Five Dollars

There is currently a KFC commercial on TV where a boy, probably college aid, gets $5 from a relative and she tells him to go "buy something nice".  The point of the commercial is that he takes his 5 bucks and buys a ton of artery clogging food at KFC.   I get what KFC is doing...it's a nice marketing blurb.

But, I was thinking about the person sho sent the $$ and felt she was being made fun of.  Yep, it's hard to "buy something nice" for $5 but I'd take it.  And be grateful for it.  I know it's a commercial and not real but I know it happens in real life.  Someone who doesn't have a lot of money wants to give a gift.  I know when both of my grandparents lived only on Social Security of less than $300 month.   $5, especially for each grandchild, was a chunk of change.  They didn't go hungry--no one would have let be hungry--but I know they weren't going into their millions of dollars of savings.

I worked at a poor school and we had a grandmother with 3 granddaughters who brought in $$ every month to "put on their books" so when it came picture time or field trip time it would be paid for. These grandparents might have been ok but I'm pretty sure they didn't plan on raising 3 little girls after their children left home.  And $5 per child is a big deal.

So when you get your $5 from someone, don't wonder what you can get for it.  You can go to KFC. Thnik about the love and possible sacrifice behind the gift.

Loaning Money

I watch a lot of judge shows because first, it's entertaining and sadly, I think it's a portrait of the generations coming behind us.

Today,  there was a case where an older woman loaned a classmate she'd just met money and the classmate is claiming it was a gift.  She was never supposed to give it back.  She said she felt sorry for the woman who loaned her the money because she had no friends so apparently it makes the woman feel loved to be taken advantage of.  Luckily, the bitchy ingrate signed a promissary note and she lost.

While I think these people are idiots for loaning money to people they don't even know, I have to say I have loaned money to a "friend" that I'd known for a long time.   I do know that loaning money to someone is the fastest way to lose a friend but I trusted this person and we signed a note.  She and her husband sat in my living room crying that they could not even afford groceries.  At first, she wanted to borrow a credit card but I was at least smart enough to not be that stupid.  I asked how much they needed and she told me and I was stunned.  I normally would not have that money to even loan but I'd just been paid out for a burglary claim. And she knew it.  They both signed the note that it would be paid back in 12 months.

I finally got a payment after 14 months after I asked about it and told them I needed something...then dribbles for a couple more months...and finally, 2 1/2 years later I got the rest and that was only because they got a small inheirtance and I knew it.  She had told me when she got the money I was their first stop.  And after asking several times, they finally paid in full.  And I have not talked to her since.  I message her and try to call and get no response. I think she figured out I was no longer useful because she would never use me again.

I can't really change who I am and will always look to help someone out but next time someone tells me they have no groceries we will take a trip to the grocery store. And we're good if you need lunch money.  Don't ask for anything more.

Love Actually

On Sunday, I went to the Alamo to watch the "Quote Along" version of this movie and I had a great time.   It was actually billed as a girls night and a special deal.  When we arrived, we got British flags to waive for the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant), fans of our favorite characters (choices were Hugh Grant, Colin Firth & Bill Nighy) and Christmas poppers that we were supposed to pop for our favorite kiss.

The movie begins with Hugh Grant talking about love in terms of the arrival gate at Heathrow Airport where we see hugs & hugs & in terms of 9-11 and he points out that as far as he knows, no one called with hate messages before they died.  He points out that love is actually around.

We follow a group of friends over the 5 weeks before Christmas.  Old rocker Billy Mack (Bill Nighy, always a delight) is singing one of his old songs, Love is All Around with the word Christmas substituted for Love.  His sidekick is his longtime manager Joe.

Our Prime Minister is Hugh Grant, who immediately falls for Natalie, a member of his new staff, 

The Prime Minster's sister is Karen (Emma Thompson) who is married to business owner Harry, who is tempted by a slutty employee.

Sarah and Carl are Harry's employees who are in love with each other but family circumstances take all of Sarah's time.

Juliet (Keira Knightly) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) are getting married and both think Peter's best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln) dislikes Juliet when the opposite is really the truth.

Jamie (Colin Firth) goes away to Portugal to get over hearbreak and write his novel.  He ends up falling for Aurelia in spite of their language barrier.

Daniel has just lost his wife and is left with her grieving son Sam, a little boy with a crush of his own.

Jack and Judy are porn stand-ins and are nice but if they weren't there, it would be ok.

Colin & Tony are characters who are everywhere doing all kinds of odd jobs.

Each story is pretty fun and the ways they interact is fun.  I saved my popper for Jamie and Aurelia's kiss.  

I had a hard time choosing favorite character for my fan but I love Bill Nighy in just about everything I've ever seen him in and he's my favorite in this movie.  Colin Firth usually wins that prize.

This is actually a movie that grew on me...I liked it the first time but I love it more with each viewing.  And it was even more fun at the theater.  I did see a few men hanging around but most viewers were goofy girls like me who loved the movie.  I'd certainly do it again and I'll watch for the special nights again in the future.

Christmas Brunch 2014

Christmas Brunch 2014
Kyle,Jan, Maura, Lorraine, Robbie, Cathy, Deb, John

Several years ago I started having Christmas Brunch at my house for my little orphan friends but stopped after my dad moved in as he was uncomfortable with too many strangers in the house because of his hearing.  Today, I had the first one since I lost him.

John did waffles & pancakes, Robbie did the eggs, I did the bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy and I think it was outstanding.  No one left hungry!!

After everyone left I sat down on the couch and then about an hour later!!  I guess I was tired!!

Hello Country Bumpkin

Last night we got to sit in the Chancellor’s box for the basketball game!  I’ve been in a box before but it was just to sit…I’d never gotten the full treatment before.  We had staff members greeting us, offering us cocktails and sodas and there was brisket, chicken & sausage and chips and queso.  We met the Chancellor and Mrs Chancellor and they were very welcoming.  They have courtside seats so only came up at half time to meet and greet but I enjoyed meeting them.  John and I were with strangers (and non-basketball fans, apparently) but we both enjoyed our time.  Robbie & Kyle sat in our seats and our seats are so close that I could have pelted them with popcorn, but I didn’t.  I did have to laugh at them eating popcorn they had to pay for!!  And the biggest bonus was the parking pass…no parking in Levelland for us this game!!

While it was fun to see how the other 10% lives, our seats are better and even though we have to pay for our own snacks, we can be loud and rowdy in our seats where it was a little hard in the box considering we were apparently the only fans there.   But I was impressed, nonetheless and I’d do it again anytime.