The Talking Stage....

We all have probably experience it in our growing up,

when around grandparents and elderly aunts and uncles.

We might even have whispered to a cousin or our parents..

“Grandma/Aunt Lou is talking to herself”

We have even joked about it … about ourselves from time to time. I talk to myself, as I am the only intelligent person I know.. or I want to have a meaningful conversation… to cover up when some one catches us doing it.

Well, the other day, I caught myself doing it… a few memo words. Stay focus… don’t forget.. xxx…  It isn’t the big stuff that trips me up, it is the little stuff… like why did I come into this room to do what? Of course, I have help with the big stuff. I have a calendar in the hall way up on the wall for the King and I to see each day. It is a extra large desk calendar… We haven’t forgotten anything so far.

But to make sure we don’t … we put It up there.  We have had friends younger than us, who have forgotten a date… So we write on the calendar .. just in case. Especially if one of us was told about a place or thing we need to know…without the other one there. This way both of us are aware.

The King is worse for this, than I am.

A friend who was sitting next to him at a gathering.. told him to not forget, what time we were leaving for Montana, and also about a lunch date with them.  Luckily she called me. She got on the phone with him after and said.. wasn’t that you, who was sitting beside me and talking to me about these things.. both of them laughing. We joking

say, don’t forget to tell the secretary.. (me) …

I shouldn't say I have never forgotten anything.. as I have spaced a few council meetings.. which I “like” to go to.. it isn't mandatory. So I don’t count those as lapse of memory… it only counts if it was something fairly important.  I was doing something at the time, and was engrossed in that, that I space the meeting.  Priorities, I guess.

I use to be great at multitasking, I could do many things, not so much at once, as in a row, sometimes two at a time.. but now.. I better just line up one or two in a row.. lol…

So if you find yourself giving yourself brief memos.. it is ok.. we all do it at one time or another… and now we understand Grandma/Auntie more..  They weren’t looney after all.. haha

Two different attitudes....

The King and I have been watching a program called

North America… Beautiful pictures of our wonderful

country.

The men and women work so hard not to disturb the

wild animals that they come across, as well as not to

disturb nature… be it a trail, a tree, or anything else.

Yet, here sadly, we the few people who are so

thoughtless, with no respect for nature. Or man made

items, that we use as we use the forest. Be it for fishing,

or camping ….or both.

For some reason they seem to think it is fun, or funny

to shoot signs, toilets, saplings, or anything else they can

aim at in a camp ground. To the point that one 

campground has been shut down for camping.. 

and another is in danger of the same.

Some of these are public parks and some of them are private that is open to the public by the owner Avista. Which is our district electric company.  Avista invest a lot of money to keep areas open for all of the public to use. They invest a lot of money into keeping the fish going in the streams and rivers.

Only to have thoughtless people destroy without thought.

As the game warden express… with the price of ammo, you

would not think this would be the case, with such great waste.

You and me, and the IRS...

June 13, 2013

You and me, and the IRS…

Nothing makes any one of us shake in our shoes like the

mere mention of the IRS. Even before you open the envelope to see what they have to say, you are shaking in your shoes. 

Your heart starts to beat like a Gene Kupra drum.

Unless, of course, if it is a refund check.

So to me.. it was kind of funny that those who scream like a banshee over the tea party and such who were having such a bad time with the IRS… it is like, give me a break.. who hasn't?

*The IRS was started by Lincoln (a Republican) to cover the Civil War.

Then 7 years later it was done away with. Then at the turn of the century some wonderful people decided we need income tax for building up our military.. We hadn't even gotten into World War I.

And then it became the 16^th Amendment.  Before that, the government got enough money to pay for everything from tariffs, tax on liquor and tobacco. And sugar.  Sugar? Why sugar, I wonder..

Anyway, the abuse of the IRS by Presidents and his people goes way back.. Franklin Roosevelt was one of them.. keeping tabs on newspaper publisher, Hearst and 

about 4 or 5 more influence people. 

Then of course, the biggest one was J. Edgar Hoover… and even Kennedy. All Democrats, you say.. 

Not so fast… The Republican did their share.

Nixon being the worse one, he even set up a special service staff, to do his dirty work.  He was even charged in the impeachment for “seeking confidential information contained in income tax returns, for purposes not authorized by law”   

So, for everyone to get upset about it now.. I find ironic… and where were all these righteous Republicans, when the common man goes in for an audit for the last 80 years?

Oh, by the way.. the young lady who was in front of the committee and said she wasn't going to answer any questions and walked out.. I wonder.

If a citizen was in the office of an examiner being drilled over their income and tax exempts.. decided to say to that examiner… Sir/Ma’am, I am not going to answer these questions, and walked out… how far would that

Citizen get?  Maybe home, but not for long…I think selling off assets and maybe jail time, might follow John Q. Citizen.  Oh, I read somewhere, they are trying to fire her….. and she refuses to go.  How does that work?

*info found on several online sites.

How we change

Ever notice how much you change your mind over the years. 

Your taste changes.  Some thing that were horrible to you before, now are acceptable. Some of it is environmental, we get desensitized.

But most of all is colors and food.

When I was a kid, I did not like liver, peas, black olives, brussels sprouts, chicken gizzards, heart, broccoli, and several other things. But now I eat brussels sprouts, broccoli, black olives, heart (not fond of it, but will eat it

without gagging)  I actually like black olives, and brussel sprouts, and broccoli.

But I still will NOT eat liver…  I will eat peas to be polite… but there is nothing that will get me to eat liver.

And when I was younger, I didn’t care for the colors of orange, purple, brown, And really did not like pink. I didn’t hate pink, but did not want to ever wear it.   

I like red, black, blue and loved green.. especially Kelly green.  Now I wear orange, peach color, and once in a while purple. More into the pastel shades,

But still like the bold too… still not fond of pink and avoid it as much as possible. I like maroon as well… Some colors you would never wear together.. pink and

red or orange.. and now they do.. not me.. but others do… Also a no no was blue and green…which I do like together..

So what colors would you not be caught dead in when you were younger, and now wear?  What foods did you refused to eat or your parents went thru hell to get you to eat, that you eat and enjoy now? 

Privacy...... you are joking.. right?

I laugh when people get upset about recent lack of privacy… I laugh not because it is funny.. But I have to ask where were these people were 15 years ago when 60 minutes did a story on the huge satellites  over in England, operated by the Brits, USA, France and I think Germany was the 4^th one.  It told how it monitored phones and all media (this was before emails and Facebook) ..

That there was a long word list that triggered action… terrorist, bomb, guns and etc were, of course, top of the list.

Those who laughed at the book 1984 in the 1950’s, when it was written.. you have no idea how kindergarten that is in this day and age of electronics.  

Those of you on Facebook, do you really think your page is private? My page is as private as they will allow.. as I can get. No games, no new apps, or anything.  Anytime they ask for access to my page with friends list and photos, I say NO AND CANCEL.   Yet a trip to Hawaii three years ago and pictures I was tagged in, and ones I did.. brought me so much sideline bar ads on Hawaii, even who to vote for in case I moved there within a year. PRIVACY? Don’t make me laugh.

This is not a Democrat issue, this is not a Obama issue.. This has gone on for over 80 years or more. And as electronics get more advanced, the more open we are.  You can’t even walk in to a Walmart or any other store, that they don’t see you. Or walk down the street.  Remember you have seen on the news, criminals spotted thru these.

Can it be changed? I doubt it.. Greed and power always wins. Who can change it or try.. the young.  Surely, not this 73 old woman in Idaho. But if you can find people of fairness.. common sense  Maybe coming up teens, who will forgo power and greed for fairness. But consider how much lack of privacy they do,

I kind of doubt it.  

Kind of like the tea party that put a foot in the door… But they are so over their heads with righteousness.. No, we need those who are not about themselves but about country. But you aren’t going to find them.. the others will see to that.

Privacy?  Is always at the mercy of others.. be it government or friends or family

and even enemies. 

Sadness of Motherhood...

So many times I have heard people dismiss women who are mothers, because for what ever reason, they let their children live with the father.

Most don’t even know the circumstances.  A few know, but jump to a conclusion.. and have no idea what it is like.

There are a lot of women out there, who have gave up their wants and desires, to give that right to a child… or children.

No one, knows the pain that goes with that. Only one who has been thru it.

Even if the woman brought it on herself, that she lost her child or children, The scars are still there.  There are many reasons why.. some of them, especially in the past 15 years, has to do with drugs.  Before it was alcohol.

90% of the women who gave up their child, did it for the child… Know or hoping that the father or the grandparents can provide a better environment and possibilities for that child.   Sometimes it is the child that convinces the mother,

that things are better on the other side. The greatest love, is doing what is better for the child instead of what she wants.

Single mother’s know their limits. A lot of them stick it out, some out of stubbornness, making sure the father doesn’t get the children.. at any cost.

Some even making up stories of improper parenting of the father. Actually most times in a divorce it works both ways.. Never really thinking about the child and what is best for the child. And those who cut off the child from ever seeing their lost custody parent, have started a new kind of

Hell. They celebrate in winning… when the loser is the child.

(disclaimer: there are some very few parents who should never see their

child again.. such as the father who tried to get out of paying child support,

so set his son on fire…but these are very few)

I applaud those parents who have separated, divorced and still kept it civil for the children’s sake.. and always … have what is right for the child being the major concern.. putting their lives second.

But it always saddens me, to hear others dismiss the mothers who let go. Never understanding the hell they go thru.. questioning did they really do what was best for the child. Even the child themselves, don’t understand.

So those who make judgments, DON’T… until you have walked in those shoes yourself..  

And I hope and pray you never have to.   

NEVER SEND THE ONE WHO IS CRAVING..TO THE STORE

June 6, 2013

NEVER SEND THE ONE WHO IS CRAVING..

The other night, I sat down to watch tv with the King, and said You know, I am craving ice cream… Now I crave ice cream about once a year, if that.. just not real big on ice cream.. unless it is Pistachio, maybe.   He said, you know that does sound good.  Why don’t you go get us some.. I just got out of the shower and have pj’s and slippers on.

I figured, why not.. store is only a mile away.. I’ll go.  Which a mile isn’t far enough. Because on the way over, I had turn the craving from just ice cream to banana split.  Had I a longer way to go, I could have talked myself back down to two tiny ice cream paks.  You know the ones that sell for a $1 and have about the same as one scoop but with

out the cone.

I found 3 half pints of ice cream… a Rocky Road type for the King, and they had my favorite Pistachio and I got a cherry vanilla to round out the banana split.  Got the banana’s, swung around and got the chocolate stuff that stiffens up when it hits cold. Also there was low sugar butterscotch,

AND they had no calorie, no fat, no sugar caramel . (I wonder what is really in it)… and behind me was the refrigerator area.. so got whip cream bottle. Had cherries at home.

I headed to the cashier and put the things on the belt.  As the cashier is running it over the counter, I see just how much I do have. And then it starts to hit, all of the goodies.. and having second thoughts, as the person who is

trying to lose the 10 pounds she gained…. This is not the way to do this.

FINE.. WERE THE HELL was this person 10 minutes ago, as the items were flying in to the cart?    

Then I see another gal putting her things up on the belt…6 bags of chips, 3 dip cans, one 6 pak of beer and one 4 pack of hard cider coolers.

I smiled. I told her, that I thought we were the two worse ones to go get the supplies.  And smiled.

She looked at hers, and then looked at mine as they were bagging it.  I think you are right, she said.. it was suppose to be a bag of chips and a 6 pak of beer.

But they had several good chips and dips..    

Moral of the story…… never send the craver to the store to get the supplies.

14 and counting...

Today is the King’s and mine 14^th anniversary.  So 14 years married.

And 27 years together.  (I had to make sure it was going to last before I jumped into the marriage…lol)

This is a nice picture of him with one of our kids… #1 son… as #2 or #3 or #4, as I don’t use their names here) … which by the way, #1 turns 50 next month… geesh, these kids are getting old.

The King took on, not only a very opinionated woman with a strong head, but also gain 8 kids, and we are up to 22 grandchildren and about 13 great grandchildren now.  All who dearly love him.

I considered myself twice blessed. As my deceased husband was a blessing to me.. and then God was kind enough to find another man who would put up with

me.  A man who puts up with all my being a bitch, when I don’t like me.. yet he still loves me. Who treats me like a Queen, during those times…  He might frustrate me from time to time.. with his practical jokes, and pranks, and putting things off, but I tell you, it has been a great 14 years… and I wouldn't

 trade him for any one else.  I am one lucky gal…

THANKS, KING… may we grow old together gracefully….   

Stupidity cost money.....

Normally I don’t touch anything in the King’s garage..

Oh, I will get a tool from time to time, but returning it right

away… something about men’s tools brings out the bear,

if it isn't return right to the exact spot it was.. (this does not

apply to women’s things when they borrow them, attested by

drinking glasses, scissors or baster for example)  

But the bigger things, I leave them alone.. that also includes

the big door. I will use the key to open the small door and hit

the pad for the big door to open. But never touch the wireless Key pad. Until Friday. 

I had a wheelbarrow of stuff to take out

of his garage to put into my garage freezer. Rather than go

back to the house and get the key, I figured I would save

myself some steps and just use the keypad. I remember him

saying that sometimes it takes two times of punching out the

numbers. So when it didn't open up, I tried it again. Then I saw a button on top, so figured that was maybe an enter button. So hit that. The door didn't open.. so I did it again… Still nothing. So walked back to the house, got the key, open the door with the wall pad.

The King came home and hit the buttons and nothing… I had screwed up the opener. Seems that I hit the program button, not enter. So got the book out and tried that.. things got  worse.  Door company closed on Friday. 

Today they arrived  when the King got home..  Have to admit, when I loused it up, I did a dandy job of it.. as he had a problem solving it as well. Seems that after 3 tries the automatic theft proof shuts down the computer. 

Long and short of it.. half an hour later, and $30 later, the

problem was solved.  Could have been worse.. if it had taken

an hour it would have been $70!!!!! I had to ask.. did you say $70 like in 7…0? Yep..  Thank you Ralph, for being quick and also teaching the King how to fix it next time.. but I can tell you it won’t be me… who did it.. walking to get the key is so much

cheaper. 

Don't like being idle...

I joke around about doing nothing.. when some one says what are you doing

now that you are retired... I have joked for years about how I do nothing and

found I was quite good at it...

I guess more to the point is ... I do a lot, but nothing of great mention. And

also boring for others.  In fact if I do have to do nothing.. it drives me nuts.

We all do something... but there are days that I have sat and read magazines

or books to catch up on the stack that gathers.  Because I am doing other stuff.

But sitting for hours reading and drinking tea or coffee... I feel guilty.  Even

just sitting thru a movie during the day, makes me feel guilty. Can think of

so many things I should be doing.

I guess it is the way I was raised. As a kid, there was always something to do.

Chores, chores, and more chores. Cleaning out stalls, vacuum the floor, do

dishes, weed the garden... defeathering chickens during killing time. Picking

up bales of hay, or before that, we either drove the truck or pick forked hay

on the truck.  On a small farm there was always something. Of course, clean

my room.. gosh I hated that.. guess most kids do.

Then later I went to work, and did chores when home and worked. Weekend

chores. After I moved away, I went to watch over my grandfather for about

8 or 9 months. Drove me crazy.. As I really did nothing.. went to the beach,

which was just down the road. Spend the day there swimming and getting

a tan.  And put on about 20 pounds.  I had arrived at 98 pounds, and so skinny,

that you couldn't tell if I was coming or going, or standing side ways. Left

Florida at 125. 

I went to California, and got a job, and then came marriage and kids... so

work on a full time job.. be it at work or at home. Raising kids was a full

time job. As there were not markets to run to, no fast food places. It was up

early, get the kids fed, wash clothes, iron clothes,  make food for meals all day,

and dishes constantly. Keep the kids out of trouble.

After the kids left, and my husband had died, it was job time again. Working

in a nursing home there is a lot of overtime. And driving home took 45 minutes.

17 and half years of that.. and then retirement.  And for those of you who haven't

retired, and worry about what are you going to do with all that time???? HA HA..

WHAT TIME..  there is the house, the yard, and washing and fixing meals.. and

etc. Always something to do.  And if you are lucky enough.. you get to go to

lunch with friends..  I do all the things, I didn't have time to do when I was working.

So when a rainy day comes... and I have my wash and meals caught up.. house

work done... so I sit and read... it takes a little getting use to.  Of course there is

a few things I could do.. like clean out my filing cabinet.. lol..