Walking the Long Road

The kids and I went and voted today, in person, this afternoon!! It is truly wonderful that I was able to share this experience with them. I'm so grateful that I have the right to vote and make my voice heard!!!!!

I really am grateful to all of those who fought to give me this right and will forever be in their debt. I am so humbled that they fought and struggled for what they believed in and created change so that all Americans to have an equal voice.

So each and every time it is time to vote - no matter what I am doing, how busy or tired I am - I think back to the women in my family who couldn't vote before 1920, and make sure I am prepared and always vote. I see this as my duty and my responsibility. I strongly believe in our democratic republic and want to pass on the honor, duty, and responsibility of being a good citizen to my children.

I'm tired!

I finally got work hours changed and my field placement changed. But now I'm back to work problems.

I've got the opportunity for growth and more (groan) change or the opportunity to do more of the same and play it safe for a while.

With all the changes - daily, if not hourly - I'm tired. But my thoughts keep circling - do I have the stamina, courage, and perseverance to go ahead and try something new/different or is it a time to play it safe and regroup.

Neither my current job at work or the new position I can apply for will guarantee longevity or security. However, a change will give me more skills and no change will leave me with energy to look outside.

I want a crystal ball, I want the answers, I want surety.
Such is my life.
Me

Well, it's official. I am getting to be a pro at handling crises with my family - specifically my kids.

Sunday afternoon was really nice (perfect) weather, so all of us were working on the yard pulling weeds and making it look presentable to the neighborhood again (hey, they were only 2 feet tall across the rock this time). When it was all done, the kids and I started playing basketball and shooting hoops out front, in the driveway.

Well, Derek made another lay-up, about the 40th one or so he had done that afternoon, but this time when he went off to a side of the hoop, ran in to a nice (rather large size) rock holding down the base of the basketball hoop, and then made a loop back towards the driveway hopping on one leg.

Mind you, when I saw what he did and how he was hopping, I already knew one of two things happened. A) broken bone or B) large cut/gash. Guess what - I was right - answer B - 1" deep gash to his right shin.

Well, let me tell you what happened next. Derek sat down in a lawn chair that was out on the driveway, looked down at his leg, and proceeded to scream, cry, and generally lose it (can you say he doesn't like the sight of blood?).

So here I am out there with all 3 kids (wouldn't you know it that Todd and Ken had just gone inside the house about 5 min prior to the accident) with one freaking out, and the other two starting to freak out because big brother was freaking out. So what do I do, I calmly grab Derek's leg, push together the leg muscle and skin on either side of the cut (to slow/staunch the bleeding), and quite calmly, but firmly call out "Derek, Derek..." until I got his attention.

It was weird, all of a sudden he stopped mid cry, looked at me, and then I was able to tell him to give me his hands, which he did after a moment or two. I took his hands and then I put them where I had had my hands and I told him to sit there and hold it. I would be right back. He did that and I went in to the house, hollered for Todd to take care of the other two kids because Derek was hurt, and once he went outside to get them, I went in and grabbed the first aid kit. Then I took and bandaged Derek up and we came back in the house so I could then find some kind of facility open (it happened at 5:45pm).

So I spent the next 20 min finding something open, hoping to save the cost & trip to the ER, and one office said they would check it out and let me know if they could or could not do it. So I had Derek grab a quick bite to nosh on in the car and we were off. After a bit of a drive to another part of town, they got him back in the triage area, where the dr. looked at it and said it was too deep (too many layers of damage) - plus because it went down to the bone, he'd need an x-ray to be certain nothing got chipped.

So I got my re-bandaged Derek back into the car and drove him to the ER (one w/a kids unit). We got there and Derek was so witty and funny. He was pointing out different things and was making all kinds of comments. My favorite of the night was when the nurse was doing triage he pointed out the smiling face pain poster - noting the expressions between 1 and 10 - and calmly, with a straight face pointed out, "I think I'm about a five. That's about right." It was all I could do (the way he said and did it) not to bust out laughing. I just said to the nurse it is so much easier when they can talk!

So Derek and I hung out for a while, the nurse and doctor checked him out and explained what they would need to do. When the dr. mentioned he would get an injection of pain medicine - he just about lost it (he HATES needles) and then be stitched up. So he and I devised a plan where he would squeeze my hand as hard and as long as possible each time he hurt. He squeezed my hand a lot, but he made it through the process - and he didn't even kick the dr. :-)

He got a total of 12 stitches, 4 on the inside and 8 on the outside. Plus he got to have an x-ray. Fortunately, the x-ray showed no damage or chips so all he had to get were the stitches. So after 3 hours at the hospital, I got to take my Derek home - well, to his dad's house and run over the routine and wound care. Derek was so tired (so was I), but he was glad to see his dad and show off his handy work.

What's funny is he told Louis, all happy and excited, that he was catching up to his little brother in stitches - and all I wanted to do was groan (I don't need a stitches contest between those two).

So that is how I started off this week. :-)
I hope it goes more gentle.
Me

So what do you think of the following conversation with my boss:

I was called into one of the conference rooms at work on a Friday - in the middle of my shift - and asked the following 4 questions (and in the middle of it, he pulls out his blackberry and starts reading email...):

1Q) My boss wanted to know if it would be possible for me to start working 10am to 7pm.
1a) I told him no, I went to school in the morning and did field work from 8am until 12:30p each day. Then I come straight to work. This was the scheduled I arranged after I found out they were going to put me on the 1p-10p shift.

2Q) Then he asked me if I was happy and liked doing my job.
2a) I told him yes, except when I get frustrated when the computer systems slows down or crashes. Otherwise I love my job.

3Q) Then he asked me I would be interested in doing something else in the company like admin or ARS (support sales role).
3a) I told him not really. I had come from an administrative assistant job and wasn't really interested in doing that again. I also told him I didn't think there were any support jobs in sales that has my hours.

4Q) Lastly, he asked me if there was enough work in my current job to have someone here until 10pm.
4a) I told him that I was busy until at least 9pm. There are ads/work flow that I need to assign and manage as well as, problems that needed to be resolved before the next shift in the am. He asked me then if some of those problems could be handled by the first person in the morning, and I said some of them could, but not all. It would depend on the type of work.

WTF!!!! I was so rattled Friday, it was all I could do not to leave and go home. But I stuck it out and now am thinking.

After a lot of soul searching and reflection - - - Basically, my final read/take on the situation is this:
1) Our area desperately needs a 4th person to cover days off, middle of the day shifts, etc., but since the latest round of layoffs, that isn't going to happen.
2) The two ladies who work in the morning are bitching and whining because they are "so busy" and need another person during the morning. Yet it's okay for me to run solo at deadline time so they can go home w/o any worries (5-7pm are deadlines and cleanup and one is scheduled off at 4:30p and the other at 5:30p).
3) They are getting ready to get rid of or scale back further the 2nd shift experiment they made all of us work through/apply for back in June of this year.

So basically, he was fishing me out (I've been a manager and around the blocks a few times - and ding-ding, I'm not stupid) to check and see if he could cover his bases and by asking if I could work earlier hours and since I can't he wouldn't feel guilty about finding someone to replace me and have them work the new hours.

Once he's covered his bases (ass) - he and HR basically will let me go, but make it look like I quit, and they wouldn't have to pay me a dime or any severance. How's that, because they would find someone to work my shift because I couldn't and of course they would "offer" me something else, somewhere else, with incompatible hours, which I would be forced to turn down.

I hate the paper. I hate my boss. I so need my 4 year degree!!!

My immediate supervisor is a snake, a brownnoser, who doesn't know how to do anything but go to meetings and be a yes-man, who has his pets, and last of all, someone who doesn't like me.

I know he's pissed off at me still because earlier this summer, I went to his old boss and reported on him, because of the favoritism he shows his pets in the department - i.e. takes one of the other 2 gals in my department to lunch all the time, buys her and the other gal Starbucks in the morning, offers event tickets to his pets and no one else (unless he gets caught)- and because he basically gave me a poor evaluation and with nothing to back up the rating (so his boss made him write a real evaluation which totally torqued him off-but at least I got a real one!).

Once his boss was let go in the middle of last month, I knew something was going to change. So, I'm covering my bases by dealing w/my school field problem and also finding out if I can switch classes and hours (to the pm)- which I'm positive I can the field scheduled, but not maybe the class hours. Then my plan of action is to talk to a former manager/friend and see what support role she has open in her area. If she doesn't have anything, then I'll go back to my boss w/my hours of availability (being the earliest shift - 7:30 to 4:30 and the gal that works that shift-she has no kids, nothing else, but doesn't like to work later cause she's an early bird and a reason I'm being hosed). If neither of those plans of attacks have traction, then I will apply (at a pay cut of course) outside of the company to either 1st or 3rd shift.

So I've got a lot riding right now, several plans of action, and I talked w/Todd. My education is our 1st priority, we cannot get anything or anywhere w/o it. Even if I make it through and they keep the 2nd shift at work, the layoffs are going to happen again and I can't wait and put my education on the back burner again. It's time to do it. So we are looking at making it happen and still survive. It's rough and I just want to cry and give up, but I've got too much riding on me to do so.

More later when I have more info.
Me

I'm extremely frustrated right now. I'm in my 7th week of field and I feel torn in two directions - do I play it safe, put blinders on, and make it to graduation next May or do I stand up for what I believe in, not be taken advantage of, but possibly lose a lot of internship hours and my current placement, and risk not graduating in May.

I'm so frustrated and tired of living with constant knots in my stomach directly related to the circumstances of my field placement. It is taking everything I have each morning to get up and go in to my field placement. I'm beginning to seriously doubt this is what I want to do - but every other part of my being screams at me - YES, you want to be a social worker, there has to be a solution!

Here's a copy of the letter I sent via email Thursday, 10/02/08, to my Faculty Liaison at my university (in addition to two voicemails). I've still not heard a response from my liaison, so I will try again for the forth time on Monday to reach them or someone else in the university.

Problem 1) When I interviewed for my field placement, received orientation, and program orientation, I was not told that transporting clients in my personal vehicle would be a required job function. It was mentioned several times, during the before mentioned interactions, that a need may occasionally arise, where I may need to transport a client, but those would be very infrequent.

However, since the second week of my field placement, I have been asked repeatedly by various people in the agency, to drive (and have driven) clients numerous times. I have been actively trying to find a solution to this problem, however, nothing is working. I brought up my concern in my field class and the professor and students had several suggestions which I have tried (such as politely declining, informing my supervisor, etc.).

However, nothing has changed or improved. Now this week my supervisor assigned me my first case, where in order for me to assist the client, I will need to drive the client and a minor child to various appointments.

I'm extremely frustrated right now. Had it been made clear from the beginning, at my first interview with the agency, that driving clients in my own vehicle was common practice and would be required, not optional, I would not have taken the placement.
1) I cannot afford the additional insurance coverage to adequately protect me and my passengers should something untoward happen while driving;
2) I only have 1 working vehicle for my family to use right now;
3) I have limited funds to cover fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance for my family (I am the sole supporter of 5 people as well as a full-time
student) and doing the additional driving is financially impacting my family;
and 4) I have strong reservations and concerns about my own personal safety.

Problem 2) I was informed Wednesday that my agency supervisor is leaving and her last day is tomorrow, October 3, 2008. With my supervisor leaving, I am at a loss of what to do in general, much less with my driving concerns.

I'll post more when I know more, but I'm tired of this stress and frustration.

Please get the word out and help if you can!!!

Thanks,
Leslie
---------------------------------------------

Ride with Ryken: Fundraiser to benefit the MISS Foundation, Tucson

Please share this with your friends in Arizona!

Ride with Ryken (link) http://members. cox. net/ridewithryken/

Welcome to the 1st Annual
"Ride with Ryken"
Poker Run and Silent Auction

to benefit the MISS Foundation

November 9th 2008

Tucson, Arizona

Auction at end for donated prizes!

Final Stop Party with Pig Roast!

And More More More!

FOR INFO EMAIL

ridewithryken@cox.net

I keep reading the news and listening to all the pundits saying why the president needs new powers, congress needs to pass more laws, and the taxpayers need give out more money to bail out business, etc....It's obvious to me - America has turned into a CORPORATE welfare state!

I don’t care which political affiliation you are from – I want to know:

Why are our leaders continuing to encourage everyone, business and citizens, to keep endlessly and mindlessly spending? We need to reframe this argument and ask instead, why aren’t we encouraging people and business to save, be thrifty, and spend and borrow wisely? Over decades, our economy has changed from one of strength and responsibility, to one which mirrors a house of cards and now the cards are starting to fall. I say let them, and then let us rebuild and be responsible.

Our leaders need to support and encourage people and businesses to do the right thing. If that means more regulation and less freedom in the market, then so be it. As it stands right now, America isn’t a capitalist economy, we are a socialist one – we support and prop-up business, and run them, instead of letting them suffer for poor fiscal choices and poor business practices.

If a business is poorly managed and fails, let it fail and hold the owners accountable. Use our legal system to investigate and rectify wrong doing if we need to, but we need to quit rushing the rescue of every “big” business, because it is us – the tax payers – who ends of footing the bill, no one else, and these “big” business are allowed to continue this cycle over and over. You are leaders in our country and you need to hold business and individuals accountable. I believe if we need to pass additional legislation holding them accountable – and make it retroactive, then do so. We need to put all business on notice (including all owners, business mangers, operating officers and boards) that we are going to hold them accountable and keep them honest.

So what about the innocent people who would be impacted if we let poorly run businesses fail? I say let us help them help themselves. Support paid job retraining and/or reeducation; support life skill programs which teach financial planning, borrowing wisely, and living in your means; support small business programs and entrepreneurial loans. We are Americans, we can do anything. We are innovative, creative, supportive, and strong. We are a people who don’t want or need a hand out, but do at times need a hand-up. Let’s build on these strengths instead of propping up poorly run and poorly managed businesses and industries and encouraging endless spending with no saving or fiscal responsibility.

I just sent an email to all of my elected officials expressing my feelings and concerns regarding this. I strongly encourage all of you to do the same - what ever your view are. Maybe if enough of us speak up about what we should and shouldn't have our elected officials do, they might begin to take us - The Citizens - seriously again. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

We the people, by the people, for the people - America!

I'm including links to the current leadership in both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as other links to find your Senators and Representatives.
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/leadership.cgi?site=ctc
http://www.senate.gov/
http://www.house.gov/Welcome.shtml
----------------------------
UPDATE:
**FYI-If you are not a resident of California's 8th Congressional District and are contacting Nancy Pelosi in regard to her role as Speaker, please email her at AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov (I just got this reply from her email address when I contacted her).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYYiw_y2qDI

Had to post it. I'll explain more later, but just came across link and didn't want to forget it.

End of Nick's 1st week of school (he started 8/11)- he brought home a cold for all of us to share. It took me the longest to come down with it, but alas, I did succumb after 1 week of fighting it off.

While I've been ill, I've realized...it's official...yep...I'm a big baby. When I get sick, I get sick, and don't function for days. All I want to do is go to bed and sleep for ever and have no one bug me. Too bad the kids don't believe in that ideal of mine...Hurmph!!

So I've been the bouncy mom (beds are so much fun to jump on when mom is sleeping, look at me bounce); the question & answer mom ("mom, what does this card say", "mom, what does this add up to", "mom..."); the story-time mom (you want to read "Sam the Cat" again); the look mom - "it's Dora..Diego...(or any other favorite cartoon character of Kiarra's)" said in a excited and high-pitched voice only a 2 year old can achieve; and the dead-to-the-world mom (while you sleep, I proceed to get into everything in your bathroom and bedroom and have fun).


Positive - I've only missed Tuesday and Wednesday at work.

Negative - missed first day of school Tuesday 8/26 (did drag my butt out of bed for 6 hours of mandatory orientation for field classes on Monday - but only because "key word" mandatory.) Also missed some orientation with my field placement that I have to make up next week.

So I've decided, I have to change somethings - not sure what yet - maybe diet, vitamins, sleep, moving to a new place, or something else, so I can stay healthy. But in the meantime, I'm back to bed again - for a few more hours of sleep - then it'll be time to get Nick up for school and out the door by 7:15 and then back to bed for a few more hours of oblivion until I have to be in at work at Noon.

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You tend to avoid confrontation and stay away from sticky situations. You're open to new people and friends, which makes you a pretty popular person. You have one big dream in your life, and you never lose sight of it.

Your Psyche is Red

You are bright, bold, energetic, and intense. Your upbeat, zany energy inspires those who are down. Spontaneous and playful, you also have a courageous and fearless side. When you are too red: you are angry, overprotective, and truly scary. When you don't have enough red: you are depleted and lifeless.

Your Gemstone Says...

You are at peace with your life and your place in the world. You are not greedy or materialistic. You are generally free from desire. You bring calm to environments. You are a good mediator. People consider you to be good luck.

Your Birth Month is May

Unique and creative, you seek your own path in life. You love change and are able to adapt to any situation. Your soul reflects: Sweetness, joy, and a complete life. Your gemstone: Emerald Your flower: Lily of the Valley Your colors: Yellow, red, and green

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 30% Conservative, 70% Liberal Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

You Have Good Karma

In general, you like to do the right thing when it comes to others. Your caring personality really shines through. Sure, you have your moments of weakness - and occasionally act out. But, all in all, you're karma is good... even with those few dark spots.

Your Power Element is Metal

Your power colors: white, gold, and silver Your energy: contracting Your season: fall You are persistent (and maybe even a little bit stubborn). If you see something you want, you go for it. You have a lot of strength, and it's difficult to get you down. Very logical, you tend to analyze everything going on in your life.

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning. And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong. You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more. You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises. Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking. (But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!) You excel in: Higher education You get along best with: The Comma

You Were Born Under:

You are solid, methodical, and you do things right the first time. Even when no one else does, you always believe in yourself. You tend to see the world in black and white, right or wrong. A good memory and eye for details means you tend to thrive at near impossible tasks. You are most compatible with a Snake or Rooster.

Your Personality Cluster is Extraverted Thinking

You are: Organized and logical - a master at puzzles Competitive in almost any arena of life Objective when necessary, but passionate about what you truly love Intolerant of excuses and incompetence

You Are An Atheist

God? No thanks. You're not buying into any religion. They're all bunk to you. You rather focus on what you know is true. You may be a passive non-believer or a rabid atheist activist. But one thing is for sure... no one's going to make you go to church!

You Are 5: The Investigator

You're independent - and a logical analytical thinker. You love learning and ideas... and know things no one else does. Bored by small talk, you refuse to participate in boring conversations. You are open minded. A visionary. You understand the world and may change it. At Your Best: You are sharp, inventive, and creative. You have the skills to lead the world. At Your Worst: You are reclusive, weird, and a bit paranoid. Your Fixation: Greed Your Primary Fear: Being useless or incompetent Your Primary Desire: Being competent and needed Other Number 5's: Bill Gates, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Bjork, and Stephen Hawking.

Your Inner Color is Purple

Your Personality: You're a dreamer and visionary. You believe you were put on this earth to do something great. You in Love: You're very passionate but often too busy for love. You need a partner who sees your vision and adopts it as their own. Your Career: You need a job that helps you make a difference. You have a bright future as a guru, politician, teacher, or musician.

Your Life Path Number is 8




Your purpose in life is to help others succeed

You are both a natural leader and a natural success. You are also a great judge of character.

You have a head for business and finance. You know how to make money.

A great visionary, you can see gold where other people see nothing.

In love, you are very generous - with gifts, time, and guidance.

You love to inspire people, but it can be frustrating when they don't understand your vision.

Great success comes easily for you. But so does great failure, as you are very reckless.

You are confident, and sometimes this confidence borders on arrogance.

You've Changed 60% in 10 Years

You've done a good job changing with the times, but deep down, you're still the same person. You're clothes, job, and friends may have changed some - but it hasn't changed you.

You Scored an A

You got 10/10 questions correct. It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors. If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs. As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human. And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

You Are An INTP

The Thinker You are analytical and logical - and on a quest to learn everything you can. Smart and complex, you always love a new intellectual challenge. Your biggest pet peeve is people who slow you down with trivial chit chat. A quiet maverick, you tend to ignore rules and authority whenever you feel like it. In love, you are an easy person to fall for. But not an easy person to stay in love with. Although you are quite flexible, you often come off as aloof or argumentative. At work, you are both a logical and creative thinker. You are great at solving problems. You would make an excellent mathematician, programmer, or professor. How you see yourself: Creative, fair, and tough-minded When other people don't get you, they see you as: arrogant, cold, and robotic

Why does it seem a lot of different people, from various backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, cultures, ages, and genders only do the bare minimum at work?

Why do I feel a sense of urgency and others don't, especially in a deadline driven field?

I'm so frustrated...I have a really hard time seeing a need and not filling it - even if it isn't in my "area" of responsibility. So why don't others?!?!?!

So...should hold others to my standards or am I just filling up my bag with rocks that don't need to be there?

Why does this bug me so much?

Why do I even care?

Should I even care?

Somethings for me to ponder more.

Me

Here's Nich showing off his finished school project. It's Saffy - A Bengal Tiger he is going to show off tomorrow night at his school with the rest of his class (04/17/08). He did an EXCELLENT JOB!!!!

He helped Todd and I kneed the modeling clay to make it brown, made 3 deer out of it, and painted the box. All Todd and I had to do was guide and assist with the plants. He even let me make 1 deer too for his scene. Then Nich and I sat down and wrote his report. Here's a copy of it:

Recently, in all 3 of my blogs, I posted my thoughts and feelings about conflict amongst friends, which I have both seen and experienced - with different friends, at different times, in my life.

What I found fascinating, were the very different responses I received from friends regarding this particular post.

One replied to my post via a vile and repugnant voice message on my phone. Another posted in one of my blogs attacking me for what they thought was post about them. Lastly, one replied to my post and said the best kind of friend is one who is honest to you when you need it and stands by you while you figure things out, and that my friend should be glad to have me as a friend and a resource.

So I'm left to wonder....

Why would friend(s) lash out at me instead of asking for clarification if they felt I made a post about them? Why would another take it for what it is, a post of what's in my head and heart?

So I'm off to ponder more...and post again soon.

Almost as bad as giving a kid some medicine...

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right fore-finger. Hold mouth shut for a countof ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call friend.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get friend to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down remove ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get friend to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to friend's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw Tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13. Tie cats front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, hold cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet of steak. Hold head vertically and pour pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get friend to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for SPCA to collect cat. Ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.


Enjoy!

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So what does one say to a friend who has been lied to and betrayed...?

Even tougher, what does one say to a friend, who has been lied to and betrayed, by a mutual friend...?

I say this…

I am a person who really tries to find a positive in each and every situation, but I cannot find any in this one. This mutual friendship is lost and it really hurts. This friend, I really respected and admired for many reasons, but no longer.

They gave it all up because they would rather be in a "relationship" with someone who is continuously conniving, deceitful, sneaky, controlling, hounding, harassing, condescending, belittling, inhospitable, rude, domineering, and insecure. A “relationship” that is at a minimum, unhealthy, unbalanced, and dysfunctional, and at a maximum, abusive.

This “relationship” is creating lasting negative impacts on relationships with their family and other friends. How much more do they have to lose?

I wish this person would wake up and see it for what it really is. But I am not optimistic they will before it is too late and too much has been lost.

It's unfortunate that this friend fails to understand that everyone, including them, deserves to be treated with dignity, honesty, and respect - always!

So I am standing up and saying enough is enough. No matter how destructive they wish to be with their own life, I will not stand by and watch another person suffer the consequences for it.

Unlike you, I will do what I am able to do and assist a friend and together, we will all move forward. Life is not a destination, but a journey.

Karma happens. What comes around goes around.

Here's to a new adventure in blogging.
Me