9/22: Bits and Pieces

Mabon / Our Harvest Celebration:
We had a few people over to our house this past Friday to celebrate the wonderful produce we grew in our garden. Tres and his family, Doug's mom and sister, and our real estate agent Kris attended. I made a big crockpot of chili (almost forgot the garlic - eeeek), Doug picked string beans, Weslee picked tomatoes and helped me harvest the corn, eggplant, sweet and banana peppers, carrots and celery. I also grabbed one of the spaghetti squash because the vine had completely died - placed it in a nicely arranged display of our harvest. We ate and talked and toured our magnificent (ok, dying) garden. Thanks to all who came - we enjoyed your company!

Family:
With our chores mostly out of the way on Friday before the party, we expected a nice quiet weekend of working on the business and catching up on sleep. Not to be. Weslee must have had too much fun or sugar or something Friday before our weekend was miserable from some major misbehavior. For an 11 yr old, we expect him to not sneak and do things we've specifically said were off limits. And to work hard and steady at things like schoolwork (make-up time since we needed his presence doing chores on Friday) but he took 6 hours to do 1 hour of schoolwork. Why oh why? We're working to find a solution; constructive comments would be appreciated.

Business:
After much research and asking many questions, our business (http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/) had signed on with Vtribes on August 8 2008 to supply the community software for two websites we wanted to start: http://www.kidwhispers.net/ and http://www.backyardgrocery.net/. Beyond the huge amount of bugs in the software, the sometimes "server down" problems and the infrequency of returned phone calls, we are very upset about a "glitch" they have where they keep taking from us their "monthly fee". This "glitch" tried TWICE A DAY for approximately 2 weeks, which, needless to say, did not set well with our bank account. Doug and I are beyond frustrated. Has anyone else had such an experience with Vtribes?

Economy:
Where do I start? A $70 billion bailout that does NOT in anyway directly affect the individual taxpayer? Whoopi Goldberg on "The View" this morning suggested that everyone who has a mortgage should have half of it paid off - giving them additional money to make the other ends meet. Not sure about that, unless along with it would come a refinance package. For example, if someone still owes $100,000 on their mortgage at $1,000 a month, and received Whoopi's suggested $50,000, then they should be able to cut their mortgage payment also in half.

Attention U.S.A. Government: STOP bailing out these companies who mis-managed their money. Help us little people - the taxpayers who pay YOUR SALARY - get out of our financial holes. We're, for the most part, being responsible with our money. But certain companies make it difficult.

Credit Cards: WHY is it so easy to get a credit card fo a college student, or even your pet? And the interest rates are unbelievable? People - stop using credit cards! Cut them up! We personally don't have any because, believe me, they can get a person in major financial trouble.

Check Cashing Places: These companies should be regulated. The interest rates they charge is close to being loan sharking. Even if I was desperate, I would never use one. Wal-Mart will cash your check and not charge an astronomical amount. And if you are low on money for groceries, try a food bank, and CUT OUT the pricey cup of gourmet coffee.

Local Politics:
This morning while I was watching the news at 5:00 a.m. this morning, I half-heartedly counted the political ads in between the news bits. In one "commercial break", there were 7 political ads and NO other ads. This family has gotten to the point where we mute almost ALL commercials. As soon as a show goes on a break, we hit the mute.

Here in the Denver area, Mark Udall and Bob Schaffer are slamming each other and neither one of them look good. How are we supposed to choose between Dumb and Dumber? Evil and Mean? Geez. Hope there's an independent running against them.

TV:
The new season of "Heroes" starts tonight. I loved the show at the beginning but the path the show ended on last season upset me. Guess I didn't want it to go so dark. Tonight will be interesting.

I have watched, off and on, "All My Children" since my mother got me hooked in my teens. I was thrilled when Susan Lucci finally won her well-deserved daytime Emmy, and now, we get to see her doing something real life: "Dancing with the Stars". So exciting! Go Susan (and Cloris Leachman)!

"Terminator - the Sarah Connor Chronicles" airs, I believe, it's 2nd show of the season tonight. At the same time as the recap of "Heroes". I like this show because it shows what might kinda possibly happen. And I heard another "Terminator" movie is being made, not to include Arnold. Bummer about Arnold but this movie is supposed to show what happened immediately after Skynet went off.

The 2nd hour of "Dancing" airs at the same time as the new "Heroes". Guess I'll have that channel changer in my hand - switching between the two.

Health:
It seems Doug's ear problem has mostly gone away - pressure is gone but still has some ringing. Turns out it's a family thing. However, Weslee's ingrown toenail and my heart palpitations prompted me to make doctor appointments for both of us this afternoon. Fun fun fun. NOT!!

Guess that's all for now. Be sure to check out www.newviewgroupllc.com until we can figure out what to do with our business problem! Vikki