JIC or JIT

I read a great article titled, "Just What You Need." Unbeknown to me there are abbreviations in the international business management world, JIC or JIT. Toyota successfully launched their company based on the same decision they used in making sushi...JIT (Just In Time) whereas American auto makers used JIC (Just In Case) which required a back log of inventory.

If we apply JIT versus JIC to our own lives we may create a better life. As the article stated JIC (Just In Case) is just crazy. Most people live with the just in case mind set because throughout history it made sense. Goods were scarce. No longer, for most people. "Living in an abundant environment but operating on the assumption that goods are scarce leads to a host of dysfunctions that can be summed up in one word: excess. Most of us live in a world of excess, we work too much, we eat too much, rack up debt buying too much stuff." Not only are we drowning in our lives we are driving the prices up by hording.

Now JIT (Just In Time) just makes sense. Switching to a just in time mind set, restores balance and health. By switching our collective mind set and focusing on our abundance we will create a shift in the totality of our lives. Taking a leap from living in fear to one of faith, that we can get what we need to live is a mind set that takes...well, a leap...especially in these times.

If you succumb to the JIC, you will accumulate more...including debt...and fear. As for me I plan on being a JIT kinda of gal...except for fabric...who knows when there may be a shortage!!!!!!

Mug Shots

The front page of the paper had a line up of mug shots. I think the person who takes the mug shots either doesn't know anything about photography, or knows exactly how to make you look your worst, or you are just so pissed off either at yourself or the establishment and it comes through the photo. I have never seen a good mug shot. The line up was part of an article called, "What's behind rise in worker theft?" 5 women, who I know if you saw them at work or on the street probably looked fabulous. I know for a fact that one of them was a snappy dresser...but in the mug shot they all come across as losers...with a big L.

If I ever get a mug shot I am going to insist on better lighting and a little make up...and I am going to smile. I know they don't have to look that bad. I had a passport photo taken of me and the photographer said you can't smile and to tilt my head down...I get checked out every time with a long hard look...because I look like a terrorist! Oh yeah, I have a "no no" in my quart size bag of toiletry items. I found out later that there is no rule about not smiling! Jerk! Now I am stuck with a passport for another 5 years that looks like I am sister to the guy they haven't caught in the middle east...or worst yet, his mother.

On the other hand the guy who took my DMV photo obviously caught the inner and outer beauty that represents me. I love my DMV photo, I didn't sign the back of my credit card so retailers would be forced to ask for my license. I love taking my DMV photo out, every single time they comment on the great photo. I don't care if I am 80, I am going to keep renewing with that photo!

Maybe "the man" will use my DMV photo for my mug shot! I doubt it, and this alone will keep me honest!

People

People,
who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
Were children needing other children
And yet letting our grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers
Are very special people
They're the luckiest people in the world
With one person,
One very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you are half
now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People,
people who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world.

Spending yesterday with my family, and watching the interactions made me think of this song. We as humans need each other, laughter is the medicine of the soul. Families challenge our fears, politics and make you really think about what the men of the family would look like in kilts! LOL

Memories That Bind Us

Last night listening to Connor and Jenn's backpacking and camping adventure made us laugh out loud. Between rain, flooding tent and soaked sleeping bags it brought back so many of our own memories. It is these adventures and how you recover from them that give a relationship the beautiful color. When you can look back and laugh, when the memories take on more of an adventure than a mistake...these are the memories that bind us.

What a gift to us to share and listen to their story. Too see how happy they are to be home and still together! LOL After they left, it was even more fun talking about our own adventures, mistakes, tantrums and too know that they did not throw us apart but brought us even closer.

Having a perfect life...does not give you a perfect life. Having a life filled with color in and out of the lines...now, that is the life worth living.

Chicken Little Arrived For A Visit

Chicken Little is the least favorite relative I have. She squats in my brain, taking up living space and is a little chicken pooper. Most of the time I don't even know she is there...I love those times. But more frequently of late she has shown up with all her squawking about the world and the sky falling!

I have to be very careful when she shows up because she is usually the barer of bad news, made up news and news of how my life is going down hill. Not only that, I usually spend way too much money when she is around. I succumb to my addictive personality and eat more than I should because who knows, there may not be any food left on the grocery shelves by next week!

She has a high pitched, screeching kind of voice and she is constantly moving in a hysterical way. My normally "cup half full" personality of gin and tonic turns to a "cup half empty" of Boone's Farm Strawberry wine with the screw cap....lol...see she is here right now...poking at me!

I figured I needed a "come to Jesus" conversation without the Jesus...so I turned to Greg for a good, honest conversation of what is really going on in my life...I have a job, I have health insurance, my bills are current, my oldest son and family are working hard and employed, my youngest son is successfully navigating college, enjoying the college experiences and is learning about life which is exactly what he should be doing at this point in his life, I have a mate to surpass most mates, I have good food in my house (that should take me through a famine...god, chicken little is still here), health, good friends and life for us is actually better this year than last year... if you don't take into account our retirement fund.

So what did I do today????

I kicked that sorry ass of a chicken little relative to the curb, put on my big girl panties and am heading to Portland to see my 5 favorite people!!!!!!! Ahhh...I think I have more brain space without her squatting there.

10 Reasons You Know The Economy is Really Bad

Well here goes, some of these were pulled from right out of the headlines...some were from life...and some are just fantasy...or not.

10. You know the economy is really bad when Cuban boat people pull their boats out of storage and head back to Cuba.

9. You know the economy is really bad when your new hair stylist is located at Super Cuts.

8. You know the economy is really bad when McDonald's opens a video poker room in the former children's playground.

7. You know the economy is really bad when Girl's Night Out is held in the parking lot after work.

6. You know the economy is really bad when you ask the liquor store if they have coupons.

5. You know the economy is really bad when your employer starts charging you for water cups.

4. You know the economy is really bad when you go to goodwill and buy back what you donated last year.

3. You know the economy is really bad when you go out for ice cream and your sharing the same cone from McDonald's.

2. You know the economy is really bad when instead of going out to the movies, you sing Karaoke to each other

1. You know the economy is really bad when you are willing to stand on a corner to wave a sign for a going out of business sale....

I have seen the signs...but video poker at McDonald's....lets hope it doesn't come to that...

The Daily Me

As I read of another newspaper going under I am saddened. There is something I get by reading a paper copy of the news that I do not get from Internet news. Maybe it is as Nicholas Kristof states that when reading the paper we see the entire papers headlines even if we only read portions where as on the Internet news we go to sites that support our own views.

As he said, "when we go online, each of us is our own editor, our own gatekeeper. We select the kind of news and opinions that we care most about." We don't truly want good information, but rather information that confirms our own beliefs and prejudices.

We all partake in good conversations and may debate, but in practice we associate and converse with those that have similar beliefs. We may enjoy an opposite view, but we also characterize that other belief as silly or not very well thought out. There are times where group of people will meet and they will avoid any political or religious discussion because the culture dictates silence.

The problem with having a Daily Me where you have insulated yourself from other views, is that you've grown more politically segregated and any benefits that come from have a variety of opinions is lost. One 12 nation study found Americans the least likely to discuss politics with people of different views, and is particularly true of the well educated. This results in polarization and intolerance.

The death of print newspaper where on the editorial pages you have several different opinions will accelerate the rise of The Daily Me.

As Nicholas Kristof writes, only getting your news from specific politically supported news groups is that they will act as a narcotic, lulling us into a self-confident stupor. Perhaps the only way forward is for each of us to intellectually spar with a partners whose views we do not agree with...much like a mental workout.

For me it will me having a conversation with my mother????yikes, who is still mourning the retirement of Bush....I guess I'll have to trim that bush for her, but I do believe I will not walk away unscathed. On the other hand what is the point of having a point of view if no one knows.

10 Questions You Need To Ask Before Saying I Do...

I think before you decided if you can live a life time with someone you need to ask 10 questions. I don't know what the 10 questions are but I am going to make them up as I type along...because at the very least by the time you get around to asking the 10 questions you may have dated more than 10 minutes...

1. How Many credit cards do you currently have?

2. Do you read books?

3. Did you like your mom or dad?

4. Are you required to eat 3 meals a day?

5. Can you change a car tire?

6. Do you have a savings account?

7. Do you need someone to love you in order to feel good

8. Can you make love even if you don't feel like it?

9. Can you listen?

10. Do you do your own laundry?

I think from these 10 questions you can generally understand if a person is industrious, flexible, independent, generous of spirit and open to learning.

This Is An Alert Of The Emergency Broadcast System..

...You are going to die. It matters not what you read in the health news, eventually you WILL die. With that said, it is frustrating this goal of having a long quality life. After all every scientist who got a grant to figure out how we could live longer has to justify the money....SO...

1. if you drink coffee you are going to live longer or maybe you'll get high blood pressure

2. if you have a moderate amount of alcohol daily it will lower you blood pressure...on the other hand, at work we ask how much you drink as part of your health history and if it is every day an eyebrow is raised

3. drink lots of water...of course is you drink too much water you are going to die

4. 7 hours of sleep is perfect 6 hours or 8 hours does not fit the criteria and no sleeping in on the
weekend, because you are supposed to keep the same sleep pattern every day

5. you have to take vitamin A, C, D, E, flax seeds, glucosamine, stool softeners...every single day because the American diet is crap and you can't get these in your food...but you can get a lot of corn syrup and it byproducts

6. frozen vegetables are better than fresh

7. chocolate is good for your heart, chocolate is going to make you fat

8. Sex 3 times a week is good for your prostate, sex 3 times a week may kill your wife

9. health bulletins are addicting, health news will cost you lots of money as you run out to to the store to buy the latest product

The golden rule for a longer life:

Exercise, eat a balanced diet, drink in moderation, don't be fat and don't smoke...if you do all this you may live longer depending on the driver in the other lane.

Mothers ~ Daughters

The relation of mothers and daughters has always fascinated me. I listen intently when my friends speak of their mothers and it may be the most complicated relationship that exists. In my 50's I realize that in someways I am the perfect daughter...I don't ask my mother for anything, I never reveal my inner thoughts and I try never to appear weak or depressed. On the other hand I am a failure as a daughter...I am not thin, I did not get a doctorate and I did not marry a rich man.

When I listen to my friends speak of their mothers the number 1 word that comes to mind is frustration. Is it because we did not meet the expectation of our female creator? Or is it because we reflect the things in themselves they do not like or did not achieve? It is an ongoing dilemma and one that will be repeated with our own daughters if we cannot figure it out.

My own mother signs most of her letters with this tag line, "I am a life time learner and I am proud of who I am." This is the god honest truth. She is incredible and proud. I am proud of her and see the potential for myself in my senior years....BUT...wouldn't it be nice if her tag line could be, "I am proud of you." 5 little words that could have made a huge difference in how I felt about myself and my relationship with her.

I have attempted in the past to speak with her about my feelings but what I know is our mother-daughter culture does not include personal feelings. So I take my feelings and give them to my husband, sons and friends...and you know what...I am happy.

Free Speech

Free Speech seems to be a right that every American holds dear...that is as long as no one knows where it is coming from. We want the right to speak freely...but anonymously. I don't consider free speech, free if I am afraid to take responsibility for what I am saying.

When I read the Internet news there is the ability to leave comments after each article. The comments left for the most part make you wonder if people have any screening ability at all. Their brains, mouths and fingers seem to have a life of their own.

Even more amazing is the "rants and raves" section on Craig's list. Talk about slamming, trash talk and shear ugliness. After 2 times I have given up reading the comments. It is hard to even get to the really thoughtful comments for all the slamming. I wonder if we were required to attached our real name to any comment made on the net if we would be so forthright?

It is a struggle to say what you are thinking while facing the actual person you are having issue with. It is also difficult to think about signing your name to a comment that floats out on the world wide web. I can tell you that making it a requirement for your personal self ID to step up to the plate and let people see who you are and what you believe, will only make you a better person. When what you say to someone face to face is the same as what you would say behind their back, your world merges and then you are real. You become more thoughtful, you discover kinder way to express anger, frustration and you realize that some of the stuff you rant and rave about really is not that important.

The Internet has not done us any service when we can anonymously trash another person or business. We have become a society of covert assassins without any repercussion. And more importantly we are losing our communication skills, which when used face to face are usually kinder.

Commuter Relationships

The situation of a relationship where the parties are living in different areas is a historical one. Sailors have gone off to sail the high seas, leaving their families behind. Explorers have gone exploring. Soldiers have gone off to war. There are many professions that requires separation from loved ones.

For those of us that have the luxury of going to bed and waking up each morning next to our loved one we cannot fathom how it is done any other way. But in this economy it is not just occurring within certain job sectors, it is occurring to our neighbors and relatives. The idea that on cannot find work where you are living and raising a family seems so foreign and yet it is happening. You no longer can just sell your house and move, your company cannot afford to move you and life's options are entirely different than they were a year ago.

It will be a challenge for the American family to figure out how to be a family when we live in different places. With each passing month we are faced with decision that we never thought would be forced upon us. I truly believe there is a huge lesson for us all, on what we need to do and what we truly need.

Upside Down...Inside Out

On the way to Portland we passed a car packed to the gills with travel items, suitcases, coolers...stuff required to have a good time on vacation. Unfortunately it was sitting on it roof with everyone upside down. The ambulance had just arrived and the snow plow was sitting behind it . The snowplow driver was waving the traffic by but for a moment the line of cars we were in slowed as each of the occupants reflected on, "that coulda been me."

Sometimes we're in such a rush that we miss the signs around that say, slow down, take the scenery in, smell the fresh snow. Instead we end upside down...inside out. Then as we rounded the next corner a semi flew past us followed by 2 other cars without a sense what waited around the next bend.

Oh My Aching Feet

I tell you, 10 hours working in the OR holding area getting people ready for surgery...whether it be scheduled or trauma, really makes you feel your age. My puppies were screaming by the time I got home. All I ate for dinner was crackers and cheese. My co worker and I were both sapped by the end of the shift and although I clocked out at 6:27 PM...3 minutes before the end of my shift I felt like those 3 minutes were a gift! Then walking out the doors and still seeing daylight....a miracle!!!!!

No matter how bad life gets, how sad I feel, the people I meet going into surgery give me a bigger gift than I give them. They make me kinder, less judgemental and grateful for the life I have chosen. For it is at this point the patients feel the most anxious, hungry, thirsty,tired, painful and angry. You really see the human race in it's highest or lowest potential. Each day I take away many profound and hysterical lessons.

Yesterdays....why does a guy need to wear a thick gold bracelet that takes 3 people and a improvised tool to get it off of him. Luckily for us it wasn't on the side he had accidentally whacked off.

Rom Com

When I first saw this term in a newspaper article this week I thought it was some kind of spy talk....but instead I found out that the era of the Rom Com (romantic comedy) has hindered more relationships than it provided good entertainment.

It seems that the recent generations of women who have grown up watching the Rom Com have expectations that don't exist. I have to admit that given the time and money a great chick flick is right up my alley. On the other hand I am going into the theater with 55+years of experience, a few relationships and a 31+ year marriage. With this background I can laugh hard enough to pee my pants.

What I can tell you is that....

He will not be able to read your mind
It is better to help him pick out the gifts he wants to give you
He won't always think your jokes are funny
Sometimes neither of you will be in the mood
You will not be dreamy eyed...except for the first few months
and he will not cry from the shear idea of loving you

But if you decide on the right person to spend your life with, you will...

know he is thinking of you several times a day
he loves to watch you pick out your own present
he'll laugh at you telling your funny joke and that will be funny on top of funny
Sometimes when neither of you are in the mood, snuggling will feel fabulous
he might not be dreamy eyed but he will light up at the sight of a good dinner
and he may not cry at the shear idea of loving you but he will be more excited about you than his car, toys or dog.

Then There Was Light...

For today it matters not that Barbie has a house in Malibu (she is probably married to someone who is over 90 and on oxygen), nor am I affected by the fact that there are wackos killing people out there, that Oregon is at the top of the unemployment heap, foreclosures left and right and that there is corn syrup is everything....because...today....

I get an extra hour of daylight!!!!!!!!! Nothin' is ruining today, not snow, sleet or hail because from this day forward I am accumulating an extra few minutes of day light. Maybe it was the state of the world because it certainly wasn't the amount of snow we got but this winter seemed to drag on. So today in celebration of an extra hour and even though I was freezing my behind off I went out and trimmed my decorative grasses and took survey of what I intend to do in my yard. I can feel that change is comin'

She's 50!

I can't believe it but my first girlfriend is 50! Yes, Barbie turned 50! Did I say 50!?! Although we don't hang out any more, I got sick of her constant "me" conversations...all about her. I do remember that she didn't look anything like me. She had a beautiful red ponytail, legs that were long and slender, a waist that was so small, breasts that were perky and absolutely no body hair...(not even pubic hair). I spent a lot of time taking care of her. She never lost the flip in her pony tail because I refused to muss it up. She had a great house and her bedroom was to die for. OH, and the car, convertible of course.

She was always so perfect. I always say midlife crisis when you young and wild or you can wait till your actually in your midlife. So this year she is prancing out in full mid life crisis mode. I can't wait to see her. She comes with tattoos...yes, you heard me 36 tattoos and even a tattoo gun that you can tattoo yourself, just like her.

So how did she end up being a tattooed at 50 year old? I heard that after we parted ways she dumped her boyfriend Ken and started running around with a younger crowd...someone named Ashley, Stacey or some Bratz crowd. She stopped dressing her age, her house went into foreclosure and the hood of her car cracked (I swear I had nothing to do with that). She'll have to be careful because with her portfolio tanked she'll probably have to go back to work and so those tattoos had better be pretty or in place you can cover.

Blazing Saddles

Well, I have had a nice 5 day cry fest and am ready to get back in the saddle. Although death is something I do not fear and recognize it as the circle of life, I still want to take time to recognize my feelings, reflect on the life of the person passing and understand the reasons for their life and death....now that last part is the one that always drags me along. For one...you never really know the whys. But what I do know is I am a fact gatherer...i don't jump to conclusions but really think and process before I come uncorked.

In the last week I was feeling down with all that I was hearing about the life and death of Stella. So I waited until I could get the facts and what I found is that everyone has their different judgement and opinion. You have to wade through it and find as close to the truth as you can.

Stella, had a difficult life but made the very best of it. She passed on with feelings of love and forgiveness. Those are the facts and that is all I needed to know, that this beautiful person left this world surrounded by love. The gathering in her memory drew 500 people! I am not sure 10 people would show up at my funeral. She had an impact on the world and the world came to say goodbye.

Heartbreak Hotel

It would be great if there was a place we could leave our broken hearts. You wouldn't have to lug it around, examining it and trying to figure out how to put the pieces back together. You could just pull in, register and say, "room 202" please...no mini bar necessary, no luggage...you just leave your broken heart.

What I know though...is a broken heart can be put back together and may be more beautiful than before. Any thing that is perfect has no interest surrounding it...Simply put...when I think of all the perfect looking models, I cannot remember their names...but give me Iman who is unusual, imperfect and stunning and I remember her name.

I think keeping your broken heart, taking care of it, and understanding what the message it gives you in it's fragile state...will give you strength in the long run. Having a perfect heart will only give you a one dimensional life.

When "He" plus "She" Equals "We"

Interesting article. As quoted by a professor of psychiatry and human behaviorist, "There are a lot fewer arguments, but, by the same token, studies show there tends to be much less passion, and a less passionate sex life, in these couples,"

Seem that if you think and speak as a single unit, life may only appear on the surface to be smooth. I have long ago given up the view that those four legged, four armed, 2=1 brained couples are living the ideal relationship. Although "we" have been married a long time, when speaking of the other half of we...I refer to him as "Greg"...after all he has got a name, a personal point of view and a personality that is his own.

I think the "we" must be a younger generations need to not be alone??? or if you are stuck at the hip and can't pursue your own dreams it must be love??? There never existed a "Brangelina" as I was growing up. But as I grew into a young adult it was the time of freedom for women, the struggle to have your own identity and then I had the added benefit of a mother who knew no limitations.

If I reflect on my conversations about what "we" are doing...I rarely use the word we...I use "Greg and I" single organisms who join together to do stuff with our individual likes and dislikes. Which then allows us to do what we like, without the other. Which then brings more interesting conversations to the table. Which then makes the other one look more interesting. Which then will then open the options of a passionate life.