My older sister, Crystal, is having her 20 year reunion here in a week or so. And thinking about this got me to remember that year. I was in 7th grade and so, in honor of her, I thought I would go through some of the big memories of those days when being young and doing stupid things wasn't that bad, and if it was, you only got grounded for like two weeks tops, or at least I did.
7th grade... I wasn't that cool. I was in band, took typing, when typing was still done on type writers. We had a computer lab and I never went into it, I wasn't that into computers except to play the Oregon Trail. I tried out for volleyball and didn't make it.. tried out for cheer that year too, didn't make that either. It was an interesting time.
My friends were close to no one that I still keep in contact with now. Not that I don't like them now or vice verse but, I just think that we all grew up and apart. My best friend was a girl named Keely Rodgers-Free. She was so cool where I was so not. She was brave and out going in the cool way where I was just annoying everyone. I still kind of have a hard time with being not socially awkward. There are moments that I should totally keep my mouth shut and no go with it and I don't. I was thinking about her house last night. The way it was set up and what did we do when we were there. Listen to mixed tapes for sure... made mixed tapes. We would make jokes about her brother Shannon. She was the epitome of cool... and she was my friend.
The other girls that I would hang out with weren't any less cool than Keely. Jenny and Jessie always seemed to being hanging out together and lived really close to each other so that made it easy for them... Keely and I lived within a mile of each other too, so that was bonus. There was Keely Hanson and she was really cool too. Rhiannon and then Alicia Clark were the other girls that I remember sitting at the tables with at lunch time and talking to. One day, I remember asking them if you were an animal what would you be. At that next moment, three skater dudes walked outside and pressed themselves up against the warm brick building. I looked at my friends and said, obviously, they would be lizards. We would play Red-Rover and see who we could clothesline. There was Sammy, whom I love to death still, and Karla who is still one person that I love to hear what's going on with her.
I was in girl scouts that year. I can't seem to remember if we went to Disney land that year or the next, but, there were too more girls who were in our troop, Ellen and Holly. Holly and I, still don't get along, but, whatever, it's water under the bridge to me now. Both of them were in band so, we saw each other every single day.
This was the only year in school that we did 7 periods in one day, with the classes going all through the year. I had P.E. first period, band before lunch, I think I had typing and social studies before lunch too. After lunch, I had math, science and English. I could be totally wrong on that though. In my math and science class, there was this guy, Donny Dodge. He was always getting me into trouble. I very distinctly remember one afternoon in Science where we were talking and I got into trouble for it. In math, he sat either next to me, or behind me and would make it a point to tell Mike Rogers that I had a crush on him... which I did, but, that never went anywhere. In years looking back at Donny, he was a lot of fun to be around. He had cancer when I moved up there in the 5th grade, and had his leg amputated. During Christmas our sophomore year, he had died, after the cancer had returned in his spine. It was sad time, but, I will get to that year a little later on.
7th grade was the year that I started to go to church like all the time. We had just got new youth pastor, Matt, and his beautiful wife, Gina. They were my most favorite role models while growing up, love them to death, super awesome people. Anyhow, I went to church with some more girls who were in the grade above mine. Some of us were in band together as well, but, not all of us. There was Betsy and Stacey in 8th grade. Derek, who was 2 years older than me, who I had the biggest crush all the next three years on, and Tami, his girlfriend. Stephen and Alicia and Jana, and other than that, I don't really remember anyone else... oh, Chris Flowers and Mike Rogers too. Church was the most fun that I remember from that time. At the end of the school year, we went to church camp... I have some good memories of that year at camp, but mostly not. Anyhow, I tried to get Derek to like me, and I really wish that I would have known then that the best way to get a guy to like you is to not throw yourself at him and make a fool of yourself, it's to just be yourself and act like a normal human being... that didn't happen with me.
I do remember that if I liked someone other than Derek, like Mike, it always seemed that this one girl, a close friend actually, always ended up going out with him.. and I mean, within a few weeks of me telling her how much I liked them. It was so heartbreaking for me to have to have a friend like that. And it happened with her on more than one occasion, with multiple guys. I don't know why I wanted to be her friend so bad looking back on it... She wasn't the best kind of friend to me. She's one of my friends on Facebook, but, thinking about it now, I don't think I care if she's my friend or not anymore.
I remember thinking, for most of the years I was in Jr. high and high school, that I wasn't all that great. I didn't like myself for way too many years and I am grateful for those years because they have helped me to look at life, and just accept it. That I'm not this horrible ugly thing that no one ever wants to date and if I only have a few close friends, then it's OK. I think Jessica and Vanessa could be right, I can really only handle one close friend at a time. I think that could have been a problem for me in those years.
Anyhow, that's about all I remember from that year. I mostly blocked out the years from my childhood, but, I'm trying to remember them now.. If only for this little project. Tomorrow, I will tackle 8th grade.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Break through
The other day, and today also, I realized that in order for me to be able to better myself, I am going to have to be the one to do things for myself. I may not have all the answers yet, but, I continue to look for them, and I continue to really look to find myself, as cliché as that sounds.
I hate to admit it, but, I spend way too much time playing on Facebook. It's not that I don't find some really great recipes or some really funny things to look at. In fact, that is how I keep in touch with so many of the people that I love. I get to see what's going on in their lives and that's so awesome that they want to keep me in their circle. I love getting little messages from different ones too. I love to see what my cousins are doing, especially Brittany, she cracks me up, and to be honest, I have never met her. But, now, I think that I will take that much needed break from that place. I have to find a new reason to play on the computer. I have things that I would like to do, and if I'm on Facebook all the time, I can't be doing what I need to be doing.
So, it's with this thought in mind, that I'm going to take a break from Facebook. Not forever or anything like that, I will still go on once a month to promote my blog and hopefully gather awareness for some of the things that matter to me, but, really, it because, I just don't want it to be something that is so important to me. I want to see what kind of cool things I can accomplish if I'm not constantly looking at people who have already succeed in what I want to do. Like, drop some of this extra weight that is really starting to bring me down. None of my pants fit me, and instead of doing something about it, I am on the computer checking out what fun pictures I can find of cats. I have to really take control of the things that I can control. I have to be a good role model for the girls and I can't do that if the model that I am setting is not one that I am very proud of.
I am going to put a post on there tonight about breaking up with Facebook for a while. One of my friends wasn't on there for 40 days, and in fact, I think it was longer than that. I did it when we didn't have the Internet and so, I think that I will do that again. I am going to continue to write about things that matter to me here, but, no more seeing pictures of asses, or of American stick figures. No more will I look at the pictures of what other people are doing, I will have to hold myself accountable with out the support of that online group. I may be happier in the long run too.
What am I going to do then? Well, I have set some goals for myself. The first is the working out thing. I have a goal of no Facebook until September 28th. The last day of the Farmers Market will be my last day without Facebook. In that time, I am going to attempt to lose approximately 30 pounds. And, yes, I could stand to lose that much. I have put much thought about this, and I think that I am going to do a lot more rice and fish and a lot less candy and bread. I am going to be starting up my Slim in 6 again, as well as doing Zumba Flat abs and some sort of abdominal routine too. This could potentially put my workout time to nearly 2 hours a day towards the end and doing this for 6 days a week. I might tapper off a little bit, but, who knows. I am also going to try out an online blog of some sort. It's designed to help make some more income, and trust me, I could really use some help with that. In fact, I am thinking about a career change or at least a venue change could be in the works for us. I have yet to decide on that one though. I have to do something different though, this isn't working.
I had to do some serious thinking this past week, and really I have come to the conclusion that Colorado or California may really be in the works for us. I know that I have some damn good skills with what I do, but, I don't know how it's going to happen yet, or if it's even going to happen yet. Unless of course, I somehow make millions of dollars and decide to just travel and go everywhere and see everything and experience all that life has to offer. That would be ideal... so would my roller skating rink though too :)
Anyhow, I have some meal planning to do, and some working out to do. There will likely be a post on Facebook once a month but, other than that, it's time for me to break up with it. Much as it pains me to do so, I think this is for the best. Night all... Peace :)
I hate to admit it, but, I spend way too much time playing on Facebook. It's not that I don't find some really great recipes or some really funny things to look at. In fact, that is how I keep in touch with so many of the people that I love. I get to see what's going on in their lives and that's so awesome that they want to keep me in their circle. I love getting little messages from different ones too. I love to see what my cousins are doing, especially Brittany, she cracks me up, and to be honest, I have never met her. But, now, I think that I will take that much needed break from that place. I have to find a new reason to play on the computer. I have things that I would like to do, and if I'm on Facebook all the time, I can't be doing what I need to be doing.
So, it's with this thought in mind, that I'm going to take a break from Facebook. Not forever or anything like that, I will still go on once a month to promote my blog and hopefully gather awareness for some of the things that matter to me, but, really, it because, I just don't want it to be something that is so important to me. I want to see what kind of cool things I can accomplish if I'm not constantly looking at people who have already succeed in what I want to do. Like, drop some of this extra weight that is really starting to bring me down. None of my pants fit me, and instead of doing something about it, I am on the computer checking out what fun pictures I can find of cats. I have to really take control of the things that I can control. I have to be a good role model for the girls and I can't do that if the model that I am setting is not one that I am very proud of.
I am going to put a post on there tonight about breaking up with Facebook for a while. One of my friends wasn't on there for 40 days, and in fact, I think it was longer than that. I did it when we didn't have the Internet and so, I think that I will do that again. I am going to continue to write about things that matter to me here, but, no more seeing pictures of asses, or of American stick figures. No more will I look at the pictures of what other people are doing, I will have to hold myself accountable with out the support of that online group. I may be happier in the long run too.
What am I going to do then? Well, I have set some goals for myself. The first is the working out thing. I have a goal of no Facebook until September 28th. The last day of the Farmers Market will be my last day without Facebook. In that time, I am going to attempt to lose approximately 30 pounds. And, yes, I could stand to lose that much. I have put much thought about this, and I think that I am going to do a lot more rice and fish and a lot less candy and bread. I am going to be starting up my Slim in 6 again, as well as doing Zumba Flat abs and some sort of abdominal routine too. This could potentially put my workout time to nearly 2 hours a day towards the end and doing this for 6 days a week. I might tapper off a little bit, but, who knows. I am also going to try out an online blog of some sort. It's designed to help make some more income, and trust me, I could really use some help with that. In fact, I am thinking about a career change or at least a venue change could be in the works for us. I have yet to decide on that one though. I have to do something different though, this isn't working.
I had to do some serious thinking this past week, and really I have come to the conclusion that Colorado or California may really be in the works for us. I know that I have some damn good skills with what I do, but, I don't know how it's going to happen yet, or if it's even going to happen yet. Unless of course, I somehow make millions of dollars and decide to just travel and go everywhere and see everything and experience all that life has to offer. That would be ideal... so would my roller skating rink though too :)
Anyhow, I have some meal planning to do, and some working out to do. There will likely be a post on Facebook once a month but, other than that, it's time for me to break up with it. Much as it pains me to do so, I think this is for the best. Night all... Peace :)
Monday, May 20, 2013
Stupid weight
This afternoon, I had the happy privilege of getting to redo my birth control. It's not that exciting, and though the actual appointment was something nice, given the appointment, but, it was a good thing. The doctor had a really great bedside manner and even Thomas noted that it was a pleasant visit. As pleasant as a visit can go I guess. I don't even really hurt today, which is pretty nice too. I did however, get weighed while I was there. I am not very happy with this. I know that I have resolved to lose this thick shit around my middle, and I have failed at trying very hard at this point. I have started a few times now, and I have gotten into in for about 4 days, and then I stop again. I hate that about me. I want to do something about it, but, I feel like I have, still, no motivation for it. And then I got weighted today. It wasn't exactly the best weight in that I have had. I am thinking that I am going to do my part. I can't keep eating things that are bad for me, and I have to get sleep at night, and I really have to workout daily. I just have to stop making excuses for it. While, I do feel like my medical procedure has prohibited me from doing anything today, that and a head cold, I think I can take this on. I have to have me time in order to feel better and look better. I don't think I look bad, but, I just can't seem to like the way I look. My face is pretty and all, and as my sister was so kind to point out this weekend, I did get my mother's good looks, but, I have a body that I am not proud of... so, I am going to be proud of my self. I am a beautiful woman, and I want my outside to make my inside as well... I want to look good in shorts and tank tops... I love the way that I look.... :)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Being a Mother
Just a quick thought. I have to say that while I love being a mother, I am constantly wondering how do I balance being a good mother and being a good partner? I hate to see Thomas in so much pain, I can't do anything about it. I want to help, yet, what can I do to take the pain away??? I am worried about him, and I feel like while I worry, I am not able to give Piper my all my attention. I am torn, which makes me sad... I want to be the best at everything... How do I do that? How do I balance my time with the people that I love the most...
Friday, May 10, 2013
Mother's Day Celebration
The great day of Mother's Day is to celebrated this weekend. I myself have the very awesome pleasure of being able to celebrate this with both my mom and my daughters.
This morning, as I was getting ready for a benefit event that I volunteered to work, I thought about what does it mean to be a mother, or father for that matter. But, for the sake of this weekend, I am going to focus on being a mother. I think it funny how when I think of something, I will go over it in my head and it sounds so good while I'm thinking of it. Then, when I try to put into print, I cannot think of it, nor can I get my train of thought to sound as good as it did in my head.
To start with, this evening, I was playing on Facebook, I know right, one of the girls I worked with at the grocery store is due to leave the hospital without taking her baby home. I get the very distinct feeling it's a still born. It broke my heart to read this. How very lucky I am that I have my little ones with me, and another is suffering the heartbreaking blow of losing hers, all of this about the time of this holiday that we have made just for mothers. Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for her nor the depth of emotion that she (and her husband) must be feeling right now. It rocks me to my very core, in ways that I cannot truly express. We should all be grateful for the children that we get to raise.
With that in mind, I have a tendency to believe that are children chose us. It's not that we decide to have children, it's that they decide that it's time to come to us. That we have something to teach them. When I think that I am doing a terrible job at being a mother, I have to stop and think that no matter what I have done, her soul saw something so great in my own, that she wanted to be my daughter. I cannot think of a greater reward!! I mean, to an extent, we have control over it, but, overall, I honestly think that our control over that situation is really just an illusion. And in turn, they teach us something too... probably more than a few things in reality :) Thus far, Piper has taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I can be the best mom that I know how, and for me, that's about what I want to do. While at my event this afternoon, our speaker said that he didn't know anything about love, until he had kids. All three of them adopted and all three of them, beautiful creations that love their dad completely. And he's right. I didn't know love until I had Piper.
It amazes me so much of this things that as a mother I do. On weekdays, I am up first, to make sure coffee is done. I go into Piper's room and wake her up with lots of kisses and sweet nothings. I make sure that Kelsie is up and getting ready for school. On good days, Thomas will get up and get Piper to school and let me finish getting ready for work, however, that's not always the case. I do take her to school and ensure that both girls are ready for school with lunches and coffee and smoothies.
But being a mother means more than just that. I am constantly wondering if what I do today will scar her tomorrow. I try to remember to say I'm sorry when I snap at her, which is more often that what I would like. I try to remember that spending my time with her doing what she wants to do is the single greatest thing that I can do for her. I try to remember that by giving her good food for her body, and some nice play time at the park is one of the best things I can do for her body, especially since we have found that she cannot eat wheat. I try to remember that for teenagers, they are a bit more sensitive to things and that she sometimes just need to talk to someone. I try to remember that while she is older, that she still needs her mom just as much as I still need mine.
There are other days that I am still learning so much about them. Not about them per say, but about what I can do to make myself a better person so I can be a better mother for them. I feel like I do a good job sometimes, but, there are days that I feel like I want to hide in my closet and cry. To which, those days are not about if I am being a good mother, it's about me. I don't like those days.
Overall, I would say that I give thanks on a daily basis to be given these precious lives that I get to raise. They truly are gifts and everyday that I get to see them, its truly a fantastic day. I know that all of our days on this planet are limited, for this lifetime at least, and for every one that I get to be with these two amazing girls, I am so blessed to be there for them :) For now, I will do the best that I can, and give them everything that I can. I do keep thinking that they chose us, and for me, that is amazing feeling. I know that for them choosing us, I will make sure that I will do what I can to teach them what I know. Life is short, love freely, laugh much, dance in the rain, and remember that everyday is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
Just a postscript here... I wanted to say thank you to all of those who, after reading either the post Some Action is Required on May 1 or I Hate you Facebook on May 5, took action. It means a lot to us that there are people out there who are willing to help... For that, you have my sincerest thanks. If you haven't read it, your actions and sharing this information would be greatly appreciated. Comments are always welcomed. If you have taken action, please feel free to BCC me on this so we have a copy too. The email is hanover.physt@yahoo.com Have a great weekend and make sure you call Mom this weekend. Peace out :)
This morning, as I was getting ready for a benefit event that I volunteered to work, I thought about what does it mean to be a mother, or father for that matter. But, for the sake of this weekend, I am going to focus on being a mother. I think it funny how when I think of something, I will go over it in my head and it sounds so good while I'm thinking of it. Then, when I try to put into print, I cannot think of it, nor can I get my train of thought to sound as good as it did in my head.
To start with, this evening, I was playing on Facebook, I know right, one of the girls I worked with at the grocery store is due to leave the hospital without taking her baby home. I get the very distinct feeling it's a still born. It broke my heart to read this. How very lucky I am that I have my little ones with me, and another is suffering the heartbreaking blow of losing hers, all of this about the time of this holiday that we have made just for mothers. Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for her nor the depth of emotion that she (and her husband) must be feeling right now. It rocks me to my very core, in ways that I cannot truly express. We should all be grateful for the children that we get to raise.
With that in mind, I have a tendency to believe that are children chose us. It's not that we decide to have children, it's that they decide that it's time to come to us. That we have something to teach them. When I think that I am doing a terrible job at being a mother, I have to stop and think that no matter what I have done, her soul saw something so great in my own, that she wanted to be my daughter. I cannot think of a greater reward!! I mean, to an extent, we have control over it, but, overall, I honestly think that our control over that situation is really just an illusion. And in turn, they teach us something too... probably more than a few things in reality :) Thus far, Piper has taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I can be the best mom that I know how, and for me, that's about what I want to do. While at my event this afternoon, our speaker said that he didn't know anything about love, until he had kids. All three of them adopted and all three of them, beautiful creations that love their dad completely. And he's right. I didn't know love until I had Piper.
It amazes me so much of this things that as a mother I do. On weekdays, I am up first, to make sure coffee is done. I go into Piper's room and wake her up with lots of kisses and sweet nothings. I make sure that Kelsie is up and getting ready for school. On good days, Thomas will get up and get Piper to school and let me finish getting ready for work, however, that's not always the case. I do take her to school and ensure that both girls are ready for school with lunches and coffee and smoothies.
But being a mother means more than just that. I am constantly wondering if what I do today will scar her tomorrow. I try to remember to say I'm sorry when I snap at her, which is more often that what I would like. I try to remember that spending my time with her doing what she wants to do is the single greatest thing that I can do for her. I try to remember that by giving her good food for her body, and some nice play time at the park is one of the best things I can do for her body, especially since we have found that she cannot eat wheat. I try to remember that for teenagers, they are a bit more sensitive to things and that she sometimes just need to talk to someone. I try to remember that while she is older, that she still needs her mom just as much as I still need mine.
There are other days that I am still learning so much about them. Not about them per say, but about what I can do to make myself a better person so I can be a better mother for them. I feel like I do a good job sometimes, but, there are days that I feel like I want to hide in my closet and cry. To which, those days are not about if I am being a good mother, it's about me. I don't like those days.
Overall, I would say that I give thanks on a daily basis to be given these precious lives that I get to raise. They truly are gifts and everyday that I get to see them, its truly a fantastic day. I know that all of our days on this planet are limited, for this lifetime at least, and for every one that I get to be with these two amazing girls, I am so blessed to be there for them :) For now, I will do the best that I can, and give them everything that I can. I do keep thinking that they chose us, and for me, that is amazing feeling. I know that for them choosing us, I will make sure that I will do what I can to teach them what I know. Life is short, love freely, laugh much, dance in the rain, and remember that everyday is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
Just a postscript here... I wanted to say thank you to all of those who, after reading either the post Some Action is Required on May 1 or I Hate you Facebook on May 5, took action. It means a lot to us that there are people out there who are willing to help... For that, you have my sincerest thanks. If you haven't read it, your actions and sharing this information would be greatly appreciated. Comments are always welcomed. If you have taken action, please feel free to BCC me on this so we have a copy too. The email is hanover.physt
Sunday, May 5, 2013
I hate you Facebook
OK, so maybe hate is a strong word, but, I think it's safe to say that I really dislike you a lot of the times. I mean, it's this huge platform for so many to get their point across and share things with others, I mean, the possibilities are endless really with the social media thing. I think what really solidifies it for me, is that, it seems that for all the effort I put into getting information out there that should matter and things that we can do to help one another, no one cares enough to do anything about it. Well, I did have someone say that what I had put out there was worth the read and the action, but, that was it.
I know that we are suppose to think that it's such a great thing, this world of information and the Internet, yet, we are less connected to one another than we have ever been. We live in these big neighborhoods where no one knows each other. We work for companies where are you are no longer a valued person, you're just a number to them. We see that there are those out there whom we could help, and we walk by it and pretend that we don't see it. I don't understand this. I don't understand it at all. I make jokes a lot about going back to the technology of 1984. It was a good year for music, Prince's Purple Rain came out, Billy Idol was THE SHIT, and Van Halen were gods... might as well Jump, and Frankie went to Hollywood to Relax. Anyhow, remember the yellow phone that hung in the kitchen with a 25 foot cord. There was no such thing as privacy when making a phone call, unless it was your parents in their room... where they had the rotary phone... Aww... good times.
But, there were things that in these fast times, we have forgotten about. How to be compassionate, how to be people who can look at a situation and realize that not everyone is out to get them. We are human still, and we make mistakes... There are those who really need to be punished for doing wrong, but, that's not the point.
So, I have recently put some information out there about a company who used and abused a man who wanted nothing more than to make a better person of himself. After a debilitating accident, he goes through a lot years hurting. He tries to go back to school, is told that he has to do certain things, and complies with them, yet, they lose his medical report... A report that spans more than a decade and is somewhat needed to be able to treat his problem. I can only imagine the kind of pain that he feels everyday, and yet, I really hope that I never have to deal with it. I see what it does, and I see what it looks like, the constant agony of it. I have a great deal of respect for those who live with constant pain. This morning, while putting on his shirt, he turned his neck just right and it pinched, or that's what it was described as being, the nerve in his neck. The day went from being all of us doing stuff together and having fun, to him lying in bed with a nice brace on his arm so it didn't seize up on him. With no medications to be able to take to help relax this, he has been in severe pain all day long, which will inevitably turn into the next week of such pain. I think he will be lucky if he can fall asleep on the bed at all this week, most likely, it will mean that he sleeps sitting up in a chair for maybe a few hours for the next few nights.
I see what is going on with him, and I have to wonder. If a friend of mine put herself out there and asked for help in righting a situation, would I have the balls to stand up for her too? Would I be able to write to a governor or a state appointed official and ask what the fuck is going on? (though probably not in those exact words) Or am I the kind of person who sees a need for help and does nothing?
I am not sure. I used to think that I was a kind, caring, sometimes thoughtful person... though, now, I am thinking that I am more than what I thought I was. I have never really stood up for anyone or anything on the behalf of anyone else. What was the point? What could I really do to make things change? You may be wondering that right now too. What can you do to make a difference in someone else's life? You can take action. You can write to the governor and ask why are the taxpayers being made to pay for a mistake of a contracted company that says they are working to help others. These business people make multi billions of dollars every year, and yet, they refuse to take responsibility for a mistake they did. This is an outrage and should not be tolerated by anyone person that has to pay taxes... Which is the majority of us. I should think that if this company made the mistake, they should have to pay for it... Not only that, they should have to compensate him for the ill-treatment that he received while as a client of this company.
I don't know about you, but, I am getting tired of big companies that are just looking to screw over the population of our country. I am getting tired of a government that sees what's going on, and yet does nothing. I am really tired of a system that punishes the ones who are just trying to make a better life for themselves and promotes lazy baby making machines who sit on their ass and do nothing, while those who just need a little help, just a little, are denied because they have a job..... GGGRRRRRRRRRRR... What is wrong with this?
I have no answers for these questions. I have a hope that people will read this and want to take action, that they will want to help someone who needs it. I have this hope that they will hear of the bullshit a company has put one person through and realize that it's not likely that he's the only one whose been through it. I keep hoping that I am not the only one who is fighting for justice on his behalf... But if I am, I know that no matter what, I am working to make this life a better one, if only for one person, then I know that, as a member of our human race, I have done something that has made a difference in the life of another.
So, Facebook, you can have your site back, and you can have all the cute pictures of kitties and puppies... With all of your cancer, autism, MS awareness, and you can have them. I will, undoubtedly try to raise awareness for one person who still needs help. I will keep fighting, if even on my own, so, take that!!! I am going to make a difference, whether you help me or not, though, with your help, I'm sure I can get a lot further.
PS, For the information that you would need about what I am talking about today, see the previous blog entry, Some action required, and let's be a force for good on this one....
Night all...
I know that we are suppose to think that it's such a great thing, this world of information and the Internet, yet, we are less connected to one another than we have ever been. We live in these big neighborhoods where no one knows each other. We work for companies where are you are no longer a valued person, you're just a number to them. We see that there are those out there whom we could help, and we walk by it and pretend that we don't see it. I don't understand this. I don't understand it at all. I make jokes a lot about going back to the technology of 1984. It was a good year for music, Prince's Purple Rain came out, Billy Idol was THE SHIT, and Van Halen were gods... might as well Jump, and Frankie went to Hollywood to Relax. Anyhow, remember the yellow phone that hung in the kitchen with a 25 foot cord. There was no such thing as privacy when making a phone call, unless it was your parents in their room... where they had the rotary phone... Aww... good times.
But, there were things that in these fast times, we have forgotten about. How to be compassionate, how to be people who can look at a situation and realize that not everyone is out to get them. We are human still, and we make mistakes... There are those who really need to be punished for doing wrong, but, that's not the point.
So, I have recently put some information out there about a company who used and abused a man who wanted nothing more than to make a better person of himself. After a debilitating accident, he goes through a lot years hurting. He tries to go back to school, is told that he has to do certain things, and complies with them, yet, they lose his medical report... A report that spans more than a decade and is somewhat needed to be able to treat his problem. I can only imagine the kind of pain that he feels everyday, and yet, I really hope that I never have to deal with it. I see what it does, and I see what it looks like, the constant agony of it. I have a great deal of respect for those who live with constant pain. This morning, while putting on his shirt, he turned his neck just right and it pinched, or that's what it was described as being, the nerve in his neck. The day went from being all of us doing stuff together and having fun, to him lying in bed with a nice brace on his arm so it didn't seize up on him. With no medications to be able to take to help relax this, he has been in severe pain all day long, which will inevitably turn into the next week of such pain. I think he will be lucky if he can fall asleep on the bed at all this week, most likely, it will mean that he sleeps sitting up in a chair for maybe a few hours for the next few nights.
I see what is going on with him, and I have to wonder. If a friend of mine put herself out there and asked for help in righting a situation, would I have the balls to stand up for her too? Would I be able to write to a governor or a state appointed official and ask what the fuck is going on? (though probably not in those exact words) Or am I the kind of person who sees a need for help and does nothing?
I am not sure. I used to think that I was a kind, caring, sometimes thoughtful person... though, now, I am thinking that I am more than what I thought I was. I have never really stood up for anyone or anything on the behalf of anyone else. What was the point? What could I really do to make things change? You may be wondering that right now too. What can you do to make a difference in someone else's life? You can take action. You can write to the governor and ask why are the taxpayers being made to pay for a mistake of a contracted company that says they are working to help others. These business people make multi billions of dollars every year, and yet, they refuse to take responsibility for a mistake they did. This is an outrage and should not be tolerated by anyone person that has to pay taxes... Which is the majority of us. I should think that if this company made the mistake, they should have to pay for it... Not only that, they should have to compensate him for the ill-treatment that he received while as a client of this company.
I don't know about you, but, I am getting tired of big companies that are just looking to screw over the population of our country. I am getting tired of a government that sees what's going on, and yet does nothing. I am really tired of a system that punishes the ones who are just trying to make a better life for themselves and promotes lazy baby making machines who sit on their ass and do nothing, while those who just need a little help, just a little, are denied because they have a job..... GGGRRRRRRRRRRR... What is wrong with this?
I have no answers for these questions. I have a hope that people will read this and want to take action, that they will want to help someone who needs it. I have this hope that they will hear of the bullshit a company has put one person through and realize that it's not likely that he's the only one whose been through it. I keep hoping that I am not the only one who is fighting for justice on his behalf... But if I am, I know that no matter what, I am working to make this life a better one, if only for one person, then I know that, as a member of our human race, I have done something that has made a difference in the life of another.
So, Facebook, you can have your site back, and you can have all the cute pictures of kitties and puppies... With all of your cancer, autism, MS awareness, and you can have them. I will, undoubtedly try to raise awareness for one person who still needs help. I will keep fighting, if even on my own, so, take that!!! I am going to make a difference, whether you help me or not, though, with your help, I'm sure I can get a lot further.
PS, For the information that you would need about what I am talking about today, see the previous blog entry, Some action required, and let's be a force for good on this one....
Night all...
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Some action is required... :)
I have a feeling that our government is not looking out for the best interest of it's people. It's seeming more and more like what can they do to get richer while seeing if they can screw over the American population. I have a theory about how the insurance and pharmaceutical companies are in bed with the lobbyists and state representatives. It's of course just my theory, but, it seems that it's truer and truer with each passing election. Now I'm not saying that there are no honest politicians out there, I'm simply suggesting that they really are the Latin translation of the word politician... blood sucking parasite. THEY are the real drain on our country... Here are some solutions for our national deficit that I truly believe would work, if these 545 people on capital hill had ANY balls...
First, we stop paying politicians for a job they are no longer doing. If you have served a term and are no longer serving the PEOPLE of the United States, you no longer draw a salary from that job. No one else in the country gets to continued to be paid for job they are not doing. Second, we stop paying Native Americans for living on the reservation. The land, is no longer considered part of a separate nation. If you wish to be a part of a separate nation, go to another country and live, but, I should think we should REFUSE to pay anyone for simply living on a piece of land. If you want have the government to pay you that much, work for the Feds, or, go join the military and become an officer and be in for the full 20 years, stop being a drain on our country. (Now I do realize that not everyone is like that, there are many who are not, however, at some point, everyone is going to have to get over the past. It's over. We can't spend our lives making up for shit that happened 100+ years ago. I didn't do anything to you, you haven't done anything to me. Let's just say we are all part of the same country, and we all live together, happily.) Third, when it comes to immigration, if you are not here legally, don't expect handouts. There are millions of people who have come to this country legally, got their citizenship and have made great things of themselves. They are not allowed to ever get government handouts. They all took a test, and an oath, learned our language, and said that's what they want. If you are caught, you will be taken to the nearest boarder of our country, put into a jail, because, it's still breaking the law to be here. You will spend your time building a wall that creates a barrier and when you are released, you will be released back to your country... (This only really works for those who come here illegally from our nations bordering countries... I just have yet to see a lot of Canadians who WANT to come to America illegally and live. From what I have seen, it's kind of the other way around.)
Now the real reason that I feel this way is from a personal experience that I wish to share with you all, and hopefully, you will feel the need to take action, as I have. I have a friend who has a permanent disability. He's got a partially severed nerve in his cervical spine (that means one of his nerves has been nearly ripped off from the spinal cord in his neck). This problem causes a great deal of pain.
In 2008, he moved to Arizona to provide a quieter life for him and his teenage daughter. At that time, he had his medical report from California with him... current and everything. He was then informed that he had to see an Arizona doctor to get services, so he did. Although his injury does not allow for him to do the kind of work he would like to, he decided to get an education so he could get a job and continue to work to support his family. He applied and was accepted into vocational rehab however, he stepped aside to allow others to participate in it because he had received a grant for school and enrolled in the Massage Therapy Program at our local college. He was told he needed to comply with Arbor/ResCare which provides case management, career assessment and planning, job search and job placement services that help individuals reach their potential and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Part of their requirements is to provide a medical report, with the exact nature of what his disability was, which he did, repeatedly. Of the above listed services, he received case management, and was required to perform job searches to meet compliance policies. Another requirement was that he had to volunteer for a certain amount of hours per week. While volunteering with a massage therapy facility, he and the owner of this facility were harassed by Arbor/ResCare to the point that he was asked, by the owner, to find other volunteer work. This created a compliance issue with Arbor/ResCare.
He returned to the Show Low DES office as a volunteer to assist residents with finding employment, learn interview and resume writing skills, and learn to operate computers. Since he had volunteered at this office before it was required by Arbor/ResCare, he decided to continue to volunteer after his Arbor/ResCare case was closed. With a total of 3 years, give or take a few months, he has spent thousands of hours helping the residents of our community and the office staff. I have heard him numerous times being asked why do you volunteer here? His response is selfless and generous, "because people need help". His face in the community is known for being that guy who helped someone get a job... Can't go anywhere really, without running into someone who has benefited from his help.
The biggest problem facing him right now, is, without this medical report, he cannot receive on-going, nor get further medical treatment. His pain level is skyrocketing on a daily basis. No doctor will touch this case without a medical report, and extensive current nerve conduction testing just to get a baseline going again. (For those who don't know, a nerve conduction test is where they stick needles in you and run electricity through them to see how bad the damage is.)
At the beginning of this year, he wrote to our state Governor, Jan Brewer, and the director of DES, Clarence Carter for help. Since this agency was contracted with the state, he thought it was time to talk to the ones who contracted them.
What is really funny, is that for the past two years, he has tried to deal with Arbor/ResCare to work this out in a reasonable manner. They have flat refused to replace his medical report. It's very frustrating for him. At this point, Arbor/ResCare has been caught lying to the state of Arizona regarding the multiple requests and loss of his medical report. Yet, the Governors office and the director of the DES refuse to hold Arbor/ResCare responsible for this MAJOR oversight. The proof of Arbor/ResCare's lie came in the form of documentation from his original case worker. They, OUR Government, wish for US, the TAXPAYERS to replace his medical report. Something which HE HAS REFUSED as being WRONG. He needs the medical help and it's getting to the point where he has asked me to try to help with seeking answers for this.
Last week, he got a call from the DES, and they said that because he was on the state health care, they would just have the tests done through the state... Wait a second here... A company that is hired by the state lost a medical report several times, including the original. Now they want the TAXPAYERS OF THAT STATE to pay for this kind of testing to be done, when it was the contracted company's negligence which caused this problem, not the taxpayers?! I have a huge problem with MY TAXES going to pay for testing that Arbor/ResCare should be paying for, since it was their foul up to start with!!!
In researching this company, this is a multi-billion dollar company that is in 23 states across the country. They are suppose to be helping people, not hurting them, or making the TAXPAYERS pay for their irresponsibility, repeated carelessness and total negligence. What I am asking all of my readers is for a simple favor. Please, write to the governor's office and ask, why do we have to pay for this company's blunder when they should be the one to pay for it. (Personally, I think they should compensate him for the last 4 years that he has been punished and penalized for their inability to perform a job correctly...as well as the lack of medical treatment, but, that's just me) Write to the director of DES and ask his why this is happening? Not only that, why has he heard nearly nothing from anyone for the last 3 months, except, that he is no longer allowed to volunteer due to some "paperwork" issue.
For those who know me, you know who I am talking about so you also know that this impacts me in a huge way too. I personally, cannot understand why this state is so unwilling to do anything to protect one of its legal residents, or why are they taking the side of this company while placing the burden on the taxpayers. Every time we think there is progress being made, it's not. It's just being put onto someone else's inbox for them to forget about it for the next few months. This must stop!!! If it's happened to one, how many others are going through the same thing with the same kind of results???! You can email our governor at azgov@az.gov or you can email Mr. Carter at director@azdes.gov Ask them why are the taxpayers being made to pay for the mistake of a company that we hired to help people out. Refer to Thomas and Arbor/ResCare out of the Show Low DES office. The taxpayers shouldn't be made responsible for this. Arbor/ResCare MUST be the ones who are held responsible for this!!!
Let's take a stand and make a difference for someone. You never know, the life you may change and help, could be your own. Together we stand, divided we fall.... Peace.
First, we stop paying politicians for a job they are no longer doing. If you have served a term and are no longer serving the PEOPLE of the United States, you no longer draw a salary from that job. No one else in the country gets to continued to be paid for job they are not doing. Second, we stop paying Native Americans for living on the reservation. The land, is no longer considered part of a separate nation. If you wish to be a part of a separate nation, go to another country and live, but, I should think we should REFUSE to pay anyone for simply living on a piece of land. If you want have the government to pay you that much, work for the Feds, or, go join the military and become an officer and be in for the full 20 years, stop being a drain on our country. (Now I do realize that not everyone is like that, there are many who are not, however, at some point, everyone is going to have to get over the past. It's over. We can't spend our lives making up for shit that happened 100+ years ago. I didn't do anything to you, you haven't done anything to me. Let's just say we are all part of the same country, and we all live together, happily.) Third, when it comes to immigration, if you are not here legally, don't expect handouts. There are millions of people who have come to this country legally, got their citizenship and have made great things of themselves. They are not allowed to ever get government handouts. They all took a test, and an oath, learned our language, and said that's what they want. If you are caught, you will be taken to the nearest boarder of our country, put into a jail, because, it's still breaking the law to be here. You will spend your time building a wall that creates a barrier and when you are released, you will be released back to your country... (This only really works for those who come here illegally from our nations bordering countries... I just have yet to see a lot of Canadians who WANT to come to America illegally and live. From what I have seen, it's kind of the other way around.)
Now the real reason that I feel this way is from a personal experience that I wish to share with you all, and hopefully, you will feel the need to take action, as I have. I have a friend who has a permanent disability. He's got a partially severed nerve in his cervical spine (that means one of his nerves has been nearly ripped off from the spinal cord in his neck). This problem causes a great deal of pain.
In 2008, he moved to Arizona to provide a quieter life for him and his teenage daughter. At that time, he had his medical report from California with him... current and everything. He was then informed that he had to see an Arizona doctor to get services, so he did. Although his injury does not allow for him to do the kind of work he would like to, he decided to get an education so he could get a job and continue to work to support his family. He applied and was accepted into vocational rehab however, he stepped aside to allow others to participate in it because he had received a grant for school and enrolled in the Massage Therapy Program at our local college. He was told he needed to comply with Arbor/ResCare which provides case management, career assessment and planning, job search and job placement services that help individuals reach their potential and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Part of their requirements is to provide a medical report, with the exact nature of what his disability was, which he did, repeatedly. Of the above listed services, he received case management, and was required to perform job searches to meet compliance policies. Another requirement was that he had to volunteer for a certain amount of hours per week. While volunteering with a massage therapy facility, he and the owner of this facility were harassed by Arbor/ResCare to the point that he was asked, by the owner, to find other volunteer work. This created a compliance issue with Arbor/ResCare.
He returned to the Show Low DES office as a volunteer to assist residents with finding employment, learn interview and resume writing skills, and learn to operate computers. Since he had volunteered at this office before it was required by Arbor/ResCare, he decided to continue to volunteer after his Arbor/ResCare case was closed. With a total of 3 years, give or take a few months, he has spent thousands of hours helping the residents of our community and the office staff. I have heard him numerous times being asked why do you volunteer here? His response is selfless and generous, "because people need help". His face in the community is known for being that guy who helped someone get a job... Can't go anywhere really, without running into someone who has benefited from his help.
The biggest problem facing him right now, is, without this medical report, he cannot receive on-going, nor get further medical treatment. His pain level is skyrocketing on a daily basis. No doctor will touch this case without a medical report, and extensive current nerve conduction testing just to get a baseline going again. (For those who don't know, a nerve conduction test is where they stick needles in you and run electricity through them to see how bad the damage is.)
At the beginning of this year, he wrote to our state Governor, Jan Brewer, and the director of DES, Clarence Carter for help. Since this agency was contracted with the state, he thought it was time to talk to the ones who contracted them.
What is really funny, is that for the past two years, he has tried to deal with Arbor/ResCare to work this out in a reasonable manner. They have flat refused to replace his medical report. It's very frustrating for him. At this point, Arbor/ResCare has been caught lying to the state of Arizona regarding the multiple requests and loss of his medical report. Yet, the Governors office and the director of the DES refuse to hold Arbor/ResCare responsible for this MAJOR oversight. The proof of Arbor/ResCare's lie came in the form of documentation from his original case worker. They, OUR Government, wish for US, the TAXPAYERS to replace his medical report. Something which HE HAS REFUSED as being WRONG. He needs the medical help and it's getting to the point where he has asked me to try to help with seeking answers for this.
Last week, he got a call from the DES, and they said that because he was on the state health care, they would just have the tests done through the state... Wait a second here... A company that is hired by the state lost a medical report several times, including the original. Now they want the TAXPAYERS OF THAT STATE to pay for this kind of testing to be done, when it was the contracted company's negligence which caused this problem, not the taxpayers?! I have a huge problem with MY TAXES going to pay for testing that Arbor/ResCare should be paying for, since it was their foul up to start with!!!
In researching this company, this is a multi-billion dollar company that is in 23 states across the country. They are suppose to be helping people, not hurting them, or making the TAXPAYERS pay for their irresponsibility, repeated carelessness and total negligence. What I am asking all of my readers is for a simple favor. Please, write to the governor's office and ask, why do we have to pay for this company's blunder when they should be the one to pay for it. (Personally, I think they should compensate him for the last 4 years that he has been punished and penalized for their inability to perform a job correctly...as well as the lack of medical treatment, but, that's just me) Write to the director of DES and ask his why this is happening? Not only that, why has he heard nearly nothing from anyone for the last 3 months, except, that he is no longer allowed to volunteer due to some "paperwork" issue.
For those who know me, you know who I am talking about so you also know that this impacts me in a huge way too. I personally, cannot understand why this state is so unwilling to do anything to protect one of its legal residents, or why are they taking the side of this company while placing the burden on the taxpayers. Every time we think there is progress being made, it's not. It's just being put onto someone else's inbox for them to forget about it for the next few months. This must stop!!! If it's happened to one, how many others are going through the same thing with the same kind of results???! You can email our governor at azgov@az.gov or you can email Mr. Carter at director@azdes.gov Ask them why are the taxpayers being made to pay for the mistake of a company that we hired to help people out. Refer to Thomas and Arbor/ResCare out of the Show Low DES office. The taxpayers shouldn't be made responsible for this. Arbor/ResCare MUST be the ones who are held responsible for this!!!
Let's take a stand and make a difference for someone. You never know, the life you may change and help, could be your own. Together we stand, divided we fall.... Peace.
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