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From The Archives: Don’t Hate On Snoopie

Nile — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:08:26 +0000

Back in 2001, I worked the summer at Cedar Point Amusement Park, in Sandusky, Ohio. I worked a lot of hours, but had a blast on the days I got off. I remember one day I stepped into the only buffet restaurant they had and Snoopie was there.

Just a little side note, Cedar Point has a place for the Peanut characters that is an area filled with rides and games just for the kiddies. So, back to the story… Snoopie made an appearance at the restaurant and was greeting all the children.

I remember all of a sudden this big guy practically jumped over his table and tackled Snoopie. He then started beating the tar out of Snoopie. The thing is, the person within the costume was a barely 5 foot tall girl. She did not know what hit her and by the time everything was done, she had to be sent to the hospital and kids were hysterically crying. Of course, a lot of the parents were upset too.

I wondered: What set off that man? What did Snoopie do to him? Did it ever occur to him that he would probably traumatize a lot of children for some time?

People are strange in their ways. I will never know why someone does this or that. In this case, even though I was a single gal at the time, I chipped in to comfort the children and try to help them understand the situation. Although I did not know everything, all I could say was – “That man was just a bad man who probably never got the time to meet such a cool character like Snoopie. If he had, he would have been nice to Snoopie.”

Sometimes the answer does not have to totally be correct, but in this situation, children are looking for comfort, and not confusion.

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Everyone Wants My Email Address!!!

Nile — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:33:30 +0000

When I go shopping at the mall and some outlet stores, I hear from the sales clerk, “What is your email address?”

And I am like, “Huh? Why?”

“So you can be updated with new items from the store?” is the response I most commonly hear from the sales clerk.

I do understand why companies are jumping on the bandwagon to snag email addresses, but when I get tons of spam, even outside my server’s Spam Assassin and all the filters I have placed, it gets to be tiresome.

SO… I stopped giving out my email address at the stores.

And if you notice, a lot of stores, especially in the United States (usually within the mall and some select stores), they even ask for zip code. I am sure it has to do with how the company can gauge where they should be advertising, and also alert the main headquarters statistics on where their customers are coming from.

However, I am a bit leery of beign asked for my email address. I already spend enough time online that if I really wanted to know about what is new in a store, I would subscribe directly from the store’s website, rather than ask clerks to type in an extra field and make people wait a little longer. Give them a break.

I think if companies truly want to reach their shoppers, especially since there are so many people online, even on Facebook – invest in advertising to attract fans to subscribe. Use the power of social media, rather than make store sales clerks feel like they are encouraging spam. I feel sorry for them. The one time I worked for a retailer I refused to ask for email addresses and gave the general manager a logical response. It just cheapens the experience and really, all people want to do is buy what they took off the rack or shelf and go on to the next thing they want to do.

Lead Foot And Vehicles

Nile — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:58:36 +0000

In September 2010, Illinois raised the fines for speeding. The minimum offense that was $75, was changed to $125.

I admit it, I do have a lead foot, especially on the highway. In town, sometimes. Most of it when it is only myself in the car. For me, I have no problem with other people speeding – at long as they are not tail gating, cutting off people and just looking like a mess on the road, I am fine.

However, the crotch rocket (motorcycle – not traditional bikes, but the sleeker and sporty ones) riders are really pissing me off. I saw a guy pass at over 100 miles an hour on the highway and was cutting off people, not even using blinkers or even passing people properly. Sometimes in town I see this type of behavior and I just want to scream that someone is going to die – and it might be them.

Sure, motorcycles are cool, but not enough to die for. The articles I read in the local newspaper about motorcycle accidents mostly involve reckless driving or drinking and driving recklessly while on a crotch rocket.

Funny enough, some teens were speeding around in the local strip mall area in Centralia on a moped. Several times I observed them cutting in and out of a crowded parking lot, filled with moving and parking vehicles. I got concerned because – 1, I was not sure if all the of teens had their license to drive, and 2, it was reckless and the speed limit was only 10mph. They were clearly blowing that on the moped. I called the local cops, waited, and sure enough, the police turned up to take care of it. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I might have prevent someone’s kid from being hit in a parking lot for driving recklessly.

Thoughts On Cell Phones Usage While Driving

Being The Step Parent

Nile — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:57:47 +0000

I have not married Sean. However, he and I have been living together a little over 2 years (since 2008.) It was difficult at first to be somewhat of a parental figure to his son because … well, he and I are not married, and his son is not my own.

I myself have lived through 2 different stepmothers. One of which is the best thing in my dad’s life. I think she is finally convincing him of her ways, which I agree with, even if it might not always work in my favor. Why? Well, I trust her and I have listened to her frustrations as an adult… and she is his wife. So it is not my job to be a decision maker in a home that is no longer mine.

However, for me, Sean’s son comes from a difficult household when he is with his mother. She is not the best person and to my knowledge, her reputation has consisted of burning bridges in relationships, especially with co-workers. This bothers me and I hear it from Sean’s son.

I am not a perfect mom. I think I have said that here at Mommy Blogger plenty of times and will continue to do so – because it is true and I would not be cocky enough to say I am. HOWEVER, I am proud of Angel. He does great in school, and is generally a good boy. He is a bit hyper, but that is to be expected. I love him and he knows that.

With Sean’s son, I can give him hugs and say I am proud, and verbally reprimand him when his is wrong. I am conscerned though that he cries on a dime and has nothing good to say about his own mother. He missed Halloween Trick or treating because.. well, she did not feel like it at the last moment. Sean made it up to him by taking him to the local parade, which earned in probably a lot more candy than if he would have gone out trick or treating.

I feel helpless that all I can do is listen to Sean’s son and pray that things will get better, but after a couple years of the same, and things seem to be getting worse, it is frightening to see how he will mature in his current environment. He has no place to play, no consistent home or school, and his mother would rather him be in his room.

It is frustrating and both Sean and I can do nothing unless there is some kind of proof of negligence.

*sighs*

My Yard Is Not A Sidewalk!

Nile — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:59:49 +0000

I like children and people. The people I have problems with are usually ones with bad attitudes and have not been taught proper manners or respect.

I was taught while growing up not to walk through another person’s yard. It was considered rude, and by law – trespassing. Why would someone mow or plant flowers when someone is going to trample through the yard that has no sidewalk.

I know there are a lot of people who have yards and do not care, but for those who carefully cultivate their grass and flowers, trespassers push the peeve button. I had an argument with a grown woman who trekked through my yard instead of the alley. Where she walked was between the bushes and my house, only inches from my window.

For me, when I am home, I do not want people peeking or walking that close. It bothers me as I do not know who is walking through, what they want, and if they might be a problem later on. I had told her to stay out of my yard and explained why she should not be walking in another person’s property – other than it being just plain rude.

I do not go catching people because I am bored. It is pretty obvious when I can hear them. I may live in a small town, but I have been robbed before when living in a big city – it is something that triggers my fears.

Other than the woman, I have also had teenagers walk through. It was not fun dealing with them and because they were very threatening, I decided to just remind them that the police station was less than 5 blocks away and it would be certain that if I called, their parents would hear about it.

However, then I thought – maybe their parents are not teaching them proper manners? My own son is taught not to just walk through strangers’ yards. I was taught by my father and my grandparents. I have even had the opportunity to care for the lawn when I was a teen. I even helped my father with gardening – we had been featured on the front of the Lifestyles section of the Belleville News-Democrat at one time because our backyard was amazing (and not a single part was landscaped by an outside business.)

Anyhow, fencing my yard is not an option. I have thought about putting flowers in the areas people are trying to cut through. In fact, there is a lot of things I have to do to the yard, but I feel that it would not last if people are being rude and stepping through like they owned the place.

Am I being extreme when I happen to catch people walking through my yard? Any suggestions to prevent this in the future?

Being a Divorced Parent – A Mother’s Story

Nile — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:41:02 +0000

I admit when my ex-husband announced that he wanted a divorce that I was nearly broken down. It took a couple years of counseling and some oddly revelations to find out that it was not me that was the problem.

I kept clean house.
I attended to my husband’s needs.
I took care of my son.

My ex-husband completely ignored my efforts and tried to put me in a position where I felt unappreciated. Of course, we did go out and we never suffered financially. However, emotionally… it was like anything I did was never enough.

Once my ex-husband and I divorced, things simmered down and we began to be more civil. No family to interfere, we passed our son in between our homes, and each of us worked our own careers.

I am fortunate that I get along with my ex. My boyfriend cannot say the same as his ex is an ugly person inside. I cannot understand how he copes other than notice that he is sad after dropping off his son. I too am sad when I have to drop off my son, but I do not have the added stress of having to get in a kerfuffle everything we see each other.

I know it is a bit difficult on my son. He asks when he can see me and I see him when it is possible. The only thing that makes it odd for him is the way my ex and I raise him.

I grew up a military brat. It was understood that if I acted inappropriately in public, it could mean that my father was penalized. As the oldest, I earned the privileges to participate in sports, the school newspaper, and any other extracurricular school activity. My own father went through 2 divorces before finding the right person for him. I was half way through highschool when that happened.

For Angel, Luis and I divorced when Angel was 4 years old.

It had been three years, and Angel does know the difference. I remember when Angel was 6 years old that he had once asked why his dad and I were not living together. He expressed how much he wanted his mommy and daddy to live together.

It broke my heart.

It breaks me heart when he asks if I can give him a brother or sister that looks like him. He is a sweetie, even though he has as much as a strong A dominant personality that his father and I have.

All I can do is try to be there for him. I call him when he is not with me. I arrange with my ex times outside our divorce agreement when I can see him. I know I am lucky in this as a lot of people I know do not have the same privileges with their own kids.

However, I know that my ex knows it would break me completely if my time with my son were limited to only once every other week. I am grateful for his understanding. Every moment I can spend with Angel is a blessing.

2009 Holiday Card Exchange

Nile — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:47:11 +0000

I am a little late on this, but I better say something before it is too late to mention Holiday cards.

Yep, I am offering to send a Holiday Card to anyone who wants one. It is not much, just a card, but I know some people really like to receive things during the holidays and what better way to do it than mention it to those who read or comment. It does not matter where you live, whether within the US or outside, I will sent you one. All you do is send me an email at nile AT blondish DOT net or use my contact form here.

I plan to not send any cards out later than December 21st (I mentioned December 20th on my LiveJournal blog, but that is a Sunday…oops), so I guess that will have to be the last day to accept requests. If you wish to exchange cards, please mention that in your email so I can include my address. Otherwise, exchanging is not necessarily a requirement.

Single Versus Married, And Mingling With Friends

Nile — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:19:21 +0000

When I was married, it was like all my single friends avoided me. I made myself available at times, but I guess taking about my son or my ex husband put a wedge. However, even though I am single now, my friends who are married, are the same.

It is quite confusing. Even being in a relationship with my boyfriend, some of my single friends I have met out here in Centralia have just faded into the background. It is kind of annoying since we hung out on the weekends.

Being in a relationship does not necessarily mean a person is on the backburner. It is a time to learn how to be a better friend. Of course, with being a mother, it might be hard to not involve talk about children. I have found it a touchy spot, and made sure my family life more brief and ask about my friend more. However, for me it is a challenge. Sometimes it is disheartening to not hear from one of my best friends for some time. I have felt a bit betrayed, but in the time I do get to talk, I try to ask about my friends.

I know from other mothers that this has been a big issue. It sucks when you think you are losing a friend. You might even think you were being used. However, it is not. Your friend is just unsure to approach the situation. Being single and being married or in a deep relationship is different. Even being married or deep in a relationship with children is much more of a difference then just being married or in a relationship.

What are your thoughts if you are single and have friends who are married? – married and have single friends…?

Movie Theater Peeves

Nile — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:14:40 +0000

So the boyfriend and I finally got the chance to go out to the movies. We went to see Paranormal Activity. By the way, it was not scary and I thought it sucked. My boyfriend said the movie had an okay plot, but overall, it sucked. And yes, they tried to imitate the Blair Witch Project documentary angle, which was FAIL in my opinion. (To me, the Blair Witch Project was not scary.)

Anyway, the movie theater was packed, which we usually catch thethe movies that have a sparse crowd, but I felt like I was back in the city again where people actually do things. Well, with the crowd came the smooching teens, and cell phones. That is not what bothered me. What did was the constant traffic during the movie. I am wondering if people in Centralia have bladder problems. People were up and walking around like they drank several gallons of- beer, tea, soda or whatever beverage you want to insert here. It got so annoying that my boyfriend said out loud.

“How many times do you have to go to the bathroom during a movie!”

I wanted to laugh. I really did, but I elbowed him, and sent him a half-glare/ half-apology for elbowing. I was just as annoyed. When I was younger, I was told to try to go to the bathroom before leaving home. Public restrooms are frightfully dirty and you can get STDs from sitting on the comode. That should be enough to deter people.

Maybe they should put before the movie starts, since the previews take almost 10 minutes- to put a note up for people to kindly try to take a bathroom break before the movie.

What are your movie peeves?

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A Sense Of Accomplishment

Nile — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:14:20 +0000

Title for my car

Just short of three years, I finally paid off my car. It was not easy. Before my Impala, I owned several cheap cars, but nothing as good as what I have now. I use to own a 1991 Chevy Geo Metro, a 1989 Chevy Celebrity (was given to ex-husband), and a 1997 Chevy Geo Metro. All of which have either been sold or given away. My first car, the 1991 Chevy Geo Metro was actually given to me by my parents, so it never felt like an accomplishment. It feels good to at least own something to my name, that I paid for, and not have to pay for it anymore.

It has not been very easy since my divorce. After almost being married 5 years, it was hard to adjust. It was hard enough to financially support myself at first. However, I am hoping with things like this, things go a lot better. I can show my son my own accomplishments and instill the lessons I have learned so he can be prepared when it comes time for him to be a responsible adult.

Although I feel accomplished, I am still humbled. I am reminded of when I was younger and it was hard to afford anything. My own father worked hard and today it has paid off for him. I strive to do that as I want him to be proud even though I am an adult and a mother myself now. I know he already is, but in doing so returns the favor he did in teaching me the value of responsibility.

Do you have any accomplishments you are really proud of?

Being The Step Parent