Margie

She was born in 1930. Raised by her grandparents during the Depression, along with her two brothers, because her mother was at that time unwilling, or perhaps emotionally unable, to care for them. Her grandfather was a bootlegger during the time of Prohibition and ran afoul of the law more than once, the last time being when he was sentenced to 5 years hard labor. (At that time, that meant breaking rocks from sunup to sundown...actual labor.)

When she was 18, her grandmother informed her that she needed to get married so that she would no longer be a financial burden on her grandparents. So, she was forced to marry a man that she did not love. (Yes, this was 1948....not so hard to do that in those days.) However, being a decent young woman, she was determined to make it work. She had no place else to go.

Over the course of the next 30 years, she bore 4 children, dealt with a drunken philanderer of a husband, was divorced by him, left financially in ruin and re-entered the work force at the age of 48. She became a teacher.

She raised her children, plus two grandchildren, worked her fingers to the bone to take care of them and through it all never once broke down..not so that anybody else but me could see it. She suffered through the deaths of her mother (with whom she had finally reconciled) and two of her children. She never asked anybody but God for anything.

On the day that she retired she broke her leg so severely that she was confined to a wheelchair permanently. However, this is no way diminished the sheer power of her presence. She was commanding, demanding, and without equal in my eyes.

She walked into a headwind most of her life, but she never quit, never even thought about it. From her I learned dignity, respect, persistence and how to never let them see you sweat.

She was my friend, my confidant, my partner in battle.

She passed away on March 17th, 1997. She was 66. She would have been 75 years old today. And I miss her more now than ever.

Happy birthday Mom. Love always.

Peace alllll............

Grover

Grover (my much put upon husband) hates his birthday. He is one of those people that just kind of wishes it would go away and people wouldn't say anything about it (not realizing that it ain't always about just him...ask his mom...she'll tell ya;))

Anyhow since today is the one day of the year that he dreads the most, I will make this short:

Happy one year closer to retirement day.

Happy one year anniversary of the earth orbiting the sun.

Happy 22nd anniversary of obtaining your first driver's license day.

Happy 20th anniversary of your being an Eagle Scout.

Happy 37 year and 6 month birthday to me.

Happy 4 year and 3 month wedding anniversary to us.

And most of all....(oh, just bite the bullet for a second would ya?):

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GROVER!!!!!

(And remember, because it's your birthday I HAVE to be nice to you all day!;))

(But don't think for one second that just because you don't like celebrating your birthday doesn't mean we ain't gonna celebrate mine!)

Love ya cuz!!!!

Peace alllll..............

Reading Is FUNdamental

I am a reader. It is what I do, what I enjoy, one of my absolute passions in life. I will read almost anything. Grover says that I don't read books, I inhale them. That having been said, one of my favorite places in the world is the bookstore. Not just any old bookstore...the used bookstore. I love the smell of it, the atmosphere. It's like walking into a room full of secrets and buried treasures, just waiting to be discovered. Some books are in excellent condition, as if they had been handled almost reverently by previous caretakers and passed on down just for me. Others are dog-eared with the spines bent from reading and re-reading. These books have been cherished and loved by someone sometime in the past and now they are just waiting for me. (And you wouldn't believe what you can find in the 50 cent bargain bin either!)

The people that work in the used bookstores love books just like I do. They will hang out and just talk with you about your latest find or recommend something else that might be just the thing for you. They are some of my favorite people.

Hence, my apprehension when I had to go to one of the 'chain' bookstores. Had to go yesterday and wish I had never even bothered. Was looking for a book for Josh and couldn't find it. So I went to the dreaded customer service counter to ask them to look it up for me to see if it was in stock. After about 5 minutes of fumbling and looking slack jawed, the girl tells me "I think it's over there somewhere." Over where? In those rows and rows of about 50,000 other books?? Can we be just a weeee bit more specific? Oh, never mind, I'll find it myself. (And I did, eventually) And I wont' even go into the minor coronary she almost had when I asked her if they had 'Farnham's Freehold' by Robert A. Heinlein. Aaaaaahhhhh!! It was all I could do to keep from ripping her tongue ring out. I found myself wondering if she could even recite the alphabet in her spare time.

Anyhow, I know that to her it's just a job. But I'm wondering if these major bookstores could actually take the 5 extra minutes in the interview to make sure that their prospective employees love books or at least make sure that they know how to read.

I realize that I'm probably sounding way too pretentious here. That is not my intent. I just get kind of aggravated when someone messes with something I love;). Booklegger, here I come!

Peace allllll..........

Why?

Why do people expect you to live the way that THEY want you to? The reason for this question is this: was watching some trash t.v. and saw where PETA is all over J. Lo's back (no pun intended) about her wearing fur. Now, don't get me wrong...I am not a fan of J. Lo (sorry, mediocrity for $x million dollars a movie is not my cup of tea);HOWEVER, she does have the right to wear fur if she so chooses. At least she's covering up with something. I would not wear fur, no. I don't like it. That is MY opinion. I certainly wouldn't call someone a slut or tramp or worse for wearing it. Seems to me that PETA would be better off trying to get legislation passed banning the wearing of fur if they are that dead set against it versus the theatrics that they are trying to pass off as freedom of speech in action.

Anyhow, that is just my opinion....I could be wrong. But, then again, maybe not.

Another question. Did Paris Hilton get pulled from the shallow end of the gene pool or what? Saw her plugging her new perfume and the three words were 'sophisticated', 'sexy', and the ubiqitous 'hot'. Are these the only three words she knows? That, plus she looks like a Borzoi. (Go ahead, Google that..you'll see what I mean!)

Peace allll........

Time Passages

Just got an e-mail today informing me that my high school reunion is in 3 months. That's right... a celebration of 20 years away from hell. I debated for a few minutes on whether or not I should actually go and then I thought "Oh, why not?". No real reason for me to go except to cause trouble but that is a good enough reason for me. (Does anyone detect a note of bitterness?;))

Of course, over the next couple of months, I will have to find something to wear, set up the proverbial hair and nails appointment and lose, oh, about 20 pounds. Not to mention finding a good pair of boots capable of wading through all the bullcrap lies people are telling about their lives and kicking a couple of butts at the same time. (Chris Coultas be warned and be afraid....be very afraid.)

Now, this upcoming event has me thinking about how fast the past 20 years have gone by. And I still haven't done all of the things that I want to do. Hopefully, I'll have a good 50 or 60 years before I shuffle off this mortal coil and in the meantime I would like to:

Learn to ballroom dance...real dancing.

Learn at least 4 more languages (I already speak French and German), preferrably Italian, Russian, Mandarin or Cantonese, and Spanish.

Write down my life story (ah, the ultimate ego stroke;)).

Get on an airplane (maybe not fly but at least get on one!)

Go to Ireland, England and Israel.(Yeah, I know the whole flying thing may get in the way of that)

Live on at least 10 acres of land, with my own private woods.

Learn how to ski.

Go on a cruise.

And if I never accomplish any of the above, maybe at least I could learn how to make a really good pot roast.

Peace allllll......

Sex Sells...And So Does Stupidity

I was at work the other night and one of my co-workers received as a tip three copies of a CD from a local rap group. ( Yeah, I know....pay your rent with that.) I was looking at the song list and saw the usual suspects..."Chillin' on da Block", "Eaze Ya Mind", "Calm Ya Nerves" and "Danm Shorty" (and yes it was spelled just like that) when I ran across a song entitled "Ho Sit Down". That's right....ho, sit down. And although I found the idea of actually listening to a song called "Ho Sit Down" completely disgusting, I realized that there are a lot of people who would probably think that this was a great song. Why is this? Because we allow it.

I was channel surfing earlier this evening and ran across a video where some girl was barely dressed and shaking every body part she had for all it was worth. And this video was by a well known singer. How and why is this man making allll of this money and having some woman dance on film like some sort of zoo animal? Because we allow it.

Women complain today that men don't respect them, that they treat them like dirt. Well, this is one of the sources of the problem right here. You teach people how to treat you. And if you are willing to buy into half dressed women and songs like "Ho Sit Down" then you are making the problem worse, so don't blame anyone else. My mother used to say that when women act like tramps (that was her word for it), then they have no reason to become angry when men talk to and treat them as such. This is why a lot of men/boys are growing up with no respect for women at all. The mainstream media is not about to stop selling sex....or stupidity. So it is up to intelligent, rational people to stop buying into it. (No, I'm not talking about censorship...just common sense.)

As a woman, I refuse to allow this junk in my house. If I were a man, I would like to think that I would respect any woman I was with more than this. Maybe that's somany young women act like pieces of meat, because that is how they feel the average man looks at them. And true or not, the powers that be have no problem popularizing that way of thinking. I think these guys need to stop and consider whether they would want their daughters/sisters/moms clapping her booty in front of people who are only seeing her from the neck down before they put out the next video.

Peace allllll.......

15%

Ya know, it really shouldn't be hard to do. Putting that standard 15% tip on the table. Really, it shouldn't. It not that much ya know. 15 cents per dollar of your check. (You know that I just now realized my keyboard does not have the cents mark on it. What kind of mess is that?? But, I digress.)

I'm not asking you to tip at all if your service was substandard. (Even though if I waited on you I know that it wasn't ;)) However, if you bring 15 people in and your check is ....oh......let's see.......$150, then guess what? A $5 tip is not going to have me jumping up and down, especially after I have dealt with everyone talking at the same time, talking to each other when I'm trying to get your order, using their cell phones like I am not even there and running me to hell's half-acre for your napkins, lemons, straws, extra ice, butter, and all the other junk that you so desperately desire. Not to mention that fact that while I am sweating like a bull moose you are going to look at me and say "Ooh, it's cold in here. Can you do something about that?" Certainly. Is there anything else you would like? A pillow? Some grapes that I can pluck off the vine and feed to you?

(Please remember that I do not feel this way about all of my customers. If I did then I probably wouldn't have a job. It's only about 5% of the population that is like this...it's just that this 5% keeps showing up over and over again!)

You know who are the best tippers in the world? Strippers. Don't know why, just know that they are. Weird, huh? You know who are the worst? Normally, people coming from church. (Yes, as a Christian, it pains me to have to say that. Read your Bibles people...the Lord loveth a cheerful giver!)

Anyhow, just needed to vent for a minute. Whoo! I feel so much better! Don't you?

Peace alllll...........

Back In Action

Went back to work Friday night.....am suffering for it. Being out of work for a month and then attempting to go back as if you never left...you will pay for it the next day. Oh, well, it only took me 20 minutes to get out of the bed today.;) I think I will go back to school next year....I just can't see doing this for the rest of my days. Ah, well, such is life today...maybe it will change tomorrow. But, all in all, I'm glad to at least be out of the house again....I was watching waaaaay too much t.v.! (especially those late night infomercials;))

Peace allll..........

Does This Bother Anyone Else?

You've seen them: the commercial starts....couple running on the beach....snuggled under a blanket by a campfire.....laughing while riding down the open highway in the convertible.....swelling, romantic music. Then one of them speaks...'I'm Jane (or Jim) and I have genital herpes..but I don't let it interfere in my life.' Ummmm...maybe you should. It is, after all, an STD. That's sexually transmitted disease that may interfere in someone else's life if you aren't really careful.

Or the birth control commercial for Ortho-Tricyclene Lo..you know the one that has the song 'There She Goes Again' in it. (Actually, some perverse part of me thinks that is just toooo funny;))

Or how about the endless commercials for Viagra, or KY intimate warming gel. I don't really care how moist you are or how hot...that is not my business....really it isn't.

I'm all for sexual education. I am not by nature a prude. I talk about sex a lot...ask my husband ...he'll tell ya so. But I believe that there is a place and a time slot for such things. I have a hard enough time supervising the programming that my kids (not to mention myself) are subjected to without worrying about the commercials too.

Kids aside, personally I think it's just gross to advertise tampons, sanitary napkins, douches, feminine sprays (for that 'not-so-fresh' i.e. you really stink feeling), penile enhancement products, breast enhancement products, or anything of that nature on television. It also makes for a very awkward moment when one of my husband's friends is over at our house. I always have to find something witty to say which is not easy when you're hearing how much liquid one of the new overnight thong sanitary pads with wings can hold.

Maybe I am a prude after all.;)

Peace alllll.....................

Flowers & Fruit

I have never been a girly girl. Tried it on for size more than once but it just isn't me. I can't sew, (Grover can though..go figure) I cook moderately well, I hate to shop and I only own two pairs of shoes (honestly) because I just don't understand the point of walking on 3-6 inch stilts and maybe breaking my ankle just so my legs will look longer and my butt will look higher. I'm not a Quarter horse for cryin' out loud!

I only wear makeup when I am in the mood to do so...which is rarely. Just don't have the time or the energy to go through all the trouble of putting this stuff on that makes my face feel like it weighs 3 pounds. And the only time I will wear a dress is at a wedding or a funeral.

All of the above having been said, I do not have a problem with women who: wear dresses, high heels, like to shop, wear lots of makeup and giggle like jackals on acid. Hey, more power to them and to each his or her own. The problem is when I run across one of those who is like: "You would look so cute if you would just: wear a dress, lots of makeup, have really big hair and giggle like a jackal on acid." Oh, this comment is not exclusively for women...I have run across the occasional 'evolved' man who has said the same thing.....obviously concerning himself with my evidently low self-esteem, since I am not interested in posing and preening for the male masses. Sirs, please, resume watching t.v., scratching yourselves, and watching 'College Girls Gone Wild". Thanks.

The point is this: I will allow you to live happily ever after in your dresses and heels (men too if you so choose) if you will allow me to live happily ever after in my jeans and kicks. I am not running for office or looking for a husband. (have one don't want the other...figure out which is which ;)) Thank you for your support. This has been a public disservice announcement. ;)

Peace alllll................

Just Because

Just because I may a little loud or emotional right now does not mean that I am having PMS or hormone imbalance or any of the other things people attribute to women.

Just because I do not agree with you does not make me argumentative.

Just because I say what I think does not make me abrasive.

Just because you can hurt my feelings doesn't mean that you should.

Just because I'm here this morning doesn't mean I forgot what happened last night.

Just because I forgive doesn't mean I forget.

Just because someone else did it doesn't mean that I will.

Just because I can be sensitive doesn't mean that I am weak.

Just because I have yet to reach the end of my rope doesn't mean that the rope has no end.

Just because I am here today doesn't account for tomorrow.

Peace allll................