MERRY EVE

Went to a leisurely breakfast and made one final grocery stop for essentials. Booze and ice, well I said essentials. Though he cooks a fantabulous dinner Christmas Day, a little lubrication just makes the candles burn brighter don't you think?

Have to eat a prediction, but in the best way. The Legislature did manage to pass the heating assistance bill before they scurried off for their multi-week solstice break. One good and necessary act in the midst of some pretty coal-deserving ones this year. Well they have to look at themselves in the mirror each day, hope they can deal.

Exercise club was packed this am with all my favorites and a few new ones, who basically get in my way! The only elliptical was next to, oh no, stinky man! Well now at least I'm happy that my allergies block up some of my smelling abilities so I was able to exercise next to him calmly and not knock him off his machine. Naval comtemplator has now become another Chatty Cathy! Who knew? She was merely an oddity before, now she has joined the coffee club in the am. Chatting people up who are changing their shoes, chatting people up working out, chatting to the voices only she can hear. Double arghhh.

Final thoughts: House is clean and cozy. Decorations are up and beautiful. Presents wrapped and under the tree. Sun is shining. My family will all be together. As they say it doesn't get much better than that. See we 99% don't ask for much. Even popped another $10 in the red kettle this am though I already sent a nice check. I'm mellowing out and about freakin' time too!

DECEMBER WOMAN

A big Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter on her special day. I communicated with her at approximately 10:03 am, the time of her birth which is my annual tradition. Technology certainly changes how we communicate as it was in the form of a text message. My competent, independent daughter and now my friend.

She is happily with child and in another 4 months or so we will be celebrating the birth of my baby's baby. That thought is both strange and exciting! I already see the Mom genes kicking in so I get to enjoy a whole new facet of my daughter. Hang on; we're in for a wild and bumpy ride! LY Mom

TIS THE SEASON

MUSINGS --

In the wonderful world of SPAM I was given the opportunity to receive a letter from Santa. Hmmm - maybe I should. If he/she doesn't deliver I may have lawsuit potential. I'm sure there is someone who would take the case - suing Santa. There are so many new lawyer types being churned out these days, they are eager for business. Contingency basis of course.

Another wonderful week on the legislative scoreboard. Jobs and improved economy - 0; more social bs and things "who cares" 47. Let's see in one bill they managed to trump not only the Civil Service Commission but continue the campaign to bust unions by making a bonafide benefit no longer subject to bargaining...Wha? I do believe wages, benefits, working conditions are the actual REASON the union bargains.

Workers comp changes got hammered through that will make it horribly difficult for injured workers to get benefits. Explain this logic. One of the changes is if an injured person becomes well enough to take a job that pays more than their wc benefit they will have their benefits cut! Now understand, no job actually has to exist nor does it matter if you can get the job you just get your benefits cut. No sweat though, they said you can go to court. Well that solves the excess lawyer issue.Understand I used to administer wc bennies as part of my Personnel Director days. Trust me 99% are legit, are handled and people come back to work. I went after the 1% and won usually. That takes work and perseverance-everything cannot be legislated away folks...

Another mind-boggling, economy saving bill floated out there is to not allow hospitals to order mandatory flu shots for staff. Another wha?? If Grandma gets sick heaven forbid she has to go into a hospital where the biggest threat is from personnel who are already understaffed and working too many hours. Brilliant.

Now one potential bill I like is the idea that they cannot referendum-proof some lame brained legislation by attaching at least a $1 implementation fee to it. That means we the people, do not have the ability to question their judgement through a vote. Neat huh? Used by both sides for years. Time to get rid of this. If our overpaid part-timers really believe in what they are proposing, then let us have a chance to decide. Yeah, snowball's chance in Hades that one gets passed.

Oh and in the spirit of the Holidays a potential use of the "found" money in Lansing was to provide heating assistance to the less fortunate. Ooops, can't miss our extended winter break--so that bill may languish until after the holidays. Well it really gets cold in late January anyway. Hmmm, tax increases on the middle class, pensioners and teachers, ending of tax credits for mortgage costs and charitable contributions zoom through the legislature like roller skates on lard, but something to actually helps citizens not so much. Bah Humbug. Scrooge would be proud.

EXERCISE THIS!

Thought I'd fill everyone in on my little cast of characters at the fitness club I hit every day. Anyone who exercises on a regular basis knows the extreme, and painful, boredom that sets in as you do your interminable reps or coast the elliptical. You try not to watch the second hand of the clock go around (much like Lamaze timing contractions) but you can't help yourself.

First I do not wear a different designer outfit each time-same old crappy black shorts a couple of black t-shirts taking turns, hair in a knot which is usually soaked by the time I get done. Unlike the matchie-matchie outfit girls with their weird ceiling-pointing pony tails and the silly band wrapped around their heads (though I've seen that particular style on the street-go figure). I just sweat into a towel I carry around. In other words by the end of 45 minutes I am generally hot, sweaty and whatever the opposite of ravishing would be but done! At which time I put my "walking" tennies back on which look absolutely identical to my gymmie shoes to walk the 10 steps to the car.

To amuse myself and stay motivated I have named several members who stand out and note their antics. Helps mollify the pain I guess. Better than dwelling on the numerous times I have been struck by bars and smacked by machines when I don't move fast enough. Always a couple of interesting bruises in odd places.

Anyway there is "Naval Contemplater". Sits at each machine like she's worshipping at a druid altar between each movement staring off into space. Consequently just taking up space and holding me up. I looked one time and there is no weight on the machine -10 lbs-piffle. So what is so fascinating between strokes? The naval obviously.

Next there is grunt thump. Over-estimates capability and lifts too much weight which results in a very disturbing grunting sound and the subsequent smash-down of the equipment (plus does not wipe down the machine afterwards- yuck).

Next are the Thumpers. They attack the treadmills like they are racing up the steps in a Rocky movie. The crashing and banging makes you wonder if the machine is coming apart. Totally drowns out the TV news I'm trying to watch. But not a problem for them because they all wear little ear thingees-no doubt cranked up to 100 decibels to ACTUALLY HEAR ABOVE THE FOOT STOMP PARADE.

On weekends we have "stinky man". OMG. As soon as you walk in the entire room smells like, well you know. Though last week stinky man smelled like cinnamon BO-perhaps in a nod to the Christmas season. Nauseating but interesting.

But the worst is Chatty Cathy. From the time she walks in until I leave it's yap yap yap yap. If I wanted to hear someone talking at that time in the morning, I'd, well I don't know, because I don't want to hear someone talking at that time in the morning. I have literally seen this person move from where she is to another machine just so she can yap yap yap to someone. Now that's just sad. Needless to say she doesn't come around me.

Of course for the sake of honesty I have to wonder how my exercising buddies refer to me....

RED (or BLUE) LETTER DAY

Today Joseph Paul Robel made his presence known. Though he has another 4 1/2 months of growing time he definitely made an impact when he had his close-up ala ultrasound. His father proudly posted the news to the delight of all.

Welcome Little Joe. You'll be with us in no time!