Monday, June 30, 2003

A Weekend to Remember

It's almost here!!! I'm coming to Denton. Gonna see Hava!! Maybe I'll get to see Matt. Goin' to my first concert. Doing a happy dance now as I try not to wet my pants. Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo!!!Big Weekend Excitement to everyone,J-

Monday, June 23, 2003

Politics

Okay, I have never really followed politics. I don't know much about anything governmentally concerned. However, I got this e-mail today and I am thoroughly intrigued. Does anyone know where I can find out how much of this is true? I think it might be time for me to get interested.
Subject: Your pocket (and life) is affected by this
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following: Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it? A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate. Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security? A: The Democratic party. Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security? A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote. Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants? A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it. Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security. And the worst part about it is, people believe it! Pass it on please! 2004 Election Issue This must be an issue in "04". Please! Keep it going. SOCIAL SECURITY: Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congress men & women do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it. You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. In more recent years, no congress person has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes their plan works like this: When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each. Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. Nada, Zilch. This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds-our tax dollars at work! From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into-every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) --we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000.00 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits! Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us ... then sit back and watch how fast they would fix it. If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.

Monday, June 16, 2003

ahhh

After a weekend with Hava I feel nice and centered. I guess I needed her visit even more than I thought. I giggled so much I think even Hava was a little weirded out (once I start I can't stop). Finding Nemo absolutely rocked!!!! If you haven't seen it you have to go even if it is just to see the pelican beat the crud out of that creepy little girl. hee hee hee.

Thursday, June 12, 2003

I could just pee!!!

I'm doing the happy dance cause Hava is on her way!!!! Okay, maybe she won't be on her way until tomorrow, but she's on her way none the less. It's so nice to have company coming!!! Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Twilight Zone

You know what's weird? When two people who totally remind you of each other, have never met, and have ocean between them keep doing the same type of thing at the same time. Whoa.

Monday, June 2, 2003

almost death

I actually don't know where to start. To tell you the truth death does not remind me of my own mortality. It reminds me that everybody else is mortal and I may have to watch them all leave me. Jesse's grandmother, who is now my grandmother, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Her 70 year old body, which has survived depression and war, and overcome two cancers which gave her only a 2% survival rate may not be able to kick this thing properly in the ass. Really, she loved her husband so much we thought she'd be buried next to him very soon after he died. Nope. She's still kicking, really hard. Until last Tuesday. My grandparents are getting old. My mom is being eaten away by disease. Jesse's mom smokes and his dad drinks. And there are drunk drivers and murderers and war and heart attacks to take everybody else too soon. Obviously I am having my first experience with death. In the past people have just sort of faded away like old photographs. I don't like this. It makes me hurt. Fri we'll be in Missouri pretending to be on a nice normal visit when really we'll be saying good-bye. Everybody will laugh and eat good food and pretend a miracle is not about to be quenched. I wish she could just be a friend that moved far away and eventually lost touch. I just don't like this.