Evil Men Have Hearts Too

Remember when you were a kid… and there was always one old scary mean man that lived somewhere in a run down house… and NOBODY EVER WANTED TO GO THERE OR TALK TO HIM because he WAS the “Scary Man”. Well, now even into adulthood, some business owners have that sort of reputation too…and so goes it with a man down the road from my shop. I own a pickup garage, and this company is a new business for us…only open since May 2006. There is another diesel shop just down the road from me, and the owner has the “scary man” reputation. I’ve heard horror stories from customers that state they will never step foot in his shop again EVER. Well, I’ve never met the man, even though we are technically competitors. I’ve never believed as a business owner to ever bad mouth another similar business; it just doesn’t need to be done. It’s unprofessional and only would lower me to that level. So, when I’m ever bombarded with another bad experience story of this man, I simply state, “I’ve actually never met him. I’m sorry you had a bad experience there, we will certainly do our best to serve your repair needs professionally here.” Well, wouldn’t you know it… a few days ago one of the dealerships delivered some of his parts to my shop in error? My manager came to me and asked me how I wanted him to handle this. I stated that this would be the perfect time to finally meet this man and offer a hand of business friendship. I instructed him to hand deliver the parts to his shop and let him know what happened, and to offer him a business card and tell the man that if we can ever be of any service to him, just call. My manager looked at me with that perfect expression of a child that is about to be dared to knock on the “Scary Man’s” door. I told him not to worry…that rumors are usually exaggerated and he’s probably not that bad. So, off he went. A short time later, my manager came back and told me this…”I did what you asked and how you asked because I respect you and my job. However, if I ever see this man again I cannot be responsible for what I might say or how I might treat him. He is the BIGGEST DICK I’ve ever had the displeasure to encounter.” I asked him what in the world happened, and he told me this story. He showed up at the guy’s shop with parts and invoice in hand (actually in both hands). The business owner was on the phone literally SCREAMING at someone on the other end, and with the same breaths was SCREAMING at one of his own mechanics. My guy determines that he’s screaming at the dealership about the whereabouts of his missing parts. He says, “Oh, here’s a guy now…it better G__ Damn be the parts!”, and slams down the telephone receiver. He jerks the parts out of one hand of my manager and throws them at his mechanic and yells at him in a very condescending manner and demands that he finish the job RIGHT NOW. My guy is still standing there (mostly dumbfounded) because he hasn’t yet had an opportunity between Scary Man’s outbursts to let him know who he was, and how we came by his parts in error. Scary Man jerks the other parts out of my guy’s other hand and just flings them out into his shop hitting the floor with a skid. My guy is still standing there with an invoice, and Scary Man then jerks the paperwork out of his other hand and throws that on his desk as papers fly and rudely lets him know that “he could go now…what are you doing just standing there?” My manager quietly offers a handshake and a business card and lets him know who he actually is. My guy says you could see the color leave Scary Man’s face. My guy left feeling like every rumor he’d ever heard about this fellow was more than true…and a little disappointed inside that try as he might, his manners didn’t overcome the man’s natural rage and fury at the world. He came back to the shop with this story, and I almost felt bad about ever sending him there in the first place. I told him to consider the source, and if a similar thing ever happened again, we would let the dealership pick up their own parts and re-deliver them to the rightful place. Then…lo and behold…the sun rose the next morning to a new day, and guess who came walking into my shop? Oh my goodness, it was Scary Man in the flesh. He came in to see my manager to apologize and give him a gift certificate to Wendy’s for some free lunch. He was in and out so fast; I did not even realize who he was. After his departure, my manager came up to my office and asked me if I saw him. I said, “I saw a guy come in and immediately leave, but he did not speak to me other than to ask for you.” He said that was Scary Man and told me of his kind gesture. I immediately penned (typed) a short letter to him stating that I was the owner and was sorry we did not get formally introduced but that I thought his gesture of kindness was commendable and I appreciated his effort. I again offered a hand of business friendship and sent the letter off in the mail. I doubt we will ever have much if anything to do with him in the future, and I have no idea if he received his letter or not, but it was nice to see evil have a kind face if only just for a moment. So, here’s hugs to Scary Man…may he be blessed with kind thoughts and a reconsideration of attitude.

Congratulations Quaid Sterling

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos CONGRATULATIONS SON! Yesterday was a very proud day in our household, and yet another small moment for Mom’s “eye to leak”. It was a perfect Kodak moment like you’ve seen on TV before and as usual…I didn’t have the “Kodak” out. After work, I beat the husband home by only a few minutes. My youngest son Quaid was already home, and his girlfriend was over. We were visiting in the kitchen as within a few more minutes like with every day…husband comes strolling in with the day’s mail. He joins in our benign conversations as he doles out the daily mail to each recipient accordingly. He nonchalantly hands my son Quaid his envelope, and as with a typical teenager…he doesn’t even really look at the envelope, he just turns it over to open it up as we all continue gabbing. A strange silence comes over him as he reads the words on the page. I noticed that he had stopped talking, and we look over at him and ask, “Son…is everything OK? Who is that letter from?” With a priceless look of some shock and some pride, he just silently handed me the page in his hand. With just a bit of trepidation, I took it and began to read… “Congratulations Quaid on your acceptance and admission to the University of Nevada Reno…blah blah blah…we look forward to having you on campus in the fall…” Being the sappy mother I am, and not really expecting this type of letter when he handed it to me…my silly eyes watered up again as I managed to squeak out a voice broken “Congratulations Son!, you’re making Mom’s eye leak again”. My husband immediately took the letter from my hand and read for himself. It was a really touching “man’s moment” as I watched my husband stretch out his hand and shake Quaid’s hand in congratulations and then give him a big hug as he said, “I’m proud of you son.” Thank goodness he added some humor to break up Mom’s little over-emotional moment as he said…”Just think honey… it looks like someday we will get put in a good home after all.” Good for Quaid. We are all proud and excited. Boy, those little moments that literally only come once in a lifetime, and how precious they are. Good luck to all our local college freshmen next fall. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Birthday Fun

Find out all kinds of neat facts about the day you were born. This is a very informative and fun little site. CLICK HERE to enter your birthday and find out about it...

Public Forum on Urine Drug Testing

I don't know who this guy is, but he's my HERO! AMEN Brother, you're preaching some good stuff! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

America's Victory '08

My readers may have noticed that some of my lengthy political posts have fallen by the wayside as of late. There is a reason for that, but it doesn't mean that I have completely quit writing what I believe to be some quality posts. I was recently invited to be a contributing author on a great new site called America's Victory '08. This site is unique in that while it is a highly CONSERVATIVE website, it ISN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT Republican or Democrat. It is a website that offers a new perspective on the desperate need for our country to come back to its original conservative values. It promotes the need for us all to read important views and factual documentation regarding what our nation needs to do in order for conservative values and candidates to win back our government in 2008. If my readers should like to read the articles that I have published there and comment on my beliefs of the conservative perspective, I highly encourage you to check out these links. Please comment there if you find something you like, it would be nice to see that some of you have found the site and I know you've read. There are some really good writers there, and I'm honored to be considered worthy to be published among them :) Benign Hypersensitivity May Be Real Common Current Eents - Proof of Demise of Conservatism If I Did It Jewish Leaders Consider Openly Gay Rabbis OK Lack of Repercussions - The Demise of Conservatism Home Grown Terror May Be Beginning

Barbara Walters Down The Toilet

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Barbara Walters, you are not only on the toilet (a PhotoShop doctored photo of course), you are in my opinion now in the toilet and officially flushed down the toilet as far as my attention toward you will ever be given again. I cannot believe that our society has gotten as bored, or stupid as a whole that we even give “news” like the Rosie O’Donnell vs. Donald Trump “war” the time of day. But some have, and it continues to amaze me that Americans have nothing better to do than give credibility to idiocy. And here I am writing about it too…eeekkk! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I’m writing this post though to Barbara Walters. Rosie O’Donnell who is in my opinion a big mouth left wing nut job started this whole thing, and while I admire Donald Trump for making some statement to the fact, even he has carried this too far. I am most disappointed in Barbara Walters. I have long defended Ms. Walters as a highly respected journalist, business woman, and an asset to the news community. I grew up watching her and although the old Saturday Night Live TV show was great, I always thought it sad that the original cast of that show picked on her as Baba Wawa. Well, maybe after all these years, it’s been proven that they were correct. Maybe the late Gilda Radner saw the true Barbara Walters. Barbara Walters was one of the first businesswomen I remember noticing as I was coming of age. I always admired her toughness, her apparent honesty, and her dedication to excellence. Multitudes of special interviews with her questioning some of the most famous and even most dangerous personalities in the world have graced all of our televisions in times past. Later in her career, she launched the show The View. In its inception, it was a really good show. I always liked Star Jones on that show; in fact she was one of my favorites. Some rumble ensued when she left the show, and at least for me, I never really knew the real reason. I work full time, and rarely got to watch anyway. Then, of all things, Ms. Walters chose Rosie O’Donnell to take her place. I was shocked then, and it’s never stopped. Rosie is nothing but trouble and a complete shit stirrer. I caught a few episodes here and there, but after Rosie joined the line-up, the show just declined. Even Joy Behar has morphed into something less than she used to be after Rosie came on board. It’s really sad. In one of the latest rounds of banter between Donald Trump and Ms. (or Mr. as she acts) O’Donnell, when he sent her the letter…the show The View only had one response, “Be sure to tune in tomorrow”. Now, I thought in that letter, that Donald Trump sort of threw Barbara Walters under the bus so to speak. However, she had it coming. But, I was still remembering the Walters that I “knew”, the one that I thought highly of, and the one that would NEVER LET HER PRISTINE REPUTATION BE TARNISHED ANY FURTHER. I thought possibly that Ms. Walters would do the right thing and come on the show and in her usual class and flair quote the famous Trump and simply say, “Ms. O’Donnell…you’re fired.” Boy was I WRONG! Ms. Barbara Walters sold her soul to the ratings devil for money and hype. She flushed her entire career down the toilet to stand behind a woman who exudes a trailer trash diva personality. She could not even look up at the camera when she made her comments. Ms. Walters, you of all people…who have spent YEARS “appearing” to stand for the right thing and “appearing” to be a woman that would tell the absolute truth hell be damned, have lowered yourself to the level of the scum around you. Yes, you DID get the highest ratings the day you called Donald Trump a poor pitiful man and lowered yourself to “high five” your “girlfriend” Rosie on national television, but you need to realize this… The viewers and people that have admired you all these years were average people, elite people, educated people, and people of high character. While your admirers came from all walks of life, they all were people of moral aptitude. Your high ratings and success now will come from the likes of folks that break open a cheap beer and crack a bag of stale discount potato chips to glom in front of the TV to hoop it up over “quality broadcasts” like the Jerry Springer show. Congratulations Barbara, you have truly risen to the “top”. I hope it works well for you. As for me, I’m done with Barbara Walters. Your balls are gone, and your brass ovaries have turned to tin. You embarrass us all with your lack of ability to really tell the truth…and for what? Whether or not you actually told Donald Trump not to wallow with pigs, we’ll never know…none of us were privy to that conversation. But you have lied with fleas and you have finally been bitten. You can now proudly rank yourself at your late age with the likes of the other celebrity divas like Paris Hilton. Harry Reasoner is probably rolling over in his grave Baba Wawa. Hope you’re happy spending your money earned at the cost of your character and reputation.

My Wonderful Holiday Season 2006

THANK GOODNESS the holidays and all the business and clean-up afterward is over! We are especially busy during the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. Those two holidays sneak up on each other, even though they are a month apart. So many parties and extra business duties come for us during this time. My birthday is December 30th, and my husband follows me on January 6th. And then, after that…it’s a rush to get year end paperwork together for three businesses, and in the middle of getting ready for year end taxes, the last quarter’s due diligence is demanded by good ‘ole Uncle Sam by January 15th. I am happy that I’ve completed my duties for the quarter, and can get back to more quality writing finally. I know I’m late (later than most), but still want to share my happy holiday stories. I got incredible presents this year, and like a child…I am still enjoying my new Christmas toys. My living room was filled to capacity with the ten of us that shared Christmas together, and we had a great time. There was much giving, but I must highlight my favorites… Husband gave me a gift more precious than diamonds. I received from him a most beautiful Canon EOS Rebel XTI digital 35mm camera. It is a 10 pixel camera with an amazing zoom lens, and he bought me a 75mm – 300mm large zoom lens, and a 60 macro lens for my birthday. It has so many functions, I will probably have to take some classes in order to learn how to use it, but I will have some amazing photographs in the end. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos My in-laws gave me a wonderful set of really heavy duty pots and pans that have been a lot of fun to use and try new cooking with. My old light-weight non-stick pans that flake and contribute to brain damage (according to some experts) have been tossed away. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos My oldest son gave me a robe from Bath & Body Works called the world’s most comfortable robe. Now, while one might think a bath robe is just another usual Christmas gift…trust me on this… If you’ve never put one of these on, you must put it on your list next year. I don’t know what magical fabric this thing is made of, but if I could teach it to cook or clean…the husband would no longer be needed :) I put this robe on when I awoke to go to the bathroom after Christmas celebration, and could not bear to remove it afterward. I just wore it to bed, and then when I woke the next morning, I realized that getting up would actually require taking it off…bummer. If Bath & Body Works sells these again next year at Christmas, you should all consider giving one as a gift, you’ll be a hero! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos My youngest son got the award this year for making Mom cry. His gift was simple, but absolutely PRICELESS! As my readers know, I’ve spent a lot of blog posting time bragging on his ten year football career. He is a senior this year, and it was his last year to play. He played both sides of the ball on every team he ever played for, and his high school football career was successful, and he was a team captain this year. He played for Coach Ken Dalton, the most winning Nevada high school coach in many years. His coach has led this team for 25 years. His high school is a prominent one in the Reno area, and lots of photo ops are available. Well, I guess a local professional photographer had done an amazing photo of Quaid, and it had been hanging somewhere in the athletic department of my son’s high school all year. His coach let him have it at the end of the season, and he managed to hide it from me somehow until Christmas. He had it framed for me, and even autographed it. It looks just like something that is done for the NFL. When I opened this package, emotion immediately took me over and the tears just came. This photo is of him making a very nice tackle, and it will be cherished forever. I proudly have it hanging in my office at work. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Soon after Christmas, came my birthday. We have a big rig truck shop where 17 employees live. My husband runs that business, and when we bought our smaller company this year (pickup garage), I left the home company to run the smaller one full time. I have a great crew of just four guys. It’s just my guys and me each day growing the new company. My guys surprised me at work for my birthday with a little party. My shop manager's wife came in with their adorable toddler, and she gave me flowers. One of my mechanics is actually an accomplished chef on the side, and brought in an entire meal. Honoring my redneck Texan heritage, he brought chicken-fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes and a homemade cheesecake complete with homemade raspberry-chocolate puree to drip over it. It was a meal to die for, and it was such a nice surprise. Thanks guys, you are a great team and we are lucky owners to have such caring employees. It’s a pleasure to sign your paychecks each week. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos My birthday was actually Saturday. My day started in fine fashion with my husband and my youngest son taking me out to breakfast. Afterward, we took a drive around my husband’s favorite dream area for real estate and he dreamt of the possibility of living there one day. We took some photos, and enjoyed the nice day. My youngest son’s girlfriend was out of town for the local university’s football bowl game in Idaho. She used to live in that area, and was visiting with girlfriends. My cell phone rang, and it was an odd number on the ID. I answered, and I could hear a small choir of young excited women singing happy birthday. Then, I realized who it was, and was so moved that she took the time from her fun time on a football party weekend to call me and have her friends that don’t even know who I am, join her in singing me happy birthday. My day didn’t end there. My husband actually of his own volition made dinner reservations for me on my actual birthday at my favorite restaurant. If any of you ever travel to Reno for fun…Sterling’s Steakhouse at the Silver Legacy Hotel-Casino is in my opinion one of the very best restaurants in the city! Their crab cake appetizer is the bomb, and rivals any I ever had when I lived in the Deep South. We arrived at the casino early by some hours to have fun before dinner, but stopped to confirm our reservations on our way in. We showed up at the restaurant on time, and were a bit miffed that the host sat about three couples before us. When we were seated, there was confetti and glitter on my table, and a birthday card. I told my husband how sweet he was, and he declared that he wished he could take the credit, but he did not tell the manager it was my birthday when he made the reservations. Then, out of the blue…the waiter just showed up with a frosty 7 & 7 (my poison of choice), and the exact beer that my husband loves. Now…we are really confused. I again told my husband that he was lying…he had to tell someone something. Now we gamble, but we aren’t high rollers by any stretch. I do use a player’s card when we gamble, and about once a year I accumulate enough “points” to maybe get a free nice meal, or free concert tickets or the like. But in a restaurant like Sterling’s, I certainly don’t rate that kind of attention due to our play. I was a casino dealer for 20 years, and I know how much money one has to spend to get carte-blanch attention like I was getting. I asked the waiter how he knew what I drank (we maybe eat there three times a year), and he just grinned and stated it was just the magic service one should expect at a fine dining establishment. I enjoyed my crab cakes, an incredible filet-mignon, and vegetable sides of broccoli and shredded butternut squash, several cocktails and bread that will knock your socks off. We left and went downstairs to continue our little private party and had a blast. Later, while playing my favorite type of video poker and such my cell phone rang. It was my youngest son calling to see if I had a special card and my drink delivered to the table. He’s only 17, but he managed to call the manager of the restaurant and give instruction to make sure they made over Mom at dinner. My oldest son was in Denver to attend a folk concert and celebrate New Years with friends, but soon after, my phone rang again, and he knew about the plan too, and interrupted his good time at age 23 with his girlfriend and other friends to take a moment to share love and celebration on my behalf and in my honor. I have wonderful sons, and they have no idea how the smallest gestures can mean so much. I truly am blessed, and my holiday season was blessed this year due to my wonderful family. I hope all of you had a great holiday season as well.

Blog Birthday - Blah Blah Blog - The Soap Box Turns One

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAH BLAH BLOG – THE SOAP BOX! I have been so very busy since before the Christmas holiday that I have neglected my favorite hobby terribly of late. I even have to wish myself a belated birthday, that’s pretty bad :) Yesterday was actually the blog anniversary. I have had a great time with this blog, and have met some incredible people that have turned into regular readers. Now that the New Year is in full swing, I hope to get back to a more regular posting schedule. 21,153 kind folks have stopped by this blog in the last year; I hope that number grows in 2007. Thanks to those who read, and continue please to grace this spots presence with your time.

Gerald Ford Dies At 93

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos On a really cold snow flurry day in Reno, the flags fly at half mast in honor of Gerald Ford. Mr. Ford seemed to me to be a really decent man. A man that you don't often remember that way. I think ex-President Ford was a true American. I believe, somewhat like George W. Bush, he took over that office at a time when shit was hitting the fan, and he had the backbone and stamina to make it better. I was only 14 years old in 1976, and politics or the state of the union was the last thing on my mind. I had forgotten he pardoned President Nixon. I didn't realize that it was one of Charles Manson's followers that tried to assassinate him. I had forgotten that he only became Vice President after the fall of Spiro Agnew. Today, looking back at the history I do remember, I think even more of Gerald Ford. I was a bit taken back remembering, or just finding out the whole story of his pardon of Nixon that probably cost him the election following...but when I heard his quote...it brought it more into perspective. "If you cannot forgive someone, you might as well let that person live in your head forever rent free." That was paraphrased a bit from what I heard on the news this morning, but the gist is there. What an amazing insight. I would have hung Nixon for embarrassing the office and the GOP. May you rest in peace Mr. Ford, and may we all learn a bit from your common man approach and belief in the right thing to do and when to do it. You served our country well, and more than that...you served your family well for many years. That is truly the measure of a real man. I wonder if Jesus just can't help himself...and the welcoming party is just a little fancier and a little larger than life when someone like Gerald Ford shows up at the pearly gates? Click HERE to read about all the wonderful and famous people that left this world in 2006. There's quite an honorable list of rookies in heaven this year :)

A Blustery Day In Pooh Land

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos It was a blustery day in Pooh Land here in Reno today. Hard to see the snow flurries in the photo, but this was the view from the office. This is only our third little snow flurry day this season, thank goodness we are not holed up like the folks in Denver.

Aerosmith Rocks Reno!

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Oh my Gosh! Steven Tyler is still a babe, and Aerosmith still ROCKS! I had GREAT seats for the sold out show here in Reno Friday night, and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Guess I'm not too old to still party like a rock star! Too Much Fun...

I Am Time Magazine's Person Of The Year!

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos How Exciting! I am Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2006, and SO ARE YOU! I would like to thank all the little people that made this possible, and I am so proud to share this honor with my other millions of friends that are so deserving of this award. What a wonderful and bi-partisan surprise to find that all of us collectively made such a difference in the world this year that we won such a prestigious award. We The People, By The People, and For The People, what a concept! By golly, I think Time Magazine is onto something!

My Mystery Angel

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Help me identify my mystery angel. When I opened my new shop in May, I inherited some "stuff" left behind by the previous owner. I found this angel in a cabinet, and decided to bring her out to bless our little office tree. I call her my Christmachanakwansa angel, because I cannot identify her origin. I've never seen a dark haired angel before, and with the black hair and the beads, I thought maybe she was of Mexican descent. Some of my Hispanic clients and vendors didn't recognize her either. Perhaps Indian, I don't know. If you've ever seen an angel like her, let me know where you think she comes from. At any rate, she's beautiful, and makes a nice holiday conversation piece around our office :)

ATTR Rocks In The Christmas Season!

For our FOURTH year in a row, we had a stellar Christmas Party. Our three companies (American Truck & Trailer Repair, Inc., Dynamic Diesel, Inc., and All Trailer Supply, Inc.) combine all of our favorite people together in an annual Company / Client / Vendor Appreciation Christmas Party. I estimate approximately 150 people made it to this one, and we rocked in the Christmas season. Held at our favorite local watering hole Mud-Bugs Bar / Carolina Kitchen BB-Q Restaurant, we had a wonderful buffet of pot roast with potatoes & gravy, green beans, and Texas toast, enchiladas, Mexican rice & beans, lasagna, green salad and garlic bread, green salad, potato salad, broccoli rice & cheese casserole, pecan pie, chocolate pie, and banana pudding. YUM YUM. After dinner, and following some short announcements, we let the partying begin. The liquor flows, the dancing starts, and Kevin & I have the pleasure of watching our hard working employees, loyal clients, and dedicated vendors whoop it up and twist off a bit (sometimes a lot). It is a joy to see the smiles on so many faces, enjoy the conversations, and hear the laughter and music around the room. The incredible local band Fast Forward provided our entertainment, and did a wonderful job. Enjoy some of our photos below. Wish you could have all been there! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

My Son Gave Christmas Back To Me

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos My Son Clayton Gave Me Back My Christmas… For a few years now, I’ve really been a scrooge. We’ve traveled the last few Christmases, and my family is so far away in Texas. My children (now at 23 & 17) are so old, that the tree really didn’t matter, just the food and the presents (not to them, but how maybe I perceived it). We have been so busy trying to build a new company (first one, then two, and now three), that I’ve lost sight of what it is all about. This year, I was feeling even more impeded by the pressures of “getting it all done”. My husband is a typical macho type busy guy, and cannot be bothered with some details. He will tell me what he wants to give others, what he’d like to have for dinner, he’s generous, but he DOESN’T PARTICIPATE IN HANDLING ANY DETAIL…just sits back and watches it all come together…and then tells me how wonderful it was. Granted, that’s nice, but I have become to be bitter about that aspect, when maybe I should worry about the real meaning, and let the other fall where it might fall. I sometimes forget after eight years how wonderful my husband is. I forget that through all of our problems, he's done so much for me and our family. I am too quick sometimes to nag, and too slow to praise and appreciate. Before it even really started this year, the Christmas season was bearing down on me. I recognized that as a problem that was not indicative of “how I was raised”, and began to think of how that could change. I don’t want to lose my sight of Christmas. I don’t want to stray away from the way I was raised where the birth of Christ, Family, Love, and Giving is the true focus of Christmas. My oldest son is dating a wonderful woman who has a nine year old daughter. She is a really good kid, and has big brown eyes, long eyelashes, and a giggle that would drop any mother to her knees. I thought that maybe it was a child that was missing from my Christmas. I called my son and asked if the little girl would like to help me decorate my Christmas tree. He said she would love it, and we made a date. I thought the kids would drop her off and we would play. As it turned out, he called the day of the date, and they were all coming over, and my youngest son would be home too. WONDERFUL! But…now I wanted to have dinner for everyone after work, and accomplish the tree too. I left work, and went to the store, and came home just barely before everyone arrived. While I was cooking dinner, the kids and the new “granddaughter” began to rifle through my ornament collection. I’ve been buying gold plated ornaments from Danbury Mint since 2000 at the millennium. Since I haven’t put up a tree in several years, there were many boxes that were unopened. I let J. open them, and watched her giggle as each new box gave way to a different gold filigree miracle of art. Then, I began to watch into the living room as I was in the kitchen cooking, and I saw my 23 and 17 year old sons, along with the new “daughter-in-law” laugh and enjoy the ornaments, along with J. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos The pets got involved, and we found fun stuff to put on them and take photos. The kitty Poof found a stocking that he claimed as his own. Our dog Reno donned her “Reindeer Hat”. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos The wonderful ornaments with incredible detail portrayed images of Christ and the REAL meaning of Christmas, and we all commented on those things. It just became a real evening of joy and family togetherness. I don’t think I’ve had such a wonderful evening in some time. We had a wonderful dinner of two flavors of pork loin, cheesy mashed potatoes, broccoli & cheese, and buttery corn. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I realized that in my photos, it shows that I’m a bit of a clutter monster, and I don’t have a home that looks like a magazine house, but I couldn’t be more pleased with what I have. I do have a home, and my children and my love for all my family, immediate or acquired…blood or by marriage, whether here, or abroad, or whether together or away from each other, these are the reasons we have Christmas. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, and remember Joseph and Mary as one of the original families, and love and give. I remember that even outside Christmas I still see the North Star, and I remember the Wise Men and the adoration they gave the baby Jesus. I remember that Saint Nicholas was a patron saint that gave gifts to the poor and began the tradition of Santa Claus. I remember the wonderful menorahs and the beautiful people that celebrate Kwanza. During my “perfect Mommy night”, others sat sometimes, some didn’t do a whole lot; I got so busy with dinner and making that all come together, it REALLY BECAME CLAYTON that kept the whole tree decorating project on course. He really came through for me, and through some frustration and us all getting tired and being up late, and him away from his home, he made my night so special. I even have to admit that I might have been able to pull dinner together sooner than I did, but I was so filled with a joy that I’ve missed for a while watching all of them that I just embraced the moment and watched. It was too beautiful and watching my grown men sons loving the moment made that slack more than I could resist. I’ve already purchased Miss J’s present, and I wanted to have it wrapped and ready for her to find. The night prior, another friend called needing to talk, and we went out, and had fun, and again…I misplaced my duty to be on a schedule for this night. My newest girlfriend in my intimate family life came over with my son and her daughter and went into another room and just jumped right in. She shared with me that she LOVES wrapping gifts, and that is one of her favorite things of Christmas. I couldn’t have been more blessed, as that allowed me to give the child a wrapped present, and explain to her (as I think a Grandmother would) that the “most special person” gets to have the first present under the finished Christmas tree. Once again, I got to see those little brown eyes sparkle, and hear her giggle. She was happy, and as my late Mama Ann always said…, “Today I am blessed, for today I got to hear a child laugh”. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I remembered my saved keepsake...the Santa Claus MY MOTHER gave me when I was TWO. This is a 42 year old Santa doll. However, all the Christmases I had, this doll sat under our tree. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I remembered that one year of 20 I was a casino dealer...one September, I purchased a magical Santa, or Saint of Italy during the Italian Festival. I brought him out and once again hung him up. More memories, more joy. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I wasn’t using my normal camera, as with many of my failings, I left MY camera at the office. I had my husband’s camera, (which I've used maybe twice, he and my youngest make it work like a charm :) and the settings weren’t quite right, as the photos in this post weren’t all as good as I would like, but they were MY photos. These are very personal photos that shed light on my personal life and home (which I don’t share too much of on this blog), but this night was too wonderful not to share. I love my family, and loved this night more than some over a few years. Clayton Robbie, thank you for giving me my Christmas back. To my father, brother, and sisters...to my natural mother, my incredible step-mother, and half sisters and half brother I've never met...to my wonderful in-laws that live closer, but still not around the block...I love you all. Day to day life takes us away from those thoughts, and I'm thankful that I am trying to bring those thoughts more prevalent each day than those "normal" thoughts and pressures I have begun to call "important". PS: If this night wasn’t enough, while driving to work the next day…I was enjoying my drive and thinking it all over again, and my cell phone rang. Out of the clear blue, a friend of more than 10 years, (one I hired and had to fire at my company almost a year ago…) called to say…”I know K is out of town, and you have a big company party in two days…can I help…my day is free today”…I couldn’t believe it. It was like Christ Himself was trying to thump me on my head and bring back to me what I know to be true. My son gave me Christmas back, but my friends continue to help, and my Lord finds a way even in today’s 2006 attitude to show me that Christmas is a SPIRIT. Hope, Faith, & Love…and the greatest of these is love. CR…I LOVE YOU! Thank you for giving Mom her Christmas back! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Chris Angel Magic With Food

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos HOW DID HE DO THAT? I believe this is Chris Angel. This three minute video will stun you. Magic with food in a grocery store. Hmmnnn…We all know that there is an explanation to “magic tricks”, but some of these guys really amaze me. Enjoy.

Carson City Child Abusers GET MAXIMUM SENTENCE

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Justice was finally served in Carson City. Back in January I posted the horrific story of two children who were found and rescued from an apartment home in which they were held captive and locked in a bathroom and starved for almost five years! The oldest, a 16 year old girl managed to escape, and was reported to authorities when she was spotted walking down the street scantily clad and pushing a shopping cart full of blankets and frozen food, and appeared to be only 8 years old. These disgusting bad excuses for parents said they locked them up in fear they would steal food. When rescued, the 16 year old girl weighed about 40 pounds, and her 11 year old brother weighed only 30 pounds. The children are now doing well, and on a road to recovery and love. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos I think the death penalty would have been more appropriate, but at least each of the egregious offenders received the maximum penalty under the law. The mother Regina Rios was sentenced to 22-55 years in prison. The grandmother Esther Rios was sentenced to 28-70 years in prison. The step-father Tomas Granados received 14-35 years in prison. Abuser cries in photo below after listening to victim testimony of all the horrid abuse bestowed upon them over the five year period. I say the time for ‘cryin is long over. May you all rot in jail, and if you ever get out, may you rot in hell for eternity. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Can't Blog WHERE AND WHEN I NEED TO!

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos Sorry for no posts. I must have the Blogger.com flu. Ever since "Blogger Beta" came out, I cannot log on from my office. Well, that's where I have more time for quality data than I have time for at home after I finally get home and get business over with, not to mention trying to have a family and a life...HELLOOO that's what it really all about. I have some freaky glitch on my office PC (HP), and my home laptop is a Toshiba, and home PC is a Dell... I cannot log in at work during business hours. Everytime I put in my username and password, I get nothing. It all just clicks to blankness. I have deleted cookies, and re-enabled them. I have ordered Norton to allow Blogger as a safe site. I have done everything I think any paid IT guy would have done. I cannot figure it out. Just try...just try to e-mail Blogger Customer Service for help, that's like trying to lick your own balls. Everytime, you just get a "form" e-mail to try all the lame stuff you've already tried. I go to Blogger group sites and find that I'm not alone. LOTS OF PEOPLE have this same dilemma. Any suggestions? How the heck can you log in on two computers, but not on one other one, and all of your computers are set up the same damn way. I don't get it. BUT...WHEN I DO GET IT...many more posts will come. I have a lot to say, and no way to say it some days. Love ya all, wish I could comment on your great blogs, but the evil Blogger Genie has me on the "fuck you" list right now... :)