Saturday, August 11, 2012

Political Candidates

Since I live in a small town, I actually have a chance to get to know some of the candidates. Perhaps that's a good thing. And maybe it's not.
I have one particular candidate in mind when I type this.
He launched his second run for a seat. This was for the House of Representatives..
He was trounced again.
I'm sure he wonders why.
Well, sir, you're rude. You are loud, and you're a complainer.
Most of us don't like you.
We sure can't stop long enough to take a look at your qualifications. Because, we don't like you.
I bet this seems unfair, doesn't it? Sorry. We just don't like you.
So, ladies and gentlemen, if you're thinking about a political career, act decent toward us little people. We might just help you win that office you're hankering for.
See you at the polls!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Prague: Fun while Lost

Gil & I are home after our week in Prague. What a lovely city! The weather was perfect (for me, of course it was too warm for Gil) and our home base was adorable. The food was very good. The sights and sounds were all I could have hoped for. Here's the only downside: every time we left our holiday apartment, map in hand, we somehow got lost. With it's charming and picturesque cobblestone streets and sidewalks, and beckoning little alleyways chock full of shops and cafes, there lurks a subtle danger...... WHERE THE HECK ARE WE NOW? Even Gil with his stellar sense of direction, could never find his way unerringly. And we would get so tired sometimes, just hoping to get back to familiar territory. But there is an upside to getting lost. Discovery! There is always a surprise to be found. And we did find good food, in one case, and a luxury handbag store, on another day. All in all. A lovely trip. But as I always say: it's good to be back home!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Consigning and the danger inherent

Not sure why this has been on my mind lately. But here we go. 3 years ago, in my small town, a woman opened a clothing and accessories consignment shop. What a terrific idea! I love shopping, but like any shopper, I add to my closets constantly, but don't cull the items as quickly as I should. I wear nice things. Not high designer but better sportswear items. We know the fabrics are better, construction is better, am I right? Plus, I take care of my clothing. I don't put my better stuff in the dryer ( breaks down the fabric, dulls colors), so I consider mine to be nice items. I'm excited that this shop has opened and I bring in loads of clothing. We list 3 pages worth of clothing, I sign all the necessary forms and off we go! I think I'll be patient and wait for 2 months before I check in with the shop owner. So I stop by the shop and it's closed. Not for good, everything is still in the store. Hmmmm, she may have had an emergency and didn't put a note on the door. A couple of days later, I go by again and she tells me that somebody in her family had been sick or some such story. I think to myself, "seems to me you would find someone to cover for you, but this is a small town, not everyone takes their work as seriously as I do, etc". Whatever excuses I could manufacture in my head to cut this lady some slack, I thought up for her. Are your alarms bells clanging yet? Another few days go by, I stop by the store. You already know what I found, don't you? The store is empty. A neighboring shop owner tells me that she apparently cleaned all the merchandise out in the middle of the night. I spent a few weeks stopping into consignment and thrift, and let's be honest here, JUNK shops just to see if I could find any of my items. Not because I wanted them back- I did consign the clothing, after all. I parted with it, fair and square. No, I just like to figure out scenarios and put a lid on mysteries. A store full of stuff....where could she have taken it all? And the part that bothers me the most is this: there are bound to be some consigners who brought in clothing and jewelry and accessories because they had use for the money their items would bring in. I'm most bothered that the shop owner for all intents and purposes, stole from so many people. Our phone numbers were on our consignment agreements and she could have called us. Shame on her!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Let's go to Europe!

We finally settled on the date of our trip. We leave Atlanta on Wednesday June 27th. We will fly up to LaGuardia, then we have 6 hours to get over to JFK and catch the non-stop over to Prague. Our plane lands in Prague at about 10:30 a.m. Prague time. That's after probably 13 hours in the air. And we all know I cannot sleep in the air. So we figure that we will spend that first day in the room recovering,then perhaps we can go out for a walk and dinner that evening. I think we're both worried about an outbreak of crabbiness on my part again. We know that we will explore the city on foot. We will see castles, and I hope that we can visit a museum. We want to go over to Kutna Hora to see the Bone Church. We will fly back on Wednesday July 4. I wonder if we will see fireworks on our way into the US? This trip is for our 28th anniversary. I just know we are going to have a terrific time.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Taxes, no death (yet)

Much to my surprise, this year we will pay the Feds for the privilege of living in this country. Wait. We pay a good chunk of money in taxes all year long anyway, but this year, WE GET TO GIVE THEM MORE. What a thrill!
People hear me say, ad nauseum, that this is the greatest country on Earth, and how lucky we are to live here. I still believe this. But it's kinda like one of those hotel chains that you've heard of, so you figure it's a safe clean place to stay, then when you arrive, it's just slightly seedy and grimy. The luster has dimmed and you're a little disappointed.
With all the problems the US now has- a huge number of people on public assistance and happy to stay there, crime, violence, racial strife, I begin to wonder where Gil & I will live out our retirement.
Shall we live in a remote area of New Mexico? Shall we go to a gated retirement community in Arizona? Shall we leave the US altogether and become ex-pats in an American-friendly country?
So back to taxes. This has gotten me thinking that this country that I adore is not so friendly to the law-abiding, working stiff who is just trying to do the right thing. If the criminal element isn't trying to rob you of the things you've worked for and earned, this government will flip you upside down and try to get what's left.
I will continue to pray that life as I know it will revert to what it was 2 decades ago. What I worked for was mine to keep, including a large part of my wages, and I didn't have to arm myself in my own home.
Taxes and death. They're inevitable. But I didn't figure on being more frightened of the government.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Catching up

The most important news is my faith. I jumped into reclaiming my relationship with the Lord in a big way. I have had a gaping hole in my soul. It was my craving to reclaim my faith.
I have a tremendous amount to learn. For those people raised in the church, I suppose you already know all the delights I'm just now uncovering. But this is quite obviously the path that the Lord has laid out for me. I'll just have to scramble to catch up to you.
I'm fitting in extra classes as they're available to me, having fellowship with the ladies in my church, reading The Bible every day over the year ( I have an accountability partner), taking a Saturday morning 6 weeks "Living Your Life as a Beautiful Offering" class, which is SO fulfilling, and praying and listening for God's instruction.
I have so far to go. And until death, I won't reach the finish line. I will make my journey and pray, pray, pray.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Gil's 55th birthday

My dear Gil celebrated his 55th on Friday. His wish was to visit the Georgia Aquarium. It's been open for several years now, but you know how it goes....you want to wait until the crowds die down before you shell out those dollars and go look-see.
Since it was Gil's birthday, he got in for free. Not only that, ke got a big round button to wear on his shirt,saying as much!
If you know me at all, you know there is nothing I like more than having my family members get attention showered on them on their big day. Why, I do believe that my husband & kids dread me being out with them on their birthday.
As we visited the various exhibits, each G.A. employee who crossed our path smiled brightly at Gil and exclaimed "Happy Birthday!"
It was fabulous!
After seeing this wonderful landmark, we had a very late lunch at The Varsity. Then we sought out a little shop I wanted to see. Didn't buy anything. I just wanted to see the shop.
All in all, a fun day!

Monday, January 2, 2012

It's 2012- New Year, New Me?

Not so far....
I'm off work today for the holiday. Don't plan to do anything except clean the house , especially after last night's harrowing season premier of "Hoarding: Buried Alive.
The homeowner/ mother ( I use the term "mother" quite loosely since this creature was not a mom to her 2 teenagers. She merely occupied space in the roach & spider infested hovel her children were forced to live in)
Dad had moved out & Sherry had custody, presumedly so she could collect the welfare & food stamps, along with her disability. You see, Sherry is lazy. I'm sorry, I mean she's disabled. She informed us that she has 13 illnesses. At least that's what I think she said. It was difficult to focus on her words due to the sheer anger forcing steam out of my ears every time she opened her mouth.
Since I basically can't talk about this creature who bears a striking resemblance to the critters that took over her home for another minute, let me suggest you watch it yourself.
Google- Hoarding: Buried Alive Roaches.
( I have a new iPad & haven't learned all it's tricks yet, sorry.....)
Spoiler alert! It DOES have a positive ending.