Here's a little meme that should get a few folks thinking.... I am carrying it on from Jim's blog over atNobody Asked Me and I am modifying it to bring sexism into play. Yes, it is sexist, but hear me out! At this very moment you men, what do you have in your pockets? Pants, coats, shirts, empty them out and list all the items. Ladies, what do you have in your purses? (that's the sexist part). Please do not include any illegal paraphenalia or eh hem... feminine hygiene products/condoms. We all know those are a necessity and something most folks carry concealed. I'm more interested in the odd things that people carry, or don't carry... aren't you? Please feel free to play and leave your answers in the comment section! As for me, here is the list of purse contents... btw my purse is 8-1/2"L x 6"W. (considered small in the purse world).
1.Mega Millions lottery ticket for 12/30/08.
2. A small piece of paper with a Firehouse poem typed on it :" Fire fire said Mrs. McGuire, where where said Mrs. Ohare"...etc.
3. A card that came with a dozen roses from my boyfriend several months ago.
4.A Wendys receipt for lunch today.
5. A 99 Restaurant receipt for dinner on 12/27/08.
6.63 cents.
7.A lighter. I don't smoke, but you never know when you'll need to start a fire!
8. A small flashlight.
9.A small hairbrush.
10.Two pens.
11.A buck knife.
12. Two gift cards for Stop N Shop grocery store. Thanks Mom!
13.A gift card to Yankee candle. I love candles!
14. A debit card.
15. Less than $20 in cash.
16. Leather card case with assorted store/credit/ID/discount/insurance cards and a book of stamps, wrapped w/rubber band.
17. Make-up case: hand lotion, two lipsticks, mascara, chapstick, foundation, toothpick holder, toothpaste, travel toothbrush, tweezers, small mirror.
18. Cell phone.
Phew! No kitchen sink!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year 2009!
I'm staying home where it's warm and safe....
If I can keep my eyes open long enough, I'll toast the New Year with Dick Clark!
Best regards for a new year full of love and happiness.
A.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Major Changes in Just a Few Days
Five days ago....
Today!
Not to worry though, more snow predicted for tomorrow! From NOAA....
Tonight: A chance of snow, mainly after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. West wind between 8 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday: Snow, mainly between 8am and 4pm. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Blustery, with a north wind 8 to 11 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -6. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Brrrrrrrr!!!!
A New (or is it?) Kind Of Treasure Hunting....
Have you heard of Geo Caching?
From Wikipedia:
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. Currently over 800,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the pastime. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.[1]
Where have I been? I just heard about this today, but apparently this outdoor game has been around since 2000. A co-worker told me about it, explaining that one doesn't just do it to search for the cache. Some of the places that the caches are hidden in are beautiful spots that you have to hike to, and normally wouldn't find unless you were native to that particular region. He and his family have searched for cache's while on vacation and have discovered that the treasure is really the hidden coves, the spectacular overlooks, and memorable vistas.
Again, from Wikipedia:
For the traditional geocache, a geocacher will place a waterproof container, containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and trinkets or some sort of treasures, then note the cache's coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on a website. Other geocachers obtain the coordinates from the Internet and seek out the cache using their GPS handheld receivers. The finding geocachers record their exploits in the logbook and online. Geocachers are free to take objects from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value, so there is treasure for the next person to find.
From the look of the numbers, this seems to be quite a popular pastime. Hey, anything that gets you off the couch and out in the fresh air can't be all that bad! Hmmmm.... wonder if I can learn how to read a GPS?
A Christmas Card to Remember!
(Idea shamelessly stolen from Buck)
My blogfriend Lou sends out beautifully hand painted Christmas cards each year and I have been blessed two years in a row as a lucky recipient! The above is actually last years card that I had framed and keep in my kitchen. The card she sent this year ( of a beautiful fall leaf) was inadvertantly packed away with the other Christmas cards and decorations. So for now, last year's card will be what I share with you, until such time as I get off my lazy butt and retrieve the one she sent this year! (it is as beautiful and as much cherished as last years card)
Lou is an amazing woman, artist, mother, wife, grandmother, rancher, friend, blogger, etc. etc. She has a great sense of humor, and an even greater sense of devotion to her family. I respect her and admire her for all that she does and is. Take a moment to follow the link, read a bit and then say hello...
Thanks again Lou...
your card was absolutely gorgeous!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Last Plane Flying
Yesterday I found this awesome photo, taken by Ken Middleton. This photo was taken back in March 2008 on the day the powers that be terminated the 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis. The building behind the F15 is where I work.
This photo, also taken by Ken Middleton, is of the Airshow in 2007. This is why I love working where I work!Even though the 102nd has changed (Airwing relocated, Intelligence division created) the base still remains active with Coast Guard and Army National Guard business. They are still doing touch and go practices with the big boys, and I have to admit, it is a thrill to see the pilots play.... er... take the planes through their paces.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Early In the Morning
Sometimes a walk on the beach is the best thing after a sixteen hour shift. It feels great to fill your lungs with the fresh sea air and I was lucky today... no one else on the beach. The wind was whipping my hair all about, but it didn't matter, when I finally got back into my vehicle I felt relaxed and ready to head for home.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Times must be REALLY tough in Ohio!
I have a rant. It is not going to be an ugly rant. It is going to be a justified rant. I'm mad and I feel helpless to fight this.
Let me explain.
Years ago, I got divorced while living in Ohio. It wasn't a good time in my life. A lot of bills, a great deal of heartache, a big struggle to put my life back in order. It took a few years, but I did just that. I prided myself on paying every bill, even if it meant paying $10 a month to get each one of them paid off. I worked long hours, sacrificed, and never once thought about filing for bankruptcy. I'm not tooting my own horn, just giving you some background to set the stage for the context of this post. Since that time, I have worked very hard to establish a good credit rating; checking my credit report annually for anything that I might have missed, erroneous entries, etc. The report has been fine, nothing on it negative, no past due accounts. All was well, until a letter arrived in my mailbox on Saturday. A letter from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office Revenue Recovery Service. It was a collection letter. It gave general payment information in the body of the letter, then on a second page revealed that the creditor: XXXXX County Clerk of Courts was owed $63.00 plus $0.06 interest plus $7.00 in fees for a total due of $70.06. I had no idea what the charge was for. Honest to God, here is what came next (personal info changed for privacy reasons of course):
CASE ID: 12345
CYCLE: 4
FIRST BILLED: 09/24/2005
LAST BILLED: 08/18/1994
PAID: 0.00
LIEN INDICATOR: Y
JUDGE NAME: JUDGE N.E.ONE
FINAL DISPOSITION DATE: 09/03/1993
They must have been digging for weeks in the file room to pull this one out!
Now I don't know about you, but I don't keep payment records longer than the required seven years. If I had paid this bill, ( I'm not saying that I did or didn't - who can remember 15 years back?) I wouldn't even have a RECORD OF PAYMENT for something that long ago! So, I followed the only recourse that was provided me; I called them today. After what was a torturously long recorded maze of pressing buttons on the phone (press 1 for yes, 2 for no, 3 if you're an imbecile, 4 to hear paint drying, etc.); a computerized voice read back to me each of my numerical entries as if I were mentally challenged. I'm not sure how, but I finally reached a live person. At least I think she was alive. Her dispassionate response to my questions and deadpan emotionless replies, made me wonder if she were some new computerized robotic answering machine. After I gave her the name of my first cousin one generation removed, my address, my mothers maiden name and if I liked blueberry pancakes, she informed me that the $70.06 was court costs for my divorce. "But", I stammered, "that's over 15 years ago! My attorney was suppose to have taken care of all of that for me!" She didn't even miss a beat, "Our records indicate that it was never paid." I asked her if she could send me a copy of the original bill. Apparently, the letter I received Saturday is all they can provide me. I decided at that point to throw myself off the cliff and told her I'd call her back after I checked my records from 15 years ago! (the ones I don't have). Can anyone tell me why it took them fifteen years to bill me? I wasn't hiding. I lived there for FOUR years after the divorce! If I owed the money, why wasn't it on my credit report? Seriously, the current economic crisis must have the state scurrying around in the basement filing cabinets looking for anything they can pass off as collectible. Oh, let's bill this schmuck for something that went down fifteen freaking years ago... they probably can't prove it was paid!
I did try to reach the attorney that handled the case for me. He's dead. (God bless you Richard M. You were a kind and understanding soul!)
So, now what? You guessed it.
I'm going to pay it.
Let me explain.
Years ago, I got divorced while living in Ohio. It wasn't a good time in my life. A lot of bills, a great deal of heartache, a big struggle to put my life back in order. It took a few years, but I did just that. I prided myself on paying every bill, even if it meant paying $10 a month to get each one of them paid off. I worked long hours, sacrificed, and never once thought about filing for bankruptcy. I'm not tooting my own horn, just giving you some background to set the stage for the context of this post. Since that time, I have worked very hard to establish a good credit rating; checking my credit report annually for anything that I might have missed, erroneous entries, etc. The report has been fine, nothing on it negative, no past due accounts. All was well, until a letter arrived in my mailbox on Saturday. A letter from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office Revenue Recovery Service. It was a collection letter. It gave general payment information in the body of the letter, then on a second page revealed that the creditor: XXXXX County Clerk of Courts was owed $63.00 plus $0.06 interest plus $7.00 in fees for a total due of $70.06. I had no idea what the charge was for. Honest to God, here is what came next (personal info changed for privacy reasons of course):
CASE ID: 12345
CYCLE: 4
FIRST BILLED: 09/24/2005
LAST BILLED: 08/18/1994
PAID: 0.00
LIEN INDICATOR: Y
JUDGE NAME: JUDGE N.E.ONE
FINAL DISPOSITION DATE: 09/03/1993
They must have been digging for weeks in the file room to pull this one out!
Now I don't know about you, but I don't keep payment records longer than the required seven years. If I had paid this bill, ( I'm not saying that I did or didn't - who can remember 15 years back?) I wouldn't even have a RECORD OF PAYMENT for something that long ago! So, I followed the only recourse that was provided me; I called them today. After what was a torturously long recorded maze of pressing buttons on the phone (press 1 for yes, 2 for no, 3 if you're an imbecile, 4 to hear paint drying, etc.); a computerized voice read back to me each of my numerical entries as if I were mentally challenged. I'm not sure how, but I finally reached a live person. At least I think she was alive. Her dispassionate response to my questions and deadpan emotionless replies, made me wonder if she were some new computerized robotic answering machine. After I gave her the name of my first cousin one generation removed, my address, my mothers maiden name and if I liked blueberry pancakes, she informed me that the $70.06 was court costs for my divorce. "But", I stammered, "that's over 15 years ago! My attorney was suppose to have taken care of all of that for me!" She didn't even miss a beat, "Our records indicate that it was never paid." I asked her if she could send me a copy of the original bill. Apparently, the letter I received Saturday is all they can provide me. I decided at that point to throw myself off the cliff and told her I'd call her back after I checked my records from 15 years ago! (the ones I don't have). Can anyone tell me why it took them fifteen years to bill me? I wasn't hiding. I lived there for FOUR years after the divorce! If I owed the money, why wasn't it on my credit report? Seriously, the current economic crisis must have the state scurrying around in the basement filing cabinets looking for anything they can pass off as collectible. Oh, let's bill this schmuck for something that went down fifteen freaking years ago... they probably can't prove it was paid!
I did try to reach the attorney that handled the case for me. He's dead. (God bless you Richard M. You were a kind and understanding soul!)
So, now what? You guessed it.
I'm going to pay it.
Friday, December 5, 2008
It's Not the End of the Road!
Just a quick note to let you know I'm back in the hack...
Headed out to do some much needed socializing and story gathering.... just another Friday night in the big city!
Back later with hopefully something to pique your interest!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
I'm out of commish!
I'm sitting here at the local library posting this because my home computer has a "cable" issue. My wonderful brother will be able to fix it, it's just getting him to stop by long enough to do it! In the mean time I want to pass along a very valuable link that I just found out about.
211
Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services - they are looking for training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent, addiction prevention programs for their teenage children, affordable housing options, support groups and ways of becoming part of their community. 2-1-1 allows people to give help and to get help.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. In 2007, 2-1-1 services in the United States answered nearly 10 million calls. The implementation of 2-1-1 is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.
Check out the link.... this is a national program so you can enter your information and then be taken directly to a site specifically for your area.
211
Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services - they are looking for training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent, addiction prevention programs for their teenage children, affordable housing options, support groups and ways of becoming part of their community. 2-1-1 allows people to give help and to get help.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. In 2007, 2-1-1 services in the United States answered nearly 10 million calls. The implementation of 2-1-1 is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.
Check out the link.... this is a national program so you can enter your information and then be taken directly to a site specifically for your area.
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