Mini Blinds Are The Devil

I'm still on the road to recovery but feel so much better I forgot what feeling "only slightly crappy" was like. It's like Nirvana compared to the way I felt last Sunday!

Just got home from a double shift. We picked up our new puppy yesterday. He is fitting in here and we all love the little stinker.  He makes Zach smile, which is worth every ounce of puppy poop I will be cleaning up for the next week or so.

Picked up a huge box of hand me downs from a high school friend for Massey. It was like shopping at Old Navy and American Eagle for free and Massey was thrilled! I even got a few things too. (Thanks Vicki)

I am worried about the heat outside. I usually have my cousin's hubby come by and shoot up my A/C unit with freon once a year but when he called to offer I was tapped out and hated to bounce a check  to a relative. Unless it's my Siblings.. then THEY are only to blame,  for forgetting who their sister is and taking my check :)

The A/C has been working fine thus far,  but as a avid Weather Channel freak I know the temp is sky rocketing at the end of this week. My only week spot is my kitchen and  not totally my fault. The idiots that built our house put ONE a/c vent in a kitchen that faces east and has full sunlight until at least four in the afternoon. My kitchen has two windows and a glass back door. I have blinds on one window and used to have a curtain over the back glass door until one of the dogs ate it. I bought a set for the back door and a set for the window over the sink yesterday, each costing less than four dollars and brought them home.

It took me almost two hours to hang two sets of blinds. The back door wasn't so difficult after I used a nail and hammer to punch through the metal door to make starter holes for the screws. Let me back up.

First I had to go over to my next door husband's garage and borrow a Phillips head screwdriver. My tools seem to walk off mysteriously...that happens when you have teens who have friends who fix THEIR cars in YOUR driveway and garage. At least they get them fixed and moved. I've had some sit here for a week. If it only costs me a screwdriver or wrench..."Take it!"

Moved on to the next blind, above my kitchen sink. People who install mini blinds above kitchen sinks for a living must be millionaires. I sweated, I cursed. I tried a step stool and finally just stood with one foot in each sink trying to get the blind brackets screwed in with my (next door husband's) manual screwdriver. Once again starting with nail hole starter guide and after several attempts,  got the blind up. It wasn't perfect but it was close enough. My window faces directly east and once the sun comes up the kitchen stays hot all day. When I turn the oven on it becomes a sauna...thanks to the geniuses who built my house and decided a kitchen facing east only needed one A/C vent. Guess they thought I wouldn't cook much during the summer months.

The next morning the kitchen was so much cooler it wasn't even funny. Why I didn't do  this years ago remains a mystery, just like the missing pliers screwdrivers and wrenches but at least it is done now.

I only worked a day shift on Thursday and came home. I did some weed eating and went to the Grocery de Amigos aka "Food Depot."  Thanks to one of my blog readers I have discovered a terrific grocery store that makes Kroger seem like the Nordstrom of food. Great prices, no frills but clean and fully stocked.

I sat out back for over a hour reading before cooking. I simply read and watched the dogs get to know each other out in the shadows finally casting some cool on the back yard lawn.

Ziggy is tiny compared to my other two hounds but stands his ground and not only wormed his way into OUR hearts but albeit begrudgingly, theirs.

People think I'm crazy to have three dogs.  I have always been crazy.  I had three dogs before my precious Rosie died.  Now I'm just back up to par.

He poops or pees in the house, gets his nose rubbed in it before we clean it up and is shoved out the back door for a time out. I've been down this road before with pups and know the drill. It's not like we live in  the Ritz anyway...it's more like we live in the "Rizzle Fo Shizzle." This could be loosely translated as "Our house, but at least it's a real place to live and love."

I have downgraded my work load.  For over two years I have worked eleven, twelve sometimes thirteen shifts a week. Yes it helped and I am grateful I had the opportunity to do it,  but I was wearing myself down and felt like I was losing what little sanity I had left. I worked seven shifts this week, more than most people I work with do but it felt like a paid vacation. So I am a bit behind on a couple of bills. I'll make it up next week. At least we are to the point where I can do that.

It hasn't been JUST me. It's been my husband helping out with laundry, my kids finally learning how to unload a dishwasher when it's full and reloading it. It's been the kids telling me they love me more often. It's been having more time for myself. I plucked my eye brows yesterday and can't even remember the last time I had time to do that. (Let's don't even mention shaving legs... Massey says I am just gross in that department)

It's been taking a step back. Do I kill myself to make ends meet or simply do what I can to stay healthy enough to keep on keeping on?

I am in a good place. We aren't back to normal (if I ever was) but  are to the point I can feel justified working a bit less and feeling better, mentally physically and emotionally.

A guy I went to high school with, who I haven't seen in over three decades saw a post on FB I made about not having health insurance and wrote this back to me about our three year journey back from the edge.


"As far as loosing jobs goes, just downsize and start from there. Maybe some of the people complaining SHOULD have lost that "roof over their head" and moved somewhere that would allow them to not only afford mortgage but also AFFORD health insurance. If you are having financial problems then you are living OUTSIDE of you means.'

In the words of my almost seventeen year old daughter..."WTH?"

Social media is great...it can also be abused. I never rant about my faith...I talk about it to God. I never rant about politics, I use my rant in the polling booth on election day...where it TRULY counts.

 I have said it before...if every single person voted instead of just bitching , the country would be in better shape. Voices would not only be heard but make the difference.

People who haven't seen or experienced what my family has been through certainly don't have the right to judge me.

It was the click of a mouse...I usually don't de friend people, but he de friend ed me first by  judging  without knowing the facts.


 As a fifty year old woman with three kids... who has worked since she was fourteen...I had to walk into the unemployment office and file for unemployment Insurance. I had to put my younger two kids on Medicaid. I had to go to the DHR in our county and file for food stamps. I cried like a baby at each office and the humiliation was totally overwhelming but I did it.

We are by NO stretch of the imagination "Living beyond our means" but graciously surviving with the help of many and the Big Guy upstairs. We are making strides and thanks to the system I have paid into since 1974 we have almost made it.

It will take at least five years to get back to where we were, but at least we are here. At least my kids are healthy and my poor husband hasn't choked  me in my sleep. (yet)

People who are haters get on my nerves.

I never voted for Bush.   (Did vote for Huckaby) But if a country votes and a leader is elected...it is sad to see people not support THEIR president. When Bush was in office I wasn't a fan but he was MY president, and I not only supported him but prayed for and respected him as our leader.

I don't agree with  all the politics, rebpub and demo. I think the country is more in a state of moral, racial, and a  heartless financial dilemma that cares more about lining their pockets than they do about the people who have earned their due and deserve more.
Who can take the country back ?

Your vote can.

Til next time...hate me or love me...COTTON

Two More Performances Behind Me, Counting Down to My Finale'

Last Halloween I was a Waffle House waitress at work...had the uniform and everything, even the kerchief to tie my hair back. I'm gonna have to start working on this year's..."Hmmm?"

That's another thing  great about working for a family owned business. The Western Sizzler wouldn't let us wear costumes. They did years ago but banned it along with having fun at work. The owners of my current digs encourage us to dress up.

I limped back into work this morning for another double shift. I like working Monday because I convinced the owner to let me fly solo on the lunch shift. It's just me and the bartender. We work well together and both make decent money. My first table was three women. The first woman asked how sweet our tea was? I replied "You know you're in  the South, right?" She smiled and ordered tea and the woman next  to her said she'd have the same. The third woman ordered un sweet tea with no ice then added, "I'm a Yankee" to which  I replied "No DUH."

In the South,  "Iced Tea" means a lot of sugar with a little tea thrown into a full glass of ice. We like it sweet and we like it cold.

 The women were really friendly and seemed to be enjoying my performance so I continued  with my show. They all LOVED their meals and when  clearing away their dishes one of the Southern women started talking about her Chocolate Lab. I hear a dog story and my ears perk up...you know I love me some dogs!

The Yankee commented  she had a Dachshund...and pronounced it "Dax Shunn." I asked her to repeat what kind of dog she had and she did. I knew it was the correct way to say it but haven't heard it pronounced that way since Hitler was alive. I laughed and said "You ARE a freakin' Yankee!" She asked how we pronounced it to which I replied "Wiener Dog unless you live below Macon. Then it's a Weeny Dog."

We all laughed and I think they felt like applauding when they got up from the table.

My next table was just as fun! Two ladies and I thought I recognized one of the women. I told her she looked so familiar and asked where she worked? She said Bank of America and asked if I banked there? I said "No, I kite my checks through Bank of Coweta. My husband says I  helped them build two new branches with my NSF fees...  I think they have a plaque with my picture on it in every branch as their largest contributor." She laughed and laughed.  Another PHAT tip from new fans and I banked!

Came home and had one hour before heading back. Went to my bedroom and stripped out of my uniform, hung it on hangers and climbed into bed flat on my back so as not to muss my hair or make up and fell out for forty five minutes looking like Lily Munster taking a nap.

Massey screamed  from her bedroom on the bottom floor to Zach on the second floor who yelled to me on the third floor "Mom, it's five fifteen... time to go!"

I waited until five twenty (five minutes means a lot when you are fifty one)... brushed my teeth to wash away my snoring with mouth open breath and screeched out of the driveway.

Got back to work and Thank the Good Lord we weren't busy. I was running on fumes and in the black in my checking account. I was ready to go back home and finish my nap .

Had three businessmen who had apps, dinner, bottles of wine and after dinner drinks. I was ready to go after they left me a twenty percent tip.

Then I had the strangest couple sit at my next table. She looked WAY too young to be with the geeky guy she was sitting next to and her stomach said she was at LEAST thirty weeks preggo. He ordered for them and the first time I heard her speak it was in such broken English (even by Southern standards) that I immediately wondered HOW bad did she REALLY want to get to America? I hope the first English words she learned were "Let's just leave the lights off."

I told another server "I think her name is #7487 on page fifty two of catalog number fourteen from Slovenia."

I may be wrong...I hope I am.

I am so lucky to have been broke as a joke in the good ole USA and have a husband who loves me for  the crazy idiot I am. I have kids who drove me crazy quicker than I would have liked but  have more times than not, filled my heart time and time again with joy.

I have a job that I absolutely DREAD having to quit and has given me back my sense of worth as a server.

Life kicked me around a bit but at least it kicked me around living in a country where although we have obvious idiots in congress and Washington  pretending to look out for us  when they are actually looking out for their greedy ego inflated  selves... "WE" have the ultimate power to get rid of them. If we could only make every American realize the power of ONE SINGLE VOTE... it could change every thing.

Remember 9/11...EVERY Day, Not Just On 9/11

I remember when the first plane hit.

I was getting ready to go into work for my "Lunch Lady " gig at my younger two kid's elementary school.
I was watching the Today Show and was stunned.

I was sure it was a plane out of control ...maybe the pilot had suffered a heart attack.

My first instinct was to call my sister who was a flight attendant. When she said "Hello" it was the sweetest single word I ever heard.

As we started talking...we were both watching the television . When the second plane struck, my heart dropped and I can honestly say it was one of the most sickening feelings I have ever had, and I have had endured some strong blows in my life.

I finished getting ready for work and loaded up my small TV to take to the lunch room with me. When I arrived at the school all the older women I worked with looked frantic for news and I plugged my small TV into the wall and we all watched as the Pentagon was hit and the plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

It was the longest day I could remember in a while.

Now I knew how my parents felt during Pearl Harbor or when the Cuban missile crisis occurred. It is a feeling of reality and uncertainty all crashing together. It's a feeling that nothing will ever be the same.

And it wasn't ... never will be.

It was and still is a tragedy. So many innocent lives lost and so many more lost trying to save the survivors.

The nation came together quickly and collectively. No time for Dems or Repubs...We were Americans and responded accordingly.

The hate of Muslims was quick to spread.

The problem that began is the immediate hate of ALL Muslims.

Not two weeks after 9/11 the vacant house next door to me had a moving van out front and a family of Muslims moved in. The wife who was pregnant wore a burqa, not covering her face but her head and they moved in with their young daughter and two little boys. The girl was Douha, the older son was Amir and the younger son was Wadah.

I was more nervous than I let my conscience believe.

I have always been a Liberal...used to be a Dem but am now so sick of both parties that I am a "Cotton" with her own ideas of what is right.

When on my riding mower one day I picked up a piece of paper that had blown against their fence. They didn't have a riding mower so I cut their yard for them (sound familiar?) It was a map of all the security entrances to Hartsfield airport and marked where a security pass was needed.

Needless to say I was beyond freaked and called my sister. She was concerned as well since she was flying only international flights and we discussed what to do. She was leaving on a flight to Ireland that night and I was struggling with calling the FBI or the newly created Homeland security.

When my husband got home from work I told him about the dastardly plot we had discovered.

He took one look at the piece of paper and said "Kelly, that blew out of MY truck." He was working for a freight company that did a lot of overseas freight and it had been left in his company truck by one of the couriers that drove it during the daytime...picking up documents and taking them to Customs.

PANIC...PARANOIA... not a good thing.

My neighbors never knew that I thought they were involved in anything sinister, but I felt ashamed every time she sent one of her kids over with a delicious dish or a dessert she made for me for cutting her grass.

I remember the first time I realized 'kids are kids' no matter what the religion, belief or upbringing. I went over to return a dish and Massey was over playing with Douha. They had an ornate clock on the mantle that chimed when it was time to pray (five times a day.)

As the clock began to chime...Massey , who was all excited about learning about their culture shouted out "Time to Pray!!"

Douha immediately shouted back over the chimes "I don't have to pray until I'm seven!"

They were wonderful neighbors, they were disgusted with what happened on 9/11 but I am also sure they were pre judged every where they went in our small town.

The hate needs to stop. There are crazies every where. There are crazy Liberals there are crazy right wingers. There are crazy blacks and there are crazy whites. There is crazy in every race, religion and faction of life.

It's the "Crazies" we need to fear... and not assign "Crazy" to one group or religion. Trust me, there is PLENTY of crazy to go around and "That my friends is the REAL problem."

Of course this is only MY opinion...but thankfully it is MY BLOG!

Let's learn to love, let's learn to work together and for Pete's sake realize that all the infighting and the back biting doesn't serve anyone...except the self serving politicians that are more worried about their paychecks than they are about us as the Americans that have somehow been duped into letting them be in control of our lives...Maybe I should run for office?!

It was a tough one, but "Heart Felt' ...COTTON

Why Did I Sleep So Late?

It is 1:36 AM and here I am typing on my blog. WHY DID I SLEEP SO LATE TODAY? It felt soooo good at the time, but it is coming back to bite me as I type in the wee hours of the morning.

I'll just rant about a couple of items and maybe getting it off my chest(not that my chest has much to spare) will drain me enough to get a good four hours of shut eye.

Went to my first AA meeting tonight with my two younger kids. A dear friend of mine celebrated their 20th year of sobriety tonight and we went to show our love, support and admiration for this great accomplishment.

It was a moving and eye opening couple of hours.

Thank God it was an "Eatin Meetin". The food was great and I wanted to go back for seconds but didn't want them referring me to "Over Eaters Anonymous". I had my plate piled high on the first run through and settled on eating my kids leftovers.

The stories were heartbreaking, inspirational and extremely motivational. These people have a bond that is close and comfortable...something EVERY person can learn from. To have a support group that understands and wants to help you unconditionally.

HEY!! My kids even liked it...it may help them down the road one day, but I know that it made an impact THIS day and that is extremely important for teens especially...given the environment and peer pressure placed upon them every day.

Moving on...cause I promised myself to be in bed by 2:15 to get that 4 to 5 hour nap!

I am, as you know a "Chatty Cathy" on various websites, groups and venues. What is upsetting me is the almost racist, negative anti support of our "President".

Although I do tend to lean to the left as my husband leans towards the right...when a president is in the White House...he is supported by us both. This is a man the COUNTRY has elected...he didn't win American Idol or get the most "Text's". Millions and millions of people chose him to be our leader...and now he is JUST that! How can an American not be proud of a chosen leader of the greatest nation in the world?

If you wish him to fail, you are wishing the nation to fail. He has said he won't always be right and will have to try different strategies if ones implemented fail. In other words, he is saying he is human, he is not infallible...but I sincerely think he wants to make this country a better place for us all...and are WE better equipped to make the decisions that I am sure he struggles with every waking hour...or are we going to at least give him our support and give him a chance before crucifying or criticizing him?

For eight years I supported "W" as my president...he was the leader of my country and until the last few months had my total support as an American. But to bash, ridicule and make fun of a man not in office even 100 days is a bit extreme for my likes.

YES...he will make mistakes, but let us wait and see if he can admit and correct them before we begin throwing stones or calling names.

IS ANYONE PERFECT?

Do any of you truly think you could do a better job, given the immense and overwhelming problems that he has inheirited and been brave enough to take on for the next four years....talk about getting MY rest tonight...GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT AND GUIDE HIM TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

It can be a DEM or it can be a REPUB...as long as they are in control of my nation, I will respect them for the immense task and job they have and be grateful that I live in the United States of America.

ANOTHER COUSIN...Was I asleep?

When I posted about my cousins and their grand kids, I inadvertently said that my cousin had two kids...I don't know what I was smoking... I tend to mix up my two cousins from afar. This cousin has two girls and a boy. (Sorry Kim...OR Beth).

I see them only at reunions or funerals these days.

One cousin has two kids and the other has three.

Also my cuz wrote back that his grand daughter wasn't the best flautist in the nation, but the state of Georgia.

I'll still let "The Nation" stand.

Unless the #1 in the country reads my blog...

We are sticking to my original post...I am quite sure she will be there one day!

Kids excelling.
Kids making a difference.
Kids becoming our future and our hope.

This is the hope and refreshing promise of a greater tomorrow.

I am tremendously excited about Tuesday.
I worked a ten hour shift today and will pick up a shift tomorrow (My only day off).

That way I can take Tuesday off to not only savor the moment, but to watch history being made and watch one of the greatest moments in my time... the turning of an era, the awakening of young people at the polls, and their realization that EVERY vote makes a difference.

It will be a long , hard road...not unlike the one that FDR had to go down.

You have to admit, whether you are a Dem or a Repub...the country has never been more excited or alive about a new administration in my lifetime as a voter.

He is not a messiah ... He is a man with a vision, enthusiasm and millions of supporters that want to believe that he CAN make a change...And in my book...a change is DEFINITELY needed.

As he said at the train station yesterday...he will make mistakes.

Blessedly, keeping Dick Cheney around won't be one of them!

Veterans Day at My Daughter's School

I attended the Veterans Day service at my daughter's middle school today.

I began to tear up when the color guard marched in the flags.

It was an extremely moving and emotional program... and over 1000 middle school children were silent and attentive (kudos to the principal that rules them with an iron thumb).

Vets from world war two, vets from Vietnam , Korea and the numerous Gulf wars were there. It was the most amazing two hours that I would never think that could come out of a middle school program.

These men and women were called out by name, recognized for their medals, honors and years of service.

Each branch..Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were lined up , recognized and each group received a standing ovation.

I felt emotional throughout the entire ceremony, and when one of the Naval officers from world war two wept while their anthem was played by the middle school band...I was brought to tears myself.

I live in Georgia... a Republican state.

What amazes me about being a Democrat here is that most people look at me as if I can't possibly be patriotic if I am a Democrat. I am possibly the most patriotic and passionate person that you could ever meet.

I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I and never worry about professing my party affiliations or voicing my convictions.

I am also the first person to go out of my way to help another human being...or even a dog (I am am a big canine supporter as well).

Sometimes I feel like I spend more of my time helping others than I do helping my own family.

But I know that MY family is loved and cared for.

To me what counts are the people that are sick or in need . It feels so good to have someone come see you when you are feeling bad or down...just to have someone knock on your door with a paltry offering of a grilled cheese sandwich is sometimes a welcome meal...and you can always stay to chat if you can.

To cut neighbors grass when they are elderly; You wouldn't believe how much the Mee Maw and Paw Paw next door to me appreciate my lawn work on their yard (granted I LOVE yard work).

The friend of my daughter's, whose mother has had her car repossessed. We pick her up every Monday and bring her to our house to do homework and sometimes have dinner.

Or a customer at my restaurant that has had heart surgery and is elderly. How hard is it to take the time to go pick up lunch and have a visit with her and give her an hour of your time to let her talk and feel loved?

My new neighbors that move into our subdivision and we take them a basket of homemade brownies and invite them to dinner at our house.

Yes, I feel the compulsion to take care of everybody.

But if I didn't, do you know what a heel I would feel like?

My husband told me the night of the election "Kelly, you wear your bleeding heart liberal name very well".

I would never have it any other way.

I love my country, I love my neighbors, I love my friends AND my children's friends.

At the end of each day, I know that I have done my best to help others and it helps me feel better about the person that I am and the person that I hope to be someday. (I haven't EVEN begun to make my mark as I want to).

I have faith in our President elect.

The "Messiah" allusion was labeled upon him from republican ads with Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton .

But I truly do feel like he is a messenger of hope.

I feel optimism for this country and for all the men and women that are currently in harms way.

I don't want MY kids there; and pray that we can bring all the troops left overseas home safely.

Just give this new President a chance before you throw anymore stones.

God bless America, God bless each and every one of you.

And if any of you need help... don't hesitate to call on me. It's what I do!!

A New Day with New Hope

I am thrilled with the outcome of the election.

I also want to qualm the fears of my republican friends.

Obama's speech was magnificent, inspiring and uplifting.

While watching TV tonight, I was amazed that Pat Robertson gave Obama a glowing tribute, saying that he had ran the race well, never wavered and that if he in fact DID the things he said he would do, he could truly be the greatest president we have ever had.

He is a brilliant man with the smarts to surround himself with the smartest people and expect them to step up to the plate along side of him.

The country spoke...not only in electoral votes, but the popular votes as well.

This country that I love is in dire need of serious help.

I WILL say that McCain's speech was the most eloquent one I have ever heard from him. If he had spoken like that over the past months, it may have been a closer race.

The people of America have spoken.

The people of America want and need a change.

I truly believe in my heart that Obama will stick to his platform, and take all this pile of poop that has been dumped in his lap and will begin to return this nation to the country that was and SHOULD be.

As he said, it may not happen in the first year, or even the first term...but if he does the job that I think he is capable of and prepared for...we have a brighter future arising and a future that will bring us back to the title of being the greatest nation on earth.

The one thing I admired most about his speech was when he said that even the people that didn't vote for him...he hears their voices too and will be their president as well.

Even my repub husband has said that he thinks maybe this man can do the job.

I say let's give him a shot, and have his back the entire way.

It will be a tremendous job, and not one that I would want...but I feel that he is up for the task and ready to not only fight for this nation but for our future as well.

God bless him and his family

And God bless America!!

To Kill a Mockingbird...

As I sit on the eve of this most historic election..."To Kill a Mockingbird" came onto my TV screen.

What an appropriate movie for an appropriate occasion. People hating people exclusively for the color of their skin.

That was 1962...this is 2008.

Have we come such a long way to drag our hate bias and bigotry into the picture ?

My sixteen year old son, who would LOVE to be in charge of this country, because in his mind we are SO misguided (He is probably right) commented to me that it bothered him that black people that had never voted were voting for Obama JUST because he was black. He also said that if he had to be pinned down, Obama would get his vote (don't tell daddy).

I can see his point, but not as clearly as I see that there are people that WON'T vote for Obama JUST because he IS black.

Where does the racism stop?

I hope that the rumors, lies about his citizenship, quotes by his minister (who are we electing, Jeremiah or Barrack)?? just be what they are... points that they are picking apart from their own desperate last ditch effort.

In your heart... take a good look at your self and you may see a hint or maybe a smattering of racism.

You will deny it, but if Barrack was a white man with the same platforms... it would be a WHOLE different ballgame.... with hopefully the same end result.

AMERICANS.... CHECK YOURSELVES..check your 401K.... check your stocks, and check your instincts.

He is black...but I sincerely feel grateful that he is going to help this nation out of the worst shape it has been in since the great depression. And that as a middle class person (who all my friends are as well) will benefit greatly and begin to see a nation that cares about the people... not the resolutions (ie...Cowboy Day,from a sentator in Arkansas. Watermelon day (from Saxby Chambliss) but to take care of this great nation and to give us some pride in our standing as the greatest free nation in the world.

Will it kill us to have a black man lead the charge for four years?

We lasted eight years with Bush...

Look where that has gotten us .

I Just Can't Seem to Help Myself...

I am SOOO glad that the election is getting closer.

I am getting worn out.

Defending my beliefs, defending my choices, defending a man that I believe in.

Even my husband, who is a Republican told me just yesterday morning that he thought "my man" was going to win.

One of the many reasons that I love my husband is what he said to me after I said that Obama will be a great president.

He said "I really hope so".

Not that "The country will be ruined" or "This is the beginning of the end".

So many Republicans believe that if they don't have an elephant tromping through the white house... the country will fall apart.

In my opinion, the country has already fallen apart.

We may be donkeys...but we aren't asses!

WE have our downfalls, we make our mistakes, but we try more to take care of the people that need it the most.

My sister recently retired from her job after thirty years of service.

When signing her retirement package a few months ago.. she had $25,000 in her 401 K.

She checked it yesterday and she had $1.43.

A friend at work has lost $150,000.

After thirty years of service to a job...my sister is WIPED OUT!

My friends say "Leave it in there".

SO WHAT?

If it took her thirty years to acquire $25,000... it will take HOW long to build back up to at LEAST that minimum? And does she really have THAT long to wait for the money that she is deserved and entitled to?

SOMEONE dropped the ball.

Let's see...

Who has been in charge for the last eight years and what in the hell have they been doing?

I stand by my belief that the (republican) American people are terrified of a BLACK man being in the highest office in the land and think that it will be the down fall of the nation. That almost seems racist , if not ridiculous. If you feel this way, you should check yourself for not only racism, but for bigotry as well. If you don't believe me, just let it all play out... and condemn me in six months when he has taken control of the situation and made all of our lives better. YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THIS ONE... because it is going to happen and the country had better get used to the fact that the "BOY" is going to end up being the "MAN" that makes the difference and makes the changes that help us all.

My vote has already been cast.

My HOPE is that he swings into the white house with a vengeance and does what I know he can do...FIX THIS COUNTRY !!

I hope that in 2009.. my friends that were against and opposed to him will realize that all the talk and rhetoric were wrong.

We need a new start, we need a new government, we need a new leader.

I personally feel that it is Barrack Obama...I feel that it is time to give someone else a chance...a time to let us begin to take back the title of being the "Greatest Country In The World".

Quote your arguments about his past life, spout out your differences with his minister... WHO is trying to lead this country... Barrack or his "FORMER" minister?

Who are we voting into office... Barrack, or his preacher? Who is McCain's minister?

Haven't heard that much about McCain's church or affiliation.

Give this man a chance... and he can make this America a brighter and more prosperous place!!!.

I am NOT misinformed.

I am a very literate and informed person. I have done my research and I have evaluated my economic and political positions.

I watch the news and political shows .

My country, as well as my own family are in DIRE need of help and I as one American can stand up and say...

Get off your high right wing elephant butt and let the donkey kick some ASS.

Trust me in two years you and your 401 K will be grateful.

If not... you will regret it more than you could ever imagine.

And you can quote me on that!

Racism...It Totally Sickens me

As we plow through this election and I hear all the screams from terrified, nervous whites...it amazes me that we have come so far to learn so little.

My first memory of racial bias came at the age of about six.

My mother shopped at the local A&P. A grocery store that everyone in the town of East Point shopped at. Located next door to the Methodist church and across the street from Zesto's....that great fast food store that I think still remains (along with the Methodist Church) in a town that is on the cusp of Atlanta...a mere fifteen minutes from downtown...yet far enough away to have a small town feel.

My mother grocery shopped every Thursday. She bought all of the groceries that would feed our family of five for a week, wrote the check for $25 over to have spending money and I can vividly remember that her check was usually for $65.

Does that show my age or WHAT?

There was a "bag boy".

He was to my best recollection (and I just conferred with my sister on the phone) in his early fifties. Although this man was a bag boy...he was a beloved man by most all of the people that shopped there. He was always peppy, upbeat and eager to please. My mother may have given him a quarter when he stowed our groceries away in our trunk, but the next week he was smiling when he saw us and always more than happy to help us to our car.

On one of our weekly visits...Walt was putting our groceries away in our car. He slammed our trunk shut...then noticed a Pontiac Firebird parked next to our car with the windows down.

It was a nice summer day, and he whistled aloud at the car. He leaned in the driver's window and tooted the horn. TOOT TOOT!!

A white man emerging from the store, said ...to the best of my recollection..."Nigger, get away from my car"!!

Walt stumbled back, apologized...got rebuffed, seemed ashamed and for the first time in my young life I experienced some one's humiliation and embarrassment for being a different color.

My mother was embarrassed, and I was taught an early lesson.

This affable, friendly and generous man was being targeted because the color of his skin was different.

He was treated as if he were a criminal, he was treated as if his feelings didn't matter.

If this racist didn't want his horn to be "tooted" by someone on a beautiful summer day...DON'T leave both the windows down.

I wonder if I had leaned over and "tooted" his horn...would he have called me out just the same?

I can say almost for certain that he would have not.

At the tender age of six...

I think that I became a Democrat.

I became a person that cares about humanity, I care about the minorities, I care about taking care of other people and I care about the world that I will leave behind for my grand kids.

Big business will always take care of their own.

Some people will try to sponge off of the government and get something for nothing.

My party will try to take care of everyone, and may fail in some of their attempts, or make some mistakes.

But we will always try to improve not only the economy, but the world and environment that we live in...and the way that we that we use the planet and explore options and opportunities that make us freer to live a longer time on this planet with a lot less repercussions and have a lot more benefits.

As I look at the Nation, as I look at the world... Doesn't the Democratic view seem much more realistic?

Take a good look at your life, take a look at the current condition of the economy.

Could we do THAT much worse with a "DEM" in the White House?

I say, Let's give it a shot....What more do we have to lose?

Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics.... We are a melting pot.

Let's not let racial bias keep us from recovering and growing. That is EXACTLY what America is all about.

I think that my old friend "Walt" from the A&P would be happy with what is happening in America today.

It is time that the REAL people take over...and that the caring and concern come back to the forefront.

Stand Up!!! America...Go to the Polls!!!!!



P.S. Webster's defines racism as :

"The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others".

We are all AMERICANS... wake up and smell the roses...KNOW what you need to do and do NOT be scared of making the RIGHT choice . I know that I am NOT!!!

Is the Country Just NOT Paying Attention??

I get emails EVERY DAY from people.

These "Cute" texts from people. I have one currently on my phone sent from a neighbor.
It is a text showing a monkey with a banana... with the white house in the background. It fades to a picture of Barrack Obama standing in front of the white house.

I do not know what the correct word to use is...but I think I could sum it up in three.

"TOTAL RACIAL BIAS".

This is a man that is a Christian, an advocate and an obvious patriot.

How in the world can you portray him as a muslim, black, or terrorist? (you repubs CAN'T tell me that you haven't tossed THAT one around )!!

I consider myself a Democrat, but HAVE voted for republicans. I vote for the person...not the party.

And Roe vs. Wade?????????????

Give me a break. The repubs have had eight years to overturn the decision.

My only argument with PALIN (besides her sarcastic comments about Obamma in her acceptance speech) is her opposition to abortion..even in cases of incest or rape .

I have a thirteen year old daughter.

If by some freak of nature, she was raped by a crack head, alcoholic or even by a relative( I know that last scenario is extremely unlikely)..but it COULD happen to some one some where.

There is NO man on this planet that is in the position to tell a woman what to do with her body. There is NO governing official that has the right to tell or legislate anything that can instruct a woman how to conduct her life or destiny with her bodily capabilities... or the options that are hers to choose.

Look at the economy...look at your own portfolio.

Are you happy having to drive around your city looking for gas?

Are you happy with us spending billions of dollars a month on a war where they don't want us...killing over 4000 of our own citizens?

Are you happy with having a man in the white house that only wants to sugar coat his election, get into office, and continue the last eight years?

Are you happy knowing that if his health fails... we will have a woman in charge that would let the government tell women all across this great nation that THEY do not have a choice on what they can do with their OWN body?

How many more banks can we bail out? How many more houses have to go into foreclosure?

It hasn't worked for the last eight years.

I say it is time to give someone else a chance.

Not a monkey with a banana...

But a man that has a vision to try to change the politics, the lobbyists, the CEO's..the wall street crooks and all of their cronies.

It is time to take back our nation, time to worry about the Americans, bring home our troops, fix the economy...and fix our future.

I would have voted for Mike Huckaby...and did in the primaries....but we are far past that point now.

It is a time to stand up to all of our fellow citizens and say that the time of racial bias should be a sore point in our past...not a stumbling block for a better future.

As I write this post, I know that I am losing readers. I know that I am in the minority.

I also know that I have three children who are coming into their adult lives WAY too quickly.

It is them that I worry about the most.

It is ALL of our futures that I worry about.

Take a look at your life now, and remember how prices, gas and the whole economy was over eight years ago.

Whether you agree with me or not...your only option is to VOTE VOTE VOTE.

I promise that I will not rant about this again until after the election.

But I am a DIE HARD voter.

If every person in America voted, if every person actually cared about their opinion being heard and counted.... We would be living in a MUCH different society...and it would be a much better place, a more peaceful place and a better world for all of us.

Once again.....it's only MY opinion Till next time....(hopefully)


COTTON

"SNOT" That I'm Lazy... I've Just Been Sick!!

It started over TWO weeks ago with a scratchy throat, which developed into a sore throat...followed by a week and a half of snot working it's way out of my body...orifice by orifice . It hasn't been pretty... but I still managed to work every day and crash early every night.

I went into work today, when a co worker of mine said she had somethings for my daughter that she had kept when she cleaned her own daughter's room. Our daughters are 3 years apart...PERFECT for "Hand Me Down" syndrome....and we have reaped tons of great clothes, nic nacs and shoes from my wonderful friend.

Tonight she seemed a little hesitant as she took my car key from me to go load the "Treasure".

When I got off from work, I returned to my car to check out my daughter's "LOOT".


The first thing that I saw was a ball of yarn. The second thing that I saw was a door mat that said "CAT HOUSE".

Thank the Lord my three dogs can't read. But unfortunately they can "Smell".


They smelled the kitties that had entered and scratched their razor-like claws across the door mat...swishing their tails so vainly (as cats do...in MY book).

I will have to mail my Mother in law this item, as she genuinely "Lives" in a "CAT HOUSE". (See previous "Cat Whisperer" post).

We netted some good items. but as I remember my friend's hesitation when borrowing my key to load the
"CACHE".... I was reminded of my grand mother...The only grandparent that I ever had .

I had a "Step" grandfather and he was wonderful, but as far as blood relatives..."MEMA" was all that I had.

She stood at least 5'11".

I am 5'4" on an impressive day (when all my checks have cleared the bank and I am feeling pretty proud of myself).

She never learned to drive (another blog ALTOGETHER).

She raised my Mother and my uncle by herself during the Great Depression.

Her husband was a raging alcoholic, and an absentee Father and Husband.

My uncle went on to college ...and my Mother met my Father.

The times at my grand mother's on my mother's side are a sincerely and blissful memory.

My Mother took care of not only her new husband's bedridden mother and grand mother, but her husband and kids and did a MOST spectacular job and never complained or thought it a burden.

My paternal grandparents had all died by the time that I can even recollect being on this earth.

My Mother's mom is a different situation all together.

Every Sunday, it seemed like they would come to our house for dinner...after which my "PAPA" would remove himself to my parent's bed for a nap after lunch.

PAPA was a huge man, drove a tank under Patton's command. I remember that he brought back a Nazi flag that my MEMA made into a quilt.

Things like this spring from my earliest memories like no time has passed at all.

After my Mother died, we made the obligatory visit to MEMA...my sister was MUCH more constant than me...but at least I made an impression when I DID show up!! (in MY mind anyway)

Every time that we came into her house, we had fried chicken for lunch, with buttermilk biscuits and whatever "PORK" or red meat was thrown in to spice up the Pole Beans.

After the meal was the usual "Let's see what we have HERE"??

Sometimes it was a treasure, sometimes it was her cleaning out her closets.

I can vividly remember her saying "HONEY, I am just going to throw it away".

I have told my sister time after time after time...."WHY didn't we just LET her throw it away"????

We survived with a lot of memories and a lot of stuff that has been designed to be a family "JOKE".

Exactly WHERE are those pot holders that were framed on one of those squares with the rows and rows of teeth that stick up frantically saying "MAKE ME A PRESENT...YOU'LL SAVE $$$$$" !!!!!

I still have the Christmas card that my Mother gave HER Mother on one Christmas.

I still have pictures, dishes and relics that I wouldn't give a million dollars for.

But to think back to that time... My friend is only doing the same thing that my grandmother did .

Offer up their offering..."TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT" .


Some things I will keep... some things I will ship off to others.

Some things mean NOTHING...

But other things mean the entire world to you.

We discriminate, we decide what is to keep and what is to discard.

In this time of election, in this time of turbulence, in this time of need...



What do we DISCARD and WHAT do we KEEP ???

Till next time.................COTTON

A Waitress, a Mother.... and a Democrat !!!

I just finished watching Obama's speech...and for one of the few times in my life, I was left "Speechless"....with tears forming in my eyes.

He was eloquent, informed, articulate and impassioned.

I am the only Democrat at my workplace, besides the other African Americans that I work with. Let me retract that...I know of one other, but the point is made...we are few and far between at my job.

The thing that I get MOST tired of hearing is that Obama is a terrorist and a Muslim.

His faith is as a Christian. He quotes scripture with familiarity and reference.

I feel personally that the people that so dislike and oppose him are only showing their repressed racial bias...although most of them would immediately deny it.

This man WANTS to make a change in OUR lives.

He wants to revitalize the economy, the education system, the environment and health care...he wants to IMPROVE OUR NATION.

He is a man that has not been born into money or fame... but has fought his way into every position he has achieved or risen to.

He is not a BLACK man, he is not a MUSLIM, he is not a TERRORIST, He is an AMERICAN!

He is a man with the vision of making us once again a powerful and respected nation, who take care of their own, and one that knows that OIL will run out.... there is no doubt about that, AND IF WE DO NOT SEEK OTHER OPTIONS, We are only fooling ourselves and putting off the inevitable.

Look at the last eight years.

When Clinton left office, he had balanced the budget and had created millions of new jobs.

No one thinks he was a good husband..but HEY...he got the job done for us. We didn't elect him on his ability to be a faithful husband...we elected him to run the country, and in MY book, he succeeded well.

Then we had the "CHENEY" administration .

NOW we have the chance to pull the entire country together..To get people excited, involved and do what every person that loves our country should and MUST do.

VOTE...VOTE...VOTE !!!!

Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat...If you don't vote...it is the most critical mistake that you can make as an American.

Our country is built on this system...and if you are too lazy to vote...then you lose your right to bitch.(in my opinion)

It is a cross road that we stand at...it is a choice that we have to make. It is a time to stand up and be counted.

I will watch the "GOP" during their convention...but probably only to reassure myself that I will make the right decision on Nov.4th.

Whatever choice "YOU" make... just be SURE to go and have it registered...make your opinion heard, make your self count...and thereby "BE" accountable. If every person in this country voted "What a Wonderful World This Could Be".

Although I am firmly and staunchly a "DEM"...I encourage, challenge and plead with all Americans to exercise and use the "PRIVILEGE" that we have at our disposal to VOTE...VOTE ...VOTE.

It amazes me how many people that I know and respect say "I just don't vote...it won't make a difference".

THE "HELL" IT WON'T!!!!

Do me a favor if you read this post.

PROMISE yourself that you will get out and vote, not only for this election, but for ANY election that gives you the opportunity to have your opinion not only heard,but recorded and counted...and MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I "AM" AN OBAMA MAMA. I am not ashamed, I am extremely proud . If you are proud of your candidate...my hat is off to you...if you get off your butt and join in the voting.... If you don't want to vote... I feel extremely sorry for you as an American.

Till Next Time, ....if anybody comes back....COTTON