Tammi's World

I'll Give It A Try!

I don't know why, or how it happens but for some damned reason, everything I do turns into somekind of comedic adventure. Seriously. Even this particular trip home.

Now, before I tell you what's going on, I need to explain something to you. I've never mowed a yard. Ever.

Growing up - no one would let me NEAR the lawn tractor. And I don't blame them. Then....when I got married my husband or one of the three boys did all the mowing.

When I first got divorced I lived in apartments. No lawn care needed there. Then, I bought a condo. Again - no maintenance. The townhouse in Tampa? Same thing. By the time I moved to Orlando I could afford not only a pool boy but someone to do the yard too. And up here in THE Valley, I'm paying a couple of teenagers from the church to take care of things. Helps them earn money and saves me from having to buy a lawn mower right away.

ANYway - all that being said.....Mama Vi can't mow her yard anymore. Normally Dee does this for her. BUT she's busy and doesn't get to it as quickly as Mama would like. It's kinda long right now.

So....after the funeral and after "stuff" we were saying our good-byes. Mama asked Dee when she was comin' to mow the lawn. Now, Mama doesn't know Dee has a big date tomorrow and Dee ain't tellin'. So, I'm enjoyin' watchin' her squirm her way outta this one.

Finally I took pity on her. I look at Mama and tell her "I'll do it while I'm here. Don't worry."

You could have heard a pin drop. Tammi? Mow?!?! Huh - doesn't FEEL cold enough for hell to freeze over......

I just smiled and told Mama she can grab her camera and a tall glass of iced tea and come sit outside and watch the show. If nothin' else, we'll have some pretty damned good stories to tell.

After all. I am the comic relief in the family....

Never Again

Oh man. Not a week I really want to repeat anytime soon. But I've learned a few pretty good lessons along the way. I learned that Daddy was right. There is NOTHING as horrible as, when you walk away, thinking "I wonder if, or I wish I had". And I also learned that forgiveness comes when you least expect it.

You see, my Godfather was a good man. A self made man. A man with very high expectations. And I've had to learn to live with the fact that, for whatever reason, I have been a disappointment to him.

Tonite, at the viewing, as I stood saying my final good bye, all I could whisper was "I'm sorry." Regrets. Oh Lord they kick your ass.

And I have to be honest. First, I try to live my life so I don't have the regrets. It's not there yet, but I do keep trying. And I'm not used to disappointing people. I try not to make promises I can't keep. I don't say things I don't mean, and I don't hold back. But sometimes, no matter what, when or how...it's just inevitable.

And these feelings....they're not something I'm used to. I haven't known how to deal with them at all.

But the secret Uncle Larry kept, for all these years, was that his bark was much worse than his bite. And he knew his expectations were high. Too high. He did that to make us girls (there were 4 of us) strive for more. For better. It was his way. Maybe not the best way, but it was HIS way.

I learned that tonite.

And as I drove home from the chapel, through my old neighborhood, past the high school and church I attended, I was finally able to remember the good times. The laughter. The pranks. FINALLY the "right" memories are flooding back.

But I don't EVER want to feel like this again.

Some Good News

OK, I wasn't going to post anything until next week....seriously folks - as dramatic as this sounds, I'm just flippin' empty.

BUT - I desperately need good news. And, other than babies, nothing makes me happier than True Love.

So - It is my intense pleasure to point you to Alex in Wonderland who announces he and the lovely Sally have tied the knot!!!

Go, read, leave congratulations. EVERYBODY needs a bit of good news.....

Early Morning Call

I get up early. Way early. And for years my family and close friends have known it's usually OK to call.

I'm trying to break them of that habit.

Anyway, this morning my phone rang at 5:30am.

It was Dee, my sister. Not a good sign. Not good at all.

She was crying. Not a good sign. A really BAD sign actually.

My Uncle Larry, my Godfather, died as his kissed his wife of 49 years good night last night. He was in the middle of telling her he loved her.

On my Aunt's birthday.

So this week is not a banner week. Memorable, but not in a good way.

He was a good man. A difficult man, but good. He is loved and will be missed.

God, I hate good byes.......

Huh

You're gonna have to humor me here just a bit. You see, my friend is moving away. And just so you know, I'm not doin' much of a happy dance about this.

We've been friends for a while now, thanks to those Bad Example comment parties and the good ole telephone. When life brought me north, and I discovered THE Valley we had the opportunity to hang out a bit. Hell, the poor guy's even been on a couple of road trips with me. Yeah, that Marine Mentality has really saved his sanity, I'm sure.

Damn. I got kinda used to havin' the big galoot around.

So now he's movin' west. And it's a good thing for him, I know. He's lookin' at a great opportunity and one hell of an adventure, I've no doubt. BUT....I will miss him.

And I needed to say that. Out loud. I needed to wish him all the luck in this world. And I needed to say that out loud too.

Goodbye My Friend. THE Valley will not be the same without you.

And just so you know, we'll leave the light on............

It's MONDAY?!?

Today I get to do two of my favorite things.

This afternoon I'm heading into Chicago to put on my first training class with this company. My reference books are printed and put together (They turned out very nicely, if I must say so myself!) I love training. Love Love Love. And the more people the better. I seriously think I should have looked harder at becoming a professional trainer. But...I didn't so that's fine. I'll just take advantage every chance I get.

Then this afternoon I get to cook. Jerry is headin' into town so I'll be preparing a little meal (yeah, like I've ever done THAT before) for he and T1G! How cool is that?!?! I get to cook AND get to enjoy the company of two gentlemen.

Yep, should be a pretty good day. Gotta finish getting all gussied up. This particular class is for a "ritzy" designer, so we're talking dress, stockings, heels, the whole ball of wax. Dinner is already prepped and I'll just need to pop it in the oven when I get home.

Did I mention it's looking to be a beautiful day for a drive? Huh. How DID I get so lucky?!??!?!

Today's Funny Frase

You call me a BITCH like it's a BAD thing.

I'm thinkin' that is the PERFECT phrase for this Monday morning.......

Early Risers!!

Ok - around 6:00am eastern time Tuesday, there is supposed to be a total Lunar Eclipse.

This is one time I'm glad to be an early riser!! I think Daddy was still alive the last time I caught one of those.

So set your alarms folks. Get the coffee ready the night before. A Full Lunar Eclipse doesn't happen every day. You really don't want to miss this.

That's IT!!

I'm a visionary. I will just have to finally admit it.

Y'all know I'm really trying to figure out what I'm doing, decorating wise, with Paradise.

I had thought about a really beautiful shelving unit in the corner of the living room, where I have the TV currently.

That would have been nice.

But last night? Last night I solved it.

It's PERFECT!!

Doesn't need ventilation or electric. And I think it's just beautiful.

Not to mention it's cheaper than the shelving unit I choose.

Ohhh it's gonna make the living room sooo inviting. And, as an added bonus I'll have some place to hang my Christmas stockings. :-) Gotta think of that stuff you know.

Anyway - I'm really excited. Huh. Whoda thunk. Sometimes dreams really do come true!!!

What's Cookin'?

Ok, it's just a little before 8:00 on a Sunday morning.

There is a beautiful chuck roast simmerin' and a batch of fresh veggies just waiting to join it. The beginin's of my Chocolate Turtle cake is in the oven.

The sun is shining (WooHoo, no rain!!!) and a light cool breeze makes sitting on the sun porch a dream.

Don't you wish you were here?!?

Closure

As much as I live by the "band aid" theory of life, I am also pretty damned good at puttin' my head in the sand and leaving it there.

Sometimes.....sometimes I just don't want to know. I think it's kind of a survival tool for me.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, out of no where, I asked Mama just where, exactly, in Wisconsin Daddy and my Uncle were headed for their annual fishing trip.

They had been going there for my whole life, but I do not recall anyone ever mentioning the name of the place there went.

Spooner Wisconsin. So I looked it up, and asked the (for now) local tour guide where it is.

Seems Spooner Wisconsin is about a 5 hour drive from here. Huh. Not a bad little road trip.

So I think what I'd like to do this fall is one Friday, after making some calls in Wisconsin, Lana and I will just keep heading north. I've been hearing since I've moved up here that it's beautiful, and I can't help but think the fall would be the perfect time to make that cruise.

No real plan. I'll just head up there, get a hotel room and wander around for the weekend. We don't know exactly which lake it was. And honestly, I don't care. I'd just like to finally visit this place.

I was slated to go along that last year, so it's been a 35 year delay. I've never experienced a negative "vibe" when it comes to anything connected to Daddy, so I'm fully expecting to just enjoy exploring.

It really all boils down to closure. I'm obsessed with it. In EVERY corner of my life. And I think it's finally time to do this. Plus, who knows. It may become a favorite destination for me too.

I am, after all, my father's daughter......

Ya Think?!?!?

Found at Shadoglare's via Harvey, who knows me ohhh too well......

This is what I'm gonna need for you to understand.....

I guess I'm going to have to do some 'splain' to a few customers.

My cell phone was charging last night. I don't turn it off, because to be honest half the time I'll forget to turn it back on.

Anyway - it rang last night. At 10:00 in the evening.

I thought it HAD to be a mistake. Then I heard the "alert" that I had a new voicemail. So I checked the number.

It was a customer. A customer calling and leaving a voicemail at 10:00 on a Friday night.

Ha! I laugh at his stupidity.

Now? The cell phone is off. And I will NOT listen to the voicemail until Monday morning. Nope. Not gonna give in on this one.

I'm awake and available from 6:00am to 6:00pm. Monday through Friday. I think that's pretty damned good.

10:00 on a Friday night? That's MY time......

Inspiration

As most of you who read here regularly know, my good friend Laughing Wolf is preparing to head to Iraq as an embed. There is no way for me to express how very proud I am of him. The need to get the REAL stories out is immeasurable.

BTW - PMI has a very aggressive goal in place, in case you hadn't seen. Head over HERE and check it out. And then do what you can. Seriously. This is more than just a "cause". It's not some kind of "crusade". This is one of the most important conflicts we've faced in the history of this country. I personally feel it is our DUTY to do what we can. And then, do a little more....

But that's not the main point of this particular post. LW is gearin' up to go. We talk frequently about the progress being made. One thing he is very focused on is making sure he's physically ready for what he will face.

Now the benefit for ME on that front is he's really inspiring me to get my lard ass off the chair and get active. I've noticed every evening I do a little something. It started out with walking. Oh - not miles and miles...yet. But I walk around town most days rather than drive.

I eat healthier. Low sodium, low fat or fat free when it doesn't ruin the taste of my food. I don't buy sweets. I'll bake 'em, but I won't buy 'em.

This week I started doing serious crunches. 3 different kinds, 20 each, three sets. The first night? Kicked. My. Ass. Now? Better. Easier. Ahhhh progress.

And as is normal for me, once I finally start doing something, and start to feel a difference I become laser focused. I catch myself in the car, while driving, doing little resistance exercises. As I watched a movie last night, instead of just sitting in the chair with my feet up, I stretched out on the floor and worked on some "problem areas". I use every opportunity I can to do SOMETHING.

This is a good thing. I've made a goal. I've found some pictures of myself from just 5 years ago to use for inspiration. I listen to my friend talk about what he's doing and how it's working and I'm jealous. But I turn that jealousy into motivation. And that is a very good thing.

Wow. Who would have thought, my friend stepping up and doing something so important and allowing me to share the journey would have such a strong benefit for me?! I almost feel selfish.

But then I realized something. When good things happen to those I love....when the people I care about are happy......then I'm happy too. And if I know I had some small part in making that happen, then I'm delighted. So I wanted to say Thank You LW, for inspiring me. You've given me a wonderful gift.....

Good News

Badgers Forward shares a way he has for measuring success in Iraq.

And being as he's THERE, I'm thinkin' he knows what he's talking about.

It's a perfect read for a Saturday. And it's wonderful news.......

Holy Cow!!!

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Now THIS one? Scary

Found at Roses.....

Todays Funny Frase

Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it.

Still Hunting

It was one of those "awkward" wake-ups. Fast, complete. The night still so dark I couldn't see the door of the bedroom.

I knew there was no going back to sleep, so I wandered out to the kitchen and started the coffee. As I climbed back into the bed, I looked at the clock.

4:00am.

Oh hell no. Not today. Not now. Not gonna happen.

I tried to go back to sleep. But even without the caffeine and nicotine my mind was already going a mile a minute.

I choose my battles, and this one was one I knew I wouldn't win, so I got back up. A quick glance through the blogosphere told me that not much had happened during the short night. So I make my way to the sun-porch.

The air was still heavy from yet another storm last night. I think of the farmers and say a prayer that the crops are not destroyed with all this water. Then, as I lite my first cigarette my mind is already moving through my to-do list for the day.

Waukesha, Pewakee, Rockford. My files are pulled and ready to go. My grocery list is on the fridge, my outfit already laid-out.

I smile as I realize I'll have TV in less than a week. Ahhhh the long dark evenings are almost over. The weekends will not be so much of a struggle. Thank GOD.

It's 5:00 on a Friday morning. Around me, this soggy valley is starting to waken.

I hope it's a good day for us. Sunshine would be a VERY good thing. Maybe we can even have a rainbow or two. You know......just a hint at that silver lining.

Mama Vi

Got a call from Mama Vi the other day. Actually smack dab in the middle of the American Airlines war.

Seems she hasn't realized yet that there's no good reason to be walking around at 110mph.

She accidentally kicked the foot of her bed. With her osteoporosis, you breathe on her wrong and a bone breaks.

You guessed it. She broke a couple of toes. Nothing that is SERIOUS, just painful as hell.

And a kick in the pride.

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could say a little prayer for her. She's feelin' kinda down right now.......

Todays Funny Frase

A Glint of Silver

During my Saturday Thoughts series I've asked several versions of "what always makes you smile".

Babies. And people I love. THOSE things ALWAYS make me smile.

And just in time to soothe her Aunt Tammi's soul, Carmen has pictures of Piddy, I mean Patrick.

He Is Beautiful!!

Trail of Blood

Just in case.....First - thank you LW for the link (and support). If you haven't been following my most recent episode of Traveling with Tammi....

Part 1
Part 2

Well, I got my bag. AND I didn't get arrested.

You may think that is said kinda kidding. It's not. Seriously, they called security.

Here's what happened. I made the drive to the airport. Short term parking was full so I went to one of the economy lots. Were I took a bus to take the train. I could hear the Cha Ching with every minute this all took.

I get to the American Airlines baggage service counter. Now, first I'm pissed that I didn't get any names. I should have, but well, you'll see.

The only smart thing I did was get my bag before I said anything.

Once my bag was in my possession I asked for a supervisor. Seems they weren't available. I made mention that I got the same response when I called AA Corp the night before. Hmmmm maybe that is part of the problem.

At that point I asked who could explain to me how AA was above the law that has been passed saying a bag cannot travel without it's owner.

Blank stare.

I then started my lecture.

Tammi: We need to discuss customer service. I was told, not once but SIX times that my bag would be delivered to my home. I was not just told, I was assured. Actually I was "guaranteed".

Baggage Guy: Well, how stupid are you to think we would deliver to you when you didn't even fly with us?!

Yes, he actually said that.

At that point I took a step back from the counter and put my hands behind my back. I am one who talks with her hands. I didn't want to be thought to be physically attacking.

I did, however, grow. I think I must have looked 8' tall. And I unloaded. I looked over and security was standing a bit away watching. All I could think was if they arrested me I had no one to pick me up or post bail.

But it was close.

I'm done with American Airlines. Done. Done. Done. Done. Done.

My company is done with American Airlines.

I'm strongly recommending that you too, stay away from American Airlines.

One person asked if they needed to go back and help dispose of the bodies. My response was that No, that was alright. And I don't think the trail of blood will lead ALL the way back to THE Valley........

It's Here Somewhere

You know....it's not really a good week. Rather than continue to piss and moan....I'm gonna need to find my infamous "silver lining".

So, I'm going huntin'. I'll be back....

Happenin's

It's Wednesday. Already.

So - in a nutshell, this is what's goin' on.

I'll be heading to Ohare to pick up my bag. I cannot afford to replace the clothes or cosmetics that are in there. Plus, I'm gonna have me a little talk with the Baggage Service Supervisor. Yeah, you might just want to keep an eye on headline news....you know for any breaking stories.....

My job? Yep, new boss. Actually whole new corporate structure. My boss? Yeah, he's ok with what is going on, but will strictly be a sales rep going forward. As for that training thing? I told them I was interested, but it'll be at least 6 months before they do anything with that.

I'm not real comfortable with the new structure, and I have to tell you this sort of stuff really freaks me out. I've been burnt time and again in these types of situations. It's gonna be interesting to see what happens.

Oh, and just a word of advice. Everything can change in a blink of an eye. Even if you have a "contract". Always - plan for the worst but hope for the best......

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Ok, I'm about the most dangerous animal on earth right now.

I am a woman, pissed, with nothing to lose.

All day I've been dealing with American Airlines. All Day.

I've talked to 6 people who have assured me that my bag will be delivered.

Now, over 24 hours after this mess started I'm told they will NOT deliver it because I didn't fly.

Sorry Ms. Tammi. Don't care who promised you what. Don't care. It's against policy.

I really feel bad for the guy I just talked too. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I ruined his day.

I have two choices. Drive to O'Hara and get it. OR they will ship it to me.....COD.

FUCK THAT. Not gonna happen. 1/2 a tank of gas plus parking and a wasted 4 hours - not to mention the time I've wasted all day today.

ME pay for THEM to ship me the bag that THEY sent to Ohio.... Nope.

The thing is, 5 different people told me they would deliver it to me. 3 of them at the O'Hara baggage service. I don't care at this point - someone is keeping their promises. I have to do it every day. It's called customer service.

Yeah, Dangerous would NOT begin to cover this right now......

A Gift

Today in the mail, I received a gift. A thoughtful gift that, well is exactly what I need.

It's a book. A book that is helping me realize I AM OK.

Like I said, exactly what I need.

Chapter One.

Damn....it's hittin' close to home.

Thank you Pam. From the bottom of my heart.....

It's Missing

So yesterday's trip was a bust. I really should have known. The weather sucks and getting in and out of O'hare is a nightmare on a good day.

I did push my flight out...just so I could get more of the water out of the basement before I left. The drive was perfect, found a great parking place...I was on a roll.

Then, the flight was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. Yipee. Then...the flight was delayed because of weather. Oh no. Then the flight was canceled. With nothing available until today. Well, the meeting would have been over by the time I got there so that just didn't make any sense. So I cancelled the trip altogether.

That would be when the real adventure began. My bag. My bag really needed to come home with me. It has my toothbrush and make-up, two things essential for me to do my job. So....I waited in line with the HUNDREDS of other folks looking for their luggage. Oh, and I need to mention right now, I'm NOT American Airlines biggest fan. At all.

Anyway, I'm told my bag is on it's way to Columbus. Without me. When pressed on how they could get my BAG out but not me I was met with several blank stares.

Oh, but I wasn't told this until 3 hours after I filed my claim.

THEN I was told they would put my bag on the next flight OUT of Columbus and it should be delivered to Paradise that evening. I flat out asked the guy if he was smokin' crack. You NEVER make a promise like that. He swore it would happen.

Yeah, right. Let's just say, I'm not lookin' so glamorous this morning and leave it at that.

So I called the airlines this morning to discover that my bag IS in Chicago, they just don't know what to do with it. All that time, spent at the counter giving them all that information and........nothing. So, we went through it again and my bag should be on it's way to me with in the next few hours.

We'll see.

Meanwhile, you can imagine the laugh I got when I saw the headline "Rep. Bob Filner Charged With Assault on Virginia Airport Worker" Let me tell you, I was close yesterday.

Now, in reading the article it really doesn't sound like a case of "assault". The good Congressman from California just went where he wasn't supposed to be and forgot his manners. But hey - cut the guy a break. He's a Congressman. Everyone KNOWS they function under their own set of rules.

But damn.....I was close to this yesterday. I wonder if *I* would have made the headlines. Something like "Blogger Tammi from Tammi's World Opens a Can of Whoop Ass on O'Hare Baggage Claim!!"

Nah. Probably not. But, then again, as much as we bloggers are pissin' off the MSM, makin' them look bad, you never really know.....

I Just Need to Shut up

Last night I decided to head to Fritz's for more than a couple of beers and a taco or two. I didn't do so good with the food, but the beer went down waaaayyyy too easily. Unfortunately the end result was not a blissful night of sleep but a night of tossing and turning and an enormous amount of thinking.

I hate when that happens.

Anyway, I'll post about my travel/nontravel adventure later but when you add that to the news I received on my way home and well.....it really wasn't a banner day here in Tammi's World. Nope, can't even stretch it close to that.

See, while I was sittin' at the airport, trying to get to a very important meeting, there were some announcements being made.

Seems I have a new boss. Yeah. How 'bout that?! Not 100% thrilled with that bit of news. Oh, I'm sure I'll like the new guy. He came from the same company I did, so we'll go at business the same way....it's just....Damn....I really love my boss.

Oh, and I've got my eye on a job in training. Yes, I am fully aware that I just started THIS position, but when I first came on board we were talking about this possibility. I LOVE to train. LOVE IT. Even more than sales. BUT.....with new upper management, and the fact that the position is open NOW, I don't know if my name will be in the hat.

And I gotta figure out how to make sure it is. I've done it before....

You see, I didn't start out in sales. In fact, time was I didn't think I could sell anything to anyone. The very idea of sales terrified me. But....I've always had ideas. And I've never been able to keep my mouth shut. Those two things combined can be either really good or really bad.

I used to be a temp. A temp that just typed shipping paperwork. But I got bored and shot off my mouth and next thing you know, I'm a secretary. A secretary that can't type more than 20 wpm and had never worked email in her life. Figured that stuff out and then in a blink of an eye, I'm a secretary that is calling on customers to fix their logistic and production issues.

That's unflippin' heard of, for cryin' out loud....but I had these ideas, and I just had to tell someone....one thing led to another and WHAM. Traveling secretary.

Then, I got promoted to sales. But not to sell. To analyze. To do the paperwork. IOW, a glorified secretary. But...you guessed it....I had these ideas. And I wrote 'em down. Next thing you know....I'm in sales.

At Tropicana, I couldn't BUY a job in sales. I was....again, a glorified secretary. Who, again, couldn't keep her mouth shut. Those damned ideas of mine. Anyway, I end up training and managing and, well, at one point driving the bus on one of our largest accounts.

So.....after a few years, here I am. I'm full blown sales. No doubt about it. I'm in a company that is growing and changing, and I've got these ideas.....

The problem is, what do I do? Do I follow my normal pattern or do I just keep my mouth shut?

I'm pretty sure, given my track record, I'll be all pushy and assertive and stuff. I'll put my ideas down in an "infamous memo". But let's just hope it turns out better for me than it did for Jerry Maguire. While I really wouldn't mind the romance part, I'm not in the mood to have my career fall apart....again.

Yeah, maybe I just need to shut up this time.....

Todays Funny Frase

A day without sunshine....is like night, actually.

I'm not even going to MENTION who THAT reminds me of......

Oy

I'm back in THE Valley.

You don't even want to KNOW about my day....but I'll tell you. Tomorrow.

Tonite? I'm goin' to bed.

Todays Funny Frase

Everbody lies....But it doesn't matter,....because nobody listens.

The bad part is, this really isn't all that funny. Mainly because I'm finding out it's a little to close to the truth.........

Wet and well, just wet

Well, isn't this an interesting kettle of fish?

I got more water. Standing water. AND - it's raining. Again.

My flight WAS (operative word) at 8:50 this morning. I'm taking a later flight. I just do NOT feel right leaving while my house is sinking. (I'm a boater - go with me on this one.)

The good news is I didn't need to be up at 0 dark 30. The bad news? I was anyway.

So - long and short? I really NEED to be at these meetings so I'm hitting the road. Got a plane to catch. I'll see y'all tomorrow night..........

Oh, and since I was up so early any way, I thought maybe I should rethink my furniture choices for down in the Football Room.....

Whatta ya think?

Oh, and the first person who asks if I'm getting a pool table is done. DONE. ;-)

I can DRIVE!!

SarahK's post HERE had me nodding. I know what she means. I LOVE trucks.

Back in my "other life" we had lots of problems with the cars my husband bought. They tended to blow engines or just....stop.

So often times he'd bring home the 1 ton flat bed from work for me to drive. Yes, I drove a 1 ton flat bed for the better part of 6 years. To work. To the grocery store. To the laundry. And I could DRIVE that truck.

I loved it. Hell, I even had my favorite "truck drivin' hat". :-)

So......I get divorced and move to Florida. Most folks couldn't/wouldn't believe some of the stories I told about that prior life.

Fast forward to my friend moving. She is a single mom and we were gonna move her ourselves. Ourselves including me, a male friend of ours and her worthless piece-o-shit boyfriend.

The day before the move, she announces that she better rent a truck. The day before. Now, I had been asking her about that for 3 weeks. "I got it" was all I heard.

Needless to say, the pickin's were slim. We did get a truck, but it was a 36' 5-speed diesel. She freaked. I'm laughing. I quickly assured her that I could handle it, no problem. Cause I need to tell you, both of the guys made it clear they couldn't drive that kind of truck.

The morning of the big day she and I head down to pick up the vehicle. Now, try to picture this. Me. I'm 6'2 in my "truck drivin' hat", big denim shirt, tank top and short denim shorts. No shoes. Her. Built like a brick shit-house, blond, all done up. She immediately goes into "helpless mode". That makes me insane. I just stand outside waiting and smoking. The guys at the shop were watching and talking......

Finally I just go in and ask for the keys. I look at her and say "I SAID I got it." And walked out to the truck. Some little man follows me out tryin' to tell me about how to drive it. I step up and look down at him, sliding my glasses down my nose. "No sweat. Not my first time at the rodeo" then start the truck up.

As I rumble past her she's bent over laughing. You see, they only knew me as this prissy beachy sales person. THIS Tammi? Yeah, never in their nightmares.....

We still crack up about that. I guess she followed me the whole way back to the house calling all our friends...Thank goodness we hadn't started drinking yet.

Yeah, I love trucks. I'm hoping, sometime next year to buy an old beater truck. Just because I think everyone needs somethin' to haul stuff in.

But thanks SarahK. That's one of my favorite memories.......

Today's Funny Frase

Well, actually this WEEKEND's Funny Frase....

I'm so miserable without you....it's almost like you're still here.

Serpent in Paradise

You know they say, every paradise has it's serpent. Well, I found mine today.

Actually, I kinda sorta knew about it, but now, yeah - we've been formally introduced.

Oh, now, wait a minute. I'm not talking a REAL serpent. I'm bein' metaphorical.

I found my "problem".....

And it's in my basement........

Right now......

Despite the fact that I've just spent the last hour tryin' to get rid of it.

That damned wall is seepin' again. And with the amount of rainfall we're getting, and due to get, I'm tryin' hard to stay ahead of it.

Damp, soggy, DAMNIT!!!

So I guess the upside of this is I'm getting a hell of a work out with the wet vac. The down side is, I'm leaving tomorrow. Not thrilled with the idea of two more days of rain and me not here to carry on the battle.

And before you say anything, there is nothing the "caretakers" can do until things dry out, til it stops raining.

But I ain't givin' up!!! This is NOT book XI of Paradise Lost.

Perfect For Chillin'

I simply adore Eric Clapton's music. Always have.

This is one of my favorite's. Not just of his songs, but in general.

Enjoy. It's perfect for a Sunday.

Jarring

Normally, a rainy night produces a fantastic nights sleep. The sound of the rain on the roof....it's just so soothing.

Yesterday, it rained most of the day. It cleared up in the afternoon, and then started in again when the sun set.

I drifted off to sleep, sound and sweet.

Until around 4:00 this morning, when all hell broke loose.

The lightening was so wild, the thunder so powerful it shook the house. Shook the house so hard that the "touch light" I have next to the bed came on. On bright.

I sat up so fast I about gave myself a nose bleed! Bright Light! Bright Light!! Damned Gremlins movies anyway...

It's Sunday, for cryin' out loud. It's 4:00 in the morning!! And of course it's 4:00am on the Sunday before the Monday that I have to leave the house to catch a plane at 5:00 in the flippin' morning.

Oh well, such is life.

But, we've already had a lot of rain. ALOT of rain. I just got the damned basement dried out from the last bit. Now, I'll be gone for two days and, well, who knows......

So it's looking like a lazy Sunday. Rainy/stormy, candles will be lit, naps taken and something cooked. I just think maybe I'll go ahead and unplug that bedside lamp before I do any serious napping. You know....just in case.

Beautiful

Last Saturday, at the grocery store, I bought a dozen coral roses. They were so beautiful.

Now, usually roses will do pretty well for just about a week. But once you hit that 7 day mark, well, they just start to fall apart.

Not so these roses. Today marks the 7th day, and just look at this......

I'm not surprised....

I told you when I wrote about this book - it's the best book I've ever read. Ever.

According to Michelle Malkin, Hollywood wants to make a movie.

All I can say is, they better not screw THIS ONE up!!

Saturday Question

Man, it's been a while since we've done one of these, hasn't it? I guess, sometimes life just gets so....so....complicated that a "mini vacation" isn't even practical.

Well, I say enough of that. Let's step away for just a moment.

Pam posted a little "quiz" that is supposed to tell us about who we are and how we deal with life based on our "dream home". Well, I'm really not in a place where I want to share all THAT with y'all, I will play along partially.

You walk deep in the woods. You enter a clearing, and before you is your DREAM house. How big is it?
It's pretty big. It has 4 bedrooms, with an office. BIG kitchen, huge family room and dining room. Big. Wrap around porch with lots of chairs grouped.

Is your dream house surrounded by a fence?
No way.

You enter the house. You walk into the dining room and see the dining room table. What do you see on AND around it?
Well, first thing? Candles. Candles on the table, candles on the walls, lots of beautiful candles. And fresh cut flowers. Big bunches of them. The table would seat 20. (I know they exist, my aunt has one that sits 24 easily.) It would be rich dark wood, simple design with very comfy chairs. Chairs you enjoy sitting in, cause I don't want any one to "rush the meal" because they are uncomfortable. In the middle of the table would be my big red bowl. With, of course a candle in it. The places would be set with my simple white dishes and you can smell a delicious meal ready to be served from the kitchen. While I can't see any people - I hear them. In the family room. Waiting.

You exit the house and a cup is on the ground, what kind is it?
Pottery. Over sized, brown, hand made.

What do you do with the cup?
I pick it up and place it on one of the tables arranged with the chairs on the porch.

You walk to the edge of the property where you find yourself standing at the edge of a body of water. What kind of body of water is it?
It's a lake. Surrounded by trees. It's so big I can barely make out the other shoreline.

How will you cross the water?
A sailboat. With a green sail.

Now, Pam has the analysis on WHAT your answers mean and how they describe a bit of your philosophy of life. I won't go THAT far, but by all means head over and play along.

Me? I'm goin' back into the house and serve dinner to my guests. After all, it's my dream, and I'm not quite ready for it to end just yet......

The Suspense Is Over

I know y'all are just dying to know what I decided to do about the TV for my Football Room.

So, here's what I came up with.

There is no earthly reason I need 3 televisions. None. For cryin' out loud, I'm a single woman, living alone who really only loves Sports and Movies. I'm working hard to set up the family room so it will be GREAT for just those things.

So.....I'm taking the TV out of the living room and putting it downstairs. It only has about 1 good year left in it, so that will buy me a bit of time. I figure when it blows I'll be in a position to buy EXACTLY what I want for down there. BIG and BOLD.

Meanwhile, that will allow me to pay off the furniture for that room even faster. AND I can pick up a serviceable stereo so I can have real music when I'm at home working or cooking.

It's the sensible solution. And folks, I'm trying VERY hard to be sensible. Trust me when I tell you, it is NOT a natural state for me.

So now y'all can sleep easy. I've made my decision and will begin to implement in a couple three weeks.

Don't you feel better knowing?!?! ;-)

Todays Funny Frase

It's been lovely,.......but I have to scream now.

While I'm At It

Man, there has been some GREAT posting out there lately. And since I can't seem to grasp an idea long enough to get it from mind to fingers, I'm gonna keep pointing you to these fabulous posts.

Teresa talks about the latest trend in many areas of providing free Wi-Fi for everyone.

No charge. Free. Yeah. RIGHT....

You nailed this one Teresa. There is NO SUCH THING as a FREE LUNCH!

Why?

I don't know about y'all, but I'm sick and tired of hearing those "libs" throwing around the question "Why Iraq?" Seriously, to me it seems like common sense, but then again, I'm finding out that isn't something that really IS so common after all.

Well, Harvey has penned the PERFECT response. If you didn't read it when he first posted it at IMAO, shame on you. But he's now cross posted it at his place and I'm going to ask you to take the time to check it out.

*Wham!* That's the sound of hittin' one out of the park!!!

Unexpected

There seems to be an unexpected benefit to me being home more.

I've lost weight. Oh, I don't think you can really tell....yet. Although TNT did tell me it look like I'd dropped a little since I'd seen her last.

At first I was really confused. I'm cooking ALOT more. And making cakes and pies and big meals. Usually those are evening meals. I'm not getting as much exercise as I used to. I sit at this desk. A lot. I drive. A lot. At least when I worked in an office building I'd get up and walk to someones office rather than call. Here? I pace the house. But I know it's not nearly as much walking as I used to get.

Then it clicked. I'm not eating fast food every day for lunch. In fact I rarely eat fast food. When I do? It's chicken wraps, fruit salads and yogurt. At home? I have no "bad for you" snacks. Those afternoon sweet tooth attacks? Quaker Carmel Rice Cakes. I love 'em.

I'm down to only 2 or 3 diet cokes A WEEK. Now, I drink a lot of decaf sweet tea. And I use real sugar. Just under a cup per gallon. You'd think that would off set the other "good habits" I've picked up.

And I can't WAIT to see what happens when I'm able to start adding real work-outs to the mix. The fact that I'll be able to work out every morning just makes me smile. Oh, I still walk as often as possible when I need to go to town. But real targeted exercise? Yeah, I'm looking forward to that.

Honestly, I never thought this would be one of the side benefits. Last time I worked at home I GAINED this weight. Of course, not dealing with all those hurricanes, a boss from hell and all that processed food does make a bit of a difference.

I'm kind of excited about what could happen. Who knows. Those favorite jeans of mine might just come out of storage after all.

Waste Not. Want Not.

OK - I think it's official. I've actually lost what little bit of mind I had.

I just spent the afternoon calculating pricing for a new account I just opened.

I crunched numbers like a damned elephant playin' in a peanut field.

Then....I made a pretty PRETTY price sheet, set up with different tabs - one for each brand, each a different color - and put the new and improved pricing on there.

Then I saved. I know I did. I'm positive. Sorta. Kinda. WELL, normally I hit save 7,000,000 times while working on something like this.

Then I closed everything down so I could attach it to the professionally scripted email that I'm sending to this customer.

It's gone. No where. Nada. I've now opened every single excel worksheet on my hard drive and that's a hell of a lotta spread sheets!

So obviously I didn't save it. Ever. Not one single time in 6 hours. I find that a bit hard to believe, but hey. The proof is in the pudding. Or so they say.

So I'm over it. I cannot possibly reconstruct it again tonite. My eyes are crossing, I haven't had a cigarette in almost 3 hours, and damn it!! I want to watch a movie.

But I just thought I should let y'all know. It's happened. I cracked. It's gone. Ahhh...they say a mind is a terrible thing to waste........

Amazing

I just saw this over at Badgers Forward.

"I am staying another year. Many people are shocked to hear that; shocked that I would do so voluntarily. They say I have done enough; that Mrs Badger 6 and I have done enough. As long as United States service members are in harms way, how can any of us say we have done enough? This was not a war we sought, despite what some will tell you, but it its a war we must win. We are not at the end of history, the prosperity and peace of the United States is not pre-ordained, a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq will make it closer to ending those things."

Go. Read the rest.

Words fail me. I'm constantly awed by the strength, focus and dedication of our Military and their families.....

Fine Line

There's some swappin' of accounts going on right now. It's a really good thing, it'll give the customers better attention and not stretch the reps nearly so far.

However....one of my guys is having a fit! He does not like the rep that has been assigned to him. Not because he knows him. Because he knows OF him.

He knows that the rep parties with some of the sales associates of his biggest competitor. I know that too, but I sure as hell didn't bring it up. He's afraid that he'll lose his confidentiality. I've been working very hard at assuring him it'll all be just fine.

BUT....that is precisely why I do NOT socialize with my customers. For that very reason. It's a very small world, and all I've got is my reputation. I don't need any of that kind of grief. ESPECIALLY being a single woman, yeah....we all know what kind of talk that leads to.

And it's why I'm so isolated. I build relationships with my customers but I would never call it friendships. Not anymore. Not in this industry.

I work. And I hang out with some of y'all. But I don't have time to go out and meet people. Hell, I'm barely keeping up now.....If I started playin' every night I'd never get anything done.

So it's part and parcel of my career. Kinda sucks sometimes, but it's my choice. One I feel is best for me.

But then again.....I'm kind of old school.

Is It Just Me?

Is anyone else having trouble with Gmail?

I've had no luck getting a connection since sometime yesterday afternoon. Everything else is working fine, just not gmail.

It's kinda frustrating......

11:54 - never mind. It's fine now.....

Self Indulgent

Ok. If any post at any time showed y'all just how much of a dweeby dorky dork I really am.....it's this one.

But what the hell! I've prided myself on being pretty open and honest with y'all over the years, so what have I got to lose.....

Guess what I got this morning? Go ahead. Guess.

My bed. My brand new mattress and box springs were delivered first thing this morning.

Now, the guy was very nice. Very professional. And not a little scared to death. I'm alright with that. It works for me. :-)

Anyway - it's beauitful. Just beautiful.

It's got 4" of latex foam in the pillow top so it's soft and luxurious. That decadent foam is supported by individually encased coils that adjust to your body and give you just the right amouth of support along with the plushness. The damned thing is 14"!!! Add in the 9" box and that's one tall bed! I'm going to have to get a step stool for my guests to even get in and out. :-)

Oh, and the cover! The cover is made with a cashmere blend. Holy Cow!!

My guests are going to feel good and pampered. Just the way it's supposed to be. Now I just need to figure out what I want to do for MYSELF.

And because I am such a dweeby dorky dork, I tried to upload pictures. But for some reason, my software is not cooperating.....but ohhhh I may just get some quality sleep tonite! And that.....is a VERY good thing.

Today's Funny Frase

Do I LOOK Like a People Person?!

If only I were video blogging, you would soooo understand why that struck me as so appropriate today.......

It's A Good Thing

Sometimes I just can't get over how lucky I am. Or how wonderful people can be.

I signed up a new account. She's been in business for a while, but has decided instead of doing just "custom" work, she's going to open a store front. I think it's a great idea, she's in the perfect location and her vision is spot on.

Anyway, we've been working on her line-up and making sure we've got everything just right. Now, this account isn't going to be HUGE. In fact, in my previous job, my boss would have told me I'm "wasting too much time for too little income." I don't do things that way. EVERYONE deserves the best you can give them. Period.

The other day she called on my cell. As we were chatting about her first order she cuts me off. There was something she'd been meaning to tell me, and always forgets.

Then she made an offer that, well, to say it surprised me would be a pretty big understatement

She wants me to stop by the shop and pick out what furniture I'd like and she'll get it for me wholesale. AND have it delivered. Here. To THE Valley.

That is an incredibly generous offer. Normally I would be offered "employee discounts" by my customers. I never ask, but they usually put that in there. But WHOLESALE? Never, ever has that been an option.

I wish I could tell you the mark up on furniture. You may THINK you know, but unless you been "inside" you would never guess. This is going to save me a FORTUNE and get my home together much MUCH faster than I had dared hope.

We'll start out with the dining room. And entertainment center for the Living Room. Then.....I'm going to buy the bedroom set I've never had. Exactly what *I* want. Pieces that all match. Quality stuff. Something that will last my lifetime.

I'm just blown away at her generosity. I'm telling you, every time I start to think the world isn't that great a place, something like this happens to remind me that there ARE people out there with good hearts.

And I just love it when that happens....

Movie Talk

As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, I have no T.V. right now. Won't until August 30th. It's kinda sorta making for very long and tedious evenings and weekends, let me just tell you.

Oh, I'm not a HUGE T.V. watcher, but I do love movies. And I need background noise. Other wise....well, it's just too damned quiet.

So, I signed up for NetFlix. It's been my salvation. AND, they are QUICK!! For instance I returned three movies Monday and my replacements are to be delivered today. Much better turn around than I expected, so I am more than pleased.

Anyway - I watched a movie this weekend that I just had to tell you about. Now, I am a huge fan of classical music. And Beethoven is one of my favorite composers. The 9th Symphony is one of my favorite of his pieces.

So, when I saw they had made a movie entitled Copying Beethoven I requested that right away.

It was delightful. The plot centers around the premier of the 9th Symphony. The time just before, the premier itself and then his death shortly after. The story itself is based on a collection of facts and situations, so while fictional it has a strong ring of truth.

And the music. Oh my goodness. There's a scene where Beethoven's assistant is helping him while he conducts the orchastra and chorale. Now, I'll admit to you, I think this particular piece of music is about as sensual as they come. Seriously. And I was THRILLED to see the director felt the same way, and brought that out in this scene. Holy Cow! It gave me chill bumps.

Now, I didn't love some of the way they filmed it. And it's very much in the Independent Film style. But overall, while I don't feel it ADDS to the film, it barely takes anything away.

IMHO - this is one GREAT flick. Unlike so many I watch, no fighting (well, a bit of arguing, but it's Beethoven, for cryin' out loud). No sex (but ohhh is it sensual). Just a wonderful story, about an incredibly gifted man. And the music.......ahhhh the music.......

American Soldier

Today marks 2 years that SGT Mike Stokely was KIA near Yusufiyah Iraq.

Please go HERE and read the words his father, Robert Stokely shares.

And then watch the video that his sister, Abbey, put together to honor her big brother.

Mr. Stokely ends this tribute with the following:

"When asked what I would say to those who built the bomb that killed Mike, my answer is "They would have better served their cause by leaving him alive to have come home to a family who would have gone on to live ordinary anonymous lives. Instead, by their acts which caused Mike's death, an enemy has brought our family and entire generation of friends alive for the cause of freedom, without bitterness, anger, or bent for revenge, as we Remember with Honor what Mike Stokely gave. We have not wavered, we shall not retreat, nor shall we forget."

No Mr Stokely, we have not forgotten.

Prayers Needed - Updated

Prayers and good thoughts are needed folks.

Teresa's son and HomeFront Six's husband are both in Iraq. Both are tied to Chinook Companies.

5 Killed in Chinook Crash.....headlines like that are the stuff of nightmares.

Please. Keep my friends and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

9:00pm - updated via my comments - from Teresa: "....just got an email from HFS - it's not either of our units. Now we need to pray for the families who aren't so fortunate."

Follow-Up

A while back, I asked y'all to help my friend Pam win a comment contest so that she could have a beautiful portrait done of her darlin' Tess.

Well, she's announced that it's done.

And check out the final results. Man....Leanne does incredible work.

I'm thinking if you want a painting done, you'll want to contact Leanne. I know I will....

It's beautiful Pam. I couldn't be happier for you!!!

Interesting Development

Huh. Had an interesting talk with one of the "caretakers" of Paradise.

We were discussing the problem of re-sealing the basement wall. They're going to fix it. No issue there at all.

What was interesting is he was telling me they (the church that owns this home) are not sure what they are going to do with it.

You see, they originally bought this place to tear it down. The church is growing and they thought that they would need the extra land to expand. But that wasn't going to be for another 7-10 years.

But...now they're not sure that's what they want to do. Sometime in the next year or so they are thinking they may just want to sell.

I cannot tell you what that did to my sanity. My first thought was Oh Dear Lord, not again. Not now.

Well, seems they want to sell to me. Huh.

I'm in no position to even think about contemplating the possibility of purchasing anything bigger than a television right now. But in a year? Yeah. I could do it in a year. Yeah, I could.

How 'bout that? It's kinda freaky.

I just love this place. If I owned it, I could fix the things that bug me, they are few and far between, and it would be nigh near perfect. It just breaks my heart to think of them tearing this place down.

And I can tell you, they must be serious. I've been told I can paint all I want. Change any light fixtures I want. Take down wall paper.......In other words, I've got a green light to really settle in.

So - there's that. Kind of an interesting twist. Again.

Nothing changes, but then again nothing stays the same........

Maybe I should Break Her TV

Mama Vi is gonna be pissed!!!

You might remember her letter writing campaign against Hillary Clinton. She has been sending letters to FOX News and 60 Minutes to get them to stop talking about her.

Yeah, well, today I see that Clinton's television ads are starting to run.

Mama is NOT gonna be happy about THAT, I can assure you.

Hell, it's almost enough to make *ME* glad I don't have T.V. right now.....

Tease

So I hear the coffee pot go off this morning. The beans grinding into that flavorful elixir of life.....

I hear the machine beep, telling me it's safe to get up now.

My favorite part of the day. Early morning with a fresh pot of coffee.

As I walk out to the kitchen the fragrance is tantalizing.

I pull the pot out to pour a cup and.......WTF?!?!?! The pot is empty.

I forgot to put the water in when I set everything up last night.

I hate it when I'm a tease.........

It's Messy

When I cook, I make a mess. I use more bowls and dishes and pots than any sane person. But it's how I cook. It's what I do.

And I know, that when it's all said and done, when everything is finished that I'll have a mess to clean up. I don't like it, but it's part and parcel of what I do. Even more than that, of who I am.

I give it all I've got. I ENJOY the process. But I remember....for every action, there's a reaction. It's what keeps balance.

So I can't complain about the mess. I can heave a heavy sign. I can wish I wasn't like this. But bottom line? Yeah, it is what it is.

Because the only other choice is to stop cooking. And I just don't see that happening.

I'm tellin' you folks. You really CAN'T teach an old dog new tricks......

Definition of "Freaky"

Ok, there are a million ways to go with THAT title, but we'll just keep it clean and easy.

I'm subscribed to this "alert" that is tied to the industry that I work in. So any time there is news they email me right away.

I just got a new alert. It's about MY company. Holy Crap.....that's like watching the news and seeing that a hurricane is getting ready to hit. Talk about stopping your heart.

Oh, it's all ok, but Damn can the Cosmos stop messin' with my head for just a day?!?!? Holy Cow!!!!!

I *CAN* Do It!!

Yesterday I was up pretty early. Made some of grandma's pie crust, then made a very yummy apple pie. That came out of the oven around 8:30 in the morning.

Then I put a beautiful chunk of smoked ham, still on the bone, in with some onion and spices to slow simmer.

Then I baked a batch of sweet corn bread.

After a while I added some chunked up red new potatoes to the ham.

About then it was time to start cleanin' the fresh green beans I picked up at the farmer's stand down the road.

When those were cleaned and snapped I took the ham out and cut it into nuggets and set the bone aside.

Finally I added the fresh green beans.

All along I kept adding some seasoning to the pot and stiring things up.

It was fabulous, if I must say so myself.

Why do I tell you all this? Because I made this entire meal without cutting or burning myself one single time. Not one additional injury was added to my repertoire.

And I'm pretty damned proud of myself, thankyouverymuch!

You see. I CAN do it!!!!!

Just So You Know....

Since I pushed so hard for y'all to adopt a soldier, I thought it only right that I keep you posted on how I'm doing with the Warrior I've taken under my wing.

It's been pretty easy, if you want to know the truth. I keep tellin' y'all that I write like I talk, and that goes for letters as well as blog entries. I manage a 2 page note every week and have sent, so far two packages.

The first one was kind of fun. Since I sent it on the weekend of my birthday, I made it a Birthday Party in a Box. Hey. I like themes, what can I say... Now, I couldn't do everything I WANTED to do with that package, but I think it was alright. I purchased one of those flat rate boxes from the post office and then crammed as much in there as I could. A big package of Oreo's, some other cookies - cause what's a party without food, for cryin' out loud...add in about 4 different flavors of chewing gum (no reason for that, other than I thought he might appreciate it.) Some other snack cakes. I did buy about 10 different kinds of magazines, from huntin' to motorcycle, to hot rod, to Maxum, I tried to cover just about everything. What really made it "a package from me" were the bags of water balloons. Kinda weird to think about sending something like that to a Soldier in a War Zone, but I figured it's hotter than three hells over there and they might enjoy having a decent water balloon fight.....

A couple of weeks later I checked over at Soldiers Angels and found a great Pre-Packaged package that was just perfect. And they made it so easy....it had a bunch of snacks along with a cool scarf and a sand scarf. Oh, and a phone card. Perfect. For less than $20 I had a nice little somethin' sent off.

Now.....I will admit it does start to get a little challenging. They warned us from the get-go that we may not hear from our Soldier. And being a blogger, I figured it was pretty easy to just write, without hearing back. Well, it get's kind of tough.

I don't want to bore him. I want him to look forward to the packages and mail. But.....I don't know anything about him. I don't know if he's married with children. Where he comes from. What food he likes. Hell, what football teams he follows! Or even, gasp, if he likes football!!!!

Speaking of which - the next package theme? Yeah, it's all about the football!!! I'm actually going to do that one in two phases. The first will center around Pro Ball. The second college. I did warn him, that I'm a huge Bucs fan and that my college team of choice are the Fighting Irish. Gee.....I hope he likes red and green!!

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know, that while adopting a Soldier has it's challenges, it's also the best feeling knowing that someone is looking forward to what you are sending next. I'm making someones day.

There are still many opportunities to help. Just click HERE to adopt a Soldier. It's easy. And it's one of those rare things in life you'll never regret doing.

Almost!!!

Just when I needed a little "pick me up" one of you wonderful folks that stop by here sent me this great picture!!

My Boys!!! My Bucs at training camp..........

Ahhhh it's ALMOST football!!

Thanks C! The picture made my day!!!

Watch and Listen

Uncle Jimbo shares a video. You NEED to see it.

As I watched, the first time, I sat a little taller. I nodded a little harder. And my eyes got a little mistier.

Again, I say....where DO we find these men and women?!

Stuff

Pam talks about "Promotional goodies" and it sparked an idea.

I've thought about setting up a Cafe Press just for kicks. But I wanted something different......

Here's some of the stuff I thought was appropriate comin' from Tammi's World.

Of course a T-shirt. One with the "State of Mind" saying. And of course the infamous "This is what I'm gonna need for you to do....."

Then I figured Coffee Mugs. I mean, really. That just makes sense.

Maybe a juice glass. But, that's a kind of a stretch.

Then I thought about a key chain.......with a compass on it. How funny would THAT be?!?!?!

And then, to build on that maybe a Road Atlas, with my banner on the bottom! HA!!! That makes me laugh just thinking about it.

I'm tryin' to think of something "mattress" related (Stop right there! Do NOT follow that train of thought!!)

If I could figure out how to design my own line of Tammi's World candles that would be pretty cool.

What do you think? Y'all are pretty damned creative (to put it nicely).....

Today's Funny Frase

This is sooooooo something I would at least THINK. Say? Maybe on a "good" day....Oh hell. Who am I kidding. Yeah. I'd say it. Flat out.

I'm sorry, but I was looking for someone a little higher up (the food chain).

It Makes No Sense

This is one of those "Icky Girlie TMI" posts so I'll put the bulk in the extended entry. I know not everyone is a fan of those. It's just some days.....

Ok. Back in my late 20's I had some "female issues". Actually I'd had them all my life, and just got fed up about that time. I pretty much forced them to give me a hysterectomy.

They fought me tooth and nail. I had only had 1 miscarriage, I was only 27 - still many childbearing years left. Plus, it's never really been the "treatment of choice" for what I was dealing with.

I didn't care. I had enough with the pain and issues and wasn't going to take anymore!!

So they agreed to a simple hysterectomy. Again, I put my foot down. I wanted a radical. Take it all. Everything. It was my experience that in those situations, if they didn't take it all, they'd have to go back later and finish the job. This was a one shot deal. I had 3 kids to worry about, a job and a house to run. I didn't have time to dilly dally.

Well, it turns out the surgery actually saved my life. There was a lot more wrong than they thought. My doctor actually apologized for fighting me on it.

Yeah. Yippee. Whatever.

Anyway.....I refused to take hormones. Oh, I took them during my three day stay in the hospital. You NEVER fight them there, at least then, or you'd never get out. But when I got home I threw the rest of the meds and the prescription away. No way in HELL I was putting THAT crap in my system.

So, I make sure I get plenty of calcium and do everything I can to fight off osteoporosis. And having that surgery was the smartest thing I've ever done. I'm healthier than you can imagine. My immune system ROCKS.

I've even had a friend say that NOW, I'm the perfect woman. No PMS, I'm just consistently bitchy. You know what to expect.

But lately, I'm finding that's not so true. I'm about as emotional as I've ever been. In fact, it's almost bi-polar.

For instance, this morning....I was reading a very funny story. Laughing my ass off. When all of a sudden I realize, Hey! I'm not laughing!! I'm crying!! WTF?!?!?!?

It's just bizarre to me. I'm not one of those "emotional roller coaster" kinda gals. Really. I'm pretty steady. Oh, I have my moments, but they pass very quickly.

But this? This is making me crazy!!! I know it's not "the change". Hell, I dealt with that 15+ years ago. This? This is all new.

I don't know what it is, but I'll tell you one thing. This shit better stop and stop quickly. I HATE this in other people. I don't think I can deal with it personally.

All Hail Pier 1

I am in candle heaven right now......

And it's not my fault. Really. Pier 1 sent me an email yesterday announcing they brought back some of the "old favorite" scents.

What? Could it be!?!?!? Yes.....One of my favorite candles of all times is back on the shelf. Tuscan Herb. They say it's supposed to smell like an "Italian Kitchen". It doesn't.....but it does smell like home.....

So today I hustled my hiney right over to that store. At first I was crest fallen because I couldn't find a shopping basket. How on EARTH did they expect me to shop for candles without a basket? Was I limited to only what I could carry?!?!

As I was trying to figure out just where I could stick candles (forget I said that!) how I would carry the candles a young gentleman brought me a basket. I guess my panic was evident.

As I rake the scented beauties off the shelf something caught my eye. I know that color, but I haven't seen it in....forever. I walk over to another shelf, and GLORY BE!!! there is my favorite scent of all times for ever and ever amen. First Rain. And they hadn't even announced THAT one was back.

Holy Crap. I bought me some candles. And Paradise is starting to smell like.....home. THAT'S what's been missing. (Well, that and furniture) Yes, I needed the right scents.

Ahhhh the glories of nesting. THAT was a VERY good shopping day.....

It's a Sickness

88%? Well, that's actually lower than I expected and not as bad as it would have been say...2 years ago. Still.....

Damn. I need to get a life......

h/t VW

Asking Advice

Yesterday I treated myself. Since I had to reschedule everything to free up Monday, I took care of some Tammi Errands in the afternoon.

I got my hair done - my most decadent treat - and then I went shopping.

Furniture shopping to be exact.

Yep, I finally put the money down on the sectional for the basement. I am stoked. It's beautiful and comfortable. I can hardly wait to get it delivered. I should have everything in and settled by the end of September. Which meets the very first time-line I put together.

As I mentioned in the post below, I also finally FINALLY ordered the DirecTV. WooHoo!! I really wanted it to begin, oh, yesterday, but alas, there's a bit of a delay. So I'm going to try and use that time wisely.

By actually SHOPPING for something instead of just BUYING something.

I need a decent TV for down there. And folks - I'm confused as hell.

Now, I absolutely refuse to spend over $500 for a TV. I don't care how much I enjoy movies and sports, I just cannot justify that kind of money. Nope. And I need something that can be seen comfortably through-out that space. So, in other words, no HDTV, big screen, hocus pocus dohickey for me.

I was actually thinking THIS might work. But I don't know. I know the SHARP brand, and have had good luck with it before. But I thought I'd see what you think.

It fits into the budget (barely) and they have them in stock on a regular basis, so I can actually buy it and bring it home when I'm ready.

But is a 32" screen going to be enough for a, while not LARGE still good sized family room?

After I figure out that piece of the puzzle, then I'd like to add some kind of, again inexpensive, sound system. I don't need the best with all the bells and whistles. I'd just like it to be "special". Again, love my sports and movies. I'm wantin' to take it to the next level.

Any suggestions?

Patience is not my strength

Good News? DirecTV has been ordered. Full package INCLUDING NFL Sunday Ticket. WooHoo!!!!

Bad News? They can't install it until August 30th.

I told the guy no problem. Just walk on into the house and I'll be the woman sitting in the corner rocking...........

Vague

I was taking one of my daily walks down to the Post Office and I got to thinking. Isn't it amazing how many of the REALLY important things in our lives are intangible? Really. Walk with me through this thought process for a moment.

Anger. What is anger? How do we measure it? What's the difference between being angry and being mad?

Oh, now I'll be the first person to admit I get angry. But it rarely lasts very long. Usually. But of course I get angry, mad, whatever. I'm a very passionate person.

Which leads to me Passion. What exactly *IS* passion? Again, how do we measure it? Does everyone experience it?

And hate? Love? How do you define those things? What's the difference between them? Seriously. Think about that for a moment. They always say the line between love and hate is blurred. Both are defined by focus. And commitment. And attention. How do you measure love? How do you know when it's hate? Or obsession?

How do these "events", for want of a better word, appear? Children aren't usually confronted with monsters. Yet, the monster in the closet is one of the first fears many of us face. Why is that? And anger? Why is it certain things will make us soooo angry we never get past it? Or why do we love what/who we love? It's more than just "chemistry". It has to be. Some people are drawn to water, others the majesty of the sky. What is it that clicks and next thing we know we're in love? For better or worse, reciprocated or not, it's there. Why? How?

It's all just so.....so.......ambiguous. And given the fact that just those things I mention are such a part of our lives, wouldn't you think it'd be more? More measurable. More attainable.

I'm Over It

It's coming up three years since THE SEASON of HURRICANES as I think of that fall 2004. Oh, what a horrible few months that was.

Just a reminder, or to fill you in if you don't usually read here....I was living just outside of Orlando Florida at that time. A nice house. On a golf course, backing up to a nature's preserve. Out a bit from the city. Smack dab in the center of the state between Tampa and Daytona.

Charlie blew in south west of me. Hit strong and fierce. Without any real warning on where he would eventually introduce himself. He swept up the center of the state, destruction everywhere. Personally? I lost a friend, and most of my sales territory. AND I spent the night alone in the most fear I've ever experienced (and that's sayin' something with the life I've led). The eye went directly over my home.

That's one.

A few weeks later? Francis. She came in on the other coast. Slow but steady she wrecked havoc. Seeming determined to take out what Charlie had left behind. And she did. At least for me. The rest of my sales territory was destroyed. And again, the eye passed over my house.

That's two.

Now, being located where I was, we also were prone to tornadoes. On a regular basis. The two weather fronts from each coast would "meet" right down the center line. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you could equate my house to the 40 yard line......lovely.

Anyway....than, just a few weeks later Ivan. Now, Ivan missed hitting my area directly. We saw the outer bands, which were no small thing. But in horror we sat helplessly and saw the destruction he caused in the Pensacola area.

That's three. And let me tell you - I didn't know a Floridian that wasn't gun shy at this point.

Then......like that wasn't enough. Jeanne. Following the same damned path of Francis. The bitch.

That was four.

Folks this was all in the span of a couple three months. One after Another after Another.

It was hell.

Financially? I was near ruined. Luckily my house was only minorly damaged (its gone now, hit by a tornado after I left to move here). But I couldn't make a living. I tried. My company tried to help, but no money in is no money in.

And across the state you saw the infamous Blue Roofs - tarps trying to stave off additional damage to homes. Businesses destroyed.

It sucked.

Well, Rachel over at Pereiraville spot lights the latest cover for Time Magazine. It's talking about Katrina and New Orleans. How they haven't recovered, yada yada yada.

And she makes some great points. (sorry I'm a couple days late linking to this!)

That autumn of 2004? In Florida? We pulled OURSELVES up by our bootstraps. We didn't expect anyone to "fix it" while we sat back and gave instructions on "what we deserved". We mourned our loses and then got to work.

Oh, I cannot tell you how pissed off I get every flippin' time someone has the audacity to bring up Katrina and those poor folks in New Orleans.

You know what my Grandpa would say? The Lord helps those who help themselves.

Fix the shit. Quit your belly aching. I got no pity for you any more......

She's HOW Old?!?!?

**Sniff Sniff**

Today it's THREE YEARS that my first blogchild appeared......

Happy Blogiversary Quality Weenie!!!

Bad Timing

Mama always told me, no time is a good time to lose your temper.

I'm thinkin' she's one very smart lady.

It just dawned on me. You remember the story within the post from yesterday? Yeah, the one where I lost my temper big time? With our delivery guys?

Yeah....today......those same guys....... are delivering my bed. Here.

I'm thinkin' I probably won't get much help settin' that thing up. What do you think????

UPDATE: see it's not just the consumer that has issues with delivery services....I just called to discover my delivery was moved to Monday. They just forgot to tell me. Really, I feel your pain!!!

He's Lucky I Like Him

Y'all may not know this about me, but I'm kinda tough when it comes to business.

I keep using that line from Road House...."I'm nice, til I just can't be nice anymore". It's more appropriate than you may realize.

This week we had a bit of a problem with a truck not being where we TOLD, not asked, told it to be when we told it to be there. And I'm willing to work with schedules, traffic, life. I gave them a 4 hour window. And, you need to know, the store they were going to was only about 45 minutes from the depot. I'm tough, not unreasonable.

Anyway, I've got the customer on my cell phone, on my hands-free. I have my shipping manager on my home phone on the other ear. The shipping manager has the depot on HIS other line, set up where he can hear me. (can you picture it?)

Now, part of me is doing this because I need the customer to KNOW we are tryin' to find the truck. We AREN'T lying about what we set up. The other part of me? I needed an answer NOW and didn't want to screw around with all the call backs and such.

ANYway. I'm not getting the answers I want/need from the depot. I completely and totally lost my Italian temper. Completely. I'm not proud of myself, but it happened. I used language that was MOST unbecoming to a lady. I threatened things that, well, let's just say....it wasn't pretty. I got so mad I forgot my customer could hear me.

Until the laughter was ringing in my ear. Thank GOODNESS he's cool. He actually said I reminded him of his Drill Instructor!!!

I tell you this so you realize, I'm pretty easy to get along with, until you cross me.

Fast forward to this morning. I found out rather late in the game that one of my largest customers is having a meeting with my boss today. Seems he's planning on expanding his business. WooHoo. Great, right? Yeah, except they forgot to tell me until late Tuesday about the opportunity or the meeting.

I know my territory. I know my customers. I know the balance. I'm working with all that to make things grow, and that's rather delicate.

Not to mention that, as much as I adore my boss, I have a terrible track record with high ranking VP's making promises I can't keep. Oh, they have the best of intentions, yes they do. But....damn. They sure can muddy the waters.

So, I've changed my entire day/week around to be at this meeting. THEN? I'm making my boss take me out for lunch. And we're gonna have us a little talk.

It should be real interesting. It's going to be his first introduction to Tammi's World. Can't you just hear it now?

This is what I'm gonna need for you to do.........................

If We Work Together.....

Ok here's a GREAT opportunity folks.

Word on the street is that Campbell Soup Company is thinking about selling off the Godiva Chocolate part of their portfolio. It "does not fit with Campbell's strategic focus on simple meals -- including soup --baked snacks and vegetable-based beverages" Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever.

It's Chocolate folks. A whole company that is devoted to REALLY GOOD chocolate.

And annual sales are around $500 million dollars. (think Austin Powers, Mr. Evil)

So here's what I'm thinkin'.......if we all band together maybe we could buy it. We've already got access and ability to launch a fabulous marketing campaign. Grass Roots Effort at it's finest.

AND we'd have access to all that yummy chocolate.

That's one hell of a fringe benefit!

I'm just sayin'.....it's something to think about......No shame in shootin' high!

Just Do It.....Please

He's asking for prayers, good thoughts, etc.....

It's what my readers do best (other than make me smile) so let's show 'em what we can do.

Oh, and thank you!

How Appropriate

I love my job.........

Stop Messing With My Mind!!!

I know, I know, it's all too easy. And some folks actually call it fun.

But enough is enough, for cryin' out loud.

Time. I'm all about time. What day is it? What year is it? What the hell time is it?

Usually I wear a watch. But when I'm working from home, I often times forget to put it on. I don't normally keep my cell phone on my desk. I like having to get up and answer it. It keeps me from getting too stiff sitting at the computer all day.

I did finally fix (all by myself, even) my living room clock. But that is on the wall directly behind me.

Now...there is a digital clock on the bottom of my computer. And that is tied directly to the time that is on my fax machine. Cool. I should be happy as a pig in shit.

Yeah. No. When they set up this laptop everything is set for Eastern time. And, even though I've tried and tried, I can't get Central time zone info to stick.

So all day, the two clocks I pay the most attention to are an hour faster than what I am.

And it really f*cks with my head. Seriously.

Now, sometimes I actually remember this and adjust my self accordingly. But most of the time? Yeah, I've got other things on my mind, so I just glance and....well, panic. What? 2:30 already?!?!? Where has the day gone!?!?!?!??!

Yeah, stupid I know, but hey.....it's my life.

A "normal" person might consider putting a little clock on their desk. Yeah, emphasis on the word normal there, please.

I've got too much crap to do that. I have the family picture of AWTM from a couple of Christmas' ago, with one of my favorite shots of myself and some friends in New Orleans. There are the necessary staplers, envelopes, papers and papers and, oh, papers. (Remember, no drawers or file cabinets.)

Anyway - this is just me, takin' a break after giving myself a heart attack AGAIN, to whine and moan. I'll go back to work now. No sense wasting this hour I just found.......

Todays Funny Frase

Wait a minute......I need to put on my "Gosh-I-Really-Care" face.

Yeah, I'm not even going to state the obvious on this one. Just a reminder - I am in Sales. THIS is just a part of what I do.......

Pay Attention

I was thinking back this morning and realized this is the first house I've lived in with a finished basement since I left home to go to college.

Oh, I've wanted one. I love that extra space. But all the places we lived in while I was married had "functional" basements, and well....in Florida they just don't have 'em.

So I can hardly wait to get the furniture down there and really USE that room.

Meanwhile, I don't have much reason to be down there. I go THROUGH it to get to the laundry room, but that's just usually a pretty fast pass.

Last night I had to go down to switch out phones. Yes...I had talked so long the battery on that handset was beeping, but I wasn't done yet, so I swapped 'em out. As I'm standing at the counter down in the kitchen area I realize the carpet is damp.

Shit.

My first thought was that the old fridge had died and I had lost all 27 quarts of corn. (I know, I'm kind of obsessed with that right now) No. It's all fine.

Then I look farther down the wall. And I see the dampness spreading. All down the wall and out into the family room itself.

Now, this wasn't flooding like Contagion had. Just.....damp. Didn't ruin the paneling on the wall. Just the carpet.

So, I got the wet vac out and went to work. I'll go back down today and do some more.

But what scares me the most? I didn't even think, with all that rain, to even check the basement. I KNEW there had been a problem with that, but it never even crossed my mind to look.

This whole "living in a real house" is a lot more complicated than I remember. I'm REALLY gonna need to start paying attention......

Lone Survivor

I read a book yesterday. And I want to tell you about it, because it's the best damned book I've read. Ever. Period.

Laughing Wolf did a wonderful in-depth review over at Blackfive's a while back. I'm not even going to TRY and write something in that vein.

What I am going to try and do is tell you what I learned from reading this account. About myself, our Military, Our Special Ops Hero's, and our country in the here and now.

The book? Lone Survivor - The eyewitness account of Operation Redwing and the lost heroes of Seal Team 10. Written by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson.

First thing I need to say is that EVERYONE should read this book. EVERYONE. It's not an easy read. No, it's an incredibly emotional trip. It will make you laugh, cry and, if you're like me, so angry you don't know what to do with yourself.

And yes, I am angry.

But because I want you to read it, I'm not going to give a running commentary. I just want to talk about some things that popped up at me.

What the hell are we allowing to happen to our Military? What the hell are we doin', sitting back and letting the liberals, MSM, Congress, the Senate tie their hands? Forcing them to think about repercussions rather than on the mission at hand. If I only took one thing away from reading this incredible account of pure heroism, it is that.

They are fighting for us. We must fight for them. Stand up to the media. Stand up to the Congress and Senate. Ask the hard questions, and MAKE them listen.

You know, I've never been in the Military. I can't even imagine what going to war is like. But I've often wondered just how much what goes on here in the states effects our warriors. Are they able to just put it out of their minds, the taunts, the controversies and focus on the job at hand? Or does it become a part of their decision making? Decisions that have to be made in the blink of an eye. Decisions that SHOULD be based on their training. Their survival.

Well now, thanks to this book, I have an iota of an idea. And it makes me sick. We, either by deed or inactivity, are forcing our military heroes to make those very decisions based on what might happen if the media, or someone else, finds out. The repercussions.

I can't tell you how sick that makes me.

And while I'm at it, let's look even closer at the Media, shall we? I've said it time and time again, the practice of reporting what they WANT to say or hear, instead of the facts that are KNOWN makes me furious. What happened to Marcus's family while he was MIA is just.....wrong. Reporting no hope, reporting "inside sources" that consider him dead. I really REALLY would love for every one of those bastards to have to deal with something like that. Just once. KNOW what that feels like. UNDERSTAND what the repercussions of THEIR actions are.

Like I said, I'm angry. But I'm also so unbelievably honored and proud to know that there are people like Marcus, like Seal Team 10 that every day put everything on the line to protect my country. To protect my freedom.

Here is an interview I found at Powerline with Marcus.

Here is his interview with Glenn Beck Part I and Part II.

Read the book. Then tell the story. Stand up for what is right.

In the interview I linked to at Powerline, on of the the last questions that Marcus was asked was if we Americans could do one thing to show our appreciation, one thing to say Thank You for the service and sacrifice of our Military, what would that be.

You know what he said? He said to live our lives. Enjoy your life. Exercise the freedom that they are sacrificing so much for.

Pretty damned good advice if you ask me.......

I Can Only Imagine

I don't listen to a lot of Gospel music. I performed it for years, and firmly believe that "anything" can be made Gospel. It's in how you intend it to be.

Anyway - I was listening to CDs today, working through some quotes when I suddenly realized what I chosen for today.

Mercy Me.

Now, the funny thing is the first place I heard them was back when I lived in Tampa on the "top 40" station. I heard their song "I can only imagine" and, well, for want of a better way to put it...it kicked my hiney.

A song that completely expressed my thoughts and feelings regarding my faith. On the radio! On a Top 40 radio station!!!

Anyway - I know I've blogged about it, but never have I posted it. So, today I will. Take a listen if you have a hankerin'. It's one of my all time favorite songs in life.

35 Years

Today, is a day for memories.

Here's one of my favorites. The first meal I ever helped with.

Oh, and learning about life...and football.

Just thinking about the man he was and the lessons he taught.

Only Fun The First Time

This morning, as usual, I was up fairly early. It's a rainy day today, so I just stayed in bed, hunkered down thinkin' for a bit.

One of the things I was thinking about was how very much I hate to hand-wash dishes. Really. I can not TELL you how much I hate that. And it's never been one of my favorite chores.

But I remember when I *thought* I'd enjoy it. When I *thought* it would be fun.

I was 8 years old. I don't know why, but for a while I had been buggin' Daddy to let him help clean up the supper dishes. Oh, he let me clear the table, but anything more than that was off limits. I understand now. He just didn't want to get in trouble with Mama if those dishes weren't washed and dried perfectly. I just thought he was a spoil sport.

Well, one evening he finally caved it. He was going to let me help. I got to dry the dishes.

So we pull a chair up to the kitchen counter and got started. Daddy washin' and rinsin'. Me dryin' my little heart out. All the while singin' at the top of our lungs. Damn, I soooo wish I had a video of that.

I was workin' on Mama's favorite coffee mug. I remember, it was green.

Suddenly.....it slipped. And hit the corner of the counter just right......and busted the handle off.

Time froze. There we stood - both staring at that damned mug. To me, everything seemed like I was looking through a tunnel. Slowly, I look up at Daddy and he has this......this panicked look on his face.

My heart is racing. I didn't LOOK panicked. I WAS.

I hear, from a great distance, an agonized Tammi Kay.....What have you done?!?!?!

So I did the only thing I could.

I ran. As fast and as hard as my eight year old legs would carry me.

Round and round.

We had a fireplace that separated the dining room and the kitchen. It was a perfect "roundabout". And that was what I did. Running round and round and round

The funniest part? The fact that Daddy chased me. Round and round. All the while hollerin' for me to "Just Stop".

But I knew. I just knew. While there may be a crack in my butt then. If he caught me........it was not gonna be pretty.

Finally, I ran right into Daddy. We tumble to the floor and I realize....He's Laughing. He's laughing at me.

As he hugs me close, he tells me it's all ok. Everyone makes mistakes. We just gotta tell Mama what happened and then we'll fix it. It's all ok.

And he was right. Of course. It was all ok.

But I can promise you that was the last time EVER I offered to wash dishes because I wanted to. But I did learn a great lesson. If you break something, or something goes wrong. Just 'fess up. And fix it. Then, everything will be OK.

Well, that and runnin' in circles is not exactly the best way to solve anything.......

Takin' a break

Shhh.....I'm stealin' a minute away from my paperwork to tell y'all somethin'...

Remember my great news on Friday?

Yeah, well, as good as that news was, I have to tell you it's a lot of pressure. See, in sales when you produce those kinds of numbers they adjust everything. That keeps the pressure on you to keep up that level.

So...how do you BEAT a 725% increase? (btw - thanks to T1G for doin' the math for me!)

One way is to have a day like I'm having.....

I've had 6 customer's call me with orders. Normally they send the PO's in themselves. These 6 were so large, the customers wanted to make sure everything was alright.

So far, as of 2:00pm central time, I've had the LARGEST SALES DAY with this company to date. Today alone I filled 3/4 of my monthly requirements.

I'm gonna go step outside and jump around!

Oh, and because it's such a damned good day - you guessed it! More Dancin'!!!!!!

Check it Out

You have got to take a couple of minutes and watch these clips over at Rave's place.

Funny. Anything that can make me laugh about Domestic Violence....that's funny.

Limitations

I soooo wish I were handy. You know, able to fix things without really even thinking about it. Not have to make an entire day of "small projects".

But alas...it is not to be. Part of it is ignorance. Part is lack of patience.

The ignorance I blame on my family. You see, to this day they just "assume" I can't do things. It actually started when Daddy was still around. One day he asked me to get him a pliers. I came back with a wrench. I was 9 and had no idea what he was asking for. Yeah, that story spread pretty quick. And I was relegated to the kitchen from then on out.

Now Dee can do anything. Roof a house, build a swing-set, fix a car. And she comes by it honest. Mama was the same way.

I tried to learn, but someone would always butt in and tell me "not to worry" (said in that very patronizing tone)

But over the past years, living away from everyone, I've tried to learn. I really have. But.....it just never works out. And it's because of my lack of patience. I'll get into something and can't get my hands to make whats in my minds eye. Or I'll struggle with something and get just as frustrated as a 5 year old and all but throw a temper tantrum. I'm not proud of that, but it is what it is.

This weekend I tried to get stuff done around Paradise. I wanted to hang my tapestry so I had something on the wall to break up the blankness. And I wanted to get MY curtains up in the dining room.

Well, I got the tapestry up. I need to figure out why that one nail is so bent but....it's up. And it hasn't fallen down yet! So that's something.

But the curtains. Damn....that's my biggest frustration.

See.....I have these beautiful ones that just NEED to be in my dining room. However, the previous owners had kind of a weird set up. They had the traditional pulley curtain rods for the sheers and the pocket rods for the valence. My sheers go on a pocket rod.

I thought I could rig it. Yeah, not so much. MAMA could rig it. Dee could rig it. Me? Yeah, lets just say that was a wasted morning.

The curtains I put on the pocket rod. They are gonna look gorgeous. BUT...and you knew there had to be one....what I thought were tie-backs aren't. And it really needs a decorator rod to make it look right.

So....after a day of ironing and rigging I have to go out and purchase a new pocket rod (one that sits closer to the window) for the sheers and a decorator rod for the curtains. And THEN I have to take the old ones down. AND THEN I have to put the new ones up.

And I have to. Because it looks like some poor white trash idiot lives here now, and I just can't have that.

But ohhh I wish I were better at this stuff.

I did, however, replace a couple of bathroom tiles that fell out of the bathtub surround. Well, sorta. They're up. They haven't come back down....yet. AND I found about 5 more I'm going to need to do something with. But - they're back where they're supposed to be. I'll take that.

On the bright side? I bought a new hammer! It's just a little bitty thing, minimal damage potential. PERFECT for me!

Now, if I just knew how to use the damned thing.

Some Of The Best Advice Out There

Harvey put up a post yesterday that, well, just hit home with me big time.

Top 10 Steps on how to live a guilt free life.

I'll be so bold, arrogant, what ever you want to say and tell you that I do most of those already. It's how I've learned to live my life.

Remember. Never say I wish I had or I wonder if.

BUT....I'll be honest with you. I struggle with numbers 5 & 6.

My judges live and bellow loud within my mind. I can't seem to get them to stop. But I'm trying.

And giving myself credit for doing the best I can with what I have? Yeah.....I still have a long way to go with that. I may "do the happy dance" and celebrate the good.....but for every time I do that? There are a dozen things I'm beating myself up over. I'm just sayin'....

But, if you didn't see it yet, click over and take a minute.

Seriously, it's about the best advice I've read out there.....

Another Family Secret

I'm not a big fan of "canning". Oh, I've done my fair share, but honestly? There isn't much that I can't freeze that I want to "put up". Plus, canning is kinda a PITA.

At least that's my humble opinion.

Well, except for one thing.

Pears.

I absolutely adore canned cinnamon pears.

But......I'm just too lazy to do them.

Doesn't mean I have to give up that treat altogether.

Here's a secret for store-bought canned pears that will leave you, and your family wondering just how you did that!

Purchase a couple of big cans of "reputable" pears. Drain off the juice into a small sauce pan. Add a cinnamon stick. Boil. Not for a terribly long time. Just long enough to get that flavor through-out the juice.

Pour juice back over the pears. Remove the cinnamon stick. Chill in the fridge.

Seriously. They taste like "Put-up Fresh Cinnamon Pears".

**Oh, and at Christmas you can you those "red hots" and just leave them in the juice. Very pretty served in a glass bowl.

A wonderful treat.

My Favorite Tool

That got your attention, didn't it! :-)

Last Sunday Mama Vi, Dee and I put up 27 quarts of corn. Some of the best corn you'll have.

It's the same corn my Grandma did. And let me just tell you folks - it's very good.......

I have had a few emails asking me how we did it, and since people think I have such a hard time keeping a secret, I might as well live up to that reputation. I'm gonna let you peak into our family "closet".

We started out with 10 dozen ears. It was that very sweet "mixed" corn. Yellow and white. Not overly ripe. We husked it and cleaned it up nice.

Then we par-boiled it for 7 minutes. Mama is adamant that it be 7 minutes exactly. No more. No less. Then, you plunge it into cool water. Again for 7 minutes. Exactly.

Now, is where my favorite tool comes into play. It's Lee's Wooden Corn Cutter. Mama's is as old as I am, and Dee has taken custody of it. Seems my family was a little scared to allow me to own my own "cutter" anything. Huh. Imagine that...

Anyway, nice and easy, you simply slide the cobs down the trough. It really only takes a couple of minutes per ear.

The corn comes off the cob, nice and clean, without any of the cob. AND, here's the secret, you get some of the cream as well.

We use large wash pans to hold the corn as we cut it off. After you fill the pan, add approx. 1 cup of sugar. Mix well and put it in a freezer baggie.

Lie flat and freeze.

1 bag will feed two to three people.

It's what we call "company corn". I served it during the very first Bad Example Family Reunion down in Orlando. And I have to be honest - it was very well received.

Anyway - that's it. Just that simple. And just that good.

But the secret, the bottom line, what makes it good and easy? The tool. It's all about the tool.....

Funny Email

received this via email and thought I would share....

$20.00

On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter. In his highly aroused state, her husband readily agreed. This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30 years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and other incidentals that she needed.

Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state. During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had been let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another position that paid anywhere near what he'd been earning, and therefore, they were financially ruined.

Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty years of steady deposits and interest totaling nearly $1 million. Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which were worth over $2 million, and informed him that they were one of the largest depositors in the bank. She explained that for the more than three decades she had "charged" him for sex, these holdings had multiplied and these were the results of her savings and investments .

Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her husband was so astounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and blurted out, "If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would have given you all my business!"

That's when she shot him.

You know, sometimes men just don't know when to keep their mouths shut.

It Made Me Laugh

Ok - so yesterday I wasted some of my day enjoying Kiss Me Kate on the computer.

This number came on and, well, I just laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

You really need to watch it just so you might understand.

And watch the whole thing....cause it, well, just watch it. It's Sunday, you've got time!

All I could think was how appropriate Shakespeare would find that. I think he'd be pleased........

A Blast From My Past

I've mentioned a couple of times that my parents decided early on that I was born to perform. On Broadway.

Yeah, no pressure.

Anyway - I grew up watching the old musicals. Especially Rogers and Hammerstein.

And Julie Andrews was the BOMB.

Well, lots of folks don't know that SHE was the original Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. And with that voice.....she was the perfect choice in my book. Oh, now I'm a HUGE Audrey Hepburn fan, but.....she ain't Ms. Andrews.

I actually met her, Andrews that is. Back in another life when I worked next door to the Shubert Theater. Damned Yankees was getting ready to open, featuring HER, and I was sent to stand in line to get tickets. So, as I walk away with my purchases I look down the alley that ran between the two buildings, just as SHE is walking out of the back entrance.

There I stood, in the middle of the alley, speechless. Star Struck. She looks up and I begin to stutter....You. You're, You're....You. You're Julie Andrews.

She smiles, just a small one and nods her head. Why Yes I am....

And walked away.

I felt like the biggest dork ever in life.

But hey. At least I got something out.

Anyway - here is something that combines some of MY favorite things from days gone by.

Audry Hepburn with Julie Andrews actually singing Wouldn't It Be Loverly, from My Fair Lady.

I'll be singin' this all day.

It's good for a Saturday.....

Funny Frase

They combine Saturday and Sunday.....

You have to kiss a lot of frogs......(that's all...you just have to kiss a lot of frogs.)

Let's Dance!!!

There is some serious happy dancin' goin' on in Tammi's World today.

I just got my month end numbers.

My sales for the month of July? The month where everything went WRONG? The month that I've been stuck in the house putting out fires and fixin' problems that actually caused my world to stop spinning?

Yeah, sales were up 100% from the month prior. And over 200% from last year this time. - OK wait!! I figured that out wrong. A 100% increase would be it doubled. My sales are up from $16,000 to $116,000. So, whatever that is.....it's FLIPPIN" UNHEARD OF!!! I'm too happy to figure it all out right now. I just know it's good. It's really good.....

I'm over the FLIPPIN' MOON!!!! Just imagine how good things will be once I'm out hitting my stores and building personal relationships.

Oh yeah. I'm a pretty happy girl right now!!

Come on!!! Dance with me!!!!!!

Get The Story Out!!!

Laughing Wolf has been a close friend of mine for over three years now. I'll be honest with you, I don't understand why - and I've told him that. I mean, for cryin' out loud....the man is amazing. What he knows. WHO he knows. And still, we are friends. And for that I am just so grateful.

Well, if you read over at Blackfive (where he is one of the contributors) or if you've been checking out his personal site, you'll know that he's made a pretty huge announcement.

My friend is going over to Iraq as an Embed. He's going over to the sandbox and tell the stories that so desperately need to be told.

And I couldn't be more proud.

I know him. This is something he HAS to do. Sitting on the sideline is not his way.

But he needs our help. Please, click over here and read the whole thing. Then look at what you can spare and give. If you can't contribute monetarily then please......spread the word.

Like I said.....I'm a very lucky girl. To have someone the caliber of this man as my friend. Wow.

Now.....let's work together to get him the equipment he needs to get the story out - and keep him safe!

Just What I Needed

Yesterday wasn't a great day. Wasn't bad, but nothin' to dance the jig over. That's a couple in a row now, but you just can't let it get to you. Cause you never know when you're gonna be on the receiving end of something wonderful.

I had the best surprise last night.

I decided that I just had to stop working. I was tired. So very tired and kinda fussy. Not a good combo.

So at 6:00 I just stopped. Curled up in my chair with a new book and tried to tune out the world.

Out of the blue, for no good reason at all I remembered something I've been strugglin' with for the past two years. Now, this will sound strange but I have a friend, from when I lived in Florida, that I just have the worst time remembering her last name. And I lost her phone number back when I moved into The Little Blue Cracker House.

Well last night, in the middle of chapter 5, it came to me.

I immediately called information and got her number. I left a message on her voicemail with my numbers. Then I stored the number in my phones.

She called back just as I was calling it an early evening.

Just the sound of her laughter brought tears to my eyes. God, I've missed her.

She started out as my cleaning lady when I worked at Trop. She took such good care of me. I'd get home on Tuesday's and she'd have made me dinner and had some candles lit. Wine would be in the fridge chilling. The condo was spotless and just perfect. It was a JOY to come home to.

When she hit on hard times, and I got laid off from Trop it just seemed natural for her to move into my spare room. I'd never had a roommate, and well, she was old enough to be my Mom so I was a little nervous on how that was all gonna work.

We had a ball. There were never any issues. We respected each others privacy and enjoyed each other's company enough that it all just went smooth as silk.

And then I had to move. And then move again. And then move again.

We'd lost touch and I blame myself. I've always had to be the one to keep the communication lines open. In just about every "relationship" I've had. I know that is my lot in life. It just seems to be my role. But sometimes. Sometimes I just want to be the one that is reached out TO. Sometimes it's nice to know that someone thinks of ME.

Anyway - putting all that aside, and realizing pride is a stupid reason for anything, I'm just so glad I called.

We talked for hours. And laughed. And cried. I hated admitting that I'd been to Florida and hadn't tried to find her. But she forgave me, because that's just who she is.

It was such a gift. Exactly what I needed. She knows me soooo well. We've been through a lot together. It was almost like putting on a comfortable, worn pair of old jeans. She knew exactly how I reacted to situations we talked about before I even got to that part of the story. At one point, she even guessed what color I wore for a certain occassion. Yeah, she knows me well.

And still.....she loves me. Without conditions.

We all need that. No matter what we say.

Today's Funny Frase

To hell with today's frase.

THIS is funny.

MUCH better than anythin' I've got!

Today's Funny Frase

The one-liners on my calendar haven't been so good the past couple days, but this one? Yeah, I'm thinkin' this one is kind of appropriate.

Enough about you.....What about ME?!?!?

Some days chicken shit. Some days chicken salad. I'm just sayin'........

Something Good

I guess I'm not in the best of moods today. No reason why, just is the way it is.

So to see THIS post over at AW's place, well - I needed that. I really did.

UPDATE:OK, I also needed a laugh this morning. Pammy delivers BIG TIME! I don't know why, but this had me rolling. Maybe it's because I can see it happening to me. Go. Read. Laugh. It's needed today.....

Damn You Teddy

Well, it looks like the bill I mentioned in THIS post has passed the Senate Panel. And it seems to be a bit more extensive than I originally thought.

If it passes the Senate, the tobacco industry will be regulated by the FDA. Huh. Yeah, that ought to fix a lot of things, cause we all know how GREAT the FDA is!!

It's all about adding the taxes to the smokes. That's what it all boils down to. I don't give a rats ass what they try to say, how they spin this one, it's all about the money.

"This is the public health community speaking with one voice," said Kennedy, now chairman of the committee. "With all the provisions we have in the tobacco bill, we have a real opportunity to save a generation of Americans from a lifetime of addiction and certain death." (emphasis mine)

Really, Teddy? I don't see you so worried about alcoholism. Hell Drinking and Driving has killed more "innocents" than smoking has. I've had family members that have actually drank themselves to death. I don't see him jumpin' up and putting more restrictions and taxes on THAT little "drug". (not that I'm a fan of that either, it's just a point I'm trying to make!)

So the FDA, the government, is going to start policing the advertising for cigarettes. OK. I thought that already happened. Remember Joe the Camel? Yeah, he's been gone for a while now. You don't see cigarette ads on TV. And I'm alright with all that. No big deal. They can play in that arena all they want to. And they've done a great job of educating children about the evils of smoking. Hell, when my nieces and nephew were young, they knew a hell of a lot more about the consequences of smoking than I did at their ages. And who knows, if I'd have known maybe I wouldn't have started.

But the other thing the FDA is going to regulate is the amount of nicotine that goes in the cigarettes. THIS, is gonna be a trick. How are they gonna do that? I'd be interested in knowing the plan on that one.

And how are they gonna pay for all the extra labor and expenses this is all going to consume? The money from the tax is supposed to fund the Children's Health Care bill. So, are they planning on reallocating other monies currently used, to pay for this? Hey Teddy? How 'bout moving some of that funding for Massachusetts industry to cover THIS? You willing to piss off your constitutes for the "betterment of the country"?

So yeah, they'll raise the price of every pack of cigarettes bought with a tax. They'll huff and puff and bloviate about the health risks and how the government will save us from our own stupidity. And when it's all said and done? Nothin'. They will have achieved nothing but get more money out of average Americans and damaged an industry that is as old as this country they are claiming to serve.

We've got more important things to worry about. You know, like the War on Terror maybe. But, that isn't puttin' money in anyone's pocket so I guess that's not so vital after all.

Which Is It?

How is it possible that I can start my work day at 4:00am, take an hour for lunch, and still only get 3 items marked off of my to-do list?

Holy Crap.

And I didn't shut the computer off until a little after 9:00 last night.

Yeah, kinda sorta not the best day.

But, no bitchin'. You take the bad with the good. After all, no one promised me a rose garden.

So instead of venting, let me ask y'all a question. Say you bought something. And you waited for it. About 2 weeks past the promise date.

Then, when it didn't make it on the last promised date you call the place you bought it.

Do you REALLY want to hear the truth? Or do you want to hear some "plausible excuse" and be told you'll get the item at 50% off the original price?

Seriously. I really want to know.

Because if all people want is money off and a "plausible excuse" my life just got a LOT easier.

But somehow.........that just feels wrong.

Good Advice

Blackfive reminds us about the important things in life.

For ALL of us.

And make sure you follow the links at the end of the post.

God Speed Staff Sgt. Michael Bechert.

Someone Needs A Good Bitch Slappin'

This. Is a Rant. To be more precise - this is MY rant. It is based on my feelings, experience and observations. It might not flow. It might not be poetic. And it damned well won't be "fair and balanced" or even pretty. I'm just warnin' you ahead of time. I am pissed beyond all belief at this point and cannot promise to be very lady like.

I saw THIS headline last night. Soldiers deploy, child abuse increases Study

First off it was written by the Canadian Press. Whatever But I knew, as I clicked over to read the article, it was gonna piss me off. I just knew it.

Boy oh boy was I right.

Here are a few of the "key points" that just killed me.....along with my response.

"Incidents of child abuse and neglect among U.S. army families rise significantly when a parent is deployed to a combat zone and the problem is greatest when women are left behind to keep the home fires burning, a study has found.

"And over all these families we did find a 42 per cent increase in the rate of child abuse and neglect during times of deployment compared to non-deployment," said co-author Sandra Martin, a professor of maternal and child health at the University of North Carolina.

"We know that military combat deployments are very stressful for families and most families really deal with this very well," she said. "But for some families the stress is just too much and it translates into inappropriate parenting.""

WTF?!?!?! Here are a few thoughts that pop into MY mind!!

Where are the figures for ALL single parent households? Huh. Cause let me tell you, when you deal with a sudden loss, and all of a sudden you are a single parent, doin it all, things get a little tense. And YES the children have to pick up a bit of the slack. Household chores, other responsibilities. Hell - when I was growin' up we called that doin' chores! Having a child help out around the house does NOT constitute CHILD ABUSE or NEGLECT! For cryin' out loud. It's teaching responsibility.

Oh, and lets talk about discipline for just a moment, shall we?!?! My Mama had two girls to worry about. As well as the house, the money, food, clothes, utilities. And, lets face it, we girls were kinda in shock after losing our father and having, suddenly, just one parent. IOW - we weren't the easiest of children to have around. So she cracked the whip. We got one warning. One. We got spankings. Every action had a reaction. We knew what the reaction would be if we screwed up. Wasn't hard to figure out. Some folks, especially now-a-days, would like to say we were abused. I'll say it publically - I never got a spankin' I didn't deserve, and in all honesty I should have gotten a lot more than I did. But in today's day - that's considered abuse. Un.Believe.Able.

And being a single parent is just about the HARDEST THING a person will ever do. Period. End of sentence. Whether it's a military spouse or My Mama, it's a tough row to hoe.

But their definition of Neglect just kicks my ass. Talk about coddlin'. Talk about Nanny State. Shit. Latch Key Kids were the norm in my generation. Hell, we wrote the damned book. You come home, get yourself an after school snack, do your chores and your homework. And you better be sure everything is "high and tight" by the time Mama got home or there were questions to be answered. There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.

Now I ain't sayin' leave your 4 year old home alone. I'm sayin' that I'm willing to bet the study was a "tad bit biased". (gee, did my sarcasm come through there?) They are tryin' to paint the Military Spouses in a bad light, and well - I'm willing to bet there are those uninformed folks out there that are going to fall for that hook line and sinker.

Just flippin' great. Not only do our Military have to contend with all the other SHIT going on right now, they get to fight this demon as well.

Don't just look at the Military Spouses. Look at the Welfare families, the single parent families, society overall. I don't have the time or the patience to google all that shit - but I'd be willing to bet that if you look at the figures for Society overall - the increase they are working so hard to draw attention to is as high if not higher.

The military is made up of men and women. Good and bad. Just like any other organization. Your Church, the Scouts, EVERYWHERE. So - don't be publishin' your bullshit, targeted "studies" and think that we're lettin' it flow. Cause I'm throwing the Bull Shit Flag on this one.

Now you're messin' with the folks I love. Now. You pissed me off.

Mama Vi

I had figured we'd have us another edition of Dear Mama Vi after my visit home this past weekend. But, alas, it was not in the cards. She was very focused on family and family things so politics took a bit of a back seat.

And honestly? I'm sorta alright with that.

Now Dee, on the other hand, decided she wanted to "spar" a bit over the surge and bringing the troops home. Probably not her best idea, let me just say that.

Her view is we need to bring our people home. She is sick over the amount of money we are spending over there, when we have people in our own country in such need.

She started quoting some tripe and I stopped her mid sentence.

Tammi: Where did you hear that? Where do you get your information?
Dee: The news. I always...
Tammi: Well, there's your problem! You're listening to those lying asswipes that wouldn't/couldn't tell the truth to save their own mothers!!
Mama: Now Tammi. You leave their Mama's outta this!!
Tammi:
Tammi: Dee, read the Military Blogs on my site. Get an idea of what's really going on.

I went on to explain the surge is there. It's working. I told her what I've been reading at Blackfive, Mudville and Acute Politics, Badgers Forward. Folks that KNOW and aren't afraid to tell it like it is.

Mama then steps in and says she thinks it's time for it all to end. We've just had too much. And there are so many needy right here at home. At this point she and Dee start talking about health care and meds and all that stuff.

Tammi: So, y'all are all about the centralized health plans?
Mama: Yes. I think it would be a good thing.
Tammi: Mama? When did you become a Communist?
Mama: (I cannot describe the look I was on the receiving end of. But trust me, I still bear the laser burn marks!)
Mama; I. Am. Not. A. Communist. And you are not too big for me to beat your ass and wash your mouth out with soap, young lady!!!!!
Tammi: Well, I'm just sayin'...........that all sounds a bit like socialism/communism to me!

At this point Dee decides it might be a good idea to change the subject. That, I think, was the smartest decision she's made all month! Yeah, we were in dangerous territory and the situation was sinkin' fast. Stubborness is pretty much a family trait - I think it's passed along by osmosis. None of us were backin' down, and, well, hell. I just called my Mama a Communist, for cryin' out loud. The warning bells and whistles were sounding across the land!!!!

So, as you can see, we don't have a Dear Mama Vi post after this visit. And that's probably a good thing, because I have a feeling THIS one would have been aimed at ME!!!

Reasoning

OK. Let's use a little reasoning to review something. Basically I'm talking nutrition.

We all know about the food pyramid. We should have so much grain, dairy, meat, veggies....yada yada yada. I took nutrition in college to avoid biology so I'm kinda comfortable with all that.

Now, let's look a little closer.

Milk = Dairy
Flour = Grain
Beans = Protein = Meat or Veggie
Butter = Dairy
Eggs = Protein
Corn = Veggie
Cheese = Dairy

Lookin' at that list, I'm thinking that covers about everything you need to have.

So I guess it's alright that my meals from yesterday consisted of yellow cake w/chocolate buttercream frosting, tri-flavored popcorn, and a fried egg sandwich with cheese - cool.

And here I was thinkin' I'd not stuck to my diet. Hell. This stuff is easy