Problem or Inconvience?

I had a wonderful conversation with my great good friend Lisa yesterday in which she shared a new perspective on life. Is it a problem or an inconvience? She told me a story of a woman eating in a restaurant with a woman behind her complaining so much about her mashed potatoes that they got sent back to the kitchen 3 times. The first woman had across the room from her a third woman, older, and with numbers tatooed on her arm. That woman was telling a story of being the only member of her family to survive the holocust. Problem or inconvience. Later yesterday evening, I received a phone call from my sister-in-law telling me her younger brother Bob had been given the news that he had a cancerous tumor on his kidney. I , in turn, made some phone calls to my husband in California(who wasn't there), the lady in charge of the prayer chain at our church, and another of Joe's brothers - who would be getting the prayer chain call and probably shouldn't get the news from there. I then had to call the wife of the brother-in-law who was home alone with a 22 month and 2 month old on her husbands first day back to work after a 2 months of being laid off. She said it seemed like this was not her life. Surreal and scarey. However, hopeful with promising outlooks from the doctors. I was then able to reach my husband and share the news. While on the phone with Joe, there was hysterical screaming and crying coming from Andrew in the shower. I was informed loudly, thru tears and shower walls that Lucas was a mean, mean liar who had stolen Andrew's favorite pair of stripped underwear out of is drawer, bragged he had them on and claimed they were in his drawer. I tried to appease with the pair that were actually in Lucas' drawer, but it didn't seem to help. Joe is snorting with laugther miles away from the drama! Once the dust settled and apologizes were made, we agreed Mommy would be responible for dolling out the underwear and lying would cease.("Telling the truth is hard!"-sob cry pout). Problem or inconvience. So, I ask for prayers for my brother-in-law and his whole family and that if you find Hanes boxer briefs size S(6-8) with stripes, purchase them and mail them to me and I'll pay you double!

Yuck!

I got my first unwanted comment today. Another internet advertisement. As if the pop-ups and ads on every web page weren't enough. Now they have invaded my poor little blog! Nothing will make me as mad as when I got spywared! I was just too premenstral to handle it politely. Thank heaven my brother knows me well enough and calmed me down and helped me fix those evil doers! However, the past month I have received 3 phone calls a day from various people (Laura Bush, Jim Kelly, political morons) trying to get my vote - this of course only made me not vote for them. I got a call on the Fri the 13th when we had the big storm that took out power to everyone in WNY. I flipped on the poor woman. She says "This is so and so calling for Jack Davis.." I replied (in a very nasty tone). "You have got to be kidding me! We have no power and you want to talk about politics! GET A LIFE!!" and slammed down the phone. My husbands says "Who was that dear?" (in a pleasant tone). I fummed about how f***ing stupid politicians are. Unfortunately they didn't get the point. I did get a live person taking a survey on ads and phone calls, who was looking for commentary - boy did she get some! Sigh. If people didn't purchase from this irrating ads they wouldn't have any reason to continue them! Stop the madness!! (he he)

Don't make 'em like they used to

I have my grandmother's Black & Decker toaster oven, that must be a good 15 years old. It has been a very nice little toaster oven. It has the occasional bad day and forgets to stop toasting, but it still gets a 41/2 out of 5 stars. Sadly, this mightly little appliance is on it's last leg. If I didn't use it constantly, it would already be in the garbage. It's really almost frightening to use. However, it's not just the sentimental value and the necessity factors that have me hanging on to the poor old thing. It's the fact that finding a replacement is proving to be FAR more difficult than I could have imagined. I am well aware that things aren't made to last the way they used to be. Just ask my sister-in-law Karen about the evilness of fridge life! But I figured that a toaster oven could be found at a reasonable price that was well made. I looked at the ones in Walmart and was not impressed. I decided to do more research on-line. Boy, some of the reviews are scathing! And most seem to say that the oven feature is good, but the toasting feature is not. If they could make good ones that lasted 20 years ago, why can't they do that any more? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Argh! Any suggestions?

Will wonders never cease

Last night upon going to bed, I turned on my bedside table lamp, which revealed a note written on a tissure (readily available on the bedside table). The note said: I heart u. I knew who had written it, but not when. My lovely 6 year old son (yes male) Lucas had left it for me. He likes to leave little notes. Even before he could actually write words he would scrible lines on a paper and tuck it in my purse or my husband's shoe. This same child took my husband's wallet without asking and put it under his pillow for the toothfairy. After the panic and the stern discussion on why this was not a good thing to do, the thought did occur that this was yet another sweet jesture. My mother says she frequently finds trains, trucks and other little toys tucked in cupboards and closets after Lucas has been there. Andrew's precious stuffed dog Dudley has been secreted away as well. It is frequently vexing, but more often very enduring. I shall really regret the day he out grows this. I honestly hope he never does and should make a point of encouraging it.

Cabin Fever

Friday October 13th brought Buffalo some early and rather unwelcome winter weather. A warm lake provided an otherwise mild storm with the extra fodder to weigh down tree branches to the point of breaking. Which a few too many of them did. Causing massive power outtages across several counties. The situation is still not recovered from - some are still without power- and others have unstable power. Many schools are still closed and roads are still in need of clearing from tree debris. The roads that are clear are full of tree clearing services from all over the place and some tired county workers and some ever MORE tired electric guys. With every natural disaster, there have been stories of great giving and communities pulling together, as well, unfortuately, as stories of the scumb of the earth who take advantage of those in need with their ugly rip off schemes. Too, the incessant chatter on the news and radio of all the details of the clean up, FEMA, insurance, who will get money from where for what etc, etc, etc... Although this is nothing compared to most other disasters, it has still been a trial and will continue to be for probably several years to come. I can only image how much worse Katrina's aftermath has been for those who lived there. Even though I have had my fill of what's on the news, it's still the first question out of my mouth "How did you weather the storm?". I think there was supposed to be a point to my story. No matter how miserable everyone has been after all this, they are still dancing in the streets because the SABRES TOTALLY ROCK!! Oh and isn't nice to know that your family and neighbors care enough to share a generator to hook up to your sump pump!

Molly's World

We adopted a dog in March, knowing that it would make for a few lifestyle changes. Several of them have been things we weren't expecting. We figured on the yard cleaning, dog food, and hair to be cleaned up from everywhere. We figured on the wagging tail to greet you at the door and the wet nose sniffing for crumbs under the table. And even how very much the boys would love her. What we didn't figure on was how having to walk her around the block half a dozen times a day (our yard is not fenced in, and she won't do all her duties on her chain) would enhance or knowledge of the neighborhood. So far, we've received four gifts from neighbors that we have never more than waved to in the past ten years of living here. One gave us a pooper scooper - see earlier story on why that item is SO wonderful - another has given up both dog treats and dog food - her dog is allergic to everything and is currently on a seafood and sweet potato diet - and just today, a neighbor fall cleaning his garden, gave us some bulbs to plant next spring. We have running chit chat with several others and get to play with the two puppies around the corner. We have taken walks pretty regularly in the years before this March, but once and evening and usually running after biking kids. So, thanks to Molly, we're getting to know our neighbors better and I find I like this town even more than I did before. Oh, and the other gift we received was a large load of dirt from the nice fellows who have been putting the water line in throughout town. One of the few times my husband has ever really appreciated my friendly chatty behavior!

Bad name

I just read an e-mail from a friend that was supposed to be taken in a good light toward God fearing Christians, but instead, it has the oppostie effect. A man sent an e-mail to the ABC network to complain about the TV show "The Pratice"(obviously a dated e-mail). He didn't like that they seemed to be promoting a gay life style with a show about a woman who wanted to marry her partner and was suing for the right to do so. He claimed that God and Jesus were gay bashers and that ABC should check the Bible for the proper way to view life. ABC's response was simple - that perhaps this man should try reading the Constitution where freedom is what is considered important. They told him he was the minority in this country and he should stop using the Bible as a crutch for his narrow-minded, self-righteous, and bigoted views. This "Chirstian" responded that ABC would get theirs when he sent the e-mail on to everyone proving how wrong they are. It is people like this that get our country bombed. People who think that because they read the Bible and attend a church on Sunday they can behave in any manor they like at any time and still be "good christians". It shames me to be living in a nation where this type of person is considered normal. How is it possible in this day and age for so many people to still be so blind to reality? That popular question What Would Jesus Do? seems to be asked not by the christians who think they already know the answer, but by the christians who truly want to know the answer. This country is filled with so many truly wonderful, giving, loving, understanding and compassionate people, but it's the idoit's like this that get all the press time, making others view this entire country in a horrible light. It overwhelms me with sadness knowing so much bigotry still exsists.