Yeah! What she says!

Yeah! What she says!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Neale Donald Walsch


Today's Quote:
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Legal Prostitution

There was an article in today's paper about prostitution. As many of you know, Nevada offers legalized prostitution. By making prostitution legal, it can be regulated, from a financial standpoint, and a medical one. In this state, as long as you are not in Washoe or Clark counties, you can find a brothel, where prostitutes work legally. Some cities have rules about brothels and prostitution having to be outside city limits as well, but brothels are there, and accessible. I can't vouch for southern Nevada, but in northern Nevada the brothels, are off the interstate, back away from the highway, and not in neighborhoods and near schools. They have (surprisingly) tasteful bill board ads pointing to their location, and are more uncommon and less noticeable than the XXX rated adult book stores in downtown Reno that are sometimes bright pink, have huge X's all over, and the like.

Don't get me wrong. I am not really picking on the adult book stores here. They really don't bother me over much either. It would embarrass me throughly to go into one, but I have nothing against them. They are there, and there is a market for them. I have had to answer questions about adult bookstores and about brothels when Captain Dramatic became curious as we drove past, and the lights could be seen from the car, but I have never been to any city where there wasn't at least one thing of a sexual nature that brought questions from a child.

I have also never been in a city where prostitution didn't exist, legally or illegally. It is naive of us to think that laws will stop the oldest occupation in the world. Sure, selling sex for money is not exactly the most moral occupation, but that is something that the sellers need to work out with their own conscience and God on their own. It certainly isn't my place to judge.

Since it is going to occur no matter what it's legal status is (and it has for centuries regardless of its legal status), then why shouldn't it be legal, taxed, monitored, and regulated just as everything else is? With its legality, the girls have health insurance, and aren't getting the crap beat out of them by pimps and johns, the brothels pay taxes, they have business licenses, just like any other business drug tests can be mandatory, and no one is walking the streets in the dark, trying to avoid a dangerous situation.

I am sure you are wondering what it was about the article I read that brought on this mild rant by now. It was something that our aggravating, delusional, resident retard of a state senator had to say in regards to legal prostitution:

"CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Some wobbled in six-inch, platform stilettos. Others padded around in glittery, gold ballerina flats. But whatever they were wearing, the prostitutes walking the hallways of the Nevada State Legislature were stepping out in defiance.

Nevada is the last place in the U.S. working girls can openly say they offer sex for a living — and they turned out confident that they’ll preserve their enterprise.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid called out the oldest profession in a speech to state legislators Tuesday, telling them the state with the nation’s highest unemployment rate was shooting itself in the economic foot by permitting legal prostitution.

But others say Nevada’s regulation and health restrictions on the trade offer a model for the future."


I am not sure how Senator Reid thinks that any thriving business in this state, that is employing people, and paying fees to the state is an economic shot in the state's foot. Of all the reasons and arguments for not having legalized prostitution, this is the stupidest and most unfounded reason any person could come up with. Especially since making it illegal would do nothing but cut state revenues from licensing and business permits and fees. Not only that, but illegal prostitutes work "under the table" and aren't paying federal income tax? As the article mentioned this state has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and he wants to put another industry out of business? Where is the sense in that?

I have come to expect this kind of stupidity and lack of common sense from him, but that doesn't make me any less accepting or tolerant of it.

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Brian Tracy


Today's Quote:
"Glorify who you are today, do not condemn who you were yesterday, and dream of who you can be tomorrow."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Other People's Children and Guns

Guns are illegal in the United Kingdom. I know there are some exceptions, like for those in agriculture with shot guns, and perhaps pellet guns or air guns, but I don't know the specifics or the laws in the United Kingdom in regards to guns (if you are interested thee is some information here).

Although I am not against most of the gun laws here in the states, such as waiting periods, and required background checks, my thinking is that only law abiding citizens will follow the laws anyway. The criminals aren't going to. This always leads me to question what the laws are actually protecting. I do not support anything that would ban guns in America as this would only prove to keep guns out of the hands of those willing to follow the laws. Gun bans in other countries may have made it a bit harder for criminals to get guns as well, but for the most part, it hasn't kept them off the streets or out of the hands of those willing to use them for all the wrong things. (Examples here, here, here, and here.)

All of that being said, a recent article caught my eye. You can read the article here, but the gist of it is that someone famous, shot someone else, because they were being throughly stupid.

First of all, and probably the most irritating to me a a gun owner, is how do you NOT know your gun is loaded? When I pick up a gun, the first thing I do is check to see if it is loaded! Secondly, why was this gun pointed anywhere in the direction of anyone it could hurt? Unless you are planning on using it to cause harm, a gun should always be directed away from all living things! As the person in control of the gun it is your job to make sure that you watch for anyone who may unwittingly walk into its path, and warn them, or direct the firearm elsewhere. If you can't so this, no matter what the reason, you shouldn't have a gun. Lastly, guns don't fire themselves, and if you are not going to be pulling the trigger, get you finger off the darn thing. You NEVER place your finger on the trigger unless you are preparing to fire the gun.

Maybe one-time gun safety classes should be required for anyone looking to own a firearm? Sadly, the terminally stupid would be just as bad as the criminals and a safety course would not solve the problem. It is obvious that common sense just isn't that common.

Home Owners Associations - Hate 'Em!

To be honest, I hate them. I lived in one once, and it was like living in Nazi Germany, and quite frankly, I refuse to pay anyone to harass me daily.

I understand why they were developed. I have had bad neighbors, and messy neighbors, and been in a position where crappy neighbors were ruining my happiness, and my home value. This is why I moved, and why I moved into an association. I quickly realized why this was the biggest mistake I have ever made.

Shortly after moving in (we are talking two, maybe three weeks) we started receiving fines for yard maintenance. The home we purchased had been empty for several years, and was not maintained. Although we started making some efforts to clean the front and back yards up right away, we had a house to unpack too, and getting beds set up, and the kitchen functional were our first priority. With no regard to how new we were to the neighborhood, the fines came. I called the HOA, and was told that it didn't matter how long we had been in the home, it was now our responsibility.

It didn't end there. I was fined for putting the hood of my car up, in the driveway, to add washer fluid to the reservoir. I wasn't doing an oil change, or major repair, and the hood was up for two minutes, but I was fined $100.00. I was fined for leaving the Christmas lights up until January 5th (as is tradition in my family because of Epiphany) because the rules and regulations stated that they had to down by January 1st. That fine was $50.00 a day, and wasn't mailed to us until we had already taken them down.

It wasn't just the stupid fines. The neighborhood security officer also made me keep my son inside all weekend once because children are loud when they play outside, and one of the neighbors had called and complained because they were sick, in bed, and trying to sleep. I was threatened with the local sheriff being called if I did not comply with the request to keep my son indoors. We also weren't allowed to keep a small utility trailer in our side yard (could not be seen from the street), because any vehicles that were not your daily driver had to be stored in the RV lot a mile away for an additional $60.00 a month. On top of that, right before we moved, my husband at the time, had to push his truck out of the driveway every morning before starting it and driving it because it was too loud for the neighbor across the street whose bedroom overlooked our driveway (we lived on a corner). This was an attempt to keep her from complaining, yet another morning.

After five years of this garbage, my husband at the time left, moved in with my so-called friend, who it turns out he was sleeping with (and had been for months), and who's sister lived down the street from us. I started packing and looking for apartments. The sister of my so-called friend called the sheriff anytime I put anything in my car (one morning it was my lunch box, another day it was some clay flower pots I was giving to my mother), as I was supposedly disposing of his property. I called my ex while the sheriff was there for the flower pot occasion, and had him on speaker phone, to ask him if he wanted the clay flower pots. The sheriff thought it was funny that either of us had to participate in this game, and my ex's reaction to the call made him say "You probably don't think so now, but this divorce is probably for the best."

The sheriff's presence made matters worse with the HOA, who seemed to always find a reason to fine me for something after their arrival, such as undue neighborhood disturbance, visitors not using the guest lot and parking on the street, basically anything they could find. To beat all, the so-called friend, and her sister, had a brother, who was the county commissioner. When I finally got all the way moved out, I left the county entirely as now I had problems that went beyond a bad HOA and a marriage in divorce court. It probably didn't help that the sister down the street was also on the board of directors for our association did it? My guess is no, that didn't help, but the problems with her came later in my life under the rule of the HOA. My ex-husband and his affair probably didn't affect the problems we were having with the HOA for the first four years in that home at least.

As you can see, I had a really bad experience. One that I never care to repeat. One that I vowed I wouldn't repeat. My current husband (the man I should have married first not second), and I are currently house hunting. We have an offer in on a house now. Despite all my protests, it is in an HOA. I have been reassured by others in the neighborhood, that this association is nothing like my last. I know that there are some that really aren't bad at all, but I am still nervous about the whole thing. I hope this doesn't prove to be another in my long list of mistakes.

I decided to write about this because I read an article today in the local paper. It seems Nevada legislators are considering reform for HOAs. I have to say that this is long over due. You can read the article here. I guess I am not the only one who had a bad experience.

To anyone considering a move to a home in an HOA, make sure you get a copy of not only the CC&R's, but also a copy of the rules and regulations, or by-laws. If they won't give you copies, they are probably breaking a law, but don't buy a home there. In this housing market, you can find something else that you can afford in a place without constraints, or in a place not ashamed of sharing all the information with you upfront. If you don't know how to get copies of the CC&R's or the by-laws, your Realtor can help. If your Realtor can't or won't, explore you Realtor options. Most are more than willing to get you anything you require when looking into a home purchase.

Dusty The Cat Burglar

Too funny. All cat lovers out there will appreciate this video.

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Pericles


Today's Quote:
"Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Friday Funny

This Friday's Funny:

A man is sitting at a bar in New York City and looks at his watch several times in the space of a few minutes. The woman sitting nearby notices this and asks,

"Is your date running late?"

"No," he replies, "I have this state-of-the-art watch. I was just testing it."

The intrigued woman says, "A state-of-the-art watch? What's so special about it?"

The man explains, "It uses alpha waves to talk to me telepathically."

The lady says, "What's it telling you now?"

"Well, it says you're not wearing any panties."

The woman giggles and replies, "Well it must be broken because I am wearing panties!''

The man smiles, taps his watch and says,

"Bloody thing's running about an hour fast, can I buy you a drink in the meantime?"

I will probably offend everyone of you at least once, although I never intend to. Please take these for what they are. They are jokes. The world needs a bit more laughter.

I would love to hear your jokes as well. Feel free to email them to me, or leave them in the comments below. If I feature yours, I will ask for your website, so I can link back to you. :)

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Josh S. Hinds


Today's Quote:
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Dorothy Parker


Today's Quote:
"Life's like a boomerang. The more good you throw out, the more you receive in return."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Did You Ever Stop To Think That Maybe It Isn't Everyone Else Who Has the Problem?

I have this co-worker... OK, I have several co-workers, but this one co-worker, has some personality traits that grate against my nerves.

This co-worker should run for United States President. Here are the reasons why.

1. In what other job are you EXPECTED to be a control freak? My co-worker is the biggest control freak in the world. If this person does not know every little detail of every little happening around our place of employment there is a chest beating, "I am important", show of peacock plumage, complete with yelling and prostrating, that falls just short of childish foot stamping.

2. In what other job do you get to pretend that you must do everyone else's job for them just to make sure it is right? I can not get through a single day where this co-worker lets me do my job without telling me step by step, how to do it. I have worked for my employer for 11 years for heaven's sake! What does this person think I did before they started working here? Who does this person think trained them on half of what I do, and parts of what they do?

3. In what other job can you do absolutely none of your work, but meddle in the work of the rest of the world, and still stay employed? I am serious here. My co-worker spends the day complaining about how busy their day is, but answering emails that were not addressed to them. (For this reason,I have begun to hate CC on emails). If this co-worker would stop answering emails not addressed to them, then perhaps they would have more time to do their own job. Of course, then this person wouldn't be able to make it look like they were doing all the work then.

4. In what other job can you make life more complicated than it has to be, and call it an improvement? As the head of the Federal government, my co-worker would be most confortable because this person could then enact rules, and create proceedures that would slow down the entire process, cost a ton of money, and strip every last ounce of ease from daily life. My co-worker already does this where we work. My co-worker has imense experience in this department, as this person has created a form that I must fill out for everything, and given me a matching spreadsheet to go with it. None of which were needed before this person's employment, and probably aren't really needed now. Oh, and we have several meetings a day to discuss the proper use of these forms and spreadsheets, and to ascertain if there are any others that need to be created.

5. In what other job is it acceptable to lie (or at least expected), in order to cover your own mistakes? I now make my co-worker send everything to me in writing, via email, and I keep them ALL! Not that this stops the person in question from trying to make it look like I read it wrong, or misunderstood, or like I just pulled a stupid idea out of thin air.

6. In what other job can you spend hours talking, and not really say anything, and it is OK? My co-worker has this skill mastered too. I swear this person talks, just to hear themselves talk. My co-worker explains things that a kindergartener would know because you might not be as smart as a kindergartener, and it may be relevant to something else that may be said ten minutes later!

7. In what other job can you demand the respect of everyone around you because you have a job title with manager or something higher listed after your name? In my world, everyone gets a certain amount of respect off the top. After that, it is earned. In my co-worker's world, the job title, and the college degree are enough to demand respect from anyone and everyone. My co-worker does not treat others with respect, but demands they give respect back anyway. If you don't, it is insubordination. I have literally had to tell this person that bringing a bad attitude to my desk, only get's a bad attitude thrown right back at you. I may have also reminded my co-worker that it isn't insubordination to tell someone not to treat you like crap. Refusing to blow sunshine up their ass because they want you to, isn't insubordination either. We can ask corporate to weight in on that if there is any doubt.

8. In what other job does the phrase "I'm sorry" fix it? We have all heard it. Unfortunately, "I'm sorry" fixes nothing. Especially a holier than thou attitude, and rude behaviour, unless of course you run the country. OK, so it doesn't even fix it then, but the rest of us would just have to take it for at least four years.

9. In what other job, while you pretend you are the only person busy, and act as if everyone else is doing nothing productive, can you leave early to go skiing? And while everyone else scampers around doing your bidding, to avoid your yelling, you can get in a vacation, or a round of golf? My co-worker can do this with the best of them. Worse yet? My co-worker will get your vacation canceled, so this person can take theirs. Then this person will return and proceed to tell you how to do your job again, like you weren't capable of doing it without instruction, and didn't already have the practice of doing your job the entire time they were on their vacation.

10. In what other job can everyone curse your name, not like your attitude toward others, and cringe every time they here your voice, and yet, you remain employed? Well, it seems there are two out there. My work place, and the President of the United States. At least if my co-worker became president, I could change the channel or hit the mute button, and laugh while the press went to town.

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Muhammad Ali


Today's Quote:
"Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Wednesday's Hero

Cmd. David John Sperling
Cmd. David John Sperling
78 years old from Pensacola, Florida
Attach Squadron 153
April 3, 1929 - March 17, 2008
U.S. Navy

From the citation upon being awarded the Silver Star:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander David John Sperling (NSN: 0-555189), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as the Pilot of a jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 25 October 1967, Commander Sperling flew as a major group leader in a coordinated Air Wing assault on the Phuc Yen Air Base near Hanoi, North Vietnam. Being the prime operating base for MiG fighter aircraft, Phuc Yen was defended by the most concentrated and formidable array of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons to be found in all of North Vietnam. Courageously leading his group of attack aircraft over 120 miles of hostile territory into this bastion of defensive armor, Commander Sperling exhibited outstanding airmanship and unwavering determination while maneuvering for the highly vulnerable attack position. In spite of the unprecedented barrage of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, he calmly established the essential bombing pattern and delivered his ordnance with exceptional accuracy on the revetted enemy airplanes to destroy or damage several parked MiG aircraft. His resolute actions and professional skill set the tone for the remainder of his force and succeeded in turning a potentially disastrous situation into a highly successful assault on the enemy. Commander Sperling's gallant and inspirational leadership upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Cmd. Sperling's obituary.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Thomas Edison


Today's Quote:
"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth"


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer: Robin Williams


Today's Quote:
"I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Quote Of The Day

Yesterday's Answer:


Today's Quote:
"God gave men both a penis and a brain, but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time."


Submissions are welcome, but it means you can't guess on the quote you submitted. If you have a submission, please email it to mrsxoke@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name as you wish it to appear with your submission, a link to your web page or blog, and the name of the person who said or wrote your quote.

What Your Children Have Taught You

I have always believed that children teach adults far more valuable lessons than most think they do. Some are simple lessons that we had already learned, but forgotten, or neglected to apply to a current situation. Other lessons have floored me, and left me with my mouth ajar and speechless. Our children are amazingly smart individuals, who are very observant after all.

I thought that I would just quickly write down some of the things that I have learned from my son. I am sure I am going to leave out some, but these were on my mind and it many cases brought me a smile.

1. Several years ago, (one of) my best friend's mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a wonderful woman, and like a second mother to me. I had three moms. One was the amazing lady who gave birth to me, and the other two were the amazing women who gave birth to my two best friends. (Both of my best friends lost their mother's to Cancer, sadly.) The losses of both of my best friend's mothers were felt deeply by me. I still miss both moms a great deal. At least all three of us still have my mom.

On the night I got the call, my son was perhaps seven at the time. I was crying. I was remembering the good times, and tormented by how much mom must have suffered. I was hurting for my friend who lost his mother, and grieving for the pain I knew he must be feeling. Short story, I was a mess.

My little boy, came over to me. Put his arms around me, and said,

"Mom, it is OK. She isn't in pain anymore and God will take care of her. She is in a better place. Here is a Kleenex. Blow your nose and take your glasses off before you get them all dirty."

At that point, as a mom, you don't know whether to laugh or cry anymore. Most of the time, you do a little of both.

2. When Captain Dramatic's biological father left us, he took two thirds of our income and left all the bills, which were in my name. He also left me with a distraught four year old, and a wounded heart. (Some days I don't know if some of the scars have fully left, but I hear that is to be expected.) I tried so hard to keep my tears and my pain from our son. I knew that seeing my hurt was not helpful to him in any way. I did my grieving at night, alone, or at work, unfortunately. Lucky for me I have some very understanding employers.

During the times when Captain Dramatic was around, I spent my time trying to gloss over the entire subject with a smile, when possible. When it wasn't possible. I would remind Captain Dramatic that his father loved him very much. That being a good loving father did not mean he had to be a good loving husband too. Just because his father no longer loved me, did not mean that he no longer loved and wanted him. I also reminded Captain Dramatic, and still do today for that matter, that he was the best thing that his father and I ever did, and that his birth and existence is not something either of us would ever change.

As I am sure any divorced parent knows, no matter how hard you try, it isn't always possible to be the strong one. You can't always shut it out and pretend. There were times I crumbled. Times I couldn't hold it together. The stress on the financial front, and the pain of watching my son hurt while trying to heal my own hurt and move on was just too much at times. While we were watching TV one night some program or commercial touched that raw spot in my heart, and I just couldn't hold it back. I cried as quietly as I could, and tried to navigate through my tears out of the room. I failed about the time I tripped over some toy I didn't see in the floor, and landed face down in the carpet. Of course, that made it worse. There was no hope in me getting up off the floor until I had myself under control.

The next thing I know, there is a four year old boy sprawled across my back with his arms around my neck and petting my hair. He said,

"It is OK mom. We are gong to be OK. We have Papa and BamMa (my parents) and each other. Dad ran away but we will stay together."

Even having said that, he continued to wake up in the middle of the night for several years though, to come to my room, and make sure I was still there. He was scared that I would leave him too.

3. After my first husband left, I became the mean money miser. I didn't spend money on anything that was a necessity. This was born from months of stress, and trying to make it all work on just my income. I made it all work by doing this, but I was now in the habit of going without. I would never buy anything because it was on sale, because I liked it, because this brand tasted better than that brand, or because sometimes you just need something new to make you feel better. My socks had holes, my hair needed to be cut badly, I needed new shoes for work because the others had just taken a beating over the years. The little guy usually outgrew his stuff before they wore out, and I would cut his hair, so you could never tell by looking at him just how frugal I had become.

One day, we were shopping for groceries and, although I can't remember what it was, there was something that I really liked, and I stopped to look at it. It wasn't expensive at all, and I had started to amass a meager savings by this point, but I still wouldn't have bought it. I didn't truly need it. My son must have picked up on some vibe I was giving off though.

"Mom, you should buy that."

"No hon, I don't really need it."

"So. It isn't a lot of money, and you want it."

"We don't need it."

"Mom, I am disappointed in you. You never do anything just because it makes you smile anymore."

Needless to say, I bought it, and I did it with a smile. Later we went to the movies, and smiled some more over a tub of popcorn.

Life isn't worth muddling through if you can't do something to make yourself smile every once in a while.

4. You know when you are walking through the grocery store, and one of the employees speaks over the intercom system to ask for a price check, or to say "wet clean up is needed on aisle 2"? You know how they always end those announcements with "thank you"? Maybe you haven't noticed. I hadn't. In all my years of grocery shopping I had never paid any attention to the thank you at the end. My son pointed it out, and he reminded me of the importance of this small courtesy.

We were shopping, and he was in the child section of the cart. The intercom spoke and at the end said thank you, and my son yelled, loud enough for the whole store to hear, "you're welcome!" Needless to say we received some chuckles and little praise for his being such a courteous young man.

5. I have learned from my son that the littlest thing can bring a small to the grouchiest of people.

Remember the super bowl commercials for a specific brand of beer? The one where the men were calling each other on the phone and saying "What's up?" a lot? Well, Captain Dramatic loved this commercial. He loved to mimic it too. Often times to my dismay and consternation.

Again, we were in the grocery store. We were in the frozen food aisle, and a man was there also. This man must have been in a bad place that day. He didn't smile at all, scowled, wouldn't make eye contact, and his body language was so tense it unnerved me a bit. It was obvious, that if nothing else, he was having a terrible day. I had every intention of giving him the space it seemed he desired. Captain Dramatic has never been capable of this. Ever. This day in the frozen food aisle was no exception.

He saw the man, who then saw us, and glowered our way. I turned my head and started staring intently on the frozen food in the glass enclosed case before me. I then heard the following in a loudly projected voice, mimicking those we had heard on TV (complete with gravely undertones),

"What's up?"

My head snapped around to gaze at my son, with what I hoped was an appropriate "shut up now" warning glare. As is common, my son was not meeting my eyes and missed the glare. I then looked to the man to apologize, or explain, or something, just in time to see the broadest, and probably the most compelling smile I have ever seen, cross the man's face. I then heard, in the same commercial mimicking gravely tone, and almost as loud as my son had done previously,

"What's up?"

My son giggled that infectious child giggle, that had both the formerly angry man and me laughing. The now smiling man, smiled at me, and my son, and then thanked my son for giving him a reason to smile. My son promptly said, "you're welcome." A few more smiles were exchanged and we all went on our way.

I know I am forgetting at this moment so many of the times I have learned something from my son. Perhaps as they return to me, I will post them.

I would love to hear some of the stories of times when you children have taught you something too. Please share.

Ask Captain Dramatic

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Captain Dramatic has been fighting a pretty nasty head cold for about two weeks. We had thought he was finally on the home stretch when he started to develop a cough. I was not too concerned. He is healthy and strong, so I figured it would run its course, but that it would mean he felt crummy for a few more days, maybe a week at most. It was still something that I wanted to keep an eye on.

It was taking him a bit longer to fall asleep at night, but once he was asleep, he stayed asleep. I still wanted to help him feel better and treat some of the symptoms though. That is virtually impossible to do when he won't take medicine. I usually let him decide on medicine unless it is something vital, like antibiotics or the sort. "If you have a headache, take some Tylenol, or deal with it, but stop whining" is usually a what is heard in my house. Minor aches and pains are usually the only ailment as well.

Back to the topic. A cough is hard to keep an eye on when the child is not with you. He is at his biological father's house for the weekend. I decided to call him today to see how he was feeling, and try and figure out if I was going to have to start making plans to take him to a doctor on Monday. If he wasn't getting any worse, we might watch it a few more days, but I was hoping that he was finally getting better.

Me: "Hey buddy. How are you feeling?"
CD: "Good"
Me: "How's the cough?"
CD: "Much better! Dad taught me how to cough up and spit out the phlegm!"
Me: (Following a brief silence to gather the best way to respond) "Good! I am glad you are feeling better! See you Sunday!"

Well, I guess I just didn't know that coughing up phlegm and spitting it out had to be taught. I bet that just like when he learned to "pee in the woods", I will have to teach him when not to do it though. Heh. Just when you think, that they think, they know everything...

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

A Story of Two Coyotes

This may not be the best place to post this, and many of you may have already seen it a time or two. I received it tonight, from a good family friend, and had to share. Sadly, I feel there are so many parts of this that are true!


California:


The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor's dog, then bites the Governor.

1. The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie "Bambi" and then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural.

2. He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it.

3. He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases.

4. The Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged.

5. The running trail gets shut down for 6 months while Fish & Game conducts a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is now free of dangerous animals.

6. The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a "coyote awareness program" for residents of the area.

7. The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world.

8. The Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack. The State spends $150,000 to hire and train a new agent with additional special training in the nature of coyotes.

9. PETA protests the coyote's relocation and files a $5 million suit against the State.

Wyoming;

The Governor of Wyoming is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A Coyote jumps out and attacks his dog.

1. The Governor shoots the coyote with his State-issued pistol and keeps jogging. The Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge.

2. The Buzzards eat the dead coyote.

And that, my friends, is why California is broke and Wyoming is not.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Petty Officer First Class Robert R. Scott
Petty Officer First Class Robert R. Scott
26 years old from Massillion, Ohio
December 7, 1941
U.S. Navy

Robert Raymond Scott joined the U.S. Navy in 1938. Was was assigned to the U.S.S. California and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941 the California was hit by a torpedo during the attack. While other personnel were evacuated, Machinist's Mate First Class Scott remained at his station. He didn't survive. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. And the U.S. Navy named the destroyer escort USS Scott (DE-214) in his honor in 1943.

From his citation:

For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. The compartment, in the U.S.S. California, in which the air compressor, to which Scott was assigned as his battle station, was flooded as the result of a torpedo hit. The remainder of the personnel evacuated that compartment but Scott refused to leave, saying words to the effect "This is my station and I will stay and give them air as long as the guns are going."


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

SSgt. Ronell Bradley
SSgt. Ronell Bradley
U.S. Army

On Sept. 21, 2005, SSgt. Ronell Bradley gave two legs and part of a hand for his country when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb and now he needs our help to get his handicapped-accessible home built. If you're in the Charlotte, South Carolina area you can help. You can read the piece here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Wednesday's Hero

Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo
Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo
U.S. Marines

Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo, team chief with Civil Affairs attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, speaks to several Afghans during a patrol through the bazaar in Musa Qal'eh, Jan. 25. During the patrol the Marines inspected the location of an up-coming traffic circle in the bazaar.


Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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