Meh....

A FEW THINGS

I wasn't sure what to write about this week. As some of you know--we were a part of a massive blizzard last week. Our area was lucky to get snow--and a ton of wind. Others were victims of massive flooding that has not stopped. I ask that everyone who can help our Nebraska neighbors by sending supplies, money, or just plain volunteering to please do so. People have lost their homes, their livestock--their lives are flipped upside down. I can't imagine what they are going through.

My family was lucky. We had plenty of food, we had electricity, and we were all under the same roof. I was so thankful that my husband was home and not stranded somewhere in his truck. Once the blizzard was over it was time to clean up and dig out. Our horse had took shelter by the barn and was drifted in pretty good. My husband had to use our skid steer to dig a path for the horse to get water and food. He then plowed our road--headed to his parents house to plow them out and a few neighbors as well. The counties and the state worked around the clock plowing through incredible drifts. I would look at the highway cameras and could't figure out how our state workers were going to figure out where the road was because it was just a sea of white. I still wonder how they found the roads but they did. Some drifts took workers over seven hours to plow through that's how bad it was. I have never seen drifts like the drifts we have in our yard. They are tall enough that rabbits---yes RABBITS are eating the TOPS of our trees. 

What was so frustrating were all the reports of people trying to travel when they had been warned over and over to stay put. I actually got slack on Facebook because I believe those that hold up the clearing of the roads, or need to be rescued should also be BILLED for time wasted. I don't care WHAT your job is--take the proper steps and make sure that you are in the place that you need to be in before a storm hits. We are tired of saving your ass.

There seems to always be an ambulance call during storms like this--and for this blizzard there was a call--and it was my friend that needed assistance. This world almost lost her and if it wasn't for the amazing local ambulance team we would have. So from the bottom of my heart--thank you for saving my friend. 

As emotional as it was to hear about my friend--I received yet another emotional blow. I have met some of the most amazing people attending football games. To narrow it down--Indianapolis Colts games. The fan base is family based. I have been blessed to get to know a few and I found out that one in particular is not doing well health wise. This one has shaken me a little bit. Actually--this one flat out angers me. I have never met anyone as beautiful on the inside as well as the outside as this person. This person encouraged me to travel, loosen the reins in life and taught me to STOP caring what others thought of me. We had many heart to hearts and I set goals to be a little more like her. This person also named my upcoming travel agency. She made everyone around her feel special. What is happening to this person is not fair. NOT FAIR AT ALL.

After four days of being at home--we were starting to get on each others nerves so on Sunday--after checking road conditions I decided to take the kids out West River for the day. We had been trying to get out there for three weeks to see my daughter but the weather just never allowed it. Although it was a very quick trip--it was quite productive. My daughters wedding is starting to creep up on us and my oldest son had not been fitted for his suit. So we were able to get that done--my other daughter was able to try on her bridesmaid dress and it will just need to be hemmed. We talked about what else needs to be done for this wedding and have attempted to make a little more efficient time line so that there is no stress on the wedding day. My oldest daughter I think--I hope-- was feeling a little bit better. The stress of a wedding is unlike any other type of stress. I understand it--I get it. To end the day we ate a little BBQ and headed home. I had great conversations with all of my kids and I really needed it.

This week I am hoping for no storms, a full week of school, projects to be completed and for everyone in my life to be happy and healthy.

Until Next Week--Kristi

KRISTI SPILLS THE TEA

This week as I was scrolling through Facebook I witnessed a page get taken over by a BOT. Now I realize there are people who don't believe it can happen--but as someone like me who tends to be on Facebook a lot for my job--and well--I feel married to it--I can tell you--pages get hacked all of the time.

This page was a political page. It is a Democrat page. It is now an anti-Bernie Sanders page. The "administrator" will respond in screenshots and short sentences--not giving a lot of explanation and if you ask a question--or ask if it is hacked then you are banned. Which is what happened to me. I attempted to report the page but Facebook does not have "hacked" or "page compromised" as an option for reporting. Isn't that convenient?

Facebook has been accused many times of allowing political strain and they say "sorry--my bad" and get a slap on the hand-- they continue to do it. The Democrats and the Republicans will be hit with this split and strain as we all prepare for the next election. And once again as emotions rage Facebook will just say "sorry--my bad."

I have reported numerous fake accounts in my nine years on Facebook. And had Facebook tell me many times it is a legit account and they have allowed me to give a reason on why they should look into it more. This particular friend request was "Iyanla Van Zant" the famous inspirational speaker, has her own TV show and she wanted to be my friend--Yeah right. So when they came back to tell me that it was legit--I asked them why a famous person is friends with 200 people from Nigeria. It makes no sense. Or is it that Facebook just doesn't care?

In 2018 Facebook admitted---ADMITTED--it was used to "incite offline violence" in Myanmar. The violence was so bad that it was determined by the United Nations to be declared genocide. Genocide happened on Facebook's watch and you know what they said "Sorry--my bad." 

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love staying in touch with friends and family--it has been amazing for my business, they have an amazing affordable advertising program that gives a lot of exposure. I hate Facebook for the stress it lives for. To divide--to cause harm and they do it just for shits and giggles. 

This week I have decided to unlike every political page I follow. I will no longer be a part of the madness that is about to reek havoc on people who are already frustrated with the world. After witnessing this page takeover--we should all be concerned. 

Kristi