tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69725942158686640602024-03-14T05:35:54.613-04:00Grinding My GritsAlthough born and raised a southern gal. southern charm is wasted on me. I much prefer to tell it like it is. Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-13527836190407279782016-11-14T08:30:00.000-05:002016-11-14T08:30:24.189-05:00What Do You Do on the Weekend?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/66/eb/4f/66eb4f133d84e6466ff7f01bcfddaeb9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEto5IyJTUg/WCjF6f7RnWI/AAAAAAAAcB8/5VGVHp3xHgMKpXXEwU2arCoa3pjt3dP0gCLcB/s200/66eb4f133d84e6466ff7f01bcfddaeb9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm either enjoying comparing lists from last year with this year or I'm getting really lazy about posting every single day for November NaBloPoMo. Maybe it's a combination. Anyway...<br />
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How do y'all spend your weekend? Do you take advantage of the great outdoors? Sit in front of the television? Visit friends and relatives? Make that new recipe? That's what this list was all about- things to do on the weekend. I should probably try this when football season is over since pretty much all I do during football season is watch football. Saturday and Sunday. There are a few other things though...<br />
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My weekend list from 2015:<br />
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10 Things to do During the Weekend:<br />
<ol>
<li>During football season, plant yourself in front of the television and ENJOY.</li>
<li>When football season ends, sit and pout until August when preseason begins.</li>
<li>Take the pup down the nature trail to the marsh. Take the camera. </li>
<li>If there's a wedding in the family, do wedding planning related stuff. Do it early in the mornings so you can be back home before the games start (college football on Saturdays you know). IF it's not football season, try to drag your depressed self up and don't worry about when you leave or come back.</li>
<li>Do the grocery shopping for the week And some of the cooking. WooHoo. What fun tasks.</li>
<li>If it's raining, do the dance of joy and watch some old movies, read a book, take a nap, play with the pup---anything that suits a rainy day. </li>
<li>If it's snowing, I'm jealous and don't want to talk to you.</li>
<li>Take the pup over to the beach for a walk or run.</li>
<li>Write some blog posts. Work does tend to get in the way of this.</li>
<li>Go downtown Charleston and take pictures of the tourists. Which is way more fun than you might think.</li>
</ol>
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And this year's list:</div>
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10 Thing to do during the Weekend:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Sit down because you've been on your feet all week entertaining your 4-month-old granddaughter which is both exhausting because you're old and wonderful because, granddaughters!</li>
<li>Turn on the television and watch football because it's football season and no one bother me until February.</li>
<li>Write blog posts because during the week there is no time due to entertaining your 4-month-old granddaughter. Or the exhaustion that follows. But you love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. </li>
<li>Go to the grocery store because you are too tired from entertaining your 4-month-old granddaughter to go during the week because you're old now but it's ok because, granddaughters.</li>
<li>Enjoy some take-out. I love take-out while watching hours upon hours of football.</li>
<li>Read. When the games are boring (68-0) or you don't really care that much about the games that are on at that time, enjoy a bit of reading. Haha! I don't stop watching football to read a book, I read before the games start on Saturday or Sunday.</li>
<li>Take the dog and your camera out for a walk and some picture taking. NOT during the games, though.</li>
<li>Get the house cleaned up. There's no time or energy during the week because...well, you know.</li>
<li>Go watch football at a pub with loads of televisions so you can watch your team at the same time you watch Matt Ryan, hopefully, lose. </li>
<li>Relax and enjoy the time doing whatever the spirit moves you to do!</li>
</ol>
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Not really that much different from last year except for the granddaughter part. :) The list would be much different when football season is over. I'm serious about my football, y'all. I LOVE watching it and I do not look fondly upon those who schedule things like showers, birthday/anniversary celebrations, and weddings during football season.<br />
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Ok, your turn! What makes your weekend list?<br />
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This is day 14 of November NaBloPoMo!</div>
Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-28725790574072026962016-11-12T14:16:00.000-05:002016-11-12T14:17:09.895-05:00Stress? What Stress?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoasterDoodles/items" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzp3Vvn3Nmk/WCdp32XyV4I/AAAAAAAAcBI/RCAL6xv12io1tPOP_k7n-9MAG9QWjHBfgCLcB/s200/il_570xN.1118517125_sldx%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
What stresses y'all out more? Work? Family? Everyday life? Taking on new challenges? What?<br />
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There are times when I feel that everything stresses me out. Fibromyalgia didn't hit me nearly as hard as it did others but it still lets me know it's here on a daily basis. I'm overly sensitive to EVERYTHING. Bright light, loud noises (and some quieter ones), any odor that contains chemicals, most any touch, strong tastes (which explains my bland palate), chaos, clutter... And then there's the fact that I am a slight germaphobe. You can just imagine how interesting life can be with these characteristics.<br />
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Today, I'm talking about the stress of taking on new challenges.<br />
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When I took on a job teaching computer to elementary students I was grateful and stressed out. Me? Teaching computers? To kids? They know more than I about this stuff! The stress that came with this job was self-inflicted and I think, with me, this type of stress is the good stuff. It's the type that motivates me to learn more and do more in certain situations. While I did know more than the kiddos, they are fast learners. To stay ahead, I had to be prepared. It was crazy. It was stressful. And I loved it! But then...<br />
<br />
At Thanksgiving, 2015, my daughter and her husband surprised the family with news of a BABY! I knew that moment that I would quit teaching and stay home with that sweet child so that my daughter and her wonderful husband could save for their first house. The payoff is off the charts to all of us, especially me since I see Baby M every weekday, and they'll be ready to buy that house in April 2017. WINNING! But that winning didn't come without stress. It was a new endeavor that we all took on but were let down by one who claimed to be on board so...<br />
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I decided to try and get creative. Even though I'm not an artist or creative. Smart. Nope. STRESS. When you're committed to people you can't back out and I'm committed. But I had to figure out to bring in some $$. So I used my bird photographs and my lack of artist skills and began making coasters to sell on Etsy. THIS is stressful because I don't like putting myself out there. I like backstage work. I like to be behind the camera. I don't enjoy recognition. But this time, I had to do it. The courage to press the 'open shop' button on Etsy was nonexistent for WEEKS. Ok, months. But I finally did it.<br />
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The coasters are not perfect but neither am I. And I'm not going to be though I certainly strive for it. To overkill levels. Which means I have harshly judged my attempts and I have fallen short. I'm leaving them out there anyway.<br />
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If you'd like to peruse the shop, just click the link here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoasterDoodles/items" target="_blank">CoasterDoodles</a>.<br />
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Or here:<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoasterDoodles/items" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7iwmPWd-wo/WCdpQ4FtEGI/AAAAAAAAcBE/PCVtp8KKCwU7-WgtS67ZiVhn1hFL4CoAgCLcB/s640/il_570xN.1118549997_3oe8%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend!<br />
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Today is day 12 of NaBloPoMo for November!Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-2828308374929967162016-11-11T21:53:00.000-05:002016-11-11T21:53:47.107-05:0010 Hashtags about Me<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAROrcgQ_uQ/WCaB1m_lLAI/AAAAAAAAcAw/jqW8ZtqKdcUnzwd2NwAOWTIwni6dvlTWgCLcB/s1600/hashtag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAROrcgQ_uQ/WCaB1m_lLAI/AAAAAAAAcAw/jqW8ZtqKdcUnzwd2NwAOWTIwni6dvlTWgCLcB/s200/hashtag.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking back over past posts (I seriously had no idea that the Grits started in 2014) I found a fun post I wrote about hashtags. It wasn't an original idea and I tried to find the <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/" target="_blank">blogger </a>who hosted this but, apparently, she's not blogging anymore. Anyway, we were asked to make a list of 10 hashtags that describe us. I thought I'd do a comparison for day 11 of NaBloPoMo. While I'd keep some of my 2014 hashtags today, I'm changing them all up just for fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's 2014's list:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10 Hashtags That Describe Me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. #momtobestdaughtersever</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. #ilovemydog</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. #iamtoooldforthatsh*t</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. #iseestupidpeople</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. #WTF</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. #itisfootballseasondonotdisturbuntilfebruary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. #theloveboatsailedwithoutme</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. #doublecuppaontheweekends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. #textingfool</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. #don'taskifyoudon'twanttoknow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually, that's not too bad. I'm still not that great at hashtags but here's 2016's list:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10 Hashtags that Describe Me</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>#firsttimegrandma</li>
<li>#passthegeritol</li>
<li>#carolinapanthersarekillingme</li>
<li>#wheresthedamngeritol</li>
<li>#walmarthasgeritol</li>
<li>#laughingalltheway</li>
<li>#tellinitstraightup</li>
<li>#lovemyfriends</li>
<li>#suckingdowngeritol</li>
<li>#rockingmiddleagelikearock</li>
</ol>
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Hashtags can be fun. And funny. And clever. Or, like mine, only fun. :)</div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-34035291753773348432016-11-10T19:19:00.002-05:002016-11-10T19:19:13.193-05:00Mean PeopleThis post is the same one I put up on <a href="http://www.emptynest1.net/" target="_blank">Empty Nest</a> for today which is day 10 of NaBloPoMo. Sharing your thoughts is welcomed but hate-filled comments will be deleted.<br />
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Stop it. This is getting ridiculous and you're showing you asses.<br />
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The election is over (thank God!) and that's the best news that I've heard. This is not a post about my opinion about the results (some of you already know that anyway and the rest of you don't need to) this post is about what I find more disgusting than the election: the aftermath of hatred.<br />
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I have not 'unfriended' one single person during the campaign (though, in all honesty, I have chosen to 'see less' from a few). We all have our own opinions and, while I do not feel that social media is a place to spout those opinions and many friends do, I do not see the logic in 'unfriending' someone over an opinion. You don't have to agree with me to be my friend. I believe that having only friends who share my opinions would be lacking in thought-provoking conversations to say the least. Not to mention I appreciate and enjoy a good debate between friends as long as it's a real debate not a slathering of insults. Sharing thoughts and ideas is healthy, thought provoking and, I think, a learning experience. It can expose you to how others see the world allowing you to be empathetic. It can remind you that people from different walks of life and those who have had different life experiences see things differently from you. It can foster an appreciation and respect for the perspective of other people. I have always appreciated new ideas and sharing thoughts with others. I'm not sure where having differing opinions took a very wrong, very sad, very frightening turn. But it did.<br />
<br />
And here we are.<br />
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I've heard and read things in just a couple of days that are making my skin crawl. And some of these things have come out of the minds of people I know PERSONALLY. I'm not sure how the spreading of fear and hatred is going to help anyone with anything. I've never seen either of those things help anyone or a situation. I've seen fear and hatred to just the opposite. Is this really the way people want to be? Besides, how can people be this crazy over an election and not have the slightest upset over the course the campaigns took? But that's another post altogether.<br />
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Just yesterday I saw a post that referred to the people who said they would leave the US if Trump won and the person who posted told those people, emphatically, to "start packing we don't need you here in this country." And that's one of the mildest posts. I'm not even going to tell y'all about a comment (that was based on an assumption) a teacher friend got. Then there's my friend who commented on a post showing youth protesting (this is what they do, they protest and that's better than sitting down not being heard at all) and my friend commented that these were the people who voted for <i>her </i>and how they were not Americans that she wanted to be associated with. Listen, friend, that's just like me saying that the Americans who voted for Trump are uneducated, white males...white supremacists...and the like. I take offense to anyone who lumps all who voted for one candidate or the other into one category of 'types' of Americans. Get over yourself.<br />
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These people are not speaking for me. I want you all here in this country. The people are what make this country great and we are still, because we've never stopped being, great.<br />
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Spouting comments like the ones above is a form of bullying. It's like telling someone who has fallen into such despair they feel like suicide is their only way out to go ahead and do it. That's not the way, y'all. That's what bullies do.<br />
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So today, I am considering 'unfriending' a few people who are posting bully-like remarks. I'm not going to support that behavior no matter who you are. Spreading hate is a good way to set us back decades and that's awful especially since we aren't there yet. We have a long, hard road to travel but I think it would be easier with the love and support of our fellow human beings.<br />
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This is not the first time an election has left people either upset or gloating. I'm pretty sure it happens about every four years. Not everyone gets their way every time there's an election. But this is the first time I recall everyone being so hateful about it. Let's not be sore 'losers' or worse 'winners.' Regardless of whether or not your candidate won, we're in this together so, take the high road.<br />
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I do not mean to sit there and let things happen to you. It is of the utmost importance that we pay close attention to what is going on in the form of FACTS. What I am talking about is not dragging others down. Our words carry a lot of weight. Choose them to lift people up instead of trying to destroy them.<br />
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My question: What in the actual hell is wrong with people?<br />
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-53501572406929416412016-11-10T19:00:00.000-05:002016-11-10T19:00:28.061-05:00Communication<a href="https://www.speakoutinc.com/presentation-vs-conversation-whats-the-difference/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdA0BpG1oFI/WCM9OQPWmzI/AAAAAAAAb_E/rkgBJo_Hw9k3DHfgpW429hRaED0l1a7sgCLcB/s200/talk.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">During a usual day, do y'all communicate more with people online or offline?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I definitely communicated more with people offline when I went to school 5 days/week and talked with adults and a school full of elementary students. But now, as then. when I am home, I communicate more with people online. And, to be perfectly honest, with a few people, I prefer to communicate online or not at all. It's just easier and less stressful. You don't get that lull in the conversation and try to wrack your brain for filler and when you find filler you spout it and it sounds like...filler. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've never been good with small talk as I feel it is a waste of time and effort. I understand that people feel the need to start somewhere and that small talk can help you begin to know another person but, I just find it uncomfortable and, to a point, dishonest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am not good at hiding my true feelings or faking conversation and it shows on my face. My facial expressions say it all. People can tell that I am bored, or not interested, or lying in an effort to participate in a conversation. Faking it is not my style. I've tried it and I do not like it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What works better is if I listen while someone who is quite good at small talk gets things started. That way, I have something with which to work. Of course, there are situations in which making small talk is easier for me. For example, meeting a blogger friend in person for the first time. But that's not really fair because I know enough about them from their blogs to enjoy a conversation with them. Shoot. Ok, when I meet someone who shares similar a lifestyle with me or who is a teacher or former teacher or...wait, that doesn't really count either, does it? Because we share likes already. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fine, Let's just boil this thing down to me not being comfortable in a social setting with people I do not know. I've even been known to be uncomfortable in a social situation when I do know the people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Right now, my <i>offline </i>communication is with close friends, my daughters, my 4-month-old granddaughter, some relatives who live close enough, and my sweet pup. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've gotten so much better in my aging years than I was before but I'm still uncomfortable. I'm simply not a social butterfly. Or maybe it's social anxiety? Sigh.</span><br />
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Are y'all comfortable in social situations? Do y'all make small talk easily? Tips? Tricks?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br data-cke-eol="1" />Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-17220490526008090422016-11-09T19:00:00.000-05:002016-11-09T19:00:21.837-05:00Driven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://smallbizclub.com/leadership/strategic-planning/how-to-practice-sticktoitiveness-and-succeed-in-business/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w9ezHfLZv5A/WCJkA_WcbzI/AAAAAAAAb-0/5cP3I923oVcD556V2Hoz13jvpVizmWOuACLcB/s200/How-to-Practice-Sticktoitiveness.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What makes y'all get things done- passion or sticktoitiveness? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the time being passionate about a project is the most important way for me to complete a task. However, if the passion is short-lived or dies out due to lack of interest because the task turned out to be less than I thought or I discovered that I lack the skills needed to see it to completion, then steadfastness comes in handy. As a matter of fact, it probably comes into play most of the time whether I'm passionate about a project or not because I'm stubborn. And dedicated. And a commitment freak. Even though I don't want to be in possession of any of those characteristics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Passion. When I am passionate about something, I'm on it for life or until it is finished regardless of the degree of difficulty. I've rarely lost my passion for something. It takes a lot to lose my passion for something although my passions do change with age. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stubborn. When I make my mind up about something, nothing will hold me back from completion. When something is difficult, nothing will hold me back from defeating it rather than it defeating me. When someone tells me not to do something...I think you see where this is going. I am stubborn. I would rather keep at something until it kills me rather than give up. I'm not a give up kind of gal. However, there are times when I just flat out lose interest. In those cases, I either put it aside until a later time or I do give up and quit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dedicated. If I have agreed to do something or decided to do something or taken on a project, I will stick to it out of sheer determination and dedication even if I've lost or never had the passion. And yes, I realize this is the same as being stubborn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Commitment Freak. Yep. I'm one of <em>THOSE</em>. If I commit, I'm going to do it to completion come hell or high water. Although, this can take the fun out of a project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bottom line: I will get the job done whether I'm passionate about it or just being stubborn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How about y'all?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-71198435005894947282016-11-08T11:53:00.003-05:002016-11-08T11:53:42.659-05:00Time To VOTE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">I'm out voting! </span><span style="color: blue;">See y'all tomorrow!</span></b></span></div>
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<br />Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-81423415895348122802016-11-07T10:17:00.000-05:002016-11-07T10:21:01.740-05:00Guess Who's Here?<br />
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<a href="http://weknowyourdreams.com/autumn.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC5Y291YPhE/WCCYLwzHDVI/AAAAAAAAb9I/ksnPyh8eY-0BTXRL1LLdSTIC0-V_XfVPwCLcB/s200/autumn-02.jpg" width="200" /></a>It's day 7 of NaBloPoMo and what a wonderful surprise when I went outside to feed the birds/squirrels this morning. Blog fodder! When I stepped out onto the deck, I noticed that I was seeing <i>and </i>feeling, <b><i>AUTUMN</i></b>! She's here! Finally! I've waited for so long and I was so thrilled that I nearly cried tears of joy.<br />
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When you grow up in an area that blesses you with seasonal changes, you miss it when you move to an area that does not. I remember having more seasonal changes a couple of decades ago but no longer. I've been here for 31 years and I have never stopped missing autumn and winter. I still say that the seasons stopped changing so much around here after hurricane Hugo blew through. Call me crazy all day long but I will never stop believing this. Luckily, the upstate is a mere 3-hour drive. If I ever get the time to go. Oh, and a vehicle.<br />
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When I first moved here I liked it just fine. It was nice being this close to the beach (3.1 miles) and the only thing I had to adjust to was the tortoise-like pace of the locals which took me about 15 years. Anyway...<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Warning! While true, this rings a bit negative</b>: Somewhere in the last decade, the powers that be jumped into the pockets of big developers and this lovely little town has taken a turn for the worse. The name of the town is Mount Pleasant but it has become known as Mount Plastic. Sadly, the latter is completely appropriate. It speaks clearly of the types of construction and the people who have flocked here like they were fleeing the apocalypse from which, BTW, there is no escape. Little do they know how long time residents feel about their influx.<br />
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<a href="http://weknowyourdreams.com/autumn.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtDQ8SubNx0/WCCYL2dE-_I/AAAAAAAAb9M/epW4MDOZthk3S3F_R0chZ72PCMLf03v4ACEw/s200/deer.jpg" width="200" /></a>But this morning, there is fall and seeing her washed away all the facades that make up this town now. At least for a moment. The early morning still is quiet and calm and the sun rises on this cool,<br />
fall morning sending the mad rush of the traffic and the people who have to be somewhere RIGHT NOW but do not feel the need to leave their houses early enough to be careful and safe into oblivion for a minute. The complaining of those who paid to have the wildlife habitats destroyed when that wildlife comes into their yards and destroys something (as if the wildlife do this on purpose) is silenced for a moment. The routine of the day is put on the back burner. All there is at this moment is quiet, peace, autumn.<br />
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Ah, autumn. How long I have awaited your arrival. Welcome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lovethispic.com/image/129422/hello-autumn" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a83SXv8RtEY/WCCakKaqbzI/AAAAAAAAb9Y/1oEi-6nQQSo1YLwGzoeZSZsTVyrZllFPwCLcB/s320/f3106ffa950d1e9ff63faf47bc55f6e2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Are you having autumn in your neck of the woods?Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-35238757276695471662016-11-06T18:55:00.001-05:002016-11-06T18:55:47.846-05:00Information Overload<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/information-overload-why-it-matters-and-how-to-combat-it" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqOXfH4jxLU/WB_CsivBwHI/AAAAAAAAb80/ywYFzut6zQ4dtvkthXMIIQvIQDXPKaIkACLcB/s200/e8e1c68ebf1547ee8f35b0fd168e2187.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's day 6 of NaBloPoMo. I'll start it with a question: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do y'all think future generations will be hit with information overload as more and more people tell their story since we now have blogs instead of a few family stories handed down and told by their elders?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I suppose they will be hit with an overload of information but not simply by reading someone's blog. Reading family stories and history, to me, is fascinating. I loved hearing stories when I was growing up and, now that my grandparents are gone, I wish they had written these tales down so that I could access them anytime I wanted to. The information overload is going to have more to do with the gazillions of information that is available on the web in general. The access is bad enough but discerning truth from fiction is where the overload begins to show it's effect. I think that when bloggers tell their family stories, they are sharing something important and meaningful to those within said family. That won't cause overload at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As far as having a handful of family stories vs having entire blogs to read, I think that is a good thing. I would love to have blogs to read that were written by my great grandparents and grandparents as well as aunts and uncles- even the crazy ones. I imagine that would be quite entertaining! As it is now, my children and grandchildren and other family members will only have my blog to read. Unless other family members step up and start writing, that's going to be rather slim pickin' as they say. Although, that's got to better than nothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Will they get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? No. I have my secrets and I plan on keeping them as long as possible. Best case- I take them to my grave. There are only two but I don't want them out. It's not always necessary to blurt out truths that may cause others to be upset or hurt. As long as I am the only one hurt, that's fine. Others who may want a truth out can get over it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, no, I don't think having access to and going through all the available family tales will cause an information overload. I think people will be thrilled that the information is out there for their family to read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What do y'all think? </span><br />
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-86342789639870296862016-11-05T08:18:00.001-04:002016-11-05T08:55:18.616-04:00Internet Trolls: A Repost<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxaCpV6jaXI/V5aqcH4SyjI/AAAAAAAAYOE/tf2CgewptqgJ5vq2r4BYkrTIawRjeNlPACLcB/s1600/troll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxaCpV6jaXI/V5aqcH4SyjI/AAAAAAAAYOE/tf2CgewptqgJ5vq2r4BYkrTIawRjeNlPACLcB/s200/troll.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today is day 5 of NaBloPoMo for November and I'm reposting because, as a former computer lab teacher, I feel the topic is so important. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trolling. It has a whole new meaning these days. I always thought trolling had something to do with fishing boats and trolls were those cute, yet ugly, little dolls with the hair we spent hours braiding. Not these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new dictionary definition of </span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">troll</span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is: <em>"make a deliberately offensive or provocative online posting with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them." (GOOGLE Search)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IN an article in <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists">Psychology Today </a>by Jennifer Goldbeck (phd) </span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "walter turncoat" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"An internet troll is someone who comes into a discussion and posts comments designed to upset or disrupt the conversation. Often, in fact, it seems like there is no real purpose behind their comments except to upset everyone else involved. Trolls will lie, exaggerate, and offend to get a response." (<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists" target="_blank">SOURCE</a>)</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, they're out there. And I've seen them. I cannot imagine having that much anger or being that desperate for money or appreciating such dark 'humor' as to purposefully try to upset or offend other people. How?</span><br />
<ul><a href="http://wpmu.mah.se/nmict151group2/2015/03/13/new-media-activism-and-racist-internet-trolls/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBxE2qeAWfw/V5aqb_a5PFI/AAAAAAAAYOI/FvFxTi33Tz8e_mpHg0_-5Auk6Bnkve_2QCEw/s200/how-to-deal-with-online-trolls-jerks-and-bullies-5.png" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they twist words</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they miss the point (or at least, they pretend to)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they cross the line every time and on purpose</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they use bad language</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they attack you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they play the victim </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they are relentless</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they 'one-up' you no matter what you say</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do enjoy joking around and finding a humorous way to make a point. I have been known to express my opinion about situations/products/events that I find displeasing or pleasing. But to deliberately strike out in the hopes of hurting someone? Nah. That's not cool no matter what your reasoning.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.city-data.com/forum/true-crime/1379111-man-imprisoned-internet-trolling.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFr1RSmEVUE/V5aqbwLCZ1I/AAAAAAAAYOI/MEWmQ_wKNvslabL0_Asm-lRDJH3gxcLbgCEw/s200/troll%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best piece of advice anyone has ever offered on how to deal with them is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS. I see it all the time. </span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A troll comments</span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and someone responds. And there it is. Trolls feed off the stupidity of others. Yes, I said it. Because it is STUPID to respond to anyone, online or in person, who makes statements that are purposefully hateful or offensive. They have researched and they know your weakness. And they will pounce on it knowing you will not be able to stop yourself from commenting back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have friends- online and in the real world- with whom I disagree on religion, politics, education, race relations, etc. But I respect their opinions and they respect mine. We do not have to agree on everything under the sun to be friends. I will remain silent before causing a raucous. Trolls do not. Trolls will do everything they can to insult you personally and they are relentless about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trolls will always criticize but never offer constructive criticism. They are criticizing to cause harm and stir up chaos not to offer helpful suggestions to make anything better. Their criticisms are insulting and personal. And, when you respond, you can sense the excitement in their responses to your response. And the cycle goes on and on and on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's sickening, really. But what's worse is when I see people falling into the trap. So, again, DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.</span><br />
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<a href="http://wpmu.mah.se/nmict151group2/2015/03/13/new-media-activism-and-racist-internet-trolls/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ybwBn83q9ew/V5aqb1T0U0I/AAAAAAAAYOI/E5KocA3qp8g0qaCWkcQE1HLYmno0mWzbwCEw/s200/Do-not-feed-the-Internet-troll.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's this type of internet bullying that makes me worry about the kids I will no longer be teaching at </span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">school</span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. When I taught technology I was able to explain all of the internet dangers to every student, 700+ of them, from the ages of 4 to 12. We covered everything from the importance of and how to set good passwords to cyberbullying. I even told them all about people who will try to scam their grandparents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out this video:</span><br />
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6Zxy_dScjsM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Zxy_dScjsM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bottom line: The internet is full of fun and interesting things to do, see, read, and use. But it is also full of hackers, identity thieves, cyberbullies, trolls... You MUST keep up with the bad side so that you can protect yourself and not fall into the traps that are set for you.</span><br />
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OH, and DON'T FEED THE TROLLS.<br />
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<img height="179" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PGIUrg_HtM8/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "just another hand" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you had an experience with an internet troll?</span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-49176893571029508852016-11-04T06:00:00.000-04:002016-11-04T06:00:07.536-04:00Fall Television MEHs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tvline.com/2016/05/16/fall-tv-schedule-2016-fox-network-abc-primetime-cbs-shows/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8QkuevhukM/WBvJHhYTNgI/AAAAAAAAbtc/mNzFgx3lfswNgNHG74P2ZE4m31oNaXBwACLcB/s200/fall_tv_schedule_2016.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Here we go, y'all. It's day 4 of NaBloPoMo. ONLY day 4...<br />
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Among other things (like my sugar detox which means my morning coffee is not CRAP) I listed the few shows I've watched this fall season that I love over on <a href="http://www.emptynest1.net/" target="_blank">EMPTY NEST</a>. Here, I'm going to list the less than few that I've watched that did not strike a cord with me. Why? Because it's day 4 of NaBloPoMo and today's prompt is:<br />
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Which fall shows should be canceled already?<br />
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I hope sipping coffee without sugar isn't clouding my judgment this morning...Anyway--<br />
<ol>
<li>THE REAL O'NEALS: I accidentally caught this ONE TIME and was not impressed. I find them unbelievable and am not a fan of the mom. Kind of like THE GOLDBERGS. Not a fan.It doesn't help that I am not a fan of the actors either. </li>
<li>MACGYVER: I caught this on on purpose and did not make it through the entire episode. I remember the original series and this time, they are missing the mark.</li>
<li>SPEECHLESS: I really tried to give this one a shot but, after watching all of 2 episodes and part of a third, it's just not holding my attention. </li>
<li>THE GOOD PLACE: I know. I really hate it but this one just hasn't grabbed my attention. I tried because I adore Kristen Bell and Ted Danson. Sad.</li>
<li>KEVIN CAN WAIT: Again, I just can't stick with it. And I really wanted to. All I can give it is background noise when I want something on just for the noise and not because I want to watch it. </li>
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And that is it. I listed 5 new shows on <a href="http://www.emptynest1.net/" target="_blank">EMPTY NEST</a> that I have enjoyed although I'm still on the fence with a couple of them. </div>
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There are a few shows that are not new this season but came back and keep coming back (TWO BROKE GIRLS- seriously, the blonde is stupid and the brunette delivers one-liners as if they are conversation; MOM- just, no; THE GOLDBERGS- idiotic mom character and that kid's voice gets on my LAST nerve...) and I'll never understand why these stay on the air and good ones get canceled. Is the viewing public really that stupid? Or is it ME? YIKES!</div>
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Thankfully, NETFLIX does pick up some shows I love and between NETFLIX and HULU I do get to watch reruns of my favorite canceled shows. </div>
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Ok, what shows would you cancel from this viewing season?</div>
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-31190759725148818522016-11-03T05:30:00.000-04:002016-11-03T05:30:23.771-04:00No Regrets, Honestly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADiorXrTO9E/WBqD_iJ4OyI/AAAAAAAAbf8/saqJAIWlB3MvCjC1NmMXzYCoZ-mJ0OqHQCLcB/s1600/regret-words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADiorXrTO9E/WBqD_iJ4OyI/AAAAAAAAbf8/saqJAIWlB3MvCjC1NmMXzYCoZ-mJ0OqHQCLcB/s200/regret-words.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The post for day 3 of NaBloPoMo is: If you could be completely honest with no regrets, what would you say and to whom?<br />
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Well, if I write about THAT the person will know and so will everyone else I know so...not the best idea. Instead, I'll just talk about the regrets part. Because I have some of those.<br />
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I'm not sure that any of gets through life without at least one regret but, if you're like me, you have more than one. In the interest of keeping these posts relatively short, I'll give y'all the short list-<br />
<br />
My List of Top 10 Regrets:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Poor decisions. I've made quite a few of these and while I've learned to live with most of them, there are a couple that I am still regretting. </li>
<li>Ever being concerned with what other people thought of me. That's one nice thing about being my age, I no longer care about this. I do believe that I would have been more comfortable being myself in my younger years, though, had I not cared what other people thought.</li>
<li>Trying to please everyone. I was guilty of this growing up. I always tried to be what I thought my parents and others wanted me to be. How silly. </li>
<li>Being impatient...hasty. I really wish I had taken my time and thought many things through more than I did. I'm working on improving this. </li>
<li>Not listening to my intuition. It took me YEARS to realize I was quite in tune with my intuition and should listen to it. Seriously, I was in my 30s before I finally got it. </li>
<li>Getting involved with THOSE kids in high school. Yikes. Good thing my fear of all things unknown kicked in like it did. </li>
<li>Not being a better daughter/granddaughter. Things just went south in this area once I hit 15. I should have risen above so much but I simply did not. </li>
<li>Letting someone go. Never should have done that. </li>
<li>Having a short fuse. It's still short but not nearly as short as it once was. Thankfully!</li>
<li>Not taking better care of my health and fitness level. I know better but I don't do better. </li>
</ol>
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Ok, what are your regrets?</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo-november-2016-writing-prompts" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOrkRCWKUo4/WBqEJQtXJGI/AAAAAAAAbgA/uNiVSiFXjl0taoN0Enaj2XV3nlMn2JdHgCLcB/s1600/NaBloPoMo_Badge_2016.jpg" /></a></div>
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-13196325991017326622016-11-02T19:22:00.001-04:002016-11-02T19:22:25.407-04:00Are You Brave?Today's post about being brave is over at <a href="http://www.emptynest1.net/" target="_blank">Empty Nest</a>. You know those days when you have your 3 month old granddaughter all day long and she's cranky because she is having some tummy issues? Well, what it boils down to is this: you get ONE post completed for ONE blog and SHARE that post on the OTHER blog. And then there's the fact that you already said all you really had to about being brave on THAT post...<br />
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So...click below:<br />
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Thanks, y'all!<br />
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Day 2 is done! Sort of. <img height="20" src="https://twemoji.maxcdn.com/36x36/1f61c.png" width="20" /><br />
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<br />Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-15600480260207716932016-11-01T19:39:00.002-04:002016-11-01T19:39:50.046-04:005 Ways to Uplift a Bad Mental Health Day<a href="http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo-november-2016-writing-prompts" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bAA7Ha_F5qc/WBkmzB5UpMI/AAAAAAAAbfI/4WTxMSObo78dyWowW8nMbQ1lrM-dFfqrgCLcB/s1600/NaBloPoMo_Badge_2016.jpg" /></a>In an effort to give the Grits a boost, I've decided to participate in the November NaBloPoMo which means I've committed to post every day for the next 30 days. We'll see how that goes since I'm also posting on Empty Nest. Ha!<br />
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Today's prompt (yes, they give you prompts in case you can't come up with a topic for 30 days IN A ROW INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND THANKSGIVING) is: When you're having a bad day with your mental health, what do you do to hep yourself?<br />
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That all depends on the level of the bad and whether or not I got ahead of it. If I am not lucky enough to get ahead of it, I have to let it run its course which usually involves a good bit of sadness. And, admittedly, a pity party or five.<br />
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The level of bad comes into play when I do get ahead of it. Which is most of the time as I try to remember that pity parties are a complete waste of time and effort. So, depending on the level of bad, here are 5 things I do to help myself with my mental health:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Music. Loud and with earbuds. The genre depends on the level of the bad. </li>
<li>Time-out. Yes, giving myself a time-out works wonders and gives me time to regroup. How? Either going to my room for quiet or outside on the deck to deep breathe and listen to nature. It really does help. To be honest with y'all, if I could be by myself all the time with the exception of holidays and special family times, I'm pretty sure I'd never have a bad mental health day again, EVER. </li>
<li>Text a friend. If I need a way out with a laugh, I have a friend who is perfect for that. And no explanations are ever needed. We all need a friend like this. </li>
<li>Taking the dog for a walk. Walking will take my mind off having a bad mental health day. Because I concentrate on how I don't want to walk. Ha!</li>
<li>Watching television. But it has to be a sitcom. Unless my mental health day is sad instead of bad. Then it needs to be a tearjerker movie. </li>
</ul>
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And there you have my first day. </div>
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What do y'all do to help yourself over a bad mental health day?</div>
Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-85174157129499523342016-08-04T05:30:00.000-04:002016-09-08T10:59:33.613-04:00School Funding<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpmhOKFNsrs/V3kLGKum-sI/AAAAAAAAXbI/J9wzEbTYxX0Sm_1J-JRLBaopWUXF6rtMgCLcB/s1600/20160509_110911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpmhOKFNsrs/V3kLGKum-sI/AAAAAAAAXbI/J9wzEbTYxX0Sm_1J-JRLBaopWUXF6rtMgCLcB/s200/20160509_110911.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Misappropriation of funds. It's not a new concept. Especially within a school district. It happens and, when it does, the responsible parties take it out on the kids. There is nothing anyone can say that will change my mind about this. I've seen it happen again </span></span><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;">and</span></span><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> again from the viewpoint of a parent of students to the viewpoint of teaching within the district. It's old and they have got to be stopped.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't speak for all the schools in our county but, at our school, positions were in danger due to the misspending of county funds. People were losing their jobs and the students were going to be affected in a way that is not conducive to learning. And yet, our stuperintendent (intentional spelling) can find the funds to purchase the tote in the picture for all certified teachers in the county. Our teachers were most unhappy about this. And no one is using their tote. I think most of them were thrown out. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is not the first time our school has had to seek </span></span><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">funding</span></span><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> outside the district for teaching positions. Which is ridiculous. It seems the first place the cuts get made are always, and I mean ALWAYS, at the level that directly affects the students in a negative way. Intervention, class size, special area classes...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I assure you that there are positions at <strike>the Taj Mahal</strike> CCSD district office that could be taken away without affecting the students one bit. There are numerous positions that were created in times of budget fatness but those times are gone. And those jobs need to be revisited. And done away with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please don't start talking to me about people losing their jobs. That's the same thing that's happening in the schools. People are losing their jobs and the students are being hurt by it. The unnecessary jobs downtown? People would lose their jobs but the students would not be affected <i>at all. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When these are my choices, I'm going with the choice that does not hurt the students. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At our school, PTA has always stepped up to the plate. One example is the year my youngest daughter was entering 4th grade. Our classes were going to be HUGE, due to budget cuts, and having thirty, fourth graders in a small classroom is not going to make learning anything other than difficult. PTA stepped up and paid for a fourth-grade teacher. Class sizes went back to manageable and all was well. One thing our PTA has always had is a healthy bottom line at the end of the school year just in case of an emergency. You see, we know how the district works. And we were prepared. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The upcoming school year would have been the first time in the school's history that the PTA had dropped the ball should they not have raised the funds. When things got scary, the pres decided to pick on someone and try to get out of paying for that position. Not cool. She lost all her credibility. Luckily, the money was raised, the district 'found' a little money, and there will be a new PTA pres next year. No, I'm not on PTA and it's been many years since the last of my four daughters was in elementary school. But I have been there- as everything from a member to the president and I know that we have always had a buffer to begin the school year. Funny how things change. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's great that our PTA steps up to the plate. But what about schools that don't have such generous parents and a supportive community? Sometimes, I have to wonder, does the district feel free to throw a wrench in the middle of student learning because they expect PTAs to step up? And what happens to the Title 1 schools? Not cool CCSD. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I'm not even going to start on how badly the people in some positions were treated by the district. But it was, at the very least, unprofessional. Every time the district messes up financially, the schools pay the price. The fat cats downtown still have their jobs as do their helper monkeys. But I am thrilled that I made the decision in November to stay home and take care of my grandlove instead of going back to school. I can't stand the way people are treated when money becomes an issue. The backstabbing alone is enough to sicken you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "coming soon" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is it the same in your district? </span></span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-59093531464201445072016-07-26T05:30:00.000-04:002016-07-26T05:30:10.625-04:00Trolling<a href="http://wpmu.mah.se/nmict151group2/2015/03/13/new-media-activism-and-racist-internet-trolls/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxaCpV6jaXI/V5aqcH4SyjI/AAAAAAAAYOE/tf2CgewptqgJ5vq2r4BYkrTIawRjeNlPACLcB/s200/troll.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Just Another Hand', helvetica, sans-serif;">It has a whole new meaning these days. I always thought trolling had something to do with fishing boats and trolls were those cute, yet ugly, little dolls with the hair we spent hours braiding. Not these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Just Another Hand', helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">The new dictionary definition of </span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">troll</span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"> is: <em>"make a deliberately offensive or provocative online posting with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them." (GOOGLE Search)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">IN an article in <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists">Psychology Today </a>by Jennifer Goldbeck (phd) </span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat,helvetica,sans-serif;">"An internet troll is someone who comes into a discussion and posts comments designed to upset or disrupt the conversation. Often, in fact, it seems like there is no real purpose behind their comments except to upset everyone else involved. Trolls will lie, exaggerate, and offend to get a response." (<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists" target="_blank">SOURCE</a>)</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes, they're out there. And I've seen them. I cannot imagine having that much anger or being that desperate for money or appreciating such dark 'humor' as to purposefully try to upset or offend other people. How?</span><br />
<ul><a href="http://wpmu.mah.se/nmict151group2/2015/03/13/new-media-activism-and-racist-internet-trolls/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBxE2qeAWfw/V5aqb_a5PFI/AAAAAAAAYOI/FvFxTi33Tz8e_mpHg0_-5Auk6Bnkve_2QCEw/s200/how-to-deal-with-online-trolls-jerks-and-bullies-5.png" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they twist words</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they miss the point (or at least, they pretend to)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they cross the line every time and on purpose</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they use bad language</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"> they attack you </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they play the victim </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">they are relentless</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand, helvetica, sans-serif;">they 'one-up' you no matter what you say</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Just Another Hand', helvetica, sans-serif;">I do enjoy joking around and finding a humorous way to make a point. I have been known to express my opinion about situations/products/events that I find displeasing or pleasing. But to deliberately strike out in the hopes of hurting someone? Nah. That's not cool no matter what your reasoning.</span><br /><br />
<a href="http://www.city-data.com/forum/true-crime/1379111-man-imprisoned-internet-trolling.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFr1RSmEVUE/V5aqbwLCZ1I/AAAAAAAAYOI/MEWmQ_wKNvslabL0_Asm-lRDJH3gxcLbgCEw/s200/troll%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">The best piece of advice anyone has ever offered on how to deal with them is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS. I see it all the time. </span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">A troll comments</span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"> and someone responds. And there it is. Trolls feed off the stupidity of others. Yes, I said it. Because it is STUPID to respond to anyone, online or in person, who makes statements that are purposefully hateful or offensive. They have researched and they know your weakness. And they will pounce on it knowing you will not be able to stop yourself from commenting back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">I have friends- online and in the real world- with whom I disagree on religion, politics, education, race relations, etc. But I respect their opinions and they respect mine. We do not have to agree on everything under the sun to be friends. I will remain silent before causing a raucous. Trolls do not. Trolls will do everything they can to insult you personally and they are relentless about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">Trolls will always criticize but never offer constructive criticism. They are criticizing to cause harm and stir up chaos not to offer helpful suggestions to make anything better. Their criticisms are insulting and personal. And, when you respond, you can sense the excitement in their responses to your response. And the cycle goes on and on and on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">It's sickening, really. But what's worse is when I see people falling into the trap. So, again, DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.</span><br />
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<a href="http://wpmu.mah.se/nmict151group2/2015/03/13/new-media-activism-and-racist-internet-trolls/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ybwBn83q9ew/V5aqb1T0U0I/AAAAAAAAYOI/E5KocA3qp8g0qaCWkcQE1HLYmno0mWzbwCEw/s200/Do-not-feed-the-Internet-troll.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">It's this type of internet bullying that makes me worry about the kids I will no longer be teaching at </span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">school</span><span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">. When I taught technology I was able to explain all of the internet dangers to every student, 700+ of them, from the ages of 4 to 12. We covered everything from the importance of and how to set good passwords to cyberbullying. I even told them all about people who will try to scam their grandparents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out this video:</span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/87I_qyBh7HY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/87I_qyBh7HY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bottom line: The internet is full of fun and interesting things to do, see, read, and use. But it is also full of hackers, identity thieves, cyberbullies, trolls... You MUST keep up with the bad side so that you can protect yourself and not fall into the traps that are set for you.</span><br />
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OH, and DON'T FEED THE TROLLS.<br />
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<img height="179" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PGIUrg_HtM8/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Just Another Hand,helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you had an experience with an internet troll?</span><br />
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-65502415245662996842016-07-19T05:30:00.000-04:002016-07-19T05:30:11.723-04:00Hertz, Hurts<a href="https://www.hertz.com/rentacar" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for Hertz" border="0" height="157" 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" width="200" /></a>Do y'all rent cars when you travel long distances? We did when we drove to Nashville. Because we don't have a car that I trust to get me there safely. And, it was an 8-hour drive. Each way.<br />
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My thought was we would rent a car that I am considering buying. I would certainly get a feel for it after 8 hours on the road and 8 hours back home. Smart, right? Well, just try getting what you want from a car rental place. Talk about a racket. Sheesh.<br />
<br />
As with most everything, there is the fine print and that's where they get you. They promise you the exact car you request until you arrive at their den of lies and stupid people and they give you what they consider a reasonable facsimile. Pfft. Hmpf. Pssh.<br />
<br />
Lying sacks. All I'd like to have the car rental liars do is be honest. Tell me you don't have that car and then tell me what you REALLY do have so I can make a decision. Seriously, next time, I'm flying.<br />
<br />
Oh, and AAA wasn't any better as they assured us the car of our choice WOULD be available. Lies. All lies.<br />
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<a href="https://www.avis.com/car-rental/avisHome/home.ac" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for avis" height="133" src="data:image/png;base64,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" width="200" /></a>Or I'll use Avis because I heard recently via the news that they have a new REAL TIME app that shows you what is REALLY available. Seriously, why hasn't this been a thing before now? Why can't care rental places give you what they say they will have for you when you arrive to pick up the dang thing? WHY is that so difficult? Of course, Avis will probably do the same thing as Hertz, cool app or not. How nice to show up and get the exact car we requested. At least I know I'll never purchase a Toyota Rav4. Or use Hertz again.<br />
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What I'd really love to see is car dealerships start renting cars. I would have gone straight to the Chevrolet dealership, rented an Equinox and, had I liked it, purchased it from them upon my return. Anyway...<br />
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The bottom line is this: car rental places (Hertz, anyway) are sneaky and their employees speak liar-rea-ha. Also, I need to go ahead and buy a car. Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-73784611825454103032016-07-11T05:30:00.000-04:002016-07-11T05:30:01.662-04:00Uber Doober Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymrW3TD1bhU/V3e60U7B1eI/AAAAAAAAXaw/YbRGGrtIxCw_TuXayCi7bPZ6FHGKiLCqQCLcB/s1600/uber-germany_injunction.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymrW3TD1bhU/V3e60U7B1eI/AAAAAAAAXaw/YbRGGrtIxCw_TuXayCi7bPZ6FHGKiLCqQCLcB/s200/uber-germany_injunction.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>The kids have using Uber for years and have liked it just fine. I'd never tried it until our trip to Nashville. Now, I'm a fan!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;">When in Nashville, TN- <a href="https://www.uber.com/?exp=hp-c" target="_blank">UBER </a>is the way to get around. I'm one of those people who get quite nervous when driving in unfamiliar areas. When you couple that fear with a big city with more people than you thought could ever be in one place at one time, <a href="https://www.uber.com/?exp=hp-c" target="_blank">Uber</a> is your friend. Your BESTIE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;">Before Nashville, I was an Uber virgin. Now? I want to Uber everywhere. I mean it! It was a great experience. I've used taxi services before but I've found the drivers to be hell on wheels and not the most personable. Not to mention EXPENSIVE. Uber is different-</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">The vehicles are much nicer than cabs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">The drivers are personable but not pushy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to talk, they will. If you don't, they won't bother you. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">The cost is less than getting a taxi.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not care for driving around downtown Charleston either. Mount Pleasant (or Mount Plastic as it is beginning to be called because of all the fake, uber (no pun intended, but nice when it works out) rich folks moving in around here) and now that won't matter. When we have people visiting, I shall get an Uber to take us and deliver us home all without the stress of the traffic, the walking tourists who, apparently, have no idea how to cross a street, and finding a parking spot which takes longer than the time it takes to give your touristy friends a walking tour of the Battery, Rainbow Row, the Market, and grab lunch at Fleet Landing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;">Uber is also great for those folks who like to drink and are smart enough to NOT drive after imbibing. (Seriously, those of you who are not smart enough to NOT drive after drinking, get a brain.) Why in the world would anyone endanger the lives of others instead of taking an affordable alternate mode of transportation? It's beyond me. But, that's not really the point of this post. It's more of a soapbox. Ha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, we have bus service here. But, especially in this heat, I much prefer being dropped off in my driveway instead of half a mile or more from the neighborhood. Plus, the buses run on their schedule, not mine. And, they don't run at night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;">A couple of family members have told me there is a new service (newish here, anyway) called <a href="https://www.lyft.com/" target="_blank">Lyft</a>. I haven't tried them out and I really don't know whether I will or not. I mean, Uber is fine and, until it isn't, I'll just <a href="https://www.uber.com/?exp=hp-c" target="_blank">Uber</a> when I don't care to drive in traffic or stress over parking. And, frankly, I love saying, 'Uber.' </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to Uber down there. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to get an Uber. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's Uber-it! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: neucha, helvetica, sans-serif;">Get an Uber!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;">What are your experiences with paid rides?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: neucha,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-70462139816279003882016-07-08T05:30:00.000-04:002016-07-08T05:30:17.348-04:00AirBnB vs VRBO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6m9kuGAoYxM/V3exrBx-UxI/AAAAAAAAXZE/vOuRsYCikcIkhf5BboMnnSXBlechXhFHQCLcB/s200/airbnb-berlin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
On a recent family trip to Nashville (which you can read about HERE and HERE) the family stayed at our first <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> and I learned a few things, not the least of which is, I am not comfortable staying in someone's home when they are away. It borders on creepy even though the house we rented was nice enough and quite clean. It was located in just the right spot and the neighborhood was lovely. But it was someone's home. It was weird.<br />
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<b>Airbnb website</b><br />
The site is quite user-friendly and provides you with plenty various options depending on where you want to stay and how much you prefer to pay. Registration is free and easy. Not a problem.<br />
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<b>Airbnb hosts</b>:<br />
I don't know about all of them but our guy was fabulous! He was quick to respond and friendly. We even ended up texting and discovered that the sister-in-law of our daughter's boyfriend and our host attended college together and are still good friends! Small world, y'all! Super nice, super friendly. Daughter 1 stayed at a different Airbnb and assured me her host was fabulous as well. Not a problem.<br />
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<b>Airbnb accommodations</b>:<br />
Our Airbnb was located in a quaint, safe, family neighborhood and was quite clean. No bedbugs, complete privacy, comfy beds. Even the neighbors were friendly. The location was perfect as it was less than one mile from our daughter's apartment and a 10-15 minute Uber ride to downtown. Not a problem.<br />
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<b>Airbnb costs</b>:<br />
I found the cost to be much less expensive than a hotel and in line with prices on VRBO. Of course, there are some rentals that are quite expensive but these balance out since they are HUGE and everyone can split the cost which still brings it in under the usual cost of a hotel room.<br />
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<b>Airbnb benefits</b>:<br />
Privacy. Whole house vs a room although you can rent rooms in someone's house. Regardless of whether you rent a house or a room, it is less expensive than hotels. You're not surrounded by strangers. The hosts are more personable than hotel employees. <br />
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<b>Airbnb, the downside</b>:<br />
It's someone's home You are staying in their home while they stay somewhere else and I just find that uncomfortable.<br />
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<a href="https://techcrunch.com/gallery/a-brief-history-of-airbnb/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIgVGNwdFCQ/V3exrEEMiuI/AAAAAAAAXZA/JJ1zLmQ_FTc2QhLSfl92fi5Un8lKU0XbgCKgB/s320/airbnb-local-recommendations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Airbnb suggestions</b>:<br />
Look carefully at the pictures provided by the host. Had I been thinking, this would not have been the<br />
right fit for us as my dad and stepmother went along and there were no hand rails on the front porch and the master bed was on the floor, not raised. The other two bedrooms were kids' rooms with a twin in one room and bunk beds in the other. The living room sofa was low to the floor which made getting up difficult for older people and anyone with bad knees. None of that was suitable for older folks, though we made do just fine Plus, did I mention that it was someone's home? A stranger's home. It was weird.<br />
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<a href="https://www.vrbo.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htwieKA_ECM/V3exrOlp7WI/AAAAAAAAXY8/Q-VZX74kCSIuwQjgCbZNaS9XUhYSYooJgCKgB/s200/large_logo.png" width="200" /></a><b>Final thoughts</b>:<br />
If you don't mind staying in the home of a stranger, then Airbnb might be for you. The cost is fair and it's easy to find places close to the area of the city you are visiting. I found the Airbnb to be clean as well. However, pay close attention to the pictures provided to you by the host.<br />
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If you're going to Nashville,<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8323310?checkin=07%2F18%2F2016&checkout=07%2F25%2F2016&guests=4&s=78fQOopv" target="_blank"> here's the link to Jim's house</a> if you'd like to give it a try.<br />
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Will I try Airbnb again? No. But this has nothing to do with our host or his home. It's all because I find it too creepy to stay in a stranger's home with their possessions all around. Next trip to Nashville, TN (or any other place) will find us in a rental house via VRBO. Hey, VRBO, if you're handing out deals for reviews, let me know! I'll be glad to work with y'all! :)Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-57912037197593176382016-06-21T05:30:00.000-04:002016-06-21T05:30:00.986-04:00Controlling the Pain<a href="http://www.fibromyalgiatreating.com/fibromyalgia-when-pain-goes-from-your-head-down-to-your-feet/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://www.fibromyalgiatreating.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/foot-pain-and-fibromyalgia.jpg" width="200" /></a>Fibromyalgia causes pain. Some days more than others. But always, there is some level of pain. Most days, there is also other annoyances who come along with the pain: low energy level, brain fog, total lack of motivation..the list goes on. There are days when I wonder WTH is wrong with me and then I remember, it's fibromyalgia. I've tried turning that blind eye and deaf ear to it, but it seems to have gotten worse over the years. I am not a taker of meds so I refuse to go that route. So, what do I do? I have found a few things that help calm the flares and keep the pain, sometimes, in check.<br />
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<b>Ten things I do to help keep fibromyalgia in check:</b><br />
<ol>
<li><b>No processed foods.</b> If I slide back into some processed foods from time to time, my body lets me know almost immediately. The effects on the fibromyalgia mean increased pain, increased brain fog, painful stomach cramping...I convinced that eating processed foods contributes to fibromyalgia flare-ups. Makes you wonder why I ever pick up anything processed, doesn't it? Part of the reason is that I am a southern gal and I do love certain foods- macaroni and cheese, biscuits, grits (smooth and creamy, of course), etc. I can make these foods myself and not feel quite as bad but, they're not the best for helping reduce the effects of fibromyalgia. </li>
<li><b>No sugar.</b> These days, I also notice a difference immediately after ingesting sugar. There is no pick-me-up feeling when sugar is involved. Nope. It's a downer for sure. I'm always left with less energy than I had before I ate anything sugary. Except fruit or smoothies. And I feel that this has to do with the type of sugar but I'm not a chemist or doctor or nutritionist so...</li>
<li><b>Exercise</b>. Taking oxygen in while performing some sort of cardio exercise has a huge impact on my fibromyalgia. It's difficult while I'm working out, no matter what the exercise is, but it feels good afterward. And for a long time afterward. Unless the feet act up, then it's not so good. </li>
<li><b>Yoga</b>. It amazes me how a practice that is so difficult for me makes such a tremendous difference in how I feel. The gentle stretching and deep breathing have the most beneficial results of anything I've tried yet. </li>
<li><b>Weight loss.</b> The fewer pounds I have to lug around every day, the better. I've noticed this being true on those few occasions where I actually lost weight and felt the difference. Not that this fact motivates me to keep the weight off or take it off again and again, though you'd think it would. Think of it like this: it's not that easy to carry around extra pounds under 'normal' circumstances. It makes your feet, knees and hips ache because of the pounding of merely walking around. It works your heart harder than it needs to work and makes you uncomfortable. It's unhealthy. Now, combine that with the aches and stresses of fibromyalgia. Yikes! My problem here is an addictive personality. Not to alcohol or drugs. To food. I have used food as my source of comfort for so long I don't even know if I can get out of the cycle. But one thing about me is that I do not give up hope. So, I keep trying. </li>
<li><b>Ignore as much stress and negative people as possible.</b> Stress causes tension in my entire body and, when you couple that with fibromyalgia, the results can be nearly debilitating. Stress rips through our bodies causing all sorts of physical and medical problems. If you have fibromyalgia, stress hits those tender points like a mack truck. Negative people drain you of your energy. You're already low on energy with fibromyalgia. Being around negative people can be just what it takes to send you into a depression. Getting rid of those people is helpful. I'm still figuring out what to do when you are stuck with them. </li>
<li><b>Organic everything from food to laundry detergent</b>. When you have extreme (and that may be an understatement in my case) sensitivities to all things affecting your five senses, you cannot use or be around chemicals. If I use a shampoo with chemicals, for example, my head starts itching, every part of my body that it touches turns red (like hives) and I get a headache. My nose burns and my eyes water. And that's just shampoo. This only started happening in the last seven or so years. </li>
<li><b>Meditation</b>. This helps me focus and feel like my mind is clearer. It also helps with the achiness. It also helps with the negative people and the stress. I use it when I need it.</li>
<li><b>Laughter</b>. I know. It sounds crazy but when I'm surrounded with the right cast of characters, laughter ensues taking my focus to a much happier place. I've been around people who have kept me laughing so hard that the only reason I notice pain is because of the laughing.</li>
<li><b>Develop a can-do attitude</b>. I'm a stubborn individual. When I make up my mind, that's it. And I made up my mind a long time ago that fibromyalgia would not get me down. It's not going to make me feel sorry for myself or seek sympathy. It's not going to rob me of having fun and doing things I enjoy doing. I just keep going. Like that silly Energizer bunny. Ha! </li>
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The nice thing about not having to go to school anymore, besides taking care of Baby M, is that I have time to do all the things I need to do to feel better. Even though, some days, it doesn't matter a flip what you do the discomfort, low energy, brain fog, depression, etc. will present itself and stick around as long as it wants to. And that could be for a few hours, a day, a week, months...it just depends. </div>
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Here's the best explanation I've found describing what fibromyalgia feels like:</div>
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<img alt="Wow. This is one of the most accurate things I have ever read to describe fibromyalgia. But you need add in the fact that your short term memory gets dumped more often than the trash gets taken out.: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/58/b2/6b/58b26b66e1fed4c7e69eca9ee6a28906.jpg" /></div>
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Doesn't sound like fun, does it? You're right. It isn't. But you learn to deal and do your best. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia are not cry-babies (although you might find us crying by ourselves from the frustration of it all.) We are well aware there are others out there who suffer from far worse than we do. That doesn't mean we don't suffer. So, before calling someone lazy, or stupid, or before reminding them how good they have it, think. We really have no idea what other people are going through in their lives. It's probably a good idea to just be kind.<br />
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What are some things y'all do to deal with fibromyaglia? Chronic pain? Depression? Low energy? Brain fog? <br />
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-23470923732616124332016-06-14T05:30:00.000-04:002016-06-14T05:30:09.655-04:00Bullies Suck<a href="http://thevanguardclinic.com/fibromyalgia-causes-and-symptoms/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://thevanguardclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pain-all-over.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fibromyalgia is not the easiest chronic disease with which to live. It is also not the most difficult. Point is, fibromyalgia is real and it is no picnic. When you are surrounded by a bully or two, it's even more difficult. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Yes, fibromyalgia is real. It's the name someone came up with for the symptoms when there was no other name. I suppose I should say, the symptoms are real. I know because I suffer from quite a few of them. Though not nearly as badly as some other folks I know. And I'm quite grateful for that because if mine isn't that bad, I'd hate to know what the bad cases are like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For those of you who don't know, fibromyalgia is characterized by:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">restless sleep</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">serious morning stiffness </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">terrible headaches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">tingly and numb hands and feet as well as pain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">memory loss and foggy thinking</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">tender points which make touch painful</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">widespread pain throughout the body</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">awakening feeling tired</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">chronic fatigue</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">anxiety</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">depression</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">disturbance in bowel function</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">sensitivity in all five senses</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://ftg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/25-real-symptoms-of-fibromyalgia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ftg.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/25-real-symptoms-of-fibromyalgia.jpg" width="235" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not a short list. I have, and still experience, each of the symptoms</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> listed above. It's exhausting. You can imagine what getting up every day of the week to go teach elementary students was like. Some mornings weren't that difficult. But you never know how you'll feel or how the day is going to go when fibromyalgia is your partner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having to go to school every day was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it made me get up and go regardless of how I felt or the level of pain on any given day. A curse because it made me have to get up and go regardless of the level of pain on any given day. It's not easy to go and be your best when pain is screaming throughout your body. But I also tried to keep everything in perspective. I may be living with chronic pain but I am not suffering from a disease that can have fatal results. For this, I am grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Am I looking for sympathy? No. I hate being pitied and I hate being the center of attention. I am not a fan of attention of any kind- good or bad. I don't play the victim. That's why a lot of people have no idea that I even have fibromyalgia. Another reason most are unaware is because of the fact that some of those who do know are not always kind. I've been called lazy and stupid so many times I have come close to believing it. Close. But there is enough of me to know that I am neither. I've been told I hate fun and that I hate my job. Nope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I cannot walk into a store where perfume is sold because the smells burn my nose and I can taste it just from smelling it. This leads directly to a headache. Same with being around people wearing perfume. Or smokers. UGH. So, I have to be careful where I go and how close I stand to people. Loud noises can reduce me to tears. Putting on lotion (whipped coconut oil) can hurt as does brushing my hair from time to time. Bright lights cause me to close my eyes so I'm careful about driving. None of my soaps or shampoos etc. can have chemicals in them. Life is interesting. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=70919567" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=70919567" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Those of us who suffer from fibromyalgia are not lazy. We do not </span><span style="font-size: large;">hate our jobs. We are not social introverts. We do not hate fun. We are in pain most days and we have no energy. Everything affects us in a painful or uncomfortable way from bright lights and loud noises to a gentle touch to just standing up or sitting down. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I have lived with fibromyalgia for 16 years now. Unfortunately, I've noticed that it has gotten worse over the years. Not horrible, but worse. Or maybe I'm not as good as faking it these days. There are times I forget I have fibromyalgia and I drive myself crazy trying to figure out why I'm so tired or why I lack motivation or why everything hurts. And then I remember, it's fibromyalgia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't cover as much as the tip of the iceberg, I'm sure. However, getting information out there is helpful no matter the amount. Next week, I'll share what I've found helps me deal, when I deal. And that's another thing about fibromyalgia. It can zap you of your energy and motivation to the point you just do not deal with it some days. There are some things, however, that do take the edge off and I'll cover some of those next time. </span><br />
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<br data-cke-eol="1" />Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-66497228159217854692016-06-09T05:30:00.000-04:002016-06-09T05:30:05.257-04:00School Board Stupidity<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The infinite stupidity of the school board in our county has struck once again. Is there no end? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me start with the difference between certified teachers and classified employees. Certified teachers at our school have undergraduate degrees and a few have master's degrees as well. The story is the same for our classified employees- all have undergraduate degrees, some of us have master's degrees, and one is working on her Ph.D.--do you see the difference? </span> <span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thaaat's right. The difference between certified teachers and classified employees is the certification. Of course, there is also the difference in pay (seriously, master's degree or not, a classified employee is lucky to bring home $1500/month) and responsibility but, in terms of education, that's it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You'd never know it, however, when you witness the difference in the way the two types of employees are treated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are a classified employee and you do not feel like a mere peon, give it time. You will. No matter how much you do or how hard you work or how many times you go well beyond that extra mile they will, at some point, put you in your place. This antiquated treatment happens when you get further up the food chain. But not too far. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's the latest humiliation to be suffered by the lowly classified employee? They must punch a time clock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Punch. A. Time. Clock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I realize that there are jobs in which people have to punch time clocks. But working as a classified employee in our school is not one of them. It is one more way for the powers-that-be to insult the worker bees they view as peons. Classified employees are the only ones who have to punch a clock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why? How would I know? Y'all don't think they'd actually tell us why do you? Because that doesn't usually happen. When they have people by the proverbial balls, they don't have to tell why, do they? Perhaps other schools are having trouble with some employees putting in an eight hour day? Perhaps someone on the board is getting kickbacks from the Kronos company? Perhaps someone's cousin's brother's girlfriend's sister works for the company? Maybe they decided to go paperless? Most likely it's a micromanagement issue. Who knows? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was a classified employee who holds a master's degree and two undergraduate degrees. I gave at least 110% every school day. I was on committees and offered computer club every Tuesday afternoon (my own idea which I gladly and enthusiastically offered for three years FOR NO PAY.) I added classes to my already filled days just to make sure students had access to coding classes as well as the special area classes they attended. I was in charge of MAP testing which required me to arrive early and leave late most days, run reports for the principal and all teachers (who could easily have done this for themselves.) If there was a technology problem, I was expected to sort it out even though we are told by the district to call the Help Desk in these situations. I won't even get into the extra duties that were asked of me, some of which were above my pay grade. I did not work less than 8 hours/day. I did, however, work more to the tune of nearly 40 hours/school year. And I NEVER asked for overtime pay. I did this for the kiddos and considered it voluntary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would not do that now if they made it a requirement. Because, when you force the peons to punch a time clock, you rob them of their joy and motivation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am not the only classified employee at our school who does more than his/her fair share. This is not about appreciation. Our AP has always made me feel appreciated. Always. I feel certain she has made others feel the same. That's not the point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The point is, the Charleston County school board has got to stop humiliating people. Trying to make others feel less than they are is BS, I don't care who you think you are. This is not the way to inspire loyalty, productivity, or honesty in your employees. It is, however, a successful way to destroy those qualities. Who wants to work for someone who insults and humiliates their employees?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our school is not a school of slackers. We work with 700 elementary students. There is no way we can slack even if we wanted to. If anything, the educators and staff at our school go above and beyond on a daily basis. What we have in return is a successful school filled with students who are eager to learn and educators enthusiastic about teaching. We do not do this for the money. We do it for the love of teaching children and our own love and appreciation of learning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, this latest degrading act by CCSD made it much easier to leave my job. Before the time clock issue arose, leaving was bittersweet. Not that I won't miss the students or enjoy taking care of my granddaughter but the time clock has taken a good bit of the sentimentality of leaving out of the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "special elite" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-60253634614577379512016-06-06T05:30:00.000-04:002016-06-06T05:30:34.645-04:00The Boss<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Because there are some rather scathing posts coming in the next couple of weeks (not too bad but I have to get it out- school district stupidity and how PTA has changed over the years, for example) I want to start my end of teaching with a positive...</i></span><br />
<a href="http://cdn.quotesgram.com/small/18/23/1294812302-administrative_assistant_voice_mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.quotesgram.com/small/18/23/1294812302-administrative_assistant_voice_mug.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have y'all ever wanted to be the boss? Not at home, where you probably already are the boss or, at least, one of the bosses, but outside the home at a job where you receive money instead of fulfillment (not that some of us don't have jobs that fulfill us) and love. I haven't. I just don't want those size headaches. Not even for the money (which, when you're in education is not that much more.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Since deciding not to return to school next year ( because I get to take care of my soon-to-be-born very first grandchild), I've been reflecting on the last few years and thoughts of bosses have been on my mind. So, my question is: What makes a good boss?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I could tell y'all what a not so good boss is like but when I think of the AP at our school, Cindi, all I can say are good things. Because she's a really good boss. Really. Good. Fantastic, even. Why?</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She's fair</strong>. No matter who, no matter what, she will be fair. She listens and asks questions. There is no assuming on her part. There is no jumping to conclusions. I've witnessed this from her whether she's dealing with parents, students, or teachers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She's an observer.</strong> She watches and listens and makes suggestions based on those observations. She never jumps in without first taking the time to gather her information. You won't catch this one making an assumption and acting on it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She empathizes</strong>. She cares and you know it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">She has a <strong>sense of humor</strong>. She not only possesses a sense of humor, she appreciates humor in general. It's comforting to know that you can laugh with the boss. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She's human</strong>, she knows it, and she doesn't try to hide it. If she makes a mistake, she owns it. She is never afraid to say, "I don't know" or "I'm sorry." </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She takes time</strong>. No matter who or when she takes the time to hear us out. Most of us have been to her countless times just to vent and she has, each time listened and offered either just the ear or a bit of commiseration. Even when she has to point out that we're misunderstanding a situation, she does it in a way helps us understand that instead of making us feel silly or stupid. She never tries to take away someone's dignity. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She is professional but can 'let her hair down.</strong>' In other words, she does not have the proverbial stick up her butt. There is no attitude of superiority from her and this is a huge reason she is respected as a leader. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She is supportive</strong>. She has your back. I have never doubted this. Not one single time. None of us have. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She encourages and inspires.</strong> You know those people who bring out the best in others? Our AP is one of those. She is always encouraging us to be innovative. She inspires us to be the best we can be as educators and as human beings. We want to do and be our best. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She communicates</strong>. We never have to wonder where she stands or what she expects. If she is disappointed, she will let us know. If she sees something that needs to be changed or improved, she lets people know in an inspirational way, never demeaning. She does not make assumptions but gathers facts before confronting anyone from faculty to student (I know, repeat, but this is huge in my book.) If she has questions, she asks them. She's a straight-shooter. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>She is honest. </strong>I have NEVER known our AP to be dishonest.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This all seems unreal, doesn't it? I would probably think so too had I not witnessed her first-hand. And, if I asked around, I'd probably discover that my list is lacking. There are so many lessons I have learned from her and some that I should have but am just too stubborn in my ways. There are several people I will miss, greatly, at school and she is one of them. Just the daily interactions with her as a friend will be the main thing, But it all ranks up there on the list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm sure she has faults, she is human after all. But those apparently are far outweighed by her strengths because I don't know her faults.</span><br />
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I might even miss this next year:<br />
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Just kidding! Love you CP! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-65337836104479988632015-07-14T05:30:00.000-04:002015-07-14T05:30:01.771-04:00Cloud Watching<a href="https://melvinrhodes.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/this-weeks-funny-6/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://melvinrhodes.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/meditation-cookie1.jpg" width="200" /></a>My attempts at meditation have been, for the most part, unsuccessful. Admittedly, part of the problem is my lack of sticktoitiveness. I much prefer immediate results in everything I do. Which is why I don't do anything. Ha!<br />
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However, I have decided to continue down the mediation path and, in that effort, I have been following a (sort of) daily meditation guide. The book simply gives me something on which to reflect or a simple exercise to clear my mind...that kind of thing.<br />
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I react to some of the suggestions/reflections with a WTH is she talking about. Other times, I'm intrigued. Always, I try it out. Sometimes, it ends up being quite worth my time. Like the day she reflected on her childhood lying on her back watching the clouds pass by and, yes, that Joni Mitchell song popped into my head...though that's the one song of hers I never liked.) She asked: What can the clouds teach us?<br />
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e2/f7/71/e2f771e9e63eec2676566fbd7e90f40c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e2/f7/71/e2f771e9e63eec2676566fbd7e90f40c.jpg" width="147" /></a>So, I headed outside to search the clouds for an answer. Amazing. Here's what I discovered (after a couple of hours because I really got caught up in watching the darn things. I hadn't done it YEARS and it was fantastic! I saw a surfer surfing a huge wave; a Saint Bernard grow from puppy to adulthood; my dog; lots of faces- people and animals; a man's face change from a man to a mountain lion to a tiger; myself...)<br />
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What can clouds teach us?<br />
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<li>Not everything is as it seems so, try not to make assumptions.</li>
<li>Take life slow and easy and reflect on the positives. We miss too much speeding through each day.</li>
<li>Be gentle with others.</li>
<li>Recognize approaching storms. Take shelter but appreciate what they have to offer.</li>
<li>Be aware of, and willing to, change.</li>
<li>Move forward softly, slowly and in awareness.</li>
<li>Change is not to be feared.</li>
<li>Change can be fun, funny, interesting, adventurous, scary, creative, motivational, thought provoking, encouraging, calming, comforting, freeing...</li>
<li>Change is something we can do.</li>
<li>Stalling is ok, as long as we move with the next breeze.</li>
<li>It's ok to change directions when we don't like the path we're on.</li>
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Do you meditate? When was the last time you took time to watch the clouds? </div>
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Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972594215868664060.post-59730453323029963882015-06-22T15:16:00.001-04:002015-06-22T15:20:01.865-04:00The Art That Comes Out Of TragedyFor those who do not follow <a href="http://www.emptynest1.net/" target="_blank">Empty Nest</a>:<br />
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This is a sample of one of my favorite pieces of art that has come out of the tragedy. It was created by one of my favorite people- our neice, April. She is offered prints of this piece on her site and ALL proceeds go to Mother Emmanuel AME Church, where nine people lost their lives last week.<br />
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Just click on the picture to go over to April's site, April Knight Worship Artist, to see the print and for ordering information.<br />
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<a href="http://worship-artist.com/shop/charleston-strong-print" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e66VzZ8CsVI/VYhEudegthI/AAAAAAAAOck/np0LSURZpxQ/s640/FB_IMG_1434993547927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This piece was inspired by the chain of love created by over 10,000 who gathered and walked the bridge last night. (The pictures are from WCBD except the last one which is credited in the lower right corner)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzxbSuBVm3o/VYhI-WhW0iI/AAAAAAAAOdc/OnLEmKazA-w/s1600/FB_IMG_1434994809641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzxbSuBVm3o/VYhI-WhW0iI/AAAAAAAAOdc/OnLEmKazA-w/s640/FB_IMG_1434994809641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-guQkmlgJNQk/VYhJFK2SebI/AAAAAAAAOdk/xn79RKMf-bA/s1600/FB_IMG_1434994798429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-guQkmlgJNQk/VYhJFK2SebI/AAAAAAAAOdk/xn79RKMf-bA/s640/FB_IMG_1434994798429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-niCrA8EAdY4/VYhJLNR-KBI/AAAAAAAAOds/XvTWLflF9a0/s1600/o-CHARLESTON-BRIDGE-570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-niCrA8EAdY4/VYhJLNR-KBI/AAAAAAAAOds/XvTWLflF9a0/s640/o-CHARLESTON-BRIDGE-570.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll leave you with the sermon from Mother Emmanuel AME Church yesterday, given by Reverend Goff. It was quite powerful.<br />
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<br />Empty Nesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14060983954463697344noreply@blogger.com3