This makes me smile

There is nothing better in my eyes, than a smile. It could be from a friend, a child, a stranger or just a :O) and my day will be complete. Whenever I hear this song, I smile, because the words are so true. I just found this vid on YouTube, I have blogged about this song before, but never saw the vid. So I wanted to give everyone a smile for the day. Hope you enjoy as I did, and of course smile!

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Get me outta here!

Tractor plow almost swooping up Italian Stallion # 2

Just keep piling up the snow

Piles and Piles

The crew in action? Then why are they all standing around?
(this pic cracks me up)

Each winter you truly forget how debilitating a snow storm or blizzard can be. I guess you actually want to forget it, because it causes so much grief. It sometimes seems your outside surroundings come to a complete stop as the snowflakes fall. This winter NJ has been hit with so much snow that our state is over their normal budget for snow removal. I have never been so tired of snow as I am right now. I have decided for today, to take a chill pill, and enjoy the site of it, cause if you can't beat it why fight it..

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We didn’t know we were poor...

By Mary

My parents are 1st generation Americans. Their parents were from Mexico. I am sad that I don’t know much about my Great Grandparents. I have asked, but from what I gather records were not kept well where they came from. I only have two of my Father’s sisters left. All of my Mother’s Brother’s and one sister are gone. Growing up I had no idea I would value this information. I know my parents had a hard life growing up. I’m not sure I could have taken all that was thrown at them. They were both subjected to prejudices of all kind, but persevered. They raised 7 of us to see no color lines and too give as good as we got. They didn’t have much, so they didn’t leave much which is fine with me. I am proud that they were so charitable to those less fortunate. They would give their last dollar to anyone that asked.

My husband was raised in a one room two story cabin. His Father died very young of an aneurysm from a fall while trapping beaver, fox etc. He left 5 sons and 2 daughters. My hubby was 17 months old when he died and had a younger brother. They younger brother was eventually adopted by an Uncle. Life was very hard for them in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. His Mother moved to Lower Michigan to look for work. She worked at a clothing shop until cancer took her when hubby was 17. All 7 grew up to be fine hard working adults. Here in lies the differences in our families… They all are tighter than tight! They don’t give or do for others anymore than they have to. An example is my hubby, our snow plow was down for repairs this week so our driveway was impassible. Our neighbor cleared us out without our even asking. My Hubby will plow our drive, & not even notice that our neighbor across the road is drifted shut! I will say something to him and he just shrugs his shoulders. It just doesn’t occur to him that others could use the help! The same thing when he mows. I sometimes shame him into helping lol! There are many others, but my point is how two families basically grew up in the same type of back ground but turned out so different.

Of course the upside is that they are all living very comfortable lives and will no doubt leave a bit of dough lol!

I am curious about your partners and the way they were raised, how it affects your relationships/lives.

All In A Day's Work

by Bonachichi

This blog is mostly for Tina, because she likes the car stuff. Sometimes I pick up a consulting job that requires some sort of qualification or certification. The road rallies I used to do had that requirement. I don't know who or what put the requirement in place, but in order to work the job, we all had to prove we could drive if needed. Whether that was our primary function or not. Here's one year of qualifying, which spanned two days for all of us. I am happy to say that I did qualify. Barely, but I did it. Has anyone else ever found themselves doing something totally NOT what you thought you'd be doing for your job?

~ Shattered Dreams ~

by Tina~in_ut

When I worked in Customer Service, I was never able to take advantage of special opportunities at work. An email would come out asking for volunteers for this or that, and anyone working in my department wasn't eligible because we were short staffed and needed on the phones.

Last week, an email came out asking for volunteers to go to Japan to help with training. I was surprised to find that my new department was included, especially since there are only 10 of us. I immediately put in for the job. It begins March 1st and goes thru June 4th. Each person chosen wouldn't stay the entire time, but would have to commit to at least two weeks. I really didn't think I would be chosen to go, but it has been fun dreaming about it this past weekend.

Yesterday, I ran into a Lead and a Manager. We started talking about the Japan assignment and they told me that so far, 50 people had expressed interest in the positions from our office alone. They were already weeding out people who definitely were not competitive and wouldn't be picked to go. Both ladies were very complimentary and told me, "Be careful what you wish for!" It gave me hope and a spring in my step.

Today, when I got to work, my dream was shattered. I had two emails waiting for me. It had been decided, upon further review, that the two new departments were not eligible for the assignment because of "operational needs." I was so stinking bummed! No....that's not right.....I was pissed!!!! Just ask Janice! I kept seeing her duck when I turned her way. It's one thing to be told that you didn't get the job because there are other people more qualified, but to be told that you were able to apply for the job, and then not.....after a freaking week......ugh!!!! So what did I do to get outta my funk? I did what any red blooded American would do! I emailed DeeDee to tell her my whoa's and here is her reply:

well it's my fault.......I had a plan for you to cinch being picked but I just figured you were a shoe-in......don't worry darlin'.....we'll get you a big ol' bowl of rice.....put you in a REALLY small room and give you a pair of chopsticks....it'll be just like being there....just without the fishy smell!!!

There was more to the note, but just that one paragraph had me laughing and made me feel so much better~ DeeDee, you're priceless~

Just some thoughts

I cannot get into the Olympics this year. I am not sure if it's my mood or I just find it boring. I have been looking forward to them for sometime now, and now that they are here, I find myself switching channels. I have also come to the conclusion that I like the Summer Olympics better. I think the events of the summer Olympics grab my interest more than the Winter Olympics. I do like figure skating tho, which I think starts the end of this week. So hopefully I will want to watch.

On a completely different subject. I must get something off my mind.

Tiger Woods! Oh my dear glory be, what is up will all the apologies? We all know by now he cheated on his wife several times. But in my humble opinion, that is between him and his wife. I know there is a certain image he must maintain to keep his endorsements for his level of play, but in this crazy world of money, another apology is not going to make a difference. He will certainly get his endorsements back and the support of his fans. President Clinton did, so why should Tiger be any different.

During his latest apology, he looked like a beaten man, and yes I am sure he feels so. His "speech" was well rehearsed and not from the heart. It was something he felt (or his people) he had to do to keep his image. If it were up to me, I would have told him enough with the apologies, work on your marriage and move on. The money, the image, the play is not going anywhere. Many men in his financial situation do the same exact thing, some get caught, and others don't, but most rebound. This is how our money world works. Sad but true.

So Enough, Please!

When I think back on all the high profile celebs, athletes etc., the only one that I can truly say that did not rebound was OJ Simpson. Simple fact, he murdered his wife as well as Ron Goldman and got away with it. He was never able to make money off himself again. It did come back to him tho, as he sits (and hopefully rots) in jail for a unrelated crime, all because he thought he was invincible.

The Simple Things

by Bonachichi

I had a really good day today. Nothing spectacular happened. It was one of those days where everything just falls into place. I had a meeting scheduled with a new partner. His name's Jerry and before today, I'd never even seen him. The way he described himself, I was looking for Alfred Hitchcock. I was to meet him at Starbucks and as usual, I was early. I sat down and popped open my laptop. There were some people talking nearby, but I was doing whatever I do.

I kept looking up from time to time, searching for Alfred. A lady asked me if I was meeting someone and I told her I was a consultant, meeting another consultant. It is one of the unchangeable laws of the universe that if you tell people you're a computer person, they'll ask for advice. I don't mind it. It keeps me on my toes. Her son had something wrong with his laptop. I knew it was a virus and told her to call him and have him bring his machine to Starbucks.

Then I went looking for Alfred. I mean Jerry. He was in the parking lot, leaning against his car. For the record, he doesn't look anything like Alfred Hitchcock. I told him I'd met a woman who needed some help and maybe we could work together and get a feel for each other.

I can't even describe the ease with which we worked together. We'd just met, but were on the same page. Jerry doesn't write computer software. The only thing he does is remove viruses and spyware, a booming business. And he is a master. I could have gotten the job done, but it would have taken me longer and I'd not have had the confidence he did.

After the woman and her son thanked us, Jerry told me he'd love to partner with me. Apparently the ease I felt with him was mutual. This all started as a shot in the dark. A phone call to some unknown person. Everything fell into place and I've now got someone to navigate this technology jungle with. I've been on my own for a long time and I'm so thrilled to have someone on my team. Sometimes it's just the little things in life that are most satisfying.

What are some of the little things in your life that really make your day?