Communication...or lack thereof

Watching "You've Got Mail", I started to think about the way we communicate. I remember the days of keeping in touch with writing letters and mailing them with a stamp (snail mail), then it evolved into email, which is still around. I had a lot of correspondence with email since the beginning of the Internet. Lately tho, it seems that most of my communications with friends and relatives are thru Facebook. I can't remember the last time I got an email that wasn't trying to sell me something, or scam me out of something. I have phone conversations and text communications on occasion, but most of the contact with friends is thru Facebook. And not always Facebook mail, but posts to each others walls. It's almost as if people have forgotten how to communicate face to face. Sure, it's easier to just leave a post or send a text to get a quick message across, or call and leave a voice mail. But that eliminates an immediate response or reaction on the part of the recipient. This type of communication also leaves the option to the recipient of just totally ignoring the message/post/text and not responding. So you really don't know if they saw/heard it or not.

Back in the day of online chat rooms and IM's, you could get your point across and know that it was seen. There was nothing more rewarding than that chime on AOL when someone sent or answered an IM. I haven't been on AOL in quite a while, not even sure if the people I "knew" on there are still around, or use the same screen-names. I still have my screen-name there, and just might pop on there and see what's happening.

Keeping in touch is good, phones have "apps" that let you access email, instant messaging programs, Facebook, among other methods. Yes, I'm guilty of being connected to Facebook and several email accounts on the Blackberry, and sometimes even connected to Yahoo messenger. It's convenient when away from home and without my laptop or an internet connection. I have even been considering a tablet, or possibly a Kindle or other type of multi-functional wi-fi capable device that will just require a bigger purse to carry it in. I like to read and when we go camping on the weekends I have in the past brought several books with me. If I had one of those devices that let you download books and check email and check Facebook and surf the Internet, it would save a lot of room in the truck, plus my husband could put his books on it also. The only thing holding me back from buying one is the fact that I haven't had that winning lottery ticket yet. Someday, sometime, in the future I'm sure I'll get one, probably when it's out of "style".

Oh well, until I get the new stuff when it's new, I still have my trusty Sony laptop with Windows Vista, and my Blackberry Tour to get me where I want to go. I might be behind the times, but I'm an "oldie but goodie".

Age Does Have Its Advantages

I used to be concerned with what others thought of what I did, or wore, or said, or how I acted. I would plan my day around what I thought others wanted me to be. But that wasn't being me. I finally learned that who I am is what I am and if someone doesn't like it, then they had to make their own adjustments because I am being myself!

I don't give a rats patootie if someone doesn't think I should have my hair as long as it is "at my age". I will keep it this long until it drives me up a wall, which is usually a short trip!

I will dance like a 20 something because I CAN! I can shake it with the best of them, and usually do. It's good cardio according to my doctor, keeps my heart rate up, keeps my blood pumping, keeps my muscles in tone. It's like aerobics except that you enjoy who you are doing it with and the music you are doing it to and where you are doing it. I figured that on a weekend I dance on average about 4 hours total. Look up what it shows for strenuous aerobics and how many calories you burn. For 4 hours of dancing, according to the calculator I found on the web, I burn 2,160 calories! The calculator is at http://www.healthstatus.com/cgi-bin/calc/calculator.cgi
and has several different activities that you can figure calories burned on. The one I used for my dancing was the one called "Dancing - aerobic, ballet, modern".

I will do as I want as long as it makes me happy and doesn't cause anyone else any harm. I am through with the fears of what anyone else might think, I am doing what makes me happy. I have come to the conclusion that if someone has to stand around and observe others and comment negatively, then maybe they are lacking some self confidence or self respect in themselves. Having those qualities would allow them to just be who they are and not what others want them to be. It's so much easier to follow your own ideals, you don't have to get approval from anyone except you. Sure saves a lot of time trying to figure out what to wear to go dancing!

I have decided that at my age, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, because if they don't like or approve of what I am doing, it's because they are jealous! Get over yourselves already, do what you want, when you want, with whomever you want. Life is too short to let short-sighted people get in the way of your fun. Live life to the fullest before it is too late! And it's never too late to start!

Catching Up With Technology

So we got Blackberry phones, refurbished, but still a Blackberry. Don't know how I managed with just a plain ol' phone instead of having a "smart" phone. Lots of apps, gadgets and whatchamacallits for it. Like having a mini-computer that you can put in your purse or pocket and take with wherever you go.

I'm such a nerd. LOL

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears

GO GREEN BAY!!!

Our Annual Christmas Letter

Greetings to one and all,

We thought about sending out Christmas cards this year, but changed our minds. Then we thought about sending out a “newsletter” such as the ones we get from friends. You know the kind, they tell all about their year, the accomplishments of their kids, and the exciting things that happened to them throughout the year. We decided against that; all the kids are grown and on their own, we don’t go anywhere, and we don’t do much, so our letter would be so boring.

Ok, so maybe there are a few little tidbits to share.

Our main source of entertainment is our cat, Missy Dawg, or as she is affectionately known by some as “Fat Cat”. She is our alarm clock, our bed time nagger, and our watch cat. She lets us know when it is time to go to bed, such as when it is 9:00, regardless of the day of the week, by head butting our arm or whining in our face wherever we are. In the morning, she lets us know it is 5 am by being a plain pest and hitting one of us on the head with her paw until we get up. Then she goes to the alarm clock and hits it the way she sees us hit it to turn the snooze on. Only she manages to turn the sleep timer on and blare the radio. So we HAVE to react! Then she takes her place in the kitchen waiting for her treats and making sure her bowls are filled for the day. She greets us in the evening by waiting by the front door and making sure we follow her to the kitchen to give her the evening treats. And we never have to worry about squirrels or rabbits getting in; she makes sure we know they are out there. What would we do without her?

Tina and Rich are doing well in Alaska, getting settled in their new home. The twins, Kelby and Colby, were a year old in October and are growing faster than weeds. The Internet and Facebook have allowed us to see them grow from day one, their mom is very good about posting pictures. This past summer they went camping and just loved the experience!

Russ and Dee and the kids are now in a bigger place so the kids can have separate rooms and more play area outside. Sounds like a nice place and the best thing about it is they didn’t have to change schools. Jennifer is a sophomore in high school and already planning her college education. Cheyenne is in 8^th grade, doing very well and anticipating high school with her older sister. Lisa is in 2^nd grade and is smart as a whip; and Russell is in Kindergarten, and is a typical little boy. You have to remember he is up against three older sisters! All the kids do very well in school, all A’s and B’s.

Brian started working with a new company this year. He travels to several states in the country, some of which are Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, to name a few. His company has accounts nationwide and he covers the Midwest, but seems like he goes more than just the Midwest states, but he enjoys it.

He just moved into his own place, a condo in Yorkville. He is still furnishing it but with as much time as he is away from home, he really doesn’t need much! We gave him one of the extra Christmas trees we had, and his box of ornaments that his grandmothers have been buying for him since he was a baby, along with other ornaments and lights so he can decorate his new place. He still comes by to visit, eat, and play World of Warcraft with us. We still don’t see wedding bells in his future but that’s ok. He is enjoying his life as it is.

We both play World of Warcraft and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s cheap entertainment and at least keeps our minds active! In the summer we go camping, and just won a year’s membership to the campground we go to, along with a lot. So we don’t have to worry about where we will pitch our tent, we will have our own “place”. The campground had a few members that just abandoned their lots and trailers, and the campground took possession and will be selling them in March. We were told there are a few travel trailers that would be just perfect for the two of us that are very affordable. So we are hoping to find one and have a permanent setup as opposed to pitching a tent every time we go there. So if you are trying to find us when the weather gets warm, that’s where we will be. We can always be reached on our cell phones, if we have them “on” us. ;)

So here’s to you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay warm and safe, and for goodness’ sake, leave Santa some cookies and eggnog!

Love,

Russ & Karen

And Fat Cat.