It could be worse!

The Webbot Project

2012-02-15T06:45:00.001-06:00

What do you do when you have a crazy uncle who talks about many things with almost half of them coming true?
You just let him talk until he says something that gets your attention.
That crazy (somewhat racist) uncle is Clif High, the inventor of the Webbot. (watch video below)
What is the Webbot? A program that sweeps the Internet looking for key words from all languages and spits out pieces of a puzzle that Clif High then puts together. Over the years, it appears that Mr. High's sworn enemies seem to be the world bankers, and he's not fond of the Capitalist system either. The first time I heard an interview with this person....my thought was " this guy is a reclusive Marxist that has been holed up too long ". Over a three hour interview, he droned on and on about the next 40 years and I wondered if I was wasting my time or would some golden nugget reveal itself if only I listened to the bitter end. As I remember it...he had many predictions that just didn't happen in the time frame he put forth. I thought he would never show his face again.
But he has re-surfaced and this is his latest message:

Your last 26 days of life...
On March 2, 2012, the zionists (isreali mossad and cia agents) who are the stooges of the central banksters, will attack an American naval ship (as they did with the USS Liberty).
They will try to sink this ship with a huge loss of life of American sailors.
They will pretend to be Iranians to make you mad at Iran.
They intend to provoke officialdom in the US and Russia and China into killing us all.
Much of officialdom (masons, illuminati, agents of rome (opus dei et al), zionists) are in on this false flag attack, and their fervent hope for WAR to end your life, and the lives of over ONE BILLION other humans (your relatives on this planet).
So much of humanity on this planet has been made crazy by the rothchilds/rockefellers and all the priests/potentates and other assholes who put themselves on top of us all by lying and cheating and murder.
They plan on yet another fucking great war to kill off as many of us as they can.
If they succeed, and the war is created;
no more taxes will i pay ever to anyone.
no more of their laws will i obey.
if i survive the smoking, nuclear wasteland that will be the west coast of the USofA and most of earth, and there are any of the former central banksters and their masters alive, i will swear the remnant of my life to bringing them to justice. And i know what that means, even if the psychopathic pedofilic fucktards do not.
My message to them...all of officialdom is simple....you know fear. You live on the fear of others. Now it is your turn.
Fear us now.
We know you now.
Your names are recorded.
Your lives are in our hands.
Killing billions of us only convinces the rest that we have nothing left to lose.
You taught us to fear you.
Now the fear is gone, only hate remains.
Fear us now.
Or we come for you later.

posted February 6, 2012 by clif high
http://halfpasthuman.com/lastdaysofyourlife.html

Okay....Uncle Clif is pissed. And probably under investigation right now. He's made threats to very powerful people and perhaps his previous "loon talk" is the only thing protecting him. Except one thing. In many educated circles, Clif High is not considered a loon. Which worries me. A loon needs not be taken seriously. A man who has invented a program used in the highest levels and has a proven track record....when he rants like this....is DAMN SCARY. So....against my better judgement....I am writing this post. Take it with a grain of salt. March 2012 will probably come and go and nothing out of the ordinary will happen. But in the off chance this scary as shit prediction comes to past....at least you had a warning. If nothing happens, just go on with your day and know Mr. High has probably disappeared on his boat into the Pacific and his reputation will be shattered. That's what happens to loons.

Here is a video from the History Channel about the Webbot project. It's only 4 minutes long, so please take the time to watch it. But I must warn you, don't obsess about it. Don't lose today because you are concerned about tomorrow. Just take the information and tuck it away. Time will tell if this is reliable or not. Time always shows who can be trusted.

B-C-D-C-B

2012-02-14T10:28:00.002-06:00

Bed
Car
Desk
Car
Bed

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California

2012-02-13T21:44:00.002-06:00

The husband will be flying out to California. His sister-in-law died this morning.
It's so sad. She was such a beautiful, kind & smart woman. She was the best of the wives of those of us who married into hubby's family. She was hit with a brain disease that first took her speech, then her motor skills and finally, those basic things our body does to stay alive. Her family didn't deserve to lose her. She will be greatly missed.

Dental Insurance

2012-02-12T06:32:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I wonder why we carry dental insurance. For what you pay a month-if you just saved that amount instead...I wonder if you would come out ahead? We still have to pay $1,200 to have Dan's braces removed next month. Austin's wisdom teeth removal next week is around $1,800 and the insurance will pay $600 of it. We have to "PayInFull" at time of service the entire $1,200. Thank goodness for the husband's mom who sent some funds our way-because that is what is covering most of it. The rest- well- we do have that newly paid off credit card .......sigh*

Comes & Goes

2012-02-11T10:34:00.002-06:00

The tax refund check cometh and after paying off a couple of credit card balances....
it GO-eth.
Now as long as we don't have any other unexpected bills- we may make it through the month!

A Woman's Joke

2012-02-10T23:01:00.002-06:00

A lady was walking down the street when she was a approached by a lady beggar asking for money. The lady took a $20 bill out of her purse, and asked:

"If I give you this money will you spend it on pedicure/manicure?"
"Don't be ridiculous..." the beggar replied "Does it look like I have nothing better to spend money on?"
"How about shopping?" she asked.
"No." the beggar said, "don't you understand I need money just to stay alive."
"Will you spend it on your hair?" the lady asked.
Annoyed the beggar replied," No, I just need money for food and shelter."

"In that case...." the lady said "I don't want to just give you money... I would like you to eat out with me and my husband tonight."
"Why?" the beggar asked.
"Well....." the lady said...." I think it is important for him to see what a lady looks like after she gives up pedicures & manicures, shopping, and hair appointments. "

Snacks

2012-02-09T12:01:00.005-06:00

With my working late hours- dinner comes very late at night. The boys need something to hold them over....so the husband made this basket of snacks for them. It's by the front door on a chair and when the pains of hunger hit them-they know right where to go. This will last about 2 weeks- and then we've got to refill it. That's okay- they are growing boys!

1972 GMC Jimmy

2012-02-08T08:06:00.001-06:00

I found this GMC Jimmy listed as "For Sale" in a neighboring state. I have a soft spot for this vehicle. This type was my parent's car and all of us daughters drove it until we could afford our own car. I started driving it in 1983, when it was eleven years old. It was like a member of the family. We took it out to the desert almost every weekend to explore. My earliest memory of it was Mom driving me to the Brownie meetings when I was in second grade. On long road trips, I could curl up in the back and sleep. I could also fit on the tire wheel between the back seat and the window. Now that I think of it, our whole family of 6 fit in that thing! In 1985, my parents sold it. Some other father purchased it for his daughter...knowing this was a very safe vehicle for a new driver. I've often wondered if it's still on the road.

Contacts

2012-02-07T08:20:00.002-06:00

It used to be said that look into a man's checkbook, and you could see what he treasured most. What was paid first? To whom? How much? How often? Not many of us carry checkbooks anymore. I think it's our cell phone contacts who have replaced the checkbook entries. My own contact list is a long one and only 3 are family members. It's alphabetical- not listed in importance. Here it is. How is it different from your contact list?

4 coaches for soccer.
my beautician
my chiropractor
the family dentist
my glaucoma doc
the high school
6 neighbors- encase we are gone and something catches on fire
friends
emergency clinic & pediatric clinic
co-workers
Domino's pizza & the local Thai place
HOA board members
work office numbers & my boss

You know, it just occurred to me I don't have anything in there about the car or road service! Hmmm....that's important....I better get that in there! My lawyer was never in there. Neither was hubby's work number. I never wanted to be tempted to call him unless it was something very important....like being hurt in a car accident. As for the family members- both our moms and one sister. That's it. Shame really since we have 3 siblings each. So....what am I missing? Any suggestions?

Chrysler Superbowl Commercial | Clint Eastwood: Its Halftime in America

2012-02-05T22:19:00.005-06:00

This commercial brought a tear to my eye. It's true...we are in hard times. At times, I don't know if it will get better. It's been a full year since the husband came home...and I wonder how long we can continue to hold out. Everything is depleted. It was hard for 4 years being apart during his deployments/missions/military duty...but this year....this last year has really knocked us into the dirt. I suppose Chrysler does know what that feels like. Although Chrysler took a 7.6 billion dollar bail-out, they were the first to pay it back to the United States and Canadian governments. That's integrity. That's GRIT. They will survive. America isn't dead yet. No matter what politics rule the day, America is something in your heart. It's doing right by the guy beside you. It's protecting those in need of it. It's charity, it's courage, it's hard work. It's half-time in America. The game isn't over yet. You just have to be strong enough to finish the game. That is .....if you're still willing to play.

But they are out of work......

2012-02-04T21:43:00.004-06:00

Employment statistics as taught by the two revered classical economists, Abbott and Costello. Courtesy of CIGA Lew

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It’s 8.3%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that’s 16%.
COSTELLO: You just said 8.3%.
ABBOTT: 8.3% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 8.3% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that’s 16%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it’s 16% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that’s 8.3%…
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 8.3% or 16%?
ABBOTT: 8.3% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.
COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can’t count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn’t look for work, can’t be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn’t be fair.
COSTELLO: To who?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work… Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you’re off the unemployment rolls, that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don’t look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That’s how you get to 8.3%. Otherwise it would be 16%. You don’t want to read about 16% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like an economist.
COSTELLO: I don’t even know what the hell I just said!

Extra's

2012-02-03T20:57:00.001-06:00

Sometimes a little extra colorful plate during dinner time is just what brings the meal to a higher level.

Lunch With Friends

2012-02-02T11:34:00.001-06:00

I used to volunteer at the elementary school kitchen. Loved it. Love the women I worked with. I can't do it anymore. You know why. Anyway....they invited me to lunch knowing my birthday was last month. I picked a nice little Thai place in town. It was great! Everyone loved what they ordered and the conversation was nice. Perhaps we will be able to do it again. After all, there's four of us and the other three have birthdays too!

Foot & Mouth

2012-02-01T23:07:00.005-06:00

That title came to my mind & I chuckled. Sounds like a disease doesn't it.

My left arch has fallen and in an unrelated matter....I woke up with foam in my mouth last week. Weird- I know. I think my left foot arch has fallen because of weakness in the muscles. I've had the worse pain starting in my lower back, right down the middle of my left buttocks, through my hip, down my leg to my heel and into my toes. If I go to the Dr. he'll write something like: DENIES: PAIN IN BACK, BUTTOCKS, LEG, HEEL AND TOES. DENIES FALLEN ARCH. So...why go to the doctor(s) when you know they'll act like it's opposite day? So...I got an arch support band from Walgreen's which helps greatly. I've had this pain since right after the accident in 2009. Not that anyone wrote it down or paid attention. As for the arch, it's only fallen recently. And it couldn't be my weight, because only ONE arch fell.

As for the foam, I don't know what the hell that is. I woke up and had to spit a mouth full of foamy spit into the sink. It was really strange and well....foamy! I tried to research it and I ended up being directed to porno sites! Yeah- "woman wakes up with white foam in her mouth"....wasn't exactly the same foam I had! YUCKO!!!! I don't think it's anything serious. It's only happened once and even babies sometimes have foam in their mouth upon waking. So, whatever. I'm not going to the doctor again unless I'm unconscious and can't stop them from loading me in an ambulance. (well- except my glaucoma doctor- I'll keep going to her) I will never go to the team of doctors again as they've harmed me with their sloppy record keeping and it follows me where ever I go. Every time I THINK it's moving in the proper direction the older records pop up and when the specialist reads them- he gets pissed at ME thinking I'm wasting his time not realizing the records are wrong. So...fuck them all. You can examine me when I'm cold on your morgue table. Anyway.....What's one more pain? The arch will just have to take a number.

Party means what?

2012-02-01T10:25:00.005-06:00

We were having dinner and Dan goes- "Dad, were you a partier when you were younger?"
The husband says...."No- not really."
This shocked me because the husband was always talking about going out with his friends. Then I say..."I partied when I was younger." The males at the table gasped - NO! Not YOU mom!

Well- in my early twenties, I had friends and we would go out into the desert and make a small fire and cook a couple of steaks, had foil wrapped potatoes and open a can of BBQ beans and placed them in the coals. We had 6 packs of soda and a package of oreos to share. We pointed out the constellations & falling stars because you could actually SEE them when you were out in the middle of nowhere. Pretty soon someone brought out a harmonica and then the jokes started. We usually cleaned up the site and left by 11:30 pm because you didn't want to be out there with coyotes and cougars attracted to the smell of your steak....and besides church was the next morning so we needed our sleep. That was a party in my mind.

"Mom- that's not a party. That's dinner outside."

Oh. Okay....what about when I would go to this place called Bogies that was a restaurant by day but every Friday night.....there was dancing! I would get my glass of water from the bartender and dance for hours with the other single people in our community who I went to school with years earlier. That was party in my mind.

"Mom- that's STILL not a party. That's dancing."

Well, what does party mean to you guys? I asked.

"Drugs, drinking and sex."

OMG.
I guess I wasn't a partier then.
Although to me, partying meant FUN, and I sure did have fun eating outside and dancing with my friends every Friday night. As for the drugs, booze and sex- that never hit me as something FUN. What's fun about throwing up or getting a bloody nose and then it drips on your outfit and stains it? Not to mention the threat of being caught with an illegal substance and hauled off to jail. Jail is not fun. What's fun about worrying if your going to get AIDS or a baby? There was nothing fun about their definition of "party". If anything I would call it "WORRY & DISTRESS"....because that's all I would do in the company of drunks, druggies & whores. Worry and be distressed! So then I cautiously asked the males at the table....

"Are you guys partiers?"

"No. But most of our classmates are."

That was both a relief and disappointing. Relieved that my kids weren't partaking in the destructive behavior and disappointed that their classmates were. Well, now that I know the real definition of "party".....I won't be letting my kids out of my sight since it's so prevalent in the community. When I was growing up- the weed heads were less then 5 at the school. That may have changed in college- but in high school- it was known who smoked and they were not popular kids. They were viewed with caution and avoided. They are all dead or in jail now. I hate to think that my kids are in an environment in which over half of the people there (over 1K) are doing those things. And many of them come from such nice families in the nicest neighborhoods. I wonder if their parents know. I wonder if their parents are like me- thinking...
the word party means something else. Oh well. I can't worry about someone elses kid unless they are directly in my care. As far as my kids go- now that I know what "party" means- I know there will be NO partying for them.

Teeth

2012-02-01T06:05:00.000-06:00

Teeth. Gotta have your teeth. Of course, as a parent, you aren't just responsible for your teeth, but that of your kid's too.

Dan will be getting his braces off soon. We'll have to come up with the retainer fee and anything left the insurance didn't pay. I didn't know it, but the husband had stopped paying the monthly payments in August of 2011. The dental office didn't even call to tell me- so that's an extra amount in the lump sum owed. I could just thump that husband on the head for doing that! If you don't pay your bills- the doctor can't make his bills and soon he's letting people go because he can't afford them anymore. Am I the only person who understands you must pay your doctor bills...so he too and those who work in his office can survive? Lawyers and insurance companies sure don't seem to understand it.

The other kid, Austin needs his wisdom teeth pulled out since they are causing him pain. That's $3+ thousand dollars and the insurance won't pay on that since his allowance was used up with his braces. He's been suffering for 2 years now and you wouldn't believe how many darn hoops you have to jump through to get it done. Since most people can't come up with the thousands of dollars- they offer a credit card- but you have to qualify for it. Anyway, we will receive some relief with the dental bills for the boys. Husband's mother is starting to divide her money between her kids. The portion coming our way can help with the wisdom teeth. Thank goodness!
The husband & I haven't even gone in for our dental treatments- because of the co-pays. The last time I was there a year ago, they were talking about a crown and I told them I couldn't afford it so it would have to wait. The cheerful receptionist was like: "All you have to pay is this amount- we take checks." I told her- "I can't write you a check if there is no money in the account." She was dumbstruck. She then asks me...."what do you mean you don't have any money in your account?" I just looked at her. Nice she is someone who always has something in her account! Must be nice to be her.
Actually I WAS HER, while the husband had his high paying job that placed us in the so-called "High Class" slot. But- that paycheck is gone. New bills in the form of back treatments has depleted my income. Forget the back surgery- not getting it because we can't afford it OR the physical therapy needed after it. Forget the liver treatment- same story. Amazing how ONE stupid decision by BOZO to drive his truck pedal to the metal ... 600 feet backwards (he hit me at the 100 foot mark) turned MY world upside down. I didn't have any of these bills before March 19, 2009. Asshole.

The other bills such as car repairs from being sideswiped at my works parking lot, or rear- ended in a school parking lot, (see Thump) or needing tires will just have to wait. I'm driving around in a van that has been beat to shit- and it's our newest car. The other one...is 15 years old! I think it's because the van is red. None of my other cars have been plowed into the front, scraped on the side and dented on the back. I'll blame the color.
If we can ever afford another car- I want it to be a safe blue color. But I have the feeling the vehicles we have now are it. I think the other transportation will be those bikes I bought for each member of the family 3 years ago. That's okay, other then work- I don't go anywhere else. Besides, I'm NOT the kind of woman who is too embarrassed to drive around in a damaged scraped up vehicle on it's last leg....err...wheels. Sure, a newer car without damage would be nice to drive around- but it doesn't bother me like it bothers some other people. You know those people- you can't eat in their car, if there's even the smallest scrape- they're filing a claim against the person & taking their car to the shop. That's not me. I've never viewed any car as an extension of myself. I'll never put a car above the relationship I have with someone. I'm not going to burden them financially because of a scrape or small dent that doesn't affect the drive -ability.

Anyway, sorry....I got sidetracked. This is about TEETH.
Gotta take care of your teeth. Gotta take care of your kid's teeth.
They've got an entire lifetime of smiles ahead of them.

Snip Snip

2012-01-31T07:27:00.001-06:00

We're cutting costs by getting rid of the land line. I would have rather eliminated the cell phones, but the husband says it's a 2 year contract and the cancellation fee is the total amount you would owe anyway because you broke the contract early. If true- that is a steep penalty fee. I asked him not to renew it in 2013. But as far as the land line- it will probably be gone by March.

We are also cutting the cable on the television. I don't know if that means the major stations like ABC, NBC or CBS...but that doesn't bother me because I don't watch much on those channels anyway. I will miss AMC's The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad. I'm hooked on Breaking Bad by the way. The husband says I can watch my shows on the computer. As far as the kids are concerned- they don't watch TV anyway- so they won't even miss it. Whatever. If this cuts down on the bills- I'll be happy.

You know, if I shaved my head, that would save a small fortune each month. I don't think my boss would like a bald employee who looks like Uncle Fester though- so I'll have to keep my bottled golden permed curly locks. But if I end up leaving the job for good, I'll just die it brown & tie it in a ponytail and let the gray show itself as it grows out. Hey- I wouldn't need to look good for anyone if I'm at home. I wouldn't buy make-up either. That would save some money! I'll just pinch my checks and bite my lips before opening the front door on that rare occasion someone actually stops by.

Which brings me to the telephone. No one calls it. If they do call, no one is here to answer it. So I won't really miss the land line after all. As far as the cell phone- you'll only be able to reach me through texting- because I never have that thing on. You know when I turn it on? When it beeps receiving a text. I get 2 texts a day. The husband asking me when I need to be picked up since we share the car and the youngest son asking if I'll bring home Popeye's chicken. Yep- I'm loved. Loved even more with some chicken strips tucked under the arm. But the biscuit? That's mine. Hands off the biscuit. I'll stab you with my spork if you try to eat my biscuit. Not really. Wouldn't want to get your blood on my spork. Just kidding. I don't want the biscuit and am too tired to unwrap the spork. Just ask my glove-box- it's full of sporks. And napkins. One never knows when you'll need a napkin & spork.

Anything in your glove-box other then car documents?
Who would you use your spork on and what did they take?
Better question.......how much do you spend a month on your hair?

An Ulsterman Sample

2012-01-30T22:04:00.003-06:00

Here is a sample of the latest interview from the Wall Street Insider on Ulsterman's site.

And let us return to those high tech missile and drone military weapons…I was given an in-house report recently that indicated tens of thousands of computer chips had been purchased from China in recent years…and the vast majority of them were counterfeit – some of them containing viruses that could have shut down any weapons system they were utilized in. Now think on that please…the United States’ most formidable economic and military opponent today is China – and this administration is buying the very components from them that are to go into the weapons for our own defense? Do you consider that to be a wise reality? Apparently this administration does, for that it exactly what they are doing.
And do you know that China is also currently responsible for over 90% of the mineral components that go into all weapons worldwide? Over 90%! America once provided its own mineral components, but after years of environmental regulations and accompanying union labor costs – that production has nearly ceased to exist. The cost of weapons production in this country…people have no idea. We are losing the battle and soon to lose the war… if there is a major conflict within the next few years, every man woman and child in this country is at risk of watching its own military run out of the most essential component of the United States military second only to the soldiers themselves - weapons. Within months of a large-scale conflict, this country could quite literally be weaponless. Barring the use of going nuclear…the threat to this country is considerable. Shockingly so.

The rest of the interview will show up later in the week.
Please read "Hung My Head" , "You don't ever want to do the things I've done" and "California". Read the comments as well, because Ulsterman wasn't able to keep up with his source's information- but the readers were able to piece the players together with reliable sources (newspaper/Internet articles). Once you see the names, the time line and the cover-ups- ....well....if you truly understand what it means......you'll crap yourself.

AARP

2012-01-30T08:56:00.002-06:00

I turned 47 recently and in my mailbox arrived an invitation to join AARP. You know- that old person benefit that gives you discounts at hotels, car rentals, home security & cell phone service. I'm only 47! BUT- I do have the body of an 80 year old- all hunched over, unable to walk more then 500 feet, glaucoma and a bad liver. What the hell......I'm signing up.

This is America

2012-01-25T08:51:00.002-06:00

I wanted to share this story, because this is what Americans do for each other. Here is a very basic way to support our communities and a way of life that built this country.

http://news.yahoo.com/era-big-boxes-day-little-guy-080317993.html
By AMY SANCETTA

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (AP) — It began quietly, as an email to 40 friends.
But when a steady stream of customers began coming through the door before the family-owned Chagrin Hardware had even opened for the day on Saturday, it was clear that it had turned into much more than that.
The idea started with Jim Black, a resident of Chagrin Falls, a close-knit village in Cleveland's eastern suburbs that is part artist colony and part bedroom community. Black posted the email to a group of his friends. "Let's show our support for one of our local businesses," he wrote. "I challenge everyone to spend AT LEAST $20 at the hardware on the 21st."
Although his email referred to the idea of a "Cash Mob" or the notion to "Occupy CF Hardware," he really had no political agenda. And it wasn't meant as a protest against the big-box stores that have created an ever-tightening circle around the community.
It was just a way to thank Chagrin Hardware's owners for a beloved shop that has been a fixture in the village since 1857.
"These are good people who needed our support," Black said. "It's just that simple."
The store, overlooking meandering Riverside Park and the Chagrin River in the middle of town, has been run by the Shutts family for the last 72 years. It passed from uncle to father to older brothers Rob and Kenny and the three youngest, Steve, Susie and Jack, who run the store today.
Black's note was forwarded and forwarded and forwarded again. Calls started coming in from folks out of state who wanted to make a purchase over the phone.
And when the day came, so did the shoppers — one by one, with dogs on leashes and children in tow, hour after hour until the hardware was teeming with customers.
"This is small-town America," said resident Martine Scheuermann, a bag of pet-safe ice melt in her arms and her Springer Spaniels tapping their toes on the worn wooden floor at her feet. "This is a special family business in a town where everybody knows you."
The store has seen its share of tough times. Road construction on Main Street at the store's front door some years back crippled business for a time. More recently, the weakened economy and the big boxes have stolen away customers.
On this day, though, those storylines were forgotten.
By 10 a.m. the place was jammed. By 1:30 p.m., the credit card machine was overloaded and had to be reset. "This is so cool," said Steve Shutts, a mix of joy, wonder and happy exhaustion spread across his face. "I've seen people today I haven't seen in years."
The line at the checkout stretched in two directions as people with snow shovels and light bulbs and fireplace grates and vintage movie posters and horse shoe caulk — yes, horse shoe caulk — waited to pay.
Chad Schron, 38, came with his 8-year-old son Robert. "We didn't have anything we had to get, but we found things we had to get," he said. As he spoke, Robert clutched an Ohio State desk lamp and two flying monkey toys to his chest.
"When I was a kid, my Mom would send me down here with a note to let me buy BB's," Schron recalled. "Lots of kids did that back then. The notes still are in a drawer over there," he said as he pointed past the register to a wall of wooden drawers containing everything from old springs to screws. In the drawer still labeled "BBs" were stacks of crumpled notes dating to the '50s, from mothers just like Schron's
When the final customer had finally left well after closing time with her fuzzy dice and floodlights, Schwind and Steve Shutts tallied the day's receipts. Shutts shook his head at the wild and unexpected ride.
He wouldn't say how much the store made that day, but was clearly pleased with the outcome.
"Thanks to Jimmy Black," he said. "Thanks to everyone. Thanks to Chagrin Falls.
"What a place to live."

Where were you born?

2012-01-24T10:09:00.003-06:00

Austin has been accepted to Loyola in Chicago, and Mizzou in Columbia! I am so proud of him! I hope he considers Mizzou over Loyola- because of the location. I would feel safer with him on the other side of the Mississippi river. Anyway.....his applications did hit a snag when it came to his birth certificate. Austin was born in Belgium while we were stationed overseas. They needed proof he is an American citizen. No problem, we have the Belgium birth certificate and we are both American citizens....so Austin is an American citizen. He had even registered for selective service on his 18th birthday.

His only limit....is he can't be President of the USA.

Why do I mention this?
Because it shocks me the so-called well informed people who don't think that a pregnant American woman who is overseas doesn't think about that. I can tell you from experience....that when we American women were overseas and pregnant....it was something we talked about at almost every gathering. Some as a joke....but a few of us were quite serious. "You know, they'll never be able to run for the presidency."

Even some of our mothers back in the States called....worried....that our kids wouldn't get some benefit for Americans....because we were having them an ocean away. Some went so far as to put the announcement in the local paper to make sure there was some public tie to the country of their parents. So....it DID cross our minds...and that of our parents who wanted to make sure their grand kids would be protected under the constitution of the United States and receive any benefits coming their way...such as social security.
So when you hear some television announcer saying..."who thinks about what public office in the far future their kid can hold at the time of birth?"
The answer is....a lot of us moms who are overseas.
Every American woman on our base who gave birth to a child over the 4 years we were stationed in Europe....talked about it.
At length.
It was understood and accepted.
The presidency is out of reach for our kids. Guess they will have to be something else. Thank God.

So just because someone on the television says "no one thinks about that", don't believe them. THEY wouldn't think about it- which makes them stupid....and arrogant since they don't believe anyone would be smarter then them.

Anyway...Austin has been the perfect kid and always goes above and beyond to do the right thing. Truth matters to that boy. He hates injustice. Someday....that boy will make a difference. He has the discipline and drive to make it happen. I'm so excited that his future can be so bright. Even if it means he can't run for the presidency! LOL
And yes- he is aware of it as well.

Nothing Fancy

2012-01-23T17:50:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the best tasting dinners are very simple ones. Thick cuts of ham, warm fluffy biscuits and homemade thick cut fries with the perfect seasoning. I know, there's no vegetables, but the kids won't eat them anyway. No worries though....they cleaned this up!

Funny Joke

2012-01-22T10:16:00.000-06:00

I get a Daily Joke by e-mail each morning. This one was worth sharing...

A young guy from North Dakota moves to Florida and goes to a big "everything under one roof" department store looking for a job. The Manager says, "Do you have any sales experience?"The kid says,"Yeah. I was a salesman back in North Dakota."
Well, the boss liked the kid and gave him the job. "You start tomorrow. I'll come down after we close and See how you did." His first day on the job was rough but he got through it.After the store was locked up the boss came down. "How many customers bought something from you today? The kid says, "One".The boss says, "Just one? Our sales people average 20 to 30 customers a day. How much was the sale for?" The kid says, "$101,237.65".The boss says, "$101,237.65?" What the heck did you sell?"
The kid says, "First I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fish hook. Then I sold him a larger fish hook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat so we went down to the boat department and I sold him a twin engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn't think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4x4 Expedition."
The boss said, "A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a BOAT and a TRUCK?"
The kid said, "No the guy came in here to buy Tampons for his wife and I said, "Dude, your weekend's shot - you should go fishing."

Aliens, Holmes & Gephardt

2012-01-21T09:26:00.001-06:00

For a few months now, I've been dreaming about aliens. You know, outer space aliens. Which is weird, because I don't believe in aliens. Well, I don't believe in monsters either- but sometimes they creep into my dreams too. Oh well.

Anyway, these dreams always start out the same. I'm outside watching a formation of alien ships pass over head and then one of them, seeing me, breaks formation and begins to pursue me and my family. I'm always left yelling for the boys to run ahead because I'm slowing them down with my back. They won't leave me, each grabbing an arm and pulling me along. I KNOW if they keep this up, we will all be dead, so I force myself to fall on the ground and make them leave me behind. No sense in all of us being abducted- right? All I see from the ground is them running and then captured and as things go black on my end- because the aliens are killing me....and it's my fault they hadn't been farther across the field.

Anyway, these aliens have been chasing me in my dreams quite a lot lately and I'm always happy to wake up. You know who else sneaks into my dreams? Katie Holmes- the actress. We are at a dinner and she's at the head of the table....beautiful as ever. Then you know who shows up as our waiter? Dick Gephardt! And who was yelling at him in a manager's outfit? James Carville! What the hell is a politician & loud mouth doing in my dreams?

Well, it could be worse. I could be dreaming about dinosaurs (T-Rex) chasing me like when I was a little kid! One night, I woke up with a bite mark on my knee! That T-Rex- had a mouth exactly the same size as mine!

Closet

2012-01-20T07:58:00.001-06:00

Dan decided to clean out his closet. Despite the fact that I had just spent 2 days finding his clothing from under his bed, the basement and on the bottom of his closet- washed it and IRONED each piece to include his T-shirts.... I was thrilled he was willing to clean something. Then concerned as 3 large trash bags came out. What perfectly conditioned stuff did he throw out?
My coat (he had borrowed it on a cold day)
Two belts from Christmas 2010
A couple of bath towels and a beach towel
Lots of shoes (they didn't fit anymore-Goodwill)
Lots of new shirts he decided weren't his style anymore.
Some unused folders & binders and notebook paper
Lots of sweaters
Socks that belonged to the husband & all of his soccer socks
School collared shirts (blue/white/maroon)
Jeans that would fit his brother

I didn't know how to respond. He didn't realize what he has in his closet now is ALL he is going to have for several years- especially when it comes to the school's so-called uniform clothing. Things have changed for our family and there isn't money for extra clothing just because he likes it. Anyway, I took the bags and placed them in the basement to go through again later. Some stuff will go to Goodwill, but the other stuff will be placed away and brought out later when he complains he has nothing to wear. I was younger then him when I went through my first recession- so he too will learn to live within his means this year. He won't like it, but this is a valuable lesson, just like making your kid pay for their own car. http://envoy-ette.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-parents-car.html
It will make him stronger- although I suppose I'll have to hold my ears as he complains about it. But he MUST learn this lesson- his whole financial future will be guided by choices and actions taken now.

Lowe's Strikes Again

2012-01-19T07:23:00.005-06:00

Several years ago while living in South Carolina, I received my credit card bill from Lowe's and it had a balance of $3 thousand dollars! This was shocking as I knew I only owed around $75.00. Turns out it was an employee there who took my card information and went shopping. They were fired, and I assume arrested. I don't know-and once I closed the account for good- I didn't care. Just make sure it's not my name on that 3k debt.
Earlier post here:http://envoy-ette.blogspot.com/2006/05/300000.html

So...for Christmas 2011, I purchased the husband a $50.00 gift card from Lowe's. Now, just so you understand- $50 might as well be $200.00 for me. I would have loved to have given him more- but I didn't have more. I was giving up a chiropractor adjustment so I could actually give my husband a Christmas gift in 2011.

So the husband goes into Lowe's in Fairview Heights, IL the other day with his gift card and rings up a $60.24 item. He starts to swipe his gift card and the cashier says "I'll do that!" and takes his gift card from him and swipes it. She then tells him he owes $56.27..... and then places his gift card in an envelope next to the register....with NO INTENTION of giving it back to him. He is allowed to swipe his Visa however on his own, and pays the $56 wondering what happened to the $50.00 that was suppose to be on the gift card. He knows with this gift card, he shouldn't be paying over $12.00 to include tax....so before he leaves the register, he asks her how much was LEFT on the gift card. She says "Nothing." He then looks at his receipt and there under his purchase, it shows $41.00 left on the gift card with only $9.00 taken off. He demands his gift card back. She reluctantly takes it out of the envelope and hands it back to him. So- Lowes has now made us spend almost $100.00 - since he had to put $56 on his Visa and I already paid them $50 up front on this pre-paid Lowe's gift card.

When the husband told me this, I was livid. This is thievery! I paid Lowes FIFTY DOLLARS and they were only allowing us to spend NINE dollars and then KEEPING the FORTY ONE! He was lied too about the amount left as well. This is intentional. Not an honest mistake.

I'll be calling management. This is robbery- and needs to stop.

UPDATE: I called and was connected to the floor manager on duty who backed up her employee. She then told me at the end of the day, they take those gift cards and swipe them in the office to find out how much money is left on them and it goes back to Lowes. This is still thievery. As long as there is ONE PENNY on a gift card that someone else paid for, it is not Lowe's to take back- unless they asked the person if they wish to surrender it. (a few cents can buy a seed packet) I asked for the corporate number in South Carolina and they gave it to me. At least corporate was concerned. I think I will take Dawn's advice and take my business to Home Depot. This is twice Lowe's employees have tried to financially screw our family.

Straw

2012-01-18T09:35:00.003-06:00

The other night, I couldn't breathe. I could bring air into my lungs, but couldn't get it out. The sound was awful with each intake of air and my chest was swelling as my lungs were getting bigger. The only thing I knew to do was find a straw and blow out through it to empty my lungs a little bit at a time. As I staggered out of the bathroom in the middle of the night, the husband woke up hearing me and followed me into the kitchen. Each time I breathed out- I could only say ONE word and since it was the most important thing I needed..... I said "STRAW"- every time. The husband hands me a glass of water- and I pushed it away. "Straw!" I said again helplessly slamming my hand several times on the kitchen counter scared I would pass out soon. He dug through the trash and started washing the straw and then put it in a glass of water again and handed it to me asking me if I wanted some tea. WTH, I'm in distress here trying to breathe! I grabbed the straw and started pushing the air out of my lungs for several minutes. I couldn't talk and the husband is going on about nasal congestion and maybe some tea would help. He still didn't get it. My throat had closed up and only a little bit of air was going in and none could come out. Then he got mad at me that I didn't take the water. I couldn't- the water would have closed up what little space I had. When you are gasping for air- you don't want anything closing your passage way.

Anyway, we were mad at each other. I was mad he just didn't give me what I was asking for- A STRAW. Not water, or tea or a Kleenex...but a STRAW...NOW.....before I pass out. He was mad at me for being mad at him- because how should he know WHY I needed the straw. (why doesn't matter) Which brings me to our communication. He operates on: "If I don't know it- it doesn't exist". So to ask him for something HE sees no need for- he won't do it- or he'll take his time doing it not seeing the urgency. When you can't breathe-and the only thing that can help you breathe is something HE doesn't know- therefore it doesn't exist.... that's a big problem.

Well, if it happens again- I'll just bypass him altogether and get the straw myself. When you can't breathe, you can't explain WHY you need something- you just need it.

Declined

2012-01-17T11:45:00.002-06:00

You know you've hit the bottom when your debit card is declined at Aldi's. I only had $11.00 worth of groceries- and it "declined". Checked my bank balance once I got home- it's that pesky $10.00 monthly fee hitting at the worse time. I have $2.61 cents in my account right now. I hate this. I handed over the last of my cash to the Chiropractor on Friday. Still owe him another $8.00 from the last visit...since I was short. At least I get paid Friday. 8 hours worth of work at minimum wage. You know- 4 hours per week makes 8 hours per pay check. Thank goodness I'll be getting more hours this week and next. It will probably cost my employer more money to cut this check then what it will be worth!

Yeah, yeah, I'm grateful for the job. I'm grateful they are working with me since I can't walk far, can't lift anything, can't do certain repairs now that I've lost my hand strength, have a fucked up liver and feel nauseous all of the time now. I'm grateful. GRATEFUL.
Guess I should let that feeling cover over the depression that rears up now that I can't afford groceries or medical care for my back. Closing my eyes and feeling.....gratef.....

Price is Right - World's Luckiest Guy

2012-01-16T17:52:00.002-06:00

I love the Price is Right. This guy- came out on top in a big way! And it was his birthday! First, he wins a motor scooter to get on stage. Then- a sports car. Then he spends the wheel to determine who will go on to the Showcase Showdown. He lands on a the 100 and gets one thousand dollars....and an extra spin. Which he does...and gets 100 AGAIN and wins $25 thousand dollars! Then he goes on to the showcase and bids on a trip to Boston and a Dodge Charger. He wins! Total: $79,897 for the day!

Not A Bad Day

2012-01-15T22:07:00.001-06:00

I worked Sunday and it wasn't a bad day. Steady stream of customers who didn't overlap each other. A few repairs that didn't take up too much time. Three sales that were mine that I actually got credit for. It was a decent day. Even got some filing done.

Usually- Sundays have been my worst days- with people coming long distances and then getting impatient as I'm the ONLY one working and they have to wait in a crowded office while I'm placing orders and having to answer the phone. It's required- that and greeting someone within 30 seconds of them coming into the office. SO....if I'm waiting on you and the phone rings- I have to answer it. Sorry. Even if we are talking about something- I'm required to turn my attention to someone who walked in and greet them. It's the policy and I could lose my job if I don't do it. So sure.....people get really upset when they've waited and suddenly the person who is waiting on them does something like answer the phone in mid conversation or task.I hate those days- there's no winning on those days. Someone ALWAYS gets pissed off...and storms off to the manager because they feel they have waited too long or they didn't get my FULL attention.
I understand it.
I'm pretty sure they don't however- because a few of them have left in a huff yelling "You're RUDE!" or "Tell your manager to hire someone else since you can't do it all by yourself!" Yeah...I'm aware of that. I would LOVE to have an extra person in on those busy Sundays. You think I like being pulled in 3 directions? And do you think yelling at the ONE person who is there makes them feel any better? It's not my fault there are only so many hours we as a group are allowed to have per week. Realize- someone higher up in a cooperate office gets an idea and says-"Sunday is a slow day- only schedule one person to work on that day...no one goes in on a Sunday anyway...people golf, go to the club or take their yacht out. No need to pay 2 people. Where's my bonus check for saving the stock holders money from cut hours- I want to count the zeros."

Don't laugh- it's pretty close.
Anyway, Sunday ended up being a nice day. I'll take that.

Overheard

2012-01-12T22:48:00.003-06:00

At Long John Silvers: Parents & teenage son

Dad: You what?!
Son: We played strip poker in the basement.
Mom: With who?!
Son: Ashley- his hot sister.
Mom: OMG! You are not to play strip poker!
Son: It's not like I was losing.

Turnover

2012-01-12T09:26:00.004-06:00

I'll be getting more hours from work. We seem to have a high turnover.
I'm taking the shift of the girl who was really great while she was there, except she hasn't been there much. It's a no-show...as in....no call to inform anyone she won't be in. She just didn't show up. Day after day after day. So- after much patience from the boss- the newest employee was fired. I'm going to miss her. She was great...when she was there.

She replaced the guy who had so many faults- it was unbelievable. Would you bring your motorbike into the office and smell it up like gasoline? Would you wear dirty greasy holey pants to work and file medical charts under the patients first name? Would you try to give away free what we are suppose to be charging for or lay over your desk and fall asleep during working hours? He did. He lasted longer then the other girl too. I don't miss him at all. He was one of those guys who felt the world owed him because he graced us with his birth into it. Son- nobody owes you anything unless they have injured or stolen from you. Otherwise, you've got to make your own way from hard work and an earned reputation of integrity.

He had replaced a gal who only lasted 2 days. She didn't show up either....no call in. I never met her- but I took her shift as well.

So...even though I'm usually only scheduled for 4 hours per week because of my back & liver, I've been getting several hours covering for the newly hired/fired people since August. I don't mind because I need the money. I've got so many bills just trying to keep my back straight- I'll suffer through the extra hours- because I'm suffering anyway...so might as well get paid for it. Of course, the husband is concerned because when I come home, I'm Quasimodo limping through the door. But until he finds a job that pays something decent with full time hours- I need to keep my position because the only one paying for my back care- is ME.

I may have more hours on my hands then I know what to do with, because the big boss said no more hiring. We have to run the office with the people left. So good for the paycheck, bad for the back. The real kicker? (you know what I'm going to say) I would have been able to work FULL TIME at this job if Bozo hadn't tried to catch someone 500 feet behind me, gunning his large V8 construction truck into reverse, using his side mirror to guide him as he DROVE backwards and slammed into me damaging my back & muscles. If he hadn't made such a stupid decision- I would be happily working a full time job and living a life without pain and still able to make love to my husband. BOZO- YOU FUCKING LYING BASTARD....don't you realize that what you have done to me will come back to you or your family through FATE?
What you sow, so shall you reap AND MORE.
And pass this along to your super lawyer- for he too can not go through life pushing over the injured & innocent and not be held accountable. (Proverbs 22:8)

Anyway.....I've got to get ready to go into work to cover a shift. I'm happy for the extra money because I'm drowning in medical debt here. Every little bit helps. I'll get everyone paid eventually.

Thump

2012-01-11T17:25:00.002-06:00

So I'm sitting in my van parked at the school parking lot waiting for Dan to come out. All of a sudden, I hear a thump and my van rocks forward. Oh great. Someone just made contact. So I get out and it's this young kid who probably just got his license. He pulls back into his space. I tapped on his window as he is hurriedly texting someone. He rolls it down and I figure- it's time to learn what to do when you've hit someone. So I nicely asked him to get out and "lets look and see if there is any damage." He doesn't want to get out of the car. I give him the nicest smile I can and gently ask him again to come out. He waited until a text comes through and then gets out and we look at his car first. Yep- there's my red paint on his white bumper corner. Other then that, no damage on his end. We then look at my back bumper and it's got a long scrape like a cut because he was still moving backwards turning his vehicle despite the fact he had come into contact with mine. (I think he was about to flee) Now, most people would make a big deal out of it. One scratch and they want you to pay for it- I know too many people like that. Me? It's still drivable, it's not interfering with closing the back and other then the cut- the bumper is sound. I'm not going to bother this kid or his parents with such minor damage. Sure- by all rights, I can demand his insurance pay for the damage and give me a new back bumper- but that's not who I am. I care more about people and relationships between them.... more then a car. Cars get minor dents and paint jobs don't last forever. If I can still drive it- I not going to hold it against you if it was an accident. When some little kid opened his grandma's heavy door and it hit my car so hard- it rocked sideways- I didn't make a big deal about it. I don't regret that decision, and that happened several years ago. Not burdening that family was more important then a perfectly smooth door.

My poor van. It's now been hit on both ends. Front from Bozo, and the back from a high school student backing out of his parking space. That van may end up being my home- so people please....stop hitting it!

A Day Out

2012-01-10T21:50:00.002-06:00

I don't go out much anymore as it requires walking to get from point A to point B. I'm limited in that. I basically go to work when I'm called in and then come home. No sight seeing, or shopping, or exploring anymore. Chair to chair. 200 feet in between.
Anyway.....
Yesterday, the husband took me into St. Louis. He needed to return something he purchased and the only store was in the city...so he dragged me along. Our first stop was Macaroni Grill for lunch. It's been 3 or 4 years since I've been there and there was a rush of excitement! The appetizers were wonderful! I recommend the bread with beans, the calamari and the artichoke hearts. Fabulous! Love the large water bottles on the table- plenty of it & didn't go dry. Unfortunately the main pasta dishes- were horrible. Overcooked, missing ingredients and changed recipes. It was FOUL, as in.... tasted like vomit. We were shocked and disappointed. Won't be going back to Macaroni Grill. And apparently- a few other people feel the same way because the place was empty.

Then off to the mall for the shop Hubby needed. I basically sat on the first bench I saw as the husband trotted away to do his exchange. Lucky for me, there was a "Something Remembered" shop right in front of me. Great thing about malls, they have glass windows. So...I sat there and slowly soaked in the cute items behind the glass. Of course, I couldn't stand it...I had to get up and look inside for about 7 minutes! In this short time, found all sorts of thing for gifts. Ended up at the clearance table and purchased a couple of Christmas ornaments. They were only $5.50! Well...I didn't purchase them...I called Hubby and asked him to stop by with his wallet. He parted with his cash and I left happy to have a couple of cute ornaments at a bargain price!

Then I sat back down on the bench and watched him go into a computer shop. Was glad there was plenty of room to sit and people watch. Not a big tech person- but love looking at people's outfits as they go by. So then...after he zeroed in on a laptop for the oldest son for a graduation present....he persuaded me into the Vera Bradley shop. You know, that store with the cute material bags & accessory covers with lots of colorful comfortable seating! Since my birthday was coming up- he picked out a couple of things for me. One was a wrist-ette that would hold my phone, an ID and some money. Perfect as I have trouble carrying a purse now since it's too heavy. The other thing he got me was a little travel jewelry case. Perfect for those couple of items you take with you that goes with everything. I was very happy to have them and believe it or not, they will make my life easier!
Then I sat back on the bench as he went into another store because Dan's birthday is coming up and the boy needed some proper length pants for school since he is growing again. No clue what he got- but I'm sure he made wise choices.

Since the foul taste of lunch was still in our mouth, we stopped at the Cheesecake Factory and shared a dessert. Amazing how a mango cheesecake can get rid of that vomit taste! I even had a cup of tea- which is something I never do. Guess I was feeling like this trip was a vacation! So then the husband fetched the car and pulled around to pick me up. We stopped at Cracker Barrel to pick up those wonderful peppermint sticks to keep in the glove box. Then home where both of us collapsed on the couch unwilling to take another step.

You know there was a time when I took a day like today for granted. Eating out, the ability to walk all over a mall and standing for hours taking one's time picking what you need. It's not like that anymore and I'm forcing myself to instead of saying "I'll never be able to do it again" INTO: "this was a nice day out regardless of the fact I was on a bench for most of it." Now ask me if I believe it and I'll be honest- I don't. But maybe if I tell myself that enough-it will become easier to sit on that bench without feelings of anger and betrayal. Perhaps one day I'll sit there and NOT miss the life I used to have. One day. Of course, that day will be much better with a piece of cheesecake to help it along. I recommend the mango.

Austin

2012-01-03T22:44:00.016-06:00

This is Austin. My 18 year old. He is graduating this May from high school and either going to Mizzou or Loyola for International Studies of East Asia and spend his last 2 years in ROTC. I'm not thrilled about the ROTC. Strange coming from a daughter of a military man and the wife of one. But that should tell you something. I'm very familiar with the military and where it's going. I'm very aware of where the USA is going as well. But enough about that. Lets talk about Austin.
My oldest son, although a handful as a young child...turned out pretty GREAT. He does anything asked of him the FIRST time you ask. I know....it's hard to believe...BUT TRUE! He's pretty much been an straight A student, only getting a B in one class because of a 3 day absence from the flu at the end of the grading period in which he couldn't make up 3 tests. He was a sophomore then and not too happy about that. "It ruined my 4.0 record!"

He will be a black belt in Shodokan-Kimpo by April 2012. He really likes swords. And staffs. But he excels in swords (kendo). Believe me, you don't want to be on the receiving end of his sword.

He is quick and strong and hits his mark. He is serious and fair and careful.

Recently, he's started wearing some scruff under his chin. It looks better in person. He likes it because it makes him look older and tougher. I told him not to worry about being tough, because it runs in the family. Both his Grandpa's were WWII vets, one in Europe landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day and one in the Pacific rooting out the enemy on the various islands. The women were no push overs either. You think I'm tough? You should meet my mom. If there could be a saying about daddy it would be:
"Daddy went through 3 wars, 2 nukes, 4 daughters and our mother. You think he will cower from your nonsense?"

Austin is a lot like my dad. His best parts. A warrior's heart. I think he is the one you would want to have your back. He is also like my mom. Her best parts. Follow the rules. What's interesting is they are the same 60 year zodiac sign, a water rooster/taurus-gemini cusp. Each sign only comes along ONCE in 60 years and he landed on hers. He also has her sense about money.

He takes care of his body - never drinking soda or eating junk. He takes vitamins and eats protein bars for snacks and works out. He's one of the fastest kids I know. He's also a good kid. I don't worry about drugs & booze with him. His body is his temple and he isn't going to put anything into it that will harm it.
He enjoyed being a Boy Scout because it took him to the outdoors were he thrives. Next was Leadership training through his Dojo for over a year now. He also shouldered the burden of my disability this past 3 years during the absence of his father. He took care of the things I no longer could. He did it without complaint and kept up his grades & his training in martial arts. Only when his dad came home for a few days a year, could he relax and be a teenage boy again.
Now, at 18, he is a young man. Soon to be heading off to college. Then the world. I am proud of him. He is a strong & fair young man. He is a hard worker with great intelligence. He saves his money.... appreciates the arts....and is an avid book reader. He'll look you in the eyes and give you a firm hand shake when he meets you. He never wants to be caught unaware or offend... so he studies etiquette , rules & cultural traditions. He wants to make a difference. He wants to be part of something bigger. He wants to make the right decisions. He doesn't shy from responsibility and when everyone else has given up and left their post, it is him filling in. He'll work from sun up to sun down until it's done. Even if he's blistered, swollen and in pain, he will grit his teeth and get it done. I would like to think he gets that from me.

Seeds

2012-01-03T11:00:00.001-06:00

I've been persuaded to think about this spring's garden. Funny how receiving 3 seed catalogues can have that affect on you! I'm still drawn to fruit trees though. I wish I could have a 100 of them. Of course, there would be no room for anything else then. So...what if I can squeeze another 10 on the lot? More peaches & apricots please. And some apples. The 7 apple trees are barren even after 4 years. I must be missing some special pollinator. Although crab apple trees can do the trick- mine's not working. One day I'll figure it out and have more apples then I'll know what to do with. I want that problem with peaches & apricots!

http://www.farmerseed.com/
http://www.jungseed.com/
http://www.gurneys.com/

Game of Thrones

2012-01-02T09:19:00.000-06:00

I'm hooked on this series. Last night, we watched the first 5 episodes with On Demand. It has great story lines, characters with depth and actors able to pull it off. Great television.

Ba-oing!!!

2012-01-01T10:30:00.007-06:00

Here that sound? It's was my check bouncing.
I had $44.00 in my account and I wrote a check to the chiropractor for $40.00 after an adjustment. That should leave $4 in my account....right? Not if the bank applies a $10.00 FEE minutes BEFORE the check is processed on that same day. So...after the fee, I had $34.00 in my account and my $40.00 check bounced. With an added insufficient fund fee....of $36.00! Yep-I'm charged a thirty-six dollar fee over six bucks. But it gets better. I called the bank asking what this NEW $10.00 fee was. Turns out, if you don't have $1500.00 in your account at all times, you get hit with the ten bucks. Now- you can avoid it if you have a single deposit of $500.00 each month, or a combined total of one thousand dollars of direct deposits over the month.
Which I don't.
My paychecks usually are around $100 since I'm only working 4 hours a week or at the most 12. So...I was hit with a fee. Now, since we are talking about minutes here between the bank fee ...(which apparently took priority over the check)...and the forty dollar check processing time...I asked if there was a grace period. After all....I was getting paid at midnight that night with a direct deposit and that check would cover the $40.00.
Nope.
Didn't matter. I owed the fee. Then I asked if I could bring in $50.00 cash (borrowed from the husband) within the hour. Nope again. I was told I needed to pay attention to the timing better. (even though I checked that morning to see my balance and knew no other checks were out there coming in)

Between that fee and the fact I still had to pay the doctor- ate up the paycheck coming in that night. I saw it deposited at midnight and then cleaned out at the same time. I have nothing left in the account for extra gasoline to get me to work. And it's not as if I can walk there or even walk to the nearest bus stop.

SO....here's the breakdown if I stay with this bank. They will get $120.00 a year from me in banking fees because I'll never have $1500.00 in my account and my employment checks will never amount to over one thousand dollars per month. Their $36.00 punishment fee and the new $10.00 monthly fee could have been money going to the care of my back. So- that is one less adjustment I can get now. Of course, if I hadn't been plowed into by Bozo- I wouldn't be writing checks to chiropractors because I never went to one since I never had back problems before March 19, 2009. Those are the only checks I write. Medical treatments for my back.

Anyway, I'll look for another bank that won't charge such fees. They punched one eye, I'll try to protect the other one before the next incoming swing. I'll only pay the medical bills in cash or a money order from now on. I have no choice but to absorb the loss and take the hit. As much as this fee is excessive, it's still my responsibility to pay it while I have an account with them. That will change as soon as possible as I'll be transferring to a smaller credit union now.

I never thought I would end up being one of those people who wrote a bad check. Not intentionally of course, but it is what it is. I wrote one and it didn't clear. That's a real jolt to my self respect & pride. I've always been careful with money matters. If I can't pay someone for treatment, then I won't get it. No sense in putting them into a financial hole because they are helping me out. Not being a burden to others is as much a financial discipline as it is a physical one.

Last Day 2011

2011-12-31T18:57:00.005-06:00

So how do you think today went? Like the rest of the year really.
A lady came in today furious over something at work. She wanted to be the star of her own production of "shred the employee"....and she did. She told me off, went and got a manager who stopped by and told me off again in front of them. She accused me of all sort of things that didn't happen and the more calm I was, the more furious she got. "I don't like your oakie dokie attitude!" What does that mean? I'm being too helpful? Anyway, this went on for well over 40 minutes...YES....FORTY MINUTES....with the manager (who was NOT our stores manager) trying to tell this woman that because of the holiday- certain things couldn't be authorized without our store manager's approval or even the regional manager's approval (who is on vacation- because it's a HOLIDAY) Nothing was good enough for this lady who just went on and on and I could have set myself on fire in front of her after giving her a million dollars and she would not have been satisfied. She just had to VENT....and I was the lucky employee who got the brunt of it.

But that isn't the last of the work day. Oh no. I went out to my car to see it sitting in a puddle of fluid because I was side swiped by something yellow on my front passenger panel and it's now dislodged. Isn't that lovely? Lucky it wasn't something vital to the driving of the car. My windshield wiper fluid light came on...so the car is certainly drivable. I'm not worried about that once I saw the light. I was kinda relieved it wasn't something more serious. I think the panel can be pushed back in. I don't know...I'll let the husband deal with it....because after this year...I don't give a shit anymore.
DON'T
GIVE
A
SHIT

As far as I'm concerned....2011 can just kiss my fat cottage cheese butt. And the same goes for 2012. I hold NO hope it will be better. "Hope" is a word I will no longer use. It's too exhausting hoping for HOPE. I can't do it anymore. I won't. It's cruel and folly. Fuck hope. Fuck 2011.
Fuck 2012. I'm not playing with you anymore.

Didn't Quite Work

2011-12-30T10:49:00.003-06:00

Well, the recliner didn't quite work as a bed. It felt great for 20 minutes and then a tingling, followed by burning sensation hit my back in the lower thoracic region. It was awful. Worse then the shoulders when on my side. So...I'm back to sleeping in the fetal position with aching between the shoulders but at least it doesn't hurt as much as this new pain did. I'll still use the recliner after work because I have to have my feet up. It just won't be used in long stretches. Wow, I will never have a restful night's sleep again.

Breakfast Soup

2011-12-29T11:30:00.002-06:00

I've been eating soup for breakfast. A canned soup too! It's vegetable soup that you add a can of water into. Then I end up drinking at least 2 glasses of water because it is a little salty. But that's okay...because I'm losing weight and not feeling as sick with my liver being upset over other things I used to eat that it can't process as well. So....breakfast soup seems to be my new routine. Cheap, fast & satisfying.

Recliner

2011-12-28T14:31:00.003-06:00

My Christmas present was delivered today. It's a recliner that I can sleep in. After sitting in several at many different places, I found one that fit my short body the best. We're putting it at the foot of the bed and that's where I'll be sleeping from now on. I can't lay flat without waking to full body jolting. I can't sleep on my side without those 3 budging discs shooting pain in my shoulders. So....a recliner allows me to bend where I need too and allows my head to rest without flopping over. I don't have trouble sitting. That's why I could drive a thousand miles to Texas. But when my body is straight, like standing, walking or laying flat on my back...that's a PAINFUL state. That's when it's obvious that my back was damaged from the car accident. I haven't had a restful nights sleep since March 18, 2009. Maybe this recliner is just what I'll need to finally sleep without PAIN through most of the night. I sure hope so!

But I don't want to....

2011-12-27T11:02:00.001-06:00

But I don't want to take down the cheerful decorations of Christmas! It makes me so happy to look around at the many sparkly things with glitter and twinkle lights. I really like having trees in my house! I'm really going to miss

our primary colored Christmas tree that once had a trip to Sedona, Arizona sitting in the dining room brings a smile each time I go out the front door....

the colorful banister we were inspired to make this year from Susan's "Naps Between the Porch" blog....

the red bell hanging from the ceiling fan....the red poinsettia on the coffee table...

the wool socks with great memories. The husband wore these while deployed in Pakistan and then placed a red ribbon around the top so we could have stockings for Christmas when we were away from home.....

the wreaths & nutcrackers. See that patriotic ornament? That was a gift from the husband's brother & sister-in-law.

the ribbons and colorful pieces from various trips we used to take each Christmas....

(the china is from Mount Vernon, Virginia)

the colorful balls in windows

the ornaments of different sizes and colors.Oh...how I love the decorations of Christmas! Can't I keep them up until Valentine's Day? LOL.....of course I won't. But I will squeeze every enjoyment I can between now and January 1st. And then begin the day (or two) putting it all away. But for now...5 days of CHEER!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Day After

2011-12-26T12:24:00.004-06:00

We had a quiet Christmas. The boys were home which warmed my heart because they aren't home often. I actually had to make them promise not to go anywhere on Christmas Day! We had grilled cheese sandwiches after opening the presents. (we kinda overslept) The boys received shoes & clothing. The husband got a bottle of scotch & a Lowe's gift card. I received an electronic picture frame- you know that is a slide show of photo's I've taken over the years. We transferred the pics that morning! Then we prepared the beef rib roast- which was SO tender. Roasted some potatoes and had a salad on the side. Then the family went to the movie theater to watch "War Horse". It was the 10:30PM showing and we didn't get out of there until after ONE! Then- on to bed. Nice quiet calm day!

Today is also going to be a nice day. No cooking as there are leftovers in the fridge. No bills to worry over because it was a small cash Christmas. No mess to clean up- so the house is still very clean. Don't have to take the decoration down- so I'm sitting here enjoying them. I don't have to go into work until Thursday - so I can rest. Oh and the best part? Cookies and brownies on the table! It's a sweet day!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T16:01:00.004-06:00

Getting Closer......

2011-12-23T10:25:00.016-06:00

It's getting closer to Christmas. The husband and I picked up a few things for the boys last night. Mostly clothing from the local mall. I hung in there for 7 minutes before I had to excuse myself and sit on a bench outside the store. I was so nauseous I had to sit down and get off my feet. The husband made great choices....I'm sure the boys will like their colorful tops. Then we left and I sat in the car while he ran into a store to get a gift card. Of course, he came out with a bag full of stuff...LOL. We did eat together which was nice.

Austin got his brown belt in martial arts. He will get his black belt by April as he is going 4 times a week now. He increased the lessons so he will earn it before he goes off to college. I'm so proud of that boy. He is such a wise money manager. Grandma in Arizona helped with the cost as well. It was a good investment! Did I mention he was accepted to Mizzou? The state university of Missouri! He is waiting to hear from Loyola- as they hadn't received the transcripts from the high school. There was also a mix-up over his birth certificate. Austin was born in Belgium so he doesn't have an USA birth certificate. And yes....when I was pregnant with him overseas, I did think (for months) about the fact he couldn't be president. Most of us wives who were pregnant over there talked about it...but that's another post.

Dan is full of surprises. He spent the night with a friend to come back home with a pierced ear given to him by the friend's "hot" sister. We have removed the earring and are treating the hole with rubbing alcohol & Neosporin so he doesn't get an infection. Crazy boy! That will be story he can tell his friends & kids.

This year instead of turkey we are making a standing beef rib roast. We are ham & turkey'd OUT. I can't wait! I love a good piece of beef! After the cost of that thing...that's our Christmas present to each other. So...we better not burn it! LOL

Christmas Green

2011-12-22T16:04:00.007-06:00

One of the things we made an effort to do this year was to only use (if possible) the stack-able boxes we've had for 3 years now. They don't take up much room in the off season, as they all fit into the other. Just about everything we purchased this year fit nicely into a box, with the exception of the boys shoes. That's okay- there was plenty of last year's wrapping paper in the basement to fix that problem! Come Christmas morning....there will only be 2 small red balls of paper to dispose of. That's one step toward a "green" Christmas!

HINT: In the future, I'll use a fabric bow of various colors so I will remember who gets what gift. For instance: the husband-a gold ribbon, #1 boy- blue ribbon, #2 boy- red ribbon, etc...
It will save confusion so the gift doesn't get passed to the wrong person.

Dead Zones

2011-12-20T10:06:00.001-06:00

Well, it's finally hit. I've got some dead zones just below the area that "snapped" in my lower back at impact on March 19, 2009. The tingling/sharp pain is now nothing but numbness. A dead zone of no feeling what-so-ever. As much as I would like to make an appointment with my doctor, I know nothing will be done. I went for over 2 years telling them "something is wrong"..."something snapped/bent in the lumbar area"....."this pain is not normal aching"....only for them to document it as a "denial" and pat me on the head thinking I'm a crazy menopausal woman who was just going to the doctor for something to do that day. I was told, "you're in the chronic stage now and there's nothing we can do". If they had kept my record properly & asked the right questions, they would have known early on that there was a BIG problem that wasn't just soft tissue damage. Soft tissue damage doesn't pull your pelvis up on one side and down on the other. (which is why I can't walk more then 500 feet- the hip bone won't rotate & rubs) I'm losing sensation when I use the bathroom now. My periods had stopped after the accident only to return after a chiropractor adjustment 5 months later. I know it's related, because when I couldn't afford to go to the chiropractor- the cycle stopped until months later when I could scape enough money to go again, it would start the next day. The doctors told me..."you're entering menopause". At 44? How come my older sisters (53-56) aren't in their menopause or finished yet?

At this point, I think the doctors are too scared to enter anything different, knowing for almost 3 years now....they dismissed me. Even the specialist yelled at me like I was wasting his time when I showed up with a referral after they found a shadow on my spine during an MRI. That asshole brought me to tears acting like I only had a bruise and the blood would absorb, and he scolded me bellowing he was a SPINAL and BRAIN SURGEON! I thought.....I'm here because they don't know if the shadow is a ball of blood vessels that happens to be in the exact spot of the "snap" from the accident or if it's a cyst (syringomyelia) which will cripple me as it grows and destroys my spinal cord! He wouldn't even look at the referral paper because he was stuck on a term for bruising. I left in tears wondering why the hell every time I reached out for help with my injuries, the doctors just shoved me down with ridicule & contempt. No one knows what the shadow is....because no one will look or acknowledge it...except the person who first spotted it. In the meantime, I'm feeling my heartbeat in my lower back. I'm feeling a tightness and I get nauseous if I'm standing over 4 minutes or even mobile for 20. Shopping kills me. I'm walking to the car ready to puke. My sleep is disrupted because if I lay flat on my back, I awake to whole body "jolting/seizing" until I turn on my side and bring my knees to my chest. If I didn't have 3 bulging discs in my mid-back, I could almost get the rest I need, but they are painful in that position and I turn over every 10 minutes until exhaustion takes over. I haven't slept through the night in almost 3 years now. That started the night of March 19, 2009.

I don't know what to do. I've been labeled a "gomer", they've made up things in my chart (inserts wet q-tips in her ears/denies pain & tingling) they get angry when they walk into the room and it's ME sitting on the table, they won't change the documented mistakes, and think I'm there for the chit-chat. One day, I won't be able to move my legs or empty my bladder and I'll have to be taken to the ER and only THEN will someone figure out something is wrong. But it will be too late. The damage will have been done and can't be "undone" at that point. I hate this. What the hell did I do to deserve this? I was just trying to get home when some fool DROVE his massive truck backward and ended up ON MY HOOD.

You know who you are BOZO.
You've ruined my life.
I had a great life and now it's gone because of your STUPID decision to CATCH UP WITH SOMEONE 500 FEET BEHIND ME. YOU GUNNED THE ENGINE AND HIT ME WITH GREAT FORCE. The damage to my vehicle shows that. You lied to save your $2.5 million dollar company because you knew you didn't have adequate car insurance. Increase your coverage idiot...because you will no doubt hit another innocent soul and ruin their life too. Increase your coverage so at least they can get the treatment they need and not be like me who had to stop it too soon because I couldn't afford it and your insurance company let me know in writing they had no intention of paying for it after I had started it. (although earlier --verbally they said "do what you need to do to get better")
Increase your coverage for the next person you plow into.
You stupid son of a bitch!

Final Touches

2011-12-19T21:46:00.012-06:00

The husband and I spent the weekend getting ready for the office party. It was lots of fun putting things together like this centerpiece on the dining room table later filled with breads & desserts.

The house was ready to receive guests with Christmas cheer on every table! Even the curtains received a shiny ball swag!

The fireplace was decked out with nutcrackers & stockings. Even the cats got their own sock on the sides of the fireplace shaped as fish!

We are very proud of the main Christmas tree! We just kept putting ornament after ornament on and the branches started drooping so we wrapped ribbons around it trying to give support! LOL!! It was pretty full!

There was plenty of room for everyone and the food turned out tasty. We played the"toilet paper" game...which is you tell your guest to take as many squares as they think they will need (for an unknown cause) and then pass a roll around. Some will take many sheets, others will only take a couple. Then you explain that for every square they have, they must tell something about themselves. It was a success as we learned about our co-workers hobbies, dreams & family members. It's a great way to keep the party going.

Christmas Past

2011-12-17T08:50:00.001-06:00

2009 was an eventful year. Both good and bad. But I can look back at the Christmas of 2009 and smile. That was the year the husband was deployed and made it back to Washington D.C., but couldn't leave the area. Knowing my boys needed their dad, after several months of not seeing him, we packed up the family van, including this Christmas tree and drove 900 miles into a blizzard to get to him.

It was a wonderful visit! We decorated the tree with cranberries & popcorn, candy canes, pine cones and a homemade star cut from a cereal box...wrapped in aluminum foil. Later we added birds, red balls & Mount Vernon china.

This was the hotel room we were staying in. See those socks? Those are the husband's desert socks that he washed and sewed a thick ribbon around the top edge. See the pots at the bottom of the Christmas tree? That was my Christmas gift from the husband which we put to good use when we made a Christmas dinner for the other military members who's family couldn't make it. For me, this is what Christmas is about. Sharing with those around you. Seeing a need and then filling it for that person. That's always how I lived my life. Trying to fill the needs of those around me if I can. These days, there's lots of people who are in need. That's something I'll encourage my family to remember this year as well. Although we too are going through hard financial times, health issues & disapointments.... at least we are finally together. And that's something to celebrate.

9 Days?

2011-12-16T08:17:00.004-06:00

Is it only 9 days until Christmas? Oh my! I haven't even purchased gifts yet! The husband and I have been busy decorating! We should have started sooner!! LOL!

SILVER

2011-12-15T10:39:00.004-06:00

Now is the time to buy silver. It's hovering around $28-$32. This is the last dip that may last til the end of the year. Then it will begin to rise and you'll kick yourself for missing it. Oh yeah, one more thing, if you can't touch it, you don't own it.

Inspiration

2011-12-14T00:10:00.003-06:00

THIS ^ is a picture from Susan's Blog "Between Naps on the Porch". Her friend, Joy sent her a picture of the garland decorations that she made for her banister. Here is the address for the full post.: http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/12/beautiful-christmas-banister.html#more Anytime you visit Susan, you are inspired to do something better. That was the case with this gorgeous garland. It blew us away. We had to try and make something similar for the upcoming party. Here's our banister we just finished.
Now I will admit, I really like Joy's colors. They are sophisticated. Very calming. Very high end.
Ours is....very colorful!! And to be honest, the picture doesn't do it justice. It's more cheerful in person. What a project! It took hours, but was worth it. I'm smiling just looking at it!

Here's some hints from trial & error. We had 2 strands of garland but really needed the "branch" kind of garland for better coverage & support of the balls. So this is 3 strands although you can get away with only 2 if you buy the right kind the first time...which we didn't. We bought the stands "pre-lit"...so no need for extra light strands. Using fishing line, make a cluster of balls (6)...sizes medium and small so they can fit through the rails...and then add the bigger ones. Use plastic ornaments, as you wouldn't want breakage as people pass by. All are tied to the garland and banister...one cluster at a time. This will also make it easier when it's time to disassemble. My only regret is I didn't purchase plastic balls with glitter designs. That would have made it look even nicer. Next year....that's the plan!

Now...since it's after midnight...we'll tackle the fireplace tomorrow.
This was so satisfying....I'll need a cigarette soon....
LOL!!!!!!

Deck the Halls

2011-12-11T20:51:00.003-06:00

The husband and I are going to do a little shopping tomorrow. We were inspired by Note Songs, Sheila's fireplace mantel & door way and Between Naps on the Porch, Susan's friend who made a gorgeous garland swag for the staircase rails. We will try to do something similar but on a much cheaper level! LOL. Hey, there's no sex in the house anymore so we have to make do with CRAFTS. Something tells me with all this pent-up frustration, it will turn out awesome! I'll post pictures once we finish.

Cardinal

2011-12-08T08:37:00.000-06:00

I've spent the last few mornings trying to get some decent pictures of the birds that live in our backyard. (see Midwestern Family) The Cardinal is the most social, not letting my presence bother his feeding. The blue jays on the other hand are very skittish. As I put the camera to my face, they see the movement and take off. My new goal, getting a tree shot of the blue jays! It's not fair the cardinal gets all the glory.

Dropped Food

2011-12-07T12:05:00.002-06:00

Dropped food leads to stained shirts. And a scolding with a shaking head from the husband. He doesn't understand why sometimes, a little piece of something from my plate ends up on my shirt. Of course he doesn't understand....because HE DOESN'T HAVE BOOBS.
In my defense, you should see his lap after a meal!

Blocked

2011-12-06T21:03:00.000-06:00

How come when I try to look at some one's blog who has joined mine...I can't view it? It says I'm blocked. Do I have to sign in or something? I would love to visit those who were kind enough to leave a comment or hit the "follow" button.

Chicago

2011-12-06T15:30:00.006-06:00

Austin wanted to visit the campus of Loyola in Chicago. http://luc.edu/

So the men of the family took a 3 day trip over a weekend to the “City of the Century”. Although I wanted to go, it would only slow them down and I would be miserable trapped in a hotel room since I can't walk any distance over 500 feet. I hated to miss this college visit with my first son, but there was no reason to ruin it for him with my foul mood when the pain hits. They needed a happy trip together and once they got back, they filled me in on all the excitement!

Austin preferred Loyola to Mizzou. http://www.missouri.edu/
Unfortunately, it is more expensive than Mizzou. He will have to qualify for scholarships and apply for student loans to make that place a reality. Both places offer Eastern studies and ROTC. Courses in the Chinese language really perked his interest. He at first talked about Japanese studies hoping to be a (radioactive) Marine stationed there. I wish I could get this military desire out of his head. It's not the same world as 12 years ago. It's only going to get worse. (26 years- we know what he would be getting into) I know what he finds attractive about it. He wants to be part of something. He wants to make a difference. He desires to be around other disciplined people who have their heads on straight and deal with reality and not perception.

Part of his drive to be exceptional is hoping to impress his father. Hubby was absent for 4 years (because of military duty) and Austin so wants to please him. He has a huge void that his father should have filled. That's why two parent homes are important. With a parent gone, it hurts deep within the child. Austin will never get those years back he missed from 7th to 11th grade. This is just when a young man needs his dad the most. He needed encouragement & interaction with a trusted adult man. Instead, he had to shoulder the burden of a disabled mother. That poor kid.
We had it hard before, but the blow to my health in both strength and mobility affected us deeper then one could imagine. We can't recover or hope for better days.
Thanks Bozo - you stupid son of a bitch.
Anyway....
I'm looking forward to him finding lots of interesting people to connect with in college. Right now, in high school, there's so many weed heads, thieves, slackers and cutters...and they're from well to do families you would never suspect.

But back to the Chicago College road trip....
They stayed at Marriott using our vacation points. That was a wise decision as we can't do family vacations anymore. Both boys loved the city and walked down the Magnificent Mile. The husband purchased red socks for Dan and Austin picked up 3 all weather shirts for his outdoor adventures. They ate Chicago Deep Dish pizza, Thai food, and ate on campus. The trip was as much about eating as sight-seeing! After going to Loyola, they then went west to a small town called Wheaton to check out Wheaton College. http://wheaton.edu/
This is the college evangelist Billy Graham graduated from.

In the end, Austin still preferred Loyola because although it was smaller then Mizzou, it had a big city close by. Now all he needs is to be accepted....and then the scholarships or loans of course!
UPDATE: Austin was accepted into Mizzou!

Flowers

2011-12-06T10:29:00.001-06:00

It's getting cold outside and I couldn't help myself. I went to the online seed companies and bought a whole bunch of flower seed packets! Songbird packet....for the front yard so I can admire the blue jays, cardinals, red headed woodpeckers & yellow bellied finches while sitting on my front porch.

Cut flower packets....which will be cheaper then buying flowers for the dinner table. I think I'll put those next to my blue garden fence!

Perennials for the side of the house to get color year after year.....
(since my rosebushes have all been pulled out)

...and finally a shade garden packet for the front patio.

Hopefully, I will have a colorful yard for the summer of 2012! Perhaps the extra flowers will bring in the bees to pollinate my garden & fruit trees.
It was all under $11.00 so I'm relishing the savings and looking forward to the spring/summer when I can rope the boys into helping me spread the seeds. Oh....the years I used to get out there and do it on my own! I miss those days!!

David Cook - Fade Into Me

2011-12-04T13:04:00.001-06:00

I soooo love this guy. This is a dance in the kitchen with the person you love....song!

Christmas Party

2011-12-04T11:45:00.007-06:00

I'm planning an office Christmas party at our home. About 30 people in total. There was a time when we entertained that many people every two weeks. We were younger and in better health then! Plus the house was smaller, so it only took one day of cleaning up to make it presentable! Back then, I always had to borrow my neighbors ovens to get everything ready! Cakes in Joy's oven and sides in Lisa's while mine was cooking the main dish casseroles!

Normally, I would do a pot luck, but most of the office people are single & don't cook. Half of them are guys under 25. The difficulty with this group (20ish - 70) will be everyone is at a different taste level. Too much fuss over a dish or any green vegetable in it, some probably wouldn't touch it. No special attempt, other's will feel insulted. So, how to balance a menu for those with dentures, and those who only eat canned green beans & Ramen noodles?

I'm thinking a big spiral ham with a raisin rum sauce on the side. Two types of potatoes.... about a dozen baked sweet potatoes and then a big platter of roasted golden potatoes with rosemary. A nice stuffing with celery, pears, apples & raisins folded in the final minutes of cooking. A green bean casserole seems to go well no matter who is coming to dinner. Southern Living has the best macaroni & cheese dish with a dash of red pepper that makes it extra special. Breads of pumpkin, banana and zucchini should cover just about everyone. The husband will make his cranberry sauce for a sweet taste and punch of color. I might be able to hit the older married people for a fruit platter and large green salad. That would help quite a bit and round out the meal.

As for desserts...that's easy. Individual cups of jello with fruit, some puddings, some smaller bundt cakes with drizzled caramel or butterscotch on top. One big cake using a Christmas tree mold and then using candies to decorate it can be the centerpiece. All items can be made ahead of time and just brought out after the rest of the meal is finished.

Drinks will be warm spiced apple cider upon arrival. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate on a butler's table for anyone who wants to help themselves. Maybe break out some Irish Cream for the responsible adults!
Oh...I'm getting excited! It's been awhile since we've had a party here. My back wouldn't allow it the last 3 years. With the husband home, he can do the heavy lifting and I can cook sitting on a stool. Most of the items can be made ahead of time so I can lay down for an hour before to get the rest needed to get through an evening of entertaining. But it will be worth it. I miss having people over. And if it goes well, I'll do another one with friends & neighbors. And that will be a pot luck one! They are all great cooks!

Any suggestions of another dish I can make to round out the meal above?

Jungle Cat

2011-11-30T15:11:00.007-06:00

Grace has been an indoor cat all of her life. Yet....when we brought the plants indoor to survive a harsh Mid-western winter....she prefers to lounge around them. Some things...are meant to be!

Top Ten Rules For Living A Good Life

2011-11-29T19:54:00.003-06:00

This is from Thomas Jefferson.

1. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you have it.
4. Never buy what you do not want because it's cheap; it'll never be dear to you.
5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
6. Never repent of having eaten too little.
7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
8. Don't let the evils which have never happened cost you pain.
9. Always take things by their smooth handle.
10. When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, count to 100.

Those are some pretty good rules!
I live by 20 rules my parents passed on to me. You can find them here:
http://envoy-ette.blogspot.com/2004/07/rules-for-life.html

Funeral

2011-11-28T22:56:00.003-06:00

I went to a funeral this morning. I didn't know the elderly lady who passed away, but I knew her daughter and wanted to be there for her. I knew it was a time for family so I was careful not to take too much of her time. If she saw me there, then hopefully that would enough.

This wonderful mother of 9 children died the same night my sister's in-law who lived out west died. It was her husband's younger sister and her death was a shock to everyone. Yet as I sat in the mid-west at the funeral of my friend's mother, I felt comfort for the member of my sister's family. Both women were now free of the world's ties and troubles. Their spirits released from broken bodies & mind to go to the place of eternal life.

I'm sure they had regrets leaving this world and those they loved and in their care. I'm sure they thought they could have done a few things differently while here. We all have such regrets. But that is the nature of being human. We make mistakes. We don't always do the things we should. More then once in our lives, we'll look around and wonder how did we get into this mess? Most of us fight like hell to get out of it with success. Others....don't have the strength to fight or foolishly reject the direction they need to go so often, that when they try to do it right, their learned nature prevents them. Their life is a struggle with more heartaches then joy. At the end of it, they ask for forgiveness. They didn't think things would go so far, and they worry about those who are left behind. Most importantly, they say they are sorry for those who they have hurt or disappointed. And they mean it. They are sorry....for everything. After they are gone, it's up to the living to let go of the hurts and judgements. We are not to judge them, for they are gone from our realm. We need to worry about those still among us who need the helping hand we didn't fully extend to the one gone. We need to look at our own failure and try to change it. We can't control anyone but ourselves. We are responsible for our own behavior. Someday....it will be our soul crying out. Someday....it will be us saying....forgive me.

Wasabi

2011-11-27T23:14:00.002-06:00

For months now, the husband has watched and drooled waiting for a former ice cream shop near my work location change into a Japanese Sushi Bar called Wasabi. It finally opened on Tuesday and after a long day at work yesterday....he took me there for dinner. It was such a pleasant experience! The decor was soothing, the wait staff attentive, perfect location and the food was delicious! I hope we have a chance to go once a month. I would love to eat through their menu! Well, except maybe the sea urchin. That doesn't really make my mouth water....
Here is the link:
http://www.wasabistl.com/index.html#photos/beth-roll.jpg

Game Change

2011-11-26T21:33:00.000-06:00

Found myself in an Office Max looking for binders and ended up finding this 3 year old book in the clearance section. "Game Change". I started reading it, looked at the $6 price and thought.."this will be a good read!" And it is! It's about the 2008 election. Most pages are devoted to Obama & Hillary. The authors present President Obama as unflappable and scholarly. McCain gets less then 1/2 book and Palin about a chapter. Edwards was an eye opener. While I lived in South Carolina when he started his political career....I noticed a difference in him once he hit the national stage. You know...King Kerry type stuff. Thought I was the only one....but according to the book, his staff called him "the ego monster". Best line for Edwards: :"Trippi thought John was high on his own vapors in considering himself equal to Clinton and superior to Obama." Then later it's revealed that Edwards figured Obama would be his running mate...you know....at the bottom of the ticket.

Peeks at Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T17:39:00.006-06:00

What's not to love about acorn shaped pumpkin bread? These are so cute, you can't help but pop them in your mouth! They were sweet, moist & delicious. I love my new bread molds! (Williams-Sonoma)

Next....add some fruit and chocolate dip! Strawberries and raspberries are the perfect choice!

Bring on the turkey! Sorry the picture is blurry. I was shaking from the excitement! The husband made the turkey this year. It was very tasty and beautiful!

I'll post the pictures of the sides later. Right now....it's time to eat!

My First Cheese Ball

2011-11-23T22:02:00.013-06:00

I've always wanted to make a cheese ball. After looking over several recipes, had to find one in which I already had the ingredients! LOL This is a chicken cheese ball. It turned out better then I thought it would!

2 blocks of cream cheese
1 can of chicken (*gasp!)
2 chopped green onions
tarragon & onion powder
3 Tbsp. ranch dressing
salt & pepper
fresh parsley to roll around in

Now I just have to work on my "rolling" technique!
If you want more flavor, use garlic & chive cream cheese.
If you don't eat the whole thing, use the leftovers as a filling for tea finger sandwiches and add a cucumber slice.
For great pics and recipes, visit Gollum at this link:
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
She never disappoints!

Ah.....the Memories!

2011-11-18T20:14:00.003-06:00

Today, I pulled up to the drive-thru of Arby's and ordered:
One Cordon Blue chicken sandwich, no mayonnaise, COMBO size medium with curly fries & a Dr. Pepper.
Poor girl on the other side couldn't get it right. Even after the third time. Finally, I pulled up to the window and after speaking very slowly, we got it right. It reminded me of a radio commercial in the early 1980's. A guy pulls up to the intercom and orders "A double cheese burger, onion rings and a large orange drink." It ends with him screaming out of frustration and peeling out of there and then crashing. Do you remember that commercial?
I did and chuckled. I wasn't quite there yet today...but almost!

Chiropractor

2011-11-16T20:17:00.005-06:00

Today, I hobbled into the chiropractor and after he adjusted me he goes:
"I'm surprised you were able to walk in here!"
Yeah. I know. My back is a pretzel, the pelvis crooked, the nerves damaged, muscles in knots. I'm surprised I walked into that office as well!

Asked him how long I could go before coming back and we both agreed 3 weeks. That's about the limit- even if I take it easy. I would prefer to extend it longer...because this is out of my pocket and $40.00 a month is breaking my minimum wage 8 hours a week bank! But even though it is straining my budget, I have been going every month for 2 years now because it helps greatly. Since I can't take the pain medicines anymore because of the liver, it's about the only thing that brings relief. Don't know what I would do if for some reason, there wasn't access to the chiropractor.
Well, actually I do.
My life (what's left of it) would completely stop.
Seriously.

Party Snack

2011-11-14T22:20:00.002-06:00

Austin had a party with his martial arts class. He made Hawaiian rolls with Black Forrest ham tucked inside. Some had mustard- most only mayo. It was cleaned out within 10 minutes! Sounds like a success! Not bad for a guy who doesn't cook.

SOB

2011-11-13T19:38:00.002-06:00

Today, after work.....I felt:
like I had burning bricks in my lower back
like throwing up
passing out
and
ready to fall on the floor and cry my eyes out.

THIS is when I hate that son of a bitch who plowed into me with his truck.

Roasted Potatoes

2011-11-12T08:40:00.001-06:00

I LOVE roasted potatoes! A little bit of Riley's spice and cooked to a golden brown! YUM!

Shedding

2011-11-11T20:59:00.008-06:00

All of us ladies at work must be shedding. I walked through the office this morning and my black slacks were covered in red hair, long black hair, my curly blond stands and brown medium length around my ankles! It was really embarrassing! It looked like I was wearing hairy boots!

Dude! Those are MY socks!

2011-11-10T08:07:00.005-06:00

Kids.
What are you going to do?
Lock up your socks?

So I can't find my colorful socks. Teal, pink, green or the yellow ones. When I do find them in the laundry room, it's like they walked through oil caked in dirt to get there. HHmmmmm.
"Daniel!"

In walks my boy with a pair of MY socks on.
"What's up mom?"
"Dude- those are my socks!"
"I know."
"But...."
"I like your socks. Look - I'm rocking these pink ones!"

The proud pink sock wearing boy has been wearing my socks and then running outside in them. Down the driveway, on the road, through the wet grass. You can't bleach them clean. They are....ruined. I'll have to buy myself some new ones and the HIDE them. And...I'll have to get him plenty of socks too so he won't " borrow" mine! Plain white ones for me....and colorful ones for HIM! That should cure his sticky fingers......eerrr.....FEET!

Heartbeat

2011-11-09T12:16:00.002-06:00

Here's a weird sensation. I felt my heartbeat in my lower back.

Wine & Cheese

2011-11-08T08:37:00.006-06:00

Early last week, the husband and I visited a small cafe and wine & cheese shop. The store keeper was very knowledgeable and paired the perfect wines with the cheese. I didn't drink any wine, but I did enjoy the cheese quite a bit! The guy in front of us bought over $370 worth of wine for a party he was giving later that night. Of course, one couldn't help but eavesdrop as the place was so small...and I found his conversation exhausting and pretentious....yet humorous at times! These friends of his were apparently quite the group! He was trying very hard to impress them. We patiently waited our turn and stayed as quiet as possible. We are not snooty patooties! LOL

I ended up getting 1/4 lbs each of two cheeses. We still haven't eaten them, as my fill-in basis at work has me working long hours several days as everyone is either sick or taking care of someone sick. I get a break tomorrow, so I'll have to do something special- with walnuts dipped in honey & purple grapes on the side. I have a pork roast and some beets from the garden I've got to pull up. I want to cook the greens this time as well. I've never done that! Then there's those baked potatoes left from the bon fire....I can mash those up and put some horseradish in there to give it a little kick! I will need the day off to cook that meal!

Anyway, we found out he has monthly wine tasting...so I'll drive the husband there and I'll be his driver. I'll have to bring a stool, because there is no place to sit. Of course, if we spend $40 on wine, that will be the limit. We gauge everything on medical co-pays & chiropractor treatments now.
"How much is that?"
"3 co-pays or one visit to Dr. Mike."
"Better not get it then."

When I was a young working adult, everything was priced next to a loaf of bread.
"You want an alcoholic beverage?"
My mind would race....$6.00 for a frozen fruity thing I'll pee out within the hour or 6 loaves of bread that would feed me for 6 weeks. "I'll take water please."

I think we will visit the wine/cheese place every other month. It's more about going out then purchasing anything. Our lives have changed so much....we just need something different to look forward too now. If we keep it under 20 bucks, it won't hurt us financially. The husband will get some joy out of it....and he needs all the joy we can find. It hasn't been easy for him...and it doesn't look like that's going to change for awhile.

Tuscan Bean Soup

2011-11-06T18:55:00.013-06:00

This is a wonderful soup the husband loves to make. It's hearty and tasty!

We'll start with the kale that grows just outside my kitchen door.

Add some salsiccia sausage - one pound
This is the best pork to use- so don't substitute it.

Wash the bugs off of the kale and cut the center vein away. Then cut into 2 inch pieces.

In a pot, pour olive oil just enough to cover half the bottom of the pot. Add green onions & garlic and then cook the sausage until no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbles.

Add 4 - 6 cups of chicken broth and Cannellini (white kidney) beans. If you use the canned beans, use 3 cans and rinse the beans thoroughly. Bring to boil.

Add your chopped kale and stir into the mixture. The picture isn't fuzzy, that's steam!

Cover your pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the kale breaks down somewhat. Doesn't that look good? It smells really nice too! You can season it with salt & pepper, but taste FIRST! Also, if you want a little kick in your soup, add some red pepper flakes.

This soup never disappoints. Don't forget some crusty bread!

Baked Potatoes

2011-11-06T06:57:00.002-06:00

For several years, we have missed going to a family friend's bon-fire. This year, all of us could finally go. The hostess serves chili...and the rest of us....just under 100....bring side dishes. My pick was the baked potatoes. I had brought them 4 years ago and they were a big hit among the women. So, this year...I wanted to bring them again.

Now the day this thing was scheduled, I had to work. I was suppose to get off at 2pm, but my boss was sick so she left at 3 and a co-worker needed to visit a sick relative in the hospital & she left at 4pm....so I was stuck til closing....in agony....barely able to stand....because I've worked 6 days in a row....long days....and my back just doesn't allow me do it anymore. There was a point at 11am...that I thought I would collapse from my legs weakening....not that I told anyone or that they noticed. So.....after I chased off 6 people who came in 20 minutes before closing....(they had no intention of buying anything since they didn't even have their prescription with them).....I had to go to Sam's Club and find the big bag of russet potatoes. Picked up the husband and told him we needed to get those potatoes in the oven and we would end up being late by an hour....because that's how long it takes to properly bake a potato. He tried to convince me to nuke it. I was appalled. They are called BAKED potatoes...not micro-waved potatoes. His was disagreeing with me, wanting to save time. All of a sudden, I felt that those potatoes were the only extension I had left of who I WAS. I can't keep my house clean like before. I can't be that awesome landscaper or gardener. I can no longer join my family exploring things like we used too. I'm no longer the sex goddess.
All I had left....was a perfectly baked potato.

So husband....stop trying to make me accept less then what I CAN do by trying to persuade me to take a shortcut! Of course, the rant was longer and louder than that. So much so - the husband was worried I had gone insane! LOL. Nope, just trying to hang on to some sort of standard in a personal world in which I can no longer keep my high ones.

So....we were an hour late....because that's how long it takes to properly bake a potato.

Anyway.....the weather was wonderful (dry, no wind & cold- not that I felt it) and there was a large crowd.....lots of food and a few friends I was able to sit next too and enjoy some conversations. One person actually said..."I heard you were rear ended!" When I tried to explain that I was hit head-on....by someone DRIVING backwards.....they didn't understand. Well yeah, nobody understands it because it's just so unbelievable! Anyway....I didn't bring it up and when I saw that the person "wasn't getting it".....I immediately dropped it because I didn't want to spend an evening thinking about it. It was an evening I had been looking forward too for weeks....and I just wanted light funny conversations with other moms who kid's will be graduating and going to college. There were a lot of us....and we all voiced how much we will miss them and how proud we are of them.

The only thing that otherwise got my attention....were the women talking to the husband. Every time I turned around...there was a new one chatting him up! Sure I was jealous. One was an available divorced woman! But I wasn't going to make a scene....that would require me getting off the lawn chair...and after my long day...I couldn't do it. So at the end of the event...I asked him about it. He looked uncomfortable and said..."I knew that would get me in trouble!" I told him not to worry about it. I wasn't mad....just wanted to tease him about it. Who knows...maybe they'll be his next wife. He'll need a woman in his life after I'm gone. I've already got my eye on a few of my friends that would make him a great partner....that is....if their own husbands don't straighten out and appreciate them! Maybe I could bribe them with my polish pottery! (1/2 of it goes to the husband) Hahahaaa! (any takers out there?)

Anyway....the potatoes were perfectly baked. Most enjoyed them smothered in chili. I even had some left to bring home so I see baked potato soup in our future...and baked potato skins too! That will be today's lunch and something to take to work when the week begins again. Looking forward to next years bon-fire already!

Rob-ber-rieeeee

2011-11-02T23:12:00.005-05:00

So the husband and I had pulled up to an ATM machine and he hands me his card. We push the numbers, and soon the screen pops up saying..."$3.00 fee". Shocked, I looked right at the camera in that ATM and mouth...ROB-BER-RIEEEEE....because they were robbing ME with this outrageous fee. To make my point, I even put my finger to my mouth so they could SEE that I was upset about this robbery fee. They had their hand too far down my husband's pockets as far as I was concerned.

The husband....seeing what I was doing....yells....
Him: OMG...Woman! What are you saying to that ATM camera!
Me: I'm saying "Robbery" because they are ripping US off with these high fees!!!
Him: You DON'T say "Robbery" to a bank or an ATM machine!

EEEEeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!
OMG!
You don't say "Robbery" to a BANK or their machine!!!
What was I thinking!

So...I got the card back, the money from our account....and peeled out of there......
No one's hauled me off yet......

Cheeseball Lady

2011-10-30T09:03:00.000-05:00

This is a polish pottery cheeseball lady. You know, for all of those cheeseball we ladies make! LOL. Oh? You don't make cheeseballs? Me neither. BUT....I do make pancakes! And sometimes, I store doughnuts under there too! I love my cheese ball lady!

Boys Day

2011-10-30T05:56:00.000-05:00

Before the husband had his military 4 year separation/deployment from us - we used to have special days where all of us would do something like go to a movie and then eat out. If something was going on in a nearby town, we would pile in the car and share the experience - walking to soak it in and stopping at hole in the wall places to eat. Those were fond memories!

Now, with the husband back and my inability to do much- we have a new special day. It's called "Boys Day". That is when the husband and the boys do what we used to do as a family. Today, they are going to the movie "In Time" and then they'll stop someplace to eat. Hopefully, they will talk about whatever young men need to talk to their dad about. They need to catch up on so much!

The husband and I will have our quiet day tomorrow. I'm looking forward to taking him to a wine & cheese shop and maybe getting him some special snack. Our 22 year anniversary is in a couple of days. Food is important to that man....so some olives from overseas or smoked salmon from up North will be worth more to him then anything else I could find on my budget. A quiet afternoon together will be nice.

Pink Saturday

2011-10-28T17:16:00.000-05:00

Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ is hosting a PINK SATURDAY! Ladies from all over the country (& world) are sharing their pink. Most of my pink is in my yard!

Here are some mums on the side of my home. Perfect pink color!

This is more of a mauve- but that's still in the pink family isn't it? This is my blue berry bush.

My pink & white begonias on the front porch have reached their height! I'm not sure how much longer they will hold out as the cooler weather is rapidly getting COLD!

Here's a geranium out front.

Finally, the mums around the mail box. Our mail box never looked so colorful!

Happy Pink!

Cupcakes

2011-10-28T00:28:00.000-05:00

What happened to my cupcakes? They look more like popovers! Not only did they LUMP UP, but then they started SHRINKING in their paper cups! The husband and I were mortified, because these were made for someone else! The husband doesn't want to take them, he is so embarrassed over how they turn out. I told him perhaps loads of frosting would cover the "uneven" surface. He isn't buying it. I think he'll be staying up late tonight making another batch. He's on his own- because I'm tired and have to work tomorrow!

Project Runway

2011-10-27T20:30:00.004-05:00

8:30 pm - If that snarky bitchy Joshua wins- you will hear me scream "NOoooooooooo!" if you live within a thousand miles! If he wins- there'll be no living with him!

9:28 Victor is OUT. Damn! He is so good!
9:29 YEA!!!! ANYA WINS! My favorite!

Ha! Joshua- your clothing was cheap looking. Just like your cheap shot snide mouth. Justice Served!

FALL!

2011-10-27T07:24:00.000-05:00

The leaves of the Sugar Maple outside our bedroom door has changed colors. It's such a lovely tree! I can't wait until it's really big and provides shade for the back side of the house! Maybe my Grandkids will collect the leaves for the Thanksgiving Table when they visit. Of course, by that time, HOPEFULLY, I'll have some apples for them to pick as well!

Somebuggy is Eating My Kale!

2011-10-26T20:04:00.000-05:00

Is that a lady bug? I don't know- I don't think it is! It better fly away- I've got a nice soup this kale is going to be dunked into!

100K to 2.5 Mil?

2011-10-26T08:46:00.011-05:00

So the guy who hit me used to have an Internet blip that said his revenue was only $100K and he employed 2 people. This was all the way up to our arbitration day. When he showed up to arbitration, he was wearing old working pants and a torn shirt. This made him appear like a struggling working man. I felt bad for him, because it was never my intent to go after his business. I just wanted him to tell the truth about how fast he was going and his insurance to pay up for the medical treatment I needed. I wasn't even going to cause a problem with the fact his insurance was only 25K- the cost of his vehicle. I just wanted my medical care to be covered since it was not my fault I needed it and couldn't afford it otherwise. Just pay to put me back together like before you plowed into me Bozo. That was all I was asking.

His lawyer then made me out like the fraudulent one trying to get something from this struggling working man and his insurance company by acting like I wasn't hurt. They valued my case at just over $5K and how could I be hurt since he just "backed-up" and hit me.
His first story "Oh I was looking at some open fields across the way"...and then a few months later..."Oh I noticed something on a house behind me and wanted to backup and see it". Which is it Bozo? Field or House? Neither! You were DRIVING BACKWARDS because you made the decision to gun your V8 massive construction Toyota Tundra truck into reverse to catch someone 500 FEET behind ME before they pulled away.

I was the poor dumb soul behind you that stopped you from getting to your final destination. You were not backing up. You were using your side mirror to navigate to that stop sign and the reason you think I was closer was because you were focused on a 600+ foot gap ... not a surprise collision that happened before you got there.

Dude- I was AT LEAST four car lengths away and that was far enough for you to gain ample speed and end up ON TOP OF MY HOOD. When you pulled off of me, you say you didn't hear the "metallic thump" of your vehicle coming back in contact with the pavement....just like you said you didn't "hear" the witness tell you SEVERAL times, "someone is behind you"....nor did you hear my 3 honks as you were closing in on me pedal to the metal. You don't seem to hear anything!

Anyway....I thought....okay. It is what it is. Obviously- there is the possibility that Bozo has some form of ADHD or something. My experience with him is he is completely "unaware" & easily distracted. He can't help it. He REALLY believes I'm not hurt because his laywer told him so....and he is just one of those people who will never understand how his actions destroy those he comes in contact with. Ask the people on my side of the neighborhood, who had their house built by him, and they are livid that he has left them in the lurch. The guy is not reliable. After the arbitration hearing, I know he is not honest either.

So....anyway.... I was getting closer to forgiveness. You can't fix stupid. But then I looked up his Internet blip today. Suddenly, he doesn't look like the poor working man. NOW- he is listed as a private company which is listed under residential construction, nec. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $1 to 2.5 million and employs a staff of 1 to 4.
(manta site)

How did he go from struggling at 100K to 2.5 million in a matter of a few months?

If he is making that much- I hope he increases his car insurance coverage to more then just the value of that monster power truck he is driving. That truck is like a hammer. When it plows into something- IT doesn't get damaged- but whatever it hits....gets demolished. I am now PERMANENTLY DISABLED because he plowed into me. I can't work more then 4 hours per day without incredible pain. My marriage has changed. My kids lost their protective & happy mother. I lost my health...gained 50 lbs... and am battling for my liver because of prescription medication I wouldn't have needed if he hadn't hit me. Back surgery is still in my future. My whole world turned upside down and I wanted to die because I couldn't cope with the stress it was causing.
This is my new life.
He put me into a 200 foot prison and then he skipped away acting like he had nothing to do with it!

And now I find out he has a revenue of over a million dollars.
And all of my injuries, my LIFE .....was worth just over 5K (from the lawyer's mouth) from his insurance company's calculations. I was just asking for reimbursement for the financial hole he put me in. Nothing more. I wasn't even expecting "pain & suffering". Just pay the bills I wouldn't have had if you hadn't done a STUPID DELIBERATE ACTION.

There was a FRAUD in this case....and it was BOZO.

He knows exactly where he was heading when he threw his truck into reverse and gunned the engine. He knows the back of his truck was on my hood. He knows how hard he hit me. But he doesn't give a damn. He doesn't care at all. All he wanted to do was protect himself and to hell with everyone else he comes in contact with. Pity anyone this jerk does business with....because he will screw them over. In my opinion...HE IS EVIL.

It's not stupidity at this point, it's deliberate deception. DECEPTION.

Why am I still shocked over anything he does?

Kook Sites

2011-10-25T19:28:00.007-05:00

National Enquirer tends to limit itself to the entertainment crowd. What do you do if your interests are more "world wide"? You visit the kook sites! Here's a sample of what is being reported out there. Grab a box of Crunch & Munch and a Cherry Pepsi and get ready to *gasp!

Politics:
Eric Holder is on his way out. (investigation)
Bill Delay is on his way out- although on his terms.
Rahm Emanuel is in Chicago to "dig up the bodies" on Obama.
To win the re-election in 2012, something staged, perceived as racist and very close to Obama will be used to gain the sympathy of the nation, such as "Man on Fire".
The puppet masters want Gingrich to be their "war president".

Finances:
Silver will be $75.00 & gold $3,000 by the end of 2012.
All paper fortunes will be lost by that time as well.
There is a coming US dollar bubble which will result in hyper-inflation. (3-5 yrs)
Unemployment will be 50% and we will all be so poor, we will be on Medicaid.
Wall Street is turning it's back on the currant administration.
Have 3-5 years worth of silver or gold to pay taxes on your property if it's paid off.
If you don't own your house outright, you will lose it.
Food will sky-rocket in price, although there will be plenty in the store.

International/National
Syria is next to be overthrown- as Egypt & Libya were.
We are marching toward WWIII.
Once the Euro dies, the US dollar will die within a month.
Obama will try to boost his rating this Christmas- "Home for the Holidays" a made for TV info-mercial showing Obama with military troops and taking credit for the "success" in the Middle East. But a later movie called "SEAL Team Six" is being postponed until after the 2012 election because it is perceived that Obama is using the military as a prop for his own gain.

Oil
Oil prices are not set by OPEC.
OPEC will be double crossed making the Middle East furious with the USA-and they will retaliate by shutting down all oil exports to America. (years & years from now)
America will open its own oil fields- but don't expect the price of gas to go down. You will still pay at least $8 per gallon. (Bakken)
There is no shortage of oil- just as there is nothing rare about diamonds.

So...did you gasp at all?

A Nice Day

2011-10-24T18:59:00.002-05:00

The husband talked me into going to St. Louis this morning. I haven't gone to many places over the last 2 years....so it was a big deal. We stopped at a neat place for lunch and then an organized closet store. We were in heaven! Drawers to hold wrapping paper and ribbons, shelves to hold dishes, baskets to hold chip bags! There was a cool cabinet in which an ironing board popped out! My favorite was a spice rack! I could use one (or 2) of those! The showroom had lots of benches so I could just sit in front of the "room" and drool. Next we dropped into the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. Then, the Crate & Barrel where I purchased a tea bag spoon squeezer and an ice scoop. My bill was less then $10! Final stop, Sam's Club to pick up a juicy roasted chicken for dinner. It was a nice day.

Beware of Sleazy Guys in a Movie Theater!

2011-10-23T15:30:00.003-05:00

First impression when I saw this commercial:
Why do I get the feeling that this guy is about to unzip his pants and jerk off?

Here's something that shocked me (but why should I be surprised?)...and answered why I was asked "Where do you go to church?"...by the defense council at deposition. I was like... where do I go to church? How is that relevant to a car accident? After this article, now I know!

This portion is from: Total Lawyers.

According to standard insurance practice, Progressive began an investigation of the couple's claim to ascertain the legitimacy and extent of the damages for which they were seeking compensation. However, when Merlin Investigations, hired to complete the needed legwork, began developing its strategy to gather information that could hurt the Pitts's claim, their tactics became non-standard very quickly.
The two investigators hired by Progressive, James Purgason, Jr. and Paige Weeks, found out where the couple attended church, Southside Christian Fellowship, and began attending services, falsely posing as a married couple to earn the trust of current members. After expressing an interest in joining the church, the fake "couple" was invited to attend group support sessions for new members at the home of Ken King, a member and ordained minister.
Unbeknownst to the support group members, not only were Purgason and Weeks listening closely to what they were saying, they were taping the sessions to gather potential evidence against Bill and Leandra Pitts. When members later found out, many of them were devastated. The subjects of these group confessionals were, naturally, very personal in nature, and included drug and alcohol addiction, sexual orientation issues, and disclosure of personal secrets such as abortion.
Understandably, many members who had confessed secrets in the group sessions left for good after King revealed to them that they had been taped. Those who stayed had a difficult time rebuilding the trust in fellow group members, as well as King himself.

Okay...let me see if I have this straight. Progressive Insurance hired investigators who posed as a couple at the church of the claimants and then recorded the personal conversations of members of the church to dig up dirt on the couple (Pitts) that was submitting a claim to Progressive Insurance. Wow. Would you say this crosses a line? I think it does. Of course, I'm no legal expert, but what's next? Bugging a confessional? (to save the bottom line?)

Sleazy company. Sleazy commercial guy. No wonder Progressive likes this character. They are one in the same.

Garden Soup

2011-10-22T11:10:00.002-05:00

One Crock Pot

2 cups Beef Broth
Salt & Pepper
Snipped fresh Parsley & Thyme & Oregano
1 Green Bell Pepper - chopped
1 Yellow Bell Pepper - chopped
2 med. potatoes - diced
1 large white onion - diced
3 green onions - chopped
1 carrot - chopped
2 celery stalks - chopped
1 zucchini - chunk chop
handful of Cherry Tomatoes - peeled and quartered
1 cup of dry white beans that have sat overnight in a pot of water
1 single serving can of V-8 juice

Throw everything into your crock pot and cook on low 5-7 hours.
Divide your thick soup into 6 containers. Freeze 3 of them. When it's time.... eat as is.....or reheat with additional broth and add quartered mushrooms with barley.....or more beans with shell pasta. You can also add cooked rice and larger chunks of beef or chicken. Adding cream will thicken it up.

What better way to use the vegetables from your garden as a base soup that can then be extended into other soups! All you need is plenty of spice and an extra ingredient to change it.

Before the FROST

2011-10-20T19:44:00.005-05:00

We will dip below freezing tonight!

Time to save what vegetables you can if you can't cover them!

Tomatoes of all sizes, multi-colored peppers, green beans, herbs!

I see my chili peppers dehydrated and crushed into a spicy powder!

Herbs dried and stored....

and a hearty soup in my future!

Is this hate?

2011-10-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

WINTER!!!

2011-10-19T20:31:00.002-05:00

OH...I'm not looking forward to this!

University

2011-10-17T18:09:00.004-05:00

The husband and Austin have been looking over a few universities for next year.
Even had a road trip!

So far, Austin has visited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in IL. He looked over the Engineering Dept over the summer.....and decided he didn't want to go there. I would have been happy if he picked it, because it's less then 40 miles away!

Next was the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia, MO. This is Austin's first choice. He would pursue international studies there, mostly East Asia (China, Japan, S & N Korea). That would make sense as he loved and remembers our time in South Korea...and knows China will overtake the USA in status in 2016. He would also join ROTC...which I'm not too happy about. He wants to be a Marine. The last Marine I met- was an asshole who cared little for the truth and only about winning. I want my son to know "the truth matters" and when you try to hide, deny or squash it.....robbing the innocent and injured....you are aiding EVIL.

The next stop is Loyola University in Chicago, IL. They are looking into an overnight visit. This will be a great bonding experience for them. Now I know they are going to stop at some great food places! I married and raised one foodie! I'm sure they will sight see and maybe even visit the Sears Tower. I'm jealous!

I'm glad Austin has this chance to go with his dad and visit the places that will form his next 4 years. He didn't get to enjoy his high school years because he was taking care of me in his dad's absence. He was the one who took care of the yard, spending several hours on the weekend making sure it was up to the standard his dad expected. He was the one who lifted, carried, pushed and pulled anything I couldn't. He was my legs and arms when they failed me. He did dishes when I asked, he vacuumed or finished mopping with he saw me collapse in a chair with only half the floor done. He carried the baskets of dirty clothing to the laundry room- knowing I couldn't. He watched his little brother and made him lunch when I was bed ridden. His high school years were spent making A's and then coming home to help me out. No after school activities other then karate twice a week. I'm sure he wanted to go to football games or dances, but he didn't. His dedication to our family, to his mother came first. The only time he could relax was when he dad returned a few days at a time over 4 years. Then...and only then...could he be the 16 year old without the burden of a disabled parent on his shoulders. This is why the husband took everything over when he came home. Our sons did more then their share- and they missed important events that they'll never have the chance to experience again, because it's passed them by. The husband didn't realize how much they were doing until it ALL fell on his shoulders alone. When that happened, he was amazed at how his sons stepped up and took care of their mother. Of course they did. That's how we raised them.

Now, Austin's college years will hopefully make up for the years he missed being carefree in high school. It's just down to which place is a good fit. I'm hoping for Mizzou!

The Walking Dead - amc

2011-10-16T19:01:00.001-05:00

It's a NEW SEASON!
Break out the popcorn!
The family has a date with the television tonight!

Hours

2011-10-15T22:46:00.001-05:00

I got some work hours this last week. The boss had to fire a new co-worker. They were a disaster and how they lasted as long as they did....I don't understand. But they were FINALLY booted out and I was called in to cover for them. I was happy to do it.

There were some things to straighten out that they messed up- but I got most of it done. The stories I was hearing about this person were so unbelievable...yet...there it was. The really funny
thing....was when they called one of the other co-workers and said: "I was fired for no reason- can I live with you?" I was so shocked....I grabbed my head! LOL
Oh....the answer was "NO!"

Lunch Tote

2011-10-14T21:30:00.003-05:00

I am heartbroken! I lost my lunch tote today after work. I was sitting on a bench waiting for the husband to pick me up.....and when I got up....I must have left it on the bench! I called the store to see if anyone turned it in to Lost & Found. Nope. Somebody got a BEAUTIFUL lunch bag! And an ice pack, and an ice-blue metal drinking thermos. And a bag of sea salt pita chips! Well, I'm sure they'll love my "Vera Bradley Rhythm & Blues Let's Do Lunch" tote. DAMN!

The Glee Project - "Believability" - The Only Exception (Full Music Video)

2011-10-11T21:19:00.000-05:00