Just Say No

I've never done any sort of drugs. Never. Ever. Not only have I never done any, the desire or temptation to try them has not ever been there either. I do know of certain persons that have tried them. Others I know that have done them, presently and in the past. I guess it's a personal choice. I not only know what the consequences are, but I prefer to be in control of my body and my actions, thank you.

The reason I bring this up is because I have been watching the show "Weeds" that aired on Showtime. It's about a recently widowed single mom who deals drugs. Thus, it lead me to do a lot of thinking on the subject. Now, in reality most mothers wouldn't/couldn't do this for fear that their childrens safety would be at stake. I for one have looked into many different aspects of earning a living and yet still being able to be at home for my children. The idea of being a drug dealer never crossed my mind, that's for sure. Yes, it's a tv show, and it's fake, right? Wrong! I am sure that there are really women out there who do this sort of thing. I can't fathom whether it would be out of desperation or stupidity.

I have heard....via newspaper and town gossip....that the drug scene is pretty scary here where I live, but we just don't see it personally. Thank God! Growing up and attending high school, drugs were a big deal and I am told it was/is everywhere. Personally, I never saw it then and continue not to.

Our children are taught in school at an early age, to JUST SAY NO and they are heavily educated on the matter. Yet many of these youngsters just can't get that into their brains, and it's a scary thought. After watching the first two seasons of this show and how they just nonchalantly talk of the subject, it's no wonder. Drugs are more talked about on television, movies and even music, more and more all of the time. Obviously its glamorized a little too much for my comfort. Now, I did like this particular show because it had different subject matter than just the 'dealing' part of it, but then again, kids should be out of hearing or watching range of this one. Mine sure were.

After watching and seeing how easy they made all of this look, I still have the same views on weed as I did before......obviously! I like 'me' and I don't need to feel like a different person to cope in this crazy world.

Idol Chatter

I haven't spoken much to anyone about American Idol, nor have I even blogged about it, but since I've been neglecting my page, I thought I'd say a few words.

First of all, it never fails, every year my faves get voted off and no matter who makes it to the top 2, whoever I vote for loses. It happens every time, I think I am a jinx :) The very first year of Idol, in my eyes, the "American Idol" should have been a male. I don't know what gave me that idea, it just seemed fitting at the time, and I never voted for Kelly Clarkson. Granted, I love her dearly now and she's a wonderful person and singer. We have lots of her music and listen to her frequently now.

As the years and seasons have flown by, it seems that my pick has always come out as the underdog. One season my sister and I voted for Ace like mad teenage obsessed groupies, just to keep him there because we loved his look and his style. My sister no longer watches Idol since her favorite, Chris Daughtry was voted off way too early in the competition. I, however, stick with the show even though I've never chosen a winner. I think my most disappointing year was when Fantasia won. I had a feeling from the beginning of that season that she would go far, but with shocking results, I was always hopeful that she would go.....to no avail, she stayed, and won!

This seasons picks are no different. From the get go, I took a liking to Michael Johns (love the Aussie accent) and Carly Smithson. Needless to say, they are gone from the competition, but hopefully they will both go far with their careers and benefit greatly for their 10 minutes of fame on the show. The remaining contenders are quite different from one another in so many aspects. I know the one to beat is David A. He's got a beautiful voice, he sings with such passion and he has lots of talent. The one thing that gets me about him, is his immaturity. I think he really needed a couple of years to grow and mature before he would be ready for this type of competition, but that's only my opinion. David Cook reminds me a lot of Chris Daughtry and in my opinion, he could make it into the top 2, if he doesn't take the title. I really like Brooke, she is so sweet and has such a wonderful personality, I hope she goes far also. Now, Jason....Mr. Sparkly eyes, he's good, but I think he's got the teeny bopper vote for his looks, not his talent. Syesha has a beautiful voice, but I really dont' think it's enough to keep her there much longer.

With all that being said, I don't believe that American Idol should be a popularity contest, it should be what it's made for. To give a truly talented individual the chance to be discovered and become successful. I love Simon and his sarcastic comments and funny little remarks keep me in stitches, but he is correct in saying that it's a singing competition and if you can't sing, you need to go.

I Get Excited!

Just thinking what you might be like.......I get excited, there's Heaven in your eyes tonite!

'Nuf said'.............

First Communion

On Saturday my youngest daughter had her First Communion. Time flies by so quickly, it was just 3 years ago that my oldest had hers. Now we are done, and it's off to accomplish more milestones and memory making.

Penny Pinching

Divorce court was on.....as I channel -surfed ( I don't regularly watch this) and I paused to watch the last 20 minutes or so. A woman wanted a divorce from her husband because he was too 'cheap'. Now this guy went way beyond what I would call cheap, but to each his own. I think the wife was a bit on the wacky side also.

Anyhow, the 'subject' gave me a blogging idea.

I do my fair share of 'bargain hunting', coupon clipping, and whatnot, but I don't overdo it. I live in a modest home, drive a sensible vehicle (no electric windows or locks) and I buy store brand items at the supermarket. Now this was one thing that my mom never did, and she always made it perfectly clear that "you get what you pay for." However, I have found that the store brand items are usually just as good if not better than the competitor brands.

With prices skyrocketing these days.....at the supermarket and the gas pump, it would be wise to comparison shop. For anyone. Some days I just don't have the time and others I feel a little fanatical about it, but I think I probably go back and forth with this issue. At the store, I always scan the shelves for the item that has the lower price and that is the one I usually buy, depending on the product.

When it comes to high priced items, like things that I want and don't necessarily need, I will do my fair share of shopping around. I have visited many websites searching for the item and comparing prices, etc. Half.com on ebay is one of my favorite places to purchase used books and I have gotten many for just a couple dollars.

Times are hard and making ends meet is a daily job around here, but I just wonder if one day we may not have a choice or place to shop around. I lost my job 8 years ago at a major supermarket chain, after 11 years there, because a major department store, complete with grocery section, moved into town. It's ironic how (like many people predicted) this happens........they move in, have lower prices, run all the smaller businesses out of town, and then raise their prices. Exactly what is happening, yet everyone still supports them. I guess it is just convenience, because I unfortunately have to shop there now, myself! For an example of the price increase. A 12-roll of my brand toilet paper was $2.98 not so long ago. Today when I pulled the pack off the shelf, I noticed that now the price is up to $3.58. I figure that buying a pack at almost once every week for a year will increase what they choke out of me at the register to be $60.00 a year!!! And that is only on ONE item! It's just outrageous!

I guess what I am trying to say is, there is an extent as to which I am willing to pinch pennies and a point to where I just can't (or wont') do it.

Busy Saturday

I am really not sure why I am here to blog on today of all days, but I felt the urge and the need to get a post in.

My youngest daughter is making her first communion today! It's a bittersweet time because I am glad to get through it, however, my baby is growing up so fast! Seems like just yesterday it was my oldest making hers and now after today, we will be done with this milestone here.

I will have plenty of pics, so I will post some here at a later time.

Off to get ready........ :)

Sweatin' To The Freeze

If you have ever been to any nightclub or bar that does any form of line dancing, you've participated in "The Freeze". As a young adult I always loved to do this particular one, and was one of the first out on the dance floor.

Today my girls' school had a 'freeze party' where one of our popular radio stations came out and hosted it. The catch was the whole school had to turn in boxtops and collect 10,000 in order to 'win' the party. With that being accomplished, it was all set, and after a few after-school practices, they got it all down pat.

I originally thought that I would take my camera along and take a few pics, but I changed my mind at the last minute. Most of the classes were all bunched together anyway, and my girls were on opposite ends of the school yard to get them in any kind of picture. Entertaining would be a good word to describe the fiasco. Let's just say we got a few chuckles out of the whole ordeal.

It's so funny how some of these dances they performed were some I never could learn. Such as the Footloose dance and the Electric Slide. Now I can proudly say that my daughters are educated and prepared for their nightlife excursions as teenagers and young adults. A point in their lives I am so not looking forward to.

Insurance

So I am at the pharmacy drive thru yesterday.....I had to pick up my blood pressure meds. Yes, I am only 30-something and I have high blood pressure. It runs in my family. My dad's side, and my younger sister has it too. What joy! What a thing to inherit! Why couldn't I have gotten his blue eyes instead?

Anyway! I go to this particular pharmacy every month and each time, yes, I have to pay out of the you-know-what because I don't have any insurance. I got divorced, like many fellow Americans, and like many others, I lost my medical insurance. So you say, why don't you get off your lazy bum and go get a job that offers health insurance? Why, that would be a wonderful thing, and I'd grab that offer up in a heartbeat. However, I find myself with a few obstacles:

1) The small-town in which I reside has very few options in the way of full-time occupations with benefits.
2) I have two school-age children (who are too old for daycare, yet too young to stay home alone) that I would have to find care for and pay out of my rear in child-care.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the 'no insurance' thing. It really sucks, but hey, this is something that I choose at the moment. However, the woman at the pharmacy looks at me and asks "You don't have any insurance?" To which I reply, "NO".... I mean, honestly, she works at a pharmacy that is quite busy and I know she sees hundreds of people a day. Why would it be of surprise to her that I am uninsured? She just had a look about her when she inquired, that seemed to say "I just dont' believe that".

I did a little research (and I mean a little) and I found that there are millions of people out there with no healthcare coverage. It is a sad thing and like many other things (poverty, illness, etc.) it just can't be helped for some.

One day I hope to go back out into the workforce and get back a few things that I lost along the way of this bumpy road called life, but until then, this is the path I have chosen for now. I try my best to stay healthy and avoid any Dr. visits at all costs. However, sometimes that is just not possible, but I am making it.

What A Shame!!!

Recently in Florida, some teenagers lured a classmate over to someones house and proceeded to beat her up and injure her, just so they could have something to post on Youtube! I could not believe this and it breaks my heart to watch it. I came across the video while reading my 'most viewed' Youtube videos this morning.

All I can say if I was the parent to any of these kids (whether it be the one who was beaten or the ones who did the beating) I would be outraged. The things that kids do these days for 'entertainment' or what they think is a joke! I think it is so sad, and I hope that these kids get the ultimate punishment. Whoever the girl is, my heart and prayers go out to her so that she makes a speedy recovery and hopefully overcome her wounds that don't show on the outside.

INSIDE MY HEART

So I finally have gotten around to reading again. I love to read. When I was a kid, I almost always won the summer reading program as the top reader at our local library. I just couldn't get enough of it. With kids and a busy life, sometimes it's very hard to sit down and concentrate on a book. Telephone ringing, kids yelling, tv blaring, etc..... it's all too much sometimes.

Anyhow, I came a cross a sale at Walgreens the other day that I couldn't pass up and I found this book. Robin McGraw, Inside My Heart, Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose. Yes, she is the wife of the ever popular Dr. Phil. I knew I could probably gain a lot from this book, not only by learning something about life, but getting something humorous out of it. I was right.

Today I came across a section of the book that really inspired me and made me open my eyes more to a lot of things in life. If I had read this book two years or so ago, my life may be totally different now.

At one point in the book, Robin talks about how a family member of her husbands always upset her and made critical remarks to her about various things. As most women would do, Mrs. McGraw turned to her husband for comfort, but yet he gave her none....at first. His words to her were always "this person did have the right to say that." And as I would be, Robin was at a loss for words. However after repeated attempts to get him to side with her, she finally realized, once he explained himself, that he was right. The essence of what he was telling her was You can't control other people and what they say to you. People have the right to think and say whatever they choose, but you have the right not to take it to heart, and not to react. When you allow someones words to upset you, you are letting them control how you feel and how you think. You have the right not to get upset.

Wow! I read this (which by the way, is not quoted word for word above from the book, just what I got out of it) and I had to read it not only once again, but several times. I don't think anything has been said that could be more true! Some of the things that I have gone through in my own life, be it from the teenage years, up until the very place that I am now, could very well have made such a difference.

I am only now half way through the book, and this is, by far, is not all that I have 'learned' but something that really made an impact on how I will live my life from this day forward. I am hoping that it can really make a difference for me and help me to grow and change to understand others and myself.

The Ruins

Went to see "THE RUINS" this past Saturday nite, and I really liked it. Overall, it was a great movie. Now there were parts that I did not care for. Such as the ending, it just sorta left me hanging, or rather, left to either decide on my own what happened afterwards, or there will be a Part 2.
Now, you have to understand, first of all, that I am a big fan of horror movies. The more blood, guts and gore, the better! My boyfriend laughs when I say that, but honestly.....when I was younger and watched a horror movie, like in my teenage years, and someone was killed, I wanted to see it all. I don't think that makes me nuts or anything, just an average, typical horror movie fan. To me, if you are going to do something in a movie, show it to me, don't leave it up to my imagination. This particular flick did not leave much to the imagination, except, of course, the ending. I hope there is a part 2, because I will be there. Here is a trailer for it:

Why?

Why is it that when kids can't find something, they automatically believe I know where it is? And that if I don't know, then I have a problem....because moms are supposed to know everything, right? My mom used to say Well, the last time I wore/used it, I don't know where I put it. If I remember right, it really irritated me when she said that, and here I go using that same line on my two kids. Oh well, moms words were awesome, and plus, they got the idea across.

Outta The Mouths Of Babes...

In a previous blog post I revealed that I was sick. Well, I am happy to say that I am much better, and thanks for the well-wishes.

My doctor prescribed some antibiotics that I have to take 4 times a day. Fine with me, as long as it kicks this bug in the butt!

Anyhoo, I am at the refrigerator getting out my bottle of water and my 8 year old daughter walks in and asks what I am doing. I said, "Taking my medicine" to which she replies..."Again? You are gonna overflow!" I was like , "Umm, No, that would be overdose and hahahaha, I don't think so." She was like, "Oh whatever!"

The things kids come out with, huh?

Okie Dokie!

Aaaah, I think I have finally gotten myself 'straight' now. Since I joined NaBloPoMo, I wanted to keep with the themes that they came up with every month, but I never actually posted a blog there. Well, that has changed. I sorta hung out in there yesterday and earlier today and discovered a few things. So, what I have decided to do is, blog there using the months theme, and blog here with whatever it is I feel like blogging about at the moment. Got that?

I have found some really great ideas and some really wonderful blogs to read there and I have discovered that I like it alot. Similar to myspace, you can request friends, leave comments, post pics, add music and join groups. This morning, for about 3 hours, I prowled around over there and read lots of blogs. Very interesting! Thanks go out to the peeps who directed me there (you know who you are :)

And so it goes.....I will still try to blog here every day.....'try' being the operative word (haha) and blog there as well. If you haven't joined there yet, give it a try, it's great! :p

Chocolate

Dear Chocolate:

First off, let me start by saying, I love you! If I could possibly consume you each and every day for the rest of my life, I definitely would! When I am depressed or sad, you make me feel better. When I long for something sweet and milky, you fill that need. If I am lonely and need comforting, you do the job wonderfully. You are perfection! Your taste, the way you feel and smell.....mmmm, I could go on forever. There is no other addiction in the world like you!

Love Always,

ME

Happy April Fools Day

I'm still not feeling all that well today, but I am here, nonetheless. Why? I don't know, because I have no clue what to blog about. I actually went to the NaBloPoMo site to get some ideas but there wasn't much to be found. I do have a few that I would like to do, but since my head is still pounding, I will save them for later. So, here is one (in the 'letter' category) that comes right off the top of my head:

Dear Bug (or whatever this creature of bacteria that has invaded my body is):
Your presence here is no longer needed, and you may leave the premises.

I have had enough of your torture, and I am ready to feel better now, so with that being said:

"GET OUT"!!!

Thank you!

;) Have a great day!