Where it all started....

Well, it started many years ago at a company called RPS. The company name changed and so did mine in 2001. From there, the road led us to the ATL and our own business. I left the road to have babies, but it sure is hard to take the trucker out of a Momma!



Thursday, December 22, 2011

Maybe it is me, because I just don't get it!

A friend asked me a week or so ago if I had Christmas pajamas for the kids to wear and look cute in for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Ummmm....Never occurred to me!! I think my kids look cute in the mismatched jammies that were from last year and are ready for the flood!! You think my kids will remember anything beyond what they got for Christmas? I sure as hell don't remember if my sister and I ever had matching special Christmas pajamas!





This isn't the only thing I don't get, so I have decided it must just be me!





I do not get that evil looking elf that you have to move every night. I feel bad enough lying to my kids about Santa and holding it over their head, but to add something else to my list to try to remember to do.....FORGET IT!





I do not get how people search and search for the best deal and the perfect gift. My ass sat on my couch and pointed and clicked my way thru Christmas shopping. If someone does not think it is perfect, then so be it. Don't use the shit, but make sure you tell me, so I won't waste my time on you next year! See, to me, my time is of value and I would much rather spend it doing something fun and I do not enjoy shopping!





I do not get dragging a ton of shit out of the attic/basement for a month to make anything look pretty. I am slightly jealous of people that are able to pull this off, but I am not one of them nor do I have the patience to attempt it!





I do not get waiting with the masses to see Christmas lights or paying to see them. We have several places nearby that are free and win top award on our tacky light tour!!





I do not get glitter as a decorating item. I will suck glitter up for the next 6 mo. from bows, ornaments, cards and kids. My husband has left in a nice clean uniform covered with glitter from a stupid pair of pants the girl child had to have. He looked like a drag queen all shiny and flashy!





I do not get being all fixed up for every event every day. I don't own a single tube of lipstick, let alone many shades for various seasons or outfits or event types. Burt's Bees lip balm is my friend.





I do not get buying my kids 10 pairs of shoes. The girl has several pairs, but only one good pair that I paid good money for. Then she has a pair of winter crocs, a pair of tennies, and a couple hand-me-downs. The boy has 2 pairs of shoes. A pair of winter crocs and a pair of tennies. They are kids, they will only wear them for 1/2 a year and then they will be destroyed or too small.





I do not get having good clothes and play clothes for my kids. We have clothes for them. All they do is play, so I guess all they have are play clothes. If it doesn't go in the washing machine and dryer, I don't buy it. I hardly buy anything new for my kids and I don't feel guilty about it. Really, consignment is the only way I go or I make them for the girl. I might fill in a gap here or there, but does anyone really care? I sure don't! Clothes do not make my kids cute.


I do not get why people have to brag about the name brand of their clothes or items. My coat (until last year) was still the FedEx one I used to wear when I was still driving! My shoes are Dansko knock-offs. I will never own a Coach purse and really don't give a shit if you do! My dog is a full blooded lab, FROM the POUND! My kids destroy everything, so it doesn't matter if it is from Target, consignment or Gap. My house will never have a Pottery Barn look to it because my life is about function, not look.

AGAIN, I do not get stuff, so I guess it is just me!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Cleaning....my approach

So, most people that know me well know that my house is a disaster. It isn't crawling with bugs and growing stuff in the corners disaster, but I pile. I mound. I don't believe in dusting. I keep too much shit. And, I have a small house! 2 Dogs, 1 cat, 2 kids and a husband often make huge messes just after I mop or run the sweeper, so I skip the deep cleaning and do what needs to be done to keep it sanitary. Plus, I have 1 million things I would rather do than clean. Watching the grass grow is far more exciting than cleaning!

So, the father-in-law and his friend will be staying with us for some time while they are between houses. It is the holidays and it doesn't seem right that they'd be in a hotel. I realized that there will be 6 of us for meals and that with all the shit on the dining room table, I had a little work to do. Well that little chore developed into a full blown 3 day house cleaning job now! It should have been done long ago! I have done it all! The bathroom was bleached and scrubbed. I realize that if Santa brought me a new bathroom or even just a new bathroom floor and vanity, I'd be in heaven! The kitchen was de-cluttered and the counters were found. So, what is my favorite thing to clean with?



In case you can't read it, it is simple green max automotive cleaner and degreaser! It is awesome!! It took my stove from yuck to newish looking (which is what is beside the 1 gal jug and is about 18 years old, but still works)!! If Santa brought me a new 30" Wolf gas range, I would be in heaven, too. See....I LOVE to cook (and eat and those that know me realize this when you look at my husband and I)! The knobs to control the stove no longer have writing on then, but I get it done without them. Anyway.....back to simple green: It cleans soap scum in the shower! It is great on laundry. I use it on the hot-tub filters. And, it doesn't smell 1/2 bad.



Now, you may wonder how I, the trucker turned Momma came upon such a fab cleaning idea. Well this goes way back....



I worked my way thru college loading package cars at UPS at 2am (that is their fancy term for a truck). It is a dirty job. Their uniforms are brown and FedEx's blue for a reason. If they were white, you would not want anything to do with that delivery! Well, one night I didn't make it home in time from a social engagement to change for work. I wore a decent shirt and pants to work. Mike Zipko and I worked across from each other on the belt and we both had used tape before to protect our pants from the dirt on the belt, but I couldn't tape my whole polo up! I got an ugly grease stain on it from somewhere in the truck. Driver Charlie Hughes came in and asked what was up with my fancy get-up. He told me to go buy simple green at the auto parts store. Spray that shit on my shirt and scrub. It worked! Since then, I have graduated from college, got my master's, worked as a manager for FedEx Ground, worked as a driver and co-owner of our own trucking company, and still LOVE simple green. I also use baking soda and vinegar for lots of stuff. Good old bleach is awesome! RainX helps lessen bathtub rings from 2 kids that love to play in the dirt. Who needs some fancy household cleaner isle at the store. Use what you have in your garage!!







Saturday, December 17, 2011

It is no biggie

I know that there will come a day when my kids will REALLY want some special toy or something that their friends want. Until then, I am going to be a cheap mean Mom. They are ungrateful as it is and to just give them the moon now will not be cherished. I look over at our tree and they have 3 gifts each, a joint gift, and then will have what Santa brings, which is a couple stocking stuffers and one gift. What else does a 4 year old that will hardly play by herself really need? The boy could be given a stick and be thrilled! So really, why go all out?!?!? I would rather take a nice family vacation with the money we are NOT spending on Christmas this year! Call me cold. Call me selfish. Call me cheap. I think it is brilliant!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Holiday Deviled Eggs



Who would think I'm crafty and Suzy Homemakerish? Since we have 6 chickens laying now, we always seem to have eggs to give and eggs to spare. With a holiday party on the books, I decided to make deviled eggs. I searched the web for a Christmas Holiday presentation idea and came up empty. So, I asked some facebook friends for a little input. I combined several ideas with my favorite deviled egg recipe and this is the result.

Ingredients:  
Eggs (1 dozen)
4 Slices of Bacon
1 c GOOD cheddar cheese
3/4 Mayo
1 T Honey or Horseradish Mustard
1 t dry mustard
Dash of Tabasco

I started by making the hard boiled eggs first. Put eggs in water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and let them sit in the hot water for 10 min. Remove to an ice bath. Because I use fresh eggs, I peel them right away to help with the tough shell removal.


Cut peeled eggs in 1/2 removing the yolk and setting it aside. Use food coloring to dye eggs green. I used 1 c water, 1TBSP apple cider vinegar and 10 drops of green. This is where the kids helped. They put the eggs in and stirred them. Remove them to a paper towel to dry.


Now, the filling:
Cook to a crisp 4 pieces of bacon and then drain well on a paper towel & cool completely. Mash the yolks. Add 3/4 c mayo, 1 tbsp honey mustard (Or horseradish mustard) , 1 tsp dry mustard, dash of Tabasco, salt and pepper to taste. Grate 1 c good white cheddar cheese and add to the yolk mixture (I always use Cabot, because I have a special attachment to the Cabot co-op cheese)! Cut crisped bacon into very small pieces with kitchen scissors and add to mixture. Make sure it is all blended well and creamy. If it seems a little stiff, all another spoon of mayo. Cut the corner of a baggie off and then add the yolk mixture. Use this like a piping bag to fill the dyed eggs. Add a sprig on rosemary and a slice of cherry tomato and you have some awesome Christmas Deviled Eggs!



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Holidays

So, we enter the Christmas season and the peak season for our business. This will make my 17th year in the crazy shipping industry. Some years, the hours have been crazy and I have cursed the holiday itself. Other years, the holidays have been wonderful! The kids took me off the road, but not away from some of the stresses of the business. They have added joy and excitement to the season, especially now that they are a little older and have an understanding of what is to come.

One thing I can not get into is decorating! We put a real tree up every year and have stories of trees of old that we laugh about. (The one brought home from the cut your own place in Patrick's old Mitsubishi Eclipse with the dog on top of it and 1/2 of it dragging on the road. Or the one that we had to cut almost 3 feet off of because high ceilings in our old house did not exist after we moved, but traditions were set.) The husband and I rotate who is in charge of the exterior decorating each year. I am more of a traditional person and he is all out who gives a flying f if it matches. He has lights of every shape, size, and color all going at once. I enjoy traditional live greens and wreaths with white lights. We have worked out a deal where when it is his turn, he can add to his display with the $$$ I didn't spend on the greens. Seems fair. Over the years, though, his collection is growing. To drag all that shit out, set it up, look at the power bill, then pack it all back up is a huge pain in the ass! I can't imagine doing it for every room in my house. I love going to other people's homes and seeing these displays, but I don't have the time or passion for the holidays to make it happen.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

I would be in the same spot as Cain....

I am not saying I am a Herman Cain supporter, but I am saying that if I were to run for President, I would be in the same spot he's in. What spot is that? The one where people come out of the woodwork about your past. How can so much be recalled from one's past and how can one's story be so believed if some of the context comes from retaliation? If you are lost, let me tell you a story from my past:

I was training newly hired managers for the big box company in Chicago. We had a class of 20 proactive hires that knew nothing about the company and were being housed in a nice hotel in a nice part of town and being trained in a state-of-the-art new facility, also in a nice part of town. This is not reality. Most of the big box buildings are in places where land is cheap and tax breaks are given and public transportation is readily available. My home facility was in a BAD part of town. I made reference to this and also said something like the women of the night that hung out on the corner at all hours of the day give you the idea about where I usually work. Training continues.....AND a primary election is 2 days away. One of the new hires approaches us about missing class for a day to drive home (3 hours away) to vote. Um....NO! You failed to plan knowing well in advance you would be here at this time. If it was so important, you should have filed to vote via absentee ballot, as I did. Now there is a pissed off new hire. Training continues.....I draw a picture of FL to demonstrate a triangle run. Training continues.....Managers are put in trailers to load, because if you expect it of your people, you better be able to do it, too! I made a comment about loading being an art. Training continues.....We play big box company Jeopardy and Hollywood Squares (power point games I helped create for a little training help fun). The people in the squares were part of a presentation that I found on-line and tailored to our needs. One of the characters is a weird looking cartoon person. I cannot remember his name, but it was also something goofy.

Now, what do you think came out of the above events? YEP>>>>Sexual Harassment claims filed by the student I would not let leave class for a day to vote! He took notes on all of the items and found it all VERY offensive personally since he was a gay black male. The women of the night, FL, something being an art, and some goofy cartoon character were all harassing? Who knew?!?!? I almost lost my job over this and the amount of time spent to investigate it let alone the changes on policy were crazy! It is one of the reasons I decided not to take a further promotion and instead left the company to work for my husband instead of moving and running my own big box building as a top manager. I feel for Herman Cain as people come out of the cracks and re-hash pasts that might have been similar to this. Similar to what really is nothing at all!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Economics 101

So, almost 9 years ago, I sold a house in PA for about $92k. We moved here with my job and bought what was my second house and my husband's first. We looked all over and ended up in Dallas, GA. It was a little smaller than the house in PA, but it was all we needed. It was just the 2 of us. We paid $121k and used the equity from my old house as our downpayment of 15%. Time has passed and here we are now in the days of government bail outs and a downward spiraling economy. I am not saying that we are better than anyone, but this downward turn has brought lots more than the economy down. My husband and I work very hard. I worked my way thru college, had a career and left to help my husband grow our own business from the ground up. We provide jobs for 6 other people now. Our neighbors on one side worked for many years at careers and are both now retired. Our other neighbor has been with the same company for years as a Project Biller and will likely retire from there within 10 years. Our neighbor across the street is a nurse. Our neighbors 2 doors down are both teachers. A house across the street sold about a year ago now from foreclosure at a price of under $55k!! Our new neighbor has brought the whole street down. We have had more calls to 911 since he moved in than we've had in the almost 9 years we have been here. He has not yet worked an honest week since he has moved here. He is going to try being a cook at Waffle House where his 17 yr old girlfriend works. He is OVER 50!! This is the 2nd woman in the house. He has had a pitbull and a litter of puppies in the year he's been here. His dog has killed a cat and attacked another dog outside of his fence. It goes on and on!! So, what has this government help done for hard working people like us or our neighbors? In my book, it has put us in the red!! Plain and simple, it pisses me off that I have scum that bought the house across the street for next to nothing because the gov't felt it was necessary to bail out the banks. Would it not have been better to work with the former owners who were both laid off from real jobs but couldn't make it? How did the bank recoup any $$$$ with the sale of this house? And in case you were wondering how he managed to get a mortgage....his MOTHER is also on the title of his house although she lives in another state. LOVELY!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Common Sense

So, I posted a job on Craiglist, because it is cheap. I've had a ton of replies. I do not understand people, though. Really.....

E-mailing me your resume 3 times is not going to do you any good. It is just going to piss me off!

If I clearly list out all job requirements, sending me a resume without any of the qualifications needed is not going to do you any good. In fact, it is just going to piss me off!

If you can't spell or use correct grammar, it isn't going to do you any good. In fact, it is also just going to piss me off! (I know it is a truck driving job, but if you can't write and show some sense, how good are you going to be at driving?)

If I call a reference you have listed and they do not know who you are, it is not going to do you any good. In fact, it is really going to piss me off that I have wasted my time for your stupidity!

So, if you are looking for a job.....my advice, do not piss off the owner with your stupidity! The job market is tough and I would think enough people would know this, but I guess not. Consider this your notice!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

VT Vacations


So, I have been asked after my vacation: "Why do you like Vermont so much? Is there anything to do?"

Well, vacation for me is about NOT doing in a way. It is about enjoying family and having a sense of calm. It is about not having a schedule and just having fun! There are so many things that we all enjoy about Vermont. The kids love going to Hackett's Orchard. Great play stuff and great cider and cider donuts!






I love all the farm fresh veggies at the farmer's market, which is held 2 times a week. My favorite sellers, Christine and Adam and their 2 girls Sadie and Delia, own Blue Heron Farm. They are a family that is making their living off the land. I am jealous on so many levels and have so much respect for them! I love knowing who picked the veggies I am serving!




I so enjoy the lack of traffic that is VT. I read in Vermont Life Magazine that VT has the highest number of unpaved roads per capita out of any state. That might not be good for some, but for me, I can dig it!

I like that people are creative and do things out of joy. The sense of sharing and friendliness is way different than what I am used to here in the ATL. Neighbors help neighbors. People are always out and about, but not in cars. They are out biking, walking, on the lake, hiking and enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer. There is a true sense that people actually enjoy things without being plugged in! These couple of pictures show the love of outdoors in VT. I have no idea how many birdhouses have been hung, but I think every year, the number grows. There is a land trust that bought a huge farm that was for sale and is retaining it for green space. They have put in a walking/horse riding/biking trail so people can enjoy it. The kids loved this close and fun walk in the woods!









But alas, all vacations end. My dreams of moving to the place where I so love to vacation are met with harsh realities. It is more expensive to live in Vermont. We have that whole pesky business thing that allows me to travel to VT every summer and return to that sense of calm I so love. And then there is that white stuff that arrives in October or November and stays until April. Yep.....SNOW!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Gym

So, it took me far too long, but I finally joined a gym and have been watching the old diet. I have a long way to go, and this I realize. What amazes me is that some people do not realize that their fitness level and goals will take time and decide to show up at the gym dressed like they actually have something to show off. Trust me, no one wants to see your ass cheeks and butt dimples!! A compression fit workout top DOES NOT hide your 3 rolls. A workout bra goes UNDER a shirt, not alone. While I praise others for coming to the realization I did:

That my fat ass needs to get back in shape!

I want to tell them that showing off the lack of progress is a turn-off for other members trying to make strides. The gym sells shirts in all sizes: Buy one! Walmart sells workout shorts that cover not only ass cheeks, but also legs: Buy some! Then, when you get that body you are working towards, do as you please (within reason) and tell your success story to the media!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Birthday Issue AGAIN!!

So, I have decided to overcome my fear of a party and have one for the girl with just 4 friends (since she is turning 4). I am NOT about being able to do the whole theme and tying things together, so I am doing it at a pottery place. The kids will get to pick what to paint, get a smock I am going to put an applique initial on, do the painting, and have cake and snacks. Simple no frills.





Beyond that, just the kids and I will be in VT for her actual birthday. We will celebrate as a family before Dad has to leave a couple days before the actual day to cover a vacation. Gifts are a huge issue this year. She actually wants things this year, but none of them are things I think are appropriate or I am willing to buy for her (prior post about Disney will explain that). She wants Barbies. She is turning 4 and Barbies are not age appropriate. She wants Princess stuff. Again the f'er Walt Disney and his empire! I ordered her a Ballet 13" doll that I can make clothes for and is bigger so she can hopefully dress her. Plus, she has hair that can be fixed different ways. We also got her a book about ballet. We are also going to sign her up for ballet once it is offered at school. I hope she doesn't hate me when she is older, because I have no clue about this stuff!

Friday, August 19, 2011

How Facebook Really is Just Rolling with the Times

A friend on facebook had a status that I commented on. My own comment got me thinking, so I did a Google search of my Grandpa, Dr. Otto D. Sahler. I was surprised by some on the findings Google returned. The most surprising was a newspaper article from The Kingston Daily Freeman from Jan. 2, 1952. It was like an older version of facebook. Here is the reporting from the paper:

"The Rev. Wm. Sahler who has
resided for a number of years at
Penny Farms, Fla . which is the
residence of retired ministers, was
stricken a short time ago. Dr.
Otto Sahler, his son of Cooperstown,
accompanied by Karl Sahler
of Baskin Ridge, N J . and
William Sahler of Freehold. N J .
immediately motored to Florida
to be with their father. After due
consultation. Dr. Otto Sahler decided
to bring his father back by
t r a i n to Newark where he was
hospitalized.
Miss Almsra Sahler. who is
spending some time with Mr and
Mrs. Ferris Turner at Accord, left
to spend a few days with Mr and
Mrs. William Sahler at Freehold.
N. J., and to be with the Rev
William Sahler who is ill in
Newark. "

My husband often makes fun of the time I spend on facebook. This little 3 minute research project proved one thing to me: It is human nature to be a nebshit and want to keep up with what everyone else is up to! My time on facebook is no different than reading the paper 59 years ago!



Friday, July 29, 2011

Against It

I don't know why. I have no true reason or rational. But, I am anti-Disney. Yes, I said it: I do not like Disney! Yes, we own Disney movies and I enjoy them, but beyond that, Disney annoys me. Maybe it is the Princess aspect that has my daughter wanting nothing but pink and nothing but a Punzle dress for her Birthday (which she won't be getting, because I refuse to buy it). I mean really, she is beautiful and a princess without some frilly junky dress. I made her a Princess dress for 1/2 the price Disney charges for the ones they sell that are itchy and poorly made. Maybe it is the fact that I vow to die having never been to DisneyWorld. It is just a huge money making mess that plays on people's desire to live out a movie at a huge cost! Maybe it is the fact that the name just adds $$$$ to cheaply made toys. I mean really, $10.97 for an all plastic Lightening McQueen car that is made in China. Walt Disney, congrats on the empire you have amassed, but know that I am fighting tooth and nail to not add my $$$ to your bank account! I would rather spend my $$$ buying toys and items that actually educate my children and don't have self-esteem side effects.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Really?!?!

Pre-K Graduation: Every bone in me is so against this. I will not keep my kids from participating, but I WILL NOT make a big deal of it. To me, it is not an accomplishment to be truly celebrated. Here in GA, there is a thing called lottery funded GA Pre-K. They have faced the usual budget shortfalls and cuts have been made in these tough economic times. With these issues at hand, the GA lottery funded pre-k that a friend's daughter went to, rented a local theater to hold this graduation ceremony in. Really!?!? And most of them that I know of have kids in caps and gowns! REALLY?!?! PEOPLE, it is PRE-SCHOOL!!! High School graduation is 13 years in the making. Pre-school (for some to most kids) is A YEAR long social immersion with some learning thrown in. It is a prep step to get a kid ready for the 13 years ahead.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Hardcore

So, yesterday when I was leaving a Birthday party, another Mom coming in with her kids said in passing (as I was wrangling my two to the car), "Wow, you are a hardcore Mom". I wasn't sure what that meant. Did she mean that I am, ALL MOM? Did she mean that I am a NO FUNNY BUSINESS MOM? What did she mean? I have been thinking about it since yesterday and let me say, that since the husband is in PA visiting his Dad and Uncle, I have a lot of time to kill. I think I have pinned what she meant by Hardcore Mom!!

My Mothering Philosophy:

I am here to love my kids, but to teach them right from wrong.
I am here to love my kids, but not do everything for them, because after all, at some point, they will enter this BIG world by themselves!
I am here to love my kids, but even at 2 & 3, they are old enough to clear their plates and cups after meals. The girl at 3 has 2 jobs each day: set the table and let the dog up in the morning.
I am here to love my kids, but they are KIDS and they do not run this house. The adults here run the house and they follow the rules and guidelines we set so they are safe and kind to others.
I am here to love my kids, but Mom can't fix everything. I give kisses and hugs and try to fix booboo's, but sometimes, a point comes where it is time to get over a booboo and move on.
I am here to love my kids, but toys, clothes, movies, special treats, and always getting things is not a show of love. You can try to buy love, but it is a feeling and feelings CANNOT be bought. They are shown and earned!
I am here to love my kids, but I am not here to be their best friend. I am their Mother!
MOST OF ALL, I AM HERE TO LOVE MY KIDS!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Welcome 2011!

So, we made it thru peak with the business, thru Christmas with the kids and are entering into 2011. Where did 2010 go? I hope that 2011 brings peace and happiness to this Momma! The constant fights between the kids are enough to drive me crazy! He steals her toys she screams. She intentionally goes and plays with his favorite toy first and he screams! I guess it would be better if we could get out of the house, but winter makes it tough and I hate paying for my kids to play! Oh well....we will make it, one way or another!