Happy Halloweenie!

List Friday

Top 5 Reasons I'm Glad I'm In Texas Right Now

1.  The Texas Rangers are in the World Series!

2.  Texas country music is the BEST.

3.  The weather is in the 70's/80's during the day and 50's at night - PERFECT WEATHER

4.  If you are looking for a job, Dallas/Fort Worth is an area that hasn't been hit by the horrendous economy as bad as other areas.

5.  The Texas State Fair just wrapped up and it was so much fun - 3 weeks of state fair awesomeness!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for THE TEXAS RANGERS!  I wouldn't say that I am a huge baseball fan, but I am still a fan.....and I'm not a bandwagon fan either - I have attended several games this year and all of them were in 100+ heat in an outdoor ballpark, so I think that says something.  :)

At any rate, having your team in the World Series is a big deal and is very exciting!  It's so fun to see your whole city/state fired up and cheering for the same team!  I watched Game 4 in a restaurant/bar and man, that is fun.  Everyone cheering and happy!  There are plenty of things to be sad/anxious/upset about right now, so it's refreshing to just see pure joy on people's faces when the Rangers score or strike a Cardinal out.

Whether they ultimately win or lose, it was fun to see the fans rally around their team - GO RANGERS!

What Do You Eat In A Week? - Touring The Globe

Quite a powerful story in pictures.

What is eaten in one week around the world?

 Very interesting assortment. 

 Note the large amount of drinks in some pictures.

 
Take a good look at the family size

 & diet of each country, and the availability & cost of

what is eaten in one week.

Italy: The Manzo family of SicilyFood expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Germany: The Melander family of BargteheideFood expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope most American
families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt : The Ahmed family of CairoFood expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador : The Ayme family of TingoFood expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan : The Namgay family of Shingkhey VillageFood expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad : The Aboubakar family of Breidjing CampFood expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Who Earned What?

A lesson that should be taught in all schools . . and colleges

Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education.   Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.

Adult Truths

OK, I received the following list from a friend in an email and I thought it was absolutely HILARIOUS!  I might even take it and make it a regular part of my blog - adding to it as I navigate this crazy world.  ENJOY!

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

List Friday

In an effort to stay positive about my layoff situation........here are the Top 5 GOOD things that can come out of a layoff:

1.  It may be the thing that is helping you to do something else and you wouldn't have ever had the guts to step out and try something different if the layoff hadn't happened.

2.  You do a lot of evaluating in your life - deciding to change some things, figuring out what is important to you, what isn't, etc.

3.  You find ways to cut costs - probably things you should've been doing for a while.....and might continue to do even after you find another job.

4.  In an effort to save money, you go back to the basics in some ways.....and there's something very comforting about 'the basics'.

5.  It motivates you to sharpen your skills and go back for some training/classes/education that you might not have taken the time for if you hadn't been laid off.

How's that for being POSITIVE?!

Thankful Thursday

Today's Thankful Thursday is kind of a stupid one - I am very thankful for those wood stain marker pens that come in many shades/colors of wood and will mask a scratch! 

I have 4 of them - all different shades of wood colors and have used them many times to 'treat' a scratch on my wood furniture.  Just today I had to use one on my desk in my office because I had inadvertently dragged a decoration across the surface of my desk and it had a little piece of metal sticking out of it, causing a scratch across my desk.  These markers work like a charm and you can get them at Lowe's, Home Depot or any store like that.  What a life saver!!

Annoying Facebook Habits!

1. Women who rotate bridal portraits of themselves for 2+ years after their wedding

2. Couples who profess their sickeningly sweet love to their mate on each others' walls.

3. People who send FB messages out about bra color, how many "weeks and what they are craving" just to 'trick' the guys.

4. People who 'name drop' with their alma mater college - you went to college about 20 years ago.  Give it up - no one cares what school you go to.  And they surely aren't going to like you MORE because you went there, so shut it.

5. People who post their FB game scores on their wall, thus putting it on everyone else's News Feed.  ANNOYING.

6.  People who list off their entire diet or fitness routine to brag (bore) to their FB friends.  Oh, and they are usually the ones that are only posting stuff on FB when they are bragging - they don't contribute any other original, funny or interesting thoughts at all.

That's all I could think of right now, but leave comments if you have any of your own!

Chimp Love

When hurricane Hannah separated two white tigers from their mother, Anjana came to the rescue.

Anjana, a chimp at TIGERS in South Carolina, became surrogate mom and playmate to the cubs, even helping with bottle feeding, according to The Sun.

But here's the truly amazing part: This is something Anjana does all the time, having helped raise leopard and lion cubs on several occasions.

Tellin' secrets.....

Definition of 100 Years' Progress

The year is 1911 --- One hundred years ago.

What a difference a century makes!

Here are some statistics for the Year 1911:

The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.

The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year,
a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.

Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "sub-standard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas was only 30!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was neither a Mother's Day nor a Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.

Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, Regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!"

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help .......

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.!

List Friday

Dream Jobs That I Hope To Be Doing At Some Point In My Life

1.  Professional organizer

2.  Correspondent for the Travel Channel

3.  Project Manager for the renovation/restoration of a historical estate

4.  Dog-sitter (in retirement or on the side) - but only if I have the kind of house that would accommodate it

5.  Mentor to young girls at risk - helping them understand their worth and the importance of making good choices for their future.

6.  Curator/Property Manager of an old mansion/historic place

7.  Docent/Tour Guide at a really neat old place with tons of interesting historical happenings

8.  Owner/Co-owner of a business - developing a cool business and seeing something grow from the decisions I made.

9.  Zamboni Driver - haha!  But really, I want to drive one at least once!

10. Be on a show like American Pickers - drive all over the country finding super neat stuff in old buildings and barns!

Thankful Thursday

 This week I am very thankful for mentors, especially strong women mentors who are out in the world conquering things, kicking fear and doubt in the face and doing all of that with grace and inner strength. 

 I have been getting more involved in my women's group at church this year and I am meeting and becoming friends with some AMAZING women.  They are resilient, strong, graceful, compassionate, encouraging and fun too! 

I am going through a tough year and these new friends couldn't have come at a better time - right when I need them.  I know that that is God placing them in my life at the exact time when I can appreciate all that they are.  I just hope I can make a meaningful contribution to their lives as I know that is what they are doing in mine!

Pickin' For Preemies

On Labor Day this year, I started a new tradition that I plan on continuing each year.....going to Pickin' For Preemies at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth.  It's a benefit for Cook Childrens' Hospital here in Dallas and it features MANY big names in the Texas country scene. 

I'm a huge fan of this genre since I discovered it when I moved down here - and by listening to music that I love AND supporting a great cause - it is a WIN-WIN!

Here's the fun crowd at the event.......

Can we saw awesomeness?!  Pat Green and Wade Bowen in this picture (Wade singing).  It was all acoustic (my favorite!) and they all sat in a line and took turns singing some of their songs - with the other guys joining in on them.  FANTASTIC!

Here's Cody Canada (used to be in Cross Canadian Ragweed, now he's with his band The Departed).

And Stoney LaRue rockin' out - he's so tiny!  But I do love the red bandana......

Pat Green looking bored.....

Now he's gettin' ready to join in - plugging the 'ol guitar in.......

And here's one of my absolute favorites - Jason Boland.  He's a little bit lesser-known, but I think his low, manly voice is just spectacular.  LOVED IT.

Looks like Pat Green and Wade Bowen are serenading each other!  They were actually friends before they got famous - back in Waco where they are both from.

Here's the line-up:  Pat Green, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Cody Canada, Stoney LaRue & Jason Boland (in that order).  AWESOMENESS.  I love the way they are all looking to the right at Pat Green as he plays.

It's Randy Rogers' turn!

Here's a close-up of Randy.  You couldn't see his face EVER - he kept it hidden under the hat the whole time, but his singing and that black guitar were amazing.

Cody Canada singing with his son - SO CUTE!

Haha - now they are all looking to the left!

Rock it, Jason!  He looks like a dorky guy in high school, but that low voice is just so sexy!

I guess Cody Canada needed a potty break.......

OK, he's back!

Randy Rogers and Cody Canada are playing together.

It was a laid back night of pure acoustic bliss.  I will most DEFINITELY be back again next year!!!

Making Room For The New

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my life and where it's going.  This has been sparked by the fact that I now have a definite date that I will be laid off from my job - December 1st.  It's a mentally, emotionally, spiritually and professionally trying time for me, but I know it is also a time of growth, self-inspection, getting back in touch with God (who I have drifted away from in the past few years of prosperity), depression, anxiety, hope - all of that mixed into one big ball of uncertainty!  Whew - makes me tired just typing it.  I am most definitely in a 'valley', so they say.

But I walked past a big plant that I have in my living room the other day and noticed that one of the branches/stalks was super tall and looked funny.  I decided to cut it off so that it matched the others and wasn't so obnoxiously out of control.

Well.......a few days later, I walked past that plant again and noticed that there were signs of growth at the point where I had cut off the branch.  WOW! 

I had done this before without much thought and new branches grew in, but at this particular juncture, I guess I am more analytical and introspective right now.  Anyway, I took it as a symbolic representation of closing one door and having a brand new door to be happy and excited about - new growth, new opportunities, new challenges, something that is fresh and alive awaits!

Through this year, I knew this layoff situation was pretty much inevitable, but now that the date is firm and things are really starting to happen as far as the transition of duties is concerned, I see that professional 'door' closing rapidly.....and that scares me to death.  I have been angry and upset at the door, the door closer, the mere fact that any door has to close at all, the door jamb, etc. - you get the picture.  What I SHOULD be concentrating on is the new growth, the new adventures, new challenges - and those tiny new little 'leaves' that want to grow, but I just refuse to cut off the old branch and let them show their stuff!

I think I need to park myself next to this plant for 10 solid minutes every single day and take in the beauty of these new baby leaves and concentrate on what I'm missing out on by focusing on that big stupid awkward ugly branch that won't get out of my way!