In case you're wondering...

...for the time being.

Une petite vite!

I'm not even going to pretend that I'm a bad blogger, 'cause let's face it... it's not even worth it.

Life on this side of the screen has been busy to say the least.  Things are good, so overall my absence is mostly due to not wanting to write.  I still think of fellow bloggers, my blends, and do wonder how they're doing, and when I really feel the need to know I log on and visit.  That's what I did just now.

I've been scrapbooking a fair bit (making an album of my husband since his birth), I'm done with all the years before I entered his world and now starting his years since we've met (over eighteen years already).  It's fun to see how he's changed (not that much, besides his hair color).  Looking at all the pictures I feel lucky to have such a a cute husband - some nice arm candy I've got here! ;-)

In other news, we're thinking of attending a conference (for my side of the business) in Nashville, TN, in August.  We're debating if we should drive there, and maybe extend an extra week to make it to Memphis - I want to go to Graceland! Also, a friend, living in Switzerland, offered us a great opportunity to travel to France with them and share a house for two weeks, near Marseilles, in June.  It looks really good and it sure would be great to go there, but we have to evaluate if one Hubby can take the time off, if our budget allows it, etc.  I have this feeling that business should take precedent in our decision making scheme, but we'll see...

I'm still going to the pool (twice/week) and still not really enjoying it all.  I do see the benefits, it does help my back, but to say I enjoy my time in the pool would be a lie.

I'm sure this is how I look when I'm in the water... yep, this represents me fairly accurately.  I haven't mastered the breathing aspect of swimming yet, and that is an important part (I'm told!).  Oh well.

Trust all is well with you and that you are looking forward to this time of year they call Spring.  I know I do, and this despite having to lose one hour of sleep on Sunday.

P'tite montée de lait!

I haven't blogged in a while mainly because I didn't have anything to write about and because work has been keeping busy as well as scrapbooking.  It feels like the computer isn't as attractive as it once was. Oh well.

I've decided to post today, because I need to vent about something that is driving me mad.  We all know (too well) the power of words, and how words can empower or destroy us.  I've learned that at a very young age, and still have some scars to prove it.  That being said, we all hear about the bullies and how everyone should fight against them, etc.  I believe, bullies like prostitutes have always been around and will remain here no matter what we say or do.  I know, harsh, right? 

This morning while getting ready, I heard a TV commercial about hoarders. We do watch the show.  I'm fascinated about how people can let themselves go this way.  I understand the mental health issue aspect of it all.  I understand the "collecting" aspect as well.  What I don't get is how someone would choose to live in filth like they so often show. It is a choice people made along the way.  They choose to let themselves accumulate mounts of bags full of shit, and trash all around them.  I'm not even talking about hygiene.  I've seen homeless people, with their cart, looking more "organized" than some of these hoarders.

The commercial I saw this morning showed a woman in a house so filthy, there was dead rats (and live ones) all over the place.  The comment that got me was: "How can we let someone live this way?" Hello!  That someone chose this.  This is where choosing the right word comes in. 

If someone is sitting is shit and doesn't look bothered by it more than that, who are we to make them want to get out of it all?  Is it for our benefit (good conscience) or really for the poor smock sitting in shit?  Is it because the smell or look is bothering us or because we truly care?  Are we caring because we want to feel better or because we truly do care?  I have my doubts, either way because after all, if we're honest, it is all about us, isn't it?

Farewell, Charlie

It is with great sadness that I'm writing this post.  I've dreaded having to post about this. I just found out that my dear blend, Charlie, past away in the afternoon of February 1st. I was told his passing was gentle and painless, with his beloved Martha.

He was among the first regulars I've had when I started blogging, back in 2006.  At the time he was calling himself "Admiral Pooper". Then he became "Charlie".  He introduced me to many other bloggers and through the years we've exchanged ideas through our blogs and via emails.  He always had a kind, or a funny word about nothing and everything.  I did value his views and really did think of him as a friend.  The blogosphere will be missing a great man.  If you haven't had the opportunity to read Charlie's blog, please do so, it is worth the time.

Charlie, dear friend, wherever you may be, I hope you are truly pain free.  I take comfort in knowing you are now with your Punkers (among others) crossing Rainbow Bridge together.  Rest in peace, dear Charlie, you've earned your rest.  You may be gone from our lives, but never absent from our hearts.

My deepest sympathy to Martha 

and to everyone who had the chance to know him.

Big thanks to ATM

Strange

I've been playing with different posts ideas since yesterday, and as I logged in to write this post, I read an email from a fellow blogger informing me of a sad situation.

Strange creatures we are.  We think we are strong.  We think we're ready and yet when the day comes we still get slapped in the face. Hard.

What is even stranger is how we create bonds over the internet, with complete strangers, people we've never seen and in many cases never even heard.  We got to meet because of what we've shared on our blogs.  How strange is that?

I care about my 'blends'.  I do think of them as friends. Blogging has this family quality chemistry: there is always a favorite, one this has this little something special.  It saddens me to read about a sick blend. 

Test for Dementia

Below are four ( 4 ) questions
And a bonus question..
You have to answer them instantly.
You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately  .

OK?!

Let's find out just how clever
You really are.... 

 

 

First Question :   
You are participating in a race.
You overtake the second person.
What position are you in?

 

 

 

 

Answer:  If you answered that
You are first, then you are
Absolutely wrong!
If you overtake the second person
And you take his place,
You are second!

Try not to screw up next time.
Now answer the second question, 
But  don't   take as much time
As you took for the first question,
OK   ?

 

 

 

 

Second Question : 
If you overtake the last person,
Then you are...?  
 

 

   

 

 

Answer:  If you answered that you
Are second to last,
Then you are wrong again.
Tell me, how can you
Overtake the LAST Person?  


You're not very good at this, are you?

 

   

 

  Third Question : 
Very tricky arithmetic!
This must be done in your head   ONLY   
Do not use paper & pencil
Or a calculator.. Try it 



Take   1000   and add   40   to it. Now add another  1000  ... Now add 30 ..  
Add another   1000    . .. Now add   20     .... Now add another   1000   
Now add   10     ... What is the total?

 

Did you get  5000 ?  

 

The correct answer is actually 4100.

 

If you don't believe it,

 

Check it with a calculator!  
Today is definitely not your day, is it? 
Maybe you'll get the last question right...  

 

 

Fourth Question :   

Mary's father has five daughters:

 

1.Nana,   2.Nene,   3.Nini,   4.Nono.

 

What's the name of the fifth daughter?     

 

  
  
 
  
Did you Answer   Nunu? 

NO ....  Of course it isn't.

Her name is   Mary.

 

Read the question again!

 

  
Okay, now the 
Bonus Round :

 

A mute person goes into a shop
And wants to buy a toothbrush..
By imitating the action
Of brushing his teeth 
He successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.   
Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does HE indicate
What he wants?

 

 

 

 

He just has to open his mouth and ask...  
It's really very simple !

 

    



 
KEEP THIS GOING

 

TO FRUSTRATE THE

 

SMART PEOPLE   IN YOUR LIFE! 

I don't know, but I don't think this is heathly...

When one has always lived a certain way, they assumed that's the way the world is.  You can hope for better things, better environment, but until you've had experienced some goodness, you won't really know how bad things are.

A child growing up in an abusive environment thinks parents are the same every where, until the day he gets exposed to a nurturing parent.  Usually, parents divide their roles: one is the good parent and the other is the bad one, or rather the disciplinary one.  Sometimes some parents assume the submissive or the dominant role.  Being talked down to is a common thing in an abusive family.  The father screams, hits, degrades. The mother endures, doesn't talk back and supports her husband's behavior and decisions, because that is what wives do.  The kids see, feel and live violence on a daily base. They don't really know any better and live in fear of being hit.  They have to follow the rules, oblige by them and never question them.  If they do, it can not be said, especially not to the father.  Observe and remain quiet.

The kids become adults, fairly adjusted despite everything.  They realize how things were and that there are other options out there.  They choose to apply and live with these less abusive ways.  The mother chooses to stand by her man. It might be due to her lack of courage, her habits, or because that's where a wife is supposed to be?  The father (may) also sees, as he's getting older, that his ways were not always the best.  He reproduced what he had received and knew  rather than improving or changing.  It could be based on his lack of education, his inability to open up and, or simply fear?

One day the father takes his life.  The mother is at a loss.  The one person who controlled her every moves, her life, is now gone.  She could, if she wants, take this as an opportunity to grow, to better herself, to become the person she didn't have a chance (or didn't let) to be.  She has too much anger to work on herself.  She hangs on to that anger, to those years of frustration.  He fucked her up big time, and it's all his fault.

The kids want change.  They work on themselves, seek professional help, they want to understand and move on.  They don't blame it all on their father.  Their mother had her share of responsibilities.  There is anger there.  There is also hurt.  They think things can only get better from there, they will help their mother and it will get better, they will heal together.

Time does go by.  The mother says and acts as if she's trying to better herself, but her actions at times show her children her true color.  Having been exposed to abuse and lack of respect for so many years, one could argue it makes it hard for one to know better.  Maybe it is the children's expectations of their mother that is too high?  Maybe it is a simple generation gap?  In her times, a parent was meant to provide a roof, food and clothes to their children.  For a child to feel loved by his parents after the essentials were supplied was almost a luxury.    Maybe it is a recent thing this "feeling the love" thing? 

The children are adults.  Mature adults.  The mother is elderly.  They visit each other, they talk, but (of course) not as much as the mother would expect.  There are still some unspoken issues between them.  The father's suicide, even if talked about openly, has never been really accepted by the mother.  She feels abandon.  She has lots of anger.  Her anger isn't always directed at the right person. Despite being seen as a victim by many who were exposed to the family when the father was around, the mother is not.

A parent who says they would do anything for their children, would protect them in case of danger.  Shouldn't a parent whose spouse is abusive protect them as well?  Why would a parent stay in a house where one is being put down, screamed at, and at times hit chose to remain there? Why would a mother choose to stay with a man who would hit their children, take pride in saying that her husband never hit her, because if he had she would have left him?  Should the children think of this statement as how little value they represented for their mother?  Why would a parent who knows are much words can hurt, would choose to say such words to their children?  How can a mother tell her own children, that she says to love more than life itself, to go fuck themselves?  As adults, shouldn't the parent and kids respect each other, or at least respect the fact they are related to one another?

I'm not a parent, but those of you who are, what do you think?  Besides not being a healthy relationship, do, like I do, still see abuse in the mother-children relationship?