I Didn't Do It Thursday

Well, since I missed Not Me Monday a few days ago (shh!) I decided to post "I Didn't Do It Thursday" today to tell you all about what I DIDN'T do last week and catch you all up.

First of all, I DIDN'T spend the first part of the week obsessing over an Excel final project and I certainly DIDN'T cry over any of it since I DIDN'T have a hard time with any of it either. I DIDN'T end up calling Big-D who DIDN'T come over and help me, cuz like I said, I DIDN'T need help and I repeat, I DIDN'T cry!

I DIDN'T stay up Wednesday and bake and cook for Thanksgiving cuz we DIDN'T plan on joining some friends for dinner followed by games. I DIDN'T get an awesome Yam Crisp recipe and I DIDN'T make that as one of my dishes to take. After getting home I DIDN'T start to put up my Christmas tree and over half of the lights on the pre-lit tree DIDN'T stop working and I DIDN'T have to unwind them so I could string new ones and I DIDN'T think a bunch of horrible things and I certainly DIDN'T mutter under my breath something about the plebian workers whose job it is to string lights on pre-lit trees and how obviously they have nothing better to do than to hideously twist and wind and create all sorts of knots... no I certainly DIDN'T rant and rave like that, as that would have been... um... psychotic? My parents DIDN'T stop by while they were passing through town and I DIDN'T give them a box to courier to my sister back home. I DIDN'T think it was fun to see them.

Friday I DIDN'T have to take my vehicle into the mechanic for some ASAP work that needed doing and I DIDN'T have a wee little list of a few things to fetch from the stores and since I had no car Big-D DIDN'T oblige by taking me on my errands. We DIDN'T manage to go to the places on my list all in under two hours which DIDN'T amaze me since it was also "Black Friday". Big-D DIDN'T make Cow and Sheep Herding noises while we waded through the crowds. I DIDN'T think it was funny, and certainly DIDN'T laugh.

Friday was also Big-D's birthday and we DIDN'T celebrate by going to lunch and then a movie. We DIDN'T have a Mr. Crabby-Pants waiter and we DIDN'T choose to ignore his rudeness. We then DIDN'T go to see 2012... and it was a little intense in some scenes so I DIDN'T squeeze Big-D's hand a little too tightly and I certainly DIDN'T cry in at least four other parts of the film. I DIDN'T get slightly embarrassed about that.

Saturday I DIDN'T do laundry and dishes and DIDN'T get tons more homework done. I DIDN'T even get to work on PrettyPrettyPrincess's quilt just a tad (the one that I DIDN'T promise would be ready for her birthday -- LAST JANUARY!!!).

DIDN'T do anything either??? DIDN'T think so... hehehe.

Come Join My Bloggy Birthday Par-tay!

Ok... I admit... today is the 15th anniversary of my 21st birthday... but, please, don't make a big deal out of it. I really don't like attention...

Wait! What? Me -- not like attention? Since when have I NOT liked attention? Now that I am 21 for the 15th time, I am just going to call a spade a spade and NOT do the whole "it's my birthday but I'll pretend not to care so people don't think I'm an attention-seeker" thing. Yeah. I'm just gonna move past that and say....

Oh and here is one of my favorite bits from one of my favorite comedians. Enjoy!!!

Not a Sales Call, My Butt!

One day last week at work...

[phone rings]

Me: Good Morning, [place of business], This is Emma.

Caller: [static and "echo"] Yes. Gooood Mah-neeng Mum. May I Pah-leeeese Speek to Ke-veen?

Me: I'm sorry?

Caller: May I Pah-leeese speek to Ke-veen?

Me:Oh... I'm sorry. He no longer works here. Is there something I can help you with?

Caller: Oh. Yes. Mum. I see... Well, I can tellah you mum, eef you have jost a meen-ut, mum.

Me: [trying to work & multi-task] I'm sorry... is this a sales call? I don't really have time...

Caller: Uh-no, mum. Dees ease not a sales cole mum. I jost would like to tellah you, mum about ow-ah ser-vees.

Me: I'm sorry, I don't have time for a sales call right now... but thank you.

Caller: Ohhh, no, mum. Eet isn't a sales cole. I jost want to tellah you, Mum about ow-ah ser-veeses and then you can come-pare the two foh wheech-evah is bettah.

Me: I'm sorry, ma'am. That is a sales call, and like I said, I do not have time this morning, but thanks! [releases call]

Seriously... how is that NOT a sales call?

Opinions

Please tell me... What is YOUR opinion on opinions:


How often do you share yours?
How often do you lets others' opinions of what you should or should not do actually dictate what you do or do not do?
Do you or have you ever let someone's opinion of someone ELSE persuade you to share in that same opinion?
Is there someone in your life who is constantly giving you their [unwanted] opinion?
How often do you ask for another person's opinion?
Do you share your opinion without first being asked?
If you voluntarily bring up a topic - any topic - does that warrant that topic "open for discussion" thereby insinuating "Opinions Welcomed"?
Do you preface your opinion by stating first that this is just an opinion?
Whose opinion do you value the most?

If someone blogs THEIR opinion on their OWN blog, and a reader doesn't agree, do you think it is ok for that reader to comment on the post, revealing his/her own opinion? Or do you think it's rude -- or does it depend on the topic and how controversial it is?

Lately I've been getting a lot of opinions on certain things I should or should not do. A couple of times it has been because I have solicited it; I asked, "What do you think about....?" etc. And a few other times, I have been the one to bring up a topic and therefore the person to whom I am speaking gives their opinion in response. In MY Opinion - tee hee - I think both of those situations are merited. I brought it up, ergo "fair game".


And I tend to share my opinion more with those whom I am closer, and often times I will say, "In my opinion" or "take it or leave it... " etc.


I do think that there are some forums in which opinions should be left undebated. And even though it is our 1st amendment right to "comment", perhaps it is more polite that we simply respect the author's opinion and let it be. I find this mostly true with writing. Poems, journals, BLOGS!!! [hullo!], etc. I mean, if you don't agree, move on! unless... of course, i am ASKING YOU!

Personally, I don't have a huge problem with this. However, I have noticed lately a few of my bloggy friends will post about something, maybe to share or to vent to perhaps even to get an opinion or two. But then some reader comes along and basically attacks them, telling them that their opinion is stupid, or reading them the riot act, etc. I think that is just poor taste... in my opinion, hehehe.


I guess on the one hand, if you don't want to hear someone else's opinion on politics, religion, relationships, child-rearing, etc. then don't blog about it. On the other hand, "It's my BlogSpot and I'll Blog if I want to, Blog if I want to, Blog if I want to! You would blog too if it happened to you!" he-he-he-he!

p.s. Once, I submitted a recipe for a church cook book and in the directions I meant to put, "add onions and continue to stirfry with meat until tender". However, I must have had some sort of typo... because spell checker was on "auto correct" and switched the word "onions" to "opinions". The mistake wasn't caught until after the book was published and distributed. So, now the recipe calls for one to "add opinions and continue to stirfry meat until tender." Every time I open the book to that recipe, I always envision some not-the-sharpest-tool-in-the-shed housewife, standing over a hot stove, talking to the stir fry... "Mmm.... I think you look yummy!" ... or "you suck!" hahahahaha! opinions! hahahahaha!

What I Hate Am Thankful For

I was sort of feeling depressed the other day - about all the things I don't have or can't do or because of certain things that just really annoy me. But then I had one of those "a-ha!" moments Sunday, and I decided to see if I could turn my "negatives" into "positives" in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. So here is everything I hate am thankful for...
__________

I am thankful that my kids fight... cuz at least I have kids.

I am thankful that I live in a dumpy house... cuz it's better than a cardboard box under the viaduct.

I am thankful I do not have time to clean my house like I used to... cuz it means I have more important things to do with my time.

I am thankful that my family lives far away... cuz it makes the upcoming holidays that much better when I get to see them, and their visits are more meaningful.

I am thankful for very little money... cuz it is teaching me that I am way more resourceful than I would have ever thought possible.

I am thankful for rude or pushy people... cuz it reminds me that being happy or cheerful is a choice, and I like being nice!

I am thankful for stupid people... cuz it reminds me that I am smart!

I am thankful my job drives me nuts... cuz I still have a job.

I am thankful that I have an old vehicle... cuz it sure beats walking.

I am thankful that I don't have cable or dish... cuz it means more talk time with kids or studying.

I am thankful for the never-ending pile of laundry in my laundry room... cuz at least we have clothes.

I am thankful that I have a lot on my plate... cuz it helps me forget all the stuff I wish I had but don't.

I am thankful that I feel stretched thin some days... cuz it's better than being useless.

I am thankful that I am busy and stressed with school... cuz I am getting a second chance at my degree.

I am thankful I've been too busy to go running... cuz it means I've just reduced my chance of getting a cold, not to mention the excess "insulation" that will keep me warm this winter!

I am thankful for snow on the ground... cuz it's hiding all of the leaves I didn't have time to rake up.

I am thankful for politicians who don't always make the best choices... cuz it gives us stuff to talk about at work, when otherwise we might just have a dull day!

I am thankful I don't have a lot of money to buy a lot of things... cuz it makes me appreciate the things I do have a little more.

I am thankful for my "bought on clearance" or older-than-dirt clothes... cuz it's sooo much better than running around naked (for me AND you!).

I am thankful for having to make many things myself... cuz it shows me that I *do* have some talents or skills.

I am thankful for stressful breaking points...cuz it means I get to have a pity party and invite my besties.

I am thankful for my recent addiction to Diet Coke... cuz I've made some nice friends at the Drive-Thru... Gerardo & Oscar!

I am thankful for back and neck pain... cuz it means I can get more back rubs from Big-D.

I am thankful for sleepless nights... cuz I can spend time reading your awesome blogs!

I am thankful for tears and emotions... cuz it is waaay better than being hardened and cold-hearted.

I am thankful for my migraines... cuz they force me to slow down once in a while and get some much-needed (and often times, Xanax-induced) rest.

I am thankful for trials... cuz it is showing me that I can do hard things.

I am thankful for my meltdowns, when I've had enough... cuz then I get to receive hugs!

I am thankful (and this is a way hard one for me) for not being able to always do things on my own... cuz it means that God has a chance to remind me of His love for Me, by sending people to help me when I might need it.

I am thankful for all of my blessings, for everything which helps me to "Improve the Shining Moments". For all that gives me hope; from which I can draw strength, and feel and give more love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!

...Even if They Are Hot...

I had to go and visit with LittleDuckling's teacher after school one day last week. When I arrived she was not yet in the room. However, I noticed this on the board:

Apparently. Alyssa and Aubrey were chasing hot boys and the boys were getting annoyed. So the teacher made them take this oath, and I think they had to write it out 100 times in their notebook or something. Additionally, other notes [according to LittleDuckling] were written on the white board while Mrs. Mitchell stepped out of the room.

Sixth graders... **sigh**

Incidentally, my son is NOT in trouble... *whew*

Not Me Monday

Monday... time to recap the past week. This past week...

I did NOT work late on a few occasions and did NOT still feel behind at work. I was NOT uber-stressed about a lengthy final Excel Project for my CIS class. I also did NOT cook breakfast for the cast of the play at the cast party and I did NOT go to a "Thanksgiving Concert" as part of my required critique for my music class. I did NOT have fun doing that.

I did NOT tackle some laundry - just a wee bit - make some banana M&M muffins (which were NOT devoured) and also some homemade chili. It was NOT good.

I did NOT start having some anxiety about the upcoming holidays so much so, that I was NOT reduced to tears... nope, NOT me... cuz that would be pathetic. And above all, I did NOT cry so much that I ended up having a cry headache afterwards.

On a good note, I did NOT have a good shoulder to cry on and I did NOT receive even better hugs.