Social Security

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K per year over your working life, that's close to $220,500. If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% after 49 years of working, you'd have $892,919.98. If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month. The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had. Entitlement my a**, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!! Congressional benefits, aka. free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days. Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements? We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless, etc.!  In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile, Turkey, and now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!  Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!  They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when its time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it from us the first place? Imagine if the "GOVERNMENT" gave us the same support they give to other countries. Sad isn't it? 99% of people won't have the guts to forward this.  I'm one of the 1% and I Just Did. Pass it on!

My dad wasn't a pig farmer, he worked at a hamburger joint for a long time,and then for the Post Office until he retired.  My mom worked as an office girl for Penney's.  They lived in the same house their whole life, and it was small!  Two bedrooms, one bath!  They remodeled the garage into a girls bedroom, and put on a dining room.  There were five of us kids,and I don't think we ever felt deprived.  We were fed and clothed, and we all had our chores to do.

We all learned early on that we needed to take Personal Responsibility for our lives.  

An Old Fogey

I'm one of them...

Grey-Haired Brigade

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs. Some of us are "Baby Boomers" getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard, raised our children, worshipped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true. But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration. In school we studied English, history, math, and science which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes. For those of you who don't know what an icebox is, today they are electric and referred to as refrigerators. A few even remember when cars were started with a crank. Yes, we lived those days. We are probably considered old fashioned and out-dated by many. But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off. We won World War II, fought in Korea and Viet Nam . We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so. We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield. We didn't fight for the Socialist States of America , we fought for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America , and America the Beautiful by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing. We have lived what many of you have only read about in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America . Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us. We have loved this country, fought for it, and died for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our country and nobody is going to take it away from us. We took oaths to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep. There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.                       It was the young people of this nation who elected Obama and the Democratic Congress. You fell for the "Hope and Change" which in reality was nothing but "Hype and Lies."  You have tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don't like it after all.  You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or "Climbing the Social Ladder" to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting.  Many of those who fell for the "Great Lie" in 2008 are now having buyer's remorse.  With all the education we gave you, you didn't have sense enough to see through the lies and instead drank the 'Cool-Aid.' Now you're paying the price and complaining about it.  No jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom.  This is what you voted for and this is what you got.  We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.  Well, don't worry youngsters, the Grey Haired Brigade is here, and in 2012 we are going to take back our nation. We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we're going, and in 2012 we're going to the polls by the millions. This land does not belong to the man in the White House nor to the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It belongs to "We the People" and "We the People" plan to reclaim our land and our freedom. We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren.  So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country,  and thank God for the old geezers of the "Grey-Haired Brigade." ~Author, Anon. Grey-Haired Brigade Member   H/T  Old NFO

Saturday Humor

It can be a challenge keeping a straight face as a

court reporter. The following are from a book called

Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people

actually [or supposedly] said in court, word for word,

taken down and now published by court reporters that

had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges

were actually taking place.

 

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said

to you that morning?

WITNESS: He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'

ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?

WITNESS: My name is Susan!

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the

impact?

WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your

memory at all?

WITNESS: Yes.

ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?

 

WITNESS: I forget.

ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of

something you forgot?

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person

dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the

next morning?

WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old

is he?

WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?

WITNESS: Yes.

ATTORNEY: How many were boys?

WITNESS: None.

ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?

WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different

attorney. Can I get a new attorney?

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?

WITNESS: By death.

ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?

WITNESS: Take a guess.

 

* * * * * * *

 

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?

WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.

ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?

WITNESS: Unless the circus was in town, I'm going with

male.

How Did He Know?

This is amazingly true....           HOW DID JEFFERSON  KNOW??????    Especially read the last quote from 1802.   When we get piled  Upon one another in large cities, as in Europe,  We shall become as corrupt as Europe . Thomas Jefferson    The democracy will cease to exist  When you take away from those  Who are willing to work and give to those who would not.  Thomas Jefferson    It is incumbent on every  Generation to pay its own debts as it goes.  A principle which if acted on would save  One-half the wars of the world.  Thomas Jefferson    I predict future happiness for  Americans if they can prevent the government  From wasting the labors of the people under the  Pretense of taking care of them.  Thomas Jefferson      My reading of history convinces me  That most bad government results from too much  Government.  Thomas Jefferson    No free man shall ever be debarred  The use of arms.  Thomas Jefferson    The strongest reason for the  People to retain the right to keep and bear arms  Is, as a last resort, to protect themselves  Against tyranny in government.  Thomas Jefferson    The tree of liberty must be  ; Refreshed from time to time with the blood of  Patriots and tyrants.  Thomas Jefferson    To compel a man to subsidize with  His taxes the propagation of ideas which he  Disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.  Thomas Jefferson    Thomas  Jefferson said in 1802:'I believe that  Banking institutions are more dangerous to  Our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow  Private banks to control the issue of their  Currency, first by inflation, then by  Deflation, the banks and corporations that will  Grow up around the banks will deprive the people  Of all property - until their children  Wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers  Conquered.' I WISH WE COULD GET THIS OUT TO EVERYONE!!!

Vegetarian

A Week Without God!

Daughters

I love my daughter!

Pickles!

It's so fun being a grandma!

Sunday's blessing

Priorities!

I saw this on FaceBook today, and it made me think.  Does it make you think?

My Surgery

Well, as most of you know, we (Vern and Lana and myself) went to Denver last Tuesday for my surgery.


We got there around 5, rush hour traffic!  We went to my brother's house in Greeley, rather than spending over $100/night for a motel.  He live a long way north, but we could spend lots of money for gas!


On Wednesday morning, we were at the hospital (Littleton Adventist) by 6AM.  We were early, but that was okay.


I was taken to the pre-op around 7 AM, got dressed in the beautiful hospital gown, IV's started, questions answered, met with the PA (Karen), the anesthesiologist, and finally my surgeon (J. Adair Prall, MD).


My surgery was scheduled for 9 AM, but we were a little late.  By this time I'd had my first dose of 'sleepy juice' and I wasn't aware of anything for a number of hours.  Lana and Vern were kept notified of what was happening.


It took over an hour for the hole to be drilled in my skull, and then another 3 hours for the cyst to be removed.  Dr. Prall told them that he had to cauterize a vein over (or under?) the artery, but felt that he'd gotten it all, and that I'd be in the 80% of those that have a good turnout.  My face doesn't hurt anymore!


I was catherized, intubated, and operated on!


I went to the recovery room, and was there for over 2 hours.  The first thing I remember is being in the ICU, with the nurses telling me to drink some water, got me a 'vomit' bucket, but I didn't need it, covered me with those wonderful warm sheets, because I was freezing.  I turned over in bed, turned back, ate some ice chips, and I think said 'Good bye' to Lana and Vern.  They'd been at the hospital for 12 hours, too.


Throughout the night I got more alert, drank more, moved and coughed.  I had lots of pain, so I got my share of the morphine that night.


In the morning, I got some breakfast, and that was good.  It had been over 40 hours since I'd eaten anything.  I kind of remember the nurse practioner coming by, but none of the doctors.  (They are busy, you know!)  The PA for the anesthesia doctor also came by.


I was seen by physical therapy, the medical review girl, (she had the privilege of talking to Vic.  She liked him, I think.   I do!  They went over my plan of care for when I would get home.


At 10:30 PM, I was transferred to the surgery floor. I had been drinking lots of water, peeing, walking, and eating, so it was time to give up my room for another sick person.  I had my vitals taken again (all normal), covered up, and slept like a well person.


I was able to get up and shower, walk the hall, eat breakfast, and speak to some other personnel, and was released around 11AM.  We made it home about 5 PM, and went to bed around 7:30.  It was so good to sleep in my own bed.


I am feeling pretty good.  I have a dull headache, but the incision looks clean and is not draining.  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, so I have to change my diet, and go on an insulin medication.  I think I can handle it.


Thank you to all of you who prayed.  How I appreciated it.  Thanks for my daughter, Carole, who kept everyone updated.


I am on the road to recovery.  There is no more pain in my face, I have my hearing in my left ear, which is a good thing.  My scalp still feels numb, but I'm sure it will recover too.  I made the 80% of a successful surgery, at least in my eyes.  Guess we'll see what the DR says when I go back for a recheck.  That will probably be in 4 weeks.  I see Vic on Monday.