SimplyComplexJen

My basil, rosemary, and tomatoes all doubled in size while I was on holiday.  The broccoli is showing signs of edible parts, and so are my pepper plants. 

My strawberries did not survive (it appears), nor did my arugula. 

My inbox is overflowing and if you don't hear from me in 20 min, you might check out my office.

I have over 300 unread emails in my box because I refused to be a slave to the blackberry while I was gone, and I'm not sure I'll go read them all.

My knee doesn't hurt anymore, so will also resume training today.... although does it count if all I want to do is 90min of yoga?  What if I do 90 min of yoga, and a quick 1.5 mi jog?  After all, I should probably ease back into it after 10 days off... (or so I'll say).

All in all..... the dog missed me, the kiddo missed me, and my routine is back.  Bonnaroo is checked off my bucket list.

Yes, it's good to be home.

Now, what trip do I plan next.....?

.

Overwhelmed.

It's a word that has such depth, but is seemingly simple.

I know we (I) bring a lot of it on ourselves. So much to accomplish, so little time.

There's so much I've been trying this year (much to the detriment of my triathlon training) to make our lives simpler and more organic. What I didn't plan for in all my planning for our garden and hiking and other activities is what I was going to remove from my life to accommodate all these changes.

Planned workouts seemed to fall by the wayside the easiest, but I haven't let them go. Meaning, everyday my planned workout is on my list, and every day for the last 3 weeks (except 4 days), it's gotten bumped for other things.

Tomorrow's yoga? Bumped by having a 2 week late birthday dinner with a friend on my night where bebe is at her dads.

Today's lunch workout? Bumped by the fact I need to go to Lowe's to buy fencing supplies for the workers that will be there tomorrow.

Last night?  Stay up late working on project for Bebe's school program this Saturday.  

and on and on it goes. I thought I was working closer to balance, not throwing myself off more.

.

Turn off the tv?  No problem.  I probably only watch an hour a night, and Bebe is only allowed 30 min a night during the school week, IF she has all her homework and household duties done.  So, I sat here for a moment thinking how well we are doing.

But you know what they say about pride.....


Then it hit me.  My vice isn't TV.  I could care less about the media-created "American Idol" (don't get me started on so-called reality TV) or who did it on CSI.  I.don't.care.  I think Reality TV represents the worst of our culture and also the decline of society in general.  Just my opinion.

My vice?  The laptop.  Hands Down.


Too often I will log on in the evening knowing there are clothes to iron, and dishes in the sink, and yet will log onto the laptop for "just 5 min" to check email.  I should know better.  Before I know it, it's not 9:05, but 11:05 and *sigh* yet again, I wasted another evening.


*thunk*

So, instead of "Turn off the TV" week, in our home it will be the Digital Detox Week.  After all, I spend 8-9 hours a day in this chair staring at this monitor.  Do I really need another 2-3 hours a night staring at a monitor at home?



What can be accomplished?  Let's find out........

I think Larry and Carol Barkan say it best in this NYTimes letter.

To the Editor:

Bob Herbert’s Jan. 30 column about Howard Zinn, “A Radical Treasure,” is a wonderful tribute to a great man. We never met Mr. Zinn except through his books and films. Yet his death left us with a profound sadness.

There aren’t many people who speak truth to power and do so with as much grace, intelligence and compassion as Mr. Zinn. His “People’s History of the United States” should be read by all Americans. It’s our failure to understand and take responsibility for our arrogance that has led us into so many military mistakes and economic calamities.

Thank you, Bob Herbert, for reminding us of what this world lost when this great man died.

Larry Barkan

Carol Barkan

Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2010

It saddens me that Zinn was considered a radical, for being what I considered a true patriot.  It is our duties as citizens to question everything, and to trust but verify, and to help those struggling below us.

Howard Zinn was truly a great American.

Two different conversations has brought me to almost a stand still today.  I look at my paperwork, and I look at my to-do list, and I look at the things I'm saving my money for and all I can think about is:

What is the point?

Really?  We bust our asses working for a company that only very few of us believe in, but mostly it's a means to pay the mortgage and for private school.  One hundred years from now, will my great-great grandchildren really know or care that I saved up for a year to remodel my bathroom?

Does my short-term happiness in owning that (insert name of object here) matter to those who have nothing?  My future grandchildren?  The people of Haiti?

I'm finding it harder and harder have enjoyment in my home.  It's just things that mean nothing, but in some strange paradox are seemingly important at the time.

Around Christmas a co-worker told me about a morning radio show he was listening to where a family had lost everything (fire?) and people were calling in donations to help them have a decent Christmas for their kids.  One guy called in who was a sandwhich maker at Subway.  He probably makes $8 an hour and has his own money problems.  He gave $100.  I was told that story 6 weeks ago and can not get it out of my head.

The second incident that has brought me to a complete distraction today is the following:

PRESS RELEASE
LOCAL NEWS
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2010

Homeless Guests at Kansas City Rescue Mission
Collect Money for Haitian Relief
“Heart to Heart will receive a very sacrificial gift this week,” said Chaplain Joe Roberts.

Kansas City, Mo.—When homeless men at the Kansas City Rescue Mission, 1520 Cherry Street, learned of the tragedy in Haiti, many stepped up to offer what little they had during three evening chapel services late last week.

Their collection — a total of $132.42 — will be donated to Heart to Heart International’s Haiti Quake Response efforts.

“These men have no homes of their own. Many have no contact with their own families, have only the clothing on their backs and rely on KCRM for shelter, food, medical care and hope,” said Chaplain Joe Roberts. “Yet when they learned about the tragedy in Haiti, they gave very sacrificially to help folks who were suffering even more.”

Pete Brumbaugh, a spokesman for Heart to Heart International, said, “This disaster in Haiti has touched so many lives, including those who are finding hope at the Kansas City Rescue Mission. We are humbled by their gifts, which show us that everyone has something to give to this massive relief effort providing healing and hope to the survivors.”

To learn more, for interviews and photos, please contact Development Officer Julie Larocco at (816) 421-7643, ext. 41, (816) 699-3029 (cell) or jlarocco@kcrm.org.

Kansas City Rescue Mission is a Christ-centered community offering freedom and hope to the poor and homeless, empowering them to reach their full potential.

 Homeless men gave all they had to the victims of Haiti.  All.

I'm worrying about a bathroom remodel?  I'm going to go sit in my corner now and figure out how to make these feelings feed change.

If the Subway worker and a group of homeless men living in a shelter can give to those around them in that way.... no matter how much time, money, or donations I've given in my life up  until now.... NONE of it is even remotely enough.

People like to go to church on Sundays and raise their hands and talk about the love of Christ?  There you go.  Right there.  In real terms.

The question is : What am I going to do with this knowledge now?

I ran across this while looking for something else.

If something anticipated arrives too late it finds us numb, wrung out from waiting, and we feel - nothing at all. The best things arrive on time.

Dorothy Gilman, A New Kind of Country, 1978

I am convinced that there are two types of moms (and dads) out there.

Those Moms

and

the Other Moms.

It's true.

We all know them. I used to think "those" moms are largely mythical beasts, like the elusive unicorn. I don't know anyone who has it all together, all the time, then I met one.

Every morning I run into M's mom. She's the absolute sweetest person I deal with daily. She is the home room mom. She is also on the carnival (and the auction and the Texas hold em tournament) committee and a 100 other things. She claims she rushes out of bed to get the kids to school, but never has a hair out of place. All her kids look like little dolls and a gentleman. Did I mention she never store-buys treats for her day and she's a size 2? I don't know this for a fact, but I'm also pretty sure she never forget to initial her son's daily behavior sheet and his uniform is always pressed. She is one of "THOSE" moms. There are others like her..... and I wish I was one of "those" moms, unfortunately, I'm the "other" mom.

I'm the mom who forgets her kids' snack day and after dropping her kid off runs to the market real quick to the bakery to get something healthy and easy. May Day? I didn't know to bring the teacher a flower. I pick one committee a year as not to be shunned by the school (volunteering is as weighted almost as much as tuition). I always buy more tickets for the events than I probably should out of guilt. At least once a week, DD and I are running down the sidewalk to get her in the front door before the 8:00 bell rings. There are days DD is brushing her hair in the car. I have had to run home to get a permission slip I've forgotten. I'm not a size 2 (but working on getting back into the 4 I was last year) and I don't have a barbie smile on my face at all times. My daughter is not enrolled in 7 different activities (nor do I want her to be) and sometimes I purposely make an extra large meal one night, so I can have a break from cooking the next night with leftovers. I'll admit it, I'm one of the "other" moms.

The one thing we have in common is that we both want the best for our kids. So, as long as we never lose sight of that goal, I will continue to bring in my store-bought (but hydrogenated oil and corn syrup free) snacks, she will bring in home baked goodies and we will both fall asleep that night wondering if we're doing enough for our kids.

As a side note, is it wrong to secretly wonder if someone so Stepford-Wife perfect is actually a bulemic Meth head who over compensates to cover her addictions? Yeah, it's wrong, but it makes me giggle a little on the inside. ;)

To the whiners on my favorite forum, which you have ruined:

You know who you are.... you are that politically correct person who looks for things to whine about. You have taken one of the most interesting forums to hang out on the net and turned it into a namby-pamby-romper-room full of perma-whiners.


You know what? Put your big girl panties on and DEAL WITH IT. For pete's sake!!!!

You know .... if you don't like it don't do it. Don't look at it. Don't watch it. Don't smell it. Just don't.... and whatever you do don't sit there and whine about it. Nobody wants to hear you.

Avoid things you know are going to make you complain. If someone is handicapped they are handicapped. If someone is a midget they are a midget. If they are a different religion, they are. You need to deal with it. Sometimes people are offensive, and you can either walk away or retort wittily back.... but whining makes you appear weak and frankly foolish.

All this PC crap has been pushed to the point of making me want to just
throw up on the next PC whiner that gets near me.


Why is it that people believe that they have to be politically correct? Other than the obvious reasons, like fear of losing one's job, being accused of slander (which by the way is a tough one to prove unless you have hard and fast evidence), impressing others, vying for political office or something just as superfluous in it's needlessness!

I realize that it's the catch-phrase of the decade, but that was the past decade; you remember, the sensitive nineties? How can the 90s have produced such great music and such a group of whiners?

Now I'm not condoning being mean to people and insulting them, even though I firmly believe that there's a time and place for that, but what I am saying is, if you believe one thing but say another, you're lying to the person you're talking to and you're lying to yourself. Sometimes it should be ok to say:


So next time you think about hitting that "report" button to the mods because you whittle feelings got hurt by the mean girl in class.... maybe you should step back and ask yourself why you allow some anonymous poster in a forum get your panties in such a wad.... me thinks you have bigger issues than being politically correct.

......and in case you're wondering, I would LOVE to post this on the forum, but I'd get spanked for TOS violations.....

I sent out a bulletin on myspace asking for phone numbers from friends since my phone is out of order..... and one of my responses from a good friend was this:

Hey, lady, sorry about your phone! Seven years ago, it would have broken because you dropped it in a martini...now its because your baby left it in water. You are a grown up! Here are my digits.....


Hmmmmm.... somehow I'm not feeling better about this today! LMAO

I don't understand how you can ask a person, "how do you feel about {insert some current event here}?" and they respond with, "I really don't know" or "I don't pay attention to the news" or "That doesn't really affect me."

But I guarantee if you ask that person:

"How many days did Paris stay in jail?"


THEY WILL KNOW!!!!!?!!!!!!?!!!!!

argggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(in my best charlie brown voice)

Confession, my daughter goes to Catholic School. (STA from here on out).

I hate a love/hate relationship with STA. Everything about the school we love. The teachers, the staff, the way things are run, the PTA, their curriculum, and the class sizes. I don't even mind her going to Mass every Tuesday morning.

Her paternal family is 99% Catholic. My side is a mish-mash of Christian beliefs.

So, what's isn't to like? It's simple.... we're not Catholic. It bothers pumpkin. I explain to her that her dad is Catholic, and he went to Catholic school. I feel left out of some parental happenings around the school, and I know it's because we don't go to church there.

In a previous life, I was married to a debvout Catholic, and it does not bother me she goes there. It's a good education.

The community at STA is something to envied. They play and pray together. Lots of the teachers at STA also were students there. when I think of how churches should be, most of the time I think of my small town church. This is the closest thing "in town" that I have found that even comes close.

I know she'll go to kindergarten there, but after that...... we'll see. I'd like that $600/mo back in mama's pocket sometime.

My bebe? She's worth every penny!

And who knows.... maybe I'm learning something about community that once I can articulate better, I can take back to my church....

today she said to me, "Jen, you're the only person I know who teaches Bible classes and feels ok using the word fuck on occasion."

While I'm not proud of the fact I use the word (or a lot of the words that come out of my mouth... usually when talking to truckers it seems), I don't go around feeling holier-than-thou because I teach a Disciple class. I find religious humor funny.... if we can't laugh at ourselves.... then we need to lighten up.

I figure God knows where my heart is and if I want to tattoo myself, have multiple piercings, and shout HOT DAMN! when excited about something.... it STILL doesn't change where my heart is.

As I was sitting in service this weekend, I had some observations. With the amount of people in there (2/3 full, so I'm guessing about 1800 people or so)... the general lack of enthusiasm during the songs was surprising. I would think 1500-1800 people singing would rock the house (like the Christmas Eve sermon when we sing carols), but sadly enough, no. I can't sing, so I more or less lip-sync and maybe everyone else does the same. No one wants to be heard about the crowd, so all we hear is the 30 person praise band / choir.

Then, they were asking for the 5th week in a row for volunteers for the kids' Sunday school and nursery. Our pastor made an additional plea. You are supposed to volunteer 1 weekend a month if you use the nursery. Obviously people aren't, because out of a 8,000 person congregation, they do not have enough volunteers.

If you go to a big (mega) church, is it because they offer a wide variety of projects, or because you can hide? Does it breed apathy because you assume that "someone else will do it"?

If someone else is always going to do it, then who will? My guess is that the people who are the most active in our church are those who would be the most active no matter what congregation they belonged to, whether it was 200 or 2000 or 20,000.

The two main reasons why I started going to the church I do was:
1) the pastor was particularly engaging
2) I could go in and get lost in the crowd on Sunday and leave. I was fairly new to attending church again (did the usual drop out in late-teens, early 20s) and didn't WANT to be noticed.

Now, things have changed and I feel I'm outgrowing those reasons. Don't get me wrong, the Pastor is one of the best I've ever heard, but how many people do we lose between the cracks?

When you're in a small congregation, people notice when you've been gone a month. Of course, we're supposed to belong to one or more small groups but since there are 5 services you can attend with 1000-2000 people in each one - how would they know if I was there or not unless we discussed attendance in small group? I rarely see anyone from my small groups at a service.

As I looked around and realized I was in the heart of Leawood, that maybe it was the affluence of the group that breeded apathy, much more than the size of our church. I believe that most Americans are apathetic and unwilling to personally risk their comfort to help others or make this a better society.

I have mentioned before that several trips to our sister church in Hondorous had to be canceled because of lack of volunteers. I would LOVE to go, but do not have the $1800 it requires. On the same note, I did not donate even $20 to sponsor someone else. Shame on me. If everyone on the rolls donated $20 (most probably spend more than that on a week's worth of Starbucks), just think what we could do for that mission. I just did the math - it would be enough money to spend approximately 130-135 volunteers for the next year.

Then I thought of another kind of apathy I believe that runs in our church, apathy towards the message. Sometimes I get the feeling as long as we go in there and get a "good sermon" that doesn't deal with anything too painful or shocking or mind-bending, it's ok.

It's ok to talk about Jesus' messages of love, but let's not touch the UMC position on abortion for example. We can talk about how to be a better person, but the one sermon we had on homosexuality caused quite the uproar. Why is that a bad thing? Why not preach a sermon that causes people to squirm a bit and rethink for themselves what their stance on something is?

I truly believe that a change in the individual life marks a Christian, not any church, however well attended. So, if people are not stepping up to volunteer or to be challenged in their faith, why are they there? Why are they content to sit back and let others do the "works" of the Christian faith?

If you asked many of the member of any church, I'm sure they would cite poverty, hunger, genocide, etc as concerns - but how many look for ways within their own community to fight those issues? One of the reasons I continue to go to my church, is that because of the mass, we are able to accomplish a lot of things in the community that smaller churches are not. But I wonder what percentage of our congregation actually participates? Or is it the same people volunteering each month? (the 80/20 rule maybe?)

If we can't even get parents to volunteer in their own kids' class, then as a group of Christians, how are we supposed to pool resources and fight many of the social ills of today? There is no place for apathy in a world which sees 20,000 or more children die each day because of poverty related conditions.

But this could be just the view from my seat.....

You know you live in the US when we worry about our pets being fat.

The cover story for this weeks issue of PetFood Industry (yes, I do get to read exciting stuff for work) is:

Portion Control Fights Obesity

originally posted on myspace.com on August 9, 2006

You know you live in the US when we worry about our pets being fat.

The cover story for this weeks issue of PetFood Industry (yes, I do get to read exciting stuff for work) is:

Portion Control Fights Obesity

Really Sherlock??????

The article goes on to say that pets (specifically dogs in this article) that are obese have shorter life spans than those who aren't. Hmmmmm... who would have guessed? They also recommend that your dog get regular exercise. No more "The Simple Life" for Fido after dinner!

Humans have BMI to let us know if we're packing on extra pounds..... thanks to the Nestle Purina Pet Care Center, pets now have the BCS, Body Condition System. It's a method to tell if your pet is fat.

The concluding paragraph starts with, "You must remember, the most common cause of obesity in dogs is overfeeding coupled with inactivity." It goes on to urge manufacturers to educate consumers on portion control and clear feeding guidelines. Only in America are the pets as fat as their owners.

Do us all a favor, after you're done with your meal, why don't the both of you go for a walk? After all, man's best friend needs it as much as you I'm guessing.

I have a friend who 's dear to me......... and who would jump through any hoop for me. The kind of friend who's always in the background, but nevertheless is always by your side. I guess that's why I put off going to lunch and replying to emails as quickly as I should.... I knew he'd always be there for me.

Then you learn that people aren't always meant to be in your lives forever and all of a sudden everytime you said, "I'll call him tomorrow" comes rushing back and you realize that tomorrow should have been "right now" and those moments will never come back and will be a weight on me for a long time to come.

How do you even begin to apologize what you should have done? If you try to make up for lost time in only 2 or 3 weeks that you have with that person, does that make you a hypocrite, because you weren't putting forth the same effort before? Does it have the same meaning as a phone call a month ago just to see how someone is doing? I don't think so.... I think it reeks of shallowness and I'm embarrassed by it.

originally posted on July 27, 2006 on myspace.com

Ok, let me tell you.... somedays I have the best job (great for flexility) and some days the worst (when you shut down the plant of the world's largest poultry processor for 3 hours and it's 100% on you).

Let me explain to you, one of those days that fall between the extremes. Apparently, very few people (including my own customers) understand the huge world of agriculture (how we get bread on your table and food to Fido). As we are sitting in the middle of an apparent "drought", everyone wants to tell me the best course of action I could have taken to avoid the current shortages of certain commodities.

It is VERY imperative to understand that hindsight is 20/20 and your monday-morning-quarterbacking isn't getting your product to you any quicker. Get it???? When was the last time a monday-morning-quarterback won the superbowl? Yeah, that's what I thought.

A few customers have offered several solutions to the current supply problem, but unforunately are not grounded in reality. While I appreciate the "help", your quarterbacking and advice does not make it happen. If NO product is available, then how do you suggest I pull more supply out of my *ahem* ear???

Also, offering me more money for a product I do not have, and frankly may not be in existence (think : drought), also does not increase supply or your chances of having more product by next Wednesday. If you're pissed, sorry. I've kissed your ass, offered you substitutes (when applicable), but if it is the lowest supply we've seen in 17 years, then take my word for it.... you're not the only one going without.

I've been doing this 9 years. Not always well, and sometimes really well, but I know what the hell I'm doing. Back off. I don't have a secret supply, and I'm not giving it to your competitor because I'm trying to make your life miserable. IT DOESN'T EXIST!!! And as the year goes on, the problem will get worse.

It's a lot like the current situation with gas. Yeah, the price sucks and we're pissed, but why complaint to the QT cashier? I'm the cashier in the Ag world, but I have no control over supply, just like the QT-dude can't set the price of gas.

I'm not getting rich with the said venture. I make enough to pay my bills and give Abigail little adventures here and there (ballet lessons, swim lessons, trip to the zoo, and the occassional trip on a plane).

Quess what??? I also work commission, so if I can't ship you a product, I don't get paid. So trust me when I say, I'm working hard to find it for you.

So, when you decide to take it out on my about the drought and the lack of product you need, really, please, yell at God or some other person that you find is a little more directly responsible for the current situation than I am.

You wake up one day and realize that when you think about someone it doesn't (quite) hurt anymore.... and you can smile and remember things fondly rather than with a wince of regret.

Other details though have started to slip (was it the Chilean or S African wine he liked better?) , and then you realize that somewhere along the way you've moved on and you're ok when you thought (and swore over and over) you would never be. I can't tell you the moment or even which month things became "ok" but it just hit me over the weekend that they are when someone asked me about him.

Doesn't mean I don't live with regret, but it's now moved into the category of a "learning experience." (if it can be that). You know what they say, "if it doesn't kill you...... "

Just some random-lack-of-sleep-musings: (and I never spell-check)

1. Most things I need today really were things I learned in Kindergarten
2. Life goes on, whether you want it to or not.
3. Keeping in shape physically is important to mental health too.
4. A little prayer never hurt anyone.
5. As much as I like to think I can do everything on my own and don't need help - - without the help of my family and friends, I don't know where I'd be today.
6. Religion can be as much of a curse to someone as it can be a blessing to someone else.
7. Accept your past, without it, you wouldn't be who you are today (or learn from your past and become who you want to be today).
8. Unlearning is sometimes as important as learning.
9. You have to take care of yourself first (not necessarily put yourself first though). You cant fill the cups of your family & friends if youre an empty pitcher (aka running on empty)
10. I can be open-minded without changing my core beliefs.
11. Its better to be pro-active rather than re-active.
12. Sometimes you need to just sit and be (be comfortable with yourself and not being entertained). If you loose your center you will always be off balance.
13. You should make it a point to read often and a wide variety of topics.
14. Having kids is the best life-changing experience that has happened to me.
15. Having kids is not for everyone.
16. While going to college does not make you smarter (explain to me how drinking for years on end, buying term papers, probably having unprotected sex, and being hungover for class makes you smarter than a non-college go-er) it is important in the scheme of things when it comes to getting a job (exceptions apply).
17. Stuff happens. Really. Deal with it and learn from it and move on.
18. Carpe Diem exists for a reason. For what you seize is truly what you get.
19. You should always make time for play time.
20. Your idea of happiness is probably not what will make you happy. Stop putting so much expectations of what will make you happy and just BE happy.
21. If you can't learn to let go sometimes, all that weight will keep you from moving forward.
22. You can not make someone fall in love with you. If you have to try, then you're not being yourself, and why would you want someone who doesn't love you for who you are anyway????
23. Laughter is the best medicine. Being able to laugh at yourself is also important.
24. What I am watching is not nearly as important as how I am watching it. How you watch an event (life?) can shift your very soul and change who you are.
25. Have a hobby. Seriously.
26. Don't keep doing the same thing and expect different results (Einstein was right)
27. Trying things that you normally wouldn't (even if you didn't end up liking it) is always good for your growth.
28. Sometimes life gives you a second (and sometimes more) chance. Don't give up.
29. Life is the ultimate road-trip (and maybe ending up somewhere where you didn't intend, is the best part of the trip).


Add yours if you feel the need :)

originally posted on myspace.com June 2, 2006

In the 18-35 crowd.....

do you think more people voted for the next "american idol" or in the last presidential election?

do you think they spent more time watching reality tv or watching the news (the REAL reality tv)?

again.... just a random thing going through my head today....

originally posted on May 24, 2006 on myspace.com

Women can be dumb.

Admit it ladies..... when there is a guy involved, we do some dumb things.

Guys, we know you talk about it when you see your friends, sisters, and co-workers do it.

We get all ga-ga over a guy and do things that are out of character. I'm not talking about that white lie you told about loving to sky dive or that you find NASCAR interesting.... I'm talking about the blowing off of friends, hearing what we want to hear, and overlooking those glaring red flags that say you should run, not walk, from him.

Remarkably, I'm not talking about me (though I could have been the subject at many times in my life), but a girlfriend. All I can do is sit back and watch the train wreck occur.

You know she'll be on my couch in 6 weeks crying her heart and wondering why men are jerks. Well, honey, he was a jerk to begin with... and told you up front how he was .... and either :

I get no pleasure out of "i-told-you-so's" and will not even go there. It's my job as the girlfriend to pat her on the back and make sure there is plenty of ice cream in the house. I also know I'll be baby-sitting her on the next Friday night while she drinks in a way that was only remotely cool in college (or was it???)

Women are dumb..... not because we go ga-ga, but because after the episode that I explained is inevitable.... we will blame the man. Yes, it will be a man-hating scene from Jerry McGuire where all the women in the bar will tell their latest date horror story.

This is the part where I lose patience.

The problem really isn't men (well, totally - there are some first class a-holes out there), but us women. If we wouldn't be at their call, drop our friends, and put up with them treating us anything less than with total respect, then they wouldn't act that way. Why do men act that way? Because they get away with it.

Cara, a friend of mine explained her success to a happy marriage.... she said her husband (feel free to disagree) only needs 3 things:
I'm sure there are many women who just had their feathers ruffled about that. But for a moment, think about it......

Hmmm..... kinda true. Men are simple creatures, and not in an insulting way.... it's just us women like to complicate them.

Cara does those 3 things for her husband, and I'll tell you what, he treats her like royalty and they have been married 9 years.... not too shabby in today's world AND she's happy.

So women, let's stop being dumb, stop putting up with men who treat you less than you deserve, and let's not forget - they only dish out as much crap as you're willing to take.