tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44059105142156832162024-03-02T01:02:08.087-06:00My Mom Has BlogitisJust raves, reviews, requests, rants & other related witty-isms from my so-called life along w/occasional freebies & coupons. You may NOT use MY words & other vitriolic criticisms(which are my own opinion of certain things, humans, etc... & I am NOT compensated whatsoever; I just have a big mouth & lots to say) without written consent fr: me, please. Yes; it's my stuff & you can't use it willy-nilly all over w/out permission. Thanks! The management.ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-79600302810290011182017-11-10T23:28:00.000-06:002017-11-11T23:10:25.957-06:00Story of an "unknown" soldier.....OK, now here’s the story about that headstone.<br />
<br />
<br />
Back in late summer my kids, mother and I went to Resurrection Cemetery to pay respect to my grandfather. <br />
Now mind you, he’s not my biological grandfather, but treated me and my brother like we were his biological grandkids. He and my non-biological grandmother loved us, doted on us (well, him more than her but…that’s ok, eh?) took care of us, was supportive of us, gave us gifts…you know what I mean; what a grandparent should do. <br />
<br />
<br />
So along with us looking at the gravesites of him, our grandmother, some aunts and uncles from my step-father’s side of the family my mother attempted to find other family members from that side of the family that were buried along the “old part” of the cemetery. <br />
We got all mixed up there, lost in a way.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, not lost where we wouldn’t be able to find our way out of the cemetery but we drove, and drove…and drove more according to mom’s orders: “Here! It’s by that huge statue! No wait! Turn left here NOW! Wait! Stop! No, wait…go straight! It’s near the tiny mausoleum! No, wait!” Oh, my….goodness! So here I am, in my car on a warm day with the ADHD kids, mother and dog, driving all over Resurrection Cemetery listening to “mi general” threatening to leave her here with her boyfriend the Cucuy because she’s making me waste gas driving for almost an hour in a cemetery looking for a grave! <br />
After taking a deep breath and realizing how funny it would be me explaining to my tias why I left mom in a cemetery I started to notice in the “old side” of the cemetery there were headstones that had birthdates in the 1800s. I then had the kids and mom and the dog play a game to be distracted with the anxiety I had caused by Mrs Cucuy. I shouted, “HEY! Let’s play a game! Who can find the oldest headstone with the earliest birthdate! <br />
I know, right? Some game for the whole family, eh? “Come on, everyone! We’re going to the cemetery to play momma’s favorite game, “FIND THE EARLIEST BIRTHDATE ON HEADSTONES!”<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, Halloween is our favorite holiday, we love the Munsters, Addams Family, Svengoolie and I have skulls all over the house. We may be slightly clinically macabre, but it was a pretty good idea because instead of the kids fighting over which side of the back seat was theirs and which side the dog could drool on, they shut the heck up and were hanging out the car windows looking for dates on headstones. We were shouting out dates “1901! 1843! 1871(which made my daughter excited because she studied about the Great Chicago Fire which occurred in 1871…read a book, y’all) and debating who had the earliest date with the person who finds that stone must point it out to us. After this went on for a bit we were near an area my mother “THOUGHT” was where this mysterious gravestone was as she suddenly shouted “STOP HERE!”<br />
<br />
<br />
Orale.<br />
<br />
<br />
I stop the car; slowly turn my head to her and she, totally oblivious of my annoyance glibly asked me and my daughter to venture out to look for the name on the “brown” headstones.<br />
<br />
<br />
I thought, ok; I’ll stretch my legs a bit and get the kid some exercise to chill her out as well….but then I wondered if my mother would drive away and leave me with the Cucuy as I threatened her repeatedly, so I took the keys, my daughter and trekked down a row of stones. <br />
We were looking for the name mom told us, admiring the craftsmanship of these amazing monuments that were created to remind loved ones of their deceased family members. There were such amazing carvings of angels, saints, Jesus and Mary with gemstones tucked in some of the stones…I felt like I was in an outdoor art museum for masonry. <br />
<br />
<br />
And the dates on these stones! 1849, 1877, 1861, 1865…I mean, we were looking at history! I was tempted to go to the local grocery store for parchment and crayons! Anyone else macabre like me will know why one would use crayons and parchment paper in a cemetery.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then, as my daughter won the game with the earliest birth headstone (1843) I came across this very simple and old stone.<br />
<br />
<br />
It reminded me of the headstones they use in both Arlington National Cemetery in DC and the fallen from D-Day in Normandy, France. It was very simple, plain, rectangle. It was a basic, white military headstone. Well, should have been white but was filthy with age. It was difficult to see the date as it was at the bottom of the stone with chunky dirt at the bottom that was so thick and caked on, it was like moving hardened cement. I genuinely tried to move some to see the date but just got my fingernails full of dirt.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was so touched by the simplicity of this military stone and felt compelled to take a picture of it. It also made me sad that there was no one in this person’s family to visit and pray, to leave flowers or an American flag, or to even tend to the gravesite. <br />
<br />
<br />
I forgot about that photo until today when I was cleaning out my phone and happened upon it, so with that in mind, I not only felt my history “boner” get on (yes, I’m vulgar…no apologies) to research this individual who lived a long time ago in our galaxy, but felt that it’s my small, patriotic duty to share the information I found out about that gravestone, as it does pertain to my Facebook profile picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzhT3nKyrJqkkCO4C_mPeCqNV0mHAyhATwaTi8kJItLmxgV2os6hHk3v5wqe2Q0uVGoVY8P1lobwzPZNSCO62Wv071PEIJqefGvBFuJSANaeGVto8Z2QU7QsBwmQo5ipfc_IivKwJ7K8/s1600/extra+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzhT3nKyrJqkkCO4C_mPeCqNV0mHAyhATwaTi8kJItLmxgV2os6hHk3v5wqe2Q0uVGoVY8P1lobwzPZNSCO62Wv071PEIJqefGvBFuJSANaeGVto8Z2QU7QsBwmQo5ipfc_IivKwJ7K8/s320/extra+028.jpg" width="180" height="320" data-original-width="900" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
His name was Joseph H. Chylewski/Chyleuski, PVT 355 INFANTRY, 89 DIVISION, COMPANY K.<br />
<br />
<br />
I found him in the database of the 89th Division web page which listed the 355th Infantry which was established 5 August 1917 in the National Army as the 355th Infantry and assigned to the 89th Division. It was organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas and demobilized 1-3 June 1919 at Camp Funston, Kansas.<br />
<br />
<br />
This division of the US Army had some of the original “Dough Boys” who were trained to fight in northeastern France in the Lorraine/Argonne Forest area where one of the most brutal battles of World War I occurred: The St. Mihiel Offensive and Battle at Meuse-Argonne. That was the biggest operation and victory of the US Army in WWI.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was able to find quite a bit of information! <br />
<br />
<br />
He was born in Chicago on March 16th, 1887 at 4841 South Paulina…in his house and according to his draft record he was a private firefighter for the Union Theater at 4658 South Ashland by Back of the Yards. <br />
<br />
<br />
If anyone knows what the heck a “private firefighter” was during the early 1900s, leave me a comment please! Thanks!<br />
<br />
<br />
His draft/enlistment record also showed that on June 5th, 1917 he was still living with his parents who immigrated from Germany in the late 1870s , was a natural citizen of the United States, was of tall and slender build, white race, light brown eyes, black hair…slightly balding….? <br />
<br />
<br />
Hey, don’t give me guff about the balding bit and kill the messenger, eh? That’s what I read. I sound like Elaine from “Seinfeld” describing George Costanza.<br />
<br />
<br />
His parents were Mary and Andrew and both immigrated from "Germany" after the Franco-Prussian War in the late 1870s, when a lot of Polish named immigrants left what should have been Poland but was actually part of Prussia. <br />
<br />
<br />
He was discharged 1st of June 1919 and went into the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers which had a facility in Johnson City, TN in 1921. He was admitted for advanced tuberculosis; he died January 17th 1929 and is buried at Resurrection Cemetery. <br />
Now you’re probably wondering what in the world made me write all this for you to read. Well, it IS Veteran’s Day, and by all means we should remember and honor our veteran’s in every branch of the military and every war that has been fought by them as if it weren’t for them…yes, and I’m sure some of you are tired of hearing “they fought for the freedoms of all Americans,” but they did.<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m not tired of hearing what our vets and soldiers have done and continue to do. I try my best to honor them by doing as much as I can despite they seem little to some. I have a veteran neighbor down the block who needs occasional help with grocery shopping or cleaning his home. I buy poppies almost every Memorial Day and when I can, I donate to food banks and even to coat banks for our vets.<br />
<br />
<br />
I did this little research project, for a brave former “Dough Boy” who too fought for our freedoms all the way across the pond, in a country whose language he had absolutely no knowledge of whatsoever. He was disconnected from everything he knew and was familiar with bunking with a bunch of fellow “Dough Boys” who were also scared. Him and the “Dough Boys” couldn’t help but feel terrified, horrified, displaced, lonely, homesick, hungry or thirsty, sickened by mustard gas exposure, surrounded by death, freezing, wet from rain and/or snow, sick with tuberculosis and trench foot. Some of them even had facial disfigurements from various shrapnel explosions….<br />
<br />
<br />
…and all this without telephones, televisions, radios, the internet…..YES, everyone! This was 100 years ago. Snail mail was almost literally at a snail’s pace.<br />
<br />
<br />
But they endured. They adapted and improvised. Some came back home; some didn’t and those who did make it back to what they called “home” were never the same again.<br />
<br />
<br />
If this makes you think again about thanking a vet and you go do just that or you donate, or volunteer your services, then my little project isn’t so little, is it?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
God bless our vets!<br />
ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-56762335507867527292017-11-05T01:40:00.002-05:002017-11-11T23:01:32.165-06:00Juan's story 2I was told by my cousins that I am a complete waste of space and oxygen for years. <br />
<br />
I barely remember my father or my mother but do remember a tia of mine who was kind, generous and very affectionate. She put a lot of effort into me in so many ways as I recalled having ice skating lessons, trips to Old Chicago which was a huge indoor amusement park that was crazy fun! I just remember being in her arms as we rode scary rides and feeling the warmth of her bosom and her equally rapid heartbeat against my cheek which made me feel good, and special. The amount of junk food we'd eat, the night's staying up late even on a school night in the still warm evenings of September watching Johnny Carson and just being hugged, kissed and told "you ARE a gift, Juanito" from her. I remember her beautiful and long strawberry blond hair that had tight coils resembling tangled copper wire which she controlled either by ironing it on her ironing board or wrapping her hair in huge soup-can sized hair curlers that she bravely slept in several nights of the week. I never knew what she did for a living as, well; what would a little kid in kindergarten and first grade be thinking in regard to what their guardian/parent does, wouldn't you say? I just remember living in the moment without a care or wonder of what became of the parents I was supposed to have and why I just had my tia with me constantly. At times when I was picked up at school kids would ask, "is that your mother?" and I'd say "no, my tia" with replies of puzzled expressions, as I apparently were speaking to Anglo or Black kids who had no idea what a "tia" was at that time of our planet's orbit.<br />
<br />
I recall the last time I saw my tia. I was getting ready for bed and she was having an argument with Jorge, her boyfriend. He was so angry about something she shouldn't have done, as he kept yelling "you shouldn't have done that" at my tia. After a lot of yelling and screaming and crying, Jorge finally left and my tia scooped me up...pj's and all, grabbed my shoes, my rucksack and my bear, her purse and took me to her sister's house. I remember the long drive to the northern suburbs of Chicago, passing all the expressway landmarks like the ominous buildings downtown, the Magikist lips sign that lit up the night and then the darkness that fell upon us as we left city limits. As I was carried out of the car at our destination I remember hearing the sharp clicking on the marble-esque pathway that led to my tia's sisters' house as she carried me hurriedly and told me as she rang the doorbell, "mira mijo; you have to stay with your Tia Mari for a day. I have something important to do and I'll be back tomorrow after school to bring you home, ok?" I recall numbly nodding at my tia as I looked around at the huge, imposing house and scary looking door that had a huge brass knocker that I always wanted to touch so badly. As I clutched my tia reaching for that knocker I heard harder clicking of heels from the other side of the door on marble floor that sounded like a woodpecker going to town on a redwood. The door flew open and there was my other "tia." My tia's sister who refused to allow me to call her "tia." I was to call her "Mari."<br />
<br />
As I looked upon her scowling face, her jet black hair long and luscious like Cher from the "Sonny and Cher Show" she shifted her hip to the side and crossed her arms saying "so, I have to keep him overnight? I really don't want to nor have the time for a small child. I have enough kids to care for in this house!" She sounded very upset, angry. It scared me. I barely saw "Mari" and when I did it was just for family gatherings where I felt so tiny, unimportant and ignored by her side of the family ...which didn't bother me at that time as my main M.O. was to run around and play as long and as often as I could. <br />
<br />
"Mari," my tia said firmly but in her usual calm manner. "It's just for one night. It's urgent. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon or evening, around 7PM latest. Please? Besides," she said, swaying with me in her arms and tilting her head to the side making her huge curly hair fall over her eyes. "You owe me, girl. You don't want me to let 'you know who' know about the truth, do you?"<br />
<br />
Mari uncrossed her arms rapidly and stood up straight and had a wide-eyed expression and actually spoke so rapidly I almost didn't understand her as she sputtered, "you know you can't do that because me and the kids really need this house and our life style, and my car and..." She was interrupted by my tia who walked in the house right past Mari, still carrying me and laughing. "I knew it would take a threat to get you moving your lazy, fake queen butt. I'll lay him down, all you have to do is make sure he has breakfast, is dressed for school and taken there, ok?"<br />
<br />
I heard the scary door slam hard and the loud clicking of Mari's heels on her marble floor sounding faster like she was running after my tia. "You be back by 5PM tomorrow as I have very important plans!" My tia made her way up a small spiral staircase and as I glanced back at Mari chasing us, I turned around to see us walk past several doors including a red one that I was forbidden to go through via warnings from Mari and my cousins. Tia picked a random door, went through it, flicked on the light and put me down on a bed that was fixed like a hotel room. I remember the hotel room we stayed in when tia took me to the Florida Keys after our adventures at Disney World and Cape Canaveral and this room reminded me of that hotel. <br />
<br />
She started to tuck me into bed and Mari was at the open doorway with her arms crossed again and a very angry look on her face. Tia put my small rucksack on the floor at the foot of the bed, gave me my bear and sat at the edge of the bed caressing my head and looking at me saying "listen sweetie, I have some errands to run and I won't be done until tomorrow, so you be a good boy, listen to your Tia Mari, she's going to take you to school and pick you up and by the time you're finished with dinner, I'll be here to pick you up and we'll go home, ok?" I nodded glancing at Mari's angry, burrowed brow and scrunched up face then turned quickly to tia, hugging her. <br />
<br />
"I'll be right back, mijo. Be good and we'll go for ice cream and a late night with Johnny, ok?" I looked up at her from my embrace and replied, "ok. I like Johnny." She laughed, hugged me hard and I smelled her hair which had a faint aroma of Chanel #5. I remember the bottle she always used to spray in the air with her walking into it. I always thought it was odd that she didn't spray herself with it but sprayed the air like the air smells bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
She got up from the bed, crossed her arms at Mari and pointed at her and said, "remember, Mari. YOU owe me, so help me this one time and I'll never bug you again, yeah?" Mari rolled her eyes asking "do I have a choice?" My tia dropped her arms and replied, "no, especially since I never bug you with anything as you always need me to get you out of trouble." Mari sipped in <br />
<br />
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said to both of us. She kissed me one more time before leaving. They both exited the room with Mari turning off the light angrily and slamming the door hard behind her, giving me a bit of a scare. <br />
<br />
As I burrowed into the bed I felt scared, clutching my bear and pulling the blankets up to my nose and knowing I was probably not going to get any sleep that night. The room was quite dark with a tiny window at the top of the wall that was equally dark. No moonlight or city street lights to make me feel better about sleeping in strange and horribly different bed that even smelled strange. Not at all like the hotel I stayed in.<br />
<br />
But nothing scared me more than what was about to happen in my life the next day.....ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-65787459020078251942017-11-05T01:40:00.001-05:002017-11-11T23:01:58.104-06:00Juan's story, part 1Yes, I am Juan. John in the "queen's English," Ian or Iain in Scottish, Evan in Welsh, and Sean or Eoin in Irish. The meaning of my name is "God's gracious gift."<br />
<br />
Well, I really never felt precious, or a gift to anyone for a long time. And you're probably wondering why all the WASPy references to my given name, "Juan."<br />
<br />
I'll get to that part later.<br />
<br />
My story isn't to garner sympathy, pity or sadness but to help others learn of the evil that can be in human beings...<br />
<br />
...and hamsters!<br />
<br />
It's not something I usually share with everyone but as I mentioned I am determined to help as many individuals that may succeed in any of their endeavors as they go about on this big, blue marble that spins out in the middle of the Milky Way and holds some of the most heinous things on it.<br />
<br />
But it also has good on it, as it rotates every single day every 24 hours 1,000 miles per hour and orbiting every year around our closest star the mighty sun at a speed of 18.5 miles a second. This blue marble holds the love, joys, hatred, evil, and just plain old disgusting vile scum that any living being can but shouldn't encounter.<br />
<br />
But as I mentioned, there is good.<br />
<br />
And it took me a time to find that good.<br />
<br />
Let me start at the beginning if I may....ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-44381230809918837532017-09-29T21:49:00.001-05:002017-09-29T22:21:27.112-05:00Football and autism mom's UNITE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Czn0_yZbtR5FukuUS8Cxp0b06yopFWNII18nb2pmdp7ahXT66I1elyaDHNun52nV8hb935_zjLGrzIzaEmUFCLsrkbBmbBX1R7iT6Q1R8PCvq5v7Zqlg8uPO8lO00ulJ0UaUV6kKgeY/s1600/football+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Czn0_yZbtR5FukuUS8Cxp0b06yopFWNII18nb2pmdp7ahXT66I1elyaDHNun52nV8hb935_zjLGrzIzaEmUFCLsrkbBmbBX1R7iT6Q1R8PCvq5v7Zqlg8uPO8lO00ulJ0UaUV6kKgeY/s320/football+mom.jpg" width="235" height="320" data-original-width="432" data-original-height="588" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUjv7g3E4iGEdCV9rYoFHeQzTnNcRDs2Vs2oe-q2WXJiWGh_AWu-ynWzehmS44lCFs0Vm83NDxhVTH1nJtu5WiYQTYJhvZ_G32l8XrA2BzWh-Xzz8XZDzZzDNh2OlXEQkyb80R2yuq1Q/s1600/football+mom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUjv7g3E4iGEdCV9rYoFHeQzTnNcRDs2Vs2oe-q2WXJiWGh_AWu-ynWzehmS44lCFs0Vm83NDxhVTH1nJtu5WiYQTYJhvZ_G32l8XrA2BzWh-Xzz8XZDzZzDNh2OlXEQkyb80R2yuq1Q/s320/football+mom+2.jpg" width="304" height="320" data-original-width="486" data-original-height="512" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
How do you other football moms do it?<br />
<br />
I mean, just like the memes say, my fridge is empty, garbage is overflowing(why? We're never home!), my yard has been overtaken by weird alien-like weeds that I've never seen in my entire life on earth where I'm about to call Neil deGrasse Tyson to ask him if I may email pics of these...things and see if he knows what planet they may have landed from as yes; I've NEVER seen killer weeds like these... and I'm near AARP age! My floor needs mopping, my laundry is multiplying(dear God make our money multiply like that safely with lots of zeros at the end...amen!) at such a frightening rate but fortunately I don't need to wear my bathing suit as underwear...yet. My car trunk is a locker room, my car smells of man sweat, dog and fart, I need milk and bread constantly, I have coupons for bottled water and fast food all over my car, and I'm almost always a hair from an empty tank of gas. Plus, with all that doing it's "thing," if anyone talks smack about my son's teammates, I shall hurt them because they're my boys too.<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm in momma bear mode constantly.<br />
<br />
My fridge is sticky with maraschino cherry juice and ketchup that someone spilled as that's what they wanted for dinner...with a side of saltines....oh yeah! Forget that mom made garlic mashed potatoes from scratch and BBQ rib tips in the slow cooker....fake cherries and fake tomato paste with dry saltines? Very nutritious! Trust me, I've done the "meals that freeze beautifully" meal planner that's in old Women's Day magazines to plan a months worth of meals...but the kids? They don't want what comes out of the freezer because for some reason they get skeezed out with leftovers. They wanna be like the Heck family from the show "The Middle," eating nothing but sandwiches, no prob! Easy peasy to make a sammie with bread, or those there sun dried tomato wraps from Aldi, which are....fabulous! But hey, ya'll can make momma's life easier than usual. Eat that ketchup/cherry sandwich on that wrap. Just take your vitamins in the morning.<br />
<br />
OK, then.<br />
<br />
Then after all the ketchup dinner/football/homework scene is done, I have MY paperwork for my patients to finish, doctors to call to verify tests, blood results, RX's are filled....THEN....shower time for everyone...but me, so until everyone is in bed I too smell like man sweat, dog, fart and my own sweat. And there are so many TV shows I want to indulge in, like Ken Burns "Vietnam War" which is on PBS in a ten part series, and you KNOW with a Ken Burns documentary you have to clear out about 20 hours on your DVR to save it and have a binge fest to watch it, eh?<br />
<br />
I'm physically, mentally and emotionally drained! And I need a Coca-Cola, STAT!<br />
<br />
I'm just saying, eh?<br />
<br />
Or in this case asking....rhetorically....ok, maybe not rhetorically.<br />
<br />
How DO you football moms do it? Especially if your kids have special needs?<br />
<br />
I do love watching my autistic son participate in what will be his senior year of high school football, which is a bit bittersweet....and coach IS playing him more often....but didn't at homecoming....and with it being hell hot outside that day, the game started when the sun is at it's peak....12 noon....coach felt my son was a bit too delicate to play as it was too hot. Hmmm...now coach knew I had my son's team there, IE, former grade school teachers, classmates, family members, friends, etc....and boy did they want to chew coach a NEW you-know-what, eh?<br />
<br />
Alas...I do it for love....and I'm sure that's how you football moms "get 'er done." <br />
<br />
Because we love our rugratis maximus.<br />
<br />
And my heart is full.<br />
<br />
It runneth over, actually.<br />
<br />
Amen.ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-84714078232073284932017-09-04T01:11:00.000-05:002017-09-04T01:11:29.936-05:00Random guy encounter story #1....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUJlqfHzLauGZlHM12JTJtRixF1EjqMWwydy3ZQpF7ByELUyKu6KGI27_SXEOmzPiPzJfe9HNQ1MNtIcfpIAp435vlemjzD9iJ3Fe_Z1lQFQKXT9YyY06hFPsLk4w2mj7J05X2P-EKD8/s1600/flip+them+the+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUJlqfHzLauGZlHM12JTJtRixF1EjqMWwydy3ZQpF7ByELUyKu6KGI27_SXEOmzPiPzJfe9HNQ1MNtIcfpIAp435vlemjzD9iJ3Fe_Z1lQFQKXT9YyY06hFPsLk4w2mj7J05X2P-EKD8/s320/flip+them+the+bird.jpg" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="480" data-original-height="270" /></a> <br />
<br />
I was going through old photos looking for a photo I had of my cousin who died this past spring of Cirrhosis of the liver. Apparently this is an issue in my family as a few members suffered from liver issues including the "C" word. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I found a photo from back in the day...the late 1980s ala "Goldbergs" era...1980 something.<br />
<br />
This is a photo taken of two guys stuffed in an old school photo booth, one sitting back acting like he lives the "thug" life and the other young man actually showing the "thug" life by displaying his middle or as I like to say displaying his "DRIVING FINGER." <br />
<br />
You know; the FU finger....which is funny as I never see anyone using their "DRIVING FINGER" as they just yell "HEY FAT 'B' WORD; MOVE YOUR DANG CAR!" Or they honk the heck outta me....<br />
<br />
So, as I looked at the picture my younger sister asked about it and was laughing because....well, come on! Two dudes stuffed in a photo booth? and "Flip them the bird" from "Good Morning Vietnam" style? It's funny...because it's so tacky to "flip someone off." It's also so ten minutes ago, y'know?<br />
<br />
Anyway...<br />
<br />
I met this guy as I was leaving a night club on a Tuesday night.<br />
<br />
Don't judge me...I was 21, single, an RN, no kids or husband or dog. I worked my butt off in the ER and at times aside from my crazy early morning workouts I worked part time at a night club as a bartender but I liked punker, new wave, metal, grunge and alternative as it's known now. <br />
<br />
I hung out at the club for a bit but there was absolutely almost no one there accept for a couple of guys, a server and a bartender. <br />
<br />
After hearing "Panic" by The Smiths and singing "hang the DJ, hang the DJ," I decided to split and just wanted to go home.<br />
As I was leaving this dude came up to me saying "doesn't it suck when there's no one at the club?"<br />
<br />
I gave him a bit of the "stink eye" but being a nice person yet cautious of any "random guy" coming up to me as; well, come one, yo! I'm a single girl, eh?<br />
<br />
"Yeah, it's weird how empty it is, but it IS a Tuesday, a weird day to hit the clubs anyway, eh?"<br />
<br />
He nods, agrees then as I walk away saying "good night" he asks "where are you going?" <br />
<br />
"Home, dude," I reply, walking south on Clark to go home.<br />
<br />
"Where's your car?"<br />
<br />
"I don't have a car, I"m walking."<br />
<br />
He looked a bit surprised and asked, "how far do you live?"<br />
<br />
I replied, "LaSalle and Maple." <br />
<br />
He was shocked, asking "YOU'RE GOING TO WALK ALL THE WAY TO LASALLE AND MAPLE FROM CLARK FULLERTON?"<br />
<br />
"Uhhh...yes?" <br />
<br />
Now dig this; back in the day when I was a spring chicken I WALKED everywhere...I mean it! I was in awesome shape, a size 5 in clothes, so, it was not a big deal to walk to Lake and State from Water Tower Place, or Northwestern where I worked later but worked at Illinois Masonic Hospital and have walked home from Wellington to Lasalle and Maple....and when I moved to Berwyn I would take the Blue Line to Oak Park and walk down Oak Park Avenue all the way to Cermak....so walking for half an hour which is how long it took me to walk from this club which I've done many times. You see; everyone is afraid of Chicago thinking it's completely full of thugs that just come up to random guys or girls and shoot them. I love my city, I love to walk especially when it's nice; I can just pop my headphones on and play my CD Walkman listening to my tunes.<br />
<br />
I was not afraid to walk down Clark or Sedgewick to go home to my apartment on LaSalle. <br />
<br />
"Look guy," I do this all the time when it's nice outside...I have protection(mace and a knife), I know the area well, I'm not a tourist or an idiot. So...there."<br />
<br />
He gives me a thoughtful look and says "well, I may be a punker according to straights like you, but I'm a gentleman. I'd like to walk you home if I may."<br />
<br />
I was taken aback as...well, this dude with spiked hair and wearing a black biker jacket, a "SMITHS" T- torn jeans with safety pins place strategically in various areas of ripped material, Sharpee writings of "SEX PISTOLS, NAKED RAYGUN, SKINNY PUPPY" all written on one jean leg and "SID FOREVER" on the other in HUGE letters. Plus, his facial expression did show genuine concern, which really touched me. It's like when you see some big old tough Butch guy cuddling a puppy. <br />
<br />
THAT'S what his face looked like....yes; like he was about to cuddle a puppy stuck in a cage at the Anti-Cruelty Society.<br />
<br />
I relented, then started walking Clark and motioning to him and saying "well, come on then."<br />
<br />
He followed me, walking south on Clark street talking about his life. He had it hard; his parents were never around, he was a "latch key kid" which is the expression they used to use back in the day for kids like us who are the product of single moms, dads or two working parents trying to make ends meet and can't be home when the kids get out of school...so we wore our keys for the house around our necks....usually. I cannot count how many times I've lost my key which was on a string. <br />
<br />
Yes, a string! That broke....often....so often, dang I've had so many kids in my class help me when I lived in Logan Square. Southies weren't as helpful when we relocated...but that's a different story.<br />
<br />
Anyway, we walked. talked about we did for a living...he worked a forklift at a warehouse, he was impressed that this "HOT" punk aficionado of the fine music of "Screeching Weasel, The Smiths, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Front 242, Siouxie and the Banchees, the Pretenders," and other "alternative" bands had a genuine career with a college degree. "I usually meet strippers, bouncers, mechanics, brick layers...people like that. Working class folks who are real...and for being a college girl with a degree, working to save lives...you're very real. You're not fake, phoney, stuck up. You are real, nice."<br />
<br />
I laughed and told him thanks and turned down Lincoln to Wells, and walked...and talked. We then meandered onto Menomonee Street, then down to Sedgwick and just enjoyed the view as well as the conversation. We "oohed" and "aaah" as we walked through the "Foo-Foo" area and the majestic brick homes and talked about brick laying and how we should have walked down Clark to see where the St. Valentine's murder occurred but just walked on.o<br />
<br />
The conversation turned to girlfriend who was not as attentive as he'd like as she blew him off often using excuses that he knew weren't true. So, he was thinking of breaking up with her as it aggravating and he was getting sick of it. <br />
<br />
We finally arrived at LaSalle and Maple, near my apartment. We bid farewell and I thanked him for being such a gentleman. He reluctantly said good-bye and I had a feeling he wanted to ask me out; but I had a boyfriend which came up during our walk He let out a big sigh grabbed me, hugged and picked me up saying "bear hug from Bear! Thank you for your time...and if I ever see you again will you promise not to say anything about my love for Simon and Garfunkel, especially if I have friends with me?"<br />
<br />
I laughed against his shoulder and said, "yes dude. I promise not to mention how the song "The Boxer" almost always makes you want to cry." He cracked up, then handed me a photo of him with some guy. It was one of those tiny photo booth pics of Bear with his Puerto Rican and Polish friend whom he referred to as "Skee."<br />
<br />
"Just a little something small and funny to remember me by....and know that random weird guys like other music, like Simon and Garfunkel, and Frankie Valli, and Cyndi Lauper."<br />
<br />
I laughed, feeling the exhaustion I tried to forget after working ten hours in the ER creep up on me which I usually ignored; but for some reason it was hitting me hard. Maybe it was having that long walk with a nice random guy and just talking about a whole bunch of nothing or a lot of something. I hope I made his evening as he actually made mine and reaffirmed my belief about judging a book by it's cover. You never know who's under that Mohawk, wearing those combat boots with Tattoos all over their body get judged..and judged badly. <br />
<br />
And that really bothers me.<br />
<br />
I know its different as I'm different and really hate the labels everyone puts on anyone who deviates from normality. This is not "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "Stepford Wives." It's incredible to see different individuals express themselves with their hair, body, what they wear...etc....<br />
<br />
So Bear leaves, and I turn the photo over to see if he wrote anything on the back and...he did!<br />
<br />
His name, his buddy "Skee's" name....and <br />
<br />
Oh, yes...a few "F" bombs. <br />
<br />
The picture also had him flipping the bird. Flashing the "Driving Finger." <br />
<br />
I sighed, shook my head and laughed watching Bear leave. I didn't judge him at all. <br />
<br />
And I'm STILL not judging....just laughing and remember how much fun I had just walking and talking.<br />
<br />
ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-34435634470795938232017-09-04T00:53:00.004-05:002017-09-04T01:06:09.601-05:00Bringing a bit of peace and quiet due to a natural catastrophy...It's a funny thing that I was mentioning to my husband in regard to the idiotic and unreasonable racial tension in our country...yes! It IS idiotic and unreasonable as the ones mainly arguing about racial inequality that I've encountered and see on the news are non-working (as they're out protesting all the time so they're not...at work....?) privileged WHITE college students, mixed race individuals who happen to be darker skinned than myself who think they have more rights than I, or my special needs son. Yes, the "honky/cracker looking Latino/Black people" who are to have the same unalienable constitution rights as those making all sorts of crackling annoying loud noises of "RACIAL INJUSTICE ONLY TO DARK SKINNED PEOPLE" and "TRUMP HATES ALL DARK SKINNED PEOPLE" do NOT have the same rights. In fact, our WASPY looking, "honky/cracker" light-skinned arsed human beings need to STFU, obey and listen to the idiotic and unreasonable nonsensical fascist dreck that oozes out of their mouths, like some thick, hot sticky smelly vomitous lava that penetrates every sense you have, and sticks there like arsenic bubble gum in your brain.<br />
<br />
You won't see us Latinos getting involved with that mess as we're busy getting our hustle on to work and pay bills and save to take the family to the Dells!<br />
<br />
Then as if THAT wasn't enough, in Chicago a minister wants to campaign for the removal of the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson statues that stand in various parks in our city as they apparently scream "RACISM" and "SLAVERY." Oh, ok...the first president of the United States doesn't remind you of the Revolutionary War, the fight against the British and their tyrannical rule over us back in the 1700s ...nor does it remind you of the show on AMC "TURN: Washington's Spies," a US quarter or a single dollar bill...? FYI, Washington inherited slaves from his wife's "dowry," and he freed his slaves in 1799.<br />
<br />
And Thomas Jefferson reminds him and others of slavery and not of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, being the 3rd president, the $2 bill which is pretty cool IMO, nor a nickle...nor the fact that despite he did have slaves, his love affair with one particular his "Dusky" Sally Hemings who had children by Jefferson and is responsible for many generations of Jefferson's descendants. Why doesn't Bishop James Dukes try telling the descendants of Thomas Jefferson that they're crappy horrible white people because Jefferson owned slaves and that the black descendants are a bunch of deluded, unfortunate "Uncle Tom's" who "happen" to share the gene pool of a former slave owner, giving no recognition to the accomplishments Jefferson has made to our country. <br />
<br />
Hey, this is what I got from hearing Bishop Dukes.<br />
<br />
I'd love to be there when it happens to see their reaction when he tells Jefferson's family how horrible they are....oooooh!<br />
<br />
Get over it, y'all! Slavery was abolished over a 100 years ago! Most of US states had abolished slavery in the 18th century but south of the Mason Dixon line...yes, I'm very sorry, kiddies; slavery was alive and kicking for a while, thus the creation of the "Underground Railroad" plans and the assistance from a lot of WHITE PEOPLE who helped free slaves that ran away from southern owners.<br />
<br />
Should Bishop Dukes campaign for statues of those individuals to replace the Jefferson and Washington statues? Me thinks Bishop Dukes needs to focus on the needs of his community which is Greater Grand Crossing. Greater Grand Crossing rates #6 out of 77 neighborhoods with violent crime rates. Hmmm...in the top ten of being one of the most violent neighborhoods in the city of Chicago....and he's putting this much needed energy for his community for the removal of presidential statues? Really, Bishop Duke! <br />
<br />
Now this isn't a discussion about slavery...it's a discussion of hate, unreasonable idiocy and using your energy into something more worthwhile and important. I'm not going to argue with you if you think I'm wrong and that the statues of former Confederate Generals shouldn't be removed because they trigger thoughts of slavery in those unreasonable idiots, and that all presidents who happened to own slaves need to have their statues removed in the same manner that the Saddam Hussein statues were removed when we helped liberate Iraq. Saddam was a dictator. Washington, General Lee and Jefferson were not dictators. <br />
<br />
Then what about making a Robert Lee, ESPN announcer who was to work the University of Virginia's first football game but was pulled because of his name which triggered THOUGHTS OF SLAVERY. SERIOUSLY? The dude...is Asian, you unreasonable idiots! What does that man have to do slavery? And THAT...IS unreasonable idiocy, y'all. I hope Asian Robert Lee sues the hell out of ESPN. These are fascist and racist actions and dictator like methods along the lines of Nazi's and the Taliban and ISIS, who have been getting rid of ancient statues for years! Changing history to suit their needs with destroying families and lives and ancient ruins and statues that predate Jesus.<br />
<br />
What will be next? Rioting into a coup with pitchforks and torches into the National Archives calling for the removal of the original Declaration of Independence by unreasonable and idiotic force and burning it in front of the whole world to see what heinous people we've become because Thomas Jefferson wrote it? Then what would the world ESPECIALLY Great Britain think of us as Americans? They'd take the mickey out on us and probably try to invade us as we've turned into a bunch of unreasonable idiots and are easy prey. And those protesting against fascism, isn't this a fascist way of thinking that you're rooting for? This is turning into a form of radical authoritarian nationalism that is bordering on dictatorship where dissent and opposing opinions don't matter because you'll get your arse kicked if you don't agree with what the ANTIFA says. To me they sound like the Nazi's did who shoved their agenda down the throats of it's people in Germany in the 1930s, then marched all over Europe with force, vengeance, violence, unreasonable idiocy...and hate.<br />
<br />
Do you think this light-skinned Democratic thinking slightly left Latina is going to be told what to do by a bunch of hate mongers from either side?<br />
<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
Anyway, yes, I'm reminded of the movie "The Crow," where near the beginning of the movie Sarah was skateboarding up to the hot dog stand where Ernie Hudson's character (Sergeant Albrecht) is sitting and talking with Mickey, the hot dog guy who said "What this place needs is a good natural catastrophe. Earthquake, tornado..."<br />
<br />
He was of course speaking of Fun Boys horrible gang and the havoc they wreak every Devil's/Hell's night in Detroit.<br />
<br />
If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I speak of. If not, add it to your list of must see movies, especially since it was Brandon Lee's last movie as he was killed on set and had to be CGIed into the movie. It's a sad yet great story of love and how it endures even after death.<br />
<br />
Mickey was mentioning the need for a natural catastrophe as that town was riddled with evil, selfishness, anger, unreasonable idiocy, and hate.<br />
<br />
And that's what I was seeing as well in our world, until Hurricane Harvey. <br />
<br />
All I saw on the news was riots, hate, gun violence and unreasonable idiocy...and I'm disgusted by it. I'm disgusted with the hate from these white nationalists who claim to be for all Americans but they're actually selective with which Americans deserve their positive attention. I'm disgusted by the counter-protesters who are just as hateful, violent, unreasonable and idiotic letting them bring them down to their level. <br />
<br />
I'm exhausted by it, I'm sick of it...SICK! It's turning into the Geraldo Rivera show where black people were on his show with Neo Nazi's and that whole fight onstage broke out with Geraldo getting a chair flung onto his face. Shoot, even the Detroit Tigers and NY Yankees can't work out the unreasonable idiocy! The first time in weeks I turn on the news for the sports highlights and instead of baseball scores I see a hockey game break out at a Tigers/Yankees game.<br />
<br />
I just...I don't even want to turn the news on anymore, and as I'm so busy with life anyway and I can't keep dossing about on my phone to see what the heck the weather is or how the White Sox did. I didn't even know the Bear's played their first game! I don't even go on social media outlets as that's all I'm seeing...everyone fighting over race...being unreasonably idiotic and not reading what's being posted and taking bits and pieces to suffice what's already in their thought process, having proverbial fingers pointed out being called a Nazi because of a little dissent as these "Keyboard warriors" have no social skills, thus turn to social media to expend their unreasonable and idiotic hate onto someone who just inquires about why they're angry or if a poster has a different opinion of the current events that caused this unreasonable idiocy. Try being like that to my face and see what happens, eh? I have friends who are taking a break from social media because of too much unreasonable idiotic hate. I don't blame them.<br />
<br />
Alas, I digress....<br />
<br />
But we got exactly what Mickey said we needed; a "good" natural disaster. Now mind you I am NOT saying this disaster is a good thing! What the hell kind of person do you think I am? Don't go twisting what I write to what YOU think you want to read! Don't turn into one of those "Keyboard warriors" and try to make me out as some sort of disgusting human being who relishes in the misery of others and thinks everyone deserves a disaster like this to bring people together. That is an unreasonable and idiotic way to think, IMO on your part if that's the message you got from this post.<br />
<br />
I think Mickey the hot dog guy meant was they need a big distraction to take Detroit out of the hands of the unreasonable idiocy and evil doings that plagued that part of the city and bring everyone back to earth as it were. This country was losing sight of what really matters. This country was being too unreasonable, idiotic, hateful of each other because of skin color and way too frivolous with everything from belief systems to morals, scruples, material goods and just the value of a human being.<br />
<br />
That has been lost for a long time, IMO.<br />
<br />
Now is the time to stop being so unreasonable, idiotic, hateful and frivolous with everything and be a lot more giving, loving, and peaceful. Our fellow American's down by the Gulf need us and America needs us to be great Americans...like we were during WW1, WW2, December 7th-1941 and 9/11. Your senior citizen neighbor may need you too with something, like getting groceries, taking time to see if they'd like to share your BBQ this weekend.<br />
<br />
We can't wait for a "good" natural disaster or catastrophe to bring us together, and it SHOULDN'T take a "good" natural disaster or catastrophe to do so. We're Americans! Born here or not as I have immigrants in my family but I'm American first and foremost! I will be one of the first to jump up and help when it's needed. I will be the first to defend injustice whether you're white, black, Asian, Latino, Martian, Venutian...I don't care what you are! If there's injustice in your life and you need help, I'll be there! I will be the first to help void our country of unreasonable idiocy and hate. <br />
<br />
I've actually had the news on recently as I've not seen the ugliness that was all over our beautiful country. Gun violence seems to be down, San Francisco, Charlottesville and DC are quiet, the rioting is down but fires are raging all over the western seaboard and flooding is still a problem down south.<br />
<br />
I'm praying for help for Texas and Louisiana and California and for their families to be safe. I'm praying that God listens to our prayers of hope and <br />
that this frivolous rioting/protesting, unreasonable idiotic energy gets transferred to loving and philanthropic energy from those individuals to help those in the "good" disaster areas who need that kind of energy. You need to express yourself via protesting and screaming at the current presidential administration? Hell, forget about it for now and go use that energy to drive down to the Gulf area in a pickup truck laden with bottled water, baby formula, diapers, can openers, books, magazines, radios, batteries, canned food, donuts, cookies, tampons, ANYTHING! This is a great time and way to expend that frustration, unreasonable idiocy and hate and turn it around on itself and do something good for someone else and for something that is much bigger than all of us. <br />
<br />
Right now let's put the torches, pitchforks, signs, hate and guns down...be less frivolous, unreasonable and idiotic and pick up the phone to donate to the Red Cross and give good energy, time, love and a bit of help to our brothers and sisters down by the Bayou and California.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6ugJPbnnu4oXO77v0uflVskymmWE9NEnFit4CfY1vkFRRmv00z3LPZAHl61PtaLi_gnM-t58QuXilxWfATzOho8Ugjw9Lp15rVTGkodCwkKr7eqCUC2EBrEakPJAGkYJGUC2jAwq2vI/s1600/protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6ugJPbnnu4oXO77v0uflVskymmWE9NEnFit4CfY1vkFRRmv00z3LPZAHl61PtaLi_gnM-t58QuXilxWfATzOho8Ugjw9Lp15rVTGkodCwkKr7eqCUC2EBrEakPJAGkYJGUC2jAwq2vI/s320/protest.jpg" width="320" height="207" data-original-width="620" data-original-height="401" /></a> ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-36538450211417938982017-04-02T01:50:00.000-05:002017-04-02T01:51:27.576-05:00WE HAVE COOKIES! No chocolate chip, or snickerdoodle, or shortbread...the POP UP kind on your computer when you visit our blogs.COOKIES!<br />
<br />
No...not the good kind.<br />
<br />
Well...maybe they CAN be good...sometimes.<br />
<br />
I'm supposed to inform those of you outside of the USA that at times cookies will pop up.<br />
<br />
NOW you know, so disable them or see what they're all about.<br />
<br />
Here's a copy of the notice from Google for us bloggers and youse that read our wonderful blogs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent. <br />
<br />
As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies. <br />
<br />
You are responsible for confirming this notice actually works for your blog, and that it displays. If you employ other cookies, for example by adding third party features, this notice may not work for you. Learn more about this notice and your responsibilities.<br />
<br />
And like Gus Portokolis from "BFGW" says..."and there you go."<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
the management.ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-12644984611615323572013-04-04T00:11:00.000-05:002013-04-04T00:11:38.014-05:00Screw Carnival Cruises! Yes, I said it! <br />
And I mean it, totally!!!!<br />
<br />
Screw Carnival Cruises, man! There is NO WAY I'd go on one of those even it's a total free 1st class replica of the Titanic. It MAY go down like the Titanic!<br />
<br />
And on top of the recent probs where the cruise ship breaks loose from the dock, a man is missing from high winds that blew off the security guard hut...<br />
<br />
Uh, yeah. As I said...I don't CARE if they totally replicate Titanic in any form; and even if it's free. <br />
<br />
Check <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/03/travel/carnival-triumph-adrift/index.html">HERE</a> for more details regarding the latest manure the Carnival Cruise Lines is spoon feeding potential customers and current ones still stuck on that ship. <br />
<br />
I swear I am wondering if everyone who works for Carnival Cruises is high.ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-84553107542616018022013-04-01T17:20:00.001-05:002013-04-01T17:20:07.766-05:00Write something mon!Yesh, even if I just blather about a whole bunch of nothing, so here goes...<br />
<br />
NOTHING.<br />
<br />
Bwaaahaaa! actually, I did so something this past weekend re: making a quicky dinner. I saw a Pillsbury Bisquit commercial for those buttery "Grands" and they showed making a Sloppy Joe sammie with pressed out bisquits. You press/roll the bisquits to 6 in diameter circles, fill them w/Sloppy Joe mix(the cooked mix, IE, the beef/turkey w/the Manwich or whatever you use) and top with cheddar cheese (grated), fold them in half like a calzone and voila....after 9-15 minutes you have Sloppy Joe Calzones! <br />
<br />
Very easy and scrumptious!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-15802300988117077282013-03-09T18:35:00.000-06:002013-03-09T18:38:56.423-06:00Victoria's Secret and a young "tween girl."So, I've heard everyone is getting their undies in a bunch (no pun intended) about a blogging mom who took her young pre-teen daughter to Victoria's Secret. <br />
<br />
Any comments?<br />
<br />
I have some.<br />
<br />
I heard some other people freakin' out on this mom AND her kid. The think that pissed me off most was what others were saying about this woman's child. What kind of mess is that to talk smack of someone's kid? Like how I feel when Lutherans diss the Virgin Mary. You're talking about the Mother of God! <br />
<br />
Alas, I digress again.<br />
<br />
I personally don't see what the gigantic deal is re: this matter. I personally wouldn't shop w/my 9-10 year old daughter as in my opinion kids grow so doggone quick it'd be a total waste of money unless for some reason VS is having a ridiculous sale where normal (in the sense they don't look like lacy, honeymoon gear and aren't thongs) undies are a buck, then yes, I'll buy her drawers there. But until her growth spurts stop and her body growth has reached a happy medium, IE, I don't have to worry about tossing out a few pairs of uexpensive ndies she's only worn twice due her outgrowing them...then fine. And have you SEEN the undie department at Walmart, KMart, Target, etc....? It ain't that much of a PG-13 atmosphere compared to VS. <br />
<br />
Fair warning! There will be thongs!!!! There will be teddies, bustiers, garter belts and stockings, lacey under thingys and the like. <br />
<br />
But I wouldn't worry as it's not porn star quality, in my humble opinion. Just people butting in and letting their so-called morals kick into overdrive.<br />
<br />
If anyone has a brain in their head and has actually gone into a VS, you'll see VS isn't the mothership for honeymoon apparel. They have wonderful clothing, bath products, even the PINK line which IMO gears a bit more to the HS/college set, but is nice....would fare well for tweens and teens, and those of us who consider ourselves perpetual teenagers over the age of 40. As I mentioned, I personally wouldn't take my kid and waste the dough on undies I can get for half the price and she'll end up outgrowing anyway. I would rather I went to VS and got a nice deal on undies, which they do for email subscribers. They send us free undies or a $10 off undie coupon which I love!<br />
<br />
I think everyone needs to get a grip, stop thinking about little girls' undies (you pervs!), chill and take a real hard look at a VS in your local mall... live and let live. <br />
<br />
And as I like to say to idiots who tend to put their foot in their mouths without knowledge of ..anything in regard to a topic of this nature.....whatever. ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-82885288033121817482013-03-05T16:20:00.001-06:002013-03-05T16:20:00.733-06:00Chicago school closings, March 6th, 2013Just found out at dismissal my kids' after school activities are canceled. No phone call from the school; I'm not surprised. Here's the link for other school closings in the area. Just click <a href="http://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/ecc/home.jsp">HERE!</a>ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-23630764890624461462013-03-05T11:12:00.001-06:002013-03-05T16:22:14.304-06:00SNOW IN CHICAGO? In early MARCH? Who TOLD you this?????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5Qdtt77v_phHV7pFplDqEeVNvkf8jhJVfSI6AwH4_pdn8dxwFW1RDcYkG2aGcNxtI2f-fMPfvmAU02VhfW2QnqLFFWRTGvz5VBwCUmbMC0YVAnXsks_8QYwHGPwQwiSAMAz_t0fLhko/s1600/Superman+fortress+of+solitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5Qdtt77v_phHV7pFplDqEeVNvkf8jhJVfSI6AwH4_pdn8dxwFW1RDcYkG2aGcNxtI2f-fMPfvmAU02VhfW2QnqLFFWRTGvz5VBwCUmbMC0YVAnXsks_8QYwHGPwQwiSAMAz_t0fLhko/s320/Superman+fortress+of+solitude.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
So, we're getting lots of snow in Chicago, eh? Oh dear; snow in Chicago in March? How unheard of! Perish the thought! <br />
<br />
Anyway, so I asked my husband if he feels like Superman when he treks through the snow....he replied, "yes. I feel like I'm walking to the Fortress of Solitude."<br />
<br />
What a goofy nerd!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-55915518509092220362013-03-05T10:11:00.002-06:002013-03-05T10:11:57.386-06:00I AM STRICKEN WITH BLOGITIS THIS WEEK!Why you ask? Well, elementary, my little babies; <br />
<br />
SNOW DAY!!!!<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-9500365356605115812013-03-05T10:10:00.000-06:002013-03-05T11:03:50.530-06:00Bullying of special needs kids is UNACCEPTABLE.Actually, bullying of any kind is unacceptable.<br />
<br />
So, we are still having issues re: bullying and our teener son.<br />
<br />
We send our son to a Chicago Charter school that is well known for their "educating children from the inside out." Their philosophy is feeding children nutritious food and encouraging exercise is the way to lead a long, healthy productive life.<br />
<br />
I agree. Completely! I mean, sitting on your bum playing video games with the entire bag of chips and a huge Coke is not the way to be, let me tell you from personal experience. But I don't play video games; I watch mah vampire stories!!!! And yes, I realize sitting in front of the 'boob tube' is bad for you; sitting is the new 'smoking,' blasy blah blah. Well, unless I've missed an entire season of my vampire stories or a few episodes of "Nashville," as I'm usually running around anywho, I intend to sit and find out the 411 on Sookie and my new friends...in my mind on "Nashville." <br />
<br />
Pardon me...I digress.<br />
<br />
Recently a bullying incident has taken the life of a 12 year old boy from Philadelphia who was in a fight this week with bullies. This fight resulted with Bailey O'Neil suffering a broken nose and a concussion. When taken to the hospital he suffered seizures. He was put into a medically induced coma to attempt to control seizures but to no avail; Bailey died from his injuries. This story made it over the pond as here's the Daily Mail's take on this <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2287730/Bailey-ONeill-death-Tragedy-Philadelphia-boy-12-dies-weeks-bullying-attack-classmates.html">HERE</a> I know there is bullying everywhere to an extent, but I don't believe it should be to THIS extent!<br />
<br />
Now back to my kid's situation. My son has high functioning autism. He is picked on often due to his 'quirkiness,' is called 'fat arse' and other unmentionable names. He has actually been physically touched to the point where there was a violent ending...and we took it to the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois Department of Education, CPS and the news.<br />
<br />
Now, since my son's school doesn't quite do enough to bring an end to the bullying as the perpetrators continue to bully our son we've informed our son to defend himself. We've also told the school since they're sittng on their hands re: this matter, we have no choice but to leave it in our son's hands; HE WILL DEFEND HIMSELF. Period. And interestingy enough when our son did defend himself recently after being called a 'fat arse' he retorted to the bully 'you're an ugly arse,' our son got in trouble for using profanity. <br />
<br />
???<br />
<br />
First of all, "ASS" or as I like to say "ARSE" as I'm quite the Anglophile....is in the Bible. It's in Christmas Carols. You know, Now Sing We Know Rejoice? "Ox and ASS before Him bow as He is in the manger now...?" So if my kid is retorting back to a kid who just called my kid an 'arse,' my son is allowed to say 'arse' and in our opinion isn't in trouble because 'ass' is in the Bible and he's defending himself; cleverly I may add. <br />
<br />
And why isn't the original perpetrator in trouble as well? Why is it just my kid who's using profanity which is 'arse manure' as one day my son asked what a cock was. I was shocked but kept composure so I can find out what the deuce my kid was yapping about. I calmly asked, "use it in a sentence." He said, "{name of one of his weirdo peers} told me to suck his cock." <br />
<br />
?????<br />
<br />
OK, calm down Ana. Felt my blood rushing to my face and my heart racing. <br />
<br />
I was a bit shocked about this. My son continued to say "He also told me to lick his balls." <br />
<br />
OK, OK OK! WE do not speak in that way. And since we have kids and if we just happen to work in the porn industry (WE is me and my husband but we are NOT in the porn industry. Seriously? Have you seen us? We have the bodies of one who sits w/a bag of chips, a huge Coke and watches vampire stories...or writes them for a fan fiction site), we still would never use that vernacular in our house....PERIOD. I basically told my son if this weirdo does it again, tell the teacher the weirdo is talking dirty to you, fin. My son is learning this 'arse manure' at his school. Where else do kids learn profanity? Well, in some cases at home but not in our home...and in my opinion and from my own personal experience, I learned a lot of my dirty, vulgar vernacular at school.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, I have put two articles regarding Bailey's situation on my son's schools facebook page...and twice it was taken down within the hour. So much for mutual respect for the parent's and their 1st Amendment Right, eh? <br />
<br />
I figured they ("they" being educators) do NOT like smart, somewhat educated, well read parents who are empowered with this along with common sense. Must frighten the hell out of them, wouldn't you say?<br />
<br />
Well, re: my son w/the weirdo ball kid. Mmmm....it ended up turning ugly into the above mentioned violent altercation in gym, where weirdo ball licker pushed my kid hard and he fell, hurting his head. This kid was suspended, my son thank God didn't need medical attention but my son does have seizures. And just before Thanksgiving he was punched in the face by a girl in his class who is much bigger than he. THAT too was never quite resolved. The latest to go down was the 'fat arse/ugly arse' deal where my son was chastized basically for defending himself and nothing done to the perp....and hasn't been resolved as my son's school was one of the many schools involved recently with Michelle Obama's "LET'S MOVE" program. <br />
<br />
Does "LET'S MOVE" involve moving schools into improving their anti-bullying policies?<br />
<br />
OK, so my son's school wants great PR re: their fitness program, have Mrs. Obama by the collar with their so-called 'healthy' rhetoric; but what are they actually doing about this bullying? Isn't it supposed to be a healthy environment, not only physically but mentally? Isn't the promotion of a pacifist nature (which is a credo of this school as my son wasn't even allowed to bring a paper sword to go with his Knight Templar costume for "Multi-culteral Day" as school. So we fashioned a roll of newspaper, put a white sheet of paper over it and wrote 'fake sword' on it to show what he was...a knight fighting in the Crusades and representing a 20x great grandfather who fought in the Crusades in the battle of Acre back in the day) the way they roll? <br />
<br />
I am asking rhetorically, of course. Isn't a peaceful nature, which is supposed to be the way this school 'rolls' desired, IE, no negative physical NOR verbal ire? FYI, I am not the only special needs parent who has/is going through this same situation. I know of parents who have pulled their kids out of this school because of this behavior. What IS this school, and other schools, our city, towns, states, our country and the Obamas actually doing to bring an end to bullying?<br />
<br />
Not an 'arsed' thing.ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-71147898262519955962013-02-23T12:15:00.000-06:002013-02-23T12:23:06.267-06:00GIRL POWER!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUVwAZETsUwZmZdmG6mHbL3p2pbuOb7NuaMYaFAAKBl6quHjpxCUu6XIZK-kjx1Yz4C56X9clFLe0ktzkqmKMhbgYLlZ2lbQRjFGLLOAxXRl__Xm21p9TOBTX2oeB9c4EDVVMYnXPgRI/s1600/Christmas+Abbott.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUVwAZETsUwZmZdmG6mHbL3p2pbuOb7NuaMYaFAAKBl6quHjpxCUu6XIZK-kjx1Yz4C56X9clFLe0ktzkqmKMhbgYLlZ2lbQRjFGLLOAxXRl__Xm21p9TOBTX2oeB9c4EDVVMYnXPgRI/s320/Christmas+Abbott.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR-j9xX0qnXyeu5t0BwI4YwFxcIMQBrt_Qii5RSNdPcUTKgtob3Hgg-BEFHHuf1MMfnaFpLIDbkmeFMKjMsBdwTsN3TmmAmFWaIKLnjsMOxPxMfFLD4RxhyphenhyphenUByppD1F1h6R_i9Ncf93k/s1600/Danica+Patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR-j9xX0qnXyeu5t0BwI4YwFxcIMQBrt_Qii5RSNdPcUTKgtob3Hgg-BEFHHuf1MMfnaFpLIDbkmeFMKjMsBdwTsN3TmmAmFWaIKLnjsMOxPxMfFLD4RxhyphenhyphenUByppD1F1h6R_i9Ncf93k/s320/Danica+Patrick.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Danica Patrick, at the pole for Daytona? Uh, wowsers!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And Christmas Abbott, who can squat 255lbs and is only 5"3 and weighs 115lbs? Woot! That's her up there yonder balancing herself on a big ole' tire. You GO girls!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nascar--female-in-the-pits--christmas-abbott-is-set-to-enter-where-few-women-have-before-170207111.html">Read about Christmas HERE!</a><br />
<br />
And...the fact that women can NOW fight combat at the front lines with their male counterparts in the military? I'm telling you, it is a GREAT time to be a girl. <br />
<br />
Or as Shania Twain says, "Man, I feel like a woman!"ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-1873226904788081952013-01-04T22:54:00.000-06:002013-01-05T15:10:02.753-06:00To take the Christmas tree down....or not!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9KeKPMS0vEK9FVBiG9EQN1uh5o0y4n_4595Gi_w8iHfz_QTn60MPTCiS4SUu5WurWa943ITPf0U56HQUhWwYcuZpmzRdMwxsjEBeUzgYkVlQXVlY3-BFPt6CLBsQvCskza2gi5PrU9Q/s1600/icky+christmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9KeKPMS0vEK9FVBiG9EQN1uh5o0y4n_4595Gi_w8iHfz_QTn60MPTCiS4SUu5WurWa943ITPf0U56HQUhWwYcuZpmzRdMwxsjEBeUzgYkVlQXVlY3-BFPt6CLBsQvCskza2gi5PrU9Q/s320/icky+christmas+tree.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I dunno but you may call it just plain ole' laziness; I actually had a reasoning behind keeping up the Christmas tree til Candlemas, which is February 2nd, aka Groundhog Day. Candlemas is when Jesus is presented at the temple 40 days after His birth. It's a Catholic feast day meaning blessed beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to the congregation for use at home to light during storms to ward off further and/or future damage. Since the liturgical revisions of the Second Vatican Council, this feast has been referred to as the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, with references to candles and the purification of Mary de-emphasised in favor of the Prophecy of Simeon the Righteous. Pope John Paul II connected the feast day with the renewal of religious vows.<br />
<br />
Now mind you everyone back in the day was either a Druid/Pagan of some sort or Jewish; therefore, Mary a nice Jewish girl and since she probably had her menses after giving birth to Jesus was therefore Niddah and had to do the ritual Mikveh bath to purify herself 40 days after giving birth, thus she was "purified" once again. <br />
<br />
Such fear of women I delclair! See how much power we have, girls?<br />
<br />
This feast never falls in Lent (the earliest Ash Wednesday can fall is 4 February, for the case of Easter on 22 March in a non-leap year) as it's the last "link" to the Christmas season. However, in the Tridentine rite (aka more traditional Roman Catholics, that is), it can fall in the pre-Lenten season if Easter is early enough, and "Alleluia" has to be omitted from this feast's liturgy when that happens. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Church of England insists Twelfth Night is on January 5th – and refers to the night before Epiphany, the day when the nativity story tells us that the three wise men visited baby Jesus. But many believe it falls on Jan 6, at the end of the 12th day after Christmas; therefore they keep their decorations up in their homes for an extra day. The difference in opinion is said in centuries past Christmas was deemed to start at sunset on Dec 24; so the 12th night following was Jan 5. Nowadays, people count from Dec 25 and assume 12th Night falls on the 6th. Furthermore, it's supposed to be bad luck for the year if you take it down before 12th night and AFTER 12th night. So, you do it on the 12th day of Christmas with 12 drummers drumming, right? What a contradiction! <br />
<br />
Now mind you this is also another winter light "holiday" as pagans back in the day used this day aka Imbolc which has been associated with the onset of lactation of ewes, soon to give birth to the spring lambs. This could vary by as much as two weeks before or after the start of February. The holiday was, and for many still is, a festival of the hearth and home, light and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Celebrations often involved hearthfires, special food (butter & milk due to ewe lactation, and bannocks), divination or watching for omens, and candles or a bonfire if the weather permitted. Fire and purification were an important part of the festival as well. The lighting of candles and fires represented the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. It's also the feast day of St. Brigid, who began her life as a pagan goddess and ended up a Christian saint. She was also a fire and fertility goddess (there goes that fire again). In her temple at Kildare, vestal virgins tended an eternal fire. On her feast day, her statue was washed in the sea (purification) and then carried in a cart through the fields surrounded by candles (more light and fire). <br />
<br />
And then you have people like your family members; your mother, or sister, gran or auntie or whomever in your life who deems you a lazy lout for not taking the time to put things away as you should since the holiday is over and clean up as it's all messy and cluttering and just plain old ridiculous for keeping your Christmas decor up for that long and using pseudo Christian/Pagan belief systems and spirituality as an excuse not to do so. <br />
<br />
I do have friends who are not quite lazy but busy and leave the damn thing up til Mardi Gras or when their real tree has shed so many needles it looks like sticks poking out of a bowl; and not in a pretty decorative manner.<br />
<br />
I also thought my tree looked really pretty this year and it made me happy to see it's beautiful lights brightening up our fronchroom; so lovely! So festive! <br />
<br />
My reasoning though this year of removing the tree before Epiphany is due to my post toddler aged kiddie who insists on grabbing and pulling on the tree and misplacing ornaments, and breaking several I've had for over 25 years. I cried over the Father Christmas porcelain figurine ornament I had up high (well, I thought it was high enough from grabby little paws; I was wrong!).<br />
<br />
I think and hope by next Christmas we can keep the tree up by Candlemas (but away by Groundhog Day; contradiction once more) away from curious hands and the baby will just "ooh" and "aah" from a distance in that "mature" manner a 5 year old should act. <br />
<br />
God in heaven I hope!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-28893561847733789942012-12-31T22:23:00.001-06:002012-12-31T22:41:21.656-06:00Keep your "true" friends for the new year and forever...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSSGoeoJI1ju3VG6_ufaCifAWcxNyosunqh4wEMVyP0NO441-oWgSnqlRem3JKKoTKOUGLSSkZmBWe2tVV7v-IVdrU4uTU4I4IUA4mAB1wGxsHGRhJy2vAEMCbNbWIxxhSrBLjq3APyc/s1600/David+and+Jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSSGoeoJI1ju3VG6_ufaCifAWcxNyosunqh4wEMVyP0NO441-oWgSnqlRem3JKKoTKOUGLSSkZmBWe2tVV7v-IVdrU4uTU4I4IUA4mAB1wGxsHGRhJy2vAEMCbNbWIxxhSrBLjq3APyc/s320/David+and+Jonathan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A fantastic article one of my followers sent me for Christmas from a magazine she read some time ago:<br />
<br />
What is a real friend?<br />
<br />
There aren’t many people who are true friends. That spot is reserved for only a select few. In my life, God has given me some friends who have laughed with me (and sometimes at me), cried with me, listened for hours to whatever I wanted to say, overlooked a lot of stupid things I said and did, and never broke our confidence. I want to make a list of those characteristics of true friends. (I thought about making up a rating scale for each of these. You could give each of your friends a composite score. But then I realized it wouldn’t exactly encourage friendship if you said things like, “Well, Jim, you only got a 6.354 on my friendship scale.” Or “Sarah, you ranked a lot higher on my friendship scale than Beth. Way to go!” So let’s drop that idea, okay?)<br />
<br />
1. A true friend is loyal - There have been a few people in my life that I could have complete confidence that no matter what I told them, they’d never breathe a word of it to anybody if I asked them not to. Loyalty is one of the chief characteristics of friendship, and it goes way beyond keeping your mouth shut. A true friend “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He or she is committed to you no matter what. Even if (and when) you do something completely stupid, a friend will stand by you. One of my favorite memories is of the NCAA National Championship Basketball Game several years ago. Georgetown was playing North Carolina. The game was in the final seconds, and Michael Jordan had just put the Tar Heels in front. Georgetown took the ball down court for a final game-winning shot. The Georgetown guard passed mid-court with eight seconds left on the clock. He passed the ball-to a North Carolina player! The clock ran out, and Georgetown lost the game. Everybody on the court, in the stands, and watching on television was stunned. The guy had made a tremendous blunder and cost the national championship! The TV camera stayed on Georgetown coach, John Thompson. He walked over to the young player who was obviously devastated by what he had done, and Thompson put his big arms around him and hugged him for a long, long time. That’s loyalty. That’s true friendship.<br />
<br />
In Ecclesiastes 4:10, Solomon says, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up, but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.” We need friends who can help us in tough times, who will be there for us, and who will stick closer than a brother.<br />
<br />
In one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible, we read in I Samuel of the friendship between David and Jonathan, King Saul’s son. David had killed Goliath and saved the nation, but Saul was jealous over David’s popularity. He wanted to have the young warrior killed. Jonathan risked his own life time and again to defend David, and Jonathan supported his friend when no one else in the kingdom was willing to help him. In one of the classic descriptions of true friendship in all of literature, the Bible says that “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David.” These men truly loved each other and were prepared to die for each other. That kind of loyalty is sometimes stated, but seldom is real. Jonathan and David had the real thing.<br />
<br />
2. A true friend is honest - Sometimes we enjoy a friend being honest with us. Solomon wrote, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips” (Proverbs 24:26). We like that-well, sometimes! But one of the tests of friendship is whether people are willing to speak the truth to each other and risk a negative reaction. Solomon also wrote, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6). There have been times that close friends, like my wife, have the courage to say, “Mark, I really care about you, and I need to tell you something.” At that point, I know the bombay doors are opening and the bomb is about to drop! I have the choice at that point to value my friend’s courage and honesty, or to hunker down in my emotional bomb shelter and hope the truth goes away. I don’t really like to hear things like that, but I’ve learned to value this kind of honesty even more than much of the encouragement I get.<br />
<br />
3. A true friend is forgiving - In any real friendship, people’s feelings are going to be hurt. Many years ago, a movie called Love Story had a line in it: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” After careful analysis and deep reflection, I’d have to say, “That’s bunk!” Love means being willing to say you’re sorry! Sometimes we need to overlook somebody’s bad day. Maybe she’s so rude because she just found out Tony asked somebody else to the dance. Maybe he’s sulking because he struck out in the last inning with the bases loaded. Whatever. We give people some space to get over whatever is bothering them.<br />
<br />
But sometimes we are genuinely offended. We are hurt and angry. This is not the time to say, “Hey, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just blow it off.” It’s time to forgive. If we don’t forgive-and resolve the underlying problem-then a wedge will be driven between the two people. As more hurts are inflicted, the wedge is driven deeper and deeper until the relationship is shattered. Don’t let that happen. True friends are good forgivers.<br />
<br />
Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13). Forgiveness means we acknowledge how hurt we are, but we choose to not hold the offense against that person. As we reflect on the forgiveness we have experienced from Christ, we are more motivated to forgive other people. When we are hurt, everything in us cries out for revenge. We want to hurt that person by gossiping, withdrawing, or attacking. Don’t do it! A true friend forgives when he or she has been hurt.<br />
<br />
4. A true friend is realistic - Friends don’t sign up to be our parents, our teachers, or to fill the role of God in our lives. Don’t expect them to do more than be a friend. When we expect (or demand) more than friendship, we put a tremendous strain on the relationship. In college, a friend of mine developed relationships with a lot of girls. But he was really drawn to one particular girl. She was really kind and sweet. He pursued her and tried to spend as much time with her as possible, but soon I noticed something was wrong. The more he pursued, the more she backed off. I knew this guy was from a tough background. His parents were divorced. His dad was an alcoholic. I think he was looking for more than friendship. He was hoping this girl would fill up the hole in his heart left by his family’s hurts. That’s too much to expect of a friendship! Before long, the girl backed off completely, leaving him devastated.<br />
<br />
One of the things I’ve also noticed about the reality of friendships is that they sometimes end. Someone moves away. Someone changes values and lifestyle. Someone gets in with a different crowd. Many times, we can stay friends even at a distance, but it’s just not the same as seeing the person regularly and sharing dreams and dreads on a daily basis. It hurts when two friends are separated. Depending on the circumstances, they can continue the friendship for many, many years from a distance. I know people who are really old (like 30!) who have moved away but stay in touch with high school buddies. They enjoy catching up with each other, but they have developed other close friendships in their new hometowns.<br />
<br />
There aren’t any perfect friendships because there aren’t two perfect people to have one. But there are many great friendships because two people are loyal to each other, they speak the truth even when it hurts because they care, they forgive when they are hurt and work through the problem, and they are realistic. In Romans 12:9, Paul wrote, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” <br />
<br />
True friends don’t play mind games with each other. True friends don't measure your merit with what you buy for them or what you do for them; or don't do for them. They are there for you thick and thin just as you should be. Friends are a tremendous blessing from Allah according to Islamics. Friendship is such a beautiful gift. A friend in need is a friend in deed after all<br />
<br />
Ain't that the truth? And it's funny how women seem to be the ones who are riddled with hatred, jealousy, drama. To quote Dr. Sheldon Cooper from "Big Bang Theory," 'bitches be crazy."<br />
<br />
Happy new year! I hope you're all blessed with the love of true friendship next year and in the future!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-62835349685557946362012-12-27T11:23:00.000-06:002012-12-27T11:23:16.722-06:00And...Comcast does it again!Not only have my connection issues not been resolved but we're STILL getting crap service; dropped calls, signals for internet and cable. And they're raising the rates! I have a blind friend who has had nothing but troubles w/Comcast as well; same issues as I and they're not informing him of his rate hikes untill he paid his bill. Their reasoning? We mailed you info. ???? He's blind! <br />
<br />
Shitty horrible service. I'm begging my landlord to let us get DirecTV. I know he requested we not get another dish but I'm begging him. ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-68510258943440750742012-12-25T21:09:00.001-06:002012-12-25T21:09:36.241-06:00Hey....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-3204818866994348942012-12-20T16:38:00.000-06:002012-12-20T17:02:16.179-06:00Here's some flight info for Chicago December 20th, 2012American Airlines announced that all domestic flights leaving Chicago after 8PM tonight are cancelled due to incliment weather....call ahead for your flight arrangements and be safe! The link for flight info for AA is <a href="http://www.aa.com/homePage.do?locale=en_US&cd=120313&gc=ACM&cc=AFM&cp=BNR&tc=Logo&clickid=wXqSzWXRXSKYTT7R22UhZU0EUkR1vr15zWCcQM0&cid=217&source=IR">HERE</a> or call 1-800-433-7300 and just keep hitting "0" until you speak to a live human being or an alien. Not too sure if it applies to both O'Hare or Midway but double check. <br />
<br />
Also, Midway Airport's Southwest Airlines has already cancelled every flight as of.....NOW. Southwest Airlines info is right <a href="http://www.southwest.com/flight/flight-status-select.html">HERE</a> OR call 1-800-435-9792.<br />
<br />
FYI: apparently they've decided to name the winter storms because snow felt out of the game without names ala hurricanes, typhoons, etc...so now this is Winter Storm Draco...mmm? I kinda like the sound of that as it reminds me of Hogwarts and Harry Potter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6hqy8ojkvIVAo-qHl9iSSdLC_ZouU8a4cX85LKASKObJM7q9I_k9YsJpLHEUVaf3TCAaJQ42vgsHzDNsrR4wKCth-HTzagC1P-plhODzDUD1MJSuBPhqSViMFuqOyNWSIzlKF8TzUME/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6hqy8ojkvIVAo-qHl9iSSdLC_ZouU8a4cX85LKASKObJM7q9I_k9YsJpLHEUVaf3TCAaJQ42vgsHzDNsrR4wKCth-HTzagC1P-plhODzDUD1MJSuBPhqSViMFuqOyNWSIzlKF8TzUME/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div><br />
ABC7Chicago.com has doppler weather maps and school closing info right now re: tomorrow. Sounds like another "snowpocolypse" going down, wouldn't you say?<br />
<br />
Have a safe trip! <br />
<br />
ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-80993313752872631292012-12-19T15:17:00.000-06:002012-12-19T15:17:17.314-06:00OK, yo! Crunch time!Yesh, it's crunch time in so many ways, re: Christmas. This is the last weekend to shop unless you're Orthodox and do Christmas on Epiphany. Nonetheless, reminder of the great deals all the stores may have so hit their websites for further details. RE: Delivery? Well, Amazon is alluding that they shall make it by December 24th delivery on most items...but we shall see, no? Not I as I'm not ordering online this year. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to patronize your local business for your last minute gift ideas! <br />
<br />
If I don't see you Merry Christmas!~ And yes, I say Merry Christmas....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdatIlLtf9941LL57xLieLUEfZXLd9B2oHEllYfsK-Op9GRFjZxVPJRyY3lBaDr519Esk_6IOmYgue8qYq4nQi59OZ85AeeT8ZsS6xlGsXRdcBYGuwH2EH8sgYmkB7F6I2llQotRLaSg/s1600/cindy+lou+who+aka+keira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="298" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdatIlLtf9941LL57xLieLUEfZXLd9B2oHEllYfsK-Op9GRFjZxVPJRyY3lBaDr519Esk_6IOmYgue8qYq4nQi59OZ85AeeT8ZsS6xlGsXRdcBYGuwH2EH8sgYmkB7F6I2llQotRLaSg/s320/cindy+lou+who+aka+keira.jpg" /></a></div><br />
ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-37198015534585314732012-12-17T16:17:00.002-06:002012-12-17T16:17:17.114-06:00Don't forget about Santa at Daley PlazaUntil Christmas Eve, Santa will be at Daley Plaza every day from 11AM til 8PM; he lunches and feeds the reindeer from 3-4PM. Pluuuus, visit the Christkindlmarket tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18 from 3-5pm for a special children's afternoon. ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-38127148360590736162012-12-17T16:00:00.002-06:002012-12-17T16:00:44.874-06:00Small businesses in the western 'burbs of Chicago ROCK!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sdKrM-Qrw_91JJHY-yZPi87w6RbV-xlsbcCLVZ1drAIYHm0coVuZvpEEXD23HbefMS7lZf3OMHy3XKxbgg_i-VlzAMJ0ZkasM6UVTbHpeYSgR8R4JoVV9UClpBRBchPuHfzOtRL8TY4/s1600/cell+phone+images+753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sdKrM-Qrw_91JJHY-yZPi87w6RbV-xlsbcCLVZ1drAIYHm0coVuZvpEEXD23HbefMS7lZf3OMHy3XKxbgg_i-VlzAMJ0ZkasM6UVTbHpeYSgR8R4JoVV9UClpBRBchPuHfzOtRL8TY4/s320/cell+phone+images+753.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So, I've been doing loads of interviewing and viewing of small businesses in and out of the city itself and I am one tired beeesh. I find as of late the 'burbs seem to be a bit more open and receptive in regard to having their business plugged by a consumer/RN/writing momma who has a big mouth and loads of friends, especially well over 600 contacts on a certain social network where I more than freely express my opinion...than the city businesses. Perhaps I should have a cameraman behind me ala "Ben Loves Chicago" but that's hard to do w/a limited income and a zoo of kids and a service dog in tow. You'd think that just the word of mouth and a verbal agreement of a promise of a blog of said business would suffice; but alas! Perhaps it's also the old mentality of Chicago business owners having to grease palms of certain individuals to keep their business afloat thwarted their mindset for free publicity, as I get no compensation from my yapper nor really had receptive responses from some city businesses. <br />
<br />
Well, during Berwyn's annual "Deck the Depot" which occurred December 8th I along w/my zoo had the honor of patronizing a fabulous little store in Berwyn called "Fly Right Gifts." Just down the street from the Berwyn Metra depot at 6902 Windsor this little treasure is filled with so many adorable goodies to satisfy any age and budget! There are environmentally "right" toys, cosmetics and cleaning products as well as recycled jewelry at great prices! There are dog toys, other handmade goodies made by local artists, water bottles that don't look stupid according to proprietess Laurie; even a 'fridge magnet that states "Berwyn" on it. <br />
<br />
Wouldn't that make Svengoolie proud?<br />
<br />
The shop is tiny yet cozy and has an old-school feel; along the lines of the dime stores/Ben Franklins from days gone by. Laurie will even let little ones fill out a shopping list of sorts to make for Santa which will go to both parents and Santa.<br />
<br />
Stand up straight and to "Fly Right" click on the link for Laurie's website and blog <a href="http://flyrightgifts.com/">HERE!</a>ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-36629491859166008042012-12-07T17:09:00.001-06:002012-12-07T17:13:37.415-06:00Free food coupons!!!Get thee over to my facebook page GET YOU SOME!!!!!!! See what I have 'cooking' over there for your eating pleasure! GET YOU SOME is in all caps with seven exclamation points!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/getyousomegoodies/?fref=ts">CLICK HERE FOR FREE FOOD COUPONS</a>ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405910514215683216.post-56013294315245688072012-12-06T17:14:00.001-06:002012-12-06T17:29:27.520-06:00IT CAME FROM BERWYN...OR....Check the Decked out Depot @ Burlington Northern Berwyn stop.So, this weekend Berwyn will host their annual Deck the Depot festival of lights dealie. It's going to be a few hours of holiday fun with a live reindeer and petting zoo in theMunicipal Parking Facility at 3310 S Grove, horsedrawn sleigh, free trolley rides in a heated trolley, free pics with Santa at the Bounce Sports Multiplex and compimentary goodies courtesy of local businesses all up and down Windsor Avenue between Harlem and East Avenues. <br />
<br />
Hours are 5-9PM this Saturday December 8th. For more details click on the link <a href="http://berwyn.net/bdc-community-events/deck-the-depot">HERE</a><br />
<br />
And guess what? It's FREEEEEEE!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/14/e5/14e5a75de1cfb175608cca4375b8a15c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="250" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/14/e5/14e5a75de1cfb175608cca4375b8a15c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Speaking of something or "IT" coming from Berwyn, does anyone know how Rich Koz is doing? I heard he had a heart attack a while back. Any news? Anyone? Hmmmm? Let us know if you know, eh? Thanks....the management.<br />
<br />
<br />
ChiTown Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786786375015600042noreply@blogger.com0