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The grass may be green, the trees may have leaves budding out and the magnolia tree is filled with blossoms but winter isn't over in Iowa yet.  The weather for tonight is going to be below freezing again.  Yes, that's right, 31 degrees and winter coats suggested for today.  Great.

The rivers around the state are filled to overflowing, the low lands are in standing water so hopefully we don't get anymore rain with this cold front that is coming through.  The softball fields along interstate 80 outside of Des Moines aren't flooded though, which is different for a time when we have flooding.  Usually they are under water for days and then the work to get them back in shape for games is unbelievable, but when we can by them yesterday there were games going on.

The news is talking about the changes that people are making due to the rising price of gas, more rice being purchased for meals, people bought 11% less liquor, even the pizza shops are feeling the pinch.  I know that we don't go out like we used to, part of it is due to the fact that we don't have to now that we have the apartment and can cook at home and part of it because it's so bloody expensive.  I don't put that all off on the increase of gas prices, it's over the whole range of things, gas, increased food costs and rising prices on nearly everything. 

Again, it proves my point of why I wouldn't want to be President.  Who would truly want to walk into this economic mess?  Not me!  It would be the Hoover syndrome.  No matter what good ideas and plans are put into place, the President, regardless of who it is, will be blamed for the economy….as if there is anything he can do about it he will be expected

For the first time in a couple of weeks we came back to MP to check on the house, get the fish ready for the auction and mow the lawn.  Interesting thing about this trip was that it wasn't snowing, blowing or freezing, although it was cold, 50's.

It's not that I'm mentally ready to move or anything, but I can hardly wait to not have to come back here to take care of stuff.  It's really time for it to be over, for the things to be packed and the adveture of a new location with new opportunities to be begun.

My brother called today, they will be in DM for lunch with us the 23rd of May on their way back North.  I asked if they were ready for snow LOL  The weather had a report about the northern area of MN getting snow Friday night.  I also had spoken to a gal from Michigan a couple of days ago and she said they had snow there too.  I don't care where there is snow, I just know that I'm really sick of cold, snow and ice.  But, that said, it was such a beautiful green on the way home, the magnolia tree is in full bloom, the other trees have leaves just budding out and the reason people put up with winter is obvious, it's to see things like this!

Does it mean that we could change our minds and stay in the north…NOPE….at least not here.

Today is the follow up to a day of rough weather in much of Iowa, it's cloudy, cool and looking like it may rain again at any minute.  Days like this are days that are made for either staying tucked in bed with a good book or working in an office with no windows so you don't have any idea what the weather outside it like.  Unfortunately, those two aren't options when you do what we do, we have wonderful big windows and the work doesn't wait for a good day with a book!

The new sales guy is really on a roll, he's having a good time talking to the different potential clients and getting them exicited about the site.  He's got 3 that should close in the next week or so and he just started on Tuesday of this week.  What a joy to work with someone that understands the difference between marketing and sales and yet has the ability to put them together.

Now it's time for more press releases to the different communities encouraging travel in their own back yard.  We'll see if that drives more people to the site and gets the name out for people to be familiar with it.

She's something, isn't she?  Down and out and then boom, she comes through with enough to keep in the game.  It's interesting to watch the maneuvering, listen to the he said, she said; the spins on comments and interviews and the human characteristics that surface at the times when they truly wish they could be hidden; the hardness, the frustrations, the sniping and the gloating.  It reaffirms the fact that, in my opinion, anyone that wants to be the president of the USA is really seeking something that I certainly don't have or lust after!  I wouldn't want to have to be "on stage" all the time with nothing left sacred.  I'm surprised that we don't get told how often each of the candidates go to the rest room (like who cares, but then who cares about a lot of the stuff the media shoves at us about the candidates?)

The biggest lesson to be learned (if you are so inclined to learn anything from this nightmare of politics) is that those that quit lose, those that keep fighting often will prevail, at least to some degree.  Like I said, she's something.    I think McCain was talking about that in some of his speaking engagements last week, about continuing on, after all, a few months ago he was nearly declared totally out of the running and Romney was a "shoe in"….where is Romney now?  Who knows (and as far as I am concerned, don't really care) but that's not the point, the point is, don't give up (at least that's what I take from it).

The teaching is going well.  Both at the college level and the office level.  It's fun to watch light bulbs go off when someone clicks on what the lesson is for the day.

Our neighbor at work came over today to share his humor with us, I sent the jokes to a couple of people but I'll put them here too just so those that normally would not get them from me, but obviously read my blog from the comments I get on occasion, can have a clean chuckle for the day.

What is the quietest game?  Bowling……you can hear a pin drop.

Why does a golfer take an extra pair of pants to the course?   For that hole in one.

Yes, dumb, but actually pretty funny!

A good friend from home is coming into town tonight for a meeting tomorrow so we are going out for dinner.  It will be so good to see her, she's soared in her new job as the director of the Fellowship Cup.  She is doing a fabulous job of making it one of the most respected organizations of it's type in the area.  Her new building project is moving along very nicely, it's an attractive addition to the existing building and certainly will give her more room to help those that need it.  It will be so good to be with someone positive, bright and funny.  She rocks!

My "number one" sales guy is back in today, then gone again for the rest of the week and back for a couple days next week and then off on another training session.  It was so neat to come in this morning and have him be here already!  Got the key out to open the office and the new guy opened the door.  The minute it opened I knew that #1 was back.  Sounds like he and the new guy are working late today which is fine with me!  I didn't leave last night until after 8….not working the whole time, but still here.

The former manager of where we live has taken the job as the GM at where we used to stay.  How funny!  He had asked me about it quite some time ago and I told him what a beautiful property it was, guess he decided it was too.  Now, my friend that is at the "old" property had wanted the GM position so I was kind of worried that he may choose to leave, but I talked to him today and he's fine with what was decided.  He determined that he didn't want the grief of being a GM, he's happy as Front Desk Manager.  Wise move on his part and yet, he has gotten a super guy as his new boss.  He'll be pleased I'm sure although the staff at our place is sad to have lost the GM.  Welcome to our old world LOL

We will now watch what happens in Indiana with the candidates and see if it gets dirtier or if it goes a little more positive.  I can't imagin it going positive, but we'll see.

 

 

 

Last night was the first night of live racing for the season at Prairie Meadows so we went out.  Although it was busy, it wasn't as packed in the race area as I anticipated it would be but let me tell you, the casino was packed!  People were wandering around looking for a machine to take their money!    Both of us commented on how the economy can't be that bad with thousands of people at the casino wanting to give their money away.  (Yes, I'm one of those that doesn't think gambling at a machine is a way to get rich.)

I know that there are many people that get a real charge out of playing slots, and some actually make money.  I don't happen to be one of them.  I might as well give the doorman my money and go home when I walk into the casino.  It isn't something that thrills me, entertains me or anything other than bores me to death.

Now the pony's I get a real kick out of.  I don't always remember to bet, that doesn't matter to me either.  I just really enjoy watching them, they are so beautiful as they literally glide around the track.  In full stride they are truly flying, none of their hooves are touching the ground, it's beautiful.  Now, I did place two bets for $2 each, lost both of them miserably. Horse may be pretty but it doesn't mean it can run!

Greg bet $4 too, so it wasn’t an extremely expensive night but for as long as we were there it was neat.  We left after the 6th race.  Greg was having difficulty breathing, his congestion is really bad and his dry cough isn't going away.  I'm certain that a great deal of it is exhaustion.  He's really pushing himself with work and teaching.  Not that he isn't enjoying it, he is.  But he still isn't getting much rest.  This morning he is sleeping in and I'm so glad!  It would be wonderful if he would sleep for another 5 or 6 hours, he needs it and he need to heal.

Mercy is the continual watch cat.  The housekeepers are going down the hall and she stands and glares at the door until the noise leaves.  Not sure what she would do if they came to the door other than run in with her dad, but at least she's trying.

I'm going to go to the store in a little while, thought I would wait and see if Greg wakes up so he doesn't wonder where the heck I am, but may just leave a note.  I want to get some scented oil, got some sea salt yesterday  that I had ordered last week so want to get some mixed up.  I'll see if I can find some lavender, we both like that and it smells so fresh.

I called Carol Rosin yesterday.  She's the owner of the resort in Ecuador that Greg and I like and that we made friends with while we were there.  I called the resort and asked for Christan.  He isn't working there anymore, but Carol was there so I visited with her, which was neat.   She said that Christan stole a bunch of money from them so he is no longer there.  What a shame, he was a neat guy but, I must admit, I questioned his honesty when I tried to get him to send my camera back and he told me it was too expensive.  I had told him to charge it to my card so the cost shouldn't have been an issue, but he didn't send it.  He kept it and used it.  That really upset me but hey, what was I going to do, I'm in Iowa and he is in Ecuador.

Carol said that if she had to do it over again she would move to a country for a year and rent before she ever moved there, anyplace.  She was really down on all that has been transpiring in Ecuador, the development and the new people moving in and changing the demographics and environment.  She is a true environmentalist and the developments aren't necessarily adhering to good green policy.  It's a shame, I think having the developments come in is good for the economy but I can totally understand her anger at the changes.

She said that Jon is doing well.  He hasn't had anymore blood clots.  She does credit being in Ecuador with saving his life, she said the medical care he got at Loja was excellent and he could not have gotten the same care in the US.  Not sure why not, but he did get excellent care.  He told us that when we were there.

 Carol said that if she had it to do over she would buy in a country that was already totally developed.  She said it is just too hard to fight the lack of dedication to accomplishing something when the infastructure isn't in place and the communication is a problem.  She said she understands a lot of the language but she doesn't speak it and that causes problems.  I'm sure it does, that's one of the considerations we have taken into looking a overseas postings.

I wish we were in a position that we could fly down for Shay's play so Papa could see her, but not this time.  Bobbi said that Cyn is coming up for it though and that thrilled her!  Kara is done with track for the year and Jake is done with basketball for the year but both plan to go out again next year.  At least then we will be able to go see them play, we will be closer!

It's interesting to hear the different perspectives on the same subject by different people.  The news media today had different views of who did the best in the debate last night between Obama and Clinton, most saying that Obama tried to take the high road and Clinton went for the kill.  Then there were those that said that Obama is afraid to say anything that will hurt him more than he is already hurting himself with his current and previous associations with people like his pastor and some radical bomber from the "old days".  Then Hillary got good remarks for saying that she was sorry she lied about her experience in the Middle East and getting shot at. 

Then, in came Steve to work and said how well he thought Hillary did.  He thinks that she showed leadership, strength and just made Obama look like a loser.

It's all in the persective, I guess like a lot of things in life, the spin we put on things to make them fit our needs or desires work for us but probably wouldn't be agreed with by other people that aren't walking in our shoes.  It's probably a good thing that each and every one of us has the right to think the way we do and to believe what we do (as long as it doesn't hurt other people) and move forward.  I'd hate to see a world full of cloans.

Interesting, talk about presective, I just talked to Cyn and that's a subject that came up.   She encountered different ones today at an assignment she has and it's always fun to hear same thoughts from someone else..like now.

Now it's time to get back to work on www.arizonabeautiful.com and see what new and exciting I can find to write about.  Check it out, you from AZ, if you have any ideas that I should add let me know!

Finally, a chance to post on payperpost.  My timing on it has been worse than awful lately.  When I'm at work I forget to check or if I do remember there are great paying opportunities and I've missed them all!

Tomorrow night I think I'm going to the auction I think.  Greg is teaching tonight and will be again tomorrow night so unless my mood changes I'll go to the auction.  I brought the stuff to list so might just as well.  After all, there might be some treasures there (although the site doesn't show any.)

I've got a couple of books that I want to read, some sewing I want to do and a slug of posting to do, hmmm, wonder what mood I'm in LOL

I've been checking Hiedi's blog but there hasn't been anything new lately, hope that Peanut is feeling better!  Hink Baby!

This week the races start at Prairie Meadows.  I can hardly wait.  We are staying in town this weekend so we will be able to go.  The ones during the week start at 3:30 so won't be able to get to them, but hey, we'll live!  I love to watch the horses run, don't care if I have any money on them or not, that really doesn't matter to me, in fact, more often than not I forget to bet.  Which is probably a good thing LOL

 

Just look at the new site available for you to explore join 3gb community www.3gb.biz

This is a neat way to meet new friends, catch up with family members and see the latest pictures they want to share.  The site is easy to navigate which makes it even better!  Don't miss out on the opportunity to expand your reach beyond the normal email programs and addresses. 

Enjoy the adventure!

Ok, so the auctioneer didn't come at 9 so I called.  He was here yesterday..great.  Anyway, he is coming after the auction they have today so he's bringing Ed with him (Jeff was coming alone before) so they can get through more quickly.  I like Ed so that's fine with me.  Otherwise, Jeff wanted to come during the week, I supposed I could have driven back but I really didn't want to so he said they would come this afternoon.

I get my hair cut in a little while, boy, does it need it!!  That means another trip out in the COLD weather!  It was actually snowing this morning, not much, a few flakes but come on, it's April!  But, when I think of Cyndi's birthday, it snowed then too, difference is that it was Minnesota and we expect snow in Minnesota in the month of April!  You really have to like short summers and long winters to live in Minnesota, along with huge flying attack bugs! 

I must admit though, when we lived there the problem with getting bitten didn't seem so huge, I think you learn to spray before going out in the evening and so it's not so bad.  It's the cold that I don't want LOL

We will still be coming to MP on occasion until the sale so I can't pack everything up, which is ok.  Just have to put some of the stuff back in the house so we have spices and stuff to cook with when we are here.  Didn't think about that before.  I've mentally moved so have to adjust.

Just in case I haven't made this point before, I HATE these darn glasses.  The new ones can't come soon enough!  Working on the computer is a real headache with these…whaawhaawhaa…get over it LOL

I put Cyn's birthday gift in the mail today so hope she enjoys it.  Should be there the middle of the week, supposed to take 2 to 3 days.