The Children Are Our Future

Now before anyone gets his/her panties all in a bunch, let me say: I do feel that ADD/ADHD is a legit disorder. However, I also feel that it has been WAY over-diagnosed. I do NOT advocate medicating children for it either. IN MOST CASES. Only in extreme Hyperactivity when nothing else has worked, do I agree with medicating. (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, etc) Check for food allergies, adjust the child's diet, limit or eliminate sugar/caffeine, white flours, etc. Many times what appears to be ADD/ADHD is in fact a food allergy...or some other type of disorder with the child.

With all the above being said, here I go. *steps up onto Soap Box* While at work today I had a little boy come in, purchase a KING size pkg of Sweet Tarts and a 20oz bottle of Pepsi. He was a very cute and polite little fella and I chatted with him for a bit. Turns out that he is 9 years old and was home alone. (Mom and Dad were at work) No more than 5 minutes later, here comes lil man again. He was buying a 16oz coffee!!! I would not sell it to him. (I was not mean to him but I told him how bad that was for him after he informed me that it was in fact, all for him.) My boss was not pissed at me but did have to give me a verbal warning for refusing a sale. Sorry Jack but I refuse to poison kids for minimum wage! Its the principle! I'm NOT saying ban certain foods/drink. Absolutely not...government already has too much control! My issue is with the Gum Darn PARENTS!!! #1 WHY is this little 9 yr old home alone...AND running around to convenience stores by himself! #2 WHY is he permitted to drink and eat copious amounts of sugar and caffeine? (Btw, he was not fat...quite the opposite-not that it matters in this particular instance) And don't come to me with "Well, you know, kids will be kids." Sure we all pigged out on junk food as kids, not the extent that THIS generation is, though. Its epidemic! PARENTS...PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FRIGGING KIDS!

An Attempt!

This is my not-so-swift attempt at doing Tiger Nails. 

I got the idea from here at The Nail Nerd.  She does a much better job and some amazing work!  Check out her site if you're into nail art.

Amore di Pasta!

I stumbled upon this great pasta chart & figured I would slap it up here. (click on the picture to make it large enough to read)  


What kind of pasta is on your plate? by Charming Italy
Mangia!

Its been awhile...

I've neglected my blog again.  Been in a funk for a few weeks and just not motivated to do much at all.  I have been thinking about a lot of things and evaluating my situation.  I'm definitely NOT happy the way things are right now.  I just haven't figured out exactly how to change it.  However, the good news is that by starting my job recently, I'm heading in the right direction.  The pay is barely above minimum wage and its only about 30 hours per week-but its something.  Never did I think I would be living in the situation that I am at 42 years of age.  Things happen, the economy sucks and the jobs just aren't there.  It DOES seem to be slowly improving, though.  

I complain about my living situation but it could be MUCH worse.  I want to make that clear.  I occasionally stop and think about how grateful I am for what I DO have.  It has taught me that material things isn't everything.  Emotionally I'm a train wreck.  I'm miserable in my personal relationship...and I use that term VERY loosely.  We do nothing that the average couple does.  The only thing that we do together on a regular basis is going to the grocery store!  (I am NOT exaggerating this in the least bit)  I have voiced my concerns over and over to the point where I'm tired of trying.  Nothing changes and it never will.  He has proven that time and time again.  The communication is even horrible.  It usually ends up back on me somehow and how I'm insensitive, negative, etc.  Well, certain life events and people have made me this way.  I'm not like this with everyone or every situation.  Only with people who refuse to communicate and compromise.  And I can't say this enough, its NEVER a good idea to live with other family members.  Especially a very nosey, nibby, stubborn and ignorant person.  

So what's my plan?  Well, for now to keep working.  I'm enrolling and starting back to school in the Fall and I'm signing up for income based housing.  The apartments are in the town where my youngest lives with my dad.  I'm tired of being without my kids...even though they're almost all but grown.  I refuse to make my son change schools.  He just finished his first year of high school.  Its a small town and he has oodles of friends.  I'm not really a "small town" person but I can tolerate it for a few years.  

Hopefully I will get financial aid for school in the Fall.  God knows I can't afford it otherwise.  There shouldn't be a problem at least getting a Pell Government Grant.  The last time I attended in Columbus, my GPA was decent and I was on the Dean's List a couple of quarters.  I might be able to find some small scholarships that I qualify for.   Speaking of quarters, the state of Ohio has made it mandatory that all universities go to semesters.  I'm not sure how I'll like that.  I get bored easily.


I'm also going to call around and see about getting back into therapy.  I have to talk to somebody...and it sure as hell isn't going to be anyone here!