So, today, after cleaning up from yesterday's festivities, me and the kiddos just relaxed. We are snacking for supper and going to watch a movie later on this evening.
It has been an incredibly busy week. Two trips across Atlanta and back shuttling people to the airport for the camping trip in...Indianapolis. Yes, the senior chief, his business partner, and number 3 son, all went to watch the 500. Good race, too, although the television coverage left a bit to be desired. They appear to be having a wonderful time.
Yesterday was graduation for number 4 son. Yes, I know..there was a miscommunication about dates...and the ball kind of got dropped on that. Who would have thought they would have it Memorial Weekend? But, those of us that were here, did go and he was most pleased. Afterwards, there was a cookout and some horseshoe throwing in the backyard, ice cream and watermelon and then he and his friends opted to go to the house that had a pool. It got really muggy yesterday. I wore myself out but I must say I outdid myself on the grill. They pronounced it seniorchief worthy and that's saying something.
In between was an evening at the local church where they had a special to do for the seniors that were members. We got to have some dinner and listen to a whole bunch of strangers just brag on him and get to do some bragging ourselves. Yeah, number 4 son is extremely religious. They all are, really. Number 2 son, (Army boy) and number 4 son, are the most. Number one son and number 3 son like to embrace many religions and not practice one. That's kind of how I do it, too. Hey, it works for me.
Got caught up on some housecleaning and talking with some friends. Catching up on some blog reading..I had a bunch of things I wanted to say, but there just seems to be sadness all around. My prayers for those I've talked to and read that are having difficult times.
I think it's early to bed tonight and then something fun tomorrow.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Memorial Day
This day, Winston Churchill and some of his words have been on my mind. Let me share some of them with you..
Twice in my lifetime the long arm of destiny has reached across the oceans and involved the entire life and manhood of the United States in a deadly struggle.
There was no use in saying "We don't want it; we won’t have it; our forebears left Europe to avoid these quarrels; we have founded a new world which has no contact with the old. "There was no use in that. The long arm reaches out remorselessly, and every one's existence, environment, and outlook undergo a swift and irresistible change. What is the explanation, Mr. President, of these strange facts, and what are the deep laws to which they respond? I will offer you one explanation - there are others, but one will suffice.
The price of greatness is responsibility. If the people of the United States had continued in a mediocre station, struggling with the wilderness, absorbed in their own affairs, and a factor of no consequence in the movement of the world, they might have remained forgotten and undisturbed beyond their protecting oceans: but one cannot rise to be in many ways the leading community in the civilised world without being involved in its problems, without being convulsed by its agonies and inspired by its causes.
If this has been proved in the past, as it has been, it will become indisputable in the future. The people of the United States cannot escape world responsibility. Although we live in a period so tumultuous that little can be predicted, we may be quite sure that this process will be intensified with every forward step the United States make in wealth and in power. Not only are the responsibilities of this great Republic growing, but the world over which they range is itself contracting in relation to our powers of locomotion at a positively alarming rate.
We have learned to fly. What prodigious changes are involved in that new accomplishment! Man has parted company with his trusty friend the horse and has sailed into the azure with the eagles, eagles being represented by the infernal (loud laughter) - I mean internal -combustion engine. Where, then, are those broad oceans, those vast staring deserts? They are shrinking beneath our very eyes. Even elderly Parliamentarians like myself are forced to acquire a high degree of mobility.
But to the youth of America, as to the youth of all the Britains, I say "You cannot stop." There is no halting-place at this point. We have now reached a stage in the journey where there can be no pause. We must go on. It must be world anarchy or world order.
To those who are fighting for world order, who have given their lives for this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God Bless us all.
Twice in my lifetime the long arm of destiny has reached across the oceans and involved the entire life and manhood of the United States in a deadly struggle.
There was no use in saying "We don't want it; we won’t have it; our forebears left Europe to avoid these quarrels; we have founded a new world which has no contact with the old. "There was no use in that. The long arm reaches out remorselessly, and every one's existence, environment, and outlook undergo a swift and irresistible change. What is the explanation, Mr. President, of these strange facts, and what are the deep laws to which they respond? I will offer you one explanation - there are others, but one will suffice.
The price of greatness is responsibility. If the people of the United States had continued in a mediocre station, struggling with the wilderness, absorbed in their own affairs, and a factor of no consequence in the movement of the world, they might have remained forgotten and undisturbed beyond their protecting oceans: but one cannot rise to be in many ways the leading community in the civilised world without being involved in its problems, without being convulsed by its agonies and inspired by its causes.
If this has been proved in the past, as it has been, it will become indisputable in the future. The people of the United States cannot escape world responsibility. Although we live in a period so tumultuous that little can be predicted, we may be quite sure that this process will be intensified with every forward step the United States make in wealth and in power. Not only are the responsibilities of this great Republic growing, but the world over which they range is itself contracting in relation to our powers of locomotion at a positively alarming rate.
We have learned to fly. What prodigious changes are involved in that new accomplishment! Man has parted company with his trusty friend the horse and has sailed into the azure with the eagles, eagles being represented by the infernal (loud laughter) - I mean internal -combustion engine. Where, then, are those broad oceans, those vast staring deserts? They are shrinking beneath our very eyes. Even elderly Parliamentarians like myself are forced to acquire a high degree of mobility.
But to the youth of America, as to the youth of all the Britains, I say "You cannot stop." There is no halting-place at this point. We have now reached a stage in the journey where there can be no pause. We must go on. It must be world anarchy or world order.
To those who are fighting for world order, who have given their lives for this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God Bless us all.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Buzzkill
It's the last day of school. My little people really like school. My 18 year old likes school, too...enough that he's going straight to college..yay!
So, while most kids beg to be picked up early on the last day of school, not my kids. My daughter she only fights with me when I say she can't go to school because she's too sick. Boy howdy, we've had some matches, me and that little one over that issue. Strange..huh? Yeah, that's what I think too, but I'll go with that..
Today, the little dude got tripped on the playground, and he decided he just wanted to come home. Which was fine with me, really. The principal assured me that the other kid had been dealt with and according to little dude, he was just being that way all day long...to everyone. Little dude wasn't too upset, he just wanted to know if he asked to go to the office and call his mom to come and get him..if they would let him. He says.."Apparently, they will." It was pretty much a buzzkill for him and he didn't want to be there anymore. Can't blame him for that.
Talking to him, I asked what he did to the kid ..you know..back. I don't teach my kids to take that shit on the playground. Every single one of them has been sent home for fighting once..just once and that's because they stood up to someone. That bullying shit that goes on in schools is bullshit. Now, I'm not saying guns is the answer in the primary schools..the colleges need to look at it differently...
My point is that from the first day of school, they are taught to be victims. Don't fight back, tell the teacher..or you're going to be in BIG trouble too. They scare them. They are taught in kindergarten that they will be punished for defending themselves...that it's someone else's job to defend them. And then we wonder why later in life they believe that paper is armor.
It is also reinforced by our retail merchants. Why it is part of merchant training to comply rather than resist, is beyond me.
It's wrong. Every single person has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And they also have the right to bear arms to take care of those who would interfere with their you know..right to live. I am here to say that it is your personal responsibility to defend yourself against any attackers.
I teach my children this as well. I told my son the next time he let someone treat him like that and didn't do something back..then he was going to be in trouble. You don't let ANYONE treat you like that. Ever.
Happy Summer!
So, while most kids beg to be picked up early on the last day of school, not my kids. My daughter she only fights with me when I say she can't go to school because she's too sick. Boy howdy, we've had some matches, me and that little one over that issue. Strange..huh? Yeah, that's what I think too, but I'll go with that..
Today, the little dude got tripped on the playground, and he decided he just wanted to come home. Which was fine with me, really. The principal assured me that the other kid had been dealt with and according to little dude, he was just being that way all day long...to everyone. Little dude wasn't too upset, he just wanted to know if he asked to go to the office and call his mom to come and get him..if they would let him. He says.."Apparently, they will." It was pretty much a buzzkill for him and he didn't want to be there anymore. Can't blame him for that.
Talking to him, I asked what he did to the kid ..you know..back. I don't teach my kids to take that shit on the playground. Every single one of them has been sent home for fighting once..just once and that's because they stood up to someone. That bullying shit that goes on in schools is bullshit. Now, I'm not saying guns is the answer in the primary schools..the colleges need to look at it differently...
My point is that from the first day of school, they are taught to be victims. Don't fight back, tell the teacher..or you're going to be in BIG trouble too. They scare them. They are taught in kindergarten that they will be punished for defending themselves...that it's someone else's job to defend them. And then we wonder why later in life they believe that paper is armor.
It is also reinforced by our retail merchants. Why it is part of merchant training to comply rather than resist, is beyond me.
It's wrong. Every single person has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And they also have the right to bear arms to take care of those who would interfere with their you know..right to live. I am here to say that it is your personal responsibility to defend yourself against any attackers.
I teach my children this as well. I told my son the next time he let someone treat him like that and didn't do something back..then he was going to be in trouble. You don't let ANYONE treat you like that. Ever.
Happy Summer!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I'm Bored...
The battlecry of summer, no? Oh, not quite so soon, the first couple of weeks are filled with activities and stuff, but along the third to fourth week, when their little imaginations have played out and fell into a natural routine, they want things shaken up a bit.
I have a plan for that this year. I have a schedule booked up and full until school starts again. And it's not even officially over yet. Ha!
What I wasn't prepared for was that from my son who's in Iraq. He calls me up yesterday for a chat and that's what he said. I laughed my ass off and said .."Good!" He laughed and understood why I would be happy about that. I cheered him up though, I told him...I said don't you understand..? Your boredom means that we are WINNING. He was like..."Oh, I didn't think about it like THAT.." Glad to do my part, eh? Seriously, though, it did make me laugh.
He sounded like a typical soldier being denied his proper due of 'action'. He said..."I have no damn idea what the hell they are reporting on the news or what they are reporting because it sure isn't like that here." Good to know. As I suspected, but good to have it confirmed..ya know?
Sometimes, boredom isn't such a bad thing. Just sayin'
I have a plan for that this year. I have a schedule booked up and full until school starts again. And it's not even officially over yet. Ha!
What I wasn't prepared for was that from my son who's in Iraq. He calls me up yesterday for a chat and that's what he said. I laughed my ass off and said .."Good!" He laughed and understood why I would be happy about that. I cheered him up though, I told him...I said don't you understand..? Your boredom means that we are WINNING. He was like..."Oh, I didn't think about it like THAT.." Glad to do my part, eh? Seriously, though, it did make me laugh.
He sounded like a typical soldier being denied his proper due of 'action'. He said..."I have no damn idea what the hell they are reporting on the news or what they are reporting because it sure isn't like that here." Good to know. As I suspected, but good to have it confirmed..ya know?
Sometimes, boredom isn't such a bad thing. Just sayin'
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
It's Only Math...
A long time ago, and if you people don't believe by now that when I think about something, I do think about it for a long time, in non-critical situations. In critical situations, I react just fine.
Just saying, when something strikes me, it sticks with me. As this post did, 2 years ago or so.
But, the leap that I'm making here is with Lawdog's many posts on the subject of owning guns and personal responsibility in regards to such.
The point the first blogger makes in regards to nuclear weapons and mutual assured destruction is the exact same math that says if we increase the number of people willing to defend their own lives..mainly women, but not exclusively, then we decrease the number of those willing to risk perpetrating a crime. Which is precisely the point that Lawdog has been illustrating with numerous examples.
Think about it. How many "critters" would perpetrate crimes if they just weren't sure who was waiting on the other side of the door with "deterrance?" I mean, it's a matter of odds, as well, for you gamblers.
Being a small chick, I know...TOOLS RULE! Ok, I've used a variety of different tools to make jobs that would be physically impossible for me to do and I view this no differently. One on one with a man MY SIZE..I would lose.... because.. physically, he's just stronger than me. It's a fact. Nothing I can do about that. But, what you CAN do...is level the playing field. Using a wrench, or a hammer, or a breaker bar, or a ratchet extention...or a gun to defend yourself. It's all in the same perview. Tools rule. You use tools to succeed. Who but you is ever there to defend yourself.
The police may not be there. The boyfriend, husband, son, whatever...may not be there but YOU ...you are sure to be there. Therefore the responsibility for your own personal defense...is yours and yours alone.
It doesn't come without training. The most important part is the training. Because you don't own a gun without knowing how to shoot it, proficiently. You don't point a gun unless your planning to shoot it. You don't shoot it unless you're planning to kill. (targets count)
It's only math people.
Just saying, when something strikes me, it sticks with me. As this post did, 2 years ago or so.
But, the leap that I'm making here is with Lawdog's many posts on the subject of owning guns and personal responsibility in regards to such.
The point the first blogger makes in regards to nuclear weapons and mutual assured destruction is the exact same math that says if we increase the number of people willing to defend their own lives..mainly women, but not exclusively, then we decrease the number of those willing to risk perpetrating a crime. Which is precisely the point that Lawdog has been illustrating with numerous examples.
Think about it. How many "critters" would perpetrate crimes if they just weren't sure who was waiting on the other side of the door with "deterrance?" I mean, it's a matter of odds, as well, for you gamblers.
Being a small chick, I know...TOOLS RULE! Ok, I've used a variety of different tools to make jobs that would be physically impossible for me to do and I view this no differently. One on one with a man MY SIZE..I would lose.... because.. physically, he's just stronger than me. It's a fact. Nothing I can do about that. But, what you CAN do...is level the playing field. Using a wrench, or a hammer, or a breaker bar, or a ratchet extention...or a gun to defend yourself. It's all in the same perview. Tools rule. You use tools to succeed. Who but you is ever there to defend yourself.
The police may not be there. The boyfriend, husband, son, whatever...may not be there but YOU ...you are sure to be there. Therefore the responsibility for your own personal defense...is yours and yours alone.
It doesn't come without training. The most important part is the training. Because you don't own a gun without knowing how to shoot it, proficiently. You don't point a gun unless your planning to shoot it. You don't shoot it unless you're planning to kill. (targets count)
It's only math people.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Dognapped
My eldest came over yesterday and informed us he was taking his dog to the lake. He hasn't brought her back yet so we assumed that he dognapped her.
Which is fine with me. The youngest is a little torqued with him because he loves that dog and looks forward to romping with her everyday. He is currently nagging one of the other older brothers to call said eldest and get the dog back.
Me, I'm just aggravated that this is his M.O. as usual. He leaves those options open. He just said he was taking her to the lake, so if he feels like not taking care of her, then he can just drop her off within a few days anyway.
It's a known fact around here that he's just upset because the dog lives outside now. The dog is just fine with it. But, whatever, we are mean because we have her outside. We put her pillow out under the car, and she is happy as a clam. People come home from school and take her off the chain and play fetch with her and whatnot ..and she's happy.
But, he decided he wants to do it his way or he said to his girlfriend..hey, I'm taking care of your damn kid, you can take care of my damn dog.
Whatever...nobody's ass better call him and make him bring the dog back is all I'm saying. I'll be happy to not have to worry about her ass and if he wants her to be an inside dog, then I'm perfectly fine with her being an inside dog at HIS place where HE can clean up her messes...because as sweet as she is, she will shit on the floor just to be a bitch...and therefore, she cannot live INSIDE my house.
So there.
Which is fine with me. The youngest is a little torqued with him because he loves that dog and looks forward to romping with her everyday. He is currently nagging one of the other older brothers to call said eldest and get the dog back.
Me, I'm just aggravated that this is his M.O. as usual. He leaves those options open. He just said he was taking her to the lake, so if he feels like not taking care of her, then he can just drop her off within a few days anyway.
It's a known fact around here that he's just upset because the dog lives outside now. The dog is just fine with it. But, whatever, we are mean because we have her outside. We put her pillow out under the car, and she is happy as a clam. People come home from school and take her off the chain and play fetch with her and whatnot ..and she's happy.
But, he decided he wants to do it his way or he said to his girlfriend..hey, I'm taking care of your damn kid, you can take care of my damn dog.
Whatever...nobody's ass better call him and make him bring the dog back is all I'm saying. I'll be happy to not have to worry about her ass and if he wants her to be an inside dog, then I'm perfectly fine with her being an inside dog at HIS place where HE can clean up her messes...because as sweet as she is, she will shit on the floor just to be a bitch...and therefore, she cannot live INSIDE my house.
So there.
A Whole New Crowd
There's a whole newish crowd of youngsters hanging around. The next generation, if you will. This crowd encompasses only 3, with another whose a part of all the groups, because he's one of the worthy. He just blends in with whoever is here.
They ALL want individual time with me and the senior chief, too..to get their counseling and their parenting.
And be fed. Man that eat supper with your kids deal can get ya in trouble real fast. The last time I ate dinner with this crowd, they were all full of confessions and whatnot. Tales of fucked up suppers and dysfunctional meals abounded at this particular dinner. And compliments, of course.
This crowd does dishes, though, and that is cool. I'll feed 'em anytime, if they do the dishes. We cooked some beef slabs I got on sale yesterday. They weren't anything special, just the right price, eh? Anyway, these kids were all big eyed like we had taken them all to damn Disney for the first time..grown kids...saying they had never eaten food that good before. I have this place where I can get this really sweet corn. (super sweet, even) and all we do is roast it on the grill...the whole damn bunch of them were totally in...awe.
This group contains a girl, too...and I laugh my ass off because those guys just follow this girl anywhere she goes. She's little, and mean as a snake, too. I do like her. She carries and is fearless. And she has them ALL wrapped around her finger....gonna get her in trouble some day. She adopted me as her stepmother. She said she's had so damn many of them in her life, it was her turn to pick a female role model for herself. Oh shit..I hope I can live up to it.
I got rooked into going to court with another one of them for moral support. He got himself a DUI a few months back and now his mother is going to be on vacation and unable to accompany him. I haven't even analyzed how I feel about that, but then, my opinion of her was formed a long time ago. He's got a lawyer, which is good, but apparently, he has no idea what his lawyer's strategy or anything is. He's scared and just wants someone who cares about him to be there so that if he does get hauled away, people know where he went. He knows I'll take care of business if it happens and I'll hug him before he gets taken away. I don't really know the particulars of things, but it looks not so good. He got frustrated and asked why none of his friends could have just taken his keys from him and we had to stop that thinking right there. He knows better than to drink and drive. They all do. I hated to have to hurt him, but that is exactly why they all come here. We don't let them foist the responsibility of their actions on to someone else. And the truth of the matter is, is this kid shouldn't drink period..that's the only time he's ever in trouble..is when he forgets that. That is where his friends don't help. They all know this, but they all continue to tell him to have just one.
I got on the lot of them last night for doing one of their own that way. Funny how they listen when you're speaking the truth.
And you know, to achieve this, I've never had to spank one of them or any of that. The truth..applied the right way...is painful enough of a lesson. Teaching EMPATHY...that's the biggest part of it.
We are taking wild animals and training them to be productive citizens. The lessons start with teaching them to shit in the right place and all the rest is a follow on of that. It sounds simple...even easy..but it isn't. You have to first be in touch with the truth, the absolute truth before you can even begin. That is the number one challenge as a parent.
They ALL want individual time with me and the senior chief, too..to get their counseling and their parenting.
And be fed. Man that eat supper with your kids deal can get ya in trouble real fast. The last time I ate dinner with this crowd, they were all full of confessions and whatnot. Tales of fucked up suppers and dysfunctional meals abounded at this particular dinner. And compliments, of course.
This crowd does dishes, though, and that is cool. I'll feed 'em anytime, if they do the dishes. We cooked some beef slabs I got on sale yesterday. They weren't anything special, just the right price, eh? Anyway, these kids were all big eyed like we had taken them all to damn Disney for the first time..grown kids...saying they had never eaten food that good before. I have this place where I can get this really sweet corn. (super sweet, even) and all we do is roast it on the grill...the whole damn bunch of them were totally in...awe.
This group contains a girl, too...and I laugh my ass off because those guys just follow this girl anywhere she goes. She's little, and mean as a snake, too. I do like her. She carries and is fearless. And she has them ALL wrapped around her finger....gonna get her in trouble some day. She adopted me as her stepmother. She said she's had so damn many of them in her life, it was her turn to pick a female role model for herself. Oh shit..I hope I can live up to it.
I got rooked into going to court with another one of them for moral support. He got himself a DUI a few months back and now his mother is going to be on vacation and unable to accompany him. I haven't even analyzed how I feel about that, but then, my opinion of her was formed a long time ago. He's got a lawyer, which is good, but apparently, he has no idea what his lawyer's strategy or anything is. He's scared and just wants someone who cares about him to be there so that if he does get hauled away, people know where he went. He knows I'll take care of business if it happens and I'll hug him before he gets taken away. I don't really know the particulars of things, but it looks not so good. He got frustrated and asked why none of his friends could have just taken his keys from him and we had to stop that thinking right there. He knows better than to drink and drive. They all do. I hated to have to hurt him, but that is exactly why they all come here. We don't let them foist the responsibility of their actions on to someone else. And the truth of the matter is, is this kid shouldn't drink period..that's the only time he's ever in trouble..is when he forgets that. That is where his friends don't help. They all know this, but they all continue to tell him to have just one.
I got on the lot of them last night for doing one of their own that way. Funny how they listen when you're speaking the truth.
And you know, to achieve this, I've never had to spank one of them or any of that. The truth..applied the right way...is painful enough of a lesson. Teaching EMPATHY...that's the biggest part of it.
We are taking wild animals and training them to be productive citizens. The lessons start with teaching them to shit in the right place and all the rest is a follow on of that. It sounds simple...even easy..but it isn't. You have to first be in touch with the truth, the absolute truth before you can even begin. That is the number one challenge as a parent.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
For The Ladies
Ok guys, I don't want to even hear anybody rip me a new one over the following, because this is one of those things y'all know you do..and why you do it.
Ladies, how many of you actually want to take your man shopping with you? Not too many raising their hands, I bet...why? Because there is nothing worse than your man pitching a fit in a store you shop in day after day, week after week.
The senior chief did this to me the last time I took him shopping with me. Ugh. He does it frequently, too...he's rather outspoken..the senior chief is. Why he's going to get shit at the next blogmeet, Eric, you'll have to reveal...
Seriously, though..I have shopped at these few stores in my very very small town for 10 years and FINALLY..I am not new anymore. Ok? Y'all from around here and from the south in general will understand what that means.
As well, on many other fronts, I have arrived..as has the senior chief...on my behalf. His arena of having arriven is broader than mine..or on different levels, I would say, but in my area...I am the mom of the county.
Why? Because when I go to conduct business, that is what I do. I am always polite and sweet to my clerks and whatnot and never bitch. Recently, I've noticed this. As well, folks know I have control over my boys. I merely have to LOOK at them, and their attitudes change...dramatically. Especially if they're acting like asses.
What I see..from the community at large is that my brand of parenting works. I have had my kids hired right out from under me ...in the middle of doing a job I asked them to do. I'm proud of that, you know?
But this pitching fits in stores ..well, I just wink at my gals and they know it's just my man being a man. Ha ha!
These gals know not to pull my ass out of line to try and get me to upgrade my membership. They know to just not bug me about trying their fifty million different quick meals. They pay attention when I tell them what ingredients are for what meal. They open lines especially for me so I can get done quicker..they make sure they have in stock what I buy the most of.
My bank folks never put a hold on any checks..out of state or not. It's amazing how people treat you when you do business...and I represent my business ...well, pretty much everywhere I go. Sometimes people piss me off, but hey...I am human after all.
Seriously, though. It's good to have finally, finally arrived..and the senior chief knows now to keep his mouth shut when I need him to go shopping and he also knows that I don't ask him to go unless I really need him. I like to shop alone, as a result.
I like having arrived. I like it when the police officers wave and grin at me because they know what my car is capable of and see me holding it back day after day. They know that I have a grip on my kids, too, and that's good to know.
I think one of the nicest compliments on my ability as a parent was when the guy told me of my eldest..."Ma'am, I don't think he belongs in jail. Trust me on this." And I did. That guy was way out of his jurisdiction ..sort of, too. I mean, not county boundaries, but he was a family services officer. I still have his card on my refrigerator, believe it or not. I arrived...I really arrived that night. Wierd, huh, how bad stuff is good stuff, too?
I mean, at that point, that kid was old enough to definitely be considered an adult...but the officer in question thought like I did and saw that 18 or 17 or 16 doesn't make an adult. That guy saw that whatever his problem was, because I could get so close, say so little, and make such a HUGE difference. Which, I hoped he learned a little something himself. Sometimes the "in your face" approach doesn't work and often makes the situation worse. My gentle approach is very effective.
It's not that I don't use the "in your face" approach..but only after the gentle approach ceases to be effective. And then, they've learned when I'm in their faces they better just take the ass chewing, listen and do what the hell I'm telling them to do dammit, because I established very early on...I am the boss.
No, I won't hit them and I don't believe in spankings, but if you think that means I don't mean business, well, then you're bad. I am a very stubborn individual and when I get sick of it and say..."This is the rule, this is how it is..." then that's just how it is. Rigid and unbending I become at that point. I say what I mean and mean what I say..and they all know it.
Just like the deal with my mother. It took me years and years and years to come to that conclusion and now my mind is made up. Period. I think my dad was much like that. With the kids, it doesn't take that long. Patience isn't exactly a virtue of mine.
That and I'm willing to try unorthodox methods of parenting. I know my eldest and his girl aren't meant to be together, but if you just do the right thing, then it'll all work out in the long run. I mean, the ultimate goal is to have a relationship with them, right? Anyway, so he's gonna be hurt...he must have to learn that lesson somehow. Doesn't make me love him less, eh?
None of them do I take to the store. They either have big old clothes on...I make mine wear big ol' shirts to cover them sagging ass underwear showing jeans, too. Let me tell ya. My kids wore their pants, but they sho didn't show them underwear ...lest they receive a momma wedgie.
Hehehe...creative parenting and wifing...is a whole different story. And let me tell y'all..the senior chief has been very bad. For our anniversary this year, I'm taking him to a secluded cabin in the woods and I'm going to punish him....(evil grin)
Ladies, how many of you actually want to take your man shopping with you? Not too many raising their hands, I bet...why? Because there is nothing worse than your man pitching a fit in a store you shop in day after day, week after week.
The senior chief did this to me the last time I took him shopping with me. Ugh. He does it frequently, too...he's rather outspoken..the senior chief is. Why he's going to get shit at the next blogmeet, Eric, you'll have to reveal...
Seriously, though..I have shopped at these few stores in my very very small town for 10 years and FINALLY..I am not new anymore. Ok? Y'all from around here and from the south in general will understand what that means.
As well, on many other fronts, I have arrived..as has the senior chief...on my behalf. His arena of having arriven is broader than mine..or on different levels, I would say, but in my area...I am the mom of the county.
Why? Because when I go to conduct business, that is what I do. I am always polite and sweet to my clerks and whatnot and never bitch. Recently, I've noticed this. As well, folks know I have control over my boys. I merely have to LOOK at them, and their attitudes change...dramatically. Especially if they're acting like asses.
What I see..from the community at large is that my brand of parenting works. I have had my kids hired right out from under me ...in the middle of doing a job I asked them to do. I'm proud of that, you know?
But this pitching fits in stores ..well, I just wink at my gals and they know it's just my man being a man. Ha ha!
These gals know not to pull my ass out of line to try and get me to upgrade my membership. They know to just not bug me about trying their fifty million different quick meals. They pay attention when I tell them what ingredients are for what meal. They open lines especially for me so I can get done quicker..they make sure they have in stock what I buy the most of.
My bank folks never put a hold on any checks..out of state or not. It's amazing how people treat you when you do business...and I represent my business ...well, pretty much everywhere I go. Sometimes people piss me off, but hey...I am human after all.
Seriously, though. It's good to have finally, finally arrived..and the senior chief knows now to keep his mouth shut when I need him to go shopping and he also knows that I don't ask him to go unless I really need him. I like to shop alone, as a result.
I like having arrived. I like it when the police officers wave and grin at me because they know what my car is capable of and see me holding it back day after day. They know that I have a grip on my kids, too, and that's good to know.
I think one of the nicest compliments on my ability as a parent was when the guy told me of my eldest..."Ma'am, I don't think he belongs in jail. Trust me on this." And I did. That guy was way out of his jurisdiction ..sort of, too. I mean, not county boundaries, but he was a family services officer. I still have his card on my refrigerator, believe it or not. I arrived...I really arrived that night. Wierd, huh, how bad stuff is good stuff, too?
I mean, at that point, that kid was old enough to definitely be considered an adult...but the officer in question thought like I did and saw that 18 or 17 or 16 doesn't make an adult. That guy saw that whatever his problem was, because I could get so close, say so little, and make such a HUGE difference. Which, I hoped he learned a little something himself. Sometimes the "in your face" approach doesn't work and often makes the situation worse. My gentle approach is very effective.
It's not that I don't use the "in your face" approach..but only after the gentle approach ceases to be effective. And then, they've learned when I'm in their faces they better just take the ass chewing, listen and do what the hell I'm telling them to do dammit, because I established very early on...I am the boss.
No, I won't hit them and I don't believe in spankings, but if you think that means I don't mean business, well, then you're bad. I am a very stubborn individual and when I get sick of it and say..."This is the rule, this is how it is..." then that's just how it is. Rigid and unbending I become at that point. I say what I mean and mean what I say..and they all know it.
Just like the deal with my mother. It took me years and years and years to come to that conclusion and now my mind is made up. Period. I think my dad was much like that. With the kids, it doesn't take that long. Patience isn't exactly a virtue of mine.
That and I'm willing to try unorthodox methods of parenting. I know my eldest and his girl aren't meant to be together, but if you just do the right thing, then it'll all work out in the long run. I mean, the ultimate goal is to have a relationship with them, right? Anyway, so he's gonna be hurt...he must have to learn that lesson somehow. Doesn't make me love him less, eh?
None of them do I take to the store. They either have big old clothes on...I make mine wear big ol' shirts to cover them sagging ass underwear showing jeans, too. Let me tell ya. My kids wore their pants, but they sho didn't show them underwear ...lest they receive a momma wedgie.
Hehehe...creative parenting and wifing...is a whole different story. And let me tell y'all..the senior chief has been very bad. For our anniversary this year, I'm taking him to a secluded cabin in the woods and I'm going to punish him....(evil grin)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Friday night
Friday night truck racing and the senior chief is working late. Which is a good thing when you're self employed, eh? Anyhoo...it is pizza night! I'm sipping me a ice cold glass of good southern iced tea..I do have my own secret..and gonna watch some burnout competition here in a minute.
I'm old school on the burnout deal though...it is soooooo bad for your car. I mean why oh why would you put all that work into it just to have to tear it down again? I suppose it appeals to some, though.
So, I have this game that I'm addicted to. The Sims 2. I love this game. I have since it's inception. I even beta tested an online version which has since been discontinued, I think. I learn ever so much from it and it's fun to listen to the kids play. I hear one of the older ones chewing out the younger ones...
"Well, no wonder your sim died, you idiot..you don't have a bathroom or a refrigerator, you just have a bunch of toys, you don't have a bed or any of the stuff you need. You have to sell the toys and buy what you need to live first."
haha!
Me, I think I'm going to write a story based on them. I have a neighborhood I'm playing that I didn't create any people..I'm just playing the storyline. Then, in another neighborhood, I started developing my own story line. It's a fun way to tap into some creativity and look at things from a different point of view.
I'm old school on the burnout deal though...it is soooooo bad for your car. I mean why oh why would you put all that work into it just to have to tear it down again? I suppose it appeals to some, though.
So, I have this game that I'm addicted to. The Sims 2. I love this game. I have since it's inception. I even beta tested an online version which has since been discontinued, I think. I learn ever so much from it and it's fun to listen to the kids play. I hear one of the older ones chewing out the younger ones...
"Well, no wonder your sim died, you idiot..you don't have a bathroom or a refrigerator, you just have a bunch of toys, you don't have a bed or any of the stuff you need. You have to sell the toys and buy what you need to live first."
haha!
Me, I think I'm going to write a story based on them. I have a neighborhood I'm playing that I didn't create any people..I'm just playing the storyline. Then, in another neighborhood, I started developing my own story line. It's a fun way to tap into some creativity and look at things from a different point of view.
Weakness
I love cars. We all know this by now. I don't just love my Camaro's...I love all fast cars, or unique cars. My favorite show to watch is a show that sometimes features Jay Leno and his garage. Oh my, talk about some car porn.
Yeah. We've been busy in the garage of late. One of the kids came over with his code reader and he and the senior chief got the code from the IROC and it was some damn air flow sensor.
It drives like a COMPLETELY new car, now. I gather that the issues I appeared to be having with the transmission were related to that, being that with the EFI, it's very rpm dependent when you shift. And, honey, in this one, you better get through the gears pretty damn quick.
That made such a difference, though, I feel a little froggy in it sometimes. It's a beautiful car. It gets looks everywhere. There is someone ALWAYS pulling up to me and giving me the question mark eyes. I just smile and say..Yes it is all that. I don't like the hood, though. It's got louvers on it and I'd like to get a new hood and have it painted up army..as it is his car.
The senior chief and his business partner are going to myth bust..or not..anyway they are going to try this new technology ...that is supposed to double your gas mileage. It's Run Your Car on Water. It actually looks like some promising technology and they figure even if it doesn't work, they will be able to make something that DOES. I would think that since they claim to have a government contract, this is a viable alternative source of fuel. The technology is amazing.
Shoot, that would mean that I could go from here to Texas on one tank of fuel. Whoa. Hell yeah!
And now I am off to watch all the All-Star coverage and overdose on car porn. I can't wait til Memorial Day weekend...a whole day of car porn. The Indy 500 and then the Coca Cola 600.
Have a good weekend!
Yeah. We've been busy in the garage of late. One of the kids came over with his code reader and he and the senior chief got the code from the IROC and it was some damn air flow sensor.
It drives like a COMPLETELY new car, now. I gather that the issues I appeared to be having with the transmission were related to that, being that with the EFI, it's very rpm dependent when you shift. And, honey, in this one, you better get through the gears pretty damn quick.
That made such a difference, though, I feel a little froggy in it sometimes. It's a beautiful car. It gets looks everywhere. There is someone ALWAYS pulling up to me and giving me the question mark eyes. I just smile and say..Yes it is all that. I don't like the hood, though. It's got louvers on it and I'd like to get a new hood and have it painted up army..as it is his car.
The senior chief and his business partner are going to myth bust..or not..anyway they are going to try this new technology ...that is supposed to double your gas mileage. It's Run Your Car on Water. It actually looks like some promising technology and they figure even if it doesn't work, they will be able to make something that DOES. I would think that since they claim to have a government contract, this is a viable alternative source of fuel. The technology is amazing.
Shoot, that would mean that I could go from here to Texas on one tank of fuel. Whoa. Hell yeah!
And now I am off to watch all the All-Star coverage and overdose on car porn. I can't wait til Memorial Day weekend...a whole day of car porn. The Indy 500 and then the Coca Cola 600.
Have a good weekend!
Respite
I think I am long overdue. I mean, when the senior chief asks me what it is going to take to put me in a good mood and I just blurt out..."a vacation"..
There are basic parts of my life, in which I am never relaxed. I just don't. It's a post traumatic stress kind of deal, except it's not post..it's ongoing. It's part of the deal of having 6 kids..and the residual problems.
My worry levels went up a notch with the one being in Iraq..and if that wasn't enough, the next one, who has a psychosis..it would appear his symptoms are worsening. He had a pretty severe break at Talladega. Thirty hours of not sleeping does tend to do that even to someone who doesn't deal with that on a daily basis. My suspicion is that perhaps he's moving into full schizophrenia, but we have to have some medical appointments to make that a final assessment. In the interim, he quit his job. He was working nights which was aggravating things and he put in request after request to work day shift, and was told that he wasn't going to get it. Now that he's quit, they are really sad. The management of most retail operations..suck..and this was no different.
Monday, though, he is flying to Indianapolis to stay with a friend and then go to the Indy 500..go Danica. The senior chief and his business partner will join him later in the week and then they are all going to fly back together. I think this will be some of what the doctor ordered for Momma, here.
So now I'm worried about what not working will do to him, because that has helped considerably and blah, blah, blah...you know..moms can find a thousand things to worry about.
It is this that makes me so damn angry sometimes at those who would just write kids off at a young age. There is always hope. I get so angry at parents who just punish, punish, punish. I mean, we had our time with this one when he was younger. He went through a fire starting thing when he was 8 that wasn't cool. Man, I just stayed awake during a lot of those years and kept an eye on things. The doctors wrote him off. I was told that he was going to be this or that kind of bad kid and he's not. Once we finally persisted and got the right diagnosis, things were much smoother.
When a kid is still growing physically, it goes to reason that their brains are still growing. I take the actions of kids...as cries for help. You've heard it over and over again...the parent says..why didn't you tell me..and the kid says every time I ran away, every time I got in trouble...I was telling you.
I think that's true. The thing I have to worry about the most with this particular kid, is him hurting himself. Here's the ass kicker. Medication doesn't really fix it. I know...you'd think..but it doesn't. From all that I understand from people like that...it only quiets the voices..but they never go away.
I hate people that write kids off. There was the other one who was constantly told that he was just like his father...instead of taking him and getting the correct treatment for his bi-polar disorder. He was in the hospital for two days before his mother caught up with him. He has since procured a good job and is doing ok.
But, yeah, I need a little break from these people. I have it all arranged.
There are basic parts of my life, in which I am never relaxed. I just don't. It's a post traumatic stress kind of deal, except it's not post..it's ongoing. It's part of the deal of having 6 kids..and the residual problems.
My worry levels went up a notch with the one being in Iraq..and if that wasn't enough, the next one, who has a psychosis..it would appear his symptoms are worsening. He had a pretty severe break at Talladega. Thirty hours of not sleeping does tend to do that even to someone who doesn't deal with that on a daily basis. My suspicion is that perhaps he's moving into full schizophrenia, but we have to have some medical appointments to make that a final assessment. In the interim, he quit his job. He was working nights which was aggravating things and he put in request after request to work day shift, and was told that he wasn't going to get it. Now that he's quit, they are really sad. The management of most retail operations..suck..and this was no different.
Monday, though, he is flying to Indianapolis to stay with a friend and then go to the Indy 500..go Danica. The senior chief and his business partner will join him later in the week and then they are all going to fly back together. I think this will be some of what the doctor ordered for Momma, here.
So now I'm worried about what not working will do to him, because that has helped considerably and blah, blah, blah...you know..moms can find a thousand things to worry about.
It is this that makes me so damn angry sometimes at those who would just write kids off at a young age. There is always hope. I get so angry at parents who just punish, punish, punish. I mean, we had our time with this one when he was younger. He went through a fire starting thing when he was 8 that wasn't cool. Man, I just stayed awake during a lot of those years and kept an eye on things. The doctors wrote him off. I was told that he was going to be this or that kind of bad kid and he's not. Once we finally persisted and got the right diagnosis, things were much smoother.
When a kid is still growing physically, it goes to reason that their brains are still growing. I take the actions of kids...as cries for help. You've heard it over and over again...the parent says..why didn't you tell me..and the kid says every time I ran away, every time I got in trouble...I was telling you.
I think that's true. The thing I have to worry about the most with this particular kid, is him hurting himself. Here's the ass kicker. Medication doesn't really fix it. I know...you'd think..but it doesn't. From all that I understand from people like that...it only quiets the voices..but they never go away.
I hate people that write kids off. There was the other one who was constantly told that he was just like his father...instead of taking him and getting the correct treatment for his bi-polar disorder. He was in the hospital for two days before his mother caught up with him. He has since procured a good job and is doing ok.
But, yeah, I need a little break from these people. I have it all arranged.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Real Restroom Revelation..of sorts
I know, after 4 years, you'd think I'd tell one or two, right.
Seriously, though, little kids are just messy things, especially in the bathroom, because they are so damn supervised everywhere else. Seriously, my daughter is the one who leaves cue tips every where and my little guy...just ugh.
So, yesterday, the conversation went as follows...I just went to little dude first because he was my first "suspect".
"Is your poop green?"
"YEAH MOM! WHY is that, it's kind of cool, isn't it?"
"I don't know, but please, flush the toilet when you are finished. Oh, and fold, don't wad."
At this point the senior chief entered with his male point of view. A timely rescue for the little dude, I must say.
"Flush when I'm done and fold, don't wad. Got it!"
"If I find out why your poop is green, I'll let you know. I suspect it is something you have been eating."
(Guilty look) "Oh. Right."
Sigh. Now I have to figure out why the poop is green. They do not put this shit..pardon the pun...in the damn parenting manual.
UPDATE: Fruit Loops
Seriously, though, little kids are just messy things, especially in the bathroom, because they are so damn supervised everywhere else. Seriously, my daughter is the one who leaves cue tips every where and my little guy...just ugh.
So, yesterday, the conversation went as follows...I just went to little dude first because he was my first "suspect".
"Is your poop green?"
"YEAH MOM! WHY is that, it's kind of cool, isn't it?"
"I don't know, but please, flush the toilet when you are finished. Oh, and fold, don't wad."
At this point the senior chief entered with his male point of view. A timely rescue for the little dude, I must say.
"Flush when I'm done and fold, don't wad. Got it!"
"If I find out why your poop is green, I'll let you know. I suspect it is something you have been eating."
(Guilty look) "Oh. Right."
Sigh. Now I have to figure out why the poop is green. They do not put this shit..pardon the pun...in the damn parenting manual.
UPDATE: Fruit Loops
Monday, May 12, 2008
Very Good Year
I said it earlier in the year, but it bears repeating...this year is a very good year.
Mother's Day was spectacular this year. Apparently the senior chief and his business partner got together and decided us gals were worth some shiny stuff. Man, are women like magpies or what? I mean, redneck as I am, I do love shiny stuff..hehe.
The highlight of the day though, really, was the call from Iraq. God knows I miss that kid and I'm kind of sad, because I do believe he is innocent no more. I hurt for him and I hope he comes home in one piece.
On another note, on another blog I commented on ..a person said..and I quote sort of...where the observation based on one comment was made that my kids will put me in the worst possible geriatric home there could be because people of my ilk are creating narcissistic blah blah blah
This because the individual who owns the blog posted a story about some kids who dug up a skull and turned it into a bong. Now, I'm not saying that is right, but the commenters over there were like a lynch mob. I will even be so bold is to say it's WRONG and if I ever found out my kids did something like that, there would be hell to pay.
However, some of the things suggested by these commenters be done to these kids..poison ..beating... I dunno, I just can't get on board with that. Not when there are living children being tortured. That kind of anger should be reserved for them, but whatever. Every crime is a crime of the century according to some.
I mean I have respect for the dead and all that..well, the memories of the dead..what are the remains? Nothing but a shell. It didn't HURT anything, hell the remains in question are extremely old and there were no living relatives. So, why do we need a lynch mob?
Just sayin'.
Mother's Day was spectacular this year. Apparently the senior chief and his business partner got together and decided us gals were worth some shiny stuff. Man, are women like magpies or what? I mean, redneck as I am, I do love shiny stuff..hehe.
The highlight of the day though, really, was the call from Iraq. God knows I miss that kid and I'm kind of sad, because I do believe he is innocent no more. I hurt for him and I hope he comes home in one piece.
On another note, on another blog I commented on ..a person said..and I quote sort of...where the observation based on one comment was made that my kids will put me in the worst possible geriatric home there could be because people of my ilk are creating narcissistic blah blah blah
This because the individual who owns the blog posted a story about some kids who dug up a skull and turned it into a bong. Now, I'm not saying that is right, but the commenters over there were like a lynch mob. I will even be so bold is to say it's WRONG and if I ever found out my kids did something like that, there would be hell to pay.
However, some of the things suggested by these commenters be done to these kids..poison ..beating... I dunno, I just can't get on board with that. Not when there are living children being tortured. That kind of anger should be reserved for them, but whatever. Every crime is a crime of the century according to some.
I mean I have respect for the dead and all that..well, the memories of the dead..what are the remains? Nothing but a shell. It didn't HURT anything, hell the remains in question are extremely old and there were no living relatives. So, why do we need a lynch mob?
Just sayin'.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful moms out there. Hope you get spoiled rotton!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Saturday Thoughts
Well, we're about halfway through party season here and I'm still hanging in there..grin.
I forgot about Mother's Day in party season...don't ask me why, but I did. We took care of my mother in law in April when we were there but we'll call anyway.
There was a couple of others I forgot, too, but believe me I didn't forget little dude's birthday. Ha, you know he STILL loves his grave digger that the eldest got him a couple of years ago...
His list this year is a little more upscaled. I swear, I can't believe he's so grown up now. I have to quit calling him little dude, I guess. This year, he asked for a couple of things that made me laugh. He's a budding little capitalist, let me tell you. I'm very proud of him of late. With the allowance deal and special projects pay we've started lately, he's made a HUGE leap in understanding of the value of his dollar and whatnot.
Every Friday at school, they have this marketplace deal where the gifted students have to start businesses and the rest of the school gets to shop at their stores. It's a really cool deal. They have an exchange rate as well, and it's a good one, too, let me tell ya. They get thirty "roman" dollars for one US dollar and they can buy some stuff with those roman dollars, let me tell ya. Me and my 18 yr old did it when he was in the fifth grade..he did origami, and it was damn good, believe it or not. He was forever folding those damn origami figures and he was good at it and it taught him a lot too.
So, little dude and little girl take some of their money and go to market place. Most of it is candy and stupid crap but you can find a bargain or two in there. My daughter picked up a pair of flip flops for 20 roman dollars. Little dude announced yesterday that all they sold there was junk and he wasn't spending his money on a bunch of candy. It was hard for him to do the yard work he did, hauling stumps and stuff and he finally made the connection between the value of his hard work and the money he has to show for it and he wants to spend it on something good, like a new video game or something, providing we get the xbox on his birthday list. Haha. He's got that...and the kid BEGGED me for a cell phone yesterday.
Now, THAT was a funny conversation. He didn't understand just how much cell phones cost. I told him and explained how it worked and he said..."Oh, I NEVER need a cell phone then." What a hoot. Really.
But then, he has the usual requests..army men and little cars and bouncy balls and all the supplies that boys must have in their toyboxes.
This year, though, I do believe is bb gun year. He already found the one downstairs and it just appealed to the boy in him, so better to teach him now and teach him right. God knows with all the new construction, there is an abundance of nuisance animals in my back yard he could practice on. Squirrels and rabbits mostly, but those damn rabbits are a pain in the ass and we have a TON of them. They move around, but plant a garden..ha...I know, it sounds cold..but the world is pretty damn cold when you just sit back and observe nature, isn't it?
Birds ...whoa..those little fuckers are mean..don't care what species and we have them all..owls..a million different little birds...hawks...etc. It's a cruel world out there. It just is. Deal with it.
I forgot about Mother's Day in party season...don't ask me why, but I did. We took care of my mother in law in April when we were there but we'll call anyway.
There was a couple of others I forgot, too, but believe me I didn't forget little dude's birthday. Ha, you know he STILL loves his grave digger that the eldest got him a couple of years ago...
His list this year is a little more upscaled. I swear, I can't believe he's so grown up now. I have to quit calling him little dude, I guess. This year, he asked for a couple of things that made me laugh. He's a budding little capitalist, let me tell you. I'm very proud of him of late. With the allowance deal and special projects pay we've started lately, he's made a HUGE leap in understanding of the value of his dollar and whatnot.
Every Friday at school, they have this marketplace deal where the gifted students have to start businesses and the rest of the school gets to shop at their stores. It's a really cool deal. They have an exchange rate as well, and it's a good one, too, let me tell ya. They get thirty "roman" dollars for one US dollar and they can buy some stuff with those roman dollars, let me tell ya. Me and my 18 yr old did it when he was in the fifth grade..he did origami, and it was damn good, believe it or not. He was forever folding those damn origami figures and he was good at it and it taught him a lot too.
So, little dude and little girl take some of their money and go to market place. Most of it is candy and stupid crap but you can find a bargain or two in there. My daughter picked up a pair of flip flops for 20 roman dollars. Little dude announced yesterday that all they sold there was junk and he wasn't spending his money on a bunch of candy. It was hard for him to do the yard work he did, hauling stumps and stuff and he finally made the connection between the value of his hard work and the money he has to show for it and he wants to spend it on something good, like a new video game or something, providing we get the xbox on his birthday list. Haha. He's got that...and the kid BEGGED me for a cell phone yesterday.
Now, THAT was a funny conversation. He didn't understand just how much cell phones cost. I told him and explained how it worked and he said..."Oh, I NEVER need a cell phone then." What a hoot. Really.
But then, he has the usual requests..army men and little cars and bouncy balls and all the supplies that boys must have in their toyboxes.
This year, though, I do believe is bb gun year. He already found the one downstairs and it just appealed to the boy in him, so better to teach him now and teach him right. God knows with all the new construction, there is an abundance of nuisance animals in my back yard he could practice on. Squirrels and rabbits mostly, but those damn rabbits are a pain in the ass and we have a TON of them. They move around, but plant a garden..ha...I know, it sounds cold..but the world is pretty damn cold when you just sit back and observe nature, isn't it?
Birds ...whoa..those little fuckers are mean..don't care what species and we have them all..owls..a million different little birds...hawks...etc. It's a cruel world out there. It just is. Deal with it.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Man Laws
Remember the commercials maybe a couple of years back from the "other" beer? Man laws...Good Call.
Hey, we have a Man Law here, just from those ...it's The Garage Fridge is For Beer Only. Hell yeah, right? Well, jeez, they have broken their own damn laws.
Remember the other one?"No Fruiting the Beer? Yeah, so what is with the "other" beer trying to compete with the Clydesdales for? I mean, for the Clydesdales to put lime in their beer, is fine. Really, it's the basic beer that gets sold. I've never been a fan of the Clydesdales, personally, except for the minor league..the one the minor league of southern racing was named after until this year.
I mean, I could name names,but y'all know what I mean, right?
Ok, I've been a long time fan of the "other" beer. I keep it to myself when amongst the rest, but still...good cheap beer with twice the flavor..I don't understand their marketing. It should be easy, really.
I don't know. I thought it was a GOOD man law, and they should have stuck with it. Besides that, I have NEVER fruited my beer. I dunno...I know my beer like some folks know their wine. I was thinking about it today. I know my beer. I know what I like to drink (pale ales...not too heavy)..what I like to cook with..(dark ales, heavier stuff... but I'm still experimenting here..) so...I know my beers.
And ya never mix beer and fruit. Fruit is for wines. It just is. I guess I'm gonna have to switch brands, although that's not too hard. I mean, I have a few favorites and I haven't drunk the "Man Law" beers in a long time. You know how it goes..when in Rome, and all...
Still, even though the Clydesdales fruit their main beer, their number 2 is always good with me..any time any where...and, if I can't get that, then there are others within the product line I'm willing to drink and if all else failes then I'm learning wine, as a substitute.
Just sayin'..a momma needs her wine.
Hey, we have a Man Law here, just from those ...it's The Garage Fridge is For Beer Only. Hell yeah, right? Well, jeez, they have broken their own damn laws.
Remember the other one?"No Fruiting the Beer? Yeah, so what is with the "other" beer trying to compete with the Clydesdales for? I mean, for the Clydesdales to put lime in their beer, is fine. Really, it's the basic beer that gets sold. I've never been a fan of the Clydesdales, personally, except for the minor league..the one the minor league of southern racing was named after until this year.
I mean, I could name names,but y'all know what I mean, right?
Ok, I've been a long time fan of the "other" beer. I keep it to myself when amongst the rest, but still...good cheap beer with twice the flavor..I don't understand their marketing. It should be easy, really.
I don't know. I thought it was a GOOD man law, and they should have stuck with it. Besides that, I have NEVER fruited my beer. I dunno...I know my beer like some folks know their wine. I was thinking about it today. I know my beer. I know what I like to drink (pale ales...not too heavy)..what I like to cook with..(dark ales, heavier stuff... but I'm still experimenting here..) so...I know my beers.
And ya never mix beer and fruit. Fruit is for wines. It just is. I guess I'm gonna have to switch brands, although that's not too hard. I mean, I have a few favorites and I haven't drunk the "Man Law" beers in a long time. You know how it goes..when in Rome, and all...
Still, even though the Clydesdales fruit their main beer, their number 2 is always good with me..any time any where...and, if I can't get that, then there are others within the product line I'm willing to drink and if all else failes then I'm learning wine, as a substitute.
Just sayin'..a momma needs her wine.
Photographic Evidence
Well, here are a couple of pictures of the ..party. In the top picture, all the tents at the very top..are ours. In the lower left hand corner you can also see a horseshoe stake. The camp extended regulation horseshoes in the other direction, as well. We had a little room. I think this concludes the Talladega posting.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Bite The Hand That Feeds Ya...
That's just real smart, isn't it? Yeah, we had a birthday party for the eldest..on his birthday no less. We hooked him up with some cool fishing gear in the hopes that he'll actually go occasionally when he has a day off.
Anyway, back to the point...of course his woman and that baby were here, too. His woman...NOW she has pissed me off. First of all, at Talladega, she tried to get me in the middle of their shit...which I do NOT want to be. Second, then..she asked me for money..for the eldest, of course, but nonetheless...and thirdly, did she even say thank you or whatever for taking her ass to the race on Saturday? No. That is what we were SUPPOSED to do in her mind...not cool.
Besides that, I tried to have ..the follow up talk with her after our little scene at Talladega and she gave me this drop dead bitch look..oh hell no. The girl does not understand her precarious position. I'm over her, now, and I was the single solitary person on her side, willing to give her a chance and she wants to be a snotty little bitch? I don't think so. Fine woman..do it on your own and learn your own lessons. Written her off, I have.
I said what I had to say though..and my eldest heard me and if he would have taken issue with what I had to say, he would have spoken up. God knows, he always defends everybody. It doesn't matter..if someone was talking to me that way, he'd be all over them just the same. It's who he is and how he is and I love him for it. So, she just wanted to be that way..so I'm gonna let her.
The other thing she needs to understand is that I don't give a rat's ass about her baby right now. I'm sorry, it's just how I feel. I am tired of raising babies, babies do not thrill me right now. All they are is a bunch of work and it's my time to party. It just is. I've done my work, she can raise her own damn baby. She kept shoving that baby at me like she's going to get me to fall in love with it and then that will be the in..and it's just not so. I would feel the same way if it was my flesh and blood grandchild, if I had learned of his/her existance in the same ways.
I've never been a baby person. I mean, they are cute and all..when they are sleeping. The rest of the time, they are just whining, drooling, eating pooping, never a moment's rest..machines. Seriously. You live for those odd moments..the smiles and all that stuff..but still, they are much more fun when they are potty trained and able to do some things for themselves. And believe me, there was a period in my life when I was pulling double diaper duty...the whole family was traumatized by that.
Besides all that..it is what it is and you aren't going to force me to love anybody. I'm just over the attitude. I'm over her, too. If you're so stupid as to treat the one person on your side like that...well, too bad for you. They kept telling me she was greedy and I just gave her a chance to prove it, I guess.
Anyway, back to the point...of course his woman and that baby were here, too. His woman...NOW she has pissed me off. First of all, at Talladega, she tried to get me in the middle of their shit...which I do NOT want to be. Second, then..she asked me for money..for the eldest, of course, but nonetheless...and thirdly, did she even say thank you or whatever for taking her ass to the race on Saturday? No. That is what we were SUPPOSED to do in her mind...not cool.
Besides that, I tried to have ..the follow up talk with her after our little scene at Talladega and she gave me this drop dead bitch look..oh hell no. The girl does not understand her precarious position. I'm over her, now, and I was the single solitary person on her side, willing to give her a chance and she wants to be a snotty little bitch? I don't think so. Fine woman..do it on your own and learn your own lessons. Written her off, I have.
I said what I had to say though..and my eldest heard me and if he would have taken issue with what I had to say, he would have spoken up. God knows, he always defends everybody. It doesn't matter..if someone was talking to me that way, he'd be all over them just the same. It's who he is and how he is and I love him for it. So, she just wanted to be that way..so I'm gonna let her.
The other thing she needs to understand is that I don't give a rat's ass about her baby right now. I'm sorry, it's just how I feel. I am tired of raising babies, babies do not thrill me right now. All they are is a bunch of work and it's my time to party. It just is. I've done my work, she can raise her own damn baby. She kept shoving that baby at me like she's going to get me to fall in love with it and then that will be the in..and it's just not so. I would feel the same way if it was my flesh and blood grandchild, if I had learned of his/her existance in the same ways.
I've never been a baby person. I mean, they are cute and all..when they are sleeping. The rest of the time, they are just whining, drooling, eating pooping, never a moment's rest..machines. Seriously. You live for those odd moments..the smiles and all that stuff..but still, they are much more fun when they are potty trained and able to do some things for themselves. And believe me, there was a period in my life when I was pulling double diaper duty...the whole family was traumatized by that.
Besides all that..it is what it is and you aren't going to force me to love anybody. I'm just over the attitude. I'm over her, too. If you're so stupid as to treat the one person on your side like that...well, too bad for you. They kept telling me she was greedy and I just gave her a chance to prove it, I guess.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Talladega Recap
I know, I'm a little slow this year but with the rain and all I got the crud and I think I'm about done coughing up a lung, but not quite. At least I have the strength to type today.
It was a relatively mellow Talladega this year. What? Why? I can hear you all asking..well, people..the girl/boy ratio was about equal this year and that makes all the difference in the world. For the first Talladega ever, I wasn't the only ..worthy.. gal. I mean, yeah, there have been gals there in the past..but this group of gals was cool!
We had the eldest son's girlfriend and more on her later...ugh. Then our buddy from Indiana brought his twin girls and they are just some sweet girls. No drama, no whining..just good girls. Then there was my daughter, and our partner's wife and daughter and me and the wife get along just fine. We work well together and their little daughter is cute as a button and a monster truck fan.
Friday night, we had a little drama because Jim's girl has this Dolly Parton thing going on and I walked up and she was surrounded by guys hounding her. Jeez, they can be such big dicks with a little alcohol in them. And rude. Nobody ever taught her to say no like she meant it before, either. Bless her, she was really scared, had no clue just how much trouble she was fixing to be in and was just drunk enough to want to keep running her mouth. I did some fast talking and the guy went away and the mob with him..but no help to her. She wants to call herself "Sassy" and let me tell ya, she sassed the wrong momma. Finally, I sent her back to camp where she was hysterical because I yelled at her and woke the eldest up...then the senior chief went and sent her ass right to her tent. Ha! She calls him Dad all the time and he cringes a little every time she does it, so he said...Fine, you want me to be dad, then if I was your Dad I'd be sending you to bed, so little girl, you just get your ass to bed and I don't want to hear another peep out of you all night. I'm telling ya, if you piss both me AND the senior chief off at the same time, then you done messed up. It's a fact.
I no sooner got her taken care of then there's some asshole hounding one of the twins. So, I was sitting in my chair and he came up and we explained that we just weren't playing that game..hey, if ya want to give us some beads we are not stupid enough to say no, but if you don't that is cool, too. This guy is just talking for awhile and he was ok..kept his distance and all..but he hands me his empty beer can and says.."What do we do with these?" and I tossed it back to him and said, "That is what we do with these, because I'm not your trash wench." He keeps talking for a minute and tries again, with the same result. THEN, the asshole..slides it into my girl's chair, tries to cop a feel and asks for the THIRD time.."What do we do with these?" I snatched that beer can right out of her chair and hit him square in the face with it...and he got pissed. I thought my little ass was gonna be kicked for a minute....but the senior chief walked up behind my chair and just stood there and it all settled down. Tequila does that to me...which is a lie..I'm just that way anyway..but still.
Sat. we got to see some awesome racing and came back had some wonderful food. I'm telling you we eat like kings and queens at Talladega. It was marinated turkey breast, pork tenderloins, a roast cut up into a stew with all the fixings, homemade hot wings, boiled peanuts, breakfast burritos...
Sun. was awesome racing too with more of the same. We had a wicked little storm blow up so the party broke off into littler ones in the drier tents. We sat up and talked a little business, really, until the wee hours of the morning.
This goes on record as being the best Talladega EVER.
It was a relatively mellow Talladega this year. What? Why? I can hear you all asking..well, people..the girl/boy ratio was about equal this year and that makes all the difference in the world. For the first Talladega ever, I wasn't the only ..worthy.. gal. I mean, yeah, there have been gals there in the past..but this group of gals was cool!
We had the eldest son's girlfriend and more on her later...ugh. Then our buddy from Indiana brought his twin girls and they are just some sweet girls. No drama, no whining..just good girls. Then there was my daughter, and our partner's wife and daughter and me and the wife get along just fine. We work well together and their little daughter is cute as a button and a monster truck fan.
Friday night, we had a little drama because Jim's girl has this Dolly Parton thing going on and I walked up and she was surrounded by guys hounding her. Jeez, they can be such big dicks with a little alcohol in them. And rude. Nobody ever taught her to say no like she meant it before, either. Bless her, she was really scared, had no clue just how much trouble she was fixing to be in and was just drunk enough to want to keep running her mouth. I did some fast talking and the guy went away and the mob with him..but no help to her. She wants to call herself "Sassy" and let me tell ya, she sassed the wrong momma. Finally, I sent her back to camp where she was hysterical because I yelled at her and woke the eldest up...then the senior chief went and sent her ass right to her tent. Ha! She calls him Dad all the time and he cringes a little every time she does it, so he said...Fine, you want me to be dad, then if I was your Dad I'd be sending you to bed, so little girl, you just get your ass to bed and I don't want to hear another peep out of you all night. I'm telling ya, if you piss both me AND the senior chief off at the same time, then you done messed up. It's a fact.
I no sooner got her taken care of then there's some asshole hounding one of the twins. So, I was sitting in my chair and he came up and we explained that we just weren't playing that game..hey, if ya want to give us some beads we are not stupid enough to say no, but if you don't that is cool, too. This guy is just talking for awhile and he was ok..kept his distance and all..but he hands me his empty beer can and says.."What do we do with these?" and I tossed it back to him and said, "That is what we do with these, because I'm not your trash wench." He keeps talking for a minute and tries again, with the same result. THEN, the asshole..slides it into my girl's chair, tries to cop a feel and asks for the THIRD time.."What do we do with these?" I snatched that beer can right out of her chair and hit him square in the face with it...and he got pissed. I thought my little ass was gonna be kicked for a minute....but the senior chief walked up behind my chair and just stood there and it all settled down. Tequila does that to me...which is a lie..I'm just that way anyway..but still.
Sat. we got to see some awesome racing and came back had some wonderful food. I'm telling you we eat like kings and queens at Talladega. It was marinated turkey breast, pork tenderloins, a roast cut up into a stew with all the fixings, homemade hot wings, boiled peanuts, breakfast burritos...
Sun. was awesome racing too with more of the same. We had a wicked little storm blow up so the party broke off into littler ones in the drier tents. We sat up and talked a little business, really, until the wee hours of the morning.
This goes on record as being the best Talladega EVER.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Boiled Peanuts
A new tradition we have for Talladega is boiled peanuts. I did it a little differently this year in that they soaked for awhile because there wasn't room to pack the stuff separately.
I didn't get one peanut. The senior chief boiled them and then gave them all away. There was this couple from up north somewhere down the hill. That's who he gave them to. They had never had them before and I had all kinds of people telling me how good they were. I was glad to know they were that good. I believed it, too because there wasn't a peanut to be found.
As well, the Iroc was a big hit. There was a bunch of guys that put their front porch right beside where it was parked and went over it with a fine tooth comb. One guy ..I had to tell him..look dude, if you come all over my car, you're going to have to wash it. He was in love with that car..hehe. He said he looked in it..under it as much of it as he could see. I sent the senior chief up with the keys and he popped the hood so the guy could see the engine and hear it. I could hear the cheers when he revved that car up. It does send a shiver down my spine, too and in a good way.
I didn't get one peanut. The senior chief boiled them and then gave them all away. There was this couple from up north somewhere down the hill. That's who he gave them to. They had never had them before and I had all kinds of people telling me how good they were. I was glad to know they were that good. I believed it, too because there wasn't a peanut to be found.
As well, the Iroc was a big hit. There was a bunch of guys that put their front porch right beside where it was parked and went over it with a fine tooth comb. One guy ..I had to tell him..look dude, if you come all over my car, you're going to have to wash it. He was in love with that car..hehe. He said he looked in it..under it as much of it as he could see. I sent the senior chief up with the keys and he popped the hood so the guy could see the engine and hear it. I could hear the cheers when he revved that car up. It does send a shiver down my spine, too and in a good way.
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