so as i was messing around w/ my blog site i noticed for the 1st time the tab 'Stats'. curious i clicked on it and found some interesting information! in the last month alone folks from http://mail.ohusc.k12.in.us/zimbra/ have visited 11 times and from http://mail.ohusc.k12.in.us/ have visited 19 times. I'd like to welcome my former colleagues. oops i almost for got http://mail.ohusc.k12.in.us/zimbra/?client=advanced who've stopped by 4 times.
it's interesting to me where my readers come from. i also found out that just the last month alone these stats:United States 810, Canada 13, Denmark 3, United Kingdom 1. How interesting. pretty sure most just happened upon my page as i don't know anyone in Canada, Denmark or the UK. but cool nonetheless.
considering recent events i find it interesting the number of times(34) that folks from the local schools have been by. i wonder why as i'm guessing it's not because they're a fan as this is not a professional site but whatever. again, welcome.
Used to i was of the philosophy that one should NEVER put anything in writing. however some years ago i reached a point where there was so much going on in my head that i felt as though i needed to get it all out. (poor andy) so many things going through my head that needed to find it's way out just so that i could rest at night. i started journaling. i did this for sometime but once i became exposed to the blog world i put away the pen & paper and choose this as my journaling outlet. my journals have been a collection of my memories, observations, opinions, a recap of the days events and an outlet for venting frustrations. blogspot is the place they're logged/blogged.
this blogging never started as a 'read me' venture but it is out there for the reading. i don't push my blog nor have i forwarded it to anyone for their reading. there is however a link to it on my facebook page, which by the way is set to private so if you're not a 'friend' you're probably not welcome to my thoughts, fb page or opinion. given recent events i was half tempted to set my blog setting to private, but then reconsidered. i know many friends and acquaintances who have commented to me many times that they really enjoy my posts, have encouraged me to continue blogging...the good, the bad & the ugly. i've received many comments about my blogs that were written with pure humor w/o any one person in mind but a culmination of many people who were combined into a blogged about character. it is for myself first and those who have enjoyed reading & tend to find their way back that blog. but honestly mostly for myself. i don't see that changing.
as our children go through school they are encouraged to write. encourage to write within guidelines or about specific topics. recently i presented my children with their own journal. they baulked at the thought of having to write however i told them i wanted to write what they felt. write about what made them happy, made them sad or made them mad. i encouraged them to write what they thought. if they had an opinion that was different and they wanted to state it to do so. like me they journaled for a time but then lost interest. i've since suggested they too blog! they've tinkered a time or two and i think as they grow, mature, and become more expressive they too will find this as a nice outlet. nice for them anyway.
blogging is like your own editorial. and like some of my readers i've read an editorial or 2 that have angered, annoyed and frustrated me. (i no longer take the paper & when i do read it...i don't read the editorials) i mentioned before you can read or not follow or not it doesn't really make a difference to me. i don't see this blog changing to make anyone comfortable. that's not it's purpose. it's purpose is to serve as MY outlet.
**the links above were actual links from actual viewers according to the tracker on blogspot. most all my other followers were from my facebook link with the exception of the few who google searched me and aol searched. (2)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
well it's thursday and this is the week that my husband is gone for most of the time as he is on his northern route. so thankful for his job...beyond measure, but i so miss him when he is away from all of us. it's a beautiful day today. there is a nice chill in the air and the sun is bright. we actually had some rain last night which lent itself to muddy the paws of my boys. oh well, the ground soaked it up and without a doubt was left wanting more. weather was somewhat severe for a while. but, i like things severe. can't believe that the kids don't have ANY activities tonight. we do however have eye appointments.
i had fun taking a trip down memory lane in my last blog. and while walking i had some other memories creep into existence. like: burger chef, when the outdoor mall became an indoor mall, earth shoes, macrame, funkytown, devlin. I know there are more but unfortunately my mind is taking a break. funny how that happens ALOt!
well, thanks for showing up today. sorry i didn't have a bit more to offer up. i'm looking forward to my night with my kiddos. just with their daddy was here with us.
i had fun taking a trip down memory lane in my last blog. and while walking i had some other memories creep into existence. like: burger chef, when the outdoor mall became an indoor mall, earth shoes, macrame, funkytown, devlin. I know there are more but unfortunately my mind is taking a break. funny how that happens ALOt!
well, thanks for showing up today. sorry i didn't have a bit more to offer up. i'm looking forward to my night with my kiddos. just with their daddy was here with us.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
stuff that make up my memories...
baby alive, buster brown clothes, easy bake oven, light bright, fisher price, dutchmaid underwear, schwinn bikes, red rover red rover, tag, hide & seek, leif garret, shawn cassidy, the bay city rollers, secret clubs, gas city pool, bike-a-thons, parades, twirling, dancing and gymnastics, gatlinburg, covered bridge festival, pickles from the barrel, grant county sectional basketball games (before the class crap), Cadillac that matched our house, swinging, sharing mittens on a walk to school with rhonda, kissing reid in his closet at his birthday, good time, archie bunker, the partridge family, the waltons, my 3 sons, gilligan's island, the brady bunch, john hughes movies, friday the 13th w/ girls, sleepovers, riding horses & andrea & jan, spoon ring from adam, green plastic ring from reid, ghost in the grave yard, spin the bottle, funky town, dances after every football game, charity Christmas auction - kisses were auctioned off in school!(lol), john cougar, bob segar, the walkman, 8-track tapes, cassette tapes, records, 45's, record players, only dialing 4 digits to make a local call, leaving school as i desired, cruising the halls, rick springfield, dukes of hazzard, '78 blizzard, school from sept-may, not having make up days, neon clothes, preppy clothes, jordache jeans, calvin klein jeans, guess jeans, gloria vanderbilt, post 10 baseball, pony league baseball, summitville fireworks, mermaid festival, summers at the lakes, dallas, knots landing, dynasty, the day mtv premiered, mtv!, introduction of: cable, cell phones, cd's, disc players, video players, remote controls, computers, internet, satellite tv, wnba. quaker haven church camp, bobbies marching corp., playhouse studio of dance, amityville horror, jaws, nightmare on elm street, skateboarding, gogo boots, hot pants, earth shoes, bell bottoms aka "elephant ears", 'keep on truckin', peace, terry cloth, leather jackets, class jackets and rings, cruise'n, noble romans silent movies, no love for other county schools, '59 studebaker lark, divorce, grandma singing in the kitchen, grandpa at the shop, eric's z28, running from the cops, jumping rail road tracks, drag racing, homecoming bon fires, swiping dad's cigs, political parties, craft shows, meetings, saturday morning cartoons: merry melodies, bugs bunny, foghorn leghorn, the jetsons, yosimitie sam, speedy gonzalas, flintstones, family affair, mrs, beesley, baby beans, poodle dogs, riding bikes, johnathan livingston seagull, judy blume: are you there God it's me margaret?, dr. seauss, show & tell, western-auto softball, banging pots on ny's eve, herbie the lovebug, bengi, teen beat, tiger beat, highlights, patches sewn onto jeans, being asked to NOT join girl scouts (haha), dancing lessons in nyc, first date, truth or dare!
bring back a few of your own?
bring back a few of your own?
Monday, October 11, 2010
words....
'...words will never hurt me', well that's a lie, but i've been thinking a lot about words recently. Why? well, let me explain. The past few months i've been reading adult writings. be it the memoirs of jen lancaster or Good Enough to Eat by stacy ballis my reads have taken a grown up turn. as i've made my way though these reads i've came across some words i really really liked. i liked them because they set the tone, communicated the feel of the situation. i liked them because they were not simple. they were what an english teacher would call 'power words'. and powerful they are.
all throughout school k-12 kids are introduced to new vocabulary. and weather they like it or not they tend to pick up new words to add to their vernacular. fight it as they may new words good & bad find their way into use.
when i arrived at indiana central university (aka u of i) i met a girl named stacy who was valedictorian of her class. she was also an english major. really? i thought, who majors in english. so she explained to me her love of words. and how like paint, crayons, markers etc...they too could create a beautiful picture. a word picture. so to assist me in my desire to increase my vocabulary she took it upon herself to enhance my brick dorm room walls with words. daily she added new words. they were placed randomly around the area where my bed was situated and i would locate the word and proceed to look up the definition and a few synonyms and write the information beside the new word. the words were random and fun and it was a great way to increase my vocabulary. it was 18 at the time.
now at the ripe old age of 44 i'm wishing stacy was around to challenge me. it wasn't until i got into the grown-up books that i realized my vocabulary could use of enhancement. so i've decided starting today i'll begin my own attempt at enhancing my vocab.
today's word:
sardonic - adjective
characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.
Syn: acerbic, arrogant, biting, bitter, carping, caustic, cynical, derisive, disrespectful, evil, irascible, mean, mocking, mordant, nasty, offensive, salty, satirical, scorching, scornful, sharp, smart-alecky, sneering, taunting, wise*
Notes: sarcastic means 'derisive, tauntingly contemptuous,' while sardonic means 'bitterly scornful, cynically disdainful'
with highlighter in hand i'll continue reading and adding to my new words. i'd love love love it if you would play along too! so with that said, please comment and leave me a new word. i can use all the help i can get!
this should be fun & who knows perhaps we'll all learn a thing or three!
all throughout school k-12 kids are introduced to new vocabulary. and weather they like it or not they tend to pick up new words to add to their vernacular. fight it as they may new words good & bad find their way into use.
when i arrived at indiana central university (aka u of i) i met a girl named stacy who was valedictorian of her class. she was also an english major. really? i thought, who majors in english. so she explained to me her love of words. and how like paint, crayons, markers etc...they too could create a beautiful picture. a word picture. so to assist me in my desire to increase my vocabulary she took it upon herself to enhance my brick dorm room walls with words. daily she added new words. they were placed randomly around the area where my bed was situated and i would locate the word and proceed to look up the definition and a few synonyms and write the information beside the new word. the words were random and fun and it was a great way to increase my vocabulary. it was 18 at the time.
now at the ripe old age of 44 i'm wishing stacy was around to challenge me. it wasn't until i got into the grown-up books that i realized my vocabulary could use of enhancement. so i've decided starting today i'll begin my own attempt at enhancing my vocab.
today's word:
sardonic - adjective
characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.
Syn: acerbic, arrogant, biting, bitter, carping, caustic, cynical, derisive, disrespectful, evil, irascible, mean, mocking, mordant, nasty, offensive, salty, satirical, scorching, scornful, sharp, smart-alecky, sneering, taunting, wise*
Notes: sarcastic means 'derisive, tauntingly contemptuous,' while sardonic means 'bitterly scornful, cynically disdainful'
with highlighter in hand i'll continue reading and adding to my new words. i'd love love love it if you would play along too! so with that said, please comment and leave me a new word. i can use all the help i can get!
this should be fun & who knows perhaps we'll all learn a thing or three!
sweet October monday!
Beautiful day today...and I guess it's national coming out day...and for the record I've successfully come out of bed, out of the door, out of my car (2x's already) and out of the outdoors. How am I doing? I don't really have an opinion on what this day has been declared, what I do know is that there are folks in this world with different sexual preferences than I and many who are friends. I like them for who they are not how they love. My faith tells me to "hate the sin & love the sinner" seeing as I fall into the sinner category I'm all for that! I too need love and acceptance for who I am. ....that's how I feel about that.
Had an invigorating walk this morning. The sun is taking it's time in shining through the clouds but it's getting there. I'll be having lunch to day with 2 of my favorite college kids. So, I'm looking forward to that. This evening we'll head down to Elwood to watch Kathryn cheer & the freshmen boys get a victory. After today only one more game.
This past weekend was quite a busy one for us. My husband is one of the primary organizers for the mission auction our church puts on. It's quite an undertaking and something he spends all year working on. I must say he does a fine job. Thanks to all that came out & bought it was a success! After the auction had concluded Kate & I took in a movie Easy A and then attended the MHS performance of Hairspray. What an enjoyable day. Sunday proved to be just as enjoyable with church, a quick lunch at home, 1812 and then an evening with the youth of Mt. Olive. Throw in a bon fire and it would have been a perfect day! God is good.
In my previous blog I wrote about character and responsibility. And as I had time this morning I thought some more about it. Being self-righteous is also a character flaw. I want to say in NO WAY do I think I'm better or superior to ANYONE. We were created equal. And I truly believe all people are instinctively good but for whatever reason most will, a time or too, make a poor judgment or choice. It happens to all of us. Sadly it is usually witnessed.
Well, it's a good day I'm sure. Be receptive to the blessing God has in store for you and know you're a blessing to someone. see ya!
Had an invigorating walk this morning. The sun is taking it's time in shining through the clouds but it's getting there. I'll be having lunch to day with 2 of my favorite college kids. So, I'm looking forward to that. This evening we'll head down to Elwood to watch Kathryn cheer & the freshmen boys get a victory. After today only one more game.
This past weekend was quite a busy one for us. My husband is one of the primary organizers for the mission auction our church puts on. It's quite an undertaking and something he spends all year working on. I must say he does a fine job. Thanks to all that came out & bought it was a success! After the auction had concluded Kate & I took in a movie Easy A and then attended the MHS performance of Hairspray. What an enjoyable day. Sunday proved to be just as enjoyable with church, a quick lunch at home, 1812 and then an evening with the youth of Mt. Olive. Throw in a bon fire and it would have been a perfect day! God is good.
In my previous blog I wrote about character and responsibility. And as I had time this morning I thought some more about it. Being self-righteous is also a character flaw. I want to say in NO WAY do I think I'm better or superior to ANYONE. We were created equal. And I truly believe all people are instinctively good but for whatever reason most will, a time or too, make a poor judgment or choice. It happens to all of us. Sadly it is usually witnessed.
Well, it's a good day I'm sure. Be receptive to the blessing God has in store for you and know you're a blessing to someone. see ya!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I don't need you to runin my character....I can do that on my own....just like YOU ruined yours
So many times we have conversations or state an opinion regarding responsibility. You know how they go...usually there's a complaint about someone not accepting responsibility for their situation. People continually blaming others for their state of being. It's so much easier to put the blame on others than it is to take a good hard look at ourselves and realize....I'VE CREATED QUITE A SITUATION. My grandma used to say "if you point a finger at another be aware of the 3 pointing back at you!". But really in this day & age who does that? It's far easier to put the blame elsewhere, especially when we feel as though someone else has attacked our character.
Here's my take on this...(I'll use myself as an example)
With regard to my character I feel I'm fully responsible for my own. I make the choices in the way I conduct myself, the things I say - in addition the WAY I say them, my actions and interactions and what I do with the things I hear. If you'll notice in that previous sentence there was a reoccurring word...I. Not you, them, she, he, they...rather I/me. You see I am of the opinion that with regard to my character I'm in total control. I call the shots. I do however lose control when I am somewhere where there are people around who might see my actions/interactions, hear my conversations or words spoken. Because you see it is at this point that the things I do and say become open to interpretation. Now it is on YOU. How you perceive ME. This is the point when others get to decide what they think of me. (difficult to accept at times)
It's easy to say someone one has "ruined my character". For placing blame for what is ultimately a direct consequence from ones own behavior is far easier to do and has pretty much become status quo than admitting I, ME, MYSELF made an error in judgment. That is hard to do. That look in the mirror can often reflect someone less than perfect. Someone that's messed up, crossed the line, made a mistake, or just simply put made a bad choice. I know. I've been there and done that and will unfortunately probably find myself there again peering into that mirror once again before my time on this earth is done.
However at about the ripe old age of 40 (I'm a slow learning w/ some things) I came to realize my grandma was right. While I was busy pointing that finger at everyone else and putting the blame on them I did in fact have 3 others pointing back at me. This was a cause for a pause & some self-evaluation.
Here are some of the "light bulb" moments I had during that time. 1) I have opinions and will speak them. 2) Speaking my opinions (solicited or not) will open me up to ridicule and possibly cause others to not care for me much. 3) I often (not always...be glad) say what ever I want. 4) Being outspoken is not a trait that everyone likes. 5) I don't pretend well. 6) I'm not into conforming to make YOU feel comfortable. ...it's not about you. 7) You're gonna think what you want. 8) I'm not gonna like everyone nor is everyone gonna like me...& that's ok. 9) I'm not good at looking the other way when something is amiss. 10) I'm not good with chain of command. 11) I'm not going to apologize for who I am.
You see I live with my family, self and God is the center of all that. I have chosen to do my best to live my life pleasing to Him. I often fall short but continually try. I am not perfect nor do I think I've ever claimed to be. I don't answer to YOU and you're probably not in my chain of command.
It's unfortunate and trying when I encounter someone who is a frustration. For my God has called me to LOVE others. Even my enemies. And yes...I have them. There are few people I don't like but nonetheless they do exist. I've observed behaviors that I have found troubling, I've witnessed actions less than appropriate or "professional" (the buzz word) which I have found concerning and I've been privy to information that can be down right damning. What I have found, personally speaking, is it's difficult to LIKE those people and when asked "why? the dislike" I share my reasons. The good/bad & ugly.
As I sit here blogging some of these people are popping in and out of my head. Each possess good qualities ie: excellent speaker/preacher, love of arts, creative artistic talent, willingness to be involved. And I thank God for revealing those to me for initially I was blinded by my dislike for them and had trouble seeing the good that exist in each of us. However each have in some manner have managed to personally cause me to call into question their character. What I do know is we all have character flaws, myself included. But when I continually choose to spotlight my flaw, act out on it I stand the risk of damaging my character...permanently. YOU don't do the damage, I do. You're talking about me, recounting the fall, the poor choice...well, that isn't on you because as I see it, I did the deed. You have simply chosen to talk about it once, twice, or over & over...regardless, I put myself, my actions, my words, my 'me' out there...for interpretation. It's a risk perhaps, especially if I'm a bold person.
I'm an "at risk" individual. I don't often play it safe. I often challenge people and things. I usually say what others are thinking thus absolving them from any ownership of the thought. I figure it's a 2 way street, as well as a double edge sword. I am at times called out on my thoughts, statements, opinions. I have been told and a time or two strongly suggested to NOT say anything and certainly NOT to anyone...for it wouldn't be in my best interest. And when strongly advised about what is or isn't in my best interest I usually consider the source offering up the warning. What I've found out is my interest and what's best for me isn't what they're ultimately looking out for. I have found that self-proclaimed "professionals" can be bullies.
Here's another thing I've realized about myself ...I look for the good and straight up, God has helped me with that one. And when I have a negative opinion of someone I pray not only for my attitude/opinion but for the other person too. I do! I have to just so I can be more pleasing to The One who truly matters.
You don't need me to ruin your character, nor do I need you to ruin mine. We both have the ability to get that done on our own. So take some ownership and be responsible for who you are...the good, bad & ugly. For everyone else isn't to blame.
Here's my take on this...(I'll use myself as an example)
With regard to my character I feel I'm fully responsible for my own. I make the choices in the way I conduct myself, the things I say - in addition the WAY I say them, my actions and interactions and what I do with the things I hear. If you'll notice in that previous sentence there was a reoccurring word...I. Not you, them, she, he, they...rather I/me. You see I am of the opinion that with regard to my character I'm in total control. I call the shots. I do however lose control when I am somewhere where there are people around who might see my actions/interactions, hear my conversations or words spoken. Because you see it is at this point that the things I do and say become open to interpretation. Now it is on YOU. How you perceive ME. This is the point when others get to decide what they think of me. (difficult to accept at times)
It's easy to say someone one has "ruined my character". For placing blame for what is ultimately a direct consequence from ones own behavior is far easier to do and has pretty much become status quo than admitting I, ME, MYSELF made an error in judgment. That is hard to do. That look in the mirror can often reflect someone less than perfect. Someone that's messed up, crossed the line, made a mistake, or just simply put made a bad choice. I know. I've been there and done that and will unfortunately probably find myself there again peering into that mirror once again before my time on this earth is done.
However at about the ripe old age of 40 (I'm a slow learning w/ some things) I came to realize my grandma was right. While I was busy pointing that finger at everyone else and putting the blame on them I did in fact have 3 others pointing back at me. This was a cause for a pause & some self-evaluation.
Here are some of the "light bulb" moments I had during that time. 1) I have opinions and will speak them. 2) Speaking my opinions (solicited or not) will open me up to ridicule and possibly cause others to not care for me much. 3) I often (not always...be glad) say what ever I want. 4) Being outspoken is not a trait that everyone likes. 5) I don't pretend well. 6) I'm not into conforming to make YOU feel comfortable. ...it's not about you. 7) You're gonna think what you want. 8) I'm not gonna like everyone nor is everyone gonna like me...& that's ok. 9) I'm not good at looking the other way when something is amiss. 10) I'm not good with chain of command. 11) I'm not going to apologize for who I am.
You see I live with my family, self and God is the center of all that. I have chosen to do my best to live my life pleasing to Him. I often fall short but continually try. I am not perfect nor do I think I've ever claimed to be. I don't answer to YOU and you're probably not in my chain of command.
It's unfortunate and trying when I encounter someone who is a frustration. For my God has called me to LOVE others. Even my enemies. And yes...I have them. There are few people I don't like but nonetheless they do exist. I've observed behaviors that I have found troubling, I've witnessed actions less than appropriate or "professional" (the buzz word) which I have found concerning and I've been privy to information that can be down right damning. What I have found, personally speaking, is it's difficult to LIKE those people and when asked "why? the dislike" I share my reasons. The good/bad & ugly.
As I sit here blogging some of these people are popping in and out of my head. Each possess good qualities ie: excellent speaker/preacher, love of arts, creative artistic talent, willingness to be involved. And I thank God for revealing those to me for initially I was blinded by my dislike for them and had trouble seeing the good that exist in each of us. However each have in some manner have managed to personally cause me to call into question their character. What I do know is we all have character flaws, myself included. But when I continually choose to spotlight my flaw, act out on it I stand the risk of damaging my character...permanently. YOU don't do the damage, I do. You're talking about me, recounting the fall, the poor choice...well, that isn't on you because as I see it, I did the deed. You have simply chosen to talk about it once, twice, or over & over...regardless, I put myself, my actions, my words, my 'me' out there...for interpretation. It's a risk perhaps, especially if I'm a bold person.
I'm an "at risk" individual. I don't often play it safe. I often challenge people and things. I usually say what others are thinking thus absolving them from any ownership of the thought. I figure it's a 2 way street, as well as a double edge sword. I am at times called out on my thoughts, statements, opinions. I have been told and a time or two strongly suggested to NOT say anything and certainly NOT to anyone...for it wouldn't be in my best interest. And when strongly advised about what is or isn't in my best interest I usually consider the source offering up the warning. What I've found out is my interest and what's best for me isn't what they're ultimately looking out for. I have found that self-proclaimed "professionals" can be bullies.
Here's another thing I've realized about myself ...I look for the good and straight up, God has helped me with that one. And when I have a negative opinion of someone I pray not only for my attitude/opinion but for the other person too. I do! I have to just so I can be more pleasing to The One who truly matters.
You don't need me to ruin your character, nor do I need you to ruin mine. We both have the ability to get that done on our own. So take some ownership and be responsible for who you are...the good, bad & ugly. For everyone else isn't to blame.
