Isn't it ironic...dontcha think?

 

double standard:
Definition:
dou·ble stan·darddou·ble stan·dards Plural

NOUN 1. standard applied unfairly: a principle, rule, or expectation that is applied unfairly to different groups, one group usually being condemned for the slightest offense while the other is treated far more leniently

Thursday's Thoughts...

1.  SO glad the state of MA is appealing the sex change for convicted felon "Michelle" Kosilek.  Listen, I'm all for transgender modification; but I draw the line when that person is a murderer living out a life sentence and expects it for free on the taxpayer's dime.  I don't think that the personal well being and psychological comfort of a person who commits a heinous act and is being punished for it - is quite as important as it is for those who lead good, healthy and productive lives as members of society.  Why can't this person use their personal funds for the surgery?  Why should the state pay for it?  It's not medically necessary...there are lots of homosexual and transgender people who don't have surgery and seem to be just fine.  Maybe it's harsh - but this girl feels that sure, you got your due process - and you lost your case so now you're in jail.  You don't get to have "rights" like people who abide and follow the law do.  So I'm sorry you don't feel like a man...dress like a woman and deal with it.  My hard working money shouldn't go to sustain your fragile psyche.  It should go to more important people, like the men and women who wear a uniform to protect the world from people such as yourself.  If we're going to fund anything - let it be for causes of good for the better of society.
      1a.  Please please please - don't allow Charles Jaynes the opportunity to change his name.   I'm sorry my friend - being Wiccan isn't the same as being Muslim.  There is no incentive or initiative to be called something other than your birthname.   You should wear the scarlet letter that is your name legally for as long as you walk this Earth.  You should never be able to hide from the ugliness of the crime you committed.  (And for those of you who don't know whom this awful person is - Google the name "Jeffrey Curley".  And be prepared for a good cry.....)

2.  Clearly, you can say you graduated from just about anywhere...no one is going to check!  So, the debaucle known as the Jamaica Plain Drug Lab - has shown that you can lie and say you graduated from just about any college - and no one is going to ask for the transcript to back it up.  It just makes you wonder how many "professionals" are out there, doing jobs that maybe they really aren't qualified for..?

3.  Three times is a charm... So, the saying goes "when it rains - it pours".  We have 3 different locations courting us for opening a new store.  How's that for interesting?  If I wasn't such a control freak, I'd be open to the idea of someone franchising the stores and having variations of our theme all over the country - with us there to open them all. (Hello Malibu...do you hear me knocking??).  But I'm not quite ready to kick back and let someone else be the face and presence at a store with our reputation.  So for now, we're looking at what we can build and run ourselves.  Two different spaces in the lovely town we live in that has a quaint little walking downtown; one in the downtown Boston/ Back Bay area.  Maybe even another in a city adjacent to Boston proper - but honestly, that doesn't thrill me much.

4.  NYC here I come!  Yes, it's true.  G and I are heading back to the Big Apple soon to celebrate our annivesary.  We almost bought front row tickets to see Barbra Streisand, complete with VIP afterparty/meet & greet.  Sure, the amount we'd have spent would've been like remodeling one of our bathrooms, but c'mon -it's Barbra.  Truthfully, I'd have spent it to see her...but we aren't going.  We are instead going to just paint the town red.  So, I need a new pair of fabulous boots - a fantastic dress and a fun new mascara to crush on.  (C'mon, I'm a minimalist - it's all about the amazing mascara and lip gloss.)  Recommendations... anyone??

It isn't easy....

Really being considerate of others feelings - not just your own.
Egos have no place in a family. We're all in it together.
Speak to each other as you would have each other speak to you.
Preaching falls on deaf ears. Don't talk about it - do it.
Each of us have feelings, take care with them -- and don't be harsh.
Children are not adults, and shouldn't be spoken to as such.
Treat each other with kindness and love.

Just a little mindless fun....

You Crave Honesty

You are a very real person. You tell it like it is, and you try to see every situation clearly. Your life may not be perfect, but you try to make it as perfect as you can. And to do that, you need to own up to everything! People may be overwhelmed by your honesty at first, but they appreciate your candor over time. You don't hide who you are, and who you are is pretty darn great because of it!

The Fancy Cupcake Test

You Are a Chocolate Covered Strawberry

Compared to most people, you are very disciplined and restrained. You aren't easily tempted, and you never go overboard. Moderation is key for you. You are lighthearted and easy going. You don't have a lot of baggage... very little weighs you down. You are pretty sweet, but you're also quite spunky. You are naturally complex.

What Chocolate Dessert Are You?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

The things we do for love....

It's been a rough 24 hours in the I'm Just A Girl household.

I'm trying to relax a bit (trying being the operative word, as the kiddies are verbally jousting in the background right now. Bedtime can't come soon enough, trust me...) with a glass o 2006 Brunello, waiting to have my pot roast and Patriots game.  Sure, a Brunello is a big bottle for a quiet night, but hey, that's just how I roll.

It all started yesterday morning when I went to feed the rat-a-tat-tats.  Flake, our little Albino rat felt awfully light... crazy light.  And while he jumped up to see me, he was acting like an old man as I gave him his morning food.  Now, I noticed that recently Snake our portly rat was hoarding food - but had no idea to what extent.  So, given Flake's weak stature and light weight in such a dramatic period of time, I made an appointment to take our little furry friend to the Veterinarian.

Turns out he had something called Maloclussion - where his little jaw doesn't align properly and so his teeth don't naturally grind down well on their own, and they need a little assistance.  If not treated properly, it can lead to....starvation, abcesses, infections, etc.  I had no clue!  We're new rat owners, the pet store certainly didn't tell us what to look for, and while I've read on the internet much about them - outside of the day prior, he didn't seem to not be eating.  Actually, he seemed to be eating fine - albeit slowly. Until yesterday...

So off to the vet we go, where she shows us his teeth and he became progressively more lethargic as we were awaiting our appointment; so by the time she saw him she was afraid that he literally wouldn't survive having his teeth cut down.  (A common practice in rabbits, guinea pigs and occasionally - rats.  I had no clue!! How guilty was I feeling...?!?!?)  But fortunately he survived and out he came, full of fluids and antibiotics - with a cautious optomism from the vet suggesting if he could survive the night then there was a good chance he'd make it further.

We kept a watchful eye on him all night. Lots of holding and snuggling to keep his body temperature up, as well as a lamp over his cage.  We ended up buying a seperate cage for him so that his buddy Snake wouldn't eat his food; but at 1:15 I couldn't sleep.  Princess Petunia had crawled into our bed it seems, and so I snuck out and checked on my little Flakey.  He was alive, but clearly not doing well.  I held him for about 20 minutes, wrapped in a blanket and talked to him...telling him how much we love him, how sorry I was...how I hope he knows he was loved.  I put him back to his bed, and went to my own.  G woke up, and I whispered to him "I don't think he's going to make it"....when all of a sudden Princess Petunia sits up and says "what?!?!?!".   She starts to cry....and you can only imagine the heartbreak.

I ask her if she wants to go up and see him, and so up we go.  We walk in, and he lifts his little head to us....take a few breaths, she tells him she loves him - and then he gasps - and is gone.  She bursts into tears - and you guessed it - we're up all night from that point on.

Funeral arrangements were made this morning.  In a shoebox, wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by soft fluffy fill - we dug the ground and buried him.  My son, Princess Petunia and I each said something about him we loved, and then we said a prayer - and placed rocks and wooden crosses on his little tombstone.   Somber times...somber times indeed.

But how do little people rebound?

They buy another rat.  This time... we're smarter, wiser.  We ask how old he is, and we inspect his teeth before taking him home.  Now we know what to look for.  This one is younger and smaller....black and white.  They named him Pop Tart; his original name was Shake but it became too confusing with Flake, so.... Pop Tart it is.

It's amazing how unconditional love can come in the tiniest of forms....even in the form of a gentle, loving rat.  These little creatures want nothing but love - but they give more than they'll ever know.  They teach the little people who care for them a sense of responsibility, a respect for a creature so dependent upon their time and attention - and a love that is different from a dog or a cat.  It's a nurturing love that's almost parental; and it is an often bittersweet, but invalueable gift that they will hopefully carry with them for the rest of their lives.

(And now, she sips the Brunello.....)

Joyeaux Anniversaire...

I'm very fortunate and blessed.
In my 42 years on this Earth, I've been able to experience so many wonderful things that life has to offer.

I've had my share of difficulties as well; but without those, how can we ever truly appreciate the often simple, but beautiful moments that life has to offer? 

Your journey in life is what you make of it; if you perceive the obstacles that life throws you as roadblocks, then they will be.  If you perceive them as challenges to overcome, then you will find a way to circumvent them, and leave them in your rear view mirror.  There is no luck in this life -it's perception and attitude. 

One of the most challenging obstacles I've encountered to date - is the acceptance of others.  I don't mean in the prejudicial way; I mean in the respect that we all have our own crosses to bear and decisions to make, and while we may not agree with the decisions of others - we have to accept them.  My mother's passing was the final step in that process; prior to that, I'd released my personal responsibility of trying to "fix" people and solve all their problems.  But when it came to final life decisions of someone so close to me -- I couldn't do it.  I just couldn't accept a choice that to me seemed so irrational and fearful.   So to have finally embraced her decisions and accept that it was her journey - not mine - is one of the greatest lessons I've had to learn in my adult life.

See, even when a Mother is gone...she's still teaching you.

I'm more than likely half way through my life as of today - and that's if I'm fortunate to live to be 84.
I'm still full of happiness and hope, excitement and pride.

I'm so proud of who I am, where I've been - and where I'm going.  I'm a Mom, a Wife, A Sister, A Daughter, A Friend.  I hope to be a Grandmother someday.  I'm hopeful that there are less difficult times and only beautiful ones in my future; I don't need to learn more lessons - I've learned enough to this point and I hope to only have to reflect upon them in the future as I guide my children through their way in life.

Happy Birthday to me.... and I hope to have many more returns.

Post concert memory....

This wasn't from last night - though she did sing this.
She's breathtakingly perfect in her vocals.
In a word....amazing.
She brought tears to our eyes during many songs.... hearing her in person, is truly a gift.

Enjoy!

...cause in Vienna, we were poetry....

I am so excited!
Tonight, I'm going to see Linda Eder!

My aunt got tickets for us, it's going to be a birthday celebration of sorts.  It was supposed to be her, myself and my sister - but my sister is sick, so my aunts friend will be joining us instead. 

Front row, natch. 
(We all know how I'm a ticket snob... I know, I know, it's silly - but if I'm going to go somewhere, I want to have the best seats in the house! I don't indulge in much in life, so when it comes to a good show - damn straight I want the best seats in the house.  And fortunately, my aunt is the same way....imagine the money we'll have to kick out if Ms. Streisand was to tour again....?)

Drinks, Show, Apps.  Fun!
So that just leaves one question....what's a girl to wear?

Pardon my shock, disbelief and lack of understanding...

The recent attacks in Libya & Egypt are horrible. 
Awful.

But am I really expected to believe that this all was generated as a result of a spoof movie that made a mockery of the Prophet Muhammed?
Really??

I'm sorry, but do these very fundamentalists not mock Catholicism, Judiasim and every other religion not their own?  Do they not blasphemize and defame our figures of religion? 

Have they not seen the movie Borat???
(Okay, so that's a joke - but the statements above it are not....)

Here's the deal, my little Islamic fundamentalist friends:
I get and even understand you being all bent about a movie that mocks your religious beliefs.  It's crude and disrespectful; however just because a movie was made in America doesn't mean that you attack the American government because it was made here!  Surely you can't be that stupid to not understand the difference.  (And people wonder why we think that other countries act like savages....)

Are you that angry about the Western culture that you use any excuse to wage war in the name of your God; because here's the difference my friends - when we come after you, it's because of unjust treatment or retaliation for terrorism.  We don't just do it because you offended our God - because let's be honest - who doesn't poke fun at religions?

It's time for ya'll to put your big boy shoulders on and let it roll....not everyone embraces your religion or understands it.  But that is never a good enough excuse to wage acts of war, ever. (and yes, this girl believes that assasinating American officials in any capacity be it sniper, tank or mob - is an act of war....)

Stop being hypocrites; smarten up, toughen up and grow up.

I truly don't understand how anyone thinks that the United States will ever be able to have a peaceful roadmap with most of the Middle East. 

How do you work rationally with the complete and total irrational?

The world has changed...never forget....it was the day the world stood still.

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

"Where did you graduate again? The University of "Duhhhh...?" - Stewie Griffin

It looks like we've got an election coming up folks.

I don't pay much attention to either of the National Conventions; to me it's all a lot of rah rah sis boom bah rhetoric to rally the bases and try to generate swing votes.  I'm all about the debates.  Think of it as dinner...do you want to fill up on the appetizers, or do you want to get right down to the meat and potatoes? 

So, that being said - while I'm a registered Independent, I've often found myself leaning towards Libertarian.  Fiscally conservative, socially liberal, smaller government. There are some who I'd really love to vote for, but sometimes they are so far "out there" - they're too extremist for me as well!  So while I did watch about 8 minutes of the Republican convention - I couldn't really tolerate much of it this time around.  They're just so far to the right on so many issues, I had a challenging time watching.  The Democratic one, held my attention a little longer; who doesn't love Bill Clinton?  And whether I agree with the stances on some issues, and not so much on others - the Democratic speeches just make you feel good.  (Although Deval Patrick's speech was a classic study in irony; if only he was as good of a Governor as he is public speaker. Um, Mr. Fraud, Waste & Abuse.   But he's lobbying for a cabinet position anyway, no?  Lobbying...hmm, interesting choice of words.  I've gotten into many a debate over the past few weeks about lobbying.  Because really - every one has someone in their back pocket in politics, no?  But I digress....)

So, I took a few Political quizzes for funsies to see where I fall.  Granted, the questions are a little bated and not incredibly specific so I have to answer as closely to what I believe in as possible.  But here are my results.  I find it interesting that I always seem to fall middle of the road.  But that's what an Independent truly is, no?

Test 1:  You are a Moderate.  If you’re a registered member of the GOP, some would call you a RINO – a Republican in name only! You believe in moderation in matters of gun control, government spending, drug laws, same-gender marriage, abortion and public spending. In most issues, you’re middle of the road … but still you’re not all that comfortable with somebody calling you a “liberal.”

Test 2:  Right Centrist: There's a chance that you're a libertarian.  You value the freedom to be able to do what you want with your money, and you have some value for the personal liberties of others, but you won't take those freedoms to the extreme. You may disagree with the full legalization of prostitution, or perhaps the legalization of drugs, but for the most part you're a live-and-let-live kind of person. So long as people don't try and take your money.

Test 3:  Libertarian. 

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 70%

Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 80%
According to your answers, the political group that agrees with you most is...

Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

It is a dash...it is the Diva Dash....

So when was the last time you remember reading that I've actually exerted any physical activity in the form of exercise?  Months, right?

Well, I'm heading to the Diva Dash tomorrow with one of sisters in law, and one of our cousins.  They're younger than me, and in great shape - they did Tough Mudder earlier this year, of which I'm still "not worthy" to be in their presence.  That is an amazing race.  I wish I'd participated but I knew I wasn't in the right conditioning....I am pre-registered for next year.  But I digress....

Anyway, tomorrow is this mini-obstance course-race sort of thing and as I was saying I'm older and haven't worked out in months.  Oh, right - my work out regiment has been eating and drinking!  I'm the heaviest I've been without having the excuse of "having just had a child"... fortunately I do some activity, since heavy lifting is what I do best at work.  I can throw a case of beer like nobodies business!!  Not quite the same, but you know what I mean; at least I have some semblence of strength, just not endurance.

So this oughta be fun!
Eh, who cares.  The worst that can happen is that it takes me a while.
Pictures to follow, complete with home made tutus on.....

I'm just a girl kiddies....school style!

Today was the first day back for my kiddies - and the first time that they actually leave at different times.  Even when they were in different schools before we moved, we all left at the same time or I'd drop both kids off; this time, my son gets on the bus at 6:45 whereas Princess Petunia isn't at school until 8:10.  Middle school for one...3rd grade for the other.

Needless to say, 5:30 came awfully quick this morning - and the shots of my son were taken at 6:15.
I'm surprised neither one of us look like we're sleeping....though we do look sleepy!

First day went off without a hitch...happy, excited, a little nervous - but all was good. 
Happy Fall!

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life...

(Kicking it back old school with a little Aldo Nova... totally dating myself, but hey - what's a girl to do when she can't get a rocking 80's hit out of her head?)

So it's Labor Day weekend.  I'm not exactly ready to say goodbye to summer and yet....I still found myself buying seasonal decor and changing my Summer flag to my Autumn one.  The mornings and evenings are cool and crisp even though the days are still really warm.  A true tip off that the season is changing:  the yellow jackets are in full force.  It's like they know that they're going to die soon so they're frenzied and aggressive.  Typically that happens in mid-September, early October.  Since we've been so warm since March, clearly they're all sorts of freaked out and today they were in rare form.

I'm going to miss this summer.  I'll fondly look back on it as the first summer I was able to take a good amount of time off from work and just relax with the kiddies.  Next summer, I plan on taking more, possibly even 4 days a week during the month of July.  June and August require a little more hands on, but July - should be smooth sailing. Unless we open a third store, which while part of me is really excited to do, another part of me could care less about it.  I'd be just as happy opening a small gourmet shop next door to our Boston store.  It will require far less buildout, less capital, less time and will still be profitable.  But we shall see what the future holds......

I'm in my sun room at the moment, with a nice glass of Haut Medoc and listening the surprising quiet of the house.  My two nephews are over for the night, and while it's not quite bedtime yet - to have 4 children under the age of 11 in the house and no real loud voices - well, it's almost suspicious!  Actually, it's really nice to hear all the laughter.  Their bedtime is coming up real soon though and I'm sure it's going to take some time to get them acclaimated to sleeping in "KidTown...."  We'll see just how long the quiet lasts...

So life is quiet and good for this girl on Labor Day weekend.  I hope yours is as well.... enjoy the final kiss of the summer sun, and I hope you are surrounded by love and laughter.