Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Snow when the trees are still turning

Have you ever seen snow while the trees are still colorful during the fall? It snowed yesterday here in La Porte, Indiana it was amazing to see over 7 inches of snow fall while some of the trees still have leaves on them. I was able to get a great picture of this. Have you had snow while the trees are still changing colors? Very cool to see, I was not ready to see the snow fall already, but in NW Indiana you never know what to expect this time of year. 




Monday, November 11, 2013

Monday morning coffee break

Good morning and Happy Monday everyone! How much coffee do you drink on Monday mornings? This morning was about a 10 cup day for me, and right now I could use more to warm me up, as peppermint schnapps is frowned upon during work hours.  

They are predicting that we will have a little snow tonight and tomorrow, were I live there might be 4-7 inches of the white fluffy stuff. Not that I mind the snow, I am enjoying it less and less in life. You have to clean the windows off, wear extra cloths, lace up your boots, find gloves from last year, or buy a new pair. You always seem to need them when you have no time to find them either. 

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Fall Sundays

Good morning everyone! The trees are almost done displaying their brilliant colors for this fall, many are shedding their leaves like a dog after a bath, the branches moving up, down and sideways in the wind. Everyone was raking, mowing and trying to coral the leaves yesterday. Today is almost as windy and much cooler than yesterday, the rain is holding off, but the snow looks to be coming to North West Indiana on Tuesday. I hope that everyone has a wonderful day, enjoy the time you have with the ones you love, friends, family and those you care about the most. 


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Thursday Morning

Good morning everyone! Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

With all the talk about the Affordable Care Act 'Obamacare', what is your take on it. From what I can gather, the least expensive tier of coverage will cost me over $300 dollars a month. That is something that I cannot afford, with the cost of everything else, gas, rent, food, and utilities there is not much left. 

Does your employer offer you health insurance, or have you been told that policy will end when Obamacare take effect?

Are you going to sign up for the Affordable Care Act "Tax"? 

Monday, November 4, 2013

Pay check

Hello everyone and thank you for reading my page. 

I very much enjoy my job as director of media, being responsible for posting to Facebook, Twitter, a Word Press blog and reviewing and uploading You Tube videos. It is rewarding, challenging and even frustrating at times, but it a great job. 

One thing I do not enjoy about my job, is being told that despite being paid on the 1st and the 15th; being told on the 4th that I cannot have my pay check it a little disturbing! I show up on time for work, and stay to the appropriate quitting time, I work on the weekends, I do my job well, as I take pride in my work and feel that I should be compensated for this work.  I complete all of the tasks that I am asked to do in a timely manner, and I do them well.. I just cannot believe denying us are checks is right. If you cannot afford to pay us at least tell us so we can find other meas of supporting ourselves.. 

I know I am going to start looking right away. If you know of anyone needing a director of media or a social media person send them my way.. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Borrowing Stuff

Hello everyone, when someone you know is nice enough to lend you something to use, do you use it and return it promptly? Do you let the person that you borrowed the item from when you are done and make arrangements to return it? Do you let them know that you will need it for an extend period of time? Or do you never bring it back, but take it to your local pawn shop and pawn it or sell it? 

This happened to me recently, I let someone borrow a floor jack to work on his vehicle, and then to work on his sisters vehicle, but then when asked about it he said he returned it. When clearly he did not return this item, because it is not in your possession. Especially after searching everywhere for it when you needed to work on your own vehicle. 

How often do you make an honest mistake when borrowing something and forget about it, then find it or remember it and make every effort to return it to the rightful owner? This has happened to me, you realize you borrowed an item and realize oh crap I forgot to return that. So you make hast, go out of your way to make sure it gets back to it rightful owner and apologize profusely about forgetting the item. 

You DO NOT pawn or sell the item, then claim you returned it, that is just being a bad person, rotten to the core.  Well you can bet that someone will never borrow from me again. 

Would you let someone borrow something from you that you know you would not get back? 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Do you Bicycle?

As an adult do ride your bicycle anywhere? Do you still have a bicycle for that mater or is it in the back shed, all the cable rusted, the chain in need of lubrication and the tires aired up? I have been riding a bicycle for many years, just for fun and exercise. Now I have been riding for not only exercise but transportation as well. Most of the trips that we make to the store or other places are less than two miles from home. With the weather being nice, I have been riding here and there, to the store to pick up a few items, to the auto parts store for small things, to the post office, and other places. I find it is enjoyable and saves on gas money, with the price of gas hovering around $4 a gallon, my Jeep is not the picture of economy. 

Cycling is faster than walking, it does not pollute the atmosphere or use any fossil fuels. It is great exercise and even fun. Get out that old bike, go buy yourself a new one and get out there and ride. 

Do not mess with my pay check

I think it is crappy when your boss decides on a whim to mess with how you are paid. When I took this position, I was to be paid a salary so holidays were paid when we did not work. On the other hand when you had to stay after work those extra hours were not paid either, works both ways. 

Last week I was informed that will not be getting paid for the 4th of July holiday. How un-American is that? I thought that meant now we are hourly employees, I was wrong, my boss just wanted to pay us our normal amount, except when we did not work then she would deduct those hours, sounds like hourly to me. So when I submitted my hours for this week, and they were significantly higher than a normal week, she questioned my hours, I explained to her, that was my understanding since we were not getting paid for the holiday, now we are hourly. She tried to back peddle and say no I want to pay your regular check, but the hours you do not work I will just take out. So I said we are hourly now, and she said no, but then she had to stop and think about it. Do not try to have your cake and eat it as well, if you are going to pay me hourly then every couple of months there is a 3 week pay period. If you are going to pay me salary, then the good come with the bay for both parties, I get paid for the holidays, but I also do not get paid for the extra hours I work. Do not mess with my check!!!! I like what I do, and I can take a lot of crap, but when you start messing with my check, now we ramp it up a few notches. If you expect me to do my job, and I take great pride in what I do, I am early for work, I stay late if necessary, and I do most anything that is asked of me. I always try to go above and beyond what is expected of me. I get along with everyone in the office, I have good ideas about many things, and I contribute to the focus of the project at hand. 
If you promoted me to this position under the agreement of a salary employee, you must take the good with the bad. How crappy is it to just switch how we get paid in mid stream without any prior knowledge of this. On top of that, do not pay us for the 4th of July, if it was Labor Day or Memorial Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, I might have taken it better but on the celebration of our country's Independence. That might be one reason our country is going down hill, all those with the money just want to take advantage of their workers. 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Teens have it all figured out

A few months ago we took one of my fiances daughters friends in, basically her cousin. This young woman was in her senior year of high school, we encouraged her to complete the work she was behind on. She was having some problems at home, was not getting the help or support of her parents. Thus she was a little behind in her school work, we gave her the support and encouragement to finish the projects she was behind on and to graduate with her classmates. 

We proceed to plan a graduation party for not only my fiances daughter but her cousin as well, because her father refused to help us one bit. They could not even purchase 4 boxes of crackers from Aldi's to help us out, we provided everything else, chicken, subs, drinks, cake, appetizers, we had the party at our home. He would not even help set up tables and chairs, the tents or lift one finger to help us. Both her dad and his girlfriend flat out refused to help us with their graduation party, ok so you do not have the money. Everyone is having money problems right now understandable, even thought her dad works for a heating and air company and makes good money, there are still bills to pay food, gas, things like that to purchase for your household. Granted we understand that, but what about lending your time to the efforts, help set up prepare the food anything at all. That is ok, be selfish and not help out your daughter or niece, some people are just that way. 

Now that this young woman has graduated high school, she quit her job, because her boss was treating her unfairly. Suck it up buttercup welcome to the real working world now. So after quitting her job and not looking to find another job for almost a full month she decided to lie to us about partying, she was going to go and NOT drink, she promised us that she would not drink or do anything else illegal, as it is illegal and we DO NOT CONDONE those actions of people living in our house. If you are going to live in our house you must be a productive member of our household, either work or attend school. She wanted to do neither, she wanted to "live her life" so we told her ok, go and "live your life" but you will not be living under our roof to do so. She gave up a good household, rides, food, going out to eat, and coming together as a family to do things. 

I guess if you see that your real family, that does not want you around, leach off of everyone they come in contact with they that is what you learn. Not one of this young woman's family members graduate high school, not her mom, dad, any of his brothers sisters, not even anyone on her mom's side graduated high school.  Don't you want better for your children than what you had? Do you not hope that they achieve better than you did? Should you not strive to push your kids and show them a better life than you had, if at all possible? Work toward the better good of your children, teach them the value of life, how hard it is to make a buck, teach them the value of a hard days work, and the sanctification you feel when you receive your check, be proud that you are a productive member of society. Be proud of what you do, even if it is a crappy job, take pride in your work, someone will take notice of you and you will move up or they will offer you a better job or position. 

Do not quit the job you have before finding another, and do not think someone will just hire you because. You must show determination, a great attitude, and a willingness to achieve. Most people do not just get handed a job, and if you do you should appreciate it as many people around the country do not have a job. Think before you act, and listen to the people that are trying to help you they just might know what they are talking about.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Moving away, but yet not quite far enough.

Moving away from our former residence, I thought we would be done with all the drama, questionable activity and traffic at all hours of the day and night. Much to my surprise when I stepped out the door last evening just to see how warm it was, I heard someone screaming at the top of their lungs, I listened carefully to where the screaming was emanating from and to my surprise it was someone at Country Acres who was cussing up a storm for someone woman to open the door, let him in and give him his money. The screaming and slinging of profanity's and calling of names continued for about five minuets, until the distant sound of police sirens could be heard, then all you saw was break lights as the person tried to make a speedy exit, sadly for him there is only one way in and one way out of the acres. He should think about that next time he is trying to get into someone apartment that does not want him there. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Respect at work

Hello one and all, I hope you are having a wonderful day. Do you have a boss that is overbearing, cusses and swears at you? Does your boss put you down in front of your co-workers? Were you put in charge of a project ,and for over a year given very little direction on how the project should be run, then after having outstanding success with the project, the boss wants to micromanage your weekly progress and critique everything you do. 

How do you handle a boss that yells and screams at you in the work place?

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Don't mess with my money

Good morning everyone and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Myself and my fiance will be enjoying the fun of St Patrick's Day from the comfort of our home. I asked my boss if I could have my pay check, keep in mind our paydays fall on the 1st and the 15th, I was told "this is not the time or the place to be asking for your check". In my head I was thinking ok, if you cannot ask for your pay check on pay day then when would be a good time to ask? Should I call while I am at Wal-Mart or the local auto parts store, or should I ask for my check the Friday after next Tuesday, would that be a good time to ask for your check. 
Or was I out of line for asking for my check, on what I thought was pay day? 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Amazing

Good afternoon everyone, it just makes me so upset that my fiance has to go to her moms house, not to clean up after her and help her, that is not the issue. It is the 14 year old child that lives there, and has not respect, love or care for her Grandmother that has taken her in because her mother does not want her. Her mother just does not want to take the time with her and teach her how to act or the meaning of responsibility. That is not the Grandmothers roll to raise a child with discipline, issues to begin with. It makes me very upset that this child is continually allowed to behave like this and the mother does nothing about it. She allows this child to walk all over her mom, disrespect her and never follow directions. I understand it is not the child's fault that her mom is worthless, but wow take some responsibility for your children, you were there for the pleasure be there and be a parent, yes it is a hard job. I have two boys and it was a challenging job to raise them, but you just do it and make it through, and enjoy it along the way it is very rewarding and wonderful. 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

New House

Hello everyone and good morning, I have not been posting daily thoughts, have been busy packing, cleaning, and moving. Getting the new house in order, it is a very nice place. We moved from a two bedroom apartment to a three bedroom two bath house with washer and dryer, two fridges and a yard..





Sunday, February 10, 2013

Kmart

It is amazing that Kmart stays open as their cashiers not are properly trained, they over charge for sale items, then argue with you. When you purchase almost 300 dollars worth of stuff and they tell you that you must have your reward card in order to receive the points for your purchase. I have never had to have my rewards card to receive my points. Not to mention that only ONE check out was open, about noon on a Sunday when the weather was in the 40's. Thank you Kmart in LaPorte for such great service and well trained people.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Snow

Hello everyone. We hope that everyone out on the East Coast is ok with all of the snow.. We could sure use some snow around here, NW Indiana. It would be interesting to have 3-4 feet of snow, and I remember how it was in 1978. That would be cool to have that much snow, most everyone would have a couple of days off, well most everyone all those that plow, salt and shovel would have their hands full. We hope that everyone in Massachusetts and everyone else out on the East Coast stays safe.  

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Being 18

Good afternoon everyone, how are you today? I am sorry I have been slacking on my daily posts, but life has been busy with work and home. Life just seems to get busier and busier as you get older. Remember when you were 18 and life was just fun, you had not many cares in the world, but going to school, seeing your sweetheart, hanging out with friends, and seeing what you can get away with on Friday nights. Possibly seeing who would purchase you some alcohol for fun with friends. 

One question though, how can the U.S. Military ask you to put your butt on the line for your country but not allow you to drink or gamble at a casino? Just saying that is a little bit of a double standard, you can get shot and die defending your country but not legally purchase a can of beer. 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

It has been snowing all day here in LaPorte and it looks very nice, how is the weather in your area? My finance and I went up to Lake Michigan today and took some pictures. It was cold but very cool to see the lake and the frozen light house. 
















Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday Morning

Good morning everyone and happy Friday we have made it to the end of the week. We have been getting a little snow here for the first time this winter, it is kind of nice to see the snow covering everything. As opposed to everything being brown and looking dead. How much snow do you have where you live? We are still lacking much precipitation for this winter, we need a good old fashioned blizzard with 4-5 feet of snow. That would be awesome to get that much snow in a short period of time, add in a little wind to that and everyone would be all freaked out by the snow and the wind. Do you enjoy the snow or is it just a pain to slog through, put on 3 layers of cloths to got out and start your car? Do you enjoy the winter time or dread it? 





Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Something new

Good afternoon everyone, this is just a short one today. If you have not ever eating a meal with chop sticks go and give it a try. If you have and have not done it for a while go and do it again. Try something new this week, either food, drink, or do something you have never done before. We live in a great world. Give something new a try. 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Rainy January

Good morning everyone! It is Friday Woo Hoo!!! How do you spend your Fridays? Do you party like a rock star or just recover from the week of work? Do you get home on Friday night, plop in your recliner, have dinner and are done for the night or do you hit the door, clean up, change cloths and head back out the door? Do or you go right from work to meet up with friends and coworkers? 

Or does your significant other have a list waiting for you as soon as you hit the door, and you spend the weekend trying to mark things off of your list? Clean the gutters, take down Christmas lights before July, clean the car, fix the deck, repaint the bathroom, and install the new faucet. Are any of those things on your list? 

What every you do enjoy what are you doing, spend some time recharging yourself over the weekend. Enjoy a local, state or even Federal park, get out get some fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors. Sometime that is hard to do living in Indiana, as we have no mountains, grand valleys, tall timbers, or great natural formations. I would expect those that live out west take those thing for granted sometimes thought, when you grow up seeing these wonderful natural wonders you might just take them for granted. 

Have a great day everyone. 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

How kids treat their parents

Good morning everyone, it is almost the end of a short week. Holidays during the week always mess me up thought, have a couple of days off during the week and it just throws your whole schedule off. Any way on to my story. 

It just amazes me how grown children treat their parents. My fiance and I help her mom out a lot, she has some medical issues and can not get around so well anymore, and needs to see a variety of doctors for things. She needs help with cooking, cleaning, getting to the store, doctors office and other places. My fiance takes her to all the doctors appointments, to the store, and where ever else she needs to go. Her mom has taken her niece in to live with her because her mom does not want her any more, keep in mind that this daughter lives VERY close to her mother, and yet does nothing for her. Not to mention she sends her behavior issue child to live with her disabled Grandmother because she does not want to deal with her issues.   She can't help cook for her mom or take her mom to any appointments, to the store or anyplace else she needs to go. She confesses on Facebook how great her mom is and how much she loves her but does not lift a finger to do one thing. 
On of her other daughters lives in the same town, and confesses how much she loves her mom on Facebook, but only comes over when she needs something. She like her sister does not lift a finger to bring her a meal, take her to an appointment or anything else. 
Of her two sons the one only comes around when he needs something, the other one only sees his mom like once or twice a year and both of them live right in town where their mother lives. One is a successful business man that built his mother-in-law a apartment in his house. But he only comes to see his mom once or twice a year. 
I do not understand this at all, our parents did the best job they could in raising us! My mom gets around very well and is still very active, but when she needs help I go over and help her. I mow her yard, I help her in the garden spread mulch, run the weed eater and what ever else she needs help doing. If she could not get around or needed further care, my sisters and I would be there everyday to help her, we would take turns helping out. Cooking, cleaning, and running errands for her. I do not get how kids can not help out their parents, when their parents were so good to the kids. I am not saying they had a perfect childhood, but grow  up and take some responsibility for your self. Put your adult pants on and get over it. Help your mom or dad, sister or brother out, if the need the help. If my brother needed help I would drop everything drive 6 hours and help him out. I would gladly help my sister out with most anything they asked of me. I would watch their kids, pick them up from school, help them in anyway that I could. Families do not always get along, but when someone needs your help, just do it. Everyone wants to boo hoo at funerals, make all kids of promises about visiting more, helping more, and calling more, but how many of them back up with come out of their mouth with action? 

Sorry about the rant today, but this just really gripes me. Have a great day everyone. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

'Fiscal Cliff'

Good afternoon everyone. How was your New Years celebration, did you watch all of the games on New Years Day? Or what did you do on New Years Day, noticed many businesses were open. Did you have to work or did you get the day off to recover?

What is your take on this whole fiscal cliff stuff? Why did it take our government until the 11th hour to make a deal, when they all knew this was coming? What does this say about our government that they cannot agree on the important issues or they just push them off till a later time? I understand these issues are not easy ones to answer, but everyone has known about this issues for months. Why wait until the last possible day to put a band-aide on it and just partially fix the problem? Or did this come as a surprise to everyone?