Got Insurance?

OMG!  I'm sure we have all heard about the fiasco called the Affordable Care Act (better known as Obamacare).  Probably the one thing you absolutely know about this law is that the website for it doesn't work.  Yep, evidently the creators of the site were surprised and overwhelmed with the numbers of people checking into the site.  (I loved the SNL Weekend Update bit comparing it to the flowers.com site being surprised and overwhelmed by volume on Valentine's day.)  I watched the speeches from our president assuring those of use that have been paying for and using our own, chosen health care insurance provider, that we will not be required to give up our private insurance provider.  As millions of Americans received cancellation letters from their insurance provider, the president did stutter a bit in his "explanation."  This blatant lie to the American people will be discussed again and again.

My favorite part of this dramedy playing out before the world is the complete disregard and non-interest displayed by the people expected to pay for this law.  Every time the president would parade an American that was able to get through the website and actually sign up for "affordable care," it would be an aging Baby Boomer.  Attention ladies and gentlemen!  These are not the folks that are going to be paying for this insurance.  These are the people that will be using the insurance.  The PAYERS are you millenials out there.  Every time a reporter asks one of them what they think of Obamacare they typically respond with a blank stare.  If, by chance, the reporter is lucky enough to encounter a millenial that actually participate in life outside of their video game or texting or playlist, the typical answer is, "I'll just pay the $95 fine for not enrolling and deal with it later."  Awesome.

Evidently the government (thru a Colorado non-profit) has noticed that their cash cows are not engaged.  They have come up with some clever marketing to get their attention.  (hopefully you are not eating)  Enjoy.  (oh yeah, these are real ads.  They're known as brosurance and ho-surance.  wonderful.)

This one makes me the sickest

Yep, these guys are gonna get jobs someday

Making insurance sexy..., not

Do you think Mr. Gosling approved this ad?

Colorado, you must be so proud

557.  Having many more productive days

558.  Finding things to do

559.  Getting them done

560.  Seeing smiles on my husband and son's faces again

561.  Getting out and about (this is the ticket to energy)

562.  Praying for missionaries in the middle East

563.  Winter greens (I just love them)

Unemployment (it's not just for beer and cigarettes)

Let me introduce myself...  I am the newest member of the entitled.  I am the newest member of the unemployed collecting money from the government (and me, 'cause I paid into it while I was working) and you hard working individuals out there.

This experience is teaching me so much.  I can now look at this experience from both sides.  I have written about about people willing to take money from anyone that will give it to them, instead of working, in this blog.  I've written about my lazy tenants and the lifestyle of welfare, unemployment and crime they have cultivated on the backs of hard working people in this country.  And now I find myself collecting money every week because I no longer have a job.

I will tell you... it seems weird.  I'm getting paid for looking for a job.  I am required by law to apply for, no fewer than, two jobs per week.  I am required by law to keep a log of every job I apply for.  According to my state's DLLR this log can be required for submission at any time during my term of receipt of benefits and up to two years after my benefits end.  I'm going to tell you...  I have a difficult time believing that many people collecting benefits actually keep this log.  I mean, it's sort of like taking a class and having homework assigned every week, but the homework is never collected or checked and you are going to get an "A" in the class whether you do it or not.  But, because I'm such an ISTJ, I'm applying for jobs and keeping the log.  It's just the way I roll.

Ok, I know the title of today's blog is a bit snarky.  I know people collecting unemployment don't use their benefits for only beer and cigarettes, but let me tell you, the government makes it easier to use the benefits for beer and cigarettes and more difficult for using the benefits to pay your mortgage or rent.  Seriously.

Here's the story.  When you are approved for unemployment benefits my state sends you a debit card and my benefits are loaded on to this debit card and I can pay my bills with this debit card.  This may work for many people or some people or people that don't want to maintain a stellar credit rating, but it isn't working for me.

First of all, my mortgage company does not take debit cards.  So, I cannot pay my mortgage unless I go to the ATM or the bank and have the money transferred into cash or deposited.  Both of these transactions will incur a charge onto the debit card.  POOF!  Money disappears into a charge I would have never paid had I been getting paid by direct deposit into my checking account the way I was getting paid when I had a job.  I HATE paying service charges when I don't need to pay them.

Secondly, I LOVE paying my bills with my credit card.  I pay my bills with my credit card for two basic reasons.  Because I pay off my credit card completely every month, my credit is stellar.  If I ever need a loan for anything, I have no difficulty obtaining said loan.  AND, I use a credit card that allows me to accrue points for free flights.  The more money I put on the card, the more points I accrue for free airfare.  I look at this as a "win/win" situation.

Maybe I'm not the typical recipient of unemployment benefits.  The few people I've told that I'm collecting benefits have all been quite surprised.  I guess they thought I didn't qualify.  That's funny to me.  After all, when you are fired from a job for no reason at all, one qualifies for unemployment.  This is just the way it works.  And, by the way, it's not going to be easy for this 56 year old woman to find work out there.  After all, most of the work in the area I live has been affected by sequestration, furloughs, and government closures.  It's tough out there.

I am learning so much, through this experience.  I'm learning that this program, and the limited checking into job search activity, may make it easier for people collecting on this program to become lackadaisical in their job search.  AND, more importantly, I learned that I could call my state's DLLR office and have my benefits deposited directly into my own personal checking account.  YAY!  Now I can pay my mortgage with my unemployment benefits.  I'm so happy.

511.  My back is all better.  (I tell you, the secret to living well into old age is to NOT FALL DOWN)
512.  Spending time in the book of Acts and the gift of Christianity to Gentiles
513.  OCR programs
514.  The cool crispness of fall
515.  Netflix documentaries (yeah, I watch too much tv)
516.  Crawling out of the depression that comes from being fired
517.  Clear blue skies
518.  Making lunch for my husband
519.  Learning to be quiet at home (no laughing out loud)
520.  Having the energy to entertain friends on the weekends

Everyone needs to have skin in the game

So much of how you view life depends on whether or not you have skin in the game.

The quote, "having skin in the game" is attributed to Warren Buffet.  It refers to the situation of owners purchasing stock in their own company.  The "skin" refers to equity and the "game", the investment vehicle.

I listened to two speeches last night.  I listened to the president give his State of the Union address and I listened to Dr. Benjamin Carson's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast from five days ago.  Both speeches included commentary on the state of our economy, taxes, education, and health care.  Both speeches were given by black men.  Both speeches were given by professional men.  One is a doctor and one was a lawyer.  Both speeches were given during the same week. 

There were certainly differences in each of these speeches.  I won't go into the huge portion of the State of the Union address that had to do with gun control.  Maybe you feel that is the most important portion of the president's speech.  It wasn't.  Or, at least, it shouldn't have been.  The most important issue the president should be talking about is the economy.  Because, even Bill Clinton will tell you, it's always about the economy.  Our president talked about slowing the fiscal deficit by taxing the richer American's at a higher rate.  I don't know how many rich people you know, but the few wealthy people I know won't keep their money in the US if taxes keep increasing on them.  Taxing people with resources to leave the country or take their businesses out of the country or do their banking out of the country, won't solve our problems.

Dr. Carson's speech talked about the economy, too.  He talked about a flat tax.  He didn't give a percentage, but he did indicate that all people should pay the tax.  I know Dr. Carson isn't an economist.  I do know there are a lot of people who would agree a flat tax is the way to go.  (Remember Steve Forbes?)  But the percentage isn't what caught my attention.  The thing that caught my attention was who would be paying the tax.  The "who" would be EVERYONE.  No matter if you were on welfare and food stamps or making millions, you would be paying taxes on your income.  Some may think taxing those on welfare on their welfare income is weird.  I, for one, don't think it is.  The poor use welfare as their income.  I use the money I earn at my job as my income.  I'm taxed on my income.  When all are taxed on their income, whatever manor of income they bring in, then all will have skin in the game of the economy of our nation.  When you have your money in the process of our national economy, you will care much much more about how that government spends your money.

There is just something about having no investment in the working of our government that keeps people from fully understanding how government works.  I spoke to a 23 year old woman the other day.  She was receiving food stamps and financial support from the government.  This is also known as welfare.  When asked if she knew where the money she was receiving came from, she said, "the government."  When asked where she thought the government got the money they were giving her, she said, "they print it."  She is not a lone voice in the wilderness of the entitled.

I hope you can find 27 minutes in your day to listen to Dr. Carson's speech.  I hope it gives you the hope it gives me.  I see Mr. Obama sitting and listening.  I hope and pray he heard something that gave him something to think about, as well.

Continuing gratitude
150.  I was taught not to steal
151.  I was taught not to look for handouts from people
152.  I was taught to ask for help when I need it, but not to let it become a habit
153.  I was taught to save for a rainy day
154.  I was taught to pay God first, pay myself second, and then pay those I owe
155.  I was taught that paying my own way, when I can afford it, gives you a great feeling
156.  I was taught when I can't afford it, I have to do without
157.  I was taught not to throw money at problems.  I need to do the work
158.  I was taught to take care of the things I have
159.  I was taught to believe people when they tell you who they are.  When they tell you they steal, they are a thief.  When they tell you they lie, they are a liar. 

Why saying "no" isn't a bad thing

NO is a word that is fast becoming obsolete in this nation.

Parents don't want to say "no" to their children.  They want to be the parents that say "yes" to every request.  They don't want to deny their children anything.

Workers won't say "no" to their bosses.  They want to say "yes" to the extra projects and late nights at the office.  They want to do whatever they think will keep them in the job.  Denying their personal life for what they think is job security.

Doctors won't say "no" to patients who want to use the most advertised medications on tv.  They won't turn down a nose-job or a boob-job, even if they patient is a minor.

Girls won't say "no" to boys when asked for sex or "sexting" or whatever they desire from them at the time.  They want to be loved and accepted and they believe that saying "yes" to the boy will get them what they want.

The list of those that won't say "no" goes on and on.  (I'm talking to you, John Boehner)

What can saying "no" do for you?

Saying "no" can save you money. 
There is nothing wrong about saying you don't want to spend the money.  Parents need to know that saying "no" to many kid requests will save them money and teach the kids to postpone pleasure.  Teaching austerity isn't a bad thing.  What kind of adult will they be if they've never learned to accept the word "no?"  I'm going to guess they will be an adult with a large credit card balance.  (yeah, we've got a lot of them right now)

Saying "no" can lead to better opportunities.
Just think if that employee says "no" to his boss's request to absorb the work of a vacated position.  Just think if that employee puts the time spent with his family above the needs of the boss.  Just think if that employee looked for another job and could possibly give him the respect for a personal life that his current job isn't providing.  Hanging on to something good could be denying you something better.

Hearing the word "no" could be good for you.
A child that hears the word "no" can learn to put off immediate gratification for delayed gratification.  Delayed gratification teaches will power, self-control, patience. and impulse control.  These are all attributes of character that are highly desirable in adults.  A boy that hears the word "no" from a girl when asked to perform for him, sexually now has the opportunity to learn to respect women.  These boys can grow up to have higher regard for the needs of their wives and daughters.  They can become men with self-control and integrity.

Saying "no" can give you the time, money, self-respect, and so much more.  I think saying "no" needs to be regarded with the empowerment and positivity it can give.

20.  Peppermint scented body lotion and hand soap
21.  Home made turkey and gnocchi soup
22.  Losing some of the holiday weight (because I'm saying "no" to sweets)
23.  Kind comments from blog readers
24.  Brach's butterscotch hard candies (make me remember my grandpa)
25.  Noticing the days getting longer
26.  Hand sanitizer (everyone around this place is coughing or sneezing)
27.  An IT department that is super helpful during this Google transition
28.  Going to the farm to get fresh vegetables, even in the winter
29.  Having a new flat iron (a Christmas gift from my son)  It is the best thing ever

2013..., business as usual

I'm back at work and getting back in the swing of things.  I've got to tell you, I'm struggling.  There is always a bit of a learning curve when returning to work after having a week and a half off, but this time there is an extra added bonus to help flatten that curve.

During the break the IT department at the school I work at migrated our Microsoft Office Outlook to Google gmail.  I know, I know, gmail is GREAT!  (I think I have to say that since I'm using Blogger for my blog.)  None the less, change is never easy and change for my boss, who doesn't want to have to think about things like, sorting emails and scheduling meetings, is even more difficult.  But, you gotta do what you gotta do when the Powers That Be make up their minds to make a change.  It's all going to be just fine and pretty soon we will barely remember how Outlook worked.

All that being said, if any of you savvy techie types out there have any tips or tricks for me when it comes to using gmail apps, I'm open to any and all suggestions.  I know a lot of you have your favorites.

I had a wonderful break.  I know you didn't hear a peep out of me during the break.  I took a vacation from the computer.  Granted it wasn't a complete vacation, but computer time was cut back quite hard.  It was wonderful.  I read books.  I watched movies.  I rested.  In fact, even I feel a bit guilty about the lack of work produced by me.  My husband and my son were working so hard on the house we evicted the renters from.  They were fixing windows and tiling the kitchen and bathrooms and fixing toilets and repairing plumbing and installing a new dishwasher, stove and refrigerator.  They supervised carpet and vinyl installation.  I still haven't been allowed to see the interior of the house.  All the interior doors need to be stained, trimmed and hung.  I think my son is waiting for those last few items to be finished before he allows me to view the Big Reveal.

It is impressive to see how much work my son and my husband have accomplished in that house.  I'm excited to do a post about it and share pics.  In less than two months they have transformed a dwelling that, literally, had everything in the inside and on the outside broken, stolen, or in complete filth and turned it into a home.  I've watched some folks drag a project out for years.  I think there is a lot to be said for momentum and stick-to-it-iveness.  I can't wait to see it.

It makes me so proud to hear my husband talk about the way my son is working and learning home repair and maintenance.  I can see it's hard for my son to work this hard.  He's gotten used to having a part-time job and living in our home.  He has very few chores and spends a lot of time gaming and watching Netflix.  Hard work has never been his best friend.  Yet, during this process he has learned what hard work is and how to do it.  His goal is to be living in the house by February 1st.  I'm excited for him AND for me. 

Our family is saying "Hello" to 2013 with the promise that all this hard work will pay-off and we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors sooner than later. 

Just a little note to the Congress and Senate and President of the United States; for most of us it's easier to cut back on our spending than it is to generate more cash.  Just because you get your money from us, the working, tax-paying people of the USA, give us a break.  Cut back on the spending.  Try a little austerity.  We should all tighten our belts.  There really isn't all that much people should be entitled to have.  Be brave.  Make the tough cuts.

10.  A hardworking husband
11.  A job
12.  A thrifty nature
13.  A lesson learned that hard work usually solves more difficulties than throwing money at a problem does
14.  A willingness to learn new things
15.  A willingness to say "I don't know" when I don't know
16.  Another opportunity to share 1000 gratitudes with you guys (I only made it to 782 last year)
17.  Watching my son take giant steps into adulthood
18.  Being willing to see my son falter in this new-found adulthood, and not freak out
19.  Having so many blessings to count

What has happened to personal responsibility?

"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions."  Ronald Reagan

Personal responsibility.  There's a concept from the past.

The tragedies of this month have again brought out the question, who is to blame?

Who is to blame for the bad things happening in this country?  Is it the parent's fault?  Is it the school's fault?  Is it the fault of the NRA and the legality of assault rifles?  Is it the fault of the makers of violent video games?  Is it the fault of the doctors and professionals in the field of mental illness?  Is it the fault of vaccines and the possibility of their relationship to autism?  Is it the fault of neighbors and friends not seeing the signs of trouble?  Is it the fault of the high divorce rate and the crumbling of marriage in the US?  Is it God's fault?  Is it the church's fault?

Taking personal responsibility has, for the most part, disappeared.

We want to blame the NRA for lobbying to keep guns available for legal purchase. 

We want to blame McDonalds for the rise in obesity in the US.  I don't know about you, but in order for me to eat McDonalds fries I have to go there and get them and then put them in my mouth and eat them.  Nobody has a gun to my head.

We want the government to take care of our birth control for us, so we don't have to worry about our sexual promiscuity.

We want government to take responsibility for the raising, education and feeding of our children.  

We want our health care paid by the government while we continue to overeat, under-exercise, smoke, drink and use recreational drugs.

We want to retire comfortably without saving money during our working years and preparing for the future.

We want to give the responsibility for all these things, and more, to an institution that has proven itself to be very bad at managing anything and especially bad at managing money.  Why oh why to we continue to look to the government to take care of us.  They have showed us who they are.  We need to stop begging for them to do a better job.  It can't be done.

Personal responsibility.  If you need to depend on someone to help you with a problem area in your life, look for a mentor.  You can find mentors in your life through older family members or friends, neighbors, spiritual leaders, community leaders, the networks of your friends and colleagues.  People like to be asked for help, but they don't want to do it for you.  Don't depend on these mentors to do your work for you.  Take personal responsibility for yourself.

We need to grow up in this country.  Life is hard, but we aren't in it alone.  God knew life would be hard, so he sent his son to reconcile us to him.  He gave us prayer, an opportunity to speak with him.  He gave us church, an opportunity to join with fellow believers for support and fellowship in this tough, tough life on Earth.  I pray for churches to be filled during this holiday season and for people to return to the roots of faith this country was built upon.  We don't need to look any further than the bathroom mirror to discover where change needs to begin.  Let's decide we want to do better for ourselves, not have more done for us. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

  
768.  Last day of work before my Christmas break
769.  Red velvet donuts from Dunkin Donuts
770.  New carpet day in the rental house renovation
771.  Enjoying the final couple weeks of my son living with me
772.  Reading books for pleasure
773.  Reading blogs for pleasure
774.  Watching movies in the morning
775.  Going to a 9:00 p.m. showing of Lincoln and knowing I don't have to get up for work in the morning
776.  Listening of off-key Christmas carol covers  :)
777.  Thinking about the peace of Christmastime and getting all my work done so I can enjoy it
778.  Organic lettuce and baby greens salads
779.  Vodka made from potatoes
780.  Advent services at church
781.  Thinking about hanging ornaments on the tree, but ok with knowing it may not happen
782.  Three hours of administrative leave on the last day of work in 2012

Poor or lazy?

Seeing clouds from the other side reminds me that everything looks different from a different point of view.  As I soared over theses clouds, existing because Hurricane Isaac was creeping up into the mid-West, I thought about those viewing the clouds from the other side.  These clouds were threatening rain.  From my vantage, the sun was shining, but down on the ground there was, most likely, no sunshine.

Everybody sees the world through their own eyes.  And, let me tell you, as a former forensic chemist working for the Naval Investigative Service, I can tell you that eye witnesses provide the least reliable evidence for a crime solver.  Everybody sees the world through their own paradigm.

I have a difficult time seeing the world through other people's eyes.  In my worldview, if you want something, you work for it.  In my world, saving money for the future and the possibility of a rainy day is important.  I'm my view, you don't always have to have the biggest and the best and the newest.  Sometimes being satisfied with what you have is a good idea.  In my world, having your hand out and borrowing money from friends and family is NOT an option.

I've observed some people living in a way I cannot understand, but I'm sure, from their point of view they are doing everything the very best they can.  I've seen a wife and mother of two take out a student loan of $40K to get a master's degree to promote herself in her teaching career and then quit teaching to stay home with her two children long before she is even close to paying off her debt.  To me this looks greedy.  She wants it all, the high priced education and the freedom to be a stay at home mom.  It's difficult for me to imagine making choices like this without thinking them all the way through, but there you are.

I've watched family after family sell their tiny starter home when the housing market expanded to an unreal height and buy BRAND NEW and EXPENSIVE homes, with money they hoped they would make some day, who now find themselves living in homes that have mortgage payments of, at least, $100K more than the homes are now worth.  To me this looks greedy.  They weren't content to stay in their small starter home and continue to make payments they could afford.  They thought they were rich and could have anything they wanted, and now they cannot pay the price.

I've associated with people who are happy to have their hand out and expect you to put money in it because they've had to take on a new job at an entry level at low pay.  They've begged and borrowed money from everyone they associate with and don't mind crying "poor me" at every turn.  Now they've been with the job for a while and gotten a few promotions and they are done eating beans out of a can.  Now they can go out to Applebee's  for lunch and dinner a couple times a week.  To me this looks greedy.  I can't imagine taking a family out for food this often while being a SAHM.  I can't imagine not wanting to pay back everyone who was kind enough to give me money.

I've seen a family that has begged it's church for money for food and now sport brand new tattoos.  Do you think they've started tithing now?  No, I don't think so.

When did we turn into a nation of people with our hands out instead of inside our bootstraps?  When did we turn into a nation that believes there is no need to pay back your debt?  When did we turn into a nation that believes we all deserve the same things in life?  When did we turn from a nation that believed that "them that don't work, don't eat" to a food stamp nation?  When did we become a nation of lazy people?  When did it become "normal" to be lazy? 

I don't know how to look at the world through everyone's eyes, but I have seen the world through some people's eyes (thanks to the fact that they blog).  We need to come up with a new word for the poor.  We cannot call people in this country, for the most part, poor.  We need a new word.

These people with their hands out and the "poor me" attitude need a name.  They're making it more difficult for actual poor people to get the help they really need.

562.  Sunshine
563.  Leaves just beginning to turn colors
564.  Pansies
565.  Hope 

This is how my tenant rolls

 

First of the month, nothing.  Days pass.  Nothing.  The 15^th, bell rings, it’s her.  She’s got on her best smile and rattiest shirt.  A granddaughter sits on her hip, check in hand.  Rent's short, again. 
Can I give her a break?

My mortgage was due on the 5^th.

That baby better work harder next month.

I'm prepping for the DNC and getting my tissues out to cry me a river for the entitled.

Linking with G-man for a Friday Flash 55 

547.  A job
548.  A home
549.  A family
550.  A work ethic 

Todd Akin is an idiot

I think that pretty much sums it up.  If he's not an idiot, then I'm assuming his goal was to lose the seat in the Senate and screw the GOP in the election.  But wait, that would make him an idiot, too.  And let me add this, because THIS is extremely important, Todd Akin is running for a seat in the U.S. Sentate.  He is running against the incumbent Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and was almost assuredly going to win this seat.  Almost assuredly, until he decided to show everyone in the world that he is an idiot.  (I cannot stand pro-life supporters that are idiots.  they make us all look stupid, and I, for one, am not stupid.)

If you don't know what I'm talking about, let me shed some light on this subject.  There is plenty of buzz on the interwebs and network news to teach you all you need to know, and more.  Believe me, the Democratic party and the network and cable pundits are giggling with glee like eight year old girls. 

The Senator from Missouri, a Republican, was being interview by St. Louis television station KTVI.  Sen. Akin was being asked about women's health issues (read, abortion, because that IS the only health issue we women have) and asked whether a woman can become pregnant when they are raped.  Sen. Akin replied, "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," according to The Washington Post.  Akin added: "But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child."

Of course a woman can become pregnant if she is raped.  What the heck is a legitimate rape?  I know, he's talking about the gray area of date rape, but seriously, rape is rape and no is no.  Of course, the punishment should be on the rapist and not the child, but most victims of rape aren't thinking about the child.  It takes a lot of love to put a child's life ahead of your own pain.  And, of course, he is now backpedaling like crazy and accusing the Democrats  of using this snafu as an opportunity to get him to back out of the election.  The Democrats are using women's health (abortion and federally funded contraception) as the issue they want to use to distract the nation from the economy.

Hey, America, the real issue is the ECONOMY!  Please don't forget this.

Heck, I want him to back out of the election.  Any Republican with an ounce of sense wants him to back out of the election.  Did you see the interview with Claire McCaskill?  She couldn't wipe that smile off her face if her life depended on it.  Please Sen. Akin, step down, shut up, and don't come out until you learn how to talk in front of a camera.  Please stop trying to help the party and the pro-lifers.  The last time we got help like this was in the middle of the night when Clinton vetoed the bill to ban partial birth abortion bill.  Just go away.  This kind of stink gets all over everyone, not just you.

To the people of Missouri, please, please, please, I beg of you, if Todd Akin does not drop out of the race for this Senate seat, please, please, please, I beg of you, stage a write-in campaign for the next U.S. Senator from Missouri (remember Lisa Murkowski?).  The former senator from Missouri,  Christopher "Kit" Bond would be an excellent candidate.  This election is too important to waste.  Write-in campaigns have been successful in the past.  You can do it, Missouri.  Just "Show Me" your commitment to electing an administration that respects your individual and state's rights.

525.  A break from blogging and finding that my blog is still here.  I just hope I still have a reader or two.
526.  Kids back on campus and business as usual.
527.  Discovering my son lied to me about taking a class this summer and surviving.
528.  Taking a co-worker out for lunch to celebrate her 50th birthday.  (I'm not the only old lady in my building.)
529.  Cooler weather in the mornings and the promise of autumn.

Short sale in a (55) nut shell

Short sales are for homeowners on the brink of foreclosure. 

You won’t make money from a sale.  Profits will pay off your debt. 

Buyers may come your way, but the bank has the final say. 

Uncle Sam will get his cut on any debt forgiven.  You'll pay.

Your credit is still shot. 

Greed ain’t good.

Linking with G-Man for a Friday Flash 55

508.  Rain
509.  Funny movies
510.  Rhythmic gymnastics
511.  Synchronized swimming
512.  People paying back what they borrowed

Money

I've seen a few things written about money, lately, that make me wonder what in the world some people are thinking.  I saw on facebook one of those pictures of a famous person with their quote photoshopped over their image. It was an image of Richard Buckminster Fuller (yeah, I had to Google him, too.  inventor, architect, author, ... and futurist!) They used this quote of his.  "We must do away with the absolutely specious notion (wrong or misleading.  I had to look this up, too) that everybody has to earn a living. It is a fact today that one in ten thousand of us can make a technological breakthrough capable of supporting all the rest. The youth of today are absolutely right in recognizing this nonsense of earning a living. We keep inventing jobs because of this false idea that everybody has to be employed at some kind of drudgery because, according to Malthusian-Darwinian theory (survival of the fittest), he must justify his right to exist. So we have inspectors of inspectors and people making instruments for inspectors to inspect inspectors. The true business of people should be to go back to school and think about whatever it was they were thinking about before somebody came along and told them they had to earn a living."  And this quote was interpreted, by the poster and the comments, as meaning that people today don't need to earn a living (have a job to make money) because one person in every 10,000 people can make a technological breakthrough and earn enough money to support the slackers other 10,000 people.  And again, to these people who have no desire to work and earn money, they say that money is meaningless.  I believe what Bucky is saying here is there shouldn't be an artificial job created to employ people to artificially decrease unemployment levels.  I don't believe he meant that only 1 in 10,000 people need to work or that one rich person should pay for the care and feeding of 10,000 people that do not want to work.  People should do work that is useful and then they don't justify their reason for existence, they HAVE a reason for existence.

Another person feels that money is a trap. She feels it is an illusion. She says the illusion of money is not a feeling, it's simple truth. She says people have decided that certain things would be worth something, and so they are. Period.  And yet, another person hates money. She hates that her husband works a job that he doesn't really like to make money to pay for a house they can't afford and bills and for things they don't really need.  (so why did they buy these things?)  She then goes on to tell us that she would like the church she attends to allow them to live in a house on a property the members of this church bought and allow them to start a commune and have multiple people or families living in the house.  (I'm guessing it's ok for the church people to be caught in the money trap and have to work for the money to pay for this property, just not her)  Anyway, this goes on and on and makes no sense to me.  I know there are always going to be people with their hands out.  People who think that because they don't WANT to work, they don't HAVE to work. 

I think these people hate NOT HAVING money.  They don't hate money, itself.

I've written here about money.  I respect money and I don't believe it is meaningless.

I once gave a Children's Sermon in a church.  In it I showed the children some money.  I showed them a crisp, brand new one dollar bill, a really old and worn one dollar bill, and one dollar bill that I ripped in half and then taped back together.  I asked the children which of the one dollar bills was worth the most?  At first, most of them said the new one was worth the most, but when I asked them if anyone wanted the old one, or the one that was torn and taped, yeah, they wanted them.  I asked them why they wanted them?  They said, they wanted the dollar so they could spend it.  I then took the new crisp one dollar bill and crumpled it up.  Then I put it on the floor and stepped on it.  I really stepped on it hard and stamped it into the floor.  I asked the children if the dollar was worth the same now, as it was before I crumpled it up.  They were getting the point.  A dollar is worth a dollar, no matter what condition it is in.  You can still take it to the store and spend it.

Then I said, we are like these dollars to Jesus.  We have worth to him no matter what condition we find ourselves.  Sometimes we are ripped or broken and we don't get put back together just right, like a soldier who has been injured in a war or a child who is born with cerebral palsy or downs syndrome, but to Jesus, we all have the same value.  Sometimes people are very old and don't look so good anymore and cannot do very much anymore.  They are frail and tattered at the edges.  When Jesus looks at them he sees they are just as valuable as a younger person.  Sometimes we start out nice and clean and new, but then someone makes us feel bad and hurts us and steps on us and treats us like we are worthless, but to Jesus we still have the same value we always had.

It makes me sad to think there are people out there that do not value or respect money and see it as meaningless.  It makes me angry that there are people out there that don't want to work, but are quite happy to have me or the government give them the money I earn.  Maybe the just want someone else to take care of them?  Maybe they think they are better than those of us working for a living?  I guess if I told this little story to someone that believes money is meaningless, they wouldn't understand it. 

425.  A (sorta) apology from my boss for the meeting screw-up
426.  Bible study tonight, and I'm really looking forward to it
427.  A project at work that is interesting and something I can succeed at
428.  Squash juice, it's better than it sounds

Shopping in AC

I'm taking a weekend away from the suburbs and I'm in Atlantic City, NJ.  The last time we were here was in December.  I don't know how this happened, but somehow I've ended up with a $200 gift certificate to shop at The Quarter in the Tropicana Casino and Resort.  I haven't figured out where I want to spend the money.  Maybe one of my wonderful readers could give me some advice?  I'm thinking chocolate.  What do you think?  What should I choose?  I don't usually have discretionary money to spend.

Before I go shopping I'm going to go for a walk on the boardwalk.  I hear they've just opened up a 2.4 BILLION dollar casino at the north end of the boardwalk.  It's a NO SMOKING casino.  Who says we're in a recession?  I guess these owners are counting on the no smoking gamblers to spend big and make it worth their while.  Btw, this casino brags a HUGE floor to ceiling window wall with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.  Seriously?  A casino with windows?  I'm not a gambler, but I've never been in a casino with windows.

143.  Time to relax with my husband
144.  Warm day to walk on the beach
145.  A great night's sleep
146.  No desire to gamble amid a plethora of temptation

Entitlement for you, entitlement for you and entitlement for you!

This kinda sounds like Oprah sounded when she gave away the cars.  Doesn't it?  Entitlements for EVERYBODY.  Well, not everybody, but almost.  Today in the United States of America 52% of households are receiving some form of entitlement.  This is more than at ANY other time in US history.  We are becoming a nation of people with our hands out.  More than 45% of US households will not pay federal income tax this year.  What is happening to our nation?  Why do people want a hand out?  Why do people think they DESERVE a handout?  I remember when a president of this nation gave an inaugural address which included these famous words, " And so, my fellow Americans:  ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."  I remember watching people whining about the government in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Where was their government entitlement?  How was the government going to help them?  When were they going to get their MONEY?  (btw, the money they were going to get wasn't theirs, it was yours.) 

I think the government has proven it is lousy at helping people out.  The government doesn't have the first idea how to improve people's lives.  The government doesn't have the first idea how to raise a child.  The government doesn't have the first idea how to support a family.  However, the government does know the first thing about getting between churches and the needy.  The ACLU doesn't sit well with spirit based institutions giving aid and the government is scared silly of the ACLU.

Last night I went to church for Ash Wednesday.  The sermon was titled, "What's in it for me?"  The minister spoke about this time of Lent being a time of preparation for Easter.  Not preparation Easter dinner or Easter visitors or a new Easter dress, but a time for preparation to focus on the benefits we receive because of the sacrifices made for us.  He spoke about entitlements and the changing face of our nation to those begging, "where's mine."  He said our nation is sounding more and more like a toddler.  See if any of these toddler rules of possession sound familiar.

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

I think I've heard sound bites on the news by adults saying these words, almost verbatim.

There is a family living in a house I own.  And by living, I mean existing.  I just paid the water bill for them because the water has been shut off for three months.  Seriously, no water.  The house stinks because they still use the toilets, but there is no water.  The biggest earner in the family, and by family I mean baby, baby daddy, uncle of baby and grandma of baby, is the baby.  The baby is getting all the entitlements to allow this group of people to pay the rent, fuel oil and electric.  Too bad the baby couldn't earn a little more and pay the water bill.  Bad baby.  This collection of sorry adults do not have a job between them.  What is this world coming to when two able bodied men won't work and choose to live off a baby.  It is unbelievable to me.

So, what's in it for me?  I'm continuing to focus on the sacrifice of my savior this Lenten season.  I pray our nation will get a clue.  All they have to do is turn on the tv and see what is happening in Greece.  I know my post sounds like a frustrated rant today, and it is.  I'm so tired of reading tweets of people complaining about having no money, then running out to get a tattoo with their income tax refund check.  They act as if they just received "found money."  Are they so dense they do not realize they just gave the government an interest free loan with THEIR money?  I guess they are.  Oh well, enjoy that purple butterfly tattoo.  You'll have it forever.

Gratitudes:
9.  my job
10.  my house, all fixed after Hurricane Irene
11.  a minister not afraid to speak the truth.  (even if there were democrats in the room)
12.  a beautiful sunny warm day in February

Conscience development

I have been involved in a study regarding ethics and the role ethics, or lack of ethics, had in the 2008 financial crisis.  The study is called Doing the Right Thing, by Chuck Colson and Robert George.  Last night one of the topics for discussion was our conscience.  One of the participants in my group asked the question, "What is a conscience?"  I gave a quick, maybe flip, answer that a conscience was like a barometer of right and wrong in our bodies.  A conscience is the part of us that allows us to feel whether a decision we are making is a morally right decision or a morally wrong decision.  Webster's first definition of conscience is the sense of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good.  I was close.

One of the things discussed last night was the endless ability of the human mind to rationalize and in so doing, we weaken our conscience to the point of uselessness.  We all know this is true.  One of my favorite lines from a movie is from the movie, The Big Chill.  The character Michael, played by Jeff Goldblum says, "I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex."  Then the character Sam, played by Tom Berenger says, "Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex."  To which Michael replies, "Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?"  This movie was made in 1983.  I'll bet today, most of us can't go two days without a good rationalization.  Most of us can remember watching our president rationalize away his bad behavior by asking his prosecutor to define the word "is."  There is just something about the president of the United States rationalizing away bad behavior that gives permission to everyone else to rationalize away their own bad behavior.  It doesn't take too many repeated rationalizations to erode away the conscience developed at your mother's knee.  Before you know it all things right or wrong become a matter of relevance.

What can be done to develop a conscience?  I googled this question.  Not surprisingly, the first four pages of my google search had to do with child rearing.  This tells me two things.  First, a conscience is developed after birth.  We are not born with a conscience.  We learn what is right and wrong at our mother's knee.  We begin the development of a conscience by learning to please our mothers.  Secondly, there doesn't seem to be much interest in developing a conscience later in life.  If you've erased your conscience with all the rationalizing of your poor choices and bad behavior, you seem to be stuck with a crippled conscience.  This may be the reason our nation finds itself in the financial mess it is in today.  There were a lot of people doing whatever they wanted to do with other people's money with no regard of what was the right or wrong thing to do.

Last night we discussed ways to develop a crippled conscience.  We talked about how to reinforce right thinking back into our lives.  We looked at institutions that are based on developing moral codes.  Institutions like the U. S. Marine Corps.  Like the Boy Scouts of America.  Like any 12 step program following the principles of Bill W.  First we need to be broken down.  We need to come to the end of ourselves.  The Marine drill sergeants are great at doing this.  Then we need to remind ourselves of what the right things are.  Kind of like memorizing the boy scout oath and law.  We then need to accept the reality we cannot accomplish this conversion on our own.  We need a higher power.  Lastly, we must have accountability from others, in our similar circumstances, to keep us on the straight and narrow.  The reality of our condition is that we KNOW what the right thing to do is.  Yet, we find ourselves having a difficult time DOING what we know to be right.  There is nothing like peer pressure.  We just have to use peer pressure in a positive way.

Here's one more thing.  You know the saying, "Let your conscience be your guide," well, maybe not.  Not just yet. 

The Hunger Games

I've written before, I believe blogging to be a very self-indulging activity.  I've written before, I think blogging to be a great way to learn about yourself.  Today I'm writing with the goal of learning about something new to me from my readers and, hopefully, sharing some information with my readers that may be new to them.

I'm interested in an opportunity to make some money and I think the opportunity may be in the franchise of The Hunger Games by Lionsgate Entertainment Corporate (LGF).  I know this isn't my typical blog post, but this IS stuff that interests me.  I just haven't shared much of this with you.  Here's my problem.  I never heard of The Hunger Games trilogy.  This is something that makes me skeptical.  However, I realize I am a woman in my 50's and I may not be the target audience for this franchise.  So, I'm bringing this to you wonderful (and much younger) readers.  I'd like you to comment on this post regarding your opinion on The Hunger Games book trilogy and your interest in seeing the upcoming movie (release date March 23, 2012).

I will tell you that Lionsgate Entertainment Corporate (LGF) is currently trading on the Nasdaq at $12.12.  Analysts believe that this fairly small independent film studio could make significant profits off this franchise.  This studio is responsible for 2005's oscar best picture winning film, Crash, oscar nominated, Juno, and the tv show Mad Men, among others.  Feel free to google them.

I would appreciate your participation in my research and I encourage you to get involved in learning how to make your money work for you.  Enjoy the trailer.

Why social justice doesn't work and OWS won't make a difference

This is a parable called the River.

A group of people are standing at a river bank and suddenly hear the cries of a baby.  Shocked, they see an infant floating--drowning--in the water.  One person immediately dives in to rescue the child.  But as this is going on, yet another baby comes floating down the river, and then another!  People continue to jump in to save the babies and then see that one person has started to walk away from the group still on shore.  Accusingly they shout, "where are you going?"  The response:  "I'm going upstream to stop whoever's throwing babies into the river.

The moral of the story is to get to the root of the problem, right?  If we get to the root of the problem then all will be well.

I don't have to travel all the way upstream to tell you what the root of the problem is.  I can tell you now.  The problem is sin.  The problem is always sin.  And the problem will always be sin.

If I go upstream and find an evil man throwing babies into the river I cannot take the evil out of the man.  If I kill the evil man, there will be another to take his place.  If I go upstream and find a daycare built against the river with no barrier between the children and the river and see children falling in the river, I can talk to the owner.  I will find a lazy or greedy establishment, unwilling to do the work or spend the money to provide a fence.  If I build a fence to protect the children at this establishment, another establishment will be erected further up the river with lower costs, and there will be no fence.  Babies will continues to fall into the river.  

We cannot depend on government to save us.  We cannot take greed or sloth or vanity or wrath or envy out of government any more than we can take it out of a man.  Only Jesus can change a heart.

We cannot do anything about the root of the problem.  Only Jesus can fix the problem.  All we can do is jump in the river and pull out as many babies as we can.  When we, the Church, agree to waste its time searching for and attempting to fix the root of the problem we are only spinning our wheels and wasting our time and resources.  There will always be sin in the world until Jesus returns.

The Church is the body of Christ, just as the Bible describes.  Jesus met individuals where they were and in the condition they were in, he didn't meet with political figures and try to change the system.  I believe Jesus said something like, pay your taxes or render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar.  I believe the religious / political leaders didn't care too much for Jesus.  They rejected him.

So all you ministers, pastors, priests, Sunday school teachers, Christians who are promoting or participating or beating a drum for OWS.  You are not being the body of Christ.   Jump in the river.  Save a baby.  Social justice is a waste of your time here on earth.

Steve Jobs, the best we had

Just about every evening I watch Mad Money with Jim Cramer.  Last night Jim gave a moving tribute to Steve Jobs.  Of all the coverage I've seen or heard since Mr. Jobs passed away, this was, by far, the best.

Jim Cramer paid homage to Steve Jobs, a man he called uniquely American and "the best we had."

Cramer said it's hard to capture the importance of the iconic founder and former CEO of Apple.  Ford, Walton, Edison, Carnegie, Rockefeller, Steve Jobs left the whole pantheon in the dust.  While legends like Henry Ford revolutionized transportation and Sam Walton provided affordable clothing for all, Jobs had the power to transcend them all by making machines that made the impossible possible.  His Apple Stores have the greatest sales per square foot of anyone.  Apple's devices are not only innovative, but look cool and sleek.  Jobs seemed to know what the consumer would need 5 years ahead of time, and was one of the greatest CEOs in history.

Cramer said machines we never knew we needed turned out to be necessities, and it's hard to remember the time before computing was made easy for the masses.  He made machines that brought the democratization of thought to to all.  Just as inventions like the wheel, the pulley, the screw, the incline plane, and the lever were groundbreaking, we take them for granted now, like the iPod, iPhone and the iPad, but they were all invented once, too. Can you imagine if just one man invented all of them?  "He had vision. He had brilliance. He was otherworldly."

Then there's Jobs' $350 billion worth of wealth creation under his tenure.  This creation of wealth bought a lot of retirements and college tuitions and vacations, not to mention countless meals on the table.  Jobs was able to see four and five years ahead, to see around corners, and worked hard every day, never turning to Washington for help or money.

Cramer said Jobs was like Beethoven or Mozart and we simply may not be smart enough to truly understand his legacy.  In an era when Americans have a lot to not be proud of, Jobs showed us what we are capable of and provided us the tools to get there.

"It's Apple against the world.  And the world doesn't stand a chance."

Please take a moment to listen to this wonderful tribute in it's entirety.  It's worth your time.

Silver Star or the roller coaster of precious metals

The Silver Star is a roller coaster in Rust, Germany.  The precious metal market is a roller coaster the world has been riding these recent weeks.  Click, click, click... the ride has been going up the hill.  And now... WHEEEEE!!!  Silver is down $4.00 today.  You may or may not have followed my journey of selling my silver.  It certainly can be Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  You may or may not know I convinced my father to open his safe after 20 years and let me sell his silver.  Anyway, it's all on me now.  I promised my dad I'd make him some money and now I must keep my word.  Because you may or may not know that keeping my word is one of my strong character traits.  So, tonight I will be busy photographing, describing, sorting, uploading and just plain DEALING with the silver coins my father has entrusted to me.  I'm feeling pressure to do well for my father and my husband.  It is the strangest thing.  This little hobby I've had, selling my clutter on eBay, has become important to two men who are so important to me.  I don't want to let them down.  I'm feeling pressure, also, because time may be short for the silver BOOM.  So, if you've been on the fence about this money making scheme, don't wait too much longer. 

I'm just sayin'.  Wheeeeeeee...

Silver Star Wikipedia

I'm a secretary

I tried to write a haiku today and there was nothing.  I'm not going to search for some sad way to say how rain and the crappy way I've been feeling lately are related.  I'm not going to pour my self-pity into 17 syllables and think my anger will drop from my shoulders like a too-warm sweater.  It just won't work for me that way.  I'm struggling in a situation of needing to get something from someone.  I need to be validated.  I need to be told it wasn't my fault.  I'm not going to get this from the person I need to get it from.  I've gotten the validation from coworkers, husband, friends and even a therapist.  It's just not as satisfying as getting it from the person that "wronged"  me.  And I keep going back to the thing that makes me mad.  "You've got to push them to do better, happygirl."  This is something I don't have the authority to do.  "Use my authority, happygirl."  You never back me up.  You ask me to make meetings to discuss the issues with the appropriate people, I schedule the meetings, then, JUST when the meeting date draws near you tell me to cancel.  Subject dropped.  No resolution.  No confrontation.

NO CONFRONTATION, on your part.

But, you're happy to ask me to do your confronting for you.  I'm saying NO in my head.  I've even said NO out loud to you.  But, you know my nature is to be confrontational.  You know it is not difficult for me as it is for you.  This is a part of my personality I'm trying to change.  You don't know that.  You don't care about changes I'm looking to make in my life.  You just want me to be the tool you don't have in your personal toolbox.  You know the economy is tough.  You know jobs are hard to find.  You will use me until I break.  Then you will replace me.  In the nine years we've worked together, haven't I earned some respect?  I know "work is work" and "all in eight", but I would like to enjoy the eight hours each day I am away from the home I love.

Put it on paper

I've heard it said "Take the pressure off you and put it on paper."  I think this is a statement that needs some investigating.  I'm going to use this space to investigate this saying.  The following is my story.

Yesterday a rumor circulated around my place of business quicker than s**t through a goose (my dad used to say that).  Here's the rumor... Three long-time employees were let go.  No reason given.  No two-week notice.  Nothing.  Don't let the door hit you on the way out.  Btw, this rumor ended up being true.  These 3 guys are gone.  The only rumor part is WHAT the reason for the dismissal is.

Now, I don't know about you.  In fact, I'm really not sure if anyone will see this.  But, this is scary stuff in these "tough economic times."

There are details about this situation that I won't subject the casual reader to.  However, one tiny thing is the fact that my boss is the AVP of the department these ex-employees worked under.  Now, I know I'm not informed of all business "goings on" in this business, but, occasionally, one "hears" something.  In this case, nothing.  Scary stuff.

To add insult to injury, my boss (the AVP) decides to correct me on two infractions I have committed this fine day, at the end of the day.  These infractions were small.  No long lasting problems have or will occur, but they were mistakes non-the-less.  Boy, his timing was PERFECT.  My response had a lot to be desired.  Sure I said I was sorry and would not be making those two mistakes again.  But, in my typical ISTJ manner, I had to add "Are you building a case to fire me, as well?"  Super!  Why couldn't I say sorry and leave it at that.  I've been sick to my stomach all day.  I think you can guess that this detracts from Being Happy.

What do I do?

Ok, how does one remain happy in their place of employment during this type of pressure.

It's the weekend now and I'm blogging this hoping to get this pressure off me and on to this blog.  Also, a little constructive advice would be nice, too.  Also, I talked to my husband about this issue.  He told me a management story about Type X and Type Y employees and coordinating management styles.  It is interesting to think that some managers believe that keeping their employees fearful of their employment longevity is a way to get them to work better.  I don't get my work ethic externally.  I love to do a good job and feel part of a team.  I am surprised that others don't have this motivation and only work well when watched or threatened.  But, they've done the studies, so I know it's true.  So, my guess is the managers believe all of us UN-Fired employees will start working harder so we don't become FIRED.

I'm going to go into the office on Monday, do my job, go home Monday night, and repeat this action for the rest of the week.  If Monday is my last day...  I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

And, I will pray.