Good Morning

I suddenly miss being awakened by Mike & Mike (the ESPN morning show) each morning since Army of Dad's clock radio started dying and now I wake up to an Indian Christian talk show. Although, I do have the urge to go to confession and then head to 7-Eleven for a Slurpee and a scratch-off.

A glass of water

While helping Little Bit clean her room Wednesday, I had to laugh. She's like Bo from the movie "Signs." There were at least 13 cups of water all over her room. I kept waiting for her to ask for a cup of water because there is a monster outside her window.

Of course, Army of Dad found another seven cups on the bathroom last night. I hadn't ventured in there.

Today's Society

I hate feeling all judgmental and stuff. *yes, that is a technical term* But, that is what I'm feeling right now. And, I know people are going to hate me for feeling this way.

*sigh*

Reading comments on Facebook that a friend made on someone else's page (someone I don't know). And, my mouth fell open.

Now, I don't have issues with people living together. *shhh, I did it.* And, premarital sex isn't that big of a deal to me when adults are involved ... etc etc. But, I do think it is a bit of a faux pas for someone to congratulate her adult (maybe 19-25 range) son and his GIRLFRIEND on their pregnancy.

I'm not saying the kids should be castigated or ridiculed, but do you really want to congratulate them? I guess I'm old-fashioned in the respect that I think you should get married, THEN get pregnant. And, if the pregnancy comes first - then get married before you announce it. Yeah, everyone will figure it out, but at least try.

The way it was posted implied to me that this was all fine and dandy and a great thing. Huh? Babies are always a blessing. However, some people are not ready for that little bundle of joy. When you're not committed enough to be married, are you really ready to become parents together? That is one of the hardest partnerships I've ever done in my entire life.

And, if the couple shouldn't get married, then are you really that excited/proud/etc. that they're having a baby together?

I know this post will get people all up in arms about me and I'm sorry (in advance). I know plenty of unwed mothers who've done a fine job. And, a few unwed fathers who took on their babies and did fine. That is awesome. I'm just saying that the whole marriage/commitment thing really helps when it comes to raising a child.

And, it just doesn't seem to communicate all those values to me when you post a picture of the couple and write "Congratulations to my son and his girlfriend on the upcoming birth of their baby!" I know things don't always go as planned ... and I hope I never have to post anything like that. I'd rather post "Congratulations to my son and his wife on the upcoming birth of their baby!" But, again, I hope I don't have to post that for at least another 10+ years either!!!!

All Modern Baby Goodies

I'm very excited at the prospect of a great new bag coming my way. I'm going to do a product review for All Modern Baby. The site has a ton of really neat high-end items for baby and parents.

I'm going to review a diaper bag/laptop bag provided by All Modern Baby. The "modern children's furniture site" carries a variety of products including Maclaren baby carriers and Stokke Tripp Trapp high chairs and much more. They are a U.S. based store but they offer shipping to both the U.S. and Canada.

I'm going to look very hip carrying the kids' goodies and even my laptop in the new bag. I'll take a picture of me looking all trendy and let you know how well it works for me.

Dance Your Ass Off

I love this show!!!! Dance Your Ass Off takes the best of the Biggest Loser and the Dancing with the Stars and makes you cheer for these folks who aren't afraid to get up there and dance.

Makes me want to get back on the cross-trainer in the morning.

Hitting a little too close to home

Apparently, I've offended the old people who have found themselves at Army of Mom.

Normally, I would apologize. I hate offending people. But, you know what? Just like any stereotyping and characterizations - there are always exceptions. If you are an exception to the stereotype - don't be offended because you're not like that.

However, if you are a turd to people at the rec center gym, then, by all means - don't let the door hit your walker on the way out.

I like a lot of old people in spite of the dumb things they do and I know in the not so far-off future, I'll be a goofy old person, too. Hell, I already have the inability to use the self-checkout line at the grocery store or program a DVD player. *shrug*

Ok, so, pissed off old folks. Sorry. But, I stand by my earlier post. *ducking thrown dentures*

An open letter to old people

Just because you've had the luxury of living a long time does not give you the right to be an asshole.

Every weekday at the rec center where I work out, they have an hour blocked off for Seniorcize. Good for you staying active and healthy. Kudos to you. I know in that window of time that from 10-10:15 I can't use the cardio machines. Fine. I know from 10:15 to 11, I can't use the weight room, either. Fine.

So, DON'T tell me to get off a weight machine at 9:55 a.m. especially when there is an identical freaking machine right next to it. I shit you not. I was getting on the bicep curl machine (my official name for it) and it has a twin machine right next to it. I'm adjusting the seat when I look up to see an old guy smiling at me. I figured he was smiling because I'm so short that I have to raise the seat to do the curls properly. Nope, he walks up and says "I was planning to use that machine." I look over at the empty identical machine next to it and just walked over there. Come on, grandpa. You were not at this machine because I was there long enough to walk up, adjust the weight amount, sit down to see if it was set right and then get up to adjust the seat when he walked up from across the room. *shaking my head* So, I just walked over to the identical machine and did it there. Asshole.

And, while I'm on my rant, you people only have so much time left in this life. Could you put your foot on the right pedal in your Oldsmobile and speed it up a little bit? I mean, come on. Time is limited and it will take you forever to get where you're going at that pace.

*putting away soapbox*

You think its hot here

Today, Dallas will reach 102 or 103 and when you're walking on a parking lot, it feels even hotter. But, I may not whine too much when I look at this picture. Yep, that thermometer says 130 degrees F. That is from a friend of mine in Iraq. So, next time you're sweating outside, just be glad you're not in BDUs carrying a giant pack of stuff and getting shot at or avoiding IEDs. Oh yeah, and sand boas. He said they found one under a tent while having a barbecue. Lovely. So, you know, raise a glass to the soldiers who are braving the heat to keep the terrorists at bay.

Playin' possum

Yep, we're just hanging around this summer, staying busy. Ha. I woke up early this morning and got a call at 7:05 a.m. from my next door neighbor. She discovered a possum had gotten in her garage before she closed the garage door last night and it trashed the place. It had peed and pooped and was hiding under a storage shelf and she couldn't get it out. She had to leave for work and didn't know what to do. So, she told me she would leave the garage door open to let the smell get out and hopefully the critter would leave, too. No such luck. So, eventually I had the grand idea of calling the animal control people to come retrieve the critter. Mainly because I didn't think it was a good idea to poke it with a broom handle in case that pissed it off. Plus, it was looking at me. So, this afternoon the animal control guy arrives while I'm picking up kids from VBS. So, I told Pickle if I was gone, to take pictures. So, he did. Apparently, the animal control guy just stuck his hand under the shelving unit and grabbed the possum by its tail. And, lo and behold, it was a she. A momma to be more precise with four or five babies attached to her.

Never a dull moment in our lives, is there?

My LOLcat

This was my dad's cat and a picture I took a few years ago. It just looked very LOLcattish. :) I'll let you know if they pick it to post.

Welcome to the Real World

*taking deep breaths*

I can't tell you how many people I know who've lost their job because of the crummy economy. I also know a stable of people who are the lucky ones. Ok, lucky may be a strange word for it. But, they have jobs, at least. They may have taken a 10 percent pay cut or lost benefits.

I think the striking Bell Helicopter workers are making a bad choice. Bless their hearts, *note the sarcasm* they got a 3 percent raise and a bonus, but they're going to have to pay more for their health benefits. Cry me a river. Join the rest of the world. Or you know what? You can opt not to take their medical insurance and get your own if you think you can get a better deal.

Apparently, Bell wants to eliminate its janitorial staff and outsource that function and that may be part of the strike, too. That is admirable that the union doesn't want to see these folks lose jobs, but come on. That kind of work is easier to find. Your manufacturing job will soon be a thing of the past as your job is outsourced overseas. I don't think I'd push myself out of a job by demanding more. Just me.