Men, Women & Children - Happiness & You

"Ever since JOY heard your name,

it has been running through the streets trying to find you."

MEETTA TALKS - "STRIP ME"

**To listen to the video music, take these few quick steps first.

First, Click the (play) triangle, (pause it), then click it again. This will get the sound quickly buffered. Wait for a few moments, then it will begin. When you see the red line at the bottom of the video grow dark all the way across, click the play button again and it will play without stopping until the song is completed. After that, if you want to replay, just click the replay and it will begin right away because it's already buffered.

Hey Readers,

Lately, I've been writing about finding your voice and how I found mine.

Often, I find music that echoes or strengthen what I'm saying in my writings as I am moved to post them on my blog. I do this also to entertain you while you read, as well as give you further insight into who I am. In fact all of the music on this site is intended to do that. That's why its such a variety of music. It's funny. As much as my writings cause me to come to life, if you will, so does the music I choose also. When I find a song that is fitting, I'll play them over an over again while I'm typing. It keeps my juices flowing and ideas come to me that way too. It's a real show I tell you.

You should see me, I type to the rhythm! Though not yet an accomplished musician, I use my key pad as my piano. My fingers move very swiftly and to time! The computer keypad is my instrument of choice. Unlike a singer, who uses music and a microphone to get heard, the computer and it's components are apart of what I use to get mine heard. And while the music plays as I am inspired, I move my arms and bounce in my seat. Sometimes, I just go ahead, get up and cut loose, dancing until it's out of me. You should see it Reader! You laugh, but I can really move! (Ha, Ha) Anyway, I tell you what I go through while typing to paint a picture that you can see. I am a very passionate person in what I believe and in what adds life to me. I do so hope that you are as inspired as much as I am, by some of what you read and hear on this site. That's all I have to say really except, Find your voice!

AND DON'T LET ANYONE TAKE IT FROM YOU! Thanks for listening.

"STRIP ME"

Song co-written and performed By Natasha Bedingfield.

From the Movie "Morning Glory" soundtrack

*(Some of my favorite verses, that are closest to me form this song.)

"Every day I fight for my all future somethings.

A thousand little wars I have to choose between....

......

....And if you strip me, strip it all away, what will you find... I'll be alright.

Take what you want....

build me up or cut me down to size,

...Shut me out, but I'll just scream!

"I'm only one voice in a million,

BUT YOU AIN'T TAKING THAT FROM ME!"

You ain't taking that from me. You ain't taking that from me!

"I don't need a microphone to say what I been thinking.

My heart is like a loud speaker that's always on 11

and if you strip me...

strip it all away...I'm still the same...

....

...at the end of the say, it's what you do and say

that makes you who you are....Think about it....

Sometimes all it takes is 1 voice

TAKE WHAT YOU WANT... steal my pride..."

...

but I'll just scream!

I'm only 1 voice in a million!

BUT YOU AIN'T TAKING THAT FROM ME!

No, you ain't taking that from me!

MEETTA'S READERS - HAPPY TUESDAY!

HAPPY TUESDAY, EVERYONE!

Happy Tuesday? You say!

Yes! HAPPY TUESDAY!

Some of you may say, what's to be happy about?

Maybe you are asking the question,

Meetta What are you happy about?

Well, I'll tell you.

For one thing, if you are reading this, then you are ALIVE!

Tell me, isn't LIFE something to be happy about?

And as along as you are alive, there is a chance for things to get better than they were

just yesterday!

Or maybe, just maybe,

if you are one of those people who already have enough of whatever,

then today, life has given you a chance to more of whatever (including joy) as you had yesterday!

Either way, Life has a way of just being a gift, no matter what!

I, for one, have brushed off yesterday, shaking off the old and walking into the newness of today.

"Cause when you get right down to it, the only time you have is the time you are living in.

And I REFUSE to waste any of my moments today, harping on the old of yesterdays past.

I got up this morning, had my prayer time,

brushed myself off, regained my focus and

I'm MOVING FORWARD!

JESUS IS LORD!

SMILE... and be happy you!

May the rest of your week be a Happy one too!

SOCIAL SCENE- PICK YOUR BATTLES

Dear, Precious Reader,

In a world full of conflict, I feel the need to remind you of a simple lesson.

It is a lesson that I was taught several years ago by a very, very wise, loving person who saw the need to protect me...even from myself!

"LEARN TO PICK YOUR BATTLES.

... DON'T LET THEM PICK YOU! "

See Reader, recognize that we live in a world full of billions of people who think differently, who want different things and have different ways of going about them. All those people, each with their own personality ( Some have more than one!) missed in with different cultural groups, different life principles and family teachings and we are all supposed to figure out how to deal with each other without losing ourselves in the process. Conflict is always and has always been inevitable. So, the thing is, if you are open to every ( E..V..E..R ..Y) battle that comes your way, you will also inevitably wear yourself down!

The greatest warriors in history were masters at picking their battles! They were master Strategists on war tactics. They understood proper positioning of their soldiers against the enemy was important. They understood the strengths, the weaknesses and abilities of their soldiers and how they could best be utilized. Remember now, the battles fought were also fought with the thought of self preservation. Everybody could not afford to get wiped out! The war and battle leaders needed to ensure that when victory was won, that they still had a healthy, right minded army available. They needed them available to protect the kingdoms and to be ready and able to fight in future battles!

Inside of those war tactics, strategy, they understood also that the strength of the soldiers played a vital part in accomplishing victory. Soldiers are often switched out and relieved while other soldier s took their place for awhile. Rest for them was absolutely vital as well! Usually, war and battle leaders used the wisdom of strategy of knowing which battles to fight. War and battle leaders understand that conflict and battles are here to stay, as long as there are people on the planet, cause somebody is always gonna want what somebody else has! Somebody is always going to seek control of others! Somebody always wants to think themselves better than others seeking to prove somebody else less of a person! Somebody always wants to be right!

The issues of conflict are as old as the world is! Battle leaders knew it then as they know it now. This also includes those of us who are wise and paying attention! By the way, all of us are battle fighters, as we all have to deal with conflict at times in our lives. That's inevitable too! Because somebody is going to want something from you too that you are not willing to give them even on the level of life that you are, wherever that is! It's not always the rich and powerful who have conflict! Most of us face conflict with somebody several times a week. Others face it several times a day! Even children on the playground! So, what are you thinking?

Whether it be your attention, your possessions, your support that they seek. Conflict is sure to show up even it the issues concerns your affection, your happiness, your friendship, your mate or child. It seeks submission, control of you, even your peace of mind!... Whatever the thing is that they seek, that you are not willing to give!

Battles even arise in situations over your joy, because misery LOVES company! It loves it so much it will use & manipulate your co-workers, your boss, strangers, Preachers and regular congregants. It will use family members including your wife, your husband and children and grand children! Evil, is what misery eludes too because of it's destructiveness, doesn't care "whom it may devour" in the process! Not even you who gave it a foothold in the first place!

Conflict, battles...you have faced them and will continue to as long as you live. And I hope you live long! So, you have to understand the strategy of not letting those battles pick you, wearing you thin. If you let yourself be worn thin, you won't have the much needed strength to be ready for the REAL WAR when it is waged against you!

War leaders know you can't have your soldiers fighting all the time, exhausting them, exhausting finances, supplies, support alliances and exhausting energy unnecessarily. War leaders themselves needed rest in order to be spiritually, physically and mentally sharp as well! They also knew that part of an enemies strategy was causing Some "minor' battles or uprisings to distract their opponent, wear them thin so they could then go int for the kill. Therefore, the most effective war leaders had to know, which battles fight! They profoundly understood the utter importance of picking their battles instead of letting their battles pick them!

So, for your own sake, self-preservation and peace of mind...

You HAVE TO LEARN

which battles are worth fighting!

*Do you know the purpose of the battle you are thinking of engaging in?

*Weigh the benefits, the pros and cons.

*What will it solve if you fought this battle?

*Investigate what is really at stake?

*Know why you are fighting that battle!

*Understand what is the end result.

*What is stood to be gained by you,

by the people who are egging you on to engage!

Think about that person or those people.

What is their motivation? Consider that many of us wouldn't take on or even initiate certain battles if certain people weren't whispering in our ears!

If that person is you, you will undoubtedly do yourself great justice in questioning your own motives before you get yourself or someone else for that matter, in a battle where loss is not prepared for or can be accepted.

And be careful who you challenge in these battles because

you may not really know how they will respond! See, when people are pushed they tend to push back alot harder than you anticipated.

So, be careful of yourself and what battles you initiate and take on!

Reader,

for your own benefit I've taken this time to show you what some loving person, concerned about me, took time to teach me. Also trust that I have had moments of being challenged too! Serious moments where I WAS READY FOR A FIGHT ...only to have wisdom intercede. It brought discernment with it. It showed me some truths to focus on. Wisdom reached out, shook me, even collapsed me to my knees while it spoke that certain battles are not mine to fight. In such moments, it has even taken me to the point where I have literally cried out in victory, with strength renewed. I take to heart moments like those, allowing Wisdom to prevail. I have learned to pick my fights, not letting them pick me. By doing so, I am assured to be strong and ready when the REAL battles of life come again to wage against me.

Because Reader, there will always be another one to fight!

Wanting the best for you, Dear Reader

Meetta

Social Scene - Do you love yourself?

Welcome to Social Scene.

Here, I talk about issues that affect society collectively. Each and every one of our lives and what we do with them, affects others and can create a chain reaction. We must be in tune with ourselves in order to recognize our influence on the world around us. With that said, I will just get right to today's topic of discussion.

Many people have difficulty with other people in all area of their lives. People have many different ways to handling the situation, but how many of them produce a positive outcome that everybody comes out of it, intact? There is wisdom in dealing with your neighbor to produce that positive affect. First, you have to look at yourself! The wisdom is in this following statement. The best way to get along with your neighbor is to...

..."LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF."

Question is; DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

Now before you answer, think carefully!

Ask yourself some tough questions to see where you stand with yourself. For example, Are you forgiving of yourself? Can you allow yourself some mistakes without beating yourself up continually?

'Cause if you can't forgive yourself, how can you forgive anyone else?

Here are just a few more, but feel free to create other questions for yourself.

Do you even know what forgiveness really means?

Do you hold grudges?

Are you kind?

Do you believe in God?

If you are Christian, or consider yourself a person of "faith", do you read, study and live by God's written word?

Do you receive and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

Do you cherish the principles of God and strive to live by them, holding them near and dear to your heart?

Do you appreciate the gifts, talents, and abilities that you have?

Do you exercise them?

DO YOU APPRECIATE GIFTS, TALENTS AND ABILITIES OF OTHERS?

Do you "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep"?

Do you care about others AND show it?

Are you selfish or self-centered?

Do you take care of (providing for, listening to, appreciating and respecting ) those you claim you love? Especially your children, parents and mates?

Are you a person of INTEGRITY?

Do you create or spread gossip?

Do you share personal business of another that's been told in confidence to you?

Though we are not to trust (put full confidence) into anyone ...

..Do you consider yourself "trust-worthy", worthy of trust?

Do you share a conversation you overheard even when you were not invited in it?...

....Even when the conversation does not include you and is not harmful to anyone?

Can you keep a secret or do you tell (anyone) even when you say you won't?

*Often we try and justify who we tell, like a sister, husband, brother or best friend etc.?

Do you find yourself trying to listen to other peoples conversations meaning you make efforts to hear?

Do you interrupt into conversations that you are not invited in, butting in?

Do you keep your word when you tell someone you will do something?

Do you lie?

Do you spend time in others people personal business even when not invited?

Do you know what it means to create harmony?

Do you exercise that knowledge?

Do you acknowledge your wrongs and make amends for them?

Do you seek to "corrupt" other people with your bad ways? If so, Why?

Does truth, compel you?

Are you easily offended?

Or do you just blame the other person?

Do you seek or act on revenge?

DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

Do you like yourself?

Do you eat healthy?

Do you over-eat?

Do you smoke (anything)?

Do you use inhalants?

Do you dip snuff or chew tobacco? This has caused other illness including cancer of the mouth.

Do you do drugs?

Do you drink alcohol in excess...EVER?

Do you exercise?

Do you go get medical checkups when you need them?

Do you get counseling or seek wisdom when you have a problem?

Do you care about your appearance?

Do you bathe?

Do you Comb your hair?

Do you Brush your teeth?

Do you always wear clean clothes?

Do you press or iron you clothe when needed

Do you clean your house, Apartment, or room?

Do you ever really take time out for yourself?

Are you productive in positive things?

Do you work, go to school or volunteer?

Do you find yourself being envious and resentful of people who are?

Are you a giver of your time, knowledge, services, goods and money?

Do you find it necessary to keep learning, and educating yourself?

Do you smile?

Are you a person who enjoys sharing happiness or creating dis-harmony?

Does your presence around others add peace or take away from it?

Are you joyful?

Do you respect your body?

Are you sexually active outside of your husband or wife?

Remember sex outside of marriage often brings about moral decay. It also brings unnecessary problems.

(ALL QUESTION ARE ALSO FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN)

Do you have more than one sexual partner?

In truth, there is no double standard for men or women when it comes to anything, especially sex! People say that there is to justify their actions. GET SMART! Just because you say something is right does not mean that it is! You are just fooling yourself and duping others in the process! There are already wrong and right standards set in the the very heart of man (all human kind) at the beginning of Creation. You may be fooled, but the wise man (and wise woman) will not be fooled into just any way of thinking!

Just as sexually "loose" women (paid or unpaid) are considered whores, the men that have sex with them are just condemned as "whore mongers". Who is the reason there are whores? Men!!!

But that's not popular or "cool" to talk about! P-shaw!

Listen here,

"YOU CAN'T WALLOW IN DIRT AND

COME OUT CLEAN!"... This is a thought to contemplate!

One last question: ARE YOU HAPPY?

See, asking yourself questions like these and answering honestly can help you find out more about yourself! You can use these questions and answers as gauges to learn how you feel about you! Are you the kind of person you want to be? If not, what are you doing about it? How you feel about yourself does directly affect and greatly impact your relationships! Self, often dictates and shape our thoughts of the world. How you feel about yourself does often determine the success and failure of your views of others! And if you don't like yourself, how can you like another? Certainly if you don't love yourself, how can you truly love anyone else?

Meetta

MEETTA'S READERS -YOUR COMMENTS

HEY READERS!

You say, "MEETTA, where have you been?"

You haven't written any new articles since early May!

I say, "I've been here. Just been in a place in my life where I needed air. Been in a place in my life where I once again needed much prayer. We always need that anyway! "

Dear readers,

It seemed as if I abandoned my writing, because in it I wasn't flying.

I got frustrated, VERY frustrated!

I didn't see the growth, the meaning behind it. I didn't hear your comments.

Ill health, personal questioning of my self, doubting my hope and dreams for my future, feeling beaten down by life. A mountain of things in life were happening all around me.

I had trouble focusing. Inspite and despite my hope of who God is,

I didn't hold fast in spite of. I took my eyes and heart out of the fight to use my talents. I felt I was losing my breath. I was choking on the problems of life.

I thought I needed to step back, because I needed to breath. I needed some air.

Do you know what I mean?

But when I stepped back, stepping back made me realize HOW MUCH I needed to STEP BACK UP! So that's where I've been Dear Readers

in a place needing air, in a place needing prayer.

God, through my friends, "my TRUE FRIENDS (INCLUDING MY SON BRAD) have been awesomely understanding, supportive, chastising and LOVING!!

THANK YOU FAITHFUL DEAR READERS OF MY BLOG!

For your continued and constant support.

Meetta

FOR WOMEN ONLY!-JUST LISTEN

IT'S DOUBLES WEEK SISTERS.

HERE IS NUMBER 2!

INSPIRATION STATION

JuSt... LiSteN!

By Meetta Martin

From Her Book; "You Can't Say That!";

Poetry To Strengthen, Heal & Encourage~(2002)

Stop telling me what you know and that you understand.

SHHHH!

Be a true friend and for once today,

and just listen!

Stop giving me advice just for a moment

and just listen!

RIGHT NOW, I need a compassionate, listening friend!

So, if you want to hang around, stop judging and giving me your opinion!

SHHH! JUST LISTEN.

Come!

Come here and sit with me awhile in silence.

Let's enjoy the peaceful quiet that fills the room.

Shhh! Just listen.

So peaceful and calm....

....I didn't break today.

Steady your breathing.

Can you hear my heart beating in the still after the storm,

you've just helped me through?

Shhh! Just Listen.

BYE!

ON THE JOB-You're Gonna Pay Me WHAT?

Hello Readers!

Remember! This is where I write about job situations.

I get to do a lot of venting in this one. I write about a variety of subjects including tips to better your organizational skills. Employee services your job may offer was a good topic! More than once, have I written about How to balance your work and leisure lives. etc. etc.

Today though, what erks me, is the little pay that mature adults are continually being offered and expected to accept. And because of the economy and need of the people, what they are being forced to accept as pay, is always mind blowing! And this is supposed to inspire a job well done! This an insult to the people who need to work for income! See, I've met some people on jobs, that have bragged that they "really don't need the money. I just do this to get out of the house! I just wanted something to do!" Some things we shouldn't say out loud!

Can you believe the audacity of them, to say that in the face of hardworking people. People who are trying desperately to support their families and themselves! UGH!!!!! I'm gonna need a minute to cool down.....

....OK. I'm back. Not SO angry, but still very much disgusted! And I have this to say.

"IF YOU CAN BRAG ABOUT NOT REALLY NEEDING THE MONEY your earning,

STOP SPITTING IN THE FACE OF YOUR CO-WORKERS AND QUIT!

GET OUT OF THE WAY AND MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

SOMEONE, WHO MAY REALLY NEED THE INCOME!

HOW DARE YOU LET anybody HEAR YOU SAY THAT! SERIOUSLY!

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO DO, FINE!

Idleness is not good for anybody!

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities, ESPECIALLY with chronic company cutbacks. YOU LIKE WHERE YOU WORK, don't want to leave, but

don't really need the money? FINE!

STOP accepting the pay and BE A VOLUNTEER !

I'm sure they'll be glad to have you working for free!

Other wise, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, bragger! Who needs that around them!

Yes! I do feel better! Thanks for being concerned!

Anyway, recently, one of my dear and closest friends told me that at 46 years of age, her current rate of pay is $7.40 per hour. Since work is scarce she is only "on call" right now. Sometimes, she doesn't work for weeks on end! The temporary agency she got that job through, gets paid $4.00 above her wage for every hour she works! Where traditionally, the job she has through them, would pay $11.00 per hour if the company she (actually) works for would have hired her privately. THAT OUTRAGES ME! Who is this helping? Certainly not my friend, who her employers say is "a dependable and reliable hard worker", but they don't reward her like it!

I understand the companies avoid paying insurance for their employees and get other government allowed incentives, but IT'S NOT RIGHT! It's not right that ANY company can BY LAW, pay such small penance to their employees, particularly in this day and age! Everybody can't afford to work two and three jobs continually! That's about what it takes to make ends meet for the average person with responsibilities.

I personally know people (I've often been one) who have worked multiple jobs at a time! After a while, (all be it a long while) you figure out, you can't keep doing that! Health concerns, family obligations, and efforts towards a higher education, boldly thwart multiple job ideals for many! Multiple jobs may be OK when your twenties, and maybe when you are well into your thirties, but for many of us, multiple jobs. To HAVE TO do it beyond that, is ridiculous! While it is true that working certain jobs for a long period of time can directly negatively affect your health, you increase e the wear and tear on your body when you double the beating it's taking by having multiple jobs, especially in your older years!

You end up with all sorts of multiple health problems including bad knees, (cartilage is worn down faster between the joints) bad back, hip replacements, varicose veins, pinch shoulder nerves, blood clots in the legs, arthritis. These are some of the ailments that afflict people I personally know. Their ailments are the affects of their work life including multiple job tasking (along with aging. Some of these directly affect me. My doctor, after asking me many job related questions formed the opinion of my standing, walking and aging, have caused weakening in my body in certain areas. AND FOR WHAT? A SMALL PENANCE!

Many of us, like my dear friend STILL CANT PAY THE BASICS BILL REGULARLY AND ON TIME! Even while budget. OK! For those you who may want to argue that point with me.

Here goes, YOU CAN BUDGET ALL YOU WANT, BUT IF YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH...

YOU JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH! And that's how many people fall behind in their bills. Not because they waste their money like many others do!

Many people, honestly budget! They have made and continue to make serious down sizing, lifestyle changes. Own no credit cards, no big debts, still they get halfway through their monthly bill paying and find that, their cell phones, their Internet, cable (a small pleasure). They no longer shop at department stores, mostly at flea markets and resale shops for clothing. They let go of their mortgages, sell their homes (even though they are paid off) and downsize their living spaces! Many find even THAT IS NOT ENOUGH! They go even further, sell off one of the cars, Carpool to work, eventually the other car breaks down, cant afford to keep repairing it, so..they sell it. Sell it and use some of the money to try and catch up on a utility bill or two and with the rest buy monthly bus passes, until they can figure out something else!

Some of these people have lost their home all together and living in a shelter or "transitional housing" with their whole family, the husband wife and the kids. Had to give up the dog, because they couldn't afford to feed it or keep up the vet bills, not to mention the own health insurance! And they're still working but for small penance. And while they are their in the shelter or transitional housing, they are expected to save some of their mere income to prepare them to go back out into their own residence once again. ON WHAT THEY'RE MAKING, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT WILL TAKE? Even with both parent working?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE ?

I'm curious!

These people who pay taxes too, just like you! The same people who, against their OWN, had to accept a government food stamp card and monthly groceries from the church, so they can feed their families EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WORKING PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU! But what they are being paid is A SMALL PENANCE!

Some of you mock your co-workers, because they don't a vehicle to get back and forth to eh job like you! You mick them because they walk and take the bus! They don't' need your pity! They need your understanding. If you're going to help them and help them with discretion, to allow them to keep their dignity...Do them a real favor and LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Because technically, you are not that far from being them!

What do you have to say to those people? Come on! I'm curious.

In the mean time, they've already, lost their better paying jobs AND NOW ARE Working for small penance! Two and three jobs, in their older age, running themselves further into the ground! I KNOW OF TWO OLDER WOMEN, who worked so hard to maintain and both unfortunately died of heart attacks while still on the job even! Both, had been wearing themselves down working multiple jobs. One died in the bathroom. Said she hadn't been feeling well but was so strapped for money trying to keep her bills up, she couldn't afford to take too many days off. When she didn't come out of the bathroom, they got the employee key and went in after her. They found her dead. She had had a massive heart attack!

The other one was a friend of mine. She was also one of my bosses long ago. She died last year in the middle of her work day. I was told she was talking and laughing with her employees, they turned around and she had dropped right the floor. They tried desperately to resuscitate even before the EMS came, but it was too late! Her funeral was 2 days before her birthday and that was one woman who enjoyed a party! So, I know she was siked about her birthday.

I'VE NEVER GONE TO A FUNERAL WHERE SO MANY CORPORATE PEOPLE SHOWED UP.

But what did that, do for her?

Her bosses, some serious big wigs, came to support her family. That was nice of them. She was an awesome worker! She worked tirelessly running two of their stores, (often times, both in the same day!) She'd work regularly 18 hours a day. A single mother who raised 3 or 4 children and grandchildren, on her own. My friend was in her early 50's.

Grown, mature adults working these jobs, killing themselves for $7.15, $7.80, $8.00, $8.50 per hour and part-time on top that! Working without benefits that the people can REALISTICALLY AFFORD! BUT OH! THEY BETTER NOT TAKE TOO MANY SICK DAYS!

"YOU'RE GONNA PAY ME WHAT?"

My dear friend, making the $7.40 has also has gotten another temporary job that offers her $8.00 per hour in cash, but only a temporary, one shot deal, for 4 days work, right now! Currently, her house is in foreclosure, her car broke down after multiple fixes. So her husband sold it for junk. He sold the other car too! She has saved some money and looking to purchase a well working used vehicle to up her chances at getting a better job, but imagines it will be well into the suburbs, ratter than the city. She's already greatly concerned about the cost of gas, the wear and tear and ultimate repairs on a car she hasn't even purchases yet!

She is not proud to work, and taking what she can find. She has many years hands on Managerial experience, but that ended 2 years ago. Her financial situation, has bean in a downward spiral ever since. Its not right! These companies pay such a small penance and want the best workers.

As one of my other dear friends said to me last night on the phone, it's nice when the boss recognizes you for the work you do and says "Thank you", but I NEED MONEY! I got a housenote, a car note, house repairs and utility bills. Thanks don't always cut it. I'm up in years too! What am I gonna do?" This friend is retired form another job, but still has to have extra income like most of us! And she's well beyond 40, 50, and even 60 years of age!

She's currently working a part-time job, making about $8.80 per hour.

YOU'RE GONNA PAY ME WHAT?