tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89664444148777656462024-02-22T11:52:15.820-08:00SnarkyMommaWithLoveI am a third time married
mother of a blended family of grown children.. I will write
about everything from being a parent to current events to our last dinner out. I will probably rant about my husband, our kids, the family dog and the grandkids. I will do product reviews on new things I try and old things that break. In other
words, just about everything in life.
This is me living my life. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-43249083350311801582015-01-05T01:00:00.000-08:002016-07-09T14:56:47.402-07:00Constitutional Amendments and Bathroom Etiquette - Yes, I went there! <span style="font-size: large;">This is a topic that someone needs to broach so I going to take one for the team, ladies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some men might even have my back on this one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://st.rfclipart.com/image/big/17-37-fc/funny-restroom-wc-sign-Download-Royalty-free-Vector-File-EPS-63434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://st.rfclipart.com/image/big/17-37-fc/funny-restroom-wc-sign-Download-Royalty-free-Vector-File-EPS-63434.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not sure how many signatures it will require to pass a Constitutional amendment but that may be what is necessary to have across the board compliance. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/5/8/e/e/1333837644869972671constitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/5/8/e/e/1333837644869972671constitution.jpg" height="200" width="158" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am talking about public restroom sounds and etiquette required by them and how we can avoid the embarrassment these issues cause people everyday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For the sake of all of us, please join my cause. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How many times have you had to rush into a public restroom for an "emergency" stop? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.illustrationsof.com/royalty-free-rf-restroom-clipart-illustration-by-ron-leishman-stock-sample-435509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.illustrationsof.com/royalty-free-rf-restroom-clipart-illustration-by-ron-leishman-stock-sample-435509.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only to be confronted with a room full of people chatting on their phones, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://previews.123rf.com/images/leremy/leremy1111/leremy111100017/11102672-bad-wrong-behaviour-habit-lifestyle-pictogram-man-toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://previews.123rf.com/images/leremy/leremy1111/leremy111100017/11102672-bad-wrong-behaviour-habit-lifestyle-pictogram-man-toilet.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">lined up at the mirrors checking their make up or just standing around waiting for little Betsy to finish her business?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you dreaded the moment that all sound stops after you have entered your little cubicle and the evacuation has begun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>"If I could have made it home, don't you think I would have."</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Is that something you wish you could say to the person you hear gasp with shock at the first sputtering splash? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theswanbourneendeavour.co.uk/images/TSE-mud-splat-para.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.theswanbourneendeavour.co.uk/images/TSE-mud-splat-para.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But are you too busy trying to waving your hands to make the damn self flushing toilet flush to cover the sounds you know are coming next?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.americanstandard-us.com/assets/images/productImages/amstd/alternates/standard/2030.prd.s.alt.004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.americanstandard-us.com/assets/images/productImages/amstd/alternates/standard/2030.prd.s.alt.004.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have also suffered from that seated dance of shame. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The multiple flush send away is a give away. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>There needs to be a law! </i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Put some speakers in there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Play some music. LOUDLY! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think there has been a government study done somewhere telling us what kinds of music is best suited for us to evacuate with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truthfully, I don't care what they play. It could be this for all I cared....</span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/otsbGfSW_cc/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/otsbGfSW_cc&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/otsbGfSW_cc&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We next need to address the issue of the people who are responsible for cleaning the restrooms.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">These people are hardworking individuals and they have a thankless job. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hate cleaning my bathroom at home. The idea of having to clean up after strangers is not something I want to consider. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mypeopleclipart.com/1024/clip-art-of-a-woman-doing-spring-cleaning-by-ron-leishman-3884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mypeopleclipart.com/1024/clip-art-of-a-woman-doing-spring-cleaning-by-ron-leishman-3884.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But please don't try to be extra helpful when you are in the middle of cleaning up and I walk in. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I"ll wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel bad enough in a public restroom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having you stop working so I can dirty up what you are cleaning is not something I want to happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, while I really appreciate the extra step you went to when you came and found me to let me know you were finished cleaning</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/A_Self_Cleaning_Toilet_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090105-223470-615009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/A_Self_Cleaning_Toilet_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090105-223470-615009.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
the toilets, I was super uncomfortable that you hung around until I was done.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having you standing there, alone in the silent bathroom, waiting for me to "go" was my least favorite potty memory since I was three. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I locked myself in and needed helping wiping. It was a problem of first world order. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This time I just had to leave and rush home.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nappyhead.co.uk/acatalog/wipemybutt-LS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nappyhead.co.uk/acatalog/wipemybutt-LS.gif" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So people maybe we need to add extra rules to our Constitutional Amendment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Won't you join me on my mission? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Does anyone know a lawyer who can help me out with this? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I need to write to Oprah first, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or is it Ellen now? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photoattributes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">1.http://www.clker.com/cliparts/5/8/e/e/1333837644869972671constitution.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2.http://www.illustrationsof.com/royalty-free-rf-restroom-clipart-illustration-by-ron-leishman-stock-sample-435509.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">3.http://previews.123rf.com/images/leremy/leremy1111/leremy111100017/11102672-bad-wrong-behaviour-habit-lifestyle-pictogram-man-toilet.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">4.http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/A_Self_Cleaning_Toilet_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090105-223470-615009.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">5.http://www.nappyhead.co.uk/acatalog/wipemybutt-LS.gif</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">6.http://photos.ellen.warnerbros.com/gallery-images/2009/11/IMG_0916r_full.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">7.http://www.americanstandard-us.com/assets/images/productImages/amstd/alternates/standard/2030.prd.s.alt.004.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">8.http://www.theswanbourneendeavour.co.uk/images/TSE-mud-splat-para.jpg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">9.http://st.rfclipart.com/image/big/17-37-fc/funny-restroom-wc-sign-Download-Royalty-free-Vector-File-EPS-63434.jpg</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-29846079705021627512015-01-04T00:51:00.000-08:002016-07-09T14:33:16.302-07:00I Was An Evil Step Mother or Bet you Wish Your Step Mom was Cool Like me! <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I read those letters from moms to step mothers and I really wanted to reply. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So here is my version. </span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I Am An Evil Step Mother</span></h2>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIUzbbNcCXk/TZi2BzD2XaI/AAAAAAAAABk/HS-ehH5Gs1g/s1600/stepmother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIUzbbNcCXk/TZi2BzD2XaI/AAAAAAAAABk/HS-ehH5Gs1g/s1600/stepmother.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I never planned to be one. I always thought I would just be a regular mother, but fate had another plan in store for me, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I help to raise the kids you gave birth to and you keep insisting that they didn't have to listen to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Because I am not their mom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You are right I am not. But I am still someone's mom. I still know how to be a parent. If we had met on the playground, you would not have had an issue listening to my advice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because your kids were brats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They didn't listen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They talked back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had no manners at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I married the man you no longer want. It doesn't matter to me why you don't want him or how badly he may have treated you when he was married you. He is now my problem. Please don't tell me stories about how awful he was "back then", in a laughing tone of voice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We both know what happened. It's ancient history.</span><br />
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<a href="http://clipart.mrdonn.org/mesopotamia_icon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://clipart.mrdonn.org/mesopotamia_icon.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I studied history in school so I don't need a refresher from you. Thank you, very much. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not plan to marry a man with kids. I already have my own problems to deal with. Why in the world would I want to add your snot monsters to the mix? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You don't have to like me very much. But we have to accept each other. I do not have any real issues with you. Provided you understand a few things about me. </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love your kids. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Most of the time, your kids like me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love their father. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">My ultimate goal is that they spend time together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Talking shit about me is not going to work. Talking shit about my kids is certainly not going to work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">We deserve family time. Please do not get pissy when I include "your" kids as part of "our" family. They are. Get over it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">I might decide to do family pictures. I might include the dog. Please try to explain to the <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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kids why I won't be including you. Do not use use the words, "Evil bitch" or "Snotty" either.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">I know those are your nicknames for me. Kids talk, you know.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Schedules are set up for a reason. If I can read a clock, so can you. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">If we are late, you take every opportunity to complain, even if we call. But you don't think it works the other way. Why is that? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please help the kids pack appropriately. We don't care if they match but clean underwear is always nice and we never get back any of the clothes we keep buying. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://previews.123rf.com/images/gnicolson/gnicolson1208/gnicolson120800037/14891170-yard-sale-clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://previews.123rf.com/images/gnicolson/gnicolson1208/gnicolson120800037/14891170-yard-sale-clipart.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a></div>
Are you selling it ?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">My parents treat your kids just like the rest of the grandkids. Please show some respect for "Grandpa and Grandma Jones". <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.clipartpanda.com/husband-clipart-67225--love-this-cute-grandparents-clipart--834x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.clipartpanda.com/husband-clipart-67225--love-this-cute-grandparents-clipart--834x1024.jpg" height="200" width="162" /></a></div>
They have nothing but love and presents to give everyone. Calling them Mr. and Mrs. Jones is rude. Stop insisting on it. Its been long enough.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">While we are on the topic of titles...I have never once asked your kids to call me Mom or any variation of that title. I have no intention of doing so. My kids have steps also, we worked out some pretty cool nicknames for them. Why don't you try it?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;">Or maybe I am just cooler than you. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Your children's loving,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Evil Step Mother</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://writetribe.com/write-tribe-pro-blogger-challenge/" target="_blank">write-tribe-pro-blogger-challenge/</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-69422254917475162502014-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:002016-07-09T14:59:37.245-07:00I asked for them, I swear I did.....What was I thinking? Snarky Momma Past & Present <span style="font-size: large;">During the time I was raising my kids, particularly my boys, I could frequently be heard to mutter to myself something that soon became my mantra,</span><br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">"I ASKED FOR THEM, WHAT WAS I THINKING?"</span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, my kids were and are great. But I had two boys thirteen months apart and I started raising them alone when they were two and three. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The term WILD CHILDREN should have my boys pictures next to it. I would Google it and try to find a fitting image to put up here, but I am truthfully afraid an old photo of my kids will show up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sandcastlevi.com/images/movies/d-tarzan2-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sandcastlevi.com/images/movies/d-tarzan2-pic.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For now just imagine a couple of boys like this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, not the cute one in the middle. But the two on the edges of the picture. There is one who stomps through life and manages to knock over EVERYTHING he passes by, even paper on someones desk. And his little brother, the climbing baby, who is able to scamper up onto the top of ANYTHING that has the slightest grip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A friend once told me she didn't understand what the expression "bouncing off the walls" meant until she was introduced to my sons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were not hyperactive. I had them tested. They were just ACTIVE. VERY,VERY ACTIVE</span><span style="font-size: large;"> !</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had plenty of outdoor time. I promise. I kicked them outside every chance I got. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go play in the yard, I'd say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a perfectly safe, HUGE metal satellite dish for them to climb on in the back yard. I mean sure, it had a few rough spots, but I covered those with duct tape. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That was okay, right? Nope. Guess not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had asked for them. It was my responsibility to protect them. </span></div>
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<a href="http://us.123rf.com/450wm/jiggothekop/jiggothekop1302/jiggothekop130200122/17756846-old-satellite-dish-in-the-garden-with-dried-leaves-inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://us.123rf.com/450wm/jiggothekop/jiggothekop1302/jiggothekop130200122/17756846-old-satellite-dish-in-the-garden-with-dried-leaves-inside.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there was the couch jumping. As soon as we came home. Me from work, them from my parents house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They would start jumping on the couch yelling and wanting me to play with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/files/import/i-52027f72aefd9801924b4921a3970929-757105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/files/import/i-52027f72aefd9801924b4921a3970929-757105.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you imagine? I just worked ten hours and they want my attention. Where did they get the idea I had any energy left? But I did it. And loved it. Because I loved them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had asked for them. It was my joy to play with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there were the demands that I feed them. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Constantly. I swear, I never knew that two small boys could eat that much food. During the weekends, I would no sooner finish cleaning up one meal, when they would be asking for more food. WHERE do they put it? But that was nothing compared to what they put me through as teenagers. Heaven help me. I once went to </span></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6e/Jack_in_the_Box_2009_logo.svg/1071px-Jack_in_the_Box_2009_logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6e/Jack_in_the_Box_2009_logo.svg/1071px-Jack_in_the_Box_2009_logo.svg.png" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and spent $40 on dollar items to feed them and a few of their friends after work. It was gone before I finished changing out of my work clothes. They were like hyenas, except they knew how to say please and thank you. Which I insisted all their friends learn to use, if they didn't know how already. Even if I hadn't given birth to them, I had asked for them. So I was going to provide for them. And teach them along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So while I spent a lot of time muttering to myself and have lots of stories buried in my brain about my boys and their just as troublesome baby sister, I did ask for them. Especially my daughter. I loved my boys to distraction, but I really wanted a girl and when I discovered I was unexpectedly "expecting" I wished that I would have my girl. </span></div>
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<a href="http://halex22.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/baby-cartoon-clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://halex22.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/baby-cartoon-clipart.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wish granted. Really, just what was I thinking? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will admit there have been moments, when I asked myself if I was totally crazy for ever wanting a daughter,</span></div>
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but then I remember what a great child she was and I know she will overcome the difficulties in her life and I remind myself.....I asked for them, especially her. So I must have been given her for some karmic reason. Some parents, we get the children we need. Sometimes we get the children that need us. I am still not sure which of us got which. But I love them all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I asked for them. And I am damned glad I did. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-50117420603428908072014-12-12T15:50:00.001-08:002014-12-19T11:24:53.767-08:00Clueless, Brain Damage, Blogging and Condiments. Follow the Map, She Says....<span style="font-size: large;">Do I really have any clue what I am doing here? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nope! But I am trying to do it my way for a change.</span><br />
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<a href="http://img.picturequotes.com/2/2/1414/i-faced-it-all-and-i-stood-tall-and-did-it-my-way-quote-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.picturequotes.com/2/2/1414/i-faced-it-all-and-i-stood-tall-and-did-it-my-way-quote-1.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along with following some advice that I have read from other bloggers. The biggest problem I seem to have is that my brain is not directly attached to my blog writer. Of course, I would prefer my brain remain inside my head, but you get the idea.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/staticresources/health/inside/images/InsideFall2010-Brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/staticresources/health/inside/images/InsideFall2010-Brain.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I come up with ideas while doing the most mundane things, but I cannot stop in the middle of driving, or cooking, or brushing my teeth. I start to "write the opening" in my head, it sounds good, sometimes it sounds freaking brilliant.</span><br />
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<a href="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/128/0/7/poof_by_fyton5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/128/0/7/poof_by_fyton5.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">But</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by the time I'm actually able to get to my computer to physically write it out....</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gone, Gone, Gone. I'm lucky if I can remember what I wanted to write about. Much less what I was going to say about the topic. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How is that possible? I suffer from what I call </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"STROKE BRAIN"</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a result of the stroke I had three years ago and the continuing seizures that affect the same area of my brain. There are fancy medical names for what I have, but stroke brain is easier and quite frankly, its a funnier way to excuse the silly mistakes I make in everyday life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After our Day of Giving Thanks dinner, we were showing some family members a few of the antiques we had picked up recently. I handed over a salt and pepper shaker set, telling my step daughter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQgYyBzEujXAy8tZzA8jLhPoamOo46rMIvWq-hVe5_eZx_X6SpgTsxvNEkg-tsGHix1vljiHmR-xpk5tKkNQcAL9X7EZX_uvHSkNGiyPY2GG3_8WHJLUtGSGVC0mIaOz0wU_S9OnH4lY/s1600/20141212_125402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQgYyBzEujXAy8tZzA8jLhPoamOo46rMIvWq-hVe5_eZx_X6SpgTsxvNEkg-tsGHix1vljiHmR-xpk5tKkNQcAL9X7EZX_uvHSkNGiyPY2GG3_8WHJLUtGSGVC0mIaOz0wU_S9OnH4lY/s1600/20141212_125402.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Here taste this." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I intended to say was, "Here look at this."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But my brain connected S&P to food plus it looks like a toaster with toast, so by the time it came out of my mouth....Taste not look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't even know I did it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But it was pointed out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was slightly embarrassed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I joked and moved forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But inside my head, I can still think correctly, just like before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But that is not what this is about. It is about....</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>"MY BLOG" </u></b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I started this I thought I would write about my kids and grand kids and all the past and present fun I was having with them. So I thought I might me a </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"MOM BLOGGER"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But then I started writing about social events and the news. That sort of made me less "MOM" and more of a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"SOCIAL COMMENTATOR" </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But that didn't feel right to me either because I wanted to write about my life and what was happening in MY world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then a fellow blogger who I really like and has posted advice that I have tried to follow also questioned her own blogging style. <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110283202711533634443" target="_blank">+Janice Wald</a> was told that she was a lifestyle blogger in her blog <a href="http://mycurrentnewsblog.com/2014/12/09/quick-guide-genetics/" target="_blank">Janice Wald's Reflection</a> . The mention was a small part of an overall great blog on nature vs. nurture, which I still need to comment on BTW. </span></div>
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348782774l/11973174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348782774l/11973174.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But it made me really start to think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which can be dangerous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is that my style also? Or am I something else? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to do everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because that is what I am used to doing. I spent my entire adult life doing it all. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I was suddenly doing a lot less and now that I am trying to do something for MYSELF I want it all again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On my terms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So Who and What am I as a blogger? How do I find out? How did you, as bloggers, find out where you fit? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is there such a thing as an everything blogger? That is who I want to be. If I feel like blogging about where I had dinner last week or my bratty teen pregnant daughter, can I ?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> How about product reviews? I have a couple of them right now on the waiting list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love to review restaurants. Yelp and I are besties. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can I do it all and will people actually read someone who is </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mapsofworld.com/images-mow/world-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mapsofworld.com/images-mow/world-map.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All over the map blogging wise? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like I said at the beginning. NO CLUE, but my way! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me know what you think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-17368072038942479632014-12-10T00:44:00.000-08:002014-12-19T11:25:27.571-08:00Random Suggestions for Mothers 1st Edition The Vomit Bucket Story<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Well, That Is Kind of Gross, But....</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I raised three kids that I actually gave birth to myself. I also raised a daughter that I was gifted with when she was five. Then there are the teenagers I picked up along the way who called me "Mom". That makes for a lot of kids. So I picked up a few tricks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But my memory sucks worse than my mom's old Dustbuster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://afinegirldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/dustbustervintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://afinegirldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/dustbustervintage.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
So I figure I will just post them as <b>Random Suggestions for Mothers</b> whenever I remember them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two incidents recently reminded me of when my kids were younger and something that I would do for them when they were ill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My youngest is pregnant and suffering from nausea. Horrible, horrible nausea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike when my kids were small, we are currently living in a two story house, with three bathrooms. But way back then, we were not so lucky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And my little ones rarely moved very fast when they were sick any way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could have had six bathrooms and they would have had to sleep in the bathtub to get to the toilet in time to vomit in there when they were ill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After one too many nights of a kid sitting up and upchucking all over their bedding, I knew there had to be something better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I started saving 7-11 Super Big Gulp cups, rinsing them out and keeping a few in the house. Damp tissue paper in the bottom prevents splashbacks initially. Gross, yes. But effective. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/sites/texasenterprise.utexas.edu/files/BigGulp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/sites/texasenterprise.utexas.edu/files/BigGulp.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They vomit. You dump, flush, rinse, repeat. Hopefully not for long. Once they have recovered, you throw the cup away. Or if it lasts longer than 24 hours, get a fresh cup.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw9SA6KgklN6qMB2QLEbfFs0xb4LQF_q_b3CXtsMGJA8c5usl2aoaSBP5Q1oLgb4BowTrRG4UwV5xYRdeAmjD7kDB6veNT6LsSZ9JcmQ_diBJhglLVvRUmfG3szRqrJvrjLX9XwY-jMo/s1600/20141209_162726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw9SA6KgklN6qMB2QLEbfFs0xb4LQF_q_b3CXtsMGJA8c5usl2aoaSBP5Q1oLgb4BowTrRG4UwV5xYRdeAmjD7kDB6veNT6LsSZ9JcmQ_diBJhglLVvRUmfG3szRqrJvrjLX9XwY-jMo/s1600/20141209_162726.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But when you move into the teenage world...or even have husbands....or pregnant daughters. You really have to improvise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I did. It even has a handle so they can carry it around the house with them in case they feel the urge to roam. And you know they will, eventually. Especially the pregnant one. Plus a lid, for when they gross themselves and others out. (I am kidding about the lid. See below.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa31H78GLb0WksQCWltRI66exsHqlpYD0RaDEXYxlIxhxXKP3MLSHr7kVqIp01kQ32bxTC57Hp48jnxNPQVJ1xH3Zjg5gzuUli8Inc-vBPthkQ3m7MstuctvFkEZwS306cXdyhlag7Ao/s1600/20141209_162755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa31H78GLb0WksQCWltRI66exsHqlpYD0RaDEXYxlIxhxXKP3MLSHr7kVqIp01kQ32bxTC57Hp48jnxNPQVJ1xH3Zjg5gzuUli8Inc-vBPthkQ3m7MstuctvFkEZwS306cXdyhlag7Ao/s1600/20141209_162755.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another good idea is to keep at least one of these buckets in your car. Fill it with a water bottle, paper towels, a wash cloth. They are great for those rides home when someone doesn't feel good and you keep telling the kid to "Hang on, we're almost there." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know that they will throw up all over the place. It will either happen when you are stuck in traffic or as you pull into the driveway. </span></div>
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<a href="http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/width620/img/ledgerupdates_impact/photo/2014/03/new-york-gridlockjpg-7bfa024117cdf45b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/width620/img/ledgerupdates_impact/photo/2014/03/new-york-gridlockjpg-7bfa024117cdf45b.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Either way, having what my kids call <b>The Vomit Bucket </b>could be a lifesaver. At the very least it will save your upholstery or the paint job or the door panel or the dashboard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of which my kids have baptised at least once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One as recently as last week. Which is how I was reminded first. Then I read another blog about someone being sick. Which was my reminder to write this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am just slightly scattered in my thought process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It all makes sense. You just have to learn to think like a stroke struck mother. Easy peasy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that someone finds something helpful from this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodnight </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Snarky!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-80054878055426595932014-12-09T14:57:00.001-08:002014-12-19T11:26:17.686-08:00What do you mean "Get my morals in order?" Twitter and blogging attack questions<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Angry Twitter Replies?</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently posted on Twitter what I thought were a couple of fairly innocuous Tweets concerning how social media was handling the Eric Garner hashtags. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had posted a blog that I wrote without doing a lot of Twitter research, because it was about how I felt. I ended with the comment that All Lives Matter, only to find out on Twitter that a whole lot of people agreed. My ending line was popular and I wasn't the first to think of it. Duh, not so brilliant after all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there was A SHIT LOAD of controversy about changing the hashtags. It seems that it was taken as an insult by some when it was changed from #BlackLivesMatter to #AllLivesMatter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I clearly missed the memo based on my Tweet, but I meant well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first tweet asked "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So am I wrong to think that </span><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllLivesMatter?src=hash" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #dd2e44; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ea818e;">#</span>AllLivesMatter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is ok to use? </span><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlacksLivesMatter?src=hash" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #dd2e44; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ea818e;">#</span>BlacksLivesMatter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is inclusive.What's wrong w/ working together? </span><span style="font-size: large;">". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I received no response to that one, at all. In a way I am glad, because I obviously missed the boat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My second tweet was regarding the tagline I Can't Breathe. These were Eric Garner's last words and has been taken up as a rallying cry and in some cases changed to We Can't Breathe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My tweet regarding that subject was, "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would never consider changing </span><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICantBreathe?src=hash" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #dd2e44; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ea818e;">#</span>ICantBreathe</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to WeCantBreathe. It is an acknowledgment of the man lost. Change of that is disrespect</span><span style="font-size: large;"> "</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That one received a couple of responses from people that DID NOT like what I said. I was sent a link to a site which was very pro-police. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which I tend to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Usually. But I am pro<i> good</i> police. The people running this site saw nothing wrong in what happened. I was appalled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But that had nothing to do with my posts.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was simply pointing out I felt changing one hashtag was allowable and not a racial statement or taking anything away from African Americans and their struggle to be heard. (Duh, already said I blew that one.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not feel that way about the hashtag built from Eric Garner's last words. I felt and still do feel the #ICantBreathe statement is too personal to be preempted by a group of protesters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, we can wear it, use it on signs, hashtag it and chant it. But do not change the <b>I </b>to <b>WE </b>in an attempt to make us more a part of the experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eric Garner died. We did not. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil Tweety </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The people who posted on my Tweets were against my concern over a criminal. One claimed to be a police officer from Connecticut. The other suggested I needed to get my morals in order. Then he suggested that the dead man had committed a crime that I won't repeat here because I cannot find any proof of it even being alluded to elsewhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The website claims many horrible police reports but no charges filed against him. But there is nothing in the mainstream media like it. The tabloids are covering it though</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My response to the morals tweet was simple. "My morals are fine. MYOB. You don't know me." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He replied but I won't repeat it because it libels Eric Garner and I basically called him a rude ass and blocked him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thanked the guy who sent me the link. He wasn't rude, but the website was not exactly confirmable information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So how should I have handled that? I am new to Twitter, blogging and all this fun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have already posted my feelings regarding Eric Garner. But I did not feel the need to share them with a random Twitter person. If they had come at me differently, I might have, but they were rude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Should I have ignored? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fought back? </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-26952706234299477612014-12-06T15:32:00.000-08:002014-12-19T11:26:57.596-08:00Our Thanksgiving Failure Dinner..What a Disaster!!! <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We Wanted A Big Family Event</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When our kids were growing up they never saw a true big family gathering. They grew up as kids of divorce so they were shuttled back and forth between households. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year my husband and I are finally in our own home. We have all but one of our five blended family kids nearby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wanted a family holiday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An old fashioned family dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kind each of us had growing up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We invited the one living parent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All siblings nearby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All adult children and partners (except one, but that is another blog)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All grandchildren, nieces, nephews.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr.Snarky planned to do all the cooking with me as assistant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you see where this is heading? I thought I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Especially since my youngest was announcing her pregnancy to everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And my middle was also introducing his pregnant girl to those that had not met her yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And our newest granddaughter and her mother was meeting some family members for the first time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blended family fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I figured that there would be fireworks for sure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know that my good old fashioned family dinners always included some yelling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aunt Mary was mad at nephew Drew because he never thanked her for his high school graduation card five years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cousin Susan was mad at her mom because she gave the family pie recipe to her sister and not her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr.Snarky's family was the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the only yelling going on in my house was at and by the small children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What did I do wrong? How did I fail by family? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Would my adult kids never know the reality of families screaming at each other over dry turkey and creamy mashed potatoes?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Would they be sent out into the world unaware of what could happen between pass the cranberry sauce and Uncle Joe making a pass at cousin Joan? In full view of his wife, Aunt Martha?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Would they go to other people's family dinners and expect to hear laughter and pleasant conversation? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or maybe we did something right, my husband and I. Maybe we managed to teach our kids something that our parents families had never learned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That family gatherings are about the family gathering. Together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They talked. People who rarely see each other and even less often interact, talked together. They may not meet for coffee next week, but who cares. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They laughed. Everyone passed the new baby around and marveled over how much she looked like her dad. He was the only one missing. (Still away at school)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mr.Snarky cooked and then before I had finished taking everything out of the oven he called for the buffet line to start. WTH?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then spent ten minutes scrambling to find spoons and pot holders for food I was frantically pulling out to feed the twenty plus people lined up behind me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently once the turkey is sliced that is go time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only one unhappy was Mr. Snarky who said his turkeys (there were two) were too dry. (They were but we didn't care).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest disaster was when he dumped the stock to make the gravy down the drain. He managed to save a little bit but there was no leftover gravy and it didn't have enough Ooomph! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the family dinner? We all ate it. It tasted great. It was a success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that we have lots more of this style of family gatherings. I like them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We forgot to put out the cranberry sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still have s load of i t left! You want some? Its delish! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-64425783782624641842014-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:002014-12-19T11:27:38.145-08:00Lady Justice is Supposed to be Blind But this is F%@ing Nuts. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started a post last week to cover the Michael Brown / Darren Wilson non-indictment but was interrupted by drama in my own life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then the Eric Garner case walked back into national focus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And apparently the New York grand jury members were unable to see what the rest of the world including the New York City Medical Examiner saw. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That this was and is a homicide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Which is exactly why it was ruled that way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Does anyone not think that if the Medical Examiner's office could have ruled any other way, they would have done so and saved the city this whole issue?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They ruled with integrity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Grand Jury failed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not saying that the police officer is guilty. This is not for me to say. A jury of his peers would have to determine that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But because the Grand Jury decided against indictment, Daniel Pantaleo will never face that type of jury in New York City. </span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Grand Jury failed by not giving its citizens that option.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shame on them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Officer Pantaleo offered a statement of prayers and condolences from his family to Mr. Garners. They were rejected, seemingly out of hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good for him for at least trying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The case of Michael Brown is a different issue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Based on the autopsy reports, <i> reliable </i>witnesses and evidence, Darren Wilson should not have been indicted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe that the Grand Jury in Ferguson did their job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But in New York......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">WOW! Just what the hell happened?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't think that Officer Pantaleo or the other officers intended for his death to occur, but it did. They over reacted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, he did not comply to their requests. But he wasn't threatening citizens of their city. He was standing on the sidewalk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patience is a virtue. NYPD needs to find some.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't imagine how many muggings happened while the multiple cops were arresting one man for allegedly selling cigarettes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can we talk about a better use of police assets. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did Eric Garner deserve to be arrested and charged with a crime? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They found no evidence on him. What is his history? He claimed they had been harassing him. Were they? He was supposedly on bail for selling untaxed cigarettes. Why arrest him again? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But he did not deserve to be wrestled to the ground by a multitude of police officers and have a banned chokehold used on him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He did not deserve anything that happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Should he have simply submitted and let himself be arrested? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't know.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There it is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The question I cannot answer because I am not Eric Garner. I am not an African American male. I cannot begin to put myself in that place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But what I do know is this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If he had not resisted he likely would be alive today, planning what gifts to buy his children,grandchildren and wife for Christmas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He would have enjoyed the costumes and candy of Halloween. He looked like he might enjoy a good candy bar or two.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He would have had turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie while sharing what he was thankful for last week. With six kids he had a lot to be grateful about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead on July 17, 2014, an altercation occurred between him and the police. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nobody won. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I watch the video and I cannot see how the Grand Jury did not see the same things I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>A man died. </u></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An indictment should have been handed out. It is clear that the system failed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is clear that we must have a new system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One where people of any color should not fear the police talking to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One where only the guilty need worry about bullets paid for by our own tax dollars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One where color, nationality, sexuality, gender do not matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One where justice is NOT BLIND to doing what is right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I am obviously fucking nuts to believe this will happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know the current chant is "Black Lives Matter" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But for me it should be </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"ALL LIVES MATTER"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because they do, equally! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-63457417726893718262014-11-26T14:34:00.004-08:002014-11-26T14:34:39.787-08:00Meet Snarky Dog<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">This is the SnarkyDog. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF3UUQxi0c_X9UJ4hkRkmiygId4N5u2wqHHd99iEQUUfNUzq4znQP-eyFn_4uCschfxY-QGuxGk7PvjxeScxwqaVZ1jL5e7Cgr0ga9dIDxEFQ87gbNodrxErTNIZcu5w8TPhkCsLivPQ/s1600/1416860467980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF3UUQxi0c_X9UJ4hkRkmiygId4N5u2wqHHd99iEQUUfNUzq4znQP-eyFn_4uCschfxY-QGuxGk7PvjxeScxwqaVZ1jL5e7Cgr0ga9dIDxEFQ87gbNodrxErTNIZcu5w8TPhkCsLivPQ/s1600/1416860467980.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> He is the hairiest member of my family. He is also currently the loudest and most annoying. But I love him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">His best trick is ringing the bell when he wants to go out. If he wants to play with the laser pointer he barks and nudges the drawer where we keep it. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> He found us through the Animal Foundation. We were "just looking" that day but there were other people circling to take what I very quickly saw as "our dog" home. So we made an executive decision, paid the people and brought home a very happy six month old "boxer scottie bassett mix"</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">It took me a few days to figure out there was no boxer in our puppy.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The vet mentioned it when we took him in for his "well puppy" check up. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">There was some "Scottish Terrier" and likely some Bassett hound, but the big surprise was the third part of his party.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">An American Pit Bull Terrier.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The very breed I had been determined to avoid. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Not because I had anything against them personally but I know what a pain in the patatootie other people can be about the breed. I didn't need the aggravation. Besides I wanted a smaller size dog. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpB1AKai1rrI1c2LLWfvENEDFu5A-zgwc-cIUEMtE9j4u65hzMZEOwDsWnnHFPyIbNZdihqPuxZhKRo5CwTKNbGjH6RzB2pv0aoiQ3mxkcIW3A-L93casabaJthtX2zNIEPPHl7UTH0s8/s1600/CAM00926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpB1AKai1rrI1c2LLWfvENEDFu5A-zgwc-cIUEMtE9j4u65hzMZEOwDsWnnHFPyIbNZdihqPuxZhKRo5CwTKNbGjH6RzB2pv0aoiQ3mxkcIW3A-L93casabaJthtX2zNIEPPHl7UTH0s8/s1600/CAM00926.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">What I got was a 35 to 40 lb. short legged, long bodied, brindle haired baby. He grows eyebrows and backhair like a Scottie. He has the legs and length of the bassett. The rest is all pit bull.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">He can jump almost as high as I am tall. For a person that's not saying much but for the dog that's pretty freaking high. He has a piercingly loud bark when he wants to get your attention. He arrived home housebroke, wearing a space collar and happily used that to herd the small children around the front room. He is bow legged and sheds hair worse than I do. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Mr. Snarky is trying to talk me into getting the dog a puppy friend. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbzmwywVsiMR5bbA-651_30k7h6QumoZyblnFW1ZuSK3g_RWnEXbAz_GeQCVOsrJQMUpBqkiN5fdqevD2GwWv3X-dRUbu0FvE9-yGN04N46v6T-8w4hoCVppvgGRDk-tLG3l58yTWsC4/s1600/CAM00760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbzmwywVsiMR5bbA-651_30k7h6QumoZyblnFW1ZuSK3g_RWnEXbAz_GeQCVOsrJQMUpBqkiN5fdqevD2GwWv3X-dRUbu0FvE9-yGN04N46v6T-8w4hoCVppvgGRDk-tLG3l58yTWsC4/s1600/CAM00760.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">But he already has this friend. Our almost year old granddaughter who learned to crawl by chasing after his chew toys. Then there is the four year old grand and we have two more currently one the way. I think Snarky Dog will have plenty of play mates in the years to come and when they go home. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Please let them have homes to go to and not all have to live with us. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">But when they go home, he can kick back and lay around like he does now. </span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-85544516890841279412014-11-21T00:28:00.001-08:002014-11-26T15:42:52.952-08:00Its almost Thanksgiving I am living the Dream..... So why am I having a Nightmare? Again & Again & Again <span style="font-size: large;">So I am married. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And then Again! . Finally Happy </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But let me explain........About that Nightmare</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So lets back up a decade...or two.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #741b47;"><i style="color: white;">Key the fancy swooshy,spacey sound effects here to indicate time travel taking place.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first one was the guy I met right after high school and married at twenty one. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We tired for kids until I found out he had been leaving his swimmers in someone else's pool. Yeech!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we split up. It was pretty damn drama laden for a while. We all worked for the same company. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If there had been reality TV back then, we could have had our own show on TLC or even Bravo. The company was that good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because I upped the ante by starting to date someone else on the same payroll. I thought I would find a good looking guy and have some fun. I had never been someone who "slept around", now was my chance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was unencumbered and over twenty one. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I picked my target. </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He was cute. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He had sexy legs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He showed up for work everyday. (Not sure why that was on my list, but it was)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He had good hair.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He was a single father.(That was the biological clock talking to me I later learned)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">I found out he and my soon to be ex were quasi friends. But they were more quasi than friends since he had no problem asking me out when he realized I was interested nor did he have a problem making a pass. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I fell in love with his five year old daughter. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I became pregnant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I never did get to "sleep around"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But not everyone was thrilled.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even my own father said and I quote, "You don't have to get married just because your pregnant, you know that, right?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my pregnant brain bliss I answered,"Yeah, I know, but he wants to."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I cried through the wedding ceremony. Tears and sobs and snot and all so hard I could barely say my vows. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was six months pregnant and realized at just that moment what a mistake I was making. (Looking back I probably kept putting it off for a reason. Duh, hindsight!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward four years after the ceremony. The family includes his daughter and our two sons, 3.5 and 2.5 y/o</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #741b47;"><i style="color: white;">Key the fancy swooshy,spacey sound effects here to indicate time travel taking place.</i></span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am in a bad marriage. He is working. So am I because I know that the time is coming that I will have to get out but there is still some hope that I can change him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b><i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">(HAHAHA)</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After all he is my children's father. We created life together. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>LIFE !!! DAMN IT!!!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Can you tell I was mad? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I was terrifically pissed off. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But the holidays were approaching and I was determined to give our kids the best damn holidays ever, as long as it didn't kill me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So Thanksgiving dinner was great. I stuffed and baked and basted and then served and cleaned and we smiled for family mine and his alike. Everyone went home and we were finally able to relax.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or so I thought. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But as usual, I thought wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">See apparently my mistake during the marriage was...thinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I believed I was allowed to, he disagreed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After Thanksgiving dinner was the first time he ever put his hands on me in anger. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, there had been signs that his temper was getting worse. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I had seen him hit walls.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, there was a lot of yelling in our household. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All from him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After I managed to remove myself and my kids from the situation and he calmed down, the apologies began. </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He was sorry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He would never do it again</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He loved me</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He loved our kids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He would do what ever I wanted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He was sorry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He didn't know what made him act that way</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">He loved me</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">A repeating mantra of words and sound that meant little to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had not suffered any great damage. No black eyes, no broken bones. In the great scheme of abuse victims, I barely qualified. I had a couple of bruises. Some scrapes. The police were not called. I went home after a serious conversation. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I reminded him of something that I'd said to him when we first started dating. I promised him two things.</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I would never cheat on him.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I would never forgive him if he hurt me physically</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He remembered. He did the whole apology thing again. I took the kids home. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I had only one plan in my mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Give my children one final Christmas as a family and then get the hell out. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the longest five weeks of my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I moved out on New Year's Eve Day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While he was at work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My kids had a great Christmas, but they don't remember it at all. I stayed for the wrong reasons. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I left for the right reasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not regret leaving. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Trusting my instincts usually works for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This time I was simply lucky that ignoring them did not cause more damage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As this holiday season approaches, if you find yourself living in a nightmare and your instinct is telling you to get out but you don't want to ruin your kids Christmas, please think about how it might ruin all of their future holidays if you are killed or badly hurt. Do you want them to spend every year remembering the time Mom spent Thanksgiving in the ER getting stitches? Or the Christmas you accidentally fell down the stairs? That haunted look in their eyes, only you can fix it. Talk to your kids. They may know more than you think they do. And they may be willing to give up a lot for safety. The young ones won't remember or know what they are missing and the older ones may understand why. Give them a chance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But most important listen to what your own instinct is telling you. If you KNOW you need to get out, then do it. Take your kids and leave. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Run now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because no one can be as lucky as I was. My own luck changed very quickly once he realized I was serious about not reconciling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do not leave your kids with regrets saying "If only.." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-1-800-799-7233 is the number to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the website...</span><br />
<a href="http://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/"><span style="font-size: large;">path-to-safety/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or call someone local. Just call someone. Or contact me and I will reach out and find a local someone in your area if you cannot do a search on your computer. Just comment on the blog with the city you are in and I will comment back in the same way with info for a local hotline. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh..I never really did explain my nightmare did I? The reason for our huge fight that Thanksgiving night?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought he could have helped more so I wasn't stuck in the kitchen alone. He thought it was my job. I thought he was an idiot. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ding Ding...Ring the bell, because the fight was on. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a stupid reason. They always are, but it happened. Get out while you can. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-23980619383663478722014-11-18T20:41:00.000-08:002014-11-18T20:41:02.428-08:00Some things that should be Cold Are Warm and things that should be Warm are Cold! <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px; text-align: center;">
TopsyTurvyTuesday</h2>
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Hmmm...First we discover the 4 y/o turned OFF the extra refrigerator. Lost several pounds of chicken, a couple gallons of milk and lots of frozen veggies. Plus all the yogurt and extra dairy we just bought for the month. </div>
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Then we finally decided it was chilly enough to turn on our heater. </div>
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Hot air is suppose to be coming out of the vents, right? </div>
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I know back in April when we bought the place there was hot air shooting out at me when it was tested. But today, when it is actually just chilly enough for us to want it.... </div>
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Nope. </div>
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Not even a hint of that "Click" sound that heralds heat. I tried dialing up the numbers.</div>
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No joy.</div>
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No heat, either.</div>
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And Mr.Snarky is getting worried that Abe Vigoda is going to die because its too cold. So Abe Vigoda gets a light on his tank until we can get a tank heater. </div>
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We make a call to the home repair people and had a fun little guy come out and try to figure out a way to get up on our roof. He was soon Spider-Man-ing his way up only to discover that the problem was internal. </div>
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As in ...inside the house.</div>
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(The call is coming from inside the house! Get out now!) </div>
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What we learned was that there is a small connector between the two wires that hook up the thermostat. One is for the air conditioner and one is for the heater. You have to have the connector to jump the wires. </div>
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Or some other technical term Spidey used to describe what was wrong with our box. </div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">The thermostat box that Mr.Snarky had replaced a few months ago. </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">He swears there was no little connector thingy. Or maybe he dropped it. He isn't sure. </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">I am sure it cost us 75 bucks for the little connector thingy. Oh and a new thermostat box to replace the messed up one we had. </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Abe Vigoda is fine. </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Just in case you are wondering, Abe is Mr.Snarky's Beta fish. He is very attached to Abe. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-83646474186763265362014-11-18T13:08:00.000-08:002014-11-18T13:08:21.940-08:00 Do As I Say Not As I Do! Not In My Household! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Imitation is the greatest Form of Flattery </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">That is what I was taught?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then my mom told me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do as I say not as I do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then I had kids and figured out what she meant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I disagree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It should be do as I do, because I do right but I am also a GROWN UP! So I do grown up things that you cannot indulge in yet. So get over it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Momo <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109993308909969044542" target="_blank">+BlogHer</a> gave me the inspiration for this blog over at twitter. She asked the question "Has any one ever given you a few cents in a check-out line, or let you go ahead of them?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I answered that I did those things and while my monsters were younger I made sure to do them because</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lessons Are Learned Everywhere! </span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was something I tried to remember when I was with my kids. That they watched me and learned from everything I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did I sit a particular way on the couch while watching TV? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"R2" copied the way I curled my legs under me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Skode" turned his head a certain way when asked a question he wanted to avoid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the one that really got me was when my two year old started repeating my then favorite expression of exasperation...Along with the perfect pitch and attitude she managed to duplicate my facial expression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What did I say? It has been co-opted by the Internet and text messaging short hand so it has lost meaning but way back then, it was my go to shout whenever the monsters were driving me to distraction.</span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">OH MY GOD!!!</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first time I heard her say it I was standing with a group of neighborhood parents while our children ran around playing in the street in front of our house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There she stood, wearing only a t-shirt and a pull-up,(we were potty training) and her older brother wouldn't let her ride on the bike with him. "R2" was eight and usually good with her but he wanted to go fast. She wanted him to play now. She walked up to me, said I want to ride. I said no, go play with your own stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She bounced her head said </span><span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OH MY GOD!</span></b></i> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and stalked off huffing and puffing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the parents looked at me and pointed their fingers and covered their mouths to muffle the sound of laughter. Everyone recognized exactly where she had picked that up from. Not my best moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I also taught that same kid and her brothers to feed those with less. To give to people in need. We donated every year. We worked with the disabled. They grew up with compassion, empathy and sympathy being part of their lives. I made sure they knew there was a difference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making these things part of your kids lives doesn't require you to do anything spectacular.</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be kind to strangers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stand up for the underdog</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Teach the Golden Rule</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><i>Do unto to others as you would have them Do to you!</i><i> </i></b></div>
</span><br />
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Follow the Golden Rule </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be honest, even if its hard.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Accept that sometimes your kid won't like the lesson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Accept that sometimes YOU won't like having to teach it</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My monsters learned early that they couldn't really BE monsters even if they were allowed to act that way at home. They were taught manners. </span><br />
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your welcome</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes and No ma'am</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May I..</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They've helped the elderly with their groceries, people in wheelchairs reach things on the high shelves and they have even offered up their own pennies for someone short of cash while shopping. I am proud of the monsters I raised. They are generous and giving of themselves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are also still trying to find themselves in today's world and they are making mistakes along the way. But they don't try to hurt people. They are growing into people that I hope will make me proud of them as parents. We shall soon see. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-44013392303755484252014-11-18T00:49:00.000-08:002015-01-08T00:40:30.188-08:00Who Is This Snarky Person ?<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
In my head I am still fully capable of doing everything I was able to do three years ago, but then the reminders strike.<br />
<br />
I forget the names of random items.<br />
While talking I sometimes pause for my next thoughts to form.<br />
It makes people think I have finished speaking and then I don't get to actually make my point.<br />
<br />
Or even worse, I look less intelligent than I actually am.<br />
<br />
But the worse part is that I am actually less intelligent than I was three years ago. </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
I know that I am actually one of the very lucky few.<br />
<br />
I survived with no lasting physical damage.<br />
<br />
What is the loss of a few I.Q. points if I can still walk without assistance?<br />
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Yeah, right! Totally a fair trade.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
So what happened to me you wonder? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
<br />
I am a stroke survivor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
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I am a heart attack survivor.</div>
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<br />
One night.<br />
Two possible life altering events.<br />
Total fun time party for me. </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
My emergency room doctor was extremely proud of himself for figuring out that at the age of forty seven I had just experienced a "Silent Heart Attack".<br />
<br />
He actually said he was proud of himself.<br />
Then he told us why.<br />
My symptoms were unusual for a heart attack.<br />
Even I knew what to look for in a normal heart attack.<br />
<br />
My father had several before cancer stepped in and said this one is mine. <br />
I even knew that women had different symptoms and made sure I was familiar with them.<br />
<br />
Because, hey, if your dad is going to have a heart attack at age 48, being prepared is smart and I was smart.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">But I had to have something special. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">It was sneaky. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">It was quiet. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">It was fucking Silent.</span><br />
</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: opensans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 34px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">I was forty seven years old. </span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">A whole year younger than my dad.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">But there were differences. I had no blockages, so no surgery. He had five blockages and had to have emergency surgery.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;"><br /></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">My heart attack was mild. His, not so much. </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">The heart attack was easy peasy stuff for me.</span><span style="line-height: 1.7;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">They ran a wire from my thigh up into my heart and then I had to lay flat on my back forever. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Or for eight hours. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Whichever came first. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Lucky for me the eight hours sped by at the pace of a bad summer day waiting for dark so you can finally put your kids to bed again. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Have you ever laid in one place without moving for eight hours? </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">If you have, I feel ya!</span><span style="line-height: 1.7;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.7;">If you haven't, do not have a heart attack...they will make you do this. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.7;">It is not pleasant. Especially in a hospital bed.</span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">The real kicker of this adventure was that the one part of my body that I had always counted on to stand by me. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">To support me in everything I tried to do. </span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">To always have my metaphorical back, kicked my metaphorical ass. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Big time. I never expected it and was so shocked that I refused to accept anything had changed. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">I was so wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">My brain basically sent me out a big old "fuck you" message and it was my own fault.</span></div>
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I had spent years struggling with high blood pressure. But I had managed to find a combination of medications that was working.<br />
The best news was that I had finally quit smoking five months previously. </div>
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But it was too little, too late.</div>
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My brain stroked in the area related to language, words and speech.<br />
That was the best part of my brain. WTF?<br />
My speech was slurred for months after. I didn't notice it right away. Everyone else did.<br />
But no one said anything. I notice it now when I am tired.<br />
I continue to "reach" for words that I knew before that are lost to me now. I was fairly articulate before that stroke. I fake it pretty good now. </div>
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Before the stroke I was an avid reader. I read ferociously. I do not know if I can describe how much I actually loved to read. Or how fast I could read and understand and comprehend.<br />
<br />
Hmmm....I began and finished each of the Harry Potter novels on the day the were released. That is a lot of words. I actually purchased two of the last three novels so my son could have his own copy because I didn't want to share mine and he thought it was unfair he had to wait until the next day to start reading.</div>
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After the stroke, I was still able to read and understand. But nothing I read stayed with me. To read a new book in a series, I would have to read all the books that were released since the stroke to "catch up". I was current up to the stroke date, but after that..Poof!<br />
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I finally re-wired the reading about a year ago, but I am nowhere near as fast as before<br />
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But strangely I forgot information that I had been told in the months prior to the stroke. When I was "reminded" of things, apparently my reactions were identical to the way I reacted when first told.<br />
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I struggle everyday with the people who should understand me the best and they still don't get it. Because I am really good at faking it. Because I can make jokes about Stroke Brain and having brain damage. Because I let it slide when someone talks over me or assumes that the extra second it takes for me to gather my thoughts is their clue to walk away.</div>
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Because no one really knows what its like inside my head, even the people I have tried to explain this shit to. Because how do you really explain how it feels to know that you use to be smarter than you are now, and while you know you are still smart, you also know just what you lost when your brain revolted against you.<br />
How is it possible for another person to get that you aren't crying because you are sad, or your feelings are hurt, but because you are angry at a fate you can't change.<br />
That you don't want people to feel sorry for you, that you aren't looking for sympathy or any sorry shit like that. </div>
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I know that I am okay most days. I do just fine. But damn, there are some days that I want to scream and yell and ask just what the FUCK did I do to deserve having my brain semi-scrambled. </div>
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But what I did was not pay enough attention to my high blood pressure when I was younger. My brain formed scar tissue. The scar tissue led to a stroke. End of the story. </div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">Oh...well not really. That scar tissue? The area I have it in? </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">I also now have seizures. All the time. Absence seizures. From that area of the brain. FML! </span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.7; margin-right: 10px;">But that is another blog. This one has done wore me out. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-68870723727654408862014-11-16T00:44:00.000-08:002014-11-16T00:44:09.369-08:00The Prodigal Returns and Leaves and Returns and Leaves and....What day is it again?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So this one will be ALL over the place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Because that is where I am lately. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Where to start. Where to start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, the pregnant daughter came home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then she left again. Then she came home. Then she left. Then she was on her way home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And the cops stopped her and she had a ticket warrant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> OOPS! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Two nights and three days later, I picked her up and brought her home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>(Oh, did you think I might bail out my pregnant eighteen year old daughter from jail? Ahh, no! I want her to never want to go there again.)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Charges were dismissed, as we expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The fly in my ointment of contentment here is the so-called "Baby Daddy"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Damn, I hate that term. Calling him her boyfriend just pisses me off, so for this he will simply be BD. It can have several meanings depending on his behavior. Big douche, bad dad, big dickhead. You get my drift. I am also taking suggestions on this, so...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But he is causing no end of troubles for me right now. I am not his biggest fan. Can you tell? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He is a scrawny, nineteen year old homeless drug addict that refuses to go into rehab. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He was not all of those things when he started dating my daughter two and a half years ago and I didn't really like him much then, but I tolerated him. I cannot say if he used drugs when they started dating but whether he did or didn't its too late now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He helped introduce her to a life that I would never want for my child and while I hold her responsible for all the rotten choices she has made, I think I am allowed to be angry at him for the choices he enticed her into. I get the sex. I even can understand trying the drugs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But he talked her into leaving home to be with him before she was of legal age. To live on the street. Not because she was thrown out like some parents do to their troubled kids. No, he convinced her to go play house with him. We had the police bring her home several times. But she was eventually weeks away from her birthday and there was not a lot they could do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She pretended to come home right before her birthday. I know it was for whatever presents they thought we would give her. She was certainly in for a surprise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Every gift we gave her was something that would help support her if she choose to leave our home and live on the street. </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A solar cell phone charger</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A strong water bottle that also filtered the water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A sturdy backpack with lots of pockets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A thin yet light blanket (It was summer)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sunscreen,deodorant and personal items in small bottles</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If my kid was going to be homeless, I wanted her to have some things that assisted her. I kept the tracker going on her cell phone. I knew what park she was sleeping in based on the tower she pinged off of nightly. If she didn't have a solar charger, she wouldn't be able to charge her phone on a regular basis. The water bottle was a necessity living where we do. Staying hydrated and making sure the water was clean was a priority. The backpack allowed her to carry her belongings tightly packed, yet easy to get to and the other items are easily explained. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She was slightly disappointed since she wanted new clothes and gift cards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I called B.S. on that idea. I was no longer required to clothe her if she choose not to live in my home or follow my rules. When she thought about the gifts and used them, she saw the foresight we put into them. She realized that while we HATED the choice she was making, we were trying to respect her right as a newly legal adult to make it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>(Yeah, that sounds like a load of crap and I agree, but at the time I was doing everything in my power to maintain any relationship with her and I did want her to stay in touch. I also did not want to give her anything that would support the BD anymore than necessary.)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So she would come home periodically. The BD said that whenever it was too "hard" for her "out there" she would run home to mommy and daddy. I told her he was just jealous that she was still allowed to come home and that if he would do what his parents asked he could go home also. They wanted him in rehab. He refused. They wanted some proof that he was willing to change his ways. He wouldn't. His loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He slowly tried to break her down, belittle her and made her feel like less than she was. But I raised a fighter. She may had made some screwed up crazy choices that I hated with a passion, but she was not going to go down without a fight. She pushed back at him every time he tried to take away what I had spent her childhood building up. Eventually she stood up and told him what she thought of him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Most small men, both in mind and stature, do not like it when women stand up to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>(Hence the reason we do not get along at all. I do not suffer fools and he is clearly one. )</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So as it stands now. She is home. He is still living the homeless life on purpose. Still refusing to go into rehab despite being told that until he does, she does not want to see him. I don't know if she will hold to that dictate. But she said it. Its a start. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She is starting to act like a future mother. Realizing that her choices affect others and that she has to be responsible now for someone else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My baby may be growing up after all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SnarkyMomma out! </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-50604526130151424692014-11-12T12:24:00.000-08:002014-11-13T10:05:24.383-08:00The Lonely Blogger<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am writing my blogs and I wonder if anyone ever does actually read them. Half the time I start a blog and never finish it because I am sure that it is too stupid to post. I need to stop that. I saw that this is suppose to be the month when bloggers were posting a blog every day. If I were an actual real blogger I would have known that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So I will try to write something everyday. No matter how inconsequential. I write on my postings everyday, but I need to do follow ups on here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I can use those as launch ups for something to write about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But hats off to all the moms who have small kids and find time to write their blogs and raise their kids. I now remember why I stopped writing when own monsters were mini's. Between them and work, I was lucky to have enough brain cells left at the end of the day to speak, much less form coherent sentences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I can't promise coherent sentences now and I still have issues having enough brain cells to speak clearly but that is another blog that I am still not ready to write. Maybe I will build up to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Back to the title though, It sucks not know if anyone reads these. If you reach this far, just give me a "Hey there" comment so I know someone was actually there and that I wasn't clicked on by accident. Thanks! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">SnarkyMomma out until later! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-17331602338499057322014-11-08T14:05:00.000-08:002014-11-20T12:53:41.962-08:00Why I Refuse to "Tag" my Grandchildrens Parents in the Pictures I Post <h2 style="text-align: center;">
I am a typical Grandparent!</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heaven help me, I take pictures every chance I get and post them online and subject my friends to the sight of random babies popping up on their Facebook feed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>WHAM!</b> BABY EATING SQUASH FOR THE FIRST...BE AMAZED! </u></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>( I really posted a picture of that once !)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When our first granddaughter was born, we weren't there, so she was two months old before we saw her in person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I clearly remember saying that I had never seen a prettier baby in my life. </span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(What can I say, I was obviously under the baby's spell)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even said this to my daughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is not the mother of this grandchild. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<i><b>Oh Lord, </b>my daughter was a moody teenager then and was highly offended)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My daughter agreed with me the baby was beautiful , but <i>(see above) </i>, was hurt I didn't still think she was most beautiful baby ever. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(<b>SO SHOOT ME, </b>I later looked at pictures and saw the truth. All babies are beautiful when you are fall in love with them.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was enamored, completely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a ton of pictures. This kid as had a well documented life. So has my nephew. My best friends granddaughter and every other baby born into the smart phone generation. Everyone takes pictures of their kids and posts them on line. Not everyone is online smart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am an on line smart grandparent. As well as a smart parent, aunt and family photographer. All the settings for my personal social media are set to private.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>(</b>As<b> yours </b>should be.) </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still think my granddaughter is beautiful. Of course, a new baby has been born and she usurped grandchild #1's place as the most beautiful baby ever. Numbers 3 and 4 are on the way and I know they will also be the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I won't tag any of the parents in their kids pictures once the babies reach a certain age. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I trust my adult kids but my grandchildren are and will be gorgeous. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>(</b>I do not know my adult kids online friends<b>. GASP!)</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a hard time believing that someone actually knows hundreds of peoples strewn across the USA when they have lived in only two places their entire lives. But that is just me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: red;">(<b>Judgey time. </b>We had conversations about privacy settings, they were ignored.)</span></i><span style="color: red;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I first simply stopped posting pictures of the oldest granddaughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>(</b>Then weirdly, my friends asked about her<b>? WTH???</b> They missed pictures of the silly faces and her hanging upside down at the park or eating a Popsicle with a paper plate covering most of her face. That was my solution to exposing too much of her in a picture and her dripping on my floor.)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I talked to her mom about why I wasn't posting pictures of her daughter online anymore. I explained about pedophiles and that because her kid was so pretty, maybe she should change her settings, tighten up her friends list, generally gave her some solid safety advice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So she simply stopped posting pictures of her daughter altogether.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> (What that was about I have no idea.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I still wanted to share with my friends. So I stopped tagging. I have less worry that I might be exposing my loved ones image to people I do not know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not judging anyone. Online friendship can be a lifesaver. But keep the majority of your kids images private. I am not super tech savvy. If I am able to figure this out, so can the generation under me. Do not flash images of your bathing suited toddler to every Tom, Dick and Pedophile that lucks out and you have accepted as a friend and forgotten because you moved on weeks ago. Please do not let our private family celebrations fuel someone else's fantasies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have explained to everyone involved why I am choosing not to tag them. They don't seem to be offended. I tag people in the comments so they can see the pictures. Some have copied and posted to their own page. For now, I haven't said anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I have also stopped posting pictures of our older granddaughter like I did previously. I still take them. I save them, but I rarely share now. Bad judgement still exists. I have to protect where I can.So the few pictures posted by me are examined carefully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I am paranoid. Maybe I am simply seeing a boogieman where there is none. But better safe than sorry as my grandmother told me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I am not so Typical After All! </span></h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02563433557117918693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966444414877765646.post-7028516744013500342014-10-25T15:18:00.001-07:002014-11-07T22:55:24.890-08:00Are We Breaking Bad On Hypocrisy ?<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a confession to make. I have never watched #BreakingBad. Not a single episode. I have no interest in watching a TV show about drug use or manufacturing drugs. No matter how wonderful the acting or writing may be, I already know enough about the damage drugs can do to a family and society. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So the recent brouhaha about "action figures" created from the show being sold in Toys R Us barely even registered with me. I thought the mom was overreacting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then Toys R Us pulled the damn things off the shelves. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eOifybZ0LU-N5Hb_czZWlpGay-mL3FhssrSvlvpzT06PZQkdPo0qmbdfzGcO1xDwxggEd3fA-8nSwP2jOguOYE3WBaps_oM8AueTiD6HVNiB0tKtfGqNt1X7e8ie4USrPa8QAi9HyH8/s1600/$_58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eOifybZ0LU-N5Hb_czZWlpGay-mL3FhssrSvlvpzT06PZQkdPo0qmbdfzGcO1xDwxggEd3fA-8nSwP2jOguOYE3WBaps_oM8AueTiD6HVNiB0tKtfGqNt1X7e8ie4USrPa8QAi9HyH8/s1600/$_58.JPG" height="200" width="198" /></a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They claimed they were placing the actions figures on an "indefinite sabbatical". Well, hell. Now I am kinda pissed. Because some mom in Florida, who admitted watching the freaking TV show about drugs but was: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Too lazy avoid the adult toy section of the store when she was shopping with her children.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Too afraid to have a real conversation with those children about drugs and why they were bad.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> Too dumb to realize that if someone actually was stupid enough to give her kids a Breaking Bad action figure, she could remove the little paraphernalia.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come on people. My kids were given toys all the time that included small pieces that I hated. The first thing I did when we opened those toys was to take those pieces away "for safekeeping". Our Barbie Dolls never wore shoes and the Power Rangers didn't have any weapons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what is really torquing my hypocrisy wagon here is not <b><i>JUST</i></b> the Breaking Bad watching mom in Florida and all her 9000 plus signature followers on this <a href="http://www.change.org/p/toys-r-us-remove-breaking-bad-dolls-from-their-shelves">Change.Org</a> petition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am upset that people are such followers also. Its a stupid doll. (Don't get me started on action figure vs. doll. I don't give a rats ass about that.) Use it for something good if you see it,(have a conversation with your kid) otherwise avoid it. But there is a bigger issue here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why is it just <i>this</i> toy at the toy store? They sell other items that I once would have never allowed my young sons to have anything to do with, despite their begging me to buy the item. Video games with mature ratings, clearly intended for the over 18 crowd. Expensive radio controlled cars and planes that no child could ever use more than once. And don't get me going on the fact that Toys R Us sells freaking drum sets. I think that is just cruelty to parents everywhere. Its just wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Collector edition action figures also clearly intended for adults. How many little kids should be watching The Walking Dead and want to play with a Phillip doll, complete with a machete? Or maybe A Star Wars figure is more appropriate... Princess Leia is available in her slave outfit. Can Florida mom explain that to her kids? Leia comes with at least two weapons also. Bet that will make the explanation easier. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JlJhOKwxn2WrmOgSkWDu-nHjMzDooImN5lGi8oIUPSY6gpYhW0ekGlhbWRSlVOfoFnWed639gzEXgdhmKxjZXPIYaZEnmSzj1D2AFEzRZ4Mq9_eqkPwbofTNhbWEXzLTly-nWV-Il8A/s1600/TRU_LP_CollectorsCorner_EnFr_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JlJhOKwxn2WrmOgSkWDu-nHjMzDooImN5lGi8oIUPSY6gpYhW0ekGlhbWRSlVOfoFnWed639gzEXgdhmKxjZXPIYaZEnmSzj1D2AFEzRZ4Mq9_eqkPwbofTNhbWEXzLTly-nWV-Il8A/s1600/TRU_LP_CollectorsCorner_EnFr_03.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I went to Toys R Us website. The Collectors Corners showed a wide and fun assortment of action figures. Freddy Kruger, Jason, Predator and many more. It's too bad none of the one's I just listed are currently available despite being featured prominently on their website header and page.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just don't understand what Toys R Us is doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUxlZfqS4dYPhdbtDzYPocH252LtEl5J57nBb9Cd474qK1BH6BOjmEhgfaKOawSy-aWRHURw0JRgyqYlamfv0Ro4sLQN-AMtDWoaapaFdYBaW3whbHZUaD0EtjAYauLkCBWdUPjFmvLY/s1600/TRU_LP_CollectorsCorner_EnFr_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.toysrus.ca/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=46528836">Toys for all Ages of Hypocrites Sold Here!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCL7TZr6TlV3DNEoPSL2QXPBxcxJZPlBzruHnLQlNwYxMP3gv-Ls3DuPgx6cG1wPAc47Es__CxXRNEYgN4uC8IaJBbGBYr9NADwArccO-_sSsSeK_Lkmu1FwU6MHUw4W1SEHk6rMLW_g/s1600/TRU_LP_CollectorsCorner_EnFr_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCL7TZr6TlV3DNEoPSL2QXPBxcxJZPlBzruHnLQlNwYxMP3gv-Ls3DuPgx6cG1wPAc47Es__CxXRNEYgN4uC8IaJBbGBYr9NADwArccO-_sSsSeK_Lkmu1FwU6MHUw4W1SEHk6rMLW_g/s1600/TRU_LP_CollectorsCorner_EnFr_01.jpg" height="126" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pulling a toy because of a few thousand people and then still selling other items that are clearly marketed for adults is hypocritical. Make up your mind. Are you a toy store for kids? Or are you going to sell "toys and action figures and games" that are clearly intended for adults only? Do you believe that the parents who shop in your store and use your website are smart enough to avoid a clearly marked section that warns then, "Hey, big people stuff here...Don't let small people look!" or do you believe we are too stupid to actually be good parents and need a corporate toy store to monitor what our children see? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know that this has been all over the place so here is how I feel about is all.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Leave the Breaking Bad doll alone. If you have enough money to waste on the stupid things, you don't have kids anyway.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Toys R Us needs to grow a pair and either stop selling all grown up marketed items or bring this one back. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I don't care about Breaking Bad. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I don't care about Toys R Us either. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I simply hate hypocrites.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I can be one.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">So can everyone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">People need to stop thinking they can control the whole world. They can't. They can only control themselves and try to raise good, smart kids. To do that they need to TALK to them, not hide the world from them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">BTW...Florida Mom, stay off Amazon and eBay. Those Breaking Bad dolls are all over those sites. </span></li>
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