Hoarders Show--Unbelieveable!

There are some unreal reality shows out there today. I don't mean they aren't real life (as some complain) but that they are unreal. Who would think about creating a show about real addicts, or little people with pit bulls, or any number of the topics? I have to admit, I am somewhat of a reality show junkie. I don't watch cooking shows or fashion shows, except once in a while. I have watched the real estate shows some, and they are addictive. Oh heck--what am I saying? Most of the reality shows are addictive. My secret pleasures are the Real Housewives series. I always say I watch those franchises because I don't have enough drama in my life. Right!

The one that is the most unreal to me is Hoarders. Hard to believe that people live like that. Sometimes when I watch it, I almost feel like a voyeur (but that doesn't stop me.). I guess it is the disbelief that keeps us watching. Seriously, how can people live like that? Sometimes my house gets messy, and it might have looked like a mini hoard when I was in law school (who has time for housework when you are worrying about your torts or contracts exams?). But even then, at some point, I picked up things and threw them away. These hoarders have some truly disgusting homes.

Almost every week, you see Houston junk removal teams come to help clean up messes there, or other junk removal teams cleaning up in whatever city they are filming in. These teams appear to be quite efficient, as more often than not, they clean up a total disaster area in two days. Quite a feat.

I wonder what the Houston employees think when the Houston junk removal  trucks are called to a certain location. I wonder if they are warned ahead of time if it is a hoarder? Or do they just find out when they show up. I would hope they get fair warning as to whether it would be an easy job or one of the bad hoarding jobs.

It is good that there are such companies as Houston junk removal and the other Got Junk franchises. Because if they didn't exist, the hoards might never be cleaned up. It is just too bad that people get to that point. On the show they say hoarding is a form of OCD, and I guess it is. Something goes haywire for sure, and it makes their lives miserable.

Sexual Harassment And Exploitation Must Stop

There have been two unsavory accounts of sexual misdeeds and crimes in the news in the last couple of days. First are the allegations against Cain that he sexually harassed multiple women years ago. The second, more heinous, are the allegations that Jerry Sandusky of Penn State sexually molested multiple young boys over many years.

First of all, I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I think Cain is guilty. Why? Because some men think they are entitled to do such things and that they can get away with it. Why do I know? Because it happened to me. I was sexually harassed by a boss in my early 20s, and it was just seen as par for the course by him and others in the office. I was the youngest in the office by many years and had no one to stick up for me. Of course, Cain could be telling the truth. But I doubt it. As I have heard one talking head say, if you were accused of sexually harassing someone, even 12 years earlier, wouldn't you remember it? The fact that he says he doesn't is very suspicious.

The Penn State case is just heart wrenching. Those poor little boys and no one really did anything about it.  This case is as bad as the Catholic priests scandal. I too am sure that Sandusky is guilty. Again going out on a limb. Just a hunch.

The bottom line is that both of these cases involve men thinking that they can do what they want with their chosen sex objects: women children. It is disgusting and has to stop once and for all.

Making My Dog Stoopot Look Extra Special

I love my dog dearly, but I am not the best at dog grooming. You only have to look at the dog hair on the floor or on the furniture to see that. I need to brush him more. Not only would that cut down on dog hair, but it would be a bonding experience for the two of us. Dogs love to be brushed.

I don't even give him a dog bath as often as I should. He is not a water dog and doesn't like to get wet. So the hang dog face he gives me when I give him a bath breaks my heart. Since I live in a condo and have no yard, I have to give him an indoor doggy bath. I manage that by puttiing him in the shower. Yesiree! Step right in. He stands there so nice and quiet, but so sad  when I give him a doggy shampooing. You would think I am torturing him.

But not long after he gets out and gets dry, he seems to know how good he looks--all clean and fluffy. He has an extra spring in his doggy steps. I need to do this more often for sure.

Planning My Mother's Birthday Party

I have never done a birthday party for my mother, and I know she would like that. She has hinted at it a couple of times, so I thought I might do it this year. It is not a big birthday for her, but I have the time to plan it and some extra money, so why not go ahead and do it? I think she would really appreciate it. I am thinking of renting a boat and inviting some of her friends. It won't be until next spring, so it will be warm enough. And the river is so relaxing and beautiful. I think she and her friends would enjoy it. I would get some wine and beer and food. I have been invited to some birthday parties before on this same boat, so I know how fun it can be. And I love being on the water, and I think most other people do too. I will need to get some
invitations to send out. But I have enough time to find some really good ones, and to come up with a guest list and the menu. This far ahead, I shouldn't have any trouble booking the boat either.

Operations Requires Attention To Many Details

When I worked at a business school, I was involved with all of the academic departments because of my job. I probably had the most affinity with marketing, because of my writing background and the similarities between the two fields.  I was fascinated by other departments, including entrepreneurship and biotechnology. I was probably least fascinated by operations. And funny, now that I am working in a business myself, operations is what I am mostly doing. Or need to be doing. I like doing inventory, so that is not a problem. But you have to keep up with a lot of other operations in the company. The owner here still does most of these things the old fashioned way--in his head. Which is fine, but I am not in his head. Others keep telling me that you don't have to do all of these things yourself anymore, that there is maintenance management software that can do it. I have mentioned to the owner that maybe we could research some maintenance management software, but he looks at me like I am from outer space. I don't think he sees any need for it. Because he can do it in his head. But, if I take over the company someday, I could pursue this other avenue and check into  maintenance management software, and find a company that can design something we need. I would prefer we move on to this step,  but it looks like it is on the back burner for now.

Hair Salon

Thanks for the guest post by Jo Levy

Owning my own hair salon was never part of my life plan but one sort of fell into my lap while I was cutting hair there about 4 years ago. I’ve since taken this dinky little salon from a two man shop to the best place in town and I’m really proud of that, you know? I have a lot of employees counting on me and I know there’s nothing like the thrill of making that first $10 bill – do you remember that day if you’re an entrepreneur? I had to do everything myself in the beginning from going to http://www.bank-card-processing.com/ to calling on clients to my very first marketing campaign but it obviously all paid off and business is better than ever. I love what I do and that I’ve got so much flexibility and I know my stylists are really happy here, too. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without owning this salon but it was so out there it’s a wonder it ever happened in the first place! Things work out.

Cancer Is Such A Terrible Thing

I really hate cancer. I do. I want it out of the universe and gone. Everyone in my family who has died had cancer. And some of my friends have succumbed to the terrible disease as well. Most of my family members have died of lung cancer, so I have never smoked. And I try to stay away from those who do. I also used to be really good at following an anti-cancer vitamen regimen, but that has gone by the wayside a little bit. I want to start doing it again.

Some cancers have had some success. Breat cancer for one. You can see the pink cancer awareness ribbons and feel good that so much time and attention has gone into research for breast cancer.

Childhood leukeumia is another one. I don't know if there are cancer awareness ribbons for leukemia. The ALL version, the type that mostly strikes children, has had a lot of success. Most are cured now!

But there are so many awful cancers where there is no hope in sight. Lung cancer, pancreatic, sarcomas--all terrible death sentences. Again, I don't know if these individual cancers have cancer awareness ribbons, but I hope they do. We need cancer to be a thing of the past, once and for all.