Philosophy of Life

It is time to revisit my past. I have this saying framed and displayed in my room. I try to read it everyday. It was given to by my most favorite male of all times. It touches the heart and brings a feeling of safety each and every time I read it. It also helps me continue to strive to be the best person I can be. I hope you will enjoy this:

Philosophy of Life-

• Continue to grow throughout your life by study and experience

• Care for the earth and your surroundings

• Have compassion for God's creatures and love your fellow man

• Work hard and play hard in a positive and enthusiastic way

• Train your body-it is the only one you will ever have

• Seek relationship with the Almighty and see you spirit as a special gift

USSO to you PD.

Super Bowl

In the spirit of the superbowl, here is a little trivia to get the mood started.

Name the 3 people that have appeared in superbowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach?

Trust Fund Baby.

I have inherited a new nickname, "Trust Fund Baby," and I am living it up. It is entirely possible that it could be my favorite nickname of all times.

While sitting at a bar about three months ago, I saw a quote that I had seen and heard, probably a million times before, but something clicked when I saw it. "Dance like no one is watching, love like you have never been hurt, and work like you don't need the money." Well, I have been trying to live each minute of everyday like it will be my last. It is just crazy, when you think how much time a minute actually is (I don't want to be on a tangent, so I'll save my 60 seconds worth of eternity for another blog).

I think my parents did a pretty fantastic job raising my sister and I. Of course we have had our moments, but what person can say they haven't? Not to brag on my sister and I, but we are pretty fantastic adults. We are a great blend of our successful parents with a little spice of our own, to make the best combination. Of late, I have had my fair share of struggles. At some point, I was wondering if I was even tredding water, because it sure felt that I had weights on my ankles pulling me down. However, something clicked when I read the quote. I have always danced like no one is watching, of course I am the worst dancer ever, but I am cool with it. We can't be good at everything. I was struggling with the "love like you have never been hurt." It has been almost a year since I was so badly hurt, but I am starting to see that there is no point in love if you have reservations. This is a constant up hill battle for me, but at least it is something I am attempting to climb. The work like you don't need to money part of the quote, is by far my favorite. By no means did I love my job to the point that I would wake up wanting to go to work, however, I did enjoy my work enough to make the 89 mile hike one way to attend.

I have decided to work like I don't need the money. I take lousy shifts at the bar and I make a killing. I constantly give high fives to both the staff and customers. I enjoy the smiles and friendships I have made. I constantly make fun of myself, if I don't do it someone else will. At least this way I know what is being said about me. I am ever hopeful the nickname "trust fund baby," will forever stick. I thoroughly enjoy the life style and the thrill I get from working like I don't need the money. It no longer is a job (which should be a four letter word), it is now a life. A happy life at that. :)

May you all be blessed to find something you enjoy, but hopefully you will find something that gives you the chance to "work like you don't need the money." Why live to work, when you can work to live?

Snow Shoeing

Wow, thats a challenge all in itself. If you want a serious work out, by all means you need to take up the sport of snow shoeing. How can you not get a work out when you are doing something like this?

This weekend, I did about a 5 mile round trip hike. In the middle of the summer, that would be no problem, however strap some snow shoes on, drop the temperature to about 35 degrees and everything changes.

The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. It was rustic and peaceful. How can you not enjoy the bright blue skies, listening to the wind in the trees, and being at one with mother nature? It was the optimal situation for finding total peace. The world moves to fast, and to often people miss out on the chance to enjoy views like this one.


During some point in the hike, I admit I was starting to get a little over the scenery. My rib was killing me, I was having difficulty catching my breath, and I was ready to take off the snow shoes. I decided that I needed a break, so I sent the rest of them on while I snow shoed to the make shift bench.


To be honest, I was so exhausted I could have probably slept on that bench. As I said goodbye to the others, Dempsey called my name. He was probably 15 feet from where I was standing, I turned to look at him, only to find a metal flask coming towards me. I had little time to react, but of course when you see something flying at you, your first response is to get out of the way. That is no easy task when you have 2 or 3 feet long snow shoes attached to the bottom of you feet. I ended up on my butt. Snow shoes up in the air, poles next to me as I sit in about 2 feet of powder. To make things better, I had taken off my gloves, because I was so hot...not any more. My hands were immediately ICE COLD!


So there I lay. Instead of helping me up, Dempsey takes pictures, and informs me that if I hadn't moved the flask would have landed about a foot or two behind me so I wouldn't have gotten hit. Why is it, that instead of helping me up, he had to take pictures and then inform me that I was basically an idiot? I eventually figured out how to get up by myself, and warmed up my hands. I started on my merry way, back to my bench to rest. Twenty minutes later, I reached my destination, and I tell you that ice cold whiskey never tasted so good.

I did enjoy snow shoeing. The next time I go, I will be much more prepared for the exhaustion and hopefully, my ribs will be all healed. Embrace the adventure of life, after all you are the one writing the story of your life. Might as well make it something worth re-telling.

Guest Writer.

Thru these eyes

These eyes have seen first hand the tragedy of 9/11 and the many lives that have been changed forever by it. I have seen cancer take a dear friend and watched so many total strangers have there lives turned upside down by horrific car accidents or a fire that may take all one has.

I am a firefighter who see’s life a lot differently than most. For this is the reason I live, love and cherish my everyday. Because today is my gift and tomorrow is my dream. In a minute without warning anyone’s life can change forever but so many don’t see that. It is heart wrenching to see the misfortunes of so many good and innocent people. God has blessed me with the ability to help them all and help lead me to see how truly special today is.

The real secret to life is to see this day as the gift it is and be certain you give it all you got. The difference will come when you start seeing how fortunate you really are.

So you can make your days as fabulous, marvelous or fantastic as you chose but today for me

Go outside, take a deep breath and look around because you just received the greatest gift of all, Another day :)

5 Second Scare

I was sitting on the couch doing a little research about some random trivia, when I hear Criminole upstairs screaming my name. I turn around to look in her direction and she continues to scream. I ask "what is wrong?", and all she can do is yell, "get up here, now." At first I was incredibly nervous, but I could see her, so I knew it had to be something I could handle. I prepare myself to kill a cockroach, a frog or maybe even a snake. Clearly, I am the best person for the job, as Criminole is frantically jumping up and down, Swallow was sick in bed, and strapping gentleman is quietly upstairs in his room.

I quickly walk up the stairs only to find this...


I immediately burst into laughter. Of all things to find, I think Criminole wouldn't need to be frantically jumping up and down. Instead of cleaning it up, she continued to explain how this could have happened. It couldn't possibly have been her fault. HAHAHA.

It took a few minutes to clean up the mess, but of course in my laughter I had to find the camera and take a picture of this lovely scene. Criminole has been renamed "Suds." I did get a good laugh, and I hope you guys do as well.

Please remember to enjoy the little things in life. As we say in this house, "there is no reason to cry over spilled milk." Have a great day, and remember to laugh at the silly things.

Hole in Wall.

During college, I frequented a hole in the wall bar, Jacks. At Jacks you could write on the walls, tables, and chairs. The most expensive drink I ever had at Jacks was a double Grey Goose with a lime for $4.00. They had crappy uneven plastic chairs and tables that started out being white, but ended up a nasty dirty grayish color.

Of course on a college budget, it was a dream bar. We had many many great nights at Jacks. Since the move across the country I have tried to find a new version of Jacks. Well on one of my visits into the Moutains, I came across a bar called the Moose Jaw. It is a true hole in the wall. Almost as good as Jacks.


On the most recent visit, we happened to get a table with a giant hole. Here are a few pictures to show how wonderful this bar is. A true hole in the wall bar. The drinks are relatively cheap for being in a tourist area and the locals all tell you the best runs to make, the coldest beers to drinks, and how to drive on snow.

The Giants.

Unfortunately, Eli Manning has led his team to the ultimate game in professional football. Being a Gator, I pride myself on cheering for all SEC players in the NFL. However, I'd rather detail every car in the Disney World parking lot with a tooth brush than cheer for Eli Manning. In my opinion Eli is a little too big for his britches, and I am sure it is going to his head even more!

Eli Manning was drafted first over all when he came into the league. Fair enough. I can appreciate a good athlete. I was even happier to know that the first pick over all was an SEC boy. However, he lost a fan when he stated that he would rather sit out an entire season then play for the Chargers. This is a child's game that adults get paid very well to play for a career. Apparently, he is too good for the Chargers. I am just amazed that he had the audacity to be so pigheaded. Okay, so he is a Manning, but for goodness sake he went to school at Ole Miss...Not a big name school that has been known to turn out the best of the best like Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, USC or Ohio State.

As many of you know I am extremely loyal to my teams. I do cheer for one particular team in each sport. Very very rarely will I waiver once a decision has been made. Well the decision has been made and I will stand by my word. If you ever hear me cheer for Eli Manning or even say anything nice about the guy, somebody please hand me a tooth brush and send me to the Disney World parking lot so I can get to work on my future at becoming a professional car detailer.

Good luck to Jabar Gaffeney and the rest of the Patriots!

Brain Power.

The human brain stops growing at age 18, and is 80% water. The storage capacity of the human brain is about 4 terabytes (4,000 gigabytes). Why is it after a long night of drinking, I forget things? I know we have all been in that situation. Maybe, some of my 4000 gigabytes are corrupt. Anything is possible right?

Have a wonderful day. :)

Goals.

I am all about goals, to do lists, and getting things accomplished...but this was pushed to the limits this morning.

Swallow bursts in my room at 8:30, already talking a mile a minute and decides that it is time for me to wake up. I guess that is my pay back for always waking up Werd in college. HAHAHA. Back to the point...During Swallow's ramblings she informed me that my goal for the day was to find this girl named Jessica (a hair dresser). Now picture this, I am out cold. Never in my life have I heard anything about Jessica. I rise enough to say, how and where do I find her. Swallow enlightens me that she found her online with 9 really good reviews from people. The kicker to that is she doesn't remember how she came across good ole' Jessica's information. Okay, so here we are..Swallow is setting my goal, telling me what it is, however, not providing any information about how to get it accomplished. I pretty much nod along, like I do in most of our conversations when I am being told what to do. The last thing she tells me before she runs out the door is, oh and Jessica only works Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Maybe one of you can inform me, just how am I suppose to complete my goal today?

I really believe in setting goals, big or small. I enjoy goals. I enjoy having something to work towards. I enjoy the mass of emotions I feel when I accomplish a large goal. I even enjoy crossing things off of lists, because I feel accomplished. In a small sense it makes me feel as though I have been a success. When I was a child, I was given a round piece of paper that believe it or not I still have to this day. The piece of paper read "The only person that can motivate you, IS YOU." Feeling the success of crossing things off my list, accomplishing a goal big or small, helps me continue to motivate myself. Motivation is huge! It is easy to motivate yourself if you continue to have the hunger or drive in your blood, but some have to work everyday at it. I choose to work everyday. I choose to strive day in and day out to motivate myself. That is one reason I have chosen to pick up some of the hobbies I have, they lead me down a path to simple success.

Today, my goal is not to find Jessica. Because in the big picture, Swallow wants me to be the guinea pig for this Jessica person. Instead, I have a list of about 10 other things I would like to get done before the end of the week. Even though some of the goals are small they are still worth having. That is only aspect in life that I really do enjoy.

Make it an absolutely fantastic day. :)

Question

Who was the last president with facial hair?

Rhymes.

Have you sat back and tried to rhyme? Well after my fair share games of asshole I began to think of words that don't rhyme with anything. At least, I can't find words that they rhyme with. The list I came up with is-

• Orange
• Purple
• Month

I am absolutely sure that there are more words that don't rhyme, but that was the best I could come up with in the last few weeks. I know I know, this post is pretty lame. However, if you sit back and think...just how long, did it take me to come up with my list of three words?

I am totally okay with the fact that it took me longer than I wish to publish. However, I know deep down I am just not that smart. :) I play the dumb card really well. Ask my friends.

Cranberry

Personally, I am a green fan. Lime to be precise, but I may begin to make a change. Well I will at least attempt to make a change. While doing a little research on jello, I came across some information that Cranberry is the only flavor of JELLO that is made from the real fruit.

Of all flavors, why cranberry?

Fear

False
Expectations
Appearing
Real

Fear is paralyzing, but yet not fatal. It is a motto, I think about everyday. My dear friend (we will call him Hungry, until I can come up with a good nickname for future posts) and I talk about quotes, whether they are motivational, sarcastic, humorous, and/or sensitive in nature sent this to me. I thought it was appropriate to share.

May you look fear in the face and realize that it will not kill you. Enjoy the moment, and make it something worth re-telling others.

content or happy?

Many times I find that it is difficult to find a home for the puzzle pieces of life. Sometimes it seems, as though the puzzle pieces are double sided. You take a puzzle piece, arrange the sides so they work with the part of the puzzle that is already in place, and then push it into place, that is, of course, if all the sides match up. Sometimes it fits but not always. The tricky part I am figuring out is that there happens to be at least two sides to my puzzle of life. Just when I think I found the piece that fits all the sides, the actual picture doesn't match. The benefit to this, is I get to re-evaluate what pieces I want to flip over. It would be nice if I had a box of life to see exactly what picture my puzzle is creating, but then again that would take the mystery out of life.

Currently, I feel as though my life puzzle has four options in categories of both professional and personal. I could choose to put any one of those four sides down and be content. Content isn't what I thought life was about. Content seems to be about going through the motions. Maybe, I have been viewing life from the wrong angle, and people do live life for contentedness. Here, I thought we were suppose to live life from the "take my breath away" approach. No, you don't need to push the limits in every single situation...but why settle for a lifestyle of being content? I ask myself how many of my puzzle pieces are in the correct place. How many pieces have the correct picture facing back at me? How will I know that I made the right choice in putting that piece into a spot?

I enjoy that life continues to give me new opportunities or challenges to face on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis. I recently have given new life to the idea of "me." Getting back to the core of "me," not settling for second best or a life of contentedness. Although, it is difficult to leave the comfort zone, there are only so many times that you can look the other direction when things get rough. I have to continue to remind myself that the comfort zone isn't always wonderful...it is what it is, comfortable is beginning to seem as though it is a life of contentedness. I to have been guilty of wanting to stay in the comfort zone, even if it wasn't always the most spectacular. I have been freed from my life of content, and am ready to embrace the "take my breath away" approach. If only I had known, that I actually had the secret to free myself from a life on content all along.

I wish that everyone finds that "take my breath away" approach to life. If you do find that approach, may you appreciate it, cherish it, and hold on to it for eternity. May you love life, laugh often, and hopefully you will find that special someone to share it all with.

Make it a phenomenal day!

$1.19

Would you believe that you can have four meals and three snacks on $1.19?

I went to the grocery store yesterday in search of my favorite comfort food....Ramen Noodles! Or Korey noodles if you grew up in my house. I was thrilled to see that they were on sales for a whopping $.15 a piece. What a bargain! They even had a new favor keylime shrimp, so it was a double treat. I decided I would buy four different flavors, beef, oriental, pork, and keylime shrimp. Okay so I have my four meals covered.

I was on the phone with dempsey and decided I wanted some jello. So, over to the jello isle I go. Disney came out with a new box, BRIGHT AND CHEERY (I love they way they market to kids, or adults(me) for that matter). Of course I had to buy the pretty box of green jello.

When I started this mission at the grocery store, I had no clue I would only be spending $1.19 on four meals and three snacks. I had to break a $20, because I didn't have anything smaller. I probably should have gone outside and dug through my chain cup in the car...but oh well! I smile when I think that we live in a society that can actually have four meals and three snacks for under $1.25. Yes, I agree that not everyone wants to eat Ramen and it isn't always possible to make jello. It takes some planning, but it can be done.

For all of you health conscience people out there, I also know that Ramen is not a good substitute for a healthy meal. However, it does help the pocket book. :) Now, since I saved so much on my 4 meals and 3 snacks I am off to go shopping. :) :)

Life is about the little things. Make someone smile today.

American Gladiator

As a little girl, my sister had some foolish rule about watching television. If you can name it you can watch it. She would quickly count to five and if I could get the correct name of the show out, I was allowed to watch it. Needless to say I never could get the information out in the right amount of time. So, of course, we always ended up watching whatever she wanted to. That consisted of three things...World Wrestling Federation (currently the WWE get the F out), The Cubs baseball games, or American Gladiator.

I don't know why I put up with the "if you can name it" game, since we had three other televisions that were going unwatched. Oh well, ya live and learn. Just thinking about those afternoons, makes me have a smile, but I definitely wasn't smiling at the time. If we watched the WWF, my big sister would try the moves the wrestlers were making on tv on me. OUCH!

If we watched the cubs game, we had to hear about wonderful Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson and Mark Grace at dinner. As if watching baseball on tv isn't boring enough, having to relive every play at the dinner table, was even worse.

American Gladiator was my favorite by far. I can remember when we use to pretend to be a Gladiator. I use to dream about growing up and running the Gauntlet. I would picture exactly where to hide, and when to make my move to be able to beat Sunny. I can even remember some of their names Nitro, Gemini, Zap, Titan, Blaze, Lace, Sunny, and Lazor. I am sure there were more, but I am pretty impressed that I remember that many, since it was back in the late 80's or early 90's. Well, I am happy to report that American Gladiator is back! It is on Monday's on NBC at 8/7 central. I don't think I will be dreaming about running gauntlet anymore, but is always nice to have it as an option.

The New Golf Cart.

Well maybe not the new golf cart, but it is definitely the same size. It is 2 feet 5 inches shorter than the Mini Cooper.


An India based company Tata unveiled the worlds cheapest car the "Nano" or the "People's Car" at a whopping $2500.00.

The Pro's

• Seats five (if they squeeze)
• Produces less pollution than a motorcycle
• Gets 50 miles to the gallon

The Con's

• No side mirrors
• No air bags
• No air conditioning
• No radio
• Horsepower is 35 with the top speed being 75mph
• No trunk
  

Luckily they are marketing this car as a step up in safety on roads in India. Many times I have seen pictures of a family of four all riding on one motorcycle. So of course this is huge steps for safety, but how safe would it be on the roads in the U.S.? Luckily for us, we will not be finding out anytime soon. This car will only be sold in India but the company would like to begin to export this car within the next five years.

Having been in an car accident, I'll never own a car that doesn't have working air-bags. I'd like to say I'd never ride in a car without working air-bags but not everyone knows their air-bags aren't working. Besides the lack of air-bags, I couldn't own this car as it doesn't have room for my golf clubs.

Cheaters Never Prosper...

Or do they?This says it all. Thanks very much to the creative genes of Drew Litton.

Wide Variety of Locations

Interesting to see that my blog is actually getting read. The more impressive part is that it is getting read by people all over the world.

Venezuela
Canada
Japan
Brazil
Turkey

Of course I have my normal Americans, they are still coming from all over.

Newark, NJ
Kansas City, MO
Ormond Beach, FL
Allston, MA
Louisville, KY
Reston, VA
Nine Mile Falls, WA
Eugene, OR
Tyler, TX

Important People.

Random people come in and out of your life. Some make an impression, some are the type that you can't wait to forget, and of course there is the type that you hope will never leave your side. My family are of those that I hope never leave my side. For those of you who know my family you know that they are pretty impressive and important people.

I had a conversation this week about how difficult it is to come into my family. Together we are fun, loud, and extremely loving...however, from the outside we appear to have this extremely thick wall that no one can break through. I never noticed it before, but was interested to hear it from an outsiders opinion. I am pretty pleased to be part of a family thats bond is so strong.

May all of you be blessed with family thats bond is eternal. If not, take this OPPORTUNITY to improve your relationship with those most important to you, whether they are family or not. Make them family. Those are the type that leave you with the lasting impression.

Up Standing Citizen!

I love to read about the upstanding citizens we have in this country. Apparently, this individual (assumed innocent until proven guilty) beat his four-month old daughter to death because he wanted a son. The part that I love the most, is that if anyone has control over the fact that he gets a son its him! After all he is the one shooting around the Y chromosomes.

When relaying the story to Wonka that the "asssumed innocent daughter hater" man was from Florida. "He responded with, well he is probably a voter as well. Florida can't seem to do anything correct." I love it.

If this "assumed innocent daughter hater" does get out of a jail I hope that he explains his desire for only having a son with the next potential mate. If it were me, I think I'd like to know that if I were to give birth to this man's child and it turned out to be a daughter, he would most likely beat the girl to death. Yikes. Some scary individuals we having in this country?

Make it a marvelous day!

Webster's Dictionary.

I got a little chuckle out of the fact that the 1996 Webster's Dictionary has 315 misspellings. Now if spelling isn't hard enough. Of all places that should have spell check it should be the dictionary!

I am actually quite pleased. Before I made my journey across the country, I happened to own a copy of the 1996 Webster's Dictionary, so I can now blame all of my spelling mistakes on that book.

Yippie for me!

Make today fabulous!

The 2008 Olympics

With the Olympics being right around the corner, I thought I began to think it is a little strange that one of the leading sports of today is not a sport in which we compete during the Olympics. Golf like many other sports was once a sport that was held in the Olympics. Golf was an Olympic sport for during 1900 and 1904 before being discontinued...however, of course they left table tennis. I have heard through the years that golf isn't a sport. Fine, if that is the argument than it shouldn't be in the Olympics, but what exactly are we doing with table tennis as an Olympic sport???

DISCONTINUED OLYMPIC SPORTS

• Cricket - last in Paris in 1900.
• Croquet - last in Paris in 1900.
• Golf: men - last in St. Louis in 1904.
• Golf: women - last in Paris in 1900.
• Lacrosse - last in London in 1908.
• Polo - last in Paris in 1900.
• Rugby - last in Paris in 1924.
• Tug of War - last in Antwerp in 1920.

The good news for us golf fans is that the 2008 Olympic Committee is still debating about letting golf reappear for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Tiger, Els, and Faldo had something to say about golf being an Olympic Sport. After reading the article, I actually agree with what they said about amateurs competing for the US. Maybe, just maybe we should take that approach on all of our Olympic athletes...or of course we can continue to have the dream teams of the past and blow everyone away.

Make today marvelous!

Not a mother, but...

How many days could you really go without know where your child is? Apparently, some people can go 2 days before realizing something is wrong. A 2 year old little girl was left a Chuck E Cheese on a Saturday and not reported missing until Monday. It is still unclear if the child was reported missing or if one of the parents saw the picture posted on the news. Either way, let give them the benefit of the doubt and say they reported her missing...but it took 2 DAYS! There is a court case tomorrow to determine if the child is able to go back home.

The father was interviewed and basically pointed fingers at one of his sisters, who than pointed the finger at the another, and probably back again. Point all the fingers you want. What I don't understand is if the mother is at home with the other two children, why isn't she curious as to why her third child didn't come from a birthday party?

Call me crazy, but if I was a mother and I expected my child to be dropped off after a birthday party, I'd be calling every single number I know. Heck, I don't have kids and if I can't find someone I call everyone else anyway.

Myspace

I am shocked by the level of maturity people drop when they use myspace. Who has their friends in certain order, who deleted a friend to prove a point, who checks up on who through myspace, who changed their relationship status...BLAH BLAH BLAH. Seriously, people why waste the energy getting so upset about a ridiculous online networking site. Hasn't anyone ever heard the words of wisdom "don't believe everything you read"? When myspace and facebook were introduced I was very anti the online networking site, but push came to shove and I eventually gave in and joined the site. I am proud to say that I haven't gone looking for random people, trying to find friends from kindergarten or anything crazy like that. My friends are the people that have found me and that want to know what I am up too, I in turn get the pleasure of seeing what they are up to as well. It all works out in the end, or so I thought.

Recently, I have had a few bad experiences on myspace. One of which was with a prospective employer. This prospective employer was apparently trying to do a little research on me. Great...research away. I research each company before I go to work for them, so it is only fair that they should be allowed to do the same. However, it shouldn't be on myspace. He talked to my references about my myspace page and has made a decision to offer me a job based on what he saw. Evidently, my myspace page shows energy, adventure, determination, and a fierce competitive edge...perfect characteristics for someone in sales. Those are characteristics I would look for if, I was trying to hire an outside sales person. However, I am rather annoyed that some 40+ year old male has done some research about me on myspace...(for all of you that are reading this saying, "hello, you put it on the internet, what do you expect?" save your time and energy, I have already thought of that, and will address that in a minute).

Back to the point, what gives this person that I have never met the right to read my profile, search through my friends, look at my pictures, and read the comments my friends have made. Okay, so even if he is going to do that, what type of professional than talks about it to one of my references, who happens to be a dear friend that basically told me the conversation verbatim. It was especially interesting to hear the comment about my beer chugging abilities after looking at the picture of me downing a pitcher of beer at the kickball party. You have to go looking for that picture, it isn't on the many page or even the second page. So kudos to the creepy guy.

Of course, I have to do something. I can't just sit back and continue to let the 40+ creeps of the world to continue to look at me. As much as I didn't want to make my page private. I have been given no choice. From now on, only my friends will be allowed to see my page, read my stuff and look at my pictures. Thanks to some random 40+ year old creepy guy, the people that do check up on me that don't think I know :), will no longer be able to do so, unless they break down and ask to be my friend.

Make today fabulous!

to plan or not to plan?

Had a conversation or many conversations with SJ this weekend about planning or not planning. I wouldn't describe myself as an overly impulsive person, however, I will admit that I do enjoy living life while flying by the seat of my pants. Yes, there is a difference in overly impulsive and flying by the seat of your pants.

I like the no-plan life style, the life style that if something sounds like a good idea than go ahead count me in, if it doesn't intrigue me than I might have plans to rearrange my socks. I feel that planning involves time and stress. Everything always works out in the end, whether the result is what you wanted or not! Planning or not planning, a result is a result!

Well the no planning life-style finally caught up to me. I drove into the mountains today to join two very important people in my life, on the slopes. I got all dressed, put on my boots, carried my skies to the base, only to find out that the slopes closed at four. HAHAHA. I looked at the sign and started laughing. Most people would be upset about that, me on the other hand took the misfortune as a blessing. Remember, I have decided to embrace the no reaction lifestyle. It gave me a chance to come back to the condo and whip up a little shrimp scampi and my famous dipping sauce. I got to sit back and enjoy my favorite people and really love life. I sat on the balcony watched the snow fall, enjoyed the fresh air, and be by the fire to warm up. I got to sit back and enjoy being happy, being loved, and being surrounded by a great family and fabulous friends. At the end of the day, I can look back and be thankful that the slopes were closed! Everything happens for a reason, the slopes were closed...ya never know, if they were open, I might have fallen and broken a leg or something. Anything is possible. :)

Make it a great one :).

Cotton and Pills?

Recently, people have been commenting on how I ask really really random questions. I do agree, I do ask some random questions. Apparently, I am not the only one, Criminole came downstairs this morning(afternoon really) and asked "Why do pill bottles have cotton in them?" I turned and responded with, well good morning to you too!


So, I am interested in finding out why pill bottles are stuff with cotton.

At first I thought it might help with shipping the product. In case the bottle breaks the cotton would hold the pills in the bottle. However, that can't be the answer because the pill bottles are usually in boxes, so even if the bottle breaks and the pills fall out they would still be in the box. Maybe this is why we have major universities that have packing science as an actual degree.

Could it be that the cotton absorbs the smell or odor of the pills before it gets into the consumers hands?

Avalanche Pack.

Recently, several interstates had been shut down for more than a day due to an avalanche. Cars were stuck on the road for than 24 hours. Some cars were lucky enough to get off the interstate only to have to sleep in their cars in public parking lots. Apparently, this kind of thing happens all the time in the winter.

I had been trying to put together an emergency kit to keep in my car. My aunt sent me a great care package to add to my emergency kit...individual peanut butter packets, space blanket for two, and car kit included with jumper cables, flares, orange triangles, and a tool kit.

My friends and I were headed back from the mountains when we got caught in a terrible snow storm. We sat on the interstate for about two hours not moving an inch. Of course, since there was no avalanche, it had to be a car accident or in our case multiple accidents. One car went off the side of the road closing down one lane, and about a mile or two later two different trucks decided to smash into the side of guard rail, closing down the other lane. There we sat, snow coming down at a record pace, traffic not moving and only a half a tank of gas. To make matters worse, criminole, sj and werd all got hungry! Good news for them, I had it taken care of.

In my emergency kit, I had candy (to keep my sugar up), beef jerky (for protein), potato chips (for salt), peanut butter packets (protein), and bottled water to wash it all down. I looked like a star, I had food to feed them. Of course they had to ask me why I had so much food and so many different options. Now I am the laughing stock of the gang. Evidently, not very many people have avalanche survival kits in their car, but of course the Floridian would have one. :) Eat up girls.

Make today fabulous!

whoa.

the floridians are hitting the slopes. there are four of us today...watchout. 3 of 4 of us have never skied and the 4th has a broken rib. ouch...this could turn out to be an interesting day!

make today fabulous!

Is BIGGER better?

One thing I have always loved about situations is the way people participate during them. Each extremely different. In my very short life span, many have decided to pass along words of wisdom, that might help. One of my favorites of all times is the question- "would you do that if your mother was here?". That has helped me try to be the bigger person. However, is the bigger person truly better?

Being the bigger person, feels better. At least in my short tenure it has. However, I am amazed to see many people I call my friends try with all their effort to not be the bigger person. Many of them are very revengeful. It makes me thankful that I am on their good side...a side I will do my best to stay on.

Of course, I, like everyone is not perfect and numerous times have faulted at being the bigger person...even after I have been reminded to stay the course. I have faulted. How often can you faultier and sill consider yourself the bigger person? Is it a personal choice to believe if you are the bigger person? Is it like the skinny mirrors that obese people have in their house? As long as they believe they look good, than of course they must. If the the same principle applies, than as long as you believe, it is true. Kind of like Santa!

As always make today fantastic!

Jumping to Conclusions.

Can anything positive ever come from jumping to conclusions? Someone should do some research on that topic. Maybe I'll go back to school and have that as dissertation.

Within the past year, I have had a new approach to life...the no reaction is the best reaction. I really believe that it is one of the better changes in my life. I enjoy being completely in charge of my reactions and only allowing them to be displayed after the fact...usually much after the fact. This new approach, allows me to think things through and usually provides me with the upper hand in most situations. No reaction has given me the chance to increase how closely I hold my cards to my chest. Which, I really believe has been a blessing. I know that relationships like feelings are NOT a game, yet it is a hell of a lot easier to see the big picture from all angles without reacting at least initially. No reaction has allowed me to see more angles or at least see them clearer and more quickly.

I agree that the approach of "no reaction is the best reaction" isn't for everyone. If it works for you...that is fabulous, if not just remember not to play games. Games don't help anyone or anything. Be as honest and open as humanly possible.

P.S. I love you

I actually went to a movie tonight. I made a deal with Swallow that I would go as long as I could get some popcorn. So to the movies we went.

I know that I don't go to the movies all that often, but I had no idea that it costs 9.75 per person to see a movie. So, after swallow paid for two movie tickets $18.50, two medium sodas, a medium popcorn, and a bag of sour patch kids $16.50, it was time to go find a seat. It is absolutely horrible to sit through a sappy movie near someone who is actually crying...and crying loudly. This woman sobbed through every even partially sad scene in the movie. Seriously woman, either learn how to cry quietly or wait until the movie becomes a rental. She ruined it for every other person in the movie. Well maybe not everyone, because there was a rowdy group of 10 or so teenagers who were obnoxious! This lovely co-ed group talked, giggled or were loudly kissing each other. I know I know, that is what teenagers are suppose to do, but seriously this behavior got old within the first 10 minutes of the movie.

P.S. I love you was a great movie. One I will most likely watch again, however, not at the movies. It brought a tear to my eye a few times different times throughout the movie. Some scenes were so vivid and very close to real life that I pictured myself going through the movie as if I was the many character. P.S. I love you is a great date movie or a movie to go see with some good girlfriends. If you are by any means sad or easily upset about a recent death, break-up, or fight this isn't the movie to go see. It definitely touches the heart. I'd recommend it, but with a grain salt. You need a be a strong person and really appreciate past loves to enjoy this movie, otherwise, you will probably be that babbling loudly crying woman that sat directly behind me.