Snippets

I know it's rude to listen to those that are around you talk about what's going on in their lives but sometimes it's too hard not to listen. Like, the other day I was walking down the street after a successful term at the gym, minding my own business. It was late in the afternoon on a fairly busy city street when I heard this, "Yes, he faked his death and is now living in Mexico somewhere." I was so intrigued I wanted to turn around and follow the ladies to see if they were talking about what happened on their favorite TV show or someone they knew. What would you have done?

Total Reform

So, I have been pondering much about the state of the economy and how government just cannot seem to keep up with its spending initiatives. I guess, from my last post, you are clear about that! So, I have an idea that will be quite unpopular for some and, probably, quite popular for others, here it is:

Since this is the technology age, instead of having government offices for everything under the sun staffed in many places with many people and many computers and much overhead cost, why don't we require that some things be done by computer, and by computer only. If you do not have a computer there are computers available in every library and other public spots. You may use those. Can you imagine the amount of money we would save?

I know you are thinking, "Like what services?" So, here's what I am thinking, car registration and other automobile related transactions (there is no reason why most of these cannot be done online, of course there are exceptions here, like the actual driving exam); tax forms and advice (no more local IRS or state outlets but call centers would be available if you cannot find your answer online but you may have a wait ahead of you); those are the most obvious to me but there are hundreds of other opportunities to cut here. That way we could take the money the various governments continue to take from the education coffers and put it back.

What do you think? Am I on the right track?

The State of Education

We are pretty lucky (if you can call it that) because we live within the boundaries of one of the school districts that consistently ranks in the top 10 in California. However, as I'm sure the entire world knows, California has fallen on difficult times. It is not just California, though, the entire globe is struggling right now but, humor me, lets focus on the great state in which I reside, California.

So, California ran into some difficult budget issues this year and had to balance the budget. I know everyone has to give in these situations but it does not appear that everyone is giving. The state government reps know which side their bread is buttered and it's not the education side. To balance the budget, our wise senators and assembly persons elected to cut more money from the public education budget. Why is it that California is the 5th largest economy in the world but is dead last in the funding of its education system? Can we not see that if we continue to cut funds and resources from the very hand that continues to feed this state that we may be an impoverished nation in the not too distant future?

I find it amazing that we can fund building projects, roads, and even earmark one BILLION dollars for truck drivers to take their trucks green all the while depleting the budget for education. Don't get me wrong, the environment is very important and I get that if we use up all our resources it will not matter whether anyone had a proper education because there will be no one here to know but, we could be educating the future to help solve these environmental problems. We choose not to though, that is what amazes me.

Budgeting is tough for every one in these hard times but it is all about priorities. We set priorities at home to determine what we spend our money on and our priorities are our children. I think anyone who has children would agree that we would rather give our children the last bite of food and starve ourselves. Are our legislators blind to this? Are they really acting in our best interests? I really have to wonder.

Okay, what brought this on? I drove my children to school this morning and the teachers at their school who have received pink slips are all lined up in front of the school in pink shirts and the ones that have been spared are wearing black. With my kids in the car it took all I had to not break into an all out bawl. It really choked me up. Our district like all others in California is facing some harsh cuts and it is hard to see that happen.

I think we need to rethink how we spend our money in this new era. Reform in many areas is calling, education being one of them but, not the one receiving the most money. Maybe what we need to do is to have a survey on the next ballot where the people rate the importance of spending in various categories, it might be an eye opening experience for all.

I apologize for the rant, not the importance of the topic, though. Maybe with all of our great minds put together we can come up with some feasible solutions to turn this system around.

Routines and Grand Ideas

Okay, I have been out of practice since the holidays of posting regularly. I'm going to try to post on a more regular schedule now that we have firmly settled into 2009. There is so much going on in our lives that it is sometimes difficult to slow down and think about the steps to take to make it to your goals. I have a few goals for 2009 and one of them is to make blogging more of a priority.

Check back and I'll keep you posted on what I'm up to.

I Joined GoodReads

I joined GoodReads.

I read almost every day on my commute to and from work therefore I am always looking for good books to read. I have relied on the books that my mom passed on to me but those have dried up so I began poking around for something good to read and stumbled upon Good Reads.

I signed up because you can see what other people are reading or read, what they thought of it, and create a list of your own, a queue, if you will, of what books you wish to read. Now, when I am ready for my next book I click over to the website and see what strikes my fancy. I have really enjoyed it and so far I am not at a loss for something to read.

Now, if only there were an easy and inexpensive way to obtain all these new finds...

Shopaholics - No More!

As I was driving into work today I heard on the radio how tough the economic crisis is, it's so tough that even Macy's is closing some of its stores. I guess that should not surprise me but it kind of does. Macy's is one of those stores that seems like it will always exist through the good times and the bad. After all, I work because I shop (but please don't tell my husband!).

So, when I got to work I googled "Macy's store closings" because I had to determine if I would be affected directly. I found an article in the Wall Street Journal that lists all the stores that will be closing and, luckily for me, none of the Macy's stores near me are closing their doors. But for those of you that are curious, here is the list of stores that will be closing soon (and apparently they will start their clearance sales soon, so if these are the stores you shop at least you may be able to get some shopping out of your system before they are no longer):

Ernst & Young Plaza (Citicorp Plaza), Los Angeles
The Citadel, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Westminster Mall, Westminster, Colo.
Palm Beach Mall, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Island of Hawaii
Lafayette Square, Indianapolis
Brookdale Center, Brooklyn Center, Minn.
Crestwood Mall, St. Louis
Natrona Heights Plaza, Natrona Heights, Pa.
Century III Furniture and Clearance, West Mifflin, Pa.
Bellevue Center, Nashville, Tenn.

I hope the economy turns around soon because many more stories like this and I will have to quit working because there will be no incentive to continue!

Recharging Batteries

During the holidays my husband and I had to work so our children went to visit their grandparents for the weekdays, they were home, however, from Christmas Eve through the Sunday after Christmas for some well-needed family time.

But, since the kids were gone and my husband had nothing more than working on our plates for a change, we had a chance to recharge our batteries.

So the first morning that the children were with their grandparents my husband decided to leave for work a little later than usual. Well, he left then came back a few minutes later and explained that his car battery was dead so he would wait for me to get ready and we could take my car. He asked when I would be ready, to which I replied, "About 45 minutes." His jaw dropped onto the floor and he said, "How come so long?" Need he ask? It always takes me longer than him to get ready.

When I emerged from our bedroom ready to go we headed for the garage together. When we got into my car I thought it odd that someone turned off the dome lights. Turns out that my car battery was also dead. What a coincidence that both car batteries could be dead at the same time. I thought it was just that both cars needed their batteries recharged also after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. My husband gave me a sideways look.

We were able to get jumped and off to work but, who wants to start off on a Monday like that?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to All!

Now that the new year has begun and we can all assume our usual duties I am trying to fall back into my usual routine also which includes posting to this blog on a more regular and less sporadic basis (I hope!).

Hope 2009 brings with it all that you wish for!

Holiday Dinner Plans

I'm not really sure how we managed this year to get out of any and all holiday dinner cooking but, we did! However, in case you have not completely figured it out, Saving Dinner (my favorite menu place) has some pre-planned menus for the holidays that include the shopping lists.

Also, they are featuring some left over tips and menus so if you are struggling to figure out exactly what to do, check them out.

Christmas Shopping Complete...Check!

I was stressing out about all that had to be done before Christmas and I think that is what continued to place me in a tailspin. However, after a day of playing hooky from work I completed almost all of my shopping and wrapping was completed over the weekend. I feel so much better now.

Here are some potential hits for my family this year:

For Kids



For Adults:

Another awesome idea is to make a donation in a person's name to a favorite charity, either theirs or yours.

I hope you are enjoying the season!

Cute Wrapping Paper and Other Accessories

Thanks to a fellow blogger over at Glamorous Housewife I have been introduced to some darling, personalized wrapping paper at The Paper Cafe. Not only do they have wrapping paper but they have many different items, all very cute!

All deadlines have passed to receive anything for the holidays but take a look, maybe you need something from there.

Ouch!

I have mentioned probably too many times how I am a regular at my local gym. Well, today I am so sore but, in a not so bad way. See, yesterday I had my second experience with kettlebells, see above. These are basically cast iron balls with a cast iron handle, the smallest one weighs 8 kg (or a little less than 18 pounds).

These are weights you can swing, circle, carry, etc. It is quite a workout especially when using them to do squats. I understand there are lighter versions that you can do all kinds of training with but my gym does not yet have those lighter versions.

With all this extra work I should be in shape just to partake in all the holiday eats!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Can you say busy enough? I know this is the time of year when everyone is crazy busy but this year it seems like I am in control in an out of control world. It is a little disconcerting to say the least. I am constantly feeling like I am missing something but, I am so at peace about it.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

I Glove Breakfast

Do you ever notice when you order your food at many places that the food handlers wear gloves? And sometimes they do all sorts of things with their gloved hands then handle your food? Don't you just want to say, "Did you know that those gloves are actually supposed to be for MY protection?"

"What raises this?" you might ask. Well, this morning I decided I wanted a breakfast sandwich so I went to a local hole in the wall and ordered. There was only one dude on duty, the regular register person must have been on break. He rips his rubber glove off of one hand, handles my money transaction with the ungloved hand being very careful to not touch anything else with his gloved hand, then places a new glove on the ungloved hand and proceeds to prepare my meal. Although not ideal this was an acceptable practice to me. Because he was so careful not to use the gloved hand to handle the money (or anything else) is the only reason I think I noticed.

I cannot tell you how many places I have been where the staff has done so many things with their gloved hands that I'd rather not think about it enough to repeat any of the sightings, the proceeded to prepare a food item. Those places I have walked out of. Do they not get it? Those gloves are for my protection, not so they don't get my food on their hands! If they want to avoid getting food on their hands then they should work in retail clothing or something else.

Anyway, my sandwich was excellent and I ate it all! Yum!

This Makes the News?

I was at the gym yesterday afternoon watching the televisions (I rarely listen, I find it kind of entertaining to just watch and make up what people are saying). The teles have the usual mix of something for everyone, music videos, a talk show (like Tara or Oprah), sports, sitcoms, and, at least one channel always tuned to, CNN.

I am looking around at the various teles and settle on CNN for a bit. As I am on the elliptical trainer building up my cardio fitness I watch the ticker at the bottom of the screen, Obama visits with White House, something about Pakistan, Iraq, etc., then it passes by, "World's Ugliest Dog Dies".

I wait for the ticker to circle and I see it again, now that is news? And CNN News at that? It must have been a slow day in the news, which I guess isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Christmas is Near, Oh Dear!

Wow, I cannot believe there are only a few weeks left until Christmas. I am really trying to get organized this year and get all my gifts out, bought, sorted, wrapped, and under the tree as soon as the tree goes up after Thanksgiving. Not sure that is going to happen but I'd like to have a year that I don't have to run around like a mad woman trying to tackle all the different tasks that arise for Christmas.

So, last weekend we almost completed shopping for our daughter and my mom is done but, she is easy! So, two down, ten or so to go...

These Boots Are Made For Walking!

I have these boots (but I have two of them) and since it is fall-like weather now I decided to wear them today, black boots, black skirt, black tights, sweater/jacket set, black trench coat.

So, today I leave for lunch at normal people's lunch hour because I was starving! Usually, I go to lunch sometime around 2:00 or so. As I am standing outside a potential eatery perusing the menu a rather nice-looking fellow approaches me and says, "Hi!"

"Hello," I respond

"I like your boots, they are very Sarah Palin-esque," he says.

I begin to think I might just mosey on down the street to the next place that catches my eye but, I can't. Instead I say, "Except that I had my boots before anyone knew how Sarah Palin was!"

To which he replies, "They are very Femme Fatale. Nice boots!" He starts to walk away, then returns and says, "You know, you are very striking." I was not quite sure what to say or if I should acknowledge but, I think I am too polite sometimes. I replied, "Thank you."

I stepped up to the counter to place my order all the while wondering how I was going to shake this guy. Well, when I turned around, he was gone.

Not sure if I was freaked or flattered but, I do now remember why I choose to go to lunch a little later than *normal*.

I Voted!

I voted! Actually, I voted by mail two weeks ago so I hope that my ballot counts. Tonight or tomorrow we will have the results of the most interesting presidential election I can remember.

Do Rolling Briefcases Make Good Dance Partners?

The popularity of those rolling briefcases has really taken off, have you noticed? I see them all over now and I understand their popularity. I'm not crazy about carrying a heavy bag on my shoulder but I have to say that the vain side of me (and that is my much, much smaller side) would much rather carry a smart looking bag that I can fit everything into, throw over my shoulder, and run.

During my commute I see many people with these wheeled briefcases. They just plop them on the ground and go rolling these briefcases along behind them. So, I bet you can see my beef coming...why do those people that have these rolling briefcases feel the need to plop them down right in front of my feet when I am walking? Don't they have some obligation to be sure that they watch where they and their rolling briefcase is going? And, come on people, at the top or bottom of an escalator is especially dangerous to stop to plop your wheeled briefcase!

I cannot tell you how many times now I have almost landed on my head because someone has stopped abruptly in commute foot traffic to drop their rolling briefcase directly in my path. There is one person in particular that I run into plenty of times who seems to be especially oblivious. He feels compelled to not carry his wheeled briefcase any further than absolutely necessary even if it compromises my safety and the safety of those around me. And he is consistently the one who stops dead in his tracks at the top of the escalator to drop his briefcase, walk around it, like he's doing a samba, the proceed off pulling the little devil behind him.

If one day I quit posting to this blog, well, you will know what happened.

Stinky Gym Clothes, What!?!

A couple days ago I was dutifully enjoying my cardio work out on the Cybex Arc Trainer (if you don't know what that is it's kind of a cross between an elliptical machine and a stair stepper). My favorite Arc Trainer is directly in line with a window that is perpetually open with only one tread mill separating me from the fresh air. I watched but did not listen to the several televisions mounted around the gym per usual and then I began to smell an odd aroma. A couple of seconds passed and what I thought to be an aroma turned, well, disgusting. I peered around the gym and smack in front of that open window directly in my line of fire was a person who had just jumped onto the treadmill that stood between that open window and me. That person on that treadmill must not have washed their gym clothes for an entire year or maybe even more. The stench of urine, sweat, or whatever else made my stomach turn. It was completely and utterly vile! I cannot imagine how the person wearing those clothes could not know that they smelled. Don't get me wrong, I understand that the gym is typically not full of fresh and fruity smells, but come on! I wash my gym clothes between each use, it's not that difficult.

I got to thinking that maybe gyms should institute a clothing smell test and if you don't pass you cannot workout. Can you imagine the protests of the front desk workers?