Happy New Year!!!

Hope every one has a great evening this evening and a safe one. Please, if you drink, don't drive. Not only for your safety but for the safety of others. May your new year be filled with peace, prosperity, love and joy!















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Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish every one a very Merry Christmas. Hope your holiday is filled with love and joy and that you are surrounded by your loved ones.








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What a miserable day!!!

Beginning just after midnight last night, the rain started falling...and freezing. Everything around here is covered in about 1/2 inch of ice. Over 250,000 people in a 2 state area are without power. For those who have power...be thankful. For those without, our prayers are with them. These are some photos from the Greenville News.
Some are beautiful and others are not.

Farewell to the pond

As of 11:59PM (EST) this evening, the live feed from Pete's Pond in Botswana will end. It is scheduled to return in August 2006. For those who never visited the pond, you missed a rewarding and very enjoyable experience. I was totally captivated by the sights and sounds of the animals, birds, even the insects. I'm really going to miss it. The pond has been my constant companion since August. Yes, I know, I have no life!!! But seriously, it was truly a wonderful experience and I am already looking forward to the return next year.

Political correctness gone too far!!!

A friend sent this to me and I couldn't resist sharing!

DEMISE OF THE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

December 1 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 1
RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party
will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the
banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No host bar,
but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing
traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't Be
surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!



December 2 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our
Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an
important holiday which often coincides with Christmas,
though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on
we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy
applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this
time.

Happy now?



December 3 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a nondrinking table ... you didn't
sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but
if I put a sign on a table that reads "AA Only" you
wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle
this? Somebody?



December 7 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December
2 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids
eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. There goes
the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon
this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim
employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on
serving your meal until the end of the party the days
are so short this time of year or else package
everything for take home in little foil swans. Will that
work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters
Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and
pregnant women will get the table closest to the
restrooms. Did I miss anything?



December 8 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you
expect me to do, a tapdance on your heads? Fire
regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our
"earthbased Goddess worshipping" employees, but we'll try
to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the
band's breaks. Okay???



December 9 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having
our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of
"Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil
connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a
tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family
feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on
Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?



December 10 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're
going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue
whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the
table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so
quaintly put it, and you'll get your freaking salad bar,
including hydroponic tomatoes. But you know, they have
feelings too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've
heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!



December 14 Memo

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a
speedy recovery from her stress related illness and I'll
continue to forward your cards to her at the sanatorium.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our
Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd
off with full pay.

We hope that this change does not offend anyone.

I'm baaaaack!!!

Haven't had much to talk about lately. It's been kind of crazy at work. The last two weeks of the month are our busiest time. Between that and being ADDICTED to Aloha Solitaire, I haven't gotten a whole lot done. I've almost finished my Christmas shopping. HURRAY! Just a couple more and I'll be done. Have a great holiday and enjoy this time with your family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a terrific Thanksgving. Enjoy the time with your family. There's nothing more precious.

WildCam Update

According to the National Geographic website, the cam should be up and running again by Saturday, November 26. Woo hoo!!!

WildCam...problems continue

Update
[posted by John Kondis, NGM.com at November 16, 2005 06:30 PM]
Thank you all for your patience during this down time! Unfortunately,
the replacement part is taking longer than we would like to get to its
final destination.

I MISS THE CAM!!!

WildCam Update

This is the latest news:

Latest Update on WildCam Outage

John Kondis, NGM.com

On Sunday, November 6, the satellite modem for WildCam Africa went down. A new one is being shipped to Mashatu, but will not arrive until early next week. We hope to have WildCam back online by next Wednesday, November 16. In the meantime, enjoy some of our streaming archived footage from Pete's Pond. Thank you for your patience!

WildCam...problems

There's been a problem with the WildCam feed. According to the National Geographic site:
"An electrical storm on Sunday, November 6, knocked out one of the power supplies for WildCam Africa. We hope to have it back online Wednesday, November 9."

The cam still isn't up. Apparently the problems were more severe than they had anticipated. Keep checking back to the site. Hopefully it will return in the next day or so.

Later!

WildCam

The National Geographic WildCam at Pete's Pond in Botswana will be shutting down on December 8. For anyone who has not visited the site, see the link on the sidebar. A very enterprising "pond-er" has captured some video that may be accessed with the following links. The pond has been such a joy. I really hate to see it go. Apparently when the rainy season sets in, water will be readily available most everywhere and the animals won't be making the trek to the pond with any frequency. We can only hope National Geographic gives us this wonderful opportunity again next year.

Lonesome Elephant
Hyenas Prowling
Elephant Trio

All's Well

I've been kind of quiet for the past couple of weeks. Everything's going pretty well. Haven't heard anymore about the divorce. Don't even know if he's been served yet. Probably not, since I haven't heard from him. I expect him to call even with the restraining order. Other than that, not much to tell right now. My youngest did get signed up for on-line classes which will start in January. That's a BIG plus. He needs to get his mind on something other than not being able to find a job. He's really depressed over it. I keep trying to tell him that it WILL happen. But, like all young folks, he wants it NOW!!

Peace out! C ya later!

We're not working on Saturday???

Every month we always, ALWAYS, work either the 3rd or 4th Saturday. We used to get 2 comp days off for working the Saturday but, the past few months we've gotten paid overtime for it. So, knowing that we were supposed to work this Saturday, I had already gotten my little brain working on how I was gonna spend that extra cash. But nooooo, the boss called us together yesterday and told us we were gonna be off today. Dang, dang, dang!!!!! There goes my little spending spree! It won't be a total loss though. One of my co-workers convinced the boss that she had some things that absolutely HAD to be done before Monday (actually, it's a butt load of stuff). So, she and I will be working 2 - 3 hours today!! Whoo hoo!!!! It won't be a lot but it's a little extra! Nothing wrong with that!!

And so it begins...Part trois

Well, I did it. I went to the attorney's office this afternoon and signed the papers to start the divorce. I also asked for a restraining order. I know that once he gets served with the papers he's going to be driving me crazy calling and trying to get me to agree to all kinds of crazy conditions. I just can't handle it. I DON"T want to talk to him EVER AGAIN!!! Just another day in the life!!

And so it begins...Part deux

I haven't signed the divorce papers at my attorney's yet. We just started the process when I was there last Wednesday. His secretary called me on Friday and said I could come down and sign them after work but, I had to pick my son up at college. So, I'll be going down there Monday afternoon. I'll be SO glad when this is over.

And so it begins...

Well, I went to see my attorney yesterday and will sign the papers to start the divorce on Wednesday. I don't really know how I feel right now. I'm a little scared because all my savings are now gone. I didn't really have a choice, though. I have to get out of this marriage. I haven't felt free in a long, long time. I know it's going to be ugly. My husband will see to that. He just wants to hurt me as much as he can. I don't believe he ever really loved me. He couldn't have put me through the things he did and hurt me so much if he had really cared. Just let this end. Please!!!!

I'm still here!

I've been kind of quiet the past couple of weeks. I have a lot on my mind right now. I'm going to see my divorce attorney tomorrow and it's kind of scary. Not knowing what the future holds has never been easy but this is really serious business. I don't know how my estranged husband will react. He's not exactly what you'd call stable. Wish me luck. I'm sure going to need it.

MENTAL NOTE!!!!

Boy, did I dodge the bullet today! I was washing some pots and pans in the sink and noticed that water was backing up in the disposal side of the sink. I reached over to turn on the disposal. Just as my finger touched the switch, I caught a glint of something out of the corner of my eye. I stopped and reached down into the water... a spoon!!!! It had slipped down into the opening with just the end of the handle sticking out. It would have torn the disposal all to pieces if I had turned it on. Whew!!! ALWAYS check your disposal before turning it on!

Here we go again.

WILL IT EVER END????? Every time I think I've finally heard the last of my estranged husband, he shows up again just like a bad penny. He called me at work yesterday wanting to know if I was open to renting out our house until the divorce action is complete. Of course, I said no. The only people he knows are the drunks, drug addicts and drug dealers he hangs out with at the bar (I know that some people who go to bars are not one of the afore-mentioned "characters." But, all of his "buddies" ARE). Sure, I want one of these LOVELY people living next door to my elderly parents!!!! When I refused, he started cursing me. I told him I was at work and couldn't talk to him right then, so, he drops the "F" bomb on me and hangs up. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be rid of him and be able to live a normal life, even after the divorce. He just won't go away.

An upturn?

Things just may be looking up. My son got called in for a job interview today that looks relly promising. If this works out, it will help us tremendously. If we can only get his school enrollment completed, we should be in good shape!

Today is a new beginning

I'm trying to start over today. Not just on a new day but on a new path in my life. I'm tired of struggling to make ends meet. I'm tired of worrying myself into a ulcer over things I can't control. I'm tired of trying to deal with a psychopath (my hopefully - please, God - soon to be ex-husband). I'm tired of the way things are. I want a new life and the only way to get it is to make it myself. Wish me luck! There's got to be something better than this. I have my parents who are absolute angels and my 3 sons who are the light of my life, my daughter-in-law and my sister both of whom I love dearly. I have a lot going for me. I may be broke as far as my bank account is concerned but I am rich with the love of my family. So, here we go, down the "yellow brick road." There's no time like the present to start.

Huh???!!!

A friend just e-mailed this to me. See how you do with it!

Can you raed tihs? Olny srmat poelpe can.I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the human mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the human mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef,
But the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! If you can raed this psas it on !!.

Octopus's Garden

I've just "discovered" a great site for music buffs. According to the "Welcome" -" The Octopus's Garden is the top destination for Elvis, American Pie, Billy Joel, Beatles, Sinatra, Pink Floyd, Eminem, Grateful Dead, Elton John, U2, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, rock, rap, swing, even Barenaked Ladies content. The premier website for music rumors, facts and fictions dating back to the 1920's. Surf throughout the site as you are likely to find some interesting tidbits that are hard to believe!"
There's some great stuff here! I've added it to my favorite links also.

Octopus's Garden

Last post for a while

I'm sorry to say this but this will be my last post for a while. Things have been a bit tough today and life is getting shorter and shorter every day. I want to take time and smell the roses. So I am going to quit posting and travel full time with a biker gang to see the country and enjoy life while I still can. Don't worry about me - they all seem like really nice people.. It has been nice, but it's time to say good bye. A photo of the biker gang is below.


I CAN DREAM CAN'T I?

My Favorite Poet -Rod McKuen

As far as I'm concerned, Rod McKuen is probably the greatest poet of the 20th (and 21st) century. I've been reading his works since the early 60's and love those earliest poems just as much today. His newer work is just as good. No matter which of his poems I read, there is always something to touch my heart. Check out his site. There are many, many poems, personal observations and even a few downloads. He is a tremendously talented man.

Rod McKuen - Flight Plan

Rod McKuen - Juke Box (downloads)

TGIF

Well, another week is over. Not one of the best I've had but not one of the worst either! Things are looking up a bit. My youngest son has a job interview this coming Tuesday. Wish us luck! He signed up with a temp agency yesterday, there are possibilities there but the job interview is something we developed on our own. If it works out it will be perfect as far as being able to get him to work and back until he can save up enough to get his own car. This could be a great opportunity for us. Here's hoping!!!

The real world

As good as the weekend was, the real world came crashing back down this morning. If you've read my entire blog, you'll recall the part about my so-called husband (I could have been Jamie Marie). Well, I am beginning divorce proceedings. But, the weight of it all is beginning to get to me - lawyer's fees, filing fees, appraisers, past due taxes, current taxes, regular everyday bills. I'm trying to find a 2nd job and my youngest son is looking for work. If one, hopefully both, of us can get work we'll be okay but, right now, it's tough. I know, I know, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." I just don't feel very tough right now.

All in all a pretty good weekend

This has been a surprisingly good weekend. Friday was a nightmare so, I was prepared for the rest of the weekend to be the same! Fortunately, things have gone fairly smoothly. I spent part of yesterday with my Mom and Dad and my cousin, whom I hadn't seen in 2 years, came up from near Atlanta. That was really cool. He's just a cool guy anyway! Today I had to take my middle son back to college. That took about 2 hours. Now I have the rest of the Labor Day weekend to RELAX. Wonderful!

Aid for victims of Katrina

The people in the devastated areas of the Gulf Coast desperately need our help. Even if you can give only $5.00 or $10.00, every penny will help. If everyone in the US was able to give just $5.00 imagine how far that would go in the reconstruction/relocation efforts. Please do what you can. Let's all pull together to help these desperate people.

American Red Cross

Other Agencies/Resources

This is insane

This was taken 2 days ago. What is going on here? Would you believe in this state they won't prosecute this guy for price gouging? Why? Because a state of emergency has not been declared. So, you can shaft people all you want. What a crock!!!

A selfish moment

After reading my last post, I realized how totally selfish it sounded. My heart goes out to the millions of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who have lost everything including loved ones. My prayers are with you all.

Gas Prices!!!

Gas prices have gone through the roof!!! On the way home today I saw prices from $2.78.9 to $2.89.9. And, the people here have lost their minds! Every station I passed was full and some had lines of 10-15 cars waiting to get in. There were police officers at 2 stations. This is madness! I may be able to go a couple more days with what gas I have but, I don't know what I'll do after that. This is just crazy. If people would go about their normal business and get gas only if they needed it, things would run more smoothly and stations wouldn't be running out of their supplies. Come on people, THINK!!!!!

@#%*^ Joggers

Okay, I know jogging is supposed to be healthy. However, I don't see how jogging in the road before sunrise, even with your cute little glow vest, is good for your general well-being (life, that is). There's nothing like coming around a curve and meeting some jogging fool, in the dark, who thinks you should move into the on-coming traffic lane rather than him moving over into the grass. Now, I know they can see my headlights long before I can see their little glow strips. Wouldn't it be more conducive to good health (life and limb) to just get the @#%* off the road!!!!! Better yet, I have a MARVELOUS idea for the joggers in question here. There's a park about 2 blocks from here with a @#%* jogging track. Trot on down there and jog to your little heart's content. Just stay the @#%* out of the road!!! Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!!

Just my humble opinion

I saw this photo today in an article about "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan. Whether or not you agree with her is your own personal choice. However, I found it disturbing that the children in this photo are so very young. They have no idea, really, what this is all about. They are just following along with what their parents have told them. I don't believe parents should drag young children into situations such as this where they cannot make informed decisions on their own. If a parent wants to voice their opinion - fine. Don't trot your children out for this kind of thing. As I said, just my humble opinion.

Live feed from Africa

I stumbled upon something a couple of days ago that has completely captured me! It's on the National Geographic site and is a live feed from Pete's Pond in Botswana. It's absolutely incredible to sit and watch all of the different species come to the water to drink and, in some cases, sleep. Check it out. It's awesome! I've also added it to my Favorite Links. Don't despair if you can't get video as they do have problems occasionally. And, of course, the animals don't appear on command. They are most active early in the day, Botswana time. Keep trying. Believe me, it's worth the effort.

Wild Cam

Watch where you tinkle!

I must admit I was intrigued when I read the headline: Woman Finds Peephole In Tire Store Bathroom. After reading the article I have to wonder - were these guys just completely stupid!! It's bad enough that they had the peephole to begin with but to leave the sign after knowing they'd been found out!!!??? Some people are too dumb to be let out of the house alone! Here's the link:

Watch where you tinkle!

Another day in paradise

Well, well, well. Just another normal day. My father cut off the tip of his thumb with a power saw, my daughter-in-law found out she needs her gallbladder removed, my son who's away at college can't get his x-box to work, his telephone won't work, his cell phone is dead and he doesn't have the charger. Ah, it's nice when things go exactly as you think they will. Some things never change! CALGON - TAKE ME AWAY!!!!!!!!!! :-)

My grand-dogter

After the "whining and moaning" I thought I should post something nice. My grand-dogter's picture. My only grandchild. She's gorgeous!! Her name is Domino.

One of those people

Did you ever come across one of those people who could make you mad just by saying, "good morning?" I am unfortunate enough to work with one of them. In fact, she and I work directly together in my department. It doesn't take much, just the smallest thing can set it off. She's been working with me for nearly 8 months. There are some things we do just every other month. Still, you'd think she could retain some of it. I keep telling her to write it down if she can't remember it. Today, she wanted me to post it on the wall, just for her. Nobody else has a problem with this. Why should I make an exception for her? So, when I told her that I wasn't going to post it she said, "Well, I'm just use to working with companies that are particular." WHAT???!!! I quickly told her that we ARE particular about out product and she'll find out how particular when she screws something up. I was just steaming! This coming from someone who told me the other day that she was tired of trying to get her machine adjusted and that she just didn't care anymore. GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! The boss would crap a brick if he heard that. Oh, I could just scream!!!!! Well, so much for that. Felt good to get it off my chest. To anyone out there who might stumble across my little "whine and moan" fest - Have a great day!!

Silly signs

All of these are from Canada. Great sense of humor in the "great white north."

It's TOO HOT - Again!!!

Well, today promises to be another scorcher. With temperature in the 90's and the heat index between 105 and 108, it's going to be miserable. But, you want to know when the real fun starts? My middle son moves into his college dorm today. Now, I know he loves his school but I have a few problems here. His tuition is over $30,000.00 a year. This particular dorm, a twin to the one he was in last year and located right next door, has no elevator!!!! Of course, he is on the 3rd floor. And if that wasn't enough, last year the air conditioning wasn't on when he moved in. Come on, people!!! With all that tuition money you can't manage to have an elevator in a multi-story building???!!! And the air, geez, give us a break! Thank goodness there will be 4 of us moving his stuff in. But there's still the dorm-sized refrigerator, tv, computer monitor and hard drive, not to mention his clothes and various other items. This may well be my last post - I may have a heat stroke today!!!!! Wish me luck, I'm gonna need all I can get!

Catch 22 - the story of my life

As I said yesterday, I took my youngest son job hunting. What really gets my panties in a wad is the fact that everyone wants to hire someone with experience. I can understand that up to a point. How does one get experience? By getting a job, of course. However, no one will hire you without experience which you cannot get with out someone hiring you, which they won't do because you don't have experience, which you can't get with out someone hiring you,which they won't do because you don't have experience, which you can't get with out someone hiring you...is it just me or is there a pattern here? The kid is smart, very smart and yet no one will give him a chance to prove what he can do. It really pees me off.

It's TOO HOT!!!!

Geez, it's been SOOOOO hot today! You might know I would have to run all over town today with the temperature topping 90 degrees. Being cheap like I am, I don't like to run the AC in the car because it uses more gas. Of course, with gas prices the way they are today, it's not a bad idea to save gas anyway. So, after taking one son to the bank, getting "brunch", taking the same son to a doctor appointment, then it was off again with my youngest son on a job hunt. All in all, it's been a pretty crappy day! Time to lay back and relax!

It's Saturday!

Whoo hoo, it's Saturday! I love the weekend. No getting up at 5 am and dragging off to work. Just taking it easy. I do go see my Mom and Dad every Saturday. My 2 youngest and I always go over there and try to help them out every week. Andrew, the youngest, feeds and waters their dogs, gives the dogs their heartworm medicine, etc. Today we need to take the weedeater and cut the grass in the dog pen. That will be fun (ha ha)! But we do enjoy the time we spend with them. No matter what we do, it will never be enough to repay them for all Mom and Dad have done for us. They sacrificed everything to help us during a terrible time. They gave all their time and money to take care of my boys when I wasn't able to. Here's to you Mom and Dad. You're the BEST.

My boys tell me that no one will ever read this blog. You know what? That's okay. This is just my opportunity to have a place to get things off my chest and record my thoughts. I don't have a lot of close friends, really only one. So, I don't have anyone I can talk to and gripe to (believe me, the griping will come!). Rather than just sit around and keep it all inside, I decided to create this blog to kind of "let it all hang out" and put all of my feelings and frustrations into words. If you're out there and read this - THANKS for taking the time.

Can you say dumb?

I just came across this news article and I just had to post it. I've heard of dumb crooks but this guy takes the cake! How dumb do you have to be to take a picture of your pot stash and keep it on your cell phone??!!

Careful with those camera phones!

My parents are not ogres!!!!!

After reading my previous post again, I think I need to elaborate a bit on my parents. I fear I've made them seem like a couple of ogres who kept me chained in my room! Nothing could be further from the truth. They've always tried to do what they thought was in my best interest even though it would seem otherwise. If I had put up a fight I probably could have persuaded them to see things my way when I was in high school. But, not wanting to hurt them by going against their wishes, I went along with what they wanted me to do. I do regret it now. Had I gone in another direction and taken a different career path, I know things would have been entirely different in my life. I would not have gotten into a terrible situation that changed not only my life but the lives of my children and my parents as well. But, the blame for everything rests with me. I made my choices and they've come back to haunt me. However, without the love and support of my parents, my children and I would not have the life we've been able to carve out for ourselves today. As bad as the situation was, we've come through it. We've survived what I thought was "unsurvivable." We are closer than we've ever been and are more thankful for our lives that we ever were before. I love you Mom and Dad!!!

I could have been Jamie Marie

As my blog name suggests, my name is not Jamie Marie. It could have been. That's what my mom wanted to name me when I was born. My dad, on the other hand, didn't care for it. So, I wound up with my mother's middle name as my first name and my middle name is shared with about 99.999% of the women in the world!!

I often wonder who Jamie Marie would have been. Would she have taken mechanical drawing in high school and gone on to college and studied to be an architect or an engineer as I wanted to do? That was another thing my dad was against. I wound up taking secretarial courses. Not something I was necessarily happy with. Don't get me wrong, my dad is a wonderful person. Loving, caring and devoted to me and my mom. He was just from the old school that didn't believe women were supposed to do anything except be secretaries or nurses or housewives. Architecture and engineering were "men's" jobs not at all suitable for his daughter. Plus, we didn't have the money to pay for college anyway. But Jamie Marie, she would have found a way. She would have been, I believe, the rebellious sort. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!! She would have gone for it.

Would Jamie Marie have married the man I was engaged to? I rather think she would have. Another one of MY mistakes! I somehow managed to find an abusive, alcoholic drug user who thought work was for other people (me included) but not for him. He always said, "Why work for someone else and make them rich. Work for yourself and you'll get to keep all the money." He could just never leave the bar long enough to start anything! "Why did you marry him?", you may well ask. The crazy thing is that I didn't even know he drank until after we got married. But that's a very long story which I will reserve for another time. Back to Jamie Marie. I do envision her married to my fiance. She would have seen in him that which I did not. She would have married him immediately after graduation from high school. I, on the other hand, wasn't ready to make that commitment. He walked out of my life and within 2 years I married a man who can only be considered Satan's evil twin. The Great Deceiver, the Father of Lies. Yep, that was him! But good old Jamie Marie would be living happily in Florida with the one I let get away. She'd have the minivan and be the ultimate soccer mom/architect/engineer. Multi-tasker extraordinaire! Bummer.

Would Jamie Marie had have 3 incredible sons as I do. Of course she would. The one (actually 3!) good thing that came from the marriage made in Hell is the one thing I know for sure we would have shared. Her sons wouldn't be exactly the same as mine (I wouldn't trade mine for any others on this earth!!) but they would be the light of her life as my sons are the light of mine.

Ah, the elusive Jamie Marie. And they say, "What's in a name?" Maybe a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But if I were Jamie Marie, I know my life would have taken a different track. Come back for me Jamie Marie!!!