Apologies

There was a commercial years ago…..starts out with a close-up of a surly teenage girl (is there any other kind?) who is rolling her eyes and saying, “I’m not gonna be grounded for this, am I?”…camera cuts to parents looking fairly exasperated and stunned….back to child who sarcastically says…”I said I was sorry”….then the camera pans out to reveal a car crashed thru the living room wall.
I loved this commercial, it still makes me laugh thinking about it. What seems so evident in this case is how silly the teenager sounds, we all get that …right? So when an adult says basically the same thing with that exact amount of actual remorse, I’m not fooled. Words mean nothing if not voiced with a degree of sincerity. I’ve said to my kids, “Sometimes ‘sorry’ just isn’t enough”….it applies to adults as well.

An apology doesn’t give you a pass on taking responsibility for what you’ve done. In fact, that’s the hallmark of a genuine apology, being willing to accept the consequences. If you’re apologizing in order to get amnesty for your crimes….that’s not an apology, that’s a sham.

For Those Who take Life too Seriously

From the slightly off kilter mind of Stephen Wright...


1. Save the whales...collect the whole set.
2. A day without sunshine is like...night.
3. I just got lost in thought, it was unfamiliar territory.
4. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
5. Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?
6. He who laughs last thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. Borrow money from a pessimist, they don't expect it back.
9. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
10. For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.
11. No one is listening until you make a mistake.
12. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism: to steal from many is research.
13. Two wrongs are only the beginning.
14. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
15.The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
16.I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
17. Honk if you love peace and quiet.
18. I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
19. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
20. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be misquoted and used against you.

Marines in Berkeley

Free Speech is alive and well in California....Sometimes I so want to move :)

Well I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking these days
These days
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
And all the times I had the chance to

And I had a lover
It's so hard to risk another these days
These days
Now if I seem to be afraid
To live the life that I have made in song
Well it's just that I've been losing for so long

Well I'll keep on moving
Things are bound to be improving these days
These days
These days I'll sit on corner stones
And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
Don't confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them.

Jackson Browne

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU'RE OLD

George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi
was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd
left the light on in the garden shed, which she
could see from the bedroom window. George opened the
back door to go turn off the light but saw that
there were people in the shed stealing things. He
phoned the police, who asked 'Is someone inside your
house?' and he said 'no'. Then they said that all
patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock
his door and an officer would be along when
available.
George said, 'Okay,' hung up, counted to
30, and phoned the police again. 'Hello, I just
called you few seconds ago because there were people
stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have
to worry about them now because I just shot them.'
Then he hung up.
Within five minutes six police cars, a SWAT
Team, a helicopter, two fire trucks, a paramedic and
an ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence
and caught the burglars red-handed.
One of the Policemen said to George:
'I thought you said that you'd shot them!' George said,
'I thought you said there was nobody available.'


Don't mess with old people.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

Edmund Burke

Wish I knew the Author

"Tenderness is what happens to you when you know you are deeply and sincerely liked by someone. If you communicate to me that you like me, not just love me as a brother in Christ, you open up to me the possibility of self-respect, self-esteem and wholesome self-love. Your acceptance of me banishes my fears. My defense mechanisms--sarcasm, aloofness, name-dropping, self-righteousness, giving the appearance of having it all together--start to fall. I drop my mask and stop disguising my voice. You instill self-confidence in me and allow me to smile at my weaknesses and absurdities. The look in your eyes gives me permission to make the journey into the interior of myself and make peace with that part of myself with which I could never find peace before. I become more open, sincere, vulnerable and affectionate. I too grow tender."


thanks for reminding me sis:)

One of the Good Guys

Exeter High School Girls Basketball

Growing up in a large family where most of my brothers and sisters were athletes, sports were an integral part of our everyday life. I remember my father's exact words when one of my siblings would start complaining about a coach…”If you’re not bleeding, I don’t want to hear it”. Extreme sentiment? Possibly. But it effectively shut down the whining that has become so prevalent and accepted among today’s athletes. My father would no more have called a coach to complain about his child’s playing time, or lack thereof, than vote Democrat; he was nothing if not consistent. As I read the continuing saga of Coach Linda Wachter at Exeter High School, I find myself worried about the future of coaches everywhere.

We have become a generation of whiners; we think nothing of interceding on our children’s behalf for the most tenuous of grievances. And when our complaints aren’t heeded, we resort to name-calling. Ultimately, we are teaching our kids to expect an unreasonable level of comfort in every walk of life and it is a huge disservice. Bosses will not be concerned with how they word their instructions; co-workers will be demanding, across-the-board fairness is simply not attainable. If Ms. Wachter has offended the delicate sensibilities of a few girls, I shudder to think how they will react to a college level coaching staff. We seem to have forgotten that the goal of most athletic pursuits isn’t game time or awards. The goal of any athletic career should be the character building that results from having worked hard on a team, whether you are winning, losing, or sitting the bench. These are life lessons we are teaching our children, and I fear the wrong lesson is being taught. Instead of learning to push through adversity, we immediately look for someone to blame or we quit. Athletic participation isn’t a gift; it has to be earned. If that means putting up with a coach who doesn’t pull punches, then suck it up, put on your big girl panties, and get back in the game.

Results

Barack Obama	2 (22%)
Hillary Clinton	3 (33%)
John McCain	1 (11%)
Mike Huckabee	1 (11%)
Ron Paul	0 (0%)
Ralph Nader	2 (22%)

Votes so far: 9
Poll closed


I don't know what I'm more depressed about, the fact that Hillary Clinton won, or that the poll only got 9 votes...and 1 of them is mine, and apparently my sister voted 3 times :)

I guess if I could've figured out how she did that I would've voted a few more times just make it look respectable.

A story....

...any mother can relate to.


A Cup of Tea


One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge.
I was maybe 1 and a half years old. Someone had
given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one
of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room...
engrossed in the evening news and my brother was
playing nearby in the living room when I brought
Daddy a little cup of 'tea,' which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for
such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made her
wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup
of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!!'

My mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the
hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him
drink it up, then says, 'Did it ever occur to you
that the only place that baby can reach to get water
is the toilet??'



...tee hee

Thanks Tesa....

...fun site! And to not plagiarize too much...I'm using the cookie test. Turns out my personality is like one of my favorites :)

On the surface, you're a little plain - but you have many subtle dimensions to your personality. Sometimes you're down to earth and crunchy. Other times, you're sweet and a little gooey.

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

My Hero

"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much deeper and much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood."

Chuck Swindoll - Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life

Another of those silly email surveys

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30...reluctantly.

2. Diamonds or pearls? lapis....always need to be contrary (tho I prefer to be considered a salmon, just like to swim against the current :) Besides, did you know that diamonds are sometimes mined by slave children....too much guilt there.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Does anyone actually call it the cinema anymore...(sorry, see above disclaimer)...it was so long ago I can't remember.

4. What is your favorite TV show? House

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Toast and coffee

6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth.

7. What food do you dislike? anchovies

8. What is your favorite CD? Just one? ...that's impossible.....today it's Caedmon's Call (but it'll change tomorrow)

9. What kind of car do you drive? Some sort of Van....I'll need to ask my daughter.

10. Favorite sandwich? BLT....yum!

11. What characteristic do you despise? delusional narcissistic cruelty....I'm not bitter

12. Favorite item of clothing? jeans/sweat shirt.


13. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go?
Ireland

14. What color is your bathroom? Purple, Caribbean blue and Lime green....it's a happy room!

15. Favorite brand of clothing? Brand???

16. Where do you want to retire? Home....or as far away from the mean people as we can afford to go....I'm not bitter.

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I'm not much for celebrations where I am the center of attention....so most of them are happily forgettable.

18. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball.

19. Furthest place you are sending this? Pennsylvania....Hi Mike and Naoko!

20. Who do you least expect to send this back? everybody....

21. Person you expect to send it back first? My sister and best friend, Julie.

22. Favorite sayings? I'm not bitter ....(having t-shirts made)

23. When is your birthday? I cannot divulge that information as it will compromise our agents in the field.

24. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning people should be shot (does that answer your question?)

25. What is your shoe size? what a strange question.

26. Pets? 3 dogs, 11 cats (and counting)

27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm seriously considering a run for the Presidency.

28. What did you want to be when you were little? A horse.

29. How are you today? Tired of fighting battles with the mentally ill.

30. What is your favorite candy? See's peanut crunch and California brittle.

31. What is your favorite flower? Daisys.

32. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Weekends, I love having Steve and the kids at home with me.

33. What church do you attend? Crossroads EV Free....tho attend might be too strong a word :)

34. What are you listening to right now? Wilson coughing.

35. What was the last thing you ate? Goodie, more guilt....a chocolate truffle.

36. Do you wish on stars? No, but you can't hardly see them around here.

37. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Chartreuse.

38. How is the weather right now? Rainy....yea!

39 Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? A bill collector.

40. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Who sent this? Just kidding, Hi Sue (I actually love these things....I SO don't have a life:)

41. Favorite drink? Tea and lemonade (Arnold Palmer)

42. Favorite restaurant(s)? Fugazzis

43. Hair color? The one I was born with or the one I pay money for?

44. Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving....all food, no presents and therefore, no guilt.

45. What was your favorite toy as a child? Electric train.

46. Summer or winter? Winter.

47. Hugs or kisses? Kisses...we are talking about the ones from Hershey correct?

48. Chocolate or Vanilla? Mint Chip....there's that salmon thing again.

49. Do you want your friends to email you back? Sure

50. When was the last time you cried? Last night.

51. What is under your bed? All kinds of crap.

52. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Julie, my sister, my best friend (see#21)

53. What did you do last night? Cried about mean people.

54. Favorite smell? Coffee.

55. What are you afraid of? My kids making mistakes that will cause them pain.

56. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Buttered & Salted

57. How many keys on your key ring? I have no idea...

58. How many years at your current job? Mom...21 years.

59. Favorite day of the week? depends on what I'm doing and who I'm doing it with.

60. How many towns have you lived in? I need to ask my Mom, maybe seven.

61. Do you make friends easily? No, I basically don't like people...I prefer ferrets.

62. How many people will you be sending this to? 3...see above.

Thought for the Day

Taking responsibility for your actions by merely mouthing the words is a meaningless gesture…evidence of truly taking responsibility is in accepting the consequences of your actions….without whining, complaining, or making excuses.