School supplies for the Dominican Republic

I'm headed to the Dominican Republic in just over a week, thank you Scentsy for sending me, I might have never gotten there with you!  While there, I hope to visit a local elementary school (I'm not sure if that is what they call it there).

We have been told that school supplies are in great demand and donations will be greatly accepted.  I have a suitcase that I intend to pack to the rim with supplies for them.  I could use your help if you feel so moved.  I went out tonight and made the first purchase so I can start packing (I have to be done by next Sunday, June 17th).  

Here's the list of the most needed items we have been asked for, and of course, any other appropriate items for elementary aged kids would be accepted. I'll deal with the cost of extra suitcases as necessary to get everything there. They need:

Things I have already purchased

Backpacks
Chalk
Child safe scissors
Children's multivitamins
Craft books
Craft glue
Colored pen or pencils
Notebooks
Pencils
Pencil cases
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste

If you are in the western Massachusetts area and want to get things and get them to me, as long as I have them by June 17th, that would be good.  If you want to send funds, I can accept credit or debit cards directly.  I will send you a picture of what I get with your funds and pictures of the donations when made in the Dominican Republic in a couple of week.  

I could REALLY use any help you can provide.  No donation is too small. Call me if you know my number; email me (DrGreeley@gmail.com); message me on Facebook, post a comment to this post....  whatever it takes to get in touch with me.  If you are also a Scentsy Independent Consultant, as I am, this is an awesome opportunity for us to give back...  a Scentsy tradition!



Thanks again, anything helps

Dan

$100 for carry on bags? They deserve it...

When I first heard Spirit Airlines was going to begin charging $100 for carry on baggage, I thought who the heck would be so stupid to pay or even fly on Spirit.  Now that I have read one of the stories on CNN (http://cnnmon.ie/Mv8n2x), it appears that the fee is not for carry on bags themselves, it is for the oversized and other bags that must be checked at the gate.  Hmmm.

I took the picture attached last month while standing in line to board.  Special needs folks were being boarded and this couple passed me en route to the jetway.  In addition to the child the mom was carrying, and I don't have a problem with allowing folks with kids to board early, however, check out what they were packing, and you can't see it all.

Mom had a child and a roller suitcase.  Dad was pushing a stroller with a small carry on, perhaps a diaper sized bag below the stroller, a suitcase in the car seat, sitting on the stroller.  Yes, we had to wait while all this was dropped at the end of the jetway...  at least airline personal had already tagged everything.  I think this is what Spirit is planning on charging for...  for this couples sake, glad they weren't on Spirit after the rate increase....  at $100 per bag checked, it could be an expensive check at the gate option.

Now, on the other hand, these in extra "fees" don't seem to be prorated or fair, across the board.  I normally fly Southwest...  I like their corporate philosophy, their customer service and the fact they don't charge extra for baggage, at the ticket counter or at the jetway.  However, I hate gouging and charging for something that really, is nothing but gouging.  The airlines are not alone in this practice, they just happen to be who I'm pointing it out about right now.

One word answer to everything lately...

Ever had the feeling that no matter what you say, what you do, what you want, what you suggest, how you try to help, how you try to do the right thing....  ANYTHING....  returns the same answer (either verbally or in action)?  It's all I know.

• This is the best I can do right now, is that OK?
• Can I do that for you?
• I did 90% of what you wanted, is that OK?
• Do you want to go out tonight?
• I tried to do things that would make you happy, are you?
• I fixed the broken thing, is it better?
• I didn't fix the broken thing, can I do it later?
• I am working a second job, does that help?
• I just improved monthly income a lot, does that help?
• Are you feeling better about me?
• Are you feeling better about you?
• Can I do anything right?

I'm in this political mood

I have always said, I hate politics.  Lately, seems I am thinking politics all the time, especially as we approach the 2012 presidential elections.  I think I still hate politics.

I will digress a bit to begin with.  I struggle with the fact that politics is all about acceptance of not doing the right things in some cases so you can do the right things in other cases.  Think about that.

Where I work, performance is based on a 5 point scale, anything less than a 3 is trouble area.  Getting a 3 is average and ordinary, doing what is expected...  getting a 2 means you have issues and need a plan to improve....  2's are red flag territory.  According to Gallup, the average presidential rating over the past 32 years is 54%!  I've worked for the same "organization" for nearly 36 years.  I'm guessing is I only worked at a 2.5 approval rating, I might not have made it 36 years (maybe that's why we limit presidents to a maximum of 8 years.

I keep thinking that for the past several years, I am not as well off as I once was.  Is that because of the job market?  The economy?  Facebook's FUBAR IPO?  We all want to blame it on something...  I have too.