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Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em

Mean People - No Likie

Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em

Over the last few days, I have encountered several people who were unkind for no reason whatsoever.  So, I thought it was time for someone to declare — Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em.  Here are my examples of the meanies.  Tell me if you agree.

The Potential Meanies

Someone sent me an email saying that they think our little, happy, peppy and bursting with love blog is a monetized site trying to hide money.   This blog is written for friends and family and people who are interested in our topics or want to see what it’s all about.   There are no ads, no requests for money (not even for charity), nothing of the kind, in any way.  So I declare these people  meanies.  Next …

We were attending a gathering and someone was there who decided to make everyone aware how much money they had, all the property they own and how difficult it is to manage help especially building contractors.  In their process of sharing their perils, they made numerous comments saying no one there could possibly know the pressure that comes with being so “comfortable.”  Then went on to discuss their investment portfolio.  And concluded that no one there could know how the market works.  Pretty rude, because I knew many people there and know one used to work as a senior financial person.  Because that person actually was smart, they said nothing.  So, I declare these two over braggers … Mean People – I don’t like them.

This one isn’t that mean, but, I’m still adding it to the list.  We had asked someone to keep a secret about a Christmas present we were buying someone.  It is something that is going to make the person, who gets the gift, life much easier.  This person needs some help with their house.  We asked someone to take the person, who we are surprising, out so we could get in the house and measure some things.  Well the distracting person told her what we were doing.  So the surprise is ruined.

Observed Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em

We were out and the cutest little boy was playing.  He was smiling and running around and just being a boy.  The father said it was time to go.  The little boy said,  “can’t we stay a little longer.”  The father said, “no.”  So the little boy ran a little then turned around.  The man picked up the child so viciously and was carrying him by the arm.  The child looked scared to death.  We were at a public place.  There were police around as well as, who appeared, to be the boy’s mother.   No one did a thing.  We went over to an officer asking if they saw what was happening.  The officer said, “it’s his kid, as long as no real harm is done, there’s nothing they could do.”  Let me state unequivocally no one should ever be so mean to a child.  Period.

I happened to be present when someone made a huge life decision.  Huge.  She shared she didn’t sleep the night before.  She was up all night making this decision.  The person told her family her decision.  Instead of validating that it was a great decision and something she would be happy about as well as say “We will help you make this happen.  Let us handle the details and we will make this easy for her.”  She was attacked.  Her decision was aggressively questioned, belittled and treated with eye-rolling and an attitude that this was the biggest inconvenience imaginable .  It absolutely is not.  What needs to happen may take a little time, but it’s something people do everyday.

The Last One of the Mean People – I Don’t Like ‘Em Post

Based on what I overheard, there was a person who had a tragic life experience.  The person sitting next to her asked, with no grace, a very personal question in a blunt fashion.  No acknowledgement that I’m sure this situation is hard.  The person just asked two, what I can only imagine, very harsh questions about facts of the incident.  The person answered and the other person asked for no clarification or context.  She just nodded her head with judgement.  As they say on the east-side … what a goof.

So, with this holiday season, let’s have understanding and humbleness.  Let’s be kind and empathetic.  Let’s think before we speak.  And be patient when we think being in a hurry is the reality (because it’s really not).  Let’s walk in each others shoes.  And let’s try to have compassion for all the mean people, because maybe some kindness can help them see there are other ways to do things.

Instead of saying Mean People – I don’t like ’em, I should say, I pray that you find peace and care in your heart that you may have forgotten is there.

Oh and if you need a smile, please click on the happy and peppy and bursting with love link.  It’s the video of the Odd Couple. Hilarious!

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Gained My Holiday Weight A Week Too Early

Gholidayain weight before

Holiday Weight Conundrum

Next week starts the holiday season.  Everyone plans for the expected weight gain.  Some people lose weight beforehand to plan ahead.  Others decide they’ll lose it after the New Year.  However, what do you do if you took a different approach? Because, I gained my holiday weight a week too early.

It’s not something I’m bragging about.  I just can’t believe I did it.  Really, I don’t know how I did it.

Well I do actually … our life has been busy lately and we have been eating out more than usual.  Let’s face it, at a restaurant a salad has more calories than one you make at home.  But, ordering one makes me feel as if I’m trying to be healthy.  It also gives a great excuse to have a Rum Runner with dinner.   Or, a coconut rum and pineapple.  Sometimes it’s hard to decide.

And who can resist that?

So now what choices do I have?  I’ve already Gained My Holiday Weight a Week Too Early

Do I just roll with it and lose 20 pounds in January vs 10?

Perhaps, I tell everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years will be carb- free?

Is this the time for me to go Vegan?

Do I say please don’t pass the potatoes or apple pie?  That’s not happening.

I can begin to celebrate Kawanzaa and Festivus; they don’t have food as a major factor.  Do they?  Since they don’t celebrate till late-December, it gives me a chance to relax for a month.  Hmmm…I’ll need to find people to celebrate it with me.  And, need to learn more about each one. This one I’m not ruling out.

Losing the Weight in One Week.  Will that reverse how I gained my holiday weight a week too early?

If you dream it, you can achieve it.  Not in my wildest dreams.

A full cleanse is just something I can’t commit to.

If I know me, I’ll probably gain more weight before Thanksgiving.   Someone has to taste the pie mix to make sure it is just right.

In fact , we are making pies this weekend.  So that mystery is solved.

That leaves one solution

Guilt, eating and enjoying.

But, if you hear of any first of the year gym membership sales, please let me know.

If you need some good pie and dessert recipes, please send me a note.

 

 

 

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15 Secrets – Female Football Survival Surprises

15 Secrets of Women and Football

15 Secrets – Female Football Survival Surprises

Every Football season there is an article or conversation on how women will survive it.   One of the biggest assumptions is that women don’t understand football and who are the players.  So so wrong.  They just have a different perspective than men.  Here are the 15 Secrets to understanding women and football.

First some stats

Regular female viewers of the NFL surpasses both the NBA and the MLB . The staggering number is 45 million women watched the last Super Bowl. That’s more than both the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. Women are 44% of the NFL fan base.  The number of female watchers even beats Dancing With The Stars, the Voice and Grey’s Anatomy.  But, the numbers are slipping quite a bit lately.

Now the 15 Secrets

 Secret #1 – Game Rules -Whether they watch or not, women know the rules of football.  They also know the players.  I’ve learned somehow by osmosis,  from being a cheerleader and coming from a huge sports family.  While Chip is glued to the TV screen and I’m multitasking, I insert things into the conversation such as: didn’t x player play for Buffalo and the Titans before that?  Chip looks puzzled, but he’s gotten used to it.
Secret #2 – Sports Attire – If women wants to wear a Patriots jersey, she’ll buy it herself.  Now “yay” to the merchandisers at the NFL, because there is some cute attire now.  However, this is not a great gift.  Even for a Packers’ fan.  Best gifts for women still include: shoes, jewelry, trips and clothes.  Sure hope Chip reads this.
Secret #3 – Game Day Food – If a women watches the game with you, she doesn’t want wings, chips, pizza and subs for food. You may have a chance with sliders, if they are done right.   If it’s not on the menu during the week, it’s still not on game day/days.
Secret #4 – Myth of Football Widow -There is no such thing as a football widow.  If a woman tries to make you think they feel neglected during football season, she’s pulling a fast one.  Women are happy to watch when they want to; go shopping; watch romantic comedies in another room, read a book or have a day with a girlfriend.  Don’t fall into this trap.
Secret #5 – Cooking for the guys – Granted men and women get together to watch football, but don’t expect the woman in your life to cook for everyone every week.  Some might enjoy it, but every week … ahhh … no.

Want more? Secrets 6-10

Secret #6 – Football Pools – If given a football sheet to pick who the winners will be each week, a women will win.  She may pick with team colors in mind.  Some pick by following the game or reading it in passing,  She may even look at the spread from Vegas.  And, some just take a shot.   No matter the method, she will win.

Secret #7 – Swearing – If a women doesn’t normally swear, she won’t during the game.  She will come up with alternative things to say.  One of my favorites is …”that wasn’t nice at all.”

Secret # 8 – Good plays – A good play is a good play.  Even if a women is supporting their favorite team, if the other team makes a good play, she’ll give them credit.  She feels these athletes are as good as it gets.  They should be recognized for flipping over another player, while catching a ball with double coverage and somehow escaping to run down the field.  It is what it is.

Secret # 9 – People in the stands –  If a women knows a friend is at the game, she will look for them.  Even if they are in a section that never gets air time, she will be relentless in her pursuit.

Secret #10 – Men in their man caves – She gets a kick out of the “He-man Women’s Hater Clubs.”  Someone I know has all his friends over every Sunday during football season.  Most of the men and one woman are divorced.  After a few beers, they start discussing specifics of their divorces.  So instead being a football clutch, they are a “Little Rascals” episode.  I don’t know which is Alfalfa, but I will get back to you on that one.

11-15 are the most insightful

Secret #11 -The national anthem – Women like seeing who sings the national anthem.  They like seeing the military present the colors.  Women also can get teary-eyed during it if military are present.  They understand  how much the two things go together.

Secret #12 – Faces of the players – Inevitably, after a good play or bad one, the camera pans to the player on the bench.  Women look at the expression on their face.  Not to see if they are happy, proud or mighty.  I say things like, “Aww, he is so sweet, look at that expression on his face. I bet he’s really nice.”  Chip  is not a fan of this assessment of the game.

Secret #13 – Injuries – If someone gets hurt or there’s a face mask, she will be concerned and upset.  There are rules, but people should play nice.   If it’s a really bad injury, I turn my head and have Chip tell me what’s happening.

Secret #14 – Women as coaches – The NFL now has it’s first two female coaches (Jennifer Welter, Cardinals and Kathryn Smith, Bills) and there should be more of them.  Women read situations better, motivate better and recognize strengths and weakness faster and know how to immediately correct them.  However, I have been told I cannot be a professional football coach.  It goes back to when I used to bring snacks to kid games.  One time my son said to his coach, “I’m going to take a break and sit with my mom”  Then he sat with me eating strawberries and blueberries for the rest of the game.  After this story, Chip believes if I were a coach, there would be snacks and circle time on the sidelines.  So, my next job will not be NFL coach, because Chip is right.

Secret #15 – Watch this –  If I had a nickle for every time Chip said, “watch this.” about a replay,   I’m sitting right next to him.  I saw it.

The end zone

Football is a religion to some; entertainment to others and an opportunity to briefly escape the responsibilities of life for awhile for more.  Men and women can enjoy the sport together now that 15 secrets are revealed.

Did we miss a secret?  Let us know.

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Social Media Personalities in My World

Social media personalities

Social Media Personalities

Today I happened to run across two stories listing the different types of social media personalities.  Then, I started to laugh because people in my social media world are none of those listed.  If you want to just see my list, scroll down to the bottom.

List one from the UK

Well actually in this list I have two that could go with those in my personal list.  See of you can guess which ones.

1. The oversharer

They share every minutia detail of their life on every social media site. Example: posting about how long their friend’s ( not even their) run was on every social media platform.

2. The proud parent

“Look at my beautiful daughter getting 12 A*s in her GCSEs” easily translates as “I am an amazing parent with some pretty fantastic genes, right?”  Let’s face it, all our kids are awesome at something and they deserve a post but it’s their accomplishments, not their parents.

3. The person who can’t use social media

I’m not even going to share the write up on this one.  It’s adorable when my older relatives  write to me as if a letter vs  a post.  It’s also sweet that they like every picture I post from a vacation.  If I’m super happy for one of my friends, I like every picture too.

4. The most boring person in the world

You know you should unfollow them, but you keep them around just to show your friends how boring this person is. To me, they should not be unfollowed;  how about asking what they think of something or sending a private message checking on how they are.

5. The demanding person

This will be the person who sends 40 tweets a day asking for help. “Does anyone know a good builder in Shropshire?”  No idea why they can’t use a search engine;  BT’s more than £3bn investment in superfast broadband should help them find the answers.

6. The ones who selfie all the time

A total of 48pc of Brits say not having access to the internet leads to loneliness, so what better way to combat that by posting selfies and waiting for the likes to roll in?  Wow!

7. The ones who want to debate everything

“I really hate David Attenborough” said no one ever, apart from the person gunning for a fight on social media. Perhaps, their goal is show off their on-point debating skills.

8. The truly hilarious person

There’s always somebody who shares the best meme or writes the funniest joke. This is (probably) why BT rolled out fibre broadband across the UK, so we could get the funny person’s social media posts superfast and brighten up our day.

A completely different list of social media personalities

This list is just out there.  It was written by someone who actually works for a social media company.

Her’s his list:

1. The Social Athlete

This is the person who posts pictures of themselves working out.  Then it goes on to say all these other traits such as serious, quiet, good concentration, etc.

This actually the person Planet Fitness would not let in

2. The Social Luddite

This is supposed to not like change or technology.  It’s suggested they are quiet and reluctant to participate on social media.  Um why are they on social media then  I know a bunch of people who aren’t.  No one forces you to get a FaceBook page; or do they?

3. The Social Nurturer

The are warm-hearted, popular and conscientious.  Usually put the needs of others above their own needs.  They are big users of multiple emoticons.   Sanz the emoticons, this is what most of my friends are like.

4. The Social Lazies

This description made no sense.  It reads they are quiet, reflective & idealist but also run online communities & has many profiles.  Then go dormant.

5. The Social Geek

These people are Independent, original, analytical and determined.  They think long range. Have very high standards for their performance and the performance of others.  Their profile picts: are Photoshop’ed — includes a Star Wars character, attractive girls or tech CEO’s.

6. The Social Doer

Friendly, adaptable & action-oriented. “Doers” are focused on immediate results but are also impatient with long explanations.  Not usually respectful of laws & rules if they get in the way of getting things done. Photos: feature drunken escapades or extreme sports.  This is a mish mush of several people I know.

7. The Social Lurker

The social lurker reads posts, but never posts and their profile is absent or a default image with basic information.

8. The Social Inspirer

Considered ethusiastic, idealistic and creative; able to do almost anything that interests them: and, often have the best personalized wall papers on their Twitter pages

9. The Social Ranter

  • They are quick to share their ideas and beliefs, sometimes in a single stream of information.  They see everything from the human angle and dislike impersonal analysis.  A soapbox hero.

10. The Social Visionary

Creative, resourceful and intellectually quick. Enjoy debating issues and may be into “one-up-manship.”  They may neglect the more routine aspects of life.

My social media personalities world

First I adore all my social media contacts because they are all people I actually know.  Here’s my list:

Family and friend lover: They are supportive and they put family and friends first.  This is true in their posts and pictures.

Food maker:  One thing for sure, my friends have the best recipes and post pictures of what they made; and they all look delish.

Food poster:  Many of the food makers are also recipe posters.  Other’s aren’t  I have been in other online communities and no one, I mean no one posts food like my friends.

Hilarious:  I know this was on one of the other lists, but in my social media world, there are people who are great at telling jokes, great at being self-depreciating, willing to post pictures of themselves that are less than flattering but so so funny.

In this category, I also have the “thank you and good night, tip your waitress and try the veal; I’m here til Tuesday’s”   These are the people who respond to posts with one liners.   These are the people when I see their names in my list of notifications, I immediately click because I know there is a gem waiting to be read.

Point of viewers:  There are several people who have considered points of view.  Sometimes they are shared strongly,  however, they read and consider others comments.  Well most of the time.

Memory makers: In my social media world, I have people who post great memories, pictures and nostalgia that make you say, “OMG, I forgot all about that.”

Supporters: Over the last few years, people have had different life challenges whether health, family, just miss someone and other things.  In this social media world, they can rely on the community to write the right thing to support them.  And it’s not just a couple posts, it’s tons of response posts.

The Vacationer:  When people post their vacation pictures, I love it.  And when they post while they are away, I love it even more.  If I ever post from Greece, You know I;ve hit my bucket list.

Post Clicker:  I always take screen shots or links of posts and send them via text to other people.  In case they don’t see it on their own.

The Pisano: I am lucky enough to have grown up in a community where we love Italian food, culture and slangs.  So there is an unspoken understanding.

There may be more.  The thing I don’t have are the people that over-selfie, no real braggers, or tech nerds, or mean-spirited people.  My social media world is fun, friendly and encouraging.

Welcome to my world.  And, thank you for being part of it.

If I missed a personality type, let me know.