Have you ever?????

Seen someone that looked remarkably "different" and automatically passed judgement on what kind of person they are or you assumed they are?

I am quite embarrassed to say, I did just that the other day :(

I was at a training full of other elementary school teachers and about twenty minutes into the training a girl walked into the class. I am usually on-time(or within a few minutes and strive to be and it has always upset me when someone shows up to class late since they get the same number of hours as someone who is on time), but in walks this "teacher".

She is dressed in all black-grunge.....VERY VERY pale and thin with her hair dyed JET black. Automatically, I passed judgement on what kind of person she "must" be. When she turned around after signing in, I noticed the black gothic make-up, jewelry and the front of her hair dyed bright BLUE!!

I continued my "assessment" of her and was not at all disappointed when she choose to sit in the empty seat NOT next to me.

After awhile in our original groups, we were "mixed" up a bit and I ended up sitting at a table with said educator. I couldn't imagine what kind of person would be dressed that way and the bright purple eyeshadow did nothing to help.

However, after the nearly four hours of training that we were seated at the same grouping, I realized how shallow it was of me (and many others, I am sure) to have assumed that this girl was freaky just because she didn't fit the "normal stereotype teacher model" that most of the other participants did.

I hang my head in shame and vow to myself to be less quick to pass judgements on others. PROMISE.

Vacation

Sometimes one needs a vacation from their vacation. I am one of those people and now is one of those times.

We spent an incredible 11 days flying to Denver, staying in Ft. Collins, riding Colorado's Georgetown Loop RR, driving to Wyoming, South Dakota and back to Denver once again. However, after flying cross country(and two time zones), driving over 2,200 miles on our rental car, staying in four different hotels and eating wayyyy more than I ever do, I was sure ready to come home and sleep in my OWN bed.

Vacations with family are wonderful and the memories we created will always be treasured, but I am truly very glad to be back in Tpa.

One More Morning

As my lil man says, one more morning and then we are officially on vacation. True, I have been "on vacation" for nearly a month now, but tomorrow, it REALLY begins.
We fly out to Colorado tomorrow, then drive to Wyoming on Friday, followed by South Dakota on Saturday. I have a packed schedule for us all to follow and we are nearly packed. It should be a nice change of pace if weather.com would just cooperate. I keep checking it and hoping that it will change for the better. Right now it appears that it will be a wet week in Hill City. Fingers crossed that it changes some.

Speaking of changes and I don't like change, so I am both THRILLED and delighted with the fact that there are NO changes on my current MRI. I knew that I was still feeling the same and I am so happy to receive the report from Dr. L. HOORAY. Guessing that the MonSter can read and as I have tatooed on my tush-MS can kiss it!!

Off to run some errands(after some more coffee) and pay some bills. Must stop at the bank as well.

Jax

My Birthday WEEK

In our family, we have a history of celebrating birthday MONTHS. It started with my step-mom whose birthday is the 31st of December. She didn't do dishes in Dec, cause it was her birthday month. LOL.

So, we have a great time celebrating. For me this year, it was for more than a week and I am petrified to get on the scale cause I am telling you I ate my way to and thru 43. It was awesome.

My sister and my niece flew in from Colorado and there was no shortage of opening presents, eating lobster and just having a great time.

Joshy and his cuzin Amanda thoroughly enjoyed each other and I had the BEST birthday in a LONG time.

Now to put all of my goodies away and hope to lose a few lbs.

Enjoying a peacefully quiet moment while my boyz are at Home Depot so trying to catch up on some "stuff'.
Enjoy your SUnday all.

Father's Day

A Happy Father's Day to my hubby....he is a fantastic father and deserves to have a gr-8 day.

Father's Day is typically not the easiest day of the year for me.....but for some reason this year, I am feeling a bit more upbeat. Today I will do my best to stay that way and remember an amazing man who taught me so very much.

Happy Father's Day to my daddy-o, Dennis Stephen Tinsky: Feb 19, 1940-January 27, 2004
I am quite certain that he is smokin' a stogie up there, raising HELL in heaven and eating well thanks to Uncle Bill.

You taught me so many lessons in my 37 years and I hope that although you are not here to see it all, that you realize I learned it all from ya(both the good and the bad) and that I continue to make you proud.

Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there. You deserve to be celebrated this fine sunny Sunday afternoon.

wrappin it up

With the walks all complete and the deadline for turning in funds raised for the walks......the complete wrap up has begun.I am thrilled and delighted to share with you some very impt information:My personal goal this year was to raise $5000 and with the help of numerous people, I exceeded that goal.
Goal:$5,000.00Achieved:$5,867.80I
NCREDIBLE.
Not only that, but I am number 3 fundraiser in the Mid-Florida Chapter(23 counties). Hooooray.I could never have achieved and surpassed this goal without you all so a HUGE thanx to each and every one who contributed anything to the cause.

Over 4,600 walkers and more than 400 volunteers registered for the 2010 Walk MS events and raised over $490,000. Funds raised through Walk MS are used to support research helping to find a cure for multiple sclerosis as well as support programs and services that enhance the lives of over 70,000 people affected by multiple sclerosis in Central Florida. It is because of caring, dedicated members of our community, like you, that we are able to continue to fight for a world free of MS. I am so very proud to be a part of all of this.

Being diagnosed over 5 years ago and going for my yearly MRI tomorrow-I have NO symptoms and I feel very enthusiastic that the meds I take are during their job to slow the progression of my form of the disease. However, it is for the thousands of others not so fortunate that I find the energy and passion to continue to do what I do.I am still deciding on the ms crop 4 hope this year. After some of the fall out of last year's event, i am not certain that I have the energy necessary to do it myself, but my tush and then be stabbed in the gut with some of the backlash.When I look at these kinds of totals though and realize how very impt my fundraising efforts are to the Mid-Florida Chapter, how can I really stop doing it? I can't . But, I do need to re-evaluate the process and where and what Iam going to do, cause if you know me. #3 is NOT good enough. Team Durning/Captain Jax will be number one someday soon so that others can benefit.

Scrappy Hugs,
Captain Jax

mean people SUCK

that is pretty much all I have to say today......

I do NOT understand how people can be so darn rude, insensitive and hateful...........

Bottom line: MEAN People SUCK!!