Tammi's World

More on Brandon

This whole thing just gets more and more frustrating.

We couldn't get him in to the surgeon. Not at all. He just wanted to prescribe drugs. Not really an acceptable course of action, let me tell you.

So Dee managed to score an appointment with a GP. Who read the MRI. And found ANOTHER cyst. This one behind his eye. That actually explains a lot to us.

Now....get this.......the next step we can take *within the system* is for him to see an ENT specialist. Yes. You read that right.

Oh....and it gets better. They can't see him for three weeks.

Three weeks. THREE. 3. Tres.

Dee and Mama are losin' their ever lovin' minds. Me? I'm reacting in typical No Help Tammi Form.....gettin' mad as hell. They actually don't want me any where over there right now. Cause I'm not known for keepin' my mouth shut and yes....it's possible I could piss off the wrong person.

So. Right now, this is the situation. Brandon has 2 cysts. Pain meds and an appointment with an ENT - that won't be able to do anything but refer him - in three weeks.

I never had a very good opinion of "the system" but anymore? Yeah......I can't imagine it could get any worse.

Let's just hope we aren't in a position to find out.

Of Course...

...insert rolling eyes at this point.

More snow last night. About 5" worth.

I still haven't finished shoveling after Monday/Tuesday. And by that I mean the 1/2 of my drive I'm actually shoveling.

I got home last night at 8:00. I'm leaving in about 20 minutes. To return around 7:00 tonite.

Tomorrow? I'm working a booth at a home show.

I see no where in there with the time needed to actually clear that drive.

Oh, and since I've been driving on it, you can only imagine how nicely it is packed down.

Yeah....lovely.

Everyone keeps saying 'This is it. We're done now."

I need them to stop saying that. We're not done. I've known it to snow in flippin' APRIL for cryin' out loud.

No, I'll stop expecting this shit to fall around May. Yeah, we should be in the clear by then.

As beautiful as this has all been, and it has been beautiful driving around, it's become too much of a good thing. I haven't heard ANYONE say they aren't "over it". Well, no one considered sane that is.

Today we have wind. LOTS of wind. Snow is expected a couple of more times next week. Nothing major, but still..........it's like Chinese water torture. Every flippin' drop is painful.......

Compare. Contrast. Decide.

I'm pretty big on analysis. Folks usually don't really realize that because while I *DO* talk about my thought process, it's never ALL of it. I keep a lot inside. Work through it in my mind. But I look at opportunities and situations for every angle, weighing the pros and cons, looking at the big picture and trying to see where it will put me in the long run.

It's exhausting. Really.

And it cracks me up because folks think I just get an idea and WHAM! Make it happen.

So....we're gonna look at this recent situation together. Oh, I can't give you ALL the info, but the basics are available. The gest of the matter will be more than clear.

Let's get started, shall we.

You get an "opportunity". It's with a company that you know, good and bad. Working for people that know you well and more importantly admire you. Believe in you. Respect you.

The money is good, the job you know like the back of your hand. The industry not one that will be impacted by the economy very much. Good or bad.

The down side is you're forced to relocate. To once again start over. Oh, they'll pay for it, but still.....you'll be alone. Again. Starting over socially. Again.

Also the hours are amazingly long. You'd be "in charge" so you'd need to be available from 3:30am to around 6:00 in the evening. Not working weekends, well except reports and such. No, you're not in the office all that time, but you do need to be "available". It's a good mixture of physical labor and sales with management duties over riding all of that.

This is a large company with a strong corporate structure. But again, you know the ropes. You know the players. And more importantly, they know you. Raises, while never HUGE, are certain. Bonuses are paid as long as the criteria is met. And that criteria is laid out with your boss, not handed down.

Now.....you get another opportunity. The money is incredible. Really. And you'll be in a location YOU know and love. You'll be surrounded, socially any way, by people very close to you.

But you know very VERY little about this company. The industry is one you've never worked in, and the product you know very little about. One way to look at it is it's a blank slate.

Travel is nationwide, at a rate of 75%. IOW, you'd be on a plane most of every single week. While not the long hours of the other position you'd be away from home for a much larger percentage of your time. Away from those that you actually moved closer to.

This is a very corporate, formal organization. VERY formal. Raises - not certain. Promotions - long processes that are not quick to happen.

Well, that's the majority of the things *I* look at. At least in the first couple of levels in the decision making process. Again, because my goal is to actually have a life at some point, and one that I can enjoy, the impact a position will have on my quality of life is important.

I make lists. I arrange things by importance to ME. And I do this early in the process. Why early? Why put myself through all this before I have to? Well, that's rather hard to explain without sounding like an egomaniac. But I'll try. You see, I'm a rather forceful personality. And I can, when I put my mind to it, influence situations more than folks realize. Hell, I've been know to throw a sure thing because I didn't like one minor detail. And I've walked out with opportunities that no one EVER thought would be available to me. All just by talking.

I talk. And I do it rather well. I am, after all, in sales.

Anyway........this is what's going on in my head right now. Along with my job, that can be rather consuming all on it's own. I'm putting this out here because I actually would love some input. Maybe I'm missing something. It's been known to happen. ;-)

Uhhhh Ohhhhh

Looking at my first two posts from this morning.......seems I might be in a bit of a mood this morning. Huh. Hadn't really realized it until right now.

This......could be a very long day..............

WTF Moment

I hate liars. Seriously.

Makes my blood boil....

Anyway, I haven't been fallin' asleep as early as I want/need so I spend some time working on the new site and checking some things out on-line.

And, of course, I have the TV going behind me for background noise.

There is the one commercial that comes on around 10:00pm to 11:00pm every night. I don't remember what the product is, I just know it's some kind of diet pill.

They talk about how fantastic it is. What a miracle pill it is. Then they say: "You will loose weight. We guarantee it. And if that weren't true we couldn't say it on TV."

Dear Lord, please tell me there are NOT people out there that actually believe that line of crap! Please tell me......

Every time I hear that it's like nails on a chalk board. It just makes my head explode.

How stupid do these people think we are? If it weren't true we couldn't say it on TV?!?!? For shits sake.....

I tell you....if I weren't so old I'd go get a damned job working at an ad company. I *KNOW* I could do better than some of the idiots crankin' that shit out now....

I Wish.......

This....would be so nice.....and is more tempting than you'll ever know.........

Cars? Mattresses? The concept is the same.

Got a big meeting today. Couple of 'em. Everybody better hope I'm not channelin' DeNiro today.......

Care Package

My friend K is here and we are busy bakin' up some cookies.

We have the standard fare, chocolate chip, chocolate toffee chip, molasses - but K came across somethin' at the grocery store she just couldn't pass up.

They turned out almost perfect.

Hmmmm....I wonder who we should send these to? You got any ideas?

On Demand

So I was at Corporate yesterday, meeting with one of my smaller dealers to figure out his new line-up.

I spend more time at Corporate than any other sales rep in this company. Mainly because it's MY local office and well, the showroom is incredible. It just makes things so much easier to show the line when the beds look so fantastic in that setting.

Anyway.....getting ready yesterday I was really feeling lazy. I just wanted to go business casual. It's cold. It's snowy. I just didn't want to put the effort into "gussyin'" up.

Thank goodness I did not follow that instinct.

Half way through the drive I got a call from one of the girls in Florida. She asked if I'd heard how the Board of Directors meeting was going.

BOD meeting? Today? Shit. Where?

Yep....the Chicago office. I was heading right in to the middle of the vipers nest.

Lovely

I was going to have to do my song and dance with a MUCH bigger audience than was originally planned for.

Lovely

Turned out fine. My dealer had a blast. He loves the line, we made some real changes and his store is going to do great. If people start shopping again.....

But...you know there had to be a few "moments". You know it. Hell, *I* was there.....

At one point the Exec. VP came storming through the showroom. He didn't see me sittin' quietly at the table waiting for my customer. He hollers at MY boss's boss as he sat in his office.

"What the F*CK is so hard about selling off a damned price list? Why the HELL can't these reps do that?!?!"

My boss simply looks over the EVP's head and grins at me.

You see, I had just had a very "lively" discussion about that very thing. I REFUSE to NOT use the price list. It takes all the guess work out of things. Easy Smeasy - and I love me some easy. Here's your category, here's your price. What's not to love?!

So the EVP glances around and sees me grinnin' like my boss. He demands to know what's so funny.

Boss explains that I'm having the opposite problem. I WON'T budge and everyone's trying to make me.

His response? That's why we love Tammi.

See....not everyone hates me!!

But I'll admit it's rather nerve wracking to do the song and dance with all those big wigs around. I don't mind it if I know ahead of time. But I'm a "shoot from the hip" kinda girl. I tend to talk off the top of my head. And if you've talked to me you know I tend to sometimes say things....ummm.....wrong.

Like referring to our #1 brand by a major competitor's name. A major competitor that most of my upper management has worked for. A major competitor that will not hesitate to sue if you do stuff like that.

Yeah.....that was sorta awkward.

Anyway - today is catch-up. I was going to drive a few hours to hit a store, but I just can't. Not today. So that means I'll work this weekend. Not thrilled about it, but it is what it is.

At least I won't have to feel like a performing circus bear!

Checking in from the Sand Box

Sean, Doc in the Box, has been posting some pretty good stuff about being BACK in the sand box (for the fourth time) and day to day life there.

I've been very neglectful in not reminding you.

So....this is what I'm gonna need for you to do. Head on over, and scroll down. Read. Comment.

For cryin' out loud, this is his FOURTH rotation. We are STILL over there fighting a war. Sometimes it feels like we're taking all that, all those that give so much for us, it feels like we're taking it for granted. It's become common place.

Well, I say NO. We can't let that happen. Remember when we were riveted to the milblogs posts? Those used to be the first things I checked every day. Remember when we TALKED about it all?

Folks, there are still men and women over there giving all they have. We need to remember that. And encourage them.

Slippin' over to Doc's place and leaving him a comment or two is an easy way to do that very thing.

I'm just sayin'.....

Today's Maxine Moment

I was hoping to be on easy street by now but I missed the off-ramp years ago.

I think no further comment from me is necessary.......

Funny Read!

If you haven't read of Dashing Sir Rowland and the Pink Ninja's latest adventure you really need to head over to Army Wife's place and read this.

I can soooo see this happening. Sweet Lord - I love those babies!!!

I Did It! (almost)

I'm pretty damned proud of myself, can I tell you?

I told y'all to change your links/bookmarks to tammisworld.com and I've been working very hard to get that set up.

It's coming along pretty well. I went with typepad and I'm really liking it so far. I know NOTHING about coding or design and this is set up for people just like me. PLUS, it'll give me more freedom with video and pictures and such. Yeah....I'm liking it a lot.

However, I've hit a bit of a bump in the road. It's the importing of my old posts to there. Now....it should be easy. I'm sure it is. I'm just not getting something.

Either that or I post way too much. (No comments from the peanut gallery!)

I've managed to import everything from the beginning to November 2005. Twice. But then it times out and stops.

Damn......so if anyone has any tips or suggestions, I sure would appreciate the help.

Other than that, it's coming along fine. Like I said, I've changed the layout a bit, and the coloring. I've just about got the banner ready for the upload - cause I love my banner and it wouldn't be "Home" without it.

I figure once I figure this "import" thing out oh and figure out how to sign in for my DNS (whatever the hell THAT is) I'm locked and loaded.

And like I said, pretty damned proud of myself.

But anyone have any suggestions on what I'm missing with that import part?

An Adventure A Day.....

I'm going to HAVE to start paying more attention. Yesterday's lack of preparedness just about got me killed and THAT is not good.

Yeah, getting killed was really not on my list of things to do, just so you know.

Let's see......where to start?!?!?

Left the house and it was raining. But...I did have enough sense to realize that probably meant the drive HOME would be kinda rough.

Yeah, never expected the temps to drop THAT fast, while I was driving....for shits sake. The dealer I was headed to, well there's just no "easy" way to get there. It's a straight shot down a rather twisty hilly road that doesn't seem to be on the top of the "Plow and Salt" list.

By the time I was about half way there it was sleeting to beat the band. And the roads were just coated in a thin layer of ice. And no.....I haven't gotten new tires yet, so you can imagine the dance the ass end of my car was doin'.

Anyway, Lana had an appointment for a new water pump and oil change, so I dropped her off and walked over to my dealers. Of course the truck was 4 hours late, even after calling requesting ETA and letting them know I'd be there. I just used that time to train folks on the new line with the books I put together, so it wasn't a complete waste.

Oh, you'll love this. The truck pulls up and I run out front to check everything out. As the driver opened the doors I thought my head was going to explode. All my beautiful new floor models, while in bags, were sitting directly on the wood floor of the truck. Can you say FILTHY?!?! Here's a bit of THAT conversation:

Tammi: Hey! You wanna help me understand why there's no cardboard under those beds?

Driver: Oh....XYZ Company doesn't require it.

Tammi: Reeaaalllllyyyy. Well, got news for you Dude. I *AM* XYZ Company in this area. I spent an entire MORNING at your warehouse a few months back and was PROMISED cardboard. So....we got us a little problem, cause these? Yeah, they look like SHIT!

Driver:

Yeah, I was NOT happy. Then....I realized the guy couldn't help it. He was born without a brain. That HAD to be the problem because, even after that little conversation, as I stood right there watching he DRUG my matts and boxes across that dirty wooden wet muddy floor of that truck.

He ruined at least 4 boxes.

The good thing is I was standing there taking video and pictures of the whole thing.

What a flippin' moron!!

Anyway, got the floor set and went and picked up Lana. By now it had been raining/sleeting all day while the temps kept dropping. Now everything was a sheet of ice.

Lovely.

Picked Lana up and headed out. Got about 15 miles and realized my transmission was slipping and I had no speedometer. I'm pretty sure I wasn't having THOSE problems earlier.

So...turned around and had the guys fix it. They did. For free, with advice. Yeah, my favorite car fixer guys!!!!

The drive home usually takes about an hour. Not bad. Last night? 3 1/2 hours. You see....I was driving as the snow started hitting. No plows out yet, no salt down, nothin'. Just me. Blazing a trail.

Not good.

Yes, I went off the road. A couple times. Yes, I lost control on a hill/curve and about introduced Lana's lovely grill to a tree. Yes, I slid right through just about every stop light and stop sign I came across. It was ugly folks. Even worse than what I saw last week.

This morning I'm driving all over - Wisconsin, Chicago, South to near Peoria. And we've gotten about 7" of very wet dense snow. It's beautiful outside, and I'll try and get a picture for you. But driving wise? I just want to stay home.

So yeah....that was my great adventure yesterday. I wonder. Is it possible I'll ever be "bored" again in this lifetime? Cause that sounds real good about now......

Wanna Quick Smile?

Go check out the pictures of my very VERY cute Great-Nephew. Seriously.....Carmen's got herself a VERY cute baby there.

And of course there's no bias in THAT statement at all!!

Today's Maxine Moment

I'm right on schedule. Winter's half over, and I'm half-frozen.

Half?!?! It's only HALF over?!?!?! Son of a BITCH - I'm sick of snow.........

What a sick family!!!

Not really.....but it sure does feel that way sometimes!!

The doctor is still standing by his "treatment plan" (for want of a better phrase) for Brandon.

Dee is still pushing. I'm telling you....I know my sister and what she is capable of. I wouldn't want to be on the other end of this little negotiation. Hell, she can out talk/out argue ME. My money is on her.

System be damned.

The "situation" from last week with my niece seems to be resolved. Thank heavens.

Mama Vi is doin' pretty well right now. WooHoo! She had a doctors visit last week also, and I won't kid you.....we were a little nervous. But things are going well for her. The arm has healed beautifully, and her heart is holding it's own. That's all we can ask for at this point.

Hopefully I'll hear more from Dee today, but until then........we just keep our heads down and keep goin'.....

A Couple Catchy Songs

I like a lot of different kinds of music. Currently, I'm pretty much a "classic rock" girl...but sometimes something will just catch my ear, for what ever reason.

That all being said, here's a couple of things I want to share with you....

Now, I'm not much of a Fergie fan. But I sure do love this song......

And speaking of songs that just "grab" you - check out Greyhawk's original song - The Free and The Brave. Pretty damned good......

Clumsy

I'm flat out over it.

I'm so tired I'm clumsier than usual. Hell, this morning I was walking across the living room and somehow got my feet tangled up - with themselves - and flippin' fell. I wasn't even rushing around. Just walking.

That's flat out ridiculous.

My mind hasn't shut down in weeks. Even that drive last week, while better when the cell was down, still didn't do much for my peace of mind.

Today will be pretty physical, so I'm looking forward to that. We've got 19 beds to set up and that's a damned good workout, let me tell you.

To celebrate a whole new floor I made a huge pot of beef stew last night and I'll be taking that along to feed everyone at the store. It makes it special - plus saves me the cost of having to buy everyone lunch. Pretty smart, don't cha think?!?!

Now....if I can just do this without hurting myself or anyone else.....

Trade Secret

I have such a sweet tooth. Really. Whenever I finish a meal, well, except breakfast, I just don't feel like I'm "finished" unless it ends on sweet.

Not real conducive to losing weight, let me just tell you.

Well, I think I've got a handle on this little problem. You see, I love herbal tea. Especially raspberry and cinnamon apple. So I brew a pot of that with artificial sweetener and Voila! Perfect.

OK..not perfect but it works damnit!

And just so you know...I'm down over 3lbs after only the first week.

I am M.O.T.I.V.A.T.E.D. now.......

How'd He Know?!?

Was there a video planted somewhere when I up there wandering around the U.P.?

Cause if there wasn't , BX19 must be psychic.

THIS is some funny shit!!

Big TV Week Comin' Up

Is it Christmas? Or my Birthday? I'm sort of confused.

I was just watching Citizen Warriors on The Military Channel, which is a GREAT show btw, and I saw the announcement that the week of March 3rd is a pretty special week.

It's Marine Week!

WooHoo.

I don't know about y'all, but that tops ANYthing that could happen on American Idol or Big Brother.

Small World

Mama Vi called yesterday. She had some "bad news" for me.

Let me tell you folks.....I've had about all the bad news I can handle for a while. But....you gotta roll with the punches so I took a deep breath and asked for the news.

Seems she ran into my ex-husband's sisters at the store.

Huh.

She asked about my MIL and it seems she passed away suddenly 3 years ago.

3 years ago and no one even TRIED to contact me. Or Mama Vi, and they were friends.

I gotta tell you....that pissed me off. They have always had a very low opinion of me so it shouldn't surprise me that they figured I wouldn't care. Well, they were wrong.

Oh, she and I had our issues, but she WAS my MIL for 11 years. I would have appreciated the opportunity to pay my respects.

Then Mama asked about my ex. Seems he had a stroke a few years back.

Would you hate me if I told you that news made me smile? It did. I hate him just that much. Oh, he's fine now......figures.

At that point they asked how I was. Mama Vi told 'em I'm doing just fine. My one SIL asked if I remarried and Mama said no.....I'm all about the career. SIL #1 kinda snickered and made a comment about how that was no surprise and that somethings never change.

I'll be honest. At that point I kinda went off. After I ranted and raved a bit Mama told me I have to learn to forgive. And that includes any of that family.

Gotta tell you folks...that ain't gonna happen. Long ago I realized that I just don't have the generosity of spirit to forgive. Not about that. Not those people. I still hurt, I still have scars. No......I can't forgive any of them, especially him. And I'm not gonna lie to anyone and tell them I have.

But that's very strange, them all running into each other like that. Yes, it's a smallish town, but that's the first time in over 10 years she's run into any of that family.

I kinda hope it's at LEAST that long before we see them again.......

Only Og

Ok...I'm behind on my blog reading so I didn't find this until this morning.

But oh sweet Lord you have to read Og's post about Havin' Fun with Hippies.....

That's about the funniest thing I've read in ages....and I can SO see him doin' that!!!!

Funny

Seriously....it's Saturday and we all need a good laugh.

Check THIS out.

Really, go ahead. You'll laugh....or at least chuckle!

Saturday Question

I haven't done one of these in way too long. Life has just kept me so busy, to be honest I haven't had time to take one of my "mental vacations". Well, I think it's past time, don't you?

So......let's step away for just a moment, shall we? Let's focus on something that's just not that important. Something that makes us smile. Something that just gives us a bit of a break.

That being said...today's question is:

You find yourself the recipient of a gift certificate. For a wonderful meal at your favorite place. Anywhere in the world. Free transport, free food, free drinks. Free Free Free Free Free. AND.....time is not an issue.

So first...where would you go? Me? I have two favorite restaurants. Monroe's in Sarasota Florida and Bern's Steak house in Tampa. And trust me, I've been fortunate enough to eat in MANY of the best restaurants in this country, and a few outside, and these are still my favorite places. The food is marvelous. The atmosphere divine. BUT....that's not what I would choose. Nope. There's a place on Anna Maria Island right on the beach. The entire wall of the dining room faces the Gulf of Mexico. Or...you can sit outside. But I actually prefer the dining room. Cool, comfortable but with that great view. Oh, and they make the best margaritas I've ever hard. Yeah.....I'd go there.

Now......what would you order? I love love love blackened grouper. Love. Seasoned with that wonderful Cajun spice, just a bit of a bite that blends with the white, flavorful meat of the grouper. Rice pilaf and steamed veggies are the perfect sides, and their yeast rolls with honey butter....oh yeah. Top it off with one of their fabulous desserts? And a great Irish Coffee? Folks, it just don't get much better than that.

So.....that's where I'd go RIGHT NOW if I could go anywhere for dinner. And man, that meal is so real in my mind I can almost smell it.

What about you? Where would you go, and what would you order if you could do anything you wanted????

I See You!! - Update

I've finally gotten all my benefits information from my employer. Let's see...I've been here almost a year......yeah, I think it's about time, don't you? I've been eligable since July for cryin' out loud.

Anyway, today I'm off to the eye doctor. I need new glasses so bad it's not even funny. Hell, if I'm completely honest I'd tell you I'm having problems reading the menu on the TV guide, and can't see the damned writing on Lee at all!! Yeah, it's past time.

But I'm having a bit of a dilemma. You see, I don't choose frames very well. I go for the "maybe they won't notice" look. And with me being a big girl with a bit of an outgoing personality that just doesn't make a lot of sense.

So I'm going to TRY to step out of my comfort zone. I'm going to TRY and pick something different.

THIS.....should be very interesting.

But I need to keep reminding myself that the important thing is I'll be able to see.

And maybe, one day, if I'm very very good I can move up to contacts. But that won't be for a while......

UPDATED: Holy Crap. Did I step out of MY comfort zone. As I said, my MO is glasses that "go away". Well the ones I ordered sure as hell don't.

I've been looking for a picture cause when I try to describe them you'll never picture in your mind what they really look like. But....that could be kinda fun, in a twisted sort of way.

So I'll spill. Red. I got red glasses. Rectangle shaped lenses and....wait for it....you'll never believe it.....but.....rhinestones on the sides. Me! Conservative, classic Tammi got red glasses with rhinestones.

And I love them!! I promise some how I'll figure out how to take a picture once they come in, cause they aren't nearly as gawdy and they sound.

Or are they...............................

Today's Maxine Moment

I've started scrapbooking all my favorite memories. So far, I've got a hundred photos of me eating in front of the TV.

OUCH!

Brandon Update - UPDATED

Dee managed to do a little pushin' and proddin' and get someone to read the MRI from earlier this week.

We now know what kind of cyst is in Brandon's head.

Arachnoid Cyst. What we consider the lesser of two evils. And for that we are grateful.

We still haven't seen a doctor yet, so there has not been a thought as to when they are scheduling the surgery. But at least we KNOW what we're dealing with now.

And it's pretty common, so we're a bit more confident that it can be taken care of and taken care of properly.

For that we are also very grateful.

Brandon is still hurtin'. And scared. When you're 19 years old and told you have something growing on your brain, and can barely function from the headaches, the only good news is "It's gone now". So we're working to keep his spirits up.

But I thought I'd let you know.....we're a step or two closer now to getting this resolved.

UPDATED 12:30 Unflippin' believable. Just heard from Dee. Seems the "clinic" didn't forward any of Brandon's file...just the MRI, so the surgeon has decided they will do nothing but give him meds for pain. The boy can't function because of the pain. He can't hear. His pupil is so dilated he can barely SEE for cryin' out loud. He can't bend over. HE CAN'T WORK.

To say we are pissed is missin' the mark entirely. Dee is fluctuating between helplessness and pissedoffidness. And she can be a bitch on wheels when she goes over that line.

So she called the doctor. Several times. Even though it's "against the rules". She has DEMANDED they review his complete file. Not doing anything is completely unacceptable. Completely.

I'm telling you......this is just the flippin' straw the broke the camel's back. I thought I was in a bad mood before? Now.....yeah, I'm gonna go for a nice long drive to calm down. I don't know what else to do.

Dee will get me more info, and I will share, as soon as she gets done shoving the file in a doctor's face. They WILL look at this. Seems they had no idea he was having any other issues than pain.

Like that's not enough, for cryin' out loud....

Houston, we have a problem

I've mentioned a time or two that I have a temper. I do. And it's not pretty.

HOWEVER....I've learned to have iron control over it. That control may slip every now and again, but very rarely in a complete manner and again, that slip is very rare.

Last night, after reading an email I was so furious I threw a coffee mug up against the wall and broke it.

Smashed it. Like a flippin' kid having a temper tantrum.

THAT made me even madder than the damned email that ignited the whole thing.

I really hate losing control like that. Very much. Plus....I really like those coffee mugs, damnit!

But what triggered it was an email from my boss. Seems he doesn't think I'm "doing enough". Yes, you read that right. They just extend my territory to CANADA and I manage to get almost every account visited and ready to transition to the new line and....I'm not doing enough.

He gets all his reports right on time, but I'm not doing enough.

He calls for info I have it at the tip of my fingers, but I'm not doing enough.

I'm prospecting about 50 accounts ACTIVELY right now, but I'm not doing enough.

Now....I believe in motivation. Actually - I'm pretty damned good at motivating people. Darlin'....if I set my mind to it, I can get water from a rolling rock. Yeah, I know a bit a motivating people.

And pushing, beating around the head and shoulders, belittling is not the way to make anyone do anything. Well, anyone with any self respect that is.

So, after I broke the coffee mug, stormed around the house abit muttering to myself, I sat down and responded to his email. I'll tell you I'm still shaking mad this morning, so I really had not cooled off much when I wrote the response.

I gave the "sit rep" for each account. No excuses, just the facts. I kept it short, yes some would view it as curt, but I didn't mean it that way. No flowers, no fuss, just the cold bare truth.

I'm gonna tell you now, it's not going to be good enough. And that makes me a little sad.

You see......I just don't function well under that kind of pressure. I put enough on myself, I don't need that added to it.

So today it's more phone calls, begging for appointments, sending emails. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and pray some big ass customer falls in my lap. And soon.

Cause I've only got 4 more coffee mugs......

Today's Maxine Moment

Got this via the infamous Richmond. Thanks darlin'! It's perfect!!!

Illegals

We need to show more sympathy for these people.
* They travel miles in the heat.
* They risk their lives crossing a border.
* They don't get paid enough wages.
* They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.
* They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language.
* They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day every day.

I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans;
I'm talking about our troops!
Doesn't it seem strange that many Democrats and Republicans are willing to lavish all kinds of
social benefits on illegals, but don't support our troops and are now threatening to defund them?

I'll Play

I saw this over at Pam's where I said I'd play too. Now I've seen it a lot of place so I'm probably just a day late and a dollar short....again.

But what the hell. It might be fun.

Below the fold...60 things about Tammi!

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Oh for shits sake. I didn't want this to be a damned novel. My car is PACKED. I got sign holders, banners, cases of playing cards, folders, binders.....get the picture? Oh, and a neon sign....

2. When was the last time you threw up?
Not a big thrower upper. Oh, wait. Boston. Last year. Yeah....that's was not a good thing. Damned Appletinis....

3. What’s your favorite curse word?
Fuck.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today yesterday?
Army Wife, Laughing Wolf, Mama Vi (There were actually plenty more, but I'm really trying to play by the rules......)

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Yesterday? I was driving. It's a bit til 8:00am yet today.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Drinking Coffee

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Either dealing with a customer, running a report or doing dishes...

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Yes, yes I have...

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
It would have been last night....as I was climbin' in bed "Thank you Father. I never thought this day would end!"

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Not a huge ice cream fan, but I love cinnamon, peppermint and Ben and Jerry's Twisted Half Bake.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Coffee

12. What are you wearing right now?
Red and white flannel jammie pants and a white tee shirt.

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Nope.

15. When was the last time you ran?
Yeah......about 15 years. Me? I'm more of a walker, thankyouverymuch.

16. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
Football...the Super Bowl.

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
Cuz

19. Ever go camping?
Yes, love it. It's just been a while.

20. Do you have a tan?
Bastard. No, no I don't. Not any more. Well, slight lines, but compared to my "normal" tan? No. Nothin'.....

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Not at home.

25. What did your last IM say?
I don't IM. I'd rather have the conversation.

26. Are you someone’s best friend?
I hope so.

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Cleaning. I'm so excited...no work. Just makin' Paradise presentable.

28. Where is your mom right now?
South Bend. Obsessing about my hair.

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
My dining room.

30. What color is your watch?
Gold and Silver with a tan face.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
Lee, my garmin.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Yes, I would. Was actually thinking about it yesterday. I'd love to have my eyes "done". Oh, and my ass shrank. And my thighs thinned.....

33. What is your birthstone?
Ruby

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Drive through baby. Only good reason to hit one of those joints. (Ironic that they ask this AFTER the plastic surgery question, don't cha think?!)

35.How many kids do you want?
I've always wanted three....

36. Do you have a dog?
No. :-(

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Laughing Wolf

38. Have you met anyone famous?
Yes....Art Linkletter (when I was 5 yrs old), U2, The Oak Ridge Boys (I accidently insulted them) and lots of other folks......but I do have to brag about hangin' out with a lot of the players for the Buc's. You see, it pays to have beautiful friends. I have met and/or partied with a large of portion of what WAS the TB Buc's football team in 1997.

39. Any plans today?
Yes...work.....keeping my head above water........

40. How many states have you lived in?
Three

41. Ever go to college?
Yes. Only 1/2 a year away from that damned piece of paper.

42. Where are you right now?
My living room/office.

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
My job.

44. Last song listened to?
Oh crap....that was last night. I don't know...remember - this is the "Oh, bright shiny object" girl!

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Codine

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
My black boots - LOVE. And my flip flops, but only in the summer.

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Honestly? Yes. A little bit.

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
I can't imagine.....

51. What time is it?
7:00am

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes

53. Do you eat healthy?
Better now than last year.....and working on it every day.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
Work. I work - fix situations, talk on the phone, put out fires, I work. It seems like that's all I do....

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
Yes. Yes I do. And I'm not real proud of that, but it is what it is....

56. Do you use the word ‘hello’ daily?
Yes I do....."Hello, this is Tammi". I say that so much I'm sick of it.

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
46.

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
The one in Chicago. :-) Big Fun.

60. How did you get one of your scars?
So you start and end this damned thing with what could be a mini novel. One. I have to pick just one.....There's the one on my chin, my forehead, my right hand, my left hand, my knee, my thigh.....Good Gott!! I'm a flippin' mess!!!!

Split.......

....in more way than one.

And then there was THIS one!

Ok, those actually made sense. I think I may need another vacation......

via Leslie.

Listen Up!

This.

Is a rant.

Just warning you.......

It's well known, at least around here, that I travel a lot. Travel via driving. AND....I spend a lot of time on the phone. Still while driving.

Not the best thing, but if I pulled over every time my phone rang, I'd get about .75 miles each day. Not real productive.

So....I use a hands free device on my phone. Still a bit distracting, but I have both hands on the wheel and can handle things that come up a bit better.

Now......one thing that makes me see red every single time are these folks that drive around, usually much faster or slower than the posted speed limit, with their damned phones to their ears.

STOP IT! STOP IT NOW! A hands free device is not that expensive. Hell, most cell phones come with the speaker option so if you don't want a "bud" in your ear you can do that.

But this shit of driving around with the phone to your ear is DANGEROUS. Seriously. If you only knew how many close calls I've had because some dipwad thought it was more important to talk than drive you'd be amazed.

Now....I'm fully aware that a lot of you do not use handsfree. Hell, some of my best friends don't. You've got two months. If you are in my circle of friends and still do not have a hands free device - AND USE IT - then I'm cuttin' you off. I will NOT call your cell phone. If you call me, and I find out we're talking while you are driving, I'm hanging up.

Today was the final straw. I was in Chicago rush hour traffic. A car on either side, goin' at decent clip. Both were on the phone. The lady to my left started drifting (and no...she wasn't asleep) I had no where to go. As I looked to my left that guy was so busy with the phone to his ear, gesturing with his other hand that he never realized what was going on.

Not. A good time.

So.......this is what I'm gonna need for you to do. Either Do Not use your phone while operating a moving vehicle or get a hands free set.

I don't know where you are, and I'm all over the place. So realize this....every time you drive with that damned phone to your ear, you are endangering me, my teammates or someone I care about.

And I take that very personally.

Whew I'm done now. But boy does that piss me off!

Loaded

Sleep. I want more of it......

I've really got to stop planning out my entire day the night before as I'm trying to sleep....it plays havoc with my sleep schedule.

So I'm awake. Dressed and ready to go. Until I remember I forgot to load the car. With 2 neon signs, floormats, clocks, foam signs....a bunch of stuff.

Which means I need to UNload the car first. You see, I'm a Sales Rep. So....I have about 10 price card holders, some banners, files, tape measures and other miscellaneous stuff in the back of my car at all times. The trunk? Don't ask....

But I have to get this store set up. I have to. No options. And today has to be the day.

Did I mention it's cold out this morning? No? Yeah. It is.

So....a quick unload, reload and I'm on my way. Thank goodness I filled the tank up last night, cause I'm in no mood for any more delays.

Man, I wish I would have remembered this last night......

Don't Miss This!

I just saw this over at Blackfive. I'm putting it here, because I DO NOT WANT YOU TO MISS THIS. I'd still like you to head over and read the comments. But first....Listen to what Debbie Lee had to say to the City Council at Berkeley.

You know, during my travels this week I stopped in a little diner is Escanaba MI for a late lunch. The diner's name was The Drifters Restaurant. Looked like a nice place for a warm meal.

I was right.

But the best part, for me, was as I walked up to the front door I saw they had a homemade sign hanging there. In big bold letters they stated "We Support Our Troops". I had to smile. I was more than happy to give this place my business.

The meal was wonderful. The service very friendly. Everything was great.

I thanked them as I was paying my bill. But I made a special point to thank them for their sign. And their support.

And I promised that, while it won't be all that often, every time I go through that town I will stop in. It's the very least I can do.

Now...I realize not a lot of y'all get up that way. But if you do....I highly recommend The Drifters Restaurant. Good People.

But I don't see them opening a 2nd location in Berkeley.

Oops.....

OK. I lied.

I didn't get back in with that one dealer. Oh....he met with me. I listened to him, he listened to me. At least we have "dialog" but there's a lot of work to be done there.

But I had said if I didn't hit that one out of the park I was going to spend another night on the road.

F*ck that.

I left Medford around 2:00. I just now got home. There was no way no how I was going to make Madison in time to see any buyers. Not even me, the Road Warrior, could make that happen.

So I just came home. I'm sitting here with a cup of tea, getting ready to hit the hay. Yes, it's only 7:30. But I'm flat out beat.

Oh, funny thing......this morning, before I even get my eyes open there is a horrible pounding at the door. Now....like I said earlier, didn't sleep so great last night, and I didn't have to be up extra early so I was taking advantage of that.

Until Housekeeping decided to clean my room. A little before 7:15. In the damned morning.

I think I scared the shit out of that girl. Seriously. I flew to the door, slammed it open. There I stood, jammies and wild hair and no smile on my face.

Yeah....she was a stammerin' like crazy.

I almost felt bad.

Ok. That's another lie. I didn't feel bad at all.

So yes, I'm getting comfy. And yes, I'm goin' to bed extra early. I need to be up at 5:00 and leave by 6:30 to be at Corporate in time. Oh, and then I get to drive all the way down town Chicago.....how can any one girl be as lucky as me?!?!?! (not)

Oh! And I get to do it again on Friday....

So nighty night folks. Sweet dreams. And I hope your mattress is as comfy as mine!!!!!

Winding Down

I woke this morning drained. Seriously, I didn't really sleep well, and I'm not sure why. 'Cause let me tell you I was sure tired enough.

But.....it's life on the road, so you just deal with it.

They put me in a non-smoking room and I'm not so thrilled with that. I still smoke heavy when I'm driving by myself, but I'm used to not smoking in "the house". HOWEVER, I do need a smoke with my morning coffee and standing outside the entrance door, shivering in the cold is not my favorite way to wake up.

The good news is it's getting me out of here earlier than usual. I'm not sure what I'll do with my "early" time, but I'll think of something. See.....my stores don't open until 10:00am. It's just not polite to be there first thing. Give 'em time to get organized, settled. So I start my calls at 10:30 most mornings.

And then just roll with it. I'm hoping to visit two small dealers and charm my way back onto one "ex" customer's floor. If I can do that.....I'll point Lana south and head for Paradise. If I can't? Then I'll be stopping in Madison and a few other spots on the way, trying to drum up business. It also means another hotel tonite and then tomorrow morning in Chicago.

See....the plan is no plan. And honestly? I'm not so good with that. I did pack for just such an issue, but it's not the way I like to live.

It's a good thing it's just me. If I were married or had kids this would NOT be something I could do. So, I'll earn the right to move on in this job, and just suck it up for not. I have faith I won't have to do this forever........

Anyway - as you can tell by this ramble I'm tired. The thoughts in my head are just rambling and rolling. So I'm off to breakfast and hopefully that'll help me pull it all together to make today as good as yesterday. And yes....yesterday was a flat out fantastic day. I want another one just like it.

Y'all take care - here's hopin' I actually get to go home tonite!

Safe and....well, Safe.

I'm here. And here would be Eau Claire Wisconsin. Yes, if you are looking at a map that is ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE STATE from where I started this morning. I'm rackin' up some miles this week, that's for sure.

The drive today, other than one bad spell of road, was fantastic. So beautiful. Between the miles and miles of pine and cedar forrest, the herd of deer standing in the middle of the road and all the bald eagles I saw, I was well entertained.

And it's a good thing, cause the cell phone reception sucked.

But I'm here. I'm exhausted, but I'm settled in and planning for tomorrow.

You know....I forgot what these long ass trips are like, when you gotta work. I think I like it much better when I can meander and such. This schedule stuff sucks!!!

A Difficult Day

I've been keeping y'all updated on Brandon, and when I first mentioned that problem I mentioned that we had more issues to deal with that I can't really discuss.

Well, actually DEE is carryin' the brunt of it. And today is gonna be tough for her. REALLY tough.

And it has to do with one of her daughters. One of my nieces. I know it's a lot to ask, especially because I can't really go into the details, but if y'all would just say an EXTRA prayer for them I'd appreciate it.

There's just so much going on....and I hate that I'm up here, trying to work, while my family is dealing with issue after issue and crisis after crisis. I just feel so helpless.

This is the least I can do. Ask those of you who stop by to remember them in your thoughts.

Yeah....it's gonna be a difficult day.....

Brandon...

Well he had the MRI yesterday. That would be when they told Dee it'll be 4-5 working days before they can read it.

That pushes the doctors visit, the FIRST doctors visit out to next week. At least a week or so after that before they can do the surgery.

We are beyond mad. Seriously. And before anyone says one thing about "pushing' or "standing up for ourselves" understand this.....we have to play within the system. You are not talking about a bunch of uneducated mealy mouth women here. Mama Vi, Dee and myself are pretty.....ummm outspoken. Some would even say strong. And Dee KNOWS the system. Hell, she even knows the doctors. It's not them. It's the red tape, paperwork and overall system shit.

But we're hog tied. Because Brandon is 19, and was working in a job with no insurance and is not in school there is no insurance. So we are dependent on Government programs. We are grateful for the help but can you say ClusterF*ck?!?!?!

And trust me, there is a post a brewin' about WHY government needs to stay the HELL out of the HEALTHCARE business.

Meanwhile, Brandon is still in a lot of pain. And we are still waiting. And we are still very grateful for your thoughts, prayers and support.....

Yeah....cold.....

Yeah, not a good travel sign when the very town you are sitting in is the first thing you hear/see on the weather channel. And it wasn't "Local on the 9s".

It's -6 right now. That's the temp.....I'm not even going to TRY to find out the wind chill factor.

Did I mention the 6" of snow last night?

Hmmmm seems "6" is the magic number.......might be some kind of sign, now that I think of it.

And people choose to live here. On purpose even.

It boggles my mind. This hotel is FULL and I'm actually really lucky to have found a room at all. People are flocking here to PLAY OUT IN THE COLD SNOW!

Again. It boggles my mind.

Oh, and just so you know....I would have LOVED to push this trip out. But....only 2 weeks to get everyone on the new line. If I didn't do this now these people would have nothing to sell, and that would probably get me in a little bit of trouble. But I'm coming back. I just think I'll plan the next trip for September. THAT should be beautiful!

Anyway, I'm off to breakfast, then a spell in the business center. After that, customer visit and I'll start the drive to the far side of Wisconsin. I saw a store that I want to swing by and drop my info off at. Might as well try and open an account or two while I'm here. Can't hurt anything.

Hell, who knows. Maybe they'll take pity on this poor frozen Florida girl and throw some business my way just because......

And maybe not. But, I do need to try.

-6.

WTF?!!

Thoughts While Driving

Well, I'm here. Exactly where *HERE* is may just be the big question. I swear I saw Santa in the parking lot here at the Holiday Inn, so I know damned well I'm pretty far north.

But...it was an interesting drive, to say the least. I thought you might enjoy reading what was running through my mind during my 9.5 hour drive.

The roads and weather were great when I left THE Valley. I was very glad I had waited to leave. I made great time, until I turned off 39 and started heading north east.

At one point, as the snow swirled and the traffic crawled I just started laughing. Seriously......in my mind's eye I was seeing sunshine, palm trees, water. In reality it was as different from that as could be. All I could think was "how did I get here?!?! WTF am I doing?!?!?!

Then.....as I continued my trek towards Green Bay (where I had predetermined to stop/pee/eat/gas up, I was driving at top speed - 20mph - through a tunnel of snow. Honest. The snow banks were so tall they covered all the road signs. And blowing! Holy shit!!!

Those were the longest 16 miles of my life. I *ALMOST* turned around then. Thank goodness I'm as "challenged" as I am. I talked myself in to going on by convincing myself I was almost half way there.

I.

Am a liar.

Oh....and let me just say - I haven't lost my touch at all. I managed to drive all that way, drink 32oz of diet coke, 2 large glasses of raspberry tea and 1 1/2 liters of water only stopping that one time in Green Bay. WooHoo! I still have the bladder of stone!!!

Once I got past Green Bay everything was GREAT. Roads clear, light traffic, movin' at a good clip. Then I get to Michigan.

I never thought I'd say this out loud, but damn I miss Wisconsin! Holy Shit!! Don't you people plow your roads?!?!? For shits sake.

Actually it wasn't TOO horribly bad until I took that last turn on 41 North. Long flat through the cedars. Beautiful. Just flat out fantastically beautiful. Until.

It got dark.

And the wind kicked up.

And I'm at this point pretty sure Lana does not have all weather tires.

21 miles. On the darkest, windiest, slickest road I've been on in a long long time.

But I made it. I'm here. I just ordered a turkey sandwich from room service and I'm hunkerin' in.

But just think! I get to turn around and start this trek again tomorrow.

You know - I called my boss at one point and asked if I qualify for hazard pay. He laughed. I wasn't kidding.

I really need to figure out who I pissed off to have to make this trip at this time of year......

Repeat

Let's try this again.....

Contagion just returned from that direction......he made it through. But then again, he drives a tank.

This is what the weather channel showed for Madison. I'm goin' a hell of a lot farther north than Madison.

But, I'm actually feeling a lot more confident today. Another good night's sleep. All glitches taken care of. No more blaring "WARNING WARNING WARNING" from the weather people.

Yeah, I'm not nearly so worried today....we'll just keep it slow and steady. It's not bad HERE at all, but I'm hearing interesting things from that general direction.

Hopefully I'll be posting from the blustery U.P. by tonite!!!

It's a GREAT Neighborhood!

Erica does this GREAT post about Mr. Rodgers. You know....from Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood - you really should take the time to read it.

As I read through, and watched the video, I found myself nodding in agreement. So much of what she said struck a nerve.

But in a different way. I had a GREAT child hood, even after Daddy was gone. It was full of love and laughter so much of the time. There was just that one thing missing.

For me, Mr. Rodgers filled that void. Every weekday morning, there he was. Smiling, singing, teaching me how to make good choices.

And, like Erica, I did "step out on the wild side" in my late teens early twenties. And, like Erica, I have come back to where I began. To where I am most comfortable.

We tend to return to our foundations. To that which our beliefs and values are based upon.

And for me.....that includes a lot of the lessons I learned from Mr. Rodgers. Thanks Erica. What a great walk down memory lane!!!

A Big Day!

Today is President's Day. A lot of folks get the day off of work. And because it's always on a Monday, in the middle of winter, it's got an interesting history. Well, at least it's interesting to me.

Have y'all ever noticed what a BIG sale day it is for mattresses? Well, of course I have....it's the MacDaddy of Mattress Sales Days.....

And I just don't get it. Oh, I understand it more than say....Memorial Day or Labor Day. Those days the last thing I'm thinkin' about is shopping. But they also have a tradition of huge numbers in my sales column. Even with all the activities - boating, picnics, family gatherings. I *REALLY* don't get that.

But President's Day out ranks them all in "our" world. And that really puzzles me. What's the correlation? President's Day = Mattress? I don't know....doesn't really click.

So....I decided to see what I could find out about this phenomenon. From this advertising site I found:

Feb. 18 President's Day

"Always one of the biggest of the year. This 3-day event ushers in the "big ticket item" season. This weekend always brings in big numbers for the automotive, mattress, and especially the furniture retailers."

Yeah. OK. But WHY?!? How did this all start?

I can't find anything. It just talks about how it's the kick off for consumers to purchase "big ticket items". No back ground at all.

And maybe I'm just different for wanting to understand the WHY - the HOW did this all begin. And in all honesty it probably doesn't matter in the least. It may be as simple as this is when people's tax checks start arriving.

In fact - that's probably it right there, now that I think about it.

But what ever it is.....for whatever reason......folks will be flocking to furniture stores and sleep shops in the hope of improving the quality of their lives by getting a better mattress.......

So Happy President's Day folks!! A day when so many American's are focused on their bed.

And I couldn't be happier.....

Outta Here...Or Maybe Not (UPDATED)

I can delay no more.......I'm outta here.

Lana is gassed up and ready to go.

Lee (the Garmin) is at least pointing in the correct general direction. We'll just have to SEE how that part of it goes.

Temps are dropping, ice is forming. Yippee (not)

I've packed for 4 days, just in case. Extra warm weather gear is loaded along with a case of water. Hell, I even packed an extra blankey, just in case.

I'll stop before I leave town, for a good "get on the road" meal so I won't have to stop too early into the drive. And...I've got some fruits and veggies with a few snack bars tucked into a bag on the front seat.

AND I grabbed the atlas. You know, just in case Lee decides to act up this trip.

Of course I ran out of printer ink, so I'll have to find a Kinkos or Staples before my call tomorrow, but other than that.....I think I'm ready.

The latest news on the road conditions up Wisconsin way is that there is no where for the water to drain so there are huge standing puddles. Puddles that are freezing as of now. Snow has started in portions of the state and I'm headin' right to it. Like a moth to a flame. Like a steel pin to a magnet. Like an idiot who has no life.

So.....wish me luck. I'm hoping to post once I settle in tonite.

And I'll just leave you with this one thought.....WTF am I doing?!?!?!?

UPDATE Well, my Grandpa always said, the good Lord looks out for Children and fools. I guess I fall into one of those categories. As I got ready to head out of town I ran into a glitch. A glitch that delays me until tomorrow morning. So.....I left the stuff in the car, and am hunkerin' down to enjoy my evening. I hate the fact that everything is pushed back a day - but better just that and not something terrible. Like an accident. Or me lost in an ice storm somewhere up north. THAT wouldn't make me happy either!

A Brief Update

I heard from Dee yesterday. They have FINALLY scheduled Brandon's MRI. Seems the doctor has changed his mind, again, and wants the MRI done BEFORE he see's Brandon.

All that waiting and we're right back to where we were before.

Arrggghhhh.

So, the MRI is Monday. The doctor is THINKING he can see Brandon some time on Tuesday. Maybe.

Arrgggghhhhh.

But it's progress. It's an appointment. And that's something, so I'll stop complaining. But ohhhhhh is it tough to stay positively focused.

He's still having pretty bad headaches all the time, but hasn't had any of the vomiting and such as we saw last weekend. We're grateful for that.

I wanted to let y'all know where things were, as I'm not 100% I'll have internet access for the next few days.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers! They are VERY much appreciated.

There's a 40% chance....

Today I'm having an adventure. Big Time....

Did you by any chance hear about the big winter storm they are calling for to start today, in my neck of the woods, and go all the way through tomorrow?

Yeah, supposed to start out with rain. Then freeze nicely and become ice, mixed with snow. Then......inches and inches of snow.

Did you by any chance remember me telling you about how there are many areas, towns, counties that are out of salt? Yeah, they are. Keep that thought in mind.....

So, my adventure. Yeah. Today I'm going to drive to the U.P. WAY into the U.P. According to my research it would take me 7 1/2 hours....in July. Today? With ice, sleet and snow? Well, I'm not really planning on getting there tonite. I will drive as far as I can and then just finish it up tomorrow. (Here's a map...I marked my location in red down in Illinois....with my final destination WAY up in the upper right hand side)

And all that for just one account. Just one.

Then, I'll turn around and I'll be zig zagging across the north central part of Wisconsin trying to get acquainted with the new part of my territory.

In the ice, sleet and snow.

BUT.....there's one account I HAVE to be at Tuesday afternoon and then I HAVE to be in Chicago Thursday morning. Have to. No if's and buts about it.

Did I mention all the ice, sleet and snow we'll be getting this week?

And here's the kicker. The account WAY up there? The main reason I'm going today? Yeah, the guy carries a lot of our product. And he's kinda mad, because he hasn't had a rep in a long while. There is a 60% chance he won't see me. But....I still have to go. I still have to drive up there, show up at his store and talk to him about the new line.

Today? With this trip in front of me? I REALLY miss Florida!!!

Ladies Night Out

Last night I had such a nice evening....you see, it was my friend's "Golden Birthday". She turned 14 on the 14th and that just needed celebrating.

So I made an invitation up and, after clearing it with her folks, made arrangements for a "Ladies Night Out" for her and I.

The catch was, we had to "dress to the 9's." I thought I'd get some pushback on that but she was all for it.

So.....after the chocolate massage I headed to Richmond's for lunch and chit chat and had a wonderful surprise when Roses showed up. WooHoo!! It was quite the treat.

I got ready for the big evening there, to make sure I wasn't late, and headed back to THE Valley.

I picked up K and she looked wonderful. The biggest smile on her face and she, well, she just looked so pretty. And boy was she excited.

We headed out to one of the Japanese Steak Houses, she had never been there and we lucked out with a great couple sitting at the table next to us. They were fun and full of humor and were absolutely enchanted with her. GREAT dinner.

And, can I tell you, it was amazing to see her pick up chopsticks for the FIRST time and end up being so good with them that she was teachin' all the other folks at the table how to use them.

She tired to help me.......yeah, lets just say, I'll be stickin' with the fork for a while yet.....

Then she wanted to go to a movie. But the movie she wanted wasn't playing as of yesterday. So....next choice - bowling. Folks. I was wearing a dress and heels, but I would have happily donned the ugly bowling shoes if that's what she wanted.

We ended up, for any number of reasons, just going to the mall. We picked up a few things for her and I took her home.

She could hardly wait to tell her family about the evening. I'm just so glad she enjoyed it that much. I know I did. And we've already decided that we'll just have to find another "excuse" for a Ladies Night Out every once in a while.

I figure we're worth it!

Yes, ANOTHER Diet Post

And I'm puttin' it in the extended entry so you can easily skip over if you want to. I just need to get this thought process documented and out of my flippin' head!

So.....my Miracle Burn pills are not so miraculous. Oh, I've not put any weight ON since I started taking them, but I am willing to bet I haven't lost any weight either. That means we stop taking them.

Plus, I know there's no such thing as an "easy weight loss" system. I know that because for most of my life, up until the last couple of years, I've made dieting/weight management my obsession. Seriously, I may do it wrong, but I DO know the right way.

It's just too hard, if I'm honest.

Well...that's all about to change.

You see, I bought a scale. The first one I have ever owned in my adult life. Now, that might seem weird to some folks, but up until recently I couldn't even face the scale in the doctor's office. EVEN when I was at, what I consider my optimum weight, I couldn't know it.

But I've been really evaluating myself and my self image and realized I can handle it now. I'm 45 years old. I know my age, I KNOW I won't ever be what I was at 30. Or even 35. And I'm seriously ok with that. I'm not bad for my age, but that's not what I want. I HATE it when some one tells me I look good for 45. Can't I just look good? Why the qualifier?

And yes - I'm fully aware that thought process makes me officially "Vain". I am. My looks matter to me. Especially for my job. Let me tell you......try getting someone's respect when you look like crap. First impressions matter, and I base a lot of my success at work on that. Plus, if you look like you're frazzled and a mess, that gives the impression that you are struggling. No one wants to buy from someone that is "struggling". Successful sales people make more money, which in turn makes them more successful and they, in turn make even MORE money.

See how that works?

So any way.......I bought the scale. And saw a number I never thought in my lifetime I would see when *I* stood on it.

Yeah......not so happy, let me just tell you.

BUT - I didn't panic. Nope. I just thought about it for a couple of days and put together a plan of action. One that makes sense, is healthy and has a good success rate.

I joined Weight Watchers on-line. With my schedule I cannot go to meetings. Won't happen and I refuse to set myself up to fail. But the on-line version gives me the tools I need to make the right choices. AND to plan. I spent last evening looking at my options for when I have to grab a meal while on the road. It really hit me that I've been making VERY bad choices.

It allows me to plan my exercise. And then I have to keep track. No cheating. Kinda stupid to lie to yourself, isn't it?

So yeah, I'm at it again. My goal is to lose 25 pounds. That's realistic. And healthy. It won't put me back into my size 6 jeans...but again....I'm 45 years old and stand 6'2" tall. I'm thinkin' size 6 is just a bit obsessive. (and so you know...at a size 6 I weighed a whomping 130lbs. Can you say skeletal?)

I'm not going to keep track here on the blog. But I will let you know when I hit those milestones.

Like I said in the beginning...I'm at it again. But this time no tricks or easy answers. Just changes and planning.

I think I can handle that.

It was good.....

Yesterday was a bit easier than I expected....and that's a very good thing.

While we were waiting for the truck to arrive, I got the chance to talk to the guys that work at this store. I've been up there often, but it's never really a good time to sit and talk. That's exactly what we did yesterday.

It's a great group of guys. As we were at that "introduction" part, one of the guys mentioned he had been a Marine.

I immediately corrected him. "No, Sir. You ARE a Marine."

That got a big ole smile, and he agreed. He was just afraid I wouldn't understand the whole "once a Marine, always a Marine" concept.

THAT got a big ole smile from me.

At that point I took the time to thank him for his service. Without realizing it, I guess I made him uncomfortable. You see, he served during the Clinton years, and didn't see any real action. He actually thought I would think "it didn't count".

When I had the opportunity I made sure he knew that his service, during peace or war, matters. I appreciate the fact that he stepped up.

That also got a big ole smile.

So yeah.....I spent some quality time with one of my dealers, got to thank a Marine AND had a beautiful new line-up finally installed at one of my better stores.....I'd say it was a very good day.

Sweet......

Well, today's the day.

I'm gettin' a chocolate massage.

Blog Fodder. I swear....my life is blog fodder.....

And no....there will be no pictures. I'm just sayin'.......

Chill Maker

It's what I've thought along.....but I couldn't have said it better. Ever.

Thank You.

Found over at Blonde Sagacity.

I'm Gettin' Too Old for This!

When will I learn? Seriously.

I was just saying I really needed to get more exercise. So....it snowed. A lot. And I had to shovel. A lot.

It about killed me. Mainly because I've let myself get so out of shape.

Lesson learned? Oh no. Of course not.

So again, I was sayin' if I just got more exercise I'd feel so much better. I said that not thinking about what's coming up with work.

Dawn this morning. I'm heading to the Milwaukee area. My first store is getting their new line and I wanna make sure it's perfect. So....I'm going to help unload the truck and set everything up.

That's right. I said unload the truck and set everything up. 15 beds. All queen and king size. Matts and boxes. That means the old stuff has to be taken down, bagged and moved to the back room. The new stuff taken OUT of the bags and set up.

Have you moved any mattresses lately? Those suckers are HEAVY! And, because I'm so very good at my job (ha ha) I moved this guy up to include a lot more of the luxury matts in his line-up. In the bedding world, luxury = really flippin' heavy.

At least I got a good nights sleep last night. Like a baby, I slept. Woke up to daylight!! It was fabulous.

And I'm gonna need every bit of it today.

But....it does have it's advantage. You see in about a week I have to do this again. Only then it's just me and one other woman. And we'll be tearing apart an entire store, moving things around and resetting everything. Just the two of us.

So, I'm looking at this as a warm-up. A practice run as it were.

I'm just grateful I've got that massage scheduled for tomorrow. I think I'm gonna need it!

Something New

I have recently found a new blog. Sleeping Mommy.

It's a wonderful place. With sweet and funny stories of motherhood.

This particular post NEEDS to be shared. From what I can tell, it's a weekly post she does entitled Why I Love My Husband Wednesdays. This week's tale is about a Daddy Daughter dance complete with pictures of about the sweetest looking 4 year old girl getting ready for a date with her daddy.

I'm still smiling over it and I read it yesterday.

Take a minute, treat yourself, go and read. I really am a sucker for those Daddy Daughter posts....and this is about the best one I've ever read.

And this will be a site I start hitting regularly.

Hurry Up and Wait

Well, Brandon didn't get to see the doctor yesterday. The paperwork and red tape is becoming unbelievable. I knew it would get messy....but for cryin' out loud, I figured they'd take into account the poor boy has a MASS in his BRAIN and maybe have some sense of urgency.

Seems I was wrong.

So....we're still waiting to see the doctor. Trust me when I tell you Dee is ALL OVER THIS. But it's all so very frustrating.

Tragedy Too Close to Home

When I first moved back up here, I took a job in a college town just south east of THE Valley - a city named DeKalb.

Home of the Corn Festival and NIU. (Northern Illinois University).

Yesterday was probably the worst day in the history of the sleepy farm town.

A gunman walked into a lecture hall and shot five people and then himself, and wounding 16 others.

It's all you can see on the news. It's horrific. Another college campus shooting.....another tragedy.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the students, the University and the community.

Just for you....

Because today is busier than most...I'm just gonna offer up some "Candy" for Valentine's Day.....

Or....if that doesn't trip your trigger....how 'bout this?

Happy Valentines Day Y'all............

My Valentine Wish

Valentine's Day has never really been a banner day for me, can I tell you? Let's take a brief walk through the halls of my memory, shall we?

In Jr. High they started givin' out carnations. You know - white = I like you, Pink = I'm interested and red = I love you.

Folks. Every year, for 6 years I only got one carnation and it was black. Black. Nice, huh?

I have no idea WHO did it, but I will tell you, it was rather traumatic when you're that age. I had one wish during that time. Just one. All I wanted was a damned white carnation. From anyone - other than my mother. Yeah. Didn't happen.

While I was married......I would have been over the moon if I'd have gotten a card. Just a card. Didn't need flowers or jewelry. Just a card would have made me happy.

Yeah, that didn't happen either.

Since then, I've gotten rather apathetic about Valentine's Day. I try very hard to have NO expectations.

Well, this year that option has been taken away from me. Oh, I made the attempt to make today a little special. I made arrangements to have dinner with a friend, just so we weren't both alone. Yeah, I set the dinner up for Wednesday. I'm so out of it, I didn't even realize I had the wrong day. So much for plan A.

But....back to what I was saying. Today, whether I like it or not, I've got very high expectations. My hopes are pinned on hearing those three words. To the point that I actually had a difficult time sleeping last night.

So....I'm going to be charming. I'm going to seductive. In other words I'm givin' it all I've got.....

Cause today I really need to hear......"Here's my order" more than I can say.

Hope all YOUR Valentine's Day wishes come true!!!!

You Talkin' to ME?!?!

h/t Mike the Marine

Just Smile

I really need to laugh right now. Seriously.

And I figure if *I* need a laugh, than so do other folks. So....I'll share what I found.

First The Cheesemistress - LeeAnne ALWAYS makes me laugh. Just go HERE and scroll down......Her return to blogging couldn't have come at a better time for me!!!

MY LeeAnn has declared an official Comment Party over at Carmen's place. It's just getting started so head on over. Those damned things always tend to bring out the worst in people....gotta love that!!

OK...now I'm officially out of time. But I'm thinkin' the LeeAnn(e)s will get us to smile/laugh/relax a bit....and THAT, my friends is my main goal for the day.

Nephews, Cousins and Life in General

I wanted to give y'all a quick update on where things are with Brandon, my cousin and such.....

Right now Brandon has an appointment with the surgeon this coming Thursday. At that point he will review the CT paperwork and schedule the MRI for sometime the next week. From there, they will review THOSE results and then they will schedule the surgery.

The waiting is not fun. Brandon is still having a lot of pain, but there hasn't been any more vomiting and such. As expected he's kind of freaked out, but honestly? He's doing better than I think I would be in the these circumstances.

The local memorial service for my cousin is this coming Sunday.

I will be leaving from there and heading to the Upper Peninsula for a three day road trip through the wilds of Wisconsin.

I'm hoping to get that trip out of the way before Brandon's surgery. I want, no NEED, to be there for that. He needs to SEE that we are all there for him. Me not being there is not an option.

So right now it's a waiting game. Not what we wanted, that's for sure, but you work with what you've got.

And the hits keep comin'

Great. NOW my furnace is not working. It was givin' me problems and I was told to "keep an eye on it".

It is currently -2 outside and let me tell you I didn't even need to OPEN my eyes to know there was something very wrong this morning.

Oh, don't worry. They're on their way to fix it but still......damnit!!

AND......just to get this out of my system.........I had received a call from our CFO who's daughter had a problem with the mattress she bought. (she lives in my territory) So.....I sent her a new one to replace it. Had all sorts of people jumping through any number of hoops.

I sent her the wrong damned mattress.

I have to do it all over again.

Is it to soon to schedule another vacation? Februrary doesn't seem to be my month....

Diet...Tammi Style

This is pretty much exactly what I told a friend last night as I was making dinner.

Tammi: That's It! I'm starving. I haven't eaten a damned thing all day. I'm makin' a frozen pizza.

Friend: I thought you were watchin'.....

Tammi: I know I know. OK. Let's think this out. 4 servings per pizza. 320 calories per serving. 320 * 4 = 1360. I'm shooting for about 1800 calories per day so WOOHOO!! That's still under.

Friend:........

Tammi: Oh, and don't forget the wine. 2 glasses of wine with the pizza. Yeah - that's still under, OK around where I need to be.

Friend:.........

Tammi: Makes perfect sense. As long as I get the count in, doesn't matter how or when.

Friend:.....

Gee. I may be on to something! I should put this into a Tammi Plan, I could make a FORTUNE!!!!

the sad thing is....it really does make perfect sense to me!

That's It. I'm Over It.

As many of you have noticed, mu.nu's comments are hosed up.

Well.....as much as I appreciate everything that is mu.nu, if I wanted to talk to myself, I'd just stay here at home. Lord knows I do enough of that already.

So....this is what I'm gonna need for you to do. Make sure if you have this site linked or bookmarked that it's set up as Tammisworld.com

Sometime in the next week, I will beg someone to help me move all my stuff over to my own server again. Hell, I might even make a few changes while I'm at it....not like I have the time or anything. But you know....in for a penny, in for a pound.

So - please make sure you can find me via Tammisworld.com

I sure would hate to lose any of the 15 readers I have. For cryin' out loud - we're a family at this point!

I'll let you know when it's set up.......

Karma? WTF Did I do to YOU?`

So....it's snowing. Hard. Winter Storm. Again.

I got up, rushed around and headed to Chicago. Meeting at 11:30.

I get here, safely thankyouverymuch. Picked up lunch for my dealers and set everything up.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

Finally I call their store. Imagine MY surprise when my buyer answers the phone.

They thought the meeting was tomorrow.

Folks, I confirmed with them yesterday.

So.....now I'll pack everything up again and head BACK to Paradise. In the snow. And ice.

I just wanna know WTF I did to piss Karma off! Cause seriously.....this is the WORST string of luck I've had in eons.

Oh Yeah.....

.....and to those folks that got stuck talkin' to me last night....

1st. WTF were YOU thinkin' calling me after you read my post?! for cryin' out loud.....I *DID* warn ya!

2nd. That same sentiment goes for those who emailed and told me to call THEM...for shits sake. I warned you TOO!!

3rd. There is nothing like the calming supportive sound of a friend's voice when it seems the world around you is nothing but chaos.

So thank you.

boy, I sure am sayin' that a lot lately!

This 'n That

Here's where things stand in Tammi's World:

They refused to do Brandon's MRI now stating that he needs the surgeon's consult first. So everything gets pushed back. It makes sense, but doesn't make us very happy. They should have told us that in the first place instead of insisiting on the MRI first. So.....we're delayed.

My cousin's body has been released. There will be a memorial in Texas tomorrow for him and the two medics that were killed with him. The memorial here in Illinois will be some time next week.

It's still flippin' snowing. And it's so cold that what salt they do have is not really helping with the roads.

Which is just lovely (not) as I have to drive into Chicago this morning for a meeting.

AND we're getting another "winter storm" on Thursday. Did I mention I have MORE meetings in Chicago on that day too?!?! fricka fracka S.O.B....

So....I'm slammin' busy, chasin' my tail big time. Yesterday afternoon was a bit of a stress buster for me, an afternoon where I just didn't hurt. Just wasn't scared.

Not exactly the grown-up way to deal with things, but hey. I never claimed to always be a grown-up.....So THERE.

I'll let y'all know more as I know more. Meanwhile, again I say...thank you SO much for all of your support.

Oh - and Mama Vi sends her love!!!

Definition of Pitiful....

Being drunk with no one to drunk dial.....

THAT sucks wet socks.....

Gonna need to work on that. I'll leave it up to you whether I'm referring to the being drunk or the not having anyone to drunk dial.

Oh For Shit's Sake

It's snowing again.

Snowing!!!

Son of a gun....

I finally got out of my driveway this past Saturday. 2 1/2 days of pluggin' away a little at a time.

See...I'm not the woman I was 10 years ago. I just don't have the strength or the stamina. Plus....that snow is heavy for cryin' out loud.

AND....I'm trying to work while doin' all that. Just because I have a driveway to shovel doesn't mean business stops. So I took my phones out to the sun porch, where I could hear them ring.

I'd shovel a bit....and the phone would ring. I put out that fire and shovel some more. Till my back started hurting or I just flat out got tired.

And I'd go in for a while.

Back out for a little bit more fun in the snow.

And on and on it went.

Oh - and I should probably mention I was only trying to shovel out the part just behind my car. Seriously - my main concern is getting in and out. That's it.

As I said, this went on for 2 1/2 days. Finally Saturday, late morning - day light. I made it through the crap at the end of the drive. Now, only about 2' across, but I got through. WooHoo. That left a 2' line across the rest of 1/2 of the drive. The end was in sight.

I had to take a bit of a break and as I was coming back outside I heard this strange noise. As I glanced out the kitchen window I see snow flying everywhere. So I run out the door.

There was one of my neighbors with the mother of all snowblowers finishing up the last of that bit across the drive.

The Angels Sang!!!

As I thank him, and thank him and thank him, he says something that just cracked me up.

"My wife and I have been watching you struggle with this for the past 2 1/2 days and figured you might need some help."

Huh. You think?

But no matter. I can get in and out of my drive now. 1/2 of my drive is clear.

Or it was. Did I mention it's snowing again. Oh yeah and the current temp is 0. That's ZERO.....below freezing. WAY below freezing.

THAT'S gonna make for some fun shoveling this afternoon....don't cha think?!

But yeah. It's snowing. Again.

Dear Lord is is April yet?

Day of Rest?!?!

I *THOUGHT* yesterday was going to be a fairly low key day. Hit some stores, fill the time......waiting for Brandon's MRI today.

Yeah...best laid plans and all.

About 15 minutes after I left the house Dee called. Brandon had woke up that morning not being able to hear anything out of his left ear and was vomiting pretty badly.

Not good. Not good at all.

I'll admit it. We all went into panic mode. Dee took him to the ER with me promising to head that way as soon as I got finished in Milwaukee. She was going to call Mama and I as soon as they knew anything.

In my mind I was cursing myself because I wasn't prepared. No bag, no laptop. And there was no time to go home. Starting now? There's a bag in the car and I won't be leaving the house without my laptop and cell phone charger.

Hours later Dee called. They sent him home.

Yep. That's right, they sent him home. Gave him something for the pain and the vomiting and sent him home.

Now....we are confident that the mass is a fluid filled cyst, which is better than what it could be. We also know it's "very impressive" in size - because the resident blurted that out in front of Brandon she won't be doing that again. So.....that's more than we knew. And better than what we feared.

The MRI is today. More information. More facts. That's good.

But man, yesterday sure did suck - can I tell you?

The background story on Brandon can be found Here, Here and Here

I Don't See The Similarity

Last night I shed a lot of tears watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They built a home for a Marine, who lost his leg in Iraq, and his four children.

As it happens they "brought him home" to his new home this past November on the Birthday of the Marine Corp.

His unit, along with a lot of other Marines had a special project to build a flag pole for the front yard. The limo bringing the family to the house was escorted by the Patriot Guard. Flags flying EVERYWHERE. The show was just packed with OooRahs and tears.

Now....for just a moment let's compare that to Linda Ellerbee wanting to talk to the children of returned veterans....especially those whose parents are suffering from PTSD, divorce, lost limbs etc.

Hum....a show that HONORS the service and a show that EXPLOITS.......

Interesting comparison don't you think?!?!

Today's Maxine Moment

I'd be a team player if I got paid like a pro athlete.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.......

A Day of Waiting

Phone Call
Follow-up

I really wasn't going to mention Brandon today, but y'all have absolutely overwhelmed me, and my family, with your kindness and support. That means so very much.

We are trying to stay optimistic. What we know so far scares us. I won't lie to you - it scares us to the very bottom of our souls. But we're trying very hard to keep a positive thought. Good things come from good thoughts.....I firmly believe that.

Today is a day of waiting. Nothing can happen today. Brandon has started to really think about this, and that poor kid is scared to death. It breaks my heart. You see, we promised to protect him, and throughout his life.....well, let's just say the kid hasn't had many good breaks and leave it at that.

But I wanted to thank you again, for your comments, your emails, your phone calls. The not knowing is the very hardest part. I was talking with Dee last night and we both agreed, once we have a better idea of WHAT the enemy is and can put together the plan of attack we'll be better able to focus.

Until then, I'm sharing all your thoughts and prayers, forwarding some of the emails to make sure Mama and Dee KNOW that we are not in this alone.

For sharing your kindness with me and my family, for all the positive thoughts, wishes and prayers you are offering up for my nephew, all I can say is Thank You...

Oh - and I found this collage Mama Vi did for the kids to give me for Christmas this year. This is Brandon over the years. The quality isn't so good....but it's still our boy.....

A Woman's Prerogative

So yesterday the Border Babes had another spa day. This time I got something a bit different.

Oh, I still got a facial. They are one of my favorite treats. This time is was just a different KIND of facial.

Nice. Very nice. My skin is happy happy happy.

Well, come to find out there's one more certificate that needs to be used by the end of the month. Huh.

As I will be in town next Saturday I figured I'd bite the bullet and offer to be the one to make sure it wasn't wasted.

But Oh No! Saturday is too soon for another facial. And I'm not at all fond of manicures or pedicures.

A massage? Well.........Huh! What's this?! A CHOCOLATE massage?!?!
¿Qué es esto?

Now, I've mentioned a time or two that I'm not the biggest chocolate fan, but I'm thinkin' this may just be something I could grow quite fond of......

Who knows! I might even change my mind about chocolate all together. It's not just for dessert anymore.

Hey! I can do that. It's my prerogative!!!

Movie Time

It's Sunday and I'm off to work. But that's no reason y'all can't have a bit of fun.

First - check out this video about dealing with the public. Funny shit, folks. Funny. Shit.

Then...click over to Mike the Marine's site. He's found a great video that NAILS what I think about the current economy.....

Now...take some time and enjoy your day.

I'm off to save the world....one mattress at a time....
wait....I don't think that came out right.......

I meant to say I'm off to work!!!

HTF Did THAT Happen?

I think I made a tactical error. Again.

See, with everything going on, I REALLY need to get my guest room pulled together. What that actually means is I need to get MY room together, as in finish it.

So, I finally decided on which mattress I wanted from our new line and went ahead and ordered. They are really cool with that and actually only deduct $30 a paycheck to cover it. We get GREAT discounts so it'll be paid for in no time, with no real skin off my nose.

So....have bed, need bedding. Y'all remember THE painting I told you about, right? Well, that is to be the "center piece" of the room. What I envision is pulling the sapphire blue from the woman's dress and make that the main color. Accent with the royal purple and soft gold. Trust me, when you see it with the painting it will be STUNNING.

Yeah, well.....try and find a sapphire blue comforter set now a days. I found, on sale, 1000 ct sheets at DIRT CHEAP in a very soft gold. Step One.

Then I found a, what I thought was, sapphire blue comforter.

Yeah. It's navy.

My room looks like a flippin' Notre Dame Fan Club.

Now....y'all know I'm a Domer, but for cryin' out loud. There's no football in the chambre à coucher. At least not in mine. Decorations wise that is. wink wink

So the comforter goes back and the hunt begins in earnest.

So tell me, shoppers. Have YOU seen a solid, soft sapphire blue comforter with shams anywhere? Inquiring minds need to know.....

Potty Mouth!

Navy CPO, my blogson, had a big week. He hit is first 1,000 hits. I'm very proud.

Congrates Dude. Here's to many thousands more.

Then he has a post about about a little "problem" he has to deal with as he transitions from life in the Navy to civilian life.

I feel his pain.

Now, T1G posted a video to show his own warped brand of support. Had Me Cracking UP! Good one!

Me? I deal with the whole language thing day in and day out. If you have spoken to me on a casual basis, you know. I cuss. I cuss WORSE than most sailors. I have for as long as I can remember.

Mama has tried and tried and TRIED to get me to stop. I make a real attempt to watch my language around her, but every once in a while a Damn Shit or Hell will slip past my guard. And trust me........you CAN be threatened with soap in the mouth at the age of 45. Especially with Mama Vi around.

And I do pretty well in my business. I've learned to "test the waters". I will "let slip" a couple times just to see their reactions. If it's ok, then I don't have to stay on guard to much.

But I really try to watch how often I drop the *F* bomb. That is, after all, my favorite word.

And I do, after all, use it WAY too much.

For instance, I remember this training class down in Tampa. It was huge. Over 200 people. Now, it was all folks I already knew, I worked with them on a regular basis. BUT...it was a roll out. Big Wigs seepin' from the cracks. Show Time.

Started out just fine. Really. Good energy, lots of participation. Interest. Good. Very good.

Until.......well, every barrel has at least one bad apple. This one just happened to be very vocal. Kept interrupting. Kept trying to side track everything. EVERYONE was getting frustrated with this guy.

So....after more "Excuse Me, But"s, and "You SAY"s my patience had run out.

We're almost done...that's what I was chanting under my breath. I can see the finish line....when......"EXCUSE ME! TAMMI?

And without hesitation, thought, or pause I say "What the fuck do you want now?"

Needle? Meet floor.

Really. I've never heard that many folks get that quiet that quickly.

That would be when the applause started.

And that applause is what saved my hide that day. Oh, I got ripped a new one by my boss, and can I just say I think he broke the record for the number of *F* bombs HE dropped yelling at me. But.....no harm no foul. So I got off with a warning.

Lesson learned? Never invite the big wigs to a training class.

Cause at this stage in my life, there will be no learning of new tricks.....So don't worry Navy CPO. You'll be just fine. All those years in the Navy......self discipline is your friend. Plus....when you do slip up, it's GREAT blog fodder!!!

Brandon Update

Well, I guess you could say this past week hasn't been the best for us. We're still waiting to hear about the services for my cousin. Those will probably be near the end of this coming week. Due to the circumstances they still have not released his body.

I spent most of last evening talking to Mama Vi and Dee. Mama Vi is...well, Mama Vi. She is a fighter, let me just say that. She's scared and worried and angry. But - as we still don't have a LOT of details she's prayerful. The secret is to keep her talking. If she stays in her own head too long then it just spins out of control. Huh. Seems I know a few folks like that.

Dee has this amazing ability to just step outside of a situation. Especially a medical issue. She has fantastic contacts in the medical community and has been very busy gathering information. Of course she's still a Mom so the knowledge is tempered by the fact that this is not a nameless patient. It's her only son.

Brandon has not fully grasped the situation. And honestly, that's ok right now. He's having problems with headaches and his vision (which is what spurred the testing in the first place) so he's resting this weekend.

The MRI is set for Monday. Dee already has someone lined up to read it so we'll know more details at that point and be able to put together a plan of attack.

The good news is Dee has found out that the majority of this will be eligable for financial assistance, so we can focus on what's important not just on how we're going to pay for it.

For 35 1/2 years now it's been We Three Girls. Even when Dee and I were married. With Dee and I being in abusive marriages, we knew we had each other to stand beside us. We Three Girls are a pretty good team. I just wish we'd remember that in the good times and not just the bad.

I want to tell you all how very much I have appreciated your emails, phone calls and comments. I've passed your kindness along to Mama Vi and Dee and they too are very grateful.

I promise to keep you updated on how things are going. Like I said, we'll know more on Monday.

When Times Get Tough...

....the tough start working.

Yep. This weekend there will be no lazing around in Tammi's World.

I have a formula I try to stick with. When I am overwhelmed by negatives, like I was yesterday, or when I found out they sold my house and I had no job - anything like that - I've learned over the years what's best for ME.

I have a melt down. Yes. Yes I do. I fall aflippingpart. If I'm not alone, I'll go on a binger. If I am alone, I sit and do what ever I need to. Cry. Yell. Curse. Pray.

I allow myself ONE night. That's it. Just one.

This morning, I woke up made the coffee and am getting ready to get to the business of life.

I've got appointments scheduled for today. Then....this afternoon the Border Babes are having some quality time. Tonight ? Clean this house.

Tomorrow? I've got about 5 hours of driving to do, as I need to set a new line south of here, then go to Milwaukee and handle some issues.

While that's going on, I can still keep in contact with the family and do what I need to do.

I refuse to wallow. There's no pity parties, no running around in circles. There's no time for that. It accomplishes nothing. HOWEVER, I also know, as emotional as I am, I have to allow for that to get out of my system.

So I take one night. Then, except for those long dark hours between 1:00am and 4:00am, it's pushing on.

It's a system I worked out long ago. And it works for me. It helps me be there if my family needs me, emotionally and physically. But it also allows me to get that "poison" out of my system.

There truly is no backing down. There just isn't time.

The Other Damned Shoe

Seriously, I really don't know how much more my family can take right now.

We have my cousin's passing. There is a big issue going on right now that I cannot talk about, but it's pretty earth shattering....in my family at least.

Then. Just now. I got another phone call.

It was Dee. They found a large "mass" on my nephew's brain stem right where it joins with the brain. They did a CAT scan yesterday and have him scheduled for an MRI on Monday. They are not very hopeful at this point. It's just pretty much confirming what they fear.

My poor sister. My poor mama. My poor nephew. He's 19 years old. Only 19 years old. His whole life in front of him.

And....to make matters worse.....he is not insured. He's not in school, not working full time at this point so he's not got insurance.

People I am begging you for prayer. Lots and Lots of prayer. For my Mama, that her heart and mind can handle this. For my sister, so she has the strength and focus to cope. For my nephew.....I'm praying for a miracle.

Please.....we're good people. I swear we are. I just don't know how much more we can take......

They Screwed Up BIG Time

Mama Vi is on the war path.

Again.

And this time, she is WAY within her rights to be honked off.

Let me tell you what happened.

Mama needed some hair stuff. So...she went to her local Walgreens. The Walgreens she has been shopping for about 20 years. She bought the stuff and brought it home.

Well, seems the nozzle on the container wasn't working properly. Now, Mama is not one to take stuff back, so she fiddled with it trying to get it to work.

It didn't.

Now, Mama believes that you should get a good product for your hard earned money. So this time she decided to return the defective product and get one that she could actually use.

So...she went to the store. There was a girl working the counter that Mama wasn't familiar with. The girl got VERY snotty with her. Treating her like she was an idiot. I won't go into the rudeness.

Mama was tryin' to explain why the container was partially empty. She was trying to demonstrate that while trying to get the nozzle to work, some of the stuff came out.

The girl wasn't listening. Eventually she cut Mama off, rather abruptly, to get the Day Manager.

He, like the clerk, was VERY rude. Wouldn't listen to Mama, and again treating her like she didn't have a brain in her head.

Mama finally told them to just forget it. But....she was going to call the Corporate office.

They laughed at her.

Yes. I said they laughed at her. In her face.

She called Corporate. They were very sorry for what happened, got her information, told her the store would call to make it right, yada yada yada. Mama told them not to bother.

But they called anyway. The Store Manager, Tammy, did apologize and asked Mama to stop by the store so she could "do the right thing". Mama agreed, and said she would stop in some time in the next day or two.

Well, she did. No one was at the office where she was told to go, so she asked a clerk if she could help her. The girl got "smart" with her. Not the best move.

Finally someone came along and got the stuff Tammy had left for her. Tammy replaced the hair stuff AND gave Mama her money back.

That wasn't what she wanted. She just wanted her product replaced. Mama isn't one that likes to get somethin' for nothin'.

Plus, in our minds, that was just a too little too late. I've noticed how rude the people are when I shop there. I've heard several others with the same complaint. So.....we're just not shopping there anymore.

They've lost a lot of prescription business with this incident. Not to mention all the "little stuff" that Mama picks up during the week.

Me? I drop a good dime when I go in there.

Or at least I did.

But what kills me is that I *KNOW* how returns and defective merchandise credits work. I've called on Walgreens, I've done business with them. ALL that for something that is so small and easy.

It's just stupid and uncalled for.

And I'm very proud of Mama for stickin' up for herself.

Just because she's got gray hair and a few wrinkles doesn't mean she's not worth the time and consideration required for good customer service.

Yeah. Walgreens? You've lost a lot with this one. Let me just tell you.......

Must See TV

I've waited all week to post this, so that y'all would hopefully not forget.

You remember the story of DJ, the star of Operation Puppy Love, right? The puppy that Laughing Wolf escorted from Iraq during his last trip to the sand box?

Well the story is being aired on CNN this weekend.

According to LW: "The story on getting DJ home is currently scheduled to air on CNN Headline News this Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm Eastern as part of “News To Me”."

So set the DVR or write yourself a reminder. We can all use a bit of good news right now and this is a wonderful story. A story of love, loss, cooperation and gratitude.

I don't think you'll want to miss this.

Wake-Up Call

You know, when Mama called yesterday to tell me about my cousin, it really kind of shook me up.

Not that we were really close. He is Daddy's oldest brother's son....and I didn't get to see him much after Daddy was gone. Oh, I hurt for his family and I'm surprised to say, it hurts a bit for Daddy. As weird as that sounds. It's like losing a bit of him again.

No, what was so scary was the call itself. We've had what seems like hundreds of them in our family. I've lost Daddy, and 7 aunts and uncles as well as my grandparents. That's just on Mama's side. Anyway...all but one uncle and my grandparents were from accidents. I won't even go to the number of friends that have left so suddenly. Suffice to say......those calls are a little too common place for my liking.

When Mama called she was crying. All she could get out was she had bad news.

My first thought was my sister, Dee. My mind raced, trying to think if she was working yesterday or not. But you never know with her. Firefighters have difficult schedules to keep track of and she is always picking up extra shifts.

It wasn't Dee. And after that thought settled I felt kind of guilty for the relief I felt.

Now...I'm not going to kid you. Dee and I are not what most folks would consider close. Not like some siblings I've seen (and envied). But...she is Mama Vi's baby girl. She's a mother to three kids. She's important in her community. She's my little sister for cryin' out loud.

And I'm not ready to say Good-bye. I'm not. But then again....is anyone ever really ready for that?

As hard as death is to deal with, I've found it's a good reminder to keep clear in our minds what is REALLY important. This is a wake-up call to get my own house in order.

Cute Email

OK - this gave me a good chuckle. Got this via email from a friend.....oh how the world has changed!!

Daddy, how I was born?

A little boy goes to his father and asks "Daddy, how was I born?"

The father answers, "Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway! Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:

"You've Got Male!!!"

Bad News

I just got another one of "those" phone calls. There's been a death in the family.

My cousin is a pilot. An EMS Helicopter Pilot.

He, along with two paramedics, were responding to an emergency call Tuesday night in the San Padre Island, Texas area when due to severe weather they had to abort the misson.

Communication was lost and the wreckage was found approx. 2 hours later.

They found my cousin's body yesterday.

Please keep our family, especially Robert's wife and children and his parents, in your thoughts and prayers. As well as the family and friends of the other victims.

Heroes......we've lost more heroes. God Bless 'em all!

Droppin' Like a Whore's Panties - Updated

Son of a BITCH!!

What ever happened to staying power? Running the race? Fighting the good fight?

Thanks to a comment by QW, I checked the news and see.....Romney Drops Out of the Race for the White House.

I was half afraid of that when I saw he was pow-wowin' there in Boston. That and as of this morning Huckabee has more delegates than Romney does.

According to the article:

"Romney made the announcement in front of an influential conservative political group in Washington, saying that he was withdrawing because America was at war in Iraq and he would rather support McCain as nominee rather than make it easier for the Democratic nominee to win."

Well, he does have a point, but still.......*%^D@&

Damn it all to hell...........

The conservative party is hurtin' for certain when the best we can offer up is John McCain.......IMHO.

UPDATED: In case you missed it.....

Today's Maxine Moment

We seem to be on a roll....with things that are just to "Tammi-ish" for my peace of mind.....

I'm not into Shabby Chic. With me, it's more "Flabby Cheek".

Ouch................Funny. But Ouch....................

The Twisted Way The Mind Works

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine yesterday. She is probably the most liberal person I know. She's the one that during one of the hurricanes that fall of 2004 was out campaigning for Kerry. We do not agree on one single thing politically.

In fact, about 6 months before an election we can't even talk. We'll argue too much.

Anyway.....we were talking about the primarys. (WTF was *I* thinking) She stated she voted down in Florida even though they had their delegates taken away. Not voting was not an option to her.

I agree.

Then we talked about Super Tuesday. This is where it got surreal.

She stated of all the Republican candidates the only one that didn't scare her to death was......Romney.

That scared ME to death. Why Romney? I thought she'd lean towards McCain.

Well, for years she did. But this past year, in her mind, he's started channeling President Bush. To be honest, I don't see that. But OK. I often don't see a point the liberals are trying to make.

But she has since changed her mind about Romney. What caused that? The endorsements that came out around Super Tuesday. Limbaugh, Levin, Hannity, Ingraham. She started thinking if THEY like him then she's not seeing the whole picture.

WTF?!?!

Then when she heard that was who I voted for she really freaked.

THAT made me laugh.

But I just thought it was interesting. Even more than that, this woman is a HUGE Hillary fan. HUGE. Always has been. But......she voted for Obama. She thinks he is "amazing".

Yeah, you could put it that way I guess.

I am the type of person who really tries to see all sides of an issue, so I actually WANT to try and understand how "the other side" thinks. But I gotta tell you.....this was all just too confusing for me.

Leave Our Military Children Alone!!!

AW has a post up we ALL need to see.

Now.

Seems Linda Ellerbee is at it again.

AW has all the info up. Complete with links.

Check it out.

Then spread the news.....

Dig It!

So, we got a bit of snow yesterday. My camera is not working right now, so here's a link to the Rockford Register Star that has a few pictures.

I'm told here in THE Valley we're lookin' at between 14" and 16" with a couple more expected today, with a couple more expected tomorrow.

Then.....Sunday the high should be.....11. 11 degrees. Which will feel pretty balmy compared to the high of 4 that is expected on Monday.

Today......I shovel. Shovel, shovel, shovel. I can pretty well guarantee it's gonna take AT LEAST all day. Mainly because I'm a wuss. But also, I do have to work during the day also.

That damned ground hog. 6 more weeks of this shit?!?!?! Shoot 'em. Shoot all them damned bastards!!

And just for the record....I called this this past fall. I told folks the squirrels were too fat and too busy. I told folks it was gonna be a rough winter.

They laughed at me.

Daddy taught me how to predict winter weather by watching the squirrels, and my Daddy was a very wise man.

Plus, he was a farmer. He knew of what he spoke.

So......I'm off to finish another cup of coffee, get bundled up and start the digging out process.

Next year? Come hell or high water....I'm gettin' a damned snow blower!!!

Just Sayin'.....

Sitting here, catching up, with the news on in the background.

Can I just tell you how much I *HATE* Hillary Clinton?

"I won't let anyone swift boat this country's future..."

WTF?!?!

Talk about DRAMA! For cryin' out loud............

Kiss my ass bitch.

Ohhhhh she makes my blood boil and scares me to death at the same time....

On Notice!

So yesterday is in the books.

Thank Gott! Not a great day. Seriously. Oh, there were moments that made me smile, but over all? Yeah. Let's just not do that again, okay?

All afternoon, while I was at the corporate office, every where I turned there was talk of the Monster Storm that was heading our way. Even though the weather was fine at that point, flights were being canceled, just in case. It was a known fact that I was heading out to a training class and some folks were a bit worried.

Trust me, no one was more worried than I was.

So....of course when I'm on a deadline and folks are actually traveling in to work with me, I get delayed in my last meeting. I made it perfectly clear that I had to be on the road by 3:00. Had to. Finally made it at 4:15. Not a happy Tammi.

4:15, with 2 hours driving on a normal day. Not good. Cause once you factor in Chicago rush hour traffic, sleet and ice and well, that drive took just a bit longer.

I called ahead to my customer's store, gave them my credit card number and told them to order pizza. We were scheduled to start at 6:00 and there was no way in hell I was going to be there by 6:00. I wanted them to start eating and that would buy me the time I need.

The roads just kept getting worse. I can handle bad roads, but all I could think about was how much WORSE it was going to be, and the fact that I would be driving 4 hours home, in the dark, after a VERY long day....

Class went fine. Sales people pumped, product explained, pizza consumed. Yeah, it's all good.

Finally at 8:30 I start home. I had several voicemails asking that I call to let folks know if I'm ok. So I wake Lee up and tell him it's time to go to work (my Garmin) and started making calls.

Now....let me just say, I do know how to find my way home from this dealer. But I usually end up going a bit out of my way, so I was interested in seeing Lee's version of the "direct route".

Yeah....that was NOT my brightest idea......

So.....I'm callin' a few folks back and realized that I was going a route that had me COMPLETELY lost. OK....now it's a matter of trust. The roads were SLICK. Rain and sleet. And it was dark. Really dark. And the farther I drove the darker it got.

Eventually I ended up talking with Bou. She had agreed to bring me up to date on how things were going with Super Tuesday. Even with all the work shit going on, I was really concerned with the primarys. To the point I was slightly distracted.

So...we're talking. I'm driving. It's getting darker. And slicker. I'm getting farther and farther out. When....IT happened.

Lee told me to take a left. I'm lookin'....I don't see a road. All I could think of was THIS damned post from T1G and I was so terrified of even accidentally proving him right. But Lee was insisting...Turn Right LEFT Here. *THIS is why I have problems. Left? Right? West? East? yeah...I have issues....

But it's a dirt road.

Turn Right LEFT Here.

So.....I did.

Poor Bou. She's trying to have an intelligent conversation with me, giving me details and I'm waffling between laughter that I'm on some flippin' dirt road in the wilds of rural Illinois and panic because it's becoming a damned WASHBOARD dirt road, shaking and rattling Lana and I to the point I was only able to drive 5-10 mph. Did I mention the rain and sleet? Yeah...comin' down like crazy.

1.6 miles. 1.6 miles that took FOREVER.

Finally I'm able to turn. By now I have NO idea where I am. None. I'm more lost than I've ever been in my life. I now HAVE to trust this damned machine.

Eventually we got on a highway that I've never heard of and I thought it was gonna be just fine.

But noooooo.....are you kidding?!?! Now, like I said, I'd never heard of this highway, cause if I had, I would have never turned off when HE told me to. But because I'm.....challenged I followed his directions.

Finally FINALLY I make it, via the weirdest route ever in life, to I88. NOW I'm in control. Or at least I was in my mind. The hysterical part was I was actually in agreement with the directions I was given, so I guess that's a mute point.

As I'm heading towards Paradise, the roads get worse. And worse. Now we've added snow to the mix.

And I'm tired. I'm so very tired.

That was when I heard the worst of the storm was going to be delayed. They originally thought it would hit around 3:00 in the morning. Now they were calling for it to arrive during rush hour. Oh....and several towns/cities have announced they are completely out of salt for the roads. So.....I made the decision that there would be no traveling on Wednesday for me. After THAT drive? Are you KIDDING?!?!? No, I can work the phone and finish up a few projects.

But I made it home. Finally. I really don't remember getting in the house. Hell, at one point during the night I got up to make sure I had closed the garage door.

It is rather ironic that *I* managed to get a Garmin, a machine, with the warped twisted sense of humor that I so admire in a friend of mine. Cause I just gotta figure that route he gave me to get home was some form of revenge for ignoring his directions during other trips.

But Lee's on notice. Pull a stunt like that again and I'll change your gender, and it won't be pretty!!!!!

Hellllloooooo!?!?!?!?

Headline, New York Times:

"WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda is gaining in strength from its refuge in Pakistan and is steadily improving its ability to recruit, train and position operatives capable of carrying out attacks inside the United States, the director of national intelligence told a Senate panel on Tuesday."

Go. Read the whole thing.

It's simply confirmation of what we've been reading in MilBlogs and many of us have been saying all along.

The threat is not over.

Of course, being he New York Times, it does go on a bit of a tangent, but still......at least this is being reported on....

But damn. Do y'all get as tired as I do of waiting for the MSM to "get it"?

The Formula that is my life

I made it home last night. Right around midnight.

Garmin * (Snow + Sleet + Slush) = the scariest yet somehow funniest drive home in a long time.

More soon. Must wake up........

I Learn from the Best....

I wake up goin' a million miles a hour. Every day. Seriously. That's just wrong.

Most mornings it pays NOT to talk to me for a while. Let me get my coffee and actually turn my brain DOWN. Otherwise, I'll make you crazy. I know that and try to warn folks.

This morning was no different than most. Well, except it was worse.

I was sitting up, wide awake at 5:00am. Brain already sorting through all that is my day.

** Vote.

** Meeting at 1:30 with new boss, DVP and 2 other reps in this area. THIS makes me very nervous. Last time we had a meeting to discuss budgets and territories I got the big "D". I cannot handle anymore cuts. Seriously. Plus, this is my first face to face with the new guy. I've been thinking and printing like a crazy woman. I *WILL* have all my bases covered and a ready answer for ANYTHING they might ask. I *WILL*. But that doesn't cut back on my nervousness.

** Seems there was a bit of a screw up with my state taxes. Kinda of a BIG bit of a screw up. I. am not happy. And that is about as much as I'll say about that. I do have a meeting with the head of HR while I'm there to discuss how important it is to let folks know if your going to screw with their paychecks.

Yeah. That'll be fun.

** Then, let's not forget my big training class tonite. It's on a product I've sold before, however I can't seem to get anyone to share details with me. Details that I need to have to train in an intelligent manner. And some things have changed on these models. The sales people at this store are sharp. They have a lot of questions. Being the "expert" they are going to expect some answers. Truthful answers would be GREAT.

Yeah. I got nothin'.

Throw in the 8 total hours of driving to accomplish all that today, and well......I'm alREADY exhausted.

So....it's off to the races. I will be engaging the magic ass to insure that I have everything I need to get through my day.

Hell. I'm starting to feel like one of those Marines I admire so very much. It's all about AIAO. (Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome).

Which is actually rather funny as my DVP calls me the OooRah Girl.

Deer in the headlights.....

I saw THIS post over at Teresa's site, and all I could think of was this.....

But in all seriousness, she's right. VOTE!!!

What's Not To Love?!?!?

I'm very MUCH behind.....in my blog reading.

So yesterday I see that Jimbo posted that THE CHEESE MISTRESS IS BACK!!

LeeAnn is back, just not at her old site.

So click on over and get this saved on your 'roll.

LeeAnn is back. Who doesn't love the Cheese Mistress?!?!?!

I see a pattern....

Oh for cryin' out loud.

It's bad enough that the first "viable" female candidate for president is a flippin' CLINTON, but if she doesn't stop with the damned cryin' emotional shit....

Doesn't she know? There's no crying in politics. No crying in politics.....

It just yanks my chain that she is pulling this shit. We, women, have had to battle that whole, "too emotional, to fragile" shit for, well, forever. She. Is. Not. Helping!!!!

aarrrggghhhhhhhhhh

Good Lord, is it December yet????????

Today's Maxine Moment

THIS had me crackin' up as soon as I turned the page on the calendar......

It's February already, so I guess in just three short months I'll be taking down the Christmas tree...

Ouch!!! That was a little close to home......

That does it. This damned tree is comin' down this week!! Come hell or high water, I'm gettin' it done!!!!

Hello. My Name is Tammi and I'm a hopeless romantic.....

Eric has a great post about his Sunday. Seems TCM had a day of Musicals....ahhhh....what's not to love about that.

Well, it appears Gigi was one of the choices. Not one of my favorite musicals, I must admit, but ohhhh do I love this particular song. It just makes me smile!!

Yes, I have a soft spot for men who really APPRECIATE the gentler sex......

Anyway.....growing up, Mama Vi was particular about what we were allowed to watch and listen to. Musicals were the preference. See, the plan was I was SUPPOSED to grow up and be on Broadway. So Mama started my training early. I was in dance class at the age of three. Piano lessons at five and voice lessons at 10.

Yeah, it was all about the music. And it was either "musicals" music or classical. No options there.....

So, of course, watching all those musicals over and over again, I developed my favorites.

My very favorite? South Pacific. Thinking about it now, that's kinda funny, given my love and admiration for our Military......

I always loved this number.....

and so you know.......for as long as I can remember I've had a soft spot for Stew Pot.....that voice..... well, and he's not built so bad either......and yes, I noticed that at a VERY early age.....

And while we're on this subject (well, *I* am anyway) I can still remember the first time I really HEARD this next song. His voice melts me......call me sappy, call me sentimental.....but this just does me in......