What would YOU do to support your family?

i though this was an amazing story

I met an amazing woman on the Oprah show yesterday that really make me think about how messed up our society can be sometimes.

Her name was Marian and she is a single mom of 3 children. She has a bachelor's degree from Clemson in Hospitality and Tourism and worked in the field for many years. When her husband left her and did not provide child support for the three children, she was forced to take on another job, besides her tourism job and she still was not making ends meet. She was scraping by on the "wing and a prayer" and hardly got to see her children.

Her financial situation was horrible, but she knew she must work and did not want to be one of those mothers that took advantage of the welfare system.

Well, one of her friends told her about an upscale gentlemen's club in Atlanta that paid very well. She battled with the questions (should I do this? is it right? what will people think?), but because she was desperate to support her family, she decided to give it a try. Having a killer body for a 41 year old definately helped the situation, haha.

GET THIS... now she works 3 nights a week, she is at home when her kids wake up and she sees them off the school. Then she goes back to bed for a little bit, works out, does some housework and runs errands, picks up her kids from school, helps them with homework, fixes dinner, puts them to bed and then goes to work from 8 p.m. to about 4 in the morning. She has more MONEY than she has had in a long time, actually has a savings and a life insurance policy. She has MORE TIME with her kids and, I have to say, she looked like a fantastic mom. Of course, she worries all the time what people think and her 13 year old daughter said she is proud of her mom and knows that she is doing what she can to be available to her kids and make a living. She was a little shocked when her mom first told her, but now she understands and doesn't care what anyone says or thinks.

NOW, I am not saying that I could do this, nor would I want to (or be able to with my fat ass), but I gotta give the woman some credit! She IS working, she IS making ends meet, she IS being a fantastic mom to her three kids and she IS educated.

This just goes to show that there is seriously something wrong with our society. That to be able to WORK and make money to support a large family you are forced to work in environments that you never intended, or achieved a college degree to do. I really thought she was a remarkable woman who was a great mom, well educated, but happened to be a stripper named Charlie 3 days at week. Whatever works! I would rather slip a $20 into her G-String than support some low-life, lazy person on welfare. But, this is just MY opinion. I welcome all of you to share yours. :)

Here's the link for the story if you want to know more
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200802/20080227/slide_20080227_350_108.jhtml

Down with the sickness

what hubby gets, the wife gets too

So, Jared is feeling a little better, but is on his way to the doctor right now to get checked out. But now I AM sick! I don't think it is the same thing he has because my cough is not near as bad, but I am achy all over, my head is so congested I can barely lift it, my nose is red and peeling from blowing it so much and I have been running a fever all day. I hate this crap! It is probably the flu, but I get some killer sinus infections too, so it could be that.

So, Mr and Mrs Sickness will be couped up in this house all day with our nasty germs! Our coffee table looks like a tornado went through a pharmacy... kleenex, cough drops, cough syrup, Nyquil, Sudafed, water bottles and cups of juice. It is actually pretty pathetic! I just hope no one wants to look at the house today cause its gonna take all the energy I have to get this place cleaned up.

Sniffle, Sniffle, Cough, Cough

he's got new eyes, but now he's sick

Yesterday was an interesting day. Jared went in for his Lasik eye surgery and he went without me because I couldn't take off any more work. It's actually a good thing I wasn't there because he said the surgery was dreadful.

He woke up the morning of his surgery with a bit of a cough. He said it took everything he had not to cough while the lasers were on him. The doctor kept telling him to lay still, but Jared had a very hard time doing that, bless his heart. To make matters worse he very much disliked the clamps that held his eyes open and his right eye started to bleed during the procedure. The doctor told us today that the bleeding is quite uncommon, but not detrimental. He said that because Jared had worn contacts for so many years and had a bad astigmatism on both eyes that it causes the blood vessels to rise to the top and when they peeled back the flap on his eye to operate, it caused the bleeding. GROSS! I am sooo glad I didn't see that! Anyone that knows me knows that I do not like blood, needles, anything to do with a hospital. So, I fear I would have been passed out on the floor if I saw blood spewing from his eyes!

Needless to say after all that, Jared tested at 20/25 vision in both eyes today!!!! So, we were happy to hear that. Doctor said it should get even better and since Jared is sick, that might be part of the problem.

So, now here I am, curled up on the couch, watching tv and Jared is sleeping for the third time today. Poor guy is really sick and he can't even have fun and try out his new eyes. He does look real cute without his glasses. I almost forgot what he looked like without them cause it has been so long. I think once he gets well he will appreciate them, but right now he is enjoying watching the back of his eyelids. :)

Yep, I'm a copycat too

just call me a computer dork

So I made a "glog" too cause I wanna be just like Julie and be a computer dork! haha. Just kidding! It was actually kind of fun. Check it out! http://stacy1981.glogster.com/glog-210/

Yes, I am a chicken!

so I don't like to drive on ice, so what?

Ok, those of you who know me know that I am kind of a chicken when it comes to driving. I've had too many close calls, a few wrecks, a speeding ticket and I have absolutely horrible night vision, which makes driving a real challenge for me sometimes. I don't pass unless I am completely sure there are no cars coming, I follow the "five to seven miles over" rule for speeding and I try not to turn left onto busy roads very often. This cautious attitude annoys my fast driving, sharp turn taking friends (a-hem Marla) :) But, I do it anyway cause deep down I have this fear of being in a horrible car wreck. I know it is weird and everyone worries about it once in a while, but I can see it happen and it is the same way every time. It just really freaks me out.

Well, when it is icy or snowy, I become an even bigger chicken. I just get flat out scared and refuse to drive on it. This morning I was supposed to take Jared to work since he has his eye surgery and he cannot drive afterwards. Well, as I was getting ready this morning I could hear the ice hitting the window and my blood pressure began to rise. Not only did I have to take him to Pittsburg (20 miles away), but then I had to drive to Greenbush (30 miles from Pittsburg).

Needless to say, Jared ended up taking me to work and he wasn't happy about it. He said, "You are gonna have to learn how to drive on if you want to move up north". Well, not really cause I will just get him to do it or I will take public transportation. Problem solved!

Are we clear? Yes. ARE WE CLEAR? Crystal!

it's all about the lasik eye surgery

I really don't have too much to talk about today, but I wanted to let everyone know that Jared will be having Lasik Vision Correction tomorrow afternoon! We are very excited about the possibility of perfect vision and the cost savings of not having to buy glasses and contacts anymore. So, please keep Jared in your thoughts and hope for some Crystal Clear vision! He is super excited about it!