Where is the happy?

  What the hell happened to happy?
 
  It seems like people are never happy. Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know... its not exactly like the world is all sparkles and rainbows. But seriously, if people enjoyed the small things half as much as they bitched about them, their lives would be exponentially better.
 
"For every minute you spend sad, thats a minute you could have spend happy that you'll never get back."-Unknown

  When you go through your day, how do you look at everything? Do you focus on how beautiful the sunrise was, or how pretty everything looks all frosted over? Or do you focus on how your pop tart got stuck in the toaster and caught fire? Why is it so hard for some people to focus on the nice things?
  And happy is really easy to share. Smile more, simply be kind and courteous. Any person you interact with (and sometimes people you don't) notice your mood. You can turn a person's entire day around with just a smile and friendliness. And its nice to make other people happy. Thats one of my favorite things about my job, interacting with people and making them happy.
  Maybe I've just got a childish mentality regarding this. But really, why not look out the window sometime and find something pretty. It really does make the day just a little better. I hate the snow, absolutely hate it. Its cold, wet, nasty stuff that gets in your shoes and everywhere. It frequently assists in injury. But the other day I was looking out the car window, and noticed how fabulously gorgeous all the ugly, dead little weeds looked all covered in pretty, pristine, sparkly snow. I didn't hate the snow quite as much that day.
  When you go out somewhere (the gas station, grocery store, etc.) smile at whoever helps you. Thank them. Sure those are just little things, but it makes the day better.
  I think if people would start to notice the little things that are happy more than the little things that suck, the world would be a much better place.

A little honesty and thought

   As a kid, we were all taught little life lessons. Vegetables are good for you; Don't run with sissors; Work first, play later. Or something close to those, and many more. What about those little life lessons that really aren't all that helpful to an adult. They can be sure, but if you were to use them as a general rule at all times, things may become... interesting.

Honesty is always the best policy.
  Yes, honesty is a good thing. But not always. If you work with the public (a lot) and deal with all sorts of people (some of them being quite rude, unintelligent, and other such endearing traits), you can see my point. Sometimes, you would like nothing better than to tell some people that they can just go jump off a cliff, or that they're a dumbass. More often that not, I find myself biting my tongue, smiling, and walking away. If I were a direct, blunt, uncaring individual, I would just tell these people my thoughts. But I'm not. And I understand that not everybody suffers from being excessively nice to virtually everybody (especially to people they don't know). And that's good. But I have this issue of being a nice person, and therefore am frequently keeping my "honesty" to myself.

It's the thought that counts.
   This is a lie. The thought without action is useless as an adult. If you don't do something at your job, they aren't likely to say "Oh, thats okay" if you tell them "I thought about it." If you have sex, and only think about using a condom, chances are, you'll get pregnant. If it's your girlfriend's birthday, and you come home and the only thing you have for her is "Well, I did think about getting you something honey, but [insert excuse here]" she is NOT going to be happy.



  I know, this a very cynical, sarcastic outlook. But alas, thats the way my brain works.

A minor rant

  What the hell is wrong with people? I ask myself this pretty much everyday. Of course, everybody has an answer to this question, in some shape, way, or form. But still, I can't help but ask.
  I mean seriously, what the hell happened to living life to the fullest, for yourself and only yourself? How in the hell did the American people become so obsessed with what their next door neighbor was doing, instead of where they themselves are going in life? People will point the finger at everyone in sight, and tell them how they are living in the wrong, but yet they almost never admit to their own faults. What gives anybody the right to judge anybody else? We're all fucked up. In some way or another, we all have issues. Where do people get off on criticizing others when they are just as fucked up as the rest of the world. I mean sure, there are thousands of things that I personally would probably never do, but does that give me the right to denounce others' actions? Hell no.
  The more I watch TV and read the news, the more twisted the world seems. More people are reading about what this celebirty is doing, or what that athleat has done. We let the media control our reaction to virtually everything. Nobody questions anything. The news says something is horrific, we automatically judge those involved, we draw our own conclutions without even looking at the alternatives. Some somebody somewhere decides something is cool or uncool, and the majority of the nation falls right in line behind them.
  Almost everything we know and think is based off of societies reviews. On everything. Music, clothing, drugs, marriage... of life. Where do we draw the line? When do we stand up and say "This is bullshit! Who the hell cares?" The people with power are so concerned over dictating the minor things in the lives of others, that the real problems just get swept under the rug. 
  A kid was suspended from school over a Michael Jackson move. Really?! A dance move. Sure, it was the crotch grab, but still. In comparison of what children have access to see on a daily basis, that is insignifcant in the grand scheme of things. Almost everybody has seen a Michael Jackson music video. Its not likely that this dance move is going to promote sex, drugs, or any other harm.
  Same sex marriage is a huge controversial issue right now... WHY?! I mean really, how in the hell is somebody marrying the person they love going to effect you? Because they hold hands, hug, and kiss in public? Big, effing deal! Thats none of your damn business anyway. You don't like what you see, turn your head the other direction. We have no right to decide other peoples' happiness (or lack thereof). I don't want to see 90 year old man checking out bras, so does that mean we should put an age limit on the underwear section of the store? No, thats just ridiculous.
  It seems to me that America doesn't know what the hell it stands for. Originally, the colonist left Britain to be free. All they wanted was to be allowed to worship whom they wanted. Live life as they pleased. But over the years, look at how many times America has tried supressing other people. Women were property, cut and dried. No rights, no anything. Eventually it was admitted that this was the wrong outlook, and women gained rights. Now women can get away with many things men can't, simply because they're women. Slavery was another idiotic idea that ended up blowing up. Skin color has nothing to do with the person you are. Americans pushed the Native Americans off their own land numerous times. Now the government is paying them monthly. Now we're trying to tell people who they can be happy with?
  Amazingly enough, most of these issues stem from God. God told us we could. Manifest destiny. Government and religion are supposed to be two totally seperate things. Yet when asked, God is usually the reason behind the action. "The bible says"... you know what, not everybody believes in the bible. Not everybody believes in God. Thats just one more thing people take, and twist to fit their purposes.
  You would think that as a nation, we would look back on previous disputes and issues, and learn from them. No, instead, we find something else to try and control people with.
  I guess I just don't understand why in the hell people are so concerned with what other people are doing when they really should just focus on themselves and their happiness. Where in the hell did people get the idea that it was okay to feel superior?

This is me

  So a little about me today.... Anybody who knows me can tell you that I'm a bookworm too the extreme, I'll threaten to kick your ass anyday of the week, but unless seriously pressured, I would never actually do it (not anymore at least.) I'm a bit of an oddball, but I'm okay with that. It makes my life fun. Nothing livens up the day like a random little happy dance at work, or whatever.
  But deep down inside, I am a hopeless romantic.... Its really almost pathetic, but its true. I'm the kinda girl that goes all mushy and squishy inside over little things like roses, secret admirers, and sweet words. One of the things I've always really kind of wanted was to receive flowers from an unknown person... does that make me weird??
  I tend to get all flustered and gibberishy when amazing things are said about me, Thank god that doesn't happen all that often. Love songs make me all happy and a little spaztic.... Even the stupid ones. Example, one of my favorite songs right now is "Myspace Girl" by The Afters.... its really kind of stalkerish, but its cute in a demented sort of way.
  I love to dance around when nobody is looking. When I'm home by myself (or with just the kids), my main mode of movement is dancing. I'll dance to almost anything. I love music. All kinds. I like to sing along too. I like to watch shows like "Ancient Aliens" and "Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares." Gordon Ramsey is a new one, but he is by far one of my favorite people to watch because when you mess up, he says so and has no problem in pointing out your stupidity. I like people like that.
  I wear mismatched socks on a regular basis cuz i figure who the hell is going to see your socks, and if they do see them, then chances are you're comfortable around them and they could care less if one sock is green and one is hot pink. I have a fasination with boots. They are by far my favorite type of footwear, and if I could, I would prolly where them everywhere with everything. I have many types of boots, hooker boots, nice boots, great big stomp-a-hole-in-your-ass boots. Sadly most of them are in another state right now.
  I enjoy putting on my make up, even when i have nowhere to go and no one to see. I would like to say that i do my hair all cutesy too, but I'm actually incapable of doing anything with my hair other than ponytails, braids, or straight. I can't even effectively use a bobbypin... what self respecting female can't operate a bobbypin???
  I enjoy candy and sweets way too much for my own good. I really should lay off, but i'm addicted to chocolate more than I am to breathing...okay maybe not quite that much, but you get the idea. Cake, Ice cream, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and many more are all amazing things to me. I can't go a day without some form of sugar, otherwise I get pissy and snappy.... Its kinda like when a serious smoker (or almost any smoker for that matter) is deprived of cigarettes.

 That is me more or less in a nutshell.... ta da!

My Childrens

I have three kids. Damian, is the oldest and the only boy (poor kid). He turned 3 last month. He's getting so big so fast... its crazy. He counts, he talks, he is so silly that it kills me sometimes. He's an awesome big brother to both of his sisters, when he wants to be. When he comes home from pre-school and I ask him what he did that day he just says, "I had fun" in this completely exasperated-duh-mom! sort of voice.

He likes to eat fruits, and his veggies if he has something to dip them in. The kid LOVES condiments... its really kind of disgusting. He's beyond dramatic. He can go from smiles to tears in seconds. And his little lip is all pushed out and frowning. He is my actor to be :)

Then there is Natalie. Nattie is 1 1/2 and all attitude. She's so damn cute, and she knows it. She will throw a fit from hell if told no. She can deafen you with a shriek when she gets just a little upset. She knows how to make Damian scream and cry. She can talk a little bit. Her favorite word is "No" of course. She also says "Thank you", "Please", "Hello", and "Bye" and who knows how many others.

Nattie really surprised me when we had our other daughter. She does so much better with the baby than I'd thought she would. Nattie knows how to melt you like chocolate in her little pudgy hand.

 And last is Ashleigh. She's only two months old. But she's pretty damn cute if I do say so. I love that she smiles already. My other two wouldn't smile constantly until they were at least 3 months old, and Ashleigh has been doing it for at least the last half of month. Its adorable.

  Usually, my children are running around, screaming, and generally raising hell. But yesterday when they came home from school, they were being so sweet! Ashleigh was in laying on my bed, me and her had been hanging out while everybody was gone. Well, I'd left her there to go outside for a few minutes, and when we came back, there was Nattie, just sitting there chatting away to Ashleigh.

  Then an ornament had fallen off the tree, so I asked Damian to help me put it back on. So he grabs it and takes like 10 minutes trying to decide where he wants to put this ornament. Well Nattie started to get upset because Damian had an ornament, and she didn't, so I got her one that was extra and let her have it. As she was playing with it, she dropped it and it rolled under a chair. She looks at me and goes "Uh-oh!" and starts looking under the chair. Damian was standing there at the time, and immediantly tells me, "Its okay Mom, I'll get it. I'll get it Mom." So he went around the back of the tree and reached under the chair and got her ornament for her. It was just so cute the way he told me that he would get it. He's my big helper.

  So after Nattie had her ornament, another one had been bumped off the tree. Damian was right there to put it back on though. After he put it back on the tree, he started to count the ornaments. He counted all the way to 20 all by himself. I can't believe how big and smart he is getting.... I remember when he was just a baby baby.

  They were just being so cute!!! But it didn't last long, all too soon they were screaming and yelling and causing chaos. But it was great while it lasted

Cartoons

  We watch a lot of kiddie cartoons at our house. Damian has reached  the age where he enjoys watching TV and can tell you what he wants to watch. His favorites are Dora, Diego, Caillou, and Umizoomi. If he hears that one of these shows is on, he is right there, yelling "No, no! I'm watching this!" if you even pick up the remote.
 Most of the cartoons that he watches are fairly educational. They teach him to count (if he doesn't realize anybody is watching, he can count to 20 by himself), how to speak better, and manners. He really enjoys watching these shows, he can tell me the names of the characters and what they are doing.
  I honestly can't remember much of anything that I watched at that age. I can't remember much of any TV shows before the age of about ten. I know that I watched a lot of Disney movies; The Lion King, Snow White, Aladdin, etc. The shows I do remember were things like The Looney Tunes, Animaniacs, Tom and Jerry. These shows weren't educational in the way of todays shows. We learned things like don't play with dynamite, when it comes to arugments between ducks and rabbits, the rabbit is going to win. Our shows were about entertainment. Today is much more focused on fun, interactive learning. I'm not saying this is a bad thing.
  I don't know if you've ever watched Dora, or Deigo, or Barney, but personally, they drive me absolutely crazy. My kids love them, and would watch them nonstop if they could probably. But as an adult, these shows make me want to throw the TV in the garbage can. Singing is a big part of these shows. Kids love this. And the songs they sing are really simple, child attention grabbing, rhyming little ditties... that get stuck in my head for hours on end.
  I was at work the other night, humming a song and doing my thing, when I suddenly realized that I was humming to a song off of Barney. It was horrible. The fact that it took me at least 10 minutes to realize where this song was from disturbs me even more.
  I remember hearing once upon a time that The Looney Tunes were unethical because of all the violence involved. Wile E. Coyote always blowing himself up trying to catch Roadrunner. Marvin the Martian shooting other characters with his ray gun. So eventually The Looney Tunes went pretty much extinct on TV (although they did come back, at least for an hour a day). But if you really wanted to argue the point that children shouldn't watch them because of the violence factor and that children will take it to seriously, todays shows really aren't much better. Diego is a prime example. He is pretty much completely unsupervised, and is always doing crazy stunts like jumping off of waterfalls, chasing after wild animals, and other crazy things.
  My mom can't stand the kids shows for more than an hour or so. But if I turn on Tom and Jerry or something like that, she doesn't seem to mind as much. So its not just me who likes the oldies more. Even my son quite enjoys Tom and Jerry. Some things just never go out of style.

Long live Buggs Bunny!!!

Boys Bathroom

 One of the thing I'm responsible for doing at my job is cleaning bathrooms. Usually this isn't too bad. Go in, spray everything down, wipe it all off, and done. It only takes like 5 minutes for me to get both the boys and the girls restrooms cleaned up. And of course I do this everyday. And sometimes, when I walk into the boys bathroom, I can't help but wonder just what in the hell they do in there.
  With winter being here, we salt our sidewalks and parking lots. Its great at melting off the snow and ice and such, but it also tracks into the store on people's shoes leaving white footprints all over the place. Well, one night I was following some of these footprints, and they went into the boys bathroom. So I open the door so I can mop them all up, and while I'm looking at them, I notice something... The footprints go directly to the garbage, and thats it. They didn't turn towards the toilet or the urinal, they just faced into the corner with the garbage can. But I just dismissed the oddity of it, mopped them up, and continued on my way.
  The next night, when it came to mop, there I was, mopping up footprints again. Sure enough, they lead to the boys bathroom. Yet again, they don't go to the toilet or the urinal, they stopped in about the middle of the room. By this time, I couldn't help but wonder why none of the footprints actually approached either of the main components of the bathroom. So I decided I would watch for footprints for the next little while, just to see if I ever had a set that actually went up to the toilet/urinal. For the next week, there was only one night that they actually approached the toilet. I just can't help but wonder just what the hell they were doing in the bathroom. I'll admit, when I think of this, I get this mental picture of all the guys that go in there trying to piss into the toilet/urninal from across the room.
  We have these little things that we put down into the hole of the urinal. Its just a cleaner thing, kinda like the toilet bowl cleaners that you can hook onto the rim of your toilet. Only this one goes down in the urinal hole. Its got a round center, with little holes all the way around it filled with the blue cleaner, and a kind of triangular outside that keeps it from going down the drain or wiggling out of place. We have to change these about once every two months of so, depending on the number of times that the urinal gets flushed.
 Well one night, I went in to clean the bathroom, and the inside of the urinal was blue. Some individual (I'm going to have to assume that it was a small child) had dug their fingers into the blue cleaning stuff in the little holes, and thrown it all over the inside of the urinal. I looked at it for a moment, went and got my coworkers so that they could enjoy the "Wtf?!?" experience, and then proceeded to clean it. Or try to. I had kind of thought that if I sprayed it with our restroom cleaning spray and flushed the urinal, it would just kind of ooze down and into the drain. This was a very ineffective attempt. That blue stuff was stuck, it wasn't rinsing off, and it wasn't wiping off with a papertowel. I had to scrub it vigoriously with a damn toilet brush, and some of it was STILL stuck on there.
  I'm still assuming (and kind of hoping) that it was a little kid that did this. I have to wonder how well the blue stuff washed of his hands. But my main question was what in the hell would possess anybody (include a kid, unless under the age of 3) to put their fingers into the thing they all piss on and throw it all over the urinal. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! EWWWW!
  And the other most interesting thing I've encountered in the boys bathroom was smell. We all know guys smell. Its just a fact. But sometimes it kind of amazes me just how much they can smell. I was went in to clean they boys bathroom recently and couldn't believe the smell. No, it wasn't a nasty shit smell, well not exactly. But you know when you go to the zoo, and you walk through the reptile house, that damp, humid, funky smell? Boys bathroom smell just like that. I opened the door, and my first thought was "Zoo". I have to ask, just how did that particular smell get created in a boys bathroom??

  Its things like these that make me seriously wonder what the hell men do in the bathroom. Women use the restroom almost twice as much as men (where I work at least) and yet, I never have the issues in the womens that I have in the men's room. How many things can men really be doing in there???