Parents

Today I'm slightly annoyed...Wanna know why? First of all... Let me say, I have never been a parent..I have been a child who has parents, so this is the extent of my personal first hand knowledge of this subject. So I'm going to say right up front this is solely my opinion.

I think there was a reason that God or the higher power decided to create a human using one sperm and one egg...And that the sperm and the egg would come from two totally different individuals. Because I firmly believe that parenting was meant to be a tag team event. That it would most likely require two adults at the top of their game to raise and guide the brain challenged little creatures they produced into becoming semi normal adults.

Having said this....I realize that there are a lot of families out there for what ever reason who are single parents...To those of you who fit into this category..And who take the job seriously...I applaud you..YOU have my utmost respect and admiration for the difficult job you do every single day. Raising a child or children is probably the most challenging job there is in this world and to do it alone...Well you have to be tough.

I also realize that due to the world being as it is...And the economy being what it is...That not only do single parents have to step outside the home to work, that some two parent family's find they also need two incomes to make ends meet... It doesn't make you any less of a caring parent and the plain truth is..YOU have to do what you have to do..

I have every intention of going to school...Hopefully getting a decent job when I'm through. If things work out, I plan on working right along side my guy to help build a life for the two of us....As long as there are no children in the picture, why not? I think we should share this. However..When and if we become parents...Far down the road...He and I have talked about it and we would prefer it if one of us could stay home with the kids at least until they have started school. I think raising kids is a pretty important job. If our family can financially do this. We should. I think if we are going to have them, then we should make every effort to raise them. My guy feels the same way. We both had a stay at home parent for a portion of our lives and it was good thing.

That was still not the part that got me annoyed...Sorry...Here goes..

I had someone make a comment to me the other day, that they couldn't see themselves waste their lives staying at home to be a mother and wife....That they were far to intelligent to sit around the house doing nothing that couldn't be better done by a maid. OHHHHH NOOOO...This is the part that got me boiling! A maid?!!! First of all, my Mom will be the first one to tell you up front she was not put on this earth to be anyone's maid..Growing up, She has informed me on more than one occasion that if we are part of a family that everyone in the family had a responsibility to help around the house...And this most definitely means picking up after yourself. If this person thinks that all there is to keeping a family going is housework they have no idea what they are talking about..

Parenting requires so many various job skills there are too many to mention...But here are just a few...Doctor, Banker, Cook, Chauffeur, Diplomat, Spiritual Advisor, Repairman,Teacher, Counselor, Detective, Therapist, Disciplinarian, Fashion Critic and Stylist. This is just a small few that are used on a daily basis. If you got the sum total salaries of all these jobs put together, you could never afford to pay a mother or should I say parent to stay at home and take care of your kids...

A MAID? All I can say to this person...Do all of us and the world a favor..Do not reproduce..

The world has enough problems.

No Trick Or Treat Prank.....

I have never seriously considered suicide as an answer to my problems..I suppose maybe I have never had anything that I felt was so mind shattering or heart breaking in my life as to think of this as on option. As a child getting angry with my parents or with friends, I have said those words to myself..."I wish I was dead". But to me that statement was made as more in an adolescent drama than because I really truly felt that way. So considering all the things I have been through in my life so far..I suppose I can count myself lucky. While I can say this for myself...I do know a few people who at a point in their lives had more than just a random thought as to the possibility of trying something like this as a solution to their problems....

One friend had lost a brother in an accident earlier that year....I will say he had some problems going on in his life before this...But the death kinda kicked things up a notch for him. He managed to seek counseling instead of suicide.

Then earlier this year...We had three actual suicides in our town...These were persons all in the middle school age group...Around 13. They all hung themselves. Each of them was believed to be done accidentally.....As part of a participation in an Internet game that uses suicide as a way to increase sexual climax.....I'm not even going to go into that one.

I also know one woman..Who is my mothers age. In her family, suicide seems to be a tradition. I have stated this before, that some people would have been better off being raised by wolves. Well here is a good example of such a family. This woman lost an Aunt and Uncle to suicide...Before finding her mother one day when she came home from work. Then later that year she comes home again, This time to find her brother had followed in moms footsteps. Later, the following year, her father....Who I should add was divorced from the mother and had been for years...And didn't live with any of the family....Also attempted to commit suicide, but failed..And survived.

Now what prompts an entire family for generations to use this as a solution to life's problems? My mom said that when she had spoken to this woman about it. Her feelings on it were..."It was Gods will"...That if God didn't want them to die he would have stopped it..Because God can do anything.

In my opinion there are not enough hours in this day or money in this world for therapy to unwrap this twisted theory. But I will say this...It is my understanding that God can indeed do anything. But he has also given each human something special...Its called Freedom of choice..We can decide, Do we follow or do we abandon him and go our own way..

You could be wondering what has gotten me on this subject of suicide...Well it was reading this article today..If you have ever wondered if there is a good or bad time to contemplate suicide...The answer is NO there is never a good time.....But especially this close to Halloween. A 42 year old woman decided suicide was her only option late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.. She hung herself from a tree on moderately busy road, across the street from several homes...She was about 15 feet above the ground and could easily be seen by passing motorists...The suicide was not reported because those who saw the woman assumed it was a Halloween decoration...It wasn't until many hours later that police were called...One of the neighbors said they had seen her at breakfast time, but just assumed it was something someone had rigged up for the holiday.

I'm not even going to comment on that one any further...I have always like Halloween..Not all the blood and guts of the Holiday..I'm not really into gore..I just like the costumes the spooky kind of scareness of it all...And of course the free candy.. So to end on a better note...I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.

What's You're Dream?

We live in the land where dreams come true. Or that's the what the bumper stickers say right?..."The American Dream". I had always thought that meant wealth and success..The older I get the more I realize that not all dreams are money based. And success is a matter of perspective.

Money is nice...But its never been a huge deal to me..I suppose when you have never really had any...Its hard to miss what you never had...I know that's not where my hearts desire lies. Mine is more in finding that inner happiness...

The things that have always mattered most to me are the people I care for. Family to me isn't necessarily the the biological kind..Family are the people who become a part of your life. That inner circle that are your support system and your sounding board when you need one. In some cases these people may have a biological connection...But just like me, I see more and more people who have glued themselves together as a family because for no other reason they choose each other to love and care about. Maybe that's the best kind of family there is...Not the ones you had no choice in...But the ones who choose you.

Its sometimes hard to give up on dreams. I think when you loose one, especially an important one its feels like grief. And while nothing can replace it...I believe if one door closes another opens no matter if you can see it at the moment yet or not..

The Rolling Stones say ....."You cant always get what you want.. But if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need". Maybe that's the hardest thing of all...Realizing that what you want and what you need are two different things...

What is your dream?

Tagged.....

Seven things I want to do before I die:

1.Find real lasting love.

2.Find a job that I would love going to everyday.

3.Visit another country.

4.Learn how to trust in myself.

5.To become totally independent and self sufficient

6.To learn to cook.. (better) :D

7.To some day far far down the line...have a family.

Seven things I can do:

1. Be a good friend

2. Keep others confidences

3. Listen

4. Photography

5. Blog

6. Be kind to others

7. If I have nothing good to say... Shut up

Seven things I cannot do:

1. Drive legally (at the moment)

2. See spit (ewwww)

3. Drink Tequila

4. Stop being opinionated

5. Listen to Gwen Stephani sing "If I were a rich girl"

6. Spell

7. Be taller

Seven things I say a lot :

1. Utoh

2. Thats my story and Im sticking to it.

3. Sweetie

4. Double cheese, no pickle, no onions..with fries and a Dr Pepper please.

5. Sup Skippy?

6. Im sorry

7. You're new here?

Seven things I find attractive in a male:

1. Kindness

2. Honesty

3. Loyalty

4. Good sense of humor (he can make me laugh)

5. Nice smile

6. Nice chest or arms

7. He likes "who" I am

Seven celebrity crushes?

1.Sean Connery

2.Collin Ferrel

3.Chad Michael Murray

4.

5.

6.

7.

Seven people who have nothing better to do than to get tagged:

1. Adrian

2. Stu-man

3. JGStephan...Who's already done this...ugh!

4. Hulabelly...Im sorry in advance...

5. Jef

6. Dreadcow

7. TimmyG

Things That Go Bump In The Night

It was around midnight. I was home alone for the weekend. I was online chatting on MSN with Adrian..He was headed to bed since it was sunrise his time...And I was logging off to go watch a movie. That's when I heard it...The tap tap tap...

At first I ignored it..Because this is the first rule of scary movies...When you are home alone..Late at night and you hear a strange noise. YOU IGNORE IT. But it wasn't long before I heard it again..tap tap tap...Then in a few seconds....I heard it again...tap tap tap....So here's where I did the thing I swore I would never do..I have sat through many a horror movie..Yelling at the screen saying NOOO you dumb girl don't go in there...Don't go see what's making the noise..

Its funny, but when that really happens to you...YOU actually do go look...Go figure.. So I got up went in to the other room to see what was making this noise. I had thought maybe its a big bug of some kind...Or maybe a mouse has gotten into the duct work of the air conditioner....Hey, I live in a tropical climate..Any of these things were possible.

What I wasn't expecting...Was to walk into our dining room and see a Bat trying to scurry along the floor. YESSSS..That's right little brown furry winged vermin of the night...The taping sound was him trying to get traction on the hard flooring and not doing to great of a job at it...

Now I'm thinking ohhh mann..Please please do not let him fly...Then I'm thinking, how am I going to pick him up and get him out of here...Then I thought..EWWWWWW I'm not picking that thing up!!...It was about that time that every story I had ever heard of rabies ran through my mind...I have watched Old Yeller and Cujo..I know how those stories turned out...I'm young and I have to much to live for to risk this.

In the mean time he's still moving..Not fast but he's trying to get to somewhere...I knew I had to do something with him...So I did the only logical thing that I could do....I tupperwared him. I don't think that's what they had in mind for those clear plastic bowls, at least I never saw this use in one of their commercials...But I am here to tell you they make one fine Bat containment device. I'm thinking of writing to the tupperware people to relay this story to them..You never know...

Now before you go getting all "animal rights" on me..I didn't put the lid on him and burp out all the air...I wasn't trying to keep him fresh...Just keep him in one place until those who were older and had less to loose than myself could arrive and remove him.

The problem I'm having now..Is how did he get in? I have been told he probably came down the chimney. And more than likely he's got friends still hanging out up there...I have always suspected there was something up that chimney besides Santa..Now I know what...

EWWWWWWWWWWWW

Tastes Just Like Chicken

I have heard that saying "Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you". I guess this is one such situation. A helicopter pilot and wild life researcher found a 13 foot python in the Florida Everglades that had apprarently burst after trying to swallow a 6 foot Alligator whole. That by itself gives a whole new meaning to indigestion. The thing I found interesting is that this is the 4th such documented incident in the past 3 years.

Scientists feel that that because the python is a top of the line predator and not a naturally found species in the Everglades that this could threaten the eco system of the Everglades. If pythons were to start consuming other wild life such as other smaller reptiles , squirrels, woodstorks, sparrows etc. That could and would throw things out of balance over time.

I would not have thought that pythons would have been significant in numbers to pose a problem to other life in the swamp...But according to what I have read, researchers have stated that over the years many pythons have been abandoned by their owners in the Everglades. While it is unknown the exact number that are in the Everglades competing with alligators, at least 150 have been caught over the last two years.

The researchers also state that a python 10-20 feet large could also pose a serious threat to a human, especially a child. Although they say its not an imminent threat and not time to worry about this yet.

YET? Ok speaking as a Native of the state where this is going on...I would like to ask when is the time to worry? Its not unusual to hear a story about some local person finding one of these snakes under someone's house or behind a store in a local neighborhood. So they can apparently adapt and live any where. If they fit into the Everglades eco system and were able to be controlled by a natural predator such as the alligator...Then I wouldn't be so concerned. But the fact that alligators don't always have the upper hand with these guys bothers me a little.

Yes I know, you hear about alligators being to closely connected to people too. That is our fault though. If we feed them and they become less afraid of humans as a result.. Then who do we have to blame when they start seeing our family pet Sparky....Or possibly the occasional golfer.. as a possible snack food. But.....At least this is a predator that is native to this state and the area it in habits. If handled properly it can and has been able to be controlled. Its presence isn't a threat to other species that inhabit the same area.

I guess it just concerns me when we introduce a plant or animal species that is not natural to this continent and then find out after the fact that "OOPS' probably shouldn't have done that. We have many such examples of that all through this country. Kudzoo vines in Georgia...That fish on the West Coast..Cant think of its name..Just to name a few.

At least with the alligator...They can be a food source. In fact they are quite tasty, just like chicken..YUMMMMMMM!

When I Was Invisible

I remember when I was invisible. Nooo, I don't mean the kind where you close you're eyes and if..You cant see me.. I cant see you. Although, I did think I could do that when I was a very small child or so I'm told. I mean the kind of invisible that happens sometimes when you're not quite grown up yet, but not a child anymore either. When you're not too tall or not too short, not to fat or not to thin. You do ok with grades and sports but just ok..Not star material. It was during this time I could just blend in and observe.

Part of me enjoyed this feeling of being anonymous. But part of me will admit there were times when I wanted to be more like other girls who were getting more attention. I don't think it was an issue of popularity. I went to a very small school...It was Kindergarten through 12th grade all in one school. So every one knows everyone else. I think at that age you want to be noticed by the opposite sex...But at that point in my life I was just one of the guys. Looking back on that..I think if I knew then what I know now, I would have stayed there.

Then I suppose around 8th/9th grades I started growing up...As everyone does. Of course we all do this at different rates some earlier and some later..But I remember very clearly how it felt to go from invisible to very visible. I wont lie to you...It was nice having the opposite sex pay attention to you...At least at first. The problem is....What I didn't see before..... and never was involved in...There are politics to growing up. Its a pecking order. Because while the opposite sex might pay more attention to you...So do your female counter parts. And trust me, they aren't as thrilled that your getting all this new found attention as you are...I was moving into uncharted territory, so I didn't realize there wasn't a spot at the table for everyone. I was just to amazed at the idea of how I was one person at the end of one school year and by the next year everyone thought I was someone else. That idea still baffles me.

Even today, I find that my friends or family or even more so people who don't really know me see me as one way and inside I still feel like that same kid who was invisible. I would be lying if I said that I still don't like attention occasionally. Truthfully if its positive attention..Who doesn't like that??? But there are times when I still would rather just stand in the back of the crowd and just blend in..and observe....Just become invisible...

Home Is Where The Heart Is........

My very first post as a blogger was about the existence of a chivalrous man. I had met one for the first time and It surprised me and pleased me to know that they do indeed exist. Since then I have met a few others who would fit into this category. I'm happy to say. But the first one is always going to have my heart.

Chivalry may not be dead..But it does occasionally fly south for the winter. This is the case with my chivalrous man. I find myself feeling very lost right now. I am a little surprised that I am feeling like this. I mean its not as though he were gone forever. I guess its that I have discovered that after months of talking to this person each and every day, sometimes until the sun came up. I find it empty and entirely too quiet now that they have gone. I guess sometimes you don't realize how much you really miss something until its not there anymore.

I don't really trust easily. At least not anymore..When this person came into my life I wasn't looking to find someone to trust or share my secrets with. Maybe that's part of why this person is so different from others I have met.. Maybe that's what makes a truly chivalrous man..The ability to share that part of themselves that lets you know they understand the meaning of loyalty, honesty and respect. Aren't these things the solid base we look for when building a relationship with someone?...Whether that relationship is a friendship or something deeper.

I was told that true love is the ability to put another's needs above your own..Its selfless...So with that thought in mind I am truly glad that this person is home now with their family and friends. In a place that has always been important and held so much meaning for them. Because I can truly say that their happiness is what I care about most.

But I still miss them..Still feel empty not talking to them, even though I know in my heart that where they are now is best for them.

If home is where the heart is...then mine is much farther south.

Its That Time....

Ok if you've been here before you might notice some changes.....Yep, that's right I'm a Halloween freak. Actually as far as I'm concerned October kicks off the holiday season as I know it. First off we have my birthday, which is not nationally known as a holiday,...At least not yet. But its still pretty important to me. This lasts a full month.....Of parties, shopping and friends and family showing the love...Does this sound a bit self involved? If so..GOOD! It should be..... I love birthdays. Not just mine everybody's....So if you have a birthday in October...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... FROM ME.

Then we have the month ending in one of my all time favorite holidays Halloween. I know there are a lot of people who feel this one is evil. The devils holiday..blah blah blah....If this is your point of view. You are entitled to it. I respect your right to it and I wish you well. I however have loved it ever since I was a kid. I loved the whole costume thing. The being out at night, the large bag of candy and assorted loot I would come home with. How can you not love that?....Plus...Its spooky...And I have always loved the scary. The pretend scary anyway. There are far to many real life monsters to be scared of.....No point in worrying about the ones in my closet. If you know what I mean..

Once my all time two favorite holidays are through, we are now moving on to the holiday of true gluttony...Thanksgiving....The holiday where you can get together with family you see only once or twice a year....Eat large amounts of food.....That no human should ever consume in one sitting, and then sleep it off. Tell the truth....The left overs are the best part anyway aren't they? Cold turkey sandwiches...White bread, Mayo...Its almost a religious experience its so good... I realize that people reading this from other parts of the country have other thanksgiving traditions or food they enjoy. My Stepdad's family for example, used to have homemade lasagnia...There just seems something wrong with that idea...I just don't know.....

Then...Its time for Santa Claus...Yes I know, it has nothing to do with a guy in a big red suit...Its about the son of god..Jesus birth..The virgin Mary, the wise men, bright star in the sky. I know the story and I respect the true meaning of the holiday. But I grew up with Santa...And this girl says"If its not broke, don't fix it"... Its been working for me so far....I will keep it.


Then we have New Years Day(football and munchies)....Easter(Chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs)...And Valentines Day(more candy). No wonder a persons butt gets big.....

As you might have guessed I am living from holiday to holiday at this time of year. I realize a lot of people are frustrated and fed up during the holidays...But this girl isn't one of them...I am up for it and ready...To quote a friend of mine... BRING IT ON!

Take It To The Grave

There are those stories that you never share with the outside world. Then there are some that you share with NO ONE! Especially your friends....

But this little revelation came to a friend of ours too little to late......The other day this friend was telling us about how his morning went. He's been staying out at his grandparents house the past few weeks. He's doing some work for them. He had gone into the bathroom to brush his teeth that morning, and after a few seconds he realizes that the tooth paste tastes funny...So he picks up the tube..And realizes he has been brushing his teeth with vaginal cream.. Not just any vaginal cream, but Grandma's......

I have no words to express the laughter at the thought of my friend with his mouth full of tooth brush and vaginal cream...I still can't stop laughing and it happened a couple of days ago. Now...We all do really dumb embarrassing things..But there are some things you don't go sharing with ANYONE! Especially us..We are his friends after all and as customary with friendships..It is our responsibility to make his life miserable with this information...Which we proudly do...

There will always be those little moments you wish you could forget in life...That trip and fall in front of everyone....Or you're dress tucked up into the back of your panty hose...But this one...YOU TELL NO ONE... This story you take to your grave.....

The Unconditional Kind...

I have never been a parent. So, I'm not sure I can completely understand all the complex emotions that happen when you become one. I know from watching my own parents that they seem to always love you, even at those times when they also seem to want to kill you. I guess maybe its a good thing my parents were given a certain amount of restraint along with their parenting skills..Because even though I was a relatively good kid..(I swear I was) There were still times I'm sure my Mom wanted to do bodily harm to me...Especially after the age of 14. If you have read anything at all about my Mom in previous posts..YOU know she owns a shovel. So I guess I'm lucky. NO...I know I am.

Last night around 3am I got a call from a friend. I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was trying to hold back tears. And NO he wasn't drinking..He was completely sober. He obviously has something on his mind...But I'm thinking well..He will tell me when he's ready. So I keep it casual......"Do you know what time it is? Do you not own a watch"? That may have seemed insensitive....But my friends know me...And they know that no matter what the time, day or night that its ok to call. Its been that way forever.

My friend sort of laughs and says something like did I wake you up?...I tell him "YESSSS its 3am"! And then I ask...So what's up? He says not to much, his dad still hates him and he feels like a total screw up. He's afraid that he will never amount to anything in his life.

This person I'm talking to is just 20 years old. He does have a father who hates him. When he was younger he and some friends were fooling around with some air rifles...Which long story/ short resulting in him getting shot in the head. This injury causes a chemical imbalance which makes him bi-polar. He still struggles with this every day..Trying to get the medication regulated so he can function. The fall out from this accident causes a huge rift in the family unit.....His mom is supportive of him no matter what, regardless of the mood swings and problems...His dad...Isn't as understanding and patient. End result...Mom and Dad divorce. My friend blames himself for this. Apparently so does Dad. Sad thing is...Maybe its partly true.

Its times like this when I realize that my problems aren't all that bad. That while sometimes they feel huge to me. I at least know that my Mom is always there no matter what. Isn't that what a parent is supposed to do?...Isn't a parents love supposed to be unconditional. I know they don't always like us... Or have to love the things we choose to do. This is ok..But aren't they always suppose to love us? Even on those days when we are pretty much unloveable? Yes, there are some bad parents in this world. The news is full of them. I went to school with people who would have been better off being raised by wolves. But having parents who aren't there for you isn't you're fault is it?

The advise I gave my friend was simple. I told him that the only person in this world he had any control over was himself. No matter how much he wished it..There was nothing he could do about how his Dad felt or behaved. So he needed to tell himself..This is Dads problem. I cant control how he feels and I'm letting it go. And... If possible forgive him for it. If you walk around with this hurt inside of you, along with the worry, blame, anger and guilt...They will eat you alive. All you can do is accept ownership of your life and your actions and try and do the best you can on a day to day basis.

I think the part we fall down on sometimes, is not listening to our own conscience. That voice inside of us that wont let us lie to ourselves. We can tell the outside world its someone else's fault. Or that we are doing the best we can. But inside...We know ...And we cant hide the real truth from ourselves.

My heart breaks for people like my friend who don't have that support of love of their parents. Family is the soft blanket that should be there to wrap up in when the rest of the world is cold.
I wont say that my parents are perfect people..I think even they will be one of the first people to tell you that. Over the years we have had more than our share of parent/child disagreements. But I cant imagine not having them there somewhere...The alternative seems kind of sad and lonely.

What Do You Think Is Out There?

What do you think is out there? When you look up in the stars at night, you know on one of those nights when there are no city lights, no clouds, just a million stars in the sky. What do you think is out there?

I remember laying on my back in the cool grass on a spring night...Looking up and those stars and asking that question. I was younger then, but sometimes occasionally I still look up and wonder. If you think about it, in comparison to how big the universe is supposed to be, we are just like one small grain of sand on a beach. Are we arrogant enough to think that out of all those other grains of sand on this immense beach full of sand.....We are the only grain with life?

I was brought up to believe in a higher power..Or god...I was taught that he created us and all that we know. The spiritual side of me still holds to that......It sometimes comforts me when things happen that I can not understand.

I also sometimes feel there is such a thing as Karma..That we put out good or evil into this world and those things we put out come back to us...Usually bigger than when they left us.

Is there such a thing as heaven do you think? I know that if you believe in god the way I was taught..That heaven is part of this package. What do you think it is that makes us who we are? What is this spark of electricity or energy that makes us more than a shell......That gives us the light in our eyes and the thoughts in our minds?...And when our bodies no longer can carry that light....Where does it go?

I have a friend who believes in reincarnation. I wont try and explain that one, because truthfully I'm not knowledgeable enough to speak on the subject. From what I do know, its a belief that we are brought back over and over again to complete or learn from our past mistakes from previous lives. I think its a do it till you get it right type thing..... If that's the case and this is how it works, I'm screwed. I cant seem to stop making the same mistakes over and over again. If in my next life, I'm mute... Maybe my mouth wont get me into so much trouble, possibly then I have a chance.

If we are this spark or life force..When do we become it? Is it when the sperm and the egg collide and cells start to divide? Or is it at the moment of birth....When we take our first real breath of air?

Sometimes the world seems soo big, and overwhelming. Then I look up in the sky and I think about all the people I know who are in Ireland, Georgia, Kentucky, Iraq, South Africa, New Mexico, Texas, Germany and Canada, and a few more places I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention. Who are looking up at the same sky, the same stars on the same night I am. Its then, the world doesn't seem so big anymore.

But tell me....What do you think is out there?

VORSPRUNG DURCH TECHNIK

(Advancement Through Technology)











I just read an article about a German inventor who has come up with a way of producing an organic diesel fuel. Sounds good so far right? I sure thought so. This creative guy has figured out how to produce a bio-diesel fuel for about $1.35 a gallon... And with gas prices being what they are who wouldn't love that?

Well here's where the controversy comes in. This inventor has gotten the animal rights people all upset......Because apparently one of his ingredients is dead cats. He says that he uses a blend of garbage, roadkill cats and other ingredients to produce the miracle fuel. The inventors firm states, that it takes about 20 dead cats added to this blend of garbage and other ingredients to produce enough fuel to fill an 11 gallon tank.

The President of the German Society for the Protection of Animals warns that using dead cats to produce fuel is illegal.

Ok now, before the cat lovers jump on me...I don't have anything against cats. I realize that sometimes we become very attached to our pets. It just seems funny to me that there would be so much controversy over using a dead animal to produce a fuel source. The inventor isn't whisking poor little Fluffy away in the dead of night, only to grind him up so that we can all spend a little less at the gas pumps. Naturally, if this were the case I would have a problem with it too. But using what was described as road kill animals and garbage to produce this low cost bio-fuel doesn't seem like a really bad plan to me. It actually seems rather creative. Especially in a world where we are so dependent on fossil fuels and other countries to provide a lot of those said fuels. Its about time we had someone thinking outside the box.

Or maybe litter box, depending on how you want to look at it.

No Conspiracies Here...Just Plain Old Fashioned Screw Up's

Why is it that when things go wrong, everyone always wants to find the conspiracy theory? Cant it just be just poor management on someone's part? Or lack of desire to do the right thing? Or perhaps just some good old fashioned bad luck? Wrong time, wrong place.

Nope! That wont do...The first thing we want to see is some plot by some nefarious or covert power to undermine a situation or person. Is it because we have too many real life cloak and dagger things through out our history to be able to have faith in our government or our leaders? Is it too difficult to believe that things are the way we are told they are? Have we had one to many Watergate's,Whitewater's and Monica's to believe a situation at face value?

I suppose that no matter what the situation there will always be those who look for that smoking gun. Intent on finding who shot JF Kennedy, or knowing where Jimmy Hoffa went off to, or how Elvis has been doing since he went underground. I have heard it said that as a people we are just not ready to know all the facts. I suppose this could be true. If it is, its condescending and insulting. It would mean that some where along the line we have been put in the position of children. Only being told or taught what's good for us. Or if you try and take another angle......And we are seen with the mentality of children, then that means, what we are told is only what we are capable of understanding and coping with. Then what does that say about the shape of our nation as a whole?

I believe even the smallest child can be told the truth and understand and grasp a situation if told to them in a way that they will understand. Not only can they..But I believe that if they are curious enough to ask the question..They should be given a straight forward answer to their question. If you insist on dumbing down to speak to a child...Then that is what the child learns and knows. Is that the way it is with the general public too?

Sometimes I think its important to realize that a duck is just a duck. There is no behind the scene mystery or plot. That things are really exactly how they look. That if something has gone wrong that it could be no more than poor management or planning or just bad timing. Possibly a combination of all of the above. And more than likely, it wasn't just some dark power out to get you. Unless you are a believer in the devil... I suppose there are some religious groups and TV evangelists that would be all over that last one.

I guess the bottom line is...Why cant we just admit, that sometimes we drop the ball? Or that we simply made a bad choice? I think I would rather hear that and know that the person leading me is human. Than to feel as though they can not admit an obvious flaw in character or plan. Someone who wants to be perceived as above being human scares me far more than any conspiracy theory.

Isn't That Just Kick You In The Crotch Spit On Your Neck Fantastic

I usually read the weird stories in the news. Just because people generally never cease to amaze me. Tonight there were just to many to pick just one so here are the highlights.

Mommies Dearest.....

There was the mom who locked her 23 month old son in the car along with her car keys. Then didn't want rescuers to break in the window of her Audi A4..The infant had already been in this hot car for 20 minutes, but this wonder mom wanted to go home and get her spare key instead of breaking her cars window...Awwww can you feel the love?

Then there is the woman who didn't want the fact her 14 year old daughter was missing to mess up her vacation. Well gee can you blame her? She and her boyfriend did have non refundable airline tickets to Lake Tahoe. And she was going to leave her cell number where she could be reached should the police locate her daughter. I know when the police called and told her they had found her child, who was safe in Texas after being lured there by a 37 year old guy from the internet was breathing a huge sigh of relief...Or maybe she wasn't...Do you think she could find a sitter so she could finish out the vacation?

Poor Judgment.....

I always think kick ass when I think of Texas justice. I guess no one told this judge. He accepted a plea bargain from a 46 year old man who pleaded no contest in the aggravated sexual assault of a 7 year old girl. This judge felt sympathy toward the mans "frail heart condition" so instead of any jail time...He told him he needed to do 320 hours of community service...And here's the kicker...Spent specifically on knitting afghans. Damn that's harsh...If I were in Texas I know Id be sleeping better tonight knowing this guy is on the job...NOT!

I Just Forgot.....

There was the 24 year old guy from Oklahoma City who got on an airplane with a homemade pipe bomb in his luggage. He said he had just forgotten about it....You know that kind of stuff happens to me all the time....

What about this 36 year old lady in Norway who was arrested for bigamy. She told the officers...She had just forgotten she was already married...Yea I think that's probably why the divorce rate is so high.. A lot of people just forget they are married...I can see that happening... After all it really gets in the way of their dating.


I sometimes wonder what people have going through their minds that would cause them to behave or say some of the stupid things they do...Maybe that's the problem..Lights are on but NOBODY'S home.

Not On Sunday....

Competition is not my thing. It never has been. I don't believe I have the personality for it. Unless we are talking about fishing. I wont lead you to believe that I'm the type to enter a contest to get a trophy or win that new bass boat. I cant talk to you about the newest Bill Dance Red Wiggler Lure. Or the pros and cons of large mouth bass vs the small mouth variety. But when I do get out there and throw my line into the water and wait....I expect a pay off for my patience. I do not just WANT to catch a fish, I NEED TO! If I cant catch the biggest fish, then I at least must catch the most.

Its a sickness I know. But I come by it honestly. My great grandmother was a little like this. My fathers family is from south Georgia. Every time we would go back for a visit. Granny would talk us into taking her to all the local hot spots that she new were full of fish. She never fished from a boat, only from the bank. Mostly in ponds and usually with a cane pole and bobber. I have used this method before and while I still like a little Zebco rod and reel. A cane pole will get the job done. The thing about Granny was, the woman could not stand it if you were getting fish nibbling your line while she was getting nothing. If she saw your bober getting a tug. You can bet money, within a few minutes she would be elbow to elbow with you trying to throw her line into your spot. Now to me.......This is just poor fishing etiquette. You do not poach on another's spot. At least not while they are standing there pole in hand. And if you think I'm bad about needing to catch something...YOU haven't seen anything till you watched this woman. If the fish has lips and a tail she felt it was worthy of going in the bucket. Now, I wanted to catch something too. But even I know the difference between a fish and bait.

Granny was a sport. She loved going to church, fishing and eves dropping on other peoples conversations. Not necessarily in that order. But even as much as she liked to fish, in her opinion there were only two things you were allowed to do on a Sunday. Go to church and eat dinner after. During one visit while she was trying to talk my parents into staying one more day so we could go fishing at a couple places she hadn't tried yet. I made the mistake butting in and opening my mouth..."We can always go tomorrow cant we"? My parents who should have been there to step in and side track my mistake, said nothing.....They just gave me that look.....Well...You stepped in it now. Granny looks at me and in shock says "ON SUNDAY"!!!!??

I have been in this family all my life. If I have learned nothing else I know this, when you hit rock bottom.....Stop digging. So I did what anyone would do when they were afraid for their mortal soul. I lied. I said "NOOOOO MAM...Is tomorrow Sunday? I forgot what day it was. No we cant go tomorrow". My parents who I thought were my protectors just sat their during this and said nothing. I know it was their way of giving me another one of those lessons they are so fond of.

I don't know if the lord would send you to Hell for fishing on Sunday. But I know that my Granny surely would have.

How I Learned About The Fine China

My grandparents weren't the chatty type. They didn't feel comfortable sitting down with my mom to discuss the sensitive issues...Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. My mom said her biggest influence on these subjects was her grandfather. She recalls being over at his house on many occasions while he was watching the 6 o'clock news. It was the 60's so the news was about women burning bras, the war in Vietnam and civil rights. My mom said her grandfather would pick a subject and say, "Tell me what do you think of that"? Of course my mom would give her opinion on what ever topic it was. But no matter what she said...Her grandfather would always have a different opinion. Always the complete opposite of hers. They would get into these long heated debates about woman's rights, war,drugs or politics. She said it wasn't until she was older she realized her grandfather did this on purpose. He just enjoyed the debate, so he was purposely choosing the opposite view in order to get things going. She said that it was a huge influence in her life. It caused her at a very early age to think of where she stood on things in this world. When she got older, a lot of the things she had formed opinions about when she was that kid, still stayed with her.

So needless to say. When I came along mom was all fired up and ready to start filling my little brain with all kinds of ideas and talks about all sorts of subjects. She said if I was old enough to ask the question she would try and give me an answer that I could understand as honestly as she could. This was good and bad. Sometimes I just wanted a simple yes or no to a question. Not the lengthy talk my mom had prepared with drawings and diagrams.

One such talk involved my first exposure to someone telling me about sex. I had just turned 5. We lived in a larger city then. In an apartment complex, in an apartment below some children that were slightly older than myself..But far more worldly. One day while playing one of these children were discussing men and woman having sex. Using words and terms that would make a sailor blush. Of course being the little sponge I was...I took all this information down and promptly went back to mom for a conformation that people did indeed participate in this unbelievable activity.

Well my mom had apparently been gearing up for this talk, although I don't think she expected it to happen quite this soon. So she sits me down and says yes, people do have sex. But those kids didn't have all the facts straight. So let me tell you the right way. First she said we do not use those names for the body parts. Those are slang words. The correct names are...

Ok STOP!!!!!..... Did my mom just say they did do this stuff?...EWWWWWW! Even at my young age I found it hard to believe my mom and dad would want to do something like that. To this day I have no idea how I was conceived, because I can never picture my parents ever having sex. The idea is just too.......Well lets just say, there's not enough therapy in the world to fix this one. While my mind is still trying to wrap itself around the first thing she's told me....... She is moving on to body parts and names. So I was only getting half of that. Then she proceeded to move on to some diagram of something...I really lost focused on this part, because in truth my question had already been answered.

It wasn't until a few weeks later that my mom realized she hadn't quite gotten her talk across as she would have hoped. I was in the bathtub getting ready to get out. We had some family visiting us at that time..So my mom was trying to hurry me along, so she could get back to company. She tells me to get out of the bathtub..Dry off and go down the hall and get my PJ's. I said NOOO mom..I cant do that. She looks at me like why not?..."Because everyone's going to see my "Fine China".....Ok, maybe I misunderstood the word and it wasn't Fine China.

But I knew Nobody was seeing mine.

Lessons Learned...

I'm getting ready to have another Birthday. I love birthdays. Not just mine but everyone's. I think that everyone deserves a day to celebrate the time they came to this earth and to the people who have now come to know and love them. I am not foolish enough to think that I have learned everything I need to know about life and people yet. I believe most of us if we pay attention and stay open are learning new lessons up until the day we leave this world. But I have learned a few things and made a few observations about people.

I think there are still a lot of good people in this world. Even though some of them still have flaws and make their share of mistakes. They are still kind in heart and have good souls. I have learned from these individuals about the kind of person I wish to be.

Funny thing is, I've learned from some not so nice people to. I have learned from them that I do not want to gossip. Most of the time this kind of talk is based on jealousy or ignorance. It serves no purpose other than to put down someone else's character, while destroying your own in the process.

I do not want to be jealous. I know this is more of an emotion than a conscious act, it does nothing but feed on your insecurities. I would rather be able to feel trust in the person I love and happy for others and their accomplishments, than to feel the fear or anger that jealousy breeds.

I do not want to control. I know that the only person in this life I have any real control over is myself. I do not want to try and force others to think as I do, or behave in a certain way by trying to manipulate them emotionally or physically.

To the people in my life or just the ones who have passed through my life anonymously that have taught me some of these lessons. I thank you. You may have hurt me or knocked me down temporally. But I'm not out, I got back up on my feet and I am stronger than I was before you came along. You can still hurt me..Words always have that power. But I'm not ashamed of that. Its ok to feel pain, or hurt when your attacked. I wont however let you make me feel bitter or angry. I will not become you. It takes to much time and energy to feel those things and I wont waste any of mine on you. To the person in my past or to any in my future who think they will try and control me by physical means...DON'T DO IT. I'm not so young or inexperienced anymore. I will not be to shy or insecure as to let you ever hurt me like that again.

I have learned that its important to forgive, but not to forget. Because while forgiveness heals...Forgetting is a lesson that's gone unlearned. It may take me a few tries...But eventually even I get it. To those of you out there who have taught me so much....Thank you again..And Happy Birthday.

Girl I Brought You Into This World

One of my moms favorite sayings is "Girl I brought you into this world and I can take you out the same way". My reply is always....."You can try, but my heads a lot bigger now". This comment is usually following some smart remark I've made to her in an attempt to instigate something. I inherited the smartass gene from dads side of the family. My moms side has a string of strong willed women. This is a nice way of saying opinionated...Another trait I also seem to have inherited.

My moms side of the family are firm believers that its not enough to punish, you should also be taught a lesson. My grandparents were almost diabolical in there attempts to teach my mom these lessons when she was younger. One incident involved my mom and her first pair of safety scissors. Apparently she had been given instructions not to cut anything that was not paper. Of course for my mom this was just dangling temptation in front of her. She says, that after she cut off all of her eyelashes, it automatically occurred to her that maybe you really need those for something important. So with safety scissors behind her back and her eyes squinted as though the sun were in them, she marches out to my grandmother and asks, "What would happen if a person cut off their eyelashes"? My grandmother, with out missing a beat replies "I think you would go blind". OK... No trauma caused there right?

Yep, that kind of parenting skill was definitely passed on to my mom in her efforts to raise me. Not that my mom needed many such lessons for me. I was a good kid. Seriously, you can ask her, I was pretty much no trouble. Part of the reason for this is because I always knew some where in the back of my mind that there was always the chance the woman meant business. Never under estimate what a little healthy intimidation can do for your behavior. I think I probably got about 5 spankings my whole life. Most of the time all it took to keep me in line was something I refer to as the "white eye". You know that look parents give you when they raise their eyebrows and what you see is mostly the whites of their eyes. Yeah, I got that look and I knew it was get in line or the wrath of god was forth coming.

I suppose you could be thinking...Well there you go, that explains a lot..No wonder she's a little reality challenged. Well you could have a point. But I've never had to call for bail money yet. I'm not on drugs or leading a life of crime. And all signs right now point to the possibility I may actually be employed and self supporting some day. So maybe mom didn't do to bad. Just don't tell her that ok..I don't want her getting to over confident..She's already hard to live with.

I Love The Way Things Work

I have always been fascinated by the way things work. I am one of those people who sees something done and has to turn it over and see how it was put together or functions. I am addicted when it comes to those shows on TV that build something or explain some mystery. I love to watch them restore old cars or build motorcycles. I love the way they design, shape and paint to create.

I am also interested in the mystery of science. The way they can put together small pieces of fiber here or a spot of DNA there like pieces of a puzzle. Yes, I am a CSI junkie as well. I recently found out that the science that makes up the CSI show isn't as compact as the show leads you to believe. I suppose I should have logically known this. Apparently the characters are a composite of many different aspects of the forensic field. In real life it would take much longer to piece together this puzzle and it would be in a variety of hands, each doing a specific task. I should have known this, because it seems pretty obvious and logical that it wouldn't work the way its portrayed on TV and that they would make those changes for dramatic license to benefit the show.

I have never really seriously considered committing a crime. Definitely not one that would require CSI to pull out their bag of science tricks to pin the crime on me..But there have been a few times in the past that I think my mom was tempted to put a couple young men in shallow holes in our back yard. Not that I can blame her considering the circumstances. I think she's gotten past her homicidal thoughts, but just in case..I don't think Ill mention this whole thing about CSI not working the way it looks on TV..I may decided I want to date again someday and she still owns that shovel.

Much More Than A Twang

I realize some people have a poor view of the south and of the people who were born and raised here. They choose to believe the stereotypical ideas and pictures of what they think we are. They hear that southern drawl and automatically assume that there must be a lack of intelligence or education that go with that twang. If this is your assumption you would be wrong. I suppose some of these ideas and views are fostered by the way we are portrayed by the media. They usually show the poor and uneducated and somehow that then becomes all people think we are.

But lets set the record straight. We here in the south do not knowingly marry our cousins. We have as much desire as the next person to seek higher education. Believe it or not, well past the 3rd grade level. We appreciate art... Not just paintings of Elvis or dogs playing poker on black velvet. But the real stuff that hangs in museums. We can and do appreciate classical music. Although personally, I appreciate the finer classical old rock. We enjoy reading...And more profound things than just the national Enquirer.

While we may like life moving a little slower sometimes....We love watching the sun go down on the river. We love good old fashioned vegetables out of a garden and home cooking. We have a strong sense of family and community. As a group we sometimes are wearily curious of strangers. But usually our manners kick in and we will open ourselves up to you and show you warmth and hospitality.

We may not all be as cultured as others out there....But we are usually able to see our flaws and short comings and find the humor in them. We are taught at a young age manners and respect of others....And would never insult anyone by pointing out their lack of the above. We are not the inbred thieves that some would like to think we are. We are honest and hard working. I take pride in where I live. I'm proud of the kind warm generous people that live here. Keep an open mind about people different than yourself. Come and meet us...see for yourself...we wont hold it against you just because just because you talk funny.

I Have A Voice...

I was asked about how I felt about our military being in Iraq. I had to give it some thought. Not because I don't have an already formed opinion on the subject. But because I wanted to express that opinion as clearly as possible. This is what I think.

In this country I do not have to agree with my government. I do not have to agree with its elected leaders or their policies. I do not have to agree with all the laws that govern me. But I do have a voice. I am able to express my feelings about all of the above. And if I so choose to, I can take that one step further and go inside a voting booth and send a message loud and clear to my governments leaders and to my countrymen and tell them exactly how I feel. If I do not like the way my country is being run. I have the option to try and change it.

I am an almost 19 year old female who has the right to dress how I choose. Play the music I choose. Pray if I choose. Travel freely through out my country if I so choose. Live where I choose. And If I want to visit another country, step outside my country's borders should I choose to do so. I can become anything I want to be and I am only limited by my morality, the laws of my government and my ambition.

As an individual, I could not stand idly by and watch another human be abused or violated. As a nation we can not in good conscience do that either. Everyone should be given the right to have their own voice. To be heard and to be able to decide who they want to govern them. How they want that government to work. And to make the laws that will best suit its peoples needs. We cannot put our head in the sand and pretend we are an island. We share this world and with it comes the responsibility that when we see an injustice, to stand up and say "This is wrong and it wont be allowed". What happens in the world is not just our problem alone, it is everyone's.

I will not insult the women and men of my country who put on a uniform by trying to second guess the value of whether they should or should not be in Iraq. They are there. And as long as they are..It is my place to be loyal and to support them. They have an often thankless, sometimes dangerous and difficult job to do. The very least they deserve, is the support of their own people as they do it. I was once told true courage is not being fearless, but meeting your fear and still doing the right thing. It may not take courage to put on the uniform, but it does take courage to do the job while in it. To those who do it every day. I thank you.

Classifieds......

No explanation necessary here...




















Sounds like a lot of money...
But it does say there's a view...

Lost And Found....

I have written a few posts lately about people who had less than their share of moral character, intelligence or parenting skills. This story gave me a little hope that all is not lost.

Today a woman walking across a parking lot on her way to buy a bus pass, found a bag that contained $800 in cash, two paychecks, and a Dailey planner. The lady in question, not only found the owner the property belonged to, but returned it contents intact.

That all by itself is pretty amazing,...... An honest person. But to me the story is even more impressive when you find that the honest woman is also a homeless mother of five. All of whom are now currently living in a homeless shelter. She was buying the bus pass so it would be easier to get to her minimum wage job at one of the local fast food places. I am sure that this woman could have really used that money. Supporting five children on a minimum wage is impossible. Who are we kidding? Anyone who's worked a minimum wage job will tell you its not really enough to support the person working it. Let alone a child.

I guess this lady thought that honesty and values were more important than her personal needs. You know, she maybe having a hard time in her life right now. But today she spoke to her children loud and clear in the example she set for them by her actions.

She could just sit back and complain that life has dealt her a raw deal, leaving her homeless with five children to support. But instead she's found an honest job doing what she can for her family. Most of the world may view her as a poor homeless mother of five. I see her as priceless.

In Memory...1987-2003

The town we live in is small. Everyone knows everyone else. When the 3:00 bell rings, the place is jumping. Parents picking up their children, students going to the days practice, or up to the local store to get that bag of chips and cold drink before they go off home or to what ever plans they had next.

That's the last place I saw her. We were both up at the store getting something to drink. We spoke to each other for 5 or 10 minutes before she and her boyfriend climbed in his truck and took off to where ever they were going and I walked next door to my appointment.

Two miles out side of town, the white cross on the side of the highway marks the place where it happened. They were doing 80 when they hit the back of the school bus. The force drove the pickup truck up under the bus. Later they found out it wasn't just the speed they were going, but brake failure that caused the accident. Fortunately other than the trauma of being in an accident like that and a few cuts and bruises all of the children on the bus that day were alright. My friend wasn't so lucky. She broke her neck and died instantly. Her boyfriend, who was driving survived. Although he wont ever be the same, hitting your face against a windshield at 80 will do that. But the scars on his face are nothing compared to what he feels knowing he was driving and she died.

The accident was almost two years ago. The day after she turned 16. Today I saw her dad and little sister in town. Her sister is getting older and looks so much like her its scary. Her dad seemed like he was doing good. Her mom, I hear isn't doing as well, she doesn't leave her bedroom very much.

What I remember is that she was soooooo tall..legs that went on forever. Beautiful blonde and getting prettier the older she got. (She looks like her mom.) She was kind, never had a bad word to say about anyone. She had a wicked sense of humor and was loved all who knew her.

This post is in loving memory of my friend. My prayers are still with her family.

You Own It, But Can You Operate It?

Common sense..Your probably an owner, but can you operate it? That may sound like a stupid question I suppose. But more and more I read things and see things that make me ask myself what are they thinking?

Recently I have seen a few stories about individuals who decided for what ever reason being a thief was the way to go. This wouldn't be my first choice as a career path, but that's just me. And I realize if you are choosing to be a thief your common sense is probably already lacking. But at least try! Do not rob a home and then have to call for a ride...Or break in and decide that now is the time to take a little nap (yes someone actually did both of these things). Maybe I shouldn't be giving advise on how to be a criminal. But it seems to me the point is to get in, get what you want and get out again with out being caught. The more time you spend in the place your robbing the more your chance of being caught increases...DUH...I think if your objective is to be a successful thief, if there is such a thing, then not getting caught might be something you want to consider. However, I suppose if your objective is to be caught, then you're probably going about things just the right way. I know prison probably looks really appealing. Free roof over your head, food, job, TV to watch and some big guy who thinks you're just the sweetest thing. I can see how all this would be an attractive calling card to some people.

But what about this woman, who got head lice from her school age children and heard that kerosene would kill them. After treating herself to a kerosene shampoo she decides having a smoke is a good idea. Can you say flammable? If not you better be able to dial 911.

Or the woman who wanted to do a little shoplifting and when trying to get out of the store drops her handbag. Then later goes to the police department to claim it. They arrested her..Can you imagine that?

Why do you think they need to put warning labels on plastic bags telling you not to put them on your head they might cause suffocation? Its for people like this. You may own some common sense but you have NO idea how to operate it.

A Woman Walks Into A Bar....

A woman enters a bar already drunk with a baby in a carrier. When the bartender sees her he can tell she's not in any shape to be there so he tells her to leave...Which she does.... Forty some minutes later one of the bars patrons leaves the same bar and sees the baby in the car strapped into its carrier....Mother passed out in the front seat. The bartender calls 911.. The customers in the bar are able to open the car and remove the baby in its carrier from the car all with out waking the mother. When the police get there......They find the mother passed out, baby with the customers, empty baby bottle in the back seat next to an empty beer bottle....

The police arrest this woman for child endangerment.....duh you think? Her parents already have her oldest which they are raising.. Now it looks like they get to keep the baby too. But the thing that really gets me. Her dad when questioned says She is really an excellent mother its just that she's keeping some bad company these days.

OK now I'm taking deep breaths and counting to 10 because this story really truly pisses me off. I know some people fight their personal addictions. I realize alcoholism is a disease. I have no sympathy for someone regardless of their addiction when they put a child at risk. And if you want me to be really cold blooded about this, her dad needs to have his ass kicked too. He and his wife maybe raising the kids and I will give them that one. But he's enabling this woman to keep doing what she's doing by making excuses for her behavior by saying its the company she's keeping. I don't care if its the drinking, drugs or whatever.......SHE IS AN ADULT...And not just an adult a mother. Those kids didn't ask to be brought into this world. If they can count on no one else, they should be able to rely on their mother for protection and safety.

Some where along the line we have become a society of excuse makers. Are you any less guilty of a crime if you were under the influence when you did it? I say hell no it doesn't. Look if you have a problem seek help. Being ill isn't a free pass.

I had a good mom. I'm lucky. She drove me absolutely nuts, but she at least loved and protected me. She also told me.. You know right from wrong. If you make mistakes you own up to them, fix them if you can and learn from them so you don't repeat them. I may act like I wasn't listening but I was.

Not The Sharpest Tool In The Shed...

I know that we in the south get accused occasionally of not being the sharpest tools in the shed. I will even go so far as to say in some cases they are right in that assessment. And here's the poster child proving this fact.

A 23 year old Georgia man and his 18 year old female friend decide they are going to break into the house of local resident who had been out of town for a few days. They took some jewelry, cell phone, checkbook and some credit cards. Sounds pretty run of the mill right? Ok here's where he lost some IQ points. He calls his mom from the residence when he's ready to leave to...Get this...To ask her to come pick him up. I would love to know how that conversation went.."Hey Mom yea its me...Hey we just robbed this place and its late and we really could use a ride home..How bout it"?

When the resident who owned the house returned home on Sunday.. And realized shed been robbed, I guess for what ever reason picked up the phone hit the redial button calling the felons mommy. Who explained who she was and that her son had indeed called from that phone when he needed a ride home. The mother said she refused to pick them up. (good going mom) The young felons not getting the ride, spent the night in a motel. When they checked out the next morning the police were waiting for them. They apparently still had all the stolen merchandise in their possession. They were both charged, they both claimed innocents and then promptly pointed the finger at each other...Damn you just cant depend on anyone anymore can you?

To the Georgia boy: here's some advise sport..When you get that one phone call, don't call mom. Apparently she wont come pick you up.

Information from: Times-Georgian, http://www.times-georgian.com/

"Well Behaved Women Don't Make History"

I recently heard this quote used. "Well Behaved Women Don't Make History" It got me thinking. Do I really want to go through life never making a mistake? First of all I cant. No one can. Secondly, if I'm not out in the world where mistakes happen, then how will I ever become who I am supposed to be?

This past year, the world has seemed huge and over overwhelming to me. I have not had any idea of where I would go next and it seemed safest to just stay still and tread water. But I have begun to realize this head in the sand mentality isn't going to take me anywhere. I was feeling intimidated by the fact that everyone seemed to have a plan for their future except me. The few interests I had, photography and writting seemed very far out of reach. Both of these felt as if they were more of "Pie In The Sky" type day dreams than something I could actually obtain. More recently, I have gotten some advise from a couple of people (I will say friends) new to my life. They have helped me put a few things into perspective about the world.

First of all....Its not quite as large as I once thought it was. I have learned that I'm not alone in making mistakes or figuring out my life. That there are a lot of people all over the world in the same boat I'm in, asking the same questions of themselves. Both of these friends said to learn from my past experiences and use them to move toward a future. Saying basically learn from your screw ups and move on. This is good advise. Lets face it we all make mistakes. Its how we choose to deal with those mistakes and use them in our life that matters. I don't like falling on my ass, but I'm sure I will a few more times before its over. Not being afraid of the fall is half the battle. As long as I get back up isn't that the important part? I may not be making history, but I am making progress.

To the couple of people out there who gave me this good advise. Thank you. Sometimes you need to hear it from someone else who's already been there for it to sink in.

Monogamy....Not Just A Bored Game

I have a few male friends, who are all used to me being around, so they usually talk pretty freely in front of me. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the topic of conversation. The other day I was listening to a group of them all talking, of course the topic got around to women. One of them speaks up and declares he is off the market. He's been with a long time girl friend off and on for the past three years. I guess he's decided they are currently on again. His friend beside him then speaks up..."Man I couldn't do that. I would get bored with the same piece of ass all the time"

OK...... Here we go. First of all, if your referring to your current female interest as a "piece of ass", Houston we have a problem. Secondly, while I will agree that monogamy isn't for everyone. I do not agree with the statement made next, that its impossible for a guy to be monogamous. That its not in the nature of males to be with one person.

BULL!!!! If we are the higher life form on this planet and have evolved to what we would like to refer to as a civilized society. Then I will have to assume we are above behaving like animals. We have brains and we reason and think. So there for, its a matter of self discipline, self respect, and consideration for our partners. The problem I have with the above mentioned mentality, is the thinking that its a free pass to behave badly. Its saying, well I'm a guy, all guys are dogs, so what do you expect. Well I expect you to think with the big brain above your waist.....I expect you to act like a man.....A HU-MAN, not an animal and treat me the same as I would treat you. If you choose not to be monogamous fine! I'm not saying you have to be. But just admit you aren't and be done with it. Instead of using some lame excuse as to why you don't have it in you to be faithful to the person your currently with.

Besides the obvious if you truly care for someone, remaining faithful to them shouldn't be a huge hardship. There are also the health risks you encounter by engaging in multiple partners. Not to mention the off chance you could reproduce and spread that joy that is YOU. And unless you decide to abstain completely, there is no birth control that I know of that is 100% effective against any of the above. So for those of you who think Monogamy is boring. Or the board game.. Don't be surprised at some point if you hear those three little words......... "Who's Your Daddy"?

Arts and Crafts...

This was sent to me by a friend in an email..Who received it from another friend and so on...I thought it was pretty funny and wanted to share it......

Good Intentions ....


Teachers' good intentions go amuck!!! An elementary school class started a class project to make a planter to take home to their parents. They wanted to have a plant in it that was easy to take care of, so they decided to use cactus plants. The students were given green ware pottery planters in the shape of a clown which they painted with glaze. The clown planters were professionally fired at a class outing so they could see the process. It was great fun. They place cactus seeds in the finished planters and they grew nicely. But unfortunately the children were not allowed to take them home. The cactus plants were removed and small ivy replaced them and the children were then allowed to take them home instead. The teacher said cactus seemed like a good idea at the time!

See planters below..

This Isnt For Everyone Just A Few...

If your mother taught you manners and to be considerate of others around you. This is not for you. If you have self respect and an IQ that is more than a single digit. This is not for you. But.....If you're motto in life is "Tell her lies and feed her candy" in your approach to women. Its YOU I'm talking to.

I have to tell you, I'm fed up with you. I am tired of you grabbing my ass as I walk by. I am tired of you approaching me and asking me if I would like to perform a sexual act for you. I am tired of being called a Bitch when I ball up my little fist and hit you in the jaw for grabbing said ass. By the way that didn't happen until you were repeatedly asked to knock off for mentioned behavior.

I guess some people don't know the meaning of the word NO. I realize women have notoriously sent mixed signals to men over the years. I however, am not one of those women, and since you didn't see me behaving all shy, coyly giggling when this all occurred, you can pretty much bet I wasn't flirting with you. My NO, actually means NO. If you want to run through women like a box of Kleenex, and you can find women willing to listen to that crap, then by all means, more power to you. I however, am not that girl.

Just for the record, because I turned you down, doesn't mean I must be a lesbian or frigid. I have nothing against lesbians. I am just not attracted to women sexually. Nor am I frigid. Far from it. When the right person comes along, I can assure you, I will know exactly what to do and how to show him how I feel. I am a person who wants more from sex than a one night stand. I expect more from a guy than a bunch of games and lines.

I can not speak for every woman in the world. I do not want to. I am but one person with my own opinions and views of this world. So all of the above is only how I feel. BUT, if this is all you have to offer me is your knuckle dragging, ass grabbing sexual lines and innuendo. Then keep your ass walking by me, I am not worth your time. I am not the kind of girl who feels the need to run to her boyfriend or another guy friend to tell him all about how you were rude to me. I like to handle situations for myself. So don't take my lack of reporting your behavior as a sign that I liked it. Take it more as a sign that I hate a lot of "DRAMA". I realize part of the problem is that there are some girls out there who think YOU are just too cute and are actually flattered to have you approach them in this manner. I just wish they were wearing name tags so you could identify which ones were going to love your attempts and leave me the hell alone.

You know, its easy to find someone who wants your body. Its harder to find someone who wants your heart. Id rather have a guy who wants the latter. The guy who's going to get me to melt like butter is the one who's willing to touch my heart, not trying grab my ass. Someone who wants to treat me like I'm more to him than just his flavor of the week.

To all of you guys out there who get what I'm talking about and understand...Thank you for your patience and you're manners and your quiet understanding. When I meet you in public I may not always comment on these qualities, but make no mistake they are noticed and I admire you for them.

Who Am I? This Is What I Know So Far

WHO AM I? Well I'm most definitely southern.....Born and raised. The twang in my ya'll will tell you that.
I am blonde.....And while I may occasionally appear reality challenged. I'm not totally insane.
I'm a fisher-mam....I can bait my own hook, remove the fish, and cast my own line. Although I am slightly competitive. Ok, maybe a little more than slightly. I have a deep need to either catch the biggest or the most fish. And if I don't, well its not pretty. I used to fish a lot more often till my grandma's pond disappeared one night into a sink hole. Water. Fish everything gone. Nothing left but a row boat and a big hole. It was traumatic.
I love words....And now because of some people, I wont mention any names (AJT). I believe I am severely addicted to blogging. I'm thinking a 12 step program of some kind is in order.
I love taking pictures.....I will probably be annoying all my family and friends by having a camera with me pretty much 24/7. If your around me its probably a Kodak moment.
I am fiercely loyal.... To my friends and my family. Even the insane ones. And while I have a few issues with trust, lying really pisses me off. I try and stay hopeful.
I am low matainance.....Or at least I think I am. I'm ok with going to Mickey D's. That's fine dining to me. I enjoy simple things, Hanging out with my friends sitting around a fire, telling lies and laughing. I'm definitely a jeans and t-shirt girl.
I have dreams for the future......But I just don't know what they are yet. Right now, I'm just a non-profit slacker. Because lets face it, being a slacker doesn't pay real well. I do however excel at it. And I feel that even though there's no profit, being a slacker provides an valuable service to the world. With out slackers, all of the over achievers out there would have no measure of their success. After all, how can you tell how far you have climbed up on the ladder if you don't know where the bottom is? Hello...That's me...That's right...No applause necessary but cards and letters are more than welcome.
OH and I don't take myself too seriously...I think that's good advise for anyone. The END.