Dandelion Picking

I started writing a blog post about two different things, two different times and have left them sitting in draft. Not sure if I should post what I've written so letting them sit there till I decide. Then, I decided I would write and post about something else....Dandelions.  lol
Brings back memories I thought I'd share.

                                                  

My husband and I were talking about the infamous Dandelions weeds/flowers (whatever you want to call them) over the weekend as we took a walk and noticed how many of them are popping up all over the place.  Not to mention that they have colored my backyard.  Since they also pop up between cracks in the sidewalk or wall crevices, I also have them in places they don't need to be.  So, hubby googled about dandelions and also checked out some weed tools to remove them.  lol  I don't think he was that familiar with them. No Dandelions in Miami? Oh yeah...i'm sure they're there somewhere. These things like to multiply like crazy.

Anyways....talking about dandelions brought me to fond memories of when I was younger and my grandma Mary was alive.  She loved to pick and cook dandelions. Yup...I said cook. I ate the leaves of this pesky plant and they tasted pretty good too from what I remember. lol Cooked up almost like any other kind of greens.
If you buy them in the store....yes you can buy them too...(just noticed that at No Frills Grocery store over the weekend) they look like the photo, minus the flower. Or, you can just pick them from your own backyard....as long as you don't have a dog that you let out occasionally to do his business. lol I'd leave those alone!
When my grandma was alive, I have memories of us stopping on the side of the highway to pick dandelions. We sure did. I can laugh about it now but it wasn't funny at the time. The one's on the side of the highway would obviously be cleaner and safer than the one's in the city that could be blessed by local dogs everywhere and city polution in general. lol  So I get it.
When I was around 13, I also remember my auntie taking me to a local field nearby to pick dandelions too.  Like mother, like daughter.  Now THAT was embarrassing! We were at a field that wasn't too far from home. I'm not sure if I'd quite say that it was safe from pet spray. lol But, we were there with our garbage bags picking away.  Unfortunately for me, a few kids from school ran into us and wondered what we were doing. Lord knows I couldn't tell them that I was picking dinner. OMG!  Are you serious?  I was already an outcast at school because the boys liked me and the girls didn't like that. I couldn't tell anyone what we were really doing. I don't even really remember what I said to the kids, but I know I played it off real well. I think I saw them coming and hopped up to dance around in the flowers or something..lol  I just remember the embarrassment. lol  I love my auntie and I'm so grateful that she took me in and raised me as I grew into my teenage years. Picking dandelions....one of the many memories I have from living with her.  Have to laugh.

Here's how you do it properly:

How to pick dandelions:

• Choose young dandelions in a yard, field or wooded spot away from areas where they might be contaminated by vehicle emissions, herbicides, fungicides or insecticides.
• Pick them in the spring when they're young and at their least bitter and tough.
• With a knife, cut the entire plant from the ground up, leaving the root. Discard flowers except for the closed ones: the rest aren't edible.
• Pick enough to fill a large bag or basket, taking into consideration they will wilt considerably in the cooking process.
• Younger ones can be used it salads, while slightly older ones may be boiled to reduce bitterness.

Now, like I said...these plants can be tasty and are definitely good for you. You wouldn't imagine unless you looked it up. So I did to prove my point (See references below):  When eaten, dandelions can be surprisingly good for you. Half a cup of leaves has more calcium than a glass of milk. They're also an excellent source of iron, vitamin A, potassium and vitamin C.

Even though a diuretic, vitamin loss is not an issue because the count is so high (14,000 IUs of vitamin A per 100 grams).

In fact, when counting overall nutritional value, the U.S. Agriculture Department puts dandelion ahead of broccoli and spinach.

How to cook them:

• First, double-wash the dandelions in a sink of cold water. (They tend to be sandy.)
• Cover them with water in a pot, and bring to a boil.
• Much like spinach, they are ready once wilted and the water turns colour.
• If using older plants, rinse and boil them again to take away excess bitterness.
• Drain cooked dandelions and transfer to a pan with one to two tablespoons of olive oil and a clove of chopped garlic.
• If desired, season with salt and red pepper flakes.
• Then, lightly sauté on low heat for about 15 minutes.

So yeah....the next time you weed your backyard of pesky dandelions...think of what I've just shared in case you didn't know...you can eat that!! lol  Here is a recipe too: (I haven't tried it but I'm sure somebody has)

Recipe for pickled dandelion flower buds

Ingredients

• Young dandelion flower buds, tightly closed (not yet opened for the season)
• Garlic, chopped
• Onion, chopped
• Ginger, chopped
• 1 part tamari or soy sauce
• 3 parts apple cider vinegar

Directions

Fill a pickling jar for two to three centimetres with chopped garlic, onions and ginger.

Then add dandelion buds until about a third full.

Repeat process until jar is filled to top.

Cover with one part tamari (or soy sauce) to three parts apple cider vinegar. Seal with a plastic lid or if using metal, put waxed paper between the lid and dandelions so it doesn't rust shut.

Let sit for three weeks on counter. Then use as a condiment like any pickle. There's no need to refrigerate jars, even after opening.

(Source: Good Natured Earthling)

The dandelion!  Oh yeah...I remember when I was younger too we used to hold the dandelion flower under our chins looking for some sort of glow from the yellow that would mean something. Don't remember what it was supposed to mean if you saw the glow. lol According to the internet it could be any number of things: financial success, being in love, liking butter.  Who knows what it meant to us when we were like 12. lol  Kids do the darndest things.  I also remember picking dandelion flowers and while holding my thumb under the flower part I would chant "mama had a baby and her head popped off" while simultaneously popping the flowers head from the stem. lol  Thinking about it now, I have no clue why we did that either. lol It's amazing how such simple and crazy things brought us joy at a young age. Times are soo different now. Today it's all about tv and video games. When I was growing up, we had to be outside playing..no sitting around in the house unless you were doing homework. So, I was outside playing with dandelions, skipping rope, playing jumpsy (string of elastic bands woven together to jump over), handball and I even played jacks!  Remember those?

Anyways...I just wanted to take a short trip down memory lane about my childhood of which my sister thinks was terrible in comparison to another sister solely because she was raised by two adopted parents. lol That's another story. To set the story straight...I had a great childhood. Circumstances that made my childhood different weren't so great but I was loved by many and given then best they could give. It takes a village to raise a child and in my opinion, I was raised by a village. Like I said...another story.  But picking dandelions is one of my fondest memories because it's something that I did with my grandma when she was alive.  I didn't like or appreciate my grandma till after she passed...but I can look back now and only hope she now knows how much I did love her and cherish the time I spent with her. And, if Furman gets around to picking those dandelions, I just might add them with my dinner and thank my grandma and my auntie for what they shared when I was oh so young.


REFERENCES:
An awesome reference about Dandelions is University of Maryland Medical Center-Dandelion
Dandelion References:  CBC News-Dandelions: Time to Throw In The Towel

Out Of The Box?!!

I'm doing my HAPPY DANCE!!    with my sick self...lol

Today's Immigration Update:  (According to them it was updated April 23rd...but it wasn't)

Person to be sponsored lives outside of Canada

Type of application	Step 1 Assessment of Sponsor	Step 2 Assessment of Person Being Sponsored (applicant) (The Call Centre does not have processing times for step 2)
Spouse, common‑law partner or dependent child	82 days (working on applications received on February 1, 2012)	View by country Status available onli

Notice the date?  Notice the date?

Praying that they aren't lying (cause they've done that)....this might mean that our application that was received January 31st (according to Canada Post) is FINALLY on someone's desk!
Out of the box!! Like my hubby says....Fingers Crossed!! This is what I've been waiting for.  I had to exit the site a couple times and go back to check it again. lol.  Just to make sure I was reading correctly. After all, I am on meds for this cold...I could be hallucinating!! lol
That being said, the next section of the website that I would need to keep checking is the Application Status part.  In this section you enter your name, birthdate, country of birth and information such as your receipt number to get more info on the actual status of your application.  However, when I do this currently, there is no info available which indicates that they have't begun processing it. We are not in the computer YET.  That's ok though. The fact that they've updated the Application Processing Time to indicate that they are working on applications received after the date that ours would have been received, leaves me hopeful that something should be input into the system any day now.  I think the day something actually comes up on the computer I might actually fall off my damn chair!! lol This will be a huge relief in terms of helping us deal with Canadian Immigration when we go back to the Rainbow Bridge as summoned.
                                           
Now, if the website update next week goes backwards in dates as it has done before...i'm going to lose my mind. But, for right now...I'M STAYING POSITIVE!  I have to.  I've been praying. I've got others praying for me.  I told you...The Power of Prayer!!!!  Thanks to all those that have taken a moment out of their day to say a prayer for us.  It is truly appreciated.  We are blessed.

This leaves me singing.....one of my favorites!!  Listen to the words.

 CHORUS:

"All things are working for me, even things I can't see 
Your ways are so beyond me, 
but You said that you would let it be for my good, 
so I'll rest and just believe" 

There Is Hope!

Well, just as I expected I'm feeling a bit crappy today.

The sweat and cold combination from the run on Sunday has left me with the beginnings of a cold. Waking up with a sore throat on Monday was the warning and I've been pretty stuffy since. So with that, and the concern over this pending Immigration mess as detailed in the previous blog Run-In with Immigration , I need all the rest I can get.  But, not too much cause I gotta get back into the gym and prepare for Another Run. Yup - I registered!  10k.  Had to after I saw some of the photos from the Toronto Yonge St 10k. lol  I need more exercise to take a few pounds off...lmao  Seriously though!  Weight Exchange remember? As long as I have another goal, i'll keep at it. So, I'm going to get better and get back into the gym. But right now....I feel like crap. I hate being sick.

Today, a dear friend of mine was able to lift my spirits and give me hope. What awesome timing.  My excitement for someone else makes me say Hallelujah. There is Hope!  I mentioned about my dear friend in my very first post. He had gotten married to his Canadian love about 9 months before me. Subsequently he got his paperwork submitted to Immigration about 3.5 months before me. So we've been hot on his trails in this quest for Permanent Residency. It's been awesome having a friend go through what I am going through literally at the same time. Taking notes.  Being able to learn from and support each other along with our spouses has been a great help at times too.  Today, was no exception.  After what happened to Furman and I on the weekend with Immigration I made sure to share my post with him so that he could avoid what we endured.  Just looking out!  He hadn't endured anything similar because his visits had not been as long as Furman's current visit. Looks like he wont have to worry about his visits much longer after all! He called me today to let me know that he has gotten good word from Immigration. Yup.....he is almost here!  Time for him to get ready to report to Canada!  I am soo excited for him and his wife. I know the waiting sucks and I can totally relate to how she feels. How they both feel. We are always told that it could take up to 2 years for this entire process to be completed. Heck...the border agent just told us that exact same thing on Saturday.  Now, my dear friend is done!  Well, just about.

So....let's review:

• Their application was filed in October, ours end of January.   Difference of let's say....3.5 months.
• According to him, he received an email around February that provided him with a File# and let him know that his application was being processed. An email! I wouldn't have figured that. Good to know.  (Furman, keep checking your email sweety!)  Also, I had always thought that with my being the sponsor that I would hear from Immigration also but I'm told that is not the case. Surprise, surprise. 
• Then, he heard from Immigration again via Postal Service about a month later, around the beginning of March, that requested a little more information or confirmation of details, something like that. On that letter, he got his UCI (Universal Client Identification#).
• Now, from the beginning of March till today.....hmmmm.......He got notice of being approved for Permanent Residency!  Almost 2 months.

So for them...that's October to April = 6 months!!!      6 Months!!!

Now, I'm to understand that the process asks for him to surrender his American Passport and he will receive a Canadian Permanent Residency card. But, he is given about 6 more months to do so. Leaves me with questions but nothing I need answered right now.  I am so excited for them!

Didn't I mention that There is Hope!!  I'm feeling a bit better about our little hiccup over Furman's visit.  I'm feeling a bit better that there just might be hope of us at least getting that email with our file# before having to return to the border with the information they are requesting.  If not, well hey....I'm having hope that our overall wait may not be as long as we are led to believe it can be. Now, I know that every case is different but still....There is Hope! The website does say that In cases of spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and/or dependent children, CIC is committed to issuing visas as quickly as possible.


If all follows suit, I can pray for Furman to receive Permanent Residency approval by......maybe JULY?

I'll keep checking the Application Processing dates every Wednesday as I've been updating. I'm sure Furman will check his email regularly too. Other than that....i'll keep praying!! I'll have others keep praying too. After all, there is much to be said about the Power of Prayer.

On that note, I thought I'd share this wonderful young talent Jotta A.singing Hallelujah.

Nothing like a wonderful praise tune to make you feel uplifted and remind you of how blessed you are.

Run-In with Immigration

Well let me tell you a story....

So we traveled to Buffalo NY on Saturday because my daughter had a baton twirling competition at one of the local schools.  Getting over, no problem. Coming back home, a different story.  When we were waiting in one of the several line ups to cross, I had a feeling that we were going to encounter a problem because it looked like everyone else's line was moving at a good pace except for the one we were in. Then, as we got closer, I noticed it was a female border crossing guard who was clearly being more thorough with all her questions than everybody else. Was she new? I dunno.
Anyways, when it was our turn she started off with the standard questions. Where do you live?  How long have you been in the US? How much did you spend? What are your citizenships? What is your relationship to each other? Then came...Did you file Immigration papers? ding ding ding ding ding......Here we go!!! This lady started with her note taking. It was explained to her that my husband is VISITING. When he got here, when he was going back. All of that didn't matter. She gave us the yellow paper and sent us inside to Immigration. We went to the side and waited for them to search our vehicle to their satisfaction before they sent us inside. Then, we spoke to another lady about what we spent where she clearly realized our issue was not our spending, but the American I was importing. lol Makes me think of Sesame Street - One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other.

Now we are at the Immigration desk.

They had no problem sending me and my daughter to the side. After all, we're Canadian, they have to let us go home. lol But Furman.....I had to sit at the side and try to read lips as we sat there trying to figure out what was going on. lol  At some point in the conversation I know they spoke about the Immigration papers that we told them we filed already.  Furman looked my way and I was motioned to the desk to show the officer the receipt (I happened to have in my email) for the filing fees we paid. Thank goodness for my iPhone.  When it was all said and done, turns out that we now have been summoned to return to the border crossing.  We now have to provide certain documents for them to allow Furman to continue to VISIT - give him VISITOR STATUS.  Otherwise, he has to return home to the U.S by May 15th. They stamped his passport and printed up some Immigration Paper called a Visitor Record that outlines that he cannot work, cannot go to school and MUST LEAVE by the 15th of May!  Can you believe this crap?  He wasn't working or going to school anyways...he was being a Visitor.  Keep in mind that when he first arrived via the airport in March that he had all the documentation that we are now being asking to take back to Niagara Falls.  They gave him NO ISSUES AT THE AIRPORT and he told them the exact same thing he just told Immigration in Niagara Falls. After all, he is allowed to visit for up to 6 months, according to their own website, without a visitors visa because he is an American. But now....there is a problem. Go figure!! Immigration at the airport says all is cool but Immigration at the bridge says Hold Up! Now, we gotta jump through hoops.  Why? Because they are putting in their mind that Furman is LIVING here. That's what the border agent that sent us to Immigration wrote on her yellow paper although we told her he was visiting and when he was returning home.

So like I said, we now have to drive a few hours to return to the border to satisfy them that Furman should be allowed to VISIT and will be returning. Once satisfied, they can update that Visitor Record to allow Furman to stay till when he originally planned to at the very least.  In doing that, we have to provide them with requested documentation (Documentation they didn't ask for at the airport I might add):

• Copy of Marriage Certificate
• Copy of Furman's bank records or something to show that he can afford to support himself while he is here  (Cause I guess the wife he is married to is expected to not do shit for him?)
• Copy of Immigration Application sent to apply for his Permanent Residency  (They expect that people would photocopy everything sent to the office although the application requires you to send original documentation. Why? I don't know. Because it's not like if the documents got lost that you could send them the copies) - Yeah, we don't have this so I will say that it's a damn good thing that when I did send the application that I paid to send it ExpressPost to the Case Processing Center. Although Canada Post stressed me for a period, I now have proof that I sent something to Immigration along with the receipt we already showed the Immigration Agent for the filing fees paid.

I'm thinking I should  also have on hand some extra information....just in case (Hell, we might need these anyway):

• Copy of Furman's itinerary showing his return flight in August  (They didn't care about that on Saturday)
• Copy of rental car agreement to show arrangements to travel to U.S in July like we told them
• Evidence showing that I've spoken to others previously about the Immigration Documents being mailed (Since cannot give them copy of documents that were mailed)

I don't even know what else I can do or give them right now to prove I've mailed those documents. Funny thing too is that when we go back, we wont even be dealing with the same person anyways. Boy do we have questions for them.  If only we had received the letter giving us the Client ID number that we've been waiting for. If only Canadian Immigration would stop moving backwards and get to our application already.  All this is just plain ridiculous. All for what...because we had to travel to Buffalo for competition.  If I knew all this would have happened, Furman could have stayed home. lol But, I'm trying to look for the good because I know that everything happens for a reason. Maybe what we are going through right now will save us any drama in July when we drive through the border and on our return trip to Florida. I hope so.  We'll make the next trip back worth it though...we'll do a little more cross border shopping.

The Immigration officer was trying to tell Furman that we should always walk with a copy of our Marriage Certificate and copy of the Immigration Application that we already submitted to prove that we've applied for his Permanent Residency.  Does that even make sense?  WTH? We never had issues before but now that we are married...oh boy! Good thing I didn't marry someone from another country. OMG!

LESSON TO ALL:  Honesty is the best policy.  I will still say that, although it is proven time and time again that sometimes being honest just causes more stress than its worth.  What we've learned from this experience so far....The key to coming into Canada is to FLY. Fly in and out.  As long as you don't get arrested, you got no issues. Visitors to Canada shouldn't cross the border by land if you are planning to return to Canada....because they will hassle you!!  Be prepared.  lol  They want your life story and then they might even request that you drive another two and half hours back to see them to prove it! Yup, you gotta cross the border into the U.S just to pay the $3.25 fee to return to Canada and see the Immigration Agents.

While they may not have gotten to our application received in January, we can say that Furman's name is now in their computers. lol Hopefully it will help us, somehow.  Not sure when before the 15th that we will return with what they are asking for but I will say, it would be awesome if we could all of a sudden receive that letter with our Client ID before we did.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Update on the Run

At the start!

Other than that...the weekend was good.
I completed the Toronto Yonge St 10K with a time of 1:05.  I didn't stop! Not once! So proud of myself for keeping up with Furman.  I didn't want to let him down or myself down for that matter. Lord knows that I wanted to stop for just a minute a few times. lol  There was a spot where Furman made a quick detour to use the washroom while I was running and would catch up with me as long as I stayed on the same side of the street.  When he left, I was soo tempted to walk for a second but I didn't.  Around the 5k mark I was hurtin but kept at it. And....I will say that it was as cold as expected outside. My oh my. I think i'm paying for it now because I woke up with a sore throat. But, I got Bling! It was an awesome surprise to find a dear friend at the finish line. She wasn't alone either....she came with her entire family and it was such a great feeling to have that support. Thanks again Girl! You know we love you all!!

Now....what about Another Run? lol Register?
I think I can, I think I can.

To top off the weekend we went to watch the movie THINK LIKE A MAN with my mom and one of my closest cousins. Oh man....the movie was sooo good. Kevin Hart is a trip. I actually read Steve Harvey's book too...lol I would definitely recommend others to check it out for some good laughs. It's not a Tyler Perry movie but was awesome.  Look forward to more movies by Tim Story.

Toronto Yonge St 10k

This is it! This is my route!  God help me!

As my hubby so graciously clarified for me...running on the treadmill for an hour is the same distance as this route.  Pretty much. Problem is, when I'm running on the treadmill I don't have a map of where i'm going...lol  This map right here....I know these streets, which makes it seem hella far!  Mind you, running on the treadmill I do get a bit bored with nothing to look at but myself in the mirror most of the time....lol So maybe running this wont seem so bad with lots to look at and trying not to get trampled by the other runners.  As expected, I'm sure the odd person running past me that I assume shouldn't be able to do that will put some more pep in my step.  lol  I'm still scared. Hell ya!  And I don't care if this is not my first 10k.

My first 10k was a year ago, The Game of Life 10k (Inaugural event), and after conquering what I had set out to do it was a PR nightmare and runner upset for them to announce that they had made an error in their mapping of the distance.  The 10k was actually only a 9k in 60 minutes. Man, was I pissed!!  But, I was thrilled that with the help of a friend, I ran that 9k without stopping. Felt awesome. And...one of my cousins came out in the cold to support me. God bless her cause it was cold that day. lol The high for the day was like 4Celsius but I didn't get that.  It was like -1Celsius in the morning hours when I had to run. I did it anyways though...i'm just saying...it was damn cold. So far, it looks like Sunday will be a bit chilly also. Great...just great!

Bib#5000 and Bib#5006!  If anyone is gonna be around...look for us! Feel free to bring your posters and vuvuzella's to cheer us on. hahaha  I know my same cousin will be at the finish line and possibly a good friend too. My fan club is growing!!  lol  I'm #5006 - running my first race as Mrs.White!

I'll be like finding WALDO!   lol

I'll have to swing by after work to pick up our race kits with our bibs and complimentary race shirt because we got a busy weekend ahead. Up early on Saturday morning to head to Buffalo NY for a little shopping before we are expected at a local school for my daughters baton twirling competition. It'll be a long day no doubt. Especially knowing that we have to get up early for the race on Sunday. Race starts at 9am! So, I hope I get an opportunity to stop by my favorite Buffalo Wing place La Nova, I know we gotta find a way to take in some Pasta.

Don't think I should wear the shirt till i've earned it!

Almost here!! After I conquer this...I'll register for Another Run.

Wish me luck people!!

I got this!!  With my husband by my side.  Told ya he was running with me. lol

Will update ya after the run.



Immigration Update:

Yeah...so in a week they've moved 1 day!  hahaha  Incredible. I just don't get it!  Can they get to the 31st already. They've gone from moving forward...to moving backwards...to not really moving at all!!  Gheez!

Person to be sponsored lives outside of Canada

Type of application	Step 1 Assessment of Sponsor	Step 2 Assessment of Person Being Sponsored (applicant) (The Call Centre does not have processing times for step 2)
Spouse, common‑law partner or dependent child	88 days (working on applications received on January 19, 2012)	View by country

Ghetto? Or NOT!

Have you ever heard of someone getting "Ghetto"? lol
Here's an example:

                                       TV Reporter gets "Ghetto" when a bug flies in his mouth.

Notice how he started off real prim and proper, right professional and then lost himself or became who he really was, as some would put it. lol

Well, this morning I pulled out the heavy artillery myself and decided I was gonna remind somebody that I'm educated!  Oh yes!  I put my Post Secondary Education to good use. Showed and told them a thing or two!  I'm so proud of myself.  Sometimes I think that some people really think I'm an idiot.  I mean really!  I've risen far above what my childhood may have dictated for my life. I may have been a young mother fresh out of high school, but I didn't let that hold me back. I was determined to prove others and myself wrong and make my mother proud.  I got my degree studying Psychology and Sociology.  It helped me understand my mothers illness and all I had struggled with as I grew up. Growing up, I always threw myself into my books because it kept my mind off other things. I was an honor roll student and junior high school valedictorian. I wasn't an idiot then and I'm sure as hell not an idiot now.  This morning....I had to give someone a gentle reminder.  My written communication has always been stellar. Or should I say that I have a way with words sometimes. lol  Cracks me up too that my son always thanks me for how I raised him because he knows just how smart he is too. But...i'll always be ahead of him too!

I started having a conflict with this someone immediately after I returned from getting married. Coincidence? I certainly don't think so. Nevertheless, a conflict began, actions were taken, communication ceased and all was good in the land. At least I thought so.  Then, most recently, I learned that all wasn't well. Over the time of no communication, this person was brewing and plotting and I really don't know.  lol Why? Because they attempted to take actions that would benefit them to resolve our conflict in the beginning. Turns out, things backfired. But, as quick as we came to an agreeable solution, was as quick as it fell apart. Why again? This time they tried to involve a third party that was already involved indirectly but not privy to the existing conflict.  That third party decided that they would come to me about something they really had no say in.  Now, I'm angry.
When the pot has boiled down I may share the ingredients but right now its too hot and personal. So, you get what I'm saying without really knowing what I'm talking about. lol Sorry...but I needed to write and this is what I chose to write about today!!

I'm soo tired of being taken advantage of. My husband speaks to me about this all the time. I'm too nice.  I need to stop letting people take advantage of me and it doesn't matter who it is.  He is so right. There is a limit to allowing yourself to feel used and abused, battered and torn.  It get's to the point where sometimes it's expected that you are just going to blow a fuse and snap at somebody.  So, that's what I kind of did today, in a nice professional, educated, I'm not an idiot way.  lol  Several of my colleagues at work are familiar with my expertise in putting together a well drafted professional email.  I've done this at work for myself, on behalf of our team, etc.  I know just what to say and just how to say it. Today, I did some research and took to the keyboard to rightfully put someone in their place and hopefully deter any future harassment about our conflict.  I was putting my foot down. Not leaving anything else up to discussion. Stated some facts, quoted some references, justified my position - Damn, I'm good! lol
When I was done, I had a friend read it over for me since sometimes I can get a bit too harsh. lol But, I ended up with a complete Masterpiece!  Yes, I'm tooting my own horn. lol  Once I was done and hit SEND, I felt absolutely awesome.  CHECK MATE!!  Now...time will tell what becomes of it. Hopefully the conflict will not continue with either of the parties, now that a third party was pulled into it.  Oh the third party got copied on the email too, don't you worry. lol  Will my well crafted email complete with educational references be able to stop somebody in their tracks.  Smh!

Reminds me of only a few weeks ago when an exchange with someone I love turned nasty Not A Grudge - A Choice.  After taking oh so much abuse from them I let them know that I could get just as nasty by choice and not because I'm naturally that way.  In a matter of speaking...I got "Ghetto". lol However, I did apologize in the same email for what I was saying...lol  (After all, if they met with me in person to talk like I had been asking, I can guarantee they wouldn't have gotten ridiculous in the first place..lol)  Afterwards, I took it to God. I should have never allowed anyone to drag me to their level. That's what being human does sometimes though.  I had to take responsibility for my action in return though.  In today's instance, I rose above. Oh Hell Yeah!!  Funny thing was that the person I sent the email to responded by telling me that what I sent them was "Well Said".  Bahahahaha!  What can I say?  Someone respects my talent in light of our conflicts. lol  So...we'll see what they next move will be if any.

With all this going on this morning, my daughter took an opportunity to text me how much she loved me.  Out of the blue. Just like that. It was the most awesome feeling in the world. She sure did. I think she had an idea that I was a bit...deflated.  Not only did she tell me she loved me but, she invited me out to dinner...her treat!! WHAT!!! She told be to "Be there or Be Square!" Now isn't that the cutest thing?  So tonight...i'm going to do some family bonding and enjoy the love that I'm surrounded with.  She's not going to cover the entire tab. lol I'm just thrilled that she offered. The offer is what means the world to me. But, i'll let her cover a little bit of it. After all, it was her idea and I don't want her to think that every time she offers to take me to dinner that i'm gonna let her off the hook and pay. I love her!! She's a teenager, but sometimes she is such an adult.