Passports!

It was a rather annoying week.  Let's start from the beginning. I planned a little get away with my sister to the Bahamas for the weekend. She arrived in Florida all excited for our trip. I forgot to remind her that with all the new security she needed to bring her passport. When we were talking with friends someone mentioned the word passport (the light went on in both of our heads at the same time!).  She left her passport in Boston! In a panic, I called the cruise line and was very politely told under no circumstances could she board their ship. Then we called a friend of hers and gave her instructions where to find the passport and how to have it sent by overnight mail by UPS.  Great!!!!!!!!!!!! The passport would arrive here by 8:30 a.m. in time for the limo to take us to the port.  8:30 came and went so did 9:00 a.m.  In a semi panic, we called Staples (they are the pick up point for UPS).  They informed us that the package was never picked up at their store in Boston (I forgot to mention that my sister paid $69.98 for this overnight delivery).  We have called both companies so many times we know the numbers by heart.  Each one says it’s the other one’s fault.  Finally UPS said they would send us a claims form in about four to eight weeks. Needless to say, we were very disappointed.   So to make us feel better, we went to the Hard Rock casino for the day…(we both came out winners!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Make this a very happy day

Thumbs up for Hard Rock

Thumbs down for forgetting the passport

Grannie B

Bullying - Parents Pay Attention

OK this whole bullying thing is getting out of hand. This happened in Boca Raton recently when the grammar school bell rang and all the children were excited to go home …some by bus, some walked and some biked. There were many parents at the crosswalks (many are too busy talking to their friends and not paying attention to the children).  Three boys about ten years old crossed with the light to the other side of the street. One of these little angels proceeded to knock a boy off his bike to the ground.  Next, the second boy kicked the boy on the ground in the stomach. Then they all started to hit him. The child who pushed the boy off the bike had his mother standing less than 10 feet away. As it happens, the bullied boy’s father was driving by and saw the whole thing. Of course, he went over to take care of his son (who was a little bruised).  By now the mother and her child went home. The father was so enraged he went to their home.  When the woman opened the door the father asked her why she did not reprimand her son. With a straight face she said she was not aware of anything he was saying. She, in a rather rude way, said her son would never do what the father said. Now we wonder why children are bullies.  Children are allowed to do anything that they want with no discipline whatsoever. The father made an appointment with the school principal.

                                                                 

Thumbs up for the father

Thumbs down for the mother and child

Smile a lot today

GRANNIE B     

Elderly Abuse

It’s time to discuss the abuse of the elderly.

Last week, veteran actor Mickey Rooney addressed Congress and the Senate telling them the very sad story of how his stepson took control of his life. Rooney described how he felt….the shame, fear and abuse. Elderly people who are isolated from their families and social networks who are physically abused, meds withheld, and all their money stolen. Mickey said his stepson made sure that he could not make even the basic decisions on his life. He suffered for years in silence. He felt trapped, scared, useless and helpless.

Senator Herb Kohl, chairman of the Committee on Aging, is calling for an Office of Elder Justice within the Department of Justice. 

If you know or think you know anyone who is being abused (child or adults) please call the police or contact your local Senator.

Seniors DON'T allow anyone to hurt you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thumbs down for elderly abuse 

Extra thumbs down for Mickey Rooney’s stepson [BOO BOO]

Thumbs up for Senator Kohl 

Have a really fun day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grannie B

Charlie Sheen - Who does he think he is??????

I think I owe the Kardashian ladies an apology for saying that they were the most disgusting family. Now along comes Charlie Sheen!!!!!!!!!!! Who does he think he is? In my humble opinion, he is the scum of the earth. The fact that he was a good actor years ago doesn’t give him the right to say anything he wants.  He is a disgrace to his family and the television industry. Sheen was very lucky to have been given the role in “Two and A Half Men.”  What did he do that any other actor couldn't do? His salary was two MILLION dollars an episode. Sheen's salary could feed all the hungry children in the USA. Warner Brothers finally, after so many weeks of being berated by this sick, vile-mouth person, fired him!!!  It didn’t take one day before Sirius Radio gave him his own show. Now, he is selling tee shirts, comic books and hats to all his followers (sick).  I have no interest in what happens to this mentally disturbed person.  The Sheen children are being treated likes pawns. Where does this kind of behavior end?  And when?

Enjoy your day and smile

Grannie B.

ON SALE!!! Love those two words.

I love this time of the year.   Everything is on sale.  SALE is my very

favorite word.  50% to 70% off is even better.  My car is overflowing with

bargains (shoes, bags. eyewear and more).  By the time I empty the

shopping bags, I look at all the junk I grabbed and pulled at for several

hours. Guess what?  90% is going back to the store for someone else to

grab.  It was great fun while it lasted.

Think happy thoughts today

Grannie B

Thieves getting away with skimmers

Thieves seem to find new ways to get our cash.  They do not

use guns, knives, or for that matter even hold up banks.

There is a gadget called skimmers. This electronic gizmo

steals credit and debit card information.  In one month this

crook stole 59 IDs and over $10,000.  Nationwide

skimming has increased over 10% in the last year. This

skimming has cost all of us $1-2.5 billion.  We

have to be very carefully of how we use our cards.  It gets

scarier everyday.

Be aware of your surroundings today and everyday

Grannie B

Don't forget your Passport!

Security is very important to all of us.  Recently, I was going on a cruise,

but one of my friends forgot her passport.  When I called the cruise line,

she was told that she could under no circumstances board the liner,

because of the security.  Thus, we could not go on our trip. The liner

told me I could change my ticket for another day (with an extra charge of

100 dollars per ticket)….Not worth it!!!!!!!!!!!! The new law is we must have

proof of being an American citizen.

If you’re going out of the country, even to Bahamas, TAKE your passport.

            

Grannie B

Sex Offenders

A locally elected representative in my district was found guilty of molesting many young people for years.  He was found guilty and sentenced to jail for (I think) 2 years.  He is now out of jail.  Lo and behold there is talk of this SICK person running for re-election.  What is wrong with our system that will let a convicted felon be allowed to represent us in Congress?  This makes me sick!!!!!

Smile at a stranger today

Grannie B

I've been away....

I just return from the trip from H**l.  I had to go to Boston

for a funeral.  I have not seen snow for many years. I hated it

as a kid, now as an adult I hate it even more!!!!!!  The snow

was, at some points, over my head.  As the cars skidded by

us, my knuckles got whiter and whiter.  As much as I wanted

to be there for my friends, I could not wait to get home to a

chilly 68 degrees.  Now I know why I moved.

Have a happy day

Grannie B

Restaurant Service

Maybe this is just my imagination, but have you ever felt like a second-class citizen in an upper class restaurant?  The reason I’m asking this question - last weekend several very well dressed ladies went to dine at a “snazzy manzzy” steak house.  Our table was way in the back, not to far from the kitchen.  Our waiter looked at us with complete disregard.  I must say dinner was really excellent with little input from our waiter. Now, it’s dessert time and out comes our new friendly waiter (same old one but with a smile) we ordered coffee. He became so friendly as he handed us the check (eck eck). He was falling all over himself  (perhaps you think he wanted a extra generous tip??).

What a fool!!  Don’t judge the ladies by their cover.

Five grannie apples for the food

No grannie apples for the waiter and only 10 percent tip

Grannie B 

  

What is happening with the weather?

What is happening with the weather around the world? California has had the most rainfall it has ever had (it is still raining).  Florida had the hottest summer in years. We have had very little rain, now it’s so dry we’re afraid of fires.  Australia has so much rain that the flooding is so bad it has caused problems for areas the size of Italy and France.  We just had a snowstorm that blanked the entire Northeast for several days.  New York is still trying to shovel itself out. The word is that the union has something to do with the lack of snow removal (now I know why I live in Florida- no unions).

Keep your chins up summer will be here in six months.

Laugh a lot it’s good for wrinkles.

Grannie B

HAPPY NEW YEAR

                                    HAPPY NEW YEAR

                                                                        HAPPY NEW YEAR

Facebook - It's Out of Hand

Facebook, in my opinion, has gotten out of hand.

Two young, fourteen-year-old girls (best friends) have a fight.  One of these so-called friends found a photograph of a very sexy young woman (unknown person).  The friend proceeds to identify this photo as her ex-friend.  She went on to give the girls name, telephone number and cell number.  If this wasn't bad enough, when she gave the address it came with directions on how to get to the house.

What was supposed to be a prank turned into a very scary crisis.  The victim and her family have been bombarded with e-mails, letters and phone calls from all kinds of sicko's.  Strange men have been driving around her home and school.

She's afraid to go to school.  Her once all A report card is close to failing.  Since no one has done anything to her or to hurt her (so police say) the police can't do anything but reprimand the ex-friend.

Be sure you check what your children are doing on Facebook.

Give your family extra hugs today.

Grannie B

Diamond in the Skies

Fact or fiction:

Just in case any of you are planning to be around in thirty million light years there is talk of a new planet.  Several very famous scientists have come up with the idea that makes this planet worth waiting for.  It is suppose to be encrusted with my very favorite gem stone….DIAMONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

This may be a hoax but it certainly sounds great to me.

Five Grannie apples for the diamonds

Keep warm and safe. 

GRANNIE   B

Renew Old Acquaintances

The holiday season is here now.  It's time to renew old acquaintances and family.

A brother and sis who have not spoken to each other (except for an e-mail once in awhile) for fifteen years were reunited. Time goes by so very quickly!!!!  The reunion was really wonderful; they hugged, kissed and cried the entire weekend.

Two brothers, who live not to far from each other, have not been in touch for several years. They were reunited at a basketball game. It takes time to get back to a normal relationship (they're working on it).

Old friends never have time to write or call each until one of them becomes very ill.  It was too late. They found time to fly up north for the funeral. Let that be a lesson for all of us, good friends are hard to find!!!!!!!!!!!

There are so many stories like these.  Life is short!!! Let's not waste a moment of the time that we have left thinking about what we should have done. Do it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thumbs up for old friends

Thumbs down for not remembering old friends

Happy Holidays 

GRANNIE B

The Olden Days

My weigh in was great this morning.  I seemed to have lost .8 of a pound – is that the weight of a lettuce leaf?

There is a lot to say about living in the olden days.  Things were more elegant and refined.

The dress code for school children and “please” and “thank you” were expected.  Respect was given to your parents (and anyone older).  Good grades in school were very important (since many of our parents and grandparents never were able to go to college) that their children had better lives then they did. 

Above all, attitudes were different, especially to teachers.  Watching so much TV puts the children into situations that are not for them to watch.

As parents, it’s hard to screen everything they watch.  Kids now know everything about everything - nothing is sacred.  Since many more moms are working very hard to help with the family finances, having someone around to “supervise” is no longer an option.

Not sure of my thumb up or down on this one today.

Have a wonderful day and say hello to someone who needs a smile.

Grannie B.

Home Entertainment in 2011

Comcast---Comcast-----Comcast---and more Comcast

It seems like Comcast is taking over the entire at-home entertainment world - - television, phones and computers.  Recently, my community and many surrounding communities are changing from AT&T to Comcast. The board of directors in these developments worked out what seemed to be a good deal.  BEWARE!!

We are told that in 2012 all of our current televisions that do not have HD will not work. So we went to check out the new sets (be sure they are 1080). Sony had very good choices.  Best Buy had the best prices in our local store.

       

NOW it’s time for Comcast to set up all our homes with new technology. Yippee!!!!  There was nothing wrong with our old sets. Comcast came with the DVR boxes. Installed them, the only problem was all the faces were bright pink!!!!!!  The second repairman came two hours late, with the wrong boxes.  Lo and behold, the third time was the charm.  A great repairman fixed everything. At last, I now have the most beautiful color Sony that I’ve ever seen. 

Sony gets five Granny apples;

Best Buy gets four Granny apples

Comcast has to wait for my review

Smile today even if you don’t feel like it.

Grannie B.

Credit Scores - Keep them high

Your credit scores are crucial. They range from 300 to 850. Eight Hundred and Fifty is the very best. You are entitled to a free copy. Read it very carefully.  The only place your copy is really free is annualcreditreport.com (there are three other web sites but they are only free if you purchase something).  If you find any errors or misspelled info be sure to notify the credit card company or the credit report company. Having a good credit score is very important when buying a car, home, and any large purchase, even borrowing money.

Thumbs up for good credit

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Grannie B

Holiday Shopping - Buyer Beware

Things to watch out for during the holiday season (and during the year):

Several of the local food chains had been overcharging their customers until more people started checking itemized grocery lists. Be sure when you buy something from the discounted rack that you are indeed getting the correct discount. Many times they charge more than discount on that same item (take a calculator with you).

If you are a television shopper (such as QVC, HSN) or jewelry network shopping customer be aware of what you are purchasing.  Always know the carat weight of any stones and the gold weight (10,14,18 or 24).  Go to a local jewelry store and compare what you saw on television.  This way you will not be disappointed when your purchase arrives by mail. 

Another thing to look out for is when you send flowers or plants from the 800 florists.  Always ask the person you sent the gift to was it nice? Many times you send gifts to a hospital and you visit a friend and on the table is the most awful looking dead plant. When you asked who sent it and they reply YOU.  You want to go through the floor!!  I must say the company does replace it.

I know all of us go out shopping and get excited over a bargain -- remember it's not a bargain if they steal your money. 

Never carry a wad of cash when paying for something – it only calls attention to you.  Get in style and buy a cross over purse that can go under your coat, that way you protect yourself from theft.  If you know you’re going into a busy store, try not to wear jewelry that will cause people to stare at you.  Good way to lose it and even get hurt.

   

With all this advice go out and have a wonderful time shopping!!

Grannie B.

The Final Reckoning - Interesting Reading

If you are looking for a fast moving detective book that are both fact and fiction, read the book THE FINAL RECKONING by Sam Bourne.

It is about a real person who was the Secretary General of the United Nations. As a young person, he belonged to a Nazi youth group. When confronted, he denied these stories and said they were just rumors (however, during his term in office very few, if any, Nazis were ever put on trial).

A hand full of Jews sets out to revenge and bring these Nazis to Justice.

There are lots of twists and turns. It makes for interesting reading. It is very informative.

Have a wonderful and happy day.

Grannie B

Holiday Discrimination

My community runs a Canasta tournament once a month for about 70 people. I'm in charge of all the food. If a holiday comes in that month I decorate the room according to the holiday. The month of December gives us Christmas and Chanukah.

So off I go to get the decorations. The first store I went to had an abundance of Christmas items. I managed to get everything. Then I looked around the store for Chanukah things. NOTHING!!!  That was Agrees. Next stop was CVS. They had a very a small shelve, so spare I found also NOTHING!!!  Now I go to the Dollar store, as always there is shelve after shelve of Christmas decorations. Now I'm tired and mad. I found a clerk in the store and asked where could I find Chanukah paper? He looked at me as if I was speaking Greek. He told me and I quote' we don't carry that stuff here'.  I kind of lost my temper!!!  90% of the people who shop in that store are Jewish people. Next store was Wal-Mart. It was the same thing no Chanukah items. The salesperson said I should talk to the buyer (who, of course, the buyer was out).      

It's just one more case of discrimination. I plan on writing to all these stores and asking why.

Thumbs down to certain stores not carrying all holidays!

Grannie B.