Life Gripe: Good True Friends Are Hard To Find

I remember the days when you had good true friends, those that called and came over everyday. The ones you just had to talk to everyday or at least talk to frequently and not always about anything in particular. You shared all your inner most thoughts and feelings with them, including your secrets. You could depend on them for anything and they asked for nothing in return. They didn't ask you to be a certain way, look a certain way, act a certain way or have money, they were just simply your friend and they liked you for who you were. They were never to busy for you nor did they replace you with better friends or another person, once they were your friend, they were your friend for life. At least that's how it seemed or how you were treated when you were younger. You were irreplaceable.

Nowadays, friendship is based more on money and status and what you can bring to the table. It's not about the actual friendship. You're only a friend until someone better comes along. Your friendship is only as good as what your worth. You're simply a means to an end. You're there for their convenience and use until your no longer useful. You're tossed aside like yesterdays trash.    That is until when or if your needed again for whatever reason.

What's hard to find is someone that is there when you need them for any reason, whether it be just to talk, to share a cup of coffee or someone to help you when things go wrong. Someone who doesn't care how much money you have or judge you. Someone with whom you can totally be yourself. Someone who doesn't ignore you or is only there when convenient. These things are pretty tough to find in a friend nowadays. I am just heartbroken over the fact that I can honestly say I don't even have one good true friend. Sure I have several "friends", that are more like close acquaintances, but not a good true friend. What has happened to real friendships? Why do they rarely exist anymore? Do you honesly have any good true friends?

Today's Life Quote:

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.

Muhammad Ali

Life Gripe: Automobile Maintenance

Today, my Life Gripe is automobile maintenance.  Why?  Because my jeep is breaking me and putting me in the poor house.  If it's not one thing wrong with it, then it's another.  First, I have a cracked windshield, then my battery died, so I replaced that.  Then it would crank, but wouldn't start, so I had to have $400 worth of work done to fix that.  Then my driver's side window came off track, so I had to have a new window regulator which cost me near $160.  Then I was told my wheel bearing may be going bad.  And all the while my airbag light has come on.  So now, I'm having the airbag light problem looked at and they're saying it will cost me anywhere from $40 to $100 just to look at it.  Of course, that money would go towards fixing it, but most likely they're going to tell me it will cost me hundreds of dollars to fix.  That's how these places are, especially when it comes to being a woman.  So I really dread going to my appointment tomorrow. 

All I know is that jeep is breaking me and sending me to the poor house.  I live check to check to begin with and now all this.  Why do automobiles have to be so complicated and such a pain and why do garages have to charge so much and try to cheat you?  I hope tomorrow they don't make me mad, so as I end up giving them a piece of my mind.  This is just so frustrating and depressing, but what can you do?  If you know, tell me, because I'd love to know.

Today's Life Quote:

The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right. ~William Safire

Life Gripe: Disrespecting Others

Today my life gripe is about disrespecting others.  In my particular case, it's the neighbors who are disrespecting everyone in the neighborhood by letting their dog run loose once and twice a week and being a nuisance and possibly a danger to everyone. 

This dog has chased after people walking, chased cars, chased kids on a mopad, came after me on my porch and went after my husband and his kids as they were getting out of the car.  This dog is very agressive barking and growling and his tail is not wagging.  He comes into our yard chasing us and using the bathroom in our yard.  We have called Animal Control several times and have even been told they have already been warned and cited once.  But do they seem to care, no, obviously not, as they're still letting their dog loose once and twice a week to disrespect the neighbors.   

They obviously have no respect for others.  I don't let my dog loose to run wild.  My dog is a house dog and occasionally I put her outside on a 25 foot lead and I also take her for walks.  That's what these people need to do.  They need to respect everyone else.  Not let their dog run wild to chase and scare other people or to relieve themselves in neighbors yards.  I'll never understand people who blantantly disrespect others or their property.

Here is the definition of Respect ...Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected (e.g., "I have great respect for her judgment"). It can also be conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Rude conduct is usually considered to indicate a lack of respect, disrespect, where as actions that honor somebody or something indicate respect. Specific ethics of respect are of fundamental importance to various cultures. Respect for tradition and legitimate authority is identified by Jonathan Haidt as one of five fundamental moral values shared to a greater or lesser degree by different societies and individuals.[1]

What part of this can't they understand?  Why is it so difficult for them to be respectful.  And to have been warned and cited already and continue to disrespect is just low.  I mean how low can you go?  They're the lowest of low.  So who and how is someone disrespecting you?  This is my story of disrespect.  The current status is I wrote a letter to Animal Control after many phone calls that seemed to go nowhere.  They finally responded and gave me a direct number to call in the future that would take more direct action.  They were also going to go give another warning to the neighbor about letting the dog loose, so hopefully this will put an end to it once and for all.

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 quotes

Life Gripe: Why Bother to Tweet

Why do I tweet?  Why do I bother?  Really, what's the reason?  There's rarely any interactions or RT's to speak of.  I think everyone just posts and reads their own tweets and that's about it.  Maybe on occasion someone will actually read your tweet and give you an RT if your lucky.  But that's on a rare occasion.  It seems as though everyone is caught up in themselves, in doing their own thing and they don't communicate.  It's all about me, me, me. 

There are, of course, those popular tweeters who have tons of followers that get many RT's and people love to communicate with them.  But only if you popular.  Sheesh, it makes you feel like your almost back in high school again.  The most popular gets all the attention while everyone else gets left out in the cold.  And everyone wants you to follow them, but they don't want to follow you back.  Once again, they're only interested in themselves.  So for the most part, everyone is out there posting and posting, all the while no one is reading them but themselves.

I think the only reason I'm still tweeting is because it's a way to express myself, to talk, even if no one is listening.  I guess it's also because I secretly hope someone is reading them.  That someone finds them interesting or entertaining.  I also use it to hear about the latest coupon deals and freebies.  There are a few select people on there I do tweet with everyday just to say hello and to tell them to have a good day.  Other than that there's not really any communication or as you call it, mentions. 

I remember, in the beginning, twitter was much more interactive.  In the beginning, people were communicating and RTing more than what they are now.  Somewhere along the line it slowed down to an almost standstill.  And now we're left with everyone just posting about themselves and for themselves.  I don't know what needs to happen to change this, but something needs to give.  All I know is there needs to be more communication...more mentions and more RTing.  There needs to be more interest taken in each other's posts.  Right now it's just all of us peeps in one big twitterverse and no communication is going on.

Today's Life Quote:

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.



Leo Buscaglia

Life Hype: Beautiful Sunny Days

I just love beautiful warm sunny days.  There is nothing like a sunny, warm 80 degree day.  Not to hot, not to cold, but just right.  All the beautiful trees and flowers are blooming and fresh fragrances are in the air of fresh flowers and even mowed grass.  All the birds are singing and chirping.  Just such a lovely day.

I think I have Seasonal Defective Disorder because my moods seem to be according to the weather outside.  It's so wonderful when it's nice outside because even if you don't do anything, at the very least you can sit outside on your porch and enjoy the weather.  You can sit in silence for peace and quiet, you can read a book or even lay out in the sun if that's what you wish.  And best of all, you can go for a walk as I do with my pup.  Just so you soak up some good old Vitamin D.  So not only do you get to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather, but be sure you take advantage of the wonderful weather when you can because Vitamin D is an essential Vitamin we all need and you need at least about 10 minutes a day of direct sunlight.  Not only is the Vitamin D good for you, but it improves your mood and overall well being.  So what are you waiting for?  Go soak up some sun!

Today's Life Quote:

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day. ~W. Earl Hall

My Favorite Seasons

I dislike Winter and Summer.  Why?  Winter is too cold and summer is too hot.  My favorite time of the year is Spring and Fall.  Not to hot and not too cold, but just right.  You can actually go outside in the spring without breaking out into a big sweat or in your home for that matter.  And Fall is just cool enough that your not freezing your butt off every time you turn around.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Winter and Summer, well okay pretty close.  I can take Summer over Winter any day.  At least in the Spring and Fall if you want to cookout outside you can do so without burning up or all the bugs.  And you can take a walk comfortably. 

Another good reason I love Spring and Fall is for my moods.  I am much happier and more pleasant in the Fall and Spring time because I'm more comfortable and at ease.  I still get plenty of sunshine and warmth on my skin.  And Fall, I love all the beautiful colors of the leaves turning.  Just such an array of beautiful colors.  And Spring brings the wonderful fresh smells of flowers and trees blooming.  So yes, when it comes to seasons, I am a Spring and Fall kinda gal.  What are you and why?

Today's Life Quote:

"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence



Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance


Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence


Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance."


- Yoko Ono, Season of Glass

Life Gripe: Exercise

Today, I have a Life Gripe about exercising.  My gripe is that frankly, I hate it!  My New Year's resolution was to get back to the gym and get back on the treadmill which I have done reluctantly.  I go 4 days a week for 40 minutes and I loathe every minute of it.  Every day I have to really push myself and talk myself into going and that gets old quick.  I'm trying to establish exercise as a habit, something I will just start doing everyday without thinking so much about how I hate it, but so far, it isn't working. 

I know that the end result of exercising has only good things in store for me, so reluctantly I continue on.  I just keep thinking of my blood pressure going down and my HDL levels remaining low.  Oh and not to mention the weight loss that will come in time.  I have about 40 to 50 pounds to lose so any pounds I can lose would only be a huge accomplishment.  So far I've been going about 3 weeks and lost 2 pounds, but hey that's a start. 

As I said, I hate exercising, but know it's good for me and in time will lose some weight, so I will do my best to continue on at least 3 times a week, that is my goal.  My ultimate goal is 5 times a week for 45 minutes.  And as I said, to make exercise a habit.  Something I do without consciously having to force myself to do everyday.  If I can do that, it will be half my battle.

Today's Life Quote:

"Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states."
~Carol Welch