Look at it outside. Really....look at it!
Sunny, gorgeous blue sky, and yeah, breezy. Gusty, really, but hey - it beats the crap out of yesterday. Steel grey sky, windy as the ef-word, and that whole rain/snow mix ("snain").
And unbelievably enough, those little trick-or-treaters were out in droves. DROVES. More bunches of kids passed by the house last night in the first hour - garbage bags and all over their sad lil' costumes - than have been down this street over the past two...maybe three years combined!
Couldn't even tell you who looked more miserable - the parents standing at the ends of the driveways, escorting the mini demonites, or the actual candy beggars. Doesn't matter. I'll just bet the lack of houses giving out candy along our stretch last night sharply curtails what we see bopping down the street next year.
HA!
11.01.2014
10.10.2014
OK, I admit it
I am a mere mortal....
....and I am having 'back pains'. [snare drum rim shot, cymbal]
At least, that is what the doctor (who looked suspiciously like a re-animated Walter Matthau) kept saying....
....since I am unemployed....
and have no insurance....
and therefore am beyond the scope of examining (beyond listening to my lungs, that is).
He was a frumpish, Oscar Madison clone. The whole look - disheveled, unkempt, basset hound-faced, slack jawed. Hmmm. Perhaps that was a bit redundant, but he was so underwhelming in his medical presentation. In fact, the only missing prop was the hallmark well-chewed cigar hanging from his mouth.
Dr. Mensch shuffled into the exam room a full hour after my own arrival from the exterior waiting room, muttered a well-used salutation which sounded no less like Tim Conway's "Old Man", and crossed the room to sit at the little area of counter used as a desk. He had carried with him a laptop (along with a small mound of familiar-looking forms) and spent the first several minutes pecking and staring at it.
After an eternal silence, punctuated haltingly by the index finger of his left hand, he exhaled like a deflating balloon and abruptly grabbed up the pages of paperwork. It was no less the dossier I had filled out and turned in from the waiting room, so no wonder it all looked familiar. Dr. Mensch shuffled to the third page. A moment later he triumphantly announced, "Oh, that explains it!"
He apparently had been looking for my medical history in some online file, but failing locating my name, he decided to look at the provided real file. "This is your first time here?"
The actual question on the form asks, "Is this your first visit to this office?" I had checked the "yes" spot. Silly me.
"Yes," I answered, still having no eye contact. This was a virtual conversation.
From there, we had the same conversation I had had with the young woman who took my vitals (and made notes in what I assumed was my chart). Why was I there, what did I want to accomplish, etc. In short I wanted to rule out anything scary, and move on to how to fix the sudden excruciating pain I was in. He listened to my lungs. He was intrigued. He asked questions about my lungs - had I just gotten over being sick; do I cough up sputum; oh, you have asthma?
Cough. Inhale deeply, cough. Repeat. Cough again.
Dr. Mensch asked me to locate my pain. I reached for it, identifying its location precisely, and he 'poked' a little lower - by about 3-4 inches. I indicated the source of my extreme discomfort was up where my hand was on my mid-back/upper abdomen. He suggested perhaps it was kidney-related. He sat back down and hunt-and-pecked. Left-handed. Using one finger.
But what about my back? Would this be the source of my discomfort, from my kidneys to my rib cage?
Well, without insurance there isn't anything that can be done. No tests, no xrays, no nothing.
But........he did have me urinate in a cup to rule out blood in the urine.
Wheeeeeeee.
As though he were trying to convince himself more than me, he asked no less than three times - as he exited the room like a sneak-thief - does you back hurt all of the time? Does it hurt if you lay down or stand up? And on and on - each time declaring blandly, "It's your back." "You've hurt your back." "I think it's your back."
But HOW?!? If I wasn't doing anything more than standing - as I was doing just prior to the moment in time when it began hurting like a b*tch, for no reason - how do I prevent it from happening again, should this exquisite pain decide to take a vacation and completely subside?
Oh. My. Lanta! Make it stop.
I admit it - it hurts. But I've been 'there' and I've done 'that'. So, can this move on to someone else now, please?
....and I am having 'back pains'. [snare drum rim shot, cymbal]
At least, that is what the doctor (who looked suspiciously like a re-animated Walter Matthau) kept saying....
....since I am unemployed....
and have no insurance....
and therefore am beyond the scope of examining (beyond listening to my lungs, that is).
He was a frumpish, Oscar Madison clone. The whole look - disheveled, unkempt, basset hound-faced, slack jawed. Hmmm. Perhaps that was a bit redundant, but he was so underwhelming in his medical presentation. In fact, the only missing prop was the hallmark well-chewed cigar hanging from his mouth.
Dr. Mensch shuffled into the exam room a full hour after my own arrival from the exterior waiting room, muttered a well-used salutation which sounded no less like Tim Conway's "Old Man", and crossed the room to sit at the little area of counter used as a desk. He had carried with him a laptop (along with a small mound of familiar-looking forms) and spent the first several minutes pecking and staring at it.
After an eternal silence, punctuated haltingly by the index finger of his left hand, he exhaled like a deflating balloon and abruptly grabbed up the pages of paperwork. It was no less the dossier I had filled out and turned in from the waiting room, so no wonder it all looked familiar. Dr. Mensch shuffled to the third page. A moment later he triumphantly announced, "Oh, that explains it!"
He apparently had been looking for my medical history in some online file, but failing locating my name, he decided to look at the provided real file. "This is your first time here?"
The actual question on the form asks, "Is this your first visit to this office?" I had checked the "yes" spot. Silly me.
"Yes," I answered, still having no eye contact. This was a virtual conversation.
From there, we had the same conversation I had had with the young woman who took my vitals (and made notes in what I assumed was my chart). Why was I there, what did I want to accomplish, etc. In short I wanted to rule out anything scary, and move on to how to fix the sudden excruciating pain I was in. He listened to my lungs. He was intrigued. He asked questions about my lungs - had I just gotten over being sick; do I cough up sputum; oh, you have asthma?
Cough. Inhale deeply, cough. Repeat. Cough again.
Dr. Mensch asked me to locate my pain. I reached for it, identifying its location precisely, and he 'poked' a little lower - by about 3-4 inches. I indicated the source of my extreme discomfort was up where my hand was on my mid-back/upper abdomen. He suggested perhaps it was kidney-related. He sat back down and hunt-and-pecked. Left-handed. Using one finger.
But what about my back? Would this be the source of my discomfort, from my kidneys to my rib cage?
Well, without insurance there isn't anything that can be done. No tests, no xrays, no nothing.
But........he did have me urinate in a cup to rule out blood in the urine.
Wheeeeeeee.
As though he were trying to convince himself more than me, he asked no less than three times - as he exited the room like a sneak-thief - does you back hurt all of the time? Does it hurt if you lay down or stand up? And on and on - each time declaring blandly, "It's your back." "You've hurt your back." "I think it's your back."
But HOW?!? If I wasn't doing anything more than standing - as I was doing just prior to the moment in time when it began hurting like a b*tch, for no reason - how do I prevent it from happening again, should this exquisite pain decide to take a vacation and completely subside?
Oh. My. Lanta! Make it stop.
I admit it - it hurts. But I've been 'there' and I've done 'that'. So, can this move on to someone else now, please?
9.28.2014
Would you look at that
About as near to the end of September as we're gonna get, and since I am going to be otherwise engaged in activity away from the computer a fair amount of tomorrow, I figured 'why not write something for the month...at least one entry.'
Truth be told, this is the second entry for the month, but I have yanked the other one for the time being.
Karl is at his keyboard and monitor, yelling at faceless gamers. [sigh]
Brian is at the Renaissance festival (working) for the last day of the year. It has been a fairly glorious weather pattern {we've} experienced this year for the run of the fair, and aside from not being able to spend both days of every weekend for a month and one-half with his friends, cavorting and selling and behaving bawdily, he has been a happy camper. I think the advent of a girlfriend has made a significant impact, too - overall.
Perhaps next year we will all feel like dressing up again; this year we (Karl, Jean, myself) attended once, and went in regular street clothes. Bud is always in regalia, and I am a bit envious. Of course, it's much more enjoyable when everything isn't done on a shoestring budget.
Entered PQ1 into another show, and while there wasn't much competition, I am amazed (and very disappointed) that it did not place against what little there was also entered in the machine quilted category. The winning quilt was FAR SMALLER and way over-quilted...and not that well done - other than the feathers. Some of my opinion is sour grapes, but much of it is warranted. Not to mention, VERY FEW of the machine quilted pieces were quilted by the maker of the quilt! Never again in that show. Sad, sad, sad event and poorly done. The worst of it is they PINNED the quilts to the backing screens, despite the fact a lot of the quilts had sleeves. PQ1 hung so poorly due to their pinning, I was embarrassed.
I am also a bit pissed as I was told I would be able to collect my quilt following the close of the show...but then was told "nope, not gonna happen." I now must drive to BAY CITY to collect it!
OK, so that's the brunt of it all. Ah, but let's not forget that I had finally managed to have a phone interview AND a face-to-face follow-up interview for a position in Flint (YEA!!), only to lose out to someone with counseling training under their belt (BOO).
Tomorrow will be a better day, I just need to get through dinner and breakfast.
Truth be told, this is the second entry for the month, but I have yanked the other one for the time being.
Karl is at his keyboard and monitor, yelling at faceless gamers. [sigh]
Brian is at the Renaissance festival (working) for the last day of the year. It has been a fairly glorious weather pattern {we've} experienced this year for the run of the fair, and aside from not being able to spend both days of every weekend for a month and one-half with his friends, cavorting and selling and behaving bawdily, he has been a happy camper. I think the advent of a girlfriend has made a significant impact, too - overall.
Perhaps next year we will all feel like dressing up again; this year we (Karl, Jean, myself) attended once, and went in regular street clothes. Bud is always in regalia, and I am a bit envious. Of course, it's much more enjoyable when everything isn't done on a shoestring budget.
Entered PQ1 into another show, and while there wasn't much competition, I am amazed (and very disappointed) that it did not place against what little there was also entered in the machine quilted category. The winning quilt was FAR SMALLER and way over-quilted...and not that well done - other than the feathers. Some of my opinion is sour grapes, but much of it is warranted. Not to mention, VERY FEW of the machine quilted pieces were quilted by the maker of the quilt! Never again in that show. Sad, sad, sad event and poorly done. The worst of it is they PINNED the quilts to the backing screens, despite the fact a lot of the quilts had sleeves. PQ1 hung so poorly due to their pinning, I was embarrassed.
I am also a bit pissed as I was told I would be able to collect my quilt following the close of the show...but then was told "nope, not gonna happen." I now must drive to BAY CITY to collect it!
OK, so that's the brunt of it all. Ah, but let's not forget that I had finally managed to have a phone interview AND a face-to-face follow-up interview for a position in Flint (YEA!!), only to lose out to someone with counseling training under their belt (BOO).
Tomorrow will be a better day, I just need to get through dinner and breakfast.
7.06.2014
25
Yesterday....my baby turned twenty-five. 25! How does that happen?
Believe me when I say that I have been watching this one every step - every eyelash flutter - of the way, and I still have a hard time believing it.
When Brian turned twenty-five I felt it. For some reason it seemed 'right', and it was believable - and perhaps I was more in tune and accepting of the march of time. But Karl hitting this milestone seems incorrect somehow. Maybe it's the Asperger's that has me incredulous. It's deceiving.
At any rate, it has happened - happy 25th birthday my little bug! I have loved every minute of it.
When Brian turned twenty-five I felt it. For some reason it seemed 'right', and it was believable - and perhaps I was more in tune and accepting of the march of time. But Karl hitting this milestone seems incorrect somehow. Maybe it's the Asperger's that has me incredulous. It's deceiving.
At any rate, it has happened - happy 25th birthday my little bug! I have loved every minute of it.
7.03.2014
Hey, Maria
In just nine short days it will have been two months since you last posted (by the way, nice haul on the Mother's Day plants). I miss your updates, dear girl.
How did your material (and all) make out after that clean up?
What did you end up doing for your birthday?
How were your classes and finals for the last semester?
Are you taking any classes over the summer (I know you detest that idea)?
How is the family?
Why is the sky blue?
Why do ice cubes 'melt' in the freezer?
Have you worked on anything fun and creative over the last (nearly) two months?
Involved in any community garden work this summer?
Are you happy/healthy/keeping content/traveling anywhere?
Wanna get together and catch up?
Love you. [squishy hugs]
How did your material (and all) make out after that clean up?
What did you end up doing for your birthday?
How were your classes and finals for the last semester?
Are you taking any classes over the summer (I know you detest that idea)?
How is the family?
Why is the sky blue?
Why do ice cubes 'melt' in the freezer?
Have you worked on anything fun and creative over the last (nearly) two months?
Involved in any community garden work this summer?
Are you happy/healthy/keeping content/traveling anywhere?
Wanna get together and catch up?
Love you. [squishy hugs]
6.25.2014
Wazzup?
Since the last post, a lot has happened/ended/improved/come-and-gone. Here is just a sampling.
Been living from Tuesdays to Thursdays to get K-dub through his compressed college course, and he ended with a solid A! Yea, Karl! He even used the opportunity to get up IN FRONT OF THE CLASS AND SPEAK for an additional (but totally unnecessary) fifteen extra credit points, using as a topic one of his written assignments throughout the course. I am so very proud of him for following through and taking the class when he really wanted to drop out of it all those weeks ago.
Brian went to a tournament in Chicago over the weekend, and had his own brand of epiphanies. We'll see where it takes him over the coming weeks/months.
Must head to the library to take an online aptitude test (job-related), as our internet connection is so slow, and more than occasionally takes a diaper break in the middle of every operation. Would hate for that to happen during the typing test portion.
Have gotten halfway through RowD, and can now begin to look ahead to RowE. One-quarter of the quilt is nearly OFFICIALLY complete, and I am excited to say the least. A far cry from being in the first row with so much to look forward to. I confess, I believed wholeheartedly that the process would go faster - especially after the first few squares, but adding material (colors) to the palette seems to have made it more difficult and time consuming.
Dropped online a couple of days ago to log the computer off for the evening, and saw that my lovely friend Maria was online, and in her google account. By the time my home internet connection allowed the correspondence box to open up....she had signed out. I was disappointed to have missed the chance to face-to-face with her. [sigh] I hope she is doing well, and that her summer classes have brought her closer to reaching her immediate goals. Miss you, Maria!
OK, time to stop burning daylight. Enjoy your days and be well, everyone.
Been living from Tuesdays to Thursdays to get K-dub through his compressed college course, and he ended with a solid A! Yea, Karl! He even used the opportunity to get up IN FRONT OF THE CLASS AND SPEAK for an additional (but totally unnecessary) fifteen extra credit points, using as a topic one of his written assignments throughout the course. I am so very proud of him for following through and taking the class when he really wanted to drop out of it all those weeks ago.
Brian went to a tournament in Chicago over the weekend, and had his own brand of epiphanies. We'll see where it takes him over the coming weeks/months.
Must head to the library to take an online aptitude test (job-related), as our internet connection is so slow, and more than occasionally takes a diaper break in the middle of every operation. Would hate for that to happen during the typing test portion.
Have gotten halfway through RowD, and can now begin to look ahead to RowE. One-quarter of the quilt is nearly OFFICIALLY complete, and I am excited to say the least. A far cry from being in the first row with so much to look forward to. I confess, I believed wholeheartedly that the process would go faster - especially after the first few squares, but adding material (colors) to the palette seems to have made it more difficult and time consuming.
Dropped online a couple of days ago to log the computer off for the evening, and saw that my lovely friend Maria was online, and in her google account. By the time my home internet connection allowed the correspondence box to open up....she had signed out. I was disappointed to have missed the chance to face-to-face with her. [sigh] I hope she is doing well, and that her summer classes have brought her closer to reaching her immediate goals. Miss you, Maria!
OK, time to stop burning daylight. Enjoy your days and be well, everyone.
6.10.2014
Oh yeah, it's been a while
This is a carryover from an entry on the quilting blog, as I felt this sort of thing has no place there (I mean, in all fairness I did start the quilting blog to save you all from the banal-ness of quilting - since some people didn't give two hoots about quilting...even if it was what I had been working on).
The verbiage below stems from a misunderstanding that became inflated to Texas-sized proportions, all because someone failed to read....not because I chose to use a word I use on occasion. And by 'occasion', I mean more than ten times a year. Sue me if you don't like my intelligence and my formidable brilliance (and if you embrace your own ignorance).
* * * * *
[From the quilting blog]
"Why are you picking on Texas?"
Well, I am not picking on the entire
state, simply one or two characters living there. See, if I had named
them there would be bigger issues, so I simply mentioned where they lived to
make my life easier. On a networking site (where I created and admin a
group for Free Motion Quilting on Domestic machines) this person attempted to
post an image which didn't show up - just a generated message that the person
posting may not have had permission to post it, or that it may have been
removed, or that I didn't have permission to view it. So I commented that
I could not see it, but that my interest was piqued.
Yes, the word of the day, kiddies -
"piqued" - started a small firestorm.
Said person did not understand the word
"piqued", and upon looking it up found (I'm certain) the two definitions that are
standard for the word. Well, the phrase I used ("...you've piqued my
interest.") appears in both physical, hard cover dictionaries and
online....but she chose to (mis)interpret my meaning anyhow and write this:
"I am
afraid I don' t understand: Pique: a sudden feeling of annoyance or angel when
someone has offended you. How have I offended you? I will remove the
picture."
In less than 20 minutes I had returned to
my keyboard to look for a response or a plea for assistance to correct the photo issue and to get this person's snapshot loaded to the timeline for all to see.
When I saw their response I quickly wrote this, hoping to soothe nerves and
calm the overwrought (and semi-ignorant) person:
"Don't take the very literal derogatory/negative
connotation, but the more overarching "plucked", "raised",
suddenly engaged. How could you annoy my curiosity?
"Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you."
There is no image (at least, I cannot see it), therefore, I am suddenly curious and anxious to see whatever it was that should have posted ~ "
"Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you."
There is no image (at least, I cannot see it), therefore, I am suddenly curious and anxious to see whatever it was that should have posted ~ "
Another
member of the group wrote (more than five hours later) that they also could not
see the image, and that they were curious. So, instead of rectifying the
problem, this person overreacts to the point of extreme silliness and leaves
the group. Not being happy with this outcome, I wrote a fairly quick note
saying:
"I am sorry if you were offended at my comment, which was meant as an explanation as to how I meant the word and not your inference.
It's also unfortunate that the misunderstanding of my question (as to where/what your photo was) turned into such a major issue instead of resolution - resulting in you deciding to withdraw from FMQ. Totally unnecessary.
A few of us were hoping to see your post...an accomplishment, perhaps? Sad to see now we'll never know.
Best wishes for your FMQ future ~ "
Mind
you, only a few weeks earlier we had had an exchange regarding one of her quilt
photos I used as a banner image for the group...and everything was fine.
I suppose it was because I used words smaller than two syllables for the
most part in our quick exchange (yes, I am feeling a little snarky). Yet
here, in their final response to my completely unnecessary - but sincere -
apology, is a rather terse (and somewhat ignorant), and rather disjointed set
of non-reasons:
"What was unfortunate and unnecessary is the use of such a complex word to make such a simple statement. My husband was looking over my shoulder as I read your response and he too did not understand why you chose that word. The words even related to that word are most all questionable. Simply ask where picture was taken or when. Not necessary to risk using a word through a written text that may be interpreted at its original meaning. When that is possible use alternate word that will bring a smile. I enjoyed my time on FMQ. Life is just to short to take a fun picture and complicate it with words most often not used. I had posted the picture of the camping quilt here in this picture a couple days prior. I just enjoy simple time. Simple life. Simple words. No need to spruce it up with complex choices. We dont use that word very often here in Texas. Take Care. God Bless and Best wishes for FMQ."
Seriously?
You added another ignorant person to your hissy-fit-athon, and between
the two of you, you still couldn't see the overreaction factor? I
am not feeling tremendously optimistic about the educational system there in
your neck 'o' da' woods, or about the future of reading and comprehension.
To say nothing of the ability to follow a 'bread crumb trail' that totally spells out the misunderstanding of
a word with dual meaning(s) - and points you directly at the correct meaning.
And
yes, let me not obfuscate, I did (and do) use punctuation and paragraphs - even
in Fb! All text was copied directly from the source (for both parties)
and NO instances of substitution or corrections or screwing up (used for you
simple Texificans) were applied to this.
You
have piqued my curiosity - are all Texicarians so simple and rude, and
bullheaded and uncomprehending?
Time for me to move to Canada - or the UK -
where they like words.
5.27.2014
Idiot weather man
He gestures to his little screen and tells us our high today was 86*F, but our record high for this day is 91*F (set back in....well, whenever it was set).
"As you can see, nowhere near close to that record high."
Are you kidding me?! That's only a five degree difference. YES, that's close. Close enough!
Moron.
"As you can see, nowhere near close to that record high."
Are you kidding me?! That's only a five degree difference. YES, that's close. Close enough!
Moron.
5.20.2014
Groovy little thing
It can't be a bad day if,
when you deposit money into a vending machine,
and the product begins to roll to the front of the peg to drop off for you to retrieve,
but it becomes stuck...
and just as you begin to realize your dollar is gone
and your nummy little snack is hanging tantalizingly out of reach within,
then the machine recognizes that the item purchased didn't fall to the tray below,
so it tells the little snack-holding armature to roll a little more -
and it does -
and your stuck snack falls to the tray below
along with a second bag!!!!
You know that's karma beginning to make up for something in your past.
Groovy little thing.
when you deposit money into a vending machine,
and the product begins to roll to the front of the peg to drop off for you to retrieve,
but it becomes stuck...
and just as you begin to realize your dollar is gone
and your nummy little snack is hanging tantalizingly out of reach within,
then the machine recognizes that the item purchased didn't fall to the tray below,
so it tells the little snack-holding armature to roll a little more -
and it does -
and your stuck snack falls to the tray below
along with a second bag!!!!
You know that's karma beginning to make up for something in your past.
Groovy little thing.
5.02.2014
High hopes
I had plans on heading down to Detroit to visit with one of my favorite people today, but a phone call from Maria steered me back to the ol' garage. All of the recent rain managed to make a mess of her drainage, and instead of letting me come anyway and give her a hand cleaning it up (more hands make to lighten the load), she told me to stay away.
: (
So, I sat for about 2.5 hours and looked for work online, plugged away and puttered at a tad bit more cleaning around the house, and then decided to head outside and whack away at some of the UNWANTED volunteer raspberry canes in the front flowerbed. But, the weather is now spittling - a prelude to the rain forecasters have promised - so I am going to the sewing area and laying out another block of Row C!
Would rather be laughing and cleaning with Maria. [sigh] 'Til next week, M.
: (
So, I sat for about 2.5 hours and looked for work online, plugged away and puttered at a tad bit more cleaning around the house, and then decided to head outside and whack away at some of the UNWANTED volunteer raspberry canes in the front flowerbed. But, the weather is now spittling - a prelude to the rain forecasters have promised - so I am going to the sewing area and laying out another block of Row C!
Would rather be laughing and cleaning with Maria. [sigh] 'Til next week, M.
4.30.2014
Post morning routine
Since we are in the midst of the final day of April, I feel compelled to author a round-up of the final bits and points of interest on the month.
The girls have been fed, we've conjured up the snacky treat chase-fest, and have moved on to the languid portion of the late morning cat hours. Cleo is imploring (both in eye contact and chirpy noises) - she desires her grass and nap time help.
Incidentally, Hobbes has finally clued in to the whole Cleo-gets-her-daily-grass-ration-at-nap-time, and so has taken to positioning herself where she needs to be in order to try and bully some for herself. Sheesh.
Brian left for work a while ago, but was complaining of not feeling well just prior to leaving. We spoke for a bit about what would be best to do, and I told him that if he becomes ill at work then perhaps they won't mind sending him home early as opposed to him not showing up at all - which seems to be a frequent thing that happens there (not on Bud's part, but with the employee population in general). The management at 'Blowe's' is not a top notch set of thinkers (proactively speaking or in problem solving) - and that's all I am going to say for the moment.
Karl is finally moving around this A.M. I have to say I liked our morning routine earlier in the last semester - when Karl would rise earlier every day of the week, because then he could manage to get up on time for class AND get his own day going (including every other day of the week) - and he wasn't up until all hours and snoozing like a teenager 'til 10:30 every morning.
- - I didn't say every point of the "round-up" would be important or relevant to the entire month of April - -
It's been a month of gains and losses, too. Karl and I both gained credits towards the first step in our degrees. He is much further ahead in the tally, but I am closing the gap, taking three classes to his one in each semester. We will have courses over the spring/summer semester, and stay on track to push toward our respective associate's degrees.
We lost a member of our family - my last remaining grandparent passed away just three months shy of her 103rd birthday. The boys still have two living gp's - my mom and my errant, ne'er-do-well, self-exiled father thing. But all other generational links beyond my mom are now gone; even their paternal grandparents passed between 5-10 years ago. Gram passed on Thursday, April 17, and she was happy to go. Rest in peace, Gram.
My birthday was a couple of days ago, as was my last class for the semester. Done and done.
Still pushing on with the latest long-term quilt project, and working sporadically on other quilty things, too. Entered Peace Quilt I into it's second competition, and it won first place (and a $100 prize) for "Superior Machine Quilting on a Domestic" !!!! So there! It also garnered a first place ribbon from the NQA Chapter, too! [happy sigh] The notes from the NQA judge were icing on the cake, and I am thrilled she found it worthy of a mention for color and for piecing, but the guild decided otherwise. I suppose they wanted to spread the prizes out a bit. Ah, well. There's always the next show, right?
I've spent a bit of time with a friend or two, here and there. Jean took me out for a birthday meal over the weekend, and we enjoyed some Mediterranean yummies. I have since spoken with another darling friend, Maria, who went to Amsterdam with a student contingency from Wayne State!!! Talk about a neat school field trip! We will get together later this week to kibbitz and laugh, and she will share some photos of her amazing trip. In between, I will be talking to another lifelong friend, Lori, and seeing how she is faring lately.
And between all of that I intend to sneak in some more assembling on VGS. I just can't help myself - this one is going to go places!
More later. Bye-bye, April!
The girls have been fed, we've conjured up the snacky treat chase-fest, and have moved on to the languid portion of the late morning cat hours. Cleo is imploring (both in eye contact and chirpy noises) - she desires her grass and nap time help.
Incidentally, Hobbes has finally clued in to the whole Cleo-gets-her-daily-grass-ration-at-nap-time, and so has taken to positioning herself where she needs to be in order to try and bully some for herself. Sheesh.
Brian left for work a while ago, but was complaining of not feeling well just prior to leaving. We spoke for a bit about what would be best to do, and I told him that if he becomes ill at work then perhaps they won't mind sending him home early as opposed to him not showing up at all - which seems to be a frequent thing that happens there (not on Bud's part, but with the employee population in general). The management at 'Blowe's' is not a top notch set of thinkers (proactively speaking or in problem solving) - and that's all I am going to say for the moment.
Karl is finally moving around this A.M. I have to say I liked our morning routine earlier in the last semester - when Karl would rise earlier every day of the week, because then he could manage to get up on time for class AND get his own day going (including every other day of the week) - and he wasn't up until all hours and snoozing like a teenager 'til 10:30 every morning.
- - I didn't say every point of the "round-up" would be important or relevant to the entire month of April - -
It's been a month of gains and losses, too. Karl and I both gained credits towards the first step in our degrees. He is much further ahead in the tally, but I am closing the gap, taking three classes to his one in each semester. We will have courses over the spring/summer semester, and stay on track to push toward our respective associate's degrees.
We lost a member of our family - my last remaining grandparent passed away just three months shy of her 103rd birthday. The boys still have two living gp's - my mom and my errant, ne'er-do-well, self-exiled father thing. But all other generational links beyond my mom are now gone; even their paternal grandparents passed between 5-10 years ago. Gram passed on Thursday, April 17, and she was happy to go. Rest in peace, Gram.
My birthday was a couple of days ago, as was my last class for the semester. Done and done.
Still pushing on with the latest long-term quilt project, and working sporadically on other quilty things, too. Entered Peace Quilt I into it's second competition, and it won first place (and a $100 prize) for "Superior Machine Quilting on a Domestic" !!!! So there! It also garnered a first place ribbon from the NQA Chapter, too! [happy sigh] The notes from the NQA judge were icing on the cake, and I am thrilled she found it worthy of a mention for color and for piecing, but the guild decided otherwise. I suppose they wanted to spread the prizes out a bit. Ah, well. There's always the next show, right?
I've spent a bit of time with a friend or two, here and there. Jean took me out for a birthday meal over the weekend, and we enjoyed some Mediterranean yummies. I have since spoken with another darling friend, Maria, who went to Amsterdam with a student contingency from Wayne State!!! Talk about a neat school field trip! We will get together later this week to kibbitz and laugh, and she will share some photos of her amazing trip. In between, I will be talking to another lifelong friend, Lori, and seeing how she is faring lately.
And between all of that I intend to sneak in some more assembling on VGS. I just can't help myself - this one is going to go places!
More later. Bye-bye, April!
4.23.2014
One week ago tomorrow
Wow. [typed in a wholly unenthusiastic manner]
It will be one week ago tomorrow that my grandmother passed away, and with the advent of Easter hanging in the wings (please pardon the unintended Ecclesiastic pun), her funeral arrangements were made with an eye on early the following week. One short day of viewing/visitation and then the service and burial on day two.
I spent much of my time over the past few days either on the phone (on behalf of our mother), attempting to convince my eldest brother to come, or finishing (or trying to finish) final work for classes. And, if he wasn't coming, the focus shifted to trying to ascertain if he wasn't coming because of money issues or work scheduling conflicts....or whatever other myriad 'reasons' existed. Due to his (infrequent) monosyllabic word use, the messages were met with the usual cryptic Aaron-esque answers. Fortunately, while infinitely frustrating to deal with, it was brief. There was also time spent researching best prices for airline fares from NY to Detroit so mom could make provisions available for another relative to make it either 1) home to visit with Gram before she passed, or 2) home for the funeral when the time came (since it looked fairly imminent).
Yesterday the day was spent in equal measure - on the road (damn road crews patching SB I-75....they couldn't have patched NORTHbound instead?) to/from the funeral; at the church service and then luncheon; at Gram's apartment with people coming and going, hugging and grabbing, eating and chatting, etc. Karl was a trooper, but after he'd had enough, he escaped by napping throughout the noise and family clatter, instead of turning surly - and this was surely a gift from God. Brian was an infinite help, and despite his wanting to get on the road to head to one of two jobs he needed to be at, he managed to help doing minor - but necessary - tasks when asked. I simply ran the kitchen and answered questions....and located people in the sea of faces and din of Schaffer hubbub.
Today, we are back to near-normal. Brian is readying to go to work; Karl is blissfully drowsing, but I can hear him stirring; and I am preparing for some necessary stuff I need to get to.
Rest in peace, Gram. And please give Grandpa a HUGE hug from me, as I miss him so. See you in about fifty years.
It will be one week ago tomorrow that my grandmother passed away, and with the advent of Easter hanging in the wings (please pardon the unintended Ecclesiastic pun), her funeral arrangements were made with an eye on early the following week. One short day of viewing/visitation and then the service and burial on day two.
I spent much of my time over the past few days either on the phone (on behalf of our mother), attempting to convince my eldest brother to come, or finishing (or trying to finish) final work for classes. And, if he wasn't coming, the focus shifted to trying to ascertain if he wasn't coming because of money issues or work scheduling conflicts....or whatever other myriad 'reasons' existed. Due to his (infrequent) monosyllabic word use, the messages were met with the usual cryptic Aaron-esque answers. Fortunately, while infinitely frustrating to deal with, it was brief. There was also time spent researching best prices for airline fares from NY to Detroit so mom could make provisions available for another relative to make it either 1) home to visit with Gram before she passed, or 2) home for the funeral when the time came (since it looked fairly imminent).
Yesterday the day was spent in equal measure - on the road (damn road crews patching SB I-75....they couldn't have patched NORTHbound instead?) to/from the funeral; at the church service and then luncheon; at Gram's apartment with people coming and going, hugging and grabbing, eating and chatting, etc. Karl was a trooper, but after he'd had enough, he escaped by napping throughout the noise and family clatter, instead of turning surly - and this was surely a gift from God. Brian was an infinite help, and despite his wanting to get on the road to head to one of two jobs he needed to be at, he managed to help doing minor - but necessary - tasks when asked. I simply ran the kitchen and answered questions....and located people in the sea of faces and din of Schaffer hubbub.
Today, we are back to near-normal. Brian is readying to go to work; Karl is blissfully drowsing, but I can hear him stirring; and I am preparing for some necessary stuff I need to get to.
Rest in peace, Gram. And please give Grandpa a HUGE hug from me, as I miss him so. See you in about fifty years.
4.10.2014
It's melted!
It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted! It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
Do ya get the idea?
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
It's melted!
Do ya get the idea?
3.23.2014
3.20.2014
Does this convicted criminal live near you?
DO NOT LET THIS PERSON IN YOUR HOME! If you see this man, suspect him immediately of committing a crime, or in the process of figuring out how to do so. We did not let him in, so he helped himself with a pry bar...while wearing a mask!
He broke into my home over 8 years ago - while one of my sons was inside - and only had to serve eight years for first degree home invasion!
And what's more....he has been paroled EARLY.
No notification was sent to me, victim #1 in his case, despite having filed the paperwork supplied by the courts. Well, I guess the victim can fill it out and send it back, but once it leaves [our] hands, there's no telling what becomes of it.
And what's more....he has been paroled EARLY.
No notification was sent to me, victim #1 in his case, despite having filed the paperwork supplied by the courts. Well, I guess the victim can fill it out and send it back, but once it leaves [our] hands, there's no telling what becomes of it.
3.11.2014
Aw, c'mon...really!?
We just finally managed to find a bit of lawn poking through the snow, and now there is another storm barreling down on the mitten! Predictions are it will be here starting in the wee morning hours Wednesday.
Really? Couldn't hold off until Thursday...or Friday, even?
*ga-a-a-a-aah, gack*
Really? Couldn't hold off until Thursday...or Friday, even?
*ga-a-a-a-aah, gack*
3.08.2014
Holy cow patties
WARNING: This is going to be pretty random stuff.
I dislike odd dreams; and why is it that the only dreams I can remember are the odd ones? Ugh. The feel of it - the thoughts from it - are coloring my mood today.
I had definite plans for my weekend, and Karl was 'on board' as of Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, but sometime yesterday his mood and work ethic hit the skids. Tooth-pulling would be easier than getting this kid to knuckle down and finish writing his final. Sheesh!
Found out the neighbors to the rear of my property are both gone, now. He passed away last spring - May or so. She just died a few days ago. The elderly widow, two doors down to my north, is in poor health, and my neighbors directly next door aren't spring chickens. The only consistency on this block is the change in neighbors - either due to foreclosure or death. [sigh]
Brian is ill for the third time this season - although, he is on the mend. Wish he'd take better care of himself.
Did some mild cleaning and found thank you notes that I thought had been mailed months ago. MONTHS! I also found Christmas cards I'd addressed but never sent. So, I am already ahead of the game for this year. HA!
PQ1 will be hanging in the OCQG "Celebration of Quilts 2014" (or is it "Quilt Celebration 2014"?) this spring. Delivery will happen in early April, and then the show is a whole two days long. But at least it will be seen one more time.
Last week of the compressed Humanities class is happening in the week ahead. It's been lots of work in a very short time span, but I wonder how would have been different in a more traditional semester setting. Karl and I are looking forward to having this class over and done with, but then I still have two more classes to get through for the semester. In short order it will be time to enroll in spring/summer classes, and we've already talked (Karl and I) about something more conducive to an employment schedule, since I am inviting employment to walk in my door. I am challenging employment to slap me in the face. Best be prepared with open mornings and afternoons - although it is much easier to sit in class and absorb the information early in the day, and not after a full day of everything else. Ya know what I mean?
OK, that's about all for now, I have real work that needs doing.
I dislike odd dreams; and why is it that the only dreams I can remember are the odd ones? Ugh. The feel of it - the thoughts from it - are coloring my mood today.
I had definite plans for my weekend, and Karl was 'on board' as of Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, but sometime yesterday his mood and work ethic hit the skids. Tooth-pulling would be easier than getting this kid to knuckle down and finish writing his final. Sheesh!
Found out the neighbors to the rear of my property are both gone, now. He passed away last spring - May or so. She just died a few days ago. The elderly widow, two doors down to my north, is in poor health, and my neighbors directly next door aren't spring chickens. The only consistency on this block is the change in neighbors - either due to foreclosure or death. [sigh]
Brian is ill for the third time this season - although, he is on the mend. Wish he'd take better care of himself.
Did some mild cleaning and found thank you notes that I thought had been mailed months ago. MONTHS! I also found Christmas cards I'd addressed but never sent. So, I am already ahead of the game for this year. HA!
PQ1 will be hanging in the OCQG "Celebration of Quilts 2014" (or is it "Quilt Celebration 2014"?) this spring. Delivery will happen in early April, and then the show is a whole two days long. But at least it will be seen one more time.
Last week of the compressed Humanities class is happening in the week ahead. It's been lots of work in a very short time span, but I wonder how would have been different in a more traditional semester setting. Karl and I are looking forward to having this class over and done with, but then I still have two more classes to get through for the semester. In short order it will be time to enroll in spring/summer classes, and we've already talked (Karl and I) about something more conducive to an employment schedule, since I am inviting employment to walk in my door. I am challenging employment to slap me in the face. Best be prepared with open mornings and afternoons - although it is much easier to sit in class and absorb the information early in the day, and not after a full day of everything else. Ya know what I mean?
OK, that's about all for now, I have real work that needs doing.
3.02.2014
2.25.2014
Could it be...?
Birds outside are very active and very chatty today. This is only the second (maybe third) time since November when I have been made aware of the silly little things all winter.
Hey, I can even see the top of the wheelbarrow and more of the shovel that were forgotten in the yard just before the snow and the temperature began to fall, and fall, and fall, and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and f-a-l-l.
Uh, I think you get the picture.
Could it be that spring is just around this current frigid polar vortex corner?
Hey, I can even see the top of the wheelbarrow and more of the shovel that were forgotten in the yard just before the snow and the temperature began to fall, and fall, and fall, and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and fall,
and f-a-l-l.
Uh, I think you get the picture.
Could it be that spring is just around this current frigid polar vortex corner?
2.21.2014
Survival mode
Well, we survived most of the dead of winter, but we've all become "snow zombies" in the process.
Yeah, that's right, you heard me. I said it - "snow zombies." And at present, we are looking ahead to more of the same, even as the calendar ticks by and we find ourselves inching through February...March looming precipitously on the horizon. There are now promises from the meteorological set that another polar vortex is in the offing for the coming week. This is why I didn't say we were looking 'forward' to more of the same, but "ahead" to it.
WHO would ever look forward to polar vortex weather?!?!?
We survived another round of winter Olympics, despite Putin and his reign of superiority complex.
I've survived mid-terms and am so grateful that stress/ordeal is over. It's now downhill through the remainder of the semester and final projects, etc. Humanities is a great comfort, since it's writing - and that I can do [sigh of relief]. Even the animation class is pretty OK, as far as that goes, just a lot of work - with more to come. It's my doggone web Design class that is giving me fits. I am finally getting a grasp on the concepts, but the application of it is murder. What hasn't helped is being computer-less at home, and having no way to work on the assignments away from class. Yes, I can use the lab on campus, but to take advantage of the only tutor for the subject matter I would have to blow off another class on one of two days he is available. That's not a great option.
Karl is surviving the Humanities class, compressed though it may be. He will be done with his semester in just a few weeks (once we return from mid-winter break), and then I will have only two classes to contend with while he remains at home those particular mornings. He has done remarkably well staying on top of the assignments and participating in class. He feels he may not have fared well on the mid-term (and I can have done well or not-so-well-as-I'd-have-liked), but that's over and done with, and there are only a few weeks left with only four more papers to write. Phwew! Monumental happiness and relief. We will use the week off to write two of the papers (I hope he will stick with that game plan), and then will keep up with weekly class expectations when class resumes in ten days.
Ah, it's too cloudy outside for the sun to shine, but something just allowed the light to grow brighter than the particular shade of gloom which has dominated the day thus far. The winds picked up to gusting and steady, heavy blowing about an hour ago. Forecast is for 30 MPH sustained winds, with gusts of 40-50 MPH all day and into the evening. Could wreak havoc on electrical lines and phone service, so let's hope this is survivable without losing power...again.
Take care and be well. More another time.
Yeah, that's right, you heard me. I said it - "snow zombies." And at present, we are looking ahead to more of the same, even as the calendar ticks by and we find ourselves inching through February...March looming precipitously on the horizon. There are now promises from the meteorological set that another polar vortex is in the offing for the coming week. This is why I didn't say we were looking 'forward' to more of the same, but "ahead" to it.
WHO would ever look forward to polar vortex weather?!?!?
We survived another round of winter Olympics, despite Putin and his reign of superiority complex.
I've survived mid-terms and am so grateful that stress/ordeal is over. It's now downhill through the remainder of the semester and final projects, etc. Humanities is a great comfort, since it's writing - and that I can do [sigh of relief]. Even the animation class is pretty OK, as far as that goes, just a lot of work - with more to come. It's my doggone web Design class that is giving me fits. I am finally getting a grasp on the concepts, but the application of it is murder. What hasn't helped is being computer-less at home, and having no way to work on the assignments away from class. Yes, I can use the lab on campus, but to take advantage of the only tutor for the subject matter I would have to blow off another class on one of two days he is available. That's not a great option.
Karl is surviving the Humanities class, compressed though it may be. He will be done with his semester in just a few weeks (once we return from mid-winter break), and then I will have only two classes to contend with while he remains at home those particular mornings. He has done remarkably well staying on top of the assignments and participating in class. He feels he may not have fared well on the mid-term (and I can have done well or not-so-well-as-I'd-have-liked), but that's over and done with, and there are only a few weeks left with only four more papers to write. Phwew! Monumental happiness and relief. We will use the week off to write two of the papers (I hope he will stick with that game plan), and then will keep up with weekly class expectations when class resumes in ten days.
Ah, it's too cloudy outside for the sun to shine, but something just allowed the light to grow brighter than the particular shade of gloom which has dominated the day thus far. The winds picked up to gusting and steady, heavy blowing about an hour ago. Forecast is for 30 MPH sustained winds, with gusts of 40-50 MPH all day and into the evening. Could wreak havoc on electrical lines and phone service, so let's hope this is survivable without losing power...again.
Take care and be well. More another time.
1.12.2014
For fear of jinxing anything
Oh, man. Do you recall I once said never utter (even mentally...to yourself) that "things could always be worse"? Nor should you think, or utter, the ubiquitous "things couldn't get any worse". Does anyone recall me offering this sage advice?
OK, put your hands down. I just wanted to prove my point AND to make it clear that I neither thought or desired to expound on that theory - mostly because I believe it tempts whatever angst-y 'spirits' may be out there. It tempts them to validate the theory. Clearly, though, someone is conspiring against me.
Thanks for that.
[clamoring voices swell with wonder]
The furnace gave up the ghost yesterday afternoon, and we have been without heat since Saturday midday. I returned home to the boys' announcement of "the furnace is not working....we think." They deduced this after realizing it had become a little chilly, and when they looked at the thermostat, they realized the temperature had dropped to 66*F, and that it was a little uncomfortable to bare arms and feet. Go figure. So I gathered up one of our trusty, long-necked, gun-style fireplace lighters and trucked down to the furnace to simply re-light the pilot. Well, it seems it wasn't meant to be that simple.
Fortunately, the weather has been more friendly and obliging in the temperature department, so I have very few complaints overall. The temperate 30-40*-range temperatures kept the indoor temp from plummeting while we did some very fast 'recon' and research online for portable heaters. Not something you want to have to accomplish last minute on a weekend. In the process of it all we did find out the hard way that the two (nationwide) large box home improvement stores have some seriously stupid operating standards to fix.
"Like what?" you ask.
Well, let's just say winter isn't over, yet. In fact, I think we can all freely say it has only just begun, right? Because, in fact, it really has only just begun. Still, when these two giants of the home improvement industry (one rhymes with "blows", and the other doesn't) stocked their shelves with space heaters for the winter season (after experiencing the last few years of steadily worsening storms, etc), they did not believe that after selling out to the walls of every last heater in December, they might wish to restock their supplies for January OR February storms and outages.
The last couple of storms, which tore across our area only recently, left many without electricity and heat. Those with generators then purchased space heaters, leaving shelves low in stock....or empty. Well, the areas hit hardest weren't inclusive of all households across the surrounding three counties, but why bother to order more space heaters for the remainder of the winter season - all 2.5 months of it? Why stock space heaters for the remaining thousands of possible homeowners who may require one between now and, oh, I don't know....April? Why indeed.
Calling many stores in a 25-minute marathon yielded the same answer over and over: "Sorry, we sold out in December." Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Online, stock was somewhat plentiful, but when calling to double check inventory before heading out to make the purchase, I was flabbergasted and dismayed.
Finally! I found one store with three heaters to choose from....one of each of three different models. What we found when arriving to make our purchase was that one of these had possibly been opened before, but I was assured that it was all good. Not to worry. Buy in confidence. We loaded up and took our three new friends home, setting them up around the house in strategic locations, and warily operated them throughout that night, keeping at least one eye open all night.
In all honesty, I only un-crated two heaters, leaving the final little bitty thing in its box for "just in case". The fireplace in the lower level was doing an adequate job of heating the majority of the area below, thus raising the temp upstairs by radiating through the floor and walls. The ambient heating of the radiator-style space heater we purchased was sufficiently maintaining the whole of the kitchen/living room/hallway-bath area, and the oscillating tower placed between the boys' bedroom doors was keeping them warm enough for rock-n-roll. However, my mind is reeling over the electricity we are using keeping these babies running; and is spinning over the thought of the gas bill for use of the fireplace for days on end. But, I guess it can't be helped.
[sigh]
Anyhow, our wait for a repairman is now almost cut in half. The best date I could get was before one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, so we have nearly gotten to the halfway point in our waiting period. There are now only two-and-one-half days standing between us and a working furnace, and if the weather holds to the predicted forecast, we only really have to suffer from Tuesday evening until the knock at our door Wednesday morning! [insert phrase which must not be uttered here]
OK, put your hands down. I just wanted to prove my point AND to make it clear that I neither thought or desired to expound on that theory - mostly because I believe it tempts whatever angst-y 'spirits' may be out there. It tempts them to validate the theory. Clearly, though, someone is conspiring against me.
Thanks for that.
[clamoring voices swell with wonder]
The furnace gave up the ghost yesterday afternoon, and we have been without heat since Saturday midday. I returned home to the boys' announcement of "the furnace is not working....we think." They deduced this after realizing it had become a little chilly, and when they looked at the thermostat, they realized the temperature had dropped to 66*F, and that it was a little uncomfortable to bare arms and feet. Go figure. So I gathered up one of our trusty, long-necked, gun-style fireplace lighters and trucked down to the furnace to simply re-light the pilot. Well, it seems it wasn't meant to be that simple.
Fortunately, the weather has been more friendly and obliging in the temperature department, so I have very few complaints overall. The temperate 30-40*-range temperatures kept the indoor temp from plummeting while we did some very fast 'recon' and research online for portable heaters. Not something you want to have to accomplish last minute on a weekend. In the process of it all we did find out the hard way that the two (nationwide) large box home improvement stores have some seriously stupid operating standards to fix.
"Like what?" you ask.
Well, let's just say winter isn't over, yet. In fact, I think we can all freely say it has only just begun, right? Because, in fact, it really has only just begun. Still, when these two giants of the home improvement industry (one rhymes with "blows", and the other doesn't) stocked their shelves with space heaters for the winter season (after experiencing the last few years of steadily worsening storms, etc), they did not believe that after selling out to the walls of every last heater in December, they might wish to restock their supplies for January OR February storms and outages.
The last couple of storms, which tore across our area only recently, left many without electricity and heat. Those with generators then purchased space heaters, leaving shelves low in stock....or empty. Well, the areas hit hardest weren't inclusive of all households across the surrounding three counties, but why bother to order more space heaters for the remainder of the winter season - all 2.5 months of it? Why stock space heaters for the remaining thousands of possible homeowners who may require one between now and, oh, I don't know....April? Why indeed.
Calling many stores in a 25-minute marathon yielded the same answer over and over: "Sorry, we sold out in December." Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Online, stock was somewhat plentiful, but when calling to double check inventory before heading out to make the purchase, I was flabbergasted and dismayed.
Finally! I found one store with three heaters to choose from....one of each of three different models. What we found when arriving to make our purchase was that one of these had possibly been opened before, but I was assured that it was all good. Not to worry. Buy in confidence. We loaded up and took our three new friends home, setting them up around the house in strategic locations, and warily operated them throughout that night, keeping at least one eye open all night.
In all honesty, I only un-crated two heaters, leaving the final little bitty thing in its box for "just in case". The fireplace in the lower level was doing an adequate job of heating the majority of the area below, thus raising the temp upstairs by radiating through the floor and walls. The ambient heating of the radiator-style space heater we purchased was sufficiently maintaining the whole of the kitchen/living room/hallway-bath area, and the oscillating tower placed between the boys' bedroom doors was keeping them warm enough for rock-n-roll. However, my mind is reeling over the electricity we are using keeping these babies running; and is spinning over the thought of the gas bill for use of the fireplace for days on end. But, I guess it can't be helped.
[sigh]
Anyhow, our wait for a repairman is now almost cut in half. The best date I could get was before one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, so we have nearly gotten to the halfway point in our waiting period. There are now only two-and-one-half days standing between us and a working furnace, and if the weather holds to the predicted forecast, we only really have to suffer from Tuesday evening until the knock at our door Wednesday morning! [insert phrase which must not be uttered here]
1.10.2014
So, given the first post of the year....
....how do I deal with my anger? Where does that all fit in?
1.07.2014
Five simple rules to be happy
1) Free your heart from hatred
2) Free your mind from worries
3) Live simply
4) Give more
5) Expect less
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