THANK YOU

Obviously my odor has drifted quite away from home. It went all the way down to California. It’s not that I’m not grateful. I’m always grateful for any gift, especially if is a replacement for something I might have to spend money on personally. I’m already convincing my family that Christmas gifts should be extremely practical. No more ornaments. Nothing to display, please! I would only have to dust it, but I don’t have room anyway. If I must receive a gift card (which I like) make it to the grocery store. However, a movie card or theater tickets are always nice. Cards for a dinner out are cool. So not every7things needs to be 10-0% practical. I like ink for my computer, stamps, or a half-gallon of ice cream (although there is no half gallon any more – the price went up and the size went down.)

So, I am grateful for the bar of soap. I only have one left. But as you know, soap can last me a very long time as I bath so seldom. There was no note encouraging a greater frequency of bathing, so I can only guess they knew an extra bar might be useful. Since that need is being met, I will expect another at Christmas. I should be ready for another bar at that time. Because it’s Christmas, how about some homemade soap – say oatmeal. I like the smell and the feel. It should be a little fancier for the holidays, but Ivory is nice.

If others need shopping tips, I would gladly pass them on. Begging is no longer beneath me. See what the government has done to me. They taught me to beg – BEG for my own money. You may argue, ah – you are not getting your own money. And I would say, yes that’s true. You are right. I’m getting my children’s money. THEY ALREADY SPENT MINE! Please, please. I’m not bitter — just old and grouchy. Begging is not beneath me. Since I am turned down on the first request for assistance with food, housing, medical, etc. I have become quite good at going back on hands and knees to get my piece of the American Dream. That is the American Dream it is not — welfare?

OK, so I’m a drain on the American people, just as they were a drain on me when I was putting thousands of dollars into someone else’s pocket. I admit I feel bad about taking my children’s money, but I either get It back from them through the government or I get it out of their pocket, I spent a fortune on my lovely daughter. She owes me. At the time I was raising my daughter the expected total one would spend on child rearing was $120,000 through high school. Yes, I skimped on my portion. I blame that on my wife. She was excellent at bargain hunting always finding the best deals. We made our daughter buy her own first car (she was good at saving) but she was on my insurance policy. I also paid for college, the wedding (we made as much as we could. I would have sewn the dress had she trusted me) and hundreds or thousands of dollars helping her get a start in married life. I spoiled her, but what else could I do. I loved her and she has those brown puppy dog eyes, and licking my hands all the time (no she didn’t do that). How could I say no. She never asked or begged like I do.

I’m not naïve. Her family will cost so much more to rear than mind. She has three bright children who may all want to go to college and marry and two girls whose weddings will cost a fortune (tell them elope). I know it’s worse – more costly. Plus the government threatens there will be no money for them at retirement. It sucks since they are collecting it from them anyway. I wish I were going to be here when the public sues the government to get all their money back that was invested “for them” in social security. Our kids will not be happy campers. Nor should they be.