Resolutions

We've been thinking for months about changing our lives: eating healthier, working with our money better, growing more of our own food, being a happier more content family. We decided to post our "resolutions" on the top of this blog so we can see it every time we access it.

What about you?

Isn't paying on Student Loans ever so much Fun???

No. We don't like sending this check every month, but we do it. And do it. And do it. And the balance never seems to go down.

Direct Loans
U.S.Department of Education
P O Box 530260
Atlanta, GA 30353-0260

Wasn't getting a student loan supposed to make our lives easier? Get an education, put that education to work while paying off the loan? It isn't working that way. We try to pay double the minimum due, and for some reason, the principal balance isn't going down, the minimum due is going up, and the interest due is never at a $0 balance, even when payments are applied.

We can't even get them to help us make the payment online. Waiting periods, and all that.

It just seems to us that whoever is running the above "company" is taking the taxpayer/student for a ride, and no one seems to care. They can get away with it because supposedly they are part of the government.

Anyone else have similar problems?

Today's Moment: Budget

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Budget

With today's economy, if you haven't planned a budget or even thought about it, make that your new year's resolution. We created a spread sheet in Excel that indicates every payday and each bill and when they are due. Every time Wife gets on the computer, she checks it to see if any are due that day. If any are, she checks the bank account to make sure there's money to cover it, and either pays the bill online or sends a check.

Also, each regular check received immediately gets divided - first to savings, part to each of our personal accounts, and the majority to the joint account for bills.

We don't have much extra, especially in this economy, but at least the mortgage is being paid every month. Is yours?

AutoMakers Bailout

We read these links today:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_go_co/congress_autos
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/04/news/companies/senate_hearing/index.htm
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/

Are they kidding us? Just because the Big 3 went back to Washington in their hybrid cars instead of their personal jets, means we should now trust them? And Ford doesn't actually need the money, that it's "just in case"?

If we ran our business like them, would we get a bailout? NO. Mom and Pop stores, necessary for local small-town economies, are going out of business but can't qualify for a bailout. Hell, they can't even get a call returned.

We realize that the auto-makers have a lot of people depending on them: factory workers, parts suppliers, auto dealers, etc. But we, the taxpayers of the good ole US of A didn't mis-manage the businesses. THEY DID.

We are surprised at how our government is acting. Its socialism for the wealthy and capitalism for the general public. This bailout and these banks, insurance giants and and now automakers are making this out to be a joke, using our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to give false-props to bad business models.

Listen here, you elected people in Washington, you want to bail them out? Do this...

1. If you give them any money, take complete control in how it's spent.
2. Request the top 10 people in each 3 companies step down, with no bonus or payoff or severence, etc.
3. Require a complete disclosure of their books over the past 5 years, to be reviewed by an upstanding accounting firm and made public.
4. Require a management consultant team to oversee retooling the plants and complete operations. Give Frank Cogswell in Louisville, KY a try. He might come out of retirement.
5. See that their offers to reduce pay to $1 a year is followed through. Or if the top execs are replaced, make sure the replacements take only $1 a year.

That's how we feel.

Stop wasting our money and time. Focus on fixing this country and our economy, not placating old-town political supports who screw up again and again and again and....

You get the picture.

Oh, and once again, we plead for the termination of Paulson from his position. Really, get someone in that position who doesn't have people in his pockets or a political agenda.

Today's Moment: Economy and Gift-Giving

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Economy and Gift-Giving

Today is the day we shop for Christmas presents. We don't have much this year; nearly every penny is going to the mortgage and basic bills. But Son has a bit of money of his own so it will go directly to getting things he's requested. And he's been asked to give up a gift or two for the good of the family.

So besides the night vision goggles and microscope he's requested, he/we are also getting RootVue gardens to grow our favorite carrots (red, purple and white) in the windowsills. And for every 5 books he gets at the thrift store, we'll get 1 for the family. Then we'll also spend some of his Christmas money on his favorite dried fruits from our favorite online store: http://www.justtomatoes.com/. (See the pictures to the right: peas, blackberries, mano and blueberries - his favorites!)

This economy has helped Hubby and I decide that this year, our 2nd as husband and wife, we won't buy gifts for each other. We're writing each other love letters. (I know, how romantic.) And if we're lucky enough for Hubby to get a Christmas bonus, we'll put it towards bills and hopefully our new home.

With this economy, many people can't afford a huge holiday celebration. How about your ask your own kids to give up one or two presents for the good of the family? Or if your kids are grown, just give to the grandkids, or just small homemade gifts, like ornaments, baked goodies, or a basket with baking supplies like spices, flour, cocoa powder, etc.

Put a little more thought into your gift-giving this holiday season.

AIG and the MOAB (Mother of All Bailouts)

What's this we hear about using the Bailout Package to "help", again, A.I.G.? Huh? We must be hearing this wrong. The money that was supposed to be for the mortgage system and so forth. With A.I.G.'s record on overspending perks and compensations, why on Earth is the U.S.A. taxpayer's hard earned money going to help A.I.G. again?

Yes, this time they will be held accountable. No more perks, and major accountability.

... ... too little too late.

Instead of using our MOAB (coined by http://www.survivalblog.com/), take the money from the top executives of A.I.G. and their line items for expensive retreats, et al.

Listen here, Mr. A.I.G. Corporates and Politicians Responsible for Spending the Bailout Money: Don't allow anymore of this nonsense. Stop being greedy little babies. Take responsibility for your bad bad behavior.

Now...

Attention Mr. I-Am-Rich-So-Tough-Luck-You-Poor-Americans-Paulson: WHAT??? The package presented to Congress was what they voted on. You altering the plan now, 5 weeks later, should be construed as misrepresentation. YOU SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!!!

George W. Bush - you better not leave office with a bigger mess than even last week. Get Paulson under control NOW!

Doug and Vikki - http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

10/20: America the Not So Beautiful

I recently read an e-mail forwarded to me about Lee Iacocca's new book. It allegedly has an excerpt where he's ranting how American people should STOP being complacent about the state our country is in. Why aren't we outraged? We should throw out everyone from their posts, and elect new people to start all over.

In our district, there are two men running for a post abandoned by Senator Wayne Allard. Democrat Mark Udall and Republican Bob Schaffer. They have both run a dirty campaign. Both seem to be liars, hypocrits and greedy. I don't want either one. And if we vote for Ralph Nader, it will divide the parties like when Ross Perot was running for President. (Where is Ross, by the way - we need him NOW!). What REAL choice do I have when I'm standing in the voting booth?

Is this the country our forefathers planned for and built? Land of the free? What a laugh. Home of the brave? We have become COWARDS!

What is the United States of American as we leave the Year 2008?

Roads and bridges are falling into disrepair. We're compelled, against our wishes, to switch to HDTV which costs us more money for less service and spotty signal. Our identities are stolen and credit ruined, turning the victims into bad guys while we work to repair the damage over the span of years and years. Donations to food banks are drying up while more families MUST get there to feed our families. Corn and other crops grow mutilated genetically but us backyard grocery gardeners have no choice but to buy seeds from them - wind pollination has wiped out purebred corn. The ice shelf is melting at a drastic rate, raising the ocean temperatures, killing precious endangered wildlife and changing our coastlines. Global warming has created intense heat waves, droughts, a plethora of hurricanes and tornadoes and overpowering snowstorms. The school system in the USA is a laugh; our children "graduate" not having a clue as to how to balance a checkbook, fill out a job application, or how our election process really works. We struggle for every penny we make and for each dollar earned, we lose about half. Inflated prices due to rising gas costs. Taxes: oh, don't get me started. We hear about "peak food" and "peak oil". We fight about whether to drill more oil, which will create more havoc on our Earth and not help our economy a bit. We talk about using solar or wind power, and have yet to make it a requirement in local governments. We bail out A.I.G. only to find them tossing our good will and hard-earned cash into high-priced retreats, spas and golf games (FIRE THE TOP 20 people in A.I.G. - NOW!!! - with NO compensation packages). We war on terror but the terrorists have been long gone. We discuss who best can run the USA while we consider the options: black young man/white older man team vs white old man/white young woman. Is there even a third or fourth choice for President/Vice President? Our children are learning from us that though we may rant and rave about the economy and politics and the war in the privacy of our homes, we step outside our safety and clam up. Bees are a dying race, which reduces pollination of our crops. A single pro football player makes enough to pay 20 teacher's annual salaries, yet who gives us more value? Who has stepped forward since 9/11 (2001) or since Katrina to become a true leader of the USA? Why is there not affordable hybrid or solar cars yet? Health care costs are completely unaffordable to middle and lower class, as are health/car/home insurance payments. And so on and so on.

Do honesty, awareness, responsibility, courage and compassion mean nothing any more?

Am I being an extremist? No, because I strongly believe our very survival as a human race is hanging in the balance.

Yes, I am ANGRY.

I am coming up with a plan to do my part. Are you?

Forward ( http://thorntonwilliamsfamily.blogspot.com/2008/10/1020-america-not-so-beautiful.html ) to everyone you know. Tell people to get involved. To do SOMETHING to make a change.

What else can you do?

Write your congressman. Write an editorial for your local paper. Vote for whoever is running against an incumbant in your local election. Pick one day a week to NOT spend money and NOT drive. Get involved in your children's school. Run for an office - ANY office. Volunteer to collect canned goods door to door for your local food bank. Tutor high school seniors for free on how to do basic life skills: banking, job hunting, budgeting, etc. Grow veggies in your front and back yard, and give extras away to food banks. Make your holiday gifts this year instead spending money on toys that break or a sweater the recipient will hate. Become an Johnny Appleseed and plant an apple tree wherever you can get permission. Say "I love you" to your family EVERY DAY. Write A.I.G. and request they fire the top 20 executives in the firm - without compensation of any kind (from their website http://www.aig.com/: Contact AIG by email or phone Call M-F 6am-8pm ET USA: 1-877-638-4244 Worldwide: +1-908-679-3150 ). Learn CPR and First Aid, then stock up on medical supplies in your home and car. Adopt an animal from your local kill-shelter. Turn off the TV and talk to your family, friends and neighbors. Teach your teenager about condoms.

Just DO SOMETHING!!

Vikki http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

10/12/08: Politics

Doug and I just watched the debate on 9-news (Denver, CO) between Betsy Markey and Marilyn Musgrave, running for the 4th Congressional District. Unbelievable how, even though one candidate stated she'd like to see the mud-slinging stop, the other candidate not only ignored that remark but continued to be mean and nasty in her remarks.

Talk about the economy. About foreclosures and decreasing home values. Talk about ending the war and national health care. Talk about issues that affect us and our basic needs.

When political ads interrupt TV shows, we automatically hit "mute" now. No longer do candidates state what they will do for us, the American citizens. They take every chance possible to demolish reputations and cast doubt. When was the last time we saw a political commercial giving good information about a candidate's plan? It's been a while but we're not quite sure because WE MUTE!!

Unbelievable.

How can we teach our almost 12-year-old how to be a good and nice person when he hears commercials and these debates of mean and nasty mudslinging campaigns?

Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

10/09: Family Time

I wish someone could hear what I hear. I'm sitting in the living room, our dog curled up beside me while I work on our webpage for money advice (www.newviewgroupllc.com/money.html). I can't help but overhear.

Doug is upstairs with Weslee (almost 12), repairing the toilet, and explaining to Weslee what he's doing. Step by step. Asking questions and answering them. Even letting him help a little.

Interesting.

This is good for our little mingled-family.

Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

10/01: Economic Bailout

A good friend forwarded the following to me in an e-mail. I could assume it's just a rumor but... YOU tell me!

= = = = = = = = = BEGIN QUOTE

Check these figures...

A Better Bailout Plan...

> 30 billion for Bear Stearns
> 200 billion Freddie and Fannie Mac
> 85 Billion AIG
> 700 Billion Troubled Assest [sic]

And perhaps something to think about is that many of the companies that are being bailed out are not American owned companies. On the face they may appear to be American but are not...or at least not completely.

I heard on NPR that China owns 30% of Freddie Mack and Fannie May. So this money is going into the coffers of foreign investors.

= = = = = = = = = END QUOTE

I don't know the author of the above or it's validity. People?

Vikki http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

9/29: Bits and Pieces

Garden:
Another good harvest day yesterday. Doug picked string beans - an entire collander full! Probably enough for two meals for the three of us. I helped Weslee pick black turtle beans, then he harvested tomatoes while I watered the garden.

Although it's really slowed, we're still getting cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant and more. The front tomato plants (bushes now) are giving up about 10 roma tomatoes and 5 various others a day. So sweet and rich-tasting.

Funny story about the black turtle beans. Weslee left them on the dining room table while we went about the rest of our Sunday chores. He was eating a snack a few hours later when we heard a sound like he was throwing beans across the room. I checked and he wasn't. A couple of hours later he was up in his room, and I was sitting by myself in the living room - I heard the sound again. This time I saw a couple of split empty bean pods on the floor and lots of black beans all over the place. Ah ha! We think these black turtle beans were dry enough when harvested that when they just sat for a bit, they began to burst. Has anyone had this experience?

MOAB:
This Mother of All Bailouts (coined by http://www.survivalblog.com/) appears to have fallen through. Today's vote defeated the $700 billion bailout package 228 against to 205 for. The stock market plummeted. Analysts are saying the dire predictions will now come to fruition because it's practically too late.

Even though Doug and I are careful with our money, we realize we could cut back even more. We've begun researching how, and will start sharing on our website: www.newviewgroupllc.com/money

Business:
We've come to a conclusion about using the software from vTribes. That info and announcement will have to come later.

Vikki http://www.newviewgroupllc.com/

9/25: Bits and Pieces

Politics/Economy/MOAB:
Okay, it appears this Mother of all Bailouts (www.survivalblog.com) is $700 billion, and still stands to not help individuals very much. From George Bush' speech last night, he again is not taking any responsibility for even a little bit of this economic mess. Can people really convince me that the cost of this "war" has/had no impact on America's financial state?

Garden:
Picked a huge overlooked couple of cucumbers. There's a couple of watermelons (Golden Midget) that are ready to eat - might be something good to go with dinner (Doug and I are having sushi, Weslee gets his favorite: leftover pepperoni pizza and vanilla goat yogurt).

Health:
Weslee's toe is beginning to look a tiny bit better. I went to the cardiologist this morning and am now wearing a holter (heart) monitor until 9 a.m. tomorrow. There's a little button I push when I get a symptom, and diary to keep of symptoms and corresponding times.

Business:
Still waiting to get problems with software provider resolved, but so far, nothing much. Doug and I are working on a possible alternate. V

9/24: Bits and Pieces

MOAB:
This Mother of all Bailouts (MOAB - coined by http://www.survivalblog.com/) - I've heard $70 billion and this morning I heard $700 billion - which is right?

Guess it doesn't matter. If it goes through as it, the "little people" (middle and lower class) are going to get screwed again. As written, we will be paying for the bailout and not getting any direct benefit.

Health:
It was a very rough night with the longest episode of heart palpitations yet, so I only got 3 hours of sleep. I warned Weslee first thing this morning about the situation and how I need him to help me be on an even keel, doing his schoolwork and following the basic rules of the house. It helped for about 4 hours. Without giving all the details, let me just say that it's been horrible since about noon. And he will be paying for a new MP3 player and special headset out of his allowance!

Garden:
I haven't watered the back garden yet today, but did the front. Picked a really big boston pickling cucumber and a bush cucumber. The black turtle beans are about white-papery enough to be harvested; maybe the weekend. The sunflower seeds I planted in the front yard to "hide" the aspen tree we had to cut down have gotten about 6 foot tall, and one has opened! Looks like another couple of strawberries and a few raspberries will probably be ready by Thur or Friday. The big yellow globes out front have turned orange so we're thinking they might be pumpkins after all. Probably a different kind from what's in the backyard pumpkin patch.

Miscellaneous:
I just put ingredients into the breadmaker to test a recipe I came up with for "sweet egg-and-oat bread". I set the machine for basic bread (almost 4 hours) so should be ready by dinner time (it started around 1 p.m.). As soon as Weslee finishes one more schoolwork, I'm going up and taking a nap. Very tired.

p.s. Bread recipe needs tweaking; too much liquid. When I have it perfected, I'll post it. Meanwhile, it's 6:06 p.m. and I'm ready to get ready for bed and a night of new TV show episodes.

Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

9/23: Bits and Pieces

Weather:
Weird here in Denver.... so what's new?! We got up to 87 degrees yesterday! Supposed to be in the high 70's/low 80's until storms come through towards the end of the week. No matter - garden is dying (snif snif).

TV:
Last night was a flurry of channel-changing during commercials. Saw Cloris Leachman dance (and beg Len!) but missed Susan's until this morning on "The View". "Terminator" was great. And "Heroes" - what can I say - loved it!

MOAB (Mother of all Bailouts - from www.survivalblog.com ):
So many people (individuals, at least) are very against how this $70 billion bailout is structured. Corporations, of course, love it. It's going to cause even more problems if it goes through as presented.

Health:
Weslee's ingrown toenail is looking worse, so the doc gave him an antibiotic to take and severe instructions. May need surgery if not better in a week or 10 days.

Meanwhile, I'm to be fitted for a heart monitor on Thursday. These problems with Weslee and our software provider is increasing my level of stress, and my doc is concerned. Oh joy.

Dinner:
Ok ok ... Weslee has leftover turkey-dogs, Doug's fixed steaks we got on sale last week, Weslee picked tomatoes and strawberries from our garden for our salads, and they are calling for me to join them at the dinner table. Family time is important, so I'm signing off. Enjoy your day, and buy gold low!

Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

9/22: Economic Situation

The following link was just e-mailed to me from a good friend:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425672,00.html

Appearing on the Fox News website on Saturday, Sept 20, it was labeled: "RAW DATA: Text of Financial Crisis Legislation".

Please read it. Unbelievable. Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

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

Clinton, Obama, McCain, Bush

I'm not an experienced political analyst or a professional blogger, but I am bothered and need to write the following:

Doug (my husband) and I watched Hillary Clinton's speech last night at the Democratic National Convention. We were moved beyond words, sure that her eloquence and passion united the Democratic party under the nomination of Barack Obama. We were wrong.

Some (unknown how many) of the delegates who voted for Hillary Clinton for President are saying they would rather vote for John McCain than Barack Obama. Why? Because Obama is black? Because they are hurt that Hillary didn't get the nomination? WHY???

I watched a news report this morning where the reporter said something to the effect of: 'although not everyone may agree with everything about John McCain, no one can say John McCain cannot run this country.' That hit me hard. Yes, he can run the country. So could my 11 year old son. But they couldn't do it well - not well enough to get out from under George W Bush's legacy and to get us out of the problems we're in. Does McCain even understand what the middle and lower classes are going through?

I'll tell him:

We struggle daily with finances, trying to decide between new school supplies for our children and medicine for our ADHD child, between mac-n-cheese for dinner and gas for our car, between rent paid in full and required vaccinations for school-age children.

We feel the weight of the world upon us. We are supposed to and often do care about global warming but when we HAVE to put $4.02/gallon gas in our car to get to a minimum-wage job, how can we possibly consider buying an electric car? We want to grow some of our own food, but our salaries dictate us to live in a high-rent/low-space/crime-ridden apartment building with little or no sunshine, and we take a chance every day we pick up a bit of fresh produce from the grocery (is it contaminated or not?).

We feel crushed by our obese bodies, but know that the package of ramen noodles costs a lot less than a bag of carrots. Our children get bigger and riddled with diseases like diabetes, autism and ADHD but we can't afford decent health care or healthy foods while we have to pay the exorbitant costs of transportation.

I see the future. With 4 more years of the weight of the world crushing us, our world will crumble. I see people who owned homes and cars struggling down the street begging for a bit of food for their children. I see people lined up in front of free clinics for samples of antibiotics and free flu vaccinations. I see children peering up at schools, unable to attend because of no permanent address or inadequate clothing and school supplies. I see the ocean floor buckling from the loss of structure and foundation from drilling. I see smog-filled days of choking breaths and nights of incredible heat and drought trading off with drenching floods. I see small businesses closing when passersby can't even afford to window-shop. I see sales of luxury items like sailboats, campers, jewelry and soda pops dropping, as we struggle to the nearly-empty foodbanks to get the last available loaf of bread. I see the incidents of crime rising as people grasp lives of theft and anger.

Don't let the future I see come true. Please.

We, the American People, need someone in charge of the American government who KNOWS what is really going on, and can DO something about it. Whether you supported Hillary because she's a woman or because she's a Clinton or because she's white or because you found her platform inviting, it's time to accept she's not the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Move your vote to someone who can really make a difference.

We beg of you.

Thank you for reading ... Vikki www.newviewgroupllc.com

7/31: Temperature, Exxon, Obama, McCain

Today the Denver area reached 97 degrees (it varied from station to station - from 95 to 99). We broke the 18-day streak by today becoming the 19th day in a row of over 90 degrees. Tomorrow we're supposed to be at 101. I'm melting! As did our poor corn beds; we had to give them an extra deep drink today. We did harvest 1 cucumber (our first!), 2 more yellow straightneck squash, 2 roma tomatoes and a handfull of string beans. No pic today - sorry!

Heard today that Exxon reported a 2nd quarter earnings of 11.7 BILLION. Excuse me?!?! Just my own thought here but what the hairy-heck do they think they are doing? They are helping to gouge us plain folk's pocketbooks and they have all this extra money going into theirs? Something about this isn't right. Perhaps WE should gouge Exxon's pocketbooks and BOYCOT their pumps.

About McCain's latest "celebrity" ditch ad about Obama with Britney and Paris and blaming Obama for the rising gas prices ... tsk tsk tsk. Mr. McCain, is this really how you want to run your campaign? Do you really not have much positive to say about your plans and policies and choices that you need to viciously attack your opponent? Do you really believe that one senator has (or had) so much power that he singlehandedly is responsible for the rising gas prices? Did he convince the President how to vote for particular fuel bills? Did he start the war on the other side of the Atlantic that convinced the world we're no longer a force to be reckoned with but a country to be toyed with? Do you really believe that this senator has such a celebrity status that he is equal to the "panty squad" of supposed airheads Britney and Paris? Does he go out and party just for photo ops? Does he dress provocatively?

Oh Mr. McCain... what are you thinking? Who are you listening to? Don't attack. Explain. Tell us... Do you have a plan to bring this country once again to greatness? To get us out of a war that is called "War on Terror" but isn't really? To help people afford their homes and basic everyday costs again? To help us put food on our table without giving up prescriptions? To stop people in government from lying and cheating those of us who put them there? To help our children learn how to be healthy instead of serving them junk food and sodas in the cafeterias while recess and arts programs are abolished? To solve our fuel problems by finding alternatives that are renewable?

Senators Obama and McCain: these are the issues important to me and most of America. What will YOU do for us? Vikki

7/11: Another Scorcher. Again.

As of July 7, gas per gallon is $4.11 and the price per barrel of oil was $147. This week's grocery circular for King Soopers (Kroger's) shows asparagas is $1.28 per pound, 80% lean ground beef is $1.99 per pound, and one pound of fresh fruit salad from the deli is $4.99.

The temperature in Denver was 100 degrees, and at 4 p.m. the top floor of our house was at 93 degrees.

We decided enough was enough. So we gathered 4 more additional fans from throughout the house (blended family = extras of everything!) and put them upstairs, in nearly every window. Between 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. (2 hours 20 minutes) it went from 93 to 85 degrees! Only thing is ... with all of these fans plus swamp cooler, besides the huge electric bill we can expect, they simply make so much noise that we can barely think!) Tomorrow's projected temp of 80 should help cool down the house too. Just gotta get through the night.

Still watering our "new dirt patch" in the front yard. Side benefit - the spillover watering is starting to make long-dead grass turn a bit green! In addition, I planted about 6-8 mammoth sunflower seeds near that dirt patch by where the aspen had stood. Maybe it will lend a bit of cheer to the yard when get big enough to produce those huge flower seedheads. Think we'll do some more "lawn seeding" tomorrow and I'll plant some more sunflower seeds where the dead fir tree stood - by the mailbox.

However, I think I overdid it. My fibromyalgia is in full gear. My legs, esp the left, is so painful that I can barely walk. I gotta keep it in my mind that I'm not invincible.

Looking at house plans. Found some green pre-fab houses. One we really like - the solar passage with piecehomes but it would cost5 $35ok-$400k - and that doesn't include the basement or garage! Monolithic Dome Institute has a wonderful floor plan for a 3 bdrm at approx $208k but that also doesn't include the garage or basement. I like h-haus, the Cube 9 but can't get a hold of them to get a price - DOES have garage but no basement. Then there's the Pair 3br through Alchemy Architects - it will cost $219k, has the basement stairs but the basement and garage is extra. No matter ... we definitely want a one story with "low" ceilings (8') plus basement. No more vaulted ceilings!!! Too hard to cool. Vikki

7/2: Lawns and Code Violations

I gotta learn to keep my big mouth shut. Met with code and zoning people earlier this week about getting a variance to keep chickens and bees, and that must have started something because all of a sudden the Thornton Code Compliance officers came a-knockin' on our door because we have a few too many weeds, no grass, and we're using tires as planters! Get real! Here's what they said:

1. "Please cut weeds from property - includes rock area. Please remove tires - these cannot be stored outside." HUH? Deadline: Jul 9. Uh, yeah, right. THEY should try to get rid of the weeds because I have tried everything I can think of. I pull weeds constantly. As to the tires - I don't consider using them as planters as "storage". I called the code compliance office - they said as long as we make them not look like tires, we might be able to keep them. Duh... gee... thanks.

2. "Please remove the dead trees in yard. Landscaping needs improved - area by corner is mainly weeds and rock area mainly weeds. Yard needs water and weeding." Deadline: Jul 31. Uh, let's see, I water daily but with no results, I've reseeded three times. No luck. Our soil doesn't grow anything but weeds. The code compliance office said the county extension office can do a free soil check for us. As to the weeds, I've used roundup three times and pull weeds DAILY but do they care? Nope. As to the dead trees, I explained that the person we wanted to help us wasn't available until the end of August but nope, that's not good enough. Fine! Instead of doing it nice and nearly, we're gonna hack them up and NOT replace them with walnut trees like we'd planned.

I mentioned that we have already spent a lot of money on this place and redoing the sod and doing the kind of landscaping Officer *** mentioned would cost a lot of money we don't have. Her response: "that's the cost of homeownership". BULL!!!

Can you tell I'm furious? Doug is too. After work, Doug moved the tires from the front yard, and got out there with the weed wacker and brought down everything that was more than a couple of inches taller than the ground, and used the push mower. Weslee will get out in the morning, before errands, and sweep the walk. This weekend we'll all get out and rake the dead grass, broadcast more seed, rake it in and water. AGAIN. And roundup the weeds. AGAIN.

Actually, now's as good a time as any for this little bit of news.... we thought this was the house where we can live out the rest of our lives. Where we can raise our children, and grow old together. We specifically bought this house because there is no HOA and therefore, felt like we'd be ok to plant and landscape to our whims. Not that we planned to do anything completely unusual but we wanted the freedom. The option. Obviously, we were very sadly mistaken.

So we're thinking that maybe, instead of doing all of the improvements like finishing the basement and adding a couple more bathrooms, extending the kitchen, adding a sunroom, attaching solar panels, and central air, we'll continue fixing the basics and the lawn as best we can, and sell it. Yep, we'll move! We've already made a lot of improvements, fixed the roof, got the squirrels out of the attic, banned the foxes from under our back patio, and replaced ALL of the appliances. Surely all of this work, and the required landscaping, will bring a decent asking price in the Spring.

Questions: this property was a VA foreclosure, in holding by Fire Incorporated. Since it was laying empty last year, surely the weed and lawn problem was bad last year. Was Fire Inc given a violation notice? If not, why? If so, why wasn't anything done about these problems?

Once we get this house ready to sell and probably on the market with our favorite real estate person - Kris - then we'll research to find (probably) an un-incorporated area near Doug's work. We'll find a house with a bit more land. We'll be able to have chickens and bees. Where we can use old tires as cheap planters. Where the soil isn't quite so bad that 90% of what we plant will die. Where Weslee can run with the dogs, chickens and goats, and he can build a treehouse. Where he can participate in 4-H.

Good thing we haven't started adoption proceedings yet. Hopefully when we move in the Spring. And get settled.

Yep - look what my request for chickens and bees started. Of course, it's highly possibly (maybe even probable) that one particular neighbor who is quite anal about his yard, might have turned us in. Vikki