Little photo update here...

Okay kiddies...

Just thought it might be time to update the photo...

My daughter took this one a few weeks ago...as you can see, my hair is a bit lighter and so much straighter. I haven't had my hair straight in years. Jacqueline suggested it and I have to admit, I do like it. Of course it now takes me extra time some mornings, but that's okay, I work less then 10 minutes from my home.

Hope you all have a wonderful spring...today was in the mid 60's and felt just wonderful!

Peace,

Claire / OWW

Happy St. Patrick's Day....

Hello kiddies...

You are wished a very happy St. Patrick's Day.

I came home and caught some of the parade (in New York) on TV.

Most of the restaurants and clubs in the NY/NJ areas have banned anyone from having an open alcoholic beverage on the streets (not that it's ever allowed at any other time of the year) but, they do know that with the excitement of parades there are too many who abuse others with their poor behaviour.

This is now my second year without having that favorite meal of corned beef/pastrami with lots of cabbage...oh well, it's far less calories!

Hope everyone enjoys the day...and remembers that whether you wear green, red, blue or purple...the message is more about respecting other's nationalities.

Peace to you, yours, and mine!

It's snowing...

This is what it looks like when it snows in my 'neck of the woods' (not like we have woods...but we do have the Hudson River)

Woke to find these huge flakes covering everything...by noon it was all over. The great part being no shoveling necessary!

We can't really complain...haven't had to use much ice-melt so far this winter.
But, we are only entering February...and many a time a full scale blizzard has hit around the middle of the month.

Well, have to be up early...just thought I would share this pic...do hope you and yours have a wonderful week.

Peace,

Claire / OWW

Haiti...

I am watching the tragic news out of Haiti...

My most sincere prayers and heartfelt thoughts go out to all its citizens and their families. I do hope that those involved with all the many rescue missions, that will be dispatched, be safe. I pray that the aftershocks expected are few and not major...and that a tsunami does not follow and feed this very dangerous situation.

The pictures are just beyond understanding. The planet has it's own heartbeat...we really do need to learn so much more about her...to protect the generations to come...for we are indeed our brothers & sisters keepers.

I will keep all in my prayers.

Peace,

Claire / OWW

Gas & Oil Pricing...

Okay...let's pay careful attention now to what Chavez is doing down there in Venezuela. This is a dangerous man. Unfortunately, some of our politicians (ummm, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Citizens Energy Chairman) are too self-absorbed in their own wealth and importance to give the real story on the conditions in his country. I am so tired of hearing how the people of Venezuela and their deadbeat President Chavez (geeze Senator Kennedy get real) want to help. Kennedy is quick to point out that "he is personally aware of President Chavez's genuine (my thought...think we need to redefine word genuine here) concern for the most vulnerable, regardless of where they may live."They can't help themselves...unless, of course, Chavez is removed as a power. I might add that I doubt the late President John F. Kennedy would have made this same deal with Chavez.

I realize that people need helping meeting their energy bills, but accepting petroleum (100 gallons per household) is not acceptable. Kennedy will boast how 23 states have been assisted in their needs. May I suggest to Kennedy that he take a lesson in ethics 101 and not make bargains with the devil (likened in this case to Chavez.)

I will not buy CITGO OIL at the pump...I will not prostitute my values for a few bucks (even if the few bucko's might be sorely needed.) But that is my take on all this...we all have to do what we have to do.

While acting as the 'great saviour and guardian of the American people 'and sending oil their way, he is offering his own citizens nothing. He boasts of destroying capitalism in his country, but neglects to admit that without the private interests groups (you remember, those Halliburton guys, etc.) his country would have completely collapsed a long time ago. And now, with oil prices falling...what will the poor man do.

Chavez is not a man of his word...nor does he know how to abide by his own rules. Even China and Russia see that this is not a man that ever a handshake would ever have meaning...nevermind a written agreement. His way of doing business is call the shots on a day by day basis or simpler yet as an explanation, by the mood he's in that day.

Let's hope that with our new policy makers in place the days of Chavez and his type will go the way of the other evil dictators of the past.

Do not underestimate this man...no matter what 'old familiar name' in American politics may try to lead you to believe. He has no interest in aiding the American people, his interests are for Chevez alone.

Well, that is just a quick thought for today as I read of the Dow falling so drastically and oil prices rising yesterday...thank goodness today they have gone down again (oh these crazy kids and their speculating.)

Don't be alarmed my friends, it's just the old gang not being sure of the new kids in the neighborhood. We will have our day in the sun again, for the sun has always been there...even when it wasn't visible.

Well, will get back to you again on this...let me know what you think...no better education then listening and paying attention to the world around us.

Stepping down from my soapbox may I pray God (or whatever name you may call the Omnipotent of humanity) bless us one and all,

OWW/claire

Barack Obama...44th President of the United State

God Bless us one and all on this the eve of the swearing in of Barack Obama as our 44th President, and Joseph Biden our 44th Vice President, of these the very strong and intergrity laden United States of America. Indeed may be we united...one for all and all for one. May we all watch over and pray for their families as we would our own.

May we wish our newly sworn in President, Barack Obama, all the blessings of faith...and may his decisions be guided by the purity of integrity, strength, courage, hope, and last but not least in importance...charity...and may Vice President Biden give the support and encouragment needed to lead our people in these most difficult times.

As the darkness of the night brings us into the glorious light of the morning...pray that we all will have a resurrection of spirit...like none before. That our future be one of great celebration as we share this new life...which begins with each breath.

Think of the night as a small journey into the darkness of death...and so, always cherish the moment of waking.

May we all keep watch over the new day and hold those that are now in times of great need close to our hearts.

For if we forget that we are indeed our brother's keeper, then the night shall never give way to the light...and oh, what a marvelous light it is.

Christ's peace be with you all...OWW/Claire

the big 'OLE' bailout....yeah right.

Bailout...a legal way of taking the hard earned dollars of taxpayers and giving the 'big OLE beautiful kids of high finance' their not-so-well earned bonus/retirement/pension/etc. etc. etc. packages. Of course, these are the same people that by comparison have given less, dollar for dollar, into the tax coffers (you just have to love that they are also given monies to hire financial advisers.)

With that said, if you're not too delicate about Bush stuff (and, if you are...get a grip, about time we learn not to fear calling things what they are...a spade is a spade, a shovel is a shovel...and a rose is a rose, etc. etc. etc., consider taking a look at Peter Cohen's comments on www.bloggingstocks.com. As to which color I am...not red, not blue...and certainly not the color (whatever that might be) of follower.

If all the 'little people' worked a 'little slower' and 'borrowed a little more from petty cash' I'm pretty sure a pink slip would have been handed them...not a multi-million dollar payment as incentive to do the jobs they were hired for (at pretty hefty salaries) in the fashion it was suppose to be done.

Is it possible that those that are in charge...and thus, in charge of business failing...are not taken to task...held responsible for the loss of jobs by people who with all earnest try to do the best job and take pride in their work (at salaries that don't always keep up with actual cost of living)...what a train wreck this system is!

I am tired of hearing bailout. Tell me that you have first fired (without quadrillion dollar payouts) those that 'need' further incentive to do their job...for self-satisfaction and genuine pride is not enough for them. Tell me you have let go of the nonsense bennies. Instead of giving a huge bonus to the guys at the top who have the company hanging by a thread...reach out to the workers and reward them for hanging in there and striving to keep the company, and their jobs alive.

This is just the opinion of one old woman...but you know what...be careful. I might one day hit one of those mega lotteries...and, if I take over your company, the first to go (without big bucks) will be the 'kids at the top' who need their delicate little bottoms cushioned.