Chuck and I are settling in our place in San Felipe. Finally have a phone and DSL connection… Yippee. Here’s my latest video… feel free to pass it on to your friends so they can giggle along with you at my feeble attempts at video production.
Archive for the ‘From the Deck’ Category
Comments: 0September 29th, 2009 by Susan
Comments: 1August 20th, 2009 by Susan
What fun! I love contests and Bill McIntosh always has great prizes.
Find his contest here.
Did I mention he is giving away over $5000 in cash and prizes AND if you sign up you get a copy of the software he uses to create your own contests from your website!
Remember! Thats’ Bill McIntosh’s Contest Burner lauching on August 25th.
Comments: 0July 11th, 2009 by Susan
Comments: 0April 15th, 2009 by Susan
What’s your vision of growing older? We all know the myth of living happily ever after on the golf course on the one hand. Or the person who goes back to work because they don’t know how to fill their time.
After the first year or two of a ‘honeymoon’ phase, most retirees have either successfully made the transition or struggled. Even though the image of retirement is one of a carefree life, you may be surprised to learn that many people suffer during this phase of their lives. Certainly money can be a factor as to whether or not someone is satisfied, but it isn’t the only issue.
Researchers discovered four categories that people fall into after they have settled into retirement. If you’re already retired, which group do you belong? If you aren’t retired yet, which group do you most identify?
Four Categories of Retirement
At one end of the spectrum are the Clueless. This group may comprise as many as 40% of retirees. They may experience depression and loneliness. They are often bored with their free time choices. They feel the most disconnected from others. They report the least amount of planning or thinking about retirement beforehand.
The Aimless comprise another 22% of retirees. This group is still looking for a sense of satisfaction in retirement. They report feeling neither positive nor negative about retirement. Like the Clueless, they gave little forethought to retirement and are now trying to figure it out. Less than 20% had made plans for hobbies and only 36% have a notion of how much money they would need in their later years.
Directionless consist of 19% of retirees. This group is happy to adjust to a less frantic lifestyle and enjoys the lack of stress of work and raising a family. They are not interested in learning new things, finding meaningful work or getting hobbies. They don’t have any great aspirations, and therefore don’t experience much disappointment. They are content to putter around the house, enjoying their family and friends.
The Motivated Redirected are at the other end of the continuum with 19% of people. They view this period as one filled with new challenges, adventure and personal fulfillment. They have planned for retirement both financially and for activities. They are involved in travel, staying connected to family and friends, and live a healthy lifestyle. They are engaged in meaningful work that may be paid, or unpaid with challenging hobbies, or other leisure activities. They do not keeping busy for the sake of busy-ness, but want to fulfill a sense of destiny. Often there is a change in perspective from individual needs to being altruistic that in turn strengthens their sense of self.
The biggest factor that separates the Clueless, Aimless and Motivated Redirected is taking time to think about the future and plan for the life you want. Think about what is important to you and be willing to experiment with your life to find the enjoyment that can be had during the phase.
Cathy Severson, MS helps you make the most of your retirement. Baby boomers understand this isn’t your parents retirement. Find out how to make the rest of your life the best of your life with the complimentary e-book 7 Ingredients for a Satisfying Retirement at http://tinyurl.com/8moymb
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Severson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Four-Phases-of-Retirement—The-Truth-About-Being-Retired&id=2191421
Comments: 0February 15th, 2009 by Susan
This one came from my cousin Brian in Cleveland. My thanks to Brian (that’s one syllable folks) and whoever first told the story. Anyone know the source?
Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers.
Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers.
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else—the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with God.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Spend time with your parents.
Spend time with your spouse
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’
The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
Comments: 0February 15th, 2009 by Susan
Honest Friends, it was not my original intent to use this blog as a soapbox but it seems to have evolved into just that.
I daily get emails for many of you with great clips of good advise. Due to the high risks of passing on computer viruses, I am not in favor of merely forwarding them on. So hopefully you will bear with me as I use this venue for passing on the some of the ones that I think are worth taking a look at. Please forgive me if I neglect adding one you would really like to see here. Sometimes they don’t make it past my firewall. Sometimes I just don’t have the time to scan those that are forwarded.
If you really have something you would like added to my page, cut and paste it into the body of an email and with a note in the subject line saying “please consider posting this”.
Today from my cousin Homer, also known as Pecos I received the following words of wisdom Thomas Jefferson, the author of the our Constitution.
I daily get emails for many of you with great clips of good advise. Due to the high risks of passing on computer viruses, I am not in favor of merely forwarding them on. So hopefully you will bear with me as I use this venue for passing on the some of the ones that I think are worth taking a look at. Please forgive me if I neglect adding one you would really like to see here. Sometimes they don’t make it past my firewall. Sometimes I just don’t have the time to scan those that are forwarded.
If you really have something you would like added to my page, cut and paste it into the body of an email and with a note in the subject line saying “please consider posting this”.
Today from my cousin Homer, also known as Pecos I received the following words of wisdom Thomas Jefferson, the author of the our Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson – Words of Wisdom
1. When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall
become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson
1. When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall
become as corrupt as Europe. Thomas Jefferson
2. The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
3. It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A
principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas
Jefferson
principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas
Jefferson
4. I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government
from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
5. My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too
much government. Thomas Jefferson
much government. Thomas Jefferson
6. No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson
7. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear
arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
8. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of
patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson
patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson
9. To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which
he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson
And One Very Interesting Quote
In light of the present financial crisis, it’s interesting to read what
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: ‘I believe that banking institutions are more
dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever
allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation,
then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks
will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on
the continent their fathers conquered.
Note: When President Kennedy was entertaining a collection of Nobel Prize winning
scientists at a White House dinner. His opening remarks were.. ” The White
House has never witnessed such a collection of brainpower in one place, except
perhaps, when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
scientists at a White House dinner. His opening remarks were.. ” The White
House has never witnessed such a collection of brainpower in one place, except
perhaps, when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
Thank you Homer.
Comments: 2February 13th, 2009 by Susan
Allen discusses information overload versus potential meaning overload.
Getting things done is my goal for my newly liberated life!
Comments: 0February 12th, 2009 by Susan
Comments: 0February 7th, 2009 by Susan
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A group of friends were discussing and wondering why the life-span of dogs in general was relatively short, and by comparison humans lived much, much longer.
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A young boy, the son of one of the fathers present, interrupted and said he knew the reason why. Seeing that the group could not arrive at a suitable solution they granted the youngster a hearing. What follows I received in an email and I cannot remember who the author was.
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The young boy said that dogs lived less that twenty years because God was satisfied that dogs had nothing more to learn. Dogs attain perfection is a relatively short period of time, which is pleasing to God. However, humans unfortunately cannot attain the same high standards, therefore, God hopes that by allowing humans to live much longer they will improve as time passes. This is the reason why humans live longer than dogs.
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An amazing deduction.
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LOVE. A dog’s love for his master is unwavering and not as fickle as that of human beings. A dog expects nothing in return… his/her love is unconditional.
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Mood. A dog does not suffer from mood swings… one day hot and the next cold!
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A dog always greets his master in the same fashion, and happiness has no boundaries.
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Loyalty. A dog’s loyalty will never be surpassed. He will lay down his life without hesitation in order to save a loved one.
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How do some humans repay all this love, loyalty and devotion?
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It is a shameful thing that certain unthinking and uncaring human beings abandon their dogs when they go on vacation. They ride out into the country and open the car,s door so that the dog can get out and then speed away.
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There is so much cruelty to dogs and animals, unfortunately it would seem, a never ending malady.
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To underscore a dog’s love and loyalty a certain story of which there are many comes to mind.
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During the second world war a certain dog used to walk down to the bus stop at 5 pm each week-day to wait for his Master’s return from work. Unfortunately his Master went to war and was killed in action. The dog continued his routine of waiting for his Master each and every day of the week until he was not able to do so.
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How do we humans measure up to this kind of loyalty and devotion?
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So please show your dog some kindness. Fortunately there are many of us who love dogs and animals..
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Chris Nagel is an avid researcher of health and fitness programs and supplements. Also read how to train dogs by visiting Chris’ sites at http://www.weightlossreviewz.com, and http://www.dogsinform.com respectively.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Nagel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Show-Your-Dog-Some-Kindness&id=1367156
Comments: 0January 11th, 2009 by Susan
If there is one thing Chuck and I are experts at it is eating out. For the last nine years we have had at least two meals, often three or more, a week away from home. However, the frequency does not necessarily make us gourmets, not by a long shot. While in Chico and Paradise we tend to frequent the same few establishments with little regard to gourmet standards. If anything, a reverse polarity may apply. We are not gourmets. We like regular everyday “American” food, assuming you consider Mexican cuisine American.. which I do. Those that don’t seem to forget that there are three America’s, North, South and Central.
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Contrary to our normal behavior at home (in Paradise) though, when we are in San Felipe, we cook more and eat out less, at least a little less. So far this trip we have had breakfast out only once, lunch twice and dinner once. We have been here ten days, so maybe we are not eating out any less, just cooking more. Which would make sense since we are not having lunch at work.
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At any rate, we are being a bit more adventurous in our choice of restaurants. On past visits we had stuck pretty close to Rosaritos, Karen’s (Baja Java), with an occasional “fancy” meal at El Nido or Baja Steak (which was new last year and is closed this visit). This week we have tried a couple of new places (new to us, not San Felipe). We had breakfast at Chuy’s last week and were please. The food was fresh and tasty and the service very good and pleasant. Yesterday we had lunch at La Vaquita 
which is really a dinner house and bar. We had heard rumors that it was one of the favorites for the locals and can see why. The food and service was excellent and atmosphere very pleasant. It looked like there were set for entertainment in the evenings.
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La Taza is still our Internet Cafe of choice. They have an open network now so we can make calls or use our computers while sipping our mochas.