I have never been one for braving the crowds of black Friday. It just doesn’t seem worth it to me, to go out and battle the throngs of people (good moods and bad). But now I am working retail again, and that means that I must work on black Friday. Now, usually the framing department isn’t an extremely busy place to work but if today is/was any indication…Black Friday is going to be murder. On an average weekend we might take in half a dozen orders for custom frames…today (one day) we took in 8 orders. It would have been more if people didn’t balk at the price (I mean, you have to know that custom framing is going to cost you some money) and argue about how things should be framed (not even going to rehash this one…it was a nightmare). I also wish people would learn how to hang their artwork so it doesn’t fall from the wall in the middle of the night…what do you mean a little nail will not hold a piece that weighs 30lbs?

If there is any bright side to this post…On Black Friday, we will have a pot luck…and the store manager is bringing smoothies

there is one thing that I really cant stand about moving…it takes forever to find the stuff you packed. Everything is essentially in a brown box of some sort. There might be some writing on it, but that doesnt always help…in fact, it seems to make it worse. I have boxes that were used for a few moves before my last move, and some used by other families. So there is enough writing to on them than in some short stories. The next problem, is trying to figure out where to put everything. As I have only been in this place for a month…I should give myself a little more time to unpack, I just find the whole moving thing unsettling and I cant stand not knowing where all my things are.

oh…this is scary, two posts in a week…I shouldnt jinx it

I dont usually do this, but this issue just makes me wonder why more people are not taking a stand…

If you don’t like the new TSA rules, why bother arguing? They have a semi valid reason why they are doing what they are doing, though I have to agree that I do not under any circumstances agree with how they are doing it. I mean, seriously…how would you feel if you were on a plane next to a person who decided to load their undergarments with explosives? I would not at all be happy. But I also do not want someone touching me in places that would get people arrested if they did it on the street, or in a store. People are not happy, making cell phone videos, and telling their stories…it has made the news every night since it went into effect. People are saying that they are going to refuse the full body scanners and pat downs…and they are being told they will not be allowed to fly. I can understand the “civil disobedience” part of it, but it really isn’t hurting anyone but the people who are refusing to get the pat downs and go through the scanner. Its almost like the whole boycotting gas stations for a day…it really isn’t hurting anyone but those who then have to go out of their way to find a gas station or run out of gas. The gas stations don’t care, they know eventually, we will be back, because we really don’t have a choice. And the TSA doesn’t care. The are not the airlines, if we all go away, they get to sit around instead of dealing with people.

I personally will not fly, for many reasons. I have never liked flying and the last 10 years or so have not done anything to change my mind. So, with that, what is my “idea”? First off, the guy from Israel who is always interviews on the news, He revamped one of the most dangerous airlines to fly, into one of the safest…we need to hire that guy (sorry, I don’t remember his name and couldn’t find it online in a quick search). Second, if you don’t like the new TSA rules…people, just stop flying. The airlines will complain to lobbiest (yeah, those evil people) who will pressure the powers to be to find a better, less, um….invasive way to make our skies safe.

Anyways…I dont usually get involved in politics or write about his stuff, as it is very polarizing.

well…things have been busy, I have moved, have a new job…and I have yet to find the camera…but when I do, I have a lot to take photos of. my house is in a beautiful part of the state/country. and I am looking forward to seeing all the seasons.

ok, so once again, I have fallen down on the job and forgotten to update this site. So…lots of new stuff happening

New Computer (its pretty awesome)
New Place to live soon…a house on a lake in the middle of no-where, literally. and I am hopefully going to buy it in a few months
New Job. Ok not so new, I have had the job for 2 months now. But it is good to be back to work
New Car…well, new to me. It needs some work, and once that is done I will be driving it.
New business venture. I have finally found a place to sell my Jemstone trees. It will probably not make me rich, but it is a start.

Other than that, we are all doing well.

This past year has both gone by soooo slow and so quickly. Certain things seem to take forever while others just seem to fly by. One of the things that has flown…my kids. They are getting older by the minute. My eldest is now 17! and youngest will be 10 next month. Where did time go?

Before I know it they will all be grown and off on their own.

I “lost” one of my fosters today. Leche had a long life, not all of it pleasant. She had horrible pain in her mouth and over the span of years, had many surgeries to remove all but two of her canines. Thankfully, she was able to go for the last year or so with not to many problems, and she lived a pampered life. She had her own electric blanket set up on the couch and would often be “cuddled” as we were watching movies or tv. Leche is missed, but I know she is waiting for me over the bridge.

Um, I found Thanksgiving dinner whilst working today…ain’t he pretty? As I was driving up he was showing off for his girlfriend, but the van scared her off and he started to follow her. So I didnt get the full display, but he is still pretty

well, it has been a long couple weeks. I have a short term job, which is taking up a lot of time, and when I am not “working” I am busy trying to keep the house in order. I have another week or so, then I am looking for work again. But that does give me more time to write. Be back in a week…

Today I am mourning the loss of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with me for many years. I’m not sure how old he was; his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn’t always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, NOT children, are in charge).

His health began deteriorating rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set into place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harrassment for innocently kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

Common Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student but could not inform parents when the student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense declined further still when churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is, unfortunately, survived by his 4 stepbrothers, I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.

Sad to say it, but not many attended his funeral because so few realized that he was gone.

(found on a site I frequent, and thought it appropriate)