November 4, 2009

• Ready.....Set.......

  Today was all about getting ready.  The Beast was so anxious to go that he packed up his own clothes and made sure the dog's stuff was in the trunk.  All he will have to do in the morning (Weds.) is throw his pillow, the dog's bed and his winter jacket in the trunk. 

  I finally got my ass out of the house and to Walmart to do some grocery shopping.  I picked up a couple things for Chewlee to eat that she should like.  I also got some cereal since that is her breakfast of choice.  For some reason, she doesn't like eggs.  I wanted to make sure that I had what I would need for her overnight stay so I don't have to drive the darn truck.  It feels so damn long that I really don't feel secure backing up in it especially.  It's a dumb thing I know but it's still the way I feel.

  If I have to take it out for something before the Beast gets back, I will but if I can avoid doing it, I will. 

  We just found out that Tara was either laid off work or quit her job.  I think it's probably the former since she stated business was bad.  I felt awful for her.  I'll see her tomorrow afternoon and get more details then.  She was having a bad time, I knew but it was because Unemployment was slow getting out her money.  I think the State has been short of funds and had to wait for the new *year* to get more money.  I remember reading something about it in the paper and thinking that was a sad state of affairs for people who needed it. 

  But then I read that one county here in Alabama has the highest unemployment rate in the country.  It's something like 60%.    I know!  That's an incredible amount of people but there was apparently just one large employer there and they either moved or went out of business or some such thing.  I forget which.  It wasn't important enough for me to remember since I don't know anyone that was affected.

  No wonder she's been a bit frantic with Tonto being ill and all.  That meant for a while there was NO money coming in.  Good thing she had lots of food in her freezer.  But the utilities....OMG.....and her mortgage....well, THERE she gets a bit of a break since it's held privately and the people that hold it are sympathetic to her plight.  They will work with her on that part.  The taxes are part of the payment she has been making so there's no problem there and the insurance was recently paid for the year.  *sigh*  Life can be so unfair sometimes.

  Most of the counties here in Alabama aren't suffering such high unemployment rates.  It's that one county that has our percentage up as high as it is given on news reports.  Yet we are still under the national average.  Go figure.  I guess because so much of our state is agricultural.  It will probably go up during the winter because of that.  Unless the workers do the migrant thing and head down to Florida to keep working.  Some probably will.

  I've been reading other blogs recently and in one, the gal writing it said she met someone....a celebrity of sorts....and because she was so sweet, she was convinced she HAD to come to Alabama to meet the people and see some of the state.  That's kind of what I have been saying all along.  You have to meet these people to believe it.

  Even today, as I was shopping, the smiles and nods of the people were warming to the soul.  I just love it.  Smiles freely given spread, too.  Try it some time.  Smile for no reason at all.  You will find when people smile back at you that it gives you a feeling of well-being.  It's why I really enjoy living here.  What a huge difference from the people in most of Florida.

  Time to say *adios* for today....or perhaps I should just say *Good morning* for those of you that will be reading this then.  Love you all and have a wonderful day full of smiles.  It works no matter where you live.

  • 12:02 am
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