The TrUtH According to Lisa

30,000 more Troops Going to Afghanistan

Well, Obama is losing his appeal day-by-day. The bloom is off the rose. I know there is this initial euphoria folks have about "savior" types, but I have always said to those that ask me that Obama is not going to change much of anything. Why he got the Nobel Peach prize is beyond my scope of intelligence.

Now, with the war continuing in the way that it has and is slated to, I get very angry. I do not want to send our sons and daughters to a front line with anything less than orders to win. Winning may not be a pretty picture. Obama says he is doing this for national security, YO DUH! Why do you think we were there in the first place? Just, if we are going to wage war, then declare it. Fight to win and do not repeat Vietnam. Otherwise, pack up and go home. No country has fought a war in Afghanistan and done very well. Do we every learn from history? When I listen to the news, which I do not do much of these days simply because it depresses me, I get upset. Seems we are more a ship of fools than a nation everyone looks up to. In my mind I hear the echos of a Dutch friend, "What happened to America?" I just shake my head.

Smoke and Mirrors Why the US is Stupid in our Flight Policies

Germany and Israel got it right. We are in CYA mode. Blow a lot of smoke, implement stupid policies and make it LOOK like we are doing SOMETHING...but why do I not feel safe flying, especially on US bound flights from most places international? Because we do not do profiling. We do not let our databases talk to each other and we do not demand databases that talk to our databases to ensure that incoming passengers are welcome here. The technology exists today for all reservations and ticketed passengers to be checked and double checked PRIOR to entering our country but until more people die, it will be big business that profits. Americans are not used to getting our feathers ruffled. We are America and apple pie and nothing bad happens here, or at least rarely.

Now, mind you we have some of the stupidest airline policies ever implemented. We are predictable and our processes are full of holes and this will remain so until the cost of implementing good policies is paid for. So far, we want cheap flights. As such we will never have good policies. Our immigration policies are completely laughable. I sit hear listening to all the rhetoric following this flight on Christmas Day and I just want to lose my lunch. I guess the average American is stupid and thinks that the smoke and mirrors are effective. I want a politician with balls that demands we actually build a system that works and get it done without a long delay because each of us who travels deserves to feel and be safe.

At breakfast last Saturday, one of my friends said that I was whining too much about the airline check points prior to flying. Telling me I was safer for them. I argued saying that I do not believe that I am safer for bad processes that single me out for a pat down when I am the least likely "type" to threaten a flight. We know how to profile. We know how to be effective, but due to cost, and personal "rights" we will look the other way perhaps until we lose another flight or two, or more and until we realize we are at war here and we need policies that work OVER worrying about rights or cost. I would happily go through a security point if it made sense. I am not willing to settle on mediocrity. What we have is not "good enough."

I keep hoping some leaders will emerge that will speak to the real issues and ways to resolve them, like I think I am hearing from Lieberman who was speaking of changing our VISA policy. It is time America gets real about our policies and implements things that work and stops blowing smoke and raising mirrors because in the end more people will die unless we really change things.

88-years-old and 54th Christmas Eve at Lord & Taylors

Today, I had to run to the mall to get a few things for Wally and when I went to Lord& Taylors the retail clerk was a real joy. She was a lot older than I typically see working in retail and dressed very well. She was a little slow and I waited on the previous customer before buying my items.

When I was up at the register we chit-chatted about this and that. She mentioned not sleeping her 8 hours and under her breath said that for 88 she is doing pretty well. Wow!

"88?" I asked.

"Yes, and this is my 54th Christmas Eve working for Lord & Taylor." I watched her as she worked and pondered over how I would be in 34 years. I would be LUCKY to be in as good of shape. She told me the year she started and working in New York City on 5th Avenue. How she knew all the people who did the displays. I did not mind waiting on her as she worked and chatted with me. What a delight! I love seeing people approach life with such vim and vigor!

We wished each other Happy Holidays and I went on my way. I had a smile on my face as I left her cheerful presence. What a delight and joy.

"Mom, it's snowing!"

It was 30 years ago and I was struggling to take care of two little ones. My two sons were 2 years and just born in October. . .It was a cold December day and I had no idea of the weather. We lived in Beaverton, OR, and well, it almost never snows there. I was nursing the little one, Jason, and Jared my oldest was climbing all over the sofa. It was not really a couch but a single bed with bolster cushions. He climbed up and was looking out the window trying to occupy himself and annoy me as I was in a position to be annoyed trying to feed Jason.

Mind you, Jared had never seen snow, except in story books or perhaps in a movie. I don't even think we had a TV back then. After a bit of looking out the window, Jared exclaimed, "It's snowing! MOm look it is snowing!"

I thought, yeah right, as if you know what snow looks like. haha. I finished with the nursing and stood up and looked out the window. Sure enough, snowflakes were falling outside and Jared knew snow without ever having seen it, which blew me away. "Jared, you are right. It is snowing. How did you know that was what it was?"

"I dunno. It's just snowing mommy."

So, today, as I see our first REAL snow blizzard and drove through the snow, I reflected back 30 years to the morning where Jared saw the snow and I ponder over how smart he was and how precious was that moment that I see play on the video tape in my head as if it happened only yesterday.

It is strange now as I know Jared the man, all grown up with a family, but in my head remain the images of him as a child and various memorable scenes that stay with me as clear as if they just happened. Perhaps that is what being a parent is all about, that over time life becomes filled with memories so that I can reflect back, be in the current moment and look forward too. It does bring a smile to my face to have these memories. And to think on the triggers that fire them off.

What people feed kids today makes me sad

I was barely awake this morning when I heard on the radio that most kids (a majority in this survey) did not want to eat holiday food but rather would have macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, or pizza. I think that is very sad that they do not enjoy roast turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing and things like that. When I was a child we rarely had any of those fast, processed foods. Macaroni and cheese was not available in a box, there was no McDonalds and chicken nuggets only came on the scene about the time I had kids, and pizza was a treat when the family went out to dinner and that was rare.

I never fixed special food for my kids. My parents did not either. I think it is a bad idea to cater to kids like that. I think it is all about control and who is boss. If you are feeding these things to your kids you are setting them up for heart attacks, obesity, and other food related issues. I would love to see American's lose all processed foods and additives. Kids should be eating real fruits and vegetables. Meats should be fresh and unaffected by chemicals. I hope my grandkids are learning to eat good things...life should be more interesting than a chicken nugget.

I think the Army has a problem.

Today, I was reading about this Hasan guy. He is the doctor from Fort Hood that just murdered 13 and wounded  over 40 people. I am sure we will learn more, but I am sorry, seems like the Army has a problem. If what I have heard is true about what he was saying, the warning signs were there at least for him being a nut case. Army personnel do not need to be subjected to listening to folks like him prior to deployment. Sometimes, I think we can be so politically correct that we lose sight of reality. I think the families of the dead and wounded should have recourse in this situation and I hope the Army and other branches of our military take note and pay attention.

Now for Hasan, he is claiming being distraught for fighting a war against Islam. Now, I am not for this war, but he had choices. One of them was to resign and get out of the Army. The other was to move back to his country of heritage. No one holds a gun to your head to live in the US and if the policies of this country truly upset you the biggest message you can send is by leaving. Why did he not choose one or both of these options and instead resort to an evil? Heaven knows. I just will never understand these nut cases when the obvious alternative choices were not taken.

The Power of Don Imus

He is not much to look at and I am still not used to looking at him on TV. For the last four or five years, maybe more, I have awakened to the Don Imus radio show, except for the months he was off the air due to the comment that got him fired. What I like about his show is not him so much, but the people he has on the show and how I learn things. But the most amazing thing I have seen over time is how he can promote things. If you have a book or a product, or if you are a candidate running for office and you get a good interview on IMUS, then you are golden.

Case in point. Today is an election day and in the state of NJ there has been a recent hullabaloo over the republican candidate, Chris Christie, being called fat by fat by Jon Corzine. The interview was hilarious. You cannot help but like the guy. He was humorous and nice. I love smart people. I don't care if people are fat. If they are smart and funny and get the job done, I have no problem. I do take issue with those who are bigots and I think there is such a thing as "fat person bigots."  That meaning those who just simply hate people for their size.

Since the IMUS interview, many of those in the news have made mention of the "power of Don Imus."  They say if this guy beats Corzine, it will prove it. I have seen that happen. I have seen the sponsors go, as during the time of the scandal with the basketball team comment, and I seen them return..because Don Imus sells. Don't ask me how or why. I don't understand how a 150 pound wrinkled up cowboy does it, except he is real. I like real. We don't have much in the way of real people in the news, but to me Don Imus is real. I have defended him to friends who don't like him and never watched him. To me, Don brings some of the most intelligent TV and radio that the industry has to offer. Fox Business Network scored huge in getting IMUS. I hope they treat him well. Thank you Don for being real. Don't change.

Tired of the retoric. . .

We all have friends who argue politics. Maybe you are the one who has your soapbox. I have stayed out of most discussions as I do not see a point. Why? Because both sides suck. Both are inept. Neither are parties for the people, that ended long ago. They are the parties for big business and bought and paid for. I had zero hope we can get out of our own way to come up with a health plan that works, mainly because the politicians can't cross those who pay for their too expensive campaigns. Why can't we look to who has done it right and borrow from that? Say from Denmark? Why reinvent the wheel? Do we think we are so superior we cannot say we borrowed from someone else? That kind of cockiness leads to failure.

On Halloween, our liberal friend was on his soapbox. Predictable. I said to him. " Jerry, don't diss Republicans. Both parties are crap. We need a revolution."

How do you argue with that? I said I want both parties out, and Washington cleaned up. I want PACs gone. I do not want politicians on their executive health care program or fat cat pensions. I want a constitutional government. I want the buck to stop here. I want integrity returned to Washington and it can't as long as money talks.

My friend fights cancer

There is a friend in my circle. He is in my ham club and new to our group. He is quiet and unassuming. In our conversations to the group, he has proved himself to be an exceptional person, father, and husband. Earlier this summer, we learned he had had lung cancer and had beaten it back and was in remission. Wow, he is younger than me. Cancer is that big scary word we all avoid until it finds a way to invade our lives through a parent, sibling, or acquaintance.  His cancer has returned. Today he goes for treatment #1.

John never smoked. It makes me angry when lung cancer strikes someone and they never smoked. I get angry at God and ask why? Or, I ask, why the nice guy? If someone has to get cancer, why can it not be the mean person you know? UGH. Life is not fair. Yeah, I know this and it does not make life easier.

This morning I spoke to my friend as he travelled  to the hospital for his biopsy to see what he is fighting. He was so calm. I am so humble in his strength. I told him I would do Reiki for him today. At first he thought I said dancing...haha. Then I explained. He had heard of it. I learned Reiki last spring. I like doing it in person but  I can do it from afar. If it can help him, I am happy to do that for him.

If positive thinking heals, then John has it in the bag. He amazes me. I wish he and his family all the best and I wish I could send him energy to be strong.

Fall is here...and the leaves are turning...I took this today in my parking lot. All this beauty today and I hoped John could see the trees and draw some pleasure as he deals with his cancer. This is a burning bush...it is much redder than my cell phone depicts it.

I figured a burning bush was symbolic. Moses talked to God as he appeared as a burning bush. I am asking God to heal John.

Fall slips in before I am ready

We had no summer here in New England. I did not have those hot days that make you wish for crisp fall days. My bones did not feel the heat. I am dragging my heals this morning as I stepped outside. We have tall windows in our place and I felt the chill. I put on a sweater and a coat before stepping out but today was the coldest morning yet. My friend from Winnipeg, Canada told me that as I look at pretty fall leaves he is looking at two inches of snow. I cannot imagine snow so soon.

I don't want to put away my sandals or my bicycle I barely rode due to rain. I don't want to wear my scarves and hat just yet. Or scrape ice off my car. I want to bask in the sun. I want to ride my bike on warm summer days. I want to be hot enough to wish for he refreshing coolness that fall ushers in.

Instead, I am stubborn. I am stubborn anyway but I faced this morning with disdain. It is beautiful out. The clear blue sky, and sun so bright it blinds you. I will have to bring out the scarfs and sweaters and wear coats and bundle up. At lease Wally and I can go for caramel apples soon. I want one with the nuts on it please... 

Is it just me? Or is Cash for Clunkers a reward for the stupid?

So, this is a quote from CNN:

"Under the Clunkers program, which launched July 27, vehicles purchased after July 1 are eligible for refund vouchers worth $3,500 to $4,500 on traded-in cars with a fuel economy rating of 18 miles per gallon or less."

So, besides using our taxpayer money to rescue an industry, we are rewarding stupid car buyers for buying cars that only went 18 miles per gallon or less? What do you bet most of these cars, if not all were from US car makers? You know, the car makers that ignored how to compete with Japan and Korea?

So, we take an industry which was stupid and non-responsive, give it billions before it files for bankruptcy. Then more billions after. Then we buy their shit cars back? Now, what do you bet these same cars end up making dealers more money as used cars? I bet most end up back on the market. Silly me. Another government program. Sometimes,I think we have a government for the stupid and by the stupid...BIG SIGH.

 

 

The Healthcare Debate What a Mess

Washington better pay attention. People are hurting economically and whether or not we need a health care plan we better ensure that if we get one that it is a good one. People are paying attention to Washington and our leaders like never before. They are taking the time to read these crazy bills that were written so the average person could never understand them. They are outraged to find out that bills like this are passed all the time and being paid for with our dollars and our elected officials do not even read them. They rely on others to provide a synopsis only to find out later of the loopholes that passed under their noses.

I am feeling the current out here and it is not pretty. These town hall meetings are something. One on line questionnaire from CNN said that 74% did not understand the debate. So, if we do not understand it, then it is not well defined. It needs to be simplified and streamlined and done in a fashion that is smart, not rushed.

I feel the people are very unhappy and their concerns are being swept under the rug. People were promised change during the election of Obama. Oh they got change, but it will not be in their pocket.

I am usually conservative, but I distain the republican party right now. I think all parties are tainted and I sadly think nothing short of a revolution will cut the purse strings that tie the hands of our politicians. They will not vote for change until they no longer get money from special interests.

We need campaign reform. We need politicians who are elected in a way that does not allow special interest money and favors. We need to get the purse strings out of Washington.

We need our elected officials on the same health plans we all have. The private plans for all elected officials need to be abolished and are shameful as they exist.

Once these two thing happen we will see real reform. Until then all bets are off. I think if poorly thought out plans are approved we are a few steps closer to a cultural revolution. This country has moved so far from where it was intended it is scary. I for one would welcome a plan, ONLY if it is run well. Take the power away from all the greedy insurance and pharmaceutical  companies and create something that is competitive. People between jobs should never have to worry about health. Older people should not have to worry about health. The days of retirement plans are more or less over for those of use not working for the government. So, how do those of us without fat retirement plans cope with those expenses post employment and pre-medicare and medicaid? Thirteen years ago I had a decent Blue Cross plan for about 189 dollars a month...today that would cost me well over 1000 dollars or more per month. It is insane.

Yes, we need reform. Let's do it in a smart way. Let's not be tainted by money from interested parties. Let's do it right.

And lastly, for all the propaganda about universal health in other countries being so bad, my friends I talk to all over the world do not agree. I am sick of propaganda. My friends pretty much universally love having their plans. Time we get our heads up out of the sand and make something real happen. Something not only real but amazing. We have the ability, but sadly not likely the balls to do what is right. Simply follow the money trails to figure out why.

Politicians and Putting on a Moral Face, or Anyone For That Matter. . .

Recently, John Edwards admitted being the father of  his mistress' baby (I am not sure if they are still together or not). John ran for President of the United States and he could not find it within his character to be honest about his relationship with this woman and worse yet denied for a very long time to being the father of this child.

I never really liked John Edwards and my main reason was he reminded me of so many similar "church type" slick men who POSE as good family men to gain position or notoriety. These types of men (or women) deny their own humanity and frailty and often times are the most rabid when discussions of morality come up, yet behind the scenes they are as human as the rest of us. Often time, due to their position, they are even MORE HUMAN or more reprobate than the average bear.

In my life, those who go to extremes in these areas are the ones I am immediately suspect of. Power corrupts. So, I know men and women of position and wealth are the ones who face the most temptation. It takes a truly exceptional person to resist. I just think that politicians in general are often not facing reality in a lot of areas. I am not one to judge those in office for affairs per se. I do not think it shows a lack for being in that office, except if they lie. I would wager money that most in office lack discretion. The only ones who we don't know about just have not been caught.

Let me also say that I would likely be the last in line wagging my finger as I am not in denial of human weaknesses. Please let me know if you know perfect people, I have not met one yet.

Surely  but not for the grace of God, there go I.

Having Babies is a Pain in the Ass

We have a few grand kids in the family. I am the baby but I have the most kids and the most grand kids coming in at four. Vic is in second place because his daughter Dee Dee has two beautiful babies, and now Nina is catching up for lost time with Ryan and wife having son Hunter late last night. Congrats Nina! Nina is a great mom, she has been flying out a lot lately to Seattle waiting for the baby that would not come...boy do I get that! Ha ha. Jared, the first child born to us siblings, was, get this, ONE MONTH LATE!! He was due Sept. 10, 1977. He was born Oct. 10, 1977. My mother came for one month, then left me alone in Portland, OR to basically fend motherhood for myself...ha ha. 

I did not have a C section, but it seems today to be a right of passage for most mothers. My mother and I SHOULD have had one. Mom lost her first baby at birth due to severe head pounding during delivery. I am lucky I did not die having Jared. He was 9 pounds and 5 ounces of bouncing baby. We labored from 9 pm Sunday night until sometime the next afternoon, then the doctor told me I needed an emergency spinal so they could pull him out. Not sure why I did not get a C-section because what happened next put me through the ringer. 

Jared got stuck. The doctor joked that his head was big but he had the shoulders of a line backer. They had to cut me in an extra not so nice way and they told me to hang on and push back as they pulled the stuck baby and they nearly pulled me off the table. Jared's head was bruised and had abrasions. He swallowed stuff you are not supposed to on the way out, so they whisked him away to clean that up. Otherwise, he was perfect. They gave me some god awful amount of stitches and at this point I was so beat, I could barely hold up my head. 

When the nurse brought me Jared later, I could hear her cooing to him, "OH you poor battered little thing." OMG. He had come into this world in a rather grueling way. I do have the scars to prove it. So, when I think of child birth these memories flood back as if they were yesterday. 

Jen, my daughter, had a rough experience as well. He son had a birth defect that affected her as well. His intestine was not attached to his stomach so excess fluids build up. I was not lucky enough to go to her delivery, but with each phone call I heard her slip down into the depths of a tough one, also ending up in a C section. This the girl who screamed bloody murder when I could change an earring in her new pieced ears. Needles were NOT her thing. 

So Shannon was in for a grueling labor is all I know. It ended with  a C section with a beautiful baby.  son. I know that meant  she had a tough ride and I am sorry for all, but I am happy Nina was there for Ryan and Shannon to lean on. 

I cannot wait to talk to Nina later. I am glad she has a baby to cuddle again. Congratulations Ryan and Shannon!!

Lisa's Rub Me UP and Rub Me Down Barbecue Rub

Let's face it food is sex. Those who love food tend to love sex and vice versa. Show me a woman who won't eat and I bet you she is frigid too!

Oh, I am off topic again. Well, I made up my rub for a friend's birthday. So if you do this times four, it makes about a pint jar. It is very, very nice like the best in a savory sweet Texas Rub. I am not a fan of sauce as it is messy but I love rub. You can use this on any thing and I guarantee you will love it.

1 1/2 TBsp. Kosher salt

1 1/2 TBsp. brown sugar

1 TBsp sweet paprika

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp mustard powder

1 1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp ground corinander

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Mix well. Makes 3/4 cup. Store in a jar up to six months but hey, if you BBQ this won't last long.

ENJOY!

Extended family means a lot.

Today, when I got up, I did my usual email thing and there was a note from my son Jason's mother in law. She misses reading my blogs and I have been remiss and I was thinking about what I might write about today and I thought, why not write about what a wonderful extended family my son has?

You see, I have three wonderful children and NONE of them live anywhere near me. This is something I try not to dwell on because if I did, it would probably send me into a tailspin. You see, for a majority of my life, my children were my life. They were my full-time, 24x7 job. It was not an easy job. Terry worked. I did everything else. There were times, in the early years, that parenting pushed me to my limits when my sleep was broken with feedings and baby issues. I did not use bottles. My kids were nursed and went to a cup. This was a HUGE investment of time and energy. In some ways, I was both mother and father, that is certainly true for Jen. It was true for my sons too, though I am not sure they get that. But, if they think about who was at their sports games, who was at their open houses and did activities and field trips, it was me.

So, Jennifer and Jared are in Texas, and Jason is out in Santa Clara and San Jose. When he was little he LOVED fish and chips and creamy clam chowder so sometimes I would treat him over at Race Street Fish House in Mountain View, CA. Little did we know then, as we know now, that his future relatives ran that store.

In college, Jason met Janelle. I have to say she is the love of his life. I never saw Jason interested in anyone else. Once they broke up and he came to see us out in Boston and he litterally cried over this break and I saw a young man that truly loved this girl. Later, they made up and the rest is history. My loss is that he fell in love with someone so entrenched in California that they will never move. Janelle and her wonderful Italian family has lived there for generations. As I understand it, they are some of the orginal Italians to settle in the San Francisco area and go back well over 100 years and can easily say, they are native Californians, where most of us who live there these days are recent in the last 40 years. So my dreams of Jason settling on the east coast were dashed to pieces but in the rubble of my hopes and dreams I saw a young man, who loved this wonderful woman and whose family truly was a family and home for my son.

You see, my divorce was not a pretty one. I struggled for a few years pulling out of it and getting my head screwed on again. Jason was the most amazing son (my kids did pretty well inspite of the turmoil) through all the silliness that transpired. He got his Eagle Scout award, he got his masters in mechanical engineering. He build a wonderful foundation for his life INSPITE of whacky parents and a divorce from hell. He found a home in Janelle's family that gave him what he needed. What EVERYONE needs. Loving and dear people. When I visit, I want to be adopted by them too! They are amazing! I did not grow up with quite the family as this, as I grew up with family all splintered up all over the country, so to see family, REAL family is about the best thing on earth.

When 911 happened Janelle was visiting. Jason had lived here that summer and done an intership at my company that basically set his career path in life. It was a tragic way to end a wonderful summer as Janelle had a ticket back home to San Jose, non-stop, leaving at 5:30 pm on 9/11 on AMERICAN AIRLINES!!! OMG. We had two kids ready to start college, and they were stuck on the east coast. We ended up renting them a car and they made the trek all the way back to CA. At Janelle's wedding, when her father spoke about my son, he said how he knew his daughter was in good hands. He loved my son, as his own, Wow, I could see this easily.

Nancy, you may not realize this. We are so far apart, but I wanted you and your husband to know and I have tears in my eyes as I write this, but you have given my son so much in the love you have given him that even though my son is far away, I know, without a doubt, he could never be in better hands. Your family is maybe the most amazing family I have ever known. I thank you for loving my son and being there for him in ways I could not simply because I am to far away. Sniff.  Tears of happiness and joy here!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for your wonderful daughter who has been the love of his life.

Typepad has bugs with spell check.

Well, I wrote a nice new thoughtful blog and Typepad ate it. It was a bug in spell check. I have had bugs before but this one killed copy and paste so I was completely hosed. I hope they fix their bugs...I do not have time to write it again...those thoughts are likely lost forever.

Something old and something new. . .a swap meet.

I don't go to garage sales or swap meets. I have enough stuff and really don't need to think about more. This last weekend our new friends Brian and Michael from the apartment invited us to a Sunday Swap in the town of Hollis, NH. Hollis is an upscale country town. It was a beautiful Sunday morning for spending outside, so Wally and I got up early and joined our neighbors and their two sons.

The drive alone was nice. It took at least 30 minutes. I had no expectations, but I brought some cash. Most of it was a lot of stuff I had zero interest in, but there were treasures. I found an artist that does art glass earrings like I love and he ONLY sells at swap meets. His glass work was some fo the finest I have seen and he does it simply for the love of it. What a pleasure and at three earrings for 25 dollars, it was a steal. I bought three.

Next, some guy had some old bottles I found one from Lowell and so I bought it. It was in great shape, not sure what went in it, but I need to look it up. My neighbor also bought a few bottles.  We walked the entire swap. The thing that made me sad was seeing the contents of a home dumped out on the ground after someone died. It was someone's estate. By the time I saw it, it was a jumble of old books and junk but buried in the rubble of this life, was their wedding photo and a photo of their children, both framed. It made my heart sink. I thought how sad it was that there was no one to take these precious items.

One other notable stall was a food and grocery vendor that had fresh grocery goods for very cheap. We are talking name brands...not sure where they get this stuff, but they had some. I bought some brownie mix and some laundry soap. Such a deal.

As we made the last rounds I stumbled into a vendor that had some nice cast iron pans. One tiny one caught my eye. It was perhaps the best seasoned lil pan I have ever seen and for 5 dollars was a deal, so I bought it. I also found a nice cookie cutter with many shapes and all connected so you just turn it around to cute the next cookie. Pretty nifty.

After the swap, Wally and I stopped for ice cream. I got black raspberry. There was a gourmet farm store so we went inside. Wow, this place was lush. It is worth a ride to the swap meet just to stop here.

I want to go through our things now and in a few weeks go there and get rid of it. Should be a fun thing to do, but it will also be a lot of work. All and all it was an interesting experience. I know my sister in law does this a lot. I am sure there are good things to be had, it is just that most of it I do not care for and well, I like new things! Someday, my possessions may be laid out on a blanket. I hope my photos make it to my children, at least the ones that are meaningful.

Lisa and Wally go to Texas and kiss babies. . .

Blog number 3. We got back from Texas on Sunday. We left Friday morning so it was a short, but very sweet trip to see Jared and Jennifer and their spouses and all four of the beautiful grandkids. We mostly just visited. We saw some fireworks. It was nice to just chill out and to talk. Here are a few pictures:

This is little Miss Megan. I taught her about butterfly kisses and caught her cold..haha.

Happy, Happy, happy talk!

Sue and Zachary.

Happy Grandpa and Alora.

Me and my little grand daughters.

Me and all the little ones...Wally has a lot more pictures. I will save those for another day. For more pictures that I took, click here.

Dinner with friends on Maine coast. . .

Catching up on blogs is hard work. This is the second of three I am posting today. We rented a beach house two weeks ago. It was for one overnight and Jim and Sue, daughter and friend came to have dinner and sleep over. Brian and his girl friend came for dinner.

Everyone loved the beach house. It was foggy and chilly, but we had an amazing dinner. Jim and Sue brought 16 pounds of lobster. I had steaks and marinated chicken. I made potato salad, caesar salad, garlic bread...the girls made fruit salad...jim made his famous wings...gosh it was a feast to be had. I also had brought a few pies and we had then with coffee. It was a wonderful time.

Wally and I.

Jim and Sue.

Brian and friend Maria.

Dinner table with our feast.

I think this was one of the most fun dinners I have had in a long time and I think all of us want to come back in the fall and stay two or three nights. For more pictures, click here.

Wonderful friends and wonderful times. . .

I know my friends tease me sometimes about my time spent in Second Life. However, I do have friends...Recently, our breakfast club was invited over to Erik's home for a lovely Sunday morning breakfast on one of the only nice weekend days we have had around here in a long time.

Not all the gang was there, due to summer travel, but most of us were. Erik did an impressive job with organization and made the event seem totally effortless. A good time was had by all.

Here is Jim in one of his funny T-shirts. He has a nice collection.

The gang from the deck. The weather was nice so we ate outside.

The guys talking about technical stuff.

Some of the food. I brought bagels thinking I was helping Erik, but he ran out earlier and then we had like 4 doz bagels. I did buy the right fixings though. I had the lox and cream cheese and the works....below, I am relaxing and talking to Peter, Erik and his wife. For more pictures click here.

David Letterman needs the same fate as IMUS.

Okay, all you IMUS haters who got SO upset about what he called the college girls better be just as riled up about what David Letterman has said about Sarah Palin's daughter. I think it is fascinating that if you are conservative and right-wing then it is okay to bash THOSE DAUGHTERS? Sorry, does not wash. Honestly, I find any kind of politics distasteful, but when you HATE so much that you can pick on a little girl that is pretty bad.

He first gave a non-apology that reeked of dishonesty, and the latest one was better but obviously not from him, but from the mounting pressure. You would think these people would learn after what IMUS went through to pay attention to the innocent victims of jokes, but obviously Letterman is above the scrutiny. If there is such a thing as political bigotry, Sarah Palin and daughters are victims of it. You may or may not like someone's politics, but let's keep the kids out of it.

Can my grandchild be more beautiful than this? Meet Alora.

My daughter had some pictures taken of my granddaughter. This is only one, but I think it is amazing. Alora was born in November and I think she is beautiful.

Cut my hair again...ha ha...

So, after growning my hair out all winter, I got tired of that and went back to short. I am glad to be back in the hands of my favorite stylist...let me know what you think.

 

I like it...this was taken with my cell phone.

William Shatner Remains the ONE and ONLY Captain James Tiberius Kirk

Okay, so I am the last one to go see Star Trek, the new one. Honestly, I almost did not WANT to see it. Why? It has rave reviews yes, but it does not have William Shatner. In my humble opinion, William Shatner made Star Trek--the original and ONLY real Star Trek that ever was. None since has ever grabbed me the way that did in 1966.

Star Trek was on at 10:00 pm and I was always pretty early to bed at ages 11 and 12, but I stayed up for Star Trek. William Shatner is practically old enough to be my father, but he got something going on...back then he was very hot and I felt it all the way down in my little girl soul. So, when I heard he had been left out of this movie. I thought it was pretty crappy. At the close, it was Spock saying the words Kirk would have said, that is Kirk William Shatner style.

A friend of mine suggested I might like "young Kirk." Well, I watched and he did not stir me. I have the hot man detector. I have picked all the hotties over the years well before their hotness was plastered all over People Magazine...so YOUNG Kirk, good luck to ya. You do not get my perculator going, sorry.

The movie is great. I loved Scotty and Bones...even young Spock was okay. I thought making him and Ohura an item was silly. I thought having Spock show emotion was silly...however...I tought that the play with using more than logic to make decisions was fantastic. You need to be a risk taker in life and I think this movie played it well...not safe. There were a few lines that hit me and I cannot for the life of me remember them...I guess I will have to see if anyone else quoted them and report back.

But, in closing I will say it again...William Shatner rocked as Kirk, and so far, no one else even comes close.

Lowell, MA Boat Tours Open and Lisa and Wally Go Back to Portsmouth, NH

Well, the weekend is coming to a close. The sky is clear, the sun is out, and another stellar day beckons. What a fun weekend. On Saturday, we had breakfast with our friends like we normally do. Then, at 11:30, our neighbors, Linda and Peter, arranged a boat tour and invited us to ask our friends. Jim and Sue came and so did Erik and his entire family. 

This was a new tour to Wally and I, as Lowell offers several. Each is only 8 dollars and in this economy, that is a bargain for over an hour and a half of interesting history on the coolness of the water. Wally, Jim and Erik compared their lenses. You know, it was that size thing again. It was a nice photo shoot for all of us, me and my tiny Canon PowerShot. 

Oh, and Erik sweetie, don't forget to take the lens cap off dear! Mwah! 

  

This section of old burnt out buildings will be refurbish in the next few years. Today, it is a reminder of better days. For the pictures of the tour, and the lock system for the Hamilton Canal, click here.

After the tour, all of us walked over to Viet- Thai. It is a nice restaurant in downtown Lowell. It was a nice way to end a day with friends. It was getting late and Wally and I had reservations in Portsmouth, NH. We dashed off to gather our things and then dashed off to NH.

Our first evening in Portsmouth was great. Yes, dinner was at the Brewery. I had their steamed mussels and a small Caesar salad. Wally had their amazing hamburger. We drank Old Brown Dog. Their beer is amazing. We shared a berry cobbler. 

The hotel is very nice. We stay at the Hilton Garden Inn. It is elegant and has great beds and pillows. We get lost in the king size bed. It is always clean and does not feel overrun with kids. They have a new pool and spa system that uses salt water instead of chlorine, so the hot tub was  a dream. 

The next day we had breakfast and a walk. Then we were off to the outlet malls where the sales were too good to pass up. I got some nice summer things. Then we came back to the hotel and walked to Gilleys, a diner car dive around the corner from the hotel that boasts the best dogs and burgers in NH. The Razzanos recommended it...haha. Linda, I am still wondering why? haha. It was ok. Amazing how a place does just that and does so well. Nice help, decent food. Fries looked good, but we kept it light. 

We walked to the candy shop for an "evil chip." This is a chocolate, carmel, potato chip thing that this chocolate store makes. OMG, it is evil. The rain started and we begged off to our room for a bit. Then we head out for the Lilac Festival. 

Wally found this and I was so happy he did. I ADORE Lilacs. Next to Roses it is in my top two list of flowers. They are pretty and their perfume fills the air. Apparently, Lilacs came to the US through a former Governor of New Hampshire. His name was Wentworth and he imported them from England. Now I knew who to thank for lilacs and I was able to wander a bit on his historic estate. I was hoping they were selling bundles of lilacs but all I could do was pose with a few bouquets. They were lucky I did not walk away with these. OMG, so pretty.

We came back to the hotel, lost the car and wondered to downtown for more walking. Took in a few shops. The sun had come out and so we found a restaurant on the decks that had outdoor dining. It was perfect. We started with beer and whole body clams that were cooked to perfection and decided to have a nice lobster roll. It was cold and this sandwich easily had an entire lobster worth of meat on it. This was perfectly prepared. The sun, the walking, the beer...haha. We were tired...and we went back and relaxed at the hotel. Another amazing trip away from home.

Colin, this one above is for you. I think of your shrimp sandwich, with that special sauce. I think I should make this sandwich with your sauce and see what that is like. 

Today, we will have breakfast and likely head home. We have real world things to do like shopping and paying bills to name a few. This has been another lovely weekend here in Portsmouth, NH.

No whining. If you don't like the results of American Idol, then vote.

Ha ha. That includes me. One of my friends says she is done with American Idol. I asked why? I said it is not the show who controls who makes it, it is the American public. Whosoever votes. I never vote, so I can't really complain. I don't really care either. Adam will be better off NOT being American Idol. He will have more freedom for his creativity, and that is what makes him who he is.

Another friend admits Adam is the best, but God forbid a gay or atheist get the role. Enough already...I am done with judgments. We need to remove the beam out of our own eye before judging anyone. My faith is not challenged by Adam. I believe talent is God sent. Clay was better than Reuben, and his sales prove it. Both were good. This should not be a personality or moral judgment contest, but more talent...

Another friend suggested charging one dollar for each vote. They could give the money to charity. That would stop people voting hundreds of time and let the vote be more pure. I thing that is a wonderful idea.

The final vote is actually sales. Who will sell the most in the future. That will be Adam, so who cares? I got to enjoy the music. I bought Adam's single. It would be interesting to see who is selling more already. I suppose I could figure that out.

Enough said.

Caring for the flu. . .any flu.

Okay, so now we got the swine flu and from all I can see, the incidence of it does not seem huge. I have seen bigger waves of the flu infest my office and go through EVERYONE because we are not taught to stay home when we are coughing and hacking and running a fever. Some take pride in rolling into the office sick and working anyway. They touch the bathroom door knob after sneezing and coughing into their hand, they put their empty water bottles up over the water machine nozzle thinking nothing of spreading their germs--and companies think nothing of it.

Parents continue to send sick kids to school without follow the rules of keeping them home 24 hours after a fever, or vomiting. It is common sense and our society is so go-go-go we cannot stay home and just get over it.

I for one simply hate finding I am talking to someone running a fever or who has not stayed away from me when yesterday they were vomiting...ewww. Please, how can we EVER expect to contain a pandemic when we cannot even use common courtesy? And, for those of us who are healthy, be careful of the surfaces you touch and the water machines you drink from. We have to be extra cautious due to lack of courtesy of others.

Ride you bike to work month...

A few weeks ago, I was ready to hop on my bike and begin riding to work. It was not May yet, and the competition between my offices at F5 had not begun, but I was ready. Being stuck indoors during winter never affected me as much as it did this year and my body shows it. I want to get my workout in gear and I wanted that two months ago.

That morning as I packed my bike, Wally called and well, you saw the blog and Facebook accounts of his Vertigo. Thankfully, he is driving to work now. Today is supposed to be a stellar day and so I was determined to ride.

As I got ready for work, I heard Wally filling my bike tires. That was really sweet of him. Thank you Wally! He also took these pictures with my cell phone. I am wearing the "official F5 Biking shirt." We are challenged to ride a minimum of five days to work, and that should be easy for me, as I live only two miles from home. It was a beautiful sunny day.

F5 also supplies nice granola bars for bikers. We have a small team here and we log our miles. I need to figure out how to do that. I would like to ride in most days for the rest of the summer. Luckily, I do not sweat, so I am not a mess when I get to the office. I change clothes, fluff my hair and I am on my way...

I am glad I live close enough to ride. It really feels good to get my heart pumping.

A Wonderful Mother's Day with my Son Jason.

It has been 12 years since I spent a Mother's Day with my son Jason. We see each other about once a year or twice if lucky, but this is the first Mother's Day in many a year. We were supposed to fly to DC to stay with my uncle and meet Jason. Due to Wally's illness, we felt travel at this time was not a good idea.

Jason arrived yesterday. He wanted lobster so we went to Rockport, MA one of my favorite places. We met my friend Mike, who had a birthday this past week. We bought his dinner and he picked up one of the guitars and played during lunch. What a lovely place to have dinner. We think we want to bring the gang back this summer for a warm evening on the ocean. The food at Lobster Pool is very good. 

From there we went to Rockport, the town. We walked along and shopped a little. Took photos. Wally bought me a lovely necklace and earrings. I found some other earrings I loved. I found two cute little hats. One for Megan and one for Alora. I am sure they will each look adorable in them. Click here for more pix.

It was a beautiful day and we had a blast.

Today we had a slow morning. Jason made fruit salad. Wally the coffee. I made waffles and we sat and talked. Jason wanted Italian food and the North End. We took him to Boston for that. Another lovely day best illustrated through photos. Click here for more pictures.

We already have dropped him to the airport. His flight leaves soon. What a wonderful visit and lovely Mother's Day weekend. I am very lucky to have had this time. 

Thank you Jason for making my day so special.

Taking care of Wally...

I have not written in a while because last week my husband Wally fell ill suddenly. He had just left for work, he had no complaints, then he called complaining of dizziness. My first fear was a heart attack and we rushed to the local ER.

He had symtoms of dizzines, vomiting, and  sweats, and after thorough testing, it turns out he had a bad, but sudden bout of Vertigo. This I do not wish on anyone.

I took him home, and the next morning he seemed to be snapping back, but by bedtime he was moaning in pain and I almost took him to ER. I waited until morning after talking to an ER contact. Then I called his primary. They said to go to ER. Since a CAT scan indicated some spot at the first ER, the second ER did an MRI. This test did confirm a spot, but without further testing we do not know what, if anything, it is. Wally remained pretty sick and wobbly and they kept him at the hospital from Thursday through Sunday. During this time they did a lumbar puncture and that also had one abnormality.

Wally is still at home. He is improving but not 100%. It is nice to see him healing and regaining more strength and his usual personality. Tonight, he wants me to take him for his haircut, so I will do that.

So, as the vertigo heals, we have a few tests at the end of the month to get through. One is another MRI and the other is a PET scan. Both tests won't happen until the 21 and 28 so we won't know anything more until then. The follow-up with a neurosurgeon won't be until the first week of June. Please know, I will be posting things on Facebook for our family and friends and otherwise we are assuming all the best for now. Let's face it, I do the cooking and he washes up after me...haha. I miss that!

Talent has no age limit

I don't know about you but I love to watch American Idol. This year's pick for me is Adam Lambert. Usually, I think they top out at 29 age-wise, but not sure. I know that generally talent and youth go together.

My friend Tom mentioned this Susan Boyle to me the other night and I was busy doing something else and did not look. Today, at work, I got the link and took the time to listen. I watched this homely 47-year-old sparkle walk on stage and expected it to be a joke. This is the British version of American Idol I guess. Believe it or not, Simon gave her the BEST EVER THUMBS up.

So, for all my talented music friends who think time has passed you by, I say, next time Idol is in town you go make Simon rock, Susan Boyle did!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

Again, talent has no age limit...

When Corporations Tighten Their Belts. . .

These are tough times and lots of companies are tightening their belts. Some need to, sales are off, money is tight, so you see the expected: Layoffs, loss of 401k matching, no more Christmas party, no more free sodas, forced vacation. You expect that when the company is not doing well.

But, what if there is money in the bank and sales are strong? Why do these companies march in lock step and layoff the same 10% across the board and in HighTechVille, where some of us enjoy free soda do I hear about that perk being affected? Here is why I am complaining.

My son, he works for a big successful company with LOTS of money. They are doing all the cost cutting stuff and have eliminated the drinks. My son does not work 8 hour days--he works more like 12 hour days...and he never complains about the hours...but I found his response to losing the free drinks compelling. He said, "Why should I come in and work all these hours and they cannot even give me a free drink for doing it?" So for all the beancounters who go home at 5 pm, I hope as you cut costs you realize you are cutting your nose to spite your face. People who work as hard as my son give you way more than a dollar worth of soda per day of work. I hate using a bad economy as an excuse to get MORE profits on the backs of the hard working folks without the big bonuses and stock options. OH well...it will be interesting when times change and people flee to greener pasture. How you treat employees now does matter.

Historic Lowell Hamilton Canal Area Redevelopment District

No, Lowell was not bombed. These buildings are very near to where I live, but there are many beautiful structures, but these are about to be redeveloped.

   

I love the shapes of this gated doorway on the side of the Hamilton building.

This view is down the Hamilton Canal toward my apartment. If you look down the river, you see the decay on the right and behind it is my building, which is very nice. All this will be redeveloped.

  This view is looking down the canal. The damage seen above is on the left side of this building and forward of this.

Turn around around and view the river from the other end of the river.

Another view looking down to my building...but you would think I might be in some bomb zone in Europe...

  This window always catches my eye.

Where the worst decay is, this building is forward of it, toward the locks. I heard today from an older woman I passed that Bruce Willis will be doing a movie here.

This is upclose and personal.

I did not see the shadow of the wheel at first. Damn, I am good though!

These pictures are of the gears to the locks in Lowell on the Hamilton Canal.

This one was just the most beautiful form.  This is where function and form become art.

I love these things. . .

 

Then Lowell has doors worth noting like this archway...

This is a door on the Appleton Mill. I also thought it was interesting.

This is yet another very delapidated mill. I need to post some of the images Wally took last week. The images were beatiful agaist glass like water that reflected the buildings.

Even in urban decay is life. . .

AIG paid 73 employees bonuses of $1 million using our taxpayer money...

No wonder the world looks at the US as deluded. We take tax payer money, give it away to failed companies, and then they use taxpayer dollars to pay out bonuses. Sure, it was LEGAL. It was also highway robbery. You are crooks for following your policy and paying bonuses to people who should really be out of work. Why would you reward anyone for the catastrophic failures of your business? Million dollar bonuses? Get real. Most of us taxpayers will be lucky to ever see a million dollars in our lifetime. To pay out bonuses with taxpayer money is beyond my ability to comprehend.

Our congress, senate members, and our dear new president who are outraged, well pardon me, but this should have been stipulated when you agreed to do any bailouts. Let's stop the stupidity. This is not rocket science. This is supposed to be why we elect you to office--so you can help the people. Well, I am sorry...I think you are showing just how capable you are of helping the people.

As the veneer cracks open for the world to examine, I think we the people need to think about revolutionary change.

We went to Jack Kerouac's Birthday and also helped ring in St. Patricks Day...

It was a wonderful weekend with warmer weather and lots of sunshine. Saturday was full of errands. Wally found out there was a birthday party for Jack Kerouac at the local Italian coffee house and restaurant. We decided to go. Yes, I know Jack has been dead for 40 years or so, but I figured it would be a fun venue to observe people.

We live in Lowell. Jack is from here, so you can visit his many things associated with him. I have read only a few of his things. He was a bit over the top for me, but my friend Carla loves him so part of going was going in spirit for her. I wished I had known I was going sooner. I would have gotten her to pass along a passage to read aloud on her behalf, but this was last minute.

There were two people who stood out to me. One was a kid from NYC who read his own poetry from his Blackberry. Wow! Times have changed. To write poetry on Blackberry from a NYC subway...wow. Then later to read it. This kid had heard about this party and came up to Lowell to meet these people. Another fellow was from Nebraska. In high school he read something Kerouac wrote and it mentioned his tiny town once. He realized he did not have to stay there and he has been 'on the road'  for 20 years now. Next stop for him is Cambodia. Some of the people saw Kerouac as a prophet. His words are their Bible. That surprised me. It was interesting to do this at the last moment and to savor a bit of the culture. They had a nice band there too. A local band with two of their people. One played guitar and the other the banjo and it was amazing. They played a song that my friend Jeff plays. So, I knew the words. That was fun.

Last night we had dinner with our best friends at the Old Court pub in Lowell. They have amazing beer and the pub food cannot be beat for value and quality. Sunday was a St. Patrick's Day parade and the pub crawls were happening. After we got there, a bagpipe band showed, played music, and the pub crawl followed along.  Then we had little Irish dancers. It made for quite the evening.

After dinner we went back to the Italian place from the night before for coffees. It was quiet enough to talk there....and was a nice way to finish off the weekend. Lowell is a fascinating place. I hope the efforts to revive the community succeed.

Trading White Sand for Snow. . .

Who moves from Florida and goes north? I did. Well, by way of California. Sometimes, I have to wonder about the sanity of doing such things especially when I go from warm 80 degrees shorts weather to 20 something and snow...

I have to say by the time Christmas is over, so is my patience with winter. This year we booked the trip to Florida to warm up our bones.

This is my car. I had to walk through an inch of snow and it came down more. I think we got a total of about three inches.

This is my parking lot near my office. Winter white the day after my fun in the sun...just scroll down to what I left behind in Florida!

Man...it does make me wonder.

My Sunny Escape from Reality. . .

Coming to Florida in winter is a real treat. This is something Wally and I have wanted to do every year, but never did for one reason or another. This year, we found some cheap tickets and came during a beautiful sunny time. 

This morning I got to beach at low tide and went beachcombing for nearly two hours. I am looking for a special shell with like a baby foot print on the inside. Years ago my Aunt Joan showed one to me and when I mentioned it to a friend recently, she asked for some. 

So this is the pretty beach I go to. The sky is blue, the breezes are nice. This morning was warm, so I wore my bathing suit and my shorts to the beach.

I love everything about my beach. Even how the sand looks. This is looking south and it appears they are trying to grow native plants to protect the shore.

They have build condos along the beach in most places. At 3rd Street north, where I go near my house, they have dedicated it to a local world champion surfer named Slater. 

I enter my beach at the Slater walkway to the beach.

On my walk I got to see a lot of birds...

I was amazed at how tame the birds are. They let me get up really close to them to take a shot. The pelicans were hanging around fishermen. I guess they were hoping for handouts.

Crystal Blue Persuasion...look over yonder, the sun is a rising...God, the sun on the water was so beautiful, it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I used to walk this beach frequently in my youth and it truly is beautiful.

Self portrait..water behind me...toes in the water...no makeup! haha.

This picture of my toes in the water is for my friend Carla. She asked me to be sure to

get my toes in the water for her. So here they are Carla!

Here I am in my parent's backyard on a hammock. This is the life! Yes, it is that nice outside.

Fun in the sun. It does not get much better than this. It will be hard going home to the ice and snow.

How do you dress for temperatures between -1 and 77 degrees F?

We are lucky. We are leaving frigid New England and going to Florida. We will be there by dinner time. It is cold here in New England. They say the windchill puts us as -1, but the sky is clear and sunny. I can't say I will miss it, but after walking over ice and snow from the last storm, I am loving the thought of wearing shorts.

Packing my suitcase last night, I felt it was so odd to dig out my sandals, shorts, and other summer clothes. Most days here, I leave with a heavy coat, gloves, hat, and scarf. Dressing well helps in dealing with the cold.

So, how does a Floridian like me deal with winter? One day at a time. Actually, I don't think I deal as well as natives do. I think our bodies learn to deal with the sun and if we change what is affecting us, we notice. That is why I think I have issues with Vitamin D. I came from the factory not needing to worry about that too much, and now, I need to store it and I am missing that part or something.

Anyway, I am ready for FL. Going back to my childhood home is pretty darn nice. Think of me on the beach drinking pina coladas, YUM!

I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh. . .

Yeah, I admit it. I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh. He used to be good for the balance of power when Clinton was president and before. He is smart. But lately, some of the right wing commentators kind of tick me off. They sound like hate mongers and gloom and doomers.

I may be  a registered republican, but I like to believe that I can try my best to think critically. Right now, the US needs us all to work together to solve our problems. It scares me to think some might use this time for partisan politics. There is a time and a place for everything. Now is the time for unity. Not division. United we stand, and divided we fall. . .

I am also smart enough to know not many, if anyone, has been offering solutions. I say, if you are going to criticize, let's hear how you might solve our problems and why your solutions will work. Remember, the conservative administration just left, and as far as I can see, they allowed this mess. They got voted out because most of us got pretty sick by what was going on.

So, for the next four years we have Obama. Let's work together to save the US as we know it. Stop the bickering! Geesh.

Eeeeeek snow...

Well, March is ROARing in like a lion here in the northeast. Yuk. We fly to Florida on Wednesday and I am really looking forward to that now.

We had about five to six inches of fluffy white stuff this morning. As Wally and I walked to our cars in the snow, we both slipped. He kind of twisted his hip some. I noticed the ice under the snow, and it was obvious driving as well.

Not too many here at the office. I have my coffee and so all is right with the world...not sure how much more is expected, but I am definately looking forward to spring.

Is it warm in Florida? I hope so...