Sweet Dreams

As I sat in the swing in my backyard tonight and watched, as darkness slipped in and wrapped around me, the stars seemly appearing from nowhere. Some blinking on and off as if someone somewhere were flipping a switch. Yes, there are stars over Alabama tonight. Well at least here in Podunt.
While I sat there gazing into the blinking heavens my mind began wandering down memory lane, as it does so often of late. I know I've often said, your only young once, but, if you do it right, once is enough. I could have been wrong.
I think, that just one more time, if even for only a moment I'd like to be that teenage girl who had such elaborate, and sweet dreams. She believed anything was possible. The world was a treasure chest and she alone had the key to unlock it. She had no idea that treasure trove of dreams might turn out to be a Pandora's box. She simply believed life was her's for the living. Such sweet innocence.
Have I ever mentioned that I dreamed of being a dancer? I love ballet. The dancer is an ethereal creature, she seems to glide even when she walks. She has this sleek, sinuous body that flows with the beauty of the music. Even when there is no music.
I had talent. I could sing, my voice a combination of Skeeter Davis and Dusty Sprinfield. I enjoyed singing. Which was good since I did quite a bit of it. At church, at school, in pagents. I never failed to win a resounding round of applause. If we'd had American Idol back then, I might have even won. I'd have made it into the top 10 for sure. I was that good.
Still, my soul ached to dance. I the possessor of two left feet. At least when it came to dancing anything more sophiscated than the bump, or whatever we called it. There was a song in my heart, sadly,my feet could not interpret it. Yet I dreamed that someday I'd be magically transformed. I'd walk out onto a stage and my body would simply do what dancers body's do. Dance. The audience would be so moved they would weep with joy.
Just once more, if only for a moment, I'd like to be that girl again. Perchance to dream of dancing.

Remembering...

I remember way back when I discovered blogging. I was reading a piece on the MSNBC newsite and the writer mentioned the new phenomenom that that was sweeping the web. It seems he said, everybody is trying out blogging. I followed a few links and found myself instantly transported into the fourth dimension. The world of the unreal, becoming real. I read into the wee hours of the morning. There were blogs about everything. Sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Best of all there were blogs about politics! I had found my drug of choice. I had to have me some of this.
As I went about setting up my very own blog, I was like a kid learning to ride a bicycle. I could bearly contain my excitement. It took hours for me to come up with just the right name. I was such a novice, I had no idea what a template was, and while I did know what HTML was, I had no knowledge of how to use it. Just using Bloggers plain old offerings was a task for me. But once I got myself set up, I was in blog-heaven. I could write! I could say whatever I wanted. I could talk to the world. Of course it didn't hit me at first that NOBODY was listening. I didn't care. My first blog was all political. I had so much to say. I was able to finally purge all the passion and anger I had been keeping bottled up.
The more personal blogs didn't appeal to me at first. The few I'd read were written by people whining and going on and on about their miserable lives, jobs, boyfriends, girlfriends, school, ect. One of the first personal blogs I read was by this person Anne. She lived in, I think Baltimore. She hated her job, she hated the stupid people who came into the store where she worked. She hated her bosses and her co-workers. How boring is that? I had my own troubles, I wasn't interested in reading about someone else's.
Then one night I came across this outragously funny blog by some crazy lady from Arkansas. What's Up Down South was the funniest thing I'd read. Through the links on her blog I discovered other personal blogs that were funny, interesting and inspiring. So, I decided to forgo my politics (after all no one was reading it but me anyway) and go for something a little more personal. The rest is history.
What I remember most is how much I enjoyed it. All of it. The writing, the reading. Every new blog I discovered brought something wonderful and interesting into my life. Baby had a brand new toy!
It hasn't been that way lately. I've gotten mired down in worrying about what this one or that one thinks. It's become depressing rather than inspiring.
While spending time with my family and friends today we got around to talking about blogging. I was telling them about some of the things that have been happening lately. My brother laughed and said "Damn Wanda, you do realize these are people who really don't know you and certainly aren't qualified to make any kind of judgement as to who or what you are, right?". Something just clicked for me in that moment. I remembered what it was that I loved about blogging and why I started in the first place. Not to win a popularity contest. Not to please anyone else. I blogged because I loved blogging.
The picture above says it all.
Wild horses couldn't drag me away.
I do this for ME, and I am going to keep doing what I love.
I hope everyone everywhere had a day as pleasant and happy as mine.

###########

ps: Tell me again how it wasn't about oil and money.

Sunday, Part Deux

I found this over at Otto's...

W	Wired
A	Ambivalent
N	Naughty
D	Delightful
A	Accurate

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

ps: As ya'll can see I've done some re-decorating. I decided to alphabitize my blogroll. Let me re-state that if any of you want your links removed just send me an email at wandabits@yahoo.com. All you have to say is take it down. Of course it will help if I know who you are, so anonymous emails won't work.

Axis of Eve

I am soooooo going to apply for membership in this group! No, not because of their politics, it's the sexy undies I love!
check em out! (you'll have to scroll down a bit to see them)

A Hero Dies

I've had a busy day today, so I didn't even know untill I got to Bohemian Mama's . There I discovered some very sad news. One of my long time hero's has passed away. Lifelong Protester David Dellinger Dies . Like BM, this is very sad news for me.

" Colman McCarthy, director of the Center for Teaching Peace Inc. in Washington, called Mr. Dellinger "truly a kind and lovable man, both a natural storyteller about all his decades of jamming the gears of the world's war machines, and an icon of nonviolence who taught that all of us are called to be peacemakers. In an era diseased with war, his arguments for pacifism remain bedrock-sound."

Bohemian Mama, summed it up best..."the legend of Dave Dellinger is one to not only aspire to and to try to imitate, but one to remember when we think times are tough. He never gave up, he never bowed to false authorities and he never stopped telling the truth.
Goodbye David.

Friends

No, I don't mean Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Joey, Ross, and Phoebe.
Although it would be nice to have real life friends like that wouldn't it? Actually I do have a couple friends that I have known for over 10 years. Sometimes we go for days without talking, but when we do it's like we just talked 5 minutes earlier. I trust them completely.
I've also had friends that were more of the Soprano's variety. People who would laugh and smile with you, be so sweet, you could almost call them a doughnut. But would stab you in the back without so much as a flinch of guilt or shame. A doughnut might be a good way to describe them. Because while on the outside they might be sugary and sweet, in the middle, deep down where it counts, there's a hole. Somethings missing.
Do you know that feeling when you begin to realize that someone isn't at all what you thought they were? That sense of sadness, that feeling of knowing that you've been duped? That feeling that someone you allowed yourself to like, to almost trust,has been playing you for a fool? Sucks huh?
I used to let people like that get to me. I'd spend countless hours wondering "why"? What was the point? If he/she didn't really like me then why the games? Why pretend? Why not just walk away, no drama, just walk away?
Finally I came to realize that the fault was not mine. Everyone has known people like that. Everybody's played the fool. Theres no sense in whining and moping around about it. Just get over it and move on. It's not your fault.
The fault lies within the person who for whatever reason needs to play with other peoples minds. Something deep inside them drives them to be so devious, so dishonest. So cowardly. Of course they never see themselves that way. They think their clever. They may even fool themselves into thinking they are being kind. They're not.
As most of you know, I've been having a bit of a difference of opinion with Don lately. More on his part than mine, because however I might feel about his opinions, I respect his right to have them and to voice them. I got an email from him that started out with "I know you hate me, but...". Your wrong Don, I don't hate you. Yes, in the begining I was angry that you chose to trash me for all the world to see, but then I realized, if I'm going to put my thoughts and opinions out there for all the world to see, then I damn well better be ready to take the heat when someone disagrees with me. Either stand up and stand behind what you say, or don't say it. That is the price you pay for freedom of speech.
In fact not only do I not hate him, I grudingly admire him. At least he is honest and upfront about what he thinks. He doesn't play games and he doesn't pull any punches. You know where you stand with Don. He may be an ass, but he's no backstabber. He has only one face and he shows it to the whole world. Regardless of what I think of his politics, I can't help but admire his willingness to say, this is what I think. If you like it fine, if you don't then just go the hell away!!!
I also think if you are Don's friend, and he comes along and someones kicking the hell out of you, he would jump right in and fight like a dog to defend you. Even if he ended up getting his own butt kicked. That's just the kind of guy he is.
Don't get me wrong, this is not some kind of extending of the peace pipe on my part. I didn't pick this fight, it's not mine to end. No, Don and I will never be buddies. We are way too much alike. Stubborn as hell and 100% convinced we know what's right and what's wrong. Besides, Don is a bit of a bully. I can't abide bullies. (I'm sure everybody knows what he thinks of me). One thing is for certain, though, we both know where the other stands.
Neither of us could be called a doughnut.
Which considering that one of my brothers is State Trooper, the other is policeman in a small Florida town, my son will be leaving in September for the Police Acadamy, and my neighbor is the Chief of Police here in Podunt, is a good thing for me. You don't want to be a doughnut around that many cops!

Laugh for the day:

15 things a man can do at K-Mart -- while his wife is taking her
danmed sweet time:

01. Get 24 boxes of condoms &randomly put them in people's carts when they aren't looking.

02. Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5 minute intervals.

03. Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the rest-rooms.

04. Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in an official tone: 'Code 3 in Housewares' . . and see what happens.

05. Go to the Service Desk and ask to put a bag of M&M's on lay-away.

06. Move a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

07. Set-up a tent in the Camping Department -- and tell other shoppers you're sleeping over; invite them in if they bring pillows from the Bedding Department.

08. When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask: "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

09. Look right into the security camera, use it as a mirror and pick your nose.

10. While handling guns in the Hunting Department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are.

11. Dart around the store suspiciously, while loudly humming the theme from "Mission impossible."

12. In the Auto Department, practice your "Madonna look" using different sized funnels.

13. Hide in a clothing rack . . . and when people browse through, say: "PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!!"

14. When an announcement comes over the loudspeaker,assume the fetal position and scream; "NO!...It's those voices again!!!"

And last but not least:

15. Go into a fitting room, shut the door and wait a while . . . then yell loudly: "There's no toilet paper in here!"

Have a good one!!!

Brain Freeze

I got nothing today, but if you are REALLY bored, here's a time killer...

100 Things About Me

ps: Hey people here's the deal. I can't get about half the blogs I visit to load. Not just blogger. I can't get Jaye or Houston's to open either. I can get into some bloggers, Phyllis for one, David (tx) for another. Both of mine open, but way slow. I don't think it's a blogger problem, I think it's an internet problem. Several of my other sites I visit aren't loading either. I guess I'll catch ya when I can....

Monday Madness

Hello world! Isn't it a beautiful Monday? It's as hot as a woodpeckers pecker here in Podunt. No rain in sight.
Anybody up for some fun? I found this on another blog and just had to 'steal' it and share it.
Here's wishing everybody a happy week ahead!

News flash just in for the year 2035.

Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the 7th largest country in the world, California.

White minorities still trying to have English recognized as California's third language.

Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States crops and livestock.

Baby conceived naturally... Scientists stumped, why would anyone do such a thing?

Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.

Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Lebanon).

Iraq still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least ten more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.

France pleads for global help after being overtaken by Jamaica.

Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.

Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesday only.

35 year study: Diet and Exercise is the key to weight loss.

Average weight of Americans drops to 150 lbs.

Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.

Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.

Average height of NBA players now nine feet, seven inches.

New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters, and rolled up newspapers must be registered by January 2036.

Congress authorizes direct deposit of illegal political contributions to campaign accounts.

IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75%.

Florida Democrats still don't know how to use a voting machine.

Sunday Observations

You are Romans.


Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Kind of appropriate for a Sunday wouldn't you say?

Saturday Sighs

What a day!!
It's been hot as two ferrets doing the nasty in a forest fire, here today. I don't know what the high was, but it was HIGH.
We worked in the yard for a while this morning. I don't usually help with yard work, but Zach , is here this weekend and he was driving his PaPa crazy, so I had to go out and referee. What is it about little boys and water hoses? Finally I promised Zach that if he would behave I'd take him to rent either a movie or video game after lunch. Upon securing said promise, he took off to play with Alex, our neighbors little boy. Things settled down a bit and I was able to come back inside and vegitate with my computer.
Promptly after lunch I was reminded of my promise. So much for an afternoon nap. As we headed out for our trip to Movie Gallery, Zach informs me he has invited Alex to come along. I figure, oh well, what's one more. BIG MISTAKE. Do you have any idea how much havoc two little boys can wreck in one store? Especially when their only supervision is a hot irratated Granny who made the mistake of letting them take her card and go in alone? I almost peed my pants when I spied them through the plate glass window, running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Which had I been able to catch them is exactly what they would have been. I bounded out of my jeep into that store so fast I bet I broke speed records in three olympic events. I managed to catch Zach by the back of his shirt as he rounded the corner of aisle 3. Alex ran smack into him and damn near knocked us all three down. I drug them both out of their by their collars, apologizing profusely to the store clerks. I'm not sure if they wanted to kill me for letting them come in alone or kiss me for getting them out so quickly. I am positive it will be a LONG time before they are happy to see me again. Or that I will be able to show my face down at the local MG.
Zach was not a happy camper when I informed him he would NOT be getting a game after all. I almost had to threaten him with bodily harm to get him buckled up for the trip home. They were even less happy when I dropped Alex off at his house and wouldn't let Zach stay. Granny was not a popular lady today. I can tell you that. When we got to the house, I foolishly thought I'd send Zach to my room and make him take a nap as punishment for being a very bad boy. Nine year old boys do NOT take naps. They will however jump on beds, and hit their head on the ceiling fan. Ceiling fans have fast moving blades that will whack you a good one and even make you bleed. All over Granny's bedspread. Said bleeding will scare the crap out of a Granny resting comfortably in her chair when you come running into the living room crying wannnnnnnntttt.
Do I even have to tell you he got that damn video game anyway? No, not from MG. Thank God, even if we are a small town we have at least 5 video rental stores.
I just have one question here....David, Brenda, How the hell do you do it? I would be dead in a week. Or he would be. For sure one of us would be.
Excuse me now while I go soak in a tub for a few hours....

Saturday Scruples

Have you ever had a friend, co-worker, family memeber or aquaintance that just could not leave well enough alone? No matter how many times, or how many ways you tried to let this person know that you did not want to argue with them, or even persue a relationship with them, they just would not leave you the phuck alone? You shun their phone calls (thank God for caller id) you ignore their emails, you try hiding in the closet when they make yet another unannounced, unwelcomed, visit. Yet every time you turn around, there they are. If you aren't nice to them, then they go around talking trash about you to everyone who's willing to listen. Your family and friends feel like they are being put in the middle of something they want no part of.
What's a person to do? If you finally resort to telling them to buzz off and leave you alone, you know it will mean all out war. You've seen what this person is capable of. More than once. Besides that's just not your style. You don't want to hurt them, but you don't want to hang out with them either.
How would YOU handle this kind of situation?

Marriage

There's been a great deal of discussion over the past few months about marriage. The current controversy is over same-sex marriages. Years ago it was bi-racial marriage. There's a lot about all this I just don't understand. Most of all I don't see why it matters to anyone other than the two people getting married, what their sex, or race or social standing is. Why should it matter to me if Houston and Mustang Bobby want to marry. Why would it matter to them if I wanted to marry David, or for that matter even Phyllis. Of course mine and Davids spouses might have something to say but otherwise why should it be the concern of anyone else? I just don't get it.
I have a few ideas about marriage I'd like to share with you. Why couldn't we have two different types of marriage. We could have ordinary, everyday marriage. This would be a civil union between two people, with the ceremony performed by a judge. Re-write the marriage vows where there is no mention of God or religion. Plain simple marriage. Then you could have Holy Matrimony. This would be a religious ceremony, performed by a Minister, Priest, or Rabbi. Each individual church would have some say in who could marry within their particular denomination. Both would be legal. Both would allow the same benifits.
Even better, lets consider the divorce rate. Maybe some people aren't meant to marry/mate for life. For them there could be contract marriages. Two people join together in an agreement to be married for a set period of time. At the end of that time, the marriage contract would be re-negociated. If the marriage was resolved then everything procured during the marriage would be divided evenly between the two. Regardless of who worked or didn't, or who made more money. Sure there would be some problems, but heck the LAWYERS can work that out. In fact I like that idea best of all. Contract marriage. Why didn't I think of that years ago?

Are You a Thrillseeker

1. Bungee jumping or Skydiving?
I have bungee jumped. Years ago. Skydiving sounds like fun, but not for me. Only a fool jumps out of a perfectly good airplane.
2. Scuba diving or Snorkeling?
Have done both and loved it!!
3. Downhill skiing or snowboarding?
Done both, prefer skiing.
4. Whitewater rafting or Water skiing?
Water skied for years. Never whitewater rafted. But I would if the opportunity presented it's self.
5. Hang gliding or Hot Air Balloon ride?
Never done either one, but would love to try.
Your turn

Wednesday's Wisdom

No, not Wednesday from the Addams Family!

I know that many of you have said, you no longer intend to comment on political issues. I understand and respect that. Once you've stated your opinion there really is no need to rehash the same old doctrine over and over. Unless of course you are a political nut like me. But (isn't there ALWAYS a but with me) a rectent entry by Retro Girl in her blog gave me pause for thought Here's what she said...
"Just because I'll be voting for Bush in the November election doesn't give you the right to call me names. If you call me 'stupid', 'unintelligent', etc. just because of my opinion, that offends me, and only because the name calling doesn't take into condideration WHY someone votes as they do. I was a huge John Edwards supporter--HUGE. Nobody has ever asked me WHY I would decide to vote Republican after giving my full support to a Democrat. Instead, they would rather call me names. That's what makes me mad."
What a profound statement. I am sure that RG knows she's not the only one who's been called names. Her point is valid for those of us on both sides.
So, right here, right now, I want to apologize. I hope I have never called anyone stupid, or unintelligent. I do know I have probably implied, more than once, that, in my opinion people supporting Bush, are in some way less informed or less realistic than we Kerry people are. In my zeal to express my opinion I am sure I have trampled on the feelings and sensibilities of more than one person. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I was wrong. Not about my support for Kerry(yeah, tx, I know you got all excited there for a minute), but in my arrogant assumption that I somehow can see things more clearly than anyone else.
I am not going to go into all the reasons that I support John Kerry. If you are interested you can read all about it in my post for today at Words On A Page . I think I expressed my reasons fairly well. However, I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone who wishes to do so, to tell me why you support your chosen candidate. The odds are we won't change each others minds, but at least we will have taken the time to try and understand where we're all coming from and why.
When all said and done, when election day has come and gone, one side will have won the other lost. I'd hate to think, I was the greatest loser of all (even if Kerry won) because I had lost a friend.

Games People Play
Lets get to know each other a little better...
1. What is your favorite board game?
A: I love Scrabble. I play online at Games.com, almost every
night.
2. What kind of card games do you like to play?
A: I like Gin, and Gin Rummy, Hearts, and Spades.
3. What is your favorite outdoor game?
A: Tennis
4. What is your favorite sport to watch?
A: Football or Soccer
5. What is your favorite television game show?
A: Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune.

Monday's Unconscious Mutterings

I know it's suppose to be Sunday's Unconscious Mutterings, but what the heck, I'm a day late and a dollar short. Let's play anyway.
I say, you think...
1. Playoffs:
2. Morris:
3. Break-up:
4. Eggs:
5. Parker:
6: Hardy Boys:
7. Deluxe:
8. Protection:
9. Girl Scout:
10. Salsa:

Sunday, Sunday

A glorious Sunday morning (or afternoon) to everyone! Won't you come and join me as I stroll through this lovely park?



Can't you just hear the birds singing? And the smell? All these lovely sweet flowers. Lets sit awhile on that bench down by the koi pond. I love koi, they are so bright and colorful. Oh, oh look there, at that adoreable little squirrel!
This is such a peaceful place. I could sit here forever. It's almost that 'perfect world' we talked about.

Saturday's Rant

I had this good rant all worked up, almost had it posted, then I stopped. I'm just not in the mood to be bitchy or negative today. There's been enough of that this week already. I wanna be more like Brenda, or Kat. They have such fun, cheery posts. Then there's Houston , who's witty, and brilliant. I wish he'd write a book. One with never ending stories. A book that I could curl up by the fire in that little cottage that Mary Lou has such pretty pictures of.
A special friend ask recently, what would things be like if you were in charge of the world? Well, first of all I'd like to live in the world she described. No war, no fighting, just love sweet love. All the chocolate you can eat, and you'd never gain an ounce. I'd have clean water and clean air. The trees would grow tall and strong. The forest would be filled with happy little (an big, but friendly) animals. We'd all be vegetarians (maybe we could eat the fish we caught at Mary Lou's pond). I'd travel around from place to place, visiting all of you, and you'd all just love me to pieces.
As Louie Armstrong said.... what a wonderful world.
Ya'll have a happy and safe weekend ya hear!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TW!!!

My world is a better place for having you a part of it!!

ps: Happy Blog Anniversary to Michelle !!!!

Sometimes The Good Guys Really Do Win!



I'm so happy! I'm so happy I danced around my living room, squealing with joy! Finally a good guy actually won! I was hoping for Jennna or Rupert to win, and could have lived with Big Tom or Colby winning. I could NOT believe that Boston Rob actually made it into the final four. The guy was a total jerk. But it doesn't even matter, cause my man Rupert finally got what he deserved!
Excuse me while I do the happy dance!

Oh yeah, oh yeah!!!!

I Can See Clearly Now (I think)

I have been doing some hard thinking these last few days. About what I believe and why I believe it. Where I stand on big and little issues. I will be the first to admit that when I feel strongly about something I can get a bit over the top real quick. Sometimes things can be said, or written in the heat of anger that would be better left unsaid. For all my bravado, I would never willingly offend anyone or try to force my opinion on anyone. But the bottom line is, this is my place to vent. To express my feelings about everything. My feelings. No one has the right to expect me to tiptoe around issues that are important to me, in order to keep from stepping on their toes. Anyone can disagree with me. I welcome your opinions. If something you read here offends you, then keep in mind that feeling the way I do, it's entirely possible that something I have read in your blogs may have offended me. That's the chance you take when you engage in the open and free exchange of ideas. If all you want to see and hear are the thoughts and opinions of people who agree with you then you should limit yourself to blogs of that genre.
I'm a serious person. I tend to take things more seriously than the average bear. I have moments of funny but over all I'm not what one would call a 'funny girl'. Because of that I write about things of a more serious nature.
My day to day life is boring and would surely lull you into a deep sleep. I have worked through some fairly serious family issues here in this blog. Not of late, but in the beginning my dysfunctional family was the primary subject of my blogging. I appreciate the input and help that all of you have offered me over the past year. I still find myself thinking "what would Leslie do..." or "how would Brenda handle this catastrophe...".
I guess what I am trying to say here is that I value each of you. I love your comments. I look forward to reading them and responding to them. But,I am what I am, and I am not going to censor myself in order to meet someone elses standards. I wouldn't ask that of you. If that means you no longer wish to visit my blog so be it. I will be going through my blogroll over the next few days. If you would like your blog removed then please let me know. If you want to remove mine from yours, I will understand. I will miss you.

Tuesday's Thoughts

Kim over at The G-Spot was asking about hero's yesterday. Then last night I had the pleasure of seeing my personal hero, John McCain on Deborah Norville's show. Listening to him talk about the abuse he indured during his time as a POW in North Vietnam, almost made me cry. It put into perspective some of the violence and abuse we have been hearing so much about lately.
We all know that war is a nasty business. That prisoners of war are treated inhumanely is no surprise. As an American I naively believed we were different. We would never do to our POW's what other countries do. To discover that we are just as despicable and horrendous as the others is a shock. But, that's not the biggest shock or disappointment to me. No, the worst part is seeing people I thought I knew, act as if it's no big deal. To hear people say it's much ado about nothing. That it was just a few rouge soldiers (not true) makes me ill. In my opinion to condone such behavior speaks of ones character in ways I find it hard to describe. If you agree with this ( Sen. James Inhofe ) sick jerk, then you're as sick as he is. Even his own Republican colleagues don't agree with him.
I digress, the point of all this was to ask, do you have a personal hero? If so, who and why?

Monday, Monday

Here it is Monday again.
I had a wonderful Mothers Day. One small bit of disappointment, but I didn't let that spoil an otherwise almost perfect day. I got to go out to dinner with my three youngest children and my two youngest grandchildren. Then we spent the afternoon and evening just relaxing and visiting. It was wonderful. I got flowers and clothes but best of all I got to be with my children.
I didn't hear from Daniel, or from Zach, but I know they both were thinking of me. Because I know they love me.
I didn't get to see my Mom, she wasn't home. We'll see what happens next. One step at a time.
I hope all of you had a wonderful day as well.
Hey Leslie, how about those elephants?
I see Blogger got a kind of internal face lift. I'm not sure if I like it or not. I'll give it a bit and see. If not, I may do like Houston and Jaye and give Typepad a try.
So, tell me about YOUR day!!
ps: Don't let the picture above mislead you. I'm not feeling down, I just like the picture.

Mother's Day

I would like to share this with you.
From Bohemian Mama comes this wonderful thought.

"I debated about mentioning this, but I keep thinking about it, so I'm going to. This Mama's Day, please don't forget all the women who are mamas of angels. Having lost a baby before she was born (and her 3rd birthday would have been this week), I know that so many mamas are forgotten because people can't see their children. Also, lots of mamas are forgotten because though they don't have children of their own, they do participate in children's lives, and simply aren't recognized for the Mamahood that they give. And finally, for all those mamas who struggle just to get by and still make the most of it, whether your children are with you or not, I commend you for being the kind of woman who makes what being a bohemian mama what it's all about."

If you don't have the best of relationships with your Mother, drop by over at Phyllis's, and read her letter to her Mother. It might inspire you (as it did me) to give that relationship one more try.

Remember When

Why does that remind me of an old Statler Brothers song?

Okay Michelle, I'll play along.....

Invent a memory of me and post it in the comments. It can be anything you want, so long as it is something that has never happened. Then do the same in your blog so that people can invent memories for you. The last bit is optional but is quite fun reading all the bizarre and witty memories. It is a guaranteed good laughing session.
Let's take a stroll down memory lane ( we can use the hollow deck on the USS Enterprise).

Infidelity


Are there any circumstances where you would or could understand, even accept infidelity? Let me present you with a possible scenario.

Jeff and Mary have been married for 25 years. He is 49, she is 46. They have 3 children, ages 19, 21, and 23. The oldest is a college graduate, married and has a baby on the way. The two younger children are in college. Jeff and Mary both have careers. They have a lovely home, a comfortable income, and from the outside, a full and happy life.
The problem? For the past 3 years Mary has refused to have sex. In the past year she moved Jeff out of the master bed room, into one of the other bedrooms in the house. Jeff has done everything within his power to reach out to Mary. He's tried romancing her (flowers, candy, little love notes on her pillow, surprise visits to her office with flowers, bubble baths with candles, weekends in the country, ect) . He's suggested they try counseling. He's even suggested sex therapy. Mary has told him flat out she isn't interested and "that part of our marriage is over". Jeff finally gave up and pretty much accepted that was how it was going to be. After all he still loves Mary and they do have a good life. Even with out the intimacy of sex.
A few months ago Jeff noticed himself becoming more and more attracted to a woman he works with. They have many things common. They both like the same tv shows, they both love to sail, they even drive the same kind of cars. He's found himself thinking more and more about this woman. She is recently divorced and he can tell she is attracted to him as well.
He is torn. He does still love Mary. He loves their family and their home. But much of the time he finds himself feeling lonely and empty. He misses the warmth and intimacy that comes from making love to someone you love. The cuddling and affection that should be a part of his life.
While it is not his nature to cheat on his wife, he cannot bring himself to even consider the nightmare that a divorce would be for his family.
What would you advise Jeff to do?
If your first instinct is to say, talk to Mary try to make her understand how he feels, keep in mind he has done this already. More than once.

100 Things About Me

I was born in Anniston, AL
I weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz
My Mother was married when I was born, but not to MY Father.
I started kindergarten at the age of 5, in La Rochelle, France
I attended 1st grade in Greece.
I have lived in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, England, and Holland
While living in France, I witnessed a tidal wave
I have walked along the black sand beaches of Portugal
I was a cheerleader in Jr High and in my Sophmore and Jr years of high school
I was Football Sweetheart at homecoming two years in a row in high school
I was in the Beta club for three years in high school
I worked as a roller skating carhop at an A&W Rootbeer drive in
I worked as a Candy Striper (no not stripper)
I graduated with a 4.0 average
I received a full scholarship from two colleges.
I chose to attend The Universit of Dayton, in Dayton , OH
I drank, and partied myself right out that scholarship
I once lived in the house with a guy who was close personal friends with Jim Croche
I have sat around the fire and listened to him sing songs you've probably never heard
I once dated a guy in a rock band
I once dated a guy who was the son of a mortician, and who later became one himself.
I refused to lie in a casket when he dared me to.
I hitchhiked from Tampa , Fl to San Fransisco, California.
I then hitchehiked from SF to Eugene, Oregon
I broke my leg skiing in Colorado
I have smoked pot
I have snorted cocain
I have drank all kinds of alcohol
I don't LIKE the taste of alcohol
I once had a roommate who could have been the role model for Phoebe on Friends.
I have met Courtney Cox in person
I have met Robert Reford, his wife and their daughter in person
I have been married twice.
My first husband died in a car accident
My oldest son was 2 when his Father and I married
I have four children (Daniel, Joshua, Kasey, & Robby)
I have five grandchildren, two that I have not seen in over two years
I have lived in 10 states (I think it's 10)
I have been an in-store dectective
I helped publish a post newspaper when I was in Germany during Desert Storm
I received a medal and a ribbon (which I did not throw at anyone) for my volunteer work during Desert Storm
I have worked at a counseling center answering a suicide line. Never lost a a caller either.
I once worked as a school crossing guard. In the winter in Alaska!
I walked my kids to school when it was -60 below , they got certificates for attending school that day. I got cold hands and feet.
I once had a close friend who worked as a stripper (stipper not striper)
I helped drive my family from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Manhattan, KS (home of Ft Riley)
I have toured the salt mines in Germany
I have visited Hitler's Eagles Nest in Germany
I have walked through fields of tulips in Holland
I have toured Buchingham Palace
I have been to Arlington Cemetary
I have been through the Holland tunnel
I have been to JFK's grave
I have been on The Sunshine Skyway
I have been up in the Space Needle in Seattle Washington
I have been to the French Quater in New Orleans
I have walked along the 'grassy knoll'
I belive that Lee Harvy Oswald alone shot JFK, no conspiracy, just one crazy man
I believe I know people like Jack Ruby
I once worked as an outside collector for a major funiture company
I have worked as a telemarketer
For 8 years I worked as the Procurement Manager of that same furnitur company
I have sued a former boss, and the company we worked for, for sexual harassment
I won.
I have made love during a hurricane
I have stood outside on a balcony during the same hurricane
I have witnessed a tornado
I saw Lynard Skynard in concert before the plane crash
I saw Black Sabbath in concert,
I smoked pot at both concerts
I have reddish brown hair and blue eyes
I have 'fooled around' with a younger man ;)
My family has had four cats in the past, none now
We have had 6 dogs, two which we still have, Petunia and Dakota
I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee
I am a card carrying member of the Daughters of The American Revolution
I am a member of our local garden club
I am a member of the local book club
I am on the Library Committee
I occasionally do volunteer work at our local hospital
I can reformat the hard drive on my computer
I have loved someone I've never met
I can spend more money than I make, in a heartbeat
I love to shop
I love to travel
I love the beach in fall and winter
I love the mountains in spring and summer
Autumn is my favorite season
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday
Even at my age my favorite clothes are jeans and t-shirt
I love thong sandles
I hate thong panties
I love the word panties, it just sounds so sexy
I love snow but hate driving in it
I have been blogging since March of 03
I have a crush on John McCain
I think Vincent D'Onofrio is sexy as all get out ( Law & Order Criminal Intent)
I am hooked on all the Law & Order shows
I am also a big CSI fan
I am sooooooo glad this is finished! How do people do this?

My Turn

Now it's my turn to ask you questions. I picked three questions from the ones I was ask and now I want to hear YOUR answers.

1. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
2. What is your favorite way to relax?
3. If you could live or visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I know #3's a double, but oh well. I'm waiting.....

Request

I need an unbiased opinion.
Recently I read a post by another blogger that referred me to an interview with a man named George Monbiot. Some of what I read in this interview really shook me up and has been on my mind for several days now. I posted a segment of the interview in my political blog and ask for opinions. So far the opinions have been supportive of what this man says. But, these are by far people who are anti-Bush and that may be affecting their opinion. So, I want to ask those of you who visit me here to check this article out and give me you honest, unbiased opinion. Especially Brenda, Heather, Kim , Leslie, Phyllis and those of you who can look at this honestly and not let your feelings regarding politics or Kerry, or Bush get in the way of your gut instincts. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

You are a narrative writer. Usually a writer of
stories rather than poetry, you grew up reading
Shakespeare's less popular and heard of plays--
like King Lear or the Henry series. Your
writing contains a certain order and
organization--be it chronological or otherwise.
If you are to write poetry, it has to convey a
logical (or perhaps unreal) story with some
sort of order behind it.


What's YOUR Writing Style?
brought to you by Quizilla

By Order of HRH Tiffany @ Mind Diversion


I want everyone who reads this to ask me 3 questions, no more no less. Ask me anything you want and I will answer it. Then, I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything.
Great idea! Let's get to know each other a little better, shall we?

Face Off

No, not the movie, the demonstration....

Michael and Jill Joshua, with 7-month-old Noah, said they came from Olympia to show their support for traditional marriage.

I am not going to even get into the 'gay marriage' means doom to mankind bs.
Lets just take a look at that picture above.
There nestled in his Mothers loving arms is Noah, 7-month-old son of Jill and Michael. Since his name is Noah I am assuming this baby is a boy. A little baby boy, dressed in purple and pink shorts, with a butterscotch colored top. All I am saying here is if his Mommy continues to dress him like a girl, she may need to re-think her attitude on the gay marriage issue.
Okay, I changed my mind. Hey, I'm a woman I can do that. Just call me wishy-washy .
So, this 57 year old woman named Lynn Blond is quoted as saying "Marriage is for the purpose of procreation, to populate the world. Two people of the same sex can't procreate.". Give me a freaking break!
We have over 6 billion (or is it trillion) people on this planet. Does it really matter if a few of them don't procreate? I mean we've got folks having 5 and 6 kids they can't feed and clothe so what's the big deal if NOT everybody feels the need to reproduce.
Where in the Bible does it say that marriage is ONLY between a man and a woman? I know it says "We have come together to join this man and this woman...." but I can't think of anywhere it actually says only a man and a woman can be joined in marriage. I know there's a line or two regarding 'if a man should lie with another man' but that's about all I can think of. There is not one word about women with women. So do lesbians get a free pass?
But, if we are going to go strictly by the Bible, how about that line "what God has joined together let no man put asunder". Doesn't that mean like, NO divorce? Then there's that line about not bearing false witness against thy neighbor. I want you to tell me, do you know anyone who doesn't lie?
You see the thing is, if you are going to use the Bible to set the guidelines for society, then you have set ALL the guidelines. Not just those that appeal to you.
Don't preach to me about abortion and homosexuality being wrong then go about your life doing what you damn well please. Because there are no little and big sins. Sin is sin. Greed is sin, sloth is sin, jealousy is sin, hypocrisy is a sin, lust is a sin, sex between unmarried people is a sin, the list goes on. Yet you choose to ignore those because they don't offend you. Well guess what. That's not how it works. If you are putting yourself up on a pedestal and are judging others, you might want to think about the fact that pride is also a sin.
Jesus, hung out with eleven other guys. I'm not saying he was gay, but he didn't feel the need to have a woman in his life did he?
Judge not that ye be judged.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Love thy neighbor
Live and let live.

Need I say more?

Ya'll have a great week. Wanda's late Sunday night sermon is now over!
Go forth and campaign for MY MAN !!

Don't Make Fun of The Terminator!!!

Arnold Schwarzenegger is not pleased. The illustrious Governor of California demands all dolls in his likeness, be given to him as well as all the money too!!! I guess he can use the money to help pay off some of the debt in California. Or maybe buy Maria , a new dress.
Those poor guys in Ohio best watch out. After all one does not fluck with The Terminator .
Is it just me, or is this just flat out ridiculous?