My husband had to have meat and my youngest son. On Sunday, they would BBQ in between the "games"; anything that ended in "ball." Gosh I miss those days. Now my husband is gone, the kids are married, and I rescue animals. Funny how things work out.

Things are not better now, at least in my view. Back when we had the boys, we rode bikes together, hiked, camped out, and did a lot of talking. Sometimes it was fish stories; you know the ones that only has a smidgen of t***h and the rest is exaggerated t***h. Dinner was always at the table and after, if one of the kids had not finished his homework, well we sat with them to learn if they were having difficulty in a subject. We never did their homework, but at times we could explain how to work a math problem or listen to them read. Now you hear, "Good Job" so many times, and that is from a parent that has their texting going and a phone call, the kid is tagging along as fast as their little feet can carry them. Rarely does the parent look at the child. I once asked a mother why she told her kid "good job" when all he was doing was breathing. She looked at me as though she was having a staring contest with a fish. I guess I am getting old. One day, the parents of this next generation will be consoling each other with "remember the good old days." Don't get me started with that vision of a future lacking in freedoms, real food, and real conversations. We would be here all night.

I too am retiring for the evening. It was a pleasure talking with you again.

You are right on the money! When I was a kid, eating out was going to a relative's house for dinner. Which was home cooked. I had my first junk food when I went away to school; I was so looking forward to it, and it such a disappointment. I have always cooked at home. Pizza for my boys was about 3 times a year. Boy's birthday and my husband's birthday. I am okay with a cheese pizza (you know that I am a vegan). Well anyway, home life to include parenting has been replaced by burger joints, television, and video games. Do parents even talk to their kids? I have to wonder. BTW, good to talk with you again. It has been a while!

Although in the whole, I understand and appreciate your point of view. As always you put thought into your response. However, when you say that fast food workers need organizational sk**ls and the person manning the cash register requires a measure of sk**l. I have to tell you that the person "cooking" the fast food is not really cooking. Most of the burgers are assembly line and flipping a burger when a bell ring...well, not exactly the same but reminds me of Pavlov's Dogs. These people are not shall we say candidates for Mensa. And the person at the cash register. Take away the cash register and give them an old style, your food will turn green before they can figure out how to make change for you. But, that is okay, most people do not handle money anymore, just run the plastic card. You say, close these places and see what would happen. The above was tangential, but this is my real point. Close them the benefits would be astronomical. diabetes in the US has tripled in the past 10 years and those that are now pre-Diabetic will develop the disease within 10 years. One of the causes of diabetes is obesity. One of the causes of obesity in the US are the fast food establishments. Next, close these places down and parents will actually have to cook for their family. And having done so, may just sit down and eat together and have conversations. Needed conversations about real things, such as playing Knockout is not nice and has k**led people. Doing drugs is .........I think you get the idea. Then there is savings, yes it cost much less to cook and eat at home.

Thank you for bringing up the training and turnover issues. With the cost of life going up each year, the minimum wage is insufficient. But, if wages goes up then so will the prices for goods and services, which will drive up wages; there is no end. Consumers needs to put a stop to the growing prices. Do what we used to do on the farm, if something breaks then fix it. Stop being a through away society. Just because your neighbor has a 90 inch TV does not mean that you have to go out and put yourself in debt to own one. If we stop consuming, then prices will stabilize. Supply and demand will kick in, and if there is more supply than demand in the US export it.

Is that the one where the kid k**led his sister and tried to k**l his mother at the end and she had to chose between him (her natural son) and that of her nephew and she chose the nephew? That was a good movie! :thumbup:

I have several friends who are Marines; they do not wear the uniform now but they are still Marines. While talking with one of them at my husband's graveside; I asked him if he feared dying. He said Hell No, Marines don't die, they go to Hell to Regroup. I know that he borrowed the quote, but he broke the mood. I love my Marines! Okay, I also love our Navy, Air Force...... and the list don't end. And they can not have anymore issues than I..... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

History should not be ignored, but it is no place to live your life! I am getting somewhat miffed with your attacks on President George Bush. I know that English is not your native language, therefore I can only assume one of two things: 1. You slept through school and did not learn anything or 2. You are new to the United States. How you got here is not the subject of this comment. Therefore, if 1 is correct then you are not qualified to speak about history or our presidents (past or present). If you are new to the United States, then you are not qualified to talk about our way of life or our presidents. I am sure if one should examine you or your family there is at least one less than stellar family member.

This is an excellent point! As often the case when people refuse to accept that the person they are replying to is not just a screen with words, but a real human that has feeling, a mind, and opinion. I may not agree with everything people say, and I am far from a herd animal that just follows a pack; I will consider your comments as legitimate until I find evidence to prove you wrong. often when I am in search of data to prove someone wrong, I find that there is equal data that prove that I am indeed wrong. Anger, hatred, bigotry, and the need to destroy other people is a seed that is in each person. If you tend it, nurture it, and focus you attention on it; that seed has to grow and mature. Do not misunderstand, I think that people should voice their opinions, they should find a cause to believe in, people should argue over politics. But, I agree that refraining from a need to lash out with personal affronts should be avoided when possible.

Allow me to welcome you to the forum.

And my sincere appreciation for you, my brother! You worked hand in hand with my parent, NSA. Small world. enough said. Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing you again! Yes, let us all pray for peace (but always be prepared) God Bless the USA! :thumbup:

Thank you Bo. It is working now.

The best advice that I have been given after Papa passed away! I was getting pretty tired of trying to be PC with some people.

The second part, I so agree with you. People form opinions on the information that is available. Great point!

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I have heard that before. Okay. You are right about UPS.

You are so very kind. Your encouragement means so much to me!! Thank you.

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:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I so agree!!!