Trade with China

It’s not the Chinese “people” I am angry with, nor should outsiders be angry with the “American people.”
It’s the almighty dollar and those who control the most of it that are to blame.

I want to know why we trade with China. A communist country-bad dog food that killed our dogs, toys that are dangerous for children, and now people close to me being taken off critical medications because ingredients were made in China and are dangerous!

I know why “they” trade with China. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Let’s close another American company and move to China where we can get things made cheaper, with less quality, and oftentimes life threatening!
Oh well, if it makes some richer, isn’t that enough? Not for me.

We are among the working poor - dragged down by rising prices on everything. Making less money, with less benefits that 3 years ago.

Could this be the beginning of the end? Though my comments are written with intense belief and fire,
I will not drag my life down, nor the lives of those who are in my world, with a negative face and heart.
I will rise above the distress and take life moment by moment, with a good attitude. That is how I
cope and enjoy the MOMENTS of my life on this planet.

INCOME TAX - SOCIAL SECURITY - WHAT A FRIGGIN’ JOKE

Check this out: I have a friend who is a few years older than me, and she decided to take an “early social security” She called me today almost in tears. Her husband earns what would now be classified as a “low middle class amount”. They have grown children. They
pay their dues.

She just picked up her income tax (prepared by an IRS savvy) office, and this is what she was told: “Your husband makes too much money and so they taxed 80% of your social security benefits!”

She said she swore and proclaimed that to do that is taxing that money TWICE. “I know,”
the woman replied, “I think it stinks, but there is nothing we can do about it. That is taxing you twice on the same money!”

So listen up, my friends, if you are in the group that will soon be able to collect what you paid into to all your working life - be prepared to be told, “BEND OVER, THIS WON’T TAKE LONG!” Be prepared to be disappointed AGAIN by our wonderful government! I know that sounds extreme, for me, but it made me mad too.

Our government donates BILLIONS to other countries (Pakistan alone gets $250 million a MONTH)….Individuals spend millions to get elected, and then millions for the party thereafter.

But if our hard working middle class has a small dream of getting a return for donating their entire lives being honorable and working-and not using the system, forget it!

You either have to be RICH or POOR. There is no room for in between and the hard working “in betweener’s” are biting the dust. Might as well give up and join the ranks of the poor who don’t pay for much of anything. No slam against those who REALLY are honorable and need it.

You know what? I don’t care which of the three main candidates gets elected - ANYBODY
has to be better than what we’ve seen in past years! We need change.

Oh by the way, are you familiar with “super delegates”? Another ridiculous thing our government does - check it out!

ADDENDUM to last post. My records were sent to a doctor who is NOT in my health care network. I do have some insurance, but if I didn’t, he doesn’t take cash. I ask about getting records and was told it would cost me a fee up front and 25 cents a page to get them. “The records belong to the doctor” I was told. EVEN if he disappears and doesn’t notify one person….now the doctor he sent the records to OWNS them for 10 years unless you buy them or have them requested to be mailed to another doctor.

B.S. Boy am I glad I get copies of my records each time I visit a doctor’s office. They
can keep those things for 10 years or do whatever else they want to do with them - I have a suggestion. :0

Now I will take a breath and step outside to “divert” my own attention to something I actually have some choice in….taking the dog for a walk!

Sometimes in life….

…..we get so busy and tired that we forget the good things - the small comments made that reflect love, the simple acts of kindness we do for one another, the promises kept.

The many blessings we take for granted aren’t recognized; only the things that present a disturbance in “our own personal vision” of what life should be. The responses of others not “in sync with our own perceptions” become eminent.

We forget that our bodies change and with each change we are affected in some minute way. We laugh one minute, and cry the next.

Ah that we could receive the luxurious love we bestow on the world. But to give love fully must be with no requirements. For if we love, we do it because we choose to do so. We cannot “force” others to love - only show them what it is!

Love someone with your mind and heart this weekend - a relative, a friend, a neighbor, a partner, maybe a pet! Animals need love too Now get busy!

Need a GREAT Christmas gift that keeps on giving?

There has been such a wonderful response to the sale of the relaxation CD’s, that as a thank you, I am offering (until December 10th) TWO for the price of one! SERIOUSLY, I love the fact people are willing to begin to change their lives for the better. STRESS IS A KILLER - physically and mentally!

Buy one for a peer in the office, someone at school, granny, perhaps someone recovering from an illness or even a major heart surgery (YES-it has helped men who never thought about “learning” to relax!)

These relaxation CD’s can change lives. If you don’t know what to get someone this is the gift that keeps on giving….Literally….25% of the sales will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans!

Life doesn’t have to be “critical” all the time. We can change the world by changing the stress level of the world - one person at a time! If you just don’t know what to get - GET THIS CD! Besides, where can you get two cool gifts for this price. Regularly $14.95 each, you get two for the price of one. That makes each CD reasonable for a gift - and if you care about the person at all - a very thoughtful gift!

Three relaxations, beautiful music, and easy instructions. What are you waiting for now?
Will be shipped same day and NO SHIPPING charges. Simply email mo@jett.net or go to the website address on the cover picture.

Find beauty in all that you see

I awoke earlier this morning than usual. I was sleepy and wished I had slept longer,
but decided to wrap up and walk outside, have a sip of my coffee, and check out the day before dawn!

It was stunning! I could see the shadow of the trees in my yard and a big slice of the moon above. The air was crisp, hinting winter is rounding the corner.

Naturally I grabbed my camera and took this photo! (I played with it on photo shop first). It actually made my morning to find this unexpected treat outside!

So get to it, my friends, find beauty in something today and ENJOY! This life is short, make it SWEET

INPUT PLEASE

I’ve been a fitness trainer for more years than I will declare. I know all the diets, all the exercises, all the motivating factors. What I am finding TODAY is that with body changes,
it’s much more difficult to keep a trim body…..healthy yes, I know what to do! But I am
having trouble “trimming” back my foods and need some outside motivation.

I have seen hundreds of people change their lives and hope I have been instrumental in helping in some small way. I have given away as much as I can to help others. I try daily with my stress management magic website to share with others. Now I am asking for INPUT please. Get me motivated. Give me some thoughts outside the realm of MY WORLD.

and……….thank you with all my heart!

Here I am again. Writing is so good for one’s soul. It releases what is stored within and if negative- great - get it out. That is the beginning of healing. If positive - all the better - share the good things we rarely hear in the media.

The photo of the woman above was taken from my car when I stopped at a red light. I had noticed her a few times. Same place, same clothes, no signs, but this time she never lifted her
head. Oh my heart and PRAYERS go to her and all who have so little.

We cannot judge, nor do we truly know how someone arrives here. It is only our place as humans to be compassionate and understanding that there is someone who is not where we would what to be!

We are not rich, but in comparison……Share a prayer, a kind thought.

Covet? Me? YEP!

Time to write a post as my family has made a stop to visit aunts and cousins “on the way.” They will arrive tomorrow. My sister called last night and said my hubby and I should drive to Utah and join the group. She was just trying to be loving and was excited.

I got jealous. I can’t believe I did, but I did. The family was supposed to be here with me today.My darling husband works and can’t just pick up and leave (though he deserves a wonderful trip).

My niece and nephews live in a beautiful mountain community,and they have motorcycles and horses, and were having a BBQ…..I resented the fact that they were together and we were excluded. I resented the fact that I don’t have acreage and all the fun stuff to offer the family.

I was totally bummed as I figured the things I have for the children to do would now seem trite and not so much fun at all. I had dinner all planned and high expectations for today.

ME, ME, ME. Yes, it was all about me!

In reality, the more people who love my children and grandchildren, the better for them and their lives.. The more fun and exciting things they get to do - all the better! Meeting their “extended” family is wonderful for them. My son was having a blast with his cousins and everyone was very happy. What in the world was I thinking! I want them all to be happy and enjoying each other and loving life!

IF I LOVE THEM, I WANT THE BEST FOR THEM!

So now, with a new mind set, I will “endeavor” to keep those things in mind and be generous with my thoughts. After all, what I really want for my family (close and extended) is for them to be loving, happy and healthy! There you go. I fess up and make amends for my momentary negativity. I am going to take a breath and let that nasty stuff fly out my fingertips!

I feel like I’m cheating….

…..on line, that is! I haven’t posted for a while. It’s not because I don’t “think” about doing it every day.
I’m hooked. I just have been preparing for family coming from the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

My son recently gained custody of his three children, 6, 8, and 10 (He practically raised them from birth). They arrive on Monday and so we are busily preparing for (we hope) an extended stay.

So this brief post is simply to say - I’m gone, but not dead! The PRIORITY, above all this wonderful writing and sharing with new friends, must take a back seat to REAL LIFE. As much as I love to sit here and share thoughts - read and gain insights and new friends - I still prefer LIFE and ACTION.

So until a few weeks from now (probably), I will be riding bikes, playing games, hiking, swimming, finding interesting sights to see, and LOVING the heck out of my family! Hugs, kisses, hand holding, and good times together.

Time is FLEETING - I suggest YOU SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME WITH THOSE YOU LOVE! FAMILY, FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES…..JUST TAKE SOME TIME TO TALK FACE TO FACE WITH SOMEONE AND DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF 24/7.

IT’S NOT GOOD FOR YOUR BODY, and certainly not ENTIRELY good for your mind….God Bless!

Face paste - Women’s Makeup - Lips to die for……

Well, that isn’t really what this is all about. It is about how to AFFORD all the “stuff” that is advertised because we NEED
it to be beautiful (Choke!).

One of the things I really protest is the cost of these items: lipstick, face makeup, blemish cover, eyeliner, mascara, etc.etc.etc. YOUNG women have been convinced that in order to be beautiful one must indulge in these expensive items. NOT!

Youth itself is beautiful naturally. The pheromones that attract the opposite sex will still be present without makeup. What is really attractive and sexy (I’ve learned over the years) is a beautiful smile and CONFIDENCE. Not conceited behavior, but a confident woman exudes sex appeal all over the place - or so I’ve been told!

Youth does not end at 29. I know women who are in their late forties who wear very little to enhance their look and they are still stunning. Good health, a vibrant personality, a great sense of humor - these things are all very sexy too.

I won’t lie. I’ve worn mascara, eyeliner and various types of lipstick and glosses for a long time. I have also used blemish cover on occasion. I do know that some women really do benefit from wearing face makeup, particularly if they have had complexion problems or scarring of some sort. That can be a blessing for self-confidence.

Just remember it is YOUR DEMEANOR that is attractive; your smile. A woman could be drop dead beautiful and have a scowl on her face, or be bitchy, and that woman will get uglier by the minute. You’ve seen it happen. With guys too.

Use makeup moderately and then when you go snorkeling or swimming you won’t have it smeared all over your face.
Or if you take it off you won’t shock someone by the different (not less attractive) but different look. Here’s a tip too.
Waterproof mascara does often work, but after years of useage, it will pull your eye lashes out permanently…one by one.

Back to the jest of this post. Did an experiment and got some “free samples” of some VERY expensive makeup. Enough to use for several months. This makeup, after using it for over three months did exactly what other cheap makeup did for me. Practically nothing. Couldn’t see a difference in any way at all. Interesting, eh?

Look at the photo again. I am a stickler for not wasting because of the expense of these items. When I get to the bottom of a tube I cut it and put the remainder in a small container. You would be surprised how much is wasted just because you can’t get to it.

I dig out lipsticks and combine some. I have actually come up with colors that I can’t find at the stores, and they are great.
These days I use a light face makeup to even out my skin tone, but I mix that too. I buy a cheap brand of makeup, a color that is a bit darker than I like. Then I grab one of my containers and start the mix. I add sunscreen and a moisturizer I like. (Ponds is inexpensive and I swear it is a wonderful moisturizer. )

I met a woman with it in her hand and asked her how long she had been using it. She looked lovely. She told me for years and then shocked me. She was in her 80’s. I would NEVER have guessed. She said she mixes just a bit of lanolin with it.
I now do the same and I love it. Mama also used it and so the fragrance brings a memory that is precious to me.

Anyway, if I know I am going to be out in the woods or where a mosquito might be, I also put in a bit of Avon’s mosquito repellent. Lovely light fragrance. The result is no waste, inexpensive and mixed to my skin tones.

I do throw away mascara and eyeliner. Important to be careful with the eyes. As far as lipstick and glosses, I usually add a bit of lip conditioner or balm to the mix of color. Makes it creamy and almost delicious!

So if you are on a budget, or if you want to really wear colors mixed especially for you, wash out some old small containers and become your own makeup artist. More expensive is NOT ALWAYS better!