Raiders VS. Chargers

If you cant beat them, join them. Yep, its true. I have gone from a Football hater to a watcher. My man loves football. He is a Raiders fan thru and thru. So, I decided to pick a team this year and follow suit. My team, the Chargers. Why, you ask? The uniforms. I think the dusty blue jerseys are cute. This Thursday, we are going to see the Raiders VS. the Chargers in San Diego. I had to buy the tickets for the Raider side since this was a birthday present for DBF Michael, but I will be rooting for the Chargers to win. Of course, since I will be sitting on opposing teams side, my cheering will be internal. I will do my best not to jump up and yell when and if the Chargers make a touchdown. Come on, I'm not stupid. Have you seen the Raider Nation? There is no way in the world I would sit on their side and say anything except, "Go Raiders!!"

I have come along way since last year. I was fighting a losing battle against Sunday football. Now that I understand a little bit more about the game, its not so bad. I think I started my appreciation with last years Superbowl. What a game!! Talk about intense. I'm not sure if either one of our teams will make it to the Superbowl this year but I'm not going to give up hope. Come on Thursday!! Its gonna be a good game.

The Lesbian Christmas Light Debacle

Putting Christmas lights up has never been rocket science, at least thats what I thought before today. All you have to do is connect strands of lights together, put them up, and VIOLA! Instant lights. Right? Nope, not at our house. DBF Michael and I did a fine job of working as a team to get the job done. You connect the male ends to the female ends until its long enough to fit around the house. Piece of cake? You would think so, wouldnt you? What if you put up all of your lights and find out that there is no way to plug them in? Yep, that's what happened to us. We started out with the female end, meaning the end that something plugs into, and ended up with a male end. No problem. There were enough lights to go around the house and make it a beautiful display of green and red. So, the job is finally done and its time to plug them in. Well, the end that we have always used, which goes thru the spare bedroom window, was a female end. OK...so, we get an extension cord. You have to plug in the male end to the female end...and what do you have? Another female end. No matter how many extension cords you use, you still are left with a female end. How do you plug them in?

We both looked at each other, thinking to ourselves, what in the heck did we do wrong? I don't remember Christmas lights ever being this difficult but we couldn't come to a conclusion that worked. The only way to fix it would be to take down all of the lights and start out with a male end...something that can plug into something else. No way!! The whole house is done and now we have to redo it? Nope, instead, we decided to make it work from the other side of the house. We put an extension cord up and over the rafters, around the garage door, and thru the tiny vent at the bottom of the farthest wall in the garage. Where there is a will, there is definitely a way. The moral to this story?? Before you decide to put up your lights, think twice. Whatever you do, don't start out with the female end if that's the one you are using to plug them in. You will end up in the same situation.....In the dark trying to string up lights. It wasn't an easy task and had us both scratching our heads but we pulled it off!! For the record, two female ends wont work no matter how many extension cords you have. You need a male and a female to pull it off.

Gossip Magazines

My guilty pleasure for this week is gossip rag's. You know the ones Im talking about. When you are waiting in line a the grocery store and they are staring you straight in the face? There is always a picture or article that grabs your attention. You pick it up, and BAM, you're hooked. I personally read them from front to back. No page goes unturned, no article is unread. I love this stuff. Its funny, the stars will tell you that its all a bunch of crap. However, when they say certain couples are having issues, the next month you see them in divorce court.

The thing that cracks me up the most is the "bump watch". Heaven forbid one of those women has a little water retention. If you are stick thin and gain 5 pounds during that time of the month, you are sure to be a target. Some of them are actually pregnant and will dodge that question until they are ready to deliver (thank you Christina Aguilera) but the majority of them arent. It would be tough to be in the public eye all the time. No wonder they have eating disorders. These magazines are notorious for photo modification. They can make someone who is a little chubby look as big as a house. Of course, their idea of chubby is a size 4. I dont read it for that, although it is quite funny. I just like to find out who's dating who and whats going on in Hollywood. I dont care about Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton, as they are regulars. Although, I did tune in when they both went to jail. Paris hasnt been the same since. Thank God.

I guess you can say Im addicted, and I love my drug of choice!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wordless Wednesday

I see you! Thanks for stopping by.

What an awesome movie!!

DBF Michael and I went to see Changeling this weekend. Wow, what a movie! Angelina Jolie threw down quite a performance. I think what made it even better, or more terrifying, is that is was based on a true story. A mother prays for the return of her kidnapped son. When her prayers are answered, however, she begins to suspect the boy who comes back is not her child even though the police chief keeps telling her it is. For every single mother out there, this would be your worst nightmare. I don't want to ruin the story by saying too much. We both enjoyed it. Even though it was over 2 hours long, I had no idea we had been sitting there for that amount of time. That's how good it was. Kudos to Angelina and John Malcovich (one of my favorite actors anyway) for making this a spectacular movie.

Two big thumbs up!!

I own a home!

For the first time in my life I can actually say that I'm a home owner. What a great feeling and I couldn't have done it without my Dad. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us but there isn't a day that goes by I don't think about him. I'm 42 years old and have spent 20 years raising kids. The majority of that on my own. Robbing Peter to pay Paul was a regular occurance in our rented duplex apartment. At times I thought I would never make it thru. Unrelenting, is a very good word to describe me. That's what you have to be as a single parent. I just found out, also, that my loan was approved. I can now go forward with the changes I want to make to my house. Ive thought about planting a tree in my Dads honor as a memorial and to show thanks for what he has done for me.

Let me give you a little back story, he is not my biological father. He adopted me when he married my mother. I was only 4 at the time. Even after their divorce, which was only 5 years after their marriage, he still continued to be my Dad. His name was put on my birth certificate and he never made me feel any different than my sisters, who were his biological children. In the end, we all got houses without mortgages. I have alot of work to do on the house but it doesn't matter because MY name is on the deed. No words could ever express the gratitude and love I have for him. And sometimes when I'm alone, I can feel him watching over me. He wasn't a very verbal man when it came to saying "I love you", but we always knew he did. If I could say one thing to him now it would be "Thanks for all you've done Pop. I love and miss you very much." Now, its time to celebrate. Then, off to the store for a tree I think my Dad would like. Dont ever give up hope. Everything happens when its time. Be patient because good things come to those who wait.

Happiness......

I think happiness is something you decide. You can either live your life miserable or except what it’s given you and make the best of it. We all have our ups and downs. You wouldn’t be human if this wasn’t the case. Misery, on the other hand, loves company. If you have ever been around someone that is always unhappy, it brings you down. You can try your best to change their perspective but I think it’s a decision they make. Some people like being that way. Chronic complainers are also a challenge. You know the type, nothing ever makes them happy. How do they get like that? My depression comes and goes and it generally coincides with a certain time of the month or a particular time of the year. The holidays, especially Christmas, can be hard for me. I lost someone very important in December and it just hasn’t been the same since. This year may be even more of a challenge with my son being in Iraq. It will be the first Christmas of his life that we haven’t been together. I’m going to stay as cheerful as I can for his benefit, at least while I’m talking to him. I wouldn’t want him to feel worse than he already does.

Life is tough. We have things we regret but learn to make the best of it and move on. If your life is always filled with “what if’s”, who is busy living your “now” moments? Trying to make everyone happy all the time can be exhausting. Have you ever heard of negative energy? It’s a vibe a person puts out and it radiates through a room in no time. If you think you have a problem with this, try looking at life a little different. Have you ever thought about what you have instead of what you don’t have? When was the last time you gave thanks for your blessings? Everybody has them. Are you employed? Do you have a roof over your head? Is your fridge stocked? Are there people that love you? Don’t focus on the negative but rather, make the best of what you have. We only have one chance here on earth. Why not make the best of it? What could you possibly have to lose? Try smiling next time you feel bad. Its surprising how much better it can make you feel.

Guilty Pleasures

DBF Michael had a great idea for a post. He suggested I do an article each week of things that bring me pleasure. My guilty pleasure for this week is Gordon Ramsay.



Have any of you watched Hell's Kitchen? What about Kitchen Nightmares? I love it!! Hell's kitchen is more of a reality "who's the best chef" kinda show. Kitchen nightmares is a whole different ball game. He is asked by different restaurant owners to come in and "SAVE" their business. He can be very brutal, or is that brutally honest? Its funny, first he meets them, then they feed him their best dishes, and he gives them his opinion. Its NEVER good. I always thought it was funny because when he eats, his fork is upside down. According to DBF Michael, that's a British thing. I don't know if I could be an owner of a business and handle what he has to say but man is it fun watching their responses. In the end, he saves the day. He teaches the staff about simple cooking, he modifies the menu, and then redecorates the decor. After that, he returns to find out how things are going. Most of them end up with a booming business. Others, go back to their old ways or lose their restaurants all together. I think he's great.

We just found out he has a restaurant in LA. I looked at the menu and its a bit pricey. However, I think if Ramsay had anything to do with it, it will be FABULOUS!!. If you haven't checked him out you really should. Its pure comedy and you might even learn something especially if you are thinking about opening your own business. The filth that he walks into most of the time has really made me think twice when choosing a restaurant. Thank You Gordon....You rock!

Child support and visitation

Did you know that if a non custodial parent doesn't pay their child support, they can still see the kids? I was told, when my children were younger, that it didn't matter if my ex husband was a dead beat Dad or not. He could still have visitation with the children. Now does that seem right to you? We as custodial parents are there for homework, illness, school clothes, dentist visits, late night feedings, skinned knee's, teenage attitudes and we pay for everything our children need to survive. They, in turn (meaning the dead beat Dads) can come in when they feel like it and see their kids without having any financial accountability. As a matter of fact, if we refuse to let them see our children, we can be arrested for violating a court order. What that tells me is, its OK not to pay child support because you're going to be able to see your kids anyway.

My ex husband had no remorse for the financial burdens I endured. He was too busy feeling sorry for himself or chasing after his drug addicted wife. If I brought up the fact that I was having problems making ends meet, he would change the subject or start a fight about the amount of back child support he owed and how unfair it was that the DA was keeping a tally. Of course, that was when he actually called or showed up to take the children. For many years, I hated him. I think that if a non custodial parent doesn't pay child support, and they are perfectly capable of working, they shouldn't have visitation rights. The only inconvenience the DA does is take away their license. Which I find ironic. If you cant get to work, how can you be expected to pay? There has to be a better alternative. It didn't really affect my ex because he left the state and got a new license in Tennessee. Something else needs to be done for these repeat offenders. Although, I'm not sure what that is. The child support dilemma is a system that has been broken for years. It isn't getting better, its getting worse. If two people come together and have a child, they should both have equal responsibility in raising it/them. Both financially and emotionally. Wouldn't you agree? And women that keep children away from fathers that really want to be there for their kids need to be addressed as well. It a two way street. Not all fathers are bad. Some actually want to see there children. How did this system get so messed up? Who really suffers? The children, thats who.

TT #83

13 words of wisdom for women.

1. If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.

2. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.

3. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.

4. Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always knows where you are, and your always readily available to him- he takes it for granted.

5. Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be.

6. You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two-way street.

7. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.

8. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.

9. Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.

10.Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

11.The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

12.Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

13. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat ON you.

Wordless Wednesday

Meals for under $5.00 dollars

Porcupine Meatballs

This recipe only requires a few ingredients and is easy to prepare.

1 package (6.8 ounces) beef-flavored rice mix
1 egg, beaten
1 pound ground beef
2-1/2 cups boiling water

Set contents of rice seasoning packet aside. In a bowl, combine the rice and beaten egg. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the seasoning packet and boiling water. Add to skillet; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender. About 8 servings for around $4 for the entire recipe or 50 cents a serving.


Cheesy Pull Apart Biscuits

2 cans of can biscuits (about 60 cents)
handful of shredded cheddar (about 50 cents)
half cup melted butter (75 cents)
desired amount of garlic powder or garlic salt


Cut each biscuit into four pieces, in half and half again. Mix butter and garlic. Put quartered biscuits into baggie. Pour in garlic butter mixture. Shake well try to coat all. Put half into loaf pan cover with cheese. Put in other half and add more cheese.

Bake at 350 till done in the middle. Slice like homemade bread really tasty with spaghetti.


Tortilla Pizza

1 package of flour tortilla any size you want
1 can pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce (will only use about 1/2 of pizza or
1/3 of spaghetti)
1 8oz pkg mozzarella cheese
Whatever toppings you would like we use mushrooms and pepperoni


Top flour tortilla with sauce, cheese and toppings and bake at 450 for about
5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Very cheap and kid friendly.




Simple Goulash

1 pound ground meat
4 cups cooked rice (approx. 2 cups uncooked)
1 can tomato soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 slices of American cheese

In large skillet brown ground meat with salt and pepper to taste. Drain fat. Turn heat to med./low. Add cooked rice and both soups. Mix well and then smooth out in skillet. Top with slices of cheese and heat until cheese starts to slightly bubble.

Teenagers suck

I was listening in on a conversation at the office today. The general consensus, teenagers suck. Not only do they give you lip when you ask them to do something, they don't listen, you have to tell them 100 times to do something, they think they're smarter than you, and now days, they are into hardcore drugs and violent crimes. No, not all but many. Yes, I know kids have always done stupid things. Hell, I did. How did my mother survive? First of all, I didnt disrespect her. Second, If I gave her lip, she beat my butt. Where do kids learn that we owe them something? I worked hard raising my two boys. A very close friend of mine is going thru it right now. Her 18 year old son stole her ATM card. The reason he gave her for taking it.....she owed it to him? Excuse me??? If either one of my sons ever said that to me (after they gained consciousness), they would be out on the streets quicker than I could pack a trash bag. How disrespectful can you be? She is a single mother struggling to make ends meet and he pulls this crap!

Another single mother I work with was talking about how her son told her he didn't have to do what she told him. Since when? If you think you know it all, there's the door. Its time for a reality check. My kids have pulled their fair share of crap. Especially my oldest....to the next level. Neither one of them, however, stole anything from me nor did they tell me they didn't have to do something. My youngest will have every excuse in the book as to why he shouldnt do it, but in the end I always win. I think it was the fear of losing their life that kept them from pulling such a stunt. As a single parent, the first thing you need to do is lose the guilt. Don't let your child get away with anything because you feel guilty for divorcing their mother/father. They will use that against you and play it to the end. Be strong. My boys may have been bigger than me but I could take both of them out. And they know it. My advise, discipline your children. That doesnt mean beat them, that means find out what works. Start young because by the time they become teenagers, if they havent learned any lessons, they can make your life miserable. Remember who is in control and dont back down an inch!

Boob jobs

October was breast cancer awareness month. Considering I'm in the medical field, cancer is a big part of my world. That being said, lets talk about boobs and their significance because there are a few things I don't understand. First of all, why do you need them (boobs) to feel like a woman? We are all unique, beautiful people that shouldnt be judged merely by whether we have them or not. And, what is the importance of the size? OK, if you ask a man, you know he will say the bigger, the better. Of course, Ive also heard that more than a mouthful is a waste. Teenagers and woman all over the world are getting breast enhancements. Why? I had a very close friend of mine (who had a boob job) tell me I would never understand because I'm not flat chested. Do women do it to attract men? And if that's true, why would you want a man that is only interested in the size of your breasts?

The thought of putting something inside my body that was foreign (didn't belong there), scares the crap out of me. You hear horror stories all the time about botched surgeries and women being disfigured for life. Was it worth it? Do you feel so poorly about yourself that you have a need to take that type of risk? Don't get me wrong, I think a boob lift is a good thing. With that type of surgery, they do modifications to make you perky again. However, they use your own parts. After having children, this isn't a bad thing. Did you know that women who have breast enhancements have to go back after 10 years to get them done again? The surgery isn't an easy one. Ive seen many women in severe post operative pain. Its become a fad, and alot of women are jumping on the band wagon. Do your homework. If this is something you cant live without, make sure the surgeon is experienced and check their references. Then ask yourself, are you doing it for you or for someone else? And men, is it really that important? Would you base your love for a woman on the size of her breasts? Id really like to know.

A shout out to my readers

Id like to give a shout out to my readers. I don't know if you have experience with Feedjit, but it lets me know all of the live traffic coming to my blog, along with the places people are coming from. It will even give me a shot of their house and the area they live it. It also tells me what people were looking for when they came to my blog. Ive noticed that I have fans who are local, across the state, and overseas. From Belleville, Michigan, Phoenix, Arizona, San Diego, California, Redlands, California to Rabca, Zilina,Vancouver, Waco, Texas, British Columbia, and Montreal, Quebec. I have quite a following in the Philippines. I want you to know I appreciate all of you. I think it is awesome that I am reaching so many people all over the world. Please don't hesitate to contact me if there are questions you have regarding my blog. I love my readers and will listen to any suggestion. My expertise is Single Parenting but that's not the only thing I have experience with. I try to keep it real and be as honest as I can. So, to all of you in the Internet world, thanks for stopping by and making my day!

Safe Haven Law

Have any of you heard about the “Safe Haven” law? It typically lets parents remain nameless to the court, often using a numbered bracelet system as the only means of linking the baby to the mother. Police stations, hospitals, rescue squads, and fire houses are all typical locations to which the safe haven law applies. All 50 states have "safe haven" laws, but the others apply only to infants less than 1 year old. Nebraska was one of the last states to introduce this. Only the District of Columbia is without such a law. People from all over the country are taking their children and dropping them off. Some of them driving for miles to get their kids to Nebraska. Three fathers walked into two hospitals in Omaha and abandoned their children. One left nine siblings, ages 1 to 17. Last week, a 13-year-old girl was left. The week before that, two boys ages 11 and 15. In all, fathers, mothers and caregivers in six families, some of them single parents, have bailed on 14 kids, including seven teens, since the law took effect in July. I believe that number has jumped since then to about 35 kids.

What I want to know is, where was this law when I had an unruly 16 year old 4 years ago? There were times I really wanted to give that kid up for adoption but who would take a 16 year old with a drug, alcohol, and attitude problem? It seems the legislators could not agree on a specific age limit, choosing "child" instead, which applies to anyone aged 17 or under. Man, did they open up a can of worms. Teenagers are making up the largest number of abandoned children. Gee, I wonder why? For all of you having problems with your teens, maybe you should enlighten them on this law. It may make for a really quick attitude adjustment. Since the law states no person shall be prosecuted for any crime based solely upon the act of leaving a child in the custody of an employee on duty at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska, they are really opening up the flood gates. Good luck in back peddling on this one guys!

The Mistress

I’ve often wondered the logic behind being the other woman. I mean, if the guy is cheating on his wife and/or girlfriend, what makes you think he won’t cheat on you? It happened to me. My ex husband had an affair. I didn’t find out until a year after I left him but the way I found out was pretty comical. He worked odd hours and hooked up with a fellow employee. After seeing what she looked like, I had to laugh. Anyway, I got a call from “Beth” one day. I had already moved on and was in another relationship so it really didn’t affect me much but it did answer some questions. Beth called to tell me that my ex was cheating on her, and she was so mad, she wanted to come clean with me by telling me she had an affair with my husband while we were married. I found it quite ironic. It didn’t come as a blow to me. I was surprised but not upset. However, in looking back, the time frame she said that they had begun their affair was right around the time that we stopped having sex. We went from “doing it” daily, to once a week, if that. It was like a light switch turned off and our marriage was on the down hill slide to divorce court.

I’m not a patient person and I must admit I’ve been guilty of not sticking around long enough to try and make it work. If I am not happy, I move on. We had been together 7 years so maybe it was the 7 year itch. There is another side to this story though. I am just as guilty as he was. His best friend, and our neighbor, was always flirting with me. He had a girlfriend that I couldn’t stand. She was one of those girls that would go around braless trying to attract attention, problem was, she was butt ugly. So, when my ex wasn’t there to satisfy my needs, his best friend was. I probably should have felt guilty, but I didn’t because they weren’t married. If they had been, I would have never gone there. Anyway, that doesn’t make it right and I’m a big believer in karma, at the time though, it was something I needed. Our affair went on for a year, long after I left my husband. When I found the man I wanted to start a relationship with, I ended the affair. Statistics say a husband rarely leaves his wife for the mistress. In this case, I let her have him without even knowing about her. If things change drastically without a reason, Id do some research. Chances are you probably aren’t getting the full story. Listen to your gut. If I hadn’t been fooling around myself, I may have been more receptive to the signs the Universe was sending me.

Faking Orgasms

Why do women fake orgasms? That is something I could never understand. You hear about it a lot but Ive often wondered why? Telling your partner what you want really isn't that difficult. If you are intimate enough to lay naked with this person and have sex, isn't it your obligation (for yourself) to tell them what you want if what they are doing isn't working for you? You would be surprised at how many men really love this kind of feedback. Its much better than them trying and not hitting the spot, then you end up faking it (not me but some..id rather him find the spot), and he feels like he has totally rocked your world. Yes, it does wonders for their ego but its taught them nothing. There are men that don't care whether you climax or not, but that's not the majority. And the few that Ive been with, didn't get a sequel.

In thinking back, Ive only offended one man (that I know of) and we had been together for a while. The reason, I was tired of needing to satisfy myself before we had sex. I don't know if he was lazy, selfish, or just thought he didn't need to doing anything but my exact words to him were, "Don't you know what you're doing?" True, it takes a little longer for a woman to have an orgasm but so what. Woman are aroused by touch, intimacy, and lots of foreplay. Men can get hard at the drop of a hat. Wouldn't you want your partner to be satisfied? I know If I'm doing something wrong, I want to know. Although, its much clearer on men. If they're not hard = not doing something right. Oral pleasure can be a wonderful thing for both people involved. I know sometimes I feel like my orgasms don't come quick enough but the more you become uptight about it, the longer it takes. And men, its all about location, location, location. If you notice your woman is breathing a little faster or her legs are starting to tense up, DON'T STOP what you're doing. One movement can lose the momentum you worked so hard for. Faking orgasms isn't fun or fair. Woman are more outspoken now than ever before so don't let it stop in the bedroom. Tell your man what you want. He really needs to know.

Wordless Wednesday

Where's the womans version?

Pro Choice

I’m glad proposition 4 didn’t pass and I’m going to tell you why. First of all, for those who don’t know, it required a waiting period and parental notification before termination of a minor’s pregnancy. I understand that abortion shouldn’t be used for birth control. I also know that the majority of teenage girls will not tell their parents about an unwanted pregnancy. Should they be having sex before marriage? No. Are they going to have it anyway? Yes. You did and so did I. We have come along way, why would you want to turn back the hands of time? Do we really want our kids in back alleys with coat hangers or babies being born and thrown in the trash cans?

I had an unwanted pregnancy at 16. I was able to tell my mother and she helped me make my decision. She also went with me to get an abortion. Am I proud of it? No, and I would never want to go thru that again mentally. I was too young to have a baby and yes, too young to be having sex. I did, however, end up marrying the father, which was another mistake. People shouldn’t judge other people for their choices. We have a family planning click across the street from my work and I see how they make those poor girls feel. Its awful. No one in this world is perfect. We all make choices that affect our lives and the lives of others. One thing everyone needs to remember though, we live is a free country and its our right to choose. Roe vs Wade was passed years ago. To go back in time would be a grave injustice to women, whether you agree with abortion or not. The fact that the proposition did not pass lets me know that Im not the only one with these feelings. You have to be realistic about life. Living in a fantasy world will get you no where.

Absolutely DELISH!!!!

Last night was date night. We went to LA to see Jim Gaffigan (the comedian) for my birthday. We stumbled upon a restaurant by accident and I'm so glad we did. The restaurant is called OPUS. Its at 3760 Wilshire Blvd in LA. They call their food American Freestyle. Im not sure what that means but it works. I ordered the Fillet Mignon with sauteed vegetables. OMG, it was the best dinner Ive had in a very long time. I don't know if its because Ive been on Nutrisystems for the past month that it really amplified the experience by 1000, but DBF Michael also concurred with my opinion. On Nutrisystems I am able to flex on the weekend so I can eat normal food I just have to follow the portions and diet plan, which makes staying on the diet a lot easier. The decor in the restaurant is very dark and romantic with dim lighting, a real cool waterfall in the middle, and classic soft rock in the back ground. They had great service as well. We got there before they actually opened and they seated us anyway. I would have to say that the sauteed vegtables were the best Ive ever had. I tasted a hint of garlic and maybe a dash of ginger. Whatever it was, it definitely worked. I HIGHLY recommend a trip to this fantastic resturant if you are ever in the area. Their prices are about what you would pay at any fine dining restaurant but it is worth it. The next excuse we have to go to LA, the OPUS with definitely be on the agenda!

TGIF

High Expectations

Ive learned alot of things over the years. One thing took a little longer than others and thats not to have high expectations. If you dont, you wont be let down. That can go for many things including a raise at work, a holiday, a relationship, or other peoples actions. I guess I should probably rephrase that. You really should have high expectations in a relationship but you also have to take into consideration your partner and their capability. Men and women are never on the same wave length. However, that doesnt buy you a "get out of jail" free card. Men should never stop striving to impress their women. True, we are more perceptive but it isnt rocket science. Although, I am sure we born with this gift. We notice things more often, take mental notes, and learn about the other person inside and out. Thats how we nuture the ones we care about.

Details are important. And yes, its the little things that count. If you think you have totally screwed something up, a little gesture can redeem you in a heartbeat. Women are sentimental. They love to be loved and to be shown it on a regular basis. In reality, we do more and expect the least amount back. Mothers are notorious for that. We put alot of expectations in the people we love, teenagers (more so) but all children are a perfect example of this. When they blow it, you need to put your high expectations aside and learn to deal with whatever life gives you. As a matter of fact, we should learn to have reasonable expectations of our offsprings to begin with. Not all kids are straight A students nor do they always make the right decisions. That statement should also be followed with the expectation being dependant on the situation.

Women do alot for the people we love, yet dont ask for anything in return. That doesnt mean we dont want it, it just means we arent expecting it....or are we? That also depends on the situation. If you love someone, dont let a day go by that they ever questions that. Love is more than a word, its an action. No, its many actions rolled into a lifetime.

Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday blues

My birthday is November 6th. For as long as I can remember, it’s always been a time of grief for me. Why? I don’t know. I have had people I love very much die this time of year so I always thought that was the answer. Well, this year I’m not depressed. I don’t know if it’s the Flaxseed oil I’ve been taking or the Nutrisystems diet I have been on, but I actually feel good. Turning 42 isn’t the end of the world. Ya, I would love to be 10 years younger but I’m not. I have gained a lot of wisdom in my years so the gray that I cover up every 6 weeks is earned. Every strand. As long as there is Clairol though, I will never let is grow out. Heck, I don’t even remember the color of my hair. I think its dark auburn but when I look at the roots, it’s some awful brown color. Yuck!! Plastic surgery isn’t something I would consider at this stage of the game. I have oily skin; therefore, I don’t have wrinkles. Not yet anyway. People tell me all the time they can’t believe I have a 20 year old in the military. So, I will take that as a compliment. And of course, I am 11 months younger that DBF Michael. That is something that will NEVER change. I have my own home, a man that loves me, a wonderful family, 2 awesome kids, and a job I no longer hate. I have a lot to be thankful for. This year, although I won’t be eating my traditional birthday cake because it’s not on my diet, I will embrace my life and eat my Nutrisystems dinner with a smile. Life is good.

TT #82

13 Phrases Googled to find my blog......

1. Marriage counseling does it work?

2. Im sorry.

3. K-Y Commercials.

4. Can I take mucinex and tylenol at the same time?

5. My sons feet are.....

6. Definition of parents love.

7. Car salesmen are jerks!

8. Gastric band and ID cards.

9. Do you stay for the children?

10. Free relationship in love boys and girls.

11. Contract with supportkids.(Man, I sure hope they didnt sign!)

12. Sheer cover make up complaints.

13. Topless saleswomen legal Liverpool England tropical fish stores.(WTF?)

Wordless "Yummy" Wednesday

Is there really a way to stop Supportkids?

I get alot of responses regarding my posts on Supportkids. As many of you know, Ive been doing battle with those crooks for years. Its a vicious cycle that never ends. I request termination, they deny me. Well, another reader has had experience with this company and gave me some advise I would like to pass along. If you are fed up with the run around, maybe this will work for you:

1. Contact the employers and your child support agencies via certified mail and have them change the address from Supportkid's address back to your own address. Supportkids does direct deposit of all the checks received.

2. Have your child support agency redirect the deposit back to you or have them mail you a check directly.

3. Contact the employers and have them stop providing Supportkids with information. Inform them that no changes can be made without your written consent by a notarized letter. If this works, the payment will come right to you.

When I contacted the DA's office, they basically said it was my fault for signing the contract and that it couldn't legally be modified. However, it may be different in your state. I live in California. If this helps one single parent in their quest to terminate the dreaded contract with Supportkids, then my blog has done its job. Thank you all for your input. I read everything and pass on any information that I think would be helpful. If you try it, let me know the results. I'm sure many parents would love to see this company go out of business!

Horoscopes and compatibility

I believe in the stars. Not the ones you see on TV, but astrology. In the past, I would base alot of decisions, especially in relationships, on what they had to say about my potential partner. Silly? Ya, probably. I think its interesting to read about yourself. Your good points and bad (although you know them already), having someone else point it out to you without even know you is a trip. They also speculate who you are the most compatible with and who you're not. Funny, if I had listened to what they said about Scorpios and Sagittarius, I wouldn't be in the relationship I'm in now. Ive always been drawn to Sagittarius and I'm not sure why. Three very important relationships in my life were Sagittarius. And its funny, their birthdays are within a week of each other. They have alot of the same characteristics but each one very is different.

DBF Michael is the closest Ive been to a man, while being in a relationship. Meaning, he's my best friend too. When something happens in my day, he's the first one I want to tell. He always has alot to say, and I'm there to listen. Scorpios aren't really verbal unless they have an opinion about something. Idle chit-chat isn't something we do. He talks, I listen, and it works. We debate, dont get me wrong, but we also laugh at each other too. We are two completely different people, but isnt that how relationships are supposed to work? Opposites attract, right? Many people don't believe in this stuff but have you ever sat down and read about your sign? Its pretty funny. Now, look at the compatibility between you and your partner. Is there any truth there? If you keep going with the same type of guy, start asking them their sign. Maybe, they have more in common with each other than you think!