WHEN BOSSES BATTER!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Most people today are worried about their jobs and the future. Many companies have had massive layoffs and those that have survived are doing not only their own job, but carrying the load of those who were let go. More work, more responsibility, more stress – same pay! Employers have resorted to the old “you should feel lucky you have a job” ploy to blackmail employees into working weekends, longer hours without extra pay or bonuses.

Every day, workers are handling floods of emails, voicemails, paperwork, and numerous other overwhelming tasks. We now have cell phones so the boss can call you on your off time and computers to check in and do more work at home or even while on vacation. It seems our work day never ends!

Workers are more stressed, fatigued, frustrated, and emotionally battered than ever before. So what can we do to keep our health and sanity When Bosses Batter?

WICKED AFTERMATH...

Dawn Boyle
It has been a few days since we felt the wrath of Irene here in the Northeast. It was a hectic few days leading up to her arrival, a horrible day on Saturday waiting for her to rear her ugly face and then Sunday dealing with the flooding, downed trees and power outages.

I have lived through a few hurricanes in my day, a number of tropical storms and since the 80's dozens of Nor'easter. Over a year ago we had a surprise storm on March 13. We were upstate celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday on the water in Croton On Hudson and braved the traffic to get home. We drove through some of the worst weather I have ever seen in my life. Very similar to what Irene brought to us, only without notice. There were no days and days of prep, it just hit. Amazingly we were back to normal within 24 hours.

I try not to be a complainer, but it seems that we had better "cleanup" after that surprise storm than the bitch that just rattled us this past weekend. Irene was talked about for a week and I am not sure why we (and I mean the local power authority) were not better prepared. I heard that about 400,000 people were without power after the storm. Seems that a number of those are still without. Why is this? I understand that there is a priority of work. I understand that there are only so many people to fix the problem, but with this being a natural disaster where is the out of state help?

We stayed closer to the main road at a friends house who is directly on a river. She luckily didn't have interior damage, we kept lights during the entire storm. It wasn't until 11:00am that a tree fell and took the power out. They responded immediately, took the tree away, but there was no LIPA to fix the power, and still hasn't shown up! My friend's next-door neighbor is on Oxygen. Shouldn't this be a priority?

For the past two nights, I have driven around my neighborhood as a silent vigilante making sure all was secure on the completely dark streets of my neighborhood. Not one truck fixing anything. No sign of promise that my neighbors will be with light anytime soon. It makes me wonder why we still have overhead wires...the amount of money we pay to live here you would think that would actually be something they could do to make life a little easier here as the taxes have us in a choke hold on Long Island.

I hope that everyone gets power soon, know my door is always open to you and fingers crossed for an uneventful weather pattern for the upcoming fall/winter seasons. STAY SAFE!!

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Set your sights on success and strech the limits of your dreams. Trust yourself enough to believe in the power that lies within you. The groundwork of achieving your goals is accomplished by holding fast to faith, determination and action filled motivation. You must risk failure to find favorable victories. 

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

©  All Rights Reserved

HE SAID.... SHE SAID... - YOU'RE BOTH WRONG - YOU'RE BOTH RIGHT

DRL Is Delighted to Welcome Back...

MICHAEL RUBIN

I think the case with this father is a bit different. I think there are a lot of selfish parents--mothers and fathers alike--I've seen mothers with no "motherly instincts."

Long before I met my wife, my friend Mikey said something to me that both grossed me out but I understood clearly once I was married and had a child of my own: "I would eat the puke out of my kids' mouths if it would help them."

Back to this story of abandonment...this father was around 49 when the kid was born. It sounds like the relationship that bore this kid was never on solid footing-if the kid was even wanted. Further that a father wins sole custody with visitation 10 years ago-that is rare unless the mother is unstable or has a drug problem. That she visited only once or twice-again-that is not a "normal" mother.

This guy lost it all-the job, the house and it sounds like his marbles. I am no shrink but this guy is depressed-clearly. He may also have some physical issues as well-we know he has monetary issues.

Unfortunately this guy gave up. It sounds like he has no real ties to friends or family and felt he couldn't keep the kid any safer than giving him to the neighbors-hoping they would take him in as their own-which, not surprisingly, they didn't.

I know that if G-d forbid, something happened to either or both my wife an myself there would be a line of friends and family to take our boy in. This guy had no life-lines left.

I witnessed the opposite of this story in the passing of Robin & Josh Berry in Houston in a tragic car accident. Their three children were in the car. Their youngest girl just had broken limbs. Their 2 sons are paralyzed from the waist down. They face years of rehabilitation and support. In the meantime a whole city, and indeed a whole world, led by Kim Kardashian (of all people) and Justin Bieber, have pitched in to get donations so that the tens of millions of dollars that will be required for their lifetime care will be there.

Their father, in his dying 30 minutes, told the Texas State Trooper to give his kids to his brother and sister-in-law to care for-a painful dying wish. His brother has 3 kids of their own but everyone is pitching in. The village will raise this child.

I will write more about the Berry Kids in another post.

However this guy had no village, no family, no one left.

We look at this as shocking, disgusting and so on--but the fact is this was a white guy in suburbia living the so-called American dream. That is why we act with shock and disgust. It also is a story heard often during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Perhaps we better watch these stories more closely.

The reality is this is happening and has been happening in poor communities of "renters" in urban populations for years. Maybe it's not the father but the mother abandoning the child for crack in the 80's or later for other issues in the 90's, 00's and on. We don't see it because it's not "newsworthy" just "common."

Maybe this is a wake-up call for all of us. Maybe Hillary Clinton was right (gasp-did I just agree with Hillary?) when she quoted the old African proverb: It takes a village to raise a child...

SHE SAID.....

Dawn Boyle
In reacting to Tony's He Said... I must say, there is a difference between a mothers love and that of a father. I put my children before myself, sometimes to a fault. I would go without to make sure they have all they need. Not all mothers are the same, but I can name off the top of my head about 5 "dads" I know personally that take care of themself before doing anything for their children.

This story seems to me like this kid got a real raw deal. The mother never visited him after the father got custody and now the kids dad splits and leave him alone? Come on!! There are so many people in the world that would love to have children, yet it seems like more and more we are hearing horrible stories about abuse, neglect and even worse.

I understand what you're are saying about hard times and thinking that maybe the kid would be better off without him, but there are other ways to deal with "foreclosure" then by dumping you kid on some random neighbor. I guess it could've been worse, in fact the kid is probably lucky that the "father" ran away.

Just amazes me how many people have kids and then discard them like they are garbage.

read the story and Tony's He Said by following the link below
http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/08/he-said_30.html

NO PAIN NO GAIN

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

The Female Diet: Eat chocolate. Drink diet soda. Buy a workout video.

The Empty Nest Diet: Eat frozen dinners in front of the TV. Enjoy yourself immensely.

The Kid-Away-at- College Diet: Eat macaroni and cheese. A LOT!

HE SAID....

Tony Walker
My guess is that most people who have heard the story about the man who left his 11 year boy would be outraged and would want to hang the father by his short hairs.

I completely understand that feeling.

My father split on me when my mother was pregnant with me. I met him one time when I was 5, and when I was 10 my father was killed in a motorcycle accident.

So when I hear about father's not being there for their children I do get mad.

But this story hit me differently.

In the world we currently live in where the economy is crap, there are no jobs, and people are losing their homes, people feel beaten. Some don't know what to do. Some get desperate. I'm sure most of you have been affected by this economy one way or another like I have. 

Some of you also know the emotional pain of dealing with something like an illness. Emotionally you are drained and desperate.

I'll admit that during my lowest times with cancer I tried telling my family to get lost. You feel guilty for putting your family through such a horrible ordeal.

This story is somewhat new and we don't know all the details.... but so far it looks to me like just a guy whose life is at a real bad place and he feels his son would be better off without him. 

I am by no means justifying this guy leaving his boy. I've learned from my ups and downs that no matter what happens, your family wants to stay with you. No one replaces your family. 

But I feel sad for this man. He's lost and doesn't know where to turn. My hope is that the authorities find him, he does his time for what he did, then ends up back on his feet where he can restore his relationship with his son. How great would it be 5, 10, 20 years from now to be writing on The Lounge-"Remember that story about the man who left his boy? Well guess who rebuilt his life and regained custody of the boy?"

If you haven't heard the story, here is the link to read for yourself...let me know how you feel.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/26/minnesota-dad-steven-cros_n_938686.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk3%7C89966

Editors Note: DRL's Dawn Boyle has responded to Tony.  Be sure to click here to read her She Said.

Activities For 9-11,Tenth Anniversary in Melbourne,. FL and Around the Country

Melbourne FL: MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE SHOW ~ A HEROES WELCOME HOME ~

Meet and Greet: 3pm-4pm4pm-7pm: Show (30min. intermission)

The Henegar Center for the Arts

625 E New Haven Ave # 119,

Melbourne, FL (321) 723-8698

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - $50.00

Ticket sales & proceeds are utilized locally to assist the families of the fallen police officers, as well as, fire fighter-families, other first responders and, the families of our beloved armed forces.

An award winning show, with stellar performances from renown superstars-artist like:

1. TARRALYN RAMSEY

2. KRISTA BRANCH

3. THE ITALIAN CHICKS

4. BRIAN PHILLIPS

5. OPEN KEY - ( AUSTIN WEINSTOCK & RON FABIANI )

6. MARIO BERNARDO & JULIE OAKES

This is one show you just do not want to miss. So join us on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, 2001, and let it be unequivocally known and profoundly said.... WE DO NOT FORGET !

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMERS SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-433-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE, THE REGISTRATION NUMBER FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE SHIELD, INC., IS: 27-1632799. NO PROFESSIONAL SOLICITORS ARE RETAINED IN THE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES OF THE FAMILIES OF THE SHIELD, INC.

Honor America’s Liberty Bell Memorial Museum Evening of Commemoration

Melbourne Florida's Honor America's Liberty Bell Memorial Museum is proud to have the distinction to be one of only a very few sites across our Nation with a 9-11 Memorial Display that contains both a piece of steel from Tower One of the World Trade Center and a block of limestone from the Pentagon. As the 10 year Anniversary approaches, it is critical to our future to "NEVER FORGET" the events of 9-11-2001. 

The Liberty Bell Memorial Museum chronicles the history of our Nation and provides a place where our Community can honor those who lost their lives and who gave their life serving and protecting us on that tragic day in American History.

On Friday, September 9, in memory of the 10th Anniversary, Honor America will host an evening of commemoration and honor to our first responders and all the victims of 9-11. This event will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Indialantic, FL. We hope that you will want to be a part of this special event in Brevard County as a Corporate Sponsor. All proceeds from the sponsorship of this event will be used to maintain operations at the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum and maintain a permanent 9-11 Memorial.

The event will include recognition of sponsors as well as honoring the first responders of 9-11. We are bringing in special entertainment from Hollywood California, Mike Marino, a well known actor/comedian who is generously providing his services for your entertainment.

Individual dinner tickets are $75. Bring the entire office, other patriots who you know to honor our HEROS.

Please join us in helping preserve our history at the Liberty Bell Museum and establishing a quality 9-11 Memorial for our residents and visitors.

There are many ways to help the museum in this effort. If you have any interest please call the Chairman: Tim Pishdad, 321-220-8265

 For Activities in your area visit http://www.familiesofseptember11.org/commemoration.aspx

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Flowers wilt, jewelry tarnishes, and candles burn out…but chocolate doesn’t hang around long enough to get old.

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the shop in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the car park.

JOSE IS COMING AND HE'S NOT ALONE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The National Weather Service warns that Irene was not alone! Here comes Jose and he is followed by two more areas of low pressure. One has a very high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. Keep your eye on the tropics throughout this hurricane season, which is predicted to be an active one. Could we have another major hurricane so soon?