AM~Erica Dress & Talks the Part for Loot

So anyway...

Life has been a bit crazy the past several days, so I'm a little behind in showing you how our Talk Like a Pirate Day went this year. (because I know you've been waiting impatiently for the breakdown)

After a disappointing outing last year (reminder HERE), I was sure hoping this time around would be much better!

First up for the day had to be the morning grog, so got the coffee brewing. It was a perfect fall-like morning, so the back door was opened & coffee was enjoyed by the deck.

In a lot of rushing around, plans for the day, and with some family stuff that came up, it's amazing the adventures that got worked in!

I got myself together, got into my best pirate attire, perched my sidekick for the day, Pipsquawk, on my shoulder, and readied the Sea-Sick Crocodile for sailing the course of this wonderfully weird holiday.

Out of needed 3 items from each list, I covered 8/12 items for Krispy Kreme
and 6/10 for Long John Silvers. I'm an overachiever in this department.

On my shoulder is Pipsquawk. A "parrot on the shoulder" made both, Krispy Kreme & Long John Silver's,
lists of items needed to get free loot - so Pipsquawk is my pet parrot brooch.

I set sail for Krispy Kreme, first.
Now then, I was really thinking about this:
Krispy Kreme has no business getting themselves into the TLAP Day holiday. It makes no sense!! However, they were smart enough to run such a great promo to get in on the fun, they are now nearly synonymous with the holiday!

A few days before that, I came across a t-shirt of Lil Guy's that I did up for him to wear on TLAP Day last year...

          Me: Hey! Wonder if you can still wear this shirt for Saturday.

          LG: Why? What's Saturday?

          Me: Ummm...Talk Like a Pirate Day!

          LG: *GASP* Doughnuts?!?!?

So there you have it. Krispy Kreme has successfully put their mark on the treasure map of TLAP Day.

Anyhoo...
I headed there, first. When I pulled the Sea-Sick Crocodile into their port, there was an adult male pirate leaving the port. I don't know what the front of him looked like, but the outfit from the back was amazing!! The long coat, the cut off pants the boots, the hat...it was fantastic.

So when I went in, things were hopping! A few people were in there to get their free dozen of glazed doughnuts with the minimum amount of work - 3 of the 12 things from the list. Which is fine...good for them. Glad they got in the fun. Plus, it was time for the "HOT NOW" to be happening...so everyone was getting a warm, glazed doughnut when they came in...mmmmm....

I walked out of there with my 1 dozen FREE doughnuts. Which is great. But I was wanting to actually BUY a couple other things. However, they handed me my cardboard Talk Like a Pirate Day chest of golden-glazed rings along with a receipt for $0.00 (because...uh...FREE). They seemed to send me on my way, down the plank, without asking if there was anything else they could do for me, or if I would like anything else. Because I DID!! I was hoping to swing back by later, if there was time. So I'll get to that in a moment.

I brought home round 1 of treasure! The boys were very happy...until I told them we were saving it for dessert after dinner. Bwah-hahahaha!!!

Then my hubby had to run a few errands before some other adventures we had planned, so I got cleaned up (What? Pirates can get clean from time-to-time.) and threw my pirate garb back on. I planned on getting a free lunch on the way to a get-together...
The lunch thing didn't work out. By the time my hubby got back home, we were running a bit later than kind of hoped. Plus, he looked at me oddly. (Yeah! NOW he looks at me oddly.) He was waiting for ME to get ready and was filling time. When he, finally asked if I was going to get showered and ready, I looked at my attire, looked at him, and said, "But...I am ready."

He was confused. He thought I was only dressed like that to get doughnuts & not for our other endeavors of the day. D'oh! He was wrong.

Part of it was to get more free food. And I was told I could wear it to the 50th birthday party we were supposed to be attending...that was not pirate-themed...

*ahem*

During some of the downtime, I did enjoy one of our household staples: Pirate's Booty!!

So then we got ready to go, me still in my full-on-pirate gear, and headed to our good friend's 50th birthday party!

I was going to walk in like there was nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, c'mon: for me, this is not far out of the ordinary in my world. We were greeted at the door by a guy who just burst out laughing gleefully! No, I did not know this guy, but he obviously had to be there for my friend's day. He told us to come in, another lady joined him, plus a photographer that looked so much like our friend's mom, it was crazy!
The guy, thru this gleeful laughter, said he hoped I'd show up like that.
Wait...what?? And who are you, again??
But apparently our friend showed my earlier pics (above), and said he hoped I would still have it on for the party. Well, I guess I didn't disappoint then.
Then the photographer jumped right in to say she had to get a photo! Then she introduced herself as our friend's aunt. I totally believed it, too. She looks SO much like her sister!

Anyway...she took our pic as we came in:

See, my friend approached me to let me know the kiddos could come if we wanted them to. I informed him that I might be dressed like a pirate since it was being held on TLAP Day. He said he hoped I really would & that pictures may just happen. This is not a problem for me.

We went and looked at some amazing food laid out on the table. Then we went to track down our friend. He was in the backyard with a slew of other folks celebrating our awesome friend. And for some reason, no one else was dressed like a pirate. Hmmm....

It was a beautiful day to celebrate his 50th, and so glad I could be a moment of party entertainment.

See, honey? I told you I could go to the party dressed like a pirate!!

(Don't worry, people. We already had this conversation.)

We, sadly, couldn't stay very long - my hubby had another thing on his plate he had to get to. So, off we went...with some cake in hand.

*Wave to Presten, everyone! Wish him Happy Birthday (which is actually TODAY)*

(Presten's Aunt Cheryl [sp?] took these great pics)

When we got back home, we had a small bit of downtime, then my hubby was off for a couple of hours. I had some plans, myself...

I prepared the Sea-Sick Crocodile to set sail for some more piratey fun.

Still in my garb, I headed off to the port of Long John Silver's! I was so excited they were taking part again, finally! I went in a pre-dinner timeframe, so not many people were in there. No signage was up to say they were participating...but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. I know one patron was overly-amused by my entrance. I was so glad he was so entertained. I stepped up, and the girl just looked at me, like any other day, and said, "Is this for here or to go?" So I semi-piratey, almost-defeatedly asked, "Arrrre ya doing the whole pirate promo thing?" She just looked at me & told me yes. I was SO relieved! I, then, joyfully got my free meal, to go, with 2 pieces of fish, 2 hushpuppies & some fries! A couple people were intrigued by my look, I was complimented on my outfit choice, and that one dude was still overly-tickled that he was seeing a pirate IN Long John Silver's!

I got my food & headed out to board the Sea-Sick Crocodile for another port: back to the Krispy Kreme!

Some of you may be disappointed to find out that I was a well-behaved pirate. I went in & told them I had already gotten my dozen doughnuts. I didn't want to tempt my kiddos with more! But I did tell the employees that I just wanted a drink (in the TLAP souvenir cup) & 2 of their fantastic pirate coffee mugs.

All of this seemed to be an issue with the afternoon employees. All I wanted was an iced PSL in the souvenir cup & 2 of their mugs. They could not seem to get a grasp of what was going on...

FINALLY, a manager came to help with the ICED pumpkin spice latte to put in the adorable cup, and then one of the employees was confused as whether or not he should "mess with the display" of cups so I could get a couple of mugs. *face palm*

Back at the Krispy Kreme hoping they get my stuff right

While I waited, a (non-pirate) couple were just staring at my outfit. I told them that if you're gonna do it, you gotta go all out. They just said, "Well, you went all out."

Awww! Thank you, nice non-pirate couple!

So I finally got my mugs when the guy figured out you can sell the mugs on the case...

Then I finally got my cup with the iced PSL...

After setting sail from this time at the port of Krispy Kreme, I needed to make one more stop - the port of Wally World.

See, a pirate really can't get thru the day properly without having at least a splash of rum. Well, we'd already finished the stash we had at the home port, so I did as any other pirate would do: Go to Walmart & get some more!

I may end up on People of Walmart, but I don't care! It got me free food & awesome stuff! So I just removed my tricorn & eyepatch (that I used as a loose choker) to semi-tone down my look. I still got a lot of looks, but I pretended this is nothing out of the ordinary...

Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Just another pirate stopping by the Wally World to get their rum. Like any other day.

Yet I was still getting the stares & stuff. I could feel them. But I just went about my business. I did wave at a couple of kids, though. You know...give THEM that experience of getting noticed by a pirate at Walmart. Amm-i-rite?

I took my stuff up to a speedy check out. I placed my items on the conveyor belt. There was an older gentleman who was that lane's cashier at this point. He never even flinched. He just ran my items over the scanner like any other customer was standing there. He's probably seen a lot at Walmart in his time, so I was probably not a shock for him. He scanned my coconut rum, glanced at me, decided to not ID me (pshhh - whatever) and bagged it without a question. However, when he came to my bottle of Captain, he mentioned, "Well, this is fitting." I laughed a bit, and said, "Well, that's by design."

He asked if I worked in a costume shop or something, so I explained TLAP Day & how I'd already gotten free food. He seemed impressed. And I went about my way.

So, back into the Sea-Sick Crocodile I went, with Pipsquawk still perched upon my shoulder, and it was off to the home port to prepare the evening grub. But not before I saw the overly-amused guy from Long John Silver's going into Wally World as I left...and he was, once again, overly amused. I waved at him.

As per the past couple of years, Cedar Planked Lemon Pepper TiLAPia was on the menu (with Chicken Planks for the kiddos), Golden Lemon Butter Potato Medallions, Pirate's Booty brand shells (aged white cheddar) & cheese with anchors & (aged white cheddar) cheese, plus some greens (for seaweed salad) with some citrus dressing.

Then, we had to have the rum. For pirate day. Amm-i-rite?

So I made a Captain Arnold Palmer! Mmmmmm.....

Then we finally finished off the night with some delicious Krispy Kremes. Mmmm.....

All in all - it was a great & successful day of loot, booty & treasure! SO worth being dressed all over-achiever-like for it.

Even Teen Girl got into the act - we had matching shirts & near-matching boots. The Sea-Sick Crocodile wench is pretty much my mini-me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Leading up to this, I knew that Long John Silver's was up to great things this year when I flagged people down on twitter to get ready for TLAP Day. Then, this went down:

That's right - they were fighting to give me a pirate name! How awesome is this??

Of course, I was sharing my adventures on social media...and I forgot that LJS actually had a social media contest going. Well imagine my shock when they flagged me down on Instagram with this photo...

...to tell me that I could get a voucher for more free food since they picked me as one of their winners!!! (If you follow me on Instagram, you can go see it!)

** By the way, since dinner was covered, I enjoyed the free fish & hushpuppies the next day, while my boys enjoyed the fries - the kiddos aren't seafood fans & my hubby hadn't been feeling too well.

This year definitely made up for a disappointing TLAP Day last year. And I was SO happy to see LJS back on board, along with the fun liquid holders from Krispy Kreme!

I certainly hope more businesses & brands really hop on the promotion board next year. People get the free food...they post it all over social media AND while they are out & about, so it's free advertising for the day.

And you know I have ideas....

So...tell me - how was your TLAP Day?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Sitting Here

So anyway...

*DING-DING*

Round 2!

The snow storms have hit again. SNOWPACOLYPSE II HIT just a few days ago...and now the BLIZZARD OF OZ HAS OFFICIALLY COME!

And we are hunkered down. And we are sitting here.

I am so blessed to be able to have a warm home, electricity, coffee, food...we can be settled in. And I know that not everyone has all of these things...if any at all.

This round has placed me in a very contemplative mood. HERE I GO BLOGGING AGAIN...but there are things that I think about, or things that come to the forefront that need to be thought about.

Being snowed in, and while the news people are staying on air thru this whole thing to remind us that it's snowing & to stay inside, we are almost used to it. And this time around, as the snow gently falls & quickly builds, it causes me to pause.

I still have other things I want to cover, but this sitting & contemplating has brought on other thoughts...

I've already covered part of my thinking of how blessed I am/we are. I was making cinnamon rolls, from a tube that we could buy from the store, and getting the coffee ready...I couldn't help but think about it. Again...I do so hope that those who don't have the blessings we have readily available could at least get to somewhere to have their needs met in this mess.

But I also have the blessing of wifi to stay connected to everyone. We are sharing our pics & stories with each other & making sure everyone is OK. This is nice side of social media. You know...the caring & sharing of our lives side...not the NASTY MUD THROWING as has not even let up. Ugh to all of you who are keeping up on that! Shame on you! Trying to be all inspirational & then throwing someone under the bus right after the other! Cut that crap out! Either be your rude "informative" (term used very loosely) self OR lift others up! You can't be both!

*ahem*

Like I said..."contemplating"...a lot.

I also came across a blog post from a page I enjoy following on Facebook. The owner of the page flagged down her followers to have them read a blog from another page. I read the blog, and was totally taken. Because it's an IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT I TALK ABOUT HERE, too. The page I follow said she would cover the same subject soon...and I was looking forward to it. And she posted it today...

Friends, I cannot stress enough how much I NEED you to read THIS LINK RIGHT HERE from Frugalista Blog.

I'm still shaken by her words. Like she's been inside my head. It scares me...in a good way. But still scary. And it should be.

As this day continues...and it's a lazy day while being snowed in...I will continue to contemplate, I will be thankful for my blessings, and I will be thankful for all of you who read my ramblings. I appreciate you for hanging with me for the insanity that runs thru my brainy-brain...whether it's funny, weird, informative, or sad...the support from each of you is another blessing I truly count.

Now...onto spending some quality time with the blessings I'm hunkered down with here...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica May Need a Pathfinder

So anyway...

If you are in the KC area...there's obviously been a lot going on around here!

As we brace to see what this winter storm might or might not do as we are stocked up & hunkered down...waiting to see if there's school cancelations... we also are bombarded with the tragic insanity of THE DESTRUCTION OF JJ'S ON THE PLAZA. Just crazy is in the air!

Today, as we try to plan ahead the best that we can for this storm, my hubby came home for lunch to try to catch the weather to see what they are saying this time. See...our weather predictions change pretty much hourly around here...it's always entertaining to see what the new totals & predictions are. So, as he was watching to see what might be happening...we were bombarded with more updates about JJ's. This is fine & understandable...but I would think there might be more going on around here, around the country & around the world. Or maybe not...

Then it happens...
There is breaking news & we will go to the news chopper who is right over head of a police chase...and it's begun in our town. Go figure. And they are keeping the live feed going, too. The  JJ's coverage lasted around 3 & a half hours...so why not follow this, too??

You know what? It was the dumbest yet most entertaining car chase...nearly ever!

It started after a guy stole a Nissan Pathfinder, grabbed a cop & tried to ram one of the police cars. Ummm...he's already in big trouble with them...
Then he takes off & the police are behind him! And it's on...!!! Right...??? Uh...

It actually looked like something familiar of years ago...as things went, they weren't exactly high-speed. It was a light-colored SUV going about 30 MPH with the police just following along...

This is the OJ Simpson car chase scene back in 1994.
Today's chase looked much like this, except the cops were single file...

The whole thing looked like a weird funeral procession...there was the lead vehicle & then a string of evenly-spaced cars with flashing lights in a line behind it. And every time the SUV slowed up, so would the police cars...?? *scratches head*

However...there were spikes thrown down on a couple of curves that the SUV tried to miss (as well as the cops when he would dodge them). About 10 minutes into the chase, as he tried to dodge some spikes...he misinterpreted where they were & it got the back passenger side tire! They got him, right???

WRONG!

The spike line shredded that tire...there was nothing left...yet he kept going...and going...and going...and...going...
It Was Crazy!

This is the end of the chase. See the missing tire on the passenger side?
This vehicle drove for miles like that! It was weird & wild to witness
(brought to you by the letter "W")

So I looked at my hubby & said, "Well...that's an interesting testimony to the construction of the Pathfinder." He just started laughing...

Then he brought up that maybe the Super Bowl could use better commercials...so Nissan needs to jump on this & use this chase as testimonial! Amm-i-rite?

Hubby & I noticed something else...the newscast had added something up in the corner of the upper left corner of the screen during this spectacle: a hashtag to use on Twitter!!! *face palm*

#kccarchase

Yes...that is what appeared for an interactive moment during this "event" for everyone to attempt to be a part of. I'm all for social media & stuff...but...um...wow.

But thru this debacle, the driver even pulls into a QuikTrip, cops still following, some cops going around the corner...and they let him thru the parking lot AND out onto the street with the chase continuing! Are you kidding me? No...no I am not.

It was like watching some bizarre movie. Hubby & I were yelling at the screen and heckling the newscast, the chase & the cops. We aren't sure what all was going on with this craziness...

Eventually the vehicle loses yet another tire. As the anchor AND the chopper captain were saying that it would be about over...it wasn't! This thing went...and went...and went...and...went...

The captain of the chopper makes a comment that this is a testament to Nissan [in the construction of the Pathfinder]! Hubby burst out laughing. I experienced a moment of deja vu. Weird.

At one point, the anchor asks for the camera to zoom out so the viewers could witness the shear number of police cars that are part of the chase...
The camera zooms out...
And the anchor counted 3...
...then he pointed out that he "understood" there was about a dozen in the chase. *face palm* D'oh!

This whole chase went on for 30+ minutes. Over 20 minutes of it, the Pathfinder was missing at least 1 tire. It was when the 3rd tire went is when the major loss of control happened.

Then the guy just gave up. It was all very strange... Oh...and that's when about 30 more police vehicles end up appearing. *face palm*

Oh...and thru much of this, pretty much all of our town's cops left the city limit to "chase" this guy. My hubby said this would be the time for crime to rise in our area...all the cops were across the city limit & it was being televised!

Well...watch some of it here (about 9 minutes worth):


KCTV5

And after this insanity, I figured out a few things:

1. Nissan totally needs to jump on Super Bowl bandwagon & use this chase
B.  #HashtagsAreEmbarrassing
III.  If you're wanting to catch the weather because something's brewing...Murphy's Law will find something else to put in it's place...like a really stupid car chase
8. When this dude gets out of jail, he needs to drive for NASCAR...Seriously
K. My next vehicle totally needs to be a Nissan Pathfinder

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Should be Shamed

So anyway...

I know I brought up about TRENDS THAT SHOULD GO AWAY...but...I came across another one that I haven't really had a chance to get in on. Well, I take that back...I'm sure I've had plenty of chances, it was just more apparent today.

There was a thing that became more apparent last year that started with kid shaming. Remember that? It started as a punishment from parents to stand outside with a sign letting everyone else know what they did wrong to "teach them a lesson". Then it hit social media, of course, with this right here:

Oh yes...it then became much bigger than just the neighborhood knowing. And it was a controversial parenting method.

Then...much like the planking-to-owling trend...kid shaming transitioned into pet shaming...well, mostly dog shaming:

There probably isn't a lot of cat shaming happened, cuz...well, you know...the cat might kill you in your sleep.

But it didn't stop there...there was a new shaming in town...
Maybe you've seen or heard of it? That would be "Mom(my) Shaming"!

One of my favorite mommy blogs & Facebook pages, The Divine Secrets of a Domestic Diva, has glamorized it like reality TV glamorizes "real life"...but in a much more lighthearted way.

What makes it better? It's MAMAS SHAMING THEMSELVES!

So...back to my part I've taken in the trend...
Today, this happened:

Sign reads "The family is going to enjoy some Thanksgiving & Christmas cookies...
from precut store-bought dough shapes...that I had my daughter bake...on January 10th..."

*sigh*

There is actually more shaming than just that, too:

I. I have on no makeup

2. I have nothing going on with or in my hair...except for my hurs gettin' all did...yesterday

Q. I made my daughter take the pic

*sigh*

Al a "Puss in Boots" (in "Shrek the Halls")...I have shamed myself.

Time to go eat some Santa & turkey cookies...since they're done now, and all. Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas! *face palm*

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

Why AM~Erica is Not Fond of Games

So anyway...

We've made it to a new year. Everyone is talking about what they are going to change (again), or try to start doing (again), and many of the same blah-blah resolutions they have made for years, and never seem to keep, but seem to keep making them goals for themselves. I hope this is the year you keep your resolutions this time, people!

 "Second verse: same as the first..."

Oh yuck. I've started this year with a cynical tone. But I've witnessed & experienced an issue that has leaked into the new year from the old from many (and it's fresher with some & ongoing with others) that is ugly. It's the ugly tone that was set thru last year that has left a taste in people's mouths that is disgusting, but we seem to keep going back to it as a whole.

When the elections kicked up, it brought out quite a sense of this ugliness that many are not willing to shake. Some already possessed this & use it to this day. Some found social media to continue their ways in this manner, or found this annoyance as a new sense of being. I see it happen with friends, family, coworkers, fellow church goers, with clients, on Facebook, on Twitter, in the media, in politics...

Any guesses as to what I might be talking about?
If you guessed "MANIPULATION," then you would be correct!
*DING-DING*

My family gets really frustrated because I'm not a fan of game night. I refuse to play any of them online, too. But I think I'm am so burnt out of daily manipulative game-play of hearts & minds...that I am sick of it. I don't play those games. And I'm even more tired of watching those who allow the games to go on & get sucked into them. Some of them...for years.

That's right! This Homey WON'T play dat!

Do you know what's even more sad? They don't want to be told they are playing these games or have been sucked into these games. Do you know what happens? I am one that gets looked down upon because I refuse to play. And since I don't play these games...anything I do or say around these situations gets tossed to the side. I've even been criticized for not being a pawn. That's not how it's worded...because these individuals don't realize they are being used as pawns, themselves. How dare me not be a chess piece in someone else's strategy to "win" at life in such manipulative ways.

Social media manipulation at its finest

And there's something worse. It's when the manipulators are being manipulated by someone else playing their own manipulative games. Or...the ones who are sucked into being pawns into more than one of these games.

I have played these games & have been played in someone else's games in the past. I don't like it one bit. Either side of it. It's awful & don't understand how people can live with themselves trying to crush people to make themselves feel better.

Sadly, it's when I stand up to these people (and I do & I will when need be) that it gets taken that I'm trying to crush them. I don't play those games. It's one thing to tell people like it is & another to crush someone on purpose. If what I say is scathing...it comes from truth. I don't just make up things to make anyone feel bad.

Trust me...I've gotten enough criticism about me. I know & realize when I'm wrong. Sometimes it takes a while to sink in, but I know. I can also take on good debates about things...if it's warranted. There's a time & a place for all of this stuff, my friends...and family. And I have witnessed & experienced stuff lately that leaves me scratching my head.

Many of these people who are the manipulators have deep issues of their own. Either they don't want to face them or are too afraid to. This past year, I made the effort to be very open about some very serious issues of mine. So you know where I'm coming from when I'm not seeming quite right, or if I snap at someone, or if I don't seem like myself.

This is one of the heavy-hearted posts. Because several have chosen to ring in the new year with such high levels of fake manipulation to make themselves feel better...it's actually pathetic. And...the people who let it continue to happen like nothing is wrong with the picture.

I am, generally, a very positive person. But I do try to see a whole picture of things, too. There are such one-sided, close-minded power trips going on...and the people out there rooting them & each other on in this ridiculousness.

I see it happen for "love", "money", "power", "acceptance", etc. And all of these things are in quotations because you cannot obtain any of these with manipulation...or if you think you do, you cannot sustain it.

One of my favorites is when the manipulators say they are the calm ones &/or they have seen the big picture...like they have it all figured out. I have found that these manipulators have lack of loyalty, lack of "common" sense (which really isn't common anymore), lack of actual positive attitude, and a lack of love.

I'm looking for my cape as we speak...

My blog has allowed me to open up & be straight forward about a lot of things. I thank all of you delightfully crazy people who have come along for the ride. And anyone who doesn't read my blog doesn't know much about me. That includes any family or friends or otherwise who try to start their manipulative ways with me. I cannot force them to read it, but it contains a lot of stuff about where I come from.

See the blog list over on the right? Those are my ongoing top 10 most popular blog posts. I don't control that. And, 8 of those 10 are SOAPBOXY ONES. And 8 of the 10 shown (and not necessarily the same ones) are from this past year. (the 8 of 10 stats are as of the time of this posting...it may be different in a month or so...or not) There's apparently a lot of people who care to read where I come from. I also find it interesting that most of these are ones that people don't know how to take. No comments, no feedback...nothing. But they are read. A lot. And it seems not from people who need to read them before approaching particular subjects.

I'm not going to lie to you...there will be a couple of traumatic things that have happened to me in my lifetime that may never make this blog. Those are too deep, too awful, and way too personal to even put out there. Even for me. However...I will bring them up in confidential conversation if 1.) I trust you, and B.) the conversation warrants the subject matter. But I have opened up about many other things. And there are those who have confidentially shared with me their stories, too. Those who needed to say something to someone without being called out. And do you know what? All of these people who connected with me on these subjects are people I have not talked to in years. Many of my own family & close friends (except maybe one or two) won't even acknowledge it. It's either they don't want to read what I have to say, which is fine, or they like their blinders on & want to pretend it's not true.

Because I have opened up quite a bit & am willing to stand up for myself & for my beliefs...be ready for me to either have good debate with you (if it's a warranted time & place), or be ready for me to tell you that you are off base or being over-the-top.

I hate politics. I really do. I don't like politicians either. But if I'm passionate about something going on...I do think we should be able to contact our law makers. I will also give credit where credit is due...even if it's painful for me to say it. Another thing I did last year was put many of my political views out there. Again...those close to me that disagree with me just ignored it...or they made a bizarre point to NOT acknowledge it. Weird. I know I'm in line with many who feel they need to keep their mouths shut because of the far rights & far lefts (or those who aide them) want to just shout really loud & throw a lot of stones because you don't drink their brand of KOOLAID. And, in me putting out there my true views as being absolute moderate, I have actually been accused (yes, accused) of being biased. *face palm*

I know of many who could learn from this. Especially that "when to stop thing..."

People, we the people, put these manipulative, power-hungry lawmakers into office...and then throw a fit when it didn't go "our way". And then blame anyone & everyone else who doesn't see it "our way".

This is a modern day game of thrones, people. And so many are so sucked into it.

Yes...this...with the sword jabbed right in the center

Much like buying someone a toilet for someone because they wanted it, then also bringing your own toilet paper to use it first...then wonder why they didn't put a toilet cover on it yet.

Yep...I went there with the "throne" analogy. I think you can figure out why, too. And that's one of the main ways manipulators use, or attempt to use, those around them. It's either that or they raise a raucous to make a point that isn't going their way...and then run to their own throne, close & lock the door...and then pretend that anyone else who needs to use the "throne room" isn't a priority anymore because they need to sit & think about whether they need to use the throne or not.

There is also the manipulator that I call "the ruiner." You know the one that always must have their nose in every piece of your business, the pawn trusts them & tells them...then they give away the information because they have to be the ones to tell it, the ones on top, the ones to beat you to the punch? Whether it's news or a gift...before you can do anything, they've jumped all over the information that they really had nothing to do with in the first place? Yeah...like walking into the throne room while you're in there, wants to know why you're in there...and then they tag along to the doctor & they tell the doctor what's going on with you before you can. Yeah..."the ruiner."

Now the question becomes whether or not any of this hits home with you. Does it? Are you offended? If so...are you the manipulator or (well, maybe "and") the enabler pawn in the game?

I guess this post boils down to this: what are we gonna make of this new year? Another one of tried-and-failed health habits? Another of tried-and-failed money habits? Or do we want to actually break free from this game-playing madness? If you are an enabler being used as pawns in these games, I urge you to take off your blinders & stand up for yourselves. Tough love is not a bad thing...tearing down someone is. And, by being used as a pawn is another way of being bullied. Yes, you.

Break free, think for yourselves. It's more liberating & there's less game-playing & tip-toeing & tongue-biting going on. Trust me...we will all feel better once the game of thrones in actual reality (not the scripted tv stuff) is over & done. And you might want to take notes from those not willing to play these games. Break free from blaming others & start working on yourself. The greed & false sense of pride need to make their way out the door! And it's up to you to shake any of the dysfunction...and not let  that & the drama run you & how you think you should "run" others...rise above it!

If you've ever watched the Mel Gibson & Helen Hunt flick, "What Women Want", there is eventually an athletic shoe slogan given:

"No games, just sports."

No more games, people...just life.

I am wishing everyone a better, blessed & more free New Year. Thank you for hanging with me. It's good to let things go & make it known.

*deep breath in, deep breath out*

...moving on to more positive...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica