Standing out

Ever notice that the people who become famous, or infamous, are the extremists? The people with the most passion and the most drive or the weirdest and craziest. Risk takers. Skill is involved to some extent, but if you don't have that "Notice Me" difference, you're just one in a sea of millions.

Anyone can reach their goal. Speak up and don't give up. Be the squeaky wheel!

Fight for the Right to Teach

It feels like the world is ganging up on teachers lately.

BO (the pres) is pushing for a longer school year. Now I'd be fine with that if we weren't in a stinkin recession! That will cost everyone more money. Does he not realize that schools are closing because their money is gone? He didn't tell the kiddies that when he spoke to the schools...did he!

Then he wants to boot any teachers that aren't performing. What the heck does that mean?! He needs to listen to what he's saying and apply it to his own darn House! Is he a pot or what!

And the icing on the cake. I just heard a report that a school (can't remember where) is thinking of replacing some teachers with computers! Not even going there at this time.

The problem isn't the teachers. The problem is America's priorities are screwed up. It's not the teachers that aren't performing, it's the students and their parents. Education isn't valued or respected by too many. If their kid is failing it must be the teacher's fault. I can agree to an extent, but people need to face the fact that these kids are getting lazier and lazier - by examples from their parents! They are letting it happen! So much whining and complaining - How can this teacher give so much homework? Why do we have to learn this stuff? I don't have time for this project. I'm doing enough to get by. Ridiculous!

What is America coming to?

Silly People

"The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people."             ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My preacher is awesome. He sends daily bible verses and words to live by. Here is one that I particularly enjoyed today. And he reminds us to thank God for what we have and not focus so much on the negative. We take so much for granted.

If you'd like to get on his mailing list, just ask. His email address is:
scott@westmasonchurchofchrist.org

In the New Age

I have entered the writing world in a new age of publishing. I am struggling with how to get published. Do I go traditional and find an agent? That process is even harder than it used to be. Bookstores are in trouble with people choosing to buy ebooks to read on their new Kindle or ipads or the latest blackberry version, the PlayBook Tablet . This has led to publishers floundering and being more selective, and further to agents not choosing as many authors to represent. Should I just give a book to Amazon and receive a percentage of that? Maybe I wouldn't have to change my genre for my first book. But I worry about my legal protection in uncharted waters.

For now I keep writing and reading and researching...

Movies

It takes a lot to surprise or impress me. I can usually predict movies, down to lines and expressions - to the annoyance of my husband and awe of my children. There isn't a whole lot of new and different out there. It's all remakes or a little twist on things that've been done. I keep thinking "How did that get produced? I could do better than that!" Must have something to do with who you know?

And why does a movie have to be intense or depressing to get good reviews? Isn't "Eat Pray Love" the same as "Pretty Woman Does India 20 years later"?

I guess that's why I enjoy movies like "Despicable Me" - unpredictable, hilarious. It helps that going to a movie like that, you're not expecting much so you're more easily impressed. (Can't wait for Megamind to come out!)

Ah if only I could get paid to be a critic. How do you get that job? But I think too many people like the same ol same ol. Or they wouldn't keep making 'em.

Sports artist

My 1st grader drew this on his white board at church. He wanted me to save it so I scanned it.

See how many sports you can identify...=)

Comments

Hey out there in la la land! I love to hear myself talk, but the only way I can improve is if you give me comments.

I don't have any yet! Maybe you agree with everything I say, eh? Then tell me that, too!

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Convince me if you can.

Not to mention, you could inspire me!

Vitiligo

In the past two days I've been surprised to run into two strangers that share the same annoying skin problem as me. Vitiligo - for some unknown reason the autoimmune system in the body kills the skin pigment cells leaving white patches (no pigment). I would be happier without this problem, but things could be worse. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

To deal with it, I half-heartedly use a steroid treatment from the dermatologist to try to bring the cells back. It's gooey and I have to be in the sun to help trigger the effect - thus darkening my pigmented portions emphasizing the white spots. It's a slow process and I'd guess that for every few cells that come back over a couple of months of treatment, thousands more die.

It's not researched very well because it is a cosmetic disease, non life threatening. I pretty much have 2 options, I can use a cream to kill the rest of my pigment and stay out of the sun (like Michael Jackson did) or I can deal with it. Whatever...

Just don't let your kids go running, screaming "Freak!" when they see us coming.

Words of Wisdom

"Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." Plato 

Uh oh. What does that make me?

Spit it out!

I speak my mind. Sometimes to my misfortune. Sometimes people misread what I say. So I apologize for that. I'm very blunt. No sugar coating it. Corn flakes!

Like right now. I can't stand it when people hide things. It's fine if it doesn't affect me. But if it does, why hide it? It will come out eventually. It can't be that important. Whatever happens happens for a reason. We all have to live with the consequences of our actions so do it right the first time. But if you mess up, fess up and fix it or do better next time. No one has the right to judge because no one is perfect.

It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday. You'll see why when you read my latest contest entry under short stories +.

I'm worrying too much about things I have no control over. Hurry up and give me more patience!

Falling asleep

Must write new post before...zzz

Some Days Are Better Than Others

I keep forgetting how old I am. I guess that's good or just more proof that I am old. Remember when you were in your twenties and 40 seemed soooo old? I mean I know I'm old - various body parts break down, continually reminding me. But I still like to sing and dance and play and joke. It's nice to forget your true age. Keep a young heart.

Surprise!

I have happily reconnected with one of my long lost friends. She is an amazing woman who has experienced more than most. Like so many of my friends, she inspires me to overlook my piddly problems and realize how good I have it. I am not as strong as she is - I could never have dealt with all she has been through.

This beautiful person was married around 18 or 19, had a child and got divorced. I met her when her daughter was about 3. She was a single mother working full time, with the help of her parents. It was hard on her but she still tried to enjoy herself and date sometimes. I watched her make it through good and bad relationships and even introduced her to her second husband. They had two wonderful kids and moved around a ton. In the midst of all that she made it through breast cancer! And she was only in her mid 30s! Unfortunately, she and her husband parted ways. But now I've heard from her again. Yeah! Her oldest is in college (Go Bulldogs!), and she has remarried. Then SURPRISE! She's pregnant! Talk about superwoman!

You go, girl! I love my beautiful friend!

Ode to Football Fans

Fall is the time for football.

Sunny days and cooler nights.

Tailgate parties in the lot,

Meet your friends, give your ticket.

Time to root for the home team.

Smells of popcorn and hot dogs.

Sitting in the cold, hard stands.

The crowd cheers for a touchdown.

The band beats a rockin tune.

Cheerleaders jump, yell and wave.

Oh no, they fumbled the ball.

But that's all right, that's ok.

Until the other team scores.

Didn't that ref see the hold?

Is the coach losing his touch?

Half time pep talk might boost them.

Yes, look at that. What a play!

Looks like we might have a chance.

Never give up, keep the faith.

The fans are happy again.

Language barrier

I want to learn a new language. Knowledge is power. If I know chinese and I'm walking through Chinatown (it could happen), it would be awesome to understand them and they'd think they could say anything because surely I don't.

I love that my youngest is taking Spanish in 1st grade. Give them more! They can take it! They're gonna need it.

As for me? My brain is older (and having a hard time remembering what I was supposed to be doing next). But maybe someday...It's never too late.

Make up post

"Another day, another nickel." -Squidward

Nuts!

My internet (and phone) was out yesterday...

Speaking of nuts, I've never heard of so many peanut allergies. Which aren't really nuts, by the way.

Our world is becoming too sensitive! The number of people with allergies has increased substantially in the past twenty or so years. I have no survey study or data to back up my theory, just personal experience. When I was young (ouch to say that phrase) there used to be only one poor schmuk in our entire school that was allergic to everything. Now there seems to be at least one in every class! And this is serious business! Every time a person has an allergic reaction, the next reaction is twice as bad and twice as fast! Just the fact that I personally know several kids with food allergies makes the occurance higher. I can't imagine the worry of a parent sending their child to school and hoping they don't run into a careless kid who could accidentally trigger them. I hate to think of the life expectancy of those poor kids as their allergies get worse - but then again, some actually grow out of them.

And what the heck is gluten! That's the latest allergy threat and it is apparently in everything! I met a woman in her 50s that just found out she was allergic to it. Now she feels great just avoiding stuff with gluten. Which is almost every processed food.

I think we are concocting our food and drink with so many chemicals to make them "lighter" and "lower in fat" and "healthier" (yet still taste good!) that we are slowly killing ourselves. I'm not a naturalist, I'm too lazy, so I expect to get cancer someday. But really, what is this world coming to? Should we go back to the good old Little House on the Prarie days? (Hey, I might have to write a book about that...hmmm) I mean what else is there to invent or improve upon? There seems to be too many people and not enough for them to do...except cure diseases that we are probably the cause of?! I feel the end is near. Hope you're right with God!

Whoa! That sure went off on a tangent...

the Tooth Fairy

Hope the tooth fairy has enough cash, my middle son pulled out two teeth tonight = (:)

Patience

I was put to the patience test today and failed.
It started this afternoon. I was late for a delayed game that started earlier than it was delayed to - fine we can be late, then I found my husband's phone that he forgot and felt rushed to get it to him because he kept getting calls about the game starting, then I got stuck behind a student driver dutifully going the speed limit (ahh!), text came in - "game starting in 5 minutes, where are you?" Ahh! Highway good, off highway bad - directions good, street signs bad, am I lost? wait I can find it without the darn GPS! Ok, after more self doubt and some cursing, found game, only missed 1st quarter.

But that's not all.
Game ok. We scored! Finally! (it's been at least 8 games since either of my boys' teams scored any points) Second half ok. Last few minutes, a couple bad calls - so frustrating, and apparently our coaches gave up for the loss even though we had a minute and the ball - argh!, final score 14-6. Better than yesterday 20-0. I'm happy my boys did well individually but that is all I will say - don't want to get going on it again. Anyway, should have hit restroom before we left, but didn't want to there so rushed to get home. Got stuck behind a guy who had to wash his windshield a few times - thanks for washing mine too, buddy. Then on highway a three across dead heat, come on!

That's when it hit me. I need to have more patience. I was setting a terrible example. My kid will be a student driver before I know it and I want him to go the speed limit. The other team did well, good for them. I hope our kids are having fun despite losing, they don't seem as bothered as the parents. And as soon as I realized it everything was fine.

I need to slow down and relax. Or at least start earlier!

Shout out

Happy Birthday, dear Daddy!

He's at it again

The president is preaching to the kids again on 9/14. Someone want to tell me - What is the point of that?

Maybe if the kids like him their parents will vote democrat? Not many more straws to grasp...

You don't know how lucky you are

I subbed for a "special needs" teacher today. What an experience.

We see these autistic kids sometimes but never really have to come into contact with them. I thought I was good, looking at them and saying "Hi" to them. And I knew it must be hard for any parents who have one. But what I saw today is that these are regular kids hidden under the waving arms and outbursts.They each had different personalities and likes and dislikes. They were so smart and polite and well-behaved. I wish more people could see it for themselves. It's just so hard to understand why this has to happen. This is one of the jobs I have great respect for that I could never handle on a daily basis. I appreciated these professionals before, but seeing it up close takes it to a whole other level.

Thank you for choosing to be where most would not.

A Prayer

Dear God,
Please be with all those who have lost their jobs. I hear about more and more all the time. Please help our leaders make better choices. We need your help. Please give us strength to get through what comes.

Thank you for the many blessings we have.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Don't let your guard down

In this day and age of cameras in every hand you have to act like someone is always watching you, because they are. And then it's all over the web.

The Question

To shave or not to shave. Probably should, probably won't. It can wait one more day. It was in the 40s last night. Summer is officially over.

TMI

No one is unique anymore. I thought my name was special - until I googled it. Some attention hungry, sex crazed woman with my name is displaying her wares for the whole world to ogle. I feel violated!

Reconsider

The boob job isn't really worth it...who are you trying to please?

Who's got the time?

Save time, let it go. Most of the time it isn't that important.

Rollercoaster of life

Life may be like a rollercoaster, but why should I feel the need to hold on and shut my eyes and pray it'll be over soon? I'll take the slow and easy tracks of life, thank you.