tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4052283109301010732024-03-14T10:02:49.575-04:00SHE Says~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.comBlogger674125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-28682851384118597532020-07-20T07:55:00.002-04:002020-07-20T07:57:57.607-04:00The Ice Cream Cone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0oqo77zjsmMiGcqbLIb5gUMwK0SMvqjHaIXabOGBjJmTbBVxwEbzKR0vkiuahQ1SPuZ4pIHzJdsaHZYwAAnZk4OtvXxMNtRhCCehpAWcu9zwSdDhWK0m6_7hu0GSODd2MwHO9TZDZ4oq/s512/unnamed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0oqo77zjsmMiGcqbLIb5gUMwK0SMvqjHaIXabOGBjJmTbBVxwEbzKR0vkiuahQ1SPuZ4pIHzJdsaHZYwAAnZk4OtvXxMNtRhCCehpAWcu9zwSdDhWK0m6_7hu0GSODd2MwHO9TZDZ4oq/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Part of my happy childhood involves a warm Saturday night when my uncle would pile the four kids into the bed of his blue pickup truck and take us to the ice cream stand. It was a special treat, and we sang campfire songs at the top of our lungs the whole way there. <div><br /></div><div>Those same three ice cream stands still stand as beacons of our small town, and they haven't changed much at all. We take our own children there for a special treat (in seatbelts and car seats, of course, not in the the bed of a truck), because it's nostalgic for us. One summer day, Hubby took the kids to the expensive one. We rarely visit that stand; it's a little bit further away and the cones are twice the price. Baby Girl was maybe three, I'm not sure. She ordered a plain vanilla cone, and it was huge. When the fourteen-year-old sales girl handed the cones to Hubby, someone's chocolate cone touched the vanilla cone. Baby Girl took her cone, immediately walked over to the trash can, and threw it away. She looked at her father and demanded, "I want another one. That one had chocolate on it."</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two kinds of parents in this world. I'll choose my words carefully and won't tell you what I truly think of the second parent. Hubby responded exactly as I hoped he would. With eyebrows raised high, he informed her that she would absolutely <i>not </i>be getting another cone since she chose to throw hers away. She proceeded to throw a fit. A woman approached my husband and told him what a terrible parent he was because he would not buy her another ice cream cone. My daughter was being a brat, and this woman wanted her unacceptable behavior to be rewarded by giving her exactly what she wanted. Absolutely not. I'm so proud of my husband that day for putting a crying child in the car and not giving in to her. He came home grouchy, but he made the right decision. To this day, my daughter remembers the lesson she learned. </div><div><br /></div><div>In America, we have a lot of grown-up brats who "threw away their ice cream cones" and are now demanding new ones. Some of our government has told them no- they are not getting a bailout for the communities they purposefully destroyed. For that, I commend them. At first, the brats may throw a fit, and things might get worse. But if "Daddy" gives in to their tirades, will they ever learn their lesson? No, they will turn into bigger brats, throw greater fits, and consistently demand more. It's time for our government to start treating these fit-throwing adults like babies and punishing them for their misbehavior.</div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-52105021495441819942020-07-08T08:10:00.000-04:002020-07-08T08:10:00.305-04:00The Rest of the Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2arV_yy3IIntiIBs9c9W-iXA-gy5_LDEUOJj5LCEPhgjpcQ6NhAQoMMtHQg_4qWpOIJMdrZyh5DbOXIBe2sRm_IiHBvoMIfod2U5zDsB0cdUYxQjDRD0moMwfT_PxqTedhX-a6L1HWFkL/s790/580ff9d2c3618881158b4617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="790" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2arV_yy3IIntiIBs9c9W-iXA-gy5_LDEUOJj5LCEPhgjpcQ6NhAQoMMtHQg_4qWpOIJMdrZyh5DbOXIBe2sRm_IiHBvoMIfod2U5zDsB0cdUYxQjDRD0moMwfT_PxqTedhX-a6L1HWFkL/s320/580ff9d2c3618881158b4617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you were ever a fan of Paul Harvey, you may have heard this narration before. It was new to me, Even though it was written as a newspaper article in 1970, I thought it was incredibly appropriate for today's circumstances.<div><br /></div><div>Below is a transcript of the narration, as well as an audio clip:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUUZ2fKVqcs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUUZ2fKVqcs</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>“Policeman. A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. Gulled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are ‘new.’ What they really mean is that they are exceptional, unusual, not commonplace.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Buried under the frost is the fact: Less than one-half of 1 percent of policemen misfit the uniform. That’s a better average than you’d find among clergy!</div><div><br /></div><div>“What is a policeman made of? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. He’s a strangely nameless creature who is ‘sir’ to his face and ‘fuzz’ (or worse) to his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won.</div><div><br /></div><div>“But if a policeman is neat, he’s conceited; if he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s flirting; if not, he’s a grouch. He must make an instant decision which would require months for a lawyer to make. But if he hurries, he’s careless; if he’s deliberate, he’s lazy.</div><div><br /></div><div>“He must be first to an accident and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. Or expect to get sued.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being ‘brutal.’ If you hit him, he’s a coward. If he hits you, he’s a bully.</div><div><br /></div><div>“A policeman must know everything and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake. A policeman must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal, and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But, if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he’s a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull; if he doesn’t, he’s a dullard.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The policeman must chase a bum lead to a dead-end, stake out 10 nights to tag one witness who saw it happen — but refused to remember. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And, of course, he’d have to be a genius — for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.”</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well said, Mr. Harvey. You nailed it. Well said.</div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-3883849040982028552020-07-07T08:23:00.001-04:002020-07-07T09:40:50.389-04:00Going Back to School: The New Norm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LSxfTJk51iV0mdi8dO-hDiDO6xlyZzHlw32ikzSDMaXfU3h5_8__pzfGll-3FInsV2iFVgGmQ10EfwvjRRD9lbgeLcXA4Qg3i93hqQCQCc2EYwfczu-JN_H0FgfSsd-2jJDClefxAhwW/s850/Homeschooling.Mask2_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LSxfTJk51iV0mdi8dO-hDiDO6xlyZzHlw32ikzSDMaXfU3h5_8__pzfGll-3FInsV2iFVgGmQ10EfwvjRRD9lbgeLcXA4Qg3i93hqQCQCc2EYwfczu-JN_H0FgfSsd-2jJDClefxAhwW/s320/Homeschooling.Mask2_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our governor recently released the guidelines for returning to school in the Fall. Most of them were things I expected, considering the talk circulating over the recent weeks and months. Much of it sounds improbable, but staff are going to do all they can to make things work. I came to terms with the fact that I would be wearing a face mask for 7 hours each day. I have a very soft voice, so I'm concerned about being heard through my mask. I'm going to end up straining my voice by trying to amplify while I teach. I also drink a lot of water throughout the day. That may have to change. <div><br /></div><div>I work in a self-contained unit for students with emotional disturbance and behavior disorders. In layman's terms, there are four adults in the classroom for twelve children. We often have to go hands-on with the students and sometimes must physically restrain them for safety reasons. We have all been trained and certified to handle these situations. Our students spit and bite, but we typically keep emotions under control so that this rarely happens. I fear that their knowledge of the virus will cause them to spit more frequently, because they realize the power their bodily fluids now possess. </div><div><br /></div><div>The students in my class are also runners. If something doesn't go their way, they are likely to get up and bolt out of the classroom. Last year was a record year for me. I took to wearing athletic shoes because I was running so often. We even had a student get out of the building once. (Well, he was already out of the building because he began running right from the school bus.) Going hands-on with a student I'm supposed to stay six feet from is not something I'm looking forward to doing. My coworkers and I have already discussed that we will likely allow the students more freedom to "have a meltdown" without intervention, but they will be removed to online instruction following such an event. Our goal is for no physical restraints this year. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWvkDJ1QWHPHOivB7421hS7wYgk7NY7V3HG-nqqiciAyiYJKt2mnfNHukUZv2idZwpWtqtE6qMX0gZDNh8ztLvnPrtXoAWRu4aY4opqE7se7WXg4UeQjiNMxvv-d5Ns64AK-RetrgkRnH/s980/1-class-clown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWvkDJ1QWHPHOivB7421hS7wYgk7NY7V3HG-nqqiciAyiYJKt2mnfNHukUZv2idZwpWtqtE6qMX0gZDNh8ztLvnPrtXoAWRu4aY4opqE7se7WXg4UeQjiNMxvv-d5Ns64AK-RetrgkRnH/s320/1-class-clown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's surely not going to be ideal, but it's something we all must accept. It's the new normal. Another new norm is how the major cities of our state have recently mandated face masks in public. Our small town has not yet gotten to that point, but I'm sure it will happen. It's no change for me because I always wear one in public; it's for the safety of others. An article I read said that they expect the change to occur like banning smoking in public places. It was easy to enforce because it came with the threat of civil punishment. Personally, I think it's very unfair to expect police officers to enforce another, very controversial issue in these times of turmoil. People who oppose masks may become hostile if a police officer tells them they must wear one in public. Once again, these guys need defended, not defunded. </div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>I'd love to hear the thoughts of others, especially school employees and parents, of how the return to school looks in your district. Please comment if you have something to say!</div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-13565107376118960332020-07-06T08:43:00.000-04:002020-07-06T08:43:06.879-04:00Warm FuzziesThere are still good people out there in the world. With all my heart, I believe they far outnumber the bad folk; they just don't make as much noise. I wanted to share three experiences my husband had while on duty this week.<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIMu51XVtIAXV0lk7xMRedt5QgkYSDHTrUYYp157-2XAaSZnoQAQig46nJ4I3mzMDQXP9sWBoRky2fFYJcHJb_5ltCr-0rR5kLoe-834nmwodtHdNdyHGpG88eOs8MbDAyCQoWxJkIoIf/s2016/InkedIMG_9111_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIMu51XVtIAXV0lk7xMRedt5QgkYSDHTrUYYp157-2XAaSZnoQAQig46nJ4I3mzMDQXP9sWBoRky2fFYJcHJb_5ltCr-0rR5kLoe-834nmwodtHdNdyHGpG88eOs8MbDAyCQoWxJkIoIf/w192-h256/InkedIMG_9111_LI.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a day on the job</td></tr></tbody></table>First of all, my husband was working security at our local supermarket. A black man entered the store with his three children and gave my husband a sideways look. His children appeared frightened by the presence of a police officer so near. After shopping, the man approached my husband. "Can I ask you a question?" he asked. "Sure," Hubby replied. The man continued to explain that his children live with a fear of law enforcement. He said he got a certain feeling about my husband when he entered the store, and he could tell he was a good cop. He wanted to know if it was OK for the children to meet my husband and talk with him, so they could realize that cops are good people. I commended that father for his actions. He stepped out of his comfort zone and acted in a way that society doesn't expect. The best thing he did that day was teach his children a very valuable lesson about how to see the good in each individual person, not to judge any given group as a whole. </div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra0UPhvRvGTShjdVhmp2D6TIjr7-OkBAjBFQn6nDPswvHjQD5GUuSeysDc37V_qbzMfu0k0iIncKni_Y5Yc7_4mthHUyoyBgC0JVdUjf0ImlbskSqO8fIuI0-yLevtuLQ285fyrADMeGU/s2047/Inked101782339_10223165862319004_7010285988928815104_o_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="1890" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra0UPhvRvGTShjdVhmp2D6TIjr7-OkBAjBFQn6nDPswvHjQD5GUuSeysDc37V_qbzMfu0k0iIncKni_Y5Yc7_4mthHUyoyBgC0JVdUjf0ImlbskSqO8fIuI0-yLevtuLQ285fyrADMeGU/w236-h256/Inked101782339_10223165862319004_7010285988928815104_o_LI.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local citizen posted this online</td></tr></tbody></table>The following day, a 10-year-old boy approached my husband's cruiser as he was patrolling a rough neighborhood. Hubby greeted him and the boy replied, "Can I tell you something? I like cops. The police are the good guys because they help people. All these rioters out there are the bad guys. They want to hurt cops and that's not right. You be extra careful out there." Hubby said he was nearly moved to tears. This boy acquired more character in his ten years than some people do in a lifetime. Hubby asked about his family and the boy said his father had passed away. Someone, somewhere raised that boy right and I hope he someday makes something of himself. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, Hubby was hand-delivered a care package on his shift today. The card had a Lego police officer on it thanking the police for protecting and serving during this time of turmoil and unrest. Also included was a homemade face mask and a McDonald's gift card. The older couple did not want to drop off the packages at the station; they wanted to personally hand them to each officer on all three shifts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just when I begin to lose all faith in humanity, a week like this comes along and makes me thankful for all the good people who are still out there. I appreciate each and every one of you who go an extra mile to make someone else's day just a little bit better. Thank you.</div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-32791456848523863672020-07-06T08:17:00.009-04:002020-07-06T09:17:11.365-04:00SoapboxI'm back on my soapbox today because I'm just getting so sick and tired of the dissension and division that is being created in this country. People speak of change and progression, yet I feel like we've been set back 100 years or more. Allow me to elaborate.<div><br /></div><div>Obviously, racial dissension is at the forefront of everyone's mind. Why is it so incredibly strong suddenly? Did the majority of the population's opinion regarding race suddenly change? I don't believe that it has. I believe that tensions have been stirred up, unjustly, and that a whole lot of drama was created that shouldn't have been. For starters, I'm getting sick of being told that I'm racist. Because I'm white, it's automatically assumed that I don't like people with dark skin. Why? I'm not racist, and I'm quite offended at the insinuation that I am. I have black friends. I would never treat someone differently based on the color of their skin, yet society is drilling into me that it's natural for me to be racist because I'm white. I'm sick of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXGIE0zo0s3IuY8yB9NvSQ1CjthJsdYDNS_LUHf6ZZhJLXur6yKXuv6VptdxMHDSNm2Spx1b9An1cxoH-WpxGbrLnEGqXqrXJq6ag7Q_SEiyrfagCib_vmiihvbqQPV8kEGDERYDrVJ8b/s475/deborah_kenny.top_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXGIE0zo0s3IuY8yB9NvSQ1CjthJsdYDNS_LUHf6ZZhJLXur6yKXuv6VptdxMHDSNm2Spx1b9An1cxoH-WpxGbrLnEGqXqrXJq6ag7Q_SEiyrfagCib_vmiihvbqQPV8kEGDERYDrVJ8b/s320/deborah_kenny.top_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Even in my education classes, there is a section in every course about racial diversity. That's fine, I understand it must be addressed. What I have a problem with is when the course textbook says something like this: <i>Because you're going into education, odds are that you are a white woman. There is a disproportionate representation of white females in the profession. Because you are a white female, you will automatically harbor a bias against your black, male students. </i>OK, guys- that really irritates me. Yes, I realize that the majority of my profession is made up of white females. My sons both entered a profession that is dominated by white males. Is that sexist? Nope. It is what it is. To be told that I will be slighted against black males is offensive. Just to be real with you, my least favorite students last year were the only two white females in my class. I don't even like admitting that, because we're not supposed to play favorites. Last year, my favorite student was D.D. He was a black male. The year before, it was J.T, black male. The year prior, I.A., another black male. So please don't tell me I'm biased against black males. Just don't. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaK1-rgiG7wtGhwlg_kty1jcQKSre-Um4fdyZ0ASlqRl8H0WGE85WCxCJPUX6YJ_xJw4fESc5FFOSfzMYCSyM3OVrfRthO1Q60hPcU3I03QsiasrYyAeUIUSXCCiG71090MZLDXcxc5fO/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaK1-rgiG7wtGhwlg_kty1jcQKSre-Um4fdyZ0ASlqRl8H0WGE85WCxCJPUX6YJ_xJw4fESc5FFOSfzMYCSyM3OVrfRthO1Q60hPcU3I03QsiasrYyAeUIUSXCCiG71090MZLDXcxc5fO/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's not all racial though. Dissension is based on status as well. When I first returned to the education sector, I was in a different school. During my lunch shift, the staff ate lunch in a large lounge with one long table. Teachers sat at one end of the table and aides sat at the other. It was very segregated and it bothered me. I kind of sat in the middle because I wasn't sure what to do. The gym teacher who sat next to me literally turned her back to me the entire lunch period. It was actually kind of humiliating. Thankfully, that type of division doesn't happen at the school where I currently work. There is no difference between teachers and aides (for the most part). Everyone is basically <i>staff</i>. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFR_26KN1dz5WJbF7rZueuuavDh4MoXQPLUAxlarKylnnJcZs6DiIL0phFMZnlLn71v7X2OxvtaF_dB8v1aD5F63JHbGe3KWg_6SzKpWLLXd3NPbOU7n64Jg6X6Kh97xf7MdPax_ippmU/s276/partisan-conflict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFR_26KN1dz5WJbF7rZueuuavDh4MoXQPLUAxlarKylnnJcZs6DiIL0phFMZnlLn71v7X2OxvtaF_dB8v1aD5F63JHbGe3KWg_6SzKpWLLXd3NPbOU7n64Jg6X6Kh97xf7MdPax_ippmU/" /></a></div>Political division is one of the worst right now. Too many individuals claim they are open minded, yet they follow everything their party tells them to do without considering how they really feel about it. If someone is of the opposite political party, they are automatically an idiot and a moron. Yeah, I'm really getting tired of that one too. I watched an interesting social experiment. An interview team walked around a public area to ask political questions of passers-by. First, they asked people their political affiliation and their thoughts about the opposing party. Then, they asked how they felt about a major issue, but they gave the credit to the opposing leader. Nine times out of ten, the individual agreed with the issue if they thought it was supported by their party. When they were informed that the opinion was held by the opposing party, they were shocked, embarrassed, or in denial. People have become so anchored to their party that they've allowed it to take away their identity. Being Democrat or Republican should not divide us the way it does. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another big one is police officers and African Americans. Apparently they're not allowed to like each other any more. Why? Because society told them so. I won't go into this whole debate again; I've already done it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd like to ask a favor to anyone who has made it this far in my blog post. If you notice society trying to divide you from others for any reason- social class, race, religion, ideals, nationality- don't allow it. Take a stand, use your brain, and speak from your own mind. In this world, why can't a white, female, Democrat janitor be friends with a black, male, Republican teacher where they coexist, get along, and no one hates anyone else? I know someone who had a Dream based on those ideals....</div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-84291233664376071242020-07-03T07:06:00.009-04:002020-07-03T21:52:17.946-04:00What I'm Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBFh3SwJ_UQX62b5sqHzEEKK23Bi3p9Qi0t8kiSXQnRNOT71addwbwIUYqXB8ba9F-aORs9GHz_9YRsswOcERtlhKDRKzhGD4zhyFRx9NJ6bQbWxfuFcu5FUmtdg0HEzTnFuBQZ9ItR4K/s2016/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBFh3SwJ_UQX62b5sqHzEEKK23Bi3p9Qi0t8kiSXQnRNOT71addwbwIUYqXB8ba9F-aORs9GHz_9YRsswOcERtlhKDRKzhGD4zhyFRx9NJ6bQbWxfuFcu5FUmtdg0HEzTnFuBQZ9ItR4K/w192-h256/IMG_0572.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The strawberry shortcake<br />happened BEFORE my diet</td></tr></tbody></table>I've stated before in my blog that my favorite author is Maeve Binchy. I've read everything she's written since <i>Tara Road</i>, but I hadn't read all of her earliest works. We have a program in our church called Angels of Grace that others might call Secret Sisters. I was chosen this year by a very attentive lady who regularly showers me with cards and special gifts. Throughout the quarantine, she has left packages on my front porch. Yes, I've seen her making the deliveries, but I've pretended like I haven't. Anyway, for my birthday in June, she included Maeve Binchy's first work, <i>Light a Penny Candle</i>. I was so excited because I had never read it! The book was fabulous, all the way until the end. It seems like Binchy just didn't know how to wrap it up. It kind of started to drag on, and I think she realized it was getting boring. So she had a couple of the main people do things that were completely out of character and very dramatic. The book ended sort of abruptly and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Because the rest of the book was so very good, I think I would still give it 4 out of 5 stars. Just be prepared, if you read it, the ending is kind of weird. <div><br /></div><div>Experiencing another Binchy book for the first time made me excited for more. Amazon was no help; I didn't want to pay full price for a book. I tried eBay, which I haven't visited in probably a decade. You can get used books for $4.99 or less, with free shipping. If you buy 3 or more items, you get an extra 15% off! So I received 3 hardcover books in the mail for a great price! They were all in good condition and I had no complaints. The seller was discover-books.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first book I opened was actually a compilation of 3 of Binchy's books. They are all earlier works and I hadn't read any of them. I started with <i>The Lilac Bus</i>. If you don't know Binchy's writing style, she uses a lot of characters. At times, it seems overwhelming. But she has a knack for bringing them all together in the end. When they all start interacting and fitting together, you have that <i>Aha!</i> moment and that's when the story gets really good. Sadly, that's not what <i>The Lilac Bus</i> was. The beginning was amazing. Binchy's storytelling abilities are incredible. I kept waiting for the first characters to come back, but they never did. I googled the title of the book and realized that the different sections of the book are actually a collection of short stories. I must admit, I was a little disappointed. Had I known that in advance, I would have enjoyed the stories so much more; they were extremely well written. Once again, I would recommend this book, but keep in mind that each section does not relate to the last.</div><div><br /></div><div>This goes to prove that Binchy's writing abilities progressed tremendously throughout her life. I still attest to the fact that her greatest work is <i>Tara Road</i>. <i>Circle of Friends</i> is my second favorite, with <i>Evening Class</i> coming in third. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took a break from reading to accomplish a few other things around here, including painting. My next venture will be <i>Firefly Summer</i>, the second story in the book of 3. Hopefully this one doesn't have any disappointments. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-9629444081179358632020-07-02T08:41:00.018-04:002020-07-02T09:18:39.226-04:00Sleepy with a Side of Headache<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcSAxbLl9Hv4Be1rxw9gdXVdi1sO6keFAkWThg&usqp=CAU" /></div><span style="text-align: left;">I've not been sleeping lately. Maybe I'm old, maybe I'm worried...whatever the reason, it sure is annoyi</span><span style="text-align: left;">ng. Two nights ago, I slept from midnight until 4:30. I think a sound startled me, and there was no retur</span><span style="text-align: left;">n to sleep. I felt horrible all day yesterday. Last night, I took sleep medicat</span><span style="text-align: left;">ion and didn't wake up until 7:30! It was heavenly! No worries, I will not be making this a habit. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">~*~</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9Zlebm9ZvPfV1pxWjoiYz267QHXFyKJrUrlZyHqyEsRzOEry_Mpg6Z_FS7q2t-gfOp6MBODV1QGSg87iUTOEL2IHD98LNq8f2LCI0U46vmWNM2klAtAMmixgysJh5MjUFF7Eytfu9uy2/s549/tempted-to-stab-myself-migraine-meme.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9Zlebm9ZvPfV1pxWjoiYz267QHXFyKJrUrlZyHqyEsRzOEry_Mpg6Z_FS7q2t-gfOp6MBODV1QGSg87iUTOEL2IHD98LNq8f2LCI0U46vmWNM2klAtAMmixgysJh5MjUFF7Eytfu9uy2/s320/tempted-to-stab-myself-migraine-meme.png" /></a></div>This week has been my Migraine Week. Once a month, ever since my partial hysterectomy, I experience Migraine Week. It's kind of like Shark Week, but no one televises it. I don't have the light-blinding, vomiting, can't-function type of migraines. I have marathon migraines. Imagine if someone poked you in the arm, with some intensity, but not enough to hurt you. You would give them a dirty look and ask them to stop, but probably wouldn't punch them in the nose. Now, imagine that they did that for 5 or 6 days straight. That's what Migraine Week is like. By day 3 or 4, I'm ready to kill anyone who looks at me funny and concentrating at work is extremely difficult. I tried a seizure medication for maybe nine months or so, but there was no relief. The doctor had me double my dose, and said I could even take it up to triple the original dosage if this didn't work. I must say, I think the intensity is just a tad less, and now the headaches seem to respond ever so slightly to Excedrin. Anyone else experience this same debilitating issue?</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~*~</div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjkR7W6NNR8IR6LLdBEg1bwDsencm9vjCNcF51wECbLYAmqd82jf2-_4MWeLx8WSAayuIPwgQv8ggOwWmXQ69SvdsXnfImSEZofOMhHqs7waox3FuE_40RjkrReGvZMLZtWml-08fk0vDDHiHJcVxwiZeHunqNugK8P2CgizbfHMKWGmwQllnW4bjjXTcD1w6uIguCRcsjjj6I=s800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjkR7W6NNR8IR6LLdBEg1bwDsencm9vjCNcF51wECbLYAmqd82jf2-_4MWeLx8WSAayuIPwgQv8ggOwWmXQ69SvdsXnfImSEZofOMhHqs7waox3FuE_40RjkrReGvZMLZtWml-08fk0vDDHiHJcVxwiZeHunqNugK8P2CgizbfHMKWGmwQllnW4bjjXTcD1w6uIguCRcsjjj6I=s320" width="320" /></a></div>I told my brother to take the Police placard off of my sister-in-law's car. She's just a tiny little thing, and I would hate for any trouble to await her in the parking lot of a store or mall. It's been recommended on the Police Wives site to remove the Thin Blue Line flags at your homes or decals on your cars. It's really sad that things have come to this. I pray for peace for our nation.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-65679461702861679892020-07-01T08:28:00.000-04:002020-07-01T08:28:00.354-04:00Bathroom Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1.wp.com/eweddingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/inspirational-lighting-decoration-for-bathroom-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://i1.wp.com/eweddingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/inspirational-lighting-decoration-for-bathroom-23.png" width="231" /></a></div>
I think it was 13 or 14 years ago, we gutted out our upstairs bathroom and replaced everything, down to the dry wall. We were a one-income family at the time, so we did things on the cheap. My dad, who does <i>nothing </i>on the cheap, said that the materials would never last. We purchased everything from a big box store, but it was all we could afford at the time. In hindsight, I'm still glad we did what we did. Guys, my bathtub was <i>lavender</i> before we remodeled! LAVENDER!<br />
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At this point, everything is utter crap. You have to hold down the toilet handle to get it to flush. The knob fell off the medicine cabinet door years ago. The drawers in the vanity don't slide at all. The towel bar is broken. Not to mention, we've raised 4 kids and 2 adults in this bathroom, and for 2 years, it was the sole bathroom in the house! It served its purpose.<br />
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Hubby has been working some side jobs and we've been saving up to do it right this time. Last night, we went to a high-quality hardware store to "look around." Yeah, I came back with a whole bathroom designed. This is how it went down:<br />
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I had been scouring the internet during the quarantine for bathroom vanities. I thought that was a good place to start. I could not find anything I liked, except for stuff from big box stores. I absolutely refused to buy from there again. I finally found something on Amazon that had great reviews and was made of solid wood. Still, I was worried about ordering something blindly. At the hardware store, I was able to choose my wood, the door style, and the color. I was struggling picking out the countertop material because there were so many choices. She led me to a remnant that was the highest quality quartz with reduced pricing. I <i>loved </i>it! To get that remnant, I had to snag it up. So that's why I went ahead and ordered everything. The best part is that my design ended up coming very close to the price of the Amazon vanity! God is good, people! I ended up designing a matching medicine cabinet, and I bet the knob will <i>not </i>fall off of that!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/93/e9/62/93e962d940ec4e30d5bfa7a8dd2646e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/93/e9/62/93e962d940ec4e30d5bfa7a8dd2646e7.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Floor I Like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPupTgCE73l9ZxNkTeMat-bvLINkDr2TgRwosUA48b-cfQuvrXYcbRgOqo_rP5puzr5aKkkB9P7o3SKVFEyBTo_Fmz0soD9PDK6jyJSn1rFvPAv53Dy5Hggru4tz7unVSWi4QvtZzCY5c/s1600/Showhouse+184_New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="375" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPupTgCE73l9ZxNkTeMat-bvLINkDr2TgRwosUA48b-cfQuvrXYcbRgOqo_rP5puzr5aKkkB9P7o3SKVFEyBTo_Fmz0soD9PDK6jyJSn1rFvPAv53Dy5Hggru4tz7unVSWi4QvtZzCY5c/s200/Showhouse+184_New.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How 'Bout That Sign?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We purchased a Moen faucet and the best toilet money can buy. Still left on my list is flooring, vanity lighting, and PVC shiplap. I put PVC beadboard in my half bath and absolutely love it! It's extremely durable, waterproof, and super easy to clean. As I was in the process of picking out products, I pulled out my phone to open Pinterest. The pin at the top of this post is exactly how my bathroom is shaping up to look! I have a medicine cabinet in the same finish, rather than just a mirror. Also, I will likely have a wide plank, light floor to contrast the cabinet. Definitely over the toilet, I will have a sign that says, "Please Be Seated," or "Remain seated for the entire performance," or something equally as witty.<br />
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I'm so excited and cannot wait for the transformation! I'm looking forward to posting pictures when it is complete.~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-5346050407561804672020-06-30T09:23:00.002-04:002020-06-30T09:27:34.363-04:00Offended by Rice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.askideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/He-who-takes-offense-when-no-offense-is-intended-is-a-fool-and-he-who-takes-offense-when-offense-is-intended-is-a-greater-fool.-Brigham-Young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="620" height="196" src="https://www.askideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/He-who-takes-offense-when-no-offense-is-intended-is-a-fool-and-he-who-takes-offense-when-offense-is-intended-is-a-greater-fool.-Brigham-Young.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Poor Uncle Ben. He is being stripped from his cameo atop the famous orange box of rice that we all know and love. Why? Apparently because he's black and that's racist. Guys, I just don't get it. The claimed mission of the racial movement is to bring diversity and enlightenment to everyday living. What accomplishes that more than having well-loved products that feature illustrations of black individuals in their branding? If all food products highlighted only white chefs, homemakers, and cooks in their logos, someone would be shouting racism about that (watch your back, Chef Boyardee!).<br />
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What is offensive or racist about Uncle Ben's photo? He is clean cut, handsome, and well dressed in a suit and bow tie. He's not dirty, missing teeth, or promoting an air of ignorance. So why is his image so offensive; because he's black? I find that incredibly racist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoQUEkRC-vulf3Zm5_qoCg7DoNwywEJBnaM-JjYV8-iQT3YrQc1fvSivUOX386_xVODQTjb-bRQVMzbxzW_nS70uKknHVF06sXrz1P7tmC6PEb7i4yhwxTWKirWjDCpTB1_T2hurOjN6Z/s1600/b1d9af6c2c43b6709bdf9df25910349d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="616" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoQUEkRC-vulf3Zm5_qoCg7DoNwywEJBnaM-JjYV8-iQT3YrQc1fvSivUOX386_xVODQTjb-bRQVMzbxzW_nS70uKknHVF06sXrz1P7tmC6PEb7i4yhwxTWKirWjDCpTB1_T2hurOjN6Z/s200/b1d9af6c2c43b6709bdf9df25910349d.jpg" width="175" /></a>The same situation exists with poor Aunt Jemima. She has donned the syrup bottle for years, and no one was offended. Why is her illustration suddenly so offensive? It's because people are out there searching for offense. David Bednar said, "To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else." If you are a person who is consistently offended, you are making the choice to be so.<br />
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Just to give you some <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/uncle-ben-s-change-its-branding-part-parent-company-s-n1231329" target="_blank">background</a> on the Uncle Ben's brand, it was named in the 1940s for a famous rice farmer in Texas, referred to as Uncle Ben. The image for Uncle Ben himself was modeled after a waiter in the Chicago restaurant where the idea was born. There is nothing degrading about his past, he does not represent slavery, and his image was not meant to be demeaning or insulting.<br />
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I think the company is making a big mistake if they remove his likeness. If anyone is truly offended by Uncle Ben's image, they have the right to buy a different brand. If someone wants to cause a fuss because of this smiling man in the orange circle, I think they need to check their heart instead.~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-46421938294637750492020-06-27T14:54:00.000-04:002020-06-27T14:54:54.529-04:00Randomness of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx6-a_50yMudrApd5yusffAXPHmdpv86kxOKHvuVFkQ2V-co_tY_O5wZ9LHoPwuqEzaKgdn0uBHsCc-qySQcvhD7KMEyzflN91YCozdaDwUDZ1penDd2D-FZb6XX1bmud1zKkg67lzg3m/s1600/IMG_0751.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx6-a_50yMudrApd5yusffAXPHmdpv86kxOKHvuVFkQ2V-co_tY_O5wZ9LHoPwuqEzaKgdn0uBHsCc-qySQcvhD7KMEyzflN91YCozdaDwUDZ1penDd2D-FZb6XX1bmud1zKkg67lzg3m/s320/IMG_0751.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
I was sitting on the front porch, working on homework, and I heard a really loud helicopter. I looked up, because it sounded really close, and what I observed took up most of the sky ahead of me! It was the Goodyear blimp! It was circling some area hospitals to thank health care workers! By the time I got my phone out and ready, I had to kind of chase it down the street to snap a photo. I still only got half of its body, but you can see by this 13-story apartment building how low it was!<br />
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Before I started school two years ago, I had a short (well, longer than short) list of things I wanted to accomplish. I accomplished most of the tasks, except for painting the living room. I went as far as selecting paint, but it's been stored in my basement ever since. Yesterday, I decided that this is the week. Since it's been two years, I'm sort of regretting the color choice, but I'm still going with it. This afternoon, I took everything off the walls and moved out all the furniture. The two small couches and the piano are in the center of the room. Big Sis washed down the walls for me and I filled all the holes. Tomorrow morning, I will be all ready to go and can start painting early!<br />
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Hopefully my painting job wraps up in a couple days, because I'm having my very first patio get-together on Thursday evening! At the end of fall, we put in a pretty large patio on the back of our house. It's something we wanted to do for years, but couldn't afford. Hubby decided on stamped concrete, and I must admit, it looks so much better than I ever thought it would. We were also able to afford some low-end patio furniture. Right in the midst of the quarantine, we added landscaping. It couldn't have come at a better time! I have spent so much time out there and have really enjoyed that space! Since I didn't really get to say goodbye to my teacher friends, I decided to have them all over for a patio night. We can sit around and chat outside while maintaining social distance. I'm so excited to see real people again; I can't wait! <br />
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I'm trying to work on my negativity. It seems like every time I open my mouth, I notice complaining coming out. I've been much more critical lately. I don't know if it's my old age or the additional stress I'm carrying, but I'm actually getting sick and tired of myself. I miss my former sweet and cheerful disposition. I'm making a real attempt to be more positive, but it's so incredibly hard. Ugh.<br />
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I'm in week 7 of 8 in my geography class, and it's gone swimmingly well! I've only been docked one point thus far, and the course hasn't been all that bad. Unfortunately, it causes me to immerse myself in current events, which I try to avoid, but it's almost over. In another week, I begin my very last college class!~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-34342686652705488692020-06-20T07:54:00.000-04:002020-06-20T07:54:00.312-04:00An Open Letter to Dog Owners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://dogscatspets.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Beware-of-Dog-678x381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="678" height="177" src="https://dogscatspets.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Beware-of-Dog-678x381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
OK, we're changing gears for a quick second. There's something that I'd like to say to some of the dog owners in my neighborhood, but I'm much too chicken. I understand that your dog is your baby and that you love it like a member of the family. However, <b>your dog is loud</b>. I love my children very much, yet I don't leave them tied up to a post in the front yard for hours on end, as they scream (bark) incessantly to be released.<br />
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Here's a quick tip: if your dog is barking and barking and barking, he probably wants to come inside or be untied. I'm not a dog owner and I know that. If you're not smart enough to realize that, perhaps you shouldn't have a pet.<br />
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As I sat on my couch early this morning, enjoying the cool morning breeze, I had to listen to a loud, barking dog for about 15 minutes constant. The dog was not on my street, it was faint enough to know that it was at least a block away. I cannot image how loud it would have been to a direct next-door neighbor. I'm certain the owner knew it was barking. From the sound, it was a very large dog. <br />
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The day my 4-year-old niece died, I pulled my daughter out of school and we came home. (I worked at her middle school that year). We sat on the porch and reminisced about the happy moments we had with her during her short life. The rottweiler across the street stood got loose and ran over to where we were sitting. Thankfully, the owner noticed and came to get him. We were crying, but she didn't seem to notice. She tied him up, where he sat and barked at us over and over and over. On that beautiful May afternoon, we had to move inside because of her dog.<br />
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On a September day, a day which I consider the worst day of my life, that same dog nearly caused me to do something rash. Due to circumstances I will not share on this blog, I was a distraught human being who was collapsed on floor in my hallway, sobbing. That dog barked and barked and barked. It had to have lasted at least 45 minutes. I was in such a fragile state, I nearly lost my mind. <br />
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Same dog, another time- the barking had been going on for several hours. The neighbor beside me couldn't take any more and he called the police. I watched in a cowardly fashion through my upstairs blinds. The officer walked up to the house, past the barking dog, and had a short conversation with the owner. She moved him inside afterward. Following that incident, there was a huge ordeal on Facebook. She blew up with tons of profanity and great offense. She was furious that she had been reported for a barking dog. Her defense was that dogs bark....that's what they do. She and her husband were both irate and got all their Facebook friends stirred up as well. I didn't understand how, as a neighbor, we are expected to endure the constant barking, but she can't be expected to have the decency to keep her dog quiet. The poor animal had a chain that was probably 6-10 feet long and had worn a dirt circle in the yard in his limited walking space. <br />
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I'm not an animal lover, and I won't pretend to be, but my understanding of pet ownership is for companionship. If you want to include your pet as part of the family, that is fine. What I don't understand is why you would allow that loved family member to endure obvious misery as it is chained up outside (disturbing the entire neighborhood in the process) as you sit inside watching television, ignoring its needs. <br />
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So here's my plea for today: if you notice your dogs outside barking, please bring them in or find out what their needs are. I understand that dogs bark; they're supposed to. When the barking doesn't let up, something is wrong, and that need should be met.<br />
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Thank you for your time. Rant over. ~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-52674350450754481282020-06-19T07:18:00.000-04:002020-06-19T07:18:29.762-04:00Stressin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm exhausted. It's all I talk about. It consumes every conversation and nearly every thought.<br />
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People are sending me texts about disturbing things that are happening in both the police and demonstrative communities. I'm sure they think they're doing me a great service, but I'm shielding myself from news outlets for a reason. <br />
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Apparently, Amazon has allowed the sale of anti-police shirts that condone hate. I will not repeat the slogan on my blog because I don't want to give credit to this horrible atrocity. Basically, it lumps all officers into one group and labels them murderers. I just don't understand. I thought that was the purpose of the entire movement- to stop prejudice, stereotypes, and labeling. How can someone condemn one kind of hate and condone another? Fortunately, the listing that sold the shirts has been removed, but similar shirts are sold elsewhere. <br />
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As I stated before, I have removed all news media from my world, so forgive me that I have no concrete facts or actual data regarding the recent events in Atlanta. From what I hear, the victim was running away from the officer and was shot in the back. For that reason, the officer was criticized and charged. I cannot judge or defend his actions, due to my lack of information, however, I will offer one thought to ponder. Cops have had very specific training, and they have milliseconds, combined with a great rush of adrenaline, to implement that training. When someone points a weapon directly at a cop, his initial reaction is to fire. If that taser would have struck the officer and left him incapacitated, the shooter could have easily helped himself to the officer's firearm. The officer did not have minutes to consider the current state of affairs, nor was he able to question his initial reaction to determine if it was the best course of action. His response was immediate, and his first line of defense (his taser) was missing. Hubby said his training officer taught him that, when confronted with a life-threatening situation, it's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six. Although, never in the past have officers been fired on the spot and charged with murder. Up to this point, a leave of absence has been standard while investigations were taking place.<br />
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The closest my husband has ever come to shooting someone is when he was faced with a disgruntled man who was not in his right mind. The man reached into his waistband, pulled out something dark, and aimed it at my husband. Hubby said he felt his finger twitch and he nearly fired. As it turned out, the object was a cell phone. The other man almost got shot for making a really stupid choice. If my husband had hesitated for a fraction of a second too long, and if it had actually been a gun, I would now be a widow. Too many decisions have to be made too quickly.<br />
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As I stated in an earlier post, I do not defend the actions of Derek Chauvin in any way. I'm so angry that my husband is being lumped into the same boat as this terrible excuse for a police officer and a human being. Consider the worst possible version of a worker in your own profession, whether that person is a rapist, pedophile, child abuser, or murderer. Now imagine how terrible it would be if you had to endure the wrath of that individual's crimes. That's what our good officers are facing every day. I can't imagine how anything shy of countless years can undo the damage that is being done right now. May God have mercy on our society. ~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-73648237513306788322020-06-18T14:18:00.000-04:002020-06-18T14:18:51.554-04:00Intention, Not Attention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is it still considered a good deed when you broadcast it to others?<br />
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That's one of my pet peeves- when people film themselves doing good deeds, then they plaster it all over social media so they can get credit. Are you doing it to benefit others or for yourself? I love the quote, "Good deeds should be done with intention not for attention."<br />
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Allow me a moment to brag on myself. I apologize in advance. I'm justifying my actions based on my anonymity; I don't know any of you. I'm not publishing this account on Facebook or anywhere I actually have an identity. So does that make it any better? Maybe not, but whatever.<br />
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I was supposed to pick up my daughter after an event, but I was running a few minutes late. A friend decided to drop her off at home for me. As I was returning home alone, I saw two ladies beginning to cross my street on the main road. The older of the two was carrying an infant car seat. I remember how heavy those are, so I paused on the main road to allow her to cross the side street. I felt terrible that she was trying to carry that heavy seat; she appeared to be in her 50s. I turned onto the side street and rolled down my window. I asked where they were headed and if they needed a ride. They named a pediatrician that was located in the exact opposite direction. When I told them they were walking the wrong way, they were despondent. I offered to drive them there, and they accepted.<br />
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Never in my life have I picked up strangers in the car, but I could not allow these two women to continue on their journey with that car seat. It would have been close to a half-mile walk. As it turns out, the baby arrived two months early and they didn't have the stroller yet for the car seat. This was his first appointment. They had taken the bus from a nearby town, and had turned the wrong way when they got off. They were extremely grateful for the ride; grandma said she would have been lying in someone's front yard if I had not picked them up.<br />
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After I dropped them off, guilt overcame me once again. How did I expect them to get back to the bus stop? When I got home, I called the pediatrician office and provided my phone number. I told the receptionist to have the ladies call me after the appointment and I would pick them up. Thankfully, they had told me the first name of the baby.<br />
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That's how life should be- people helping people. It wasn't hard. I had no agenda that day. I was relaxing on the porch, reading a book. I've been blessed and it was nice to bless someone else in return. Oh, there was one thing I forgot to mention. They were black. My husband is a white cop. See, we don't all hate one another- the media spews that image. We got along just fine and we didn't even have to take a Facebook selfie to document it.~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-32243779348126713982020-06-13T22:06:00.001-04:002020-07-02T09:25:24.568-04:00The Silent Police WifeI'll admit- one of the main reasons I returned to my blog after such a long time away is because I need a platform to manage all these emotions and a release of my new anxieties. I've always been a very focused, calm, relaxed person in the past, but I'm starting to experience <i>the other side </i>for the first time in my life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You see, I'm the silent wife of a police officer.</span><br />
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I can't watch the news. I can't get on social media. I just can't. My stomach turns and does flip-flops; I sob and mourn for the other women in my position whose husbands have been taken from them because of these violent and despicable times in which we are living.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll start right off the bat by saying that racism is wrong.</span> The movement that law enforcement and racism go hand in hand is ridiculous. Both my husband and I are supportive of the human race, no matter what nationality or ethnicity a person is, or what color of skin they have. Now that I have clarified that, please consider the rest of my thoughts.<br />
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People who are judging all police officers by the horrendous actions of one (or a few) are committing the same acts as racists. Judging an entire group of people by a stereotype is wrong. Derek Chauvin was a creep and does not deserve to represent the entire police force of the United States. In that same manner, a black criminal should not be the representative for the entire African-American race. Fair enough?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/opinion/the-argument-protest-riot-violence.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/opinion/<br />the-argument-protest-riot-violence.html</a></td></tr>
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Two months ago, everyone loved the police. My husband was called upon several times daily to lead parades through neighborhoods to celebrate kids' birthdays during the quarantine. Everybody loved that. In 2001, cops were the heroes of the country. Talk about solidarity- people bought police officers meals and would give them the shirts off their backs. Today, people are writing racial slurs on police cruisers as they bust out all the windows. How did all of this change in such a short time?<br />
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In my opinion, most of the people who are against the police are people who have been in trouble with the law. I have no statistics for that; it's my opinion. A young adult who grew up close to my family has stated his disdain for law enforcement very openly. He is a disrespectful punk who breaks into buildings to take extreme photography and to skateboard. He gets mouthy with security when confronted about trespassing. I'm not surprised he doesn't support the police.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/30/devonte-hart-police-information-portland">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/30/<br />devonte-hart-police-information-portland</a></td></tr>
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A lot of the opposition says that police are only out to catch people doing wrong. That couldn't be further from the truth. I have done countless ride-alongs with my husband, and I see what a day in his shoes looks like. He does a welfare check on an elderly woman whose out-of-state daughter hasn't been able to contact her in a week. If he finds her dead, he has to tell that daughter. He has to persuade a mentally challenged adult that her group home is a safe place and she needs to return with her case worker. The promise of a 5th Avenue candy bar and a Mountain Dew (that he purchases himself at the gas station) is what convinces her to go back. My husband comforts a terrified mother who was crouched on the floor of her home because a bullet just sailed through her teenage daughter's bedroom window. Her ex-boyfriend is in a street gang and they were making a point. On a bitterly cold winter day, my husband noticed "David" crouched in the dugout of the ball field. He didn't kick out the homeless man or berate him. He opened up his trunk, pulled out a bag and took it to the man. It had some non-perishable food, a hat, and other basic supplies. I asked why he didn't offer the man more help, but he informed me that David refuses public assistance. He chooses his life on the street, but will accept occasional supplies.<br />
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All of those stories are true. I witnessed them. And half of them involved African Americans. Was my husband less willing to help the black people? Absolutely not. <span style="font-size: large;">They're all <i>his </i>people, the citizens of <i>his </i>town. </span><br />
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My hope for this country is that all hate will be eliminated- hate against people based on their skin color (red, yellow, black, or white) and hate against people because of their profession. What good can come from hate? We are on the verge of a civil war, and we are going to split this great nation in half if the hate doesn't stop. Before you act, before you speak, stop and think if it will do good or stir up more anger and strife. We need to decrease the tension and attempt to restore faith in the human race.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stop the violence. Stop the hate.</span>~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-47432980019203405392020-06-13T10:40:00.001-04:002020-06-13T10:44:25.773-04:004 yearsI can't believe it's been nearly 4 years since I've blogged on this platform. An awful lot has changed. I entered my 40s. Two sons have graduated high school and are pursuing engineering degrees. That "Baby Girl" of mine is entering her second year of middle school, and her "Big Sis" will be starting her third year of high school!<br />
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My last post talked about returning to work after an 18-year hiatus. Well, that kind of worked out. I got hired into the district by Thanksgiving of that year and found out I had a niche for students with emotional disturbance and behavior disorders. I've held two different jobs in that capacity, and have since realized my desire to move to the next level. I enrolled in an online college, and I'm now one class away from my special education degree! I will be licensed K-12 as a mild to moderate intervention specialist. Working full time and taking classes full time, while still caring for my family and household has been a tremendous undertaking.<br />
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That cruise I last wrote about represented a major transition point in our lives. It happened on our first day of vacation. Before we set sail, Hubby received a call from his job. Upon his return back to work, his pay would be significantly reduced- by 28%, to be specific. It put a tremendous damper on the entire trip. The reason is that his employers were angry with him for pursuing the police academy. His full intention was to remain dedicated to his primary job, only working police side jobs on the weekend. It was actually none of their business what he did outside work hours. They told him he wasn't being a team player because he took on a second job. When he returned the first day, a coworker asked, "What are you doing here?" Hubby simply stated that he was back from vacation. The friend informed Hubby that they assumed he would quit, so they already replaced him. That was a shot to the gut. After talking to our attorney, Hubby decided not to return. He worked 28 hours a week as a part-time officer for quite some time while I made <i>peanuts</i>. It was an extremely trying time for us, especially financially.<br />
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Fast-forward a bit...the Chief asked Hubby if he would ever be interested in becoming a full-time officer. Hubby confirmed that it was his dream, but he was past the age cutoff. The Chief replied, "Hmmm...let's see what we can do about that." After many months, a lot of paperwork, and petitioning of the right people, the Chief was able to get the city ordinance changed to allow citizens up to age 45 to take the civil service exam! Hubby did well, and was hired full time a few months after that! It was a blessing from God!<br />
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I doubt any of the people who read my blog <i>back in the day</i> are still around, but if you are, I wanted to give an update about my life. It keeps moving along, keeps changing, and keeps progressing. Sometimes you wish you could hit the pause button, other times you'd like to rewind or fast-forward. None of that is possible, however, and we must each embrace the moment in which we are living.<br />
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Here's to today. Cheers!~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-24408371479929154622016-08-13T09:50:00.001-04:002016-08-13T09:50:43.078-04:00August is like the Sunday of Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_PuXnDE_IRi7M6LCbI8OTKZIJed-FHwvIyEfx7p4ZJrUqvK5TnAww3Vns31Srs4vzE-Q4_cni65YbYOgMJ9Vbh26HMmhHRjENRAkzlAGxDMmReeYjyQ1U7sQa-AW0t-i81imCMRcWvye/s640/blogger-image-2012740812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_PuXnDE_IRi7M6LCbI8OTKZIJed-FHwvIyEfx7p4ZJrUqvK5TnAww3Vns31Srs4vzE-Q4_cni65YbYOgMJ9Vbh26HMmhHRjENRAkzlAGxDMmReeYjyQ1U7sQa-AW0t-i81imCMRcWvye/s200/blogger-image-2012740812.jpg" width="150" /></a>It's been a great summer, and far too long since I've updated! It makes me sad to notice that it's getting darker earlier and that the kids' school stuff has claimed residency all over my dining room. It's hard to believe that summer is nearly over. It seemed to last an eternity when I was a kid!<br />
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It's still in the 90s here and far too humid to be outside. The upstairs of my house is too warm to make sleeping comfortable, but we're thankful for the ceiling fan! I think the area where I live has some of the most extreme weather in the country. Thankfully, we didn't break 100 degrees this year, even though we typically do. Winters drop down below zero by 20-25 degrees. I'm trying to enjoy the heat while it lasts!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak, Lobster, Escargot, & Ice Cream!</td></tr>
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Even though it wasn't in our budget, we found a way to take the kids on a family vacation this year! We technically hadn't been on a real vacation in 3 years. (I do not count driving to New Orleans for a wedding a vacation!) I knew the only way we could go was to go on a cruise. Trying to feed and entertain this family for a week, after paying for flights and hotel accommodations, was definitely something we couldn't afford. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPVcSTPFf4tQMEQm0KCJA-H9iEReyWJIv0qXTaY1fruGOS0B1yh2Z5Xe28Y5Ub10zS8kUnpE_uTjjUv3pWNX5D7Ci63QVMv9CUk_mQYV22DMZDSJ6uGq-s46JUBYERPJv-A__Eqn6o7pJ/s640/blogger-image--1583299439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPVcSTPFf4tQMEQm0KCJA-H9iEReyWJIv0qXTaY1fruGOS0B1yh2Z5Xe28Y5Ub10zS8kUnpE_uTjjUv3pWNX5D7Ci63QVMv9CUk_mQYV22DMZDSJ6uGq-s46JUBYERPJv-A__Eqn6o7pJ/s200/blogger-image--1583299439.jpg" width="150" /></a>We chose a 5-day cruise on Royal Caribbean out of Miami. We stopped at Grand Cayman Island and Key West. I'd never been to either port before and really enjoyed both! The ship was a little disappointing as far as things to do, but I still had a great time. Big Sis was caught right between the little kids and the teens. I wish there had been more for her. She's a trouper though. Baby Girl had a blast in the little kids club! The boys didn't do much aside from eating. They were disappointed there wasn't basketball or putt-putt golf. The teen club fell a little short too. You get what you pay for and the smallest boat in the fleet was all we could afford. I read several books and had lots of fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was voted<br />Queen of the Night!</td></tr>
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Right before we left for the trip, I quit Hubby's side job. We had talked about quitting part of it because it was getting unreasonable. We had been cleaning an apartment job for 3 years and never got an increase of wages. One of the owners did nothing but complain about our work, which was very degrading to us. He kept demanding more and more out of us and was never happy. For what we were getting paid, it was ludicrous. We cleaned the laundry rooms and parking lot areas once a week. It took the Hubby and I and both girls 1 to 1 1/2 hours to finish the job well. Afterward, we always went to our favorite pizza joint. What we got paid was $3 short of even paying for our dinner. Yeah, not worth it.<br />
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Anyhow, when Hubby got home, I nervously proclaimed, "I quit your job." He asked, "Which one?" (He knew we were only talking about cleaning and mowing the apartments.) "All of them," I answered. He wasn't too happy. He was hung up on the money and didn't see how we could afford to quit. It turned out to be the best decision ever. He ended up being so relaxed on vacation and mentioned time after time that it was perfect timing. Whew!!!<br />
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We got home on a Sunday and he started his part-time job with the police department on Tuesday! His training officer is an army vet who we suspect to be part robot! He's amazing and a perfect fit for Hubby! He loves this job so much and is <u>finally</u> living out his dream!!! He's realized, even though pay is very minimal as a part-time officer, that he's making very close to the same as the jobs I just quit, doing something he loves!! I am so thankful, I can't even put it into words! And you should see him in his full uniform! He's quite dashing!!!<br />
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THEN- since there weren't enough changes in our lives yet. I went out and got me one of them there jobs! I signed up to be on the sub list as a teacher's aide at our home school district. The woman who interviewed me laughed and said that I had quite an impressive resume'. Most people applying for this job don't have teaching degrees. I explained that this is exactly what I want right now. I haven't worked outside the home in almost 18 years. To go back full time could possibly kill me. I still have all those responsibilities, kids, and side jobs at home to manage. Most teacher aide positions here are 4-5 hours a day. I think that's great. The pay is absolutely insulting (minimum wage) but it's more than I'm making now! I would enjoy staying on as a sub for a while, but they let me know that I would likely get hired right away. She said she may call as early as the first day of school and will probably call most days. Yikes...makes me kind of nervous! I'm a little rusty...<br />
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So, school starts in 4 days. I need to get my act together in case I have to go to work!!!~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-83273474008292357022016-06-22T22:31:00.001-04:002016-06-22T22:31:43.682-04:00What I'm Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At what point does this constitute as an obsession? I've read 21 books so far this year. I've never been that kind of a reader. I know there are people who have a goal of 100 books in a year. I'm not that person. I actually feel guilty about reading because it's a hobby that takes the place of something more important that I <i>should </i>be doing! One thing that helps with my guilt is that I only read after I've finished my daily Bible reading. So, if you count the 66 books of the Bible, I may be pretty close to that 100 mark by the end of the year!<br />
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A lot of the books I've read lately aren't great and I realize that's because I'm buying the Kindle deals on Amazon. Most of those deals offer a cheap price on the first book in a series, hoping you'll buy the remaining books. Sadly, it's not usually worth reading the sequels. <br />
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I've contemplated signing back up for Amazon Prime so that I can take advantage of the free Kindle books. Has anyone ever done that who can offer advice? I would like to know if it's worth it or if the selection is very minimal. As of now, I'm spending more money than I would like to because I'm reading some of these books in only 3 days. I might as well have the free shipping to go along with it!<br />
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Here's what I've been reading:<br />
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<ul><i>
<li><i>Party Girl</i> by Rachel Hollis</li>
</i></ul>
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This book was just OK. It's almost like the author finished watching <i>The Devil Wears Prada</i>, thought to herself "Hmm....I liked that," and then decided to write a book with the same theme. It's about a party planner and it has the same components of <i>Prada</i>. The boss is highly sought after, condescending, and trendy. The main character is just too good to be true. I purchased this book because it was a good deal and because there are two others that follow it. I did enjoy reading it, but not enough to read the next two. There wasn't enough depth. There was harsh language and mild sexual content (for my wholesome readers). </div>
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<ul>
<li><i>Maid for Love</i> by Marie Force</li>
</ul>
</div>
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This one was <u>not</u> worth reading. It had the depth of what I imagine a Playboy article would have. It dwelt much more on the size of the woman's jugs and the endowment of the man's genitalia than a good story line. I would have guessed the author to have been in high school because of the writing quality. She mentions the woman's "caramel eyes" and "flowery scent" way too many times to count. I'm guessing her English teacher never taught her to use a variety of adjectives. There are very graphic sex scenes that I had to skip over and the story isn't believable at all. Save your time and skip this one. </div>
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<ul>
<li><i>The Secret Sister</i> by Brenda Novak</li>
</ul>
</div>
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This book was better than the last two. It's about a woman who returns to her home town following a divorce and loss of a child. Her brother is going through a rough period with drug addiction and she feels the need to move home to help him out. I know that sounds like the book has an overwhelming sad theme, but it's not a complete tearjerker. The brother and sister are close, despite their dysfunction, but neither is close with their overbearing, rich mother. As they are sorting through things, they find evidence that suggests they used to have an older sister. I don't want to give away any more than that. There is some explicit material and language. (Why do all of these books include a man teaching a woman how to have better sex? She <u>always</u> thoroughly enjoys it and thanks him for it. Gag.) Anyway, this book is worth reading, if you find a good deal on it. </div>
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<ul>
<li><i>The Marryin' Kind</i> by Nancy J. Parra</li>
</ul>
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OK, finally a book that I really enjoyed! This is part of a series, but it doesn't end in a cliffhanger. You don't have to read the next book to find out what happens. It's just about the same characters. I can't say I picked up on the actual time period of this book. The women wear hoop skirts and pump water into the house, but there seem to be very modern things discussed. Anyway, it's about an independent woman who has no desire to marry. She wants to stay single and live alone, much to the dismay of her father and sisters. Similar to <i>Pride & Prejudice</i>, the younger sister is a flirt who can't understand someone's desire to not marry. The older brother comes up with an elaborate plan to help his sister achieve everything she wants in life. This book is very light, yet entertaining. There's plenty going on and you can't wait to see what's going to happen next. The best part is that it's very clean with no language or explicit material. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the next two.<br />
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<ul>
<li>The Bettin' Kind by Nancy J. Parra</li>
</ul>
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This is the second book of the series and is about the younger sister. I thought the first was better, but that's probably because I read it first. I did finish this one in two days though. It was very similar to the first book, which might be why I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I decided not to read the third right away. The book was still very enjoyable, clean, and romantic. The heroine from the first book is mentioned, but isn't a key character. I would still recommend reading them in order or you'll get a few spoilers. There is even a little action in this one and I had a hard time putting it down. <br />
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<ul>
<li>The Songbird and the Soldier by Wendy Lou Jones</li>
</ul>
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I immediately fell in love with this book. It's about a man in the service who begins exchanging letters with someone he met briefly while at home. The author shares the letters with you and they're quite enjoyable to read. Then chapters go by where <u>nothing</u> happens. Seriously, it's like describing my daily life. She goes to the grocery store. They have tea. She walks through the park. They have a picnic. She cooks dinner. My eyes kept drooping and this book became a quick cure for insomnia. It gets a little better, and things start happening, but it never <i>really </i>picks up again. There are several dramatic events in the last third of the book. But frankly, by that point, I didn't care about the characters any more. I just wanted to finish. The writing was dull and lifeless. When I picked up my very next book, the words jumped out at me like sugar to someone on a diet. It had some language, but otherwise was pretty clean. I'd say skip this one. <br />
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...and I'm still going.</div>
~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-49225478479422648962016-06-15T22:20:00.004-04:002016-06-15T22:20:55.975-04:00The Randomness of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm having such difficulty dealing with the news and current issues of today. I don't want to log onto social media or turn on the television. I don't want to know the details of the horrific events of the last few days; I'd rather be ignorant. Does that mean I don't care? No, it means I care too much. If I think about it too much, it consumes me. I have to continue living my life. Getting overwhelmed with grief won't help make anything better. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">~>*<~</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was in our local paper!</td></tr>
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Son #1 is getting involved with a summer job program. Our church secretary (my cousin) told me about it. This agency will pay #1 to work at the church over the summer! The church gets to use his services for free, but will provide some mentoring and help him establish work skills. He already has great work skills and he's involved in the church anyway. He has a key to get in (as he unlocks the doors before services), so she said he can pretty much go up and work whenever he wants. It's so flexible and he'll get a dollar more an hour than he's making at his current job! He'll keep the other job too; he only works Monday and Saturday evenings. He needs something to occupy him this summer....I'm afraid he's going to wear out the pads of his thumbs on that stupid iPad. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">~>*<~</span></div>
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I, on the other hand, have plenty to do to keep myself busy. My basement, people, is simply disgusting. It's overwhelming and there are hours worth of work awaiting me. Anyone want to come help me? <br />
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It's time to start getting this house organized and into shape. I'm doing a great job of keeping it "drop in ready" at most times. If anyone knocks on my door, I'm comfortable inviting them in. However, the nooks and crannies, like the basement, garage, and closets are hideous. I can't take it any more. <br />
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Years ago, when I only had the two boys, my family bought a very large parcel of land. Our dream was to construct a development where everyone could build homes together. Yeah, it didn't work. My uncle spent over a decade trying to get permits and sewers and water lines. He finally kind of gave up. But he decided to put his home up for sale anyway. It's a very unique, historical house, so it's not like some ordinary Joe would happen by to purchase it. Built in the early 1900s, it was part of a farm. The caretaker lived in the front part of the house. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 kitchens. The back half of the house was renovated by my grandfather. My mom and uncle lived there from birth. It has 4 bedrooms also and a fabulous great room. Because of this, they're asking a pretty penny. A few corporations have looked through it, as well as a couple multi-generational families. It's been on the market off and on for 7 years now. Nothing. This week, the metropolitan housing company in our area contacted my uncle to see if all of the family members on the street would be interested in talking numbers. SO- even though we've never listed our house, it may finally be looked at. It's nerve-wracking and very exciting at the same time. So that's why I need to get busy in my basement. Seriously....looking for eager volunteers!!! :D<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">~>*<~</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore the expression on<br />her face! </td></tr>
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Maybe it's finally our "Season." Hubby was involved in a class action suit against his company that was filed a dozen years ago. He's a named plaintiff on the suit, which means he's given testimonies and whatnot. Back then, they said if it all pans out, we could be awarded with well over six figures. We've patiently anticipated the settlement of this lawsuit for over a decade. It settled. Sadly, it didn't even come close to what Hubby hoped for. Me, I would have been thrilled with a $20 gift card to Outback. He really hoped we could pay off the house. Um, nope. The actual amount isn't set in stone because they're having difficulty locating all 300+ people who are affected. No matter what happens, we'll get some money, which is fantastic! Hopefully it won't take another decade though!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">~>*<~</span></div>
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Oh, it is suddenly pouring rain here! With lightning! We really need that. It finally got hot here today; I broke down and turned on the A/C. I like it so much better with a natural breeze blowing through the house. The humidity did me in though. We tried to swim at my cousin's Monday, but it was just too cool. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">~>*<~</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpr3knru3QrauQNcjhyphenhyphenqaVmE7Yz8z0eYh6Qoj2G2rI8_Cwv8lyPuEBR3235S6HAuN23uxlPxq4URTr-rnNG-oSyxNcHl23n930x97BfriIyqyFSm9Iqc6mWIlM3cqv-7jP1YDkC8OWriA/s640/blogger-image-981285495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpr3knru3QrauQNcjhyphenhyphenqaVmE7Yz8z0eYh6Qoj2G2rI8_Cwv8lyPuEBR3235S6HAuN23uxlPxq4URTr-rnNG-oSyxNcHl23n930x97BfriIyqyFSm9Iqc6mWIlM3cqv-7jP1YDkC8OWriA/s200/blogger-image-981285495.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Does anyone else think my ice cream cone looks like the poop emoji?</span></div>
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I hope things are going well in the lives of all my readers! I love it when y'all post comments or occasionally email me. I enjoy hearing from you! I'll leave you with one random thought. What's one food from your childhood you'd just love to have again? Maybe a meal your mom used to make or something from a restaurant that went out of business? I'd have to say the chicken nachos, chips, and salsa from Chi-Chi's. I really miss that place...it was our date night go-to place. :(</div>
~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-4390782567318826722016-06-10T15:34:00.001-04:002016-06-10T15:34:49.109-04:00What's Happening--<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuyjWNq3vc_TrM37LnvyMGnhuOUzUODm-d8th-7C2OuRSoMN1AD-q4273V2FjMSbT9vP9Q_KmMxnH-hJpTSNQ4Hf4TXE21xduacR_lT1AXtf3j4ty4dN28lmReeLmErhnprom3wB_kMkH/s1600/blogger-image--157136480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuyjWNq3vc_TrM37LnvyMGnhuOUzUODm-d8th-7C2OuRSoMN1AD-q4273V2FjMSbT9vP9Q_KmMxnH-hJpTSNQ4Hf4TXE21xduacR_lT1AXtf3j4ty4dN28lmReeLmErhnprom3wB_kMkH/s200/blogger-image--157136480.jpg" width="150" /></a>I am truly enjoying the summer! I work so hard throughout the spring that, when summer comes, I take relaxation to a whole new level! I've been reading, walking, cooking, and enjoying life. I could really get used to this lifestyle. <br />
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~*~</div>
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Hubby and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary! I don't feel old enough to have been married that long. We enjoyed a short cruise that was heavenly! We ate, fell asleep in the sun, played mini golf, read books, and tried out the water slide. I was so sad to see it end. Another lifestyle I could get used to...<br />
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~*~</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45uIBRpexAlxj5r0V0sOYhhP3Wib10SW7gvEmwVTUY7d8QeiUFlJcXlR5lVqcTVBdbedQ_8QgKWQ8QIrm5YNA8L5v5-0ARmYd58n8jVrNc_9oEdseuEQXMf5PXHBsOzxQT0N3XiMHpnfP/s640/blogger-image--1218635105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45uIBRpexAlxj5r0V0sOYhhP3Wib10SW7gvEmwVTUY7d8QeiUFlJcXlR5lVqcTVBdbedQ_8QgKWQ8QIrm5YNA8L5v5-0ARmYd58n8jVrNc_9oEdseuEQXMf5PXHBsOzxQT0N3XiMHpnfP/s320/blogger-image--1218635105.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son #2 is on the left.</td></tr>
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I am so relieved that school is out. I am very tired of pestering the kids to work hard and keep their grades up. Big Sis did fantastic her last quarter. Son #1's grades were disappointing and Son #2 dropped the ball in the last week of school. He's carried a 4.0 since 7th grade and finally lost it. His Destination Imagination team traveled to Knoxville, TN for Globals the last full week of school and he missed too much class. He had to write his final paper in the car. This one paper counted for his English, Science, and History grades. I don't really get the reasoning behind that. Well, he bombed the paper. Each section was worth 20 points. He got 20/20 on Science, 15/20 on History, and 5/20 in English for doing his citations wrong. Because of that, he got a poor grade in all three subjects. I don't quite see the fairness in that. He should have gotten a poor grade in English only. Because of this, he lost his 4.0. I'm pretty ticked about it. His older brother never had any assignments that were cross-curricular like that. I just don't get it. And Baby Girl graduated 1st grade on a high note. She's picked up in her reading and math and I'm quite pleased with her progress.<br />
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~*~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0CddondqDNjnSXJ9NKRMnB8Go8Ypo-7uN9PnQIJpbv6_fo95OdHz7oG2CDAXLz5TFvouszXGDE98K4WOxVmUUdUuxtXORPJolV-j2RA9XH2Ejem8Z-Z_VfYNZcs-SBzK3_H94wPUgalu/s640/blogger-image-448402571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0CddondqDNjnSXJ9NKRMnB8Go8Ypo-7uN9PnQIJpbv6_fo95OdHz7oG2CDAXLz5TFvouszXGDE98K4WOxVmUUdUuxtXORPJolV-j2RA9XH2Ejem8Z-Z_VfYNZcs-SBzK3_H94wPUgalu/s200/blogger-image-448402571.jpg" width="150" /></a>Hubby's police career is moving slowly, but he finally got his uniforms this week. He looks quite dashing! OK, the hat is a little dorky, but he's not required to wear it. He has to "qualify" with his weapon and then he can begin. He's more than anxious to start because he's totally fed up with his current job.<br />
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For example, Son #1 had to go to traffic court tonight. (Speeding on the highway....I about killed him!) I had to take him alone because Hubby couldn't get off in time. They won't accommodate him in any way. Other drivers were off well before 5:00 that he could have switched with, but they will not give him any slack. He works every Saturday and has gotten home after 7:30 this week. He doesn't get paid enough to not have a life because of work. Fortunately, he has a new career ahead of him. Hopefully full-time employment at the PD will come soon!<br />
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~*~</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tooth fairy has been<br />visiting lately!</td></tr>
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Every other Saturday, I am alternating between teaching a couponing class and a cooking class. I really enjoy it....when people show up. It's quite frustrating to have 25 people sign up for a class and only 1 shows up. If you don't want to attend, don't sign up. <br />
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~*~</div>
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We unexpectedly came into $1000! It was such a shock and surprise, we don't know what to do with it yet. There are so many things we could use it for, but we're contemplating investing it for a rainy day. Hmmm.....<br />
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~*~</div>
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The boys had physicals this week. Son #1 is 5'10 1/2" and 139 lbs.! Son #2 is 5'7 1/2" and 110 lbs. Boy, are they going to look just like their dad!!! I feel like a midget around here.</div>
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~*~</div>
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That's about all that's going on and I'm so happy about it! Golf starts soon and Son #1 is going to join his brother on the team this year. He's entering his Senior year (yikes!) and taking way too strenuous of a schedule. I honestly don't think he can pull it off. </div>
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I feel like I've aged a lot since I started this blog. Instead of a home with four kids, I have two little girls and three grown men living here. It's weird.</div>
~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-46555663631807840082016-05-20T13:27:00.002-04:002016-05-20T13:27:28.106-04:00Reading, Reading, Reading...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've read a lot of books since I last updated. I'm still on the no TV kick, although I do occasionally watch an episode of The Middle or The Goldbergs online. I'm not even sure I'll be able to list all the books I've read without forgetting something, but I'll try to give an accurate review.<br />
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1. <i>Engagements </i>by J. Courtney Sullivan<br />
I did not care for this book at all. I was swept in by the synopsis on the book jacket. It was a story about a ring and the engagements that followed over 100 years. I thought that sounded romantic. A great deal of the book was a true story about the woman who coined the phrase <i>A Diamond is Forever. </i>Unfortunately, it was boring. The best part of the book was that it was several individual stories that ended up being tied together at the end. One of the stories was about two gay men that got married. I don't support that so it definitely put a damper on the book for me. <br />
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2. <i>Stella Bain</i> by Anita Shreve<br />
This was one of those bargain books picked up on the clearance table at the book store. It's historical fiction and involves a woman dealing with amnesia during the war. It's been a little while since I read it, but I remember it being quite clean and language free. I enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who enjoys historical fiction to read it.<br />
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3. <i>A Knight in Shining Armor</i> by Jude Deveraux<br />
I've ready this book a few times before. It's totally unrealistic and very light reading, but it's so enjoyable to read. If you liked the movie <i>Kate & Leopold, </i>you'll love this book. They have a very similar story line. It has some graphic detail in it, but I suffered through it. (Ha!) There's also a bit of language. If you want to relax and get lost in romance without having to think too much, this is the book for you. <br />
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4. <i>Whisper Beach</i> by Shelley Noble<br />
This was a Kindle deal I got for a good price. I had read all the actual books I had lying around here, so I decided to pick up my Kindle after a long hiatus. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was worth the $1.99 I paid for it. It's a reunion of the past with a lot of secrets that are gradually revealed. Some parts were predictable, but most of the secrets turned out differently than I'd guessed. It's a little over-dramatic, but I guess that's needed to hold your attention. It was worth reading but nothing I'd strongly recommend. <br />
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5. <i>The Lake</i> by Annalisa Grant<br />
What a mistake! I didn't realize this was young adult until after I started it. It was another Kindle deal. (Free, I think.) I justified reading it by thinking that it could still be enjoyable and would be clean and free from too much sex or language. Maybe it's because I'm not a teen, but the plot was horrible, the characters weren't believable, and it was quite boring. Worst of all, it ends in a cliffhanger. It like totally stops. Then it tells you to buy the next book. With the first book being so horrible, I certainly didn't want to waste time reading the second (which I hear also ends in a cliffhanger)! So, I ended up googling to find out what happens to one of the main characters. I found out and called it quits. I won't give any spoilers here, but if you want to know, email me and I'll tell you what happens!<br />
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6. <i>The Wedding Dress</i> by Rachel Hauck<br />
Another Kindle purchase, I enjoyed this one. It has some religious themes to it, which means that it's very clean and wholesome. I wouldn't recommend reading the synopsis, as it gives away way too much of the plot. I'll tell you that it's about an engaged wedding planner with no family to call her own. It has flashbacks to a couple different time periods, which is interesting. I definitely connected with the characters and felt like I knew them. Another lighthearted book, I would recommend this one. <br />
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7. <i>The Friends We Keep</i> by Susan Mallery<br />
This was the best of all the books I've read recently. My mom bought the book for me because she liked the cover. (She obviously doesn't know you're not supposed to judge a book that way.) It's about three 30-something women and the stress and struggles of everyday life. They rely on one another through their trials. There's a lot going on and there's no time to get bored. There's no way anyone in real life has this much drama going on at one time, but that's why books are more interesting than real life. Some of the outcomes are different than I guessed, so it wasn't too predictable. It ends just a little too quickly, but things are definitely resolved in the epilogue. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and plan on looking for more things by her. This is a good read. Give it a try.<br />
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I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've read any of these. What have you been reading lately? I just started another Kindle deal that is, unfortunately, part of a series. (I think all those Kindle deals are parts of a series to get you to buy more down the road.) But since all 3 books are $1.99 each, I figured I'd give the first one a try. I'm always game for good Kindle deals, if anyone has any recommendations. ~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-10064804829833453332016-05-19T17:11:00.000-04:002016-05-19T17:11:04.218-04:00Update on the Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whew! The worst part of my year is finally over! Each year, I have a ridiculously crazy life from the end of March until the beginning of May. I'm in charge of our annual Mother Daughter Banquet and I seem to make it a bigger deal each year. (Plus, my help gets less and less each year.)<br />
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Added to the crazy of MD Banquet, I'm still babysitting, harping on the kids to study and keep their grades up, trying to keep a clean house, managing the rental properties, teaching Sunday School, singing at church, and trying to keep a strong marriage. It's exhausting, I tell ya!<br />
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Fortunately, God has had my back through all of it. I crammed 15 hours of work into 10, got adequate sleep, and kept healthy. I managed to cook supper most nights, make stupid phone calls about medical bills, and get Son #1 through the ACT. <br />
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Even though my banquet was a success and we pulled it all off, there was major chaos involved. We found out a couple days before that Hubby was going to be sworn in to the police department the very same night! Eek! I realized that it wouldn't be possible for me to see it. I think I might have cried. When I told my mom, she insisted that I go. She said the Banquet comes once a year, being sworn in is once in a lifetime. She managed this banquet for 20 years before me, so I knew she could hack it. THEN- her uncle one state over died. Guess when the funeral was? Yep, same night. I told her she absolutely had to go to that. His daughter was the same age as my mom and they were very best friends growing up. SO....we moved on to my cousin, our youth pastor's wife. She volunteered to step in and do whatever needed done. Bless her heart!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGZnmNyXup-vz__Xdp0ujFEGPtEtn3KXfg_YukNJVkSc43uygfw0fmFN6IxxK2UajJav4ykrT02SYoQGLXQsnPjxdxGze2N17rGoEMQ0ciOTUEZgIvWu5sYWFJh0-Z48XwVUZBDihdYsM/s1600/IMG_8201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGZnmNyXup-vz__Xdp0ujFEGPtEtn3KXfg_YukNJVkSc43uygfw0fmFN6IxxK2UajJav4ykrT02SYoQGLXQsnPjxdxGze2N17rGoEMQ0ciOTUEZgIvWu5sYWFJh0-Z48XwVUZBDihdYsM/s320/IMG_8201.JPG" width="213" /></a>So, the Banquet started at 6:30. (My day started much, much earlier, and I was going on 4 hours of sleep.) I opened up the Banquet, ran a quick song, and announced dinner. I chatted very quickly with a friend I invited, who came only to see me. Then I hightailed it down to the police department, which was only about 10 minutes away. My sweet brother was waiting on me and jumped in to park my car. There on the sidewalk stood my incredibly handsome Hubby, looking as dapper as ever. It was hard not to cry. (OK, I'm totally tearing up right now just remembering it.)<br />
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We filed into the packed courtroom and found the last empty seats. They knew I was in a time crunch and actually started early! The mayor swore him in and I was grinning like a proud mama. The police chief interrupted and said he had to say a few words. He said that V was a native of the city and loved the community. He said he was such a great guy, that at the board interview, one of the members said that they thought he might actually be too nice of a guy to be a cop. He said some other flattering things and then invited us outside for photos. I snapped a few and headed back to the banquet. I wasn't quite as worried about my speed on the way back because, hey, I'm a cop's wife now!!! Haha!<br />
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I actually made it back in time before dinner was over and got to finish out the Banquet on my own! <br />
We only had a couple mess ups, which no one seemed to care about. It was all in fun and most people knew my situation. I enjoyed carrying around my camera, showing off the photos. <br />
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Also, my best friend told me the same day that she's expecting her first baby! It was such a perfect day! My girls presented me with a spa gift card as a thank you! What could be a better gift???<br />
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I would like to mention that my last post was not about me. Thank you to those of you who expressed concern. It's about a couple that Hubby and I are very close to. It's been going on since the end of last summer, but it keeps getting worse and worse. It's killing me to see how this friend of mine and mentor to Hubby is behaving. Our kids are very close and we interact with them through many different things (DI, band, school plays, sports, and work). It's just breaking my heart. I pray that they can at least learn to be civil around one another. <br />
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So to wrap up, things have been so great around here. Hubby is ready to start his training, which he is so excited about! He carries his badge with him wherever he goes, just in case! We celebrated 20 years of marriage over the weekend with a 3-day cruise all by ourselves! It was just what I needed after a very stressful <strike>couple of months</strike> year!!!<br />
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School is out in a couple of weeks and life can be normal again. Hopefully I can pop on to my blog more often and update. I hope everything is going well for all of you that continue to follow me!~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-55784520932712701042016-03-22T10:33:00.000-04:002016-03-22T10:33:12.299-04:00An Open Letter to The Other Woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To You--<br />
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I know you. You are that person who dates other women's husbands. You are a mom at my kids' school. You are a co-worker. You are the barista who takes his order every day. On the outside, you are a normal, average person. You even have a great personality and lots of friends. You volunteer; you're active in the community. You put on a convincing charade. But I know who you really are. <br />
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You are incredibly self-centered. You are vicious; you are evil. You have no morals, no scruples, and you care only about yourself. <br />
<br />
You sat down and weighed the pros and cons. At the end of it, you decided that you are totally fine with destroying a family. You're willing to do it because it makes you happy. You don't care about the people you hurt. It's only about you. <br />
<br />
You don't care about that woman, the one who gave her blood, sweat, and tears to building a home and a family with this man. She bore his children. She took care of him when he was sick. She shared her deepest, most personal experiences with him. She helped him become what he is, the man you're attracted to. You are perfectly fine to be the reason for her excruciating pain. <br />
<br />
You aren't bothered by the fact that his children are tucked into bed at night by a weeping mother. They cry into their pillows, trying to make sense of why their dad, their hero, chose you over them. Their young minds don't understand lust or its power. All they know is that Daddy cares more about some other lady and her kids than he does about his own. You don't care that this experience will haunt them for decades. It will affect their future relationships. These children will have trust issues, nightmares, and feelings that they're unloved. They will struggle in school. They will lose their appetites; their health will decline. You don't mind though. As long as you're happy.<br />
<br />
How any person could knowingly and consciously make these decisions proves that they are a monster. Oh, I know- he was unhappy in his life. He hasn't loved her for years. She's not the same person he married. He was going to leave anyhow. He assured you that you didn't do anything wrong. It was his decision. Sorry, honey, that's not true. He was unhappy in his marriage because you came on to him, giving him thoughts and feelings he forgot he could have. You stirred it up. You flirted with him. You touched him, you smiled, you did something sweet and thoughtful to grab his attention. You wanted to see if you could attract him. You wanted to get his heart racing. It was a game. You wanted to feel good about yourself.<br />
<br />
You won. You got what you wanted. Your prize is a middle-aged man who is overworked and stressed, whose best days are behind him. Feeling proud yet? Well, my purpose for writing this letter today is to give you a little dose of reality.<br />
<br />
The first and most obvious thing is that he's a cheater. He cheated <i>with </i>you. Guess what? He's going to cheat <i>on </i>you too. If you honestly believe that he loves you more than he ever loved her, you're delusional. Your day will come...just wait.<br />
<br />
You love this secret romance. You get a high from sneaking around, the late night texts, the planned meetings. The excitement that comes from exchanging a smile that no one else notices lights a fire inside you. You do realize that fire is going to burn out, don't you? Pretty soon, you're no longer forbidden fruit. You're not tempting. You're simply the new ball and chain. You'll be old hat soon enough. <br />
<br />
To go along with that, your little love god is going to lose his luster too. He's going to start taking his bad work days out on you, now that he no longer has his wife to vent to. He's going to get sick, gain weight, and pass gas. He's going to develop little quirks that will quickly get on your nerves. His flaws and irritations are going to start coming out of the woodwork. The annoyances he used to hide are going to start surfacing, now that he's so comfortable with you. Wait and see just how human he actually is.<br />
<br />
You know your reputation will follow you for life. People know about you. They talk. That old, scorned wife has told stories about you. Her friends know; their friends know. People who have never met you know all about what you did. When you meet someone in the future and they get a sudden, odd look on their face, it's because they just realized who you are. You're labeled. You might as well start wearing that scarlet <i>A</i> on your chest.<br />
<br />
Maybe he's a great dad. Maybe he's been there for you and your kids. I'm sure you love seeing his relationship with them, how they tease one another and play together. They're going to get attached. After all, isn't that what you were trying to do anyway? Find them a baby daddy? The first time he says to you that these aren't his kids, and you realize he doesn't love them, it's going to crush you. When he does finally move on, you're going to be alone again, trying to console these children who have lost another man in their lives. <br />
<br />
Eventually, things are going to come full circle for you. You're going to be the victim, the one hurt. You're going to be left alone, crying into your pillow at night. I'm sure it won't last long though. You'll go find another woman's husband and start all over again. Have fun with that. Enjoy the rest of your life as The Other Woman. Because you'll never, ever be a real woman.<br />
<br />
Signed,<br />
Someone who is sick and tired of seeing people like you destroying so many lives<br />
<br />
P.S. Stay away from my husband. I'm not as kind as the last woman you ravaged. I will <u>take</u> <u>you</u> <u>down</u>.~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-85459068696765958932016-03-03T09:51:00.000-05:002016-03-03T09:51:33.481-05:00Confessions of an OCD Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The older I get, the more persnickety I become. (Do people still use that word?) While I don't consider myself as having a full fledged case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I am getting much closer. I remember back to my early days of motherhood when the sink was full of dishes, toys were strewn all over the floor (making each room of the house its own obstacle course), dirty laundry piled up, clean laundry piled up, and at some point of each day, I stared into both the refrigerator and freezer at the same time, trying to find something edible to cook for supper. (I would often end up ordering out.) That person has died.<div>
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Now I have become a scheduled, organized, routine person who is bothered immensely by something as small as the forks in the silverware drawer being askew. Seriously, it gets under my skin. A typical day for me involves:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Picking up the throw pillows 72 times. Seriously, I will straighten them, walk out of the room, come right back in, and they're on the floor again. It's like my kids aren't happy if the throw pillows are in place. They are far more comfortable for all of them to be on the floor at all times.</li>
<li>Hanging up the hand towel in the kitchen 48 times. I like to keep a hand towel draped over the oven door, like most people. Fortunately, I have instilled the importance of frequent handwashing to my kids. Because of that, they pull the towel off the oven door handle, dry their hands, and toss it on top of the stove burners. EVERY TIME. Why? I don't have to pull it off the handle to use it. I dry my hands while allowing the towel to continue to hang. Why can't other people get that?</li>
<li>Reorganizing the shoes 103 times. The people who live in my house think that every pair of shoes they own needs to be beside the front door at all times. I don't know...I guess they might be planning to make a quick escape. Multiply that times six people and we have a huge (stinky) pile of shoes that causes mass chaos for people trying to come down the stairs. So, I straighten the shoes over and over. No matter how many times I fix the pile, it's destroyed and multiplied within minutes. </li>
<li>Changing the toilet paper roll 3 times. Seriously, we go through A LOT of toilet paper here! I am no longer comfortable allowing a roll to sit on the sink countertop or on the back of the toilet. We've lost too many rolls that way. Scooping out a dripping wet, nearly full roll of Charmin from the toilet bowl forces you to learn to always keep the paper on the holder. And of course, no one here knows how to do that. It's a very complicated device to use, I suppose. (On a side note, I now have a supply of 3-12 extra rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom at all times. I got way too tired of getting caught with no supplies in awkward situations.)</li>
<li>Pushing in the dining room chairs 83 times. I seriously cannot take it when the chairs aren't pushed in. They're big, heavy chairs and, unfortunately, they fit under the table like a puzzle. So, pushing one in often requires another chair to be pulled out before the first chair can be put in place. Since the other occupants here can't seem to figure out the puzzle, another task is left up to me. We use our table a lot...for meals, snacks, homework, coloring, playing, and watching Netflix on the iPad, which explains why I have to push in the chairs so often. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this guy and I want to meet him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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These are just a few of the things that drive me crazy, and that's just when the house is in its normal form. If the house is like <i>really clean</i>, I'm much worse. If I've just swept the floor and someone drops a crumb, you know I'm going to swoop down like a seagull nabbing a fish to pick up that crumb. (If the floor is already dirty, I don't care as much.) If I've just Windexed the windows and one of those sweet, sticky-fingered children touches the glass, I get slightly crazy like an erratic mental patient. When the bed is made and Hubby sits down on it for a moment, I must straighten the covers and pillows immediately before my head explodes. (My bed is made every day, by the way.) And don't even <u>think</u> of putting a dirty dish in a clean sink when the dishwasher is empty. That is grounds for flogging. </div>
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So what's your verdict? Am I too obsessive or am I just a typical, red-blooded American mom? Do most wives straighten their husbands desks and dressers multiple times a day because they can't take papers, bills, and dollar bills strewn all over? Do most moms rush to push the toaster and butter dish back into place because someone left it all pulled out after making a piece of toast? How normal is it to remove the coats hung on the coat tree and reorganize them to specific hooks? OK, that one might be a slightly over the top, but the short hooks must be reserved for the girls. They can't reach the tall hooks. Hubby is 6'2"....he has no need to take all the short hooks with his multitude of coats for every type of weather. Plus, I like everyone to keep all their coats together on the same hook. They can't use more than one. </div>
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If you think that's weird, you should see how I organize the dishwasher. </div>
~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-2174745709214430492016-02-26T09:12:00.000-05:002016-02-26T09:12:00.161-05:00Why I Love Language Arts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Son #1 is getting an F. In Pre-Calc. I'm ticked.<br />
<br />
He's always been a smart boy....takes honors classes, catches on fairly quickly (when he applies himself), and gets mostly As with a couple Bs here and there. <br />
<br />
Now he's getting an F.<br />
<br />
I had a parent-teacher conference last week with this woman who is teaching Pre-Calc for the first time. The following are words that actually came out of her mouth:<br />
"I just don't know how to teach this."<br />
<br />
Hmmm... What I <i>wanted </i>to reply but didn't (because I'm much snarkier in my head than I am in real life) was, "Then you should not be teaching this class," or "Why are you a math teacher?" or "So my son has to suffer and struggle because you don't know what you're doing?" But I didn't. She also said, "I know how to do this type of math, I just don't know how to explain it." Isn't that kind of the hard part of a teacher's job? Knowing how to explain it to others?<br />
<br />
The teacher also told me that anyone getting an A or a B in the class is staying after school daily for help. She suggested that Son #1 request help from another math teacher, who happens to be the chair of the math department. She didn't even suggest that he come to her for help.<br />
<br />
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Since then, we've sought out two separate math tutors for him. One is a college student who is currently enrolled in Calc 3. The other is a peer who reads calculus books over summer break for pleasure. I decided to give it just a bit more time, even though my gut told me it's already too late. You see, in math, one concept must be mastered before a student can move on to the next concept. Since Son #1 hasn't fully grasped the last 39 concepts, moving onto the next concept is like trying to brush your teeth while eating an Oreo cookie. <br />
<br />
His last two test scores were 23% and 27%. The class took a test yesterday and, according to #1, everyone failed it. Even the kid who reads calc textbooks for fun failed the test. So, I decided I've had it. I called the principal. Why should my son be the guinea pig for this teacher who is trying to figure out how to be a teacher? This <i>experiment </i>of putting her into a class she can't teach has screwed up my kid's academic career. Not only has his GPA plunged, now we're hesitant to allow him to move onto higher math for his Senior year. If he can't get pre-calc, how is he going to get Calculus or Physics? And move on another year or two....how is he going to grasp college level math when he never learned it properly in high school? Mama Bear is not happy.<br />
<br />
While I'm all riled up, I'll go ahead and let you know that the principal wasn't available and I had to leave a message. So, I'll be a nervous wreck anticipating his return call. I don't know what I want him to do about the situation, if anything, but I think he needs to be aware that he's employing a teacher who can't teach. <br />
<br />
Wish me luck. I hate confrontation more than spiders.<br />
<br />
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<br />~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-405228310930101073.post-31258406940944321372016-02-25T09:40:00.000-05:002016-02-25T09:40:02.472-05:00Hubby Passed<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">My friend is one of the school nurses in our district. She
travels from school to school. Yesterday, she was at the middle school
and Big Sis came in to see her. Big Sis and the nurse's daughter are
great friends, just like her mom and I were at that age. I love it.
Anyhow, Big Sis said to the nurse, "My dad passed!" The
nurse answered, "Oh great, I didn't know if I'd heard that!"
Her daughter scolded her, "MOM! Why are you acting happy that
her dad passed away??? That's horrible!" Both the nurse and
Big Sis laughed. The girl thought her friend's dad had died and her mom
wasn't sympathetic enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfNNr-biCahvGx7Bc1CHHitQFHlFy5HPiprdr0P_eBI0aRP-DMFL0Ga4OmdQpEhoAMdA5a8cspyqbQ5CDwJYwBN-Rsnm1Kl3fNoSj6Cw5RQUWYf7ierE13vYKGi7YYcxxrcRoTTRh6Vnu/s640/blogger-image--1147700890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfNNr-biCahvGx7Bc1CHHitQFHlFy5HPiprdr0P_eBI0aRP-DMFL0Ga4OmdQpEhoAMdA5a8cspyqbQ5CDwJYwBN-Rsnm1Kl3fNoSj6Cw5RQUWYf7ierE13vYKGi7YYcxxrcRoTTRh6Vnu/s320/blogger-image--1147700890.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">It turns out, Hubby passed his state police exam! He is now
trained and qualified to be a police officer! He sat on pins and needles
for two days, waiting to get the phone call. We were doing an inspection
at one of our tenant's apartments when he found out. We explained to her
that Hubby was expecting a very important phone call and would step out if he
received it. By the way, we call her Crazy Lady because she is one fry
shy of a Happy Meal. So, Hubby got the call and stepped outside into the
snow. I had to stand there talking to Crazy Lady about her bad teeth and
iron levels while I was dying to be by Hubby's side. He walked in the
door, right past me and said, "OK, what do we have here...?" I called
his name and he ignored me. I said, "Did you pass?" He
ignored me again. The unthinkable finally hit me...he must have failed!
I didn't think there was any chance he would fail...he studied his tail
off! So I rephrased my question, You failed?" He looked back
at me, pointed at my face, and said exuberantly, "No, I did not!"
I exclaimed, "You passed?!?!?" He replied,
"Yep!" I gave him a playful slug on the arm, upset that I
couldn't properly congratulate him. This moment was a couple years in the
making and we had to spend it with Crazy Lady and her crazy dog!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">He breezed through the inspection and came back into the empty
adjoining duplex. I was able to give him a big hug and talk for a few
seconds. We had a new tenant arriving briefly to fill the vacant
apartment. It was not the magical moment I had hoped for, but since the
results were positive, that's all I cared about!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now he's up to his armpits in background and security checks.
Our local department wants to take him on part time! He knows
everyone down there and they all love him. One of the female cops he
knows well is pregnant and taking a break from patrol. They've moved her
into the detective bureau and she's the one assigned to his case. She's
coming over next week to interview me. I'm kind of nervous about it...I
tend to ramble when I get nervous and I try to be funny. I'm scared I'll
end up saying something stupid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">It's amazing the things they need to know about you to be a cop.
I'm glad though...if all the cops in my community passed a thorough check
like this, they all must be pretty decent people! They need to know every
car accident you've ever been involved in, all your financial information, every
job, every home, and they require a list of contacts. They will interview
our family, friends, and neighbors. I guess that's not too big of a deal
for a 21-year old...but when you're 41, you have a lot more history to go
through! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, we are both so relieved that it's all over! It's
actually weird having him here in the evenings and on weekends! I know
that will all change again when he's working a second job, but at least he'll
finally be getting paid for it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">When I announced this on Facebook, I got some of the most positive
and comforting comments. They really meant a lot to me! A lady from
church said she has been praying for him recently and didn't know why.
Another said she will be praying a hedge of protection around him. Several
people mentioned they will pray for his protection. I was blown away by
the support! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">The 8-year old boy who lives inside my husband is finally getting
his dream come true. He's a policeman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<br />~she~http://www.blogger.com/profile/00517811416862125834noreply@blogger.com2