Because we live in a time of stressed-out multi-tasking, I think everyone deserves a little time to be lazy. Unfortunately, my conscience is hyperactive and won't listen to me. I have to schedule time not to do anything so I don't feel guilty about not doing anything productive.
Nevertheless, there's a fine line between being lazy and being practical. My clothes are black - black prints, black stripes and basic black. When I shop for clothes, I don't look at anything unless it's black. This saves time. Not having to coordinate outfits saves time because everything matches.
My mother "saved time" by not making a trip upstairs every time something needed to go there. Instead, she left things on the stairs. The unwritten rule was that whoever went upstairs next was meant to take the accumulated items and put them away. My unwritten rule was that the rule didn't apply if I could climb over whatever had accumulated on the first, second and sometimes third steps.
If possible most people avoid climbing steps if they can take an elevator or an escalator. Not exercising contributes to more than sixty-six percent of Americans being overweight. It's not just the going-to-the-gym-type exercise we're missing. We're missing the exercise our ancestors had because they didn't have electricity, cars and telephones. Because of the intercom system on my telephone, I don't have to leave my desk to ask my husband a question. Because of the intercom, I'm not even exercising my vocal chords by yelling questions.
For those people who "don't make an effort" to exercise, there are diet programs and surgical procedures. For those of us who "don't make an effort" to cook, there's take-out; but I don't think take-out is lazy unless I have it delivered.
On vacations I'm so busy trying to fit in as much as possible, John suggested we take a stay-home, do-nothing vacation. I tried, but my conscience refused. The only way to stop my conscience from telling me about the things I should do was to do them.
However, I haven't looked for my needlepoint basket so maybe I am lazy. I want to stitch my new motto on a pillow for the couch. "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today - unless you can think of a good excuse". I wonder if I can find a pillow for the couch that looks like a potato.
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My friend needs closure
By: voterperson | 05-07-2008
Stacy buys blouses, sweaters and blazers at the 99store and they really are gorgeous. She goes every other day and buys a few or more than a few. Yesterday she went and purchased about twelve blouses (both for summer and winter). This morning the following took place:Stacy: ?Mom I am going to go out for about an hour?Mom: ?To the 99 cent store?Stacy: ?Yes?Mom: ?You just went yesterday and don?t you think you have enough, you don?t have enough storage room, it is becoming obsessive. I don?t care how much of a good buy it is?Stacy went anyway. She went to get the three blouses she left behind yesterday. When Stacy came home her mom was reading a book and then they both decided to have lunch.After lunch Stacy went to check her e-mail:Stacy: ?Mom I received the email from Annie? (Annie is Stacy?s cousin and her mom came into Stacy?s room to hear about the email)Mom: ?Ok what did Annie say.?Stacy: ?She liked my message about the book?Mom: ?So what did you buy today?Stacy showed her mom and her mom loved itSo if you were Stacy how would you interpret the remarks the mom right before Stacy left the house and the remark (?So what did you buy today?) her mom made and should Stacy still go the 99 cent store and not care about what her mom thinks.AND HERE ARE MORE THINGS:BACKGROUND: Most of the time Stacy (54 years old) goes ALONE to the 99 cent store to buy the clothes. Sometimes she will go with her mom (in her 80?s). When Stacy goes by herself she always comes home with the gorgeous stuff (items from Talbot?s, Old Navy, etc) and her mom loves the stuff that Stacy brings home. When Stacy goes with her mother her mother comments.HERE ARE THE THINGS HER MOM SAYS NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT AT VARIOUS TIMES(1) That is short, you don?t like short? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(2)?Look it over to make sure it is in good condition? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(3) ?I only told you that it didn?t look good because you weren?t sure if you liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(4) ?Even though it is gorgeous I like the other one better if I was going to wear it?(when they are at the 99 cent store)(5) ?I do love that turtleneck you picked out but thick turtlenecks bother me? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(6) ?I only told you what I thought because you asked me if I liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(7) ??But you don?t have to be obsessive. I mean it isn?t like you don?t have anything to wear?? (AT HOME)(8) ?You just went? (AT HOME)(9) ?You are not working right now you have to be careful with your money? and her mom will first say that the 99 cent store is NOT included and then when they fight her mom includes the 99 cent store.(10) Aren?t you going to be hot in that blouse. It is going to be a hot summer day 11) Well what you are wearing is not nice. I cant let you go out of the house like that?*she said this when they were fighting (12) People should wear what is appropriate for the weather? she said this when Stacy said well what would happen if I wore a material that might not be cool for the summer(13) Buy what you want, and I buy what I want but you don?t have to talk about it.?(14) I buy the food, and I am supporting you. But do you realize you are rubbing it in(15) I am working I cannot go to the 99 cent store or Kohl?s or any place like that to shop. You are home and shopping. I mean you talk about shopping constantly. I don?t want to hear it anymore(16) I don?t care what you buy but you don?t have to talk about it. They are pretty but again I don?t want to hear about it. When you get a job you can talk to me about your jobHOWEVER, WHEN STACY GOES BY HERSELF THIS IS WHAT HER MOTHER SAYS WHEN STACY COMES HOME:(1) ?I love what you got - I want it.? (AT HOME)(2) ?I love that and I am going to take that from you? (AT HOME)(3) ?Get me that? (AT HOME)STACY AND HER MOM WILL SAY THE FOLLOWING WHEN THEY ARE AT THE 99 CENT STORE:(1) ?Mom you always make comments? which her mother replied: ?I am allowed to say something and I am allowed not to like something?(2) ?Mom I feel you would have said something about the ones you loved that I brought home if you had come with me on those outings here? which her mother replied ?No I wouldn?t have because they are beautiful. And it is your problem if you feel this way, not mine?(3) Her mother also says ?You really lack self-esteem?(3) Her mom also says ?You know Stacy sometimes you tell me you don?t like an article of clothing I buy, but if I really like it you could stand on your head and I wouldn?t care if you liked it or not because I do.SO MY QUESTION: (1) DO you think Stacy is overreacting to the comments her mother makes; (2) DO you think Stacy?s mom would have made comments about the items Stacy brought home If her mom had gone with Stacy on those outings?
How would you
By: voterperson | 04-07-2008
MY QUESTION: WOULD YOU ACCEPT THE FACT THAT STACY?S MOTHER DOES NOT CARE THAT STACY GOES TO THE 99 CENT STORE. PART ONE: THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY: Stacy buys blouses, sweaters and blazers at the 99 store and they really are gorgeous. She goes every other day and buys a few or more than a few. Yesterday she went and purchased about twelve blouses (both for summer and winter). This morning the following took place:Stacy: ?Mom I am going to go out for about an hour?Mom: ?To the 99 cent store?Stacy: ?Yes?Mom: ?You just went yesterday and don?t you think you have enough, you don?t have enough storage room, it is becoming obsessive. I don?t care how much of a good buy it is?Stacy went anyway. She went to get the three blouses she left behind yesterday. When Stacy came home her mom was reading a book and then they both decided to have lunch.After lunch Stacy went to check her e-mail:Stacy: ?Mom I received the email from Annie? (Annie is Stacy?s cousin and her mom came into Stacy?s room to hear about the email)Mom: ?Ok what did Annie say.?Stacy: ?She liked my message about the book?Mom: ?So what did you buy today?Stacy showed her mom and her mom loved itPART TWO: UPDATE THIS HAPPENED TODAY: They were in Kohls. Stacy buys pants, coats, in Kohls but sweaters, blazers and blouses at the 99 cent Store. Here is the conversation:Stacy: ?Mom after we leave here I am going to see what they have at the 99 cent store, do you want to go withme?Mom: ?No I don?t but you can go. Why don?t you wait and go tomorrow - I will drive you over since I have to pass that way any way?Stacy: ?Well I was going to go today?Mom: ?You don?t have the money, I mean even if it is a good bargain?Then about an hour later when they were homeStacy: ?Mom do you care that Igo to the 99 cent store?Mom: ?NO, DEFINITELY NOT, but you don?t have to go twice a day?AND HERE ARE MORE THINGS:BACKGROUND: Most of the time Stacy (54 years old) goes ALONE to the 99 cent store to buy the clothes. Sometimes she will go with her mom (in her 80?s). When Stacy goes by herself she always comes home with the gorgeous stuff (items from Talbot?s, Old Navy, etc) and her mom loves the stuff that Stacy brings home. When Stacy goes with her mother her mother comments.HERE ARE THE THINGS HER MOM SAYS NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT AT VARIOUS TIMES(1) That is short, you don?t like short? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(2)?Look it over to make sure it is in good condition? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(3) ?I only told you that it didn?t look good because you weren?t sure if you liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(4) ?Even though it is gorgeous I like the other one better if I was going to wear it?(when they are at the 99 cent store)(5) ?I do love that turtleneck you picked out but thick turtlenecks bother me? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(6) ?I only told you what I thought because you asked me if I liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(7) ??But you don?t have to be obsessive. I mean it isn?t like you don?t have anything to wear?? (AT HOME)(8) ?You just went? (AT HOME)(9) ?You are not working right now you have to be careful with your money? and her mom will first say that the 99 cent store is NOT included and then when they fight her mom includes the 99 cent store.(10) Aren?t you going to be hot in that blouse. It is going to be a hot summer day 11) Well what you are wearing is not nice. I cant let you go out of the house like that?*she said this when they were fighting (12) People should wear what is appropriate for the weather? she said this when Stacy said well what would happen if I wore a material that might not be cool for the summer(13) Buy what you want, and I buy what I want but you don?t have to talk about it.?(14) I buy the food, and I am supporting you. But do you realize you are rubbing it in(15) I am working I cannot go to the 99 cent store or Kohl?s or any place like that to shop. You are home and shopping. I mean you talk about shopping constantly. I don?t want to hear it anymore(16) I don?t care what you buy but you don?t have to talk about it. They are pretty but again I don?t want to hear about it. When you get a job you can talk to me about your jobHOWEVER, WHEN STACY GOES BY HERSELF THIS IS WHAT HER MOTHER SAYS WHEN STACY COMES HOME:(1) ?I love what you got - I want it.? (AT HOME)(2) ?I love that and I am going to take that from you? (AT HOME)(3) ?Get me that? (AT HOME)STACY AND HER MOM WILL SAY THE FOLLOWING WHEN THEY ARE AT THE 99 CENT STORE:(1) ?Mom you always make comments? which her mother replied: ?I am allowed to say something and I am allowed not to like something?(2) ?Mom I feel you would have said something about the ones you loved that I brought home if you had come with me on those outings here? which her mother replied ?No I wouldn?t have because they are beautiful. And it is your problem if you feel this way, not mine?(3) Her mother also says ?You really lack self-esteem?(3) Her mom also says ?You know Stacy sometimes you tell me you don?t like an article of clothing I buy, but if I really like it you could stand on your head and I wouldn?t care if you liked it or not because I do.
Which magazines accept short stories about family, friends, experiences as a young person or one who has experienced the highs and lows of life
By: Suz Bonfiglio | 02-07-2008
which magazines accept short stories and what content? I write autobiographical short stories about family, which I research and find most people love them. Just insightful, moving and mostly upbeat with tears of recognition of the human experience.
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Young and pretty, yet undesirable...HELP!!
By: Italiangirl12 | 28-06-2008
I am 20 years old and had an unloving upbringing. I have been trying to find love but guys dont like me. I know I have a pretty face, especially beautiful eyes but I'm not skinny. Guys dont even talk to me, ask me out or even look at me! The only guys that do are either asking for a one night stand or are old enough to be my father...which makes me feel even more unattractive. I hate seeing my thinner friends all happy and getting dates...why cant I get one? It just feels like men around my age aren't afraid to sleep with a chubbier girl in secret, but won't date one because they're afraid of what their buddies would say or whatever. Is this true?I just want to have a relationship and love. How do I get men under 40 to like me? What do I do?
Have the let me play grant winners for inequity in ...
By: bub94 | 27-06-2008
have the let me play grant winners for inequity in womens sports us region been announced
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