Sharing The Creep Factor

 All of Princess T's Co-Workers were standing Outside this Morning, nobody from Management Inside to unlock the Doors and let them in, to Clock In at 7:00 a.m. when they should be starting work!  I don't know what was going on and they didn't seem to either, so those being dropped off weren't sure their Rides should stick around or not?  I eventually drove off coz I was in my Jammies still and nothing I could do.  She hasn't Called so I'm assuming someone eventually showed up with a Key? 

  She was with a large group of mostly Older Women, so it was Safe enuf to just leave her there.  They are replacing Young Workers with Seniors now it seems.  Princess T said the Younger Workers were faster tho' and the Old Timers are conscientious, but too slow for a High Production Position.  So it puts more stress on her Position now.  And Management is complaining about Speed, but, they hired the Geriatrics, and she talked to Management about them firing the Younger, best & fastest experienced people, as why Production is Negatively impacted.  

She consults me often about Managerial Issues.  Coz she knew when I was in the Corporate Grind I was Top Tier Management and she wants my input and advice about problems at Work.  She's not Wrong about any of what she's determined are Problems and how they could be remedied, but, she's not Management, so they don't respect her advice, she's only 20 and has Special Needs, but I've had her Working her Hustle since she could Walk.  The Kid knows Good Business, Good Work Ethics, and how to make a Buck.  You don't NEED to be an Academic to be a very prosperous and successful Hustler one day.  *Winks*

Besides, there's a lot of Educated Fools out there who have more Degrees than a Thermometer but couldn't find their Ass with Both Hands.  Your Higher Education won't Impress me if you can't successfully apply it to Real Life Situations and need to always have a Textbook Case to figure shit out about having Solutions to Problems.  Life isn't a series of Textbook Cases, you may go thru an entire Career and never have that Textbook Case you Learned about as if it was Real Life.  Word Up, it was imaginary or hypothetical in most Cases, Life is REAL.  And Life will hand you some shit to figure out on The Fly, if you can't, you're useless, no matter how much of an Academic Achievement you got Degrees for.

I had more Arrogant Academics Wash Out when I was in my Corporate Lives than I ever had someone without an advanced Education Wash Out.  Often someone with a Masters Degree would begin a Career already thinking they knew everything there was to know about what they'd be doing.  With Zero Experience, and you couldn't Teach them a damned thing more.  Coz a Know It All assumes they already know it all.  Someone willing to be Mentored and absorb Real Life Knowledge gleaned from Experienced folks who've already enjoyed Success and Earned their Positions, can do much better.   Coz we ALL know what we know, and don't know what we just don't know.  But those who THINK they know what they don't know are problematic where ever they go.

Princess T is already exploring her Options of going further.  I think she could be Managerial Material if she can overcome her Anxiety and being such an Introvert.  But she wants to have her own Transportation first and learn to Drive, so she has Independent Mobility to have more Options.   She likes what she's doing now and her Co-Workers are great. But, she gets frustrated with the Posturing and Politics of Corporations, which often Upper Management aren't on site, it's coming from Corporate, somewhere else entirely. 

  And I told her that's always gonna be a Given anywhere, so, Work around it with diplomacy and keep just working with Excellence.  Cream always rises to the Top and someone influential is always paying Attention to the Cream of their Crop.  Be the very best at whatever you're doing and your Gifts will make Room for you, as you also Cultivate Contacts in any Business and Show Out with your performance.  

My Observation is that a lot of places now don't have the Sage Experienced Mentors in the Top Tiers anymore and Younger Executives just aren't as Seasoned, even if they're really Smart and Improvisational.  A Young and Successful Genius is still Young and has much to still Learn about Life.  If you Live long enuf, you gain Experience in Life you just don't have when Younger.

Even as a very Young Corporate Executive, I knew enuf to surround myself with Sage Experienced Mentors who knew far more about most things than I yet knew at a Tender Age, even being prematurely Successful at what I was doing.  They were invaluable.  Always surround yourself with folks you feel know more than you and know what they're doing.  I know some Retired Executives or who used to own Successful Businesses who now choose to work at menial Positions just coz they got Bored with Retirement and want something Fun to do.  They still are a Wealth of Knowledge and Treasure Trove of Experience that their Young Bosses and Management could Learn much from.  I know one whose a Greeter at a local Super Wal-Mart and that Guy could be running that Store easily.  But, he's almost 80 now and doesn't wanna be in Management, he Loves Greeting Customers, it's just Fun for him.

And he is a Vendor at our Antique Mall Selling better Quality Merch, and he doesn't even need the Money, he was a Made Man when he Sold all his Businesses Years ago.   I struck up conversations with him and I don't interrogate people about who or what they are, used to be, etcetera, but, I have found most folks will just Volunteer information if they feel Heard.  Coz they do like to comfortably open up if you are approachable and receptive enuf to Listen, and you can Learn a LOT about them and from them.  But, I bet most of his Co-Workers at that Wal-Mart likely just see him as a Friendly Old Timer with an entry level Position he 'Needs' and have no Idea?  *LOL*  Cultivate your Contacts thru Life, always.  Who you Know is Important, probably more Important than What you Know.

No telling what invaluable Contacts he's Cultivated over a Successful Lifetime that he could Connect them to?   And be the best Mentor they ever have, giving them a Free Education that Money could never Buy.  I taught my Kiddos, both Generations, that very early on.  Look for THOSE folks and have them Mentor you, take you under their Wings, introduce you to their Contacts carefully Cultivated over their Lifetime, and be Fast Tracked in where ever you are going and aspire to.  Even tho' The Daughter is Unemployable, and very SMI, she Learned fast how to Cultivate Contacts and find very Influential folks who took her under their Wings and now look out for her like she's Family to them.  She Knows People, the Right People.  Knowing the Right People is Priceless.

Last Night when I Cashed my Check at the Bank Drive-Thru ATM the Lady in front of me had forgotten to take her Card and wouldn't stop when I honked like Hell at her to get her Attention.  I had to take her Card out to put mine in and there were Lines behind me of folks waiting to use the ATM and it was quite late, after my Night Shift.   So, since The Bank didn't have a Drop Box I'll have to go back this Morning and turn her Card in so they can contact her and return or replace it.   People often leave their Cards accidentally if the Tap Feature isn't working at an ATM and that's what they got used to using.  You can't just leave someone's Card laying around, too many nefarious Types would steal it.

LATER:  I took The Man out for the Day, he wanted to do something even tho' he's been pretty Unwell lately and Tires quickly and easily.  So, he can't do much Physically right now and hasn't since his Fall.  So, I'm almost wondering if his Fall had nothing to do with bending to pick something up and more to do with his Heart, Blood Pressure, etcetera?  I didn't see him Fall and he gets so confused about things he does or doesn't even do and Thinks he has done. 

  I had asked him what he's bent to pick up by Hand since he had his Grabber Stick at the time and picks up Cans with that.  He couldn't tell me, which is why I questioned whether he was bending to pick anything up when he Fell, or not, and just knew he had been picking up Cans before he Fell?  Now I keep him within Sight all the time when we go out and only let him go very short distances from the Truck when we're out, or in a Store. 

He mostly wanted to be driven around so that's what we did, we went to The White Tanks County Park.  We learned an Annual Pass has gone up by almost 50% now, new Pricing effective January.  Our Annual County Parks Pass, which is a Disabled Veteran's Discounted one, expires in Mid April of 2026.  We had paid $35 for it in Spring of 2025.  Renewal of it will now cost $60!   Paying per Visit, if you don't Buy an Annual Pass, went up from $7 a Carload to $10 a Carload. 

 That's a hefty increase in pricing IMO, and that's for Disabled Veterans, I think other Tiers went up even more for Non-Veterans and Non-Disabled folks who can't really do any of the Hiking Trails, so are more limited in what the Parks offer for them during a Visit.   I bought The Man a Walking Stick with a Whistle for part of his Birthday Gift at their Gift Shop, it was $19.99 which wasn't a bad price and it's beautifully varnished Wood.

While we were out we stopped by Two of my Fav North Eastside Antique Malls.   My Friend Nan's Antique Mall was having a big Sale and Customer Appreciation Day.  They were giving out a Free Lunch they served with any Purchase.  It was Pulled Pork Slider and your Choice of either a Fresh Baked Cookie or Bag of Chips and a Soda.  It was really good.  The Man Bought me his Valentine's Day Gift to me while we were there and I could choose what I'd like.  

 So, I got a Tote Bag that matches some Outfits I have.  And a Tiered Altered Art Tray made by "Rusty Saturday", an Altered Art Bottle, and a set of Antique Doorknobs with their Hardware where one side's Knob is Amethyst Glass Crystal and the other side's Knob is Porcelain with Floral Hand Painting on it, and the Hardware is Craftsman Style Designed Bronze.    

 

The Guy with the Beard is one of my Cousins in North Wales that I keep in contact with and have for all of our Adult Lives.  He's probably my Favorite Cousin even tho' he's Younger than me, coz over the Years we've remained pretty close in spite of being at great distance and not seeing each other in Person since we were Young Teenagers.  He's been a World Traveler too.  He is my Favorite Uncle's Youngest Son, my Favorite Uncle was my Mom's Big Brother and we were super close.  He said I was The Daughter he never had, so he was fond of me since the Day I was Born since he only ever had Sons.  Tho' he did eventually have Granddaughters to spoil as rotten as he spoiled me.  *Smiles*   Besides my Dad, my Welsh Uncle Syd was my Favorite Male Role Model in Life.

 My Uncle used to visit America almost every Year and either stay with my Mom, or stay with The Man and I for his Month-long Stay.  He and I had so many escapades together, he Loved going to Las Vegas with me.  We used to own a Time Share there at the SAHARA on The Strip.  And Two Weeks every Year for 20 Years made Pilgrimages there to just have Fun for a few Days at a time.  I can only take Vegas in smaller 3 Day Doses, same with Cali, wouldn't wanna live either place tho'.  But short Vacays to both were always Fun and we used to do often.  Now we can't, I can't take this Show on the Road with The Man's Health and Condition now. 

I did get Worried Today when The Man could only get around one smaller Shop before he had to Rest and stop.  I don't know what's going on since all his Doc Appointments and VA Nurse Appointments they tell us he's doing better, yet, he isn't, not really, he's doing worse.  And he's doing worse than he was before his Heart Surgery actually.   That seemed to be the Turning Point IMO, granted he had Two Major Arteries ready to shut down, so he had to have the Surgery and have the Stents put in to open them back up so he didn't have a massive Heart Attack.  But, since the Surgery he's gone into a downward spiral.  

  

Even tho' his Diabetic Numbers have greatly improved and his Blood Pressure has greatly improved, Numbers Wise anyway.  But, he's gaining Weight when he should be losing on the Ozempic, like I am on it, and he's barely eating now so it makes no sense he's gaining Weight unless it's becoming Congestive Heart Failure with Water Retention?   And I saw that happen with my Mom so I know the Signs to look for.  With her I noticed it before any of her Doctors did since I saw her every Day, I saw how she reacted and acted to her daily Activities.  Docs only see you for a little while every so often.  You could be having a Good Day during the Visit and then they're not going to be unnecessarily alarmed if your Numbers look decent that Day during a 15-30 Minute Assessment.  And if the Labs come back decent enuf too.

I did take The Man out for Breakfast too to "Snooze" and he ate about as much as I did, which was about half our Meal, taking the other half Home for later, as we do now.  Our Appetite is suppressed with the Ozempic, so even tho' everything tastes wonderful, you simply can't eat much of it, and that is okay.   I got the Bennie Duo with Fresh Fruit, the Bacon But Different, and a new French Toast Latte they just added to the Menu.  The Man ordered the Corned Beef Hash Breakfast which comes with Two Eggs and Toast with their Signature Jam.   Below is Pixs of mine:

 

The Young Prince is going out on what seems like a 'Date' with a Young Black Guy, and he and I always gives people comical Nicknames, and I'm tickled at the one he gave this one.  He initially dubbed him "The Boring Car Guy", coz, apparently he's Obsessed with Cars.  And of coarse The Young Prince could Care Less about talking about Cars, but, he must like this Guy enuf to endure the Obsession/Infatuation with them.  *Ha ha ha*  So, if I mention "Boring Car Guy" from here on out, if they last any amount of time together, you'll know who I'm talking about and the Back Story.  *LOL and Winks*  The Young Prince is very Intelligent and Deep when he talks about anything, so superficial stuff Bores him.

But, to be Fair, most folks Bore him, so it's Rare he finds someone his Age whose as Deep and goes Deep about Topics.  He's come to Terms with that, since, he doesn't want to Date Geriatric folk who might be Deeper, MENSA Minded, and more Interesting.  *Bwahaha*  Our Grandson was always that contradiction of being a 'Wild' Nerd, which isn't usually your Garden Variety Nerd, but is one who is embraced by the "In" Crowd.  He's always been the one in his Group that is a total anomaly that stands out from the others, yet, fits in with them despite being 'not like the others'.   I mean, when was the last time a Nerd was the 'Life of the Party'?!   *LOL*

I guess my Great-Grands of the Oldest Granddaughter back East were taken to a Professional Motor Sports Event called "Monster Jam" with Big Trucks, and I'm Guessing the Ear Protection is necessary due to Noise?  *LOL*   Their Parents take them to a lot of Events so they've had great early exposure to a lot of Family Friendly Activities that should create many Memorable Moments together.   I'm glad their Parents are Pathological Picture Takers so it all gets Shared on our Granddaughter's Social Media Page, which is maintained on The Regular.   The Oldest Great-Grand Big Sister was there as well, but I didn't like the Pix they took of her, she looked Possessed!   I don't know what or who the Kiddo was Channeling during Monster Jam, but, damn!!! *LOL*

I know, I know, NOW you WANT to see her Possession Pix, don'tcha?  *Bwahahahaha*   I mean, it truly Creeps me the Fuck Out, so I shouldn't... but... just for you, I reluctantly Saved it and will do a Share.  Even tho' I initially didn't, coz I'm not Kidding, it really Creeped me Out, the expression she has in it and so I don't Like the Pix at all!!!   Usually she looks Adorbs and not Pre-Demonic... you might disagree and think it's an acceptable Pix?   But, I'm telling you my Truth when I saw that Pix, I didn't like it at all.   Poor Baby, they should have retaken that Pix immediately so she didn't look like she's auditioning for a remake of "The Shining"!!!  *Shudder*

Alright then, I can't Look at it anymore, or I'll want them to get a Priest or something to come Exorcise the Child, to be on the safe side.   Don't risk to give her anything Sharp after this, otherwise.  *LMAO*   But, Sharing The Creep Factor gave me a perfect Post Title Hook.  *Smiles*  And I'm so very OCD that when a Fav Blogger mentioned an Anthony Bourdain Cookbook that caught my Interest, coz, gotta Luv me some Anthony B., I hadda then fucking have it, popped right on over to E-Bay at 1:00 in the Morning like the Maniac that I am, and so as to Score it on a Buy-It-Now Feature of some Retail Late Night/Early Morning Retail Therapy!!!   Sometimes you fellow Bloggers contribute to my Delinquency, I swear!   And, whatsmore... I don't even Cook!!!  But probably rival Barnes & Noble Bookstores on my Cookbook Hoard regardless!   Yes, I'm positively Insane like this.  *Winks and Smiles*

 

So, the 1970's Dreadlocked Dam Troll and Anthony's Cookbook are on their way now and I never had to leave the comforts of Home to Score them.  *LOL*   I just like Anthony B's Style and Humor, tho' Sad about how he left this Earthly Realm.  So, have to assume he was another Tortured Soul and we all really just didn't know how Tormented he was while giving the Illusion of being just Fine and being such a wonderful Human Being who seemed genuinely well Liked.   Been there, done that, Life can be so complicated like that for any and perhaps all of us really.  His Legacy Lives on and I still Smile at all his Episodes even tho' I know how the Story Ended.

I got my Stock Dividend Check, it keeps going up every Quarter, so, yeah, the Stock Market is performing for me at least.   And I got that 40 Year Late Child Support Check too, may my Ex now Life Forever since it will take Immortality for him to repay me the 18 Years of Back Child Support Payments he never Paid when The Son was a Child.  *LOL and an Eye Roll*  We Divorced when The Son was 6 Weeks Old, he'll be 39 now in June, the Checks only began coming when the Ex filed for his Social Security and they automatically garnish any unpaid Child Support from it, who knew?  *LOL*   But, better Late than never I say.  *Smiles and Winks*

And Today being Superbowl 60 Sunday and the MAGA Cult Monkeys Meltdown about Bad Bunny becoz Kid Rock more aligns with their "Christian Values" is such an accurate reflection of them, isn't it?  They'd rather support a White Pedophile, whose Song Lyrics have Proudly announced his preference for Underaged Girls and Statutory Rape, than a Puerto Rican whose all about Love and Peace, coz some of it is sung in Spanish... Gasp... oh, the Horror!  *Eye Roll*  And OBTW, Puerto Ricans ARE Americans you MAGA Morons, who apparently know nothing about the History of America and Facts.  Including the Moron in the White House who thinks Puerto Rico has a different "Leader" than... you know... the President of the United States, which is... HIM!!!  *Double Eye Roll*

I could give a shit about Football, but I'll watch the Halftime Show of Bad Bunny and stand in Solidarity with him about Love and Peace versus Extreme Religious Hatred and Political Cult Hatred and their combined support of Child Rapists.  Letting them express their Worst Selves has at least exposed all of them, so there's no longer any pretenses about who they are and what they're all about.  Which is rather beneficial to Decent Society.   Neither Football Team are Favs of The Son or The Man but I suspect they'll each actually watch The Game.  I've got to run out and get their Food Buffet for it coz I forgot to get it earlier. 

 The Man is saying he won't watch the Super Bowl, he always watches it, so I don't know what's going on with him to boycott it?  But, since his Dementia set in, I noticed he doesn't watch Sports anymore, mebbe he can't follow what's going on any more?   Anything he has to figure out now, he's tending to avoid, even if he used to Love whatever it is.  Coz of the Mental Fog and confusion it causes him.  It's okay, I could never follow a Football Game either.  *Ha ha ha*  It's been 80 Degrees and perfect again Outside, we're very spoiled with the Weather here, we spent a lot of time at the Park Yesterday since it was over 80 Degrees and Glorious.  We saw loads of Out Of State License Plates there.

They're talking about the first Super Bowl Sixty Years ago on TV, I remember the first one.  My Parents never watched Football but the Parents of my Friends did and sometimes us Kids would be over a Friend's Home during it.   I remember Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers playing in that first Super Bowl, he was a Big Deal back then, mostly coz we lived in Upper Michigan at the time so loads of Green Bay Fans lived there.   I remember Bubba Smith playing for the Baltimore Colts, a lot of my Friends Parents were Colts Fans, so Johnny Unitas was a Big Deal too.    

I remember Big Jim Brown playing for the Cleveland Browns.  And Broadway Joe Namath playing for The New York Jets.   Even O.J. then called The Juice for The Buffalo Bills.  As a Kid I remembered the Players, now I couldn't tell you many, if any.  Including whose Playing this Super Bowl.  I just know Bad Bunny is doing Halftime! *LOL*  Apparently now only Halftime Entertainment matters to me during the Super Bowl and what will be the best Commercials?  *Ha ha ha*   And, Lucky for Attendees, The President won't be there, so that was a Super Bowl Bonus too!  *Winks*

*******

Enjoy the day whether you were watching a Game or not... Dawn... The Bohemian

Very Messy... And Will Get Messier

 It's a good thing I had Bipolar Senior's Insomnia going on coz Princess T overslept and I had to get her up for Work Friday Morning.  She'll have to rush to get ready now in time to get that Show on the Road so I can get her there within the next 40 Minutes now!  Luckily we live a very short drive from where she works and traffic is still light that early, coz there's Two Schools between us and her Store.  So it gets busy by the time folks are getting to School.  And then traffic is a bitch with all the Parents driving Younger Kiddos to School or Young reckless Drivers getting to their High School.  I try to avoid all of that and get back Home before School starts.

Then I wait until after Rush Hour is over for all the Employed, so that if I do have to be on the Road, it's not in traffic jams.  Seems Rush Hour has extended considerably tho', starts way earlier and they get off work earlier too in the Afternoons.  By 3:00 p.m. now you just need to stay Home or you won't get anywhere on time or in a hurry until after 6:30 p.m. when it's finally over being Rush Hour in the City and traffic gridlocked damned near everywhere.  The City expanded considerably too, beyond what used to be Rural, especially Westside, which was the only direction it could expand. 

 They'd hit the Mountains surrounding Metro Phoenix on the East, South and North Sides long ago so West was the only expansion left to hit the White Tank Mountain Range and they're AT the Range now and even beyond it!   When we lived at the Villa McManse, we were right up against the State Trust Lands of The White Tank Mountains.  Nice view, but bad Urban Encroachment and greedy Development of what had been pristine Desert or Farmland that far West.  And the very few early Old Homesteads of that area were being squeezed out and usually razed.  Few could Hold Out and were forced to Sell to Big Pocket Investors who had Paid Off the Right City Planners and Judges to legally steal the Property otherwise.

Don't clutch your Pearls, the Corruption goes right up the fucking Food Chain, mostly always has, but it's a whole lot more evident and in your Face now, that's all.   Money Buys anything and anyone it seems, America is very transactional when Capitalism has run amok, and it has.  The uber and obscenely Wealthy are getting richer and they will do anything to enrich themselves further, if you stand in the way, you'll be eliminated one way or another.  The Public Execution Hit Squads are a New Touch I must say, they used to eliminate obstacle folks with more subtlety and at least make it seem like they had an Accident or more discreetly Disappear.  Now fuck it, it's all being video recorded for all to Witness and the DOJ doesn't even pretend to make the Perps or who Ordered it accountable now.

Am I cynical, absolutely, I've seen the Good side of Bad, the Downside of Up, and everything in between, as the Lyrics go.  I've known Bad Actors intimately in my turbulent Youthful reckless days.  Then I worked at the biggest Lending Institutions and DA's Office a long, long time in both Corporate Lives to have any delusions about any of it.  The Ballers and the Shot Callers have always been rather Ruthless, for lack of a better Word to describe them.   Joe Public is mostly kept ignorant of much of it coz they couldn't handle the Truth.  So most will prefer being shoveled the Lies, Bullshit and the Misinformation they're more comfortable Believing and Receiving.

  The whole Epstein thing, Honestly, IF Names do get Named, and that's unlikely and doubtful IMO, the World will be reeling.   At how deep it all went and still is in the trafficking of our Children by Rich Powerful Pedophiles who have been allowed to Buy anything and anyone with impunity.  Not a Surprise only Victims info hasn't been redacted but all the Players info has and is being Protected instead.  The fact even some of those Victims and Witnesses are still among the Living is the more Surprising thing to me actually.  But James Comer having the Clinton's Testify and trying to be a Bigger Baller than ole' Hilary, big Mistake... she's got a Set on her that dwarf any ReTrumplican Acolytes.

 She is a Boss Bitch Baller and Ball Breaker if ever I saw one, and when threatened, she told them to Bring It.  Playing her Hard is gonna be Dinner and a Show on full Display, as she wants it Public and Televised.  And now Donnie Two Dolls little Balls are being squeezed up to his Throat, he's claiming now that he LIKES the Clintons, Hilary especially!   *Bwahahahaha*  Too Late Guys, you threw the Gauntlet Down and Hilary said, Okay, Let's Play!!!  I think Dark Hilary is probably more apt to go very Dark, Darker than even Dark Dawn ever would, coz she clearly has no more Fucks to give and it shows.  I want Front Row Seats and Popcorn!!! 

  No, I didn't Vote for Hillary or Donnie Two Dolls in 2016 and I have solid reasons Why, all Corruption Based.  I've actually known very Bad Actors in my Day, so I can spot one from a Mile away.  But, now it's "On" between them, I'll watch The Showdown Play Out between Mobbed Up Adversaries.   Reminds me of the Mob Wars of Yesteryear I Witnessed firsthand, and the existing Cartel Wars of Today, to see the Apex Predators turn on each other when there's Blood in the Water and in the Streets.  And let's see whose left Standing???   *Winks... if I were a Betting Woman... ha ha ha*  Very Messy, and will get even Messier.

I don't hardly Care anymore, it's beyond my Pay Grade to be in the Mix of it now and Roll Deep.  I know the Boundaries of staying in my own Lane when The Shit gets Real 'REAL'.   Except to hold my own Ground and Protect me and mine.  Everyone will have to go for themselves I'm afraid, in this here Shitshow unfolding across America as it's Going Down.   Listen, I knew the Fuckery would be Bad in 2016, I didn't realize how quickly it would spiral down and completely sideways so exponentially tho', coz SOME Guardrails USED to be in place.  They be GONE now tho', so, anything can happen and everything is gonna, that's all I can say about that.

I took The Man with me to go to the Discount Grocery Store and get Non-Perishable Essentials, I've been stocking up coz I predict 2026 is gonna go Sideways fast.  I'm no Doomsday Prepper but I think it Wise to just stock the Pantries and Batten Down the Hatches coz it's gonna be a Wild Ride.  But, America Bought the Tickets when they Elected this Regime, so we're on for the whole fucking Ride now whether we Voted for it or not.  I'm glad I have Clean Hands and a Clear Conscience that I was never complicit or responsible for any of it.  I don't like to have to Reap what I haven't Sown in Bad Decisions tho', so I am Resentful and Angry as fuck that my Beloved Country is being destroyed from within.

Anyway, while there our Cashier was a Cute Young Guy who saw I was paying with Nutritional Assistance and The Man wasn't in great shape Today, so looked like someone from Long-Term Care being taken on a Field Trip and couldn't help me with the heavy Boxes.  {You put larger Purchases in Banana Boxes rather than Bags.}  So, I saw that the Guy intentionally wasn't scanning some things.  Coz I'd asked him if it gives a running Total coz I didn't wanna go over?  And I was intently looking at the Screen for when to tell him to Stop.  He said Yeah, the Total would show, and as it got close to the limit I had on my Card I noticed he was skipping scanning some of it, Bless him.  Plus I had my $10 Off Coupon if you spend $80 and I'd spent $104.  I had Three Boxes full of Groceries tho' at deep Discounts.  They have Perishable Frozen Foods too, but I didn't Buy any of those. Just Pantry items that have a long Shelf Life, and are items we use a lot.  Not that it lasts a long time around here with a Big Family to Feed. 

 They have many higher quality Brand Name Merch and as much as 70% Off some of it, varying greatly so you have to know what Retail would be to get the best Deals.  Example, a very expensive Cereal that is my Fav but Retail costs $7.49 a Box, when they have it there I get for $1.99 a Box.  I can get the good quality Soups for only $1.25 each... it's $2.49-$3.25 elsewhere.   And Snacks I can get 15 Cents or 25 Cents a Single Serving Bag of a large Popular Selection.  Princess T brings those to Work and it Saves her paying $1.25 each from their Vending Machines on her Breaks.  Anyway, it's a Beautiful Day Outside, but The Man isn't doing great so that's all we did and I also have to Work Tonight myself, so, don't want to do too much and get worn out.  I really didn't Sleep much or well last Night so I'll likely hit the Wall by later Tonight before my Shift is over.  I felt like getting the Groceries stocked for the Month was accomplished enuf.

  Plus, I did Price some Merch to take in with me to Work also, inexpensive Smalls, since, that's what's Selling.  I got Two small Boxes of Inventory to take in now before I start my Shift.   The Two Pixs above were of our Mom when she was in Hospice.  One with her Favorite Caregiver there, who Adored her and treated her like she was his own Grandma, giving her lovely Gifts and everything.  He was Handsome and so Caring and Kind.   And the only one Strong enuf to life her without the Hoist, which, she Hated the Hoist, so he'd always Volunteer to do her Transfers.   I Joked with her that she just liked having a Big Tall, Dark and Handsome Stud Muffin picking her up and sweeping her off her Feet.  *Winks*  And the other Pix is with my Brother.

I made Lamb Chops with Peas & Carrots for Lunch.  I didn't know The Daughter & Mando had his Cousin coming over, and I always feel bad when there's not enuf to go around and someone unexpected shows up at a Meal and we can't have them join us.  I only had Lamb for whose already here and as it is I miscounted how many were here in the Family, so I was One Lambchop short!  But The Young Prince wasn't hungry so passed on Lunch anyway.  *Whew*  Sometimes when I'm doing a Head Count for Meals, I forget to Count myself too... and apparently that's what I did.  *Ooops*   It was just a Light Lunch coz The Man and I don't have a big appetite with being on Ozempic.

The Son had made a big Crockpot of Bison Chili Yesterday but not a bit of it was left coz everyone had 2nds or 3rds.  I just had my One Bowl of it, but it was very good.  Now that The Son is confident about making my Chili with the Instructions I gave him of the Basic Ingredients and what else you can choose to throw in there or alternates, he likes making it.  He's not Cooked in any Relationships he's been in coz whoever he was with Loved to Cook and was really a Culinary Jedi, so, he didn't have to.  And when someone Loves to Cook and is good at it, they enjoy making Meals for everyone.  He's getting better at it.  He made French Toast for the 1st time recently, turned out great on his 1st attempt, and now makes excellent French Toast. 

The Young Prince said he's glad to be back Home eating the kinds of Meals he grew up with.  Allen is a good Cook, and so is The Young Prince, but Allen doesn't Season Foods much, he grew up eating most things pretty Basic like The Man grew up too.  It must be a White Family Thing?  Coz I couldn't Live without Flavorful Foods and a variety of Spices and Ethnic Foods.   Allen would try our Foods, but he was always nervous about trying anything he'd never had before and said his Family absolutely wouldn't.  And they never ate Ethnic Cuisine in Allen's Family or The Man's. 

 I know The Man's Family Hunted a lot of their Meats plus grew and Canned most of their Fruits and Veggies, and some Meats too.  So it was Healthful, but Bland and Basic as Hell.  We're very Extra and Fearless about Foods, by comparison.  I'll eat anything once, Twice or more, if I like it.  *Winks*   When Allen lived here, every time he cooked it was the same Chicken Recipe, every time.  It was good actually, but the same, no variations.  And he was a very Meat and Potatoes kinda Guy, like The Man was when I met him, before I converted him to eating like us, but with less Heat/Spice on his, coz his Stomach can't handle it.

When our Hispanic Friends bring over their Tamales for us that they Share every time they Home make some, they always have a few "Gringo Tamales" for The Man, and we get a Laugh out of that.  *Smiles*  He has a lot of Stomach Issues even with his mostly blander Diet and I blame that on the fact he didn't grow up eating Spices, most folks who grow up with Spicier Foods don't have any Stomach Issues, we got Stomachs like Goats.  *LOL*   And apparently more Natural Immunities too, that Herbs and Spices provide for you if you incorporate them often in your Diet.  My Dad always brewed up Herbal Holistic Tribal Remedies for any Ailments... Cured whatever Ailed ya!!!

And speaking of Spices, the Discount Grocery had the new "Spanglish Asadero" Line of Seasoning Packets, so I got quite a few of each since they were 60% Off what they Retail for at every other Grocery Store.  We Love this Line of Seasoning and use it often since it first came out and we got some given to us as a Gift from Friends.  The Sugar Skull Girl Graphics on the Packet are Lovely too.   We usually make Tacos at least once a Week, and Burritos often too, these give you several Flavor Profile Options for a different Flavor each Week.

I called my Brother for his Birthday, he was Working on it, said he wasn't doing anything Special to Celebrate it.  He was bummed coz the Woman who Bought the Cali Renaissance Festival Grounds has changed everything to where she's deliberately Tanking it with intention to.  She wants to replace it with a Flea Market, so has made it so Participants and Patrons are falling away in droves due to the terrible changes she's made and enforces.  My Brother is a Professional Retired Hollywood Photographer but he covers all the Festivals at no charge since he has so many Friends who are part of the Troupes there and it gives them Exposure.  She no longer allows anyone to Photograph anything while there, not even Patrons with their Cellphones or Cameras! 

He said if anyone is seen taking Photos they are asked to leave and get kicked out!!!   She has her own Photographers who Charge for Photos and that's all anyone can use.  She also severely limited which Troupes are allowed to Perform, so many of the Major Ones, who work in Hollywood too, have Quit voluntarily, in Solidarity.  All the Professional Photographer Friends of my Brother who were Volunteers to do Free Promo and Media Coverage, also quit in Solidarity.   My Brother always allowed this Woman to use his Photos if he only gave Credit and didn't pass it off as her own Photography taken... which, she had Stolen some of the Pixs and Credited them to her Photographers, so he said she'd have to Pay him for them then, she could have used them Free if she just acknowledged who had taken them.

He said she also brought in Food Trucks which have nothing to do with Renaissance Theme at all.  Anyway, he said it won't be long before she gets her Wish, nobody comes, and she has her Flea Market instead, which, he doesn't think will make as much Money for her or be as well Received.  He said most of Antique Row in Pomona has Closed now, where he used to have a Space in a Historic Building there.  It still had a Water Operated Elevator, that's how Old the Building was, and lovely.  But he said nobody is making Money there anymore coz the Industry is struggling, it is here too.  He thinks once our Generation Dies Off, the Younger ones won't Preserve anything at all, he could be Right?!  He said the Flea Markets aren't doing well either and aren't what they used to be, even the Renown ones.   

LATER:  Work was steady busy, but folks mostly Buying Pokemon and Silver Jewelry.  With Metals skyrocketing, folks are Buying a lot of Silver and Gold lately as an Investment.   I Wish I'd Invented Pokemon.  *LOL*  I was working with Friends, Brigid, Judith and Yolanda, covering for Sue.   And now found out my Friend Richard had Brain Surgery!!!  He's already recovering AND Working, and showed me a Pix of his Scar, which is Huge, right on the Top of his Head!!!  He only had the Quadruple Bypass Surgery and Liver Transplant the end of last Year!!!  He has a large Bandage Covering it and seems to be doing fine.  But it was very, VERY, recent, and I felt he should have been Home Resting and not at Work working a Shift!  It's too soon.

 So, anyway, the Shift went by fast and I bought a large Danish Thomas Dam Troll from 1977.  It's the same Vendor I bought those other Trolls from recently, she has excellent Prices on them, far below Retail for the Older Vintage Trolls.  This one is unclothed and has long Black Hair down to it's Feet and is about 9" Tall.   I also Bought a 9" 1977 Thomas Dam Troll off E-Bay that has Black Dreadlock Hair.  Never seen one with Dreads {they really look more like they were Caribbean Braided, but, still Cute, my own Dreads looked more like that when they were Baby Dreads}, got it on the Buy-It-Now Feature.  Both are great additions to my Vintage Troll Collection.   The Troll Dealer had a lot of them but only the One I was interested in.   And that one is standing exactly like this one but has Straight Black Hair just as long tho'.

 I don't know how she has so many Vintage ones, unless it's from a Private Collection she's Selling Off?  That happened with another Vendor some Years ago and I Scored some Rare ones from her when she Sold Off an Old Private Collection.   I never those Purchases, you never get the chance to Buy a Private Collection at great Prices of something like that usually.  Many other Vendors vied for those Trolls, few know about the New Vendor coz she has a Booth Upstairs and a lot of Vendors don't Trawl the 2nd Floor much, if at all.  There's many Vendors up there and since Space Rent up there is more reasonable, so usually are the prices of what's being Sold in them.  Entry level Vendors often Rent up there first.

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Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian