At least Chrysler appreciates the comments of a "Crazy Lady"

Dear Mia:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center regarding the recent advertising campaign. Please be assured that we appreciate your insightful feedback regarding the current advertising initiative for Chrysler 300. Your opinion is very important and provides valuable input in determining what types of advertising will be created in the future and how advertising dollars should be spent. We understand your concern with this advertising and appreciate the time you took to express your opinion. Your dissatisfaction has been noted. Thank you again for your email.

Sincerely, Kara
Senior Staff Representative
Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center

A "Crazy Lady" raised a "Crazy Lady"

In the continuing saga of the Princess thinks I'm a bit crazy, once again, two nights ago, she uttered those word to me after me telling her that I had blazed off a hot email to Chrysler about a commercial they are running on television! In that commercial a man's car is "traded" for a Chrysler without his knowledge. As he is driving the car, there's someone in the backseat filming his reactions to his "new traded" car. Of course, he discovers that his Chrysler is better than his old car. At the end of the commercial the person in the backseat says "We not only traded his old car for a new Chrysler, we traded his wife in for a younger fashion model." The camera pans to the passenger seat and sitting there is a much younger very beautiful girl! The driver looks into the camera and says "Thank you Chrysler!"

Completely insulted and offended by Chrysler's implication that it's ok to trade-in a wife for a younger model, I flew out of my bed and did, in fact, send Chrysler an email expressing my disappointment and disgust over that commercial. I know, you are thinking why would she got so upset over that? Never having been a wife that was traded in for a new model, and not being a Chrysler driver at the moment (I have owned 2 Chrysler's in the past), what's the big deal, it was meant to be funny. The Princess' comments ranged from "I guess it's an age thing, I don't get why that bothered You." "It was meant to be funny." "I'm sure Chrysler will feel threatened by your email (tongue in cheek) I'm sure they will pull that commercial just because of your email." All the while, she was laughing her head off and telling me that she does, in fact, think I'm a bit crazy!

So, why did I get so upset over that commercial? Because, even though I've chosen to be single most of life, and still have no desire to re-marry, I believe in the good old-fashioned traditions, morals and principles I was raised with. I don't think You have to be married to have a good life, but I also don't think it's appropriate to send the message that it's Ok to "trade a wife in for a newer model." I admire and respect those in my life who chose to marry and have stayed married, even though that wasn't something I did. I believe marriage is about more than sex and looking good. I believe it's about building a life together, weathering the storms as a couple, not something I ever did, but I admire those that have.

And now, to the comment that my one little email wouldn't make a difference! Talk about getting my motor running! We each and every one make a difference everyday. You may never know how far a kind comment or a show of a little human kindness will go, but it will go! I know that, in my life, I've had people tell me that a comment I made (which I made, didn't think about and thought was pretty insignificant) changed their life for the better. I also remember, during the days when I was truly "crazy", being in the grocery store and the checker looking at me and saying "You have beautiful eyes." That one little comment started a chain-reaction for me. After a few years of assaulting myself and being assaulted by others, I was desperate to go unseen, a miserable way to live life. That one little comment about something that someone found beautiful about me, reminded me of how truly blessed I am, it reminded me that I could be seen, and seen in a positive way.

So, I'll continue to be a "crazy lady." I'll feed stray cats and dogs, I'll give money to the homeless that stand on the corners with their signs (at least I know they'll have a meal today or a bottle of wine, they're on their own journey, not my place to judge them) and I'll continue to send my emails when I see or hear something that I feel is an insult to my beliefs. I'm on my own journey and I'll travel My Way! I do have support though!

Marian Edelman, the child rights activist, once wrote, 'We must not ever, in trying to think about and work on how we can make the biggest difference, ignore the smallest gestures and interactions we engage in, those daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee." -- Joan Chittister, in Becoming Fully Human

To read the ramblings of "another Crazy Lady" visit www.santasmoon.blogspot.com.

Hope you have a crazy, giving, have an opinion kind of day!

Is your soul whispering?

There are times in our lives when all the signs seem to be pointing us in a particular direction. Our thoughts and dreams are echoed in the songs and stories we hear. Maybe the message we are getting from the universe doesn’t even make sense in the “real” world, but somewhere inside, these urges feel right. When you spend time getting in touch with your self, your intuition sends you directives to lead you to become your best and most fulfilled self. And when you are open and listening, the next step is to take action and go for it. Once you make the decision to pursue your inner urgings, the universe sets into motion the means for all sorts of details to fall into place. A sense of peace will come over you, because you know that any questions will no longer make you wonder if your dreams are possible, but how to make them happen. Instead of deterring you from your goal, these questions only serve to clarify your focus to move you forward. You need not throw caution to the wind to follow your dream, like I have many times in the past. The positive shift in your energy affects everything around you. Like a rush of water, it goes ahead to clear debris from your path so that you can go forward. Your new attitude also attracts likeminded people. Sometimes even the most unlikely angels arrive to help you along your way with the information and support you need.

Wherever your dreams are pointing you today, take a step. Take action and manifest your inner urges and soul whisperings.

Attitude

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......Leave the rest to God.

Post borrrowed from www.myspace.com/lisabravo

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Welcome to 2007, Ben Franklin Style Current mood: awake Category: Life
"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." I was not too surprised to discover slightly shortened version of this great quote, seen briefly on a sign outside of Twelve Oaks in "Gone With The Wind," is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, the 6th President of the United States and acknowledged discoverer of electricity. This quote is so profound that it stands on it's own with no elaboration, except that it has had special meaning for me as of late due to specific happenings in my life as well as events involving someone close to me. Although squandering time has always been one of my favorite past times, suddenly it seems less appropriate. I now lean closer to the sentiment of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln who said "Things may come to those who wait...but only the things left by those who hustle."As a cynical optimist, I also still relate closely to the less known words of Ben Franklin, whose greatest quote may have been "Fart Proudly." These words also has had a lasting affect on my psyche, begining when I first heard the remark as a teenager. Although I don't literally break wind publicly and with smug glee, I have always put the practice to work figuratively by standing behind my tastes, convictions and even more importantly when coming to loyalty to friends. To remain in integrity, one must stand behind their beliefs and never be afraid to say what is true to their own self. I have never had much tolerance or interest in those so weak of mind or character that they bend like reeds in the wind to the tastes and convictions of others without pause or consideration of the results. It is never so important what others think as what you in your heart believe.To this end, I welcome the new year and urge everyone to fart proudly and do the hustle.
..
Currently listening : The Hustle & The Best Of Van McCoyBy Van McCoyRelease date: By 12 September, 1995

One very smart Cow!

Obviously this is one smart Cow! She's eating a watermelon! And, she's managed to achieve a beautiful shade of blondness! I Love watermelon and I love Cows!

The Only Autograph I Ever Asked For, or If You Had To What Would You?

Who do these eyes belong to? They belong to the Only person I've ever asked for an autograph, not because I wanted the autograph, but because it was an excuse to see her up close. Why? Well, girls sometimes do this thing, "I wish I had - - -'s legs, or - - - lips, or ---'s whatever. Rebuilding their bodies with someone's parts that they feel are superior to their own. I listened to those conversations, didn't participate, I always felt like I was pretty lucky to have what I had that was all my own. Then, one day a friend who was irritated by my lack of participation asked in a huffy manner "Well, if you HAD to look like someone else, who would it be?" I'd never thought about that before, but without hesitation, the name of the owner of these eyes popped out of my mouth! No one in the group knew who she was, as I explained who she was, I realized I knew more about her then I thought and I was a bit fascinated by her.

Who is she? She's Catherine Deneuve. A very successful French actress. Deneuve won an Academy Award for Indochine, was the Chanel No. 5 girl in the 80's and is still, today, a busy actress and a very beautiful woman!















I didn't realize until I made that statement, that Deneuve is truly my ideal of a beautiful woman. I became even more interested in her from that moment on. Something my friends don't know, after that conversation, whenever their was a foreign film showing in Houston starring Catherine Deneuve, off I'd go usually to a Saturday afternoon matinee to watch her on the big screen.

A few years later, Deneuve came out with her "own" fragrance. Oh my, Deneuve is promoting her fragrance and she's coming to Houston. Off I went, to stand in line, I didn't care about the autograph, I just wanted to see her up close. They were giving out beautiful booklets for her to autograph and you could buy her fragrance and she would sign the bottle cap with a gold sharpie (I still have that bottle)! Beautiful packaging!
When it came my turn, a bit embarrassed to be asking for an autograph, I handed her the booklet and asked that she autograph it for my daughter (Laran was way too young to even know who Deneuve was at that time). She signed it, then I handed her the fragrance and asked that she autograph the top for my daughter's mother. She got it and chuckled. (All during this exchange, I was looking into her eyes with surprise and amazement). I thanked her and as I started to walk away, she said in her very french accent "Excuse me" I turned, looked her in the eyes once again and she said "You have beautiful eyes!" Then, we both laughed and I said "So do you." At that moment, we were both looking into a pair of eyes that looked a whole like like our own! In her photographs, her eyes almost always look brown, but her eyes are green. Even greener then they appear above, as are mine. Deneuve's green eyes were a big surprise to me!
I love green eyes, I love the way she looks, I love her fragrance, I love her style. The below ad pretty much says it all about my style and Ms. Deneuve's!


Are you wondering why I told you all that? Well, because I wanted to!

P. S. In my pursuit for the perfect blondness, recently, my hair color has become more "Deneuve"! Sorry Locklear, you aren't nearly as classy as Deneuve!

Forty Licks

What a way to begin the New Year! Having never been a fan of the Rolling Stones, I was more than a little concerned when I woke up on December 30th looking like the poster child for the Rolling Stones Forty Licks Logo. Yep, that's right a sever infection had attacked my tongue. Off to the hospital I went. After 36 hours of intense antibiotics and steroids being dripped into my body, I finally, today, am beginning to feel like my self again! No offense intended to those die hard Rolling Stones fans, but I would have much preferred to start the New Year out as "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds."

Hope Your 2007 Fireworks are Spectacular!

Live Each Day . . .

Another year gone by. It's difficult for me to believe that on January 15, 2007, my beloved Daddy will have been gone for 9 years! I still think about him everyday, I still miss him everyday. Thinking about him this New Year's Eve, my thoughts are more about all that he gave me that I'm so very grateful for. And I loved him more than words can tell. On my 18th birthday, he gave me a poem that he believed was a good road map for living life. I framed it and I kept it on my nightstand until the day that I passed it on to my Princess. I printed another one for myself and kept it close by. Unfortunately, I think my Dad would say I haven't read it enough these last 9 years. One of my New Year's resolutions . . . to read it everyday and to do my very best to live by it. I thought I'd share it with you and I hope you will make it part of your days too!

Live each day to the fullest. . .
Get the most from each hour, each day,
and each age of your life.
Then you can look forward with confidence,
and back without regrets.
Be yourself - but be your best self.
Dare to be different
and to follow your own star.
And don't be afraid to be happy.
Enjoy what is beautiful.
Love with all your heart and soul.
Believe that those you love,
love you.
When you are faced with decisions,
make that decision as wisely as possible -
then forget it.
The moment of absolute certainty
never arrives.
And above all else, remember that
God helps those who help themselves.
Act as if everything depended upon you,
and pray as if everything depended upon God.
-- S. H. Payer

Happy New Year one and all!

Starting the New Year Early - With One of those Interesting Faces I Love So Much!

Whose Interesting Face is this?

Who took this amazing photograph?

This face belongs to the daughter of a friend! The photograph was taken by my friend, her Mother! What an amazing face and photograph! To me, this photograph shows a face full of wonderment, excitement and happiness. If you want to know more about the person that possesses this fabulous face, go visit www.sugar-bliss.com. She's not just great to look at, she's talented and creative too! I know she gets at least part of her fabulous face, her talent, creativeness and I'm sure her great personality, from her Mother, I think her father possesses those things too!

Christmas has come and gone!

Here it is, December 26th, another Christmas has come and gone! This year, my holidays were, finally, enjoyable for me. After years of missing my Dad and Grandmother and thinking that the holidays would never again be as enjoyable for me without them, I'm happy to report that while I do and always will miss them, I loved Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! It was actually a bit surprising to me and to Santa too!

On Saturday night, at dinner, I found myself playing with Alexis and Paris (two of my step-granddaughters). Being playful is something I haven't done much of these last few years. Alexis and I actually had a conversation (she'll be 5 soon) about "slime" there's a new kind out, it's different from the old "slime" it has bumps in it! And, more than once, I saw Paris justing standing or sitting looking at me (she's 3). She was probably thinking "Oh my goodness Spicy actually talks and laughs!" I haven't interacted with this children much until that night. I loved every minute of it and it's just the beginning of a whole lot more of playing with those children.

On Christmas Eve, Laran and I went to Candle Light service at the beautiful old Methodist Church on the SMU campus, the service was beautiful, the church is beautiful and everyone there was in the spirit. Laran hadn't ever been to candlelight service before and it was an incredible gift to have her next to me for her first one. Going to candlelight service on Christmas Eve is my new tradition. Christmas Eve, my parents arrived, I was happy to see them! After a recent conversation with "The Princess" www.santasmoon.blogspot.com I've had a whole new attitude toward my mother, and for Christmas I gave her a book about "Love" inside the book of quotes and comments about Love, I wrote my own book to her about the love I want to share with her. I showed her more of myself in my writings then I ever have before, I'm going to give her all the love I can, so she'll have plenty to give me back! And, of course, along with her came my jewel of a step-father, a wonderful man, kind, loving, gentle man. We had a great dinner prepared by The Chef, friends came to visit for dessert and I was off to bed early to get ready for Santa's arrival the next morning.

Christmas Morning, Santa had been there with great stuff, breakfast prepared by The Princess and then gifts were exchanged with family! The Chef had written The Princess a book of instructions for receiving her gifts, it was great fun to watch as she discovered her stuff. It's a wonderful feeling to know that her husband loves her so much!

Then back to Houston with a smile on my face, all the while thinking about my most treasured gift. Laran and Greg chose two charities to give to this season. The North Dallas Food Bank and The Smile Foundation! They made donations in honor of some of us to one of those charities. The donation in my honor was made to The Smile Foundation! And Smile I did during the holiday and the coming year will bring more Smiles from me. It's a gift indeed to be able to smile without a flaw and to look around my family and see their smiling faces. I'm honored and pleased that I had a donation made to The Smile Foundation for me! My charity for this season was the Susan Koman Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hope all of you have a Smiling New Year!

Make New Friends but Keep the Old

I had a wonderful converation with a friend last night that's been missing from my life for a while. I've missed her everyday. After our conversation, she emailed me some pictures she took on a recent trip to Ireland. As always, her pictures are incredible. Her photographs are better then most professionals.

I decided to post this particular picture because I'm so grateful that the road I'm on in my life has led me back to her! Nothing can lift my spirits like hearing her giggle! Welcome back, my friend!

Making My Own Way

My memories of Christmas have always been and still are a bit of a shaky experience. As a child, before my parents divorced, I remember waking up very early Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought, only to be told almost immediately to choose one thing to take with me and then it was into the car for the 4 hour drive to Dallas to celebrate Christmas at my two grandmothers' houses. (Christmas was about my parents being with their parents on Christmas). After my parents divorced, my biggest memory of Christmas is the time spent late on Christmas Eve sitting in a car on a dark parking lot half way between the Grandmother's houses, waiting to be picked up by whichever parent had possession on Christmas Day (those parking lots were cold, dark and lonely places).

Once I was old enough to decide what I wanted my Christmas to look like, I stayed in my own Home! Santa Claus coming down the chimney to visit my Princess. Cooking Christmas Dinner for my Daddy and Grandmother, I loved those Christmases, I miss those Christmases. Now that my Princess is married (and ironically has chosen to live in Dallas), and my Daddy and Grandmother have taken up residence in the Heavens Above, I'll be on the road, in a car once again this Christmas.

In a conversation with my Princess last night, she was asking me questions, is this ok, absolutely, is that ok, I don't know. I don't know for sure want I want to do yet. And, there are some moments of this holiday season that I truly don't know yet what I want them to look like. But, here's what I do know.

I'm looking forward to being in my Lincoln headed north to be with my Princess and her Prince. I'm very pleased to be spending an evening with Brett, Tiffany, Alexis and Paris! I'm looking forward to some really good pictures of those people that I love so much. It's an amazing thing, I've always felt very close to the Princess and her half-sister Shelly, but evidently, in so way, Laran's half-brother Brett, I think may have missed me too while I was missing during my dark, dark days. Whenever we're all together now, he stays close and on more than one occasion, he's told me how happy he is that I'm back and how proud he is of the fight I waged to get back. Brett has even begun to ask questions about all that went on during that time. "Why did you go away?" I'm happy about that, I want him to know whatever he needs to know about that time in my life. There is a new, gentle love and acceptance between the two of us, and I love that it's there!

I'm going to Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at the beautiful Methodist Church on the SMU campus. I'll spend Christmas Eve with the Princess, her Prince, my Mother, my Step-father and others that Laran has invited to join up. Christmas Morning, Santa and Breakfast, the rest of Christmas Day is the question. Where do I want to be, who do I want to be with, what do I want that day to look like? I just don't know yet. What I do know though is that I'll be grateful for all the love I've felt and still feel in my heart for those that are gone and those that are still here. I'll be grateful for all the things I don't have that I don't want and I'll be grateful for all that I've had and do have that I do want! Christmas Day, I'll love me, in whatever way the mood requests.

And, speaking of the mood, I'll see you next year, which will be the next time I'll be sitting her. I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and most of all Christmas Kisses from those You Love! God Bless, May you celebrate this Christmas Season in Grace!

Ahhhhhh!

"Being loving doesn't mean you have to be soft and weak. Being understanding doesn't mean you don't ever draw the line. Being accepting doesn't mean you don't identify and correct mistakes." -- Christopher Moors

Who are these Interesting Faces????

They are Princess Laran, her half-sister, Shelly and her half-brother Brett! Shelly and Brett have been in my life since Shelly was 8 and Brett was 4! They were kind enough to let me "practice" being a mother before I had my Princess Daughter! They even ate my "hot, spicy" food without complaint!

I'm happy to report that all three of these people that I've loved so much for so long, have become happy, successful people that anyone would be privileged to know!

Thanks guys for being all that you are and for making me so very proud! I love you all madly!!!!! Mamma Mia, The Spicy Meatball

Hmmmmmmm!

"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems totally hopeless." -- Gilbert K. Chesterton

A Vision To Live By

Go for what you want…in spite of the evidence.
Remove the muzzle and be authentically YOU.
Approach every "problem" as an opportunity.
Make your enemies your friends.
Know that you're doing the best you can (for now).
Recognize that you're enough.
Express gratitude by giving fully and freely.
Invite into your life only what you really want.
Live as if there are no wrong moves.
Choose beliefs that lead to happiness, love and God.
Encourage the miraculous by believing in the "impossible."

A Reason, A Season And a Lifetime!

It's true, some people show up in your life for a "reason" others for a "season" and some for a "lifetime." Then, you meet someone who is a "reason" a "season" and a "lifetime." I'd like to introduce you to one of those people in my life!

Her name is Cindy, she lives in New York, I met her in 1969, yep 1969! The Reason - she was the only real friend I made while there (once Cindy showed up, I didn't need anyone else). Cindy was one of the "reasons" that time of my life was so wonderful. Cindy was so very different from me, but became a very large part of my heart. We were both in a hurry, during that "season" to grow up and do our own thing! Cindy and I were commuting from Staten Island to Manhattan (I'm sure we were quite a pair, running onto that ferry to get the best "smokin" seats, Cindy, petite, long black flowing hair, me, the tall Texas with blonde hair down to there). One of my very favorite movies was made years later by Mike Nicols, "Working Girl", I love that movie, it reminds me of Us!

Cindy had a birthday last week, I sent her an email birthday card. A couple of days went by, no response. My world began to feel a bit tilted! Where is she? I send an email, "Cin, where are you, are you out there? I'm getting a bit scared, I haven't heard from you. "

Cindy writes back "Thanks for the wishes, I know I'm always in your thoughts! I was in Bermuda!" Ahhhh! All is right with my world again, she's right there!

When someone shows up in your life that is a "reason" a "season" and a "lifetime" they take up residence in your heart, and they dwell there forever! I got an email from her this morning with some pictures attached. Cindy says: "You will love this picture of my sister, my daughter and me. I'm so conservative." I have news for you Cin, I'm a bit conservative too! Something no one would have accused either of us of being all those years ago! Thanks for picture, I do love it, and I love you too!

While thinking about a recent event in my own life and after having a lenghty conversation with someone I've cared about for a long time yesterday, I woke up this morning thinking about how people (myself included) will hang on to a situation or a relationship even with the knowledge that it's not a relationship that's good for them or that works for their life. It's hard to let go and make a change in our lives. It's difficult to look in a different direction, it sometimes seems easier to "overlook" then to accept and let go. And, as so often happens, Mr. Spivey's message this morning landed right in the middle of my thinking. Thought I'd share part of it with you.

"Whether in your relationship with your Creator (the Big Kahuna of life issues), your marriage (certainly the hardest relational "assignment" there is), your parenthood (enough to make you crazy at times), your family of origin (why you might be crazy to begin with), your friendships and community life (like there's really any time for that), or your professional "work" or service "calling" (the thing we tend to put first so that we can have at least an occasional feeling of competence), we have to always be willing to look at the possibility that we have somehow gotten it all wrong with our best ideas and efforts, that we just might be totally off base, lulled into a false sense of security (or insecurity, strangely enough) by our own fragile ego and way of thinking. It is usually only then that we are in a position to change significantly for the better, and, sadly, we usually need to be beaten up pretty good by life and by the ramifications of our choices before we will ever acknowledge this possibility of being dead wrong - about situations, ourselves, and/or others - and accept change for our own good. We definitely are stubborn about it, but once we wake up and let go, it is truly amazing what God can do with our whole lives (saving us and benefitting others as He sees fit), vs. our tattered leftovers (where we tried to save ourselves, and it both killed us and benefit no one)." --Jim Spivey