Quote for the Day

"A dream doesn't become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work" -Colin Powell

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Birthdays We Love Them or Hate Them--But Having Them Means your Still Around

Well its that time of year when some are happy to be breathing (that would be me) some can't believe its only 57 days until Christmas (my goodness it will be here before we know it!) I made it through another birthday. I will admit it I can not always see the sunshine and lollipops in everyday things and unfortunately for me and others around me are affected more  by my Debbie Downer Days for that  I am truly sorry.

I have loved all the Facebook wishes, gee its the most comments I get all year.  Sadly, with all our lives on the constant fast track with family, commitments, jobs, family I have to admit life and its obstacles lately have been a real problem for me. I am at that age where one wrong move, comment or annoying thing can set me off.  Lets face it really sucks.

I now appreciate all those days many years ago when I was young and carefree and had very little troubles except for maybe the minor one's that then were the end of the world in my book.

Now for the next 10 days every breath, commercial, casual conversation is about who will win the elections.  If you are a small business owner, over 50, and have never felt entitled, taken any form of assistance you are probably voting one way, if you are younger, working or maybe unemployed, have used assistance or feel as though everyone should be on a level playing field, or beyond 50 and facing the twilight years in life  you are probably voting another way. Unfortunately, for me I also throw in women's issues since I am a woman and that puts a wrench in most any race for me because neither candidate or candidates in my area  really fits the  total bill for me. I wonder how many are in the same dingy I am?

When its all said and done after the elections we will be picking up the pieces of our lives in hopes of being able to go on the best we can with what we are given. Kind of like a party after the cake, the presents and decorations you are left to clean up after and then its just another day like all the rest.







Saturday, October 6, 2012

It's Not A Party Thing

At first look at this title you would think either I am planning for a party or going to a party. Well I hate to burst your bubble, neither is true.

Although for the past several months a small group of women had been planning for a party of sorts. Usually you plan for the food, the music and the entertainment. Well the food was picked in advance (not by us) and their was no musical fanfare. But there was serious entertainment of sorts.

Are you still intrigued? Well this past week all our hard work paid off. The invites went out (some didn't RSVP) but those who were in attendance, got to experience the chance of a lifetime. At least it was for me.

This past Thursday evening I was part of a group that got to listen to a truly great speaker. She was down to earth, approachable (I bugged her numerous times-she called it persistence) and she is a politician. Something you don't find often with politicians is approachability, at least I haven't been so lucky in the past. Most you get a form letter from with some other than their own signatures or if you are lucky a handshake.

If you haven't heard of her in MO or even elsewhere in the country I suggest you Google MO Representative Stacey Newman. She is from the St. Louis Area and is making some wonderful strides for women.

She spoke to us about a variety of topics including the ERA (which sadly has not been passed by the State of MO) Equal Pay-- as most know we make about 77 cents on the dollar compared to male counterparts. Ironically, Rep. Newman this past legislative session garnered nationwide attention on her Anti-Vasectomy Bill proposed as a push back on extreme reproduction health mandates that had only applied to women.

As she stated in our presentation, the War on Women is alive and well in Missouri and around the country.

Another note in her presentation was how saddened she was that more young women are choosing not to vote. How sad this is to me.  Her comment that the importance of voting for the candidate that has the beliefs that you have and not necessarily voting for the "party" is more important. I have always been vocal I am not a strict party voter. Due to the obvious that each candidate doesn't always believe the same things I do.

I purposely invited my daughter to the meeting in hopes that she might be interested in my ever constant harping on how important it is not only to vote but to be a part of the solution that all women can make if they only get informed and involved. She admitted she was glad that she came and that it peaked her interest. My purpose was met!

A funny after thought to attending our "party" was that my daughter went home and was asked by her soon to be husband, "What was the meeting about?" after her explaining it to him, what was his comment, "Wow you and your Mom are not going to start burning bra's are you?" I got a chuckle out of his age old thinking and told her to tell him, "At my age, I not only can't afford to burn my bra it also wouldn't be fair to those around me to go bra-less in public".

It may not have been your normal party, but it was the best one I have attended in a very long time.