Don't Pay the Ransom, I Escaped!

I know I have been absent for a long time, but perhaps I am up and
running again.

Alot has happened of late. I am now a full time perm employee with Chase with benefits!!!!! However, I was hoping to get moved to Columbus soon but this came thru first and it is a good job. It may not last long as I will be
underwriting modifications on loans for people near forclosures, and sooner or later the economic situation will level out and they will go back to the old way of handling those. But in the meantime, hallalueha!!!!!

My youngest son got a new job and is moving northwest of Fort Wayne. He and the kids are excited. Puts him closer to his father and brothers.

We just experienced the coldest January in the history of Florida. Snow in Miami, go figure that one. And with Strawberry Festival time nearing, I hate to see what impact those three weeks of below freezing weather did. Alot of damage to all the fruit.

I have just realized instead of washboard abes, I have smorgasboard abes.!!!!!!!!

Paradise With Traffic

For those of you that thought me dead, I'm not. Some days I might wish I were, but along with being thin and winning the lottery, the death wish has been ignored. But of course if I had my choice of which to stop ignoring, it would be the lottery. And Florida is paradise with traffic from October thru mid May. Then the humidity spikes along with the tempature and you feel like you are trying to breathe soup. And of course today is the first day of hurricaine season and I swear there is some sort of a hurricaine union somewhere with a calendar because there is one forming as I type. On the first damned day!!!



The drive to work each day is a good one. Little traffic on that causeway and bridge which I don't understand. I go across at 70 miles an hour and they pass me like I was sitting in a side ditch! However, I drive aprox 12 miles over water each way and it is so pretty. I go 4 miles north, then 8 miles east and it is all over water. And the water smells so good in the morning. Some days it smells like fresh rainfall.

I find a true enjoyment in listening to the cry of the seagulls. However, as I watch them swoop down near me, shades of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" races thru my mind and I desperately look for a building to duck into.

My sister and her family are here visiting and that is good. My neice is 16 now and is she gorgeous. I'm sure her dad is ready for prozac and a good antiacid.

Did you know: What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common? They were all invented by women.

I will try to keep a better handle on blogging and you all have a good June.

Hollywood Square Wisdom: When asked if a pea can last as long as 5,000 years? George Gobel responded: Boy, the older I get, it sure seems that way sometimes.

Strawberry Festival Time!!!!!!!!!

The strawberries are calling my name. They are wonderful and oh so sweet. It is really strange to be in the middle of strawberry heaven in February and March. And the festivals abound.

More importantly, I have a job! Just completed my first week at Chase in Tampa. Pay isn't enough but you have to start somewhere. I am fortunate I don't have normal living expenses as I live with Dad right now, because I wouldn't be able to do it. I think I will like it fine and maybe something better within Chase will open that I can get permanently and maybe eventually transfer back to Indiana with them. This is a temporary job estimated to last thru November. We will see. But it is at least nice to have a small income right now. Well it will be nice, next week when I get my first check.

Just got done chatting with Dell. They have replaced my dvd burner twice in the last 3 weeks and they are trying to see if it is an operating system problem instead of a hardware problem. They sent an email saying all these tests to do. Put it in safe mode and yadda, yadda, yadda. I explained very politely, I am not a computer guru and am having trouble doing what they asked with out their help. They can take over my computer from where ever in hell they are and move my mouse around, opening all the things they need open and fixing it from across the ocean. It is great because I have a hard time speaking with them as they do not speak English very well. But typing in a chat box is without accents. It does appear to be a hardware issue. Thank God for extended warrenties!

Found a new author (new to me, not new in the market) and her books are absolutely riviting. Diana Gabaldon and she has what is called the Outlander series. Six in the series at this time, seventh to be released in the fall. Full of history, war, romance and just human study. You get started and you just want to do nothing else. The problem is the books are anywhere from 800 to 1000 pages. Disc are 39 hours to 58 hours. And Davina Porter is the best reader because she has such a wonderful Scottish accent when she reads the parts of the Scots. It starts out in 1945 and Claire Randall is visiting a stone circle in Scotland (like Stonehenge) and gets sucked into a vortex of somekind and pops out in 1745. The rest of it takes place in the 1700's in Scotland. It is not a science fiction. A really good read, try it. Her books are primiarly why I haven't taken time to blog for a month. They are like Lay's potato chips, no one can have just one. I am waiting for my 4th.

Weather is perfect right now. Low to mid 70's with blazing sun. Florida State Fair just closed. Can you imagine, the state fair in February? Strange indeed.

Spoke with three of my grandkids last night. I miss them terribly. In the shortime I have been in Florida, Corbin has just become quite the talker. He just went on and on. Of course, I only understood every third word but it was cute. Trinidy read me a story she wrote for school and Leland (19 months) said bye. I miss all 5 of them. I am experiencing grandbaby withdraw.

And as you slide down the bannister of life, remember: The difference between the Pope and your boss is, the Pope only expects you to kiss his ring!!!!!

Super Bowl Sunday Yulk!!!!!!

Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday, the unoffical holiday of football obsessed, face painted, food stuffing, beer guzzling lunatics!!! It is a day where winning isn't a matter of life and death, it is more important than that. At the cost of $2.7 million per 30 second commercial, just how many beers would have to be sold to just break even? How many to make the investment worth it? And we wonder why we have such a high percentage of alcoholics in the good ole USA. Whatever you do, don't run short on food or booze. That truly is the proverbial train wreck waiting to happen.

I tested with the Pinellas County Sheriff's department for a clerical position. Did pretty well. Then they tell you what they will need. Birth certificate and high school diploma. That is fine, I had the forsight to get those out of my storage unit in Indianapolis, before I came here. Then they lower the boom. They need my marriage license (that was 41 years ago) and a copy of my divorce decree (that was 22 years ago). What the hell!!!!! Why on earth would they need those things. I am not sure I even have my license. I do have my divorce decree. It is in one of about 200 boxes in my storage unit. That isn't all. They need every brush with the law you have ever had, including traffic violations. They want to know what and when. Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!! What is up with that? I have had 4 speeding tickets in the 43 years I have been driving, but I can only closely guess three. I can't remember anything about the fouth except I am pretty sure there were four. They then give you a lie detector and since you remember everything subconsciencously, it will show deceptive if you don't list it. What a bunch of hooey.

Weather has been absolutely beautiful. Temps in the low to mid seventies. And unbelievable sunshine. Makes you just want to sit out in it and enjoy. Too bad it can give you cancer.

Hollywood Squares Wisdom: When asked, During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet? Rose Marie answered, Unfortunately, I am always safe in the bedroom.

Enjoy the Super Bowl commericals, they are the best part.

It's Raining. Yipee!!!!!!!!!!

We got rain. In the last couple of days, it has rained over 2". We really need it. No tropical storms to speak of, Florida does not sport the green, green grass of home! It is strange how much you come to miss the daily sun. That beautiful, vitamin D filled sunshine. It has only been three days since it has peaked out of the clouds but it feels much longer. When in Indiana, this time of the year, it could be weeks without sun.

Still looking for work. And we read in the paper about one small business after another closing. I am just grateful I have a place to live. Although if you are going to be homeless, Florida is the place to do it. It is estimated there are 65,000 homeless people in Florida. Better weather you know. In Tampa, they call it "Tent City". Hundreds of pup tents for the homeless. Where they get tents, I have no idea. But last March, the Tampa police came into tent city and took knives and cut them up. Threw the people out and cut every tent to pieces. Why???? Good question and the police were reluctant to say. "Safer for the community" was what they said. Bullshit! is what I say. Within a few days, a local church gathered the support of other churches and new tents were being distributed. After that, the police left the homeless alone and "Tent City" was back.

The home next door is empty and a guy across the street is parking his vehicle there. The other day he was backing into the car port and, whala!!!, he back into one of the support columns of the awning. So you suppose liquor had any part in that incident? He replaced the column but has to paint it now. Why back in anyway?

Hollywood Squares wisdom: When asked "Why do Hell's Angels wear leather?", Paul Lynde responded, "Because chiffon wrinles too easily."

To 2008 - A Much Better Year

Has it ever occurred to you that human beings are the only creatures that allow their children to come back home. A fact I truly appreciate as I sit in my father's house looking for a job. Lots of people tool around the park in golf carts. A woman a street over had her golf cart stolen two nights ago and I feel so bad for her. She and her small dog rode around all over here, even over to the strip mall a half mile or so to the grocery store. Now what? She can't walk it. And last night, Dads 3 wheel bike was stolen. His bike was old, desparately needed painting and not worth much, so why steal it? A crime spree has hit LaPlaza Park.

Weather has been great the last couple of weeks. Although a few days it was mid eighties. A little to warm for me, so I went to the pool. (I know it is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it) And Wednesday, the high is projected to be 49 degrees!!!!!! What a change. I will look forward to that. I miss winter. (Yes, I said I missed winter). I don't miss the ice and Indiana has had a fair share of that this year. But I do miss the cold and the snow.

There is a park right down the road that is absolutely filled to capacity each weekend with family fun. One family brings their Potbelly Pigs with them. They are on a lead and everything although they drop it and let the pigs wonder around. Dogs jump back thinking they are the weirdest looking dogs they have ever seen, I'm sure. Oddly enough, I have never seen a dog bark at them. Especially herding dogs, I would think nature would tell them to round up the stock. We use to have a little sable Sheltie that would try to herd the kids playing basketball in the park behind our house. The boys would come to the door and say, "Rocky is trying to herd us again, will you put him inside?" That was back in the day when my children were little. I am proud of all my kids. They have grown to be responsible adults and very good parents.

Hollywood Squares wisdom: When aked, "According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people? Charley Weaver responded: "It got me out of the army."

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!!! Hopefully, 2008 will be a good one.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Well, it is official. An 8' alligator was seen going back into the lake that sits behind the pool here where I live. (People, keep your dogs in!!).

I have been reading a Blog of a man that is a recovering alcoholic and each day he posts the things he is gratful for. He has been 1490 days sober and 900 days without a cigarette. I do admire his strength of will. Hell, I can't even stay on a diet. And that is just my vice, reduced, not totally done away with. It makes one think of all the things we are greatful for. I am grateful for:

1. My children and every one of my precious grandchildren.
2. My friends.
3. Puppies with their unconditional love.
4. TV remote controls!!!!
5. Living in a country where I have free will.
6. Personal Hygiene!!! Back in the stagecoach days, I am amazed they didn't have zero population growth. Can you imagine the upleasant smell. People took baths only once or twice a year and summer is summer. That is why brides carry flowers, to help mask the smell.
7. Audiobooks. I use to be on the road anywhere from 2 hours to 6 hours a day. I got hooked on Books on Tape (Or CD's now) and I still am. Love, Love, Love!!!!
8. Rain storms.
9. Spellcheck!!!!
10. Cool breezes. (There is only 3 things wrong with Florida. June, July and August)
11. Fresh red grapefruit. There are trees all over this place and neighbors are always saying, "Help yourself, we won't eat any. And I do)
12. Airconditiong, home and car!!!!!!
13. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
14. CHOCOLATE!!!!!!! Remember, a balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Hollywood Squares Wisdom: When asked "When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for it's sex?" Charely Weaver responded, "I'll lend him the car, but the rest is up to him."

Palm Trees With Christmas Tree Lights???????

Now all we need is an alligator with a Santa Claus beard and red hat to make everything truly bizzare. We actually had rain last night and we needed it desparately. There weren't any tropical storms this year and not much last years. Water levels are very low. What kind of place rejoices when tropical storms come thru? The thought terrifies me. They had tornado warnings last night in Pasco county which is the next county over. (Am I back in Indiana?) Sunny and breezy today, but the breezy part is nearly pulling the lights off the roof.

The writers strike is taking a toll. They were showing the picket line and Robin Williams was marching with the writers and he held a blank sign. He said with his writers on strike, he didn't know what to say. I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself.

Back in the days of the Mayflower:

1. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle and guests got the top, or "the upper crust".
2. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then, the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."
3. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach into the food, causing lead poisoning deaths. This happened most often with tomatoes. So for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
4. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone coming down the road would find them, take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around. They would eat, drink and wait to see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of "holding a wake".

Observations

The Tampa Bay area is filled with hundreds of fresh water lakes. So many businesses have small lakes on their grounds. Earlier this year I worked a temporary job at Bank Of America and they had three lakes within the complex. The view was breathtaking. It was so hot in July, I told one of the girls I worked with that we should go down to the lake and dangle our feet in the water. It would be cooling. She looked at me like I had turned green and spoke in tongues. Marilyn, she said, this is Florida. If there is a body of water, any body of water, you ASSUME there are alligators in it because there is probably at least one. One who might think the dangling toes are a treat especially for him. She smiled when I looked out across the lake. Honey, she said, when you see them, it is already too late. You will never out run one. (Yeah, I thought, especially if you are missing your dangling toes!) Then when I got home that evening, I went to the pool. Behind the pool is a small lake. And low and behold, there was a "beware of the alligator" sign and I had never noticed. I have since seen several signs stating "Don't give food to the alligators" I think it should read, "Don't BE food to the alligators".

I had a job interview yesterday and as I was leaving, I was intent looking in my purse for my sunglasses. (Yes, surprise, surprise, sunshine and breezy) and I miss stepped. I felt my ankle pop as I hit the pavement and I was so glad "grace and dignity" were not prerequisite to employment. I left them, along with about two layers of skin from my knee on the concrete. And I ripped my pants. By God, I had better get that job. Did you ever wish the ground would just open up and swallow you whole. I'm sure that would have been a kodak moment.

Hollywood Squares wisdom: When asked, "You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman? Don Knotts replied "That's what's been keeping me awake!!!!"

Car Repairs YULK!!!!!!

Well, my car left me stranded at the local Rally store after I stupidly turned off the engine to go in and get a fountain coke. When, upon my return, it would do nothing. It gave no sound at all. Oh, oh. I've been there before and it wasn't good. So I called for a tow. It did start before the truck got there, so I canceled the tow and drove "directly to the dealership, passed go and did NOT collect $200". (For you Monopoly fans)



At the dealership, my worse fears were realized. NEW STARTER!! Thank God for extended warrenties. The total bill was $365 (for a starter mind you) but my portion was only $107. And one is between the rock and the hard place with needing a starter because you ain't going far without one.



It is, surprise, surprise, sunny and breezy today. High of 75 degrees. Got the doors and windows open. But by evening, it is hotter in the house that it ever was outside. That is when you utilize the screened porch.



I ran across this in my old emails the other day and being a child of the 1960's, I laughed.



Signs You Have Grown Up



1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.

2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question. (And laughable)

3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.

4. 6 am is when you get up, not when you go to bed.

5. You watch the Weather Channel. (God, I am old)

6. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up"

7. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door wont't turn music down

8. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

9. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.

10. You take naps.

11. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good shit".

12. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms.

13. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.

14. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.

Holiday Resolutions

People are running all around, putting up holiday decor. Dad has been working on it all day. The neighborhood looks like a "winter wonderland" minus the winter part. Another weird thing.

Soon, we will all be planning the big weight loss stragety. And some of us will be more successful than others as we try to reduce our spare tires. (Although mine is more like the tire of an 18 wheeler). I have the tae bow tapes, bodyflex tapes, walk off the pounds tapes and a total gym. And the one thing I have come to, painfully understand is, just having them doesn't work. You actually have to USE them. That is far more effective. Bummer!!!!!!

I think Jay Leno speaks for me when he stated, "Today, there are more overweight people in America than average people. Therefore, overweight people are now average. Which means you've already met your New Year's resolution." Does this mean I can ditch the sugar free cookies???????????

It's Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!

Another strange thing about Florida is the weather. When I was in Indiana, on Thursday, you rush to the Weather Channel to see what weather the up coming weekend is going to be. And in Florida, you already know. Monday, sun and breezy, Tuesday, sun and breezy, Wednesday, sun and breezy, etc, etc, etc. Now is that boring or heaven? Just know Saturday and Sunday are replicas of the rest of the week.

Thanksgiving was a quiet affair here. And I missed the noise and commotion of lots of family around. Being of sound mind, I did not venture out to the stores on Black Friday. At noon in Tampa, the TV was showing the malls and there were lots of parking places and no waiting in lines. Perhaps it was not as successful as hoped. I think at noon, everyone was home taking a nap as alot of the stores opened at 4am. One store here opened at midnight.

Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights" I know we will all be facing that in the next few days. Unless you all did what I did a few years back and bought a tree with lights already on it. That, by golly, it the better mouse trap!!!!!!

As you probably noticed, I love quotes. And frequently use them. Hollywood Square Wisdom: When Charley Weaver was asked "If you are going to make a parachute jump, at least how high shoud you be?" He responed, "Three days of steady drinking should do it"

Yikes!!! 34 Days Till Christmas

My mind must be in some parallel universe because I see people (not dead) Christmas shopping in shorts! Weird. This is going to take some getting use to. The weather is more like 4th of July, not Christmas. Although I don't have to let my car warm up before I go somewhere and I don't have to worry about a scraper in the car.

Another strange thing about this Christmas holiday will be no children, no grandchildren and no leftovers for a week. Dad and I are going to have a small turkey roll for Thanksgiving, sweet potatoes and a vegstable. Plus pumpkin pie, of course. Then perhaps pepto bismol, depending on just how much we eat. I snicker at the people who eat enough food at Thanksgiving to support the population of a third world country, then say they are going to walk off the dinner. Honey, they'd have to walk to Canada. Twice!

In the world order of pet preferences, there are marked differences. If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you. If a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.
Some people say cats are smarter than dogs. I tend to think that may be true, because you certainly can't get eight cats to pull a sled thru the snow. My preference has always been dogs.
Unconditional love on the end of a wagging tail.

Everyone have a safe holiday, and one of the many things I am thankful for, is each and every one of you. Hopefully soon, I can be thankful for gainful employment.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Eve

We went to Mugs N Jugs last night, and for those of you who don't know, it is a little Karaoke Bar and Grill. So many people were there. That place is a gold mine. There is a 14 year old girl named Vanessa Quillao and she has been singing there since she was 7. (Remember the name, she is going to be BIG!!!!!!) A local record producer has noticed her and is working with her. She had a free concert last week at Mugs N Jugs and the group that sung back up for her just signed a million dollar contract with this same producer. (Act 3 watch for them) She was great. The next Hannah Montana! It is all very exciting. She is a cutie patutie.

Weather has been warm. May go up to the pool today as it is going to be mid 80's.

Have you ever thought about the fact when a baby comes into this world crying, every one else in the room is laughing? Perhaps we should live our lives like that. Laughing while the rest of the world crys. Not laughing at, laughing inspite of. Just a thought.

Hollywood Squares wisdom: When asked "Do female frogs croak? Paul Lynde answered "If you
hold their little heads under water long enough"

So My Learning Curve May be Really Big

The learning curve rears its ugly head. I already have duplicate entries. Good thing I'm not an "old dog" and I can still learn a new trick.

Weather is going to be mid 70's today (I know, its a dirty job but somebody has to do it). Hopefully I can be a member of the gainfully employed soon. I have an interview tomorrow. Seems to be alot of jobs here, but the pay can be a real issue.

Hope to post some pics soon. Just have to figure out how. (There lies the rub)

As I get closer to 60, I can begin to idenify with this article. "Perks for being 60"
1. In a hostage situation, you are likely to released first.

2. No one expects you to run - anywhere!

3. There isn't much left for you to learn the hard way.

4. Things you buy now won't wear out.

5. You can live without sex but not your glasses!!!!!!!!!!

6. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

7. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

8. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

9. Your back goes out more than you do!!!!!

Just something for you all to look forward too.

Now I am High Tech!!!!!!!!!

Well this is my first endevor in the blogging world. I think I can post things my family, way up yonder in Indiana, can read and keep up with the hustle, bustle life of their mother. (Okay, hustle, bustle may be a bit optimistic, but you get the idea).



Things about me: I am a person with a zaney sense of humor and a healthy zest for life. I prefer a quiet dinner at home with friends or family to a glitz filled social gathering. I like conversation and intelligence. I am spirtual without being religious. I appreciate affection and tend to mother the people in my life.