WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE YEAR OF 2010?

This New Year of 2010 will be a remarkable year. We will continue to watch the change of the value of our dollar.  Will this rise continue? Or is this false hope and only temporary?  Will we have to go to war to build up our economy? Will the stock market keep rising as it has since last March?  Will most of us benefit from the Public Health Plan? Will we ever win the fight on terrorism?

It is disturbing to me, our State Department has lists of Suspected Terrorists.  They also have another list called No Fly list.  These two separate lists in my humble opinion are ludicrous as there should be only one list which should include airplanes and other public places.

It was recently noted that a terrorist, the Underwear Bomber's father who is a respected Nigerian banker, reported that his son was a Jihadist with terrorist tendencies.  After the father reported him, the son was put the Suspected List, but not on the No Fly List. He was recently caught making a bomb on an American airline.  Why is Obama saying this is an isolated incident, when in fact the son is on the Suspected List?

Now due to the pressures he is presented with, Obama is ordering a review of the Watch List System.  But why was this not done before?  It has been eight years since 911, and our government has not got their act together yet to protect our country in this manner

It would be interesting to hear your views.  Please comment below.

FOR NOW, I WISH YOU ALL GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PEACE
MAY OUR COUNTRY PROSPER AND OUR WEALTH RETURN FOR THE NEW YEAR

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THE WINNERS OF THE HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST

THE CUTEST LITTLE DEVIL
  Ethan Hirsch

 

THE CUTEST LITTLE MINNIE MOUSE

Kristina Morales

THE MOST HANDSOME BOY COSTUME

THE MOST SCARIEST COSTUME

Mat Chait

THE PRETTIEST LITTLE PRINCESS
Sienna Mello

THE BEST ADULT COSTUME

Brittany and Lance Dichter

THE MOST CREATIVE ADULT COSTUME

Rita & Irv SILVERMAN

MY UNEXPECTED FIRST DAY GOING TO WORK

I have always pushed the wheel in everything I did.  Who ever thought I would literally PUSH THE WHEEL. For years I have job hunted but to no avail.  It is obvious firms are reluctant to hire a 70 year old woman, no matter how qualified.  And, with my experience in business, I felt I deserved a proper salary.

Last week I finally bit the bullet and accepted a job working four hours a day, five days a week.  with salary and commission.  It was to be my first day on the job after being interviewed and tested the day before. I felt uneasy about walking in the dark parking garage of the building that I was to work in. However, I proceeded with caution but missed a step close to a ramp and fell. Bewildered, I could not believe what had happened to me. Fortunately my cell phone was within my reach, and called 911. After ex rays and a thorough examination my ankle was diagnosed with a torn ligament.  I had to stay off my feet for months and try to PUSH THE WHEEL in the wheel chair.

My husband hardly knows his way around the kitchen, but in a pinch he could microwave soup.  Since I had to stay off my feet, it would be his duty to take care of me with the cooking and cleaning.  "What do you want for breakfast?" he asked the second day of the accident." Gee honey, I am in the mood for scrambled eggs." I said. Watching that long look on his face, I felt so sorry for him, "Why don't you want your usual cold cereal?" he cried. "You know, honey, I am just in the mood for eggs" I said as. I lay in bed with my leg elevated feeling so helpless. "Okay" he sighed, "eggs it will be.” Within a few minutes, on a tray, he delivered the best eggs I have ever had.  He chopped onions, green peppers, celery and tomatoes.  It was cooked to perfection and I was amazed.  It was his first attempt in cooking anything. His coffee came out perfect.

The next day my daughter in law's mother called to find out how I felt.  I could tell she was anxious to hear how I was going to manage Thanksgiving dinner in my house, as it was my turn to be hostess.  She felt badly by not offering to help, as her hand was in a cast from a recent surgery. My daughter in law offered, but they have a cat which her mother's friend is allergic.

"Don't worry", I said "I will let Lenny do the cooking. The men will clean up, and my daughter in law will take care of me and her mother,"  "But Lenny does not know how to cook", they said," I will tell him what to do.  It will be fine.  Don’t worry.  This will be a very memorable Thanksgiving."  

Every one is wondering how it will turn out… to be continued after Thanksgiving

Meanwhile how is your Thanksgiving planning going?  Are you looking forward to seeing your friends or relatives?  How do you make your holiday dinners memorable?  Do you have a plan?  Please share

Oh, by the way, did you email me your Halloween pictures yet?

ENTER OUR COSTUME CONTEST SHOW OFF YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PHOTOGRAPHS

 Now that Halloween is over, there must be lots of goodies around the house. I am sure the kids had fun scaring all their neighbors and friends by Trick or Treating.

But the memories of the fun are the costumes that were purchased, borrowed or created.

Please submit the cutest photograph of your children or grandchildren in  halloween costumes.   Email them to iketrader@gmail.com no later than December 2, 2009.

If you wish, list the name of the child  and phone number.  Your phone number will not be published.

Every picture submitted will be published on my website December 5 2009  The best costume will have a full feature of the child and family, plus a prize

ADULTS.. We have a costume contest for you too.  Show it off!
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 Baby fell into subway tracks and train ran over baby.  See what happens

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MY UNFORGETTABLE SHIVA CALL

A few years ago, we learned about an unfortunate death of a grown son of one of our neighbors, living in our adult community.  Although I knew the family casually and was in their home only once, I thought it would be nice to pay my respect by visiting them.

My dear friend and neighbor wanted to accompany me.  We agreed to meet out side to walk to their house which was around the corner. As we were walking I told my friend that I had to go back to my house to get the address.  Since I was only their once, I wanted to make sure we knew where we were going.

My friend advised me that it was not necessary, since it was only around the corner.  “If we see a lot of cars, then we know where at the right house,” she said.  “But, what if we walk into the wrong house and someone pulls out a gun on us thinking we are intruders" I argued. She giggled and said not to worry "It is not a good idea.” My friend suggested, “we will open the door slowly, and if we see people, then we are in the right house” Seemed logical, but scary. she giggled and said” don’t worry.” The fuss was because it was not appropriate to ring the door bell when one makes a Shiva Call.  You must open the door yourself and walk in

When we approached the house, I nervously but slowly opened the door.  I saw bridge chairs lined up in a circle.  Recognizing some friendly neighbors, I felt assured it was the right place and motioned my friend to come in,  We eye greeted the ones we knew, and a lady whom we did not know came over to us to say she was a close friend of the family. Then a gentleman came out of the bedroom to acknowledge we were there.  I went over to him and expressed my sympathy over his loss.  He thanked me for coming.  I asked, “Where is your wife” as I wanted to express my sympathy to her as well.  “My wife is dead” he cried. “Oh my God, when did she die” I cried.  No one told me and that kind of news would have traveled fast. Perhaps she died of a heart attack because of the death of her son.  Wild thoughts came into mind.  The gentleman scratched his head with disbelief.  A neighbor came over to us and whispered that we were in the wrong Shiva house.  The one we were to go to was a few doors down. “But there were no cars there, I cried, silently” The room was spinning. My friend and I looked at each other and motioned to leave.  Difficult to control ourselves with this embarrassment, we backed out of the house quietly and left,  When the door was closed and we were safely our on the lawn, we cracked up, holding each other from falling down.  We were hysterical crying. and laughing at the same time  I wanted to kill my friend for not allowing me to get the right address, although her logic was not a bad one,

The hour was getting late and we had to straighten up to compose ourselves.  We still needed to pay the Shiva Call.  We waited awhile until the tears vanished from our eyes. We continued to walk to the next house.  “No cars were there.  How can that be a Shiva House?” we said.  We opened the door ever so slowly.  No chairs were lined up in the living room. There were no visitors except one of our very dear friends  sitting beside the mourner, the mother who lost her son.  We sat down beside the women still trying so hard to hide our emotions.  I had asked the woman how her son died.  She escorted me into another room to tell me her story privately.  I guess she did not want to repeat it again to her other visitor.  While listening with sadness, we heard hysterical laughter coming from the other room.  I figured my friend told our other friend what happened.  But the curious look on the face of the neighbor in morning made me tell her what happened.  “I hope you do not mind me telling you an embarrassing moment a few minutes ago.  I do not want you to think they are laughing because of you.” She replied “Please tell me, I can use a good laugh.”  After the story was told, she broke into laughter and thanked me for changing her mood for a little while.

What are the chances of two Shiva Calls on the same block at the same time?.

Do you have a story?  Please click on the comment box.  Would love to read it.

A FUNNY STORY ABOUT MY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN COSTCO

Shopping at Costco last week was an unbelievable experience.  Among my purchases was a ready made barbequed chicken which was no where to be found . Unaware that I left it behind, I realized it missing when I was about to prepare my dinner for the evening.  After looking in my refrigerator, and the trunk of my car, I asked my husband if he saw it. He told me that if I do not find it soon, the chicken will find me.  (the odor)

I called the manager of Costco and complained my chicken was missing from my groceries.  He told me that a chicken was left in a wagon in the parking lot and someone returned it to the store.  I explained that it never happened to me before as I was always careful not to leave anything behind,  I have heard that people accidentally leave their purses behind because they leave it in the wagon when they shop. I never thought that I would be the one to leave food behind.

"Don't worry," the manager said.  "Just come in with your receipt and we will give you a new chicken."  What a wonderful store Costco is.  I just love shopping there.

That evening I looked for my receipt and could not find it.  I am usually very good with keeping my receipts.  Perhaps this is a comedy of errors. I called Costco the next day and explained my mysterious receipt was missing.  "That's okay" he said, "just come to the counter by the hot dog stand, and we will honor you with another chicken.  Just bring in your Costco card."

The following day Florida had its first cold spell. It was very much welcomed as the hot season in Florida was starting to get on my nerves.  I dressed in my new warm red velour outfit and drove back to Costco.  Here is the experience that exasperated me.

I took the wagon before entering the store as I intended to purchase a few more things.  No one goes to Costco for just one thing.  I noticed the store was mobbed with people.  I guess the snowbirds  finally arrived.   I went to the desk where the manager told me to go.  A nice lady asked for my Costco card and said "are you going to buy anything else?"  I should have answered no and just have gotten a credit, but I did say I wanted another chicken. "Go to the register when you finish shopping" she said.  "Just tell the cashier that you do not have to pay for it and to have her wave to me. I will approve it."  I thought that was a little odd because they usually give a credit or cash and be done with it.  It seemed like such a hassle, I thought.

When my shopping was complete, I went to the register and told the cashier  I was not to pay for the chicken and to please wave to the lady at the desk. "HEY, CATHY" he yelled out loud. "This lady  in red says she don't want to pay for the chicken." I did not say that to him in that way and I became embarrassed because there was a line behind me "Let the lady in red go, she does not have to pay for the chicken," she yelled back.  I was really getting upset because of spectacle that was being created.  Just as I left the cashier I heard the lady say on her loud speaker to the guy who checks out the receipts before customers are allowed to leave the store, which is standard procedure "The lady in red did not pay for the chicken,  let her go."  The young man with his magic marker in his hand was goofing off with the person in front of me and did not pay attention to the loud speaker. He carefully checked my items and noticed one chicken was not paid for. "Hey lady," he said "you did not pay for the chicken."  I answered,  "If you were not goofing off, you would have heard her tell you on the loud speaker that I did not have to pay for it." At that point, he picked up his microphone and announced "Hey Cathy, there is a lady here in red that did not pay for the chicken." Then the voice over the loud speaker said "Let the lady in red go.  She does not have to pay for the chicken." By the time I got into my car I was so embarrassed I wanted to cry,  I never experienced anything like it.  I do not think I will ever complain to Costco again for missing items, and I will never shop in red.

 At the time I did not think it was funny until I told my friends who were rolling on the floor with laughter.  ROFL

Did this ever happen to you?