'Tis the Season..

Click here to play along!

1) Are you still feasting on cold turkey, or any other leftovers, from your Thanksgiving meal?
I have a little bit of the sides left - but my next "project" is to lose weight, and having all that stuff in the house doesn't help.  Little by little I'm getting it out of the house.  And since I didn't cook, I got to choose what I wanted to take home.  :)

2) AAA says Thanksgiving is a big travel weekend. Did you venture far from home for your holiday dinner?

Nah - about a mile and 1/2 down the road.  It's good to have peeps that are close :)

3) Is this weekend the official start of the Christmas season for you?

Not really.  I'm over the whole commercialization of Christmas.  I want to enjoy the season - not stress about gifts or spending money I don't have.  So while I enjoy the music - I'm not going to make myself nuts decorating or buying gifts.  Well, decorating, maybe.  LOL

4) Which couple would you rather hang out with -- Fred and Wilma Flintstone or George and Jane Jetson?

Oh jeez - that's a no brainer.  My feet like brake pedals - George and Jane.  Plus they had more electronic toys.  Oh, and bathrooms. 

5) Have you/would you ever get your teeth whitened?
Meh... I'm not sure.  They're not white white - but they're not meth black - but having been a smoker for a long time, I'm sure they have a little yellow to them.  Why, does it bother you?

6) Do you still have your high school class ring?

I never got one.  Didn't give a shit enough.  Either that or my parents refused to pay for it.  That's the more likely scenario.  I was told the day I turned 16 to get out and get a job, and start paying room & board.  Then if I wanted to go to college, to find the money myself.  Yeah.  They were so supportive and encouraged us to reach for the stars.   Really.  No seriously.  Yeah, you're right.  I'm lying. 

7) Here's $50. You must spend it all in one place. What are you going to do with it?

LOLOLOL  Maybe that should have been $500?  What was this written 10 years ago?  That won't even fill my gas tank!  But ooooh.... I love Home Goods.  Or Pier One.  To buy some cute Christmas decorations.  :)

8) Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash right about now?

Oh, I'm sure. 

9) Did you hit the snooze button this morning?

Nope - I try not to use an alarm on the weekends unless I absolutely have to.  During the week, though - sure - I'll smack that like Akon.  LOL

Happy Saturday - hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

oh so Thankful.....

on this delightful day - it's 43 degrees.  I woke up on my own, got up on my own, walked downstairs on my own, made my own coffee in my nice Keurig - and now am in front of my computer.  I am so thankful for everything that made that possible - my health, technology, a job to pay for these things and most of all?  Juan Valdez and his coffee beans.  :)

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, to spend time with loved ones, and to celebrate.  It's not about seeing how much you can stuff in your face in one sitting.  Although - some find that fun.  I'm not that into the tryptophan coma - so I pace myself.  :)

It's Thursday - so I'll do a Ten things Thursday (oooh - not a bad idea for a new meme.... eh?)...

Ten things I'm thankful for..

• The ability to stand up for myself  - I love the saying "stand up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone"... I've done that - it's not pretty, but in the end - I win (in a manner of speaking)..  I get to wake up every day and look at myself in the mirror and be happy with what I see.  No regrets.
  
• My job.  I may complain about it - because I'm bored occasionally - but you know what?  I have a job.  It pays me well.  There are many that don't have that. 
  
• My friends.  I really love my friends - they are proof that there is good karma.  I have some of the best friends that they're really not just friends, they're family.  And considering what some of my family is like?  I've been blessed.  :)
  
• My family.  My extended family.  While I am grateful for the ability to forgive (you can read about that here) my "immediate" family - I am grateful for my extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and people that I just adore, and love spending time with. 
  
• My niece.  I searched for her for years, and as fate would have it - she was right around the corner the whole time.  I should do a blog post on all that - sigh... some day.  But she is a wonderful young woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life - and to show her that she wasn't ever forgotten. 
  
• My son.  Oh, my son....  He keeps me on my toes.  LOL
  
•  The ability to stand up for my son.  And the ability to be able to say "shame on you" to each and every person on his father's side of the family that knows about him and chooses to ignore his presence.  I'm working on the forgiveness there.  But I know that it's their loss - and he doesn't miss anything he's never known.  But still.  Shame on you. 
  
• My neighbors.  I love my neighbors - and living in a neighborhood where I can leave my house open and not worry about it.  I don't have to lock my car at night.  It's truly a neighborhood where we enjoy spending time together, and look out for one another. 
  
• Food.  I love food.  Good food.  I love being able to cook - and I know I'm a good cook.  Not just dips - but food food.  Mmmmmmm... now I'm hungry.
  
• Last, but certainly not least - YOU.  I'm grateful for you.  You read here.  You care.  You laugh (hopefully).  You enjoy what I write.  And while there are some suspect ISP's that continue to pop up, and some strange searches that happen while some people are here - that's OK.  It's all part of the learning process.  LOL

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

MUAH!

Laws schmaws...

 Sunday Stealing! <---- :=":" along="along" br="br" click="click" here="here" play="play" to="to">
 
 Have You’s and What Ifs!
 
1. Have you anything to confess today? 
No... do you?  What did you see?  Did you talk to someone?  WTF?  How did you find out?  That BASTARD!
 
2. have you ever broken a law? If so, what was it?
Depends... Are we going by the laws of man, laws of nature,  Constitutional laws?  I need clarification before I can answer this, because it depends on which laws you speak of..

3. have you ever committed an act of betrayal against a friend or family member? explain.
Oh Jesus Mary and Joseph.  No, actually - I'll answer this one honestly.  NO.  Although there was that one time I brought my nephew around my son's father (aka baby daddy/putz) (he was maybe 18 months old?) and as a result she threw me out of her house and called me a fucking whore.  Yup.  Because when her kid grows up and if he ever cheats on his wife - it'll be my fault, right?  For bringing him around that bad bad man.  When he was a baby.  We didn't speak for almost 3 years after that.  Yeah.  We had a great relationship.  Ahhhhh sisters..... Oh and for those curious - that was before the boy was a year old, and when he still made an effort.  Here's proof.... this is actually a picture from that very day..

 

4. Has someone else done something that, to this day, makes you cringe when you think about them committing the act?. 
I look at that picture above and wonder what the HELL was I thinking?

5. Have you ever found yourself sexually aroused by someone that you absolutely should not have been? 
oh see #4....
 
6. have you ever cheated at school? how so?
I'm sure.  Come on - anyone that says they never looked any someone else's answers is just lying.  Or a total brainiac..
 
7. What if you came across a backpack stuffed with one hundred thousand dollars. Would you keep it?
maybe.  maybe it was drug money, and nobody is going to claim it.  maybe I'd sit on it a bit, to see if anyone said it was lost - and if they do - THEN come forward.  I'll admit it.  Heck, I could use the money..
 
8. What if you were the most powerful person in the world. How would you use that power?
For good.  Not evil.  I swear.  I don't care if they have cookies over there - I would be GOOD, dammit!
 
9. What if you found a magic lamp?
Oh, I'd rub and rub and rub, and then probably become sexually aroused by the genie.  Come on - haven't you ever seen those guys?  They're hot.  I'd make him my sex slave.  oh.  Whoops.  no.  I'd make wishes.  That's it.  Wishes.

10. What if you could change one thing about the world. What would that one thing be?
People that so much as THINK about hurting a child are stopped before they can act.  Wouldn't that be awesome?  And then the abused kids that grow up to use that as an excuse for hurting others won't have that any more.  Then I bet a lot of hurt in the world would stop.

11. What if you could take one thing back. What would that one thing be? 
Hmmmmm, I'm not sure.  I like the things that I have, I probably wouldn't take back anything that I've said or done... Maybe the $300 that I gave the FFW for Christmas money one year?  She really, between me and the ex - took a LOT of money from us.  Wow.  But again, it's forgiveness... that's right.  so nope.  I wouldn't take that back either.  

12. What if you were stuck on an island forever but had all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would you do?
Find a way to sink ships going by so I'd have company.  Sorry peeps - but I'd go freaking insane by myself.  LOL  I need to talk to people!

13. What if the internet didn't exist?
No Bejeweled?  Shut up.  Well for one?  I think the USPS wouldn't be doing so bad. :(
I'm sure there would be a lot more "family bonding time"...   I think that'd suck - I've gotten back in contact with so many friends and family members that I wouldn't have if not for the internet. 

14. What if you never started blogging?
Seriously?  Then how would you all know about me?  My life?  My trials and tribulations?  My struggles for equality..  my... yeah.  You're right.  I'm full of shit.  I just like to share.  And vent.  Hence the name "MY space... MY blog... MY life... no Apologies.  Don't like it?  Don't read.  :)
 
15. What are your November 22 Thanksgiving plans?
Having dinner with some of my family - not by blood but family by choice.  They're so much better sometimes..  :) 

Got the Blues for the Blues...

 

(This is last week's - that I missed because I was doing something - don't ask, it must have been important, after all I would never miss on purpose!)

1) Do you come up with your brightest ideas early in the morning or late at night?

In the shower.  All the time.  I don't know what it is, although, this week I'm more concerned about not pulling off steri-strips than thinking about how to garner world peace.  :)

2) Are you more likely to feel romantic at night or in the morning?

Shit, do I really need to answer this?  I'll take it whatever way I can get it, these days.  LOL

3) Do you shower in the morning, after work or before bed?

In the morning.  I can't shower at night - then I get bed head.  Who wants bed head?  Not me.  Although it'd give my normally straight hair some body - but still.  Yuck.

4) Billie Holiday was just 44 when she died. Is there an artist whose early demise surprised and saddened you?

All of those in the "28 club".  And they all make me sad - it's sad what drugs and alcohol will do to a person - and none of them needed to die as young as they did.  All of them could have been avoided.

5) Billie was known as "Lady Day." Do you have a cool nickname? (If not, feel free to give yourself one right now.) 

I kind of like Momzilla.  Or Westy.  Used to be Chesty Westy.  HAHAHA!  Not any MORE though!!!

6) When was the last time you had the blues?

GOD I miss the House of Blues.  I've always loved live Blues music, and I don't think there's anywhere around me that has it live on a regular basis.  Now I've got the blues for the blues.  Thanks.  Feel better?

7) Crazy Sam is eating Trader Joe's Snickerdoodles as she composes this. What's the last snack food you ate?

I don't know - but it wasn't anything from Trader Joe's.  I <3 2="2" a="a" away.="away." big="big" br="br" but="but" closest="closest" do="do" drive="drive" drove="drove" food="food" get="get" go="go" hours="hours" i="i" is="is" isn="isn" joe="joe" nbsp="nbsp" obsessive="obsessive" one="one" over="over" really="really" s.="s." snack="snack" some="some" someone="someone" t="t" tell="tell" that="that" the="the" to="to" trader="trader" want="want" worth="worth">
8) Do you worry about preserving endangered species? Or do you believe in survival of the fittest?

I'm going to tell you right now - if the zombie apocalypse happens, I'm a goner.  I don't have a gun, and while I can hit anyone with a frying pan - there are others that will survive longer than me.  So I'll be an endangered species when that happens.

9) Would you ever hire a lawyer who runs commercials on TV? Do you know anyone who has?

LOLOL  I used to work for a parking company in Boston.  One of our customers was Jim Sokolove - him of the many commercials.  He was the biggest douche, it was ridiculous.  I would never hire him.  I'm sure people have - but only because they don't know any better.   

 

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Saturday 9: Live and Let Die

1) "Live and Let Die" was nominated for an Oscar as best song. Do you have a favorite movie song?
Oh, dammit.  I was expecting stupid questions.  I wanted to give stupid answers!

I'm REALLY loving Adele's song for the new Bond movie.  It's just an instant classic, and is so "Bond-like" it's crazy. Here's a copy of the trailer - and you can hear the song here (if you live under a rock and haven't heard it already)

2) The latest Bond movie, Skyfall, is crazy successful. Have you seen it/do you want to see it?

I've heard that it's crazy good, which is why it's crazy successful.  Go figure!  I'm planning on seeing it.

3) What do you think makes Bond movies so enduringly popular?

Oh come on.  Hot guy.  Hot girls.  Hot cars.  It appeals to all of the masses.  Oh, and usually?  There's really good fight scenes.

4) Do you have a favorite among the actors who have played "Bond, James Bond?"

Sean Connery - it's the accent.  He's still hot, for an old guy..

5) Bond orders martinis -- "shaken, not stirred." What's your regular drink order?

Good God I love my beer.  And wine.  Oh, wine is divine.  But sometimes, around this time of year - a pumpkin martini is delightful too.  Let's face it - I'm a lush.

6) Moving from the bar to breakfast -- do you have a favorite cereal? 

My absolute favorite?  Honey Nut Cheerios mixed with Wheaties.  That's right.  I'm a mixer.  Don't judge.  

7) Let's daydream about warm weather. Would you rather swim in a lake, the ocean, or an outdoor pool?

OCEAN, OCEAN, OCEAN...

8) Did you get 8 hours' sleep last night?

At least - that's the thing about having a major surgery - it kind of knocks you out a bit.

9) What are you wearing on your feet right now?

 My favorite slippers - they're the ones I wore to the hospital, too.  They made people smile.  I love to make people smile.  \

See?

Thanks Amanda :) xoxo

Happy Saturday!

 

Things that make you go hmmmmmm

So I had a little surgery yesterday.  Reshaped the front of my body.  Chopped some of the girls off - which is something I've been talking about for YEARS.  I know I've mentioned it here before. 
I'm less than 24 hours post-op and wondering what the hell I waited so long for.  I actually woke up this morning with less back and neck pain than I've had since I don't know when. 
I can see my FEET.  And my stomach, but that's another story LOL  Time to work out!
I've always hated my picture being taken.  I actually let people take pictures of me yesterday - and for years I've been the one hiding in the background, or having my son sit in front of me.  Not any more.  I will be front and center from now on :)

It was my first time with general anesthesia - and the last thing I remember is them holding the oxygen mask over my face and then I woke up in recovery...  Go figure.  Easy as that!

So... I know that my friends Erin and Julie go see psychics, etc.  And sometimes, little things happen that make me wonder, "was that some kind of sign"?   Ever since I scheduled the surgery, I've been wondering what, if anything, you see/dream/think about while under the anesthesia.  I had thoughts of seeing my mother, Harriet - or others that have passed on.  Would that happen?  Well, if it did, I don't remember it. 


BUT... the nurse that gave me the awesome drugs before the general?  Her name was Maggie.  She was a student nurse, and a lot of fun.  My favorite aunt's name was Maggie.  I know - you would think that Harriet was my favorite aunt, but she wasn't - she was my person - like a sister, not an aunt.  Maggie is also the other person in my family that had the extra large boobs.  She actually died of breast cancer.  :(   I was so scared that they would find something when they opened mine up, but apparently not.  Whew... 

BUT... I woke up with a fat lip.  Seriously?  A fat lip.  And who gave it to me?  Maggie.  Not sure how, but all that matters was it was her.  LOL

If that's not a sign that they're all watching me, I don't know what is.  AND I don't know what I did.  But I'm sure I'll figure that out.

Stew on that one a bit. 

:)

Sometimes Karma is a beautiful thing

I wrote about this case Here - and how this girl could easily have been me, one of my friends, or any number of people.
He was sentenced on Monday.
Life in prison. Read Here  and here  for the sentencing and impact statements..   No possibility ever of parole - even if his murder conviction for some crazy reason was overturned. 


Here are her mother's words at the sentencing..

“I feel like I've been carrying this letter around in my head for over a year. Perhaps writing it down and saying it aloud will allow me to purge the hatred from my heart and mind. I no longer want thoughts of my daughter's murderer to have prime real estate inside my head. Better that I use that space for all the wonderful memories I have of Jenny.

“I think all parents have the fear of that phone call or knock on the door in the middle of the night — for us, it is a horrible reality. Dead? A suicide? It can't be real. Not Jenny. We're just normal people. The baby? Is he dead, too? After all the unbelievable events of that horrific night I sat in the dark and watched the sun begin to rise and thought, 'How can life go on? How can the sun still come up and people go to work when my heart and life has been ripped apart?'

You were a policeman, someone we have been taught to respect and trust. She considered you her friend. I guess to you, Jenny was just a 'booty call;' a plaything; never a friend. Friends don't murder their friends. Are you such a coward that you couldn't face your responsibilities as the baby's father? Funny, many men have faced the same problem but did the right thing. You decided it was easier to murder Jenny and your own baby? You sat and ate dinner while you planned out the murder. You distributed communion at your church while you were planning the murder. You coached your son's team while you calculated how to kill your other child. Evil monster are the only words I can think of for you.

“Thankfully you won't be able to hurt anyone else. You won't be able to have any more 'friends.' Hopefully no other 'friends' have died on your watch. There are so many victims in this selfish act of yours. Not only our family and hundreds of Jenny's friends, but your family, your mother, your son, your ex-wife — everyone that trusted you has to live with the horror of it. And all the good dedicated policemen and women who work every day to protect and serve, your evilness tarnishes all the good they try to do.

“This could have turned out very differently. Bless Jenny's heart, she fought for her life and for the life of her unborn baby. At first, I told detectives that I  hoped you had drugged her so she wouldn't have had to suffer or be scared,  but if that would have happened, you may have gotten away with it. There would have been no bloody fingerprints. If you had answered your radio in a timely fashion and Officer (Tim) Patterson hadn't come looking for you, you may have gotten away with it. If Jenny hadn't have been the person she was, maybe we may have believed suicide and you may have gotten away with it. But as I search my soul for a reason why, I sometimes feel that Jenny was used as a tool to stop you from doing this to others. Why God didn't strike you dead, I don't know. But however this fell into place, with the great job of the investigative team, no cover-up from your coworkers, a wonderful prosecuting team, and an intelligent jury, you didn't get away with it.

“As Jenny's family and friends, life as we know it will never be the same without her. But, the one consolation I have is that life for you will be the same, every day, for the rest of your life. Someone will tell you when to sleep, when to eat, when to shower, when to talk — same — day in, day out. So go to your cage and think about how you squeezed the life and breath out of my daughter and grandson and I hope it haunts you every day for the rest of your life.”

I've never wished death upon anyone, and I certainly don't wish it upon Bluew.  I wish him a long life.  In General Population.  Where everyone knows that he was a cop.  And a baby killer.

THAT is karma.  And I hope he knows what's coming.

RIP Jenny and Braxton... justice has been served on a silver platter.

Sunday... and even more about me??

Half Way Done (you want to know MORE about me?!??!)

Sunday Stealing: Who Are you? Part 3 & 4 – Is it over yet?
 

Part 3: Past

34. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Giving birth...

35. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Giving birth... LOL  I could use this answer for so many!  But other than my son?  Finally getting my Bachelor's degree.  On my own.  While being a single mom, working full time. 

36. What is your greatest regret?
Definitely NOT giving birth! LOL  Hmmm.... there are so many answers that I could give for this - but really?  I don't have regrets.  I have things that I wish I hadn't done, but if I hadn't done them, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

37. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Slept with someone else's husband.  I don't recommend it for anyone.

38. When was the time you were the most frightened?
I remember being in 2nd grade, I think?  And my siblings thought it would be funny to hold me against a fence where there were some pretty nasty Dobermans on the other side.   Yeah.  They were awesome.  Which is why we're so close now, right? 

39. What is your best memory?

 I remember riding bikes to Nantasket.  Not only was I shocked that I was allowed to go, I just remember feeling such a sense of freedom. 

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Optimist!

41. What is your greatest fear?
Really?  Dying alone.
 
42. What are your religious views?
Everybody needs a reason to believe.  I believe that there is a higher power than me.  Isn't that enough?

43. State a random opinion?
Teenage boys are dumb.

44. What are your views on sex?
Really?  LMAO... 

45. Are you able to cook?
I'm a damn good cook.  DAMN good.

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
I think that anyone that messes with a child in any way - molestation, murder, or just generally fucks with their head - they need to be shot.  Don't fuck with kids...

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I believe that when I look at some couples, that I believe that there has to be hope.

48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
Being able to look in the mirror and be happy with what you see.  If I died tomorrow, would I leave a legacy of good or bad?

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Sometimes TOO honest - it gets me in trouble.

50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I am going to plead the 5th on this one..

51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
There are a lot.  Sleeping with someone else's husband ever again.  Um... because it's wrong?  Anal sex.  Because Jesus - that'd hurt dammit!  Eat anything that is still alive.  No reason necessary.  Hurt a kid.  Same thing...   Should I go on?

52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
My kid, some of my family and most of my friends.  They all know who they are - I don't need to tell you.....

Happy Sunday :)

Saturday Nine/Sunday Stealing

I'm combining... so sue me LOL

What a crazy week - it's been busy.  Apparently watching a show on Netflix during your lunch hour, on the work PC, not only slows down the entire network - it sends a red flag to the IT department, which sends a notice to your supervisor, who has to "counsel" you on the "WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING'S" of watching a show on Netflix on the work PC.  Yikes.  So now?  My internet at work on the work PC is strictly verboten - unless it's work related.  Dammit. 

Here's the mememememememeeeeeeeee........

 Saturday 9: Key Largo

1) This song was inspired by the Bogart/Bacall movie of the same name. Do you have a favorite Humphrey Bogart film? Which one?

Nope.  I don't think I've ever seen one all the way through.  Does that make me a bad person?  Please.  Forgive me...

2) Where do you rent movies? (Netflix, Redbox, OnDemand, etc.)
Um.  Yeah.  Just not during work hours.  I swear.  LOL  Netflix and Redbox are the best!

3) Have you ever been to the Florida Keys?
Why yes, yes I have!  I've driven from Miami to Key West a number of times - one of my favorite places! And remember, when I was rich?  I used to go to Ocean Reef Club.  Look that one up.  That was a cool place - best Pina Colada around - especially with a coconut rum floater.  Mmmmmmmmm......  I know I'll never have the net worth to go there again, but oh, it was fun while it lasted!

4) According to government statistics, more than half the people who currently live in Florida were born in another state. Were you born in the state where you currently live?
Nope.  Was there more you wanted to know?

5) To be honest, Crazy Sam really hates this week's featured song. (Hear it here.) Do you like it? Loathe it? Or are you unfamiliar with it? 
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  I'm sorry, did you say something?

6) Local authorities in a suburb of Sydney blasted Barry Manilow songs into a neighborhood park to keep "hooligans" away after dark. Is there an artist or song that would make you run in the other direction?

Anything that puts me to sleep..

7) Two of the most common fears are going to the dentist and speaking in public. Do either of those really get under your skin?

Public speaking.  I can talk to a bunch of people at a party, or in some other setting like that, but put me on a stage and I either freeze or turn into Carrot Top with inappropriate jokes..

8) We're having burgers. What do you want on yours?

Mmmmmmmm.... Onions, ketchup, mustard, pickles, hot relish, lettuce

9) Here's your chance to do a shameless plug -- What charity or cause do you wish got more support?

This week?  Red Cross - my niece is currently homeless due to that stupid bitch Sandy.  

 She's lucky that she has a place to stay with a good friend - but there are so many others that are still stranded and need help.  I wish I lived closer - I'd be there in a second.

 

Next up, Sunday Stealing!!