "Settlin" by sugar land so here are the lyrics as well. To everyone who has ever settled or IS settling for less than what you want get up and make what you want happen!

"Settlin" by Sugarland

Fifteen minutes left to throw me together
For mister right now, not mister forever
Don't know why I even try when I know how it ends
Looking like another "maybe we could be friends"
I've been leaving it up to fate
It's my life so it's mine to make

I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
Just enough ain't enough this time
I ain't settling for anything less than everything, yeah

With some good red wine and my brand new shoes
Gonna dance a blue streak around my living room
Take a chance on love and try how it feels
With my heart wide open now you know I will
Find what it means to be the girl
Who changed her mind and changed her world

I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
Just enough ain't enough this time
I ain't settling for anything less than everything

I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
Just enough ain't enough this time

I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
I ain't settling no, no, no, no, no, no

So raise the bar high

Pet Peeve!

2011-03-06T08:25:00.001-08:00

People who have no respect for Early Childhood Teachers and call them babysitters OR daycare providers! I have NEVER sat on a baby and the day can take care of itself. FYI: MOST have MORE education than public school teachers and more training; ALSO they are great secret keepers "Mommy and daddy take showers together; the cops brought mommy home, daddy went to the bathroom but didn't make it, I threw up purple after eating mommys secret candy, the dog ate the gold balloons, and many more, I could write a book! PLUS your child lies, tells you they get picked on but they are the ones that put glue in the other persons hair and are often times being told PLEASE don't lick that! Kids are kids they are cute for a reason! Got to love them! To all the Early Childhood Professional I know and Love You guys ROCK! When I win the lottery we will design and open the world greatest center! In Maui of Course!

Gay marriage

2011-02-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

So I though today I was going to post my final blog, however after reading yet another newspaper article on the subject I have chosen to write a few more. So to those who I will upset with this I apologize in advance this is after all only my opinion for what it is worth. But let’s talk about marriage furthermore lets’ talk about Gay marriage. I think we need to legalize It for all of just get rid of it. Now before some of your heads explode hear me out. First let’s talk definitions : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage : the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock : the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage : an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities : an intimate or close union Okay so some definitions do say opposite sex and some say same sex. No clear cut winner with definitions Now some Examples of Marriage as a word in real life use.
1. It was his second marriage.
2. They have a very happy marriage.
3. Her first two marriages ended in divorce.
4. She has old-fashioned ideas about marriage.
5. Couples living together before marriage
6. Many friends and relatives were present at their marriage.
7. A priest who has performed many marriages
8. A marriage of sweet and spicy flavors
9. A marriage of science and art
So marriage isn’t even always between people but it can be between ideas. Now back to the subject of marriage as it is known for in this discussion. The origin of marriage is from the Anglo-French word marier or to marry first used in the 14th century. It was used to help distinguish women to a man for the purposes of property for the record. So the word itself is not an old word but fairly recent. Hmm… The idea of marriage has not always been one of; one man and one woman, and has not always been one of forever; many cultures find plural marriages acceptable and historically marriage is not a forever proposition; ie your wife dies you took another etc... The version of marriage that is being defended today is the Victorian ideal of marriage. Personally I loved the Victorian times, great tableware, great clothes, however the ideals not so great. Marriage itself like so many other things is great as an idea but not so great in inception. Relationships are hard, loving someone is hard, and commitment is hard. I don’t need a piece a paper to know how I feel about Troy. I also didn’t need a judge to tell me my marriage to Rob was over. However modern society and laws dictate certain constraints and we have fallen victim to them. I know many gay couples that have better relationships than straight couples I know. Marriage is about love, honor, commitment, honesty, trust, and friendship not about a piece of paper but that piece of paper gets you a safety and security in the laws eyes should something happen. Life insurance, retirement, simpler things like access to the checkbook are easy if you’re married, not married that’s much, much harder. As for giving the title of domestic partnership sorry no dice; the Supreme Court ruled separate but equal is not equal and I think this applies to gay marriage as well. Marriage is marriage. I think if you are lucky enough to meet someone who you want that level of commitment with then no one, not the court and society should be able to tell you that you can’t have it. The only ones who are going to really benefit from gay marriage are the wedding planners and divorce attorneys anyway! Also a brief word on Divorce, I don’t think it should be as hard or as costly as it is. Take what you put in and split the rest, Alimony so women I don’t believe in it; get of your asses and get a job! I didn’t take alimony in my divorce and frankly I have no respect for anyone who does. When you know it’s over just be done with it, don’t drag it out. Marriage end, relationships end but every ending is a new beginning.

A History of Valentine's Day.

2011-02-14T02:36:00.000-08:00

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial which probably occurred around 270 A.D others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.

V-Day (Men read this!)

2011-02-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ok so Valentines Day is coming up! This is a hotly debated holiday! Why did it start and what is the real reason behind it. In my next blog I'll write on the history of it. This blog is for the men, okay yes this is a hallmark holiday, NO we don't need a holiday to know how much you love us. However we do like to get cards, flowers and dinner, sometimes you men are not the romantic of creatures. Playing video games is not romantic, fun maybe, we like flowers and you had BETTER know what our favorite flower is and we want 1 single one of them! or 12 of them either is good. Our favorite Chocolate or candy is also great! Plus a nice dinner. AND yes we know you also take us out to dinner more than on Valentines day but this is a special day about couples so this should be a couples day out! As for the card spend a little time on it please! We don't need a present although we like them Jewelery is not necessary unless its "that" time or long time together. Cute presents are always good! As for all you guys who don't celebrate it because you don't believe in it, understand this, NO matter what she says She is disappointed, besides its a few hours, think of all the things this women does for you after all a few hours means so much. How many Sundays does she spend on the couch watching sports? Letting you go out with the guys etc? 1 day? Because really Valentines day is about the women. 20 years later I still remember the guy who gave me a bear and wrapped my locker in valentines day paper and bought me flowers more than anyone else ever. (This sadly includes my ex husband) It was a small cute gesture that meant a lot! So men REALLY think about this when you are shopping sometimes something sweet to show you care even if YOU hate it is the most meaningful thing you can do.

Fast Food and Illegal Immigration

2011-02-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ok so time for a soapbox! I love fast food, I worked at chick-fil-A for years and it was a HARD job people do not can not understand how hard it is. That being said today Chipotle is coming under fire for hiring illegal immigrants. Well frankly this is one debate I'm going to weigh in on. I personally don't like Chipotle but thats not the point. THe point is the ILLEGAL part. I'm all for immigration but do it legally, I have grandparents who came to this country as immigrants, LEGAL immigrant, THEY HAD to learn english, NO option for spanish, or german or whatever! I here all the sob stories of why they come to this county but bottom line it's ILLEGAL, they aren't doing any harm right? Still ILLEGAL, they are taking away jobs we don't want anyway? Still ILLEGAL, they are not paying taxes? STILL ILLEGAL? They aren't hurting anyone , STILL ILLEGAL!!! It's really not that hard to become a citizen, not that hard to get a visa, then to get citizenship, then, you pay taxes, you get a job and you become a productive member of society! otherwise it's ILLEGAL, I DON"T care how sad your story is or why you left your country there are HONEST ways to get into the united states and stay, use them, to all the employers starting with Chipotle they are getting cracked down on, good it's about time, STOP hiring these ILLEGAL immigrants, STOP!, Hire those that come here LEGALLY or better yet go back to hiring the pimply faced teenagers! ILLEGAL immigration is a problem and will be a problem as long as we over look that fact that these people do not respect the Untied States enough to respect the law to get into the country legally. ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL PERIOD! As for Chipotle I don't like it and barely eat there anyway but now I'm asking everyone to boycot it since they do hire illegal immigrants and frankly I work hard for my money and I want it to go towards companies that hire legal workers, and ANY other companies that hire illegal immigrants that I find out about during this crack down I will also stop patronizing and be letting everyone know about, ILLEGAL is ILLEGAL! NO I don't feel bad they had to fire 1/2 of their workers they knew, as a former general manager you know what papers you are supposed to keep on your employees. Shame on them!

20 Questions to change your life

2011-01-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

Okay so I read this today from Oprah.com or something like that but it does bring up certain ideas. So I have changed the questions and added a few of my own comments in. Its enjoyable if nothing else. If you're like most people, you became obsessed with questions around the age of two or three, and scientists now know that continuing to ask them can help keep your mind nimble however old you eventually become.

"So when someone suggested I put together a list of the 20 most important questions we should all be asking ourselves, I was thrilled. Initially.
Then I became confused about which questions to ask, because of course, as I soon realized, context is everything. In terms of saving your life, the key question is, "Did I remember to fasten my seat belt?" In terms of saving money, "How much do I need to retire before I'm 90?" is a strong contender. If daily usefulness is the point, "What'll I wear?" and "What should I eat first?" might lead the list. And for the philosophically minded, "To be or not to be?" really is the question.
Because I'm far too psychologically fragile to make sense of this subjective morass, I made the bold decision to pass the buck. The 20 questions that follow are based on "crowdsourcing," meaning I asked a whole mess of actual, free-range women what they thought every woman should ask herself. Thanks to all of you who sent in entries via social media.The questions included here are composites of those that were suggested most often, though I've mushed them together and rephrased some for brevity. Asking them today could redirect your life. Answering them every day will transform it.(So this is where I stopped quoting the article and starting paraphrasing and adding in my own)
1. What questions should I be asking myself?
At first I thought asking yourself what you should be asking yourself was redundant. It isn't. Without this question, you wouldn't ask any others, so it gets top billing. It creates an alert, thoughtful mind state, ideal for ferreting out the information you most need in every situation. Ask it frequently.
2. Is this what I want to be doing?
This very moment is, always, the only moment in which you can make changes. Knowing which changes are best for you comes, always, from assessing what you feel. Ask yourself many times every day if you like what you're doing. If the answer is no, start noticing what you'd prefer. Thus begins the revolution.
3. Why worry?
These two words, considered sincerely, can radically reconfigure the landscape of your mind. Worry rarely leads to positive action; it's just painful, useless fear about hypothetical events, which scuttles happiness rather than ensuring it. Some psychologists say that by focusing on gratitude, we can shut down the part of the brain that worries. It actually works and yes I'm working on the worry part myself no one changes overnight!
4. Why do I like {popcorn} more than I like {people}?
Feel free to switch out the words in brackets: You may like TV more than exercise, or bad boys more than nice guys, or burglary more than reading. Whatever the particulars, every woman has something she likes more than the somethings she's supposed to like. But forcing "virtues" -- trying to like people more than popcorn -- drives us to vices that offer false freedom from oppression. Stop trying to like the things you don't like, and many vices will disappear on their own.
5. How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it?
Your existence is already a factor in world history -- now, what sort of factor do you want it to be? Maybe you know you're here to create worldwide prosperity, a beautiful family, or one really excellent bagel. If your impressions are more vague, keep asking this question. Eventually you'll glimpse clearer outlines of your destiny. Live by design, not by accident.
6. How do I want to be different because I lived in this world?
In small ways or large, your life will change the world -- and in small ways or large, the world will change you. What experiences do you want to have during your brief sojourn here? Make a list. Make a vision board. Make a promise. This won't control your future, but it will shape it.
7. Are {vegans} better people?
Again, it doesn't have to be vegans; the brackets are for you to fill in. Substitute the virtue squad that makes you feel worst about yourself, the one you'll never have the discipline to join, whether it's ultra-marathoners or mothers who never raise their voices. Whatever group you're asking about, the answer to this question is no.
8. What is my body telling me?
As I often say, my mind is a two-bit whore -- by which I mean that my self-justifying brain, like any self-justifying brain, will happily absorb beliefs based on biases, ego gratification, magical thinking, or just plain error. The body knows better. It's a wise, capable creature. It recoils from what's bad for us, and leans into what's good. Let it.
9. How much junk could a chic chick chuck if a chic chick could chuck junk?
I believe this question was originally posed by Lao Tzu, who also wrote, "To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something." Face it: You'd be better off without some of your relationships, many of your possessions, and most of your thoughts. Chuck your chic-chick junk, chic chick. Enlightenment awaits.(Gals this means you get rid of the drama, we all have it but why surround yourself with it? Why add more on? Why live your life in it?)
10. What's so funny?
Adults tend to put this question to children in a homicidal-sounding snarl, which is probably why as you grew up, your laughter rate dropped from 400 times a day (for toddlers) to the grown-up daily average of 15. Regain your youth by laughing at every possible situation. Then, please, tell us what's funny -- about everyday life, about human nature, even about pain and fear. We'll pay you anything.
11. Where am I wrong?
This might well be the most powerful question on our list -- as Socrates believed, we gain our first measure of intelligence when we first admit our own ignorance. Your ego wants you to avoid noticing where you may have bad information or unworkable ideas. But you'll gain far more capability and respect by asking where you're wrong than by insisting you're right. (Also learn to be wrong its okay! however don't make a career out of being wrong either!)
12. What potential memories am I bartering, and is the profit worth the price?
I once read a story about a world where people sold memories the way we can sell plasma. The protagonist was an addict who'd pawned many memories for drugs but had sworn never to sell his memory of falling in love. His addiction won. Afterward he was unaware of his loss, lacking the memory he'd sold. But for the reader, the trade-off was ghastly to contemplate. Every time you choose social acceptance over your heart's desires, or financial gain over ethics, or your comfort zone over the adventure you were born to experience, you're making a similar deal. Don't.
13. Am I the only one struggling not to {fart} during {yoga}?
I felt profoundly liberated when this issue was raised on Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update." Not everyone does yoga, but SNL reminded me that everyone dreads committing some sort of gaffe. Substitute your greatest shame-fear: crying at work, belching in church, throwing up on the prime minister of Japan. Then know you aren't alone. Everyone worries about such faux pas, and many have committed them (well, maybe not the throwing up on PMs). Accepting this is a bold step toward mental health and a just society.
14. What do I love to practice?
Some psychologists believe that no one is born with any particular talent and that all skill is gained through practice. Studies have shown that masters are simply people who've practiced a skill intensely for 10,000 hours or more. That requires loving -- not liking, loving -- what you do. If you really want to excel, go where you're passionate enough to practice.
15. Where could I work less and achieve more?
To maximize time spent practicing your passions, minimize everything else. These days you can find machines or human helpers to assist with almost anything. Author Timothy Ferriss "batches" job tasks into his famous "four-hour workweek." My client Cindy has an e-mail ghostwriter. Another client, Angela, hired an assistant in the Philippines who flawlessly tracks her schedule and her investments. Get creative with available resources to find more time in your life and life in your time.
16. How can I keep myself absolutely safe?
Ask this question just to remind yourself of the answer: You can't. Life is inherently uncertain. The way to cope with that reality is not to control and avoid your way into a rigid little demi-life, but to develop courage. Doing what you long to do, despite fear, will accomplish this.
17. Where should I break the rules?
If everyone kept all the rules, we'd still be practicing cherished traditions like child marriage, slavery, and public hangings. The way humans become humane is by assessing from the heart, rather than the rule book, where the justice of a situation lies. Sometimes you have to break the rules around you to keep the rules within you.
18. So say I lived in that fabulous house in Tuscany, with untold wealth, a gorgeous, adoring mate, and a full staff of servants...then what?
We can get so obsessed with acquiring fabulous lives that we forget to live. When my clients ask themselves this question, they almost always discover that their "perfect life" pastimes are already available. Sharing joy with loved ones, spending time in nature, finding inner peace, writing your novel, plotting revenge -- you can do all these things right now. Begin!
19. Are my thoughts hurting or healing?
Your situation may endanger your life and limbs, but only your thoughts can endanger your happiness. Telling yourself a miserable mental story about your circumstances creates suffering. Telling yourself a more positive and grateful story, studies show, increases happiness. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, choose thoughts that knit your heart together, rather than tear it apart.
20. Really truly: Is this what I want to be doing?
It's been several seconds since you asked this. Ask it again. Not to make yourself petulant or frustrated -- just to see if it's possible to choose anything, and I mean any little thing, that would make your present experience more delightful. Thus continues the revolution.

Cell phones for welfare?

2011-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm just wondering why those on welfare need cell phones? To me this seems like an extra expense that they don't really need. Now there is a government program providing cell phones to elfare recipients. I have to say this one steps over the line. I do not nor will I ever believe that we need a welfare program in the HOWEVER if so lets make it fair and it's not. So many things about it piss me off I'm not even sure where to begin but to stay on task, Welfare recipients often times get discounts on other public programs including school lunches. So not only do they get around $100 per person in the house per month for food but then they get free school lunches and in some places breakfasts as well. So they are not paying the 30 cents to 1 a day for breakfast or 70 cents to 3 for lunch for the children more savings still as they get a break on heating and cooling costs. Often times paying little or nothing for utilities as well and IF they get child care assistance still more money they do not have to spend. So this is why this cell phone bothers me so much. I know that sometimes so people need help for a bit but EVEN after the welfare overhaul it is never for bit, it is a huge cycle of need and dependance. If I got $1000 of childcare paid for, no utilities to worry about plus $300 a month for food my life would be simpler as well. THats not including the housing vouchers or food banks these families learn to use. Sorry no sympathy for single moms either, In my work I have seen single mothers NOT get married to the father to simply stay on the system and at times been in homes nicer than mine while this family gets every little luxury welfare provides. I worked Two jobs and at times 3 to make sure I could provide for my kids and family, I also went to college and got a degree, I also have 2 health issues that I fight with daily, they will never go away and effect my health for the rest of my life; Do I sit on welfare and complain that I don't have a phone? Nope I work, I think everyone who can should and for those who can't that's the only time anything should help out. For the rest of us I think EVERYONE in america should get welfare, EVERYONE should get $300 a month for food, EVERYONE should get $200 a year for utilities, EVERYONE should get $800 a month towards housing, and lastly EVERYONE should get $50 a month towards a cell phone, wait I almost forgot free healthcare as well, THEN and only THEN should we talk about fair and equal anything, EVERYTHING should be far and equal EVERYTHING or nothing at all, get rid of the system, it didn't exist 100 years ago and people still survived, lets just go back to survival of the fittest. Just my opinion is all.

Migraines!

2011-01-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

I have to say I am so tired of headaches. They were going away and I didn't have any for a long time then the last week I've had one everyday! For those of you who think a headache and a migraine are the same just don't understand. My neck hurts, it hurts to see light, I curl up under my covers and basically hide until it goes away which today thankfully I was able to not work part of the day and deal with it but somedays I can not and I have to work. There are so many "cures" about migraines going around but truthfully no one really knows what causes them or why some last all day and others go away within an hour. I take medicine to prevent them and so far that has been the best defense against them the other side is that the medication has side effects and is expensive. If I miss 1 dose it effects my hormones and makes me grumpy! The cost is over $300 for the prescription and thankfully that's 3 months. No generic so insurance doesn't cover it. I've tried other medications but this is the best one and the only one I have found to work. For all those who suffer with them, know you are not alone but you can get through the day and it doesn't mean your a lesser person and you don't have to give up your life for them. Myself I'm ready for a cure!

Love

2011-01-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

So I don't blog as much as I used to I still love to write but often find myself with little time or maybe it's the fact that I don't need the blog as an outlet when I have someone in my life to vent about thing to. My week has been a little off and I haven’t been doing what I “normally” do. Not really sure what it is that I normally do now anyways! Been sick which sucks, no school for MLK and then my 1st Ice storm which I have to say I think is worse than snow with ice you only get dreary at least with snow it looks clean. That originally was going to be my blog the weather since we have more snow and ice due to come in tonight. However after reading my horoscope (still reading the cancer horoscope even though the "changes" say I'm not) but it says to expect the unexpected in my love life. I decided that Love needs to be my subject. I think I finally understand not every hope gets shot to hell, because having nothing to lose means you have nothing to live for. When all is said and done it's all about love. Love is the ultimate, both creator and destroyer, love is an invitation to get played for a fool, love has changed lives, love has saved lives, love has destroyed lives, Love is a perfect notion, WE expect too much out of it, We are flawed, we fail, we succeed, and yet we still Love. Why? Love is: Being able to speak without judgment; being able to have separate ideas and dreams, but helping each other achieve them; knowing that no matter how far apart, they're right there with you. We all need and deserve love, true unconditional I can share anything type of love! My wish is for everyone to know this type of love at least once.

Jan 12th

2011-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Today my challenge for everyone is to take time to be that friend that loves unconditional and makes a difference everyday in big or small ways. You never know what you do or say that stays with someone forever. Time is shorter than you think and change always comes. I miss my grandfather today more than ever it doesn’t seem like two years. I miss my friends and family very much today. It’s amazing what goes through your mind when you’re reflecting on stuff. My life is so different from last year at this time; In so many ways for the better. I would gladly go back however to have more time with my grandfather. It doesn’t seem like he’s been gone that long. Looking back it’s gone by so fast and in some ways not. Thinking back to me my grandfather to me was always old as a kids everyone seems old, he was quiet but he loved his life and was lucky enough to see not only his grandkids but many of his great-grandkids during his life. He was a silent man but you knew he was there for you. My Ryker really took it hard when grandpa died, I think partly because it was the first person in Ryker’s life to die and partly because grandpa lived close for a time and Ryker got to spend time with him. I have a great picture that Ryker took when we went to Minnesota of Grandpa, it’s not a perfect picture but that’s what so great about it, Grandpa is looking up at Ryker and the look on his face looking at his great-grandson is just so real. I miss my grandfather and realize how little time we have with those we love, so just for today find someone you love and let them know you love them. Time is far too short!

The pledge!

2011-01-09T05:04:00.001-08:00

Okay again I’m NOT trying to make anyone angry however, Some historical facts are facts! So today lets discuss the pledge of Allegiance and why it need to be used in it’s original form or not at all! Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Francis Bellamy in his sermons and lectures and Edward Bellamy in his novels and articles described in detail how the middle class could create a planned economy with political, social and economic equality for all. The government would run a peace time economy similar to our present military industrial complex. The Pledge was published in the September 8th issue of The Youth's Companion, the leading family magazine and the Reader's Digest of its day. Its owner and editor, Daniel Ford, had hired Francis in 1891 as his assistant when Francis was pressured into leaving his baptist church in Boston because of his socialist sermons. As a member of his congregation, Ford had enjoyed Francis's sermons. In 1892 Francis Bellamy was also a chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association. As its chairman, he prepared the program for the public schools' quadricentennial celebration for Columbus Day in 1892. He structured this public school program around a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute - his 'Pledge of Allegiance.' His original Pledge read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. 'to' was added in October, 1892. In 1923 and 1924 the National Flag Conference, under the 'leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, changed the Pledge's words, 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' Bellamy disliked this change, but his protest was ignored. In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, due to the “red Scare” added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer. Bellamy's granddaughter said he also would have resented this second change. He had been pressured into leaving his church in 1891 because of his socialist sermons. In his retirement in Florida, he stopped attending church because he disliked the racial bigotry he found there. What follows is Bellamy's own account of some of the thoughts that went through his mind in August, 1892, as he picked the words of his Pledge: It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution...with the meaning of the Civil War; with the aspiration of the people...The true reason for allegiance to the Flag is the 'republic for which it stands.' ...And what does that vast thing, the Republic mean? It is the concise political word for the Nation - the One Nation which the Civil War was fought to prove. To make that One Nation idea clear, we must specify that it is indivisible, as Webster and Lincoln used to repeat in their great speeches. And its future? Just here arose the temptation of the historic slogan of the French Revolution which meant so much to Jefferson and his friends, 'Liberty, equality, fraternity.' No, that would be too fanciful, too many thousands of years off in realization. But we as a nation do stand square on the doctrine of liberty and justice for all...If the Pledge's historical pattern repeats, its words will be modified during this decade. I love America and think we live in the greatest country in the world HOWEVER, my god may or may not be your god and freedom of religion is freedom from religion and equal rights for all is for ALL. (Christians, Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, Straight, Gay, or Transsexual!) So before we all go running off and saying how right the pledge is or is not get a few facts straight ok?

Christmas History

2010-12-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

The real Truth of Christmas is that it was not originally an American Tradition or even a Christian one. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season. This is a Historical fact that can be researched and confirmed. So Christmas is not an American tradition but a story written by an Author. Here are some more facts about Christmas I think the Public needs to be aware of. The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking. In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia, a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun. Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year. In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, and then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today's Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the "lord of misrule" and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined "debt" to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens. In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. Now having all those facts in hand lets really discuss Christmas. Any one who wants to verify my facts please do so. I enjoy Christmas as much as the next person but I do know the truth of its origin and I will share that with all.

For all my Friends in Fast food and retail! Please pass This on.

2010-12-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

As the Holiday season approaches many people who work in fast food or retail get verbally abused by customers who themselves have short tempers this time of year. Well here is a list of "rules" for customers to THINK about!

1. Be patient (Often time we have NO control of how fast the kitchen makes your food OR how fast we can find something on the showroom floor, stock room then really expect a wait we don't have transporters)

2. Get off your phone. (It's rude and we are giving you our attention!)

3. Ask the right person! (Don't ask the greeter where the sock department is OR the cashier who's the milk supplier)

4. IF something is not right, explain what the problem is so it can get fixed! (We do not understand when things are thrown at us; so is that not the right size, wrong order or what?)

5. If you need a translator ask! (Often times we do speak other languages but don't expect and get mad when we don't understand you, This is America after all, THIS also applies for special needs, if you can't talk write it down most of us can't speak ASL!)

6. Time's are posted! (Don't ask for lunch at 7 AM and be mad about the wait or breakfast at 4pm, it's not going to happen, we will not open early just for you sorry but often time safes and alarms do NOT allow for this!)

7. IF you are at drive thru and we ask you to repeat your order chances are you can not be heard!! (This happens ALOT with high idle cars like DODGE rams, Hummers and Mustangs, be polite and turn it off!, Also ordering from the passenger seat or backseat we are not mind readers we can not hear that)All Those who work drive thru should be given medals if it was up to me!

8. It's the holidays expect a wait (I know this is tough to swallow but the people in front of you are JUST as important as you, we are busy and doing our best!)

9. It's not our fault your card is declined! (We run it through a computer system if the system says no then it's NO; sorry!)

10. Don't treat us like we are stupid! (Many people in retail have degrees some with Master's degrees and choose to work in retail for the flexibility and friendships among the teams, MOST of us are not high school drop outs! Be polite and above all don't call us stupid out loud OR with your expression, we don't assume why do you?)

Thanks and have a good Holiday!

Protest or PROTEST? hmm.

2010-11-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the word protest was first used in 1913 to describe the march that Gandhi organized to protest the restrictions that had been imposed on the Indian population of South Africa, the first massive civil disobedience campaign. Over the following decades, "protest" would be intimately linked with those new techniques of political resistance. By the 1930's, people were using phrases like "the literature of protest" and "social protest" to suggest the whole range of progressive agitation. But it wasn't until the sixties that the notion of "protest" entered the mainstream of the American vocabulary. That was the moment when songs with political messages began to make their way out of the coffee houses and hootenannies and onto the airwaves. By the time the Vietnam War ended, the notion of "protests" was losing its connection with the old tradition of social protest. Protests are back however there's a clueless even-handedness in those uses of "protest." I don't mean that the word can only be used of the left. There's nothing odd in talking about a conservative campus group holding a protest over the university president's support of affirmative action. That may not conjure up the old notion of Protest with a capital P., but it's clearly a form of resistance to the established order.
But it sounds a little weird to talk about a protest in support of a war that's about to be initiated by the Administration in power. Maybe that's just semantic sloppiness, as if "protesting" nowadays were just a question of getting together to yell slogans as if saying why should the other side have all the fun? Or maybe it's a strategic blurring of historical memory. But you'd hope that "protest" would retain some of the sense of resistance that it acquired at the beginning of the last century. Up to now, after all, protest has been the only political action that power can't engage in.

A history of Halloween lesson!

2010-10-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). he Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the New Year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas. As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there. It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that, on Halloween, they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday. he tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter. This is how the bowls of candy tradition began. Celebrate Halloween or not I hope everyone has learned a little CORRECT history today. After all Learning is the key!

40 healthy relationship signs

2010-09-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

So this is my take on the 40 healthy relationship signs. It’s not all smiles and kissy-face; but it’s real.
1. You can be your true selves with each other. (Scary huh?)
2. You feel comfortable sharing your deepest thoughts, fears, and emotions with each other. ( You need that feedback and other view)
3. You rarely lie to each other. (Rarely is key, the little white lies like “yes seafood is great when you want steak, not the I don’t know where the $1000 went” )
4. You refrain from being brutally honest. (I don’t want to know what you think of my clothes every day!)
5. You give each other space and/or “Me time.” (Personal space is important, I do not want to have a discussion in the bathroom)
6. You make it through rough times as a couple without splitting up. (It happens)
7. You agree (or genuinely agree to disagree) on financial matters. (This #1 cause of divorce for a reason, agree or agree to disagree but don’t fight over it)
8. You treat each other the way you would like to be treated, not necessarily the way you feel you’re being treated at the moment. (You always get more flies with honey)
9. You and your mate completely deal with problems, refusing to leave them unresolved until resentments form. (Except when you are to angry to talk, then walk away however leave nothing for more than 24 hours)
10. You forgive each other for mistakes. (Mistakes happen to everyone!)
11. You don’t tell each other what you should or shouldn’t think/feel. (Feelings are personal don’t tell the other person what to feel!)
12. You both listen without interrupting. (I’m working on this one myself)
13. You respect each others’ privacy. (Again the personal space issue)
14. You speak each others’” Love Language” even if it’s different from your own. (Are you the love notes, the flowers person or the new vacuum person, speak it and appreciate it about the other person even if you wanted the flowers and got a vacuum)
15. You willingly make sacrifices for each other. (This one is hard because society is so self centered! But sacrifices sometimes make or break a relationship)
16. You share mutual interests and activities. (You must share something, right?)
17. You respect each others’ individuality and make the most of your differences. (Being unique is everyone’s right! Enjoy the difference in your mate, being the same would be dull)
18. You act as each others’ backbone, providing loving support without guilt. (Be supportive even if you disagree!)
19. You share spiritual beliefs OR a spiritual connection. (Believe or not it’s important that you share that connection)
20. You show sensitivity to each others’ needs. (This is so important when the other is struggling!)
21. You discuss and negotiate instead of fighting. (This is what fighting fair is all about)
22. Each partner takes responsibility for their own thoughts and feelings. (Personal responsibility!)
23. There is mutual trust and dedication. (This includes when you are not together as well, ALWAYS speak well of your partner!)
24. You have a strong friendship. (They should be your best friend!)
25. In addition to loving each other, you genuinely like each other. (This is so huge, the loving someone but not liking them doesn’t work, they need to be your friend as well!)
26. You don’t judge or force your opinions on each other. (Vote Democratic and marry a republican its okay!)
27. You take quality time to nurture your relationship. (date night, vacations or TV time but time together!)
28. You are both attentive to the needs of yourself and the other. (You also have to sometimes ask for what you need)
29. You enjoy physical contact (hugs, kisses, cuddling, sex) together.
30. You show appreciation for each other. (OVERUSE I love you!)
31. Hardship, uncertainty, and disagreements are accepted as a part of life. (It’s going to happen)
32. You communicate openly and meaningfully with each other. (Communicate NOT miscommunication and hold hands when talking!)
33. There is equal power between you and your mate.
34. You keep your expectations of each other in check.
35. You genuinely apologize to one another when feelings are hurt. (Keyword is genuine don’t say sorry if you are not!)
36. You and your mate speak up assertively instead of expecting the other to read minds. (Remember what assume means!)
37. You both eliminate passive aggressive behavior (ignoring, silent treatment, eye rolling, stomping, and hanging up the phone) as much as possible.
38. You have a strong sense of interdependence (mutual responsibility) to each other rather than dependence or co-dependence.
39. You avoid going to bed mad. (Physical closeness helps greatly with this talk about it, looking eye to eye and hold hands!)
40. You CAN live without each other, but you choose each other over every alternative choice. (This person is your #1 Choice!)

Wondering

2010-09-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

So as I sit here getting ready to go get my kids from the ex, I am amazed at how much life has changed and how it is still going to change in the next few weeks and months. 9 months ago I was a struggling single mom, work, college and had just gotten out of yet another "relationship" (Can you call 5 dates a relationship?) anyways a chance meeting and I meet this person who changes my life forever, luck, fate or what? I thought I had my world figured out and now it's so very different. Many airplane trips for a chance to love again, a chance to open my heart up, It's too great a risk my mind keeps telling me, then the realization that I am in love, to scared to say it, I don't I attempt to run away that doesn't work either. He says it first. Can it possibly be true? Can he really love me? My heart hopes so but my mind tells me nope your broken always have been your not worth the love, again and still somedays I try to push it away but he keeps saying it, I love you, I love you. I love him too. That very thing love is so worth the changes in my life. Scared yes a little but not of what everyone thinks, I'm scared to take a chance and be the change I want to be. I am not scared of love, for loving someone is trusting them and giving them the chance to hurt you and having the faith that they won't.

Hmm, I'm grumpy!

2010-09-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

So time to start blogging again. This will be the only reminder to Facebook that I am blogging again. I need to vent today not for any thing bad but I do not understand people. First off how do people get drivers license in Colorado? I drive a lot and not a very busy highway but really!! Try blinkers people!!!! Then lets talk about size. At my largest EVER (not pregnant mind you) I wore a 22 which is a plus size, for you men who don't know typically 18 or up is plus size and the average women is a size 12. I have lost weight and now wear a 10. I also know that I have a little muffin top going on and hide it. These women who wear 1/2 tops with belly over the pants and stretch marks REALLY? What are you thinking? I am fine with larger people but dress for your size! This applies to men as well if your a 3X don't be wearing shirts that show off the beer belly NOT attractive at all!!! Lastly tonight, cigarettes I really don't care if you smoke Really I don't but when Colorado is under fire restrictions don't flick your cigarette out the car window. This makes me want to Ram your car with mine just to see if I have better insurance!!!! Okay I feel much better now!

Are you a Sheep, Wolf or Sheepdog.

2010-07-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

So looking through emails I found this. I like to believe the best in people but sometimes that is not so. After reading ask yourself which are you and why?

On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs - Dave Grossman
By LTC (RET) Dave Grossman, author of "On Killing." Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always,even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for? - William J. Bennett - in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997
One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me:
"Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another. Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.
Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.
I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me it is like the pretty, blue robin's egg. Inside it is soft and gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers, and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful.? For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.
"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed
Let me expand on this old soldier's excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids' schools.
But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial.
The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa."
Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.
Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Remember how many times you heard the word hero?
Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed right along with the young ones.
Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.
There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population. There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.
Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.
Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, "Let's roll," which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers - athletes, business people and parents. -- from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.
There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. - Edmund Burke
Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn't have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision.
If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.
For example, many officers carry their weapons in church.? They are well concealed in ankle holsters, shoulder holsters or inside-the-belt holsters tucked into the small of their backs.? Anytime you go to some form of religious service, there is a very good chance that a police officer in your congregation is carrying. You will never know if there is such an individual in your place of worship, until the wolf appears to massacre you and your loved ones.
I was training a group of police officers in Texas, and during the break, one officer asked his friend if he carried his weapon in church. The other cop replied, "I will never be caught without my gun in church." I asked why he felt so strongly about this, and he told me about a cop he knew who was at a church massacre in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1999. In that incident, a mentally deranged individual came into the church and opened fire, gunning down fourteen people. He said that officer believed he could have saved every life that day if he had been carrying his gun. His own son was shot, and all he could do was throw himself on the boy's body and wait to die. That cop looked me in the eye and said, "Do you have any idea how hard it would be to live with yourself after that?"
Some individuals would be horrified if they knew this police officer was carrying a weapon in church. They might call him paranoid and would probably scorn him. Yet these same individuals would be enraged and would call for "heads to roll" if they found out that the airbags in their cars were defective, or that the fire extinguisher and fire sprinklers in their kids' school did not work. They can accept the fact that fires and traffic accidents can happen and that there must be safeguards against them.
Their only response to the wolf, though, is denial, and all too often their response to the sheepdog is scorn and disdain. But the sheepdog quietly asks himself, "Do you have and idea how hard it would be to live with yourself if your loved ones attacked and killed, and you had to stand there helplessly because you were unprepared for that day?"
It is denial that turns people into sheep. Sheep are psychologically destroyed by combat because their only defense is denial, which is counterproductive and destructive, resulting in fear, helplessness and horror when the wolf shows up.
Denial kills you twice. It kills you once, at your moment of truth when you are not physically prepared: you didn't bring your gun, you didn't train. Your only defense was wishful thinking. Hope is not a strategy. Denial kills you a second time because even if you do physically survive, you are psychologically shattered by your fear helplessness and horror at your moment of truth.
Gavin de Becker puts it like this in Fear Less, his superb post-9/11 book, which should be required reading for anyone trying to come to terms with our current world situation: "...denial can be seductive, but it has an insidious side effect. For all the peace of mind deniers think they get by saying it isn't so, the fall they take when faced with new violence is all the more unsettling."
Denial is a save-now-pay-later scheme, a contract written entirely in small print, for in the long run, the denying person knows the truth on some level.
And so the warrior must strive to confront denial in all aspects of his life, and prepare himself for the day when evil comes. If you are warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be "on" 24/7, for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself...
"Baa."
This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheephood and denial, is the degree to which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.

Happiness

2010-07-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

So where does happiness come from? Here is a question that has many answers and yet only one. Happiness comes from within. I have come to realize that I have spent a great deal of my life unhappy, and the last part of my midlife in which should have been the most unhappy has taught me the real answer to that question. I can blame my unhappiness on many factors, money, school, lies, others. However only when I thought I could no longer be happy I learned that happiness isn’t about the outside influences it is about within. I got separated and divorced last year as most everyone knows after 14 years. I will not say they were all unhappy years, I got two children and really had a good friendship if only at times with my ex-husband Rob, We had problems like everyone does, we had hard times, and some very great times, the last of which being taking the kids to Disney World almost 3 years ago now. I for months looked back and said what happened where did the happy go? I thought I was happy and could blame things for my unhappiness, money, car, job etc… in the end it was none of that. Through the separation and divorce my family and some very special friends stepped up to help me. Then after the divorce I thought I was unhappy because of the divorce, the money, the bankruptcy, the loneliness that divorce brings. Once again some very special people stepped up to help me and at times forced me to not be unhappy. Then I learned from an unusual source something I thought I knew or maybe I knew and never understood; Happiness comes from within. I had to be happy with myself to be happy with others and with my life. Since that day nothing has been the same in my life my world looks and feels different, I know that nothing is at fault for me being unhappy but me, I also learned to value what I have and to be happy for it. So once again thank you to all my friends, family but especially to the 3 men in my life; Joey who is my morning starter & my logic on days when I seem to have none, Ryker who is my comedian and night owl, and Troy who loves me unconditionally, even when I sing off key to the same Carrie Underwood song he has heard 10 times in 30 minutes, Thanks guys I know how lucky I am to have you each and every day touch my life and yes I am happy!

25 Random things and sayings and things about me.

2010-07-25T04:12:00.000-07:00

25 Random things and sayings and things about me.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. Nicknames and call signs: Mom, Da Mama, Miss Chris, Christi and Tina; Spiritgal & Allamericanwomen

2. Personality is what you defines you, make sure it is you.

3. I love mornings, the fresh start daily and waking up to new possibilities.

4. After my Grandfathers death last year I realized that time is short and that you only need to have people in your life who are positive.

5. The things I did in the past still haunt me; However it is the past so I must and everyone else needs to just get over it! I am not the person I was at 13, 16, 21, 26 or 30. I am the person I am now get to know me not the person I was.

6. Try to learn something new every day.

7. I love being a mother, my children are amazing!

8. I have decided I need more positive in my life. Be positive or get out and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

9. I really like my smile and I need to smile more.

10. I do not trust easily, but when I give it there is a reason. When it is broken it takes a while to rebuild IF ever don’t betray it....

11. I love my friends, they are what keep me from ending up in a loony bin or drives me too it, not sure which.

12. Everyone needs someone to confide in.

13. There is a difference between being IN love and loving someone.

14. People change, I didn’t believe in change until recently but people really do change.

15. Not everyone is Christian, deal with it. Not everyone believes in a God, deal with it. Some are agnostic, some are atheist, deal with it. No one has to agree on religion, just respect each other and deal with it.

16. I believe in and support our military. I have no respect for those that don't!

17. I am finally being selfish, I have spent so much time on others in my life and it’s time to be selfish and focus on me!

18. Life is too grand not to have some kind of Drama.

19. I'm getting older, but I refuse to act like it!

20. Turn off the TV and read, the experience of books is a lost art.

21. NEVER stop playing, finger paint, color, and dance or you will grow old.

22. I enjoy my Science Fiction, my Star Trek and X-files, get over it!!!!

23. I enjoy learning and I am loving school. Even if it stresses me out!

24. Be a leader a TRUE leader! Figure out what defines Leadership and do it!

25. It’s okay to be scared of love, loosing someone you love hurts more than people are willing to admit, however falling in love is the best feelings in the world, allow yourself to fall IN love, whenever you can.

21 Lessons- My Take

2010-07-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

Okay so my little comentary on something that was sent to me last week by my Troy, I love it and it should make you think about things.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.(This is one of the things I first learned working at CFA they always go that extra step in the littlest ways and it does truly mean a lot, I love to hear "my pleasure" when someone says thank you and I also try and say it proof little things mean a lot.)

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. (Communication is the #1 problem in all realationships and the #1 cuase of divorces, so make sure you can talk at great lengths with someone you love to talk to!)

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.(This is all about Balance in your life sometimes stop think and sacrifice.)

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it. (This should not be words that are used lightly don't throw them around, love should be about everything!)

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye. (Again words should have meaning behind them, don't teach young children to say I'm sorry for everything becasue then the words loose value they should only say sorry if they mean it, so should everyone and frankly your eyes are the window to your soul so look at the person and mean it!)

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married. (Again Marriage is one of thoose things taken lightly really get to know someone and know you want to spend your life with them, not just settle until something better comes along.)

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight. (Love happens and when where why and how who is to judge you can not explain love it just is so believe!)

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much. (Have you ever met anyone who was happy with nothing? Don't they always seem depressed even though they tell you they are fine? Dream and Dream big it may not happen but with hope comes happiness!)

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. (Love should always be an all in proposition if you get hurt it happens but you must love in order to live, not everyone is going to return the feelings but knowing you gave it everything you had means you can again, Love is everything and everything should be Love)

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling. (Also hold hands, create a connetion and focus on the issue not anything else.)

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives. (You can't pick your family and everyone has thoose relitives we like to forget about but you are not them)

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly. (Again communication is the key)

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?" (I love this answer!!! It shuts people us rather quickly plus then you don't have to answer the question!)

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. (Again back to being all in, you should do that with love, you should also be all in if it something you want to accomplish no dipping your toes just jump in)

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson (Everyone is going to fall flat sometimes just think about why it happened and move on and try not to repeat!)

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions. (This one I wish more people would follow simple basic respect for all)

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. (I firmly believe friends are the family you choose so again focus on the issue not the person after all this person you hand picked to be in your life)

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. (This goes way beyond the I'm sorry make it right!)

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice. (Society has gotten so impersonal today with IM and Texting, I myself prefer good old fashoined phone calls and I always answer with a smile on my face!)

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone. (LEanr who you are so you can share that with others)

IF you work in childcare or have a child in care READ this!

2010-06-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

So this summer for some extra money I am subbing at a center I used to work at. I enjoy it, I am the director, Toddler teacher, preschool teacher and school age teacher on different days. However I am reminded of how little credit any of these people get on a daily basis so if you work in Early Childhood or have your child in an early childhood setting, here are a few of my tips.

1. Watch your time: No one likes to be the first child dropped off and the last one picked up. 10 hours should be max.

2. Pay your bill on time: The center has a budget to keep and although we are sorry for your problems you agreed to the dollar figure when you signed up.

3. Empty the backpack: Okay so its no fun, however they worked really hard on the macaroni art and would some acknowledgement even if you throw it away later.

4. Know that your child is verbal and tell and shares all: The images of the mom doll from dollhouse and the construction worker from community helpers is still burning in my mind. The children remember everything and like to share, try investing in a lock for the door.

5. Don’t ask me about other children: First off it’s confidential and secondly just because child A can count to 100 and your child can only count to 20 its okay! Children develop differently.

6. I’m sure your child is gifted: My children are gifted and so are all children, don’t expect me to agree with you to move the child to the next class because they are gifted, gifted doesn’t equal ready.

7. School Clothes can and should be play clothes: Okay this one I REALLY mean, we go outside, play in the sandbox and paint, please don’t ask me to keep them clean, just don’t; besides this is a child they should look like a child not like an Ad for Baby gap or Polo

8. Leave at drop-off: A kiss, a hug and have a good day is all that is needed don’t drag it out or sneak out, it is disrespectful to your child and the staff.

9. Lice happens: Lice can happen to anyone, it is not just because of that kid, it happens it’s not fun but deal with it! In 17 years I have seen it everywhere!

10. Don’t send in talking toys or toys from home: Okay talking toys we all know you secretly want them to get lost but they don’t, they stay in classrooms forever! Also don’t send your child in with a toy and not expect it to get lost, most of us have way to many kids to watch to search for the toys you send in and the children are #1.

11. You don’t have to give me a gift for my birthday, Christmas, etc: However it is nice to say thank you daily and if you’re giving a gift please no re-gifting, no home baked anything, gift cards are the best.

12. Understand other children as you would your own: All kids go through phases, some cry, some bite, some act out. It happens but labeling a child as the crybaby who cries every time you are dropping off is cruel and leads to labeling children.

13. DON’T tell your child to hit back or bite back: We spend many countless hours teaching no hitting and no biting that you can undo everything we work so hard at in a split second.

14. Potty training children always wait until the last minute to go potty: So NO overalls, simple easy clothes that go off and on quick work best.

15. DON’T allow your child to come to school in plastic high heels EVER: Safety hazard central, plus they get lost, plus the girls fight over them. Who ever invented them did not have little girls!

16. If your child throws up keep them home: Chances are they will throw up again and we will by law send them home interrupting whatever you are doing anyway.

17. A Fluffernuttter sandwich, chocolate milk and Oreos are not a lunch! For those of you that pack lunches think about nutrition at least a little, sugar is not your child’s friend and great they eat it but then they are hungry an hour later.

18. Trust me: I am not doing this job for the glamour or the money, I am doing this job because I love children and you need to trust me so your child will too.

19. Read my notes: I send notes home for a reason, I don’t like to borrow diapers, or have to see the face on someone who forgot show and tell, Read the notes!

20. If you are late: Don’t tell me how you just had to go get drinks with friends, or how great your workout was. Your children miss and need you plus it’s a huge slap in the face to know I have to go home late to my children because you were out have a margarita with co-workers. My time is just as important as yours.

21. End your cell phone call before you pick up: Its really simple hang up the phone, whatever or whoever can wait 5 minutes!

22. Tell me if you or your child is unhappy: I am not a mind reader, no teacher or director is you have to inform us of things you like or don’t like for us to improve. Some things we can help other not but at least having the information is good.

23. Relish the days!!! Your kids will be out of our care and in school sooner than you think and school is a whole other ball game!

23 Tips, Take them!!!!!

2010-06-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

Okay so relationships are really on my mind. How do you learn from the past; for success in the future, in my present relationship I am very happy and yet somewhat hesitant to speak of it. I want to lay the odds in my direction for success but as happy as I am and as much as I think things are great I worry about failing. I mean isn’t love all about the unexplainable? Then why try to understand it? The answer is simple I want success! I think this is normal for anyone, not just myself, after a divorce or after a serious break up. You want to know that you can be successful in a relationship. In my life I have Troy. Troy walked into my life from nowhere and changed my perspective on things. I am not going to bore everyone with all the flowery stuff but I do see a future with him and he makes my heart happy. So my question in what can I do to make this relationship work I am always the researcher and this is what information I have found for successful relationships. Take my advice please, I am working on it all myself, be happy and love!

1. Respect your partner: Often times, the feelings of their partner are overlooked, and they only are thinking about themselves. You have to speak positively about your partner at all times even when maybe you are thinking negative about them, however the power of positive thinking is really powerful here. So even if you are upset that your partner did XYZ the whole office does not need to know about it!

2. Don’t expect your partner to fulfill your every need and feel that it is their right or obligation: Now listen, your partner is only human they can only do so much and it would be impossible for them to meet your every expectation. They have lives outside of your relationship, just as you do, or should. You are an adult act like it and be okay with some time alone and fulfill your own expectations and if they do as well it’s a bonus!

3. Have an open mind: try to see things from your partner’s point of view. Try and think how would you feel if you were on the other side of the issue? You may come to realize that you may react or do the same as them, or at least you will be able to understand why they react they way they do.

4. Always take into consideration your partner’s feelings and try to understand where they are coming from before you take any action: (One I am working on) You need to respect their feelings before you attack them with words such as, “You don’t care about me anymore.” That can really hurt. So think about them next time and respect their feelings, by recognizing them and trying to do something about it, instead of expecting them to. I think you’ll start to see them reciprocating the respect you give them.

5. Do things to make your partner feel special everyday: Try to think of something you can do every day to show your partner that you care. This can be as little as saying “I love you.” Or, “I love talking to you.” Or even, “You make me happy.” Those little things will make them feel great and it will give them reassurance.

6. Do bigger things!: Send a handwritten letter, Send flowers (even to a guy), a plant, email a picture of yourself to them, send a small gift, take an interest in their interests. Buy them a book that they mentioned or email them an article you think they will like. These things will mean a lot. Your relationship will benefit from it tremendously.

7. Keep learning about each other: Once a couple gets comfortable with each other they forget to talk about each other like they first did! Often couples will say they just don’t know what to talk about anymore. Keep learning ask simple questions or silly ones! Don’t go from having interesting, intellectual conversations and debates, to having mind-numbing, boring talk.

8. Trust each other : This can very hard after you have had someone you were in a relationship with prove to you not to trust them HOWEVER; Don’t distrust someone, unless they have given you a reason to not trust them.

9. It is never okay to accuse someone of cheating unless you absolutely know for certain they are cheating. Never!: So many people have come to the conclusion their partner is cheating on them when their partner doesn’t do everything they want them to do. It really distracts from the real problem, which is some other underlying relationship issue that is causing a strain on the relationship.

10. Don’t be a snoop and hack into their email or anything else: That is an obvious no-no. Intruding into your partner’s privacy shows a lack of respect you have for your partner.

11. Nothing is off limits: So don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. It may not be easy if you feel like they want to end the relationship or it’s something you would rather not talk about but ask the tough questions it will make you stronger!

12. Plan for a future: Don’t enter a relationship if you aren’t willing to have your life changed. Sometimes drastically! Talk about what you want in a year, 5, or 10 years. If you are talking casual and he is talking marriage that is a serious problem. Planning a future it doesn’t mean hop the next flight to Vegas, however it does mean you understand each other.

13. Be in a committed relationship: Relationships by nature should be committed, the causal thing just doesn’t work, it leads to mistrust and hurt feeling so don’t do it. Be committed!

14. Planning: Planning gives you both something to look forward to. It can be as simple as a time for a phone call or as complex as a trip somewhere but plan. Last minute surprises often do not work out and can lead to hurt feeling.

15. Communicate: (Again one I work one daily!) This one is SO important and so much distrust, hurt feeling and even splits are caused by mis-communication. Think you understand communication read my communication blog to see how well you really do or don’t communicate. Some couples will talk for several hours per day. That isn’t right for everyone, But communicating once every couple of weeks is also extreme. If you can, try to communicate on a daily basis if you don’t or can’t see each other. Some people’s lives may be busier than others, so the amount of communication in relationships can vary. There is not set magical amount of time that everyone should spend.

16. If you can’t see each other daily or at least weekly; Do get a webcam and good internet service: Your relationship will be so much better. A webcam allows more interaction than a phone ever could. A webcam gives you the ability to learn your partner’s body language and facial expressions. Interactions are also much more enjoyable and there is less pressure to speak when you don’t have much to say another advantage of using a webcam versus using the phone alone.

17. Don’t be afraid to show you’re afraid : Don’t be afraid to share insecurities or ask the questions you want to ask. Communication should be open. It’s okay to say I am worried about this because…

18. Don’t forget you have a life: For some personalities, it can be easy to become consumed by your relationship, so much to a point that you forget about your friends and family around you. Don’t lose your connections with other people in the process.

19. It’s okay to say “no” every once in a while: When they ask you to go out with them if you are planning to spend time with your friends, family or maybe just some down time for you.

20. Do have date nights: This one seems simple right you are going out with someone so it’s a date right? Wrong. Think back to the 1st time you went somewhere with this person, didn’t you spend a little more time on hair, clothes, make-up. Do this again, at least monthly.

21. Don’t lie, should obvious but don’t lie: You shouldn’t have too, it still happens for many reason but just don’t do it it leads to mistrust, so don’t do it!!!

22. Handle the arguments: It’s going to happen eventually if you haven’t had an argument already. Having an argument is not easy. There are certain things you should and should not do in an argument. 1. Don’t hang up the phone. As tempting as it might be, this is the worst thing you could possibly do. It is disrespectful and in my opinion no one deserves it. 2. Don’t interrupt. (This one I will admit I have a hard time with!) Take turns explaining your points, and hear the other person out. 3. Don’t dismiss their points even if you think they are downright wrong. Show them some respect, if you want respect in return. 4. Tell them how you feel not what they did. Telling them how it makes you feel will be a lot more effective. 5. Try to find a compromise. Agree on something you’re both comfortable with even if it means not getting exactly what either of you want. It’s better than not getting what you want at all. 6. Don’t use the cold shoulder technique. This is just as bad as hanging up. Giving someone the cold shoulder is only going to make things worse. You’re not going to get any happier, and they aren’t either. 7. Don’t make them come crawling to you for forgiveness and give you what you want ; again this is disrespectful, Just don’t do it. 8. Don’t put off conflict. Handle the issue ASAP. Get it over and done with. The longer it lingers, the longer it will be affecting your relationship in a negative way. 9. Avoid having an argument online or by text. If you start to argue, it is better to talk it out, instead of instant messaging. The last thing you need is to be misinterpreted. 10. If you are having the argument in person hold hands, it creates a connection!

23. Remember the reason you are in this relationship: You love each other! And if you have love, then you have something so special!

Just Be

2010-06-24T05:19:00.001-07:00

We're always getting ready to live, but never living. - Ralph Waldo Emerson! I love Emerson great writer! There is no “Blog” lesson for today. You have my permission (like you need it?) to stop thinking for a moment and just enjoy yourself. Stop looking at your computer right now and go look at the world. Rediscover the natural wonders that you walk past every day. How can there possibly be that many shades of green or blue? Let your mind be grateful for a break. Don't think, don't strain. Let the memories of loved ones remind you of your favorite times. Close your eyes and try to smell the sunshine. Listen to your heart beat in your ears. If it's raining, smile at the thought of the flowers that will soon follow. If it’s snowing, smile at the thoughts of peace and tranquility it brings. If it’s hot just be grateful it’s not freezing weather and go enjoy the sun on your face. If you're surrounded by buildings, celebrate the creative genius of human beings. See the hope, the alarm, the love, the grief in faces that stream by you today and take notice. Try smiling at a stranger. Thank whomever you'd like to thank for the chance to even be here. So many of us are trying to get by and improve ourselves to “get ready” for some new life. Not that this is bad BUT for a moment today, don't worry about being better. Just be.

Cigarette's

2010-06-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

I am very liberal as most of you know that, I believe in personal freedoms. It is your life and your choice after all. However when it interferes with my life that is a problem. I am not even going to lecture on all the evils of cigarette’s and what they can do to your body, your lungs, your face, your skin, etc.. Seconds hand smoke well frankly again personal choice and people choose to be around smokers deserve to smell like smoke. However what does upset me and DOES anger me is these TWO things. I drive A LOT 650-950 miles a week and watching people flick cigarette butts out of the cars, either hitting my car or tumbling onto the road or WORSE the grass. We have had lots of Red Flag Warning and yet I still see cigarette's being thrown from car windows! REALLY you people do not understand the concept of trash cans? Ashtrays? It’s a really simple concept where you don’t pollute the environment with your stupid shit! 2nd when I go for walks or hikes nothing pisses me off more then to find cigarettes along the trails. THESE are protect forests where your not supposed to be smoking in the first place, FIRES! Does anyone understand this concept Wood+Cigarette=FIRE or Dry Grass+Cigarette=Fire. Seriously if I find the person who is smoking along the nature center you and I will have some not nice words! To the person on I-25 in the Dodge Ram (What is it about Dodge Rams that just pisses me off?, Oh yeah? Men who have something to overcompensate for ) Lastly for all my friends and family who smoke just stop, really, I know its your right, your freedom, blah, blah, blah, its gross, it smells and its expensive. Just stop you’ll get over it I promise.

Flag Day

2010-06-22T05:36:00.001-07:00

Flag Day is an annual observance in the United States to celebrate the national flag. Flag Day is observed on June 14, the anniversary of the official adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress in 1777. On Flag Day, public buildings and many individuals display the American flag as a gesture of patriotism and national pride. Some schools hold ceremonies and educational programs that promote reverence for the flag. The first annual celebration of the U.S. flag is believed to have been introduced by Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher. In 1885 he arranged for his pupils at Stony Hill School in Waubeka, Wisconsin, to celebrate June 14 as “Flag Birthday.” Over the next several years, Cigrand advocated the observance of Flag Day in numerous speeches and magazine articles. Flag Day celebrations gained in popularity throughout the late 1880s and the 1890s. George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, organized Flag Day ceremonies at his school in 1889, inspiring the New York State Board of Education to adopt Flag Day as an annual holiday. In 1891 Flag Day celebrations were held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the former home of Betsy Ross, the reputed designer of the first American flag. In 1894 the governor of New York ordered that the American flag be displayed at all public buildings in the state on June 14. Thereafter, many state and local governments began observing Flag Day. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first nationwide Flag Day in 1916. In 1947 President Harry S. Truman signed legislation requesting that National Flag Day be observed annually. Although Flag Day is informally observed throughout the United States, it is a legal holiday only in Pennsylvania. I however think we should all have our flag outs each day for the freedoms we love!

On My soapbox

2010-06-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

Okay on my soapbox again! I know some of you out there are pro-life but do you really understand what that means? I’m not just talking about the abortion aspect of being pro-life, I’m talking about the health care and women’s rights aspect of being pro-life? I would love nothing more for no one to ever have to get another abortion ever, However the closed minded option of telling them to place it up for adoption doesn’t work because often times then babies are not being adopted! Thanks to modern medicine which by the way came out of the very medical technology you are arguing against do you know? You now get to custom design your baby and in-vitro fertilize yourself or a well paid surrogate instead of adopting a child. So that argument doesn’t work I have pages and books of why if anyone really wants’ more answers on it. Secondly this is about birth control let’s go all the way back to the 1870’s and the Comstock laws where it was considered obscene for a women to have contraception or information on family planning. During this time many women bore at least 11 children or dies in childbirth or from illegal abortions. It wasn’t until 1937 that the AMA said that Birth Control was a necessary part of medical care and education. In 1948 the pill began begins being tested and that should be the end of the story but that is not so. Why? We have other drugs on the market that make babies be born without arms and legs at the same time thalidomide, is this monsters name and the country is okay with birth control it is not okay with abortion yet, then we have an epidemic of problems and a growing number of women who do not want to give birth to these children, Colorado and other states lead the way in Abortion Clinics and more birth control Access. The late 1960’s and 1970 were huge victories for women’s right and for family planning we had leaps and bounds of success with more and better birth control devices and medications during this time. Most birth control medication we take today had some progress during this time. The 1980’s came and a big push back to a “simpler time” where teens didn’t have sex and in the 1980’s teenagers once again died from an illegal abortion because the policy was they had to get parents permission for birth control or for the abortion. The Years of teaching abstinence in out schools hasn’t worked either once again in America we have some of the largest teen pregnancy rates of any non third world country, SHAME ON US! We are smarter, know better and have access to birth control. The newest pro-life movement isn’t just an anti-abortion movement it is in a fact an anti birth control movement, No Condoms, Pills, IUD, Norplant, Etc, Etc, because all of these things can stop conception. The new Religious thinking is that life begins at conception, okay show me that in the bible? Well frankly for some people too stupid to understand conception and sex it should be stopped! Me? Why should I care? I haven’t been able to have children for 11 years I’m no longer equipped, tell me your not teaching my teenager to protect himself that you’ll teach him just not to have sex and it won’t happened WRONG! It will and I know it. I know that it belongs as the responsibility of the parents to teach the children but I also know that will not happen for every child and frankly I don’t want to see anyone, anyone having a baby before they are ready. One final note the lovely abortion van that likes to sit in front of Wal-mart with the mutilated baby on the front of it, who do you think your really fooling? I know propaganda when I see it and I hope all of my Pro-life friends do to. I loved explaining this van to my children 5 years ago but now it really provides great talk and the truth about closed mind and open minded thinking. After all this is the information age and I can Google anything. For those of you who want to learn more.
www.plannedparenthood.org
www.prochioceamerica.org

25 love facts

2010-06-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Love is mysterious, fascinating, and when you find it with the right person, there's nothing better. Here are 25 surprising love facts to puzzle over and embrace. Love is a word that is often accused of being overused but can you overuse it when nothing else describes the feeling of being in love, anyway I found these interesting.
By Laura SchaeferLove is a many-splendid thing … and a very surprising thing, too. As if you needed proof of that, here are 25 funny little facts about love. Study them, scratch your head over them, and share them with someone you fancy.
1. Men who kiss their wives in the morning live five years longer than those who don't.
2. People are more likely to tilt their heads to the right when kissing instead of the left (65 percent of people go to the right!)
3. When it comes to doing the deed early in the relationship, 78 percent of women would decline an intimate rendezvous if they had not shaved their legs or underarms.
4. Feminist women are more likely than other females to be in a romantic relationship.
5. Two-thirds of people report that they fall in love with someone they've known for some time vs. someone that they just met.
6. There's a reason why office romances occur: The single biggest predictor of love is proximity.
7. Falling in love can induce a calming effect on the body and mind and raises levels of nerve growth factor for about a year, which helps to restore the nervous system and improves the lover's memory.
8. Love can also exert the same stress on your body as deep fear. You see the same physiological responses — pupil dilation, sweaty palms, and increased heart rate.
9. Brain scans show that people who view photos of a beloved experience an activation of the caudate — the part of the brain involving cravings.
10. The women of the Tiwi tribe in the South Pacific are married at birth.
11. The "Love Detector" service from Korean cell phone operator KTF uses technology that is supposed to analyze voice patterns to see if a lover is speaking honestly and with affection. Users later receive an analysis of the conversation delivered through text message that breaks down the amount of affection, surprise, concentration and honesty of the other speaker.
12. Eleven percent of women have gone online and done research on a person they were dating or were about to meet, versus seven percent of men.
13. Couples' personalities converge over time to make partners more and more similar.
14. The oldest known love song was written 4,000 years ago and comes from an area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
15. The tradition of the diamond engagement ring comes from Archduke Maximillian of Austria who, in the 15th century, gave a diamond ring to his fiancée, Mary of Burgundy.
16. Forty-three percent of women prefer their partners never sign "love" to a card unless they are ready for commitment.
17. People who are newly in love produce decreased levels of the hormone serotonin — as low as levels seen in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Perhaps that's why it's so easy to feel obsessed when you're smitten.
18. Philadelphia International Airport finished as the No. 1 best airport for making a love connection, according to an online survey.
19. According to mathematical theory, we should date a dozen people before choosing a long-term partner; that provides the best chance that you'll make a love match.
20. A man's beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex.
21. Every Valentine's Day, Verona, the Italian city where Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet took place, receives around 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.
22. When we get dumped, for a period of time we love the person who rejected us even more, says Dr. Helen Fisher of Rutgers University and author of Why We Love. The brain regions that lit up when we were in a happy union continue to be active.
23. Familiarity breeds comfort and closeness … and romance.
24. One in five long-term love relationships began with one or both partners being involved with others.
25. OK, this one may not surprise you, but we had to share it: Having a romantic relationship makes both genders happier. The stronger the commitment, the greater the happiness!
Laura Schaefer is the author of Man with Farm Seeks Woman with Tractor.

My soapbox!

2010-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

I apologize for who I’m going to upset right now, that being said. I'm glad I don't have to be born again. I materialized correctly the first time. The plaintiff in the landmark abortion-rights case Roe v. Wade, who became an abortion protester in recent years, was among four demonstrators arrested Monday for disrupting Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination hearing. Norma McCorvey, 61, of Texas, better known as "Jane Roe," began screaming that Sotomayor was "wrong" about abortion during the opening statement of the newest member of the Senate, She switched sides in 1995 when the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue moved next door to the Dallas women's clinic where she worked. She became friends with one of the anti-abortion leaders and became a born again-Christian. Sorry Norma, you can't undo what you did. Welcome to being an adult and being responsible for your actions your were just larger than most. I wish we could focus on sex education in schools rather than abortion. It seems like if we had the same kind of passion about teaching kids not to get pregnant, then we wouldn't have to be discussing abortion to the degree that we do. Actually, the fact is when compared to pro-choice states, anti-abortion states spend far less money per child on a range of services such as foster care, education, welfare, and the adoption of children who have physical and mental disabilities (Schroedel, 2000). Moreover, the states that have the strongest anti-abortion laws are also the states in which women suffer from lower levels of education and higher levels of poverty, as well as from a lower ratio of female-to-male earnings. They also have a lower percentage of women in the legislature and fewer mandates requiring insurance providers to cover minimum hospital stays after childbirth (Schroedel, 2000). So anti-abortion laws actually cost more money!!! I find it ironic that some in our society who call themselves pro-lifers will go to great lengths ( sometimes even murder ) to stop abortions. Where are they once that child is born? Where are they when it comes to raising property taxes to pay for our children's education? They want to save the children but raise the child that is someone else’s problem. That is what bothers about the pro-life movement!

100 Greatest movies-My take

2010-06-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well since I'm upset and not yet prepared to talk or blog about what is wrong, I am going to blog about the totally pointless.. Here is my take on the top 100 movies of all time. Maybe tomorrow or maybe never.
#1 CITIZEN KANE-its good I watch it for a film class but #1 I question that
#2 THE GODFATHER- I didn't really thin it was that great
# 3 CASABLANCA- My personal #1
#4 RAGING BULL- Never saw it
#5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN- For a musical and for it's time it was good
#6 GONE WITH THE WIND- It's good but long and really isn't the love story everyone believes it to be
#7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA- I really didn't like it
#8 SCHINDLER'S LIST- I agree
#9 VERTIGO- Never saw it
# 10 THE WIZARD OF OZ- I may watch it today
# 11 CITY LIGHTS- Never saw it
# 12 THE SEARCHERS- Never saw it
# 13 STAR WARS- I love Sci Fi but I will always be a trekkie but it is a good movie
# 14 PSYCHO- SOO GOOD!!!
# 15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY- It was okay
# 16 SUNSET BLVD- Never saw it
# 17 THE GRADUATE- The first cougar movie maybe?
# 18 THE GENERAL- Never saw it
# 19 ON THE WATERFRONT- Never saw it
# 20 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE- I love it
# 21 CHINATOWN- its Okay
# 22 SOME LIKE IT HOT- Again just okay
# 23 THE GRAPES OF WRATH- Love it!!
# 24 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL- Love it!!!
# 25 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD- Did anyone get though 8th grade without watching this movie?
# 26 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON- Never saw it
# 27 HIGH NOON- Never saw it
# 28 ALL ABOUT EVE- Never saw it
# 29 DOUBLE INDEMNITY- Never saw it
# 30 APOCALYPSE NOW- The book is better
# 31 THE MALTESE FALCON- Very good
# 32 THE GODFATHER PART II- I don't agree
# 33 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST- I love it!
# 34 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS- YES!!!
# 35 ANNIE HALL- its ok
# 36 THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI- My Dad loved this movie so much
# 37 THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES- Never saw it
# 38 THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE- IT was okay
# 39 DR. STRANGELOVE- It was okay
# 40 THE SOUND OF MUSIC- Not my favorite musical
# 41 KING KONG- For its age its perfect
# 42 BONNIE AND CLYDE- Its okay
# 43 MIDNIGHT COWBOY- Really? Top 100 I don't think so
# 44 THE PHILADELPHIA STORY- Never seen it
# 45 SHANE- So good
# 46 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT- Never saw it
# 47 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE- Very Good
# 48 REAR WINDOW- Such a great movie!!!
# 49 INTOLERANCE- Never saw it
# 50 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING- YES!!!!
# 51 WEST SIDE STORY- It's okay
# 52 TAXI DRIVER- Again just ok
# 53 THE DEER HUNTER- Never saw it
# 54 M*A*S*H- Good
# 55 NORTH BY NORTHWEST- Never saw it
# 56 JAWS- Such a great film I remember the first time I let Ryker watch it
# 57 ROCKY- It's ok
# 58 THE GOLD RUSH- Never Saw
# 59 NASHVILLE- Never Saw
# 60 DUCK SOUP- Never Saw
# 61 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS- Never Saw
# 62 AMERICAN GRAFFITI- I wanted to be Suzanne Summers
# 63 CABARET- Never Saw
# 64 NETWORK- Never Saw
# 65 THE AFRICAN QUEEN- Its ok
# 66 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK- Who didn't have a crush on Harrison Ford?
# 67 WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?- Never saw
# 68 UNFORGIVEN- Good
# 69 TOOTSIE- Good but the top 100?
# 70 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE- Yes
# 71 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN- Yes
# 72 THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION -Yes
# 73 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID- It was okay
# 74 THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS- SO GOOD!!!!
# 75 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT- I loved this movie!!
# 76 FORREST GUMP- So Good
# 77 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN- This movie made me want to be reporter
# 78 MODERN TIMES- So good
# 79 THE WILD BUNCH- So Good
# 80 THE APARTMENT- So Good
# 81 SPARTACUS- So Good
# 82 SUNRISE- Never Saw it
# 83 TITANIC- SO Tired of this movie not so great
# 84 EASY RIDER- Never saw it
# 85 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA- Never saw it
# 86 PLATOON- It's okay
# 87 12 ANGRY MEN- Very Good
# 88 BRINGING UP BABY- Never saw it!
# 89 THE SIXTH SENSE- I had to watch it twice to get it!
# 90 SWING TIME- Never saw it
# 91 SOPHIE'S CHOICE- So Good
# 92 GOODFELLAS- I thought it was ok
# 93 THE FRENCH CONNECTION- Never saw it
# 94 PULP FICTION- Hate this movie I think it sucks!!!
#95 THE LAST PICTURE SHOW- Its good but not top 100
# 96 DO THE RIGHT THING- Never saw it
# 97 BLADE RUNNER- Good Movie
# 98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY- Never saw it
#99 TOY STORY-SO GOOD!!!
#100 BEN-HUR- Very good

Okay so there is my take on the top 100 films.

RUDE!

2010-06-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

Original Post September 15th 2009
Why do we allow for rudeness? We teach even the youngest of children manners; one of the first things we teach our children is to say please and thank you. We ground and spank our children when they are rude to others and it’s even worse when they are rude to adults or those who are in charge. Then why are the recent behaviors this week of certain politicians and celebrities been allowed? We “asked” for an apology from the senator who interrupter the presidents speech who did so privately but now that he realizes he can use what he said to further his campaign he will not issue a formal apology. I’m sorry even if you disagree with President Obama interrupting him during a speech was flat out RUDE! Then with Serena Williams and the judge who has apology she said that her temper has been much worse like that’s okay. At what about the VMA’s again complete rudeness, its was not his speech to give and if Kayne West disagreed with the decision of the viewers he should have issued a statement but to interrupt an acceptance speech again FLAT out RUDE! He is right he needs to re-focus himself. On a local level we have a School Board member running for re-election whose Husband threw a chair at a teacher! Again what horrible behavior! I know it was not her fault but I’m sorry she will not get my vote because I have little faith in her ability because she was in the room and allowed for such behavior. All I can say is RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! Lets all go take a class from Miss Manners. WE do not interrupt people, we do NOT cuss at authority figures even if we disagree, we go through proper channels, we respect all people even and especially teachers. Please and Thank you!

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Freedom is not Free! A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is an HUGE honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact. Honor the Hero's today, In my life I have been very lucky to have hero's who were willing to write that check. Thank you to all my friends that are currently serving, to My Troy, My Grandfather Bill, My Grandfather Antonio and My Father Johnny and to all who all have served, Thank you for my freedom and for all the freedoms we have!
Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think.-Bergen Evans

29 Random things

2010-05-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

My Take on something I was sent.

1* I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
2* Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. (Not that I would know)
3* I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap whenI was younger. ( I miss nap time!)
4* The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard.This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.
5* There is a great need for sarcasm font. (A VERY GREAT NEED!)
6* Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the f*** was going on whenI first saw it.
7* How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
8* I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
9* I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
10* The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm tryingto finish a text.
11* Was learning cursive really necessary?
12* I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
13* How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
14* I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of carsteams up to prevent someone from cutting in at the front. Stay strong! (Always I-25 between Springs and Denver)
15* MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
16* Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
17* Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Bras? Bras never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
18* I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
19* Bad decisions and bad experiences make good stories.
20* Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year? (I'm so glad I have boys)
21* You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.
22* There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure youare going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
23* I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and itasks me if I want to save any changes to my Forty page research paperthat I swear I did not make any changes to.
24* I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
25* As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hatedrivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists, unless I’m on the bike.
26* Sometimes I'll look down at my phone 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
27* It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood, Most planning to be Parents don’t use the services.
28* I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know NOT to answer when they call. Even my ring is set to “Highway to Hell” or "I Hate You" on some people
29* Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating theircar keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tailon the Donkey but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

I can't help

2010-05-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

So I am in Love if that surpises anyone where have you been? Sometimes you just meet someone that touches you and changes you in ways you never expect. So todays blog and lyrics are for My Troy who has touched my heart and my soul. I love you my friend.

Elvis- I can't Help Falling in Love with You
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you

Blame

2010-05-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

So when I was first separated from the ex everyone was always asking me how are you coping? Then somewhere alone the line it turned into Who was to blame and even recently in conversations with the ex he wants to talk blame. Frankly I could go on about blame but really the bottom line is this IT DOESN'T MATTER! My fault or Robs, the divorce has happened and we no longer owe each other anything except to be civil for the kids. Rob seems to think I have bad mouthed him to everyone I know and truthfully most of you know VERY little over what happened. As in everything there are 3 sides to every story, Side A , Side B and the Truth. After all Truth is everyone view of events. Rob is a good Dad but he and I were not meant to be and that is what is. Sometimes things don't work and they just don't work, that's just all there is. So if blame HAS to be placed then I'll take it since I left and I filed but Really Blame changes nothing.

REALLY?

2010-05-28T04:58:00.000-07:00

Okay it's no secret I am a humanist and I do not support or practice any religion but I really have to ask myself what on earth the people of Colorado Springs are Thinking. New life Church is so huge and large and has survived a huge scandal and a shooting. Then the person that was the center of that scandal Ted Haggart himself moves back to Colorado Springs after leaving with his tail behind his legs. He Starts a new Church "For accounting purposes" and we encourage this? This was the man after all who founded and built one of the largest churches in the nation and then proved shockingly human with the use of drugs and sex in his life, He was basically run out of town he returns and wants to do it all again and all if forgiven and forgotten? REALLY? Just wait and see it will be another scandal 2,5, or 10 years it will be another scandal. People don't change. Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me. Shame on you Colorado Springs, SHAME!!!!! Then you wonder why I hate relgion there is no thinking involved only following, I am not a follower!

Bon Jovi- Lyrics

2010-05-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

"Welcome To Wherever You Are"
Maybe we're different,
but we're still the same
We all got the blood of Eden,
running through our veins
I know sometimes it's hard for you to see
You come between just who you are and who you wanna be
If you feel alone, and lost and need a friend
Remember every new beginning,
is some beginning's end
[Chorus]
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life,
you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now,
you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are
When everybody's in, and you're left out
And you feel your drowning, in a shadow of a doubt
Everyones a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say
When it seems you're lost, alone and feeling down
Remember everybody's different
Just take a look around
[Chorus]
Be who you want to, be who you are
Everyones a hero, everyones a star
When you wanna give up, and your hearts about to break
Remember that you're perfect, God makes no mistakes

200 Things

2010-05-27T05:26:00.000-07:00

Okay so I have a project due but I do this instead proof positive I am avoiding my Homework! Shame on me! :)
200: My name is:- Christina Marie Abeyta (Herrmann)
199: I was born in:- Fort Carson, Colorado
198. I am: (Height)-5 feet 4 inches
197. My eye color is:- Brown
196. My Hair Color is:- Dark Brown
195. My shoe size is:- 6 wide to 7 wide
194. My ring size is:- 6 1/2
193. My Favorite Color is:- Red, White, Blue
192. My weight is:- 151(That's not a nice question)
191. I’m allergic to:- to many things to list a ton of DRUGS! Please see my medical charts before giving me anything!
190. I live in:- fountain, Colorado
189. The last book I read was: The qualitative guide to field research (I know I am a geek!)
188. My bed time is:- When I crash 8:30 to 1100 depending on what I'm doing
187. First IM Screen name:- Smurfy80'sgal
186. Current IM Screen name:- Spiritofamerica
185. First Email Address:I think it was cmherrmann@aol.com
184. Current Email Address:abeytacm@hotmail.com
183. First Cell phone number?719-459-8310
182. First Computer make?Ever? I Had a comadore 64
181. Least Favorite Holiday is: Aprils Fools Day
180. My favorite Holiday is:- 4th of July!
179. Favorite Band:Bon Jovi
178. Least Favorite Band:Pearl Jam
177. The last band listened to:- Bon Jovi
176. Last song that made me almost cry? Unstoppable
175. My skins reaction to the sun?-None unless I'm out for a really long time
174. Do you wear make up?Almost Daily
173. How do you normally wear your hair?Parted in the middle and slightly curled
172. Have you ever had a manicure?Yes
171. A pedicure?Yes
170. Have you paid for a massage?Yes love them!
169. Do you like to Fly?No
168. Where was your last vacation to?What counts as a vacation? Annapolis
167. Have you ever been on a cruise? Yes
166. California or Hawaii?Hawaii
165. Vegas or Atlantic city?Vegas
164. Maine or New York?New York?
163. Alaska or Ireland?Alaska
162. England or France?England
161. Africa or Australia: Australia
160. If you could go anywhere for 5 days money is no object where would you go?New Zealand
I Do (YES)/Do Not (NO) Believe in

159. The Tooth Fairy?No
158. Cupid?No
157. The Easter bunny?No
156. Baby new Year?No
155. Witches?Yes (As a religion)
154. God.I'm not touching that one... You all know me well enough to know how I feel and if you don't then why are you my friend?
153. Karma?Yes
152. Budda?Yes and no As a person he lived as a "god" no
153. Jesus?See Budda
152. Moses?See Budda
151. Noah?See Budda
150. The Bible.See answer 154
149.The Koran?See Answer 154
148. Leprichans?No
147. The loch ness monster?No
146. Bigfoot?No
145 Vampires?No
144. Big Blue?No
143. Santa:- heck yes...he lives in the mall at Christmas time duh
142. Love at First Sight:- no
141. Luck:- yes- I need more of in Cripple Creek
140. Fate:- yes and no
138. Aliens:- Yes-
135. Ghosts:- No
134. Horoscopes:- no they are nonsense but fun to read!
133. Psychiatrists?No they are cold readers
132. Pyhics?No they are also cold readers
131. The human condition?Yes I have to believe we will save ourselves!

Which is Better
130. Coffee or Tea?Both
129. Hugs or Kisses:- i like both
128. Drunk or High:- Better both are STUPID!
127. Phone or online:- I like the phone
126. Red heads or Brown hair:- Brown
125. Blonde's or Brunettes:-hmm.
124. Lamb and tuna or peanut butter and jelly:-What?
123. Pool or darts:- SWIMMING POOL I love to swim!
122: sci-fi or horror:-Both!
120. Night or Day:- day time
119. Coke or Pepsi-Dr.Pepper
118. Curly or Straight hair:- Curly
117. Democrat or Republican?Neither

What comes to your mind
116. Scary:- Uneducated people
115. Backstabbers:-High school girls
114: Parents:- I hope to be better then mine
113. School:- I hope to make it a better place for my kids and grand kids then it was for me
112. Work- I am SO lucky to have a job I LOVE!
111. Lottery- Why can't it be me?
110. Cars-Mine hates me or it is Demon spawn!
109. War-Sad
108. President-He’s okay
107. Healthcare?We need change so bad! I have insurance anyone want my medical bills? Anyone?
106. Wal-mart?UGH!!! Don't get me started!
105. Organic Foods?Grow a garden people!
104. MSG: Yummy but can cause headaches

Last time?
103. Missed someone:- today
102. Hugged someone:- Yesterday
101. Seen someone you haven't seen in a while?- Not Today !

MiSC
100: Most famous person you've ever met?- Jon Bon Jovi
99. Who's the ditziest person you know:- Hmm, That’s a hard one.
98. Who is the smartest person you've ever met?- I had this professor one time for Anthropology she was at Waco during the hostage crisis and she was so book smart and people smart just WOW!
98. Scariest person you've ever met?- I sat next to two ministers on a plane one time and thought these guys are teaching the youth of today about Christ? I thought ugh!!!!! The one kept looking down my shirt and flirting with me! He was also wearing a wedding ring Creepy!
97. One thing you want right now:-Courage
96. Are Reindeer real?- yeah they are
95. What is one thing you would absolutely love to see?- Troy at my house when I get home
94. Have you ever had a dream about dying?- yes right before I graduated high school
93. The last movie I saw in a theater was:- Don't remember
92. The thing I don't understand is:-How come everyone wants something for nothing! It makes me MAD!
91. The one thing I understand all to well.Cruelty
90. Favorite place to eat (High Dollar)Melting Pot
89. Favorite place to eat (Mid Range)Mushashi
88. Favorite Fast FoodChick-fil-A (Duh)
87. Most overpriced place to eat?The Broadmoor
86. Worst Fast food?McDonalds (I'm so glad my kids are past that phase)
85. Favorite thing to cook at home?Ham and potatoe Skillet
84. Favorite thing to eat: popcorn
83. Least Favorite food: Peas
82. Favorite store: Kohls
81. Least favorite: Wal-mart
80. This Spring: Is Hard
79. This winter: Was cold
78. This summer: Will be fun
77. This Fall: Was interesting
76. Something I really miss when I leave home:- My kids
75. The thing that I'm looking forward to the most is: July

What are you doing?
74. Tomorrow:- Working
73. Today: Working & Finishing a class project
71. Next Week: Working and then who knows
70. Next month:Working and Having a vacation
69. Next Summer:- going to Minnesota
68. For Christmas:- opening presents then who knows

MISC
67. The person(s) who knows the most about me is:- Right know I’d say no one
66. The person(s) that can read me the most is:- Unsure
65. The most difficult thing to do is:- Close the Home Daycare I cried for Months!
64. have you gotten a speeding ticket:- yes
63. Siblings?- yes
62. My biggest crush ever:- I Don't Remember- I think Bryan Cates or Cliff Newman
61. Your Biggest Heartbreak Ever?- As a teenager It had to be Cliff ; As an adult Rob getting divorced rips your heart apart like nothing else.
60. Have you ever wanted a cow?:- UM No I lived on a Farm I had cows Not Really a lot of fun
59. When you get older:I'm already old enough that my kids think I'm not cool-
58. Who do you feel most comfortable with?:- My students
57. The one person who you can't hide things from?:- My Grandmother
56. Wanna get married?:- Unsure if I want to do that again at this point in my life
55. Right now I am talking to:-No one this is a computer
54. Do you have many good friends?:- a few
53. I have a job:- Yeppers
52. I have a pet[s]:-No
51. What kind?
50. I would like a ____ for a pet.-I would like another pug someday
49. I hope some never calls me:A Bi***
48. The worst sound in the world:Someone yelling at me
44. Name the ONE person who made you cry the most:- Me
43. Have you ever done drugs:-
42. Have you ever smoked:- Yes
41. What's your favorite movie[s]:- The Original Die Hard
40. Last person you talked to in person:- Shiela
39. Last Person you talked to on the Phone:-Troy
38. Someone you've gotten closer with this year:-Just one I have a couple
37. My favorite brand of clothing is:- Liz Taylor
36: Last person you got mad at:- Myself
35. The best feeling in the world is:- My kids Telling I'm a "cool" mom
34. Worst feeling in the World: Knowing that I screwed up
34. So, about them Canadians ?- Love them
33. The most annoying thing ever is/are:- when i have to wait for something i don't get it NOW! 18. The most annoying person you know is:- i'm not gonna say who it is
17. I lose (all) respect for people who:- aren't nice people
16. I hate:-stupid people
15. I Love:- the people that are in my life
14. My Favorite Day is:- the days i don't have to work and have the boys
13. My Favorite month(s):- July
12. My Favorite band is:-Bon Jovi
11. The worst pain I ever felt:- Labor or Heartache NOT sure which is worse
10. My favorite quote:- It’s by Martin Luther King but I can’t remember how it goes its posted in my office I’ll find it and post it later
9. My favorite song is: It's my Life
8. My favorite actor is:-hmmm i'm not sure.
7. If you could do anything for a job you would:Win the lottery
6. Inside joke between you and one of your friends:- 15 cups!
5. How many REALLY GOOD friends do you have?- 5 or 6 i think
4. Whats the last 4 digits of your phone number?- 2012
3. What do you like most about yourself?My smile
2. What's your favorite food?- Popcorn
1. What do you hate most about yourself:- My Temper

2am thinking

2010-05-25T04:12:00.000-07:00

Orginal post October 30th 2009

. . .and then the day came when the risk to remain tight inside a bud became more painful than the risk it took to blossom.Anais Nin

Sometimes the risk to do nothing is the bigger risk than the risk to take that step and to see where that new road may lead. Sometimes the hardest thing is sitting at the crossroad once we move forward the hard part is done. I don’t know what the new road will bring neither does anyone else.

Balance

2010-05-25T04:09:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post: July 2009
How do you balance self-acceptance vs. the drive to grow and improve yourself? On the one hand, it’s a good idea to accept yourself for who you are… faults and all, right? But on the other hand, isn’t it also a good idea to set goals and aim for something even better than what you already experience now? How do you resolve this conflict? I believe most people simply compromise. (Not me right? Yes we all do it!) They don’t fully accept themselves as they are, but nor are they fully committed to lifelong growth. I think that’s a lame solution though. Why not have both? Why not fully accept yourself as you are and also be totally committed to lifelong growth? Why does there seem to be a conflict between self-acceptance and growth anyway? I think the conflict is actually a result of a particular mindset. Every point on your life line can also be said to have a certain quality. You can look at any point on the line and measure your instantaneous state at that point. On any particular day of your life (past, present, or future), you can pose questions like: Where do I live? What’s my job? What’s my net worth? Who are my friends? What’s my relationship status? How much do I weigh? Then you start labeling some points of your life as being of “higher” or “lower” quality than others, then you have the means to compare any point to any other. How does your life today compare with your life five years ago? Are you richer? Happier? Healthier? Now you have to decide how much you want to push things to improve in quality as you progress through life. You can accept your current position as adequate and opt to simply maintain it, or you can strive to achieve something greater. You can also adopt the belief that your life is largely out of your control, in which case your best bet would be to learn to accept whatever outcomes you experience, regardless of how you might rate their level of quality. This whole situation is basically win-lose, isn’t it? So what do you do about it? Do you keep pushing and try to improve yourself or do you settle for self-acceptance? Is it really win-lose or is it all around a loosing game? Can you really accept yourself and still grow? Can you improve yourself if you have self-acceptance? Do these really balance each other or are they just polar opposites trying to push each other apart?

One Thing (Lisa's Version)

2010-05-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

The point of this is to change all the answers and to email it to everyone who you think will answer it.Not as simple as you think.
Where is your cell phone? My purse
Your hair-A mess today
Your favorite thing to have-hmm happiness
Your favorite thing to do-Gamble
Significant other-Sort of? My man friend lives 1400 miles away but it is a relationship
Your mother? Complex
Your father? Sick
Your dream last night? Hmmm????(Not one word)
Your favorite drink? Sweet Tea
What room are you in? Bedroom
Your hobby? Plastic Canvas
Your fear? Failure
Where do you want to be in 6 years? PhD Celebration MINE! (Sooner maybe?)
Where were you last night? Home Favorite place to eat? The Melting pot
Person I think will respond? Who knows?
Something that you aren't? Forgiving
Muffins? Carrot-Raisin
Last thing you did? Texted Troy
Wish list item? New Luggage
What are you wearing? Shorts and a shirt
TV? Dexter, Men of a Certain Age, Amazing Race & Warehouse 13
Your pets? None Rob got them in the divorce
Friends? Love them!!!
Your life? Complex but okay
Your mood? I have a cold and that makes me grumpy but okay
Drinking? not so much but if I do 7&7's
Your car? Mazda 5 pain in my Ass
Something you're not wearing? Socks (I know it's a shock!)
Your favorite store? I Hate Shopping but bath and body works
Your favorite color? Red, White and Blue (Not one I know)
When is the last time you cried? Yesterday
Where do you go over and over when you are upset? Riverwalk
Where do you go over and over daily? Work
Person who still emails me regularly? Lisa
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? Bed
Missing one person? More than one
One wish? More than one

Seasons

2010-05-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post: October 2009
Have you ever heard the concept of "seasons" in life? It refers to an idea that nothing in life lasts forever, and with time, all things change. Do you feel like your life is in an unhappy state? Are you stuck in a rut? It will pass! Sadly, this also applies to the good times as well. The elation of a promotion, the excitement of a new relationship--all will fade with time. Think creatively about how to maximize the sweet times and minimize the sour ones. How to hold on to friends or when to say goodbye to them, meet new friends, Everything and Everyone is there for a reason or season. Sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, all must be tasted. Its an old Chinese Proverb

Don't Quit

2010-05-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post October 2009
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
when the road youre trudging seems all up hill,
when funds are low,
and the debts are high,
and you want to smile,
but you have to cry,
when care is pressing you down a bit,
rest if you must,
but don't you quit!
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and you can never tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems very far,
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

3's

2010-05-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

Three names I go by:
1. Chris
2.Christi
3. Tina (only 2 people are even allowed to call me this!)

Three jobs I have had in my life.
1. Director @ A Daycare
2. College Professor (my Current job)
3. A General Manager @ Chick-Fil-A

Three Places I have lived
1. Fountain, Co
2. Colorado Springs, Co
3. Currie, MN

Three favorite drinks
1. Water
2. Sweet Tea
3. Diet Dr.Pepper

Three TV shows that I watch (on DVD or online)
1. Royal Pains
2.Warehouse 13
3. Dexter

Three Places I Have Been
1. Nassu, Bahamas
2. Maui, Hawaii
3. Washington DC

Three people who e-mail/Facebook me regularly
1. Lisa
2. Cortney
3.Troy

Three of my favourite local restaurants
1. Chick-Fil-a
2. King Chef
3. The Melting pot (so expensive though!)

Three things I'm looking forward to
1. June 5th
2. Relaxing with a book today
3. Next year

Three places I would like to visit
1. New Zealand
2. Maui again
3. Mount Rushmore (This may happen in a few weeks!)

Three things you wish people would say to you right now.
1. I'll cook breakfast
2. I got a Transfer back
3. I'm sorry

Three things you want to say to people right now
1. I Love you
2. I miss you
3. I'm very proud of you

Are we Stupid?

2010-05-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

Orginal post: Sept 2009
Are we stupid? I just have to ask this question because frankly as a society we are. Two years ago gas prices went through the roof. Gas was almost and in some places was over $4 a gallon, with the rising gas prices came added costs to airline tickets, then we started to get charged for baggage, then pizza delivery started charging a delivery fee, Schwan’s (which I love) started this as well, Milk and dairy went up and so did most food prices due to what many of us believed were fuel cost. Now two years later we see gas prices have gone back down but the fees haven’t gone away. WHY NOT? Because we pay them! The same reason we go to the movies and spend $50 when we know we will buy the DVD for $18 in 8 weeks. WE pay for it! Worse yet companies realize this and are beginning to short change us. The next time you go to the store see if your favorite product has been down sized. Gallons are not gallons anymore! Cereal boxes are shrinking! Meat packages are as well. Yet we all complain about WHAT, the price of gas; hell right now the oil companies are about the only one’s not screwing us! YES we are all stupid, now excuse me while I go spend $600 on groceries that my children will complain about because it’s healthy but that’s another blog!

Pro choice Sadness

2010-05-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Orginal date: June 2009
I want to get on my soapbox again for a minute and talk about hero’s. Last week I lost one of mine. As most of you know I’m pro-choice (I know many of you are not) however someday my dream job is to work for Planned Parenthood, or Pro Choice America, or NARAL or the Choice Action network. These groups empower women to make their own reproductive choices. THEIR OWN! This is something that I did not have something that every women should have; a choice with her body and her rights. Over the years I have done many papers in college and many self studies on different subjects surrounding sexual education, birth control and abortion and I am now more than ever PRO CHOICE! That’s why I am so sad. I wake of the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was assassinated in his place of worship on Sunday, May 31. Dr. Tiller was one of few doctors with the expertise necessary to provide safe, professional abortions under the most difficult of circumstances: when a woman who had wanted children was told late in her pregnancy that a severe fetal anomaly had developed or that continuing the pregnancy threatened her own life. These are very real human tragedies that Dr. Tiller and his medical staff addressed with compassion. Very few other doctors worldwide have the training to confront those circumstances with the same experience and dedication as Dr. Tiller. Despite being shot in both arms in 1993, having his clinic burned down, being picketed at work and at home, having to wear body armor and follow a draconian security protocol, and being investigated for violations of anti-choice restrictions only to be acquitted just weeks ago Dr. Tiller refused to bow to nearly 20 continuous years of harassment and intimidation. He is a true hero and his assassination marks a great loss to his family, friends and colleagues, the women for whom he provided safe medical care and those who will be unable to receive the care they need, and the greater pro-choice family and communities. Dr. Tiller’s murder provides a tragic reminder that although abortion has been legal in America for more than three decades, the women who need an abortion and the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who provide these critical medical services remain under constant threat. The fact that patients and their health care providers face these risks every day is unacceptable. Why is it okay to gun someone down because you disagree with them? This is such a huge loss to women. Many of you may disagree but to be gunned down in church in front of your family and friends because of your job, just take a minute and think when you go to work tomorrow am I that committed to my work? Dr. Tiller was!

Driving.. Funny

2010-05-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

Orginal post: August 2009
In the last month my daily drive has changed and I am for once truly enjoying my new drive. Yes it takes me a longer to get to work however I am less rushed and less stressed about my drive. Geographically speaking I live in Fountain and I take I-25 south towards Pueblo the drive is not very crowded and the drivers actually know how to follow the traffic laws it is amazing. This week has brought me back into Colorado Springs and I have discovered that the overpass at Fountain must suck all the intelligence out of people brains because once you drive past this point people can no longer do the following.
1. Use a Blinker (I know they have them in everyone’s cars)
2. Drive in one lane (That is why the road has stripes)
3. Use the right lane for slower traffic (Right lane is for slower traffic, left lane for passing not the other way around)
4. Merge (Really how hard is it to get over and let some one else in, be polite and get over!)
5. Obey the speed limit (by this I mean its either 20 over 0r 20 under) (The speed limits signs SAY Speed Limit and then have numbers on them)
6. Look before they change lanes (There are other cars on the road than just you and if you don’t look at some point YOU will hit someone, this is a fact!)
7. Use a cell phone ! (use a blue tooth and stop texting or you will kill someone!)
I have also noticed the Highway patrol officers or police vehicles strike terror into the heart of drivers in the Colorado Springs Area, well your supposed to be obey the laws in the first place!!! They immediately slow down 10 mph even if they are going the speed limit like the offer won’t notice that! So to all the drivers in Colorado Springs Really what is the big hurry? Are the mountains going somewhere? I know a few geologists that say not anytime soon. For Everyone in Pueblo, and all the way to La Junta Thank you it’s been pleasant drive.

One of thoose stupid getting to know you things!

2010-05-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5 am
2. How do you like your steak? rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Spy Next Door
4. What is your favorite TV show? Dexter
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? USA Maui
6. What did you have for breakfast? Peanut butter Toast
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Fondue, I love the melting pot!
8. What foods do you dislike? peas
9. Favorite Place to Eat Out? The melting pot
10. Favorite dressing? Honey Mustard
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Mazda 5
12. What are your favorite clothes? My long 1 piece dresses
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? New Zealand,
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Full..
15. Where would you want to retire? where my boys are
16. Favorite time of day? Morning
17. Where were you born? Colorado
18. What is your favorite sport to watch swimming
20. Bird watcher? what's a bird?
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? morning
22. Do you have any pets? no
23. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I'm in love!!!!
24. What did you want to be when you were little? I don't remember I think a dancer or teacher 25. What is your best childhood memory? Lisa and I at grandma's at Christmas looking out the window waiting for grandpa to pull up in the truck.
26. Are you a cat or dog person? dog
27. Are you married? No
28. If not do you want to get married? Been there done that, divorced now, I don't want to think about it again for a while
29. If yes for how long? N/A
30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes
31. Been in a car accident? Yes
32. Any pet peeves? liars/hypocrites/people who say you are their friends but talk behind your back
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Black olives
34. Favorite Flower? carnations
35. Favorite ice cream? chocolate chip mint
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chick-fil-a
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none
38. From whom did you get your last email? Troy
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? no credit card to use
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? yes
41. Like your job? Yes very much
42. Broccoli? love it
43. What was your favorite vacation? going to Disney world with my boys
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Troy
45. What are you listening to right now? Nieghbors music
46. What is your favorite color? Red, white & blue
47. Coffee Drinker? Yes lots
48. What did you eat for lunch? Chicken nuggets and fries
49. What did you eat for dinner? leftovers
50. Do you like these quizes? Nope but they are okay could be worse

Star Trek: A geek review

2010-05-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Orginal post May 2009

Star Trek A geek Review Okay so I have been waiting for the new movie to come out! We went last night. As most of you know I am no ordinary fan. My child is named Ryker and dog is named Zefram. We have been to the Experience before Vegas closed it many times. So star trek is a LARGE part of who we are. That being said,. The movie was good, it was good enough to be Star Trek. Basically The creators and writers walked a fine of rewriting history without rewriting history which they did anyone but just enough not to really piss off any hard core trekkers. Like my self. The crew of the Original Enterprise Meet and the future goes on. The Past and how the meet is changed, why Kirk comes into Starfleet is changed. The Special effects are not notch as it should be and the characters did a good job of being true to form EXCEPT of Uhura whose relationship with Spock bothered me. Aside from that it was a great prequel that met its expectations and proved a point. “Destiny reasserts a pattern that is meant to be” They may all meet differently in the original history but even after events changed their lives they still meet in this history. So deep though for the day is “Destiny reasserts a pattern that is meant to be” in your life?

My Trip

2010-05-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

So once again I took a trip to Annapolis to see Troy. I really like the direction he and I are going I just wish most days it was only 20 miles apart not 1400 like it started but anyway. He had a job opportunity to take and took it, I came into his life so late in that game that I couldn't or wouldn't have changed his mind anyway. So I am learning how to have a long distance relationship and really learning a lot about myself and even him in the process. So back to the trip, the flight out was a lot bumpy!! I hate to fly anyway so that didn't help. I tried to sleep but was so excited I really didn't. Saturday was a late start day and a very nice BBQ. Sunday was amazing with a boat ride and fishing without catching any fish but I caught up on my sleep nicely. Went to a little place called Mikes and had some amazing snacks, clams yum!!! Troy and I went shopping at a mall and went to a tea shop and I do love tea almost as much as I love coffee. Troy made me breakfast and even cooked dinner, His daughter Stephanie made the most amazing taco shells fresh, so good, I think she should take those and turn it into a business they were that good. We went out to dinner and lunch a few times nothing too amazing and yet very amazing. Then we also did a couple of Smithson museums, the natural history museum lots of rocks and gems for me to look at and I do love rocks, plus the American History museum which is getting a remodel right now but got to see the gowns and my first love Kermit!!! I spent a lot of time on this trip really trying to rest. The flight home was a mess and I have yet to understand people and rudeness but people are just strange. I really wanted to stay almost as much as I wanted to come home and hug my Boys!! The worst part of my vacation being without the boys, the best part getting to know someone who has and will continue to change my life in ways I never expected.

I'm Back

2010-05-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

So back in Colorado this morning will be quick and then a longer one about my trip later. First a Thank you to Troy who has made my world different in such a short amount of time and made me realize that the past really doesn't matter but the future and the present. Today's Blog is simply the lyrics to Rascal Flatts and Unstoppable.

So, so you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Cracked a brick when you hit the wall
Yeah, you've had a pocket full of regrets
Pull you down faster than a sunset
Hey, it happens to us all
When the cold hard rain just won't quit
And you can't see your way out of it

CHORUS
You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable
Love, it can weather any storm
Bring you back to being born again
oh, it's a helping hand when you need it most
A lighthouse shinning on the coast
That never goes dim

When your heart is full of doubt
And you think that there's no way out
You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable
Like a river keeps on rolling
Like the north wind blowing
Don't it feel good knowing
Yeah You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable
Love is unstoppable
So you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Love, love is unstoppable

Love is...

2010-05-14T03:24:00.000-07:00

Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

I have to say I am in Love, Love is in the air in my world. Love brings us to the highest high and can be there during the lowest lows. Love makes some people rejoice and makes others want to crawl into a black hole. “People who feel loved, or when it's reciprocated, research says they live longer, happier, have better health and make more money," Utah State University Family and Human Development study. (Yes I really researched Love) Not only do people who feel loved have a better life expectancy, but when people experience relationships with other people, they are often experiencing a healthy lifestyle. To have someone who cares for you and loves you, you feel more encouraged, The more we get to know people, we appreciate them and love them more, Most importantly, you need to learn to love yourself and then find one you can share that with. Aside from emotional health, love can be a benefit to physical health. Studies have linked love and intimacy to good cardiovascular health. Whether looking at it from a psychological, physiological or biological perspective, it holds true that love can benefit health. So how do you know it’s love? You can be yourself with the other person - you don't have to pretend; one of the most important signs of love, You feel comfortable and secure with them, with no fear that they would hurt you, You feel better about yourself because they are in your life. One I find huge You can ask them for advice, and when you do they work hard to understand the situation- they care as much about your problems as their own, You know each other's flaws, and you can live with them, You are enthusiastic about life together, The idea of doing nothing together sounds fun - you enjoy spending time with them, even if you aren't doing anything exciting, When you are apart, you look forward to being back together, You consider each other's feelings before you make big decisions, Your differences don't cause stress or push you apart, but enhance the relationship, There is no violence in the relationship ,You do little nice things for each other, 'just because’, You don't sacrifice, but rather compromise for each other, You feel emotionally intimate with the other person, and know you can tell them anything, You consider each other equals, and one person doesn't have to sacrifice more than the other and most importantly You respect each other.

The Hand Holders

2010-05-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post: July 2009
I just wanted to share this with all people in my life who work with children I know how hard you truly work every day and want to say thanks!!!
The Hand Holders: A Tribute to Caregivers There is no job more important than yours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
You are the keepers of the future;
you hold the smallest of hands.
Into your care you are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of your everyday heroics,
your talents and skills go unsung.
You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
You rock babies brand new in your arms.
You encourage the shy and unsure child.
You make sure they are safe from all harm.
You foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
You respect and you honor their emotions.
You give hugs to each child when they're sad.
You have more impact than does a professor,
a child's mind is molded by four;
so whatever you lay on the table is whatever that child will explore.
Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly in the wind and dance on the stars and build castles of sand on the shore.
It is true that you don't make much money and you don't get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says, "I love you," you're reminded of how this job pays.
-Dori Rossmann, exective director - Kids Town USA

10 To 1: One of thoose get to know me kind of things

2010-05-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post-July 2009 update this morning

Ten Things I Wish I Could Say to Ten Different People.
1. I Really want this to work
2. I will be sad about tomorrow morning even if I appear not to be.
3. One day I'll look back on this and laugh
4. It'd be really nice if you were there for me more
5. Stop calling me or I'm telling your wife
6. Do you really have ANY clue who I am?
7. Im Sorry Im not the Lawyer or the Doctor
8. Your an awesome friend I wish we saw each other more
9. Why is everything my fault?
10. Not happening

Nine things about myself
1. Not sure if Im doing the right thing
2. I like Star Trek
3. I like to gamble
4. I love to watch One life to live and yes I know its cheesy
5. I am a VERY big loud mouth.
6. If you didn't what total honesty why did you ask?
7. Getting my PHD is my goal do NOT ask me to do anything that puts that off it WILL NOT be done .
8. I dont really like they way I look.
9. You may not know it or expect it but My feelings get hurt kind of easily.

Eight characteristics to win my heart.
1. Honesty
2. Love me for who I am
3. Give me space.
4. Trust me,
5. Tell me how important I am to you
6. Tell me things, things you wouldn't tell nobody else.
7. Be romantic, I want flowers and dinner and the walk by the water!
8. Tell what Im doing right.

Seven things that cross my mind a lot.
1. How much more really?
2. Am I doing the right thing?
3. Joey
4. Ryker
5. Work
6. Grandma
7. Friends I miss

Six things I do before I fall asleep
1. Walk the apartment
2. My exercises unless I skip it to the morning ( I miss my gym membership)
3. Wash my face
4. Eye cream
5. Set the alarm
6. Check and make sure Do I have all my pillows?

Five people who mean a lot.
1. Joey (He is a teenage now how can I not worry)
2. Ryker (He is Ryker what else to say?)
3. Troy (It's amazing to me how fast he grew on my heart)
4. Rob (How can he not?, even though we are apart we share two amazing children)
5. Dad (I'm so worried about him, He won't be here much longer)

Four things you're wearing right now.
1. Socks (almost always)
2. underwear
3. shorts
4. shirt

Three songs that you listen to often.
1. It's my life (it's like my motto)
2. Unstoppable
3. My Maria

Two things you want to do before you die.
1. Get my PHD
2. Make sure my children have it better than I ever did

One confession.
1. I am sorry for what I did to Melissa, Kaitlyn and Kirsten, I miss my friend and the laughter we shared plus her very special children. I will never be able to say sorry enough.

ABC's of me

2010-05-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

Orginal post July 2009 Redo this morning
A - Age: To Old today (Birthday soonish!)
B - Bed size: Queen BABY! (I really like my bedroom set but wish it was made for a king)
C - Chore you hate: Toilets! (Go clean the bathroom!)
D- Dog's name: Zefram (Yes after star trek, I wish he was with me)
E - Essential start your day item: Vitamin B Liquid and coffee (7-11 love the coffee bar)
F - Favorite color: Red, White & Blue (Are you surprised?)
G - Gold or Silver: Silver (Titanuim)
H - Height: 5'4" (I know I'm short)
I - Instruments you play(ed): Harmonica, Clarinet, guitar
J - Job title: Early Childhood Education Faculity ot Otero Junior College (My Job rocks!)
K - Kids: Two boys (Joey and Ryker)
L - Living arrangements: With My boys in an apartment BUT may be changing soon.
M - Mom's name: Elizabeth (I could have said something else but its not nice)
N - Nicknames: Chris (From Rob), Christi (My favorite nickname), Miss Chris (From the kiddos & my Students) and Tiny Tina (From Lisa), My Tina (From Troy)
O - Overnight hospital stay: I could even begin to count them
P - Pet Peeve: People who can not work blinkers (I mean really your car has them right?)
Q - Quote from a movie: "He did a little to much LDS during the free spech movement" (Star Trek 4)
R - Right or left handed: Lefty (Left handed people are proven smarter!)
S - Siblings: Real? 1 Brother 1 half Brother Tons of Cousin and Aunt that are my Sisters
T - Time you wake up: Between 4-6 (I never get to sleep in)
U - Underwear: Yes I wear them (Wouldn't you like to know which kind :)!
V - Vegetable you dislike: I like them but peas bug me (The texture)
W - Ways you run late: I don't I'm 5 minutes early kind of person
X - X-rays you've had: To many to count
Y -Yummy food you make: Deviled eggs (Its the tabasco) ,Cookies (The ginger) , Cream puffs (The vanilla) So who's hungry?
Z- Zoo favorite: Snakes! Something strange and yet thrilling about them..

Murphy was an optimist‏

2010-05-13T05:04:00.000-07:00

*No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.
*Leak proof seals- Will
*Self Starters-Will Not
*Interchangeable parts-Won’t
*There will always be one more bug
*90% of everything is crud
*If you are feeling good, Don’t worry, You’ll get over it
*You will always find something in the last place you look
*The chance of a piece of buttered bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
*No matter how long or how hard you shopped for an item, after you buy it, it will be on sale somewhere cheaper
*The other line always moves faster
*In order to get a loan you must first prove you don’t need it
*If you fool around with a thing long enough you will screw it up
*If it jams, force it, if it breaks it needed to be replaced anyway
*Build a system any fool can use and only a fool will use it
*Everyone has a scheme for getting rich quick that will not work
*All warranties expire upon payment of invoice
*Where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit
*Friends come and go but enemies accumulate
*There is never enough time to do it right but always enough time to do it over
*Anything good in life is illegal, immoral or fattening
*It is morally wrong to allow suckers to keep their money
*Whoever has the gold makes the rules
*Nature always sides with the hidden flaw
*Celibacy is not hereditary
*Never sleep with anyone crazier than yourself
*Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone
*Never play leapfrog with a unicorn
*A smith and Wesson beats four aces every time
*In case of Doubt make it sound convincing
*Never argue with a fool people might not know the difference
*If everything seem to be going well you obviously don’t know what the hell is going on

Destiny?

2010-05-12T05:15:00.001-07:00

Orginal post: July 2009
Are some things destined? Is a belief is destiny a belief in the supernatural and therefore a belief in a higher power over our lives or is destiny just a random set of events that lead us to what we want to believe is destiny. Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the cosmos. Destiny may be seen either as a fixed sequence of events that is inevitable and unchangeable, or that individuals choose their own destiny by choosing different paths throughout their life. So are things destined or do we get to choose and by choosing are we playing into destiny? Or does Destiny even exist at all?

My Soapbox

2010-05-12T05:14:00.001-07:00

Orginal post: July 2009
I apologize for who I’m going to upset right now, that being said. I'm glad I don't have to be born again. I materialized correctly the first time. The plaintiff in the landmark abortion-rights case Roe v. Wade, who became an abortion protester in recent years, was among four demonstrators arrested Monday for disrupting Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination hearing. Norma McCorvey, 61, of Texas, better known as "Jane Roe," began screaming that Sotomayor was "wrong" about abortion during the opening statement of the newest member of the Senate, She switched sides in 1995 when the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue moved next door to the Dallas women's clinic where she worked. She became friends with one of the anti-abortion leaders and became a born again-Christian. Sorry Norma, you can't undo what you did. Welcome to being an adult and being responsible for your actions your were just larger than most. I wish we could focus on sex education in schools rather than abortion. It seems like if we had the same kind of passion about teaching kids not to get pregnant, then we wouldn't have to be discussing abortion to the degree that we do. Actually, the fact is when compared to pro-choice states, anti-abortion states spend far less money per child on a range of services such as foster care, education, welfare, and the adoption of children who have physical and mental disabilities (Schroedel, 2000). Moreover, the states that have the strongest anti-abortion laws are also the states in which women suffer from lower levels of education and higher levels of poverty, as well as from a lower ratio of female-to-male earnings. They also have a lower percentage of women in the legislature and fewer mandates requiring insurance providers to cover minimum hospital stays after childbirth (Schroedel, 2000). So anti-abortion laws actually cost more money!!! I find it ironic that some in our society who call themselves pro-lifers will go to great lengths ( sometimes even murder ) to stop abortions. Where are they once that child is born? Where are they when it comes to raising property taxes to pay for our children's education? They want to save the children but raise the child that is someone else’s problem. That is what bothers about the pro-life movement!

The only people!

2010-05-12T04:48:00.000-07:00

The only people you need in your life are the ones that prove they need you in theirs?
So what does my quote today mean? I think it means that you shouldn't let people take advantage of yourself, especially when you know you are worth more. You aren't inferior to anyone except yourself and your goals, hopes, dreams and wishes and whomever/whatever you believe in your morals and ethics and only make friends with people whom believe in you and show in any way possible that they care about you either way you are worth it and don't prove yourself to anyone the people that care about you will know your true abilities and talents and that is all that matters.

Apartment Life

2010-05-11T05:07:00.000-07:00

I have to say although I don't mind my apartment. I do miss having a dishwasher. I do miss not climbing stairs that I fell down! Ouch! I miss having a washer and dryer. I do really not like the music and noise all hours of the night! From "The final countdown" to "heaven is a place on earth" to 40 versions of the wedding march I have to ask is it necessary at 12pm or 1 am? I don't think so!!!! GRR now for me to go to work tired and cranky NO FUN!!!!! Grumble Grumble I'm off for my day!!!

Pro-choice Sadness

2010-05-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

Orginal: May 2009
I want to get on my soapbox again for a minute and talk about hero’s. Last week I lost one of mine. As most of you know I’m pro-choice (I know many of you are not) however someday my dream job is to work for Planned Parenthood, or Pro Choice America, or NARAL or the Choice Action network. These groups empower women to make their own reproductive choices. THEIR OWN! This is something that I did not have something that every women should have; a choice with her body and her rights. Over the years I have done many papers in college and many self studies on different subjects surrounding sexual education, birth control and abortion and I am now more than ever PRO CHOICE! That’s why I am so sad. I wake of the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was assassinated in his place of worship on Sunday, May 31. Dr. Tiller was one of few doctors with the expertise necessary to provide safe, professional abortions under the most difficult of circumstances: when a woman who had wanted children was told late in her pregnancy that a severe fetal anomaly had developed or that continuing the pregnancy threatened her own life. These are very real human tragedies that Dr. Tiller and his medical staff addressed with compassion. Very few other doctors worldwide have the training to confront those circumstances with the same experience and dedication as Dr. Tiller. Despite being shot in both arms in 1993, having his clinic burned down, being picketed at work and at home, having to wear body armor and follow a draconian security protocol, and being investigated for violations of anti-choice restrictions only to be acquitted just weeks ago Dr. Tiller refused to bow to nearly 20 continuous years of harassment and intimidation. He is a true hero and his assassination marks a great loss to his family, friends and colleagues, the women for whom he provided safe medical care and those who will be unable to receive the care they need, and the greater pro-choice family and communities. Dr. Tiller’s murder provides a tragic reminder that although abortion has been legal in America for more than three decades, the women who need an abortion and the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who provide these critical medical services remain under constant threat. The fact that patients and their health care providers face these risks every day is unacceptable. Why is it okay to gun someone down because you disagree with them? This is such a huge loss to women. Many of you may disagree but to be gunned down in church in front of your family and friends because of your job, just take a minute and think when you go to work tomorrow am I that committed to my work? Dr. Tiller was!

Communication

2010-05-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Orginal Post: May 2009
I know you have seen this before but I thought I'd post it again. Because I seem to be failing at this greatly, when I say I need time to think and process things that seems to mean presuure me into certain veiws, no that means leave me alone to think and process things, NO ONE and I mean NO ONE is helping. Yes I know I'm grumpy and sad lately and everyone has to try in a way to help but it's not so stop, wait until I reach out to you becasue it only making things worse because bottom line I think Communication has broken down. Someday and sometimes no matter what message you were trying to communicate it does not get through. Human communication has failed! As humans we work very hard on communicating, they are college course on it, you can even major in it, seek out counseling in it but the bottom line if the two people are not speaking the same language it will fail. It doesn’t matter why or how it will fail. EVERYONE has preconceived notions about things, life, work, marriage, kids, etc… EVERYONE and at some point you are going to speak to someone who does not agree with you 100% on something even if you are speaking the same language you are not and communication fails and thus trouble begins. Here are 10 reasons why. #1 Communication usually fails, except by accident, Call it the Murphy’s law of communications. Language differences, Cultural differences & Personal differences. #2 If communication can fail, it will, The factors that can make human communication fail might not be very serious, when each of them is taken in isolation. However, there are so many risks and they can interact in so many ways that it is statistically almost certain that communication fails. #3 If communication cannot fail, it still most usually fails, Even if you pay great attention to make your communication unambiguous, effective, and understandable, there will still be too many risks you haven't taken care of. #4 If communication seems to succeed in the intended way, there's a misunderstanding. When communication seems to be simple, easy and successful, it's probably a total failure. The recipient looks happy and thankful, because he understood your message his way, which is what he likes, and very different from what you were actually saying. #5 If you are content with your message, communication certainly fails Being content with the formulation of your message is a sure sign of having formulated it for yourself. #6 If a message can be interpreted in several ways, it will be interpreted in a manner that maximizes the damage. This Murphyistic remark is a warning about the very real possibility that ambiguities will be resolved in just the way you did not mean. Notice that this does not mean the worst misunderstanding you can imagine; rather, something worse - an interpretation you could not have imagined when you formulated your message. #7 There is always someone who knows better than you what you meant with your message. People who understand you can be a real nuisance. It might take some time before you see that they completely failed to see what you meant, but that does not prevent them for propagating their ideas as yours. #8 The more we communicate, the worse communication succeeds. There's a widespread superstition that the more you communicate the better. In reality, increasing the amount of communication most probably just causes more misunderstandings. This is why we are always upset and or angry at the people we communicate with the most, spouse, family members and co-workers. #9 The more we communicate, the faster misunderstandings propagate. When people see the same message repeated over and over again, they usually start believing it. Even if your message happened to be true, they misunderstood it, so what they actually believe is not what you meant. And since the message has been presented so strongly, they tell it to their friends, who propagate it further, etc. Naturally, in that process, it gets distorted more and more. #10. In mass communication, the important thing is not how things are but how they seem to be. It is however more and more important: mass communication creates a world of its own, and people orient themselves in that virtual world rather than the real one. After all, reality is boring

People are stupid!

2010-05-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Orginal Date: May 2009
I’m so sick of the news alerts over nothing. Lets look at hard facts. Swine flu has been confirmed in 16 deaths, all from Mexico (one Mexican toddler died in Houston). It has sickened nearly 350 people in Mexico, and about 250 others from New York to New Zealand, including children, teens, adults, students and tourists. It has rattled the world's financial markets, pushed oil prices down, caused a run on surgical masks and hand sanitizers, closed schools and churches, postponed sporting events, prompted travel bans, rerouted cruise ships. No one knows precisely where the swine flu virus will pop up next. Where and how it all began is a medical mystery. The CDC has no firm answers either. All as Global flu alerts continue to rise. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face. The sale of face masks is of the charts, schools are being closed and people are being quarantined over 16 deaths. Let’s compare. This Is preventable yes, So lets talk about SEX. First about STD’s The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 340 million (vs. 350) new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and trichomoniasis. These are also preventable by wearing a condom! These are curable and not deadly except in rare cases but I don’t see these on the news and no run on condoms. Okay so lets talk about the deadly STD HIV/AIDS 33 Million people are living with HIV/AIDS currently VERSES the 350 with the “flu” and 2.26 Million died from it last year with half a million being children. SO WHATS MY POINT? You ask? #1 Focus people this is a new strain of a virus which virus mutate all the time its what the do, get over it. #2 you want to save lives wash your hands it stops the spread of germs DUH if you didn’t already know this than your just flat out stupid and #3 if you really want to make and impact in your world than look at something that is a real health threat like unprotected sex. #4 Do the Math 16 is not a bigger number than 33 million or 340 million put a condom on! Quit being part of the stupid herd and start making a difference!

20 Things I wish people knew

2010-05-10T05:06:00.000-07:00

Things I really wish more people knew
1. I like cats and dogs (cats make my eyes itchy)
2. I like country music I really like it! Oh course Bon Jovi Still Rules but just because I listened to heavy metal 20 years ago does not mean I want to listen it now.
3. I do not like to clean my house but I will but I will not be my mother when it comes to cleaning, I do not want to be able to eat of my floor or break my neck on the waxed floors.
4. I love to bake but don't want to clean up afterwards.
5. I want to play the harmonica like my dad did.
6. I like rocks, I really miss my front yard that was full of them and I like to just look at them, something is peaceful and soulful about a rock.
7. I want my sons to be nicer to each other.
8. I want to move, I am tired of living in Colorado, Tired of my little Apt, Tired of the noise. I know I can't right now but wished I could make it happen.
9. I want more money, but don't want the work that comes with it.
10. I love my children even though they are getting to big to be snuggling with mommy.
11. My Favorite song is "It's My life" the lyrics make me cry every time it's stupid I know.
12. I wish I would have never closed my home Childcare that is my biggest regret.
13. I love kids, That why I do the work I do I want to make the difference in the life of a child. 14. I miss my Dad, I wish I could go to him like I could 11 years ago, now he lives in his own world and it won't be this one very much longer.
15. I miss my Grandmother, I wish she still lived here, she makes me want to move to Minnesota.
16. I'm afraid of making the same mistakes in my new relationship as my old one's. I don't want that to happen I'm trying very hard, that person is too important to me to hurt.
17. I love my books on CD or MP3 so I can read and do other things as well.
18. I'm Obsessed with getting my PHd at the expense of other things in my life.
19. I fear I will never be good enough
20. I am finally feeling better and fear every doctor visit.

Depression in Men

2010-05-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

Orginal post May 2009
As a women we often view men as the strong ones and don’t notice depression in them. We need to and we need to watch for it. Depression has a number of signs and symptoms. Sometimes men or those closest to them, may not see the signs. Men are each affected in different ways, but three of the most common signs are pain, risk taking, and anger. Depression may show up as physical signs like constant headaches, stomach problems, or pain that doesn’t seem to be from other causes or that doesn’t respond to normal treatments. Sometimes depressed men will start taking risks like dangerous sports, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, and casual sex. Anger can show itself in different ways like road rage, having a short temper, being easily upset by criticism, and even violence. Here are some other common signs, especially if they last for a few weeks or months: • Feeling guilty, worthless, or that you always fail • Feeling restless and/or irritable • Having no energy • Problems sleeping (not sleeping or sleeping too much) • Feeling angry or violent • Feeling like you can’t work or get things done • Using alcohol or drugs to feel better • Sexual inability • Losing interest in hobbies, work, and/or sex • Having problems focusing, remembering, or making choices • Missing work, class, or appointments • Not caring about anything or feeling “blank” • Always feeling sad or nervous • Changes in appetite and/or weight • Working too much • Feeling alone • Being negative about everything • Thinking about death or suicide Suicide Warning Signs to Act On HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF: • Talking about wanting to hurt or kill yourself • Looking for ways to kill yourself like trying to get a gun, pills, etc. • Unusual talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide IT MAY MEAN THAT YOU NEED SUPPORT RIGHT AWAY. FREE HELP IS HERE: 1-800-273-TALK OR 1-800-273-8255. Other serious signs to watch out for include: • Using alcohol or drugs more than usual • Talking about having no reason to live or having no purpose in life • Feeling anxious or worried • Not sleeping or sleeping all the time • Feeling trapped like there’s no way out Make sure if ANYONE in your life is depressed or showing these signs or symptoms you get them help as soon as possible they may not be able to help themselves

To my Friends

2010-05-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Orginal Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Even if you aren't an antique lover, you can probably appreciate old things. I got a phone call last night that made me think. The most worthwhile, long-term investment you can make is investing in relationships. A healthy, edifying friendship can have a huge impact on your well-being, character, and even your success. My friend Debra called me. Debra and I worked together some 16 years ago and over the years we have kept in touch. Old friends have seen us through celebrations, grief, births, graduations, marriages, and so much more. Now we really more just text and e-mail get together about once a year and look at photos to discuss how much older we are getting. They love us for who we are warts and all! Not that I have warts but she knows about all them skeltons in my closet and loves me anyway. Think about the most formative friendships in your life and consider writing a note of appreciation to each of your friends. Maybe there are some buddies that you need to reach out to because they have a need, or others you just need to reconnect with. She called becasue she "felt" I had a need for her funny how after all that time sometimes friends just know. So this blog is my gratitude for that phone call. How are you going to show yours? Your gratitude shows them that they are cared for, which everyone needs to know. So to all my friends, Thank you I love you all.

Beginings

2010-05-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

I love to write and until recently I was writing on Facebook and before that myspace, however it has come to my attention that not everyone is one those sites so I am moving my blog here. This way it can be accessed hopefully by more. Read it follow it or not I need this release so if you are already familiar with my writings the first few days will just be reposts, After that new material. Thanks love you all.