The things you learn along the way

The title of this post would make a great title for a blog. For sure.

I found out from TPTB (The Powers that Be) that...and I didn't know this or even think it possible...if you give a gift to a co-worker at work, the company is liable for whatever damages that may be incurred by that gift. I interpret this to mean that if I give my friend a paperweight and she takes the gift home and throws it at her cheating husband, the SOB can sue my company! Isn't that fantastic! Who knew? I bet none of those other companies who encourage gift giving by playing Dirty Santa or Secret Santa or any kind of Santa don't know what potential trouble they are putting themselves in. All that gift exchanging is a lawsuit in the making.

Dwelling on the Obvious

Hi. I posted about this briefly on Facebook but I'm going to elaborate a bit.

I'm amazed at how much it bothers me when people say things just for the sake of having something to say. When your friend's brother dies, people say, "It's just so sad." I'm like thinking to myself, "you think?"

My 15 year old niece said, "I think cruelty to animals is wrong." I chalk that up to youth.

The other day, Howie Mandel said on Deal or No Deal, "the difference between $5000 and 1/2 a million is huge." And he was so emphatic about it, like he was saying something we just couldn't possibly know until he shared this insightful pearl of knowledge.

My husband does it every day....says something that really doesn't need to be said. Today he got the Christmas tree out of the closet and told me, not only that he did this, but that he also put the tree on the table in the livingroom. The table where it belongs. The same table where we are putting it up on. Like, if he hadn't told me this, I'd be looking all over for that darn tree. I chalk this up to just being a guy thing.

I could say that this is not the end of the world. That there are more important things to worry about than this but then, I'm be guilty of the exact behavior that makes me nuts. So I'm just going to bed. :)

This is the best picture

I came across this picture today. Actually I have seen it several times but it wasn't until today that I realized how symbolic it is. Yeah, my folks are waving good bye here...off to a new chapter in their being...more like a new book. I think it will be the best book ever!

Where is your Nirvana?

Just curious where would you like to be if there were no restrains. If you could have any life; what would it be like. My brother, Jim told me once he'd live miles away from everyone...just have land all around him, no neighbors and no visitors. He insists that would be his heaven while alive. I think I'm a little more social. I'd want people around me..good friends, family and no lawn to mow. I'd love to live in a big apartment building with a doorman, of course...like Samantha Who? Or like the apartment Frazier Crane had...with a view of something spectacular. And there would be no unwanted critters...bugs, and rodents. I'd need some work...not the work I do now...something fun, like web mastering or laying out newsletters. I'd love that. There would also be times for naps...lots of naps. That's all for now.

Home Alone

I'm home alone again for a week. It's Thanksgiving week and I know it sounds sad to be alone during this "family" time but I am, right now anyway, okay with it. I don't mind it a bit.

I dropped Phil off at the airport yesterday afternoon. It was sad to see him go but I'm happy for his mom who is so happy to have him home with her. I know she misses him and I want him to see her as much as he can while he can. I am not as sad to see him off as I am worried about him. I fear for his safety. I know he's a big boy and can take care of himself, I just know that his niceness could be used against him by some conniver just looking money.

So now I'm alone. Well, just me and Becca. I love this independence. I have no idea why this is, but I have been much more productive with Phil not here. Okay, I did sleep in until after 11am but once I was up I pretty much hit the ground running. I puttered around the house while the Bills played. I sat down several times to watch them but then I was up again...just doing stuff. After the game I was out to Walmart. Came back, put the groceries away and took advantage of the nice weather and cleaned my car out. I took care of some other things, made dinner, cleaned out the pantry, cleaned the kitchen floor, cleaned the toilet, put stuff away. It was productive.

I have a lot more planned; most cleaning up, sorting, organizing. I don't know why, when Phil is here I hate doing these things. It's hard to explain.

It's all in my head?

My back has been bothering me quite a bit. An Wednesday, I was in tears. This was a new pain for me. It was in my tailbone area. If I pushed on my tailbone, it didn't hurt. The only time it hurt was sitting and then rising from sitting. I had never felt this before. I emailed one of the ladies at work who is the office manager for an ortho doc near my office. She set me up for a visit with this doc for Thursday morning.

Thursday morning came and as I drove to the office of this clinic, I realized there wasn't much pain anymore. I can't explain it. How can I be in tears one day and then less than 24 hours later, not be in pain. This tailbone pain had been bothering me for days. And then it was gone.

I wonder if some of my pain issues are just in my head. Could it be? Or maybe it was divine intervention. I thing I'll go with that.

You know those emails...

..that say "if you believe in God, you will forward this on." I believe in God but I find these emails insulting. Does God's opinion of me really hinge on whether or not I forward these emails?

Or what about the 'I love you' emails. Okay, I have friends that I can say I really care about, and maybe I love them to some degree but would I help them move? Maybe one or two of them but not half my office. I care about them but I'm not so sure on the love part. I think there are other people in my office who are getting weary of these emails too. I'm getting them from people I don't know because the sender is just hitting "reply to all" in an effort to save time.

With these emails you want to forward them because you don't want people to think you don't love them. And it's not so much that you really love them but if one of them says she loves another then by golly I love them too. It's a almost political. I'd like to send out a disclaimer.
"If i don't forward an email but you get it from another, just know I love you and I believe in God, okay?"

I'm done belly aching

Crap happens. Let's move on. I'm tired of injustice, feeling cheated and sad. I don't want anymore discouraging anything...no discouraging talk. Don't tell me the walls are falling apart around you, embrace the breeze.

Don't go on and on about how the Bills suck and are a waste of time...they are who they are and they're not going away. Celebrate the victories and ignore the defeats.

I happen to think Obama rocks! Don't be a part of the problem; be a part of the celebration. He's not going away. Embrace his ideas, his ideals. Show a little respect. I believe in my heart, he's not here to ruin America. He's out to try his best to solve our problems...adversity isn't going to help! Let's get on the bandwagon.

Sometimes people will disappoint you. Yep..it's going to happen but believe they are in your life for a reason...so you can distinguish the winners from the losers. Ignore the losers, you have only so much time...use it on the winners; not the winers.

This is my own pep talk. I thought I'd just share it. ;)

Go Bills!

When will I "get over it?"

I still cry a lot. I'm getting a little concerned about it because I can't keep crying over my dad's death. I have sort of gotten over my mom's death...to a greater degree but I just miss them both so much. The thing is with my dad that makes me so upset is that I just didn't know he'd stop communicating with us after they started giving him the heavy doses of morphine. I just had too much I needed to say, too many questions I wanted him to answer. And then he was so out of it. You could see he wanted to say something but he just couldn't get the words out. The people at hospice said he could hear us but he couldn't respond. And there's just too much I needed to know.

What happened to those days...

when you gave a gift to a teenager (niece, grandkid, nephew, cousin...whatever) and she/he sat down and wrote a thank you note or at the very least, got on the phone to thank you for it? Or their parents got after them if they didn't do the thank you note/call?

Privacy at Work

Do employees have privacy at work? Are they even allowed it? Personally I don't believe so. If you have something personal to discuss with another co-worker and another co-worker needs you for work...can you tell the working worker, "hang on, I'm having a private conversation of a personal matter with ___"? I would have to believe management would rather you get the work done. No?

If you have personal items in your office...whatever, typing up your divorce papers or something, and a co-worker sees them, can you complain that the co-worker is invading your privacy? I'm not so sure.

Information may be confidential ...like payroll records...but your desk is not an extension of your home. I don't think you can claim an invasion of privacy at work. And I think management would support that.

Wonder what the will tackle on next week's episode of The Office?

Racial Profiling

Okay, I am not educated in the matter of racial profiling but I still have an opinion. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong but what are the authorities to do? Wasn't it Muslins who are responsible for the first World Trade attack and then 911? No? So if a Muslin in full garb wants to fly in any airplane, is it wrong for security to be concerned? No? I don't get that. Yes, not ALL Muslins are bad, actually only a few are but if I get run over by a red car, doesn't it make sense to want to steer clear of red cars? That seens like a normal reaction.

Now if I, a white woman, is walking down the street with a black man and the black man gets singled out because a crime as occurred but I don't...okay..that's bad.

I just don't know what the authorities are to do as they try to protect our country. I know, I'm quite the naivette (is that a word?)

When I walk through the perfume section of a department store, the lady wants to spray me because I'm a female. Is that gender profiling? Maybe I don't like perfume. Just because I'm a woman, she shouldn't assume I like it.

Equality

Quotes to Help You Follow Your Dreams

Quotes to Help You Follow Your Dreams: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt"

Thank you God!!!!

My husband got a job!!!!! Time to celebrate!

Dream House? More like a Nightmare

I just happened to watch the tail end of a show on the DYI Network. This husband and wife built their "dream house". First of all, how does hiring a bunch of contractors to do most of the work count as DIY? Because you pay for it?

Secondly...this couple was so happy to have this new 3800 square foot home. It was, no doubt, beautiful and spacious. It even came with customized little kid sinks in the kids bathroom! Very cool. But how can it be a dream when your new mortgage payment is $3800 a month! Holy crap. These people are not famous celebrates or Jon and Kate..just average Joes building a life. The man says into the camera, "I have to keep telling myself, 'this is mine!'" Um...excuse me....no it's not: it's the banks! These poor people are one short layoff away from financial ruin. Where's Dave Ramsey when you need him?

I truly hope the DIY Network is going to slip them a couple mortgage payments. It is absolutely insane. I'd never want to be in that kind of debt. And I never will.

100 Things about me Revisited

In September of 2007 I wrote 100 things about me. I need to revisit this list because some have changed; some are new.

1 - I am not too crazy about people who are grumpy. (Still true)
2 - I especially don't care for people who are selectively grumpy. (Still true...what I mean by selectively grumpy...they are grumpy to some and not so grumpy to others. If you're going to be grumpy to me, be grumpy to your boss too. Why not give your boss the benefit of who you really are?)
3 - I believe every day is a gift. Even Mondays. (Unfortunately I'm turning into one of those people who work for the weekends. I tried not to; I tried to be appreciative of every day, but lately I hurt too much. Maybe this will change back, I hope so.)
4 - I believe in Love. (Still do.)
5 - I believe that men hear on a different frequency than woman. (Way true)
6 - I can do anything I put my mind to. (Well, climbing on the roof to hammer in a few loose shingles would take a lot of thinking.)
7 - Phil is my dreamboat. (He's a ship alright.)
8 - I buy all my clothes at thrift shops (not underwear, shoes, socks, hoses)(So true)
9 - I'm thankful there are some size 12 women who donate their Liz Wear to thrift shops. (So true)
10-I love football. (Oh yeah!)
11- I love the Buffalo Bills. (Oh yeah!)
12- I never cared much for Jim Kelly (although, I understand he thought highly of me) (The CEO of my office went to high school with Jim. He shed a whole new light on him for me. So I care now.)
13- I love to write. (YES!)
14- I procrastinate too much on my writing. (YES!)
15 - I love to learn new software. (YES!)
16 - I couldn't live without my computer (okay I could but I won't like it.) (YES!)
17- I don't think we should explore outer space or look for life elsewhere. (A fly comes to my table, I kill him) (Sorry, still true.)
18 - People who won't let you in should be avoided. (Life is short, get to the rub.)
19-You are never too busy if you really want to do something. (Schedule it like an appointment to the dentist.)
20- I use the library for books (as opposed to buying them) (Yepper)
21 - Don't tell me you programmed my phone number in you phone if you're never going to call me back. (YES!)
22- My favorite color is clear. (It's really this color.)
23 - I don't like poems if they're obscure. (Life's too short, spell it out and let's move on.)
24 - Say what you mean. (Life's too short, spell it out and let's move on.)
25- My favorite authors are Jonathan Tropper, William Kolwalski, and Richard Russo. (Still true)
26 - I love sleeping with the window open even when it's 40 degrees outside. (Still true)
27 - Fall is my favorite season. (Actually it's more like Indian Summer..after the first frost when things are dying or hyberating.)
28 - I love cheesecake, coconut cream pie and pecan bread. (Still true)
29- I'm addicted to diet Coke. (Now it's Diet Dr Pepper with Cherry)
30 - I wish the weather wasn't so bad in Western NY so I would be more apt to move back there. (Still true)
31 - I dislike people who are rude or short. (not in height) (Still true)
32 - I like TLC and shows about Flipping houses. (Not watching as much of these.)
33 - I wish I was more handy (see number 6) (Still true)
34 - I'm glad I'm tall. (Still true)
35 - I'm secure in the knowledge that my feet are big. (Found out they are actually bigger than I thought. I've been wearing shoes two sizes too small but I've only gone up 1 size. No way am I wearing a Mens' 11 1/2!!!!!)
36 - I hate it when I repeat myself. (Still true)
37 - I hate it when other people repeat themselves.(Still true)
38 - I love dogs (Got a dog since 9/07...she's my girl)
39 - I'm not too crazy about cats. (My brother in NY got two and they are very entertaining.)
40 - I like having breakfast at IHOP or Dennys. (Don't go there as much though)
41 - I like having cereal for a snack. (Instead of ice cream)
42 - People at work should always say "good morning" and "so-long" at the beginning and end of each workday. (It would be nice..but..oh well)
43- I believe in God. (Still big time true)
44 - My first car was a '79 Duster I named "Jackson" because it was Brown and "running on empty." (Can't erase the past.)
45 - I took a small pocketbook from a jacket hanging in the cloak room in kindergarden and I hid it in the leaves by my house. I felt very guilty for a long time. (Can't erase the past.)
46 - My first boyfriend's name was Donny. (Can't erase the past.)
47 - My favorite football players were Doug Flutie and Frank Reich. (Still true)
48 - I named my first dog "Elliot Garfield" after the main character in the Goodbye Girl played by Richard Dreyfess. (Can't erase the past.)
49 - I have Marfan's Syndrome. (Can't erase the past.)
50 - I quit smoking 6 years ago for good. (Almost 8 years ago....I hate it. I think smokers should wake up and smell the cancer.)
51 - I like NA beer. (Not drinking much of it.)
52 - I hate to shower (but I do it anyway) (Still true and I still do.)
53 - I drive a standard. (Nope...bought an automatic in August 08)
54 - I wish naps at work were mandatory. (If only)
55 - I have a brother named Jim and a brother named Ed. (Can't erase the past.)
56 - I call Ed "Weird" (Can't erase the past.)
57 - He answers. (Can't erase the past.)
58 - I can't have kids. (Can't erase the past.)
59 - I'm finally okay with that. (Not so sure of this. I feel really deprived.)
60 - After being a victim of a tornado at ten, I was afraid of the wind until I was 16. (Can't erase the past.)
61 - I hate bugs. (See #27)
62 - I'm not an outdoor person. (Still so true especially when it is skankin hot like it is right now.)
63 - I want to live in a condo. (Yes!)
64 - I grew up outside of Buffalo NY but have never been to NYC. (Still true)
65 - I wish my neighbors would invite me over for an NA beer and a football game on a Sunday. (I have given up on this.)
66 - I take an antidepressant (Oh yeah)
67 - I think it works. (Oh yeah)
68- I can't tell the difference between regular TV and high definition. (Still can't)
69 - I sometimes wear men's slacks and shoes. (Still do)
70 - My husband and I have the exact same hand span. (Still do)
71 - I like a beef BOB from Taco Bueno. No sour cream. (Not so much)
72 - I see no logic in racing to a red light. (Still do)
73 - My husband could go to a baseball game with another woman and I would be okay with that. (Still okay with this although I know a few woman who disagree.)
74 - My husband can do anything with another woman who's willing if I am not. (Still okay with this although I know a few woman who disagree.)
75 - I'm lactose intolerant. (Still am)
76 - I have 6 more hours to go to get my bachelors degree. (Nope! I'm done...a college grad!)
77 - I'm addicted to Minesweeper. (Now it's Letter Linker..can't get past level 8...makes me nuts)
78 - I'm photophobic. (Still)
79- I love shade. (Oh, big time)
80- I used to do stand up comedy. (Can't erase the past.)
81 - I once sold a joke to Margaret Smith. (Can't erase the past.)
82 - I've published some articles in the Buffalo News and Oklahoma Women. (Can't erase the past.)
83 - I think Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) is the Mike Defeno (character on Desperate Housewives) of the Discovery Channel. (Not watching his much)
84 - I think Ty Pennington is Ernest with sex appeal. (Still do...you know what I'm saying Vern?"
85 - CEOs should not make more money than all their staff combined. (Oh yeah)
86 - Politicians shouldn't be in it for the money. (Oh yeah)
87 - Teachers shouldn't be in it for the money. (Oh yeah)
88- Firefighters are under paid. (Oh yeah)
89 - The only thing that will make the world's countries get along would be a visit from outer space with an ultimatum. (Oh yeah)
90- I miss my Momma. (And now my dad!)
91 - Being sad is a waste of time. (I waste a lot of time)
92 - A dead end is a place to turn around (thank you Y) (Oh yeah)
93 - You should learn something new every day. (Oh yeah)
94 - Not everything is black and white. (Oh yeah)
95 - I h8 it when people write "how r u?" (4sure)
96 - And, it's not "your the best" or "their they go"...ah...makes me crazy. (ewww)
97 - I love Country music (Oh yeah)
98 - I want Phil to do this. (It would be nice)
99 - I'm fearful of a home invasion. (Front door is locked by 10pm...would be 8 if Phil didn't object.)
100 - I drive a Focus. (Bought a Hyundai Accent)

Vacation my foot

Hey....I'm writing from my brother's house in cool Angola NY. Sorry to my Okie friends sweating it out while I enjoy cool 75 degree weather. It was raining a lot last week....because my brothers and I were having an estate sale, of course. The sale was over yesterday so today was sunny and just plain beautiful.

Report from the estate sale: we did pretty good; got rid of quite a bit, some big items: dressers, refrigerator, sofas and a recliner. There is still a ton of the little things, household items, coffee mugs, glassware, plasticware, knicky knacky things. I started boxed those up for the Salvation Army.

What do I do with my mom's wedding dress? This is a tough one. I do have sentimental attachment to it...sort of but really-do I need it? I almost feel obligated to take it home. I have my own gown, stored away. I really could go on without another. But I feel bad. I certainly can't throw it out, so what? Know anyone who collects vintage 1950's wedding gowns? I'd love to have room in my house for a Karl and Mary Museum but....well, I don't. Oh what to do.

I sold a Bible. I really didn't know there were Bibles in with the books. I just let them go. Again, how many Bibles does one need to retain. The woman who bought the Bible, brought it back. This is kind of spooky. In the Bible my mother wrote that this particular one had to remain in our family. She actually wrote this and ended it with ...."I will know." Almost like a threat. This kind of freaked the woman out so she brought it back and would not take a refund. So now I have this Bible.

Tomorrow is my last full day here. I have a ton to get done. I need to do as much as I can because I don't want it to all fall on my brothers. They have done so much.