Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Something I have never understood

Last night my son, Brendon, had a choir concert. This concert was a co-effort between the two middle schools in our town. I happened to look over and saw my very good friend's ex wife. She and I used to be friends as well, however, at some point in the marriage she began being very put offish with everyone in the circle of his friends. After the divorce she is just downright rude. Last night their son Emmanuel (who is now 5) waved at me, this woman had the nerve to shove his hand down and give me a dirty look! Are you kidding me lady?

At no point have I done anything to her that would cause this behavior. I have found, in talking to other people, that anyone with an association to my friend has been treated in the same way. This woman blows my mind.

My friend may be many things, he is unorganized, he is spontaneous, he is laid back, he is also a great father. I say this because not only has he always supported his children;the first he had when he was 16 and turned around and joined the marines as soon as he turned 18 so he would be getting a decent paycheck to be able to take care of him, the second isn't even his biological child but the third is the sister of the second and he took care and raised them both, even paying for them to go to a private school. Now this little boy he also takes care of (financially) and this woman is putting him through the ringer...My friend works for UPS...often he isn't done with his route until after 7:30 p.m. by the time he gets back to the center and takes off it's usually about 8:00 p.m. If he shows up at her house on visitation nights after 8:00 p.m. she won't allow him to take his son (nor will she allow any one else to come get him), but if he shows up at 7:59 she will make him wait while she has her son change in to the clothes she allows him to wear during visitation (different clothes for daddy's house...wtf?). The other thing about my friend is that every child in the neighborhood that we used to live in loved to go over to hang out. They would all be outside playing baseball or running around playing tag. His children love him completely. My children think he's amazing and fun. People who don't know him by name know who he is, he's the one that will empty his wallet buying the neighborhood kids ice cream from the ice cream man when their parents are inside or at work or whatever because he's buying his own kids some and doesn't want the other kids to go without. He's an amazingly kind and caring individual! I have known him since I was 14 and he was about 21. He was my boss at one of my first jobs. He and my husband are good friends as well. Our friendship has grown closer over the years. You can always count on him to help you out in a jam! He's a wonderful person.

I am appalled at what my friend has gone through and because so much of his money is being spent on paying the house payment (that she lives in) and child support he is pretty much just scraping by so he doesn't have the money to pay for a lawyer that will be a bulldog in this fight. His lawyer sucks. I wish I had gotten my law degree for this reason alone.

I have never understood, nor will I understand, what goes on in people's heads when they use their children as pawns in a fight that is supposed to be between 2 adults. If there is no true and legitimate concern for the child's welfare; there should not be a problem with visitation to the estranged spouse. At one point you loved the other person, enough so to create human life with them...how can you now hate them to the point of trying to hurt them by withholding their own flesh and blood? This is absurd to me. If they are a good parent that should be your only concern. If they are an asshole it doesn't make them a bad person.

The entire situation disgusts me. It's a sad situation!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

10 days

...and counting until I am on my way to the airport for a 5 day vacation in the sun! I will not be answering my cell phone during that time; except for when my children call. At this point I don't think the 10 days can go by quickly enough! Work has been a major pain in the ass with some employees being extra jerky! It was all I could do yesterday to keep myself from walking into one persons office in particular and giving them a piece of my mind. I really get aggravated with people who jump a persons ass only to realize they were wrong but then won't bother to apologize.

What's interesting is that the world she thinks she rules is crashing down around her and she is completely oblivious to such things...which makes it, at least, an amusing unfolding of events to watch.

Happy Riding folks...it's a bit chilly outside...thinking of stopping at Starbucks for a Chai Latte (I really have some sick twisted addiction to these things). I need to look up recipes for Chai Latte that can be made at home...Starbucks is ridiculously expensive. For $2.00 more than that cup of Chai costs I could buy an entire lunch at many places.

Have a great day all.

Remember:" Our vision controls the way we think and, therefore, the way we act..." ~Charles Koch

So...act right today ;)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Wind Turbines

A blogger that I talk to mentioned that there is a big dispute about wind turbines that are going up in the area that he lives in.

I thought I would post this picture from my ride in to work. The wind turbines pictured here are up and fully functional. We have had them for a couple years now and the complaining has pretty well stopped.

One of the major complaints here was that they would screw up the beautiful Northern Illinois scenery...I never thought that would be the case and at this point I must say that it adds an interesting touch to it...and it is an environmentally positive piece of machinery.

Thanks...happy Riding! Take time to enjoy what's around you!

Rocky Horror Picture Show






Last night our very good friend Jeff Stout played Frank n Furter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show production that the theater group he is a member of performed. He has been practicing for weeks, often with the help of my children. :) We all went to support his big leading roll debut; and we brought some friends with us as well! 
What an amazing and fun night it was! I had never been to see the show performed before...however, I had seen the movie. 
It was quite the experience that actually began with my son being pulled on stage for the pre-performance VIRGIN GAMES...Brendon ended up winning the game and was asked if he would like to be a part of the show. He, to my surprise, said yes. They took him backstage and he came out as the bride in the first scene of the show. He did an excellent job and seemed to be basking in the glory of the crowd hooting and hollering at him! What a fun time! 

Below are pictures of Mr. Jeff Stout as FranknFurter and below that are pictures from Brendon's acting debut! :) 

Next Performance: Friday March 30, 2012 at the Egyptian Theatre at 8:00 p.m. - Dekalb, Illinois
 If you are in the neighborhood please come join us for this incredible experience! 









Thursday, February 23, 2012

Melrose Park Red Light Violation Department is full of IDIOTS!

Yesterday I arrived home to my husband sitting at the table looking at a ticket from Melrose Park, Illinois (I have yet to look up exactly where this is in relation to my home, however, it is not a place I have ever visited).
It is a $100.00 ticket that is for some random "red light violation" that is not clearly indicated on the ticket. It includes three pictures (two of which do not even show the vehicle in question) that are apparently supposed to prove what the violation is.

Problem #1 - the vehicle shown in the 3rd picture that shows the license plate is a White, Ford Pick up truck. The tailgate is clearly shown as are some metal rods in the back of this truck.
I drive a Red Ford Explorer, which is the first Ford I've ever owned.

Problem #2 - the vehicle plates that are shown are almost identical to the plates I have on my Explorer. I say almost because the second number on the plates is different. The plate in question is very obviously an 8 or possibly a 6, but most definitely not a 0. I say this because the indentation in the middle of the number is VERY apparent.

So, we call the Melrose Park Red Light Violation Department. I spoke to several people today including a man named Raymond who is a supervisor there. I explained the situation...he repeatedly and continually tried to talk over me, he would not listen to me, and kept repeating my options for how I could either pay the ticket or go to court about the ticket. I attempted repeatedly to explain that I have a RED FORD EXPLORER and that the plates on the vehicle in question obviously do not have a 0 as the second number. I also indicated that I really couldn't afford to take a day off work to drive to Melrose Park for something that is clearly a mistake on their part and that all they would need to do was contact the Secretary of State to see that my vehicle is a RED FORD EXPLORER and that the plate he is looking for has either an 8 or 6 as the second number and if they ran the plate # that way they would find the proper vehicle.  He told me he was looking at the plate and it was very apparent to him that it was a 0.He also indicated that I could mail them a copy of my registration and he would have the officer appear in court with it to show the judge but that his department won't do anything to remove the ticket, if I can prove that I'm right.  By then I was PISSED OFF! So, I said, are you certain that your prescription for your glasses is up to date? As, I have asked at least a dozen people to look at it and all agree that this is not a 0. He indicated that his eyesight was just fine and that he is very effective and competent to which I replied..." I highly question the validity of your statement because you do not seem to be effective or competent as you can't even admit that you are incorrect nor are you able to read properly"

I am calling the Secretary of States office tomorrow and contacting the court house where this is supposed to take place.

If I have to take a day off and go to work I believe I am going to file a small claim in court against this office because of their REFUSAL to even look at their error! and the complete waste of my time in having to miss work to deal with it!

What a bunch of incompetent JERKS!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Next adventure is planned

I believe I talked about being spontaneous and just planning little adventures this year. Another has been planned! I am so excited.

On March 9th I will be flying out to Myrtle Beach, S.C. and then hanging out in Wilmington, N.C. with my baby sister and my husband's best friend. They used to date, thankfully they are still (or once again) friends. So, this won't be a weird visit where we have to split our time. We will return on the evening of March 13th.

I am beyond excited about this trip! Just Bob and I...kids are staying home! My mother-in-law will be helping Cassy out with making sure people get to school etc.

My camera and a backpack with my stuff crammed in are all that I'm taking. I am thrilled to have a great camera (NIKON) on this trip. The last time I went to N.C. I didn't have a decent camera and it has seriously saddened me over the years that I wasn't able to capture the beach, the ocean or anything the way I would have loved to on that trip.  I can hardly wait!

Safe and Happy Travels.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Couponing Update

 It's been exactly a week since I attended the coupon seminar with Jill Cataldo, in that week I have done 2 grocery shopping trips, and I have shopped at several different stores for the sake of chasing sales, although luckily, I am able to do this easily as all the stores are kind of in a single line along route 23.

In this week I have saved a great deal of money and left each store a little more confident in my ability to follow this system effectively!

An interesting kind of week...

Monday at about 7:30 a.m. I began having chest pain and nausea. By 10 a.m. I was almost in tears. Working in a nursing home means that there are nurses in your business all the time...working with my daughter and nurses means my daughter tells on me constantly. Needless to say, I went to the hospital.

After a long day & night in the hospital...no clue.

Got in to see my physician on Tuesday afternoon...same kind of thing, could be heart related, could be gall bladder related...hhhmmm...

Continued pain through out the week: This coming Tuesday I see the cardiologist.

Tuesday my daughter's car went in to the shop for the repairs from her January fender bender. She was unable to rent a car due to her age (only 19). I got to drive the rental car...a 2012 Dodge Charger...let me just say WOW! That was a fabulous car to drive for 4 days.

Wednesday our son met with a child psychologist who will be meeting with him often to figure out if there is cause for any type of diagnosis in the Autism spectrum.

Thursday evening I decided, after a day of worrying that I was going to drop dead, to drive to El Paso, Illinois with my husband and kids and meet up with my best friend and her family for some Monical's Pizza (the best pizza in the whole world!) It was a great evening and made even better because it was so spontaneous and it managed to work out well for all of us.

Friday I was off work to take Bob to his Pet Scan and CT Scan in Rockford. This is for his 18 month check up with the Oncologist next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. Unfortunately the dye and whatever else they inject in to him causes him to get sick...I had to pull the car over to the side of the road so he could throw up for a few minutes. :( Poor guy!

Today I worked all day. Amazingly it was a good day, a fun day and one that I very much enjoyed...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Crochet Flowers

As some of you may know from reading my blog I have been making chemo caps for the patients at the chemo lab where my husband received treatment for the past several years. I have several times mentioned that I'd like to figure out how to make flowers to go on the hats. Here are my first several attempts at making the flowers. I am not sure if I like either of the 2 different patters I have done in this picture, but at least I'm getting some done and if people want them they can grab them. I won't actually add them to any of the caps; unless I make one that I think is spectacular and I decide it really had to go on one of the hats. Otherwise, I think I will just take the flowers up with the hats and leave them with the nurses and if anyone wants them they can pick which one they want to have with whatever hat they choose. 

So, here it is...my attempts at crocheted flowers. 

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Super Couponing...

Today my mother in law, Bonnie and I went to Cherry Valley for a seminar given by Jill Cataldo. For those who might not know who she is, she is the super coupon guru!

It was a 2 hour seminar and very interesting! I am excited to get started saving money!

She made an interesting point during her talk...we all try to get the best price on everything. We micromanage our finances when it comes to planning a trip, booking a hotel room etc, but it's like our brains shut down when we go grocery shopping. I think that is so true.

Even without all the information she gave today, I have for the past several weeks been using coupons and "stacking" them when I am able...and indeed this has saved me a lot of money thus far!

I can't wait until tomorrow morning to start getting all this in order! I am preparing to save money!

On a side note regarding saving money- today I went to Kohl's in the morning because my oldest boy (aged 13) no longer fits in to most of his clothes and my other two boys (aged 11) are also starting to out grow much of their clothing...I was thrilled to find some great deals. In the end I purchased 6 pairs of jeans, 4 pairs of sweatpants (the nice champion type ones that my boys like) and 3 nice, thick, heavy zippered sweatshirts. My total cost of purchase? $90.32 ...my total savings? $400.12! HOT DAMN! What an excellent day!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Wrestling update.

Cody had a match last night. He won! 7-6 in overtime! I am so proud of him. Once he was on the ground almost pinned and got saved by the bell. He managed to come back and win! It was only his second or third win of the season but still he won! And, he was very proud.

I left after his match, because the other 2 boys didn't have matches last night.

As I was leaving the building he came out to get a drink and I told him good job, and right before walking away from him two giggling girls came out of the gym and saw him and said "good job Cody"...seems my little boy was quite happy with that attention!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Michigan Trip today

My 19 year old is leaving for Michigan today. I always hate when she leaves as I am always concerned about her taking this very long trip by herself. She is headed up to visit her boyfriend.
Due to her recent fender bender and the work that should start on her VW tomorrow she is taking my truck and leaving me with her car ...I really don't like driving that car...too tiny! It should be an interesting week! Hopefully the car shop will call saying they have the parts and the insurance will set up the rental car that will hopefully be bigger than her VW.

Caiden is staying with us for the days she is gone (5) which also means dropping him off and picking him up at daycare. *sigh* This should get hectic. We will only have the VW and will have to figure out how to get the 3 boys back and forth, Caiden to and from daycare, myself to and from work and Bob to and from school...seems to me we may end up spending a lot of $ on gas and a lot of time wasted driving back and forth.

Anyway, that's about it. Have a great day!

Monday, February 6, 2012

The House Cafe & The Phantom Scars

Not much happened this weekend...the usual stuff, cleaning around the house, cooking, etc.
The only point of interest for the weekend was our decision to go to The House Cafe. We have gone there in the past and enjoyed ourselves and decided to go Saturday evening because the band playing, The Phantom Scars, consists of  people we went to school with at some point and there were many old faces from high school that were supposed to attend. 

It was a fun night...the old 3rd street crew was there. It was good to see some people we haven't seen since high school or shortly thereafter...that doesn't seem like a long time under normal circumstances to me, and then I realize this year is 20 years since graduation, which makes me feel OLD! 

That was the highlight of my weekend. It was a nice relaxing one. Great to see old friends, some who we haven't seen in almost 20 years and others whom we always see. 

Today I'm off to the pulmonologist's office for Brendon to have his Pulmonary Function Test. 

I'm itching to get on the bike...the temps are just about there. I will have my Gary Fisher picked up from the bike shop shortly all set for the 18 mile commute (each way). I'm so excited. I would like to purchase larger bags for the bike, but that will be later. I also am looking at a new lens for my Nikon...wish my tax return would hurry up and get here! 

Happy Riding! 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happy Friday!

Good morning! Here's hoping that everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Including myself! Today the plan is to only work until noon. Then to head over to Johnny's Charhouse for a department head luncheon. After I am going to come home and relax for a while before heading off to PJ's Courthouse Grill for dinner with my friends and previous co-workers, Geri, Mallory and possibly Joyce.

Here's hoping for everything to go as planned!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Photo giant Kodak filed for Bankruptcy

This economy is still in the toilet and now one of the biggest, if not the biggest, names in photography for years has filed bankruptcy.

Kodak has been unable to keep up in this digital world and unfortunately they are now going to have to try restructuring...I have my doubts that this will keep them afloat.

Unfortunately for Kodak, the photography industry has turned towards digital photography. Don't get me wrong there are still those that prefer film, or that use it in certain instances. However, digital photography gives an immediate return at a lower cost. There are arguments for both sides of things and truth be told I have always enjoyed the surprise effect and the excitement that surrounds opening a package of processed film (unfortunately I never learned how to process my own film and at this juncture I am uncertain that I will ever have that opportunity).

The articles I did read regarding the Kodak bankruptcy indicated that Kodak has it's hopes for a resurgence pinned on a new camera (digital) that they are releasing. Unfortunately for them I believe this will be too little too late. When it comes to digital camera's, myself and most of the other photographers I have spoken with will not take the chance on buying a Kodak camera. Kodak isn't known for being able to compete with such camera's as Leica, Nikon or Cannon, or any of a number of other digitals.

This is most likely the beginning of the end for the giant in this industry. Which, saddens me. I remember my first Kodak 110 camera. I took it to summer camp every year. It was a trusty camera that always delivered and that has allowed me over the years to look back and remember some of the friends I made during those long lazy summers. It allowed me to capture moments that have long since passed.

I am hoping that Kodak is able to restructure and hold on to some niche in the photography industry...we shall see.

Thoughts?