It's great to be a Tennessee Vol... Isn't it?

It takes a lot to make me angry - I mean REALLY angry. I might have a flashpoint reaction every now and then, but that's usually all it is. I let it go and go on because I am too busy to waste time on anger. However, if you want to push my buttons, there are three very distinct ways to do this... Ignore the "Do Not" portions of the statements below:

(1) Do NOT assume I'm stupid because I am from the South.
(2) Do NOT assume I can't do something because I am a woman.
(3) DO NOT MESS WITH MY FAMILY - ESPECIALLY MY KIDS.

I say that to say this... In the last couple of weeks, things have been said by two of my very close friends that actually made me "pull up" and just say, "Whoa!" One friend made the statement, "Well, people in your area are probably bothered more by Obama's race than they are here (meaning Jackson) because it's a rural area." The only response I made was to say that no, in general, race isn't even an issue for those that I know who didn't support him. I COMPLETELY resented the implication that because we live in a rural area we were somehow backward or uneducated. I am neither. In fact, I have traveled the world. I have boarded a flight alone (because my co-workers missed their flight) headed for a country whose language I didn't speak, proceeded through Customs, hailed a cab, found a 5-star hotel, and convinced them to give ME the room that was reserved for one of the corporate executives of the company. I’M NOT “BACKWARDS” OR STUPID - nor particulary shy or afraid! LOL!

Then today, I read one of my dearest friend’s blogs and I was honestly insulted at how "everyone" was grouped together in a category of those who were less educated, less interesting, less cultured and who knew of no other way to entertain or enjoy themselves other than with football. I was hurt to be included in this group. I am educated. I have had and still have a very interesting life. I have a Van Gogh (The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night) hanging on my wall - granted it's only a hand-painted copy, but... I THOROUGHLY enjoy a good bottle of wine. I love first edition books - in fact, I have bought three in the last month and they are signed by the author. I work in a field that is dominated by men and I have risen to as high up as I actually want to go - at least for now. I have raised two children with very little assistance from their father. I have started my own business. I have given up a lot of ME because of that, but I don't feel like the line from the old song "I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me." I am a woman, a provider, a mother, and recently, a wife again. I am who I am because of all of this. I still enjoy the things I enjoy. Maybe I'm not scheduled to catch a flight to Costa Rica on Monday, but my daughter does have a ballgame Monday night... My husband will still be happy to see me and hug me tightly... My co-workers will be glad I'm at work. I will discuss my latest business venture with my newest client. I will probably enjoy a nice merlot. And, I will continue to WEAR MY ORANGE! =D

I'm sure I'm thinking about this too much and taking the comments to heart when I shouldn't, but I don't like to be pigeonholed. I try so hard NOT to do that to others. I try not to stereotype because I HATE it when it happens to me.

I am a rural, southern woman who DEARLY loves her Tennessee Volunteers, but I am also a smart, successful, confident, independent woman who appreciates what others call the "finer" things in life.

As I sit here and sip my favorite merlot I have only this to say...

GO VOLS! ;-)