The month of December went by fast. I was prepared for Christmas on time. I had a nice Christmas day and the following couple of days. However, I'm glad it's over. The yard decorations came down on Monday, the tree and indoor decorations were packed up today.
The house is clean and I'm ready to tackle my winter indoor projects. I have a few boxes of “stuff” to sort/trash/donate, and I'll try not to ruin a good shredder with the couple boxes of old paperwork that has been purged from my files. I learned this year that I save too much paperwork, so for the new year, I will resolve to do better and use my shredder more often.
I am now looking forward to a new and better year. They (the news) say the economy will improve somewhat, and I hope that's true. It will be a busy (and difficult) year on television with all the coming political ads blasting away at each other, which is very annoying, but it's an election year.
I am looking forward to some of the NFL playoff games, the Super Bowl, the start of the new TV schedule for my shows like The Bachelor, Biggest Loser, Castle, Harry's Law, Law & Order SVU, The Apprentice, and soon a new cast for Dancing With The Stars and America's Got Talent.
For my TV viewing in the new year, I will be watching through clearer new glasses and a clearer TV screen.
History is amazing and teaches valuable lessons.
1906: Accused of fundraising improprieties, President Theodore Roosevelt calls for a ban on all corporate contributions "for any political purpose," leading to passage of the Tillman Act (named after white supremacist Sen. "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman).
1911: Congress introduces individual spending limits for federal campaigns.
1952: VP candidate Richard Nixon delivers his "Checkers" speech, defending more than $18,000 in secret donations: "Every penny of it was used to pay for political expenses that I did not think should be charged to the taxpayers."
1971: President Nixon tells his chief of staff to tell donors, "Anybody who wants to be an ambassador must at least give $250,000." Dwayne Andreas, CEO of Archer Daniels Midland, later delivers $100,000 to Nixon's secretary and helps fund the Watergate break-in.
1974: Congress imposes stricter limits on individual contributions and outside expenditures and sets up the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
1991: Five senators, including Sen. John McCain, are found to have advocated on behalf of Charles Keating's failing S&L after receiving a combined $1.3 million in campaign money.
2002: The McCain-Feingold Act bans soft money in federal elections and bans the use of corporate or union funds to make ads about candidates in the weeks before an election.
2005: GOP Majority Leader Tom DeLay is indicted for funneling corporate money through the RNC to Texas Republicans. More than five years later, he is convicted of money laundering and sentenced to three years in prison.
2006: Lobbyist Jack Abramoff admits trading golf junkets, meals at his DC restaurant, and campaign contributions for political favors. President George W. Bush and GOP leaders rush to dump donations linked to him.
2010: Citizens United ruling allows corporations and unions to advocate for or against candidates at any time.
Question: What happened to the good ole days of the Tillman Act and congressional spending limits of the early 1900's?
Fact: In 1971, Nixon started a path of corruption and Watergate.
Fact: Dirty money and corporate greed leads to the "buying of a politician" in Washington.
Fact: The majority Republican appointed Supreme Court Justices unleash a wrath upon this country with the Citizens United decision and more politicians are "bought" to do the corporate bidding. That fact has brought our current Congress to a legislative stand-still and the face of obstructionism is rampant. Today Congress has a very low approval rating, the lowest in many years.
The election in 2012 will be critical to fixing this country and stopping the corruption of politicians and corporations running this country. Corporations are NOT people and the people need to take back their rights. Be involved and VOTE in 2012!
I was raised in a family that did not put their tree up until the week before Christmas and took it down on New Year's Day. Last year I put my little Charlie Brown tree up the week before, per my preference. However, this year I might get all my decorating done by this coming weekend instead. I just feel like doing it this week.
Last year my little Charlie Brown tree (I'm a big Charlie Brown/Snoopy fan) was decorated with all the handmade ornaments my aunt made and gave me over the years. I'm just not a big tree person any more. I took pictures of my little tree and sent them to her, along with her gift, over the holidays. I don't know exactly what made me decide to use all her ornament items on the tree, but I later learned why I might have subconsciously done that.
On New Year's Day this year I learned that my aunt was in the hospital critically ill and I called her at the hospital. It was the last time I was able to speak to her; she died January 24th. The Italian charm bracelet my friend made for her for her Christmas gift was returned to me by her grandson at the time of her funeral. I will hang it on the tree this year in memory of her.
It was a milestone day!
1. I filed my Notice of Intent (with the Board of Elections) to run for Central Committee in Fayette County on the March primary ballot.
2. I had a few things to get at the store, and while I was there, I FINISHED MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. I am all done. FINISHED. Complete.
I can now get my wrapping done and sit back and relax for the next 19 days. Whooohoooo, I finished earlier this year than ever. I'm getting better at this or I have fewer to shop for, whichever sounds better.
A doctor, a lawyer, and an engineer are sentenced to death. Why, is not important to the story…what’s important is that the death sentence will be carried out in France – via guillotine.
The doctor is first. The executioner straps him down, hoists the glittering blade aloft, and lets it drop…whereupon it sticks about halfway down.
Now, it’s a well-known tradition in capital punishment that if the execution apparatus fails for any reason, this is interpreted as a sign from God, and the death sentence is commuted. Accordingly, the doctor walks away, still very much alive.
The lawyer is next. The executioner straps him down, hoists the glittering blade aloft, and lets it drop…whereupon it sticks in the exact same spot. Same rules apply…lawyer walks.
The engineer is last. The executioner straps him down, as he hoists the blade aloft, the engineer twists his neck around, peers up at the blade, and says:
“You know, I think I see your trouble there…”
Forever the analyzer!
TO THE BEST SON
DECEMBER 1st
I'M DANCING BECAUSE TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY! 
I read a story on the Huffington Post today that said Ohio ranks 24 out of 50 in the list of the best and worst run states. As you can see below, it starts out referring to the year 2009 when Ted Strickland was Governor. I knew for sure they couldn't be talking about the state in the last 11 months, since the current Governor is trying to run the state further down the list of the worst states in America! We can look back at history and see where we used to be and band together as we did with the Repeal of SB5 and hope for a recall law to be passed early in 2012.
24. Ohio
> State debt per capita: $2,423 (17th lowest)
> Pct. without health insurance: 12.3% (17th lowest)
> Pct. below poverty line: 14.8% (17th highest)
> Unemployment: 9.1% (17th highest)
Ohio’s state revenue in the fiscal year of 2009 was the fourth-lowest in the country. In the same time period, the state spent $71 billion, nearly three times that amount per resident. Despite that fact, Ohio still has an AA+ credit rating and a below-average debt per capita. Ohio scores worse than average on unemployment, median income, foreclosures and poverty. The state does slightly better on graduation rates. Ohio also spends a higher portion of its budget on education than most states.
A class professor was giving a lecture on company slogans and was asking his students if they were familiar with them.
“Joe,” he asked, “which company has the slogan, ‘come fly the friendly skies’?”
Joe answered the correct airline.
“Brenda, can you tell me which company has the slogan, “Don’t leave home without it?”
Brenda answered the correct credit card company with no difficulty.
“Now John, Tell me which company bears the slogan, ‘Just do it’?”
And John answered, “Mom.”
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving day for me. I don't get a chance to cook for someone else very often, so it was very fulfilling to be able to prepare a meal that was so well received. The Cornish Game Hens were so tender they were falling apart when taken out of the roaster. The carrots, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce were just delicious. The cherry pie with Cool Whip topping wasn't bad either!
One of the nicest things about the meal was that I have no leftovers. The spoonfuls of each item not consumed went into a "take home bowl" for John to reheat and savor tomorrow.
I am so thankful for the wonderful day and being able to spend it with someone very special to me.
Black Friday, as it's known, kicks off the Christmas shopping season with the major sales in all the stores. However, I will NOT be one of the crowd shoving and rushing to get those specials off the shelves. I have most of my shopping already done, and what has been ordered will be here by next week. I don't have that many people on my list this year, but I do plan early.
Good luck to all those "crowd fighters" out there who are rushing from one store to another for that ultimate bargain. My bargain was obtained today with the good meal and good company, and my savings will be less stress and calmer nerves as I sit home while others rush to spend their money in a hurry on the busiest shopping day of the year. I am so lucky and blessed; the year is too soon coming to an end, and a new year and new era of my life will begin in 2012.
The First Thanksgiving
The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated it as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians.
Days of thanksgiving were celebrated throughout the colonies after fall harvests. All thirteen colonies did not, however, celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time until October 1777. George Washington was the first president to declare the holiday, in 1789.
By the mid–1800s, many states observed a Thanksgiving holiday. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was looking for ways to unite the nation. In 1863 he gave his Thanksgiving Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving.
In 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941 decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains.
A young doctor moved out to a small community to replace the aging doctor there. The older doctor suggested that the younger doctor accompany him as he made his house calls so that the people of the community could become accustomed to him.
At the first house they visited, the younger doctor listened intently as the older doctor and an older lady discussed the weather, their grandchildren and the latest church bulletin. After some time, the older doctor asked his patient how she had been feeling.
“I’ve been a little sick to my stomach,” she replied.
“Well,” said the older physician, “you’ve probably been over doing it a bit with the fresh fruit. Why don’t you cut back on the amount of fresh fruit you eat and see if that helps.”
As they left the house, the younger doctor asked how the older doctor had reached his diagnosis so quickly.
“You didn’t even examine that woman,” the younger doctor stated.
“I didn’t have to,” the elder physician explained. “You noticed I dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there. Well when I bent over to pick it up, I looked around and noticed a half dozen banana peels in the trash can. That is probably what has been making her ill.”
“That’s pretty sneaky,” commented the younger doctor. “Do you mind if I try it at the next house?”
“I don’t suppose it could hurt anything,” the elder physician replied.
At the next house, the two doctors visited with an elderly widow. They spent several minutes discussing the weather and grandchildren and the latest church bulletin. After several minutes, the younger doctor asked the widow how she had been feeling lately.
“I’ve felt terribly run down lately,” the widow replied. “I just don’t have as much energy as I used to.”
“You’ve probably been doing too much work for the church,” the younger doctor suggested without even examining his patient. “Perhaps you should ease up a bit and see if that helps.”
As they left, the elder physician said, “Your diagnosis is probably right, but do you mind telling me how you came to that conclusion?”
“Sure,” replied the younger doctor. “Just like you, I dropped my stethoscope on the floor. When I bent down to pick it up, I looked around and there was the preacher hiding under the bed!
A defendant was asked if he wanted a bench trial or a jury trial.
“Jury trial,” he replied.
“Do you understand the difference?” asked the judge.
“Sure,” replied the defendant. “That’s where twelve ignorant people decide my fate instead of one.”
Once upon a time a shepherd was herding his large flock of sheep just off of the edge of a deserted dirt road.
Suddenly a brand new Jeep Cherokee screeched to a halt next to him. The driver, a young man dressed in a Brioni suit, Cerrutti shoes, Ray-Ban glasses, and a YSL tie got out and said “If I guess how many sheep you do have, will you give me one of them?”
The shepherd looked at the young man, then at the sheep which grazed as far as he could see and said “OK.”
The young man re-entered his car, connected his laptop and the mobile, entered a NASA site; then scanned the ground using his GPS, opened a data base and 60 Excel tables filled with algorithms, then printed a 5-page report on his high-tech mini-printer. After a quick scan of the report, he turned to the shepherd and said: “You have exactly 1586 sheep here.”
“That’s correct, you can have your sheep” answered the shepherd.
The young man picked up his choice and put in the back of his jeep.
The shepherd asked him “If I guess your profession, will you give it back to me?”
The young man smiled and said “Sure, why not?”
Without hesitating the shepherd said “You are a Price Waterhouse Coopers or KMPG consultant!”
“Price Waterhouse Coopers, but how did you know?” asked the young man.
“Very simple”, answered the shepherd. “First, you come here uninvited; second, you charged me to tell me something I already knew and third, you do not understand my business, because you just put my dog in your Jeep!”
Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married.
One broom was, of course, the bride broom and the other the groom broom. The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding
was lovely.
After the wedding at the wedding dinner, the bride broom leaned over and said to the groom broom “I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!!!”
“IMPOSSIBLE!!” said the groom broom. ” We haven’t even swept together!”
SHE IS SPOILED, like I would spoil grandchildren, if I had any. She gives unconditional love and never yells at me. She is always there when I need her. She sees my tears, and hears me cry. She comes to comfort me, as if she knows I'm in pain, and licks my hand as if to say "it's ok mommy, I'm here." I love her more than words can say. Sometimes dogs are better than humans, because they always watch over you and protect you. Mine dog sure does!
Computer cords can be hazardous to your health!
Thursday is just another day in the week. For me, it's usually house-cleaning day. But today, it turned out to be KISS THE CARPET DAY.
Once I got my morning started (well before noon for all those who think I sleep everyday NOT), I walked to the living room couch to turn on my computer. I was then going to get up to walk to another room. Instead, my foot got caught on the printer cable attached to my laptop and I found myself going forward, reaching my arms out to stop the thump, and ease myself to the floor as best I could.
In my head it was like slow motion, but I quickly found myself counting to ten, rolling over and getting back up. I put my slipper back on (which came off in the fall) and soon found myself being a couch-tater today due to some right hip and leg pain. I'm sure it will ease up and it has not stopped me in the past. About four years ago, I tripped over a vacuum cleaner cord and fell on that same hip.
Safety begins at home, make sure all cords are out of the way and you can't trip over them. MY NEW MESSAGE FOR THE DAY!
I'm fine and life goes on. Sometimes getting older is just a bitch!
A friend invited me to the Good Hope Lions Pancake and Sausage Supper at the Wayne Township Hall Saturday. It had been going on for quite a while when we got there at 5pm, and the room was still filled with people. I believe the ticket-taker at the door said over 700 people attended so far, and people were still coming in the door while we were there.
The pancakes were delicious; I didn't eat much of the sausage because it doesn't agree with me, but it was okay too. They offered milk and coffee to drink, and of course, I got milk (not a coffee drinker).
I saw several people I knew, some acquaintances, and one special person, Scott. We were close friends about 16 years ago and I have several photos of Scott and his son at my house for Christmas dinner from years ago.
In this small town, it is still possible to lose track of someone over the years, and I recently reconnected with him on Facebook. I visited his home a few months ago, but alas, he was at work, so I talked to his wife for a while. It was nice to see him again, and I hope we can visit again soon.
The only downside to the visit to the Wayne Township Hall was the restroom. I walked in and walked right back out. It was in terrible shape, a real turn-off.
I did have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, during my outing. My friend's husband usually puts the gas in her car for her. However, our first stop on our way to Good Hope was a gas station. I actually watched her pump her own gas. From what I know, that's a very rare thing to see. We women are strong creatures and WE CAN DO IT when we have to, no matter what the event. It was a good time and a good meal.
In the USA, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time.
Today is the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011, and to all veterans, we thank you for your service to our country!
BE SURE TO GO VOTE TODAY - YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
This is a beautiful sight - to me. It means that I have accomplished much. I have cleaned out both my closets and have many empty hangers now.
I have room in both closets - it's such a good feeling. I had too many clothes. I got rid of everything that didn't fit, or that I haven't worn in six months to a year, or items I just didn't like anymore.
I filled three large white trash bags and took them to Goodwill. I gave certain items away to friends who could use them. I also put many things on the Facebook sites that offer items for sale - Fayette County Yard Sales, South Central Ohio Buy/Sell/Trade. Facebook now has a Greenfield Yard Sale site, and other surrounding areas.
The "cleaning-out" bug hit me and I have also cleaned out my tote of winter sweaters, which were included in the "sale site", and my purse tote, most of which went to Goodwill. I have seriously downsized my closet.
That "bug" that hit me is now being transferred to a neighbor, who also desires to clean-out her house. I have given her some tips and even offered to help. I already got her started on vitamin B12 daily since I take it and am feeling much better these days. I think she'll catch that "cleaning" bug any day now!
I have been cleaning out one room at a time, every nook and cranny, and have found many things to advertise for sale - just "stuff" I no longer use, no longer need, or new items never used. The downsizing is really making me feel good about my neat, clean house. It took two months to accomplish each room one at a time, but the feeling is overwhelmingly wonderful!
This tree reminds me so much of life. Life has its twists and turns, but somehow straightens to grow straight towards heaven. There may be many crooked paths, curved paths, or bends in the road of life, as in the tree, but somehow it keeps going and growing - spreading its limbs and leaves for all to see.
I have had many twists and turns in my life, but I overcame the obstacles put in my way, grown stronger as I aged and learned, and experience taught me well. If you can't stay on the straight and narrow road, and incur a curve, keep going, for you will eventually straighten out your life and your troubles as the tree continues to grow, always toward the heavens.
There is only one person who may recognize this specific tree, but that person is the one who was able to straighten out my curve in life and got me back on my path to growth and acceptance of life as it is now. Things happen, people change, but we must continue to grow and move on. Sometimes growth is painful, but those are the times when we get stronger - inside. Just like the tree, we extend our limbs and the elements make us grow in wisdom.
No matter how crooked or curved it may look, my tree of life is still beautiful to me.
One afternoon a politician was riding in his limousine when he saw two men along the road-side eating grass.
Disturbed, he ordered his driver to stop and got out to investigate.
He asked one man, "Why are you eating grass?"
"We don't have any money for food," the poor man replied. "We have to eat grass."
"Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you," the politician said.
"But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree."
"Bring them along," the politician replied.
Turning to the other poor man he stated, “You may come with us, also."
The second man, in a pitiful voice, then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and SIX children with me!"
"Bring them all as well," the politician answered.
They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limousine was.
Once under way, one of the poor fellows turned to the politician and said, "Sir, you are too kind."
"Thank you for taking all of us with you.
The politician replied, "Glad to do it.
"You'll really love my place…
The grass is almost a foot high"
I have the most wonderful dog (child-to me). She is smart, obedient, and funny. She amuses me with her play, educated me to love and companionship, and loves unconditionally.
She was about a year old when I got her six years ago, and fully obedience trained. However, I did achieve one bit of training on my own. I taught her to eat off a fork or spoon. I must admit she's spoiled and does get a treat of "people food" more than she should. But don't most people spoil their kids is some way? See 20 seconds for yourself...
Saturday was the Merchants Bank sponsored "Shred It" truck day. People started lining up at 11:30am I was told. I left home at 12:09pm and got in line at the corner of Broadway and North Street. The line went up to the alley behind the church, went through the alley, turned left at the alley across from the entrance to Merchants Bank on East Street, and then two traffic lines were formed to drive to the truck. I was surprised at all the cars waiting in line. In just a couple minutes after I got in line, there were about eight cars in line behind me extending down North Street.
Many brought trash bags full, and many brought boxes and boxes full. I had two tote boxes full. I finally got my file cabinet cleaned out. My mother was a paper saver, even though seven years was the standard back then. I found her tax returns from 1971 to 2004 inclusive. I was a little surprised, but not shocked. All her Medicare bills and bank statements were also disposed of. I also had many years worth of old papers and bank statements. It felt good to empty more than two drawers of that old file cabinet.
The line moved along fairly well and when it was my turn, I opened the back of the truck and one guy took one tote and another guy took the other tote, handed them to the worker in the truck, and all the papers were dumped into the shredder. You could hear the grinding of the shredding motor from well outside the truck. When I finally drove out of the bank parking lot, it was 1:00pm. 
Wilma Coulter from the bank, whom I've known for many years, told me that the Shred It company charges $200 per hour for their services, and it was Merchants Bank's gift to the community to have the truck available for two hours so people could have all their personal documents shredded in an attempt to avoid identity theft. I know I counted at least 50 cars in my vision as I made it through the line, and they had another hour to go after I left.
I think the effort to get people to shred their documents was a great success. I hope they do it again. I have a few more file drawers to clean out for next time!
On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence.
One day two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.
'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me,' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.
Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate.
Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me...'
He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.
'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!'
The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.' When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.
Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.'
The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord...'
Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything.
The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.
At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done...'
They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile before the kid on the bike passed him.
Life is sometimes like a baseball game. Sometimes you hit a home run. Sometimes you just get on base. Sometimes you strike out.
Just take each pitch in stride, get through the innings, and wait for another game. Tomorrow is another day!
LIFE GOES ON!
Today I read an article about - SuperPacs and Secret Money - in the Huffington Post online. The shameful decision by the Supreme Court on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has led to corruption, millionaire's money buying politicians. Corporations ARE NOT people, yet they also buy politicians.
The article said:
"The federal system of campaign finance is in the midst of a sea change following the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), which undid a host of regulations covering the use of corporate and union money by independent groups in elections. Those independent groups are forming a shadow campaign apparatus fueled by unlimited and often undisclosed contributions, without the same accountability required of political parties or candidates' own political action committees."
Instead of raising billions of dollars from secret donors, why don't those donors donate their money to fund unemployment compensation for the many people out of work, so they can go to the store to buy groceries to feed their families. Why don't they donate some of their big money to fund charities who take care of the elderly and poor so those less fortunate have a roof over their heads and food to eat.
The rich spend their money on luxuries and lavish life styles. They don't understand that if poor people have money, they will spend it on food, and absolute necessities, which in turn creates demand for products, which in turn makes producers of products to create more products, and to do that it needs more employees. Companies will hire more people to produce the products that are in demand, for those who have the money to spend, and the unemployment rate will come down.
A country that takes care of its poor, elderly, disabled, and homeless, is a much better country. The corruption is being paid for by millionaires who want to see the poor, elderly, disabled and homeless cease to exist. They cannot see below their noses, so high in the air.
Tax the rich, close the loopholes for the rich, and do away with big corporate tax credits instead of making the poor pay more and give up their medications or meals. The "rich bitches" of this country have no heart, no soul, and no patriotic feel for what this country was founded on. They thrive on making things worse, being obstructionists, and being racist. It's getting disgusting to even say the word that starts with "R" as a party. This country will cease to exist if they keep going down their path to destruction. I'm ashamed to say that the "Weeper of the House" is from Ohio.
On Wednesday evening at 6:00pm, a Grand Opening was held for the Fayette County Headquarters of the We Are Ohio Repeal SB5 effort. The office is located in the old Midland Building on the corner of East and Main Streets, Suite 4.
Office hours are noon to 8:00pm Monday through Friday, and shorter hours on Saturdays. The office has literature, bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs available for pickup free.
Phone banks are held on Wednesdays, but volunteers can stop by to lend a hand to the effort anytime during open office hours to help get the word out to local voters regarding the repeal effort.
In attendance was former State Representative Ray Pryor, who gave the invocation for the event.
The guest speaker was John Ryan, who was working for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. He left Brown's office to help guide the campaign to repeal Ohio's new collective bargaining law.
John Ryan, who's been Brown's state director since 2007, left to join the campaign known as "We Are Ohio."
Ryan is the former head of the Cleveland AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, now called the North Shore AFL-CIO, and is widely respected among union leaders.
We Are Ohio is a coalition of labor groups who collected enough valid voter signatures to place a referendum of the collective bargaining law, knows as Senate Bill 5, on the November ballot.
The bill, passed by the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature and touted widely by Ohio's Republican Governor, limits collective bargaining rules of some 360,000 state workers. Even though the State of Ohio claims 360,000 state workers, over 1.3 million valid signatures were turned in to the Secretary of State from registered voters who want to support the repeal of SB5.
A good crowd was on hand for the opening, which also included pizza, pop and desert for attendees.
All volunteers are welcome; please stop by the office and see Sue or Dorothy to deliver yard signs, make phone calls, etc. VOTE NO ON ISSUE 2, THE REPEAL OF SB5.
A little house with three bedrooms,
One bathroom and one car on the street.
A mower that you had to push
To make the grass look neat.
In the kitchen on the wall
We only had one phone,
And no need for recording things,
Someone was always home.
We only had a living room
Where we would congregate,
Unless it was at mealtime
In the kitchen where we ate.
We had no need for family rooms
Or extra rooms to dine.
When meeting as a family
Those two rooms would work out fine.
We only had one TV set
And channels maybe two,
But always there was one of them
With something worth the view.
For snacks we had potato chips
That tasted like a chip.
And if you wanted flavor
There was Lipton's onion dip.
Store-bought snacks were rare because
My mother liked to cook
And nothing can compare to snacks
In Betty Crocker's book.
Weekends were for family trips
Or staying home to play.
We all did things together --
Even go to church to pray.
When we did our weekend trips
Depending on the weather,
No one stayed at home because
We liked to be together.
Sometimes we would separate
To do things on our own,
But we knew where the others were
Without our own cell phone.
Then there were the movies
With your favorite movie star,
And nothing can compare
To watching movies in your car.
Then there were the picnics
At the peak of summer season,
Pack a lunch and find some trees
And never need a reason.
Get a baseball game together
With all the friends you know,
Have real action playing ball --
And no game video.
Remember when the doctor
Used to be the family friend,
And didn't need insurance
Or a lawyer to defend?
The way that he took care of you
Or what he had to do,
Because he took an oath and strived
To do the best for you.
Remember going to the store
And shopping casually,
And when you went to pay for it
You used your own money?
Nothing that you had to swipe
Or punch in some amount,
And remember when the cashier person
Had to really count?
The milkman used to go
From door to door,
And it was just a few cents more
Than going to the store.
There was a time when mailed letters
Came right to your door,
Without a lot of junk mail ads
Sent out by every store...
The mailman knew each house by name
And knew where it was sent;
There were not loads of mail addressed
To "present occupant."
There was a time when just one glance
Was all that it would take,
And you would know the kind of car,
The model and the make.
They didn't look like turtles
Trying to squeeze out every mile;
They were streamlined, white walls, fins
And really had some style.
One time the music that you played
Whenever you would jive,
Was from a vinyl, big-holed record
Called a forty-five.
The record player had a post
To keep them all in line
And then the records would drop down
And play one at a time.
Oh sure, we had our problems then,
Just like we do today
And always we were striving,
Trying for a better way.
Oh, the simple life we lived
Still seems like so much fun,
How can you explain a game,
Just kick the can and run?
And why would boys put baseball cards
Between bicycle spokes
And for a nickel, red machines
had little bottled Cokes?
This life seemed so much easier
and slower in some ways.
I love the new technology
but I sure do miss those days.
So time moves on and so do we
and nothing stays the same,
but I sure love to reminisce
and walk down memory lane.
MY GENERATION CAN REMEMBER SO MUCH OF THIS AS BEING THE WAY IT WAS!
Even after you see it, it is still hard to believe!
Water Bridge in Germany. What a feat!
Six years, 500 million Euros, 918 meters long...now this is engineering!
This is a channel-bridge over the River Elbe and joins the former East and West Germany as part of the unification project. It is located in the city of Magdeburg, near Berlin. The photo was taken on the day of inauguration ...
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is a navigable aqueduct in Germany that connects the Elbe-Havel Canal to the Mittelland Canal, and allows ships to cross over the Elbe River. At 918 meters, it is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world.
The Elbe-Havel and Mittelland canals had previously met near Magdeburg but on opposite sides of the Elbe. Ships moving between the two had to make a 12-kilometer detour, descending from the Mittelland Canal through the Rothensee boat lift into the Elbe, then sailing downstream on the river, before entering the Elbe-Havel Canal through Niegripp lock. Low water levels in the Elbe often prevented fully laden canal barges from making this crossing, requiring time-consuming off-loading of cargo.
Construction of the water link was started as early as in the 1930s but due to the World War 2 and subsequent division of Germany the work remained suspended till 1997. The aqueduct was finally completed and opened to the public in 2003.
To those who appreciate engineering projects, here's a puzzle for your armchair engineers...and physicists.
Question:
Did that bridge have to be designed to withstand the additional weight of ship and barge traffic, or just the weight of the water?
Answer:
It only needs to be designed to withstand the weight of the water!
Why?
A ship always displaces an amount of water that weighs the same as the ship, regardless of how heavily a ship may be loaded.
A friend of mine has a new blog here on blogspot. To all my friends and followers: please go and view his new blog, and sign up to follow him. He is trying to get viewers and get their website off the ground and running.
The blog is PetSuppliesandFashion.blogspot.com CLICK HERE for the link.
His daughter' website is PetSuppliesandFashion.com CLICK HERE for the link.
Thank you and I know they would appreciate your viewing their sites, especially if you like (or have) a cat or a dog, or other pet. The website give all kinds of advice for pet owners and/or lovers.
Yesterday I learned how to remove old wall border (the wet & stick kind) that was applied over another border (the wallpaper paste type). I needed to cut some of the first layer off to square it up, and when pealed, it left the paper backing to the wall. I learned that a wet wash cloth dabbed onto the paper backing, then scraped with a plastic putty knife, removes all the paste and paper.
Once all that was done, I was able to paint the wall area where the border stopped. It was getting up and down off the step stool so many times that caused my legs to give out. But the painting got done!
The repairman showed up later and the room was ready for the final work. The mudding was completed on the drywall and the walls of the room were painted. Today, all I have to do is put the electrical outlet covers back on and vacuum the room. Then it's DONE!!
While he was working to paint the walls, I got ambitious and started painting the laundry room, until my body gave out again. He finished the areas I could not reach (because sometimes I feel short and can't reach too high). Even the shelves are straight and painted!
What an improvement all this work makes to beautify a home. Hard work. Tiring work. Makes a body hurt. But the final look is GREAT!
You give me hope
And help me cope
When life pulls me down
You bring me around.
You taught me to care
And help me share
From you I learned love
With grace from above.
It's for you I live
And want to give
You are the reason
That fills the season.
When I hear "love" I think of you
You are my world and best friend too.
I love you because
you are thoughtful
I love you because
you are caring
I just love you because.
A mother's heart can be broken by words
But a hug can mend it and wipe away tears.
So never forget the love that is given
Because it's never ending and things are forgiven.
REMEMBER 9/11/01 AND ALL WHO WERE LOST
ESPECIALLY THE MANY FIREMEN WHO FOUGHT TO SAVE SO MANY OTHERS.
I remember September 11th for one other very special reason. For as long as I can remember back in my childhood, September 11th was always celebrated by my parents. It was the seed to my very existence. My parents were married September 11, 1935. They met in Dayton, while my mother was working at Frigidare after attending Miami Jacobs College. They had been married 38 years when my father passed away. I always remember 9/11.
For those following my "black cloud" events, I just wanted to let you know that Tuesday I was ready for the final inspection on the new electrical panel. The permit was issued, the inspection was done, and IT PASSED. Of course, I had no doubt as to its viability since the workmanship was so well done.
I now have my final approval certificate and proceed to move on. The carpet needs vacuuming and some general cleaning, but I'm so happy that is done.
Now all I need to do is find someone to repair the drywall around the panel, paint the area, and I'm finished. Next week will not be so bad and things are looking up.
It may be raining outside, but sunny days are ahead for me, finally.
