Emoticons during wartime....:)
Current mood: bored

Okay, I found these and thought they were very clever.  Several gave me a good laugh, so I thought I would share.  If anyone is interested, they came from The New Yorker magazine and were written by Tom McNichol.  Enjoy!!!

12:23 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Straight outta the twilight zone....:)
Current mood: surprised

One of the best things about the internet is the sheer volume of information available to amuse and entertain us.  It seems like I'm always on the lookout for new websites with the power to divert me from what I should be doing instead :)  I'm not the type of person that buys into astrology, horoscopes, tarot readings, etc.  So, I was dubious to believe that a website could tell me anything about my personality simply based on my name and birthdate.  However, a friend tried it and said he got chills because it was so on target (thanks Nick).  I decided to give it a try because I was bored.  What this website returned was, surprisingly, eerily accurate....

Section 1: How You Approach Life and How You Appear To Others
    You are a gentle, sensitive person with a deep understanding of people and a very tolerant, accepting, nonjudgmental approach towards life. In a noisy, competitive atmosphere you are often receding and withdrawn for you are not an aggressive, forceful person, and you intensely dislike conflict. In fact you tend to be somewhat passive, to wait, watch, observe, feel and know much - but to act little. Letting things resolve or work themselves out in their own way, rather than directing or forcing your will upon them, is often your way of dealing with problems.  It is difficult to raise your ire, but once it is raised all those in your path should beware because you are truly a force to be reckoned with.

Section 2: The Inner You: Your Real Motivation
    You are a gambler and an adventurer at heart, one who loves to take risks, to discover and explore new worlds, and to take the untried path rather than the safe, reliable one. You are an independent soul, freedom-loving, and often very restless. You need a lifestyle that provides opportunities for travel, movement, change, and meeting new people. A steady routine which offers much in the way of security but little in the way of space and freedom is odious to you.

If that doesn't describe me to a T, I don't know what does :)  Chills, indeed!!!

6:47 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Interesting observation....:)
Current mood: curious

As noted in my previous blog, I spent the day at Hayden's school yesterday.  I'm there on a pretty regular basis, but I noticed something yesterday that I had failed to see up until now.  Out of 44 kids in the kindergarten classes, only 17 are girls and 27 are boys.  This means that the boys outnumber the girls by almost two to one.  Doesn't this seem really strange?  Do you think this is just a fluke or has something happened (change in diet, pollution, etc.) to alter the normally even ratio of girls to boys??? 

5:48 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Standing on my soapbox...:)
Current mood: productive

Today, I helped out with Hayden's kindergarten class.  It's good for me to see how much he enjoys school and his little friends, and it made my day every time he'd blow me a kiss or give me a little wave.  For the most part, the kids were really good....not only in the efforts they put forth in class, but also how well they got along with each other.

However,  there was one aspect of class that disappointed me.  There are two little boys whose behavior throughout the day was beyond disruptive.  They wouldn't (or couldn't) pay attention, they kept turning around and distracting other children, drew on other children's clothes, made messes every few minutes, would get up without permission, etc.  Before the first hour of school was complete, both of these kids had gone from being on green to having their "lights" changed to yellow and then red. (This is the behavior modification system that the school uses, as they are admonished or warned about their behavior their "light" changes....if it reaches red, they do not get to participate in recess, etc....)  From what Hayden tells me, these two boys get their "lights" changed to red almost every single day.  

My issue is the idea of inclusion that schools practice these days.  I understand that parents with difficult kids don't want those kids separated from the rest of their classmates because they say it makes them feel different and less important than other children.  However, kids like these being present in the same class with other children disrupts the learning process.  It's not right that 20 students have constant interuptions while trying to get an eduction all because of a few BD or LD kids. 

When I was growing up, we had what was called the "resource room".  This is where the BD and LD kids went during the parts of the day when core concepts were taught.  This allowed all of the other kids in the class to learn math and reading at a normal pace, and those BD and LD kids went to a different class to get individualized instruction in those subject areas.  During the rest of the day,  those BD and LD kids were in the same class with the rest of their peers.  I don't ever recall any of these kids getting picked on or being ostracized.  The whole system was a win-win situation for everyone because the kids that were struggling got special help and the kids that weren't got to continue learning at a normal pace without disruptions.

Unfortunately, the resource room is no more because now schools and some parents deem the practice of inclusion as being more important.  I think this is a complete crock.  Schools and parents have no problem pulling children out for gifted student programs, but to do the same for BD or LD kids is now a no-no.  Why? It seems counterintuitive to classify the resource room as being discriminatory without giving the same classification to the gifted program.  In both, students who are a little different are pulled out of their regular classes to receive specialized instruction while the rest of the class is free to learn at an average pace.

I think society as a whole has become a little too touchy-feely and too much coddling is going on, particularly within schools.  Heaven forbid that anyone feel different.  The fact is everyone IS different...and that doesn't necessarily mean that it's a bad thing.  What kind of boring world would we live in if everyone was a cookie-cutter reproduction of everyone else?  We are the same in that we should all be treated with kindness and respect, regardless of religion, color, sexual orientation, etc.  But, we should also accept that in other areas we are all different.  Not everyone can be a professional athlete, or a doctor, or an astronaut.  The sooner we realize that we can't be great at everything and work on further developing the things that we are good at, the better off we will be.  There will always be someone who is better than us at something, just as there will always be someone who isn't as good as we are at something.  School is just as good a place as any to learn this.  Students can still be encouraged along without being coddled.  Better to learn it in school than to get out in the real world and find out the hard way....       

5:57 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Return of the Product Junkie.....:)
Current mood: listless

Okay, it's return of the product junkie time!  The last time I did this I listed a few of my favorite things, but now I'm gonna share with you some products that I spent good money on (or would have spent good money on had I not received free samples) and absolutely hated.  So without further ado….

LipFusion XL- I'm ashamed to say I spent $50 on this stuff that is supposed to give you plump, pouty lips without having to go through some surgical procedure.  I figured that if movie stars use it, then it must be good.  Wrong.  I didn't notice any difference at all.  And for less than half the price, my TooFaced brand Lip Injection Extreme really works exceptionally well.

LashFusion- I first saw this one night while channel surfing.  They were hawking it on HSN or QVC, and it looked to be absolutely amazing….some sort of miracle mascara that generated both length and fullness without making you look like there were spiders sitting on your eyes.  I refrained from buying it, but then found it at Sephora in Las Vegas.  It cost way more than any mascara should cost, but I was in Vegas so I splurged.  The result was less than stellar.  It wouldn't even hardly stick to my lashes, meaning no sexy or voluptuous lashes for me.  The Lancome mascara that I normally use was so much better, and costs about half of what I paid for this junk.  Hell, Max Factor mascara is better than this stuff. 

DuWop Lip Venom- Again, like LipFusion XL this is supposed to give your lips that look surgically enhanced without actually having surgery.  Although this only cost about half of what the LipFusion XL cost, it burned like hell when I put it on.  Seriously, my lips looked and felt like they were on fire.  But after 10 minutes or so, the sting was gone as was the pouty look.  For the money, skip this stuff and use Lip Injection Extreme from TooFaced. 

Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream- .  I like the idea behind this brand that just like the products you put into your body should be as natural as possible, so too should the products you put on your body.  Unfortunately, this company couldn't translate this idea into a quality product. I don't like thin, runny eye creams.  This was thin, runny, and didn't leave the skin around my eyes feeling soft or wrinkle-free.  I couldn't even tell that I had been using an eye cream.  The only positive thing I can say for this product is that it smells good.  For the record, I like the Bliss Sleeping Peel Eye Cream much better. 

Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum- Again, I like the idea behind the Juice Beauty Brand, but…this product just didn't do it for me.  In my opinion, a serum should be somewhat thick and gelatinous, but smooth onto the skin nice and evenly.  This stuff looked like a fruit smoothie after it had been sitting around for a day or so.  It was sort of pulpy, thin, runny, and green.  Although it smelled nice, it left my face feeling sticky….kinda like I'd just rubbed raw fruit all over it.  Not a pleasant feeling, that.  I didn't see any sort of positive response from my skin, either.  What a waste of money…

Laura Geller Spackle- Okay, you're supposed to put this stuff on before you apply makeup, thus creating a smooth canvas that will keep your makeup in place all day long.  I'm sure glad I got this as a free sample and didn't actually spend money on it.  Sorry to say, it flat out didn't work.  If you are looking for a foundation primer, steer clear of this and go with the one from Smashbox instead.

Prevage- I admit I was sucked in by the advertising blitz with this one.  You'd think with Allergan and Elizabeth Arden coming together to make this product that it would generate astounding results.  I don't even want to say how much money I spent on this, but it absolutely was not worth it.  I didn't notice any change at all.  I can name a dozen products and product lines (Skinceuticals, DermaDoctor, Freeze 24/7, etc) that work better at keeping skin smooth, firm and wrinkle-free and cost less, to boot.

Stella McCartney 5 Benefits Moisturizing Fluid- I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of Stella McCartney.  Her clothing seems insipid and uninspired, and on a personal note, she just seems like too much of a granola to me.  It's admirable that she created a product line with organic ingredients, free from petrochemicals and silicone, etc.  It's a shame that this product did nothing.  I couldn't even tell that I had applied a moisturizer.  My skin sort of sucked it up and felt dry again within a few moments.  I didn't notice any reduction in fine line and wrinkles, and to be honest, the product didn't smell very good either. 

Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish- When I got this product, I marveled that it was virtually identical to St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub.  My next emotion was extreme agitation because I'd paid about 3 times more than I would have paid for the St. Ives scrub and got about a tenth of the amount of product.  This stuff smelled foul, and was overly abrasive to the point of actually inflaming blemishes.  If you are looking for a good face scrub, try another product (DermaDoctor Physical Chemistry, Freeze 24/7, etc.)

There you have it folks, a comprehensive list of products that have made it onto my "diss list" lately.  The next time the product junkie returns, I hope to have some more awesome products to tell you about that actually meet my exacting standards and earn two thumbs up!!  In the meantime, make sure to tell the people that matter to you how much you care about them :)  Hugs-n-kisses to you all!!!  MWAH!!!!!!!!!!

6:57 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

For the record....:)
Current mood: frustrated

Hey y'all!  It's been brought to my attention that my blog is "getting dusty" and that I need to step up my efforts a bit....(thanks Kenny....LOL)  I've thought long and hard, but unfortunately I just don't have much to vent about.  So, I'll vent as much as I can about the one thing that is bothering me at the moment which is.... drumroll please.... people requesting that I chat/IM/date them or asking for my phone number/e-mail address/other personal information.

1.  The best thing about myspace is meeting new friends and catching up with old ones.  A girl can never have too many friends!  Yes, my profile says I'm single....however, it also says that I'm on myspace for networking and friends only.  It does not say I'm here for serious relationships, dating, etc.  I am not a tramp, slut, whore, etc.  Please respect my boundaries and don't even ask, okay??  Also, please bear in mind that I'm single by choice and not because I can't get a date :)

2.  I'm a single working mom and I'm busy pretty much 24/7.  My little boy comes first, and I don't take time away from him to play on the computer.  It's confusing and time consuming trying to carry on conversations with multiple people at the same time, so I just don't IM or chat.  I figure if you really want to talk to me, you'll e-mail and let me get back to you when I have a minute.  What's more, I've noticed that when I did try IM'ing I was invariably asked if I had a webcam within the first three minutes of chatting.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what someone is looking for when people ask that.  Although I'm sure that there are some decent people out there that really just want to IM for IM's sake...all of the horny men and psychos have ruined it for you.  Sorry.  I frown upon people that won't take no for an answer regarding chatting or IM'ing because it tells me that they lack respect for me (and by extension, my child).  Why would I want to converse with someone that is so obtuse as to not realize (or care) that the world does not revolve around their whims?? 

3.  I'm fairly intelligent (and in case you need proof, my IQ score is right there on myspace for all the world to see).  Do intelligent people give out personal information to complete strangers that solicit it over the internet??  No, they don't....and neither do I!

4.  For the sake of argument, let's assume that there are some relatively bright individuals that DO give out their personal information to complete strangers that solicit it over the internet.  How many of those relatively bright individuals do you think would be single moms?  I'm inclined to believe that the answer would be zero.  No reasonable, rational single mother would open the door (figuratively and literally speaking) to a complete stranger.  That's because we love our children fiercely and diligently work to protect them from all of the bad people in the world....

5.  Yes, I really do know that there are a lot of nice men out there on the internet.  Sorry that all the weirdos have kind of ruined it for you.  I've seen more than my fair share and really don't want to meet any more....

6.  The only way I'll give out my phone number is if I have spent significant time conversing with you via e-mail and I feel like I've come to know you well enough to believe that you aren't some psychotic stalker.  Again, I frown on people that don't consider the fact that I am extremely busy and would rather try to interrupt my day with a phone call than send me an e-mail and let me get back to them when I'm not in the middle of taking care of my child.  

7.  If you do end up getting my phone number, that does not necessarily mean that I want to go out with you.  

8.  I get e-mail at least once a day from men asking what it would take for me to be interested in them.  It should be clear by now that I don't date people I meet online, but I figured that I would go ahead and answer this question in the hopes that some people will eliminate themselves from becoming hopeful potential suitors....LOL

* must have job (of the respectable sort...no pimps, drug dealers, etc.)

* must have own residence and not still live with parents

* must have college education

* must be within a few years of my age (no more than 5 years either way)

* must not look like or act like my ex-husband....LOL

* must be able to pass a criminal background check

* must not smoke

* must not have addictions (gambling, drinking, drugs, porn, sex, etc.)

* must love children 

* must be kind to children and animals   

* must be on the intellectual side

* must not currently be married, separated, or in a relationship with someone else

I think that pretty much covers the basics, if I think of more I will add them later.  Sorry if this seems bitchy, I'm just trying to be as blatantly honest as possible.  I'm one of the nicest and most non-judgmental people you will ever know, but treat or talk to me like I'm a piece of meat (remember old cartoons when the dog looked at the cat and "saw" a nice cut of steak running around...LOL) and watch how quickly that changes :)

That's all I have to say about that subject for now, but I would like to ask my rabid readers if they would like for me to post a "moron alert" naming the men that still contact me to chat/IM/date or that request my e-mail address/phone number/other personal information after I've posted this bulletin???  LOL 

Life is short, so make sure that you tell the people that matter to you how much you love them!  Hugs-n-kisses to you all!!  MWAH!!!!! 

7:20 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Talk to me :)
Current mood: curious

Okay, y'all :)  I think my profile is due for a change, and wanted to get your opinions on what my new profile theme should be.  I'm listing my top choices below, but if you think of something that would be better suited to me, please share (if you suggest "bitch" or "princess" or something similar, know that I will haunt you for the rest of your life and into the afterlife.....:)  So without further ado, here are the ones I'm leaning toward.....

* University of Kentucky basketball

* Diamonds

* Paris (France, NOT Hilton....)

* Hello Kitty

* Scotland

* The Notebook

* Beach (something different from the current one, of course)

So be sure to cast your vote and help me decide what my new page should look like!!

Also, for those of you that have shared your opinions about my hair color, the response has been split down the middle.....half of you think I should stay blonde and the other half think I should try red.  Keep sending your suggestions in, please!!!

12:38 PM - 11 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

Ewwwww!!!!!! Gross!!!!!
Current mood: amused

Hey y'all :)  I ran across this on cracked.com and just had to share my disgust.  So without further ado, here are....

3:24 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Bye Bye Wayne....:)
Current mood: content

Thank goodness Dancing with the Stars is back on TV....I've been suffering withdrawal for months!  That Maksim Chmerkovskiy is one fine male specimen....I could watch him work it all day! 

Tonight was elimination night on DWTS.....and poor old Wayne Newton was finally put out of his misery :) 

I'm far too busy right now, but after Christmas I want to start taking ballroom dance lessons at Ray's in Kanawha City.  Do I have any takers???  I know there have to be some semi-coordinated men out there that would like to learn how to dance, right??  If not, here's a few videos that might inspire you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp5GjoouLIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MroAesQlyYw

If Emmitt can do it and look cool, so can you :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGY1vGbsD8

Seriously, what man wouldn't want to be able to dance like that!  Especially knowing that women love a man that can dance :)  Thought I would throw this in, also...Maksim dancing with Willa Ford from a few seasons ago.  I love this performance just because it's so damn sexy! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjiucWNHZ4M

4:54 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Opinions please :)
Current mood: curious

I have been blonde my whole life.  For the past 15 years, I have tinkered with the idea of changing my hair color to red.  I probably would have at least given it a shot if my hair stylist hadn't emphasized to me that if I go red and don't like it, getting it back to blonde will be very tough to do.  So, that's where you all come in.....I want your opinion about my hair color!  Let me know if you think I should go red or stay blonde :)

Hugs-n-kisses to you all :)  MWAH!!!!!!!!!!!

11:36 AM - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment