Some of you may know that I enjoy listening to Talk Radio while I’m at work and/or driving home. I listen to KIRO 97.3. Today I was listening to The Dori Monson Show and he talked about a video/story that just broke my heart. The video shows a 60+ year old lady who is a bus monitor on a Middle School bus in New York. A group of Middle School kids, and yes one of them is taping this on their phone and posted it to YouTube, is verbally abusing this woman. The video is 10 minutes long – I only made it through the first minute – I just couldn’t believe what these kids were doing. I have tears in my eyes. If one of these kids was mine – they would not be able to sit down today. What has happened to this generation of kids? When I was growing up we were taught to respect our elders – I would never have talked to an adult the way these kids are. Is this what we get when we raise children in an environment where everyone “wins”, everything they do is “great”, no one fails? Is this the new world of children wanting to be “famous” for doing anything – the more YouTube hits the better! I am sure if this lady had stood up for herself and yelled at the kids, possibly even given them the smack they deserved, the parents would be suing her, the bus driver, and the school system. Because of course – their little angels didn’t deserve it – their little Johnny would never treat someone like that – it wasn’t my kid! What do you think about this video? What do you think should happen to these children? What would you do if it was your child?
If I could find this woman I would give her a big hug and tell her she's beautiful.
De
WARNING – The Language in This Video is NSFW (not safe for work)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Roomie
OK – Many people have asked so here is an update on the “roommate” situation –
We have been getting along fine – no big blow ups, which is a good thing. The only argument we have had during the three weeks she’s been living here wasn’t even really an argument. I brought up the subject of whether she had found a place to rent and L got very defensive – told me I didn’t understand how stressful it is – then the tears started to roll. I told her I didn’t want to upset her I was just trying to find out what was going on.
She spends a lot of time out with her friends so we don’t see each other very much. Last night we were both home – neither of us was feeling that well though – so we were in our separate bedrooms!
Chores have been going OK. Last week I came home from work one day and she had cleaned the living room and was in the process of vacuuming it – it was a very nice surprise! We both need to spend some time cleaning our respective bedrooms and bathrooms! The kitchen cleaning has been working out too – well, we’ll see when I get home – I did the dishes, ran the dishwasher, put dishes away last night so she is supposed to do dishes tonight when she gets off work.
So it’s all pretty mellow – no drama – no fights.
De
We have been getting along fine – no big blow ups, which is a good thing. The only argument we have had during the three weeks she’s been living here wasn’t even really an argument. I brought up the subject of whether she had found a place to rent and L got very defensive – told me I didn’t understand how stressful it is – then the tears started to roll. I told her I didn’t want to upset her I was just trying to find out what was going on.
She spends a lot of time out with her friends so we don’t see each other very much. Last night we were both home – neither of us was feeling that well though – so we were in our separate bedrooms!
Chores have been going OK. Last week I came home from work one day and she had cleaned the living room and was in the process of vacuuming it – it was a very nice surprise! We both need to spend some time cleaning our respective bedrooms and bathrooms! The kitchen cleaning has been working out too – well, we’ll see when I get home – I did the dishes, ran the dishwasher, put dishes away last night so she is supposed to do dishes tonight when she gets off work.
So it’s all pretty mellow – no drama – no fights.
De
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Voice Inside
I am the voice in D's head. Here is what I'm telling her tonight. No matter how much weight you lose you will still be the fat girl. I tell her this because she has lost weight but no one says anything - a friend of hers just started a diet and has lost some weight and people just keep commenting on how great she looks. These are the same people that have given D looks in the past and made disparaging comments to her face about what she's eating. So no matter what she does - no positive comments come her way - just the mean ones. So why even try. Changing her body won't change her life.
The Voices
The Voices
Sunday, June 3, 2012
So Far So Good
Well - last Wednesday L moved back home. I know - I know! I said it wasn't going to happen - I caved.
She came here on Wednesday evening - so far so good. We both worked during the week and she was with friends all weekend. She came home today - 2 friends in tow - but they have been well behaved - L cooked dinner - they all took the recycling down for me!
We had one opportunity for a big meltdown - L called me today and wanted me to drive out to Kirkland to pick her up from Jen's house - I said nope because I was in the middle of something and I wasn't driving to Kirkland. She tried to argue with me - whined about how many buses it would take to get here - I didn't budge! Yay Me! She finally said OK - hung up - and all was good when she finally got here.
I woke up this morning and for the first time in 4 days my neck wasn't hurting and I didn't have a headache so I quickly gathered recycling together - did the dishes - got some laundry done and then got into baking mode and made 6 dozen peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and 2 loaves of banana bread! My house smells good. Downside - my neck started hurting again and the headache was back - I took 4 Ibuprofen and am hopeful that it stays kicked in so I get some sleep. Last Thursday I was awake until midnight and then woke up at 3 am because it hurt do bad. I went to the chiropractor Friday evening but it only helped out for about 5 minutes. I'm not sure if I pulled a muscle - if my neck is out of joint - or if it is swollen lymph nodes. My neck aches when I swallow - and the pressure point that hurts most is right behind my ear. I hope it goes away.
I gotta go check on my bread!
De
Here is the contract L and I agreed to for her staying here:
Any violation of this contract may result in
eviction
She came here on Wednesday evening - so far so good. We both worked during the week and she was with friends all weekend. She came home today - 2 friends in tow - but they have been well behaved - L cooked dinner - they all took the recycling down for me!
We had one opportunity for a big meltdown - L called me today and wanted me to drive out to Kirkland to pick her up from Jen's house - I said nope because I was in the middle of something and I wasn't driving to Kirkland. She tried to argue with me - whined about how many buses it would take to get here - I didn't budge! Yay Me! She finally said OK - hung up - and all was good when she finally got here.
I woke up this morning and for the first time in 4 days my neck wasn't hurting and I didn't have a headache so I quickly gathered recycling together - did the dishes - got some laundry done and then got into baking mode and made 6 dozen peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and 2 loaves of banana bread! My house smells good. Downside - my neck started hurting again and the headache was back - I took 4 Ibuprofen and am hopeful that it stays kicked in so I get some sleep. Last Thursday I was awake until midnight and then woke up at 3 am because it hurt do bad. I went to the chiropractor Friday evening but it only helped out for about 5 minutes. I'm not sure if I pulled a muscle - if my neck is out of joint - or if it is swollen lymph nodes. My neck aches when I swallow - and the pressure point that hurts most is right behind my ear. I hope it goes away.
I gotta go check on my bread!
De
Here is the contract L and I agreed to for her staying here:
This
agreement starts May 30 2012 when L moves home in order to save
money to move into a rental room of her own.
L agrees that beginning with her June 6th paycheck, she will give
Diana Boyd $200 each paycheck to be deposited in order to save money for moving
out.
L agrees to use her food stamps during the time she is living at home to help
with the cost of groceries.
In Lieu of
contributing money towards utilities, L agrees to complete the following
chores on a weekly basis:
- Scrub her bathroom every Saturday and more often if necessary - to include but not be limited to, toilet, shower, sink, mirror
- Clean out cat box and sweep up litter
- Feed cats and make sure they have fresh water
- Assist with walking Chrissy and cleaning up after her
- Load and unload the dishwasher as needed
- Keep her room clean and clear of garbage, dirty dishes, empty cans, etc
- Responsible for her own laundry
- Clean the kitchen after she uses it
- Assist with keeping common areas clean i.e. dusting, vacuuming
- Cook Dinner once or twice a week depending on work schedule
L agrees
that D is not her on call taxi driver.
She agrees to arrange for her own transportation to and from work – even
if that means walking to the front entrance of Klahanie in order to catch the
269 bus on the weekends.
Household
quiet hours will run from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., unless otherwise
arranged. This includes but is not
limited to music volume, TV volume, talking on the phone, etc.
Guests are
limited to no more than 2 people. No overnight
guests without prior arrangement.
Smoking is
not allowed in the house. Cigarette
smoking is permitted on the deck.
Cigarette butts must be disposed of and not left out on the tables or
deck.
Smoking/Use
of any illegal substances is not permitted in or around the house.
This
contract is valid for 1 month. This
contract expires on June 30, 2012. If
L does not have other living arrangements at that time, this contract may be renegotiated.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Starbucks Experience
Starbucks is known not just for their coffee but also for the ability to order your drink in so many different ways so that you can personalize it - someone should remind the barista that I had today in the drive thru of that.
Me - I'll have a Venti Hot Chocolate that is non-fat, lite whip, extra hot, with just 2 pumps of chocolate.
I drive up to the window - not very busy so I got up to the window as the barista was making my drink.
Barista (speaking to the cashier at the window) Wow - she's pretty specific about her drink. Why order a hot chocolate if you don't want the main ingredient.
I wasn't quite up to full snarkiness yet so I kept my mouth shut - what I was thinking though was -Wow, why work at Starbucks if you don't like making personalized drinks.
I wouldn't have to designate how much chocolate to use if your normal amount didn't result in an overly sweet drink. Those of you that know me - know that I love chocolate and I like sweets so if something is too sweet for me then it must be really sweet! Hence - why I ask for only 2 pumps of the chocolate syrup instead of getting the 4 that Starbucks considers the regular amount.
De
Me - I'll have a Venti Hot Chocolate that is non-fat, lite whip, extra hot, with just 2 pumps of chocolate.
I drive up to the window - not very busy so I got up to the window as the barista was making my drink.
Barista (speaking to the cashier at the window) Wow - she's pretty specific about her drink. Why order a hot chocolate if you don't want the main ingredient.
I wasn't quite up to full snarkiness yet so I kept my mouth shut - what I was thinking though was -Wow, why work at Starbucks if you don't like making personalized drinks.
I wouldn't have to designate how much chocolate to use if your normal amount didn't result in an overly sweet drink. Those of you that know me - know that I love chocolate and I like sweets so if something is too sweet for me then it must be really sweet! Hence - why I ask for only 2 pumps of the chocolate syrup instead of getting the 4 that Starbucks considers the regular amount.
De
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