the staffer "tell all"

if you've been under a rock today, you may not have seen all the media buzz about Scott McClellan's new book.
check out http://www.drudgereport.com/ for the latest headlines and articles about his criticisms and revelations about the Bush White House from his point of view. or you can buy his book for a bargain price of $27.95

Anyway, having been a former staffer to 2 US Congressmen and a Governor, I thought I would share my opinion. There is one thing that is not only expected but understood: Loyalty. Unless the boss is doing something illegal or unethical, I think it is incumbent upon the staff to give the boss loyalty and that he or she should be able to trust the staff--even behind closed doors. And I actually do believe whole heartedly that the loyalty doesn't end when a staff person leaves their position. While as a staffer, I may disagree with approaches or decisions of my bosses, I don't feel I am doing anyone a service to go air them out in a public forum and CERTAINLY not while the man in still in office! Again, short of an extramarital affair, unethical or illegal activity, dirty laundry has no business being aired by a former staffer. It just doesn't help the staffers who will have to work extra hard from now on to prove to their bosses that they can be trusted and that they aren't taking notes for the "tell all" book they'll one day write in trying to make the boss look like a fool. The importance of a good and competent staff of people to surround these public figures can not be underestimated.
and truthfully, for my point to be made, whether or not what he said is true, in my opinion, is irrelevant.

The price you pay as a staffer to a Public Figure is, it's not about YOU, it's about THEM.

Can I get an amen? reply and let me know if you applaud McClellan and disagree with me whole heartedly.

my loyal reader

There are some things I want you to know about my most loyal reader....her identity will not be revealed in order to protect her innocence.
1. she calls me grandma for reasons I will not go into.
2. she really missed her calling because she should be a licensed therapist.
3. she has six pack abs.
4. she loves to visit Miss Jean.
5. she hates stray hairs.
6. she cracks my $hit up.
7. she has a tatt.
8. she really likes fries from the Grille with their feta dressing
9. she had a stalker in college named Lindsay
10. she is one of my most dear friends in the world and I love her very much.

Grace

Today, I am completely relying on God's grace. Whenever things aren't quite going how I want them to or think they should, I just try to remember that I know God is completely in control and He is providing His grace to me for me to lean hard on as I navigate life. Sometimes things just seem rather complex and confusing and I don't quite know why things do or do not turn our how I wish they would. But I rest in knowing God is at work in my life.
a deep sigh of relief.....aaahhhhh........

What are you doing on Memorial Day?

Amongst your day's activities on Memorial Day, I hope you'll take a moment or two to remember the sacrifice of the many women and men who have died fighting for our freedom and for the freedom of others. In the words of Jesus Christ, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
I am so very thankful that generation after generation of heroes have stepped up for us to live in the coolest country on earth. Even though we are paying almost $4 for a gallon of gas and we fight amongst ourselves over petty political issues, this is still an awesome place to be blessed to live. I plan to spend time Monday thanking God for the sacrifices others have so willingly made and for His blessings on our country.
Happy Memorial Day!

H & M, you're getting dumped!

I remember the very first time I visited H & M. It was in Boston in January of 2000. I walked in and it was like the birds were chirping and I could hear angels singing. I was blown away by the fun trendy clothes and cheap prices. I still wear the twead skirt I purchased on my very first visit. Since then, I've frequented the H & M's of NYC (in particular the flagship 5th AVE store and the one on LEX) and the H &M in Georgetown/Washington, D.C. At these various urban locales, I have left behind quite a bit of money but always walked out with a large shopping bag full and a smile.....Actually, as I type this, I'm wearing an amazing royal blue cotton blazer purchased in NY's Lex AVE store.....I love this jacket!
About this time last year, H & M announced it's plans to open a store in Atlanta. Hallelujah I thought to myself. Well much to my chagrin and with little fanfare....the first H & M in the South opened yesterday in the SUBURB of Alpharetta to be apparently followed shortly by it's "flagship store" in Atlantic Station and 2 other stores in the outer Atlanta suburbs of Buford (Mall of Georgia) and Kennesaw (Town Center at Cobb). I had no idea H & M was trying to turn into the GAP. when is the last time you bought something at the GAP?? I mean, Kennesaw and Buford??? come on people, what's urban and cool and trendy about those 2 places, nothing but teenie boppers and moms will be shopping there making it VERY unlikely that I will want to wear anything from there.
I know this makes me sound like a snob, but the cool thing about H & M was that it was more urban and NOT everywhere. Certainly not at the gigantic suburban mall.
I'm sad......can you tell? I am also apparently an ITP snob!
Bye bye, H & M. I'm sorry we have to break up, but you're not who I thought you were.....I wish you all the best and hope your new lovers----teens, tweens, suburban moms, & rural dwellers coming in from the really outer stretches of GA for a big day out of shopping---are as good to you as I have been for the past 8 years!!!