Set some rules

Everything in life has rules. I have my own.

1. Never write anything down you don't want everyone to read.
(Anyone can post a comment but I have veto)

2. Don't post anything on the internet you don't want your mother to see.
(No foul language. If my mother doesn't use it I probably don't either)

3. The internet is an unforgiving place.
(You can never take back anything only appologize)

My favorite TV character's rules are those of NCIS Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I think he has about 50 and they are all very important to him and his agents. Keeps things in check and the funnies part is he got them started from his wife.

Gibbs #8 Never take anything forgranted.

#39 No such thing as a coincidence.

#51 Sometimes your wrong.

So now that the rules are done. I want to share a few things about me and my blog.

I am 44 years old. Lived in Clearwater, Florida all my life. I have been married to Brian for 13 years and we lived together for 5 years before.  I have had 3 full time jobs in my life and only owned 4 cars. I am always on time. In my adult life I have had 6 cats and 2 dogs. I enjoy photography, genealogy and puzzles. And you don't ever want to make me mad.

My three jobs:

1. Eckerds
2. xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx (Only exists in my memories)
3. Brighthouse

My four cars:

1. 1978 Ford Mustang II
2. 1987 Ford Mustang
3. 1993 Chevy Cavilier
4. 2005 Chrysler Sebring

Favorite Singers and Songs:

1. Top of the World, Carpenters
2. Day Dream Believer, Monkees
3. Annie's Song, John Denver
4. Through the Years, Kenny Rogers
5. Memories, Barbara Streisand

I will  one day share some of my more obscure favorites. As you can see the ones listed are life long favorites. Through the Years is Brian and my song.

My Animals:

1. Mary (Part Siamese cat)
2. Tiffany (Persian cat)
3. Lillian (Fat Black cat)
4. Blake (Fat Orange cat)
5. Gauge (Tiffany's kitten)
6. Kody (Lab Chow mix dog)
7. Boo ( Very Fat Black cat)
8. Princess (Lab Sharpei mix dog)

Some of what I want to share. My views on the world, life and people and animals. I will probably write more to begin which I am sure most do. I expect to get to where I have a posting a week.

I am going to explain and share some crazy things that have happened to me. Some you will be able to relate to and some you will walk away in shock. I will never use anyone's name that does not want me too. I am not here to talk about others. I am sharing about myself.

I have found in my life that there are so many layers that some only see the work layer, or the family layer. I am never fake. I just can not always show everything at once. Most would be scared off.
For my friends and family I will do anything. All you have to do is ask and they do.

For everyone else. It does not take much more. I am my happiest busy helping others. Some have said Co-dependent. Now you have had a peak inside.

I hope this is an enjoyable experience.

Jeanne Holmquist

August 31, 2012

New Day

So, Today is Monday January 21, 2013. It is Martin Luther King Day a sometimes celebrated only in some neighborhoods holiday. It is also Inauguration Day. How ironic we are swearing in a President on a National Holiday for a man that supported the idea of equality among all of us.

I got up this morning and turned on CSpan and watched the Pomp and Circumstance. I love that stuff. Called my sister and reminded that this only happens once every 4 years and the kids should be aware. I am one who pays attention to what Michelle wore today. Elegant and classy. I would say like Jackie Kennedy but some would be offended. Oh well. She looks lovely and so do her daughters. Growing up in the White House has to be one of those surreal things. Growing up in the only American Castle.

On this day there will be celebrations across the country celebrating the Freedoms that people have gained in their life time. If you consider that a woman or black man could have only dreamed to be President in the 1960's. Some were shocked that a Catholic white man could be elected then.  The future of children today the sky is no longer the limit. There is no limit to what someone with an education and the will to try can accomplish. 

When you look back, and forward at the same time the present is right in front of you. George Washington said that electing and sitting a first president did not make this country great but it was the election of the second president and transferring of power is what will make this country different. We have now done this 50+ times in this countries history over the last 200 years. We can as a people accomplish anything we set our minds to. I do not think the our For Fathers were so incredibly smart beyond our understanding. I think they were very careful with their chosen words. They did not expect their document to last 200 years they were expecting to re write the document. But now it is revered like the Bible. Words written in a time so long ago that they never could have known what time and technology would bring us. But here we are 2000 years after some of the bible stories were first told and 200 years after our country was formed. We still argue over some of the same things. Freedom, Gun Control, Liberty.

Lets see there may not have been guns but 2000 years ago there were wars fought over land, personal freedom and religion. And 200 years ago wars fought over again land, personal freedom and religion. So I can only imagine that another 200 years or 2000 years if men and women still walk this earth there will still be people fighting over the same things. Yet hopefully there will still be Presidents being elected and Popes being selected in the same fashion as it has been happening for generations. There is some stability in this world and one day we will find away to find Peace as well. Maybe not in controlling guns or land holders and there will no longer be slaves in any form not only in our country but in the world.

Tonight when the news shows Michelle and Barack dancing at the inauguration ball. Notice the smile on their faces the love they have. The joy that they can share these moments with their children and the world. This great country allows such a freedom for a black man to not only be elected president but to be re-elected. And even if all the events are not open to the public you can watch them happen on TV. Take pride in the fact that you live here and have the right and obligation to not only live in this country but to participate in the process. Jury Duty, Voting, serving in the Armed Services, teaching our children the ways of the past and show them how bright their future can be if they only have the will to succeed and they get a good education any American kid can grow up to be President of the United States of America.

What if?

With the job I have I wonder every day about this world and how as a whole people are so dependent on technology how would they survive without. So because Day one seems like where you would start I wanted to see what some might do if they did not have all their technology at their fingertips.

People are so reliant on the convenience at times you would think they were being asked to go without breathing for a few days. People always blame the I have bills to pay or work from home. Funny thing, I don't really believe that they all have bills to pay or work from home. They just don't want to admit that their built in babysitter the Internet and online gaming can not be lived without for a few days.

For myself , I would no longer write a blog it would be back to journal on pen and paper which is ok because unlike school children of today. I do know how to write in cursive and have decent enough handwriting that I could review what I had written down. I joked with a customer yesterday about how we used to go to the library to do research for a report and had to find books by subject, author or title in the card catalog. I don't even think they maintain the hard copy anymore so good luck on your report. The card catalog is online.

So we will start with the thought that if the world had to go 3 days without cell phones what craziness would happen or would we as a people go back no problem. I know there are still places in the world that don't have the technology and I am ok with that. I could drop the phone and revert back no problem. I could go without Facebook, I am newcomer to it anyway and could give it up. Games, I only have one on my phone I play when I am bored which should be never. I never turn the ringer on so I don't talk on it really except for my mom on the way home from work at night.

I see people in restaurants and they each have their phone out and every few moments they look down to see if there is any updates. What in the world could happen that is that exciting. I guess if you don't keep an eye on your phone you will not know. I prefer the old fashioned conversation with the person across the table from me. I can sit through a whole meal without getting my phone out of my purse. Is that really amazing?

Had a guy ask me the other day when I was looking for directions to his house not if I had a pen to write down the address but do you have a gps? No. Do you use Google Maps? I guess I could but can't you just give me directions. I was using my cell phone to call him but I could have made the call before I left the house. I found my way no problem. No gps or anything. Wow. For those of you to young to know. Back in the day you would have kept a map in glove compartment and you would have been able to look up the address that way if you got lost or did not know where you were going.

Brian is a different story. He has been all in on this smart phone revolution for a long time. He likes to look things up and do his research on his phone. He knows how to use the GPS so he would have punched in the name and address to find his way somewhere he has never been before and he would be lost if he couldn't call to let you know he made a wrong turn and is running late. He enjoys his facebook and keeping up with others busy lives. Especially his nieces. He uses the alarm, notes to remind himself of his schedule and things he needs to do. Has music in case he will be stuck sitting in a waiting room or has to go to the dentist. Can't listen to them talk about his teeth. Has to concentrate on something more soothing like music.

Those are just the things I can think of that the 2 of us use. So could you do it. Or would you loose your mind. God forbid we think about an extended power outage. Rationing of power as though it were food. A thought maybe for next time.