I have to admit I am not a fan of Jersey Shore.  I know it has become a huge pop phenomenon, but up to this point, I have refused to, what I call, “entertain the insane” by participating.  Until now.  I only watched part of one episode in the past and just couldn’t do it.  I’m like that with a lot of  reality show stars.  I admit it…I’m a hater when it comes to “celebrities” who are famous for nothing.

Well, I decided I’m going to put that all aside and start my own Jersey Shore Challenge and watch the new season that starts tonight.  The challenging part will not just be to watch the show, but to find out who my favorite Jersey Shore member is.  I’m going to try to set aside my previous opinions of the cast that they are ridiculous, no-talent, fame-whores,  look for the redeeming qualities, and by the end of the season tell you who my favorite cast member is. Check out the season premiere of Season 2 of Jersey Shore tonight at 10pm on MTV.

Do you have a  favorite Jersey Shore cast member?  Or are you like me and don’t watch the show?  Favorite Jersey Shore moment?  Let me know.  I would love to hear your comments!

Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles

Camping with my niece

When are you most YOU?  In other words, when do you feel most like yourself?  I know it’s an odd question, but this weekend I feel like I got the answer to the question for the first time in my life.  My answer…when I’m camping.

Over the weekend I was on my annual family “Camp Semedo” camping trip that I started in 2003 with 1 cousin, 5 kids, 2 tents, a camping stove, and the great outdoors.  Seven years later, it’s now a huge family event that has made me the proud owner of 15 tents, 18 sleeping bags, 7 lanterns and 16 air mattresses. Oh, and there are now over 80 people who attend the 4-days and 3-nights of family fun!

On the third day of camping, I pulled my boyfriend aside and we went and sat in the field for a quiet moment and talked.  It was there, with no makeup on, in need of a shower, wearing the clothes I would never put on to go out in public in, that I realized I felt more like “me” than I ever have.  It wasn’t something I had thought about before, but in that moment, I just blurted it out, and something in me made sense.  I always knew I loved camping, but I never connected it with the way that it made me feel about myself.

Being outdoors, sleeping in a tent, having no concerns about what anyone thinks about my physical appearance, and feeling no judgement about who I am or what I’m doing.  For me, camping is a freeing experience.  Sure there are bugs, and you’re not going to eat a gourmet meal every night, but when you strip away all the things that you put on daily (both physically and mentally), you have the unique opportunity to get to the core of who you are.

I’m sure that some of you have made this revelation about yourselves a long time ago, and it may not be camping that did it for you, but for me it was a great moment.

So, can you answer the question…When are you most YOU?  Have you had that moment in your life when you feel like “wow, this is who I am!”  Was it one thing, or one place, or one experience that got you there?  Are you even there yet?  I would love to hear about it.  Make sure you leave me a comment!

As always…Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles

Why is it so hard for us to say thank you to the people who help us?  Not just the quick “thanks” for the people who hold the door open for you, but the “going out of your way thank you” for the people who go above and beyond to help us.

I just got off the phone with a very nice woman who helped me book a flight.  Can you believe it?  I booked with an actual person and not online!  Rare, I know.  Anyway, the process was a little complicated because I was trying to book a flight to go with a previously purchased ticket, and I wanted the seats to be together…yadda yadda yadda.  Well, the woman who I spoke to was incredible!  She was kind, she was patient, and very helpful.

At the end of the conversation, something inside of me told me to ask for her supervisor’s email address because I wanted them to know that I was extremely pleased with the service I received.  She seemed surprised and thanked me profusely.  It made me ashamed that I don’t do this more.  None of us do.  If we have a problem with someone, we are VERY vocal.  But we all seem to just let it slide by if we get great service.  And these days, great service seems to be the exception and not the rule!  If you’re a procrastinator like me, send that email right away or you’ll forget.  I did it the second I got off the phone!

Today, I just wanted to pass it on that if you get great service, be sure to let the person know, and more importantly, let their supervisor know.  It only takes a moment, and it could make a world of difference to someone!

When was the last time YOU gave that extra-special thank you?  I would love to hear about it!  OR, the last time you received one!  Leave a comment, and THANK YOU (insert Thank You Dance) for reading!

Just my humble opinion…

Pebbles

I am one of the lucky ones.  I have an amazing father who has been supportive my whole life, and more importantly, has been there for me.  As a child and even now, I feel that my father would do anything to make sure I’m happy.  But I have found over the years, there are many, many people who aren’t as lucky.

I bring this up because I have a friend who doesn’t have a relationship with her father.  He recently actually had the audacity to use her name to drum up business for himself with a potential client!  Seriously! And I know another person who recently got a call from his father out of the blue because he was feeling sorry for himself, and wanted someone to listen to him.  Boo-freaking-hoo!  I was SO upset.  I think I was more pissed than either one of them were.  Was it because they’re used to this treatment?  Is it just their way of protecting themselves by chalking it up to “dad being dad?”  It may not be my business to address their fathers, or any other deadbeat dads for that matter, but for some reason I feel like I need to say something.  For them, and for all the other boys & girls and men & women, who have been forced to grow up with a man who has purposely chosen not to be a part of their lives.   So for all of you needing a voice, use mine!

Dear Dad…

Although I haven’t heard from you in a while, actually ages, I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay.  From your years of silence, I’m guessing that doesn’t really matter to you, but I thought it was time for me to reach out to you.

You see, I’m okay.  I’m living a decent life.  I’m a good person.  I have other family members who love me, and I have great friends.  I’m doing well for myself, and I’m proud to say that I am happy about the way I’ve turned out…in spite of your absence.  Again, I’m ok…most of the time.

But then there are the other times when I can’t help but wonder where you are.  I can’t help but try to make sense of a man who wouldn’t even want to be a part of their child’s life.  And there are days when I just want to stay in bed and cry because it hurts so much knowing that you are out there…close by…and still don’t want to see me.

There are a lot of emotions inside of me that I keep bottled up because I’m afraid of what would happen if I took the lid off and let them out.  Would it cause me to explode?  Would it just hurt me even more?  Would you even care?

Life is short, and I’m sure that at some point in yours you will look back and realize that you are the one who missed out.  YOU didn’t get a chance to see what an incredible person I am.  YOU didn’t get to experience the joy of having someone look up to and admire you unconditionally.  And YOU will never know how much you have really and truly cut me to the core!

But the good news is…I will be fine.  I will move on, and I will be strong, and I will not let you take the joy out of my life.  I will do what it takes to make myself healthy and whole.

Maybe one day we WILL be able to mend what you have broken, and that would be beautiful.  But if not, I needed to make myself feel better by letting you know how you missing out on my life has affected me.  I’m not trying to make you feel bad, but I think too many fathers go through life causing damage and leaving the rubble behind for others to clean up.  Let this letter serve as a symbol of me dropping off the pieces at your door so that you can deal with it now.  I’ve carried this for far too long and it’s MY time to be free!

I wish you the best, and at the very least, I thank you for my life.  With it, I plan to do marvelous things.   Watch me Dad…even if you’re watching from the sidelines.

Sincerely,

Your child

Don’t know about you, but that made me feel better!  For those of you dealing with this issue, know that there are people who are pissed for you, understand your pain, and are rooting for you!

And for the fathers who recognize themselves in this letter, remember it’s never too late.  Just don’t expect your child to immediately jump into your arms and say everything’s ok.  It’s still not…but start with an “I’m sorry” and see where it goes from there!

I know this didn’t speak to everyone who has had this experience (or non-experience) with their father, but it came from a place inside me that has witnessed the effects of fatherlessness.  I hope that this helped someone, and I would love to hear your comments.  Please leave one below!

As always…Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles

Facebook…”helps you share and connect with the people in your life.”  No doubt that is true.  I have connected with family, old friends, former classmates, and lots of other people I would otherwise never be in touch with.  Unfortunately, with the many positives of Facebook, come the annoying and often negative aspects of Facebook. I’m sure you have your own, but here are my…

14 Facebook Pet Peeves

1. TMI (Too Much Information) No one needs to hear about your bathroom habits, female problems, or details of your sex life.  Unless it’s really, really funny…and then it’s ok!

2.  People who “like” negative status updates So you “like” that I just had the worst day of my life at work today???  I think I may have to un-friend you.

3.  Couple Fights Bashing your man or woman on FB because you’re pissed at them only makes YOU look crazy!  And when you’re bashing each other on FB?  Spare the rest of us and just break up!

4.   “So in Love” Updates This is almost as bad at people who fight on FB.  If all of your updates are about how in love you are, who are you trying to convince, us or yourself?  We get it, you’re in love!

5.   Body Shots People who post half-naked pictures of themselves in certain poses are only fishing for compliments.  You know the difference between “I have my shirt off hanging with my friends at the beach,”  and “Look at me, I’ve been working out!”  You look like a douche!

6.   No Profile Picture It doesn’t really matter if it’s not a picture of you, just have a profile pic!  This  is just annoying!

7.   Duck Face/Kissy Face Ladies, this is NOT cute!  There is no woman who looks better doing this than just smiling.  Seriously, it only makes you look a little slutty.  You don’t want that do you?  Or do you?  And guys who do this…I have no words.

8.   Liking Your Own Status/Photo If you posted a status or a photo, you obviously like it.  No need to “like” it again!

9.  The Positive People I think it’s great when people post inspirational quotes and positive messages, but if that’s the ONLY thing you post, you come off as fake.  NO ONE is that positive all the time!

10.  The Hustlers You know who I’m talking about.  People who are SO busy ALL the time!  Yeah, you’re “on the grind” we get it.  In the words of Christian Bale…Oh, good for you!

11.  Avoiders Nothing is worse than people who won’t confront you about an issue they have with you in person, but will attack you on FB.  Really?  I just SAW you!

12.  Changing Relationship Status Too Much Please don’t change your relationship status until you actually make a decision.  Going from “in a relationship” to “single” to “it’s complicated” every time you get in a fight is ridiculous!  And is it ever really complicated?  You’re either with someone or you’re not.

13.  Tagging Me in Photos I’m Not In Just stop!  Enough said.

14.  Fighting Under Someone Else’s Status There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy discourse between friends.  But when it turns into a full-blown fight, it’s just wrong.  Take it to your own page!

Ahhhh, I feel so much better.   Guess I needed to get that off my chest!   So there are my 14 Facebook Pet Peeves.  Want to add a 15th?  I would love to hear it, so please leave me a comment below! What’s YOUR FB Pet Peeve?

Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles