Obama versus Romney: Blue Collar vs White Collar

My clients are all asking me . . . so what's the story with the yard signs . . . I say:  I placed my "Obama" sign out first then three days later the "Romney" sign shows up.  That is the story . . .

Is not it interesting that the Obama sign is "blue" and the Romney sign is "white."  Our economy is built on "blue collar jobs" because everyone can not have a six figure salary.  The White collar workers usually do not need public schools and any public assistance. Often times the white collar workers are disconnected to the big picture of America.  I personally have been on both sides of the fence which makes me more well rounded.  I believe Barack Obama has been on both sides of the fence too which makes him more easily to connect.

In light of the damages from Hurricane Sandy, President Obama still comes across as a loving, concerned citizen.  Romney comes across as politically correct with little heartfelt emotion displayed.

This is just my opinion.  Election day is next Tuesday.

Movie Review: Alex Cross starring Tyler Perry

First of all, I went to see a $5.00 matinee of the Alex Cross movie because I was not a huge fan of "Good Deeds" nor "Madea's Witness Protection." So my expectations were low for this movie, but after seeing it, I actually liked the movie. Tyler Perry did a great job with the acting. The movie held my attention. It was just as entertaining as most of the movies that have been released lately. I actually would have been okay with paying $10.00 to see this movie.

I really hope that people will go out and see the movie. It features Tyler Perry in a non-Madea role in which he did NOT produce the movie. He was an actor for hire. Please support it! He really did well!

2012 United States Presidential Voter Information

Official "early voting" has begun for the popular vote tally. It took me about one hour and five minutes, but I cast my "absentee vote" early.

Sorry that these pictures photographed sideways. They looked fine on my camera. Anyway, the separate designation for casting one's presidential choice has been a controversy in South Carolina. Apparently, people are being mislead to think that a Straight Party ticket covers everything. Well, at least in North Carolina, it did not. You vote for the Presidential candidate separate from the rest of the offices.

North Carolina has a Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson on the Presidential ballot. After further research there are four other persons seeking the 2012 Presidential office besides Obama and Romney. Jill Stein of the "Green Party" is one of them. Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party is another. Third party candidates can be a write-in.

A Visionary Moment: Nursery Shelving Unit

Here's another great consignment find! I passed by this nursery Shelving Unit multiple times because I do not have a need for nursery furniture. Many people were doing the same thing. Well, I finally slowed down long enough to take a second look at it. Well, the price was reduced to $8.00. Well, what is going through your mind as you look at this unit? Are you envisioning this:

Well, as a visionary, the light bulb came on in my head without removing the drawer liners at the store. So for $8, I scooped it right up before anyone else began to see what I could see. Later, just by removing the drawer liners, I erased the nursery theme. Now, I have more storage options! Wondering where I found this treasure? At the Charlotte Style Exchange three day event! (Half off on Saturdays! It was priced at $16.)

Plus Size Fashion: The Stretch Belt

I just struck gold at the Charlotte Style Exchange three day consignment event. I picked up this stretch belt as well as a few others at a "steal." At $1.50 plus tax, I transformed my outfit from average to absolutely fabulously chic!

The belt is from the Limited and was a size Large. It has a heavy duty closure.

It is just a hook, but it holds it all together. I have to admit I questioned my ability to fully breathe, but I really loved the hourglass enhancement for $1.50! Hello!

The stretchy material makes it easy to store as well.

Okay, here is my outfit without the belt. The "before" picture and the "after" are only $1.50 difference. One picture is without the belt, and the above picture is with the belt. No other changes.
That belt probably should have retailed new for about $10 to $30. I was blessed to purchase it at half off of $3.00 on the final day of the consignment sale. I am becoming my own fashion stylist for plus size/curvy ladies!

Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking in the USA

After watching the movie "End of Watch," after reading survivor stories in Essence and Ebony Magazines, after reading that President Barack Obama has designated a $6 million grant to build solutions according to USA Today 9/27/12 edition, I was absolutely consumed with the topic of human trafficking and modern day slavery.

So let's look at all obvious angles:

The "Pimps" and "Madames" that rule the "modern day slaves:" They are men and women who see the world as a "hustle" to survive and make money. Only the strong will survive. If you deal with "humans" as commodity, then you can re-use the commodity without buying a new supply unlike if you were selling drugs. There may even be less punishment for those convicted of human trafficking versus drug trafficking. (I have not researched the difference in the sentencing trend.) So these people are trying to hustle "smart" versus working too hard at another human being's expense.

The Sex slaves: Some may be kidnapped and drugged and trapped into the lifestyle. Some may have left home because their mother's boyfriend or their mother's new husband or some other male has repeatedly sexually assaulted the youth. The youth can not get peace at home because of the abuse. Then the youth tries to find peace in the streets. Instead of finding shelter, the youth find similar predators as found at their home except the predators are now complete strangers. The youth find themselves in hell on the streets with a memory of hell at home. They give up on life because they can not seem to "win for losing."

Work slaves: Illegally transported from another country and promised a better life. They find their promises are broken and threatened to be sent back to a country that they do not want to return to.

So how do you solve everyone's problem? Find everyone a decent, honest, "good paying" job so that they can live their own American dream without the expense of destroying someone else's dreams. And to take this a step forward, encourage workplace fairness, diversity, and inclusion. And to take this topic even a step forward, consider this: if your $20 million dollar dream is at the expense of someone else's $100,000 dream, then it is called "greed."

Wednesday Meal Deals in Huntersville, NC

Photo Credit: Picture is from www.wellnessroadtrip.com
This is a part of my "7 day week Restaurant Guide" series. I am looking for great deals for under $10 in the Huntersville, NC area. So for Wednesdays consider:
1) Yoshi's Grill - for Half price sushi with a regular price purchase (ex. a soft drink) -- this deal is good all day. Kitchen closes at 9:45pm. I believe, there is also a six roll maximum (no mininum).
2) Weck of Beef and Wings- Killington's Restaurant - $10.75 (pictured)

If anyone knows of other great Wednesday meal deals in Huntersville, NC, then please let us know!
Restaurant specials are subject to change at anytime. As of April 2014, these deals are accurate.

Tuesday Meal Deals in Huntersville, NC

Photo Credit: This picture is from www.wellnessroadtrip.com
This is a part of my "7 day week Restaurant Guide" series. I am looking for great deals for under $10 in the Huntersville, NC area. So for Tuesdays consider:
1) Jersey Mikes Subs - Tuesday Special- $4.99 regular sub combo (chips and drink) -- this deal is good all day.
2) Earthfare Groceries - Tender Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes Special- $9.99 offered between the hours of 4:30pm and 7:30pm only every Tuesday.

If anyone knows of other great Tuesday meal deals in Huntersville, NC, then please let us know!
Restaurant specials are subject to change at anytime. As of August 2013, these deals are accurate.

Consider Leasing a Luxury Car!

The Audi A8L is a long wheeled base luxury car. A brand new one would typically start at $80,000.00 USD. At this price point, you are paying for the flagship of the Audi cars. You want it for its luxurious look. Maintenance is typically $1000 at a time for anything outside of an oil service.

So what happens when the luxury car gets 10 years old? Luxury is more appreciated when it is new. Eventually, every luxury car will become an "old" luxury car. Can the words "old" and "luxury" go in the same sentence? The maintenance for a luxury car will never go down. Insurance coverage will also remain on the expensive side.

Most people who want to drive a car based on luxury will want the next new luxury car within four to five years. So why buy? Just consider leasing when it comes to driving luxury vehicles. Save car buying for those vehicles under $30,000.00