They Pulled The Plug

What $ircuit $ity did is downright despicable. (Now do you get my title?) My head is still spinning after reading about it in the newspaper.

In case you haven't heard they fired, yes fired, not laid off, 3400 workers of all ages who were considered making too much money. Those workers will be replaced by people earning a much lower wage.



Our newspaper highlighted two local male employees in their early 60's who depended upon the health insurance for themselves and their spouses. I ask you...where the hell does a human being find a job equal to what both those gentlemen lost as far as the wage-per-hour rate and the health benefits is concerned? Absolutely nowhere. Not for someone in their early 60's anyway. I suppose maybe the answer to that question is that they now have to depend on two jobs just to equalize what they were receiving at CC.

If you think it's easy replacing a good-paying job with good benefits for someone in their early 60's, please think again. It must be one of the hardest things to accomplish on this earth. And it can be the downfall of many families.

One thing CC did offer is that those workers are able to re-apply for a job but at a much lower wage, and they have to wait ten weeks before doing so. What a freaking joke. And it's not illegal what CC did either. Remember, these employees are "employees at will" and can be fired for any reason as long as that reason isn't illegal. That's another freaking joke in my book.

I must point out here that the newspaper article wavered between them being fired and laid off. There IS a difference. In this state if you are laid off you can collect unemploymenet benefits no questions asked. If you are fired it's another story. You have a 50-50 chance of collecting unemployment. I am assuming that all employees involved will be allowed to collect since they did nothing wrong.

There was also talk about age discrimination. Nope, that won't work either as the range of age was 22 to early 60's. Supposedly, they didn't discriminate at all.

My question here is: Why don't they just close their doors so we can all concentrate on that other store with the yellow sign? Yeah, you know the one:

My Husband's Worst Nightmare

Because of copyright infringements, whatever, I could not make the cartoon any larger. It reads: I don't know, it was here when I woke up. It's a $tarbucks stand in the kitchen of a couple.

I think if my husband ever saw one of those in our kitchen he'd have another heart attack. So would I.

If you remember from a previous post of mine, it was a snotty young girl at a local $tarbucks store that triggered the loss of my husband's job driving tractor/trailer. Because of that, I am not allowed to utter the word $tarbucks. Not that I'd want to anyway.

I wanted to march straight down there and give her a piece of my mind, not to mention an attitude adjustment, but he wouldn't let me. Therefore, I am still at odds with them myself. I have never stepped foot in one of their stores and I know I never will. Look at me...now read my lips...do you think I care?

I Finally Did It!

Did what, you say? I finally purchased a digital imaging program so I can play with my photographs. I'm so excited.



Now I'm not saying it's going to happen right away, but it will sometime soon. I am a complete novice at these things, and for the most part I have to figure 90 percent of the things out on my own. What I really like are when the instructions on how to complete a task are simple enough for a first grader to understand. Of course pictures of the task, as we go along, always help.

Anyway, I am very eager to go to the playground and get started. However, finding the time is my biggest roadblock. Afer all, I have yet to do our federal taxes.


But that's nothing new for me. I've been doing them for many years now. Well, more than I like to remember. Except for last year ~ there were a lot of complications as the settling of my parents' estate was involved and taxes weren't taken out of everything.

I had decided to let Jack$on-Screwitt do them for us ~ never again. Can I repeat that? Never again!

We ended up paying a huge amount back, which I was prepared for, but a month after we filed came a bad-news notice from Big Brother. We got nailed an extra penalty because we supposedly didn't have enough taxes withheld during the year. Well, excuuuuuuuuse me. Nobody ever told us about that one. So, of course, they thought it was going to be the same way this year. Geez, how many estates for your parents can one settle in a lifetime? Every quarter in 2006 they sent me a packet of crap so I could pre-pay my taxes. I don't think so. Screw them; I ignored the mailings and tossed everything because I knew it wouldn't be the same.

So I have approximately three months to do the taxes. And like all the other years I will probably wait for the weekend before the deadline.

I must point out, however, that a few weeks ago I actually sat down and did a sort of dry run-through but I got so bored I shoved them aside.

I don't know why I am this way. It's just one of those chores that I dread so much it makes me ill just thinking about it. But you know what they say about death and taxes...there's just no escaping them. Even after death someone has to do them for you.

In Defense Of Dale Jr

I recently read somewhere that Dale Jr. is nasty toward women. Can you blame him when they are throwing themselves at him constantly? A person can take only so much, and sometimes they have good reasons for the way they act.

It has just been made public that his sister. Kelley Elledge, has been going through a very rough, unknowing time since the end of January. And I am sure that Junior was very worried about not only what could possibly be wrong with her, but other things out of his control that involved her. Kelley had surgery on Friday and she is doing good. She had a benign tumor on her pancreas. I am sure Junior is quite relieved as are the rest of us.

I just came across the following which was written by Jade Gurss of Fingerprint, Inc.:

"When it turns ugly: We have to deal with incredibly obnoxious and over-agressive folks every week that shed their dignity and risk their safety in the pursuit of touching Dale Jr. or trying to get an autograph. It's a constant part of the at-track experience, and it's sad that a few folks ruin it for the other 95% of fans...

"One of the worst segments on the circuit is trying to get through the buzzing swarm of fans between the garage area and driver's motorcoach lot following the Cup races at Atlanta. Security always seems non-existant but we've somehow managed to push our way through in the past. However, it turned more dangerous last evening, as the crush of fans rushing Junior knocked over a small chain link fence, sending dozens of folks crashing to the ground. No one seemed seriously injured, but it's never a pleasant send-off when worrying about fans being hurt in the crush.

"If you're a fan who likes to hang out in that area, we'll no longer be bringing Dale Jr. through that walkway in future events."
******
I am sure that both these things can make a person a tad edgy. I know for certain they would make me a raving lunatic. My point here is, please don't give up on Junior just because someone somewhere mentioned that he is nasty toward women. Walk in his shoes. He just may have a good excuse. And remember, there are always two sides to every story.

My Young'uns

They're 7-1/2 months old. They have more manners than the majority of children I have come across lately. They mind their own business, for the most part. They love us beyond what is necessary.

This is Junior:

Protector. Clumsy. Playful. Kneader. Lapcat. Muscular. Angelic. She-did-it. Big. Silver. Loves his sister.

This is Dakota Sioux:

Dainty. Petite. ALoof. Agile. Quiet. Lapcat. Sweet. Featherweight. Who me? Dilute calico. Loves ice cream and her brother.

I don't know how I managed to get this far in life and not know the wonderful feeling of owning kittens, soon-to-be cats. Yes, I had a cat when I was a teenager (and found it writhing in pain from poison when we came back from visiting on Christmas night). Maybe that's why I never had another cat as a pet. I have had dogs and rabbits ever since. But now that I have these two little ones, I am so glad that I have rediscovered cats once again. They are such a pleasure. They practically take care of themselves. That's more than I can say about my husband. I guess you could say he's my third young'un.

Sorry 'bout That

I didn't post last night because I fell asleep on the recliner and when I awoke, I went straight to bed. I sure as hell wasn't in the mood to be posting anything anyway because I am still reeling from last Sunday's race. Not only because of who won, but also because I truly am upset with the Bud team. I know Jr. ran really well in all four races thus far; however, you sure as hell can't tell from looking at the end results. And that just depresses me no end. I cannot be upbeat when they are not giving their good performances a good ending.

Repeat Offender

See that title of my blog up top there? Muse & Amuse? It means to think (muse) and laugh (amuse).

Well, I think I shall be in denial because I am NOT amused at who won the race Sunday.

Here, Jimmie, this is for you:



Now kindly go away so others can have the spotlight they so richly deserve.

I-rish You A Very...

From Cheyenne, Dick, Dakota Sioux and Junior, too! (The last two are our kittens)

Jumpin' Jiminy...

...we're supposed to get some more of this stuff starting today around daybreak and going into Saturday morning. Bring it on I say! I knew there was one more storm out there just for our area. We usually get snow in mid-March, so the timing is perfect as usual.



While it's raining/sleeting/snowing outside I will be watching NASCAR TV most of the day. I so look forward to Fridays just for that purpose only. The bad news is, qualifying isn't on until 7 PM and they are projecting a 60% chance of rain in the evening. If qualifications are wiped out, that means Dale Jr. will have to start 28th. Oh Lord, don't I have enough bad feelings about this season? I wish I had as much faith in the team as he does. He is amazing when it comes to that. God bless him.

You Tell 'em, Junior

"We've had three top-fives in a row at Atlanta and it'd be great to get a fourth so we can keep moving up in the points. We're pretty pleased to be back in the top-30, and we can move a lot higher at Atlanta. Lemme tell ya, no one looks forward to Bristol (the fifth race, also the debut of the Car of Tomorrow) and have to worry about being in the top-35 in points. We used up two mulligans early (two DNFs in the first two races), but nobody wearing a red Bud uniform was too worried because we had run pretty well before we had trouble. It's one thing if you blow up or crash while you're racing for 30th place, but it's another when you have a good car and run in the top-five before you have issues. No one panicked after those first two races. The media made a much bigger deal out of it than it really was. I understand it, but what are you gonna do? You can't go back for a do-over, so we buckled down and performed well at Las Vegas. With the team we have, we expect to be in the Chase every year. And a few rough weekends doesn't change that."
-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Pins And Needles

That title describes me during the Las Vegas race folks. I tried to be so cool, even though it was just my husband and myself watching. I tried to disengage myself from the action, I didn't wear my Junior stuff, I didn't wish any bad luck on the other drivers, I didn't even dig out my notebook to see who he could surpass in the points at any given time during the race, and I acted like it was just another race. For the most part, it all worked. For me, because I felt by doing what I did at least I didn't jinx him. I know that sounds dumb, but I am beginning to believe that stuff about jinxes. Don't laugh, I'll get a complex.

It worked for him too. Well, at least it did until he made that rookie mistake and pitted on the red light. I slapped my forehead and said "Oh no, after all the inroads he made today!"

At least it's not as bad as I thought because I didn't watch the results after you-know-who won the darn thing. Junior finished 11th, instead of 5th (that's where he was when he committed that error). He came from 40th in the points to 28th. Had he finished fifth, he would have gone to 27th in the points. So all in all, not too bad, At this point, I will take it. And come next Sunday I will go through this all over again. I don't know if I have the stamina for it.

One Of My Favorites

Ive been watching this program since its inception last Fall mainly due to being a Skeet Ulrich fan. It's a great show with only one drawback: it's opposite American Idol, and because of that I never get to see the girls sing on AI.

Another reason I'm a fan of Skeet's is...are you ready for this? His mother and Ricky Rudd (a NASCAR driver for those of you not in the know) are siblings! Skeet and Ricky both have a small mouth so that must be a Rudd trait. I've never seen a picture of Skeet's mother so I have no idea what size her mouth is. And that's all I'm going to say about that.



Don't you think he favors his uncle in the photo above? I do.

Skeet's stepfather, D. K. Ulrich a driver/owner, dabbled in NASCAR for quite some time and Skeet was briefly part of the team so he's no stranger to the sport.

He was born in Lynchburg VA and raised in Concord NC, and he had open heart surgery at the age of ten to correct a congenital ventricle defect.

His real name is Bryan Ray Trout. Skeet, short for Skeeter, comes from a nickname given him when he was small, and because his parents divorced he took on his stepfather's last name.

And now you know more than you ever wanted to know about Skeet Ulrich. Aren't you glad you tuned in?

How rude!

Sorry folks but I am at a loss for anything better to post. I have a camera full of photos that need to be downloaded. I keep carrying it in and out of my computer room, and nothing gets done with it.

We are expecting some winter weather today and as usual most of it will miss our area. We will be venturing out in it because my husband has a therapy session for his back and it is grocery day. Joy.

Last weekend was an off week for the Cup guys and I am excited to be getting back into that groove again. However, since my guy is way down low in the points I don't have much to be cheerful about. I keep telling myself he had three DNFs last year and still pulled himself up into the top ten for The Chase. But the darn issue of his contract could get in the way.

On another note...I would like to change the background of my blog. The picture of Dale Jr. is rather old and I would like a more updated one of him there. However, I haven't the faintest idea as to where to start. I figured out where to put it in the template, but how do I go about finding the correct size to replace what's there? It's times like these that I wish I were more computer literate instead of just being able to type. I spent the better part of my day in Google trying to get answers and I am still as stupid as when I started searching. Yeah, I know, instead of being fairly smart like it says up top, maybe it should read fairly damn stupid, huh?

Spoiled Rotten

A few days ago our local newspaper had an article about teenagers, driving, and cell phones. Now that is a lethal combination. I could almost stop here and I know you would all understand.

But my post isn't about those three things. Nope. It's about something else. There was a photo of one of the girls with her phone, sitting in a car. The article said it was her car. She is 17. And she drives a Lexus RX. They sell in the range of $33-38,000.00. My question is: how does a 17-year-old manage to pay for a car like that? And even if her parents gave it to her (which isn't teaching her a darn thing), how do they manage to pay for it besides the other two cars they probably own? And I'm sure the insurance doesn't come cheap either.

When I was 17, I wasn't even driving yet. But I was by the time I turned 18. I bought a '51 Ford convertible from my brother for $200. It was in excellent shape and he had just installed a new convertible top on it. Back then, it didn't take me too long to pay him back; he didn't even charge interest. But it was my first lesson in responsibility and I didn't take it lightly.

These kids today practically get most things handed to them. It teaches them nothing. But they become experts at text messaging while driving. And that is even scarier than when they are talking on the phone because they use both thumbs.

Who's Your Daddy?

I know this might sound creepy to some of you, but does anyone else out there think Anna Nicole Smith's son was/is the father of her baby?

If you think about it and in your mind go back and visualize her behavior with him all the way up to his death...

Crazier things go on in this world today so it's not all that far fetched. We just don't hear about it on a wide scale.

And how about all those guys stepping up claiming to be the father? It's not so much who is the father, rather it's who isn't the father.

She and her son were just too cozy for my liking and when the baby's questionable paternity came to the forefront, Daniel was my first suspect as the father. What's really driving me insane is why it's taking this long to actually determine just who the father is. What are they afraid they will find? That I'm right?

I hope I am wrong because that is just so sick. And maybe I have a sick mind to even think about it being the truth, but hey, I'm just sayin'

I Can't Let It Rest

Something I cannot do is let it rest. Nope, I find it hard to walk away from something like a good argument. And better yet, an argument in which I know I'm right. Nothing worse than arguing with someone when you know they are just plain downright W.R.O.N.G.

It's the lawyer in me. No I am not a lawyer. I should have pursued that avenue though. Sometimes I even drive myself crazy.

I'm the type of person that needs an answer to almost everything. I can't walk away from something unless I know I gave it my all. And, no, I'm not one of those people that has to have the last word. Far from it. I just want to have the right word.

I know I drive my husband crazy whenever I question something or someone. Because I don't question with a simple "why?". It gets much deeper than that. And what really upsets me is when no one can give me an answer, let alone the correct answer to my query. A lot of times I have to turn to the internet for that. But it doesn't always know either.

I was never like that growing up. And I can't remember when it started either. One day it was just there. It sorta crept up on me while I wasn't looking.

Maybe it was the "right to know" law that everyone throws around. I never did find out what that means either. I have the right to know a lot of things, but every time I ask about a particular right, I get a door slammed in my face. Or dead silence on the other end of the phone. Why do we even have those laws if we cannot use them?

Back when I was researching that particular law in this particular state I could not find a single thing that I could access with that law. I know it exists. But no one lets us use it. Why is that? Maybe I'm just barking up the wrong tree.

Oh, and when it comes to laws...Pennsylvania really sucks. I gave up on their laws a long time ago.

Rant over.

OK, Show Me Some Pity

Why? Because Junior now has two DNFs and is 2-for-2. Last week it was an accident (not of his making) and this week a blown engine.

I truly hope that's it because I cannot take any more of those.

There was a bright note, however. He saved his spinning car from hitting anything and when he got out he was so proud that he took a little bow.

I Tried To Tell Y'all

When I found this, I wished I could have said it this way myself. I have been arguing with everyone that wants to argue, that this is how I always felt, still feel, and will always feel until Dale Jr. is brought in to the fold of DEI as majority owner. Following are Darrell Waltrip's words (yes, I did hear him say this but it has a greater impact when you read the words and let them sink in.) I'm not a big fan of Waltrip's because he has bashed Junior in the past when he wasn't doing well on the track, but these words changed my mind a little teeny tiny bit. Here it is:
********
"On Sunday's prerace show, I said what I believe about Dale Earnhardt Jr., and I believe I'm right. He doesn't want to be treated like he's a driver. He wants to be treated like he has a vested interest in Dale Earnhardt Inc. He doesn't, and he should. That's plain and simple. You heard him after the Daytona 500. There are things that he would have done differently. There are things that he would like to see done, and apparently, he doesn't have a voice in how things are done or how they get done. That's just wrong. I know what Dale Earnhardt's intentions were for DEI, and I don't think Dale would be happy. If Dale Jr. wants to run the company, his father would be happy because that was The Intimidator's intention. That's my opinion based on my relationship with Dale when I drove for him and when he started DEI." -Darrell Waltrip

Dixie Louise

I don't have any grandchildren, but I do have a grandkitty. This is her debut on my blog. She lives with my daughter.


One of her favorite hiding places.

Sorry about that 24 car but her daddy is a Jeff Gordon fan.

But that's OK, her mommy is a Dale Earnhardt Jr fan. Yay!

Are These People Nuts?

Here are just two of the e-mails I received this week at my secondary e-mail address. I get nothing but junk mail there but it's nice to have it when I don't want to use my regular address. Some of these people are unbelievable. Like this one, for instance:

"My name is becky james am a model.i was surffing the web when i came
accross your emaill address so i was wondering if you can help me out
with my problem.the problem is that my agent is to pay me some money for
the jobs i had done for him, Now he has decided to pay me with Cheque
and i cannot cash the Cheque over here.so now am looking for any one
that i can trust in US that can help me! to cash the Cheque and i
don't mind in paying the person 10% of the money because this has been a
problem for me so i want you to help me out of the problem.I will be
very greatfull if you can help me out in cashing this Cheque.
I will be waiting for your urgent response ASAP today so that i can
know what to do from here.
Thanks"
**
Maybe if they learned how to spell and punctuate they would command some type of attention. But that's all, just attention and nothing else. Anybody who falls for these yahoos deserves to be taken over.
**********
And then there are these:

"Subject: Bigger before your eyes

True male enhancement is only a click away.
An improved life awaits you, become an XL man today.

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woodbury see see."
**
OK, can anybody tell me what the hell that last sentence says or means? It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

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I don't normally open any of these but I had time on my hands and needed a good laugh at the time. I'm still laughing.