Monday, June 30, 2008

I Continue To Be Shocked

I continue to be shocked by the callousness of the general population. You'd think by this point I'd be used to it and it wouldn't affect me so much....but it still does. This weekend I was reading a news article about the death of the teenage boy at the amusement park in Georgia. What a horrible tragedy.
Was it a stupid decision on his part to climb over 2 fences and to go into a restricted area near the roller coaster? Of course. Did he make a terrible decision to defy authority and break the rules? Yes.
People commenting on this article in the online paper were harsh. They made jokes about his stupidity causing him to "lose his head". (the poor boy was decapitated in the accident) I thought those callous comments came from very small minds....and very hard hearts.
Honestly, he was a 17 yr. old boy on a church youth trip. He didn't hurt anyone else, it's not like he robbed a bank or something. He broke the rules and thought nothing would happen to him...that he'd get away with it. How many teenagers (and esp. teenage boys!) do stupid things EVERY day and it's only by the grace of God that they don't die? It doesn't make their stunts right, but it does happen. Teenagers think they are invincible and that bad stuff will never happen to them. This boy made a horrible mistake and paid with his life. Instead of making fun at a sad situation the people that commented need to take a step back and consider how they would feel if this were THEIR son. It wouldn't be so funny then.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Failure

I'm reading the book Failing Forward --Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success by John C. Maxwell.

I love to read this mans books. He is very insightful and has a way of getting to the point of things. This is definitely not one of those feel good books, it is the sort of book that one really has to ponder and think about.

On one page he quotes Thomas Edison saying, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." This got me to thinking about myself and how I handle my mistakes or failures in life. What do I do when things don't go exactly as I hoped?  I tend to be a perfectionist. I don't want to fail at things, and so there have been times when I haven't tried because I thought I might not do well. Honestly, I've probably missed out on some good things because of that. Everyone makes mistakes. It truly is what we do with those mistakes that matters. If I choose to be kind to myself and realize that I might fail on occasion but that doesn't make me a failure, then I've learned something. It truly is about keeping the right perspective.

On page 18 Mr. Maxwell reminds us, "that we each have a choice to make. Are we going to sleep life away, avoiding failures at all cost? Or are we going to have to wake up and realize this:failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition of failure, then we are free to start moving ahead and failing forward."

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.......

I saw a story on the news today about a mother and her autistic son who were asked to get off a plane.

The young child was upset and "having a melt down". The mother was trying to calm him, but not having much success. The flight attendants showed no compassion and the pilot decided to ask her and her son to leave.

Now some people will say that the airline had every right to do that. That they can't have all that commotion going on in the airplane. Okay, fine. Maybe that is true, especially after 9/11....but this woman and her son are not terrorists. Obviously this woman could have used some help. This little boy has special needs and it was just he and his mother on this flight. What was she to do? Has compassion just gone out the door? What if you had been in her shoes...just trying to get home to family?

The story really bothered me.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

What Is The Deal With That?

Okay people. I just don't get it. What is the deal with the high school girls in Massachusetts that made a pact to get pregnant and raise their children together? Are they crazy? I believe so. After getting over the initial shock that girls would actually do this ON PURPOSE, I thought to myself WHY?? It truly is sad that they wouldn't be able to see that having a child is serious business, it is not a baby doll. A baby is totally dependent on mom and dad and takes much more then he/she is able to give in return.....at least at first. Stories like this just make me think, what in the world?? Who in their right mind would have ever thought that it would come to this? That getting pregnant is like a game. You know who I really feel sorry for? The babies. There is no way on God's green earth that a 14 or 15 year old girl knows how to take care of an infant and all that, that entails.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Gas Prices Gone Wild

Okay. I've had it. Scott and I went to Wal-mart tonight and the Wal-mart in Bellefontaine has a gas station out front. When we went in it was $3.96---when we came out 30 minutes later in was $3.99. Can you believe it? Just 30 minutes and up 3 cents. We drove down the street and Speedway was up to $4.05. Now, I realize that in some parts of the country it is more then that....still. When Scott filled up our van the other day it was nearly 80 bucks. I about fell out of my seat.

Hey, getting a horse for each of us isn't seeming like such a far fetched idea.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

What Really Matters

I'm currently reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.  Scott told me about this man after hearing about him on FOX news. Being that both Scott and I were widowed at young ages it resonates with me even more then the average person. Mr. Pausch found out that he was dying from terminal cancer and he was only in his mid 40's. His children were (and are) all very young. He realized that there are certain things in this life that are more important than others. He made a "last lecture" speech at Carnegie-Mellon where he had been a professor.

It really is true.....people get so worried about stuff, that in the big scheme of things, doesn't really matter. Things should not be all consuming.  Relationships are the most important thing. Wisdom imparted, memories made, laughs shared, burdens carried, hands held, knowing looks, goofy stories, emotion shown...these are the sort of things that make life interesting. These are the things that make life worth living.

This book really makes one think about what their legacy will be? When people look back on my life what will they see? How will I be remembered? It's worth thinking about.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Ice Road Truckers

I am now officially a fan of the ice road truckers. The show comes on Sunday nights on the History channel. The show is in it's second season. This season they are 100 miles above the Arctic circle. They are literally driving semi trucks, fully loaded, across parts of the frozen Arctic Ocean. It is amazing how people come in to make the ice roads and then the men drive these trucks across the ice roads to get equipment and supplies to these oil companies.

My first husband was a truck driver for a food service company....and he also did a short stint as a freight hauler. During that time period, before I had Kendrick, I rode with him for one week. I can honestly say truck driving is not for me. For one thing, I couldn't stay awake long enough to be a truck driver, also I couldn't back a 53' trailer into a narrow opening at a loading dock. Also, I am directionally challenged so there is no telling where I would have ended up at. Supposed to be in St. Louis and ended up in Sante Fe. hahaha.

So anyway, I find the ice truckers interesting. They only have a 2 month window to get the supplies to oil companies in the Arctic. After that 2 month period the roads start to melt. I'd hate to be the guy who is on one of the last runs and the ice starts cracking.......

Monday, June 16, 2008

On The Road Again

Back to Ohio.....again. I love Ohio, but I can't say I'm a big fan of the 6 hour drive to get there.  We have been living in limbo for several months and we will be living in limbo for several months to come. ugh. As you can probably tell I'm in a blah funk this morning. Some of it is because I'm tired. I wasn't feeling all that great last night. I felt kind of achy. I don't think that is going to bode well for a long trip today. I will probably not be the best traveling partner. If anyone tries anything today I might zap them with the laser beams that shoot out of my eyes. It is my "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" look. My look can be fairly terrifying....esp. to young children and animals.

My oldest son evidently didn't sleep much last night (which isn't unusual) and he was up when I got up this morning. He was bouncing around like Tigger on speed and goofing around with me. I was not in a goofing around mood. Bless his heart...he tried. I gave him the death stare. He is a brave boy and it did not deter him. I laser beamed him with my eyes. He just smiled and kept talking a mile a minute. I grunted at him. He stood firm. When he is in a good mood not even a grumpy mom can stop him. After harassing me for awhile he decided to retreat to the downstairs while I blogged and had some coffee. I suppose I should go get a shower now. Maybe that will help....or maybe not. Grrrr.................

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Fathers Day

I was reading our local newspaper this morning. It had a story about Dads being that it's Fathers Day and all...People wrote in and told stories about their dads and the lessons Dad had taught over the years. I was near tears by the end of the article. Then again I'm the one who will openly weep during a good Hallmark commercial. I also have been known to sniffle at the Budweiser commercials that come on at Christmas. No, I don't drink beer but Budweiser puts out the best commercials. Who doesn't love the Clydesdale horses pulling the sleigh through the falling snow--warm lights pouring out of the farmhouse windows as family arrives for the holidays? Come on people! That is so sweet it deserves a sniffle.

I digress. I was talking about Fathers Day and was diverted to Hallmark and Budweiser commercials. My husband, Scott, is an awesome Dad. He takes his job seriously. He loves his kids and isn't afraid to tell them so. He wants to teach them the things that are truly important in life. He will be the first one to tell you that he isn't perfect...but personally I think he does a pretty great job. If he knew I was typing this stuff he would probably be a little embarrassed. (So, I won't tell him) :)

Happy Fathers Day.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Did you see the pictures?

Wow. I saw the pictures of Cedar Rapids on the news this morning. The city is swamped. How in the world is this all going to play out? The Mississippi River isn't supposed to crest for another week. People are in for a lot more flooding before this is over AND more bad weather is on the way. I'm telling you what, between the tornadoes and the flooding, people in the midwest have really been having a difficult time. I feel terrible for them. I wanted to cry when I heard some people being interviewed yesterday. They lost everything but what they could grab in a few minutes.

On another sad topic I really DID cry over the deaths of so many young people this week. The 11 yr. old and the 13 year old girls that were murdered in Oklahoma. WHY?????? They looked so sweet, and the fact that they were around my own daughters age just bothered me so much. I put myself in their parents shoes.....the girls had walked around that rural area hundreds of times and no one thought anything of it...now they are dead. The boy scouts that were on a camping trip died when the tornado hit. The boys were my son's age. The one young boy had a big smile and I thought, "he smiles like Kendrick". Last week he was alive and now because of a violent storm he is dead, along with 3 others.  It's just so sad. I don't even have words.........

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Utterly Ridiculous!!!

I get the Limbaugh letter. I read the News Digest and came across one story about a British citizen. This man got fined about $440 (in U.S money) His crime was this: He filled up his garbage bin to the point that the lid was slightly raised. No I'm not joking. Authorities actually took a picture of his raised lid.  He refused to pay the fine so they fined him again. They accused him of having his trashcan too full and that meant that he was not recycling enough. The local council says that they are going to continue to crack down on these types of things.

All I have to say about that is I'm glad that none of that council lives in my neighborhood. Our two trashcans are regularly full with raised lids. With 5 people in this family we accumulate a lot of trash. What can I say?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I'm a Romantic

Yes, it is true. I am a romantic. I grew up with people telling me I was sentimental, looked at life through "rose colored" glasses, wore my heart on my sleeve, and constantly wrote my thoughts down in journals. When I was very young I started a family newspaper. Mind you I wrote it out by hand on notebook paper, drew my own illustrations, and reported  information on all my aunts, uncles and cousins. My grandmother kept copies of my papers and after her passing, while cleaning out her room, it was a hoot to look back over the momentos she had saved. It's hard to cry when you have to smile..... I hope that is the way it is with me when I pass away. I hope people laugh. I hope they laugh hard. I plan on leaving them a lot to laugh about:)

Now I am a blogger and have made my journal public. Writing for me is therapeutic. It always has been. One day I'm writing a book.  Yes, I've never understood the analytical type--the "just give me the facts" type---funny that I ended up marrying one! I guess that is a good thing though, because we complement each other so well. I know I've made him shake his head quite a few times. haha. Just for example when Scott tells a story it is "the facts". If it is a problem he wants to solve it. He wants to see it as an equation. NOT ME. I like to hear the details, know how people feel about it, how is it affecting them.....sometimes my stories tend to meander along because I like to paint a visual of the characters in my stories. The details make life interesting. This is where Scott rolls his eyes and says, "your point is?"  I just laugh and tell him, "you married me...and now you are forced to listen to me!" Okay...here is a prime example: this past week Scott was trying to explain physics to me. Now, people believe me when I say that is an undertaking. What's funny is that I had to relate it to NASCAR. We were discussing speed, how the track is banked, and how fast the driver can be propelled down the track. He decided to work with me on my visuals. I needed to "see" physics. The kids think we're weird. Oh well. I guess we are:) But we're enjoying life and that's what matters.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Cat Puke

Yes, there is nothing like good ol' cat puke to make you clean your bed linens. One of the cats hacked up a fur ball with some other gross stuff. Now, that happens on occasion, I just wish he hadn't decided to hack it up on my bed. Scott and I were at Walmart doing some grocery shopping when we get a phone call from one of the kids. "Umm.....the cat puked on your bed." We pulled the linens up, but they definitely need to be washed. Yuck. I gave the cat the evil eye when I got home. He just smiled at me. Well, it looked like a smile anyway. Maybe it was a smirk. I couldn't really tell. It's hard to tell if a cat is smiling or smirking. It's tricky business.

Anyway, long story even longer.......I'm now up at 11:15 waiting for my comforter to finish drying. The cats are banned from the bedroom for a little while. I don't want anymore hairball fiascos. For pity sake....what are cats thinking? If I went around licking my hair all day I guess I'd get sick too.

Arbonne Makes For A Sweet Smelling Cat

Yesterday afternoon we were grilling out on the deck. Unknown to us our house cat "escaped" out onto the deck. When we were done we came back inside. A couple hours had gone by before we heard cat cries and scratching at the door. We looked outside and lo and behold there was Samson! He was happy to be let in because he is a black, long furred cat and it was like 93 degrees outside yesterday. The thing is he had obviously been rolling around out there....and we have pollen and dust all over the deck. He was covered! He obviously HAD TO have a bath! Well, Scott and I got Samson in the tub (no easy feat let me tell you!) and then realized we had no pet shampoo. I decided that if Arbonne is pure, safe, and beneficial  for humans that it should work for Samson too. After his bath, and having calmed down while he dried off....I gave him a good sniff. He has never smelled so good:) I wonder what he thinks of his new fresh scent? Now, I wouldn't make a habit of using my shampoo on the cat, but it did work nicely at the time. Samson has officially been Arbonnized! I think he should write a testimonial.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Ever have those moments?

Have you ever had those brief moments in time where the very second you are living in is perfect? One of those happened to me recently. Scott and I had gone over to an Amish friends house to discuss some house plans....

While Scott was talking I was sitting in the van waiting on him. It was around 7pm on an early June evening. The sun was lower in the sky and the shadows stretched across the fields as the horses grazed.  The scene laid out before me like a picture from a postcard.  I love the way summer evenings seem to go on forever. There is just something about the relaxing, laid back summertime.  It makes me want to grab a large iced tea and just sit back and enjoy the view.

The Barns of Central Ohio

Remember that movie from many years ago called THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY? It starred Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.  Well, my idea has nothing really to do with that movie except that I am now busily taking pictures of barns. It was a real treat for Scott and I to go on drives and to snap pictures of history. I'm calling my photo collection, THE BARNS OF CENTRAL OHIO.

Since visiting in Ohio (and impatiently waiting for our house to be built) I have really enjoyed the rural scenery... There is nothing that says "rural America"  to me more then a barn.  I've seen old barns, faded barns, dilapidated barns, barns with messages painted on the roof, new metal barns, and barns with odd angles.  Each barn looks like it tells a story--and because of the age of some of these barns I bet they've "seen" a lot. How many generations have used these utilitarian buildings that stand as a symbol of the hard working rural Americans that use them?

My collection will be framed and put on display in my new house.  Not only am I proud that we are having our house built by local craftsmen that take pride in their work,  but I am also happy to be moving to a place where people are so friendly and helpful. God is good...and I'm thankful that He led us to this special place that we will soon be able to call home.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Meltin' Like an Ice Cube

Scott's apartment in Ohio is small. That is fine....while the whole family has been here we've "pretended" that we are camping. The kids are using sleeping bags and Scott and I are sleeping on the futon. Um....let's just say this is not a 5 star hotel, but we are troopers so we press on! We have decided (or at least Scott and I have) that we can do anything for a short while. We have the vision of our new house---we keep that vision in our sights so that we can get through the uncomfortable for now.

I only have one complaint and that is this: there is no air conditioning in this very small apartment. I'm melting quickly...just call me ice cube. I'm the one who after one night told Scott, " I can't deal with this." (Seriously, I can't. The heat makes me physically sick.) So, it was off to Walmart to get some fans. I've been the one plastered to the fan, hoping to chill off a little bit and to keep the melting at bay:)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Laughing Out Loud

My mother in law forwarded me a hilarious email today. I laughed so hard I almost wet myself. (Is that a sign of old age?)........

"I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!" ...........

Laughter truly is the best medicine...especially if tears come to your eyes and you snort out loud.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Arbonne is More Than You Think...

Those of you that have been followers of my blog for any time know that I am an Arbonne consultant. I just needed to say that I am loving the new Seasource Detox Spa set! I feel so decadent when I can give myself the Sea Mud Facial, the Hair Masque, the Rescue Wash and the Sea Salt Scrub. I feel like I just stepped out of the ocean. You know when you go to the ocean and you have salt on your skin? That is what I feel like. It makes me feel like I've spent time at the beach. I'm relaxed and feel so great after spending time in my home spa. I think this is a great idea that Arbonne came up with for this year. I am able to have the spa experience without having to pay the trendier prices that high end spas charge.

Small Town America is thriving in Rushsylvania, Ohio

I have to say that every time I go and visit in Rushsylvania, Ohio I enjoy it. The people of Logan county have been so friendly. My husband and I couldn't have picked a better place for our family to relocate to. There is a lot to be said for small town America. Yesterday I spent some time talking with Tawney, the owner of, NAILS DONE YOUR WAY BY TAWNEY. She is located in the back of Eversole's store in downtown Rushsylvania. As we talked I realized that she is one of the reasons that I am going to love small town life. She not only was friendly and easy to chat with, but she seems to go out of her way to help others. She was telling my husband and me stories of life at the nail salon and I could see that she truly cares about each of her customers. There is a lot to be said for the "human touch" where clients aren't just another number but a friend. So, if you are ever in the area make sure you stop in and get your nails done by Tawney. (She's got some great colors for the summer) Then go get a yummy cappachino slushy at Eversoles. It makes for a great day!!!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Follow Up To Yesterday's Post

Scott and I went back into the restaurant to talk with the manager on duty. He came out from the back door, hands on his hips, staring us down. He had an attitude before he even made it to the front counter. This is no lie....the first words out of his mouth were, " Oh, you were the ones in here last night. I heard about you. You came in here cussing and had to be put out of the restaurant."  Now that would be laughable if it wasn't soooo stupid. This was the manager for pete's sake! Evidentally, the sassy girl from last night that had been so rude to us told the mangaer "her side" of the story, regardless of whether it had one stitch of truth in it. I guess she didn't want to get in trouble so she thought she'd tell her manager some story before we had opportunity to talk with him. She obviously feels it's okay to lie through her teeth to save her own skin.

The thing is this man tried to intimidate us. He wouldn't even let us talk, telling us "he already knew the story!" When Scott tried to tell him, "sir, you know what you were told by the young ladies, but that is not the whole story." The manager would not have any of it and told Scott he needed to quit running his mouth. At this point I said, "listen we didn't get our food, nor did we get our money back." He told me that we couldn't get money back--no way. He slammed some containers up on the counter. This guy was so completely rude, in was almost unbelievable. At this point Scott said, "we're leaving and you can keep your food."

When we asked for the owner's name he told us, but we were unsure of the spelling to which the manager replied," how do you think you spell it?" Can you believe this guy???? He said, " you won't get a hold of him." Scott and I are going over their heads. All we wanted was our food, now it's become this major deal. I'm going to call corporate. I don't know what they'll say, but it will make me feel like I got some sort of justice. These people at the Long John Silvers on Western are jerks. Their rudeness is hurting the business.....last night a man stopped us in the parking lot and told us that he had problems and talked with the manager and got nowhere too. So it's a pattern.

There is a certain segment of the population that carry a huge chip on their shoulders. They have a certain mentality that they feel gives them "the right" to treat us the way they did. Losers.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Sassy,Trashy Long John's

Last night the family thought we'd have some fish from Long John Silvers on Western Avenue. Not only did they get our order in the drive-through wrong, we had to wait an extra 10-15 minutes when they told us "just 2-3". (and there was no one else at the place but us!!)  We FINALLY got our order and then drove the 10 minutes home only to find out when we started dividing out the food that they shorted us on several of the pieces of fish we had paid for and didn't even give us one of our sides! So I tried 3 separate times to call the restaurant and couldn't get through on the phone. We drove the 10 minutes back to the restaurant with our receipt. On the way there, I finally got through on the phone and told them the problem and we were on our way back.

When we got there we were told we'd have to wait behind all the other people that were there. WE HAD ALREADY WAITED AND WAITED to get our food in the first place! (they were too busy to take care of the problem that they had created!)  Then one of the girls got sassy and gave us all kinds of attitude. (It was our problem etc....) We asked for the managers name and phone number....AND the girls names that were working at the time. They didn't care in the slightest that they messed up our order. They needed to either give us our food or give us the money we paid for things we didn't get. We ended up with neither. Both of us were absolutely disgusted with the behavior of the employees at this establishment. We will be going back today to talk with the manager on duty. If this person has any sense at all then he/she will take care of this.

Completely aggravating. And so unnecessary. Is this the way it is now? Young people with bad attitudes who really don't care how they do their job or even if they please the customer? Well, needless to say after we get this debacle cleared up we will NEVER be going back to that establishment again....and we will make sure to tell everyone we know not too either!