Up in the Air

I would like to apologize to all of my blog readers. I have not blogged in 17 days and that's a record for me. These past few weeks have been filled with 16th century literature and 8 page papers. I really do not have the desire to write about anything, so I don't. Blogging is a creative outlet for me, and even though my posts are sometimes boring, it is an activity that I truly enjoy.

That being said....I may not blog for a while. I plan on taking 3 weeks off between Spring and Summer semester to just "vege" out. My summer will be filled with school, school, and more school. Sucks for me, but if all goes well, I will graduate in December.

I will totally understand if you remove me from your blog list. Feel free to check in from time to time as I may experience a surge of creativity but don't count on me.

I am only human. It took me a while to realize this, but I totally get it. Honestly, I have run out of things to say....for now. Thanks for understanding. Later blog readers........

The Temptations AKA The Temps

Well, another great Temptations concert! Had a blast! Best part: watching Blakely. 2nd Best Part: Having a conversation with Otis Williams, the sole surviving Temp, while he was onstage. We had a "moment" and it was AWESOME! Love these guys!

EACC Fine Arts Center is WONDERFUL! Not a bad seat in the house! Can't wait to see something else there ASAP. What a blessing for Forrest City!

I'm Turning the Other Cheek Today.....My Butt Cheek ;)

I have had one of "those" kind of weeks. Easter was absolutely wonderful, except for the fact that I forgot to get my KFC bucket! Not to mention, I ate waaayyyyyyy too many boiled eggs. I'll skip the details.

Monday, a little after lunch, my dad calls me and tells me that Mr. James Laws has been killed in a car wreck in Hattiesburg, MS and he's not sure about Mrs. Billye Jo. As a matter of fact, he's not even sure if the info is true but knows that I'm close to his youngest daughter, Gina. Please call her. I did. She didn't answer. She always answers so I pretty much could read between the lines. She did call me back, almost immediately, and yes, it was true. Her daddy did not survive but her mom, while seriously injured, did. My week has kind of been wrapped up into trying to be there for my friend whom I love dearly. It is just a horrible tragedy, but they are strong in their faith. Today is his memorial service. I will be there. He was a great guy. An educator, coach, and above all a devoted husband and father. He will be missed my soooo many, including my Dad. One thing I know for sure, life is unpredictable.

I am 2 weeks from finishing the Spring semester at ASU and am sorely in need of a break. A lot going on in my life, both personally and professionally, that I really need to slow down and pay attention before I make too many mistakes.

Apparently, I have written something offensive on my blog. Mind you, I have no idea what it is, but I can guarantee you that if you find it offensive.....quit reading it. It has managed to affect a very small part of my life. I'm really not surprised, but then again I am a bit. Blogging is hard. It's an online diary. It's not for everybody, but then again it is for everybody. I write what I feel and am completely comfortable with pouring out my thoughts. It is who I am. It is me. What I know for sure is that there are people in this world who are NEVER going to like me. Obviously, there are some who read my blog "looking" for something to dislike me even more. How sad it must be to carry around all of that negativity and mean-spiritedness. And that's all I have to say about that.

On to better stuff. I'm going to see the Temptations AGAIN tonight!!! I can hardly wait! I am taking my mom, stepdad, and Blakely. We are going to have a GREAT time!

Well, hope all have a wonderful week. Later blog readers.......

Happy Birthday To Clifford Reneé Davis!

March 27, 2002: Clifford was born in South Arkansas to an AKC Registered Breeder. He was delivered by C-section, which is customary for French Bulldogs. He had four or five brothers and sister (I cannot remember) that were all born healthy. Clifford was not.

Clifford was born with a cleft palate and not expected to live. The breeders could have just let him die, but they dropper fed him and when he gained enough strength, they got him surgery to repair his cleft palate. They still advertised him as adoptable on their website, but didn't really think he would ever leave their home.

July 2003: The Davis family was looking for a dog. I stumbled across this website and immediately fell in love with the little white and black ball of fur. After discussing it with the family, and the breeder, we decided to buy Cliff. And believe me when I tell you this, he was NOT cheap. French Bulldogs are expensive little dogs, but we did get Cliff 1/2 off. But honestly, he's worth every bit as much as one of the "healthy" ones!

Blakely and I drove over four hours to pick him up. He rode all the way home with us without ANY trouble. He did bring his "baby" (stuffed toy) with him. Little did I know how important this baby was to him. I'll get to that in a sec.

Arriving in FC, Clifford won the hearts of the whole family immediately. He was just so darn cute! In spite of his handicap, we thought he was just perfect. However, over the years we have dealt with and are dealing with the following "issues":
1. Cleft palate, while repaired, still causes him trouble eating and drinking.
2. Born with the red mange, a skin disease. He can't help that he stinks. ;)
3. One of his testicles did not drop down. So when we went to repair, discovered not only did it not drop but it was wound around his intestines. That was horrible.
4. While repairing his little tatas (actually spaying him), the vet discovered not one, not two, but THREE hietal (sp) hernias. One still remains distended on his belly, while two were repaired.
5. He passes gas often and out loud.
6. He likes to take his paw and rub on his wee-wee. You'd have to see it to believe it.
7. He has lots of trouble breathing. He cannot get overheated, he could die.
8. He has ground down/lost most of his teeth.
9. He has lost most of his hearing.
10. He now has cataracts and can barely see.
11. Oh, and his tongue is too long for his mouth.

I could probably think of a couple of more, but I think this gives you a pretty good idea of just how "special" he is....and we wouldn't have him any other way. :)

Back to his "baby," because he never got to nurse on his momma, his baby is his substituted teat. He is not loyal to any of his baby toys. Santa has to bring him a new baby every Christmas. Usually, the baby lasts all year. Sometimes, I have to buy one before Santa can get here. It can't be just any stuffed animal either, it has to have a certain size nose and paws for optimum nursing. Again, you'd have to see this to believe it.

Yesterday, he turned 8 years old which is 56 in dog years. We can tell he is getting older. Not so much from all his medical issues (we are used to those), but because he's slowed down... a lot. I hope he lives forever, but I know that within the next few years our worst fears could happen. For now, though, we won't talk about it.

I am writing this because I never get to be the lovey dovey Cliff owner. I am his Alpha Dog. I am the one who makes sure he is taken care of. He may love AD and Blakely more, but he is loyal to me. I just wanted to write that I do love him and taking care of him is my way of showing it. Somebody's got to keep him out of prison. ;)

Hope you enjoyed reading about the 4th member of our family. We love him. Later blog readers......

Steph's Top Ten List of I Should Be's.....

1. Writing ANOTHER paper instead of blogging.
2. Reading instead of Facebooking.
3. Dieting instead of pigging out.
4. Dancing instead of singing.
5. Drinking vodka instead of beer.
6. Ignoring instead of arguing.
7. Hiding instead of viewing.
8. Working instead of going to school.
9. Doing ab exercises instead of leg lifts.
and #10: Forgiving and forgetting. No instead needed. ;)

Historic Day

Like it, love it, hate it, or just plain don't care, TODAY is an historic day for our country. Following in the footsteps of the Emancipation Proclamation, Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Act, ERA, and the Social Security Act, the Health Care Reform Bill is now law.

Yesterday, I ranted on my own blog for over an hour. I really spoke from my heart. My feelings had been hurt, and I basically poured them out all over cyberspace. I read and re-read it several times. Posted it anyways. Two hours later.....I deleted it. I sounded whiny and pious.....two character traits I absolutely despise. YIKES!  The Chicken Littles of the world (and Facebook) got to me yesterday and I let two of them steal my joy. That being said, I have come to my senses and am following my own advice. SHOCKING! ROFL! I cannot control others thoughts, actions, words, or deeds. I can only control myself and my response to them. Keeping that in mind, I am going to post a link to a very witty friend of mine. He eloquently puts into words what I cannot. I am not asking you to agree with him, or me for that matter, but I do believe in the end it's about how you treat people that truly WILL matter.

www.rare2go.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/jesus-wants-you-to-be-sick-and-poor

And just because I feel like sharing: I have paid for medical insurance for me and my family for 20 years. I have NEVER been without coverage and NEVER will be. I consider it a necessity like the mortgage, water, basic groceries and electricity bills. If I get to a point I can't afford it, well then I cut my extravagances: ALL other bills not mentioned. Hellllooooo, my cable, cell, eating out, gym membership, etc. are NOT needed and will be the first to go before I fail to cover me and my family medically. I think everyone should have access to affordable health care and if that means digging a little deeper in my pockets to help those who can't (or won't) help themselves....well, that's what I'll do. Honestly, I never want to trade places with them.

OK, I'm over my whole rant. On to a lighter topic:

1. I've got Prince's "Kiss" song on the brain and can't seem to shake it.
2. I've eaten vegetable eggrolls today and feel extremely bloated.
3. Mitts decapitated a mole right in front of me. I'm nervous. LOL

Have a great day blog readers.......later.

I Am the Worst Kind

I am the worst kind of American. I am a thinker that truly looks at BOTH sides of ALL issues. I try to see and understand the basic fundamentals of anyone's way of thinking. That being said, I am no pushover pansy. While I appreciate our differences, I still have a mind of my own. Normally, I would not share my political leanings (left, middle, or right) with my readers, but alas, I'm feeling the need. Here's why.

I have been reading, for almost three months now, several pieces of literature written about the Vietnam War. I have cried over non-fiction accounts of Vietnam vets, as well as bawling over fictionalized vet characters. These works have affected me in a manner I wholly did not expect. But one main theme runs throughout all the works.......with our warts and all....we are still America. So many people/pundits spend soooooo much time pointing out all that is wrong with our country. Who is lifting us up? Have we really come to believe that we are as bad as they say we are??? Do our soldiers, our best and bravest, fight for a country that doesn't deserve their effort? I refuse to believe it. I know we have problems, but this hate speech that has taken hold of our nation has got to stop. My wishes are as follows:

1. Turn off FOX news and CNN or any cable news behemoth for that matter. They suck.
2. Talk to your congressman or congresswoman. Find out where they stand on the issues important to YOU and your family. But more importantly, know why you feel the way you do about the issues and do a LOT of research on them.
3. Don't just talk to hear yourself talk. Don't send stupid spam/alarmist email to your friends and family. Please, I beg of you!!!
4. Listen and respect the opposite side's opinion, even if it is absolutely ludicrous to you. We can learn a lot from just listening to each other. You don't have to agree but sometimes we CAN find a middle ground.
5. If #1-4 are totally out of the question for you, move to Canada. ;) Just kidding.

Well, I feel much better now. Thanks for listening. Later blog readers......