MODERN TIMES

“MOM! I need a cell phone!”   Things certainly are different from when I was a teenager. It would be called the ‘dark ages’ if you asked my kids. It was before cell phones, the internet, and mp3 players. Yep, I guess from their perspective times were archaic.  How did I get to volleyball practice without phoning my parents? I could have been kidnapped! Well, that may sound ridiculous, but so are my teenagers. If they’re not in a growth spurt and needing new pants every five minutes (which they wear sooo low that I wonder what is holding them up!), then they are in the middle of some drama that I could not possibly understand. Oy vey!

CONSUMING MASS QUANTITIES OF FOOD

Anyone out there ever seen Coneheads? Remember the breakfast scene?  That would be a scene played out in my kitchen after school.  They all file in the back door (an avalanche of back packs) with their friends in tow. I know that they are ravenous, and I try to plan for that.  However, when they are in that state (like a pride of lions crowding over a slab of meat), anything goes. I will come home from work to find that along with the frozen burritos having been consumed, that they ate all the pickles, cottage cheese, and a box of Cheerios. Now, that doesn’t even make any sense.  But neither do my teenagers. Knowing that my grocery budget is blown, I will pick up the phone and get quick payday loans to get me through. They can eat their weight in chicken chimichangas.  Don’t ask me how I know.

SAVE YOUR DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA

There is a lot of pressure on our kids these days, but how much of that is a bad thing? For example, are there any of you parents out there who’s a ‘rescuer’?  That used to be me (once upon a time).  I couldn’t stand the thought of my ‘baby’ suffering in any way.  Never mind the fact that he may be hitting puberty and is almost 6 ft. tall!  If my girls were late to school (overslept, makeup woes, clothing dilemmas), they would bound up the stairs to declare “I need you to call the office for me mommy. You work sooo hard!  Gee mom, are you getting thinner?”  Yep!  They played me like a harp.   But now, they are accountable for their own choices, including the expensive ones.  Need a cell phone or an iPod?  Here, let me show you what a snow shovel looks like (I understand that they are hard to find these days!) and go see if you can make a few pennies.  Now, they have begun to have an appreciation for how hard it is to earn that dollar and consequently, they are not so quick to part with it.  I want them to have some idea of financial responsibility before they leave home.

SOFT PLACE TO LAND

Knowing that adulthood is looming like a semi truck in my rearview mirror, I would like for my teenagers to begin to take some ownership of their choices in life.  We all make mistakes and home should be a safe haven, but it also should equip them for the road ahead. Hopefully this is done before they leave the nest. However, if they find when they get out in the real world that they need a little extra cash, I’ll let them know that they can get help through payday loans.  It’s worked for mom.

You might be making the journey via plane, train, or automobile. My sympathies are with you.  You may be eager to embrace your loved ones or you may be dreading your visit with “those” relatives. We all have stories to tell. Fond memories brought back by aromas in the kitchen, or nervous ticks due to flashbacks from screaming fits thrown by the unreasonable – - you have a listening ear with me. I have seen it all. From screams of joy upon arrival at the airport to being hit with projectile vomit in a trapped car – -I have learned how to be prepared.

Nostalgic or Nauseas?

Now don’t let my trip down memory lane leave you reaching for the Advil already! There is hope! There are a few keys to remember when you are making a road trip across country.

Make a list.

First, make it fun! However you’re traveling – - you are trapped in a small space for awhile – - so make a list of DVDs, music, or just think of silly games you can play while in transit. If you’re tapped with children, my advice would be to bring anything plastic. Bottles, zip lock bags, or even a tarp [if you can manage it].

Let go of expectations.

Secondly, turn “off” any tapes in your head about any expected behavior regarding your out-laws – - oops! – - I meant in-laws. Who knows what may have happened since the last time you’ve seen them? Also, consider how much effort it takes to turn those events over and over again in your mind? Let go of expectations. You won’t be disappointed and may even be surprised.

Don’t dwell on the bad, think of the good.

Thirdly, make a conscience effort to remember “the good’ about the ones you are travelling to see.  Not the times your mother noticed how much weight you’ve gained [not that I would know anything about that!] or how your uncle chews with his mouth open and how he desperately needs to pluck his nose hairs. If this is too difficult, I advise you to look into being medicated before your arrival. Fourthly, grant some extra grace for those that you have hatched from that may still be inept. None of us are perfect, and I’m sure at one point or another you were not as lovely as you may be now.

Run away – or just change the subject.

Fifthly,  investigate other alternatives to the same stressful situations. If, for example, you are trapped in the kitchen with gossipy gals – - run away! No, that’s probably not good advice so maybe just bluntly mention some other exciting news in your life that is an abrupt off ramp to the freeway that you were heading down.

Therapy?

The sixth thing to remember is to value what is most precious to you.  It may not be the stringy casserole that Aunt Marion made, but instead it might be her reminiscing about the times when you were little [and how adorable you were].  And lastly, [thank heavens!], take a mental snapshot of everyone in the room. Burn it into your brain and strive to not duplicate any crazy behavior for the innocent generations to come.  If it is too late for that, then consider payday loans for therapy sessions. Your children will thank you.

Remember the following:

Fun

Off

Remember

Grant

Investigate

Value

Everyone

If you do that, you will more than likely lengthen your life. Or take out payday loans and buy the first bus ticket home!

WHAT NOW?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

It seems that there is no lack of fodder for the newspapers these days, as the latest turn of events keep the reporters busy. Blagojavich has no intentions of resigning, despite his arrest on Tuesday by the FBI. It was also his birthday – - he turned 52. The Illinois Governor’s spokesman, Lucio Guerrero, has stated that “there is more to this story that he is wanting to tell at an appropriate time.” Calls for impeachment would necessitate a special election, which Illinois republican chairman, Andy McKenna, is for. That could mean that it would cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. At any rate, republicans and democrats are both calling for his resignation. It seems that the governor is not on board with the notion, showing up for work as usual Monday morning. If Blagojavich remains in power, than he has all the rights and responsibilities as Governor to appoint someone to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama. State legislators are planning on meeting this afternoon to discuss the matter further.

NOT NEW TO CONTROVERSY

Shortly after meeting his wife, Patti, and with the help of his father-in-law, Richard Mell, Bagojavich was placed on the city of Chicago ’s payroll for what reason remains to this day a mystery. Mell had powerful connections, and as a result was mainly responsible for Bagojavich’s election to the Illinois State House as a democrat. Four years later, he won a seat in the House of Representatives. Blagojavich and Mell had a nasty public feud in 2005, when the Governor cited a relative’s business for environmental concerns. Mell lashed back with accusations of abuse in selling state jobs. Those remarks were later withdrawn, but not before the federal and state authorities curiosity was peaked and they began investigations. While he has been governor for the past six years, he has been under federal investigation for the past four. Interestingly enough, Blagojavich ran as a reformer and replaced republican George Ryan who was found guilty of fraud when he was Illinois Secretary of State. Blagojavich was re-elected to his seat in 2006, despite numerous accusations of unethical dealings too numerous to list. Amazingly, he is the fourth out of the past eight governors to be indicted on charges of corruption. In addition to the latest fiasco, Blagojavich is charged with “shaking down” officials at a children’s hospital, attempting to finagle $50,000.00 in exchange for reimbursing the hospital for pediatric care. As horrifying as that may be, perhaps he should have considered discreet payday loans to bolster his campaign.

PRAY FOR OUR STATE

The Greater St. John Bible Church’s Rev. Ira Acree met with Blagojavich in his home early Friday morning. The Rev. referred to his meeting with the Governor; albeit briefly, in his sermon on Sunday. Nevertheless, he offered no details, except to say that “everyone deserves pastoral counsel” and that “…no matter what your political position is, pray for our state.” No matter what your beliefs are, it definitely could not hurt to enlist some divine intervention in Illinois’ state of affairs as they are facing hard choices ahead. Considering that the circumstances of the Governor and the vacant Senate seat may be a costly venture for taxpayers, it probably couldn’t hurt to take out payday loans to fund what could be a special election.

DANGER OF RUNNING OUT OF CASH

Chrysler LLC, General Motors Corp., and Ford are all in talks to try and access 14 billion of the 700 billion allocated funds in TARP [Troubled Assets Recovery Program] to avert “running out of cash” and certain bankruptcy. Perhaps a payday loan might be in order. Initially, the Bush administration was hesitant to intervene, stating through White House Press Secretary, Dana Perino, that “we would prefer that markets would determine the ultimate fate of private firms.” However, with a troubled economy and Congress immovable, the Bush administration declared that it would step in and prevent the “precipitous collapse” of the U.S. auto industry. That certainly was good news to GM and United Auto Workers President, Ron Gettelfinger, who welcomed the president’s comments. Without intervention, certain disaster for the auto industry looms on the horizon.

“IMMINENT FAILURE”

That’s what Treasurer Brookly McLaughlin said the White House was prepared to prevent when being questioned about Congress’ inability to act. Many hundreds of thousands have already been laid off from their jobs according to the government’s findings in the month of November alone. And it couldn’t come at a worse time. With the current state of our economy, the troubled auto giants aren’t helping Wall Street with their jittery nerves.

GLOBAL IMPACT

The “Detroit’s Three” has global impact. If even one of the major U.S. car companies went under, the effect would extend around the world. From part makers, to painters and suppliers – - it’s not a pretty picture. In fact, it would not only cost our economy billions, it would have far reaching ripple effects throughout our nation and all its related industries. That would translate to the rest of the world which in turn would weaken their economies, especially for Europe and Japan. BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, is already feeling the impact by suspending operations at 80 different plants affecting 20 thousand workers. Edmunds.com, a website that studies the auto industry, has pointed out that other industries are at risk. Smaller, regional companies supply the workers for the auto industry with, for example, gloves or goggles. Obviously, these are items that do not go into the making of a vehicle, but the workers need them to produce cars. It has tremendous capabilities to be far- reaching. Carlos Ghosn, executive officer of Nissan, has stated that car manufacturers are will need to think about “preserving cash…lowering inventories, and reducing head count [employees].” With uncertain times, payday loans may be the buffer between security and the unknown.

WHAT HAPPENED?

It was a perfect storm with the combination of stringent state and economy fuel standards, the recent credit crisis, and fuel costs. With the government’s appointment of a new “car czar,” our government is moving into unprecedented new ground. The government will be able to regulate anything from “executive compensation to corporate jets.” The U.S. has invested in our industries in the past, from the railroad in the early 1900’s to the aerospace industry more recently; so it’s not unheard of, however, not quite to this extent. Much of what will be laid out most likely will be by the incoming Obama administration.

DON’T RUN OUT OF CASH!

Learn from the “Big Three,” and avoid disaster. Consider protecting yourself from unexpected shortfalls with payday loans.

FRIGID TEMPS; LONG LINES

Braving near freezing weather, many huddled in groups and stomped their feet to keep warm and maintain circulation. Eager to be among the first recipients of the community’s outpouring of generosity, even the cold could not dampen their anticipation. Some, knowing that they would have to report to work in a few hours, arrived early to avoid missing any scheduled shifts. Sisters Shelli and Kirsten, came prepared with milk crates and blankets in tow. Both working moms, they were grateful for the added help this time of the year. Another, known only as Aaron, rode his bicycle as his wife needed the car for work. In addition, a grandfather who immigrated from Russia, slowly walked back and forth with his cane to maintain circulation. Even though the paper indicated that the doors would not open until 10 a.m., workers and volunteers mercifully opened their doors at 8 a.m. to provide shelter from the cold. As soon as they had their computers up and operational, the heaters were turned on as the many filed inside.

QUALITY GIFTS; OVERJOYED MOMS

Upon entering the heated building located at the Spokane fairgrounds, people were greeted with smiles and hot coffee. Cheerfully decorated with red carpet, the warehouse was transformed into a festive wonderland. There was a sea of volunteers in blue sweatshirts ready to dole out food vouchers, and brand new books and toys. Ranging from dinosaurs to digital cameras, parents were informed that they would be permitted to select one book and one gift for each child. Wide ranges of gifts, toddler-geared all the way up through the teenage years, were neatly displayed. Preschool kitchenettes, attack helicopters, radio controlled cars [with batteries!], mp3 players and more were there to make any child’s wish list a reality. Many, who donated their time, seemed genuinely happy to be there. “Merry Christmas!” rang out every so often and it was reciprocated gladly. Too many mothers to count embraced the volunteers as they carried out their bags of gifts for their children – - who would now have a Christmas this year that they would not have otherwise had.

It was a record- breaking day as the numbers of the most vulnerable in the Spokane community needing assistance was up. So far, the percentage of people requiring help was up 12% from last year and those figures are likely to increase. Theresa Dryden, Catholic Charities Special Events Coordinator, said that they had to close the door on a lot of people towards the end of the day, as the line had grown all the way to Havana Street . But not to worry! The Christmas Bureau will be open from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. through December 13th. Be advised that they will require picture identification and proof of residency. For those that do not live in the Spokane area, there are many different charitable organizations that advertise in the local paper offering outreach to those in need during the holiday season.

DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD

Like the people who were turned away, don’t be left without any resources. If your holidays are looking grim, and you’re needing a financial boost – - payday loans can provide some relief. Funds for community organizations are usually based on a first – come, first – serve basis. Considering that, payday loans are readily available without any lines.