Trying something new

I'm trying out a new blog over at BlogCharm. If you'd like to check it out, follow the yellow brick road....uh, I mean link. About the same content at this blog but with a little different look.

Let's hear it for...extended warranties!

About 3 weeks ago I turned on my CD player to listen to a little music at bedtime. Expecting to hear the dulcet tones of Don Henley, I was quite displeased to hear "bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" instead. WTF??? Okay, maybe it's the CD. Let's try another one "bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" again. After trying all 5 CDs in the changer (I'm nothing if not persistant) and getting only "bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" on all of them, I finally come to the conclusion the damn thing's busted. CRAP! So, after being totally pissy, I decided to check my warranty just to see how screwed I was. Well, what do ya know! Seems I actually bought an extended product replacement warranty! And, wonder of wonders, it doesn't expire for 2 more weeks. Woo hoo! So after getting on the Best Buy website and getting the return authorization, I boxed that bad boy up and took it to the post office (postage was prepaid too!), then sat back and impatiently awaited my replacement voucher. Really, the whole process was quite painless. It took about two weeks to get the voucher (actually a Best Buy gift card for $104.98) and I was off to Best Buy to get another player. They didn't have one exactly like the previous one but I did find one I liked. This one still has AM/FM radio, casette player and 5 CD changer but is about half the size of the monster one I had. It was a little more expensive and with the extended warranty, it cost me about $60.00. Not too bad really. I'm just tickled pink to have my music back!

Rock Daily

Rolling Stone has a new rock blog. Lots of interesting stuff. If you love music, this is a good place to go to catch up on lots of rock news. List of the Day has some really fun things. Rock on over and check it out!

I can't work up too much sympathy here...

I had to read this twice because I couldn't believe my eyes the first time.

This is an announcement of an Author Discussion/Signing at a bookstore next month:

"Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete"
New York Times sportswriter William Rhoden talks about how the star system in sports often rewards athletes with wealth but little freedom.

After reading a review of the book with some excerpts, I will concede that in decades/centuries past black and white athletes were indeed oppressed, taken advance of and used until they were worn out and then tossed aside. Most, if not all, of them were left with nothing, having been robbed of their earnings by unscrupulous managers and/or promoters.

But, that was then. Big time athletes today, black or white, cannot, in my opinion, be considered as slaves to anything except their own greed, selfishness and excesses. I cannot by any stretch of the imagination think of tens of millions of dollars a year as "slave wages." Here I am trying to support my family on WAY less than 30 grand a year while these guys haul in more money in a week than I do in 10 years. If anybody's making slave wages, it's all of us regular working people struggling to put food on the table and pay our rent and utilities. Pardon me if I just can't shed a tear over their "tough life." Puh-leeze!

How heartless can you be?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this story. Three children being literally starved to death. I never cease to be amazed at the evil that exists in this world. I truly believe something like this should be punishable by death.

The accused:

Photo from WYFF4.com

Shine on you crazy diamond

Syd Barrett, founding member of Pink Floyd

January 6, 1946 - July 7, 2006

I hope he finally has the peace that eluded him in life.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

If you haven't done so already, RUN to your nearest theater and see this movie! Johnny Depp is absolutely fantastic in this second segment of the "Pirates" saga. The man is a comedic genius. Orlando Bloom seems born to play the swashbuckling Will Turner (I never thought he could top his performance as Legolas in LOTR but this, in my humble opinion, runs a very close second). Keira Knightly, though not one of my favorites, also does a good job in her role. A word of warning, some of the scenes may be a bit too much for younger children. One of the members of our party brought a 7 year old and I was concerned that he might be a bit frightened by some of the scenes involving Davy Jones and his crew. But for the older kids and the really old kids (myself included) this movie is well worth the price of admission. I'm already looking forward to Pirates 3!

Happy 4th of July!

Hoping everyone has a safe and happy day!

I wish you peace

I turn once again to The Eagles for a heartfelt message:

(I consider this an Eagles song only because Bernie Leadon was a member of the group and it was on their One Of These Nights album. Otherwise, there is no other connection to the group. The song was written by Bernie Leadon and Patti Davis - Ronald and Nancy Reagan's daughter). I do like the words though.

I Wish You Peace
(P. Davis/B. Leadon)

I wish you peace when the cold winds blow
Warmed by the fire's glow
I wish you comfort in the, the lonely time
And arms to hold you when you ache inside

I wish you hope when things are going bad
Kind words when times are sad
I wish you shelter from the, the raging wind
Cooling waters at the fever's end

I wish you peace when times are hard
A light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high and your, your dreams are low

I wish you the strength to let love grow on,
I wish you the strength to let love flow.

I wish you peace when times are hard
A light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high and your, your dreams are low
I wish you the strength to let let grown on,
I wish you the strength to let love flow on,
I wish you the strength to let love glow on
I wish you the strength to let love go.

Malcolm ROCKS!!

I meant to post this several days ago but I've been so pooped after work that I vegged out every day. This guy, Malcolm, is the absolute greatest!
He rescued an injured kitty and because he is such a compassionate and caring guy, he's spent around $1300.00 for treatment and surgery for the poor little critter. Drop in (no pun intended...you'll understand when you visit his site) and check out the story. If you can donate to the "bionic kitty fund" that would be great. If not, just tell the guy how awesome he is.

Nicole Kidman marries Keith Urban

Some gals have all the luck. She's rich, gorgeous and she's got Keith Urban too!!!

What was she thinking???

I don't know what was going through Connie Chung's mind when she thought of this but this is positively horrific. I would think that what credibility she may have had just suffered a massive hit!

Why Women Live Longer Than Men

Only a man could come up with this contraption!

Foiled Burglar Sues For Emotional Distress

I don't know what this guy is smokin' but it seems to me he's lucky they didn't kill him with his own gun. This is a frivolous lawsuit if ever I saw one. There should be some way to keep this kind of nutcase from clogging up our already overloaded judicial system. Shouldn't any lawsuit be disallowed by virtue of the fact he was convicted of the crime? Our tax dollars once again going down the drain.

Pop Tarts???

After reading this, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Why would anyone steal Pop Tarts? Was he stealing just for kicks or was he hungry and couldn't come up with a better way to get food? A really strange situation.

Huh?

I work in the Shipping Department (actually, I AM the Shipping Department) of a mid-sized company. This is an actual question asked by a Customer Service Rep (college education, former teacher...natural blonde):

CSR: If I ship a package today (Thursday) by UPS Next Day Air, when will it get there?

Me: Uh...tomorrow (DUH!!! Next Day Air...get it...NEXT Day)

CSR: Tomorrow or Saturday at the latest?

Me: No...tomorrow (WTF??? What part of NEXT...DAY...AIR is givin' ya a problem here?)

CSR: Oh, okay! (giggle, giggle)

As she bounced away in her blissful ignorance I was left with mouth agape wondering how the HELL she finds her way out of the parking lot in the afternoon. Dumb as a box of hair.

Green Dog

Here's another interesting email I received. I don't go in for the "send this email to 46 people in the next 5 seconds or you'll have bad luck for 40 years!!!!!" kind of thing but I did agree with some of the things:

You have been tagged by the Green Dog!
,-._,-.
\/)"(\/
(_o_)

Ruff!!!!!!

1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.

2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.

3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them, knowing you can' t have them.

6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

8. Don't waste your time on someone, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.

9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful.

10. Don't cry because it is over; smile because it happened.

11. There’s always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.

12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.

13. Don't try so hard; the best things come when you least expect them to.

REMEMBER: WHATEVER HAPPENS HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

Dog and God

One of my dog loving friends sent this to me today. I think all dog lovers can relate to the problems our canine friends have:

Even if you don't have a dog, you gotta love this one. Everyone should have a dog or 3...

TO: GOD:
FROM: THE DOG

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?

Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the "Chrysler Eagle" the " Chrysler Beagle"?

Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog.

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.

3. I will not munch on "leftovers" in the kitty litter box, although they are tasty.

4. The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.

5. The sofa is not a 'face towel'. Neither are Mom and Dad's laps.

6. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

7. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

8. I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's driver's license and registration.

9. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.

10. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying "hello".

11. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.

12. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

13. I will not throw up in the car.

14. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

15. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch when we have company.

16. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

And, finally, my last two questions.

Dear God: Why do humans only have 10 Commandments and dogs have 16?

P.S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

Noisy blog?

I had a comment yesterday from an anonymous poster complaining about the "noise" on my blog. Actually the comment was as follows:

Do you have any idea how annoying that noise is on your blog, and how 99% of people dislike that sort of thing? I guess you don't, or you would not have it on your blog...

Yep, I'm aware the music is a bit much. But, if you scroll down the page, you'll find a cute little video involving cats. I really like the video (and cats) and have no plans to remove it. To anyone who may be annoyed by it, I offer my sincere apologies. I don't always like the audio I come across on some blogs but I mute it and continue reading. I really doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. I do appreciate any and all comments even the Anonymous posters!

I am such a slacker

I've been seriously neglecting my blog! But I do have an excuse. I became addicted to...The Darwin Awards. I have been unable to pry myself away from the site. I finally finished reading all of the entries. I must say I'm stunned at the unique ways people have come up with to remove themselves from the gene pool. Loads of fun in a macabre kind of way.

On the homefront, I've finally received a date for my divorce hearing...June 7. I'll be so glad when it's all over and I can put this nightmare behind me for good and get on with my life. Hopefully that life will include continued contact with a certain "lost love" who has made my days brighter over the past few months. So, for those of you out there who stop by occasionally (uh, is that crickets I hear?) that's the scoop for now.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!



This was in an email sent to me by a friend. For all mothers everywhere:

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes; and all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And, the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience?

Compassion?

Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.

And mature mothers learning to let go

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

I am sooooo out of shape!

Yesterday was my daughter-in-law's birthday. She had decided a couple of months ago that she wanted to have a bowling birthday party. Now, I haven't been bowling since my 35 year-old son was in the single digits! And, being that I'm not into that exercise thingy, you can imagine the protests I'm hearing/feeling from the old bod this morning! Oh, geez, my legs are sooooo sore! But, ya know what, it was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again!

Big Day for the Big Man

Congratulations to the Big Man
2006 Graduate (cum laude) of
Presbyterian College

Love them kitties

I'm a cat lover and not ashamed to admit it! My daughter-in-law showed this to me and I thought it was HILARIOUS. Hope you will too.


As seen on Wimp.com

Momentous Occasions

There are two very special things happening in my life right now. Last week my youngest son turned 21 and next Saturday my middle son will graduate from college. Where did the time go?

From this

















To this...all in the blink of an eye...or so it seems.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

I found this in one of our newsletters today. If only...

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less
I'd do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love

-Original author unknown

All good things must come to an end...

and so must the visit with Lost Love. He will be leaving tomorrow. Before returning home he's taking a little trip to Rio (as in de Janeiro) for some R & R. Hope he doesn't OD on the "dental floss" (inside joke)! I can't imagine what it would be like to just say, "I think I'll just fly down to Rio next week and stay for a week or so." It just boggles my mind that you could have that kind of freedom.
Anyway, I've really enjoyed seeing him during this visit. I can only hope this isn't the last time and that "Lost Love" doesn't become lost again. My days have been a little brighter and I've had a bit more spring in my step...something I'm not used to. It's been really nice. And so, Lost Love, I bid you adieu...until we meet again.

Sappy poetry alert #3

Lament
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

If I could turn back the hands of time
And have the love that once was mine
I’d hold it safe within my heart
And we’d never have been apart

This life of sorrow I’d not have known
No sad, long days spent alone
No lonely nights while tears did flow
I didn’t then, but now I know

I let true love slip through my hands
The hurt is deep. I cannot stand
To think of what my foolishness cost
And of the sweet love I have lost

Now in my dreams your face I see
I long for what now cannot be
There is no longer a place for us
Only for me in my loneliness

Saga of Lost Love Continues

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to again have dinner with my lost love last night. More roses (I do LOVE roses) and a huge GORGEOUS plush rabbit (I'm a fool for stuffed animals). Think I'll call him Herman. After dinner we talked for nearly 5 hours. He's had such an interesting life...traveling around the world and having so many experiences. If I hadn't had the responsibility of keeping a home and raising my children (not that I would trade my kids for ANYTHING on this earth) maybe my life could have been a little less boring. Guess I'll never know. All-in-all an absolutely lovely evening. Can't wait to do it again.

Sappy poetry alert #2

Your Eyes Called My Name
by Jamie Marie from Fly With Me

I thought I could keep myself out of love’s reach
With a wall built around me that love couldn’t breach
I’d never lose control of my heart. I was much too sane
So I never saw it coming when your eyes called my name

The first time we met the attraction was so strong
I should have sensed then what was going on
Though you never spoke; I heard just the same
Each time our gaze met, your eyes called my name

I tried to walk away from you, to leave you behind
I had too many plans; other things on my mind
I didn’t want the distraction or to play this game
But I stopped and turned around; your eyes called my name

My pulse began to quicken and my thoughts began to spin
My mind cried out to run; my heart would not give in
You put your arms around me; I knew there I’d remain
Each time I tried to turn away, your eyes called my name

You eyes, the color of umber, held my firmly in their grasp
Though I tried to fight it, love was here at last
Each night I lie beside you; my thoughts always the same
I’m so glad my heart listened when your eyes called my name

Sad day...

I just learned of the passing of one of my favorite singers, Gene Pitney. I was such a huge fan of his. In fact, I just recently purchased one of the albums he recorded with George Jones during the 60's. Such a great singer. What a terrible loss. This picture was taken at one of his concerts that I attended in 1967. May he rest in peace.

Sappy poetry alert #1

Alone…
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

My heart is like a windswept plain
Don’t know why or how I came here
To be so alone, to feel this pain
To have my heart filled with fear

There was a time I had it all
Love, youth and time
Now life’s gone from spring to fall
I'm no longer in my prime

I wasted time, I wasted youth
I threw away true love
Now in my twilight I see the truth
All the things that I let go of

I can’t go back, it’s too late for me now
My life has changed too much
Some things the fates will not allow
I weep for the loss of love’s touch

Did I mention I write sappy poetry?

Well, I do. It's just stuff that means something to me. I don't expect to win any awards or accolades (oh, that's funny). I could probably be the poet laureate of the local trailer park but that's about it. It's all pretty sappy but, hey, it rhymes! Well, most of the time! I have compiled the poems into 2 "books"...Fly With Me and A Beggar's Rose. Each poem will be credited to Jamie Marie who is, of course, my alter ego. The poems came about as a thought or word which my fevered little brain just couldn't quite let go of so, I built a poem around that thought. I can't imagine that anyone would want to, but if you should (you probably need to seek medical attention immediately), I ask that you don't use any of it without my permission. That would make me angry..."you wouldn't like me when I'm angry" to quote the Hulk. Anyway, I've made the momentous decision to offer myself up for ridicule and post some of it here on occasion. You've been warned!

Uh...excuse me?

This has to be one of, if not the most, strange things I have ever heard of. Men who willing traveled across the country to be castrated in a sadomasochistic "dungeon." What???!!! I never ceased to be amazed by the people who populate this world. I just don't understand.

It's been one of THOSE weeks

Need I say more?

Saltine crackers and juice?

I was stunned and appalled when I read the story about a South Carolina school district that is proposing serving a pack of saltine crackers and a box of juice to children whose parents have not paid their school lunch bills. How cold and heartless is that? Can you imagine the ridicule these children will be subjected to? What kind of people are running this place? I simply cannot fathom what kind of mind would come up with something as totally asinine as this. Turn the slackers in to the a collection agency or the credit bureau. Hell, file a civil suit. But don't punish the children for the sins of the parents.
According to the school district website they "are serious about providing an educational program of excellence. We are serious about preparing our students so that they will flourish in whatever they choose to do after they leave us. Simply put, we want our graduates- your children- to be wildly successful." They want children to flourish and be successful yet they are willing to hold them up to ridicule by their peers for something they can do nothing about?
These heartless cretins should hang their heads in shame.

Mom will KILL me...

but I just had to post these pictures of the Dynamic Duo that were taken about 40 years ago.
They are just the best EVER!!! That's me with them in the first one. Sure wish I looked like that now!

A few of my favorite things...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...nah, not THAT kind of favorite thing.

These are just a few things that I like. I don't expect anyone to agree/disagree with me. This is just me!

Bands:
Current band - Green Day (American Idiot was awesome)
Classic rock - The Eagles (of course)
Solo gigs - Don Henley (of course, again)
Newer Country - Garth Brooks
Classic Country - Johnny Cash
60's and beyond - The Beatles (greatest rock band of ALL time)

Songs:
Current band - Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Classic rock - The Eagles - Hotel California
Solo gigs - Don Henley - Heart of the Matter
Newer Country - Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now
Classic Country - Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone
60's and beyond - The Beatles - In My Life

Food:
Mexican - Chicken Fajitas (Yum)
Italian - Baked Spaghetti
Chinese - Sesame Chicken
"American" - Cheeseburgers
My son's homemade chicken quesadillas

Restaurants:
Mexican - Chicken Fajitas (Yum) - Monterrey Mexican Restauante
Italian - Baked Spaghetti - Olive Tree
Chinese - Sesame Chicken - Lieu's Chinese Bistro
"American" - Cheeseburgers - McDonald's (yes, I know I'm a freak!)
McAlister's Deli - Bacon spud (AWESOME)

Colors - purple and red

Beverages - Coffee and Diet Sprite

Clothes - Jeans all the way, baby! I'm not much of a dress up kind of gal. I like to be comfortable and, as those who know me well will attest, I've never been a slave to fashion.

Books - Don't care much for biographies and such. I prefer works of fiction.

Authors:
John Grisham - The Runaway Jury
James Patterson - Kiss the Girls
Stephen King - The Dark Tower Series (love them all but if I had to pick a favorite, I guess it would be The Gunslinger)
Stephen White - Private Practices
Anne Rice - Interview with the Vampire
David Baldacci - Simple Truth
Dean Koontz - Intensity
John Sandford - Rules of Prey

Flowers:

Roses - all colors
Snapdragons
Purple Iris
Fuchsia

Activities:

Spending time with my kids
Blog surfing
Listening to music
Reading

Yes, yes, I know I have such a FULL life - full of what...we won't discuss! But, you know, it is the simple things in life that mean so much. I may not have much financially but I am rich in other ways.

Sixties Music

I've been listening to some 60's music today. I had forgotten how much I loved some of those old songs. They bring back so many wonderful memories. The Beatles, The Byrds, The Turtles, The Dave Clark 5, Gerry and the Pacemakers. Good stuff. Oh, I still love The Eagles but there were some great songs in the 60's. Ah, memories. A simpler time when all I had to worry about was what I was going to wear on a date. There were no bills, no job hassles. If I could go back in time, I would go back to that time in my life.

Learn to be still

I've been very introspective the past couple of days. Maybe it was because I finally had the opportunity to talk to my "lost love" or it may be because my oldest son turned 35 today (Happy Birthday, Dan-o). I've been thinking a lot about where my life is going and where I've been. Let's face it, the years are winding down and my time on this planet will someday come to an end. I'd like to do something with my life that will be remembered. Some kind of legacy that could be handed down to future generations. I really don't see that happening but it would be nice to think I'd left my mark on this world. I look at myself now and see a grey-haired, dumpy old lady who doesn't recognize the face she sees in the mirror. Where did that young girl go? Why must she remain trapped inside this aging vessel? She wants so desperately to get out.

This "soul searching" led me to think of a song by The Eagles (of course). They seem to have written a song that fits most every stage of my life. This one is "Learn To Be Still" - maybe someday I'll "learn to be still" and find my place in this world before it's too late.

Learn To Be Still (Don Henley/Stan Lynch)
It’s just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You’d give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don’t know how to be alone
So we wander ’round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don’t smell, so sweet
Maybe you’ve forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

There are so many contradictions
In all these messages we send
(we keep asking)
How do I get out of here?
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin’
It’s waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

You just keep on runnin’
Keep on runnin’

Did you ever have one of those days...

when something finally went right?

If you've read my post about lost love (I know there's someone out there who has...helllloooo) you'll know that I had been searching for him for some time. Well, Saturday of last week he got in touch with me through Classmates.com (ya gotta love those folks!). Anyway, he came up from Florida and we went out to dinner last night (he's divorced..I'm not the kind to go out with a married man!!!). We talked a lot about what we've been doing for the past 38 years (he's led a very exciting life. I, on the other hand, have not!!!) and why we broke up all those years ago. All in all, it was a wonderful evening. He brought me roses (see below)! Good things do still happen!

Okay, this is weird.

It just gets weirder and weirder. A guy has been sent to prison for fathering a child with his 16-year-old daughter. He says he didn't think she was his daughter because she didn't look like his other children. WHAT????? I've heard some dumb things in my time but this takes the cake. Okay, let me get this straight. You've had this child in your home since she was born and have raised her like a daughter. But you think, "Hey, she doesn't favor my other children so I'll just have sex with her even though she's still just a child." WHAT????? That has to be the stupidest thing EVER! Fifteen years isn't long enough for this rube.
Okay, Einstein, out of the gene pool, you're polluting it!

The dynamic duo...

will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary on March 20!

My hero

After the previous post extolling the virtues of my mom, I realized I needed to post about my dad also. Pop turned 78 years old in January. He too is beautiful inside and out. Pop had a hard life growing up. He had to quit school at 15 and go to work to help support his family after his father left. Even with just an 8th grade education he managed to gain the experience to become a Class A machinist with General Electric where he worked for nearly 20 years. After his retirement he set up his woodworking shop (part of which can be seen in the photo) where he built furniture and various other items. He has had both knees replaced with stainless steel joints, 2 quadruple coronary by-pass surgeries and most recently he had a defibrillator implanted. His health won't let him do a lot of things now that he used to do and it is hard for him to realize that he needs to slow down. He's a real go-getter! There'e never been a time when I couldn't go to him with a problem. He's always been there for me. Here's to you Pop! I love you!!!

My Inspiration

Today is my mom's 77th birthday. I guess most people think their mom is special but, actually, my mom IS special. When she was 13 months old she was stricken with polio. The first 7 or 8 years of her life were spent in one of the Shriners' hospitals. Part of that time she was in an iron lung. As a result of the polio, one of her legs is about 2 inches shorter than the other. The polio also destroyed the joint in one of her hips and one of her ankles (the doctors were able to rebuild the ankle joint but it has now deteriorated and is no longer working) and caused her to have scoliosis. Because of the scoliosis, her lung capacity is decreasing, causing breathing problems. She is now suffering from post-polio syndrome which causes weakness in her muscles. Her other health problems would fill a small book. She is able to get around only with the aid of a walker and even that is difficult for her and she is in constant pain. But even with all of these problems, she has the most upbeat, positive outlook on life. She lives with her pain and doesn't dwell on it. I don't think I could live for one day with the problems she has lived with for the past 75 years. She constantly amazes me. To me she is the most beautiful person in the world - both inside and out. Here's to you Mom. I love you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Heart of the Matter

My favorite song by Don Henley. I was reading a commentary on this song on the Don Henley Song Blog on L&M's Fastlane (the best place to go for all things Eagles). I guess this song means so much to me because of my own lost love. It's been 38 years since we broke up. We dated for 2 years and were engaged for 2 years. He was ready to get married and start a family but I was just not quite ready. I wanted to wait a while longer and he couldn't accept that. The last time I saw him was in February of 1991. He came to visit my parents and asked to see me. I was living next door with my husband and 3 boys. Seeing him again made me realize just how much I missed him and still care so deeply for him. He lives in Florida with his wife and 2 sons. I don't know what he does for a living but, knowing him, I believe he could be successful at anything he sets his mind to. I truly hope he is happy. There is rarely a day that goes by that I don't think of him and what a fool I was to let him go. To quote another Henley song, "If you find somebody to love in this world you'd better hang on tooth and nail..." (New York Minute - Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Jai Winding)

Heart of the Matter - Mike Campbell, Don Henley, JD Souther

I got the call today that I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you'd found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck and the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment and beg for something more?

I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again

I've been tryin' to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

Oh, these times are so uncertain; there's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness; how can love survive
In such a graceless age?
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Oh, pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us - you know, it doesn't keep me warm

I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me anymore

There are people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down; you know, they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you, baby, 'cause life goes on
You keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside, baby

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me...

I've been tryin' to get down
To the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin' about
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Even if, even if, you don't love me...

(Forgiveness)
Yeah (Forgiveness
Baby(Forgiveness)
Oh (Forgiveness)
Ah, yeah (Forgiveness)
Ooh (Forgiveness)
Even if you don't love me anymore

Yet another senseless death

A troubled 14-year-old child was beaten and died at the hands of "officers" at a Florida boot camp. Yes, the boy had been in trouble and broken the law. But is this any way to treat a child? And that is exactly what he was, a child only 14 years old. Anyone else would be in jail right now for child abuse. Surely there is some other way to handle children who break the law. Must they die at the hands of people who are supposed to be there to help them? Trying to say the young man died because of a genetic blood disease is laughable. It is my firm belief that the he died as a result of the beating. It will be interesting to watch this case and see what the final outcome is. To let these people off would be a travesty. These "officers" should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Another senseless death

This is a very disturbing story of an innocent wife and mother cut down in the prime of her life due to a senseless act of violence. Apparently her only transgression was firing someone. My heart goes out to her family. Their lives are in shambles because of the rage of this obviously disturbed individual.
Family mourns 'a good mother'

Okay, it's time to bring back public hangings (update)

I've found a bit more information on this sleaze bag William Edward Ronca. Seems he was the child's stepfather. Here's his ugly mug:







Photo from WISTV.com

Did ya ever just have one of those milleniums?

I don't just have bad days, weeks, months like normal folks. Mine seem to come in larger numbers. If you've read The Christmas Eve Incident... and/or Happy New Year???!!! then you'll know my year didn't end or start on a high note! Also, not posted here, we had to take my Mom to the ER one week after Pop went. Fortunately she is fine. But, the hits just keep on acomin'! Now my faithful chariot is in the transmission shop. I talked to them on Friday...$580.00 PLUS tax. I'm hoping to have it back on Monday (please,please,please,please,please,please). Pop is going to have surgery on Tuesday the 31st to have a defibrillator implanted. I REALLLLLY need that car back. My youngest and I will need to go over to Pop and Mom's every day for a week or so to feed their dogs (outdoor dogs) since Pop won't be able to do it. Le sigh. In the mean time I guess I'll just take deep breaths and think happy thoughts. Yeah right!!!

Okay, it's time to bring back public hangings

When I saw this headline, (Man Facing Charges Of Impregnating 10-Year-Old) I had to do a double take. This is absolutely unbelieveable. Why on earth would someone do something like this? First should come a public lashing with a cat o' nine-tails, then the hanging. There is no excuse for this type of behavior. I can just hear the defense attorney now, "Oh, we're gonna go with a mentally ill defense. Make 'em feel sorry for ya." Well, horse crap on that! Flog him, then hang the no good, low down, worthless bastard.

I don't like Windows!

Due to the post office not having enough stamps to go around (you'd think they would have printed a butt load, it's not like they're not going to sell)I was forced to seek postage elsewhere. There are several sites listed on the post office site that are supposed to allow you to print your own postage. So, I check them all out and decide on the one that will print the postage directly on to the envelope. I was feeling pretty good about the situation until I came across the following:
"Apple Macintosh users: Our software currently does not natively support the Apple Macintosh platform. However, many of our Macintosh customers use a Windows emulator software to run the xxxxxx.com software."
Okay, I can handle that. We have Windows emulator software. My eldest son graciously installed the software and I was off and running - or so I thought. I've never seen anything so slow in my life. I could have taken a nap while each envelope was printing. And, now I have to worry about those nasty little viruses Windows is vulnerable to. Do I really need stamps that bad? I'm beginning to wonder. A lot of folks seem to think that Mac users are a lower life form.











That includes my two youngest sons who think Windows is the best thing since sliced bread! I beg to disagree! I'm just not lovin' it!!!

The Christmas Eve Incident...or, Attack of the Moron

For those of you who have read my previous posts regarding my "quest" for a divorce, following is an account of the infamous Christmas Eve incident. This is from my son's blog. I have edited out some of the more "adult" language. Don't want to offend anyone! Doesn't bother me. But some may not appreciate his brutal honesty. I personally think my son is the BEST!! This makes for interesting reading though it wasn't fun at the time. Read on!!

My Redneck Christmas Eve…

So I almost ended up murdering someone on Christmas Eve.

Do I have your attention yet?

So here’s the deal…I’ll start at the beginning, which is always an excellent place to start. Unless your life is like the movie Memento which is a simple and straightforward little tale when compared to the serenity which is my family life.

Every year my grandparents invite all of us over to their house for a Christmas Eve party. The attendees also include my aunt from Atlanta and her family but also the family of close friends of my Grandparents. Even though they’re not technically “related” to us, I and the rest of us consider them to be part of our family.

Around noon, Mom, Brian and Andrew decide to head over to the Grandparents in order to help them get everything ready for the upcoming festivities. Grandma and Papa were hit especially hard by the ice storm a couple of weeks back and at one point I was pressing hard to have the party moved to my house in order to make it a little easier on everyone involved. The Grandparents said no and the rest was soon to become history.

About 4:30 (2 full hours before any of the guests would start to arrive) my father pulls into the shared driveway between my Grandparents house and my former childhood home. No one really notices anything unusual until they begin to hear the horn of his car blaring loudly and proudly throughout the neighborhood.

It’s assumed, and logically so, that his girlfriend/punching bag/cash cow is down at the old Kilpatrick homestead and Daddy dearest is simply impatient for her to get a move on so he can continue to sample the very best Milwaukee has to offer.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. He was alone, drunk and filled with the vigor that only alcohol and the knowledge that no one is around who’s capable or willing to stand up to him can bring.

Soon he’s screaming “Where is she?” and “Why won’t she come out here and see me?” These questions are of course all directed towards my Mother as she is in the process of divorcing his hairy little troll ass. All during his little tirade he’s laying on the car horn, revving the engine to the point of distress, spinning the tires in the driveway and basically making an obnoxious ass out of himself.

Wisely, no one answers his laughable summons and while they are shaken, they remain filled with the Christmas spirit and continue preparing for their yuletide gathering.

Dad leaves, but only after becoming so entangled in the complexities of “backing out of the driveway” that it takes him several attempts to get out into the road. During his escape from the devilry that is my Grandparents simple straight in and out driveway, he backs into their mailbox reducing it to splinters and hopefully causing severe damage to his piece of s**t car.

A few minutes pass and then the horn is heard again. He’s back ladies and gentlemen!

This time, He’s pulled in directly behind my Grandparents car, laying on the horn, gunning the engine, spinning the tires and shouting obscenities.

While my father does his best drunken Jeff Gordon impersonation, my grandfather calls the police. Once they get there and while he’s talking to the patrolman he thinks he sees Dad driving down the road…apparently attempting to pull off the trifecta of assholiness.

Cut to my house, some 20 minutes away…the calm before the storm as it were.

Carla and I aren’t feeling especially chipper and have just decided that we’re not going to be able to attend the Christmas Eve party. It’ll be the first one I’ve ever missed and while I’m kinda bummed I’ll be missing it I just don’t feel like going and I especially don’t want to go without Carla. I call with my sincerest apologies and deliver the news that we won’t be attending but I will be seeing my Grandparents on Christmas day for dinner at my house.

There’s a strange tension on the other end of the phone. My mother says she needs to talk to me…there’s a pause, and when she returns to the line she’s crying.

The story of harassment is relayed and I am MOST displeased. Mom wasn’t going to say anything about it to me but finally did so at the urging of my Grandmother who felt I needed to know what was going on. Mom said she was also very much looking forward to my being there because she simply felt safer if I was in close proximity. That was all I needed to hear.

I’m so angry I literally cannot stop shaking. I’m prepared to do things…violent and brutal things.

I get dressed, tell Carla to go to her mother’s house in order to make sure she’s taken care of and set off on a leisurely jaunt to Easley and my date with aggression, anger and patricide.

When I arrive I don’t really get out of my car…I launch out ready to f*****g throw down. I’m here for one reason and one reason only…to f*****g hurt someone. I didn’t come for the cocktail weenies, deviled egg sandwiches, sausage balls or chex mix. In the immortal words of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper from the movie They Live, “I came here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…and I’m all out of bubblegum.” You’re damn right…out of bubblegum indeed.

Inside, my Mother is trying to convince me that there’s no way Dad will come back…not when all the folks are there. He’s simply too big a coward to mess with people who are not only fully capable of putting his fat ass in traction but highly f*****g motivated to do it as well.

I know differently…I KNOW he’ll be back. Even if it’s just to ride down the road and blow the horn like a big p***y.

My brother Andrew casually mentions that he’s probably at the VFW (Veteran’s of Fine Wine) across the highway and only about half a mile from my Grandparents house. I ask “You really think so?” as I’m grabbing my coat and heading out the door…only to be tackled by my Grandfather and Mother who beg me not to go.

“He’s not worth getting in trouble for” they tell me…”You’ll end up in jail and it’s not worth it”…B******t, it’s totally f*****g worth it I tell them…take your hands off me.

“I just want to ride by and see if he’s there, I’ll come right back”…which was an absolute and total lie. If you had been driving a white GMC Jimmy and had happened to have been at that particular VFW then you would’ve come out only to find your car had no windows, four flat tires and the my phone number spray painted on your f*****g hood. Sorry about that…it would’ve been an honest mistake. No hard feelings right?

After being forced to promise I wouldn’t go decimate the VFW, I assumed my place in a shadowy spot outside. I met every car as it pulled up…

As people began to arrive, I made them aware of the situation, told them politely that I’m not here for the party and that I’m only here to break someone’s f*****g jaw if given the chance.

Please…pretty please with sugar on top.

About 7:45 as I’m standing in the shadows of my Grandparents house when I see a strangely familiar set of headlights. The 1999 white GMC Jimmy slowly comes around the corner towards…me.

As it continues to slow I take off after them…it’s him. Dear God…what a wonderful Christmas present.

He sees me and speeds up.

“Hey, come here…I thought you wanted to talk to someone? Get the fuck back here and talk to me m**********r! Are you gonna sit in the road and blow the horn like a f*****g p***y or are you going to come back up here so we can f*****g talk?”

“Where you goin’? I thought you were billy f*****g bad-ass tonight? You’ll come f**k with two 75 year old people, a woman and two children but you won’t come talk that s**t to one man?”

Alas, he was gone. My grandfather was pleading with me to come inside. I was having none of it…I was standing dead center in the middle of the road where anyone who wanted to could see me quite easily…and see me he did.

This is my home and my family. I will not stand for threats or intimidation towards my family…ever.

So on the off-chance this should be seen by a certain pair of eyes…know this. My f*****g address hasn’t changed, I still work at the same place and my phone numbers are all the f*****g same.

Come talk that s**t to me and see what it gets your ass.

You and I are done…from that day until time untold I have no father. You’re no relation to me. I’ll not be associated with anyone who conducts themselves in such a base and cowardly manner.

Eventually, you and I will cross paths again…it’s inevitable.

And on that day you’d best be ready, because I sure as hell will be.

Happy New Year???!!!

The day was going fairly well yesterday. I cooked a pretty big dinner for the boys and myself. We were all stuffed and planning to just hang around the house and digest until bedtime! Not to be!! Around 6pm my Mom called and said Pop was having severe pain in his right lung area and needed to go to the ER. Since neither of them can see well enough to drive after dark, Dan and I headed over there. We got to the ER at St. Francis (Bon Secours) Hospital around 7pm. After 5 1/2 hours, blood tests, lung x-rays and CT scans we got the great news that it was just some inflamation in his lungs (no blood clots - thank God!!!). To the staff at St. Francis I just want to say you are first rate. We were well-treated. The nurses were friendly, kind and caring (my Dad is a real comic and they played along with him which made his day). The doctor was thorough and continuously reassured us that they would find out what was wrong. All of our questions were answered completely and without a hint of annoyance (we can be annoying on occasion, especially where Mom and Pop are concerned!). A toast to the staff at St. Francis! You guys rock!!!!!