Minnie Paws, the evil little tramp

Signs I may be entering menopause with a fury:

1. Insomnia

2.  Waking up with no pajamas on and eliminating an alien abduction after probing myself  for needle marks and seeing no "crop" circles in the yard.

3. Looking for my car keys and they are in my hand.

4. Not remembering the name of the "thing" that makes that warm "thing" I like to drink for  breakfast.

5.  Heart racing when in a horizontal position on the couch pondering a work out.

6. Suddenly realizing all knives, screwdrivers, ice picks, axes, and hatchets have been placed under lock and key.  And I don't have a key. 

7.  Visiting the restroom two to three times a night.

8. Sneezing and wishing I had visited the restroom two to three times that night.  Time for a pajama change.

9. Having MORE hair on my FACE then on my HEAD.

10. WHAT WHERE WE TALKING ABOUT AGAIN?

BOOK NOOK

I'm always looking for suggestions of books to read. Recently, I was introduced to a young author series which began with "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. It's a three book series and I really could not put them down.  They have a strong female teen as the heroine and her name is "Katniss."  Easy read and a change of pace from books I normally read.  I think these will make it to the big screen.

So that's where babies come from.........I wanna work there!

Insomnia

I've been awake since about 3 am.  Yeah one of those nights where my brain doesn't shut off. I met a serial killer this week.  She was the same age as my oldest daughter. She entered the room to meet me with a bounce in her  step and a big smile on her face. When she spoke, she had a soft, endearing voice. She shot 4 men dead.  She did this with her cousin, another female who will be spending the rest of her life in prison.  We talked about her personal safety in prison since there have been death threats. How ironic is that?  Her story was the same as the first female serial killer put to death in Florida, Aileen Wuornos. You might remember the move, MONSTER.  Years of abuse took it's toll and rage surfaced. This week when I sat with her, I saw no rage just a big smile.  No concerns about spending the rest of her life in prison. How do you decide one day to go on a killing spree with your cousin? Kill 4 men in a blinded rage?

Today my day was consumed with a woman who was being discharged from prison.  She so badly didn't want to go home that she damaged property before she left.  She left in handcuffs headed to jail for the damage. She was angry and mentally unstable.  Prison was a safe place for her.  We couldn't keep her in prison, she had exhausted her sentence.

I sometimes feel like these things are put in my face for a reason. Twice in a week I have encountered ladies who seem content with a life in prison.  Histories of abuse are rampant with these people, they pass their pain on by committing a crime.  It's becomes a vicious circle.  What is GOD trying to tell me with these presentations put directly in front of me? I know I can't fix evil, I know I can't shelter and protect. I can only lay awake at night and talk to GOD about it. Look for the message that lies within.

I feel like I live in a parallel universe. Dining with one of my favorite young friends tonight, he came forward with one of his "Gabeism's"..he said "Don't say HATE and Don't say STUPID." He went to a bullying workshop today at school.   Maybe it starts with something as simple as that.

Nights like this leave me verklempt.  The word of the day is coming in handy.

JOHN of GOD

Oprah had a show about John this week. I found it to be very interesting.  He is a healer who lives in Brazil.  You can read more about him at http://www.meetjohnofgod.com/distance.htm.   Many believe in his gift from GOD and there is a free way to have him pray for your healing by sending a photo request via email. Thought it was interesting.  Thank me if your prayer request goes through, better yet...thank GOD.  Who knows what vessel God chooses to use?

WORD of the day

VERKLEMPT............look it up, I'm not doing all the work for you!  Use it three times in a sentence this week.

"I'm so verklempt, I can't believe Albert Pujolis was in Springfield and didn't call me for dinner."

Yeah it's coming...........

Ok so we got past the serious issue of the day now let's discuss something silly.  I mean those annoying telemarketer calls...seriously, what do you say to get them to quit calling? I have told them that the person that they are calling for is deceased. Something like, "I'm sorry she passed away last week from a long illness, the hemorrhaging finally lowered her blood count to dangerous levels and she is at peace."  Then politely say, "can you make sure you take her off of your list? It's disturbing to the family for someone to call for her."  Let me tell you, it works...at least for a while ...until somehow they see you are using your credit card again.

What works for you? Snark comments are welcome!

WHAT's on my MIND

So loads of folks say they like to peek at my facebook to see what disturbing tid bits are existing in my head these days. Yes, I am outspoken and somewhat "out there."  At my age of 47, I am into no nonsense and giggles.  I think there are some interesting topics that we can all contribute to and share. 
 
Let me get started with this.  Soooo many women are finding themselves back in the dating scene at my age.  Certainly, it may have been a while since you thought of how to do this.  I don't want to experience that point in my life again but drawing on  my 25 years of experience in the criminal justice field, I would like to offer you some common sense suggestions.
 
If you decide to cyber date:  Sure lots of folks have met some nice people on the dating sites. In many ways it can be safer than cruising the "bars."  At our age, who really wants to cruise the bars?  Unless it's a quiet wine bar...but I digress. 
So you decide to join a social network.  Please be wise, you get a wink from someone and begin talking.  Do not give our your personal email address.  There are ways for predators to track you through server addresses and your email tag name. DO NOT USE your name in your email.  I do but I do not use it for anything but known friends.  If you want to chat on an email account then set up an email account with yahoo or hotmail.  Use an email address that is not very revealing like"strongwoman@hotmail.com". Do not use lonely, rich, sexy, hot....what creeps you will attract.  Donot offer up your picture until you feel completely safe.   Be very cautious about any of your personal information , where you work, what town you live in, etc. You can get to know someone by keeping things generic at first.  If you decide the next step is to talk on the phone, buy a track phone and use that number. NEVER give out your home or pesonal cell phone number.   And in the event, you feel comfortable to acually meet in person, meet at a location you both agree on, let a friend or family member know who and where you are meeting.  You don't have to go into how you met the person just that you have a date with an acquaintance. By all means, take your transportation and park under in a well lit area.  Most of all follow your gut, so many people choose to ignore that.  That gut is always right, call it the holy spirit, your guardian angel, or an overactive brain/body connection but just know it is right.    As my friend Joni recommends, read "THE GIFT OF FEAR" available at my fave internet store,link.
 
Ok on to my next random thought.  Make sure if you live alone that you consult with a professional security company about your doors and windows. If you can afford, install a security system.  Put up motion lights around your house.  Sleep with your wasp spray next to your bed, it stings and squirts a long distance. (Thanks Patty).  Sleep with your remote to your car next to your bed, test it first to see if the panic button will alert from your bedside. If it will, notify your neighbors of your intent to use it if you are in danger. They will know what to do from there. 
 
Again LISTEN TO YOUR GUT.  Share with each other safety tips, we need to help each other. This is the first of many random safety tips I intend to blog about.  I will lighten up on my next tid bit.