The Cranky Post 2009

Well it is apparent that 2010 is right around the corner and like most everyone, I am hoping it will be a much better year for so many people. For the most part 2009 wasn't a bad year. I had numerous blessings to count and the universe was generous to us in many many respects. But before I can truly put 2009 to bed, I need to go over some things that either bugged the crap out of me or made me very happy to see. Here goes.

1. The Party of NO. Saying No and offering up tax cuts isn't working. It's silly and childish and you really need to get over it and come to the table with constructive new ideas, for yourselves, your party and the country.

2. To the Party of Yes, find your courage. If you are the majority and you want to lead for god sakes you better find the balls to do it. No one is happy with a weak party, no matter how good your ideas may be. Maybe you should all go back and read Lyndon Johnson The Senate Years.

3. To Clothing Manufacturers: Good grief, it's almost 2010 and can you all make this the year you get together and standardize clothing sizes for women? Seems you can do it with men reasonably well, but I am tired of picking up size 10's that fit like 14's and 14's that fit like 8's. I have a few other suggestions for you too.

a. Does every pocket on every vest or jacket have to have a zipper? They are simply uncomfortable as you pass a naked cold hand into a pocket. They catch on knitted gloves and mittens and always make the pocket seem too small to be of much use. Stop putting them in sweaters too.

b. Stop putting Spandex in all my cotton tops, in fact stopping putting spandex in sweaters too. Some jeans it's okay in and I like it in yoga pants, just a little, but nothing beats 100% cotton.

c. Please, stop designing everything for the young tall slender teen with a naval ring.

I look like a frumpy old lady because most of what you make to fit me is frumpy. Simple as that. And while I'm at it, most of what you offer is so poorly made it would look frumpy on that teen too.

d. Polar fleece is a nice, but does everything now have to be made out of it. In winter when you are most likely to be wearing it, it makes static like no one's business. I really do prefer wool for all my winter gear, without zippered pockets.

4. To All Manufacturers. Please, American made. I drove myself nuts this year trying to buy American made or at least mostly American made. It was ridiculously hard. In fact it was impossible.

a. Packaging, I know you can do better.

5. To Our Government, you have to do something about trade agreements with China.

Why are we still doing so much business with a country that poisons our animals and kids? I know it's a difficult problem on so many levels but we have to start somewhere.

Maybe we could start paying them back so we aren't so beholden to them.

6. To the Philadelphia Eagles. I have always believed in second chances and I am sure football fans around the world think you guys rock for giving Michael Vick one. Myself, I just cannot find it my heart to be so generous. Thank you for making any Texas team viable to root for.

7. Pet stores that sell puppies and kittens from mills instead of adoption and featuring needy animals right from your own local shelter. YOU should be ashamed of yourselves for the pain you cause thousands of animals every year. This should be the year we take away all licenses to sell live animals as retail merchandise. That goes for pocket pets too.

8. Prisons and youth programs that are rehabilitating needy animals and the incarcerated at the same time get two thumbs up. Nursing homes that have resident pets also get my heartfelt thanks. You can add good programs that bring the disabled time with horses, dogs and cats. Library dogs for kids to read to, Dogs for the Deaf, dogs for our homecoming veterans etc. All good works.

9. Climate change. Can we straighten this mess out once and for all. Both sides seem to have tainted the science and it's criminal. Period.

10. Whatever did happen to just the news. I don't want your opinion or analysis especially offered in a factual context. Just give me the facts. I have a mind, I can use it. If you think we should all be better informed then maybe the information should be better and more precise.

11. Fiber folk and blogging, a great first year for me. Thank you so much for stopping in and commenting, reading my blog and sharing yours. It's all been wonderful.