Friday
Jul202012
Full Confessional Friday
Friday, July 20, 2012 at 10:33PM Mrs. G. 
Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood
Be it Venial or Mortal (there's no escaping Original), we've all got secrets -- light, dark, funny, sad -- worth bringing to light. The act of confession can be liberating, mollifying and entertaining. Contrition? Repentance? A shot of Tequila? That's your call, sister.
tagged Full Confessional Friday
Full Confessional Friday
Reader Comments (25)
This is such a crazy time. My father's attempts to drink himself to death are getting closer and closer to their target. He has been in an icu for weeks after a spectacular drunken car wreck. I had to formally confirm his dnr and the limits of care we would provide if he appeared to be beyond return to any quality of life. We were told he was dying and to prepare ourselves. My siblings drove/flew to be with him which is an epic trip for all of them because he chooses to live as remotely from us as possible and still lay claim to the west he loves. Amazingly, the man has more lives than a wiry cat and appears to be improving. Here's the full confession: My first thought upon hearing this was,"Oh shit. Now what?" That's bad. Human I suppose after years of this bullshit, but still. Don't tell anyone o.k.?
K, I won't tell anyone though it seems like a perfectly reasonable thought in light of what you've been through. xoxo
Oh boy. I'm so glad full confessional Friday is here. Here's my confession. I am naturally not a very detail-oriented person. This has come back to bite me in different ways throughout my life and I seem to have to really concentrate and slow down with my work in order to make sure that I've done things completely. And even then I miss details -- or just don't THINK about things the way other people might.
So - I made something for a customer and sent it to her and this week I received the nastiest email from this woman. She was scathing in her critique of my work and was NOT happy with the product. Of course I immediately offered her a full refund and thanked her for her feedback. (I forgot to apologize.)
I know that so much feedback is subjective but she may have had a point about this piece. And I need to know when things aren't right so that I can correct and improve my work. However, do people have to be SO NASTY? Why is it their first instinct to attack?
The thing that I hate is where my head goes when I get this kind of criticism. I'm absolutely certain that I'm the worst person in the world and that I should just give up because everything I've ever done is crap. There. That's my confession.
Anon1- I would love to see your work.
I have been making pots for 30 years with an open to the public sales shop.
I can tell you that with countless good sales and great experiences there is always that "one" person you can not please no matter what.
They are the ones that get right under your skin and eat you from the inside.
I can have the most marvelous day with wonderful customers and then have one negative one.
Guess who sucks the brain cells and wakes me in the night- yep the sulky customer.
learn through this and move on.
If you are doing something that speaks to you, you will find an audience .
M
There are Americans who don't want to hear this, but there are too many fuching guns out there. What a sick society we live in. You wake up and hear that some azzhole in Colorado has gone postal all over a MOVIE theater. And don't tell me he could have been stopped by some John Wayne type carrying their own gun, as if an OK Corral shootout would make things better...
Good morning... I hope that everyone living in uncertainty, from where ever the imbalance comes, gives themselves permission this weekend to be okay with 'que sera sera'. I wish I could give that to myself. Trying. Five weeks until our wedding and my daughter was commited by the court to remain in the hospital for sixty days, with the likelihood of being moved to a more intense program at another hospital that is two hours away...my heart is breaking for her. For me. She just can't seem to move past the wall in her head that this illness, this terrible, controlling illness, has a permanent place in her life. She can't run away from it, can't drown it in other substances, she can't hide from it...until she finds acceptance and the strength to work within it, she will likely not be safe or able to live in society. A danger to herself. That is what the court concluded, not because she actively tries to harm herself but because her illness and her refusal to accept it, leaves her vulnerable to the users, the predators, the lame-ass idiots. It leaves her without boundaries or cautions. No sense of self preservation or understanding of acceptable societal norms. She was so ill this past month, she doesn't even remember half of what has happened (a good thing) but so hard to deal with as a Mom. I am horrified and humbled as I discover what lengths some have gone to try to help protect her. I have spent nights following her myself. My beautiful broken little girl. People reached out to me because, as tough as their own situations were, they worried about her. The damage she has done, which I feel obligated to fix or make amends...to keep the pathway to normal open for her, because I so desperately believe she can get well enough to live in society someday, with the right meds and supports. I want that door to remain open for her. I should be at work right now but my walls have taken some serious blows lately. I'm tired. Work seems so damn trivial when compared to all else going on. But it is necessary and I will go now. Derf-dom, be gentle with yourselves today. meak
Happy Friday Derfs. To all of you who are having familial turmoil I wish peace and happiness. Wish I could do more, but good vibes are all that I have to send from afar. Truly hope things look up.
As to the nasty customers: Do your best to just get over them. I know from experience that there are some folks you just can't please. Do your best and then shrug it off to them being the product of how they were raised.
I'm holding you all in love and light today.
K-"Now what?" Take your time figuring that out. (Can you take some time for a massage or some other self care?)
Anon1-a therapist taught me this trick. Mentally hold up a mirror when you're attacked, and let the nasty bounce off you and be reflected onto the attacker.
Gary- I abso-fuching-lutely agree with you.
Meak-My son's been in a similar situation, but he's getting better. I have faith in your sweet daughter, too.
Why can't employers at LEAST send you an email that you have not gotten a position that you applied for?!?! I've been applying for nurse and non nurse positions since MAY and no email, no phone call, no nothing. I went back to a few of the websites that I applied through and there in a little message next to my application it says that I didn't get the job. I mean I don't check my job sites every single day. How long have I been waiting to hear something and there it is next to my original application. Why do they ask for my number and email if they aren't going to use it!!! Grrrrrr!!!! Well I'll keep applying and I guess I'll just have to start checking back every day. What a pain in the ass. I miss how it used to be...I apply, they call, if they don't, I call and then they tell me I didn't get the position. I've never had to try hard to find a job until now. It's very frustrating to finally have a degree and not be able to use it!
And WHAT IN THE HELL is going on in Colorado?? Shootings at a movie?? What is wrong with people?!? I just don't understand it!
Anywho...happy weekend to all you Derfs! I'm sending love and hugs and good vibes to all those that need it today!!
My heart breaks for the people in Aurora, CO. WHY? Even though they've arrested the gunman, we may never really know his true motives. And Gary, I agree. There are not only too many guns, but too many irresponsible and/or mentally unfit gun owners.
The heat has driven me inside, so I'm going to work on several crafty-type projects this weekend, and think cool thoughts!
For everyone facing difficulties right now, know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and wishing you peace and love. Happy Weekend, Derfs!
My heart goes out to all of you this morning and to all the good souls who can't conceive of the kind of malevolence it must require to want to hurt people like that. I reluctantly send my heart out to all the damaged souls as well. They are in pain and are suffering - but I wish we could think of a way to keep guns out of their hands. Oh and automatic weapons? Really NRA?? WTF??
I am helping a young friend who is trying to decide if she can keep her 2-3 week old pregnancy in the face of already having a three-year old, a 10 month old, massive student debt, a very-Catholic husband who is about to start his residency, upside-down on their too-small condo mortgage and who is suffering from pp-depression already. I trust that she knows what is right for her and her family, but I know that either decision won't help the depression. It's tough. Let's all put a prayer out for her today! Thanks.
I met Mrs. G, Minnesota Matron, Nina, and Kristen on Wednesday! Sorry I had to run off so early. I'm guessing that the evening only got better. I saw a booze bicycle trolley thing outside Nye's as I left and wondered if you ladies ended up on a late night cruise around the city.
Today is my last day in MN (I've been here for a month and for the summer heat wave) and tomorrow I leave to go see my parents and then HOME. Whooohoooo! Hope your drive back home has been a smooth one, Mrs. G.
Sending out love and good vibes to everyone. Seems like we could all use a little more kindness in the world and in our own lives these days. Hang in there everyone and have a wonderful weekend!
Sending out positive thoughts to everyone out there. What a mixed up wonky world we live in.
meak - am thinking of you and your daughter. xoxo
Trying to hold everyone in the light today. So sad about what has occurred in Colorado.
Three weeks ago we received a call that my father in law was dying. I convinced (trust me it took a lot of talking) the Professor that he had to go be with his father in Texas and say goodbye. After the Professor got to Texas my FIL was moved from the hospital back to the nursing home and into hospice care. After a week in the nursing hmoe, guess whose death is now NOT imminent. This is the second time the man has been taken out of hospice. I swear he is never going to die. Why can't he just let go?! There is absolutely no quality of life -- he is wheel chair and bed ridden, he cannot even feed himself and has no comprehension of what is going on around him.
Love to all Derfs!
In light of what happened last night in Aurora, Colorado, along with the huge burdens some of my fellow Derfs are carrying right now, this seems kind of insignificant... but I'm going to spill it anyway... Between the summer heat, the stress of being plunged back into an office situation (my own choice -- I volunteered) and the stress of my son's wedding in 2 weeks, my arms are beginning to break out in a rash. I'm going to try to get through the weekend before begging for steroids, but the last time this happened, my arms were marked for a month. Did I mention that my outfit for the wedding is sleeveless?
Hugs to all who are suffering. Meak, my heart goes out to you and your daughter. Marmsy37, I had an elderly aunt who lived like that for close to 2 years. She wanted to die, talked about dying but for some reason, her body just wouldn't let go. Sometimes I don't think it's a choice.
Karen, I've had two bouts with hives over the last two months, once on my arms like you describe and once on my legs and one arm. The first time I took Zyrtec which helped a little. The second time I used Walgreen's liquid gels benadryl which seemed to work better and I took an occasional Zantac which also helped. I found the Zantac recommendation while researching hives on the internet.
I had my own confessions for the day but after seeing the news this morning, I just decided since I was almost at the end of my rope, I'd tie a knot and hang on.
Do people seriously believe that James Madison thought we should have the right to arm ourselves with assault weapons??? I don't know how the NRA, weapons and munitions manufacturers and gun lobbyists can sleep at night.
But on the bright side, I made a pavlova last night. Since there are only 2 of us, I didn't fill the entire shell with cream and fruit. I just scooped out enough for 2 individual servings. I have been nibbling on the "empty" shell and let me tell you ... it is freaking good with nothing added.
I hope you make it home in time for your son's performance, Mrs. G.
Safe travels, Happy Weekend and love to all.
Yesterday, took the kids to the local beach. It was about 3:30, and we plopped our towels down and our shoes and flung ourselves into the water, having a great time. Now, at all the county beaches, they periodically do "safety checks" where they have everybody get out of the water and go check in with their groups (like every couple hours). They take maybe a 10 minute break, then everybody goes back in.
Well, as we were getting out, a group near us (2 women, 1 man, maybe 4 or 5 young kids) had sat down on their towels, and one kid (maybe 2 yrs or less) was crying that "NO! I don't wanna go out of the water" kind of wail. I was looking over at them sympathetically as we passed them to get to our towels, a mere 5 feet from them.
I heard one of the women say, "What? You've never fu$kin' heard a baby cry?" I was aghast. First OMG language? In front of your OWN kids, much less MINE? But surely she wasn't talking to me, right? So I turned to her and said (with a pleasant smile), "I'm sorry? What?" She glared at me and said, "I didn't say nothin' to you, bit$h." and then she turned her back on me and said, "Didn't need to give me no dirty look, bitch."
I was stunned. I wanted to just ... slap her. Scream, "WhAT IS YOUR PROBLEM, #)(*@%?" But I just stood there, confused. Then after a couple of minutes of my kids asking me "WHAT DID SHE SAY???" loudly, I just took them off the beach and for a walk by the other side of the lake. I didn't know what to do. Ugh.
It really upset me for some reason. My hubs said it's because I "gawk at other people's kids," but I do love to look and smile and compliment people. I was poised to tell the mom, "What a beautiful child. It's tough to get out of the water when you're having so much fun!"
But no. Bah.
Ah, Kate, so sorry - but don't feel bad about yourself.
it sure makes you wonder, though, doesn't it? How we misread others. She totally misread you, and it caused her to miss out on what would have been a positive experience. I guess the best lesson is to let ourselves be more receptive and less reactive.
After 2 more days, I will put my prosthetic breast away for good. Because Monday morning I will have RECONSTRUCTION! The surgery will last about 9 hours, and I'll be in the hospital about 5 days. And then the recovery period is about 6 weeks.Please send me positive thoughts, good wishes, love, light, prayers...this is the beginning of the end of my breast cancer Odyssey. Yay!
Patricia--positive energy is being sent your way! So happy you are nearing the end of this chapter.
Oh, Patricia, that is exciting news!!
Kate in MI, I'm so sorry that happened to you. You are good people.
Martha Mc, thanks for the advice! And I whole-heartedly agree with you on the guns.
I confess, I've been reading your blog, Mrs. G., and the responses for a few weeks. Lurking and listening. You all are so loving gentle generous and ive been nervous about making myself known but i so want to be a part of this amazing community! Mrs. G, what a wonderful adventure you've been on. I so love the courage it must have taken - hooray for you! Derfs, I want to be part of your amazing group - may I become a Derf, too?
Peace to everyone. I am overwhelmed by the courage and strength you all share... Carol
YAAAY! Another Derf! ::waving::
Hi Carol!!
Hey Carol!