Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I love this one!!!
One for the boys....
This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.
After Mr. and Mrs. Olsen
retired, Mrs. Olsen insisted her husband accompany her on her trips toWalMart.
Unfortunately, Mr. Olsen was like most men--he found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.
Equally unfortunately, Mrs. Olsen was like most women--she loved to browse. One day Mrs. Olsen received the following letter from
her local WalleyWorld.
Dear Mrs. Olsen,
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may be
forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr.
Olsen are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on lay -away.
6. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and
told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and
blankets from the bedding department.
8. September 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. December 6: In the auto department, he practiced his
'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE
VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least ..
15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Regards,
Wal -Mart
This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.
After Mr. and Mrs. Olsen
retired, Mrs. Olsen insisted her husband accompany her on her trips toWalMart.
Unfortunately, Mr. Olsen was like most men--he found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.
Equally unfortunately, Mrs. Olsen was like most women--she loved to browse. One day Mrs. Olsen received the following letter from
her local WalleyWorld.
Dear Mrs. Olsen,
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may be
forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr.
Olsen are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on lay -away.
6. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and
told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and
blankets from the bedding department.
8. September 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. December 6: In the auto department, he practiced his
'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE
VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least ..
15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Regards,
Wal -Mart
Sunday, March 16, 2008
I was tagged
Here goes! I was tagged by Rosemary to write 6 words. I do not really know what the hell I am doing. So I will just make up my own rules. Hmmmm. 6 words that are important to me are:
Surrender, Open minded, willing, determined, strong! That's me!
1 2 3 4 5 6
This is a picture of the open sea that symbolizes freedom.
I hope I did alright!!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Maple House Success Story
Last month, I was asked to write up my success story for the program that I got clean at. I truly felt honored that they asked me. The reason that Jamie needed a success story is because she is trying to get funding from a charity for Maple House. So here goes...
I started smoking speed and weed on a daily basis in 1998. I was 21 years old. My family wanted nothing to do with me. I was arrested for the first time in 1998 on a possession charge and ordered to do drug diversion. I failed to do these classes. Needless to say, I had a warrant for my arrest. By this time my addiction was so bad that I did not care. In December of 1999, I committed my first felony offense. I was charged with burglary for cashing a stolen check. Again, I was arrested and ordered to do Work Release. Again, I failed to follow through. This seems like a pattern, doesn't it? In 2000 I found out that I was pregnant because I was throwing up every time I tried to get high. (This must have been a sign!) For some reason, this was the only time I was able to stop doing drugs for any amount of time. I gave birth to my son in September of 2000. By the time my son was 2 months old, I was back to my obsession with drugs. I felt that I was a "good" mom because I left my son with his grandmother. My son was 9 months old when the police finally caught up with me. I was driving down the street with my son and his dad when the police pulled me over for out of date registration. My son got to see his mom and dad handcuffed and taken away from him. You would think that this would be enough for me to say "enough is enough!" It wasn't. I served about 70 days in county jail. I was released on the promise that I would complete 150 community service hours.
I started these hours. Then I got high. Then I got busted again for felony possession. I was very lucky to have been ordered to Prop 36. (Court ordered drug treatment.) I was struggling to stay clean. I decided to do outpatient at Cedar House because word on the street was that they did not drug test very often. Boy, was I wrong!! About 3 weeks in, I was asked to drug test. I obviously was under the influence of speed. I got very scared. I went to probation officer and told on myself. This would be my third violation of probation. My P.O. simply told me that he would take my child into CPS custody and send me to prison if I continued to use. I said, "You cannot take my child." and he said, "Watch me." So I surrendered for the first time in my life and I said I am WILLING to do whatever you want me to do. He made a few calls and I ended up in detox at Cedar House on 11/13/02. Two days later, Miss Jamie came down to Cedar House to take me and my 2 year old boy over to our new home.
When I arrived at Maple House, I was very skeptical. I had no clue how to be a mother. I had absolutely no parenting skills. I had no idea what it meant to be responsible or what structure was. My son was not used to being with me either.
I learned so much at Maple House. I learned how to be consistent with my son. The staff helped me so much in training me how to have effective parenting skills. I learned how to be responsible for my own actions and to clean up after myself. I developed relationships with the women and the staff that I still treasure. The groups helped me to see that I wasn't alone in my struggles to stay clean. I feel that the structure of the program is what helped me to understand the importance of staying on time. Some of the things that I was required to do during my stay seemed to be futile at the time, however I now see that everything had its purpose. The program is designed to prepare us for the real world. As mothers, we need to be able to multi task because our kids need us. We need to be able to figure out how to schedule appointments for ourselves and our children with out effecting other normal daily activities such as work/school/groups. My stay at Maple House was 7 months. Originally, I was prepared for a 30 day dry out to get my P.O. off my back. Somewhere in that time, something changed my mind. I realized that I liked being 'normal.' I loved being a mother to my son. I feel that it was crucial for my son to be there with me because I gained a bond with him that I will be forever grateful for. I was afraid to leave the safety of Maple House. I decided to stay for the entire 6 months. I began planning my 'new' life. I was enrolled in an aftercare/outpatient program in my last few months at Maple House in order to transition me into my sober living apartment.
I stayed the 7th month because my apartment was not ready yet. If I would have left 1 month before the apt was ready, I would have risked going back to old places that I need not be.
I use everything that I learned at Maple House on a daily basis even today. From parenting skills to acceptance.
I began working at Cedar House in October 2003. I worked there for 3 years and moved on to expand my horizons. Cedar House is a "Great Place to Start!"
Today I have been clean for 5 years and 4 months. I will be graduating from San Bernardino Valley College with an AA in Human Services and my certificate for Drug/Alcohol Studies in May 2008. I work full time as a Case Manager for dependency drug court. I work with women and men that have lost their children to CPS due to drug use. My goal is to continue my education at Cal State San Bernardino to obtain my BSW and become a Social Worker.
I never thought I was capable to be who I am today. I pay all my bills on time. I live in my own 2 bedroom apt in Riverside. (Just me and my son!) I bought a brand new car 2 years ago and have never been late on my payment! These are little things to some people, but huge for me.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from all the staff at Maple House. If it weren't for that program I would not be where I am today. A happy parent!
I started smoking speed and weed on a daily basis in 1998. I was 21 years old. My family wanted nothing to do with me. I was arrested for the first time in 1998 on a possession charge and ordered to do drug diversion. I failed to do these classes. Needless to say, I had a warrant for my arrest. By this time my addiction was so bad that I did not care. In December of 1999, I committed my first felony offense. I was charged with burglary for cashing a stolen check. Again, I was arrested and ordered to do Work Release. Again, I failed to follow through. This seems like a pattern, doesn't it? In 2000 I found out that I was pregnant because I was throwing up every time I tried to get high. (This must have been a sign!) For some reason, this was the only time I was able to stop doing drugs for any amount of time. I gave birth to my son in September of 2000. By the time my son was 2 months old, I was back to my obsession with drugs. I felt that I was a "good" mom because I left my son with his grandmother. My son was 9 months old when the police finally caught up with me. I was driving down the street with my son and his dad when the police pulled me over for out of date registration. My son got to see his mom and dad handcuffed and taken away from him. You would think that this would be enough for me to say "enough is enough!" It wasn't. I served about 70 days in county jail. I was released on the promise that I would complete 150 community service hours.
I started these hours. Then I got high. Then I got busted again for felony possession. I was very lucky to have been ordered to Prop 36. (Court ordered drug treatment.) I was struggling to stay clean. I decided to do outpatient at Cedar House because word on the street was that they did not drug test very often. Boy, was I wrong!! About 3 weeks in, I was asked to drug test. I obviously was under the influence of speed. I got very scared. I went to probation officer and told on myself. This would be my third violation of probation. My P.O. simply told me that he would take my child into CPS custody and send me to prison if I continued to use. I said, "You cannot take my child." and he said, "Watch me." So I surrendered for the first time in my life and I said I am WILLING to do whatever you want me to do. He made a few calls and I ended up in detox at Cedar House on 11/13/02. Two days later, Miss Jamie came down to Cedar House to take me and my 2 year old boy over to our new home.
When I arrived at Maple House, I was very skeptical. I had no clue how to be a mother. I had absolutely no parenting skills. I had no idea what it meant to be responsible or what structure was. My son was not used to being with me either.
I learned so much at Maple House. I learned how to be consistent with my son. The staff helped me so much in training me how to have effective parenting skills. I learned how to be responsible for my own actions and to clean up after myself. I developed relationships with the women and the staff that I still treasure. The groups helped me to see that I wasn't alone in my struggles to stay clean. I feel that the structure of the program is what helped me to understand the importance of staying on time. Some of the things that I was required to do during my stay seemed to be futile at the time, however I now see that everything had its purpose. The program is designed to prepare us for the real world. As mothers, we need to be able to multi task because our kids need us. We need to be able to figure out how to schedule appointments for ourselves and our children with out effecting other normal daily activities such as work/school/groups. My stay at Maple House was 7 months. Originally, I was prepared for a 30 day dry out to get my P.O. off my back. Somewhere in that time, something changed my mind. I realized that I liked being 'normal.' I loved being a mother to my son. I feel that it was crucial for my son to be there with me because I gained a bond with him that I will be forever grateful for. I was afraid to leave the safety of Maple House. I decided to stay for the entire 6 months. I began planning my 'new' life. I was enrolled in an aftercare/outpatient program in my last few months at Maple House in order to transition me into my sober living apartment.
I stayed the 7th month because my apartment was not ready yet. If I would have left 1 month before the apt was ready, I would have risked going back to old places that I need not be.
I use everything that I learned at Maple House on a daily basis even today. From parenting skills to acceptance.
I began working at Cedar House in October 2003. I worked there for 3 years and moved on to expand my horizons. Cedar House is a "Great Place to Start!"
Today I have been clean for 5 years and 4 months. I will be graduating from San Bernardino Valley College with an AA in Human Services and my certificate for Drug/Alcohol Studies in May 2008. I work full time as a Case Manager for dependency drug court. I work with women and men that have lost their children to CPS due to drug use. My goal is to continue my education at Cal State San Bernardino to obtain my BSW and become a Social Worker.
I never thought I was capable to be who I am today. I pay all my bills on time. I live in my own 2 bedroom apt in Riverside. (Just me and my son!) I bought a brand new car 2 years ago and have never been late on my payment! These are little things to some people, but huge for me.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from all the staff at Maple House. If it weren't for that program I would not be where I am today. A happy parent!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Layaway
I found a new love of my life. LAYAWAY!!! My boss told me to go to KMart because there are soooo many sales going on for back to school. Then she told me about 'layaway.' I cringed for a minute because as I was growing up, my mom loved layaway. I never understood it because I remember us having a bunch of stuff on layaway, but we never got it. Every time I wanted something, the answer was, "Okay, I'll put it on layaway." HMMMMM......
So I never saw the benefit of layaway.
Here I go, a 30 year old mother, to KMart to get school clothes for the kid. I got about 5 pairs of jeans, 6 shirts, socks, undies, and even a pair of jammies for the kid. I was shopping like there was no tomorrow. The kid runs up to me with a 'lego star wars' box in his arms. "Mommy please can I have this?????" HMMMMMM.....
Price tag says $29.99
HMMMMMM.....
"Okay babe, we'll put it on layaway."
WOW, how history repeats itself. (Except that my son WILL eventually get his stuff.)
So I get to the layaway check out counter and there is a man that was ahead of me. The man was very upset because his bikes had been returned to the store because he didn't come and make payments until today. Needless to say he wanted his money back. When he found out that he had to pay TEN dollars for nothing, he demanded to speak to the manager..,.,....
WOW, how this took me back.
So I never saw the benefit of layaway.
Here I go, a 30 year old mother, to KMart to get school clothes for the kid. I got about 5 pairs of jeans, 6 shirts, socks, undies, and even a pair of jammies for the kid. I was shopping like there was no tomorrow. The kid runs up to me with a 'lego star wars' box in his arms. "Mommy please can I have this?????" HMMMMMM.....
Price tag says $29.99
HMMMMMM.....
"Okay babe, we'll put it on layaway."
WOW, how history repeats itself. (Except that my son WILL eventually get his stuff.)
So I get to the layaway check out counter and there is a man that was ahead of me. The man was very upset because his bikes had been returned to the store because he didn't come and make payments until today. Needless to say he wanted his money back. When he found out that he had to pay TEN dollars for nothing, he demanded to speak to the manager..,.,....
WOW, how this took me back.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sequoia National Park
Here is a pic of the bear that scared the sh*% out of me at the creek. Anthoney got a kick out of it the first time he saw the bear. The second bear that we saw, Anthoney nearly killed himself by rolling down the hill. Yes, he ran after the ranger told us not to run....
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
My Story (Part 1)
I grew up living with a very protective and religious mother. I remember that the only time I had some sort of normal childhood was every other weekend and every other holiday. Those were the times that I would visit my dad.
I ended up moving to my dad's house in the summer before my sophomore year...
I was able to learn so many life skills that I would not have learned had I stayed with my mother. I was taught how to be responsible and how to work for what I want in life. I may not have used it back then, but I am using it now. Things were good at first, until I started to resort back to my old way of being sneaky. (The way I had to deal with the over protective, religious mother.) I didn't realize that I did not have to act that way anymore. Did I ever screw up!
I started to hang out with that guy that everyone warned me about. Did I mention he was the 'forbidden one?' So, naturally he was the one I wanted.
Needless to say, I started to do stupid things. Lying, Ditching school, forging notes to excuse absences. Did I mention, Lying? I started to smoke cigarettes because it was 'cool.' Isn't it??
I was not too much into smoking pot at that time (yet). I did my first line of speed in the P.E. locker room in 10th grade. I really did not like how it made me feel. HMMMMMM... I wonder why I did it again????? My addiction progressed slowly over time.
I did not go to prom or attend graduation with my class. At the time I had a 'who gives a sh*#' attitude.
Someone once sat me down and told me that when I get older, I will have some regrets. At the time I didn't see the importance of these events. That person was sooo very right. For the last 4 years that I have been sober, I have gotten really sad around this time of the year. All the congrats grad makes me have a feeling of emptiness in the pit of my stomach. I realize now that I attended school for 12 years (usually with an A average) and I did not allow myself to be recognized for that accomplishment. All because I wanted to fart around my senior year and ditch 5th period (ecomomics) and fail the class. Yeah, I had to go back to summer school just to get my diploma. What a dumb ass...
After high school, I was given a choice.... Go to college or leave with the 'loser.' 3 guesses on what my choice was....
So I ended up homeless with the loser until his girlfriend got mad....
Then I moved back to Norco. My brother took me in for a while...... until I started lying and seeing the loser and using again.... did I mention lying??? Wait a minute, I never stopped using; I was not using every day (yet.) So far I had burned 3 bridges; Dad, stepmom, & brother. Who was next? Mom.
I ended up moving to my dad's house in the summer before my sophomore year...
I was able to learn so many life skills that I would not have learned had I stayed with my mother. I was taught how to be responsible and how to work for what I want in life. I may not have used it back then, but I am using it now. Things were good at first, until I started to resort back to my old way of being sneaky. (The way I had to deal with the over protective, religious mother.) I didn't realize that I did not have to act that way anymore. Did I ever screw up!
I started to hang out with that guy that everyone warned me about. Did I mention he was the 'forbidden one?' So, naturally he was the one I wanted.
Needless to say, I started to do stupid things. Lying, Ditching school, forging notes to excuse absences. Did I mention, Lying? I started to smoke cigarettes because it was 'cool.' Isn't it??
I was not too much into smoking pot at that time (yet). I did my first line of speed in the P.E. locker room in 10th grade. I really did not like how it made me feel. HMMMMMM... I wonder why I did it again????? My addiction progressed slowly over time.
I did not go to prom or attend graduation with my class. At the time I had a 'who gives a sh*#' attitude.
Someone once sat me down and told me that when I get older, I will have some regrets. At the time I didn't see the importance of these events. That person was sooo very right. For the last 4 years that I have been sober, I have gotten really sad around this time of the year. All the congrats grad makes me have a feeling of emptiness in the pit of my stomach. I realize now that I attended school for 12 years (usually with an A average) and I did not allow myself to be recognized for that accomplishment. All because I wanted to fart around my senior year and ditch 5th period (ecomomics) and fail the class. Yeah, I had to go back to summer school just to get my diploma. What a dumb ass...
After high school, I was given a choice.... Go to college or leave with the 'loser.' 3 guesses on what my choice was....
So I ended up homeless with the loser until his girlfriend got mad....
Then I moved back to Norco. My brother took me in for a while...... until I started lying and seeing the loser and using again.... did I mention lying??? Wait a minute, I never stopped using; I was not using every day (yet.) So far I had burned 3 bridges; Dad, stepmom, & brother. Who was next? Mom.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Finally Friday
Thank God it's Friday. What a week. It actually went by pretty quickly. I had to call in a referral on a girl today for not doing what is required. I hate to do it, but these women know that their families are at risk.... Our goal is to keep these families together, but they have to do their part as well...
So this weekend is AnthonEy's last soccer game. I believe that he will get a trophy... He will be sooooo excited. Yeah, more excited than when he got the principal's award. That's it for tonight, I am off to the gym to sweat my a#% off.
So this weekend is AnthonEy's last soccer game. I believe that he will get a trophy... He will be sooooo excited. Yeah, more excited than when he got the principal's award. That's it for tonight, I am off to the gym to sweat my a#% off.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Proud Parent
My son earned an award today!!!! The reason for the award is because in the last 2 months, Anthoney has improved so much that the teacher felt the Principal's Award was very appropriate. I am so proud of my little boy. Look at his face. He acted like this was just another day and just another award. I know he was excited but he is 6 years old and has to keep up his COOL reputation..... I think my dad is more excited than anyone!!! I just wish h was here to share this experience with me. I remember when I was a kid, my dad would take that hour drive for EVERY awards assembly so he could be there to see me succeed. I will always remember those days. So here I am excited that MY child earned an award and I was able to be there to see it. I really think that this gave him the reinforcement that he needs to know that everybody sees how much he has improved.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Vogue
So here I am at age 13. Yeah I thought I was too cute......(those eyebrows gotta go, where's the tweezers????)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
About Me......
Alright here's my seven.....nothing too exciting....
1. My kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Ripatoe. I used to tell kids that if you were bad, she would rip your so off. (how mean)
2. I started smoking at age 16 and quit at age 29. I went up to Idaho to visit my family and quit cold turkey in the fresh (snowy) air. I never imagined that I would be considered a non smoker.
3. When I was about 13 years old, my cousin and I used to imagine that we were models and wasted many, many rolls of film 'striking a pose.' I still have those pics in a box in my closet.
4. I honestly believe that I made the best decision of my life when I moved in with my dad at age 14. If I hadn't made that move, I think that I would have turned out to be a mother of 5 on welfare with no ambition.
5. I was in labor for 28 hours before the doc decided to listen to me when I was calmly telling her to, "CUT ME OPEN!!!!"
6. I met the most wonderful girl in rehab. We have been best friends since the day we met. (We are both still clean ~ 9/19/02 for her and 11/13/02 for me!!!!!)
7. I am going on a cruise in October and I can hardly wait.
I told you it wasn't anything exciting.....
If I think of anything else, I might post.....
1. My kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Ripatoe. I used to tell kids that if you were bad, she would rip your so off. (how mean)
2. I started smoking at age 16 and quit at age 29. I went up to Idaho to visit my family and quit cold turkey in the fresh (snowy) air. I never imagined that I would be considered a non smoker.
3. When I was about 13 years old, my cousin and I used to imagine that we were models and wasted many, many rolls of film 'striking a pose.' I still have those pics in a box in my closet.
4. I honestly believe that I made the best decision of my life when I moved in with my dad at age 14. If I hadn't made that move, I think that I would have turned out to be a mother of 5 on welfare with no ambition.
5. I was in labor for 28 hours before the doc decided to listen to me when I was calmly telling her to, "CUT ME OPEN!!!!"
6. I met the most wonderful girl in rehab. We have been best friends since the day we met. (We are both still clean ~ 9/19/02 for her and 11/13/02 for me!!!!!)
7. I am going on a cruise in October and I can hardly wait.
I told you it wasn't anything exciting.....
If I think of anything else, I might post.....
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The Boss's kid
So this picture was taken in April 2007. This is my clown kid being goofy with the camera at my boss's desk. By the way, that is my boss's (am I spelling this right?) little girl at her desk. They were playing 'let's do some work.' She is looking at AnthonEy like he is crazy.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
