A Great Perspective...

This article was found in the March issue of Oprah. I was laughing hysterically while reading and thought I would share with the rest of the world. The author is Lisa Kogan and her views are well said....

1. If you can't get a babysitter, for the love of God, stay home! I don't want to be sitting next to little Charlotte and Duncan as they fight over a Raisinet at the midnight screening of Atonement. You wanted kids, so suck it up, walk it off, subscribe to Netflix.

2. If your outgoing phone message is longer than, let's say, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Of the Year segment of the Oscars, it's time to rerecord.

3. Calling to let your friend know that you're running late does not excuse your constantly running late.

4. I'd like to say a few words to every crabby traveler who responds with disgust whenever a baby cries on an airplane. Perhaps you don't know how babies work, but there's been a study, and it turns out that giving a 4-month old the stink eye doesn't actually accomplish anything. Either have a little compassion or a little Ambien.

5. Here's something for any gentleman who may be reading this: If you look good in a Speedo, you will look even better in virtually any other kind of swimsuit.

6. I am a cynic. I am a pessimist. I came of age with the Watergate hearings playing on the tiny TV in our avocado green kitchen. But every four years I wrestle my apathy into submission, read up on the issues, and cast my ballot. You must vote. I don't care who you vote for (that's not really true - I think you should be penciling in my name), but you've gotta get in the game.

7. One word: Floss.

8. Any man who begins a conversation with "I don't want to hurt your feelings..." is about to hurt your feelings. It's the kind of phrase that's never followed by "but I just don't think you're eating enough. Please have more lasagna while I get you a brownie." Other opening gambits that pretty mush scream duck-and-cover include: "Don't take this the wrong way...", "You can feel free to say no...", and the always popular "Look...".

9. Enough with the celeb gossip. The problems of Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears should not be competing for the headline space in our brains. We have to be smarter than that, and if we're not, we have to pretend that we are.

10. Get so excellent at something (long division, friendship, Parcheesi, removing cranberry juice stains, decoupage - it doesn't matter what) that your genius will be impossible to ignore and your legendary expertise at removing cranberry juice stains while dividing sit digit numbers by 37 will either bring you glory beyond your wildest dreams or, at the very lest, help you feel vaguely competent as you make your way through the world.

11. Allow me to demystify the entire real estate market for you: Gracious means ridiculously small. Quaint means a total wreck and ridiculously small. Spacious, airy, luxurious, and grand all mean ridiculously small.

12. I like a plastic bag and a bottle of water as much as the next self-involved me monkey, but it takes 430,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100,000,000 grocery bags, and if I were capable of doing even the most basic arithmetic I'd say - well, who are we kidding? I'm not capable of doing even the most basic arithmetic - just know that we're in great danger of making Al Gore really, really mad.

13. Words matter. It's time to stop prettifying the ugly stuff. Spousal abuse means wife beating. Global warming means the Earth is toast. Enhanced interrogation means torture. And here's a bit of trivia for you: The Bush Administration did not coin the phrase enhanced interrogation. Nor did it come from Jack Bauer on 24. Nope, it was the Gestapo that originated that little bon mot back in 1937.

14. To quote Elmer Fudd, "Be bwave, widdoe wbbit." Take a chance, wear your heart on your sleeve, ask the most attractive man in the room to dance, say what you want, demand what you're entitled to. There's a pretty decent chance that you won't get it, but who will you be if you never even try? Note: Only attempt the dance invitation if there's actual music playing.

15. Sometimes I worry that we've all become workaholics - because getting through life can be really hard work. But (with apologies to the fine people who pay my salary every week here at the fabulous Hearst Corporation) we need to log off, go home, and remember what it is to have dinner, conversation, and sex...not necessarily in that order.

Long to read but worth it! My sentiments exactly!!!

What Do You Think....

This was sent to me in an e-mail today and I am curious about what everyone thinks about it. Obviously I know the opinion of the sender but would like to see what all my other readers, all four of you, think.

Letter by a Florida teacher.....A teacher speaks
This is a subject close to my heart. Do you know that we have adult students at the school where I teach who are not US citizens and who get the PELL grant, which is a federal grant (no pay back required) plus other federal grants to go to school? One student from the Dominican Republic told me that she didn't want me to find a job for her after she finished my program, because she was getting housing from our housing department and she was getting a PELL grant which paid for her total tuition and books, plus money leftover.

She was looking into WAIT which gives students a CREDIT CARD for gas to come to school, and into CARIBE which is a special program (check it out - I did) for immigrants and it pays for child care and all sorts of needs while they go to school or training. The one student I just mentioned told me she was not going to be a US Citizen because she plans to return to the Dominican Republic someday and that she 'loves HER country.' I asked her if she felt guilty taking what the US is giving her and then not even bothering to become a citizen and she told me that it doesn't bother her, because that is what the money is there for!

I asked the CARIBE administration about their program and if you ARE a US Citizen, you don't qualify for their program. And all the while, I am working a full day, my son-in-law works more than 60 hours a week, and everyone in my family works and pays for our education. Something is wrong here. I am sorry but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Spanish - enough is enough. Nowhere did they sing it in Italian, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German or any other language because of immigration. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word the way it was written.

The news broadcasts even gave the translation -- not even close.Sorry if this offends anyone but this is MY COUNTRY. IF IT IS YOUR COUNTRY SPEAK UP -- please pass this along. I am not against immigration -- just come through like everyone else. Get a sponsor; have a place to lay your head; have a job; pay your taxes, live by the rules AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE as all other immigrants have in the past -- and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

PART OF THE PROBLEM, Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone -- YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM! It is Time for America to Speak up If you agree -- pass this along, if you don't agree --- delete it!

Pet Peeves...

Yesterday I finished up my Christmas Shopping and came to a conclusion. People are ignorant. I also decided that next year I want to buy everything online. I can't stand dealing with people in the stores at this time of year.

My first stop was Target. It was a madhouse. For some reason people have no concept of being polite anymore. I must have had about 20 people just walk in front of me, no excuse me or oh I am sorry I didn't see you. No they just walk right out in front of me. I don't know if it is from years of working in retail but I try to always be a polite shopper, I don't hog the aisles, I let people pass by me, etc. Drives me crazy how inconsiderate some people can be. The best thing of all was the cashier was ringing up my items and when she got done and hit total this is what she said..."your total comes to blah, blah, blah - oh and the computer says I am supposed to ask you if you want to open a Target card." Then she proceeds to look at me with this complete blank stare on her face as if I am an alien. Nice.

My second stop was the grocery store. Which I have decided at this point was worse than Target. I don't know what happens when people walk into a grocery store but it's like their brain gets sucked out of them. People are so engrossed in themselves they just have no idea of others around them. One lady walked right in front of me and I had to bite my tongue to not rip her head off then and there. Then she proceeded to stop right in the middle of the aisle and just stood there staring into space. I was really boiling at that point. I tried to send off my most evil stare possible in hopes that she would just burst into flames and disappear - but alas no luck.

When I finally made it to the register I of course got in the wrong aisle. The cashier needed a key because apparently the woman in front of me had a coupon that wouldn't scan for some un-holy reason. Of course I would have to pick the stupid aisle. Once the cashier was finally scanning my order it took forever because he had to bag everything himself. What ever happened to baggers?? That was my first job ever. It was 16 and working at VG's in Brighton. But that my friends is another story.

Back to my bitching. I just can't believe that they wouldn't have extra people working considering everyone and their mother was at the grocery store buying crap for the holidays and walking around like robots. Anyway. Three and half hours later I finally made it home. I will be so glad when the holidays are over and life can go back to normal.

A Funny Blog Page...

I was dinking around this morning checking out Mel's, Val's, and Katrina's blogs to see if there were any new stuff on the blogging front and I happened to check out one of the links that was on Katrina's.

I think it was called "Dooce" which was very interesting. Her very first posting had me hooked. It was all about her anxiety and the post partum depression she had after the birth of her daughter. If you get a chance I highly recommend reading it.

But anyway I found a link on her page called "Cookie Bitch" and I was literally laughing out loud. The posting that I read was about her going thru the not so fast drive thru and having to pee at the same time. It was soooo funny. I also highly recommend checking hers out. I might even have to add her link to my page just because it was that funny.

Other than that I don't have a lot of exciting news to share. Max is sleeping right now, taking his mid-morning nap so I decided to hope on the computer and just write something. I have come to realize that 80% of my blog is all about Max. I should change it to "Max's World" or something like that. Anyway off to laundry!

Changes...

As you can all see I have changed my blog template again. I have to say that I get bored with the same background all the time.

In order to spice up my life - yes I realize this is a pitiful attempt at it - I am going to choose a new template each month. But of course if I get bored before that month is up I do have the prerogative to change it sooner!

Yes, this is my life.....THE BLOG PAGE!!

Something to think about...

This was sent to me by e-mail from a friend and I really though with the holidays upon us that it would be nice to share. It's quite lengthy but I think worth the read!

A Message by George Carlin:

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak!

And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.If you don't send this to at least 8 people....

Who cares?
George Carlin ,sl"

What's For Dinner...

This is always a tough question, probably something your yourself might ask a million times in your life, well I have a great new recipe from my Mother In Law that I think you will love! I am using the term "you" for everyone I know and that actually reads the blog!

It's called Korean Beef and we had it this past weekend at Max's Baptism party....it was as Rachel Ray says "yumo!". Here is all you need to know to make your own!

Ingredients:
Round Steak (or you can use any type that you prefer...)
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1/3 cup Sesame Oil
1/4 cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Dry White Wine
1/4 Tsp pepper ( I would probably use more than this because I LOVE PEPPER!)
2 Cloves of Garlic (I again would probably use more than this because I LOVE GARLIC!)
1 Thinly sliced bunch of Scallions

Mix together and marinade for as long as possible, preferably 24 to 36 hours. Cook steak on the grill to your preference and slice thinly for presentation.

You can also take the remaining marinade and boil it for 20 minutes and then pour over the steak once it's done and you are ready to serve. ENJOY!

Popcorn Lung...

Well it's official....everything that I love to eat or drink is bad for me. Have you seen the hype about this popcorn lung? Apparently there is an ingredient in microwave popcorn that could possibly cause you to have lung cancer. That is if you eat multiple bags of it every day for like 10 years. I saw this on the news and just out of curiosity did a search and was amazed how many links came up about it.

That means that just about everything I love in regards to food/drink if bad...coffee - not necessarily because of the caffeine but because of the really bad for me creamer that I like to put in it, chocolate - causes me to be fat, alcohol - obvious, sugary/starchy foods (potato, bread, Little Debbie's, etc.) - again causes me to be fat, there go the arteries....the list goes on and on. Since we have moved to "The Shore" I have been trying to eat more healthy. I have been trying to eat more vegetables, fresh not frozen, I have been trying to pay more attention to labels (bad high fructose corn syrup), and I have been trying to not be anything that is partially, fully, or whatever is hydrogenated (yeah for real butter - none of that tub or spray stuff, give me the real thing - I don't want to be 80 and still be walking around with fake butter in my veins from when I was 40!).

But my point after that little outburst is that I guess I have to try even harder....only popcorn on the stove for me! It's better that way anyway right? Who cares that it takes forever to make and that I have a newborn right???? LOL! Well for anyone that is interested in reading more about the popcorn lung here is a link to all the links that came up from my search...happy reading!

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?ei=UTF-8&p=Diacetyl