I'm NO Domestic Goddess Or Culinary Jedi

                                                                                 
                                                                                   

 I'm down to only Four Unpublished Posts ahead waiting in the Queue to Publish now, at one time I had Nine, I'm slippin'!  *LOL*  I haven't been Online as much lately, too much to do and it's taking me thus more than a Day to finish any Single Post now.  I'm Grateful I got loads of great Blog Fodder Imagery during the Holiday coz now that it's a Wrap, there won't be much to Photograph unless it's Christmas Inspired.  And I just CAN'T until the Day after Thanksgiving, be rushing to Christmas yet.  *Smiles*  Tho' Princess T is already concerned about where she can install her Christmas Tree in her Room this Year coz she's packed so much New Furniture in there since last Year?   She's flat run out of Space.  *LOL*

I can relate, so I made some suggestions and she'll figure it out, she loves rearranging her Room often and will put a lot of Work into it, I mean a LOT of Work into it!!!   Her skill at rearranging things is impressive, and she's got great organizational skills too, that she certainly didn't inherit from Moi.  *Smiles*   I was only very Organized at my Careers I got Paid to do, in my Private and Personal Life, it just didn't transition there, who knows Why?  I don't like Chaos and prefer Order, and things to look Functional and Nice, I function best in an Orderly Tidy, Clean Environment, so I can be my own worst Enemy at times.  The Daughter has been a great Help with that for me since she moved in, she Loves to Clean and Organize, and she's very good at it, so I keep her pretty busy with that.  *LOL*  

Her downfall is wrecking a Kitchen after she Cooks, she Loves to Cook and is good at that too, but OMG the Kitchen afterwards is a disastrous horror!  Even if she's made something Simple, I don't know how she can make such a mess doing it and use so much in her Process?!   The Man, The Son, and I, are the Clean-As-You-Go Types in a Kitchen, if we use it, it's cleaned immediately after we're done... immediately.  So, nothing backs up with us, with her, if you don't run damage control behind her in a Kitchen, nothing will be clean in a matter of mere Days, it will ALL be used and dirty!!!   Anyway, we all have our foibles, I'm a lousy Cook and I don't even like Cooking at all... I'm NO Domestic Goddess or Culinary Jedi.   Pretty damned sure The Man was attracted to my Earning Potential and Wild Child Unconventional Nature, not my Housekeeping or Domestic Skills.  *Bwahahaha*

Yes, I always Earned more than he did even tho' he had a long and prosperous Career.   But, he grew up very Oppressed with Religion and Uptight Convention being the Norm, I grew up Bohemian and Free Spirited.  And, once he Grew Up and left Home to become Career Military he reveled in becoming an Adrenalin Junkie and Risk Taker, thus, he Married Yours Truly, how could he NOT, Right?   Mi Vida Loca and Mi Familia, well, we certainly provided plenty of Adrenalin and Risks.  *Bwahaha and Winks*   He has often Joked that no War he ever fought, and he's been in numerous ones in 39 Years of Service, was as fraught with Risks and Danger as if he picked a Fight with me.  I like to think that's just hyperbole and Satire, but he looks so Serious when he tells people that!  *LMAOROTF*

But we're Yin and Yang and compliment each other well, even tho' we were nothing alike at all and so seemed an Unlikely Couple or long term Match, who knew?  *Smiles*   I once asked him if he'd ever Dated anyone like me before?   And his response simply was that there there IS Nobody LIKE Me.  He could be Right about that.  *Bwahahahaha*   He was probably the most Wholesome and Traditional Old Fashioned Sweet Guy I'd ever met, pretty sure I absolutely Corrupted him.  *Winks*  But, I just knew he was a Keeper and someone I would want to actually be Married to.  

Before, I didn't want to be Married or have any Commitment to a Single other Human Being besides my immediate Family Members.  I was more interested in Mister Right Now than looking for a Mister Right, so, when we 1st Met, I wasn't even looking to get hitched so soon to a Lifelong Partner!  Who knew?  And they said it wouldn't last.  *LOL*  Above is him with something he shouldn't order, but he's Stubborn like an Old Mule about ordering naughty Meals when eating out.  *Le Sigh*  Well as my Dear Ole' Dad always said, "Ya gotta Die of Something!" *Smiles*

After all, I'm the Health Nut, he never was.  And Food wasn't his only Bad Choices in Life.  We often talk about how absolutely terrible we were about choosing Relationships before we met each other... and we both were TERRIBLE at choosing someone to be with. *LOL*  I had the worst Picker Outer ever when it came to Men... and he had the worst Picker Outer ever when it came to Women.   I didn't much Care since I didn't expect to stay with anyone in particular, so, swipe Left when it was over or not working out. 

 But for him, he really was All In with every one who he got involved with, and got burned too often being a Nice Guy.  And I Joked that he didn't have to Marry {Legal or Common Law} every Woman he ever Slept with. *Smiles*  He's still a Nice Guy, sometimes Too Nice, and that's why I'll always go on the Warpath FOR him and on his behalf, coz I don't mind NOT BEING NICE.  I'm Nice until you give me a reason NOT to Be Nice.   I'm not just "A" Bitch, I'm THE Bitch, and that will be Mrs. Bitch to you if you're anyone who Crosses me.   Dark Dawn IS the Ultimate Primo Bitch of all Bitches.  *Winks*

I once had a Bank Vice President call me a Bitch to my Face, when I was an AVP of the same Bank, and well under 30 Years Old.  *LOL*  He was an Old Misogynistic Pretentious Asshole who resented Women in Positions of Authority, especially a Sweet Young Thing that I appeared to be back then.  And I just Smiled, Locked Eyes and quietly told him with NO Emotion or Affect to my Countenance, that I was not just A Bitch, I was THE Bitch, and that would be Mrs. Bitch to him!   He backed the fuck down fast and after that we had a Swell Working Professional Relationship. *Winks* {Sidenote: Above is an Infant Princess T with her Daddy before he got Deported. Families being Separated is nothing "New".} 

 But, I digress, back to the Story:  He knew if he stepped in my Waters again, be damned sure you're a Strong Swimmer, coz I Bow Down to NO Man and I don't take Hostages when I go to War with someone, I take Scalps.  In fact, he always was one of my best References to use for the rest of my Banking Career and couldn't say enuf Nice and Complimentary things about me and how good I was at what I do.  *LOL*   I had no actual Beef with him, he was good at being a Bank VP and knew his Work.   And so many Men in that Era were so similar, so, it wasn't just him and it wasn't "New".

  He was just a Product of his Times of being a Powerful Old White Man who wasn't at all used to Women being high up in the Work Force, or Minorities for that matter.  And, he resisted it with all of his Being.  Just like the DEI Haters now are Behaving, no difference... same Outlook and Sentiments.   A lot of the Professional Males of Color in those days were Dealing with just as much bullshit.  And it was in the early days of Affirmative Action for protecting the Rights of Workers facing blatant Discrimination and profound Prejudices due to Race, Ethnicity or Gender.  That's why losing Ground so fast now is deeply troubling.  Those Rights were hard Fought for and Won.  

 And it's so easy, too easy in fact, for Mediocre Whites to blame anyone else but themselves, for their lack of Success as the "Reason" they aren't getting ahead and some Woman, Immigrant, Gay or Minority is.  They can't fathom it's becoz that Individual worked Harder, or had more Skills, Education, Experience, Intelligence, or Ambition than they did.   They feel Entitled that just being White and a Man should be Enough, and well, sometimes it isn't Dude.  Unmerited Favor and a sense of Privilege doesn't always mean you're the best one for the Jobm or will get it over a more Qualified person.   Not everyone was some Quota Hire like you Imagine and Claim if they happen to not look just like you.  Well, until now if you're Hired by this Administration that is.  *Eye Roll*  The amount of Unqualified Nepo Hires is off the Chain with this President!

  The Man says that was probably the first True Psycho that Old Man had ever met face to face and made the Mistake of Crossing Professionally?  He could be Right?  *Bwahahahahaha*   Back in those Good Ole' Boy Network Days of the early 1970's, the Sexual Discrimination and Misogyny was rampant, along with much impropriety and Sexual Harassment at any Workplace and especially Corporate America.  Powerful Men behaved even worse than they do now and there were many of those Pussy Grabbers like Donnie Two Dolls to Deal with.  So that Old Orange Fucker's Behavior didn't Surprise me in the least, nor his Attitude about being Proud and Bragging of being a Sexual Predator and Serial Sex Offender. 

  So many were and still are, especially of that Generation who view Women still as if we're Chattel.   So, you Needed to be a Ball Breaker and Rack 'Em.  *Winks*  I didn't give a Fuck if you never Respected me, I didn't expect any of them to, but they'd sure as Hell Learn to Fear me.  And that Worked for me very, very well in my Corporate Lives.   And I rose to the pinnacle in my Two Corporate Career Lives and then when I was Done with it, I was Done with it.  I Mentored a lot of other Women who were coming up in the Ranks just like those Older Women before me had Mentored me and taken me under their Wings.  The Real Glass Ceiling Breakers they were... and I Owed much to them and to some Fine Male Mentors as well who saw potential in me and taught me all they knew, which was a Free Education no amount of Money could Buy. 

 Their wealth of Experience, Cultivated Contacts, and Success was truly Priceless and having them bestow it upon me was a Rich Blessing I didn't take lightly.  I Idolized each and every one of them and wanted to BE them when I Grew Up.  *Winks*  We not only Worked Together but I was the Youngest One in their Posse and we often hung out together Socially as well and became Friends, transcending them being the Master Teacher & often my Bosses, with me being the Student.   We kept it Professional at Work, but I truly liked them as Human Beings and as Friends, even tho' some of them were complex People and Heavy Hitters who commanded a LOT of Respect and Reverence. 

 Its a privilege to Pay It Forward to Future Generations of Young People with Potential and Mentor them too.  You don't wanna Die and take all that Knowledge and Sage Wisdom with you, unused, it would be such a Waste and squandered if you did.  I Sacrificed a LOT for my Careers, so I'm not Wasting what Experience I Learned and Earned for that Personal Sacrifice me and my Family made.  I happened to Like what I did in both of my Corporate Lives, even tho' it was the Darker Side of each Industry.  And I knew I was good at it, some Jobs are dirty Jobs, but somebody has to do it.   Foreclosures, Collections and Bankruptcy in Banking, you aren't ever the Employee someone wants to have to interact with, EVER.   By the time I was Dealing with you as a Client, you were likely in Serious Risk of losing your biggest Investment and potentially becoming Homeless and losing your Home and mebbe everything else.

   And being in the Prosecution end of the DOJ you aren't ever the Employee someone wants to have to Deal with, EVER, either.   But, to your Employer you are Vital and so it pays very well in Banking, to mitigate Losses and Bad Loans, becoming the Fixer of any Loan going South/Sideways and Protecting Investor's and the Bank's Interests.   But it took me away from my Family a LOT while both Generations I was Raising were Growing Up coz it was very demanding Work and required a LOT of Personal Sacrifice to be worth what I was being Paid to do it... and Supported my Loved Ones nicely.   There are no Free Rides in Life... everything comes at a Cost of some kind.   You gotta be willing and able to Pay it.

  But in Criminal Law all the Money is in Defense of the Criminals, not the Prosecution of them, so don't ever go into that End of it expecting to make Bank, you won't.  *LOL*   I made more Money in Banking in the early 1970's than I did ever in the DA's Office much later, but the Benefits were great for The Man's Medical Care, which was exceeding a Million Bucks a Year back then.  So, Purpose Served.   It's all about what Value something you're doing brings to the Table FOR you?   What are you spending your Precious TIME Doing?  Coz Time is your biggest Asset you will never get back if you Waste it and you can't Buy Back either, no matter how Rich you get.

 And you can say that about some People too, they're just not Worth your Investment in them becoz it's just Wasted on them, how much Time are you Wasting on Relationships that don't Work for you... or for them perhaps either?  I'm a Cut your Losses kinda Gal, if something isn't Working for me, I cut it the Fuck loose.   It's not even Personal, it's just Business... whether that's Professionally or Socially, if it ain't Working for you, why are you still even there?   There has to be some Payoff or you're Wasting Valuable Time you'll never get back.   Resources Wasted I can recoup, Time Wasted I cannot, so I Value and parse out my Time more carefully and strategically.   Don't Waste my Time, EVER!   And Spend your Time Wisely, giving it the Value it deserves.

Anywhoo, I'm glad I'm Retired, I don't have the Patience anymore for the Posturing and Politics of a Career, you know?  I'm too unhinged now in my Seniordom to be as Professional as I'd Need to be.  *Winks*  I've never been Fired from any Job or Career, but pretty sure now I would be.  Not becoz of my Work Ethic, which is as strong as ever, but becoz I know that sometimes I just can't get along and play well with others now in a Professional Setting.  I always stood up for myself, but with decorum, I think now decorum would be lacking.  *LOL and Winks* And as a Senior you can get away with more, you really can... which is why I LIKE being Old... people just think, "Oh, she's off her Meds..." when you're Old and Misbehave.  Or just think it's Cute... like when a very Young small Child or Pet throws a Wobbler.  *Smiles*

This Month is the Christmas Event at SWEET SALVAGE and that's the most attended and popular one, still slightly outdoing Halloween.  When they used to go Macabre I'd say their Halloween Event did better, both are popular Shows.  The Christmas Event always gave me some unique ideas for Christmas Tree Decorating tho', their Designers get really Imaginative and Creative with how they Decorate a Tree.   The Christmas Trees that DILLARDS Department Store used to have did that, but I'd say it wasn't as Unconventional as the ones at Sweet which were really something like you'd never seen before with what they'd Decorate the Christmas Trees with.  It Inspired me to think outside of the Box when we Decorated ours, so we'd have some really Unique Trees as well at Home for Christmas.   Now I keep a small Metallic Tree up Year Round in our Sitting Room.   Above, my Brother, the Professional Retired Hollywood Photographer, has been experimenting with Photographing Animals now.  Harry The Pug is Adorbs, he captured Harry's Essence, for sure.

And since I went Hard and Full On for Halloween Blogging, and I'm just not Over it yet, I'll give ya Two Fer of Adorable Harry now for a brief respite.  *Winks*   We had a Pug when I was Growing Up and her Name was Cho-Cho, she was Tan & Black, she could be fierce too, the little Ankle Biter Dogs are far more ferocious and often have a meaner Temperament and Disposition than most Big Dogs, Trust and Believe.  *LOL*   Harry looks like Butter wouldn't melt in his Mouth tho', he has a Friendly Countenance about him.   Cho-Cho sometimes didn't, she was an Older Adult Rescue and we were sure her unknown History might have shaped her personality and we were always undoing a lot of her distrust and Issues during the Years she was with us.   She was a good Dog tho' and protective of us Kids.  She was good with our Rescue Male Chihuahua Huey too, who was my all time Fav Canine we ever owned.  Huey had literally Saved my Life once from a big trained Military Dog who'd been Retired from Service and still had Killer Combat Instincts ingrained.

I may have told this Story of my Rescue before, but when I was just a Kid, I was playing in the Front Yard and that Military Dog, Sugar, who was a huge Alsatian Dog who'd been in the Army, escaped from her Cage her Owner kept her in.  She couldn't be around people other than her Handler or she'd come for them ferociously as "The Enemy".  So he had a huge Kennel Cage in his Back Yard but no Fencing around the Yard coz it was Base Housing and they didn't Fence the individual Houses.  Well, she came For me and my Mom saw it out the Kitchen Window and panicked, knowing I'd get badly Mauled or even Killed by Sugar.  So she ran to the Front Door to yell for me to get inside, I couldn't have done it in time tho' before Sugar got to me.  But our little 5 Lb., but very Muscular, Rescue Chihuahua, Huey whipped around my Mother's Legs and went straight for Sugar to Protect me!

First he bit her on the Hind Legs as she was running, where a Dog's Kneecaps have that V Shape in the Back of their Hind Legs, and that brought her Down fast.  Then he whipped around and grabbed her by the Throat to where she couldn't Breathe, and held on 'til I got up quickly and Ran inside!!!   Once Huey knew I was Safe he let Sugar go and ran back inside, she ran back Home coz she knew she'd had a close Call and he could have actually Killed her if he'd wanted to.   And that's how I now know a Chihuahua in Attack Mode, especially if they were to run in a Pack, could probably Take Down any large Animal coz they're lightening fast and the larger Animal cannot outmaneuver them and their Take Down Tactics of disabling the Legs, then going for the Throat for The Kill.   The Speed of their Attack is something to behold and it stuck in my Mind how quickly our little Huey had incapacitated a Military Trained Attack Dog like it was nothing!!! 

  Sadly, the Owner of Sugar, as much as he Loved her, coz they'd Worked Together in Combat, realized she was too Dangerous and didn't want risking a Fatality if she got out again, so had her put Down.   Our Family never Reported the incident becoz we Admired Sugar's Service to Country, and her Owner's.  He was a Neighbor and a Good Guy.  She was just as much Damaged Goods as any Service Member whose seen too much Combat Action in Wartime.  Vietnam was still raging and Sugar had Served over there with her Handler, who later became her Owner once she was Retired from Service.

  I'm sure she was a Good Dog, but she'd been Trained to do what she'd been Trained to do, we didn't hold that against her.   But, she could have Maimed or Killed me for sure had it not been for Huey's Heroic Selflessness to Protect me at all Costs.  He would have given his Life for me and he wasn't a Young Dog and had been Abused badly before he was a Rescue, by being taken from a previous Owner who got Charged with Animal Abuse.  The fact he still Trusted Humans at all was a Testimony really of Huey's Character and Loyalty to his 'Pack' Human Family. 

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More to Come... Stay Tuned... Dawn... The Bohemian