2008

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:51:00 +0000

So, I'm just getting around to it now - sue me!

The year 2008 brought about many changes in all our lives. Some of us, who had issues saw some resolved but others not. We have to work at the latter. One of you changed your job, finished writing your book and saw it published this year. Proud we are of you, Cynthia Mae Andersen! You also recently re-newed an old friendship of thirty years ago. That's quite an achievement for just one year. If you think it isn't, try going through police reports, etc. and try to make sense of them, while you quit a job that you were unhappy in. That was a gigantic step to take, especially at this time. You found another job where you are happy and your boss is an A-Number-One professional. He is also Scots-Irish. That's all I know about the man but what's been said is enough. "Wha's like us? Damn few an' they're aw deid!!"

I had surgery last year. I'm having surgery done this year. I hope I don't make this a habit. (Jeez, some people will do anything to get two weeks off with pay). Hey, shit happens! My niece, Linda could tell you about that. Ever since she, her husband, Brian and sons, Ryan and Fraser landed in Canada, they've had their share of hospitals. Everything is going fine now, but if you ask Linda, I'm sure that she'll say that she's keeping her fingers crossed. They are a very close-knit family and I'm proud of them.

Ryan and Fraser? I love them to bits! I'm waiting on Ryan's graduation picture.

My sons-in-law took a leap. One left one hospital, where he had worked for years and is now in the business end of it at another hospital. The other bought into a Real Estate franchise and his wife, my daughter, Bridget graduated with her Masters Degree from Scranton University. I'm extremely proud of the four of them!!!!

Then, in September of last year my niece, Bridget Ann McDermid and her husband, Chick visited me for ten days.

We all had a helluva roaring time!! This was the first time my daughters had met their cousin. They love her , but who couldn't????? What you see is what you get and I love her for that alone. No pretensions.

My daugher, Audrey can't stop laughing when she thinks about something Bridget Ann said to her. She was telling her that she only had a ten minute walk to work every day but she ordered a taxi to take her. When Audrey asked her why, she said " It gies me time tae hiv anither wee cup of coffee and a fag." A fag is a cigarette in Britain. It was just "Brilliant" having BA and Chick here. Brilliant is a favorite word of BA's. Ask her how the weather is in Scotland at this time of the year and she'll say "Och, auntie Margaret, it's Baltic!!" When she calls me on the phone, the first thing she'll say is "Well, naebdae died this week. I've already checked out the Lennox Herald." She means no one that we know of. Audrey had taken us all into NY City three days in a row and BA and Chick just couldn't get over it. This was their first time in the USA. We went to see Grease on Broadway.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Statue of Liberty and the Bronx. Why the Bronx? Well you might think it's because of Yankee stadiums the old and new. You would be wrong. You see, Audrey had asked Chick where HE would like to go, and he said, "I'd love to go to the Bronx and have a pint of beer." Uuhhh???? That's right. When we asked him why, he said, "I've seen it in the movies and I'd just like to experience it." Whatever!!! To tell you the truth a pint was all he had and he was as happy as a wee pig amongst shite.

No Kidding! Audrey made his day! Then we went to the Village. It was raining and we all walked around but we were covered. Bridget Ann didn't want to get anything to put over her until her auntie (moi) insisted. Well, Bridget ran into a CVS with Bridget Ann. Bridge takes a size 2-4. Hers was a poncho style in white, I believe. She looked so cute. Bridget Ann, unfortunately had to get a much bigger one. She wore it in NYC but as soon as she got back to my apartmeht, she left it here for me. Well, it does fit! In all fairness to BA, she is a mother of three adults, two of them are married and have children. So, she was a Grandmother at 38 or 39years of age.

Of course, I told her that she was a wee grannie when she was only three. Bridget Ann is my late sister, Isobel's daughter and she is the oldest. She has two brothers David McKay and Gerald McKay. David is very handy around the house. Just like his father, Billy.

COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:28:00 +0000

It's so important to communicate. Without communication, this world of ours would be akin to the tower of Babel. There would be no understanding between individuals and countries. I always make it a point to state what is on my mind or what will help another individual. This is especially helpful with friends, co-workers and employers. Although some people don't like it.

Others are secretive by nature or something has occurred in their background, growing up, to make them that way. Then, there are the others who are deceitful and communication is just not part of their vocabulary.

These are the takers, people who never give others a thought. It's all about them and how they are going to benefit. They won't answer a question put to them, right away. It may even take months. Why? They like to be in control. They are thinking down the road for themselves. What if they suddenly want to go somewhere or do

something in a particular montth, Well, they won't give you the

answer until they know when they have finalized their plans. It's a last minute answer and not helpful to the party who has asked the question months in advance and has repeatedly followed up by asking the same question..

They also demand things of others that they would never even consider letting those same people do to them. They can also be religious. I don't mean truly religious but it's a nice cover for them. They can dry at the drop of a hat but I suspect that their bladders are too near their eyes. They will use family to get what they want. It can be a parent who has been dying for years but seems to miraculously recover again and again. And they will plead poverty in order for people to feel sorry for them and give them what they want. They also have no concept of time - only when it pertains to them.

I have no time or respect for these people. They are selfish, greedy and manipulative. They are like leeches. What makes it worse is that they get away with it. The only one who will pull them up is the person asking the question. Now, why do they get away with it? I'm told it's because another party does not like change. It's the devil they know to the devil they don't know. That is a very scary concept, especially when the devil they know is abusive. And, all who know them are aware of it. In the meantime, the other party speaks out but no one is listening. Complacency is what brought about the holocost.

People did not speak out.

These people will lie without thought, It comes naturally to them. Then, when they are caught in the lie, they will just deny it. They know everything and others' opinions do not count unless it's in line with theirs. I believe these people have no conscience. You can't call what they do , mistakes, not when those "mistakes" have been pointed out to them, and they keep doing them, regardless.

That's why communication is so important. You will come across people like I described, above, in your every day life. Don't let them fool you. They are very narccastistic and will try and step on you, if you let them. One day this will all end for them and they will blame others for the mess they are in . In the meantime , communicate all that you can and don't give up hope.

Welcome to Eriskay's World

2008

COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION