1800's

Earlier today I read something that was completely meant to be funny...

"Most men born in the 1800's would roll over in their grave if they saw how much we allow women to talk nowadays."  

So, of course me being me, I over analyzed and over analyzed.  Let's think about this for a minute.  While the above statement may be true... It may be true to say that most women in the 1800's would roll over in their grave if they saw just how much we are allowed to talk now.  Both of my grandmothers are the same (I know they weren't born in the 1800's or anything.. but they have been around a little bit) in the way that they are very headstrong and independent women.  I would like to think that they got this from their mothers. That being said, my mother and aunts are all this way as well as me, my sisters and cousins. 

This is just a little clip from an article I read on the Women of the 1800's..
(http://staff.washington.edu/cgiacomi/courses/english200/historicalbriefs/women.html)

"Women were completely controlled by the men in their lives. First, by their fathers, brothers and male relatives and finally by their husbands.  Their sole purpose in life is to find a husband, reproduce and then spend the rest of their lives serving him.  If a woman were to decide to remain single, she would be ridiculed and pitied by the community."

Could you imagine? 

Why do you think divorce rate is so much higher nowadays then what it was way back when.  Do I think a wife should honor their husband?  Yes, with all my heart.  But, in the same respect, men should honor their wives just the same. 

Women of the 1800's would only DREAM of having the opportunities that we have now.  The times have changed and so have women.  We are told that we can be ANYTHING we want to be now... encouraged.  Police officers, firefighters, pilots, doctors, paramedics... those are just a few of the still "male dominated" work fields that women are getting into more and more! 

I think there will also be certain double standards between men and women, but that is just the way it is.  

So, yes... Men sure would be rolling over in their graves... and women alike! 

Just my 2 cents! 

Things that make me say, WTH?

Just to name a few:

Speed limit on 183=60mph... Service road=35mph.
Speed limit on 161=70mph... Service road exit=40mph... Service road=45mph.  (WTH?)
Speed limit on 635=60mph... Service road=55mph.  (I like this service road!)
(These are all in my neck of the woods... yours may be different.)

Trash is left on the counter when trashcan was clearly 2 ft. away.

Food Stamps... everything about them!  Such a screwed up system!  I am ALL for feeding the people that need it.  There is just a lot of screwy things with the Food Stamps here in Texas.

Moms/Wives know exactly where to look for things... a sometimes helpful yet annoying trait to have!

Not all "24 Hour Fitness" locations are open 24 hours.

The double standard there is, and always will be, between men and woman.

I personally love the city I live in... enough said.

Nasty old trucks or 18 wheelers that when they hit the gas a huge cloud of black smoke comes out... every time.  Just grosses me out.

People that swim in their clothes. (Like full on jeans and tshirt)

People that put paper in their mouth! 
A) GAG! 
B) Why?

Cotton Balls.

The lady at the store who refuses to beat their children because she is afraid of what someone may say... All the while I want to scream... "BEAT THE KID!"

The people that cant seem to walk in a STRAIGHT line across the street... it almost HAS to be diagonal.

Tailgaters.  I will almost ALWAYS go the speed limit.. you wanna tailgate, I will go slower.  You don't get anywhere any quicker being in a hurry!

The "Poor Me'ers".  Why?  Get up, get out and do something different!  Life is to precious and beautiful to waste on "Why Not" this and that!

Politics.

Mean Girls. 

Mr. Swag and his need to have his jeans at his knees and his undies all over the place.  AND the ones whos undies seem to be WAY to big and cloud over their pants?! 
A) Buy some undies that fit.
B) Pull your pants up and get across the street!

Someone holds a door open for you, you say thank you!  I will always say your welcome no matter if it's said or not... there is a point to be made here!

Kids that hit their parents. 

Well... that should cover it for today!  Have a great day! 

Crazy Mountain Ranch

 Let me start by saying, yes, I am a smoker.  Yes I know the health risk and yes, eventually I will quite when I am good and ready (or pregnant).  And smoking the biggest brand out there has gotten us (sister and I) a FREE trip!
 
12.8.2011:
My older sister calls me on my way home from work and the conversation went a little like this... 

Amber: I have a question... if say, I won a trip to Montana, would you want to go with?

Me: Where is Montana and what are you talking about... sure, ok.
Amber: In the mountains with all the snow and Marlboro sent me a package that I WON the trip to go. 

Me: (cha, right...)

So that was the initial phone call.. she went on to tell me some of the details and I was a little skeptical of course..  Either it was a scam or they we going to get all of us up there and something horrible would happen (I blame the movies for that last thought).  We hung up and by that time I was picking up the kiddo from the daycare.  I go ahead and give Danny a call, not sounding real excited because my thought process was that all of this was a sham, and let him know what my sister has told me and get his thoughts.  He immediately knew where Marlboro was stationed so that made me believe just a little bit more that this was actually going to happen.  He gave his blessing on the trip and said it would be crazy not to go.  

The kiddo and I had our own night planned and went on with that as scheduled with no interruptions.  We got home, made gifts and stockings and he got ready for bed.  My sister called right when he layed down and started telling me about this blog that she ran across about this guy that went and how fun his trip was and the gifts that were waiting on the bed (hats, boots, cigs of course, camera, calling cards, jackets and much more) and all of his activities along the way.  She goes on to say that she looked on Yahoo to see what others have said, if it were a scam, and not 1 person said it was!  I could have jumped out of my skin.  We hung up after talking about it for 45 minutes right as Danny got home.  He could tell just how excited I was getting about this!  

12.9.2011:

I have Googled the crap out of "Marlboro Ranch" today and OMG!  WE ARE GOING TO MONTANA!  I went to my sisters work to fill out the forms and it is getting overnighted with the FedEx folder that Marlboro provided her!  (HAS to be there by Monday!)

So now, we wait.  It could be 2 weeks or it could be a month.  At that time we will get the confirmation and the dates we will be going! 

Let me just say that I am so grateful that she has chosen me to go and that Marlboro has picked her!  This is something that we both, as moms and sisters, needed! Below is the 1st (of many) blogs that we have run across about this amazing trip!

http://tolgamarlboro.blogspot.com/

More to follow!

Only the BIGGEST shopping day of the year!

Oh how we look forward to “Black Friday” shopping every year!   Some might even call it “The Worst Shopping Day of the YEAR!”… those people will not even leave their house that day.  I am proud to say, I am one of the nutty people that wait in line for hours to start the night off.  The last 3 years my sister and I, along with a friend sometimes, have waited outside Toys-R-Us for 2-3 hours just to get some awesome deals for Christmas.  After there, we would venture on over to Wal-Mart and wait for those sales to start.  Let’s be honest though… if there is a hole in the wrapping on the pallet, we will be digging it out before the start time.  Then, we happily station at the next spot of interest.  We get there early to map out our plan of attack and station at different spots in the store.  I think at this point we just get a sick high of running around trying to get the next big deal.  After Wal-Mart we may venture to Grapevine Mills to see what they have to offer there.  Seeing as how Burlington Coat Factory was the only place I bought something last year, I think I will stay in Irving.  

This year, however, Wal-Mart has thrown us for a doozie!  They are opening at THE SAME TIME as Toys-R-US.  What’s a Mom to do?!?  This ruins our set schedule we have followed every year.  Not to worry though, we will figure it out!  I have started shopping here and there for Christmas, but black Friday usually is the end date for most Christmas shopping.  

This year Danny will finally be getting a new TV!  He has wanted a new one since we have moved in together.  The honest truth is that I am just way too cheap to go buy a TV, or anything for that matter, when the other isn’t broken.  But, I think it’s time.  We work hard for what we do have, so why not get us a little something this year?  This is Danny’s 1^st year of the madness.  I guess you could say that he is a Black Friday virgin.  Ha – should be interesting.  Maybe now he will understand why I don’t like getting the phone calls from 10pm-5am.  Stressful I tell ya!  

If you are one of the brave souls that are going to venture out for these sales… I have just a few pointers for you…

1.       BUY the newspaper Thanksgiving morning.  No matter how many times you have looked at the ads online, there is always something you will miss.  These ads will come handy at go time… some stores have them there, but it is never a guarantee. 

2.        NEVER, under any circumstances, cut in line.  This could cause a riot and people are already on their last leg.

3.       CHARGE your phones before leaving.  If you plan to go with another person or a group, your cell phones will be the most used items that night.  (Mine has died the last 2 years)

4.       Set a budget for this day.  Look at the ads over and over and try to stay within that set amount and only get the things you KNOW will be needed.

5.       Plan on spending about $20 over your pre-set amount.  Have you seen the DVD prices?  Not to mention their will be something you see that a cousin, aunt, uncle, grandparent, nephew, niece or whoever… would LOVE! 

6.       If you plan on waiting outside of a store (which is pretty much all of them except Wal-Mart), take a chair and blanket.  Once you get out of line… you’re not getting back in.

7.       YES, another line one… IF you get to your first store early and you want to save a spot for ONE other person, ok NBD… just let the people behind you know, out of courtesy.  If you are saving for a group of people… just expect the dirtiest looks for the remainder of the line time.  (Hey, I don’t make up the rules, I just follow them!)

8.       This one goes mainly for Wal-Mart… Presale, make friends… because as I said before if there is a hole in the wrapping, you will need a lookout person while you are digging in it & return the favor when you are finished.  At go time, all bets are off though.

9.       I know there are single parents out there and I know it is rough… BUT, Black Friday (Thursday now too) is NOT the time to take your kids shopping… especially the infants. 

10.   Last but certainly not least… keep the comments to yourself.  I am completely aware that I have a fat ass… there is no reason to point that out just because I got something you wanted.  Chances are you will be told “You snooze you lose” which will piss you off even more.  I’m not looking to get into any crazy black Friday brawls. 

It sounds crazy saying this, well… typing this, but I am not a crowd person by all means.  So, if everyone would just follow those simple pointers… we could all get along.  

Below are a few pictures that kind of set’s the mood… lol.  Enjoy! 

Looks like Wal-Mart here! 

See... CrAzY people!

Just about what the line looks like.

Happy Shopping!!! 

(Correction: Toys R Us has decided to open their doors at 9pm on Thursday!  Woot.)

Sports Sports Sports!

Here goes nothing. 

We are in baseball playoffs and the Cowboys football season is ¼ in.  The Dallas Stars have started back up in hopes of providing a great season.  The Mavericks… well, who knows where the NBA stands on starting on time this season?  

As we near the end of the baseball season, our Texas Rangers have provided us with yet another great season of Americas favorite past time, the game of baseball.  We have had ups and downs and we are doing ok in the playoffs, round 1.  All in all, the Rangers are bringing out all the stops.  We had a bumpy 1^st game with CJ pitching and the “blister” he may have had on his hand.  No doubt pitching with a blister is horrible, but I would assume that would have been looked at beforehand (no pun intended).  Game 2 was an exciting one, to say the least!  Game 3, well, I didn’t get to watch, but a 4-3 win sounds like a good “W” to me.  We are now about 2 hours away from game 4… the game we need to win to go on.  We got this.  

No matter what you say about the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett or Tony Romo… I truly think we are looking at a new and better Cowboys team.  Yes, we had the “biggest meltdown in Cowboys history” just this past Sunday and yes, Romo had a bad game.  BUT, look at what they did in the first half.  Look at how good our defense is.  I think this is just the beginning of a new and improved Cowboys football team.  

  

Oh the Dallas Stars.  I remember going to these games as a kid.  We went to many Dallas Stars games, and let’s not forget the Dallas Freeze games as well.  Madono just returned for 1 game to retire as a Dallas Star.  Kudos to him.  He was a great hockey player and was quickly turned into the face of hockey here in Dallas.  There are many diehard fans of the sport… I personally do not follow it.  I will get into a good game, but that’s about all.  I love going to the games because the excitement level is so much more entertaining to be there in person.  Best of luck to the Stars in their upcoming season!  

The Dallas Mavericks, World Champs!  Dirk brought his team to the championship, and they won!  Another team that I attended many games of.  I remember in 5^th grade, I think, I had a whole Jason Kidd school set… spiral, notebook, pencil pouch, pens/pencils... you name it!  This is another sport that I would love to go see in person, but just can’t get into all that much.  I just don’t follow it much is all.  

I am also a huge TX Longhorns fan!  I was raised as one, what do you want me to say?  It would be easier to say that I was only a Longhorn Fan because I live in TX… but then you have TCU, A&M, Texas Tech, SMU and whoever else I am forgetting.  No, I didn’t attend the school or have a family member attend there either (that I know of).  I am just a fan, period.  My husband however is a huge TCU fan… before TCU was good even.  Then I have a lot of my family and my sons’ family who are the dreaded OU fans.  It’s a shame really!  This weekend is also the TX/OU weekend... May be the last also?  This game provides bragging rights for the whole year… and maybe even forever!  

All in all, I am a SPORTS fan (Maybe not as nutty as those two guys ^.. and yes, that is Don in the boa!).  No, I don’t know the stats of every single player or team.  I don’t know all the coaches names on a first name basis (except Ron Ron).  I do know that I have been and will always be a fan of the Rangers, Cowboys, Stars and Mavericks.  I get most of my information from sports radio and baffle my husband with my knowledge of sports.  Doesn’t happen too often, but when it does I can tell he is a proud husband (ha).  We, in Dallas, have a lot of bandwagon fans… mostly of the Dallas Cowboys.  We hate them when they loose and love them when they win.  People speculate the band-wagoners of the Rangers, also.  I however say, bring em’ on because the more support our home teams can get, the better.  Just don’t plan to go to a playoff game or World Series game and sit.  I better see you on your feet and cheering whether we are winning or losing!  Cowboys games as well!  You can even hear the difference of the Cowboy Stadium to others with their fans cheering vs. ours. 

All for now!  Hope that you enjoyed it!  

Crafty Ashley..

    I have recently found a new hobby and I am so excited about this!!  I have always been a little crafty so I needed something along those lines.  I have started off small just making a few bows over the weekend and I hope to start making a lot more.  I would also like to make those Bow Holders that hang one the wall, hat racks for boys and so much more... the ideas just keep coming! 

    I don't however have a little girl and a little something for me to do on the side would be awesome!  Kind of a stress reliever for me... so a plus all the way around. 

    Chances are that you ended up on my blog through my FB, so if you ever see a bow you like on there and you want to do different colors or whatever... just let me know!!  I am still playing with all the bows, so soon there will be more of a variety to choose from!   

Here are a few of the ones I have done so far....

Have a great day!

Those Pesky Chores!

  When you first move away from home, I think there is this little “NO MORE CHORES… YESSS” attitude!  Now that I am older and have a family of my own it’s more like “Pick up your crap!” attitude.  I can’t deal with little things like peanut butter on the counter… you could have reached like 5 feet and set it in its place.  The kitchen has GOT to be clean at all times… as well as the living room, most times.  I would rather be the only one cleaning as long as I know it will get done right. 

  We had a list of things to do during the summer… let me just give you a good example:

“*Monday – White clothes washed, dried and put away.  Both rooms cleaned: This means picking and PUTTING AWAY everything, make beds and vacuum.

Ash – Bathroom and Kitchen.  Bathroom: clean counter top, toilet, under toilet, behind toilet,    behind sink, bathtub, sweep and mop.  Kitchen: Unload dishwasher, load it, clean countertops,            sweep, and mop.

Amber – Living room and Hallway.  Living room: ALL trash, dust, clean glass tops (MOVE the rose bowls and angels to do so!), vacuum.   Hallway: Vacuum.  ((As you can see, these were the good days to have!))

*Tuesday – Towels washed, dried and put away.  Rooms.

Ash – Living room and Hallway.

Ber – Bathroom and Kitchen.

*Wednesday – colored clothes washed, dried and put away.  Rooms.

(Again, chores reversed)

*Thursday – Light colored clothes washed, dried and put away.  Rooms.

(Chores reversed again)

*Friday – Rooms.

(Chores reversed again)”

   The weekends pretty much just consisted of cleaning here and there and if laundry is needing to be done, it gets done. 

  Thinking about it now, I just have to laugh.  My mom was smart about this… you see, she listed EVERYTHING she wanted done to her standards because she was sick of coming home and saying “why is that coke can there?” or “look behind the sink there”.  This way we couldn’t give that blank “huh?” stare when she asked… It was right there in black and white, and some bold and underlined.  She wasn’t a hard ass of a mom in a lot of ways… but she had her little things she wanted done certain ways.

  The city pool by our house opened at 1pm.  What this meant for me was I had to wake up early and get my crap done so I can go swimming all day!  You know as well as I do that just laundry is a time consuming thing.  Load in, clean, load out/in, clean, load out/put away clothes and GET READY FOR THE POOL!  There was another small issue… since the older sister felt she had to sleep till noon-30, she thought I always did less than my half in the laundry department.  Soon after, my mom threatened that if we ever called her at work for that again, and were not bleeding, we were going to be in BIG trouble.  Oh the days.   

  Looking back, I am amused but so thankful she did this.  I know I learned a lot just from chores.  Hell, some people don’t even know how to work a washer or dryer… now that is a shame.  When Kasen is old enough to stay home after school and during summer, in sports or not, he WILL have a nifty little list of his own to complete.  I still had a BLAST during the summer time… I just managed to help out a little around the house is all!     

Man, were those summers fun though!