Happy New Year! Yes, it has been a while since my last post. Time flies and I was determined to have a nice Christmas, not to mention I haven't felt much like writing and I have been spending quite a bit of time on Facebook--- truly addictive... If you are on Facebook and know my real identity-- look for me or drop me a note.... email is located on my profile.
2009 is now behind us- it has been a very sad year... on many fronts... the most cruel has been to watch someone I love dearly self destruct---- Prayers for him and his family and his extended family are requested---- the wake of destruction is felt by everyone in his path... His cruel and selfish behavior is beyond any kind of sickness of the mind... The cruelty he has exhibited is self serving and self indulgent and his lack of concern for his own children and family is beyond my comprehension.
Politically we are in the crapper... Have Americans had enough yet? Is it too late? Are grass roots efforts going to be enough? Or are we at a crossroads as a nation? So much to absorb--- so much to watch--- Do you see what has been happening internationally? The trajectory is frightening...
Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, "The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself."
This morning I was flipping through Youtube... I watched many viral videos from 2009.... I hope you see the same thing I see when reviewed collectively... Let me know your thoughts... Here are a few:
It can be argued that this sort of exhibit in church is not appropriate... however, Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 reminds us that, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..."
And of course this.... Les Miserables.... Susan Boyle... so fitting and so wonderful on so many levels...
Sunny - Hi 86 Lo 63 for Baghdad, Iraq Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 43 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 45 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Six Strings, Mt. Pleasant String Band
Ramble:
Just not ready to blog... with each passing day we walk away from the principles our Founding Fathers established...
Please don't misinterpret this as a personal throwing in of the towel... to the contrary... it is more of a convenience thing... Writing our political officials weekly from the local to federal level is time consuming and sucks all creativity out of me...
Besides, plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas...come before blogging.
If you are not actively contacting your Congressman and Senators on a regular basis.. please do so. Check my sidebar for easy links to Kentucky officials. Thank you notes are in order for 215 Congressmen that voted NO on HR.3962.
One other thing... Scooter Trash Husband and I have decided we will continue to NOT support the GOP. We will support specific campaigns... gone are the days of writing 1 check. New York District 23 was the deciding factor...
I leave you with the words from someone I miss... Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Speech to CPAC February 6, 1977
[...] When a conservative states that the free market is the best mechanism ever devised by the mind of man to meet material needs, he is merely stating what a careful examination of the real world has told him is the truth.
When a conservative says that totalitarian Communism is an absolute enemy of human freedom he is not theorizing—he is reporting the ugly reality captured so unforgettably in the writings of Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
When a conservative says it is bad for the government to spend more than it takes in, he is simply showing the same common sense that tells him to come in out of the rain.
When a conservative quotes Jefferson that government that is closest to the people is best, it is because he knows that Jefferson risked his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to make certain that what he and his fellow patriots learned from experience was not crushed by an ideology of empire.
Conservatism is the antithesis of the kind of ideological fanaticism that has brought so much horror and destruction to the world. The common sense and common decency of ordinary men and women, working out their own lives in their own way—this is the heart of American conservatism today. Conservative wisdom and principles are derived from willingness to learn, not just from what is going on now, but from what has happened before. [...]
I'll return to regular Sunday postings as time allows.
P.S. Dear Kentucky or Anonymous or whoever you are-- I leave you with this glimpse into how serious I am... If given the opportunity to opt out of Social Security today... (I am 20-25 years away from retirement and have paid into Social Security for 24 years) I would do so in a heart beat.
Today... Scooter Trash Hubby and and I are mourning the losses of our iPods... STH's iPod went through the wash...Based on Google research, we have been instructed to let it dry out for 2-4 weeks in a baggy filled with rice to absorb the moisture. Today mine went kaput... I received the sad iPod icon... I don't know what I am going to do...I have become so dependent on it. I am a talk radio junkie and podcast is the only way I have of listening to some of my favorites... Bill Bennett, Dennis Prager, G. Gordon Liddy...What to do... what to do...?
Sunny - Hi 114 Lo 91 for Baghdad, Iraq Sunny - Hi 106 Lo 77 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Partly Cloudy - Hi 84 Lo 64 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Fields of Gold, Sting
Ramble:
Yesterday, I stopped by United Dairy Farmers to pick up some peach ice cream. I was heading over for a visit with my grandparents and I thought it would be nice to sit on their balcony and partake in that peach creamy goodness. Peach ice cream is one of those distinct childhood summer memories I have. Peach ice cream is only in season for a few weeks...so it must be got while the gettin' is good.
I had not been in a UDF store in literally years. I walked in and I recall someone said hello. I mumbled hello, but I am sure no one could hear my reply. I headed toward the freezer grabbed the peach ice cream and then moved immediately toward the counter. The young man looked me in the eye and asked if there was anything else I needed. I replied no. He rang my order up and I happily handed over the cash. He placed it in a bag for me and off I went. But before I exited, another young man behind the counter said, "Thank you and come back again." I turned around, and I'm sure I had a dumbfounded look on my face and said, "Yes, I will. Thank you." He then replied, "Enjoy your afternoon."
I hopped in my car thinking, that was nice. As I turned the ignition in my car, a man in a walking cast came hobbling up the parking lot. He was older and moving slowly. I waited for him to pass so I could pull out of my parking space. As he passed by, I saw the same young man from behind the counter come out and help the older gentleman into the store.
It was really nice for me to see that simple gesture of politeness- of kindness. Of late, I have become so cynical and suspicious. It was comforting to see that employee from UDF being nice, professional, and friendly. I want to thank that young man from UDF... pride in your work and friendly service. I really had forgotten.
And one last thing- To the person who wrote me regarding Richard Wagner. Yes. I realize Richard Wagner was anti-semitic... I chose that piece of music intentionally.
Partly Cloudy, Dust Storms - Hi 62 Lo 50 for Baghdad, Iraq Partly Cloudy - Hi 81 Lo 55 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Windy - Hi 34 Lo 13 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Money for Nothing, Dire Straits (performed by Mark Knopfler, Sting, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and co.
Do you remember when this song hit MTV? It now has a whole new meaning, huh?
Ramble:
Have you seen Clara's Depression Era Cooking on YouTube? This gal is 93 years old. I just discovered her... and I love her - There is going to be a DVD released soon. The best part is that her grandson has taken this opportunity to record his family's history. I wish I had paid more attention to the stories that were told when I was a kid... Here is Clara's website and here is her blog. It isn't just the recipes, it's the quick little tidbits and how to's-- turning off the heat to save gas and money... We are so spoiled.
So, I was at work this week and a co-worker told me that her husband had been laid off from his job. She was quite upset, which is understandable. The part that annoyed me was that she said it was completely unexpected... WHHAAAATTTT? She went on to say that they were going to have to cut some corners, consolidate bills, not eat out as much, bundle their cell phones, and my favorite? She is going to look into this "whole thing of getting her mortgage paid." She had heard that if you stop paying your mortgage, the government will step in and offer assistance... She was able to calmly rationalize that she and her husband had worked hard enough and had paid into the system and were entitled.... So, "this mortgage thing" appears to be viewed as a benefit... like unemployment? Yah.... good times... good effing times...
Then this weekend I go visit my Mom. She has been utterly depressed and can not shake this funk she is in. She has worked long hard hours her entire life. We lived in abject poverty and never took a handout. As you have read here before, through sheer willpower and muscle, my mom overcame all obstacles and now leads a more than comfortable life, but in an instant, her investments - the fruits of her labor gone. Oh and according to President Obama... she is rich!
Once there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow.
All day long the ant would work hard, collecting grains of wheat from the farmer's field far away. She would hurry to the field every morning, as soon as it was light enough to see by, and toil back with a heavy grain of wheat balanced on her head. She would put the grain of wheat carefully away in her larder, and then hurry back to the field for another one. All day long she would work, without stop or rest, scurrying back and forth from the field, collecting the grains of wheat and storing them carefully in her larder.
The grasshopper would look at her and laugh. 'Why do you work so hard, dear ant?' he would say. 'Come, rest awhile, listen to my song. Summer is here, the days are long and bright. Why waste the sunshine in labour and toil?'
The ant would ignore him, and head bent, would just hurry to the field a little faster. This would make the grasshopper laugh even louder. 'What a silly little ant you are!' he would call after her. 'Come, come and dance with me! Forget about work! Enjoy the summer! Live a little!' And the grasshopper would hop away across the meadow, singing and dancing merrily.
Summer faded into autumn, and autumn turned into winter. The sun was hardly seen, and the days were short and grey, the nights long and dark. It became freezing cold, and snow began to fall.
The grasshopper didn't feel like singing any more. He was cold and hungry. He had nowhere to shelter from the snow, and nothing to eat. The meadow and the farmer's field were covered in snow, and there was no food to be had. 'Oh what shall I do? Where shall I go?' wailed the grasshopper. Suddenly he remembered the ant. 'Ah - I shall go to the ant and ask her for food and shelter!' declared the grasshopper, perking up. So off he went to the ant's house and knocked at her door. 'Hello ant!' he cried cheerfully. 'Here I am, to sing for you, as I warm myself by your fire, while you get me some food from that larder of yours!'
The ant looked at the grasshopper and said, 'All summer long I worked hard while you made fun of me, and sang and danced. You should have thought of winter then! Find somewhere else to sing, grasshopper! There is no warmth or food for you here!' And the ant shut the door in the grasshopper's face.
It is wise to worry about tomorrow today.
That was then... Today even if the ant has done everything right, I.E. saved money, invested appropriately, never living beyond her means but the ant makes more than $250,000.00 she is required to bear the burden of feeding all the lazy @ss grasshoppers...
The B-52's are part of my teen years. I think the first song I heard by this group out of Athens GA was Private Idaho... and it must have been on 97X... "The future of Rock N Roll". The FM radio dial was limited back in the day... at that time there was easy listening, album oriented rock, oldies (from the 50's), country (not like today's country- Slim Whitman, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty...) and pop radio stations (Hall & Oates, Genesis, Elton John and disco out the wazoo) on the FM dial... 97X was the exception.. Based out of Oxford, Ohio- This little station played stuff that could not be heard anywhere else... It was cutting edge new music-- imports and a lot of experimental stuff. This was even before MTV-- back when they played music videos... Anyway the B-52's were all about the fun - the party - youthful energy - and most important - it had to be danceable. Yah... B-52's are part of my youth...
So with all the hype about television going digital and all the tax dollars that have been spent making sure we all don't get static... Channel Z has been going through my head for days now...so enjoy... Dance away... Besides there isn't much else to do... Now where the heck did I put that $40.00 coupon???
Ramble:
I have worked from the time I was 16 years old.... and since that age I have never been unemployed. Since I am 43 now... that is a heck of a good track record. Oh my gosh... 43... I'm 43... I don't feel like I'm 43... don't think I look 43... I digress. I credit my mother for instilling me with a strong work ethic.
When I worked in retail and the chain I worked for had filed Chapter 11... I was spared and eventually transferred 4 times in order that the company keep me employed. When the company finally sold to another retail chain, I was absorbed and hired by that company. When I worked in the staffing industry, it was by my choice that I finally leave-- a decision that did not come easily, but one I felt and now know was the correct decision for my well being. In each career path, I moved up the ranks... I've always thought of myself as an "enlisted grunt" that moves from private to master gunny. I've been asked to go to officer training school, but I do not see myself as officer material-- I like hanging out with the fellas... that is where reality is. Upper management likes me because I understand the macro, however my strength has always been working in the details... make sense?
The company I have been with for nearly 10 years has been tightening it's belt... We have a lean philosophy as it stands and we are already very skinny... but through attrition folks are leaving of their own choice and are not being replaced. Of course this is the most preferred method... No one has to be the bad guy. However, management is now going through and culling the folks that are not so productive. Jobs are being eliminated... Last week was a strange one... There were some folks that were upset because a nice guy was being released. Look, no one wants to see anyone lose their job... especially now, but over the past few years, whenever I needed to go speak with him or past by his desk, he was "busy" looking at entertainment websites. Now, of course this could be coincidence... however, he was also very social and spent a lot of time chatting. So, when management needed to make a decision-- they will hopefully remove those that are least productive. He is a nice intelligent guy, but at the end of the day... he was lazy and not productive and not bringing anything to the table... revenue. There is one thing I can not stand and that is lazy... I will work with anything else including stupid... but lazy is intolerable. In today's climate, I find it offensive that anyone squander time and effort... We should all be working harder-smarter to maintain our jobs... making that extra phone call, networking with customers and vendors, going beyond our job description, getting that customer to the right department... There is no time for sitting back and just waiting for business. I am thankful that my mom instilled that sense in me. I have consciously declined going into management with my current company several times--- After my previous company I did not want to be responsible for others. People whine too much and you can never do enough for them... even though you fight tooth and nail for them... So, I know what it is like to be in management... I've seen both sides of that fence... I feel bad for the good managers... I have disdain for the bad managers...
Anyway, I work, I understand my marketplace, I understand other teams markets and look for opportunities everywhere... I really don't socialize much... I do have my moments of levity. I am a pacesetter and I know I set a tone and mood. If I am asked to do something beyond my job description, I take it on without hesitation, I volunteer for projects... especially lean efforts. I make myself available for new endeavors, I learn, I teach, I am professional, I am not a clock watcher and I make myself as valuable as possible to as many teams as I can and I have been doing this since the day I was hired. That is why management has continued to ask me to join their ranks and even though I politely decline, they are happy to keep me. So, when leadership and management get together despite my salary, I hope that my name is in the column of "keep her" and not "cut her."
I fully realize that everyone is replaceable... In today's climate anything is possible. The shift in industrial and consumer spending is definitely making an impact on our company. We are pretty diversified as a company, so we have businesses that are pretty robust and profitable right now, others are in the tank.... Thankfully, I am with a company that has been very smart in it's business decisions... However, knowing that everyone is replaceable, I hope I am the last one hit in this adult game of dodgeball.
I am an independent, patriotic, conservative with a passion for fine art.
I'm devoted to my husband and all the things we find important- our time together, our family, our country.
I'm forever a pessimist, but doing my best to change that.
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