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Grand Slam "No way,no how,no John McCain" The Hillary Factor and why Excellent Choice Nuance v Steadfast Start the real campaign Glad to be back Vacation bound....Destination...Chicago Do negative ads work? Will be vice presidential choice influence your vote? October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 John Edwards & Barack Obama went straight for the jugular in going after Hillary. They attacked the vote on calling the Iranian Revolutionary Council a terrorist organization. Saying it will give this president the excuse he needs to go to war with Iran. Hillary’s inconsistent answers were exposed on social security and at the end of the debate she agreed with New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's controversial plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants but then a minute later started backtracking. Now Bill Clinton was a master at being evasive but her facial expressions and demeanor showed she is no Bill Clinton. Will this debate change the numbers? I don’t know. I think what was really exposed last night was status quo positions of the front runner. How can my party complain about the secrecy in the Bush Administration if Hillary does not turn over all her documents? I understand it gives the other candidates an unfair advantage, because she will be the only candidate required to do this. But if this lack of transparency is going to stop, someone has to take the lead. The other is lobbyist money; Hillary has out raised all the candidates of both parties in lobbyist money from Wall Street, defense department, and insurance and drug companies. Some might see it as success but really it business as usual. Somehow we must have a leader to take us to public financing because these lobbyist have too much influence. I am getting suspicious as to why the Bush Administration is getting their way on the latest NSA spying bill. Did the telecommunication lobbyist have something to do with it? I don’t know. This may sound like a slam on Hillary but it really isn’t, it just exposes some of her weakness in a primary. Great leaders learn form mistakes and they don’t usually repeat them. Constructive criticism will only make a person stronger. 
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Saying our last goodbye
I am usually a private person and I seldom share a personal story but in this holiday season I will make this one exception. Mother passed away this past July; probate was a couple weeks ago and now it the time for getting the house ready for sale. Somehow I was appointed executor and all the work that goes with it because ,I am about the only one that did not leave for life in the big city. Rule number one leave the utilities on because if you are going to do inventory, you need to take your time. Remember the old savings passbook? Her writing was not that terrific but her addition and subtraction was right on the mark. Now I will have to go all over town withdrawing the $77.00 here and $212.52 there to make sure the heirs get everything down to the exact penny. Post and document. My mom was a pack rat she kept everything like wedding and funeral announcements to little league game summaries if a family member was involved. Need an old TRS-80 or a 1960 car repair manual? It seems like all the grandchildren hit mom up for magazine subscriptions and we found all those birthday and Mothers Day cards from them. If time is important to you, get a professional mover. The first day was about the family looking at old pictures and school year books. We were putting more things aside rather than loading the pickups. I was put on the heavier items, when my sister noticed I had put old quilt scraps in the trash can. My nephew said every dresser or piece of furniture was a valuable antique. I told him to give me $100 for each piece and he could make a fortune. He helped me load it for the Goodwill. Goodwill has a no scratch rule on furniture before they will accept it and the Community Chest has no wobble rule, so we put the left over furniture on the curb for trash pickup. Neighbors came by and picked up the remaining furniture. They didn't have a rule. We exchanged cell phone numbers and emails addresses because we know that we won’t be seeing each other as much anymore, because mom was the glue that kept it all together .
9 comments from 5 users
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posted by
VietnamVet
on Nov 16, 2007 at 02:19 PM
I know what you mean, Mike. You have a good one , too. BTW, are you giving to Gonzo's defense fund? LOL
posted by
Mike
on Nov 16, 2007 at 01:44 PM
First thanks Vet for the condolences, much appreciated and let me express my sympathy for your losses. Yes, I lost my father about four years so I understand the time frame because mine is similar. I know what you are going through but, yes retirement makes it so much better. Yesterday I went to withdraw my mom’s savings at one bank and thought I would have to call my wife so she could ID me, but finally a bank VP came and things went a lot better. At the other bank told them what I wanted, gave them her account number and out the door I went. The “for sale sign” has my home number and about 2 of every three that call want to rent the house. I need to change it cell phone number because I leave that phone in the back bedroom where I can’t hear it at night or Sundays if you get my drift. Have a good weekend and try to have a happy Thanksgiving because I know how you are feeling. posted by
VietnamVet
on Nov 16, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Mike, Sorry for your loss. I'm going through the same thing as you at the moment. My mom passed away in Dec. '05 and dad passed away Aug. '06. I'm going through all kinds of problems due to the way the will was written. We finally have their house up for sale and hopefully moves quick so I can get back to normalcy. Thank God for retirement. I wouldn't have the time if I were still working.
posted by
Mike
on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Thanks sandwichh You nailed it ,as I was going through my old 1958 Shields Elementary yearbook my brain was having to go into refresh mode. Think those people that write those nice and funny things really meant it?…lol posted by
Mike
on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Thanks victorianbybirth for the kind words. May you and your family have a great holidays when we can put away our difference and thank God we are Americans. posted by
victorianbybirth
on Nov 16, 2007 at 10:46 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. It is always hardest around the holidays but it never really is easy. Your family is very lucky to have you as I know it is not an easy task sorting through all the effects of a loved ones life. I hope this Holiday Season brings you peace, harmony & happy memories of your much loved & missed Mother.
posted by
sandwichh
on Nov 15, 2007 at 08:20 PM
I know what you mean Mike. My mom past almost two years ago. Dad back in 91. I still have a storage room with many, many things for whatever reason I have hung on too, most I will never need. I need to just get rid of stuff, have that garage sale and do with whatever is left needs to be done. Memories, what to keep and what to pass who can use it. Tough decision. One thing I have learned, write on the back of pictures. I have many with no earthly idea who people are or where they are from Mom and Dad's stuff.
posted by
Mike
on Nov 15, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Thanks a lot maryann. I just felt compelled to write about my recent experience because, I now realize what a family means. Turning down that holiday overtime, in my working years was worth it. posted by
maryann
on Nov 15, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Mike, this is a touching story. Sorry to hear about your mom passing away. Sounds like you were the executor for a good reason, as you take care of detail. My late condolences. Mary Ann
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