2012, You Weren't So Bad

Events That Happened In 2012 That Had An Impact On Me

January - Being "promoted" to the head of security and safety at church. It is an honor and a privilege to serve my church in this capacity.  In case you didn't know, church security is an area that I am passionate about.

February - Going to the movies twice in one week.  As you know, I rarely even go to the movies once a year.  So going twice in one week was a record.  And on a related note, I went again in July.  Three times in one year - that's a pretty big record to break.

March - Devastating tornados hit in southern Indiana and in eastern Kentucky.  Those with smart phones watched weather apps and followed the storm, and at work, we all went to the inner hallways on the first floor until the storm passed through Louisville.  My office was Headquarters - I had Dopplar radar up on my computer and had my little portable digital TV on for up-to-the-minute coverage from the weatherazzi.  This stressed the need to be prepared.

April - The Fifty Shades Of Gray frenzy was everywhere.  And I will confess that I, too, jumped on the bandwagon and bought the books just to see what the fuss was about.  Even though the series sold a bizillion copies, I was disappointed that I lost time in my life reading the books and wish I'd spent the time reading something else.  And let me go on record and say that I hated one of the main characters, Anastasia. 

May - We lost the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, after a courageous bout with cancer.  I have always loved Donna Summer, and her death had more of an impact on me than Whitney Houston's.  Donna was a class act, had a beautiful voice, and she was the Queen of Disco.  She was also a Christian, and I hope that the Lord will her sing for me in heaven when I get there.

June - I attended four funerals in four weeks.  All four were sweet old ladies that I loved dearly, and each had an impact on my life as a teenager and as an adult.

July - I endured what I believe was the worst heatwave that I've experienced in my 49 years.  We would watch TV at night with the lights off, in hopes that it would make the room a degree or two cooler.  And we, along with thousands and thousands of others, kept a watchful eye on the air conditioner and the thermostat.  Being one that likes it cool, even I thought 80 degrees in the house was cool when it was 107 degrees outside. 

August - I entered green beans in the fair that I picked and canned myself.  Of course I had some help from the 'Rents, but I did it.  I didn't win a ribbon, but I tried.

September - I was able to visit with a dear old friend of the family during a trip to Evansville.  I hadn't seen her in probably 10 years, and it was as if no time had passed at all. She is also a true class act, and is a great example of a Christian who practices what she preaches.

October - For two long weeks, we didn't know if Mom had broken her foot or not.  I did an awful lot of praying those two weeks, and the Lord answered the prayers and there was no signs of any breaks in the second set of x-rays.  It had an impact on me not only because of her not being able to walk on her foot, but also because of the power of prayer.

November - The train derailment about 5 miles from The Compound had us all nerved up for a couple of weeks until the cars carrying the hazardous chemicals had been stablized and moved.  Once gain, this shows the need for us to be prepared and have an emergency kit with a few days of clothes, meds, and other necessities ready in case you have to evacuate.

December - The senseless, horrific shootings in Newton, Connecticut.  This affected everyone - gun owners and anti-gun people alike.  This will affect me for a long, long time.

Link Of The Week

It took a month, but thank goodness I'm over the cold/flu/upper respiratory infection/whatever-you-want-to-call-it that I along with 3/4 of the state have had.  It just lingered and lingered.  And friends that went to the doctor and got antibiotics for it said that their bout with the illness lasted about a month, too.  But I digress.  During my bout, I had congestion and and a cough.  Mucinex helped some with congestion relief but it did little for the cough.  I remembered a concoction that my Grandma would give me when I was little and had a cough and thought I'd try it.  I looked up online to make sure of the amounts and it was simple -- a cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey.  After a couple of days of drinking this, I could tell a difference. 

That made me think of how we used to drink ACV (apple cider vinegar) every day and how it was good for literally whatever ails you.  So the 'Rents and I decided we'd start drinking it every day.  My arthritis hasn't been as bad so I think it's making a difference.

I found a good site with home remedies using apple cider vinegar I'd like to share with you.  Visit http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/home-remedies.html.

One note:  it is not recommended to drink the ACV straight - dilute it with water or juice.  Over a period of time, if not diluted it will eat the enamel from your teeth.

Security Tip Saturday

We're at week 18 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  You know the drill by now. Each week for the past 17 weeks, I've posted a list of items to buy or gather so you can compile an emergency kit for you and your family.  At the end of the 20 weeks, if you've bought or gathered the items listed, you will have compiled the recommended items for an emergency kit for you and your family. 

It's not too late - just check the archives for the previous 17 weeks for the items you need to buy.

Week 18

Child proof lathches (if needed)
Double-sided tape (or Velcro)
Two Plastic buckets with tight lid
Plastic sheeting

Last Winter Storm Of 2012 Update

The weatherazzi has everyone worked into a frenzy, including yours truly.  We're in for 4-6 inches here in the 'Ville by tomorrow night. 

Not being one to be not prepared, we've got plenty of gas for the snow blower, which was moved to the front of the garage today.  We've got all of the vehicles fully gassed up (given the text alert that said gas prices were going up today in the area).  We've got bread, milk, eggs, beer and a lot of ham left over from Christmas, not to mention plenty of cookies, chips and cheese.  So all I can say is bring on the snow.  We're ready here at The Compound.

White Day-After-Christmas Update Update

We didn't even get an official dusting here at The Compound yesterday.  The only way you could tell we had any frozen precipitation was by looking on the ramp. 

But it sure was cold. And I am giving a major shout out to Mrs. Kesrovic for knitting me another cool stocking cap.  I've worn the cap she knitted me last year for the past week.  It was an awesome surprise to get to work yesterday and discover another cool knitted cap on my desk.  Mrs. K, you rock.

And as another update, the weatherazzi are all geared up for a few inches of snow here tomorrow.  I'll believe it when I see it. 

Quote Of The Week

After a lengthy discussion at supper tonight about a particular topic, my Dad said something that was very quote-worthy. 

"Some people don't know how to be happy." 

Well said, Dad.  Well said.

Merry Christmas 2012

TWIT and our crazy elf Junior English would like to wish all of the faithful readers a very Merry Christmas.  We hope you are having a great day filled with joy and love with your friends and family.

Today, Junior was reunited with his two brothers.  And here all along you thought there were three wise men at the nativity.  Little did you know that three elves also came to worship the new born King!

Merry Christmas from TWIT, and please take time today to remember the reason for this holiday - to celebrate the birth of our new born king.

White Day-After-Christmas Update

For the past few days, the weatherazzi have worked theirselves into a frenzy as they consult different models and data to try (key word) and predict how much snow Louisville will get out of the approaching big storm.  As of this morning, one of the local weatherazzi says that if the model does not shift further southward, we could get (and I quote) "an inch or two or possibly more."  If the model shifts southward as it has in the past 24 hours, we could get a heck of a lot more than an inch or two.  In preparation, I went out this morning and filled up one of the 5-gallon cans with gas for the snow blower, and made sure we have plenty of bread and milk. Unfortunately, we won't get a white Christmas here in the 'Ville, but it looks like there's a good chance of a white day-after-Christmas. 

On an interesting side note, the weatherazzi's forecast I was reading this morning has started to use the Bread Index in predicting snow.  One slice meaning almost no chance of snow, up to ten slices, meaning get the shovels out.  This morning, he had five slices posted on his blog. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

Happy Christmas Eve

That crazy elf, Junior English, has been very busy the past few weeks.  This morning, we found him riding a rocking horse ornament on the tree.  Junior and TWIT hopes every has a great Christmas Eve.

Link Of The Week

We still have thousands and thousands of troops deployed in countries around the world, and we all need to take a minute to express our thanks and give them a treat -- a Slim Jim.  It's the least we can do. Please visit http://www.slimjim.com/troops.jsp and fill out the short form, and your message and a Slim Jim will be sent to a soldier stationed away from home.  The troops love Slim Jims, and we all can help get them some and at the same time tell them how much we appreciate them for their service.

Security Tip Saturday

We're coming down to the end of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness - we're on week 17.  Hopefully you've been able to buy or gather up the items for the previous 16 weeks.  As always, it's not too late to start.  Just check in the previous 16 Saturday posts for the items to get, and you will be able to put together an emergency kit for you and your household.

Week 17

1 box graham crackers
Assorted plastic containers with lids
Dry cereal
Anti-dirrhea medication
Rubbing alcohol
Antiseptic
Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal

Flashback Friday

This afternoon I was reminiscing to the Friday before Christmas break when I was in elementary school.  We'd have a big ole party that lasted from after lunch till time to go home. 

First of all, it was called a Christmas Party - not a Winter Festival. 

Second, the room mothers would bring in lots of cupcakes, cookies and Kool-Aid for us to have.  There were no worries about who had a peanut allergy; everybody ate whatever they wanted and it was OK. 

Third, the teacher would usually play records of Christmas carols, and we would listen and sing along.  There were no worries about the songs talking about the birth of Jesus.

Fourth, the teacher and room mothers would hug all of us as we were leaving the classroom at the end of the day.  There were no worries about sexual abuse or harassment.  We thought it was cool that we got hugs from people besides our parents.

We're Gonna Party Like It's 12-20-12

I'm not so sure the Mayans aren't on to something about the world ending on 12-21-12.  If nothing else, we're liable to get blown away here in Louisville and the surrounding area.  We're in the midst of a windstorm, and temperatures have dropped to the 30's with wind chill temps of the single digits.  And we're expecting the first measurable snow of the season tonight.  They're calling for less than a half an inch here in Louisville, which will cause more chaos than if it snowed a foot.

Disturbing Christmas Song Lyrics

From "Up On The House Top"

"Next comes the stocking of little Will

Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?"

I tell you one thing - I sure wouldn't go if Will has a hammer and lots of tacks, and especially a whip.  If you ask me, I think little Will is becoming Fifty Shades.

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Song Versions For 2012

I love Christmas music.  I always have.  And the month of December is the only time that our department at work can listen to the radio because we have it tuned to an all-Christmas-music channel. 

Here's my top ten list of favorite versions of Christmas songs for 2012 (in no particular order)

1.  Frosty The Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald
2.  Go Tell It On The Mountain - Jewel
3.  Do You Hear What I Hear - Vanessa Williams
4.  White Christmas - Michael Buble and Shania Twain
5.  Jingle Bells - Barry Manilow
6.  Mary, Did You Know - Kathy Mattea
7.  Mele Kalikimaka - Jimmy Buffet
8.  Baby It's Cold Outside - Pearl Bailey and Hot Lips Page
9.  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
10. Silent Night - Stevie Nicks

Quote Of The Week

Spoken by my mother, on more than one occasion, and it bears repeating.

"Be careful of what you pray for.  Because eventually, your prayer will be answered."

Link Of The Week

There's so much grief, sadness, worry, and anxiety right now.  I've almost didn't want to laugh or be happy about anything after the horrific shootings on Friday.  But here's a link to a video of the "Sweeney Sisters" from old school Saturday Night Live that always makes me laugh.  I hope you will laugh a little bit too.  http://vimeo.com/34046077

Security Tip Saturday

This is week 16 in our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  We're coming down the stretch and four more weeks, hopefully you will have purchased and compiled the recommended items for your family's emergency kit.  As always, you can go back to the previous 15 Saturday posts and get caught up if you're just joining.  It's not too late to be prepared. 

Remember - when the list mentions cans of foods or a gallon of water, it means per person in your household.

Week 16

1 can meat
1 can vegetables
1 box facial tissues
1 box quick energy snacks
Dried fruit/nuts

Flashback Friday

I asked the 'Rents tonight at supper what their biggest fear was when I was in elementary school.  They said their only real fear was me getting on the wrong school bus when it was time to go home.  They didn't say "The fear of a crazed gunman coming into your school and shooting you and your classmates."

I cannot begin to express what I'm feeling now about the senseless, horrific shootings at the elementary school this morning.  Some might condemn me for saying this, but today's shootings have affected me emotionally more than 9/11 did.  I know I really shouldn't compare the two, but I'm being honest and expressing how I feel today.  I know for a fact that I didn't cry this much nor was I this emotional on 9/11. 

Our prayers go out to all of the families affected by the shootings.  And the prayers will continue to go out forever.

Leap Year Lessons

A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked if I would be a guest writer in his blog.  Since January 1, he has posted each day a "Leap Year Lesson Learned" , and since there are 366 days in this year with Leap Year, he made sure each daily post was 366 words or less.   I was honored to be asked to be a guest writer in his blog.  Here's the post I wrote for him a couple of weeks ago.

I hate reality shows. But I watched “Doomsday Preppers” the other night after mistakingly DVRing it instead of a show on the Food Network. I watched the entire episode out of curiosity, and I’m glad I did because I learned something.

The show was about people who believe some mega catastrophe is going to occur – a natural disaster, collapse of the U.S economy, nuclear war, etc. – all of which they believe will lead to civil unrest and martial law – and they are planning and preparing for it by amassing enough food, ammo and other supplies to last them and their families for years. To say that the people on this show were obsessed with their “prepping” doesn’t even come close; all said they spend the majority of a 24-hour day prepping.

I’m all for planning and preparing; as a security consultant, it’s the main part of what I do. I tell people, churches, and other organizations how to plan and prepare for emergencies. I’m sure the people up in the northeast wished someone had taught them the need to plan and prepare for a disaster like Sandy, but I digress. What I teach and tell is not rocket science – it’s common sense. For example, here’s a security and safety tip for you, free of charge: take time to put together an emergency kit for you and the members of your household. Have enough food and water for you all for at least 3 days, and have any needed medications, a first aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlights with extra batteries, and did I mention water? Make copies of insurance policies and other important documents and keep them in your kit as well. Also add in an extra set of clothes, and some blankets, and don’t forget food for pets. Keep all of these items together in backpacks or a plastic storage bin. You get the picture.

It’s OK to plan and prepare – the Bible tells us repeatedly that we need to. But it’s not OK to become so obsessed with planning and preparing for the future that you don’t have time for today.

Leap year lesson #336: Plan and prepare, but don’t forget the present.

It's About Time, Ann and Nancy Wilson

TWIT would like to congratulate Ann and Nancy Wilson and the rest of the band on Heart finally being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  It took a few years but it finally happened.  And it is well, well deserved and long overdue. 

In case you are a new faithful reader to TWIT and didn't know, Heart is my favorite music group of all time, and Nancy Wilson is my favorite guitarist, and is the reason I started playing the guitar when I was 13.

And in case you missed it, Ann and Nancy received a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame this summer.

Keep on rocking, ladies.

Elf On The Shelf

I'd like to introduce you, faithful readers, to The Compound's Elf On The Shelf, Junior English.

Not to be outdone by parents and families who have an Elf On The Shelf, we have our own Elf here at The Compound.  Here Junior is today, sitting underneath the TV by the remote control.  You just never know where he'll show up next.

Monday, Monday

After working and sitting through four performances of the Christmas program at church this weekend (the program was over two hours long, I might add) and working half a day on Saturday and having regular church services on Sunday, I am worn out.  I had to get back to work today to get some rest.  That's a big LOL.  Today was nonstop keying in inventory adjustments, because after all, it's the inventory time of the year.

So I'm wiped out tonight, and apologize for a brief and pointless post.  But at least I did post. 

Link Of The Week

We are in a dilemna at work, faithful readers. One of our coworkers' wives has said enough is enough, and this year she said she's not baking a bunch of cookies or making a bunch of fudge or buckeyes like she normally did; each year since her husband has worked at Zoeller, she's made a bunch of stuff and he's brought in two trays full. 

Since she's on a moratorium this year, a couple of coworkers and I (who does not cook) have said that we must keep the cookie and candy tradition going so we are going to make some stuff to bring to work.  Luckily for us we have a good website to help us.  Visit http://www.christmas-cookies.com/ for recipes on just about any kind of Christmas cookie or candy you can think of.

Happy baking.

Security Tip Saturday

This marks week 15 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  For the past 15 weeks I've been posting a shopping list of items for you to buy for you family's emergency kit.  If you buy or gather all of the items I list each Saturday, at the end of the 20 weeks you will have gotten together the recommended items for an emergency kit for you and your family.

If you're just joining TWIT, please look in the archives for the past 14 weeks.  It's never too late to catch up.

Week 15

Extra flashlight batteries
Extra batteries for portable radio
Assorted nails
Wood screws
Labels for items

Flashback Friday

As most of the country did today, I took some time to reflect on the attack at Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941.  I thought about a dear, dear friend of our family who was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack.  Maxey was in the Marines, and luckily he was not injured during the attack.  After the attack, his unit, along with others, took refuge in caves inside one of the inactive volcanos.  I loved to hear Maxey tell stories about that day and about his time in the military.  And anyone that knew Maxey would tell you that he could really tell a story.

You might not know anyone living today that lived through the Pearl Harbor attack, but take some time to find a veteran and ask them to tell you some stories -- flashbacks, if you will.  You'll be glad you took the time to listen.

How Many Will It Take

I've spent the last hour emailing everyone in the Jefferson County and city of Louisville government offices that I could find, begging and pleading with them to install turn signals on all of the traffic lights along the Greenbelt Highway.  This morning, yet another person was killed because there was no turn signal and a truck thought they had the right of way. 

I know my plate is already full but I am taking this on as a personal project, and I will be contacting our Metro Councilman and Mayor personally next week about this.  I totalled my Blazer a couple of years ago as a result of the same situation - the lady that hit me thought she had the right of way.  

As always, I'll keep you posted.

Yukon Cornelius, At Your Service

In case you didn’t know, I am remote-control challenged. I have the hardest time with the big gray Insight Cable remote control. So it was no great surprise when, a few weeks ago, I DVR’d the wrong show.  I intended to DVR something from the Food Network and instead ended up with an episode of “Doomsday Preppers.” I hate reality shows, but I was intrigued, so I watched the show. In case you haven’t seen or heard of it, the show is a documentary about people who are beyond obsessed with preparing (“prepping”) for some major disaster. The disasters run the gamut from an earthquake along the New Madrid fault that could split the country literally in half to radiation in the air from the nuclear reactor meltdown in Japan. Every one of the doomsday situations the people are prepping for all include civil unrest and martial law. So while these people are amassing enough food to feed their families for years and years, they are also stockpiling ammo and weapons.


As I was watching “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” last night with the ‘Rents, it dawned on me that Yukon Cornelius could have been a preppers. To substantiate my claim, check out this quote from Yukon: “Now I'm off to get my life-sustaining supplies: cornmeal and gun powder and ham hocks and guitar strings.” Yep, Yukon was a prepper.

Lesson Learned

Today, I start a recurring post in TWIT called "Lesson Learned."

Today's lesson learned: 

Don't trust anything you hear, even if it's from a credible sourse, until you hear it straight from the horse's mouth.

The 2012 Christmas Price Index

'12 Days of Christmas' Gift List Price Tag Now Tops $107,000


Add seven swans, six geese and five golden rings to the list of Christmas gifts that cost more than they did a year ago.

And if you get all 364 items repeated throughout "The Twelve Days of Christmas" carol, you'll pay 6.1 percent more this year, according to the so-called Christmas Price Index that PNC Wealth Management updates annually.

That comes to $107,300.

"The rise is larger than expected considering the modest economic growth we've had," said Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC. He noted the government's Consumer Price Index has risen just 2 percent in the 12 months before September.

Thrifty shoppers may find some reasons for cheer. Six items mentioned in the song haven't gone up in price: maids-a-milking, ladies dancing, lords-a-leaping, calling birds, turtle doves and the partridge. The eight maids-a-milking still cost just $58 because the minimum wage hasn't risen.

Twelve drummers drumming ($2,775.50) and eleven pipers piping ($2,562) might also be considered relative bargains compared to seven swans, which will set you back $7,000. Nine ladies dancing will cost you $6,294.03.

Dunigan said the 2011 drought caused the prices of some birds to soar, partly because of corn and other feed costs.

"The geese were up 29.6 percent, and swans were up 11 percent," Dunigan said, adding that none of the gifts in the song went down in price this year.

The price of a pear tree is $189.99, an 11.8 percent jump from last year's $169.99. Five gold rings jumped 16.3 percent this year, to $750, and three French hens are now $165, instead of $150.

The $15 partridge is the cheapest item, and swans the most expensive, at $1,000 each.

Last-minute shoppers who turn to the Internet will pay a bit more for the gifts. Buying one set of the core items in each verse costs $24,431 in traditional stores this year, but $40,440 online. Part of that difference is the extra expense of shipping live birds, Dunigan said, adding that Internet costs rose 1.5 percent compared to last year.

While the total cost of all items mentioned in the "Twelve Days Of Christmas" rose 6.1% this year, I'm first to say that my salary sure didn't increase 6.1%. 

Link Of The Week

I don't watch a whole lot of TV, and the majority of shows I watch faithfully come on at 10:00.  I watch them from my bed while relaxing before going to sleep. But I digress. I found a cool site for TV lovers called Yidio.  You can watch episodes of current TV shows (in case you have the overwhelming urge to get caught up on "Jersey Shore"), and you can also sign up for notifications of when new episodes of your favorite shows will be on.  Visit http://www.yidio.com.

Security Tip Saturday

We're at week 14 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness. By now, you know the drill.  But in case new readers are joining, each week for 20 weeks I will post a list of items for you to buy, and at the end of the 20 weeks you will have an emergency kit for you and your family. Remember when cans of fruit, meat, vegetables and juices or gallons of water are listed, you need 1 for each member of your household. As always, you can look back at the archives for the previous 13 Saturday posts to catch up.  It's never too late to plan and prepare.

Week 14

1 can fruit
1 can meat
1 can vegetables
1 package eating utensils
1 package paper cups

Flashback Friday

During lunch today, we had a good laugh as we reminisced about the 70's show "Laverne and Shirley."  Our biggest laugh came when we talked about them working at the Shotz Brewery. 

This picture is for you, faithful readers and coworkers SH and JMc. 

Quote Of The Day

Today's quote of the day is from my wise mother.  And I quote:

"The only place you go to be on different sides is the ball field."

You are so right, mom.  So right.

What Are The Odds?

The country is in a frenzy today over tonight's Powerball jackpot of over a half a billion dollars.  At the time of this posting, it was up to $550 million, and is expected to top out at over $600 million.  I've got my tickets and can't wait till 10:59 when they draw.  If I win, I think I'm going to hire Lady Gaga to come here in January and perform for my 50th birthday.  Based on the odds, I'll probably get struck by lightning first.

Here are things that are more likely to happen:


Death by Vending Machine. Odds: 1 in 112 million
Dying from using a right-handed product, if you’re a lefty: Odds: 1 in 7 million
Dying in an Asteroid Apocalypse. Odds: 1 in 12,500
Dating a Supermodel. Odds: 1 in 88,000
Hitting a Deer in Hawaii. Odds: one in 6,000.
Dying from a Bee Sting. Odds: one in 6 million.
Dying from a LIGHTNING STRIKE. Odds: one in 3 million.
Getting Attacked by a Shark. Odds: one in 11.5 million.
Dying for ANY reason at the beach. Odds: one in 2 million.
Making a Hole-in-One. Odds: about one in 13,000 (for the average golfer).
Getting two BACK-TO-BACK holes-in-one. Odds: about one in 156 million.
Becoming President of the U.S. Odds: one in 10 million
Dying in an On-The-Job Accident. Odds: one in 48,000
Dying in a Bathtub. Odds: one in 840,000

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Chrismas

I still don't feel all that well, so I don't have any pictures to show today, but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at The Compound.  Lights, greenery, bows, and wreaths are up outside on the house and garage and it looks beautiful.  I promise to take a picture and post it when I feel better.

I'm still battling a cold that started last Wednesday evening when I got home from work.  I was in bed for the majority of the Thanksgiving weekend.  And when I got to work yesterday, I discovered that one of the guys in my department who went to the doctor and got antibiotics last Wednesday morning was even sicker than he was last week.  At least I was a bit ahead of him without antibiotics. 

I don't feel all that bad - just tired.  So I'm going to sign off of the computer and go hit the couch, and enjoy the view of the outside Christmas decorations while I watch the "Dancing With The Stars" finale with the 'Rents.  Happy Holidays.

Happy Cyber Monday

I apologize for not having a usual post today, but I've had a wicked sinus infection/cold since Wednesday evening and I'm going to get on the couch and continue my rest. 

So please take a few minutes today to do some Christmas shopping online.  After all, it is Cyber Monday - the biggest online shopping day of the year.  But before you buy an item online, take a minute or two to do some research.  Do a quick Google search for a discount code for the online store you're shopping.  It could save you some money.

Link Of The Week

If you're like most people that had turkey and all of the trimmings on Thursday, you've got leftovers.  And if you're like most people, you're already tired of the leftovers.  Never fear.  Visit the folks at AllRecipes.com and you can find some great recipes using the leftovers.  Check out http://allrecipes.com/features/holidays/thanksgiving-leftovers/. 

Security Tip Saturday

Here we are at Week 13 in 20 Weeks To Preparedness. Once again, if you're just joining us, for 20 weeks I will post a list of items to get each week, and at the end of the 20 weeks you will have compiled the recommended items for an emergency kit for you and your family.  Check out the previous 12 weeks in the archives to get caught up.

Week 13

Whistle
Pliers
Screwdriver
Hammer
Perforated metal tape
Crow bar

Flashback Friday

I did some research and discovered that that term "Black Friday" was started back in the late 60's/early 70's.  I always thought of myself as a hip, intelligent kid, but I have to admit I don't really remember hearing the term "Black Friday" until the last 20 or so years.

Back in the day, I remember Mom and I getting up at 6:00 or 6:30 to go to Walmart to buy a particular brand of jeans that they had on sale for Dad for Christmas.  We did this for a few years.  We'd get the jeans and pick up a few other things that were on sale that we just had to have, and then go to McDonald's or Jessie's Family Restauarnt for breakfast, and then we'd go back home.  That was the extent of our Black Friday shopping.

As the years went by, Mom and I decided tha we enjoyed our sleep too much to fight the crowds for a $25 VCR so we stopped getting up before daylight to go fight the crowds at the store. And we don't regret it one bit.  Especially now, with Black Friday morphing into Black Thursday.

I can't help but wonder if years from now, some blogger will be writing about a flashback from their life, and they will be writing about their shopping memories of Black Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving

TWIT would like to wish all of the faithful readers a very Happy Thanksgiving.

It's almost cliche these days as everyone in print and online seems to comment on "What are you thankful for?"  As I think about that I have to be cliche and say I am thankful for my family and friends, and for their unconditional love and support.  But I also have to say I am very thankful for my job and my two careers.  Although I bitch as much as anyone about my job, it pays the bills and gives me extra money to help fund my second career of church security consulting. 

While we're all eating and drinking today, let's all take a few minutes to tell somone that we are thankful for them.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

I stopped on the way home from work today to pick up a six-pack of beer to have with our Thanksgiving Eve ritual of carry-out fish, and while I was at the liquor store, I got some scratch-off lottery tickets and some more Powerball tickets for tonight's $250 million drawing.  While chatting with the very kind Pakistani guy that owns and manages the liquor store, we started talking about Thanksgiving.  He said "I am very thankful that I can have a business here in the U.S."  I'll admit that in the back of my mind, I was wondering how much $$$ he was laundering back home to Al Quada, but I tried to keep the conversation light.  I told him that was awesome and that I, too, was an entreprenuer, and was happy to have my own company just like he did. During the rest of the conversation, he asked me what else I was thankful for.  I didn't hesitate to tell him I was thankful for my job that paid my bills and that gave me disposable income to blow at the liquor store on beer and lottery tickets. We chatted a few more minutes, and then I left and headed home, still very thankful for my job.

Yet Another Reason

I left work today and headed a half mile down the street to the cool still-new First Choice grocery store in the hood.  I love the store.  Everytime I go there, no less than 5 employees greet me and ask if I can find what I'm looking for.  Well today when they asked, they couldn't help me, because I was looking for my cell phone that I once again left on my desk at work. This is just another reason why I have no business with any electronic or computerized gadgets.

Luckily, my office was just a half mile back up the street on my way back home so I was able to pull in the parking lot and run in and grab my phone with ease.  At least I remembered I left the phone at work while I was just a half mile away from work instead of a couple of weeks ago when I remembered just as I was pulling into the driveway.

Just Another Manic Monday

As I type this, there is all kinds of drama and things going on around me in the background. I'm not sure where to start.

I'd like to give a big shout out to Squid - TWIT would like to wish you a very happy 21st birthday.  I hope your birthday evening last night was all that you thought it would be.  You are still one of the most awesome young women that I know, and TWIT wishes you a big happy birthday today.  Learn from experience that from now on, your birthday will be just one more day on the calendar.

To bring things down to a more personal note, for the past half hour the 'Rents have been "discussing" in the kitchen as they have both been working to get supper together. I heard rumors this morning that supper tonight would be a breakfast meal, so I'm hoping for some biscuits tonight. 

Link Of The Week

I know Thanksgiving is just days away, and there might not be enough time if you wanted to order a fully-cooked turkey for this year's dinner, but here's a website where you order one for next year's Thanksgiving, or for any other occasion you want. 

I learned about this restaurant in Brooklyn this afternoon while watching the Food Network. They specialize in deep-fried turkeys that are as jucy as if you baked them. And they deliver.  Plus, I love their name -- Jive Turkey!  Visit them at http://thejiveturkey.com and check them out.

Security Tip Saturday

Here we are at week 12 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  By now you all should be well on  your way to having an emergency kit for you and your family.

If you're just joining us, each Saturday for 20 weeks I will post a list of items to buy for you and your family's emergency kit.  At the end of the 20 weeks, if you've followed diligently, you will have compiled the recommended items for you and your family for a few days in the event of an emergency.  Look back at the archives and you'll be able to see the previous 11 weeks and be able to get caught up.  If you don't have any pets at home, this week will be useless for you.  So use the week to go over the previous weeks' shopping lists to make sure you've gotten everything.

Week 12

Extra harness, ID tags, and food for pets
Litter pan (if needed)
Extra gallon of water for pets
Veterinary records for pets

Breaking News

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Flashback Friday to bring you breaking news and an important announcement:  please visit any store you can tonight and stockpile any Hostess product you can get your hands on.  After today's announcement that the company is folding, Hostess products will be a hot commodity.  Please purchase and store as much as you can.  We've done our part here at The Compound and have an ample supply of Cupcakes (chocolate and the coveted orange), Ho Hos, King Dons, SnoBalls, and Cherry Pies.  We will probably be visiting a few of the 'hood convenient stores later tonight to score some more for our stash.  To hell with the "Doomsday Preppers."  We're "Hostess Preppers."

It Made Me Re-Think

Yesterday, a friend on Facebook made a comment about their favorite vocal TV theme song. I posted a comment saying my favorite TV theme with vocals was "Green Acres" and my favorite instrumental TV theme was the theme from "Dallas."

But just moments ago I posted another note saying that any TV theme by Mike Post rocked, especially the theme from "Magnum P.I."  I guess I've spent too much time in front of the TV since I have so many favorite TV theme songs. 

File Under: WTF?

I wish I'd had someone in the car with me this morning on the way to work so they could have filmed the first few minutes of my commute.  The car in front of me was either driving in the other lane (yes, the other lane) or they were driving on the shoulder close to going down in the ditch. At one point the car was 100% in the other lane and missed hitting a truck head-on by only a foot.  I didn't know what the hell was going on, so I kept a very safe distance behind them while calling 911.  I gave them a description of the car and the license plate number and the exact location.  But soon the car turned down a side street.  It was then that I noticed that the idiot had not scraped his windshield or windows and couldn't see while he was driving.

Were they in that big of a hurry that they couldn't take a couple of minutes to scrape the windshield and windows so they could see where they were going? Evidently they were.

I Made It

I am very happy to report that I made it through yesterday evening and night without my cell phone.  It wasn't all that hard.  True, I had other forms of communication available - mainly, the computer - but it wasn't as big of an ordeal as I thought it would be.  I watched the two hour Dancing With The Stars show, and while I was watching I played some games on my netbook, but I didn't keep tabs on email or Facebook during the evening.  And I survived.  I even wrote a couple of cards for friends and mailed them today.  I think I might start a cell phone-free night every week. 

And to give me a come-uppance, I was expecting to see countless missed phone calls and text messages when I got back to work this morning and got to my phone.  There were only two texts - both of them from Weather Bug telling me the forecast for the next six hours.  I guess I'm not as popular or important as I thought I was. 

It's Going To Be A Long Night

I was about a mile from home this evening when I realized I left my cell phone at work.  Words can't describe the wave of anxiety that I felt come over me.  For the next 15 hours I would be unattached to my umbilical cord.  I guess the anxiety isn't all that bad, or else I would have driven the 30 minute round trip to and from work to retreive my phone.  But it will be a long night nonetheless.

Happy Veterans Day

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Link Of The Week to wish all of the men and women in our country who proudly served in the military a very Happy Veterans Day.  And selfishly, I wish my Dad, a Navy veteran, a special Happy Veterans Day.  Thank you all for your service.

Security Tip Saturday

Here we are on week 11 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness.  I had a cool email this week from a faithful reader who said that they have started putting together their family's emergency kit, and thanked me for posting the information.  You don't know how happy you made me, faithful reader.  Thank you for reading every day and for caring about your family and putting together an emergency kit.  If you're just joining us, please look at the archives for the previous Saturday posts for the lists of items to buy and compile for your family's emergency kit. 

And to answer a question another faithful reader asked me, yes, I am following my advice and am putting together an emergency kit for me and the 'Rents.  We've always had some staple items together, but since I started the 20 Weeks To Preparedness, I have been following along and am putting together our kit. We are using a big heavy duty plastic garbage can on wheels and a rectangular plastic storage box with a water tight lid. 

Week 11

1 large can juice
Large pastic food bags (Ziploc)
1 box quick energy snacks
3 rolls paper towels
Medicine/eye dropper

Flashback Friday

I was discussing Captain D's versus Long John Silvers chicken tenders today with Diva Stacy, when she reminded me of something from way back in the day.

Back in the day, you could go to Long John Silvers and for the low, low price of only a dime, you could get a cardboard container full of their crunchies/crispies.  Yep, it only cost a dime.  And the container had a hell of a lot more than the container in this picture.

In the summers of my days in elementary school, I would go with my neighbor Alice to her beauty parlor appointment on Fridays.  Grandma would give me money for a snack and lunch after the appointment. 

Alice's beauty parlor was in a shopping center just two doors down from a Long John Silvers.  Many a Friday I remember going down to Long John's while Alice was sitting under the dryer and spending ten cents of my money on a cardboard container of their crunchies/crispies.  They rocked.  Of course they were just drip off from the batter, but nobody cared.  They were crunchies and they were cheap and they rocked. If you were to get a container today, it would come with a dozen warnings about the oil and trans fats, and would probably cost a buck. 

Thank You, Amazon

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, and today I would like to give thanks to Amazon Prime.  I ordered something and it was the wrong size and thanks to Amazon Prime, I'm able to return it postage paid and get another item that will hopefully fit.  No, it's not an article of clothing; it's a case for something.  Hopefully the next one I order will fit.  But if it doesn't, no sweat because I can return again postage paid and order another.  Amazon, you rock.

It's Christmas?

Halloween was just one week ago, and we're still two weeks away from Thanksgiving, but Christmas decorations are already going up in and around my 'hood.  I noticed last week, a big two story farm house up the street had their Christmas lights and wreaths hung, and even had candles in the windows.  And tonight on the way to church, we passed a house where the family was outside getting all of their lights and decorations in place. Maybe we could get them to come and decorate here at The Compound for us.

My Faith Is Restored

Regardless of the outcome of today's Presidential election, my faith in the younger generation has been restored.  It was awesome to see to many young people this morning at the polls when I went to vote.  The 'Rents said the same thing when they went later in the morning.  At least they care enough about their country to get out and vote.  I truly admire that. 

And on a related note, four fellow voters - total strangers, even - stopped me on my to and from the school building to vote to tell me good morning.  I thought that was pretty awesome, too.

Thank You, Coworker FB

I would like to take a moment to publicly thank a special coworker for keeping his huge bowl of leftover "good" Halloween candy on his desk since last Wednesday.  Everyone else took their leftover Halloween candy home on Wednesday evening, but FB left his out for all to enjoy.  And when I say "good" I mean Milky Way, Three Musketeers, Snickers, Baby Ruth, and M&M miniatures. 

It's been crazy in for the past few days at work, and the chocolate he has provided has kept me and a few others from going insane. 

Link Of The Week

Let me preface by saying today's post could also be labeled "Why Didn't I Think Of That".  That having been said, on to this week's link.

Winter will soon be here, and I'm not ashamed to say there have been a few mornings recently when I wished I'd grabbed a pair of gloves before heading out the door to go to work.  But I digress.  I'd planned on buying a new pair of gloves, and when a friend sent me this link earlier in the week, I knew I'd found the pair of gloves I was going to buy.  These gloves are for using your touchscreen phone in the wintertime without having to take off your gloves to take a call.  They're made of a special fiber that allows you to use the touchscreen almost as easily as if you weren't wearing a glove.  The gloves are made by SwypeGear, and you can find them at their website http://www.swypegear.com/. 

Security Tip Saturday

We're at the halfway point in our 20 Weeks To Preparedness weekly shopping guide for items for your family's emergency kit.  Just think - millions of people in the northeast part of our country probably thought they didn't need an emergency kit, and after Sandy hit on Monday, I bet they wish they had one.  Don't be caught off guard, faithful readers; I can't stress enough how we need to plan and be prepared just in case something like this happens to us.  Here's a personal testimony: there is a serious haz mat situation about 8 miles from The Compound.  A train carrying many cars of chemicals derailed.  People within a mile and a half have been evacuated, and people within a five mile radious are under shelter-in-place.  That means they need to stay inside.  I don't know about you, but we're a bit too close for comfort. So a few days ago while I was at work, the 'Rents updated our family's emergency kit, and got some more items together in case we needed to evacuate or shelter-in-place. They needed some items from Lowes and while they were there, they bought a roll of plastic and a couple of new rolls of duct tape for out kit. No, we've not become survivalists or doomsday people; we're just planning and preparing.

Take a few minutes this week to go back over the previous nine Saturday TWIT posts and make sure you have the items you need for your kit.

Week 10

Waterproof plastic container for important papers
Battery-powered radio
Extra batteries for the radio
Wrenches to turn off utilities

Flashback Friday

I ran into an old friend tonight and when they greeted me, they said "Hey, gal." As soon as I heard it, I thought of an old friend of the family, Jimmy J.  Everytime he saw me, he would greet me the same way with a hearty, smiling "Hey, gal."  He died 6 or 7 years ago, but we still miss him and his smiling face.  I don't think I ever saw him when he wasn't smiling. 

It's interesting how things and people come full circle in our lives.  Jimmy J lived about 5 minutes away from us, and way back in the day, Mom and Dad would give him a ride to work every now and then.  It wasn't until I was in my early teens that I got to meet Jimmy J - his twin daughters went to our church and we played softball together.  It wasn't until then when we put two and two together and realized that we all knew each other. 

It's just cool how someone will say something to us that will trigger a personal flashback. 

Beiber Fever Has Hit The 'Ville

Amid pre-election drama and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and a train derailment with cars leaking hazardous chemicals into the air about 8 miles from The Compound, we've got something pretty big going in The 'Ville right now -- young girls (and their mothers who will be taking them to the concert who will not admit that they, too, are excited) have come down with Beiber Fever.  Yes, Justin Beiber will be at the big Yum! Center tomorrow night.

When the conditions are right, here at The Compound we can hear outdoor concerts that are held over at the Horseshoe Casino.  I'm pretty sure we'll be able to hear all of the screaming girls at tomorrow night's concert.

So Much For The Great Pumpkin

Another Halloween has come and gone and once again, we didn't get any trick-or-treaters at The Compound.  It kinda sucks.  But I don't know why I thought we would have any tonight - we haven't had any kids come around on Halloween in 3 or 4 years.  Maybe next year.

Something You Don't See Every Day

I experienced something very surreal during church this Sunday.  We always sit on the last pew along the main aisle, given the fact that I'm in charge of security for church and as a security monitor, that is a prime viewing spot.  That having been said, this past Sunday, I noticed an older African American gentleman, in his late 50's, sitting directly across the aisle from me.  Before you get all upset and say I'm racially profiling, let me explain.  The only reason that this man stood out is because he was sitting there in the pew reading the Daily Racing Form.  I can only imagine he was looking for some Divine guidance in picking out some horses for the opening day at the fall meet at Churchill Downs.

Something You Don't Hear Every Day

Overheard from a coworker this afternoon as I was leaving the office.  The identity of said coworker will remain anonymous to protect their ignorance. 

And I quote: "How many feet are in a yard?"

Link Of The Week

I got something very cool this week - it was a charger cord but it looks like an octopus, plus two more legs.  There's 10 different plugs/cords on it that are for any Apple product and for just about any cell phone or tablet, and there's a plug for the wall current, the car cigarette lighter or the computer USB port.  And it only cost me $2.99 plus a minimal shipping charge.  And I got it at Yugster. 

Visit http://www.yugster.com and sign up to receive their deal of the day email - every day they will email you with 3 or 4 very cool products and a ridiculously low price. I've bought a half dozen items from them so far and they definitely get the Thumbs Up endorsement from TWIT.

Security Tip Saturday

If any of you faithful readers live east of here, you should already have your family's emergency kit together and ready to go with the Super Storm set to hit very soon.  For those just tuning in to TWIT, it's not too late to start on your family's kit.  Each Saturday for 20 weeks I will post a list of items for you to purchase or compile and at the end of the 20 weeks, your kit will be complete. And remember - when the list calls for one can of soup, vegetables, fruit or gallon of water, they mean one per person in your family.   As always, go back into the TWIT archives and get your lists for the previous 8 Saturdays to catch up.

Week 9

1 can ready-to-eat soup
Liquid dish soap
Household chlorine bleach
Heavy duty garbage bags
Antacids
Contact lens care kit (if needed)

Flashback Friday

I had to drop off some work stuff up the street last night at my boss' house, and on my way home I decided to treat myself to a Holiday Mint McFlurry at McD's.  The giant plastic spoon they put it in reminded me of the old school plastic medicine spoons as seen on the left.  I did some quick research and found out that the medicine spoons are still around today.

Whoever invented the medicine spoon should have made a fortune from it - I'm sure mothers everywhere bought them like crazy to use to give their kids the standard pink liquid medicine prescribed by the doctor.  Today, I'm told the liquid medicine comes in a variety of flavors.  But I digress.  I remember Mom and Grandma using the spoon to give me cough medicine.  I'm sure most of the cough syrup would have ended up on me or them without using said spoon.

Question Of The Day

Why must all fast food places,restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores post a sign in their restrooms that says "All Employees Must Was Their Hands Before Returning To Work."????

How pathetic and scary is it that a person has to be reminded of regular hygiene. 

All Clear!!

I'm happy to report that Mom went to the doctor this morning and got the cast off of her foot, and now she's completely mobile again.  Well, not completely - she's using one of Dad's fancy hand-carved canes but she's getting around great.  She even walked from the doctor's office out to the car.  Her doctor told her not to do any break dancing for a few days, and to come back on Monday so she can check and make sure the swelling has gone down.  But she's been given the All Clear.

If we thought the last week and a half was hard, it's just gotten harder; we'll probably need to sit on her to keep her from overdoing it and walking too much. 

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes.  Mom said she really appreciated your thoughtfulness and concern.  And so did I.

Remembering Grandma

It's hard to believe that it's been 13 years since Grandma left us.  My dear friend JTB remembers the day every year because she has it written in her prayer book, and each year on the anniversary of Grandma's death, JTB will either call or email me and say she's praying for my family today as we remember and celebrate Grandma's long life.

Early this morning, Mom and Dad and I had coffee out on the back porch, and we had an awesome time of reminiscing about Grandma. Grandma was one of the best cooks ever, so a lot of our memories this morning were of her cooking or of foods she liked or didn't like.  For instance, she couldn't stand root beer, olives or mushrooms.  But she enjoyed a good pizza; her favorite was from Mr. Gattis. And she loved Orange Crush. 

I still miss you, Gram.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

Summer, Part Two

The weather the past two days has been gorgeous. But it's been unusually hot for fall. It was 80 yesterday and today, and they're calling for 80's all week long.  I don't like summer weather in the fall.  I realize I'm in the minority on this, but fall is supposed to be cool, not like the summer. 

With Mom still having her foot in a cast and being uncomfortable I won't complain about turning the a/c back on because she's cold natured; I'll just look forward to Saturday when the high is supposed to be 60. I couldn't get to sleep last night because I was warm, even with my ceiling fan on and a window opened.  All I will say is bring on the cool again.

Link Of The Week

We all know people that rock -people that go way beyond and are awesome people.  This week, I found a site that can help you pay tribute to people that rock.  Visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/greatest-person-of-the-day and nominate your greatest person of the day.  I know that everyone of you knows someone that deserves to be the "greatest person of the day".  Nominate them.  They deserve it.

Security Tip Saturday

Here we are at week 8 of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness - a weekly shopping guide posted every Saturday to purchase items for your family's emergency kit.  At the end of the 20 weeks, you should have purchased and compiled enough food and supplies for you and your family in the event of an emergency.  Please visit the TWIT archives if you're a new reader and catch up on your shopping lists.

Week 8

Scissors, Tweezers
Thermometer
Tongue depressors
Liquid antibacterial soap
Disposable hand wipes
Needles (the sewing kind)
Petroleum jelly

Flashback Friday

My old friend, coworker and faithful reader SH was talking to me today about having to work at her daugther's school's fall festival tonight.  That conversation brought back a bunch of memories from my elementary school's fall festivals.

SH was assigned to work in the pumpkin painting booth tonight. She was hoping for an easy shift and not too many messes. I asked her about the booths that they have at the fall festivals, and she said that the most popular booth is still the cake walk.

Back in the day when I was in elementary school, the cake walk was the most popular booth, too. It was a walking version of musical chairs.  The classroom floor had numbered squares marked off in a circle, and everybody paid the admission and stood on a number and when the music started you started walking around from spot to spot.  It was also my family's favorite fall festival booth.  I remember all five years that I was at Greenwood Elementary School, Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa all attended the fall festival, and we all five played the cake walk, in an attempt to increase our odds of winning.

In addition to attending my elementary school's fall festival, we also attended other fall festivals in the neighborhood, and I'm proud to say we won quite a few cakes over the years at the fall festival cake walk booths.

Day Four With The Patient

Mom is doing better.  She's not as bummed out now as she was earlier in the week over not being able to walk, and she's gotten the hang of using her knee scooter.  There's no stopping her as she scoots through the house.  She spent a couple of hours out on the back porch today just watching and reading. 

And Dad has turned into the cook.  Once again tonight he fixed supper. I have to say I'm very impressed.  Best of all, Mom had a good appetite tonight and ate a plate full of cabbage and a scoop of mashed potatoes. She even told us to save the leftover cabbage for her lunch tomorrow.

All in all, she's doing much better than earlier in the week.  We're still hoping and praying for an All Clear from the doctor next Wednesday when she goes back for more xrays.

Cry Baby

With the exception of my office, everywhere I went today I encountered a kid crying. Never mind that a lot of us in the office felt like crying today.  But I digress. 

It started this morning when I stopped at McDonald's to use my Monopoly free smoothie game piece.  The drive-thru line was wrapped around the building but there were only a couple of people inside so I parked and went in to order.  In front of me was a young woman with not one but two crying kids.

At church tonight, as we were walking across the parking lot we heard a kid crying. It was the daughter of one of our ministers of music who in my opinion has the best singing voice I have ever heard.  Yes, I rank her up there with Patsy Cline, Ann Wilson and Emmylou Harris.  I'm here to tell you the kid has a set of lungs like her mother, with the way she was wailing in the parking lot. 

After church, I dropped off Dad and then went to the library, and imagine my surprise in front of me in the line as I was waiting to check out my books was yet another kid crying.  On second thought, this kid was screaming. Evidently she didn't know that you're supposed to be quiet in the library.

After putting my books in the car, I walked through the shopping center to Walmart to pick up a few groceries, and lo and behold, on just about every aisle that I stopped, there was a kid crying.

Believe me when I tell you that when I got back to the car with my groceries, I felt like banging my head against the steering wheel and having a good cry myself.

Day Two With The Patient

It's been a roller coaster ride with The Patient (aka Mom) today.  Other than being agitated and disgusted by not being able to walk, she had a pretty good day until suppertime.  She felt good enough to scoot around the kitchen and help Dad make supper, but when it came time to eat, as soon as we got her settled in her chair at the table, she got nauseated and only had Sprize Zero and saltine crackers.  About a half hour later I fixed her some Progresso chicken soup and she ate about half a can. 

I'm just guessing that her being nerved up over not being able to walk is making her sick at her stomach.  It has me a bit worried tonight, I'm not ashamed to say. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

But You Know I Don't Cook

I fixed supper tonight, faithful readers. We had hot dogs with chili sauce, leftover pinto beans, and Doritos.  But I got it all together.  Why, you ask, because you know I don't cook?  Mom had a little accident on Satuday and is now sporting a cast on her right foot and can't put any weight on the foot for two weeks.  The doctor said that she didn't see a break but she did see some bone splinters that could have been from where she badly twisted her foot or they could be from where she broke the same foot 10 years ago.  They said that in two weeks they would xray it again because sometimes a break will show up later. 

After we got her home from the ER today and got her settled in and got lunch, I ran across town and rented a very cool knee walker.  Believe me when I tell you I would have paid my last dollar to have had one of those when I had my foot reconstruction.  But I digress.  Mom can get around the house now faster than we can.

So after supper I was feeling even more domestic and did a load of whites. I'd love to type more but the dryer just dinged and I've got to get my clothes out. 

I'll keep you posted on how the patient is doing.

Link Of The Week

Ever since I had a cell phone that would let you have cool ringtones, I've always tried (key word) to make them myself from songs and other MP3's that I had downloaded.  Most of the time, I was successful, and I'm proud to say that today I can make a ringtone out just about anything - an MP3, a video, and now, a YouTube video.

If you have a favorite video that's on YouTube and you want to capture a line from it for a ringtone, I've got just the site that will help you do it. Visit http://www.vidtomp3.com/index.php.  Bring up the video in YouTube and then copy the URL and paste it in the box at the vidtomp3 site and it's done.

Security Tip Saturday

It's hard to believe we're' one-third of the way into putting together the family emergency kit.  If you're new to TWIT, every Saturday for 20 weeks, I'll post a list of items to buy, and at the end of the 20 weeks, you will have compiled the recommended items for a family emergency kit.  Visit the archives for the previous 6 Saturdays to catch up.  Remember - when I list 1 gallon of water or 1 can of juice or fruit and vegetables, it's 1 per person in your household.

Week 7

1 gallon water
1 can ready-to-eat soup
1 can fruit
1 can vegetables
Sewing kit
Disinfectant (bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol)

Flashback Friday

Way, way back in the day, my Grandma was a New York Yankees fan.  October was her favorite time of the year with the MLB playoffs and the World Series. It was the one time of the year that she didn't mind her soap operas being preempted for baseball games.  She would schedule her day around the playoff baseball games.  She planned suppers accordingly.  We had lots of soups and chili suppers on nights when there were playoff games, but that was cool with the family.

Much to our family friends' dismay, Grandma loved the New York Yankees, mainly because she loved Reggie Jackson.  I'm not sure how this happened but it did.  Somewhere in the basement, there is a picture of Grandma in her rocking chair wearing a Yankees ball cap.  I'd give anything if I could find it. I've been on a massive search for the past few nights and if I can find the picture, I'll scan it in and post it on here.  Till then, we'll just have to live in the memory of Gram wearing a Yankees cap.

Better Luck Next Season, Reds

TWIT is very sorry to report that my beloved Cincinnati Reds will need to buy a ticket if they want to see the World Series this year because they lost this afternoon in the playoffs 3 games to 2 against the San Francisco Giants.  The Reds started like gangbusters and won the first two games in San Francisco, only two lose the next three games at home. It's typical.

I still love you, Reds.  Better luck next season.

Get Well Soon, Cuz

I'd like to give a shout out to my cousin in Georgia, aka Cuz, and send get well soon wishes.  Last week, he had a procedure done which included getting a stint inserted in a very, uh, delicate, area, in an attempt to get rid of a pretty big and painful kidney stone.  Today, he underwent another procedure where they zapped the kidney stone and pulverized it.  He was resting comfortably when we checked on him this afternoon.  So get well soon, Cuz.  And while you're recuperating from the kidney stone, be thankful you don't live in Louisville, the #1 city for allergy and sinus problems.

Way To Go, Ann and Nancy Wilson

TWIT would like to say way to go to Ann and Nancy Wilson of my all time favorite group Heart for being nominated again into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I'm betting the house that you will get in this year.  If not, then, well, I don't know what I'll do.  Just saying that if anyone deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it's Ann and Nancy Wilson for the thousands, no, millions, that they've inspired, myself included.

We're Number One!!!

No less than five friends called, texted or emailed this weekend, telling me that they heard about the 'Ville in the news.  One of the Big Three channels had a story on their morning news program about the top cities in the country that are affected most by allergies, sinus issues, or asthma.  Guess what the #1 city was????  Yep, Louisville!!  And for that, we are proud.

I'm testimony to this acclamation.  Saturday and Sunday, I felt like a zombie thanks to allergies and sinus issues.  I spent most of the weekend on the couch or on the bed.  And when I got to work this a.m., one of the guys that works for me should have stayed home today with sinus problems but he came in because another guy in the department was already off.  So I rest my case.

There's not much we can do except take meds, use saline spray to flush out our nasal and sinus cavaties, or move to Phoenix or Las Vegas. Right now, Las Vegas sounds pretty damned good.

Link Of The Week

I copy this well-phrased information about the Habitat For Humanity ReStore.  This totally receives the Thumb's Up from TWIT.

Habitat for Humanity creates an affordable home improvement center


You may have heard of the Habitat for Humanity program. If you're lucky, there may even be a nearby Habitat program where you live, and perhaps a Habitat ReStore, also. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low-income people, selling them at a discounted price with low interest loans. Numerous fundraising projects are a big part of how the Habitat program is subsidized. The ReStores around the United States and Canada have become a growing part of the Habitat program and its financial structure.

If you enjoy wandering through the home improvement centers in your town, gathering ideas for home problem-solving and new home projects, and you savor the bargains you discover at thrift shops, then you will absolutely love sauntering through the Habitat ReStore and snatching up the treasures that you find. Habitat stores are staffed mainly by volunteers. They're stocked with donated items.

The commitment to recycling is the cornerstone of the Habitat ReStore program.

Ed Begley, Jr., actor and environmentalist, says, "Recycling just seems like the right thing to do. It makes us responsible for the messes that we make. It's all about picking up after you, not shoving our trash in oceans and streams. We might as well reuse it before we lose it."

The Habitat ReStores are a true model of responsible recycling as they actively promote reusing building and other home- related materials. According to the website on of a Habitat ReStore in a small Midwestern college town, "The ReStore assures that over 200 tons of material never make it to the landfill each year." That's a rather impressive statistic.

Your Habitat ReStore specializes in selling donated goods.

ReStore merchandise come from individuals like you with unsold items from garage or estate sales and from large corporate donors, as well as leftover materials from Habitat homes built. Habitat for Humanity is equipped with trucks and heavy lifting tools to pick up larger or difficult to transport items, such as refrigerators and dining room table sets.

Habitat makes it very easy for you to donate items that you no longer need.

If you see something you want to purchase from the Habitat store, grab it now; someone else may have purchased it by tomorrow.

Each Habitat store looks different, but sells the same types of products. Expect to find items like building material, cans of paint and stain, tile, furniture, tools, kitchen cupboards, cookware, toilets and sinks, home decor and knick-knacks, gardening needs, and appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers, and electronics like TVs and computers. Some stores sell nuts and bolts by the ounce, which is a great deal if you only need one of something. And, don't be surprised if you spot unexpected items like a copier, fireplace tools, a wood burning stove, bicycles, or a lawnmower.

Habitat ReStore prices are amazingly affordable.

Talk with other shoppers as you wander through the Habitat ReStore and you will hear stories of incredible finds. One woman states that she recently purchased a solid wooden exterior door with window that opens into a screen for outside her detached garage that looks as good as new for only $25.

The lock for it was an additional $3. Her local home improvement center sells a comparable door for nearly $200.


She also purchased a short piece of gutter for a dollar. That same is currently selling a nearly new 44-piece dish set for only $4. A similar set from a major retailer would cost several hundred dollars.

It's easy to find a Habitat ReStore near you.

Numerous Habitat ReStores can be found in 48 states, as well as in Canada. To see locations of Habitat ReStores, search online at . Look under "locations." Click on your state and then on a town in your area. You will find the address, phone number, and possibly the store hours, directions, and a map. You'll notice that Habitat has an online store as well as. It sells new items, including clothing, and helps support the Habitat for Humanity program

Make it a habit to visit the Habitat ReStore. You'll be pleased with yourself. Saving money and recycling go hand-in- hand when donating to and buying from the Habitat ReStore in your neighborhood.

Please visit the Restore store in Louisville at http://www.louisvillerestore.org/.

Security Tip Saturday

Here we are on week six of our 20 Weeks To Preparedness. As always, if you've missed a few weeks there's plenty of time to catch up by looking at previous posts.  For those just joining in, on Saturdays I will post a list of items to buy that will go into your emergency kit for you and your family.  At the end of twenty weeks, if you've purchased or gathered the items every Saturday, you will have the recommended items for an emergency kit that will sustain you and your family in the event of an emegency.  As I mentioned previously, if you're in the mood to buy on a week when there's not much to buy, you can always get a couple gallons of water or a few cans of fruit or vegetable juice.

Week Six

Sterile adhesive bandages
Safety pins
Adhesive tape
Latex gloves
Sunscreen
Gauze/roller bandages

Flashback Friday

It's hard for me to believe that this week mark's the 50th anniversary of the debut episode of the Beverly Hillbillies.  Actually, the debut was last week, but I'm using my artistic privileges and saying this week.  But I digress.

Fifty years ago, the world was introduced to the Beverly Hillbillies.  The family that taught us about the cement pond, vittles, the fancy eatin' table, and weeeee doggies.

I'm proud to say that the Beverly Hillbillies is one of my all time favorite TV shows.  I've seen just about all of the episodes, and I still watch it when it's on during the week.

I wasn't quite born yet when the first episode of the Beverly Hillbillies came on TV, but I came along a year later. And one of my earliest memories of watching TV as a little kid was of episodes of the Hillbillies. 

If this were a prime-time comedy show today, it probably wouldn't last two weeks because it wasn't filled with sexual innuendos. But I am thankful that it was on the air in the 60's and 70's, and today.

Catch Up Thursday

I sincerely apologize to you, faithful readers, for not posting yesterday. It was a very crazy, crazy evening, and I spent some time trying to make sense of some things. I guess I spent quite a bit of time trying to make sense of things, and lost track of time.  I woke up last night at about 12:30 and realized I forgot to post.


If I had remembered to post yesterday, I would have wished my cuz down in Georgia a very happy birthday, and big get well soon wishes for a quick and painless recovery from his kidney stone issues. 

You Didn't Know I Was A Wrapper

I spent most of the evening last night wrapping.  No, I didn't say I was rapping; I was wrapping.

The 'Rents picked a bushel of green tomatoes yesterday in between all of the rain, and last night after supper, I wrapped each and every green tomato in a sheet of newspaper, and then when they were all done, we took the bushel basket down to the basement to store for the next few months.  Apparently, if you wrap green tomatoes in newspaper, they will ripen very, very slowly if stored in a cool place and you can have ripe tomatoes well into the winter months.  As always, I'll keep you posted.

Not Worthy, After All

I was at the federal courthouse 20 minutes before I was supposed to report this morning, only to find out that the defendant inn the case had pled guilty so they sent us home.  My hopes for setting on a trial were quickly smashed.  I can only hope that they will call my name again in the next four weeks so I can come back and hopefully get on a trial. 

On an unrelated note, the missing brown pants have been found!! I found them this morning on a hanger, covered up by a long brown sweater that was hanging over them on the same hanger.  So even though I didn't get to be on a jury today, I'm still happy because I found my brown pants.

Security Tip Saturday

This week 5 of our "20 Weeks To Preparedness" - putting together an emergency kit for you and your family.  Just buy or gather the items on the list each week, and at the end of the 20 weeks you'll have compiled your kit. If you're just joining us, you can go back to the previous four Saturdays and get your lists.  And remember - when water or met, fruit or vegetables are listed, they mean one for each member of your household.

Week 5

1 gallon water
1 can meat
1 can fruit
1 can vegetables
2 rolls of toilet paper
Extra toothbrush/toothpaste

Link Of The Week

As promised a couple of weeks ago, when our weather expert Dick Frymire published his winter predictions, I would let you know.  Well, I'm letting you know.  Visit http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012309300010&nclick_check=1 and see what Dick and other weather experts in Kentucky have to say about the upcoming winter.

Flashback Friday

Back in the day in elementary and early middle school, car erasers were the thing.  They were a pretty hot commodity at the bookstores, and they would sell out pretty quickly.  But they were the coolest thing in the entire bookstore. 

Some of the kids would snag some staples from the teacher's stapler and stick them in the bottom of the eraser where the wheel axel would be, and this would cause the car eraser to slide across the desks easier when you pushed them.  Of coure I never did that; being the odd kid that didn't want to deface my little car eraser.

And back then, I remember that the pink car eraser was the #1 primo eraser to get.  Nobody wanted the yellow or green ones; but if you were lucky enough to get the pink, you felt like a king or a queen for a day. And the bookstore clerk would never trade out the colors - whatever color she picked up was the color you got.