Merry Christmas!

It is that time of year again... Christmas!! I enjoy Christmas and spending time with our family. I love having my own traditions and perhaps creating more.

This season I want to wish you and yours a joyous holiday. I also want to extend my love and prayers to local families, Detective A.J. Schroeder's wife and son; A.J. will sorely be missed. May you find some peace this holiday season. God speed. And to the DiPuccio Family, may all of you seek solace knowing Yaz is in custody.

Merry Christmas.

Reference links:

http://jettingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2006/09/another-fallen-hero.html
http://jettingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2006/10/yazeed-essa-captured.html

Three Hundred?

Today is officially my 300th post! I find it hard to believe I have babbled that much in a little over a year.

Thanks for reading and cheers to another 300!

What a cutie pie!

Look at what my little darling did last night... Mind you, all by HERSELF! Pretty good job if you ask me! Kool-Aid mustache and all!

What a pansy!

This week a girl at work gave me the new Avon catalog, which is normal, but on the cover was Derek Jeter. Jeter had his mug shot with his new cologne scent, Driven. The first thing I thought to myself was what a freaking sell-out! (Now I must explain my meaning of sell-out since readers are flipping on me... The context I have used it in is he has followed the same suit as every other celebrity. He could do something different. IN MY OWN OPINION. That is what people fail to remember, this is my blog with my opinion. I do appreciate the comments, but keep that in mind.) Everyone (celebrities) has their own perfume or cologne scents nowadays. I think to myself why bother? Today's market is over saturated with scents from Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, J.Lo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Priscillia Presley, Naomi Campbell and Hilliary Duff to name a few for women. For men, you have Sean John, Orange County Choppers- yes they have sunk to that level, Michael Jordan, Carlos Santana, Julio Iglesias and now Derek Jeter.

If you ask me, the celebrity market for scents is a "has been". I think the entire market for celebrities is insane. You have clothing lines, shoes, and now scents. Give me a break!

I do need to admit that our role models our capitalizing on our obsessions with today's celebrities making them richer and caring much less for the people who have made them famous today.

If it were me, I'd reconsider your spending habits. Unless you get a special thank you for each purchase. It's a waste of money.

A commenter recently said that Jeter is using the profits for his perfume/cologne for Turn 2 Foundation. Whilst I didn't know that, I don't keep up with Jeter as a professional ball player. But if he has a cause for what he is doing, albeit it is great! But still in my own opinion, he could have done something a bit different. For example, his own sporting line. It would attract his younger children for bats, gloves, balls, etc. It would parallel his career.

I appreciate the comment and I do stand corrected, but no need to be a jerk about it.

Looking for peace

I guess it would be "that" time of year to write about my dear mother, again. As most loyal readers know, we have been on the out-and-out for over a year. I truly think things have really come to a head the last time we spoke after Thanksgiving.

Let me digress a bit... Before that we talked on my birthday in September. My mom asked if we could "start over". I obliged, but on my terms. I wanted to take it slow. I didn't want to jump in head first to a relationship that has been non-existent for well over a year. During that conversation on my birthday my mom had a lot to bitch about. Things truly out of my control... We spoke for an agonizing 20 minutes, until I had a "meeting" to go to. I had set it in my mind to call her in two months. Two months came by and I just wasn't ready yet. Mom had sent us a Thanksgiving Day card so I decided it would be the time for me to call her.

In June for Em's birthday she had my niece of my also estranged sister send Em one of those giant sized birthday cards. I sent the card back "RETURN TO SENDER" because of the letter she wrote to me last Christmas.

You can read here about Christmas 2005 and you can read here about Em's Birthday.


I called my mom the Friday after Thanksgiving. Thankfully no one was home and I left a message. "Hi Mom, it's me... Just calling to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I guess I will talk to you whenever... Love you." The following evening she calls back around dinner time. I didn't check the caller-ID as I thought it was someone else. Shame on me... Our conversation started off very cold with short answers. Then everything started pouring out in a higher octave or yelling I shall call it. Mom starts telling me that I am not her boyfriend, meaning I will call you back on my terms. I then tell mom that her voice is getting louder and she is yelling and I will not listen to it. I asked her to change the tone of her voice otherwise I will hang up. She continued. I wished her luck on her surgery and that I would pray for her. As I was pressing the button to hang up she yelled at me that I won't pray.

Fifteen minutes passed by and she called back on her land line. She's calmed down or so I thought. Next she is laying into me about family pictures or pictures of Emily. I said it takes time to develop them... She then begins talking to me about a decision I made in June 2005 for Em to spend the night at my aunt's house vs. her house. I told her it's done and over with and I owe you ZERO explanation. I am Em's mom and answer to no one. Mom gets mad at me and tells me she has a grandparental right over Emily. In every state there is a law for grandparents. There are grandparent advocate sites out there. If you reference my second hotlink above you will see I spoke with an attorney. He advised me my mother has zero rights over Em. But my mom was trying to scare me. Scare me to the point she could see Em. Never for a minute did I think that I would ever use my knowledge. But it all came to a head. I was finally able to use my upper hand. I finally was educated enough to stick up for myself and my family. I told my mom she has no right over Em whatsoever. I told her I spoke with an attorney back home. She was floored, as was I. I honestly couldn't believe I had the balls to stand up to her. I told her don't you for a second think that I don't think two steps ahead of you. And she hung up. I haven't heard from her since, nor do I think I will.

After we parted ways I was laughing. I was victorious. She wasn't going to hurt me or my family again. Then I went to sleep... For two weeks I had nothing but nightmares... I am subliminally petrified my mother will come to Ohio to take Em. She will find a way to get to her. She will call family here to find out where she goes to school and pick her up. I am afraid she will stalk us and come to the door and be "that stranger" to take my baby away. My mom is that psycho. And in my waking hours I am fine, but when I sleep I am taken to a whole new world. Being pregnant and dealing with this situation hasn't helped one bit.

I am seriously thinking of calling that attorney back and proceeding with legal action. But with family changes forthcoming it's kind of hard to fit in the budget. I would love for nothing more to sleep soundly and know my baby (Em) will be alright.

The Falk Corporation Explosion

There is a manufacturing company back home in Milwaukee. Earlier this week a tragic explosion occured. It took the lives of 3 employees and injured nearly 50 more. My heart goes out to all of the workers and their families during this difficult time.

I logged onto the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding this story and the pictures were horrific. It reminded me of Ground Zero on a smaller scale.

A bit of info about The Falk Corporation:

The Falk Corporation was established in the Greater Milwaukee Area in 1892 and presently has approximately 1,300 employees at its main plant. Falk produces mechanical power transmission equipment and sells the products worldwide. Products include custom engineered steel castings, enclosed gear drives, open gearing, custom industrial drives, and shaft fluid couplings. Industries served include: cement, mining, automotive, paper, construction, and marine.

I am at a loss of words... This is horrible accident and I hope the business industry in Milwaukee will be able to recover from this tragedy.

Information sited from:

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/04/03171.htm
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Holy weather!!!

Today in Greater Cleveland we received a decent "dusting" of snow. It was the first notable snow we have had this fall/winter season. Where I live, close to Lake Erie I had about 4 inches. Which is enough....

I had left early to drop Em off to school and headed off to work. None of the roads where plowed, therefore making the 4X4 rather handy.

What normally takes me 20-25 minutes tops to get to work took me 1.5 hours! It was insane. We really didn't get a sizeable "dusting" per se, but I will tell you in the 8-9 months since we have had snow motorists forgot how to drive in it.

Ironically, driving in a moving parking lot going 5-10MPH my entire commute to work there was not any crazy-psycho drivers. Everyone knew we were in it for the long haul and were relatively patient. I tried cranking some tunes and listening to the comedy channel to pass the time. Drivers were even grateful for lane changes. Waving their arms out of their respective windows in appreciation. It was nice... For a change people were appreciative. Granted we weren't going anywhere quick, but still the gesture is always, always appreciated.

This was a great way to start my day all things considered. I made sure to say aloud in my SUV "Merry Christmas". Not that anyone could hear me, but the efforts did not go unnoticed.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful views the motorists saw in Cleveland today, click on them to enlarge:













I am sure next week I will have a total opposite post of asshole drivers! Stay tuned!



All pictures courtesy of Fox 8 Cleveland News and Channel 5 News, News Net 5.

Don't stand so close to me...

Those words are from the popular British 80's band The Police.

I at Kohl's Department store the other night ironically at the return counter. I was standing in line the Monday after Thanksgiving. I happened to be last in line of about 10 people. After a long sigh I stood there ever-so-patiently waiting. After several minutes another woman and her daughter headed towards my direction and stood behind me. I think to myself... "COOL! I am not last in line anymore!"

Literally moments later I am thinking to myself with a several sudden racing feelings come over me. At first my body becomes very hot... Panic. Paranoid. Irritated. Annoyed. Freaked out. Pissed. Claustrophobia. Rage.

This beastly woman was standing so close to me I could feel her brushing against my back and breathing in my ear. The first moment I felt it, I moved up a bit. With utter panic in my mind. I can handle crowds, but not when one is standing on top of one another. I felt like her and I was sandwiched together. Almost as if we had no other room as to where we could go. After I move up discreetly, I then watch her move closer again to me. I started to get furious now. Obviously she doesn't get the point. Neither does this lady or her daughter realize the respect of ones personal space. I looked at the floor and I could tell the tiles were 12"x12". I figured my personal bubble, if you will, could be a nice comfy 12". One foot separating this woman and her twin spawn.

We end up playing this silent game of cat and mouse for nearly 10 minutes until I am the next person to be called. If I would have had to wait any longer I probably would have lost my cool with this woman. I was literally moments away from advising her of people etiquette. All I wanted to scream were the words of the ever so popular song in the 80's "DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME!!!"

All I have to say is when you are in large groups and there is a way for you to avoid smooshing the person in front of you, please respect their personal space or personal bubble. For those of us with a problem with our space being invaded you could be taking your own ears in your hands for a serious tongue lashing... maybe more. I assure you, you will not move any faster in any sort of line you happen to be waiting in.