Donor fatique

As my niece napped, I read the newspaper. One story was about donor fatique. I never of that before. Apparently local charities are familiar with it. When a big disaster occurs requiring everyone in the world to donate to the cause of cleaning up the mess left behind causes other charities helping the local poor feel less given to them. Raises in gas prices don't help either.

The paper said there are 1200 Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Iowa, living in hotels with food supplies, clothes, medical care, education for their children, and job search services. One engaged couple got married from area businesses pitching in donated supplies. They plan to stay here instead of moving back to the coast.

I believe there is donor fatique, my purse is virtually empty. I did notice after September 11 that when the donation can was empty, it stayed empty most of the day. But when I opened the store and placed the few coins in my purse in the can, people tossed their coins and a few bills in too. I heard of giving until it hurts. I guess donors are saying it hurts. Post later. Bye!

Costume shopping

I shopped around for Halloween costumes. One Flapper outfit I bought last year I didn't realize looking at it through the package that the dress was see-through. Found a good replacement for it this time that is not see-through, only it is so short I'm scared to wear it to work because I'm sure all men will be looking up it. We sit on high stools at least 4 feet off the ground.

I noticed most women's costumes contain super short dresses; like black cat, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, nurse, prisoner, witch to name a few. It makes me wonder if these costume designers are aware that some women wear underpants (bras too). At least the Renaissance fair maiden costumes are floor length like they are suppose to be. A Tinkerbell fairy costume would be required short of course, along with the Playboy bunny.

I also got a black cat jumpsuit and cat nose for my work costume. I just need a tail. I got a large fuzzy Cat in the Hat hat when I went to an amusement park this summer with my nieces. So it was that day I chose my costume for this year. I have Halloween Monday off so perhaps I talk a certain gal at the car rental next door into barhopping and try to win a costume contest in my flapper costume. Post later. Bye!

Please no palm oil

I read in the newspaper today an article about orangutans were disappearing from loss of habitat in SE Asia because forests where they live are being destroyed by palm oil farming. It projected Zero orangutans left by 2010 to 2012 if the present course is continued. Please read your food labels at the ingredients, required in America by law, for palm oil. Sure some may say they are just apes, but losing animals forever is never a good thing. They can't come back you know. Plus don't buy tropical hardwoods for furniture like Teak the newspaper said, another cause of deforestation.

If deforestation or loss of habitat is difficult to imagine actually impacting species survival skills, let me try to come up with an analogy to explain the animal point of view.

Now image, yes I am being serious, image you are at home with your family and neighbors dropping by to say hello. Next, someone enters your neighborhood and destroys your home and your neighbors' homes with a bulldozer followed by chopping down trees and uprooted sidewalks. Then your food supply perishes as someone plants a soybean field over the dirt of what was your home and neghborhood. How do you survive in a soybean field with the farmers shooting at you to protect their investment while you search for food? Naturally, you would move to greener pastures since their is no court, no city council, and no governor willing to take on your cause to gain your home back. The problem is greener pastures is already occupied. With an increase of competition for resources (food, shelter, females), how will you survive and prosper when everyone else is also trying to one up you? The pie can only be cut into so many pieces you know. Have I explained the orangutan's view well enough? You do not really expect them to live on a palm tree farm with only oil palm seeds to eat and protective farmers, do you? Post later. Bye!

Entertainment

Tonight held entertainment for us car rental agents at the airport, for about 5 minutes. An airline customer was yelling about his lost luggage and from a distance of about 50 feet we could every word he screamed. Empty cement rooms tend to echo. Then security appeared and we gawked as if watching a soap opera to see if anything else is going to happen. The customer was going off at the security who tried to explain why he was there, "I am here to settle a dispute between you and her." I heard him say. This guy was not giving up and refusing to leave. We tuned in to see if handcuffs were going to come out, but they didn't. Unfortuntely, a flight came in and drowned the noise the customer was making. Then the guard left as the room filled with passengers waiting for their luggage. End of story. Our lives are so boring that we regard things like that as entertainment. Post later. Bye!

Oprah Magazine

I got my Oprah Magazine today. I read it twice before setting it aside. It was about aging gracefully, it comes ready or not. Like most of the issues, it makes one examine yourself. I often hear on TV shows and movies how Grandma would beat the character with her cane if the character ever disrespected her or did something terribly wrong, sending the message that a frail woman is not afraid of her bigger and stronger grandchildren. Though neither of my grandmas ever walked with a cane, both protected me when I did wrong. They were full of love and could sniff out when something was bothering me. It never occurred to me that these strong and powerful women were fragile creatures. I mean strong in their spirit to weather any storm. I mean powerful in the context of making clear to their children that they are not too big to help clear the dinner table.

And I never thought my wonderful grandmas as ugly old hags. Sure they had gray hair and wrinkles along with the bad back, but I believed they were beautiful women. I learned early in life to respect my grandparents because they know more than little me and see around corners I never knew existed. My Mom always stressed good manners around my grandparents and never leave a mess of toys for them to pick up. I certainly never liked friends who never helped me pick up when they played at my house. Another thing the magazine mentioned was fear. Fear itself is worse than the thing we fear happening, aging. At least that was the message I recieved.

My best example of my Mom's Mom teaching me to face my fears occurred accidently when I refused to help Grandma do the laundry. Mom gave a stern lecture about being lazy and ungrateful. I grabbed the laundry bag and followed Grandma into their dungeon basement draggig it on the steps. My brother had informed me of monsters in their basement, huge spiders the size of my hand and rats the size of dogs. At age 3 one believes everything one is told, why do you think they are afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? So I crept down the steps gripping the handrail terrified of being eaten by monsters and wondered if Grandma could fight them. Halfway down, Grandma turned around asking why I was acting so scared to come with her, I told ya she sniffed things out of me. I explained in tears what my brother said and Grandma just laughed. She gripped my tiny hand and I dragged the laundry bag on the floor as we stepped down into their spooky pitch black basement. I jumped at the sound of water rushing through the pipes asking if the monster was sleeping. She turned on the light and behold, no monsters. Just a cement room with cobwebs and a chirping cricket under the dryer Grandma squished with her shoe later when the dryer shook. And jars of food on the walls. I learn to face fear instead of being crippled by it that day. Often things are not as bad as they seem, including aging. At least I got my brother in trouble for an hour, he deserved it. Post later. Bye!

Freaky

As if I didn't need more proof that a guy at work I regard as Freak was weird, my coworker informs me of her conversation with him while covering my shift.

He walked by and asked her what she was doing after work. She answers and he wants to tag along. She explains bluntly that she was not inviting him to come along, she was simply answering a question. Then asks what he was doing after work. He has not spoken to her since.

Now what did she do they I haven't to shake off this pest I can seem to rid myself of. I swear he is like a fly that keeps landing on the same spot no matter how many times one swats at it. Post later. Bye!

Poor manager

My poor manager. She had to put one of her dogs to sleep (she has 3 or 4 dogs). Then she found 4 dead rabbits in her yard and guessed the dogs killed them. Next she found nearby a baby bunny she guessed 10 days old because its eyes were still closed. She has been feeding it substitute milk with an eyedropper. She does not expect it to survive. Poor baby bunny. I emailed her asking how Thumper was doing. She has not responded yet. Post later. Bye!



Update: Bruce the Bunny died the next day. My manager buried it in the backyard next to its siblings and mama rabbit. Poor bunnies.

Online dating

I have registered for an online dating service to meet men I can't seem to find. I have received several matches and now question this compatible selecting process. I keep getting matched with men exactly like me. Married couples I know are polar opposites, every one. I'm unsure how well a romance is going to work dating my twin. Ya know what I mean. Example: If you considered yourself very timid and shy, wouldn't you desire someone who is more outgoing than yourself. That is probably why there are no sparks between me and my matches. I paid for a month so I have to see what happens. Then again it could be that there is no man meant for me like everybody around says. Post later. Bye.

Halloween greeting cards

I missed making cards so much I started with Halloween cards. I used to make cards for coworkers at other jobs, but then ran into the "Why do I get the yellow one?" attitude. I swear my greeting cards turn into a contest between coworkers. It is just a piece of colored paper. I actually had a coworker complain to management about my deranged Easter bunnies because they didn't resemble real bunnies. My defense was stating that the store manager enjoyed his deranged bunny card (so did everyone else). One manager of mine felt guilty from all the cards she gets, but doesn't give any cards to me. I do it because I enjoy it. I don't really expect people to go out of their way to make me a card. One job I completely stopped giving out cards from too many bitchy attitudes. If they aren't going to appreciate the fact I spend 15 minutes to make one card just for them , I will just give cards to my family and pen pals who say "Thank you". That is all I ask. People ask if it cost less to make all these cards. No, actually it cost 2 or 3 times as much than buying 99 cent cards at a discount store.

Then I got lazy with this job printing cards off the computer to make more from the "Why don't I get one?" response. I had to put up boundaries of who gets one. Coworkers at my car rental get individual ones and then one card for each car rental. Plus the janitors I talk to and a baggage transporter who says hello to all the car rentals. I try not to leave people I know out. Sometimes I'll add something extra for childen of coworkers, but not always. This time I printed a picture they can color with crayons. My cards this year have 3-D stickers and pictues I cut out from printing them off my greeting card maker on my computer. Their name on the envelope and my name on the card are written with a paint pen. I think they look cute. We shall see if everyone else likes them too. Post later.

Rejection #4

I received my 4th rejection notice for my novel I wrote for my niece. When I emailed my family sharing the news I added: Before you try making to make me feel better by actually making me feel worse, most authors are rejected 100 times before they are published. Onto publisher #5. If I give up now, I'll never be published. Post later. Bye!

Oh my God

Tonight a car rental gal next door left work suddenly because her son was taken to the hospital. He was umpiring a company baseball game, between two companies, when he called a player from the other team out. This guy disagreed with the decision, grabbed a baseball bat, put the son in a headlcok, and beat the shit out of him. Talk about a severe anger management problem. The guy was arrested for assault and battery. I wonder if that will make tomorrow's newspaper. Luckily, the son only had tons of bruises and no broken bones. That's the most excitement we had tonight at work. Post later. Bye!

One month down

I'm playing the waiting game with publisher #4. It's been one month since I sent in my story idea to them. You can find it under thehermitnovel.blogspot.com or look in my profile at my other blogs. I'm hoping and praying my improved version catches their attention. I read my story over so many times my head is about to explode and I can't stand to look at it anymore. Well, onto book 2 of my saga. Working on that should help while I wait, I'm full of patience. Post later. Bye!

Fall is here

The temperature dropped from the 90's to the 80's to the 70's this past week. Fall is here. Farewell to summer. I wore my jacket to work today with my winter workshirt. I got out my winter pj's from storage. Next week I probably will have to get out my long-sleeved shirts and put away my tank tops. Then bring out my boots from the back of the closet. In another month or so when the temperature reaches the 50's, I will tape plastic to my windows to insulate it more. Apartments never have heat efficeint windows. Why should apartment owners care what renters pay for heat during the winter, they're not paying the bill? Last winter my electric bill was resonable.

In winter, sometimes a story like a landlord not fixing something so renters have to use their ovens to heat their apartment comes on the news. Yeah, that is when one gets a lawyer. Once I had a broken thermostat when I was in college that my landlady refused to fix (among other things), but my parents were not smart enough to know that was illegal for the landlady to do (at least I think that would be illegal). My Mom did complain to the electric company about the very high bill, but of course the electric company can not force my landlady to fix anything. My Mom got a lesson that not everyone is sweet and honest as her. I do wonder often what planet she lives on. It still astonishes her how rude customers can be with sales clerks. Post later. Bye!

Learning to crochet

I learned to crochet today. Chaining, single crocheting, and double crocheting. The cookie jar was filled so they did not need me to bake more. The assistant supervisor taught me. I instantly picked it up since it really is not difficult, just takes time to get use to it and remember what you were doing when a sneeze attack erupts or someone asks you a question. Somehow I attract wise guys to me trying so hard to stump me with their questions. I have had practice coming up with snappy answers. Next Tuesday, she will present patterns to pick a project for me to do.

Anyway, while trying hard to ignore the phone ringing every 5 minutes with an 800 number popping up on my caller id to have them keep hanging up when they hear my answering machine, my Mom calls. I told her about my phone calls being the only real excitement today besides learning how to crochet. I would think after an hour this 800 number would stop calling, but no, telemarketers never give up. My Mom had to call to inform me she was still planning to come visit my volunteer position. I told her that I won't be hurt or heartbroken if she never shows up there. Perhaps, since my Mom and my sister were the hardest on me trying to publish my novel that they feel it is important to appear at my volunteer position to show support in another way. My sister was very insistant on coming too, which she did with my brother a while ago. My Mom wanted to come to my apartment and ride with me to the place. I told her that she can sit on the furniture in my volunteer house when she is done looking at everything. I won't mind. Post later. Bye!

Governor's announcement

I read in today's newspaper that our governor has concluded and announced that Iowa is a safe haven for terrorists. Apparently the newspaper people were not surprised enough to place the article in the center of the newspaper section. I already know that so it is not exactly news to me.

You ask how the middle of nowhere most people never heard of would be a safe haven for terrorists looking for soft targets? Let me explain.

First we had a brain drain of college graduates leaving the middle of nowhere for better jobs elsewhere leaving behind the low-paying jobs to be taken up by the immigrants who have seen the governor's (past and present) advertisements trying to seduce people to come live here. Usually, illegal immigrants are discovered when they are arrested, but because of that habeas corpus thing in the law system the illegal immigrant is bailed out and long gone by the time the Immigration Office is notified.

Then, we have a large methamphetamine problem. If you are unaware, the ingredients to make meth are also used to make bombs which should explain the explosions of meth labs on the news.

Next, the fact that 40% of troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are from Iowa, the highest percentage of troops than any other of the 49 states. Many of those called to serve in foreign wars are police officers, sheriffs, fire fighters, a teacher, and even a congressman who leave gaping holes in homeland security forces straining to the same amount of work with less people. This should explain the large meth problem from depletion of enforcement gone to fight the war on terror.

Besides that, many people outside the Midwest often confuse Iowa with Idaho or Ohio. If terrorists bomb any of our plentiful soft targets, many reporters would be asking "Where's Iowa?". I can not imagine much media coverage if we had a terrorist attack. Though, the middle of nowhere does make a good place to hide, wouldn't it?

Least we forget, Hurricane Katrina has proven our government at any level can not handle a crisis. On the top of that, we have a president who follows the philosophy of the tale "The Emperor's New Clothes" by surrounding himself with only people who agree with him and rejects anyone who criticizes him. And people elected this jerk for his stance on morality and standing up for what he believes in. The newspaper said the president never visited any of the victims of the hurricane living in misery in shelters or swimming in the flood waters to get to safety. He flew in a helicopter and only spoke to official people in charge. I believe that. Post later. Bye!

Even better cute sayings

If you like these check out entries Cute sayings, More cute sayings, and Even more cute sayings in my blog.

If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.

Grandchildren are the reward you get for not strangling your teenagers.

Husband for Sale, comes with Flat Screen TV and Remote Control.

I got a cat for my husband. It was a fair trade.

Oh shit...I have become my mother.

No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.

Do you want to speak to the man in charge or the woman who knows what is going on?

With luck and planning I'll reture at 149.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. It will be enough.

A good lawyer knows the law. A great lawyer knows the judge.

If a man says something in a forest and there is no woman to hear him, Is he still wrong?

Good graduation plague:
Take time to work, it is the price of success.
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret to perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream, it is your highway to the stars.
Take time to give, it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the heart.
Take time to love and be loved, it is the nourishment of the soul.

New phone

As if I was not spending enough money, I have to buy I new cell phone. I unfortunently got the fabulous Sidekick phone because at the time of purchase I did not have internet access. It cost a lot of money, sure good things do, but I expected it to last a whie at that price. Of course, I lost the 1st phone last year and had to buy a new one which cost more than what I originally paid for it (I never did find it). So, a year goes by to have the battery go kaput and can't hold any level of power leaving me to recharge it constantly. Also, this battery is sealed in the phone so I can not just go out of buy a new one. At the end of my rope, I complain in an email from my computer.

Since the warranty expired, I have to buy a new one. Well, I told the operator, if I have to buy a new phone every year then I want the cheapest one you got. He agreed with my logic. Then, changing phones causes me to lose the unlimited Sidekick internet access. Losing the internet access also caused the erasing of my address book, photos, calendar, notes, solitaire game, and internet bookmarks I had programmed into my Sidekick. And, I have to change my cell phone email address too. I am havig lots of fun reprogramming everything into my new phone. I can't find the solitaire game again. They have every game except the one I want.

Know what, I just received my phone today and already don't like it. The buttons are hard to push down with long fingernails. I can tell this was designed by a man. I think they need to make male and female phones. Oh well, I can buy a better one next year when it breaks down. I don't want to waste anymore money on postage sending it back and buy something more expensive. Post later. Bye!

Generosity

The past few days have brought waiting instipation of evacuees from the Gulf Coast into Iowa. The State Fairgrounds had many beds set up and ready to help the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, even telephone access to call loved ones. But, the evacuees did not wish to come up here and wanted to stay home. I'm sure most Gulf Coast people never heard of Iowa. In a car it would probably a 10-12 hour drive.

Today the first plane of evacuees arrived today, from Texas and Louisiana. Many refused to come when told they could not bring their pets. The State Fairgrounds shelter does indeed allow people to bring their pets with them. The first arrivals are mainly the ill who must be carried to the Fairgrounds. Since the on call wait was so long for these evacuees, the Fairgrounds removed some beds to have a pre-Katrina scheduled dog show. Perhaps if the evacuees are lucky, the dog show owners will gladly show off their dogs to the people. Post later.

The Yo-Yo goes down

Last week gasoline prices shot up to $2.99, our new record high. This week the yo-yo is going down to $2.78 today. Good thing to. I filled up my tank when I heard it was going up the next day and now I'm at a half a tank full. Though I'm unsure how long to wait to refill to see if it goes down tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Happy Birthday to Me

A very Happy Birthday to Me, to Me. A very Happy Birthday to Me, to Me. Now blow the candle out my dear and make your wish come true. A very Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeee.

I didn't blow any candles out, but I had a fun birthday. Yesterday I did my partying. I went to my Mom's cousin's wedding taking the 4 pieces left from my birthday cookie I took to work on Friday. I received birthday cards from my sisters and Mom. Mom gave me $5. The bride was beautiful. She had on a long white skirt, white shirt, and white suit jacket. Her matron of honor, her sister, wore a lavender outfit she got on her trip to India. Both carried dark purple and white flowers. The groom wore a dark suit. She didn't have programs printed so I don't know who everybody was. I had to ask my Mom who walked the bride down the aisle because her ailing parents were escorted by ushers to the front. Mom thought the matron of honor's husband held the honor. After the ceremony, I hugged the bride and she called me by my sister's name. Then she knew I wasn't my sister, but couldn't recall my name immdiately. I told her my name. Then I shook the groom's hand and said congratulations.

The reception had lemon cake and an orange citrus punch with ice cream in it. The couple opened their presents. Some well wishers did not bother to wrap their presents and left the gifts wrapped in tissue paper inside the shopping bags with the store name on them. I thought that was tacky. We did not throw rice or blow bubbles, but just left. The couples' car had that new window paint stuff that washes off and soda pop cans tied to the rear bumper. My family took off for my sister's house. We visited with Mom before my sister's took me out to dinner. They hummed the birthday song (Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Jordan. Happy Birthday to you) so to not attract much attention and embarrass me. I had the fried chicken.

Next I went home to change for barhopping with my friend from work. A car rental person next door Teresa and her friend Mindy. The first bar was bare when we arrived at 10, but got full by midnight. They bought me a cherry vodka drink in a test tube. My Mom's $5 got me in the door and the other $3 in my purse helped buy one of the 4 drinks I had. The bartender winked at me after making my 4th drink. A guy came up and starting dancing with me. After the song was over, he smiled and said Thank You. I smiled. Then Mindy got bad vibes from one of her dance partners and wanted to leave. I didn't get the man's name, but I was happy danced with a real live human man under age 50. It's been a long time since I did that.

Next bar was full of people. We didn't have to pay to get in. Good thing my stomach was upset from my 4 drinks earlier because I would not have time to drink anything from a guy dancing with me until the bar closed. He first went to Teresa and she pointed at me. He did not leave my side except once to smoke a cigarette. He was cute. He is the type that would freak my Mom out and yes I do know the only vote on a man that counts is mine. He had the sides of his hair shaved off, an eyebrow hoop ring, and chin hair wearing a shirt with fire flames printed on it. I think he was one of the disc jockeys since he went behind the turntables. He tried to get them to play my favorite song (Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard), but they only have more current songs. Then the bar closed at 2 (there is a law that states alcohhol can only be served unitl 2 A.M.). I didn't get a number, but I did get his name. David. He told me to come over next Saturday night after I get off work. I don't think anything serious will happen between us. I can't handle living with a person who smokes because of my asthma and allergies. Oh well, I danced with men.

Now I sit at my computer alone. I dream about my future cat I want so badly. A car rental person next door annouced her cat was preganant and offered me to look at them after they are born. I know a kitten must be 3 months old before leaving its mother. I have plenty of time to save up my money. I read in a book that the best for a kitten in a new home is to get 2 kittens from the same mother so they have a companion when you are out of the house. I have to consider that. Happy Birthday to Me. Post later. Bye!

Weird

Last night, I came home to find a small box delivered to my doorstep. Now I worked from mid-afternoon until a quarter after midnight, so given the 10 minutes to drive home my mailman had left a box on my doorstep for about 9 hours. Ya know what, usually when I'm not home they place a parcel slip telling I received a parcel that did not fit in my mailbox and I pick it up at the post office the next day. I guess the mailman ran out of slips or it was a new mailman because I am happy my box of medicines was not stolen from my doorstep by the neighbors, or whoever. And the government expects us to believe all their extra security crap they advertise. Whatever gets them votes I suppose. Post later.

Thanks Hurricane Katrina

As if my week wasn't bad enough, I have to deal with skyrocketing gasoline prices. Last Sunday it was $2.43. Today after daily raises since, it is $3.09 tonight. If I was not planning to buy a cat this month, I would be in line for a hybrid car. It is getting so high that it is cheaper to do my laundry here than drive across town and do laundry free at my sister's house. Thanks Hurricane Katrina, now go away.

If it matters, some of the price problem is the fact our state governments keep raising gas, tobacco, cell phone, etc. taxes simply because they are not capable of balancing a budget. But then many Americans can't balance their own checkbooks, so this this not shock us. I have difficulties adding and subtracting with a calculator. Post later. Bye!