Close to home

I love my job--it is lots of fun, I work with really great people and we have the opportunity to enterain and help people.  Tonight we orchestrated a fund raiser for the Rocky Mountain Pediactric Foundation.  I was talking to the administrator of the foundation and she said that she gets SO many requests for help and she can't assist everyone.  Can you imagine what it's like to be in a fight to save your childs life but you lack the resources?  When I was a little girl, my younger sister died from Leukemia.  She was seven years old and I was nine years old.  I can only imagine the heartbreak my parents experienced and I know the incredible loss we all felt when she left us.  I know that my parents experienced some financial hard ship from that period.  I also know that it was incredibly hard on their marriage and their psyche.  My Dad talks about it every once in a while but my Mom doesn't like to discuss those things.  Today, we understand this cancer and others and the knowledge base is much greater but they still can't save all of the children.  I know that these parents need help and I'm so glad that we were able to help them tonight.  I respect my General Manager a great deal, as he strives to help this foundation and many others.  Thanks to Cowboy's, Tim Metcalf and Sam and Kathy Guadagnoli for helping us to help a very worthy cause. 

There is no such thing as fair...

There is no such thing as fair.  The reason I say this is when someone says, "It isn't fair", they want to make it fair by:
A.  Taking from the haves and giving to the have nots, B.  Taking from the haves so they are also a have not or C. plain just complaining about it.    You know what--THOSE scenarios are not fair.   I will concede that there are plenty of unfair situations in the world.  WHY was Paris Hilton born to rich parents and I was not?  WHY can some women eat anything, not exercise and not gain weight?  WHY does my sister have better hair than I do?  Just kidding, those are shallow not fairs.  There are some major not fairs in the world but if it isn't fair you need to ask yourself, "What can I do to fix it without taking from the haves?"  For example, it wasn't fair that men could vote but women could not.  So the women, gained supporters and marched for their cause and got that changed so they could vote too.  The men did not have to give up their right to vote so the women could vote and both sexes did not lose the right to vote because if both can't have the right, no one will.  Don't scoff at this example--most of the time when someone complains about fairness that seems to be the solution.  "If I can't do that--you can't either."  In other situations there are lots of things that aren't fair but you can't change it so why complain about it.  If a referee makes a bad call in a game and your team loses--it's not fair BUT it is now in the past and it will not change the outcome.  We can make rules and we have instant replay but sometimes that isn't enough.  When our nieces say, "That's not fair.", our response is "Life's not fair."  and it isn't so you see, there is no such thing as fair. 

Ri-DONKulous

So, Katy Perry made this really cute video with Elmo of Sesame Street to her song Hot and Cold.  (Not sure the title is correct--not my strong suit.)  It was posted on You Tube before it aired on Sesame Street but Sesame Street got so many complaints, they pulled it from You Tube and will not air it.  The complaint was that her dress was too skimpy.  It was short and apparently they did not think that it covered enough on top.  Now, Katy Perry is not a double D kind of gal and she has cute little legs.  The video was not sexual at ALL--it was very cute.  This goes in my category of sometimes the people who complain and I'm not entirely sure who they are:  A. Have too much time on their hands and B. Often go overboard.  While I do think that teenager's dress has a lot to be desired, I question the "complainers" judgement.  They are OK with their daughters idolizing any character Disney creates because Disney is wholesome, yet the minute, those "creations" leave the Disney fold they become not-so desireable role models---Miley Cyrus, Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilara come to mind first.  Out of those three the only one I truely believe has talent is Christina and none of them are considered wholesome at this point.  Guess what?  After they leave Disney our children still idolize them.  At least with Katy Perry, what you see is what you get and honestly, she is refreshing.  Instead of sheltering our children from this entertainment maybe we should teach them WHO they should look up to and WHO they should emulate in their life.  Then maybe, they will choose friends that will not influence them in negative ways.  Maybe then, they will wait to have a sexual encounter.  Maybe then, they will know when the line is crossed.  They will not learn by sheltering, they only learn because they are taught how to make good choices on their own. 

The Yellow Brick Road

I've always been a Wizard of Oz fan.  My sister Jeanette and I would watch it on TV every year even though we were terrified by the Wicked Witch and the flying monkeys.  I love the Wizard of Oz SO much I've become a collector of most things Wizard of Oz.  The Wizard of Oz  tells us that we have everything we need in our lives to make us happy whether it's a heart, your head, courage or home.  So, why are so many of us always searching for something to make us happy?  I've been through those moments so many times in my life and I'm sure you have as well.  At times, I will be watching a movie with my son or going on a walk with him and I always thank God for the incredible gift he has given me.  I truely believe that my son is my yellow brick road.  He has helped me to realize how incredibly lucky I am in so many areas of my life.  I wonder about the people that feel so devastated that they actually have the courage or lack thereof to take their own lives.  I pray that anyone that can consider the fact that ending their life might be easier can realize that you have everything you need to be happy.  Life is a journey and sometimes the road is happy and sometimes it's scary but when you realize that you have everything you need, the black and white moments in your life will become colorful.  Hang in there for you, for the gifts God has given you and for the people that love you.  Rest in Peace Kenny McKinley--I can't imagine the pain and devastation you felt yesterday.  Many broken hearts today.

Don't Ask Don't Tell

We were talking about "policies" the other night and I said it's basically a "Don't Ask Don't Tell"  policy.  Come to think of it, this is my general policy in life.  First of all, I believe that you shouldn't ask a question if you don't want to hear the real answer because I will probably give it to you.  For instance, if you ask someone, "Do you like me?", you probably already know the answer thus the need to ask it.  And most people would lie and say yes so why did you ask in the first place.   This also goes along with the saying, "What you don't know won't hurt you."  Yes, sometimes it's worse knowing. 

"Don't Tell"  Why do people feel the need to tell complete strangers or acquaintances all of their deep dark secrets?  I tell most people very little about myself.  Yes, it's hard to get to know me but what's so bad about that?  I am actually pretty shy with people I don't know very well and some people think I'm "stuck up" but it's actually my shyness that makes me seem that way. 

I know that this philosophy is associated with homosexuals in the military and I'm sure that's a difficult position to be in but in most other areas fo life--it's a good philosophy to live by.  Remember Don't Ask if it's something you really don't want to know.  And Don't Tell--keep that stuff to yourself.

Stop the Insanity

I have been accused by my Uncles of being a feminist because I refuse to cook, clean and "take care"of my man.  He can take care of himself, just like I can take care of myself.  I also believe that women should be offered the same opportunities and pay structure as men.  I was one of the first female sales managers in our company and one of my first jobs was in a male-dominated industry however, at some point, our need AND right to be treated the same as men leads to ridiculous situations.  I was watching the interview of the sports reporter who complained about cat calls by the Jets in their locker room.  It's true that a woman, showing a lot of cleavage can report on football as effectively as the men with hair that doesn't move but I don't believe it's appropriate for those women to be in the locker room after the game just as it would not be appropriate for a male to be in the women's locker room.  After the game, they are hot, sweaty and tired--do you really think they want to worry about their state of dress or what they say because someone might complain?  Personally, I would be VERY uncomfortable in that situation because it is an imposition.  To be fair we shouldn't allow the women in the locker room so let's ban the male reporters too.  The locker room interviews are over-rated any way.  They never say anything earth shattering and the interview will not change the result of the game. She should not have been subjected to that situation but she also kind of knew what she was getting into.  Some men don't know when they have crossed the line and some men do but women either feel they can't confront or it's not in their DNA--I get that but in this situation I think that sports reporters (Men and Women) can do their jobs effectively without being in the locker room so WHY subject the players and the reporters to these situations? So, the networks and the NFL need to stop the insanity and only let team personnel in the locker room.  Give the players some space and let's prevent any future situations.

Times have changed!

I know I'm aging myself when I talk about these things but school is SO different.  We have to be so concerned with being politically correct and making sure that we don't get sued that the smallest incident is completely blown out of proportion.    Some parents of a First Grader told me that the kids can't play "Star Wars" on the playground because it might offend someone.  OMG!  When I was in school, if we got in trouble and it was bad enough we were spanked with a board and I'm not making that up.  These days parents are judged severely if they spank their own children and that's an entirely different issue.    My son's friend gave him a toy then asked for it back and I said, "Don't be an Indian giver."  I immediately felt bad because I don't think it's "politically correct to say that anymore.  Honestly, I'm way OVER the high sensitivity and the constant political correctness.  The only people that worry about this stuff are probably the people that don't need to worry about it.  Do you think that someone who is prejudiced worries about hurting someone's feelings?  They might worry about what other people think about them, but I doubt it.  Most of the time, I would rather see everyone at face value rather than the pretentious need to be politically correct.  While, I am not condoning the return of spankings in school or other wise I am done with the over-reactions to every little thing.    Relax people--it's not that big of a deal. 

Nothing could prepare me...

Nothing could prepare me for the moment I realized a new life was growing inside of me.
Nothing could prepare me for the changes my body would go through.
Nothing could prepare me for the sheer terror during the amnio when you realize everything that could go wrong. (Especially at my age.)
Nothing could prepare me for the moment when I held our baby boy in my arms.
Nothing could prepare me for night after night of no sleep.
Nothing could prepare me for the moment when I realized what an incredible Father Darrell is.
Nothing could prepare me for the intense love I feel for my son.
Nothing could prepare me for how fast time goes by.
Nothing could prepare me for what the future will hold.

Dress codes for teenagers

I'm always amazed at the state of dress and undress I see on teenagers.  Here are some of the fashions I have seen lately:
pajamas, short shorts, short skirts, provocative t-shirts, tight jeans on chubby girls and LOTS of make-up.  I know that they like to make a statement and look at clothing as a way to fit in or to stand out but I'm amazed at the lengths they will go.  Personally, if we would have tried to leave our house looking like that our Dad would have said, "Your not going anywhere in that.  Go back and change."  We knew if we argued, slammed doors or gave attitude we would be staying home for the night and we didn't want that.  Not only that, I was embarrassed to show too much cleavage or to show my chubby thighs.  I had to convince my Dad that it was OK for my sister to wear a strapless dress to prom!  I can understand when the Mothers dress like their daughters--what else can you expect?  Honestly, if we want our teenagers to wait until they have sex, we need to censor the clothing.   Is it that hard to say, you're not leaving the house in a dress that short or in a t-shirt that says that?  I don't think they should dress like they are Amish but some decorum is needed. 

Smoking

I am not a smoker and never have been.  Based on all of our knowledge on the effects smoking has on your body why do people continue to smoke?  The smokers at work do seem to have a smoking bond.  They also get more breaks then the rest of us do.  I wonder what they do when they have those days when you barely have time to pee.  Do they have to choose between going to the bathroom or peeing?  When it gets really cold during the winter, they have to bundle up every time they go outside for their smoking break but they still go out there.    It's also an expensive habit--cigarettes aren't cheap.   The tobacco companies are incredible marketers and excellent at creating a product people get hooked on.  I wonder kind of feeling smoking creates--why they like it so much.  HMMMMMMMM>