She's Got Big Ones

Before I get to the why let me set this up.

Last week there was an argument because we weren’t leaving right at 7:30 to take Baby C to the daycare like L wanted to.  I wouldn’t apologize and reminded L that I was doing her a favor and if it is so important to her that C get to the daycare at a specific time then she can walk.  Needless to say, that didn’t go over very well and she refused to see it that way – she saw it as me not caring or trying and that I just need to adjust when I get out of bed so I can be on the schedule she wants.

Last night, or I should say this morning as it was 2:30 am, Baby C started crying and L gave her a bottle (didn’t work) – turned on the Disney Channel (didn’t work) so she just let her cry.  At about 3:00 I had had enough so I got up and went in there and picked up C.  L said she didn’t know what she wanted and just wanted to sleep.  I took the baby into my room; we snuggled in bed for a bit, she looked out the window, had the rest of her bottle, and played with the blankets.  She just wasn’t tired and wanted to be with someone.  After about 45 min of this I took her back into her room and put her in her crib.  She cried for about 30 seconds, realized I wasn’t going to come back in, and went to sleep.

It was now almost 4 and my alarm goes off at 5:30.  I honestly contemplated just getting up and doing something but knew I would be way too tired later in the day so I went back to sleep.  Somehow, I turned my alarm off instead of hitting snooze and overslept until 7:30 (refer back up to the first paragraph!!)  I ran into Land C’s room and told her I overslept and she needed to get up.  At 7:42 the following conversation took place:

L:             It’s 7:42 and if I walk her to the daycare she will still miss breakfast.

Me:          What do you want me to say – I overslept.

L:             She still needs to go to daycare – why didn’t you get up

Me:          Maybe it’s because . .

L:             (interrupting) you did it on purpose!

Me:          No – I was going to say because I was up with your daughter in the middle of the night

L:             Just give me the keys and I’ll get her to the daycare

Me:          You’re not driving my car

L:             It’s only ½ a mile away nothing’s going to happen

Me:          You’re not driving my car

L:             What do you think is going to happen?  I’m not drunk

Me:          You’re not driving my car.   

L:             (walking out of the room and talking to C) I guess you don’t get to have breakfast

Told you – Big Ones!!  I’m still shaking my head that she had the nerve/balls to ask me to drive my car.

Baby C had yogurt and Cereal at home in case you were worried she didn’t get breakfast. J

De

Saturday

This was the first Saturday in over a month that I wasn't the Baby C Taxi!  It was wonderful!

For the last month I have had Baby C Friday night, gotten her ready Saturday Morning, driven her to her Dad,s and then picked her up.  The driving is 1 Hour each way. 

Baby C and L are gone for the weekend. Today I was able to have a relaxing shower, lunch with a friend, and a leisurely walk around Target!

When I got home I had the TVs in the living room and my room on the same channel so I could feed my addiction - Showtime was playing Twilight Breaking Dawn I and II back to back.  Love those movies and can't count how many times I've seen them!  

It was such a nice day.

D

Karma

Have you ever had someone do something to you where you said or thought - Karma will get you.  Sometimes Karma happens very quickly and other times it takes a long time - so long that you start to think Karma will never get them.  Well, I'm here to tell you that sometimes it's well worth the wait.  In my case, it took 20 years of waiting but Karma finally showed up!! 

Randi Lehmkuhl was the other woman 22years ago. She slept with my husband and he left me for her. She knew he was married with a baby but that didn't stop her. She is the baby of her family and always got what she wanted - didn't matter if it hurt anybody else. She also told my husband that he should try for full custody of our daughter because he was a better parent - of course that was before she "accidentally" got pregnant herself and they had to get married. Suddenly my daughter became this inconvenience that she had to deal with every other weekend. 

So now we jump ahead 20 years.  Karma took awhile to step in because Randi kept a pretty tight hold on my ex so he wasn't able to escape. He finally had a chance to make a move when he was able to get a job back in Washington and moved up here without her. He got a taste of freedom, breathed the fresh PNW air, and got his backbone and balls back.  He moved her out here and after a few months told her it was done. He wanted out.  

KARMA Sweetie - She's a bitch!!!

I decided to write this for 2 reasons - 

1. She posted on FB thanking her family for helping her through her darkest hours. That's what made me think - Karma's a Bitch!!  Hope you feel even worse than I did. 
2. Someone said to my ex that he was selfish and to think about what he was doing to his kids - where were these people when he left his first child. This person got a bit of Karma too - they know who they are and what it was. 

For those of you that may be thinking I played any part in this or that I was "the other" woman. Wrong!  I'm just happy for Karma, that L gets to have her father around, and C gets to have her G-Pa!

De

Semantics and Intolerance

I have noticed that people get so focused in on words these days that they are unable to hear or look at the whole meaning of what someone is saying.  Two examples come to mind from this week.

     1.  Mark Cuban – under fire for what he said in regards to the Donald Sterling racist issue.  Are people upset with the point he was trying to make . . . No. They are upset with one example he gave and are calling him a racist for it.

The point he was trying to make was that we all have internal judgments/prejudices based on how we perceive something or someone.  The example he gave was that if he were to see a black youth wearing a hoodie walking on the street late at night he would cross the street, if he saw a bald white guy with tattoos walking on that side of the street he would walk to the other side.  It’s all based on your internal thoughts and feelings. 

Is he getting hammered because of the substance of what he said – no!  People have pulled out one section of what he said - black youth wearing a hoodie. 

It’s not racism – its prejudice - which is different.  What is prejudice – it is pre judging!  We all do this whether it is based on color of skin, male/female, skinny/fat, young/old, American/foreigner . . . etc

      2. California Mayor – people are asking for him to be recalled because of 3 words he said.The mayor made remarks during a city council meeting regarding a proposal to put “Safe Zones” around town where children could go to seek refuge from bullies.  He responded with “I’m against bullying but I’m getting damn tired of it being used as a mantra for everything and the ills of the world. When all most people have to do is grow a pair and stick up for them damn selves.” 

      Can you pick out what people have clung to and are making a big deal about . . . . . you got it . . . . . grow a pair!  Was he saying that he doesn’t care about kids being bullied . . . . No!  He was expressing an opinion that he thinks “bullying” is being used to explain everything that is wrong with the world.

Does anyone else find that in these examples people are being vilified for not having the same opinion as everyone else?  They are being called racist and intolerant by others for not thinking the same way.  Isn't that intolerance! 

This is a country of freedom and free speech – not a country of freedom and free speech only if you think like everyone else.

D

Sammamish

Two things about Sammamish -

1. Their Police Department is located in a Community Center and not very easy to find once you walk in the door.
2. Don’t get a DUI or have your car involved in a DUI. The City of Sammamish has a law that they will not allow the tow company to release your vehicle until you go to the Police Department and show them a valid driver’s license, insurance, and pay them $100 cash. I understand the thinking behind this; don’t want drunks able to get their cars back easily. But when you’re the owner of the car and not the DUI Driver, it’s a little frustrating.

So my experience in trying to get my car released was interesting. When I first walked into the Community Center I saw a sign that said Police – I turned into that little alcove. There was no one at the window, you can’t go through the doors, and the desk area at the window was dark – no lights on. I saw a sign that said to go to the 2nd Floor King County Sheriffs office. So off I went to the 2nd floor.

The lady at the desk for the Sheriff’s Department was very rude! I walked up and said I was here to pay the money to get my car. She gave me this dirty look and said I don’t know what you’re talking about you’re in the wrong place. I again said that I was told I had to pay $100 to get my car released. She said that’s not here it’s on the 1st Floor. I told her that it didn’t look like anyone was there and I had seen a sign that said to come up to the 2nd floor. She then rudely says that she was just down there and unless the girl ran out the door someone is in the 1st floor office and that the sign I saw was only for gun permits. Not sure if she was having a bad day, if she is always like that, or if she just wanted to be pissy because she knew I was trying to get a car released that had been towed for DUI. Either way – King County Sheriff you might want to get a new front desk person at your Sammamish office.

I went back to the 1st Floor, looked around, and finally found a small doorbell so I rang it. The gal that came to the window was so friendly and helpful – quite the change from the gal on the 2nd floor. She copied what she needed, pointed me to the clerk that would take my cash, and sent me on my way.

Oh yeah, they won’t fax the release form to the tow company, you have to go there and actually hand it to them. So I got to drive back to Ken’s Towing in Redmond to let them know they could release my car to the insurance company.

While there I decided to take one last look through the car to make sure I had gotten everything out of it. Sadly, there was something missing. I had a Buffy Cross necklace and a Criss Angel necklace hanging from the rearview mirror – The Buffy Cross has hung in all my cars since I got from the WB Store in Seattle it about 10+ years ago. Recently L hung her Bluetooth device from the chain so she could talk hands free in the car. Well someone, either at the accident scene or with the tow company, decided that they wanted the Bluetooth and instead of unhooking it they just grabbed all the chains and pulled. Yup, all that was left were broken chains hanging. Couldn’t care less about L’s Bluetooth but I really liked my Buffy Cross.

De

Drama Drama

Since my last post I have become the Grammy to Little Baby C!  She is 3 months old now and the joy of my  life.  She is one of the few things right now that is good in my life.  Wish I could say the same thing about her mother.  :(

There has been so much Mama Drama!  The first few weeks after Baby C was born I thought L had grown up and was making strides towards being a responsible grown-up.  Then her friends started coming around and bringing bottles of alcohol.  Then she went back to smoking cigarettes.  Then, even though she had stated she was going to quit so she could get a better job, she went back to smoking marijuana.  Just because it's legal now in WA State doesn't mean employers are going to look the other way if you pop positive. 

Then she started asking me to babysit on Friday nights - I didn't have a problem with that because I liked having some one on one time with my grand-baby without her mother looking over my shoulder making me feel like I didn't know what I was doing.  Then that turned into Friday overnights - and eventually I turned into the weekend Nanny.

The major drama happened last weekend though.  L went to a friends house to hang out - I was taking care of Baby C.  Phone rings at 1:30 am - those calls are never good and this one held to that.  L had been in an accident with my car.  She first started out saying someone hit her and drove away.  The police showed up and she said she would call back to let me know what was going on.  Next call came from a witness - she told me that L had been arrested and that there was no other car involved in the accident.  Next call was from a Detective with the Sammamish Police Department to let me know that L was being processed for DUI and would be transferred to the Issaquah Jail, my car was being towed to Redmond and it was probably totaled. 

L called me Sunday morning from the jail wanting me to bail her out.  Not gonna happen and I am proud to say it didn't happen!  She stayed in jail until Tuesday when she was arraigned at Issaquah Court.  She is now wearing a SCRAM Bracelet on her ankle to measure whether she has any alcohol at all.  If it goes off - she will owe big money that she can't afford and will probably end up back in jail.

I am now in the process of working with my insurance company to get my car replaced.  There have already been some interesting things with that which I will write about tomorrow.  In the meantime - I am going to go to bed and hope I am not woken up by another 1:30 am call.

D

Today's Sign . . . .

I sometimes listen to The Dori Monson Show while I am at work. He always ends his third hour with “Today’s Sign That The End Is Near”. This is when he will highlight a story that just shows how people are overly sensitive, PC, sue happy, etc. Today he had a story before this bit and then the story he had in the bit that just made me shake my head and wonder really!!


Story before the end - this was about an elderly gentleman in Texas who shot a man breaking into his home. The part of the story that had me shaking my head was that the burglar’s family members were outraged that this gentleman shot their family member. They were like – he should have given him a warning, let him know that he had a gun and was willing to use it – everyone has problems and he should have given the burglar a second chance. What!?!? Really!?!? This guy was breaking into an old man’s house! Whatever happened to putting the responsibility where it belongs? The guy shouldn’t have been breaking into houses.

Today’s sign was the following – A Mom back East has a 10 month old baby who has dwarfism. She was shopping at the grocery store and saw a jar of Midget Dill Pickles. This so outraged her that she started a petition online to get the company to change the name of the pickles because it was insensitive to use the word midget. The company gave in and is going to change the name because they didn’t want the media attention. Really – whatever happened to if you don’t like something then don’t buy it? The word midget has been around for a very long time and the Webster’s Dictionary definition is:

1. something (as an animal) much smaller than usual

2. sometimes offensive : a very small person; specifically : a person of unusually small size who is physically well-proportioned
See – the word is sometimes offensive if you use it to describe a person. Using it to describe a very small pickle is not offensive.

I just don’t get it. When did people become so overly sensitive?

De

New York

I’ve was in New York for a few days last week. I was there for work so I came a couple days early to see the town. When the trip was originally presented to me it was I and another girl from Finance going on this trip. I was excited – yay I’ll have someone to walk around with. This other person and I aren’t best friends but I didn’t think we were enemies either – and I still don’t think that. But what I do think is that she doesn’t really like me all that much. She made her flight and plane reservations without talking to me – so I tried to get myself on the same flight as her. Then I find out she’s actually bringing her husband along. I thought – that’s OK, maybe I can tag along on a few things just so I know someone.


I get to the airport and she’s like – Oh, are you on this flight too. I didn’t think you were on the non-stop flight. OK, weird, because I told her I was booking the same flight as her. We were staying at the same hotel so when we arrived in NY I asked if she wanted to share a cab. Oh, well you see, I thought you were on a different flight so I booked us a car and I don’t think there’s room for you. So here I am, all alone in a city I’ve never been to, not a person who has travelled much, and I have to get a taxi and find the hotel on my own. Before I left her to go get her car she asked for my cell so she could text me on Monday and we could share a cab to work. You see, this is really a vacation for her and her husband and they’re going to be busy doing all the touristy things together and don’t really want me along. I was bummed and a bit pissed. I thought this was a work trip and that we could get to know each other better but I guess not. Even if I had brought someone with me – if the other person from work I was travelling with was on their own – I would at least try to include them in dinner or something – just so that they weren’t all by themselves the whole time. That’s just me though; it’s a slight character flaw in that I always think about what the other person is thinking/feeling bad wouldn’t want them to be sad or alone.

Now – the trip was a nice perk from work and I don’t want anyone to think I am ungrateful – because I’m not. I just wish I had a different co-worker travelling with me. I’m not a very adventurous person so wandering around this big city on my own was a bit overwhelming.

D

Things I've Learned

Things I’ve learned over the past week:


1. When someone tells you their door is open and to feel free to come in and talk about anything that might be bothering you – it’s a bunch of BS. If you happen to go in and feel comfortable to say what’s on your mind about things you’ve seen happening in the office, and th eperson might even agree with you at the time. They will turn on you and go to HR and their boss; who in turn goes to the big department boss.

2. Your simple use of one word – favoritism – will get you called into the Big Boss office on Christmas Eve and reprimanded for even thinking that way and for having it go to HR – which by the way you did not do; it was that open door manager that went to HR.

3. It is OK for upper management to practice favoritism – and just because it upsets some people it won’t get changed – they are not upsetting the apple cart just because the practice isn’t fair.

4. The policy during Flu Season is that if you’re sick do not come into work – but only if you’re on the list of favorites. If you’re not on that list you are not able to work from home, you are required to come into the office, and you get to spend most of the day listening to people say you better not get them sick, you should have gotten the flu shot, and if you get them sick you will be covering for them because of course they will be staying home during Year End Close.

5. If you do come into work you had better have a smile on your face, otherwise people will see your crabbiness as having an “attitude”. Which I have learned is not allowed.

Basically I have learned over this past week that no matter what people say or do keep your mouth shut. If you are not feeling good you better slap a smile on your face or you will be seen as someone with an attitude problem. Even people who you think you get along with may be talking to others behind your back and you won’t know until you’re told it’s nice to see you getting along with that person now. WTF?!?!

Happy New Year :P

D

Dictator L

If there are any countries that are missing a Dictator I know where she is . . . . . . She's living in my house!!

L has become quite the bossy person these days. Not sure if its the pregnancy hormones, the fact we've been in the same house together for 7 months, or a combination of the two. Every day she tells me what to do and nags me if I haven't done something she told me to do. If I say something to her about it she gets very pissy and says she's not being like that and I am just imagining it.

If I turn the tables and say something to her about things she needs to be doing all Hell breaks lose and she just gets angry - it's like having to walk on egg shells all the time.

I think I'm going to lose my mind before the baby gets here.

D

Flexible

flex•i•ble [flek-suh-buhl] adjective


1. capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: a flexible ruler.

2. susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule.

3. willing or disposed to yield; pliable: a flexible personality.



Let’s discuss definition number 2. My understanding of this is – you can set a schedule within certain parameters – come in whenever you want as long as you are here by 10 and get your work done. Basically in by 10 and work your 8 hours or more if needed to get the job done.

My schedule the previous months was pretty much 9:30 – 5:30/6:00 depending on whether I took a lunch break or not – which I usually don’t. I would get “suggestions” around close that maybe I could get in earlier to help others out with close. Well – I started doing that and remembered why I used to come in early – it’s quiet in the office, I can get more done in the morning, and I can head home earlier and have some time in the evening to do stuff before bedtime. So I have started getting into the office between 7:00 – 7:30 – I’m still not taking lunch breaks so I have been leaving at 3:30/4:00 – getting my 8 hours in and getting my work done. Now I feel like I am getting “suggestions” that 3:30/4:00 is awfully early to be leaving. There are other people in the office who have worked this early schedule and there has never been a problem.

So – back to the definition of flexible. I think we need to add one more description:

4. Modification of schedule as long as you are in the office from 8:00 – 5:00.



De

Twilight Saga

I went to the Twilight Saga Marathon – all 5 movies in one day – it was so much fun and the new movie was AMAZING!!


I thought there would be more people at the marathon than there was – the theater was only about 1/3 full. Maybe because it was on a Thursday (school day) not many kids could go. This was fine by me – we got good seats and were able to have no one sitting right next to us. It was like our own little community – everyone that was there was a diehard Twilight Fan – so no one made fun of my Forks High School sweatshirt with the name Cullen on the back!

There was intermission between the movies so you could stretch, go to the bathroom, refill your soda and popcorn. At the beginning of each movie they had a filmed segment with the actors that played Rosalie, Jasper, and Esme talking about their experiences filming the movie that was coming up. Interesting facts from Jasper – in New Moon he was wearing a wig which he referred to as the dead cat on his head. For Eclipse he had to go to horse training, even though he knew how to ride, for insurance purposes. He would spend his training time riding the horse on trails.

The final movie was very good – it was the perfect ending to the whole saga. There was a twist –and I won’t say what it was or when it is in the movie – I will just say that everyone that was in the theater was surprised and it made the whole movie very cool.

The whole weekend I felt like I had a Twilight Hangover – I am very addicted to the movies and the whole story – to go from everything Twilight to no Twilight and knowing it was over was tough. A good way to explain it is: Inability to start a new book/movie because you’re still living in the last book’s/movies world.

De

Bright and Early

It’s been a week since I decided to try and get into work early and I am proud to say I have made it in every day before 8:00!! I was in today right at 7:00. I got my checks cut and my wires entered before anyone else from my department got into the office. I feel so accomplished.


Had a great weekend – spent Saturday catching up on DVR items and Sunday I drove up to La Connor and took my Dad to see the new James Bond movie for his birthday. The movie, Skyfall, was really good! Lots of action, good storyline, easy to follow. It was a lot of fun. After the movie we picked up Mom and went to the La Connor Brewery for dinner. They make these small hand-tossed pizzas cooked in a brick oven. Very tasty.

I am very excited for tomorrow – Twilight Marathon! Yes – L and I are going to Lincoln Cinemas to watch all of the Twilight Movies culminating in the debut of the final movie in the series. I can hardly wait! The first movie starts at 12:10 pm. I am thinking we will need to get to the theater around 10 – 10:30 to make sure we don’t get stuck sitting in the very front row. If I’m sitting in the movies for 12 hours I want comfortable seats. If we get there and there isn’t a big line – we can just go hang out in the Container Store for awhile.

I will be working from home on Friday – to sleep in a bit and L has a court date in the afternoon. Not sure how this is going to go – she still hasn’t done her alcohol evaluation so we may end up with yet another continuance. She is such a procrastinator – I’ve been known to put off some uncomfortable things but never for this long and not for something this important. I just have to keep reminding myself that she is an adult, this is all on her, and it is not mine to stress about. I have to remember to do that in regards to her medical bills too – she has put off calling places and trying to work out payment plans – and she has also put off getting in touch with DSHS to find out what assistance she can qualify for. Lots of growing to be done by both of us – I need to let go and she needs to start taking care of things on her own. We’ll get there!

De

Here I Am

So it has been a very long time since I wrote on here. There have been some changes in my life – I’ve been tired all the time – stuck in one of my low points. The low points are like a vicious cycle – I get depressed, start to forget my meds, makes me more depressed, makes me forget my meds more . . . see. . . . vicious cycle. I made great efforts this week to remember to take my meds everyday and it’s amazing how much better I feel. I’ve actually been able to get up with my alarm this week and get into work by 7 like I used to – which is great because I then get to leave while it’s still light outside. I had forgotten how much I enjoy getting in to work before everyone else does. Things are looking up.


So – the changes – there were 2 big ones during the summer.

1. L’s Dad moved back to Washington. It was a surprise to both L and I. One night there was a knock on my door and there he was! It took awhile for me to get used to seeing him in my house. But now, it’s not a big deal. He and L see each other on the weekends – they hang at the house sometimes. L is really happy to have him back in her life.

2. Labor Day Weekend we found out the L is pregnant! It was a shock to her as well as everyone else. An even bigger surprise was that she was already 3 months along! A few weeks ago she had an ultrasound and we found out she is having a . . . . . . . girl! I’m going to be a Grandma!

Now that I am feeling better and I seem to have some of my energy back I will probably start writing on here again! I will keep you updated on L and talk about random things – and I may even start posting some baking blogs – Yup, I am even feeling the energy and joy in baking again.



Glad to have me back!!

De

Vacation - Yeah Right

I haven't posted because it's just been crap crap crap in my life lately. Work has been stressful - L was arrested - my finances suck! I took this past Thurs - Tues off to burn some vacation time and to try and relax - should have known that wasn't going to happen. Friday night L had 2 friends come over - ended up staying the night. Nothing like getting up in the morning to beer cans and an empty fifth of rum all over my living room not to mention the pile of cigarette butts all over my deck!! Plus 3 people passed out on the couch - so not relaxing.

In addition - there was the drama that happened in the middle of the night. L and her friend Shea were walking to QFC at 2:30 in the morning when some random guy on a bicycle started circling around them and calling them hood rats. Shea went to talk to the guy and put his hands out to show he had nothing - the guy jumped off his bike and hit Shea in the face with a rock which knocked him out - the biker then hit him while he was down then rode off. L was not injured - Shea was taken to the ER and ended up with a black eye, broken sinus bone, fractured skull, staples in the back of his head, and stitches over his eye.

Yesterday I was at the Big Fish Games Workshop - 3rd year I've gone. I had fun - was on my way home - receive a call from L letting me know that Shea was back and staying the night - again!! I told her we needed to talk - not that night but the next when Shea wasn't here. Well - guess what - L went to work today and hasn't come home yet. I texted her and she said she was in Fall City, didn't have to work tomorrow so she didn't think she'd be coming home. Guess we won't be having that talk.

She has been here for 2 months now to save money for a new place - in the 2 months she has given me $280, removed $40, and cost me $500 in bail money. She has said its because her paychecks haven't been as much as she thought - but oh - she has certainly had enough money for alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and partying with friends. I need her to go - I need my home back.

It's back to work tomorrow. I logged in and looked at my emails and I could feel the stress flowing through my veins. So much for being relaxed from vacation.

Take A Breath

Taking a breather tonight - My mind/body/soul need some attention

• Mind - Heading into Qtr End Close I always feel like my brain is too full and I am going to forget something.  This carries over into home life - did I unplug the curling iron, where are my keys, when was the last time I used my debit card . . . . . and what did I do with it afterwards. 
• Body - I always have aches and pains - either age or just out of shape.  2 weeks ago we had a company wide Kickball Tournament - It's been about 40 years since I played Kickball - it was fun and I actually made it onto base 1 time!  We then partied at Havana afterwards - I am just too old for doing things like that - I think it took a whole week to recover!  
• Soul - My Soul needs some sunshine!!  I know summer historically doesn't start in Seattle until July 5th - but we haven't really had much of a Spring this year.  I need some bright blue sky and sun.

De

Horrible Middle School Children

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)

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

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

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:

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 6^th 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:

1. Scrub her bathroom every Saturday and more often if necessary  - to include but not be limited to, toilet, shower, sink, mirror
2. Clean out cat box and sweep up litter 
3.  Feed cats and make sure they have fresh water
4.  Assist with walking Chrissy and cleaning up after her
5.  Load and unload the dishwasher as needed
6. Keep her room clean and clear of garbage, dirty dishes, empty cans, etc
7. Responsible for her own laundry 
8.  Clean the kitchen after she uses it 
9.  Assist with keeping common areas clean i.e. dusting, vacuuming
10. 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. 

Any violation of this contract may result in eviction