A Lesson on Facebook Etiquette

Some of my friends talked me into joining Facebook a couple of months ago. I have to admit, it has been fun to reconnect with old friends. I've had a lot of fun with the little quizzes, posting old pictures, and chatting with friends all the way from elementary school.

However, I am often turned off by some of the etiquette of certain members. Facebook has a feature called "status updates," which allows users to inform their friends of their current whereabouts, actions, or thoughts. It is not however, a user's opportunity to discuss personal information that they would not want otherwise posted all over the internet. Did they forget that everyone in their Friends' List, sometimes hundreds of people, can read their status? Here are some examples of some status updates that I have actually read, that I would like to file in the category of "Too Much Information."

... is 1cm, 20%, less than 3 weeks... hooray!

Yikes. Although I am very excited for her and happy about her upcoming delivery, I really don't want to know how much she has dilated. It brings a picture of her cervix to my mind, and that's not a pleasant thought. No offense.

... spent today in the emergency room with daughter...blood in underwear and urine and waiting for her culture.

Again, although I sympathize with a worried mother of a little girl, that is a lot of information. Perhaps she could've stopped at "emergency room with daughter" and then asked us all for prayers? Just a thought.

... just had a fight with the wife. It's gonna be a long weekend.

Is that supposed to be funny? Because posting your marital issues on the web is the number one way to multiply them. And why did he think we all wanted to know this?

Get the point? IT'S TOO MUCH INFORMATION!

Luckily, there's a website with some funny, clever, and interesting status updates to cancel this trend out. I often look at it for a quick laugh, or even to steal an idea when I can't think of my own (I admit it)! Just remember: with Facebook status updates, less is more. If we need any more information, we'll shoot you an email.

In Memory of My Dad

My dad was always my hero. He was some superhuman being with incredible strength, vast knowledge, and omnipotent powers. He was always available for a hug, a trivia debate, or guy advice. He taught me how to shoot a free throw, critique a movie intelligently, make the perfect margarita, and to stand up for what I believe in.

My dad was always game for anything, wanting to help me out in any way he could at any time during my life. When I was a teacher, he dressed up as “Zero the Hero” to celebrate the hundredth day of school. For my MOMS Club, he dressed up as Santa for our Christmas party. I could always count on my dad.

But I think my fondest memories of my dad were after my kids were born. He was the perfect grandfather, and my kids absolutely loved him. My son called him “Da” when he was a baby, and the name stuck. My dad and Volcano used to dance around the room and sing silly songs together, making up the words as they went. My daughter loved it when Da read her stories or played dominoes with her. I feel so fortunate that my children got to know him so well, and it made me so happy that he in turn was there for my kids.

I am who I am today because of the great human being he was, and I'll always be grateful.

It only took 6 months to kill my dad. He was diagnosed last September with pancreatic cancer, and died last month. This once healthy and vibrant man tried chemotherapy, medications, and a vast amounts of treatments to fight it, but nothing worked. It only took six months. He lost the battle, like most patients who are diagnosed with this disease. There is only a 5% chance of survival once a patient is diagnosed. The disease usually goes undetected until it's advanced. By the time symptoms occur, diagnosing pancreatic cancer is usually relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, a cure is rarely possible at that point.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. Through them, my family and I have set up a fundraising effort in memory of my dad. Please look at both websites and consider making a contribution.

I don't want what happened to our family to happen to yours.

Mommy Quote of the Week

“A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car for ever after.”
-- Peter De Vries

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly will be on vacation for Spring Break. We will return to our regularly scheduled program when we get back!

Do I Get to Learn a Secret Handshake?

Thanks so much to Kally at A Little Bit of Life on the Side for this latest Blog Award! It's called the "Sisterhood Award," reminding me of my life in a sorority all those many years ago in college! Only, without the keg parties, back-stabbing, boyfriend-stealing, and gossiping!

Here are the rules for this award: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

So, I pass this award on to everyone in my "You Know What I Mean..." column, to the right. Also, everyone on my "Other Sites to Check Out" column, also to the right. These are the blogs I visit regularly, and make sure to keep up with. I know you'll enjoy them too.

And thanks, again, Kally!

SafetyCaps Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Lanxi at Chinese Take Away! She is the winner of my first freebie, giving away a free 24-pack of SafetyCaps!

Check out what Lanxi wrote about SafetyCaps on her own blog!

And if you didn't win, don't fret -- you can still order your own set of SafetyCaps at their website.

Thanks, Lanxi, and congratulations! Email me to claim your prize!

Mommy('s Birthday) Quote of the Week

"Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the hell happened."
--Cora Harvey Armstrong

(Trust me, I know... Sunday's my birthday!)

How to Cook a Good Husband

A good many husbands are spoiled by mismanagement in cooking and so are not as tender and good. Some women keep them too constantly in hot water; others let them freeze by their carelessness and indifference; others constantly keep them in a pickle. Some put them in a stew by irritating ways and words.

It cannot be supposed that any husband will be tender and good managed this way, but they are truly delicious if properly treated and he will keep you as long as you want to have him. In selecting your husband you should not be guided by the silvery appearance, as in buying mackerel, nor by the golden tint, as if you wanted salmon. Be sure and select him yourself as tastes differ. Don't go to the market for him, as the best are always brought to your door.

It is far better to have none unless you know how to cook him. A preserving kettle of finest porcelain is best, but if you have nothing but an earthenware pipkin, it will do with care. See that the linen in which you wrap him is nicely washed and mended, with the required number of strings nicely sewed on. Tie him in the kettle by a strong silk cord called comfort, as the one called duty is apt to be weak and they are apt to fly out of the kettle and be burned and crusty on the edges, since, like crabs and lobsters, you have to cook them alive.

Make a clear steady fire out of love, cleanliness and cheerfulness. Set him as near this as seems to agree with him. If he sputters and fizzles, do not be anxious; some husbands do this until they are quite done. Add a little sugar in the form of what confectioners call kisses, but no vinegar or pepper in any amount; a little spice improves them, but it must be used with judgment. Do not stick any sharp instrument into him to see if he is becoming tender. Stir him gently; watch the while, lest he lie flat and too close to the kettle, and so become useless. You cannot fail to know when he is done. If thus treated you will find him very digestible, agreeing nicely with you and the children, and he will stay with you as long as you want, unless you become careless and set him in too cold a place.

Thanks to Meredith for this internet find.

Mommy Quote of the Week

"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
-- Bill Cosby

Coats Aren't Cool?

From the comic strip Frazz, in regards to a previous post (click to enlarge)...











Thanks to Mom for this internet find.

Ah-ha! So It's NOT Just Me!

It sounds like Kelly Ripa's life took a page (or two) from my blog. On her show last week, she told viewers about her struggle with her son having an "apocalyptic meltdown" in public. Kelly's son put on a horrific public display to get what he wanted, but she held her ground.

But the similarities to my stories don't end there -- she had a nosy passerby stop to butt in, too!

(She is pictured here, imitating her son's tantrum: "going boneless.")

I guess celebrities aren't immune to tantrums, or the rudeness of buttinskis, either! (Check out the clip for Ripa's full story.)