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.