Liza …..Liza ……. Liza ……… I can relate!

It is a rare day indeed when I choose to get into a “tinkle” contest ……….. and today is no different!

The USA, a subsidiary of ………… Multiple Nations? I guess we could ask Kitty O’Keefe ………… Oh where oh where is our Kitty O’Keefe?

I guess I could at least simplify my feelings on this matter ……….. I live and play by the rules and therefore I am screwed!

As I see it ……… the “fault” rests on three willing participants: Congress, the Lenders and the Buyers. Just because Government Oversights were loosened, we cannot place the blame solely on the Government. That’s like saying a business owner is to blame for being robbed in the middle of the night because the owner forgot to leave any lights on after dark. In my neck of the woods, the mentality is ………. if there’s an avenue, they’ll take it ……… and it cut both ways ……… the lenders and buyers were WILLING PARTICPANTS. This December, we will have owned our home for 20 years, initially purchased with 10% down on a 30 year mortgage @10.5% fixed lending rate. Five years ago, after years of building our credit to a respectable level, we decided to we refinance the balance of our mortgage @ 5.1% fixed lending rate. We were able to do so because we made sacrifices. To date, we have never owned a brand new car, we are frugal shoppers for food, clothing and household items and we do NOT live beyond our means. We are hurting just like most Americans with higher expenses for fuel, food and the like. We have less than 3% of our payroll left over after our monthly obligations. And much of that 3% gets absorbed into fuel and food cost fluctuations. There is no one to bail us out but ourselves. I have little sympathy for those who consciously chose to live WELL BEYOND THEIR MEANS (Scarlett O’hara mentality ……… I’ll think about that tomorrow) or for those GREEDY BASTARDS ON WALL STREET who took advantage of the markets for their own personal gain. This is not a Democrat -vs- Republican issue, it has been a “long time in the making”. Congress as an entity, the Lenders and the Buyers are ALL COMPLICIT in our current situation. As it is people like me who will be footing the bill, and doing so against my free will.

Hi Serena! Yes, we were quite fortunate. Our local beaches have only suffered damage from the storm surge and debris has been arrive by the tons. The sad part about the debris is not that it is landing on our beaches. So much of the items arriving are “in tact” items from peoples homes. It really puts things into perspective. Children’s toys, bicycles, clothes, backpacks, furniture, appliances and the like. We’ve even received newly constructed stairs, and I don’t mean small porch steps ………. 12-18 step risers!

Hi Little Fefe ……… Thanks for posting these wonderful quotes, it’s been quite a while since I last read four of the five. Sadly, I’m not familiar with Denise Chong ……… I will rectify that, indeed!

Oh Ms Dee! Thank you for reminding me of Bryzhnakov! He can dance on my toes anytime!

Yea, Richard Gere is tasty too but why didn’t Joe Biden make the list? He is simply delicious …….. the cat’s meow! And hey ……. I’d go across party lines for that one if we were both available! oooops …………… I guess that was way to much information for the internet!

Oh my Edith Ann, you have been sorely missed! My friends in the Garden have been anxiously awaiting your return! Even at your tender age …….. being a writer suits you. But remember, you can be many things …….. and all at the same time ……… Welcome back!

Happy Birthday “Chickie-Poo” ………. Keep “cluck’n” ……… hee, hee

Hey Vivvy ……. I have to take a rain-check for dinner this evening …….. hubby and I have errands to run. If Pepper Beef is on the menu, can I get a to go box (oh, with steamed rice)? If it’s Cracker Barrel ………. I’ll have to pass ………. too many unruly kids and I need to charge the batteries in my i-Pod! I’ll check back in with you and Kryssi later on …….. Tootles

Hey Vivvy ……… I’m hungry ……. when’s dinner?

Vivvy and Kryssi …….. I now carry my i-Pod for two reasons ………… I get some real “stink-eye” looks from overindulging parents when I put my ear piece in; especially when the little urchins are screaming at the top of their over-exercised lungs. Apple should use this scenario for their next marketing campaign!

I’ve had this thought cross my mind quite a bit over the last year or so …….. Are women 40+ becoming popular? The new “it” thing? Could it really be true that we’ve finally gotten our point across? That we, 40+ women have stopped looking around for approval? That our confident-selves have emerged with the aura of “We don’t need to look back anymore, that we are taking our “place mat” and putting it anywhere “we” want it? Hooray for Us!