It is just not fair

Sometimes life is just not fair. I think I have written about this before. I think of all of the injustices around me, in my life, in my community, in the US and in the world.

Every morning I listen to NPR and find out what is going on in the world. I think of all the young men and women losing their lives in the middle east. My heart breaks for their families. Those they leave behind. I hear about the new elections in the Congo and wonder if they will truly see democracy. I hear about victims from tsunami's, hurricanes, earthquakes, war, genocide, disease and murder. Some days it is too much to bare. I have to take a break from the news.

I have several friends who have had tragedy in their lives. A friend who lost a child, the worst loss. Several friends who have lost their parents way too young. My husband lost both his father and brother at a young age. Friends who have suffered molestation while growing up. Friends who have been raped. Friends who have suffered depression. Friends who have been abused or live in abusive relationships. Friends who are battling life-altering and threatening illnesses. All these things happen to good people.

Why do these things happen? Do we bring them upon ourselves? No, I don't think so. What makes us keep going? What makes get out of bed every morning and carry on?

I will tell you what keeps us going. Life. Human spirit. Will power. The human spirit is an amazing thing. We can endure many unspeakable things, but still continue to persevere. Why? I don't know. We are resilient. Those of us who do survive these hardships do so because we have no other choice. We aren't brave or superhuman. We have choosen not to give up or give in. We are the true hero's in life.

I truly believe that the human spirit is strong and will live on long after our bodies retire.

What not to Wear - Corporate Edition

Don't ask me why, but I get caught up in what people wear to work. I focus mostly on women. I think that how we dress is extremely important to how we are preceivied. I also feel that how we dress says a lot about who we are and how we feel about ourselves.

You may think this is shallow. I don't think so. I think it is one of those things that are 'unspoken'. Granted, many people can move ahead based on talent regardless of what they wear, but the rest where talent does not carry them head and shoulders above the rest I think it is very important.

I will see a talented young lady who will adhere to today's "Fashions". Tight shirts, layered, casual, and open toed heel shoes or worst flip flops (gasp!). The mother in me wants to have a talk with this lady and say...what are you thinking? You are not going to a party but a job.

Unfortunately it is not just the young ones. I see it creep up all over. I was in a meeting with a vendor. There were two gentleman and a lady. Both men either had on a suit or jacket. How was the woman dressed? She had on a top that was pretty but you could see her undergarments. The selves where capped, but minus well have been sleeveless. I thought her outfit took away from what she was saying. Am I shallow? or did the other men in the room feel the same way.

I work in a male dominated profession. I feel very strongly that we should dress as to not bring attention to any features that may be enhanced by clothes. (Bust, Butt or legs) I want others to focus on what I am saying not what I am wearing. Is that shallow? I don't think so. I think it is good sense.

I always feel one can never be overdressed. That we should always dress for the next level or position that we wish to achieve. I feel like I am a dying breed. That I am one of the last hold outs to dressing professionally in the corporate casual world.

What do I believe are the "What not to Wear" items ?;

• Flip flops, open toe shoes, any heal over 2"
• any pant or skirt that shows a panty line
• showing any cleevage
• any skirt where if I was sitting across from you, the knees must always be together
• Clothes that are too tight (if you have to ask, then it is)
• Clothes that are wrinkled (looks like one pulled it out of the hamper)
• sleeveless shirt/sweaters, unless it is layered
• Any print or style that is too casual (fashion test, could I where this to the beach?)
• short tops showing your belly (or fat in most cases)
• jeans, untility pants, t-shirts, tight capris, gauchos, shorts

You make think this is a silly blog. Why am I so passionate about this issue? I don't really know. But it is fun to be part of the fashion police once in a while.

Mail Box Mouse

Last Friday I stopped at my mail box like I always do to gather the mail and when I opened the door, two little eyes were starring back at me! Holy crap, it was a mouse. He (or she), I am assuming it was a he, made a little nest in our mail box. We live in a rural area on a dirt road so this shouldn't be a total shock.

For some odd reason I found this wonderful, funny and it made me happy. How could a stupid mouse in a mail box make me happy? Well, it is the surprise of it all. The surprise that a mouse chose our mailbox to call his home. Surprised that he didn't eat my Pottery Barn Catalog. Surprised that the cat hasn't "offed" him as my cat takes great pride in stalking creatures around our home. I was excited to tell all who would listen. My boys were very excited. So much so, against my strongest wishes, reached in to move the mouse's nest. In doing so, the mouse jumped out of the mail box and ran! Picture 3 little boys and a dog trying to chase a mouse around with a butterfly net. Does life get any better?

This mouse must of had a strong will to make the mailbox his home. For some reason I had to check the mailbox every day to see if my new friend had come back. He had. He was all stretched out and enjoying his new home. I would think it would be a hot house. Any port in storm I guess. I think it is pretty neat that we have a mouse in our mail box and I am not going to disturb him unless he does start eating my mail.

I wonder what the mail person is going to think? Fitzhappens!