Crazy Cat Lady

Being a childless middle-aged woman can be a challenge at times. Especially when you are married and you're not childless by choice.

It's a daily struggle to ensure that you aren't becoming "that crazy woman". You know the one. She dresses her cats up in strange costumes. She buys baby dolls that look like real newborns. Maybe even carries them around in an infant carrier. (Yuck) When you are this woman, you see that EVERYONE is having children. Your friends, your friends friends, people on television, your pets, EVERYONE.

You want to be happy for these people. Really you do. You buy or make presents for the babies. You look at all the cute little outfits for infants and toddlers. All the while, you have this voice at the back of your mind.

That voice is an ugly mean little thing. It reminds you of all those things you can never have. Mother's day will never be for you. There will be no baby's first Christmas for you. No first steps, first hugs, first words. Friends will remind you that there will also be no first diaper, first scraped knee, first all nighters and first date.

Although not one of them has ever told me that they wouldn't do it again. They can't understand the way I feel. And that's okay. I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone. So I suck it up and carry on. I look at all the pretty little dresses and tiny little shoes and hats. I do for a moment consider how funny they would look on my cat. But I resist!

I may break occasionally. Get a little moody. Okay maybe a LOT moody. Maybe I'll start to ignore your excitement and comments about the baby. Understand this is only a defense. I'm not really an evil person. I'll get over it and move on again eventually, either that or you'll see me on an episode of CSI.

Died of old age and eaten by my cats.

They will have their revenge...

What's Old is New Again?

Lately all I've seen come to theaters are movies that were once Comic Books or a TV series. Don't get me wrong, the graphics and the maker of the movies are great. However, if you haven't kept up with the stories beforehand you are lost. It seems like the comic book geeks, and TV junkies are the only people who are able to fully understand these movies. For the majority of us who just don't know or who hadn't even been born when those came out (comic books, and TV shoes) probably need a history lesson. I just don't see the point. They should be able to make the whole movie of what was done before, or come up with a new story that we can still follow and be able to enjoy. That way people like us who are ignorant to the way of the comic book world don't have to miss out on entertainment. Even better would be if they just cut out the geeky stuff and put some real movies out there. I don't mean reality TV movies either. I'm puzzled; I think I just need some suggestions. What does everybody else think?

Tired of Fighting the Retail Crowds

Is anyone else tired of fighting those crowds at the local retail stores? I surely am, and not to mention, if you don't get to the store at the right time or early enough in the season, you're lucked out. I think it is absolutely appalling to go into the store and find that everything is rummaged through, not in the correct packaging, or flat already out of stock. If anyone else has the body that you just have to try the costume on and see what fits like myself, and most women I know, well good luck cause it's just not in the stores policy. I don't know why I hadn't been wise to the most simple and stress free solution that I've always had right at my fingertip.

Online shopping relieves any tension that you may have going into the retail stores to get your Halloween needs. It has changed my life and many others for the better. These days’ people can't afford the extra hardship with dealing with anything that is just not necessary. Just for example, here are some very good reasons for shopping online including what has been stated above:

• More of a variety to choose from.
• When you change your mind within a week of receiving your item, you are able to return and make a new purchase.
• No more picking through to find your correct size.
• Any embarrassment of buying a naughty costume for yourself.
• No more getting dressed, the kids dressed, or leaving your home.
• If it doesn't fit, return and get correct size.
• Available to order year round.
• While the children are asleep, you're at work, or from your phone, you can order your needs hassle free, and the feeling of satisfaction.

A Special Thank You to the Village

I’m sure you have heard the ole saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. This saying is what keeps running through my mind while I try to think about a person who has been a great influence on my life or think about an event that has had an impact on my educational decisions.
My life would be described by many as monotonous. I wake up, go to school, come home and go to sleep. I was born, went to school all of my life, and now I am ready to graduate. Nothing traumatic has happened in my life and nothing extra-ordinary. Now, I am trying to decide what my future holds.

A lot of my decisions thus far in life have been made by my mother. I couldn’t wait until I turned eighteen so I could make my own decisions; however, that day came less than a month ago, and I’m still uncertain about the many decisions that are thrown my way, daily. I’m sure many people would think that my mother has had the biggest impact on my life; however, I cannot find the words to put on paper to write about her.

I also looked to my older sister for guidance. As I watched her accomplish her goals and make her mistakes, I secretly followed (or avoided) her paths. Strangely enough, my sister and I are like daylight and dark. Quickly, I realized that the path my sister was taking led her to her happiness, but it wasn’t the future I wanted. I admire my sister because she is happily married, working full-time, and continuing her education at night, but I have no desire to travel down that road.

Thinking back throughout my educational career, many teachers have touched my life, some positively and some negatively; however, the end result was that it took the whole village to make me who I am today . . .

Today, I am an individual ready to go to college. I was taught to be creative, thoughtful, and independent. I was taught to use my gift of leadership and friendship, not just in the classroom but in my community also; and that I had athletic abilities that could help me in continuing my education. I was taught that I may have a chance in the medical field due to my interest in science classes; and that my peers and I have many different opinions and people are interested in hearing our voices.

My most memorable educational experience came from my theatre and drama class. I was offered drama classes in school from 3rd grade through graduation. I performed as a variety of different characters including: Snow White, The Velveteen Rabbit, Sandy from Grease, Barbie from A Redneck Wedding, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, and the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella. I loved the costumes and makeup, the hard work, and the applause. It is these memories and experiences that have dictated my decision to attend college in New York and pursue a career on Broadway.

In conclusion, I have had a wonderful educational experience. As I travel off to college, I vow to make my village proud! Again, it truly takes a village to raise a child.

Extreme to Mainstream

The illusion that tattoos and piercings and generally "odd" looks are mainstream. It seems that everyone you meet has a tattoo or piercing sometimes. The girl ringing up my groceries, the ladies at the hair salon, heck I even noticed my banker has a tattoo.

There was a time you really only expected to see these things on your mechanic or brick layer. Hard lived, blue collar kind of men. Thugs, gangsters and prisoners of course as well. Definitely never on a lady. Why going back a little, it was so unusual to see a tattooed lady that they were only employable as sideshow freaks.

No longer does the 13 year old say "But mom, Suzie has her ears pierced". Parents must now contend with "But mom, Suzie has her tongue/belly button pierced. Why can't I??" No matter how "mainstream" people argue that these looks have become, there are a few things I have NOT seen.

• I have NOT seen a tattoo, piercing or wild hair color on a doctor or nurse.
• I have NOT seen a tattoo, piercing or wild hair color on a newscaster.
• I have NOT seen a tattoo, piercing or wild hair color on a lawyer.

And I hope I never do.

I am just naive enough to believe that this is a good thing. I am not saying that it is wrong to have tattoos or piercings. I have some of my own. But have enough respect for your profession to keep them from being visible.

Please don't expect me to receive a diagnosis from a doctor with his name tattooed on his neck. I really hope that the world does not get to that point in my lifetime.

Get Your Sexy On

The Green Lantern has his power ring. Superman has his phone booth. I have a black lace bra. What makes you feel powerful?

It doesn't matter if you are a businesswoman or if you just want to boost your self confidence in the bedroom, the same rules apply. You have more influence when you feel good about yourself. In the business world, there is much discussion of the "power suit". The function of the power suit, is to serve as a modern-day suit of armor. Its purpose is to project unrelenting, untouchable power in the face of adversity without saying a word. Women in business also wear power suits, but they are, without exception, designed with the same lines, the same criteria of acceptability that govern the men's suits. Some women do feel comfortable dressed in the masculine style that disguises the female form and makes you "one of the guys" in the office. For many of us, though, this makes us feel like we have, once again, betrayed who we really are. It's time to bring sexy back. The question is, how to do this without losing our credibility as business women?

Dressing in a dramatic color, or in an outfit that plays to our feminine shape, will get you a "Don't worry your pretty little head about it" attitude from you male co-workers every time. So, we take a step back. We build our "new" power suit from the inside out. We start with undergarments that make us feel sexy. Sexy is confident. Sexy gives us power. Wearing something absolutely feminine and maybe a little naughty under our professional attire will not only make us more sure of ourselves, but will add an element of risk and daring to our everyday routine.

One of the keys to success in the workplace, is knowing something the other guy doesn't know. There is nothing quite as fulfilling as sitting across the conference table from a rival who can't figure out why you are so relaxed and confident. Little does the poor fool know, that you have prepared for this tournament. You have the impregnable armor of a slinky brocade push up bra and g-string, with a garter belt holding up the sexiest of thigh high stockings. You feel like you can conquer the world.

Does Talking Out Loud Help You Think?

Talking out loud takes courage. Weather you are an business mom our an executive of a company and every time you open your mouth you’ll feel like your putting your ego and reputation and ego on the line. Or if you are the executive you may be putting your there too.

tough. This is why executives make the big bucks (no matter how large or small you may think of them) The only way people know what you want and what you want the organization to achieve is to say it. We can say it over and over again till we bored our self to tears.

But if you’re an mom, or executive, the way kids will believe you mean what you say is if you keep saying it – and then ensure that your actions and your management group’s actions are all in alignment with those words.

So start talking out loud about what you think and you want. And then ask “How do we get there? What do you think? And listen hard to the answers.

Eventually, you’ll find that you have to do the least talking of anyone. Your vision for your organization will be achieved and exceeded everyday. Because you talked out loud and made it happen one word at a time.

Talking to yourself can be a habit for some people they can also use it to keep them selves organized, stay focused, and to remind themselves what to do next.

Others may talk out loud when they feel lonely. “ Often people will reflect with comments like “great Jog”, or “that was really stupid”.

And who doesn’t talk to the radio to the TV once in a while?

On the other hand talking to oneself can indeed be a manifestation of mental illness. Some people with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia may lose touch with reality and experience auditory hallucinations of vices. They feel compelled to respond to “ their” voices and even carry on extensive conversations. It’s not unusual in downtown area of big cities to see homeless people, quite oblivious to their surroundings, conversing earnestly when no one else in nearby.

When people seem to carry a conversation these days with them selves these days, however, it most often means they have a Bluetooth earpiece and a cell phone. These one –sided conversations can be pretty annoying if you’re stuck in front of such a caller in a line for any length of time.

So .. there are plenty of situations when talking out loud to yourself or to no one in particular is perfectly appropriate and socially acceptable. But when we have to listen to lengthy one- sided conversations from a cell phone user, we call it “noise pollution”.