to you. Some aren't saying Merry Christmas anymore. I do. To everyone. I know that my Muslim friends and Jewish friends do not care if I tell them Merry Christmas. They say it right back. It doesn't lessen their faiths. It doesn't increase my own. But it certainly brightens my day. 'Tis the season - that's all. So a BIG whopping Merry Christmas to you!
The family 'stuff' ended Saturday afternoon. A week of jam-packed with food, fun and merriment. Emphasis on the food part. It's no wonder that after January 1st all the work out equipment goes on sale & people are at the gym in hordes. I do think I behaved myself rather well though - food-wise at least. I did taste everything, of course, but smaller quantities helps enormously. My downfall? Fudge. I made 4 batches this year. I gave 95% of it away. So I got to eat the edges and I kept a small container for myself. The edges aren't even gone yet. I'd best put that container in the freezer. Maybe I will forget it until summer and have a nice treat later... oh who am I trying to kid?
The kids are still playing with all their new toys - they haven't lost their glimmer yet. Most of these are from other family members though. H came up with a plan last Christmas - to try to keep the focus on Christ. The kids get 3 gifts. After all, Jesus only got 3 gifts (gold, frankincense & myrrh). Why should they get more than Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior? (A family member pointed out that gold is worth a bit more than the items we give. But kids go for quantity not quality... we'll deal with that issue when they're old enough to think of it on their own!) We do pack a few different items together. I started a new 'tradition' this year that everyone gets undies. So 1 toy was wrapped with a package of undies. This will be an annual thing - and truly I can't wait until the kids are teenagers and then adults - and complain jokingly about Mom's underwear gift. It'll be GREAT! Hahahaha! Come ON, who CAN'T use an annual infusion of new undies in the drawer???
There's always been the tradition of a Christmas tree ornament. Not just 'any' ornament will do. A nice one. One they'll be proud to hang on the tree when they're 50. I don't want my kids having 'naked' Christmas trees when they no longer live at my house. I've witnessed friends and other family members go through this sad state of affairs. Granted when I got married, the tree was LOADED - with mostly my ornaments. But it was fun to tell all the stories that went with each one to H. I've got a little Eiffel Tower that I picked up in Paris, a little red double-decker bus from London, trolley car from San Francisco, a taxi from New York, mini gavel from the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. and the list goes on and on and on and on. And each has a story behind it. So even though my kids will have a bunch of ornaments from Mom & Dad - they are all marked with the year - and 'With Love'. They'll never have a 'naked' tree. And they're all so pretty that I should have bought duplicate ones for H & I so that when the kids take theirs, we can still have those pretty ones on our tree. Next year I will.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bowling - an all but forgotten fun-fest
Last Saturday we took the kids bowling...for the 1st time. Although I will try to attempt to put into words the great fun we had. No matter how hard I try, it'll still be lacking that... je ne sais cois.
Now K3 didn't get to try out this all-american past time. Heck, they don't even have shoes for the poor kid. But Ks 1 & 2 had a complete blast...OK, so did H and myself. I cannot lie. A complete afterthought - H asks me while walking into the place 'Do you remember how to keep score?' I look ahead and say 'Well, I really don't think it matters because, well, take a look.' Way cool. I also cannot tell you how many years it has been since I even set foot in a bowling alley. So the cool computerized lanes with the automatic bumpers that pop up for the kiddies completely rock.
So H and I went first so that the kids can see the point of the whole thing. After 3 frames I only had 4 pins down. 4. I completely stunk up the joint. And my kids were kicking my butt. BADLY. How embarrasing is THAT? So embarrasing that it was funny. So K2's bowling skills are great. The 2 handed roll down the lane - standing at the line watching it go - seeing if it'll even make it down there - checking to see if we're watching - asking 'do ya think it'll make it Mom?' - only to knock down 8 pins - proceeded by an arm pump in the air...
AND
a wiggle of his rear.
WHERE did he get this from? I have no clue. But it was darn cute & completely hysterical! So the next ball he rolls - and of course the 8 was a smaller split - we're thinking 'no way.' - and the ball does make it down there eventually - and then proceeds to knock BOTH pins down for a spare. The kid is so lucky I should hang him from my waist like those old colored rabbits feet when I was a kid. This wasn't the only spare the kid got. And it wasn't the only split the kid managed to revive.
K1 saw the trophies in the window case and wondered where ours was. I'd say that's typical for her age. K1 also thought she was cool that she could bowl more like Mom & Dad.
The most consistant bowler? K2. Best style? K2. The most improved? Me. Seriously. I ended up with 4 spares and a strike. All coming when needed most, of course. The last frame I needed a stike to win by 1 pin, and I got it. And was that one fun to rub in a bit. Come on - after only having 4 pins down in the first 3 frames and I win? Even a saint would have to gloat a bit on THAT one!
So be prepared to hear some additional bowling stories this winter - we had such great fun we decided it'd have to be a more regular occurance.
Now K3 didn't get to try out this all-american past time. Heck, they don't even have shoes for the poor kid. But Ks 1 & 2 had a complete blast...OK, so did H and myself. I cannot lie. A complete afterthought - H asks me while walking into the place 'Do you remember how to keep score?' I look ahead and say 'Well, I really don't think it matters because, well, take a look.' Way cool. I also cannot tell you how many years it has been since I even set foot in a bowling alley. So the cool computerized lanes with the automatic bumpers that pop up for the kiddies completely rock.
So H and I went first so that the kids can see the point of the whole thing. After 3 frames I only had 4 pins down. 4. I completely stunk up the joint. And my kids were kicking my butt. BADLY. How embarrasing is THAT? So embarrasing that it was funny. So K2's bowling skills are great. The 2 handed roll down the lane - standing at the line watching it go - seeing if it'll even make it down there - checking to see if we're watching - asking 'do ya think it'll make it Mom?' - only to knock down 8 pins - proceeded by an arm pump in the air...
AND
a wiggle of his rear.
WHERE did he get this from? I have no clue. But it was darn cute & completely hysterical! So the next ball he rolls - and of course the 8 was a smaller split - we're thinking 'no way.' - and the ball does make it down there eventually - and then proceeds to knock BOTH pins down for a spare. The kid is so lucky I should hang him from my waist like those old colored rabbits feet when I was a kid. This wasn't the only spare the kid got. And it wasn't the only split the kid managed to revive.
K1 saw the trophies in the window case and wondered where ours was. I'd say that's typical for her age. K1 also thought she was cool that she could bowl more like Mom & Dad.
The most consistant bowler? K2. Best style? K2. The most improved? Me. Seriously. I ended up with 4 spares and a strike. All coming when needed most, of course. The last frame I needed a stike to win by 1 pin, and I got it. And was that one fun to rub in a bit. Come on - after only having 4 pins down in the first 3 frames and I win? Even a saint would have to gloat a bit on THAT one!
So be prepared to hear some additional bowling stories this winter - we had such great fun we decided it'd have to be a more regular occurance.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
To bail or not to bail
That is the question. You know? I am really sick and tired of paying for rich people's mistakes. Any company Uncle Sam is looking to bail out is run by some rather rich people. Why are they rich? They gave themselves raises for making bad decisions, and now, oops, the worker bees who are filing bankrupty and foreclosing left and right are supposed to bail their butts out. Something stinks in Denmark.
Let's take the auto industry since that is currently 'up' for discussion in D.C. For years they don't listen when people say they want fuel efficiency. Nope, let's make more huge earth killing SUVs like the Hummer! They refuse to see the writing on the wall - and they have entire departments that exist to see the writing on those walls. Can those people, then can the ones who wouldn't listen to those people.
We currently see ads from the 'Big 3' touting that this vehicle (the size of a toothpick) gets a big whopping 25 mpg! Well color me purple. Let's see, we have an 8 year old Chevy Impala (Suzie Q). That's considered a mid-size car. While we took our road trip in September we clocked our gas mileage out of curiosity. We were going about 80 through NE, and in that car we got a little over 31. Why would I drive a toothpick that ONLY gets 25? Why does that toothpick only get 25 anyway? This makes no sense. The new toothpick cars are 8 years newer, definitely smaller and get LESS gas mileage. Hmmmmmmm. Who was the Einstein there? Not only that, but I'm sure Suzie Q's mileage would improve if I weren't going 80 - which I rarely do.
These big 3 ship the same cars we buy to Europe. International trade. Great. Cool. We're all for that. Here's the kicker. The cars shipped overseas get a MINIMUM of 40 mpg, because that is the min. requirement there. But they get 25 here? What is the deal with THAT? So when the big 3 whine to Congress about higher fuel efficiency standards: that they can't be met, it'd strain & bankrupt the company, blah, blah, blah. Don't believe their bull. They've bankrupted themselves. If they'd have sold the 40 mpg and better cars here - they would not be in the financial situation they are in now.
The problem is that the people who suffer from not bailing out are average people like me - just going to work & doing their jobs. How do you punish the upper management for making piss-poor decisions, and try to make sure that those under them don't suffer the consequences? This brings me to my next gripe.
Pay.
These top 'dogs' (Presidents, VPs, CEOs, CFOs & on & on & for Pete's sake, pick a title) make some large cash annually. That's an understatement. In fact their amounts are so large that I deem them obscene. Truly and REALLY obscene. I read of 1 man who was CFO for 8 weeks, the co. filed bankrupty and his 'golden parachute' was a $17 MILLION dollar settlement. This I really and truly do not understand. If a company if filing bankruptcy, they don't have money. More to the point, they are severely in debt. So why, why, why, why, are they paying a guy $17 million dollars that worked there for 8 weeks? If you know this answer, please educate me because this doesn't work in my world. For one, I really don't think 'golden parachute' clauses should be legal. And if you can't legally condemn the practice, then cap the darn thing at say $1 million & have it annually increase with inflation. Because I know A LOT of people who'd be OK with $1 million. If they can't be unemployed and be OK with $1 million in their pockets, they really need a refresher course in budgeting - which is probably the reason they're out the door on their rears anyway - but I digress.
Let's get back to the pay issue. It has become completely insane over the last 15-20 years. The financial gap between the upper management and the worker bees is so large that there aren't words to describe it. So this is my solution. Yes I have one - I'm not saying it'd work, or be perfect. But don't you think SOMETHING needs to start happening with it? It's a starting point, that's all. OK, here goes. I think that you take a company on an individual basis (no outside comparisons). Look at the lowest paid person on staff & what their hourly rate is. The top dog is only able to make a certain %age over that - like 8 times. Take out benefit packages. Let's say your lowest paid person gets $10/hr. The top dog can only make $80/hr. I'd say that the top dog really doesn't do 8 times the work - but leadership has its priviledges and impact. I think that's reasonable. I think that's rational. So I now wonder how much money the AIGs, Ford, GMs & Chryslers of the world would save if this was applied? Oh, and I forgot one more thing. No more insane stock options. You want stock? You buy it, just like everyone else buddy. That leads me to benefit packages.
I'm not going to harp on time off - I think this country is WAY behind the world in that department and that is a story for another day. But seriously, the stock plans these 'top dogs' have access to? Yes, they should be GONE. Cash in your stuff now & that's it. Like I said, you want stock, you buy it, just like every other Tom, Dick & Harry on 'main street'. Health insurance, it should be available to every employee. Full time or part time. But let's stay current with the trends of the country. There should be a co-pay. There should be a deductible. Let's be responsible here.
You wanna talk welfare? I can tell you, without a doubt, that these bail out packages are the biggest welfare programs this country has ever seen... and it is all going to rich people. Would you want to tell those homeless kids they can't eat or be warm tonight or all winter (it is a heatwave of -2 here, during the day) because we had to go bail out the 'big 3' whose CEOs and CFOs make enough money in a year to fund all shelters in the US for a few years? (And no, I don't care that they've agreed to work in 2009 for a dollar. Their benefit package is still more than enough to keep their current lifestyle secure - don't kid yourself.)
What about the bail out already passed? Well, it's being handled wrong - it's backwards. You want it to support the housing market? Give the $ to the people who are having difficulty with their mortgages, not to the banks. The struggling people would give it to the banks to keep their home. The home stays filled, less homeless people, property values aren't tanking entire neighborhoods. That is a solution. What we've got is crap. $750 billion dollar crap. What a crock.
At any rate - my vote on the bail out is a big NO. Auto, or anything else. No More. Businesses need to succeed or fail on their own. I know a lot of people who own their own companies. They'd be thrilled to have a check from Uncle Sam - but that's not how it works. And you know what? That's not how it's SUPPOSED to work either. Let them fail. Let new ones start & flourish & bring greater success than the current ones have ever seen.
A bail out is a band-aid. Not a fix.
Ebb & tide. Ride it out. Let it be.
Let's take the auto industry since that is currently 'up' for discussion in D.C. For years they don't listen when people say they want fuel efficiency. Nope, let's make more huge earth killing SUVs like the Hummer! They refuse to see the writing on the wall - and they have entire departments that exist to see the writing on those walls. Can those people, then can the ones who wouldn't listen to those people.
We currently see ads from the 'Big 3' touting that this vehicle (the size of a toothpick) gets a big whopping 25 mpg! Well color me purple. Let's see, we have an 8 year old Chevy Impala (Suzie Q). That's considered a mid-size car. While we took our road trip in September we clocked our gas mileage out of curiosity. We were going about 80 through NE, and in that car we got a little over 31. Why would I drive a toothpick that ONLY gets 25? Why does that toothpick only get 25 anyway? This makes no sense. The new toothpick cars are 8 years newer, definitely smaller and get LESS gas mileage. Hmmmmmmm. Who was the Einstein there? Not only that, but I'm sure Suzie Q's mileage would improve if I weren't going 80 - which I rarely do.
These big 3 ship the same cars we buy to Europe. International trade. Great. Cool. We're all for that. Here's the kicker. The cars shipped overseas get a MINIMUM of 40 mpg, because that is the min. requirement there. But they get 25 here? What is the deal with THAT? So when the big 3 whine to Congress about higher fuel efficiency standards: that they can't be met, it'd strain & bankrupt the company, blah, blah, blah. Don't believe their bull. They've bankrupted themselves. If they'd have sold the 40 mpg and better cars here - they would not be in the financial situation they are in now.
The problem is that the people who suffer from not bailing out are average people like me - just going to work & doing their jobs. How do you punish the upper management for making piss-poor decisions, and try to make sure that those under them don't suffer the consequences? This brings me to my next gripe.
Pay.
These top 'dogs' (Presidents, VPs, CEOs, CFOs & on & on & for Pete's sake, pick a title) make some large cash annually. That's an understatement. In fact their amounts are so large that I deem them obscene. Truly and REALLY obscene. I read of 1 man who was CFO for 8 weeks, the co. filed bankrupty and his 'golden parachute' was a $17 MILLION dollar settlement. This I really and truly do not understand. If a company if filing bankruptcy, they don't have money. More to the point, they are severely in debt. So why, why, why, why, are they paying a guy $17 million dollars that worked there for 8 weeks? If you know this answer, please educate me because this doesn't work in my world. For one, I really don't think 'golden parachute' clauses should be legal. And if you can't legally condemn the practice, then cap the darn thing at say $1 million & have it annually increase with inflation. Because I know A LOT of people who'd be OK with $1 million. If they can't be unemployed and be OK with $1 million in their pockets, they really need a refresher course in budgeting - which is probably the reason they're out the door on their rears anyway - but I digress.
Let's get back to the pay issue. It has become completely insane over the last 15-20 years. The financial gap between the upper management and the worker bees is so large that there aren't words to describe it. So this is my solution. Yes I have one - I'm not saying it'd work, or be perfect. But don't you think SOMETHING needs to start happening with it? It's a starting point, that's all. OK, here goes. I think that you take a company on an individual basis (no outside comparisons). Look at the lowest paid person on staff & what their hourly rate is. The top dog is only able to make a certain %age over that - like 8 times. Take out benefit packages. Let's say your lowest paid person gets $10/hr. The top dog can only make $80/hr. I'd say that the top dog really doesn't do 8 times the work - but leadership has its priviledges and impact. I think that's reasonable. I think that's rational. So I now wonder how much money the AIGs, Ford, GMs & Chryslers of the world would save if this was applied? Oh, and I forgot one more thing. No more insane stock options. You want stock? You buy it, just like everyone else buddy. That leads me to benefit packages.
I'm not going to harp on time off - I think this country is WAY behind the world in that department and that is a story for another day. But seriously, the stock plans these 'top dogs' have access to? Yes, they should be GONE. Cash in your stuff now & that's it. Like I said, you want stock, you buy it, just like every other Tom, Dick & Harry on 'main street'. Health insurance, it should be available to every employee. Full time or part time. But let's stay current with the trends of the country. There should be a co-pay. There should be a deductible. Let's be responsible here.
You wanna talk welfare? I can tell you, without a doubt, that these bail out packages are the biggest welfare programs this country has ever seen... and it is all going to rich people. Would you want to tell those homeless kids they can't eat or be warm tonight or all winter (it is a heatwave of -2 here, during the day) because we had to go bail out the 'big 3' whose CEOs and CFOs make enough money in a year to fund all shelters in the US for a few years? (And no, I don't care that they've agreed to work in 2009 for a dollar. Their benefit package is still more than enough to keep their current lifestyle secure - don't kid yourself.)
What about the bail out already passed? Well, it's being handled wrong - it's backwards. You want it to support the housing market? Give the $ to the people who are having difficulty with their mortgages, not to the banks. The struggling people would give it to the banks to keep their home. The home stays filled, less homeless people, property values aren't tanking entire neighborhoods. That is a solution. What we've got is crap. $750 billion dollar crap. What a crock.
At any rate - my vote on the bail out is a big NO. Auto, or anything else. No More. Businesses need to succeed or fail on their own. I know a lot of people who own their own companies. They'd be thrilled to have a check from Uncle Sam - but that's not how it works. And you know what? That's not how it's SUPPOSED to work either. Let them fail. Let new ones start & flourish & bring greater success than the current ones have ever seen.
A bail out is a band-aid. Not a fix.
Ebb & tide. Ride it out. Let it be.
Monday, December 8, 2008
I personally gave the economy a swift kick - will you?
Last Friday I shopped. A LOT. That was my 'job' for the day. H took the day off & kept the kiddos happy. I shopped - not even for Christmas...for myself (OK I did pick up a few items for Christmas.) It's literally been years since I've shopped for myself. It was SOOOOOO fun! I love stores where the amount you spent is less than the amount you 'saved'. For example I picked up a cute pair of dress pants at Banana Republic for $19.98 - regularly priced $89.99. Another blogger (The Cheap Chick) would be so proud! I found a gorgeous pair of Liz Claiborne black leather heeled boots for less than 1/3 of their original price. This was my special love find. I love those boots. I shall wear those boots... a LOT.
Sign of the times...
Unfortunately while on my power shopping spree, there are a few stores either closing or will close. Although wonderful deals for shoppers, I am sad to see them go. I liked those stores. I spent lots of money consistently at those stores over the years - for other people - seriously. So now I sit an wonder what will be left to shop at in another 6 months. Survival of the fittest - store style.
Sign of the times...
Unfortunately while on my power shopping spree, there are a few stores either closing or will close. Although wonderful deals for shoppers, I am sad to see them go. I liked those stores. I spent lots of money consistently at those stores over the years - for other people - seriously. So now I sit an wonder what will be left to shop at in another 6 months. Survival of the fittest - store style.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Huh
It's interesting how life works out. When K1 was 4, she had to go to the ER for the flu. Dehydrated due to vomiting that couldn't be stopped. 2 weeks before Christmas. Last week, K2 was admitted for 2 days. Croup and swelling of his vocal chords caused by a virus. Bronchial tubes got squished & the poor kid couldn't breathe. He was sent home with a nebulizer. All's well a week later - he's still got the tail end of the virus, but at least he's back to himself personality-wise.
So, now we'll wait a few years for Thanksgiving/Christmas time. This is when K3 will be 4. I'm thinking she'll be in the hospital for a broken bone. We have yet to be down that road yet - so that's my bet. I am also thinking I should start a pool and take bets! So, send your money with your bet and we'll see what happens!!
At least when K2 greets people he doesn't start by telling of his hospital woes. K1 had that kick for weeks. And since her stay was regarding puking, she has lots of detail to share...regardless if it was at a meal time or not. That was a fun time, getting her to quit that one. So now that K2 was in the hospital, and we talk about that, K1 has to go all into her hospital experience again... in FULL detail. Will this end?
ER staff completely rock. K2 had his blood taken 3 times, no tears or whining. Amazing. Chest x-rays - K2 stands there with a HUGE smile on his face (because they said they were taking his picture!) We really did have some fantastic staff. K2 still talks about the EMT who gave him the ride upstairs in the wheelchair... they were popping wheelies all the way. So my hospital gripe. Some people have no common sense what-so-ever. I realize that vitals need to be taken. Heck, if you don't do that, they don't get paid by insurance companies, right? K2s room had a window that went to the hall. As we all know, that hall light is bright. So we have a night nurse come in to check vitals at 2am and turns on the completely unnecessary room light. Well, when you have a small kid who hasn't been able to sleep much in 36 hours wouldn't you use what you've got? THANKFULLY K2 slept through the whole thing. Talk about patients becoming a task or just a chore that need to be completed. I think that care-givers forget that from time to time and all common sense, polite behavior and using the 'golden rule' fly out the window. Sad.
Now for some fun stuff. Anyone who knows me well, knows that when I sneeze, I sneeze many many times in a row. If I sneeze less than 3 times, that means I am getting sick, or am sick. But usually I sneeze a good 8-9 times if I start at all. (My high is 13 and I had breathing issues then.) So Tuesday, after I had started sneezing, K3 looks at me. She waits for a break. There was one... you know the kind where you know another sneeze is coming, you just have to wait for it to come down the pike? During the brief delay, the little stinker says "Bless You." I then had to sneeze again, one last time, and she said it again when I finally finished. It was so cute.
So, now we'll wait a few years for Thanksgiving/Christmas time. This is when K3 will be 4. I'm thinking she'll be in the hospital for a broken bone. We have yet to be down that road yet - so that's my bet. I am also thinking I should start a pool and take bets! So, send your money with your bet and we'll see what happens!!
At least when K2 greets people he doesn't start by telling of his hospital woes. K1 had that kick for weeks. And since her stay was regarding puking, she has lots of detail to share...regardless if it was at a meal time or not. That was a fun time, getting her to quit that one. So now that K2 was in the hospital, and we talk about that, K1 has to go all into her hospital experience again... in FULL detail. Will this end?
ER staff completely rock. K2 had his blood taken 3 times, no tears or whining. Amazing. Chest x-rays - K2 stands there with a HUGE smile on his face (because they said they were taking his picture!) We really did have some fantastic staff. K2 still talks about the EMT who gave him the ride upstairs in the wheelchair... they were popping wheelies all the way. So my hospital gripe. Some people have no common sense what-so-ever. I realize that vitals need to be taken. Heck, if you don't do that, they don't get paid by insurance companies, right? K2s room had a window that went to the hall. As we all know, that hall light is bright. So we have a night nurse come in to check vitals at 2am and turns on the completely unnecessary room light. Well, when you have a small kid who hasn't been able to sleep much in 36 hours wouldn't you use what you've got? THANKFULLY K2 slept through the whole thing. Talk about patients becoming a task or just a chore that need to be completed. I think that care-givers forget that from time to time and all common sense, polite behavior and using the 'golden rule' fly out the window. Sad.
Now for some fun stuff. Anyone who knows me well, knows that when I sneeze, I sneeze many many times in a row. If I sneeze less than 3 times, that means I am getting sick, or am sick. But usually I sneeze a good 8-9 times if I start at all. (My high is 13 and I had breathing issues then.) So Tuesday, after I had started sneezing, K3 looks at me. She waits for a break. There was one... you know the kind where you know another sneeze is coming, you just have to wait for it to come down the pike? During the brief delay, the little stinker says "Bless You." I then had to sneeze again, one last time, and she said it again when I finally finished. It was so cute.
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