Stepping in the Ring

Merry Christmas Morning Everyone!

This morning this blog has really special content. My Daughter is on a "Christmas Treasure Hunt" and one of the places she has to go to find a hint is here.

Here is the video, YOU must watch Heather.

 When your done watching, congrads you found the last present all you have to do is get Catfish to tell you where it is at and its all yours!! You might look at the video again, there is a cat that goes fishing and that might get you real close to where your present is. Of course Im sure Catfish will tell you though... LOLOL Merry Christmas Baby Girl

Mommy

a reference for the rest of us. (yes all copyright and credit for my title goes to Wiley Publishing and those great Books "For Dummies"

On to it...

I was unfortunate and fortunate at the same time to be around for the first Blog Wars here on Fox 4 (DFW) and have come out pretty unscathed through quite a few since their inception. Yes, I have generally been the peacekeeper and one of those trying to get everyone to "just get along or separate". I have wrote more blogs than I can remember trying to be a mediator. (except in the past six months, give or take) I honestly, finally, gave up.

I said I was unfortunate and fortunate. I like to see any situation whether I come out on top or bottom as a learning experience. I have learned quite a bit here over the year and half. Somethings are things people wrote to me over and over again and yet I still had to try and be a peacekeeper because it is my nature to be.

This if for my friend I_S: (I'm sorry to call attention to your name or "call you out" I have done it to Lee and others. And while I probably shouldn't I have to be honest and blunt and hope the other person understands my intentions. If not, I know we can always communicate.) I_S and anyone else that feels this comment may fit them. (possibly Onyx, *I did it again, sorry) Your intentions are honorable, commendable, and heartfelt. Mine in the past have been as well. However, so I have learned and am still witnessing the ones that want no peace will continue whether we ask or beg them to end their warring. They can and do mask their intentions with snide comments to simply put spurs or barbs into others. I have stopped posting here mainly because I grew tired of wading through their time wasting babble on the boards. Honestly, I have also taken on more responsibility since graduating too. I miss communicating with bloggers like You and several others and should not allow the people warring with each other to limit my ability to be able to connect with you. However, I do.  My only hope is that people will become bored with these people and their diatribe and they will lose their attention and cease. I would not even be here typing this if it was not for your wonderful challenge and heartfelt plea on your blog. I would like to make another challenge in Mystic Donkey and your honor. I'll put it up shortly.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

C_O_Kay Presents: A Blog of Christmas and Holiday Cheer for her friends at FOX.

For the last couple Christmas' I have watched this video because for some reason it brings me peace and joy. The music is by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the animated lights are meditative. Please join me...

This light display can be visited by vehicle, they are in Frisco and can be seen on the web at www.friscochristmas.com  What is really cool about this man and family is.... if you go by the house to check out his display he has a donation box set up, not for money, but for canned goods to go to their local food bank. What a perfect way to enjoy this wonder and give to others in that joyful experience.

I have one more video to share. It is one I visit often, but during the Holidays I visit it obsessively. It is entitled "God Bless the Child" (Who Suffers) sung in this video by Shania Twain. My reason for sharing is use my ability to communicate to help shed light on the children that don't simply wish for the ipod or the latest fashion for a present at this time of year. They wish for things we all, myself included take for granted, and they wish for these things at all times of the year.

My dedication tonight is to the child I have talked to that:

wishes her daddy would come home and open the presents she made for him while he is overseas in danger for reasons she does not understand.

wishes his father would stop making him so scared he has to call me in the middle of the night from his closet. (911)

wishes she could come live with me because mommy died in prison and daddy..well he died there too.

My list is long and it is real I promise you. Please  take a moment if the chance arises, it doesn't take money, just lend an ear to a child. The largest most precious gifts are NOT those that are bought with money but those that are made by heart.

ok, seriously.......................no really..............................seriously..........
......

I'm confused beyond................................

This alter thing around here is confusing the you know what out of me. 

1. The point of an alter is what?

2. Isn't it difficult to remember all the different persona's one might create?

3. If someone I like is really an alter does that make me look stupid for communicating with them? if so ouch that kinda hurts but owell wouldn't be the first time, I suppose

please help an alter challenged blogger (LOLOL)

seriously, Ya'll

I wanted to give everyone an idea of this Holiday Challenge that I put up in a blog. Doing these kinds of blogs is my way of spreading my Heart I suppose.

Time to be very truthful: I am not always a nice person. I am not always a giving or care sounding person. In these blogs you see what I put on here. You dont get to see me at work or on the streets when being nice and care sounding does not get the job done. I write these blogs because they make me feel good and I want to share that feeling with others. Please do not take these blogs as if I want to sound or act as a saint. I am far from it and only choose to do what I can when I can to show other humans we can take moments out of our day and out of our normal routine to care for others in all kinds of ways.

That being said here is my self challenge a couple Christmas' ago.:

I use to drive my children to school every morning before they began to drive on their own. Every morning between 6:45 and 7:00am there was this lady and her husband that would take a morning walk at a fast pace down the same country road I drive. Every morning this woman would not only wave at us (strangers to her) but she would have this smile as if we were coming home from a long trip. I fell in love with this woman and did not even know her name. She felt like family I wanted to hug, ya know. Finally, I got the courage up after a near year of her waves and wrote a poem in dedication to her and the men and women like her. Those that give unconditional care just by a look or gesture. I entitled it "The American Cheerleader" I did so because she reminded me of my grandmother and mother. The women of past times that take time out of their routines and their world to stop for a second and just let anyone know they have a heart.  It is just one of the most American things I could think of.....driving down the road and witnessing a woman saying hi and smiling at all who passed her. Kind of like Lady Liberty, standing and welcoming all no matter who they happened to be. I wrote the poem in Calligraphy and put it inside a candy wreath for Christmas. I drove that road the next morning, stopped my truck, my children and I exited and walked towards her and she was not surprised but looked like she was ready to hug us. I gave her the wreath and for a brief and very odd moment for me I began to tear up. (I do not cry publicly, ever) I see her today and I wave as though she is my mother and I don't even know her name.

God Loves You My American Cheerleader and my Challenge is in thanks for people just like you!

Kay

Remember when you were a kid and usually played this Alphabet Game in the car on long trips in the car. Its a goofy game me and the kids still play, course they would never admit to that. I jazzed it up a bit but here it goes. Here is what you say (type):

My name is ___________ and I am from ____(town)______, _____(State or Country)__.

I sell __________. My hobbies are ____________ and one day I would like to _____________.

*The catch is you can only fill the blanks with words that begin with the letter of the alphabet that is next For example if the blogger before you had "r" then you have to write using all words that begin with "s".

Have fun with, I'll let another bloggers start it off and I'll be back, hoping I dont get the dreaded X.

}I challenge You! (again)

Deadline: 12/03/07

     Some of you may remember my challenge blogs from awhile back. I want to take a few seconds to briefly introduce anyone else possibly interested in taking part in what "I challenge YOU" means.

     I will post a challenge that we can all take part in. If a poster wants to accept the challenge they will post their acceptance here and then before the deadline they can come back and post their finished challenge results. It can be a fun, entertaining, and always learning experience for those participating and those reading the responses.  I hope you all will join me in this Holiday Challenge.

The Challenge: (Deadline 12/03/07)

I challenge you to pick someone you do not know very well, someone you come in contact with and recognize but have not formed a friendship with and observe them for a bit. Maybe identify an interest or like of theirs and think of a $5.00 gift you could give them in correlation with their interest. Nothing too personal, but something that would show you have listened to them or acknowledge their interests. Wrap this gift and attach a note that simply says something like this, "Small token of care." You can sign it with your name or not even sign it. The point of the challenge is to give something (even something small) of yourself in thought and care to another that is outside your comfort zone. Share with us: How you picked the person you did, what you picked, how you shared it, and what was their response.

I'll share with you who I am picking. I am picking someone I have not gotten along with. Someone who's personality and mine have clashed in the past. We'll see how it goes.

Peace All

I am once again amazed that I know so little. I do consider myself to be a student of human behavior, informally so. I have watched and studied human behavior since as far back as I can remember. Honestly, I think it was one of those things that I developed at a very young age do to being in the mist of such a contradicting family. I had an absolutely great and horrid family all at the same time. I am humble and honest enough to communicate that I am not great nor am I horrid. Although at given times I can be one or the other. Just as anyone else so I have witnessed in my day.

The reason I am rambling about: I think about highschool and how some kids just did not fit in. No matter what they did or how they presented themselves other kids just would not accept them. Many kids would just not let others just live and be themselves without ridiculing, intimidating, bullying, or in some way put these kids on defense for being themselves. It seemed that these kids had to think like everyone else or wear the same ridiculous get ups everyone else did or they were looked down on or in some way ostracized by others. Somehow I was lucky, no one bothered me. I could wear whatever whenever and I was liked by whoever. I wasn't in a "group" or "click" but hung out with everyone. I dressed up one day and wore all black the next, no one ever bothered me. However, I saw those kids, the ones that people just had to be picked on cause they were somehow different. I quite literally got into many physical altercations defending these kids. (Maybe, thats why no one bothered me, I stood straight up for anyone of any group)

Funny, I read the blogs here and I kind of see the same thing. 

Question to anyone: Why not read something, try to understand the intent, respond with communication that brings forth something positive? Why comment to ridicule and demean or fulfill some kind of bullying or "I'm better than you" self building action?

Seriously?

Kay

I have been attempting to write the rest of my replies but cannot seem to get through most times. I only have a very limited time to be on here. I thought getting out of school I would have more time but I have seemed to fill that time with other activities with work and family. I apologize to my friends here. I wish I could be here more, I miss our communication and hope its cool I pop in here and there.

Kay

* Hi all its been awhile. I was checking out the blogs and read one that really kind of hit me in a personal way.*

If you know me, you know I am raising teens in this society. They are my children and my lifeline. We are not a perfect family and we are not a traditional family from the 1950 standards. Two of my children are not my blood but you wouldnt know it. In fact, many comment on how my Daughter by marriage looks like Me. (Smiles it cracks Us up!) I have been away because Her biological Mother has passed away recently and it has hit the family kind of hard.

I simply want to say this. When I was a teen I tried very hard to raise my voice in the problems I saw with my society, my enviroment, and my future. I did so in what I consider an intelligent way by speaking with and giving speeches to many government officials one to include Nancy Reagan. However, many teens do not have or get this wonderful opportunity. Our teens are our future. If we as the supposed adults do not show them the correct way how do we expect them to follow the correct path???  

How many parents can actually say they have meaningful conversations with their teens? How many parents spend more than 30 minutes a day with their teen? How many families actually eat dinner together for not only the food but for the bonding that comes with it??? How many families have family activities that include the whole family on a weekly/monthy basis? How many families actually pull out a board game or deck of cards and play??? It is not the action of the events but the communication that unfolds through them that I feel is missing from so many teens lives with their families.

I pose this question: How many of our youthful offenders of violent and deadly crimes were well bonded with their family members? I know bullying is said to be a big part of teens lashing out in deadly school assaults. But, I want to hear from the parents that they did not know their kids were being abused by bullies? How can a parent allow our youth to be cast into such a lonely world and then search for the blame at others feet??

Just my venting. I have been there. Luckily I learned many self preservation skills and I recieved an education to communicate in a positive manner.

I am not trying to make light of this hair color issue and teens being taken out of school because of it. Thankfully my kids and I are a team and work together in these aspects. They can "freak" their hair out during the summer (thats their time), the fall they go straight by code (thats my time) For some reason this compromise has worked and my kids have very conservative hair, they have to keep me in line though. (Blushes)

Rules are Rules and should be abided by! I am all for it. My job and degree command me to be a rule enforcer. However my question and statement is this. Shouldn't we choose our battles wisely? Example: My parents were very strict, no flexibility, no compromises, ever.  I rebelled with a vengeance and if I am honest I still rebel today. (my hair is stark black and red btw) My children and I are always up for an open conversation. This DOES NOT mean they get their way and get to do whatever they want. This means we discuss what they want from a 360 view. Case in point. Last April my son wanted a Mohawk. While I think nothing is wrong with this, society will stereotype him by his presence. We talked about it, we even compromised to allow it to happen during the first part of summer so it would grow back before school. He thought about it and finally decided to forget about it. I would so much rather save my passion and battles with my children for things such as drunk driving, drugs, getting an actual education, than the color of their hair.

Kids need rules, we all need rules. We as adults need to know what is important and what should not be dramatized. I wonder if this administration paid as close attention to other rules as they did the "appearance rules". Or if this is one of those things they can exercise their power in and simply did so. I suppose I just feel battles should be picked more wisely.

And to the young man that has his hair dyed. First, Sir, your hair (from the pic I saw) looks perfectly fine to me. Its not White and Black like some I have seen, its NOT distracting as the young girls I see wearing skirts so short you can see everything when they bend over. Just remember if it is seen as breaking the rules, its something you will have to contend with obviously. If this staff acts unprofessional its on them, not you, please remember how you act in reference to this is "your action". Hold your head high, remember your education is ultimately on you even though they are the adults. Be the adult and do what is right for your education, take the action in a professional manner, and people will see you for who you are and not the color of your hair. Good Luck!

This is purely entertainment. Hopefully to someone other than me too. LOL I have no school work and I am off today. Its one of the first times in two years! So, I'm chillin', kind of. Here is today's activities until 6:00pm, when hubby gets here. I am NOT going anywhere today, no errands, no shopping, no traveling. I'm kind of taking it easy because I am sunburned and my arms for some reason will not raise above my head. (I was drug behind a boat at a high rate of speed, thanks Hubby!)

Agenda:

#1 clean out master bathroom - organize cabinets and clean to a sparkle.

#2 start transferring recipes from old torn book to new 3 ring binder with page protectors.

#3 regular household stuffs like dishes etc etc

#4 make monster cookies to fatten hubby up some more, LOL

I'll check back a little later to update my progress or lack thereof. (it is my day off,grins) Come take a break with me. I'm not going to say leave a message like Marks for fear of revenge LMBO, but leave me a note, tell me what you are doing today.  First thing is first though, I have to find some kind of cute template for my new recipe book. Microsoft website here I come!! Oh and btw if you ever want to find some new recipes or new spins on old recipes check out allrecipes.com

ok, laterz,

Kay

New Sport for Kay and Hubby. This summer my husband and I added a new activity to our already full activity list. Paintball is addicting and believe it or not a good thing for us health wise. Ok, the injuries happen but not everytime we play. The workout is intense and I am all up for it. It is going to help me in more ways than one, physically and mentally. My husband sees it as a way to have fun, release tension, and help stay physically active. I see it as that, however I also see it as a way to train in tactical situations for my career.  I LOVE IT. I just started this, but I am already enjoying talking to the guys about startegy and ways to create wins on the battlefield. WHEW look out metroplex.............or look out local ER. (Thank the Lord my daughter is an EMT and getting her nursing degree completed soon.)

Now for the personality question: My friends at Fox 4, I have always known I am a little (ok, alot) different than others. (Its ok, I accept it and go with the flow) Im still concerned that I havent seen other women really taking in this sport in my area. (I have seen tapes of other women in Dallas) Am I missing something? What I am asking is, my female friends here at FOX 4, can You tell me why you would or would not play this sport. What do you honestly think of a woman that does?

I can tell you this much about me and really any sport I do not take in the male machismo attitudes, I let that go in one ear and out the other because the proof is in the pudding when we are actually competing. What I like is of course the competition but also... the team aspect, the learning from others, the strategy, but most of all the ability to use strategy and planning to exact a win versus using brute strength. I do not like being a rare woman in the sea of guys. This is a bit uncomfortable because it feels as though I can be taken many different ways, most being the wrong way. But, in paintball when we suit up and put the masks on my being female is kind of hidden and that part I LOVE.

I'm really good at getting into trouble. Not because I am rude or obnoxious. Because, I have a good way of being direct and to the point without thinking first that it might not be nice. Thats why when I am here I try to write that I am not trying to offend or hurt feelings. My Grandmother said you can catch more flies with honey....... Sometimes I fall short.

Most people here know I am a 911 operator for a small (10,000 pop) City. I have wrote blogs before in an attempt to help people, help 911, to get them help faster and safer. However, this blog is kind of a venting to the public since I must always keep my thoughts to myself at work. I hope people are not offended by seeing my side of the phone line and maybe something new will be seen by citizens for when they need to call me.

Do you get frustrated and upset when you call 911 and the response is not immediate? I would. I too get frustrated about this because, in my mind there is someone out there that needs help and that is why I do the job I do. Here is some (not all) of the problem from my side of it. People call me every night with calls that honestly could go to a non-emergency line. Loud music, barking dogs, check to see if they are wanted, collect calls they cant afford to make, phone numbers to business', etc etc I have a full list of these types of calls. These calls take seconds to handle sometimes longer, however, they tie up the 911 line, of which for my city is only a couple  lines with only one operator...ME.

I hear people complain about 911 all the time. I take it in stride and know that (for example) the child I helped this weekend is better off this morning because he was strong enough to call me, tell me what he could, and hang in there with me, til personnel could get to him. However, keeping him online makes all other calls go to the county 911 and that will causes delays. I am one person, I can do so much.  How would you feel, how would you complain about me if I hung up on him til I know he is located and safe? I am not angry that people complain all the time about 911 because if I had the control I would make provisions that there would be enough personnel and equipment to fully protect and serve everyone. But, I don't and my city I suppose doesn't either or they would help me. There are ways we can all help though.

When You have a situation, take a deep breath and think, is this beyond my control? Is my or someone's life in immediate danger? Am I simply mad, or am I scared there will be harm done? Please think before 911, can you call the non-emergency line? Do you even know it? Put it on your frig. And if you live in a city (cause I have heard this) that offers little help on the emergency line. Maybe calling their administration during the day time hours and telling them you do not want to have to use the 911 line but .....

Also, please remember there is a law in the Penal Code that prohibits the misuse or abuse of a 911 system. It is NOT a class C either, it is jail time, according to state law. Although I have only seen this a few times, being filed.

Just one more, I know people are in extreme states when they call 911 most times. I take everything in and extract the fact detail to get the correct personnel to the correct place. I have been stern with some, while mothering to others. I have been cussed out and threatened, its all in a days work. And, I am good with it because I know how I would be in an extreme emergency involving loved ones. What does hurt though......When people make blanket statements about 911 and 911 operators. I am not everyone else. I do care, this is why I do the job I do. My pay is minimal and thats ok because I have a husband that takes care of our family with small support from me. I read the paper and listen to the news and take in how horrible 911 is, how rude we might be, how some are unethical, but I never ever see how many times in one night we help people or protect people. The good we do far outweighs the few incidents that are publicized, yet the general public does not get to see that nor do I feel they think about it.