Pick a subject dude!

I recently spent a little time in a Target store, and noticed a few behaviours that weren't new to me, but seeing as how I was really paying attention to the people around me, screamed "annoying" to me.

The first one is, the kid yelling "mommy" 100 times in a row, without mom, who is right next to him, acknowledging he is even there. This kid was on a roll, never even taking a breath, rapid fire mommy, that would have made any auctioneer proud. Perhaps his mother was deaf? I wanted to be, after a couple of minutes of this. Is it so hard to say "what?" I have first hand experience in this activity, since our kids can do it to Marcy at nearly the same rate as Target boy, and she doesn't hear a peep. The string of mommies is usually followed by my, "MARCY, ANSWER HIM!!!!!" It must just be a mom gene.

Next up, the family that feels that yelling to each other across 5 aisles is the proper way to communicate in public. I'm not sure what would lead a person to believe that the people of Target want to hear that grandma wears a size 7 shoe. Thank God they weren't in the personal hygiene section. I guess the reason people feel this is ok, is the same reason they feel it's absolutely fine to have a loud, often times graphic, cell phone conversation around people they don't know. Technology is great, but some people are too stupid to use it correctly.

Most of my time was ok, plus I got to eat at the first drive thru Chinese place I have ever seen around here. I'm sure they have them all over the place, but not in Des Moines, they are awesome.

While I was sitting in my truck, listening to an interview with Demetri Martin, he made a statement that made me think it might explain why I am so tired lately. He said "It is physically exhausting to make decisions." Well that would explain alot about how I have been feeling lately. I've changed a few things in my physical life, reduced the amount of Coke I drink, started doing the elliptical every other day, been riding my bike with the kids and increased my water intake, so I hope all these changes start to make a difference. As I sat there, a guy pulled up and sat in the parking lot, for some reason. I was way far away from any store, so he wasn't parking, but instead, stopped right in the aisle. Here is a shot of him sitting in front of me, blocking traffic. He sat there for 10 minutes and I have no idea why he didn't just pull into a spot.


I have to say that Makiah played goalie in soccer last week, and he was fantastic. I don't think I have ever seen him attack the ball like that before, jumping on it and stuffing kicks, it was amazing. He isn't the most aggressive player, so to see him go after it like that, made for a good day.

I had a great joke to play on my friends Michelle and Andy, but didn't pull the trigger on it. They got married two weeks ago, then headed out for their honeymoon. Michelle had asked Marcy and I to move her bed to their new house, so when they got home, they would have a place to sleep. We did, and as we were making the bed, I suggested to Marcy that we mess the bed up, then leave a note saying we "broke it in" for them. I thought it was hilarious and I think Marcy would have let me write the note, but alas, my memory at this age isn't what it use to be, and I forgot. Dang it.

Survive this!

If you know me, you may know that I love the show Survivor.  I'd say I love reality shows, but to be honest, I don't watch them all, how could you.  I know a lot of people hate reality shows, but I think the main problem might be the title they are grouped under.  Lets be honest, very few reality shows are anywhere close to actual reality.  I have a hard time thinking that Survivor is anyone's reality, unless you are homeless on some island, with a bunch of other homeless people, who get together to play games once a week.  I don't actually consider them real, but entertaining instead.  I don't think "Entertaining Shows" has quite the same ring.  The thing I like about these shows, is watching how people choose to interact with other people.  The shows producers throw together the most abrasive personalities, and then toss in a crazy person, just to mix it up.  I love it.  I would be quite happy if Survivor was on once a week, every week of every year.  I love for the person considered the villain, to stick around and just piss people off.  Why?  Not sure, perhaps I just like to see how a person who is called every name in the book, will respond.  I don't typically watch the Apprentice, but I have this season because I wanted to see how Gary Buesy would blend with the other cast members.  If you have seen him in interviews over the past few years, you know that the curb to the head has loosened a few screws.  He is obviously very intelligent, and a philosopher, but the elevator doesn't always go to the top.  Sometimes it is stuck in the basement.  But he is entertaining and when he gets on one of his rants, if fun to try and follow his logic.  The previews for the show showed Meatloaf blowing up and threatening to kill Gary, so I was hooked just trying to see that.  The funny thing was, after Meat threatened to kill him, Gary stood there with a dumb look on his face, basically asking for it.  I think I might walk away and let the Meat cool down, but Gary was right in his face, turning up the heat.  Good TV.

 

So last night I watched as Rob won Survivor, and I couldn't have been happier.  So often, the best player doesn't win, but in this season, they got it right.  I still think that the ultimate Survivor, would be for the contestants to be on their own for the first weeks of the show.  Drop them off at their camp with a camera guy and sound guy and see if they can survive on their own, only seeing the other cast mates at challenges and Tribal Council.  You wouldn't get the people interaction, but you wouldn't get the alliance situation that I get tired of.  If you don't watch the show, you just wasted five minutes of your life reading this, and I apologize for that, you can't get that time back.  Rob was my favorite player this year, but a lot of that is because I have been watching him play this game for years, since he has been on the show four times.  It's hard to believe that this show has been on for 22 season, so 11 years, and I've seen them all.  I'm hooked, what can I say.  Since I love the show so much, people have suggested I should try out for it.  Couple problems with that.

 

1.  I can't not eat.  Could I use the time without food?  Sure.  Would I be a pain in the ass, whiner, bitch after the first day?  Without a doubt.

2.  My sinuses.  I have horrible sinus trouble and the 3 days I would spend out there before my stomach growls forced the other people to vote me out, would be enough to make my head explode.

3.  Feelings.  This might be the biggest problem.  If you watch the show, then you know, people are mean behind your back.  On the show, I'm sure they would be all nice to my face, since I'm not one to just flip out and cause them to be mean to my face, but those little behind the scenes interviews would be brutal.  They don't show the ones on TV where the person says, "Mark is a great guy, really smart and deserves to win this game."  Nope, the ones they show on TV say "Mark is the dumbest, most uncoordinated spaz I have ever met."  I'm not saying it wouldn't be true, just not what you want to watch on national TV.

4.  Too trusting.  As I watch the show, I see how people can lie right to your face, then stab you in the back not five minutes later.  In the show, I see it's need and value, but I'm not sure I would be very good in doing it, but I most certainly wouldn't see it coming towards me.  If I make friends with someone, I count on them keeping their word, and that just isn't possible in this game. 

5.  Scheming just isn't my thing.  Some people have the ability to see someone elses move before they even do it, and then block it.  I'm not that guy.  Sure, I can sit home and yell at my TV "You idiot, he is going to cut your throat," but I've had the advantage of watching THAT guy TELL me he was going to do it.  He doesn't tell me if I'm sitting next to him, so I'm lost.  I'd be the guy that walks around oblivious to the group that forms behind him and points in his direction while making the throat cut motion with their finger on their neck. 

6.  Puzzles.  Yeah, not sure I excel while under pressure.

 

Those are a few reasons why I couldn't, but there are many more.  The other show I love is The Amazing Race, but lets save that for another time.

DON'T PICK THOSE!!!!!

One of the things I like to have, is a green, weed free lawn. I know it's superficial and totally unnecessary, but I like it. I like lush green grass that you can take your shoes off and walk through in your bare feet. As we stand now, not in the budget to go with a professional company like we used to, so I'm on my own. I haven't had time to go get fertilizer to apply myself, so I spend a little time every couple of days digging dandelions out of the yard. Since I have used a professional company for the past few years, I have a good base to start with. So what do the boys decide to do? They pick every dandelion in the neighborhood and bring it into my yard. As if I'm not fighting a huge battle without the extra "help" from the boys. Our next door neighbors yard is covered in the yellow flowers, and white puff balls, and the kids love to bring them home. Frankly, I think I'd rather they brought home a snake than the damn weeds, and the snake would make me scream like a girl. I've taught Makiah and Max on how to dig the weeds out of the lawn with my trusty weed prier upper, and so far, they are excited to hunt them down. Hopefully, that will last all summer, since my lawn care situation will not be improving any time soon.

Thanks

A while back I posted a thank you to my mom, for all of the trouble my brothers and sisters must of caused her since I was an angel. Now that the big one is in the books, I thought I would post a thank you to the others that have made a difference in my life, specifically over the past few years. As you know, my life and the life of my household has not been the cake walk I had always dreamed. As the days past by and we come to a turning point in our house, decisions have to be made that will change our lives. We wouldn't even be where we are, if it wasn't for the kindness and generosity of family and friends who have drug us through this past year plus, even when I was screaming and trying to claw my way in a different direction. I won't name names, so as to protect the innocent, or those that would like to stay as far away from my life that is a flaming ball of crazy.

I've admitted to the guys in my small group and I think I even posted it here, I have a hard time asking for help. I would say that a hard time is probably, no, is, an understatement. That being said, I have "allowed" many people to help my family in ways I never thought I would need. Humbling? To say the least. Am I learning to accept? Ummmmmmmm, lets say it is easier now that it was when this all started.

I can't tell you how many phone calls, Facebook messages and emails I have received, just asking how I'm doing. Some are expected, from family and the very few close friends I have, but some have come out of the blue. Some from way back in my past, and they touched me dearly. Some people were in contact with me nearly ever day. I'm horrible about reaching out, it's a self esteem thing, but was always happy to get an email that was just saying hello. Sometimes I'm guessing in return, they got alot more than they had bargained for, but I never heard a complaint. My friends and family have saved my life, and that's as close to literal as I can be. There were days when I didn't think, mentally, I could go much more. I still feel that way at times, but what are you going to do. You are dealt your hand, and you choose, do you play your hand and see where it goes, or do you fold and hit the road?

So to all of you that have helped me through this past year or so, thank you. Thank you for lifting my spirit, for calming my nerves and for reminding me that God is there for me. I wish I could better express my gratitude, but this is as good as I get. It was just something that was on my heart, thought I would spew it on my blog.