Pet Peeves of 2010

1.) Slow drivers.
I'll just be honest, I am not very patient. When I'm trapped behind someone barely going the speed limit, I find it very hard to remain calm and sweet. This is not something I'm proud of. Drivers on a Sunday afternoon drive during rush hour should n0t get to have a license.

2.) Self Check-outs.
I used to love these things! In 2010, every time I used one it was a bad experience. Waiting for a cashier's approval, technical error, and even the receipt paper needing to be replaced - all time consuming and irritating. (see above on the patience thing...)

3.) "Transferring to a Representative".
Most people love "getting to a person" in automated systems - they hate hitting buttons, waiting, and the computer voice - haha - I love it. I have found that I can get what I need done much faster and easier by just whizzing thru a touch tone system - I'm in, then out- no needing to explain my problem, give my CC and SSN info, answer a security question, trying to communicate my issue w/someone whose primary language is not English, or waiting on hold.

4.) Sleep.
90% of the days in 2010 I wished I had more sleep. LOL No matter how much I slept, It was never enough! This is why I plan to spend 2011 on less sleep - I know I can do it, I just need to train myself and man-up haha. I'll let you know how this goes.

5.) The Health Care Reform Bill - I find the entire thing disappointing.
No one knows what all is in this Bill. There are a lot of improvements and things to change in Health Care for this country, but this is not the road to take! We will see more in 2011 than we did in 2010. For those who have a flexible spending acct thru your employer, you already know!

First passing the bill:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/senate-begins-voting-on-the-health-care-reform-bill/1

One thing I do love is Rep. Mitch McConnell's response.

Attempting to Repeal the Bill:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027095-503544.html

Some Things I Learned in 2010:

1.) Some people just can't be trusted and some people will never change. In the words of Shakespeare: "False face must hide what the false heart doth know".

2.) I feel lost without my phone.

3.) I love Chilli Dogs!

4.) Don't ever say you would never do something...sometimes things are out of your control. You never know what situation you may find yourself in, and you don't always have the option that you want!! You may not be happy about it, but you have to make the best of it until you can change it!

5.) If you say "beer can" with a British accent, it sounds like "bacon" with a Jamaican accent.

6.) Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss!

7.) It's OK if someone doesn't like me. There's plenty of people that I don't like. This doesn't mean I can be rude or unkind.

8.) By the time I'm eligible for Medicare, it will be non-existent.

9.) Unfortunately, most voting Americans are ignorant of anyone other than themselves.

10.) I consume more caffeine than the average human. (although, I believe the national average is rising haha as all 'Kicking and Screaming' fans know, "It's the life-blood that fuels the dreams of champions!")

11.) Some things may seem really easy...until you try to do them.

12.) Always be pleasant on the phone, even if you don't feel like it - you never know what kind of day the person on the other line is having plus, it makes it harder for them to be mad at you. (note: "pleasant" is not "annoyingly perky" haha this esp works when people are calling regarding the bill you sent them)

13.) My car can go a long way on low fuel if I'm broke. (which happens fairly often)

14.) Yelling, "Take a lap!" makes me laugh, every time.

15.) I can go outside without all my makeup, and nothing bad will happen. (As long as it's a quick trip to somewhere close - this a big step for me people)

16.) I don't always deal well with change.

17.) Soda is poison. Delicious poison.

18.) These days, people rarely get the chance to explain themselves or clarify something simply due to most people choosing to believe their own assumptions, this is sad to me because I am a big believer in people defending themselves - in the right way and with the right attitude.

19.) If you really care about something or want to do something, you'll make time for it.

20.) Worry about you and God. If other people want to assume, condemn, or talk about you, that's between them and God.

Of course there are others and many more I'm sure I'll learn in 2011! Here's to another great year!

Best energy drink out there! =D


http://www.bawls.com/

Stage 9 of Christmas - The Travelling!

We all know how bad the weather and traffic are in December (weather being horrible and freezing for most of the US anyway) not to mention the holiday impatience...
I am so thankful that I did not have any major weather, traffic, or road rage incidents this year! lol highways were not overly crowded, policeman must have been actually out monitoring real criminals and there was no hail, snow, freezing rain, or black ice!
I hope that everyone else was as blessed on the roads and made it safely to and from where they were headed!

"Sisters"

One of my favorite scenes from "White Christmas"!

Stage 8 of Christmas - The Last Minute Scrambling

Last night at 11 o'clock I found myself in Walmart...for a luffa and a giftcard.

IT WAS PACKED!!!

I couldn't believe it, I knew it would be busy but these lines went from the front check outs back to lawn and garden in one direction and health and beauty in the other lol We used the electronics check out which was a little bit better but still, a lot of people had the same idea!

Great sales though!!! haha It was hard for me to resist all the $5 and $6 DVDs!!!

It was nice that the cashier had a sense of humor and was friendly because people were so rude lol and I was so tired...

One woman had her son saving her place in line while she went to get more stuff...she came back with the most random things. A candle, cookies dough, an outfit for a little girl, a CD, and that was all I could see before it would have qualified as staring. haha
I did check out everyone's goods while waiting and I was surprised how many people were calling the store and asking if they had certain items. Are you serious? The cashiers were answering the phone, do you think they are going to walk away from the lines to go and find whatever it is you're asking for? If you want it bad enough then get out and get it. If they were not sure on an item, they referred the customer to the online store inventory but when they knew something was out of stock they would let them know. Do not get mad if they tell you they're out of stock an item...it's two days before Christmas!

I'm so glad I'm done! =D I think that is really the last thing I had to buy! One more thing to wrap this morning then that is it - on to the gift opening!!

Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!!

Stage 7 of Christmas - The "Last Day of Work Feeling!"

Today is officially my Friday!
There's something about the anticipation of this day that makes it go sooo slow when it finally arrives! ;)
I am very jealous of those who have Monday off and even more jealous of those whose break started today!!!
None the less, I cannot wait to begin my holiday weekend!
Here's to a fantastic "Friday"!!!

★Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛
•。★Christmas★
。* 。° 。 ° ˛˚˛ *
_Π_____*。*˚...˚ ˛ •˛•˚
*/______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛˚ ˛ •˛• ˚
｜ 田田 ｜門｜ ˚♥ From my house to yours!

Stage 6 of Christmas - The Wrapping!

And wrapping, and wrapping, and wrapping, and....
YES I am DONE!
lol SOOOOOOO much gift wrap, I don't want to think of the state of the forest right now!!! lol Although!! I did find (and buy) recycled gift wrap at Walmart this year!
And yes, Walmart has been so great this year, simply due to the fact that they are open 24 hours, and I have no time. haha
Now that it's crunch time, is anyone else still wrapping?!
Also, does anyone else have that horrible feeling that they forgot someone?! I HATE that feeling lol and I have it every year... it's horrible, how embarrassing would that be? =D
"Oh, yea...it's in...my, uh, car... let me go grab it..."
(hope they like McDonald's ketchup packets, an NRA keychain and some Purell...)

Stage 5 of Christmas - Christmas Cards

Ok, Ok, so normally I would have mailed these 2 weeks ago, unfortuantely, I am just doing them now!
This holiday season has been insanely busy!
My work schedule has pretty much dominated everything. lol
Is everyone else done mailing cards already?
I was planning on doing these cute stamps on them and even bought the stamp set and went so far as to do a couple...then I realized I was entirely to lazy and not nearly as creative and festive as I like to think! haha So, no stamping this year! Maybe next year... lol I didn't even do stickers!!!! And I love stickers!!!

Stage 4 of Christmas - ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas!

Click the link below to be taken to the schedule of what's playing! Kicking it off tonight is, "Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas"!


http://abcfamily.go.com/specials/25-days-christmas/schedule

Stage 3 of Christmas - The Decorations!

My apt. is done lol well almost, I'm waiting for some snowflake lights to arrive! I'm pretty basic anyway and since I live in an apt. it's easy to stay that way! I think decorations should be up the weekend after Thanksgiving, but some people in my neighborhood have had them up for weeks!

I DID notice that my immediate neighbors on the left put up their lights on the same day as me!... suspicious... haha coincidence I think not! =D

p.s. here in NE Ohio...there's still no snow!!!

=D

Stage 2 of Christmas - The Music!

Christmas music seems to begin earlier and earlier each year.
Radio stations used to start playing it the day of or after Thanksgiving, now some stations are already playing it.
Even the stores have started blasting the seasonal tunes in hopes of sparking the gift buying mood.
Which is fine with me because I love Christmas music!! There's just one song I do not get....
I've been in Walmart three times this past week and in those three times I have heard Julie Andrew's voice come blaring through the speakers 6 times. The song?
"A Few of My Favorite Things".
Don't get me wrong, her voice is amazing, and the song is nice.
In the movie, once a year, or in a rare moment of nostalgia.
After the first time while shopping however, I was actually moaning.
What does that song even have to do with Christmas?!

Stage 1 of Christmas - The Shopping!! =D

I officially started Christmas shopping today!!

Placed my first order online!!! Very excited for things to start arriving!

lol I love presents! Even when they're for other people!!

Has anyone else started?? What is the status of your shopping?

There's only a little over a month left!!

Coming Our Way!

Get ready! Recent headline from the Denver Post:

"Health Plans' Tab to Soar."

Stats from the story (premium increases from employers to cover additional health care costs):

60% - Increase employee premium for family coverage.
57% - Increase employee premium for individual coverage.
50% - Increase deductibles.
29% - Increase employee maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

Be prepared now for more of your income going to copays and out-of-pockets.

Check out some of the sites below:

The Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/
From a Pharmacist's Viewpoint: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/10/prweb4714094.htm
Tracking Healthcare Reform (the Washington Post):
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/
Opposing Views:
http://www.opposingviews.com/tags/health-care-reform
"Good Health Care Reform Means Less Government":
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/good-health-care-reform-means-less-government
"The Politics of Reform" - Washington Post Poll:
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=7910801&page=1
Articles on Health Care Reform:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/topics/healthcarereform.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/health_care_reform.html
http://www.healthcarereform.com/healthcarereformarticles/
Los Angeles Times - Articles About Healthcare Reform:
http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/health-care-reform
Debate & Research:
http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Topics/HealthCareReform/
Top 10 Facts to Know About Health Care Reform:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/mar/18/top-10-facts-know-about-health-care-reform/

The above links are for articles from both sides of the issue.
As well as not wanting to be completely biased towards one side.. :p
I believe that knowledge is power and regardless of your stance, you should be aware of the opposing side and why you beleive as you do.

If anyone knows of any other great or helpful sites - please let me know!

"The Time Is Now"

Wanted to share this from 'Dear Abby' today! Remember to cherish the time you have and the people you have to share it with! Don't wait until tomorrow because there may not be a tomorrow!

THE TIME IS NOW

Author Unknown

If you are ever going to love me,
Love me now, while I can know
The sweet and tender feelings
Which from true affection flow.
Love me now
While I am living.
Do not wait until I'm gone
And then have it chiseled in marble,
Sweet words on ice-cold stone.
If you have tender thoughts of me,
Please tell me now.
If you wait until I am sleeping,
Never to awaken,
There will be death between us
And I won't hear you then.
So, if you love me, even a little bit,
Let me know it while I am living
So I can treasure it.

Learning to Make Lemonade...

Hello all! lol life has been...interesting lately!! My car has been out of commission for almost a month now - but thanks to the amazing Sparklins it was towed to Ashtabula last weekend and as soon as I purchase a transmission they will be switched out and I should have by next week!!! I miss it oh so much!! lol

I have been using my Dad's car while I don't have mine - a couple weeks ago, the wheelbearing snapped, (while I was driving it), and I needed to call AAA to have it towed bk home. It was repaired and everything was great until last week, when the frame snapped (near the axil, it was rusted out apparently) - again, while I was driving - and I (again) called AAA and was towed home.

So, now I am completely carless, but am so grateful for everyone who has helped me out the last couple weeks w/rides (esp. Kristi to-and-from work and my mom coming out from Bula)!!!

My new nickname is "car killer".

I am looking at apartments again! lol It's been two years since I moved last but this fall it will be time again! Not positive, depends on my parents (most ppl know the situation there lol) but it's imperative that I stay close to work. Will keep everyone posted on that one!! =D

Speaking of work... lol I have thoroughly enjoyed my break from Pizza Hut and have loved having my weekends off w/o having to request them or find a replacement, etc. but w/fall coming and having the unexpected car expenses - I am hoping to find another second job!! Wish me luck b/c I HATE interviews!!!! lol

Due to the current car situation - I missed two concerts I planned on seeing, Tim McGraw and Brooks and Dunn :'( To make it worse, I heard they were both amazing... as expected... LOL - I will also most likely be missing Randy Houser - insert very sad face.

But what can you do? lol Except do everything possible not to miss Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton - hahaha it will make them that much better... ok not really, but there is always next year!!

Work has been insane! Very busy as well as slightly overwhelmed, but hanging in! lol determined to not get behind! I did lose one battle tho, and that would be the clean desk battle - I have concluded that the stacks of papers, files, and checks will be there....forever. At least it's not the same stacks, I'm on a cycle lol everytime I remove or complete something - a new project appears. At least it's always interesting and always busy! Reps will never know what they are talking about and customers will always think that they do... it's just the way it is. ;)

On a good note, I've learned a few things such as: boots, axil, frame, ball joint, wheelbearings, where oil goes, that you can substitute water for coolant in a pinch, and that you should always have a back-up plan - LOL

On to Fall! =D

Chicago vs. Cleveland

GAAA - This is all I have heard last night & this morning... the game, the game, the game...

*sigh*

Doesn't anyone know Baseball season started?!

All I'm thinking is... All those guys, running around. One basket. One ball. - Can no one make the connection?
And so adds to my confusion over how people can sit thru an entire game of basketball. I have no idea what is going on, simply appears to be chaos with everyone running around...
I'm sleeping half way thru... or waiting for a commercial break b/c at least those are entertaining... (and the people aren't sweating...usually.)

"Tebow Super Bowl ad: What's so controversial about one woman's choice?"

I saw this blog post on Yahoo! Shine and thought I would share!
All that controversy...over someone wanting to share their personal choice! People taking so much offense to it speaks louder than the commercial...


http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/tebow-super-bowl-ad-what-amp-39-s-so-controversial-about-one-woman-amp-39-s-choice-618261/