Recently in General Girly Stuff Category
Stereotypes. How many do you buy into?
I'll be honest and say that I probably buy into way more than I should. I truly try not to, but you know how that goes. One of them is that I absolutely believed that all High School cheerleaders are snobs and biotches. Well guess what? They're not! And I'm very proud to say the cheerleaders who smashed that stereotype are right here in Colorado!
JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Evergreen High School cheerleading squad has always imagined itself as somewhat different. So when the new girl at school, who is disabled, tried out for the team, there really was no doubt what would happen.Coach Tammy Dufford has heard it so many times, the old line that high school cheerleaders are among the most judgmental people around.
"Generally, high school cheerleaders are known to be an elitist sort of group and kind of exclusive," said Dufford.
However, Dufford says she had no doubt her girls would accept a fellow cheerleader with different abilities. Someone like freshman Megan Bomgaars, who has Down Syndrome.
Bomgaars is new to Evergreen this year. One of the first things she did was march into Dufford's office and announce she intended to be a cheerleader. And she now is an Evergreen cheerleader.
"I just want to have friends at school," Bomgaars said.
And she has found those friends in her fellow cheerleaders at her new school.
"I love this place," she said.
Bomgaars is a smiling and enthusiastic face on the football sidelines, but sometimes struggles to keep pace with her teammates quick moves and rapid cheers.
This is the time of the season when teams, including Evergreen, go from cheering at games to competing at tournaments.
Megan's mother, Kris, expected that her daughter would travel with the cheerleading team, but not compete.
"She said, 'Tammy, I totally understand if you don't think Megan can be part of that. I don't want her to bring down the girls' scores," Dufford recalled.
Dufford checked with state cheerleading officials. She says they informed her there is no direct precedent of a cheerleader with Down Syndrome competing in mainstream tournaments. Dufford says she was told it would be up to judges on how to handle the situation.
The coach left the final decision up to her players. No discussion was necessary. They insisted that Bomgaars remain on the team for the competitive portion of the season.
"We always just assumed she'd be right there with us," said cheerleader Katy Evezich. "She's part of the team."
"We could get graded off if she's a little bit off on her dance," said cheerleader Stephanie Dufford. "But we'd rather have her on the squad and get a lesser score than not have her at all."
For a group that's supposed to be so concerned with judging, they sure don't seem to care.
The Evergreen High School cheerleaders, every one of them, will compete in the Jefferson County League Tournament Wednesday at Columbine High School.
(from 9News.com)
Is that cool or what! I'm so proud of those girls. Hopefully if this story gets around enough, more cheerleaders will follow suit and change that stereotype which plagues them all!
Cheerleaders, Snobs, Evergreen Cheerleaders, Stereotypes
Have any of you ladies joined Curves? We have one here in my town, and my daughter and I are thinking of becoming members. I like the fact that it's for women only, and they don't have those gigantic windows that everyone and his brother can look through and see you working out! I think I'll call and get the specifics on prices and stuff. I wonder if they have something like a family plan? Anyway, if any of you have been or are currently a member of Curves, can you please give me your opinion?
Thanks! :)
Curves, Working Out, Gym for Women, Curves for Women
Ladies -- and you, too, men -- when was the last time you received flowers from anyone? I actually did receive some beautiful flowers from my daughter and her best friend about a month ago. They were so sweet. They went shopping at Wal-Mart to pick up a few things for me, and ended up bringing me some gorgeous flowers, too. Before that, I can't remember the last time I was sent flowers.
What kind of flower is your favorite? I have so many favorites. I adore roses and lilies and daisies and orchids! I especially love Calla Lilies. Aren't they gorgeous? They always remind me of Katherine Hepburn in "Stage Door" when she said "The calla lilies are in bloom again". They're such an intriguing flower; exotic and unique. I always like a little intrigue, don't you? I would be completely intrigued if you sent me flowers. No, really, I would. ;)
Happy Thursday. :) Seems more like Friday. lol
Our County Fair started yesterday. My daughter goes each and every night until it's over, which will be Sunday night. She doesn't really go for the rides. Know what she loves about it? The food! 
I gotta' admit, the Fair food really is good. Everything from turkey legs to corn dogs to funnel cakes to hamburgers to cotton candy -- totally yummy!
Her boyfriend drives cars in Demolition Derbies around the state, so of course he'll be running in ours. In fact, aside from Greeley's (the biggest in the state, where he finished 4th this year!), ours is the one he looks forward to the most. 
She helps him build/work on his cars all year long so that he'll be ready for the derbies, and she LOVES it! She's so cool. 
Hey, guess what? I have my first article at Digg.com! I was wondering if ya'll could do me a favor and give me a Digg! I would be forever grateful. 
Thanks, you guys, and have a happy day! :)
Demolition Derbies, Derby Cars, County Fairs, Digg.com
I blogged a couple of days ago about Hubs remodeling the bedroom upstairs for our daughter, remember? I didn't mention, however, that we have a whole laundry list of Home improvements we want to do. Everything from new floor coverings to paint to new drywall is on that list. We'd also absolutely love to have a screened-in area off the house with a hot tub and comfy furniture on which to relax and share time with our family and friends.
In the UK, such rooms are called Conservatories, and Anglian Home Improvements has been the place to go for thirty-six years for high quality home improvements. I have a very good friend who lives in the UK, so I was interested in seeing exactly what Conservatories looked like. Wow! They are absolutely beautiful! That is exactly what we have in mind for our house. In perusing Anglian's web site, I can certainly see why people prefer them over others -- not only are their products gorgeous, but they come with a 10 year guarantee, as well. Right now I sure wish we lived in the UK! ;)
Anglian Home Improvements, Conservatories
Have you heard any reports lately from where you live about West Nile Virus? It's rearing its ugly head here in Colorado again. Very scary stuff. My son, David, had it a couple of years ago. Oh man, he was SO sick. Given how bad it can get, though, he was actually very lucky. It did, however, take him about 6 months to a year to feel like he was back to normal. It left him very susceptible to upper respiratory infections, though.
One of the men Hubs used to work with has it real bad right now. Word has it he even had to quit his job. I so hope that isn't the case. The last thing one needs to have happen when they're ill is lose their health insurance! There is a story on the 9News web site about a man who contracted West Nile a year ago and is still having a very hard time. He only has about 10% use of one of his legs. So sad. Remember, people, wear mosquito repellent!! Make sure it has DEET in it! Believe me, West Nile is NOT something you want to mess around with.
Now, changing the subject quite abruptly ... lol ... do any of you dog owners/lovers out there have any idea why a dog who's never been afraid of thunder before would suddenly become terrified of it? My beautiful, wonderful girl, Cheyenne, has become scared to death of it. We had a thunderstorm in the middle of the night tonight (or should I say this morning?) around 3:00AM. I was still up, of course, sitting here at the puter blog-hopping, and she was literally trying to climb on my lap. Mind you, she weighs at least 80 pounds! I sat here trying to type comments and stuff with her halfway on and halfway off my lap. LOL I felt sorry for her. She was shaking like a leaf. Her apparent fear of thunder started just a few days ago when we had a gully-washer with VERY loud thunder. She was all over me that day! I have bruises on my legs and arms to prove it! LOL I just don't understand why it would start so out-of-the-blue like that. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!
West Nile Virus, Mosquitoes, Thunderstorms, Dogs Afraid of Thunder, DEET
The old saying "You learn something new every day" is certainly true. For me, anyway. I look forward each day to the "something new" I will be learning. Today I learned that there is actually outdoor furniture available to buy which is made from rugged 100% recycled plastic lumber, called Polywood furniture. It looks like fine wood patio furniture, but without the maintenance. Now wouldn't that be nice! It is completely weatherproof and never needs painting. That's my kind of furniture! The less work it takes, the better. Just take a look at all the different styles and colors! Very nice, indeed.
You can find this cool outdoor furniture at Dax Stores online. But patio furniture is not the only product they have to offer! You can also find Indoor Furniture, Organic Bedding, Organic Baby Bedding and Furniture, Organic Bath Linens, Silk Clothing and so much more! To make it even sweeter, they also offer free shipping for orders over $100.00. An all-around great deal!
Dax Stores, Polywood Patio Furniture, Polywood Outdoor Furniture
This time of year -- oh who am I kidding -- all year long I daydream about going to some exotic, beautiful place where the sand is soft, the water warm, and the sun kisses my skin perfectly. Ahhhh, doesn't that sound fantastic? My mind usually settles on a place like Bermuda. What a gorgeous place that is! Wow, even the food is gorgeous! Not only is Bermuda an enormously beautiful place, it is also a very interesting one, steeped in rich history. I love learning the history of places, don't you? It gives you a real feel for where you are, knowing how it started and how it became what it is now. Someday I know I'll get there, and I can hardly wait!
Wow, we just had an awesome thunderstorm go through! Some fantastic mega lightning and thunder! I love that stuff. Especially at night. It was the perfect thunderstorm: lots of lightning and thunder, very little wind, the perfect amount of rain and no hail. Totally cool.
Have you ever known or lived with someone who is always critical of what you do, no matter what? Like if you do one thing you think they want, it's either not right or not good enough? So you do something else, then that's not right, or it's inconsequential and just not important at all? So then you move on to something else that should be considered important, but all you get is belittling and disrespect? So that regardless of what you do in your life, it's never right, enough, or important? Yeah, me too. And you know, after a while, you get to where your walls are built so high and your heart hardened so much that what they think becomes totally irrelevant, and no matter what they say, it holds absolutely no meaning anymore. Sometimes I think it's my fault for allowing someone else to have that kind of power and influence over me that it would tear me apart like it did. But no more. I've come to realize that the only person's opinion that really matters is my own. The only validation we truly need is the kind that comes from within. If we depend too much on what others think of who we are or what we contribute, then we're only asking for pain, especially if it's from an insecure, hard-hearted person to begin with. I think the only people in this world whose opinion really hold significance for me are my children, my sisters, and my closest, closest friends. Other than that, I really couldn't care less - especially from ignorant, self-impressed, self-righteous people! They're just pathetic and can bite me!
So, that's my tangent for today. 
What's yours?
Tangents, Opinions, Mean People, Bullies, Self-Respect
I woke up this morning with a lousy sore throat. 
Who gets a sore throat in Spring? When it's supposed to be close to 90 degrees today! 
ME. Because I'm strange like that.
