Drive Me Crazy

Lately,  it seems like people have forgotten how to drive.

Not so much the big things but the little things that make a world of difference. 

1.  TURN SIGNAL - Using a turn signal to let others know your intentions. I don't care so much in a parking lot but I do care when I'm doing 65 on the left lane and you, doing 50, decide you need to move over because your exit is coming up in 3 miles. 

2.  STAY IN YOUR LANE - Simple enough to understand.  I drive in my lane, you drive in yours. No, you can't drive down the middle of both. Maybe if you got off your phone and paid attention to the road this wouldn't be an issue.

3.  SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT - This should be fairly obvious.  The DOT is nice enough to post signs telling you this.  Kinda goes back to #2.   Get off the phone and pay attention to your driving. 

4.  CLEAR YOUR WINDOWS - Now that winter is over (hopefully) this isn't such a big deal. If you are waiting for the wind to blow the snow off your windows or the defroster to melt it, get off your lazy butt and buy a scraper/brush. Clearing your headlights, brake lights and turn signals is also nice.  I'm not a mind reader and can't tell when you want to turn or stop. 

5. SPEED CONTROL - I have saved my biggest pet peeve for last. Maintain a consistent speed. Don't go from 70 to 48 in the course of a 1/4 mile. Obviously, keep up with the flow of traffic.  But if there is a pile of cars behind you either speed up or move the fuck over. Once again the biggest offenders are talking on their phones. 

I guess the theme of this is to pay attention and shut up and drive. 

... and miles to go....

In trying to be more accountable to my fitness (or lack of) goals, I signed up for dailymile.com. It is a nice place to track your work outs.

It helps me see what I have done in the past and set new goals as I attain previously set ones.

I am tracking my elliptical use, walking and cycling. As far as I can tell, you can't track multiple activities in one post. I have not really had the time to spend digging into the site and find out all the little nuances.

I would like to get a treadmill. I'm on the fence on it. Part of me says I should get my butt outside and walk/run. The other part of me doesn't want anyone to see my fat butt running until it is not so fat. sigh....

At this point, any motivation that I can get helps. I, like many others, start the day with the best intentions but find that some days, I just don't feel like doing anything after I get home from work but walking the dogs, making dinner and vegging out for a few hours before bed.

Stella Awards

It's time again for the annual 'Stella Awards'! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico , where she purchased coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right? That' s right; these are awards for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head. So keep your head scratcher handy. Here are the Stellas for the past year:

- SEVENTH PLACE

Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.

- SIXTH PLACE

Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles , California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps.

FIFTH PLACE *

Terrence Dickson, of Bristol , Pennsylvania , who was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count 'em, EIGHT days and survive on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming undue mental Anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish.

- FOURTH PLACE

Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle - even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.

- THIRD PLACE

Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.

- SECOND PLACE

Kara Walton, of Claymont , Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000.....oh, yeah, plus dental expenses.

- FIRST PLACE

This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs... Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down?

$1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.

Are we, as a society, getting more stupid....

or are more members of Congress serving on juries these days?

Winter Morning Fog

This is from Saturday morning.  I thought it was pretty.

Givin' the Dog a Bone

I like dogs. I have three of them. For the most part, they are pretty good dogs. Boomer has his issues but when we are home alone, he is a sweet, snuggly pup. He just doesn't like other people or dogs very much.

I know what Boomer is like and I try to avoid putting him in situations that stress him out. I don't let kids pet him. I keep him away from other dogs in the park. I try to be a responsible dog mom.

What I don't like it people who don't show that same responsiblity.

I try to walk them at least once a day. Weather depending, we go to the park or around the block.

Last week, I walk the dog like normal. It is cold out so we walk to one end of the block and back to the other and then home. It's not far but that's about all little toes can take.

We are heading back home when the people across the street let their dog out. Dog's name is Holly. I know this cuz I hear them yell it ALOT!!!!! Well, these people just open the door and let the dog out. No one comes out to watch it or even pay attention to it. Holly sees us and starts barking. Next thing I know she is running across the street towards us. Barking the whole time. I tell her to go home. She doesn't listen and keeps coming towards us. One thing I always carry in my pocket when dog walking is pepper spray. You never know when you may need it. She is now two feet from us. Boomer and Riley are barking up a storm. I'm yelling at the dog to go home. So I pull out the spray and use it. I only gave her a little squirt near her mouth. She did kinda yelp a bit but it was enough to make her retreat and head home.

I went back in the house. I should have gone over there but the dog is still outside barking... and barking. That dog had to have been barking for at least 15 minutes. I'm not sure why no one bothered to check on the dog.

If there is one thing I hate is barking dogs. They can bark when happy or excited but I try to quiet them down quickly. Especially if I'm outside.

On Saturday the dog did the same thing. I didn't spray but I gave her a good kick.

The dog is outside at 5:05 am almost every morning. I know this because she is barking. Yes, I can hear it from inside the house. Why bother with an alarm clock when I have a neighbors dog?

I know I should go over there and tell them that if they are just going to let the dog outside without supervision, they may want to expect a visit from MADACC or the police. I have no issue taking this to the authorities.

Am I wrong to expect people to be responsible pet owners??

~Peace out~

Up in Smoke

One of my co-workers, Hank, is in MN this week for some training.

Hank is a smoker. When he is in the office, Hank goes outside for a smoke break about once an hour. It takes him about 15 minutes each time. I know this because he walks by my desk each time he goes out.

Hank is staying in a hotel with his boss during the training. They have separate rooms. The hotel they are at is a non smoking hotel. We found out today that Hank has been smoking in his room. The hotel found this out as well.

The hotel fined Hank $250 for each night he is staying. He is there for five nights. That's $1250. One thousand two hundred fifty dollars.

That is alot of money. No matter who you are that will make a dent in your monthly budget. Hell, that is more than most people's mortgage payment.

To make matter even worse, Hank does not have a credit card. How you can be 60 years old and not have one is beyond me. I'm surprised he didn't have a corporate card. Normally, if you do any sort of traveling for work, they make you get one. So the fine for smoking in the room will be put on his boss's credit card.

When you get penalties like this, the bank will not pay for them. They are your responsibility. I'm not sure how he will pay back his boss. But I know if hubby had come home from a business trip and told me that he did something like this and now had to pay back $1250 I would be furious.

What would you do if that was your significant other?

~Peace Out~

Karma is a Female Dog

Earlier this week, my cousin passed away. She was 67. In Sept. she had a stroke. After that things went down hill quickly. She had issues with blot clots and some other stuff. A week before Thanksgiving she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. They did surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain but it was terminal.

Growing up, our family did alot with theirs. My cousin, Daryl and I played SHAW hockey together. Ok, so I only lasted one season but it was still fun. Daryl on the other hand won a scholarship to Stout by playing hockey. I remember sitting at Wilson Park, with our hockey sticks, jamming to Kiss, Rock n Roll All Night.

On Christmas Day we had a round robin. Everyone like coming back to our house. By then it would be late. The parents were more interested in partying. Us kids took the snowmobiles out. We would go all over. It seemed that at least once or twice a year we would run out of gas or tip them and couldn't get them righted. Someone would have to hoof it back to the house and get a dad.

I'm sad but I somehow feel that this was a bit of karma action going on.

When my dad was sick, she and her husband were frequent visitors to the hospital. I appreciated that. I know it meant alot to my dad. But with all the stuff going on between my parents my cousin took sides. Not that it was wrong but she was not nice about it.

When my dad finally died, she totally ignored my mom at the funeral. She would not say a word to her. Walked right by her and came up to me. At the cemetery, after we buried my dad, she asked me if I thought that I should go back and lock up the house so my mom and sister wouldn't steal anything. That made me furious. She took a day that was already difficult and made it even worse.

I feel like somehow this is her payback for being mean. It's not that I would wish what she has gone through on anyone but sometimes I think that the world gives you what you deserve.

Is it mean of me to think that?

Winter Morning Fog

Thought this was pretty Pang Saturday morning.

Whole Lot of Shakin'

The earthquake tragedy last week in Haiti is a very unfortunate incident. That could have happened anywhere. Many people died and were injured. I heard today that because of lack of medical attention and facilities that doctors in one hospital are amputating arms and legs from more than 100 people a day.

What I find very interesting is how so many people, including celebrities have 'found' a cause to support. There is even a telethon later this week. The money is definately needed to help rebuild the country and get the people back on their feet. Obama has pledged millions upon millions of dollars that the country really doesn't have. Americans have always felt morally responsible for other people. We are a nation of givers.

But.... I think that the money could be well spent in our own country. Imagine what that money could do if it were put back into your community. If it were put into a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, a school. There are many domestic issues that need people's time and money. I feel that our government is acting very irresponsible. Spending money that we really don't have.

Ok, I'm hoping off my soapbox and I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

This is only a test

Playing to see how this app works with blogger.

Does the formatting look OK?

Also added a picture of Rufus

Perks

It's that time of year at work. The self evaluation. I hate doing them as most people I'm sure do.

I am somewhat anal so I keep a list of things that I have accomplished throughout the year so that at the end of the year I don't forget something. I print (and send to my boss, if he wasn't copied on it) the emails when I get praised for something good and attach them to my review.

So in January when my boss sits down with me and goes over my review, I know that he will only be able to offer me so much in bonus and wage increases. What he can do though is gives us perks. Some things are at his discretion.

Here is the list of things I will ask for:

• Install a tanning bed in the break room. I'm going to Mexico in 49 days. I need to get a base tan or I'll be a lobster the entire week.
• Get rid of the soda in the vending machine. Replace it with beer. I'm asking for Miller Lite and Spotted Cow year round and have at least two seasonal beers that rotate every season.
• Let me replace my desk with a futon so I can work laying down. It is way more comfy than sitting upright all day.
• Hold our next team meeting in Hawaii. I'm flexible and will accept any warm weather location.

Now if you got this list would you think twice about maybe it would be easier to just give me an extra week of vacation??

I'll let you know how that works out for me in January.

~Peace out~

Christmas Lights In Wisconsin

Only in Wisconsin would you expect to see this. I have to admit, it is funny.

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Drunken Antics

Ok, no matter how drunk I may get, I WILL NOT let anyone talk me into this.

Thankful

This past year has been a wild ride for me. Some ups but alot of downs. Even though the downs out numbered the ups this year, I have alot to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for my health. I'm in relatively good health. I try not to take my health for granted and do the things I'm supposed to. Exercise, eat sorta healthy, don't smoke. All the things the doctors tell you to do. I know that by doing these things my body will be stronger and hopefully last a long time.

I'm thankful for a good job. This job, while some days is putting up with people's BS, pays the bills, allows me to have a nice home I can call my own, a decent vehicle to drive and the random vacation and fun toys. I know many people who are either out of a job or in a job that they may not like but need it to pay the bills.

I'm thankful for my dogs. While they can be a handful and at times a bit out of control (ok, really that is only Boomer). They are the best listeners. They are also good foot warmers on a cold night.

I'm thankful for my family. Most of them anyways. They have offered me their love and support across the miles. For this I am grateful. I miss the ones who left this world this year alot. I hope they are in a better place.

I'm thankful for my friends. Without them, this past year would have been unbearable. They have been there through the good, the bad and the ugly this past year. They gave me the strength to move forward with my life when I wasn't sure I could. The fun times of camping this year. Giggling like school girls trying to stay up all night. Waiting for the bats to come home. A big hug when I needed it the most. I treasure each of you.

While life may hand you lemons, be thankful for those lemons. You can always make lemonade.

Take the time out today to remember what you are thankful for. I know I will.

~ Peace Out ~

I Hope So

I know Breast Cancer Awareness month is over but it is always a good time to think of the girls.

I thought that this picture said it perfectly.

Is It Just Me??

I just don't get certain people.... Rachel Ray (her voice is soooo irritating), Nickelback (crappy over-played music that sounds like Creed (who I hate even more)) and Oprah.

There has been a big hub-bub-baloo about her ending her show next year. Why are people so freaked out about it?? Other than the books she suggests for her book club, I could care less. I have never gotten into watching her show. I could not even tell you what time or station it is on.

She makes people famous. Like Dr. Phil. Who up until a few years ago I had no clue who he was. Now the only reason I know who he is, is that I have a cousin who looks like him, but skinnier.

She has a school someplace in Africa that had some problems last year. I don't recall what the issue was but I remember seeing it on the news.

She is still dating that guy, Stegman (I think that is his name) or is it her best friend she is 'dating'.

Who knows?? Better yet, who cares??

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

My friend Monte was recently in Key West and sent me a few pictures.

I think I found a Christmas gift for a friend or two. This could be a big hit at camping.

Only in Canada

Only in Canada would you expect to see a sign like this.

Happy Camper

With winter fast approaching, I needed to think happy thoughts and escape from the winter doldrums. So what do I do??

I book the first camping trip for next season. Ok, technically it is not the first trip we will be taking but it is the first booked. Now I only have to wait a little over 10 months to go on this trip.

We are heading out to Yellowstone Lake State Park in southwestern WI. We will be there for the week after Labor Day. We were there this year during that time and it was great. We had the place to ourselves. Next year I hope to get in some fishing as I never got that far last trip.

Here are a few pictures of the lake. It was really peaceful out there.

Here is StB with his fish. He did release it back. Maybe next year we can catch enough to actually eat as a meal.

As the fall turns into winter, I will look back at these pictures fondly and count the days until our next trip.

This is a test from my BlackBerry

Let's see what this looks like.

Will it keep the formatting?

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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry