Dad In Hospital Edition

     For the last few weeks I have been having to visit my father in the hospital. He has always been fairly healthy. But they decided that he needed a heart valve replaced. He had a heart deflect from birth. The U.S. Army detected that in 1953. With his heart keeping him out of the Army. It never did seem to hinder anything that he would do for the next fifty plus years. 

     Well like your paint on the walls you do not notices things as it happens slowly. As time went on he started to slow down. He has had a brain tumor. They corrected that with a cyber knife. At USF hospital if I remember correctly. He has had skin cancer. He has had bladder cancer. All this time never complaining. Only to the fact he cannot hit the golf ball as far.

     Two weeks ago I took four days off of work to take him to the hospital. I am glad that I did that. I got to spend the last day he was coherent to spend with him. My manager was not too hip on that. But eventually came around to my thinking. 

     He has not had any food or water since Tuesday November the 19th. His heart surgery turned out to be a bit more than a valve. A quadruple bypass. That was on Wednesday. He was in ICU and supposed to be out by Monday latest.Well he is still there now. He had a colon operation too. That is two big wammies in a week. 

     He is getting better slowly I guess. He has had the best treatment possible. As Tampa General Hospital is rated the best in Florida. He had the best heart surgeon. Dr. Cedrick Sheffeild. The pastor of their church has made several trips to see him. That would be Jean Simpson of the United Community Church of Sun City Center in Florida. You cannot think of of much help she has been. 

      I can only say that I have never seen my father in such a weakened state. But I would just like to thank everyone involved. This man provided me with a "Leave It To Beaver" lifestyle that a lot of people do not or will not be used to. 

      I can only hope for the best.    

Dad In Hospital Edition

     For the last few weeks I have been having to visit my father in the hospital. He has always been fairly healthy. But they decided that he needed a heart valve replaced. He had a heart deflect from birth. The U.S. Army detected that in 1953. With his heart keeping him out of the Army. It never did seem to hinder anything that he would do for the next fifty plus years. 

     Well like your paint on the walls you do not notices things as it happens slowly. As time went on he started to slow down. He has had a brain tumor. They corrected that with a cyber knife. At USF hospital if I remember correctly. He has had skin cancer. He has had bladder cancer. All this time never complaining. Only to the fact he cannot hit the golf ball as far.

     Two weeks ago I took four days off of work to take him to the hospital. I am glad that I did that. I got to spend the last day he was coherent to spend with him. My manager was not too hip on that. But eventually came around to my thinking. 

     He has not had any food or water since Tuesday November the 19th. His heart surgery turned out to be a bit more than a valve. A quadruple bypass. That was on Wednesday. He was in ICU and supposed to be out by Monday latest.Well he is still there now. He had a colon operation too. That is two big wammies in a week. 

     He is getting better slowly I guess. He has had the best treatment possible. As Tampa General Hospital is rated the best in Florida. He had the best heart surgeon. Dr. Cedrick Sheffeild. The pastor of their church has made several trips to see him. That would be Jean Simpson of the United Community Church of Sun City Center in Florida. You cannot think of of much help she has been. 

      I can only say that I have never seen my father in such a weakened state. But I would just like to thank everyone involved. This man provided me with a "Leave It To Beaver" lifestyle that a lot of people do not or will not be used to. 

      I can only hope for the best.    

A Few Other Little Energy Tips

     I had a post a few days ago about CFL bulbs. This resulted in a 30% saving in my electric bills. I usually have lower electric bills then others I talk to that live in similar sized apartments. Here is a few other little tips.

     1. Unplug devices when they are not being used. The coffee pot, toaster, microwave, and any other small kitchen appliances. Appliances use a small amount of current just being plugged in.

     2. Put your entertainment (TV and stereo) and all of the DVD etc on switchable stripes. Also use a strip that have surge protection. This will also protect your devices in a storm or other cause of an electric surge. Switch them off when not using.

     3. Do the same step as above for your computer, wi-fi, router, and printer set up. Same principal. Why do they need power when you are not using them. Also the surge protection also applies.

     4. Set your thermostat closer to the outside temperature. If it is 29 degrees outside people will set their thermostat at 80 degrees. So it feels warmer. Then if it is 90 outside they set the air conditioning at 65. So they feel cool. This not only uses a lot of energy but causes more of a shock to your body when you have to go outside. Wear less or lighter clothes when it is warm. Heavier when cold. Go figure.

     5. Use less lights. Use LED night lights. At night when I am watching TV I can have one night light on in the kitchen and one in the bathroom and see just fine to get around.

     6. Turn the temperature down on your water heater. Water heaters can use a lot of energy. I have been happy with mine turned down to between 100-110 degrees. Which is about as low as I can get it. I still have water hot enough to wash dishes and shower.

     7. Check the setting on your refrigerator. I have had things freezing in mine before. Too cold. It does however keep things longer.

     8. Use your blinds and curtains to regulate the sun coming into your home. Close them to keep the inside cooler in warmer weather and let the sun shine in to help warm the home in cooler weather. This can make a great deal of difference. When I lived up north I had trees planted in the front and back of the house. Back being east and west being west. In the summer the trees helped keep the temp lower from the shade. In the winter the leaves fell off and let the sun through.

     These little tips can save you some money on energy. It may seem to be extra trouble to unplug and switch things off but you get used to it and will not seem like that big of a deal. 

A Few Other Little Energy Tips

     I had a post a few days ago about CFL bulbs. This resulted in a 30% saving in my electric bills. I usually have lower electric bills then others I talk to that live in similar sized apartments. Here is a few other little tips.

     1. Unplug devices when they are not being used. The coffee pot, toaster, microwave, and any other small kitchen appliances. Appliances use a small amount of current just being plugged in.

     2. Put your entertainment (TV and stereo) and all of the DVD etc on switchable stripes. Also use a strip that have surge protection. This will also protect your devices in a storm or other cause of an electric surge. Switch them off when not using.

     3. Do the same step as above for your computer, wi-fi, router, and printer set up. Same principal. Why do they need power when you are not using them. Also the surge protection also applies.

     4. Set your thermostat closer to the outside temperature. If it is 29 degrees outside people will set their thermostat at 80 degrees. So it feels warmer. Then if it is 90 outside they set the air conditioning at 65. So they feel cool. This not only uses a lot of energy but causes more of a shock to your body when you have to go outside. Wear less or lighter clothes when it is warm. Heavier when cold. Go figure.

     5. Use less lights. Use LED night lights. At night when I am watching TV I can have one night light on in the kitchen and one in the bathroom and see just fine to get around.

     6. Turn the temperature down on your water heater. Water heaters can use a lot of energy. I have been happy with mine turned down to between 100-110 degrees. Which is about as low as I can get it. I still have water hot enough to wash dishes and shower.

     7. Check the setting on your refrigerator. I have had things freezing in mine before. Too cold. It does however keep things longer.

     8. Use your blinds and curtains to regulate the sun coming into your home. Close them to keep the inside cooler in warmer weather and let the sun shine in to help warm the home in cooler weather. This can make a great deal of difference. When I lived up north I had trees planted in the front and back of the house. Back being east and west being west. In the summer the trees helped keep the temp lower from the shade. In the winter the leaves fell off and let the sun through.

     These little tips can save you some money on energy. It may seem to be extra trouble to unplug and switch things off but you get used to it and will not seem like that big of a deal. 

Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

     Now days all days are pretty much the same. Stores are open every day. Some 24 hours a day. With internet you can shop any day and at any time of the day. Imagine a time when stores closed at noon on Saturday. Closed all together on Sunday. Banks were open from about 9-5. Monday through Friday. No teller machines. Wow. You really had to plan ahead. Big cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angleles were open 24/7. But small town America was. Many states had Blue Laws not allowing businesses to be open on Sundays. 

     I lived my first 17 years in a small town. Businesses were open Monday through Saturday. Most closed at noon on Wednesday. Then were open till noon on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Even most of the gas stations were closed on Sunday. Grocery stores were closed on Sundays. This allowed small businesses to be family ran and still have a life. Amazing how we got by. But we did. If you needed groceries for Sunday you bought them on Friday or Saturday. If you needed gas you got it on Friday or Saturday. Pretty layed back. Not hunters and gathers like we are today. 

     Think about it. There are whole generations that do not remember that things weren't available all the time. They do not need to think. Just like a bunch of animals.

    

Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

     Now days all days are pretty much the same. Stores are open every day. Some 24 hours a day. With internet you can shop any day and at any time of the day. Imagine a time when stores closed at noon on Saturday. Closed all together on Sunday. Banks were open from about 9-5. Monday through Friday. No teller machines. Wow. You really had to plan ahead. Big cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angleles were open 24/7. But small town America was. Many states had Blue Laws not allowing businesses to be open on Sundays. 

     I lived my first 17 years in a small town. Businesses were open Monday through Saturday. Most closed at noon on Wednesday. Then were open till noon on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Even most of the gas stations were closed on Sunday. Grocery stores were closed on Sundays. This allowed small businesses to be family ran and still have a life. Amazing how we got by. But we did. If you needed groceries for Sunday you bought them on Friday or Saturday. If you needed gas you got it on Friday or Saturday. Pretty layed back. Not hunters and gathers like we are today. 

     Think about it. There are whole generations that do not remember that things weren't available all the time. They do not need to think. Just like a bunch of animals.

    

CFL (compact fluoresent lights) And My Experience With Them

     I first learned of compact fluorescent lamps from my favorite blog The Simple Dollar. This is Trent Hamm's blog. The fluorescent bulb story was from 2007. When I switched to them I immediately noticed a 30% saving in my electric bill. Now there are LED's too. 

     I am writing this to everyone and to some people that I know that have just got married. Little things like this add up. Both read my blog. So now your $100 electric bill is now $70. That is a $360 savings over the year. Almost all of our lives we have went to school, worked and shopped under fluorescent bulbs. I do not think they are harmful. When I get a few irons out of the fire I my try a few LEDs. Such as my desk lamp. 

     Check out Trent at The Simple Dollar. I have been reading him for seven years now. He makes sense. Also per his posts I picked up Frugal Living Wise Bread and Zen Habits. All courtesy of The Simple Dollar..

     Check out these other blogs. They will give you some nice facts to make your life better. 

      

CFL (compact fluoresent lights) And My Experience With Them

     I first learned of compact fluorescent lamps from my favorite blog The Simple Dollar. This is Trent Hamm's blog. The fluorescent bulb story was from 2007. When I switched to them I immediately noticed a 30% saving in my electric bill. Now there are LED's too. 

     I am writing this to everyone and to some people that I know that have just got married. Little things like this add up. Both read my blog. So now your $100 electric bill is now $70. That is a $360 savings over the year. Almost all of our lives we have went to school, worked and shopped under fluorescent bulbs. I do not think they are harmful. When I get a few irons out of the fire I my try a few LEDs. Such as my desk lamp. 

     Check out Trent at The Simple Dollar. I have been reading him for seven years now. He makes sense. Also per his posts I picked up Frugal Living Wise Bread and Zen Habits. All courtesy of The Simple Dollar..

     Check out these other blogs. They will give you some nice facts to make your life better. 

      

FDR Addendum

     The FDR post earlier was not complete when published. It left off at talking about the thirties. Even though the United States was in a terrible economic position for working people the government was not in a bad financial position. So the government was in a position to help. Also some of the greatest public works were done during this time. You know the old trade time for money. With so many people unemployed the government had a huge work force to pull from. 

     To make things worse the weather took a toll on the Great Plains farming areas. When the European immigrants went to the west and mid west the prairie lands had about twelve to sixteen inches of top soil. Due to thousands of years of being grasslands. The agriculture methods depleted the soil. Losing inches of top soil every year. Then these great wind storms came through. Blowing away the remaining soil. Ruining all the farms from the area. Another crisis. The food production was hurt. If you see pictures of these people they are skin and bones. Not fat people on welfare. They are almost dead. Heading to California. 

     As with any economic shortcoming the rich remain rich. The bottom feeders suffer. There was a lot of technology and discovery at this time. The administration knew that there was a war brewing. And without much fanfare were developing a new military. In the early thirties the US had mostly left over WWI stuff. So they really pumped up. Developing new planes, ships, rifles, plans etc. Japan and the US were always best buddies.  But with their aggression on the Asian continent the US backed off. The US sold them their oil and all the scrap metal they wanted. As Japan did not have these natural resources. Japan resented this. The US even had a Chevrolet factory in Japan. Ever heard of JVC. That is Japan Victor Corporation. You know RCA. So when we cut them off it created a problem. 

     Germany on the other hand knew that the US would side with England. It is funny that Russia and China were US allies in WWII. Then became enemies after the war. Germany and Japan became allies. Go figure! There are still a few WWII vets around. But they are getting to the 90 years of age bracket and dying off. If you have a chance check out the old movies on Turner Classics. You will see that these folks were just as cool or even cooler then we are.

     During the late thirties and forties the US was developing the Atomic bomb. FDR knew. But even the vice president didn't. The Germans were working on one too. But they didn't quite get it done. Good thing as they would have used it frequently. 

     FDR's sudden death in 1945 put Truman as President. He had to make the choice to use the atomic bomb. When they first tested it they did not know if it would blow up the whole world. Causing a chain reaction. Well it did not destroy the world. Not yet anyway. It is estimated that there would have been a million troops lost in a land invasion of Japan. So they nuked them. 

     So FDR was President for four terms. Longer then any other. Through financial hardships, climate problems and ultimately war he led the country. He smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey. He was in a wheelchair. Most people did not know that as they tried to hide it. He had to be one of the best Presidents.

    

FDR Addendum

     The FDR post earlier was not complete when published. It left off at talking about the thirties. Even though the United States was in a terrible economic position for working people the government was not in a bad financial position. So the government was in a position to help. Also some of the greatest public works were done during this time. You know the old trade time for money. With so many people unemployed the government had a huge work force to pull from. 

     To make things worse the weather took a toll on the Great Plains farming areas. When the European immigrants went to the west and mid west the prairie lands had about twelve to sixteen inches of top soil. Due to thousands of years of being grasslands. The agriculture methods depleted the soil. Losing inches of top soil every year. Then these great wind storms came through. Blowing away the remaining soil. Ruining all the farms from the area. Another crisis. The food production was hurt. If you see pictures of these people they are skin and bones. Not fat people on welfare. They are almost dead. Heading to California. 

     As with any economic shortcoming the rich remain rich. The bottom feeders suffer. There was a lot of technology and discovery at this time. The administration knew that there was a war brewing. And without much fanfare were developing a new military. In the early thirties the US had mostly left over WWI stuff. So they really pumped up. Developing new planes, ships, rifles, plans etc. Japan and the US were always best buddies.  But with their aggression on the Asian continent the US backed off. The US sold them their oil and all the scrap metal they wanted. As Japan did not have these natural resources. Japan resented this. The US even had a Chevrolet factory in Japan. Ever heard of JVC. That is Japan Victor Corporation. You know RCA. So when we cut them off it created a problem. 

     Germany on the other hand knew that the US would side with England. It is funny that Russia and China were US allies in WWII. Then became enemies after the war. Germany and Japan became allies. Go figure! There are still a few WWII vets around. But they are getting to the 90 years of age bracket and dying off. If you have a chance check out the old movies on Turner Classics. You will see that these folks were just as cool or even cooler then we are.

     During the late thirties and forties the US was developing the Atomic bomb. FDR knew. But even the vice president didn't. The Germans were working on one too. But they didn't quite get it done. Good thing as they would have used it frequently. 

     FDR's sudden death in 1945 put Truman as President. He had to make the choice to use the atomic bomb. When they first tested it they did not know if it would blow up the whole world. Causing a chain reaction. Well it did not destroy the world. Not yet anyway. It is estimated that there would have been a million troops lost in a land invasion of Japan. So they nuked them. 

     So FDR was President for four terms. Longer then any other. Through financial hardships, climate problems and ultimately war he led the country. He smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey. He was in a wheelchair. Most people did not know that as they tried to hide it. He had to be one of the best Presidents.