Lucy's Life in Suburb World

New Home!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:56:00 +0000

Lucy's Life in Suburb World has closed!

I am now Lucy's Reality

TMI Thursday: A life lesson, one of many!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

TMI Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

***Alright, folks, you know the rules. Join us all in humiliating the crap out of yourself every Thursday by sharing some completely tasteless, wholly unclassy, “how many readers can I estrange THIS week??” TMI story about your life. Or hell, about someone else’s!

This story goes back in time. Way back into the 1980's, yikes!!! Yes, those were my early college days.
Anyways, picture it 1984! Let me help you go back. This was the year the movies Beverly Hill Cop, Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones the Temple of Doom came out, just to name a few. Music hits: Holiday and Lucky Star by Madonna. Thriller by Michael Jackson. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. I Will Follow You by U2 and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, by Wham, just to name a few. These were the songs I was dancing to at the bars. Both the Cosby Show and Who's the Boss debuted in 1984! Top rated shows in 1984 were Murder She Wrote, Dynasty, Simon and Simon and the A-Team!

Now, that I have brought you back in time and I really don't want to know how many of you do not recognize half that stuff in the above paragraph, I will move onto my life lesson!

I was your typical college kid. Freshmen year I went out on Friday nights to the bars. Now, I wasn't so typical because I commuted to college. See, I knew that I was a total homebody and no way was I going to get a dorm room. We lived 20 minutes from THE OHIO STATE campus and I lived in a very nice home. I had my own master bedroom with my own phone line (remember back then no cellphones). No way was I giving that up. My best friend tried to talk me into sharing a dorm room and I told her she was nuts. Side note, I did move out my sophomore year BUT we got an apartment, I never did the dorm life, yuck! OK, now that I sound totally snobby, we shall move on and you will see that I am far from snobby or better yet have a no right to be snobby (LOL).

Anne and I headed out for our regular Friday night bar adventure. I loved to go dancing. Anne, she loved to drink. We had a lot of fun. I was not so great at drinking. I needed to pace myself or I could get drunk fast and sick. Anyways, we always made a deal that one of us would stay somewhat sober. Yeah, I know not so bright but remember we were not so bright college kids. It was my night to not get drunk. No problem, I tended to avoid overdrinking because I hated puking. We met guys. We played quarters. They bought me Tom Collins. Yeah, I got drunk. Anne, obviously was oblvious to this. I left the bar. She didn't even notice.

I went to the car and was unable to get the keys in the door. I was drunk. I laid on the hood. Yep, drunk. Someone came up and asked, "Are you alright?" I said, "No" They knocked me off the hood and started laughing. I got back on the hood and puked. Anne finally came out and started yelling at me. How could I get drunk and she really shouldn't drive but she would and she threw me in the back seat. God knows we should not have driven home. To top it off I puked in my back seat.

The next morning my life lesson begins. I vaguely hear my brother saying to my dad, "I think Lucy got sick last night?" (really there is puke on my car and in it) Obviously my brother was being gentle with my dad. My brother says, " Should we clean it up.? I hear the door slam. I hear my dad, say "Nope, she is doing it and before her mother wakes up." And then, my brother is standing in my doorway, saying, "Lucy, Dad is coming, get ready." And shit...... see my dad is an ex-marine drill sergeant. He is loud and he is double loud when he is mad. And my dad was mad. Remember this is 1984 and I still remember it! Here it goes.

The curtains fly open. "Lucy, get up, clean that car and you do it now before your mother gets up. This will never happen again. You should not get that drunk but if for some reason you do, call home, clear? Answer me, now" I answered him and off he went. My brother came in my room and said, " Call me anytime and I will come get you." And he walked out.

I did call my brother a couple of times, we never drove home again drunk, it was a life lesson. I am thankful we lived and hurt no one in the process.

Post It Note Tuesday: Busy???

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:34:00 +0000

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post It Note Tuesday!!!

Time to send the Boy Pink, the Girl Blue!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:59:00 +0000

I frequently get my ideas for posts while reading other blogs. Today, I spent much of my blog reading Just Posts. What is that you ask? I love these posts. They are an assortment of posts that make you think about the world. They are inspiring, provoking and heartfelt. The Blog I find these great post from is none other than Cold Spaghetti, another delightful blog I enjoy. Please check out this great blog and get all the details about Just Posts!

This month two of the posts I read happen to be about sexism. Both writers seemed to be appalled that in 2010 we still continue to perpetuate gender stereotypes. Sad, so sad. Everything that generations before us have tried to do and yet we still buy pink for girls and blue for boys. Hell, we even make the diapers in those colors. Wow, I would call that a DIGRESSION.

We Can Do Better is from finding atman and You Gotta Fight for the Right to Plie from Wheels on the Bus is the other post, please read these two great posts, then head back here to see why these touch me personally.

I have the two most wonderful kids. My little urchins are now adults. I have a son, 21, Nathan and a daughter, 18, Maddie. If I described my two children you would most definitely get them wrong. Odd statement for me to make, right?

Nathan, he loves music, the theater and has more clothes than I can even begin to count. He loves to decorate and shop. He keeps his room clean. When he was small he asked to take ballet and other dance classes, his father said no, emphatically. We all know why, I won't pretend to deny it.  Also,Nathan has no issue dressing up and gladly does it when expected. He takes a while to get himself ready and his father loves to make the lovely, sexist statement "You are just like a girl."

Maddie, loves sports. She plays basketball but she will watch any sport. When she was a little girl you would find her watching the international channel and what would be on? futbol and rugby. I am telling you, Maddie will watch any sport and would rather watch rugby, field hockey, lacrosse, you name it than a musical with me anyday.

Now, be honest, had I given you the descriptions without their names chances are you would have labled Maddie, Nathan and Nathan, Maddie. Still in 2010 we are wired this way.

I tried to get Maddie to do ballet. We were driving to her class and she just broke down crying in the car. I turned the car around. Called the instructor and removed Maddie from the class. Her father was not so happy we lost some money on that deal but no way was I going to force her to take the class, she was miserable. You know what set Maddie off? Not the dancing so much. At the previous class they had the kids try on their costumes for the recital and Maddie would have rather died than wear a tutu.

Maddie as a little girl was never into dresses. In second grade when she was getting her First Communion she asked if she could wear pants. Nope. She had to wear a little white dress.  Maddie survived. Overtime Maddie has outgrown her hatred of dresses and actually has picked out a beautiful dress for prom but she still is just as comfortable in jeans, sweats or her basketball shorts. Maddie doesn't wear makeup on a daily basis only on special occasions and she doesn't fuss with her hair too much. She prefers ponytails. They are easy for sports.

Nathan tried all the sports through grade school into middle school. He sucked. Most likely because he really wasn't into them but he tried all of them. He was teased endlessly for sucking. He was picked on to the point of cruelty at the Catholic School he attended. We eventually had to pull him and Maddie.  Nathan thrived at the public school where they embraced his love of the arts. Sad, christianity, Catholics and they treated our son with such indignity it hurts, right down to my soul. I am not just talking the kids. Teachers and parents ignored the abuse. Calling it normal. Or better yet, my son was suppose to CONFORM, BE A BOY.

We had to have our son in therapy for a year. The kids were mean. They stuffed him in an ash can. They shunned him. He sat alone at lunch. He was called names and if he defended himself then he was punished for defending himself. He never used his fists, he used words but he was called mean and no one asked why he was saying things Until a few brave kids stepped up and spilled the beans about the conspiracy and then we got a bunch of apologies. What a joke. Today, those kids try to be friends with him on Facebook and insinuate they were just being kids, well, if that makes them and their parents feel better. WHATEVER!

We sit back and we complain that we still create these blue and pink roles and that is all it is, TALK. When we come face to face with it and see the true damage we do nothing. Teachers ignore. They claim they are too busy to deal with social issues. Parents say we have to let kids be kids. Well, sticking a kid in a locker or calling him names because he likes music over football, baseball or basketball is bullshit.

One of my own family member's said, "If Maddie plays basketball in college well, you know she will be a lesbian or people will think it." I guess she has to wear makeup, skirts up her ass, let her boobs hangout and then she is all girl. Sorry, I know that is mean but I don't care if she is a lesbian, what I care about is the fact that if we don't fit in the blue and pink category then we must be a homosexual.

Well, I fear that in 2010 we have made no progress with breaking down the lines between how we define men and women roles. We have women sports but c'mon do they rank up there with the men? Yeah, right! If a man stays home with the kids because the wife makes more, Oh, c'mon, we hear the talk!

In 2010 we still have the Pink and Blue roles!!!!
My two kids have never ever fit those roles and you know what, they are strong, wonderful, successful kids.
Those brats didn't break them. The teachers, religious leaders and other parents turned a blind eye and my son and daughter happily fliiped them off and kept on flying. They are now soaring high and I dare say better off because they know how to deal with struggle.

Maybe, just maybe it will be their generation that will turn the tide!!!!

Post It Note Tuesday: Reality Style

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:25:00 +0000

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post It Note Tuesday!!!

If you want more information about any of the shows above just go to Bravo's website and you can get all the juicy details!

A Lucy Post: On roll of irritating readers this week!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:00:00 +0000

I seem to be hitting nerves this week with posts so I figure I might as well keep it up. You know, do it all in one week.

Yesterday my son called. Nathan hasn't called in forever, it was nice to chat with him. Of course, the timing was a little off. I am a homebody. I mean I very rarely venture out and wouldn't you know it, Nathan calls while I am at the doctor and then the grocery store. Typically, I do rote shopping. Meaning, I buy the same old stuff. I go up and down every isle. I never have a list and we eat the same crap week in and week out. But, I have decided to to spice things up. I have this Weight Watcher Cookbook All Time Favorites and I am going to do recipes every week. Therefore, I was getting new ingredients and needed to search for stuff and talk on the phone. Nathan was getting a little frustrated with my distraction but when I explained he was ok and teased me about my new adventure into cooking. I think Julia from Sometimes Lucid has got me into wanting to try new things.

Anyways, Nathan was complaining about his roommate, Rachel. All I can say is I am so glad he is graduating and he is not really involved in her antics and eventhough he was complaining it was more of 'feeling sorry' for his other roommate, Taylor. See, if Rachel pulled this on Nathan, well, OMG, shit would hit the fan!!! So, what did she pull??? I call it "The Sense of Entitlement Belief".

Rachel is not graduating until August. Taylor has another year. The deal was that Taylor would get a roommate for the year but would make sure the new roommate did not want summer occupancy and then Rachel could have a place through the summer. Taylor found the new roommate. All three girls went and found a new apartment. In the meantime, Rachel got engaged to a man, and I do mean man. He is almost 30, that lives in a different city. When I heard Rachel was engaged I said, "Taylor better be sure she is sticking around for the summer." Nathan said, "I know, I suggested they talk and they did and Rachel has promised." You all see where this is going right???

Taylor and new roommate signed lease. Rachel bailed for the summer the night they signed the lease, claiming she didn't know they were signing the lease that day. Not true. She went and saw the apartment, knew they were signing the lease and never said a word until that night. Now, Nathan, Rachel and Taylor are going on spring break together!!! Doesn't that sound like a blast!!!

But, here is where it gets better. Rachel has been raised to act in this selfish manner. You know the sense of entitlement rant I always go on and on about?? Yes, this plays into her behavior and it is why I told Nathan not to listen to her word. And, honestly had Nathan been sticking around for a year we would never had let him sign the lease counting on her without getting her signature as a sub leaserer. Over the four years of college we have 'learned' Rachel and her family values!

Her parents 'lost' their home. Yep, foreclosure. At first I felt incredibly bad for them and we offered to let Rachel spend a summer with us. Well, Now, I don't feel so bad for these people. Why? Over the four years, we have watched them encourage their daughter to use her student loan money to buy a car, go on trips and buy plane tickets to go home at Thanksgiving when Christmas break is right around the corner. Rachel never worked during the school year, unlike my son and Taylor and yet we could easily afford for him to not work and the same for Taylor but we believe in teaching our children the value of working. Rachel's family needed her to work. Rachel's parents have chosen to buy BMW's and then lost all the belongings that were in storage because of missed payments. In otherwords, Rachel has been taught to live off of the government (that is what student loans are) and she has been taught to be selfish. Her word means nothing. Just like her parents word means nothing when they sign mortgage papers or storage agreements. They choose to have fun or buy fancy stuff and then bemoan the world when they lose their home or belongings. You know the sense of entitlement. Rachel has this feeling that she deserves to be happy at all costs and I say she gets that belief from her parents. She doesn't feel she needs to keep her word. Rachel says that she did nothing wrong, she hasn't signed anything and she must do what is right for her. Yep, that is exactly what her parents do. Get what they want, when they want and when they can't keep their end of the bargain they just let it go! But someone pays for it, US, GOOD taxpaying citizens. They are on assistance and they are driving nice cars, have great phones and they go on vacations. SOMEONE please explain????

So, here is what I think? We need to have a system that has lines that we can put people in.
Here are the lines!

Line 1 People In Need Honest to Goodness Trying: You know, these are people who have had badluck, or an illness or lost their job and are honestly looking for a job and making cuts at home until they can find something. I think these people deserve assistance. I think these people should be at the front of the line and yet these people are usually not in the line or take very little. And/Or, are not on assistance long.

Line 2 People In Need because they believed in fairytales but now are willing to learn: These are people that got suckered into all that mortgage crap and believed they could have the bigger home eventhough it didn't make sense but they trusted the so-called experts and then the worst happened and for some they even lost their jobs too and it really spiraled out of control. These people have learned a hard lesson and are trying and need help. They realized their are no Fairytales. If it is too good to be true than it is!

Line 3 People In Need that will always be Dumbasses but you can't just leave them to rot: These people seem to be in constant money trouble. Always skipping out on their agreements. They have trouble holding down a job and it always seems to be THE WORLD's fault, you know the kind of person I am talking about, c'mon. SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT! These people should be last in line for money. They should be forced to take money management classes before handing them a check. They should not be allowed to have credit cards. They should be required to have a savings account. They should have a money advisor that helps control their funds, you know like a Jenny Craig/Weight Watcher weight advisor.

I mean it is the taxpayers money and just like everyone wanted stipulations with the companies when the government bailed them out, I think we should start putting some serious restrictions on welfare partcipants, especially lifetime users. We all know some lifetime users, don't we? Maybe, if we started making it a little more difficult to live off of the government they might have an incentive to want to get their AFFAIRS in order so they can do with thier money as they please.

How many Liberals did I tick off today???

TMI Thursday: The Mistress

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:02:00 +0000

TMI Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

***Alright, folks, you know the rules. Join us all in humiliating the crap out of yourself every Thursday by sharing some completely tasteless, wholly unclassy, “how many readers can I estrange THIS week??” TMI story about your life. Or hell, about someone else’s!

My too much information story this week is a little odd. It is not so much a VERB story. I know you are thinking what the heck does that mean? Well, this week it is more a confession type story. It is like I am giving you too much information about my WONDERINGS. My deep dark secrets. Odd as they are! What I think about sometimes. I am sharing my odd thoughts, probably too much information!

Here is something I have always had issues with: THE MISTRESS!
I have always wanted to have a sitdown with a Mistress. You know ask serious questions. You know like an interview like Diane Sawyer would do with a rapist. Not that I am saying The Mistress is comparable to a rapist. Gosh, that came out wrong.   What I mean is like one of those in-depth interviews. You know trying to get inside the head of a Mistress.

Why you ask? Because I really don't understand The Mistress! It baffles me. See, it is a deep dark secret of mine. I know you are thinking it is because I am a long time wife (22 years married) and I am 44 years old and getting scared. Nope. Honestly, I have wondered about this since I was young. I had a couple of friends when I was in my twenties that were actually THE MISTRESS and let's just say they did not remain my friend for long and I never had the guts to do the in-depth interview with them but I sooooo wanted to pick their brain.

Here I go......

I just don't GET being THE MISTRESS. You are dating or being with someone else's guy? Isn't that just wrong? I mean don't we consider that an ultimate woman betrayal?

In addition, at what point do you not trust the married guy? I mean he is cheating on his wife? That is someone who has at one time made promises to another woman. Most likely the same promises he is now making to you, so why are you believing him? I mean, this guy is married. He told his wife at some point he loved her. That she was THE ONE for him. He has made love to her and how do you know that he is not still telling her those things??? Especially, THE MISTRESS that is a longtime MISTRESS? It just blows my mind how women SHARE a guy with a wife and why they think this is ok.

Better yet why do some women then push the guy to leave the wife for her? I mean after being a MISTRESS will you ever really trust him??

See, I always wonder once The Mistress succeeds at getting the cheating husband to leave his wife and marry THE MISTRESS doesn't THE MISTRESS always wonder when he is going to eventually tire of her?

Or does The Mistress, now wife, really believe that she is now the actual soulmate? You know,that the first wife was just a mistake and that he told the first wife that she was the soulmate and he loved her but then met THE MISTRESS and realized the first wife was not really the soulmate! I mean, doesn't THE MISTRESS now wife, worry that he might have that happen again??? Woosh, that was hard to get out!!!

C'mon deep down, when he starts working late or has a business trip don't you think THE MISTRESS, now wife, just maybe wonder a little bit? Or do Mistresses delude themselves into believing all the bullshit cheaters tell them? You know, that they just fell out of love with the first wife or their first wife just nagged them to death or their first wife got caught up with the kids or their first wife let themselves go or whatever pathetic excuse they seem to give THE MISTRESS why they are cheating??

Bottom Line: I want to say to a THE MISTRESS, really don't you think the cheater should just divorce THE WIFE before going out and finding a replacement???   And, if you really, really think about what you are doing is it what you would want done to you???

So, there it is, something that rolls around in my head! I just don't get THE MISTRESS and really and truly don't get what they see in a cheater and how they believe HIS WORD???
I am embarrassed to say, I have thought about this on way to many occassions and I really can't say why!
So, there you have it, my TOO MUCH INFORMATION for today! I want the 411 on THE MISTRESS and I would love for one to give me the answers!!! I probably still wouldn't get it! But, I still would love to 'hear' what you are thinking/feeling/experiencing. It truly fascinates me!

The Suburbs and Driving!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:23:00 +0000

I talk about driving a lot. I admit that I am a driver that tends to speed. I know this is wrong but I am a careful driver. BELIEVE it OR NOT. You know what is funny? My speeding doesn't compare to some of the other infractions I see. I know, I know I am justifying breaking the law but I am telling you since I am speeding my eyes are on the road. Why? They are on the look out for cops and therefore I am clued into to my surroundings. Unlike most of the other idiot drivers. See, in Suburbia we drive a lot. I mean we have to drive just about everywhere we go. I honestly, can't think of anything in walking distance. So, hopping in the car and loading up the kiddies and off we go is pretty much the life in suburbia.

Now, what I love is a lot of the parents, especially the moms, they will say they feel like some days they live in their cars/minivans. They complain about their vehicles being a mess. Now to combat these long days in the car they have all kinds of gadgets in their vans to occupy the little ones. You would think these gadgets are to make life better for the little ones, you know so they don't get so cranky in the car. Yep, I'm sure that is partly the reason but honestly those television screens that are used to drive around town are for the mommies, you know why?? Yeah, c'mon, I know this is making my mommy bloggers mad but be honest, be totally honest with yourselves, to pop in a video while driving to the grocery store, the bank, soccer practice for the older sibling is for one reason only, c'mon we all know it??? Spit it out.... I'm waiting....

I'm waiting.......

It is for you to chat on the cellphone. Yep, you know it. It is you multi-tasking. Doing your errands you pop in a video, and wah la you can make some quick phone calls!!!! Yeah for you!

But, fine! Then don't even GLARE at me when I go zooming by you because you can't switch lanes, or make your turn or you are having trouble maintaining the proper speed limit because you are busy with the phone and what is even more mind blowing is some of you even text while driving. Now, that is scary!

Bottom line, the phone is waaaaay more distracting and unsafe than my speeding. And, yet, You have that little 'Baby on Board' sign for all us drivers, like that is going to make us be a little more careful around you??? I think when I see that 'Baby on Board' sign and you are driving and talking on your cellphone or worse texting and driving I have serious questions about what you consider safe?? But mostly don't glare at me or flip me off! Honestly, you can't be serious?

So, to The mom last week with the 'Baby on Board' sign and little ones watching a video who was attempting to make a left turn but she couldn't even get through the light and she held up traffic and then glared because she got honked at all WHILE SHE WAS TALKING ON HER PHONE!!! Well, Hello, hang up the phone and drive!!!!

So, does this happen in your town? And, how guilty of this are you?? I love my bluetooth but I don't even get on that very often. I am a firm believer that talking on the phone is distracting and once I am in a lot of traffic I hang up. Period.

TMI Thursday: What was I thinking?

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:55:00 +0000

TMI Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

Yeah, I liked eyeliner a lot!!! My husband's roommates called me the Queen of Eyeliner!

Oh, my gosh, that perm wasn't, well, very flattering and oh, my gosh maybe I needed a NUDE slip under that dress, yikes! But, c'mon I was a little sleep deprived, that is my little Nathan, 21 years ago!!!

Oh, my gosh, so 1980's. I loved that dress, what was I thinking, ugh and my husband's lovely Cosby sweater, double ugh!!!

BUT WAIT FOR IT, here comes the GLAMOUR SHOT!!!

OMG!!!!

What the Hell??

OK tonight I think we need to open a bottle of wine, light a fire and BURN baby BURN!!!!!

I Can't Afford It?

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:25:00 +0000

I can't afford it! Have you ever heard that phrase uttered and thought, um, that is a cop out?  I think that phrase is used by PEOPLE as a way of getting out of buying something they feel OBLIGATED TO BUY. Which is pathetic. What is sad, PEOPLE should use the phrase more!! And at appropriate times BUT they don't. NOPE.

People like to LIVE above their means and then they EXPECT FREE education, health and whatever else they think they are ENTITLED to because they CAN'T AFFORD it.

AND YET, they have the nifty cellphone. They have a cool laptop with wireless connection.  They wear the latest trends. Drive nice cars. Take vacations because by golly they ABSOLUTELY need to go on vacations!!!  They buy the biggest house eventhough something told them that it just might be out of their reach!

People have to stop living above their MEANS. People have to start putting NECESSITIES FIRST.

You know when we didn't have a 'pot to piss in' as the saying goes, we never missed taking our kids to the doctor. Nope, even when we didn't have INSURANCE. We made it a priority and PAID the doctor. They never missed a DENTIST appointment either. For a few years we had no cable. We had ONE television. It took a long while to get a computer and then, only ONE, AND ABSOLUTELY no wireless for a long time! We got ONE cellphone way after everyone else had cellphones.

My point: We do not buy something until it fits the BUDGET. We also NEVER say out loud we can't afford something. You know when asked to pitch in, we just pitch in, not wiggle out with the pathetic "CAN'T AFFORD IT". I just love it when a person says the lovely phrase and then turns around and goes out to dinner. Don't you love people like that, just be upfront and say, "I don't want to pitch in." BECAUSE if you really couldn't afford it then you wouldn't be eating out for lunch everyday, dinner several nights a week buying clothes constantly and getting the latest APPS for your phones and iPods.

Bottom line, I am sick of hearing how people CAN'T AFFORD their healthcare and their mortgages, REALLY??? I think many people need to GET THEIR priorities straight. You know, GO TO WORK and not TAKE A SNOW DAY when you have a husband out of work, a house close to foreclosure. My husband was working on the so called SNOW DAY and ALL HIS EMPLOYEES worked, so don't whine about NO MONEY and losing everything???? (fyi: the city did not shut down, we did not even have a level one snow alert for driving)

Credit Cards and Living above our means have gotten us into trouble BUT now we seem to think we are ENTITLED to EVERYTHING.

My frustration: I don't mind helping the person who has gotten knocked for a loop. You know, Lost their job and is doing their best to get back on their feet. Or, the person who has gotten sick and can't work and needs the community to be there for them BUT there has to be a way to balance this helping.

Anyways, I think we need to use the "I can't Afford it" phrase appropriately.

Buy, the 'right' car. Buy the 'right' house. Cut up the credit cards! Pack your lunch. My husband packs his lunch almost EVERYDAY. Can you imagine?? He is just stunned at the fact that his employees eat out EVERYDAY for lunch.
Go to the doctor for preventive care! Invest in your higher education.
Cutback on your APPS! Stop buying every freakin' RINGTONE!
GO on ONE SMALL vacation a year or try a STAYCATION until you can afford more!!!

PAY CASH AND BUILD A SAVINGS!!!!! Oh, and LEARN TO WAIT FOR THINGS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING NOW.     You know, sometimes working and saving for something is really quite a feeling, a good feeling, a great feeling!!!! It is better than the feeling of ENTITLEMENT, it is that feeling of ACCOMPLISHMENT, trust me, it beats the FEELING OF ENTITLEMENT!!

Learn to use the "I can't Afford it" correctly. Not to get out of the jewelry party for a friend. You know, you do things for a friend and you could skip a lunch or two for that but YOU SHOULD USE THE phrase when buying the unnecessary APP or upgrading your phone when the one you have is perfectly fine or buying that car when you know the monthly payment is going to really make life tough or it is just not really needed and you could bank that money.
THAT IS WHEN you should use "I CAN'T AFFORD IT"!!!

Below is a letter written by a young physician by the name of Dr. Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House gives us something TO THINK about.  A "Culture Crisis" instead of a "Health Care Crisis". It's worth a quick read:

Dear Legislators of the House and Senate:

During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.

While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.

And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me".

Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.

Respectfully,

STARNER JONES, MD

My thoughts: Does it have to be one or the other? You know Culture Crisis or Healthcare Crisis? or could it be a mixutre????
You know a little of both!!!

Post It Note Tuesday: High Road or Low Road??

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:14:00 +0000

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post It Note Tuesday!!!

Image, It is all about IMAGE!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:22:00 +0000

This post is all about REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY. I have been pretty upfront about my guilty pleasures and Reality Television is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. My absolute favorite Reality shows are the HOUSEWIVES. I find them, gosh, what is the word, INTERESTING. Anyways, click away if you don't watch because today's post is all about ORANGE COUNTY!!!
I have actually liked Real Housewives of Orange County (RHWOC) this season and it was much better than the Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHWA). RHA was just soooo boring.

I think RHWOC has been REAL and INTERESTING. The drama has not been forced. Now, like every show there have been moments of BORING. But, for the most part I have enjoyed this season. Now, do I think it is all REAL. Heck, no! Absolutely, no way is it REALITY. And, I do think Bravo needs to start acknowledging some things. It is becoming painfully obvious theses women are not friends. THAT is ok. I rather Bravo allow these women to admit this and even admit that they are apart of each other's lives due to the show and where they live. This way Bravo could just admit to sponsoring some of the getaways, dinners, parties and events. AND, let the women gossip about each other. The problem is that this is a television show claiming to be REALITY and these women are suppose to be friends and they are suppose to dine together, shop together and do get aways together and THEN TALK ABOUT EACH OTHER AND THEN HANG OUT SOME MORE TOGETHER.

Now, for the show to work they do have to be candid about each other, right?? I mean we don't want to hear about how much they love each other, right? But, let's face it, we all have friends and if they heard how we gossiped about them to our husband would they really stay our friend?? The WOMEN all say, "I don't hold a grudge" But after a while it hurts to hear how someone REALLY feels about you ALL THE TIME. We don't always tell our friends what we think about them??? Right??

This post is going to FOCUS on the OLD DOG OF THE GROUP OR THE QUEEN BEE, whichever you like bes!!! GOOD OLD, ORIGINAL VICKIE GUNVALSON!!!

Anyways, I think Vickie the Old Dog of the group is on IMAGE control this season. And, really I am sick of Vickie. Oh, and I can hardly read her blog posts or all the support she is getting from everyone. See, Vicki is a "I can dish it BUT can't take it kind of person" I can't stand those type of people.

Take a look at Vickie. She is incredibly judgemental. AND she loves to play the "I am strong and I will take anyone on" stand and then she wimpers when someone takes her on . Vickie is a BULLY. And quite frankly she bullies her husband and her kids. And, her son, stands up to her and it drives her nuts. Her poor daughter tries desparately to break away only to be guilted back in by Vickie and her tears and shit.

Really, really watch VICKIE.

See, last year VICKIE came across as the MEAN GIRL because she was mean. VERY MEAN and she treated DON like shit. This season is all about IMAGE. Vickie knew that she looked bad so she is trying hard to placate DON and the viewers by playing up the I LOVE DON and we need to spend more time together AND THE BORING AS SHIT RENEWAL OF VOWS, GOD THAT WAS BORING! And why is this all being done?? I mean who renews their vows after 15 years??? C'mon people think about this, really think??? Yeah it is happening because VICKIE GUNVALSON knows that is what she needs to do to LOOK BETTER, you know to sell insurance and her book.

And yet MRS. Vickie GUNVALSON is quite the judge of others. She judges marriages, relationships, finances and childrearing but cannot listen to advice about her failing marriage and make no mistake her marriage is in serious trouble. Pay attention to Don's words. He wanted more time with VICKIE. He still says, "I was not invited on the trip" He did not start with I had to work.

Vickie and Don pretending to be asleep while Alexis telling her story is just rude. PERIOD. I don't care that her story would not end. That is never polite, ever. NO CLASS. Then to cry in the car. C'mon and you don't get in between a wife and husband. You know VICKIE GUNVALSON does not like it when people talk about her FARCE of a marriage she should not talk about ALEXIS BELLINO'S marriage or talk to SIMON after TAMRA BARNEY vented to her in confidence. That is what you do with your girlfriend and you hope that don't say anything to your husband. You know sometimes you just vent, although TAMRA BARNEY is another story and she probably divulged too much BUT VICKIE should still stay out of it, you always stay out of it!!!

Vickie talking about anyone and their use of the cell phone in public is the pot calling the kettle black. PERIOD Vickie has no right.

Vickie Gunvalson does not value a stay at home mother so she felt the calls were wrong. Now, I think phone calls are RUDE BUT all PHONE CALLS. VICKIE is fine with WORK phone calls. Vickie values her business calls and feels that those are acceptable but not a stay at home mom's calls. BOTTOM LINE: Vickie of all people had no right to discuss the phone, she is always being rude in that manner.

Vickie is condescending and rude. She feels that she has the right to state her opinion and no one else has that right.  VICKIE GUNVALSON cannot handle ALEXIS BELLINO standing up to her. BULLIES never like to be stood up to. Vickie Gunvalson likes TAMRA BARNEY because she can push her around. It is funny because she claims she wants TAMRA to stand up for herself but if TAMRA doesn't agree with Vickie then TAMRA is not thinking for herself, ok, whatever.

Vickie is trying hard to show herself as being nice. The BOTOX party at work??? C'mon staged for the viewers to help VICKIE GUNVALSON'S image. Yet, Vickie makes fun of everything the other women do because they don't work like VICKIE. The tupperware party, she made fun of, I thought that party was fun, I would love to go to one of those TUPPERWARE Parties. So, wish I had a GRETCHEN ROSSI type lady living near me. I thought Alexis Bellino's cooking class looked like fun and you could tell Gretchen and Tamra had fun! I understand if you work everyday you can't do those things but my husband owns his own business and he does things in the afternoon to relax at times, here and there, sometimes VICKIE needs to try that instead of BOTOX! Or workout, um, not to be mean but VICKIE GUNVALSON could stand to workout a little, she is definitely getting up there and she has put on few pounds, not overweight but she could take a few off and maybe not put the other women down so much for being healthy.

Anyways!

I found her remarks to be mean about eviction and short sell. It is unfortunate for TAMRA BARNEY and LYNNE CURTIN and yes, I will do a different post about these women and their spending habits but someday VICKIE will be old and you know THE OFFICE won't be there to comfort her. It is nice to enjoy your career, my husband loves what he does BUT he loves his family waayyyy more. AND, he knows to put family and friends first, never his job and we still are doing ok.

Vickie cannot see her son for who he is. He is not the work hard go get him type a guy she wants. VICKIE is blind to that boy!!!

Vickie Gunvalson is struggling being the OLD DOG. The original. The one that doesn't fit anymore. She sits with the younger gals seeing that she is no longer at the same point. Yes, she is doing well!!! But, she needs to let go. It is time for VICKIE GUNVALSON to exit RHWOC. She has raised her kids, her husband is hardly around and she really isn't A HOUSEWIFE anymore, she says it herself. VICKIE GUNVALSON is at work all day long and she is moving into the EMPTY NESTER point of her life.
I watched her at the DINNER Party and on the trip and thought, VICKIE GUNVALSON, YOU DON'T FIT. Not so much in a bad way but she knows it and she becomes mean and condescending and verbally abusive. Alexis Bellino is right. The other women take it because VICKIE GUNVALSON has acquired the status of QUEEN BEE.    She is the last original of all the HOUSEWIVES and so they let her get away with SHIT. You know, how we let the OLDEST do stuff to placate them and then ALONG comes a young one that just can't take it. ALEXIS. See, she is NEW, NEW and she is like, " I don't have to take this OLD BROAD'S crap and I am not going to and it frustrates VICKIE because she can't really pick at ALEXIS.

Alexis Bellino is YOUNG,beautiful, smart and has money. VICKIE GUNVALSON will attack her for not working so I guess all us stay at home moms SUCK and we women are not allowed to make that CHOICE anymore. Isn't that what we fought for??? To make a choice whether we wanted to be a stay at home mom or work???

I wonder How VICKIE GUNVALSON's extended family feels about her? You know her siblings and mom? I think Vickie puts WORK above EVERYTHING, even her daughter was concerned if her MOM was going to be there for her, VICKIE was but not without worrying about how she was going to reschedule everything. My husband would not have even brought up his work at that moment.

Anyways, I think Vickie Gunvalson is on IMAGE control this season. Trying to fix what she did with Don last season. Trying to rid herself of the MEAN GIRL image.

VICKIE GUNVALSON is mean WHEN she feels threatened and she cannot handle any criticism. ANY! She LOVES the LIMELIGHT and she feels it fading, her time has come and gone but she should just shift to the next phase. The empty nester phase. Keep enjoying her work and it she needs to EXIT REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY with tears of course. C'mon, she knows how and when to cry!!!! Just think LIMO........

You know the Limo scene, you can't have it both ways, you either like the ladies and want to try and be friends BUT being condescending and high mighty is not the way to go or you don't like them and if you don't care about them and don't like them, then what is the crying all about??? I was very confused when she cried in the LIMO. Vickie was rude at Lynne's home. RUDE!

See, the perfect exit: crying in the LIMO while the young, smart, beautiful HOUSEWIVES rip her, remember when VICKIE use to be the leader of those MOMENTS!!!! She does, I think that is why she was crying, her time has just passed!!!!

(the above photo from Bravo)

Happy Valentines Day!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Valentine's Day!!! It can be great if you have A VALENTINE but it sucks the big one if you are single. And for weeks you have to see hearts, cute bears, cupids and all the commercials for couples. Not to mention that the television goes into ROMANTIC Movie mode and even the shows do VALENTINE themed shit. So, I can only imagine how a single person MUST FEEL!!! They must feel like, " Please, get this DAY over soon so I don't have shoot myself for not having a VALENTINE!"

Anyways, my husband and I have always and I mean always kept Valentine's Day very low key. Yes, we get each other a card. Remember, I am a Hallmark Gal, so a Card is a must (LOL) BUT we absolutely do not get each other EXPENSIVE gifts. NOPE! This, is the day we just give each other the cute little token "I love you" gifts. AND, I love them. I get stuffed bears, flowers, chocolate and etc... It is harder to buy for him. He has gotten a lot of mugs over the years (LOL). Sometimes we go to dinner but not always, actually not A LOT. Really, it is a very low key day for us. It is like, "Happy Valentine's Day" we exchange a sweet token of our love and then on about our daily lives. We celebrate our love on our ANNIVERSARY!!!

Today, I would like to pass on the some "Bloggy Love" and what better day to do it than VALENTINE'S DAY! I was awarded TWO AWARDS!!!! TWO!!! How exciting!!

The First Award is the Sugar Doll Award! C'mon, now that is just a great name, sounds all yummy!!

The Lovely Sheri from Sheri's World passed it on to me. Why do I enjoy Sheri's blog??? Oh, she gives great reviews. HONEST REVIEWS. I mean I have actually popped over and she is talking about something that unfortunately has disappointed her, it makes me trust her. Sheri reviews IT ALL! Games, movies, books, etc... BUT, she also throws in her slice of life. You get to hear about her travels and dreams it is a wonderful mix. You just have to check out this 20 something blogger!

Rules!! The rules are: I must tell you 10 things about me, gosh, I think you know all there is to know about me (LOL) and I get to pass this great Award on to 10 bloggers.

10 Things ABOUT LUCY!

1. I am 5 foot Nothing!
2. I can't figure out how to work my iPod in my car.
3. I hate to bake.
4. I hate to do the wash.
5. Cleaning relaxes me.
6. I must make the beds in the morning, it upsets me to no end if I leave the house and the beds are not made.
7. I pickup up hotel rooms to the point that all they have to do is make the beds and empty the trash can.
8. I speed while driving ALL THE TIME, no matter if I am late or not.
9. I LOVE FLOWERS, just love them and not to plant, I mean buy me flowers and put them in a vase, flowers!!!
10. I really don't like to go into Wal Mart and yet they have GREAT Prices, guess I can be kind of snobby, ugh that makes me mad!

Now, the 10 Blogs!

1. The Wifey Blogs: delightful, young, mother sharing her life with you BUT the best part is she is brutally honest and I mean that is the BEST part. She shares the ups and downs. In addition, she doesn't worry about being politically correct in this world of sweet. I am sick of everyone HIDING what they feel, I swear we are going to bust from being so politically correct. There is a difference between being a bigot and stating an opinion and somewhere we have lost the concept. Anyways, she says what she means and means what she says!!!

2. 3! A Charm: She is a stitch. Her life is the platform but my goodness she knows how to use humor and sarcasm and I only wish I could do the same. Oh, and she sprinkles in her conservative view BUT it is not a political blog at all!

3. Hannah, Just Breathe: She makes me want to do Yoga and I mean I am really truly tempted but it is not an instruction on yoga, no, no this young lady writes beautifully. Her storytelling of her life is well, um. BEAUTIFUL. I just feel, well, that is the perfect way to explain it, I FEEL after reading a post!

4. Live It Love It; Oh, this blog is just a lot of fun. I just go to this one to laugh and have fun!! Kind of a GUILTY PLEASURE BLOG (LOL)

5. A Nut in A Nutshell: For those of you that love GIVEAWAYS, you NEED to absolutely check this blog out BUT this is not just a GIVEAWAY blog she does double duty, she shares a tidbits of herself with you too. Short and sweet but you get to know her and I like to get to know the people on the blogs I visit!

6. The Scholastic Scribe: A teacher that shares her life in an upbeat well written blog. She just draws you in with every post. She shares her life in a very generous way with her readers!

7. Just Another Day: The name of her blog says it all!!! This is a working mom, yep we all are working moms but she has a job outside of the home and she has three little ones and, and , and .... it just another day!!

8. Blog Voyeur turned Blogwhore: Oh, this young lady is on quite a journey and she shares it all on her blog and to borrow a phrase from someone and I am not sure who, I just find her to be " a hoot" just a delight. But don't let that fool you, she writes wonderfully and it isn't all fluff, remember I don't typically like all fluff!

9. Insomniac Lolita: Seems like such an interesting young lady, gosh I think it would be cool to meet her, I feel like I am learning about a different culture through her and yet I realize how much human beings are similiar from culture to culture. See, she is across the world, Indonesia and yet she talks about all the same drama stuff we all do, which pulls us TOGETHER, not apart!!! Plus, she is a little firecracker and I so enjoy her spunk!

10. Insert My Blog Name Here: Oh, this young lady is a 20 something blogger over in the UK. Wow, I get to read words such as FAVOURITE and go, that is spelled correctly in her world but mostly, I get to 'hear' about her flatmates and no toliet paper in the loo and how the guy didn't ring her up. I just totally enjoy this young ladies blog and all her British ways!!!!

And, my Second Award was bestowed upon me from The Wifey Blogs! And this Award is Beautiful Bloggers!! Another Great Name!!! Gabrielle, the author of The Wifey Blogs wrote a great blurb about me when she nominated me for this fancy award and I can't thank her enough and only hope that I did her justice above! But, just a reminder, you need to check out The Wifey Blogs, this young, military wife and mom is a no holds bar lady and each post brings you something different!

Here is how this Award Works!

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the award & place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Share 7 interesting things about yourself.

5. Nominate 7 additional Beautiful Bloggers.

Seven Interesting things about Me?? I just did 10, now seven more, ugh! And INTERESTING???

1. I love Old Movies, I mean I watch Movies from the 1930's, we are talking OLD!!
2. I'm hopelessly old fashioned, I much prefer the camera to pan away from the LOVE scene and let me IMAGINE it all in my head then have to show IT ALL TO ME!
3. When I get angry have a bar a soap handy, my mouth needs it!
4. When I get angry I throw things, well, only if you are a family member!
5. I miss teaching!
6. I have never really liked to wear jeans!
7. I am a pull yourself up from your bootstraps kind of lady and yet I can't walk past someone holding a cup on the street without giving them money. My husband says, " Makeup your mind, conservative or liberal?" Somedays, I'm just not sure where I land!

Seven Beautiful Bloggers!!

1. Fever: She doesn't have trouble with number seven. She is definitely a Liberal and she helps me keep that conservative side of me in check, I just love her, she has no trouble not wavering!

2. Carma Sez: She is not controversial in the least!!! Poor thing almost gave blogging up and thank goodness her creative side would not let her. She is funny and has a wonderful way of taking the mundane and making you laugh and think!

3. Nenni's World: She helps keep my Conservative side alive BUT her blog is NOT a political blog, she is funny and upfront and shares her life with you and she happens to be a conservative BUT she does not cram that down your throat or preach it is not I repeat a political blog it IS a fun blog first and foremost!!!!

4. Cold Spaghetti: Oh, she keeps my Liberal side alive but mostly I enjoy her knowledge and her adorable kids!!

5. Sometimes Lucid: She is a what we call a working mom out in California and I enjoy her take on raising kids,life and COOKING. I have gotten some great recipes from her!!!

6. Mommywood: Another young mom trudging through mommy land and marriage and all that good stuff but she has a way of writing it all up that makes me smile. I am past what she is going through but it brings me back to those days and I smile and I laugh WITH her! I so understand her Valentines Day post, I remember feeling those kind of days so many years ago, you will get back to wanting flowers and chocolate!

7. Hillbilly Duhn's Times and Tribulations: Oh, my, how do I explain this blog! Just go visit her. She is a riot. I mean, to explain it. She was without her computer for a few weeks and I was bumming. She is such an interesting writer. You never know what you will find. Fact or Fiction, she let's you know, she does not hide the truth but by golly they both are interesting. Oh, her stories are good BOTH and boy she can make you laugh and FEEL. Go visit this Hillbilly, for sure!

8. Sheri's World: Goodness, I thought I had this on the list originally what a big oops!! I told you all about Sheri's Blog above, you gotta visit her!!!

Happy Valentines Day!! My Gift to you. Awards!! And to those of you dropping by, plenty of other great bloggers to visit. CLICK AWAY. Keep this post as a reference to other great BLOGS!!!

Unfortunately, I could not AWARD all my favorites, so as usual I always say you should use your bloggy buddies as a reference guide. Therefore you need to go to my FAVORITE BLOGS when in need of new blog and you can't miss!!!

TMI Thursday: People of ......

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:48:00 +0000

TMI Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

I have to admit that I am soooo glad that many, many years ago there was not a website enticing people to take pictures of people at stores!!! Lord, knows there have been times that I have been in a store not looking my best!! And, I must admit I get a kick out of the People of Walmart site, a little too much. But, I just thought about a time when I was in a K-Mart, close enough (LOL) , that if people had cellphones I could easily been on the site!

Many years ago, after my daughter Maddie was born I went shopping at K-Mart. Now, Maddie was barely a week old and my mother was staying at the house. Thank goodness. So, it was all of us heading out to the local K-Mart. All of us, meaning my oldest, Nathan too! Yep, A young mother, Grandma, a three year old and a newborn. You can just picture it!!! Now, this was my very first outing with my newborn and three year old.  You have a lot to pack up. Diaper bags and toys and just a lot of crap. In addition, I just HAD a baby.

My nerves were a little on edge. I know it is odd, nerves on edge going to K-Mart??? But, it was more about being the first outing with my two children. Could I really handle it??? You know, when you are a 26 year old you get hung up on weird stuff. I was worried if the baby needed me and my little boy needed me what?? But, I did have my mom, my wonderful security blanket. So, off we went!!

Now, we are in K-Mart and everything was going great. I was actually enjoying being out in the world. Starting to relax a little and then.......

I turn to my Mom, with wide eyes and bolt for the restroom and I MEAN. I. BOLTED.   My mom stood there with my two children. I ran to the restroom where I had major diarrhea. Oh, God I stunk up the restroom.

And, then I realized I didn't make it!!! There was poop all down my legs, my underwear was covered and it soaked through. I sat in the bathroom and cried!!! Then, I broke out in a sweat and then had more diarrhea.

In the meantime my mother is in K-Mart with my newborn and three year old not knowing what has happened to me.

So, I clean myself up as best as possible. Throw my underwear away. Pull my stained pants up and walk out of the restroom.   People who walked by me said, "Oh, what smells?" It was horrible. I walked up to my mom with huge tears and she said, "It is ok, just keep walking, we are going to walk right out of here, quickly, the kids are fine and you will be fine."

So, I walked out of K-Mart stinking to high heaven with a huge bullseye on my bottom to clue anyone and everyone as to what just happened. It was awful! And, all I can think is in today's world would someone have snapped up a picture of my horrible moment and posted it on a website? ugh!

Post It Note Tuesday: Family Style

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:59:00 +0000

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post It Note Tuesday!!!

Pissin' and Moanin'!!!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:04:00 +0000

Unemployment, sucks!!! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of December 2009 the United States has an unemployment rate of 10%. I am sure this is nothing NEW to you. If you turn your television on or just cruise around the Internet you know the RATE very well! Americans are NOT WORKING!!! This sucks!!!

Now, here is what I HEAR people say, "At this point I will do anything." They say it BUT do they mean it??? I would argue that they don't really mean they WILL DO ANYTHING!!! I have heard where parents have gotten laid off and they have decided to collect their unemployment for a while and they will 'wait it out' and 'take it easy' and 'stay at home' with their kids until they find what THEY want. I am glad they feel they are ENTITLED to live off of other UNITED STATES citizens until THEY FIND just WHAT THEY WANT TO DO and they CAN HANG WITH THEIR KIDS. Don't fool yourself and say that COMPANIES pay for the UNEMPLOYMENT, they (companies) pass that(cost) down to their employees.

In addition the idea of unemployment is to HELP keep you afloat until you find something. IT IS TO HELP you. It is not suppose to be for you to HANG with your kids until you FEEL like looking. Gee, I wish I had gotten a check for 22 months to HANG WITH MY KIDS when they were young, nope instead I worked odd hours and odd jobs. Yep, I waitressed, I really and truly DID anything. I sold AVON. I sold PARTY LITE. I worked at Meijer's. I cleaned houses and brought my two little ones with me.   I WORKED ANY JOB TO BRING US SOME EXTRA MONEY AND SOMETIMES I WAS WORKING AT 2 AM in the morning TO DO THIS. That is doing anything and everything.

See, there is this vicious cycle, there is no work so why shall I look for work and I don't want to do something beneath me and I have some money coming in from unemployment so I'm alright!
SAD!

Then, you have those looking for work. I posted a job posting for a part time office manager position. The position is for 3 days a week, 18hrs. a week. I have a SHITLOAD of resumes, just a SHITLOAD.  The range of resumes is from people who are waayyyy over qualified to people waaaaaay under qualified. It is like people don't even read the requirements. I kind of understand the over qualified applicants, they are hoping! But if you are under qualified, why bother??? If we say you MUST HAVE a BACHELOR'S DEGREE and you DON'T then DON'T send in your resume, just don't. We aren't joking about our requirements. I don't even look at your RESUME if you don't meet our requirements. Period.

I was soooo sad looking at ALL these resumes. My heart hurt. I just felt bad thinking about all of these people looking for work and willing to take ANYTHING. See, if you are waaaaay over qualified then I won't consider you because you will keep looking and jump ship as soon as something better comes along. It is that catch 22 for you. SORRY!

So, I tried to find the ones that seemed, as I would say, genuine.  Genuine equaled Qualified and they were really searching for Part time work. Oh, My head hurts.

Let me give some advice to Job Seekers. Since I have a shitload of resumes, I have a HUGE POOL to draw from, I am talking HUGE. This means JOB SEEKERS you need to be ready to interview at a moments notice and interview well because competition is fierce. AMERICANS have lost their fighting skills. They have lost their edge. Americans have become lazy.    Americans have gained this sense of entitlement attitude.

Newsflash:

If you want something you have to WORK FOR IT.

See, I have the job to GIVE. My schedule is the IMPORTANT schedule, not yours. I have someone right behind you ready to sit in your seat. You say, "no" to my interview time then I wonder how bad you want the job and I move onto the next person and chances are you never get that NEXT CHANCE.

Let me explain. No better. Let me give you specific examples.

Don't send out your resume if you are going on vacation with your husband. I don't want to email you, asking you to come in for an interview only to be told you can't interview for over a week because you will gone. Why in the world did you send me your resume??? Send me your resume when you get back.

If I ask you to come in for an interview don't email me back asking me to do it on a Saturday because you work and you don't want to jeopardize your current place of employment. Um... not my problem and I am not working SATURDAY for you, I have a job. Um. I have a SHITLOAD of applicants, see ya!!!

If I ask you to come in for an interview don't email back saying you prefer Friday's???? I don't work Friday's, so guess what? I don't prefer Friday's!!

All of the above people assumed I work Monday through Friday 8-5. Hell, no. I work what hours I want, what days I want and they had no idea of this?

Don't make assumptions.

If you are looking for a job be prepared to make excuses why you need to leave your current job for an interview.

I asked all the people for an interview at least 2 full work days and some 4 full work days before the interview. They had plenty of time to make arrangements.

With 10% unemployment rate you need to pound the pavement and pay attention to the requirements and accept interview requests!!!! Don't give up!!!

But, I am tired of the Pissin' and Moanin'!!!

TMI Thursday: I've Lost That Loving Feeling!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:52:00 +0000

TMI Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

***Alright, folks, you know the rules. Join us all in humiliating the crap out of yourself every Thursday by sharing some completely tasteless, wholly unclassy, “how many readers can I estrange THIS week??” TMI story about your life. Or hell, about someone else’s!

This one is NOT one for my kids to read or my two friends but I know my friends will NOW definitely read it (LOL). My kids, listen, you two can't handle seeing US KISS, you won't want to read this, I am just warning you UP FRONT, so SKIP IT, I am just telling you, I wouldn't want to read it about Grandma and Grandpa, GOT IT!!! O.K. Now, that is out of the way. For the rest of you, it isn't that bad, some of you have divulged WAAAAY worse but for my kids, well, you get it!

We shall move forward. The star of the story is my ANTHONY. Anthony doesn't like having the starring role on my blog but he has been apart of my life for 23years now and he has BEEN the biggest part of my life along with our children so Unfortunately for HIM he has the STARRING role in many of my TALES!!!

Anthony has this little problem. He has a tendency to KNOCK OVER DRINKS. We have no idea why! I mean the guy is constantly spilling shit. Now, when he was younger I use to think this was due to the fact that Anthony liked to indulge in the use of Mary Jane. I have found out that, Yes, that increased his spillage but unfortunately he cannot blame all his accidents on his past discretion. And, yes I have to admit that Anthony was a little wild in his youth. You would think that my mother-in-law would have LOVED my influence on Anthony but I guess she felt I was worse than Mary Jane, Geez that is sad. Anyways, Anthony had a love for Kool Aide back in his college days. His mother bought the Cheap stuff Wylers and Anthony would drink it but he loved KOOL AIDE. His two favorite flavors were Raspberry and Grape. He always had a big glass of Kool Aide back in his college days, you know that Mary Jane gives you the dry mouth. He always was spilling that BIG GLASS OF Kool Aide. Now a days, he is kicking over cans of pop or water bottles. It drives me nuts. I am a clean freak and you know, he just dabs it dry, yeah, like that gets pop or KOOL AIDE up.

So, One night I am hanging out at Anthony's and we are having fun, you know the ULTIMATE FUN! And things are heating up and we are into the throws of it and I can feel we are heading to the MOMENT AND Oh, My GOD, My head is conked by a glass and then I am WET, WET WITH GRAPE KOOL AIDE. AN entire full glass of GRAPE KOOL AIDE fell on my head! Anthony, Paused, said, "Are you alright" I believe I shook my head yes, Anthony FINISHED, you know what I mean right? And , I'm not sure what I was feeling but I was WET and STICKY and Yucky and STUNNED and A MESS. You know, this was the 80's. I had EYELINER, MASCARA and HAIRSPRAY ON GALORE. I was A MESS. To this day we giggle about KOOL AIDE!!!

Our Grape Kool Aide Night! After that evening Anthony made sure the headboard had NOTHING on it. Wasn't that sweet of him (LOL)

TMI Thursday: The First Date Excitement

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:06:00 +0000

TMI: Thursday: Courtesy LiLu from Live It Love It!

Oh, the excitement of a first date with someone! Especially someone you have stalked. Yes, you read all about. You remember how I shamelessly explained I stalked my husband, Anthony. Well, all my stalking worked. Nope, that is right my stalking didn't really work I had to finally tell his roommate to give him the ok and then Anthony asked me out!

I was on cloud nine!!! (why do we say cloud nine? not 10, isn't 10 the tops?) Oh, Well, you know what I am trying to say, right? I was thrilled. Just THRILLED!!!

I told everyone. All my friends. Everyone I worked with. They knew exactly the day we were going out. It was Sunday evening. Anthony was going to call me when he got off of work and we were going to go to a movie. Oh, I couldn't wait.

I talked about it all week. Everyone was helping me plan the PERFECT outfit! We all discussed it. No too slutty but you know a little tempting. Of course, I was going to pick a chick flick. I babbled on and on about it all week at work. My best friends were sick of hearing about my upcoming date but that is what friends do, listen, listen some more and plan outfits over and over.

Sunday came and my room was a mess. Outfits were all over the place. Then Sunday night came and I waited for the phone to ring. Remember back then, no texting or cellphones, just the good, old, fashion, RINGING of the phone. It got later and later and the phone wasn't ringing and I would check it every so often to make sure it was in working order, yep it was in working and then my heart was sinking and all kind of thoughts were going through my head and then the phone RANG!!!! Of course I did not pick it up on the first ring but you bet your sweet ass I grabbed it quick enough.

Lucy: "Hello"
Anthony ( all cool) "Hey, I just got off of work"
Lucy: "Yeah, you said you would call when you got off"
Anthony: "Yeah, I had to work all day."
Now, I can feel the conversation is not flowing. Anthony is not saying anything about a movie, or going out. Nothing. Just hanging there.
Lucy: "What time did you get off?"
Anthony: " A couple of hours a go"
I'm thinking, um JUST got off of work????
NOW I am PISSED. HE WAITED TWO FUCKING HOURS TO CALL ME. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR FROM HIM AND HE HAS BEEN HOME FOR TWO HOURS!!!
Lucy: "Oh,'
Anthony: "Hey, I was thinking you know since I worked all day, like 8 hours, how about if we do this like on Monday or Tuesday when I don't work all day and I won't be so 'burnt out'?"
DEAD AIR

AND THEN.........

the roommate gets on the other extension and says, "hey, c'mon Anthony you said you would take me over to Likens place, let's go" (now Likens was another guy they hung out with and partied with)

Lucy: "Forget about Monday or Tuesday I work both those days I WILL BE TOO TIRED TO GO OUT WITH YOU"

CLICK!!!!

I was humiliated. I called my best friend sobbing. SOBBING.

I had to go into work on MONDAY and EVERYONE asked about the BIG DATE? You know the one I TALKED about incessantly ALL WEEK and had to TELL THEM THE ASSHOLE STOOD ME UP, the humiliation, oh the humiliation.

So, I went to work, told EVERYONE what a loser ANTHONY WAS, cried and cried and told them HOW I WOULD NEVER, EVER SEE HIM AGAIN IN MY LIFE and this lady, BOBBIE said, "Bullshit, he owes you, you call him right now and ask him to take you out tomorrow to a movie and dinner, you get that out of him honey and then drop the asshole." So, I called Anthony right there from work.

He was stunned to hear from me, just stunned. He claimed he tried to call me all night and my phone was busy. I was on the phone CRYING all night with friends.

Anyways, had it not been for BOBBIE I would have stuck to my guns and not called him and who knows if Anthony and I would have ended up together, he swears he was going to try and call me in a couple of days but Anthony is a laid back guy and I could easily have seen him let the best thing in his life slip away. Thank Goodness, I am persistent (LOL)

It is amazing we are together after Anthony missed the boat on STALKING and then STOOD ME UP!!!
Oh, the humiliation of being STOOD UP but the humiliation of being STOOD UP by the guy you end up marrying, well, what can I say, you just never know the twist and turns of life!

Post It Note Tuesday: Calling On God;it's simple!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:00 +0000

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post It Note Tuesday!!!

Voyeur By Nature?

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Do you ever have trouble starting your posts? You know what should be the lead in? I try to think back to school. The teacher taught us hooks. And then I think, gosh, some teachers would say, "don't use a question that is lazy." Oh, look, I used a question but never fear other teachers would use a qualifier with the statement, "A 'good' question is acceptable or if you are a great author." Yeah, that is peachy, how the hell am I suppose to know if it is a GOOD question and if I am in school writing a paper, then I am no author. Well,Anyways, I have trouble with the HOOK. I always have and I always will. This leads me to my actual post!

The age old question Nurture versus Nature oh, but don't go running. I am not looking at this question in the traditional sense. You know like a sociologist. I am not asking the huge, big question are we born the way we are or are we a product of our environment? Yikes, that would be deep for this post.

Nope, I am looking more into us as Voyeurs. Here is the actual definition of a Voyeur: an obsessive observer of sordid or sensational subjects.

See, the other day at work a colleague, Nick, said ," We are Voyeurs by nature and that is the reason we like Twitter, Facebook, and blogs." He even went on to say that it is also why there has been an explosion of Reality television. It really made me think. I am on all of the above social media sites and I do watch a lot of Reality television. What is even funnier is the social media sites that he named I had told him that I don't write a lot on them but I get on them everyday to see what others write. That is what triggered Nick to say I was a Voyeur and that most of us were Voyeurs.

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THAT DEFINITION. Go back look at it. You won't. I am going to repeat it. AN OBSESSIVE OBSERVER OF SORDID OR SENSATIONAL SUBJECTS.    That is not flattering at all. I don't like being called a Voyeur, now that I know the definition. Yet, I have to agree that I am one. The truth hurts!!

I am on Twitter and Facebook. I read blogs and my favorites are the nitty, gritty ones.  If you go to my Favorite Blogs Page and just click on one of them, most likely it will be a Voyeur's delight!

Reality Shows!!! Hot Damn. They are turning into a dream come true. Not only on the show but now all the 'off the show' drama too.

The Real Housewives Franchise is definitely my number one Reality Series. You have Orange County (the original), New York City, Atlanta and New Jersey. These women are airing their lives and then some on television for people like me.

Jon & Kate Plus Eight. Enough Said

Keeping Up With the Kardashians. This Family puts it all out there for us to see.

Flipin Out. Jeff Lewis is a Neurotic Mess and it is too fun to watch!

Tabatha's Salon Takeover. Tabatha actually gives some great business tips with people that should not be in business, ever!!!

Little People, Big World. Isn't funny how they are allowed to exploit their handicap?

Cake Boss.   Not sure why I like this show? A loud Italian family making cool cakes. They do a lot of stunts for the show, a lot of shit that is clearly done for television.

I probably am being unfair to Cake Boss. Do I think any of those Shows above are REALITY? Hell no! Not one.

But, I enjoy them. They are my guilty pleasure. Do you think that I believe the Kardashians would go to a Dry Cleaners and 'kidnap' Chris's dress so Bruce could teach her a money lesson? NOPE. Was it fun to watch? Yep!

Do you think I believe Jeff Lewis would really make his employees wear a Painter's Smock, all day, everywhere they went, as a so called punishment for screwing up at work? Nope. But it was good television.

Do you think I believe that the Cake Boss was making a Casino Cake for the Mafia Boss on National Television? NO FUCKING WAY. But it was fun to watch!!!

What is not fun to watch???  Are families and friends fall apart! Such as on the Real Housewives. Especially families. Or on Jon and Kate Plus Eight. This is when I wish Producers or someone would take the HIGH ROAD and think about the innocents involved. THE CHILDREN that will be scarred for life.

The Voyeur in me stopped watching Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I would not give them the ratings. BAD PARENTING. Jon may not have stopped it for the right reasons but I am glad he got his kids off of the television.

Tamara on Real Housewives of Orange County is wrong. Talking about Divorce on National Television when you have 3 children all in school is just stupid and bad parenting. Someone should be thinking of those kids. Period. End of story. Her husband felt the need to tell his side by blogging. All so sad.

But here is the problem!

The Real Housewives I like and not Like. If that makes any sense at all.  Bravotv has set those women up to go after each other. Jealousy has prevailed.  The producers want them to talk about each other on camera and after awhile that hurts a friendship. You can tell each other it is for the show for only so long.
I wouldn't want to hear what my friends or the people who live around me have to say about my life. But see, Bravo needs that for Us Voyeurs because honestly do we just want to see THEIR lives? You wouldn't just want to see or hear about my day in and day out life. You want the juicy stuff. You want my office bullshit. You want my in-law strife. You want my basketball booster crap.

So, the question is really our Nature to be Voyeurs or has television and society created that in us? If I wrote everyday about the nice people in my life would you keep coming back here??? I know the answer because I have a sitemeter. I know the days you guys like the most. BUT, is it Nature or have we become this way because of our environment?

We are Voyeurs and that is why TWITTER, FACEBOOK, BLOGS AND REALITY SHOWS HAVE SUCCEEDED. We like to look at the Train wrecks way more than the Trains. If you go back in time every culture has had their version of allowing their people to indulge in being Voyeurs. Societies have enjoyed hangings, courtroom dramas, gladiators and so on. I say it is Nature and we have just created ways to capitalize on it.
Anybody think it is Nurture and if we changed society we wouldn't do it? We could train ourselves not to gawk at the accident on the side of the road???

Post It Tuesday!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:08:00 +0000

I am trying something NEW!!! I have seen this on some blogs I have been following and it looks fun!!!
Therefore, I thought I would give it a whirl.

The creator of this Tuesday Post is Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy! Check her out! Definitely go to her for all the details on Post is Tuesday!!!

I'm a Hypocrite. Lurker Issues.

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:37:00 +0000

I scared the shit out of my 78 year old mother Friday night. I called her sobbing. Sobbing so hard that I couldn't speak for a few minutes. You know that kind of crying. The kind that you can't speak or barely breath. My poor mom sat on the phone patiently waiting to hear the news that was about to come through the phone. Her thoughts, "What has happened to one of my grandchildren?"

What was I sobbing hysterically about??? Girls Basketball. Yeah, I know, I SUCK!!! Oh, Friday night SUCKED!! I never ever thought in a million fucking years that I would be that parent sobbing over something sooooooo stupid. And, there I sat in my car calling MY MOMMY SOBBING. Sobbing so hard that my poor 78 year old mother thought that possibly one of her grandchildren were in desperate trouble because frankly, she figured that is about the only thing that could make me cry that hard.

God, I hate when I find out I am a HYPOCRITE. JUST HATE IT!! It is hard for me to write this but I have promised to be honest with you guys. The good, the bad and the ugly. Here is the ugly.

So what happened to set off the sob fest? Really it was nothing major. I can laugh at myself now but Friday night I was a wreck. Here is my Friday Night!

Lucy's Friday Night Sob Fest!

Friday Night was the BIG GAME for Maddie's Girl's Basketball team. It was the Rival school. Now, this Rival has won every year since Maddie has played. They had some great players. Really good girls. Two have gone on to Division I schools. BUT, this year, Maddie's Senior year ,was the year they had a chance. They were finally going head to head with girls they have played against since they were in grade school. This year Maddie's team had a chance to win. Actually, Maddie's team was favored to win but then they had their first senior get hurt in an exhibition game AND THEN MY MADDIE GOT HURT. She is out for the season. I thought I was fine with it. You know, it sucked and all but Maddie will be okay after surgery and she will play in college, not Division I where she is going but she will play club or intramural. The point is she will continue playing.

Back to FRIDAY NIGHT.

We go to the game. It is the first time we are watching the team play in their HOME GYM since Maddie has been hurt and it is against the Rival team. I step into the gym and I see all the girls warming up and I feel a huge LUMP in my throat. UH OH! Not what I was expecting but I figured it was because I knew almost all of the girls. I have watched them all play for years and I was a little sentimental and it was hard not seeing Maddie out there.

Then, I have to talk to a couple of parents and do the "Oh, poor Maddie thing" that sucked. Then, I had to listen to how a couple of girls are going on to play in college. At some Division III schools, which is really great for those kids, one girl is getting a full ride scholarship for volleyball at a Division II school. She is great girl and so happy for her.

Then, the game. We sat and watched Maddie's team get slaughtered and I couldn't take it at that point. That is what did me in. I just knew if my Maddie and the other Senior girl was playing the game would have been different. I had to watch the other two Senior girls playing get soooo upset. Maddie tried to comfort them, especially the girl she has played with since THIRD GRADE.

It was weird. I had to walk out of the gym and go to the car before the game ended. I left with the waterworks starting, my head was down, no one knew.

I JUST knew there was no way I could talk to the other parents and hear all their bull. I didn't want to hear sympathy and where their kids were going to school and if they were playing ball. WE JUST GOT KILLED and it would not have happened if we didn't have two hurt girls, not saying we would have won but we would not have gotten killed.

I just knew Maddie would be soooo upset that her team got slaughtered.

I was jealous that ALL the girls I have watched since grade school, some since THIRD grade were playing and my DAUGHTER was on the bench. It was an odd feeling, one I have never really experienced and it was overwhelming and I just sobbed like, well, like someone died. How, silly.

Well, after I sobbed and talked with my mom I was able to say, "How silly crying over basketball, this is ridiculous." And, I started laughing. My mom started laughing with me BUT she also said she understood. That, I was just a little sad about it all and knew my daughter was sad and it all came to head that night. MOMS are great! Anyways, I just felt like a hypocrite because I said everyone was making a big deal about SENIOR YEAR and it being her last year to play and then there I was not even being able to talk to people, stay to the end of a game and crying hysterically. Yep, a HUGE HYPOCRITE. Well, I hope I got it all out of my system but I will be honest I just want BASKETBALL to be over. We can then just focus on getting her up and running for college.

Now, let's 'talk' about something else. You know, to help take my mind of my hypocrisy!

Lastly, due to being super duper busy at the office I have turned into a LURKER. I read all my blogs in my reader but I have been slacking on comments. Work is kicking my butt right now and things won't slow down until after APRIL 15th, so I wanted to let you know, I will do my best to COMMENT but I definitely am reading, usually early in the morning or very late at night. I try to catch up with commenting over the weekend and replying to comments too. So, You will have to throw me in the LURKER category for a little bit but note I am still enjoying all your blogs!!!!!

Wow, what a post. A hypocrite and a Lurker all in one post, yikes, I'm a loser on this one!!!!

Favorite Post 2009??

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:51:00 +0000

My Favorite Post of 2009!!! It kind of sums me up!! Outspoken. A venter!! What I am passionate about the most!!!

I have also put my labels up and realized I am not all that great at labels (LOL). You can see by just looking at the top what I write about the most. Family, parenting, TMI: Thursday(check out button on sidebar) and office stuff!! I am going to try to label much better next year!!!

Anyways, I copied the post and re-posted for you. Hey, if you are bored and want to cruise through old posts or check them out through my labels and vote for you favorite post of 2009 go for it!!! Just leave me a comment which one you liked the best in 2009 and why or email me with a private message at Bellrockrocks at gmail dot com. Or Tweet me @Pinkrobe and/or let me know on Facebook, Lucy Pink!!!

Have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve. I'm off to make Egg Nog, the spiked kind, is there really any other kind of Egg Nog (LOL). I love Egg Nog on New Year's Eve!!!

Enjoy My Favorite 2009 Post Below!!!

Lucy got the ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT the other night on Twitter. Yep, on Twitter. I really took it to heart. One of my favorite blogger's Janana from Janna Bee gave it to me. "Recommended @pinkrobe to @MrTweet 'she is not afraid to speak her mind!'"

I'm not sure everyone thinks that is a compliment. I absolutely do. For way tooooo long I always tended to keep quiet. Only expressing my opinions to those I am very close to and at times I would even back down in a family squabble just to make things easier. Now, I don't cave on my beliefs. I still don't like things to be uncomfortable and will do my best to calm a situation or avoid a full blown, well, blow out BUT I don't cave on my belief or back down. I will gladly just end the situation and say, "hey, nothing is worth getting so worked up about that we can't just say we agree to disagree and let's talk about something else." That is big for me. Many times, I used a different tactic and I didn't like it because it came off with the person thinking I might be buying what they were selling, I would say, " Well, you know I guess, I can see what you are saying and will have to think about it." I was always trying to calm the heated situation and that worked BUT it left a bad taste in my mouth, you could tell they felt they had 'won' and I felt I had caved. I feel that I should only say the above statement if I mean it and believe me there are times I am open to thinking about some one's point of view BUT when I'm not I shouldn't say it just to be polite. Does this make sense???? I hope so. Anyways, I'm glad I come off on this blog as genuine, speaking my mind because, I do. On here, I let it fly. It is alllll LUCY. ALLLL the time!!!!

Obviously this was a setup (lol)! HERE I GO!!!!

Education, You know the GOVERNMENT Education system!

Waitron???

No women cooking but jackhammers allowed!!!

Watch out for the word mice!

Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.......

Do you ever wonder who writes the textbooks??? Yeah, probably not! Why not? You certainly b!tch about the teachers and administrators! We all do. I just recently wrote a post on it!! BUT, what about the textbooks, especially the college textbooks that let's face it many parents help their adult child pay for. According to my resource,on average U.S. college kids spend $900.00 dollars a year for their textbooks.

Well,TEXTBOOKS ARE WRITTEN BY SECLUDED EXPERTS!! According to the News Television Show I got caught up watching. The show which I stumbled upon was all about TEXTBOOKS. I know, Only Lucy would watch such a show, what can I say. Teaching is what I did, it is in my blood and politics is what I 'do' as a hobby and this show was hitting both 'loves'.

Anyways, TEXTBOOKS are Written for companies that are influenced by the government and special interest groups. Yeah, I never really thought about it either. I just knew that as I was teaching I was getting more and more pissed at the watered down books crossing my desk, yuck!! But, I supplemented. It was easy, I taught in a private school and a wealthy public school district I could supplement and submit it to the school. I did my student teaching in the inner city, no resources just the GREAT TEXTBOOKS. I dumped my own money into supplementing. My husband use to joke that my entire check went right back into the school, it kind of did. We could afford for me to dump my money back into the classroom, umm, many teachers need their paychecks, oh, I don't know to live off of and yet many of them do share with their classroom. I DIGRESSED.

Anyways, as I was watching the NEWS TELEVISION show on the entire textbook issue and it really brought up a lot of my questions and gave me some answers. One example,The show informed me of the expert secluded panel, who knew??? And then the show interviewed professors and educators who knew how the experts decided what went into the textbooks.

We spoke to the author of “The Language Police,” education historian Diane Ravitch, who said textbook publishers censor images or words they deem to be controversial in children’s textbooks. She told us that publishers pander to special interest groups, and assemble bias and sensitivity review committees. These committees decide what words to ban or redefine, and even what images are deemed offensive.

This is a direct quote from the program off the website!

Here is a glimpse.

The Criteria:

Multiculturalism, not a shocker. This crusade started in the early 1980's. Everybody pretty much for it, right??? Sounds legit! As Maddie would say.

THEN.....

Comes......

Political Correctness like you would not believe......

Problem: how to please everyone? It has become seriously ridiculous.

And...........

REVISIONIST HISTORY??? OR JUDGING OUT OF CONTEXT???

My examples above:

Waitron, this is a word. Honestly, It has been added to the dictionary. Why? Because they are doing their level best to take gender out of the textbooks. So, they do not want to use the word waiter or waitress, using those type of words makes a child visualize a gender and the child should not be forced to visualize either way so we should make it neutral so they can pick. WTF???? C'mon. This is getting ridiculous. WTF? is a WAITRON. And when they see the word waiter or waitress on the SAT or ACT or I don't know a BOOK will they be, "what is that word?"

They cannot show women cooking because it is sexist but they can show them with a jackhammer, actually encouraged to show them with a jackhammer. We know women cook. Men cook. Children old enough cook. In addition, by God, some kids know how to use the microwave at a really young age. Anyways, talk about taking FEMINISM to an extreme. BANDING the sight of a woman cooking. BULLSHIT!!!

The word MICE. It was examined. Then suggested it should be removed from all textbooks because people have a strong fear of mice. ENOUGH said. Gosh, I hope enough said. You all have to see HOW INCREDIBLY RIDICULOUS THAT IS??? My God will they be banning "Of Mice and Men" from the school Library????

AND MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE OF ALL AND I HAVE BEEN SICK OF THIS ONE FOR A WHILE. PROBABLY COULD DO AN ENTIRE POST ON IT.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: I am so over the entire bullshit about this guy.

Listen, if we were all perfect then hell throw stones, throw them like crazy please, really crucify away. BUT, I don't think we need to tell First graders all the dirty details about the guy. Should we tell them about JFK, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, and on and on and on from the second they start school??? NO!!!!

We ease them into learning. They memorize little sayings and then as they grow we teach them everything. We offer ALL SIDES.

In addition, Christopher Columbus, was adventurous in HIS TIME. He was what we would call today, a RISK TAKER. Yes, he was aiming for India and all the greatness that country had to offer and yet, he found something that at that time, that part of the world knew nothing about. And yes, he was by far not perfect!!! BUT,You can't teach things out of context or before little brains are ready. PERIOD. High School and College is a great time for the critical thinking and exploring further. The younger years is building the foundation and the critical thinking skills. Yes, you tell the kids his intentions and where he ended up BUT this revisionist history to the extreme is getting out of hand. It is funny 'they' claim we sugar coated and now I claim 'they' are leaving out the whole story too.

They are taking Christopher Columbus out of Context.

Oh, and you know, the guy was willing to take a chance, and work and find a different trade route, a shorter trade route and yes he was doing this in the hopes TO MAKE MONEY and yet we must make sure to rip him a part BUT let's hold up athletes and actors up for silly awards and call them role models as they bat around a woman or two,drive drunk and do drugs all in OUR TIME. Our actual time to judge.

YOU CANNOT TEACH HISTORY OUT OF CONTEXT. YOU MUST ALWAYS TEACH IT WITHIN REGARDS TO THE PERSON'S TIME. It is unfair to judge a historical figure on our 'times'. That drives me nuts!!!!!

I will not go on and on about Christopher Columbus but I will say that I am over the entire teaching out of context. We should LEARN FROM HISTORY, AND BE MORE CAREFUL WITH OUR JUDGING OF people living in a different time, a different life, a different world.

Imagine in 200 years the kids in school judging us on their context and we are not present to say, "But, you have to understand this is what we were going through, or we were thinking this or we were trying to accomplish that."

Ughh, teaching history and judging it on our time without understanding their time too, well it drives me nuts!!!!!!

Most important I believe the attempts at multiculturalism, political correctness and holding us responsible for all the ugly truth has led to dumbing down the textbooks along with judging history out of context and trying to correct it all AND this my friends I believe is hurting our kids more than anything.

THE SHIELDING (PC) AND DEBASING OF ALL WHITE FOREFARTHERS might have all been done with the best intentions but we are creating idiots!!!

Sheltered Idiots!!

All the above is a disservice to our kids!

And that my friends is something I can't STAND

More than anything

I want our children in the U.S.

Educated to be the Best!!

Note: All of the Blue comes from the show and the quote I tagged directly from the website of the news program. The show was:

Fox News Reporting: Do you Know what Textbooks your children are really reading? Host, Tucker Carlson

Note: Please go here for all the original quotes and links!!!!

Flying by the seat of my Pants!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Email sharing today! I know everyone is sharing their New Year's resolutions and stuff like that but I really don't do New Year's resolutions. Maybe reading others I will get inspired and give it a whirl! Maybe I will come up with some by tomorrow?? Maybe, I will do a 'look back' at 2009 post for tomorrow?? I have seen some posts like that and they look interesting!! Hell, I have no idea. See, I fly by the seat of my pants, probably why I don't do the resolution thing. It really is goal setting. I hear those things are good, you know goal setting, but that is hard for a person that wings it, life and all to do! So, today you get my Email post! I will worry about tomorrow's post, well, tomorrow!!

Here we go, to the stuff most of you delete but remember I give you the good ones ONLY!!! (LOL)

Aprons!

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses, and they used less material; but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying childrens' tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ' old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs was on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an Apron.

Now, the Next one Up!
Even if you are not a Christian I really think you can find the humor in the Joke below and if you are a Christian I hope you have a sense of humor. I do think it is in good taste!

GOD ENJOYS A GOOD LAUGH!

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:

1. He called everyone brother

2. He liked Gospel

3. He didn't get a fair trial

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:

1. He went into His Father's business

2. He lived at home until he was 33

3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:

1. He talked with His hands

2. He had wine with His meals

3.. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:

1. He never cut His hair

2. He walked around barefoot all the time

3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:

1. He was at peace with nature

2. He ate a lot of fish

3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:

1. He never got married..

2. He was always telling stories.

3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:

1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food

2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it

3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do

Can I get an

AMEN!!

Pet Peeve, Teacher Defense!

Bellrockrocks@gmail.com (Lucy) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:45:00 +0000

This post should probably piss off a lot of mommy bloggers. If it does piss you off it might be because you are slightly guilty of what I am complaining about and you might realize I have a point and you hate it when you realize you are one of those mommies. Yeah, I have been there done that. I know how you feel when you examine yourself and you go, "Wow, I do that!" I challenge you to see that maybe you should change a little. Not totally, let's be honest, no one changes totally but sometimes it is better for yourself and your loved ones if you try.

I love kids!!! I think kids are awesome!!! I think they have great imaginations and they love to learn. They are really curious and they do find everything interesting. Kids might ACT like they don't want to learn but you will find that once you get them engaged into something, almost anything, they will go with it. But, they don't have to be the BEST at it or get an A on every single flipin project. And, don't get me started about sports and extracurricular activities like dance, singing and art!

I swear I read a blog a long time ago and the mother just gushed how the kid was a straight A student, great artist and naturally athletic and oh, the kid isn't even 10!!! Yeah, that is a mom that is in total denial. It is ok to adore your child but that is a bit much.

What I am sick to death of, totally absolutely sick to death of is reading blog after blog after blog where the parent says, "My kids are STRAIGHT A students!!!" Wow, it must be GREAT to be blessed with ALL straight A kids!!! Here is some food for thought, eventually as you grow you tend to naturally struggle in areas. We all have favorite subjects and therefore you tend to better in those subjects and you may struggle in the other subjects. BUT, if you have 5 kids and they are ALL HAVE STRAIGHT A's well, honestly I would check out the school??? Although, I will be honest more and more teachers I speak with, especially middle school and up are tired of fighting with the parents of this generation and they are now GIVING grades. They have said, "Fuck it with trying to have the kids earn it. It is easier to set it up so the kids get STRAIGHT A's and then we don't have to deal with parents." This makes me sad. See, this hurts the kids. Not the parents. The parents are already living their lives but these teachers are HURTING kids and yet I am going to DEFEND the teachers.

THEY ARE TIRED FIGHTING THE PARENTS. These parents throw in their faces that 'technically' they pay them with their taxes. These parents claim teaching is easy and if their child is not getting an A it is the teacher's fault. Parents who can nowadays only handle one or two kids think they could easily teach 22 kids in a classroom and middle school and high school teachers have 100 students to deal with in a day!!! And, these parents can't even handle their two kids for a few hours a night??? Teachers are sick of parents telling them how their child learns best, um, they have 22 kids in a room, they have to teach to ALL 22. In addition, your child should learn how to STRETCH themselves by learning other methods because in life your boss isn't going to give a SHIT if you like to do something a certain way. You do it the boss's way or get fired. Therefore, it is great to learn how to take direction from a teacher.

It is also important to tell your child that teachers are different. DIFFERENT teaching styles, rules, requirements and such. That is a good thing. Then kids learn how to deal with different people and adjust. Wow, what a concept. We do this in life, on jobs ALL the time!!! See, school isn't just about the academic but learning skills. Unfortunately, not today. Mom and Dad call or email the teacher ALL the time instructing them on how to TEACH to their precious child. You know, who gives a shit about the other 21 children in the classroom???

Also, parents are hung up with STRAIGHT A's. They put this pressure on their kids. It is sad. This pressure to have PERFECT children. Children that EXCEL in EVERYTHING and they also overload their schedules and these kids have meltdowns. Kids aren't just kids today. Every moment of their lives are scheduled, YUCK!!!

Anyways, my kids ARE not STRAIGHT A students. My son is well on his way to law school, see he did it without STRAIGHT A's. My daughter is well on her way to College, without STRAIGHT A's. Yes, they got GOOD grades but not STRAIGHT A's. They had their struggles, no big deal. Oh, and they are not PERFECT or GREAT at everything. My son SUCKS at sports, just sucks. He tried, we rooted for him when he was little then as he got older we were honest with him. We didn't say, "You suck!" But , we guided him into intermediate sports and he loved that, it was more his level. My son was good at singing. Both my kids can't draw to save their lives. When they were little I hung their stuff up but as they got older and had to make stuff and they came home and talked about friends that did great stuff we were honest. Not mean but honest. They could compare their work to good work and they knew. My children respected us more for being honest than us sugar coating and lying to them.

We never allowed them to overload their schedules and to this day I insist they have down time. They need to take time to just read, see a movie, lay around have NO PLANS. It is good for the soul!!!!

I actually read a blog where grade school children were melting down from busy schedules, GRADE SCHOOL. That is sad!!! Oh, and they made sure to state they were STRAIGHT A kids but the teacher was pissing the parents off with some ridiculous requirements and the parents told off that teacher but good!!!!

Wow, so proud of themselves for ripping a teacher. I hope they plan on ripping teachers, professors and bosses every time things don't go the way their PERFECT KIDS want it to go because that is the way life is now, rip the teacher if you don't like the requirement. SAD. I understand defending your child if you think a teacher is HURTING your child but ripping them just because you don't like the way they teach??? Well, then you should home school. And, I find it funny how parents seem to easily rip teachers but not doctors, although I think they are getting braver with doctors too.

I do have a question??? Why do parents insist that teachers get a Masters degree if they really don't feel their degree gives them any knowledge in teaching. Here is a thought, maybe, just maybe the teacher knows what they are doing, oh, and just maybe just maybe you don't have the FULL story from your PERFECT child. Because, let me tell you sometimes the story about HOME isn't the FULL story either or at least we hope!!!!

I just had to defend teachers. I have read a few blogs, not on my BLOGROLL or MY FAVORITES!!!! About ripping teachers and Perfect children and I just needed to vent.
Probably why they are not my favorite bloggers or on my blogroll. I like REAL bloggers! Ones that talk about life, you know, the ups and downs. I have yet to meet a person with A PERFECT child or life and some of those PERFECT sugar blogs make me sick, you know the sugar buzz sick.

So, thanks for 'listening' to my Pet Peeve and I couldn't link the blogs because honestly I don't remember their names, just was cruising one night!!! The links are to previous posts. As you can tell this truly is a PET PEEVE of MINE. I come back to this topic A LOT!!!