I'm Not Vengeful

Well, it is just possible that I may be just a smidgen. And if any one of us would truly admit it, we all are a bit glad when someone gets what is due them. I am referring to Michael Vick. Now, you have to understand that I grew up in a home with dogs, all my life. And I had dogs and cats when I became married. But in the end, my preference, for the most part is dogs. Yes, it can be annoying when they greet you, even if you just went to the mailbox. And it can be a bit embarrassing when they smell your private area, when they live with you. I don't say hello to my husband or children 5 to 6 times a day, and yet, my canine feels the undesirable need to put her nose in my groin area. Odd little creatures.

But there are times where I look into those big brown eyes and I could just squish her to pieces. She asks little and gives everything. She lives simply...no Coach hand bags are in her foreseeable future. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk (or run). Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Be always grateful for each new day. (I borrowed this from a fellow Blogger, Thoughts Out Loud and it suited this post.)

I got the tail-end of an Animal Planet Special on the Michael Vick Dogs. And let me tell you, I firmly believe that that man did not get what he deserved. So there it is, my vengeful streak. I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. You evoke negativity, you will receive it directly back to you. How can anyone take advantage of such innocence? I know that there are abused children and the same goes for them. But, I have heard from experts over the years that people who have that mentality, cannot be retrained, rehabilitated. They have a completely different methodology as to how the order of the world runs. They are superior and everything and everyone else is beneath them and they have total control over them, no matter what that control may be.

Truth be told, I do not have much sympathy for those who choose to do these things to animals or children. It has been shown that serial killers start their careers by torturing, mutilating small animals and then progress to humans. But I am guessing that Michael Vick got enough arousal to stop there. Those poor dogs. I can only imagine what those who died went through before they met their maker. And yes, I believe there is a place for animals in the after life. I just can't believe that they give us so much and then all that is left is a pack of bones to turn to dust. Sorry, I don't buy into the whole, "Animals don't have souls." Gee, I don't know if I have a soul, so how can I condemn these loving creatures to eternal damnation if I can't prove.

If there is some credence to the adage 'What goes around comes around.' Then Michael is living proof those words do fall upon those who break the rules. And man did he step way over the line. First and foremost he lost his NFL contract(Big shocker there). Then his endorsers dropped him like a hot potato. He is serving jail time (Not enough in my opinion) and he had to pay for the sheltering and care of the animals that had resided on his property(For that definitely was not living). He also was ordered to donate monies to other animal shelters. I saw the public apology, but I am not buying into it. The saving grace to all of this is that when he gets out he will have to start all over and none of his old stomping grounds will be welcoming him with open arms.

Even though he has declared bankruptcy, I seriously doubt he will be living on beans and franks. So my concern for him does not run very deep. I know this post is coming off as if I am really mad. I guess I am. And what I am more mad at is that there are hundreds of other rings like this doing thee exact same thing. And who will speak for those animals.

To disprove what people have been ushered to believe, all of the pit bulls rescued from Vick's property, except for two(Who had to be put to sleep for injuries they received during their stay at Vick's), have been rehabilitated and adopted out, and many to homes with children...imagine that. One has even become a comfort dog for cancer patients and for a assisted living homes for senior citizens...who knew.

I just want people to realize that these dogs are not the monsters you have been led to believe they are. Anyone ever come across a chihuahua. Those little creatures are wicked. Can you imagine a 75 pound chihuahua? And there are many a dog bites going on, but thee only ones being reported or making headlines are the ones being delivered by pit bulls. Where's the bite(Pun completely intended) in reporting, 'Child gets 10 stitches by 5 pound chihuahua.', there is no sensationalism in that, so they scour hospitals, or where ever it is they find their information and plug it into the hungry public.

Who wants to see volunteer of the year, when we can see the gory dog bite inflicted by the neighborhood pit bull. We have a pit bull mix, and I will be the first to admit, that I was scared of her for the first few months we had her. And I was even tempted to return her to the pound, but due to the fact that she had been returned once already, I decided against it and kept her. She is now a 55 pound mass of baby.

I do not believe that our children and animals are protected enough or that the people who harm them are punished enough. I know we should turn thee other cheek, but what about that animal or child who did not have anyone there for them, should they have turned thee other cheek while they were being abused? I know thee answer is 'No', they should defend themselves as best possible, but that is not always an option. So again I say, who speaks for those poor children and animals? And when someone or some group does come to the defense of animals, they are seen as fanatics. Why is that? If someone or some group defends a child we are all behind them, but you let PETA say something and they are labeled as radicals. Well, I'd rather been viewed as a radical than as a bystander, who complacently stood by, watching or listening to the news and just nodded my head.

I applaud those who do come to the defense of those who cannot defend themselves, mostly children and animals. Yay to those who stick their necks out and put themselves in the line of fire or in harms way, for it is a risky business stepping on the toes of the 'defendants'...puh-leaze. Again, I apologize for dragging out my soapbox, but if you had seen the Animal Planet Special I saw and knew what had been purposely done to these unsuspecting, innocent animals, well, it would have made your stomach turn. I know it did mine.

In closing, I hope that people think about what they have been spoon-fed about certain animals and to go a step further, think about what you are being fed by 'Thee Authorities'. Don't get me started, you might get a longer post. Thanks for sticking around long enough to read this massive post, for this is a matter dear to my heart...fighting for the underdogs(Pun intended once again).

Medical Update

Well, I made it down to Miami and back in one piece...in a manner of speaking. Let's put it this way. I won't be doing any long distance traveling in the foreseeable future, that is for sure, in a car that is. But I was able to put a dent in the book I had been reading before surgery. The sofa I sit in, or any sofa for that matter, is so deep, that it is not good for my back just yet. Six weeks out and I am still having difficulty sitting properly...who knew.

We arrive on time, and get right to X-rays. Get this, they are backed up about 45 minutes. Got to love the big city. Now, remember, our appointment with the doctor/surgeon is at 1:00PM. We finish with X-rays about 1:30. So we let the doctors office know we are back. I tell my husband to ask the lady at the window if we have time to grab lunch. Also know that the cafeteria is about 20 steps from their office. In fact they can see the cafeteria from their door. So it would take someone form the doctors office about 15 seconds to come and retrieve us. But she informs my husband to sit and wait, it should be soon.

Now I need to stand, for sitting for long periods of time is still not good on my back, so I stand, walk, sit...whatever it takes to keep my back pain free. Well, we are standing on a rail in the waiting room when the ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) that is going to see us walks by. I gently grab her hand and ask her if we have time to grab some lunch (It is now 2:oo), and she says, "Go, got get something to eat, there are no rooms ready, and if one comes available, I will send for you." So we darted as best we could over to the eatery(I love that word) and grabbed a soup and sandwich. We came back and it was now nearly 3:00.

I thought we would be on the road by 3:00 and on our way home...NOT! So we sit, stand, walk and wait. Then we finally get called in about 3:30. We get in a room and luckily enough we do not sit and wait in there. What is it about doctors and getting us in the actual exam room and make us wait for another 15-30 minutes. Do they think by getting us out of the waiting room,that we will enjoy our waiting experience more. I mean come on, we have been waiting for nearly an hour, how can that be smoothed over. Sorry, got off on a tangent.

The ARNP comes in and we go over all that has happened to me since the surgery. She determines by my updates, that I need to have the doctor come in and see me. You have to remember, that this doctor is top 5 in the nation (And so gracious, to come to his defense), so when the ARNP cannot dismiss me, something must be afoot. So the doctor comes in with his 3 fledgling doctors to see my progress. I am going to back track here a minute, but it will be soooooo worth it.

When we had been sitting in the waiting room, there was a door leading into the room you enter in order to get you to your exam room. That is where they, meaning all the doctors, can view X-rays, and MRI's. Well, there is this kid, we can see through the little glass that is in the door, and I swear he must be all of 12. And I say to my husband, "Either they are getting younger, or I am getting older." I chose the former. I then inform my husband that this kid better hope he does not come into my exam room, for I am going to tear him to shreds about looking young. My husband starts to shake his head, for he knows I will hold true to my word.

So, we now have 5 people in the exam room, not counting my husband and myself. The first thing I say to this kid, who has a surfer dude hair cut is, (In my best surfer dudette voice) :Dude, where's your board?" Well, not only did he blush, but so did my husband along with thee most renowned surgeon in the nation. It was pure bliss for me. I was having fun at someone elses expense. So I walk for the doctor...on my toes, normally, and on my heals. Then I turn to said surfer dude doctor again and ask him, "You are old enough to shave...right?" I'm in heaven at this point and my husband is wanting to draw up divorce papers. And the surgeon wanted to know if I had been smoking happy cigarettes. I had hit the jackpot, someone thought I was off my rocker.

The entourage left, but the female of the trio interns came back in and answered some questions I had. The trio of interns were: Surfer Dude, Pretty Little Latin Barbie Doll, Asian Kid Shorter Than Me, and I am all of 5'2". I am guessing the Asian kid heaved a sigh of relief when his buddy got ribbed about his youth and someone left him alone about his height. Ain't life grand.

That was the highlight of my day. Now on to the grounding news. The surgeon himself is completely baffled as to why I am experiencing this severe tingling in my legs. And he said it to us, :I ahve no idea why this is happening." I know this makes him human, but when the top surgeon in nearly the world is bamboozled, then that scares you just a wee bit. So we are foo to an MRI in Deerfield Beech at 7:30 this coming Wednesday morning.

My husband and I are trying to go over what our options will be after the MRI comes back, and this is what we have come up with: 1) It's just something that will subside and time will take care of this. 2) We need to put you on some medication to help this 'thing' along. 3) This is something we cannot fix and you will live with this the rest of your life. 4) We can fix you, but we have to go back in.

Hellllloooo. I just went through what could be classified as pure hell, to get myself fixed and now I have this to deal with? Come on. Oh well, at least I am walking upright. I should be grateful. Tell me and my legs, when are walking aimlessly around the house at 3:00 AM to try and make the tingling sensation go away.

Sorry to vent, but I had to get it out. So, all we can do now is hurry up and wait. Send me more good thoughts my way and keep me in your thoughts. I am trying to be positive, but it is not so easy this time around, for I know what is ahead of me if we have to deal with option #4. So keep your eyes peeled and an update is on the horizon.

Let's Go Green

Well, I have been blog surfing. Is that even a word? Well, it is now. I am still on a quest to be more green, and thus far, we are doing as well as could be expected. Tropical Storm Fay has kept us from using our clothesline(Which has bothered me to no end). I am also still physically held back because I am still unable to BLT(Bend, Lift, Twist), so that limits what I can do here in the house.

I so want to go and turn off every light, and tell the children to not waste water when they are brushing their teeth, but I can only be in one lace at a time. But there is a little site, that I found I long time ago, and they have wonderful tidbits to help us be greener for us and the planet.

Please take a gander at this site, and you can sign up for free reminders as what to do to on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. We all know that you should clean your lint filter, but did you also know that if you wash that same lint filter, you will get more for your money...literally and figuratively.

So go and see Ideal Bite

Is It Just Me?

...or is there too much sexuality in advertising? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with sex, but there is a time and a place for it, and I think most of my readers would agree. What has started this tirade was a new M&M's commercial. If you have not seen it then check it out. It is the little Green Lady M&M. And she is doing a photo shoot, for her company, but it is laden with sexuality...trust me on this.

What are we telling our children. I can see it now, out on the school playground. A little 6 year old, licking her lips and pouting for little Johnny and his friends, because she saw it on a candy commercial.

I have seen it with other things as well. Rosetta Stone, great product, and yet, they have a new commercial with a woman in a red satin blouse, with have of her girls showing to the camera. I don't want to buy her bosoms, I want information on Rosetta Stone, just the facts ma'am. Now, I am guessing that the few male readers I do have will read this and go..."So, what's the problem?" Men...pffft. But would they want their daughter to be the one out on the playground showing Johnny and his friends how she has learned to pout her lips and lick all at the same time? I don't think so. Everything is hunky dory until it is your daughter. You can ogle all you want until someone is doing it to your teenage daughter who looks nothing like a teenager, because Mother Nature has blessed her. And whoever came up with the notion that being well endowed was a blessing. I tell you it is not. Who wants dirty old men drooling over you when you walk down the mall. Ick! I just want to take a shower when I see men looking at my daughter. You have to remember. She dresses super modestly and wears just a scant of lip gloss, so you tell me what are they looking at. She is by no means looking for attention like some of these Daisy-Duke wearing shorts girls are doing(hope they waxed).

I feel very strongly that our society and moreso our children are being exposed to way too much, way too early. It is my job to inform her of these things, not an episode of CSI. And yet, that is what is out there for our children to watch, read and ingest. Sex is everywhere. But could someone tell me why? Why is it a necessity in TV, and advertising, two of the largest venues that our children are exposed to. Movies, are a bit different. You have to pay for them, but TV is nearly in every room. Magazines grace practically every home in America. did you know that for the past 20 years, nearly every movie that has won an Oscar has been R rated!! I kid you not. And why is that necessary. Cannot we not make a good film, unless it has blatant sex and plenty of "F" words in it. Sex and violence does not a movie make. Did we not make some great films in our recent past did not need the in your face sex? I mean we all knew what happened when Rhett carried Scarlett up the stairs, but we did not need to see it.

I don't know, maybe I am just getting older and don't feel the need for so much sexuality. I know it's out there and I have 2 children, so I know it exists, but come on. Let's leave something to the imagination. And this is not only for the sexuality angle. That goes for violence and language as well. I know it is out there, but why do have to see it all the time. Move on guys.

And to think I tiny little M&M commercial got me this heated.

It's Electrifying

When I here those words, I think of one of the final songs on Grease. Well trust me, what I am experiencing is nothing like that at all. Yes. I am recovering from my surgery, but at a much slower pace than I thought. Now remember, I am not one to super push myself, but with this extensive of a surgery, I thought it best to do what is expected of me and met my body do the rest.

My pain from pre-surgery is 100% gone, and for that I am thankful. But I have had a side effect that is starting to interfere with my recovery. I felt the tingling in the bottoms of my feet straight out of surgery, but it was extremely slight and only on the bottoms of my feet. Now, it has covered both feet, intensified and traveled to mid-calf. It is effecting my gait, and my knees, because it is effecting my gait...it is becoming a domino effect, but not in a good way at all.

Last night it went to a new level, it kept me awake until 4 AM. It was more like a restless leg syndrome. I could not keep still or find a comfortable position. So both me and my husband slept in the TV room. I on the sofa so I could change positions easily as not to disturb him in bed (Which he refused to sleep in), and he on his recliner. I finally dozed off and slept for about an hour and a half. Hubby was up at 5:30 to get ready for work and I went back to bed, hoping to be able to rest and hopefully sleep. Eureka! I slept until 9AM. I needed my sleep.

I did place a call to the nurses who deal with post-op questions and and hoping to get a call back today. Something is not right. The first nurse I spoke to said this could be something that peaks and subsides, or something that I live with the rest of my life. WHAT! Tingling feet that rank about a 6.5 on the Richter Scale? Come on. This is not right. I want answers. I know medicine/science is not exact, but a pall bark figure would give me something to shoot for.

Let's see what the nurses tell me and keep your fingers crossed.

Run to Me

For those of us who are a bit older, this is a title of a Bee Gee's song. The lyrics are wonderful, but it is not the lyrics that I am here to blog about, it is the title itself.

As a parent you want to be there for you family, and moreso your children. It is your job to guide them, teach them, nurture them, and show them the ways of the world. It is a never ending process. I am 46 (As I type this post) and I am still learning things every day...and as it should be. Life is one huge lesson. Granted, the early years are the most moldable (I made that word up), but you still want to be there when you child calls form college and asks you if you starve a cold and feed a fever or vice versa. That is when you know that your child still needs you, if only a little bit.

You are their security blanket. You are mom...end of discussion. Yes, there may be an aunt who is on stand-by, or a dear friend of moms, who is willing to take up the slack, but bottom line, mom is mom, and no one can or should replace her. And yet the laws of nature come in and snatch us back to reality. It reminds of us of how frail we truly are. Even with all our modern technology, we cannot fix everything. And that to is a double edged sword.

We are prolonging lives that in all actuality, maybe, should not be prolonged. I have told my family time and time again, DO NOT!, I repeat, do not, keep me hooked up to any machines. That is not living, that is existing, and there is a huge difference. If I can no longer be a productive member of society (Save recovery times from accidents and surgeries), then I am taking up space. there will always be someone to take my place. That is the law of the land.

Sad as it may be for those left behind, the one that has left us is no longer in pain, or no longer suffering. It does not matter if you believe in a here after or not. I know I would not want to be kept alive by machines if I was suffering. And let's put aside the feelings of the person in question. What about their family? They are sitting by, not able to help them medically, watching them go through what they are going through. No one should be subjected to that. And inasmuch as seeing them leave us is painful, it is a far better place then to be here and all parties hurting.

Death is never a thing we want to go through, but it is part of life. The never ending cycle. I recently watched a movie with my daughter and husband. And the movie was about the struggle for a young bride to learn to deal with her husbands death. He died from brain cancer. She was lost. So he had written her letters to help her in the mourning process, for he knew she would do a lousy job all on her own. But what struck me was the reception after the funeral. They all met at her mothers pub/bar and paid homage to him. And people were laughing...and crying. But there you have it. In death we should still be able to remember the good things. Yes, you will cry, that is a natural reaction, but if you cannot find the happy memories, you will take that much longer to get through the grieving process.

Life goes on. And yet, no one wants to hear that when you are the one in pain. And there is so much pain in death. Your heart aches and you think the hurt will ever end, but it does eventually. and no one has the right to tell you to stop mourning. And everyone mourns differently. For some it is months, for others it is years. You will know when it is time to move on. But do not take too long, for life can and will pass you by. You are not the one that has died. And the one that has left us, would surely not want anyone to stand by and stop living. Living is for those that are alive. You cannot bring them back, they are gone. So do not dishonor them by wallowing in self pity. Yes, mourn, by all means. But then shake yourself off, pick yourself up and go on living.

My dear friend Katiebird, lost her mother Monday night to brain cancer. She is grieving and going through emotions she probably never thought she would. Please keep her in your thoughts.

They Know What They Are Doing

That's what I have to keep telling myself, and yet, it is not working.

Me: Nana, remember to to cut the onions really small for the sauce.
Skippy: Mom! I have made spaghetti at least ten times, I think I got it.
Me: Sorry I know you know, it's just a habit...a bad one, and I'm sorry that I keep reminding you like you have no clue. I know Aba(Cuban grandmother) does it all the time and it bothers me to no end to hear her say it and yet, I find myself doing the same darned thing.

How many of you with older children find yourself in a similar conversation. We have trained them, coached them, nurtured them, and even watched them do the things we have asked them to do and yet, we are constantly going behind them, or double checking, or reminding, or asking if they got it. We know they have, so why do we keep deflating their egos? If someone kept coming behind you asking you if you knew how to make your bed, or sweep your floors, you would eventually look them in the eye and tell them to get lost.

So why do we question our children. We do not do it on purpose, it is just a habit, but a habit I feel we need to stop.I know my daughter is very capable of many things, but I can't seem to stop questioning her. She gets the laundry done, dinner gets put on the table, so why do I keep on her back? I do not know, but I plan on trying my darnedest to stop.

If you find yourself asking your child about something they do all the time...STOP IT...they need that vote of confidence, and by not asking and double checking, you have solidified that they do indeed have the capability to do what we ask of them. No more double checking, as tough as it may be...just stop it!!

The Choices We Make

I read a blog recently where a mother had her children coming to her saying that got tummy aches when they ate fruit and vegetables. So she put on her mommies cap and told her little ones that she could make their tummy aches go away by taking them to the doctors and getting a shot with a huge needle. Well, needless to say, and with miraculous speed, her children were cured. Now here is what I find odd. She stated that her children never had tummy aches when they ate junk food.

What amazes me still, and yet it shouldn't, that there are still so many families who still purchase junk food. We all know that down side to processed foods, and well all know the benefits to fresh fruit and vegetables, so why are we still stuffing our faces with this crap that is pushed on us by the big conglomerates. I would like to see their dinner plates. I bet you a million bucks their dinner plates are not loaded with the stuff they are trying to sell us(The big shots, is who I am referring to). Guaranteed, they are living the good life with fresh fruit and vegetables. I want to know how people, and parents can sleep at night knowing they are blatantly putting poison into their children's bodies.

Maybe I am coming off as someone standing on a soapbox, but I still cannot believe that in this day and age that we buy into the advertising these morons are trying to push down our throats.Case in point. My nephew, he are already at 15 months, is having problems with his bowel movements. Fifteen months. Come on. What kind of diet are you already feeding this child. And if this what he will see as normal, what is he being set up for? Childhood obesity, childhood diabetes, and who knows what else.Was it difficult for us to let go of some of this processed foods we clung to? I would have to say yes. And it was not so much the taste of the food, but the convenience of the food. What's not to love about picking up a box of cereal and pouring into your bowl. But what are you doing to your body? It may no show up today, or even tomorrow, but it will come back and bite you in the butt(Which will definitely be bigger by eating that cereal) in the years to come.

We all have the power to make choices. Those choices are not easy ones, but we make them. I choose not to smoke. Is that a difficult decision? Not for me,for I see what it does. I choose to drink rarely, if ever. Is that a difficult decision for me? Not really. I can go months without touching a drop of liquor, and that makes me fell good. That lets me know that I am in control of my body and in control of my life.When I used to be in the working world I was a cashier at a popular grocery chain. I would see people come through my line and have three and four 12 packs of soda. I would ask them, "Are you having a party?" And they would answer, very matter-of-factly, "No, we buy this every time we shop(Which for most people is weekly). My expression probably gave away how I felt. I would tell them, that we don't have sodas in our home. And they were truly amazed at how that was possible. "How do you not have sodas in your home?" And I politely as possible looked them in the eye and said. "You buy the groceries don't you? Just don't buy them...end of discussion." "Oh no, there would be an uproar when I got home."I knew then the mentality I was dealing with. I feel bad for people who feel they are not in control. I used to hear it all the time. "My kids would be upset...my husband would not tolerate not having..." Those people amaze me. I also feel if you are not willing to do what it takes to make changes, then you have no right to complain.

Again that may be a biased view, but if you smoke, don't tell me how may times you have had bronchitis, or if you are a drinker, I do not want to hear about your hangover, and if you put an extra piece of cheesecake in your mouth, then I don't want to hear that your pants don't fit any longer. You are in control, you have the power to make changes. So make them, whether it is what color to paint the bathroom, or what meal you will cook tonight. Stand up for what you know is right, and for what you believe in.