Punxsutawney Phil Saw His Shadow- Six More Weeks Of Winter.

Being  a Pennsylvania native, I am all too familar with the buzz on groundhog day.  Many Pennsylvanians crossing their fingers hoping Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow.  With the mounds of snow the Pennsylvanians are buried in every winter, its no wander they hold onto the hope that Punxsutawney Phil won't see his shadow. But, it seems he always sees his shadow and there's six more weeks of winter.  How did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow on a cloudy day?  Maybe the crowd of people and the man dressed in the traditional German clothing scared Punsutawney Phil and he ran back in his hole. I think if I was a groundhog, I would be a little intimidated too. So, dont get your hopes up people, there is six more weeks of winter.

Can we really afford to help?

I feel terrible for what happened to the people in Haiti, I agree the country needs help. However, it cannot rest on the backs of the American People. What about when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, who came to our aide? I hate to say it, but how much aide did our government give our own people? It seems they are too busy worrying about everyone else to worry about our own people. We have enough people in our own backyard that are in need of serious help. I get annoyed on how there are tons of commercials on television asking people to donate money and help people in other countries. How often do you see a commercial on TV asking for donations for the people living here in the United States in extreme poverty? In the state of Michigan alone, there are 468,400 children living in poverty. That number does not bother you, it bothers me. Maybe people think it is not trendy to worry about the American Children living in poverty. If people would like to raise funds for people living in poverty, how about raising some money for the people living in extreme poverty in the United States or the homeless who live under bridges or in boxes in the extreme heat and extreme cold?  With millions of people being out of work in the United States, poverty is on the rise. Does anyone really care about that?  How about helping those who live in the Appalachain Mountains?  How many people even know about the children living in the Appalachain Mountains?  In case you don't know, it's a place where 60% of the familiies live below the poverty level.

Yes, this really is a picture of someone's home in the Appalachain Mountains, in our own back yard.

Some things just aren't funny....

The Salvation Army and many other local charities in Charleston, South Carolina received a bogus checks for $25,000.00.  They deposited the check and used the money, thinking it will clear because it was from a local company, the check bounced.  Now because of this hoax, the Salvation Army will have less money for the month of January to help to needy families in the area.  There are no leads on who wrote the check from a closed checking account from Force Protection Company. Honestly, in these hard economic times or any other time, it's not funny. It was a bad joke that other innocent people are going to pay for. I hope this jokester will be laughing his way behind bars shortly.

Wishing Everyone A Safe & Happy New Year

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas. 2009 is coming to an end and we will be ringing in the new year. 2009 has been a difficult year, I think a lot of people are hoping the year 2010 will bring better and happier times, I know I am. I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year.

Sports Parents Kill Me

Today was my son's first wrestling tournament of the season, as usual you see the crazy sports parents who are trying to relive their childhood through their child. They stress themselves out and their children out way too much over a children's wrestling tournament. As I was standing outside, a parent walks out and says "this is going to kill me" referring to his child.  Apparently, his child wasn't doing as well as he thought he should.  Last year, there were too many dads out in the hallway with their children scolding them for not winning.  I understand you want your child to win, but come on; what kind of message are you sending to your child that doing his best isn't good enough?  It's not just in wrestling, my daughter was cheerleading in the fall and at one of the games, two of the parents almost got into a fight after one of the games. One of the parents was a cheerleader's mom and the other was a father of a football player, the mother didn't think he was showing the spirit and didn't like some of the comments he was saying to another parent.

On the other hand you have the parents who can not seem to let go of their children and let them play.  You have these boys who cry after they lose their bout because their parents have babied them way too much.  One parent had to be asked to get off the mat by the coach because he went out on to the mat to hug his child because he had started crying during a bout.  Come on parents, let your children grow up.  If you have smothered and babied your child so much that they can't make it through a wrestling bout, there's a problem.  Let go a little bit and let your child stand on their own two feet.  They can't even enjoy the sport they are playing because their parents have their nose stuck their ass.

Don't get me wrong, I'm down their screaming and yelling chearing my son on. I enjoy every minute of it. But, if he loses I know he did his best and I tell him "he did a good job."

Parents, please get your nose out of your child's ass long enough to let them play and for those parents trying to relive their childhood through their child, it's not your childhood, it's theirs so let them live it and enjoy it while they can.  

Ringing in the new year.

For 2010 things are going to change in my life.  I am not going to bother with making senseless resolutions such as; losing weight and so on. Ofcourse, that will be one of my goals, but I think there are more important things in my life that need attention. I have put up with far too much crap from a lot of people, but that chapter in my life is over. I am a little tired of being walked on by people and being taken advantage of, so the year 2010 is going to be a new beginning in my life. So, this is it, either it's going to be done right or not at all and I'm going to work on getting the stronger and independent me back. I miss her and I am going to find her again. I am planting both feet firmly on the ground in the year 2010 and I am not putting up with no more bullshit from anyone and I am going to find the old me again. For those who don't take me seriously, need to. Because, I am very serious.

The new year...

I really hope the year 2010 turns out better than the year 2009 has started and is ending. This has been a very difficult year in many ways and the year 2010 could not come soon enough. Many things have changed this year and I cannot say they have changed for the better. Maybe the year 2010 will bring me a little hope that things will get better in the future. However, they way this year has gone it is getting a little difficult to be optimistic.  It has just been one thing after another this year. Don't get me wrong, there are a few things in my life that bring me joy.I know one would say I should be grateful for what I do have; well I am most of the time. It's just that sometimes the struggle is a little tiring. I used to be very passionate about life and always looking for ways to improve my life and strive for more. Nevertheless, lately that flame is dwindling and I am running out new ideas. I used to be a strong independent woman and I thought I could overcome anything; this year has been very sobering. Somehow I lost her and I need to find that woman inside of me again.