My Observations and Opinions

Vampire Stephen

2011-10-31T18:05:00.000-04:00

Cutest vampire I've ever seen.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T18:02:00.000-04:00

My favorite kid.............and his masterpiece.

Oops.

2011-10-06T10:21:00.003-04:00

Wow, I didn't realize that I hadn't posted in such a long time. Time flies when you're having fun.

Funny..........I've noticed that the majority of people who look at my blog click on to "Discover card sucks," and "K-Mart sucks." Guess I'm not the only one. Discover card started sending me We want you back letters. I think I'll pass, thank you.

Bin Laden....Bin Dead????

2011-05-05T17:45:00.002-04:00

I have mixed feelings about this. I want to see the picture of his rotting body and yet, I don't. I can understand why Mr. Obama doesn't want to publish the picture. It does make sense. However, cynic that I am, I want proof. I want to make sure this son of a bitch is really dead.

For the people who are "appalled" that he was taken out :-) saying that was barbaric or whatever....there are times when "an eye for an eye" is appropriate. This was appropriate. Although, I believe he should have been made to suffer first.

Charlie Sheen....It was nice knowing you.

2011-02-25T09:22:00.002-05:00

I am so glad that CBS finally grew a pair. They've pulled the plug on Charlie Sheen. I used to like that show......never missed it. However, for the past year or so, it's gotten a little too repetitious (sex and booze). That said, I still watched it every week. Just before I heard the news that it was gone, I decided that I can do without that particular program.

Charlie Sheen has held the "powers-that-be" hostage for way too long. Talk about "entitlement" - Charlie has cornered the market on that one. He obviously thinks of himself as "Mr. Wonderful." He obviously is delusional. His brain is so muddled by booze/drugs that he is not able to think.

In his narcissism, he has screwed up not only his three wives lives, but also his co-worker's employment. Too bad. Charlie was a good actor. And he was good looking. He has a lot going for him. What a waste of a life. I feel bad for his father. I know Martin Sheen has tried.

What Charlie needs is a few years in a psychiatric institution. Not weeks or months, but years. Alas, I don't think that Charlie Sheen will be with us for much longer.

Happy Birthday

2011-02-15T07:09:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to my child............can't believe she's 40 years old! It was just yesterday that I was 40. How did she get so old and I didn't?????

Groban or Aguilara? No contest.

2011-02-10T09:42:00.003-05:00

I heard and saw Christina Aguilara (sp?) "sing" the national anthem at the superbowl. I've heard and seen Josh Groban sing the national anthem at the BCS National Championship game. What a difference! In the first place, what Christina did should never be done to this song (or most others, for that matter). She put her own style to it AND she forgot the words. Note: She apparently doesn't have any style if this was any indication. I never heard her sing until this event. I don't want to hear more!! Many singers sing the national anthem like this with their voices going all over the scale......what the hell is that, anyway? If that's what style is, I don't want any. And to forget the words? Showing ignorance due to lack of education may be one thing, but for a "celebrity" to go in front of millions of people and screw the words up to this song is inexcusable. Some people have commented that - it's a hard song to sing (I agree); she was nervous; so, she made a mistake - everyone makes mistakes. To which I say BULLSHIT! Yes, everyone makes mistakes - everyone is human (I think). However, this was over and beyond nervousness. This girl should think twice about the image she's projecting.

On the other hand, Josh Groban sang the national anthem (with Flea) flawlessly and the way it should have been sung - the way it was written. Josh Groban is a man of style, class, talent, and common sense. He should have been singing at the Superbowl.

Winter Wonderland

2011-02-10T09:36:00.004-05:00

Ah, the joy of living on the frozen tundra...........a/k/a Upstate New York! There's gotta be a better way. I think "they" have been saying that this cold is part of the global warming. Maybe we should wish for global cooling. OK, we've had enough. It can stop any time!!
:-/

Too old to get pregnant....thank God!

2011-01-05T18:53:00.004-05:00

There's a good reason women my age don't get pregnant! Try spending a week with a hurricane named Stephen. Love him to pieces, but I don't have the energy he has. Never did! Damn! I wish it could be bottled!

Christmas Prep.

2010-12-29T10:59:00.002-05:00

It seems like no matter how much time there is before Christmas, I'm never ready! This weekend, I'm doing my Christmas cards for 2011. By May, I'll be working on my Christmas crafts. I mean it! Really!

Christmas Songs

2010-12-29T10:55:00.002-05:00

Now that it's over, I have formed a list of forbidden "Christmas songs" - songs I don't ever want to hear again!

1. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.
2. All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth.
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.
4. The Chipmunk "song."
5. Dogs "singing" Jingle Bells.

Justin Bieber

2010-12-04T19:18:00.002-05:00

Pop singer Justin Bieber has a book coming out - or maybe it's already out. I don't know. What I do know is - the book is his "memoirs." HE'S 16 YEARS OLD, FOR GOD'S SAKE! What "memoirs" could he possibly have???? He hasn't been around long enough to have memoirs!

Time Warner and my SS number.

2010-11-23T16:49:00.002-05:00

The other day, we, for whatever reason, stopped getting our caller I.D. on the phone and on the TV. So we called Time-Warner and set up an appointment for them to come out and see what was wrong. Later that evening, all of a sudden, the caller I.D. showed up. So we called Time-Warner and told them that we no longer needed their help and to cancel the appointment. The guy at Time-Warner wanted the last four digits of my social security number! When asked why, he said - that's the way we do it. Well they didn't need it when they made the appointment. And he just kept saying - that's the way we do it. He said if he didn't get that number, he couldn't cancel the appointment. Makes absolutely no sense! I should have told him no way am I giving that to you and when he said he wouldn't cancel the appointment, I would have said - OK. We won't be there when they show up! Things are so complicated these days. This wouldn't have happened even 20 years ago. There are some things that were much better then. Actually, a lot of things.

Halloween

2010-11-01T13:38:00.002-04:00

Halloween is not my favorite day of the year. I really don't like it - even when I was very young. However, the little kids are really cute. Here is my favorite kid.

Don't forget to vote?

2010-11-01T13:28:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is election day. I hope someday they have an election where I actually think a candidate would really make a difference. This was the most negative campaigning year I've ever seen. I don't know if the candidates realize it, but - for me, and I'm sure a lot of other people - negative campaigning turns me off automatically, even if I had thought about voting for that candidate. Why don't they tell people what they will do, will try to do, and what they have done in the past that would make the people want to vote for them. To me,that's just common sense.

Oh well.............I've already voted (absentee). May the best (person) succeed...if there is such a person.

Poor Lindsay Lohan - So misunderstood. Cry me a river!

2010-09-26T10:02:00.003-04:00

Lindsay Lohan is out of jail again. And a headline in today's newspaper suggests that some people are thinking that because she's a celebrity, she's getting preferential treatment. Duh!! Ya think? Maybe they're waiting until she gets behind the wheel while "under the influence" of whatever she happens to be using at the time and kills someone. I think I can see it coming.

Pass the hat for the queen

2010-09-26T10:00:00.001-04:00

Just read that Queen Elizabeth has applied for what we call HEAP. I knew things were tough all over, but not that tough!

Fashion models - Wouldn't wanna be one!

2010-09-22T19:03:00.003-04:00

I've been seeing a lot of pictures and videos of the new fashions this year. Is it just me, or is there something horribly wrong with models these days? In the "good old days," models weren't half starved, didn't have hair that looked like it hadn't been combed in 6 months and almost always had a smile. Today's models - not so much. They look like they haven't eaten in 6 months, much less combed their hair and they ALL looked really pissed about something. Of course, if I were wearing some of the things they call clothes, I'd probably look pissed, too.

Unnecessary death

2010-08-09T17:29:00.003-04:00

An 18 year old man (boy?) was killed yesterday in Rome after he jumped from a roof of an empty factory building to another roof and fell through the second roof.

Now, I realize that this is a tragedy. It's very sad for everyone connected with this young man. However, I don't understand why this happened. It didn't have to. There WAS a No Trespassing sign posted on the property. He had no business - no right to be in or on that building. People these days just don't get it. They don't believe "Don't" applies to them. If it's forbidden, they must take that to mean - do it. What a waste.

Chelsea's Wedding - OMG!!

2010-07-27T09:30:00.002-04:00

According to the NY Daily News today, Chelsea Clinton's wedding is costing 3.3 million dollars! When I think of all the hungry and/or homeless people in this country alone, this news makes me sick. All that money for just one day! All those people looking for food and a safe place to live. I truly think that some people's priorities are sadly screwed up.

More from NYC

2010-07-26T12:41:00.003-04:00

More pictures of NYC. Next stop - D.C.

Lindsey Lohan - Who cares?

2010-07-26T12:35:00.003-04:00

Lindsey Lohan who? I can't believe the news coverage given to a spoiled 20 something yr old. Here are a few 20 yr olds worthy of news: Justin
Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Jutus Bartlett 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23 & Sheldon Tate 27. These 20 somethings gave their lives for you this week. Support your military and re-post

Thank you, Dick, for posting this on Facebook. It needed to be said.

From NYC to Old Forge

2010-07-16T10:23:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, we went to Old Forge and took the chairlift up McCauley Mountain.

1. Afraid of heights.
2. Get me off this thing!
3. Did it once. Never have to do it again.
4. On the plus side, the views were spectacular.

New York City (more pictures)

2010-07-16T09:24:00.005-04:00

Ground Zero..............

Leaving New York............

The sidewalks of New York

2010-07-16T09:19:00.006-04:00

We were in NYC on Wednesday. I love this city! (Couldn't get to the Statue of Liberty, so the good people of the city arranged to have a replica handy for picture taking.)

I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT!!

2010-07-01T17:54:00.003-04:00

I can't for the life of me figure out why some people want others to hear their phone conversations in public places. We were in a restaurant a little while ago when someone a couple of tables away from us made a phone call. A loud phone call. No, she wasn't yelling, but we heard every word. It wasn't really an intimate discussion, but I didn't want to hear it. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. Neither did anyone else in the place. Damn! If you absolutely have to use the phone in public, at least try to keep it private!!

Huh?

2010-06-30T10:52:00.002-04:00

This really doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

My Favorite Song (So far)

2010-06-26T09:02:00.001-04:00

God, his voice is like Heaven!

Get rid of the crap and enjoy life.

2010-06-17T20:12:00.000-04:00

There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.

Small town living.

2010-06-11T19:21:00.002-04:00

Life in a small town is rewarding sometimes. We were driving on one of our village streets tonight and saw a stand outside a house with a sign - Strawberries for sale. We looked around for someone to pay and there was no one around. Went to the door of the house and no one was inside. Went back to the stand and noticed a box. Opened it up and it was full of money. Well, we put the $4.50 in the box and took our strawberries. Gotta love it!! This is why we hardly ever lock our doors when we go out. Life may be boring sometimes, but we do feel safe.

Embrace Life: A new online ad with a twist

2010-06-07T09:07:00.000-04:00

Love is in the air.

2010-06-06T06:19:00.000-04:00

Stole this from Josh Groban's facebook page. Just so sweet!

http://dogatar.com/confirmed-boston-terriers-are-compatible-with-kitties/

Remember when???

2010-06-01T09:36:00.001-04:00

Remember when you could look at a car and know immediately what make it was and what year it was?

Remember when you could tell the seasons by which sport was being played?

Remembering

2010-05-30T11:30:00.001-04:00

Myrtle Beach

2010-03-25T09:27:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow we are off to Myrtle Beach. At home,the temps are supposed to be in the
30s this week. And snow. :-) I'm so glad we're not there this week. Can't wait to walk on the beach. And hopefully, when we get back, spring will actually be in Central New York.

Josh Groban

2010-02-25T16:04:00.003-05:00

I have re-discovered Josh Groban. Not really - I knew I loved his singing but I really didn't know anything about him other than that. I've been reading quite a bit about him.

Wow, if I had had a son, I'd want him to be his clone. He's so NICE!!! So sweet. So unassuming. He seems so genuine. I hope that's the way he is - not just something he's portraying. If he can be so good - so beautiful (inside and out), I wonder why some celebrities are so opposite. They say there's no such thing as bad press - just as long as you get your name in the papers. I don't agree. What I do know is that after I die, I'm coming back as a 25 year old, beautiful, filthy rich and I'm moving in with Josh! Josh, be warned. I've already put my order in. ;-)

Maturity Part 1

2010-02-08T14:01:00.002-05:00

Sometimes when I get up in the morning, I feel very peculiar. I feel like I have just got to bite a cat. I feel that if I don't bite a cat before sundown, I will go crazy. But then I just take a deep breath and forget about it. That's what is known as real maturity.

Snoopy.

Gas prices - this is nutz!

2010-02-08T13:57:00.002-05:00

We were out for a ride on yesterday. Around Oneida Lake. We got to Cicero and decided to get some gas. (For the car ;-)

In Cicero, it was $2.64. Less than 10 miles down the road, it was $2.94. In our area, it's between $2.83 - $2.89! What the hell?!?!? Why? I just don't get it.

Obviously, we filled up. What a nice ride.

Ugly Betty

2010-01-29T19:29:00.002-05:00

Well, they did it. They cancelled Ugly Betty. One of my favorite shows. It figures. They moved it from Thursday night at 8:00 to Friday night. We watched it on a Friday night and then it wasn't on any more. What the hell happened to it? I thought - hiatus. Then, after we'd missed a whole bunch of shows, I find out that it's on Wednesday night. We watched one episode and then find out that it's cancelled. Why? Because the ratings were low? Well, duh! Ya move it around and people lose interest because they don't know when it's on! So they don't watch it. Because they don't know when to find it! So ratings slip. Not rocket science! I will watch it to the end. I really liked it. Ugly Betty, RIP. I'll miss you.

Oneida Lake

2009-12-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

Oneida Lake on Thanksgiving Day. It is a beautiful lake. It looks like the angels were smiling down on it.

Retirement

2009-11-24T12:47:00.001-05:00

Thee are two things wrong with retirement.............

1. I never get a day off.
2. I never know what day it is.

Brrrrrrrr!!

2009-11-10T16:50:00.002-05:00

Well, we got home from North Carolina on Sunday and the house, of course, was cold. Turned the heat on. No heat. Damn! Called Collis Heating - gave us a price for the work - SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS!! Holy Shit!!!!!!!!!!!!! That does include a new furnace, water heater, duct work and installation. But it has to be done. I had better uses for that kind of money. Oh well. Easy come (?) easy go.

Love the warmth - Miss my stuff.

2009-10-29T08:54:00.003-04:00

It's warm in North Carolina. It's not so hot in New York. I'm lovin' it!

I love visiting down here, but I'm always glad to get back. I miss my stuff. But when I'm there, I miss the kids. I REALLY REALLY miss Stephen.

What I miss right now is my computer. This one is set so everything is so tiny, I can barely see what I'm typing.

Heene Publicity

2009-10-21T08:33:00.003-04:00

According to yesterday's New York Daily News, the Heenes' lawyer said that they (the Heenes) will 'be happy to turn themselves in when charges come to avoid a messy public spectacle.' WHAT????? That's odd. I thought that's what they wanted!! Geez! There's just no pleasing some people.

Fall in Upstate NY

2009-10-19T18:19:00.002-04:00

I love this Halloween decoration! It's done with flower pots.

Oneida Lake

2009-10-19T18:16:00.002-04:00

Oneida Lake in autumn.

This is giving me gas!

2009-10-19T09:56:00.004-04:00

The price at this gas station in Rome jumped 14 cents in less than a day! It was $2.65. Then they raised it to $2.73. While inside, we overheard a cashier taking a phone call from the people who are in charge telling them to raise it another 6 cents! What the hell is going on!! And what I really don't understand is the people who pay that kind of money for gas when a block and a half away, the price was $2.65! Crazy!

And no, we weren't in there buying gas. Just a newspaper.

Heene's hiney's in a bind

2009-10-19T06:15:00.004-04:00

Why do people do these things? Are they stupid? Or just arrogant? It seems like people are doing the dumbest things (read felonies)lately. They really think they aren't going to get caught? The chances are, they WILL be caught. Every day I read about people being arrested for grand larceny, shoplifting, etc. One in yesterday's paper stole a million from her employer. What makes these idiots think they're that clever that they'll get away with it? I just don't understand.

Get a map!!

2009-10-18T13:12:00.002-04:00

According to the Oneida County Report in today's police reports, there was a car accident on Mexico St. in Clinton yesterday. Wonder what the hell the cop was smoking. There is no Mexico St. in Clinton. Never has been.

Guilty/Innocent

2009-10-05T11:59:00.002-04:00

I wonder, sometimes, how an attorney can defend a person who is so obviously guilty (sometimes admitting to guilt). I know everyone is "innocent until proven guilty." Although, many times, from what I've heard in the media, the opposite is too often the case. But for a person, say, like Charles Manson and his intimate followers, and the like, how can anyone defend him/her? Many times, there is no questions of guilt. I know everyone has the right to be represented. I just wonder how an attorney can do this. I know I couldn't. Just my opinion.

You don't need a college degree to be this stupid!

2009-09-25T11:17:00.005-04:00

This is ridiculous.

If this accusation is true and this teacher is not fired, then I have two words for everyone...........
HOME SCHOOLING. This proves something I've been saying for years....you don't have to be intelligent to get a college degree. Also, if it IS true, I'd have to wonder who did the teacher's lobotomy! I can't wait to hear the follow-up on this one.

Wilmington, NC area

2009-09-24T13:33:00.003-04:00

Some pictures of Labor Day Weekend.

Bumper Sticker

2009-09-24T13:31:00.001-04:00

Saw a bumper sticker the other day that fits me very well.

You're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.

I like that.

Buy your own magazines!!

2009-09-24T13:24:00.002-04:00

OK, I think I got yelled at yesterday. For not doing anything with this blog. So I'm posting again. Blame Facebook. ;-)

I was at the eye doctor's this a.m. Sitting across from me was a woman, probably about my age, flipping through pages of every magazine in the magazine rack next to where she was sitting. She was tearing pages out of the magazines, folding them and putting them in her purse! I know people do that; I've just never seen it done! >How rude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I started reading an article in one of those magazines and it was continued on a page that someone had ripped out, I would not be happy!! The next time I go to a doctor's appt., I'll have to remember to bring my own magazines.............stupid broad!

Cows

2009-08-29T11:58:00.001-04:00

Why is it we have so many commercials for "happy cows from California" here? I prefer happy New York cows.

Pubic Option??

2009-08-19T19:06:00.001-04:00

Saw this on Yada. Couldn't resist posting it! :-D

Things I Miss........

2009-08-17T10:31:00.003-04:00

1. Stepping on and popping tar bubbles on a newly tarred country road.
2. Hearing wooden screen doors slamming in the summertime.
3. Ice cream truck's music.
4. "Hot bugs." I don't know what they're called, but we always called them hot bugs. The make a loud buzzing noise when it incredibly hot out.
4. Airplanes. Especially in the summer - you don't really hear them in the winter when the windows are closed. I always wondered where the people were going and why. (We don't hear them very often any more around here.)
5. Making a tent out of a bedsheet draped over the clothesline.
6. Eating a tomato right out of the garden, using a tiny salt shaker and eating it like an apple.
7. Playing hide and seek when it's dusk and the weather is sultry.
8. Playing in the rain puddles after a heavy summer rain.
9. Playing hopscotch and "girls are" in front of my house.
10. Hearing little kids play outside during the summer. I guess they must all be inside playing video games.

House needing repair

2009-08-17T10:04:00.004-04:00

Work being done on our house. The house is approx. 200 years old and the foundation is showing its age. Can't wait till this is done.

Woodstock '69 - revisited

2009-08-17T09:56:00.002-04:00

This month is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. I didn't go to that one. I did go to Woodstock '99 but that's another story.

Everything I've heard on television and radio and everything I've been reading in newspaper articles commemerating this thing talks about how it was "love, sharing, peace," and on and on. What they don't mention is the DRUGS AND SEX! That, from what I do remember reading about at the time, was a very big part of Woodstock. Oh wait, I forgot......Love = free love = sex. Oh yeah.

Interesting. I wonder if they forgot.

The College Street Cafe (my kind of place)

2009-07-22T13:01:00.005-04:00

These are pictures of our favorite place to go for coffee. The College Street Cafe. We usually go there twice a week. These pictures are only of the outside - the porch. It's so cozy and inviting. Good coffee, too. There are games and books and even crayons and coloring books for kids.

Some people, however, are so rude and the sense of entitlement these days is beyond belief! People have come in (including parents of Hamilton College students)and sat down in the cafe, eating food they had just bought from Subway, which is next door! Crazy! People like that need to be on a leash. They certainly don't belong out in polite society! And then, they got upset when the owner asked them not to bring food from another restaurant into the cafe!

Ppppfffftttt

2009-07-20T18:28:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. Maybe I'm getting bored with blogging. I don't know. Sometimes it feels like an obligation (not that very many people read it.) Usually, I just don't have anything remarkable to say. Sometimes, I don't have anything to say. Now, I'm just rambling. I think I'll go wash the dishes. Good night.

Too much celebrating??

2009-07-04T19:53:00.004-04:00

I was listening to the radio a while ago - I don't know which station it was. The DJ (or whatever they're called these days) said he was somewhere in Utica, celebrating St. Patrick's Day and the other DJ talked about the festivities at Proctor "Pock." Then corrected it to say "Park." I do believe some people have already been celebrating a wee bit too much!

Dying celebrities

2009-06-29T07:29:00.002-04:00

OK, This is getting ridiculous.

1. David Carradine
2. Ed McMahon
3. Farrah Fawcett
4. Michael Jackson
5. Billy Mays
6. Gale Storm

They say these things happen in threes. Within a very short time, we have two groups of three. You can stop now!

(For people under the age of 60, Gale Storm was an actress in the 50s.)

Michael Jackson and other "tragedies"

2009-06-28T07:10:00.002-04:00

I am truly getting sick of all the hype regarding Michael Jackson. Yes, he was talented (although, not my favorite). Yes, it is a shame that he passed away so young. However, maybe my priorities are a bit screwed up. The same week he died, I read two stories that were really tragic. A four year old boy had to have both arms and legs amputated due to meningitis. A 14 year old boy lost part of his face due to bacteria in a lake. These, people, are tragedies. Yes, they will survive. But at what cost?

Fishmail

2009-06-15T17:28:00.005-04:00

I love this! While out for a Sunday ride recently, I "hooked" this fish/mailbox. It's so gross but it's funny at the same time. It looks like a fish with the dry heaves. (Had to "paint" out the name on the fish).

The humorous side of technology

2009-06-11T17:35:00.002-04:00

Ah, technology.......this is funny. Husband and I were driving down Genesee St. in New Hartford, on our way to a restaurant. All of a sudden, we were stuck in a massive traffic jam. Of course, we didn't know why there was a traffic jam. It wasn't "rush minute." It was the middle of the afternoon. The cell phone rings. It's Kim, wondering about the fire in New Hartford. "What fire?!?!" "Casab's is burning." At this point, we're about two blocks from Casab's. She calls us from more than 600 miles away to let us know why we're in a traffic jam! (She read it on line.) I love it!

A Wasted Life

2009-06-11T09:50:00.001-04:00

Murder at the Holocaust Museum. Eighty eight hate-filled years. What a waste of a life.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

2009-06-10T12:47:00.004-04:00

This is ridiculous! This guy has been accused of something and it seems just about everyone has him guilty and convicted. I'm surprised "they" haven't formed a lynch party! Maybe he is guilty. Maybe not. I don't know. And neither does the average "man on the street." The newspaper AND the police (according to the news reports) are apparently already convinced of his guilt. I was always taught innocent until proven guilty. I know that's not the way it really is. But this just pisses me off. It's obviously a matter of guilty until proven innocent. How are they going to prove it, anyway. Her word against his. He said, she said. If he's guilty - put him in jail. If he's innocent, he's probably already been destroyed, not to mention his business. But in the meantime, leave him alone! This means the cops and media. This is NOT the way it's supposed to be. Cops and investigators need to do their jobs. And that is NOT TO BE JUDGE AND JURY. The media needs to report facts......not embellishments.

Beautiful Central New York State

2009-06-04T15:27:00.011-04:00

These pictures are of the greater Utica, NY area. Some people think Utica is ugly. I don't. Judge for yourself.

Birdies, Eagles and Ducks

2009-05-22T10:50:00.002-04:00

There's a 9 hole golf course near where I live. It used to be called Birdies, Eagles, and Ducks. I think that's such a great name for a golf course! It was sold and the new owners apparently didn't think so. They named it Kirkland (for the Town of Kirkland) Meadows. What the hell is that?! It sounds like a retirement village!

Malls and Shopping Centers

2009-05-21T11:43:00.015-04:00

There's a new grocery store (Save a Lot) opening soon in the New Hartford Shopping Center. Kind of brings back memories of Acme and Grand Union. It'll be interesting to see if it makes it.

There's also a new place to eat at the shopping center. Burrito Blues. (Picture on top).

Things are always changing at Sangertown Mall. F'rinstance, a week or two ago, Forever Leather was there. Yesterday, it was gone! (Picture on top). Well, fear not. Charlie's still in the area. He just moved to the New Hartford Shopping Center. (Picture on bottom.)

Also at Sangertown will be the Golf Shack which used to be in the Shopping Center, about where the new grocery store is. And the dollar store which used to be next to Sears and moved to Ruby Tuesday's old spot - is gone! I just can't keep up!

Robo-calls

2009-05-11T17:35:00.002-04:00

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York got a telemarketer call (you know the one - your warranty is running out soon, (even if you don't have a warranty!) blah blah blah. NOW, HE WANTS SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT???????????? We get at least one of these calls EVERY DAY! The Better Business Bureau had 140,000 complaints about these calls in 2008 ALONE! (We used to be on the DNC list but that was a joke so we didn't re-do it.) Why wasn't something done about these idiots a long time ago? Why now, Mr. Schumer? Is this the first time you got one of these calls? Kinda makes ya wonder, huh?

Water skiing with a kite

2009-05-10T16:29:00.003-04:00

Went to Sylvan Beach today. Quite cool and windy as hell, making it feel really cold! Anyway, got this picture of how choppy the water was and caught this person water skiing with a kite! That's how windy it was.

Comic books

2009-05-06T18:40:00.004-04:00

Thank goodness and Jeff for comic books. They kept Stephen entertained on the way to Florida. I'm so glad he can read. And so glad he likes comic books, although they're expensive. When I read comics (and I was an avid reader of them!) they were ten cents and 25 cents for the big ones. Not so any more!!

DisneyWorld - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2009-05-05T09:26:00.008-04:00

Well, another Disney trip has ended. We had a really good time. Unfortunately, there are some not so nice things about being in DisneyWorld.

1. There are various attractions where guests are asked not to use flash photography. Why, oh why, do some people think that means everyone except them! (Rhetorical question). That flashing ruins it for others.......assholes!
2. The buses are supposedly at their destination about every 20 minutes. Reality........we waited at times more than a half hour. In the heat of Florida, that is not nice!
3. I found items for sale at Epcot (Mexico) that were "Made in China." That was disappointing.
4. I know that jobs can be boring and frustrating at times, but at DisneyWorld, you expect the "cast/workers" to be happy. Some are very obviously not happy.

On the plus side:

1. The luau was wonderful. The show was great.
2. We were on the meal plan and I was not disappointed. (The spaghetti in Italy was the best!). Pot Roast in Prime Time Cafe. Damn, that stuff is good!
3. The wait staff in all the restaurants we ate in were top notch. They really earn their tips.
4. I love the different languages and accents. To me, that's a big part of Disney. So many people from so many parts of the world.
5. The dinner at Whispering Canyon was so much fun! Every time someone needed a bottle of ketchup, a wait person would yell - Ketchup over here!!! Then someone from different tables would bring ketchup to that table. The table next to us had 19 bottles of ketchup!
6. Fireworks.............what can I say?
7. We were at the campground and they put a show on (actually, they go to all the resorts) at the beach. Boats come up with a single green light and when they get to the beach, they put on a fantastic light show.

I guess if I live long enough, we'll go back in a couple of years. I'm Disney'd out right now, but I'll probably be ready again by then.

2009-04-26T19:04:00.002-04:00

Yes, we are back from DisneyWorld. Here is Kim on the way back to the camper from the luau. The luau was awesome!! Loved it. And I got a lot of videos (none I can put on here - darn!) of the dancers - men and women. With close-ups of the men - oh man! They obviously work out! Sigh....

One of them did a fire dance. It was great!

There will be more pictures. I'm still recovering from three weeks away from home. The vacation (what am I talking about - I'm always on vacation) was good, but it's always so good to get home.

Summer!

2009-04-25T09:04:00.002-04:00

It's officially summer............VOSS'S IS OPEN!!!!!

Kids Bounce Back Fast!

2009-04-08T13:46:00.005-04:00

Wow, you'd never know Stephen was as sick as he was two weeks ago! Here's Stephen last weekend on his scooter! And getting something from the cupboard. How fast kids bounce back!!! Yes, he's too active sometimes. Yes, he's a pain in the ass sometimes. Yes, he's loud. But I'd rather have him like that than listless and sick.

DisneyWorld, watch out! Ready or not, here comes Stephen!! :-)

Stephen update (from my point of view)

2009-04-07T13:59:00.002-04:00

Well, Stephen finally got his IV out. OH MY GOD!!! It took four people to do it. Kim to hold him down and three medical people to actually take it out. I did not help. I sat there with my hands over my ears. That kid has amazing lungs. I'm so glad that's over. Now, we go to Disney on Friday and when we get back, he has his surgery. Oh Joy. But at least he'll be asleep for it. All afternoon yesterday, he kept asking if they were going to put him to sleep before they took the IV out. I kind of wish they had. Oh well, it's over.

Other stuff in the south

2009-04-04T12:28:00.002-04:00

Well, at least the weather is nice today. Kim and Ken got enough sleep (No more infusions - Yay!!) The sun is shining. When we got here Thursday night, it was POURING. And Gwendolyn (our GPS) told us to take Rt. 64 instead of going to Roanoke as we usually do, so we ended up sky high in the mountains and pea soup fog. (That's when a telemarketer called on my cell phone. Damn, I hate that!)

Well things will be good from now on. Friday - DISNEY, HERE WE COME!!!!)

Welcome to the South

2009-04-04T12:26:00.002-04:00

OK, husband went to CVS yesterday. Got some Aleve for me. Was charged tax. Said to cashier, "Tax on medicine!" Cashier said, "This is America." Husband said, "I live in America and I don't pay tax on medicine." Cashier said, "Welcome to the South." 'Nuff said. (I thought it was funny!!)

New Process Gear, again

2009-03-25T18:56:00.002-04:00

Well, well, well. This is interesting. Magna (New Process Gear) employees called management's bluff and Magna said, basically, OK, We're closing. A lot of letters to the editor of the Post Standard criticized the workers for that. Well, now, Magna is saying that they really want to stay - let's see if we can work something out. They called their bluff and it worked! I still don't know what the eventual outcome will be, but it's nice to see that the "poor working schmucks" really do have some power. And I don't agree with the people who say they should have gone along with what Magna wanted in the first place. I think the reason they turned it down - twice - is simply that people just don't trust any more. And for good reason. There are very few people I trust these days. Didn't used to be that way. Times change.

Stephen

2009-03-19T18:06:00.005-04:00

I can imagine how Kim and Ken are feeling. I'm exhausted and I'm not even there! He went to Chapel Hill today and things look good. His hearing is the same, but they're going to see him again next week. I think he just needs re-mapping. He can hear sounds, so that's encouraging. My Sweet Stephen. I wish I could have gotten this illness instead of him. He's too young to go through all this nonsense. I really hope he can hear by the time we go to Disneyworld!!!

New Process Gear

2009-03-05T18:13:00.003-05:00

Oh My God! I love it!!!!!

New Process Gear in Syracuse, last month, had a vote. They had to vote on whether to take pay cuts and lose benefits - OR - if they didn't agree with management's proposal, everyone would lose their jobs. The plant would close. If they agreed, took pay cuts, lost benefits, they could possibly lose their jobs anyway. If management didn't like the profits within a few months, they would close the plant. It looked like a lose - lose situation to me. Nothing to gain, everything to lose. It sounded to me like management was saying, "We're calling the shots and you have nothing to say about it. If you don't like it, tough shit."

Employees TURNED IT DOWN!!!! (I don't blame them. I would have, too.) NPG management said, basically, ok, we're closing the plant.

Today on the news, New Process Gear is re-thinking their decision. They're having another vote. I don't know how it'll go, I don't know the details. But, I do know that UNION/ EMPLOYEES CALLED THEIR BLUFF!!!! I love it when a plan comes together. :-)

Good luck, employees of NPG.

Not just any nursery school! The very best for my child!

2009-02-25T18:13:00.003-05:00

I read an article in the New York Post a couple of days ago about a mother of a 2 year old girl. Mom is determined to get her little darling into just the right nursery school:

I put all of my apples into that basket," Ji-Young, 40, told me while I followed her as she chased Miranda through the playground. Miranda seemed blissfully ignorant of the vise grip around her. The "basket" that the mother is counting on to scoop her child from a life of mediocrity or - worse - public school is the Rudolf Steiner School. A small, tony institution that caters to wealthy and discriminating New Yorkers, Steiner boasts an "organic garden" and employs an unusual teaching philosophy. "Their philosophy is, if they're not ready to write, don't force them," said the mom. "She's my only child. I became a mother late," she said. "I want what is best for her." Ji-Young is one parent who would prefer doing without - without vacations, new clothes, or even that Manhattan apartment - than deny her daughter a shot at the good life. Until recently, she lived happily on the Upper
West Side - "I love Manhattan!" - but Ji-Young moved to Brooklyn to save money. A single mom, she works in another East Side preschool. But she is so dead set on Miranda attending Steiner, she plans to schlep the child back and forth on the subway daily.
I remember a few years ago when people were intent on getting their rugrats into "just the right school." I thought idea was absurd then and I think it's absolutely ridiculous now. $2,000 for one day a week nursery school. Come on! Wait! What do I hear? Oh, I know what it is............the whining of a very spoiled brat.

Made in the USA? Not!

2009-02-16T13:34:00.005-05:00

Went shopping today. Husband needed a new winter jacket. Sears is having a HUGE sale. So he tries this jacket on.............he likes it. It fits well. It's originally $120. On sale for $20. Beautiful!!
I think he especially liked it because he was in the Army a zillion years ago. Anyway, when we got it home, we looked at the label inside.......................Guess where it was made. You got it!

CHINA

It's a nice jacket. But we would honestly rather buy things made in this country. And we would - if we could find them! But the thing that amused us is the fact that it says U.S. Army on it!

Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest, etc.

2009-02-11T18:59:00.005-05:00

Damn, people are so damn dumb!

1. Driving down Francis Rd. in New Hartford. Intersection of Francis Rd. and Oakdale Ave. Stop signs all ways. Stupid dumb broad runs the stop sign. We follow her. Pulled up beside her at the traffic light on Seneca Turnpike. Dumbass is on her cell phone and there are small kids in the back seat! (She was on the phone when she ran the stop sign.) Personally, I think she should be charged with child endangerment.

2. Looking for a bath sheet (which is a huuuuuge bath towel - I love them!) Anyway, I'm in Penney's and they have a sale going on. The sign on top of the shelf says "bath sheets - Reg. whatever and the sale price (whatever - can't remember). Anyway, I'm looking through the towels, looking for a bath sheet. Can't find one. Asked the clerk where they are. She never heard of a bath sheet. She asked another clerk. She look totally confused. She never heard of them. I said - you've got a sign over there saying you have them on sale. She asked me where and I took her over to the shelf. I picked up the sign and handed it to her. Her response: Oh, we don't have them. We don't carry those any more. THEN WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ADVERTISING THEM?!?!?!

3. Governor Paterson - New York State..............$21,000 Turkish carpet in the Governor's mansion. Obesity tax on regular soda. (what next - a Twinkie tax?) Governor Paterson - we have to tighten our belts, yada, yada, yada. Why don't you sell the damn carpet? With the money you make, you might be able to feed a few kids. Oh, and speaking of kids.................

4. Miss Nadya - or whatever her name is. Fourteen kids - the last 8 in one pregnancy. No job. No husband, getting food stamps and - well, basically welfare, and asking for more. Including donations on her website. The audacity! Well! If I ruled the country, with no chance of anyone daring to go against me, this is what I would do. (By the way, Arnold S., please pay attention):

Obviously, the doctor who planted the little buggers thought he was going to be a celebrity. He was going to make a name for himself. Apparently, he didn't think hard enough about what the name would be. Anyway, I would see to it that this doctor was forced to support these kids. Then, she would be sterilized. Then she would be forced to go to work to help support them. And lastly, CPS would make weekly visits to make sure that nothing happened to the kids. They've got so many strikes against them at birth...........They'll need all the help they can get. And I don't mean just financially.

It was a dark and foggy night.

2009-02-11T18:54:00.003-05:00

It's like pea soup out there. If it were a little warmer, it'd be a nice Halloween night. A good night to go haunting.

Big Brother is watching you.

2009-02-01T15:52:00.003-05:00

Just read this in today's paper. Wow..........Big Brother really IS watching us. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Global Warming?

2009-01-19T17:15:00.001-05:00

'Nuff said.

The Beach in Winter

2009-01-14T19:45:00.005-05:00

Went for a ride today..............ended up at the beach. The Verona Beach sign looks so lonely. And the building in the second picture is Yesterday's Royal. The next one is a frozen Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach. And the last one is the road on the way to the beaches. Can't wait till summer!

Daylight Donuts - Bah, Humbug!

2009-01-14T19:39:00.002-05:00

A couple of days ago, we went for a ride and husband got hungry, so he pulled into Daylight Donuts. Asked if I wanted one. I said sure (I was hungry and it was lunchtime anyway - I'm eating so healthy!) Anyway, he ordered one plain and one cinnamon (the cinnamon one was for me). Got the bag, paid for them, looked in the bag.......I took out a plain for him and there was a powdered sugar for me! We went back and told them we ordered a cinnamon donut. The ditz looked dumbly at us and said - oh, that is a cinnamon donut. That's the way we make them.

For Christ's sake! I know the difference between powdered sugar and cinnamon! Anyway, I ate it because I was hungry. And it wasn't even very good. But we'll never go back there again. Dunkin' Donuts it is!

Gardasil

2009-01-13T17:36:00.005-05:00

A few days ago, there was an article on teens and Gardasil. For people who don't know what Gardasil is, it's a vaccine given to females to prevent certain types of cervical cancer.

OK, now I do know that the Gardasil website says that cervical cancer can be caused by 10-30 types of HPV. Gardasil says it helps guard against two of these types. It goes on to say it also helps guard against two types of HPV which cause genital warts.

WebMD.com states that the main risk factor for getting cervical cancer is HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.

Back to the article du jour. Four girls were interviewed and all stated reasons for getting the vaccine. Excuse me? This vaccine guards against FOUR types of HPV OUT OF 10-30.

It does NOT protect against other STDs.

It does not protect against pregnancy.

It is recommended not only for teenaged girls, but also for girls as young as NINE!

What am I missing here? Oh, I know. Abstinence. Oh Lord, give me strength - I'm going to say it again--------doing the right thing.

Sledding and responsibility

2009-01-11T15:10:00.003-05:00

Well another kid was hurt in a sledding accident in the Syracuse area. She's in critical condition. There was another girl who was hurt in a sledding accident in the Syracuse area a few years ago. Can't remember what year. I know she didn't die. She was left paralyzed. I do remember an article in the local newspaper regarding her mother who was furious that her daughter was hurt. It didn't seem to matter to her that there were signs all over the area where the sledding took place stating that sledding was not allowed there. Just as this recent one (yesterday's news), there were signs forbidding sledding in that area. I believe the mother of the first on tried to sue the city/county. Don't know what happened with that. Don't really care. What I do care about is that these morons (adults) seem intent on passing the blame on people/governments/ what-ever for something that they, themselves could have and should have prevented. When a sign says DON'T DO IT, does that automatically convert into DO IT????

God Damn! These people are f --king morons! The age of reason is supposedly seven. Why aren't these jackasses teaching their kids right from wrong? When a sign says No... or Do Not..., why aren't they teaching the kids what No and Do Not mean? My grandson, at 3 years old, had a great grasp of the meaning of right and wrong. This was according to his nursery school teacher. At 3!! Maybe he should teach adults a few lessons.

I remember a story in a magazine a few years ago about a 13 or 14 year old boy losing both of his hands because he was playing with fireworks. Blew them off. Mom blamed everyone except the ones she should have blamed. (Her son and herself). But, as far as she was concerned, her son wasn't to blame. Hell no! (Don't know whatever happened to him either, but I'll bet he's in jail somewhere because he figured he had the right to do something he shouldn't have done. And if this is the case, I'm sure mommy is blaming the cops. Or Anyone Else.

What happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY???????????????????

Somewhere, there is a village looking for its idiot.

(So many idiots, so little time.)

Good Old Elvis

2009-01-08T11:21:00.002-05:00

Oh My God! If Elvis were alive, he'd be 74 years old!! I just can't imagine what he would look like at 74. Of course, I'm still having trouble with the Beatles getting older. They've already passed the "When I'm 64" stage. But Elvis?!?!?! Wow.

2009-01-07T14:15:00.002-05:00

I posted the following re: Discover Card way back in 2007. It's funny how it keeps coming back. Anyway, below that is a comment I received yesterday.

The other day, there was a notice from Discover Card in our mail. It said they are raising the annual interest rate to 25%! A phone call to Discover Card resulted in talking to someone who had no clue. She said they were sending these notices to everyone. When asked why, she replied - TO STAY COMPETITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Competitive with whom?????????? When told that none of our other cards had interest rates any where near that high, she didn't have an answer. Neither did she have an answer when told that our payments are ALWAYS on time, and NEVER MISSED! That's just the way they're doing it. Well, I can take care of this problem. This rate increase goes into effect in November. Today, I shall pay both accounts in full and then close our accounts! I've done this before with 2 other accounts. Obviously, they're too stupid to understand that when customers get pissed, they take their business elsewhere. As far as credit cards go, I'm planning on getting rid of all but one eventually. Their loss. Not mine.

Anonymous said...
I work there read your card member agreement. It says that they may up your rate at anytime you are the ones that singed up. Pretty much all credit card company's do this, also we send out a letter saying that we are going to raise your rate like 3 times and if you don't like it you can call and see if you can have us lower the rate and if not you can close the account. Remember we write of millions of dollars on bankruptcy and fraud and when you lose your card and someone uses it. This your fault and we pay for it I think you should pay for the fraud activity and I think the rate should be like %28.99 on all cardsif you write to congress and have them do something about fraud i guarantee that you rate would be better.We are a bussines !!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 11:35:00 PM EST

Well, Anonymous,

1. Just because Discover may have sent letters addressing this issue, (and I'm not saying they did - I doubt they did), but for the sake of argument, say they did - that does not mean they should have done it. I did call and I did close my account.

2. I had NOT GONE BANKRUPT, NOR HAD I LOST MY CARD. Therefore, I should not have to pay for someone else's screw-up.

3. In my letter to Discover (and by the way, to Capitol One) I instructed "them" (whoever "they" may be) to take my name and address OFF their mailing list. Since then, I have been inundated with "we want you back" mailings!! Obviously, they still don't get it.

4. Since they obviously are unable to read and/or comprehend the English language, and YOU obviously are not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I can only surmise that the subordinates, such as you, don't really understand the complexity of this situation.

5. That said, I maintain that Discover Card lost a good customer and I have lost nothing.

6. By the way, have you noticed that the credit card companies (not just Discover, obviously) have been very naughty lately? Don't you wish you were being paid what the CEOs are being paid?

7. The next time you decide to write a letter/comment, or anything for that matter, please do yourself a huge favor................... PROOFREAD. Your comments might have a little more credibility. (But I really wouldn't count on it).

To the other two commenters, I say Thank You and Amen!

Time to reflect and go forward

2009-01-07T12:19:00.007-05:00

The holidays are over and it's time to move on...........meaning cleaning out the old and making room for the new. Here are pictures of some of the things done over the two weeks the kids were here. One of Stephen's favorite things to do whether in New York or North Carolina is going to Target with Grandpa and getting popcorn and lemonade. Apparently, one of mom's and dad's favorite things to do is to steal Stephen's popcorn in Target. Gotcha!! :-)

The other picture is of Stephen wearing the HUMONGOUS stocking Clipper gave him (filled with goodies!). He was so proud of that stocking!

Can't wait till next Christmas. Can't wait till Spring. Can't wait till Disney. Just can't wait!

But I guess I'm gonna have to.

Sigh

2009-01-03T05:10:00.002-05:00

They just left. I hate it when they leave. Although, we will have a hell of a lot more room in which to move. This house isn't made for more than two people. But I wish they were still here. Stephen really loved the snow. And the cold. I have pictures to put on here--------but that's later. I have to straighten up things around here first.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow-------

2008-12-19T17:52:00.003-05:00

It's been snowing non-stop since about 11 this morning. Took this picture from the porch. Can't wait till the kids get here. The sled is ready for Stephen. He'll love it!

Happy Winter!

2008-12-12T13:50:00.002-05:00

What a difference a day makes! My driveway. Welcome to winter in upstate New York!