Idio-craty

Is that even a word? Along with most of the nation, I've been watching the news. My heart aches for those lost, people who have no idea if their family and friends are ok. I remember when Hurricane Ike went over Houston - my parents were on a mission there, and for about 24 hours, I couldn't get in touch with them. I knew they were ok. I mean, the Church is very good about notifying family and all that, but I was still worried. I can't imagine longer than that, and with the images we are seeing.

I'm a Christian. I believe in helping anyone and everyone you can. As I told a friend the other night. I believe in being a productive member of society. Work as much as you are able, and make a difference. Give of yourself. Make the world a better place because you were here. I work (technically) 3 jobs. Volunteer with the Rescue Squad and Fire Dept. While I'm a clutz, and make more than my fair share of mistakes, I consider myself a decent person.

When I see, and hear, idiots like Limbaugh making comments like he did, it just infuriates me. I remember Mama teaching me: If it isn't kind, necessary, and true, don't say it. It's not like Meatloaf sang. You can't have 2 out of 3. I overheard a person today saying, "What's the big deal? They were overcrowded anyway." Who says that??? Anyway. Sharing this response. I don't do politics, I don't do a lot of big, fancy words in a conversation, but I got this. What do you think?

While I'm on it, in case you hadn't heard, you can text "Haiti" to the American Red Cross at 90999, and $10 will be donated that will show up on your cell phone bill. In the past 24 hours, over $5 million has been raised. Please don't let this stop you - it's a drop in the bucket when you look at what's going to be needed over time. Also, Ree, at www.thePioneerwoman.com is doing a fundraiser. Leave a comment, and be entered to win a drawing for her to donate $500 to the Haitian charity of your choice. She's also donating $.10 per comment left, so go, help her do a good thing!

Seriously?

Have y'all seen this article? Let me back up. I work in the financial industry. Here's the dirty laundry you're not hearing. Not all the institutions that received bailout money wanted, or needed it. But, the government didn't want people to know which ones were hurting, so they grouped a bunch up and said, "Here's how much you're taking. Not an option." As soon as we could pay ours back, we did. With interest. And fees. And all the extra's. Now, it appears that AIG, GM, and others may not be able to pay there's back. So, Mr. Obama, your solution to recoup the costs are to levy taxes and other fees against everyone who took the money??? Hold up. How is that any different than said "Big Evil Banks" giving a loan to a person with all the fine print, etc., that goes with it. That person pays it back early, paying all the penalties, and fees associated with it. Then, the bank says, "Oh you know, Mr. X over there didn't pay his back, so uh, client? Fork over some more dough." What. the heck. Seriously? Why is it wrong for banks to make money? They are a FOR PROFIT industry. If you don't like paying overdraft fees, here's a novel concept. Don't spend money you don't have. Don't like late penalty rates, and over limit fees? Pay your bills on time, don't spend more than what you have. Realistically, the majority of people never overdraw their account. A few will do it once or twice a year. A handful will repeatedly overdraw their account. Guess who's making the most noise? Ugh. I'm so tired of hearing about this. When you make bad decisions, there are consequences. If those are bad business decisions, than your business would fail. Some of these badly-run institutions need to fail. There are plenty of good ones that are eager and waiting to help people be financially sound and successful.

Getting off soapbox now. Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts . . . . it's a pretty hot topic for a lot of people.

New Year

Wow. I haven't been on here since October? How did that happen? Oh, wait, I know. Life. And, lack of something cohesive/funny/etc. to write about. However, lately I've had things in the back of my mind, and I've thought, "Ooh! I could blog about that!" So, since I have this here laptop (borrowed) fired up while here at work, why not give it a shot?

We had a major snowstorm blow through here about a month ago. In the past 3 years, we've had less than a total of 12" accumulation. It just doesn't snow. Evidently, Mother Nature didn't get the memo, because we got 24" at my house, in just under 24 hours. Snow! Yay! Fluffy white stuff! I'll try to get pics/video posted once I'm back on my own 'puter.

However. Did you know that snow as a kid, and snow as an adult are two entirely separate things? Shoveling all that, by yourself, not so much fun, really. I have a new respect for people who suffer a heart attack while shoveling. Ugh. I got enough dug out for my car, then made snow angels so the dog could have a place to do her thing, and called it good.

One thing I enjoyed (and benefited from) seeing was the people who were quick to help others out. We had well over 100 people stranded on the interstate. Fire and Rescue were doing what they could to take them food, water, and to shelter if they wanted it, but there were many ordinary citizens who made their way to incident command to see what they could do to take care of the rescuers. People were out shoveling out elderly people, or those who couldn't do it for themselves. Warms the heart, to know that there are still good people out there trying to take care of others, ya know?

Really. I'm getting back into this whole blogging thing. Are there even any readers still out there? Drop me a comment, say hi and smack me around a bit. See you soon . . .

Part Deux

So, the next morning, woke up, thinking, "Wow, I need to get my oil changed before we head back to school." Then, "Oh my heck - I'm thinking about my oil being changed, rather than THAT." We went to Church, and I lasted through the main service before I was out of there. I couldn't take, not for another second, all the "oh poor Sheri" looks I felt like I was getting. I knew if one more person that I barely knew tried to hug me, I'd probably lose it. So Msh and I headed home. That's when the food started to roll in. What is it with people bringing food? But, I have to say, the things I remember liking the most? Canned drinks, paper products, and the AMAZING deli meat tray. Msh ran interference as people came in . . . since she REALLY didn't know anyone, she'd introduce them, and then smoothly pass it off to me. Girl was GOOD. Monday was spent running errands, placing an obituary, and calling people/answering the phone. And, I was amazed at the things people asked. One lady: Is there a viewing? Me: No, we didn't feel like that was what we wanted. Her: Oh, was he messed up really bad and so you can't? Uh, no, lady, I just think that's rather morbid!!! And, I had to laugh when the paper called to verify that he really was dead . . . they said that people place fake obits all the time!!

You know, I don't remember much about the service, except for a few things. One woman from my old work came, Bobby came, and Josh came. J., esp, I was amazed when he showed up. And, when I said that, he told me, "Baby girl, of course I was going to be here."

The service was a fog, and while I'm sure I went to the cemetery, I don't remember that at all either. Not a single detail. Was it sunny? Cloudy? Isn't it funny how we block those things out?

I became involved in EMS because I didn't ever want anyone else to wonder like I did. What if someone better, had gotten there faster? (The answer: Wouldn't have mattered) I remember getting a card from the State Trooper and being amazed that he would take the time to do that.

This is scattered. It doesn't do justice to what I wanted to write. About 3 years ago, I went to NC with Msh for a meeting she had. I took her car and went to the cemetery. Once there, I did something I hadn't done over the year: I simply cried. I got mad, I got sad, I laughed, and I just sat, until there was no more crying to do.

I didn't realize until this year, the 10 year anniversary, how cathartic that had been. And now, I'm being done with it and I'm going to go back to posting about funny things, trivial things, and that sort.

Kind of like the GI-NORMOUS deer that just scared the daylights out of me and my puppy. But, that'll be for another day . . .

10 years

1a is probably not the time to write this and do justice to it, but it's on my mind.

See, 10 years ago, yesterday, my younger brother, and only sibling, was killed in a car accident. His name is/was Brad. How weird is that? If I talk about him like he's still alive, people think I'm nuts. The thing is, he is. I mean, someday I'll see him again, right? So how do I refer to him? Ugh. Anyway, let me recap what I remember.

That week was horrible for both me and Msh. In fact, on *that* day, I remember telling Msh that I didn't see how it could get worse. Yeah. Never say that. Anyway, for whatever reason, even though I had a car, Msh took me to work. I was working for the big Wally World, and had only been there about 3 weeks. I had been on the register for just a bit, when they came and got me and said I was needed in the manager's office. "Wow. What did I screw up this time?" I got there, and they told me I had a phone call. I know there were two people in there, but for the life of me, I can't remember who it was. Anyway, Dad was on the other line. "Hey, kiddo. We need to have a family conference." My first thought was, "What has Brad done now?" He then, "I need you to come home." Uh, yeah, no. School, work, life, I don't have time for NC now. "Get your things, come home. Bring church clothes." This was starting to worry me. "What happened?" "Just come home." And, the statement that cinched BAD for me. "Bring Michelle." He wouldn't tell me any more than that. When I hung up, I was starting to cry, and I asked the other girl, "Who is it?" At first she didn't want to tell me, but then she said, "It's your brother." And you know the absolute worse part? I was relieved. Wow. That was really hard to just type. Then, immediate guilt for thinking that. I tried to dial Msh, but my hands were shaking too hard. I remember one of the managers telling me that no matter what I needed, find a Wal Mart and they would take care of me - food, gas, whatever. The 5 hours home, was the longest drive I think I've ever taken. I knew, that whatever was on the other side was bad, but Msh and I joked, laughed, tried to talk about anything and everything other than the "what". I mean, it was my senior year of college - there was a lot going on! When we got to the house, every. single. light. was on. Every light. Closet, halls, you name it. Mom later told me that she kept going around trying to turn off lights, but Dad told her he wanted me to know that they were home. I think it was 10, or later. Anyway, Msh went into the other room while M&D and I talked. They then proceeded to tell me th at he had been killed in a car accident the night before. I reacted as you might think, and then, "I don't have any pantyhose for church!" Isn't it crazy what you think of? Anyway, off to Wal Mart it was. While there, Dad offered to buy Msh and I Dr Pepper. This was a big deal for me - and made me realize that things had just been knocked crazy - my parents have always been very anti-caffeine. Anyway, it was home, and then an attempt to sleep. I told Msh - I wonder how long it'll be before this isn't the first and last thing I think about.

Wow. This could be a long post, and a long story, and I'm going to apologize for it now - but I want to go through it - I want to write it down. So, for those of you who are more into happy, feel good, funny stories, maybe check back in a few days? Otherwise, more tomorrow. And, for my LDS friends/readers, it gets GREAT. I promise.

Product Awareness

One of the things about myself that drives me crazy, is that I love trying new products. I mean really. Can I not just be happy with something? But, I'm convinced that the NEXT one will make my house spotless, my hair impossibly shiny, or my dog to have minty fresh breath. Occasionally, I manage to find such a product. I'm still completely in love with my Venus razor, only use Hellman's Mayonaise, and I adore Cover Girl's LashBlast mascara. I found a new one last night.

Dear Herbal Hessences,
You're cheesy commercials drive me NUTS. But I have to give you this. Your products smell amazing. The only problem, is that in the past, that's all they've done . . . smell good. But, with you're new one, you've hit it out of the ball park. Tousle Me Gently is the most wonderful stuff! It takes my just-past-wavy-not-quite-curly hair, and makes it non-frizzy, and hold it's shape through a whole day of running my hands through it. And after a night of sleep? Doesn't stick up everywhere! Finally. One that was blog-worthy!

Now, on another note. While playing last night, it was mentioned to me that "Send Me An Angel", yes, the cheesy 80's song, had been re-made. I You-Tubed it, and promptly visited Itunes. It's a rocked out version of the song, and it's fantastic. During the same download session, I picked up a couple of Jon Schmidt songs. Do you like piano music? This guy is amazing! I once linked to his Love Story Meets Vida la Vida, and I love his other stuff. Still, it's odd to go from an Alternative Rock song to a smooth piano piece. I guess that's just how it is, right?

2 more days . . . then I'm off for 3! I'm in my month of working no more than 4 days a week at the main job . . . vacation fell in just a way, along with other federal holidays. Wish me luck as I suffer through . . .

So There's This Guy . . .

Isn't that how the best stories from me start out?

Anyway, there was this guy, let's call him Mr X. He was good looking, and in the 5 minutes I interacted with him, seemed personable enough. He ended up with my number, and we talked - a lot. I mean, a couple of times a day. After a week or so of conversation, he stated, "I know you don't talk to other guys, right?" Uh, right at this exact second? Nope. Red flag #1.

He was coming into town, and wanted to get together for dinner. I told him I'd see what my schedule looked like. Short end of the story, I couldn't/wouldn't make it work. My "insides" were telling me "eh, buyer beware". At first he was ok with it, but he laid a couple of guilt trips on me. Not so cool. Red flag #2.

He came in again a couple of weekends later, and was NOT happy to find that I was busy. Hey, between 3 jobs, volunteering, blah blah blah, what a shocker, right? He asked me to come to his hotel room . . . at 2am. Ok, lots of things I am, foolish, eh, not so much. So I declined.

I've tried to be really nice about being "unavailable", but it occured to me, you know what? Maybe you just need to tell him. So, I tried, in a text. Hey, I'm getting with the 21st century thing, and if he can badger me in texting, well . . . . Anyway. That, didn't work so well. So rather than text back and forth, I called him. "Look, I have a lot of stuff going on. A lot of baggage I'm working through, and quite frankly, I don't have the time or the desire to fit you into my life. I'm sorry, but I can't even try the whole friendship thing." Ouch. I really, really try not to be a harsh person. So what do I get for my trouble? He STILL won't go away!!!

I don't get it. I've noticed this in men and women over the years. Why is it, when people (and yes, Sheri, talking to yourself here!) treat you badly, flat out tell you to get lost, we still hang around? Aren't there ninety-bajillion people out there for us to get to know who might actually like our company? What's up with this?