Dogfood

I've come up with the most brilliant marketing campaign ever for dogfood. Granted, this idea was generated out of a 2 pitcher, 1 shot stupor, and me conversing with my dog via my questions and her barks. (We so GET each other)

So my dog, who is gender confused only because my husband and kids insisted on calling her 'Hoover' (after the vacuum cleaner), and now everyone refers to her as 'him'. Poor dog. So my dog, greets me with much barkiness after my 2 pitcher- 1 shot night at the local Mexican resturant (Mi Burrito - go there), she is declaring that she is "absolutely by-gawd starving and she needs to eat SOMETHING now!" (she tells me this by appropriate barkiness, and looking at the counter where she last smelled bacon- she is convinced that I'm holding out on her) to the appropriate questions. Keep in mind, that she has a nearly full bowl of dog food.

She barks, she goes and looks at the counter, sits down and tells me with sassy barkiness that "You stupid bitch, I'm starving here, and I don't want to eat another freakin' bowl of plain tired-ass dog food. I need flavor, I need adventure, I need spice!" I can't say as I blame her. I'd get tired of the same thing everyday, even if it was lobster, crablegs and cheesecake.

So, I open the icebox, (fridge for those not Southern), ask if she'd like chili, turkey fat or turkey n'dumplins'. It was a clear winner. Turkey n'dumplins. So I spoon out a couple big spoonfuls, warm it up in the radar range, mix it up, set it down in front of her. and she IS GRATEFUL! I don't mean, grateful with a 'hey, this is good, thanks so much for the kibble and gravy.' But, more like, "OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG! It was a doggygasm.

So afterwards the bacchus fest, I head upstairs and somewhere 5th stairstep, it hits me. "Regional dogfood!"

Face it, everyone feeds their dog table scraps, we deny it to the vet (even when we express amazement over the fact that our pet is 15 lbs. overweight - Hoover isn't but, I've heard) but we all do it. So, here is the HUGE idea... REGIONAL FLAVOR DOG FOOD!

The Nutrish "Chicken, Lamb and Rice flavor" -LAME, BORING. "Beef, Barley & Peas" Boring! It makes, "Ass flavor" sound exciting.

So what if dog food companies made Regional favorites? Table scraps in Boston aren't going to taste the same as table scraps in Seattle or San Diego. Frankly, if in my next life, I'm reborn as a dog, Please, God, let it be in New Orleans! You can't tell me that dogs don't have tastebuds.

So here is my list of Regional dog food samplers:

Southern Cuisine
Chicken n' Dumplins'
Sunday after church Pot Roast
Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Biscuits and Gravy flavor (hell, I'd eat that!)
or EVERYONE'S Foodgasm- 
BBQ Pork Ribs - Hell Yeah!

Deep South
Red Beans n' Rice
Etoufee (any kind)
Turnip Greens & Hamhocks

National Favorites
Peanut Butter and jelly on white bread
Steak and Eggs
Scrambled eggs flavor
Honey-baked ham with mashed potatoes
Mac-n-cheese
Homemade bread (preferably warm with butter and honey)
As for the rest of the country... I have no idea what you people eat.

However, there are flavors that I can't imagine owners would want their dogs to enjoy regardless of where they're from.
Chili with extra beans (trust me on this)
Ass flavor - while dogs find theirs and others quite delectable anyone that owns a dog knows there is a reason why you don't let your dog lick you in the face.
Roadkill
Cat poo - while the dogs find it delish- when the smell is being licked onto your face, not so much.
If you can't hold it down, waller in it flavor.

So there you go.  I'm so marketing this. It'll make me a million dollars.  Now, just to get my vet's seal of approval on it.

Hmmm....Where to go? Sex Bracelets or Ass Parade?

Bing Mobile App for Windows phones is the funniest thing I have encountered in a very very long time.

So I downloaded the app while at the pool because there are only so many hunky teenage lifeguards, soccer moms in skirted suits, and man boobs you can look at....

It has this cool feature where you just speak where you want directions to.. so I tested it.

Press the 'speak' button... I gave Bing my home address.

Bing replied back...

"We think you said:
Sex Bracelets Place Mall Milpitas or
Ass Parade Place Mall Milpitas"

Hit 'Try Again', spoke my address again..

"We think you said:
Sex Bracelet Flights"

I love my Windows phone. Iphone would just take all the fun out of it.

Is there something in my eye?

So, I'm on the massive time suck that is Facebook last night. Checking out the minutia that makes up the lives of acquaintances and friends for the 20th time that day. (I know, borderline OCD, I'm in a 12-step program of sorts for it.)

Then a friend/acquaintance (call him Peter) from high school posts that he has a delimma. Me, being "the helpful sort", kept reading. Seems that the friend is concerned about a person who posts on some of the same religion/politics boards is asking about the best way to commit suicide. Seems this person is a hate-monger, socialist and even worse... an atheist! (his words - except for the 'even worse' part) Peter then referred to the hate-monger as being the exact opposite of him.. an anti-Peter. So the HM (hate monger) has lost his job, can't find work, is about to lose his car and not sure how long he'll be able to stay in his apartment. The guy, has reason to be disillusioned and bitter.

Let me stop and briefly explain something about myself... there are a couple of things I hate, maybe more than a couple.

The short list:

gum

liars

hypocrites

smacking your food

So, back to the story, Peter is one that regularly posts things on FB about politics, socialism, the President, national debt, health care... and the big heavy, religion.

And those of you that know me personally, know that the few times that I do keep my mouth shut is when the topic is religion and politics. Both are deeply personal and broadcasting your opinions on them will only serve to do one of two things. It will either draw those that believe the exact same thing as you, closer to you, thus bolstering your own views/ego and confirming the rightness of your own beliefs. Or, it will alienate those that haven't walked the same path, have beliefs that are different than yours, or have been more/less fortunate than you.

Either way, it's best just to keep your mouth shut.

Again, me being the helpful sort... I sent Peter a message. What I am posting here are excerpts of the lengthy posit that I sent him pointing out that wars are often started over the words that we use and that maybe the best way to reach someone is to just shut the hell up and listen.

At the end of the pasties..., please feel free to point out what an assbitch I am. I welcome your comments. Seriously. I do. I've survived a message board full of Sweet Potato Queens turning on me like a rabid dog turns on its owner, survived family members verbally evicerating me, ... anything else is easy. Bring it.

I would try and connect with him on a personal level. Ask what kind of work he is looking for. Also, that you picked up that he is hinting at suicide. Offer to listen, let him purge, and try to see things from his perspective.

But why do you say that he is socialistic? And atheist? And is being an atheist a bad thing? Yes, maybe, from yours and my perspective... (have atheist friends, lovelovelove them) but not everyone has walked a path like ours.

Personally, there have been many times when I doubt, feel that IT is all a big made up story. Does that make me an atheist? In some circles yes... Personally, if God cannot handle my doubt and would condemn me for being skeptical, using the brain I was given to reason out things... Then frankly, God is a bully... But I don't believe that. the whole God=bully thing... but I digress.

In dealing with my own acquaintances that are angry, atheistic, bitter, disappointed in their lives, I’ve learned that they see themselves not as a product of each and every decision they've made in their life but as a victim of fate. I've finally come to the realization that if they are that far gone, there isn't a single thing you can do (unless it is calling 911 if you know his address), not a single thing you can say to change his mindset, steer him from this path. Except pray.

In dealing with this person, speak with loving kindness, gentleness of spirit, and allow him the dignity of feeling that his opinions/beliefs possibly have merit. After all, your opinions are yours... are you 100% convinced that your beliefs and political opinions are the only right ones? So am I! I am 100% right in my spiritual and political beliefs. Both of us can't be right, so that has to mean you are wrong. Right and wrong always depend on your perspective.

If you truly care whether or not this person kills himself, reach out, meet him where he's at, and you build a bridge to him. Regardless of how atheistic-God doesn't NEED him to believe in Him to exist yet He does exist, or socialistic-if lending a hand, giving to the poor, helping those in need is socialistic... then Jesus sure was preaching some sort of socialism, or how much you disagree with him.

Out of curiosity, why argue with someone who is convinced that they're right? Unless, you are convinced you are the one who is right and the need to win the spiritual/political argument is just that... a need to win and the self-satisfaction that goes along with beating someone in a debate. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is just to shut the hell up and listen. Tame the tongue.

If you truly care, build a bridge.

Peter replied:

I was basically trying to paint a picture. Sorry if the labeling was a distraction.

Building a bridge is tough when this person whom you've already addressed with concern, only to have him reply with insults and threats. I will see what I can do.

By the way, I like to preach about politics and religious issues. But I don't remember EVER saying I was right...just saying my piece, as my gramps would say.

Thanks for the advice and God bless you,

Back to my long-winded, likes to hear herself talk, disguised as "helpfulness":

Think of him like one of those 'at risk' dogs you see on Dog Whisperer... People lash out when they have low self-esteem, and feel threatened. Behavior that was probably modeled for him long ago.

Why preach about politics and religious issues? Understandably I'm sure that there are MANY who will take your speaking out on those topics to be a condemnation of theirs if it happens to be different.

Assume that I had the following opinions - maybe they are mine/maybe they aren't.

For instance:

The Public health care bill - totally for it. It's not perfect, not ideal but it is a HELL of a lot better than nothing. And that is what the majority of American citizens have by way of health care. Nothing. And I am not talking about those on wellfare... I'm talking about small business owners. Who are terrified of getting sick and the ensuing loss of income for their families. And quite frankly, a small business owner that has a net income over $250K... well, that's not exactly small business.

Out of curiosity, I'm guessing your mom/dad are collecting social security? Medicare?

The Preamble, just for fun:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

From the Constitutional Dictionary:

Welfare n. 1. health, happiness, or prosperity; well-being. [

Obama - voted for him. And was proud to do it. Is he the 'chosen' one, nah. Just another really smart, very likable dude. Is he doing a fabo job right now? No. But, it is only 17 months into his presidency.

Bush - you probably don't want me to go there. I will go long and hard about what an idiot puppet President he was... but I won't. Or maybe I will. Nah... gonna step back from that one.

Religion - wading off in it now, I don't see that much difference between the religious right and extremist Muslims. Both do exactly as they are told to do from those in the pulpit. Many of the religious right have used threats, bombs, condemnation, and lies to further their narrow agenda. Extremist Muslims... ditto. They (the RR) preach conservatism all while driving Suburbans, Escalades and Hummers. (Ever wonder why you never see a Democratic party sticker on SUVs, etc.). Their President's solution to fixing the economy was "spend, get out there and shop your asses off" Out of curiosity, what exactly does conservatism mean?

There, just sayin' my peace and I feel better for saying it.

Now, Out of curiosity... How much of the above did you take personally? Or take it as a personal attack of your beliefs and opinions? Did my statements even hint at openess to a difference of opinion? Or were my words confrontational? Make you defensive? Cause you to think less of me? See me in a different light?

You don't have to come right out and say that you think you are right for everyone to assume that you think that you are.

I just wanted to possibly explain why and how someone could end up like your friend. We are all different. Sometimes, the people who try us and push our buttons the most, teach us the most. And not everyone who sees things differently is on the opposing side. More and more, people are the same.

Folks are folks.

Yeah, I know. Won't be the first time I've had to go in for a headassectomy

When the cool peeps you want to know, know the peeps you'd rather not

It's a sure sign that your world has become a little too small.

Maybe I've hamstrung myself by saying/blogging about things that I wouldn't say to blood relatives.

But what are you supposed to do when friends of the people you blog about are cooler than the people you blog about and you want to let those people know about your blog and not your own family? And you have the inability to keep your big fat mouth shut about how screwed up your own blood relatives are? Because in a southern family, EVERYBODY keeps up with everybody's bizness, and if you let anything slip about how messed up your family is (including yourself) everyone will know. And the next thing you know you're getting a phone call from your sisters and your momma blessing you out about how you shouldn'tve (it is a southern word) said stuff like that and the next thing you know, your whole dang family isn't talking to you...........

which might be a good thing....

Positive Neutrals

Okay, so I got news from from one of my sisters a couple days ago that my nephew and his wife are expecting.

They are young- both in their early 20s, no jobs, no insurance, no home. He's going to school and in his junior year.

Okay, okay... I know that early 20s in not necessarily young in terms of having babies. It could be worse, they could be teenagers. But, like the rest of their family (speaking of his) it is the latest occurance that points to a lack of forethought and refusal to listen to advice. However, it could have been an accident. Pills sometimes don't work, condoms break. In which case, it was meant to be, and I'm fine with that.



So what is missing about this news is the lack of comment and rush to tell me about the newest relative by my mother and oldest sister.

My husband says that they probably haven't said anything because they already know my opinion, have a hard time not expressing it and simply don't want to hear it.

Okie, dokie. I'm sure he's 100% correct. I've got an opinion, a mouth and know how to use both.

But Thanksgiving is coming, my family will be required to gather at my mother's, the baby/pregnancy will occupy probably 90% of all Thanksgiving conversation. I have to prepare myself. I do NOT need to shoot from the hip. I get into BIG trouble when that happens. (Last time that happened, my oldest sister and I didn't speak for at least 6 months.) I need carefully prepared statements and talking points. Something neutral but can be taken as supportive and positive.

Here is my starting list. Please feel free to email/comment with suggestions.


Babies are so sweet and smell like poop and baby powder.
Hope you're getting your sleep on.... cause you're going to need it.
.... And you meant to do this?!
You must be so excited and scared.


That's it. That's all I've got. Beyond that, I'm going to have to rely on keeping food stuffed in my mouth to keep from talking. Or I could chew really really slowly.

Somebody help me here.

Avoiding the inevitable!

I know what has to be done as sure as I sit here. I am avoiding it... I hit "Send/Receive" every few minutes and call myself returning email.




I can ignore it, tiptoe around it, but it is the elephant in the room. And it's coming between me and moving on with the rest of my life.




I'm sure I'm not the only person that deals with this....... sort. of. thing. I'm sure thousands of women suffer through it. They take it, and just learn to keep their mouths shut. Although most, sadly, just learn to deal with it as a fact of being grown-up.

I don't like it. I don't like the smell of it, the feel of it, and I sure don't want to touch it, much less have to deal with it in there and in that position! I shouldn't have to do this! I am a respected business executive for god's sake!

I should just go ahead, work up my courage, get on my knees, bend over, brace myself, and try not to scream too much or too loud. Although I've heard that there are products that make it easier but they leave a nasty slippery residue... If only I could just make myself learn to like "it"... Hell, my sister-in-law says she thinks it's fun!




Fine!





I can do this! Big smile! ".... for better or worse.... for better or worse...."

How to uncover your husband's hidden super freak. Part 1

I'm on a mission. A mission to rediscover myself, my husband, and our collective us.

It all started because I started reading some stupid Twilighter fan fiction. I admit it, I, like some other adult women have a fascination with all things Rob Pattinson. I don't have to explain why if you've seen the movie.

So I've been reading fan fic and I quickly realize there is some seriously hot sex going on in these stories. Penthouse and Playboy letters have got nothing on these women writers... This is a smutfest,... if you like that sort of thing.

Go to http://www.twilighted.net , register and look for these stories:





http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=2026&textsize=0&chapter=1 The List by Laura Cullen



http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=3041 The Office by tby789



http://twilighted.net/viewuser.php?uid=13519



Wide Awake by AngstGoddess003


Just FYI: Only the List involves vampires, the others' only similarity to Twilight is that they use the same names, and physical descriptions of Rob Patt and Kristen something or another.






So I've been having myself a big fine smutfest of a time reading, getting worked up, taking it all out on my husband, thinking about sex more than 20 times a day, my husband, getting worked up some more, taking it out on him some more. My mind is just about living in the gutter. And it's fun. I kind of like feeling anxious. It makes my heart skip a beat, flutter, and generally makes me feel like the lust-driven teenager that exists only in my head.


So then a couple of weeks ago my husband and I are driving back from somewhere and we're discussing someplace that he and I used to live, and his (pre-me) former neighbors, two women. He says something about the neighbors invited him over and how weird the inside of the house was. So I, Ms. Horn Dog, ask quite innocently "What did they invite you over for?" and my husband Mr. Beneficiary, BLUSHES!!! and then stammers something about how they just needed something fixed!

So inwardly, I'm screaming "Yeeeee-hawwww!!! My husband's a superfreak!" and I am instantly turned on, I don't know why, but I am most definitely intrigued and more than a little curious about exactly what happened. So I ask, pepper him with questions, and he flat-out denies anything sexual ever happening between him and two women, at the same time.


Damn! (Let me just say, for the record, that I have no interest whatsoever in anything involving another woman. Period.) I guess what the big turn-on is, is the mere hint of an idea that my sweet, darlin', lovin', family-man, conservative, very reserved husband is (or was) virile enough to handle two at the same time. (Understand this is just coming out of my hormone driven, over-active imagination. But it's benefitting both of us, so I don't feel the least bit embarrassed or ashamed.) I'm also a little pissed off because he's been holding out on me! Why would he do that? (I'm thinking to myself.) It couldn't be because he thinks that maybe I would be offended. Couldn't be! Maybe he has some sort of Madonna complex going on. Like I'm not supposed to like kinkiness after I've had children?



<---------Madonna complex=This kind, but so not me.




I'm not this kind,
but I'm working on it-------->












So, I am on a quest. I feel certain of its existence. It may take some hard work. I may have to dig, poke & prod to find it. But I know it's there. My own personal marital holy grail. MY HUSBAND'S SECRET SUPERFREAK!!


coming next... Bad Christy- fanning the flames and her new curiosity about toys