Today 3

Today, I saw an elderly gentleman with his walker sauntering through Hasting's without a care in the world. He approached an elderly woman sitting at one of the tables playing on her iPad. He said, "Hey there, Good lookin'. You ready to go?"

"Yes, handsome," she replied. She closed her iPad case, grabbed her cane, and rose from her seat. After she steadied herself with the cane, she walked to her beau, and placed her hand on his. Hand in hand, they made their way out the door.

The sight of the two warmed my heart, and I thought to myself that I hope my DJ and I are like that when we reach their ages. I hope that the fire from our passion never dies. I hope that the love holds strong, and I pray that each day will continue to be better than the last, as it has always been. I love my DJ so.

Today 2

Today, I saw a man at least half of DJ's age with a sign stating, "Hungry! Need money." He was there when I dropped the kids off for school and was still there when I picked them up from school. I purposely went to the outside lane to speak with the boy. I told him of several places in town hiring, most of which are restaurants, and I offered to feed him at McDonald's or Taco Bueno, both were very close. He said he refuses to work a minimum wage job.

I asked if he would rather sit on the side of the road longer than a shift of work only to be bypassed time and time again by people who bust their asses every day, and many of which work for minimum wage. (I should tell you this is not the first time I have seen him out on the street all day.) He said, "Minimum wage jobs are for losers, and I'm not a loser. Just give me the money and leave."

I told him if he was not willing to go eat, then he must not be too hungry. I would give him food but no money. He replied, "Fine, go, b*tch!"

I wish I could have helped him, but he had all the signs of meth use. Yes, I have been thoroughly trained in recognizing the signs of meth use. I will never support anyone's drug habits.

Furthermore, it is difficult to give money to someone perfectly capable of working. The boy looks to be in his early twenties, at least half of our age. He looks to have no disability, which can be proven just at a glance of the bag he carries on his back.

All the while, DJ is fairly disabled and still insists on going to work everyday to support his family. At times, he walks with a limp because of the pain, but he still crawls under cars, in and out of cars, and works on cars. There are times that DJ cannot walk because his back is so twisted, but he seldom misses work. DJ's doctor never says, if you become paralyzed. Instead, he says, "When you are paralyzed, you'll be a candidate for surgery."

And this poor misguided child would rather beg for money than support himself. My heart is conflicted when I think of a boy that young getting mixed up in drugs.

Today, I felt the sting of higher taxes. DJ's check was $15 shorter than usual. That's $30/month and $390/year. I know that may not seem as much to many of you; but when you only have about $20/paycheck for in-between paychecks necessities (milk, medicine for Dyl, and bread) left after paying bills, gassing up the vehicles, paying medical cost, and groceries, then that is a lot. It's the difference of not having enough to sustain good health of the children and having enough to sustain their health. On top of all else, the cost of living is going up, rent will be higher, and DJ hasn't had a raise in over three years. Oh well, that just means more cutbacks at home. I don't know where to cut though. Suggestions?

Today 1

Today, I was parked across the street and a block away from two young men in their car while I waited for the boys to get out of school. Their bass was pumping so loud that I couldn't hear my own music on my stereo. I was kind of glad they gave me a reason to shut down the car. They really saved me some gas. Unfortunately, they didn't save any of their own because their engine had to stay running to keep a charge on their battery. Their car died when they tried to take off. I offered some help but was quickly turned away by the passenger, who said, "Shut up old lady. We don't need no help from you." I felt for the driver as he blushed and apologized. I told him, "Don't worry about it, honey. You gave me something to talk about."

Today, I saw a grown man holding a baby girl with his ass hanging out of the top of his britches covered only by thin, worn, and almost translucent boxers. Can you imagine how embarrassed his baby girl will be if he still dresses like that when she starts school? To all grown men, cover your asses. The world don't need to see that; and if you have children, they don't want to and should not see your underwear. Develop some self-respect. I'm glad DJ has enough sense to know I'm the only one (other than his doctor) who should see what should be kept private.

Today, a man carrying a satchel full of car stereos tried to sell one to me in front of my apartment. I thought this man has a lot of nerve considering my stereo had been stolen from my car parked in front of my apartment. I told him to leave or I was going to call the police. He hot-footed it out of there PDQ. I wonder if this means I met my thief today?