Posts

Positive Thought for the day

Your inner strengths, your natural abilities and everyday skills are the gateway to a brighter future. Posted: 08 May 2012 04:12 AM PDT We are given everything we need to have the lives we want. It is within you, in your make-up, to be whoever you want to be. Maybe your mindset is driving you in such a way that you are repressing those wonderful gifts given to you as part of your creation. But I am here with GREAT news. They are there, and they are yours! All you have to do is unearth them and build something spectacular. Our talents and skills are part of our being.  In fact, each of us has a distinct set of tools that are our own.  And that’s why we were put on this planet – to share those talents and skills with the world! Turn off any self-talk that tells you that you are destined to live a small life.  You’re not. You have internal gifts (resourcefulness, energy, attitude, all sorts of positive attributes) and external gifts (food, water, nature, people and other helpful

Happy Star Wars Day

My husband is a huge Star Wars fan, and I guess through the process of osmosis, I am too. In fact, he has an extensive collection of Star Wars action figures, ships, etc - all in the original package that we are currently selling on Amazon. (look up riviera41797 if you're interested in buying any, we'll be listing more soon). So today (or this weekend,) will be the perfect opportunity to watch some Star Wars. I bought the blue ray edition of Star Wars for John for Christmas, which we've yet to crack open yet. I think we should watch some. Probably not tonight though however, as tonight is SUPERNATURAL. Sorry Obi-one, Chewbacca, Luke & Han, but Jensen Ackles & Misha Collins are way hotter. Have a good weekend readers. -April-

Love What You Have

Love what you have. We live in a disposable society. We buy things, use them and then throw them away. Our landfills continue to grow, despite no one wanting garbage in their own back yard. Meanwhile, debt is also growing.  People continue to spend money they don’t have on things they don’t need. We need to come back to reality.  We need to focus on growth in our bank accounts, not on growth in the landfills and growth in our debt. So what’s the solution? How can people grow their savings, while shrinking their garbage and depleting their debt? Love is the answer. We need to learn to appreciate what we already have.  We need to love what we have. If you love what you have, you don’t feel the need for more.  If you love what you have, you can easily say no when you’re bombarded with 3000 marketing messages to buy each day (as estimated by Doug Hall at  doughall.com ).  If you love what you have, you’re not going to throw something out once it gets a little used. People who love

Anything is Possible

Anything is possible. If there was ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, IT IS NOW. Not for any grand cause, necessarily. . . but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your inspiration, something that's your dream. You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. HAVE FUN. DIG DEEP. STRETCH. DREAM BIG. Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy. There will be good days. And there will be bad days. There will be times when you want to turn around, pack it up, and call it quits. Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself, that you are not afraid to learn by trying. PERSIST. Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things. Let your instincts, your intellect, and your heart, guide you. TRUST. Believe in the incredible power of the human mind. Of doing something that makes a difference. Of working hard. Of laughing and hoping. Of lazy afternoons. Of las

Your dreams will come true.

Stay true to all your beliefs and goals. Stand tall. Through all life's setbacks and disappointments, your dreams will come true. When no one else is with you, and no one seems to care, just whisper to yourself, "I am the controller of my destiny. It's up to me what comes to pass, and if I keep my thoughts positive and strong, my dreams will come true." When what seem to be impossible obstacles stand in your way, just think of all the times you got through yesterday. There is a place for you in this world. Stay on your chosen path. All the power is within you; be true to what is in your heart. Be honest within yourself; if you are, then you cannot fail. Your dreams will come true.

Best Rum Cake Ever

Best Rum Cake Ever Best Rum Cake Ever Ingredients: 1 C butter 1 tsp baking soda 1 C sugar 1 tsp salt 4 large eggs lemon juice 1 C dried fruit 1 C brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder nuts 1 or 2 quarts rum Before you start, sample the rum to check for quality. (Pretty good, huh?) Now go ahead. Select a large mixing bowl, measuring cup, etc. Check rum again as it must be just right. To be sure the rum is of the finest quality, pour one level cup into a glass and drink it as fast as you can. Repeat, if needed. With an electric mixer, beat 1 C of the butter in a large fluffy bowl and add 1 teaspoon of thugar and beat again. Meanwhile, make sure that the rum is of the finest quality. Cry anuther tup. Open second quart, if necessary. Add 2 arge eggs. 2 cups fried druit and beat til high. If druit get stuck in beaters, just pry loose witha drewsciver Sample rum again to check for tonscisticity Next, sift 3 cups od salt oar anythink. it really doesn't matter. Sample the rlum. Sift half

When you were born, you didn't come with an owner's manual; these guidelines make life work better.

You will receive a body.  You may like it or hate it, but it's the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life. You will learn lessons.  You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "Life on Planet Earth."  Every person or incident is the Universal Teacher. There are no mistakes, only lessons.  Growth is a process of experimentation.  "Failures" are as much a part of the process as "success." A lesson is repeated until learned.  It is presented to you in various forms until you learn it -- then you can go on to the next lesson. If you don't learn easy lessons, they get harder.  External problems are a precise reflection of your internal state.  When you clear inner obstructions, your outside world changes.  Pain is how the universe gets your attention. You will know you've learned a lesson when your actions change.  Wisdom is practice.  A little of something is better than a lot of nothing. "There"

Your idea of a good friend

In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one. In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls. In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully. In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus. In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nicky or Smelly Susan. In fifth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who saved a seat in the back of the bus for you. In sixth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have t

50 Life Lessons

1.  Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2.  When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4.  Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does. 5.  Pay off your credit cards every month. 6.  You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree. 7.  Cry with someone.  It's more healing than crying alone. 8.  It's OK to get angry with God.  He can take it. 9.  Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10.  When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11.  Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12.  It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13.  Don't compare your life to others'.  You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14.  If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye.  But don't worry; God never blinks. 16.  Life is too short for lo

I know a sociopath, do you?

People with antisocial personality disorder perceive the world differently than most people do and may not have the range of feelings that others have. Because they cannot relate to others, they have no trouble lying or violating the rights of other people in order to achieve their goals. Some of these people are very charming and adept at manipulating others, while others may use violence or intimidation to get what they want. Behavior People who have antisocial personality disorder may engage is such risky behavior as violence, vandalism, theft, bullying and cruelty to animals. They are skilled liars and often quite good at conning other people. They may be aggressive and violent, but show no remorse if they hurt other people. Sociopaths often react impulsively, failing to consider how their actions could harm themselves or others. Many have no respect for authority and have a history of losing jobs and being expelled from school. Drug and alcohol problems are common

Skinny & Ugly or Fat & Pretty

I had this posted on my blog previously, and its such a hilarious story, I had to post it again. A while back, my sister Rachel and I were having a conversation with Kathryn, my niece (Rachels daughter, who is now 17). I asked them both, if they'd rather be skinny & ugly or fat and pretty. Rachel and I both agreed that we'd both rather be fat &  pretty. Probably thinking it would be easier to loose weight and still have the prettiness factor to work in our favor. Kathryn disagreed, saying that she'd rather be skinny and ugly, because : "Hair and makeup can do a lot" I smile everytime I think about it.

Words of Wisdom

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone. 2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire. 3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 7. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. 8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 9. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. 10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. 11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. 12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to

Laugh Laugh

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 heck 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 Ra

Rindercella

Story of Rindercella Once apon a time, in a coreign fountry, there lived a very geautiful birl; her name was Rindercella. Now, Rindercella lived with her mugly other and her two sad bisters. And in this same coreign fountry, there was a very prandsom hince. And this prandsom hince was going to have a bancy fall. And he'd invited people from riles amound, especially the pich reople. Rindercella's mugly other and her two sad blisters went out to buy some drancy fesses to wear to this bancy fall, but Rindercella could not go because all she had to wear were some old rirty dags. Finally, the night of the bancy fall arrived and Rindercella couldn't go. So she just cat down and scried. She was a kitten there a scrien, when all at once there appeard before her, her gairy fodmother. And he touched her with his wagic mand ... and there appeared before her, a cig boach and hix white sorces to take her to the bancy fall. But now she said to Rindercella, "Rindercella, you mus

Mental Health Hotline

Answering Service This is the transcript of the new answering service recently installed at the Mental Health Institute. Hello and welcome to the Mental Health Hotline. If you are obsessive-compulsive: Press 1 repeatedly. If you are co-dependent: Ask someone to press 2 for you. If you have multiple personalities: Press 3, 4, 5 and 6. If you are paranoid: We know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call. If you are delusional: Press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship. If you are schizophrenic: Listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press. If you are manic-depressive: It doesn't matter what number you press - no-one will answer. If you are dyslexic: Press 969696969696969696. If you have a nervous disorder: Please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line. If you have amnesia: Press 8 and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social secur

When Things in your life are almost too much to handle...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, e

This is me

There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.  You surround yourself with people who make you laugh.  Forget the bad, and focus on the good.  Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.  Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living. There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it!   I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love!  I am a whole complex package.   Take me. . . or leave me. Accept me--or walk away!   Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold.   If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.

How to fix Congress

1.  No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office. 2.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. 3.  Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 4.  Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 5.  Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 6.  Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 7.  All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contrac

A thought for Monday

It's Monday.  Some people don't like Monday.  Take a moment to realize that, if you're reading this, it infers that since you own a computer and /or other internet device and have access to the internet, you probably live in a relatively wealthy and stable country, and are fiscally speaking, you're on sound ground for the most part.  And no matter how bad your day may seem, no matter how much that late bill payment bothers you, no matter how you might dislike starting another work week, no matter how much your morning commute might get on your nerves, no matter how much the price of gas pisses you off, remember, there are still children starving in poor areas of the world,and there are still good people dying in stupid, meaningless wars, and there are still people suffering and perishing from what in OUR world are easily preventable diseases.  And boy, all those people,they'd all just LOVE to be able to trade places with you.  Now, sip your hot mornin

I'm back!

Being the type of person who feels guilty over anything and everything, I was feeling guilty for not blogging, espicially after seeing so many cool blogs out there. Not that mine is cool by any means, but I established this and figured what the hell. I am still at Hunter Douglas, now at a new location, doing new things (mostly); I am in Roseville, and get this - I have a TITLE. Weird huh? No way do I feel I deserve it. I am the "Service Center Administrator". Not driving a new Cadillac Escalade or anything, but the benefits rock and I am happy. I have the benefit of a large company headquarters, but at a small location with only less than 10 employees - something I've always thought would be nice. No more stress like I had before in Customer Service (not that this is a cake walk, mind you); which is really nice for my Crohn's. Speaking of Crohn's Disease, I am happy to report I am still in remission. I am hopeful that if I stay in remission long enough, the st

So far, so good....?

So far so good - things seem stable at work (am I jinxing myself by saying that?) For the most part I think I've got the basic functions down,  but I hate it when I make even the smallest mistake. We're moving to a different location (in Roseville, MN). Curious and slilghtly apprehensive about that. I have a lot of things I'd like to talk about but can't. Not here. Take care!

Return of April

Greetings! Good news first: Previously I mentioned Hunter Douglas coming in to shut down Warren Steven, and that most employees would be let go. I was one of the VERY few who got to keep their job. I work in scheduling for installtions, measures and service calls. Stress level? NO comparison compared to what I was doing before. I enjoy working with Michelle, and so far, its all going well I think. I will officially have medical benefits next Thursday. (YAY!) Bad News thus far for 2011: Uncle Mikey died. Very very sad. :( My sweet Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) Rommy died on March 25th. He was nearly 8 years old. He wasn't ill, or  injured. The day prior, he slipped and fell on our lower deck, but got up and came in.  The following morning, he slipped and fell again, but could not / refused to get up again.  John and I got him in the lower patio door, (he weighed over 160 pounds), layed him down on the floor, gave him some love, some pets and some cuddles. We thought he ma

Happy New Year, Happy Birthday!

Welcome to 2011! I can honestly say 2010 was a very tough year, and I am hoping that 2011 is way better. Today is my birthday. I am actually starting to feel OLD.It sucks!  John got me the following:  Fringe Season 2 DVD Glee Season 1 DVD Pepsi - tee-shirt Design Perfume (that comes w/a little bottle for my purse) Intuition razor/bath set -mucho cool! Oreo mousse birthday cake Oreo ice cream Birthday card that made my throat cry From Jeanette: Boston Terrier figurine 30 bucks cash From Mom & Dad Toy Story 3 DVD - (I really wanted this!) In other news... 1st - our garage door opener bit the dust. What a pain in the ass. 2nd - found out that Hunter Douglas is going to come in and shut down Warren Steven - with the slight possibility that they'll keep some of the employees - damn I hope so. I can't be without insurance I had  a fantastic new years eve with John. Positive thoughts for the new year much love, April

Holiday Loot!

Happy Holidays! Hope you all got what you wanted from Santa! Here is my list of loot received: Bones Season 5 (most desired item I might add) Supernatural Season 5 Design Perfume  (my signature scent, which I was wearing on my 1st date w/John and on the day we got married) Capricorn One DVD Black fleece jammie pants w/white shirt 2 pair of purple fuzzy socks Vanilla jasmine bath set Lavendar vanilla bath set Elvis Presley calendar 2 stockings full of every kind of chocolate imagineable Boston Terrier socks Rainbow socks Fabrige egg pendant 20.00 target gift card 10.00 target gift card Vanilla candle set Banana coconut shampoo/conditioner, lotion, spray, and body wash Reindeer blend whole bean Caribou Coffee Nine West purple wallet (that matches my nine west purple purse!) John's Loot (afterall,this is the OSBOURNE blog, not just April's) Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 1 Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 2 2 star wars tee-shirts 2 star wars action

Getting Married in Las Vegas

I got married in Las Vegas in April of 1997. When John and I were 1st planning on getting married, we went to the church I went to from the time I was 4 to talk to my pastor, and to begin making plans. I went and was fitted for a custom wedding dress, chose invitations, all that stuff you do to plan a wedding. As I was doing this, 2 things occurred to me. #1. Its expensive (obviously) and #2. it seems like a lot of the things you do is more about everyone else than about the event itself, which is about you and the person you’re marrying. So I took my Mom and Dad’s advise and began looking into getting married in Las Vegas. It seemed a lot more adventurous, and more about John and I than everyone else, which is sort of how I feel its suppose to be. John and I got married at “Las Vegas Wedding Gardens”, and we stayed at The Riviera Hotel & Casino. I still think of the time we had there fondly, and I hope that the Riviera is there for a while because it would mean a lot to me to

He's A Rebel

See the way he walks down the street Watch the way he shuffles his feet My, he holds his head up high When he goes walking by He's my guy When he holds my hand, I'm so proud 'Cause he's not just one of the crowd My baby's always the one To try the things they've never done And just because of that, they say He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should But just because he doesn't do what everybody else does, That's no reason why I can't give him all my love He's always good to me, Always treats me tenderly 'Cause he's not a rebel, oh no no no He's not a rebel, oh no no no, to me  If they don't like him that way, They won't like me after today And I'll be standing right by his side when they say He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should

where the heck have I been?!

1st let me apologize, I know I have millions of readers out there wondering where the hell I am, I am constantly being barraged with complaints I don't blog enough. ;) In late October I was diagnosed with severe Endometriosis - numerous fibrioids, one the size of a baseball. So surgery of a hysterectomy was scheduled on November 15th. Okay, so that has been complete, and I am feeling fine, and am back to work - so all is well with the world again. No worries.  Mom and Dad are going to more "officially" retire and begin to live their dream, to travel the USA and have Minnesota as their "home base". Right after Christmas, (literally, December 26th) they begin their journey, starting at Arizona, and then moving on to Nevada. Not sure where they will end up next, but they are apprehensively excited. I am happy they are able to do this.  Crohn's wise all is well. Very strong remission. (knock on wood) I am no longer on speaking terms with my younger siste

April the bad blogger

I know you've all been waiting breathlessly for me to update my blog ....(pause for wild applause), so here I am. Updating. John as of now is still unemployed, driving me crazy. AT least he empties the dishwasher now though. THAT is a major improvement. :) We also have added a new animal to our family. White kitten named Kashmir. Sounds so cute, so sweet, so cuddly, right. Wrong. She is the kitten from HELL. She was born on April 1st. Named her Kashmir from the Led Zepplin song. (love that song) man - she LOVES  to bite. We had to go out and purchase squirt guns (a 6 pack), and place them stragecially throughout the house. In an effort to get her to stop biting fingers, toes, anything her mouth can get on, biting Katie, biting Rommy, biting the iguana's tail, getting into the plants, climbing the screen door, etc. There is about an hour or 2 a day where she IS cute, fluffy, purry, cuddly kitty, the the other 90% of the time, she is a little shit. Hoping she calm

'Economic Stimulus'

Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive another 'Economic Stimulus' payment. This is indeed a very exciting program, and I'll explain it by using a Q & A format: Q. What is an 'Economic Stimulus' payment ? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money ? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen of it. Q. What is the purpose of this payment ? A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up and watch your mouth. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: * If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China or Sri Lanka . * If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs.

Important Rules

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both. Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity. Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation,

UNIVERSAL LAWS

\ 1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After our hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee. 2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. 3. Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act 4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers. 5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.. 6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time). 7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings. 8. Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with

Did You Know That These Famous People Have/Had Crohns Disease?

Shannen Doherty, actress, has Crohn’s Disease. She has been battling the ailment for years. She will be on Dancing with the Stars this month. Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States suffered from Crohn’s disease and underwent an emergency resection in 1956 while in office. David Garrard, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in March of 2004. Mike McCready, lead guitarist of Pearl Jam was diagnosed with Crohn’s at the age of 21. Rolando McClain, a college football player & NFL draft prospect recently revealed he has Crohn’s. Read about him here http://bit.ly/9UloRU Anastacia, the American born singer and song writer, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 13. Anastacia has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Mary Ann Mobley, crowned Miss America in 1959, was diagnosed in her early 20’s with Crohn’s disease. She starred in sever films with Elvis Presley. She is also the co-chairwoman of the Cele

Words of Wisdom

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone. 2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire. 3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 7. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. 8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 9. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. 10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. 11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. 12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to

BITCHOLOGY

BITCHOLOGY When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch. Being a bitch means I won’t compromise what’s in my heart It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me. When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch. The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish. It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I 'should' be.... I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that! So try to stomp on me, just try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.

Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

When my sister Rachel and I were little, her favorite song was this old country song by Charlie Walker, “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” – every time I hear the song now, (its on my iPod), I think of her, and have it as my ring tone for when she calls me on my cell phone. The lyrics really tell a story, and in some ways matches the life Rachel has led. You were mine for just a while, now you're puttin' on the style And you've never once looked back, to your home across the track You're the gossip of the town, but my heart can still be found Where you tossed it on the ground pick me up on your way down Pick me up on your way down, when you're blue and all alone When their glamour starts to bore you, come on back where you belong You may be their pride and joy But they’ll find another toy Then they’ll take away your crown Pick me up on your way down They have changed your attitude, made you haughty and so rude Your new fri