I Don't Give a Rats Ass What You Think

It's true. I don't.



Hubster was raised to impress people. Put you best foot forward with clean, pressed clothes, daily bathing, immaculate hair... I can't say that I was raised too differently, but my Mom stopped dressing me at the age of 5. If I pulled out a wrinkled shirt out of my drawer, because I had shoved them in there while putting my laundry away, then a wrinkled shirt I wore. No one took it off me and insisted it get pressed.


Hubster told me last night that he thinks I go out of my way to do things differently than other people just to prove I don't care. I really don't care enough to do that. I asked for specifics. He asked if I really thought it was okay for our 4 year old daughter to go out of the house without her hair being brushed. I absolutely do think it's okay. We're not talking about heading off to school or to church, we're talking about running out to play with the neighbor kids or running to the grocery store. I know some people would never dream of taking their kids out of the house without having them in pristine condition, and that's okay for them, I would rather focus on their character than their outside appearance.

Maybe it was in my upbringing. I remember, as a kid, having an 8 o'clock bed time. During the school year it was no biggie, but during the Summer when it was still daylight and all the neighbors were outside playing, it was excruciating. The first chance I had to make decisions on my own I did it. I made my own decisions, refused to let others influence my opinions and was hard pressed to be persuaded to change my mind. That's not to say that I made choices lightly. I (almost) always weigh all the different scenarios and consequences of my choices. Sometimes I make mistakes, we all do. I brush myself off, learn from my mistakes, and make some changes.

Everybody has heard their parents say "If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?" Actually, Mom, on a vacation you allowed me to go on with one of the neighbor families that's exactly what I did. Except I wasn't the follower. I found a bridge over water, making it perfect for jumping, and encouraged my friends to do it with me. I jumped first.

My house is unorganized and messy. I'll have time to fix that when both kids are in school full time. I stopped apologizing for it a long time ago. Firstly, because it made me sound stupid if you visited more than once (since it was still messy the second time) and secondly, I don't believe it defines me as a person. It says nothing about my inside character, the love I have for my family and friends or the desire I have to help others in all situations. It's just a messy house.

Basically my point is this. Life is too short to live it for other people. We all have to make our own choices. Ones we can be comfortable and proud of. If we do things to please others we can never fully please ourselves. I'm not saying we should set out to not please others, we should just worry first about ourselves. How the actions will make us feel. I should be able to walk out of the house with messy hair and no make up and know I am still a good person. I am respectful, considerate and kind, and if others are too shallow to look beyond my outside appearance than shame on them.

We judge by nature, but I think we should judge people by their character and how being around them makes us feel not by how they dress, how much money they have or how clean their house is.


That's me, and that's what I'm trying my hardest to teach my children.

Apothic Red 2008 ~ Review

I was recently sent a sample of Apothic Red. I was very excited to find out it was a blend of my 3 favorite red grapes Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot. I couldn't wait to taste it...but I did.

The kids have VBS all this week (at night) and I found this to be the perfect opportunity to give this beautiful bottle a try. Yes. I'm a label person, too. This bottle would definitely catch my eye. It's sleek and sophisticated and what's inside is just as pleasing.

Viticulture Notes

Lighter yields in 2008 resulted from a dramatic growing season beginning with below normal winter rainfall, and extended April frost that reduced quantities in many regions of the state. Following this was an ideally mild Summer and Fall. The lighter yields and small berries resulted in an exceptionally high quality of grapes and complex, concentrated flavors and aromas.

Tasting Notes

The 2008 Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry that are complimented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouth-feel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.

I enjoyed this bottle with pan seared chicken breast and tomato-basil- Florentine rice. It went perfectly and enhanced the flavor of both the food and the wine.

This bottle retails for $14 and is available nationwide. I loved it! I would not only recommend it, I will buy this California blend the next time I see it on the shelf. Well worth every penny.

I was sent a sample of this wine but was not compensated in any other way. The opinions are solely mine.

Follow Friday. 40 and Over

It's a beautiful sunny day and the kids need to get out of the house. We'll be heading to Water Country. Just wanted to participate in this new meme I found for us "older" folks. I'll be back later to hop and follow. Have a great day!


Please hop on over there to join in on another fun way to meet new bloggers and to make new friends. She has an awesome blog and I know you'll have fun over there!

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button
2. Add your link to the list
3. Visit as many other blogs as you can
4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

Pink Lady Italian Rose ~ Review

We had a little impromptu Girls Night In. It was last minute so no big meal was planned. We just decided to share a pizza, drink some wine, and have a little Girl time. I didn't think I'd be able to attend since Hubster had been ill the day before. He came home feeling fine on Friday so I decided to pop in with this Pink Lady I received from Lost Vineyards of the World. We ALL loved it. Usually a red wine drinker (me), a sweet white and a dry white individually, we all were unanimous that this Italian Rose was crisp and bubbly with a light strawberry flavor. It wasn't overly sweet or bubbly and was the perfect compliment to the chocolate blackberry cookies fresh from the oven that were served as dessert.





This is the perfect refreshment on a hot summer day. It's light enough to be served alone but would also go well with any snack foods and, of course, desserts.

Lost Vineyards boasts the title of America's #1 Ultra Value Imported Wine. As a division of Brother's International Food Corp., a privately held company that does massive amounts of International shipping and trucking, they receive some of the best transport rates on the planet and pass those savings onto the consumer. This bottle retails for $4.99-$6.99 or may be purchased for $59.88 per case ($4.99 per bottle) through Lost Vineyards (click photo to order).


Distributor's Notes:



I love getting together with the girls. They let me talk about everything from Kichler lighting to stubborn kids and Husbands. With a family of talkers I sometimes feel I talk too much when out of the house, it's the only chance I get. If my friends are bothered, they're too polite too mention it and that's what makes them the best.

This Pink Lady was definitely a wine to share. It would have been perfect to serve at Puddin Pop's first birthday, being pink and all. I would suggest this for any backyard BBQ as it is easily enjoyed by a wide variety of wine lovers. I bet I could even get my non-wine-loving friends to enjoy this one. I may have to get a case to take to Nags Head with us in August. I have a friend who wants to like wine but hasn't found one she likes. This may just be it.


I was sent this bottle of Pink Lady to review. I was not compensated in any other way and the opinions are 100% mine (and my neighbors).