Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Adams Family

Jim, Lana, Sherry, Linda and Dave


Here is a picture of all the siblings. We were so fortunate to grow up in a middle class family in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Our parents worked hard to support us, provide for us, and form us into the individuals we are today.  We learned to respect our parents and people of authority: our elders, teachers, policemen, doctors, etc.

Our home wasn't very big. It had only one bathroom, 2 small bedrooms, small living room, small kitchen and dining room.  When we were going into junior high, dad had the garage made into a 'dormitory' for the girls, and a dining room for mom. After we were all gone, it became the family room.

We all graduated from High School, and we went on to higher learning.  Both of the brothers were in the service, and the girls went on to higher education.  

We all got married, and had wonderful children.  We are all tax paying, responsible adults, who try to make the right decisions.  Our children are all grown, and most of them have had wonderful families of their own.  They are all working, too.

We were raised in a home that when it became dark outside, we came home.  We ate what mom fixed, without complaining (most of the time!)  We did our chores, mowed the grass, watered, helped hang the clothes on line, folded the laundry, and even learned how to iron. We were disciplined,when needed. Dad even used his slipper on us, and I don't think it hurt any of our 'self-esteem'!

We learned how a family is supposed to work together.

We did our homework, and played. Dad would play jacks with the girls, and throw the ball for the boys.  Our yard was the place all the neighbor kids could play.  Dad said the grass would grow after we all left.  Mom tried to teach the girls how to sew and crochet.  (I don't think any of us did too much sewing, but I did learn how to crochet...after I had my own home,)

We knew our neighbors, and respected them.  

We loved going to our grandparents homes.  We learned history from them. Our aunts and uncles were always fun to be with. Our cousins were always a lot of fun, too.

We don't live physically close, except for Lana and me. She retired and bought the house across the street from me, but we know we can call and talk just like always.  We feel the thread of family, and are so thankful for siblings.  

We know we are on the down-side of the 'bubble' so we try to live our lives like our dad and mom would have wanted us live.

I don't think most of us have any idea why we are where we are, or why we had the families we had, but we do know that our God has a reason for each of us.  We may never know the great things that will be done because we were granted the wonderful privilege of living at this time.

We love our country, our flag, and the Constitution.  We might not always agree with the way the country is going, but we will stand for her and her values.

We love FAMILY!
We are FAMILY!



Sunday, February 24, 2013

More Snow

I told you about our snow yesterday.  We are getting more right now, and we have wind warnings that will make it blizzard-like.  Eastern Kansas had had it worse than we have.  This is what I was told it looked like!




Saturday, February 23, 2013

Our Kansas Blizzard of 2013


I'm sure you all have been wondering if we survived our blizzard.  The storm dropped enough snow to make it the second biggest storm since records have been set.  I think we got about 6", and lots more out east.  We've just been hunkered down, and grateful that the power wasn't lost.  We didn't have much wind with it either.

This picture is a symbol of what the kids will be doing this afternoon!  (By the way, we have another storm expected in the next few days.)  The moisture is sorely needed!









Social Security



This has been around before, but it bears repeating!



Lesson on Your Social Security Card 

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.

Social Security Cards up until the 1980's expressly stated the number and 
card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed.

An old Social Security card with the "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION" message.

Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social 
Security (FICA) Program. He promised: 

1.) That participation in the Program would be 
Completely voluntary, 

No longer Voluntary 


2.) That the participants would only have to pay 
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual 
Incomes into the Program, 

Now 7.65% 
on the first $90,000 


3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year, 

No longer tax deductible 


4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and, 

Under Johnson the money was moved to The General Fund and Spent 


5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed
as income. 

Under Clinton & Gore 
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed 

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' 
-- you may be interested in the following: 

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---- 

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it? 

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate. 

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -- 

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding? 

A: The Democratic Party. 

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- 

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social 
Security annuities? 

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US 

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - 

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants? 

A: Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! 

------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- --------- 

Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! 

And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve.