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Post by RobinS811 on Dec 21, 2016 13:40:50 GMT
This is a thread we had on the WW 50 Year Olds board, so even though most of us have moved beyond our 50's, I am keeping it here. Some prefer to post on Facebook, but for those who may also like to post on something that resembles our old format, I decided to start this. Although we were brought together by our love of books, and we love to share our ideas about books and authors, our friendship has grown, and we know a lot about each others lives. We are spread across the country, and that adds a bit of interest as well, learning about other people's way of life through the "book" they write on the thread.
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Post by RobinS811 on Dec 21, 2016 13:51:33 GMT
Today I am getting an early start. Last night DS & his fiance came out to have dinner with my mother, and to borrow my car to take a trip up to one of the outlets malls north of the city, so we are down one car today. I am fine with working from home, and if I have to do an errand I will wait until DH comes home. He expects to go to his office around 10 and not stay too long. He overdid it yesterday, and his shoulder was really hurting.
Jill, so nice that your DH had some time to yourselves together. That's always nice. When it's cold, as long as there isn't wind it doesn't feel too bad, especially if the sun is out. For some reason, when I take the dog out in the early morning even if it is colder, it doesn't feel as bad as it does in the afternoon. As the sun goes down, I guess it makes it feel colder.
Pinky, so great of you to help out with childcare. I know it is important to them, not just saving the money from paying someone else for childcare, but having them with you instead of a non-family member.
Tonight I am having my friends over for mah jongg. I have the house cleaned up really well from yesterday. My cleaning woman was very happy about the gifts for the kids. She and her daughter are so up in the air about their status, which truthfully is illegal. They came here from Peru and never left. Her DD was very young when they came, and the grand kids were born here, and their father is also illegal. They are sure they will be sent home after the inauguration. I know that most people feel so negatively about this, but the majority of these people are hard working and live meager existences which to them are still better than how they were living in their country. I think often Americans don't know how thankful they should be for just the little things.
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Post by karen54171 on Dec 21, 2016 14:25:33 GMT
Good morning. Thanks for the start, Robin. The last couple days have been busy, as I am sure everyone else is too. Robin, the only gripe I have about illegals is that they don't pay taxes. Get legal and live like the rest of us.
Pinky, I too will be "working" next week. Only 2 full days, and 1 half day, so not too bad.
Finished one of my holds last night. Need to find another one, or hopefully another hold will come.
Hi to all. Need to get going, have a good day.
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Post by RobinS811 on Dec 21, 2016 15:34:41 GMT
Karen, I agree with you on that, but the problem is it is not easy. My woman's daughter was trying to get her green card under the amnesty program, and hasn't been able to. It was for people who were brought here as children. It might happen, but who knows now. In order to get a green card, you have to be sponsored, and even when you get a sponsor sometimes the wait can be more than 10 years. It's longer from some countries than others. If what they did was give everyone who is illegal a work visa, they would be able to pay taxes, but of course that would make too much sense for our congress to do. With work visas, they can pay taxes, but aren't able to get certain services like welfare. I just took a quick look at how long it would take someone who came here to study, who then gets an H1B1 visa from the employer, to get a green card. From certain countries it can be up to 20 years. They are paying taxes with an H1B1, and it is a classification that allows them to get credit cards and a mortgage, so they are paying all kinds of taxes, so if they gave that kind of status to everyone, it could make sense. In my mind, if they were involved in any kind of crime at all, that should disqualify them, but as law abiding citizens? Also, don't forget, these people spend the money they have. I have no idea what property taxes are like in your state, but our total sales tax is 8.625%, so in a way they are paying tax.
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Post by mikendanni on Dec 21, 2016 16:39:52 GMT
Hello All. Haven't been reading as much as I want to, and Snow Falling On Cedars seems like one of those books that I can't read while dh watches tv, I really need to focus on it. Enjoying it though.
Last night was the holiday dinner for our Performing Arts Parents Association. Fun but the only thing on the restaurant menu that was meatless was a ceasar salad so that is what I had, then had cereal when I got home because I was hungry!
Re citizenship - my sil has a work visa which I think she was able to get easily but she is British and has been living in Australia and I don't know where she hold citizenship now - maybe Australia. She came here without a job to be with bil and they were not engaged at the time. Her visa expires in May and they are planning to move to Australia at that time.
Marsha
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Post by RobinS811 on Dec 21, 2016 16:56:33 GMT
Marsha, sorry that you were so restricted on non-meat items. That's not something that would happen here, more and more restaurants are even beginning to accommodate gluten-free, and I don't think would even be shocked by vegan.
Work visas are not that difficult to get if someone comes with a job, as the employer sponsors them. H1B1 are the most common, but there are others. I have learned about these because I have always had to know which visas were acceptable to Fannie Mae. Visitors visas are not, nor are any visas that allow for diplomatic immunity. Those are actually the worst from the mortgage standpoint. Being near the UN, that comes up every now and then.
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Post by pinky on Dec 21, 2016 17:07:28 GMT
Hi Booklovers----just a quick hi as I need to shift into high gear and get some things accomplished around here. The whole visa thing sounds complicated to me -----sounds like your cleaning lady has been a very dedicated person for you Robin and I am sure the illegals are just like every other walk in life, the good and the bad. No reading for me again today but I am keeping my fingers crossed that January will be better for me for reading. Jill---glad you had time out with your DH!!!
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Post by Carol2 on Dec 21, 2016 19:28:43 GMT
It's finally warming up here. It's actually going be in the 60s on Christmas.
I didn't make it to the library yesterday so I haven't been reading. I'm going to try to go later this afternoon when I go out to Aldi.
We had to take our cat to the vet this morning for an injection. She is still hanging on. If she is on her ninth life, it's a long one. She still fights getting her meds. At the vet, they have to do a blood draw. They lightly sedate her to get it because she fights it so much.
I'm still not feeling great, but I am some better. My cough is almost gone.
I don't know much about illegal aliens and how all that works. You are right-they are paying some taxes. I know people come here to have a better life. I wish there was a way to make it easier. At least the kids get to go to school and get an education.
Carol2
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Post by Anngie on Dec 21, 2016 21:40:08 GMT
Just back from a relaxing lunch with my sister. She lives about an hours drive from me so we meet half-way to shop and eat. Pretty nice day here, at least it was sunny even though the temps are low.
Marsha, safe travels and enjoy! Jill, My thoughts are with you and your dad. How many treatments must he have? Hope he eats and sleeps well to keep his strength up. Carol2, I guess I missed that your cat has not been feeling well. How old is he? Robin, you explained it all well, but it is confusing. My heart goes out to ANYONE from anywhere who wants a better life for themselves. As you said, at least she pays sales tax - ours here is as high as yours. The bone of contention is the rest of us pay federal, state, county (city), town and/or village and school taxes along with sales tax. I also truly don't believe she's going to be deported soon after inauguration (or at all). That would be absurd. My heart goes out to her.
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Post by Carol2 on Dec 21, 2016 22:51:54 GMT
Our cat is 18 years old. She has been ill for well over a year. We have to give her daily meds plus sub-q fluids. Last year right after Christmas, she got a UTI and we really thought we would lose her then. She got better, then back in late summer, she seemed to be blind. The vet wasn't sure what the problem was, but we added a med and she seems okay now. She and I have had several talks and I've told her she has been a good cat, but it is okay if she wants to go towards the light. I think if she quits using the litter box that may be the deal breaker, but so far so good.
Carol2
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Post by RobinS811 on Dec 21, 2016 23:10:12 GMT
Carol, I think the biggest problems with our pets is that when the vet tells us we need to do something for them (that costs money of course), we do it. How can we say no? Hope your cat feels better soon.
Anngie, glad you had such a nice day with your sister. As far as taxes go, and being as we are not political, I hate to say this, but I am sure that the reason that Trump won't release his tax returns is that he is afraid for people to see how little he really pays. I have looked at plenty of tax returns for people who take a lot of depreciation, especially if they own a lot of real estate, and he probably has carry-over losses that will take him through the length of his life, but the country and city are now spending millions to protect him and his family, now that is a pity, not some of these people who barely scrape by at low paying jobs.
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jill
Epic Member
Posts: 234
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Post by jill on Dec 22, 2016 0:24:02 GMT
Hello ladies. It is nice to see so many posting today. I had a good day. I went to my Dad's after work and then I started and finished my Christmas shopping today. I have never waited this long but I have had too much going on with my Dad to go out shopping. I don't have alot to buy so that was nice. Robin that really us sweet of you to buy gifts for your cleaning woman's grandkids. Robin you really helped me understand more about illegals and how hard it is to even get a work visa. Marsha that is sad when you have to eat when you get home from a dinner, but I am glad you had fun. Pinky I am with you on hoping January is better for finding time to read . Carol I hope your cat feels better. Anngie your lunch with your sister sounds so nice. Thanks for the kind thoughts about my Dad. He will get chemo every other week. The number of treatments depends on if he tolerates it and if it us helping. The oncologist made it clear no cure but my Dad is in denial. I feel so bad I could just sit here and cry but I need to stay strong. My Mom passed away almost 3 years ago and I can't bear the thought of losing my Dad. I know we all go through it but it is so hard. Karen have good night. I better run since I am at work. Take care everyone.
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