New Day, New Outlook

Love me some Mary J. Always reminds me of my sister. I see a resemblence internally and externally. My sister thinks I am crazy.

Don't Try This At Home

Using Double Stuff Oreos to fill a void or fix a problem. I tried fill

Work boredom

The fact that I will need to spend another $100, I think that makes $650 now spent, for a new post-flood appraisal for our refi ( which is sure to go into to the record book as the longest refi in the history of mortgages 3 months and counting), even though we had no flood damamge.

My time being monopolized by drama seeking mother in the car rider lane.

A co-worker who doesn't think it's important to clue me in on something that's been done even though we are suppose to be a "partnership", once again.

Middle school drama

A house that's never clean, laudry that's never finished

dinner that was ruined

and that's just the short list. It didn't work. Is 5:00pm to early to go to bed so I can get up and try again tomorrow?

Table Topics Tuesday

what book are you reading right now?

Actually I am reading a few

Creating The Accountable Organization ( A practical guide to improve performance execution) by Mark Samuel - Snore. Required work reading. I know what you're thinking Accountable Organization is an oxymoron right?

Beneath A Silent Moon by Tracy Grant

Who Were The Beatles by Geoff Edgers. Lolly's book that I am reading for inspiration for posts on my Beatles Blog

Next up on my list is Trust Agents by Chris Brogan.

What are you reading?

Enough Already

I was lucky enough to be able attend a conference on soical media yesterday where Chris Brogan ,co-author of Trust Agents, was the key note speaker. (where lucky means I got out of my cube) I knew there would be alot of tweeting going on, because that was how I learned about the conference to begin with. So I started following everyone slated to speak at the event.

Now I'll be honest, I don't have to much to give on twitter. I use it mostly for selfish reasons. I follow people who either teach, inspire, or make me laugh. I am completely selfish. I want to learn, learn, learn. If you follow me all you might learn is that running 12 miles this morning seemed like an easy idea last night.

I arrive at the conference and make note to myself that I need to get a laptop because all the cool kids, and even some of the uncool kids have them. We have/had one that Mister used for his version of gaming - watching sportslines and placing phone calls and I'll just leave it at that. It got the black screen and death and we never attempted to revive it. Most of my time is spent at home or in my cube at work and since I don't really travel anymore no laptop has been no issue until yesterday.

If I had a laptop yesterday I would have been able to unfollow one of the presenters who seriously tweeted every 30 seconds. She gave me a twitter headache. Her avatar, which was a picture of herself, showed up so much on my blackberry that I couldn't stand the sight of her either virtual or real life.Strong reaction, I know, but I couldn't wait to get home and unfollow her. It was the first thing I did when I walked in the house. I also didn't like her presentation, I felt like she was talking at us instead of to us. In her defense, I think anyone using social media or studying social media may be a tough crowd. I think the thing that draws us to this form of media is the realness. We want to feel connected, we want to feel included, we want to feel you are real.

It was an interesting crowd yesterday. Lots of marketers wanting to learn how to use social media to make money. I think most don't get it. Talk to me, educate, be real and you'll probably get my money. Come out the gate looking for my money and numbers and you've already lost. We can spot a phony a blog away and unfortunately there were a few in the room yesterday.

I may never be able to use my kitchen again

I woke up Tuesday to notice the industrial jug of ant spray in the kitchen. I thought ants must have come back looking for food in the dog bowls which are situated close to the back door to our very wooded yard (happened once before).

Much to my horror they were on the kitchen counter, tons of tiny ants on the black kitchen counter. Crawling all over a couple empty beer cans and Styrofoam container that once held baked beans from Monday nights dinner. First, I think I am never placing or eating another thing that sets on this counter. Then I start spraying the counter with the ant spray. I get everything cleaned up and thrown away.

On the way out to work, I think I better tell Mister not to put anything on the counter. My luck he'd put a fork down on it, use it, and then die of ant poisoning and I'd end up a story on Dateline NBC. So I wake him to warn him and report my battle with the counter ants thinking he did battle with dog bowl ants the night before. His response, "I know. I thought I got all of them last night". There were no dog bowl ants, just counter ants. Hello, the empty cans and Styrofoam container. Who would leave that stuff on the counter after seeing ants. You know who, an amateur, that's who.

I may end on Dateline NBC after all.

I am so grossed out by the situation, I had to use a cartoon ant. I wouldn't be able to use my blog anymore I actually posted a picture of real ants.

Table Topic Tuesday

how do you cope with stress

I either eat or run. Usually eat though, it's easier.

how do you cope with stress?

When The Rain Comes

You may have heard, it's wet in Georgia. Sad, 7 have died so far due to the rain. When it started raining on Sunday, I din't think anyone thought it would result in this.

We are blessed to be safe and dry. We are lucky to live on a bit of a hill. Unfortunately the same can not be said for everyone in our area. Below is the road I use to get to the interstate in the morning.

I took the long way to the interstate this morning and made it to work just fine. They're calling for more rain today, on and off. They say it should be lighter than yesterday but to get ready for another big front coming through Mississippi that should hit tomorrow. Anything other than a little rain today and I am headed home. Because this was the view out of our building, maybe an hour after I left work early, yesterday. None of that water was there when I left. Thank goodness since I can see over to the left my exit ramped is covered in water.

On a somewhat unrelated note, while I was looking through the ajc.com for additional pictures of the flood I saw this...

Holy crap, that's a house. One house, from the air, it's huge. I am not silly, I know there are big houses in Atlanta. Hello, how much house does a person or family need? Is that a bus I see parked beside it? Seriously, that just about got my mind off the weather.

Oh I almost forgot, when the rain comes it also brings the ants. But that's a story for another post.....

If you're in Atlanta please stay safe and dry, if you're not please pray for those who have lost their homes or worst their loved ones.

Down on the Farm

For those of you on Facebook, I am semi-hooked on Farm Town. I find it very stress relieving. While Lolly has helped me learn the ropes, there's been a lot farm town conversation going on in the house. Always wanting to live on some land, Mister was all I want to farm too. So we explained that he had to be on facebook in order to farm, which was almost a deal breaker for him. So social. The itch to farm won over and he decided to use facebook to farm only not for the "friend" aspect. It was entertaining hearing him tell a friend last night that he was on facebook only to farm, to which the friend asked how are you listed so I can send you a friend invite. I could almost since his apprehension to friending a real friend on facebook. He's so social networking adverse.

On the farming front though, I think we created a monster. Seriously, he actually told me the other day "grapes our my cash crop becuase I can harvest them every four hours". He has a farming strategy and plans to build his farm. He's gone so far as to ask me to harvest his crop at 6:00am, even though I planned to get up at 6:30am. So I set my alarm for 6:00 so I can harvest for him, because that's what love's all about. Only to get wake up early to find him harvesting for himself. Seriously if I could channel his energy into something that wasn't virtual work...

Sick

2 Teens Suspended After Brutal Bus Attack on Schoolmate

How many times is something like this going to have to get caught on tape before something is really done? I got physically ill watching this on the news. My heartbreaks for this student. I am sicken by those that cheered or stood by doing nothing at all. Is this what we are reduced to? Where are we going wrong? As when any of these things happen in the news, we will discuss it in our house. Stating the obvious, why its wrong, the long lasting ramifications for the victim, the students on the bus who cheered, the ones who did nothing, the perpetrators. I just hope I can hold it together. More importantly I hope I am raising someone strong enough to make a stand and think more of the victim than of themselves should she ever be caught in this kind of situation.

Table Topic Tuesday

would you rather lose half your excess weight or have all your wrinkles erased?

All my wrinkles erased. I'd love to get rid of the weight but I tend to have "all or nothing" mentality so I'd go for the wrinkles.

which would you choose?

My Own Worst Enemy

Why is it the minute I joined Weight Watchers I developed the burning desire to make decorating cupcakes and cookies my new hobby.

By the way, I was up 1.6lbs at today's weigh in. UGH! As you can tell my decorating skills have a way to go. I am not sure my waistline or the scale can take it!

Freak of the Week

Seriously could this guy be a bigger tool?

His self importance, over inflated ego, and ability to look like hater any time he can grab the spotlight is almost entertaining.

Philosophy

Some days are lemonade, some are lemons. Today can suck it.

Woke up too early on the wrong side of the bed.

image: countryliving.com

I Have No Game

You may or may not be aware of the hype that is today 9-9-09. The long awaited release of the Beatles Rock Band. At the House of Fowler we have no xbox, no wii, no gaming systems at all and no plans to acquire one. Gasp, I know. Still today is exciting for me, it's also the release of remastered Beatles box set which I probably won't purchase either. Call me old school but I think I'll just acquire the cd's one by one. I believe at one time or another I had possession of the complete set or almost complete set but lost it in the divorce. The only one thing I am bitter about, but only when I hear something from the White Album and think dang I use to have that.

I love all the Beatles hype that is happening right now and will probably happen for the next little while. I love the Beatles. I didn't grow up listening to them. I was raised in a Motown household. I guess to be accurate I loved John Lennon way before the Beatles. My Beatles love grew in college when I took The History of the Beatles as an elective. It's been love ever since and they have been woven to my life.

Some Ann Beatle facts

• I toyed with the idea of naming Lolly, Prudence after the song Dear Prudence but thought better. Her real name suits her much better. Had she been a boy, I thought of naming her Lennon but decided everyone would shorten that to Lenny and I couldn't have that so I decided on Thomas after my dad
• Lolly's dad's lullaby of choice was Mean Mr. Mustard
• From an early age Lolly has been quizzed on who's singing lead whenever we hear a Beatles song on the radio
• I have an ever growing collection of Beatles books
• I cry every time I watch Imagine
• I do not have a favorite Beatle's song because it changes all the time
• I plan to take my own Beatles tour of England some day, which will bore Mister since he thinks the greatest band that ever was is The Allman Brothers, poor misguided fool
• My favorite Beatle is John Lennon, followed by George Harrison, then a tie for 3rd between Ringo and Paul
• Lolly's Dad's favorite Beatle is Paul, concidence that we divorced? Perhaps not.

Do you have a favorite Beatle or Beatles song?

Table Topic Tuesday

What's your favorite comfort food?

buttered toast. seriously I could eat a whole of loaf bread if it was toasted?

What's your comfort food?

Happy Labor Day

Today I am thinking of all those who are currently looking for work and hoping that their search ends soon. During my times of unemployment the prayer below has always brought me comfort.

Prayer to St. Joseph for Employment

Dear Saint Joseph, you were yourself once faced with the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon me in my anxiety over my present inability to support my family. Please help me to find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden of concern will be lifted from my heart and that I am soon able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to my care. Help us to guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.

image:claybennett.com

I don't know whether to laugh or cry

Proceed with caution to the People of Walmart

Calling All Winos

My current crush is the author of Crush It!

You may already know Gary Vaynerchuk from his appearances on the CBS Early Show, The Today Show, Conan O'Brien, Ellen DeGeneres, Mad Money, Nightline, CNN Your $$$, CBS News, Jimmy Fallon, or Fox and Friends. If not you can catch him on Wine Library TV.

I love this guy. I stumbled upon while doing research on social media. While he's a success in the wine business, he's also made a huge name for himself in the social media/business consulting world. He's not slick but he works his butt off and he cares about people. The message is so simple but it escapes so many people.

Seriously, I can't get enough of this guy. I don't know if it's his energy, his unbashed passion, I love when he swears when he's giving a keynote speech, his tweets about his family and friends (He actually tweeted "I love my wife more than oxygen") or just how in a world where we try to overcomplicate everything he gets how simple, not easy, it really is.

Truth be told, I am usually 2Buck Chuck girl when it comes to wine but if wine's your thing, check him out. (I just watched the episode on the Charles Shaw wines and I may need to step up my wine game)

Highlight Reel of Episodes 400-667

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2009/05/12/highlight-reel-of-episodes-400-667-episode-674/

Table Topic Tuesday

what are you favorite pair of shoes?

Mine

and as luck would have it. Bonnano's End of Summer Sale is going on now thru the 13th.

What are your favorite shoes?