DISCRIMINATION

What is Age Discrimination?

According to Wikipedia, Age Discrimination is discrimination on the grounds of age. Although theoretically the word can refer to the discrimination against any age group, age discrimination usually comes in one of three forms: discrimination against youth (also called adultism), discrimination against those 40 years old or older, and discrimination against elderly people.

I believe I am the victim of Age Discrimination, and specifically, I believe I am the victim of Adultism.  I will let you be the judge. 

Saturday I woke up early to go to my usual 9am Spinning Class (which was awesome by the way) and then I headed off to the Post Office to mail a package (for Thredup-more about that in a future post).  While attempting to back out of my parking space, a man in a gold colored truck backed into my car, causing my car to jolt forward.  I pulled into the nearest space so I would not be in the road, blocking others from leaving the post office, so I could speak with the man and exchange insurance info etc...well, as I get out of my car-the man DROVE AWAY!  Lucky for me, I saw his license plate # so I quickly entered it into my phone so I wouldn't forget it.  I called Hubs (who is a police officer) to ask him what I should do, and he gave me the correct number for the local police (no need for 911, as it was clearly not an emergency).  I called the police so I could make a report.  (While watching him drive away, I thought to myself, I said "Self, I think I was just the victim of a HATE crime-just like Cara! I texted her immediately)

For the record, I am not hurt, just a little shaken up. 

The Police Officer arrives and gets my license, registration and insurance (I assume this is standard, though I cannot be sure...well, I could be sure if I asked Hubs, but what's the point now right?)  and he proceeds to run all of my information through his fancy laptop in his patrol vehicle, comes back and tells me all of it checks out (well duh Officer, if it wasn't going to "checkout" do you think I would have called the Police?)  and I then explain the situation to him.  How I was backed all the way out of my spot and then the truck backed into me (as noted above). 

The Officer advises me that if they are able to locate the gentleman who did it, they will site him for leaving the scene of an accident and everything will be taken care of.  Well, about an hour later he advises me that the gentleman is on his way back to the post office (so much for the Hate Crime theory).  The man pulls up next to my car (a little too close if you ask me-seriously mister, you just backed into my vehicle, what makes you think I want you to park next to it now?)  and gets out.  I hear the officer talking to him for a bit (where I overhear him say-"Wow, I have no idea where that red paint on my bumper came from Officer"-uh hello!  It is from my the bumper of my RED CAR that YOU JUST RAN INTO!!!  Also Mr. Smith said "Well, I felt something like a bump, but I just thought it was my transmission shifting so I just left...." WTH?) and then the officer returns to his patrol car and the gentleman approaches me (again, I would prefer not to have to speak to you, as you did just back into my vehicle and then LEFT...am I seriously the only person who feels this way?)  Mr. Smith * (name changed to protect the "innocent") approaches me and says "I am really sorry we have to meet this way," and then shakes my hand.  Through additional conversation, I learn that Mr. Smith* will be 80 next month, and will be attending the birthday party of a dear Friend of his who turned 93 Saturday (and in case you are interested, Mr. Smith does not which to have a party thrown for him for his upcoming birthday but he does not believe his 6 kids will comply with his wish), and just as an FYI, all of his kids are great and none have ever been caught up with drugs...(a little piece of me wanted to know if he was implying that maybe I was caught up with drugs, but then I just decided to let it go...)

The Officer approaches me to tell me that through talking to Mr. Smith, he can't, "in good conscience" site Mr. Smith for backing into my car OR for leaving the scene of an accident because...wait for it...

"He told me he didn't even know it happened." Then the Officer looks me in my face and says "You know, we have to look out for our elderly. I am sympathetic to people who back into things-I mean we have all done it haven't we?" Wait-WHAT!?!?!?! WTF? WHAT! W.T.F....did that Officer really just say what I think he did-he isn't going to write that man a ticket or charge him with anything just because he is old and said that he didn't know it happened? So I said "Let me get this straight Officer: That man backs into my vehicle, then drives away and tells you that he didn't know it happened, so you are NOT going to do anything about it...anything...not a ticket, not a warning, not anything?" Officer: "Yes, mam, if he says he didn't know it happened, how can I charge him with leaving the scene of an accident?" Me: "And the paint from my bumper on his bumper doesn't mean anything to you or him?" Officer " Mam, if he says he doesn't know, he doesn't know, okay? I can't, in good conscience write him a ticket. The law advises us to protect the elderly." Me: " Well, Officer, what law is protecting me? The person who was hit by an elderly man-who now has to file this worthless police report with her insurance company, and then PAY for the damages, herself, and have her insurance rates increase, because you, in good conscience, will not site him as being at fault?" Officer: "Well, mam, I am sure the damage won't be more than a few hundred dollars so you should be fine."

Okay W.T.F? Did that really just happen? Yes it did.  I really don't feel like it was fair to me at all! Seriously, just because I am not 80 doesn't mean that he shouldn't have issued that man a ticket!

The upside is that a)no one was hurt b) My Hannah wasn't in the car c) the damage is minimal-in that I will need to have the bumper repainted and some work done to it to smooth out the big dent & raised portion of the bumper...but it is drivable.

Again, damage is minimal, but there is STILL damage (and if you look closely you can see that I am rocking the socks & soccer sandal look, remember I was coming from the gym before you judge me too harshly)

Now, I feel like people are judging me as I drive by with the bumper damage :(
Apparently, if you tell a Police Officer that you didn't know you hit some one's car, you won't be charged for it...so take that little bit of information and put it in your back pocket for a rainy day when you are behind (or in front of or next to) someone you don't really like.

I Am NOT A City Girl!

TGIF!

The weather has been beautiful out all week so I am pretty sure I have a case of Spring Fever...which is weird, because generally, I prefer the cooler weather...I wish my work would just do itself so I can go out and play today...







1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Yeah...don't judge...it is generally when I am not feeling well and I am in comfy lounge pants and some type of hoodie or soft long sleeved shirt...if I am not leaving the house and I don't feel good, then I really don't care...and you shouldn't either, it isn't like you can see it (that's me rationalizing my decision...*sigh*)


2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

Ew...if you know me at all, you know I am NOT a city girl...I do not like public transportation...and I am quite leery of strangers...and I am navigationally challenged-I get lost quite easily...so I am cringing right now thinking of moving to a Large city...blech...but...um...Can I just have a vacation home in LA? I have never been there, and judging from the awesome reality shows I watch religiously, the traffic is HORRIBLE, but I would like to visit there...maybe annually...or a vacation home in Vegas-I hear there is always something going on in Vegas...then I would like to go back to my suburban life.

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?

Hannah has only been on a trip that required flying once-and she was about 9 months old, so it was fairly easy. She hates being in her car seat for too long but I think as long as we have Shark Tale, Reef, or Nemo on the DVD player she is a happier camper…so I say if the trip is over 6 hours fly but if it is under, we are going to be sucking it up and driving…

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?

A good Spring cleaning is when we first go through all of our clothes and get rid of what we don’t wear/doesn’t fit/no longer want. Then we pack it up and donate it to the Goodwill (we do this every year). When I was in high school, I LOVED spring Cleaning time, because it meant that my friend Alana was doing this at her house, and I got to be the recipient of all of her old stuff…we weren’t very wealthy growing up with 3 kids all close in age and my dad was in the military so we really did get the new, “in-style” clothes too often, but as my mom would say “at least we were never naked” so there’s that…anyhow, When Alana’s mom would force her to clean out the closet, I got to go over and try on all of the cast offs .

Back to Spring Cleaning. Then Jason and I go through every other room in the house doing the same thing-getting rid of stuff we don’t want/use around the house-then that goes to Goodwill as well. Then the cleaning part commences-vacuuming, dusting, wiping down the walls, cabinets, door frames, light switch plates, etc, dishes, cleaning of kitchen appliances, scrubbing of the bathtub (with toothbrush, as we have tiles in our shower-which I hate), laundry, fresh sheets on everyone’s beds…dusting the ceiling fans…organizing the garage…this is quite a long process and we generally send Hannah to her Granci’s house when we decide what weekend we are going to get on the Spring Cleaning wagon. Now that Hannah is older, we also go through her toys to make sure we only keep out age appropriate toys and then of those toys, the ones she actually plays with…then those get donated as well…

5. What is the best book you have ever read?

Ever? Boy, that is tough…I really like Jane Green books-Jemima J, To Have and to Hold, the Other Woman…I haven’t found a book of hers I did not enjoy-they aren’t too serious and it is like a nice vacation for my mind…I also like the Alex Cross Series by James Patterson…I love a good mystery-you know, when you are so into the book that you don’t want to put it down and you realize you have been reading it far past your bedtime? Both Jane Green and James Patterson do that to me…

Link up with Mama M to join in on the FQF!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Twizzlers-An Anytime of the Day Food

Welcome to What I'm Loving Wednesday! 
(I feel like when I say that I need to follow it up with "And I'm your Host!")

1. Twizzlers...I love a Twizzler-for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, dinner, brinner, dessert...anytime of the day is a good time to have a twizzler

2. Birthdays!  No, February is NOT my birthday month, but it is for some very special people in my life, so here you go special people



My older sister Nina




My Younger Brother Nick (and his lovely wife Ashley is also in the photo, but her birthday isn't until the summer)



Caraline (a.k.a. Bear, as in CareBear-but only a few very special people get to call her that)

To Read about the celebration of Bear's Birthday lunch done Grubber Style click here

Happy Birthday to everyone else who is not pictured above as well!

3. White Haven Sauvignon Blanc.  When Hubs and I went on our date night while we were in Columbia a few weeks ago, we visited the bar so we could enjoy a nice drink during our wait to be seated...well I was torn as to what to order.  Two lovely older women walked up next to me and ordered their wine without hesitation (this move astounds me when anyone does this because there are SO many choices you can make, how do you know for sure that that is what you want (see previous posts where I mention being indecisive...) I digress) and I asked one what they ordered.  She told me it was White Haven, and if I liked grapefruit then I would like this wine and then offered me a sip of hers (while I did NOT take a sip of a stranger's beverage, I did order a glass for myself because I LOVE Grapefruit...now while I was waiting for my glass, the woman looked at me and said "Honey, if you don't like it, I will take it and buy you a new glass of something else"  She was really nice and because of her I have a new favorite wine :)

4. Coca Cola Cherry Zero...new found obsession.  Now that I have introduced caffeine back into my life, I have been trying out new sodas in the zero calorie range...I do love diet coke, but this is delicious in a whole different way!

5. The WONDERFUL Weather...it really is a beautiful week here!  I am sorry for those of you who are experiencing weather that is not to your liking, but it is February 16, and the weather this week is AWESOME...please see below for further confirmation that Hubs, Hannah and I will be at the park, bike riding, and playing outside this weekend! 

6. Hannah-but more specifically for this week, Hannah's excitement about our attendance to her Class Valentine's Day Party.  When she realized Hubs and I walked in she started jumping up and down saying "Mommy, I so Happy, Mommy!"  It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  She was really excited to pass out her valentines to everyone, but what she really wanted was to sit down at the table and eat the blueberries that were on her plate...she LOVES blueberries and strawberries, and the mommy assigned to bring the fruit did not skimp out on the berries, that's for sure. 

She was so happy to show me her Valentine's Bag



Thumbs Up for lunch time!



mmmmm Juice!

Love her!

What are you loving today? Link up with Jamie to join in!







Be My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!  I am really not emotionally tied to Valentine's Day-it really hasn't been anything special for me in the past-regardless of my relationship status, so for me, it is really just another day...to eat candy...and wear my favorite red sweater from Loft with a cute pink tank under it...Thank you Cupid :)  I am growing more excited about Valentine's Day-mostly because of my Hans...She is just starting to understand what all of the holidays are about, and now that she is in school (still loving it) she has her first School party tomorrow and she is very excited about her class party.  Me on the other hand...not so much...more on that part to follow.  I love that Hannah is excited about her party and her new Valentine's Day shirt with all of the sparkly hearts on it.  Jason and I have made it our mission to make sure she gets a special valentine every year.  This year, it is Tinkerbell Themed...as her new bedding for her big girl bed is Tinkerbell (which just arrived Friday, so she was very excited to take a nap this weekend-which led to a 3.5 hour nap-unheard of in our house-but not unwelcome)  So I can't wait to give her her present when I get home from the gym tonight...(yes, I said gym, Spinning tonight followed by a session with Heather=one tired Erin...)

As for Hannah's party.  Hubs picked up Hans from school Thursday and asked me if I was aware of the fact that we are responsible for bringing sandwiches to the party...SANDWICHES!  and to make it better they can't have peanut butter in them...I feel like I am going to fail right out of the gate with this one...what kind of sandwich do you make a 2 year old for lunch? PB&J or grilled cheese right?  (or maybe it is just me)  So somehow, we landed entree portion of the party, and I feel so pressured!  We decided to go with some jelly and some turkey & cheese...and bring a small mayo & mustard with us in case someone wants it...ugh...sandwiches.  Why didn't we get chips & dip or even juice?  I digress...party is tomorrow morning so let's hope the other parents don't judge us for our sandwiches...BUT to spice it up we are doing heart shaped sandwiches so maybe people will be so distracted about the heart shape that they don't notice the lack of creativity in their entrees...seriously-I can't get over it-sandwiches...can't I just bring pizza and call it a day?

Hannah and I hung out all weekend.  We went shopping Saturday morning.  When we were in Target, she looked at me and said "I'm tired, can we go home and I take a nap in my new bed?"  it was the cutest thing ever, but I looked at her and told her that she was going to have to work on her shopping stamina because it was just a bit ridiculous for her to be that tired after only going to 2 stores...silly Hans... Yesterday it was so beautiful outside-somewhere in the 60's and sunny-so we went to the park and played for a little while.  We are still working on the potty training thing-and I introduced her to diet coke.  She really likes to drink "Mommy's juice" no matter what it is (well except root beer-she HATES root beer-and after she drinks it-she will look right at you like you poisoned her...).  Hans was sitting on her potty when she announced that she needed more "diet coat" I told her it was coke ... and proceeded to make the "k" sound-her response was "so?  I still need more..."  ahhhh Hannah. 

Hubs and I really don't exchange Valentine's Day Gifts-or if we do we put some silly $5.00 limit on the gift and go from there...This year-he got a box of chocolate covered cherries...he loves them and has already eaten 2 according to the last text I received...

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

Ty Is Cuter Than Clinton

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home MakeOver or TLC's What not to Wear?

You know...I would LOVE to be on What Not to Wear!  a $5,000 wardrobe?  A free vacation?  Meeting Stacey & Clinton?  Don't mind if I do!!!  But...then again...I would really like to have my home renovated...and subsequently...paid for-that would be my catch here, if I have to make mortgage payments on this awesome enormous house that you just built for me...but I can't afford the new payment-what happens then?  Do you take my house back, and then we are worse off than we were before?  I would need more details there...but then again, the whole family could benefit from the house...so...I choose Extreme Home Make-Over-because Hubs & Hans can benefit...and if the builder pays off my mortgage, then I can spend more money on vacations & a wardrobe-I wouldn't be able to meet Stacey & Clinton, but I can accept Ty Pennington for sure, as he is cuter than Clinton...!

2. Do you have any tattoos?

No.  I considered this for a few years while I was in college, but, if you know me, you know how indecisive I am-so what if I pick a tattoo one day and in a few months I hate it?  No mam, not for this gal.  Hubs has one-he says he doesn't regret getting the one he got, but one day he is going to have to explain to Hans what that thing is, and I would like to be around to watch him fumble through that situation... There is approximately 1 situation in which I would consider getting a tattoo, but anytime I think about it, it makes my eyes water and my nose turn red...so sad...too sad...moving on

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?

I tell Hans everything...but she is only 2 so she doesn't care.  I will tell her what I did, I am not ashamed of my past (and, let's face it, I was a pretty good kid compared to what I see in the news these days anyway!) and I don't want Hans to make the same mistakes I did.  To be clear though, if she does make them, I will still love her no matter what, but she will probably find herself being grounded, much like I was...and considering how good of listener she has been (please read that with extreme sarcasm, as she is only 2) I see history repeating itself  frequently in Hans' future for sure!

4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?

How close am I?  Are there cars in front of me-or behind me that could potentially hit me if I slow down to stop?  Is it raining?  I know you are supposed to yield, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO.  That being said, sometimes you just aren't able to.  If the light just turned yellow, then I make no effort to brake, as then I would have to slam on the brakes and that is dangerous for everyone.  If I can slow down and I am not in fear of someone hitting me because they are too close to my rear end i will slow down.  (Please note that if you are following too closely to my vehicle, you may see a finger of my choosing raised in the air if Hans is not present in the vehicle...) It really just depends on the situation.

5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips? 

Why can't I choose Chocolate Chips?  seriously?  I had a brownie the other day and it had chocolate chips in it and it was AMAZING.  Ugh, If my friend Jane were doing this, it would be a no brainer because she hates chocolate (weird right?  Well I can't judge because I hate bananas...) Anyhow...that being said, I really like dark chocolate, but you can't eat too much of it at a time...but, I do love some chips...chips and salsa, Doritos, salt & vinegar, Frito's, (I just realized I am started to sound like Bubba Gump...boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, baked shrimp...etc.)  So that being said, I am choosing Chips... :)

Join the 5 Question Friday Blog Hop!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

1. L'Oreal Paris Go 360 Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

I love the little scrublet and my face feels AMAZING after I finish washing it!



2. I am Loving that Hannah Loves sleeping in her Big Girl Bed!

We just transitioned her to her Big Girl Bed a few weeks ago, and EVERY TIME she wakes up in the morning or from a nap, she says "I like my new bed!"  And I love that she is growing up!

3.  I am LOVING the new Spicy Chicken Biscuit from Chic-Fil-A!  I had one for breakfast today and it is pretty much the perfect combo of spicy chicken with the hint of sweet biscuit...Chic-Fil-A has never gotten it wrong in my book!

4. I am LOVING that Hannah loves going to school!  She started going to school 2 days a week in January, and wants to go EVERY day. 

This was from her first day of school and she was so excited to go!  (If you look closely enough, you can see my eyes watering...)

5. This shoe...I a pair of these...I have a shoe problem...I LOVE shoes, but I think Hubs will shoot me if I bring another pair home...and the area under my desk is getting a bit crowded from the other shoes I have bought and have not taken home for the same reason...

6. I Love my Little Family-which is perfect just the way it is!

I am linking up with Jamie  for WILW and I first read about WILW from Brittan

Hypocrite

I hate a hypocrite...but, when it comes to this topic, I totally am one...sadly...here we go.  I read blogs-because I like them-because I get hooked on them-because I feel like I know these people...similar to why I watch reality shows like Keeping Up With The Kardashians-I have watched the show so much-those girls have become a staple in my life and I feel like I know them...anyway-judge me if you will.  Back to the Blog thing.  I am HORRIBLE at keeping my blog updated-HORRIBLE...BUT there are a few blogs I read daily (or the days I am online) and I really get frustrated when the blogs aren't up to date...for example.  If you just had a baby-I NEED you to update your blog IMMEDIATELY so I can read about the story and see pictures of your baby-and know how you are adjusting to life with your new love...I NEED it...I will check your blog numerous times throughout the days following the announcement of you going into labor-just waiting to read your blog...(ridiculous I know)  Now, being a mother of a 2 year old-I am no stranger to the whole-no sleep, struggle with keeping your eyes open & make any type of coherent thoughts-or a complete sentence when you have a newborn infant who cannot communicate why they are crying and you have already fed, changed, burped and cuddled the baby and nothing seems to help...I know what that's like...but I feel like you should still update your blog...(selfish I know...unrealistic-yes...divaish very-but like I said-I NEED to know this type of information...

As previously mentioned...I am no good at updating my blog-and I did not just have a baby-so I really shouldn't expect people to be Johnny-On-The-Spot with theirs when they did...but I hate feeling out of the loop-I REALLY like to be "In The Know" and preferably one of the firsts to know...but I will settle for just being in the know...