Exciting Wednesday

Yesterday was boring, today we are going to try to do exciting. Nothing more exciting than swimming with sharks:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/glen-folkard-australian-shark-attack_n_1377357.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D146341

Finding unexpected cash is pretty exciting, no?

http://news.yahoo.com/cash-spills-highway-212327131.html;_ylt=Ag.0gmGEoVrEjvJxEVHWdA.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2ZjloZHFkBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDNWE0YmMzM2MtMzI0MS0zZmFhLTkyNDAtNGZmOTg3OWU3YWRkBHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgNiMmUxY2JjMC03NWI4LTExZTEtYWJmYy1iZDkzOTg3MjllNGQ-;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

Suing a school district because of their stupid decisions, can be exciting, right?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/24/texas-mom-plans-to-sue-school-district-after-says-daughter-with-cerebral-palsy/?test=latestnews

Comment Away.

PS

Next Blog Post is Friday.

Boring Tuesday.

Tuesday is always the nothing day of the week. Monday it is back to work. Wednesday is Hump Day. Thursday is Over The Hump Day. Friday is the start to the weekend. But what is Tuesday? Nothing. A boring day. So going with the flow today we are doing boring articles. Well, maybe to some but they were interesting to me.

Dumb criminals, boring?

http://news.yahoo.com/conn-man-accidentally-dials-911-while-stealing-153852326.html

Weather, boring?

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/25/10853227-march-has-meant-6000-weather-records-broken

Firing your dad stories, boring?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/mitchell-kaneff-arkay-packaging_n_1372561.html?ref=small-business&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D146336

Comment Away.

Star Gazing

Today we are going to update you are what the stars are doing.

First up is just a little respect:

http://news.yahoo.com/aretha-franklin-celebrates-70th-talks-music-041910113.html

I know you are all just dying to know what James Cameron, the director of Avatar & The Titanic, is up to:

http://news.yahoo.com/camerons-sub-makes-successful-unmanned-test-dive-102000758.html;_ylt=AlGvNqoB8vOsATaKl8sjNCSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ3OTNka2s1BG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBTY2llbmNlBHBrZwM4MWRjMGQ2ZS1iZjdkLTNmMGEtODFiYy00N2ZlNTZjNTRkNDQEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhU2VjdGlvbkxpc3QEdmVyAzc2MzVlOWQxLTc2MGUtMTFlMS1iZmVmLWVlNWM2ODMxMjEwNw--;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

That is actually somewhat interesting.

In one of the mysteries of all time women just seem to love Johnny Depp. What is he doing now?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-doran/johnny-depp-somali-pirates_b_1366167.html?ref=celebrity&ir=Celebrity

Comment Away.

Your Update, My Go Boom In The Night.

I updated you yesterday on what was going on in my life. Turn about is fair play. Today you update me on your life, at least I hope you do.

I am really ready for tax season to be over. I'm exhausted. With me doing five days a week at The Firm and weekends at Mom's I haven't had a day of since mom got sick on February 1. I need a me day. I barely have time for showers right now. I do my laundry at Mom's when I am there so I am clean dude, just a tired one.

I might squeeze a little cleaning into today so I enjoyed the following article:

http://www.stylelist.com/chris-barnes/repurposing-ideas-new-uses-baking-soda_b_1367262.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl25%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D145329

Do you know who invented chess? Tents? Now you will:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/muslim-inventions-_n_1370156.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D146326

I plan on having a quiet day so I hope the people around me and the occult will cooperate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/clintonville-wi-booms-remain-unexplained_n_1369522.html?ref=green&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D145517

The blog is now yours. Catch me up. Comment Away. Vent. Give an inspiring speech. Post whatever you damn well please.

The Dog & The Chicken

I have a busy day planned but thought I would post a couple of updates before heading off into the wild blue yonder.

I had dinner with Mark last night and it was both good and bad. He is still having a really hard time getting over the death of his wife. The one year anniversary of her death will be next Friday. The prostate cancer is stable and his PSA levels are normal. He has a CATSCAN scheduled for Monday because they think there may be a tumor on his thyroid. So prayers and good thoughts are still needed. To show you what a kind of man Mark is with all that is going on with him he still brought my Mom flowers. I dropped them off to her on the way home from dinner. She was so pleased. Today we are all three going to lunch and then going back to Mom's to work on Mark's estate.

I also received a nice update mail from Adi, also known as Snugpug. Her husband (and her) still need out support. Please keep her husband, her, and her family in your daily thoughts and prayers:

"it's a series of ups and downs. He was showing signs of progress, and the hospital wanted to move him to another hospital that has a neuroscience centre. However late last night after the move, he had difficulty in breathing, and was moved to the ICU and intubated. He is still sedated and intubated today, oxygen levels are good, pulse normal, bp mostly ok but dips now and then. They are starting to reduce 100% oxygen. The breathing difficulty was likely caused by a bloated abdomen pressing into the diaphragm. They are draining the fluid, and assured me it's not like the varices last time, there's no sign of bleeding. Probably his system not functioning very well because of all the other stresses. It's a secondary problem to the meningitis, which is responding to antibiotics but will take time. They also said TB was one of the bacteria found, but it is not like he has TB. The other hospital found some signs of stroke in their MRI, and although they ruled it out after no sign of blood clots in an ultrasound, this neuro centre wants another MRI tomorrow to reexamine that. They will also check his heart, because there's infection in the blood, may get into the heart and therefore account for those stroke-like things in that first MRI."

Snug we all hope life gets easier for you and your husband. Sometimes I think it is harder on the supporter then it is on the patient because it is such a helpless feeling. My heart just goes out to you.

A couple of fun stories to end today's post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/dog-saves-girl-sex-offender-attack-florida_n_1376566.html?ref=weird-news&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D146258

Good dog. Next up the blog is going to the birds:

http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2012/03/chicken_clicker_classes_offer.html

Off to chase chickens. Comment Away.

A Snowy Commute.

I think I will be late to work this morning. A couple of inches of snow on the ground. The way the fools drive here it is best to stay home until the snow melts.

This will be the last post until Saturday at the earliest and Sunday at the latest. Tonight is at Mom's, tomorrow and Saturday my friend Mark (the one that lost his wife) is visiting to go over his taxes and estate. He really deserves more of my attention than the blog. I know all of you understand.

On to the post, starting with a question. Is the following real or a hoax:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/jarno-smeets-flying-dutchman-video_n_1370275.html?ref=science&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D145579

On to good health news:

http://news.yahoo.com/doctors-clue-quest-predict-heart-attack-193921529.html

Time for me to quit talking and start preparing for an ugly commute.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-magid/will-texting-make-the-pho_b_1367721.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D145468

Comment Away.

Parenting

Good parent number 1:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/mother-saves-daughter-from-shark-attack-in-florida/

Good parent number 2:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/12/jeremy-blair-turned-in-by-dad-burglary-newscast_n_1340243.html?1331595480&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142923

What parents should be concerned about:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/healthy-mouth-healthy-body.aspx?xid=aol_eh-dental_1_20120312_&aolcat=APU&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D144281

Comment Away.


PS

The next blog entry will be Friday.

Health Day.

Before today's post we need prayers for Adi, who posts here as Snugpug. Her husband is in the hospital with a serious illness he is improving but prayers and good vibes would be appreciated.

Today we are doing health. First up is a new challenge for teenagers that my be harming their health:

http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/17/10721541-the-cinnamon-challenge-fun-or-foolish

Boy I don't know, cinnamon is good in short supply so I would avoid this challenge at all costs and would hope my nieces and nephews do the same.

A surprising link to Type-2 Diabetes:

http://news.yahoo.com/white-rice-seen-type-2-diabetes-says-study-233837784.html;_ylt=AtWPWzf3PJ8glrmqYP2T3ams0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ2azFkZHNrBG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBIZWFsdGgEcGtnAzhlNjYzZDkwLWI0MTQtMzI2YS04ZDdhLWJiNTAwM2YxNzY5NQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDTWVkaWFTZWN0aW9uTGlzdAR2ZXIDOWUxZGU2OTAtNmVmOC0xMWUxLWI3ZGYtMDgzYTRjYmI5ZTk4;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

I remember going to a dietician with Mom's diabetes and the rule was stay away from anything white. White bread, for example. This study kind of confirms what was expected several years ago.

Next up is a warning for women:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/is-your-purse-making-you-sick.aspx?xid=aol_eh-women_1_20120312_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D144281

I don't have a purse so I will leave the comments to you.

Comment Away.

Firestorms

Today we are doing firestorms.

Here is the resignation letter that caused an Internet firestorm of epic proportions:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2115156/Greg-Smith-resignation-letter-New-York-Times-Why-I-quit-Goldman-Sachs.html

Here is an article that should cause a firestorm:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/14/angel-raich_n_1342586.html

After reading the above articles and thinking about the contents I have to sleep on it for a while:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alicia-hutchison/naps-happen-14-impressive_b_1321922.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl7%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D144134

Comment Away.

Doing The Right Thing

Happy Sunday. A day of work for me. Cousin D & Friend Al get their taxes done.

A brief update.

Yesterday and today at Mom's. Last week Thursday night at Mom's but not overnight just there until the caregiver got there. Friday a very nice dinner with my friend Nancie. Next week nothing on the agenda but work and more work.

Had an interesting experience at work last week. We have a client that had two farms this year and inherited a third. All of the farms are in another state besides Oregon. That state has an income tax. Because of the additional farm this year the income was higher than previous years. My boss, M, thought we needed to file an Illinois return not only for this year but for the three previous years. Her take was we will probably lose the client but we have to do the right thing. I started looking into and adding a second state return to his return ended up saving the dude thirteen grand. The deal is one of the farm's was in his wife's name. None of us really knew that until this year when I did my digging. These farms were profitable and subject to self-employment tax. When you separated out the farms and put one of them in his wife's name all the self-employment tax went away. The reason? Three-fold. All of the profit was in her farm. She had already paid the maximum in social security tax on her W-2 form. And she didn't do anything active to produce the farm income. She was here, the farm was in another state. You are only dinged for self-employment tax if you do anything active. So I transferred her farm to form 4835, which is a farm rental schedule. The client is extremely happy. He couldn't believe it, he kept saying you mean I save three thousand, and it took me about ten minutes to convince him he saved thirteen grand. And whatever tax they paid to the other state came back to him on the Oregon return as a credit for taxes paid to another state. Oregon has a kicker in the law that doesn't allow a taxpayer to pay tax to two states on the same income. Of course the boss is extremely happy also, told the story all over the office. Used it as an example of how we should always do the right thing. And of course I am happy. We went from probably losing a client to having a client for life. I give credit to my boss. I like her honesty. She gives me credit, which of course I like.

That's it for today. I would love to hear the update on your life. How all of you and your friends are doing health wise and life wise. Would love to hear about events attended or coming up. And I would to love to hear your stories of when you did the right thing and instead of coming back to haunt you, it turned out amazingly well.

You can also post anything you damn well please. The blog is now yours.

Going Green

I am green today and not with envy. Ever wonder why we wear green on Saint Patrick's Day?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/st-patricks-day_n_1348003.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D143908

It was a good thing that the person in the following article didn't have the luck of the Irish because an honest person found the gold:

http://news.yahoo.com/thai-taxi-driver-returns-450-000-gold-owner-140546934.html

Did I use the phrase "Luck of The Irish" correctly? Some say yes, because the phrase means bad luck. Others say it means good luck.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-luck-of-the-irish.htm

So I hope today is lucky for you but for the time being I will refrain from wishing you Luck Of The Irish but I will wish you HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Comment Away.

Castles In The Air

I like Fridays. End of the work week. After work I have a dinner date with Nancie. Then I can sleep in. Fridays are like castles in the air:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justluxe/castles-around-the-world_b_1335791.html?ref=travel&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142886

Before the weekend starts I have to deal with a few tax returns and people trying to deduct some weird things:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/09/more-crazy-tax-deductions-what-worked-what-didnt/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142904

A while back we talked mantyhouse. Today it is pantihose.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/13/extending-the-life-of-your-hosiery-savings-experiment/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D143567

Comment Away and then go out and have a great Friday!

Breaking Away

After tax season I may take a break and go on a mini-vacation. I haven't used my suitcases for a long time. I might check them before the end of tax season:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/5-suitcase_n_1332492.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142313

I like people that try to bring a little light into others' lives:

http://news.yahoo.com/flash-light-across-phoenix-skies-mystery-235359289.html

Except for lunch hour I don't really take morning or afternoon breaks at work. Not fifteen minute ones but little ones, yes. Are breaks a good idea:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57393540-10391704/not-taking-work-breaks-can-be-hazardous-to-health-study-reports/?tag=re1.channel

Comment Away.

Basic Black

Watch out for Facebook if you have more than one wife:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/facebook-bigamy-allan-l-oneill_n_1335089.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D142268

During my seasonal job fashion is important to me. I guess fashion has been important for a very long time.

http://news.yahoo.com/birdlike-dinos-wore-basic-black-glossy-touch-201121628.html;_ylt=AvVX9fwM1rqwr0HQpVxExiWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ3dHRnZW05BG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBTY2llbmNlBHBrZwM1ODgxMjJlOC0yNTQzLTMyNDgtOTNiZi1jMDQwZGRmNzkwNGQEcG9zAzQEc2VjA01lZGlhU2VjdGlvbkxpc3QEdmVyAzFhNzMyODc1LTY5NmEtMTFlMS1iZmZiLTkxYTdmOTc0Y2E1NA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

I am breathing easier lately. How about you?

http://www.everydayhealth.com/asthma/0308/its-not-easy-breathing-green.aspx?xid=aol_eh-asthma_6_20120305_&aolcat=AGW&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142228

Comment Away.

PS

Next post is Thursday. No post tomorrow

The World Lives On

I guess since the world isn't going to end anytime soon I should go to work today:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/harold-camping-apologizes-for-failed-rapture-prediction.html

After work I am going to be barking while I am looking at art:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/paintings-of-dogs-fetch-high-prices_n_1324151.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D141630

Yesterday I went to open houses:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/03/09/open-houses-of-the-week-march-9-11/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl16%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142173

I am heading to Ohio, Dallas and Cleveland.

Comment Away.

An Update

Happy Sunday. I hope you remembered to move your clocks forward one hour. If not do so now.

An update from Kaye. Her boyfriend had brain surgery last week, This is pretty good news:

"Dave's surgery's went as planned and he is doing very well. They discharged him yesterday and he is home. He's a little weak, but otherwise very good. Still has some difficulty reading, but that improves a little each day. He can spell out a word, just can't always pronounce it. His memory is intact and his conversational skills are great. He finally slept the whole nite last night.... he never got more than 30 minutes of uninterrupted sleep at the hospital. His incision was longer than I expected, but no bruising! Doctor's are amazing in what they can do now. "


My update.

Did three nights last week at Mom's besides working because the caregiver was ill. I did find out that when I stay there a night when I have to go to work the next day it really makes the mornings difficult and rushed.

I am doing well at work. The male boss was surprised when I told him how many returns I had already done. In a month? That was his response. Truth is I have done more than I told him because I have four or five returns pretty much done but waiting for one item.

Didn't really have time to do anything for me last week except yesterday when I went to a movie, This Means War. It was OK, I had a free ticket and that made it better.

Next Week:

No overnights at Mom's. Thursday night there and Saturday day there. Piece of cake. At work, a lot of freaking work. That is it for next week.

The blog is now yours. Update me on your life. Tell me if you have friends or relatives that need prayers and/or good vibes. Got anything exciting

Boxers Or Briefs?

Boxers or briefs? Today it is briefs. Legal briefs and a brief post. Off to Mom's in an hour or two to do her errands and take her to lunch. The caregiver is back so I didn't have to stay there last night or tonight. It really is a relief. The caregiver even took care of dinner for tonight so it will be an easy Saturday. Well maybe not easy but it will be helpful to knock off items on my to do list.

First up, good parents or bad parents:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/03/despite_abuse_from_critics_par.html

Next up, good result or bad result:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/jose-antonio-cua-toc-undocumented-immigrant-lottery-ticket_n_1334564.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl9%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D142235

Finally, the right outcome or the wrong outcome?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/stephanie-lazarus-verdict_n_1333085.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D142235

Comment Away.

Inflatable Friday

Ah, it is Friday! Friday is a day that has different meanings when you are working then when you are not. When you are not working it is just like any other day of the week. But when you are working it is the end of the week and the start of the weekend. It means I can sleep in. At least it means that tonight but not so much tomorrow night when we have to do the stupid semi-annual frustration of messing with our clocks. Clocks around the houses and body clocks. Spring forward, fall back. Officially it is 2:00 AM Sunday morning when you move your clocks an hour forward. I plan on doing that Saturday night before I go to bed. I am so excited about losing an hour because it will give me less time to do the twenty-six items on my to do list. I need to complete tax returns for a first cousin and a second cousin so they know I haven't forgotten. I think I might ad a twenty-seventh item to my to do list. Find the idiot that came up with the idea of daylight savings time and make him watch one hundred hours of The Brady Bunch reruns.

Speaking of overkill:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/yajira-quezada-handcuffed_n_1324635.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D141132

I am glad we all survived the following:

http://news.yahoo.com/solar-storm-shakes-earth-magnetic-field-103655035.html

As a single man I always say I have high standards in the women I would like to date. They have to be between 30 & 99 and not inflatable. I might change that to include inflatable at some point. Maybe I will start with someone like the woman in the following article:

http://news.yahoo.com/she-sings-she-dances-shes-not-real-083031846.html;_ylt=AvEwJvH_LgaGkJXPXOF7HIGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2dDkxMnBlBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDZmYwODQ0ODUtMzMwNi0zZTI4LTg2ZmYtY2YzZWQyNGY4NDkwBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgM1YzM4NzAwNS02OWMyLTExZTEtYjdmYi03MzE2NDE1M2I4MzQ-;_ylg=X3oDMTFrM25vcXFyBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

Comment Away.

Not In This Lifetime

Not in this lifetime:

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/08/introducing-mantyhose-yes-mantyhose/

I like the CSI shows on TV, do you? How about adding another one to the lineup:

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20061687,00.html

Closing with a good story.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonatwar/2012/03/kennie_namba_who_lived_in_an_i.html

Comment Away.

The Touching, The Lucky, & The Scary.

Wednesday is the half way point of the week and it is a day I look forward to. Forward to ending. Because that means only two days until the pressure to perform is off. I am also looking forward to a week from this Friday when I connect with Nancie again. In January she started a two year college program in massage. She feels, and I think correctly, that will be a nice addition to her reflexology business. She has been really busy with her work schedule and classes three or four days a week. I really admire her efforts to better herself. I am looking forward to catching up with her to see how it is going.

Let's start the day off with a touching story:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/02/us/braydon-nichols-ireport-update/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

Let's continue the post with a lucky story"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/ryan-kitching-teenage-winning-lottery-tickert-clean-room_n_1319413.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D140417

And let's end today's post with a scary story.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/02/tech/mobile/mobile-car-hacking/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

Comment Away.

A Hero

I wasn't going to do a post today but this story is just to good not to share:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/03/a_drowning_man_a_selfless_act.html

Off to work. Comment Away and then go out and enjoy the day!

It's Monday!

Home from Mom's and getting ready to go to work but thought I would post a short entry for today. Before a couple of links just thought I would say that after my two days there Mom she is the best she has been since the start of the year. I kept it light and low pressure. We went out a couple of times (she normally only gets out if I take her) and everywhere we went the waitresses treated her like a star.

First up today is movie recommendations:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leonard-maltin/offhollywood-the-five-bes_7_b_1314733.html?ref=arts&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D140224

Now the good C.E.O.:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/markus-notch-persson-gives-3-million_n_1317396.html?ref=good-news&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl14%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D140359

Now before heading of to work, I think the blog is going to the birds. Big Bird.

http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-reconstruct-long-extinct-giant-penguin-123625967.html

Comment Away.

PS


Next Blog Entry is Wednesday

Happy Updates

Happy Sunday. Most of mine will be spent at Mom's. Sometimes that makes me happy, sometimes it doesn't. Are you happy? I'm happy damn it!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-colier/happiness_b_1300996.html?ref=healthy-living&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D139586

Since this is update day, let's update you on the animal hall of fame:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/03/njvmas-animal-hall-of-fam_n_1318393.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D140314

Here is an update from a story we had within the last couple of weeks:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/01/4304434/apnewsbreak-son-wont-evict-98.html

Now on to my update. Last week - A lot of freaking work. Next week - A lot of freaking work.

OK, it is your turn update me on what is going on in your lives. Would love to hear from all of you! Post anything you damn well please!

The Bucket List

The caregiver is sick so my life gets even busier the next few days. Besides work, my own job, etc, I now have two additional days and nights at Mom's. I am upset with the caregiver. She refuses to get a flu shot so she gets sick every year. We would pay for the flu shot for her but I guess she would rather lose a week of work every year. I don't know what the blog schedule will be next week except there won't be an entry on Monday. No time in the morning when I am at Mom's and then have to come home to get ready for work.

Let's today start with a story about science:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46560515/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

There is show on TV called Undercover Boss. I like the show a lot. Maybe there should be a new show on TV called Undercover Grandmother:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/undercover-82-year-grandma-catches-medicare-fraud-tape/story?id=15818462

The score was the Miami Heat 107 The Portland Trailblazers 93. While the Trailblazers were on the short end of the score they didn't lose that night they won. Get the tissues out and read about a teen that will inspire you to forget about your problems and live your life to the fullest:

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2012/03/canzano_trail_blazers_help_a_f.html

What is on your bucket list?

I am sure I am going to miss a few and I am free to add things to my bucket list later but right now I will go with the following:

Save a life. I have saved a few lives during my lifetime but that was because I was good at reacting in an emergency crisis not because I risked life and limb to save someone. I want to do something heroic before I die.

Finish a book and have it published. I have published two books before but they were about football, I want to write one about life.

Give a sermon at church.

Do a standup comedy routine.

Go to the Oscars..

Go to the Super Bowl.

Conquer my fear of heights.

Learn to swim.

Live one day without pain.

Win the lottery and give it away to people that need it.

See the Grand Canyon.

Meet Sandra Bullock

Meet all five of the Satellite Sisters (three to go)

Travel to Billings, Montana and see the hospital I was born in. It is still there, I checked.

Ask a stranger for a date. Everyone once in a great while I get smiles from women when I am grocery shopping. How hard would it be to ask them to have a cup of coffee? Very hard for me. But just one time.

See a Dodger game again.

Meet a president. Preferably a Democrat but a Republican would count for the bucket list.

Spend a week in a Children's hospital helping out.

That is mine for now. I am going to be adding things everyday like young Natalie does. And today on the list it to pray that miracles happen and Natalie is cured.

Comment Away. Your bucket list interests me to no end. Please share it.

Death & Taxes

Nothing to controversial today, just death with dignity and taxes. But let's start the day with good news:

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/study-old-flu-drug-speeds-brain-injury-recovery-1.3569230

Now the IRS horror story:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/02/28/tax-audit-horror-stories-irs/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D139268

It is kind of sad but the woman could have solved her problem early on by doing something that takes less that five minutes. Send the IRS an address form. Or she could have included form 8822 (change of address) when she filed her tax return. This is a lesson for all of you, if you change your address (even if you move across the street) file form 8822 with the next tax return you file. It could save you a ton of misery in the future.

From taxes to death with dignity. Oregon has a death with dignity law that allows you to legally commit suicide if you have a terminal disease. I think if it was discovered that I was dying, rather than let my family watch me decline or watch myself decline I might seriously consider using the death with dignity law, You?

The following article deals with death with dignity. It is a story of an advisor now facing the toughest decision a soul can make:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/02/the_final_consult_doctor_who_p.html

Comment Away

All Over The Map

Today we all over the map.

First stop. Men's products that women can use:

http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2012/01/24/6-mens-grooming-products-that-women-can-use-too/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D138076

Next stop. Good health news:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/vision/0224/researchers-spot-genes-behind-macular-degeneration.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_12_20120220_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D138317

Final stop on The Blog Train.

A heartland controversy:

http://news.yahoo.com/minnesotas-controversial-deadly-force-bill-advances-214918215.html

Comment Away

Happy Leap Day.

Leap Day! Four years from now, God Willing and if my health holds up there will be another post on February 29. Another new day and a few new articles.

Got any Coca-Cola handy? Here are some uses for it:

http://www.stylelist.com/chris-barnes/5-new-uses-for-coca-cola_b_1291559.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D137580

You are a little tipsy and don't want to drive. You give someone your keys. You are home free. Not so fast:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/erin-brown-faces-30-years-in-prison_n_1289555.html?1329784774&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D137034

Now let's end on with a good story. A good jackpot kind of story.

http://news.yahoo.com/marine-credits-karma-2-9-million-jackpot-022139937.html

Comment Away

The Oscars

Today is an extra post today and it is all about the Oscars. Here are two of the things that have generated the most discussion the day after the Oscars and is now still continuing on twitter:

http://news.yahoo.com/oscars-angelina-leg-j-los-nipple-twitter-194405504.html;_ylt=AlptHVsAGauIeCpeeSiWLrSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2YWw1bHRzBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDY2JiMTI4OWQtYWQ1Yy0zMjMxLWI5ODctZWJhZmI0NDM3Y2Y5BHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgM5NTQ1YmNjMC02MTdjLTExZTEtOTllZi01NTQ4NTEwNTliNzQ-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

I thought overall the women did very well with their fashion choices. There weren't any I really disliked. My favorites were Sandra Bullock and Michelle Williams. I like classy and understated and both of them fit the bill.






Here is a fashion expert's take on the dresses:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/oscars/4156239/Oscars-2012-red-carpet-The-best-and-worst-dresses-in-pictures.html

Here is a summary of my picks. Not as good as last year when I only missed one but credible none the less at 4-4.

BEST MOVIE

MY PICK - THE ARTIST

WINNER - THE ARTIST

BEST DIRECTOR:

NOMINATED:

MY PICK - Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist

WINNER - Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris


BEST ACTOR:

MY PICK - GEORGE CLOONEY, THE DESCENDANTS

WINNER - JEAN DUJARDIN, THE ARTIST


BEST ACTRESS:

MY PICK - Viola Davis.

WINNER - Meryl Streep


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

MY PICK - Christopher Plummer, Beginners

WILL WIN - Christopher Plummer, Beginners


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

MY PICK - Octavia Spencer, The Help

WINNER - Octavia Spencer

CINEMATOGOPRHY

MY PICK - "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

WINNER - Hugo" Robert Richardson


BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

MY PICK - "The Artist" Ludovic Bource

DID WIN - "The Artist" Ludovic Bource

As an overall summary of The Oscars. It was shorter than previous telecasts, a trend I endorse. Billy Crystal did a credible job of hosting The Oscars but he wasn't as good as his previous stints. But a bad Billy Crystal is better than what we had the last few years. The best moment was Octivia Spenser winning best supporting actress. I also endorse real emotion. I liked Captain Von Trapp's and Meryl Streep's touching comments about their spouses. Overall not bad.

Comment Away.

PS

A complete list of the winners here:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Entertainment/Oscars-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-Oscars2012-TopNews/Oscar-winners-complete-list/SP-Article10-817772.aspx

It's Monday!

The blog schedule this week. Tomorrow will be Oscar Summary. Wednesday and Saturday's will be normal entries. If time permits there will be an entry on Thursday and Friday but no promises.

An update on the lawsuit against Mom. Just a recap. Mom & Dad owned with another couple a rental house in the not so nice parts of Portland several years ago. In May mom was notified by the county that there where several years of unpaid property taxes and they could have the property for the unpaid taxes. After looking at the property and finding it would have to be improved to be in terrible shape we pretty much backed off on it. Over the years Mom, Dad, and the other couple sold the property three times. And each time it was a private sale and didn't go through escrow. Proper deeds were not recorded. In November a trust decided to buy the property and came to all the people listed on the deed. They offered everyone listed on the property a sum of money to sign the deed over to them. Which everyone listed on the property did but G.C. Mom and B, wouldn't sign the deed over to them unless a hold harmless agreement was included. G.C. refused to sign the deed over and ignored all correspondence. In order to get clear title, the trust sued G.C. for clear title. G.C. found a shister attorney and countersued everyone included on the title. Mom received a summons and the lawsuit and was given thirty days to respond. After really wanting to go after G.C.'s attorney I took a deep breath and handed it over to my attorney brother. He called the trust's attorney. Because of the hold harmless agreement the trust is required to provide a defense for Mom & B. Grover said the attorney was just as nice as she could be. Lou, the trust's representative, is dying of cancer. The attorney said she would have to get Lou's permission to be our attorney since he was footing the bill. Apparently she did because we go the answer to the complaint yesterday. The lovely attorney responded to the thirty page complaint with one sentence:

"Plaintiff denies each and every allegation of Defendant's counterclaim."
Mom isn't out of it yet but she has a pretty damn good team on her side. An honest man, Lou, who honored an agreement to provide a defense with a well qualified, attorney, RP. An attorney son with a calm demeanor and knowledge of the law. And another son who is a fighter and if any of his relatives or friends are attacked is going after the offending parties with vengeance to make them rue the day they ever treated someone badly but is willing to temporarily stand back. Prayers and good thoughts for Lou Please.

On to today's entry:

A surprise choice give by a judge:

http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-man-given-choice-facebook-apology-jail-202121312.htm

Rather to go to jail I am going to my Facebook account and beg for mercy. What would you do?

First the good news on Women's Health:

http://news.yahoo.com/eating-citrus-lowers-womens-stroke-risk-study-220300041.html;_ylt=AoTYN1qP1M4VfEcPEXPL6Tys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ2ZWlob2txBG1pdANTZWN0aW9uTGlzdCBGUCBIZWFsdGgEcGtnAzEwY2NkZjI5LWIxMTQtM2FkYy04ZGM0LTBmNGIxNDYwODM0NARwb3MDMgRzZWMDTWVkaWFTZWN0aW9uTGlzdAR2ZXIDNjllOWZhOTEtNWYxMS0xMWUxLWIxYmItOWJjZDRhYjI1YWIw;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

Now the bad news on Women's Health:

http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-02-22-female-heart-attacks_ST_U.htm

Comment Away.

Predicting The Oscars

Today is Oscar day and let's start the day of with a charming column about Uggie who should have been nominated for the academy award. And DR even though you don't do movies I am sure you will enjoy this column:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/finalword/story/2012-02-14/uggie-gets-his-due/53199498/1

I have my snacks all ready and my comfortable chair in a good viewing position so here are my predictions:

BEST MOVIE - And I have seen all of them:

Nominated:

The Artist - silent movie featuring Uggie the dog mentioned in the above column. Best movie of the year.

The Tree of Life - worst movie ever nominated for an Oscar. Next time I am thinking about going to a movie like this I am going to pay someone to hit me in the groin with a baseball bat, it would be less painful than watching this stinker,

Midnight In Paris - I did break my boycott of Woody Allen and go to this movie. Good movie, beautiful shots of Paris, nice history, love story.

Moneyball - true story. Baseball movie about big money contracts and a team that won with a small salary output. Worth seeing for Jonah Hill's acting.

War Horse - absolutely loved this movie and I think everyone. Follows the life of a horse as he travels through World War I. Several horses played the one part. Beautiful scenery. A don't miss movie.

The Descendants - Another movie I liked. A true tale of end of life decisions. Anyone caring for the ill or the elderly should see this movie. Moral and ethical decisions abound as a man (George Clooney) deals with a dying wife and out of control daughters. Set in Hawaii, beautiful scenery.

Extremely Lound & Incredibly Close - 9-11 piece about a son searching for information about his dad. Stars Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and the young Thomas Horn who was discovered when he was on Jeopardy. Very slow, Thomas Horn in his first role is asked to carry the movie and although he did a credible job it was just to much to ask of him. Better movies out there that would have been better nominations.

Hugo -better in 3-D. Good story. Charming movie. Just not Oscar Worthy.

The Help - loved the costumes, the classic cars, the story, and the acting. Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the sixties. Maids end their silence for better treatment.

SHOULD WIN - THE ARTIST

WILL WIN - THE ARTIST

BEST DIRECTOR:

NOMINATED:

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris
Terrence Malick - Tree Of Life

SHOULD WIN - Alexander Payne - The Descendants

WILL WIN - Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist

BEST ACTOR:

Nominated:

DEMIAN BICHIR, A BETTER LIFE
GEORGE CLOONEY, THE DESCENDANTS
JEAN DUJARDIN, THE ARTIST
GARY OLDMAN, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
BRAD PITT, MONEYBALL

SHOULD WIN - JEAN DUJARDIN, THE ARTIST

WILL WIN - GEORGE CLOONEY, THE DESCENDANTS

BEST ACTRESS:

Nominated

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

SHOULD WIN - Meryl Streep

WILL WIN - Viola Davis.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

Nominated:

Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close


SHOULD WIN - Christopher Plummer, Beginners

WILL WIN - Christopher Plummer, Beginners


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

SHOULD WIN- Berenice Bejo

WILL WIN - Octavia Spencer

CINEMATOGOPRHY

Nominated:

"The Artist" Guillaume Schiffman
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Jeff Cronenweth
"Hugo" Robert Richardson
"The Tree of Life" Emmanuel Lubezki
"War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

SHOULD WIN - "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

WILL WIN - "War Horse" Janusz Kaminski

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

Nominated:

"The Adventures of Tintin" John Williams
"The Artist" Ludovic Bource
"Hugo" Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse" John Williams

SHOULD WIN - "The Artist" Ludovic Bource

WILL WIN - "The Artist" Ludovic Bource


OK, those are my picks. Come back tomorrow to see how I did. In the meantime the blog is now yours to comment, update me on your life, or post what your damn well please.

Walking To Heaven

Back to the blog after a two day hiatus. Had a good day at work last week. Well four good days. There was one good day where I just wasn't thinking properly. Have you had those days? I am hoping those kind of days are few and far between. Now I have a to do list with thirty-one items on it that I need to address today and tomorrow. A weekend of rest, nope. Today I am taking Mom to lunch and while at Mom's cooking dinner for tonight. The menu is turkey meatloaf, green beans, and sweet potato fries. Since sister has been taking over my nights I have been doing weekend days. That gives sister three days off a week. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (which the caregiver does).

I am really looking forward to the Oscars tomorrow night. I have seen all the nominated films except Hugo which if things go right I will see it today. Tomorrow is update day and since I have been updating you on my life every day I will leave the updates to you and make my Oscar picks.

Today let's start out with my favorite story of the week:

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2012/02/taking_steps_to_improve_the_wo.html

From the good story to a little bit of heaven:

http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/24/austin-cabin-called-austin-heaven-really-is-like-heaven/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D138270

And let's close with a very touching story.

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2012-02-24/Teen-battling-cancer-seeks-dream-date-with-Taylor-Swift/53233232/1

Comment Away and return tomorrow for my

Mish Mash

This is the last post this week until Saturday. Today is mish mash of several articles I've received of the last few weeks.

First up is how to stop a prison break:

http://news.yahoo.com/paraguay-stray-dogs-barking-foils-prison-break-201053180.html;_ylt=AmjDw1kf6LlVwBg8BkuzTEqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN2dDEzMHNkBG1pdANPZGQgRnJvbnQgUGFnZQRwa2cDNjhhZTg1OTctMDc5ZS0zZTQ5LWJiMzMtOTk0NWYzMWQyNWJmBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNNZWRpYVNlY3Rpb25MaXN0BHZlcgMzZTJhZTQyMC01OWIwLTExZTEtYmRiZi03YzZjMmI0NWEwNmI-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

We all know that the United States is owned by China, right? We hear that over and over again from the media and sometimes our friends. But is the U.S. really owned by China?

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/02/13/3-economic-misconceptions-that-need-to-die/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D136680

Now let's clean this up a little:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tablet/top-10-best-hotel-bathtub_b_1273156.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl13%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D136033


Comment Away.

Elderly, Bad, Good, Interesting.

Before today's post I have an update from Kaye. If you remember Kaye is from Texas and used to post on the blog. She met a really nice man so she concentrated on the relationship and that took her away from the blog. As last reported they found a brain tumor in Dave, her boyfriend. Here is an e-mail I received Sunday:

"I have an update on Dave. We finally had the consultation with his neurosurgeon and they have scheduled surgery to begin on 3/5/12.

His tumor is located just above his left ear and against the skull, which is good. They will open him up 3/5, put a grid around the tumor and place electrodes around that. They will do testing on Tuesday to find out exactly where Dave's speech & language areas are so they can avoid those. Then, they will remove the tumor on Wednesday, 3/7. They actually feel he could go home that Friday!

As serious as this is, at least he's looking at a good recovery. They won't know if there will be radiation or chemo until the pathology results are in, which will be a week or so after the surgery.

He really has quite the support system of family & friends and has managed to keep a positive outlook. I think he will come thru this remarkably well, and his surgeon stated he feels this will be a very successful surgery and recovery."

I am sending prayers and good thoughts Dave's and Kaye's way. It would certainly be appreciated if you would also.

Today's post.

How not to treat the elderly. I certainly think I am a better son than this dude:

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/02/17/98-year-olds-birthday-surprise-eviction-notice-from-her-son/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D136614

How to enjoy aging:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/going-back-to-college_n_1274049.html?ref=fifty&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D136497

How to find hidden meanings in elderly paintings:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-lester/vitruvian-man-history_b_1273707.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl16%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D136574

Comment Away

Walk This Way

Apparently the way you walk can predict future mental health:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/16/could-the-way-you-walk-predict-dementia-chances_n_1282026.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D136543

Since we started off the day with a health note let's continue. Reversing heart problems:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/0214/stem-cell-treatment-might-reverse-heart-attack-damage.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_9_20120213_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D135770

And let's end with another health article:

http://news.yahoo.com/aspirin-could-beat-cancer-spread-australian-study-061326467.html

Comment Away.

Checking In

The lawsuit against my Mom is in the hands of my attorney brother. I am holding off my attack to see what happens. I don't want to upset the apple cart if my brother can take care of it with a phone call. Just a couple notes. Mom's age is in the court papers so the attorney did know her age. Even if he didn't it would taken him less then a minute to Google search Mom to find her age. And since this involves issues from over thirty years ago you would think that a half way intelligent attorney would have searched the age of the people involved. Of course he could have found the age just by looking in documents he already had.

Here is the crux of the lawsuit. Mom, Dad, B, & B owned a rental property for a few years. They sold the property on contract. Three times actually. Each time they would sell the property within a year a two the person they sold it to would throw up their hands, quit paying the contract, and give the property back to Mom, Dad, B, & D. The property was not in the best of areas. Our family was good landlords, getting every elderly tenant on HUD and keeping the place pristine. The tenants loved them. Whenever we sold it, the tenants would basically treat the new owners like crap. They wanted M & D back. In 1986 we sold the property to G. C. He honored the contract and paid it off in about 1986. Then he let the property go. He didn't pay his property tax and as of today there are six years of unpaid property taxes. The county was going to foreclose on the property last year. Since Mom had once had an interest in the property she was notified by the county and asked if she wanted to buy the property for the property tax. The property was in terrible shape. There were no tenants. All the windows had been shot out. The roof was leaking. The yard had become a jungle. It would have cost a fortune to get the property in rental shape. Even though we could have bought the property for the property taxes after the cost of the improvements the purchase price of the property would have been more than it was worth. Enter a trust in November that wanted to buy the property and fix it up. The trust tracked down all the previous owners and sought out clear title. They gave Mom & B a nice sum of money to sign off the title. As part of that transaction they gave M & B hold harmless agreements. Also as part of that process they sent several notifications to G. C. He ignored all notifications. So the trust sued him for clear title. Then G.C. countersued the trust and named as third party defendants anyone and everyone that ever had any interest in the property (ten third party defendants) claiming he was illegally kicked off of the title.

Basically he won't win the lawsuit and the only ones that will benefit are the attorneys. Mom and B had nothing to do with kicking him off the title. And all G.C. had to do was to answer any of his numerous previous notifications. Personally I think his attorney is a shister and took the case to make money at the expense of an elderly man which G.C. is.

That is it in a nutshell.

On to today. Going to Mom's today to either take her out to lunch or fix her lunch depending on how she feels. I am hoping she is good enough to get out.

My check-in for last week. Five days of work. Thursday night and Saturday at Mom's. Work is going well but there are so many returns pending information before I can finish them that it is driving me nuts. I also slowed down a little from last week. I came to the conclusion on Friday that I am thinking to much and I just need to trust my instincts. With the experience I have it is easy to get sidetracked on issues thinking there may be a better way to do the return and it usually ends up the return is right to begin with. So I have decided over thinking is dangerous.

Next week. Five days of work. Today, Tuesday night, and Saturday at Mom's. Plus I need to work on some personal work projects in the evening.

That is my life right now. Tell me about your life. This is your day on the blog. Post anything you damn well please and then go out and enjoy the day!!

PS

The blog schedule this week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday.

I'm Royally Pissed

I have mom duty today and tomorrow. Since sister is doing nights I am doing weekend days. That will give sister the weekend to spend with her husband.

It was kind of an exciting day yesterday. First Mom got a summons about a piece of property that her and dad owned in 1986. I am going after the attorney because I am royally pissed. How cruel of an attorney to send a summons to a ninety-six year old women in poor health. And it gets even more cruel when on that last deed of the property there is an agreement holding mom harmless from any future lawsuits. All the idiot attorney had to do was to look at the deed to see the agreement. And all the jackass had to do was Goggle mom to find out her age. I am considering any and all of the following: suing his firm and him personally for harassing the elderly, filing a complaint with the Oregon State Bar against him, filing a complaint with Oregon Aging council against him, and write letters to every paper within one hundred miles of his office telling of his actions (I can't be sued for libel if I stick to the truth.) I hope when I am done with him he will never treat another elderly person the way he treated my Mom. And maybe the stupid idiot will find a heart. I plan on naming the attorney on both my blog and on Facebook in the next week. I also plan on responding to the summons and getting mom out of it due to her age and ill health.

If that wasn't enough. Mom is diabetic. Last night I had just changed into my sleeping clothes when I got a phone call. The caregiver dropped her bottle of insulin and it broke and insulin went all over the floor. She needs insulin at night and in the morning. Mom's normal pharmacy closes at 7. So I got redressed and went on a mission to find a pharmacy to fill the prescription. Because of the refills the pharmacies couldn't fill the prescription without a new prescription. It turns out that insulin is over the counter. However, the problem is if you fill it over the counter the insurance company doesn't pay for it. The price difference between buying it over the counter or with a prescription is substantial, almost double. The cost of filling it with a prescription is about $55, over the counter is a little over hundred bucks. Mom's pharmacy opens at 9 this morning and has a prescription on file. We decided to take an alternative course for last night and wait until this morning to get the insulin. She took an extra Glipizide. And checked her sugar a couple of times during the night. The alternative course seemed to work. The caregiver felt awful and offered to pay for the insulin but I said no. We all make mistakes. She didn't do it on purpose. It was a honest mistake, she shouldn't have to pay for it.

What an end to a work week.

I need a laugh today. Dumb criminals usually provide it:

Http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/gary-byrne-robbery-stupidest-criminal_n_1285302.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D136672

Comment Away.

Coffee, Health, & Volunteering,

Things are going well at work. I am producing some returns faster and one or two not so fast. I like having a place to go in the morning. Mom is getting better. I had dinner with her last night and stayed until the caregiver got there. We had a peaceful evening talking and watching Family Feud. Her stats were amazing last night. I guess where Mom is concerned I have a healing personality.

Have you had your coffee yet? I have not only because it gets me going, I like the taste and some reports say it is healthy. I'm not a big fan of Starbuck's Coffee. My favorite is 7-11 coffee. When we had a Dunkin Donuts near us I liked their coffee but they are no longer in the area. Spending to much for coffee? Here are some hints:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/01/10/savings-experiment-coffee/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl13%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D136225

I find the cheapest coffee is when you make it at home. How about you? What is your favorite coffee when you buy out and what is your favorite coffee when you make it at hime (Folger's Country Roast for me)?

Speaking of health here is an article I found interesting:

http://news.yahoo.com/microchip-successfully-delivers-bone-loss-drug-study-191903378.html

Good news!

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? I have one for you. For you maybe,. not for me:

http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/16/volunteers-needed-to-explore-atlantis/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl7%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D136324

Comment Away.

The Frightening

Today let's just do the frightening stuff.

While the fist article is a little frightening it is also a little funny:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/bound-naked-role-play_n_1278598.html

I am not above doing a little role playing to improve a relationship if that is what she wants, however, I am sure in the hell going to be a little more discreet than doing it in the parking lot of a grocery store.

The next article is frightening in that knowing these groups exist makes me shudder.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/hutaree-militia-social-club_n_1275922.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D135561

Why I found the last article a little frightening speaks for itself:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/russia-nuclear-disaster-submarine-fire_n_1276660.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D135782

Comment Away.

Happy Valentine's Day

May the love of your life treat you like the special person you today and everyday, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

Blog returns tomorrow.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Monday and I am looking forward to a productive week. If things go as planned no nights at Mom's. Work takes priority now.

Let's start off the week with the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I am putting the next article as good. With hesitancy but still good.

http://news.yahoo.com/sandia-labs-engineers-create-self-guided-bullet-161745833.html

Less deaths from stray bullets is my reason for classifying it as good.

The second article can be classified as both good and bad depending on your outlook:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-10/nursing-home-ratings/53029452/1

It is great that so many more nursing homes are getting good ratings but it kind of sucks that some of the ones haven't done anything to improve.

Now the ugly. One of my greatest fears to pass away and have nobody find me for a long time. After Mom passes away I won't have anyone checking on me on a daily basis. Sis will check on me but that will be more like weekly. I don't think I will undiscovered for this long, however.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/david-carter-dead-suicide_n_1258367.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl14%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D134660

Comment Away.

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody"

The blog schedule this week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

It was nice to see Mary Z post and to see an update from Dona. Today is the day for anyone that want to update us to do so. I've been updating you all week. Job is going well, Mom is getter better, and I haven't lost any weight yet but I am on the right track with my diet. I know the weight will start coming off soon. There is always a plateau.

I am really sad today about the death of Whitney Houston.

http://news.yahoo.com/whitney-houston-iconic-pop-star-dies-48-014318782--abc-news.html

We have lost so many talented people to early in the process:

http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/died_too_young#tab=most_recent

Some were murdered, some died due to health, but so many left this world at their own hands or their own devices. I just can't help but wonder When Will They Even Learn My Friend, When Will They Ever Learn.

Maybe the stars will never despite tragedy after tragedy but I am hoping my relatives, my friends, the readers of the blog, and all of us will learn from these to early deaths of the stars. Be careful, take care of your health, don't do drugs, drink in moderation, and for God's seek don't be afraid to seek out help if you need it.

That's all I have for today. Update me on your life and then comment away.

Rest In Peace, Whitney.

Let's Talk

Mom keeps on improving. One of the problems she had was that she bruised her chest when she was ill rom her upset stomach. After some ice packs that is now gone. As to the other she is about 98% nd I think she will be back to normal soon. I am taking her out to lunch today because I think it will be good to get her some fresh air.

Work was amazing this week. I am processing the tax returns faster than I did last year. I think I have slowed down just a little but because I am more familiar with the clients that makes up for the slight slow down. I was blown away yesterday by a surprise four year anniversary party. The receptionist fixed a free lunch for everyone there. I received a $35 gift card & a greeting card signed by everyone. I especially liked two comments. The first one was made by Mary, my boss: "your sense of humor & your outlook make you a valued member of our team." And from Barbara, the lady that reviews my returns: "There are pros and cons of tax season and you are one of the "pros". Now that my ego is sufficiently stroked, mom is getting better, and week two of work is on the horizon it is time to get down to business.

Let's talk. Let's talk about others. It is good for our health:

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/allinyourmind/gossiping-can-be-good-you

Have you ever worn a ponytail? Got any extra hair you don't need? Here is a good place for it:

http://news.yahoo.com/rapunzel-number-helps-scientists-quantify-ponytails-160651031.html

Have you even been to Paris? Neither have I but I loved the following pictures:

http://www.stylelist.com/2012/02/06/eugene-atget-moma_n_1254059.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl6%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D133954

Comment Away.

I'm Back

Hi. I'm back for the next four or five days. I will give the blog schedule on Sunday or Momday. For sure there will be a blog post Today, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Mom update. I took her to the doctor Tuesday night. The doctor adopted a different game plan which included a change in medication. The change in medication had an immediate impact and she is doing quite well. Not one hundred percent yet but close. She is doing well enough that we will probably cancel Monday's appointment. The doctor suggested that if Mom got well.

My work is going great. It was amazing how much I remembered from last year. The first tax return I did generated no review notes. Pretty darn good. What is amazing is the kind of things that I didn't remember. I was fine with the tax returns it was how to use some of the equipment, like the copy machine, the telephone, and the alarm. Don't laugh. A lot of different companies use the copy machines and there are codes and whatnot. The copy machine is one size fits all. I think I got it now. I have the alarm code memorized. And I made a phone call. I'm good to go.

Let's start the day with a couple of good articles:

First the good kid:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/noah-lamaide-12-year-old-_n_1262843.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl18%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D133999

Now the good news health article:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/0208/more-success-with-gene-therapy-for-blindness.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_10_20120206_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl17%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D134007

Now an update about Super Bowl Ads. First don't you think it is great that the top two rated ads during the Super Bowl weren't produced by big time New York ad agencies but just normal dudes and dudettes that won a Doritos contest. The number rated ad had a grandma slinging a baby to grab a bag of Doritos from an unsuspecting young man. Because it was rated number one it brings a million dollar bonus with it to the previously unknown producer of the ad.

As to the Chrysler ad that brought so much discussion with it about whether it was political or not, E. J. Dionne got it right:

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x392619222/E-J-DIONNE-Clint-Eastwood-Rick-Santorum-and-the-limits-of-pessimism

Comment Away.

Heart Healthy Month

Heading off to work in a few hours. Then on my lunch hour it is picking up prescriptions. After work it is taking Mom to the doctor and spending the night there. I might call it a busy day. After my doctor's appointment yesterday health is on my mind so today is all about health.

What can we learn about health from cats?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/sleeping-cats-sleep-photos_n_1244536.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D133180

This is heart healthy month. So the next two articles are about heart matters:

First up is an article in today's OREGONIAN. It always pleases me with the locals are on the cutting edge:

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/02/post_53.html

As was confirmed by my doctor yesterday diet can solve some heart issues. Diet and Weight:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/heart-health-month-healthy-foods_n_1248169.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D133194

Comment Away.

Super Monday

I start my seasonal job tomorrow so am going to have to downsize the blog. The blog schedule for this week

Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Updates:

Mom is better but not anywhere near where she should be. I am taking her to the doctor tomorrow at 6 PM. Some relatives don't think she needs to go to the doctor. I'm better safe than sorry. So I am risking pissing off the relatives and taking Mom where she wants to go, to the doctor.

Me. I had my doctor's appointment this morning. It was both good and bad. The cholesterol is 164 and the bad is 55 which is really pretty darn good. But there are other concerns. And the doctor wants me to lose two to four pounds a month until I lose 22 pounds.

Today's Entry

I watched the super bowl yesterday and it was a darn good game. I also watch the game for the commercials. My favorite ad of the day didn't get rated because technically it wasn't during the game it was at half time. I honestly didn't think the ad was political at all. I thought it promoting Detroit not President Obama. Here is the ad:

http://autos.aol.com/article/is-chryslers-super-bowl-ad-pro-obama/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D133270

Did the ad seem political to you?

Next up today is an article about a school I am not going to attend anytime soon.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/02/52_portland_men_undergo_johns.html

Most of us like thrift shops. Here are some of the good ones:

http://www.stylelist.com/2012/01/30/thrift-stores_n_1242059.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132435

Comment Away.

Checking In

I've been going strong since 5:30 last night. We took Mom to the emergency room because she wasn't getting in better. It was midnight before they decided to admit her overnight. I was back up at the hospital at seven this morning. They released mom at about one and by the time I got home it was close to three. The drug Protonix seem to immediately improve her condition. They also prescribed Prilosec.

The diagnosis was Gastritis and Spasms of the Esophagus. I was curious how serious these were to I went to a medical dictiornary.

GASTRITIS:

In the stomach there is a delicate balance between acid and the wall lining which is protected by mucus. When this mucus lining is disrupted for whatever reason, signs and symptoms of acidity result. This may result in upper abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and heartburn. When the condition is allowed to progress, the pain may become continuous; blood may start to leak and be seen in the stools. If the bleeding is rapid and of adequate volume it may even result in vomiting of bright red blood (hematemesis). When the acidity is uncontrolled, it can even cause severe blood loss (anemia) or lead to perforation (hole) in the stomach which is a surgical emergency.

SPASME OF THE ESOPHAGUS

What is esophageal spasm?

Esophageal spasms are irregular, uncoordinated, and sometimes powerful contractions of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Normally, contractions of the esophagus are coordinated, moving the food through the esophagus and into the stomach.

There are two main types of esophageal spasm:

Diffuse esophageal spasm. This type of spasm is an irregular, uncoordinated squeezing of the muscles of the esophagus. This can prevent food from reaching the stomach, leaving it stuck in the esophagus.

Nutcracker esophagus. This type of spasm squeezes the esophagus in a coordinated way, the same way food is moved down the esophagus normally. But the squeezing is very strong. These contractions move food through the esophagus but can cause severe pain.

You can have both types of esophageal spasm.

Esophageal spasms are uncommon. Often, symptoms that may suggest an esophageal spasm are the result of another condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or achalasia, a problem with the nervous system in which the muscles of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) don't work properly. Anxiety or panic attacks can also cause similar symptoms.

What causes esophageal spasm?

The cause of esophageal spasm is unknown. Many doctors believe it results from a disruption of the nerve activity that coordinates the swallowing action of the esophagus. In some people, very hot or very cold foods may trigger an episode.

What are the symptoms?

Most people with this condition have chest pain that may spread outward to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. This pain can feel similar to a heart attack. If you have chest pain, you should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out or treat cardiac disease.

Other symptoms include difficulty or inability to swallow food or liquid, pain with swallowing, the feeling that food is caught in the center of the chest, and a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn).

How is esophageal spasm diagnosed?

Your doctor can often find out the cause of esophageal spasm from your medical history by asking you a series of questions. These include questions about what foods or liquids trigger symptoms, where it feels like food gets stuck, other symptoms or conditions you may have, and whether you are taking medicines for them.

The diagnosis can be confirmed with tests, including esophagus tests (such as esophageal manometry) or a barium swallow. Esophageal manometry uses a small tube attached to instruments (transducers) that measure pressure. A barium swallow is done using X-rays.

Other tests may be done to find out whether chest pain may be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the abnormal backflow (reflux) of food, stomach acid, and other digestive juices from the stomach into the esophagus.


Back to me. Mom had a ton of tests when she was in the hospital. The symptoms she had were classic to the above descriptions of the diseases. They gave her the right medication. She is now home and resting. She really now has no restriction on her diet but was told to start slow and eat carefully for a few days before she gets back to a normal diet.

That is it for the day. Feel free to comment!

Good Friday

It was a rough day yesterday. Mom got worse. I really thought she should have gone to emergency room but was overruled by the opposite genders in the household. I spent the night there just in case she need to go to 911 during the night. Mom actually got better the minute I told her I would spend the night. She took a little bit of a downturn this morning but was still ten times better than yesterday. She goes to the doctor at four this afternoon. I will update you then.

I need good stories today. Nothing better than good animal and good children stories. I'm also kind of fond of stories about the little guy winning First up is the animal story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/service-dog-saves-life-arizona-bethe-benne_n_1248293.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D132441

I've always been fascinated by service animals. This fascinates me even more!

Now let's move on from animals to children:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/maine-girl-bouncing-back-_0_n_1251212.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl13%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132431

Amazing child, amazing medical personnel.

Now let's talk about a woman holding an auto company accountable for the information they put out.

http://autos.aol.com/article/honda-civic-hybrid-lawsuit-ruling/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132403

At first I thought this was kind of a lawsuit that shouldn't have been filed but now I am applauding it.

Comment Away.

Fixing Stupid

Mom is still ill but is doing better. I am going to do a lot of TLC today. I have my lab tests at 9:15 this morning and can't eat until after the test. Of course I am as hungry right now as I have ever been. I got the word yesterday I start work next Tuesday. I'm not sure I am ready for it.

On to today's post. You can't fix stupid? Apparently the Russians are going to try:

http://news.yahoo.com/russias-latest-official-website-kick-us-were-stupid-075500955.html;_ylt=AqprpEabfIi9kClF_q5v6ris0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNtMGxzNTA5BG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDM2E5ZDU0NWItZWRmYy0zMTliLWE1ZmYtZDViMWQyOWM1YTI2BHBvcwMxMQRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5BHZlcgMzNDRkMzcyYS00Y2I2LTExZTEtOGZmZi1mOGZlMTVhYWE2M2M-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

With Mom sick the last two days have been a little testy and not all that great. But certainly not as bad as the following home owner:

http://news.yahoo.com/fbi-cuts-down-mass-moms-door-wrong-home-143434056.html;_ylt=AquEQ_Au26PjG1aWkWJzlwGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsYWJ2bTdtBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBGUARwa2cDYjU4Yjc4MmMtNjFmZC0zODgxLTg1YTItNGYxMTk2MjMxOTcxBHBvcwM5BHNlYwN0b3Bfc3RvcnkEdmVyA2VlOGI4OGEwLTRjZTEtMTFlMS1iZmJmLTE3MTE0Mjk2ODEwNQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

When mom gets well I am going to do a little dancing:

http://www.aol.com/video/dancing-lollipop-lady-brightens-up-school-walk/517259833/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-sb-nb%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D131523

Comment Away.

No Entry Today

Mom is really ill. She can't keep things down. I am heading in there. If she doesn't get better by noon we are going to send her to the hospital.

Will report back later today or tomorrow.