"Tis the Season to be Jolly"

Tis the season to be jolly, blah, blah, blah. I love Christmas, but my Christmas is all year long. It is not about going crazy to get that last item available in the store, or riding around the parking lot to get a closer spot. I know I am not the only one who feels this way, that is why I feel some day more and more of us will go back to an old fashion Christmas and the true meaning of giving.

Every year my daugher would make up a list, and I like a few good moms would do my best at getting what was on that list. The sad part was, I would shop early, and then by Christmas day she forgot what was on her list. One time I told her SANTA got her what she wanted because that is what she told him. Her reply was " but I changed my mind". There were a few more Christmas' like this to follow, and she would truly be disappointed each year.

I did one more year of trying to "get what she wanted", and that was it. I finally told her one year, the Christ child didn't have an chance to make a list, and he only received 3 gifts that day, so, think twice at what you put on your list. Be sure it is what you really want, and maybe stop and think why do you want this gift.

There is so much pressure in life any more during the holidays. We all want kids to be happy, but why do many parents only worry about that at Christmas. Why aren't we giving more of ourselves all during the year in a way of time instead of getting the expensive gift to make up for the guilt we allow to happen because we were too busy to do things with them during the year.Keeping up with the Smith's in decorating our homes is ridiculous. Having the most lights and figurines in your yard is a waste of energy besides it costs a fortune. If we all took a little more time in sharing with those who are less fortunate, I think the holidays would not be as stressful as they are now. What are we teaching our children by giving them everything before they are even through middle school. What will they have to look forward to in high school or college. Plus, we are putting ourselves in finance jeopardy spending every thing we make in order to buy STUFF. STUFF that will go unappreciated the next day. STUFF that won't last as long as we think it should because it cost a fortune.


How many kids will spend hours on their new cell phone on Christmas Day instead of being downstairs in the "family room" with who else, but the family.


On Christmas day we would get up early of course, but we did not open gifts before our mother and father were out of bed. We were allowed to open 1 gift before breakfast, which we all had to sit at the table as a family. I always thought that was stupid until the past few years when I see how the family gathering is becoming extinct. What happened to supper time or Sunday dinner at 3PM?

What happen to every one being at the table when called instead of hearing "in a minute when I am done on the computer".

Can't find the mood to work any more

Well, some time in July I went on vaction, and a week later it was over.

During that week I totally relaxed while being able to get some pastdue chores accomplished. I went out for breakfast, sat outside and had lunch and managed to go out for dinner once or twice. This week was a true vacation from a regular work week.

I know we all go thru this, but, since I went on vaction that week, I can't find the mood to work any more and I don't know why.

If you ask every one at work, I WAS the company person, and, would live and die for my company. I didn't always understand why the company would do things, but it was ok because me being the "company person" new it had a purpose to serve when there was change in company policy.

Overtime was always available. I believe there was only a week or two in the 12 1/2 years that I have been employed here where there was no overtime. Now, I hate the thoughts of working any overtime, although I only cut my overtime in half. What's wrong with me?

Maybe I feel this way because I only have about 4 1/2 years to go. I did make a promise to myself I would not work at a job that made me miserable, but lately I feel that way. I don't want that 4 1/2 years seem like seven or eight and it would be foolish for me to start another job at this time.

I have always been a totally organized and in order person at work. (Home definitetly is a different story). I think the main reason for having every thing in order is the fear of forgetting to do things. But I am becoming entirely bored with my job. I am also not fond of a lot of workers there but God knows they must feel the same about me. An all woman office is dangerous. Not physically dangerous but mentally and emotionally, women are terrible to each other. I haven't been terrible yet (at least I don't think I have been), but I WANT TO BE. WHY you ask? That's what I ask also.

I am not PMSing, I am thru my changes. But I bite my tongue every day in order to keep from telling some one or some bodies they are stupid. Now, am I so perfect and right and they aren't? I am looking for that answer also, lol.

The thought of work is over for the evening, but, it's going to start all over in the morning, YIKES!

Gammmmmmmmmbling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Betting on a horse or playing a slot machine is my form of going to the movies, or going out for dinner a few times a month, or going to a bar for Happy Hour.

Before going to Monmouth or Atlantic City it is a matter of budgeting money as I would if I were doing the above listed "activities". I very rarely go to the movies because they are overpriced and they come out on HBO or DVD not long after it is made. I can't stand to sit next to a person that does nothing but talk, talk, talk. And some people just don't get it about putting their cell phone on vibrate. I do like going out for dinner but it doesn't have to be once or twice a week, I enjoy cooking, and I am quite fond of leftovers. So, going out for dinner is a special occasion (sometimes a necessity), but I don't several special occasions in one month. And Happy Hour, I like to talk to friends and see how they are doing not shout to them, and there is nothing more repulsive that a loud mouth drunk female in a bar. I tolerate loud mouth men a lot better.

I always have a set aside a certain amount of money to take with me. I know I may win or I may lose. That is like going to a movie, it could be good or it could really stink, or the service in the restaurant was bad and so was the food. Happy Hour not for me.

So, when going to Monmouth I have to do a lot of reading. The program is a wealth of information but each time I go I have to ask Pete what all the columns mean. Some times I have been able to pick a winner and some times not. Again, it's like a good movie versus a bad movie, and I only every bet $2.00 a race. I always watch the horses as the jockeys parade them in front of us before they run. I don't go by the color of their silks, however I do sometimes go by the color of a horse. I have favorite jockeys, but will also bet on a jockey who I may not know. I worry about the races tho and about injures that could happen on the track. I haven't been to a race yet where that has happened.

NOW, about Atlantic City, that does take a little bit more money, so I definitely factor that into my budget. I never take bill money or food money because that would really be gambling. I have favorite slot machines like I have favorite jockeys. And, if I won on that machine last month I have to give it a whirl this month. People can stand and talk all they want to themselves or on their cell phones. It's fun to watch people in the casinos, and, I haven't seen or heard any loud mouth drunken women, although I am sure there are some there, and I don't have to shout to my friends. We just set a time and place where we are going to meet, or if I am with Pete, he watches out for me because he knows if I had to go and look for him in the Racebook Room, he would then have to come and look for me.

I am not an avid AC person or horse race fan, but, I do feel the need to do both, so I guess I can say that is what I do for FUN! If it is fun it can't be gambling because gambling can be a serious problem.

Customer Service

I am not fond of shopping outside of my Internet world. It's not the prices or getting to a certain store, it's the help or should I say the lack of help that stores don't seem to care about. They think by just hiring anyone this will help sales. Don't they look at those inventory charts at the end of the month when not too many items have moved off the shelves or racks. So many sales are taking place this weekend, it's not because of the holidays, it's because the stores have to make room for their holiday merchandise and they need to get rid the STUFF that didn't sell earlier. It's kind of like when the IPHONE went on sale and you paid how much and you had to tolerate poor Customer Service? And, now your friend can get a discount for the same item and he doesn't care about the Customer Service because "he got what he wanted cheap".