College ? Think Again, It's Your Money !

       By now most know unless you're heading to college to become a lawyer, teacher, doctor etc. You may just end up paying for loans for time. spent. Administrators may tell you, you get a year before you need to start paying off college loans, but they don't really sit down with kids and show them in black and white what a money scam loans are if you get in a situation where you don't get that high paying job or career you thought you'd get by going to college.
        A Ten thousand dollar loan, can quickly add up to twenty thousand in two years if you can't pay.  So maybe at the tender age of eighteen you need time and space to fill up your bank account and your maturity account.
          Give yourself the most important gift you can, TIME! Do you think if you don't rush off to college you'll never go because mom and dad are telling you that? Not gonna happen. If you deeply want to go, You will go when You are ready! Parents push kids into college and some never return because theirs an element of college indifference when it comes to planning, finances, parties and become one of the kids who have the need to join, or FIT IN!
   Time and maturity is the best gift you can give to you. Time allows you to explore ideas and maturity allows you to know whats wrong or right. In the meantime, volunteer at hospitals, nurseries, and intern at places you think you'd want to work at some day. Give, Give ,and give some more. But take it all in. Think you want to be a pastor? How much will that pay or does it matter?
             Volunteer at a church day camp or the Y if you want to be a child psychologist.  Thinking about becoming an architect? Volunteer or get a paying job at a construction site from the bottom up.
Also think about careers and jobs that are being outsourced and will those jobs still be available or taken over by computers.
       In closing, maybe you want to own your own business so you do need accounting. Trust yourself! It's your money that you will either owe or earn!

TRUMP vs. Cosby ? U R WRONG!

       What the hell is wrong with this country ? Donald Trump makes a statement that even I believe he could have, should have worded differently, HOWEVER, look at the Liberal, Democrats reaction. This was not what is called intelligent responses, but knee jerk reactions. So he is not allowed to be honest without severe penalties? What kind of a president are you morons looking for? Do you want someone in office, who continually lies, steals, is/was involved, had knowledge of, a murder, land deals gone wrong, a husband who had oral sex, disgracing the office of the white house and will continue to do the same? IS that really what you want?
    OR maybe you'd rather have  BILL Cosby, amazing both him and Clinton are BILLS ! Okay now serious. Look at the poor women who were called liars, wanted fifteen minutes of fame, said they had their own agenda and people just didn't want to believe this rapist because he used to be a celebrity. YET He is hired back into clubs, people stand and cheer, and HE"S PAID!  Wrong America, WRONG !
    Is isn't that I am for or against TRUMP. I love Ben Carson, Judge Pirro and there are a few others out there who would make GREAT Presidents. What is it you people, yes YOU PEOPLE want? China is buying real estate all over the United States of AMERICA. Cuba is now open. Just wait!
    Remember that phrase, you made your bed, now lie in it?
I am not a hard nose type person, have worked in mental health, worked with kids, people of all ages, income and cultures. It's time for someone to say, I will make a change and do it for the GOOD of the United States. For GOD Sake, wake up AMERICA!
   Recently in Brooklyn NY a mosque on 5th ave and 69th had their people praying outside on the sidewalk, blocking the whole side which happened last year on Broadway-no permits, yet people were afraid, even the police to tell them: YOU cannot block the sidewalk, you have to have a permit ! Society is so afraid that if right now a terrorist was running for office you would vote for him or her. You're asleep AMERICA! 
    Picture this: America is a garden, a beautiful garden with clear rows, clear sections, growth is green, tall, high, prosperous and someone comes along and sprays a pesticide on it, killing all that was good.
    This is what's happening in America-Have you lost your passion America? If you have you might as well wave a white flag...and move to China.

Josh Duggar, Family, Perspectives

          Like many it was horrible sad and feeling of being conflicted about this. To me there isn't any excuse for child molesting. People who do this are first cowards as they do it in secret, bullies because they threaten and the worst of the worst when it comes to criminals. They change what should have been a different outcome for a child. Child molesters are usually people we know, fathers, brothers, sometimes an aunt, babysitter, best friends and those in power who we put trust in, Catholic Priests, Lutheran minister, Jewish Rabbi's School coaches and counselors. I worked in mental health and in a group home there was a teen who was confused by another female who was bi sexual and trying hard to get this very pretty and innocent teen to go her way.
      She confided this in a counselor at a mental health agency who ended up taking advantage of this young girl. It wasn't long before her confusion in her Catholic faith and her family telling her how sinful it was, that she took  a gun and killed herself.
     Now we have a young man who when he was a teen took advantage and molested his sisters. The family thought they took care of it by doing what was right. They went to the law !!!  WHO does that in families?   Mine sure didn't. They swept the garbage under the rug and because of the nasty family secrets that mothers keep, how many other kids are molested? YOU can't keep an eye on two kids all the time, never mind nineteen. But then the parents took them to counseling-again did what was right !!! Creating a paper trail, they believed helped heal all the children. So now the whole fairly is punished because of what one boy did, a boy. I am not excusing this at all. Kids experiment with those closest to them, but this is also a problem when parents don't want to openly talk about sex.
    Imagine if they did nothing, for just a few moments. Josh Duggar would continue to do what he did and yes I know-maybe he still is or maybe he will repeat. This is a stain on the family. The whole world knows.  Who is the bastard that leaked it-what were they paid to continue to cause harm to the girls ????
People will look and stare at these girls and wonder "which one was it is it that one?" They will watch to see the effects of long ago, Any wrongs they might do, any misjudgements they may make will be blamed on being molested.
      I hope who ever leaked this is shamed. I hope he or she made enough money that they sleep at night and more than anything, I wonder did that happen to them and is that why they didn't care about the victims in this.?  Let me tell you I am looking at this from a totally different perspective and if it was the father, I would be the first to drop him off in the middle of an ocean, put the needle in his arm,. flip the switch. Those poor girls. Hey just  a thought, recently an old friend stated those who accuse usually do-so to the one who exposed...are you molesting? BTW, I know that isn't all true, but to a small extent it is. Those girls-did you really ever think about them as you collected a big fat check? I doubt it. When people really care, it's never about money.

Delivery Fee? Pay Someone Else

       I just looked at delivery fees for Macy's delivery fees. They are nuts ! To me it's just lain greed. Yes two men or women may be needed and I consider the gas, but 90. for a sofa ? Come on Americans, pay a friend with a truck and help the friend out, or rent  a van and 40., take a good friend along and have free help, then you return the favor. Of course they will tell you, we can't be responsible for damages once it leaves the store-so inspect before it leaves the store.
      These companies have not one hand in your pocket but three, two which belong to the company and another for the hell of it. Macy's charges up to 190. for delivering 5 piece of furniture and of course we don't know until we get there and order to see what five pieces entails. Imagine how you can help a friend out for that much? I would rather pay my repairman the same price than to pay and overcharging company the fee.
      Help your friend and do the same. Watch out for delivery fees and before you go, talk to a few people, even ask at a local church if they have someone with a truck who can help. Remember God helps those who help them selves :)

Churches, Contentment, and Wanting More

       On the way home today I heard a guy named Jeff Manion? It was a Christian station which I put on at times too hear more about another side of things going on. So today's topic was of course about being satisfied.  A question was asked of him concerned how would he answer when people ask, how can you talk about being satisfied, you have money, a big house, cars and don't have to need or want for anything. His answer to me seemed to be out of both sides of his mouth, yet I appreciate and understand what he meant-in a way.
        Manion said, I wasn't always in the state I'm in and yes, I have big church who is very giving to those who work for the church. But when I was much younger and struggling my wife and i tried so hard to find a way to still give, even knowing we couldn't afford it. Having three kids at the time his wife ended up being a stay at home mom and finally when she went back to work they were able to enjoy more in life. Okay, so is that telling me they wanted more, and weren't satisfied in what they had? But here he is telling others to be satisfied. He also wants you to buy his book.
        Allowing your self to be called a Christian opens the door for all kinds of critics, myself included. So that means when a person is a Christian and say they'll call you but instead ignore you, it's okay because as the sign says, "I'm not perfect, just forgiven". Cop out? Excuse ? Should I remain satisfied because some who said they'll call didn't, and not be upset, not say, I knew it and on and on, only making the issues bigger and bigger inside my head.
      How many times have you called, e mailed, passed along a message, only to not receive any kind of reply-but according to good old Jeff, you should be satisfied to be treated as a non person. I give up. Someone  said to me a while ago, I knew you were expecting...and I said no, I wasn't expecting anything. I'm sure you know the rest, don't expect, you won't be disappointed, but I made it sound easier, saying I know how busy people are so I never expect. But I really never expect because I don't like the outcome, especially of those who are in such positions that you almost put faith in them to answer, reply, respond or even tell you, don't bother me, go to hell, but just ignore?
      Hey it's all good. I'm satisfied because I think I know people pretty well, the more important you become, the less others are.
     JEff Manion as you climbed your ladder of success, I only wonder why you wanted more, and more. Why weren't you satisfied?

A Neighbors' Table

       As I sat sharing brunch with some people I never met,(but may have seen before) I listened as one man spoke of his wife. She passed away, I believe he said in 2004/5, and he wasn't speaking in a way of "pity me" but more about a factual event in his life. We all had stories to share, some funny, some about food, people, things we celebrate and where we come from.
     One lady had the softest southern accent, I felt like I just wanted to get in my Cooo Gah and take off to Tennessee. Actually I no longer have my Cougar, but I bought it from the same people, the mother-in-law who owned it and I was the lucky one to get it. Sure loved that car and nothing but good memories to come with it.
     Getting back to this gentleman speak about losing his wife immediately brought me to my niece Laura. With My daughter sitting close by I wondered if she too was thinking the same thing. This man also mentioned his late wife a bit later on in the living room. But at the table, concerned with another chat he stated that his family was the church, the people, the pastor and his wife. He was so matter of fact, so sincere, I knew he meant that from the bottom of his heart. That made me think...what did I miss when I did go? Did I give it a fair chance or was I just done with Church. I honestly don't know. But I do know music plays a big part for church with me. Sure I'll never find that church I grew up in, yet I won't stop trying. That isn't to take away from the church I'm talking about. They have a mean band and some awesome voices, but I may still be searching.
       I know too that I will be back from time to time at my special neighbors church, yet I have issues and get distracted easily or maybe I use that as an excuse. The music. At my niece's funeral two women sang songs, Bridge over Troubled Waters and You Raise ME Up. I knew then if all the music was even close to that at their church I will take a trip down there. I've know the pastor who officiated and he very much reminds me of the neighbor pastor. He is who he shows himself to be, honest and with Character, friendly, giving, not showy and above all else he loves God and his family.
     Both of these men will help without asking, will do without expecting and won't preach at you or even to you, but will gently serve as an example and a reminder of who we all should strive to be more like.
    This was a brunch as last year that I very much enjoyed and as we walked out the door, a little guy said we'll have this at our house next year-hey! Ya never know :) HE works in mysterious ways. ...and Miracles do happen :)

Norway and Bagpipes

       Norway and Bagpipes. How do they go together? Well if your mother is Norwegian and father was Scottish English, then that's how it works. If I had my way I would have been one hundred percent Norwegian, a viking :)  Either way it's an interesting combination.

       I was more interested in where my parents came from than where they lived or met. It was he first knowledge knowing people were coming from Norway to see all of us kids and my mother. At that time I had to be about eight-years old and I don't remember much except it was about three men and one lady. They men were all very big with heavy overcoats and wore hats, I think fedora's. The lady also wore a long coat and a knit hat. Then I listened as If I knew what they were talking about. My father stayed in another room most of the time. He never cared for visitors out of his class. I only realized that late in life. The, why he didn't want visitors.

     There were moments of people speaking English and I was let in to the kitchen t have coffee cake, struessel, and coffee. My sister wasn't too interested, but she also came in to grab a piece of cake as did my brothers. One brother hung out longer, but he was trying to get the lady to give him money, then my father called him. But I could stay. The lady had a beautiful green ring on, and I learned later it was Jade. Ever since, I've loved Jade, and of course pearls, but Jade is a favorite. She left me wear her ring and stuffed a handkerchief in to make it stay. It was fun being with them. Once in a while one of the men would pick up my chin, say something to my mother and she would nod yes and say yah, yah. After they left my mother said that they thought I looked like her mother a little. The biggest man gave me such a hug and squeeze when he left and told my mother to bring me to Norway when she came over and they would keep me. Oh how I wished. The lady took out the handkerchief and then took the ring back. Years later my aunt Greta gave me a Jade ring, but also many more years later when my belongings were shipped, it was stolen.
  
   Church was very important to me, more like the word Sanctuary, it really was for me and I I grew up, it became more of Sanctuary. My church was filled with Norwegian women. We had great Christmas parties with the Norwegian ladies club. I asked my mother once why she didn't go to them and she said it was for us kids and she could also get a break from the kids. I never did mind that as we also got a break from parents and more. The Norwegian women were so loving in an honest and good way. They didn't want or expect anything in exchange. They never tried to get information out of us and worse. They were just good wholesome people. 

       I used to watch The Norwegian men with their wives. Such gentlemen. They showed respect and appreciation , spoke t them like they were deserving and it was a great thing for me to watch. I used to think I'd grow up and marry a good Norwegian man and live in the fjords. I didn't really know what fjords were then. But I wanted a big ship and to be able to fish and bake and have Christmas mornings like I heard about. I identify with my Norwegian side.

     The Bagpipes and being part Scottish English, well the bagpipes are the best part. I knew my grandfather very well and better as I got older. He seemed to be a nice man, and then as I got older, I found out he had some traits just like my father, traits young girls don't want fathers to have or grandfathers. So I looked further into the Scottish side,looking for things I found on my Norwegian side, decency, and I did find it, but long distance, very long. I searched and found a great uncle and aunt in Scotland, Argylle Scotland and we wrote back and forth for a while. I wanted the Scottish Tartan of the family I met in  a letter, but it wasn't to be. They were elderly when I wrote and soon another relative wrote to me of their passing.

      Growing up I heard bagpipes first as a teen. Some crazy friend of the family would have a few beers, okay more than a few, put on his kilts and more and grab the pipes and match up the streets and play. We all heard Danny coming before we saw him. I would hear my father talk about how crazy Danny was. No he wasn't crazy, but actually a very good man who lost a son and every Saturday would mourn and play the pipes.

     The English side was my father's mother who I never met. I heard she died young, yet my father would never tell us that he even had a mother, just a step mother. One day I decided to look up a name I always heard him ask some man about. It turned out it was his own mother. So she didn't die young, and when my father died, I saw her name on his death certificate. So very little English attachment and some interest in the Scottish side, mainly  bagpipes.

      But I'll take a Norwegian krum kakke anytime, or fiske ball or those wonderful jelly cookies, you know with the powder on top and jam in the middle? oh yeah! I just had one wish, that I listend more to the Norwegian so one day I could spend a month in Norway and chat away!

   The photo is May 17, celebration in Brooklyn, Norwegian day parade.