Living Rural

Louie sings…

This morning I checked my email accounts, as I do every morning, and this video was in one from a dear friend, who BTW has no children. This concept is totally new to me - I truly wish it has been available when my girls were small and constantly in or near our pool. It takes a deep breath and some constraint with a lot of will power to watch it through. I want you to know it is so very worth watching it with your family and passing it on to others.

If you are still raising small children, or have grandchildren in and around your pool… then please take the small amount of time it takes to watch. The video gives links to the home site, etc., if you’re interested in having the program come to your area. The program is infant rescue swimming (IRS.)

Swimming Then go to near the end page and watch the three videos there.

Remember… “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

I frown and I am in the South! We are having a very cold week and we are not suited for this much ‘coldness’, so we complain - a lot!

Of course, our youth live for “Snow Days” - teachers, too! And once every five years or so, isn’t to bad…

For die-hard Southerners, snow belongs up North with temperatures below 40. We live here for the warmth and the sunshine. Like I said, we complain a lot! I love the    

South.  

See what can happen when you least expect it! Quite a surprise this morning, yet so beautiful… maybe this would be nice everyday for several months… naw, just for special Snow Days! It is light and fluffy, just the kind of snow you want, without any ice problems. So the children and the adults with their ‘child’ self will be out and about - throwing snowballs, making snow cream, and building snowmen/women (equal time)! 

So funny, for us to have actual snow on the ground it is a big thing - phone ringing with calls from friends making sure I know it’s snowing, emails coming in, everyone so excited… we are a funny breed, aren’t we?

In case you want to see other photos of our area when it snows, go to http://www.scnow.com/

Remember… “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Teams have won/earned the right to play in this years’ Super Bowl. Which team will win? Super Bowl XLIII Arizona? or Pittsburgh?             

Can you see the excitement of what is to come on Sunday, February 1, 2009? A good game no matter who is the winner … well, we hope it will be! GO TEAM!

Remember… “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

If you notice the new look to 451Press and Living Rural Online, you are very observant! 451Press upgraded our sites to the newest version of WordPress. I think we will all like it, once we adjust to the “tweeks.”

Gosh, “THE YEAR OF CHANGE” is popping up everywhere, even in our new design at 451Press! I like it, we like it, and we hope YOU like it!

Change, Change, Change

Check out our new look over on our home page.  http://www.451press.com/

Let us know what you think about everything new at 451Press. All our blogs are listed at the end of each site. If you have not read about your favorite activity from eating to sleeping and everything in-between - give us a try. We are a hard working bunch of bloggers who want to write whatr you want to read, so give us a try, OK?

and

Remember… “Y’all come back soon, ya’ hear!”

Inauguration, Part Two

Inauguration, Part One

Snow and I.C.E.

For all frozen readers everywhere…

Frozen Ice Car

It’s FRIDAY!!!!

Apparently, ‘Global Warming’ is on vacation!  One of those
“hmmmm” moments.

Since it is weekend, what special plans do you have besides
staying warm, shoveling snow, or sitting by the fire – be creative and share in
the comments, please.

I plan to see Clint Eastwood in “Grand Torino.” I love his
work and it will be wonderful. The reviews have been excellent, as have his
talk show appearances.

“… of Benjamin Buttons” is still on my list, not sure
there will be time for two movies in this busy weekend. Projects at home
include cleaning and organizing our bedroom to get ready for our new “Memory Foam Mattress” by Bragada. Check
it out, comparable to TempurPeadic, yet less expensive!

As always, Remember …
“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Once again life overwhelmed me … I am better now. I am writing again. I am thankful for 451Press and LivngRural. They have remained a constant in my life when others have not. Today is THANKSGIVING. I am thankful for family, friends, home, health, and the possibility of new beginnings.

The weather is wonderful today - cool, crisp, colors, and sun shining. I hope your day is beautiful, too.

If you are the cook for the day, I hope everything is delicious. If you are enjoying the bounty prepared by someone else… we know it will be wonderful. Friends invited us to join them today and we are anxiously awaiting the treat. Being with people you love and care about is so much a part of Thanksgiving. It is what it is meant to be … sharing, enjoying, caring, and eating! Be careful, do not overdo it. Remember, you want to have fond memories of today.

Go over to

SUCCESS

You will need the help of others… connect.

• Focus on people
• Be likable
• Show others you  care
• Remember every one’s name
• Walk slowly through the crowd
• Be generous

Do more than exist … LIVE.

Do more than touch … FEEL.

Do more than look … OBSERVE.

Do more than read … ABSORB.

Do more than hear … LISTEN.

Do more than listen … UNDERSTAND.

Do more than think … REFLECT.

Do more than just talk … SAY SOMETHING.

Author Unknown

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

It is here! Blog Action Post Day 2008! The topic this year is POVERTY. Wow, this is a tough one … especially with the problems in our economy over the last several weeks. It has hit most, if not, ALL Americans where it hurts the most - being able to take care of their families by providing shelter, food, clothing and the necessities for living, the basics. Jobs have been lost, homes foreclosed and families displaced, pension depleted, and people are scared!

Poverty falls across the board and shows no mercy to race, gender, religion, politics, or economics. Persons with a lot of money have “lost it all” and placed in the Welfare system of the Federal Government. Some are able to get jobs and pull themselves up and out of “the system.” The people in poverty that pull at my heart the most are those that have been in this “hell” for three generations and longer … whole families - father, mother, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. It some areas the entire family is sharing a bathroom and sleeping in 1 or 2 bedrooms or on the floor, if they are blessed to have a house to live in. Others are in shelters with their belongings in trash bags, carried from shelter to shelter - no privacy at all. Yet, they manage to get through the day, only to face the same situation when they awake the next day.

Then we find poverty in the lowest form and the hardest to help or understand, those living on the streets of ALL towns and cities across our country. Some (a few) choose this life, I think, because it is all they have ever known. Others removed from mental health institutions and prisons and left without any means of taking care of themselves - if they even know how! This section will grow as our economy continues to stagnate. Whose responsibility is it to change the conditions of people in our society that fall into this awful category of poverty?

EVERYONE … that is the only way to help to eliminate poverty - the buddy system - every adult becomes the friend of an adult in poverty. The BUDDY helps in this way … when shopping for groceries purchase TWO of what they buy, bagged separately, and taken to their buddy. Food is the first need to fill. If a person is not hungry, the chances increase that strength and health improve allowing the search for work each day until a job is found. Each BUDDY will check on their friend each week, offering transportation to health care appointments, job interviews, and church.

Very strong Christian men and women founded our country. Prayer was a daily part of their lives. Church is where you could find them on the Sabbath. What we have forgotten is this is what made us strong as a nation and what kept us strong. Now we have removed prayer from schools, we try to separate church and state, and we ridicule the beliefs held dear by Christians. This MUST change; freedom of religion needs to return. No one is forced to pray, believe, attend, or practice something that is not what he or she wants to do. However, my personal opinion, is one that feels in some cases poverty can be helped by having the strength of prayer and a home church to help person(s) and families.

Will we end poverty in a short amount of time? NO! Can we make a difference? YES!

Let’s start today.

After posting last night (very early this morning) and putting our economy “to bed”, I awoke at 11 am to hear Congress did NOT pass the President’s Bill. I guess, we are back to square one. And is it a chess move? I was not happy about the bail-out, but I did think the President and his advisers were honestly trying to do the “right thing” for all concerned. I, also, thought that Congress was in agreement with the proposed plan yesterday … what happened? Did the Speaker of the House out fox everyone? And why? Could the party politics not be put aside for the good of America? Apparently not. Could this be one of the reasons we find ourselves where we are tonight? Politics, interest me, but at times are past my understanding … remember, small town Country Gal writing this post. 

On the way home, later today, what is being discussed on NPR? My bank, Wachovia, has been bought by Citigroup, Inc.! What next? Then I read how  Charlotte, NC - home of Wachovia reacts to news … After following the link and reading the article did you wonder, as I did, was the corporate office in denial or suffering from a big case of stupid? Wachovia, forgive me, it is my anger over once again getting to know yet another “hometown bank” while wondering - do I stay or do I go?

What will be in the news tomorrow? Congress works out differences and moves forward … Wall Street rallies … Palin is given a chance to let viewers form an opinion of her “worthiness” as a candidate - after the debate on Thursday … guess the morning news will not be dull. Goodnight all.

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!” 

Because our economy is the talk EVERYWHERE consider these tips:

1. Banks are insured up to one hundred thousand dollars per account. If you have more than that amount in a single account … move your money around with no more than the insured amount in each account. Also, using more than one bank (BB&T, Wachovia, NBSC, etc.) is a good idea.
2. US Treasury Bills or Bonds are insured and safe … no interest, but SAFE. Seriously, consider this option.
3. Now is the time to go over your portfolio with your banker, accountant, estate planner - get the best advice from each … for your needs NOW and the FUTURE.
4. Do Not Panic. Do Not React. Do Not Act Without Advice.
5. Stop living on “credit.” If you cannot pay cash, you do not need it!
6. If you have outstanding bills, pay twice the minimum amount each month.
7. If you do not have your “safety net” set aside, BEGIN now to get three to six months of living expenses in an account with immediate access.

This is a frightening time … remain calm … concentrate on family, friends, church, work, and helping someone in need outside of your normal contacts. Remember our leaders, our country, our families (both immediate and church) in prayer.

In the meantime look around and be thankful for all God has given us. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year, get out and enjoy the changing colors, the cooler weather and FOOTBALL!

Also, remember we are all in this together. Americans will persevere and solve our countries financial woes. Have faith.

For additional information go to Reuters

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

The proposed coal-fired power plant(shown here) reared its ugly head again today. The documents (a case by case Maximum Achievable Control Technology, MACT) submitted by Santee Cooper to DHEC for approval has been given a Draft Notice of MACT Approval (NOMA) written by the Bureau of Air Quality outlining the proposed  project and applicable regulations. The draft is not approved and is STILL open for comment from the PUBLIC, Santee Cooper, and the US EPA.

As I have discussed,

Energy Challenge while livingrural …,

before, it is being promoted as a positive addition to the Kingsburg area due to the new jobs it should bring, the additional electricity demands it will meet and an overall boost to a sluggish economy in this area after the closing of Delta Mills and just recently announced closing of Wellman Industries. This is all true;  however, may be exaggerated in the favor of Santee Cooper.

What has not been talked about in groups of people actually living in the area is the reason for the NOMA (Notice of MACT Approval). It is necessary because the US Court of Appeals eliminatd the Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule for power plants! So until the EPA issues a new power plant regulation, EACH NEW POWER PLANT will have to propose emission limits to control hazardous air pollutants, including mercury. Which is a ‘biggy’ for this area, being located on the Great Pee Dee River - fished by many and enjoyed as a recreational get-a-way. Does it not seem strange that the power plant will write its own emission controls? It bothers me, but apparently only a few others as shown by the poor turn out for the public meetings held in the surrounding towns over the last year and a half. Although, publication of dates and times were publicised, it was not enough to get the word out into the community. But as they say - past is past.

These are the hazardous air pollutants that will be emitted from this plant: Mercury, Hydrocholric acid, Hydrogen Floride, non-Mercury HAP metals and organic HAPs. Property is available, would you like to make an appointment to view it?  The real worry is the following wording, “If approved, the conditions of this NOMA will be incorporated into Santee Cooper Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit … this permit is still in draft form and has not been approved. The BAQ WILL make a final NOMA decision and PSD decision at the same time.” (Public Notice #08-085-N-H, September 23, 2008)

DHEC is holding a public hearing on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Hannah-Pamplico High School at 2055 S. Pamplico Highway, Pamplico, SC. DHEC representatives will explain the NOMA at this hearing. Oral and written commnets will be accepted. If you have strong feelings either for or against, this will be your last opportunity to voice them. Written comments will be accepted through the close of business on November 6, 2008. To learn more about the project, the webpage is:  http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/SanteeCooper.aspx

I will try to post the outcome of the hearing in October. It feels good to get that out to the public!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

This is an article I found on AOL News this morning. It gives additional information on retirement and the economy today.

Sure to Wreck Your Retirement posted: 12 HOURS 58 MINUTES AGO-comments: 0 filed under: Lifestyle, Money

With the financial markets taking a beating of late, working men and women are keeping a close eye on how it affects their retirement plans. In addition to that, they should also watch out for retirement scams that could put them in the poor house. Walletpop has a look at these little-

Full article. 

Original post appeared here as known loopholes and how to avoid them.Will we look like this at 65? Enjoying the retirement we worked so hard for with our spouse, significant other, friend, or whomever you choose? Or is this a long-earned vacation that will end and we both will return to work?

I hope it is our long-earned retirement!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Retirement?