Aunt Bob on Twitter?

Would you follow? Thoughts.

Tis the Season

Aunt Bob has been trying to avoid the dreaded Christmas shopping crowd.  The problem with that is I now have to go to the grocery because the fridge is empty.  So off to Wal Mart and Meijer I went.

What a frightening experience that was!

I encountered the usual traffic and crowded parking lots, and expected crowds of people in the stores.  But not at anytime did I see the Christmas spirit in anyone.

No smiles or kind nods.  Everyone walking around like they were being beaten.

People pushing and shoving, and just out right rude.

I was in the self check out line and the lady in front of me actually started yelling at the man in front of her because he was bagging too slowly.  Then she proceeded to yell at the attendant because the computer wouldn't take her coupon.  I secretly celebrated when the attendant told her her coupon was expired.

Now all the kids are out of school and the parents are shopping with kids in tow.  Oh how awful that is.  I think there should be a leash law for kids under 12.  The parents just let them run wild and do whatever they want.

I am a nice person by nature, but find myself wanting to go off on these rude people.  I bite my tongue and move on.  It probably would do no good anyway.

I have to go back out in the chaos today.  I vow to go out of my way to be nice to people.  I promise not to call anyone "Bitch" even if they are.  Lord help me for I am weak.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Madonna at the Superbowl. Get over it.

The NFL has announced that Madonna is going to be preforming during half time at the 2012 Super Bowl.  They picked an American Icon that everyone recognizes.  And the negative reactions start.

I don't like her... boo hoo hoo
She is to slutty... boo hoo hoo
We want country music... boo hoo hoo
She's not from Indiana... boo hoo hoo

The locals did the same thing when they picked Donald Trump to drive the pace car at the Indy 500.  They freaked out when ZZ Top was picked for the Indy 500.

The Catholic church claims she is blasphemous.

There is no way to put on an event such as this and please everyone.  The only other solution is to clear the field and stare at the lines in the grass.

Get over it people.  Its a concert that last 30 minutes.  It does not change the world.

Just saying.

20 somethings loose in the world.

3 student's were arrested in Cairo for throwing fire bombs.  Now they are on their way home.  This makes no sense to me.

One of the students is from Indiana so it's big in the news here.  They are giving this moron a hero's welcome.  Fellow students are quoted as saying "What happens in Cairo stays in Cairo" and are blaming it on peer pressure.  They got caught up in the moment.  Bull @#%@.

If they are so easily persuaded then maybe they should not be set loose on the world quite yet.  They willingly participated in the riot and now are getting a hero's welcome.  I have to say that I think it is wrong.

If they did that here they would be shipped to Guantanamo Bay.  But they did it in Cairo and everyone is all up in arms that they were arrested.

No wonder the rest of the world hates us.  What a double standard.

Aunt Bob know how to fix it

Aunt Bob has been doing alot of thinking.  Scary huh?

Our most wonderful congress has appointed 12 members from both parties to come up with a plan of Government spending cuts.  Did we really think that would work?  12 rich people that don't know what an honest living is, trying to fix a corrupt government that only knows how to overspend.  Do we not remember the $700 toilet seats????

Well I know how to fix it.  Pick 12 hardworking American Housewives/ Househusbands that have to live inside a tight budget.  And by tight I mean coupon clipping/watering down soup/ stretching a dollar people.  Put them in a room with a list of everything the Government spends.  Make sure they have plenty of red sharpies, and let them do the spending cuts.

BAM: Problem Solved.
Your welcome.

Vote for Aunt Bob in 2012

Thanksgiving no longer a holiday. Its all your fault

Well that statement got your attention.

It is that time of year again.  Retailers scampering to get your dollar.  You need to shop, they need to sell.  The Christmas music is playing and the Santa suits are out of the cleaners.  And the Ads begin.

* Open at 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day
* Open at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day
* Open Midnight Thanksgiving Day

And on and on and on.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that has always brought families together, but the corporate greed to get your dollar that much quicker has taken over yet another holiday.  Millions of workers are having to give up this holiday (or loose their jobs) in order for them to get your money a day earlier.  And what happens when they open on Thanksgiving????? You fall for it and shop.  Yes its all your fault ( sort of)  As long as we the consumers show up they will open.  Do you really think that if we stop shopping on the holiday they will stop offering sales prices.  If we don't show up on Thursday, they WILL begin to offer the special price on Friday.

So this is how it plays out.  You go to shop after you eat your meal with your family and you get all these great prices on stuff.  The part that the blind consumer doesn't see is that all the cashiers/ stockers/ managers/greeters have to get there before you so they miss the family gathering so that you can shop.

If we don't show up they don't open.  If we don't show up they will return to offering those "Door Buster" prices on Friday. 

So join me in my boycott of the retailers that don't let their employees have their holiday.

Home/Construction zone

As many of you may know, We have been remodeling out condo.  We have lived here for going on 3 years now and it has been a construction zone most of that time.  The kitchen has no cabinets, the entire downstairs is flooring free ( walking on the slab). The staircase was taken out and the wall beneath it ripped out too.  The carpet up stairs in the loft and the hall is gone too.

Over the weekend I finished installing the new stairs and today hope to finish putting the fireplace surround back in w/ the electric insert. Just in time for the cold.

The downstairs bathroom should be mostly back together tomorrow.  Russ is painting the walls in there today and the plumber comes to set the toilet tomorrow.  Yeah.

If I can find a truck I hope to get the sheets of wood to build the wall under the stairs this week then I can put in the new floor just in time for Thanksgiving.  Wish me luck.

In this entire ordeal I have shopped Home depot, Lowes, Menards, and the dreaded Wal Mart.  Over all I have gotten the best service from Lowes, although not the best price.  But for customer service I recommend them highly.

I am very excited about getting the downstairs done.  I want to decorate for Christmas, tree and all.  It has been so long since I've have a nicely decorated tree and all the trimmings.

If all goes well we should be able to get the new kitchen cabinets in this month or early December.  Fingers crossed.

We do invite volunteers. 

I will post some "after" pics when all is done.

Halloween

When I was a kid Halloween was so much fun.  Dad would decorate the porch, mom would make a costume and with pillow case in hand out we went. ( Pillow case due to the fact that we lived in a big neighborhood and the little pumpkin would not cut it.)  We would meet up with the neighbor kids and rake in the loot.  What fun.

What happened?????

Now you have to go to the mall to trick-or-treat to be safe, for those of you that do take life in hand, they announce the times on the news for your neighborhoods trick or treat schedule.  The Mormons won't let girls dress like boys or boys dress like girls ( by the way Mormons it won't make you gay).

I know a person that takes candy to her neighbors so her kid can trick or treat at safe houses only.  I know another person that takes non candy treats to her neighbors so her kid doesn't get any candy at all.

I live in a condo complex that is mostly seniors, and in years past there have been no little creatures ringing my doorbell.  This past year a few families have moved in with children so there is that small chance that there might be some treat seekers about.  But I live in Indianapolis where the pizza delivery drivers carry guns and there is a home invasion almost every day.  So its car in the garage, porch light off, blinds closed and hide til November 1st.

A day of fun

For those of you who I have not told yet.  Yesterday I went to Brown County Indiana with Russ and our dear friend Cindy.  For my Georgia friends, Brown County is kinda like Helen Ga. only worth seeing. ha ha.

It was a beautiful day.  When you spend all your time in Indianapolis, it is easy to forget that all of Indiana is not flat.  Once you get about and half an hour south of Indianapolis it become hilly and mountainous.  The fall colors could still be enjoyed and many of the views were breathtaking.

We walked through the town of Nashville In.  Did the normal tourist thing of peeking in all the little shops.  I got some great Christmas decorating ideas and really enjoyed the people watching.

Then we went to the little town of Story In.  And when I say little I am not kidding.  I think there was a total of 4 buildings in the entire town.  We had lunch at the Story Inn.  I don't recommend this.  It was to say the least "scary".  But we did not let it ruin our day.

Next stop was the Brown County State Park.  What a beautiful place.  I was reminded of trips to North Carolina.   We took a 3 mile horseback ride through the woods and all I can say is "WOW"  I highly recommend this trip.

People tend to suck

I think I am well on my way to becoming that grumpy old man that used to live behind my Grandparents in North Carolina.  I don't even remember his name.  He would yell at me and my brother if we even came close to his yard.  It just seems that so much that happens in everyday life just pisses me off. The youth ( and now 20 somethings) have no care or concern with anything but "Their here and now"

Example: Yesterday I was at the grocery store and it was very busy and very limited parking.  I circled the lot 3 times to find a parking spot.  And then alas I saw an open spot.  A young woman was unloading her stuff into her car and her cart was in the empty space.  So I waited with my turn signal on to let any other space hunters know it was mine.  The young woman finished and got in her car and closed the door, leaving the cart in the empty space.  Not a care or concern that I was trying to park in the empty space.  So being the over reactive person that I am, I put the car in park, got out, and pulled the cart out of the space and carefully placed it in front of her car so she could not pull out.  This forced her to get out and move it.  Then she had the nerve to tell me she had left it in the empty space because she was in a "Big Hurry".  The cart return was on the other side of her car.  I told her to have a nice day.

Seniors in Indiana.

As a child I spent alot of time with my fathers parents.  Grandmother and Granddaddy were great.  They lived in Franklin North Carolina just down the mountain from Highlands.  I would spend a couple of weeks there every summer and when I was old enough to drive I would go there as often as I could.  Needless to say most of their friends were seniors.  I treasure that time.  The seniors they hung out with were sweet and friendly, always chipper and pretty much seemed to love life.

For a few years I traveled the country with my job and met many seniors along the way.  And they always seemed sweet and nice.

Then I moved to Indiana.  It must be something in the water here.  I go to the grocery store and have to dodge angry seniors in the parking lot.  Get run over by them while shopping.  I actually had a lady (using the title loosely ) yell at me while I was shopping "MOVE" I was trying to get a gallon of water, guess I wasn't moving fast enough for her and her scooter.

Is it that the "Me" generation is now getting older?  Were they raised to believe that once they hit 70 they had to get bitchy?  Are their depends binding?  OK the last one was mean but come on.  I am always polite and respectful and expect the same in return.  That's probably the problem.  I expect too much.

Rip off follow up

So I went into my bank (Regions) on Friday to close my account because of the new fees.  The branch manager asked me why.  I told her that I was not going to pay for checking.  She proceeded to tell me that "All" banks are going to start charging for checking and debit card use.  I told her that I had a new account at the credit union.  She said they don't have many locations around.  I told her there was one right up the street and closer to my home than Regions.  She said they charged for each debit card purchase.  I told her it was free if I ran my card as credit.  She gave up.

I was nice and told her it was nothing personal but most banks are adding 4 and 5 dollar fees to use the debit card.  Regions was charging 4 for the card and $10 per month for the account. She said if I did direct deposit that the $10 dollars would be waived.  I responded with " that is not fair to all your customers"  Not all places of employment offer direct deposit, and if someone is on unemployment they could not do direct deposit. 

She did in the end admit that they were loosing "many" customer due to the new fees.  She even went so far as to say that I was the 21st that day to close my account just at that branch.  They open at 9a.m. and I was there at 11:30 a.m. 

I hope when all is said and done these "Giant Monster Mega Banks" (Clark Howard's words)  realize that if people aren't putting their money in they will go out of business.  Greed plain and simple.

On a good note I think I am going to be happy with my new Free account at the Indiana Members Credit Union.  Thank you Donna for all your help.

What a rip off

I have been with Regions bank for about 7 years now.  For all of that time I have had free checking.  The other day I got an email stating that they are going to start charging me $10 per month for my checking account and $4 per month for my debit card.  The national average charge for a checking account is $4.  Where do they get off charging so much?  What a rip off.  Clark Howard is always talking about credit unions over banks.  I have contacted a few around here and they all offer free checking and free debit card use.  Hmmmm why is it they can do that and the banks can't?

Well all I can say is Bye Bye Regions.  Hello credit union.

I love the fall

I must say I think Fall is my favorite time of the year.  It's not hot, it's not cold. 

As a kid it's back to school time.  Time for meeting new friends and having new adventures.

I have never liked hot weather and fall offers that post summer cooling off time before winters bite sets in.  Weekend festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin patches. 

Its a time of anticipation for the Holiday season.

A time to start trying out your winter warm clothes, or getting new if you didn't stick to last years new years resolution to loose weight.

A time to wave to those who hide indoors from summers heat.

It's a time for Mother nature to show off her ability to produce brilliant colors.

Enjoy it now, snow is on it's way.  And then its all blotted out until spring.  My other favorite season.

What is important?

The economy is in the toilet.  Unemployment is at an all time high.  People that are working aren't making enough to keep up with inflation.  The country is in two wars and seems to be chomping at the bits to be in two more.  Crime is high. Children are going to bed hungry. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes.  It goes on and on and on.

And what is everyone speaking out about.  OMG Facebook changed their format.  Boo Frikin Hoo.

Sorry for being so harsh but come on.  If you want to whine at least do it about something important.

Death for a Death.

Aunt Bob is a little confused this morning. Imagine that.

Yesterday a man named Troy Davis was executed in Georgia for killing an off duty police officer in Savannah in 1989.

Now lets start with where I stand on the Death Penalty.
My friend Michael Taylor said it well on facebook the other day.  I believe in the death penalty in principle.  But there is way too much guess work in so many cases.  Until there is a way to prove it without a doubt its a flawed punishment.

Now moving on to my dilemma.  I had many facebook friends stating "Thank God" for the execution, and " A time to rejoice"

I am having trouble with people celebrating a death and thanking god.  God does his own judging, not us.  A life is lost weather it be good or bad the thought of celebrating it like winning the lottery or a birthday sickens me.  Pray for his soul, ask God to forgive him.  But woo hoo he's dead.  Really??????

TV might be good this year

It's fall and all the new and old shows are premiering.  Given I am of the generation that was raised by T.V. I love this time of year.

I watched the new and improved "Two and a Half Men" last night and I have to say they did a pretty good job of saving the show.  I was never a big fan of the old version but I must say this was pretty good.

"Two Broke Girls" all I can say is Laugh out loud funny.  I have to wonder how long they can keep it up but not bad.

"Up all Night"  Not a fan of the first episode.  It has a good cast.  I love Mya Rudolph.  Time will tell.

"Ringer"  Her name is Siobahn.  I don't think so.

" Hawaii 5 o" Loved it.  Glad its back.

Tonight is Glee and "New Girl", tomorrow "Modern Family" and Friday is "Nikita".  I am looking forward to some t.v. watching this week.

Does Modern Family make it better?

First off.  I did not know until last night that Jane Lynch was a Lesbian.  Color me surprised.  How did I miss that little tid bit of news.

Anyway onto the point.

Modern Family has become the new must watch show for the decade, much like Cosby was in the 80's.  You have a mix of family types based on real life stories.

There is a gay couple with an adopted Asian child.  And people still watch it. Gasp, shock.  Take that Glenn Beck, and Michelle Bochmann.  The American public seems to be ready for acceptance in spite of all the anti gay b.s. you hear from the ultra conservatives, and this show winning all these Emmy's kinda proves that point.  Cudos to Modern Family.

Drug ads will kill you.

When I lost my job I had to scale back many things, including cable.  So when there is nothing on I watch the "This" network and the "Antenna TV" network.  Both of which are geared to people my age and older.  You know the "Old" that live for pills, reverse mortgage's, life insurance, and asbestos consumption.

I keep hearing these drug ads and they will scare the hell out of you.  First they convince you you are sick and need it then they tell you it will blind you, stop your heart, and make your penis fall off.

Then you get the ads that tell you if you took said drug you might die and should sue the drug company.

OMG it is never ending. 

What is taking so long.

As many of you may know Aunt Bob lost his job. On Aug 3rd I applied for unemployment with a statement given of aprox 21 days for benefits to kick in. At the 21 day mark I went into the unemployment office to see what the hold up was and they said " due to the fact that my discharge fell into the "other" category ( no one can explain the "other" category) it was put over to another department and could take up to six weeks. At the 6 week mark I went into the unemployment office and was told it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks.  So I wait.

What do they expect people to do?  No jobs here, no income.  Bills come in and money doesn't.

I did a little digging.  When Obama announced that they recession was over the unemployment office started down sizing.  However the unemployment rate is still high or higher.  So fewer people doing the same or greater work.  My case is sitting on someones desk just waiting for them to catch up. Meanwhile I face auto repossession, eviction, starvation. 

How can they think in this day and age when most of the world is paycheck to paycheck that people can wait 8 weeks for help.

Update on seperating the sexes in schools.

On the news last night there was an up date on the Indiana school that has separated boys and girl in the classroom.  They go at different times and are completely separated throughout the school day.

It appears to be working.  And get this, Most of the students love it.  The overwhelming response was that it was less distracting.  The Girls like the fact that the boys weren't disrupting the learning experience.  The boys liked that they felt free to participate with out being made fun of by the girls.  Ahhhh Youth. 

This is being tried in several schools around the country and is getting similar responses.  But experts say the study is too new to tell.

How can they do this???????

Aunt Bob was driving along yesterday listening to talk radio.  As he often does.  I get the way conservative from the local station and they way liberal from NPR.  I figure the right answer might come to me if I combine the two.  So far. Not!

Any way, Greg Garrison (local) was talking about the new tax code for 2013 I think and stated that the IRS will now have the power to decide if you can use legal deduction.  If it looks to them like you are just out there grabbing (legal) deductions in excess (what is excess) they can take away all your deductions.  I have been trying to confirm this fact but as of yet haven't seen it.  If anyone knows more let me know by e mailing me at bobhunt43@gmail.com.

Obama what????

Ok, Aunt Bob watched the "Job's speech" last night.  More aptly titled "lets do more of what hasn't work yet"

For 10 minutes I listened to Obama go on and on about all the construction jobs that can be created.  As an unemployed non construction type person I don't see how this will help.  Back in the day when FDR tried this the country thrived on manual labor, today that is not the case.  Locally a road construction company owner was interviewed and he said if more work comes his way he will have work for his existing workers, but still no room for hiring new people.  Also said that all the people applying for work with him were not qualified for road work.  It does him no good to hire people with no experience.

I just don't see how his spending more money on the same kind of plan will help.  He's just jacking up the already high national debt and risking further national credit downgrading.

I am by no means a Conservative and dont' know that they have the answers either.  I don't see how this can ever get fixed if the 2 parties don't get together and find a common ground.  The sad part of that is that they have already proven they can't do that.

Our leaders have gotten to full of themselves and their personal agendas that compromise doesn't seem possible.

Maybe its time to vote them all out and start over.

What are we going to do?

Well as many of you know I am running for President in 2012.  I am the candidate for the Homocrat party.  We need a new party that is not ultra Conservative and not ultra liberal.  One that is for smaller government, lower taxes, and putting more on the States and less on the federal. 

I have been listening to some of the Democrats in congress and they should just be quiet ( hold on Republicans your next).  Andre Carson from Indiana (sad day for us) opened his big mouth and said that Conservatives would rather see black people swinging from trees.  Did he miss the part of history class that taught him that the Lynch mobs from years past were Democrats?  Obama opens his mouth the other day and says he wants to visit all 57 states.  Martin Luther Kings daughter thanked Abraham Lincoln for signing the Declaration of Independence.  And don't even get me started on Nancy Pelosi and Harry Ried.

Ok GOP your turn.  Michele Bachmann running around getting her facts wrong all over the place (happy birthday Elvis)  Rick Perry and Bachmann support a movement to make it illegal to be gay and think that gay people can be re programed.  And if they had their way women would no longer have control over their own bodies. Oh and I forgot Sara Palin running all over the country not really telling anyone why.

Its scary.  We need a good independent to step up and wow the country with a plan that can fix the economy, create more jobs, put people back in their homes, and not make us give away all we earn to the government. 

It really looks like we are going into the 2012 election with no good choice.

Are you serious Lindsey?

Ok we put up with the party party party lifestyle of Lindsey Lohan because she was young.  We turned our heads at the drunk driving because she was young.  We shook our heads at the repeated court ordered rehab because she was young.  We said what a shame at the shop lifting because she was young.  But now it seems she is just so damned full of herself that there is no reality for this girl.

First she sues e-trade for using the name "Lindsey" in their commercial now she is suing rapper "Pittbull" for saying her name in a song.  I would think after all the negative publicity she would be glad anyone even cares to remember her name. 

We can no longer blame it on the fact that she is young,  I think she is just a "Bitch"

Now you have to pay to let your kids ride the bus to school

I am miffed and discusted.  I don't have kids and that is not a bad thing.  I don't really know why the state of our education systems even registers as an issue with me, other than I am a tax payer and these kids are our future.  But the priorities in our system are just down right pissing me off.

We have a township in central Indiana that is now charging parents $450 per year per child to ride the bus to school.  Last year they asked for a tax increase to cover the cost of bussing and it was voted down.  Now parents have to pay for it directly.  As a tax payer without children you would think I would be thrilled but I am not.  Over spending and over paying administrators and over building these monster schools has put them in this situation.  Now to save cost they charge the families.  A family with 3 children would have to fork out an extra $1200 per year just to get their kids to school. 

Last year in this township 7000 kids rode the bus, now only 2000 are riding.  That means 5000 are now being driven to school by the parents/tax payers/victims of this system. 

In the past driving by schools at pick up and drop off time was bad enough with all the traffic, but now it is so much worse.  One parent interviewed said she sat in line for over and hour and a half just to drop off her child.  Some kids are walking to school now and the area has poor or no sidewalks.  This is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Parents are now talking about moving out of this school district.  So because of mismanaged funds the township will have a decrease of students in brand new over built schools and huge expenses.

What is this world coming to?

School seperated by sexes

Well the Carmel Indiana school district is trying something new this year.  In one of their schools they are separating boys and girls.  Girls start at 7 a.m and Boys start at 8 a.m.  Their classes are on different floors.  Teachers have already said that the concentration level is higher, but too soon to tell if it is working or not.

I don't know how I feel about this.  On one hand if it improves test scores and they actually get educated instead of dropping out when they turn 16 then good.  But I remember school as being a place where you learn to socialize and build friendships.  Boarding schools are segregated and they seem to work.  As I hear more on how this is working I will post it.

What happened to school

It's August and the little kiddies are going back to school.  When I was in school I used to dred the ads for back to school supplies because that ment that summer was over.  Some of the townships here in Indy have arlready started and are now going to year round school.  9 weeks on 2 weeks off all year. But that is not the point of today's post.

When I was in school back in the olden days school supplies were:
Notebooks
Pencils
Pens
Ruler
Crayons
Glue

Now:

Cell phone
I pad
Lap top

I know we are in an age of technology but come on!!!!!
Here they are no longer requiring writing.  The kids learn to print then "Key Board"  Cursive is gone.  These kids will not know how to read or write their own signature.  All there work  is done on computers so they don't have to learn how to add and subtract, spell (no comment on my spelling. haha).  They don't even know what an encyclopedia or dictionary is.  We weren't even allowed a calculator until high school and they are using computers in grade school. 

I know technology is an important part of our lives now, but at least teach them the basics before they move on to the keyboard.

You have more Coke in your glass than me.

While growing up my brother and I would fight like cats and dogs.  We would fight about anything, and everything.  Some of the fights were mild and some got pretty nasty.  He would pinch, I would bite. He would hit, I would cry.

What I remember most about those fights is that they were stupid.  Simple disagreements that could be solved with simple compromise. 

Now its 2011 I am 44 and he is 40 and we hardly talk at all. 

I am watching the fight on Capitol hill over the debt ceiling and it reminds me of those stupid fights my brother and I used to have.  No one willing to compromise.  The consequences are much greater than who gets more Coke in their glass, but just as stupid are the arguments.

Comeon guys. Get your act together and  come to an agreement and move onto the next big crisis.

Violence against and by children

I guess I am trying to figure out if this is an Indiana thing or a nation wide problem.

Everytime I turn on the news (which is every morning and evening) I hear another child related violence story.
11 year old boy shoots and kills his 6 year old brother.
6th grader goes to school and shoots a 5th grader he doesn't like.
Step dad burns his 19 month old with boiling water.
Mom locks her 4 children in closet and 2 die.
Dad locks his child in car while he goes bar hopping.

It goes on and on.  I just seems that years ago it was you would hear a story like this every once in a while, not everyday.  Is it the new generation of parent not having a clue how to raise children?  It seems so many of these stories involve parents well under 30 and many cases still in their teens.

But how does that explain all the child on child violence?  Its a scary world.  I wouldn't want to be a child now for nothing.

Healthy fast food

So here is the deal.  McDonalds has announced that starting next year they are cutting the portion size of the french fries in their happy meals, and adding apple slices.  I don't know about you but the french fries are half the fun.  Apple slices are something you get at Grandma's house.  How is this going to make children healthier and loose weight.  Not going to McDonalds as often would be more affective. 

When I was a kid a trip to Mcdonald's or Burger King was a treat not a ritual.  Parents today use it as a regular meal plan.  I actually know parents that go every day for their children.  The kids weight and health is not from an order of french fries its from multiple orders every day, every week. 

Many parents today eat out many times a week instead of cooking healthy meals at home.  I know schedules are hectic and its hard.  I just remember when I was younger meal time at home at the table with the family.  And guess what, I was pretty thin and healthy.  I know thats hard to believe if you saw me today. haha.  But that just proves my point, today I throw something together quick instead of planning out healthy meals.

Instead of relying on McDonalds to adjust the food to meet your needs, turn the McDonald's trip into a once in a while treat?

Homeowners associations

As you know I live in Indiana.  In a condo that I rent.  The owner is a dear friend of mine so I do my best to look out for her best interests.

Recently Indiana passed a law that allows the attorney general's office to go after crooked home owners associations.  So I did a little digging and question asking.  The law went into effect July 1st and to date there are 19 active investigations against 19 homeowner assoc.  Things as vast as missing money to board members holding office for decades. 

In my questioning of the neighbors around me we have a treasurer that has held his post for 23 years, the President for over 10.  I am so pleased to hear from them that they are turning this board in for investigation of missing money, contractor kick backs, to illegal borard.  I tip my hat to those brave people.

Why we care?

Amy Winehouse, Lindsey Lohan, River Phoenix, and the rest.  They drink heavy, do drugs, and party non stop.  Then when it all goes bad we sit in our livingrooms watching Entertainment tonight say ohhh poor them the fame must have gotten to them.  They keep us glued to the tube wanting more news of their mis- deeds.  I want to feel bad that they die or spend endless times in rehab.  Is it our fault they were thrust into the lime light at an early age?  I still don't know where I stand on this.  Are they spoiled little brats that can't control themselves? Are they responsible adults that should know better?  Are they victims of too much attention?
Tell me what you think.

July 25th. Blog day one.

So, welcome to my world.  I am Aunt Bob.  A nickname given to me by my friend Sheila (Savannah, Ga.) when she would hand her baby to me she called me Aunt Bob.  And it stuck. 

Watching the news this morning I saw reports about children getting shot, people not surviving the heat wave, the country can't pay it's debts, the wars rage on etc... etc... etc... But what dose the local Fox station lead with?????? NFL Lockout might be at an end.  Who cares? Not me.