It Is What It Is

Random Acts of Rudeness and other stuff

How is it that we have become a society where it is okay to be rude for no other reason than you just felt like it?  What happened to "a polite society?'  My mother (just as mother's from all time) taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.  Nowadays, many folks think it's okay to say whatever is on their mind, "because-they're just keeping it real." 

No- it's not real- it's rude.  I get frustrated when strangers share whatever is on their mind-regardless of the content or the appropriateness because they feel since it's just their opinion, it's okay to be offensive. 

Maybe it's because we as a society are so embedded with a reality tv mentality.  One where we say what we want to get a reaction and every conversation has the ability to turn into a cat fight.  Or that it is okay to start arguments in public and yell obscenities among the general population. 

I know I'm going on a rant, but I witnessed something today that really took me back.  I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting room.  There were two other people sitting and waiting along with me.  An elderly woman walks out of the office area into the waiting room and then out the office door to the parking lot.  Five minutes late she comes back in and says to the gentleman waiting, "Is that your big , blue truck parked in front?' 

"Yes, is something wrong?" 

She then proceeds to start YELLING at this man, she does not know- ending with "Maybe you shouldn't drive such a big a%$ truck, unless you learn how to drive it!"  And then slams out the door again.

This man jumped up, clearly embarrassed and heads for the door.  The other woman waiting stands up and looks out the window and says "I don't know what her problem is, he's parked evenly between the lines."

The man comes back in, still looking sheepish.  He says to the both of us, "These spaces are tight, but I am parked between the lines." 

The other woman agrees with him and says- "She's just rude, I wouldn't worry about it."

Now, a couple of things come to mind.  We all have been in the situation where we go to get in our car and some nimrod has parked too close and makes it incredibly difficult to get in our car.  Yes, it's frustrating.  But, is it worth going into a building and calling a person out on it?  I can see if the other car is parked unevenly between the space lines or even crooked, but when a vehicle is parked perfectly between the lines, it doesn't constitute a federal offense if it's difficult to get into your car.  Annoying, sure.  But, walking into a public space and causing a scene, no.

This woman clearly felt entitled to her rant.  A decade ago, probably not.  Unfortunately in our world today, it's the norm. 

Next random thing that really got me going today...the "homeless" people who stand on the corner or at the end of an exit ramp asking for money.  I feel for these folks, I really do.  I admit sometimes, I am skeptical if they are really homeless or if this is their way to make some extra spending money.  Admittedly, I have on occasion passed a couple bucks here and there.  However, the guy I saw today ticked me off.  He wasn't holding up a homemade cardboard sign.  He was holding up a professionally made vinyl sign.  If you have the energy and know how to have a "homeless" sign made, have the energy and know how  to go get a job. 

Okay, I feel slightly better now. 

What's been ticking you off lately?  Witness to any random acts of rudeness?  Share please, it's good for the soul.

Happy Anniversary to Me.....

Well, because it deserves to be noted- It's my 22nd Wedding Anniversary today.  So, there, I said it.

No special plans for the occasion.  Small  gifts of affection were exchanged.  Words of endearment were shared.  Family dinner consisting of hamburgers on the grill.  Glad it's Friday. 

Reading Update and other Ramblings

So someone sent me a link to the Miracle Whip You-Tube Video contest.  You could win $25,000 for your wedding or divorce by submitting a video on how miracle whip has shaped your relationship with a current or former partner.

  For Beloved and I the battle started over Hellman's Real Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip Salad dressing.   I'm happy to report that I won that battle long ago.  The only Miracle Whip that resides in my household is the smallest jar made by Kraft foods and it sits on the side door of the refrigerator waiting to be used once in a blue moon.  I have always been a MAY-O-NNAISE girl.  However, my allegiance has shifted from Hellman's real mayo to Duke's.

 

I had first heard of Duke's while reading the novels of Mary Kay Andrews.  I picked up a jar when I was in South Carolina a few years ago and have been a devoted user ever since. (Living in the midwest, Duke's is not available in my area.  I need to rely on the generosity of others who visit or live in the south to keep my supplied.)   Recently, my friend, L brought me back a jar after her Myrtle Beach vacation.  (Thanks, L!  I was running low!)

So-the question remains....Are you a mayonnaise or miracle whip lover?  Have you had discussions in your household regarding the use of either product?  Beloved and I went toe to toe when first married because I did not use Miracle Whip when making macaroni or potato salad.  Obviously, he's a convert now. 

Condiments aside, because it's summer and because I haven't posted on books in awhile I thought I'd do a little update.  Several months ago, I posted about the release of "Emily and Einstein" by Linda Francis Lee. 

 

I have to be honest.  I resisted reading this book.  Although I dearly love all books, LFL, the premise of this book was a little different for her.  So, I kept picking it up and putting it back down again.  Luckily, I found the audio version at my local library and said, "what the heck, it's a sign."  I was pleasantly surprised.  I didn't want to like this book even after starting it, but I have to tell you, I fell for it.  Pick it up, you will fall for it too.

I gobbled this up while on vacation.  Again- I'm a huge MKA fan, liked this book quite a bit but to be honest not one of my favorites.  This story follows three friends while on vacation from their lives for one month during the summer.  I liked the story line- but I kind of wanted more.  However- a great beach read and I will continue to worship at the shrine of MK.  (Again- she had me at Duke's.)

I have been reading Jodi Picoult for many years.  I have pretty much loved everything she's written up until her last few novels.  They were okay- but I just couldn't get into the subject matters.  Her newest novel, however was intriguing.  I listened to this one- and would heartily recommend you all do the same.  Ms. Picoult introduced us to her lyric writing talent in this book.  Each chapter beings with a song and I understand if you buy the book, it comes with a CD of the songs.   

Can I just say- I loved this book.  This book made me cry.  It made me uncomfortable.  It made me smile.  And for once-  a Jodi Picoult book had an ending that didn't make me SCREAM!  The novel is the story of a couple who after 10 years of a happy marriage and infertility, call it quits.  One partner goes off the deep end back into alcoholism and the other falls in love with a person of the same sex.  When the new couple decide they would like to have a baby using the still frozen embryos from the marriage- they need the permission of the ex-spouse, who now is a cleaned up- born again Christian.  As you might imagine, a court case ensues over the custody of those frozen embryos. 

I didn't think I was going to like how this one ended.  But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was so emotionally invested in this book and I find myself still thinking about it.  Pick this one up or if you have the chance- listen to it!  So worth it. 

Final book of this post-

 
 
I had never read anything by this author before.  I can remember seeing her novels on the shelves at the bookstore and at the library, but  just never chose them.  I take that back, I did check out "Hope in a Jar" once on audio book and never got a chance to listen to it before needing to return it to the library.  I won't make that mistake again. 

I liked this book.  I bought this book on my Kindle based on a brief summary on a Facebook banner ad!  (I know right?  Who'd of thunk it?!)

The idea of this book is- "Do you ever really get over your first love?"  And how does it shape you for future relationships?  This story is told between the main character from both the past and present.  We get a detail account of her first love relationship and how it is affecting her as an adult in the present.  This was a fast read, enjoyable and fun to think about.  Nothing heavy, just a fun little trip. 

Okay reading fans- still about six more weeks of summer reading fun to be had....go on out get some.  Be sure to check back and let me know all about it.  If nothing else- tell me which you prefer-

MAYONNAISE or Miracle Whip? 
 

 
 

Passing Conversation

Beloved and I were sitting in our tv viewing chairs watching "America's Got Talent." I was half watching as I was working on my laptop. Beloved was working on something else too and the tv was serving as background noise. I'm not even sure how closely he was even paying attention to the program.

A singer had just finished his performance and was receiving his remarks from the judges. The comments were not very favorable and when they were finished, the host asked what the singer thought of the comments. He said, "Well, I've never been criticized for anything ever before in my life, so I'm taking all their comments in because I want to get better."

Well, that perked up my ears. I looked up and said-"Seriously, he's never been critized for anything -ever in his life? Really?"

Beloved doesn't look up but says "Obviously he's never been married or in a serious relationship then."

You know, he doesn't miss a trick. Dammit.

Because it bears worth repeating

Friday, June 17 is National Flip Flop Day sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  If you want to know all about this great event click on the link. 

 
(Doesn't this image just scream SUMMER TIME and the BEACH!!)

All that being said, I do have a couple of funny little tidbits to share with you.

Remember a few weeks ago I chose the "Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars as one of my Saturday Soundtracks?  I mentioned that the song did have a one lyric that was a bit cheeky and in my opinion kind of ruined the song for me.  Last night I was driving in the car with Youngest and a couple of her friends.  The radio was on and that song came on and the girls all started singing it.  (Really- the song is quite catchy and you can't help but want to sing along...)  Well, I temporarily forgot about that one part and remembered just as it was coming up and reacted by singing over the lyrics...."lalalalalalalal."  However, the girls surprised me and said, "Don't worry we have are own lyrics for that part." 

"Oh, and what that might be?"

"We say...."(instead of "have some really nice sex")   "Send a really nice text."

It reminded me of the times when in college and we would be in bars and the Billy Idol version of the song, "Mony, Mony" would come on and we would change the lyrics.  Remember the part where folks would shout out "Get L#%$   Get F%^&*#!"  ?  Well- my nerdy friends and I would chant at that part- "Get a job, Go to Church!" 

Next up, a friend and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance who  is probably the most unique thinking individual we both know.  This person is very single minded in her quest to create a world solely dedicated to her wants and desires.  Her way is always the right way and she is unabashedly not afraid to exhibit hypocritical opinions. 

Case in point, this person is hyper-critical of other folks parenting styles.  She's extremely over protective of her kids and I've witnessed her over the top behavior on more than one occasion.  Which is why this particular bit is so hysterical and such a dichotomy.  This is how it went down...Her son was planning a sleepover with  my other friend's son.  At the last minute plans had to be changed and she asked if her son could just come over to their house to  have a play date instead.  "Sure come on over," my friend invited.  When they arrived, this gal hands a bag to my friend's husband and says- "Here, I brought this for the kids to play with." 

He looks inside and sees an assortment of fireworks.  (I might mention at this point that the sale of fireworks is illegal in our state.  However, you can drive right over the border  and buy them.  We live on the state border.)  Friend's husband says, "Oh- thanks, but I don't think this is such a good idea."

Gal says- "Why?  I only bought fireworks that were age appropriate."

Is that like saying, "Here, go play with these matches kids, they are more age appropriate than this lighter."  Or, "hey, go play with daddy's guns, but don't touch the ones that aren't age appropriate."  Or maybe, "Go ahead and play in the street kids as long as you wear that reflective vest." 

I know I'm being a bit on the sarcastic side, but I can't help it.  The idea that there is such an idea of 'age appropriate fireworks struck our funny bone.  We couldn't stop laughing. 

 

Do you have any funny song lyrics stories?  Or any age appropriate stories to share?  Would love to hear them all!   

 

Whatever....Wednesday

  What is it about Wednesday's that lend themselves to me wanting to put a tag on it?  Words of Wisdom Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday and NOW- it's WHATEVER....Wednesday.  Mainly because that's exactly how I feel....whatever.....

I'm not actually grouchy, though...

Here's what I have been thinking about...

1.  I have only one more day of lunches to pack!  Good thing because I'm scraping the bottom of the what's acceptable for lunch barrel.   I just haven't been feeling it lately- so, sorry kids.

2.  I'm being sucked into the vortex of the the worst reality tv programming on earth...I can't help myself.  It's like the train wreck of TV- I can't not look.  Case in point- check out these two winners...

Tracey and Olivia from Jerseylicious from the Style Network.  I'm in love with these two gals and all their shenanigans.

This next one is a new show and frankly- there really are no words.  One must watch and learn to really appreciate all that it is...

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding on the TLC network.  This photo doesn't even begin to scratch the service.

 
3.  Summer has not even officially begun and already I'm stressing about how fast it's going.  I know, I know that doesn't even make sense.  But our June is BOOKED and it will be after the July 4th holiday before things let up and everyone knows once it's the 4th of July- summer is almost over....

4.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  (I'm hoping it sinks in....)

5.  I talked about this briefly on my last podcast- but it bears mentioning again....

NEW FLAVORS from Ben & Jerry's .  My Top 3 picks are- Bonnar Buzz, Clusterfluff and Late Night Snack.  Check out their website for all the flavorful details.

6.  Dining Room Redo is almost done...will be sharing soon. 

And finally- on the tail of Memorial Day this video is worth sharing....

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Girl-Now you see it- Now you don't

A running joke between my mother and I is the fact that I put my makeup on with a little compact mirror.  She doesn't understand how I can see anything effectively enough to put makeup on  correctly or even a little heavy handed with such a tiny mirror.  Many times I find myself  putting  my makeup on in my car.  Usually, this is when I've been running late and need to jump in the car to take kids to school and then get on my merry way to work.  And, I like putting my makeup on in the car.  (I will add that I do not do this while driving.)

Applying your makeup in the car is actually not such a bad thing.  The natural light is great, much better than any lighting I have in my house.  What my mother can't get over is the mirror I use as my tool.  Until recently, it was actually the other half of a broken compact and if in the car, my rear view mirror.  Fortunately for me, my good buddy, B who completely understood my makeup applying habits, helped me,  by giving my a double sided mirror compact.  One side is normal and the other side is 10x magnifying. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is good for a number of reasons.  One, it does allow me to see things up close, especially when applying eye makeup.  But more importantly, and sometimes to my detriment, it shows every little blemish and unwanted hair.  Literally, I can spend an hour plucking on an especially sunny morning.  Let me tell you- if you've never examined your face up close and magnified in the sunlight, truly you don't know what you're missing.  Well, actually, you're probably missing a lot of hairs and plugged pores, but what you can't see can't hurt you. 

Here's the problem, sometimes I can't stop myself.  Case in point, I was tweezing my eyebrows.  Really, I was just cleaning up the strays when I spotted a crazy hair in the brow that would not be tamed.  In my zest to remove said hair, I kind of got some other crucial hairs that needed to stay in their place.  Well, once you mess with the balance, you have to even things out....and well I ended up totally changing the shape of ONE of my brows.  I really didn't have the stomach to do the same to the other brow, thereby changing my eyebrows completely!  So, I did a little adjusting trying to make things look even.  I'm not really happy with the brow situation at this time.  I'm letting the skinny brow grow back in - but man is it difficult to look at the regrowth and not want to clean it up - again- which is how I found myself in this situation. 

So- what about you?  Where do you apply your makeup?  At a well lit vanity or sitting on the toilet in your bathroom?  What size mirror and lighting must you have to get the job done? 

In Other News....

Did you watch the Oscars?   Admittedly, I did not.  I did check in for a few awards and to see how the co-hosts were doing.   Meehh?  Usually, I'm glued from the Red Carpet entrances until the final number.  I turned the tv off at around 10:30ish and didn't find out any of the big winners until this morning's news.  I will say I did like the ending number with the PS 22 Chorus- and then they had to go and have all those Oscar winners come out and well- it just sort  of ruined it for me at that point. 

So- what about you?  Did you watch?  Who was a fashion do or don't for you?  Honestly, I hadn't even seen one of the nominated movies.  So- what does that make me?  Clearly a person who does not get out much.  Ask me anything about Reality TV- that I could tell you....I probably will tune into the Fashion Police with Joan Rivers.  So glad she's back doing her thing...

 

So- what do you all think of Charlie Sheen?  What the heck, man?  This just gets better and better or worse and worse.  Did any of you catch his latest interview on ABC?  They had bits of it on Good Morning America with the full interview to air on 20/20 later this week.  All I can say is- OH MY GOSH.  You need help, my friend.  And- I think you are a big jerk!  Shame on you- think of all the people that  work on your show that  have families to support.   Think about someone other than yourself.  And yes- I know it's a disease- but he doesn't get a pass from me because he doesn't know when to shut it up! (This whole Goddess thing with the two women he lives with is just too much....)

Finally-I had my annual eye exam over the weekend.  Can you believe that the optometrist had the audacity to tell me I could move on to bifocals should I choose.  Should I choose?  I don't think so.  Or he said I could continue to hold things an arm lengths away if necessary.  That works for me just fine.  (I happened to pick up a pair of reading glasses today at the dollar store for emergencies purposes only.)  

 

Go Ahead and Blame the Snow and Ice on Me

Question:  How do you make sure that there will be an unexpected snow and ice storm?

Answer:  Go out and buy a cute pair of Black wedge heeled sandals after the big thaw in anticipation of Spring.

 

I'm sorry....but don't you just LOVE these? 

Who Knew?

Well, it's the day after the storm of the century.  It's still snowing as I write these words.  Beloved and Middle One have just come in from shoveling and snow-blowing galore.   I'm working from home today, catching up on all things administrative.

  Last night before heading home from work, I stopped at my local Super Walmart for some provisions.  (You can't survive a snowstorm without frozen fried cheese sticks and ice cream.)  I'm always entertained by the notion of folks running to the store before a snowstorm to stock up on bread and milk, because Lordy, Lordy, who knows when we'll be able to get out among the living again....Decades earlier that might of been the case, (unless of course you live in the country....) but by and large, most of us can get to a grocery or convenience store within a short amount of time.

I decided to do some perusing of the aisles to see if Walmart was prepared.  Bread aisle, looked pretty good, a few bare spots, but there were loaves to be had.  Milk aisle, fully locked and loaded and even on SALE.  Here's where things got tricky- there was not an egg to be found....

Okay- not the best photo taken with my phone, but that long line on the shelf are not eggs- they are the "Egg Beaters" spread out on the shelf to give the illusion of having egg product available.  I can somewhat understand the horror of not being able to make fried or scrambled eggs during a blizzard, but what I found next is where I was completely flabbergasted.

 
There wasn't a bag of sugar or flour to be found.  (Don't let that lone bag on the bottom shelf fool you- it's some speciality flour flung back in disappointment.)  I never knew that there was a run on Emergency Snowstorm baking...(now the eggs are starting to make a little more sense.)  Clearly, I have missed the boat on this phenomenon. 

What can't you live without during a storm?  What do you immediately run out and stock up on in preparation of a storm?  I'm kind of partial to the fixins' for chili and (cheese sticks, obviously.)

Stay warm out there!  Happy Baking!