Friday, October 24, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom

October 16th - well, yes, I'm late but it's due to my surgery and my business trip. Sorry Mom - but I have a tribute to you on this 'would-be' 92nd birthday.

My Mom is Florence. My friends just loved her, I am forever in her debt.

Happy Birthday, Mom,
I wonder what you would think about how the world has changed in the last 16 years, since you've moved on to heaven.

We're experiencing economic tough times, the toughest I've ever seen in my lifetime. People are losing jobs, 1-in-3 houses in California are in foreclosure, prices are high and people are begging for a change. It's just that the change they are asking for sounds more like socialism than capitalism. Increase taxes on the richest and 'redistribute the wealth' to the poorest. And here I sit somewhere in the middle and I will have to help pay for some of this redistribution - in higher taxes.

The election for president is very heated, but I think you would support John McCain. McCain is part of that "tried and true" politician, the one that has experience, understands how to make a quick decision and has a plan that keeps us out of the socialism pathway. You would like his VP pick, Sarah Palin, too. She is from Alaska, just a "regular" person who has the desire to fight big-business and politics as usual - it's actually refreshing.

But you wouldn't like to see how the feminists and celebrities treat her. They smear her, make fun of her, scream about how much they hate her. It's HORRIBLE! You always taught me that it is about equal pay for equal work (which still doesn't happen) and not the actual politics of that person.

You know, this is the first time in our history that an african-american is running for president and it is exciting. It would be even better if he didn't want to end the culture in our company from what you would recognize to this NEW change - socialism. You know, like Robin Hood, steal from the rich and give to the poor. In theory, I'm sure it's fine, but in reality this is INSANE!

We have to elect John McCain - I am interested in keeping the America that we know and love and are willing to die for as I am sure you would be too.

P.S. You'd be happy to know that your great-grandson is a very charming young man. You would be totally proud! Your grandchildren are doing good, in fact, Tamara is moving to Spain, Jake is married with a baby on the way and living in Kansas City, and Beka is still figuring things out, but she pays her bills and takes care of business. In fact, you have taught me so many valuable lessons that prepared me for life. I hope I have prepared my kids as well as you prepared me.


Hey Mom - I love you and miss you! Sherry, Steve, Roland and I had dinner on your birthday and toasted you! We miss you so much! And I think of you all the time, even after 16 years!




"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Raise my taxes!!???!! Oh Please!!

This is too true to be funny.

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.


A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of it's releases.

A.
A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.

D.
A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E.
A billion dollars ago was only
8 hours and 20 minutes,
at the rate our government
is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain...

let's take a look at New Orleans ..

It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) is presently asking Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number... what does it mean?

A.

Well... if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528.

B.

Or... if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C.
Or... if you are a family of four... your family gets $2,066,012.


Washington, D. C HELLO!

Are all your calculators broken??


Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago... and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt... We had the largest middle class in the world... and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened?

Can you spell 'politicians!'


What the heck happened????? Enough is ENOUGH!!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

12 Day past surgery

Day 12, I'm doing pretty good - my foot seems to be healing very nicely. I can get around quite well with my "moon boot". I plan on going back into the office tomorrow afternoon - I managed to come home Monday at lunch and stay home each day until tomorrow. But it's ok, I need to get out of the house for a while. Besides, I have meetings with my project team, so I need to be there.

Glad that I went to Dr. Roof - I go see him Friday morning - hoping for good news!!

"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

American's are grieving the economy and the devastation to their retirement/savings

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/16294/

this was VERY interesting - when I was in college 10 years ago (OMG! it was 10 yrs ago!!) I learned of the 5 stages of GRIEF: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Grief

When it comes to our economy, I think I'm at the anger stage, although the country is considered to be at the bargaining stage - but depression is next (and for all of you non-historians - it's not depression like recession vs depression - but depression like PROZAC!) and then I picture it to be GRIEF - like grieving over the loss of our wealth - not that I'm wealthy - but more like the loss of our 401K's.

If you're planning to retire sooner than 2018 all I can say is GOOD LUCK!! I doubt that you can and if you can, I'M JEALOUS!! I wish I could retire in 6 yrs but NO WAY now!


"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Presidential Debates


If I offend you - SORRY - and I really don't mean it, well, maybe I do, afterall you are a socialist and I am not. SO, if I offend you, it's because you support Obama. AND HE IS A DANGEROUS MAN!!! I want to have the America I grew up in BACK and it's NEVER coming back. I can just hope that I keep a job and am able to pay my bills. GOD BLESS AMERICA even if we are stupid enough to support Obama - do you think he's the ANTI-CHRIST?? Some think he's the MESSIAH - I have news for you, he's not MY messiah - ONLY JESUS CHRIST IS MY MESSIAH!!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Our Economy

TO ALL MY FRIENDS....LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE...

George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years. The first six the economy
was fine.
A little over one year ago:

1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;
2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon;
3) the unemployment rate was 4.5%.
4) the DOW JONES hit a record high--14,000 +
5) American's were buying new cars,taking cruises, vacations overseas, living large!...

But American's wanted 'CHANGE'!  So, in 2006 they voted in a Democratic Congress and yes--we got 'CHANGE' all right.

In the PAST YEAR:

1) Consumer confidence has plummeted ;
2) Gasoline is now over $4 a gallon & climbing!;
3) Unemployment is up to 5.5% (a 10% increase);
4) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $12 TRILLION DOLLARS and prices still dropping;
5) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
6) as I write, THE DOW is probing another low~~
$2.5 TRILLION DOLLARS HAS EVAPORATED FROM THEIR STOCKS, BONDS; MUTUAL FUNDS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS!
YES, IN 2006 AMERICA VOTED FOR CHANGE...AND WE SURE GOT IT! ....
REMEMBER THE PRESIDENT HAS NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THESE ISSUES, ONLY
CONGRESS.
AND WHAT HAS CONGRESS DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
NOW THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT CLAIMS HE IS GOING TO REALLY GIVE
US CHANGE ALONG WITH A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS!!!!
JUST HOW MUCH MORE 'CHANGE' DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAND?

Monday, October 06, 2008

John McCain for President

McCain Palin for President Vice-President

Not Obama:
1. too radical
2. backed by long-time anti-American/Anti-Semite leaders
3. limited experience
4. don't trust him
5. seems that he lies alot


"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

10 days post surgery

I went back into the office today for the morning. It was quite the adventure. It took me over an hour just to get showered, dressed and ready. By the time I did all that, I was ready to go back to bed!!! But I went to the office, felt my normal self-cursing the stupid drivers on the road :) Just kidding! But I haven't had to deal with the stupid drivers in 10 days so it wasn't very pleasant.

But, getting into the office was excellent. I had a couple of meetings, got some work done and came home at lunch. Man, I was tired when I was on my way home, so much so that I thought I was going to pass out while I was driving home. I don't even remember ever feeling like that. Despite that, I've had a great day.

Day 10 recap:
1. allowed to remove the bandages put on my foot on Friday
2. my incision is 100% closed
3. today is the first day allowed to take a shower
4. I've got tons of dry skin on my foot from being bandaged for 10 days - amazing how much skin can die in such a short time. - washing my foot felt so good :)
5. went to work for half day
6. propped my foot up on my upside down garbage can and a pillow :)
7. came home and propped up/iced down and kept working
8. been relaxing, working rest of the day

More tomorrow in the recovery adventure.


"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

Welcome to American Political Satire:



"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles


Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Surgery Update

So a week has gone by and my foot is so much better. Went to the Dr. on Friday. He changed the bandage and my foot looked pretty good. I can't wait until the swelling goes down. Now, it's going to take some time to heal.

But as of yesterday I'm off pain meds, in a moon boot/walking boot, am allowed to return to the office part-time. I still have to prop my foot up, keep it iced down, and stay off as much as I can. Might as well get used to the newest fashion accessory! I'll take some pics and share :)

The recovery has been swift, exponential improvement!! I'm so glad. So I've spent a week in a recliner, relaxing, working, watching movies, reading books, and playing games on my computer. The dogs have been cuddling up with me, watching me, walking with me, making sure I get where I'm going ok. :) They have been so good.

So today, we dropped them off at the groomer, they got baths, brushed, massaged, teeth brushed, nails trimmed and had a generally good time. They came home smelling sooooo good - like pumpkin spice - just in time for Halloween!!! They are cuddling up on my lap and keeping me warm.......mmmmmm

I highly recommend my podiatrist: Dr. Rodney Roof @ the Cincinnati Center for Foot Care.



"...And in the end
The love you take
is equal to the love you make."

---The Beatles

Thanks for reading my Heavenly Thoughts