Texting While Driving

PLEASE SHARE AND TWEET THIS!!!!!

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Tired of Being Victimized

This has been an awful time for us. I can’t recall that in the past we’ve had to deal much with crime, but it sure seems we are being “victimized” in excess this year—so far!

It began in December with the break-in and vandalism of our rental home in Oregon. Thieves literally broke down the glass doors and frame, entered, and ransacked the house. More unfortunate is that the house was rented out at the time to a nice gentleman living a “normal,” simple, and honest life. Many of his valuables were stolen. The physical damage to the home cost us over $1,000 to repair. With a $1000 deductable and the fact we had just began a new policy with a new insurance company “that same day,” we were basically “screwed!

Then a few weeks back, a man in Lincoln City shot a police officer and fled. He was cornered and escaped into a housing tract in Waldport. The same tract we have our vacation rental home. We couldn’t allow our scheduled guests to enter the home so all reservations were cancelled for a week. Not only did we lose an estimated $700 in rents (needed to make the payment on the home), but our housekeeper and many others who work in this tract lost their income as did the businesses in town who rely on the tourists to provide their living.

Finally, this week while we are in California, a couple living upstairs from us moved out. In the process of moving, they illegally dumped appliances and furniture in the complex. My husband and I were approached once each for information on the couples activities. Neither one of us even knew of the happenings, but because we are staying directly below the couple, everyone assumed we did—including the couple who thought we were the sole reason they were in trouble—in other words—they thought we “narked” on them. They were mad and let the world know it! That night they made their final move out of the complex.

We woke in the morning to find our car gas cap had been removed. So what are we to think? We can’t start the car in case they put something in the gas tank. So here we go again…tow truck and $400 later to remove the gas tank and see if anything was done to it. I find it hard to be around young people who think the world “owes” them something.

So what’s up here? Is the world going mad? Or is it just dumb luck? It couldn’t be a worse time to have all these added and unnecessary expenses—for us—or anyone for that matter! I miss the days..that’s right, “the days.” Back when things were simpler, drug abuse was not such a huge issue, and crime was at a minimum. People worked hard for a living and were proud—and respectful of others who “deserved” respect. Not “Are you dis’n me?” from some 20 year old with a criminal record. Any comments?

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Merry Christmas!

This holiday season I am reminded how fortunate I am to have faithful cyber friends like you who come back week after week to read the new posts here on the Rise Above Reason Blog. Over the years, many of you have become personal friends as well, and I am grateful for that blessing in my life.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season wherever it might be that you celebrate the season in this beautiful big World we share!

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Fat Old Person?

“An analysis led by a UC researcher calculates that the number of obese adults over the age of 60 will rise from 14.6 million in 2000 to 20.9 million in 2010--an increase of 43 percent.”

Okay, here’s the thing; Have you ever looked around and seen a really old overweight person? Really, think about it—have you? Probably not. The reason? They DON’T live long enough to get old! Extremely overweight people die early due to all the health problems associated with obesity.

Personally, I can’t recall ever seeing an obese man or woman over 70 years old, and that number might even be lower, say, 65. So don’t worry government study people, I doubt “obese adults over the age of 60” will be our biggest health care issues in the future! More likely, will we have any affordable health care at all?

Just to note: I often wonder how these study results are compiled? Because when my hubby and I play our WII Fit games, the little smart-ass character on there always says “ouch” when I get on the scale and measures my ol man as “obese” (he’s 6’ and 200lbs). Neither one of us are overweight.

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How Bad is The Economy? The Economy is so bad. . . .

Jury Duty is now considered a good-paying job.

African television stations are now showing 'Sponsor an American Child' commercials!
CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

My ATM gave me an IOU!

A stripper was killed when her audience showered her with rolls of pennies while she danced.

I saw a Mormon polygamist with only one wife.

I bought a toaster oven and my free gift with the purchase was a bank.

If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America.

Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned the names of their children.

My cousin had an exorcism but couldn't afford to pay for it, and they re-possessed her!

A picture is now only worth 200 words.

They renamed Wall Street "Wal-Mart Street."

When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.

One of the casinos in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.

And, finally.... I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck.

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Still Texting While Driving?

I understand this is apparently for ages 18 and over, BUT, teens may not reach reach that age without watching this. Please watch this WITH your teens--it really hits home and may just save lives.

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A Real Man's Letter to a Helpline

"Hey Mate, really need your advice for a serious problem.

I have suspected for some time now that the missus has been cheating.
The usual signs; Phone rings, if I answer the caller hangs up, going out with the girls a lot.
I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep.

Anyway last night about midnight I hid in the shed behind the boat, when she came home she got out of someone's car buttoning her blouse,
then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on... It was at that moment crouched behind the boat I noticed... a "hairline crack" in the outboard mounting bracket... Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace it?"

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Dial My Number?

For us old timers!

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Is It Fair?

I was a bit taken back recently when I, for the first (okay, maybe second) time, was made to feel insignificant as a woman, or should I say, “being a woman.” My hubby and I needed a bid on a new asphalt driveway. I found a reputable company and turned the number and information over to my spouse to handle the bid and set up. He is a great guy but does not handle much of the “house” business; he prefers golf—I understand, we’re retired. But I thought it was time he took charge of some things himself and help me out; so the call was made. After 2 weeks of waiting for a bid, I called the contractor myself to see what was the hold-up as we had a short window of opportunity to get this job done. He was not there when I phoned, so I left him a message to call me back. When he did, we weren’t home. But the message he sent was clearly for Craig and not me. Then the bid came by e-mail—again, for Craig of course. I replied to the e-mail bid with a question and he responded again to Craig. “Hello Craig,” instead of myself. Through all the e-mail transmissions I signed the mail from Carol; he addressed the response to Craig. Am I here? Do I exist? Is this the end of the unfairness? No. Read on.

So as I stated above, I handle most all of the house business. I pay all the bills (we earn the same), I set up our insurances, balance the checkbook, etc. My ol man and I have a deal which he prefers, as long as he can use his ATM for anything he wants or needs he’s happy; I handle the rest. I make the investments that keep up afloat; I even pay the kids tuitions. The hubby rarely has a need to even write a check. Frankly, I doubt he knows where or how much money we have. When I met him he had numerous bills and was regularly late on payments. Since we married nine years ago, those are all paid off and I have successfully showed him how to live well, debt-free. So, where’s the unfairness in all this? We had our credit checked this week. His credit was over 800! I thought that was awesome and assumed because I am the one who handles the money, mine should be better, right? Wrong. Because I am a woman, and ONLY because I am a woman, my credit score was lower. Fair?

Will we ever reach a point where woman is truly equal to man? To this day, a woman with the exact education, GPA, and experience WILL make less money than a man. My only wish is that someday there is equality not only between men and women, but with all of mankind. As always, your comments are welcome.

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Rolling Clouds

After 3 days of warm sunshine, while driving back to Coos Bay from the 5 fwy in Roseburg, this was scary! But lucky for us, it cleared up before we hit the coast.

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