Saturday, July 27, 2013

Beautiful Day

Our heat wave has broken and so has my air conditioner.  Doesn't that figure?  I have a small window air in the bedroom so I can get a decent night's sleep.  But now it is down to 54 degrees and cooler at night so can have the windows open.  Can get fresh air in and enjoy it.  Lots of sunshine.  Going to visit my friend's son and their new baby.  I don't have to drive so I can enjoy the trip both ways.  It is almost 2 hours one way.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

There's Still Hope

The paper says the IRS has been wasting money just because they can. I'm a retired senior citizen living on a Social Security check every month that barely pays my bills. We raised our kids and paid our taxes including Social security all our lives. My big problem is 4 years before retirement my wife got cancer and the co-pay for treatment used all our savings. She died at 63 years old and I was left by myself to pay the bills. I was retired and partially disabled so couldn't do my regular job of driving semi tractor trailer. The bills kept coming and I kept paying copaysbecause I didn't have extra money for suplimental insurance. I'm 76 now and just about totally disabled with both knees replaced and bad lungs. The last knee replacement I was given a defective knee and have been in constant pain for 2 1/2 years now. They say if I want to pay the copay they will give me a different knee. The copay is about $3,000 like last time and it just isn't there. Now I see they are finally investigating government spending. This should have happened years ago when they robbed Social Security out of 3 trillion dollars and never paid it back. They say it's hurting for funds and ther isn't any question why. The seniors out here trying to live on very limited Social Security income and still pay back medical bills could sure use more. It looks to me like 40 million here or there doesn't matter as long as the government have fun spending and living it up. Our governor here in Iowa is another loser because if your not a farmer you don't count as anything. Well I'm sorry I may not count as anything and am domed to live in poverty the rest of my life but I'm still a human being that loves GOD and country and I hate to see what the politicians today are doing to it.THAT'S IT " GOD BLESS YOU ALL ," AMEN

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

VIEWPOINTS

You know since I've gotten older and lost my wife to cancer almost 15 years ago I find myself looking at things different. For many many years I worried about this and that I thought was important. Like for instance who will be the next senator or better yet the next president. Now I say who cares because when they get elected they have it made. They vote themselves raises and deny benefits for the elderly. They are talking about Social Security and how it won't last much longer. It would last forever if they would pay back the 3 trillion dollars they borrowed, and then keep their hands off of it. Most retired people have a savings nestegg so with their Social Security they can live pretty well. But there are those like me that used all their savings for medical expenses and now are trying to live on Social Security benefits. I don't know about the rest of the country but I have about $125 after bills for the month. That includes Groceries, Gas and Prescriptions that I really can't live without. If I could be a senator for one term ( 6 years) at a bout $125,000 a year plus expenses I could live like a king. The thing is until the government starts worrying about the people in this country first, then the government will be the only ones that enjoy life. Thanks for listening to an old man I wish the government would

Getting Old

I've had friends ask me if it's so different getting older. I tell them in some ways it's good and in other ways it really sucks. My wife and I didn't start saving until our later years and helped our children every time we could. All parents do this and we even helped young people just getting started on their own. I meanlike getting their own appartment and needing dishes and bedding and silverware. I know these things don't cost that much but when you're feeding 6 kids of your own and paying your own bills it can get a little tough. So we started saving late in life and plannig where we wanted to retire to. Everything was going good and the savings account was growing slowly but surely. Well my got cancer and we fought it with everything we could. Needless to say the savings went first because my wife was the most important thing in my life. Chemo and Radiation for 4 years and she wouldfeel better then relaspe. So in November I reached 62 and applied for early retirment. The next month on December 25th, Christmas morning at 10:30 my wife went to be with the lord and left me here to see what old age is like alone. So when someone asks me what it's like to get old ( I'm 76 ) I have to tell them without the love of your life it SUCKS.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Canadian Debt Relief Law Firm

If you live in Canada and are going through a bunch of debt problems, call into (866) 551-8349 and ask for Shelia Cockburn for debt help.  You can get a free consultation.   I was really behind on my payments.  Every day my mailbox was full of bills and sometimes threats if I didn't pay the bills.  I just didn't have the money and didn't know what to do.  Then the phone calls started and I knew I needed help.  A fine debt relief attorney like Shelia was just what I needed to organize my debts and come up with a good solution for debt settlement to help me pay them.  By being able to settle all my debts by paying about half the full amount, it put me back in good standing.  I had money once again so I could live comfortably. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Spring At Last

I guess it's springtime because it's raining and cold. I think it was warmer last month but maybe not. I've been wearing a sweatshirt for a coat for over a month and yesterday I had to put a coat on. I'm not complaining because at my age I'm glad to be alive to enjoy it. The towns north of here are getting hail and snow so I won't say anything because it may stop here and we don't need any. There isn't much going on tonight since the ncaa tournament is over and my team won. I wish I could have said that for the superbowl game. I guess it's time to shut this thing off and see if I win the powerball tonight. I would be happy with just part of it. They say it's a great life if you don't weaken but who wants to be strong.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Easter

Had a good Easter.  Was so tired when I got home and settled in by the TV.  Tomorrow is Taco Tuesday and my sister likes to come over and go with me for Mexican.  She tries all kinds of different things.  I usually stick to one or two things I like but she likes to take chances.  Most of the time, it turns out good.  Last time she tried the fish taco and liked it.  She had never had a fish taco before.  Here she is all dressed up and ready for church.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Winter? Really?

Last year we had one of the warmest winters on record here in northern Iowa. This year has pretty much been a repeat of last year. The temperatures have been in the 20's and 30's about all winter. Oh we had a few days of below zero but when I was young those cold spells lasted weeks at a time. They weren't just 2 or 3 below but 20 and 30 below. Today thesun was out bright and no wind and a sweatshirt was all you needed for a coat. That's the way it's been all week and I like it. I'm an old guy, 76, disabled and various health problems. Last Saturday they think I had a mild stroke. I said as if I don't have enough problems as it is. But I'll tell you I feel great and this warm weather makes me want to get out and go somewhere. Today it was to the mall in Mason City, 10 miles east of here. I haven't been in the mall for a year or so and really don't care if I go back. I must say they have a pretzel maker shop and I do love those big hot pretzels. I guess I have to decide wether that's enough to go back for. Daylight Savings time is coming next week so that's something elseto think about. I'm tired of thinking for today so, Goodnight Folks.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Moving Snow

I live by a lake and we get more snow than those in town.  I think we got about 7 inches. My sister says they got 6".  I move snow for my friend, so once it quit snowing we got out there and got all the drives cleared.  It is nice and sunny and melting snow in places.  February is a short month but it can sometimes seem like the longest due to snow and cold.  Well there is only one more week and it will be March and then everything will melt faster and we are on our way to Spring and Summer.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Valentines Day

Look what my niece got for Valentines Day.  Her husband brought them to her at her job.  That was sure thoughtful.  I don't pay that much attention to Valentines Day.  It is nice for those who do.  I like to go out to eat with my friend or just have ice cream or something like that.  The weather was great for it.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Buddy Holly Days

Every year our town of Clear Lake, Iowa has a winterfest to celebrate Buddy Holly days. Buddy was killed in a plane crash just north of town after playing at the Surf ballroom. My sister- in- law was there that night but hasn't been to any of the Festivals that have been held every February. Like her I grew up with his music even if I was9 years older, the 50's was my time. I was an old timer at 21 and married when all my friends were single. Anyhow they held the winter party again this year as usual and people from all the United States plus a few from other countries showed up to party at the famous Surf Ballroom. To me it was 4 days of people driving down the streets looking everywhere but where they were going. I had several close calls so just stayed home unless I really needed something. Lots of times I went to Mason City, 10 miles away to get what I needed just to avoid the idiots. So, the town is quiet again and the only idiots running around are the ones who live here. What a relief it is.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Worried ? Me ?

Today people worry about every little thing you can think of. Politics and Finances are the two bigger things. I'm at the age it doesn't bother me anymore so why worry. No matter what you think if you aren't rich and powerful in your own right, you can't get anyone to listen to you anyway. There isn't much chance of you changing anything. If you are in the poverty group and don't have some kind of gimick you can't get help. I'm old, handicaped with lots of bills and about $150 a month of my Social Security to live on after bills. To get food stamps you have to meet a spend down which I can't. I don't have little kids ( mine are almost 50 ) so I can't qualify there so they give me $16 a month food stamps. A half gallon of milk, a pound of hamburger, loaf of bread, toilet paper, and a couple cans of soup and it's gone. The only thing is the rest of the month is still there. If the government wants to do something good for the people who gave their all to keep the country going. They should give back the trillions of dollars to Social Security they borrowed and then check out the people on welfare. Some really need the help and others are buying booze and smokes ( not just tobaco ) and going to the casino. So that's why I say Worry? Me? I can't change it and I'll be long dead before anyone esle does because once you get elected to a government office you have it made so why worry about the little guys. If you ever meet a politian watch closely because they always are looking around. I think it for someone important that could help their carreer so if you want to suggest something to them you better be rich.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Fog and Ice

It's not good here.  Sunday we got a good coating of freezing rain and sleet.  It is really bad for me as I use a cane and don't think they are much help on ice.  I park close to my porch but there is still ice between me and my van.  My mail comes in at the Post Office so I like to go up there every day and get it.  It means walking up two short flights of steps and a ramp to get inside.  The fog is so thick today too.  City streets are always more slick than the well traveled roads.  Having been a semi driver for years, I am more experienced in this kind of weather than most but it is still tricky.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Extreme Cold

We have been going thru a spell of extreme cold.  It has been wind chill warnings for days.  If you go out for 10 or 15 minutes you can get frostbite.  My lungs are not good, so it is twice as hard on me.  I have to go out every day and get my mail at the Post Office.  It is a real effort to do that in this extreme cold weather.  I use a cane and need a knee replacement, maybe two so I am not so fast either.  It is supposed to finally warm up to 30 this weekend.  I can hardly wait.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Go Figure

Well it's January in Iowa and a couple days ago it rained. Some froze as it came down and the rest waited until it was on the ground to freeze. Which ever it did it made is pretty misserable for us handicapped folks to get around. My house and yard is set up so I don't have to go far for something to grab to keep my balance. I use a cane most of the time but also have a walker that I can sit down on if it's needed. I'm 76 years old and a retired trucker with 3 1/2 million miles over the road in all kinds of weather. I am still amazed at the drivers that go from year to year and seem to forget that ice is slick. Even at my age I have enough sense to slow down and watch the other guy because he might be the one who drives with his head in the clouds or somewhere. The biggest thing that gets me is how many people are on the phone and think they have in control. I guess that's probably good because they can call the cops, a wrecker, or ambulance or coroner whichever is required. All we have to do then is hope their battery isn't dead from talking while driving. I'm sure I'll make it through the winter without a problem but there are quite a few that haven't made it all ready. I pray it isn't any of you. Be careful out there.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Taco Johns

Tomorrow is Tuesday.  My sister is supposed to come over and we will go to Taco Johns for lunch.  They have the best Mexican food.  It is always good and hot and fast too.  We need to make a Christmas gift return for another size so will be going to a different Taco Johns in the next town.  I know the food is just as good and the same and look forward to it.  My sister likes to try all kinds  of new stuff and she seems to like it all.  I used to eat tacos all the time but have been trying their deluxe burrito and it is really good.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Cold Air

We are having a long spell of very cold air and very cold weather.  It is hard to breathe when the air gets this cold.  I enjoy staying in the house as much as I can when it gets this bad outside.  Your van doesn't get a chance to really warm up until you are back home again.  They say it is going to warm up the next few days up to freezing.  Doesn't sound quite right does it?  But that would be a whole lot warmer than it is today.  Right now I see it is 15 degrees and that is about 15 degrees warmer than it was yesterday.  I am looking forward to Spring.

Magnetic Drills

A great deal of construction is going on every day.  Each day magnetic drills are used in constructing bridges, highway jobs and a great many other construction projects.  It is important to use these drills with the right structural bolts and fastener components.  Ever now and then you see on the news where a building has collapsed or some serious happening such as that and you wonder why.  Perhaps they didn't use the right magnetic drills, bolts, etc. during the construction.  Things may look good at first and last some years but if not done correctly, they will eventually give way and come down often causing loss of life or the loss of a living place for people, work place for an office or manufacturing plant.