tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62340455727697593632024-03-13T05:33:06.618-05:00The Ponderables of LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-90443110353677267572016-09-21T09:31:00.001-05:002016-09-21T09:31:10.635-05:00Changes in lifeWell I am sure you would think that the title of this entry is going to be about menopause or something to that affect LOL... No, this is about the changes in your life, jobs, kids, relationships, you know, those things. The things that you don't always have control of occurring.<br />
<br />
This year is the BIG 50... It wasn't all that many years ago that the thought of turning 50 mortified me. I remember my parents at 50 and I DID NOT want to be OLD. Now that I have hit that mark? I am not old but neither am I my parents either...<br />
<br />
When my parents were my age, they were considerably more "settled". Go to work, come home, cook dinner, hang with the kids, go to bed by 10... My life is considerably more hectic than that... between studying for my real estate courses, starting a new sales job (because the other one left me BROKE), grandkids, kids, birthdays, holidays, and the usual work a day stuff. The only thing that parallels my parents life is being in bed by 10... For those of us that are terminal insomniacs, a structured bed time is a necessity.<br />
<br />
I would like to think that all this activity is what keeps me "young".. Maybe, or maybe it is just mind set. I am not ready for the rocking chair.. Hell, I am just hitting my stride.<br />
<br />
A couple of words of advice? Put your spouse or partner before anything. Don't let life get in the way. Do not get so busy making a life, that you forget to live. You risk some very unpleasant changes if you do. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-28775947908586956492016-01-18T11:14:00.001-06:002016-01-18T11:14:24.180-06:00Sometimes I wonder...Have you ever gone through a day thinking "sometimes I wonder"? <br /><br />Sometimes you deal with a lot of people that make you wonder how they even tie their own shoes.. I have looked at some people wondering how they managed to smile knowing how horrid their day or life is going at that exact moment.<br />
<br />
These days it is mostly reading another blog out there. Sometimes I wonder how he manages to put his words on paper knowing what the end is going to be. Telling the world how he feels and yet he still manages to find happiness and comfort in the most trying of circumstances. <br /><br />If you wonder about whom I am speaking, please take a minute and read through this blog. http://thislifeilive.com/scenes/<br />
<br />Go all the way to the beginning and read EVERY word and then come back and tell me how bad your day is. How tough your life is. How rough you have it. If you can, if you think you can somehow compare your suffering to that blog, then God love you for your strength. I cannot begin to image myself putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys if you must) when my father was breathing his last. There is no way on Gods green earth that I could have intelligently, articulately, and concisely tell you what I thought, felt, or even wanted at that time.<br />
<br />
Happiness is a choice. Acceptance of most things in this life are a choice. You are only in control of YOU.<br />
<br />
Life is what you make it. Make it a good one. If not for you, then for someone else.<br />
<br />
Life is too short to be unhappy. Thank you for that daddy. 15 years it has taken to accept and understand. I get it now.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-70498944678880556172015-02-03T10:59:00.003-06:002015-02-03T10:59:32.751-06:00CrossroadsI love photography.<br />
<br />
I love it almost more than anything else I do. I know I am no different than anyone else. Some of the photos are good, some, not so much...... Art is subjective. I get that. I don't care to photograph people. They are too fickle and too "busy modeling"... I like street photography of people. The kind that you catch them off guard, or they don't even know you are there. No posing. Just life. My ultimate preference is landscape and macro. I am waiting on a Little Big Shot lens to become available in a couple of weeks. That way I can experiment with different mediums and styles.<br />
<br />
I will be reopening my Etsy store stocked with my photos. I will be offering them printed in whatever way a customer chooses, be it canvas, metal, cards, whatever they wish... I hope to have links up shortly.<br />
<br />
I have a store on Fine Art America and Pixels.com. http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/susan+ayers/all<br />
and http://pixels.com/art/all/susan+ayers/all<br />
<br />
Cross your fingers for me..<br />
<br />
I think I had this epiphany because I have reached my limit with childish, immature, selfish, unintelligent people. Cubicle life is killing me. I can put on my blinders and I can load the wagon as well as anyone else, better than most. What I cannot do is close my ears. I have yet to master toning out background. I guess that stems from years behind the radio as a dispatcher. You listen to EVERYTHING. College educated, self entitling, immature, and rude seems to be the way of this upcoming generation and I just cannot abide it. The filter between my brain and my mouth seems to be thinning with time.<br />
<br />
I look forward to the road trips for work. Gets me out of the office and a chance to breathe. I will be taking my camera on this next road trip into Arkansas. I will have a bit of time, maybe in the evenings. Should make for some nice shots. Talk to you next time...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-85755795594015845862015-01-20T12:43:00.001-06:002015-01-20T12:43:32.987-06:00Well, here we are in 2015Where on Earth did the time go? My grandson starts school this year... Is that really possible? It was just yesterday when was born and stole my heart wasn't it? I started at Sellmark back in July. I sell weapons optics, wholesale. I guess I just have to pick those products that bring their own drama :-)<br />
<br />
I have decided to get back into my photography. I have let most of the stuff go to the wayside and my best outlet is behind the camera. I entered a few of my shots, not even my best ones, to this site: http://gurushots.com/<br />
<br />
Amazingly enough, people seem to like my pictures. I have a number of my photos listed on Fine Art America. It will be great when they start to sell.. As you know, my favorite place in the world is Cades Cove, Tennessee. I decided to sponsor the Cades Cove Photograph page on Fine Art America. If you want to check it out, here is the link:<br />
<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/photographs/cades+cove/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">cades cove photos</a><br />
<br />
I will be posting more regularly as I share my work... Thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-12145372792414623812014-08-05T12:59:00.003-05:002014-08-05T12:59:46.166-05:00The changes...I started this blog a good while ago to do things like ride reports on our bike trips, jewelry show off for my designs, and just to talk about things that make you go hmmm.... two years ago I lost my job selling motorcycle parts and have just kind of drifted around since then. I keep trying to find my niche again. I recently started working for Sellmark Corporation. Inside sale of weapon optics, business to business.<br />
<br />
I will let you know how things go. I will write more later, when I get a chance...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-24268950537433598982013-04-20T22:07:00.000-05:002013-04-20T22:07:33.649-05:00What a week...Well, I am sure by now, unless you live under a rock, that you have been watching all the news and information pouring out of Boston, Mass. and West, Texas.... Unbelievable the amount of destruction that can be heaped upon a group only to have them shine through... There are numerous heroes that have evolved out of the wreckage. Some you would expect... fire, police, and EMS. But there were some that were just in the right place at the right time. Regular guys and girls that ran towards the danger because that's just how they are made. People, who with no regard for their own safety, ran in and starting helping those that could not help themselves. Those people, regardless of their color, their political affiliation, their gender, or anything else, gave everything they had to save the life of another. They weren't wearing anything that differentiated them from anyone else. No capes, no shields. Some, gave every last measure of their life so that others might live. To them, I salute, with the utmost pride.<br />
<br />
The Boston Police Department, the FBI and others ran in and in very short order, had the bad guys in custody. Hurrah! That's how that is supposed to work.<br />
<br />
This was National Telecommunicators Week. Did anyone note that? Can you imagine the hellish jobs those dispatchers in both Mass. and Texas must have had those days? Imagine working a fire call at the local fertilizer plant, down the road from where you live. Then imagine the absolute worst case scenario happening.. Then imagine finding out that it was worse than anyone could have possibly imagined. The number of dead and missing still not complete days later. Imagine if that's your home? Imagine if that's where your family and friends are?<br />
<br />
Whether anyone else agrees or realizes, those dispatchers are heroes too. They deserve a salute and honor as a result of the difficult task that they face everyday. Everyday they come to work, lousy hours, lousy pay, no breaks, and constant stress... Yet everyday, they come back and watch their friends and family members go off to their jobs, being the face of the PD, Fire Dept, and EMS.. to be the OBVIOUS heroes. This is proof that they too deserve the recognition afforded their co-workers. They are the quiet calm in the face of chaos. They are the voice in the night that calms the fears and worries of the complainants. They are the organization that keeps control of the scene and of themselves, even when they are in tears. You will never know the number of times that we have worked devastating calls and managed to maintain. We cry in the dark and we scream into our pillows at night. We hug our children tighter than ever and pray for the families of those we have served. Then we come back tomorrow and do it again. Why? Because we love what we do. We do make a difference. Most people just don't know that.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-77024662443248058212013-03-30T22:06:00.003-05:002013-03-30T22:06:58.975-05:00The day before Easter....Well it appears that Easter may be a wash thanks to Mother Nature... but that's ok, watching The Ten Commandments... Always a good watch. Glad to have the weekend off.. Just waiting and watching.. Hoping that the North Koreans do the right thing and off themselves first... before they start a global war...<br />
<br />
Not much to talk about today but that... Maybe tomorrow..Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-76369812651664844602013-03-29T14:14:00.002-05:002013-03-29T14:21:03.353-05:00Things change quickly here in the real world...I remember when I was a kid, duck and cover exercises .. Oh, I know now that, obviously, they wouldn't have done a damn thing to save us, really... but it sure made you FEEL like it would. Flash forward 35+ years and I am wishing that duck and cover would make me feel safer these days... Have you been reading the news? North Korea has a whack job of a new leader, who thinks he needs to make his bones by threatening the world with nuclear annihilation... IDIOT...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I see photos of North Korean people and I have to wonder if they know. If they know that are being mislead? If they know that the "news" they read is propaganda? If they know the photos of US troops storming their shores are photo shopped? Or are they beginning to be like the American sheeple and just blindly following because it's easier than thinking for themselves? Or maybe they have really been that sheltered, for so long, that this generation doesn't know any alternatives.. I cannot fathom that. Maybe because I am older and wiser now and the generation in power over there isn't even old enough to remember why there is a "neutral zone" between the two countries... I personally am not old enough to remember the Korean War but at least in my education, we covered it... I am not even sure they do anymore except in a blurb, in passing..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's the old adage? Those that forget their history are destined to repeat it?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am sure this will be a VERY unpopular stance, but, I vote we just turn the entire Middle East and North Korea both into very large sheets of glass... call it done and move on... Start over so to speak, with a clean slate and some INTELLIGENT leaders... Oh wait, that would infer that we have one and it is obvious right now, we don't. I sure hope this president we have, has some stones. I am afraid we are gonna need it..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope I am wrong but I see us fighting on multiple fronts and some other super power deciding now is a good time to "invest" in America.. so to speak...I don't want to learn Russian, or Chinese for that matter... I kind of like things the way they are and I really don't like "change"... Maybe that's why I didn't vote for him, either time. Maybe this is just one more good reason to leave MY guns the hell alone.. they are mine. I bought them. I shoot them. I clean them... and you can bet I can hide them too...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I read the news and I wonder about my fellow Americans... are they really that stupid? Or is it just that they are lazy? I know the gene pool could use some chlorine right about now.. You know how you "shock" a swimming pool? Maybe it is time to SHOCK the gene pool..... take away the warnings on every damn thing and let natural selection take it's course. I mean really... Do we really have to tell you that the HOT coffee you just ordered might be HOT? Or that the Preparation H cream you just bought is for EXTERNAL USE? Or that the hair dryer you use is not for use in the tub? This is the stuff I am referring too... Common sense is so rare any more it should be classified as a super power. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Where do we draw the line? If the government/suppliers have to warn you, to save you from your own stupidity, then aren't you really too stupid to function in the real world? Now I am not referring to side effects of medications or anything like that.. I am talking about OBVIOUS things. Hot coffee = HOT... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Someone please tell me that I am wrong and see if you can really back up your argument.. A lot of you have tried and failed... I am holding out hope. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-3742117073550724972012-09-17T18:14:00.004-05:002012-09-17T18:14:58.537-05:00Day 5 Post opWell I did it... On Wednesday I had my gastric sleeve and I am day five recovering... It has not been bad. Surprisingly enough. I was worried... I heard all the horror stories and read all the blogs and postings about side effects and recovery issues... I came home on Thursday, I had all my medications already filled and ready... I came home and relaxed and has no nausea, no real pain.. I have had a few incision pains but they haven't been really bad...<br />
<br />
I spent a couple of days just lounging in bed and sleeping when I needed too.... Started moving around more on Sunday... Still no gastric issues beyond figuring out what I can and cannot tolerate yet... I have a surgical follow up on Wednesday and hopefully I will get to expand my diet somewhat... We will see...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-37072881140888118922012-09-02T15:09:00.001-05:002012-09-02T15:09:26.825-05:00Pre-op day 2Well I fell off the wagon today but nothing drastic... I had the steak, onion, and mushroom out of a Philly Steak Sandwich from Sammys... They are to die for good and the soup just wasn't getting it... Lots of protein though so it really wasn't such a horrible thing. I am spending way too much money on this surgery to sabotage it... Down a pound though.. kind of surprising... Oh well, tomorrow is another day..Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-27147036205545517372012-08-30T07:14:00.001-05:002012-08-30T12:29:39.274-05:00Pre surgery, Day 1Well yesterday was my pre-op, dietary, clinical appointments. Holy crap that's a lot of information to digest in one sitting... thank goodness they write everything down for you and make it much simpler... For the next two weeks I am on a high protein, liquid diet. Three meals a day, two of which will be high protein shakes, the third meal being soup. It doesn't matter what kind of soup, just soup. The two days prior to my surgery are clear liquid ONLY...<br />
<br />
I already bought the Baby Bullet, as I mentioned before, because they are going to make up 2 ounce meals at a time. That way I can control the amount of flavor in each meal... Luckily there is a unflavored protein powder that I can add to the meals to make it easier. It is made by Unjury and comes highly recommended from other post surgery patients.<br />
<br />
Protein is the staple of my diet for the rest of my life. 60-80 mg of protein a day, for the rest of my life. That's ok though. Protein is what keeps you feeling full and keeps you from losing muscle mass. Luckily the liquid/protein diet is only for the two weeks prior to the surgery and the two weeks immediately after. Then I get to go to the pureed, mushy meals. Eventually I will be able to go back to "normal" food, just a lot less of it.<br />
<br />
Calcium supplements will also be another staple along with a high value, chewable, multi vitamin, designed specifically for gastric surgery patients. Unjury also makes a Lemon Chewable, Calcate brand chewable which is actually good. They also make the multi-berry, chewable, multi vitamin.. I actually ordered all of it online last night so that it would be here and ready by the time I come home from the hospital... They will also be calling in my list of medications that I will be taking immediately following my surgery. I will pick those up next week... Taramadol for pain as I am allergic to Codeine. Phenergan for the nausea that follows the surgery. Keflex for 5 days, as a just in case. Of course all of this is in liquid form, so that's nice.<br />
<br />
I am having my last cup of GOOD coffee as we speak lol... but I think in the long run, I will be able to live without it. I had given up sodas a long time ago. Portion control is the base of life from here on out. I can do this.. If you're still reading at this point, I hope I haven't bored you with the details... <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-17283179279479388912012-08-29T09:12:00.003-05:002012-08-30T12:29:58.935-05:00Change is on the way....Back in June, I lost my long time job. At first I thought that it was going to be HORRIBLE. Turns out, it was probably what I needed. I had fallen into a rut and didn't even realize it. The economy tanked in 2007 and the field of sales that I was in was closely tied to the economy (I sell motorcycle parts). I took a huge pay hit and along with excessive repairs needed, I ended up losing my house, 4 years to the day after I purchased it. I wound up moving in with my long term boyfriend. The boyfriend and I happened to work together and now we were living together. 24/7 together.. Yeah, not good. I was also sitting behind a desk more than 8 hours a day, celebratory lunches, and the kids are now grown which means less activity when not at work.<br />
<br />
I found work at a former competing company, no surprise there. Except, now I get to work from home.. Every ones dream job, right? Sure, unless you were already overweight and tipping the scales well over 200 lbs. WHO??? ME? Yep... I now officially outweigh my little brother who is 6'4" tall... This is NOT ACCEPTABLE... When I started my adult life, I weighed 105 lbs dripping wet and I am 5'6" tall. Even after three kids, I weighed 115 lbs. I could eat pretty much anything , whenever I wanted and it never showed... Those days are over.<br />
<br />
Obesity runs in the family. Both aunts, on my fathers side, died well in excess of 250 lbs and well under 5'5" tall.. They passed years ago, with and from a whole host of health issues and I do not intend to repeat their mistakes. Information on my mothers side isn't available due to adoption. I will cover that another time.<br />
<br />
I have the most beautiful, happy, loving grandson in all of the world. I will refer to him as monkey butt (that's a story for another time) and I intend to grow old, watching and participating in his life. Right now, I already have trouble participating and I refuse to allow this to continue.<br />
<br />
This is the start of my journey through weight loss through surgery. Some people will complain I am taking the "easy" way out.. Let me give you a little history.<br />
<br />
1. I am flat footed. Now that might not sound like anything special but that actually keeps me from participating in a lot of exercise routines due to extreme pain. Of course it is also part of the problem as long distance walking or extended periods on my feet caused me pain even when I didn't tip the scales over 200 lbs. But back then, it was manageable. Now, not so much.<br />
<br />
2. Years prior, junior high to be exact, I had my right knee cap broken. As a result, my knee cap likes to move around more than yours and it limits my mobility due to the excess weight.<br />
<br />
3. Headaches... I was not aware that they can be tied to excess weight. I spend more time with a low grade headache, than not.<br />
<br />
4. My thyroid is normal. What is normal? Normal for you might not be normal for me? Even the Dr. admitted that, but with no baseline to work with, obviously they cannot treat it. So it turns out that I am Vitamin D deficient. How deficient you ask? The average, Caucasian, middle aged woman should be as close to 100 as possible. As the Dr. told me, if I was a teenager, I would have Rickets. My level was 11... Hmmm... that's not good.<br />
<br />
5. Post menopausal. Medically necessary, hysterectomy at age 24 without sufficient hormone therapy due to a family history of breast cancer.<br />
<br />
6. Horrible eating habits. Processed foods due to convenience. A meat and potatoes diet when not eating out. Not to mention a weakness for bread... Not big on sugar. I don't drink sodas. Once up of coffee a day. Water the rest of the day... just not near enough of it..<br />
<br />
So as you can see, I had my share of reasons (and excuses) for my excess weight. They are also the reasons why you won't find me running around the block. Especially since I live in a locale where 5 months out of the year we are in excess of 100 degree temps. Join a gym? Well, we will cover the self esteem, convenience, cost issues in another entry.<br />
<br />
Funny thing is, even though I am 35.5 BMI I am actually healthy as a horse.. No high blood pressure. No pre-diabetes. No hernias (which are apparently common to excess weight). No sleep apnea. The only thing I do have was high cholesterol, controlled by medication and diet.. Or at least it was. So even if I had insurance right now, they wouldn't cover it. So when I lost my job, I pulled my entire 401k out and am using it to pay for my gastric sleeve surgery. That way I can write it off to Uncle Sam, next tax time.<br />
<br />
Today I have my pre-surgery appointments with the dietitian and others. I have been reading everything I can find on the surgery and post op. One very helpful website is <a href="http://www.gastricsleeve.com/">The Gastric Sleeve</a>. I have purchased a Baby Bullet blender system which also comes with food containers that are exactly the size I will need for food portions after surgery. I am now researching the protein drinks/powders that will be the basis of my diet. If anyone has any suggestions, please comment with information..<br />
<br />
I will continue to update the blog during this journey. You will probably learn more about me than you ever wanted to know. I will do my best to answer any questions..Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-46774156957089892132012-06-08T23:21:00.002-05:002012-06-08T23:21:51.599-05:00Another curve in the road...I am unemployed. Not words that I am accustomed to hearing myself say, I haven't been unemployed since 1992. I have spent the last 11 years at Tucker Rocky, selling motorcycle parts. Nothing life and death, little or no stress.. Couldn't be a more fun industry to be in. It really couldn't have happened at a better time though. I am debt free.. I have a little money in the bank.. I refuse to stress over this. I am going to take my vacation that was already scheduled and then I will come back and decide what I am going to do.. I have found out that the parent company is restructuring so this really isn't a surprise.. I mean, they are advertising management positions, that they want to pay 12-16 an hour? That is considerably less than what I was making and hard for them to justify. I will concede that I was not one to play the "games" or keep my mouth shut.. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I could go back to law enforcement.. but the hours suck, they pay isn't great, and the politics suck worse. I assured a number of my dealers that have called me at home, that I would let them know where I land. I have already been told on more than one occasion that they will happily follow me. That the reason they bought from Tucker, wasn't because of Tucker, it was because of me. That makes you feel good.. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I won't go to work for Parts Unlimited, I cannot subscribe to their business ethic. I have however, been in contact with and contacted by other distributors that I could see myself working for. We will just have to wait and see...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the good news side of things, I bought a motorcycle. I sold my old V-Star to a co-worker and bought myself a Road Star 1700... Oh lord I should have done that a long time ago.. I love this bike.. I bought a few toys and extras for the bike before I left Tucker and I spent this evening putting the new saddlebags and drivers back rest on the bike... I will take it for a test ride tomorrow and see how this goes.. More on that, tomorrow..</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-10368788447661894712012-03-21T10:24:00.000-05:002012-03-21T10:24:02.146-05:00Trying to understand...You hear a lot of talk about "artificial intelligence" and things like that... Can someone please explain why we would want ARTIFICIAL intelligence when the NATURAL intelligence isn't all it cracked up to be? Artificial intelligence is only as good as the person inputing the information right? I mean, look around. Do you know what the Darwin Awards are? Yep, that's the example at the very lowest end.. the true, unadulterated idiots of society... But how many people do you know now, that would qualify for an award in their daily lives? I am sure every once in a while, we are all idiots, once. I didn't think I knew all that many. I was wrong. I admit it. I was wrong. Obviously I have been operating with rose colored glasses or blinders (not sure which) or maybe alternating... <br />
<br />
No, the things I am trying to really wrap my head around these days, are the LAZY individuals, who don't take the time to verify/read/confirm/check their posts, texts, ads, and articles before they hit send. <br />
<br />
Now, I know I have to walk a thin line and be careful, because some of the guilty might actually be reading this.. so I will be nice (what a change huh?) and not mention any names.. Prime examples:<br />
<br />
"Hi, I need sale item." I read this post and have to shake my head.. Now we all know that punctuation, spelling, and grammer all work together to make for an understandable conversation. Right? Now, as a grammer Nazi, I take that sentence as "Hi, I am looking for a sale item" UGH! No, it turns out it should have read "Hi, I need to SELL an item"... Sale/Sell... you knew what she meant, right?<br />
<br />
Websters Dictionary and/or a Thesaurus... They aren't expensive and I will do you one better.. Online? THEY ARE FREE! Dictionary.com... it isn't hard, I promise... <br />
<br />
Or another example, found on one of the Buy, Sell, Trade sites.... "looking for a bed"... That's it. Nothing more. Thank God, nothing less or it really wouldn't have been an ad. "Looking for a bed"... Twin? Bunk? King? Dog? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR...? Why is this so difficult?<br />
<br />
Or there is the ad that someone has up and you go through the 50 questions, what size? What color? yadda yadda yadda... then at the very end, not a minute and a half after the last descriptive question, you get "Still available?" REALLY? Do you think that they would take the time to answer 50 questions about the item if it was already gone? <br />
<br />
Or there was the lady in the parking lot the other day. It is a commercial parking lot with a 4 way intersection that involves a 3 way stop... Yes I am aware that is the DUMBEST thing you have ever seen, but, as the city officials felt this was BETTER, who am I to question their "intelligence". But I digress... I am stopped, so are three other vehicles. Count that again? I am stopped, so are three other vehicles.. yes that makes 4 vehicles stopped at a 3 way stop intersection. The three of us that are required to stop are nice enough to attempt to wave through the other driver. She is oblivious to it so as the first vehicle stopped, I attempt to proceed through the intersection... Now she wakes up and proceed to scream at me that it is a 4 way stop and she had the right of way... Really? REALLY? Maybe if you took that damn phone out of your ear, you might have been able to see that you were the idiot who STOPPED when it wasn't required or necessary.<br />
<br />
But the kicker, was this morning.. Coming into work on I35W.. Northbound, South of downtown Fort Worth... Now traffic is flowing and for once, flowing well.. That is until we are approaching Alta Mesa... All the sudden, everyone is hitting their brakes.. the speed dropped well over 30 mph... And why? Motoring in the middle lane is a proud mother. She is so proud that she is doing 42 mph AND playing patty cake with her child, who is in the BACK SEAT OF THE AUTOMOBILE... with the interior light on. In traffic. To top it all off? The child wasn't even in a car seat... Couldn't have been over 4 years old... Yep. She is a such a good, attentive mom that she nearly gets her and the kid killed.. UNBELIEVABLE... I honked? She waved and smiled.. completely oblivious to the funeral procession of speeding vehicles that she has derailed...<br />
<br />
I say no thank you to artificle intelligence.. at least until the real deal is better than what we have now...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-21518030407324092182011-11-22T14:05:00.001-06:002011-11-22T14:09:45.289-06:00I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!I am really hoping that it isn't a train :-)<br />
<br />
Everyone has their things that they are thankful for this year and I have a whole list of them.. but the one thing that I am most thankful for, is my daughter.. It has been a long hard year for both of us and I am so grateful that things didn't end up worse...<br />
<br />
Heather is the light of my life and the reason I breathe... She has given me the most wonderful gift of a grandson who only reinforces my love for my children.. I love all my children equally but Heather had an especially tough year and here is to hoping that next year is better...<br />
<br />
I love you Heather Nicole.. Thank you for picking me to be your mom... <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-30808407672692783122011-09-25T13:33:00.001-05:002011-09-25T13:33:16.170-05:00Dresser and chest of drawers project day twoWell with less than 10 hours invested, sans the hardware, I am done with the dresser.. The chocolate pudding color is perfect and I am thinking old school, white hardware.. what do you think? The chest of drawers begins tomorrow...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUmFK3ZqJGA/Tn9z29volfI/AAAAAAAAAHk/oVp8UvJQuGo/s1600/Pre+hardware+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUmFK3ZqJGA/Tn9z29volfI/AAAAAAAAAHk/oVp8UvJQuGo/s320/Pre+hardware+finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-80564548263947143612011-09-24T20:35:00.000-05:002011-09-24T20:35:03.588-05:00Dresser and Chest of drawers projectWell the grandson is in need of some furniture and times are tight. Lucky for me I found this very nice lady, Jana, on Facebook's people 2 people who had a dresser and chest of drawers she wanted gone.. We worked out a trade for one of my rosaries and off we went this morning to pick it up... It is an older set but it was salvageable.. <br />
<br />
I brought it home and put it out on the patio and got to work.. The further I got into the project the worse it got.. Turns out it was veneered and not well at that.. The kids had stuck stickers all over it and the color was horrid.. Now I am by no means a carpenter but I know water damage when I see it and the end of the dresser had been damaged pretty severely. But being technically free, who can complain right?<br />
<br />
I wound up stripping the veneer completely off of the dresser. The bf is cutting pieces to replace the damaged ones and I have sanded down all of it.. All in one day.. Phew, I am tired... The daughter wanted a brown color, so I went with Olympic primer and paint, all in one, Chocolate Pudding color.. I will get new shiny hardware and I think the set is going to look really good when I am done.. Turns out this is an old Sears brand of furniture from the 50's.. That makes it older than me LOL...<br />
<br />
I will keep taking pictures through the project, but being on a time
schedule, I hope to be done this week.. Here are a few pictures of the
works in progress. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LuGZ-uEM6Us/Tn6EP77-r7I/AAAAAAAAAHE/fXYpcnUuoMo/s1600/Drawer+damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LuGZ-uEM6Us/Tn6EP77-r7I/AAAAAAAAAHE/fXYpcnUuoMo/s320/Drawer+damage.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yR3DMDL3cEI/Tn6ETxt6xeI/AAAAAAAAAHI/1gP8H4R7FlE/s1600/Chest+of+drawers+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yR3DMDL3cEI/Tn6ETxt6xeI/AAAAAAAAAHI/1gP8H4R7FlE/s320/Chest+of+drawers+before.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TSengaQZ8c/Tn6E82EeYwI/AAAAAAAAAHg/g5My3Xnt_vA/s1600/Left+drawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TSengaQZ8c/Tn6E82EeYwI/AAAAAAAAAHg/g5My3Xnt_vA/s320/Left+drawers.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtztVEVvl1M/Tn6E5xa5OLI/AAAAAAAAAHc/7tRdWY9w1E4/s1600/front+facing+dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtztVEVvl1M/Tn6E5xa5OLI/AAAAAAAAAHc/7tRdWY9w1E4/s320/front+facing+dresser.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z05BaKRapkE/Tn6E2gPj8hI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1G3BGCc2WP0/s1600/Dresser+brand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z05BaKRapkE/Tn6E2gPj8hI/AAAAAAAAAHY/1G3BGCc2WP0/s320/Dresser+brand.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-xopLGNc_o/Tn6E03YafwI/AAAAAAAAAHU/JSISOOg8rsw/s1600/drawer+with+sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-xopLGNc_o/Tn6E03YafwI/AAAAAAAAAHU/JSISOOg8rsw/s320/drawer+with+sticker.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wd3GGSlyVLg/Tn6ExHCjmiI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/vTrNCucI2pI/s1600/Top+dresser+damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wd3GGSlyVLg/Tn6ExHCjmiI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/vTrNCucI2pI/s320/Top+dresser+damage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfQYAWWh3TA/Tn6EW5q25MI/AAAAAAAAAHM/VtLaKVbavfM/s1600/Damage+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfQYAWWh3TA/Tn6EW5q25MI/AAAAAAAAAHM/VtLaKVbavfM/s320/Damage+up+close.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-39195184516810020942011-09-19T16:12:00.000-05:002011-09-19T16:12:14.060-05:00Some days just suck..Normally I wouldn't use a title quite so pessimistic, but today is different..<br />
<br />
For 10 years I have worked at a job that I truly love, am very good at, and for a company that I love. I have also been lucky enough to have a boss that I respect and admired. I admired her for her strength, her intelligence, her drive, her dedication, and most of all, her patience... with me, with everyone.<br />
<br />
We have known for years that she was sick. No one knew exactly with what, but whatever it was, it was bad and not getting better. A couple of months ago, she went home one day and never came back. We knew it was just a matter of time. No one talked about it. She would have hated that. It was just that unspoken thing.. <br />
<br />
Debbie was one of those women that you wouldn't dare approach and ask about it or offer assistance too because of it. She wouldn't have told you and/or taken it.. Very private. Very strong. Even when you knew she was struggling to get through the day or just to walk to her car. We all hurt for her and we waited. We waited for today.<br />
<br />
Today, Debbie doesn't hurt anymore. Today, Debbie doesn't have to be the strongest one, anymore.<br />
<br />
So yeah, some days just suck. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-72707158009966915912011-07-15T15:39:00.000-05:002011-07-15T15:39:12.540-05:00Jewelry Making Classes Online at Beaducation: The Blog: Stamped Metal Jewelry...in it to win it!<a href="http://blog.beaducation.com/2011/07/stamped-metal-jewelryin-it-to-win-it.html?spref=bl">Jewelry Making Classes Online at Beaducation: The Blog: Stamped Metal Jewelry...in it to win it!</a>: "Once upon a time, there was a lone copy of Stamped Metal Jewelry , hanging around the Beaducation offices. It was an unruly book. It refus..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-39725032990287517962011-07-15T08:13:00.000-05:002011-07-15T08:13:02.132-05:00My Craft Channel: Fifth Host Revealed: Teresa Collins & Bonus Giveaw...<a href="http://mycraftchannelblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/fifth-host-revealed-teresa-collins.html?spref=bl">My Craft Channel: Fifth Host Revealed: Teresa Collins & Bonus Giveaw...</a>: "What a great week!! We're so excited to continue our week of new host introductions, but of course before we proceed we better give..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-10768197702677843022011-07-15T08:00:00.000-05:002011-07-15T08:00:59.768-05:00My Craft Channel: Fourth Show Host Reveal: Art. Redefined with Chris...<a href="http://mycraftchannelblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/fourth-show-host-reveal-art-redefined.html?spref=bl">My Craft Channel: Fourth Show Host Reveal: Art. Redefined with Chris...</a>: "Can you believe we're on day 4 of our 20 Day promotion and so excited at the response. But the first order of business is to announce our th..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-40583948037279876772011-07-13T12:33:00.000-05:002011-07-13T12:33:15.500-05:00My Craft Channel: New Show Featuring Kristine McKay, MCC Founder<a href="http://mycraftchannelblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-show-featuring-kristine-mckay-mcc.html?spref=bl">My Craft Channel: New Show Featuring Kristine McKay, MCC Founder</a>: "We're so excited to continue our week of new host introductions, but of course before we proceed we better give away our Cricut E2 machine ..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-42230414807109718092011-07-12T09:53:00.000-05:002011-07-12T09:53:25.784-05:00My Craft Channel: Stacy Julian Joins My Craft Channel & Winner Revea...<a href="http://mycraftchannelblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/stacy-julian-joins-my-craft-channel.html?spref=bl">My Craft Channel: Stacy Julian Joins My Craft Channel & Winner Revea...</a>: "We are so excited to unveil our next host.... But before we tell about her and her new My Craft Channel show we need to announce the Cricut..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-33831133120708732362011-07-11T13:37:00.000-05:002011-07-11T13:37:30.438-05:00My Craft Channel: Unveiling our First Hosts: Kim and Kris of DIY Dis...<a href="http://mycraftchannelblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/unveiling-our-first-hosts-kim-and-kris.html?spref=bl">My Craft Channel: Unveiling our First Hosts: Kim and Kris of DIY Dis...</a>: "We are so excited to start off our 20 Cricuts in 20 Days promotion with two amazing ladies, Kim and Kris of the DIY Dish . Read ..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6234045572769759363.post-3282032423891918262011-06-23T10:20:00.000-05:002011-06-23T10:20:14.247-05:00Simply Designing: Giveaway<a href="http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/search/label/Giveaway">Simply Designing: Giveaway </a><br /><br />@Simply Designing is giving away a Cake Pop Maker! Go enter to win!"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01042431433626157489noreply@blogger.com2