Update on Personal Drama

I feel like I need to apologize for not being around lately,

When Life events happens it sometimes creates a domino effect.

Deb and I had two cars that we set to look at and had an appointment with a local Mechanic Shop to look at one. For one of the vehicles, we set in the Ace parking lot for over twenty minutes and no show, then Deb texts the person and the reply was, I am sorry, the car sold yesterday.

OK, so we still had the appointment with the other car to be looked at by the Mechanics for Monday at 4:30 PM. We get home from the no show person, and a half hour later we gt a text from the other person informing us that he sold the car despite we had already had the appointment with the Mechanic to look at said car.

Deb does not curse, but yesterday was the day for it with emotional tears, I even was cursing like a sailor after both those eggs went down the tubes while I am fighting this head cold from hell.

So, back to Craigslist and adds, we find one and left a message, we get a call to inform us they sold within the last half-hour. We find another one and texted the person to inquire if they still had the car. Deb got the reply an hour later of Yes. Deb then asked if we could see the car and no reply until today just about an hour and a half ago.

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We still do not have a time set to see the said car for today before the storm comes in later this evening. The last storm brought us 13 inches and over 196 accidents in total. This storm is to be about the same from their preliminary predictions, but with some possible ice as well for both Monday and Tuesday.

While Deb is at Walmart stocking up on provisions because we won’t be able to drive that RWD car at all during Monday or Tuesday.

So about an hour ago, I got a call from my Ex-sister-in-law that lives with my Nephew Keith or the other way around, living arrangments does not matter, the call was filled with cries of worry and desperation. Both Keith and Dee work yet her truck is no longer running, and their other vehicle is being repossessed and no funds to pay the rent that is due on the 4th of December because her paycheck is being attached due to medical bills that her insurance did not cover in the amount of four or five hundred a month if I heard it correctly. Dee called my Brother her Ex and he replied, I’ll talk to you on Monday when I have more time. She called her Mother and Sister and found no comfort there either. But then, what does one expect when one’s Mother is a user as well as a sister.

I believe I am in need of a major vacation from all Drama, the nitwits of our society that say one thing as a virtual handshake and then turn around and do another, the ones that actually use a spray hose to wash a car out, now that was a moron period. That was not even Dumb and Dumber funny.

To all those that live in the Midwest I hope all of you are safe and sound if you do try to travel Please be safe for this storm will have ice in it. For those that will be without electricity, I hope you have backup generators on the ready just in case to keep you and the kiddies warm.

Timing

Sunday Night
Snow spreads from the Colorado High Country into eastern Colorado, western Kansas, western/central/northeast Nebraska, southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and far southwest Minnesota.

In addition, some sleet or freezing rain is possible to the east of that snow area from northwest Oklahoma to central Kansas, southeast Nebraska and central Iowa.

Monday-Monday Night
Snow, possibly heavy, continues in parts of the northern and central Plains, including South Dakota, southeast North Dakota, Nebraska, parts of northwest Iowa, central and southern Minnesota and far northwestern Kansas. Mixed wintry precipitation is expected from southeast Nebraska to central Iowa and far southeast Minnesota.

This may lead to a challenging morning commute in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. Monday afternoon’s commute may be tricky in Sioux Falls, Omaha, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Snow continues Monday night across northern Nebraska, South Dakota, southeast North Dakota, Minnesota, northwest/western Iowa and northern Wisconsin. Some blowing and drifting snow is possible in the Dakotas and Nebraska Monday night.

Travel should be avoided in the areas mentioned above Monday night, including I-35, I-94, I-90 and I-29.

http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-midwest-plains-corn-belt-november-december-2015

Deb just got home and got a reply back from the person to meet today and told us where. The same place that we looked a Chevy from a previous post I did, FALLACIES OR SCAMS.

Think we will pass on their Lemons they are trying to pawn away.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

 

To the Nurses and Doctors that must remain on duty away from their families.

 

 

Except for Officer Jason Van Dyke and other like him.

There was a reason why Gene Roddenberry wrote and produced the original Star Trek Show, to show that we can live and get along together.

 

May these hardworking folks have a hot plate waiting for them with all the trimmings.

I think we as a nation can stand to do without certain services for a day.

Fallacies Or Scams

Hello, everyone, the feature image is from my Cell phone I took yesterday, I don’t know if this was part of the 66 accidents from the day prior due to the heavy snow storm we had or if it was new from earlier in the morning when the roads were slick as snot. There was also a white 4 door sedan in the ditch too.

 

 

The day prior to  the snowstorm,  Deb and I went to look at a Chevy, She had found a listing for this car that provided notes about the car which sounded good.

 

Here are the notes pertaining to the car from the entities Website.

The electronic components on this vehicle are in working order. No defects. The door dings on this auto are from normal wear and tear. There are no problems with the engine. The overall condition of this vehicles exterior is average. The previous owner did not keep this vehicle garaged. This vehicle was owned by a smoker. The interior of the vehicle is about average condition. The odometer reflects accurate mileage. Great, smooth shifting transmission. Vehicle has minor collision damage. You will enjoy this vehicle like the owners before you. Tire wear at 50%.

The Website says they are open til 7 PM, but the door says 5 PM. We start to walk away when one of the guys opens the door. So we inquire about the car, they knew nothing or did not want to say. OK, so, they tell us we can start the engine or take it for a test spin. I’ll let the English wordage slide. So, we get out there and Deb starts the car. Once the engine was started, I knew then it would be a no go. The engine was shaking like making a milkshake, then Deb tells me she sees the engine light on. Well, that’s not good! But, Deb had to get it out of her system due to the desperation of needing a reliable car that is safe for the winter. So, she puts in drive and it is a harsh sound like a person grinding their teeth while lunging forward, yet she proceeded to pull out and that’s when the engine wanted to die while the car was at idle in drive and brake on.

Most of us with intelligent brains have seen the Redbull commercials that were funny showing a horse or person grow wings, yet we knew it was just a funny advertisement knowing that wings will not magically grow, for it was an analogy a metaphor used to describe energy, yet they got sued and the plaintive did win and now the horse does not sprout wings and now surrounded by three female horses.

 

 

It’s Meet and Greet Weekend @ Dream Big!! 11/20

Danny is hosting a meet and Greet Party.

Easy Bread Pudding

Easy Bread Pudding

I learned this recipe years ago while at Nancy’s Airport Cafe during the early 90’s before my Dad took Ill and prior to me entering the world of higher education.

Me being me, I did alter the restaurant’s recipe, one, I always believe that the customer should not be cheated from the full texture and flavors of a dish and two, possibly with my possible OCD, it irritated me the way they made it. I understood about the bottom line concept staying in the Back and so forth, yet I could not see the advantage to cheat the patron.

Ingredients:
6-8 slices of bread
Raisins
6 medium eggs
4 -5 coffee scoops of granulated sugar
About a Teaspoon ( or a pinch more if you like) of Cinnamon
1 12 OZ can of evaporated milk (not condensed) If you use condensed then you will need to add regular whole milk

 

At the restaurant, they used to add one can of water for each can of milk used which does make it stretch, but also takes the full flavor and texture away from this dish.  It also produces for a loose watery Marsh of deceit. That drove me crazy when I would see them do it. No pride, just seeing the dollar sign!

Grab a handful or two of Raisins and add to a Pyrex dish

 

Take 6-8 slices of white or wheat bread and cut into thirds

The Owner and Owner’s Brother would tear the bread with their bare hands, which did work but was not as pretty or uniform.

Then cut into thirds again to make even cubes

Once bread is cut into cubes place on top of the Raisins in the dish.

Add 4-5 coffee scoops of sugar in a separate bowl

Once sugar is in the bowl, then add the Cinnamon and mix until it turns light brown in color. Set aside.

First add 6 medium eggs and beat. Then add one can of evaporated milk and stir together. Next add the sugar and cinnamon mixture and mix well.

Pour the Egg, milk, Cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the bread and raisins. if a raisin or two floats to the top, poke them back down. ensure all is covered.

Preheat oven to 350 (F) set the timer for thirty minutes and check. Normally takes 40 to 45 minutes but due to oven variances I took caution. Place dish on oven rack

Once you think it is done, pull the oven rack out midway, grab a toothpick and insert into pudding, if the toothpick comes out dry or just a little speck of a crumble then it is done. If the toothpick comes out wet then set the timer for increments of five minutes.

The finished product, Allow to cool on a rack for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting into.

 

Enjoy

Garnish with Whip Cream or CoolWhip. Or better yet make a simple Lemon Glaze. Take two real Lemons pitted and squeeze the juice or use the 100% Real Lemon Juice in place of real Lemons. Use a small sauce pot add a bit of the Lemon juice on medium to medium-low heat, then add a litter sugar and stir in until it becomes a glaze. This Lemon sauce can not be saved, if it sets in the pan/pot too long it will turn hard.

In place of the raisins, you can use canned pineapple, dried cranberries along with the raisins.

One time I even used Orange Liquor as an added flavor and if you don’t have Orange Liquor, you can use Orange Concentrated Juice, about a capful or two.

I hope you enjoy this one my friends!

 

Deb Safe

 

Deb made it home safe, Deb left this morning at 7AM took 14-minutes to drive 1.6 miles at had to park at the Resturant, then made her calls of help starting at 7:15 AM.  Once her Step-dad and Brother-in-law got there, then  deciding on which routes to drive that Rear-Wheel drive back safely, Deb finally got here at 9:15 AM shaken, frazzled and stirred.

The news predicted  no more than 2-4 inches for this area, they had no idea it was going to hit us like it did.

On the noon news, they stated that Hyway Patrol and Local Police responded to 66 weather related accidents. I am sure there will be throughout the remainder of the day.

I took this at 11:19 AM this morning, no since measuring anymore since it was almost already at the max mark on the ruler. The time now is 1:00 PM now and it is still coming down. About 20 minutes ago one of the neighbors that pulled into the apartment lot almost side-swiped a parked car just by pulling in. The neighbor informed me that it is extremely bad out there as he was making his way through the snow, like wading through water past his shins and he stands almost 6-feet tall.

Deb wishes to thank those that wished her well and to get here safely. I thank you as well.

My next post will be BreadPudding.

 

Snow Alert Sioux Falls Sd

Yesterday Deb’s Step-Dad got me to be a second driver to pick up his Ford Crow Victoria Rear Wheel drive from the shop that had the problem with the Shift column. So, that is fixed.

This morning the snow started to come down, they were only predicting 2 inches, so Deb left early and only made it ten minutes down the road and had to pull into the Frying Pan parking lot for safety. She said there were two accidents near the interstate ramp and the rear wheel drive car was all over the place and almost plowed into other vehicles herself.  At least she is safe and not in the pile of cars that were reported in ditches by the local news channel.

Deb has been stuck at that restaurant since 7:30 Am and it’s 8:35 am now as I write this.

Deb’s sister had a dentist appointment in Sioux City, they left Flandreau and once they got to the Flying J in Sioux Falls they saw several cars in the ditch along the way, so they went to Deb and Gina’s Parents house. Just a moment ago I got a text from Deb telling me that her Step-Dad and Brother-in-law are going to get her so that she is not stuck at the restaurant all day.

Jay Trobec

This was just uploaded to FaceBook by one of the Reporters.

 

 

 

 

It is a dangerous day out there today.

 

Salt On Open Wounds

This post is just to update everyone about what has been going on.

Since a post on August 28, 2015, I ALMOST DIED LAST NIGHT! and then the post in September, WHY IS IT GOOD TO HAVE BACKUP PLANS I have provided accounts to the happenings of personal life events.  Today will be no different. Between the two written hyperlinked events above, a car was flooded and destroyed and I having a what I thought would be a future backup plan.

Deb’s Brother-in-law took the challenge of taking the spare engine I had for my Truck and replace it with the current one that blew a rod. We waited and waited, then last weekend we go to Deb’s Sisters house for a family dinner. When arriving at their house, I see my truck not in their garage but on the street. Her wheels were on the road where she is meant to be. Deb and I started to breathe once again from holding our breath for quite some time.

Then when we enter their house, we see Deb’s Brother-in-law sitting on his recliner with a look upon his face. His mouth begins to open and the words begin to fill the air turning what was a breath of fresh air to seeing clouds of doom hovering us once more. “That engine is making a noise too”

After the family dinner, we prepare to leave, Deb and I drive the Truck home, which did fine with no problems, no oil pressure loss and the noise disappeared once the engine was revved up. Half-way home the engine lite came on shining brilliantly. The next day, I take Deb’s OBD and program it to my Truck, Error code P0305 which can be any of six-eight possibilities, the last one on the list being low-compression.

During this time, the Car that Deb is borrowing from her Step-Dad begins to act up. The shift column is preventing the Crown Victoria from starting, We now have to put the shifter in neutral to get the car to start, it won’t be long before the shifter won’t go back into park when shutting the car off.

We drop the Truck off at the Mechanic’s shop so that they can get to it the next day in the afternoon to hook it up to their diagnostic computer.

Yesterday, 10:30 AM get the call from Deb, you can hear the silent tears in her voice, she begins to tell me that the shop told her the engine is shot. This was my rabbit in the hat, the hope against hope.

Deb’s Step-Dad will be taking his Crown Victoria into the shop Thursday so that they can work on getting it fixed.

 

Student Loan Debt | Free Two Year College

In an earlier post, NO SILVERSPOON FOR YOU that
HOW TO $TUFF YOUR PIG Reblogged, I touched base on this national problem that students and former students face when it comes to Student Loan Debt.

 

 

 

http://buzzpo.com/liberal-student-demands-free-college-but-she-literally-has-no-idea-how-to-fund-it/

 

 

 

I was just going to let this one be because everyone has their own beliefs, but when one of my old Work Colleagues posted a video on FaceBook and watched this student by the name of Keely Mullen that created a movement called the Million Student March National Organizer blabber on about everything she wanted with no facts, no true concepts and making herself the Villiage Idiot or at best a Court Jester of past entertainment on National TV. But, this video did not make this member of the viewing audience laugh. The young girl recognizes that there is indeed a problem but did not provide real world solutions on how to fund the free college concept only provided what she was demanding. I did not know how to feel, whether to feel sorry for her or slap her in the face to get those marbles moving. I do face people like this where I live, I don’t slap them -just let them be and seek refuge away from them. This is a major concern to future generations. Click on above image to see the Youtube video 9-minutes, 22-secinds in length.

When faced with large complex problems sometimes it is best to stand back and look at the whole picture and then tackle a small part of the puzzle. Problems like this take time, to implement especially when we have a congress that would rather sit with a thumb up their butts each side blocking bills arguing like school children.

I personally have given great thought to this problem as a whole and while this will not help students of the past with debt there maybe some real tangible solutions for future generations. The students of the past and those with Student Loan Debt prior to July 2015 for the time being are on their own and that is entirely a different animal to content with.

The average cost to attend a two-year college according to Collegeview.com

Here is where two-year institutions shine. Since most two-year colleges are designed for commuters, students are responsible for finding their own housing and get to avoid the high costs of room and board. Two-year students get a huge break on tuition as well.

According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees at a two-year school is only $3,131, just over one-third of the cost for a year at a four-year public institution.

 

Ideas on how to fund a two-year free college for future generations.

What do we need, first we need a building to house future students? In most states, there are certain buildings that are structurally sound that just sit there unoccupied while the State, City or another entity is still paying the yearly texas on said building. Make a contract with the owner of the building  where the Owner continues to pay the taxes for a said date in the future. With any building that is occupied by the living, there must be utilities, two major ones being electricity and water. This is a tougher one to accomplish but if one could find donors, similar to the Pacs that support Presidential Elections and get the Utility companies to agree to set a certain yearly price that is affordable and not price gouge like they do on regular consumers.

We are now one to two or three years in getting the building, utilities squared away. Now, during that time frame, who is going to pay for maintenance like when the plumbing messes up which can happen or the Heat/AC unit. As we all learn in life, there is no free lunch. Upon the students admission parents of said student should agree to set aside a yearly portion, this will keep the cost down for the State, City or entity that owns said building. Plus it will not just fall on one parent but by a collective group of parents, in the end the cost for those parents will be far cheaper than the alternative.  We have the Parents agreed on a set price, but what if during the two years no maintenance was required, then parents would get back a certain percentage back like 65% of total invested. 35% is retained by the school not to be put in their pockets but to be used for future maintenance or upgrades for the school that is necessary. Or better yet, that 35% was placed on the usage of books and other materials, or perhaps to be used as paying certain retained faculty in the future. Food for thought!
To reduce another cost that students face being food, one idea is to take a sack lunch for their will be no cafeteria on said campus. At least not at first. Another item to discuss is student living arrangements. Live with your parents, many students do this and I was one myself. School should be about expanding your horizons, learning all that you can and not partying or getting laid. Living in the Dorms or more modern dorms is expensive, the dorms that one University here in South Dakota has a price tag as if a person or couple were going to rent the apartment. RENT $1,100 SQUARE FEET 1,136 BED / BATH 2 bd / 2 ba

Live with your parents for the first two years while saving for the transfer to the University.

Books are another major concern for students especially when some can range anywhere between $40 to $150.00 for one book depending on the subject. California at community colleges used to have what was know as a State Bogg (Board of Governors Grant) Waiver as long as the student could demonstrate the need. Basically, if your parent receives TANF through the state for temporary relief. So, perhaps the minds of our great leaders once they take their thumbs out of their butts could devise a subsidy program for these new students entering for the first time at one of these schools.

What about the Dean of the School. I have thought about this too. We know large campuses have an Assistant Dean. While this Assistant Dean will maintain their presence at their main University they could also take charge as an acting Dean of said school. This would provide a boost on their personal resume to further their own careers. Ok, we have a Dean, but what about a Secretary to handle calls? A few selected students each doing their two hours each day to handle the calls and note taking. Also, Students will be responsible for the cleanliness of school by trash collecting to mopping floors. This will provide a real world exposure to certain job markets while keeping the overhead down.

Moving on to the Teachers, Instructors of the school. I mentioned in my earlier post about this but will go into further depth here. New graduating Professors that have accumulated debt from their education under a special program could work that down if not

naacpms.org

forgiving completely. We know that Teachers that graduate not unlike Doctors have the option to provide their skills in less than desirable areas to forgive their debt and a majority rather face repaying their debt within six months after graduating to live a life of luxury then spent time in those areas to become debt free from Student loan burden. One of those recent programs being TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM (TLFP). A program that helps those that elect to become teachers to have their Federal Student loans forgiven provided they teach at qualified low-income schools. This proposal I have would just be an extension of what is already in place just at a new developing school that would be almost virtually free for new students. Those that are working on their Masters, I had one Instructor while attending Butte Community That was doing just that. Instructing us on Physics while she was working towards her Masters Degree. This is a very doable option.

Just some thoughts of how to go about funding a Free two-year College.  There are more items that need to be addressed, but this provides a start in one of the right directions.

4 Lessons from Tennis That Successful People Use and Why You Should Too for Achieveing Your Goals

This is a great concept of staying focused on reaching your goals!

The Zeit

1- Keep your eye on the ball

A key component of a winning strategy in tennis is keeping your eye on the ball. No matter what an opponent does, a player is in control of the game as long as she keeps her eye on the ball.

“I’ve watched and played countless hours of tennis and whether it is Wimbledon or the Australian Open or the local court, I’ve never once seen a player win a match by looking at the scoreboard. Champions keep their eye firmly focused on the ball and let the scoreboard take care of itself.”

– Catherine DeVrye, 2x  Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year

As you try to lose weight, get fitter, become healthier, or change your lifestyle, it is sometimes hard to focus on the core activities that can get you there successfully. There is a difference between focussing on your core activities and…

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