Today’s question is: Why do some people (ok, me) feel the need to organize stuff before their friends show up for a visit?

Background: I think I have a problem. I start finding things to organize and work like a crazy person getting it all organized before I have guests coming to stay with me sometimes. It’s not always, or with everyone, it’s just some people.

I have a friend and her little turkeys coming in a couple of weeks and I’m finding myself crazy busy with the amount of organization I’d like completed before they get here. For example, today I will rip out my oldest turkeys closet shelves and install a nice new elfa system. By the end of the week my middle turkey will have a new closet as well. I’m doing it because their closets are disorganized and need to have more storage space. However, I’m getting it completed now before my friend shows up. That’s where the problem comes in. I could take my time but I feel the need to have it completed before the big stay. Maybe it’s because they will be here a few days and they might look in my cupboards and see that they are a mess, maybe it’s just an excuse to get my life (and drawers) in order. I don’t know. But the race is on. I have big plans, BIG. I better get and keep my act together (admittedly, not my best trait).

Anyone else crazy as me??

Today’s question is: Why on earth does Christmas start in October?

Background: As if we aren’t bombarded by every other holiday, what is it with Christmas starting in October? Honestly do the retailers think they will actually sell more ornaments by putting up their Christmas trees in October instead of the end of November? Do you think people really shop more now because they see the Christmas trees and decorations out and about? Do the retailers think they actually need to remind anyone that Christmas is coming?

PW and I went out to dinner last night at one of our local hangouts that happens to be in a nearby mall. We normally like to sit at the bar and converse with the bartenders. It was pretty busy when we got there so we decided to walk around the stores a bit first. The little turkey girls want some new shirts so we decided to look around at what’s available and when we went in one major department store the Christmas display was HUGE. I just find it hard to believe that having Christmas trees up in October honestly helps the bottom line. Do you think that works? Maybe it does.

I read an article that said that many retailers are already starting free shipping (OK that’s a bonus of Christmas starting in October in my opinion, shipping is so expensive). Some are having major sales but not calling them pre-Christmas sales, even though that’s what they are. So, is this an American thing? Does anyone know if Christmas starts in October in other parts of the world? Or just here?

Personally, I’d like to at least get past Halloween before I have to start thinking about Christmas.

Today’s question is: Why would parents leave their young children (home) alone?

Background: I’m sure you’ve all heard the story of the McCann’s. They are the parents that left their children alone in a hotel room while they went out to eat at a nearby restaurant. While they were out, their 4 year old little girl was abducted, or something.

Anyway, as a mom, I find this story a bit disturbing. First of all, I just don’t understand how, in a hotel that has babysitting, you can leave your little turkeys alone. Maybe I’m just overly paranoid, I don’t know, but I can’t imagine doing it. My turkeys are 8 years old, 7 years old and 5 years old and I can’t fathom leaving them alone, even at my own house, much less in a hotel room in another country. I get that cultures are different, but that still doesn’t make sense to me. These were really little children, what if they woke and were scared? Imagine how much more scared they were when they discovered their mom and dad were gone.

The story also makes me wonder if the parents had been going out every night and leaving those little turkeys alone. What if some predator was observing the actions of the parents and waited for the right opportunity. It’s sickening that there are people like that in this world we are living in but we all know they exist. That is one reason I won’t leave my turkeys alone, you never know who’s watching. I’d think predators have it even easier in a resort town, where there is so much change they can move around unnoticed.

If anything good can come out of this I hope it is that parents will not think so lightly of leaving their little turkeys alone. I remember years ago a story of a girl abducted from her house when she was around 12 years old and home (alone) sick from school. These are the stories that go through my head and they are why I can not leave my turkeys alone. How could I ever forgive myself if something were to happen to them?

Could you do it? Would you leave your turkeys home alone? Would you leave them in a hotel alone?

today’s question is: why do I think you guys don’t think I’m OK?

background: it’s been quite around here and sc emailed me to say that he has a feeling I’ve freaked everyone out with my mammo post. So for the record, I’m just fine. I do have to go back in 6 months for another diagnostic but I think it’s more of a routine-ish sort of thing. I had this procedure done 18 months ago and it looks like it affected a lymph node so it’s showed up a little larger than normal, no big deal. I’m sure after my next one I will be back to the yearly regular old, not-super-smashy mammo.

As for me joking about it, I hope you are OK with that. I think many things in life need to be joked about, even if they aren’t very funny. And I’m serious, it is an odd thing, that mammogram. I was in that room with the tech and I was practically laughing at how incredibly absurd it is that this big ass machine smashes you beyond belief. The technician said that she is constantly apologizing to women all day long for hurting them and that they all say “it’s OK” even though she knows it’s not. I thought that was nice of her to acknowledge that.

As for my late posting, the turkeys were off of school the last 4 days and today was get up and go day (and I didn’t get up a go early enough). Then I had yoga (because we all need a little bit of peace and quite and some honest to goodness stretching during our week don’t we?) and well yoga has it’s place in my heart and I couldn’t miss it to write for you, even if I do love you all, so I’m late. But I want no one freaking out on me here. You’ll see that I’ll poke fun about stuff at times (more serious stuff than mammograms, because I’ve lived it and being real is a good thing in our little, sometimes very small, world). I’ll try to remember to add comments at the bottom when I do so no one thinks bad things are happening, and if they are then I will say so, OK?

Now, does anyone really have anything to say about that mammogram machine? Really, I certainly can’t be the only one squished beyond belief, can I??

Today’s question is: Why is the mammogram machine so awful?

Background: OK, I’ve decided that if men had to get mammograms the entire system would be different. There is no way a man would stand for having a part of his body, a breast no less, “the delightful supplement to the essence of a woman” as sc put it the other day, through the mammogram. The thing is the first time I experience the mammo I didn’t think it was so bad. A squish here, a squish there, not too painful. I wasn’t sure what all the hype was about.

Then I failed.

When you fail you have to go back for the diagnostic. This takes the mammogram to a whole new level. Talk about squishing. It’s like trying to flatten the breast into a pancake, a really thin pancake. Actually it reminds me of those stress balls. You know those things you squeeze in your hands to relieve stress? Imagine taking one of those and trying, ever so hard, to flatten it. You’d probably have to step on it to get it the flattest. That’s what the diagnostic is like. The flattening of something impossible to make flat. OUCH.

Makes me wonder why they don’t have a different system.

Today’s question is: Why is it that some people never change?

Background: I realize this isn’t necessarily the truth, of course people change. But after spending time with some great old friends the past two weekends I do get the feeling some people never change. The ability to pick up where you left off with old friends is a pretty special one. Not every friend, old and new, can leave you with the feeling of always having been there. Some people never were the type of friend that would allow that to happen, others are in a big way.

I leave the weekend with the feeling that I’ve reconnected with some of the funnest people I used to know. It warms my heart to know that my good friends are still just that, good, honest, fun friends.

I had a great time, 20 years really isn’t all that long.

Today’s question is: Why are some people so determined to fight new rules tooth and nail?

Background: There are many examples I could use, but recently my girlfriend started a new job at a grade school (parochial K-8) that until her hiring this year had NO school security. I guess anyone could come and go as they pleased through any door. Now they can’t. All doors are locked and they need to bet let in the main door by my friend. Since the system is so new they have no buzzer system. Since it’s a private school they’d have to raise the funds for that, I’m sure.
One day, in desperation, my friend wrote the following letter and sent it to some of her friends to release some steam:
QUOTE
to all the folks who pass my desk on their way into school,
Yes, I have to get up every time someone approaches the door and yes, I know I need a button.
For the thankfully small minority of you who think that these new security procedures are “stupid”, “ridiculous”, “asinine“, and any other derogatory term you might have, please keep those thoughts to your self, I’m starting to take it personally. I didn’t make the rules, I was hired to make sure you follow them. These children are precious gifts and deserve to be safe.
For the lady today, whose son was bright enough to stick a pencil in his ear and break off the tip; yes, it’s a good idea not to waste time getting your son to the doctor but for crying out loud you still have to follow the rules, if it was so critical the nurse would have called 911.
And to the rest of you who have been so kind and appreciative of this new system, you have my sincerest gratitude, you make it easier to brush off the few boneheads mentioned above.
END QUOTE

When I read this I was kind of appalled. Can you imagine being mean to some poor lady who has this job? The school I am are talking about is outside of Washington DC, a place where I’d think they’d be happy to have a little extra security. Not that any place housing children for the day wouldn’t want a little security in this crazy world we are living.

Years ago, outside of Chicago, a town North of where I am now, a crazy lady entered a school and started shooting the kids. She killed one kindergartner. She was crazy, as you’d definitely have to be to hurt little kids like that. Ever since then there isn’t a school around here that isn’t locked up all day long.
Every door at our school is locked and you have to be buzzed in the main door by the secretary to get in. Every person has to sign in when they enter too. It’s smart, it’s safe and in our world I think it’s necessary. That’s why it blows my mind that people meet this sort of change with such negativity.

Sometimes I think people are just crazy!

PS. sorry about yesterday, it was a crazy day and by the time I had 2 minutes to post I just figured I’d wait. I’m putting the Christmas post on hold a couple of days so I can add some crazy pictures, it’s just not the same without those, right? I may skip tomorrow, tonight is my 20 year reunion and well, maybe I’ll have something good to post about that huh???

Today’s question is: Why would a woman get an ‘over the top’ breast augmentation?

Background: I’m sure most of you are wondering what the heck I’m talking about, ‘over the top’ how could that be? OK, here’s the thing, I understand boob jobs, totally. I mean I’ve always been just fine in that area but I have friends that have never been satisfied and their boob jobs have made a huge difference in their overall self love. It’s a good thing. Even better for the ladies of the world that lose breasts to breast cancer. Boob jobs definitely have their place.

PW and I like to watch Dr. 90210 from time to time, ever see it? It’s a show about plastic surgery. You meet the doctors and the patients, hear their story, watch their surgery, see their follow up. It’s interesting in a strange sort of way. We’ve learned a lot about breast augmentation through the show, different incisions, different kinds of implants and different sizes. Mainly the sizing works in cc’s. 100cc’s would get you barely anything. That might be used to even out the sizing of someones breast. 300 – 500cc’s is most common. I’d say if a woman with an “A” chest put in 500cc’s she’d turn into about a “D” chest or so. This is just a little background so you understand how it works.

So, one day on Dr. 90210, they were featuring this doctor in Las Vegas. The woman seeing him wanted to get a breast reduction (wondering where I’m going since we’re talking about augmentation huh???). She had had a number of boob jobs in the past and she had decided she was sick of them the way they were because she didn’t want to be a stripper anymore, she was studying to be a nurse. Currently, she wasn’t even able to wear a bra because her breasts were so big. When she had her consult she informed the doctor she’d like them reduced to 500 cc’s. Based on the info I gave above, that’s pretty big, a “D” normally. Get this, she currently had implants that were 1900cc’s. That’s right 1900. Can you even imagine? These things were so big, so big, it was simply unbelievable. They were like two watermelon sticking out of her body (and she was not a big woman, I mean she was a stripper for goodness sakes). What was she thinking when she did that???

I guess the answer to today’s question would be to make more money stripping. But boy howdy how sad is that? I guess hankjr (comments) is right when he said (quote) “the realty is that in our culture big breasts offer their owner more opportunities whether its more tips or more dates…sad isn’t it? “

So when sc (comments) said (quote) “Although breasts are a delightful supplement to the essence of women, that which makes you (the collective) truly attractive is what’s in your eyes and between your ears, not in front of your chest.”, does that really apply here? Probably not. No one cares about what this lady thinks about anything when she’s stripping huh?

1900 cc’s, I’m still trying to get over it. And be happy you didn’t have to watch that reduction, it wasn’t pretty.

Today’s question is: Why is it that some people think it’s OK to park in front of someones driveway?

Background: Honestly, I simply can not figure out what could be going on in someones head when they do this. There is a house right next door to our school that has a driveway (we’re mainly an alley town so most people do not have driveways). Every couple of days I watch some super important person(SIP, sort of like the VIP but much more important) decide that the 3 feet of real parking space left next to the driveway is big enough for their 7/8 foot car.

Today, merely one short block down from many parking spaces I watched this lady decide that parking in front of the driveway was a much better option than moving to a real spot. I’m not kidding, her car was at least 4 feet across the bottom of this drive. She was blocking the lady who lived there from pulling straight out of her own driveway. I don’t get it? How on earth is that OK? I mean really, if you are so important why not just pull into the drive into the available spot next to the homeowners car? haa haa, now that would take some balls huh?

I guess the answer is entitlement at it’s finest. That SIP is way more important than the homeowner, no doubt about it. UGH.

Today’s question is: Why is it OK for anyone to comment on someones breasts?

Background: One day several months back I attended this poetry reading writers night at a local hangout. I arrived late and was seated at a table with some people I knew a little, a lot and a guy that looked familiar. After a little while I said something to the familiar guy. We tried to figure out if we really knew each other or if we just looked like people we knew. We never figured it out but I thought perhaps I had waited on him back in my waitressing days. I run into people that seem familiar a lot and it wasn’t until this meeting that I was able to tie it into working tables at a popular bar in Chicago in my 20′s.

Anyway, the discussion moved on to my bar working days and how I used to make a ton of money waitressing. My sister worked with me and we always used to have contests on who could make more. We’d always beat out any of the other workers, but that’s because my sister and I are natural waitresses, we’re really good at it. Anyway, the gal I knew a little decided this was the perfect opportunity to point out that I probably made a lot of money because I have big boobs. HUH? OK first of all let’s get this straight, I don’t have huge boobs, they are just OK. However, they must be bigger than hers, I’ve never noticed, but I’m not much of a boob noticer. So, she went on and on about how my money making skills in the bar HAD to be because of my boobs. Not true I assured her. We worked in a sports bar and we wore big old t-shirts. This was 15 years ago. People didn’t prance around in tight, barely there shirts back then.

Several months later, I was shopping in this local store that I love. My girlfriend and I were trying on clothes and having fun. I tried on this black strapless dress that was really cute. Next thing I know the gal I know a little comes in. She says “hi” and then she says “nice dress, but with breasts like that you have no choice but to look good”. WHAT? Are you joking me? Maybe I should be happy with the compliment, but really it felt more like some sort of insult. I think she may need to read the book How to Win Friends and Influence People, LMAO.

Last week on the soccer fields, I ran into her again. I had on a semi low cut top and I kid you not, she couldn’t stop staring at my boobs. Does she have boob envy? Jeez, she needs to get a life or get a boob job.

Maybe I should suggest a boob job next time I get a boob comment from her.