Redhead Realm's blog: "Red Rules!"

The first two days of school went well for the kids. I sorta roamed around in shock, and slept alot. Funny how even a good schedule change can really mess you up. It just doesn't feel as though the kids should be walking the school halls just yet. With the start of school of course there is all that paperwork to be done, and all of the gathering of appropriate school supplies. Do you just sometimes want to thumb your nose when your schedule tightens back up after a relaxed and carefree holiday. Its as though you are chaffing against the reins, not quite ready to be back in the proverbial saddle. Its the worst kind of feeling to have to do something you just would rather not contemplate. Of course in a few weeks summer fun will be a distant memory, as will wet bathing suits and grilling. We all seem to rush pell mell into the busy holiday season, grinding out our daily lives and anticipating the next time we will actually get to stop a moment and deep breathe. Speaking of holidays, the other day I was in search of school supplies and right alongside the clearance summer stuff, was the halloween decorations, and the terrible "dark cloud of impending financial ruin", the dreaded christmas decorations. Why is it that our lives seem to be pushed ever forward? We are no longer allowed to enjoy the end of one season and the beginning of the next! Obviously, I am not a holiday pre-planner! Mainly because I refuse to shop for a winter holiday in the middle of summer. I suppose this all seems necessary with our push through the days mentality. But I refuse to step into the robotic line, a girl simply has to have some hold outs. So, tomorrow, I too step into a faster pace and attend school for three weeks so I can obtain my CNA certification here in Pa. At least I will get paid for going to school, and perhaps with the addition of a job and a paycheck I too will have to join the robotic lines of always having to do what is scheduled. What is Adult. Keep your toes crossed for me that everything goes well, the kids have been supportive but wary. They see their world shifting both for good and bad. They seem most concerned that they will not have the supply of homecooked meals, especially once I begin working the night shift. I don't blame them, theirs is a happy, full belly life. I hope everyone has enjoyed their extended holiday weekend! Its back to work and a faster pace tomorrow!

It felt good to laugh, it has been one of those bleak days. I know what it is, I have been clenching my teeth, both awake and asleep. I have a horrendous headache as a result. I often go through periods of this. Sleeping or awake I am taut with tension. I carry it all in my jaw and shoulders. When it finally eases up, the internal tension, I am left feeling exhausted and battered for a few days. The odd part is, that usually when I have these periods of tension, I usually have nothing to be emotionally tense about. This is more of a muscular tension, almost a cramp. It makes me wonder if I am not fully relaxing at night when I sleep, not going into periods of REM as required. I know I am not resting to full potential because I require a nap during these periods. Honestly, I am beginning to think it's the wonderful start of "extreme hormonal" stress, ya know that lovely word called menopause. EL YUCKO! Menopause is yet another lovely stage that women really don't honestly relate to their younger counter parts. Like childbirth it seems a mystery, the Crones just do not want to share the knitty gritty details with the maidens or the mothers. Like some hell born rite of passage, the truth of how things really happen in our aging bodies, is just too scary to relate. Its a Mona Lisa moment, and I say how about giving a girl a clue? Instead of smiling that thin all knowing smile, why not simply relate the gory details? We ladies should look out for one another. Instead we pass on the infamous words like "just you wait", and "your day is coming missy". Words the appear more like a medievil form of torture. Honestly, I want in on the mystery now, so that I am not clubbed over the head with shock and dismay when it happens. Think on all the moments in a womens life when these words are uttered to you in some form of mere sad consolation. Menstruation, Sex for the first time,The Wedding Night,Childbirth, Turning Thirty, Turning 40, Turning 50 and finally Menopause. It seems to me that one big event should build upon the next, with true supportive information. As each event occurs in our lives the personal knowledge acquired would then lend itself to a period of building knowledge and information for the next level. Makes sense. Do we as women consider ourselves so fragile that we cannot share what will happen to us physically as we enter each of these big stages? Now, I realize, there are those who do not want to know, the age old ignorance is bliss thingy. However, I wanted to be informed. I wish someone had told me that at the age of 35 I would suddenly become very secure with my body image, and that at Forty I would literally melt into a bulbous form in which every body part pointed south!. That would of have been very valuable information, I could have had a plan. Knowledge is a powerful weapon, especially now in these difficult menopausal years.

"The Census Bureau reported Tuesday that 36.5 million Americans, or 12.3 percent were living in poverty last year. That's down from 12.6 percent in 2005. The median household income was $48,200, a slight increase from the previous year. But the number of people without health insurance also increased, to 47 million." Hot off the press. Big news I suppose, a governmental success. Yeah right. I understand why they put those horrific numbers into percentage points. Its a bit easier on the eyes, it doesn't scream 36.5 million americans still living in poverty. And while we are at it, why should anybody pat themselves on the back because .3 americans are no longer living in poverty. Do you know why they are no longer living in poverty? Because they gave up their healthcare, choosing to eat and stay warm instead. Hell of a choice if you ask me. The census reports.............. that............ "47 million people live without healthcare", a rise from last years numbers. We have healthcare. We would be living in a homeless shelter without it. We pay 132.00 weekly for the luxury of health insurance. That's $525 a month, more then I spend on food. Poverty level is 20,444. Sadly that is probably a combined income of two folks working their tail off. Average income is 48,200, again I bet a combined income. This family's income is just below average and I can tell you that we struggle. There is not alot left over at the end of every month for luxuries. We do not have credit cards, or drive cars that have a payment. We struggle with big events like christmas, or the start of school. I certainly do not feel average, more times I feel impoverished. So can you imagine trying to live on twenty thousand a year??? Can you imagine living on less, which according to our governmental census, .3 is considered a significant drop in the poverty level. Good friggin God. Like I said...its all about the presentation of the numbers. Let's spin it well Mr. Bush............ I am surprised that the census analysts didn't round the numbers down for an even better effect. Poor is broke, poor is hungry, unhealthy, and should be unnecessary in 2007.