Sunday, February 27, 2011

Random Thoughts and Musings

Wow, what a weekend it has been. Most of the weekend was spent hanging out with the man who is both my best friend and my husband. Just hanging out with friends, drinking lots of beer and wine (that was me...) and eating chili and just generally having a good time, we did manage to fit some time in with the kids too.

And in the midst of all this merriment, Mike got word that a woman he has known most of his life had passed away after being removed from life support.  A close family friend.  And then totally out of the blue, I was told that a very close friend of mine had to remove her 15 year old daughter from life support Thursday, she passed away shortly after being removed.   Both deaths are painful.  But for some reason I am just totally sideswiped by Taylor's death, she was so young and vibrant.  I didn't know Brenda well, although I know the family.  But I keep thinking about how it would feel if that was my child lying there and I had to make that kind of decision.  And I cried for Dee and the fact that she had to do that.  I cried for the people left behind trying to make sense of that. And I cried in fear that I would ever have to do that myself.

Today we took my mom to dinner, my husband decided last month that we needed to make a more concentrated effort to spend some more time with her since we are pretty much all she has (my dad passed away four years ago) and we had a good time.  I was glad to spend the time with her since who knows how much time I do have with her.   And I know the kids enjoy seeing her.

Then I saw on Facebook that one of my cousins, who loves his son dearly, is losing him because the woman who birthed him is taking Jonathan and moving to Delaware with her boyfriend.  My cousin lives in Georgia.  We all pretty much think she is worthless and this pretty much seals the deal.  And I thought how horrible it would be to not see my kids every day.  Even though I jokingly threaten to lock them in closets periodically, I adore my kids and would die before I would let them live that far from me.

So I just got to thinking how crazy life is, how precious each moment we have is.  And how we should not take for granted our ability to show our appreciation and love for the people who we encounter.  Even if it is a simple note to say you care.
I had a woman call this week and I helped her out with some information, as I help many people, and she told me in closing, "Thank you, I appreciate you".  It is a southern way of saying thank you for everything you did, I appreciate the time you took to help and acknowledge me. God Bless your and yours.    Yes, 5 words say that and a whole lot more... Southerners have a remarkable way with inflection.  It truly isn't just the words, but the tone and sincerity projected.  

So in closing, Thank You!  I appreciate you. And I thank God you have entered my life in some manner/  I hope you have a wonderful week and it turns out to be everything you need it to be. 

A Michigan Rebel.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Style - Size or Substance


Theory of Relativity Or Size Squared?

So having a chat with a couple of friends on facebook about models and the ridiculousness of calling a size 8 a plus size model. Which really got me thinking... sorry, I know that is a dangerous thing. But here goes.

Seriously, do you see any extra body fat on this beauty?
If this is plus, I am all about that.



Any woman can be sexy, glamorous and positively divine if they want to be. Whether they are a size 2 or a size 20. It is all in the attitude. As my size has creeped up due to settling, kids, chocolate, laziness and anything else I can blame it on, my attitude changed too. I lost my ability to laugh as much, to smile at the little things. My attitude changed.

And that brought back to me a show I was watching a few nights ago (reminder to self, having your 13 year old watch Drag Queens compete, probably not the best TV screening I have done) RuPaul's Drag Race. I mean seriously, let's talk size... These are big ass men tucking their stuff and looking more stylish than any man has a right to. Now explain to me how a guy can wear a size 20 dress and look freaking gorgeous and a beautiful woman gets all worked up because of the SIZE of the dress? These guys, think they are HOT (and I have to admit, some of them are smoking!) and they love how they look and they admire each other. I personally LOVE Drag Queens, they are freaking awesome. Not to mention, damn do those guys know how to wear makeup! Their attitude is what makes them gorgeous to me, they love themselves so much.

Tell me Delta is not a BBW? She is full of spunky attitude and I LOVE her!



Why don't women do this? Why do we rip on Jennifer Love Hewitt (who is like a size negative 2) and say her ass is fat. My cat is fat, JLH doesn't have a fat cell on her body. Why do we take such pleasure in learning that Jessica Simpson has pimples and that J-Lo has cellulite? Why can't we admire ourselves more and be happy with who we are? Our attitude is kind of unnerving, we revel in someone else's pain and hurt. Instead of enjoying the beauty of their success.


Which brings me full circle, what is sexy? What is beautiful? And how does it relate to a size? I think that attitude is sexy, that beauty comes from something indefinable and size really is just relative.



However, can we talk about the sheer lack of stylish clothes for those above a size 10? Come check out my next Blog... We will be looking at some pics of what I am talking about.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Nerd - Rick Snyder

OK, so I was very interested when I saw that Rick Snyder has thrown his hat in the ring.
I have owned Gateway Computers for a long time (just bought a new one in fact). I also found it interesting that he became a venture capitalist, right here in Michigan and has helped 20 start ups get into business. Who saw the Super Bowl Ad? Pretty nifty, it got my attention - did it get yours?

I know alot of people will say, he sent jobs overseas while he was at Gateway, I am doing my research on that to find out exactly how many and what kind of impact it has had on the areas where Gateway has factories. I also ask, respectfully, if you have facts and figures that can help us figure out the real story - post them!

You can go to his website here www.rickformichigan.com and see what you think. His 10 point plan is kind of vague - but when you dive into the white paper information (yes I know - how BORING) it is interesting though. Although it does seem like there is quite a bit of rhetoric (this is a POLITICAL race).
I have to say that in comparison of Mike Cox's 99 bottles of Beer On The Wall list - this one was a lot easier to get through.

I also thought it was really cool that he is inviting people to run with him! Even going so far as to post links so that you can really get involved. How much easier can you make it for people to participate in the political process?

OK, so I am still looking for discussion on Virg and now Rick.... Come on People - lets have a discussion. And thanks to anyone following this, I appreciate that you have taken the time to start reading, I hope you find it interesting.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Away we go...

Well it looks like it is official, Bernero is throwing his hat in the ring and running for Governor. Only 15% of the Lansing voters turned out to put him back in office as Mayor of Lansing. I hope that won't be the case in the election for governor!

By the way, I should introduce myself, I am The Michigan Rebel. I am devoting this blog to educating people who don't want to take the time to educate themselves. I work in a government funded office and believe me, the one thing I know is that most people don't take the time to do any research before they make decisions that have long range impact on their lives. I see it everyday.

I have to say that I am tired of other people having such an impact on my life. I take the time to research my candidates, I look into their public and personal lives. I ask other people who have had contact with them what they think, I look at voting records and campaign promises. AND THEN, all the morons who vote based on the color of the candidate or the color of their shirt that day, put someone in office who could give a crap about my problems or the problems of any one who voted for them, and thereby make my time worthless! Thanks alot O' Uninformed Ones.

Well, enough of that I said. SO I am asking all my friends to link to this blog and to share what they think and we welcome others who have an opinion too. Even if I don't like your opinion, you have a right to it (that is what my father fought for) and I will respect it even as I beat the dog poop out of it, so be prepared to defend yourself.

So now that you know who I am, I respectfully ask your opinion of this particular candidate for Governor... We will be exploring the others as we get closer to election day.

Welcome all Rebels!