HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Listening to the news yesterday morning I heard the usual, people getting shot, killed, robbed, teachers molesting students and so forth.  There was one thing that really made me perk and listen and that was our President Obama was on vacation. This was ok because he works hard and could use one. He took his family to Hawaii but he did come back to take care of business.  This was all fine until I heard the cost of this vacation. IT WAS 4 MILLION DOLLARS. What the hell can you do on a vacation for that kind of money? I guess the biggest question is who is paying for this?

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

The title of this post means exactly what it says. Finished, done, no more.  I am referring to the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. The erecting of the tree, the shopping excursions where one is knocked from side to side like a ball in a pinball machine and the wrapping of purchased gifts to be given to loved ones in hopes that they will be pleased with what they got. If not so be it.
It was at this point when the wife and I would sit down with a glass of Bailey's Irish Cream, look at each other and say THANK GOD.
The sitting down with the wife is only a memory now because she is doing all of those things in Heaven now preparing for the BIG party with relatives of past years.

I still have that glass of Irish Cream and recall those times we would sit together, smile and lift our glasses to a job well done.

WHAT KIND OF A PERSON IS HE?

I ask what kind of a person is he.  I already know that he drinks, does the drug thing and does not take care of his family and pesters the hell out of his ex wife and daughter. He stopped court ordered child support and dropped his daughter from his insurance. My daughter, when she was working years before carried him on her insurance for seven years and when they got divorced he was to carry her for seven years on his insurance but that didn't happen, he dropped her a month ago.
My daughter is out of a job and both she and my granddaughter need health insurance. Medicaid turned her down so where is she to turn.
She tried getting a restraining order against him but was turned down. Nice court system.
He has supervised visitation but hasn't seen his daughter since July.  His daughter doesn't want anything to do with him.
Michael, you will get yours when you go back to court in January.
You are a real piece of work!!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS ALBUMS ARN'T WHAT THEY USE TO BE.

If you enjoy Christmas as much as I do, you look forward to the specials on television and a possible new Christmas song or album. There is a radio station out of Chicago that starts playing Christmas music around Thanksgiving and continues to play songs all the way through Christmas day, 24 hours a day. I must admit toward the end of the season at 24 hours a day, the music kind of looses it's luster.

Every year some artist sings a new album with all of the traditional songs. Why can't the new singers leave well enough alone and sing the carols like they did years ago like Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin and so many others.  One artist (?) I heard yesterday was Justin Bieber. He made a Christmas album that you could tell it was thrown together to get it out for sale. The copies should be pulled from the shelves and burned.  He sang "Little Drummer Boy" in a version of his own which really sucked. In the middle of this beautiful traditional song he started rapping. WHAT THE HELL.
Silent Night was also a disaster as was the rest of the album. I guess when the girls see stars when they look at him, he can sell anything.  TOO BAD.

MAGGIE DALEY 1943 - 2011

On the evening of Thanksgiving, Chicago lost a most gracious lady. Maggie Daley, the wife of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. She was a beautiful lady who found it in her heart to help those in need by starting various cultural and educational programs in the city of Chicago. During Mr. Daley's 22 years as Mayor, Maggie was by his side to support him through his many tasks as Mayor.
Mrs Daley was told she had breast cancer in 2002 and fought this with dignity.
My sympathy goes out to the Daley family at this time in their lives. God Bless you.

FOR YOU DEER HUNTERS!

This is a true story told to me by my brother-in-law.
A friend of his who is a avid deer hunter went out and purchased a decoy doe. Anxious to try it out before the hunting season started he took into the forest, set it up in a clearing and climbed up to his tree stand. After about ten minutes a small buck came into the clearing checking out the doe, then a little larger buck came around checking out the waiting prize and then the big guy came around. Around and around he went before he approached the doe. You have to remember this doe was made out of plastic and the hunter paid $120.00 for it. As it was mating season the large buck decided to take this opportunity to do just that. Upon getting into position, his weight just crushed the decoy with legs breaking, head flying off and the trunk of the decoy being crushed by the buck's weight. The buck took off like a bat out of hell only turning around when he was at a safe distance to turn around to see what had just happened.
Despite losing his $120 investment his only wish was that he had, had a video camera.  I'm sure that would have been a winner on Funniest Home Video's.

X FACTOR PUNK

When X Factor first came on and the auditions were in full swing a young man of 14 years old and a name of ASTRO came on to do his thing. That thing being "rap" which to me is not singing just a bunch of mumbeling. This kid had an attitude at the beginning of the season and he still has one. He and another singer had to perform and then the judges would make a decision on who to send home. ARTRO didn't want to sing because he was one of the bottom two out of 10 and he felt like he wasn't wanted. He sang with a attitude, was rude to Simon and even against the wishes of the audience Simon put him through even though he said he didn't like his attitude. I thought the young lady who sang against ASTRO should have been put through.
Simon, I hope you can live with yourself. 

HIGHLIGHT OF BEARS FOOTBALL GAME.

The kickoff to the Chicago Bears football game was at 3:15 Sunday afternoon. It was an exciting games for the Bears fans with interceptions, touchdowns, great passes and even a fight bringing all players off the bench. Great entertainment. These were all special moments. But not all of the games meant anything as far as the special recognition of a retired Lt. Colonel (i think he held that rank). He was an elderly gentleman who was full of pride and was honored at the game. The whole stadium stood and gave a rousing cheer to this fine man who served us as a Marine for many, many years. Cheers and tears filled the stadium and a smile and tears were part of this Marine's remembrance of this day. Something he and others will never forget.

Lets also give a huge cheer and tear for those who have served and those serving this great country. The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Joyce Lansky - THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT.

I was born and raised in this area and that was 71 years ago. Yes indeed I have waited many minutes for the weather to change and by gosh it does. I even worked downtown Chicago by the lake Michigan

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

When people go to see things they react in different ways. Some like what they see and some do not like what they see. Some will say it was good and some will say it was bad. Well I saw a movie today that had everything you would want in a a movie. Comedy, drama and most of all NOW FOUL LANGUAGE. I laughed and in some parts I even teared up. It also had two of my favorite actors in it. Adam Sandler and Al Pacino. The movie is called Jack and Jill and guess what, you can even bring the kids to see this movie

WEATHER'S CHANGING.

This morning I got up and went out to get the newspaper wearing only a t-shirt. Later had to go to the store and found that I needed a light jacket. Few hours later I went out to get the recycle bin and discovered that I needed a winter jacket. How things can change in just a couple of hours. Tomorrow we are to get snow showers with temps around 40. This morning it was 60. At least I don't have to brace for a storm such as Alaska is supposed to get. God help them. I am sure that in time it will be my turn to look forward to the snow and ice. Luckily I am retired and live in a duplex where the snow is shoveled for me. All I have to do is look out of the window and say "OH MY GOD

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ENTRECARD?

I have noticed that for the past few weeks ENTRECARD has been running very slow. Now I have tried to log on and am told that they have a bug in their program.

Are they going to discontinue this website or what. I used to enjoy reading other blog from around the world. Now what do we do?

WHERE TO GO FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER.

Every year it's the same thing, where are we going for either Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter dinner. I either order a meal from the supermarket, Jewel, or we go out to a buffet. The last Thanksgiving and Easter we went to Geno's in Dyer, Indiana. Christmas we had dinner at home, my place. Either way you look at it, it is expensive. Being on just Social Security it is even more expensive.

I'm backing off of going to Geno's because when we went there this past Easter I found that the prices were considerably higher than they were the previous holiday and they tagged on a tip of $35.00 for a waitress who did nothing to earn it. It was a buffet, so she did nothing there and she only returned once to see it we wanted our drinks refilled. Does that earn $35.00? I walked out of there paying for my family to eat cold food, and some of the food they ran out of, paying, I just found my charge receipt yesterday, $225.00. This is not good.

This year I will call Old Country Buffet and see is they are open Thanksgiving day. If they are that is where we are going because I know it will be cheaper and the food will be good and warm.

CAN'T STAND THE YELLING AND SCREAMING.

I don't know how many of you watch the "MAURY" show but if you do, how many of you watchers are getting sick and tired of all of these girls bringing guys on the show for DNA tests to get the baby a father. The girls come on yelling that the baby looks like the guy they brought with them and he is saying that the baby doesn't look anything like him. Seriously, how many babies do resemble the mother or the father. I think it's wishful thinking. The girls yell and scream about how it has to be his because he is the only one she slept with only to find out that she was passed around the neighborhood. And of course the guy always says that if the baby is his he will take responsibility and take care of the baby. RRRRIIIIGGGGGHHHHHTTTTT. How in the hell can they when they have four other kids with four other girls.

Maury, your show is a joke.What do they call these girls. Women of the night.

THANKS FOR COMMENT MIKE.

You are probably right, they might have found some to do the job cheaper, or perhaps a relative or a friend of a higher up in the company who needed a job. Either way it isn't right as a lot of people know.

Thank God I am retired and don't have to put up with this. All I have to worry about is the higher up's in this country screwing with my health care and social security.

I hear people on social security will be getting a raise next year which will total about $38.00 a month and almost half of that will go to increased Medicare payment costs.

INTERVIEW FOR A JOB AND GET YOUR HOPES UP?

Are you out of a job? Have you had interviews? Millions of people have gone through this ritual and heard the words "WE'LL CALL YOU" and that never happens. I really think that the people who give these interviews and promises think that every day without a job is a big JOKE.

My daughter had an interview a week ago with a large insurance company. It all started out with a lengthy phone interview and followed up with a face to face interview and the introduction to the person who's job she will be taking as well as the higher ups she will be associated with. She was told they were very impressed with her and she was likely to secure the position and that they would make a decision the following Monday.

Monday came, no call. Tuesday came, no call, so on Wednesday she called them and was told they were deciding between two people and not to worry most likely she would be the one chosen for the position. Just relax. You can imagine what kind of a mood that put her in since she had not worked in almost a year.

6:30 that evening she got an e-mail from Prudential telling her that they had chosen the other person for the position. She is still in shock because the women told her is was almost certain that she would get the job.

For all you interviewers who do hiring, KEEP YOU F------ MOUTH SHUT AND DON'T GIVE FALSE HOPES TO PEOPLE ALREADY DEPRESSED. They have enough to worry about.

LAST HOORAH!!!

One can consider this past weekend as the last of the season at the campground. Temps were in the 80's and not a cloud in the sky. Took advantage of the weather by having a early cup of coffee and sitting in the rocking chair on the deck. Very little wind but the leaves were still taking their turns letting go of the branches and fluttering down to the ground. This brought to mind the harsh reminder of things to come. Snow, ice and cold.

Next weekend will be the process of taking a last golf cart ride, finishing putting things away, locking up the camper for the last time until next spring and the worst part of it all is saying goodbye to good friends and wishing them a good winter and holiday season.

Hope to see you all again next spring.

FOOTBALL TODAY - BEARS @ PACKERS.

I watch the Chicago Bears play football whenever they are on tv, but there are certain games that I look forward too. Today is one of those games. Today's game is with our neighbors to the north, that being the Green Bay Packers.

Today is perfect football weather. 61 degrees and raining. These days are for die hard fans. I consider myself a fan but not the extent that I would sit in the rain or snow or temperatures in the negative numbers. My private seat is a Easy Boy rocking chair with a snack tray next to it with my favorite snacks on it and I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for them. The washroom is near by with no line and best of all I get all of the close-up action on my 46 inch tv. When the game is over I don't have a long drive home and I won't have a problem finding my car in the parking lot.

Am I a good dedicated fan? YOU BET I AM!!!!!!!!!

END OF CAMPING SEASON.

I know I said it was the end of camping season but not exactly, it is not really over until October 17 when they turn off the water. I was referring to the activities during the day and night. No more dances, hay rides, and whatever else the park does to entertain folks who come here to camp. It is now closed to the public and only lot owners can enter.

Last Saturday was the big event of dropping candy from an airplane and letting the kids run onto the field to gather the goodies. In the evening it was time for the giant fire which was the burning of skids donated by one of the lot owners. There must have been 500 skids to burn and that is just what happend them, they were burned. Hot dogs, chips and brownies were also part of the party. The flames were two, three stories high and heat from the fire was something else.

From now until the 17 of October it will be putting stuff away for the winter and at night sitting around a campfire and talking about what went on during the summer and of course trying to stay warm as the temperature drops in the evening.

All I can say is that I will miss all my friends with their jokes and laughs.

Hope I will be there again next summer.

It was a sad weekend with the final activity at the campground and let me say that the weather co-operated to make it a great weekend. It was the weekend that all of the little kids were able to dress up in the favorite costume and go around to collect candy and enjoy a early Halloween. My grand-daughter has enough candy to last her until next year. The evening was topped off with a hay ride through the haunted woods which is always a favorite with the young and old. That all happened on Saturday with Sunday being a day or relaxing and dad catching up on the opening day of football.
From now until October 17 (when we close) it is quiet time at Yogi Bear Camp Resort in Plymouth, Indiana.

NEW FIRST'S THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.

These past few weeks at the camper have been both hot and fun. For instance I played golf for the first time in 50 years, pitched horse shoes for the first time in at least 20 years, went swim, ming at the pools for the first time in 9 years, went to the Four Winds Casino (lost) and had a good time and lastly played hide and go seek on golf carts. Each event was great fun. Had to come back home for laundry and check on bills and then I will head back

AT THE CAMPER.

It's Tuesday morning and I am sitting at the dining table in the camper writing this and looking out watching the temperature guage go up, up, and up. Arrives here Friday and it has been hot, in the 90's every day, so for the first time in nine years I went to the pool with my neighbors. They are in their early 40's with killer figures, maybe that's why I hang around with them. LOL.

Well any way they just knocked on my door to go swimming with them. So I will cut this short and my grand daughter and I will get our suits on and go swimm

NEW ARRIVALS.

For a few weeks now a duck has been sitting on eggs in a flower bed at the camper. Yesterday as I sat on my deck I noticed a large duck with four baby ducks stumbling around behind her. I wondered it those were from the eggs she had been sitting on. I took a walk to where the nest was and sure enough the eggs had hatched. There was one chick in the next who was not moving and another who had made it way out of the nest and lying on the ground peeping. I guess it was looking for the others who were quite a distance away near the waters edge. I picked this chick up and carried it to the group of other chicks and placed it on the ground near them. This little guy heard the others peeping and hurried toward them peeping and stumbling all the way. It made it to the group

GREAT WEEKEND BUT HOT.

As we know it was and still is hot worse yet a golf course was not the place for a 71 year old gentleman considering that I had not place golf since my mid 20's. The date was set for last Saturday and the tee-off time was 4:00 when the temp was 94 degrees. We were the only ones there to tee-off. The smart people were either at home or finished already. We were the only people at the first tee which was good because with my years of no playing and the others no being an Arnold Palmer, things moved kind of slow.

The game progressed with serious moments and a log of laughter. All I can say is thank God for golf carts. I would have collapsed somewhere on the second hold. After the ninth hole a big decision had to be made, it was already 8:00 so do we continue onto the second nine or call it quits. At the club house the man was kind enough to give us a rain check for the additional nine holes but they had to be played the next day which was even hotter.

We did play the next day and we must have gotten better because it only took us 3 hours to play the nine holes opposed to 4 hours the day before. I think that we will wait for cooler days before we play again but I must say I had a great time and a cold shower felt good

HOW TO MAKE A LITTLE GIRL CRY!!!!

Making a little cry is not hard if you are dead beat dad. After not paying any attention to her, even when he lived at home, and leaving her mother and her when they lived in Florida like a ghost in the night, ten years later he now wants to be in her life. B.S.. He says he wants to be a family again and refuses to believe that he is divorced.

With lawyers bickering it was worked out that he was to get the little girl under supervised visitation. The first time he was a no show. The second time he was a no show but this time the little girl went to visit a friend who lived two houses down from where he lives. As they passed his house there he was sitting in the garage drinking a beer. When she saw him she just broke down in tears saying "my daddy doesn't care about me" and unfortunately he doesn't, he just cares about himself, the tavern and beer.

I pray everynite that he looses all rights to this child. He doesn't pay child support even though it court ordered. Of course the Child Support System doesn't give one rats ass about it even though they know where he works and lives. So much for our helping hands in government.

WHY DID CHICAGO BEACHES CLOSE.

Did the beaches in Chicago close because it was too hot? Did Chicago beaches close because of gang activity. Well as a person who grew up in Chicago and is 70 years old I can never remember the beaches closing because it was hot. That's why there is a big lake there, jump in and cool off. The acting police chief got on the news and gave this ridiculous reason and said it was not because of gangs. Ask the people who were there. This was only the first weekend that the beaches were open. Poor excuse. The way the neighborhoods have changed in that area I firmly believe that it is a gang situation and Chicago better do something about it, if they can.

IS THIS A REDNECK TRUCK?

As I was driving to the campground last Friday a late model truck passed me. It was blue and had some nicks and dents on it. What really caught my eye was when I saw the back window, it wasn't there, in it's place was a piece of plywood but there was more. Right behind the drivers head was a window air conditioner. I bet he has many head colds through out the year. But hey, what the heck stay cool any way you can.

THE WEEKEND AGAIN.

The weather was wonderful all week. What happened? Was looking forward to going to the camper all week. Yesterday (Friday) it started out beautiful, 79 degrees, and by three in the afternoon it had dropped 30 degrees and was raining. What a kicker.

Today is no better with temperatures to be in the low 50's and rain, which it is doing right now. It's dark and gloomy and rainy. Nothing else to do but go to garage sales and according to the paper there are many of them. Maybe I can pick up some things to sell on eBay. Things that I found that sell well are catalogs such as Sears and J C Penny. Why people would collect these is beyond me but I am glad they do because it puts some extra cash into my pocket. I used to blog on PayPerPost which was good income for a retired person. A few years ago they changed the way they do things and I rarely get any thing to do through them. I guess they give all the jobs to the really, really good bloggers so they can make all of the money and push the little guy out. To top things off I was told two weeks ago that my part time job has ended because the company is moving to Dallas, Texas. So much for that. That job brought me a couple of hundred a month for working at home at my leisure.

WHEN ARE THE PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY GOING TO GET A RAISE????

GAS PRICES DROPPING.

It seems that after bin Laden was killed things started happening, like gas prices dropping. I don't think that, that had anything to do with it but I did take notice that on Friday when I headed out to the campground prices were $4.29. Two days later when I was returning home I toke note that the prices had fallen to $3.99 with news people saying that these prices would drop more. Is this a good thing? YES IT IS.

YOUR BUCKT LIST.

Within the last few days we have been able to scratch off two things on the bucket list. One being the Royal Wedding where we got to watch two people get married and they couldn't even kiss in the church. It was amazing to learn how much money was spent on this circus.

The second thing you can scratch off the bucket list is the killing of Bin Ladin. It really upset me when the news media cut in on the television stations to say the President had something important to say They kept on repeating and repeating the same stuff over and over until 45 minutes later the President told us. Of course the news media told us before hand. At this stage of the game does anyone care anymore except for the people who lost loved ones on 9-11? I had to wait until this morning to find out who got fired on Celebrity Apprentice. It is unfortunate the people think that since Bin Ladin is dead all will stop and our troops will come home, Not so! It may make things worse. I pray that this does not happen.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!

IT COMING TO AN END!!!!

Just like the political ads that come for the Presidential election, election for Mayor, Senator or any other office where television is an access to get to the public, after hearing the same thing day after day after day one really gets sick of hearing about it.

I guess you can arrive at the same feeling about the upcoming wedding of the couple Royal Couple. Is it really such a big deal where everyday there is always something on tv and the advertisements of the engagement ring replica, dolls, coffee cups and stamps etc. and who knows what else. Are there that many people that are interested other than the British. I have often wondered about what do these people do to earn their money or are they just free-loaders that the British people adore.

Anyway, those of you who are interested, enjoy the wedding and I suppose the next big event will be the birth of a child. Can't wait.

HAPPY EASTER!

I want to take a few minutes to write this and wish everyone a very Happy Easter. Enjoy the day, family and friends and be safe. God Bless.

HISTORY BEHIND THE TRADITION.

The Easter basket can be traced to German folklore. The Easter Hare was a white rabbit that left colored eggs for good children on the of Jesus' Resurrection.

Immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 18th century. By the 19th century, the hare had evolved into a bunny bearing treat baskets.

That's how I remember it as a child, but like Christmas it got out of hand. I saw an add in the paper the other day advertising toys saying give your child what they didn't get for Christmas. Again the true spirit of the holiday has been set aside to give the retailers a bigger bottom line. This is a sick world.

For those of you who still remember the meaning of Easter Sunday, have a very Happy Easter and be safe.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

For lack of something better to do I turned on "THE MAURY" show and I wasn't surprised to see that the format of the show hasn't changed since I watched it a few years ago. It was about paternity tests to determine if these men where the father of these children, and of course all these people did was yell, yell, yell and more yelling.

One high school student who is 17 years of age fathered 5 children by 5 different girls. All his mother said to him was that he has to be more careful. She buys him his condoms and is accusing the girls of putting holes in them just to have his baby because he is so good looking. Being good looking is OK but I for one think that he has fathered enough children for this world and should be taken care of so he can't produce anymore children. He is not paying for them so who do you think is?

Another guy who is 35 has a total of 29 children with one on the way by I don't know how many women. When asked if he knew the names of all the kids he said he wasn't sure. Does he support them? Only when he can was the answer. He prays on heavy set women with low self esteem, starts a relationship with them, gets them with child and good-bye. He too should be taken care of as not to be able to produce more children. Who do you think pays for them? Also women who keep having children with different men should only be allowed at the most three kids because we know they are just having them for the money they get from welfare. The hell with the ACLU and peoples rights. I'm trying to make ends meet without paying for someone elses baggage.

HER BELLY LOST HER MONEY.

In New York a divorced women was collecting $850.00 a month in alimony because she was disabled and unable to work. I don't know how long this went on but it came to abrupt end and her and her alimony payments were cut to $400.00. You can ask yourself how this could happen to the poor woman. The reason was because he ex-husband saw online photos of her belly dancing. This only goes to show you that you never know where your picture will show up.

WHY CAN'T WE HELP THEM?

I was out and about today going to garage sales and thrift shops in search of things to sell o eBay. My escapades were not in vain because I came home with a few treasures to pass onto eBay customers. While I was out my stomach started tell me it needed a fill-up and with me being diabetic I thought I should listen to it. Since I haven't had Burger King in a while I decided that was going to be my fill up spot. When I entered I was greeted by a very pleasant lady at the cash register who was in her seventies and kind of hunched over. While waiting for my food I was looking around and saw another lady also somewhere in her seventies cleaning tables. The thought came to me as to why they were here and not retired and relaxing. In a joking way I asked the lady cleaning tables that very question and her reply was she couldn't make it on her Social Security alone and this is what she had to do to get by. Her husband was deceased so that made things worse. Why can't we, as a Country, provide for the elderly instead of worrying about those coming across the border. I know I didn't get a raise in Social Security for two years now and every time I apply for something I don't qualify. I getting sick of hearing that when everyone else is getting food stamps, welfare and every other damn thing that is offered out there. Keep the money in this country and use it on our elderly citizens. Lord knows that we have busted our ass for many, many years to live well now and not have to worry about higher taxes and medical permiums just to name a few.

SON-IN-LAW GOT PAID.

I was glad to see an agreement was reached between the boys in Washington. I was also glad to see that the men serving in the military also got their paychecks. If anyone needs their pay it's our boys in uniform. The thing that really irked me was that the people creating all of this trouble, Obama and his boys were going to get paid, as if they need it. All of you big wigs that sit in Washington and don't have a clue of what is going of in the real world should NEVER think of not paying our men in the military. Their lives are on the line, they protect all of us so how dare you to even think of doing that. If you really want to save money, get the hell out of the wars you got us into and quit giving out free bees to all that sneak into this country who bring their drugs and other things that are ruining this country. Enough is enough. God Bless America.

OPERA IS LEAVING CHICAGO

Everyone was aware of it since Opera started her own television station and what really gave us the idea was that she said so. Knowing she was leaving is one thing, but knowing who is replacing her is something else. This person had her own show and been let go from others and is obnoxious and out spoken. She puts a ill feeling in my stomach knowing she is walking the streets of Chicago. That person is ROSIE ODONNELL. I must say that she is a poor choice to replace the Great One. It will be interesting to see how long people will put up with her attitude and rudeness. Unfortunately is will probably be a long time, maybe not.

OBAMA SECOND RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

I hear the man has announced that he is going to run for a second term which means that his money chest will start filling up. Last election it is said that he collected 700+million and this run he will try to collect 1 BILLION for his re-election. Ridiculous. We, the little people are suffering making ends meet with rising property taxes, home and car insurance rates, medical insurance premiums, food prices and the list goes on and on. I hear that in 2014 Medicare premiums will be $247, up from $96 we are paying now. Something has to be done especially when Congress has given themselves a $3000.00 a month cost of living increase. Where is the increase for people on Social Security, that's right, our government said cost of living didn't go up that much to warrant a cost of living increase. Thank you our leaders in Washington, our states and to you Obama. KEEP THIS IN MIND THE NEXT TIME YOU VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!! Was change really good?

OUR BOY CHARLIE

Charlie Sheen did his first show in Detroit on Saturday and that turned out to be a bust with people booing him, yelling for their money back and walking during the show. All of this after paying high prices for the tickets. After Detroit it was off to Chicago for another try. The show took place at the beautiful Chicago Theatre. He did change the format of the show and the papers raved about the show saying no-one walked out and people saying they enjoyed the show. I wonder who paid them off to write that stuff. According to people interviewed after the show and this morning on the news not many said that they enjoyed the show. People did walk out and people did boo him. Just think we still have twelve more show to hear about this jerk. Maybe we will be lucky and he will cancel them. There are many more people worthy of new print than this loser and his money and girlfriends.

SICK OF HEARING ABOUT HIM

It was said on the news talk show this morning that from surveys taken, people are getting tired of hearing about Charlie Sheen. It's amazing how this alcoholic, druggie, looser can captivate millions of people to listen to his ranting and raving of nothing but garbage day after day. Is this the type of person that this country looks up to? Just think about it. When someone in a regular job such as a bank teller, steel worker, shoe salesman or Wal-Mart employee pulls the stunts that Sheen has pulled how long do you think they would last at their job. They would be fired and that would be the end of it. Why do they let this guy keep going and going. For those of you paid your $65+ for a ticket to see someone talk for 80 minutes about everything and anything and not have a script. Keep in mind that you will get what you paid for and that is nothing. Oh yeah, remember to buy a T-shirt because Charlie is out of work.

DANCING WITH THE STARS IS BACK.

If you were watching, Dancing With The Stars began it's 12th season last Sunday with all of it's glam and glitter and of course the stars themselves. It will be interesting to see how they progress throughout the season. I was surprised at Kristie Alley that she did an excellent job for being a mature woman. She actually showed some style and grace in her routine. She has a good instructor and that is Max. I think he is the best. Then we have Wendy Williams who cries and can't dance. She stomps around and as far as grace, she has a long way to go. I think she has a good chance of being voted off this week if she doesn't improve a great deal. Ralph Machio (Karate Kid) did a wonderful job with his routine. He got a standing ovation which he deserved and also the highest marks from the judges and wound up in first place on the leader board. This is the couple to watch and who could win the competition. It should be a great season.

THEIR BACK.

When they ended it was like losing a loved one. I sulked for weeks. But now I have seen a few appear in the newspaper with more to come. As always when the cold weather comes they go away and when the warm weather returns they return. If you haven't guessed by now what I am talking about, let me tell you. It is where one can get out of the house, meet people and find bargains. That wonderful activity is called GARAGE SALES.
I saw five of them in the paper today and am looking forward to the weekend to get started. Although most are inside in schools and churches they are still considered Garage Sales.
Good deals ahead.

DAMAGE AT CAMPGROUND

Between 11:pm Monday 3-6- and 7:30 am Tuesday 3-7, someone or persons entered the Yogi Bear Campground and caused extensive damage to trailers and buildings. In all there were 13 trailers and park models damaged. Windows and doors broken with cupboards, closets and drawers ransacked but no tv's were taken. In one case some change was taken from a trailer.
My park model was broken into back in 2005 while I was in Florida visiting my daughter. The park didn't call me, it was my neighbor who also boarded up the patio door which was broken. That was the only damage. I had a bank with some change in it and they only took the nickels. Figure that. The thief's did leave behind a radio and a picture of a couple of girls from the campground. The people were caught and they turned out to be a husband and wife who spent some time in jail. My neighbor just happen to come out and check on his camper and discovered mine and his broken into.
I can only hope that they catch this person or persons and give them the just dues.

DEAR MAC.

Thank you for your comment on Terry Fator.
I agree with you 100 percent. As a matter of fact I just watched it again with my daughter who at this time never heard of him and is now a fan.

TERRY FATOR

Saturday when I was bored I checked out the movies available for instant viewing on Netflix.
I came across a video called Terry Fator in Las Vegas. If I am correct, Terry is the first winner of America's Got Talent and the winner of $1,000,000.00. He does a show using wooden figures (I don't think that dummies would be appropriate).
Let's keep in mind that there is another entertainer that uses dolls and that is Jeff Dunham. Unlike Terry, Jeff does not use singing or impersonations in his act, just very funny wise cracking dolls like Peanut, Walter, Jalapeno on a stick and Walter just to name a few.
On the other and Terry uses singing with impersonations like Elvis, Louis Armstrong, Erin Nevil and many others. I suggest that if you have Netflix you rent this movie and be prepared to laugh and in some parts cry. Excellent show.

AAHHHHHHH SUMMER

As a old man of 70 there are not many pleasures in life that I enjoy. Minute To Win It, Dancing With the Stars, Netflix and just a few other things like good food but as I walked through Wal-Mart today and what I saw brought to mind SUMMER. I saw BIKINIS and beautiful ladies buying them and showing them off. All ladies are beautiful. This is better than a green lawn. I know it is still a bit cold out but at least they are for sale in stores.
Like I said, AAAAAAHHHHHH SUMMER.

THANK YOU DOUG.

Doug. It's nice to know that people do read my posts and I want to let you know that I appreciated your kind word referring the return to the camper. It's been five years and each time I go back for the first time in the year is just like going back that first year without her.
Once again thank you for your calming words.

IT'S ALMOST TIME AGAIN.

With the month of March in a few days that puts the opening of the campground just one month and 15 days. I really can't wait. I've been cooped up in this house way too long. Looking forward to sitting on the deck, fishing, sitting around a campfire and visiting with friends and of course the warm weather.
When my wife passed I gave some serious thought about selling the place. The first time I went back without her I waited a long time before I went in. Everything there reminded me of her. How the place was decorated and her favorite tree in front which was blooming, that being a red bud with purple flowers. She loved that tree, our deck and the bench on the patio overlooking the lake where we would sit in the morning having coffee and just enjoying the view. After I had given all of these things thought I knew I could not sell because this was our place and the place we shared and loved.

THE ROBINS

In an earlier post I mentioned that I had seen robins in the tree in front of my house and I was wondering where they came from since it was early February and there was tons of snow on the ground. My question was answered in the newspaper by a bird expert responding to many of questions concerning the same question
It seems that these robins had never left the area. They stay all winter and the reason we never see them is because they stay deep in the woods where there are plenty of berries as a food source. The reason they came out now is not because of an early Spring but in search of berries that are not frozen and not covered by the massive snow storm we had. Now that the snow has melted and the temperatures are warmer they are back in the woods and no longer seen. Now that the ground is a little softer they search for earth worms as another food source.
That's that.

FIVE YEARS AGO.

Today is February 13, 2011 and it was five years ago just about 8:00 a.m. that I lost a very, very good friend of mine. A person who was an inspiration to me and I loved very much and miss very much. That person was, and as far as I am concerned, still is my wife.
Two weeks after I retired it was discovered that she had cancer. Even with we had six wonderful years traveling, going out for lunch and dinner and doing good things.
Yes, I am lonely but I also have wonderful memories of our life together and those memories I will never forget.
Sweetheart, have a wonderful 5th anniversary in heaven and I know the Lord will give you a special party.
I love you.

WHO'S THINKING OF RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?

I was reading the newspaper either yesterday or the day before and came across an article that really made me come awake. The article was listing a few potential candidates who might run for President of the United States. It was a man who has loads and loads of property and money and also has a tv show. This person has a ridiculous comb over and when he speaks his mouth contorts into several different positions. If you haven't guessed by now I have to tell you that it is Donald Trump.
Do you think he would make a good president? I can see him now standing in front of Congress, wave his hand over all of the and say "YOUR FIRED" although maybe that is what they need.
The man if a buffoon and should stick to what he is doing now.
I do hope that I read the article wrong.

WHO WAS DRIVING?

It was 3:30 a.m. on Saturday in Michigan City, Indiana when a LaPorte County sheriff's deputy was called concerning a car on the railroad tracks. The driver of the car was revving his engine to free himself from the tracks. Somehow he went off the road and wound up stuck on the tracks.
According to police the man who, is 30 years old, didn't know how he got into the situation he was in saying "I think a snowman brought me here".
If that were the case wouldn't the driver's seat be wet from melting snow with the heater on and further more if that we me I would have been shaking from fear that a snowman would enter my car and start driving it.
There was no mention of alcohol involved but I sure would like to know his blood alcohol level.
I guess with all the snow we have had it would be possible?????????

DID YOUR TEAM WIN?

The long awaited Super Bowl was played yesterday in Texas. I never did hear how many people attended this event but by the looks of it there were a lot including Mr. and Mrs. Bush and many celebrities.
I was glad to see that there was the fan fare that included the United States as a wonderful country and we should be proud to be an American. Let me tell you I AM. Yes there was a screw up in singing the National Anthem. You know what? There is no excuse for it. Christina has sung this song many, many times and just because millions of people were watching in no excuse to forget the words. SHE IS A PROFESSIONAL!!!!! I hope they didn't pay her for singing.
Don't really know the Black Eyed Peas but it is said that the half time show was the worse on in history. I agree.
The game itself was not the game I had expected but lets just say that the best team won. I could just imagine the celebration in the streets of Green Bay last night and I hope that they didn't go crazy and destroy the city.
One thought came to mind is that is the winning team going to Disney World like in the past years. I don't recall seeing any commercials indicating that.
Can't wait for next years season to start again and the next Super Bowl, maybe the Chicago Bears won't mess it up again next year and be part of the Super Bowl.

PAY THE MAN HIS MONEY!

Well the weatherman was right for a change so he should be paid. It started snowing around 2 pm on Tuesday and finally stopped around 2 pm on Wednesday with an accumulation of around 21 inches. Haven't seen this much snow in years. It's pretty and it is also a pain in the neck.

I live in a duplex so I don't have to worry about shoveling and since I am 70 years of age I didn't have anywhere to go so I stayed home and watched all the goings on from my window.

There was no plowing done on Tuesday or Wednesday, but on Thursday it began with bob cats going from driveway to driveway and eventually there was nowhere to pile the snow

My hat is off to the many who worked on getting our streets and driveways clean. They put in some long hard hours.

I have posted some pictures such as from my front door, patio door and pictures of the robins in the tree in front of my house. This is mid winter and I can't figure out why the robins are here.

They usually don't show up until spring.

ARE YOU GETTING READY?

It's going to snow and snow and snow and snow, at least that is what the weatherman is saying in the Chicago land area which includes where I live in Northwest Indiana. They called for about two inches to fall last night, which it did, and then the BIG storm will start about 3:00 this afternoon. It is just two now and it has already started. It is supposed to continue until 3 tomorrow. Already the radio and tv are announcing school closings and cancelled after school activities and other things in the area.
Like everyonelse I headed for the store to get the necessities to survive the storm should it be necessary. But as I think about is what good will microwave dinners do it there is no electric. Might be eating a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cereal with cold milk. Cold milk might be a bad idea it there is no heat.
This mornings newspaper as usual has put the fear of God into the region with it's prediction of what could happen and what will happen.
If the BIG storm does hit, don't go out unless necessary and check on your neighbors, and most of all pray that the weatherman is wrong like he is most of the time.

STRANGE SIGHTING.

I live in the northern part of the county, born in Chicago and now live in northern Indiana. Over my extended lifetime I have witnessed many things, since I am 70 years of age, but nothing like I have witnesses this morning.
In the fall certain birds leave for the warmer climates and return in the spring when things start getting warmer. One bird that I am referring to is the Robin. They go and come like clock work every year. Today is January 31 with a temperature of 19 degrees and with a prediction of a major snowstorm coming tomorrow. There is a tree outside my window where I have my coffee and I was surprised to see Robins in that tree eating berries. At first I didn't pay any attention to them, there were at least 20 in the tree, and then it dawned on me that they should be gone where it is nice and warm, but here they were. Like I said, I have never, never in my lifetime seen Robin's here in the winter. Now that I know that they are here I will put food out for them and hope that they survive the winter that is left.
It's nice to see them but should they really be here

BIG GAME SUNDAY!!!!!

If you are interested in football you know already that there is a big game taking place this Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. You might even want to say that this game has as much hype as the Super Bowl, maybe even more.
The rivalry between these two teams is amazing. The jokes and verbal threats (made in good fun I hope) between Bears fans and Green Bay fans can be seen and heard everywhere. On the streets, radio and television. Their moment to fame.
I for one am getting ready for the game this Sunday. I have my pizza, chips, drinks and Bears hat sitting on my kitchen counter ready to go into action at the moment of kick-off which for me will be at 2:00. I will be watching it alone at home so I will not be freezing at the game and not paying $7.00+ for food and drink. With the camera's scanning the stadium I will be able to see the different types of gear people will be wearing and even some who will not be wearing shirts only to have their skin pained to match their teams colors. In doing this they will ask themselves why they are sick the next day.
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH football.
Enjoy the game and stay safe.

WHEN IT ENDS.

This past weekend was full of excitement with football both Saturday and Sunday. I hope your favorite team won, I know mine did. The big winner for me was the CHICAGO BEARS being that I was born in Chicago and live only 24 miles away from Soldier Field. Cant wait for next Sunday's game when they play the Green Bay Packers.
I will certainly hate to see the football season end but I will not miss all of the commercials, especially the phone and car commercials. The companies keep pushing and pushing new phones out so fast that they don't work as they should. AT&T keeps advertising their packages and to tell you the truth they have so many different packages that they don't know what they are offering the public anymore. You talk a different rep each time you call and each time you get a different answer. I'm still arguing with them about a package I bought in 2009.
One more thing, do you agree with me that the ref's are throwing flags just to throw them. The game would be an hour shorter if their were not so many penalties.

A NAME FROM THE PAST.

Today as I was putting away my Christmas Cd's I discovered one at the back of the cabinet.
As I said, a name from the past and that name being Liberace. It was a CD entitled Christmas at Liberace's. As a matter of fact I am listening to it as I write it. It is a very relaxing and good listening CD.
I have always enjoyed his music and showmanship. He was a true entertainer.
I remember when he passed how the critics attacked him saying he didn't play very well, his phrasing was off and at times he would hit wrong keys. My thought on that is if they were so good why were they not as popular as Liberace and have as many followers.
I'm sure that just like Elvis Presley, Liberace's name and music will live on and on.

FREE STUFF!!!!!!!

In today's economy it not hard to stop buying certain items that you have always purchased. The paycheck, Social Security check and whatever other income you may receive, just doesn't allow for these items.
FREE is the word we look for in helping in our daily budget and I have found a place where you can get free stuff. That place being http://www.thefreebiesource.com/. Log on to this website and discover what you can get for free. You will be amazed at the products that are offered, for instance get Oxy Clinical Acne Treatment sample, Nicorette - free sample, free discount RX card, free Prevacid sample and here is a big money saver for you, Free Stuff for the Baby.
There are just too many for me to list so I would suggest that you log onto http://www.thefreebiesource.com/ and start getting your free stuff and getting familiar with this website.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT MRS. MARTINEZ

It is nice to hear from you gain. I extend a Happy New Year to you and your family.
My daughter is getting the help she needs for her problem and it is getting better but not completely gone.
Once again, nice hearing from you.

NICE WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR.

Daughter Julie has been suffering with a backache for over a week now and is not getting any better with lying on a heating pad or just not moving. She kept saying over and over that she was going to the ER and see what they had to say. Finally today she went and after nearly four hours of waiting they are leaning toward her having a kidney stone. I have had three of them in my lifetime and believe me they are no fun. Some people say it's about as bad as giving birth. I wouldn't know about that, all I know is that they hurt.
When I had mine, my doctor (one of the older generation) told me to take a drive on a bumpy street or do jumping-jacks just to get the thing moving. I tried the jumping-jacks and I want to say that it worked.
I can only say that I hope that they do something for her because they really, really hurt.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

Hope everyone had a nice New Year's Eve and not too many hangover's this morning. As tradition has it I was up early made coffee in preparation of watching the Rose Bowl Parade.
How many New Year's resolution were made last night and how many have been broken already.
All of the usual resolution I'm sure were made such as quit smoking, dieting, exercising, going to church more often, do better in school, be nicer to my wife or husband, perform better at work, be nicer to my work partner and maybe one of the biggest is to stop or cut back on drinking, going out or doing drugs.
There are two that I have promised myself to do which have started and am doing every well at and that is exercising and dieting, but I have only been awake about 3 1/2 hours. Started the diet at breakfast and have yet to exercise but the day is young.
Best of luck on your resolution and have a great year.