Long time, no blog

It seems when you do what is important to you other things fall off. That is where this blog has gone...fallen off. Right now we're moving, working, schooling, growing, healing, and just trying to have fun. Even my email is filling up as I only read things that I've been looking for in there.

Susan, Michelle, and I are waking up each morning just trying to get through the day like everyone else. If in the process you've been neglected and you're confident we didn't do it on purpose [ ;) ], drop one of us a line. We'd love to tell you about the latest adventure.

By the way, if you can think of something better for us than Wendy's late at night, please leave the suggestion in the comments section. We eat Wendy's way too much!

Thanks for dropping by. Someday I'll blog more again. Until then...tata...

Labels

Everywhere you go you hear people talking about labels. In the office there is training on not labeling people through stereotypes. Don't make jokes about ethnicity or race. When you go to the bars your friends tell you don't judge the person on their looks, all the good looking ones may not be as good looking in the morning. Or, when you're shopping, just because the guy looks better than you doesn't mean he's gay, maybe he's metro.

No matter what their are assumptions. If they're one religion, they must think this. If they're wearing that, they must be this. If this, than that! And, truth be told that isn't always true.

But still we fight that battle.

All labels and stereotypes stem from narrow-mindedness and even ignorance. At least all of the labels I've dealt with in my life. I had a REALLY bad haircut in high school. At the time it seemed practical and nobody close to me said otherwise. Needless to say in a short amount of time I was labeled a dyke. Ah, the joys of adolescence.

Since then, I've lost that one; but due to the quirks of a small town, I'll never lose others. And for that, I'll probably always avoid situations that force me to be seen with them. I struggle at even entering the Wal-Mart in my home town because I want to be me.

I will never shake:
-"Mike's daughter"
-"LeRoy's granddaughter"
-"Spaz" from high school
- or the other numerous pronouns used instead of Elizabeth when spotted in western Wisconsin.

I love where I grew up. And, I understand the trials that everyone must face with hometowns, families, race, religion, high school, sexuality, etc, etc, etc. But, I look for opportunities to further define myself. I love walking through that hometown Wal-Mart; when someone recognizes me (which rarely happens with the hair makeover) and asks, I tell them about the life I've made for myself in the Chicagoland.

What labels have you been given, and what do you do about them? Personally, I like avoidance, but not with out correcting them when the opportunity presents itself.

Blink of an eye...

You spend every day, all day working towards goals - short and long. Maybe it's just about the monthly bills that day. Maybe it's about the dream home you want to own years from now. No matter what it always seems to be something different than that moment. Even when you can pause your life and recognize the moment, do you see all of it or just what is in front of you?

In a blink of an eye...

you can feel so much frustration and anger that you lash out at someone you love

you can feel so much sorrow that you focus on tomorrow ignoring today's pain

you can create a new life

you can cut someone out of your life refusing to seize control of your emotions

you heal wounds years deep just by apologizing

you can have your life handicapped when your transportation disappears

you can love and hate, end and create...

all in the blink of an eye.

Someone very close to me summed up how I've been living my life all in one cliche; unfortunately, I can't think of anyone close to me living any differently. As he said, "We all can't see the forest through the trees."

What do you do when you see the forest?

Bit by bit I'm working on it. Bit by bit I choose what is worth the struggle now and what just needs time. Bit by bit I look back recognizing my mistakes, faults, and things that I never had control of. The plan is to learn to see the forest more often...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Busy, busy, busy

It's amazing what a little work can do to you. I am coming home at night just exhausted. Due to the recent changes on the rules at work, I've been looking for more ways of getting involved at work. I started working as the editor on the monthly newsletter. I began sitting down with my team members for one-on-ones that will happen every week or two. Anytime I have a new idea I pass it along. Upper management has proposed a contest, so leave it to me to decide to win it.

I could ramble for a while. For the sake of those few who still make it by despite my vacancy at BlogMad, I will shorten this posting. Because of the internet rules I can't blog at work. Because I can't blog at work I'm looking for other ways of keeping busy. Because I'm keeping busy I'm too tired to come home and blog.

:(

Some day I'll find a balance. Bear with me.

New Rules :(

While the cat's away, the mice will play. That is, until the rules change, you're made the cat, and you can no longer blog at work. Long story short: the rules have been "clarified" regarding internet usage at work. And, I'm to enforce them. So, no more blogging, surfing, or chatting on BlogMad while bored at work. I shall be entertaining myself in some way work related.

I shall work to keep involved in my free time now. Please don't cry; I withheld the tears. I can no longer blog, pay bills, or even check my personal email, let alone chat on Gmail. Oh well...

Have anything to cheer me up with?

2,996 Participant

I finally got signed up to participate in the 9/11 tribute to all of the victims. I encourage everyone to take the time to get involved. We will take one person each and honor them on September 11th. It is the least we can do to remember those we lost.

Please sign up. According to the site heading this off, we just hit 10%. That's great, but the concern is that if we continue at the current pace, we won't hit 2,996 in time! Please click on the link in the post or in my sidebar on the right, and get involved!

It takes a lifetime to remember but only a moment to forget.

(Where do I know that line from? If you know who said it first, please let me know so I may recognize their quote properly.)

Tweaking

I've been tweaking my template again. I haven't done anything major, but I did work on my sidebar. I changed how the profile views - it doesn't. Which is how I originally wanted it months ago.

Other than that it's been quiet here. We're fully staffed again, which means there are three people working and only two laptops to entertain us during lulls. Hopefully I get to the point where I can enjoy some blog time at home at night before crashing. We'll see.

If you've been here before, what do you think about the changes in the sidebar? Or, did you not even notice?

I'm always interested in what people think makes a blog template attractive and enticing, and what people find as turn-offs. Please share your thoughts.

Mini Vacation with Fam

I survived a long weekend with my parents and sisters. We had so much fun. The highs were the meals, the laughs, and the non-stop excitement at the house, the waterpark, and Chicago. The lows were the King Tut exhibit, the sunburns, and Susan's grandma's health problems.

I have pics but they were taken on a 35mm, so I'll need time to develop and get them put onto cd. I love the ability to do that at Wolf Camera!

My parents, Christine, Sami, and Isabella rolled in mid-afternoon on Thursday. They left early afternoon on Sunday. It seemed like we never stopped even when we watched three movies in a row on Saturday! :)

We ate at Melting Pot and had just the cheese and chocolate on Thursday night. Friday we spent time at the Field Museum, saw the disappointing King Tut exhibit, wandered around Millennium Park and Michigan Ave, and ate lunch at Grand Lux Cafe. Friday night wrapped up with "Walk the Line." Saturday I had to work the morning and Michelle had to work the evening, so the highlight was a trip to the local park district waterpark. Dad and Isabella stayed home for naptime. The park was fun, but the sun did it's worst to those of us who refused sunblock. That night we watched "Ghost Ship," "Blood Work," and "My Fellow Americans." Then, on Sunday the family packed up while Michelle went to work, and we all met up for brunch at The Egg Basket before they hit the road.

As I mentioned before, I have pics that I'll post sporadically for the next week or two. It was a great vacation considering I never left home. I can't wait until they spend a long weekend again! Who would have thought someone would say that about their parents and their little sisters.

What are you doing for vacation this year?

Wisconsin

I was born and raised in Wisconsin and am quite proud of that fact. I was always and still am elated when I heard Wisconsin referenced to in a movie or television show. In fact, I've often heard that Wisconsin is the number one most mentioned state in the US in movies and television. Unfortunately, Wisconsin also makes it onto the television outside of fictional stories and onto the news for odd and often disappointing reasons. For example there was Audrey Seiler, who faked her own abduction, Anthony Scholfield, who steals thongs and was busted with over 800 hidden around his house, or Chai Soua Vang, who - although not from Wisconsin - essentially snipered eight strangers opening weekend for Deer Hunting Season while in Wisconsin.

This time I think it tops them all as the most confusing and saddening. Ted Junker is building a memorial to Adolf Hitler just outside of Millard, WI. Apparently, he feels Hitler was and still is a misunderstood leader. Mr. Junker also believes his time spent in the German Army was to free the Russians from Communism.

Frankly, I don't know what to say. It stuns me to the point beyond words.

Starbucks Wronged Me!

I love coffee. Actually, I love Coca-Cola too which leads me to believe that what I really love is caffeine. But, then I think about all the different drinks like tea and Pepsi that I don't like, and I think that could be wrong.

I digressed. I love coffee. I really love Caribou Coffee! If I had a choice, I would always choose Caribou. But, I don't have one near where I work. In fact, there is a Starbucks in the same building as my work. So, out of my deep love and desire for coffee (and the fact that my sister works at Starbucks), I often reside myself to buying it - a lot!

But today! Today, I wandered over to the Starbucks stand. My eyes were barely open, my mind was still contemplating how I backed out of the driveway let alone drove to work, my legs were aching for the coffee and considering just letting me fall to the ground, and my mouth was dry like sandpaper waiting for the bold minty mocha.

Long story short: the espresso machine was down; the lame excuse included something about water pressure. Also, due to today's work situation, I won't be able to mosie over there again until almost 1! Hopefully I'll be able to keep my deprived body at a somewhat functioning level until then.

Wish me luck!

Oh, do you have a favorite coffee place?

Update:

I got my coffee at 1:15pm. Needless to say apparently the problem this morning was that someone had turned off the water to the espresso machine. A person on a later shift came in, turned the knob, and freed the water. Unfortunately, I have a permanent scowl on my face from my eyebrows being too tired to sit-up earlier!