Hope You Missed Me!!

Busy, busy, busy I have been! It is graduation time and I have many nieces and nephews. I attended one of my favorite niece's graduation last night...or shall I call it a "GRAD GEE ATION". To begin with, when we got there...to watch a class of over 400 graduate....It began with hearing all kind of people on their cell phone..and hearing their conversations and comments over and over again. "I am in McDonough"...at my nephew's "Grad U ATION". YEAH.... "I'm Here... IN Mc Donough". He still kept talking..still kept screaming into his his cell phone as the Valedictorian gave the speech and as long as we could stand the whistles from the air horns that were blown every second... If my child was giving a speech, if my child was a speaker...I would be pretty ticked off. I turned to look at this older gentleman a couple of times, but he was so engrossed in his "loud"conversation that he didn't even notice me. He continued through the entire speech...speaking almost as loudly as the speaker.

People kill me with their horrible manners and lack of respect. Parents were letting their kids run all over the place. Granted, we WERE in a football stadium...but we were at a graduation...not a game!

Then there were the people that hooted and hollered at the time their student's name was called...and continued to whoop it up through the next two names that were called...drowning out any applause those two students may have had. It embarrassed me to think that these were adults acting this way.

I hope these graduates turn out to be better adults than the ones we were surrounded by. If they don't....God help us!!

Server or "Servant"?

I had a table tonight at work that exhausted me beyond belief. A couple with their two young sons.
Another server ran the salads to the table..came back and said that the woman had wanted more onions for her salad...so she took her a small oval plate with some red onions on it. When she sat it down by the woman, she replied (not sweetly) "I didn't want THAT many"! Let me point out that we did not put them on her salad ourself or force her to eat every one of them.

Next came when I asked her sons if they would like some more tea. Her quick response was that they had plenty. She flagged me down not 2 minutes later , had both of their kid cups, tops off and sitting right on the edge of the table...and said "Can you get them some more tea"?

After refilling their drinks, the food arrived at the table. I asked if everything cooked perfectly and was there anything else they needed, they shooed me away saying it was perfect. Two minutes later the husband came up to me in the hall, saying to come to the table. His steak just "had a smell". I said I would be more than happy to have another steak started immediately...and did just that. I came back to the table to check on them, when the wife stated that her two sons steaks were not seasoned enough...(Didn't I JUST ask them if everything was OK?) They were all eating sirloins...our toughest steak (and cheapest). We put a seasoning on them that is similar to a Lawry's seasoning salt. It is quite salty so we don't use a lot of it on kids meals or on their french fries (like we do adult orders). I told her I would be happy to bring the boys some more of the seasoning that we use, and her husband said that would be fine. When I returned with the spice, the wife said "You know it won't be the same thing". I told her that in fact it was the same seasoning that we cook that particular steak in. She continued to test me by saying "I don't want to sprinkle it on...I want it cooked in it". I said to just let me have the boys two more steaks cooked, but she said it would be okay. Her husband's second steak was already on the grill, so I took it upon myself to go ahead and order two more steaks for the boys...telling the cooks to go heavy on the salt.

At this point I got a manager involved and sent him to the table (I felt she should have a shot at him as well). Once we had fed the three males again...and it was perfect this time...the mother said "Well, it is my son's birthday and this was really disappointing." I am not sure what was disappointing to her, the fact that my manager bought all three steaks ($30) or the fact that we bought them an $8 dessert for their son's birthday...and let me say that at no point in the evening did either son seem upset OR disappointed...neither did the husband. But the wife got what she wanted...a $58 meal for TWENTY BUCKS.

We KOW TOW, pamper and bend over backwards to please our public..and yet they smugly shake their heads like they are letting us do them a favor by our store biting the bullet of eating $38. The economy isn't THAT good. Of course I feel like she knew that as well...and decided if she picked apart the meal and made a huge deal out of everything...they could save enough money to buy the boy a present.

So "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY."...hope ya liked your present...and if you didn't...your Mama will take it back...don't worry!!

Till next time...COTTON

Can't Wait Any Longer!!

A good friend of mine from work was going to set up search engines on my blog, so that people could bounce from my blog to a site that may interest them. But she has taken too long and I HAVE to write!! I have been informed by my sister that some of my family members read my blog (Thanks Frances and Elizabeth).

It is storming here...I almost turned off the computer, but the storm has passed, and my fingers are eager to type.

My enemy from high school has decided that I am her new "BEST" friend..I think because I never responded negatively to her comments or joined her in her "I HATE KELLY" battle.
Life is a funny thing..things that are unimportant to me are so very important to others..but that is why it is called "The Game of Life". Throw the dice and just see what comes up...I was dealt a horrible hand when I was younger...I lost my mom when I was seventeen, and my dad six years ago....HEY!!! Who dealt me THAT hand?

But I am one of the fortunate ones. I have a sister that is not only my best friend, but my mentor, my rock and my saving grace.

I also have a brother that is so kind to not call me a lot, but sends GREAT presents to my kids on their birthday and at Christmas. They think their "UNCLE" is a millionaire...and by our standards he IS!!

I have another GREAT network of love in my extended family, Frances, Elizabeth and my former co worker from New York that faithfully read my blog every day. (Shout out to YOU, JoJo).

I have enjoyed writing this blog more than anyone could ever imagine...and it has made me happier than anything....for people to read my drivel, to keep coming back for more....and let me tell you...I HAVE PLENTY TO COME.

Hopefully by the next time I post I will have a lot of different options and choices on my site. I do not plan to ever quit this blog...but to enhance, add to and make it my profession. I have made myself happy, and I think a few others as well.

I have had comments from the UK and comments from a New York Times Best Selling author.

What I want MOST...is comments from YOU...the encouragement to continue, and the feeling that I am actually not only entertaining you, but have made you want to read all my ramblings, observations and "TAKES" on life.

Next time you check in, it should be a whole new website, one with tools and engines to give you even more of the "VERBAL" views on life that I have "THOUSANDS" of.

Keep reading if you enjoy, and if you DO enjoy...tell a friend. Till next time...COTTON

My Trophy Husband

Here we go!! My sister and her husband come over every Friday night for dinner (my daughter says we are JUST like The GILMORE GIRLS)!! I told her that in fact we were, except that none of us are rich or on a TV series...and we are two sisters, not a daughter and her mother (although I consider my sis my only MOM that I have in my immediate life). Hey It's kinda cool to have a mom that is only seven years older than me!!

My husband justed walked by the computer, and after looking at the title of my blog... just gave a snort as he went back upstairs to watch the Braves and put some Aloe on the sunburn he got in the golf tournament he played in today.

Here is a good place for the story to begin. He is HANDSOME..I'll give him that. He is a sweet guy, honest and hard working (except at home). He is good to look at, good in bed (is the best snorer I ever heard) or good on a softball field or golf course...or ANY sports "STAT" that you want to know about.

What bugs me is the fact that I have spoiled him BEYOND repair. I met him as he was coming out of a horrible marriage, he was cheated on and bankrupted by the supposed "Love of His Life". I came swooping in...as I do in any situation, and took him not only into my life but into my heart. He had retained possession of the house and had told her to take every thing that she wanted... She ended up taking EVERYTHING..his toothbrush and most of his clothes.

He was my new project...and I took to it like stink on "#$*&". He and his brothers...there are six brothers and two sisters...had been coming into the restaurant that I worked at for a beer after work for months, before I really noticed him. Actually one of the waitresses that I worked with commented on how beautiful his legs were (I guess she took all his long pants too)... and I looked at him and thought..."He is pretty cute". He asked me out for a date...and he asked me to marry him after a month. We waited a year, had a fabulous wedding at the home of his parents...by the pool and shuffle board courts..which were above the tennis courts. Had our reception in the two story pool house that had a dance floor, kitchen and bathrooms. Needless to say "WE THREW DOWN AT THE WEDDING". I did the entire reception myself, and off we went to California for a honeymoon.

Once at home again... I began to slowly realize the MONSTER that I had one handedly created. Once I met him, I just TOOK over, and he let me. Once we started having kids, he obviously realized that he had won the lottery.

After 20 years of marriage, I still do all the yard work (which I actually DO love), the laundry, cooking and cleaning and still work full time.

I remember when my kitchen sink totally stopped working and I knew the whole system had to be replaced, I went to Home Depot and bought new pipes, spigots and a sprayer. I asked the guy if it was easy to do, and he said "SURE, your husband can do it". My reply was a startled "You can replace this from a recliner"??? He asked me what tools I had and I told him I had two big wrenches and a bottle of wine. His reply was "That outta do it".

The sink still works fine, my husband is still the best ball player or all round good guy you would ever want to meet.

One night at the dinner table, I mentioned to my kids that every one liked their Dad. The kids said "Yeah, he's nice to everyone but us... he's nice to Massey (my only daughter) but THAT will wear off. And Whada U know?? It did!! As easy as he is in the rest of his life, he is hard on his kids (GOD bless him) and he is hard on himself as far as being the provider. He is the provider and I am the caretaker. Every once in awhile when I crack under pressure, he pitches in and helps.

He is a creature that I nurtured and brought forth, so I have no one to blame but myself. One time , when talking to my brother about what would happen to my kids if I were to die...his response was "Don't worry about it... Tim will remarry before you know it". Talk about AN INSPIRATION FOR LIVING!!!

We have had many ups and downs...good times and bad times...but you know what? At the end of the day...I love him and he loves me....and at least he is truly gorgeous to look at....Inside AND out!

The Funeral

I recently attended the funeral of a dear lady that had worked for me in the After School Program that I was the asst.coordinator for. She was only 56...fought a three year battle with colon cancer and unfortunately lost. This was the first African American funeral that I have ever been to.

Let me begin by saying that is is a good thing that I had taken the whole day off from work...after three hours, I was sitting on the pew wondering if I needed to perhaps get someone to cover my next day as well.

It was a very spiritual and moving service. It was also the most fascinating event that I have ever been to. It began with several very lengthy selections from the choir...all swaying to the beat and clapping to keep time.There were four ministers who spoke (at great length as well). Then we moved on to a couple of solo's. After a prayer was sent up in the family's behalf, a female evangelist took the microphone. She was before the five other people that were listed in the program scheduled to speak.

By this point, I stopped looking at my program...because these people were flying this train to Heaven by the seat of their pants. When the minister began his eulogy...twenty minutes in I realized that this was going to be a full out sermon (and it was).

The funeral started at 1:00. I got home at 4:00. And when I left, the entire cortege was preparing to go to the grave site to (in the word's of the minister) " Continue the service".

The funeral directors all wore tux, with tails and white gloves. They stood by the front of the church the entire service without so much as moving a muscle. I heard more "AMEN" "YES, JESUS"..."GLORY BE TO GOD" than I think I have heard in my entire life....and I grew up in the church.

It seems to me that this group in fact did not WANT this service to end...and peacefully spent an entire afternoon in the company of each other, the bereaved family, and their Lord.

Being a Caucasian...I have only experienced funerals of my relatives or other church members. When we send them on, it with the briefest of services, and before the hour is out we are all back in our own cars headed back to our own life.

It was a cultural eye opener for me...and a marvelous send off for this wonderful woman. How can I have lived 48 years and never attended one of these affairs? I have many African American friends...they are just all still alive.

After the grave side service... they were all coming back to the church for "The Repast". They were probably still at the church while I was cleaning up my dinner dishes.

I was impressed beyond words at the incredible amount of time and devotion that went into saying goodbye to their loved one. I left the church a little numbed (and not just my backside that I had been sitting on for three hours).

Ms. Rosa had herself a humdinger of a send off and one that I felt privileged to be able to witness. God bless Rosa and her son left behind. I am confident that her congregation will take him under their wing...and he will be okay.

Till next time...COTTON

Twenty Minutes Left to Post

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! Just got home from work (Talk about a fun night).Just wanted to tell all Mothers out her in the "CYBER" world that not only do I tremendously enjoy being a mother, but respect each and every other mother out there. It can be a tough demanding job...but one filled with so many rewards and fond memories that I would have my life be no other way. My kids and husband were GREAT to me today. My daughter made me breakfast in bed, my oldest son gave me a dozen roses, my husband gave me two more books to read and a sweet card..AND he even ironed my shirt for work. My middle son simply said "I love you, MOM". And you know what? That is all I want from my family...to be loved. They are my reason for being, my reason to carry on and my inspiration on a daily basis. They can drive me crazy, but in another instant fill my heart with joy. I am proud so much more than simple words can say about my kids, and hope that they remember me fondly for the rest of their days.

Although I realize that they will never fully comprehend my love for them until they have children of their own...I hope that I have raised them to believe in them selves and to be the BEST person they can possibly be on this earth. THAT will be the greatest gift any of them can give me...and the greatest gift that I could have ever given to another person...to realize that they actually HAVE been listening to me for the past twenty two years.

I have terrific kids, a husband that I love as much as I love to make fun of...and a life that is TRULY, TRULY blessed.

To my mom up in Heaven, (AND I KNOW THAT IS WHERE SHE IS) ...Thanks for raising me to be the person and mother that I am today...and for being my inspiration every single step of the way. Without a MOM like you, I wouldn't be the MOM I am!!!

Enjoy every moment with your children...they flash by in the wink of an eye...and can NEVER be replaced. I had my "Day in The SUN'" and enjoyed every moment of being with my family. I hope that I have years and years yet to come with you...and know that I will love you even more EVERY step of the way. Until next time...with a FULL heart...COTTON

My Victims "Du Jour"

I have decided to pick on my nephews for a bit. I have quite a few nephews, but these two are close to my heart and my roots. Casey was the first born... looking like a papoose...a native American infant...he had the most amazing dark complexion that I have ever seen. Unusual for a little "Whitey". He grew up to be an amazing ball player at the tender age of five. He is a sensitive, "THINKY" type(is that a word?) He is extremely talented in quite a few areas...graphic arts, singing, baseball, golf; making you love him ..and staying in the home nest as long as he can. My brother did not move out of our childhood home until he was almost thirty . Obviously my nephew has followed his uncle's lead..."MAN, living at home is a DREAM come true...don't rush yourself into having to buy your own food or pay for utilities when they are just sittin there..waiting to be used." He has made "BABY" steps....gotten his own car, is working at not only driving my sister nuts, but helping her with her painting business (he is an awesome painter). He is a pleasure to be around..and I love him dearly (but he ain't in MY house, at the age of 25). He will eventually become something GREAT... I have no doubt in my mind.

And then there is "GRIFFIN" He came into the world screaming, and continued that practice for the first three years of his life. I am not sure what he was screaming about...but he wanted it to be heard..BY EVERY ONE!! Every picture of him that I have when he was a toddler...is a pic of him with a grimace on his face, and a tantrum waiting to be be expelled. He was cute to look at; but a tyrant in diapers that demanded to be "Immediately " recognized and sucked up to! He followed his ( I mean Our) traumatic period by becoming the most "laid back" and "WHATEVER" individual that you could ever want to know. He is also a ball player, and an athlete. He has a girlfriend that could kick his butt on a daily basis if the need arises, and I think that is what he may love about her the most.

They are two TOTALLY different people; but I love them equally, get on to them equally, and want the best for both of them on a daily basis. How my sister raised two boys on her own is beyond my comprehension...and something that I would never want to attempt. When I wait on families that have young boys when I am at work, and they stumble over just ordering "CHICKEN FINGERS" ... I tell them that "One day you will get married...and you won't have to THINK again for the REST of your life." We shove our men down the path of life...WHO ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT? I love my husband beyond belief, but how did he make it until he met me? How will my nephews make it without a female telling them what to do? How will my two sons make it? I guess That "EVE" took control in the Garden of Eden, and said "LOOK....THIS IS THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING TO GO"!! Just make it easy on us all, and do what we tell you.... You may be the head of the family, but I am the neck... I will tell you which way to turn. Granted In hindsight, I should have not pushed the "APPLE" thing...but cut me some slack...I have those two boys, Cain and Abel to look after". We are a bossy bunch... but BABY, we can "GET 'ER DONE." We love you men, we respect you, but women are the epitome of "The Heart of a Family"...EXCUSE ME.... CAN YOU HAVE A BABY???" Get back to me when you can!! I love my nephews and my sons dearly..but when it comes to reality...There is nothing better than having a good woman shoving you down the right path of life!
I absolutely adore my nephews, and want them to succeed in life...and I KNOW that they will. I want them to know that I love them beyond belief, and have faith in them more than they could ever know... But I believe in them...and they can ALWAYS believe in me. Till next time... COTTON

I Am At Your "Beck" and Call

My sister... my mentor...my saving salvation in my life...had been in dire need of help. Her husband had open heart surgery, out of work for six months total...from the time he got sick, was finally diagnosed and till he is released from the doctors care. The entire time this has been going on...two amazing friends have saved my sister time and time again. Actually they were her friends to begin with, but now I consider them mine as well. The wife went to the high school that my sister taught at....also the school my college room mate went to. The husband (I don't know where he went to school...I just know he came with the package of friendship). They live across the street from my sister. They have brought meals, they have visited at the hospital, they have visited since Harvey came home...They have been there "Literally" EVERY step of the way. They also attend the same church as my sister (I tend to home school my kids in religion). They organized for love offerings to be taken at the church to help my sister in the one way she needed most...financially.It was an amazing outpouring of love that the church showed...and one that was RIGHT ON TIME. Beside that, they are incredibly funny people (MY KIND OF PEOPLE). I thought that I was pretty funny until I heard some of their stories. They are genuine, they are honest...and they are true Christians and true friends. They stepped in and totally SAVED my sister when I couldn't. They took a burden off of her that was entirely overwhelming her and distracting her from the medical issues at hand. They will FOREVER be my heroes (and my sister's)....and they will always be considered some of my most valued friends and acquaintances. Friendship is a marvelous "PERK" to have in your life...and one not to be taken lightly or for granted. I value my friends, they are the foundation of a secure and stabilized life. They are your safety net, they are your back up....and they ALWAYS have your back. It would be a sad existence to live without knowing that you had people that love you so much...that they would , and DO help you in any spot, situation, or time of need. My sister is such a GOOD person that she has people falling over backwards to help her. And if the situation was reversed...she would be (and has quite often) the first person to lend a hand or help in any way that she could. But I want to express my gratitude to these two "ANGELS" that have pulled my sister through, and done it with "AMAZING GRACE".......How sweet is THAT sound? To my sister...and me....it is a beautiful melody...and a memory for a lifetime...Thanks Julie and Danny...(sorry that I used your names...but you deserve it) and know that you both mean the world to me, Cin, and the bills that you got paid by your selfless acts of love and friendship. Come on over next time we get together...and I will be the first to hug your necks, and the first to tell you how much I love you. Thanks for loving my sister...But she makes it easy to love her, doesn't she? I love you both, and just wanted to let you know how much you mean to my sister...and to me! God bless you both, as you have so richly blessed my sister. Till next time...COTTON

Don't Go "POSTAL" on me!!

I was working a Saturday day shift...standing at the hostess stand chatting with the host, when the mailman came in the door with the mail. It was the middle of summer, it was about 100 degrees outside. The mailman came literally dripping into the front door of the restaurant...holding a bundle of mail for us. I of course was quick with my witty rendition , singing lightly.."WAIT A MINUTE MR. POSTMAN"!! His response was to stare at me like he was getting ready to pull out an M-16 and leave me in a puddle of blood that would be a lot more impressive than the sweat that he was drenched in, coming from every sweat gland that he had in his big ole body. He continued to stare at me, not saying ONE word. As the awkward silence seemed to last forever, I bantered back with a sweet "How are you doing today? It sure is hot out there, isn't it"? This once again got nothing but a stare, and I had the feeling that he was fixing to pull a missile launcher out of his bag and take me out right there in the lobby of the restaurant. So I just meekly replied...."I guess I will just mosey on now..nice to see you". I scurried away from the host stand...not daring to look over my shoulder into the barrel of a missile launcher. The host came up to me and told me I had another table, and I was grateful to have somewhere else to go. I went up the steps to my station of tables...and there he was...seated at my table....our "POSTAL" worker had decided to eat with us, and fate sat him at my table. I began by saying there would be no more singing from this point on, and what could I bring him? He said, as nicely as if he was Charles Manson coming in to eat " I want a cheeseburger, medium, no tomato...I repeat, NO TOMATO..do you have that part? I want a coke with a lot of ice ..I repeat a lot of ice...did you get that part"? I said that I certainly did, and began to give this "HAPPY" guy the best service that I could muster up...all the while shaking in my work shoes. The coke never got empty, the burger was served exactly right. He never got any happier acting with me, but he ended up leaving me a decent tip. A couple of months down the road, I had a man, his wife and their daughter at my table. I kept thinking "where do I know this guy from"? And then he ordered a cheeseburger with "no tomato"....and it struck me like a two by four in the forehead....IT WAS CHARLIE MANSON AGAIN!!!! I once again made sure that everything went as smooth as silk...another flawless meal!! Tonight, we were in a twenty minute wait, the manager told me there were three parties up front that wanted my table...how fast could I turn my tables? About that time, "CHARLIE" the mail man came stomping through the dining room and ran into me. He said "Can we get you to wait on us"? I was FLOORED!! I told him I had several people waiting on my tables, but if he asked a manager, he could request my section. He looked at me with his "DEATH" stare, and replied..."What's your name"? I told him to ask for Cotton..and he stomped back up to the lobby. I waited on him and his family again (another flawless performance....I AIN'T stupid)..and he left me an $11.00 tip on a forty dollar tab. Isn't it crazy how things happen...He Hated me when he met me, but now requests me when he comes in. So my lesson is this....maybe I am not the comedienne that I think I am, but obviously I am the server that I have spent thirty years becoming...and I suppose have succeeded at doing. Who would ever think this grumpy ole guy would ask for my table? It is an honor to have someone recognize my skills as a server (If not my skills as a singer or joker). That is my favorite thing about being a server...a good server. People might not want my singing or jokes, but it amazes me that they want ME to wait on them...and will wait for my table to come open. HEY!! I didn't go to college for NOTHING!!! Till next time....COTTON

Lived To Tell

Over 150 class mates came together as a whole..lots of comments on my "stalker" lots of good times remembered. I feel compelled to say that I once again feel complete as not only a person, but a class mate that is welcomed by my peers....ones that hate me were obviously absent...classmates that I were never close to in school...(ROXIE) thanks for coming..and I feel proud to call you my friend ..and I hope that you consider me a friend as well. It was a group of red necks, politicians and blue collar workers....all coming together for an evening of unbridled and unchallenged lifestyles. We at RUSSELL are an eclectic and unassuming bunch of people that continue to connect and keep in contact over a fifty year span of time. When our school gets together...the house is "ROCKIN" we are a fired up, crazy mix of white, black, rich, poor, middle class people that make ANY party a party to remember! I LOVE my class mates, I love my childhood, and I love the life that I was so graciously given. When my husband and I left tonight, they were moving on to another club....and are still partying as I write this post. To have a school that WANTS to get together, WANTS to remember, WANTS to keep in touch...It makes me feel satisfied that I am a part of a school that not only remembers the past..but wants to keep in touch for the future...and who knows how long that may be? We "WILDCATS" were aptly named...and we hold true to our name. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by these people from my past, look at them in the present, and hope to see them in my future. And I didn't even get attacked by my stalker.... NOT YET!!! Till next time...COTTON

PS Thanks for all the compliments from one guy that I don't think I ever talked to before, that I have known since I was ten....WHO KNEW that he thought I was cute? I guess that 48 , and skinny is HIS kind of gal...but anyway...It was nice to hear, and it made my husband laugh (I need to ask my husband EXACTLY what he was laughing at). At least Tim is married to 105 lb's of grief...as opposed to 200 lb's of grief. That HAS to be a heck of a lot more crap to put up with.

My Haircut....

I only have ten minutes to post..then my frozen pizza will be ready, my laundry will be done...and so will I..for the night! I was at work tonight and ran some food to a table. It was a woman with her teenage daughter. I went to place their food down and the woman commented "I LOVE your hair"! Let me begin by saying that for years and years I had long hair, which I always wore in a French braid because I work in food service. Once I began to go gray (much quicker than I would have EVER dreamed) I started to color it. I didn't like the way it looked...I LIKED my natural color..it reminded me of my mother and no "BOXED" color matched. So at the age of (about) 47, I went into a "Great Clips" and told them to chop it off. I was extremely lucky that day...the owner of the shop was there(she owns 6 franchises) and I sat down in my lucky chair. I told her I was tired of coloring, tired of the gray..and decided that if I had shorter hair, I would have LESS gray hair. Let me also interject that my 15 year old son went with me. He stayed in the car and probably would not have gone with me at all except for the fact that he wanted me to take him to Blockbuster for a video game and that was the only way he would get there. So I chopped off my locks...looked in the mirror..and once they gave me some product that I could spike my hair on end with...I liked what I saw! I returned to my car, and the first remark my son made was "You look like a lesbian". I told him that he could assure himself, his sister, his brother and his father that indeed I was not gay....although at some point in all of their lives, that may have made my life easier...because they were all "KILLING ME SOFTLY" as Roberta Flack once stated in one of my favorite songs. My husband; now when seeing a picture of me from a few years back will say to one of the kids "Here's a picture of your mother when she HAD hair". I JUST like it. It takes me about 30 seconds to do my hair(on a slow day) and I can barely see the gray at all!! If I begin to see it...I know that it is time for a hair cut. Or if my best friend at work says "You are starting to look straight" I head back to the Great Clips and tell them to chop it off again. I feel that it suits my personality and my general attitude of life..."GO GO GO. DO DO DO...get it done NOW"!! If my husband's hairstyle reflected his attitude... he would have a mullet bigger than "JOE DIRT" . I Guess what they say is true...opposites attract. But I have more comments on this hairstyle than I have had on ANY of my others (and I have had quite a few). It just suits me, it expresses my personality and zest for life...and more importantly DRIVES my husband nuts!! But I do that to him anyway...so at least I am happy with my spiky, short cropped hair...cut 15 minutes off of the time I need to get ready for work...and tell the whole world..just by my hair..that I am absolutely crazy, impetuous , bizarre and loaded with so much enthusiasm and energy for life that sometimes it scares even me! But HEY...Who knows how much time any of us have left? I will leave my mark as a woman with a crazy haircut, a house full of kids that I adore, and a husband that I drive crazy on a daily basis. But I love my life, with it's ups and downs....and wouldn't trade places with anyone else on this Earth. I am blessed beyond belief..and if you take a true look at your own life...you may also be more blessed that you have ever thought you were...HEY...we're breathing aren't we? Till next time...COTTON

Facing my Thirty Year Grudge...In The Face

As I write this short blog, I know that this may be my last post. I am going to my class reunion to face my "UNI BOMBER". I have wrestled back and forth over whether or not to go...my husband is reluctantly going with me (probably so he can call in the life insurance policy as soon as I am "OFFED" by my enemy from three decades ago). I just cannot, with a clear conscience let this girl who for some strange reason wants to either kill me or dump pig's blood over my head while I am basking in the spotlight of having kept all classmates in touch for thirty years...keep me away. "CARRIE" the old movie is swimming through my head even though the event is two days away. She has been strangely quiet...probably planning her strategy and her quick get away. Or maybe she is back on her meds and is not planning to come at all. My husband jokingly (I HOPE) told our kids; "Your Mom might not make it into the ballroom, but if she doesn't...we will take the target out in the parking lot"! THIRTY YEARS...three stinking decades ago, someone felt picked on . Well you know what? We were ALL picked on in high school , we all had our weaknesses, we all had our phobias, and except for one person, we ALL got over it. So I leave you with this thought...I will not be deterred from going to see my former class mates and friends, not be scared away by vicious and spiteful comments...and more than this..will not run away from my past. I have had MANY, MANY emails from class mates wanting to know if I was coming...so obviously they either want me there, or want to see my timely demise by a 4'10" tall STARK white....amazingly white, angry and boiling pot of humanity that wants to show everybody that she can not only hold a grudge for three decades, but can still try to whip my butt! So every morning as I get ready for work..I play the "ROCKY" theme song, drink my glass of raw eggs...and prepare for my "BIG GRUDGE" match. If she does come, I have already decided to play it low key, just speak to her politely, and walk on my tip toes the rest of the evening. Let's just hope for the safety of every one there, no TEQUILA is brought out, and hope that you all hear from me Sunday morning. High school is indeed a rough period in life...but I feel that it is one that is intended to prepare you for the rest of your journey, teaches you what to take to heart and what to take as a lesson. I think that this may be our BIGGEST turnout yet!!! I wonder if all my class mates have a "squares" betting pool going as to what will happen....I wish they had let ME buy a square. Or come to think of it...I am wondering if maybe my husband started it...He HAS been UNUSUALLY nice these past few days. I think that I will end now so that I can go check the caller ID and see if he has been talking to the enemy ! Till (hopefully) next time.....MEAN OLE COTTON

Recommended Reading....(besides my blog)

I am reading the most absolutely wonderful and enlightening book that I have read in YEARS! It is entitled "Eat, Pray, Love", by Elizabeth Gilbert. It has almost become a mantra to me.... a book that I felt I needed a highlighter pen to read it with. So MANY profound statements and observations about life... that I found myself constantly saying "I have GOT to remember that"!!! If you read ONE book this year, I recommend this one!! As a forty eight year old woman, wife and mother...this book has touched me and made me think about the entire scheme of life in an entirely different way. I am on the last part of the book(three parts) and I am intentionally slowing down because I already dread it being over with!! She writes and sounds a lot like me (that isn't the reason that I recommend it) and I feel such empathy for her , and the excellent way she figures EVERYTHING out. Should I ever make money and get all three of my kids out of the house...I will do the EXACT same thing she did and KNOW that I will reap rewards untold!! I feel like OPRAH pitching a "Book Club" selection (which this book probably was)...but caring for my limited and few readers...I felt compelled to share this amazing discovery with you. Pick up a copy and it will change your life... Life is a road we are ALL destined to travel...it is all about choosing the correct route...it may not be the easiest route to travel....but the one that will take you DIRECTLY to your destination and ultimately your life's total state of well being and sincere happiness. TRUST ME...I am being totally serious (and not even getting a kick back from the Author)!!! Till next time...COTTON

Seventy Eight Sounds Great!!

I can hardly believe that I have already made 78 posts. Obviously my verbal diarrhea comes so fast and furious that even I have lost count!! This blog has been an amazing thing for me. It has allowed me to express myself, introduce my small audience (actually I have had over 3000 hits on this blog) to the many characters that I have in my life at home and at work. It has enabled me to vent about so many vast and differing topics and opinions that I have (right or wrong) to re connect with a few old friends, and make a couple of new ones. A special shout out to my new friend Eamon, from the UK and a writer from New York!! I sit here at night and just tell my stories, tell you about my life and tell you my problems... and you know what?? A lot more people than I would have EVER imagined are listening and reading. I honestly can't imagine running out of topics...I have about thirty more running through my mind on a daily basis. From the economy, the three houses in foreclosure on my street... to the INSANE way people act about the smallest thing that goes wrong... to the impossible task of raising children in this CRAZY,CRAZY world. I was impressed today at work, when my boss said that he had read my blog last night...it made my day to think that he felt my ramblings were worth his spare time...which he certainly does not have a lot of...monitoring all us idiots at work. A dear friend that moved away about ten years ago, told me she sat at her computer for four hours alternating between laughter and tears reading my stories...that is EXACTLY what I am striving for.. to not only entertain and enlighten but to strike a chord in people that they can recognize and relate to. My only wish is that more of you would add your own comments more often...(except crazy girl from high school). A few of my readers are great about it, and nothing excites me more (that may be an overstatement) than to see new comments on my site. Maybe I need to rip the Republican Party a little more... that will be sure to get my husband to comment!! All in all I have been tremendously satisfied with my little project (Thank you once again , Lisa) and been given the chance to do what I want to do more than anything else in my life (career-wise) WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and letting me write....not that a team of Mexican Mules could stop me!! Unless one of them was a "Crip" or "Blood"... then I would just plead insanity, and mention that I have a HUGE fan base at my place of employment with a large number of illegals that not only LIKE me, but consider me an amiga. I have been given a wonderful life..probably one that I don't deserve..just ask my former class mate from high school...but one that I do NOT take lightly, and one that I thank GOD for every day of my existence on this Earth. I hope that I have entertained some of you half as much as I have entertained myself (which obviously isn't hard to do). Big plans and ideas are flowing through my teeny mind even as I type this, my 79th post. I'll have to have an 80th "POST" party...maybe invite a few of my friends over for a cold one, and a night of celebration; because since I have started this blog...everything has looked up for me... I feel like I have grown as a person ( I can use the extra pounds) and I feel like my life has another purpose besides being a mother (which I love) and an over worked person (which I HAVE to be right now). But I love my country, I love my life, my family (not necessarily in that order) and I love my blog!! Thanks for reading....And letting ME be Me!!! Till next time..COTTON

The Thirty Year Grudge

I am a member of a website that is for finding old classmates and reconnecting. I have several different schools on mine. I have my college, my elementary school, my husband's high school and the high school that my college room mate went to (my sister also taught at that high school) as well as my own high school. It is fun to start discussions and see how far they get. My most popular post has had over 1400 views and over 67 postings. As anyone who reads this knows...I LOVE to write. Since I have started this blog I have kind of ignored my high school site. A friend of mine sent me a text on my phone last night telling me to read the high school website. I came home from work to find a "diatribe" written about me by a girl that I barely knew in school. It read like a manifesto that was written by the uni-bomber. It began "Not that I am bitter..." and got more intensely bitter with each line...and there were about a THOUSAND lines of the most bizarre comments I have ever read. She dogged me because I was "just" a waitress, and that she made over $400,000 a year. She dogged me for not responding to an email that she had sent me in early 2007. She said that I was mean to her, and was ignoring her extension of the olive branch of her email...more like a beating stick! I remember her well, and she was an odd duck. But to harbor these feelings for thirty years is not only disturbing, but sad. As her rant went on page after page after page... I was absolutely astounded that I had obviously wounded her beyond repair. She lambasted me not only for high school, but for writing so many posts on the website and not returning her email. You know...high school is a tough place (even in the late seventies). I am hoping that she takes some of her $400K and gets some therapy. She informed me that one of her great achievements was being the president of Charlie Sheen's fan club. NOT helpin her cause with me!! I tried to apologize to her, but by that time, several people had responded to her post about me... Let's see.. the first post was entitled "DAMN".. It read..."Looks like someone needs to get back on their medication." After that post, she retorted with yet another long winded roasting of me and my ignoring to respond to her email (I will NEVER forget to respond to an email again...even if it is to say "leave me alone"!!) The more my friends and former class mates took up for me, the more rambling posts she made.... It was almost amazing in a spooky kind of way. Hang on a minute while I go out side to make sure she isn't out in a tree in my neighbor's yard with a sniper rifle..........WHEW!!! The coast is clear for now!! You know, when you are a 15 year old kid, how can you see that 35 years down the road, you can still have an effect on a person that you haven't seen in over thirty years? She kept posting and posting and posting..."STOP IT"!!! I wanted to say, but I was trying to placate her with apologies and kudos for her $400K job that she had "shown me up with." Even that wasn't good enough. FINALLY I made a post that said "Let's just put this all to rest...and lighten up a bit... we are starting to sound like a Jerry Springer episode". The next post was entitled "JERRY, JERRY, JERRY". (NOT HELPIN ). You know, I had a lot of people that weren't very nice to me in high school.. I was flat chested (still am) and wore braces all through high school. But I moved on, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let this girl move on before she hunts me down and does whatever it is that she so adamantly wants to do to me. YES kids are cruel in high school, but there were a LOT meaner kids than me, even ones that picked on me. I almost feel sorry for her , reading all the responses to her "Tirade". But you know what? She hit a nerve with the "waitress" comment. I may "JUST" be a waitress, but I am a DAMN good waitress.. one that loves her job, enjoys going to work every day and has great satisfaction in knowing that I have customers that call just to see if I am working. I am so sorry that I offended this girl thirty years ago.... But for "Pete's Sake" Move on Sister, remember that I was 15 then, and I am 48 now. If I still held a grudge against all high school pettiness and cruelty...THAT would be a full time job, and then I would not have time to write my blogs.... Now THAT, would be REALLY cruel!! Till next time...."Big ole mean COTTON!"

Stormin "NORMAN" to the Rescue

On Tuesdays I open the restaurant with two other waitresses. It usually isn't too busy right off the bat so we are okay until around 11:45 when the other servers come in. On this particular day, at 10:55, five minutes before we open...a group of 115 came streaming in the front door. It was an immediate "INVASION". Frantic calls to servers for them to come early were made, the kitchen...headed up by our "Stormin Norman" was alerted to the fact that the "ENEMY HAS LANDED!! BATTLE STATIONS"!!! It was a company bringing the entire office out for Secretary's Day. Obviously everyone in their office knew about it, and our Troops were TOTALLY taken by surprise. The cooks had no one to call in ..they were all we had. "Bring the Latinos up front"!! Give the manager an apron..load up the bread oven...start filling glasses with ice...GO GO GO...NOW"!!! One of us three servers started taking drink orders, the other started taking food orders, and the third began ringing them into the kitchen. I cannot even begin to imagine how it must feel to the cooks to receive 115 orders one immediately after another, but it must feel like having a M-16 spraying around your head with nowhere to run or hide. When we asked Norman if he wanted us to stagger out the orders or send them all at once..the reply from their battle station was "BRING IT"!!! Thus began our normally quiet Tuesday lunch! By this point another server that is an "Ole Timer" like us had walked into the chaos. She immediately started going to the tables that we had not been able to get yet, and started firing orders back to our troops in the kitchen as well. It was 24 tables in total that we rang into the kitchen in a matter of about ten or fifteen minutes. Steaks, chicken, ribs, special orders, special instructions...and it didn't faze our "Stormin Norman" one bit! I can honestly say that we had a harder time of just getting drinks refilled and salads out before he was sending out the lunches...how can two cooks beat four servers to the punch, considering they had a lot tougher job to do than us? I can honestly say that I do not remember one person sending their food back or complaining about their lunch. Out of 24 tables, one table had to wait for their food...but HEY!! someone has to get served last! Let me add that while all this was taking place, the kitchen was still filling orders from the rest of the restaurant that was filling up very quickly with our regular customers. Believe it or not, it went AMAZINGLY smooth. Our manager that day was on the ball, shouting out his commands, and we were listening to him. The host staff did a great job, the other servers that walked into a mine field when they arrived for their shift did an amazing job. It was truly a team effort...but one that I give the kitchen staff of "Stormin Norman" all the credit for. We are a family at our store..granted a sometimes dysfunctional family, but one that pulls together when the bombs are dropping and there is no place to hide. The public is a tough crowd to please. I have learned this over my 30 years in the business. But on this particular day, in this particular restaurant, this particular crowd had a particularly amazing man shooting out their lunches like mortar fire coming out of a tank. My hat goes out to this amazing feat the "Stormin Norman" pulled off with the grace and ease of a trapeze artist..Although he is one person that I don't think would ever be caught dead in a pair of tights...But tight spots are his FORTE, and he did an outstanding job in one of the tightest spots we have ever been thrown into, and saved our butts from what could have been a tragedy...but ended up to be a success...Thanks to "STORMIN NORMAN". Take a bow my friend...you deserve it. What impressed me even more was the fact that he acted like he had done nothing exceptional, just had done his job. I swear I work with the greatest people in the world... At least a lot of great people, that make working with some of the others that aren't as great, an OK thing. Maybe they will look at us and say "I could do that too if I tried". YOU NEVER KNOW!!! But a HUGE, FAT "THANK YOU" and my total admiration for a "Job well done, Soldier". Till next time...COTTON

Another Tragedy of Life

My youngest, my daughter got off the bus today at 4:00 and fell into my arms to tell me to hug her tightly. One of her friends who had lost her grandmother on Thursday, had lost her Mother in a car accident. This "GIRL" is thirteen years young, facing a lifetime of regret, "coulda done" and "wish I had" thoughts and feelings. She is a sweet smart athletic girl who has all in the span of four days lost not only her grandmother but her mother as well. I want to drive over to her house and throw my arms around her neck and tell her it will be okay, but it WON'T...not for a long long time. From my own personal experience I can tell this young girl that you NEVER get over losing your mother...you just learn to live with the pain that eventually dissolves into a dull ache that you learn to live with and one day will finally be able to think of her without immediately crying. The tears will always be there. When something happens and you at once think of telling her, or have a question that you want to ask her...you won't be able to do these things ever again. But on the flip side of a horrible situation; she is in a wonderful place and not in pain or suffering. She will come to you in your dreams...both of my parents come to me in my dreams and they are the sweetest dreams I ever have , a way to remember their face and voice and have them back with me for a few short minutes. I am going to buy this young woman a blank journal that she can write all of her thoughts, worries and feelings in. My journals are priceless to me and often a saving grace to read and remember how I felt at certain points in my life. I think EVERYONE should keep a journal. As you grow older, they will be precious beyond belief and a comfort in times of reminiscing. Life isn't guaranteed to any of us even for the next five seconds. As I have said many times before, "Live your life to the fullest and enjoy every second that you have." The tide can change in a millisecond, you can't afford to let any opportunity of showing your love to the people that mean the most to you go unobserved or unspoken, tell them how much you love them every single chance you get. My prayer and heart go out to my daughter's little friend... I hate that she is having to learn one of life's toughest lessons at one of life's toughest ages...13. Till next time...COTTON

Work is WORK and Kids will be KIDS

It is a hard world that we live in..especially mine. I am on the verge of being half a century old...working with kids that are sometimes not even a quarter of a century old. My job is my career. It is something that I have worked at for the past thirty years since getting out of college. To me it is my life blood, my food on the table and the way that I am able to help raise my family. I don't live at home with my parents, don't only have to make enough money to pay fines or party... I am in this business to make money, earn respect from my peers and do the best job that I can do on a daily basis. I am confronted on an almost daily basis with kids that are just at work to have fun, make a little money and could care less about the "BIG" picture. When the "kids" don't take it seriously, or make fun of me for being conscientious... it bugs me BEYOND belief. If this is just a game to them, they need to take it somewhere else. I work six days a week, sometimes seven..come in and give the exact same performance every time I walk through the doors. When I get upset, it is generally for a good reason... but often "Poo-Poo'd" by my younger co workers. I do not care what they do in their off time, but I care about the reflection that their mistakes make on my own performance and my consideration of what a good work ethic is. Call me a bitch, call me a granny.. but DO NOT MESS WITH ME!! They can be "CUTE" all they want, or suck up to the management all they want, but when they are working with me, I expect nothing more than I expect or give of myself as a server, and expect the same from them if they are on the clock and being paid the same rate that I am. We have MANY ,MANY good young people at our store...and some that are just there to make a dime. If you are unfortunate enough to be working with me, I expect NOTHING but professionalism and hard work. I do not want their little "comments" or sarcasms, I have children older than them and if they were as slack as them, I would either have them in re-hab or kick them out of the house altogether. I guess that I may sound bitter, but I do NOT take my job lightly or for granted. I feel that I do a great job for my company every time I walk through the door... Should I not expect the same from my other co workers? Life is tough..incredibly tough... but the sooner you learn what life is made of, the sooner you can make something of not only yourself, but the people that are in your life and the entire scheme of things. There are several of these type of people that I work with, and sometimes I just want to shake them into submission and tell them how much of life they are missing by not standing up to the challenge of being an adult, being responsible and held accountable for not only their actions but for their productivity and their contribution as an adult an employee and as a person of significance in the workplace. When they are standing in my shoes, thirty years down the road, I hope that they are lucky enough to know the difference between a good employee and a dedicated one. They may hate me today.... but I will still be here tomorrow..and be working as hard as anyone around me, and grateful that I have my job and the security that it brings me, my husband and my children . Life is fast and furious, there is no time to take ONE second for granted...TRUST ME...I KNOW!!! Till next time..a vented and relieved COTTON

A Day Off Finally...(Kinda)

Twenty days in a row that I have worked...time for a break! I worked in my yard from noon until seven PM. That is like "Nirvana" to me. There is nothing more pleasing to me than to come home and see my yard all cut, trimmed and looking neat and tidy (Thank God people can't see INSIDE of my house). My day in the yard starts with mowing my yard and my next door neighbors (they have moved and their house is still up for sale) This amounts to over 2 acres. It bothers me to no end to have my yard look great with an unkempt yard staring at me across the driveway. Then I move on to my weed eater. It is the greatest invention of the last century. I start by the mailbox, move through the front yard and around the house...move to the back yard and trim not only inside the privacy fence but outside as well. Then you have to trim under the huge hammock that I have and the swing set , only to replace all fifteen steppingstones that I have had to move just so that I can mow the yard around my patio.. How lame am I that this constitutes a fabulous day in my life? I am so sunburned, scratched up by trees and bitten by bugs and covered in grass that you would think I had been backpacking in a jungle in the Congo. It is strange what makes people happy...I guess the old saying "Whatever floats your boat" is really true. I am never happier than I am when I am in my yard on my John Deere (my boyfriend) and making my yard such a pleasant thing to look at. I have day lilies, irises, daffodils and gladiolas, daisies and roses...it is my little piece of Heaven and one that makes my day every time I drive up to my house. It has been the most spectacular day I have had in the past three weeks... me and the yard!! After my day in paradise it is even better when I grill out burgers in my newly groomed and fabulously tidy back yard. At least my dogs seem to enjoy it. After being trapped inside for several hours, they romp out into the yard like it is a new found freedom (at least THEY appreciate my efforts). I will go to bed after a HOT HOT bubble bath and a few cold ones, to wake up in the morning...peer out my bedroom window and view my fabulous achievements of the previous day....which will set my entire tone for the day....I had a day off and I made the most of it, enjoyed it and can look at my efforts with a smile....knowing that once I go to work again this next day, I can come home to a fabulous scene of my blooming flowers and trimmed out yard....I just wish that I felt this passion for the inside of my house. Maybe if they made a John Deere vacuum cleaner, I would really have something going on!! Oh well... time for a reality check..AKA cleaning the bathrooms!! Till next time COTTON

Looks Like We Picked A "Renner" !!

Another post about co-workers...(my kids are obviously in a slump).We have a bartender that is HANDS DOWN the best bartender that I have ever worked with or known... And in 30 years of being a sever, I have met quite a few! He handles himself with precision and grace behind the bar, and is the favorite of every regular we have or sometimes the favorite of our first time guests. He reminds me of Bon Jovi ... and to me that is a GOOD thing. Not the Bon Jovi from the eighties, but the current one. Remember when he was a regular on Ally McBeal? Our barkeep is a sexy mix of an outdoors man, with David Letterman humor (without the gray balding look, spaced out teeth and 30 year age difference) and an all round great guy that holds no bias or bigotry against anyone... the first person to tell you when you do something wrong, and the last person to admit his mistakes...granted they are far and few between. You never wait for a drink when he is behind the bar ; and if you are smart you help him out when he needs it(which is rarely). The servers that are slack make themselves an open target for his sharp tongue and even sharper observations of who is working hard and who is not. If you dare to challenge him on a point... you should really stop and reconsider the repercussions of crossing into an area that you may never make it back from alive. I have to give it to him... He is 99.9% right in almost every battle he is "Shoved" in to. Some of the younger servers that we have...#ONE don't all care about their job like he and I do. #TWO they don't realize that like me , he has been in this business a LONG time...and #THREE don't realize that they are fighting a battle that they can never win. Management will back him up EVERY TIME. I will be the first to say that is one of the things our managers do best...recognize who is making our store the best and supporting them 100%. He is married to an obviously Saint of a woman that not only puts up with him, but has bore him two beautiful little girls....That will be his penance in life...living with three women!! No wonder he always has to be right at work, he is under the wrath of three women at home... He probably likes to come to work just so he can BE right. He has begun a new career of "Land surveying" that has been put on hold due to our wonderful economy at this point in time. I for one; am grateful that due to it he is still with us. When he leaves us it will leave a huge and massive void in not only our staff family, but in our customer family as well...It will be hard to decide who will miss him most. Actually it won't be...It will be me!! I have enjoyed working with him every shift that I have, and on the rare occasion that he has made me angry... I just tuck my tail under me and skulk away far enough for him not to hear me and gripe quietly. One night when cleaning up the bar after close, he found a wallet on the floor. It was right around Christmas when people were coming in constantly to buy gift cards as presents. The wallet was filled with several hundred dollars in cash and several credit cards. Do you know how many places that this woman could have left her wallet and never seen it again? Or woken up to hundreds of dollars worth of charges on her cards? But she left it at "Renner's" bar and it was returned to her completely as she had left it. She wrote a very nice letter to the local newspaper about her "Christmas Angel" . I don't know if I would call him an angel...but I consider it a mighty privilege to call him not only one of my favorite co workers but a dear friend. Thankfully for me the way the economy is going, I will be able to enjoy his friendship, humor and banter for a while yet! But when he goes it will be a huge part of our heart , soul and family that will be sorely and surely missed. I am glad that I have known him for the past ten years...and will remember him fondly for the rest of my life. Truly one of the most interesting, and honest men that I have ever met....even though he can be a "Baby"... He's OUR baby...and BABY DO WE LOVE HIM!!

P.S. (My first blog with a post script)!! I went into work tonight..after posting this last night, to a flurry of complaints from my co workers. Let's see what some of the comments were.."You are a suck up" " Renner is a big fat baby" "You were WAY too nice about him" The list went on and on...much to Renner's delight! He could care less what people think about him, and it only makes him laugh when he hears their complaints. I guess that is why we get along so well...I am the same way. I am sure that there are many, many co workers that don't like me for a variety of reasons.I can understand my co workers gripes... He CAN be a baby; and is QUITE often. But I am one of the smart ones that knows when to leave him alone, or when to move FAR away from him and complain in a quiet voice ( Which is ALMOST humanly impossible for me and my big trap). But I know which side my bread is buttered on with him, and I tend to slather it with the butter of my kindness and therefore frequently avoid the sharp acerbic darts that he verbally throws at us. Actually, he is a lot like me... you know what they say..."Birds of a feather flock together." Call me a "suck up" call me a "baby enabler".... Just keep reading my blog and remember that is what the "COMMENTS" tool is for! Let's hear back from all you disgruntled readers....or are you just ALL scared of "The Big Fat Baby"??