Boll Weevils...

When I look back over my life, I consider how much time and money I've given away.  Now that's not a bad thing and to be honest I have no regrets.  But, I've also considered that there are people who give and others who only take.  The takers are the ones who get the givers in trouble financially.  My Grandma Cassie would refer to them as "boll weevils".  These are the folks who say the would like to crash at your house for a night and end up staying a whole year.  Theses are the folks who don't qualify for credit and end up ruining yours after you've co-signed for them.

Speaking of co-signing, NEVER EVER CO-SIGN for anyone, EVER!  Not even your own child, because if they don't qualify for credit, chances are they won't pay their bill.  If you must help someone, then pay for it in your own name and make an arrangement for them to pay you back.  Chances are, they will still default but at least you have the option of maintaining your good credit.  If you can't afford to pay their debt, don't make the commitment.  It's okay, there's this magic word that you can use that will keep you out of trouble.  That word is "NO".  Yes, you might feel bad for a moment, but not nearly as bad as you'd feel if someone default's on their obligation and brings down your good credit rating.

But enough of that because today is all about the boll weevils.  The takers in our lives who never reciprocate the favors.  They are the friends and family that you find yourself bailing out on a regular basis.  Many of you may be too young to know what a boll weevil is.  So here's a song that will help you understand exactly what I'm talking about:  http://youtu.be/z5H6iwQGWl4

Hopefully, you enjoyed that and have learned to keep those boll weevils out of your house.  You can do bad all by yourself but you'll do worse if you let that devious boll weevil in.  If the magic word (NO) doesn't work for you, then I recommend using the super powered term "HELL NO".  I have found that to be very effective against boll weevils.  Now I do believe that it is better to give than to receive and that kindness begets kindness.  But there is a difference between being kind and being taken advantage of.

Here's what you should give a boll weevil:

          1) directions to a hotel
          2) a piece of your mind
          3) a pat on the back as you shove them out your door
          4) a damp cloth to wipe off your footprint on their behind

Keep your head up my friends until we talk again!

I'm ba-a-a-a-ck!

Ok folks I'm back after a very long time away.  I've been out battling the rat race, working through grad school, and fighting the battle of aging.  I've been on many adventures and would like to share a few with you today.

If you live in MD, WV, DC, or VA areas then I highly recommend that you do a day trip along Route 11.  If you are thinking about the potato chips, then you are on the right track.  The factory Is in Mount Jackson, VA off of Route 11.  It runs parallel to and west of I-81 and there are so many things to do, places to go and people to see I can't name them all.  My favorite event is the Route 11 Yard Crawl.  Here's a link for that event:

http://www.virginia.org/Listings/EventsAndExhibits/AnnualRoute11YardCrawl/

It's 43 miles of yard sales from Stephens City, VA to Harrisonburg, VA!  It is better than Christmas let me tell you!  You can find almost anything out there from rare coins to classic cars and everything in between.  I apologize for being away so long.  I'll be posting more in the future.