Moms and Step-moms: Can’t we all just get along?

One of the most challenging relationships is between a mom and step-mom. The dynamic, the emotions and thoughts involved with the situation can be extremely volatile. Let’s see if we can’t curb that craziness a little.

Attention cyclists!

Today I was cut off in traffic by someone going 30mph. About 10 minutes later I saw a cyclist almost get hit by a car. The car never slowed or sped up or swerved. They never even saw the cyclist. It’s unbelievable to me how people can drive and literally never look in their mirrors or out their windows. This is just a reminder to cyclist to please pay attention, because the drivers sure as hell aren’t.

Human Atrocities

Let’s take a moment to remember how lucky we actually are.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/04/cnnheroes.betty.makoni/index.html

What’s it like to be me? Let me tell you…

Ever since I was little I’ve been afraid of tape measures. Not the actual tape measure, but of it slamming me in the hand if I was to let go of it once I was finished. So I’d always hold onto it,  making sure it went back in nice and slow.  I’d watch my dad when he was done measuring something, he would always just let go of it and it would shoot back in, not a scratch on him. As I got older I’d watch boyfriends use them, my ex-husband use them, strangers use them, and they would always let go of them when they were done.  It would shoot back in super fast and they would act like it was nothing, no big deal at all. They wouldn’t even flinch!  I would just  watch in awe. Well, I’m 35 and today I decided it was time for me to become a woman. My boyfriend texted me asking me to measure this inflatable boat in our garage. So I did it. I grabbed his tape measure, and measured a good 12 feet. That’s a lot of tape measure to come shooting back my way. But I told myself I could do this. I told myself I’d be just fine, just like every other person that has ever used a tape measure. So I let it go. And  just as it was about to complete it’s journey home, it bends, hits the floor of the garage and comes bouncing back at my hand at full speed. FUCK! Full on broke the skin. And that, my friends, is a taste of what it’s like to be me .

Yelp! You can run but you can’t hide…

I’ve only posted on Yelp! twice that I can remember, and both times the businesses knew it was me commenting. WTF?? What are the chances?  I felt so exposed! And busted! You’re supposed to be able to be free, comment away, the pro’s and con’s of the place you’re rating. Well how am I supposed to do that when I walk into the place the next day and they thank me for my comment? Or they call me and apologize for the awful experience? The first time I was busted was when I posted a negative review for a Salon I went to. I was given a gift certificate from my then boyfriend for a facial and massage. Well it was the massage from hell. The masseuse had a cold so he was coughing and sniffling and sucking loudly on a throat lozenge the entire time. Even thinking about it now gives me the creeps. So I Yelped about my experience. I guess the salon saw my post and called me. I was so embarrassed. I posted that confidentially (or so I thought) and there I was, totally busted. Not that they didn’t deserve it, they did. But I still felt bad for sharing my distaste for the sickly masseuse. Luckily it turned out for the best. They apologized and offered me a free massage by a different masseuse. All was good again.

The second bust was more recent. Like, today. I go to this Falafel place for lunch probably 3 times a week. It’s just so friggin good! Fresh pita bread made daily…Anyways, I decided to Yelp them. I gave them 5 stars. When I walked into the shop today to pick up my order, the first thing the cashier says to me is, “thank you for the comment, Jenna”. How embarrassing! Not as embarrassing as when I called my order in last week and she said “is this Jenna?”, but still, embarrassing. Fucking Yelp. I think I need to retire from it. Apparently I’m not “stealth” enough.

I hate this man.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/17/mccain.energy/index.html

Pretty unbelievable.

Just another reason to boycott Walmart

 Via CNN.COM

Debbie Shank breaks down in tears every time she’s told that her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, was killed in Iraq.

 Even though the 52-year-old mother of three attended her son’s funeral — she continues to ask how he’s doing. When her family reminds her that he’s dead — she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time.

Shank suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident nearly eight years ago that robbed her of much of her short-term memory and left her in a wheelchair and living in a nursing home.

It was the beginning of a series of battles — both personal and legal — that loomed for Shank and her family. One of their biggest was with Wal-Mart’s health plan.

Eight years ago, Shank was stocking shelves for the retail giant and signed up for Wal-Mart’s health and benefits plan.

Two years after the accident, Shank and her husband, Jim, were awarded about $1 million in a lawsuit against the trucking company involved in the crash. After legal fees were paid, $417,000 was placed in a trust to pay for Debbie Shank’s long-term care.

Wal-Mart had paid out about $470,000 for Shank’s medical expenses, but in 2005, Wal-Mart’s health plan sued the Shanks for the same amount.

The Shanks didn’t notice in the fine print of Wal-Mart’s health plan policy that the company has the right to recoup medical expenses if an employee collects damages in a lawsuit.

The family’s attorney, Maurice Graham, said he informed Wal-Mart about the settlement and believed the Shanks would be allowed to keep the money. Watch this couple’s story »

“We assumed after three years, they [Wal-Mart] had made a decision to let Debbie Shank use this money for what it was intended to,” Graham said.

The Shanks lost their suit to Wal-Mart. Last summer, the couple appealed the ruling — but also lost it. One week later, their son was killed in Iraq.

“They are quite within their rights. But I just wonder if they need it that bad,” Jim Shank said.

In 2007, the retail giant reported net sales in the third quarter of $90 billion.

Legal or not, CNN asked Wal-Mart why the company pursued the money.

Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley, who called Debbie Shank’s case “unbelievably sad,” replied in a statement: “Wal-Mart’s plan is bound by very specific rules. … We wish it could be more flexible in Mrs. Shank’s case since her circumstances are clearly extraordinary, but this is done out of fairness to all associates who contribute to, and benefit from, the plan.”

Jim Shank said he believes Wal-Mart should make an exception.

“My idea of a win-win is — you keep the paperwork that says you won and let us keep the money so I can take care of my wife,” he said.

The family’s situation is so dire that last year Jim Shank divorced Debbie, so she could receive more money from Medicaid.

Jim Shank, 54, is recovering from prostate cancer, works two jobs and struggles to pay the bills. He’s afraid he won’t be able to send their youngest son to college and pay for his and Debbie’s care.

“Who needs the money more? A disabled lady in a wheelchair with no future, whatsoever, or does Wal-Mart need $90 billion, plus $200,000?” he asked.

The family’s attorney agrees.

“The recovery that Debbie Shank made was recovery for future lost earnings, for her pain and suffering,” Graham said.

“She’ll never be able to work again. Never have a relationship with her husband or children again. The damage she recovered was for much more than just medical expenses.”

Graham said he believes Wal-Mart should be entitled to only about $100,000. Right now, about $277,000 remains in the trust — far short of the $470,000 Wal-Mart wants back.

Refusing to give up the fight, the Shanks appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But just last week, the high court said it would not hear the case.

Graham said the Shanks have exhausted all their resources and there’s nothing more they can do but go on with their lives.

Jim Shank said he’s disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case — not for the sake of his family — but for those who might face similar circumstances.

For now, he said the family will figure out a way to get by and “do the best we can for Debbie.”

“Luckily, she’s oblivious to everything,” he said. “We don’t tell her
what’s going on because it will just upset her

What makes me laugh?

This had me laughing for a good 15 mins. Seriously, laughing where no sound is coming out and you’re not even really breathing. Enjoy. Or don’t. 

Shoes: They’ll be the death of me!

This is a rant. I’m so fucking sick of not being able to find cool looking shoes that fit. I’ve ordered about 10 different boot/heals types from Zappos, and not one fit. I finally found a pair of heals that I was able to keep, only b/c it had a strap to hold the damn things on my feet! Yesterday I thought things had changed. I went on ninewest.com and found 2 different pairs of black boots, both sizes 5! Amazing! And on clearance at that! So today I’m checking the status, and it still says “new”. I call customer service to make sure there isn’t a problem with my precious shoes that I’ve waited so long for. The apathetic customer service rep tells me they’re on back order. Actually, not even back order. They’re not making either of those boots anymore. So for 15 days they’ll search other stores and warehouses for the shoes, and if they dont’ find them I’m shit of luck. Un-fucking-believable. I mean really, how hard can it be to find a nice, pretty, hip, normal pair of black boots or heals in a size 5???? I’m so over this shit. See, it’s not that I WANT to be a fashion disaster, it’s that I don’t have a choice!

NOT the smartest thing this nurse ever did

I’ve had a cold for the last few days. I’m starting to get over it, so the mucous is working it’s way out. Usually through my nose but also by dripping down the back of my throat. Now, the question is, what on earth made me think that eating chocolate covered raisins and drinking a coke would sit nicely with a belly full of snot? So, as to be expected, I sit here at work with an ache in my belly and a frown on my face, feeling about 6 years old