Death Considered

With a broken heart comes grief.  With grief comes pain and fear and loneliness and lowliness. A broken heart is caused by death.

Death is the permanent never to see, hear, touch, or smell again. The death of life, death of a relationship- destruction of common ground that caused your lives to be intertwined and the death of success, whether it be before or after achievement.

Death leaves the living in suffering with remembrance, with wrong decisions made, with blame, with arms not ready to be empty, with dreams undreamed, with plotted perfection to be had if another encounter were obtainable.

The living is left with uncounted ways of understanding the death but none to bring it back to life.

To the human death, a resurrection with uncause of death.  To the death of a relationship, the impossible erasing of disagreement, erasing the emotion experienced, resurrection of the pre-end.  The death of success, undo giving up.

Nothing is to be resurrected but the emotion surrounding the death.  The emotion is everlasting; it is the aftertaste. The emotion surrounding death is the acid in the pit of the stomach that makes it way into the esophagus and eventually the mouth, an unpleasant aftertaste with pain.

Life is built with the need of attachment but not prepared for the separation.  Life thrives on life and wilts without it.

Why are we so emotive?

"No matter how loud you shout and cry, they don't hear you anymore."

[video]Theocracy in America

Theocracy in America, Ten Point Vision Finalist

Parenting

The role of the parent is like a farmer- from seed to reaping fruit a plant must be taken care of, nourished and weeded.  A child requires the same, for we are raising adults that will be fruitful and successful.

During childhood, we punish our children for doing what we teach them to be wrong.  But as I am considering parenting, I am coming to understand that this method of raising [soon to be] adults; we must not rely on punishment alone to grow adults.

To grow adults, we must encourage and assist the child in decision making, and how to make them correctly.

Teach them consequences and let the consequences (punishments) replicate what the child will face as an adult. Spanking, whipping, hitting the child in any way doesn't teach them anything but stronghand.  Taking something away from them for sake of payback is useless as well.  For example, if the child gets in trouble for arguing/ fighting with another student, taking away his computer is not appropriate.

If a parent's role is government and control only, the child will set out to break the rules and resent you as a parent and a pattern of conflict will consume the household.

Everything you teach your child, he'll remember for life, just like your teaching him to ride a bike.

Focus on teaching.  Guidance.  Support.  Acceptance.

Read children and the conformity circle- he'll step out of your circle to build his own-
Testing Boundaries

Boundaries of Conformity

"A parent's role is educating, not control. The child must eventually become his own adult self."

Teenagers are interesting- I note as I compare my 14 year old with who he is now to he used to be just a few years ago.  He has become his own thinking personality, his views are expanding, negotiations on fairness have elaborated and he's adamant on being who he wants to be.


Puberty births a whole new life. Before puberty, children do as told and accept others for how they are- loosely.  A child at walking and talking age begin to explore- but they don't know boundaries, they must be learned and they learn through trial and error.  The child will often test these boundaries to determine if the boundary is flexible. This is learning. Every thing a child tests builds his foundation.

Children, in general move about the social norms of the parents' standards whether or not the standards are liked.


At the age of puberty, they focus on boundaries again.

Imagine yourself standing in the center of a large circle. The circle drawn in permanent marker and cannot be changed. The circle represents law and other social standards. Standing in the center means you dont cross the lines, you dont break the laws, you conform to the boundaries.

During puberty age, a teen may begin to test laws and standards to determine whether or not they are flexible. He has also noticed that everyone's standard circle is different.  He is motivated to discover or build his own circle and may choose to experiment other circles. A parent may constantly try to pull him to stay in the circle or to force them to conform to the their liking but the teen must be valued for his newly growing self.

I, as a mother, respect that.  I know parents who will not allow their boys to grow their hair, for example.  I see no point in forcing an appearance on my child.  He knows that when he starts working that his employer may require short hair but until then, he is building his "circle."

Healthy and successful parenting comes through guidance and support, not punishment and condemnation.

A parent's role is educating not control. The child must eventually become his own adult self.

Read Understanding Parenting

Corporate Cutbacks

The note is to announce "by doing this we're saving a whole bunch of money!!!"
We're suppose to understand.  And care.

There's no freaking way we spend $500k on cream and sugar. 

And we don't- what they've done is sent an official notice for the disgruntled people (EVERY COFFEE DRINKER HERE) and in order to have us say "oh wow, that's a lot" they put the dollar amount $500,000 per year.   I'd place a bet that daily landscaping crew that maintains our 11 acre campus costs more that cream and sugar and they told us about them and so it could add up to $500k.

If the note was just about cream and sugar- I imagine it may cost $1 maybe $2k?

In case you missed it- we lost half and halfs and some other items went missing around the office and my speculations were vomited here: How Companies Save Money It's not much different than the actual!

Here's the OFFICIAL NOTICE:
-----
We recently received some feedback from employees about some changes in the way we service our U.S. corporate offices, and we wanted to let all employees know what is changing and why.

In support of company-wide expense reduction efforts, company name has implemented some changes that will save more than $500,000 each year. Some of them are more visible than others, but all changes are being done to improve efficiency and reduce costs:

• Break room coffee service: We will continue to provide regular and decaffeinated coffee, sugar, powdered creamer and plastic utensils. All other creamers, sweeteners and beverages will be eliminated as stock runs out. 
• Restrooms: To reduce paper waste and expenses, we recently eliminated folded paper towels.
• Landscaping: We will reduce our landscaping maintenance services, including seasonal plantings and improvement projects.
• Housekeeping: We will reduce the frequency of carpet cleaning, window cleaning and exterior pressure washing. 
• Personnel moves: In an effort to reduce costs, all office moves must now be approved by the departmental vice president and the vice president, worldwide real estate.
• Energy management: We will continue to focus on energy management by optimizing our HVAC systems and reducing after-hours/weekend usage.
• Miscellaneous: We will eliminate our interior plant maintenance service, and reduce painting and other non-essential maintenance items.

Small changes can add up to big savings. Thank you for your understanding and support as we look for ways to Spend Less, while still providing a safe, well-maintained and productive office environment for employees and visitors.
-----

Rude Noisemaker

I was sitting on the balcony, four stories up which overlooks the front parking lot at work. 

Today, the sun is warm and makes its vitamin offering hard to deny.


Up until this moment, I was involved in reading and I was very content.  That's when a noise draws my attention down to the parking lot, down to a lady who is proudly returning to work with a white paper bag that swings about because of her unsteady stride. 

The sound was like gift opening time during the holidays and all that is missing is laughter.  This was no time for laughter and laughter knew it.


We never know the effect we have on others.  We seem to only experience our piece. 

This lady annoyed me by her noise-making and in my mind, she is ignorant and disrespectful for pulling my attention from Kindle and demanding I watch her walk and she was clueless of her power.

The Religious Series- Part I- Childhood

As I recall, my parents did not infect my mind with any religious influence, ever.

 

When I was about 9, Vacation Bible School seemed super fun- since all the kids were doing it.  There was a Christian Flag and an allegiance to be pledged.. Stuff to memorize.  Church was a club... "ooooh," I thought, "I want to be in a club!!!"

So, I started going to church (Baptist Church) with the old lady next door, Ms Martin. Mama bought me a dress and I'm pretty sure I wore the same one every time I went to church. (I bet the congregation thought "oh, that poor girl who comes with Ms Martin...")

I was concerned about being a church member:  How did I get to be one... and should I get baptised... this church had a pool behind the alter... sometimes I'd sneak to look at it.  I associated it with funerals so I didn't want to get baptized...
For then on, I told people I was a Baptist-- for the next 10 years!  I probably went a hand full of time and attend two or three summer camps- I guess that's all it takes.

We moved when I was eleven and after making friends with my neighbor, Jennifer- I went to church with her a lot.  They were Pentecostal Holiness. 

Don't know much about the preaching of either churches- during my childhood years.  All I can say is that religion has always had my attention and NO ONE could tell me who God's mama was or who made him. 

That seemed to be the mystery that stumped me and no one cared.

On this Day: February 14

Historically, this day is not all about love.  If you don't wish to celebrate Valentine's Day, feel free to enjoy one of the others below.  Me?  I'm celebrating Penicillin Day!

 

Lead Story

St. Valentine beheaded, 278

American Revolution

Patriots defeat Loyalists at Kettle Creek, 1779

Automotive

Toyota patriarch born, 1867

Civil War

Union General Sherman enters Meridian, Mississippi, 1864

Cold War

Sandinistas agree to free elections, 1989

Crime

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, 1929

Disaster

Tornadoes sweep through southern Georgia, 2000

General Interest

Captain Cook killed in Hawaii, 1779

Valentine's Day Massacre takes place, 1929

Penicillin discovered, 1929

Hollywood

Hedda Hopper’s first column appears in the L.A. Times, 1938

Literary

The Boz Ball celebrates Dickens, 1842

Music

The B-52's play their first gig, 1977

Old West

First trainload of oranges leaves Los Angeles, 1886

Presidential

Theodore Roosevelt's wife and mother die, 1884

Sports

Olympic speed skater Jansen falls after sister dies, 1988

Vietnam War

Kennedy authorizes U.S. advisors to fire in self-defense, 1962

Gallup Poll released, 1970

World War I

Wilson presents draft covenant for League of Nations, 1919

World War II

Battle of the Kasserine Pass, 1943

When the BUT Shows Up

Paul and I ended our relationship this week- last year... the first time ending it.

I stood up for what I believed in and he got all mad and quit talking to me.

Before that night, Paul was my dream guy:

1)  He traveled (so he wasn't up my rear 24/7)

2)  He was a service person- meaning he did stuff for me and doers are very important because if you are going to come close to winning my heart, you must be able to show me (naturally) that you can take care of my family and me.

3)  He was FUN to be around- it was like my tomboy childhood hanging out with my daddy.  I had all kinds of respect for this guy.
4)  He farmed.  Gave us beef... all about non grocery store cuts :)
5)  He was into being self sufficient.  I was too.  and we would dream build together.
6)  He was so pleasing to look at, took my breath away the first time we met (after 15 years... we went to high school together).

Paul was my fantasy come true.  Until he showed me that "BUT."  "But," you ask? 

If you don't know what I mean by that, this is where you see it:  It appears in these statements:  "I like everything about him but....."

But means there's something about him that doesn't suit your fancy and Paul showed it to me.

Sometimes BUTS are okay and I'll give you some examples:

A)  I like him BUT he drives a Toyota

B)  He looks good BUT he needs a haircut

You get the point?  The BUTS that are okay are the ones you don't mind tolerating; not the ones he wants you to accept.

We all have BUTS.  We all have to learn to accept people even with their differences. 
Just do not ever accept it because he forces you too.

Love yourself first.  If he leaves because of your values- let him.  No matter how much it hurts.

This is very hard advice because I grieved losing him.  I hated myself, even for standing up about the "issue."

BUT by doing so I learned another BUT... I wanted to work things out BUT he ignored me for 4 months.........

There are ALWAYS going to be BUTS.  Count on it.

If Quitting Was Easy Then Everyone Would Have Stopped by Now

Hi, My name is petpisces. I'm a cigarette addict, 39days clean.

Clean!?!

First, if quitting smoking was easy then everyone would have stopped by now.

It's week 6 without.  I haven't smoked all year... There is a cheering section and the crowd goes wild as if each day I go without smoking I'm scoring touchdowns.

I don't like this sport; I don't like being without cigarettes- but I appear to be good at it.

Let me tell you what makes this so difficult- 39 days away from cigarettes-

I smoked Misty menthol 120's.  They were long, slim and refreshing- not at all strong.

Misty-It's a girl's name.  My cigarettes have been personified.  She is my friend and I have a relationship with her.  I'm attached.  I'm 34 and this relationship is the longest relationship I've ever had.  I began smoking at 17.

My boyfriend and I broke up in December.  I was heart broken.  I cried.  But losing Misty hurts worse.

Why?

Because I killed her.  She's dead.  No longer in my life.  I can NEVER EVER see her again.  This has caused my depression.

So I threaten to dig up her grave.
As if her rotting bones would make me smile again.

So what's the big deal?  The deal is I have categorized the cigarette loss over there with the loss of my parents.  Misty joined my parents in the afterlife.  No longer with me, here on earth. 

That's the big deal.  I have an emotional attachment to smoking!

So if you nag someone constantly to quit and you can't understand why- I'm pretty sure they are emotionally attached to it just like me. 

I continue to not smoke.  I signed up to join the non smoking crowd.

Guess what it's gotten me so far!

*  My hair, clothes, overall self smells good.

*  I don't get sleepy throughout the day because I'm not depriving my body of oxygen every hour or so.

*  I don't sleep solid throughout the night because the effects of Chantix are weird.

*  I can't talk on the phone.  At all.  Without obsessing about not smoking.

*  I'm one of the "snoody peoples" now; I turn my nose up at smokers who are near me.  I'm sure I seem judgemental but really- it's NASTY and I don't smell like that anymore.

My name is petpisces. I'm a cigarette addict, 39 days clean.

We Thrive to be Heard!

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." Oscar Wilde

We all want to be heard... but for what reason?


I find my life is very segregated- well my body is not, but I divide my words, thoughts and subjects through out the Internet and I should consider consolidating them.


1.  Facebook- Is the real me that has real people that I currently (or at some time in my life) know.


2.  Twitter- @petpisces- Is the real, real me (but with a code name)because you can't see me, don't know me... and it might generate blog views.  I like twitter at times... sometimes I'll go through spells and tweet a lot and retweet cute "must haves."


3. Blogger- Is the really, really real me.  I'm still just a little skeptical about my comfort zone.  But I've crawled a ways out of my skin here.. if you can't tell by some of my radical posts.  Here I am more me than anywhere else.  The me I am in my thoughts.  The me you won't see in person because my opinions aren't popular and I'm not into debate- I'm pretty shy when it comes to being different.


4. Pinterest- Creative me...  Love pinterest!


I'm trying to delete my Facebook account because I feel I can't be me. I watch what I say.  Delete posts that I think may be taken wrong by particular types of people. I want to comment ugly things on posts that are ignorant.  I judge people by the photos they post.  I am all the time judging.  Most of the things I want to say will make it to a blog post at some point anyhow...


Do you have a "really, really, real" version of you that you keep secret?

Facebook- For Men

Most men acknowledge the Man Code Law, it's inherent in men. It works like other laws- they serve as protection and abiding by the law ensures two things-

1. A lady will know she has a real man

2. The man keeps his respect and the identity as a man.


This law gravitates and is applied to anything social. Facebook is a great tool to see who does and who does not obey the Man Code Law.

The man who keeps his man card status in check does not post up to the minute / up to date status updates. If he does post a status, it should be informative or applicable to a man approved hobby, sport, music, movie, etc..- this complete list was handed out at time of entering manhood.

How can you tell if a man on Facebook has lost his man card?

1. He posts (unless it's purely informative) about his relations with girlfriends (if you're not clear on a particular post, look at who comments or likes the post- Do more women respond or do more men respond?).

2. When he posts about his looks, his hair, his clothes or in any other way expresses that he thinks too much about himself, he is acknowledging he is fine and dandy with not having a man card.

3. He posts status updates that should be directed to one person (apologies, begs for forgiveness or outcries of undying love- no matter how subtle) ----should not be posted by a man card holding man on Facebook. Ever.

4. Status updates are being groomed, having been groomed or discuss grooming appointments for all of Facebook land to see.

5. If he earns frequent flyer miles for posting more than a couple times per week, he is expressing attention seeking behaviors that surely qualifies as ground for revocation of his man card.

Manly Pictures- Man card holders are entitled to one self-taken photo to share. More than this and he appears to be just darn weird.

Men should NEVER undress and stand in front of the bathroom mirror to capture this shot. Some of us are wondering if he just pooped, fixing to poop or needing privacy from mama. Bottom line, bathrooms are not backgrounds for your image.

There isn't a known remediation for the man who has lost his man card by breaking the Man Code Laws, however if you suspect that you are in the process of losing it, it is of best interest that you follow the guidelines listed on your man packet and try again.

****It is important to understand the man card isn't revoked for using Facebook. It's the behavior you display it that threatens your man status.

Last but not least- Men don't poke other men.



Until next time!!!!

My Christian Friends Think I'm Christian

My Christian friends think I'm Christian because I ventured in for a bit and really haven't declared my freedom from years of brainwashing..   I got sucked in to Christianity. Who am I?  I’m a searcher.  A griper.  A complainer and an extremely judgmental girl.  Not necessarily judging people according to my standards but according to theirs- it’s sort of like my life is all about calling bluff!

It is what it is.  There is no right or wrong in general, just right or wrongs based on individual standards. or legislature.

But what are my beliefs??? 
Science and religion are correct!

There is a Creator; an energy that created everything.  I believe the creator to be a mind and to be everything.  I believe God is in us.  Our heads.  Our minds.  We're connected to the power source that created us.  He's the wind, the energy, the sunlight, the rain.  The force that causes the Earth to be alive with wind, rain, volcanoes, avalanches, tornadoes, mudslides. 

God is Life.
He's like what makes a battery work.

Power. Force. Energy. Gravity.

I do not believe him to be a man, or a committee of three men.  I do not feel He is there and we are here.  He is in us as we are in Him; we're an extension of God; life, energy, and power.

We are here to experience life.  I believe we have as much time as we want here. 

I believe we are a soul- We were alive perhaps as energy before we got our bodily vehicles and we'll live after we have worn out our bodily vehicles. 


If I'm wrong, so be it.  I don't remember my life preconception and I can't see into the future so I'm not going to waste too much time arguing the afterlife.

We are here to experience a bodily life and to be happy.  or miserable.  or both. 


I think we're here because we wanted to be here.  We are in THIS body because that's the FLESH MOBILE that was available at the time of our arrival here. 

Abortion or Miscarriage =  No vacancy for the soul to enter. 
The soul goes to the next Flesh Mobile available.  That's my best answer. 
Why? Because I don't think we have the ability to actually KILL - (sending "life" to heaven or hell)

Okay- here it is- I don't believe in Heaven and Hell.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN HEAVEN  to be a place to go after you die
IF you belong to the Republican party
IF you're good / 
IF you're saved / 
IF you're saved- BUT not gay AND don't have abortions BUT you can KILL in a war...
NOPE-No Heaven when you die.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN HELL to be a place to go to after you die 
IF you belong to the Democratic party
IF you're bad, 
IF you're not saved, 
IF you kill babies 
IF you are gay

 there is NO COSMIC, Godly rule against GAYS, DEMOCRATS, INTERRACIAL DATING...etc.  

Christianity In a Nutshell:

*A belief in God, God in human form, and God in us. Trinity, you have to believe in all of them. 


*Ten commandments--You're not supposed to do anything listed there.  NEVER EVER.  But if you do, you can ask for forgiveness and it'll be okay- but ONLY if you ASK Jesus to be YOUR LORD and personal saviour-- because this REALLY MEANS that you don't even have to do the whole TEN COMMANDMENT thing... Nope you're exempt! woohooo! 


*Oh yeah, you can only go to Heaven if you have done that... if you don't you'll go to Hell.


*THE BEST PART ABOUT ALL THAT IS :  Once you've done all that- you can tell everyone where they are going if they do something against the Commandments (even if you don't know whether that person has asked for forgiveness and has Jesus as their Lord and personal savior)....You are RIGHTEOUS and get to do this :)


BACK TO MY OPINIONS

What do I think about Jesus?  I love Jesus.
Jesus got it (so did Buddha and Martin Luther King, Jr and lots others). 


Unlearn everything you were taught about religion, start fresh and read the Bible, really read in Matthew, Mark, Luke or John (this is where you read about Jesus)... You get something pretty close to this explanation here:


Jesus got upset at people and their religious Hypocrisy (the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have).

He thought about it- in fact he became concerned with what religion told him (at a very early age) that he spent a lot of time studying it.
He figure out God wasn't what they were teaching the people.  
He bashed religion.  and Church. 

He got it.  He got the meaning to life. He taught how to live.  How to be.  How to get what he got/ achieve the peace he achieved.  He was a teacher.  A loving teacher.


The disciples were understudies.  They were supposed to understand it as FULLY as Jesus.  They did most of it but it but Jesus died before they could REALLY understand what Jesus was teaching them.

This one man was getting followers and more were believing him and all this was upsetting the way the others (jews) had set up EVERYTHING! the way they lived; the way they had control over people.


They went after him.  This one man caused so much upset to disprove the wrong things in to make a change- a big change.  They killed him.  Can't have this ANYMORE.  

His followers made him a God.

You know how when someone is dying they tell you things.  They tell you it's important you remember.  You hear it, but don't understand it... but in time the "AHA" thingy clicks- out of nowhere... you realize what they needed you to remember. 

I think that happened. While grieving over the loss of their friend, their leader.  They mulled over their time together.  and it hit him- he had to be God.  This isn't what Jesus told them to do.....................

Then they went to tell people about it- EVERYONE. 

(Meanwhile)

Saul had been after them (the Jesus followers)- all of them who bought in to the "mess" that Jesus taught.  He killed all (the Jesus followers) he could because he fought for his religion. BUT ONE DAY- he got it.  The "AHA" thingy clicked.  He was in the middle of nowhere... probably mulling over the whole "good news" thing... and it bought knocked it down.  (the bible story is WAY more metaphoric).  but he thought about it and in order to believe it as a truth, God must confirm it.  But it seems so right... what if Jesus.... was... God...  He HAS TO BE, Oh my GOOODNESSSSSS!

Saul wasn't a persecutor anymore so he changed his name to Paul.
Paul went to tell everyone about it. (he was SOOO excited you can just see him running!!!)

(now he understood what Jesus had taught, but he added that Jesus was God to it so what he learned and understood wasn't the purpose of his sharing).

They started up a church because God came and taught us this stuff-
Then they made up rules... 
Then Paul sent letters trying to educate them...
and then they made more RULES to go by (and to correct the other rules) to ensure you understand it.

The teachings get lost to more as aspirations-- achievements if you were perfect. 

THE GOOD NEWS is this: if you believe what Jesus taught was true, then all that stuff is not real.


The teachings were realizations.  The teachings are things you have to REALIZE and then you have peace.

Then there were arguments and changes and better versions.

The people split into denominations and faiths.

Classic.

I believe in God, the Creator.
I love that Jesus taught me that all the man made stuff isn't the secret to Heaven (happiness).
I love that I am free to experience life as I wish- without condemnation.
I love Jesus.
I love Martin Luther King Jr. just the same.
EXTRAORDINARY, REMARKABLE, LOVING, LIFE CHANGING.


My friends think I'm Christian because I haven't told them the way I see things..... 

Tim Tebow and Jesus Christ

I read an interesting thought on Deep Thoughts and was compelled to inject my opinion- For some reason I liked it and found my opinion valuable and so it became blog-worthy...


So the article is about a church trying to raise $50k to persuay Tim Tebow to speak to Christians.  The thought is good, the article is good- Read it: Would Jesus charge a speaker’s fee?

My Thoughts on the matter (commented on the blog):

What's interesting is the comparison of Jesus and a praying football player who has received too much attention.

The media AND the outspoken, bible pushing Christians hail Tim Tebow as if he were Jesus Christ gone Football!

Now, I'm not following everything said about Tim in the media and I really try to avoid it as much as possible because it sickens me to no end, however I don't think Tim is going about TRYING to talk about his beliefs and brainwash folks..

The mere fact that a religious organization is chasing after this man for Christian reinforcement is ridiculous-as if the Church is saying "we're losing, we need a celebrity on this."

In my opinion, he's an onfield prayer whom I assume to be christian and people have found a new martyr (to some extent he'll be persecuted).

I honestly feel bad for him- he will be judged if he kisses a girl or takes a drink THANK THA LORD he walked a straight line while in Vegas the other week! I bet he had a woman and some drinks in his room tho *wink!

I encourage your response- please comment-

Pro Life Pushers

...if life is so sacred, then stop supporting wars...

This has been eating at me ever since I read the news story that said .
they'll be showing abortion picture commercials during super bowl.

You haven't seen it? Click here: Pro Life ads to air during Super Bowl

If you aren't for something, then don't be apart of it and leave the darn government out of it.

If you are REALLY Pro~Life, stop supporting wars and capital punishment and hunting as well as abortion.

Life is life, whether is new, old or furry.

If you argue "we need to kill people in order to keep our freedom" then understand when a woman has to make the same choice. I'm pretty sure she ain't all excited about going through what she's chosen to do.

Some things are not your nor my business.

They sure don't advertise dead people on the news or commercials, and I'm appalled that they're even considering doing spots on abortion.

LIFE IS LIFE IS LIFE.  Treat it the same.

Please enjoy the wise words of Mr. Carlin:)












They sure don't advertise dead people on the news or commercials, and I'm appalled that they're even considering doing spots on abortion.


LIFE IS LIFE IS LIFE.





Treat it the same. Or just shut up and live.










Please enjoy the wise words of Mr. Carlin:)










The Chantix Dream

Since early December, I've been on the Chantix journey.  In the beginning, all I heard from others?  

"Just wait til you have the Chantix Dream!"

I began investigating!  I messaged people who've taken Chantix, I pulled them aside, I questioned on Facebook (of course, why wouldn't I have),

"Please, you must tell me what the Chantix dream is."

One guy told me that for him, the Chantix dream was very emotional.  He awakened from sleep all FORLORN and HEARTBROKEN for he had experienced true love and knew he'd never see her again.

Meanwhile, I had been reporting my dreams as if they were true trips I'd take nightly.

FINALLY THE CHANTIX DREAM CAME about 2 weeks in to therapy (hehe, therapy).  

And here it is:

I, along with a few other girls, am in a BIG old (70s) Plymouth car.

Driving.

We come to what may have been the Mississippi River. The road STOPS at the river bank.

It was HUGE and a sparkly iridescent blue- the most beautiful water imaginable.

The water is DEEP.

(I am afraid of water- like this)

We must drive into the water and float across.

LIKE A MILE or 500 BILLION.

Car dives in

I look around and notice the "boat of a car" afloat.

I became confident.

Then happy

Then EXCITED and raised my hands up in the air and shouted

"OH MY GOD!  BEFORE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCARED TO DEATH but WITH CHANTIX I FEEL SO ALIVE!!

 

Have you had  "The Chantix Dream???" 

Always Do What You Can

 "Always do what you can to help and encourage others to help each other.  Don't do something out of pressure so step away if you feel you should."

It was late spring and some horrible tornadoes had ripped through several US towns leaving thousands homeless. It left thousands without clothes as well. I was looking at an overstuffed closet feeling pretty darn greedy. I wanted to donate what I could to these misplaced families. I couldn't. Red Cross doesn't accept clothing. So there I was. With too much. Wanting to help people. Cannot.

Why not donate to Goodwill? Because I know there are folks in my area that cannot even afford to shop anywhere, even if it's Goodwill. Then I think of how many people could be in need. And I bet they all don't happen to wear my size! Men, Women, Teen Girls, Teen Boys, Girls, Boys, Toddler Girls, Toddler Boys, Infant Girls, Infant Boys. I couldn't help much even if I announced that they could come by my house!

A month or so rolls by when I'm struck with an idea. The idea was overwhelming. I had to act. It was just one of those things.

I called up my (at the time) christian girl group friend and shared this news. I called the next. They were encouraging and embracing the idea with a sense of importance. I was motivated to set the project in motion.  It became the Community Clothing Swap and it goes like this: Announce location for a set date along with set hours. Folks in the community bring the clothes they want to donate and they shop through what others have brought. Perfect!

So what did we do? Well, we got in touch with the local Ruritan Club and they agreed to host our event. I went on the radio with the Mayor of our town and promoted this heavily.

And so we had it and so it was great!

There were leftovers- A LOT. People had donated trash bags full of clothes and shoes and more. When my group discussed this before the fact, we agreed to have a charity pick it up. This didn't happen. One of the girls called up a local church and wanted to store all this stuff. I'm talking 3 truck loads of stuff.

I wasn't happy. I mean this isn't my business and I'm not the president of the event, per say, but I still felt pretty pissed! This isn't what was discussed. Moreover, it was an incredibly freaking hot ass day, not to mention record high humidity and we're packing the shit up. (sense the giving heart has turned).

Alright, we schedule our next swap- I handle the website, the contact with mayor the poster designs and printing. Meanwhile, I am arguing back and forth with the group about storing (now crap) in between Swaps! Their argument was that GOD blessed them with all the clothes and it should be kept, no matter how much hard work had to go into it.

My argument was, the first swap went fine... after another swap, we'll be overwhelmed. I will tell you, I am not a fan of too much work. Besides, if GOD blessed the first swap, would he not the second? Geez.

And then a second swap- we went to the church and picked up the 3 truck loads of stuff. It had been stored in a basement, inside cardboard boxes. Guess what that combination invite? mold and roaches.

There were some people who came to the swap that felt in their hearts to donate money. One of the girls took it.  I was pissed.  We are not charity.  We don't take money.

Their argument- it'll be used to buy storage boxes.  Then someone donated a baby crib.  One of the girls rallied to AUCTION the crib. I was pissed.  We are not charity.  We don't take money.

Their argument- we can get enough money to pay for a storage unit to store all this stuff.  I announced I was out.  I was out of it all.  I had become so infuriated that I am no longer friends with the 6 girls.

Next thing you know, they are auctioning off "big ticket items" that have been donated at swaps for money- their goal- $1000.  No accounts.  No accountability in money handling.  I saw a money making thing that I wanted no part of.  Everyone on the outside was upset with me because I didn't keep the swap, since it was my idea. A part of me felt the same way. A part of me wanted to keep the Community Clothing Swap as my own thing.  But I was struck with a comforting feeling. And I was reassured....I wanted to have a swap and I got to have a swap. Two of them, actually! Mission completed.

Moral of the story is this.  Always do what you can to help and encourage others to help each other.  Don't do something out of pressure so step away if you feel you should.  

Duke Energy- Money to be Made in Winter

Have you considered this?  Duke Energy, just as the cold months were approaching, bumped your utility bill and heard your cries of affordability.  

Doesn't it make you mad to hear the "Sweater Ad?"  Doesn't ring a bell? It's the one Duke airs on the radio suggesting that  "if YOU want a lower energy bill, how bout you drop the thermostat down some, punk."  

Yep, You're gonna have to keep your 2° cooler if you'd like to see 3% decrease in your bill!

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Military Bullets

This is one of those posts that will piss off majority of its readers.  But mostly it will because of their 'in box' thinking.  Guess what, this is my blog and these are my considerations.

One day, I began writing a letter to God because I thought I could be more open and honest with my thoughts- I mean, we just can't mask what we really thing from Him, ya know!

I'm sharing the nutshell of the letter from September; the time when patriotism rings her loudest.  I don't ask that you agree with me, nor hate me for my attempt to understand things at their basic level.  I only ask you consider what is before you.

Freshly on mind is the military support arguments.  Apparently, everyone but the government supports them according to the media and the folks who talk about what they saw on the news.  Here is my attempt to look at the basics of this matter- as this is my attempt to look at it, consider it, accept what I understand and to reject what isn't rational.

• We have a military in place to protect US soil
• but isn't this God's soil?
• If we are protecting US soil, why are we active in all the other territories but our own?
• Why does the US think he is world government to say what is right and wrong and to invade other countries?
• Why do people "join" the military?
• If people join for 'manly', patriotic reasons, why is compensation required AFTER service? Shouldn't he simply do his job? Why is getting benefits forever needed?  
• Is this to persuade men to enlist?
• If they join for 'freedom' purposes, tell me what is freedom?
• If a man chooses to join a branch of military, he is agreeing that he will fight and kill others as needed as directed by his officials.  He signs up knowing the probability of going to war.
• He knows that by going to war, he will be away from his loved ones in the US, he will be living in conditions that he is trained to survive in, but not accustomed to living in.
• Reiterating that he decides to join the military, knowing all the above mentioned details.
• Okay, then we look at the common American, the ones who "support our troops"
• Why do they rally them on?
• Why do they really think the war being fought is needed to keep our land- when our land isn't being fought over?
• Why must we send care packages when they chose to do this job, away from many items and away from "love"
• Why must we go on and on about patriotism and claim that You are on OUR side?
• Why do we think we are right?
• Why do we think others' affairs are our business?  Doesn't peace come when we MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS?
• God, if we are praying to win these fights, I can only imagine our enemy's are praying the same prayer- which puts You in the position to choose sides!  What a dangerous tug of war we get ourselves into.
• Lastly, what pisses me off is hearing that people join the military for a free education and gripe when they are called to duty.  

Yes, I believe we need every branch of military.  No, I am not knocking them.  Really, it's the rallying dumb-asses stateside crying for military rights and benefits that get under my skin.  The "If you won't stand behind them, then stand in front of them" people I'd really like to slap.  Get real people.  Joining the military is a choice. Everyone has to be on a bandwagon at some point.  I'm just on the one that bitches!

Day at the Races- the Presidential Races

Well it’s here- the point in the race that makes you think that running for president is a big fat joke.

Let’s face it, what human being has not done bad things?  Every person who has held office had done something bad at some point in his life, if not every day.  You are just as qualified in the “I’ve done good things” department as any candidate in this 2012 presidential election and not all “bad things” in his closet disqualify him from being able to move this country forward. Okay? accept it. 

It's obvious the “good man” persona has fallen away from the republicans and they have now resorted to mudslinging.  Are you going to choose your leader to be the winner of a mud wrestling contest?  Get fed up already!! It’s high times you do!

So what’s the joke?  They all laugh now- apparently presidential candidates’ coaching techniques change through the years, so now you see them doing a lot of laughing these days.  GROW UP.  Laughter doesn’t make him closer to you, nor does it make him more likeable; he looks like a nervous idiot displaying faux confidence.

The fact is being President of the United States of America is the biggest position one can hold.  Some folks vote by party, some based on religious views but at the end of the day the vote should be based on WHAT IS THE CANDIDATE  OFFERING TO DO FOR YOU.

Fellow Americans, have you forgotten that the fate of this country is in our hands?  Take your attention away from the mudslinger and look to the one standing there in front of you with an objective to put this country; to put YOU back on your feet.

One man has a plan.  Review that plan.  Does it work for you?  If so, vote for him. One man just wants to be president and will do anything to get your vote- he doesn’t have a plan to help YOU- he just wants to throw dirt at the man who does.

Lastly, if no cadidate offers anything for you; if you do not believe in any of them; if no candidate secures your vote- DO NOT VOTE.