Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Month Past 10/01-31/2009
First week of Oct has been raining and its getting cold. Thu 10/15 weatherman confirmed that this is a different October weather. It's 10 degrees below average temp. Sat 10/10 W left for Arkansas with her bosses. And we had our first snow going to winter. Fri 10/16 Pointwest had a small gathering at home with W's bosses, some staff and former colleagues. Notes: US records a budget deficit of $1.42 Trillion!!! but unofficially exits recession in the third quarter growing at 3.5%. Microsoft Windows 7 goes on retail.
Month Past 09/01-30/2009: Dry September and Ondoy
Tue 09/01 continued working on the pathway that I started last month. Sun 09/06 second time to ride bike. Took same route the first time. Starting to get back the hang of it.
Mon 09/21 heard in the weather news that this is the driest Sept since 1817. But in SE Georgia there's rain and flooding. Tue 09/22 at 4:18 pm is officially the start of Fall. First Day of Autumn. Can winter be far behind? Arrgh.
Tue 09/29 it was a year ago that the stock plunge at it's lowest since 1993. Up until today it hasn't fully recovered. Recession is still here and unemployment is still up. Life is hard and I count my blessings.
Lifetime Fitness is closed beginning 09/20 to 09/26 for renovation. Feel lethargic. A body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest...feels good:)
Note: 09/14 Actor Patrick Swayze dies at age 57 of pancreatic cancer 09/25 Typhoon Ketsana or Ondoy by Pag-Asa's code name created havoc in the Philippines. Marikina was hard hit. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink...worst flooding in Metro Manila and scores of tales to talk about...
Mon 09/21 heard in the weather news that this is the driest Sept since 1817. But in SE Georgia there's rain and flooding. Tue 09/22 at 4:18 pm is officially the start of Fall. First Day of Autumn. Can winter be far behind? Arrgh.
Tue 09/29 it was a year ago that the stock plunge at it's lowest since 1993. Up until today it hasn't fully recovered. Recession is still here and unemployment is still up. Life is hard and I count my blessings.
Lifetime Fitness is closed beginning 09/20 to 09/26 for renovation. Feel lethargic. A body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest...feels good:)
Note: 09/14 Actor Patrick Swayze dies at age 57 of pancreatic cancer 09/25 Typhoon Ketsana or Ondoy by Pag-Asa's code name created havoc in the Philippines. Marikina was hard hit. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink...worst flooding in Metro Manila and scores of tales to talk about...
Month Past 08/01-31/2009: Mpls to Atlanta Routine
The first three weeks of the month W's departure going to Atlanta is every Saturday. Then she comes home Wednesday. Last week of this month her departure changed to Sun 08/23 and back on Wed. No idea how long this Mpls to Atlanta and back routine will be. One thing is sure a long haul is good for the business.
Tue 08/18 I embarked on another project. Clear a pathway in our backyard to have easy access to the walk leading to the pond at the back of our lot. The sun is up, it's warm but since it has not rained for days there are no pesky mosquitoes. Makes work easier digging up thorn bushes, cutting shrubs, leveling the path a bit and covering it with plastic. Only time will tell when I'll finish it. Right now I'm into it.
Note:
08/01 Former Pres Corazon Aquino passed away after a one year battle with colon cancer
Tue 08/18 I embarked on another project. Clear a pathway in our backyard to have easy access to the walk leading to the pond at the back of our lot. The sun is up, it's warm but since it has not rained for days there are no pesky mosquitoes. Makes work easier digging up thorn bushes, cutting shrubs, leveling the path a bit and covering it with plastic. Only time will tell when I'll finish it. Right now I'm into it.
Note:
08/01 Former Pres Corazon Aquino passed away after a one year battle with colon cancer
Month Past 07/01-07/31/2009
Thu 07/02 A guy named Sam Jones drove by our street while I was outside doing the garden. He offered to seal our driveway for a $100.00. I have been thinking of doing it myself. But after processing the cost of materials, labor hours, clean up, heat of the sun, quality of work vis-a-vis done by a pro I figured it's a fair deal. Our front door neighbor who usually does it himself also decided to have his done.
Sat 07/04 is the 4th of July.
Mon 07/06 I had my first bike ride again after so many years. About ten years or so since I came here to the USA. It takes a while to get that confidence of riding like: "Look ma no hands". The bike? We bought it almost a year ago (I think) from W's staff who was going back home.
Sat 07/04 is the 4th of July.
Mon 07/06 I had my first bike ride again after so many years. About ten years or so since I came here to the USA. It takes a while to get that confidence of riding like: "Look ma no hands". The bike? We bought it almost a year ago (I think) from W's staff who was going back home.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Month Past 06/01-06/30/09
Wed 06/10/09 The Lifetime Fitness Gym started renovating its dressing rooms this week. They started with the Ladies. Lo and behold. I had a big ooops moment. I did not notice the sign indicating that they temporarily converted the Men's to Ladie's Room and vice versa. I was surprised and at a loss when I saw women inside the room. I thought I entered the wrong room which in fact was converted into the Ladies Room at that time. The women I saw (lucky? they were not undressed) were also surprised at first. But I heard them chuckle as I beat a hasty retreat. That's when I noticed the sign outside.
W's routine now for the week is departure to Atlanta on Sundays and arrival on Wednesdays. So I have the house to myself beginning Sunday afternoons 'til Tuesday night. And I'm usually off Tuesdays. Time to catch up on house chores...if I feel like it :)
Notes: 06/25 Michael Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest. Farrah Fawcett of cancer.
W's routine now for the week is departure to Atlanta on Sundays and arrival on Wednesdays. So I have the house to myself beginning Sunday afternoons 'til Tuesday night. And I'm usually off Tuesdays. Time to catch up on house chores...if I feel like it :)
Notes: 06/25 Michael Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest. Farrah Fawcett of cancer.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Month Past 05/01-05/31/09 (Mother's Day,Baptism,Patio Set, First Cruise)
I have been remiss in doing my blog journal. For May and the following months I have not been keeping notes for my entries. Aaargh.
Sat May 02 went to Antler's Park in Lakeville, MN to celebrate Arlyn's birthday. It was still chilly out but fun.
May 5 Tue is Cinco de Mayo and like St Patrick's Day police are extra vigilant for DUI's. Stick toburrito , fajita , and enchilada .
Sun May 10 is Mother's day. As a "dutiful" son I called mi madre to greet her. Jet and Annette also had their long awaited baby baptized today. A happy couple after years of trying. I was keeping my fingers crossed that they don't take after one of their wedding sponsor which happens to be moi.
Tue May 12 is my day off . My productivity goal for the day is to assemble the patio set that we ordered Fall of 2008 but was only delivered early this year. Mission accomplished and this is not premature unlike Bush's.
Sat May 02 went to Antler's Park in Lakeville, MN to celebrate Arlyn's birthday. It was still chilly out but fun.
May 5 Tue is Cinco de Mayo and like St Patrick's Day police are extra vigilant for DUI's. Stick to
Sun May 10 is Mother's day. As a "dutiful" son I called mi madre to greet her. Jet and Annette also had their long awaited baby baptized today. A happy couple after years of trying. I was keeping my fingers crossed that they don't take after one of their wedding sponsor which happens to be moi.
Tue May 12 is my day off . My productivity goal for the day is to assemble the patio set that we ordered Fall of 2008 but was only delivered early this year. Mission accomplished and this is not premature unlike Bush's.
Fri May 15 there's a small gathering at home. For whatever occasion I can't recall. The important thing is everybody is happy, good food and good company.
Sat May 16 W left for Atlanta for a business trip. She's back Wed 20 May just in time to prepare for our big event for May: Our First Cruise. Destination: Alaska. It's a seven day cruise. Our embarkation is at Seattle on the 23rd. Three couples: Beng, Lucy and W with their respective spouses. We flew in to Seattle on Fri 22nd where we met with Beng and Joseph. On Sat 23rd Lucy and Fil picked us up in our hotel proceeding to Seattle Port for embarkation and departure. Pics below:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Month Past 04/01-04/30/09 (Holy Week,Birthday,Log Cut,Wedding Anniversary)
Sun 04/05 is Palm Sunday. Beginning of Holy Week. Beginning of rituals e.g. no meat Fridays. Eons ago there would be no shows on TV except one or two channels with religious programs. You have no choice. Either you watch it or turn off your TV. Most of the shows are replays anyway. There was no betamax then or VHS or DVD or the Blu Ray. Only a number of radio stations would air playing somber music. There were record players but you're not suppose to listen to your LP collection since most likely they are "not appropriate" for the occasion. People were supposed to be gloomy. But times, as often do, change. Kids now have no idea what "sacrifices" :( we as kids then went through especially with our elders who were always on the look out and ready to reprimand if you play with gusto. I guess Holy Week for them was an occasion where they could finally enjoy some peace and quiet. You think they'll let us play Nintendo if we had it then since we would be just sitting in a corner minding our business? Now Iam them. It's not about rituals. It's finding the meaning of the occasion..."For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son"
And it snowed on Palm Sunday. Wet snow but it did not last (pics below). And it's April. It's summer in Manila and I'm sure everybody would be looking forward to a long weekend. That's another change.
Fri 04/17 marked another year being a quinquagenarian. LIII to be exact. W and I celebrated eating dinner atSpice Thai and thanking the Lord for blessing me with another year still in good health, with a job, a house and a better half better than moi.
Tue 04/14 was my day off. And I thought now is a good time to cut the cut trees that felllast year at the path in our backyard. So I did some sawing and carrying most part of the morning. And now we have what I call a log seat in our garden (pics below).
Fri 04/24 W and I went to Portland, Oregon to attend Fil and Lucy's 25th Wedding Anniversary. First time to be in Portland. Took advantage of our short stay and rented a Nissan Sentra to move around. A compact car but its got pick up. A funny or it could have been serious incident happened on our way to the wedding anniversary. W and I were supposed to pick up Lucy's friend who came all the way from LA at her hotel. W called her up about 20 minutes before pick up to make sure she's ready. We were about 15 minutes late arriving and she was not at the lobby as agreed upon. W asked the hotel receptionist to call her room. There was no answer even on her cell. So we waited another 10 minutes thinking she might be on her way down when we called. Since we were already running late for the ceremony we thought she might have decided to just get a cab after our wait. So we hurried off to church which is a good 20 minutes drive if you don't get lost. It took us about 35 minutes. And don't ask why. Surprise, we were late and Lucy's friend is nowhere to be found. Like I said it could have been serious. What if something happened to her inside her room and she fell unconscious. I told W we should have insisted that they check her room. Fil and Lucy were already taking their vows. When Lucy saw us she had this questioning look: "Where is Agnes?"
On a side note for April: Gas price is at $ 2.35 more or less on the average. Jobless Claim is at 5.9 M as of 04/02 and unemployment is at 8.3% highest in 23 years or since '86. H1N1 or Swine Flu (Porky Pig et al are filing their formal complaint) is becoming a concern.
Pics below includes Lake Haas view in our backyard and new plant growth breaking ground with moi clearing last year's stems.
Fri 04/17 marked another year being a quinquagenarian. LIII to be exact. W and I celebrated eating dinner at
Tue 04/14 was my day off. And I thought now is a good time to cut the cut trees that fell
Fri 04/24 W and I went to Portland, Oregon to attend Fil and Lucy's 25th Wedding Anniversary. First time to be in Portland. Took advantage of our short stay and rented a Nissan Sentra to move around. A compact car but its got pick up. A funny or it could have been serious incident happened on our way to the wedding anniversary. W and I were supposed to pick up Lucy's friend who came all the way from LA at her hotel. W called her up about 20 minutes before pick up to make sure she's ready. We were about 15 minutes late arriving and she was not at the lobby as agreed upon. W asked the hotel receptionist to call her room. There was no answer even on her cell. So we waited another 10 minutes thinking she might be on her way down when we called. Since we were already running late for the ceremony we thought she might have decided to just get a cab after our wait. So we hurried off to church which is a good 20 minutes drive if you don't get lost. It took us about 35 minutes. And don't ask why. Surprise, we were late and Lucy's friend is nowhere to be found. Like I said it could have been serious. What if something happened to her inside her room and she fell unconscious. I told W we should have insisted that they check her room. Fil and Lucy were already taking their vows. When Lucy saw us she had this questioning look: "Where is Agnes?"
On a side note for April: Gas price is at $ 2.35 more or less on the average. Jobless Claim is at 5.9 M as of 04/02 and unemployment is at 8.3% highest in 23 years or since '86. H1N1 or Swine Flu (Porky Pig et al are filing their formal complaint) is becoming a concern.
Pics below includes Lake Haas view in our backyard and new plant growth breaking ground with moi clearing last year's stems.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Month Past 03/01-03/31/09 (AJ's,DST,St Pat's,Red Cross)
Sun 03/01 W and I attended the celebration of Alexander Joseph (AJ) Simba's 1st Birthday. First child of DingDong and Cherie. Food was great. Filipino fare. With this type of gathering you also see how your other friends' kids have grown.
Sun 03/08 Daylight Saving Time (DST) Begins. Move your clocks one hour forward. I counted about ten clocks that needs adjusting including the car's. Days are getting longer...finally. It's nice to be going home from work when the sun is still up. Gives you that feeling it's still early in the day and do some chores.
Tue 03/17 is St Patrick's Day. The boozing actually started Sat 03/14. Green beers, green river (in Chicago), green pants, shirts, caps, faces and parade. You don't have to be Irish to join in the fun. Gives you another reason to get inebriated...another pint laddie and don't forgit me leprechaun...cheers. But I remain sober. After eight years or so in MN I have not really attended or experienced the celebration. Must be the age...On a side note the temps are beginning to look good. Yesterday 03/16 we almost hit the 70's. Today it's in the 60's. Couldn't be better.
Fri 03/20 is officially spring as indicated in the calendar. But a meteorologist mentioned that if you base it on meteorology spring actually started Sun 03/01. The calendar date is based on astronomy...uhm...vely intelesting.
Tue 03/24 is my bloodletting day. When you start receiving notice cards from Red Cross you know its time to bleed. I did it at the Lutheran Church in Burnsville. The attendant who took my blood is good. There was a slight prick when she inserted the needle but other than that all went well. She timed me at 6 minutes plus a couple of seconds in filling the bag. Now that is fast. And no bruise the following day.
Sun 03/08 Daylight Saving Time (DST) Begins. Move your clocks one hour forward. I counted about ten clocks that needs adjusting including the car's. Days are getting longer...finally. It's nice to be going home from work when the sun is still up. Gives you that feeling it's still early in the day and do some chores.
Tue 03/17 is St Patrick's Day. The boozing actually started Sat 03/14. Green beers, green river (in Chicago), green pants, shirts, caps, faces and parade. You don't have to be Irish to join in the fun. Gives you another reason to get inebriated...another pint laddie and don't forgit me leprechaun...cheers. But I remain sober. After eight years or so in MN I have not really attended or experienced the celebration. Must be the age...On a side note the temps are beginning to look good. Yesterday 03/16 we almost hit the 70's. Today it's in the 60's. Couldn't be better.
Fri 03/20 is officially spring as indicated in the calendar. But a meteorologist mentioned that if you base it on meteorology spring actually started Sun 03/01. The calendar date is based on astronomy...uhm...vely intelesting.
Tue 03/24 is my bloodletting day. When you start receiving notice cards from Red Cross you know its time to bleed. I did it at the Lutheran Church in Burnsville. The attendant who took my blood is good. There was a slight prick when she inserted the needle but other than that all went well. She timed me at 6 minutes plus a couple of seconds in filling the bag. Now that is fast. And no bruise the following day.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Month Past 02/01-02/28/09 (Valentine, Ash Wednesday,Snowstorm)
We've been lucky this past few days. We're experiencing a "heat wave". Wed 02/11the weather man said we just set a record. We were above freezing for more than 60 or so hours for February. This has not occurred since 1984. I've been living in MN for the past 8 years. During my first years I've never been conscious of the change in temp during winter. Be it a negative, zero or freezing it's all the same: Friggin' Cold. But lately (signs of age) I do loathe it when temp drops to 0 or negative. My extremities starts to complain. I'll take anything above 0. Now I'm not surprised why sometimes I see guys whose been living here all their life wearing shorts when we hit the 30's. Heat wave:)
Sat 02/14 was Valentine's Day. I was scheduled to work the closing shift. W and I did not do anything special. I also read the article of Randy David of Philippine Daily Inquirer for Valentines entitled theUnloved . The gist: "GMA now outranks every president as an object of public contempt". Sad she lost her way. But you also feel betrayed more so because she took over after EDSA 2. There was so much hope. You expect she learned a lesson from that historic moment. That she would do better in fighting corruption. Improve the country's economy with her economics degree (classmate of Pres Clinton). Carry and surpass her father's legacy (Pres Macapacal). Alas she fell into that adage: "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". She is now called Ate Glue (a dig from Ate Glo) because she clings to her position tenaciously and has no intention of ending her term even if the people clamor for it. Contempt is not enough reason.
Mon 02/16 I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green on my way home from Kohl's. I looked at my rear view mirror and saw a very unusual sight. An old couple in their late 70's or early 80's in the car behind me were smoking! And it's not your shallow smoke and puff but the deep smoke and feel it puff. I was observing them for almost a minute before the light turned green. It was a natural for them while conversing. I tell you some people are smoke resistant or should I say smoke proof. This couple are an example. First hand and second hand smoke they experienced and lived with and they still get to enjoy it way past their golden years. Sadly unlike most...
Wed 02/25 is Ash Wednesday. Can't believe it. I guess it's early this year. Start of the Lenten Season. Fasting and fish Fridays. Went to St Michael's in the afternoon for the customary putting of the sign of the cross on the forehead using the ashes from last year's palm leaves. Palm leaves to welcome Him: Hossanah. It's ashes to signify His suffering and death. Also our death because of our sins.
Thu 02/26 we had a snowstorm. A bad one. Streets were still not plowed when I went home. Or they were plowed earlier but the snow just kept falling the whole day. I was planning on taking 35E South but a semi was blocking the intersection where I'm supposed to make a U turn. Took HW 13 instead. Almost an hours drive on what would have been 30 minutes. I witnessed a car trying to change lane but since the snow was thicker in between lanes it got stuck in the middle. It's wheels just spinning. No traction. I thanked God I got home safe. But I still got to clear the snow on our driveway. It's okay. Just glad to be home.
On a footnote. On my way to work I heard on the radio that the US just hit the highest unemployment rate in 42 years. And there's still no light at the end of the tunnel.
Sat 02/14 was Valentine's Day. I was scheduled to work the closing shift. W and I did not do anything special. I also read the article of Randy David of Philippine Daily Inquirer for Valentines entitled the
Mon 02/16 I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green on my way home from Kohl's. I looked at my rear view mirror and saw a very unusual sight. An old couple in their late 70's or early 80's in the car behind me were smoking! And it's not your shallow smoke and puff but the deep smoke and feel it puff. I was observing them for almost a minute before the light turned green. It was a natural for them while conversing. I tell you some people are smoke resistant or should I say smoke proof. This couple are an example. First hand and second hand smoke they experienced and lived with and they still get to enjoy it way past their golden years. Sadly unlike most...
Wed 02/25 is Ash Wednesday. Can't believe it. I guess it's early this year. Start of the Lenten Season. Fasting and fish Fridays. Went to St Michael's in the afternoon for the customary putting of the sign of the cross on the forehead using the ashes from last year's palm leaves. Palm leaves to welcome Him: Hossanah. It's ashes to signify His suffering and death. Also our death because of our sins.
Thu 02/26 we had a snowstorm. A bad one. Streets were still not plowed when I went home. Or they were plowed earlier but the snow just kept falling the whole day. I was planning on taking 35E South but a semi was blocking the intersection where I'm supposed to make a U turn. Took HW 13 instead. Almost an hours drive on what would have been 30 minutes. I witnessed a car trying to change lane but since the snow was thicker in between lanes it got stuck in the middle. It's wheels just spinning. No traction. I thanked God I got home safe. But I still got to clear the snow on our driveway. It's okay. Just glad to be home.
On a footnote. On my way to work I heard on the radio that the US just hit the highest unemployment rate in 42 years. And there's still no light at the end of the tunnel.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Month Past 01/01-31/09 (Visits,Inauguration,Chill, Layoffs)
Thu 01/01 first day of 2009 we had a small party at home for lunch. A newly wed couple, first baby couple and husband finally able to bring her wife to the States couple. At least one if not both husband and wife are working with W. A quiet afternoon reminiscing. Nice start of the year.
Sun 01/04 we had the Simba family as visitors. Dingdong and Cherie with their first child. Cherie's mom, and her sisterCarol Banawa with her daughter.
Sat 01/17 some of W's staff dropped by for lunch and tete-a-tete aka gossip :) just kidding.
Sun 01/25 attended the first birthday celebration for the year. It was Mike and Lori celebrating their second child Aaron's first birthday.
Fri 01/09 took advantage of my day off by going to the dentist for annual check up and cleaning and finally get my haircut after five months..."Just a trim for you?" asked the lady cutter..."No, do a cut number 3 or 4 which ever is the shortest" I said..."I think you'll feel two pounds lighter" she replied ...just what I need.
And the snow kept falling. Mon 01/12 I counted three vehicles ditched on my way to work. Tue 01/13 I heard on the radio that we've accumulated 23" of snow and it's been the snowiest since Jan '04 and the coldest -18 (not counting the windchill) since '03. To drive home the point I was late getting to work . Slow traffic at I-35 because of a rollover. There was an ambulance, tow truck and three squad cars. You can't see the vehicle. It was way down the embankment. Thu 01/15 on my way to work temp read -22 and windchill of -35. On my way home it upped a bit to -14. Windchill advisory has been raised all day and frostbite is just an exposure away. By Wed 01/21 the weatherman says our temps have been below freezing since 12/29. Whose counting? I'd say your attitude should be "Bring it on" otherwise you'll dread getting up early in the morning going to work. Who am I kidding?
Speaking of work. I'm just thankful that I still have a job to go to every morning freezing or not. The news on the job front has not been good. Mon and Tue 01/26-27 layoffs have been reported at Home Depot and Target. W is already looking at sending some people back home because contracts have been abruptly terminated. It's hitting closer to home and the end is nowhere in sight. You're still in luck if you just have to tighten your belt. For those who are now juggling their funds it'll be strike one and it's gonna hurt bad. The difference is the former means you need to adjust your lifestyle and learn to live below your means. Pare down or do away with unnecessary expenses. The latter you are already juggling with your necessities. You pray you don't drop any balls: medicine expense, school, mortgage, food, credit payments. The American dream has become more elusive turning into a nightmare.
Tue 01/20 is a historic moment. It's my day off:) And it happens to be the inauguration of the 44th and the first African American President of the USA:Barack Hussein Obama II. I get to watch it on TV. And I have pic proof that I witnessed history in the making. I wish him good luck on his term with all the problems besetting the nation. We really do need Change.
Sun 01/04 we had the Simba family as visitors. Dingdong and Cherie with their first child. Cherie's mom, and her sister
Sat 01/17 some of W's staff dropped by for lunch and tete-a-tete aka gossip :) just kidding.
Sun 01/25 attended the first birthday celebration for the year. It was Mike and Lori celebrating their second child Aaron's first birthday.
Fri 01/09 took advantage of my day off by going to the dentist for annual check up and cleaning and finally get my haircut after five months..."Just a trim for you?" asked the lady cutter..."No, do a cut number 3 or 4 which ever is the shortest" I said..."I think you'll feel two pounds lighter" she replied ...just what I need.
And the snow kept falling. Mon 01/12 I counted three vehicles ditched on my way to work. Tue 01/13 I heard on the radio that we've accumulated 23" of snow and it's been the snowiest since Jan '04 and the coldest -18 (not counting the windchill) since '03. To drive home the point I was late getting to work . Slow traffic at I-35 because of a rollover. There was an ambulance, tow truck and three squad cars. You can't see the vehicle. It was way down the embankment. Thu 01/15 on my way to work temp read -22 and windchill of -35. On my way home it upped a bit to -14. Windchill advisory has been raised all day and frostbite is just an exposure away. By Wed 01/21 the weatherman says our temps have been below freezing since 12/29. Whose counting? I'd say your attitude should be "Bring it on" otherwise you'll dread getting up early in the morning going to work. Who am I kidding?
Speaking of work. I'm just thankful that I still have a job to go to every morning freezing or not. The news on the job front has not been good. Mon and Tue 01/26-27 layoffs have been reported at Home Depot and Target. W is already looking at sending some people back home because contracts have been abruptly terminated. It's hitting closer to home and the end is nowhere in sight. You're still in luck if you just have to tighten your belt. For those who are now juggling their funds it'll be strike one and it's gonna hurt bad. The difference is the former means you need to adjust your lifestyle and learn to live below your means. Pare down or do away with unnecessary expenses. The latter you are already juggling with your necessities. You pray you don't drop any balls: medicine expense, school, mortgage, food, credit payments. The American dream has become more elusive turning into a nightmare.
Tue 01/20 is a historic moment. It's my day off:) And it happens to be the inauguration of the 44th and the first African American President of the USA:
Pic Left: L-R: Mark, Pearl, Dennis and wife, Linus and Keith with their first born Otiks
Right pic: Keith (left)getting ready to start the ball rolling: Let's Eat!
Pic Left: A repose after meals but W still nibbling
Right pic:Group pic while watching Mark & Pearl's downloaded Wedding Pics in Mark's new HP notebook
Left pic: Up Close, Keith and Linus first born:Otiks
Right pic: Visit from the Banawa-Simba family
Left pic: Group pic L-R Cora with AJ (Dingdong and Cherie's first born),moi, Dingdong with Carol's daughter,Cherie, Cherie and Carol's mom, Carol
Left pic: After a day's running and excitement somebody needs to take their Zzzzz
Right pic: Mike and Lori celebrating their son Aaron's 1st B-day party. Blow the candle.. pffft
Bottom Left & Right pic: Moi witnessing Pres Obama's Inauguration on TV at Prior Lake, MN
Left pic: W with her "kids"
