We had Kids' Day today at the church. It was a ton of fun and we had some inflatables. My little friends (my kids were off running with their buddies) Hannah and Seth decided that I should bounce with them in the moon bounce. They are two and four. So I jumped and I jumped and I jumped and I jumped and I jumped and I jumped and I jumped and I jumped...and then I was ready to fall over from a heart attack.
Then we decided to go climb the obstacle course. I went mostly because I was afraid some of the older kids that weren't from our church might knock one of the little ones down. It was such a work out and after you climb the wall - it is a huge drop to the bottom. Around the fifth time, I climbed up there and just sat down. I didn't move until it was almost time to go.
Ben Yoskovitz over at The Instigator Blog recently started a group writing meme on the subject of personal productivity. He tagged people to write about what most helps them to be optimally productive, and those people tagged a few people, and so on. The hope is that at the end of it all, he will gather up everyone's personal productivity tips and produce an Ultimate Guide to Productivity. Here are some of the valuable tidbits that have been produced so far:
MomGadget's Gayla McCord uses Excel spreadsheets to do everything from organizing a blogging schedule, to keeping track of affiliates and income, to tracking expenses.
Monk at Work's Adam Cayce points to clarity as his number one productivity tip. Find what you love, focus on that, and you will naturally be more productive. You'll intuitively know where to put your energies.
Wendy Piersall at eMoms at Home says her most valuable tip, when it comes to being more productive, is leverage. This is basically a punishment/reward system, with the point being to get the work done, lest ye be punished. She mentions having to grow a moustache. But I don't think you have to take it that far.
---- I copied all of that straight from the chickie that tagged me.
Let me think... I don't think there are any secrets to being productive.
I stop and think about what really needs to be done and then I prioritize and do it. Remaining flexible helps, too.
I went to the Noble Job Fair today. It was a total joke. It wasn't even worth the resume paper I used. It was essentially a telemarketing company, Wal-Mart, and Grandy's. To make a boring story short, they were looking for a bunch of high school kids.
I heard that a rep from OU was supposed to be there, but they weren't there when I was. I will try back after Casey's funeral.
Well I thought that I would be able to post great things this week...at least happy things. A friend of my husband's was killed Saturday in a motorcycle accident. The funeral is tomorrow.
Casey Alan Lewis
Casey Alan Lewis, 28, of Blanchard, Oklahoma died April 21, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. A Wake will be held at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Edward Menasco officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Norman. Pallbearers will be Rusty Jones, Dustin Miller, Cpt. Steven Lagan, Cory Berlier, Rodney Strickland and Butch Crawford. Honorary bearers will be Darren Abel, Evan Boren, Brent Peck and Dale Estep. Services are under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman, OK.
Casey was born on Monday, January 22nd 1979 to Steve and Debra Lewis. He graduated from Noble High School in 1997, where he was a twelve year senior. While attending Noble he was on the varsity baseball, cross country team and wrestling team. He was also a member of the Noble High school marching band, Model U.N., Mock Trail, and drama. He was awarded the US Marine Corp's outstanding athlete as a senior.
After graduation he enrolled in the University of Oklahoma. Casey left OU to join the United States Navy. He attended boot camp at Great Lake, IL, where he was a member of the US rifle drill team. Casey attended Sonar School in San Diego. Upon completion of that training, he started BUD/S to become a Navy SEAL with class 228, after graduation he was assigned to SEAL Team 5 stationed at Coronado Island, CA.
In June 2002 Casey married the love of his life, Nikki. He graduated from UCO with a bachelor's degree in finance. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Casey was a compassionate and loving husband, father and son.
Casey is survived by his wife Nikki, son Gabriel James, daughter Graci Alexis, and son Deacon Alexander who is due in July. He is also survived by his parents, Steve and Debra of Noble; brother, Greg and wife, Julie, nephew, Breckin and niece Cadence, all of Moore; grandfather, John W. Hall, of Norman; and in-laws, Jack and Jane Jones, of Blanchard, OK and Tom and Marilyn Jackson, of Moore, OK and 7 aunts and 2 uncles.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Ruby A. Hall, and his maternal grandparents Bill and Louise Lewis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Casey Lewis Fund through IAFF Local 2067, P.O. Box 300, Norman, OK 73070.
Send condolences online at http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.htm
I should probably make this a guideline, but it's almost too stupid to post as a guideline. I am putting it in my new book, though.
We went to a home improvement store Saturday to look for a new dishwasher. The guy said to me:
"What are you going to use it for?"
It's a dishwasher - what in the world does he think I'm going to use it for? The Cop Magnet told me that I can't stick the cat in there.... He also asked me if a quiet machine would be beneficial. Quiet? What's quiet? I have three sons, two dogs, two cats, two hermit crabs, and a husband. What's the definition of that word "quiet"?
We ended up leaving and getting a new dishwasher from Best Buy. At least there they didn't ask me stupid questions...
And things at White Trash Central just continue to improve... I don't know if I told yall but my practically brand new dishwasher (we bought it new when we moved in here 2 1/2 years ago) quit working about two weeks ago. I knew it was leaking some where because the floor was buckling up a little bit at the sink...
Well, Poppy came over today to look at it. He took it out and he fixed some switch that was broken (it will turn on now) and found the leak (the heater coil). He just left for Home Depot to get a new heater coil for me...well not for me, my hot flashes are just fine thank-you-very-much.
So hopefully by the end of the day the White Trash Cafe will have a running dishwasher again.
I don't know how much reading my faithful public does...I mean, you guys never figured out Charlotte's Web or the last quote from Grimm's Fairy Tales. LOL I'm just kiddin'.
Anyhoo, two of my favorite books are by Wally Lamb. One is I Know This Much is True and the other is She's Come Undone.
I am borrowing his title to signify when I am very stressed and just need to vent - not about the news or anything that deserves an old fashioned rant, but when I need to just unwind. Like now. So enjoy the new label even though I haven't posted anything under it besides this. Maybe I will later.
Where anything that could go wrong did. I did my time at the junior high, though. My laptop is on its way to Houston to be repaired...so I have no funny pictures on the desktop. I have to start my collection all over.
On a more positive note and rather interesting at that... I started my next classes at Kaplan. I am taking Social Problems and also Legal Ethics.
This week's discussion in Social Problems is whether or not coffee drinking is a social problem. Yeah, I'm having fun in there. LOL
This weekend was hectic - yall read about the inmates running the dang asylum. Bry-onicle's little buddy wasn't bad at all. He is a pretty cool little dude. Now why an 8 year old needs a cell phone is beyond me. Granted it is a TracFone but his mom knows all my numbers...anyway...
My baby cousin was just whiny. He wasn't the center of attention since Bry-onicle had a friend over. We designated it NO X-BOX night. We figured that if we have this many kids in the house than surely they can amuse themselves.....
I slept about half of Saturday. Mr. Tool-box left, but I was stuck with his friend Nausea. The doc called in phenergan. Sunday was church, eating out at Red Robin's, and generally picking up the house.
Today I volunteered at the junior high to be a test monitor for Nana Beachy's neighbor that teaches special education. I only have two words for that... oh boy.
I did finish the afghan I've worked on for what seems like forever. The pictures are on my laptop and I'll post them later.
Granted you can't see the entire kitchen (well it is practically the entire kitchen...right behind that chair on the right is a wall and window...and you can kinda see the sink. The fridge is to the left of it and so is the nuke-o-wave).
Apparently, I've lost my marbles (again)...and this time I am not sure I'll find them. The inmates seem to be running the White Trash Asylum. I swear, if someone came here they would think I am running a home for wayward boys. That's just from looking at the kitchen...which has a beautiful coloring or BBQ sauce with a white marshmallow stripe down the middle.
Darth Vader is here singing C & C Music Factory's Everybody Dance Now... It's sad when your eight year old son sings things that came out when you were in middle school. I guess it could be worse - he could like Grease. Not that there's anything wrong with Grease...I love the movie.
Speaking of kitchen - the White Trash Cafe no longer has a dish washer. We bought it right when we moved in here about 2 1/2 years ago and now it doesn't work. The Cop Magnet has tested the power and the thingies are all fine. I don't know what's wrong with it. I do know what dish pan hands look like...they look like mine. Poppy is coming tomorrow to help The Cop Magnet pull it out of the cabinet and look at it.
Clean skin. A winning smile. That unforgettable Southern drawl.
Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am." "Yes, sir." "Why no, Billy!"
Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!" "Well, bless your heart." "Drop by when you can." "How's your Momma?"
Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity Humidity Humidity
Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach The rivuh The crick
Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals Strapless sun dresses Iced sweet tea with mint
Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey Darlin' Shugah
Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes Driving Miss Daisy Steel Magnolias Gone With The Wind
Southern women know their religions:
Baptist Pentecostal Methodist Football
Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy Grits Eggs Country ham Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly
Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn S'vanah Foat Wuth N'awlins Addlanna
Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform. Men in tuxedos Rhett Butler
Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall The Country Club The Beauty Salon
Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails Having bad manners Cooking bad food
More Suthen-ism's:
Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."
Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of"yonder."
Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly."
Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "rigt near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," . we talk to everybody!
Put 100 Southerers in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.
In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.
And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" and go your own way.
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from theSouth, but I got here as fast as I could."
Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !
Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the South or wish they had been!
If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could
How I hate you...let me count the ways (and for new readers - Mr. Tool Box is the name of my migraines).
Not only do you completely interfere with my life, but the medicine I take for you makes me dizzy and now my ears are ringing. I don't know what's worse...the headache or the treatment., Well at least I am a very good typist and I can type with my eyes closed and not have to worry about too many mistakes...
Okay, so I was on The Cop Magnet's computer today. While I have Vista here on the laptop, it will be going back to the factory soon for repairs. So obviously we've backed up everything and taken it all off. I was trying to install Real Player on there (and DivX and a game)...I swear, Vista asked me at least 100 times per program if it was okay if such and such program could access the internet. I thought, "What next? Is it going to ask me if it can wipe its butt?"
Vista tattled so much that I was sincerely reminded of my children.
I guess that's a good thing, though, because I can see what program is doing what.
I want to look at the Don Imus thing from two perspectives. Bear with me - you know how I tend to ramble.
First I want to look at it in terms of being a daughter of God. Then I want to look at it strictly from what was said.
Disclaimer: I don't listen to Don Imus. I don't know the first thing about him other than he's some old guy on the radio and TV that wears a cowboy hat. From what I've gathered he is like a really geriatric version of Howard Stern (not that he's a spring chicken either).
One:
Proverbs 18:21 KJV - Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
I don't say this to Don Imus or Al Sharpton or anyone other than those that choose to read this verse and apply it to themselves. Everyone needs to use their own mental filter and watch what they say.
First and foremost, we find ourselves in a world that strives to be politically correct (no matter how much I disagree with that) and "accepting" (I'll get to that in a minute). We shouldn't need the FCC or anyone else censoring us...but apparently we do need them because we are only cleverly disguised (or in his case not so cleverly) as responsible adults.
What comes out of our mouth can either help or hurt. There is no middle ground. What ever we say will be scrutinized, dissected, shaked, baked, and served. We have to live with what we say. Of course someone will always take us out of context (but I am not going to discuss that).
There's a reason why the Bible says we are to take every thought into subjection and to think upon things that are lovely and just. Guys like him are on because people listen to him. They find the garbage that comes out just fascinating. Proverbs has another great verse and when I heard about this it came to mind (because he's only on because people listen to him).
Proverbs 26:11 - As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Do you really think that suspending Imus is going to kiss the boo boo and make it all better? Of course not. The ratings will be better than ever because everyone (the fools) will want to tune in and either see what he screws up next (unless, of course, it really wasn't a screw up and is just a ploy to increase ratings).
Al Sharpton, however, needs to remember the words of Jesus - forgive seventy times seven. If you are smited, turn the other cheek. If you want mercy, you have to give mercy.
Do I think that what Imus said is right or that he shouldn't have been punished? No, of course not. He made a broad generalization of some people he doesn't know. *If* this was indeed a foot-in-mouth occasion instead of a ratings ploy, he should receive some kind of punishment. Yet other radio personalities need to be aware: no one is perfect or immune from screwing up.
Two:
We don't know that his comments were, in fact, racist. I didn't read or hear that he used the N word. Sure, what he said was broad and over-generalized. But if someone gets their panties in a bunch with the words nappy headed and ho, perhaps they need to see what's really bothering them.
No, he shouldn't have said it. He doesn't know them from anyone else. What I am about to say will probably get me some heat too. If you don't want to be talked about and insinuated against then maybe you should take steps to present yourselves in a more professional or respectable manner. Now I am not talking about the women's basketball players. Have you turned on BET lately? I find it odd and insulting (as a Christian) that they have preaching on Sunday mornings and practically naked women (hos) running around the rest of the time.
We shouldn't be judged by how someone of our own race dresses or behaves, but that is just the way the world is. I've met some wonderful, kind, educated, and talented blacks. I refuse to use the term African American. If you were born here, you are AMERICAN. I don't make you call me a Viking American. You don't call my husband a Scottish American. You are an American. Does that make me racist? Some probably think so.
I live in a trailer park. If you didn't know that I lived here and you just met me or talked with me you would probably think that I am intelligent, half way nice to look at, kind, and pretty funny...but if all you heard was that I lived in a trailer park and you never talked to me...you'd form opinions of me in your head that are not true. You might think I'm lazy. You might think I'm a drunk. You might think all kinds of things that just aren't true. You'd form an uneducated personal opinion - just like Don Imus did. Should you be fired or thrown in jail for offending me?
I read an essay entitled Racism: Something About it Makes it Hard to Name. I was offended when I read it. It capitalizes the word black but not white. So does that mean that the author thinks that she, as a black woman, is better than I am since I'm a white woman? Blacks aren't the only people that racism affects. Bry-onicle was pulled out of public school in Arkansas when he was in kindergarten. His teacher, a black woman, said that all whites think they are better than blacks. He didn't even comprehend color other than from me saying, "God loves color and that's why everyone can be different colors. It's beautiful!" My husband's best friend is black. Bry-onicle was five and came home in tears because his uncle wasn't going to love him anymore. He cried and cried and said, "I don't think I'm better than him, Mama! I don't!" Of course I knew that and his dad knew that and his uncle knew that...
I have no problem with people wanting to honor their cultural backgrounds. We just need to get rid of the names black, white, etc. If you are born here or live here - you are now an American.
The Cop Magnet actually said he likes Microsoft Vista. I thought I might be hearing things, but sure enough - he said it.
I have to say...that it is almost like using a brand new computer. I am very surprised at how cool Vista is. Looks almost like they are taking some lessons from Linux.
Once we get the laptop back (it is headed to Gateway for repairs on the monitor) we will put the 64 bit Vista on it. Vista will actually rate your computer at how well it thinks it will run on your system.
Got to wrestling around...and he was behind me and tried to swing me backwards. My ankle got caught and twisted. Now it's all black and purty. To make up for it, he installed Windows Vista. So I am thinking about forgiving him...I aint decided yet.
Monkey Butt will be six in October. Here it is about 10:30 at night on Saturday. He's spending the night with Nana Beachy. Bry-onicle and Star Squarepants are watching TV in their room. Me and The Cop Magnet were listening to the news. I started flipping through channels.
Me: Wow.
TCM: What?
Me: We've really changed in the last six years.
TCM: How so?
Me: Remember when I was pregnant with Monkey Butt? We couldn't wait to watch Jackass.
TCM: Yeah.
Me: Apparently we are big kids now. Because we are sitting here listening to the debate on Fox News about whether if Giliana (sic) makes it to be president whether or not he'll let his wife sit in on the cabinet.
TCM: That's messed up. We're getting old. I'm doing statistics and you've cooked all day, read the Easter story, dyed eggs, did outreach at the church, and are sitting there crocheting. Damn, we're old.
Me: Yeah, but my butt still looks better than yours.
They can't take me anywhere... I cannot be in public. Why you ask? Because I will embarrass them if they try to embarrass me.
After a hearty little fight in the easter candy aisle, we made it back up to the register. I look at Monkey Butt and say, "Hey - you wanna wrestle?" He says, "Yeah!" Bry-onicle says, "Me too!" The guy in line between me says, "Lady it looks to me like you got your hands full!"
So they both come at me at the same time (yes the line was long and we were bored). I grab Bry-onicle by the right arm and twist it behind his back and I catch Monkey Butt by the ear.
"Am I the winner? Do I win?" I taunt over and over.
"Yes! Yes!" they cry...
I turn around and look at the guy...
"Seems to me like they are the ones with their hands full...not me."
Bry-onicle says, "We can't take you anywhere without a scene..."
Through much crying, frustration, and general self destruction I am pleased to announce that I am DONE with College Algebra. I finished the final..I worked on it for three hours and promptly brought myself down from a B to a big fat C. Good bye GPA - been nice knowing you at 3.98.
But at least I got out of it alive, right?
My next classes are Legal Ethics and Social Problems.
91. You shall not evict a senior couple from a retirement community because they are raising their grandchild.
Oh for goodness sake! I know, I know...two guidelines in one night. Is it my fault that the world has gone stupid?
What are these grandparents to do - stick their 3 1/2 year old grandchild in foster care and let her get lost in the system both figuratively and literally?
I understand that this is a retirement community and that the grandma signed a contract stating that no one under 18 was allowed to reside there, but good grief Charlie Brown!
Where's the ACLU when you need them? Oh, wait...they probably aren't minorities.
90. You shall not do away with history at the risk of offending someone.
You've got to be kidding me.... Some places are going to drop lessons on the Crusades and the Holocaust to keep from offending people of other races?
Wake up!! This is our world's history they are trying to do away with. I don't like the Holocaust - but the fact remains that it happens. If we pretend to look the other way, what does that say about us?
Let's see...can I make of list of things that might offend or has offended my family? Can we do away with those?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Sure, he stood up for civil rights. I'm all for that and I am so glad that he did....but because of an uneducated teacher in Arkansas, my son came home crying when we lived in Arkansas because she said that white people think they are better than black people. Up until that day, my son had never even questioned skin color. So we need to get rid of that.
Halloween - Sure, it's fun to dress up and go trick or treating...but it's also a pagan holiday. So let's get rid of that.. To heck with freedom of religion - we don't want to risk offending anyone.
I think some people need to keep their heads out of their butts when they move up into these higher level administrative places. Is it the history's fault the teachers don't know how to properly educate a student without offending them? No.
People get offended. The world isn't perfect and it never will be. Get over it.
The White Trash Cafe (http://white-trash-cafe.blogspot.com) will be featuring recipes that depict different aspects of Easter Sunday. During the week we'll be cooking chickens, bunnies, and pigs with all the fixins'. At the end of the week I'll be posting Resurrection Cookies and Scripture Cake as well as more traditional fare.
If you are in Oklahoma and don't go to my church you are invited to worship with us and hunt eggs this coming Sunday at 2:00 PM. Just ask for directions!
