it seems sooooooo

It seems that what a lot of folks say, is just a bunch of BS (i.e. it seems soooo)!  I was listening to a conversation between two folks the other day that made me just shake my head.  I think it was just a bunch of BS (i.e. my opinion).  Soooo take that into consideration while reading this “It’s Saturday.”  It might just be a bunch of BS to you (i.e. your opinion—BS is different to different folks because of a lot of reasons). Saturday question—Are you open minded?  I question if you can be an extremist and be open minded.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. 

I heard this conversation between two guys the other day—Happy 56^th birthday Steve; you don’t look 56—I know; I look like I’m 76 and feel like I’m 76 but I’m 56--you know what, you do look like you’re 76 and you act like you’re 76; you would look a lot better and act a lot younger if you didn’t always get in your own way.  I have no idea if they were BSin’ each other or telling the truth (i.e. they weren’t laughing).  The guy did look like he was 76.  Ouchy ouchy!

When wintering in AZ the last number of years, I became a fan of the Phoenix Suns.  I watched many of their games, gone to a few, and read about them in the paper daily.  I became familiar with the players and followed them.  I see many of those players now are playing on other teams and they are doing quite well (i.e. better than when playing for the Suns).  I said this to a friend and his response was—It seems so! 

I read while eating my oatmeal with a half banana on it--Study after study has shown that probably the most important characteristic you could teach a child (and that you need in your own life) is resilience. It’s the ability to bounce back. It’s the ability to keep going. Nobody goes through life with an unbroken chain of successes. Everybody has failures and mistakes. We all embarrass ourselves. We all have pain. We all have problems. We all have pressures. The people who make it in life have resilience.  It sure seems soooooo!  "It's how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve success." - David Feherty  Mr. Feherty has a very interesting background suffering from depression and setbacks  etc. He obviously knows about setbacks and hurts but continues to be resilient.  It seems soooo anyway!  LuckieEddie says—It appears that many folks don’t handle failure a.k.a. setbacks very well.  It seems soooo! Why is that do you think? 

It seems it’s a lot better to be a “learn it all” type of person than to be a “know it all” type of person.  I enjoy being around you guys (i.e. you guys are pretty smart).  I think all of you except for one, are always seeking to learn.  That is why you are soooo darn smart.  The one who thinks “you know it all”, well, you aren’t that much fun to be around.  You think “you know it all” (i.e. my opinion is that you might not think you think that you act like you know it all but others think that you think that you act like you think you know it all).  CadillacJack asks—Does that have anything to do with being humble? 

I just read this about Ernest Hemingway (i.e. this part of his story I didn’t know)----Pulitzer prize-winning American writer Ernest Hemingway lived an eclectic life that was reflected as a reporter in war-torn Europe and other locations around the world. During his life, depression besieged Hemingway, and that, along with heavy drinking and many near-death accidents, took a toll on him. Seeking a cure for his state of mind, he was unsuccessfully treated with electric shock therapy. In the end, Hemingway took his own life in 1961. In the foreword of his last book, A Moveable Feast, Hemingway explained that he was trying to write his memoir from storage places of his memory and heart, though, he said, one had been tampered with and the other no longer existed. Ouchy ouchy!

RickyRick says this--Don’t tell it like it is. Tell it like it could be! Telling it like it is has never changed anybody. It only makes people defensive. For example, you could say to someone, “You’re a lousy father. You don’t spend any time with your kids because your career is more important.” But when you label somebody, you reinforce it. Instead, you could say, “I see in you the potential for greatness. If you would let Jesus Christ take control of your life, you wouldn’t be perfect, but you could become a godly man of character that your kids admire.” That’s the kind of talk that motivates change! You don’t have to tell it like it is. Tell it like it could be, like it should be, like God wants it to be. Speak it in advance and in faith. MissPerfect says—It seems to me when you encourage folks they respond much better than when you put them down.  It seems soooo! Yabut MissPerfect, it seems that you can encourage some folks all the time and they just don’t respond (i.e. they don’t get it).  Soooo what do you do with those type of folks? Society has a hard time deciding tooooooo; it seems soooo anyway. GeorgeTheCrook says--Reality is cruel sometimes. Such is life.

A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday. "I'd love to be six again," she replied. On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and off they went to a local theme park.  What a day!  He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Screaming Loop, the Wall of Fear - everything there was!  Wow! Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park, her head reeling and her stomach upside down.  Right to McDonald's they went, where her husband ordered her a Big Mac along with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake.  Then it was off to a movie - the latest Star Wars epic, and hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi Cola, and M&Ms. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed. He leaned over and lovingly asked, "Well, dear, what was it like being six again?" One eye opened. The wife said, "Sweetheart, it was soooo nice that you did all this but I meant my dress size!"

I asked my favorite waitress what she was going to change in the new year—I’m going to become organized—soooo you aren’t organized—no no, I’m terrible at it—have you been this way all your life—all 32 years—you better go slow on this change; it’s not going to change over night probably—ya, think maybe a little bit at a time! I asked her the other day how she is doing on this being orginized—bad; haven’t changed one bit! Ouchy ouchy! 

It seems sooooooo, like it’s a good reason.  I asked a couple of good, neat folks why parents don’t give money to their adult children before they die instead letting them inherit the money at their death (i.e. it seems to me like it might be a better choice). Both of those great folks said—They don’t want to see their children spend the money foolishly.  Did you get it, “see ‘em.”  Their children might spend the money foolishly (i.e. according to the parents’ values or opinions) either way.  But they don’t want to see it.  Is that crazy or what!  Crazy and not “what!” Just crazy.  I guess parents aren’t soooo certain their children are going to spend the money like they would like or think they should.  Both of these folks said—Not all families have family thinking like we do.  Wow!  GeorgeTheCrook said—I’m a good guy (i.e.  I don’t “smoke, drink, or chew, or go with girls who do”); I would spend the money wisely like on vacations, buy some expensive jewelry, redo the house, new cars, join the country club and eat out at nice places.  Our daughter said she just ordered her groceries at King Kong a..k.a. King Super on line and then called them when she got to the store and they brought her groceries out—saved her an hour.  It’s a Yuppie thing folks ha ha!  She said the first three times are free and after that, the cost is $5—are you going to do that in the future—absolutely! Some older parents would say—That is a waste of money! If I was a working mom, I think I would consider it. 

I have an acquaintance who told me that they have PTSD (i.e. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).  I know very little about this disorder, but I know it’s not good to have (i.e. it doesn’t seem good to have anyway).   Do any of you have it?  I told this person that I wish I could snap my fingers and fix it for you, but I just don’t have that power.  I have really no idea what it is like to have PTSD but I really hurt for this person.  My heart goes out to this person.  How can anyone not feel bad for them.  But feeling bad for someone who have PTSD or for that fact, any disease, what does it change for that person?  I think nutton! Somehow, we need to get involved maybe. But I don’t know for sure!  What do you think? That is what I thought. Such is life. Dr. J said--The association that tracks state-run lotteries says that Americans spent more than $70 billion on lotteries in 2014. That represents $300 for each adult in the 43 states hosting lotteries. People spend that money on the fantasy that they might be the one to hit the jackpot. I suggest to you folks who spend $300 dollars on the lottery each year, to try this—Take the $300 and give it to someone who could really use it.  You will feel really good and soooo will they.  It’s a “win win” deal.  Great for uplifting your attitude.  SomePerson said this—It appears that most everything around us just fades away (i.e. oh my goodness). But the feeling of the gift of giving never fades away.  It penetrates our hearts and soul and remains there forever (i.e. it sure seems tooooo). ItchieBitchie says—But don’t watch how they spend it; it might drive you crazy! I had the opportunity to help someone decide if they want to sell some of their expensive rings.  I learned a lot. New rings sell at 5X cost—most used rings with diamonds are sold for melt down of the gold; very little toooo nothing for the diamonds unless they are over a carat—value usually is 10%  to 15% of retail value if anything at all.  It seems that expensive rings aren’t a very good investment (i.e. that is financially anyway).  It seems soooo! What do you think.  That is what I thought.  SusieQ says—It’s probably best to just give those used rings away maybe.  Let your family enjoy them.  Could be! But maybe they don’t even want them.  Could be!  Just because you like them, doesn’t mean they like them.  Such is life. Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-: erv

MyFriendJean says—Praise to a child is as water to a thirsty plant.

P.S. You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.

good enough

WARNING—THIS “IT’S SATURDAY” IS NOT LIKE A WARNING THAT A BALLISTIC MISSILE IS COMING YOUR WAY!

Don’t jump all over this “It’s Saturday” if you don’t agree with it.  You get what you pay for! And you didn’t pay anything for it soooo what do you expect.  If you want something better, send some money!  The more money, the better it will be (i.e. throw some money at it)! ha ha Remember, everything has a price!  If you want quality, you got to pay for it!  GeorgeTheCrook says—Money can buy “yes” people.  I think I could be bought to say whatever you want me to say!  Maybe! Money talks folks!

Some folks are sitting ducks!  A friend told me this week that this is a very discouraging time for many folks—how come—it’s the time when many realize that they have not kept their New Years’ resolution of dieting and doing an exercise program (i.e. #1 resolution). Many folks have their heads and chins down a bit.  Are you one of them? CoachB says-- Listen folks, the road ahead will be easier and better!  The road won’t change but you can change and when you change, the road changes.  We need to change if we want the road to change.  LuckieEddie says—If you do things the same the next five years that you have the last five years, why do you expect anything to change.  Does this make any sense to you?  That is what I thought.

Many of you folks will buy only the top of the line a.k.a. the very best regardless of the cost.  Others of you always will buy the el cheapo deluxe.  And some of you will buy both depending who it’s for and what it’s for (i.e. it’s a sliding formula).  You all know where you fit in.  Yes, you do.  Some of you have more spendable income than others tooooo (i.e. does that really make a difference).  And some of you have been raised differently toooo (i.e. does that really make a difference)!  And some of you could really care less (i.e. does that really make a difference). Such is life.

SuuuuperBetty says--You get what you pay for.  There is a difference in quality for sure in many or all products.  Or is there a difference sometimes?  Does it make that much difference sometimes?  Would you rather have one good one or two of lessor quality? Decisions decisions!  ItchieBitchie says--If you are cheap and buy something cheap and you got just that, something cheap! If you buy the expensive item and only use it once, is that really a good decision? 

I say to myself sometimes (i.e. under my breath) when making a decision as to the quality of something I’m buying for myself—Good enough for who it’s for (e.g. a golf club—does it really make much difference).  Some folks, it appears to me, don’t need high quality stuff ‘cause they don’t take care of their stuff anyway.   SusieQ says—In buying the quality that you desire is much like the old saying--If you want it done right, do it yourself. Some folks do stuff half ass (i.e. good enough to get by—good enough for who it’s for). "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison ~ Chester and Anna taught us to always put everything away at night (i.e. inside—take care of your stuff).  Most of our stuff was second hand stuff; not top of the line.  We were probably quite poor but I didn’t know it. 

Just wait a minute! JoeSmart says--Mrs. BigBucks and I are in the process of closing on one of the biggest investments of our lives. We’re partnering with a couple of others to purchase a trailer park. I know almost nothing about the investment. What could possibly go wrong?" LuckieEddie says—You can do much research about products and also ask others about a product to find out which ones are the best for the price.  It sorta kinda takes your emotions out of your purchase.  MissPerfect says—That sorta kinda takes the fun out of shopping!  I just like to buy when I like it; I don’t care about the cost. It’s only money! I still have credit left on my cards; live today and die tomorrow!

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery." - Charles Dickens  ~  I’m in the process of doing my annual money management tool taught to me by my Daddy, Chester. I’m doing our financial statement and finding out where we stand.  I really don’t enjoy doing it.  I try to do a good job managing our assets; the key word is “try.” Some of you who are heavy in the stock market, think it’s pretty easy to make money this last year.  Well, that it has been but don’t get to cocky folks; history does repeat itself. I read in the paper soooo it must be right—The takeaway: Investors should prepare for a stock market dip of sizeable magnitude at some point this year.  Of course, that is one person’s opinion; it might not be yours. It might produce a great opportunity for some to buy stock!  Bingo! "Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one." - Benjamin Franklin

Like father like daughter--Apparently, she’s listening when I talk--scary, right?  Growing up, my Mom, Anna, was a huge fan of the 'this will do' purchase. If there were two pairs of jeans, one on sale, the other not, she always opted for the one that was on sale. Some folks won’t buy hardly anything if it’s not on sale and others will never buy anything on sale.  Why, I don’t know.  Do you? Our little Peanut sent me this text--Spent my Christmas cash. TWO pair of running shoes. New version of my shoes are out so “old” version on sale. $130 down to $78. Then I got an extra New Year sale so each pair $57. Love getting a good deal. Or at least thinking I got good deal. Thank you again for cash. 

GeorgeTheCrook says--I have got good deals and sometimes I just thought I got a good deal but after a while I found out I didn’t get a good deal.  We sometimes have a tendency to think if it is on sale or priced lower, there must be something wrong with it.  In fact, if it is priced tooo low, in some cases, the consumers won’t buy it.  They increase the price and folks will buy it. Sooooo how do you know when you are getting a good deal (i.e. getting value for your dollar)?  ItchieBitchie says—Be wise but some folks are just a lot better at it than others.  Such is life.,

I bought a new car years ago and was filling her up at Casey’s.  An acquaintance was also filling up his car.  He says—got a new car erv—ya , I did—did you get a good deal—I think soooo—if you think you did, that’s all that matters!  Well goody gumdrops! The reality is folks, sometimes I wonder if I ever get a good deal!  I think when I leave, the merchants just laugh at me saying, he was easy. Such is life. 

The word “sale” seems to affect the purchase to many (i.e. great selling technique).  And many actually don’t save anything at all.  Caveat emptor! Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. 

AlicePhilanthropist says—I give to everyone ‘cause I like everyone to like me!  This paragraph you might not want to read; it might make you mad at me.  I hope not but it might.  I don’t like you mad at me soooo maybe you better not read it.  If you read it, just remember that you are getting what you pay for (i.e. don’t have high expectations).  OVER BUYING CHRISTMAS is a joke!  Crazy!  The many many gifts bought at prices that are high for just a little of excitement.  About 42% of gifts women received from their husbands are returned; and the guys thought they bought just the right sexy negligee! Da! Ok, I don’t understand what the big deal is about gift cards.  I just don’t.  Why not just give cash to everyone over 10.  Gift cards just don’t make any sense to me.  After Christmas, the gift receiver can spend cash anywhere for anything they want.  Some can even get great deals (i.e. if they want to buy their favorite beer with the money, great; they are happy).  I just don’t get it folks. Com’on, how many gifts have you got through the years that you never used or used very little (i.e. gave it to a street person, sold it on a garage sale or threw it away)?  Ok, I could really get cynical—You give me money and I give you money soooo why don’t we all just keep our money and buy what we what when we want tooooo.  We like to give; we surely do; hopefully we give enough; there are great gifts that can be given to the right folks (i.e. my opinion). Are you mad at me? That is what I thought!

But here is a conundrum—I really got some nice Christmas presents this year that I would not have bought for myself (i.e. maybe toooo frugal and practical like a Viking sweat shirt).  Sooooo there!  Maybe I’m the only person who doesn’t get it!  Could be.  Soooo spend your money how you want to; it’s completely up to you.  If you don’t have enough to make your life good enough (i.e. some folks are always irked about something), complain to the politicians; they will help you get some more if you promise to vote for them.  Isn’t it great to live in America. Life is good; good enough anyway!  Skol Vikings!

Ole and Sven die in a snowmobiling accident, drunker than skunks, And go to Hell. The Devil observes that they are really enjoying themselves. He says to them 'Doesn't the heat and smoke bother you?' Ole replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve're from nordern Minnesooota, da land of snow an ice, an ve're yust happy fer a chance ta varm up a little bit, ya know.’ The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the heat even more. When he returns to the room of the two from Minnesota , the devil finds them in light jackets and hats, grilling Walleye and drinking beer. The devil is astonished and exclaims, 'Everyone down here is in misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves?' Sven replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve don't git too much varm veather up dere at da Falls, so ve've yust got ta haff a fish fry vhen da veather's dis nice.’ The devil is absolutely furious. He can hardly see straight. Finally he comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in Hell. The next morning, the temperature is 60 below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere, and people are shivering so bad that they are unable to wail, moan or gnash their teeth. The devil smiles and heads for the room with Ole and Sven. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, bomber hats, and mittens. They are jumping up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming like mad men. The devil is dumbfounded, 'I don't understand, when I turn up the heat you're happy. Now its freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong with you two?’ They both look at the devil in surprise and say, 'Vell, don't ya know, if hell iss froze over, dat must mean da Vikings von da Super Bowl.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFreindJean says—Nothing is opened more times by mistake than the mouth.

P.S.  "He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all." - Eleanor Roosevelt


MoneyBagsMarty says--Regardless of the freedom and the benefits that come from frugal-hood, a large segment of society continues to avoid the subject or is self-inhibited against it.

blur

There is a link to my podcast at the bottom of this blog.  It’s with Warren and it’s about the importance of family and some of his experiences in keeping a strong family.  I hope you watch/listen to it. 

The optometrist asks--Is this better or is this?  Is this better or is this?  They can clear up the blur soooo a person can have 20/20 vision. All you have to do it pay them!  GeorgeTheCrook says—Money can fix a lot of defects.  Such is life.

MI-EngineerJim says--It does no harm just once in a while to acknowledge that the whole country isn't in flames...That there are people in this country besides politicians, entertainers and criminals …   The NBC nightly news along with the local news have a tendency to blur our vision of all the good folks.

WillieSmart, do you know what the definition of epiphany is or is it a little blurry to you?  ANYWAY I read in the paper that Pope Francis in his Epiphany talk remarked that he advised against making the pursuit of money, a career or success the basis for one’s whole life…people “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment”…He urged people to help the poor and others in need of assistance, giving freely without expecting anything in return.  What do you think of Pope Francis’ homily? That is what I thought.

Power dynamics and money dynamics are real popular in our society.  Power dynamics have been all over the news with females accusing men of taking advantage of them sexually because they have the power (i.e. or thought they had the power).  I think money dynamics is very interesting.  It’s like real time pricing, surge pricing, demand pricing (e.g. like Amazon pricing their products differently at different times of the day or week).  It is all about the bottom line; it’s all about the money; it ain’t nutton new folks!  I find dynamic pricing very interesting as how the Feds and State folks price the tolls for commuters on the toll roads.  A normal toll of $10 for a car with a single person might change to $40 at rush hour.  They manipulate the folks by money to car pool, take public transportation or an alternate route.  That’s ingenious, I think.  Some of you might think that is rather blurry! CadillacJack says--The easiest way to change folks is through their pocketbooks. Well CadillacJack, that is true for the average folks but for the real rich, it doesn’t make any difference.  I think you are right CadillacJack.

Many of you folks are as “clear as a bell!” You are not blurry but very clear.  I like folks who are real; folks who are very clear and very transparent (i.e. not phony like DuaneTheWorm).  Blurry folks are just that, blurry!  It doesn’t take long to figure who the blurry folks are; oh no.  And once that happens, they just make me laugh.  They aren’t the real thing; just sun dogs! Or maybe hot dogs! Or maybe both! Do you think other folks other than you and I laugh at blurry folks?  That is what I thought.

MissPerfect says--My life is just a blur!  Ouchy ouchy! The time of your life is either past, present or future.  The present doesn’t take long to be the past and we are always worried about the future but it comes along and then it is the present and then the past (i.e. it happens about that fast).  I asked some super senior friends if it was cold where they had to sleep as kids.  Most slept upstairs in an unheated room (i.e. sometimes 2 or 3 in a bed—a double bed).  Some said the water would freeze; it was very cold.  They wore warm pajamas, some wore night caps, all used heavy quits and even some put canvases over them. It was cold.  Do any of you remember any of these conditions?  Burzzzy burzzzy! I wonder if there were heaters in the outhouses NOT!!!

I told a friend recently that he has “jet sped.”  In fact, many of you folks (i.e. friends and acquaintances) have this “jet speed” as well. You are also known as “burning fires.” I seem to like to be around folks who are constantly “oiled up.” Some of you folks seem to have a lot of “juice in your tank.”  You folks seem to get a lot done and are happy doing it (i.e. not whiners and complainers).  You might look like a blur to folks who would rather sit on the couch and eat chips.  "I will tell you the secret to getting rich on Wall Street. You try to be greedy when others are fearful. And you try to be fearful when others are greedy." - Warren Buffett ~ Yes, I am saying that some of you folks are different than the average dog. Why are you that way?  I have no idea!  SusieQ says--It could be that their electrical systems are different, or they have different motors, or they use different fuel! That could be SusieQ, that could be, but I think some of you folks walk down a different road than others.  LuckieEddie says--The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people don’t feel like doing. Or LuckieEddie, they have some “magic sauce!”

AverageJoe says—Some things cannot be seen clearly because we are soooo prejudice (i.e. not at all objective--blurry).  Our clearness might be affected by our past environment consisting of our education, family, dramatic experiences, mentors, where we live, were we work etc.  Some of you get it and others of you don’t get it.  We are soooo much programed by our past.  Many times, folks can’t get past their past and just stay in their past.  JoeBlow says--There are three things you can do with your life: You can waste it, you can spend it, or you can invest it. The best use of your life is to invest it in something that will last longer than your time on Earth. The worst thing you can do is live simply for today and live for yourself. I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--God did not put you on Earth to live for yourself. He created you to be like Christ. 

DoughBoyBerry has had a tough life (e.g. his third wife ran off with his second wife). His pizza buying experience went like this--Hello! Is this Giorgio's Pizza? No sir, it's Google Pizza. I must have dialed a wrong number. Sorry. No sir, Google bought Giorgio’s Pizza last month. OK. I'd like to order a pizza. Do you want your usual, sir? My usual? You know me? According to our caller ID data, the last 12 times you called you ordered an extra-large pizza with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms on a thick crust. OK! That’s what I want. May I suggest that this time you order a pizza with ricotta, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and olives on a whole wheat gluten free thin crust? No you may not! I don't like vegetables. Your cholesterol needs help, sir. How do you know? We cross-referenced your home phone number with your medical records. We have the result of your blood tests for the last 7 years. Listen, I don't want your vegetable pizza, and I take medication for my cholesterol! Excuse me sir, but you don't take your medication regularly. Our database indicates that you only filled a prescription for 30 cholesterol tablets once, at Drugsale Network, 4 months ago. I bought the rest at another drugstore. Not according to your credit card statement. I paid in cash. Sir, you didn't withdraw enough cash according to your bank statement. I have other sources of cash. That doesn’t show on your last tax return, unless you bought them using an undeclared income source, which is against the law. WHAT?! I'm sorry, sir, we use such information with the sole intention of helping you. Goodbye, I'm sick of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and all this crap. I'm moving to an island without internet, cable TV, cell phone service and jerks watching and spying on me. I understand sir, but you need to renew your passport first.  It expired 6 weeks ago.

ItchieBitchie says—Sometimes I don’t understand what folks are saying to me (i.e. I just wonder what they are thinking).  I mean, I don’t know if they are serious or just making fun of me; being cynical or are being real; or telling the truth or mocking me.  It’s a blur to me at times; it’s pretty foggy.  Not very clear.  Sometimes I never know what they are doing; Maybe I will never know.  Listen ItchieBitchie, maybe it’s better that you don’t know sometimes.  Some folks just aren’t very “nice and real” and they like it that way.  Suggestion—Don’t be around those folks; if you don’t know if they are for you, why do you want to be around them.  Really!  GaleneWisdom says—If I have learned that I don’t want to ever be around them again, I have learned something.  We all have to decide who we want to be around.  We are pretty much like the folks we are around.  AverageJoe says—I would like to have “a penny for your thoughts.”  It is very hard for me to figure you out.  What are you thinking about anyway?                                            

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—Fear is the only thing that multiplies faster than rabbits.

P.S. OneSmartPerson says—Don’t be critical of a successful person but analyze them.

oops

AverageJoe says--The old saying goes something like this—Two things are for certain, taxes and death!  YaBut AverageJoe, we don’t know if our taxes are going to be higher or lower in 2018 and we don’t know if we will live or die in 2018.  Sooooo there is some uncertainty for us in 2018.

TheRoadRunner says—Peep peep, life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop once in a while, you might just miss it.  Oops, I think I just did. 

You might not want to read this paragraph; it might be depressing to you.  JoeBlow says—erv, sometimes it would be better if you would just bite off your tongue than to say what you say.  Well, JoeBlow, this might be one of those times.  I have been part of several care giving support groups for caregivers of folks who have Alzheimer’s. I have heard a lot of feelings, life stories, and emotions of caregivers (i.e. sad and tough realities).  I have also experienced many tears of caregivers. Also, I have seen much general stress and financial stress. Yes, I have. From listening and visiting with many caregivers, Alzheimer’s disease is maybe worse than death. Those of you who have no experience with someone who has or has had Alzheimer’s, you have no idea what I’m talking about (i.e. believe me). I do know that it’s a terrible disease. I hope you never have to understand it.  I want to share something that is very interesting.  Experts say the last things that disappear in a person with Alzheimer’s are rhythm and emotions.  Both of those Arlene still has.  She sang and acted in the Sound of Music in Orange City’s Tulip musical while at good old Northwestern College.  She was the oldest daughter Liesl.  She really enjoyed it.  She now can’t follow a movie line (i.e. even Hallmark movies) but she really enjoys watching The Sound of Music and watches it often.  She just plain enjoys it. It is a good movie and its just Arlene in many ways.  It just plain touches my heart.  The movie just makes her happy. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--God allows a crisis to get our attention, and then He uses the crisis to develop our character. One thing that signals we’re changing for the better is when we confess that we’re the problem. We stop blaming other people and admit, “I am the problem with my life.” Until we understand this, there can be no major change in our lives. This is the breakthrough God knows we need. You believe that?  That is what I thought! “The difficulty, my friends, is not in avoiding death, but in avoiding unrighteousness; for that runs faster than death.” ~Socrates~ 

I recently had the opportunity to do a talk about change for 2018.  Basically, I said that folks can’t change someone else; they have to have something greater than others or me to change them.  Oops!  Many times words like death, cancer, broke, divorce, accident, illness, etc. will change us.  If you like it or not, some of those things will affect us. Oops!  Those things will probably have a bigger affect/change to us than prosperity.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  ItchieBitchie says—We worry about stuff that isn’t important but then something really important comes along and the stuff we worried about, we no longer worry about; they aren’t important anymore. SusieQ says--Some folks are more stiff-necked than others but sometimes certain events in our lives, loosen up our stiff necks a.k.a. stubbornness. Such is life.

Just a suggestions folks—Exercise, exercise and exercise all the time.  I totally believe that it is soooo important for our minds and bodies.  This is what was in the psychology textbook that a pickleball buddy wrote.  

I had to go for a run after making Lucy’s Depression Gravy for our Christmas dinner when Chet, Jessica and grand kids were here (i.e. it was depressing ha ha).  A friend’s mom’s name was Lucy and grew up in a home during the depression where they had very little (i.e. like most families did).  But they had a large garden where they grew a lot of potatoes and onions.  They also had a milk cow.  They ate what they had.  Here are the ingredients for Lucy’s Depression Gravy given by my friend a.k.a. Lucy’s son.  It is served cold over hot potatoes.  It was good (i.e. my opinion).  1 part vinegar to 3 parts whole milk, or half and half. Add sugar to taste to cut the vinegar taste. Onions, I like to use a mix of green and sweet onions. Add celery seed, and black pepper. 

WorldClassLarry says--Everyone has their struggles, no matter what the surface level looks like. People can have more empathy than you may think. Connecting with others who are going through similar struggles, either presently or in the past, can be helpful. Plus, a little accountability can be good. Ok folks, here is an OPPORTUNITY.  You folks who have experience with being a caregiver/had experience with someone who has/had Alzheimer’s, send me your thoughts, emotions, feelings and advice.  I want to hear from you; they will help me.  Don’t be a schmuck and not respond.  Be courageous and help me (i.e. expose yourself a little). Be gutty! 

I was sorta kinda part of a conversation although my friend was doing most of the talking with a gal who we both know (i.e. about 44).  My friend asked her how her parents were doing—don’t’ know; they are always unhappy with me and always bossing me around sooo I decided not to be around them.  Oops!  CadillacJack says-- When we’re willing to be imaginative and flexible, there’s always some way to turn a sour, disappointing experience into a better experience. Maybe even to an amazing experience. I forgot to give our kids and spouses their Christmas presents (i.e. cash). Oops!  I have no idea what they thought of me.  Yes, I did send them a check.  Hey, money is money at any time (i.e. it’s better than jelly of the month club). LuckieEddie says-- If you can fix a problem with money, it an’t no real problem.

MissPerfect says--I challenge you to take a look at your life and ask if you are getting everything you want out of it, because things can change quickly. GeorgeTheCrook says—Spend your life living; you aren’t going to live forever let me tell you.  Rocky, a basketball teammate at good old Northwestern College said this on his blog—"...My age shows only too well and I am now an older folk, slower with aches, pains, less strength and agility.  I don't know how long this phase of life will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...IT'S NOT OVER! A new adventure will begin!” Hey Rocky, you like to travel and have adventure; that trip and adventure is really going to be something.  You better hang onto your hat my friend! Friends wrote this in their Christmas letter—We are reminded of the text on our Christmas card this year:  We enjoy the gift of Faith.  It reminds us that the best is yet to come!  C.S. Lewis writes that we are on an earthly journey, enjoying some pleasant stops along the way but this is not our home.

ToughasnailsSledge says—Ya gotta have to pick it up if you fumble (i.e. clean up the mess and go forward). I watched some bowl games over the New Year’s weekend. As a person who likes sports and has less opportunity to get out of the house (i.e. being a caregiver), it is good entertainment for me. I did watch Iowa and Iowa State; I’m a fan of both of them (i.e. bigger IA than IA State).  "I never graduated from Iowa.  But I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's." –  Alex Karras / Iowa   ~   Iowa has lost its last 5 bowl game but won this year.   "If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education.”  -  Murray Warmath / Minnesota  ~  IA state did just that—Picked up the mess after their first unrecoverable fumble of the year late in the game which was a oops; they still won. 

That is the title of Dennis Clayson’s editorial in the paper last Sunday.  He said the following comments—Time is an interesting thing, if it is a thing at all.  Some have suggested time is nothing more than the mind’s consciousness of the flow of entropy...Except for the contribution we make to others, time will destroy us all…he said this is from Ecclesiastes—Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…Work for the benefit of others, and live joyfully with those you love, and do so with as much strength as your heart will allow.  Do you agree with Mr. Clayson?  That is what I thought.  Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says— Death has always been life’s greatest mystery. 

P.S. Today is a very good day; try missing one! Oops!