We carry them around filled with important stuff. Big ones, small ones, over the shoulder and perched on our arms. All the essentials are “neatly” packed inside. My favorite is Vera. I love my Vera because it was a birthday gift from my wonderful daughter. Vera never gets placed anywhere but in my lap when I’m not carrying her around. She never gets carelessly tossed or put down on the floor. When I went to rainy football games, Vera was the one who was covered with my raincoat and umbrella, even when it meant I would end up getting wet instead. But, there are times when Vera stays home. I refuse to take her to work and shove her inside a crowded, smelly locker that I’m forced to share with some unknown co-worker. In that case, I opt for one of my other, cheaper purses. That’s when my purse can end up making me sick.
When we go into public restrooms, many times there are no hooks in the stalls to hang our purses. So, aside from balancing your purse on your lap while hovering over the toilet seat (for fear of catching something) we end up placing our purse on the floor beside us. As disgusting as it sounds, fecal matter does exist on public restroom floors, so it stands to reason you’re transferring this bacteria-infested poop onto the bottom of your purse. Ewww. Viruses that cause the common cold, diarrhea and other contagious germs are rampant in any public area. Even when you eat in a restaurant or fast food place you better think twice before placing your purse on the table. Germs, bacteria and viruses thrive there as well.
So, you’re out for a day of shopping and you need your purse so what do you do? Stuff everything in your pockets instead? Cover your purse in plastic? Carry it and expect that as long as you don’t chew on your purse you’re safe? Unfortunately, we touch our purses often and, chances are you’ll also end up touching your face at some point. The best defense is the same as avoiding any other virus, bacteria or germ. Wash your hands often. Use antibacterial soap or lotion. If your purse is washable then wash it on a regular basis. If it’s leather or suede use a good, safe cleaner. As long as it’s safe for the purse, spray it with an anti-bacterial spray. We spend alot of money on our purses and we love to show them off. But don’t let them be the cause of your next cold or stomach bug.
I write about a variety of subjects. My posts center around many aspects of my life, observations and issues that effect me both directly and indirectly. Some of my posts address issues in my own life and I’m aware of the fact that what I write may be offensive or upsetting to people, whether they know me personally or not. So, in that case, what should I do? Avoid a post because someone might think it’s written about them? I look at my blog as an online diary. While some of my words might be considered personal, sending my words out into cyberspace isn’t exactly confidential. I still consider it part of me and my thoughts and ideas. If others are interested in what I have to say, fine. If not, that’s fine too.
One of my recent posts seems to have caught the attention of someone I know personally. I honestly wasn’t speaking specifically of anyone in particular. This person obviously saw himself in my post. I could make the argument that it was a post written generally speaking, but why should I? My words and thoughts belong to me. At first I was taken back and immediately had the urge to apologize. But then I became somewhat annoyed. How self-centered it is to assume a post is specially written about someone. How dare someone put me in the position of having to explain and defend myself?
I’ve decided that if my more personal posts are taken to heart, then fine. So be it. I can’t change or control the thoughts of others. I’ve also decided that I’ll continue writing about my life and those who are in it for better or worse. Afterall, I did write several pretty scathing posts about a looney bird I had the misfortune to nanny for recently. If she regularly surfs the internet and happens to be trolling for other unsuspecting, potential nannies she might very well stumble upon my post about her. I would actually welcome the opportunity to allow her to see herself through my eyes. My words are my own and I’ll continue to put them out on the world-wide-web.
We do it every year. When January 1st rolls around we start making new year’s resolutions. I would have thought out of the ten most common resolutions, getting in shape would be number one. Afterall, nutrition experts say we put on an extra 15 or so pounds over the Christmas holidays. In fact, according to a recent national survey, 66% of Americans are considered overweight or obese. But despite these facts and figures fighting the battle of the bulge isn’t the number one resolution. The top new year’s resolution is spending more time with family. And in the number ten slot is getting organized.
In between numbers one and ten are:
2. Getting fit and beginning an exercise regimen.
3. Dieting and losing weight
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Stop drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learning something new (new language, new skill, etc.)
9. Volunteer to help others.
Most of us make resolutions and resolve to keep them throughout the new year, but let’s face it, few of us do it. It’s easy to fall off the old resolution wagon. But there are more realistic ways to make and stick to resolutions. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight” say, “I want to lose 5 pounds a month” and then go out and buy a bathing suit a size smaller than your current size. Working toward the goal of wearing it will give you the motivation you need to continue.
You can find a buddy or family member to team up with. Someone who has the same or similar goal can be encouraging and supportive and you can return the favor. Once you’ve made the resolution, take some sort of immediate action. Throw away your cigarettes. Go out and join a gym or buy a piece of exercise equipment. Buy an attractive journal and fancy pen to keep notes on your progress. Making an investment can be a great motivator. If your goal is spending more time with family then schedule a weekly game night. Take a trip to the store and have each family member pick out a board or card game. And lastly, don’t make too many resolutions. Generally between one and three resolutions is realistic and won’t become daunting and overwhelming.
“Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take”
I’m sorry, but does anyone else think this is a little scary for a kid to have to say at bedtime, just before drifting off to sleep? Worrying about falling into an eternal slumber is the last thing a small child should have to think about at night. I can understand the message. Just in case you die in your sleep you want to be sure the “lord” takes you instead of being taken by some evil demon.
I used to lay on my bed, completely still and hold my breath. I wanted to see what it would be like to be dead. Maybe this is kind of macabre for a child to do, what can I say, I was a weird kid. Sometimes I’d lay with my eyes open. Sometimes I’d lay with my eyes closed. I’d hold my breath as long as I could, while wondering what life would be like for my family if I were gone. It’s one thing to pretend. It’s another to put the idea in a child’s mind that she might actually die in her sleep.
I remember the first time I became aware of my own mortality. I had a friend who lived down the street from my Grandmother. One day my Mom got a phone call and she told me my friend died. She had drown while away on vacation with another neighborhood family. Suddenly it hit me. I was about eight or nine and I realized that that could have been me. I could have drown and everyone could be talking and crying about me. Laying on my bed, holding my breath and pretending to be dead wasn’t so much fun anymore. I saw how my friend’s death tore up her Mom. I didn’t want my Mom and Dad to go through all that pain. I also didn’t want to be dead.
So, instead of the traditional version of “Now I lay me down to sleep, etc” I’d like to propose a newer, gentler version of this scary prayer:
“Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the lord my soul to keep. If I should cry before I wake, my Mom will bring me chocolate cake”
***This post and all others (including new posts not published here) can be read at my new blogging website: http://www.mylovesleftovers.com thanks for checking it out!
I work for a major, world-wide retailer. I won’t mention any names, but it begins with a ‘W’. Now that the Christmas holidays are once again upon us I have to make a rather important decision. To wear a Santa hat or not to wear it. Why would I possibly want to make a moronic spectacle of myself and wear a dopey red hat with a pom-pom? The answer is I wouldn’t. However, it has become a “requirement” that all cashiers wear a Santa hat for the holidays. I suppose it’s meant to get customers in the Christmas spirit, thus fooling them into spending more money. But that’s just my theory.
First off, I’m not a Christian. Why would I want to wear anything that represents a Christian holiday? Does anyone expect cashiers to wear Yarmulkes during Passover? Has Christmas become so commercialized that the only symbol left is a stupid red fuzzy pair of pajamas with matching hat?
Last year I refused to wear the hat, even after being told by a manager it was “mandatory”. I told her I don’t celebrate the traditional Christmas holidays and she left me alone. Darn it, and I had a whole speech ready to recite. But, they actually sent some cashiers home for refusing to wear them. One girl was a Jehovah’s Witness. I’m pretty sure that’s coming pretty darn close to infringing on one’s right to express one’s own religious beliefs.
So, I must stick to my beliefs. I will once again refuse to wear the dreaded Santa hat. I’ll use my speech if I have to, which is basically that I don’t appreciate having my religious beliefs trampled on and I suggest that it end right there. Perhaps they’ll fire me and I can sue, make lots of money, write a book, Oprah will add me to her book list and then invite me on her show to discuss the Santa hat story.
