I see it every day and scratch my head in wonder. Little Johnny failed his math test, it must be the teachers fault. Little Sally isn't getting to play all the innings in a ball game, someone must be sucking up to the coach. Benny's meth lab blew up in the basement, it must be society's fault. What confuses me is that nobody ever says that little Johnny failed his test because he didn't study, Sally isn't getting to play as much because she doesn't work as hard at practice and Benny's meth lab blew up because he is a drug dealer (who probably failed chemistry, damn you chemistry teacher!).
Everyday people are making excuses for failing. As a society, we seem to be failing at teaching our kids and peers the value of accountability. If the kids today are told a failure is always due to "X" mitigating factor, will they ever accept the one true truth, sometimes shit just doesn't work out the way we want. Next time work harder, perform better, and you will probably have a better result.
When I was a kid, I played basketball. I wasn't a flashy player who threw out triple-doubles every game. I had a little natural ability but honestly didn't always work as hard as I was capable of. I never remember my parents going to the coach and asking why I wasn't starting or getting the same playing time as some of the others. I DO remember complaining about my lack of playing time to them early on and their response was "if you want it, work for it!". Those lessons very early in life taught me a lot. I started playing ball in 5th grade and guess what? There was a winner and a loser in EVERY game! We kept score, we learned the basic skills and we learned how to win and lose gracefully. And, at the end of the season we got a trophy. That trophy proudly proclaimed what position our team placed in the league, whether we were champions and got the BIG trophy or we finished dead last and got the itty bitty trophy. While we were recognized for playing the sport, we always knew if we wanted our picture in the paper with the big trophy we had to bust our asses and earn it.
Every week (day??) I deal with people who refuse to accept the responsibility for their actions or lack thereof. It doesn't seem to sink in that they are ultimately responsible for the result of their actions. If I send them to perform a certain task and find them hiding out in a break room, inevitably it isn't THEIR fault. It's my fault because I checked up on them, or it's their managers fault because he didn't do the job for them, or it's a co-workers fault because they just don't like them. REALLY? What happened to, 'yeah, I screwed up'? I don't get it. Really, to be perfectly honest, it's starting to completely piss me off! I work hard for my salary. I don't have the owner standing over me telling me every step to take to complete my days work. I understand that it's my responsibility to do the job I was hired for. My boss owes me nothing but a paycheck at the end of the day. If I want my paycheck to grow then by god, I know it's on my shoulders to do what is on my daily task list as well as handle any curve balls that are thrown my way, all to the best of my ability. I don't half-ass my tasks and when I screw up, it's my job to call him and say "Yup, I screwed up!" I work for what I want and understand that is how to move ahead. What ever happened to hard work = big reward lessons?
Yes, I tend to blame parenting on a lot of the younger generation's issues. We push our kids so hard to out perform everyone, but don't take the time to just let them be kids. Kids screw up. They get into trouble, they get hurt and they hurt us. That's just LIFE. When my little guy got into a fight at school, I didn't blame the administration for taking the disciplinary action they did. He was fully aware of the consequences of fighting in school before he threw the punch. Kids fight, and when they fight in school they face disciplinary action. I was proud of him for not making excuses or trying to shift the blame. It was all on him and he owned it, Period. Look back at your childhood and then look at how you are with your own kids. When you failed a test, did your mom blame it on the teacher or on you? If you got a speeding ticket, was it your fault or the cops fault for picking on you? If all we ever give our children is excuses for their actions, then that is all they will ever have, An Excuse!
Personally, I think the damn "Participation Trophy" philosophy is the root of a lot of this. Kids are taught at an early age, no matter how hard they work, they will get the same reward as everyone else. And that if they screw up, it's not really their fault because Mom and/or Dad will place the blame everywhere but on them. Little Johnny is the best player on the team, he never has to sit out or play in the outfield. Of course, parents can't say to their kid, "Johnny is the shit and plays his heart out. He never misses a practice or game, he goes as hard as he can every time. Learn from him! Work as hard as he does and you will get better. But prepare yourself, you may NEVER be as good as Johnny." Nope, we say "Hell, if we had Johnny's parents connections (money, sucking up ability, etc) you would play just as much as he does".
All in all, I think the only "Participation Trophy" that will count is the headstone I am buried under. THAT marker will be the one that shows how well I played this game called "Life". I figure if there are 10 people who stand over that marker who love me and will genuinely miss me, then I am an MVP. It won't matter what my net worth was or what place I finished in with my little league team. All that will count is the fact that those 10 people knew who I was inside and out and loved me for just those reasons alone.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Adventures in Shopping...
I am not an overly stylish person. I LIKE my Levis, athletic shorts, t-shirts and hoodies for my day to day wear. My job doesn't require me to dress up and I don't often deal w/ the public during normal working hours. Hell, some days my version of getting ready for work is as simple as putting a bra on, washing my face, brushing my teeth and pulling on a ball cap. I am just not very high maintenance. When a situation (wedding or funeral) arises that calls for me to wear a skirt or dress, I usually have to go shopping and buy something for the occasion. I will spend hours searching for that outfit that I see myself wearing in my head. Eventually, I will say screw it and grab what version of the black skirt/dress that will fit and run for my sanity. Inevitably, after wearing said outfit, it will get moved to the back of the closet and the next season will be donated to a charity for someone else to use. To say I value my comfort would be a slight understatement. BUT, with that being said, there are times when I like to spruce up a bit. To me, this involves adding a belt to my Levis, putting on a shirt that doesn't have a swoosh or beer can on it, and pulling on a pair of boots. WHAMMO, I am DRESSED UP! Ain't life great?
That was my life up until a couple months ago. I am not sure what has came over me but I am going to assume an alien invasion has either robbed me of my hormones or injected a whole shit load more of them. Fucking aliens! It seems like anymore I find myself waking up a bit earlier in the morning so I can do my hair and make up. And damnit, I now own a freaking skirt. What the HELL is going on?? Ok, I have to admit, I haven't actually worn the damn thing yet, but it is there, hanging in my closet, taunting me every single time I walk in there, the little bitch.
For some reason today I decided to stop in and look for a skirt or dress for an upcoming seminar I am going to. I walk around the first store and this overly helpful clerk promptly pounces on me asking what she can get for me. I mumble "nothing, just looking" as I glare around the store. Usually, my grumpy glare will scare folks off. Nope, not Super Clerk. I am swishing through racks, trying to find something that speaks to me or at the very least something that won't look like I am wearing a shower curtain. Super Clerk finally decides I am looking for a skirt. She starts dragging skirts in from all over the store to show me, knowing that I would just look "super cute" in this one. I continually veto her selections as I browse. Finally, she shows me a black skirt. Hmm, that's actually kinda cute. Decent length, handkerchief hemline, not too tailored but not to casual. I tell her that I like that one. She says "O-M-G" (the initials, not the whole phrase. Ugh, god save me from 20 year old bimbos) and hands me the skirt. Hold it, this is a small. In no known universe am I a small. Rarely am I a medium, most often a large. "But wait," says Super Clerk, "it has a SUPER stretchy waist......and we only have it in small". I give her the "eat shit and die" look and away she scampers. Screw it, I am done with this place. Off to the next store.
Wow, I feel like I have stepped into a time machine and flew back to the 70's and NOT in a good way. This store is very bright. There are shower curtains..er, I mean dresses everywhere. Paisley print, chiffon, flowers, and leopard print are hanging everywhere. I giggle to myself as I start my browsing. At least in this store the clerk caught the "leave me alone and let me look" body language right off the bat and just told me to holler if she could help. Smart girl! I work my way through the store, sighing, snorting and sometimes down right laughing at some of the prints/patterns. I really don't think the clerk enjoyed my ongoing nonverbal commentary and picture taking, but she still stayed back a safe distance and let me do my thing. I finally stumble upon a skirt that catches my eye: Longer skirt with a manageable slit up the leg, subtle pattern, in a normal color. I take it into the dressing room, kinda excited that maybe I found something. Ooooo, I liked it. Fit was perfect, flats, heals or boots all three would work with it, finding a top to wear would be a cinch, etc. I stepped out to look in the big 3 way mirror to get the full effect. I am twisting and turning, trying to see if my ass looks huge in this, etc. I hear a snort from beside me. The clerk asks me if I like the dress. I said, "yes, I like this SKIRT, I think it would be perfect for what I need". Again, I hear the smirk in her tone as she informs me "That isn't a skirt, it's a dress!" There is no freaking way that this is a dress. With the top of the "dress" sitting on my natural waist, the hemline just goes slightly below my knees. A dress??? At this point I really think the clerk is enjoying my utter disbelief. She goes and shows me a picture from their catalog and Yup, I'll be damned, it is a dress. I don't know how anyone over 5'2" could possibly wear this as a dress without their girl parts showing, but hey, what the hell do I know? I know that I can no longer tell a skirt from a dress and that's about it. Screw it, I am getting a milk shake and going HOME!
I have come to the conclusion that I need a personal shopper. Someone who will take me shopping in a blindfold, pick out appropriate clothing and dress me in it. I am only allowed to see what has been picked after the transaction is complete. Otherwise I will veto any and all selections because they just aren't me. Interviews start next week. Skills needed: patience, ability to color coordinate, and some light bartending skills are needed...apply in person!
Happy Frustrated Friday Folks!
That was my life up until a couple months ago. I am not sure what has came over me but I am going to assume an alien invasion has either robbed me of my hormones or injected a whole shit load more of them. Fucking aliens! It seems like anymore I find myself waking up a bit earlier in the morning so I can do my hair and make up. And damnit, I now own a freaking skirt. What the HELL is going on?? Ok, I have to admit, I haven't actually worn the damn thing yet, but it is there, hanging in my closet, taunting me every single time I walk in there, the little bitch.
For some reason today I decided to stop in and look for a skirt or dress for an upcoming seminar I am going to. I walk around the first store and this overly helpful clerk promptly pounces on me asking what she can get for me. I mumble "nothing, just looking" as I glare around the store. Usually, my grumpy glare will scare folks off. Nope, not Super Clerk. I am swishing through racks, trying to find something that speaks to me or at the very least something that won't look like I am wearing a shower curtain. Super Clerk finally decides I am looking for a skirt. She starts dragging skirts in from all over the store to show me, knowing that I would just look "super cute" in this one. I continually veto her selections as I browse. Finally, she shows me a black skirt. Hmm, that's actually kinda cute. Decent length, handkerchief hemline, not too tailored but not to casual. I tell her that I like that one. She says "O-M-G" (the initials, not the whole phrase. Ugh, god save me from 20 year old bimbos) and hands me the skirt. Hold it, this is a small. In no known universe am I a small. Rarely am I a medium, most often a large. "But wait," says Super Clerk, "it has a SUPER stretchy waist......and we only have it in small". I give her the "eat shit and die" look and away she scampers. Screw it, I am done with this place. Off to the next store.
Wow, I feel like I have stepped into a time machine and flew back to the 70's and NOT in a good way. This store is very bright. There are shower curtains..er, I mean dresses everywhere. Paisley print, chiffon, flowers, and leopard print are hanging everywhere. I giggle to myself as I start my browsing. At least in this store the clerk caught the "leave me alone and let me look" body language right off the bat and just told me to holler if she could help. Smart girl! I work my way through the store, sighing, snorting and sometimes down right laughing at some of the prints/patterns. I really don't think the clerk enjoyed my ongoing nonverbal commentary and picture taking, but she still stayed back a safe distance and let me do my thing. I finally stumble upon a skirt that catches my eye: Longer skirt with a manageable slit up the leg, subtle pattern, in a normal color. I take it into the dressing room, kinda excited that maybe I found something. Ooooo, I liked it. Fit was perfect, flats, heals or boots all three would work with it, finding a top to wear would be a cinch, etc. I stepped out to look in the big 3 way mirror to get the full effect. I am twisting and turning, trying to see if my ass looks huge in this, etc. I hear a snort from beside me. The clerk asks me if I like the dress. I said, "yes, I like this SKIRT, I think it would be perfect for what I need". Again, I hear the smirk in her tone as she informs me "That isn't a skirt, it's a dress!" There is no freaking way that this is a dress. With the top of the "dress" sitting on my natural waist, the hemline just goes slightly below my knees. A dress??? At this point I really think the clerk is enjoying my utter disbelief. She goes and shows me a picture from their catalog and Yup, I'll be damned, it is a dress. I don't know how anyone over 5'2" could possibly wear this as a dress without their girl parts showing, but hey, what the hell do I know? I know that I can no longer tell a skirt from a dress and that's about it. Screw it, I am getting a milk shake and going HOME!
I have come to the conclusion that I need a personal shopper. Someone who will take me shopping in a blindfold, pick out appropriate clothing and dress me in it. I am only allowed to see what has been picked after the transaction is complete. Otherwise I will veto any and all selections because they just aren't me. Interviews start next week. Skills needed: patience, ability to color coordinate, and some light bartending skills are needed...apply in person!
Happy Frustrated Friday Folks!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Growing pains...
As Hubby and I quickly approach our 23rd year of wedded bliss, I am forced to look back over the years, mostly with wonder but, I will admit, also with a little bit of dismay. Is it possible that I have been married over half of my life? No matter that my age will soon be 43, most days I still feel (and admittedly act) like a 20-something. That ain't all bad though...seems like some people tend to enjoy me and my quirky/snarky/obnoxious/kind personality.
I remember, way back in the day when the kids were small, looking around at my piles of laundry, dirty dishes in the sink, floors needing cleaned, beds needing made, and basically saying "screw it". My philosophy at that time is that there will be plenty of time when my boys are bigger to worry about that shit. You know what? I must have been wise beyond my years, because that is exactly right! As hubby and I settle comfortably into what can only be referred to as middle age, my house is cleaner, admittedly due to having a cleaning lady, my laundry is usually done, dishes are clean and I rarely have a panic attack if unexpected visitors stop by. There are no longer Legos, hot wheels, video games, crackers and cookies, and all the other kid paraphernalia strung all over the house, that will inevitably be tripped over, crushed, or stepped on. This brings me to the topic of the day/week/month depending on how creative I feel.
I think every parent is guilty of saying/thinking something along the lines of "I will be glad when...". This can be finished off with several comments: ...he can finally support his own head, ...when he crawls, ...when he walks, ...when he is potty trained, ...when he starts school, ...when I am no longer a chauffer. About the time my oldest started driving is when I began to regret every single one of those thoughts. I would have gladly gone back to the day I thought each one of them and try to slow things down. I would have taken more time to really enjoy those little things that I may not have fully appreciated. Instead of grumbling about having to help with the homework, I would enjoy that one on one time. Instead of checking my watch, wondering when I would be able to get back to work or home, I would have sat there and enjoyed my child learning how to field a grounder, shoot a free throw, spank himself during the Christmas program, and so on. But, alas, you can't go back and change how you did things. I do know that Hubby and I have worked hard for 23 years to provide our kids a good home, good morals, self reliance and a strong sense of family. That's something we are both very proud of and think that we did a damn good job of.
Now as the time has flown by, Hubby and I often find ourselves alone with each other with nothing to do. We no longer have to worry about picking someone up from school or practice, running them here or there, checking math facts, or sending them to bed. This has been quite the adjustment for us..and to be honest, a whole new getting to know each other period in our lives. We have spent the last 23 years being totally focused on the kids. We were PARENTS, not Suzi and Hubby. The world revolved, as it should, around the kids, their needs, and work. There wasn't a whole lot of Suzi & Hubby time and when we did have it, all we would talk about was school, kid troubles/achievements, and work. Now, as our children make their own way more and more, we finally have the time to get to know each other once again. Thankfully, we still like each other!
I used to think that when people hit a certain age that they were "set" in their marriage. I mean really, after 10 or 15 years, what could possibly go wrong? I sure wasn't very wise in that area now was I? As Hubby and I have worked our way through these growing pains, I can more understand the divorce rate. PLEASE, don't read into this that Hubby and I are on the verge! That couldn't be further from the truth! I am just sharing some knowledge that I have acquired. People are so darn busy with work, play, etc that sometimes we forget to say and do the little things that mean so much. The very simple "thank you" that we all sometimes forget, the unexpected hug and/or kiss that happens "just because". What I have learned, as these pains have all but ceased, is to slow down, relax, and listen. Enjoy every moment as much as possible. It's amazing how much of a difference it can make when you show the same courtesy, care and compassion to your loved one as you do to the stranger on the street. Random acts of kindness should always start at home, for the people who see you at your worst.
Just my thoughts today! Wishing you all get a random hug and kiss from someone who loves you!!
I remember, way back in the day when the kids were small, looking around at my piles of laundry, dirty dishes in the sink, floors needing cleaned, beds needing made, and basically saying "screw it". My philosophy at that time is that there will be plenty of time when my boys are bigger to worry about that shit. You know what? I must have been wise beyond my years, because that is exactly right! As hubby and I settle comfortably into what can only be referred to as middle age, my house is cleaner, admittedly due to having a cleaning lady, my laundry is usually done, dishes are clean and I rarely have a panic attack if unexpected visitors stop by. There are no longer Legos, hot wheels, video games, crackers and cookies, and all the other kid paraphernalia strung all over the house, that will inevitably be tripped over, crushed, or stepped on. This brings me to the topic of the day/week/month depending on how creative I feel.
I think every parent is guilty of saying/thinking something along the lines of "I will be glad when...". This can be finished off with several comments: ...he can finally support his own head, ...when he crawls, ...when he walks, ...when he is potty trained, ...when he starts school, ...when I am no longer a chauffer. About the time my oldest started driving is when I began to regret every single one of those thoughts. I would have gladly gone back to the day I thought each one of them and try to slow things down. I would have taken more time to really enjoy those little things that I may not have fully appreciated. Instead of grumbling about having to help with the homework, I would enjoy that one on one time. Instead of checking my watch, wondering when I would be able to get back to work or home, I would have sat there and enjoyed my child learning how to field a grounder, shoot a free throw, spank himself during the Christmas program, and so on. But, alas, you can't go back and change how you did things. I do know that Hubby and I have worked hard for 23 years to provide our kids a good home, good morals, self reliance and a strong sense of family. That's something we are both very proud of and think that we did a damn good job of.
Now as the time has flown by, Hubby and I often find ourselves alone with each other with nothing to do. We no longer have to worry about picking someone up from school or practice, running them here or there, checking math facts, or sending them to bed. This has been quite the adjustment for us..and to be honest, a whole new getting to know each other period in our lives. We have spent the last 23 years being totally focused on the kids. We were PARENTS, not Suzi and Hubby. The world revolved, as it should, around the kids, their needs, and work. There wasn't a whole lot of Suzi & Hubby time and when we did have it, all we would talk about was school, kid troubles/achievements, and work. Now, as our children make their own way more and more, we finally have the time to get to know each other once again. Thankfully, we still like each other!
I used to think that when people hit a certain age that they were "set" in their marriage. I mean really, after 10 or 15 years, what could possibly go wrong? I sure wasn't very wise in that area now was I? As Hubby and I have worked our way through these growing pains, I can more understand the divorce rate. PLEASE, don't read into this that Hubby and I are on the verge! That couldn't be further from the truth! I am just sharing some knowledge that I have acquired. People are so darn busy with work, play, etc that sometimes we forget to say and do the little things that mean so much. The very simple "thank you" that we all sometimes forget, the unexpected hug and/or kiss that happens "just because". What I have learned, as these pains have all but ceased, is to slow down, relax, and listen. Enjoy every moment as much as possible. It's amazing how much of a difference it can make when you show the same courtesy, care and compassion to your loved one as you do to the stranger on the street. Random acts of kindness should always start at home, for the people who see you at your worst.
Just my thoughts today! Wishing you all get a random hug and kiss from someone who loves you!!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Self discovery at it's finest!
It’s that time of year. The time we all sit back and take stock of our lives. At least I do. I find that I am much more aware of everything around me during this time of year. This has been a year of big change for me. I have learned more about myself in the last 12 months than the previous 40 years. I finally have figured out a few things about myself that I really never knew. Maybe I did know them just didn’t ever truly embrace them.
First thing I learned about myself: I am a pretty darn strong woman. Not physically because in all honesty, I am a wimp on that end of things. I am speaking from the emotional side of things. I feel like 2013 has been my year for adversity and damnit when I look back, I think I handled my shit pretty darn well and have come to this day a much better person who is at peace with herself and those in my life.
Second thing is that overall, I AM a good person. I don’t go back on my word, I am a kind and caring soul, and I stand by my friends and family through it all and they do the same for me. I would never sacrifice a friendship to better myself, I do everything in my power to help those I can, and god help you if you try to hurt someone I care for. And yes, I have finally realized that I deserve this wonderful life that I have. If that sounds cocky then so be it as I have also become a lot more confident in myself and my opinions.
Third thing: We are blessed that my son has brought a new young woman into our family along with her darling little girl. Hubby and I are both enjoying the “unofficial” grandparent role that we are playing. Hubby is keeping the candy dish full of M&M’s and loves feeding her chocolate and Mt. Dew. Who would ever thought we would enjoy picking out clothing and toys for girls?? We both think we are going to enjoy spoiling that little turd. I will tell you one thing, this young woman and her little girl are making my son the happiest I have seen him in a long time and that just warms my heart like you can’t imagine.
The last, really major revelation about myself is that I DO actually care what people think about me. I have lived most of my life saying I don’t give two shits what people think about me. And to a point that is true. I am perfectly comfortable leaving the house in my sweat pants, ball cap, no shower and no make-up or I am just as comfortable going out, dressed up and looking good. If someone wants to judge me based on my appearance then I can do nothing about that. But when it comes to my character I have found that I do care. I have went through a bit of character assassination during the past year and that really bothers me. Not so much about who is saying it but that people may actually think that it is a true picture of who/what I am. While I have come to understand I can’t change what people may think of me in that case, I do care that they think it and try my best daily to disprove the rumors. Don’t get me wrong, I am still going to express myself loudly and proudly. I am still probably going to have nights that I drink too much and act like a fool, I am still going to share my inappropriate thoughts on Facebook, and I am still going to be the smartass that y’all love.
All in all, it’s been a good year. I am looking forward to next year and am excited about all of the possibilities that are out there. Not just for me but for everyone. I have never been one to make resolutions at New Years. Hell, why waste my breath? I am much more comfortable saying the following statements:
To my husband: You are my best friend and the love of my life. You keep me grounded when I need to be, you hold me back from punching people when I lose my temper, (even though you probably would like to put a gag on me as well) and you put up with my weirdness with the tolerance and patience of a saint. I will keep doing all the things I do that make you shake your head while grinning. You are my rock.
To my kids: I will continue to love and support you no matter what. I will appreciate what you do and will treasure the joy you bring me. I will push you to achieve everything you are capable of and will be your biggest cheerleader while you make it happen. I know how blessed I really am. Take all the lessons you learn and pass them on as you grow.
To my friends: I will be there for anything you need and will never turn my back on you. I will defend you to my last breath, I will drink with you until we are all stupid, and I may occasionally laugh so hard I piss my pants. And the really neat thing is, you will all do the same for and with me!
It is my sincerest wish to any and all who read this that you find yourself surrounded by family, friends and love during the holiday season. Take the time to really enjoy and appreciate all that you have and maybe try to share that with someone who isn’t as fortunate as you are. Peace and Love my friends! Merry Christmas!
First thing I learned about myself: I am a pretty darn strong woman. Not physically because in all honesty, I am a wimp on that end of things. I am speaking from the emotional side of things. I feel like 2013 has been my year for adversity and damnit when I look back, I think I handled my shit pretty darn well and have come to this day a much better person who is at peace with herself and those in my life.
Second thing is that overall, I AM a good person. I don’t go back on my word, I am a kind and caring soul, and I stand by my friends and family through it all and they do the same for me. I would never sacrifice a friendship to better myself, I do everything in my power to help those I can, and god help you if you try to hurt someone I care for. And yes, I have finally realized that I deserve this wonderful life that I have. If that sounds cocky then so be it as I have also become a lot more confident in myself and my opinions.
Third thing: We are blessed that my son has brought a new young woman into our family along with her darling little girl. Hubby and I are both enjoying the “unofficial” grandparent role that we are playing. Hubby is keeping the candy dish full of M&M’s and loves feeding her chocolate and Mt. Dew. Who would ever thought we would enjoy picking out clothing and toys for girls?? We both think we are going to enjoy spoiling that little turd. I will tell you one thing, this young woman and her little girl are making my son the happiest I have seen him in a long time and that just warms my heart like you can’t imagine.
The last, really major revelation about myself is that I DO actually care what people think about me. I have lived most of my life saying I don’t give two shits what people think about me. And to a point that is true. I am perfectly comfortable leaving the house in my sweat pants, ball cap, no shower and no make-up or I am just as comfortable going out, dressed up and looking good. If someone wants to judge me based on my appearance then I can do nothing about that. But when it comes to my character I have found that I do care. I have went through a bit of character assassination during the past year and that really bothers me. Not so much about who is saying it but that people may actually think that it is a true picture of who/what I am. While I have come to understand I can’t change what people may think of me in that case, I do care that they think it and try my best daily to disprove the rumors. Don’t get me wrong, I am still going to express myself loudly and proudly. I am still probably going to have nights that I drink too much and act like a fool, I am still going to share my inappropriate thoughts on Facebook, and I am still going to be the smartass that y’all love.
All in all, it’s been a good year. I am looking forward to next year and am excited about all of the possibilities that are out there. Not just for me but for everyone. I have never been one to make resolutions at New Years. Hell, why waste my breath? I am much more comfortable saying the following statements:
To my husband: You are my best friend and the love of my life. You keep me grounded when I need to be, you hold me back from punching people when I lose my temper, (even though you probably would like to put a gag on me as well) and you put up with my weirdness with the tolerance and patience of a saint. I will keep doing all the things I do that make you shake your head while grinning. You are my rock.
To my kids: I will continue to love and support you no matter what. I will appreciate what you do and will treasure the joy you bring me. I will push you to achieve everything you are capable of and will be your biggest cheerleader while you make it happen. I know how blessed I really am. Take all the lessons you learn and pass them on as you grow.
To my friends: I will be there for anything you need and will never turn my back on you. I will defend you to my last breath, I will drink with you until we are all stupid, and I may occasionally laugh so hard I piss my pants. And the really neat thing is, you will all do the same for and with me!
It is my sincerest wish to any and all who read this that you find yourself surrounded by family, friends and love during the holiday season. Take the time to really enjoy and appreciate all that you have and maybe try to share that with someone who isn’t as fortunate as you are. Peace and Love my friends! Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Infomercial Temptations!
Hubby is a connoisseur of infomercial buying. He just loves the gadgets and gizmos that people are hawking late at night. Through the years we have experimented with everything from Ginsu knives to Eggies. (Don’t waste your money on either!)
There was a time about 12 years ago that he had a fairly severe knee injury that happened at work. He was laid up at home, on crutches and pretty much couch bound. Apparently this isn’t a good combo for him because about day 3 of this I return home from work w/ the kids and find him asleep on the couch with the cordless phone in one hand and his credit card in the other. EEEK! 4 – 6 weeks later, his purchases start rolling in. WOW was about all I could say to this phenomenon. I resolved then and there to do everything I could to block this type of purchase in the future.
Low and behold, 4-6 weeks ago (you know, they always say “please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery”) Hubby musta had a relapse. I went to the mailbox yesterday and found a large package crammed in there. Not thinking too much about it as I had been doing a lot of online shopping, I took it home and opened it up. “StuffZ”? What in the world is this? And why are there 3 of them??
After reading the directions I realize that we have another gadget in our kitchen. This handy, dandy little gadget lets you make stuffed hamburgers in your very own kitchen, with little mess and lots of fun, so the advert says anyway. I check out the gizmo and put it together…hmmm, this could be a neat way to fix up a burger, why not? I thaw out hamburger, fry up some bacon, shred cheese, and slice up some jalapeno peppers. Over the course of the next 90 minutes I proceed to say a whole lot of cuss words and probably threw a thing or two across the kitchen. Yes, it really took me 90 minutes to make 8 “stuffed” burgers. Hubby comes home and is all excited that his purchase arrived and the product of this new gadget is cooking on the grill.
To be perfectly honest, once I got the hang of working this tool, it was a pretty neat idea and the burgers turned out very good. I was just surprised how long the learning curve was! I don’t think I will do this every time I grill burgers, but to mix things up now and then, it was probably $9.99 (maybe) well spent.
One a different note, December is considered “pay it forward” month. Take some time, and maybe a dollar or ten and do something kind for a complete stranger. If you can’t spare any money, give yourself by helping physically. You never know when it may be you who needs that helping hand.
Hubby and I donated to be able to ride a party bus last weekend. We went with old friends and made many new friends. While some of the stories may not be suitable for public consumption, let me suffice it to say it was one HELL of a good time and for a worthy cause that we were proud to support.
I wish you all the best during this holiday season!
There was a time about 12 years ago that he had a fairly severe knee injury that happened at work. He was laid up at home, on crutches and pretty much couch bound. Apparently this isn’t a good combo for him because about day 3 of this I return home from work w/ the kids and find him asleep on the couch with the cordless phone in one hand and his credit card in the other. EEEK! 4 – 6 weeks later, his purchases start rolling in. WOW was about all I could say to this phenomenon. I resolved then and there to do everything I could to block this type of purchase in the future.
Low and behold, 4-6 weeks ago (you know, they always say “please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery”) Hubby musta had a relapse. I went to the mailbox yesterday and found a large package crammed in there. Not thinking too much about it as I had been doing a lot of online shopping, I took it home and opened it up. “StuffZ”? What in the world is this? And why are there 3 of them??
After reading the directions I realize that we have another gadget in our kitchen. This handy, dandy little gadget lets you make stuffed hamburgers in your very own kitchen, with little mess and lots of fun, so the advert says anyway. I check out the gizmo and put it together…hmmm, this could be a neat way to fix up a burger, why not? I thaw out hamburger, fry up some bacon, shred cheese, and slice up some jalapeno peppers. Over the course of the next 90 minutes I proceed to say a whole lot of cuss words and probably threw a thing or two across the kitchen. Yes, it really took me 90 minutes to make 8 “stuffed” burgers. Hubby comes home and is all excited that his purchase arrived and the product of this new gadget is cooking on the grill.
To be perfectly honest, once I got the hang of working this tool, it was a pretty neat idea and the burgers turned out very good. I was just surprised how long the learning curve was! I don’t think I will do this every time I grill burgers, but to mix things up now and then, it was probably $9.99 (maybe) well spent.
One a different note, December is considered “pay it forward” month. Take some time, and maybe a dollar or ten and do something kind for a complete stranger. If you can’t spare any money, give yourself by helping physically. You never know when it may be you who needs that helping hand.
Hubby and I donated to be able to ride a party bus last weekend. We went with old friends and made many new friends. While some of the stories may not be suitable for public consumption, let me suffice it to say it was one HELL of a good time and for a worthy cause that we were proud to support.
I wish you all the best during this holiday season!
Monday, November 18, 2013
The more things change....
Wow, it's hard to believe that the holidays are coming full steam! Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of my dad passing away. Can't believe it's went by this fast. I would like to think I am healing and moving on with life as I should. Most days, I would say 'yup, doing ok'.
My Army man has found a new girlfriend. I approve, not that it matters one way or another in the whole scheme of things. She seems like a nice young woman and I am pretty sure that her little girl is going to have me wrapped around her little finger if I get to spend very much time with her at all. The first night I met the little one, after just a few hours she wanted to give me "happy smacks". I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, because when you have raised two boys, a smack is not usually a good thing! But apparently a 'happy smack' from a sweet little 2 year old involves hugs and kisses! The best thing about the new girl in his life is that he is happier than I have seen him in months, if not years. I have a feeling that if the little one and her mom hang around much longer that I will have to come up with aliases for them so that they can be included in this blog. I am betting the little one will provide much fodder for me to write about. Probably making more fun of myself and my struggles with dealing with little girls, hair ribbons, baby dolls, etc. OMG..I just freaked myself out a bit with that thought....
My little guy just turned 16 a couple days ago and bought his first car. We are calling it the pimp mobile as it is a black Cadillac. He has bought a good car at a reasonable price so that is all good, even though the cassette deck confused him a fair amount. Talk about a change in lifestyle for Hubby and I! I remember when Army man got his license he disappeared at every opportunity. Now that the Little Guy is driving, hubby and I are kinda sitting around looking at each other a lot wondering what to do? No kid to pick up after school, no practice to sit in the parking lot waiting on completion, etc! It's kinda nice and a lot strange. Little Guy is a lot less confident in driving around by himself than what his older brother was, but he will get there and will be disappearing more and more. Job applications are flying through his little hands as fast as he can fill them out. He is desperate to find a job that doesn't involve hogs and Boss Dad!
Date night came into play last Saturday and it was nice to be able to go out once again, just the two of us. We visited the Tuscany Grill in Robinson and was very impressed. Went to walmart afterward (wahoo!) and came home. I think Hubby and I are going to have to revamp the date night rules so that WalMart isn't an option for entertainment on date night. I am hoping this adjustment period will go smoothly for hubby and I as we learn even more about being US again as opposed to just being Dad and Mom.
Our youngest wiener has completely went nuts the last couple weeks. I swear she has a little wiener meth lab hidden somewhere in the house. She goes from perfectly normal, napping wiener to full on psycho mode at the drop of a hat. I don't think all three of the previous wieners were nearly as ornery and destructive as this one little shit is. Another underwear buying mission will soon have to be completed, for the whole family! ..little pervy wiener is hell on them!
Proud mom moment also recently occurred. My Little guy asked me if we were once again going to deliver gifts to Crossroads Cancer patients like we did last year. My heart just swelled when I realized how well both of my boys have learned the whole 'random act of kindness' lessons. And yes, the good Lord willing, we will once again deliver Christmas cards with a little something something in it for the patients, hopefully making their Christmas just a little easier while they fight the cancer beast. And who knows...maybe the new girlfriend and her little one (man, I really gotta name them!) will join us in what I hope continues as a family holiday tradition!
Last but not least, I spent most of the month of October with my big brother working at cleaning up dad's place and preparing his final resting place. I am so proud of how everything turned out. Dad and Mom are resting together, as they should be. It has finally been decided that my Army man will for sure have Dad's place. This makes me very happy knowing that it will remain in the family. Army Man is buying the pond side of the land from my brother and I am deeding the house and what would have been my property over to him. He will have a nice place to start building his life with and hubby and I will always have fishing rights. ;)
Getting this task completed and completed well, if I do say so myself, has helped me more than anything else this past year. Big Brother and I are closer now than what we have ever been and that is such a treasure to me. I hope he reads this and realizes how very important that he and his family are to me and mine!
Happy Monday folks, if you get a chance...help out a complete stranger whenever you can. You will be amazed at the kindness that comes back to you!
My Army man has found a new girlfriend. I approve, not that it matters one way or another in the whole scheme of things. She seems like a nice young woman and I am pretty sure that her little girl is going to have me wrapped around her little finger if I get to spend very much time with her at all. The first night I met the little one, after just a few hours she wanted to give me "happy smacks". I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, because when you have raised two boys, a smack is not usually a good thing! But apparently a 'happy smack' from a sweet little 2 year old involves hugs and kisses! The best thing about the new girl in his life is that he is happier than I have seen him in months, if not years. I have a feeling that if the little one and her mom hang around much longer that I will have to come up with aliases for them so that they can be included in this blog. I am betting the little one will provide much fodder for me to write about. Probably making more fun of myself and my struggles with dealing with little girls, hair ribbons, baby dolls, etc. OMG..I just freaked myself out a bit with that thought....
My little guy just turned 16 a couple days ago and bought his first car. We are calling it the pimp mobile as it is a black Cadillac. He has bought a good car at a reasonable price so that is all good, even though the cassette deck confused him a fair amount. Talk about a change in lifestyle for Hubby and I! I remember when Army man got his license he disappeared at every opportunity. Now that the Little Guy is driving, hubby and I are kinda sitting around looking at each other a lot wondering what to do? No kid to pick up after school, no practice to sit in the parking lot waiting on completion, etc! It's kinda nice and a lot strange. Little Guy is a lot less confident in driving around by himself than what his older brother was, but he will get there and will be disappearing more and more. Job applications are flying through his little hands as fast as he can fill them out. He is desperate to find a job that doesn't involve hogs and Boss Dad!
Date night came into play last Saturday and it was nice to be able to go out once again, just the two of us. We visited the Tuscany Grill in Robinson and was very impressed. Went to walmart afterward (wahoo!) and came home. I think Hubby and I are going to have to revamp the date night rules so that WalMart isn't an option for entertainment on date night. I am hoping this adjustment period will go smoothly for hubby and I as we learn even more about being US again as opposed to just being Dad and Mom.
Our youngest wiener has completely went nuts the last couple weeks. I swear she has a little wiener meth lab hidden somewhere in the house. She goes from perfectly normal, napping wiener to full on psycho mode at the drop of a hat. I don't think all three of the previous wieners were nearly as ornery and destructive as this one little shit is. Another underwear buying mission will soon have to be completed, for the whole family! ..little pervy wiener is hell on them!
Proud mom moment also recently occurred. My Little guy asked me if we were once again going to deliver gifts to Crossroads Cancer patients like we did last year. My heart just swelled when I realized how well both of my boys have learned the whole 'random act of kindness' lessons. And yes, the good Lord willing, we will once again deliver Christmas cards with a little something something in it for the patients, hopefully making their Christmas just a little easier while they fight the cancer beast. And who knows...maybe the new girlfriend and her little one (man, I really gotta name them!) will join us in what I hope continues as a family holiday tradition!
Last but not least, I spent most of the month of October with my big brother working at cleaning up dad's place and preparing his final resting place. I am so proud of how everything turned out. Dad and Mom are resting together, as they should be. It has finally been decided that my Army man will for sure have Dad's place. This makes me very happy knowing that it will remain in the family. Army Man is buying the pond side of the land from my brother and I am deeding the house and what would have been my property over to him. He will have a nice place to start building his life with and hubby and I will always have fishing rights. ;)
Getting this task completed and completed well, if I do say so myself, has helped me more than anything else this past year. Big Brother and I are closer now than what we have ever been and that is such a treasure to me. I hope he reads this and realizes how very important that he and his family are to me and mine!
Happy Monday folks, if you get a chance...help out a complete stranger whenever you can. You will be amazed at the kindness that comes back to you!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Still learning.....
Personally, I hate that feeling of being “out of control” when I am pissed off. I freely admit I have a temper although I am usually able to keep myself under control and not retaliate more than a couple verbal shots to the offender’s ego. But, if you make me mad enough that I cry….watch out, I am close to the explosion that, more than likely, you deserve. I don’t cry easily or often. I don’t like to cry, it makes my nose get all red and stuffy and my face gets all blotchy.
There was an incident a while ago that brought me to tears in a very public way, right on the sideline of a varsity football game. Without going into complete detail, lets just summarize the incident into a brief sentence: “You were adopted by Leo, you aren’t even his real kid”. Talk about a kick in the teeth! That comment really hurt which in turn made me so angry I could do nothing but stand there with tears rolling down my face and my heart breaking.
I have known since I was old enough to understand the phrase, that Dad had adopted me. Dad met me for the first time when I was six weeks old and I have never thought of Dad as anything but “Dad”. He chose to legally make my brother and I his own shortly after getting married to my mom. What really knocked me on my ass about this comment wasn’t the attack on me but the lack of respect it showed my dad and his memory. How could someone question his intentions for my brother and I almost 42 years after he made that decision? He taught me how to fish, ride two wheel bikes, and applied band-aids as needed. He raised me to know how to work, what respect is, and how good you feel when you help others just because you can. He was always there for me to lean on when I needed to and later on, he knew I would always be there for him. Dad raised my brother and I as his kids and I can, without a doubt in my mind, say he never thought about the process anymore than what we did.
I freely admit that when I heard this, I lost it. I said some things that were probably uncalled for and really not nice at all. After loosing sleep over this, shedding tears, saying a whole lot of words that aren’t very Christian, and throwing/kicking many things, I started to calm down a bit. I admit, it took me a while to calm down enough to think through the problem, but I eventually did.
When I took the time to rationally go through everything that had happened, my focus cleared up a bit. Not only could I see what the intentions behind this comment were, I could also see the emotions behind it. The anger & bitterness, while directed at me, stem from feelings regret and jealousy. Nothing I say or do can cure these problems for someone else. That’s for them to deal with and hopefully heal from. I made my choices over the last several years; I live with them and have no real regrets or doubts about my choices.
While I will never forget the intentional pain inflicted by this comment and the many others, I will learn to turn the other cheek as often as I need to. (Thank Jim K, I needed that reminder!!) I will continue to be the person my Dad raised me to be: A good wife, mother, sister, and friend. Someone who is honest, who works hard, plays often, and whose character and integrity are not often questioned. With that being said, I am not nor will I ever be a doormat that people can just walk all over. I will stand for what I believe is right and may the good Lord be by your side if you try to hurt me or mine.
And how are you?
There was an incident a while ago that brought me to tears in a very public way, right on the sideline of a varsity football game. Without going into complete detail, lets just summarize the incident into a brief sentence: “You were adopted by Leo, you aren’t even his real kid”. Talk about a kick in the teeth! That comment really hurt which in turn made me so angry I could do nothing but stand there with tears rolling down my face and my heart breaking.
I have known since I was old enough to understand the phrase, that Dad had adopted me. Dad met me for the first time when I was six weeks old and I have never thought of Dad as anything but “Dad”. He chose to legally make my brother and I his own shortly after getting married to my mom. What really knocked me on my ass about this comment wasn’t the attack on me but the lack of respect it showed my dad and his memory. How could someone question his intentions for my brother and I almost 42 years after he made that decision? He taught me how to fish, ride two wheel bikes, and applied band-aids as needed. He raised me to know how to work, what respect is, and how good you feel when you help others just because you can. He was always there for me to lean on when I needed to and later on, he knew I would always be there for him. Dad raised my brother and I as his kids and I can, without a doubt in my mind, say he never thought about the process anymore than what we did.
I freely admit that when I heard this, I lost it. I said some things that were probably uncalled for and really not nice at all. After loosing sleep over this, shedding tears, saying a whole lot of words that aren’t very Christian, and throwing/kicking many things, I started to calm down a bit. I admit, it took me a while to calm down enough to think through the problem, but I eventually did.
When I took the time to rationally go through everything that had happened, my focus cleared up a bit. Not only could I see what the intentions behind this comment were, I could also see the emotions behind it. The anger & bitterness, while directed at me, stem from feelings regret and jealousy. Nothing I say or do can cure these problems for someone else. That’s for them to deal with and hopefully heal from. I made my choices over the last several years; I live with them and have no real regrets or doubts about my choices.
While I will never forget the intentional pain inflicted by this comment and the many others, I will learn to turn the other cheek as often as I need to. (Thank Jim K, I needed that reminder!!) I will continue to be the person my Dad raised me to be: A good wife, mother, sister, and friend. Someone who is honest, who works hard, plays often, and whose character and integrity are not often questioned. With that being said, I am not nor will I ever be a doormat that people can just walk all over. I will stand for what I believe is right and may the good Lord be by your side if you try to hurt me or mine.
And how are you?
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