THIS IS MY BLOG! It will contain whatever *I* want to say. Remember, you are a GUEST. If you have some mental problem with my topics, words or personality, I suggest you click off my site and find something better to do on the Web.
Play nicely, or I will advertise your logged IP here for spammers to catch, along with banning it.
I am proud to announce she is well on her way to becoming a puter potato, also. Of course, that may have something to do with her chatting with R and I via AIM. She also downloaded YAHOO Messenger, which R also has, and got to see our ugly mugs on our video cam. It has been decided by R that Lulu needs a Web cam, too. I concur, since Lulu also wants a digital camera and they can usually double as a Web cam. Maybe Santa needs a letter...
K's 2 friends, who used to live behind us, came over about lunchtime and I immediately invited them to spend the night. K is in 7th heaven! You know what? I am thrilled they are here, too. Those two girls are sweet, polite and very well-behaved. YAY!
I am experimenting with making necklaces now. Maybe pics tomorrow. Honest opinions needed.
Time for Sim and I to go walk off a few calories and enjoy the end-of-summer air! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/31/2002 07:53:00 PM
Friday, August 30, 2002
I feel quite apprehensive about going out for the next few days, especially with K. Something really strange happened today that, for lack of a better explanation, has forewarned about approaching bad karma. I hate when my mental skeletons manage to pick the locks in the crowded, dark and dismal closet I have provided them rentfree.
K and I went shopping today for the last of her school needs. While erranding, we bopped into WalMart for laundry detergent (me) and socks (her.) As I browsed the bead aisle, a song suddenly started blaring from the neighboring electronic area. It startled me, not just the loud volume, but the fact that the song was just beginning.
It was a song that long ago, made me smile. A song that he dedicated to me. A song I hadn't heard for 12 years. I listened while bittersweet memories of the man with red hair flooded back. When it ended, I shrugged them away.
Not even 30 minutes later, as we headed to Meijer, a song came on the radio. My heart must have skipped a beat. "Lady in Red," by Chris DeBurgh, played while my stomach churned thinking back to the man with red hair. It's really not uncommon to hear the tune, and typically, I never give it much thought.
Today was different. That had been "our song." Coupled with just hearing, "Chantilly Lace," that trip down memory lane still has me feeling uneasy.
And I take my unsettling feelings very seriously. They have proved themselves at the strangest times, like when I once called R at work about 11 p.m. and found out he had just been seriously injured and rushed to the ER (they weren't even out of the driveway when I rang.) Like my fear of May for accidents. Like the time I HAD to go down a certain road to see my brother and ended up discovering where my parents had moved. Like so many other peculiar occurences in my life, my locked-away mental skeletons act as warning.
Of course, it probably is just a freak coincidence. Or so my skeletons are whispering. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/30/2002 11:44:00 PM
Friday Five. Have a great weekend!
1. What's your favorite piece of clothing that you currently own? I think it would have to be my silk "shells," AKA sleeveless tank shirts, which I have in a variety of colors: pink, tan, green, orange, yellow and white.
2. What piece of clothing do you most want to acquire? Dunno, I am not that fashion-bound.
3. What piece of clothing can you not bring yourself to get rid of? Why? Longevity-wise, I cannot get rid of a FLOURESCENT yellow pullover sweatshirt that I made in 9th grade Home Ec. It's about 17 years old. I haven't worn it in years (Geez, I wonder why?!!? lolol), but it still hangs in my closet and gets washed every season.
4. What piece of clothing do you look your best in? teehee I'm vain, so anything shorts/pants that says size 5 or less.
5. What has been your biggest fashion accident? This one is probably better left to my friends to answer. Of course, if you go in my closet, I still have an 80s lace mini-skirt from high school. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/30/2002 05:18:00 AM
I used to hang out at iVillage quite a bit and was a Community Leader on a ground-breaking message board I helped create several years ago. I had a ball for the first two years and made quite a few great friends in the process. Unfortunately, now there are too many trolls on iV and they no longer discourage the disruptive antics out of fear of losing members. My board is still quite popular, but doesn't make it to my list of priorities like before.
I'm just glad I let my iV e-mail lapse a few months ago and that I never used it for anything but freebies. teehee Too bad the lady in the article from Fenton didn't think do the same. DOH! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/29/2002 10:49:00 PM
Tuesday's This-or-That shamelessly lifted from Cybertoad: 1. Sesame Street or Captain Kangaroo? "Sesame Street" ruled, Capt K was such a dork.
2. Muppet Show or Fraggle Rock? "Muppet Show"!!!! Still love them!
3. He-Man or Jem? I must have missed these
4. The Smurfs or Muppet Babies? The "Smurfs," Muppet Babies was plain ol' dumb and forced
5. Archie or Josie & the Pussycats?? Must have missed these, too
6. H.R. Pufnstuf or The Banana Splits? Again, must have missed these, but R has told me he LOVED H.R. Pufnstuf.
7. The Partridge Family or The Brady Bunch? "Brady Bunch" was my fave, Shawn Cassidy did nothing for me.
8. Happy Days or Welcome Back Kotter? "Happy Days," I adored Potsie
9. Punky Brewster or Small Wonder? "Punky Brewster" and damn, that girl is grown up now!
10. The Facts of Life or Silver Spoons? Hey, I remember George Clooney and Sean Astin from their "Facts of Life" stints! Silver Spoons was too goofy with the rich-but-moronic dad. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/29/2002 07:35:00 AM
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
Stupid remarks I have heard recently: 1. My college-graduate sister-in-law recently posed the question, "Which do you believe in: evolution or creationism?" I was dumbfounded when she proclaimed her beliefs in creationism because "there is no proof of any other species evolving!" Oddly enough, she also stated that no other specie has developed a form of communication. OK, I'm lost as to what a bark, howl and growl are to a dog then!
2. My mother proclaiming that smokers, who recently faced a new tax hike for their product, are unfairly being picked on for their own choice. Sorry, Mother, but your choice to smoke CAN affect others around you, unlike that bag of Oreo cookies you just ate (her comparison is junk food.) I completely agree that cancer is mostly genetic, BUT it is possible to mutate genes with prolonged exposure. If I develop cancer, maybe I should sue my parents, my dad smoked 2 packs of Camels a day and my mom often smoked Pall Malls. Plus, my brothers were ALLOWED to smoke from the time they were 9...I didn't smoke and with my luck, I will die from cancer. (Side note: I still want to be an organ donor.) 3. The local weatherperson reported, "it is going to be partly cloudy until the clouds move out and it will become mostly sunny later when the sun is out." Uh...you think? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/28/2002 10:09:00 PM
OK, so the Detroit Tigers suck, but that puts a great spin on the impending strike because, well, most Michiganders gave up on baseball years ago! So, instead of the bru-ha-ha other baseball towns are going thru, the dismal feelings about their teams, the potential playoffs, etc., we just aren't experiencing it.
Our baseball coverage is focused on retiring play-by-play announcer Ernie Harwell EARLY. Forget the crappy Tigers, we have our own legend in Ernie, who has sat in our broadcast booth for us for 42 seasons. And to think, his career has spanned more than 7 decades! Geez, I feel YOUNG!
I have never been a baseball fan, even when I dated a fanatic and had to watch the games and help sort the collector cards, but everyone here knows and loves Ernie. In all honesty, HE is more the icon than the game or players. When management fired him in 1991, the fans were furious and when the team sold a few years later, Harwell was immediately rehired. Harwell, not the players, has kept the fans, HIS loyal fans, coming back year after year.
Probably few outside Michigan know him, but he has plenty of interesting tidbits, like:
1. He is the ONLY broadcaster to be traded for a player;
2. He was the fifth broadcaster to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;
3. He has had recorded (by other musicians) many songs he has written;
4. As a child, he had a problem with speaking clearly;
5. His wife's name is Lulu. (YAY!)
He will be missed, far more than the Detroit players. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/28/2002 06:50:00 AM
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
These won't be making it on my GEO blog! Brad and Cody, 8-25-02 Rick and Mike (the Hagrid look-alike), 8-25-02 Karina's first day of 7th grade, 8-26-02 Scott and Jo, 8-25-02 Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/27/2002 05:51:00 PM
Today is our first day into our normal school routine: I am back at work and K is in school all day.
Yesterday's trip to the mall was initially just to leave Sim home alone for a few hours to help him adjust, he has had us around him all summer. Unlike the kitties, he is quite a bit more dependent upon us, not to mention, I am a natural "home-body," going out to the grocery store is almost an event! (I always stock up on food during the spring for the summer months.) Considering Sim's history of abandonment, I still worry about him feeling unloved and neglected.
Of course, he is far from those days, more than a year now, but still, I worry. And it's not like he is ALONE, he has his four kitties to keep him company. It is a huge change from following the kids and me around all day for the past 10 weeks!
While I type this entry, my other little wannabee-guilt-trip, Tux, is busily snuggling up for a nap on my left shoulder.
Typical mothermode: now I feel lousy for moving because it is time for K to get up! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/27/2002 06:07:00 AM
Monday, August 26, 2002
K had a great first day of school. She likes her teachers, happily will have the same locker partner and got to catch up with more than a few friends she never contacted over the summer.
Her clothes, of course, were carefully selected and perfectly laid out Sunday night. Those typical loop-de-looping butterflies kept her wide awake for an hour, so she thought up other new outfits to wear this week.
All those plans flew, just like those pesky butterflies, out the window because, after I dropped her off for her first 3-hour day, I went to the mall and bought her a pair of white capris, fuschia jean shorts and a white-flowered skort, plus two sleeveless shirts, one lime green with a few fushia flowers and the other a shiny blue. Not only does she love them all, but they ALL fit, too!
Friday Five: 1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not? Besides Mom and wife, I am a parttime personal assistant to a journalist. Yes, this is what I have chosen for now, it is fun and interesting and I adore my boss personally, as well as professionally.
2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be? Dream occupations rarely ever stay that way, so I don't look in those terms. (I've worked with plenty of jerks who ruined a great work atmosphere.)
3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices? My father was tool and die, my mom was parttime in non-skilled jobs until I was a teen. I cannot say they influenced my decisions.
4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family? Yes, that is how I got into my current position. R pretty much made told me to quit the job I was miserable in and he wanted to take care of me. It worked for a few months, but I missed the socialization and HE started to drive me up the wall. lol He wasn't gone for 3 hours on a biz trip before I had called the ad (ONLY ONE AD, TOO) in the local paper...that was 5 years ago.
5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why?Again, I know better than to believe the fairy tale of the grass being greener...many people assume cashiering or answering phones is easy, but they don't realize how hard it is to deal with the public constantly. I am not so arrogant that I will claim to comprehend the intricacies and pressures of 99.9% of the jobs out there. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/23/2002 05:37:00 AM
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Notice that I have been a bit busy this morning? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/22/2002 01:00:00 PM
Wednesday, August 21, 2002
I think Garth Brooks has a song for everyone, and I don't just mean, "Friends in Low Places," either.
There are a few that make me remember or appreciate people in my life, like
"The River," reminds me to keep my dreams alive;
"Unanswered Prayers," reminisces over the stupidity of my high school years;
"If Tomorrow Never Comes," treasures everyone in my life
and "The Dance," makes me remember how much Rob taught me about The Real World.
Of course, I cannot forget to mention that R can play "In Lonesome Dove" on his guitar and sounds just like Garth, too.
One tune, She's Gonna Make It reminds me of Lulu, one of the strongest women I know. Every time I hear the song, my heart dedicates it to her, which may sound stupid, but you obviously don't know Lulu.
"After seven years of marriage
He wanted out
Now after seven months of freedom
It's clear that there's no doubt
She's gonna make it
And he never will
He's at the foot of the mountain
And she's over that hill
He's sinkin' at sea
And her sails are filled
She's gonna make it
And he never will
And you know it's not like she's forgot about him
She's just dealing with the pain
And the fact that she's survived so well without him
You know it's driving him insane." Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/21/2002 05:46:00 PM
Unions.
My father, a tool-and-die man, never believed in them and refused to join, even though he lost out on a few well-paying jobs (shop employees were mandated to join.) His experience was that unions, nearly a "four-letter word," were a complete waste of time and money and he never regretted his decision. "Bloodsuckers" was his exact term.
R has been in a union for more than 10 years now and with his experiences, I definitely have to say my father's opinion was a bullseye. The union that R's shop belongs to SUCKS. Here are a few examples:
1. When scheduled contracts come around, the Union will not get involved in negotiations until the week before the deadline.
2. When they get involved, the Union bullies the employees into what they will/won't negotiate like health insurance and paycuts. Those, to the Union, are not as important as start times and uniforms. HUH?!!?
3. During one hearing several years ago, regarding a psycho employee being fired "without cause," R's fellow union members who testified on the company's behalf were warned, by the Union Rep, that they needed to remember the idiot who was fired was their "brother" and what they said could affect their standing with the Union. Mind you, the psycho who was fired had threatened to kill many of the employees there, including R (w howas his immediate boss), and in particular, had specifically threated to rape and murder the 8-year-old daughter of another employee, who he hated for being Native American, in front of more than a dozen other guys. Grievances were filed on the incidents, and the Union defended the psycho. He was finally fired more than a year later for repeated safety offenses and insubordination.
4. Since R's company got bought out last spring, there has been a huge problem with the pension funds. The contract specifically states the percentage of money to be put in per employee, per hour, by the company. This has not been done AND the employees have found out that they cannot touch or move their money or even end their voluntary contributions, either. The union said to give them "time," but 6 months later, NOTHING has been resolved. This is SEVERELY affecting their retirement funds. Litigation should be pursued ASAP!
Too many times in the past, the union has rolled over and played dead. R is trying to get the guys to look at ditching this union, but they are afraid of it being the same situation with another. As little as this union has done, maybe they need to think about going NON-union, but more than a few people are worried about losing their seniority. Sure, it is scary, but working in a meritless shop sucks, too.
I wonder if the Union might be whipped into shape with a bit of warning that they may be replaced? Maybe, temporarily, we could downgrade them from "bloodsuckers" to "parasites"? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/21/2002 06:38:00 AM
Tuesday, August 20, 2002
This-or-That: August 20, 2002 , courtesy of Ailurophile.
1. CandyLand or Chutes and Ladders? Chutes and Ladders, it wasn't babyish.
2. Barbie or GI Joe? Barbie
3. Play-Doh or Silly Putty? Play-Doh was more fun, Silly Putty got boring.
4. Lincoln Logs or Tinkertoys? Lincoln Logs. Tinkertoys, like Legos, were not allowed by my mother.
5. The Game of Life or Monopoly? Monopoly. Just played it with K on Sunday, too!
6. Etch-a-Sketch or Lite-Brite? Etch-a-sketch. Still have one around the house.
7. The Slinky: metal or plastic? Metal.
8. Easy-Bake Oven or Sno-Cone Machine? Sno-cone machine, which my sister had. The Oven wasn't allowed due to safety concerns.
9. Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars? Hot Wheels.
10. Spirograph or Paint-by-Numbers? Spirograph. I still have one.
I sweep my floor with a broom then, wash my tiled kitchen and laundry room floors on my hands with a rag (usually an old holey sock - that has been through the wash) and a bowl, not bucket, of soapy water. This is a cheap and fast way to get my floors clean, the soap is just Dawn or Joy.
A big reason, which I never confronted until it was suggested that *I* use a "Swiffer," is that reusing a rag and simple dishsoap is environmentally good. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any type of info on Swiffer pads being biodegradeable.
"Swiffer," to me, makes as much sense as buying those jars of peanut butter and jelly combined, when you are already buying a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly.
Convenience isn't always a hyped new product and convenience shouldn't overrule common sense. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/19/2002 03:28:00 PM
Many women in the world NEED my worthy advice, so I have decided to write a book filled with my witty bits of knowledge.
Title: The Second Wive's Bible Chapters include:
1. This doesn't seem so bad - first dates with a man who has children. He's sweet, single and heterosexual. He talks about his darling children and brings pictures.
2. Meeting the Psycho X - they all have them. You are officially The New Girlfriend. BE AWARE: she won't be anything you ever imagined. Her nice comments are tinged with sarcasm and she will "warn" you about the guy. Do not under-estimate this first meeting, it will, most likely, define your entire relationship with her. Believe me, ONE thing she does/says will be worthy of an entire dinner conversation with your girlfriends.
3. Second thoughts - reality of dating a man with his children. Let's go out becomes let's take the kids with us! This can be a bit too cozy in the first few months, not just for you, but for the Psycho X, who will hear all about it from the excited kids.
4. She said/she said - subsequent dealings with the Psycho X. The joys of finding out all you have done wrong with HER darling children. You WILL be blamed for very cold and bellyache they experience from now on. This is quite humorous when she decides she doesn't want Another Woman with her children, despite living with the guy she cheated with during her marriage. Threats of "Going back to Court!" abound.
5. Reality TV - NOT! Those little cutie-pies are now learning showing their little devil horns and DAMMIT! Walmart won't take them back without a receipt. A few months of this and you will be sending in a tape of your typical day to "Survivor" and offering the kids as ideas for "Fear Factor." You know the kids are thinking, "You ARE the weakest link! G'bye!" every time they look at you. You feel like a failure and know the REAL meaning behind, "Family Feud." Jerry Springer is a nice respite from the world outside your dates with The Man You Love.
That's all for now. More later. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/19/2002 08:41:00 AM
Fellow DVD geeks: A great link to new release dates: IGM.com
I am already doing up my birthday and Christmas wish lists for R and the kids. This way, he will have plenty of time to MEMORIZE it, more than 3 months, in case he forgets it again this year when he does the shopping. teehee
And I see a few DVDs that will end up under the tree or in stockings for my loved ones... Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/18/2002 06:10:00 PM
Friday, August 16, 2002
I just got back from Oakland County, where I had to run a few errands and make a drop at Goodwill. (Don't worry, Bethany, I'll have all the tax receipts and itemizations for your mom by the time I start back! :-)
Decided to hit WalMart, since R is working late again.
Saw something really cool in Walmart that most people in southeastern Michigan, actually, probably most of the state, would call me a liar for saying...
There was an Amish family shopping inside. No, there wasn't a horse and buggy outside, either.
Amish in Oakland County (population over 1 million) is like finding an M&M in your Hershey's bar (guess who is PMSing and fiending for chocolate?) It's like going to the Oscars and finding someone who hasn't had plastic surgery or Botox injections. It's like the odds of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightening on your birthday at the exact moment you were born.
The closest Amish town is at least 100 miles from here, so this is NOT typical. My wonderful friend, Bethany, a lifelong metro Detroiter and yearly Shipshewana adventurer, thought it was cool to meet an Amish family waiting for a DR appointment at University of Michigan. (So did I, of course!) She is going to be sooooooo envious! teehee (Maybe they were here for the Woodward Dream Cruise?)
The whole family looked absolutely terrified, so I have a distinct feeling it was their first time in a Walmart. No, I didn't stare, unlike most other curious shoppers, but I did make eye contact with the mother and daughter and smiled at them. Still, they looked afraid of the busy store, but I hope they felt more at ease.
I remember my first visit to a Walmart...YIKES! I grew up going to a large mall, but that was not as overwhelming as the variety, prices and pace of Walmart. (Let's not mention the general rudeness, either.)
Seeing Amish is not usually a big deal to me, since we regularly drive through Amish areas of Michigan, like Gladwin and Mio. I have seen buggies at McDonald's, OK?
We campered near Evart earlier this year and a large group of Amish men and women came paddling up on one of the canoe trips offered. The Amish ladies were in their long, dark skirts and long-sleeved shirts and stared at the girls and boys playing in the river in halter tops, shorts and bathing suits. The kids did not giggle or point, even though some had never before seen the culture firsthand.
What a refreshing thought...Amish in Oakland county.
OMG, but no buggies on the freeways, Telegraph or Woodward, OK?!!? ;-) Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/16/2002 05:52:00 PM
Top 5 reasons why I don't like our new neighbors 5. They do not spay/neuter their cats, which meant kittens in April.
4. They let their 5 cats/kittens out to roam the neighborhood: dig up my flower beds, crap in my yard, cry near our windows.
3. They put their 3 constantly yapping dogs out most of the day/evening. The dogs bark at birds, planes and any person they can see.
2. They purposely killed the beautiful flower gardens, even mowed some down!
1. While mowing their yard on the rider, mom likes to let her 1-year-old bounce happily on her knee. UGH!!! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/16/2002 12:18:00 PM
Yay! Lulu prepared her own Friday Five: 1. What is your favorite CARTOON or favorite CARTOON CHARACTER? Dilbert
2. What is your favorite SONG from preschool/elementary school? "I'm a little teapot"
3. Do you know what an OTTER POP is? yep!
4. Which is better: REAL PUDDING made on a stove or PREPACKAGED/READY MADE PUDDING? Prepackaged or instant. Pudding made on a stove is nasty!
5. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO? strawberry banana
How interesting...found on FARK: Vatican secret files I need to brush up on my Italian...RATS! I only know Spanish and French. Oh well, close enough!
CAP reviews the movie, "xXx" Facial piercings and tattoos in their category, "Impudence/hate." Oh, the horror of children seeing such things! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/16/2002 06:05:00 AM
No Friday Five this week, so I shamelessly stole "Tuesday's This-or-That" from Cybertoad's Blog on Life.
1. Dr. Seuss characters: the Cat in the Hat or the Grinch? Grinch
2. "Anne of Green Gables" or "Little Women"? "Little Women"
3. Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys? Hardy Boys, when I moved to a new school in 3rd grade, the teacher tried to forbid the girls from HB and the boys from ND. I had read all the ND books already, so I was the first allowed to cross over
4. Winnie the Pooh characters: Tigger or Eeyore? Tigger
5. Which author: Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary? Judy Blume, btwn K and I, we have almost every one of her books.
6. Roald Dahl books: "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" (Willy Wonka) or "James & the Giant Peach"? James and the Giant Peach was my favorite book for many years and I own the movie twice…one was opened for the kids, the other is still sealed.
7. "Harry Potter" or "The Wizard of Oz"? Harry Potter
8. Curious George or Madeline? Curious George
9. "A Wrinkle in Time" or "Little House on the Prairie"? "A Wrinkle in Time" is something K and I love to discuss!
10. Dr. Seuss again: "Horton Hears a Who" or "The Lorax"? I don’t remember either, so my choice is for The Lorax, since I despised a guy named Horton.
Side note: Cybertoadis another great blog to read and has a sweeeeet design! Check it out! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/16/2002 05:19:00 AM
Bloghopped while IMing Lulu and found another hilarious and completely unPC blog. Trust me, it's worth checking out! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/15/2002 03:26:00 PM
I am pretty big on respectfully addressing people, but it seems, like with many people, including Leonardo DiCaprio, even the media is becoming laissez faire on courtesy.
So often, I hear during a news report or article, "Mr. Bush," when referring to our president. Is this a new AP or Reuters guideline? As a personal assistant to a journalist, I have become quite informed on the style rules of the AP. It sounds disrespectful to not use his official title, "President Bush." (As I always say, I didn't vote for him, but he is our President.)
Interestingly, there is a week-long celebration for Elvis Presley's DEATH (by illegal drugs, nonetheless) and HE is constantly being called, "The King," in the news. (BTW, I am a huge Elvis fan.) Interestingly, England's royals titles ALWAYS precede their first names in our media, also...Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William.
Yet this same courtesy is not extended to our leaders, federal, state and local. Is it because of political leanings or just plain ol' laziness? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/15/2002 06:07:00 AM
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
I have officially signed up at Have you? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/14/2002 10:33:00 AM
Over the weekend, I bought 3 China place settings believing I could find more on the Net. Well, I'm stuck for now, because I thought the W on the back was for Waterford, but I cannot seem to find an Eloquence pattern by them. So, I am going to submit a photo to Replacements.com for their knowledgeable assistance. It may take a few weeks, but I am not in desperate need now, so once they determine what it is, they will put me on their auto-notify list for it. Brainless...I like!
I really should have known better though. My other pretty China has only four place settings (complete) and is nearly impossible to find and when I do...GULP! Hey, they weren't THAT expensive when purchased in 1989 at Mt. Clemens Pottery, which went out of biz a few years later when the employee buyout fell through. Luckily, my mom bought me the serving set also (as a gift for my engagement to the guy my mom still resents me for not marrying), but I really want 4-6 more place settings. Unfortunately, even with these pieces, which have been for sale for ages, I will only have two more complete settings. I am very proud of my unique China and really want to pass them down to K when she goes out on her own.
Homosexuality. It grinds me to hear intolerance and prejudice. Honestly, what biz is it of yours or mine what other CONSENTING ADULTS do in their own bedroom?
1. Two men holding hands is NOT throwing homosexuality in your face, any more than a man and a woman doing the same thing. If you don't like it, don't stare. Their actions aren't bothering you, your REACTION is bothering you.
2. "Normal" is entirely subjective and holds no merit. My "normal" is not Lulu's "normal" and we are both heterosexual. Ditto for "values." Careful what dirt you throw, it tends to come back as mud.
3. Wanna claim religious beliefs? How about, "Let he without sin cast the first stone." Didn't Jesus befriend prostitutes? Remember, if you think God created everything and it's all His Will, then you have to believe he created homosexuality and it's His Will for some people to be homosexual, too.
4. So, you think being homosexual is "a choice"? Then, of course, you have to believe that heterosexuality is a choice, too. You made YOUR choice and expect it to be respected and tolerated, so give that respect and tolerance to others.
5. Homosexuality does not equal pedophile just like heterosexuality does not equal rapist. Not exactly rocket science, eh?
I used to believe in capital punishment, but now I have to wonder.
Unfortunately, I don't believe in the system to implement it. Millions of dollars for the appeals process, a dozen or more years waiting and still, justice may never happen.
Metro Detroit is chattering about trying to put it to the voters. There have been too many police officers killed in the last few years, so it may be a specific death penalty. NOT for child molesters/abusers, serial rapists or even mass murderers, NOPE, this one would ONLY be for those convicted of murdering public safety employees: cops, firemen and EMT workers.
I have a REAL problem with this, I do believe they are tragedies, but what about those who rape and/or kill a child? What about child pornographers? Rapists of the elderly? Psychotic murderers? Drunk/drugged up drivers with suspended licenses that kill entire families?
I am sorry to say that I could not support limiting the death penalty to public safety workers. I want it to be "equal opportunity."
I believe there are MANY MANY people who should not have the right to live because of things they have done, like taking away the right to live from someone else (except for personal protection.) These people should NEVER walk in society again. These people should not have even simple comforts like mattresses, cable TV and family visits. And definitely NO cigarettes!
Let the pedophiles and rapists live naked in a room together. ENJOY!
And, yes, I have a former step-Uncle who is in prison for murder. Like Charles Manson, he has enjoyed infamy with the book written about him and the retelling of his gruesome and terrible deed in the news over the past three decades.
Disgusting. He should have been given capital punishment as he doled out: death by dismemberment. Unfortunately, he'd probably still be in appeals today, 20 years later, despite his admission of guilt.
FridayFive.org 1. Do you have a car? If so, what kind of car is it? I have a SWEET1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with a V-8, but we also have a conversion van and a little red lunchbox-Subaru.
2. Do you drive very often? Close to every day.
3. What's your dream car? I have it, I always wanted a Jeep...since high school!
4. Have you ever received a ticket? Yep, but ONLY when I was in an accident, which I fought and won.
5. Have you ever been in an accident? Yep, including as a passenger, more than I care to remember. Actually got into two accidents on the same date in May two years in a row, the following year, I stayed off the road that day and got into an accident 2 days later. I feared May for several years (twice I was hit by MEN drivers running red lights when I had a green arrow.) Another time, I was in a head-on accident with a drunk driver when I was pregnant with K and my mom was driving. In high school, I was in my sister's car when a Brinks truck made a right turn into her...from the left turn lane. Etc. etc. and so on...
Getting ready to head out of town this afternoon for another long weekend. You know, I think I should have renamed this blog, "Another Long Weekend," for the summer. Maybe next year...NOT!
C is in a heap of trouble for sneaking a bunch of his GOOD summer clothes (about $50 worth) up to his mom's and leaving them there. (He carries a backpack for his CD player, CDs, etc.) I was packing for everyone and asked him to grab his jean shorts and shirts...NOPE, they are gone. He claims ONLY his mom bought him jean shorts. WHAT?!!? I still have the freakin' receipts! "Oh, well, I thought..." he tried to say. Uh, yeah, you THOUGHT you wouldn't get caught!
Now, all he has are the staying-around-the-house stuff, but with the reunion and other events, he NEEDS those clothes TODAY! So, instead of getting all pissy, I have informed him that he is going to replace those clothes for here with his leftover birthday money. As luck has it, we are heading to WalMart in a few minutes, too. He is NOT happy and wants to call his mom, so she can send them to us...but WHERE?!!? Unless they go Overnight (which would cost as much as the shorts!), it would be Saturday p.m. before they arrive. Going by their house will put us several hours behind schedule.
So, this is HIS responsibility. I am sick and tired of this same stunt every season. And just because he is buying the replacements, doesn't mean he gets to take them to his mom's, either. He NEEDS to have clothes here, too. NICE clothes, not stained Tshirts and cheap elastic shorts for doing yardwork.
The joys of being a stepMOMster! lol Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/07/2002 11:58:00 AM
Tuesday, August 06, 2002
I got out and voted today for our gubernatorial primary and some local issues on the ballot. (Side note: We are still on the "chad" system here. After 2000, it brings a bit of humor to the voting process.)
The decision process is very diverse in our household. I have been researching the candidates and their views on different issues (abortion, taxes, SS, etc.), past records, qualifications, etc. in order to make my choice. I'm not loyal to any party. R, on the other hand, votes pro-NRA only. That is his important issue.
It is hilarious that Gramma often refers to me as a "Republican," like it is synonymous with "serial killer." To be honest, I vote more Democrat.
She refuses to comprehend that R may be more of a Republican than me for two reasons:
1. He belongs to a union
2. Their family would NEVER raise a Republican!
If Charles Manson ran for Prez on the Democrat party ticket against John McCain, a Republican, she'd vote for Manson. She looks ONLY at a candidate's political party when making her choice and forgives ANYONE claiming to be a Democrat for their bad deeds (honestly, she defends Gary Condit and blames Republicans for him even having an affair with Chandra Levy!) Similarly, I know plenty of Republicans who vote only on the party, not on the issues. I don't like doing that, it tends to come back and bite ya when the shit hits the fan.
I did my civic duty and enjoyed it, but damn, I'm sure not looking forward to the nasty campaigning yet to come. YUCK! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/06/2002 02:19:00 PM
Monday, August 05, 2002
My parents have broken their own record: 3 of their 4 kids are not on speaking terms with them, just my sister is left. So much for me being different! **snicker** Kind of explains why my mom was desperately trying to carry on a friendly chit-chat with me today when I picked K up. No thank you, civil conversation is ENOUGH for me!
Yep, both kids are back now. K was gone for a week to my parents, C was gone for 5 days with his mom. I missed them, it's a weird adjustment and like always, I stretched myself too thin every single day. Sim and the kitties loved having me all to themselves during the day, though!
My mother is just pathetic. In a strange way, I know I've earned respect from her because I've been able keep my distance from everyone for years at a stretch, just like them. I'm not "weak." She thinks I'm holding a grudge. I'm not, because it'd be too hard to decide which grudge to keep! It's just never going to be a healthy situation and it's a waste of energy to even try anymore.
I know a huge part has to do with the way my parents treated C the handful of times they met him. He was either invisible to them (not even a, hello,") or they acted like he was "The Enemy," out to replace K. Totally off-base, but my parents would never accept him and I won't tolerate it or subject him to it. Even today, C stayed in my Jeep while I loaded in K's stuff, but my mother wouldn't even smile at him.
I won't play their games or be put in a place to even watch them. I don't want anything from those people, not even a Christmas card. I don't want another Jerry Springer-type ruckus (which happened AGAIN, just last month, with my sister and parents vs. my brother and his wife, hence their current argument.)
On the bright side, it really makes the holidays so much easier and guilt-free in planning! This way, we only have one set of relatives to actually consider! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/05/2002 10:32:00 PM
Well, it's OFFICIAL: C is out of private school and back in the "cesspool" called Public School.
Time for him and his mother to eat a little crow, since they have been the BIGGEST bashers of public school education. Oh yes, they were complete snobs. She has tried to insult me and C has often tried to put down K for her education, but funny thing is, they are in the same grade and, minus religion, have covered nearly the same subjects and gotten close to the same grades! As for morality, that school was right on par with the rest of the nation for teen pregnancy, but far below for post-education, like college enrollment. They were not accredited by the state, so their students had to take additional tests to get into college.
In case you might have missed the national news report, R's X has again given her temporary blessing to public school and we are no longer terrible people raising stupid, out-of-control monsters, products of the public school system. Oh, yes, that pedestal has collapsed. (Conveniently forgotten is the fact that R's X only attended public school!)
Guess it's OK to use public school when parochial is "too inconvenient." You know, the high cost and time spent transporting, the time she was expected to volunteer to the school, but never did, unless it was a fun field trip. Hmmm... now public school parents aren't so lazy and cheap after all!
Now public school kids aren't so dumb after all.
Now public school kids aren't so immoral after all.
Now public school accreditation for later college/university enrollment is important.
Aren't you glad you got this Public Service Announcement? **snicker** Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/05/2002 10:49:00 AM
Sunday, August 04, 2002
Sim was an absolute hit and we had a great time! The word got out in a positive manner and Sim got a bunch of love and attention from kids and adults, who hoped they might get to adopt him. NOT A CHANCE! lol
Of course, ONE person had to try to cut down the entire breed, but she just made herself look like a moron.
This old witch (she looked like one, honest! About 60 with ratty hair and no kidding, wearing tight, black spandex shorts and NYLONS!) who ran a stand across from our table, right before I left, came up and asked what kind of dog Sim was, so I answered, but she cut me off and NASTILY said LOUDLY, "Oh, THOSE dogs are KILLERS!" And proceeded to rant how 30 years ago, they had one on their farm and it killed over 100 chickens before they caught it, there was no reason, he was well-fed, yada yada.
Yeah, she was QUITE the personable vendor (a few customers LITERALLY walked away because she was rude to them), so I can just imagine her with a dog! Kinda funny, she had to ASK what kind of dog, though...despite our huge sign with our name on the front of the table! DUH!
I flat out told her I'd never heard of such a thing and asked her a bunch of questions, which she didn't like at all. The dog was an outdoor dog, "but...but...but he could come in! He could have been an indoor dog." Yeah, OK. She never said where she got the dog or what exactly happened to it, but I think they killed it because they "got RID of it!"
After she left, I chatted with the gal at the booth next to me and we were both incredulous, but completely disbelieving. The dog ate 100 chickens before they caught him? Not very attentive owners, eh? C'mon, the dog would have had to have gained A LOT of weight (she specifically said, "he was well-fed, there was no reason!") A pure WHITE dog and no blood for them to see on his coat? GIMME A BREAK! Sim got spagetti sauce all over his face and front paws and it was in a DISH! He didn't even have to hold it down! (Side note: that was the FIRST and LAST time for spagetti sauce, lolol!)
Our general consensus was: Bad dog, BAD OWNERS! We both just thought SHE was a BITCH! lolol
I am sure that if her dog had been GREAT, she'd have claimed total credit for him training, but when a pet is bad, OF COURSE, it's NEVER their fault! Gotta accept responsibility either way. Sim is a great dog, but that doesn't mean I don't need to watch him or keep him on a leash in public and an eye on him in our yard. I care about him to make sure he stays out of trouble, just like monitoring my kids.
Another funny was when some old crotchedly woman came up and asked, "Oh, why are THESE so special that they get their own rescue?" I told her that in Michigan, most every breed in the AKC has a specific rescue and I am representing ours. Like with everyone else, I stressed that WE are contacted by the shelters and controls because they don't want to put the dogs down and know we are very credible and will keep them until adopted out. She asked, "Well, why ANIMALS? There are a lot of people out there who need help!" And I said, "There are plenty of organizations to help people and our preference to making a difference is with these abused and often neglected dogs." She just huffed and walked away. **snicker** She sure wasn't getting an apology out of me!
R. said I should have told her, "Some people help people, some people help animals and some people help no one but themselves. Which category are YOU in?"
I am still thrilled at how well the event turned out. Those two situations only made me feel more proud to be INVOLVED. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/04/2002 09:54:00 PM
Friday, August 02, 2002
I am sitting here printing out 100 biz cards for the festival I am attending tomorrow with Sim representing the organization we got him from last year. Our booth was approved this past week, so everything is a bit rushed.
Yesterday, I bought some magnets that I can affix the cards to and give those out, along with cupholders and brochures. I plan to make a collage of pics of Sim to decorate our table, also. Plus, I have a brochure that I need to print and will take to the copy shop on my way to the event. I enjoy volunteering my time and abilities designing and maintaining their two Web sites and taking pictures of the dogs. I sure don't think twice about putting out some of my money for the supplies and gas money. This is all to help find good, loving homes for abused and neglected/abandoned dogs. Sams still make such great companions!
The forecast is for a beautiful day and we are supposed to be under some trees, so the dogs should be cool. I plan to stay for 6 hours, and I am sure Sim will love the attention from kids and adults! He will definitely be smiling his adorable "Sam smile," which may be able to persuade potential families for our current dogs.
Happy Friday Five! 1. What is your lineage? Where are your ancestors from? Mexico, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Germany. Unfortunately, my mother lied until about 5 years ago about her heritage being from Spain, when her supposedly Alzheimer's-suffering father narc'd her out to my very prejudiced father, who informed us kids (ages 27-33), that our mother's "ancestors were nothing but pickers." (That was the night I stopped speaking to my parents, but mostly for other reasons.) The disgusted tone of my father's drunken voice told me to be ashamed because HE was. I still have my pride, except in my mother, who lied...she had told me years before that my great-grandmother was Mexican, but my bigoted father would have never even dated her if she'd admitted it to him. Now, she just says that SHE was lied to, but that doesn't explain MY previous knowledge.
2. Of those countries, which would you most like to visit? Mexico. It used to be Spain, though.
3. Which would you least like to visit? Why? Germany, I'm not too proud of their history last century. My best friend is Jewish, which makes it all worse. My extended relatives may have been Nazi-Hitler-loving monsters and murdered her ancestors. I have no pride in that nation or nationality.
4. Do you do anything during the year to celebrate or recognize your heritage? Can make tacos count?
5. Who were the first ancestors to move to your present country (parents, grandparents, etc)? I've heard my dad's side has been here in the U.S. for centuries, but my mom's side is more recent with my grandfather's parents swimming the Rio Grande in the 1920s and my grandmother's grandparents hitting Ellis Island around the turn of the century. Then again, this IS info from my mother, so I could be entirely wrong. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
8/02/2002 05:46:00 AM
Thursday, August 01, 2002
S-E-X.
Why are so many women obsessed with referring to SEX as "making love"? Why are they so offended by the term, "F*U*C*K"?
IMHO, using a fluffy word doesn't romanticize sex any more than a slang term degrades the act. I've heard women claim, "There is a big difference btwn having sex and making love. 'Sex' is with anybody, 'making love' is a spiritual bonding btwn a loving couple." It's like they feel guilty for having and enjoying sex, so they have to rename it.
SCREW THAT! (Pun intended.)
R and I don't "make love." We have SEX. LOTS of sex. GREAT sex.
And I enjoy SEX. Unabashedly and unapologetically.
Just a thought...you ever notice that a guy NEVER uses that phrase, "making love," unless his partner is right next to him?
