Life Gripe: Christmas, Ba Humbug!

 Today I have a Life Gripe and it's on a very touchy subject, Christmas.  Ba humbug I say, especially the shopping and gift giving part.  Christmas has become no more than a huge money making shopping time of the year.  I mean it's all about the gifts.  People are getting TV's, camera's Wii's and Xboxes when I'm happy if I get a new pair of socks.  I mean there are people out there who don't have a home or can't even afford to eat and we're out buying expensive gifts? Where did our priorities go? Now if your one of those who helps others during one of the most difficult times of the year, then good for you. You should be commended because there are very few of you left.  

Take myself for instance. I know I need to do some shopping sometime soon, but I just really, really don't want to. Why? What are my reasons? Here are 4 of them.  

1. I don't want to get out in the cold.
2. I don't want to deal with the rude people.
3. I don't really have the money to blow. 
4. I'm not in the Christmas spirit.

It's so cold outside I just hate to be out in such bad weather and for what to scrounge up and go spend money I really don't have to buy gifts for Christmas. And hey, if I don't give a gift, you can bet I won't get any.And omg, the people you have to deal with out there are so rude. Especially in Walmart. And not just the customers, but the employees too. Just plain vain and rude. It's so bad that I feel I'm going to get in a fight every time I go out, so why bother? 

And why am I spending money when I still owe hospital bills and my car still needs worked on. Now don't get me wrong. I do love to give. I so badly want to buy my son a great gift because he wouldn't expect it. We've never had a lot of money so he's use to getting average gifts. So if he was to get even one great thing he wanted, he would totally be surprised. I would love to be able to do that for my son, but I can't and that is so heartbreaking and one of the hardest things in the world when there are some sons out there who every year get what they want for Christmas. And I'm not just talking about kids, I'm talking about adult sons too. My son has always gotten something for Christmas, even when he was little. It was always nice, but not necessarily what he wanted because we couldn't afford it. So yes, ba humbug. 

I'm not so much in the Christmas spirit because this is a time of year that is just very difficult for me for many reasons. I've lost both parents and miss them badly. Matter of fact we buried my mother on December 17, 2001, so Christmas since then has been a difficult time for me. I struggle financially and going out and seeing or reading on Facebook or Twitter about everyone else doing all this shopping and Christmas dinners with family hurts me when I struggle to make ends meet and have lost both my parents and live 1 1/2 hours from the rest of my family. I rarely get to see them anymore because my vehicle needs work that I can't afford and it won't make it on long trips.

To top it all off my husband could care less about Christmas. He usually works right through it. He waits until like three days before Christmas and buys me a "have-to" gift. No thought, nothing special, just buys something for the sake of getting me something. I miss those days of sentiment and being surprised now and then. All I do is try to get through this difficult time of year best I can. And sometimes it's not pretty. It's very difficult to do with all the non-stop chitter chatter about it on a daily basis. And although I do love Christmas at heart, those are my many reasons why I now say ba humbug, because it breaks my heart.

Today's Life Quote:

Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again, skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts. ~ Author Unknown

Life Gripe: A Dreary Day

Today, I have a Life Gripe and it is A Dreary Day.  I despise dreary days.  Dreary days just make me feel like not getting out of bed.  And even when I do make it out of bed, I just feel like crawling back in it all day long.  I have no motivation, no energy, no gusto. 

So, I grab myself a nice hot cup of coffee and hop on my laptop for some computer time.  Work on my blogs, work on my businesses and even do some social networking, but the whole way through, try as I may, I just keep wanting to curl up under a blanket.  After all it's dreary and it's a cold day, so what better to do that curl up under a blanket.  

I could just take my laptop to the living room, curl up under a blanket on the couch in front of the TV, with my laptop on my lap.  The bathroom will just have to wait until a sunny day to be cleaned.  A nice sunny and warmer day when I have motivation to attack the bathroom with a little gusto. 

I try to look at Dreary Days as a positive.  How?  Sometimes I think these dreary days are built in just for the purpose of making us rest and relax.  They're a way of making us curl up under a blanket and do nothing.  Otherwise we run ourselves ragged and wear ourselves out.  It's natures way of telling us we need to rest, we need to relax and take time for ourselves.   

So what are you doing on this dreary day?  How about taking time out to rest and relax.  Go grab a good book, grab your laptop or watch a good movie.  Just curl up under that blanket on the couch with a nice hot cup of coffee or chocolate and relax.  After all it's only a day.  But wait, maybe it's two days, well then so be it, take two days.  Whatever you need, you take it, nature is helping you by giving you this Dreary Day to relax.

Today's Life Quote:

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." ~Ovid

Life Gripe: All It Takes Is One Phone Call To Ruin Your Day

Today I have a Life Gripe. All it takes is one bad thing (and in my case a bad phone call about a bad thing) to happen to ruin your day or cause you to have major grief in your life.  That one thing or one phone call that can change everything for the worst.  Just once I would love to get a wonderful phone call.  No I am not talking about your average good phone call.  I am talking about that one phone call that has honest to goodness good news and good luck that can change everything for the good.  I rarely seem to get those calls, if any, but I sure do get the upsetting calls on a regular basis. 

I sat on the phone today arguing with someone who wouldn't give me an account because they say I don't exist, yet I have a driver's license and social security card.  I exist!  I am here!  What do I need to do to get this fixed?  Looks like I'll be calling the Social Security Administration because I had my last name changed when I married and they're the ones who gave me my new social security card, but that doesn't mean squat, because a national data base search says I do not exist.  And this is the second time something like this has happened over the past month, so now I'm worried, stressed and very frustrated.  I believe they're still going by my maiden name and social security apparently only changed my card, but did nothing official.  That's the only thing that could be going on. 

Well needless to say, my whole day changed in a matter of minutes because of one thing, one phone call.  I went from having a happy and pleasant day, to stressing out and worrying beyond belief.  Because of this issue, that in turn is now causing me several other major issues in my life.  I try my best to have an optimistic attitude, but sometimes it's just down right impossible with the issues you have to deal with.  But I am trying.  Hopefully, I can get this straightened out in the next couple of days.  And once I fix the one main major issue, the other issues will be fixed as well and thus fall into place.  Right now, I am just going to try and focus on the positive, that this will be fixed soon, and all will be well again. 

Today's Life Quote:

Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

Life Hype: Cool Fall Morning and a Hot Cup of Coffee

Today I have a Life Hype:  There's nothing like a piping hot cup of coffee on a brisk cool fall morning.  One of my favorite things to do is to wake up, sit in front of my laptop at my kitchen table with a nice fresh hot cup of coffee sitting close by.  Occasionally glancing out my kitchen door that I have opened slightly, so I can see the wonderful view outside.  I often watch the squirrels playing in the morning.  So comforting and relaxing. 

That's my favorite time of day to work my businesses.  I can get so much done in two hours time.  It's a time of day when I'm most alert and productive.  And best of all, I don't have to be dressed up or even have my hair brushed for that matter, I can just enjoy the moment by just being.

Do you like summer evenings as the sun is setting or perhaps brisk snowy winter mornings?  Maybe you enjoy the light cool rain or smell of flowers in bloom on a spring morning with your coffee or perhaps, with your glass of iced tea.  So what's your favorite time of year and favorite time of day? 

Today's Life Quote:

“And you would accept the seasons of your heart just as you have always accepted that seasons pass over your fields and you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.”



Kahlil Gibran quotes

Life Hype: Autumn Is A Wonderous Time Of The Year

Today, I have a Life Hype:  Autumn Is A Wonderous Time Of The Year!  The crisp colorful leaves beautifully floating in the soft Fall breeze, all the wonderful array of colors, smells of mulled cider and pumpkin spices, along with the beautiful decorations.  Then there are all the wonderful Fall Festivals to attend and the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving to come.  There are great fun times to be had with sports such as fabulous Fall football games.  Then they put out all the Christmas decorations and let the Christmas shopping begin!

I just love Fall!  It has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  So many gorgeous sites and a busy family time of year starts to kick in.  And did I mention, the wonderful weather?  I love the cool temperatures of the 70's during the days and 50's at night, just love it, oh and no more mowing!  The only downside to Fall is the cold weather that follows.  While winter time can be beautiful at times, there's not much else that's great about it, other than Christmas.  So Fall and Spring are definitely my favorite times of the year, with Fall probably being my ultimate favorite. 

What's your favorite time of the year and why?  Regardless, I hope you enjoy your Fall season as much as I am enjoying mine!  Happy Autumn to all!

Today's Life Quote:

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, As I have seen in one autumnal face.  ~John Donne

Life Gripe: Crap TV!

The weekend gets here and you would think you could find tons of great movies on.  Sit down, watch a great movie on Friday night because it's the weekend and you don't have to work the next day, you have no school or whatever the case may be, but nevertheless, it's a time when you would like to watch a movie.  But no!  It's Friday night and not only are there no movies on tv, but there is absolutely nothing but crap on every channel!  A night when you want to sit down and relax and you don't have to get up the next morning.  Only there's nothing on tv to stay up and watch.  What is wrong with this picture? 

So here it is Friday night, 10 PM and I'm finding myself wanting to go to bed early because there's nothing on tv to stay up and watch.  Of all times, the perfect time to watch a great movie and I will be going to bed.  Don't get me wrong, there are a couple of channels that have movies, but they play old movies and not just old movies, but the same one's over and over again.  What ever happened to the days when they use to show good movies on a Friday night. 

Now all you can find is some silly reality show, 48hrs or some show like that.  I want to see a good movie.  Not some old rerun either, but an honest to goodness movie and not one that has already been shown a thousand times over the last month.  It seems like when one network is done with a movie, they pass it along to another, as though all they do is trade off the same movies with each other.  And on rare occasion, you may actually get to see a newer movie.  I don't even care if it's a made for tv movie, as long as it's a decent and new movie. 

I guess the only way to get a movie nowadays is to rent one from Redbox or either subscribe to Netflix.  And I may just have to check Netflix out in the future, but honestly, I would love to see more great made for tv movies on Friday and Saturday nights for families.  In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to take my cold medicine, grab a book and go on to bed.

Today's Life Quote:

Television is like the American toaster, you push the button and the same thing pops up everytime.
Alfred Hitchcock quotes

Life Gripe: People Who Are Always Telling You to Be Happy

Today, I have a big Life Gripe!  Why is it that all the people who have money, nice homes, good jobs, great healthy families and go on two and three vacations and shopping sprees a year that have many friends and live a very active life style feel the need to judge and to tell those of us who deal with financial, health and many other problems and issues in our lives, that we should be thankful, happy and positive all the time? 

Excuse me, but you try living my life and walking in my shoes.  You have no idea how good you have it.  I am just sick and tired and sick to death of hearing the uppity people tell us how we should be happy and thankful for what we do have.  Well guess what, we are thankful for what we do have, BUT telling us to be accepting and be happy about it, that's easy for you to say as your taking one of your many vacations or entertainment outings that those of us who struggle never get to do. 

I would love to be able to take just one vacation a year.  I would love to be able just to go out to eat once a month at a nice restaurant or take in an occasional movie.  And shopping is something I almost never get to do.  But we can't afford to do even those simple things.  We can hardly go out of the house because we can barely afford gas to put in our vehicles.  And just because you make more money than we do, does NOT mean you are any better than we are.  You just got lucky, that is all...just plain lucky.  And there are some of you who think life is all about working or business, nothing but work or business, everything is about working or business.  Well wake up and get a real life!  Get real, be human! 

Yes, I am definitely ranting and griping here because I've been keeping it all in and sometimes you just have to get it out and say what's on your mind.  But day after day I'm on facebook and read these peoples posts about how we should all be happy, happy, happy and thankful.  And our posts should always be happy and upbeat.  Well I can't lie about my life for you, so as to make you comfortable and happy.  And maybe I would able to if I had it as easy as you do, at least compared to me.  Come walk a mile in my shoes and you won't last a week. 

And though a lot of it is about money, I mean let's face it.  If you don't have any money, life is pretty hard and miserable.  But it's not all about money.  It's personal too.  Everyone is different, inside and out.  Just because you wake up at 6 am every morning bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go and face the world and tackle many projects and in the go, go, go mode all day, does not mean I am, nor should I be because I am NOT you.  I am different inside and out.  Again, we are all made different.  But because we are not like that, we are often called lazy or worthless.  How dare you.  I could just as easily call you an overbearing, egotistic, narcissistic, arrogant vain human being.  Don't like that?  Well I don't like being call lazy or worthless.

So stop judging, stop telling us to get over it, stop telling us to be happy all the time.  We don't live the life you live.  We live with pain and struggling everyday.  We just try our best to get through each day best we can.  And sometimes, yes that means we have to vent, rant and gripe because we are not perfect and we do not have the perfect life.  And I know some of you don't have perfect lives, but seriously, you can't compare yourself to us unless you walk in our shoes without the comforts of money or maybe even health both physical and mental.  Why don't you help someone instead of taking that third or fourth vacation or buying that new outfit or car.  Buy someone else you know who doesnt have much a new outfit.  Send someone you know who needs money a surprise check in the mail.  Do something to help someone who struggles just because.  Actions speak louder than words too.  Do something to put a real smile on their face and bring them some real happiness. 

Today's Life Quote:

The difference between a helping hand and an outstretched palm is a twist of the wrist. ~Laurence Leamer, King of the Night

Life Gripe: Overpriced Rentals

Today I have a Life Gripe about overpriced rentals!  Ugh!  I get so mad and frustrated.  It takes practically everything we have to pay our rent and utilities.  And there is practically no chance or no way of increasing our income, so the only answer would be to find a cheaper house to rent.  Well no such luck!  I really like living in Roanoke, but omg talk about OVERPRICED rent! 

Back home, you can rent a 3 or 4 bedroom for $600 a month.  Two bedrooms are around $400 a month.  Here they want $600-$700 for a two bedroom apartment!  Are they out of their minds?  What a rip off, common criminals they are.  We desperately need to find a two bedroom for about $500 a month and preferably in a nice safe neighborhood.  Not in some run down bad side of town. 

We pay our bills and we pay our rent every month and on time, we just need something around $500, so we can actually have a little money left over for emergencies, you know, a rainy day.  Right now, every little thing that comes up hurts us.  And we are so frugal we never ever buy anything or go out and that is taking a toll of me and my marriage.  Every day I diligently search the classifieds and craigslist only to find nothing.  Only thing I find is a one bedroom apartment or a run down old house in a bad part of town.  Again, what a rip off, they should be ashamed!  I am just so frustrated beyond belief.  We deserve better.

So anyway, if you have or know of a nice two bedroom rental home or mobile home in or around the Roanoke area that is in a nice decent neighborhood, please let me know.  I'm not having any luck myself.  I've been searching for about six months to a year now and so far, nothing. 

Today's Life Quote:

“He who holds the ladder is as bad as the thief” ~German Proverb quotes

Life Gripe: Boredom

Today I have a Life Gripe, boredom.  I absolutely hate to be bored, loathe being bored.  One can only clean, wash clothes, cook and watch TV so much.  Talk about mundane and monotonous.  Those are the things I pretty much do when I'm bored, cook, clean, watch TV, even occasionally do a crossword or word find puzzle, but these things get old, as I said mundane and monotonous.  And of course, I spend my fair share of time online with facebook and twitter. 

I think next year, I am going to add another flower bed and a small vegetable garden or strip you might say.  And I might even buy me one of those 10 foot, 2 1/2 feet deep easy set up pools just to relax, float in and soak up some sun next summer.  And next summer, I think I'll add visiting the farmer's market and second hand stores more. 

Right now, to combat the boredom, as you see, I'm writing on my blog.  Sometimes I'll also work on my website(s) too. Now, what to do next.  I've already cooked and cleaned, and there's nothing on TV, so hmmm?  If any of you out there have any great ideas, please feel free to share them by leaving a comment.  I've read plenty of ideas about combating boredom, but most I've read are pretty silly or non-chilant...not worth the time or consideration you know.  I could read a book, but sometimes I just really, really have to be in the mood to read a book and right now, that is not what I'm in the mood for.  Sometimes I also play games online, such as hearts, solitaire, spider solitaire, and titanic hidden treasure, but those also get old quick too.  There's really no where to go and no one to go with anyway, besides my car is in the garage right now being worked on and I'm broke most of the time anyway. 

Sometimes I also go out to the gym for a workout or to the park/greenway and go for a walk, as well as walk the dog around the block.  I've thought of doing such things as making a scrapbook of some sort, but what kind and why and what I'd do with it I don't really know.  Taking up knitting or crocheting has crossed my mind, but I'm not really that type of gal.  Jewelry making, but then honestly, what would I do with junky jewelry?  I'm not the type who's gonna go out and sell it.  Maybe I could list it online or something, but so many people are already doing that who would really want to buy it?  I certainly don't need more junk in my house, nor to spend the money on stuff to make it.  Same thing with candles and other crafty items, I just don't really have the money, nor the room for any junk in my house.  So again, hmmm? 

I've done such things as give myself a manicure and pedicure and have already done that and those are things you can only do so often.  One thing I can do, not now, but need to soon, is color my hair.  I suppose there is always the option to talk on the phone to my friends, although I'm not really the type who likes to talk on the phone much.  I like to get onto the phone, say what needs to be said, then get off.  I DON'T LIKE to shoot the breeze on the phone.  I'm a 5 to 10 minute kinda gal, nothing longer. 

So I'm kind of at a standstill, just so bored, don't know what to do, so again, if any of you have any great, sensible, affordable ideas other than what I have listed, please feel free to share and post as comments.  I would greatly welcome your ideas.

Today's Life Quote:

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.”  ~Thomas Carlyle

Life Gripe: People Who Don't Know Their Right-A-Ways

Today's I have a Life Gripe:  People who don't know their right-of-ways or least don't know the basic one's they should know!  A couple of days in a row, I was sitting at a light on green to turn left and yielding to cars coming straight through on their green lights, when a car behind me starts blowing their horn because I won't just go.  Well hello!  The cars coming across the road going straight have the right of way!  I'm yielding to turn left on green...NOT the arrow green light, which there is, but just green.  Then today, a car in front of me was stopped yielding...giving the car coming across the right away on green, and a car somewhere back behind us was blowing his horn because the light was green.  Sheesh, do people not know that just because the light is green and you are turning left you can't just go, UNLESS you have a green arrow right of way light?  I thought everyone knew this right of way?  When you are turning left and someone across the road is coming straight or turning right, they have the right of way. 

I mean there are times I forget certain right aways, but in that case I yield just in case I'm not sure.  I give the benefit of the doubt.  I don't go getting mad and blowing my horn., especially when I have no clue what I'm talking about.  And to me, that is a standard right of way rule that everyone on the road should know or they shouldn't have a license.   Can you imagine how many accidents they can or have caused?  I'm just saying, people should think before they speak or in this case, blow their horn.  Please, if your one of those out there driving and you don't know your right of ways, go pick up a drivers ed booklet and read it!  Read it not only for yourself, but for the safety of all of us out there on the road you put in danger.

Today's Life Quote:

“I can't swim. I can't drive, either. I was going to learn to drive but then I thought, well, what if I crash into a lake?”



Dylan Moran quotes

Life Gripe: People Who Don't Warm Up or Cool Down Before & After Exercise!

Today, I have a Life Gripe.  People who don't warm up or cool down before and & after exercise.  Do they not know that is the worst thing to do?  Day after day I go to the gym and see people getting on the treadmill  only to take off walking at 4.0 or running right off the bat.  No warm up what so ever.  Are they crazy?  Are they that impatient?  Do they not know the proper way to begin exercise?  What gives?  I don't know why, but it just bothers me.  Perhaps it's because back in the day, I use to study personal training and the one thing that was always pointed out was to WARM UP before any exercise or activity! 

I dispise to hear the excuse you don't have time.  I mean come on, warming and cooling down only takes five minutes, yes five minutes, that's all it takes.  Not warming up makes your exercise session much less efficient and makes you more prone to injuries.  And as for cooling down, it's the same way.  I'll see someone next to me running, walking wide open, then whoop their done so they just stop!  Hop off the ole treadmill and puff, their done.  What's wrong with them!? 

Cooling down is equally important as warming up!  Cooling down allows your heart rate to slowly return to normal and the blood pressure in your body to slowly return to normal.  Not to mention, cooling down is also a great way to reduce mental stress and drift into a state of relaxation. What better way to end you daily workout than in a state of relaxation. 

So all you exercisers out there who don't think it's important, think you don't have time or are just to lazy...get with the program and do your warm up and cool down, if even only two or three minutes, but do it!  If you don't you may regret it with inhibiting your workouts, injuries or much worse.

Today's Life Quote: 

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." ~Plato

Life Hype: The Euphoria You Get Right After Exercise

Today, I have a Life Hype:  The euphoria you get after exercise.  There is nothing like it.  You feel so refreshed, so energized, so accomplished.  If only that feeling could last all day!  I am trying to hang on to the feeling and to savor it to use in order to motivate me to get to the gym again the next day.  Because I guarantee you come tomorrow, I will not feel like going to the gym again, so when that times comes, I will think about the refreshing and energetic feeling it will provide once I am there.  Not to mention, the pay off weeks down the road when I reach my goal weight!  Getting into shape will not only make you look great, but feel great and above all, we must take care of our health.  So many benefits to exercise, it's hard to understand why we fight it.  But I am doing my best to fight for it this time because I love that euphoric feeling I get afterwards!

Today's Life Quote:

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."

~Bill Phillips~

Life Gripe: Growing Old Gracefully

Today I have a Life Gripe.  Growing old gracefully. I would say that I am not one of those people who is growing old gracefully.  For the most part, I haven't found anything about growing old to be gracious or graceful.  My skin is losing it's elasticity, I can't remember anything, I'm so forgetful.  I am getting lines and wrinkles, my hair is graying, gravity is taking place, my metabolism is almost non-existent to where I am gaining weight by the moment and I feel so tired and horrible more often than not. 

The worst for me, I think is the metabolism slowing down.  Because with that comes weight gain along with feeling extremely tired all the time.  And when you put those two together...weight gain and an aged body, then you're asking for trouble.  Talk about no motivation and lack of enthusiasm.  So tell me, what is so graceful about growing old? 

Okay, there is one thing I can tell you I like about growing older and that is the wisdom that comes with age.  You know that saying, if I only knew then, what I know now.  Well that saying certainly holds true.  And you know what, if I knew then, what I know now.  I would have continued to work out throughout my thirties and into my forties even more so and harder than what I did.  I would have prepared more and earlier at that.  If I would have done that, I may not be in this position now. 

If only I knew then, what I knew now.  At least now, I can make smarter, more wise decisions in my life.  In the meantime, I am not growing old gracefully, but I am thankful for the wisdom I have gained over the years.

Life Quote:

'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years. But maturity is the glory of years.



-- Martha Graham

What happened to basic Twitter etiquette?

Today, I have a life gripe.  I was looking across my tweetdeck board, as I have the past several days, and something stood out to me yet again.  There were little, as in only one or two across the entire board of columns of twitterers with any @ replies.  And in addition only a few more RT's than @ replies.  So I'm assuming everyone wants to talk talk talk, about themselves or their business but no one wants to listen or interact?  Second time today, I've asked myself, what is the world coming too?  Why I've even tried tweeting out a couple of @ replies/questions myself, but they weren't answered.  And yet those people (most, not all) still haven't answered me and that was this morning.  And guess what, they're online still tweeting away. 

What happened to twitter?  What happened to the basic twitter rules and etiquette.  Maybe I'll post them again and by some miracle people will actually read them and begin to follow them again.  If even they follow them 75% ...hopefully something.  All I know is there needs to once again be more interaction on twitter.  Let's not just keep posting and talking all about ourselves...let's get over ourselves a bit, okay?  And hey, I am guilty of it to, at least to some degree.  But then, it's hard to do @ replies when people rarely answer you.  You try and you try, but what do you do when you get nothing in return.  It's called common courtesy people.  Remember Twitter is a "SOCIAL" network, so socialize a little. 

http://www.examiner.com/x-33328-Technology-Examiner~y2010m3d20-The-etiquette-of-the--reply-Twitter

A Brief and Informal Twitter Etiquette Guide

Complete Guide to Twitter Etiquette

Today's Life Quote: 

Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes

Life Gripe: Rainy, Dreay Mondays

Ah, don't you just love these rainy, dreary Mondays?  They always get me down.  On top of the depressing weather, I still have a nasty headache and my kitchen is a mess because I was both busy and gone all weekend working.  So happy Monday to me!  But you know what?  I took a pain killer for my headache.  I have my sweet puppy to always pick my mood up and make me happy, and my kitchen, well it's not going anywhere so I'll load the dishwasher and straighten a little to make it presentable, then do the finishing touches another day when I'm feeling better.  And as for the weather, well guess what...the air smells lovely and fresh, nice and cool from the rain.  The sun is actually peeking out from time to time now.  And I'm doing what I love to do....blog, so know what?  I am telling myself this is a Magnificent Monday! 

Todays Life Quote:

The purpose of life is to become happy. The purpose of life is to challenge and triumph over the darkness of misery.

Life Hype: Joel Kosche

Today, I have a Life Hype about Joel Kosche, who I refer to often times, as my guitar hero.  Joel Kosche is a modest rock star with a big heart, bubbly personality, winning smile and collectively has loads of talent.  Joel is the lead guitarist in a little band you may have heard of called, Collective Soul along with four other great guys, Ed Roland, Dean Roland, Will Turpin, and Cheney Brennen.  While Joel loves being with his band mates in Collective Soul, he loves to let his own creativeness and talents shine through, hence, "Fight Years"

Well, I'm here to tell you some great news!  Joel Kosche now has his own album "Fight Years" and it will be coming out on June 15th, so be sure to pick up your copy!  With the release of his wonderful upcoming album, Fight Years, Joel has also started up his own website, so be sure to visit him there for more great information at http://www.joelkosche.com


In addition to the release of his new album and his website, you can also find Joel on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JoelKosche so be sure to follow him there because Joel does FOLLOW BACK.


So remember these three important things: 

•  Joel’s Twitter Account - http://www.twitter.com/JoelKosche
•  Joel’s Website - http://joelkosche.com/
•  Joel's new album ‘Fight Years’ coming out on June 15th

Today's Life Quote:

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards. ~ Paul Bryant

Life Hype: I AM Somebody!

I may be your average person and no, I don't have any fancy titles behind my name (aka Director, Publisher, Actress, CEO, Media Manager, Editor, etc.) nor am I a twitter celebrity or superstar of any sorts (ie @alyssa_milano, @GuyKawasaki, @AdventureGirl) or a twitter er who hob knobs, snobs or kisses up.  I am just simply me!  I may say, do, post or tweet  just as good or even great things or interesting things as the stars do.  Then again, sometimes I may not, but they're not always great either.  Know what the only difference is?  You worship them, you idol them, you praise them, you adore them, you make them shine like stars.  Just remember, no matter what you do, what you don't do, think or don't think of me, know this, I AM somebody too! 

I happen to be a very deep, sensitive, caring, emotional and humane person and wear my heart on my sleeve more often times than I should. And unfortunately, often times that means my feelings get hurt easily. And yes, someone hurt my feelings.  I won't forget, but I always forgive and move on.  So I definitely don't have tolerance for the self-absorbed, selfish, vain, rude and self-centered people in this world. Always remember the very popular and true sayings, "You Reap What You Sow"  and "What Goes Around, Comes Around"!  And if you haven't learned this yet, then you better be a fast and quick learner.  No matter what someones title is or is not, what someone has or may not have...we are all equal and deserve to be treated that way.  Simply put, it's called RESPECT.  And remember me, I AM Somebody!

Today's Life Quote:

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me . . . All I ask is that you respect me as a human being. ~ Jackie Robinson

Life Gripe: Overly Pushy, Peppy, Positive People

My Life Gripe today is Overly Pushy, Peppy Positive People who go way overboard with the positive attitude bit.  Striving for a positive attitude daily is a good thing, a great thing even and I do it everyday.  I love happy, peppy positive people, but let's get real.  Take myself for instance.  I personally deal with Bipolar II and anxiety issues, there is absolutely no way I can be positive all the time, even if I wanted to.  I constantly strive to be peppy and positive, but I can't be that way all the time.  For me, even if I can be that way at least half the time, then I've met my goal.  And illness or no illness, people can't humanly be peppy and positive all the time.  Nor do we have the right to cut others down or expect people to be positive all the time, yet people feel they have the right to.  I mean, say one negative thing on twitter and you have flies on you like flies on...well you know, you get my meaning.  I would like to be a fly on the wall with some of these pushy positive people at home.  They act like you are less than a decent person if you post one negative feeling.  So how does it help to keep all your feelings bottled up inside?  Lie. 

No, of course we don't want to be all negative, doom and gloom.  That of course is the time to stay away from social network as much as you can, but don't expect people to lie, to act all peppy and positive when they can't. If you want to post peppy and positive all the time, fine, but leave everyone else alone.  I mean get real, be human, stop thinking you're so perfect and that everyone else should be too.  Get off your high horse.  I get a little hot under the collar or passionate I should say on this subject because twitter is so full of these "overly" positive Penelope's I call them.  Again, there is nothing wrong with being positive or always striving to be positive, BUT we can't be positive all the time, nor expect people to be.  After all, we are all only human.

Today's Life Quote: 

There are too many people, and too few human beings. ~Robert Zend

Life Hype: I Love my Puppy

There's nothing like the love of a puppy.  Let me introduce you to Matte, my little pekingese/pomeranian/toy chihuahua mix or as they now call her, in short, a Peek-A-Pom-Chi.  She is black & white, mostly black, and has four white paws, one black eye, one white eye and one ear where the tip is white.  In short she is the most adorable little puppy I've ever laid my eyes on. 


She has brought me nothing but joy and happiness from the moment I brought her home at just 7 weeks old.  She adores me and loves me unconditionally no matter what kind of a day I'm having.  And no matter what I am feeling, she always seems to be tuned into my feelings. The feeling is mutual.  She is always by my side, every moment of every day.  She is Matte, my beautiful sweet little bundle of joy.  I adore her.  I love her. 


Today's Life Quote: 


There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

Life Gripe: When You Just Can't Enjoy Outside Peacefully

Nothing is more joyful and peaceful in the world than to have a beautiful, sunny, warm day out, you walk out onto your back porch with that first fresh brewed cup of hot coffee, sit down, relax and take in a deep breath of fresh air and view the beautiful morning sunshine.  Then you raise that nice warm aroma filled cup to your lips only to be met with the loud annoying sound of a chainsaw grrrrrrrrr!  Know what's worse, deciding to take a nap later only to be woke by another neighbor deciding to mow his grass at exactly the time I finally fall asleep.  This after I finally had gotten over my morning gripe with the chain saw incident. What's really sad is this is almost a daily occurance in my neighborhood because if it's not one neighbor, then it is another.  Sigh. 

On the brighter side, which I generally try to look at.  At least it is not raining all week, not all gloom and doom.  Things can always be worse.  I  mean, for the most part, I have good neighbors, after all, I do live in a neighborhood where houses are pretty much side by side.  I long for the privacy of a nice little quaint cottage in some wooded area with a beautiful pond and gorgeous scenery, but then I would probably just gripe about the insects, racoons, snakes and bears, so I'm thankful for what I do have right now, my little house in the neighborhood with an abundance of chainsaws and lawnmowers. 

Today's Life Quote:

"Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." ~ Saint Francis De Sales 1567

Life Gripe: All Twitter Peeps Deserve Respect

All Twitter Peeps Deserve Respect

Recently I came across several blogs about twitter posting etiquette and why certain people don’t want to follow or shouldn’t follow other peeps on twitter. Some tweet about their celebrity or related, their day to day schedules, moment to moment activities, interesting stories, informative links or just idol chit chat with their friends. So who is to say who's tweets are the “good” tweets and who's are the “bad” tweets? Who is right and who is wrong? What give’s YOU the right?

Yes there are some tweets that are not interesting and certainly don’t interest me. There are tweets that are basically just noise. Moreover, there are tweets that are all business, tweets that are just about celebrity status, marketing, quotes, and some just plain mumbo jumbo. Yes, some annoy me greatly, some don’t interest me in the least. But the fact of the matter is, we all are equal and have equal rights and deserve respect in the twitterverse to post what we want, when we want and to whom we want.

Yes there is a basic twitter etiquette we all need to and should follow.  And most with common sense know how to do that.  But still we all must respect each other and let others have the freedom to tweet what it is they are there to tweet. Their tweets may not be important to you, but they are obviously important to that person or else they wouldn’t have tweeted them in the first place. So if you are not interested in their tweets, here‘s a suggestion, use Tweet Deck and sort your columns by interest and importance. And if your not interested, why are you following them in the first place? My guess is, you requested to follow them in the first, just so they would follow you and read “your important tweets”? For shame. Here’s an a simple concept and idea, don’t follow them, that will solve the problem, period.

Today's Life Quote:

Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.
~Jane Addams (1860 - 1935), Speech, Honolulu (1933)

Life Hype: Getting a cold, when the weather is gorgeous out.

Okay, so the weather that was forecast for seven straight days was that of nothing but sunny blue skies and warm weather, so that's great right?  I was so excited about the impending forecast and a couple of days into the wonderful weather all was well.  Then one morning I awoke with a scratchy throat.  Later in the day came the congestion and headache.  Finally, that night when I went to bed the coughing began.  So I knew, this was not allergies kicking in, but a cold.  So for several days now of this beautiful spring weather, including today, Easter Sunday, I have been sick.  There is just nothing more depressing that looking forward to a great weather forecast then coming down with a cold.  So here I am on this beautiful day, sitting here feeling absolutely miserable looking out the window wishing I could be outside enjoying the sun. 

But you know what?  Things could always be worse.  Today is Easter and today of all days, I should be appreciative and thankful to the lord what I do have.  I could feel way more depressed than I do now if it was all cold, dreary and rainy outside or my cold was the flu or something worse!  So you know what, okay, I have a cold, so what!  I'm just thankful it is beautiful outside and that all I have is a cold that will be gone in a matter of a few more days.They say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  So lemonade it is this Easter Sunday!
Today's Quote:

"Health is not simply the absence of illness. Real health is the will to overcome every form of adversity and use even the worst of circumstances as a springboard for new growth and development. Simply put, the essence of health is the constant renewal and rejuvenation of life."

Today, I have a Life Gripe...

People who always seem to want to find trouble, cause trouble or be in the middle of some sort of trouble - So what gives? What’s the deal? What is the problem? Is it that they’re bored, lonely or jealousy perhaps. From my personal experiences it’s always come from the latter. Jealousy. It just amazes me how some human beings can do such silly minded, yet malicious things just because they want to. I just don’t understand why people have to cause trouble, especially when there is no harm being done, only good. I try, hard as it may, to drown out the negativity and hurtful things that other people do and say, especially when personally involves me. I try to keep my thoughts in a good place and a smile on my face, so as to not follow down the same path of those who are jealous and malicious towards others or myself. And although it's taken some time, and I'm still learning, I have come to realize I can't control the actions nor integrity of others. I must admit, I can never fully accept or understand those types of people. Obviously they have deeper issues they need to deal with.  I feel sorry for them because they have to live with themselves and that in itself makes for a tortured soul.  My only wish is for them to get help and find peace for and within themselves

My quote for today’s gripe is:

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.” ~William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693