Replacing perfectly good furniture

Shirley and I have a fundamental difference in our furniture philosophy. My tendency is is to take my time, when I see something I like, I buy it. I'm not done with it until a leg falls off or the fabric is in shreds (and not necessarily even then). Shirley, on the other hand, believes that if there is a space, it needs to be filled. Replacement time occurs when she sees something she likes better.

Last week, while leaving Sam's, she sees a set of chaise lounge chairs she thinks would be great on our patio, replacing a couple of perfectly good ones. She likes these chaise because of the thick cushions. The ones we have are a woven plastic. I explained that my experience with the thick cushions is that they collect yard debris and turn shades of green and black in the seams. I don't think she heard me because when the weekend arrived, she announced we were going to Sam's to check out the chaise ... which means she needed me to load them.

We got to Sam's and it turns out that the chaise were really chairs with footstools and part of a six piece set for roughly two grand. It wasn't what she wanted. You may be thinking that I am happy with this but not if you really know Shirley ... for the journey had just begun. Everywhere we go (even a trip for dirt at Home Depot) now involves a search for outdoor furniture. That night she asks how would I like to eat dinner at Macaroni Grill. She knows I really like the Parmesan crusted sole but she never liked the place. Turns out there is a new Casual Living store right next door.

We enter Casual Living and she says "Wow, look at that table." It was a combination onyx, petrified wood and other stone. It was beautiful and I agreed. Then we continued our search for the perfect chaise. They had a large selection but the only thing I noticed was that a single cushion sold for $200 (actually $199). She asked if I liked any of them and I casually responded that the $3,000 table was the only thing I saw that I liked. She responded with "You just have to have that table don't you. Well OK but it is both your father's day and birthday gift." The table arrived Monday and the only good news is that it occupies the exact space designated for the new chaises. At least the journey is over for now.

Time vs. Money

We spend a lot of time thinking about money, especially how to get more of it. We think of what it can buy us but rarely about what it can't buy ... time. Think about it. Warren Buffett is 78 years 8 months old. He's got billions, he's a nice guy and has a good family. He is always ranked either the richest or 2nd richest man on earth. Would you trade your wealth and age for his? I wouldn't and I'd probably be giving up a lot fewer years than you. Time is worth more than money. Spend more of it appreciating that which you have it. ... and don't waste it.

btw - money is fifth. After Family, health, time and repect.

You remind me of your father

... are among Eric's least favorite words these days when Landry's on the loose. They are generally not heard because Landry just picked up his room, did a good deed for his mother or helped his sister. And they seem to come mostly from those of us who knew Eric when he was Landry's age. And they are said often, even more often lately. Though it should be said that while Eric is not that thrilled, Jill and I are loving it.

Landry and Audrey came to visit the other day. Soon they asked for their requisite snacks, chips and dip for Landry, a cheese tortilla pizza for Audrey. Then Audrey surprisingly says she will get the chips for Landry. She emerges smiling from the pantry carrying Bailey's and Becket's bacon strip snacks. Shirley tells her that those are dog treats. The smile widens. Between giggles she says "I know." Oh Eric, too bad (hee hee hee).

Defense budget continues to rise … at a slower rate … but still

Spending on defense with an amount greater than the rest of the world combined has not made us safer. In fact, what our politicians have asked our military to do has had just the opposite effect. Cases in point are:

• Iraq – hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced from their homes … has that made us safer?
• Afghanistan – have you noticed it is getting worse and we are sending more troops? … did this work for the Russians or the British … or us in Viet Nam. We supported the Taliban against the Russians in Afghanistan because we wanted it to be their Viet Nam. History does repeat.
• Pakistan and their nukes – Has our presence and billions made them more or less stable?
• Gitmo – enough said.

Things that make us safe are:

• A strong economy
• The world greatest innovation and infrastructure
• The moral high ground

These motivate others to be more like us and want to help us. Defense spending takes from these and creates that budget red ink that our children will need to pay (and us through inflation). Green technology and communications infrastructure will protect this country more than another tank or jet fighter.

Tale of two Tylirs

Tylir headed back to the farm when Jill requested that he pick up a bag a lettuce at the new Braums on the way. She hung up with him as he got there. Dutifully he found the lettuce and went to check-out, looking at his text messages as he got there. The clerk scanned the lettuce and Tylir saw $2.19 on the video display. He handed the clerk a $5 bill and was checking a text message when he realized he had 20 cents, which he promptly pulled out of his pocket and handed to the clerk. The clerk had rung up the $5. He looked at the 20 cents, looked at Tylir, looked at the 20 cents, looked at Tylir, looked at the 20 cents, looked at the cash drawer, looked at Tylir ... Tylir could see progressive levels of panic on the clerks face with each successive look. Tylir finally said "Just give me $3.01 in change." The clerk nodded and uttered an "uh, okay." Looked at the cash drawer, looked at Tylir a couple of more times and put the 20 cents in the drawer. Tyler looks at the video display again and it says $2.81 ... an says "Oh wait, was it $2.19 or $2.81?" The clerk looks at Tylir, his video display, the cash drawer in a unending loop. That is when Tylir noticed that his name was Tylir. Back on the farm we were saying "I wonder what is taking Tylir so long?"

btw .. the 2nd Tylir really spelled his name Tyler.

Take your daughter to work day

Jack Henry announced that it is supporting a "take your daughter to work day" this month. It got me thinking, it might be an easy day at the office. Jill probably a little old at thirty something to hang with me but then I thought of the grand daughters. I could really impress everyone with those two beauties. Audrey the princess at four would be great ... but then she's not real fond of strangers. Hayden at almost one and still loves strangers ... but then there is that diaper thing. I heard on the news about a guy who took his 4 year old daughter with him to rob a convenience store. Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Wanted - pretty, young, female journalist

Shirley introduced me to a new TV show the other night, "Castle". It is about a who-done-it mystery writer suffering from writer's block. He has found that hanging out with a NYC, young and beautiful police investigator might help. They exchange a lot of witty dialog and seem to have fun. I've blogged about my own bouts with writer's block and I'm thinking if it works for Castle, why not me? I don't exactly want to hang out with a cop but a journalist sounds interesting. So call me if you know of any young, pretty journalists that want to hang out with a balding, young-at-heart sixty year old man. Well,maybe not so young-at-heart. Getting a good nights sleep is one of my favorite activities these days. I need to go to bed.