Plastic, paper, or conspiracy

It was recently announced that Whole Foods is doing away with plastic bags. And everyone is praising them for it, good for the environment etc. While I agree it's good for the environment but I can't help but wonder if it's a conspiracy. I really don't think corporate America give a hoot about the environment. I think this is the beginning of a conspiracy to charge us more at the checkout. Now I love Whole Foods to shop, but as a corporation I can't stand them. I work for a brief time for them. And if you ever want a laugh read their employee handbook. Anyway I like to shop there and they have always been upfront for charging you for bags. But I have notice 1 small store chain that shall remain nameless (Half Priced Books) charging for bags. No sign is posted but they do sell there own reusable bag. Now the amount charged is minimal but that's not the point. This is just one more way to charge us more. Remember at the gas station they would pump gas for you. Then it started if they pump the gas they charged you more. Now you can't pay them to pump gas. And come to think of it how about the shopping clubs. People actually pay for the privilege to shop at Sam's Club, Costco, BJ Warehouse, etc. And these places you have to pump your own gas and hell they don't even let you buy bags to put your stuff in. So once again big business is sticking it to us. So I ask you plastic, paper, or conspiracy?

Winston Churchill

Well I am having a bad pain month. And today I ran across a quote of Winston Churchill which I am going to make my new motto. I think it applies to anyone with difficult times. The quote is "When going thru hell, keep going.". I just love that. And as a WWII buff and admirer of his, it really does fit me. So everyone keep going!

One year to go

I am having a bad pain day but when I saw the date. It made me happy! One more year with that s.o.b. in office. The end of an error. I just had to mark this date.

Irving the fearful Part 2

As I told you before my Irving is a fraidy cat. But yesterday he really pulled a good one. I was curled up in my reading chair reading a great book (Her Last Death) with my kitties at my feet on the ottoman. I was waiting for my kids to come. It had gotten dark so my mean mudder put the porch light on. Now she lives below me, so the kitties heard her in the stairwell. Irving sat straight up staring with fire in his eye at the door. Slowly this low growl came out of his mouth and then he turned tail and ran off to hide. My protector............. Not!

Intervention

On A & E is a show called Intervention. Where they show people with all kinds of additions and with family and friends stage an intervention. Normally I don't watch this show but I Tivoed last weeks episode and I am glad I did. It was about a 26yr old woman Brooke, living with chronic pain. Now that's something I know a lot about. On the show her family thought she was deliberately over medicating herself to enjoy the high I guess. I didn't understand her family point of view. And because she did this they wouldn't let her be at the hospital when her nephew was born. And 2 days before her twins wedding she was told you couldn't be a bridesmaid after all. Needless to say it broke her heart and mine also. Now Brooke was being over medicated by her doctors and had never be in a pain management program. At the pre -intervention they had a doctor who is a pain management and addiction specialist there. He finally got the family to understand that Brooke was not doing this for attention or for fun. The best thing he said was concerning her falling on the kitchen floor out cold for 8 hrs. He said that the passing out was preferable to the pain. Amen! There are days when I would like to do that myself. I so identify with this women. The first year of my chronic pain was spent in a drug induced haze. Even in the fog I knew this was no way to live. Of course I have had more life experiences than Brooke. But some pain management is strictly drugs. I was lucky to find one that balances drugs and other methods of pain management. And over time I have found for myself some things that work.
I guess with the show I was just angry with her family. And I know logically they don't understand. Unless you live it you don't really know it. But it is so hard to live with it. I am lucky most of my family understands. But I am sure it's hard on them because there are things I can't do anymore. Also times when I seem short tempered, agitated, or inattentive. I am not any of those things just in a world of pain. I wouldn't wish this on anybody even my ex husband (maybe). Or the looks I get when I park in a handicap spot.
So I am glad I watched the show. It reminded me how lucky I am that I am not on a lot of meds and my family understands. But I still would like to be passed out for 8 hrs. Take care.

Ivy aka Garbo

I think my lovely cat Ivy is the reincarnation of Greta Garbo. She wants to be alone. Not alone exactly just don't touch her. If you pick her up she gets all upset and meows like you are killing her. And if you want to get her moving you can chase her all around the house by saying " I'm going to pet you". You will never see a cat moves so fast. Now my kid loves to torture Ivy she's forever picking Ivy up. Just like siblings the older teasing the younger. My kid probably wouldn't bother Ivy if she could get Irving out of his hidey hole. My kid says Ivy is blonde, she has this constant confused look on her face. I must say sometimes Ivy not the brightest light bulb.
Now Ivy reminds me of a Rubens painting. Soft fleshy and round. We never say that horrible three letter F word in this house. Ivy's an emotional eater when she gets upset she runs for the food bowl. Every time you pick her up, pet her, or Irving bugs her to much she runs for her bowl. Like that bowl is going to protect her. But it does if Ivy's at her bowl everyone leaves her alone. Now you are probably wondering why I love this cat so much. A cat that hates to be held or petted. When it's just us three in the house Ivy will (when she decides) allow me the honor of rubbing her belly. She also has a sixth sense about when I am having a bad pain day. On those days she never lets me out of her sight and when I lie down show lies down beside my pillow and allows me the pleasure of rubbing her belly. And this simple act makes me feel a bit better.

Irving the fearful

My cat Irving brings new meaning to the term fraidy cat. This poor pitiful cat is afraid of everything and everybody. Even the kid and the boy who were his foster parents. I think I have had Irving 2 or 3 years now. And if I move to fast he runs or cowers like I am going to beat him to a pulp. I never raised a hand to him or rarely my voice, except when he wanted to use my new furniture as a scratching post. If I pick him up to fast he freaks, or I move too fast, the phone rings or the doorbell, or the dreaded footsteps on the stairs. I have seen him swear to god jump at his own shadow. Company never sees him and my mean mudder has only seen him 4 times. When I brought him home, to and from the vet, and one day my door popped open and he decided to explore the stairwell. When the mean mudder open the door she saw his back end and he was gone. He didn't come out out his hidey hole for hours. He has never been in the stairwell since. But when things are quiet and peaceful and he's in the mood. Irving can be a loving cat. He's my comedian he makes me laugh daily. Especially at his fears. I would post a picture of him but cameras scare him. Whoops I just sneezed and he's gone! Take care!

The New Year

Well the new year has started and so far so good.