Black Friday

Isn't it a hideous aspect of human nature that we'll sweetly celebrate Thanksgiving one day and then greedily shove and trample other human beings the next day in order to save a couple of bucks on a purchase?  Last year, a Walmart employee opened the doors to a horde of crazed shoppers and was trampled to death.  Shouldn't we be ashamed of this behaviour?  It seems not because many, many people are already planning their Black Friday shopping strategy for tomorrow.  Ick!

Obamacare Could Be Working

If President Obama had not had so many of the U.S. elected officials working against his proposed health care plan, it would be up and running by now.  I'm utterly amazed that it is even hobbling along right now and just might be a success in time if only the Republicans would stop hindering it.

The insurance industry and the outrageously highly paid doctors in the U.S. should be ashamed of themselves for trying to kill a health care plan that would benefit millions of Americans.  Only a small percentage of Americans are lucky enough to have good coverage due to their employers but the vast majority have poor or no health insurance at all.

I've always like President Obama because he seemed so human but I believe he'll go down in history not only as the first black president but the one who, against all odds, brought a decent government health care plan to the citizens of the United States.

If he's made any mistakes at all with his plan, it's that he didn't make the logistics of it plain and clear from the very start.  He might have but it's become so muddied by dissenters that many Americans still don't know what they'll be getting.  One thing for certain, though, is that the cost of what they'll be getting won't line the pockets of the insurance companies.

I don't like to harp at Americans about how happy we Canadians are with our own government health insurance, flawed as it is, but its miles ahead of the present situation in the States.  We have our choice of doctors, we never see a medical bill, and even the poorest of the poor will receive the same medical care as the richest of the rich.  And that's a good thing!!

2013 Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for every day I live but it's on Thanksgiving day that we should all just stop what we're doing and dwell on the good in our lives.  I know life isn't as good for many people but there is always hope for better days and that's what makes our lives worthwhile.

As always, I'm most thankful for my family.  They mean more to me than anything else on earth and I am ever grateful for their presence in my life.  My own life has had it's ups and downs but these days have brought good friends who make me happy to get up in the morning.  Family and friends are what matter forever and always and no amount of wealth can take the place of those things.

Of course, I'm thankful to be spending the winter in Florida even though I know this isn't a forever thing.  I thank my good fortune for every day I get to be here.  When my winters are spent back home in Canada, I'll be thankful for having more time to be with my family.  Life is full of things to be thankful for...we only have to open our eyes.

Tomorrow I'll be part of about 120 people, many of them good friends, who will have our Thanksgiving dinner at the clubhouse.  It will be a noisy, fragrant, and happy atmosphere that will do my heart good.

Thank you, Dennis.

Bought a Tablet

I'm the one who won't buy a new camera because I'll have to learn to use it.  I'm also the one who just bought a tablet and have only figured out how to charge it.  Now I'm the one who'll have to find someone to teach me how to use it.  My kids just don't understand how electronically handicapped I am because this stuff comes so easy to them.

I bought the tablet because it was on sale for half price and I've wanted something to hold in my lap and play games on.  When I turn it on it doesn't give me games so I guess they need to be downloaded but I don't know how to get the internet on it.  I'm a sad and inept old lady!  Now I'll have to find someone here in the park to help me or else wait until I go over to Shelley's next week.

Darn!  But it was a good buy!!

Addictions

Isn't it strange how being addicted to anything can be harmful to your health?  Even people who are addicted to exercise or supposedly healthy eating habits can overdo to the point of harm.

I've often wondered how someone can crave whatever they're addicted to so much that they can't function without it.  Addictions are usually blamed on stresses and tragedy in a person's life but I think that's just a crutch for not taking responsibility for our choices.  When we over-indulge in anything, it's our own brain making the decisions to do what we're doing.

My own addiction revolves around food and I know why it started.  Earlier in life, I was so unhappy that food filled the void and gave me a feeling of comfort...all the while it was causing damage to my health.  It was my choice to do this and it can't be blamed on circumstances in my life.

It's an absolute wonder to me that I know with every fibre of my being that eating crap is bad in every way for me but I have continued to do it for most of my life.  My poor choices over-rode my intelligence.  Are we biologically created to ignore common sense and race after instant gratification?  Maybe.  Otherwise, there'd be fewer babies born to unwed mothers.  LOL!

Right now I'm trying to retrain my brain to eat more sensibly and cut out junk food.  It's another effort that probably is doomed from the start but I have to get credit for trying.  I said a long time ago that I don't want to be skinny, only comfortable, and that's true today.  There's always hope, right?

Starting Sensa

My 2 month supply of Sensa came today and I used it for the first time at lunch.  This was our sausage+ lunch at the clubhouse that Donnie and helpers make for us every Tuesday so there were plenty of choices.  I usually get an egg salad sandwich and a Diet Coke but sometimes I can't resist the pies, etc. that are also available.  Today I was good because we can't expect Sensa to work if we don't make some healthy decisions, too.  I had just the sandwich and Diet Coke and sprinkled the Sensa on the egg salad part before rethinking that it might work better (by smell) if I'd sprinkled it on the top of the bread of the sandwich.  I'll know better next time.

Anyway, I am going to write a complete blog titled "My Sensa Experiment" so please follow it if you're interested in my progress (or lack of).

Body Image

As you age your body will start to fail you.  You may stay relatively healthy way into your 80's but your body will continue to surprise you with it's changes.  The one good thing is that you stop caring what others might think of your looks.  I remember how I worried about every little body change mainly in my middle years and what effect it had on viewers.  How silly of me.  We all know that anyone who values you based on looks isn't anyone worth having around.

In this age of cosmetic surgery, many women (especially) are turning to botox or more invasive surgery to slow down the aging clock but they're only fooling themselves.  Time marches on and leaves it's mark regardless of cosmetic surgery because you can't regain youthful skin once youth has passed. 

I admire lovely skin probably because of all the problems I've had with my own.  Skin cancers and wrinkles have robbed me of my youthful skin but that's kind of what one should expect when they get old.  I don't like it but that's just the way it is and it hasn't hindered me from having wonderful friends who like what's on the inside.  And I honestly prefer that.

We live in a society where youth and beauty are idolized and that seems to cause a lot of unhappiness to some of those who don't possess them.  Thank heavens for the people who have enough strength of character to see beyond the facade because they most often will discover treasures that more shallow people might miss.

We old folks might not be beautiful but we're all full of knowledge gathered over a lifetime.  We're valuable.  And it would be nice if everyone was aware of that!

  

   

Toronto Mayor Ford

There are many times we see someone racing out of control to tragedy but no-one seems to have the power to stop them before it's too late.  I'm in Florida but every day in the news is the debacle of what's happening in Toronto with mayor Ford.  It started out as a disgusting issue of the mayor of one of the most important cities in Canada being shown on video using crack and dallying with known drug dealers.  Bad enough, but it's gotten progressively worse.

He's not a physically presentable person to begin with, always looking dishevelled and clumsy because of his immense weight but it's his incredibly arrogant attitude that he can lie and do whatever crimes he chooses and get away with it. 

I first reacted to his arrogance with deep dislike but, as the days have passed, I've come to feel a strong sypathy for a smart and capable man who is destroying himself before our eyes.  Is there no-one close to him that can save him before he self destructs?  Videos of his daily clashes with city counsel and reporters show a man on the crumbling edge and it's become frightening to watch.

Drugs and alcohol have made a once popular and productive man into a laughing stock.  There's no doubt that he makes the news now mainly for the entertainment value of watching the once mighty fall embarrassingly from grace. 

There can only be one of two ends to this sad story.  Either he'll accept his addiction and get professional help or he'll die.  And then the hounds will seek another victim for our entertainment. 

Last Year On Ebay

I've had a lot of fun selling, and sometimes buying, on Ebay but I've decided that this will be my last year.  I've been able to list almost everything I have to sell by going a circuitous route but that route will disappear once I haven't listed anything in a month.  Ebay's new photo quality requirement means I'd have to buy another camera and it just isn't worth it to me to do so.  I hate change!!

Anyway, I'm sort of looking forward to a time my Florida room won't be used for stocking packaging materials for the items I sell on Ebay.  None of that stuff is in my way but it does make the Florida room look kind of tacky.  I'm going to miss the fun I had and have finding interesting things to list that people want, though.

I certainly don't make much money from my sales but it's been a hobby that does produce a little income and that's always a good thing.  I love opening the computer in the morning and seeing how many people have bid on or even just looked at my listings.  It's a personal connection, somehow.

Ebay will certainly lose a lot of money with their new demands of sellers but there are other venues, such as Etsy, where I can still sell a few items so not all is lost.  I really enjoy this so it's a shame that Ebay has taken it away.  Of course, I could easily buy a new camera but then I'd have to learn how to use it.  Nahhhh!

Trying Sensa

I'm not a believer in drugs that cause you to lose weight by revving up your metabolism because, once you stop taking them, the weight will come back and your metabolism might be screwed up forever.  One of my friends arrived in Florida 32 lbs. lighter and looking terrific...she'd been using Sensa for 6 months and it worried me enough to do some research on the "diet drug".  What I found was that it worked for some people and not for others but it was benign enough to be sold over the counter.  I also found out that you shouldn't order it from the manufacturer or they'd keep charging your credit card long after you discontinued using it.

Then I was shocked to find out that Sylvia (lady of sensible eating and with no discernible weight problem) had ordered it from Amazon (much cheaper than buying it from a health food store or the manufacturer).  Now I really went into research mode on the internet and discovered something I'd missed before.  Sensa doesn't affect your metabolism at all but uses the sense of smell to curb your appetite.  Interesting.  Interesting enough that I asked Sylvia to order me a 2 month supply!

I know that I'll never lose all the extra weight I carry on my body but even losing a few pounds safely and without having to exercise would make my life more pleasant.  When I lost about 10 lbs. (temporarily) during my July move to the apartment, my clothes became loose and I really did feel healthier so my expectations of Sensa is not to become a super model but just to become more comfortable.

I'll keep a journal in this blog to describe all aspects of using Sensa and any progress I make. 

Honoring Veterans

I hate war.  This said, I have great respect for the soldiers who put their own lives on hold and in danger to protect the quality of life we are so fortunate to have.  I feel protected by our military but I'd prefer they stay on their own soil to perform their service.  It goes against the grain to see mostly young soldiers being shipped off to other countries we have no right to try to control.  It's usually in those far off countries that our dedicated soldiers lose life or limb and it all seems so wrong.  I understand armies safeguarding our shores but not travelling overseas to foreign countries to do it.  We have enough evidence of terrorists residing right here at home.

There have been stories in the news of immigrants refusing to stand to show respect for our flag and my thoughts are that, if they don't honor the country they've CHOSEN to live in, then they should return to their land of birth.  We certainly don't need them but we've welcomed them into our country as a solicited favor. 

Patriotism is a funny thing.  I love my country, faults and all, and will always show my respect.  I love the United States, faults and all, and will always show my respect to them, too.  We are the same people, immigrants and descendents of immigrants...the proverbial melting pot.  Our soldiers have fought side by side in many wars.  And been injured or died side by side.

I respect a soldier's service, their commitment, their sacrifice.  I just wish they could stay home to serve us instead of in foreign countries.   

Do We Gossip?

I tried putting on a photo of the latest sign a friend brought me but couldn't do it.  I don't know why and I don't know how to find out why it won't work.  Sigh!

Anyway, the sign says, "We don't gossip, we distribute vital information".  I love it!  In truth, I do believe that is what we do at our Friday morning coffeetime because most of the talk seems to be about park/management problems.  We all need that information and you can't call it gossip.  We learn about the health problems of our friends who haven't arrived and the arrival date of those who will make it back this year.  We're not supposed to bitch but there is always a little bit of that...so what??

One of my friends was saying that she had stopped taking crap from anyone and wondered why it took so long for her to develop that attitude.  It's my attitude, too, and I think it's because we seniors have less to lose if we speak up.  I, personally, am not aggressive and prefer to walk away for good instead of putting up a fight but don't challenge me because I don't back down if I'm in the right.

We talk a lot as we play cards, too, and it's more funny stories about whatever situations we've found ourselves in.  Every once in a while the discussions become too morbid but that's a rare occurrence, thank heavens.  Every one of us could tell horror stories if we chose to do so but it's too late in life to dwell on unhappiness.  Now we live to laugh!

Do we gossip?  Maybe a bit.

Didn't I Say I Hate Change?

I had a great time this morning taking pictures of all the items I brought down from home to put on Ebay.  The pictures turned out nice and clear and I was anxious to start getting them listed, not all today but gradually over the month.  But Ebay has changed.  It now requires photos with higher pixels than my camera can take.  I don't know what the hell pixels are but it has something to do with the resolution or clarity of the picture.  This would force me to buy and then to learn to use a brand new camera!!!

But then I discovered I could relist items where the photo was one I'd taken with my ancient camera.  I guess this was a loophole those idiots at Ebay hadn't closed yet.  And then I discovered that I could pretend to relist but change the complete listing to a new one and still use photos taken with my camera.  Either I'm a devious old woman or else I'm not as computer illiterate as I think I am.

I spent the rest of the day listing ALL of my items in this manner, hoping I could get it done before said loophole slammed shut.  And then I had a nice, leisurely, and well deserved rest.  Ebay shouldn't mess with seniors!

Change

I spoke yesterday of how my internet server, Boingo, has somehow changed the way I sign in and it got me thinking about why everything in this world seems to change from something that works to something that either doesn't, is better, or sometimes worse than the original.

Every company has high paid executives that have to justify their positions and their salaries so they are forced to make changes that the rest of us have to live with.  I'm thinking that one day their changes will wipe out all the users because we just won't be able to keep up.

I like to look back when life was simpler...when it was a safer world for us and the rules of life weren't so obscured.  It was a time when husbands and wives stayed together; when children could play safely on the streets; when, if you didn't do your school work, you failed and, when you worked hard, you were rewarded.  Yes, it was a simpler and more understandable life way back in the old days but it wasn't perfect either.

These days divorce is all too common; children can't be left alone for a second or a predator will steal them; if you don't learn anything in school you just might become president of a major company one day.  All in all, it's not a nicer world.

Somewhere, somehow, we have to be progressing and it's often difficult to see the progress.  The most progress I've seen is in how women in many countries have gained upward mobility, maybe not equality but at least we're going in the right direction.  I wonder if that's enough to make up for what we've lost?  Whatever, we're stuck with what we have in the present and we have to hope for more and better than we have.

Peace, kindness, fairness, love.  I wish all of this was universal.

Utterly Confused

I hate change.  When I got down to Florida, I had no phone service and it took almost 2 weeks for a Verizon repairman to come here and tell me my phone is shot.  I've been cursing Verizon but now I'm their friend because it wasn't their fault I had no service and they didn't charge me for a service call.  I bought a new phone and it works perfectly.

Then Boingo, my internet server, decided to stop working and a brand new, unseen before sign came up on my screen when I turned the computer on.  It told me that the network I'd been using to bring in Boingo wasn't bringing it in.  Now, honestly, how am I supposed to interpret that message?  All I knew is that I couldn't get on the internet and, at the time, I had no phone to call Boingo for help.

Once I hooked up the new phone ($20), I called Boingo and got a very friendly and patient gentleman who spent about half an hour leading me through various steps on the computer.  He seemed quite surprised that they didn't help.  Then he told me that he'd just been informed that service to the park was being repaired so I should keep trying to get on the internet every so often and it should work soon.  Yeah, right!

I found out that Sylvia's Boingo connection is working just fine so mine should be also.  I called Boingo back and got a less friendly technician (female) who showed very little interest in my problem but she was willing to walk me through it again.  She told me to just click on Internet Explorer but I told her I'd only get a blank screen unless I was able to sign in with Boingo.  That's what had happened earlier.  She insisted I do it anyway.  Crap!  I got right onto the internet.  I tried explaining to her that this had never happened before but I swear she yawned.  Of course, the screen looks a little different and doesn't have all the little things the old one had but at least I can use the internet.

Well, here I am on the internet, not understanding how I got on or if I'll be able to get on the next time I try.  Talk to you soon...I hope.  Sigh!

Another Day, Fewer Dollars

Yes, Dee, Marg and I went to the casino yesterday and I lost all my money.  I wish I knew why I like gambling so much...usually people like what they're good at.  The one saving grace is that I limit my losses.  My children can be grateful for that.

I am good at a few things.  Swedish weaving, solitaire, and I'm sure there are a few things more.  I hope so because that's one short list I'm sorry I started.  But we don't have to be experts at anything as long as we enjoy what we are doing and that's a good thing for most of us, isn't it?

I enjoy so many things and that's what makes me a happy camper almost all the time.  There's always something to turn to when I have a spare moment and it doesn't have to be a useful activity, just an enjoyable one.  Some people are very "useful" oriented and don't waste time on frivolity.  I say frivolity is the main activity we should all pursue.  There will be plenty of times in our life when we need to be serious so, please, pursue as many useless but fun moments as you can fit in a day.

Today, Faye and I are visiting a friend in the morning and then hiking quickly back to the park for our "Tuesday Lunch" in the clubhouse.  Donnie, the cook, has spoiled us terribly with his labor of love and I need to buy a big container of his homemade soup so I can freeze meal sized portions for myself.  Donnie will be having surgery soon and we'll miss those Tuesday lunches something awful.  I wish him a quick and healthy recovery.

This afternoon is up for grabs...we haven't decided what to use it for but it will be a good time, I'm sure.  Tonight we'll play cards with a nice group of friends and laugh a lot.  What a nice life we're living.  Thank you, Dennis.

Busy, Busy

The social pace at a senior park in Florida is in the upper scale compared to back home in Canada.  At this time of the year, not all of our snow bird friends are here yet but we still participate in all the activities available to us.

Faye and I have done a lot of shopping because she returns home on Wednesday so we're trying to fill her suitcase.  LOL!  I've only bought myself 3 tops but that may be the most I'll buy until the new summer stock comes out in February.  Right now there are terrific bargains on summer clothes because Floridians think that summer is over.  Silly people!

We've had a small table of card players but it's been filled with the usual light banter and lots of laughter.  We've played "65" for a couple of years now but we're still fuzzy on the rules but it makes no difference...we simply co-operate and go with the person who seems to be most sure of herself.  We also try to get some of the men to play with us but they take card games too seriously and I'm sure our constant confusion and silliness makes them keep their distance.  Only a few brave men have dared to join our games and I know they enjoyed themselves but they don't join us too often.  I'm guessing we intimidate them.

There are 37 trailers up for sale in the park.  The reasons are many.  Some have stopped coming because of illness or death, some have been hit hard by the recession, and some are fed up with the new owners/management.  I know I won't want to be here when the people closest to me stop coming down but I'm willing to ignore the owners/management as long as they ignore me.  My closest friend, Sylvia, might be my deciding factor.  When she and Mickey stay home it will be hard for me to be down here for the winter because Sylvia and I spend most days together.

But, for this year, most of our fun buddies are here or on their way so it will be another great winter for us all.  I consider each year a bonus I'd never thought would be mine and I'm ever thankful for every moment of it.