2/5/2016
There was a television movie about Madoff this week. Movies or television shows about someone famous or infamous, gets my curiosity radar to start up. After watching the two night show about Madoff, I immediately wanted to do some research into his life.
He was a fraud and master minded the largest Ponzi scheme in America. Watching the movie, it was clear that he was a slick, fast talking, "I'll take care of you, don't worry" kind of guy. People tripped over themselves to give him money. Pension plans, individual retirement funds, as well as charitable foundations, were handled by Madoff. The size of the fraud was stated as $65 billion early in the investigation. A former SEC Chairman estimated the actual net fraud to be between $10 and $17 billion. That's a lot of money.
People trusted him, were reassured by him and ultimately defrauded by him. His lifestyle, and that of his family, was extravagant. His wife and sons contended that they didn't know what Madoff was doing. All the money that was given to Madoff to invest, went into his own personal business bank account at Chase Manhattan. When an investor wanted out of Madoff's fund, he took the money out of the bank account, or from another investor's funds.
After Madoff's arrest and conviction, his wife was allowed to keep $2.5 million, which is a pretty nice nest egg. Properly invested, a person could live quite comfortably with that kind of money. I know I wish I had 2.5 million dollars to play with!
Madoff was sent to a minimum security federal prison in North Carolina. From the pictures I see on the Internet, it doesn't look like a regular prison, the kind we see in the movies, dark, drab and dreary.
On the second anniversary of Madoff's arrest, his son Mark committed suicide. Madoff's other son Andrew died in 2014, leaving behind $15 million dollars to his ex-wife, fiancee and children.
Such a sad ending for a man, and his family, who at one time, were living life in style. Mrs. Madoff now shops at Ikea rather than Tiffany's.
P
Friday, February 5, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Reality in Period Shows
2/4/2016
I watch a lot of television shows set in older times. And when I watch these shows, I question whether women had pierced ears, as one example, back in the 1800's. So, off to the Internet I go to look for answers. I know you guys are glad that I'm here to answer such burning questions!
Pierced ears goes back about 5,000 years ago. Pearl earrings were famous from the 1500s to the 1800s. I am currently watching a period television show on PBS, set in the 1800s. The women depicted on that show are wearing pierced earrings as was fashionable in the 1800s.
My own personal history of pierced ears was probably in 1973 or 1974. In those days, and maybe they still do it today, you went to the department store and sat while your ears were pierced. It's been a long time ago, but I do remember the sheer dread of willingly submitting myself to pain. I don't have a large collection of earrings, and I don't wear any heavy or long ones - I don't want to have droopy ears!
Of course by today's standards, I'm sort of an oddball. It seems as if the world has gone mad for piercing, and I'm not just talking about one in your ear. People have multiple piercings in their ears, some in their nose and tongue (I can't even imagine what that feels like, but it gives me the shutters) as well as their belly buttons.
I can remember one time I was being prepped for surgery and the surgeon asked me if I had any piercings that he couldn't see, as in my "nether" regions. I thought the question odd at the time, but today it is probably a reasonable question to ask.
You see often, men and women with really large stretched ears to accommodate earrings. The ears look terrible and I can't help but wonder what their ears would look like without the earrings. Let's say you're 80 years old and have removed your giant earrings. What do you ears look like now? Scary I bet.
I will go against the flow of piercing anything and everything as well as the thought that bigger is better, which is simply not always the case.
Here's two examples of big earrings and big ears. Apparently, you can when you tire of this look, can undergo a surgical procedure to put your ears back to normal. I don't know why people do this to their body. It must make quite an impression on a job interview.
P
I watch a lot of television shows set in older times. And when I watch these shows, I question whether women had pierced ears, as one example, back in the 1800's. So, off to the Internet I go to look for answers. I know you guys are glad that I'm here to answer such burning questions!
Pierced ears goes back about 5,000 years ago. Pearl earrings were famous from the 1500s to the 1800s. I am currently watching a period television show on PBS, set in the 1800s. The women depicted on that show are wearing pierced earrings as was fashionable in the 1800s.
My own personal history of pierced ears was probably in 1973 or 1974. In those days, and maybe they still do it today, you went to the department store and sat while your ears were pierced. It's been a long time ago, but I do remember the sheer dread of willingly submitting myself to pain. I don't have a large collection of earrings, and I don't wear any heavy or long ones - I don't want to have droopy ears!
Of course by today's standards, I'm sort of an oddball. It seems as if the world has gone mad for piercing, and I'm not just talking about one in your ear. People have multiple piercings in their ears, some in their nose and tongue (I can't even imagine what that feels like, but it gives me the shutters) as well as their belly buttons.
I can remember one time I was being prepped for surgery and the surgeon asked me if I had any piercings that he couldn't see, as in my "nether" regions. I thought the question odd at the time, but today it is probably a reasonable question to ask.
You see often, men and women with really large stretched ears to accommodate earrings. The ears look terrible and I can't help but wonder what their ears would look like without the earrings. Let's say you're 80 years old and have removed your giant earrings. What do you ears look like now? Scary I bet.
I will go against the flow of piercing anything and everything as well as the thought that bigger is better, which is simply not always the case.
Here's two examples of big earrings and big ears. Apparently, you can when you tire of this look, can undergo a surgical procedure to put your ears back to normal. I don't know why people do this to their body. It must make quite an impression on a job interview.
P
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Chores
2/3/2016
Today is going to be super exciting. First, I get to clean up the kitchen, then fold (ick) and put away the clean clothes, and then I need to scoop (you know) after Mr. Sam. I know that all of you who are at work are super jealous of me now - I know I would be.
I have an almost negative mental block about folding and putting away clothes. I don't know why, it's not like the clothes have ever harmed me. It may be that almost as soon as you put the clothes away, there's another load that needs to be washed. Jeff would say that I do laundry too often, but I disagree. You have your white clothes (or mostly white) and the colored items. By my count, that's just two loads I run in a week.
We still had snow on the driveway yesterday, so I spent some time shoveling snow. I wanted to get rid of enough snow so that Jeff could put his new car in the garage. My car is now "old" (hardly) and she sits outside. Of course, I couldn't escape my good deed of shoveling without accident. Yep, I slipped on some melting snow and fell on my fanny. My chief complaint was and is that I had broken my fanny - which just means that the old rear end hurts! You would think that a well padded fanny would be able to survive slipping and falling down, but I'm here to tell you that even though I'm padded in that department, among others, my rear end still hurts today. Note to self: stay inside.
My "reward" for doing my chores is that I can either (a) watch television; or (b) read. Tough choices, but I bet I can get a little bit of both in my day if I try. I recorded the live version of Grease last weekend, and I will probably start watching it again, because I just love the music.
Today is Elmo's birthday and national wedding ring day. When Benjamin was little, I watched countless hours of Sesame Street with him. He's now on to more "mature" movies, like Frozen, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and others like that. He also loves Shrek and I've watched the movies with him so much, that I'm pretty sure I could recite the lines.
Have a great Wednesday.
P
Today is going to be super exciting. First, I get to clean up the kitchen, then fold (ick) and put away the clean clothes, and then I need to scoop (you know) after Mr. Sam. I know that all of you who are at work are super jealous of me now - I know I would be.
I have an almost negative mental block about folding and putting away clothes. I don't know why, it's not like the clothes have ever harmed me. It may be that almost as soon as you put the clothes away, there's another load that needs to be washed. Jeff would say that I do laundry too often, but I disagree. You have your white clothes (or mostly white) and the colored items. By my count, that's just two loads I run in a week.
We still had snow on the driveway yesterday, so I spent some time shoveling snow. I wanted to get rid of enough snow so that Jeff could put his new car in the garage. My car is now "old" (hardly) and she sits outside. Of course, I couldn't escape my good deed of shoveling without accident. Yep, I slipped on some melting snow and fell on my fanny. My chief complaint was and is that I had broken my fanny - which just means that the old rear end hurts! You would think that a well padded fanny would be able to survive slipping and falling down, but I'm here to tell you that even though I'm padded in that department, among others, my rear end still hurts today. Note to self: stay inside.
My "reward" for doing my chores is that I can either (a) watch television; or (b) read. Tough choices, but I bet I can get a little bit of both in my day if I try. I recorded the live version of Grease last weekend, and I will probably start watching it again, because I just love the music.
Today is Elmo's birthday and national wedding ring day. When Benjamin was little, I watched countless hours of Sesame Street with him. He's now on to more "mature" movies, like Frozen, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and others like that. He also loves Shrek and I've watched the movies with him so much, that I'm pretty sure I could recite the lines.
Have a great Wednesday.
P
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
The TV Knows More Than Me
2/2/2016
Last year, Jeff bought us a new, really big television. And, it's a "Smart TV", being operated by a rather simple minded person - yours truly. I don't mean that I'm simple in a bad or negative way, more like I don't have deep thoughts about things. Also, I don't retain everything I'm told or read. It's just the way my brain works these days.
Anyway, the new television allows us to use our Amazon Prime account to access movies and television shows for free. Last night we sat down and while I watched, Jeff pushed all the buttons to get us registered with Amazon. In reality, I don't know how frequently I'll be trying to watch something on Amazon. Up to now, Netflix has been my go to place for movies.
I love watching movies on Netflix and other premium television channels, because there are no commercials! I know it's not difficult to push the skip button on the remote to bypass commercials, but it's annoying. You can't really enjoy buttered popcorn if you have to keep using the remote!
Through the help of Jeff and/or Scott, my computer runs effortlessly. All I ever have to do is wake up the computer in the morning. I take this ease for granted, and I'm thankful. I was afraid after my 2013 mess, that I might have forgotten how to maneuver my way around the computer. And, initially I did have some difficulty, but I kept at it, and feel that I'm up to speed as far as using the computer goes.
Now all I have to do is figure out what all the various television remotes do! Or, I could more easily, stick to what I know, which is how to turn the television on and off and select and record shows and watch movies on Netflix. As I said, I'm a simple person. I don't need bells and whistles and I don't want to wade through a rather thick owner's manual on how to get the most out of the new TV. If I turn it on and can find my shows that I've recorded, then all's good in my world.
The sun has decided to come out today, so the pile of snow remaining on the driveway, will probably disappear today. I can always go out and start shoveling snow out into the middle of the driveway to help Mother Nature along.
I'm sorry that I didn't check out the "holidays" yesterday. One holiday in particular applied to me: Spunky Old Broads Day!!!!
P
Last year, Jeff bought us a new, really big television. And, it's a "Smart TV", being operated by a rather simple minded person - yours truly. I don't mean that I'm simple in a bad or negative way, more like I don't have deep thoughts about things. Also, I don't retain everything I'm told or read. It's just the way my brain works these days.
Anyway, the new television allows us to use our Amazon Prime account to access movies and television shows for free. Last night we sat down and while I watched, Jeff pushed all the buttons to get us registered with Amazon. In reality, I don't know how frequently I'll be trying to watch something on Amazon. Up to now, Netflix has been my go to place for movies.
I love watching movies on Netflix and other premium television channels, because there are no commercials! I know it's not difficult to push the skip button on the remote to bypass commercials, but it's annoying. You can't really enjoy buttered popcorn if you have to keep using the remote!
Through the help of Jeff and/or Scott, my computer runs effortlessly. All I ever have to do is wake up the computer in the morning. I take this ease for granted, and I'm thankful. I was afraid after my 2013 mess, that I might have forgotten how to maneuver my way around the computer. And, initially I did have some difficulty, but I kept at it, and feel that I'm up to speed as far as using the computer goes.
Now all I have to do is figure out what all the various television remotes do! Or, I could more easily, stick to what I know, which is how to turn the television on and off and select and record shows and watch movies on Netflix. As I said, I'm a simple person. I don't need bells and whistles and I don't want to wade through a rather thick owner's manual on how to get the most out of the new TV. If I turn it on and can find my shows that I've recorded, then all's good in my world.
The sun has decided to come out today, so the pile of snow remaining on the driveway, will probably disappear today. I can always go out and start shoveling snow out into the middle of the driveway to help Mother Nature along.
I'm sorry that I didn't check out the "holidays" yesterday. One holiday in particular applied to me: Spunky Old Broads Day!!!!
P
Monday, February 1, 2016
Happy February!
2/1/2016
We survived January with it's huge snow storm which has left "mountains" of snow everywhere that the plows couldn't get to. There is a large pile of snow in front of the garage, which pretty much prevents getting a car inside.
Yesterday, we went out to Andrew's house for pizza and dessert. I had a slice of pizza that had bacon on top. I'd never had that before and it was quite yummy. Stacey made a red velvet cake and we had brought apple pie and ice cream. A very balanced meal! Salt, fat and sugar - what else could a person ask for?
The hot tub was an option, but we decided not to go in. Jeff gets up quite early in the, so it was better to leave early and let him get as much sleep as possible. He'd be so happy if he could work remote, but that's not happening. I know that computer guys can do their work practically anywhere, but sometimes policies are in place that prevent them from doing so.
My day will start off in the dentist chair - yipee!!!! Two fillings today, which will leave me with I can only describe as Betty Davis' face in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane". I know that my face only feels like that, but in reality doesn't actually look like that. I can have my teeth cleaned on Monday and by Tuesday have already sprouted a new cavity. The medicines I take are causing havoc on my teeth. As I tell my dentist, I can either be fine mentally, or fine dentally - but apparently not both. I have opted for the wise decision, which is being mentally well - or at least mentally better.
After the dentist, I will run a quick errand for Jeff. Women who are retired, or don't work, are sometimes pretty useful. We can wait for a delivery or repair man. Drop off packages, buy stamps, go to the grocery store as well as a host of other mundane chores.
The only thing I miss about working, besides the salary, is seeing my friends everyday. What I don't miss is the having to get permission to leave early, arrive late or call in sick. When you don't work, you don't have to coordinate your schedule with your co-workers. I no longer need to have the first or last appointment of the day with a dentist or doctor. Since there isn't a lot of money in retirement, at least you can enjoy the perks of being where you want to be, and when you want to be there.
Much as I've enjoyed "chatting" with you, it's time to get my rear in gear and get something done. What I'm actually going to do has yet to be determined, and it might involve the latest book I'm reading on my Kindle!
Enjoy your day.
P
We survived January with it's huge snow storm which has left "mountains" of snow everywhere that the plows couldn't get to. There is a large pile of snow in front of the garage, which pretty much prevents getting a car inside.
Yesterday, we went out to Andrew's house for pizza and dessert. I had a slice of pizza that had bacon on top. I'd never had that before and it was quite yummy. Stacey made a red velvet cake and we had brought apple pie and ice cream. A very balanced meal! Salt, fat and sugar - what else could a person ask for?
The hot tub was an option, but we decided not to go in. Jeff gets up quite early in the, so it was better to leave early and let him get as much sleep as possible. He'd be so happy if he could work remote, but that's not happening. I know that computer guys can do their work practically anywhere, but sometimes policies are in place that prevent them from doing so.
My day will start off in the dentist chair - yipee!!!! Two fillings today, which will leave me with I can only describe as Betty Davis' face in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane". I know that my face only feels like that, but in reality doesn't actually look like that. I can have my teeth cleaned on Monday and by Tuesday have already sprouted a new cavity. The medicines I take are causing havoc on my teeth. As I tell my dentist, I can either be fine mentally, or fine dentally - but apparently not both. I have opted for the wise decision, which is being mentally well - or at least mentally better.
After the dentist, I will run a quick errand for Jeff. Women who are retired, or don't work, are sometimes pretty useful. We can wait for a delivery or repair man. Drop off packages, buy stamps, go to the grocery store as well as a host of other mundane chores.
The only thing I miss about working, besides the salary, is seeing my friends everyday. What I don't miss is the having to get permission to leave early, arrive late or call in sick. When you don't work, you don't have to coordinate your schedule with your co-workers. I no longer need to have the first or last appointment of the day with a dentist or doctor. Since there isn't a lot of money in retirement, at least you can enjoy the perks of being where you want to be, and when you want to be there.
Much as I've enjoyed "chatting" with you, it's time to get my rear in gear and get something done. What I'm actually going to do has yet to be determined, and it might involve the latest book I'm reading on my Kindle!
Enjoy your day.
P
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Happy Birthday
1/31/2016
Today, is Andrew's birthday. He's the youngest and is 36 today. The older he gets, the older I get, which is the way of life, but doesn't mean you have to like it!
With only eighteen months separating Andrew from Scott, meant that they were literally the "dynamic duo" growing up. What one didn't think of doing, the other did. As a mother of sons, you lower your expectations about what really constitutes danger.
Playing in the mud, adding water to a trash can (clean) and rolling down the driveway, were fun and harmless activities. When you have sons, their wardrobe, unlike one for girls, consists of jeans (blue) and t-shirts. Matching? Not so much. Clean? They didn't care.
As the boys grew up, they looked out for each other. I can remember an Easter egg hunt, where Scott was having a lot of trouble finding any eggs. Andrew helped his brother out, and the day was a success. Learning came easy with Andrew, and he was a good student. Each school year, it took the first quarter for him to get the "lay of the land" (i.e., how to work the teacher) and his grades were always high.
When it came time for college, Jeff and I thought Andrew would want to go to a large university, where he would be challenged with his classes. In the end, Andrew went to a small college in Maryland, where he excelled. He didn't want to be a small fish in a big pond. He wanted to be the big fish in a small pond, and he was. He graduated in 4 years with two degrees and Jeff and I were very proud of him.
During high school, the two boys would do some computer work for the school and the occasional neighbor or friend. Once Andrew was in college, he decided that they should form a company, and they did. The company is 4A Computing and they have been in business for 18 years! They took an idea on paper and made it a reality.
Andrew and Scott have different qualities, so as a team they are able to do anything. Andrew was and is the thinker and Scott is/was the builder. Andrew is very successful in his career, and neither Jeff or I are surprised. He's a guy that's going places and we're along to watch him reach new heights in his career.
Andrew is also the father of Benjamin, who is the shiny sprinkles in our life. Benjamin is no longer the baby or toddler that used to sit on our laps all the time. He's a big boy now and while he might like to sit on our laps, he's too "bigger"!
We're going out to Andrew's house this afternoon. We're bringing apple pie and ice cream as our contribution to his birthday lunch.
Happy birthday Andrew. Dad and I love you lots.
Mom
Today, is Andrew's birthday. He's the youngest and is 36 today. The older he gets, the older I get, which is the way of life, but doesn't mean you have to like it!
With only eighteen months separating Andrew from Scott, meant that they were literally the "dynamic duo" growing up. What one didn't think of doing, the other did. As a mother of sons, you lower your expectations about what really constitutes danger.
Playing in the mud, adding water to a trash can (clean) and rolling down the driveway, were fun and harmless activities. When you have sons, their wardrobe, unlike one for girls, consists of jeans (blue) and t-shirts. Matching? Not so much. Clean? They didn't care.
As the boys grew up, they looked out for each other. I can remember an Easter egg hunt, where Scott was having a lot of trouble finding any eggs. Andrew helped his brother out, and the day was a success. Learning came easy with Andrew, and he was a good student. Each school year, it took the first quarter for him to get the "lay of the land" (i.e., how to work the teacher) and his grades were always high.
When it came time for college, Jeff and I thought Andrew would want to go to a large university, where he would be challenged with his classes. In the end, Andrew went to a small college in Maryland, where he excelled. He didn't want to be a small fish in a big pond. He wanted to be the big fish in a small pond, and he was. He graduated in 4 years with two degrees and Jeff and I were very proud of him.
During high school, the two boys would do some computer work for the school and the occasional neighbor or friend. Once Andrew was in college, he decided that they should form a company, and they did. The company is 4A Computing and they have been in business for 18 years! They took an idea on paper and made it a reality.
Andrew and Scott have different qualities, so as a team they are able to do anything. Andrew was and is the thinker and Scott is/was the builder. Andrew is very successful in his career, and neither Jeff or I are surprised. He's a guy that's going places and we're along to watch him reach new heights in his career.
Andrew is also the father of Benjamin, who is the shiny sprinkles in our life. Benjamin is no longer the baby or toddler that used to sit on our laps all the time. He's a big boy now and while he might like to sit on our laps, he's too "bigger"!
We're going out to Andrew's house this afternoon. We're bringing apple pie and ice cream as our contribution to his birthday lunch.
Happy birthday Andrew. Dad and I love you lots.
Mom
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Bucket List
1/30/2016
Have you ever thought about what you would put on your own bucket list? I hadn't given it much thought, until recently. I have no idea why I started to think about those things you would like to do or experience in your lifetime.
Of course, there are things on my bucket list, that aren't going to happen, for obvious reasons. Timing and/or money are generally involved in accomplishing most things. I've got plenty of time, obviously, but no big lottery winnings to help me travel!
Besides not having big lottery winnings to make travel possible, I still have that stupid left hip that suffers from "Arthur" and makes walking and standing, two things I don't tolerate well. Sitting, on the other hand, I excel at!!!
Tomorrow is Andrew's birthday. He's the baby of the family and will be turning 36. I know that I get older each year on my birthday, but somehow resist intellectually that the boys are getting older too.
P
Have you ever thought about what you would put on your own bucket list? I hadn't given it much thought, until recently. I have no idea why I started to think about those things you would like to do or experience in your lifetime.
Of course, there are things on my bucket list, that aren't going to happen, for obvious reasons. Timing and/or money are generally involved in accomplishing most things. I've got plenty of time, obviously, but no big lottery winnings to help me travel!
- I would have liked to see Elvis in person (well that's not going to happen, but perhaps an Elvis impersonator would do)
- I'd like to see my Dad one more time (again, like Elvis, this is merely a wish, not something that can happen)
- Travel to Italy. Murano Island to be exact
- Return to England and take Jeff with me
- Vacation in Maui again (this is doable with the right amount of money)
- Buy a bigger plane (also doable but again $$$ is involved)
- Write a book. Okay, I'm sort of doing that, but I'm talking about a book that gets published and makes money
- Walk on the ocean floor (the deep part of the ocean)
- Find somewhere beautiful to spread Wendy's ashes
Besides not having big lottery winnings to make travel possible, I still have that stupid left hip that suffers from "Arthur" and makes walking and standing, two things I don't tolerate well. Sitting, on the other hand, I excel at!!!
Tomorrow is Andrew's birthday. He's the baby of the family and will be turning 36. I know that I get older each year on my birthday, but somehow resist intellectually that the boys are getting older too.
P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)