Cranky Jennie ;-p

What is the correct way to have an argument with your spouse?

Somewhere between “you’re a poopy head” and “&%*$@!” there is an answer.

I, personally, fall to the right in that question.  Arguing, to me, means I am not going to abide by marital boundaries.  I am going to make my point and you’re going to agree with me or I will take it up a notch, god damnit!  I don’t (usually) fight just to fight.  I like to  have a topic I am passionate about and wish to “discuss”.

HOWEVER, certain things occasionally come into play: PMS, some other hormonal switcheroo, lackof sleep, waking up on the wrong side of the bed, stupid people, etc.  These are impetuses beyond my control.  Granted, I go with it, but I just wanted to point out that I don’t look for a fight
Passive-aggressive people piss me off.  They make comments under their breath or do things to spite you.  OUT WITH IT, I say.  I find P-A people are dishonest.  I’m going to tell you how I feel, regardless of whether you like it or not.  At least I’m honest (not the same as being diplomatic).  Diplomacy is over-rated.  It’s the same thing, at times, as smiling while you’re stabbing someone in the back.

So, back to my original question: which end of the spectrum is best? Unfortunately, the answer is a trite: in the middle somewhere.  UGH.  Personally, I enjoy a little “FUCK YOU” with a door slam

I am trying to sell my house.  I’m not trying to sell it because I’ve defaulted on the mortgage.  I have other reasons, one of which is wanting my kids to live in a neighborhood closer to school.

The problem with trying to sell in this market is that it is flooded with short sales and foreclosures.  Sure, you can get a great deal, but only if you want to wait 10-12 weeks while the greedy, bureaucratic banks review your offer, then pass it along for more review, etc.  Meanwhile, if you sell your house “the old fashioned way”, you close in approximately 30 days.  So, where do you live for the other 6-8 weeks while you’re between houses?

One major problem with the bailouts is the government is not forcing the mortgage companies and banks to get the short sales and foreclosures “off the books”.  If they were forced to do so, the real estate market could re-stabilize and signifcantly improve the economy overall.

Granted, this seems like a very simplified view, but maybe a good dose of common sense would help.  Greed has to be SHUT DOWN. I don’t think I would mind the bailout nearly as much if there were strict parameters AND if I didn’t know that I, the taxpayer, will ultimately doing the bailing out.  Why am I being punished for paying my bills on time and living within my means?  UGH!

So, I’m pretty sure my house is going to sit on the market for a long, long time…unless I get lucky!  There’s always hope…

I am dedicating this post to Thanksgiving.

I am grateful for so many things in my life, it is hard to know where to begin.

First, I’m thankful for the health and well-being of my family and friends.  I’m thankful that my husband has a job that supports all of us: a roof over our heads, food on our table and clothes on our backs.  I’m grateful that my children are smart, beautiful, amazing little people who add rays of sunshine to my life.  I’m thankful to have four devoted, loyal and sweet puppies.

I am grateful that my father is still with us, after a few rough years health-wise and that my mother gave him the gift of life.  I love my brother and his family.  They give us such joy and love.  We are blessed to have Greg’s brothers in our lives.  Uncle Timmy especially takes the time to really get to know my girls.

I am blessed and would be remiss not to know that on a daily basis.  I am very, very THANKFUL.

I will preface this by saying I have not gone to great lengths to do in-depth research.  Instead, this is a cursory look at the bailouts being offered by the federal government.

If I understand correctly, the federal government is “buying up” all the mistakes that have been made in the financial sector (mortgages, bonds, securities, credit, etc.).  In doing so, they’re buying more and more power over our daily lives.  I’m not a fan of that.

I’m also not a fan of buying out greedy companies who allowed their greed to supercede logic and good sense.  What lesson is being taught here?  What are we teaching people?   We are teaching them that if they screw up, someone will pick up the pieces and “save the day”.  Where is responsibility?  Where are the stipulations so that these corporations don’t make the same mistakes again?

Shouldn’t changes be made from the ground up? Isn’t there a lesson here?  Keeping up with the Joneses has never been more risky.  Maybe we all should take a long look at what is truly important.  Older generations remember.  Maybe we should go back to respecting and listening to our elders…