Good One!

My friend Marie posted this on Facebook.  Too good not to share here for those of you that haven't seen it.  I hope you enjoy it!

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days." The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truly recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But too bad we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

Grandma's Mustache Discussion!

Pickles Comic Strip

Look what I found carefully clipped out and sitting on my desk this morning! My husband knowing full well this is one of my phobias just couldn't resist. He is such a rascal!

When my mom lived in a convalescent hospital I would see these CNAs (usually men) going around shaving women's faces. Shoot me now! It freaked me out! I have told both of our daughters no matter what happens to me I must never have a beard or mustache. I think I struck the fear of God into them because they have promised to comply! I can take the wrinkles, the body that looks like a melting candle at some point, but not the "lack of estrogen" facial hair display. Nope, not havin' it! For me that just crosses the barrier to the masculine side just a little too much. I just cannot cross over that line! Lord, have mercy on my upper lip and chin! It is really not such a big request in the total scheme of things, right?

It's a Matter of Principle

Celine Dion's astounding kitchen!

Yesterday I was reading a few of my favorite blogs and came upon a wonderful post on Celine Dion and her amazing home on Jasper Island in Florida. She has those two beautiful little babies born in November and a bigger boy who must be thrilled to no long be an only child. She appears to have a devoted husband too, what a great family. I was happy to see their home on Julia's blog, Hooked On Houses. It has some amazing features like a tree house that has a slide down into the man made river on their property.

Ariel view of Celine's home

I am a fan of Celine's. I think I discovered her rather late compared to most people when I listened to her beautiful album, Miracle last year. Of course I had known of her, heard her music long before that, but the album really changed my fan status. I was really touched by her talent and the beautiful lyrics describing the joys of motherhood so eloquently. I thought Jim and I would go and see her in her new show in Las Vegas this spring.

Seeing the post, I was reminded I better start looking for some tickets. I was absolutely blown away with the fact that 2 mediocre tickets on a week night will cost nearly $600.00. Hello! Call me a person who leads a sheltered, uninformed life...but, really? To get a seat in the orchestra circle is over $1300.00 for two. I'm stunned....almost speechless.

How long can that show be, 90 minutes? I think I'll look up the highlights of the show on the Internet and continue to enjoy her beautiful voice on iTunes. Or maybe I'll buy last year's DVD for sale on Amazon for under $15.00. But one thing is for certain, we will not be crossing the threshold of the concert venue at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas any time soon.

I don't blame her for this, nor do I begrudge her that gorgeous (albeit a little over the top) home. We live in a country that thrives on capitalism, it you can earn it, good for you! She is incredibly talented, she works very hard and she is entitled to be the huge success she is. Even if you are blessed with this God given talent, it takes a tremendous amount of work and effort to succeed. A lot of people can sing beautifully but there is only one Celine Dion.

But I do question how our society, in this economic recession can fill that huge concert hall every single night to capacity for months on end. As an example, I looked up tickets for our anniversary... a week night, June 15th, SOLD OUT blinked and flashed across my screen.

It brought back memories of an article I had read recently that can be found here about the Rising Cost of Entertainment. This article is found in AAA's Via magazine and is written by Steve Rushin. Here is a sampling of it's contents:

"As a father of four, I may as well stuff all my cash in a confetti cannon and fire it into the air on arrival at the next ballpark, theme park, or movie theater my family visits, simply to expedite the inevitable process by which my wallet is drained of every last dollar for the sake of entertainment. When did family fun become so expensive?

VIA’s analysis of ticket prices at major theme parks between 1965 and 2011 shows an increase of more than 2,200 percent—and that even figures in the AAA discount, which has become a saving grace for card-carrying families. By comparison, since 1965 the price of gasoline has gone up 658 percent and milk is up 371 percent. Even before setting foot in most theme parks, the modern parent can feel taken for a ride. And theme parks seem a bargain next to ballparks. Watching a game played by the Boston Red Sox, the Major League Baseball team nearest to my home in New England, cost a family of four an average of $335 for tickets, parking, food, drinks, and merchandise in 2010."

I think we can safely add the cost of live concerts to Steve's list. For me it is a matter of money AND principle. I just cannot see spending that kind of money for something like a concert no matter how much I enjoy a person's talent. I am a fan, but not an idolater. There is no entertainer that is worth that kind of money to me.

So I am staging my own little personal protest against this sort of thing. I seem to remember this same sort of dilemma over a much less expensive James Taylor concert last year. I guess our concert days may be over.

If more people just quit paying the price, even if they can afford it...things might change. Who knows? Going to the concert would not empty our bank account but it would make me feel a party to something I just cannot condone. I think we feel a lot happier when our principles govern our actions .....even if we don't get all the goodies.

Still Learning!

How I am feeling at the moment!

Here are some things I have learned this week:

1. Although it is nice to have some quiet time, I do miss Jim and wish he'd hurry home.

2. Even though you have paid into Medicare your whole life.....when you reach 65 and become eligible you still have to pay for it every month and it is not cheap. Really? Am I the only one that did not know this? I guess I never really thought about it. I am glad I got a few years notice before the bill rolls in.

3. Oh, and while I was getting educated about Medicare, I also learned that in 2013 we will all start paying taxes to cover the new Health Care Bill. Just what we need a few more people to support. Is it a coincidence that this is the year following the Presidential Election? I think not...
(You probably all knew this already, but I purposely try to avoid most current events. I don't watch TV, sooooo I am often the last to be in the know. I do read the news on the internet, but I am selective. Call me crazy, but I think it helps me stay a little more sane really. I don't like the sensationalism of the media, mostly.

4. I learned that Laura and Robert's garbage issues in Italy are almost evenly matched with the garbage issues in RI. You are allowed six tall kitchen bags of garbage per week, period. The Good Will and other charity shops will not let you donate anything on site. They come to your home and take only what they want. You cannot have a garage sale without a permit. Welcome back to America, kids!

5. In our state one man can over turn legal changes to the constitution made by voters in an election. I have been reading too much about WW2 over the past year for that not to scare the pants off me.

6. We have a son-in-law, Lowell, that turned 40 today and I still think of them as kids. But I kinda love that they are coming over to our side of the hill, don't you? He has reached that point where the old people start looking younger and younger. It is also when you start feeling less and less secure as all the cops and doctors look 12.

7. You can be fine one day and in surgery for a brain tumor the next. That happened to my friend, Carol Nielsen, yesterday. Tumor out, size of an orange, awaiting lab results. Through God's grace prayers were answered.

8. Never even think that you are almost done with your work...someone will ask you to teach a lesson on Sunday with two days notice! And I am singing that song..."Because I have been given much, I too must give"...and I am happy to do it!

9. Panhandlers get up early. I went to the store for Jim on Saturday morning for a couple of things @ 7:00 am and there they were...targeting me. Do I have a big sign on me somewhere?

10. I must be a full-fledged adult now because in spite of a bad hair cut and color and I still love my hair stylist and I didn't cry or get mad! My hair never comes out the same twice anyway, but never have I gotten a bad cut and a bad color at the same time. Yikes. But it is just hair and it will grow and that is a far cry from the way I would have reacted when I wasn't a grown-up.

11. It is a good idea to check on your monthly bills occasionally to see if you can get better rates, etc. I did this at the beginning of the week and saved $600.00 on car insurance, got a $100.00 refund from our cell phone company who had been charging us for our daily horoscope reports since last November. I don't do horoscopes and I never ordered it...whoops. They wanted to refund me for two months but a little persistence got the entire refund.

12. Once again, I have learned that you must be an expert in every field to protect yourself and advocate for yourself because no on else is going to actually try to save you money while trying to take your money.

13. The only peace we can really have is in our God, our values and standards, and our beloved family and friends. Therein lies our Title of Liberty.

14. I cannot stand blog posts with no photos (coming out of my house) so here are some pretty flowers to balance all this out a little.

Ahhh, God's beautiful handiwork
always eases the ruffled features!

15. You have to write something like this when you are in the house by yourself for days on end with no one to listen to your belly aching! Sorry, love you...Bye!

What.......Really??

In case you missed this in the past couple of weeks, this is one reason why we wholeheartedly endorse God's Plan! This article has been investigated on Snopes and found to be for real. Changing definitions can open a big can of worms! Keep it simple~follow the plan.

Yes, you read that right!

Lee Jin-gyu married (click on the link for more details) his pillow adorned with an image of Fate Testarossa, an anime character.He organized a special ceremony complete with a local priest and a wedding dress for the pillow. The local media also covered the story. A friend of his says:

"He is completely obsessed with this pillow and takes it everywhere. They go out to the park or the funfair where it will go on all the rides with him. Then when he goes out to eat he takes it with him and it gets its own seat and its own meal."

If you think this is an isolated nut case type "man marries pillow" into your Google Search. Just thought you'd wanna know! B

Don't You Find This Ironic?

I have been thinking about this for awhile now and am wondering if you find it odd that most people in our culture have such a laissez-faire attitude towards moral right and wrong when interviewed on the street, so to speak. Most people think it's just fine for people to live together when ever and how ever they choose, disregarding the formality of a marriage. Most people seem to ascribe to the notion that what you do privately is your business and no one else's and who can it possibly be hurting, etc.

Anything goes on TV and in movies anymore and most don't bat an eye. Marketing continually features sexually-orientated ads about most products without giving it a second thought, etc. The order of the day goes something like this...sex is just a part of life, no big deal. Doing your own thing is the modern approach to living and people who care to place something beyond that between a man and a woman, or two men or two women are just religious, right-wing fanatics. They are so old-fashioned and uncool, and frankly quite narrow-minded and stupid. Moral decay has been running rampant for decades and it's rarely even up for discussion anymore. No big deal, right? We've all been desensitized to it.


So a certain public figure and professional athlete gets caught big time in a sex scandal and these same people who shrug off stuff like that all the time...go ballistic? I find that incredibly ironic. The same people that think a little on the side is just fine, and a good number of them have probably done just that, are now ostracizing this wild cat? Sponsors are dropping him like a hot potato and his public, repentant press release has fallen on deaf ears.

I find that all very ironic, being in that religious, right-wing camp, who believes in the sacredness of marriage and fidelity between a man and a woman. It seems to be a really telling thing regarding the supposed liberals, who support the anything goes morays of the society, but find themselves quite uneasy with this guy's indiscretions.

In an odd sort of way it reinforces our belief that each person is born with the light of Christ within them and that maybe, just maybe...it is not completely snuffed out within our liberal thinking brothers and sisters, after all. It appears that the fallen hero is not just fallen because of the right wing faction. After all everyone knows the society doesn't listen to the silent majority most of the time anyway. I doubt that the board members of these big sponsoring companies would admit to being a group of religious people, it's just not PC, so it seems something weird has occurred. Some of them have to be speaking out of both sides of their faces on these issues.

Anyway, I find the whole thing interesting and sad and perplexing and extremely ironic. I do not support in any way the things that he did to hurt a myriad of people, not the least of whom were his wife and children. But I am surprised by the reaction to it from those among us that live a life style of 'eat, drink and be merry and never mind about archaic values and beliefs.' It gives me a bizarre kind of hope that the institution of the traditional family is not as domed as it often appears in our culture. We just have to keep our families strong, it seems to be the answer to every social ill. If it's broken and dysfunctional there, the outlook is dismal. If it is strong and healthy and functional we have a fighting chance!

And those are my thoughts this dark, rainy morning at 6:00 am.

Call Me Crazy.....But?

Yin

Sometimes I am completely compelled to write one of my "I don't get men" posts. Today I have been recuperating from all the projects that culminated this week. It is a rainy, dreary kind of day and pretty windy. A perfect day for staying home. Unfortunately, I did have to run to the post office, stop by my hair dresser's house and go the grocery store. The minute I got in the car it started pouring. I am so glad I spent time on my hair this morning...it now looks like I just got out of the shower! And I'm shivering and drenched just from unloading the groceries. And remember we are 32 feet above sea level here and it is just rain, right? Still I did not like being cold and wet one bit.

OK, so guess what my hubby and his friends are doing? They are going snow camping in the mountains this weekend. Yep! They are taking a bunch of middle-aged teens...you know the ones from {{middle earth}} and going to go sleep in the wet, slushy snow. And the rain and wind we are having here will no doubt be snowy and blizzardy there. Ahhh, remind me how this is fun again?

It started out with 3 adults and 5 boys. Jim said he expects some of the kids will bail so it may just end up being the 3 never-say-die, oldsters (You did see City Slickers, right?) and a couple of kids.

Sometimes in our ward it is hard to tell who these activities are really for...but I do have my suspicions. I think the problem is they are just growing teens wiser these days. They'd rather do sane things stay home and be warm and comfy and hang out. But not these old guys they are out for an adventure and an adventure they'll have, by cracky!

One time they rode their bikes across CA as a "Scout" activity and I think there were two old duffers for every kid. I think they just love getting into their spandex to tell you the truth! Boys will be boys and men will be boys...isn't that how it goes? Don't get me wrong, I am not begrudging them their fun..I am happy for them! I just don't get the fun part of this. My bad.

Anyway, call me crazy but there is not one thing I can think of I'd rather do less than go camping in the snow tonight. Not even having a root canal! As for me, I am bundling up in a blankey with a good book or a movie by the fire and continuing on with my decompression that is long over due. I like that kind of a comfort zone on the weekend, not sleeping outside in a snow storm. And that is why I am glad we are only "one" metaphorically!

The only part of the snow camping I ever have to endure is the "airing out" of all the camping paraphernalia when he gets home. Whaaa...? Does your husband air out his mess kit for a week on the window sill? Really, it's tin ..... we do have dish towels? (Scratching my head in bewilderment here!)

Well, I'll worry about that tomorrow when they return. As for today I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my toasty, warm laziness! Have yourself a good one! Any slow burn I get is going to be from the fireplace, not the freezer.

Yang

Love you, Bon

Exoneration At Last

I received this from my friend Caroline this morning via e-mail. I love this because this is how I type! Now I will quit apologizing since I know 55 of you out of a 100 can read it. Woohoo...all you great minds! Sadly I can read this just as fast as regular English.

"Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!

If you can raed this, you have a sgtrane mnid too

Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!"

Mixing it up!

The Eye of the Beholder

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE SELLING YOUR HOUSE?
Why the real estate market is faltering these days...

Your house as seen by.....YOU.

Your House as seen by .......The BUYER

Your house as seen by ......The LENDER

Your House as seen by.....The APPRAISER

Your House as seen by ........... the COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

IS THERE ANY WONDER?

One of My Pet Peeves

One thing that makes me crazy is that if you live long enough you have to eventually learn way too much about a lot of things that don't really merit a lot of attention in the first place. Case in point....

Yesterday I spent hours on the Internet looking into the various aspects of tubs, toilets and sinks. I have never had any desire to be a quasi-expert in all of these lovely items but now I am. Go ahead just ask me a question~I'll know the answer. Useless facts and figures abound.


Toilets...Toto all the way...the Drake elongated 2 piece energy efficient one.

Sinks...Many choices but we like the Toto Promenade pedestal sinks...we will have two matching ones instead of a vanity. Also need two medicine cabinets...another foray of things to investigate. Oh, and the lighting..next week for that.

Now the tubs...a free standing soaking tub. There are a billion tubs ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime in prices. The best place I have found so far, TubKing.com.


If I get the OK from my boss/hubby it will be on its way from Florida next week. Cheaper for nicer even with the shipping. I cannot decide if we want the claw foot or the pedestal base yet.

This may well be the most boring post I have ever done but as you are yawning away you will know what my day was like yesterday. Ugh!

What peeves me about it is that you have to learn so much about everything before you can make an intelligent decision in your purchases. We have to do this because there are far too many choices which gives unscrupulous people so many more chances to take advantage of our ignorance. I just want to get to the fun part...the icing on the cake, the decorating. I know I must be patient as the foundation isn't even poured yet thanks to City planners who took two weeks to issue a building permit and charging 5 times what it would have been just last year. Welcome to California..."I'm a hundred years old." (That last quote was for my Jennifer...our favorite line from The Proposal with Sandra Bullock!)

Well happy days, dear readers, I am off to the vacuum cleaner store. Now there's another thrill filled day for ya. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is the song I am singing!

Sam's Club vs Costco

We live about equal distance between Costco and Sam's. If I go to the end of our main road and turn left I am at Costco in about 4 minutes. If I turn right I am at Sam's in about the same amount of time. It is pretty sweet actually. I have always preferred shopping at Sam's as it is just quieter, less crowded, less frenetic, and I can find a parking place within walking distance.

Don't get me wrong, I love the variety and fun stuff at Costco and am much more tempted to buy things that we really don't need there. In that respect it is better (or should I say worse) than Sam's Club. At Sam's I know exactly where everything is and I am in and out in no time. In Costco I tend to wander, etc.


Well, Sam's has done something lately that is swinging my vote over to Costco exclusively.

They have switched to these insanely stupid milk containers with the flat tops. I hate them. It is impossible to pour milk without spilling it. Then they have also put this heavy foil thingy on it that does not peel off easily, so you have to cut it off before you can even get to the milk.

I cannot come up with any earthly good reason they have done this...they say they can be stacked for shipping easier and that it is cheaper, but...if we quit buying it, what is the advantage to them? They say they are passing the savings on to the customer, but fat free milk at Winco is ...$1.75, milk at Sam's over $2.00, so the savings they claim the consumer is getting are questionable. It's just the lamest thing ever. We have even been known to transfer our milk into old, normal, washed containers when one was available. Is anyone else done with Sam's milk, or is it just us?

The other reason I use to like Sam's was that they had a pretty good DVD department with cheaper prices than most. Now they are carrying less and charging more. I am going, going gone from Sam's Club very soon now; like right after the Christmas rush at Costco. Perish the thought of those horrendous lines during the holidays!

Maybe Sam's Club will come to their senses in the mean time! It is the little things that can wreck your day sometimes! I am seeing my glass of milk from Sam's half empty at the moment!

flickr

OH NO! There has been a sighting
in Costco in the Northwest and they
ARE coming to Walmart too!

Urban Dictionary

***

I just finished my work and thought I 'd check out some Facebookers for a minute. I read this from my friend Laura "I think they should outlaw the word cankle."

I had no idea what that was, not living within 500 miles of my kids, not being a TV person or very savvy. I had to Google it. I have to do that a lot to keep up on the pop culture as I spend a good part of my day alone, except for being with you and none of you have been blogging about this to my knowledge.

When I read the Urban Dictionary's Definition...(it hasn't reached Webster yet,) I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I laughed, but not the funny haha kind.

A cankle is a fat ankle where the calf and foot merge with no apparent ankle.

This is a cankle!
So nice they provide illustrations so
you see for sure if you have them.

One more thing for women and girls; little girls, to worry about and think about and get down on themselves for and to seek a plastics man to remedy the "problem" for them. Give me a break. And we wonder why people walk around sad and depressed and on mind-altering drugs?

This is the restoration of your cankle to an ankle
with a little lipo. (This is the one place I do not
need lipo but if I did I would refuse!)

Do you know who is really worried about this besides women in general? The fashion industry. Many women are reluctant to buy shorter pants like crops because of it. If this isn't full-on evidence of a society that is getting sicker by the day, I don't know what is.

I say keep your ankles,
don't worry about them,
don't even think about them!
You have my permission to disconnect
from this concept altogether.

Women have been talking about their fat thighs add infinitum, now it is the fat ankles they are stressing over? Who comes up with this nonsense? I'd like to be on the panel to check them out from head to toe ~ naked (them, not me!!)

I agree with Laura, let's outlaw the use of this word and its ridiculous meaning and replace it with a fresh new word and concept. I am making up a new word just for this special rebellious occasion. My new word is BRECK and a lot of the babes out there need to listen up.

I am sick to death of seeing all the BRECK every time the temperature soars above 65. All the push-up bras and low-cut shirts, and skin tight body gloves are creating breck. It is a shortage of neck due to so much breast merging into it.

Not including photos here as
I know you do not need them!

Anybody out there with me on this one? Leaving something to the imagination comes to mind when innocent people are out and about doing their daily living routine...it is not the time for you to bare all. Save it for some other time and place when the rest of us are somewhere else! Just sayin'.

Hey, maybe Breck will catch on as 'a bad thing' and the fashion industry will get worried and start producing more decent clothing for women of good taste and decorum? Not holding my breath but always hopeful for the up and coming little girls, like my granddaughters and the up and coming little boys, like my grandsons!

***
I have no idea what that book cover of
the Urban Dictionary is trying to communicate
so please don't hold me responsible!

What the ........?

In the last week or so I was in Bed, Bath and Beyond and I saw this item and it's about the dumbest thing I have seen for sale in a long time. I have to ask you, would you actually buy this?This is the Rachael Ray Garbage Bowl if you have missed it. This is touted as THE thing to have so that you do not have to go back and forth to your garbage while cooking, slicing and dicing, etc. Does LAZY come to mind here, perchance? You can have one for just $19.99 and Amazon has some used ones...(no kidding!)

It is really hideous looking and reminds me of that orange form padding you see around with specks or chunks of other colors like dark blue. That alone was a total turn off~it looks like some kinda garbage all right.

But how totally absurd to buy a garbage bowl when we all have regular bowls in our cupboards. To me this is dumber than cell phone charms and that is going some. I guess if you have a well- known name it is worth a try but....really, Rachel!

Let us all be wise consumers and use one of the dozen bowls we all have sitting in our cupboards already or travel the six inches to the garbage pail. Yikes, is all I can say! Is this pretty ridiculous or am I missing something here?

The thing that annoys me most is every time I go to cut, slice or dice something ~ I think of this stupid item that I only laid eyes on once! If I were Rachael Ray, I would not like to be remembered for this!

Is "You Know Who" Cheating On You?

Well, now that I have your attention~how are you doing on your resolutions for the New Year? I think this is the first year in my entire life that I feel that I have set some goals that are really important to me and that I intend to keep forever. I am evolving not just resolving. Evolving includes changing behavior which requires more than desire, it involved action.

When we don't follow through with what we know is right and what we have committed to do we are cheating ourselves. We have all been cheated by others in some fashion and know how it feels. Why would we want to do that to ourselves? When I use to feel battered by the world I would go easy on myself. Well, now I am harder on myself in a constructive way. No more kid gloves around this house. Just a more realistic approach to getting what I want.

30 years ago a woman told me she had succeeded at the impossible dream she had because she didn't cheat herself anymore. I am a very slow learner in some things. But you are brilliant so I am passing it along to you in case you may see the wisdom in it as your tender young age! That way you can enjoy your successes longer!

Go After What You Really Want!

Here's to 2009

Deja Vu? Jennifer

Piper poses as a miniature, Jen!
Can you wrap your head around
this if you knew Jennifer then?

Fruit Cake and The Common Cold

I ask you how on earth can there be 13, 351 photos of fruit cake on flickr?

You all know the legend of the one disgusting fruit cake with the rubbery chunks that has been being passed around the earth for centuries because everyone hates it and so re-gifts it to someone else, right?

Well I see a correlation between that cake and the common cold I am afflicted with right now. I have a pet peeve that will probably offend everyone, myself included, as I know I am guilty too.


Why is it then when we are sick we cannot just stay home for a day or two and not re-gift our illness to others? This especially bugs me in the work place. When I worked in the doctors' office people would come to work with their fevers, flu, and always with colds. Hello. Do not do me any favors and answer my phone while you are hacking and coughing just to help me out, OK? I use to want to say, "People, the patients coming in here are having elective surgery. They do not need your virus as they are trying to recover!" But I didn't, I just remained silent and graciously caught their cold. As I get older I am not as nice as I use to be...sorry about that.

If we are sick why is it so hard to just chill out and enjoy the gift someone else has passed on to us to the fullest. I know in most cases the world is not going to stop rotating if we do. I know in rare cases it may be so, but for the most part life will go on just fine without you or me for awhile. It is great to have a good, healthy self-concept but, this may seep over into the pride of our own importance sphere, just a little. My other theory is that colds last longer than they need to because people won't stop and take good care of the problem. Your immune system is usually down when you need a rest.


Since people just can't seem to stop re-gifting it, I really like that some of the grocery stores are now supplying the hand wipes for the carts. Talk about a hot bed of infection ~it is the grocery cart. And I like hand sanitizer even if it ages you, minute by minute, with all that alcohol. (When is someone going to come up with a hand lift cosmetic surgery, anyway?)

Well, I am going to practice what I preach. Every change we would like to see in life has to start with us. I am not going anywhere today, I am not even tempted. And at least I don't have to wipe down everything at home as Jim is just getting over the gift someone gave him last week. The generosity is amazing. And, no he did not stay home~what can I say?? So today it's just me, my computer and my chicken soup~enjoying the gift! I'm leading by example. If the "fruitcake" comes you way you won't have me to thank for it!


flickr photos everywhere you look

Italy is Just Too Far Away!

Why does Italy have to be nearly 7,000 miles away from home? We are really missing our kids and grandkids stationed there. A year has passed and less than two to go. Somehow...day to day that is not much consolation. Especially since they will probably be some other far away place once that tour is over. We have been spoiled by having them live near us twice in the last ten years.

Lou Lou & Rossie

The problem with Italy is the communications. They are nine hours ahead of us so you have to really plan the times you will talk. Then there is the problem of them having a life and so they are gone a lot when they are awake. The very nerve, huh?

They have cell phones but the problem there is that they aren't always near them or turned on and although their phone has a message center and an Italian lady that asks you to leave a message~Laura and Robert do not have a plan that has message retrieval. I left plenty of messages and wondered why they were never returned before I found out about that little glitch.

The home phone is out of order and the last time that was the case it took over one month to get it fixed. Of course that means their Internet is out too. They don't call home because they have not received a single phone bill in the year they have been in Italy. So they have no clue how much calling home costs and they can't seem to find out. Because they know that everything else is sky high there, they don't want to risk a huge bill coming in unexpectedly for several hundred Euros.

The problem is there are two little boys there that are growing up so fast and I hate their childhood slipping through our fingers thousands of miles away.

Spencie Looking Mischievous

The Day They Left the US and us

Turning 6 in Italy

International Goofy Faces

The other problem is that Laura is one of my very best friends in all of life and I totally am aching to talk with her, be with her, have a mom and daughter day..

Our Beautiful Girl

This separation has been hard because I realized we have no set date for a reunion and is there isn't a target to look forward to..........and I know that it's very hard on her too. Not only do those in the armed forces sacrifice so much, but let us not forget their families as well. Vanessa, I am thinking of you and Jake too, Sweetie!

Have you thanked a military family lately? This freedom we all enjoy is definitely not free. It is bought with a huge price.

Our Robert!

Sometimes I think I will never get use to this empty nest. No actually, I do like the empty nest...just not the distance between their nest and ours.

This missing them is a real problem for me. I know many people would prefer to not say the word "problem" but prefer to call this a "challenge." But as for me, I am calling a spade a spade here...this is a problem and there is no glossing over it. I have said it seven times in this post and don't regret it because that is what it is. Calling it a challenge somehow negates that achy-breaky feeling of loneliness I have today.

And that is my whining session for today!

MacFlustered

Well, we have had our new iMac for about a week. I really love it but I realized that the learning curve is a little frustrating. It is fine for all the simple stuff like blogging and e-mail and the like but, I am having moments of insanity trying to figure out some of the applictions that come on the dock. I find that the way I learn electronics is by having someone show me..taking my own notes and then I am a fine.

I just cannot understand some of the techno mumbo jumbo of the manuals. When they tell you to do something but they often don't explain what it is, where it is, or how to do it~ it makes me MacCrazy. Here is an example of my supidity..or is it theirs? OK, OK, it's mine! MacDarnit!

I opened the manual to read about the new computer. It shows an apple icon and says .. click preferences, as an example. OK, that is pretty straightforward. I go to the computer and I look at all the drop down menus on the the toolbar and nothing. OK, the little apple must be on the keyboard....ahhh, no! Then I check all the commands out....nope, not there either. OK, I need to now MacPester, Jen or Lowell or someone. I call Jen and she says, "it is on the toolbar, mom!" Low and behold, right up there on the toolbar the very first thing I see is what I thought was a cute little logo but no, behind it is the equivalent to "My Computer." Who knew? Nowhere in the manual does it tell you where it is. All the other things on the toolbar are written out. First we see the little apple logo that is really an icon, then File, Edit, View, etc. Even if the little apple had been in the middle of all the other stuff I could maybe have figured it out but putting it first like a little decoration was deceiving. Check it out in the photo above from flickr. I do not have all that junk on my desktop, by the way.

Maybe that little bite out of the apple logo is the logic that seems to be missing sometimes. Once someone tells me I am good to go~ but I do not intuit this kind of stuff easily. I just wish they would remember us over-50 types when drafting the MacManuals. We were not born with the gene. We are forgotten, just not gone yet!

Here are few things I love about the MacMonster so far:

1. It has a fantastic photo program and it is user-friendly~it makes blogging even more fun.

2. You don't have a pc to kick around under the desk anymore, less cording mess, and the screen is so nice and the dock is great.

3. I have iTunes and all my music on my desktop now.

4. When I get past the learning curve on the computer I can try
to master the iPodTouch we got for free. Yikes.

5. I know I will love it more when I finally get it! Something to look forward to for now!

6. The mental challenge in the mean time will hopefully ward off early onset of MacAlzheimers......

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away...Maybe!

Going Postal

When I get the mail each day I have to laugh and wonder what on earth the mailman must think of us? Honestly, you would think 25 people live in our cottage from the array of stuff that comes to our address. If we were renters I am sure there would be an investigation. We get our own mail which, incidentally, is the least of it. We then get mail for the Loveridge family, the people who lived here more than thirty years ago. Not just the deceased parents' mail but both of their kids! Hello! We get mail for both of my deceased parents as well. I have notified various places that my father died 30 years ago yet they continue to send solicitations for fraternity donations, etc. My mom still gets a lot of stuff here and she passed away almost five years ago. She still gets a monthly bank statement that shows her balance of $4.95. And yes, they have been notified she is deceased. Then there is the boatload of stuff from their church. It is annoying and anyway...don't they know they are LDS now? Just kidding! We get mail for all three of our children under our family name and for each of our girls under their married names and mail for Robert. Jennifer still gets birthday cards and Christmas cards from some guy that she doesn't even know and has been for since she was 20. And junk mail for everyone on the list, naturally!


What you end up with is a conglomeration of regular mail, junk mail, the miss-delivered mail, the things people walk by and drop off about services offered, invitations, or fliers about missing animals and political issues, and newsprint fliers...it is over the top! Is it any wonder the mail prices are so high? All the wasted time, energy and paper is pretty sorry. I am for a 'greener' mailbox~how about you? The first thing I am doing is e-mail whenever possible. And I am tempted to send out a Christmas Greeting on a postcard this year saying..Read our Christmas letter online if you are so inclined. That way the ones that hate them can pass and those who truly want to hear from us will know where they can find the scoop.


When I ran across this information I decided to share it.

1. Call: National Opt-Out Center: 1-888-567-8688

2. Write: Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 and Advo Systems, PO Box 249, Windsor, CT 06095

3. Online: Go to Stop Junk or DMA Consumers. Visit the Consumer Assistance Page: How to Get Off A Mailing List. It’s so easy.

Your sample letter should state: “I want to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail I receive. Please remove my name and address from your mailing list.”

Include all variations of your name: Bob Smith, Robert Smith, B. Smith, etc. with your Name, Address, City, State, Zip, and Signature.

To stop annoying phone calls, call 888-382-1222 from your cell phone to be put on the National Do Not Call list. This blocks your number for five years! You can register up to five phone numbers at once.