Happy New Year

I guess the excitement from last week died down. Nobody was fired, but some people are skating on thin ice. That diappointed one coworker who was beaming for a day thinking someone was going to be fired. Another coworker and I were relieved. The thin ice coworker does not require a babysitter like the dingbat coworker who was smiling. At least that is settled.
I still have no plans for New Year's Eve so I probably will relax in front of the TV and play on my computer. I picked another book publisher to send my fairytale to. I have to get it ready to print, then shop tomorrow for the right envelopes. I have to wait 3 months or more for an answer. Give me time to type more on book 2. I also need to clean my apartment. Not looking forward too dirt and dust choking me up with sealed windows.
The weather warmed up this week. Some days one does not need a coat. Then a coworker was told about the monsterous earthquake causing the big waves jolted the earth off its axis. Now he is a dooms day prophet saying the euqator will not longer be the center and the rain forests will die. And the poles will melt. And we will stop orbiting the sun. And there will be another ice age and the end of the world. We told him that he smokes too much pot, or needs to smoke some to clear his head of the end of the world.
Then he asked me, history major genius, if something like this had happen before. Well, space exploration has only occurred since the 60's so I don't know. Going outside the atmosphere, we learned many ideas were wrong. The earth is not a perfect sphere, the axis is diagonal, the orbit around the sun is not a perfect oval, and magnetic poles along with star positions do change over a matter of hundreds of years. But has an earthquake shook the earth enough to shift the earth's axis before, fuck if I know. Sorry, I am not a scientist, even if people think I'm a genius. Well post later. Have a Happy New Year.

Good News

There is a God. I just heard very good news. A very cute guy has been dumped by his fiancee, on Christmas Day. Presents were passed out to the family and he asked where his gift was. His fiancee breaks up with him in front of the entire family. And I thought my loss was bad this holiday season. Can't say I'm sad for him. He has been having problems with his girlfriend since the day I met him. Get this. His fiancee is going back to her old boyfriend coming out of jail for drug trafficking. He can't hold down a job when he gets out so back to jail he goes.
I think this cutie is not that interested in me, he keeps interupting me and changes the subject. Then he was asking everyone to go out clubbing and I hollered out I would go out with him. He stated he was going to a club and changed the subject to last year's Christmas romance I had. Oh well, I have been single the past hundred years, another hundred won't kill me. Besides, I am sending my novel out to publishers to keep me happy. Post later. Happy New Year.

Christmas vacation

Hello again. I had a good Christmas weekend. I left work on time and drove to my parents' house 45 minutes away. When I lived with my parents I did that twice a day. I watched TV and talked to Mom who had to fill me in the visitation will be Monday and funeral Tuesday because that was the earliest Dad could get a coffin. Christmas Day I opened my kitty calendar from Mom, autumn floral sheets from my brother, and a money envelope from Grandma (with my Mom's handwriting). After nightmares of Mom having Grandma sign her own cards with her memory problems, I suggested that we write out her cards and just tell her that she did it. After pointing out that Grandma did not remember when she did do them, Mom agreed.
We watched Christmas movies and Mom's football games. Dad recorded a DVD onto a VCR tape and we had to explain the movie was finished, he was looking at the menu that replays the same scenes. I made cocoa and Mom asked me to finish using her old liquid chocolate. Mom never bought liquid chocolate because it cost more than the powder. Anyway, I asked Mom if she was trying to poison me. Old food can mean a year old in my parents' house. Let me put this way, my Dad slabs on butter and eats green moldy bread. It's disgusting to watch. Mom said her chocolate was bought last summer on sale. I just used the rest of it and had to add powder for it to taste right. At least I got marshmellows fresh out of a bag. My brother and I put together my computer cart to judge the size. I asked Mom her plan to transport it to my apartment. She had no plan.
Sunday we drove to my aunt's new pad in Omaha. We first entered the development with 3 story, 3 car garage houses. My cousin called it track housing in reference to track lighting. Then the houses came down in size gradually to my aunt's split level duplex with 2 car garage. Very nice place. My sister got lost and phoned with her cell phone. I opened more presents after dinner, with a battle over who sits next to me by 3 nieces. Of course we all played battle to hold the baby niece. I got flannel sheets from my sister and $25 in a Younkers jewelry box from my other sister. One sister suggested later to no longer exchange gifts between siblings, just give the nieces and parents gifts. I voiced my objection while my brother just followed along with my sister's idea. Mom said my vote did not count. I think she was sarcastic but it still hurts when she dismisses my feelings. My other sister saved the day with her objection. My cousin asked why stop the exchanging. I said my sister feels guilty with her cheapness. She defended she was trying to save us money. My other sister said we do not need to save money. My sister asked her husband's opinion. My other sister explained that he does not mess with her family gifts and she does not mess with his family gifts. I guess that settled the argument.
Monday my brother stuffed my computer cart into his car and we took it to my apartment. Parents' had a meeting with the preist. Then I realized I did not bring my keys. Oops. I called the lock out # programed into my cell phone and went over to the office for the spares. I had to explain why my keys were not locked in the apartment, they were at my parents' house. My brother saw my place for the first time. He liked it better than the last one he saw I lived in. The visitation went well and saw many relatives. I snapped a bunch of pictures and let my niece take a few. I turned on photo screen for better aiming for her. Mom was disappointed no townspeople came, just relatives. My sister said most townspeople who knew Grandma are either dead or in nursing homes. Besides it was just visitation, not the funeral service. Mom fussed over Grandma's bangs were too straight and not the way she wore her hair. Sorry, I never noticed. Grandma's brother came from the nursing home, but her sister did not. Her other 2 brothers came too.
I got up early to ready myself for the funeral. My sister's car hit a large rock and tore the oil tank. A church member who was in my sister's high school graduating class picked them up. My sister asked Mom who the guy was. My Dad likes to drive the weird or scenic way to places, and rarely goes the same way every time. This time he drove past the church that burnt down. During dinner, my baby niece slid through her high chair in a scream and I caught her (and tablecloth) right before she hit the floor. I held her a while before her Daddy picked her up from my lap. Sometimes Aunt is not good enough.
The preacher conducted the service with fond memories of my grandparents. I was sad he never mentioned her guitar, but I guess none of the relatives who spoke to him about the service brought it up. He did talk about the role reversal that occurred after Grandma's strokes and later dementia very much. I guess he was impressed of their strong love for each other. Grandpa was proud of his homemade pies and cakes he baked. Grandma would place something to cook and forget about it. She had a lot of trouble of someone serving her needs. I saw Dad take off his glasses and wipe his eyes. Even though he rarely shows emotion, I know he feels them.
Grandma had an ivory hearse take her to the cemetery. We followed in our cars. No limos for this family. We stood under a blue canopy for the blessing and someone gave out the pink roses off the bouquet. He left the red carnations. At Grandpa's internment my aunt took off the red roses and left the pink hollyhock. I thought it amusing they had hollyhock on a bouquet, many think it is a weed (like my Mom). We drove back home another weird way, a 1/4 mile shorter. Mom begged for us to take some of the funeral flowers with us. I took a pink plant and a red plant. I almost drove my sister to my job to get her a rental car until their's was fixed. We packed up my stuff and leaving when the phone rang. The insurance company said to go through whoever the dealership uses. So I spent a few more minutes with my family before leaving. It was a long day. At least Mom hardly complained. I think I heard her once tell Dad that something was his job because it was his mother. Good girl. I think this is long enough. Post later. Happy New Year.

One Fine Lady

As I did with my Great-Aunt Eleanor, I shall give you my thoughts on my Grandma Hilda Caroline. She was born December 1, 1914. The oldest of six, her sister Freida and brothers Arthur, Earl, Ivan, and Virgil came after. Hilda and Freida are German names. Caroline was Grandma's Great-Grandma who came from Germany with her missionary priest husband and children. They first came to Texas, then Iowa, and settled finally South Dakota. Some children married and stayed in Iowa and the rest did the same in South Dakota. All of Grandma's ancestors are buried in the same church cemetery she attended all her life. Grandma placed peonies (pronounced like pinies by Grandma) in coffee cans at the tombstones.

Yes my Grandma is 100% German-American. Although we never celebrated Octoberfest, all the Bibles are printed in German. Mom said Grandma's Grandpa who came from Prussia and fought in the American Civil War said after World War I that they were Americans now, we speak English. According to many witnesses, when Grandma's church decided to start conducting English worship services, many were outraged at losing their German services.
By the time I met Grandma, the only German word she spoke was when I sneezed, Gesundheit (I think on spelling). Grandma attended a one-room schoolhouse until she was 13, Grandpa survived at another one-room school until age 14. During Prohibition, Grandma said she asked her father why he made wine if it was illegal. He said, Because everybody was doing it too. The Great Depression remained vivid long into old age. Grandma said the banks in Milo closed after one foreclosed on Great-Grandpa's farm. Great-Grandpa's brother bought it at a auction so they did not have to move. She said at their poorest time she and her siblings would walk through pastures to stir the rabbits so her father could shoot them. Whatever he killed was what they had to eat.

Grandma's father one day bought a guitar and Grandma was the only one who played it. She would play as her sister sang at church socials and anywhere they could for money. The priest today mentioned Grandma was a lady because she cared about her appearance and dressed up always. Well, Grandma said that people said her sister was the pretty one while Grandma hated her buck teeth and very self-conscious of her appearance. Instead of shaving like Grandpa to remove hair, she would burn herself on the stove to remove hair. She thought she was ugly if she had hair on her arms. That is why her skin became paper thin. Later in life, Grandma had the dentist remove her corroded and crooked teeth. I only knew her with dentures.

Grandma married Grandpa during the Great Depression. A cousin drove them to a courthouse and were married with only the cousin present. It makes me feel sad that some women believe they HAVE to have a huge wedding with all the trimmings to make them the center of attention because their day must be perfect. After 60 years of marriage, they renewed their vows "to do it right" at the church they attended. The priest speaking also did the renewal as well as Grandpa's funeral. If 64 years of marriage does not say they loved each other a great deal, I do not know what would.

After they returned in 1937 as a couple, Grandpa was sick for a week. Sorry, no honeymoon in the Depression. Grandma was 23 and Grandpa was 17. Grandma said she wore a blue suit to her wedding and Grandpa wore a gray suit. And they wore the same type of clothes at their vow renewal. The couple then moved in with Grandpa's Great-Uncle Tommy, Great-Aunt Roxie, and their adopted daughter Elsie who never was married. Grandpa's parents divorced as a kid and after several years of misery and hate letters Mom found in a sewing machine drawer, Grandpa was sent to live with his mother's uncle when he was 10 and Grandpa's sister lived with another relative.

Soon, my Daddy was born. Elsie believed Daddy could do no wrong, which probably explains his arrogence. Roxie loved to make scrapbooks I enjoyed looking at and wrote in diaries. Every diary entry begins with "I did my morning chores". Grandma wrote in 5-year diaries every day until Grandpa died. My Daddy's 2 sisters came afterwards. The second sister was born the year World War II ended. Grandma's 3 brothers and a cousin came back from war. The fourth brother was too young to fight. He is only 6 years older than Daddy. So my Daddy grew in a 4-room house (kitchen, living room, bedroom, and attic bedroom) with a total of 8 people. Yet, unlike Mom, Dad has happy memories of his childhood growing up poor. They had a separate building for a summer kitchen. I never understood the purpose of a summer kitchen until my Mom started canning fruits and vegetables. I learned to stay out of the HOT kitchen during canning time.

After Tommy and Roxie died, Grandma suggested that Grandpa work for the railroad. Big money and good benefits. Mom met Elsie before she died and she still adored my Dad. They moved out of the Little Shack in the Woods and moved to a large house in my hometown. They bought their newly made house at an auction. Grandma said my aunts were terrified at the size of this house and slept downstairs for a while. Upstairs were 3 bedrooms and bathroom. Downstairs were living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom where where my grandparents slept until Dad moved out. They took over his bedroom upstairs. I think they added on a back porch. The front porch had a large porch swing I loved. Oh yes, a badly made basement Dad has to fix because every time it rains, it floods. A garage for one car and cellar next to it. My cousin and I loved running up and down the cellar door. They had spruce, magnolia, willow, awful apple, red cherry, and yellow cherry trees. The cherry trees were cut down when Grandpa rebuilt a garage. The old garage and cellar were tore up. In their place is a vinyl siding garage the size and shape of a big white barn. The only one in town.

As I recall in my childhood, Grandma loved her plants and possessed magic to cure any ailing plant. My Mom kills every plant she touches. My cousin and I loved walking along a circle of stones surrounding a flower bed. Grandma had plants everywhere. One bedroom was full of plants that we never played in it until plants started disappearing. Spring meant Grandma would ask us to stand in flowers outside and she would take our picture. Grandma played her guitar and sang nursey rhymes with interjections of our names. She was not a great singer, but we grandchildren never cared. My cousin and I danced and sang along. Grandma sewed quilts by hand and home made noodles. I did ask for her noodle recipe once, though I only made them once.

Grandma played cards with her friends and hosted the 4 of the July. She always let her grandchildren win every game we played. Once my cousin believed she was a checkers champion and challenged everyone to play with her. She lost to her brother. Her brother asked if Grandma lets her win. One thing I learned from Grandma's fragility is to help pick up toys when we are done. Making Grandma pick up the mess is rude and disrespectful. Another thing I learned is to label pictures in photo albums so the next generation knows who these people are.
Anytime Mom went shopping, we were left with Grandma for the afternoon. My little cousin came over every time she heard I was there. We had many sleepovers at Grandma's house. It was here where my cousin begged for me to tell her stories in bed. I would look around the room for ideas. Grandma's ferns became a forest and animal figurines became the characters. Her flower wallpaper became gardens where nursey rhyme figurines danced and played. Because of my little cousin, I got practice creating stories. When my parents went on a vacation when I was 13, I stayed with my grandparents. Grandma told Mom that I was the perfect angel. You can imagine Mom's shock at that. I helped with dishes (the chore I hate the most), dusting, vacuuming, and did my homework without being told. Grandma never asked if my homework was done. My grandparents traveled extentially across the highways in a motor home until Grandpa sold it. Which means tons of vacation slides in a box. Grandpa loved his home movie and slide shows. I practiced shadow puppets.

Holidays were celebrated at my grandparents house. Easter egg hunts, watermelon picnic at the end of summer, and Christmas dinner. I remember my Grandma fussing in the kitchen before dinners and sat down last. I can hear my aunt telling Grandma to sit down at dinner table because Grandma had to make sure everyone else was happy first. One day my little cousin carved our names in a magnolia tree we pretended was a house. On the tree limbs we pretend was our bedrooms, we scratched "(Our name) was here" into the bark. Last I checked, my scratches were barely visible. I dreamed as a kid I would someday bring my future husband and kids to the magnolia tree to show what I did as I kid. I guess now that will never happen. After Dad fixes the house, he will sell it.

What does one say about someone who was always around. They lived 3 blocks away so I saw regularly until I left for college. Now they both rest next to a tombstone the size of a piano (not joking). Grandpa wanted no one to be able to tip over his tombstone and his family could find him to leave flowers. I'm sure Grandma had a heart attack looking at the bill for it.
Anyway I think this entry is long enough. So now Grandma's epitaph:
The Fairie Hilda was one fine lady who had it all. Good-bye Grandma. Another candle is added to my collection. Post Later.

Troubles

Hello again. We are having troubles at work. Last Sunday, a coworker got into a fight over wanting more cars with the car cleaners. I kept my nose in my crossword puzzles while listening to the shouting. Then, my coworker goes off either venting anger or justifying himself about the fight. Well four days later, the car cleaners are still sore. Then I set them off again by blabbing this coworker said after they left that it is their job to bring whatever cars he wants. The hell it is. They correct with that it is their job to bring what we need. They told me to explain to this coworker that the car jockeys are not his personal bitches to get whatever he pleases. I said sure.
Then today I come in and can't find my timecard in the pile. Ask everyone present where it is. The bossman has it in his office with the others working last night. Then I'm inform I might be asked to occupany the bossman to his office upstairs, uh-oh. We call it the hot seat. Some others had their turn already. I guess some of the car cleaners took a trip to the mall when they were suppose to be working. Someone squealed to the owner and he saw all the car cleaners were clocked out at the same time, meaning 1 person clocked all car cleaners out. The car jockey manager asked me if they were here when they were clocked out. Um, well, let me put it this way, a coworker clocked them all out when they called over. He said, Thanks, That is all I need to know. I yelled back as he left not to tell my coworker I said that. He said he won't.
I got a stern warning not to lie to the owner if he asks about it. A coworker often says the owner does know what goes on around here. Hopefully, telling the other guy who did the clocking out might save me from the trip upstairs, according to the car jockeys. The bossman asked later when I came in and left, so he may or may not still be here. Happy Holidays. Post later. Maybe.

Grandma visit

Hello again. I finally made it to the nursing home again to see Grandma. Monday I stayed in bed all day from my bad cold. Tuesday I had to call the help center to set up my email on my computer and then it downloaded things forever. Then the news said it was icy outside with 80 accidents reported. I went out for de-icer from my car doors liking to freeze shut. After 10 hours, I shut off the still downloading computer. Then reailzed I misinterpreted the "police caught the suspect of the Rosemount fire". The night of the fire, a cop pulled over a suspicious car and the guy pulled out a sawed off shotgun. The cop killed him and then discovered searching through the car the photos of the church and lighter fluids. He was a violent lunatic with a long history of setting fires in 2 states.
I showed up at Grandma's room to see a hospice person humming to Grandma. She was sleeping, though her eyes were half opened and her mouth was hanging open. She looked awful. Copying the hospice person I sung Christmas carols as I stroked her hair. You could say I got choked up looking at her so I only stayed a few minutes. I emailed my sister 4 hours away who has yet to visit Grandma to get her ass over here to see Grandma before she dies.
I went over to my parents' house to deliver my youngest cousin's graduation card and do 3 1/2 loads of laundry. They were not home. I drove back home to get a call from Mom. They were out shopping and they saw my note I left behind. She said it was good I saw Grandma today, she passed away at 7:00. The funeral will probably be Monday. I am having a busy Christmas.
Hopefully, Mom won't be the bitch from hell she was at Grandpa's funeral. She kept sniping away at me for every little thing I did. It was more displaced anger at my Dad and his sisters for not helping out as much as she thought they should have. My Mom practically planned her father-in-law's funeral and contacted pall bearers. My Dad or his sisters never thought of contacting my Grandpa's half-siblings or their families like Mom did. I never met that side of the family. One aunt refused to write Thank You cards after the funeral. Suddenly, I'm lazy and need a better job worthy of my college education. The worst blow from Mom was "What are you going to do if you die and you have no children to give your things to?" I answered my nieces can fight over my stuff and avoided Mom the rest of the night.
I might not be posting for a while so here are my plans:
Try to cope with working tomorrow and pray no bitchy customers blow up at me. If any do, I'll be asking for assistance.
Christmas Eve is a short working day so I plan to drive to my parents' house and spend the night. I'll stay there Christmas Day.
Sunday the 26th I'll be in my aunt's new house celebrating with my Mom's side of the family.
Monday will probably be the funeral. I just realized something. My Grandma's funeral may be the last time I see my cousins on my Dad's side. They don't communicate even if my aunts' send Christmas cards. How even more sad.

Interesting people

There is a new guy at one of the car rentals next door. He was a store manager of a retail store chain in Ohio and he is now renting cars to people for a living. Interesting. He said he had originally lived here and was transferred to Ohio through the chain store. Once married with children, he did not like moving from one store to another. And then there is the stress of being a top dog. So he moved back home. I forgot how many kids he said he had.
Then I had a front row seat to an intense persuaive argument from 2 ladies next door trying to convince my coworker to fill up his gas tank, like now. He said it was almost empty, but the warning light had not come on. Besides that, it was freezing outside. The ladies said, Hey Florida boy, here in Iowa it's a real bad idea to drive around with an empty gas tank in cold weather, especially driving home on a dark highway. They said he needed to keep the tank at least half full at all times. Finally, he went across the street to get $5 worth of gas. I have amusing coworkers. Post later. Bye, Bye!

Fire Update

Hello again. I was wrong about the church fire cause. The news say it was arson and already have a suspect in custody under question of other fires too. He must be an lunatic or have too much spare time to intentionally set fire to a church in the middle of nowhere. How many around know it is even there, just local residents. Anyway, at least the bastard is in jail. The Bridges of Madison County fires are still unsolved. Those were about a year ago. Post later. Bye!

Snow!

We have Snow today! Our first snowfall requiring snowplows. I decided to stay in bed all day because I did not feel well. I was planning to visit my Grandma and Mom to give her my youngest cousin's graduation card, some medical degree. I called Mom to tell her I was not coming today. She said my sister and baby were there. Sister said Grandma kept calling the baby by my name. Then Grandma's sister fell out or jumped out of a chair and has a black eye. Otherwise, they are fine. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow. I need to be alert to drive on snow. Post later. Good-bye!

3 Wishes

Christmas will soon be here and then people will be bugging me to make New Year's resolutions. I usually say whatever comes to the top of my head to satisfy my friends. I tend not to make resolutions because I forget about them right after make them. One I did keep was No rash decisions. I managed that most of the year and still mostly follow. This pertained to a shopping habit.
This time around I'll just make 3 wishes in case I run into any genies out there next year. One wish would be to be normal. I figured out in preschool that my interests, my sensitivity, my reactions, my personality, my values contrasted with everyone else. I know I would be miserable trying to be what I'm not, but for a short time I would like to simply fit in without sacrificing everything I think and feel to be liked.
My second wish would be for a best friend. I had 2 people I labelled my best friend in my lifetime and they have the same birthday, coincidence? Both years-lasting relationships unraveled and we stopped speaking to each other. It would nice to have a best friend again to have fun with and tell all my secrets to. Sure I talk to and write to many people, but no one I completely trust. I tend to scare people away when I start opening up. And they wonder why I'm often withdrawn in my corner doing crossword puzzles instead of constant socializing. I'm not used to being so popular at work.
My third wish would be for a companion. Even though my Mom and my sister really pushed on my nerves when I lived with them, it was nice to come home and ask how their day was, plus getting sick sucks when you live alone. A cat would be wonderful to have, but a human being would make a better companion. I hate going to the movies or malls by myself, but often I have no choice.
So there are my 3 wishes for changes in my life. Hope you noticed I did not wish for a husband to take care of me like everybody else wishes on me. Post later. Bye, Bye!

Bad gift list

Hello. I read an editorial on a bad gift list today, so I give you my opinion. The writer commented how socks made the list and he disagreed. I disagree too. Christmas themed socks, slipper socks, and regular socks to someone who loses many in the wash are usually welcomed. However, if the person is like my father having a drawer full of socks he does not wear, maybe not such a good idea.

Other bad gifts mentioned were fishnet stockings, cleaning supplies (oops!), diet plans, and wigs. Guess my Magic Clean eraser promising to get crayon of walls was a bad gift. Good thing I included a bottle of perfume with it. My sister did ask why I got her the erasers, I explained the ad for the crayons. She said, Who said I had crayon on my walls? I responded with a little bird telling me. Actually, it's obvious.

The writer did a survey and included bad gifts from husbands. One wife got mad over muffin tins. For shame on her husband for paying attention. Another wife threw her cigarette lighter at her husband. Ok husbands, I get the impression from married coworkers that the price range of $50-$100 is good for a Christmas gift. That is unless, you are my father. My Mom gets chocolates in a tin container my Dad wants. One more wife got a refrigerator. I see the point that a gift for yourself is not really a gift from the receiver's point of view.

Other bad gifts mentioned: floor jack for a wife, Mr. Potato Head for a girlfriend, a lovely shirt for a friend that the gifter also bought for herself, silk sheets given in front of girlfriend's parents, a joke book for a man who drove to the other end of the country to be with his family, figurines from garage sales (among other junk) for a granddaughter. The garage sale granddaughter expressed most that it is the thought that counts and keeps every present.
A married coworker solved her problem of bad husband gifts by holding what she wants on layaway and her husband buys it. One thing I noticed that was always on her good gift list: jewelry. Sometimes she makes me jealous.

I can't really say I received what I call bad or insensitive gifts from friends or family. I have been disappointed at Christmas bonuses. One retail store gave a coupon for an extra 10% off one item purchased. A coworker made the joke of choosing between toliet paper or paper towels for the extra % off. I dropped my coupon in the trash both years I was there. Another retail store only gave bonuses after being employeed 5 years (about $20). I quit just before 3 years of service. My manager gave me a gift certificate each year, so that made up for it.

Here we have a Christmas exchange with the rental counter agents (female and male) and secretaries upstairs. Plus one female car shuttler. Secret Santa is more a female than male thing so the male bosses and male car cleaners are excluded. The owner is generous with his Christmas bonus, for full-time employees that is. One week's pay plus a $100 bill in a money folder handed to you by the owner himself. I think as part-time it was more like half a week's pay and the $100 bill. At least I don't work for the car rental next door who got new key chains in the shape of a car as their gift from the corporate office and have a potluck dinner in an upstairs conference room. I prefer mine. Post later. Good-bye!

Rosemount

In local news that actually made it into the Des Moines paper: The Rosemount church near my hometown burned down. The paper said the church celebrated its 125 anniversary in 1996. Since rural areas do not have fire hydrants, the firefighters had enough water from the trucks to stop surrounding buildings from burning. By the time the crews showed up, it was too late anyway to save the church. So firefighters leaped in with their oxygen masks and saved what they could in lesser hot areas. Some handed out artifacts to church members out of windows. The brick outer walls stand, but everything else crashed into the basement, even the cross steeple.
The paper said the members will not rebuild and will erect a shrine hall with the insurance money. The cemetery will be upkept too. I have ancestors in the cemetery. It is always sad when a historical building or house of worship burns down. The firefighter investigators think the fire started in the basement, so I think either furnace or electrical problem. Post later. Bye!

Silly me

I forgot this tale in my last entry. After I visited my Grandma in the nursing home, I stopped at a gas station since the gas was 10 cents cheaper. Well I parked so close to the pump that could barely open my door, then realized the gas cap is on the other side of the car. Lucky me that the hose just reached it. Post later. Bye!

Grandma visit

Hello again. I visited my Grandma at the nursing home today before work. Despite my Mom's warning that she is on death's doorstep, she did not appear near death. She refused to wear her oxygen nosepiece and constantly falling asleep/waking up. She sat up in a chair and walked to the bathroom and back with her walker. The walking wore her out and she panted like dog. The nurses had to lift her to her feet though. I noticed bruises on her arms near her wrists and hands, some were black. Grandma's skin is paper thin so the slightest bump bruises her. Mom thought they might be from the blood tests they took. A few days after she went into the nursing home, her red blood cell count shot down (why she has oxygen) and white blood cell count shot up (leukemia) suddenly. Don't know what happened, but I guess it doesn't really matter.
My brother came when I did so we chatted while Grandma slept. Grandma called me 3 different names, distant relatives. Grandma's sister is in same building so we saw Grandma's nephew a bit. Later, Grandma's brother came by with his wife. We had a gathering in the dining room with the 3 siblings. There was a lady yelling at the birds in a glass cage. Mom said the woman has a twin sister at another nursing home in town who does the same thing.
I need to start lifting bar bells because I almost killed my hand trying to open a new juice bottle. I ended up using the rubber drawer protector that I use on my cage bookshelf to open the bottle. Hey it works.
I got plenty from my secret santa. It ended up being a coworker I work twice a week with, no wonder she wouldn't tell who she drew from the hat. I got an easy crossword puzzle book, xmas socks, gift certificate, and things for my xmas village (all things I don't have already). Then I got a candle from a lady who retired this year. My secret santa was sick so I called her at home to thank her. I just ordered a peppermint cheesecake for my meal and a drink (no alcohol, I'm working). I wasn't sure about menu choices and freaked at the prices. I am not gourmet eater. My gift gal loved her stuff. I told her which things I painted. She said I did a good job. She like my decorated bag too.
Now I sit by myself at work and show off my presents. I have to make people jealous. My Mom called to ask how Grandma was. We talked a bit and she told me about my great-aunt's funeral. Mom is the type who never shuts up. When she started on updating me on her cousins I never met, I said my ear was sore and ended the phone call. I hate it when she talks about I don't know, sorry some of my relatives are complete strangers. Ya know she known these people all her life and forgets her children don't know them so well. I think this entry is long enough. Post later. Good-bye!

Security update

My coworker went to the snack bar a while ago and saw a woman being led away in handcuffs. He asked an airport employee what the deal was. He guessed she was stoned because she was stupid enough to think she can wait for someone's arrival beyond security with a concealed weapon. I wonder if that will be on the news tonight. Post later. Bye, Bye!

News

Hello. I have received my first rejection notice for my fairytale. It feels like a badge of courage. A coworker then asked when it is going to to made into a movie and when do I see some money to remember the little people I work with. Obviously, he misunderstood the word Rejection. That means the book publisher is not willing to read at all.
I also have another cold. Either from a coworker or my niece I babysat twice this week. Then I hear Grandma is doing poorly and is on oxygen. I wonder if they will let me out of work. Someone else asked for this day off for her stepson's birthday party. That is all I have to report now. Bye!

Good story

Hello again. A while ago the incompetent worker asked about a 2005 calendar to see which day of the week Valentine's Day is on so he can plan a trip for the little Mrs. and him. We don't have any 2005 calendars around so I looked at my cell phone calendar. Looking at it, he could not figure it out. So I look and decide it is Monday. He asked how I knew that because the days of the week are not labelled. Because all calendars begin on Sunday (in English-speaking America), therefore the second day has to be Monday. He replies, If you say so.

Another story about my coworker where the owner saved him from a customer. A lady was throwing a loud tantrum over her gift credit card not being accepted. He calls another coworker over who has the most senority, and is unofficial supervisor. Customer still dissatified with the word no and wants someone higher authority, so they give the customer complaint line #. Well, the owner shows up returning from a trip and the loud customer lays into him. He was calm as can be and explained the employee is just doing her job, our system will not accept her card. She demands his name and asks if he is really the owner, then she asks if she calls the phone # that they will say he is the owner. Yes and yes. She finally leaves after giving up and discovers the other car rentals next won't take her gift credit card either. Then the lady says the word bitch and my coworker is unsure if she meant the rental next door or herself. Anyway, the owner kinda ruined that drama. Post later. Bye!

Hate technology

Today I hate technology. Sometimes it makes life harder instead of better. I tried to install the internet onto my laptop since this cell phone has trouble connecting to things. I should have let a pro do it.
Then my sister calls asking if I want to come along to visit Grandma in the nursing home. Well, no. I may sound cold as ice, but I feel no family or moral sense of duty to visit a woman who does not know who I am nor recall my visit 2 seconds after I leave (Alzheimer's). So I babysit her baby instead and was rewarded with a 6-pack of pop. My sister wondered about the neighbors below hearing my niece's kicking and squealing. I tried to connect to the internet with a baby in my lap who kept reaching for the computer. She is not the type to be ignored.
I had to talk to a guy (after my sister left) for about 3 hours to get my internet installed, even ridding the virus detector that came with the computer. I wish I could get it back. The problem was I typed a word wrong. Then I tried setting up my email today. Had to call again and after an hour he decided it was their end having the problem with connection. Just lovely. Now I'm at work hoping for a better day. Post later. Bye!

Lightening strikes

Hello again. Lightening struck my brain, and no it did not hurt. I have a theme for my second book. I originally wanted to write on the disappearing tiger that people believe will become extinct someday from obsessive hunting them. I decided make the fierce tiger into fierce mermaids going extinct. Everybody knows they don't exist, but at one time people believed they did. I had a close relationship with a king and a wizard like King Arthur fighting the extinction of the river mermaids, but did not desire to write a prequel to explain how they met. Therefore I wrote the prequel first. So now the theme for book 2 is that extinction is not inevitable, not destiny or fate that we disappear into oblivion. Now the answer as to why that I had trouble figuring out. Why is extinction not inevitable? Because there is more than one way to solve a problem. There is my theme. Post later. Bye!

More bad news

Oprah says on her show that God never gives us more than we can handle. I disagree with that. I got an email from a friend at work whose husband is dying of cancer that she quit her job yesterday, planned her husband's impending funeral with a funeral director, and will move to her sister's home in another state I wonder if I will hear from her after she moves. Physical separation usually means emotional separation (not always). To me, this friend not only eagerly read each chapter after I finishing it, she was a new perspective on my mother. They are in the same generation and her children are about my age. A lot of my mother's point of view is foreign. I rebelled against what I was suppose to be, Mom did not. I think that it makes Mom sad that she did not fulfil her dreams, so she pushed them onto us. At least, she accepts I would make a lousy housewife, even with a rich man. What Mom did not plan was me having my own dreams. Post later. Good-bye!

Babysitting

Today I had to pull myself out of bed to babysit my niece at 2 today. The babysitter could not take her today. My sister is a school librarian and brother-in-law is a sports editor where he leaves in the middle of the afternoon and my sister returns at 5. He took a nap when I first got there so I was actually completely alone with her for over an hour.
We stayed quiet playing with baby's new Christmas toys. His family came over yesterday to exchange gifts. She got a new kitchen, wooden Classic Pooh blocks, and a rocking chair. My sister likes Classic Pooh. I like both. Everybody knows Disney puts out good cartoons. Dinnertime was a bit messy and wet, so we changed clothes. I'm sure I did not follow my sister's way of getting an outfit on, but I got on nonetheless.
When she got fussy, I read her books. Sometimes, she wants to sit in a lap. Later in the night, I did my sister's 4 baskets of laundry. She does so much for me, it was the least I could do. They were just sitting right there by the dryer. My sister gave crying baby to me while she fixed dinnner for baby (macaroni and cheese). I sang nursey rhymes and she calmed right down. I petted the cats til exhaustion. They need so much love.
Last night when I received my bad news, I did my best to hold it together at work and held back (and wiped away) a few tears. The dipshit I work with can't handle problems and I didn't want to have to call somebody to replace me a few hours before my shift was over. I do wonder if any of my customers knew I was upset. I cried on the way home. It was freezing last night when I got off work. I was glad I took out my tights from the drawer so I would remember to put them on. Then someone tells me some designer makes felt-lined pants. Can't afford new pants right now. Well better go. No more to say. Bye!

Candles

Hello again. On my prior entry I mentioned my family condemning me for lighting candles for lost loved ones because it is a Catholic tradition. I think I should further explain my family's Lutheran religion a bit more.
Alright, this is why family members hate getting into religion debates with me, I paid attention in Sunday School. Some people in my family dislike Catholics viewing it as the wrong religion and tell me I will be disowned if I marry a Catholic man when I grow up. Yeah right, nobody disowned my cousin and welcomed the Catholic groom with open arms.
Now, Lutheran religion explanation. In class someone asked about saints. Some Lutheran churches are named St. Luke, St. Mark, and my grandma's church St. Paul. The Lutheran church does not ordain its own saints nor celebrate any specific saint days. It was explained that there is one All Saints' Day celebrated in replacement of the pagan Halloween in honor of all the saints of the Roman Catholic Church. Furthermore, it was explained, that although the Lutheran Church does not bless, ordain, whatever sainthood is called, its own saints it only acknowledges saints ordained by the Roman Catholic Church (meaning Orthodox saints not acknowledged).
Alrighty, please explain why my parents' religion acknowledges saints blessed by the wrong religion. My family can't come up with one. Post later. Good-bye!

Story of a girl

I added a lit candle to my collection tonight. My great-aunt Eleanor died of leukemia tonight. I have a set of candles on my coffee tables I light every now and then to remember people I love who passed away. My family condemns me for the candles because that is Catholic thing and totally ridulous idea. Well, it makes me feel better. Just like my obession over angel decorations (before they were stolen), they remind me that these people are not so far away.
I met my great-aunt, Mom's aunt, in 1992. My Mom and Grandpa took an extensive road trip through Illinois and Kentucky to view Lincoln sites to reach Tennessee where she lived. Doing family history she discovered my great-great grandmother's maiden name was Todd and from the same town as Mary Todd Lincoln. She has yet to prove a connection from lack of history on Mary's family, everything is about Mr. President. Eleanor met her husband, whom I never met because he either died when I was little or before I was born, as an army nurse and he was in the military during or just after World War II. He was from Tennessee (I think they met in California) so that is where they settled.
I met her as a delightful old lady in a trailer park where her and her husband moved to after he retired. She taught me a new game I got addicted to, Skip-O. My nieces like it too. In the pool I kept splashing her as she sat in a pool chair, I stopped when I got her sandals wet. She was our tour guide and begged us to stay another week. We did. A year later, my Grandpa died and she flew up for his funeral. I was so happy to see her again. In Mom's letters to her I wrote short notes at the end. At Christmastime, I added my own letter to Mom's. When I went into college we became pen pals.
She constantly suggested coming down for another trip. We (Mom and I) flew down in my first plane trip for a visit in Summer 2001. This time she was in an assisted living place. Eleanor was a bit more absent-minded and they both had troubles finding places with a map. Yet she still was the delightful old lady. No Skip-O this time. I met one of her sons and his fiancee over dinner. She even talked about her husband's pipe smoking as a never ending struggle to keep it lit. One of her sons has lung cancer like her husband died of. I did not know what her husband died from before.
We remained pen pals until last Thanksgiving when Mom told me that Eleanor would not live long enough to receive my Christmas package. She was in a hospice and doubtful her children would show her any gift I send. I read her last letter to me. She was so happy in October. Her first sentence was that I was a jewel from all the holiday cards and letters I wrote her. I cried. Her children didn't write so well.
Since my Grandma died when I was 9, I firmly believed it does not matter what you say about a person when they are dead, it matters when they are here. Eleanor knew how much I loved her. I will always miss her. From experience, that feeling never goes away.
Eleanor's epitaph I wrote at work:
The Fairie Eleanor met her prince charming in an army jacket. Years later she met an angel who became the jewel of her life. Good-bye forever Eleanor.

Aha moment

I read Aha moments in my Oprah Magazine every month therefore, I'll share one of mine.
It was December1987. My oldest niece was born and I became an aunt at age 12. The summer before my oldest sister graduated college with honors and then got married. I was a junior bridesmaid. Like all relatives do, I dreamed what she would be like, what our relationship would be like, etc. I desired a strong soul to follow her dreams, full of confidence because she will always be surrounded by love.
Time went on and I once commented to my sister that she is Just Like Mom, distant when her girl eagerly wants her to play and snaps into rage quickly. Naturally she was insulted and I gave all the similarities I could think of to back up my statement. I went to visit the next two summers for a week to spend time with the now toddler. Trust me when I say toddlers obey as often as teenagers, only toddlers can not understand why they must not stick their fingers into a running fan.
Then it happened, I was watching TV as my niece played on floor (Just Like Mom). I looked down when she suddenly became quiet. She was gone. I searched the house to see the back sliding door opened. That brat. I went outside and cried her name. No answer. I then went to the front of the place (townhouse) and still no niece. Panic erupted and I made my few pleas to God to help me find her. I will pay more attention to her and love her forever I promised. After a few minutes screaming her name at the top of my lungs and asking a boy walking a dog if he saw a little girl, she came around the bushes pushing a stroller with her dolls in it.
Of course she did not understand why I grabbed her and covered her face with kisses, but did not reject them. I explained to her age 2 mind that she scared me when she went outside. She said she heard me yelling her name, but I did not hear her tiny voice responding to it. I tried to further explain she can get hurt outside and I can not help her sitting inside.
I did pay more attention to her and somehow realized that I would have to start behaving like the person I wanted her to be. I even passed a test of my love when her sister was born. Unlike everyone else who fussed over the baby, I never ignored the first one. When her younger sister started tailing me too, I realized that I may not have a choice whether I am my nieces' role model or not, but I can choose what type of role model I will be. My Mother observed last summer that my oldest niece's personality is so much like mine. My response: Gee, I wonder how that happened? The End
P.S. I want my nieces to follow their own dreams so I am fulfilling my own by writing stories for them.

Awkward situation

Hey there. I start to wonder if a certain weirdo is reading my blog. I overhead questions asked reflecting yesterday's entry. If so, I know where he got this blog address. The only person who asked for it when I told coworkers I started a blog. I even begged this person to report what it looks like because on my tiny cell phone I only see the words. I wrote the address 3 times and this person never had the time to glance at it. Well this person is no longer my friend. Of course I am always pleasant to this weirdo, most the time when I'm not distracted. I am a professional sales clerk. I'm real good faking emotions for the customers, even though I'm really not interested in their life story. One old man with a cane answered the question, if the additional driver lived with him, with his son has lived with him for 20 years (or whatever amount of time) since his wife left him. I did not not need to hear that. I simple Yes would have been enough.
Furthermore, I amaze being very polite and mild-mannered even with jerks coming to me saying, Hey you, I need a car, now. I just refuse to let most people get to me. It took me many painful years to figure this out, Some people are just jerks to everyone so I stopped take rude behavior personally. Generally speaking, coworkers figure out they are not my favorite person, I'm just polite and sociable.
The most annoying person I ever met had the habit of transferring phone calls he dialed to the intercom system. After the third time in one evening hearing my voice on the intercom saying Thank you for calling so and so, may I help you, I really lose my sense of humor. Thenafter, when I was vacuuming the floor, I stopped it to answer the phone to hear, For oral sex please press 2. I cried out to a nearby gal, Am I not under enough stress, I have to deal with him too. Well I better get to reading my Oprah Magazine now. Good-bye! Post later.

Pondering

I might have too much spare time on my hands to ponder about the impending Iraqi elections. The thought that just hit me is this: What makes the assholes in Washington so positive that a military coup will not occur once American politicans decide to pull out of Iraq? After all, that is how Saddam obtained his presidency. Coups make appear to take place in a day, but take years to plan. Besides, the conniving and agressive pit bulls tend to win elections, at least in the U.S.
I also wonder if many of these radical and get Americans out Muslims not know, how as Americans say, be a wolf a in sheep's clothing. Though why would any Muslim pretend to gain the favor of American politicans. Umm, they benefit from it. Need I remind people how American politicians supported the axis of evil Saddam during the Iran verses Iraq war, because politicans support the lesser of 2 evils. Then in the Gulf War we were fighting our own 10-year-old weapons. Talk about STUPID. Then again politicians are not the smartest people on the planet, they just tell voters what they want to hear during elections to maintain power. No one studies history, except me. Next came the overthrowing of Saddam and the plan to give these Iraqis forced freedom from tyranny. Does that not sound like an oxymoron?
Though I wonder how long it will take for a draft to get enacted. There are soldiers in eastern Iowa refusing to go to Iraq under threat of being discharged and controversy here in my city when several soldiers failed drug tests to get out of serving in Iraq. The Army dismisses it as a few bad apples. All I have to say is that a few bad apples have a way of spoiling the whole barrell. Mr. Bush might change his mind on the draft if more volunteer soldiers refuse their orders. That could complicate things. Feel free to argue with me, I'm a big girl. Post later. Good-bye!

Feeling old

Hello again. Yesterday, a coworker of mine was depressed her stepdaughter turning 9 this week. She felt so old, she turns 30 next month. I tried to make her feel better telling my oldest sister (I have 2) turns 40 today. That makes me feel old. When that did not have the desired effect, I tried again. I said, You want to know what's really depressing, my oldest niece who turned 17 last week is taller than me. As of last summer with the 2 of us taking off our shoes and struggling to make our back straighter, she was a hair taller than me. I think I made her feel better. Sometimes my coworkers and I play Who has the crazier family, Who has the more pathetic life, Who is poorer. Sometimes I win, sometimes they win. Post later. Bye!

Busy bee

Sorry I have not posted this week. I have been a busy bee. Last week at work, my coworker came up with a theory why people commit suicide this time of year. Not from depression or loneliness, it is the Christmas music played 24 hours all over the place drives people crazy enough to kill themselves. I saw he point. I told her about the freak next door who needs to walk me to my car. I was scraping ice from my windows when I looked up he was in his car staring at me. Don't know what he was waiting for, but he drove away.
Well she took it upon herself to go to one of His coworkers and casually asked her if she thought the freak was a little strange. She did agreed he is on strange side. My coworker proceded to tell her that he freaked Me out one night hanging around for half an hour after he was clocked out just to walk me to my car. She said she will tell him that he needs to be at the counter, not out socializing. My coworker says everyone else thinks he is odd too, so it is not just me. I feel a little better.
My days off were spent out shopping (about 5 hours), wrapping presents (about 4 hours) while watching my new movies, and getting my secret santa stuff ready. Since I do a lot of craft projects, I tried to get rid of objects. I painted a ceramic ornament and covered it with glitter fabric paint, added Christmas foamies (foam paper) precut in tree and candy cane shapes to my bright pink gift bag (I added gold paint), I twisted red and white pipe cleaners for candy cane ornaments, wrote my secret santa's name on a gold ball, glued bows to small bells, placed in a beanie baby reindeer ornament, and stuck my gift receipt in her black gloves (in case they don't fit or she doesn't like them). I think that is about it. Working with men I noticed the women go all out and men are more cheap with like, 1 or 2 items.
I am starting to not like shopping for winter clothing anymore. Almost everything is made from 100% acrylic or polyester. I can't stand acrylic, wool, or polyester. I can tolerate polyester if it is combined with at least 60% cotton. I can tolerate spandex and nylon though. Please don't ask why, it is just the way my skin is. When I was carrying around the black gloves,, I grabbed a red pair for myself since they felt so soft. I should have looked at the label because soon my hands were burning with what I call "the itchies". I put my pair back and hurried to the cash register so I could I could stop touching them.
The third day I did laundry at my sister's house. I brought pizza from the day before. I wanted stuffed crust from Pizza Hut, but that only is made in a large. Drat. I told my sister all this will take time for puny me to eat, so she took it all but one piece for me, which I ate the next day for breakfast/dinner. Contrary to popular belief orange juice and pizza tastes good. I remembered to bring her Christmas card, then she didn't open it. I made a big stink how I tried to remember all week because I forgot last week, and then she does not read my letter. I can be a dramatic actress sometimes. She loved my Christmas letter. Every loves my letters. A coworker thought it amazing I recall so much. Trust me when I say I think about my letter for weeks before writing it down and review the calendar to help jar my memory.
I had good news to report to my sister. I won my battle with the phone company about the unaccepted charges from a company I never heard. After calling these scammers 3 times and only got a voicemail, the phone company operator removed the charges and gave me a new total. My argument was How am I suppose to get this company (scammers) to remove charges if I can't get ahold of them. She even asked about the new internet charges placed on account. I said As of last night, I did add internet to my computer. Though I have to wait a week for the modem to show up. Hopefully I can figure out installing it. If not, I can call my brother (electrical engineer) for help. I plan on having it firewalled to a T hoping to not get a virus or worm. I only have my fairytale and photos from my digital camera on it so a thief would not gain much.
I learned at a shoe store I used to work at not to have valuables acessible to thieves. A couple of customers got into the backroom once and stole my coworker's wallet and keys out of her coat. My purse was locked in a drawer and I I thought nothing was missing after rifling through it. Then on, I make sure I never have more than $20 in my purse, to the annoyance of my family when traveling together. Most places accept credit cards (only carry when I know I will use), and I hate writing out checks. In Iowa, they stopped placing social security numbers on driver's licenses the past couple years. The only time one needs their social security card is when they get a new job. I read that free annual credit reports were granted by the Supreme Court some time ago. Though I wonder what the point is getting these free reports if the credit bureaus refuse to correct errors. I can see why identity theft is prevalent. Very few retailers actually look at the back part of a credit card for the signature, to my annoyance. After customers thanked me for checking their ID, I made it a practice to thank cashiers when they check mine (I have CID-see photo ID with no empty space on mine because I want cashiers to ask for it) because people like positive reenforcement. I saw a customer's credit card with CID once and thought it was cool. I make sure a thief would not gain much taking my purse. I noticed in the police reports last year that robbers are getting more high tech by using stun guns instead of pistols in parking lots.
Last night, I had to put up with a lot of teasing from a car rental next door about Mr. Freak liking me. Yeah, I figured that out already. She thinks he is a pedaphile. I don't know about that, I just think he's strange. I also have been getting in the habit of moving my car to another lot he can't park in. I casually told him in the winter, we move our cars closer later in the night when all the cars have been returned so we don't walk as far. He wasn't pleased at that. Sorry, winter gets cold here so I'm not lying about the moving cars.
I think this is long enough. Post later. Good-bye.

People Magazine

I bought a People Magazine last night when I got more cough medicine. Yeah, my cold is clinging on for dear life. I woke up at 8:30 this morning and read through it. I knew I shouldn't since I need entertainment on Saturdays. I had to read the article on Julia Roberts. I love Julia Roberts. She is much like like me. Dark hair tinted lighter, brown eyes, and light skin in addition to living a simpler life offstage, at least that is what magazines say. I always liked strong women who don't feel the need to follow the crowd, to date she has never done a nude scene when practically everyone else strips immediately. I admire her for that. So I went back to bed an hour later and got up again at 1 to get to work on time. I listened to an Elvis love song in the car to here and wished to be in love again. Last time was a year ago. Gee, has it been that long?
My janitor friend stopped by to collect garbage and later came back to ask if I was upset over something because I wasn't too friendly when he stopped by earlier. I was helping a customer when he came by earlier, sorry I was distracted. I'm in my normal mood today. I hate it when people want my full attention when I'm busy helping a customer. I think only twice I snapped "Do you not see the person in front of me?" at my coworkers.
Tomorrow my shift will by nonstop customers. Ugs, ESPN, among others are renting a bunch of cars. Other rentals will be busy too. The owner and his brother will be here to shuttle cars back and forth. I guess it is a good thing not to see my boss very often. Sometimes I forget what he looks like. Last time I saw the bossman, he was returning from a horserace. He was happy one of his horses got into the paper, 2nd to last page. He has a stake in 3 racehorses. I probably won't be seeing him much tomorrow because he will be outside with the boys.
Well not much else to report today other than browsing web journals to pass the time. Think I'll work on the People crossword puzzle. 3 1/2 hours to go. Bye!

Scammed

I have the pleasure of being scammed on my phone bill. A company I never heard of has claimed I accepted voicemail service from them. FYI-I screen all phone calls with an answering machine so this did not happen. I call my phone company to be informed these scammers are an independet company billing through my phone company so they can do nothing about it. I call the scammers to leave a message on their voicemail. Call the phone people back stating I left a message, but unsure if they will remove the charges if I can't get ahold of them. I state I will not pay for these charges. I am told to pay for the unwanted service because they will keep charging each month if they do not remove the charges. Excuse me. Last time I checked service providers shut off unpaid services. I guess scammers do not. So the phone person said he would place a note stating I'm disputing these charges. I have to wait til Monday to call scammers again. Offices closed on the weekend. We shall see what happens. I forgot the word for this scam is, like stacking charges hoping people don't look at their bills closely. This one made my phone bill double, so you can count on me bitching about it.
On a better note, we have new chairs at work. Soft gray fabric and foot rest bar thing. I like them, they are squooshy cushions. Though one must sit on it to lower the seat when one pulls up a lever. Hopefully our car washers will stay off them. They end up breaking the chairs when the play with the up and down lever when they get bored.
I sent a birthday email to my oldest niece, she turns 17 today. Nothing else to report. Post later. Bye!

Winter Wonderland

Here at the airport I'm walking in a winter wonderland. Every car rental has decorations up. Fiber optics are the thing here along with garlands with lights. I got my bubble lights and colored string lights up on the wall so my living room is a winter wonderland too. I sit at work listening to Christmas music. Though I do wonder how My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music is viewed as a Christmas tune. Last time I watched the movie it was sung during a summer thunderstorm.
I almost forgot to do laundry last night. I just ate supper, had candles lit, and Christmas lights turned on, when I sat down to realize I forgot laundry. I called my sister to ask if it was too late to come over. No, but her daughter was asleep. We caught up to each other when the baby cried. Talk about a fussy baby. I told her a janitor I speak to gave a wedding planner book saying it is never too early to plan for it. I threw it away saying I would like a groom first before planning a wedding. A coworker asked when I was having children, not until I get a boyfriend (I'm not the Virgin Mary). I thought later I should have asked him back when he is having children, he has been married 3 years.
I had Bible beaters knock on my door at 8 at night to invite me to their Bible study. I told them I am atheist, it is an easier understandable word than anti-organized religion. I had a Christmas wreath on the door so the guy continued with that I apparently believe in Christ if not God. Well, it is more following delightful traditions than believing in Christ as the Son of God. But I just said, sure I believe in Christ, but not go to church out of rebellion against very religious parents. When discussing religion with others I tend toward the least confrontational responses. My Mom and brother soon regret arguing theology when I stump them with questions they can't answer or prove with a Bible passage. They give up saying I'm just being difficult. Anyway, when I finally got them frustrated enough to want to leave the speaking Bible beater assured me that when I die that I will meet God alone and I won't get into heaven from not fufilling God's requirements. Rebelling against parents is not a good enough excuse. I said ok with a smile and closed the door.
On a better note, an email I sent to the Oprah Magazine is going to be published in the February issue. I'm excited. I sent dozens of opinions and responses to the magazine and never had one published. My sister freaked when I told her the email I sent said after reading a sad story about civil war in an Africa country where many women are being raped. It had a card to send to ask this group collecting stories of these atrocities to ask these victims to share their tales with the world. The article made me cry and I tore out the card to send, and then donated money to the group who help women around the world in war torn areas. I can spend less on Christmas decorations.
My sister misunderstood me and thought this group was soliciting money from me by email. They are a scammers she said. I retell my tale with no one is solciting money from me. She thought a group advertising in Oprah's magazine must be legit. She still is not listening. I finally gave up saying my letter to the magazine will be published in a future issue and I trying to explain to her what my email said. Aaargh.
I mailed out my Christmas and packages out. I am an early bird so I have less stress during holiday seasons. I discovered a macihine at the post office that weighs packages and prints out stickers to place on them to mail. Cool, no more lines at the counter. One lady I saw had 2 huge boxes going to Iraq, the price was $30, Yikes! I think this post is long enough. Post later. Merry Christmas to all my readers and have a Happy New Year. Good-bye!

Winter Wonderland

Here at the airport I'm walking in a winter wonderland. Every car rental has decorations up. Fiber optics are the thing here along with garlands with lights. I got my bubble lights and colored string lights up on the wall so my living room is a winter wonderland too. I sit at work listening to Christmas music. Though I do wonder how My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music is viewed as a Christmas tune. Last time I watched the movie it was sung during a summer thunderstorm.
I almost forgot to do laundry last night. I just ate supper, had candles lit, and Christmas lights turned on, when I sat down to realize I forgot laundry. I called my sister to ask if it was too late to come over. No, but her daughter was asleep. We caught up to each other when the baby cried. Talk about a fussy baby. I told her a janitor I speak to gave a wedding planner book saying it is never too early to plan for it. I threw it away saying I would like a groom first before planning a wedding. A coworker asked when I was having children, not until I get a boyfriend (I'm not the Virgin Mary). I thought later I should have asked him back when he is having children, he has been married 3 years.
I had Bible beaters knock on my door at 8 at night to invite me to their Bible study. I told them I am atheist, it is an easier understandable word than anti-organized religion. I had a Christmas wreath on the door so the guy continued with that I apparently believe in Christ if not God. Well, it is more following delightful traditions than believing in Christ as the Son of God. But I just said, sure I believe in Christ, but not go to church out of rebellion against very religious parents. When discussing religion with others I tend toward the least confrontational responses. My Mom and brother soon regret arguing theology when I stump them with questions they can't answer or prove with a Bible passage. They give up saying I'm just being difficult. Anyway, when I finally got them frustrated enough to want to leave the speaking Bible beater assured me that when I die that I will meet God alone and I won't get into heaven from not fufilling God's requirements. Rebelling against parents is not a good enough excuse. I said ok with a smile and closed the door.
On a better note, an email I sent to the Oprah Magazine is going to be published in the February issue. I'm excited. I sent dozens of opinions and responses to the magazine and never had one published. My sister freaked when I told her the email I sent said after reading a sad story about civil war in an Africa country where many women are being raped. It had a card to send to ask this group collecting stories of these atrocities to ask these victims to share their tales with the world. The article made me cry and I tore out the card to send, and then donated money to the group who help women around the world in war torn areas. I can spend less on Christmas decorations.
My sister misunderstood me and thought this group was soliciting money from me by email. They are a scammers she said. I retell my tale with no one is solciting money from me. She thought a group advertising in Oprah's magazine must be legit. She still is not listening. I finally gave up saying my letter to the magazine will be published in a future issue and I trying to explain to her what my email said. Aaargh.
I mailed out my Christmas and packages out. I am an early bird so I have less stress during holiday seasons. I discovered a macihine at the post office that weighs packages and prints out stickers to place on them to mail. Cool, no more lines at the counter. One lady I saw had 2 huge boxes going to Iraq, the price was $30, Yikes! I think this post is long enough. Post later. Merry Christmas to all my readers and have a Happy New Year. Good-bye!