Unions, a good thing or not?

So, my position at work is a union one and I didn't really have a choice but to join. Well, our alternate, Kim, left to work for Adelphia Communications - Time Warner as of tomorrow (8/1) - and our Steward Syl has finally made it to management. In my own personal opinion, no great loss there. Well, now we need a new Steward. Two people at work whom I thought were friends, figured they'd railroaded me into going for it at our union meeting Friday. Guess again! I don't want to take time away from my family at night. I don't want to sit in class on Labor Law and I really don't think we should be encouraging immagrants to come in chasing the American Dream. Hell, there's Americans who can't have the American Dream, do we really want to offer it to others. If your country's so bad, do what we did, fix it! Sure we left England for the most part but we didn't complain that things weren't the way we want them and hightail it to Canada. To the migrant janitor in Houston my union says I should support I say Good Luck. To my union, I say drop your drawers and yank until you implode. I can't wait to get out of it.

Chris Wins Again!!!!!

I am so very, very, very, happy to announce that my friend Chris B won the Empire State Games ( www.empirestategames.org ) Weight Lifting for his division!!! This is the 2nd gold medal for Mr. B and we couldn't be prouder of him. Next stop.......... Olympics!!!!!

Congratulations B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heat Wave

In this week's scorching temps, remember to keep yourself well hydrated, keep an eye on the old folks, kiddies & pets. When all else fails, mix yourself a very tall, very chilled martini & Jump In!!!

Get a room!!

Get a Room!
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press, here's a story that's equal parts amusing, sad and gross:
St. Paul police cited the 81-year-old father of Sen. Norm Coleman and a female companion after officers reported seeing them engaged in a sex act in the parking lot of a popular pizzeria.
A person passing Red Savoy's Pizza at 421 E. Seventh St. called police about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and said two people were "having sex in a vehicle," a police report said.
Officers issued citations to Norman B. Coleman Sr. and Patrizia M. Schrag, 38, for lewd and disorderly conduct. Schrag told police Coleman Sr. is her boyfriend. . . .
Beverly Coleman, the elder Coleman's wife and the senator's mother, said she was shocked to learn of the citation. . . . Her husband has emphysema, she said, and suffers from symptoms that could be the beginning of Alzheimer's disease.

Future Olympian Chris B.

Hi!! My friend Chris B aka "B", is a really great power-lifter and will probably be in the Olympics! He's lifting this weekend in the Empire State Games (www.empirestategames.org) in Rochester. He won the gold medal last year and we're hoping for a repeat. Check out the site and if you can, stop by and cheer him on!

GO B !!!!!!!!!!!!

So I joined the gym...

Ok, I met with Jeremy, the new manager at the BAC downtown. There have been changes, new equipment and basically I miss going to the gym. I found out he lied right to my face when he said he had a meeting today with my friend Steve. His wife Chris - my best friend & co-worker - confirmed for me. We'll see what happens. I have my first "appointment" with the Program Manager Kimberlee on Monday at 5:00. I'm going to keep a positive attitude about the whole thing but I'm a bit frosted about the lie so early in our "relationship." I'll keep you all posted!

The Gym?

About a year and a half ago I joined the BAC after my father did. It wasn't so bad but toward the end of my year I'd had enough. You make appointments with one staff person and they pass you off right while you're standing there or they'd cancel at the last minute. Have a question? Forget it. You'd have better luck getting an answer from the treadmill.

Well, they were at our Wellness Fair yesterday at work and I agreed to come down and take another look. I'm supposed to be meeting with Jeremy, the new manager, who promises me that they've made changes and more are on the way. He's offered me the renewal rate and delayed the start of my payments. My appointment's today at 5:00. Let's see what happens.

Should I really be on the road????

Ok, so on Sunday my brother and sister went to the Arena to see the WWE & RAW show. Kari's totally in love with John Cena. Hey, is pretty cute and she could have picked worse! LOL

Anyway, after they get home my brother gets the idea to teach me to drive his truck. Let me just say that I don't drive at all. None, Zip, Nada. Too many freaks on the road. Well, off to the school parking lot we go. When I get nervous I laugh, he's laughing so I laugh harder and the fact that a guy's cleaning out his big rig laughing just sends me into total peels of laughter. Did you know you can stall a standard truck 7 times and it'll still start on the 8th???? I do now!!! Enough was enough for Donald. We headed home and switched to my father's car, an automatic. Whew! I did much better..... sorta. In the parking lot I did ok and was even kosher. Then, he took me on the actual road! Panic! Panic! Panic! I was afraid my hands would go right through the steering wheel. After a few minutes I began to relax but that didn't last long. We went one this one street where all the cars were parked on the righ side of the street except one. A shiney new Lincoln. I really didn't think we'd make it through. Whew! We did. No scratches or dents. More driving around past friend's and family's houses then a quick parking lesson on our street and the ordeal was over. A beer and a swim in the pool helped relax me.

Lessons Learned:
1) Baby girl shouldn't be driving standard
2) Driving will be an "as needed" thing - even after I buy a car. Hey, Metro's got it's perks! LOL

Congrats Smithy!!

I just wanted to say a great big CONGRATS to my friend Smithy on her new job. I know she's wanted a change for quiet a while. I hope it's all great for you!! Check out her link at the side. allthingsjennifer

CONGRATS!!!

New Scrapbooking Sites

Hi everyone. Last night I was looking around the web for the new Strong National Museum of Play (link at side). It looks like a great time and something I think the whole family would enjoy. Well, I can't be on the web and NOT look for scrapbooking stuff. I came across 3 new sites.... well, they're new to me at least. I've added the links to the side and I must say, for the 20 minutes or so I spent looking around ScrapYourTrip.com is my favorite so far. They've even got NASCAR paper which would be great for the scrapbook I'm doing for my aunt. She's a total Dale Jr. nut but we love her anyway! hehehe I definately want to order a few things because we've got another girls night coming up on August 19th and I can't wait. More scrapbooking, more junk food and more memories to scrapbook later. If you get a chance, check out the sites and Happy Scrapbooking!!

Port Victoria

Hi everyone! Got an email from James who's been on liberty port in Port Victoria. Here are some pictures that he sent over. Aren't they great!! According to James, this is known as the Bahama's of Europe. I'll take it!

Austin will never be the same......

Donald went down to Austin, TX to visit my cousin Nikki and her family. Here's a few photo's. He took a lot of girls butts when they were out on the boat. LOL Nikki showed him how to wakeboard though he didn't try it yet. Brandon loved all his toys and Donald found a great bbq sauce at this place called Rudy's. He even ordered a bottle to be sent home. When you first open the bottle is smells very tomatoe-y but after the first taste it's great. Of course your tounge is singed off shortly after! LOL Enjoy the pix and let me know if you want me to send the rest of them. I've got them up loaded to shutterfly.com!!

April & Dan's BBQ

This weekend April & Dan had us all over for a bbq at their house. There was plenty of food, beer, horshoes and laughs. By the time we stopped laughing long enough to take this picture Chris & Steve had already left - We missed you for this!!! - and Caron & Andy were just getting back from a camping trip. We missed you guys to!!! Thanks to the Hunky Dan and the Beautful April for hosting. Don't we look great! 3 of the 5 UW Musketeers!!!! LOL

Aunt Judy's Visit

Aunt Judy came up from Atlanta for a visit the 2nd weekend in July and we all had a blast! Here's a picture of her and mom on the Maid of the Mist. I think her sunglasses really send this outfit into the haut couture status!! LOL We started the weekend with massages from Georgia "Massage in 10" (see me for a brochure) then did some sightseeing on Friday. Saturday we hit the Falls, Sunday was a day to E-A-T!!! Church, brunch, Taste of Buffalo, NASCAR, then dinner. Monday was a bonding day then shopping for gifts. We all miss her like crazy but promise the next visit won't be so far off.
Love You!!!!

Sam's New Hotel

Hey everyone. As many of you know, Sam Savarino of Savarino Construction is our Campaign Co-Chair for this year's campaign. He's trying to build a hotel on Elmwood Ave and bring more life to the area. There have been many protests against the project but here's a link to one that's for the hotel. Drop by if you can!!!

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/07/a_rally_to_protest_the_pr.php

Do you have a strange mind???

Got this from my aunt down in Atlanta. I've seen it before but just had to share it. Now there's a test to prove I've got a strange mind!! LOL


Do you have a strange mind?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too.
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe can.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

ONLY FORWARD IF YOU CAN READ THIS