Death in A Small Town

Once again I find myself writing about death. Friday night around 10:30, Kasey got a call from a friend asking her if she knew anything about the wreck out on highway 331 South. She told him we hadn't heard anything other than sirens. Which we hear almost everyday, since we live about 3 blocks from our local hospital. He told her something really bad had happend because he'd heard there were bodies all over the highway. He was right, it was really bad.

"A teacher and two teenagers are dead after a horrific crash in south Alabama over the weekend. 16-year-old Kevin Meeks, 17-year-old Christen Short and 54-year-old Donna Gallion were killed in an accident on Highway 331 in Covington County. " ( WSFA TV Montgomerty)





When you live in a small town, a place where everybody knows everybody, something like this is about as bad as it gets. Mrs Gallion taught all three of my younger children in Middle School. She was a woman who loved music and tried to instill that love in every student she taught. Her 17-year-old son, Joseph, who was in the car with her is a school mate of Robby's girlfriend Andrea. (He was medi-vac'ed to Birmingham in critical condition. He has since been upgraded to serious. He suffered two broken legs and a crushed elbow.) Kasey knows her daughter Sarah.
Young Kevin, the driver of the other car had just gotten both his license's and his car. They say the accident is still under investigation, but it's fairly clear what happened. A young boy, feeling euphoric, fearless and invincible, rushing headlong around a curve in the road, into tradegy. His speed was estimated at 95 mph. A Mother and son returning from a trip to Florala, probably never saw them coming. They say Donna didn't even have time to hit her brakes. A community left in shock and mourning.
It almost frightens me that just a week ago I was worrying about having nothing to wear to a funeral. Was my sub-conscious trying to tell me I needed to be prepared? Somehow I don't think any one of these funerals will be a social event.
My blogging will probably be sporadic over the next few days. There's just so much to deal with right now.

For YOU Mary Lou!

1. What time is it? 12:58 PM

2. Name as it appears on birth certificate: Not gonna tell ya

3. Nicknames: Wendy, Wanderer, Sweetie Pie

4. Piercing: None

5. Eye color: Blue,

6. Place of birth: Anniston, AL

7. Favorite food: Downhome country

8. Ever been to Africa? Nope, but hope to someday go.

9. Ever been toilet papering? Only, well you don't need to where or what...

10. Love someone so much it made you cry? Yep

11. Been in a car accident? Yes.

12. Croutons or bacon bits: Bacon bits

13. Favorite day of the week: Sunday

14. Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden

15. Favorite flower: Magnolias

16. Favorite sport to watch: Baseball

17. Favorite drink: Ocean Spray Cran-Grape Juice or coffee.

18. Favorite ice cream: Blue Bell's Banana Split

19. Disney or Warner Bros.: Warner Brothers

20. Favorite fast food restaurant: Wendy's

21. What color is your bedroom carpet: It used to be Gold, but now….

22. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None

23. Before this one, from whom did you get your last
E-mail? Meme? Alabama Joe (the one about the old man, cracked me up!)

24. Which store would you choose to max out your
credit card? Super Wal-Mart!! They have everything !!

25. What do you do most often when you are bored? Blog, read, watch tv.

26. Bed time: I'm an insomniac, there is no such thing as bedtime.

27. Who will respond to this Meme the quickest? Maybe Cowboy Joe?

28. Who is the person you think is least likely to respond? Alabama Joe

29. FAVORITE TV SHOWS: 7th Heaven, CSI (both) LOST, NCIS, The Medium, Reba, What I Like About You.

30. Last person you went out to dinner with: Went to dinner with Robert, Kasey, Robby and Andrea on my birthday

31. Ford or Chevy? Mercedes. Dodge Durrango

32. What are you listening to right now? Nothing, it's quiet as a mouse at my house.

33. What is your favorite color? Green, no blue, no yellow, no green, or maybe peach.

35. How many tattoos do you have? None,

36. Have you ever run out of gas? Not that I recall

37. What is your favorite Book, Movie?
Book::I couldn't possibly choose just one. Janet Evonovich's Stephanie Plum series. Almost any thing by Robert B. Parker. Sue Krafton's alphabet series. I suppose if could only choose one, I'd choose the Bible.
Movie: I like the Shrek movies, their cute, and funny with just a touch of naughty. Just like me!!!

Life's Highway
Every person is at a different point on a different highway of life. Where are you?

As we cruise down the highway of life we come across many metaphorical destinations, some good some bad. Our individual personalities lead us all down a different path. Let this magical personality test tell you where you are headed! Just punch in your name and soon you will be rolling past the roadsign of your life. Don't forget to drive carefully! What are the towns on your highway? Be sure to drop in and visit them all, because life is a journey that we should all cherish. Peace!

wanda Highway Confusion Lane 3 Lake Love 19 Bewilderment Avenue 54 Paintown 102 Fame City 230 Please Drive Carefully

Username:

Where are you on the highway of life?

From Go-Quiz.com

I have no idea what all this means, but what the hey I'd thought I'd share it with ya anyway.

Just Breathe...

I have discovered the most awesome site! As everyone know's I love the new show on ABC called LOST . Two of my favorite charcters are Jack, the doctor and Kate, the hottie, possible criminal. Of course I kinda sorta like Sawyer too. If it just weren't for that temper of his.
Anyway (yes Piggy, I'm using your favorite word) while scouring the net for site's about LOST , I came across this one....
Just Breathe

It's a site dedicated to the characters of Jack & Kate. How cool is that? I don't even mind that they stole my title.

Funerals, Part Deux

Reading Faith's post today about her Mamma's passing made me feel so much better about my previous posts on funerals, death and dying. I know that sounds strange, but you'd have to read her post to understand. I have soooooo been down that road.
She has this aunt, much like one I have, who is the epitome of why I detest funerals. Not her aunt, mine.
As I've said before, here in the south funerals are a social event. It's the rare week when there isn't a funeral/wake or two which one might attend. As a child I was subjected to 3 furnerals (my PaPa's, my other aunts stillborn baby, and a cousin) where my Aunt Susie was in attendance. Aunt Susie took the drama queen roll to Acadamy Award levels. To say she made a spectacle of herself would be a serious understatement. The weeping, the wailing, the fainting this woman had them down to a fine art. At first it was frightening but as time went on it became embarrassing. Sadly she was not alone in her 'show' of grief, albeit she was always the star. Over the years I came to realize every funeral/wake has an Aunt Susie or two. It's always women and their always consumed by their grief (one can only wish this were true). When I reached adulthood and could decide for myself, I made the decision to simply not attend any funeral I didn't positively have to. Thus the I don't do funerals attitude.
Intrestingly I also share Faith's feelings about death and dying. There's that nagging little doubt that burrows it's self into the depths of my mind. What if there is no life after death? What if we simply cease to exist? Which I guess shouldn't be so scary. After all if we cease to exist then we don't know we've ceased to exist, right? And if you've led a pretty questionable life and your not heaven bound, wouldn't ceasing to exist be better than hell?
Another thing about dying that really bothers me is , it has to be the ultimate experience. Regardless of what happens afterward the experience has to be the top of the spectrum. To have such an experience and not be able to come back and write about it in my blog, well that just sucks. And if there's no life after death and I can't funnel my thoughts through to oh say Mary Lou, so she could write about it for me, that would be the ultimate of suckology!

Winn-Dixie files bankruptcy, blames Wal-Mart

Excuse me? Blames Wal-Mart? Are these people nuts? Have they shopped in their own stores lately? Don't get me wrong. I love Winn-Dixie. The stores are always clean. The shelves well stocked. There's a nice variety of products. The produce sections is awesome. Meats and frozen foods are a delite. The problem? The prices. Who can afford to do their weekly shopping at Winn-Dixie? Not me. Not too many of the people I know. I shop there about once a week. I go in for their special, but pick up little else. There's a fifty cents difference in the price of a gallon of milk from my regular grocer's. Everything is higher. Especially their meats. Ground beef is $1.93 a pound at W-D. I pay $1.19 at my regular store. That's a huge savings.
Bottom line, it's not Wal-Mart's fault the Winn-Dixie people are pricing themselves right out of business. I guess even in big business everyone's looking for someone to blame for their failures.
Speaking of Wal-Mart. Kasey, Andrea (Robby's girlfriend) and I made a midnight trip to the wonderful world-of-wally Sunday night. A Super Wal-Mart no less! It was so much fun. There were hardly any customers and we were able to cut up and act like fools. Which we did. I think the stockers and cashiers thought we were either stoned or drunk. I'm surprised there wasn't a cop waiting for us when we got out to the truck. Of course maybe their used to people acting that way in the wee hours of the morning. It's been ages since I did anything so silly and fun. I almost felt like a teenager again. Except I was driving my own car and spending my own money.
Have I mentioned I love Wally-World?

Blast from the Past

Or rather, on a lighter note...

You are a Hippie. Wow.


What kind of Sixties Person are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I can live with that!

ps:: Did you know if you hold your mouse pointer over the coffee cup a poem will pop up? Try it, you might like it!

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

I feel like such an ass. For the past two days I've been going on willy nilly about funerals, death and dying. Making light of a very serious and emotional event. I feel so ashamed of myself. It's not like I don't know that there are those among us who are dealing with the reality of death on a daily basis. I'm so sorry.
I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
Especially to Faith , who lost her Grandmother tonight. Please believe me I never meant to be so callous and insensitive. I know your pain and sadness are deeply felt.
Then there is Barb , who is dealing with her Mothers recent diagnosis of cancer. Of course there's our own sweet Ellen, who deals every day with the knowledge that her illness has the potential to be a death sentence. There are others ( Dawn , for example) who have family members who are ill, or who themselves are ill, and I'm sure they don't appreciate my nonchalant attitide toward such an emotional matter.
What more can I say besides how sorry I am.

The Price of Passion

To be passionate is to be alive. To have the fires of passion burn within your soul is to live life to it's fullest. We are never more alive than when writing, speaking or acting upon something in which we embrace with passion. Whether it be in the form of love or hate, passion is the pinnacle of human emotions.
The downside to passion is depression. More often than not, those who experience great hights of passion also experience great depths of depression. Such was the life of Hunter S. Thompson . Thompson, journalist, gun-collector, enemy of the state -- committed suicide on Sunday at the age of 67.
I've often thought, much like Bill Maher, "Suicide is man's way of telling God, "You can't fire me - I quit." ". Which is probably fairly close to what Hunter was thinking as he took that final step into infamy.
Maybe his is the funeral for which "I" have nothing to wear. One can only hope. Not that I don't sympathize with Mr Thompsons family. But if he was determined to go, and it was inevitable that someone was going, then better that it be someone who clearly wanted to go.
Not that I'll be attending Mr Thompson's funeral. You see, I don't do funerals. Now you might be thinking "then why was she worried about having nothing to wear to a funeral". Well, because even though I don't do funerals, there as some that simply cannot be avoided. Primarily one's own. Then there's one's spouse, or a close relative. To be prepared is merely wise and prudent.
Here in the south funerals are social events. I have friends that will scour the obituaries (much like Stephanie Plum's granny) searching for the best wakes and funerals to attend. Being related to or having known the deceased is not mandatory. In fact there are many similarities between the burg where Ms Plum resides, and the little podunt town in which I live.
I might be more inclined to attend funerals if they were more like the funerals they have in New Orleans. Now, those are people who know how to do a funeral . Parties, parades, celebrations. When folks in Nawlins bury their dead they do it in style ! That's the way I want my funeral. None of that weeping and wailing. Have a party, celebrate. Celebrate that your still alive and that I've moved on to the next level (whether that level be up or down is irrelavant).
Alas, I still have nothing to wear. Yesterday's shopping was for naught. I had no idea it was so difficult to find something cool, (weather wise,) comfortable, stylish, and black. That is if you don't want that basic little black dress. Which I do NOT. I'm thinking a trip to the big city (Birmingham) may be necessary. Never let it be said, I didn't give it my best when shopping for appropriate social attire.

Like A Box of Chocolates

Forrest Gump's Mom must have been talking about life around my house when she said "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get". A quiet peaceful day is a rare thing in my world. Just when I think I've seen it all. There's nothing left that can surprise or shock me. Life (fate, God, who or whatever's making these decisions) lobs me a ball out of left field. The upside is that I never become complacent. The downside is that I seldom feel secure. Financially, mentally, and emotionally I always seem to be waiting on the edge of sanity for the other shoe to drop. By now your probably thinking "Oh boy, what's up at Wanda's house". Well, nothing really. In fact it's been almost dull and uneventful for the past few weeks. So, I'm thinking, something big has got to be lurking just around the next corner.
For the past week I've had this nagging feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. You know that feeling where you keep thinking if you can just turn around fast enough you'll find someone watching you? Occasionally a thought would cross my mind, but it would escape as fast as it came, like a speeding car racing through the corridors of my mind. Then last night as I sat dozing in my easy chair, re-watching the Survivor premier ( I now know how and why Jolanda got voted off), out of nowhere the thought comes to me....I have nothing decent to wear to a funeral. As Emeril would say BAM ! It hit me. I have nothing decent to wear to a funeral. I have no idea where the thought came from, or why. But now having made it's self known, it won't leave me alone. Which is not only annoying, but scary as the dickens (whatever that means). If I've learned anything over the years, it's don't ignore these feelings. So, guess what I'm doing today. Yep, I'm going shopping to find me something decent to wear, to a funeral. Better to be prepared. Because, life is like a box of chocolates, not only do you never know what your gonna get, but if you indulge too much, it could kill you. In which case you really need something decent to wear, to a funeral .

Your Invited

Coffee anyone?
It's Saturday morning. A good day for sleeping in, if you can. Then there's yard sales. I think I'll check out a few tomorrow. I need a crockpot. I had one years ago, but somewhere along the way I misplaced it. I remember cooking some delicious stews and roasts in it.
It's also time for a trip to the library. I have a book that I found under my bed. Way overdue. So overdue I may end up buying the book for what I'll pay in late fees. That would be okay. It's a good book. I could read it again.
It's beginning to look a lot like spring is here. It's still a bit chilly at night but the days are quite nice. We're expecting rain over the weekend. Maybe even a thunderstorm or two. I love thunderstorms. Of course if it rains there will be no yard sales. I can live with that.
The Rattlesnake Rodeo is coming up.


Yes, we really do have a rodeo for rattlesnakes. Not that anyone rides rattlesnakes (duh). But they do some pretty wild stuff with them. There'll be a beauty pagent (for young women, not the snakes), arts and crafts, a car & truck show, stock car racing. This year there's going to be a singer, songwriter contest. It's really more of a fair kind of thing. Sponsered by the Jaycees'.
The entertainment will be a band called Sugarland, and Blake Shelton (Some Beach)!!! I can hardly wait to see his show. He sings one of my most favorite songs(The Baby).

Ain't he purty?
He can sing to me anytime he wants.
Everytime I hear his song Goodbye Time , I think of Joe .
But it's The Baby , that does me in.

So, about that coffee, will that be one cream or two? Sugar's on the table. The rolls are complimentary.

Robot 'learns' to walk like a toddler

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The difference between man and machine is shrinking. Scientists have developed a robot that "learns" to walk like a toddler, improving its step and balance with every stride.


The walking robot Cornell...

As soon as he learns how to wash dishes, cook, and run the vacuum, I want one of my very own!!
Then I really can be a couch potato!

Another I Got Nothing Days

I am sooooooo not a couch a potato. I have a nice big comfy chair!

You scored as Couch Potato Cat. Decorative pillow? No, that'd be you sitting on the couch, even still. Hmm. . . I'm guessing you have Web TV. Couch Potato Cat 75% Pissed at the World Cat 17% Derranged Cat 17% Drunk Cat 8% Love Machine Cat 0% Ninja Cat 0% Nerd Cat 0% Which Absurd Cat are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I do NOT have Web TV. What is Web TV?

Incompetence Pays
(or what happens when you stop caring)


Considering the number of people in our government who are consistantly promoted, regardless of their obvious incompetence, and not to mention the number of people we all know who always seem to get ahead by putting forth very little effort. I thought I'd share this little story with you. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Al was the kind of worker that every employer loves: his work was top notch, he always arrived early and left late, and he was highly regarded by his peers. No matter what was thrown at him, he completed ahead of schedule and under budget. He was too good.

Al had aspirations: he wanted his career to go places, he wanted to climb the ladder. From the time he was a lad, he was taught that hard work was the means to achieve his goals. This was re-inforced by his parents, teachers, and mentors. And he saw it happen to others.

But it wasn't working for Al. All his great work showed up in productivity statistics and his managers got the rewards: the raises, promotions, bonuses.

It suddenly became clear to Al, like the fog lifting from the road, he could see what was happening. He could see that all his hard work was for naught. His accolades were being usurped by superiors. They were skimming the recognition pot and he was left with the dregs.

He became despondant. Al lost his enthusiasm. He melded into mediocrity. He shirked his work - handed off to others and cared little as to the outcome. He passed the day by muddling through, resigned to his current position.

One day, his manager requested a meeting to review his performance. His heart sank. He knew that his waning enthusiasm had been noticed by management and he feared for his income, more than the position.

"Al, we've noticed some changes. We've seen that you have been handing your work to your juniors. We've seen that you have become more available. Well, Al, thanks to your efforts, your judicious delegation, focusing on raising the knowledge level of the entire department, our productivity levels are at record highs. We just wanted to recognize the inovative changes that you've made and encourage you to keep thinking 'outside the box'. Effective immediately, we are promoting you to Section VP with all priveleges there attached and we extend a sincere 'thank you' and a 'keep up the good work'".

Thanks to Barb for the link to Iggy's , where I found this delightful as well as insightful commentary on life. You may now return to your regular stations!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!


Ahhh Valentine's Day. Women love it, men hate it. The poor guys almost never seem to get it right. If they remember it at all, they rush out and pick up flowers and candy. Or even worse they get some sexy piece of lingerie. Which only pleases them and not the intended lady. What's a fella to do? As a woman I should know the answer to that one. But, as a woman I know the answer is as varried as the women involved. You can't please them all with any one thing.
On this day that's all about love, I'd like to share some of the things I have learned over the years. About love that is.
No matter what people say, love is not a game. There aren't innings and you don't win this one and lose that one. In matters of the heart, losing is too painful for everyone concerned. Don't treat it like it is. If you do, sooner or later, you will lose for good. End of game.
Marriage is hard work. Anyone who says it isn't, is either lying to you or to themselves. You can't have it your way all the time. Maybe not even half the time. It's a constant negotiation. If you get hurt you can't run away and pout. You have to stay, face it, and work to make it work out.
Everyone has their limits. But, if you're not going to get out of the marriage, then give it all you've got to make it the best marriage you can have. Don't hold your pain inside until it destroys your ability to love. It's never too late to try one more time. Well, as long as your both alive and living in the same house.
Don't let your kids use the divide and conquer strategy on you. They learn this early on, and hone their skills at it as the years go by. By the time their teens their usually masters at it.
Kids and money can tear a marriage apart quicker than an affair. The two combined can be almost insurmountable. This I know.
A man can cheat on his wife and still love her. The same is true of a woman. Sometimes an affair is just about sex. When he/she says, "it meant nothing to me they honestly mean it. If you really, truely, madly, deeply love him/her, you have to find a way to forgive, forget and move on.
Over the years love changes. Passion may turn to companionship. Still it endures. I can remember as a young girl thinking I'd never have a marriage like my parents. Guess what. I do. Maybe that's not so bad. Maybe there would be less divorce if we all realized, over the years love changes. It can't be the honeymoon years forever(unless your Elizabeth Taylor). There is something to be said for being comfortable in a relationship. Kind of like that old pair of slippers you'd never throw away. Because they fit your feet so perfectly. On a cold winters night, those old slippers are just what you need.
Don't take what I say too seriously. After all who am I to give advice?
But on the outside chance that I'm just a little bit right, why not reach across the bed, room, house, town, or whatever and give him or her a kiss. Who knows where it might lead?
With the possible exception of those who have ES's, estranged spouses, (who DO NOT live in the same house with you). Kissing them might not be a great idea. You could get slapped, maybe even with a restraining order.
Happy Valentines Day ya'll.
If you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with!!
*******
update: Sorry, I just couldn't deal with that blogskin any longer. Ya'll know how I am, I need chhhanges. My blogskins are like my undies. Even my favorites have to be changed, and OFTEN!!!

Sunday Sermon

Tomorrow is Valentines Day.
Valentines Day is all about matters of the heart.
The title of this blog is just breathe....
With that in mind, the following is my Valentine gift to all those who come this way.


HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE


Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed in order. Without help the person who's heart stops beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without letting up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs. Coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating.

The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a phone and, between breaths, call for help.

Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!
*********


Wow, who knew, when I suggested everyone just breathe deeply, I was telling them how they might one day save their own life!
I'd like to thank my daughter Kasey for telling me about this.
Thanks sweety!!

This One's for YOU Kid!

Okay, you can stop laughing at the new blogskin now. Valentines Day is coming up and I did this one just for my super-special-secret Valentine.



1. First Name: Wanda

2. Were you named after anyone?
Not my first name, but my middle name is after may Aunt.

3. When did you last cry?
Cry like in oh-my-broken-heart cry, or cry like in oh-I-am gonna-pee-my-pants cry? One, it's been awhile, the other not so long ago. You can guess which was which.

4. Are you loyal to a fault?
Yep, to a fault. Sadly I expect the same level of loyalty from my family and friends. Even sadder, I seldom get it.

5. Do you like your handwriting?
Good grief NO! Why do you think I don't do snail mail?

Show Me The Money

The Alabama legislature is in the process of passing a ban on same sex marriage. The bill has already passed in the Senate and is now in the House for debate. There is little doubt that the bill will pass. What I find interesting is one state representative is offering $5000 to anyone who can show him anywhere in the Bible that it says marriage is ONLY between a man and a woman. It started out with an offer of $700 then he raised it. He says he's certain he won't be losing his money. How about it folks? Can anyone show proof that there is a passage that states clearly that marriage is ONLY between a man and a woman? I'm pretty good with the Bible and I can't find one. Can you?
Keep in mind that the usage of the words husband and wife are not accepted as proof. Because even in same sex marriages one parter is the husband and one is the wife. Making the words themselves non-gender specific.

The Bloggies

Another year has come and gone. The 2005 Bloggies are up, the voting is almost over. I can say with little ado, I was not nominated in a single catagory. I probably should feel some sense of remorse, or at least a deflated ego. Yet I do not. I didn't get into this for fame and fortune. I never anticipated a single soul caring about what I wrote. The fact that I have been honored with having the few faithful readers that I have, is in itself a bit of a shock. I'm a simple woman, living a simple, boring life. I do not aspire to reach great hights of writers accolade.
I'd like wish all the nominees the best of luck. I am sorry to say I won't be attending the awards ceremony. I have better things to do. Wash my car in the rain, change my new guitar strings. Mow the yard just the same, as I did yesterday. Or maybe just lie on some beach . After all it's bound to be 5 o'clock somewhere!

Things You Should Know

We received a call late yesterday afternoon to come to the hospital as soon as possible. My brother-in-law (hubs brother) was in the midst of a heart attack. Back about 6 months ago he had open heart surgury and hadn't been doing well, so it was no big surprise. I was as concerned for Robert as I was for Kenneth. Robert and his brothers are very close. By the time we got there he'd been admitted and was up in ICU. As it turned out he wasn't having a heart attack but he had fluid build-up around his heart so they started him on some kind of medication and did the ususal medical things they do. He was awake and didn't seem to much worse for the wear. They allowed us to stay in the room with him for awhile. Which was good because it gave Robert a chance to see that he was okay.
While there we got to talking about the sad state of hospitals, doctors, and eventually politics. Their family are all big republicans and strong Bush people. I was expecting I'd have to bite my tounge for once and keep my opinions to myself. After all I didn't want to kill the man. So, you can imagine my shock when he looked over at me and said "Looks like you were right about Bush." To say I damn near fell out of my chair is an understatement! But I was cool. I mean the man was not in the best condition and he might be having some kind of breakdown or something. I didn't want to push the wrong button. I just looked at him real calm like and said "Why Kenneth, what do you mean?" He says "Well this mess with Social Security sure has me disappointed with him." Oh, people you have no idea how I wanted to jump up and start ashoutin and asingin! That I didn't is a testament to my raising as a fine southern woman. I was downright respectful and polite, as we discussed the ups and downs of the idea of an overhaul of Social Security. Now keep in mind that Kenneth and Wanda (yep his wife is a Wanda too) are both past the 55 year age limit, so no matter what happens it won't adversely affect them too much. But these are two really pissed off and upset people. I wasn't surprised to discover they don't really know what's going on, but like most people in that age range they don't want ANYBODY messing with Social Security. Even though I was tempted to let my political bias slip into the conversation, I didn't.
The reason I mention this is, that as we sat with them, quite a few of their friends drifted in an out, and of course everyone had an opinion. Not one of them was happy about the situation but none of them had any facts to back up their feelings. After I got home I got to thinking, "I'd bet most people really don't understand what is going on and don't know what to think". So, I did a little research and thought I'd share it with anyone who wants to try and understand a little better what is being proposed. I found an excellent article on the Time magazine website that I think will help put things into perspective. The article is not biased for or against the idea, it simply explains what is being proposed and how it will affect older and younger people. If your interested you can find it here...
The 4% Solution ... .

You will have to give it a few seconds (or minutes, depending on if your on dial-up or dsl) to load, but it's well worth reading. At least you will know more about what is going on and how it will (or won't) affect you. Most of us here will be affected in one way or another. Which makes this a vital issue and we all should take some time and do a little research of our own.

My posting may be spotty over the next few days. If they send him (the brother-in-law) to Montgomery or Birmingham I will have to go along with Robert. As you all know his (Robert aka the hubs) health is not all that great and I consider it my responsibility as his wife to stand by him in times like this. Ya'll hold the fort down ya hear!

Laissez les bon temps roulez!
(let the good times roll)


Mardi Gras Day this year falls on Tuesday, February 8th. Which is of course tomorrow. Actually Mardi Gras starts on the Twelfth Night,(twelve days after Christmas) which is January 6th. In the city of New Orleans there are about two weeks of parades and celebrations leading up to Fat Tuesday, which is Mardi Gras Day.

If you'd like to learn a bit about the history and meaning of Mardi Gras check out Zero's post Carnival : Goodbye to the Flesh.
I've been reading her for quite a while and let me tell you she's not only wickedly funny, but deeply moving in much of what she writes. The ladder part of the post I mentioned above almost brought tears to my eyes.

" ...I would be a vehicle for disappointment and failure; that I would carry sadness and shame and insecurity deep in my spine, throughout my delts; that I would never sleep through an entire night without worrying how I'd manage to endure another day of my tedious life."

I feel as if she'd come in the dark of night and taken a snapshot of the me I allow no one to see.
Mon âme est nue pour que tous voient!

I love me some PIE!!!

There should be little question in anyone's mind why I made this blogskin.
Nuff said?
So, what's your favorite kind of pie?

Playing Tag

A few days ago Joe tagged me to play his music game. I got busy and forgot, so Joe, here are my answers. Sorry about the delay.

There are probably dozens of music files on my computer. None of them mine. I listen to cd's when I'm blogging, but I don't keep music on the puter.
The last CD I bought? I do not remember. It's been a long, long, time.
I have no idea who EMO is. So, being a modern day woman I Googled the sucker. Turns out it's some wacked out punk rock band. Which is now way more than I wanted to know about them.
According to the music 'test' I'm an indie. I guess that means I didn't fit into any of their other catagories. I'm a Motown/Jazz fan. Almost anything Motown (Barry White, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Billy Paul,The Temptations,ect) will make my toes curl and my knees weak. I love listening to Kenny G when I'm on the puter.
I own NO cd's but if I did they'd be, yep, you guessed it either Kenny G. or ....
Five songs I listen to or that mean something to me?
At the top of the list would be (hold on your gonna be shocked) Blake Shelton's "The Baby" . That song describes my youngest son to a T. We both cry everytime we hear it. I'm rather fond of "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet. Barry White's "Your My First, My Last, My Everything" , really moves me. I love "Me & Mrs Jones" by Billy Paul. "Unchained Melody" is also one of my top favorites. I prefer The Rightous Brothers rendition but it's hard to mess that one up.
Oh and I've just added a new one to my repertoire! I love "Some Beach" by Blake Shelton. Darn Joe, your gonna make a CM fan outta me yet!

Okay Joe

Seems I'm a contradiction in terms.

Wine


?? Which Alcoholic Drink Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

On one test I'm a happy-go-lucky kid, on the other I'm sophiscated, charming and a touch condescending. Yet somehow it all comes together to produce this awesome creature called Wanda.
Yeah right! I'm as crazy as a bat in the bellfry.

On The Lighter Side...

Yep, that would be me.


Playful Girl


What kind of little girl were YOU?
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Well kind of anyway. The answers were pretty limited. For instance, I did love reading Charlotte's Web, but as I got older (6-12) I loved the Nancy Drew Mystery books. I never watched Sesame Street until I had kids of my own and then I kinda favored The Cookie Monster.
My childhood was far from ideal. Our family had some major issues. Dysfunctional doesn't even come close. Most of the time I was off in my own little world. I wasn't as moody and grumpy as my older sister. Or as wild and troubled as my older brother. I think my Mother was so relieved I wasn't as much trouble as Nancy and Buddy, that she tended to ignore me. It wasn't that she didn't love me, it's just she was dealing not only with her own set of troubles, but she was dealing with two wild, headstrong teenagers as well. Looking back with a Mother's perspective I better understand how difficult it was for her. I guess overall I was a happy kid and a pretty happy teenager too. Maybe a bit insecure, but hey, nobody's perfect!

Postcards from the Edge

Or rather---


While scanning through CNN's online news page, I came across this tidbit....

Stations to air controversial cartoon
"Episode of 'Buster' under fire for showing lesbian couples..."
NEW YORK (AP) -- Several PBS stations will air an episode of the children's show "Postcards From Buster" despite the network's decision not to distribute it nationwide because two lesbian couples were depicted in it.
The show features an animated character, Buster, visiting farms in Vermont where maple sugar is produced, and includes two lesbian couples that work on the farms."
Excuse me a moment while I climb up on my soapbox here...

What the dickens is wrong with people in this country? We had begun to reach a point where we finally learned to accept people, all people for themselves. To love and repsect one another as individuals regardless of race, gender, religion (or lack thereof) or sexual orientation. The 21st century showed promise of becoming a time when people universally would be simply people. People of all nationalities, races, religions and sexual orientation were all living peacefully in the same neighborhoods. Even here in Podunt, our Garden Club not only awarded the much coveted Yard of The Week (and Month ) to the gay couple who live on the corner of 5th & Main, but we invited them to join the club as well. Gay couples joined the local churches and even sang in the choir. Yes, even in Podunt, where the real redneck philosophy lives and flourishes, we had moved into the future.
Then something happened. Somehow the zealots began to worm their way back into the mainstream. Almost overnight it's once again become acceptable to discriminate against people. Yes, for now it's focused mainly on the homosexual community, but don't you for one minute think it won't eventually widen to include anyone who doesn't fit the norm .
I've altered the following a bit.

First they came for the Jews Gays
and I did not speak out
because I was not Jew Gay.
Then they came for the Communists Muslims/Liberals/ect.
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist Muslim/Liberal, ect..
Then they came for the trade unionists Women/Blacks/ect.,
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist Woman/Black.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller YOU!
-----
Everytime I read about something like this. Or hear someone make some dumbassed comment about gays or homosexuals I think of my dear friend who is gay. I think of how he must feel when he sees and hears these hurtful things. I think of how there are people who would deny him the basic simple rights and freedoms that I enjoy, just because he's different . It makes me want to reach out and touch someone . And I don't mean in a kinder, gentler way either.

Disclaimer: Anyone offended by the above post should feel free not to read it, or comment on it. Which I will assume you are if you don't.

Chhaannngggessss

It's February, and time to try out something different. Let me know should I keep it or go back to lady on my bed ?