Thursday, March 17, 2011

Price Increase!!!

I was going to just talk about price increase on food, but I saw that the increase is not only with food but everything else! I have been talking about this for quite sometime but seems that nobody really cares! Is it because people have more than enough finances or everybody is just tired and cannot do anything about it? Maybe both???

Have you noticed that your money is hard to stretch nowadays? I wonder why?? You wonder why?? No, I am just being sarcastic! Of course, money is very tight nowadays, because everything costs sooooooooo much!! Should we all start to grow our own vegetables? Or raise our own chickens and pigs?? Do they allow to raise livestock in the city? If not, maybe the city officials will allow it since it is expensive to buy meat! Ha! Ha! Ha! Come on...dream on....

Gasoline prices is now $3.55/gallon in Michigan. It is probably higher in California or other states. I do not know...all I know is it is too expensive to fill out the tank! What used to be only $15.00 for every fill up is now $30.00! Ay..ya...yay!!! So, I have been trying to combine all my trips so gasoline is not wasted! Should we all start riding a bicycle??? Oh, oh, I will be in trouble since I do not know how to ride a bike! It is hopeless for me! How about just building up a tricycle??? That is a thought!!! Sounds good, is it not???

Food prices are really high! Have you noticed how much food you can buy for $50.00? Not much nowadays. Meat and chicken has gone up so much over the last few months. You know what we can stock up with today??? Corned beef!! They are on sale since it is St. Patrick's Day! It is cheaper this week! Eggs are also on sale for $1.00 for large eggs at Kroger, so be sure to stock up on that too! I noticed though that the large eggs are the medium eggs of yesteryears!Retailers or manufacturers are cutting down on the size of the items to be able to still sell it low. Have you noticed that too for quite sometime now??? I also noticed that whenever something is on sale, like sugar for $2.69 a bag, people grab it and leave the shelves empty! How about chocolate chips for baking? People are grabbing the sale items and leaving the more expensive brand names on the shelves!

How about clothes? I am not really sure yet because I try not to buy any! But I am sure that it has gone up too since cotton prices have gone up! I think I am getting discouraged and sad on the state of our economy that I am stopping now.

Take care everyone!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! May God bless us all!!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

News...Here And There....

Okay, what is new? There are still lingering news about Japan. There are still 8,000 missing. My prayers go to the people of Japan for the devastation incurred and the loss of lives. It will never be the same for the Japanese people. Of course, they will be able to cope but it will take time, money and effort not only from the Japanese people but throughout the world! What does that mean for their economy? Their economy will of course suffer, and some other nations too! After all, Japan is a very powerful nation. Did you know that Japan is the second largest foreign holder of US government debt? It has about $882 billion in US Treasury Bonds! If they liquidate that $882 billion, which they might, considering they need money to rebuild....what do you guys think will happen??? The US economy will go down further! The cost of everything will skyrocket! The cost of everything is already skyhigh! They are saying that this is just the beginning! Oh my gosh! What we need are more prayers!!!! It makes me sad to even think of the future, so I think I will stop for now on this subject!

Just read the prediction that middle skill workers will be in high demand in the future! What does that mean? Middle skill workers are those with more than a High School diploma but less than a four year degree. Wow! Why is that? It is probably so that companies can pay them less and have more profit in their pockets to give bonuses and jets to their CEO'S and President's! Right?? So, now, they are saying that going to college is useless and will be a thing of the past? I do not know. Your guess is as good as mine!!!

How true is this what I read about a team of radical Islamics under the banner of Shariah 4 has plans to cover the Statue of Liberty with a burkha? Give me a break! That is truly crossing the line! Miss Liberty has been on the American shore for a long time and it is a part of the US history!! Don't these people have anything better to think and do?? What do you, American people think of this? Are we allowing this to happen???

May God bless us all!!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Bachelor, 03142011

Bachelor Brad Womack finally picked a bachelorette! The most controversial bachelor of Season 11 did not dumped the last two ladies standing, Emily Maynard and Chantal O'Brien! This was so different from the first time he was a bachelor when he snubbed DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft. Did Womack changed? He should since he keeps saying he went to therapy! Sometimes he seems to have a stern face and when he says he is happy, I do not see a smile on his face! It seems that he has a hard time smiling. Have you all noticed that also?


These people are sooo lucky, they went around the world like Costa Rica, Africa etc... to film the episodes. The show must be racking a lot of dough to afford the lavish style and globe trotting! There must be a lot of suckers watching the show! You watch it too! Yes, I did watch it because I want to see the women acting crazy and silly vying for the affection of one man! I also wanted to see if Womack is a changed man! I am not sure yet!

The other 2 bachelorettes that were in the final four were Ashley, the dentist, and Shawntel, the funeral director. Brad would be sitting pretty if he have chosen Ashley because she is a dentist! Dentist makes a lot of money, and too bad, Brad missed his chance! Oh, well, they seem not to have too much chemistry and Ashley seems to be wishy washy! I just about died when Shawntel took Brad to a mausoleum and showed him how she does her work. That is too weird! I do not blame Brad for running away from her! Back to the last two bachelorettes.....

In Africa, Brad's relatives met the two ladies. The mother warmed up to Chantal right away since she is outgoing, fun and energetic. Emily, on the other hand was reserved, sweet and shy. After Emily told Brad's relatives how she lost her last love, Ricki Hendrick, a NASCAR driver, they all warmed up to her. Emily seems to be always thinking and uptight. What did Brad see in her? Her beauty and her sad life raising Ricki, her daughter, by herself! Brad felt being protective towards her and her daughter! But it seems that Emily is a very independent woman! Does she really need someone like Brad? Also, Emily must be earning a very good amount of money to be able to afford a house like that! Unless Hendrick was well off and she inherited a huge amount of money!

Chantal, on the other hand is very pretty but I think needs to lose some weight! Sorry Chantal, you are on the limelight so everything on you will be under scrutiny! I think she was really into Brad! Just think about her last date which was to swim with the sharks! If Chantal did not love him, she would not have done it! And Brad Womack.... you are insane and stupid for letting her go!! Don't you want to have fun and not be tied down???

It seems that Brad and Emily has had problems already. Brad, it seems, wants to get married. Emily, on the other hand, is not ready and have some doubts, insecurities and what have you about Brad. Then does that mean that Emily does not really love Brad??? On the other hand, I think Brad wants to get married so he can save face from last time...to tell the world that he has changed and is not a failure! What do you all think?

Well, whatever these two lovebirds decide, I am sure that the world is watching and wishing them the best of luck!!!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Life In General

What do you want to talk about life? I am not sure yet since it seems my brain is still asleep! Blame it on Daylight Savings Time...I lost one hour of precious sleep! Excuse me, what do you mean, you lost 1 hour of sleep? Sometimes you go from one day to the following afternoon with no sleep! That is different..I have company and I am having fun! Got it? Oh, excuse me, I forgot you are having fun! That makes a big difference!!! LOL.

Okay, I get it now. When you are a baby, you do not have any care in the world. You are playful and happy as long as you are full and your bum is clean! Ha! Ha! Ha! That is not a good thing to say about a baby! What do you want me to say? They are sooo adorable and cuddly that everyone wants to hold them?? No, just say they cannot take care of themselves so they really are very dependent on their parents!

When you are a teenager...this is the time when the struggle within oneself comes! The teenager wants to be embraced by the "in" group that they sometimes become blind to everybody and their surroundings! They are so gung ho to have the approval of their peers that they forget who really loves them! Is that right?? But not all teenagers are like that...some have a good sense of right and wrong! That is true, but sometimes they get challenged to do something stupid and when they realize it, it has been done and over with! All they get are regrets and a point of no return! I think this is the time that really shape a person's being. Most of the time, the kids listen to their peers rather than their parents! You are right, sad, but true!

Adulthood. This is the time that you try to make as much money as you can. Buy all the items that you see is necessary to be called successful and spend, spend, spend. After all, what is money for? To spend and be merry! Most people do not think about tomorrow! Is there not a song that goes like this? Tomorrow...tomorrow...it's only a day away...Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Why do I even talk to you? You become crazy in the middle of a serious talk! I do not really know about you! Back to being serious... That is true, not everyone has a good sense to save for the future. Before they realize it, they have spent all their money and has gone bankrupt, almost bankrupt, or really struggling! So, my advice to the younger generation....Save! Save! Save! But how could they save if they do not have jobs? Pray, keep on looking and do not lose hope! There is something there that is waiting to be discovered by the young folks! Keep on persevering and hoping for good things to come! Have faith and everything will be alright! After all, life is like a circle...sometimes you are down...sometimes you are up! You cannot be down all the time...you have to be up eventually taking a little step at a time!

Golden Years. Lucky are those people that have saved all their life to really enjoy their golden years! They must have really sacrificed a lot to be able to save a bundle, and now they are reaping their rewards! How about the seniors that are not as lucky? They are really struggling! Some are resorting to a reverse mortgage so they do not have to pay their mortgage. Is reverse mortgage the answer? I do not know. I heard that you own your house as long as you live there. So what happen to the children or survivors? I really do not know! Some parents live with their children? Is that good or bad? It probably has its ups and downs. Personally, I think it will be hard especially if your children are married! I once heard someone remarked that she wished she has her own house! But seniors cannot live by themselves forever! Sad, but I have heard some live by themselves and they are 80 years old! Wow! That is incredible! I applaud this seniors. After all, it is independent living!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A Little Bit Of News

March 13, 2011...start of Daylight Savings Time!!! Did you all changed your time? Remember.. Spring Forward!!! Yes, you got it right, baby, we lost 1 hour of sleep today!!! Feel tired?? Do not worry we will gain that 1 hour back in the Fall! I know! I know! It is a long time from now. Well, kiddo, you cannot do anything...so deal with it and stop whining!!!

I feel sooo bad about the 8.9 earthquake/tsunami that devastated Japan the other day. The death toll is reaching 10,000. Hopefully the aftershocks are done and the nuclear plants will be alright! Let us all pray for the Japanese people!

Have you seen the latest kitchen gadgets? My! My! My! To start with...A Toast Stamper!! Goodness gracious!! Would you spend $6.99 for a plastic stamper to stamp some designs on your toast?? Maybe if you have small children to make them eat toast? How about adults? Are you willing to part with your money for a stupid thing like a toast stamper???

Next item, please...A Chef Basket worth $14.99. It starts off flat and expands into a flexible basket that lets you cook, boil or deep fry. You invert it and presto! A steamer is born! It is a neat idea, but who needs another kitchen gadget??

How about a Wowbacon Microwave Bacon Cooker for $23.95? It cooks the bacon in a two compartment container, looks like a pitcher from the picture, the fat draining on the outer compartment. Maybe this one will be good since it will not have the fat splattering all over the microwave and thus paper towels are saved! But isn't that kind of expensive? Well, you are not using paper towels, so is that not savings???

Then there is the Yumbots Robot Cupcake Molds from $19.30. Can you imagine eating robot shaped cupcakes? This will be a fun way to serve cupcakes for birthday parties! Available in red, blue, green and yellow! Are we all running now to get these molds? Heck, no! Not me..I do not need any more extra gadgets on my cupboard!

How about a Pig Cooking Lid that is placed directly on the pot? Steam is released through the pig's snout! Oink! Oink! Sorry, I forgot how much it is since I am not interested.

There are soo many more gadgets but I think I will stop for now! I am not buying anymore kitchen gadgets to use just once and let dust accumulate in it! Thank you very much, but I will hold on to my dollars even though the value has gone down big time!

Lte us take a look at the Extra Virgin Oil. Wowie! It is really outrageously high! A few years ago, I can get a big bottle for $5.00! Now? It is about $10.00!!! Oh, well, I think I have to keep on looking for a sale! Good luck to me finding one!

Talking about extra virgin oil, did you know that there is one with garlic in it? Ummm!!! This will be good for salads. The best part of that is... it is MADE IN THE USA! The name of the company? Sutter Buttes California!! I feel like a spokesperson for this company (lol), but I am trying to buy products only made in America! I hope and pray for our economy that all Americans do the same! Or are we too late? Better late than never! Wow!! That is what I like...a fighting spirit!!! So, come on everybody.....let us pray, buy US made products and keep on trying to help and save America from its spiral downwards!

Have I blabbered enough already? You bet! Okay, I will stop now. Let us all pray for all the people in the world! Let there be world peace!! May God bless everyone and their families reading this blog!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Price Fluctuations!!!

We have all seen how the unrest in the Middle East is making chaos to us here in the United States. Everything is outrageously high! And this is just the beginning...so they say. I could not imagine how much more the cost for everything will be!

Gas. It is now averaging $3.55 /gal in Michigan. Because of the high price of gasoline I am always in the lookout for a cheaper price. If you have a Kroger card, the price per gallon is only $3.45 at participating Shell stations! But before you go running to Kroger, make sure you know your prices! There are some items that are high and some items that are reasonable...that is why most of the time I just buy sale items!

Food. Today, at Kroger, a 1 gallon of Canola oil is on sale for less than $8.00! Is it time to stock up on oil?? You bet! Vegetable oil is more than $8.00! Corned beef is also on sale because of the coming St. Patrick's Day! I bought one package, cooked it and it is good! I am thinking of going back to freeze! Other food prices are really high.

Housing - Did you know that the value of houses even went down? And to top it all, the property tax went down very little! Why is that? Who knows? Almost all states and cities are going bankrupt so they have to really think of how they can get more money or keep their money!

So, what are we as citizens do? Learn to conserve everything? Tighten our belts? All of the above! And they said, this is just the beginning of these skyrocketing prices for everything! We have to hold on for the choppy road ahead!!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Things That Happened And Is Happening!!!

It is already March! Spring is here! Hip! Hip! Hooray! Not sooo fast, kiddo! We just had freezing rain last night and prediction of snow for Sunday! Yikes!!! Will winter ever end??? I thought we will have an early winter because the ground hog did not cast a shadow! Do you believe in that nonsense?? Not really!! Oh, well....mother nature is teaching us how to be patient! Patience is a virtue....is it not???

Did you know that March 4 is pound cake day? I never knew about that until today! Why was this made into a day? To probably help the bakers and the stores so they can sell pound cake!!!! Commercialism is the name of the game!! Whatever, it is sooo good, I do not really care! So, guys and gals, go out and buy some pound cake and add some more inches to your waistline!!! Who am I kidding??? I will probably go and get some pound cake! I wonder which one is the best? I have not had one for a long time! Just make it! It will probably be better! But it also take time! Just make up your mind whether you are going to make it or buy!

I did not know that TSA do pat downs now on people getting off from Amtrak train. It happened last month in Savannah, Georgia.It was also an intrusive pat down on kids and adults!! Goodness, gracious why do the government allow TSA to keep on molesting kids and adults with their pat downs??? Pretty soon, it might be in the grocery stores, the banks, the malls etc?? Then, we, the citizens will get used to it that we would not mind it anymore! These people are playing with our minds!!! They are gradually getting us to be a yes man so their hidden agenda will be embraced wholeheartedly by all! Am I right? Comments, anyone???

Did you all know that a Net Neutrality Act was passed on December 21, 2010 by FCC? What is this about? It gives the government the ability to regulate the internet and any interstate communication they choose without warnings! Ay...ya...yay....Isn't this what happened to the other dictatorship countries before it crumbled?? There goes our freedom of speech! It seems our government is losing it! They want complete control of everything and are they winning?? Only if the American people do not wake up!

State cuts! With the state cuts, the governor is trying to get the people's money...the children, the poor, and the seniors! This has really become crazy! Some government officials of one state are Awols! They did not want to vote so they fled to another state! Is that a smart move or a bad ass move on their part? I am sure that there will be more states that will follow because of what the new governors are planning which is completely ridiculous, crazy and outrageous!

Did you know that there are a few states that does not have income tax? They are Florida, Texas, Nevada and Alaska! Alaska, I heard even gives money to people every month for staying! Can you imagine living in Alaska??? They can have it...it is tooo cold! Brrrr!!!!!