What are they teaching kids these days?

Mac and his buddy moved into their first apartment and they pay rent weekly. Today is the roommate's turn to pay. He called me mid day today to see if I would help him. He doesn't have a bank account so he can't write a check for his portion of the rent and needs to pay with a money order. But he didn't know how to get a money order or what to do with one- and he wanted me to help him.

Ok-ay....

I went to the apartment to pick him up. (By they way, I dropped off mac' clean laundry and helped unpack a few boxes while I was there. And the Roommate was AMAZED at how much space they had in the living room without boxes piled in the middle. Well, duh!)

We went to an ATM to get cash since money orders can't be purchased any other way. He couldn't get any cash; he said the balance said he had money but the ATM wouldn't give him cash. I suggested he call the number on the back of the card to see the problem. He tried and it said he had enough money. We went to a bank across the street, he went in and a few minutes later was back out. He couldn't get cash off his card inside either. I suggested he call back again and press "0" until he reached a person. He did and explained the situation. He was told he has a daily cash limit and the amount he wanted would push him over. He managed to take out just enough and put it with the cash he already had.

Okay- crisis averted.

We went to a gas station and I told him to just ask the cashier for a money order in $*** amount. He said okay and then waled away and then came back asking me, "aren't you going in with me?" Uh, sure.

Did I mention he's 19 years old and did a semester of college, works a full time job, and has at least a high school diploma?

Money order in hand, I launch into teacher mode and explain to him what to fill out. Where he had to write in the landlord's name, he asked me what it was. I couldn't remember and neither could he. I told him to call hi landlord and ask to whom he should make out the money order. He didn't have the number- I did and gave it to him. (He said he remembered I told him and Mac both to program the number into their mobiles but he forgot). He called and got the information and finished filling it out. He put it in the envelop I made him grab from the apartment.

I started driving to the drop off site and Roommate was freaking out because he couldn't remember where to deliver it. I told him the address and he was "ohhhhhhhh". Finally, we get there and I show him the box where to put the money and then I took him home.

I'm amazed at what he didn't know: how to fill out a simple money order, how to BUY a money order, or how to handle a bank mess up. I asked him what he would've done had I not been there and he said he would've just waited until tomorrow to try again. I reminded him he wouldn't been charged $25 per day late and then had to deal with the landlord...

He said from now on if he didn't know something, he was calling me since I know everything.

Why didn't he learn any of this stuff in a life skills class? Or from his parents?

Monday could be a deja vu for me when Mac has to pay his portion of the rent, and he and I will do this all over again... maybe. I can hope not. I hope he's a bit smarter. For some reason, I'm not confident.

Mags

A question of tipping

I was listening to a big discussion about tipping the other day and it brought to light some interesting questions.

Okay, how much do you tip your hair stylist? There were various answers to this. One teacher said she never tips her stylist because the woman owns her own salon in her home and doesn't have to pay booth or chair rental so all the money she makes on "hair" is hers. Several woman agreed with this. A couple teachers said they tips the girls are Great Clips but he consensus seemed to be if you own the salon then you don't get tipped. Is that right?

And does anyone feel bad about not tipping at a restaurant? Isn't a tip supposed to be for good service? If I have a rude waitress who does not courtesy check and I have to ask for refills or my cheque, I am not a happy person. I'm not an idiot about it though. I've waited tables. I look around and see how busy a waitress is- over worked? A huge section? A huge party? Tables with lots of little kids? Tables with Senior citizens? Also, I don't usually blame the waitress for poorly prepared food. She's not the cook. And most of the time I don't hold her accountable if it's cold. If a waitress has 2 tables and she's more concerned with flirting with the guys at the bar and never offers me a refill or asks how my food is and I have to ask for my bill- twice- does she deserve a tip? I've been in her shoes and I know what being a good waitress is. I know what being a mediocre waitress is. A tip is a gratuity for GOOD SERVICE. It's not an obligation, right? Am I the only person who feels this way?

Also, who much do you guys tip at Starbucks? I usually drop my change in because it's 92cents. Should I leave more? At my usual Starbucks I don't mind tipping because even if my drink sucks, they will fix it. And what about the self serve coffee bars? My hometown has a locally owned coffeehouse. They have 3 types of brewed coffee each day and it's self serve. I don't ever tip if I walk in, pour my own coffee if a cup I take off the shelf and pay with exact change and never had to interact with the barista except to say 'good morning.' Is that bad?

Do you tip if you have nothing but a buffet? The waitress gives you a drink, for me probably water and then that's it. Do I have to tip her? What's a proper tip for the pizza delivery guy? Dry cleaners? Bell hop? I never know.

I don't mind giving a tip. I really don't. And because I've walked in those shoes, I'm usually pretty generous giving anywhere for 20-25% if I had excellent service. But I'll be damned if I'm going to tip someone who gives me crap service. Am I in the wrong? Do we just tip everyone now regardless of service, just because the economy sucks? Because the server MIGHT be having an off/ bad day?

Really, I just want to know... And eat. I really want to eat more than know.

Mags

Things that totally irritate me

• Our Internet at work is running about like old fashioned dial-up. This makes doing anything slow, arduous and just down right frustrating
• Mac got a job 4 weeks ago at Taco Bell. He was told to fill out paperwork online and that took about a week because the URL didn't work and then one day it did. After he got it done, the manager was on vacation for a week. When she came back she said the corporate computers crashed and it would take a week to find all his paperwork. He called back a week later and she said it was all found and he was good to go so he had to call their General Manager. He called her and she said she would be contact with him in a week because she was going on vacation. For Goodness Sake, this is not brain surgery!
• Working 4 jobs and I still have no money, no health insurance and feel like shit about myself all the time
  
• Bill collectors. I realize I'm overdue on a bill and they said I had to pay a million dollars a month and so we negotiated down to a payment I could afford. EXCEPT they wanted 1 full payment up front, today, which I couldn't do. I had agreed to pay them 1/2 million$ a month starting in February and they were willing to cancel the whole thing and tell the company they were working with that I couldn't do it. Now, they were willing to throw out guaranteed money because they they couldn't wait until 1/16 for the first payment; it had to be today. Stoooopid arsehats. The late bill is totally my fault but I am WILLING to pay it but I need a few days to get the payment. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
• having to return my Nook to pay for my car repairs
  
• The university Mac quit last October didn't withdraw him; it's a paperwork glitch, I guess. He's trying to start classes at a community college on Monday but they can't give him financial aid until that happens.
  
• having a period
• health care in the US
  
• Mac's bad attitude. He created this mess he's dealing with so he doesn't need to be cranky with me if he's so unhappy.
• pantyhose
• when networks cancel a tv show and the viewers don't know; it just never turns up on the appoint time and day, and I have to go Google it to see if it will be returning. Yes, Prime Suspect is cancelled.
• when networks take a show I LOVE and split it into 2 seasons, giving it a stupid hiatus, like what happens with Glee and House
• that the nearest Starbucks is 20 minutes away and the nearest Diary Queen is 15 minutes. I want both. Now.
  
• dating

cranky Maggie

If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck

It was the starter.

It cost $263.

The Nook is going back. And all the accessories.

I will sell Mac, if anyone wants him...

Fucking car.

Mags

The day things went wrong

• ITSam and I split up over the weekend in a flurry of Sam-caused- drama and I'm exhausted from all the stupidity of it
• I started Weight Watchers today. My daily point total sucks.
  
• I started my period today... though I guess this is good news, considering the alternative!
  
• X-Ray Girl is pissed off and I got in the line of fire of that and she's mad at me now, too- which is ITSam's fault (Curley and Daddy-O, please don't say anything to her if you see her!!!)
  
• My sandal strap broke at school and the shoes had to be thrown away
• I'm doing inventory of all the library books and it's a huge, damn disaster! Hasn't anyone done this before?
  
• I mis-balanced my checkbook today and have $8 from now until pay day, which is a week from tomorrow- shit!

Money Money Money

Monday
I found out that I made a mistake in who gets to claim Mac on taxes this year. Yes, I do realize that Mac's SD should not get to claim him ever, at all, BUT to change this, I would have to hire an attorney and go to court. This costs, up front, a retainer of $3000. If I had $3k I wouldn't need the tax return now, would I? So, my accountant called and said when she submitted my taxes, my return bounced back (my expression, not hers) because someone had already claimed Mac. I was pissed.

So I called the fucktard SD and he wasn't home. I was stranded at work so I just called the clerk's office at the courthouse and got someone I knew. I asked if she would PLEASE read through my divorce decree and see who gets to claim him in even years. Apparently, to make a long story short, when I moved to the Wild West if changed the years and when I moved back it changed the years.

The long and the short of it, 2010 was SD's year to claim Mac so it was my error. The accountant re-did my taxes and re-submitted them.

Did I mention that I thought I would be receiving my tax return THIS WEEK because I thought it was filed weeks ago? It was a "communication" error on why it didn't happen, so this was a shocker to know not only was I not getting my return this week, my taxes weren't even filed yet!

Thursday:
I find out I have to pay the balance on Mac's cap and gown by the end of the month or he won't have one to wear. He told me that today.

I have to pay the balance of his senior trip by the end of the month or he can't go and we loose the deposit. He told me that today.

Did I mention I have to pay for Mac's yearbook by Wednesday or he won't get one? He told me that today.

We also got the financial aid information from another college Mac was considering and they came in $5000 less than the other school. So that one's out! (Even with student loans!)

Friday:
I went to the bank today and had no pay check deposited. None. I was supposed to be paid at 12:01am this morning since I have auto deposit. No cash. I went it and it had not been posted. I called the central office and there was an error with the school's bank and the money didn't get posted to the Federal Reserve in a timely manner so most of the banks won't have out money until tomorrow at the earliest, and Monday at the latest. And if we want money today, the central office would cut a partial check to us but take it out of our pay checks at the END of the month, rather than now.

I have bills coming out of my account tomorrow, auto-withdraws! Thankfully my little state tax return landed there today which will cover that stuff.

Oh, and my accountant called and told me my federal taxes were filed. Because I'm NOT claiming Mac this year, I'm getting back $3300 LESS than the original quote. So much for his college deposit, and paying off all my bills AND getting Mac his Orange MacBook Pro for a graduation gift.

Oh yes, his college deposit is due at the end of the month.

Good grief!
Mags

Random Hump Day Musings

In our community, we have a pizza place what has a Godfather theme to their business name. Godfather as in the mafia movie. What I hate is that the radio DJ who does the commercials does a TERRIBLE, and I mean TERRIBLE, impression of Brando as the Godfather. If I owned the place I would wall and just tell them "no" and to stop.

Tonight is opening night of Mac's school play! It's his first huge lead so I'm excited to see how well it goes for him. He's a bit of a diva about it all so I hope his performance lives up to his ego.

I'm adding a shelf here and there to the library bookcases. Well, let me rephrase that, I would LIKE to do that. I can find the extra shelves but the pins that actually hold the shelves are gone. Really. Who takes the pins? And I'll be honest here. We don't think it's the kids. Someone on the library committee who's been here since the invention of dirt said she wouldn't be surprised if a previous librarian- 2 or 3 ago- tossed them in the trash. Seriously?!?

Gasoline is so expensive right now that I put $30 in my tank this morning. I was so on Empty that the fuel light was on. And $30 filled it only half way. Prohibitive. It really irks me, and it's completely unnecessary.

My school didn't use all of their scheduled calendar snow days so I get this Friday off. Yup, no school at all. Just a day to hang out. Thank you to the day off gods! Did I mention Mac will be at school all that day? I'm going to sleep in and read and just be a bum.

I can't believe it could snow tomorrow. Not nice.

Princess did some work in her art class and it's been submitted to a local art school competition. I'll be visiting the gallery! She's one of the top contenders for ribbons in the categories she's entered in- I'll let you know what she wins!

Speaking of Princess and weather, she's running distance races in track and her meet is tomorrow. Of course, I'm going to watch and cheer her on but it's supposed to be a high of 31 degrees with possible snow. Today it's a high of 62 with a chance of rain. I'm so thrilled about standing outside in that weather tomorrow. Not.

One thing I miss from when I lived in Northern Civilization, Armpit, and even in the Wild West is that I always had a group of folks with whom I met for "Thirsty Thursday" festivities. I miss Thirsty Thursdays at the local watering hole. I don't even have a local watering hole.

What's in your wallet?

Does anyone other than me have a whole bunch of crap in your wallet?

Daddy-O gave me one of my mom's old wallets, ironically one I had given her as a gift and he hung onto it since it was pink and covered in shoes. I was getting ready to switch all my stuff from one to another and I didn't realize how much crap I had stuffed inside this thing.

After throwing out expired coupons, by train tickets from Italy when I was there in March 2009, old receipts and gum wrappers, I started sorting all the stuff to see what I needed to keep and what I could toss out.

Of course I have the obligatory family and friend pictures but I think I need to update these. The last one of Mac, he's about 10 years old. I found a picture with an old boyfriend that I dated more than 10 years ago.

Then there are all the "cards" and I don't mean credit ones. Seriously, every business these days has a card for something. I have a Kroger card which nets me discounts in the store. I get frustrated because I think they should just sell the stuff for the discount price and do away with the card process. The times I've been in line when someone hasn't used a card either the cashier lets the person use hers or someone in line hands theirs over. Stupid idea, I think.

I have a Panera Bread card that nets me random free desserts or drinks. I have a Hallmark card that gives me free merchandise, and I have a Speedway card which lets me earn points to spend on stuff in their store from fuel to candy to food. I think it's my most profitable of the three because I've gotten free gasoline lots of times, and more free drinks than I can count. I like my movie theater card because I get free popcorn!! I also have some other "cards" for other stores but half the time I can't remember to get them out until it's too late.

I have a stack of coffee house punch cards. With each drink, get a punch and then the 11th is free; I have these for 4 locally owned "mom and pop" type of coffeeshops. Of course there's my special gold club membership Starbucks card. It has my name engraved on it, I'm such a good customer. Buy 15 drinks and get a free one. You have no idea how many freebies I got last year. I'm embarrassed to even admit it. Now they give me free oatmeal, pastries and product discounts because I'm such a good customer. My Gold Starbucks Reward Card is like other people's Platinum American Express Card- I can't leave home without it!

I also have my Chamber of Commerce card which gets me discounts all over town. I have a driver's license of course, insurance for my car proof card thingy of course, Mac's health insurance card (new and 2 old ones...), my ATM card, a prayer card with the B-Attitudes (I always like that phrasing- it sounds like a band), and my ACLU membership card. Yes, when someone accuses me of being a "Card carrying member of the ACLU" I can pull it out and say "Why yes, yes I am."

There's also the obligatory piles of receipts to enter in my checkbook.

No wonder there's no money; who has the room even if I had any?

Maggie

Nervous about good things

I'm used to things being wrong or bad or rough for me that when something that has the potential to be good I worry about it. I wait for the other shoe to fall. I'm leery of the good.

I'm so worried about such that I won't even write about it here. I'm afraid it will be jinxed. I don't want to talk about it at home or anything. I don't want to jinx the good or own up if it all falls apart... again.

That being said, I have some exciting news that could potentially be excellent news. So, if you could send me your good luck wishes and prayers I'd be appreciative!

Donations welcome

I've been researching grants so I can buys stuff for the library like new books, books to have a book club, and funds to sponsor an "art and lecture" series.

My idea for an "art and lecture" series is to bring in guest speakers who would give a 15-20 minute program and then teach the students how to do a craft/ art project. I have a woman in town who makes jewelry. She could come in and tell her story and then show the students how to make something. I would need money to cover the cost of materials. I know of a woman who makes her skeins of wool yarn. It would be awesome for her to share the process and let the kids knit a hat. Ditto a candle maker. Ditto a soap maker. Ditto an organic gardener. These people will donate their time and sell me supplies at cost but I need money for the "cost" part.

As for book club, I want to be able to get 10 books a month so 9 kids (and me) can participate each month. I would like the students to be able to keep the books if they want- I can't even begin to explain how much would mean to some to these kids to be "given" a book. (And I have a sign up process so different kids will be able to participate monthly; I don't want it to be the same kids over and over.)

Any suggestions of where to go for money, please let me know. I know about our community foundation, local churches, and utility company foundations. I used to write grants for a living in a previous lifetime, so I know the basic drill. But I've been out of the game for awhile and it can't help to give me some ideas, please!!!!

The problem I have is that we have a development office who writes grants for stuff for the entire facility and I'm not "ALLOWED" to write to the same places. I understand, on principle. But I want a couple hundred bucks where they ask for several THOUSANDS.

Someone suggested I tap into private individuals I know who would give some money. Ummm, okay. I don't that many individuals who could give me $100 a month so I can do book club, and another $50-100 a month for art and lecture. I'm going to give that a whirl. I know I could just people for whatever they can give, and do it in small increments, and that's probably what I will do.

So, I'm cheating and starting here. If any readers would like to make a donation to the library for either of these projects, please let me know. I can start a paypal account, or for those of you who know me/ trust me, I'll give you my address and you can send the funds to me, made out to the school of course. And I can provide a receipt- tax deduction!

Thanks for your support!
Maggie the Librarian

Lost and still lost

I hate it when I do stupid things that aren't funny. I'm not usually happy when I do stupid things at all but when I do something in which there is no humor whatsoever, then I get MAD at myself. Yesterday was one of those things.

I lost $20. I wasn't even gambling or spent it stupidly. No, I physically lost the money. As in it fell out of my pocket and is forever lost in the stratosphere. Damn myself.

I got money out of my stash (I never carry much with me because I don't have much and because I'll spend it if I do.) and put it in my pocket. As I did it I thought about how shallow my pockets were and I should actually put it in my purse. But then Mac and Daddy-O and I all got involved in stuff and I just forgot.

Mac and I ran two errands and then pulled into the hotdog stand for lunch. We ordered and off the carhop went to place our order and I reached for the 20 bucks in my pocket and it was gone. So of course I go through all my pockets, search the car, go through my purse. Mac goes through my purse a second time while I search my pockets AGAIN. Like checking them for the 3rd time is going to make a 20 dollar bill appear. So I tell the waitress to cancel our order and that I'm sorry.

Mac and I then go back to the 2 places where I had gotten out of the car on the off chance that MAYBE we could just be lucky and find the $20 laying somewhere. It wasn't. We called Daddy-O to check the house all over and he didn't find it. We did the car/ pockets/ purse thing again. We asked people at the places where I was (2 places- 2 parking lots, 1 school lobby, and one office lobby) if anyone turned in $20 and of course NOT. We checked everywhere.

When I got home, Daddy-O helped me look in the car again, I went through my pockets and purse and wallet yet again, I searched the house again and still no money.

Even hours later, like last night, I was still checking my pockets and purse and car hoping it would magically appear. No such magic.

I managed to lose $20. I don't HAVE $20 to lose. It sucks. This is not my week, I tell ya. I hope whoever found it really, really needed the money. Bastards.

Broke as a joke,
Maggie

Freakin' Prom

"Holy Shit" is all I could think when Mac outlined the cost of Prom expenses. He asked for "prom" for his birthday since he knew it would be costly.

• tux rental
• flowers
• pictures
• prom tickets at $40 per couple
• dinner

And he doesn't even have a girlfriend. He has a huge crush on a girl called Emily but Emily has a boyfriend but she and Mac are super friends and he wants more. So Mac is going to take Emily's younger sister to Prom. He likes her well enough and will have fun with her but shelling out that sort of money for a platonic evening is outrageous. Of course I keep this to myself and hold my breath and write checks.

We may not have to rent his tux because Daddy-O has one and Mac might fit into it. If that's the case, then we only need to rent the matching colored tie and vest and such. And the tickets include the after prom party as well as the prom itself, which is a good thing. And the After Prom is pretty big, I guess- dinner, snacks, elaborate games, a DJ, karaoke, and a BIG entertainer- they're getting a stand up comic. So I guess a might of safety (it's lock-in style and ATOD free, of course!), entertainment, food and fun for 2 kids is a good deal for $40.

If I start tucking money back now I can afford Prom and his SAT fees. Over my damn dead body will I have his ask his loser Sperm Donor jerk-off asshat father.

Oh yeah, Mac could get a job but I would rather him enjoy high school and have time to do the fun stuff and to study, if I can help it. And since he wants to go to law school, he's gonna have to work his way through college... so, gee, it's great to be a mom. I shouldn't complain, but... wow!

And when all these parents start complaining about how expensive Prom is for a girl, I bet the boys are about evenly matched!

Mac's mom,
Maggie

Retail Therapy Day 4- Why I *heart* Hobby Lobby

I love to go to Hobby Lobby even if I never buy anything. I can spend hours in Hobby Lobby just walking around, wandering aimlessly through the aisles and soaking it all in.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of a Hobby Lobby experience, I pity you. But the general idea is that it's a large craft store, primarily. And I mean everything for just about every crafter: paints, bolts of fabric, patterns, beads, scrapbook stuff, wood burning, silk flowers, jewelry making stuff, skeins of yarn, colored cotton balls, doll house kits, doll house furniture, stamps, and... and... and... everything you can possibly imagine for doing crafts and hobbies. There's even a whole row of flip flops with patterns to make your own toe topper on them- and all the stuff- feathers, ribbons, beads, sparkles, bangles- you name it, Hobby Lobby has it.

Hobby Lobby also sells unique furniture pieces and things for the home like pictures, picture frames, tchotchke, pillows, vases, faux art and the like. They also sell holiday party items, bird bathes and garden statuary, greeting cards and have a section of the store that does framing. I'm not kidding when I say this place has everything!

I love to go if I need something because they always have it. I got all my quilting supplies there. I love to go when I don't need anything. It's fun to just browse because you never know what you'll find. I am not kidding, but I have literally spend hours just walking around Hobby Lobby.

This store makes me happy. So if you've never been, find one and go get lost. Even if you have no hobbies, it's worth a looky-loo!

Crafters delight,
Maggie

World's Larget Rummage Sale 2009

Whew- it's over! It took weeks and weeks to get this thing together and in two days it's done... sort of like taking hours to prepare a fancy meal that everyone has consumed in 25 minutes or spending months Christmas shopping to have gifts torn open in 10 minutes.

But it's over and done with and I'm nearly $500 richer. Curley and her son's made some moola- as did Daddy-o so all and all it was worth it.

Even when we were done this afternoon, Curley's Hubby came into town and helped us pack all the left overs into boxes and then donated it to the local mission (think a local version of Goodwill). So I think it was a win-win situation for everyone!

Curley and I laughed lots and had lots of time to gab. She saw lots of people she knew and I just tried to hide when I saw people I might know!

We were sorry Daddy-O wasn't in town for the big event but we managed without him. Now I'll be spending the next week putting the garage back into some sort of order so he can at least park in there again!

I'm not usually a person who goes to rummage sales myself as a ritual, but I like to go and poke around. I might find a buy or two here or there. Curley is really good at rummaging and getting good prices and knowing what the good buy is so she was my "go to" woman this weekend, no pricing and negotiating. Thank you Curley for helping me and keeping me company and just hanging out with me and EVERYTHING! *Kisses and smooches*

I was surprised at some things that didn't sell, and we did run an ad in the local newspaper, which is like a rummage saler's weekend Bible and survival guide. My 6ft tall Christmas tree in it's original box didn't sell- no it's not pre-lite and I was only asking $20 OBO- and it's a beautiful tree. One person made me about pee my pants when she looked at it, which was in pieces in the box, and asked me, "Is it artificial?" Need I say more?

We also had a bunch of white unpainted ceramic Christmas village pieces- none of those sold. They're the kind that doesn't have to be fired in a kiln, just painted and sprayed. No one bought a danged piece of it.

We did keep the tree and the village pieces so if any of you...?

It's funny to be what does sell- Granny's who don't have DVD players loved all the Disney VHS video tapes. Little girls want old makeup and baby dolls. MY old Barbie furniture sold. This stuff is 30 years old and people just snapped it up. I sold a set of dishes. A piece of 4 ft long coax cable sold. The infamous Barry Manilow cassette tape, all my wicker baskets, jewelery, pots and pans, a pellet shotgun style gun-- all sorts of things sold.

I love watching people go to rummage sales. There are those who walk through quickly, obviously looking for something specific. There are the browsers. There are those people who are the rummage salers who are out for blood- they come early, have the newspaper Bible in hand, will negotiate on the first day, demand sacks and always have small bills and change. There are the women who come in a group and it's obviously just something to do while they socialize. There are those Indecisive rummage salers who pick it up and put it down and have to carry something around and touch it all, before making a bit purchase. (I would hate to see these people in a "real" store if trying to decide to spend a quarter for a picture fram still in it's store wrapping is a tough choice) There was a little old man who was trying to get me to lower prices on everything and then trying to shame me for no budging. Take the cool for example. it was an igloo cooler, on wheels, with a pull handle and a carry handle. It's in perfect condition- no dents, mildew, mold, no anything. We just have about 194 coolers so we sold this one. For $3. It looked practically new- hell it might've only been used once after an unplanned visit to Sam's Club and lots of cold things were bought and needed protection- that's how we seem to acquire lots of our coolers around here. Anyway, this guy wanted to know if I would take a buck. Hello, buddy, this is a rummage sale I realize, but you're already getting a$10 cooler for $3 and it looks like new so back off.

We did the rummage sale for 2 days and yesterday was furniture day. We sold it all and we sold it early. I could've sold my book case 10 times over and the wicker patio furniture at least that. Not one soul said a word about it today, thank the goddess since it was sold, but! All day yesterday people would show up, look around and ask "did you sell the wicker?" Well, do you see it anywhere? Duh- it's gone and then they would try and peer into the back yard or garage to see if there was more, like I would lie? At one point one woman was pointing at everything in Daddy-O's yard, wanting to know if it was for sale- hell, I could've sold her the whole house, I think.

So the sale is over. Whew. I'm glad I did it, though. And now I can clean the garage and call it a day. Well, maybe I'll call it a day tomorrow. Or Tuesday. Or sometimes next week. But I have to get it done by next Saturday since a small town a few miles over is having a town wide sale. I need to find room to put more, er, ah, my stuff...!

Rummaging around,
Maggie

YMCA

Recently our town has just built and opened a brand new YMCA facility, a multimillion dollar project with top of the line facilities. The building has the best of the best of everything from weight equipment to personal child care monitoring to a lush indoor pool, just to name a few. The programs are varied with choices from the youngest person in a "mommy and me" class to senior citizen water aerobics. There is something for everyone. Well, it seems there is something there for everyone who has money.

And I want to preface this post that this is not sour apples because I can't afford the membership fees. This runs a little deeper, and as a former social worker, I have issue with what is going on, as I hope you can tell from the rest of my post.

Again, this is a day to learn something here at "shoes/purses" rather than me just sitting here looking pretty- I'm going to educate and get on my high horse at the same time! I live in the second poorest county in my state that has the third highest unemployment rate in our state, and this information can be found at our state government's website. What I want to know is that if this county is so poor and we have so many people out of work, why is a family membership to the YMCA $708 a year (which is lower if you can pay in cash upfront for the whole year) plus the one time fee of $75, which breaks down to $59 a month? In a community where people are struggling to put food on the table, are using public transportation 60% more than last year because of the increased cost of gas, the food panties have seen an 80 % increase- why do we have a YMCA that would think of charging astronomical fees? (Our local newspaper recently ran an article with the stats about out city's need). On a personal note, my sister-in-;law works for a mental health facility and she says that the case managers there are seeing a doubling in client case load just in the last year.

I went to our local Y's web site and I've poured over the slick mailings I get and yes, they do have scholarships, but they are "limited." The mission of the YMCA says:

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Please notice the "for all" in this that mission statement. FOR ALL should mean all, not just "for all those who can afford it." If a person visits the national YMCA web site and reads through the history, readers will find that since this program started in London in 1844 to now, the Y had grown and changed and evolved to meet the every growing changes with societal norms, offering programs to people of all race, gender, creed, and religion. They helped with healthy body and healthy mind. They provided educational programs when needed. Through it all, the Y has continually catered its programs for those in need.

I want to know how these programs are going to reach those who need it? I'm sick of people saying that with this new building "we want it to stay new so prices need to reflect the sort of people who will respect that". I have heard this repeatedly. And I think it's abhorrent. Others say that the T isn't a baby sitting service and that people will just dump their kids off. Oh, and I like that I heard someone say 'we need to keep the riffraff out." I'm sick to my stomach and appalled when I hear things like this. And to be honest, I have no idea is these people who say these things are those folks who are YMCA members or board members or employees or just townies shooting off their obnoxious mouths.

I live in a county whose population is about 35,000 according to the last US census. Of this population, 7,170 are children under age 17. 13.9% of children in my county live in poverty, the highest rate in the last five years. And 27.2% of children in my county receive public assistance- government public assistance. (data taken from the Kids Count Data book, 2008) With numbers like these, HOW can this brand new YMCA, who is supposed to provide FOR ALL charge these prices??????

My brother has banned the Y on his personal principles. My sister-in-law got herself and my niece a membership. And me, well as for me...I'm too poor to join.... I guess I'm the riffraff they want to keep out.

I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member,
Maggie