January Ends

Here we are, the final day of January 2009...to sum up this month in 2 simple words, "It Sucked!" This has been one of the longest, coldest and expensive January's that I can remember in a long time.  The temperatures have been below zero for the most part of the month and if they were above zero, it wasn't by much!  Around here all we've gotten is what I call 'nuisance' snow, that is 1-2" at a time, not enough to shovel but now it's all built up to driving on a snow pack.  To top it all off it has been damp and dreary for the most part as well with the wind blowing, making it feel even colder...as if being near or below zero isn't cold enough already!  I just got the 'Xcel' bill for January, had to sit down, have a couple of drinks and look at it 3 times...and I still can't believe it!  Add to that, I've had to replace 2 garage door springs and an opener due to the cold weather.  January is property tax month, starting from scratch on medical insurance deductibles and prescription deductibles...WOW!  Where do I sign up for the "bail-out"???  A couple million would do me just fine!

We now have a new President...(TBD)?  The economy is in the shitter and it's getting 'fuller' by the day.  I can hardly stand to read or turn on the news as it just gets more and more depressing every day.  The month of January finds 275,000 people in just the US without jobs and the number keeps growing every day.  Prices sure as hell are not coming down any, every state, city, township is "cutting back" in a budget deficit, "tighten your belts" "hold on to your hats"...you might want to re-think relocating those squirrels from your yard...they make a mighty tasty stew!  Once again, Thank You to the financial institutions and corporate America for the "next" 'Great Depression'!  I'm not sure whether to be depressed or pissed off?

Topping things off...I'm going to give quitting smoking another try!  I started on the "Chantix" yesterday, today is day 2 of 30 well I should not say that as for the first week you can still smoke and then you quit completely on day 7.  I've got to say even though I'm still smoking, I have cut down and don't feel the anxiety that I have in the past so this may just work this time.  The cost of cigs has just gone nuts and the no smoking bans and from what I can see it is only going to get more and more expensive with more restrictions coming all the time.  If they want everyone to quit so badly why don't they just make cigarettes illegal then?  Alcohol, fast food are next!  Have a Joy, Joy Day!

I guess I've said my piece on the subject of 'January 2009' tomorrow comes the first of February, hopefully Spring is coming just around the corner and early would be real nice!