When did traffic signs become optional?

Frustration doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this. Every day I get in my car and follow the same route. I go in and out the end of my road on my way to school or work and immediately get tense. I was taught, back in the ice age, that you stop at stop signs, hence the name. That you stopped at a stop light before making a right turn. And yet every day, numerous times a day I watch people come off the parkway at White Plains Rd and not even pretend to try and stop. Some of them even accelerate off the exit.

At the intersection of White Plains and Church Hill right turn on red has become “how fast can I get in front of the oncoming traffic without getting hit”? I followed a car, recently, from Madison Ave. to the White Plains Rd parkway entrance. It didn’t stop at one stop sign, not one.

There is a sign in front of each fire house and in front of the EMT building on Middlebrooks Ave. that says, “Do Not Block Driveway”. No one pays attention. Every day the cars line up in front and block them. In the case of the EMT building there is no other way to get out. I wonder how those people would feel if because of their ignorance of the law, and lack of common sense, they delayed help from getting to someone and caused their death. Do you think they would even notice? Somehow I doubt it.

If you happen to live on a “cut through” street, you take your life in your hands every time you leave your house. I live on a 25mph street and I will guarantee you that never happens. I have had people nearly ride in my back seat up my street and when I pull in my driveway they speed past me. Every child on our street is at risk.

Add to that, cell phones, coffee and eating and it’s an accident waiting to happen. We live in a hands free society when it comes to phones for a reason. And don’t think it’s just kids. Moms are the biggest offenders I see and men lots of men! I thought men hated the phone. You could have fooled me.

In the ever increasing busyness of daily life, people have gotten more and more oblivious to others around them and more inconsiderate in the process. They have turned the road into an obstacle course, only failure on this course could mean injury or death.

I ask you all to take stock in your driving habits and ask yourself whether or not you are considerate of others.

We're Not Prepared

Everyone is hoping for the best and anticipating the worst. Although many towns have done a fabulous job and presented, what has been described as a lean budget, there is fear that the cuts will be deeper and/or not enough. Parents are anticipating more activities becoming “pay to play” as just the beginning.

Most schools, churches and organizations will be looking at additional fundraisers and donations to try and offset the cost of activities and operation cost. Residents are all too aware that many families are making due with much less and disposable income is all but gone. Parents are having to make the agonizing choice of whether or not to take their children out of private schools. We have seen a rise in not only unemployment in our state and town, but a rise in foreclosures. The number of for sale signs appears to be multiplying daily. Local food banks are being visited, for the first time, by families every day. We are left shaking our heads and wondering what will be next.

As I speak to people about these issues it becomes very apparent that although they are willing to sympathize, complain and question the powers that be privately, many are not willing to confront them in person. Let’s not question whether the Superintendant has really done all he can do in cuts. I’m not saying he hasn’t and that’s not the point. Let’s not ask the unions why they are not stepping up to the plate and offering concessions before it turns into a contentious situation. Let the state handle it if at all possible. Don’t you dare question the formula the state uses to reimburse you either as the outcome might not be in your favor.

Don’t question, don’t rock the boat and god forbid don’t make anyone uncomfortable. Let’s do a fundraiser but don’t tell anyone it’s because you need the money and why. And please don’t inconvenience anyone. After all they do have a life. That’s good; do they have bottomless pockets as well. I certainly hope so for everyone’s sake. Keep up appearances at all cost and “never let them see you sweat”. Everyone is talking the talk, but too many are still not walking the walk.

Why this letter? To encourage you to do exactly what you may least want to. Prepare for the worst because one day you may wake up and find that the thing that devistates you the most is your inability to face reality.

Forward Motion

Woke up this morning to the same give and take from my son. Really getting tired of the take. That's OK. Made it through and he got to school alive. I think some days that is all that matters.

Today will be proactive. No feeling down, no negative thoughts (at least I will try), no "poor me....poor us". None of it. 1 1/2 days is all the pity party I can handle. Today we start from scratch; today we make a new plan; today we move forward.

Found out a company I used to work for, in another life time, was looking for some part time help evenings. What the heck. I was looking for part time nights anyway, and that seems to be a difficult thing these days, so I sent in my application and resume. I love the fact that I can do this stuff on line AND at midnight if I want. Technology is wonderful. It also takes some pressure off of the process. I don't know why, but it does. I do hope they call. They are a good company and number 1 in their field. That always makes you feel good.

This does not mean I will stop working on my website or my book promotions or PartyLite. I enjoy all of that, it just doesn't make me enough money yet. But it will someday.......soon. Po-si-tive thoughts only. The book actually had a surge of late, which is nice. 'Tis the season with weddings and such.

Looking forward to going out to Arizona to see mom with my sister and my son. I will relax, recharge and come back stronger than ever. I think that will be my affirmation for a while. That and a glass of J Lohr Merlot and I'll be fine.

There's definitely something to this positive think. I am energized and ready to accomplish my tasks of the day.

"Don't worry - be happy Na Na Na Na Na Nana Na Na Nana Na Nana Na Na Nana Na Nana Na Na Na"

Need to Get on a Plane

This week has been, let's say, a challenge. A lot of things changed in just a few days, plans were cancelled, resumes were mailed and lives reviewed. Yes, it's been a week.

The one thing that didn't is the one thing, I think I need more than anything at this moment. So does my sister and so does my son. We need to go see my mother. I know she can drive me insane, but, I drive her insane too and that's the point sometimes. The insanity is just worth it. I need to be 3000 miles away from reality right now and April 10th can not come soon enough.

I probably shouldn't go. There are numerous reasons for me to stay here, but, I need this. I need the sun, the quiet and the craziness that is my family. We haven't been together in many months, but, it feels like forever.

So mom, we are coming. Break out the clean sheets, the extra towels and you'll have to remember how to cook for more than 2. We're heading out soon and can't wait to get there.

Love you.

A new day

It's amazing that sometimes when you need it most, a new source of comfort and strength shows up. A new girlfriend immediately started with nothing but positive thoughts and words.

I called or texted all my girlfriends as well. Not something I would normally do. They know that and immediately came to my aide.....emotionally and intellectually. You gotta love them and I do.

The picture here symbolizes comfort, serenity and the end of an awful day.

Tomorrow, will be another New Day.

It's Been A Day

I am trying to balance this day out. Part of it was good, but, much of it was not. Then there is figuring out the extent of the not. Is the not so important that is out weighs the good part?

One part was definitely big enough to out weigh the good. One part was just a regular day of being a mom, but, it still sucked. I hate starting my day arguing with my son, and some days he just doesn't cut me any slack. He can be brutal. So of course I went to work with a headache.

Then, a fundraiser that I presented to the PTA, had 5 volunteers that were all gung ho, but, once they found out it might use more than one day of their time, backed out. Just a little frustrating, but, no problem.

Got to work and 2 1/2 hours into my day the computers went down and I had nothing left to do. So I lost hours at work, cause I wasn't gonna hang there when this is always so much other stuff that has to be done.

Got home did some stuff and got a posting on my facebook that someone, who had bought 6 of my books for friends, was reading it and "LOVED IT". Not only did she love it, she wrote a rave review and recommended it to everyone on her list. Hopefully, this is the beginning.

Picked up my son from school, thought he was in a better mood, wrong. He gets so unreasonable sometimes. Called my husband to see if he had gotten an email I sent him, was looking for feedback, and he told me he had just been laid off. Suddenly I could not breath.

So, how do I decide if this was a good day or not? I really want this to be a good day.

www.girlfriendgeneration.com

Tech Overload

OK, I admit it. I have become addicted to my computer, my email, my facebook , my website ( www.GirlfriendGeneration.com ), my twitter account ( http://twitter.com/GirlfriendGener ) and my local chat board ( .http://trumbullnet.proboards91.com/ ). It's insane.

The thing is, once you start using these things to promote your business and establish communications, you can't not do it. People get used to you being there. They get used to you answering them within a few minutes. They start to worry a little bit if they don't here from you all day. Flattering and exhausting at the same time. I saw a quote today that works well with that statement. "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody" - Bill Cosby. Kind of says it all.

Each option has its pluses and not so pluses, let's say. But, if you don't stay on top of them, post become obsolete almost immediately.

This is so funny, because I never even touched a computer until 10 years ago. Knew nothing about them. My husband brought one home, put it on the desk and said figure it out. He is probably regretting that decision at this point. We now have (5) computers in the house; (3) desk tops, (1) for each of us, my laptop and my husbands work laptop, that goes back and forth with him.

My friends think I am now the "go to girl". If it can be found, I will find it. Looking for a crown made of brass that looks like it came from the 14th century with scattered "stones"? I can find it. It's like a treasure hunt. I get those kinds of calls all the time.

This is my newest of blogs. I needed something that covered alot of different areas of my life, not just my business and friendships, which are all intertwined. This blog will be for a lot of things. I will be answering questions from people, and since I do that stuff anyway, I will be publishing the questions and answers, because my friends can't be the only ones who want to know this stuff.

I will bring ideas for all kinds of things to the table, and should you be so inclined to ask a question, I will answer you as well. Be well, be happy, just BE.

Until later,
Cindy