Empress Sassy

posted by EmpressSassy on Jun 14

We went to the park in Georgetown the other night to play on the swings and in the process we took a mini-hike through the woods.

 In the midst of our hike we came across several blackberry bushes.  I was so excited as I hadn’t seen blackberry bushes in the wild for years.  As a kid there were tons of bushes at my elementary school and me and my dad would pick them and take them home to my mom.  I would eat as many as I would pick.  I love blackberries straight from the bush.  They taste amazing.  I was in heaven when we found this great stash. 

There weren’t too many on there that were ripe yet, but there was a ton of pink ones so I may have to sneak back up after all the rain and see if they are ripe now.  I did have to stop by the store to get some since I was in the mood for them after that finding at the park.  Noah tried one and spit it out immediately.  Guess they were a little tart for his liking. 

We all know I’m not a great fruit person; but these are just the exception especially when you find them in the wild.  If anyone knows of any great areas to find these (yes, I know Huber’s has them but it’s not the same people) let me know!

posted by EmpressSassy on Jun 3

It’s the time of year again to start the summer vacation.  We aren’t headed to the ocean this year and even though I’m sad, I’m still excited to be on vacation.  Who isn’t excited when it’s vacation time right? 

No work, sleeping late, planning some fun events, what more could you ask for in the summertime?  We have to start out with a Dr. appointment in the morning with 6 shots for Kindergarten, but other than that we are golden after that tragedy. 

We have a few new things planned this year;  headed to Guntown Mountain to check out  some cowboys and maybe some Dinosaur World.  After the dinosaurs we just saw at Freedom Hall though, I’m not sure we can top that show!  We are of course headed to Holiday World next week; as if we wouldn’t be going there right?  Love, love, love that place but we are bummed because Noah is 46″ and he needs to be 48″ to ride the really cool rides.  Maybe we can spike his hair!

Well I hope everyone has a great week and I’m sure I’ll see some sights worth writing about in the crazy world of traveling!

posted by EmpressSassy on Jun 2

I like to walk with Mamma, she takes small steps like mine.
She never says, “Let’s hurry-up!” she always takes her time.
I like to walk with Mamma, her eyes see things like mine; like shiny stones, a fluffy cloud, or stars at night that shine.
People rush their whole day through, they rarely stop to see. I’m glad that God made Mamma’s unrushed and young like me!

posted by EmpressSassy on May 26

I love to drive.  When you are of the mindset that your mind is constantly in a thinking state, driving can calm you down and it gives you a chance to relax, thoughts can randomly flow through your mind as the music flows from the radio (or IPod) in my situation.  I don’t get to drive alone much anymore since Noah came along, and I’m not complaining, don’t get me wrong.  I wouldn’t trade a moment of having conversation with him for the world.  Last night I had to drive over to Jerry’s to pick him up and it was a perfect night for driving; great temperature, wind blowing, perfect music on the IPod and I was relaxed and enjoying my drive.

I used to drive my sister to a volunteer sight up in Indiana and people thought I was crazy because it was an hour and half up and back.  I would do it several times a month, but I loved the time alone in the car.  It allowed me to drive, be alone, listen to music and just think.  Great times and I miss those drives a lot.  Last night as I drove through town I wondered if anyone else ever thought about things like I do as they drive. 

I drove past a house and there was a guy walking his dog in front of his house.  I have seen this same guy for years walking the same black & white husky and I noticed last night how much older the dog has gotten.  I felt sad for a moment thinking, “Wow, he has had this dog for so many years and I can tell he loves this dog so much, as he walks him faithfully in the morning and the evening every day.  I know this because I have seen him as I drive by all the time.  He will be so sad when this dog is gone.”  I don’t even know this man except that I drive by his house 20 times a week; still I know they have a great relationship based on how he is while he’s out with him on walks, faithfully each time.

I always notice the same houses on the same routes that I take too.  I seem to notice if they have added things to their yard, or if they have finally finished their projects.  I wonder if people ever drive by my house and think things (I probably don’t want to know right?)  I also drive by walkers, runners and they become familiar to me.  When I don’t see them I wonder if they have changed routes, gave up running or what is the story? 

Driving also brings back memories of places you used to frequent with people, friends, old boyfriends (yikes!) and it’s funny that some paths frequently driven are now never taken.  You think to yourself, “I used to drive that road every day for months and now I never have a reason to go that way.”  Some good reasons; some bad and some streets you avoid all together as to not pass a haunting memory……….anybody else do this?  Come on ladies I know you hear me on this one!

Driving has always been therapeutic for me and I do miss driving around to clear my head; it just seems as if I don’t have that kind of time any more to do things like that in my life.  Things change, but still when the moment arises and I get the chance, I love to drive to the perfect tune and check out the sites around town.  It’s good to notice things we probably don’t notice on a regular basis when we are so busy hurrying here or rushing there.  We should all make time for ourselves more that we do. 

posted by EmpressSassy on May 24

Peer pressure is alive and well in the pre-school age group. Yes I said pre-school.  Noah came home the other day spouting that he needed Sketcher shoes just like another little boy at school.  Now, he of course has no idea what a Sketcher tennis shoe really is, but because a little boy had these awesome, green & black, light up shoes, he felt he really had to have them too!   

It’s not that I had a problem at that particular moment, as he needed new shoes and his final report card was above and beyond excellent for the year.  His Aunt Lee Ann is also a Fashionista (isn’t that what they are calling it nowadays?) and I knew she would be thrilled that he was moving away from the character shoes and into name brand shoes.  Anyway, she was thrilled and after T-ball on Saturday rewarded him with his new purchase.  He was as always grateful and thankful for his purchase.  I’m still quite happy with Ironman tennis shoes, but again his report card was great and he is always appreciative of his gifts.  

What bothers me is that today when we arrived at school he was thrilled to show his new friend, but another little boy was also standing there and he also happened to have on green and black shoes.  Upon the discussion the third little boy turned to the teacher and asked, “Are my shoes Sketchers too?  He said they need to be Sketchers to be cool.”  Now please keep in mind it was not Noah that made this statement, it was the other little boy.  I will be speaking to Noah this evening when we get home to explain that shoes are shoes and if another friend does not have a certain kind of shoes we do NOT say this to them.  I do not want any child of mine to make this type of statement.   I don’t want Noah to be in a group discussion and having any child thinking Noah has something that is of more importance than what they have in their life.  That just breaks my heart.   

Peer pressure may be alive and well and items may be purchased, but a child should be taught to like each child based on what they have and what they may NOT have in their life.  I don’t want a child that is in my family to make statements like these to another child and hopefully he will understand this when we have a talk tonight.  I want to say that he will; as he is very good at understanding other children’s feelings.  No child should feel as if they are different and although I’m not naïve and I know it happens; I feel other children can be taught to mke children feel accepted.   

Just some thoughts on the matter in case you have never talked to your children about matters such as this; it is starting at a much younger age.  Something to think about if you want to talk to them and let them know all kids are special and it doesn’t matter what you have on the outside; it’s what is on the inside that counts.  This is what we should teach our children. 

posted by EmpressSassy on May 12

Well we all have our vices and mine is this ridiculous Real Housewives of New Jersey. Yep, my niece got me hooked on this last year while we were on vacation last summer and now I am watching the new season this year.  Heaven help me it’s the female Mafia in New Jersey and I LOVE it.  These women are mean.

This isn’t your typical rich women living the charmed life; these women are rich, but they are living some kind of mafia life I just know it.  Is anyone else sucked into this show?  If you are do you love the hatefulness of these women?  They are killing me the way they go after each other with the, “no one messes with my family” crap!  It’s killing me. 

Danielle is just a crazy woman and the previews for the future are over the top.  We got police and the ambulance coming at some point.  Are you kidding me?  All in the New Jersey rich zone too!  What are they thinking?  I seriously can’t believe that #1 you would live this way and #2 you would allow people to film you.  However, here I am watching it, glued to the TV last night; more in shock than anything. 

I found it by mistake checking the listings for something else and I swore I would just check it out for a moment, but we all know that didn’t happen.  I hope I forget that it’s on next Tuesday.  I really don’t want to be this girl that watches THIS show.  Talk about a reality show that does not need to be on TV.  WOW!

I can’t recommend this because I would be embarrassed!  All I can say is that it’s on and we all have our vices.  I will leave it at that.  I still think my draw to it is the mafia undertone; they can deny it all they want………..the Italian family is there and they are too tough not to have mafia in their past!  Ha ha. 

posted by EmpressSassy on May 2

I have learned over the past few years to never say never and I try to pass my wisdom on to the 30 something crowd.  Most don’t listen, but I tell them regardless.  One thing I had always stood firm on the never to was my church going thoughts.

I never wanted to attend a large church, nor did I think I would ever find myself attending church on a Saturday, in lieu of a Sunday.  Well we all do things for our children so Saturday afternoon I found myself at a very large church and I must admit it was truly enjoyable.

Noah loved the class and actually came out talking about what he had learned and actually said he couldn’t wait to go back next week.  This is what we wanted from a church.  Our sermon was upbeat, funny, and interesting.  Also here is the thing………..Sunday morning it was still in my head and I was still thinking about how I could take the message and put it in to my daily life.  This is what a sermon is suppose to do for you.

It was a great experience.  I’m not saying I adjusted completely, as there were a few things that I had to tell myself I would get used to in time, but in the end if Noah is happy and the message is working I feel that I can be happy if I’m getting what I need.  We’ll see where it takes me. 

We want to also be community involved and I want to see what I can do from that angle as well.  Just never say never…………things just work out in ways you never know.

posted by EmpressSassy on Apr 26

I wasn’t there, so I’m only going by what I was told…….we signed Noah up for swimming lessons.  My mom was convinced he was going to drown since she felt he still couldn’t swim good enough yet.  He said he wasn’t going to swim lessons and he even hung up on his Aunt Cheryl Sunday morning before she was to come pick him up.  (nice)

They arrived at the YMCA for the big lesson and did a little pre-pool playing.  Upon time for the lesson he decided to go on in and give it a try.  A classmate was in his class so I’m sure this made it more fun as well.  They had a lot of students in the class so they decided to test them all to see what level they were on.  Our little fish did really well on the basics and they decided to move him to the next class.  (good sign right?)  He has actually had lessons before in the past couple of years.

At the next class the up the stakes and tell them they will now throw a ring into the water and want the kids to jump or dive in to get it.  My niece cringed as our little fish doesn’t normally like to go under.  Low and behold he looks at them and jumps right to the bottom to retrieve his ring.  From that moment on he was jumping and diving into the water.  Our fish had become a dolphin without us knowing it and without any lessons at all.

Bob’s Mamaw can now stop worrying about drowning and Noah is happy that he can have fun at the pool and now dive with his friends.  All is well in the water world.   It’s funny how kids just change isn’t it?  One day not swimming, the next day swimming like it was second nature?  I asked him why he decided to just jump and dive in and he said, “I don’t know it just came over me to do it!”  They grow up fast and if you blink you miss things.  I watched him as he fell asleep last night and he looked so big lying in his bed………our little dolphin.  It’s going to be a fun summer.

posted by EmpressSassy on Apr 19

Its official, say what you will about me, but I’m a snob.  Yes, I am and at this point after spending 12 hours at Thunder amongst hundreds of thousands of people I can truly admit that I am a social snob.  The funny thing is that I’m not rolling in money, I don’t live in a fancy mansion and I don’t consider myself a snob, but after 12 hours around society at the river I’m labeling myself a snob.

What is wrong with these people?  I would venture to say that half of the people down there spending money didn’t have it to spend and somewhere this month their bills will not get paid.  My sister asked where the heck is the recession everyone keeps talking about on the news?  You sure couldn’t tell it around town that’s for sure!  My dad stood behind a woman in line that spent $27 at the elephant ear booth.  That is crazy and I’ll give you my pay check if she can pay her bills this month. 

The other thing that amazes me is kids and cell phones; what is up with this?  There isn’t a child over the age of 12 that doesn’t have a cell phone.  Who is the heck is paying these bills?  I’m not talking Cricket phones either; I’m talking Blackberry phones, Iphones and some really nice phones.  You can’t LOOK at a child and not see them texting someone else.  It’s pathetic and again, who is paying these bills.  The average cell phone bill is $50 and that is being as cheap as you can go.

Another thing you need to notice is parents, kids and cell phones.  Nowadays parents don’t pay a bit of attention to their kids.  They are too busy talking or texting on the phones to give their kids any attention.  Kids just wander off, get into things like water, mud, trouble and the parents don’t care.  Then when they do notice they actually yell at the kid like it’s their fault when in reality they weren’t watching the kid in the first place - this is classic!

Let’s not forget the sleazy dressers, drinking men that hang out by the bars and just yell things to the street at women, loud mouth teenagers that have been raised by NO ONE, over weight women wearing next to nothing (and please tell me why?), people lying on blankets practically having sex in public (really is it that necessary that you do this right now?), rude smokers that have regard to no one (that just grates my nerves everywhere anyway) and the list goes on, but I don’t want to take up anymore space!

By dusk I was cold, tired, cranky and ready to go home.  Thank goodness we decided to go back to our special parking lot and watch the fireworks from the car.  I couldn’t handle it.  I was just over the general public acting as if this was the only time they ever got out in public.  Call me what you will; call me a snob and I don’t care.  I’m good with it- label me for life.  I like my bubble and I will stay in it.  I’m just not sure why people act they way they do, but so be it. 

Oh and for the record to all who have heard me make this claim - if I ever win the lottery……..my full length mirror charity will go in to effect immediately.   There is a need for it all across Indiana and Kentucky!  For heaven’s sake, look before you walk out the door, but apparently people just don’t own one.  That is all I can think right?

posted by EmpressSassy on Apr 13

So my mom calls me at work and says, “I need a picture with me and all the girls and then you dad needs the same thing; it’s for church.”  OK, no big deal right?  She tells me it’s for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and they need the pictures to share on that particular Sunday.  Each family will bring their picture and show them off to the church. Again; no issues until we went on with the conversation about taking the picture and she said something about I want it to be in casual clothes nothing fancy since it will be on the screen. 

Screen?  What screen?  Surely she didn’t mean the big drop-down screens in the sanctuary that we have during church service that show the song lyrics and other things like that right?  Oh, but she did!  These screens are very large and I really don’t want my picture up there for the world to see.  I immediately started making excuses, but I got my middle name used and I was told I was going to be in the picture.  Whatever! 

Why do these churches feel the need to place these people in photos?  Don’t they know they just end up on web pages in a few years under Ugly Church Photos or some other rude title?  I just dread the whole group shot too because I will just have to hide in the back to make sure I’m not seen.  Group photos are the worst because you can’t get that many people all having a good shot at the same time.

To make matters worse I wanted to go to church on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but who wants to go and see your ugly picture plastered for the whole world (including God) to see?  Not me, but I guess I lived through worse things in my life.  I’ll let you know how the other pictures turn out!