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December 25th, 2008
happyDecember 19th, 2008
Wow, it is Christmas time already! Needlework things are delayed by stitches in my hand, and tenderness. Okay a little whine might be evident there. I guess I'm kinda tough, but this one hurt purty much. It took a chunk out of the heel of my hand.
I'm not sure what we are going to do for Christmas. The girls don't want to put the tree and decorations up because Wa is laid off from her job, and it doesn't look like they will be calling people back. She is job hunting. Steph is still working but there are whispers of another lay-off. I suggested making something for one another, or...donating to a charity in the name of the gift recipient. Apparently those weren't good ideas. Mike and Jess both work full time, but they never have any money for anything. Spare moments, and change are spent on cigarettes and beer. Wow!
I am going to cook Christmas dinner, and New Year's Day dinner, and have invited all the kids to come and eat, spend some time together, and just be thankful and happy to have the time together during this time of celebration! Rules? No smoking in my house, and no alcohol. I have a flower pot filled with kitty litter on the front porch for cigarette butts. I am so glad that I don't smoke (anymore). It was four years for me on November 18th this year. I get excited about that every year!
I drew Bonnie's name at the restaurant, so I am making a cd of some music that she likes. I was able to upload the songs from cds contributed by mutual friends. She likes gospel, so I was able to add a couple of really nice songs by Jason & deMarco, a gay couple that loves God and spreads that message to those who would not otherwise receive it. Cool huh?
Out of curiosity, how many people have experienced having their power bill spike dramatically over the last couple of months? My power bill is generally around $59, and this month it is a whopping $197! I called the power board and was told that it spiked due to a cold snap in the area. That doesn't sound legal to me! I have talked to several customers, co-workers, and in general conversation when out and about. I'm not the only one, and it appears that no one is getting out of this unscathed. Does this happen all over the country, and perhaps beyond?
I'm kind of excited about this holiday season. With the economy being so terrible right now, and so many people suffering, it is a time to recall and focus on what is really important, what we want, examining goals, and maybe rethinking, restructuring, or restating them. Hours have been cut (dramatically) at the restaurant as well.
A man was saying the other day that the country is in a recession. I think it is a depression, and this whole situation with the auto industry just doesn't make any sense. It is clearly a case of greed and gross mismanagement. I can't count to 40 billion, but I wonder what the actual value of that 40 billion is based on? Ocean water?
A couple of years ago I was having difficulty get the back pay from my disability. Apparently some rules have changed and they don't issue a check, but they were compliant with paying the dealer for my truck so that I could get back and forth to work, but not with paying a dentist to get my denture fixed. Go figure. At any rate, I opted for a used ford Ranger (1994), one owner, no accidents, water damage, or other concerns. Used vehicles are a good buy with a little research. My truck, who I call (affectionately) Belle, continues to serve without a hitch. I take her for an oil and fluids/filter change according to the schedule provided by the folks at Jiffy Lube, and Dan (the dealer) keeps an eye on the tires and has offered to provide a tune-up on a payment plan. So that's cool. Would my truck be considered a luxury vehicle? No *smile*, but she is clean, runs great, starts first time every time, and it is a luxury to have her. Know what I mean?
Now that Wa and I have gone vegetarian, the food bill is reduced significantly. Last night we had pasta with a tomato/basil sauce, a simple salad, and bread. The other thing we had was...great conversation! How cool is that?
It is my hope that everyone, this holiday season, will enjoy simple fare, and great conversation with those that matter to them.
Happy Holidays from me, Free, Gooch, Buddha, Isobel, Seneca, Charlie, Sophie, and Jada...with much love! =)
Back to homework for me, ha ha. I get a 2 week break, but not until the 23rd. Until then, my nose has to be at the grindstone. =)
I'm not sure what we are going to do for Christmas. The girls don't want to put the tree and decorations up because Wa is laid off from her job, and it doesn't look like they will be calling people back. She is job hunting. Steph is still working but there are whispers of another lay-off. I suggested making something for one another, or...donating to a charity in the name of the gift recipient. Apparently those weren't good ideas. Mike and Jess both work full time, but they never have any money for anything. Spare moments, and change are spent on cigarettes and beer. Wow!
I am going to cook Christmas dinner, and New Year's Day dinner, and have invited all the kids to come and eat, spend some time together, and just be thankful and happy to have the time together during this time of celebration! Rules? No smoking in my house, and no alcohol. I have a flower pot filled with kitty litter on the front porch for cigarette butts. I am so glad that I don't smoke (anymore). It was four years for me on November 18th this year. I get excited about that every year!
I drew Bonnie's name at the restaurant, so I am making a cd of some music that she likes. I was able to upload the songs from cds contributed by mutual friends. She likes gospel, so I was able to add a couple of really nice songs by Jason & deMarco, a gay couple that loves God and spreads that message to those who would not otherwise receive it. Cool huh?
Out of curiosity, how many people have experienced having their power bill spike dramatically over the last couple of months? My power bill is generally around $59, and this month it is a whopping $197! I called the power board and was told that it spiked due to a cold snap in the area. That doesn't sound legal to me! I have talked to several customers, co-workers, and in general conversation when out and about. I'm not the only one, and it appears that no one is getting out of this unscathed. Does this happen all over the country, and perhaps beyond?
I'm kind of excited about this holiday season. With the economy being so terrible right now, and so many people suffering, it is a time to recall and focus on what is really important, what we want, examining goals, and maybe rethinking, restructuring, or restating them. Hours have been cut (dramatically) at the restaurant as well.
A man was saying the other day that the country is in a recession. I think it is a depression, and this whole situation with the auto industry just doesn't make any sense. It is clearly a case of greed and gross mismanagement. I can't count to 40 billion, but I wonder what the actual value of that 40 billion is based on? Ocean water?
A couple of years ago I was having difficulty get the back pay from my disability. Apparently some rules have changed and they don't issue a check, but they were compliant with paying the dealer for my truck so that I could get back and forth to work, but not with paying a dentist to get my denture fixed. Go figure. At any rate, I opted for a used ford Ranger (1994), one owner, no accidents, water damage, or other concerns. Used vehicles are a good buy with a little research. My truck, who I call (affectionately) Belle, continues to serve without a hitch. I take her for an oil and fluids/filter change according to the schedule provided by the folks at Jiffy Lube, and Dan (the dealer) keeps an eye on the tires and has offered to provide a tune-up on a payment plan. So that's cool. Would my truck be considered a luxury vehicle? No *smile*, but she is clean, runs great, starts first time every time, and it is a luxury to have her. Know what I mean?
Now that Wa and I have gone vegetarian, the food bill is reduced significantly. Last night we had pasta with a tomato/basil sauce, a simple salad, and bread. The other thing we had was...great conversation! How cool is that?
It is my hope that everyone, this holiday season, will enjoy simple fare, and great conversation with those that matter to them.
Happy Holidays from me, Free, Gooch, Buddha, Isobel, Seneca, Charlie, Sophie, and Jada...with much love! =)
Back to homework for me, ha ha. I get a 2 week break, but not until the 23rd. Until then, my nose has to be at the grindstone. =)
contemplative