Out with Old -- In with the New!

Whew! what a year this has been! I'm guessing that many people are thinking the same. What will we remember of 2009? Record unemployment, foreclosures, new terrorist threats, bailouts, Michael Jackson . . . ? If someone had told me that our family would be touched by this recession I would have argued with them wholeheartedly otherwise. At the beginning of the year Gregg and I had great jobs and our companies relied heavily on us. However, the recession trumped loyalty and we quickly learned how to get by on much (much) less out of shear necessity. It's crazy, and almost embarassing, when we look at our savings account and see it larger than when my unemployment began! Were we really spending like there was no tomorrow? Evidentally, yes. Inspite of all the tears I shed, I look upon 2009 as being a year of extreme learning that I would not have submitted to, if not out of necessity. What did I learn?

- Living with less isn't all that bad
- Homecooked meals are best
- I CAN cook
- Thrift shops making shopping a fun experience
- I want to become more involved in ministry
- Two cats are better than one
- I can quilt!
- Journaling keeps one's mind focused
- Social networking is here to stay
- One is never too old to learn new stuff, or old stuff in the case of my Eng Comp class!
- I missed singing in choir and performing in the choir dinner show
- God is continuing to place people in my path that are to help me along in my journey
- Live in the moment
- It's not a contest
- Caffeinated coffee gives me the shakes
- I have alot to be proud of
- KLOVE radio station
- My family is the most loving and supportive one could ask for
- I'm ready for 2010!!

FRAUD ALERT - Phishing Scam Alert!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program for H1N1. The messages request that users create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the CDC.gov website.

Users that click on the embedded link in the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:

* Do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
* Do not click links embedded in emails from unknown senders.
* Use caution when entering personal information online.
* Regularly update anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software

Despite recirculating email, it is still not necessary to Register Cell Phones to avoid annoying telemarketing calls

As the number of phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry surpassed 139 million, the Federal Trade Commission has reiterated that despite the claims made in emails circulating on the internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers at any time in the near future. In addition, according to the agency, it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the DNC Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.

Victim Hotline Available to File Claims

FTC has announced the MoneyGram International has agreed to pay $18 million to the Federal Trade Commission to settle charges that it knowingly allowed con artists to use its operation to swindle consumers out of millions of dollars. The money will go directly provide relief to victims. If you were a victum, call 202-326-3755 for information on how to submit a claim.

For more information on frauds and scams, go to www.aarpfraudfighters.org

Dependent on the Grid

Yesterday morning I awoke to a gorgeous snowfall -- it was one of those Currier & Ives paintings kind of one. My camera was at Carrie's house so unfortunately you'll just have to believe me. Gregg was eager to try out his new snowblower so he bundled up and himself aligned with the other snowblowing men. The snow was so deep that his cute John Deere had a real hard time chugging through it. Within minutes of him leaving the garage the electricity went out. I crawled back into bed and thought I'd tackle some of my homework that could be handwritten; I was just a little concerned that I hadn't finished my paper that's due on this evening but felt that the power would come back in time.

Gregg finished the snow blowing took a shower and decided to take a nap thinking that the power would be back on soon. I tried to think of everything I could do 'unplugged' . . . addressed my Christmas cards (no letter yet), folded my FOPPI newsletters (no labels yet), and wrapped the Christmas gifts. That filled a couple of hours and still no electricity. Now I was starting to get concerned. I knew I should have backed my report to my flash drive!!!

Gregg always says to have a backup plan . . . I could haul my desktop over to Carrie's (which is 10 minutes away WITH power) and at least get it on my flash drive so I could use the laptop's two hours of power. So I disconnected everything bundled up and got ready to go and as we were pulling out of the driveway the porch light went on. Hooray!! We have power!!

I gathered all the missing connections and plugged them in but the keyboard's end wouldn't stay in place. Geez, I must have twisted it when I disconnected it. I tried every which way to get that thing to stay put and connect with no luck. After a frustrated half an hour Gregg decided that we should go out and get another one so I could get my report done.

We bundled back up again and grabbed the faulty keyboard and when we pulled out of the driveway we saw a flash and all the lights on our block went out! We decided to continue our quest for a keyboard once we were sure that Don would be OK (he insisted that he didn't want to go to anyone else's house, that he'd be fine). Evidentally my three-year-old keyboard is obsolete but they had these wonderful wireless ones on sale which came with a wireless mouse (bonus)! Got that all taken care of an hurried home hoping the electricity was back on.

No power. We grabbed all the blankets in and snuggled in . . . at 6:00 pm!! I tried to pretend I was camping and tried reading by the flashlight but it just didn't cut it. I feel asleep too.

I awoke to hearing the furnace kick in -- hooray!! I connected my new wireless devices and am feeling much more connected. Just gotta get that paper done!!

Yes, I did back it up to my flash drive!

Am I really that smart?

In Thursday's class we had to make appointments for our 'fifteen minutes of fame' with our instructor to go over our term paper (which I can't figure out what to write about). He thought that the only 'fair' way to choose was to have the student with the highest grade get first pick. Guess who was first? ME!! No, way -- how could I be the SMARTEST in the class? I've read the papers of my fellow classmates and don't feel that my writing is any bit better than there's. My teacher thinks so . . .

I'm enjoying this class immensely and realize how much I really do like to write and evidentally I'm kind of good at it. I need to find a way to clear up all the excess clutter in my life so that I can focus on writing. Lofty goal. But doable.

I registered for my next class: African American Literature. Sounds interesting. Stay tuned.