Tomorrow is ...

March 14 ... Steak and BJ day! And I think it's also on March 20th. I forget which is the original date, but why not take advantage of both days?? Sounds like fun to me! Whoever's giving Theresa flack about this very special day .. cut it out! *g* Hope y'all are all doing okay, I'm trying to get back here, but work is making it difficult. Stop reading and go prepare yourself, and your s/o for Steak and BJ Day! ~Hugs y'all! Maggie

Getting Back in the Swing of Things...

Like blogging and working. Surely no swinging paddles or anything of that sort around here. Everything here is fine. For a couple of months I was very concerned about what the economy is doing to our business, but right when I was ready to start posting again the flood gates opened and I am swamped! That's a good thing, for the most part. I know I've told people in email that I'm going to post that day or the next for sure, but I just run out of hours in the day .... I'm trying. I promise. Even when I've had time to post, I would rather read what y'all have to say ... much more interesting reading that's for sure! *g* Just from the drive-by reading I've been doing, it's going to take me months to catch up with everything going on in y'alls world. Thanks to everyone that has been checking in, and also the people that have commented on the last couple of posts. I'll try and get better about responding to comments and email! ~Hugs y'all! Maggie

Still Looks Like Christmas Around Here

I'm going to try to get back in here this week, get the Christmas stuff packed up and put away and make a good effort to start reading and posting again. Life has been a non-stop cluster-fuck for a couple of months. I'm okay, he's okay, we're okay ... the shit just won't stop though! Thanks for all the cards and emails ... I've missed a lot around here, and also not been a very good friend / reader / blogger etc. and for that I apologize! Back shortly! ~Hugs! Maggie

Changes Part II

I read a post by Timid Top at Tales from the Top. This guy seems to be really trying to get into the swing of the D/d lifestyle. Most everything he has said, I sit here and nod. He starts out describing growing up at the height of the women's lib movement in the 70's. Those were my teen years, too. All around me, my friend's moms started working. Then divorcing. They may have had good reason, things like that were pretty much kept behind closed doors at the time. But nevertheless, working they were, no dad on site and no HOH because mom was too busy bringing home the bacon, frying it up in the pan, etc. Most of us know now what a gargantuan job working outside the home full time and raising kids can be. So who ran the company, in the best interest of everyone involved? (I'm not saying that moms can't do it on their own, because we all know we surely can! I'm also not saying women shouldn't work, or have equal rights in the workplace. We should, and still don't in some cases.) Then mom may have remarried, or maybe not, but the freedom was felt everywhere. In the late 70s, I married my first husband (too young I might add!) and there was no way I was going to let us be anything but equal partners. Looking back at it now, he really may have made a good HOH. Since we were 'equal' and we both had all the freedom that goes with that, there was constant turmoil. And eventually a divorce. But, how different might that have turned out if the bra-burning, liberating, free-love in the few years prior, had not taken place? In my mind, before we were married, staying home and being June Cleaver was what I wanted to do. My mom did it, her mom and her mom ... So, a few years go by and I wouldn't hear of staying home. I had to make my place in the work-world and I'll be damned if I was going to let my husband tell me what to do, or when or where! Even if it was for my own good. Lot's of arguements. Lots. Things weren't really that different in my second marriage. There did come a time when I questioned myself on what it would be like to have a HOH. I thought about it a LOT! But that was toward the end of the marriage, and by that time I knew he wasn't smart enough to be my HOH. And yes, intelligence does play a part in that demanding role. Marriage over, no more worries with that. Then. I'm wondering how much of a role women's lib played in changing what had worked, in most cases for so long; the male being HOH? To paraphrase Timid Top, Every good organization needs a good CEO. Someone that will run the company with the company's best interest at heart. Be fair, but firm when running his company. Was the change worth it? In the work place , yes. But what about inside the family, behind closed doors? Would the divorce rate still be at 50%, if not more in some places? Timid Top goes on to say that after living in this lifestyle he can see a definite benefit, and also how it could benefit society. The big problem is, how do you get society to see this point of view? Those of you that are living a HOH or D/d lifestyle have said many times how much happier you are, and that for some of you it has been noticed by friends and family. IF we were to all be honest when asked what makes us so happy and come right out and tell them, maybe, eventually it would catch on. But like Timid, I agree that for the most part, people out there arent' ready to accept this kind of personal responsibility. Too much work. Easier to lay the blame elsewhere. In the near future, it would be really nice if we could all blog under our real names and not worry about who might find out and what they might say if they did! It's going to have to take people - us - talking about it, bringing it more out in the open. Make it mainstream! It's possible that thousands of women would thank us! Enough thinking! lol ~Hugs y'all Maggie

Always a Good Last Resort

When your mind fails to mind blog, what else is there to do? 1.Do you like cheese? Love it! Doc says it's a no no. 2. Have you ever done heroin? Nope. 3. Do you own a bike? No. 4. What are you doing tonight? Dinner, walk the dog, argue with the dog, sleep. Can't get anymore exciting than that, can ya? 5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Occasionally 6. What do you think of hot dogs? Once a year ... maybe. 7. What's your favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bell Rock 8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Ice water. 9. Can you do push ups? I'm afraid to try! 10. Is your bathroom clean? Yes, it is. 11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? A sapphire and diamond ring I got for myself several years ago. 12. Do you have friends? Yes, do you want them? 13. Do you miss someone? Not right now. 14. Middle name? Starts with an L 15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I wish I had time to do the post that I want to do. Looks like it's gonna rain soon. I hope it doesn't rain. 16. Name the last 3 things you bought. Cigarettes Gas Lunch 17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Ice water Iced tea Vodka-ritas. 18. Current worry? Not much worrying right now. 19. Current hate? Hmmm.. not much to hate right now. Okay, maybe our current administration. 20. Favorite place to be? With MrC 21. How did you ring in the New Year? Dont' remember, but sleeping probably. 22. Where would you like to go? Somewhere, anywhere out of this city. 23. Are you hungry? No 24. What/who made you laugh last? A voice mail message ... still giggling 25. Do you own slippers? Yes, big lime green fuzzy ones. Made Maggie-the-dog's hair stand on end the first time she saw me with them on! Heh! 26. What shirt are you wearing? Dark blue t-shirt 27. Do you burn or tan? tan 28. Favorite color? Purple 29. Would you be a pirate? No. 30. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. 31. What did you have for lunch?. Arby's roast beef 32. Name someone who has changed your life. My daughter. 33. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing 34. Best bed sheets as a child? Not a clue! 35. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken wrist in 6th grade. 36. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3 37. Who is your loudest friend? Susan 38. Who is your most silent friend? Christie 39. Do you wish on shooting stars? Yes, of course. 40. What is your favorite movie? Cape Fear 41. What is your favorite candy? Dove dark chocolate 42. What song do/did you want played at your wedding? No songs at either wedding. 43. What song do you want played at your funeral? When the Saints Go Marching In 44. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Snoozin' like a baby. 45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Oh, f***! Maggie

Look Familiar?

Maggie

Monday, Monday

Today is the part of the time change that I dislike the most. First day back at work and at 4pm my internal clock will be telling me it's time to go home. Then the next hour just draaaaaaaagggggs by. When are they going to stop this nonsense? (As I was typing this up, the bossman called, said to go home if nothing's goin' on. So, my internal clock is very happy!) The other day I mentioned S and how he comes to the house every Saturday for dinner. He is a friend of MrC's and awhile back got himself into some minor trouble and had to do some time. It wasn't a serious crime, well I guess serious is the wrong word, but he just got caught up in the moment at the wrong place and time and he spent a couple of years in jail. Now he's out and in a half-way house thing, so being the nice guy that MrC is, told him that he could come up every Saturday and he'd make him a good home cooked meal. I didn't disagree with it at the time, and I still really don't, but it's more ... production ... than what it's worth. And on more than one occasion, has included several of our neighbors. S is a great guy, so he himself is no problem. But my weekend schedule is really turned upside down! lol I know I'm being selfish and it will come to an end in a couple of months. I can do this. I can. I can .... etc. When your spouse or partner compliments you, what is your reaction? I have a very hard time accepting compliments, so when MrC praises me for something, I usually come back with some smart ass remark or just "yeah, yeah, whatever". I never really thought much about it, but we were having a conversation a few nights ago and he mentioned something, don't remember now what it was, but I just laughed and walked away. Later he said that when I do that, I'm portraying that I don't believe what he said, or that what he said isn't important to me. I think I'll practice saying "Thank you" Maybe even followed by a kiss. *g* Five days into November and five consecutive posts. Amazing, for me! By the time the 30th rolls around, y'all may never want to hear from me again! lol Here's something that I'd love to see everyone's answers to. It should be really interesting. Define your musical tastes in 10 songs. If you're up to it, post in comments, or on your blog. I'm looking forward to the diversity! In no particular order: Let's Fall in Love - Diana Krall Seduces Me - Celine Dion Fever - Ray Charles and Natalie Cole All the Way - Celine Dion and Frank Sinatra I Just Can't Help Believin' - Elvis Presley Me and Bobbie McGee - Janis Joplin Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini Linda on My Mind - Conway Twitty Downtown Train - Rod Stewart Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats How's that for being all over the place? lol ~Hugs y'all! Maggie

The Change

Time change that is. I love it when I can wake up to day break. Gives me time to spend with Maggie-the-dog outside before I go to work. What I'm not thrilled with is no day light after work. Just irks the heck out of me! I did make of the extra time today by spending it in my closet. Alone. Cleaning. I pulled a Theresa and weeded through almostuse everything in there. I had box still packed from when I moved from Dallas ten years ago. I threw away seven of those boxes! Woohooo! And a large black garbage bag for Goodwill. It was very refreshing. I even got a start on the drawers in the bathroom. Who in the heck needs all that make-up and so many brushes, hundreds of nail clippers and files and blahblahblah. I got started, I said, but didn't make it very far except buying some little organizer things that fit into the drawers. I'll get around to doing that .... someday! lol More change: Change of life. A welcome and a pain at the same time! Like I said earlier these hot flashes are really doing a number on me. Perfectly fine one minute, then sweating bullets the next. Yuck! I've read a little about black cohosh, and Paul mentioned Evening primrose oil. Any thoughts, suggestions? The forgetfulness, too. OMG! That will correct itself, won't it? And I think my fingers have developed dyslexia. I have never typed so awful in my life. The backspace key is my new best friend! lol Minnie Pauz has some cute little cartoons and anecdotes. Haven't been through the whole site, but they've probably got something to say on this heat wave. Sixty-eight degrees and all the windows open ... all night, with the fan going, and I'm seriously contemplating the a/c! Sheesh! Theresa asked about a tri-tip. I think from looking at this diagram it's the bottom triangular section of the sirloin. Grace can probably tell more about it. I think Cali is where the popularity started. As for grilling it, that part I do know about. Medium heat, eight minutes on each side, wrap in foil, move off the direct heat and let it rest for eight minutes. That's for medium rare. Slice thin with all the natural juices. Just fantastic! Okay, that's my non-spanko, non-d/d post for the day. Bed time is calling! ~Hugs y'all! Maggie

Me, Posting on a Saturday?

I'm really putting a lot of pressure on myself to blog more often. When I first saw that this is Nat'l Blog Posting Month, I thought I could do it. I doubt it. I suppose I could if I posted about all the stupid little things that run through my mind, but how boring would that be? Very! I'll show you: I really wish S wasn't coming over today. I've already got the meal planned and started. Tri-tip, twice baked potatoes and cheesecake. S is a great guy, but geez-louise, every single Saturday is ridiculous! Oh well, it's for MrC, anyway. Food: I came across a website through Yahoo picks or something where people send in pictures of their refrigerators and what's in them. From all over the world. Whoa! No wonder there's all the hoopla about how us Americans are so overweight and out of shape. All over the world people were sending in what's in their fridge and let me tell ya, every other country had little bitty refrigerators. About the size of a dishwasher. Some taller, but skinny. And almost no junk food, processed food, sodas etc. Lots of fresh produce, cheeses and the likes. Very little in the freezer, if there even was a freezer section. But you get to the American fridges and they are monsters! Filled and overflowing with God only knows what! MrC and I are just as guilty as every other person in this country. We have a fairly large side-by-side that is stuffed, over flowing actually. Just for the two of us. I have one closet pantry that is floor to ceiling and the top half is completely full, and then 3 more cabinets and two long shelves in the utility room that is over flowing, literally. Stuff is now stacked on top of the dryer. After looking at every fridge on that site, I really started thinking about how greedy and gluttonous we are. Hoarders. Just disgusting. But out of habit, we'll probably continue. We do try to eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruit, but I can't lie and say that red meat and processed foods don't take up a large portion of it. Heh! It may be better if I post a couple of times a month and don't spill out some of the garbage in my brain! ~Hugs y'all and have a great weekend. Maggie

Meme from PK's Vanilla Sister

Did y'all know this is National Blog Posting Month? A post a day. You're supposed to put your name on a list, but I don't think I will. They would probably just take it off again. *g* Ya know the post before this one? The one with the video clip from Californication? I've come up with a brilliant idea! I think we should have Cassie do the writing for that show since all the Hollywood writers on going on strike and we wouldn't want that girl to go one week without her spanking, right? With Cassie's imagination, and proven track record, we can all rest assured that girl would get what she's so obviously lookin' for! *g* 4 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME Four jobs I have had in my life: Receptionist at a photography studio Lo|an processor for a nationwide finance company. Mort|gage broker Office manager Four movies I have seen more than once: Overboard Cape Fear Goodfellas Basic Instinct Four places I have lived: Dallas Colorado Springs Fort Collins CO Houston Four Shows that I watch (not necessarily regularly) Al|ton Brown Ant|hony Bordain And|erson Cooper 360 Show|biz Tonight (that's how I fall asleep!) Four places I have been: Glencoe WY Blackfoot ID Masonville CO Raton NM Four People who e-mail me (regularly): The person trying to sell me Cialis The person trying to sell me unheard of stocks The head honcho of some bank in Africa that needs me to help him get an inheritence to me The bank that wants me to click on the link to verify my password Four of my favorite foods: Shrimp, anyway you want to serve it My hamburgers Grilled steak, medium rare please Peanut butter and jelly sandwich Four places I would rather be right now. In bed Loveland CO At the beach, as long as it has white sand and blue water In a jacuzzi Four friends I think will respond I'd like to see everyone do this. Four things I am looking forward to this year The holidays Winning the lottery Cooler weather Retiring, when I win the lottery Happy times Spending time with MrC Spending time with Maggie-the-dog Both my kids being home (for short times) Computering Maggie