I would never trade my friends, my life, or my family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly goose that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my porch. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, and to be extravagant. I have seen too many friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with ageing. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk on the beach in a swim suit that is stretched, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers or leaves, or even when somebody's beloved pet dies? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it's easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer the question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. I will remember the good things I have done in the past and the accomplishments I have achieved. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
This reminds me of my nights, because my little gal sleeps with me, but on the lower three-quarters of the bed. She does NOT sleep on a pillow! She is a good alarm clock when I oversleep, alerts me to noises she can hear while I'm asleep, and remains my constant loyal companion. Unconditional love - and spoiled rotten, but I love it!
Today is what I am going to call my Meditation Day. I am going to stay home and think about the past memories I have about a special person in my life. She was introduced to me right after I was born. She lived with my parents for a while during the time her husband was in the Korean War serving in the Army.
During my youth, I spend a lot of time with her as the family circle was close. After the war, they were transferred to Texas and were stationed at one base while her husband finished his 30-year Army career. She got a job at the military base and rose through the secretarial ranks to become the executive assistant to the base commander. She also retired after working there 30 years.
For a long time, she would fly to Ohio to visit every two years, and we drove down to Texas a few times before my parents passed away. She lived in the same house for almost 60 years.
I have such good memories of driving down in 2006 and spending a few days with her; then in 2009 I spent a week visiting her; then again in 2010 I spent two weeks there. She was no longer able to travel to Ohio due to physical limitations that started in 2003.
Today is the one year anniversary of my aunt's death at age 89. My mother also died at the age of 89. They were six years apart in age growing up, but had similar traits as sisters. The irony of the family history is uncanny. Each of those sisters had one daughter during their marriage. Each of those daughters bore one son during their lifetime.
As I drove to Texas for the funeral in 2011, I started to think about all the events that were intertwined. My mother had died six years earlier (and they were six years apart in age). The date of the funeral was February 5, which was the actual date of the sixth anniversary of my mother's death in 2005. At the funeral, my thoughts were of both sisters being reunited in Heaven and my having time to grieve for both of them.
Luckily, I have many fond memories of our past, and memories are the one thing that no one can ever take away from a person. As I smile today, it will be because I know they are in a better place, out of the pain they each suffered prior to their deaths. I'm sure they are happy to be together, watching over me.
In the last 24 hours, we have had rain, snow, ice, and fog. Tonight rain is predicted to start during the night, with possible thunder showers.
IT'S OHIO - wait a short time, the weather will change again!
THEN.....
THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! They beat the Baltimore Ravens today in an exciting game.
The New York Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in an overtime game that was tied 17 to 17 when the official clock ran out.
The Super Bowl will be played in Indianapolis, Indiana and I am looking forward to an interesting game and spectacular commercials.
The nice thing about all this is: once football season is over, after the Super Bowl, the NASCAR season starts in February with the Daytona 500 race. GO GO GO RACING!
After 35 years of marriage, a husband and wife came for counseling.
When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married.
On and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured.
Finally, after allowing this for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking the wife to stand, he embraced and kissed her long and passionately as her husband watched - with a raised eyebrow.
The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze.
The therapist turned to the husband and said, "that is what your wife needs at least 3 times a week. Can you do this?"
"Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish."
Should children witness childbirth?
Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to a call about a baby on the way. The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 4-year old girl to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.
Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Her mother pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 4-year old what she thought about what she had just witnessed. Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place, smack his ass again!"
If you don't laugh at this one, there's no hope for you.
Do you like trivia? I do sometimes. I found some new, but unusual, items to share.
1. Philadelphia Brand cream cheese was made in New York.
Cream cheese was first made in 1872 in New York State by dairyman William A. Lawrence. Eight years later, the enterprising cheese distributor A. L. Reynolds packaged the cheese in foil wrappers and called it Philadelphia Brand because the public associated the City of Brotherly Love with high-quality food products. To this day, Philadelphia cream cheese has a monopoly on the cream cheese market.
2. Gatorade does have something to do with "Gators".
In 1965, a coach for the Florida Gators college football team and one of the university's kidney specialists came up with a concoction of water, salt, sugar, and lemon juice to keep the school's football players hydrated and energized while playing football under the hot Southern sun. Two years later, Gatorade was marketed nationally and has since netted the University of Florida more than $90 million in revenues.
3. SPAM stands for something!
In 1937, in Austin, Minnesota, the Hormel Company developed the first canned meat product that did not require refrigeration. Made of chopped pork shoulder and ham (a cut from the pig's buttock and thigh), it was marketed simply as "Hormel Spiced Ham." The public's response was anti-climactic. Other companies developed their own canned meats, and Hormel's product was soon at risk of getting lost in the shuffle. To save the day, a decision was made to offer a prize to the person who could think up a catchy new name. The winning entry was "Spam". Several versions of the name's meaning are in circulation - the two most credible are: It's a blend of "spice" and "ham," and it stands for "Shoulder of Pork and Ham." What is known for certain is that Kenneth Daigneau, a Broadway actor - and the brother of a Hormel vice president - submitted "Spam." As the contest winner, he was given a prize of $100. If you travel to Austin, Minnesota, you can visit the Spam Museum.
4. What does the Frisbee have to do with pie?
The Frisbie Pie Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, sold pies. Local college students used the empty tins (embossed with the words "Frisbie's Pies") to play catch. In 1948, Walter Morrison and Warren Franscioni found a way to capitalize on this free toy by creating a plastic version called the Flyin' Saucer and later renamed the Pluto Platter Flying Saucer. When the founders of Wham-O bought rights to the toy and renamed it Frisbee, sales truly went out of this world.
5. What is a chicken noodle in Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup?
"Chicken with Noodles" soup was a variety introduced to the public by Campbell's in 1934. Despite the fact that it is now considered a mainstay comfort food, sales back then were slow - until the product's name was misread during an episode of the popular Amos 'n' Andy radio show. Once listeners heard the words "chicken noodle soup," consumer interest was captured. Folks began to call Campbell's to ask about this "new" soup. Wise to a good thing, the company quickly dropped the "with" and the "s" and renamed the soup to match the blooper that raised its sales.
6. Marshmallows used to soothe sore throats.
Today a marshmallow is a spongy treat cooked over campfires. Up until the mid-1800s, marshmallow candy was used medicinally. Doctors extracted juice from the roots of the marsh-mallow plant and cooked it with egg whites and sugar, then whipped it into a foamy meringue. This hardened and the resulting candy soothed children's sore throats. Eventually, advanced manufacturing processes replaced the root juice with gelatin, which eliminated any healing properties.
Finally, grocery stores offer lots of convenience items, but don't buy the following items because they cost more:
1. Cosmetic and skin care items (higher prices)
2. Pre-ground coffee (high mark ups)
3. Party supplies (higher prices)
4. Kitchen appliances (few choices)
5. Hardware (light bulbs, extension cords, tools, nails, etc.)
6. Cookware and bakeware (heavily marked up in price)
7. Some fruits and vegetables (some are loaded with pesticides), buy organic apples, bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, and potatoes; safe to purchase are asparagus, sweet peas, eggplant, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and onions.
8. Gourmet cheese (pricey items with a short shelf life)
Save money, shop the dollar and discount stores.
There were 10 companies in the news that were listed as the most hated right now. There are various reasons for each of the following, but I have listed only a couple.
1. Facebook - for their privacy issues and many unwanted changes.
2. American Airlines - bad customer service and mishandled baggage.
3. AT&T - bad customer service and network problems.
4. Nokia - lowest overall satisfaction and drop in brand value.
5. Goldman Sachs - mortgage fraud and poster boy for big banks.
6. Best Buy - online orders rejected for lack of product at Christmas.
7. Bank of America - poor customer service and being sued by the government.
8. Johnson & Johnson - recall of many products.
9. Sears - bad customer satisfaction and losing sales; closing stores.
10. Netflix - raised rates caused massive customer complaints and loss of customers.
Large companies can only grow with customer support and some of their actions have caused their downfall. Bad decisions are being made by executives and CEO's that are making millions in salaries. They don't take the customers into consideration, only their bottom line - because of corporate greed. CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King has become a national icon in the history of modern American liberalism.
A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he expanded American values to include the vision of a color blind society, and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.
In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and stopping the Vietnam War.
Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a strong victory over the Denver Broncos with a final score of 45 to 10. Tim Tebow got sacked four times and taken down at least three other times. He just could not make headway.
The Patriots move on toward the Super Bowl. It was an exciting game to watch. GO PATRIOTS!
I read the following article by Susan Adelman, a syndicated columnist. It was entitled How The Rich Can Rebuild America. I thought it was so good, I would share it. I wish the Republicans would see the wisdom of this, but they are too hell-bent on destroying America, not saving it.
"I'm a member of the 1 percent. I've watched my income tax rates fall over my lifetime, from a top rate of 91 percent under President Dwight Eisenhower to the current low rate of 35 percent.
When taxes were higher, this nation built a vibrant middle-class life for millions. Our schools, libraries, bridges, railways, and roads made the United States the envy of the world.
America has been good to my family. My grandfather was a Lithuanian immigrant who owned a general store in Waco, Texas. He helped my father start his business — the Tivoli Theatre in Fort Worth — during the Great Depression. Times were tough. Going to the movies was a way to escape and a ticket cost only a nickel. The business grew to a chain of eight independent theaters in Texas and Oklahoma. My dad invested the money he made wisely.
As tax rates have fallen, our schools, libraries, bridges, railways, and roads have begun to crumble. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs in this Great Recession. Congress continues to resist raising taxes on the wealthy, even though those higher taxes could create the jobs and rebuild the infrastructure that this country so desperately needs.
The 1 percent made billions of dollars during the boom years. Each time Congress reduced the tax rates, we made even more. When President George W. Bush took office, the top income tax rate was just under 40 percent. Congress cut it to 35 percent. Moreoever, many wealthy Americans make a lot of money earning interest on investments, buying and selling stocks, and banking the dividends those stocks produce. Most of those financial gains are taxed at just 15 percent.
A few years ago, Warren Buffett vowed to give a million bucks to any Fortune 500 CEO who could prove he paid a higher tax rate than his secretary. Not one came forward.
Our government taxes work much more than it taxes wealth. What does that say about our values?
Even if tax rates for the 1 percent had been maintained at year-2000 levels, the wealthiest of us would pay more than we do now, but not as much as we should. Still, there would be several trillion dollars more in the nation's treasury, and we 1-percenters would all still be rich.
Some of us get it. We've come together in groups like Patriotic Millionaires to make the case to Congress and the public that we should push those tax rates up to reasonable levels.
As long as Congress refuses to act, here's a simple proposal: I call on other members of the 1 percent to come together to set up a temporary fund to be run by someone with a commitment to rebuilding America, someone like Warren Buffett or Melinda Gates. Those who like the idea would pay in the amount of money they've saved from the lower tax rates. The fund would be used to support our country's long-term economic health, from infrastructure projects to making our schools energy-efficient. Other projects could help rebuild vibrant and green Main Streets.
This is properly the role of government, but government right now isn't doing its job. Just imagine how many jobs we could create if we taxed ourselves as we should be taxed in a decent and fair society.
I believe others would join me in this effort. As more joined in, we millionaires and hopefully some billionaires could challenge others to do the same thing. This would prove that many rich people are ready and willing to raise taxes on themselves.
I was raised to understand that I am part of a privileged minority. I'm getting tired of standing out here by myself yelling, "Tax me!""
Susan Adelman is the owner of a small business, a social justice activist, and president of the Lucy and Isadore B. Adelman Foundation.
My weekend starts NOW!
My house is clean.
I have my (snack) food staples on hand.
I have plenty of dog food for my little gal.
I am ready for the big football game at 8pm on Saturday night between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, at New England. GO PATRIOTS!
AND the snow has started falling; two inches are predicted.
I will stay inside with my warm blanket and LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! (No white Christmas, but winter has arrived at the middle of January. Climate change.)
Happy shoveling to all!
I went internet surfing to find a holiday to match January 10. I found that it was PECULIAR PERSON DAY today. I found the following information:
Today is not the day to poke fun. On this day we are encouraged to honor peculiar people in our life!
We did not find any reference to why the month of January or why the 10th of the month was picked to celebrate this day.
How can I Celebrate this holiday?
Find something peculiar about yourself! - Chances are, you to can find something peculiar about yourself if you look hard enough. Make a game of it with friends. Let each person tell what they think is peculiar about themselves. Be careful - you don't want to tell why you think the person beside you is peculiar - you may get slapped. Plus you don't want to hurt anyones feelings now do you. It's ok to talk about yourself though.
Therefore, I will reveal a peculiarity about myself that one special person in my life finds very funny.
If I plan to stay inside for the weekend, or bad weather is coming, I always make sure I have four items on hand: Eggos, ice cream, milk, and popcorn. Before a stormy weekend, my friend will ask me, "Do you have your Eggos and ice cream?" I can make it through any bad weather as long as I have MY staples on hand!
Today was the playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. The two best quarterbacks in the NFL were pitted against each other: Tim Tebow and Ben Roethlisberger.
It was a roller coaster trying to watch that game. YES! NO! GO!
Ben went into the game with a sore ankle, wore a brace and two different colored shoes, one being a size larger than the other. He got sacked several times, but still played on.
The Steelers were up 6-0, then at half time the Broncos were ahead. During the third quarter, the Steelers rallied and the game was tied 23-23 at the end of the fourth quarter.
The game went into NFL overtime - very unusual. The first play (and last play) took 11 seconds to complete. It was the fastest ending to an overtime in NFL history.
After the coin toss, the Broncos elected to receive. On the first play, Tebow threw the ball to his receiver who ran for an 80 yard touchdown with two Steelers running fast on his heels, but not fast enough.
The game was over and I faced BUMMER #2. A terrible weekend for me!
Next weekend the Broncos play the New England Patriots in New England. It will be interesting to see the former Bengal - Chad Ochocinco, a tall receiver - try to intercept a Tebow throw.
One down, two to go.
It was a disappointing final score as I watched the Texans beat the Bengals this evening 30 to 10. There were some good plays, but some bad plays on the Bengals part.
The Bengals return to Cincinnati at least knowing that they made it to the wild-card playoffs for the first time in many years. Better luck next year guys. The WhoDey fans will stay true and faithful.
Next is the Steelers game and then the Patriots game. I hope they do better.
Seniors are said to have wisdom and experience. The older generation tries to teach the younger generation in order to pass along their "smarts."
I have recently learned that the younger generation can teach us old folks some "smarts" too.
I used to be a "brand" person some of the time, like Heinz ketchup, or Kraft cheese and Lay's potato chips. But I have learned that sometimes brands don't matter.
Someone took me to Aldi's around the holidays. I purchased a few items, one of which was a rice and chicken microwave dinner. The box was a meal for two so it made two night's dinners for me.
Today I decided to go back to Aldi's and get a few more to put in the freezer for the winter. I don't get out much on heavy snow days. I like to stock my freezer with at least two weeks worth of meals just in case the weather is too bad to get to the store.
I purchased only 9 items, but learned a valuable lesson. With 4 rice and chicken dinners (enough for 2 meals each), 4 chicken pot pies, and one lasagna (enough for 2 meals), I can eat for 14 days and it only cost me $25.00. Wow, dinner for two weeks for only $25.00!
Then I went to the dollar store to get a couple things, and also picked up some ketchup (they only carried Hunts brand) and some spray cooking oil like PAM, but I got the store brand because it was cheaper.
I saved money at both stops, instead of going to Kroger. I learned that off brands taste just as good as the name brands sometimes. Someone had been trying to tell me that, but I was a slow learner! Smart kid! Now, smarter me!
This is the time of year that most people make their New Years resolutions. The mistake most people make are their goals are set too high, therefore, those resolutions soon fail.
This year, if you are going to make a resolution for a life change or a personal trait you are trying to improve, start slow. Don't make your goal so hard. Think of it as a step ladder. One step at a time.
This year my goal is to drink more water and less soda pop. Water is much better for the body and costs a lot less.
Here's to new resolutions - CHEERS!
As you get older, it's easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer the question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. I will remember the good things I have done in the past and the accomplishments I have achieved. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it). 
