Polar Opposites & Ghostly Tails!!!!

Happy Halloween!

The Phantom Cat

Cats crave routine, which is why so many people report seeing ghostly apparitions at specific times. A cat may return at the same time as her feeding, or at the time she expects her owner to return from work. Sometimes a cat is just not ready to say goodbye.

One story tells how a cat was taken to a veterinary office, where she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. The cat was put to sleep, and the grieving owners prepared to donate the cat's carrier and other belongings to the local shelter.

The owners put the cage and personal belongings of the cat in the back seat. As they began driving, the woman felt a familiar presence – then she heard a familiar "meow." She looked in the rearview mirror and saw her tabby, sitting in her carrier. The woman slammed on the brakes.

Her husband looked back and saw the tabby clearly – no ghostly apparition, the cat looked like flesh and blood. The couple looked at one another – was it possible that their cat somehow made it out of the vet's office and into the car – even after getting the fatal injection?

The cat didn't answer. She meowed again, and looked at them expectantly. Guilt-stricken and not knowing what else to do, they drove back to the vet's office, talking in soothing tones. The cat laid down in the carrier and appeared to go to sleep. The couple looked at each other again, but when they turned back to their tabby, she was gone.

Cleveland Kindergarten Flapper Girls....My Julie is the one in the hat!

Tired....just plain tired....

I've been having a lot of nightmares for the past two weeks.  Every night I wake up because my hip is hurting which allows me to remember (with too much detail) the bad dreams I'm having.  Last night there were three and they involved everything from flaming car crashes and my former neighbor burning to death in front of my eyes to a meeting with my uncle (who has been dead over 30 years) to discuss my brother.  The last one was a little fuzzy but I know I was late to work because I got a call from my daughter who needed help for some reason........I'm exhausted this morning!

I read something yesterday on Facebook written by a 40 year old about the smelly old people at the dentist's office.  I know it was meant in humor but after reading some confirming comments from others about old people smelling because their insides are rotting it made me think about my 90 something mother. 

Young people may think old people just don't bathe and sometimes that does become a problem.  My mother hated to get in the shower because it was exhausting for her and because of her arthritis sometimes very painful.  Medications she took made her breath bad and no amount of mouthwash was able to fix it.  She would have been so embarrassed if she had known.  It would have made me so sad if she had been the subject of ridicule.  Reading things like that makes me so sad.

Heavy Load

It's been a busy week so far and it just got started.  This is the first time I've had a chance to update in a while.

As a caregiver for my brother I sometimes feel the responsibility weighing heavily over my shoulder.  Being responsible for another human being and guardian over their well being can feel really overwhelming at times.  I feel it especially when it comes to financial matters.  

I recently got a notice from a collection agency concerning a physician's group in Okla. City.  I've never seen a bill from anyone so the first contact being from a collection agency really startled me.  After some digging all I've been able to learn so far is it dates back to May, 2011.  Since, we didn't start handling all his finances until 2012 there is no telling what the bill is for or whether Mike ever received a statement.

The other thing I'm working on is his Medicare/Medicaid.  I got a form yesterday to review his Medicaid eligibility.   I just get worried that I'll make a mistake on something but I'm just doing the best I can and that's all I can do.  Bless his ole heart....his cognitive decline has just been so swift that this is completely necessary.  My job is to keep him safe, happy and independent as long as possible.  So far so good.

Sometimes I really sense Ron's frustration if not resentment of the situation.  Our weekends are almost totally devoted to Mike.  A fact that is really hard for Ron.  But with both of us working full time the weekends are all we have to take care of Mike's needs like his shopping and house cleaning etc.  Plus we spend all day Sunday with him for church and lunch outings.  It's a lot to ask of my husband and though he assures me he knew what he was getting in to when he married me I know his life would be a lot less hectic if he hadn't.

But, all in all, we are grateful and very fortunate that we are able to accomplish what we do.  

 

Life Lessons

When Mike and I were in grade school there was a grocery store just around the corner from our house.  Normally we both loved it when our parents asked us to go to the store for some last minute item.  But one day for some reason I protested when my father asked me to go.  Mike jumped up and volunteered and with money in hand out the door he went.

A short time later Mike came through the door handing his parcel to our dad just as I said, Ha Ha you had to go to the grocery store.  I know more got the words out of my mouth when Mike looked at me holding something in his hand and replied, “Yeah, but look who got the Tootsie Roll.”   

Our father was a sales manager at the time and used this story at many of his sales meetings.  The lesson of course is that the one who goes the extra mile……………..gets the Tootsie Roll.  

Glad I learned that lesson early.

What life lessons did you learn at an early age?

OOOklahoma where the wind comes straight from the Gov's office.

Ron got his schedule yesterday and after 5 weeks he will be working 11:00 - 8:00 Mon-Friday and sometimes Saturday.  So, in the scheme of things we won't be together much since I work 8 -4 but he will have two more hours a day to call his own and that's what matters.  He'll have his mornings to schedule doctor appointments, etc. and that will be a great help.

Yesterday the Gov. of my fair state said that state agencies will not be using state money to maintain services.  She says Oklahoma is not in the business of bailing out the Federal government.   “The state of Oklahoma doesn’t have the resources to prop up federal programs with state dollars if the federal government shutdown continues."

What she's really saying is....."I have high political aspirations and I'm up for re-election in Oklahoma where blue is the dominant color.'Oh, and I hate Obama."

So you Oklahomans who are expecting services can just sit on it!  Your state doesn't have your back.  

That my friends is the difference between liberals and conservatives.  

Ron started his new job yesterday and it was weird when we pulled into the driveway yesterday afternoon at the same time.  So nice that he is in town and no more commute to the city.

I can't believe half the month of October is over.  Amazing how fast time flies except in Washington.  They seem to know how to make time stand still or does it just seem that way?  I can't even talk about that mess anymore because I feel my blood pressure rising when I do.  

I've been trying to get some Christmas shopping done and I got a gag gift for my twin daughters for their birthday.  One daughter is accident prone (as I've mentioned before) and so I am telling them I had dolls commissioned from their likeness.
 

I ordered two brunette dolls and the wheelchair set.  I hope Julie doesn't mind being the brunt of the joke.  Before my mother died she referred to Julie as "the damaged one".  Right now Julie is sporting a leg brace a cast on her arm and a wrapped ankle on the "good" leg.

Turn the lights back on..................

The following was posted on the webpage of Okla. Republican Representative Jim Bridenstine:

"The reason the federal government is shut down is because President Obama and his allies continue to protect a failed law that is hurting the country.  Congress should ensure not another dime of taxpayer money is spent on Obamacare."

Oh those pesky republicans....they do have a way of spinning a yarn.............failed law they say......you mean the one that hasn't had the opportunity to fail?  PLEASE.....give me a break.   I've never been so disgusted in my life.  

 "A CBS News poll found that only 25 percent of Americans approve of shutting down the government over differences about Obamacare.  Prior to the shutdown, Republican strategists reportedly believed that the continuing unpopularity of Obamacare would translate into public support for efforts to use the budget process to delay or defund it. It’s clear that they miscalculated."  (Fix.gov)

Congressional Republicans cannot reasonably expect Obama to compromise on the signature achievement of his presidency. Now that the Affordable Health Care Act is going into effect, it will be up to voters in future elections to evaluate it. Republicans should turn their attention to fiscal policy, the budget and debt ceiling deadlines that triggered the current crisis. 

Here's some ENTITLEMENT....I'm Entitled to Call Congress a Bunch of Dumb Asses

It’s times like this that my husband and I have to be very careful in what we say.  The government shut down lends itself to causing marital strife since we sit on opposite sides of the aisle.  I am way too quick to state my opinion because I’m just too mad to keep quiet.  Now that both sides are starting to talk about those pesky “entitlement” programs such as social security and Medicare I am really boiling.  While they are not losing a paycheck and they are not impacted by cuts in social security it infuriates me that they play so willy nilly with the lives of those that depend on these programs.  AND it is NOT ENTITLEMENT……….we paid in to these programs our entire working lives.  I’m ready to march on Washington.  Let’s get all our silver headed friends and march…….get your scooters and ride.  This is too serious to ignore.

Nothing to laugh about!

Myths and other tid bits

How many of us grew up believing the reason we say God bless you when someone sneezes is because your heart stops and you are essentially “dead” for just a second?  I know I did………….but the truth is when you sneeze, your eyes close, your chest contracts and your lungs expel air, but your heart keeps beating.   So just say……………Hey, you’re good lookin as suggested by Jerry Seinfeld, it makes just as much sense.

Better not make a silly face or your face will freeze that way.  Unless you have a stroke at age six it isn’t likely your face will freeze.  But I guess it isn’t entirely impossible.  Of course if you died while making a silly face rigamortis would set in and freeze it that way but you won’t be around to enjoy it.

Did your mother tell you to wait an hour after eating before swimming?  Mine did………..but the truth is you won’t sink like a lead weight.  No one is quite sure when or why parents began telling their children to wait an hour after eating before setting so much as a little toe in the pool or lake but two popular theories abound, one biological and the other social.

First, it seems to have been believed that upon eating, most of the available blood in one's body would flood to the stomach to help with digestion. Thus deprived of proper blood flow, the limbs wouldn't have enough of the precious fluid in them to be able to execute even a simple backstroke, leaving the young swimmer to seize up with cramps and sink like a frozen ravioli in a pot of water.

The second possible origin of this myth is, perhaps, more likely. Water safety concerns were much more lax in the '50s and '60s when there were few lifeguards watching the water for potential accidents. So, parents had to maintain a constant vigil. What better way to get a respite than to tell little ones the take-an-hour-break tale? This would allow parents at least 60 minutes of peace when they most needed it -- after their bellies were full of a torpor-inducing lunch.

Chewing gum stays in your body if swallowed.  That would mean that every single person who ever swallowed gum would have evidence of the gum in the digestive tract.  No such evidence exists....ever had a colonoscopy????

Hats keep in heat.  Sorry, if mom told you this she meant well but 40 to 45" of your body heat doesn't escape out of your head like a boiled kettle.

Nails and hair continue to grow after you die. Nope, the myth comes from the fact that skin recedes form a dead body, making nails and hair appear longer.  

I had my kids believing some doozies when they were young.  I told them the street lights knew when to come on because a little man lived in the light and he was always looking outside to see if it was getting dark.  First sign of darkness he pulled the chain and the lights came on.  It was the only work he could get since he was only 3 inches tall.......

They were also told that when the ice cream truck rang its bell it meant he was out of ice cream.   

Water Cooler Talk

The talk around the water cooler is all about the Govt. shut down.  Each political side blaming the other.  

My son-in-law has been furloughed due to the shut down but as I've said to him.  "If you voted Republican and you believe in their cause to stop the Affordable Care Act then you need to sit down and be quiet. "    You got what you voted for.

However, it goes even further.  No president can allow a political party to hold the country hostage because they don't like a law that has already been passed.  Affordable care was Obama's campaign and the American people elected him....so I say the American people have already spoken.  Certain Congressmen need to sit down and shut up.

Shutdowns 17 years ago cost an inflation-adjusted $2.1 billion. “The GOP House members who are willing to waste this taxpayer money are the same bunch who less than two weeks ago voted to slash billions from the nation’s food stamp program in the name of saving money.

This is no way to run a government.

Read more here: http://blogs.idahostatesman.com/ringo-says-labrador-holding-country-hostage-in-shutdown-labrador-blames-obama/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ringo-says-labrador-holding-country-hostage-in-shutdown-labrador-blames-obama#storylink=cpy

Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb!

Well, I'm disgusted as well as many other Americans.  Politicians continue to play politics with our lives while not being personally impacted by their own games. 

My son-in-law just barely got off being furloughed because of their last game of "Not It" and he's off the clock again this morning.

This game is confusing to me.  Republicans don't want Obamacare to happen so they are refusing to play and Democrats are saying they won't be bullied.  Looks like a standoff to me.  I guess it is a case of whose constituents get hungry first.  It's been my experience that as soon as some one's belt gets tightened just a little too snug they don't care who gives in first.  This is a tricky game they are playing and it could backfire on either side of the aisle.

Gosh we must look ridiculous to the rest of the world!