Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Today's thought...As the year comes to a close.

Normally I will do a good-bye last year, hello this year blog entry, and I probably still will this year, but as I reflect today, on Christmas Day, I realize, I'm kinda in a funk. Oh well. That time of year. I suffer from seasonal depression, not like this is a seriously shocking thing for me, right? Okay. But I was recently given news, and it's going to take me a long time to process.

At first it was, laughing thinking that it was funny when I was given news that...long story short, I don't have to worry about my ex any more. Which for me...is HUGE. And it's not...he's not dead or anything, but I don't have to worry any more about it. Okay so again, at first I'm laughing at the reason why. Then I'm elated, now, I'm not sure how to feel. I'm not sure how to even NOT be in fear any more? Does that make any sense at all?

I've been scared, in one form or another, and looking over my shoulder, for the last fifteen years. I don't know how NOT to be afraid. I don't know how NOT to look over my shoulder. I don't know how to take a deep breath and just...breathe. And don't get me wrong, I KNOW how to put on a good front. I do it almost every day and very few people can see through it. Even people I've known for years can be fooled. I'm that good at it. But now that I don't have to, I don't...I don't know how to feel.

Sometimes I just wish that I could get into contact with someone who has been through what I've been through, and can...not even take my hand...but just tell me it's okay to feel the way I do. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be angry, or sad, or ready to throw my hands up. That it's okay to want to make peace at the expense of myself, than to fight any more. And I know that everyone that says the opposite to me, just wants to see me succeed and they don't want me to fail and even hate seeing me down at times. They want me to be strong. To not be walked on like a Welcome mat.

But it makes me feel...broken. Like there's something wrong with me. And essentially, I guess there really IS something wrong with me. But not what everyone else thinks. Something that is going to have to be worked on, within myself. I need to find a way to take the steps to get better. As bad as I would NEVER want anyone to go through what I went through, there are people out there who have been through it, and survived it, just like I have. (Though admittedly, at times, I wonder if I have survived it yet.) There's got to be someone out there who can say, "THIS is how you get past this. THIS is what you tell yourself when you're down. THIS is what happens when you don't. And more than anything, it's OKAY that you are the way you are."

So now you ask the obvious. Why don't I just take my own advice, tell this to myself and be done with it? I mean, that's the advice that I give to other people in my situation. That's what I tell someone else, when they're going through a rough time. If it was that easy. Sometimes, I want someone who knows, to just take me in a big hug, and tell me that it's okay. That it's okay to cry about it still, it's okay to be afraid, that it's okay that after all this time, I still shake, when I talk about it. That it's alright to not want to go to a certain place, because someone from my past life might be in there, and I don't want to deal with it. That I'm not broken. And you know, I feel so bad about saying that too. Because people that love me, have told me, at first, that it's okay. And there was that small part of me, that said "You have no idea what I've been through. How do you know it's okay? How do you know, I'm going to be okay?"

And now, I look around, and everyone is just tired of telling me. You would think after fifteen years, I'd get it. And I see it. And I mean lets face it, wouldn't you be tired of fighting the same battle for fifteen years and nothing changing? Where would you draw the line? Where should I? And where do I go from here, now that I know I don't have to worry about it any more?

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Todays thought...Kinda a funny. Stories from behind the counter.

I used to work at the Waffle House. One of my MANY...many jobs in my past. And let me tell you, I have LOTS of stories. But I wanted to share a few tonight, to make those smile, if you should so need it. These, are a few of those stories.

Story 1 - Picture if you will, a warm sunny day (Actually it's been a while ago, so I don't remember if it was warm or not), and a man with a rough look and in a three piece suit walks in, sits at the high-bar and grumbles, "Coffee." Not entirely sure what on Earth possesses me to do it, I have no clue, but without missing a beat, I look right in his eyes and I say "Dammit Jim! I'm a doctor! Not a waitress! Get your own damn coffee!" Stunned, he sat there for a second and a huge smile crossed his face and he told me that he'd just had a really bad day, and my playing, had just made his whole day. He left me a $30 tip for a cup of coffee.

Story 2 - Picture again, a dark and stormy night (No, it was just dark, it was like eleven at night) a family walks in and sits at the high bar. There's six seats at the bar and the husband, wife and children take up all six seats. All in a good spirits but clearly tired from a long journey, they give their order, I put their food down in front of them, and while I have down time I proceed to do the dishes in the sink. Now, there was this spray nozzle, that was just to the left of a pressure washer, that worked REALLY EFFICIENTLY at pre-washing the dishes before sticking them in the dish machine/sanitizer. Not paying whole hearted attention to what I was doing as there was a lot of stuff going on that night, I proceed to spray out a bowl. And it was a little bowl, of which I'm not realizing at first that as I spray, the water is merely being diverted. Where you might ask? Yes, over the counter and onto this extremely tired father. Standing there with my mouth open, realizing that I was spraying water (Which thankfully I realized extremely quickly), I let go of the pressure washer and trying with difficulty not to laugh while scared to death this guy was gonna yell, I said "Free shower with every meal?" The whole lot of them started laughing, dad included, and continued eating as I fixed them more food and didn't charge them for their meal. He also (coincidentally) left me a $30 tip.

Story 3 - Man walks into the store. I'm working second shift and it's DEAD. No one in the store but me and the cook who is prepping in the back room for third. He pulls up in a Lincoln Navigator, three piece suit, the whole shebang. He walks in and heads straight for the bathroom. Now, it's not uncommon for someone to come in, JUST to use the bathroom. No big deal, happens all the time. But that day I was in rare form and for whatever reason, I yelled "Hey!" Turning around he makes eye contact and I go "Are you fixin to just use the bathroom?" Not sure how to answer he says yes. I proceed with "There's a five dollar fee for using the bathroom without making a purchase." He stared at me for a minute, realized I wasn't serious, smiled, and made his way to the bathrooms. I'll be damn if that man didn't walk back out, slap a $5 on the counter and say "For the bathroom" before walking out. It was so funny.

These are the things I'll never forget about "The Awful Waffle" and things that I would never give up either. Those were fun times, and bad times and all of them helped make me who I am. These I shared are definitely funnies. More are sure to come! :)

Monday, October 21, 2013

Today's thought...Advocate for my mama!

Okay so...I don't know who to talk to about this, but I want to get this out. In 2006 my mama, who has always been my biggest advocate, so dammit, I'm gonna be hers, got a Cochlear implant. Now understand, my mama has been deaf her whole life. She has had hearing aids that work to an extent, but with a 20% hearing loss in one ear, and a 60% loss in another, caused from an illness when she was 2 weeks old, she's been doing good to hear you scream at her from behind. Fast forward to 2006. She has a Cochlear Implant. Something REVOLUTIONARY to the deaf world. It basically is a massive surgery, where they put a piece of metal in your head and run wires to your brain that tells your brain that you're hearing. You're getting vibrations and electron pulses and it opens a WHOLE NEW WORLD to those who are deaf. And I mean to the point that it made me CRY, to know that my mama heard church bells from half a mile away. Something as simple as the refrigerator running, was an absolute amazing accomplishment. And I was with my mama EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, including going to meetings for those out there who have had or are curious about getting a Cochlear Implant.

Fast forward to 2013. My mom has had her implant for 7 years. The processor for her implant isn't designed to last 7 years. SO she gets with her audiologist and they run around and come to find out, the hearing part of her insurance only covers a hearing aid (Which she has one still, since she was only able to be approved for 1 Cochlear implant) for $900 every three years. My mama has a PROFOUND HEARING LOSS! She can't get one of those $19.95 Bluebird things that do NOTHING for her condition. To make it worse, she needs a new processor for her Cochlear Implant. The hearing part of her insurance won't cover it. They say it's a medical condition. The medical part of her insurance says "This is an elective, you have to pay out of pocket." Really? Because in 2006 you covered it 100%! Then we get to the brass tax. In 2006, my daddy was a full time employee. Fast fwd 7 years and he's retired and doesn't have any say in what his insurance covers and doesn't.

WTF PEOPLE! Really!? NOW, my mama has to jump through red tape and hoops, only to find out, it's elective and she has to pay out of pocket 100% for a $4000 processor (not exact amount), for a replacement. Really people!? Are you able to come off of $4k for something to help you hear? Are you able to just jump off of $2500 (Which it what it costs for a REAL hearing aid right now, WITHOUT the bells and whistles.) for a new hearing aid? Where does it stop? Where is the justice for my mama, and people like her who want simply, to be able to hear, like you and I do. Imagine if you couldn't hear for 1 hour. And I mean honestly, TRY IT. Now, imagine living your entire life without hearing anything, and when you do finally get to hear something, someone telling you, that you can only continue, if you pay an amount that you can't afford. Now, how do you feel? Just saying.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Today's thought...delving into self.

I recently went down and saw my mom and dad. My rocks. Now every time we get together for a visit because we live some 700 miles away from each other, it's for at least a weak at a time, and there's always, ALWAYS one night, when my daddy and I get drunk and talk like we've never talked before. This time though, we got DEEP. Deeper than ever before. And my dad told me, I needed to forgive myself for things done years ago because he didn't want to have any more drunk convos that wound up with me in tears for shit that happened forever ago that he's already forgotten.

So we went to church while I was down there. And admittedly, it's been a while since I've been to church...shame on me, I know. But regardless, I went and the whole sermon was about everything my daddy and I had talked about, concerning letting go of my past. As I wrote a letter today to a talk show host, I realized that I haven't forgiven myself for stuff I've done to the people closest to me even though they've already forgiven me for it. I LOVE Dr. Phil. And I watch his show all the time. And all the time he talks about owning up to your faults.

But to what extent? And I don't mean that against Dr Phil either. Because there are people out there who don't take any responsibility for anything. And then there are people out there who get told by their dad's that they take too much responsibility for everything in the world and need to stop doing that. So then where do I go from there? And yes, that gets addressed too in my daytime show. It's just sometimes harder to take that aspect and run with it. Most people don't understand the gravity of the brain of one who blames themselves for everything.

It's not something that can be explained, and simply is, for those of us that take everything to heart. People that don't understand, never will. And honestly, being on this side of it, I hope no one does understand. Even if I do feel like I'm the only one that feels like this, while knowing that there are others, regardless of whether or not I know them. You cannot make someone understand what it is to feel guilty for everything and anything known wrong in the free world. Believe me, I've been called an idiot, and stupid for thinking things were my fault. I've been told I'm too dramatic and that I'm never going to get over things if I don't quit taking things so personally. And believe me, I take every word to heart.

Maybe that's what's wrong with me. I feel to strongly first off, and then I was with someone who exploited that to the fact that sometimes it's quite frankly, hard to function. The point where my husband can't say something out of frustration, that will have absolutely NOTHING to do with me, without me thinking it's directly related to something I have or have not done. And I can't even imagine, living my life without guilt or sorrow and regret.

I can't imagine being free of my own demons. Heh. I sit here now, and can't imagine being free of my own devices. Sadly, can't imagine my husband, bless his heart, who does everything and anything possible that he can, to help me, being free of my demons. And then I think about my little girl, and how much I want her to be so much better than I will ever be.

I pretend to be alright and I paste on a smile that the whole world sees, except for those who know me. And I wonder when I'll get down to the root of me, and show the world who I am inside. Despite what I am on the inside, and despite what I've been through, I still like to make people happy. I still like to make people laugh. I still get all geek with the people that are really close to me, which admittedly I can count on one hand. I'm still me underneath all the crap. If I could strip through the crap so that the real me could shine through...that is the mission I guess.

So as I raise my glass, I toast, to missions, and to the real me. Even if I rarely even see it myself. I am still there. Banging on the doors of my past to get out of this trap that I've managed to put myself in. Here's to self. And finding ways to be the person that I really am.

And heres what it boils down to. There is nothing about me that makes sense. There are things that have happened to me, that have shaped who I am today. I may not like some of those things, but I have to live with them, because try as I may, I cannot change who I am. I cannot change how I feel about things. I cannot explain how I feel, nor can I expect anyone who has never been through what I have, to understand how I feel. There are times that it boils down to me. You either take me or you dont. You love me or you hate me. I am me and I'm working through who I am. Those that choose to stay with me, see the me inside, struggling to break through. Those who don't...it was nice to know you and I'm sorry I was too much. But you were awesome.

Monday, September 09, 2013

Today's thought...Wondering.

Okay so, I'm watching Dr. Phil and I sit there and I think about things I've seen and people I know, and it strikes me suddenly. What is it about me, that wasn't strong enough to see that what was going on with me, was just bullying? I mean, think about it. You rarely hear of men being bullied. Kids, yes. Teens, yes. Women, yes. Men...rarely if ever. So what is it about us women, that makes us weaker?

And some women are going to read this and be like "That's bull shit, you're weak, I'm not." and that's fine. If you feel like that, then I genuinely hope you're right. I genuinely hope that you find someone that doesn't ever do to you what's been done to me.
But let me tell you, from everything I've ever been through, after years of my husband and him helping me with everything that he's helped me with, I'm STILL scared of my ex. I'm STILL to the point that if I ever ran into him I'd probably pass out. Literally.

So what is wrong with me, that I can't get over something that happened to me fifteen years ago? What is it with me that I don't feel comfortable walking around the same town I last saw him in without clamming up, looking at the floor and shrinking to invisibility. Why wasn't I strong enough? Why am I not strong enough still? What's wrong with me? Even my HUSBAND asks me why I'm scared of my ex still after all this time. And I have no answer. I have no response. What is wrong with me?

I'm open to opinion and criticism. Just...be nice.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Today's thought...Lots of flack.

I'm probably gonna get lots of flack for first off posting about this, and second for posting my opinions on this. But that being said...here goes. Miley Cyrus. Oh yeah. I'm going there. From Hanna Montana to what she is now. Now, I'll tell you, I watched the video for We Can't Stop. I also saw the thing on the VMA's. Do you know what I saw though? Underneath a girl who is on stage, doing what she does, not truly understanding what she is doing. Underneath all of the hype to become an image that isn't Disney. Underneath all of the hype. There is a kid, who is finding herself, discovering what friendship is about, and being her own person. Do I condone doing it on the big screen for the world to see? Her life up until now has been front page, why should this be any different?

Come on people, admit it. She's not doing anything we haven't all done with our friends at one time when we were her age. Only difference? She's doing it on television. She is being what everyone thinks she should be. If you watch her...and I mean REALLY WATCH her show on the VMA's, she's not this evil person everyone is making her out to be. She is a kid, projecting an image, that the people who pay her paycheck, tell her she should project. She's still the kid that grew up in Franklin Tennessee and loves horses and her parents and brother and sisters. She's still that girl that loves her best friend and all of her friends that she has. She's still the girl that loves her family and her boyfriend and knows that life is what you make it.

Instead of trashing her for her video or the way she's acting, which grant you I wouldn't want my daughter to see, but I think she's just discovering herself really, why don't you look beyond the hype, beyond the show, and see the amazing person she is inside. Instead of looking at the bad of the video, look at the lyrics of the song. And no, I'm not talking about the Dancing with Molly line either. I'm talking about the reference to "Remember only God can judge us, so forget the haters, cuz somebody loves ya..."

If that doesn't say right there that she's still the same girl that grew up in a small town in Tennessee, then you're not looking close enough. You're skimming the surface. You're looking at the negative and not looking deep enough. You're buying into the hype of what everyone thinks she is and should be and you're not looking at the girl who's singing it. Look past the video and all the negative, and see the positive.

A bunch of friends, just having a good time and having a party. Just having fun and getting away from all of the media. The ability to be yourself. Look at this video and tell me that you yourself haven't ever done something similar with a bunch of friends when you were twenty. Or maybe younger. Tell me you've never been drunk and done something stupid. And there's no drugs or alcohol in the video. Okay, there's a reference (Which I'm way out of the loop because I still don't get the Molly thing), but what the hell!? Tell me that you're better than this girl who is doing the best she can and in my opinion a damn good job, to live in the spot light like she does without losing herself completely. Tell me you could do what she's done and still be in as good a shape.

Miley, if you ever read this sweetheart, you are a great kid. (I use the term kid loosely. Anyone younger than me is still a kid. LoL!) I could care less what you do on some stupid video or at the VMA's. You've got a high standard to live up to and personally, I think you're doing an incredible job. Keep doing what you do darlin! Keep being you and don't let all this crap get you down. You're amazing. The only people in this world that you have to answer to are your family and God. If you can look at them with a straight face and tell them you're doing alright, then the rest is just fluff. You're real supporters are those that believe in you through all the crap, and still love you through the media. You - Are - Awesome. Never doubt that and never doubt yourself.

That's the end of my rant for the night. I welcome any feed back but if you're going to argue, do it tactfully. I will delete if you're ugly about anything. This blog site has always been about my opinion and you are welcome to disagree, as well as I'd love a debate, but be nice.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Today's thought...Finding myself, isn't as easy as one would think.

I find it's very easy to get depressed and down in the dumps while trying to find yourself again and get back to you. I've found that as you explore the confines of self, you start to remember times when you were this fun loving person. And then once you realize that he/she is within yourself, it's depressing to realize just how far from start, you've actually come.

I was talking to a friend that has known me for almost 20 years and we started reminiscing when I was in high school and how I used to have no fear. How I used to love to pick and play and never worried about how it came across because I knew that I was just playing around, and people gravitated toward me. Now, if you take the average person, put me in a room with them and leave us alone for an hour, after that hour, they probably wont be able to tell you much about me. I don't talk about myself. I rarely pick and play any more, and I've actually become comfortable with being invisible. In fact I'm to the point of that now, that I intentionally try to disappear when I'm somewhere, so that I don't get noticed or picked out of a crowd.

People that I worked with, who knew me for the whole 7 years I worked there, couldn't tell you my name, but they could tell you that my hair is red and I have a section that I keep braided and beaded at all times. And that I used to smoke (what one of my co-workers called them) Barbie Tampons (Capri's). A few of them could tell you what I drove, but only a very select few could tell you anything about me. And even fewer still could tell you what my husband's name is, what my favorite food was, and what my fish's name was. Or what I love doing in my spare time.

It's hard. And things on the home front aren't making things any easier in how I'm feeling. Got one family member always angry, and another having a hard time medically and it is REALLY weighing on me as of late. And for some reason lately I've taken all of my friends problems to heart. And let me tell you, that's a lot of weight. I'm not sure why I've taken it upon myself, but I really have.

I saw something on Facebook the other day, and I'm telling you now, I don't know who or where it came from, but I know that I shared it because it was a very apt depiction of how I'm feeling. It said: "What does depression feel like?" he whispered. "It's like drowning. Except you can see everyone around you breathing." That, is honestly how it feels. And let me tell you, I have almost physically drowned in real life. And it sucks! The biggest difference is, when you drown in real life, it doesn't hurt. The panic sucks, but it doesn't physically hurt, to drown. With depression, you can feel it all. You feel the drowning, the inability to breathe, the jealousy of seeing everyone else breathing around you, and the panic of knowing you can't.

So now, I need to get myself out of this. Thankfully my daughter is helping with that, and my exercising is helping too. Seeing my mom would do wonders and I'm hoping like hell that will happen soon. My mom has this way to make me feel like everything is okay, just with a hug and a good cry. I talk to my mom every day, and don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world, but it's not like being able to just run to her and get a hug, or a good kick in the ass when I need it. Ugh. I'm open to suggestions.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Todays thought...finding myself. And now this is going to be one of those all over the place blogs so I apologize in advance, as I work through things on my own.

So...I think I'm depressed. And I think I have been for a little while. I've just lost the heart for all the stuff I was doing. So I got to thinking about why. Now I don't want to go to my doctor because I just don't want pills shoved down my throat. Not saying that she would, and she probably wouldn't if I asked her not to, but I don't think it's chemical, I think it's mental. And no. I don't think I'm just a basket case.

But that being said, I was asked the other day by Frog, why I feel like I can't be myself around anyone. And I really thought about that. Frog was right. I'm not me around many people. And maybe it's because I feel like I can't be me around people. Let me explain what I mean. Frog and I have the same annoying traits, so when we're around each other, quite honestly, we don't annoy each other. And that's when it hit me. That's what it is. I am an irritating person.

I understand it, I accept it, and I get it. It's just me. I have always had my quirks and they aren't going away any time soon. I'm loud sometimes...well really most of the time...I don't have a filter, I'm a smart ass, I run my mouth and don't know when to stop. I like to laugh too much, I'm OCD with an anxiety disorder, and honestly, I realized, that outside of my bad sides, I don't know who I am.

Not me the mommy, me the wife, me the friend, me the daughter, me the niece, me the homemaker, and none of that I would change for anything in the world, but me. Just me. I don't know who I am any more. I know what makes me happy as a mom, as a wife, as a daughter...etc. But outside of that, I just don't know. And I think it comes down to feeling like I'm trapped inside myself. I don't know who I am, because I can't be comfortable enough in my own skin, to figure out who I am outside of every other facet of my being.

And it's strange, because it's nothing that people do straight out, but it's nuances I see in their expressions. A rolling of the eyes, a flicker of a "Really?" look in their rolled eyes, a slight shake of the head, or even someone blowing out because of something I've said. Too many times my jokes don't get laughed at, or something I say gets completely ignored. And I never say anything about it, but it hurts. So, I've taken to hiding away from myself to the point now, that I don't know who I am any more. I know who I am around my cousin, and I know who I am around everyone else. There's a huge difference. But, now that I've recognized it, how do I learn who I am, and how do I become myself, around everyone else?

So, here's to finding me. Wish me luck.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Today's thought...ordinary hero's.

It's thunder storming where I am. And I took a moment to go outside and just stand in the wind. (Thank you Jack Daniels for telling me to do that btw! And just to clarify, Jack Daniels is a persons nickname and not literal Jack. I don't drink hard liquor.)

Anyway, while I was out there, I closed my eyes and was actually taken back to a time, long ago, when I was 12 or 13 and times were simple. The only worries I had were what I was going to wear to school, and making sure I didn't disappoint my parents with a bad report card. Well it was summer that year, and I went to 4-H camp. Oh yeah! I was a total Ag Geek in middle school.

So anyway, one day while at camp, a big storm come up. And I mean, its summer time, storms aren't uncommon in this area. So we are all huddled in the stadium part of the camp, all huddled together. Now you have to understand, at this point of my life, I was scared to death of storms. I mean shake me out of my boots, giving myself a panic attack every time I saw a rain drop, scared of storms.

So we huddle in this corner, and I'm crying and freaking out and this woman, who is running the thing I guess, or at least my group anyway, sits there huddled with all of us and gets us through the storm safely.

Well later that night, after the storms had passed, I remember being in bed, and that woman (who the only thing I can remember is she had red hair), sat there beside me and told me she would hold my hand until I went to sleep, because I was scared seeing the lightening out the window, even though the storm had long since passed.

That woman (I can't even remember her name now), was my hero for the hour. She stayed there and kept me safe from the thunder storms. I would hug her, to this day, and say thanks, if I could remember who she was. Simpler times.

Simpler times.

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Today's thought...a fun quiz about me.

Not sure why I'm inclined to do this, I am just going to put it out there and see what kind of response I get and how many people really know me. :) I'll list my answers at the bottom, so no cheating!

1. Outside of the obvious, being my immediate family, who are some of the most influential people in my life? See if you can get 3 of them. And by this I mean people I think about, talk to and get advice from on a pretty constant basis. All of my people are important to me, and this list will not be in any particular order and I may forget a couple people, so if I do, no hurt feelings! That's not what this is for. Also, since I never use actual names on here, there will be nicknames. You'll know who they/you are.

2. What is my favorite color?

3. I am an author. What type of books do I write?

4. My first intended series is about a police detective. Who in my life, is her character directly based off of?

5. What is special about my daughter's name?

6. My cousin Frog and I plan to eventually make a trip to a far away place for a special event. What is that event and where is it?

7. If I could move anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

8. What are my favorite animals? I'll give you a hint, I love all animals, but there are 2 in particular, that I am fascinated with. Either one would grant a correct answer.

9. What is my favorite card game?

10. What is my favorite drink? I have one alcoholic and one non.

You get 10 points for each correct answer, and if you get all of the extra answers too, there's a possible of 115 points in total. So, lets see what you got. :)

Answers

1. September, Saturn, Leesburg, Sturgis, Michigan, Floor, Basement and Jack Daniels.

2. While it used to be purple for a long time, I've actually started leaning towards blue now for about the last year.

3. Murder Mystery as well as Suspense

4. September

5. Her middle name isn't English. 5 Extra points if you can tell me what language it is.

6. An anual rally race held in Targa New Foundland Canada.

7. Florida. That's where my mommy and daddy are.

8. Orcas and Manatees - 5 Extra points if you answered both.

9. Cribbage

10. Alcoholic: Merlot - Non-Alcoholic: Dr. Pepper - 5 Extra points if you answered both.

Tally them up and send me a text or comment on my Facebook. Tell me how ya did. Peace out homies!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Today's thought...another political rant.

I read something today on Facebook. And generally I try not to respond to these things, but this deserves a little scrutiny. Okay this is a picture put out (creatively mind you) with Obama proudly looking at something and it says "We've created nearly 6 million jobs in the last 4 years, Bin Ladin is dead, the war in Iraq is over, we've set a new record for the number of millionaires in our country, the stock market is setting records, stocks have seen their best winning streak since 1996, unemployment has dropped from 10.1% to 7.7%, we cut the deficit and slowed spending to the lowest level in 50 years, the once nearly dead American auto industry is thriving, and people born with pre-existing health conditions can no longer be denied health coverage. -- Just to name a few things. Republican response: Obama is the worst president in history. - Yes President Obama; we hear you laughing and we join you." and it lists their sources as follows:

DEFICIT & SPENDING http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/repeat-after-me-obama-cut_b_1955561.html

MILLIONAIRES http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2011/06/22/u-s-has-record-number-of-millionaires/

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=z1ebjpgk2654c1_&met_y=unemployment_rate&idim=country%3AUS&fdim_y=seasonality%3AS&dl=en&hl=en&q=unemployment+rate

STOCK MARKET http://www.kiiitv.com/story/21651344/stocks-retreat-from-record-levels

JOBS http://mollysmiddleamerica.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-many-jobs-has-obama-created-or-lost.html



Here's the thing that I have about this. First off the article itself is presumptuous that someone would think that these few issues is why one wouldn't like the President's policies. Second off, a lot of these claims are not the whole story and I will explain further, point by point.

We’ve created nearly 6 million jobs in the last 4 years: And we still haven’t recovered the number of jobs we lost at the beginning of the recession. How many jobs have been lost in the last four years.

Bin Ladin is dead: Thank you George Bush. The only thing that Obama did was gave the go ahead, and furthermore, there is still no body and no real proof he's dead.

The war in Iraq is over: Yeah so now, when the shit hits the fan again, we’ll have to go back in and fix it again, costing even more lives because we’re not there already.

We’ve set a new record for the number of millionaires in our country: That is a question in itself. First off, the report that showed that figure, that it’s up from 2009 to 2010, if you were to take the time to read the article, which was written in 2011 mind you, two years ago. Second, the number of millionaires could very well be going up, but at a considerably slower rate of increase, starting out at 16% growth from '09 to a mere half that of 8% in '10. Now another site shows that it has in fact gone down in 2011 and 2012, coming back up for the 2013 tax year. We’ve also set a new record for people on government assistance and food stamps. No one’s bragging about that.

The stock market is setting records, stocks have seen their best winning streak since 1996: Which doesn’t do a damn thing for the little man. Companies still aren’t hiring. Yes, it has been on it’s longest winning streak, well as of March 15th since ’96 - But if you’d read the entire news article, you would understand that this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s doing great, considering according to the very article in the paragraph before it, the S&P 500 almost to a record low made in October of ’07; Dow Jones was down 0.2% and Nasdaq was flat. That huge winning streak, isn’t looking so big now is it?

Unemployment has dropped from 10.1% to 7.7%: This Google Graph, represents only as they say “adjusted” rates that do not include several factors such as how many people came into the work force age in the month of March, how many of those people have been taken off of unemployment benefits, or people who have simply quit looking for work. If you put that information in and factored all of those things, you would know that the unemployment rate is more along the lines of a staggering 23%. That’s a level last seen in The Great Depression.

We cut the deficit and slowed spending to the lowest level in 50 years: Lets look at the real numbers shall we? If you do the real math, including the part that shows the budget submitted by Obama in 2012 proposed a 31% increase over Bush’s-Democratic Congress budget, and a 9% increase over the budge that Obama himself proposed just two months into his term. Where is the slowed spending there?

The once nearly dead American auto industry is thriving: You mean Chrysler, who is now owned by the Italians, or did you mean GM who is still having the same problems and hasn’t solved any of them. Or maybe you meant Ford, who happens to be the only U.S. automaker that did not take the bailout, picked themselves up by their own bootstraps and are doing quite well.

And people born with pre-existing health conditions can no longer be denied health coverage.: First off, you’re not born with pre-existing health conditions. You’re born with disabilities. Second, why did they need to overhaul the entire health care system just to do that?

Republican response: Obama is the worst president in history. As a Republican, the ever infamous WE - doesn't just flat out think he's the worst president in history. And it's really an insult to label me. I don't like his policies, and he very well could be one of the worst presidents in history, I don't know. I just know that for what he's doing right now, in my "Conservative Republican" opinion, he's certainly not the best.

I'm not even replying with the laughing part. That doesn't dignify much of a response in itself. Oh, and just so there's no question...here are my sources. Please feel free to check them and see what your opinions or thoughts are. I'm definitely open to discuss. Lastly, I have to ask when typing this out and seeing it now, why does it keep saying "We" if "Obama" is the one that did all of this himself? Just a thought.

DEFICIT AND SPENDING: hotair.com/archives/2013/01/16/has-obama-really-cut-deficit-spending - A direct response to Mr. Cesca’s blog post done October 10 of 2012 - all of his sources are listed.

MILLIONAIRES: thinkprogres.org/economy/2011/09/20/324230/mitch-daniels-millionaires/?mobile=nc - Also written in 2011 showing that even if the number of millionaires is going up, it is at a consequently slower rate. - www.columbiatribune.com/business/number-of-u-s-millionaires-raises/article_caedc2ca-8ff0-11e2-a62a-10604b9f1ff4.html - The second article was written March 18, 2013 by the Washington Post.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: www.forbes.com/sites/louiswoodhill/2013/03/10/the-real-story-behind-fridays-unimpressive-unemployment-rate-decline/ - Written on March 3, 2013 - The second article was www.wnd.com/2013/01/heres-the-real-unemployment-rate/

STOCK MARKET: http://www.kiiitv.com/story/21651344/stocks-retreat-from-record-levels - Same article as used in the original paragraphing, actually written by a CNN correspondent March 15, 2013

JOBS: news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/fact-check-4-5-million-jobs-created-under-175621036--election.html written September 5, 2012

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Todays thought...Political views...or not...Long post, forgive the length, but in my opinion, worth the read.

Okay I saw something today and I read through it and I just...I just cannot keep my mouth shut about this one. This comes from a "Letters to the Editor" from Beaufort North Carolina, and was posted (In what paper, I'm not sure, it doesn't show on the photo.) on January 17th, 2013. I will post a link in the bottom of this post, so you can read this "letter" for yourself and make sure I don't get anything wrong.

First paragraph: "Republicans and 'so-called' conservatives are at it again. They are claiming that the Constitution gives people the right to have guns without the permissions of the government. If that were true, then how could New York and Chicago have laws against it?" - Okay, lets discuss this claiming the Constitution gives people the right to have guns. The Constitution, signed into effect BY THE GOVORNMENT, states extremely clearly, that it is to protect the right of people to bear arms, WITHOUT ANYONE telling them that they cannot, UNLESS they are trying to use it for militia purposes. It says that IN THE CONSTITUTION!

Second paragraph: "We Democrats are sick and tired of Republicans constantly using the Constitution to cover up their true plans, which are to make us all afraid of everyone else. Our great President came from a civilized part of the country where there is strict gun control, and he is only trying to bring a more modern way of living to the rest of us. I don't know the exact statistics, but I'm quite certain that Chicago is a lot safer than Morehead City, when it comes to gun violence." - Alright, where do I start with this paragraph? We'll go from the beginning. First off, I'm an extremely conservative Republican and my mom is a die hard Democrat. So is my dad. I PROMISE YOU, neither of them are afraid of me. Second, our President came from Kenya where he was born. The only reason he was granted Hawaiian citizenship and birth right, is because his mother was on vacation, and lived in Hawaii. He's not from Illinois. However, that being said, I will give you that all of his political jobs and such, have happened in Chicago. And please, enlighten me to EXACTLY what you mean by more modern way of living. That one has me scratching my head. Third, you don't know exact statistics. And that is your problem. Here's your statistics. Chicago has the HIGHEST CRIME RATE IN THE UNITED STATES! That being said, I assure you, it's NOT safer than Morehead City, which I might add, houses a population of UNDER ten thousand people.

Third paragraph: "But do Republicans and conservatives listen to the voice of reason? No, of course not. All they want to do is whine and complain about how gun control and wealth distribution violate the Constitution, as if the Constitution were all that great, anyway. There are a lot of things that need to be changed about the Constitution, I'd say, and President Obama needs to change it." - You don't think it's a little presumptuous, first off to classify ALL REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES as unable to listen to the voice of reason? And further more, lets discuss this gun control and wealth distribution violation. And my brother in law put it perfectly a minute ago. If you walk into a convenience store, and you purchase a lottery ticket, winning a hundred dollars. Is it fair that you should give half of that money to me because I'm standing in line behind you? I mean, that's what you're saying isn't it? Wealth distribution? Doesn't matter if I earned it or not, I should get that fifty bucks, because I was standing in line behind you. And really? Gun control? You want to get me started on that? Lets get started on that. Gun control is crap! Those are OUR right to bear arms as proclaimed by the Second Amendment. Guns, and listen to me people, because I'm going to say this once, GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE! IT IS THE EFFED UP MENTAL STATE OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE TRIGGER THAT KILLS PEOPLE! LETS NOT DEFLECT, AND AS DR. PHIL LIKES TO SAY, LETS PUT BLAME WHERE THE BLAME BELONGS. THE PEOPLE THAT KILL PEOPLE. NOT THE GUNS THEY HOLD! Guns are tools people. Are they going to start paying Snap-On and Craftsman for fixing cars? NO! They pay the people that do the work. Same rules apply. And really!? The Constitution isn't that great? The same Constitution that founded this nation on Christian principals and ideals? You don't like it? MOVE YOUR HAPPY ASS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU, and quite frankly, we don't WANT people like you. Feel free to leave!

Fourth paragraph: "The Republicans are just trying to stand in the way, because the president is black. They even dared to question whether he was born in this country. I think all this demonstrates is that the Constitution needs to be amended when it comes to the qualifications for being president. Right now, it says a person has to be 35 years old, and has to be a natural born citizen. Well that is obviously unfair because there are a great many otherwise qualified people who cannot run for president because their mothers had to have a C-section. But because the Constitution was written a hundred years ago, nobody even thought of the discrimination that would result from a doctor having to deliver a baby in this unnatural way. Now that we Democrats are in control of the government, that's just one more thing we should change in our drive to make life fair." - Wow. There are so many things wrong with this whole paragraph. Since when, does being a Republican mean you're a racist? Does that mean all the black Republicans out there are self haters because they hate Obama for being black? And the fact of the questioning of him being born in this country, please refer to the "Second Paragraph" for my response to that. Lets see, what's next, Constitution amendment for qualifications. YES! Lets go there. When it states "Natural born citizen", it does not mean you have to be born vaginally! I'm sorry, but typing this out I can't help but ask, ARE YOU SERIOUS! REALLY!? THAT WAS YOUR LINE OF THINKING ON THAT!? Seriously!? How old are you!? Sorry, I really, REALLY needed to get that out. Further more, the Constitution was written and put into effect in 1787. More specifically, finalized on September 17th, 1787. Now, I'm not sure where YOU went to school, but where I went, 2013 from 1787, is 226 years, not a hundred. Lastly, Democrats are NOT in control of the government. Republicans hold more seats in the house, ergo, there's no way for Democrats to have control. And more specifically, Democrats DID hold control of the office (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE GOVERNMENT) for the first two years of Obama's first term. It worked out SO WELL, us "Conservative Republicans" as you'd deem us (Or rather you'd call us spawns of Satan I'm sure), and you "Liberal Democrats" BOTH, voted Republicans back into control. And really? Fair? What, in life, is fair? Does it say in the Constitution that you have the right to pursue fairness? NO! It states in the Declaration of Independence, and I quote "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America. When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Tell me, what part of that says life is fair? Even God says that life ISN'T fair. It's simply that. Life.

Lastly we have: "Please withhold my name because I don't want to get crank calls." signed "PROUD TO BE A DEMOCRAT" - Heh heh. If you were a gun wielding Republican, you could be proud, and not afraid to show you who are. The concept of hiding your name but being proud is a total oxymoron by the way. Look it up in the dictionary.

Sorry, I realize that was probably a little harsh, but I get extremely passionate when it comes to things like this. I am all for you having an opinion, even if it's different from mine. I love debating this type of stuff. But if you're going to put your opinion out there for the world to see, make sure you have your facts straight, and you're not just spouting things that you know nothing about. Then talk to me.

Photo of Letter to the Editor: http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/424798_530231810331738_412393013_n.jpg

Friday, January 18, 2013

Today's thought...catching up.

I'm par for the course when it comes to updating my New Year's blog and Happy 2013 entry. LoL! Oh well. Such is life. I have a child now in her Troublesome Three's and it seems like there's barely enough time between taking care of her, my animals, my housework and working on my latest book. LoL! But you know, as hectic as it is, I wouldn't change it for anything!

My 2012 was pretty decent. Squeak made a lot of developmental changes and it was amazing to finally hear her start to talking. Now all she does is talk. LoL! But it's okay. It's something I wished for, so I'm not complaining! I was good and stayed out of the hospital Christmas Day AND New Years Day. But admittedly I was just there last Tuesday because of food poisoning. It's my own fault, for eating a steak that was cooked medium rare, and truth be told, I'm gonna eat it again like that, but let me tell you, I paid the consequences this time. LoL! It's alright though, I promise you, I'm not a masochist. Just love my steaks tender. LMAO!

My daughter is LOVING cartoons and admittedly, she's been learning a lot from Dora the Explorer, which I have to say, is pretty freaky stuff. Not Telli Tubby freaky, but pretty close! I mean, where are her parents while she's gallivanting all over the world, and why does the monkey where galoshes with nothing else and talk? And a talking backpack that eats whatever is in it? Not to mention the map. Let's not get me started. And her uncle has a theory about Curious George being the ramblings of an old man gone mad, that someone wrote down and turned into a book. I giggle at that one because I love Curious George, always have. But Dora? Eh, I dunno.

She's doing speech therapy and it's supposed to be twice a week, but let me just tell you, having only one car and the schedule my husband works, as well as holidays that the school is closed, we haven't actually made it twice in one week since before Thanksgiving. And I've been SICK since Thanksgiving too, in one form or another. We passed around a bad cold through the entire house three times from Thanksgiving to the New Year, was on antibiotics for every, including the baby, and finally it seems like all is right with the household. Keeping my fingers crossed and knocking on wood. LoL!

Anyway, it was a decent 2012 and I'm glad it didn't end on December 21st. :) Yeah my cousin was a die hard End of the Worlder (Having a lot of fun with it) and it tickled me stupid when we woke up on the 22nd, because man I ribbed him SO HARD about that one! LoL! Anyway, good-bye oughts and welcome teens! Hope everyone has a good 2013! Peace out!