Another WTH Moment

Golfer and I have been thinking about getting a whole house surge protector.  We like to watch several shows on HGTV and we've heard about them and seen them installed on the shows.  Seemed like a good idea.

So I started looking for information.  We figured the first place to contact would be the company that installed our generator and done all our HVAC work.  Those departments of their company are great.  I don't have much to say about their electrical services division.  I was transferred to five people and spent at least twenty to twenty-five minutes, total, on hold before someone could tell me that they had no information on whole house surge protectors and they didn't know anything about them.  Along the way with these conversations I got a lot of "What??" responses.

After that annoying adventure, I decided to call our power company.  We see a lot of ads for advances in technology, and conservation, and safety from them.  Sadly, it was another bout of transfers, and being on hold, and after about fifteen minutes finally someone could tell me that the power company did not know anything about whole house surge protectors.  They did offer to talk to me about power strip protectors.  Duh!  Already have those.

WTH!!???  Maybe I'm just more sensitive to being annoyed by idiots.  Maybe it's age related.  I do know that in recent years I don't "put up with stuff".  I used to be just stay quiet and not make a fuss.  Not now.  If something is wrong, or not being handled correctly, I usually speak up.  You know, make a list and take names!  Life is too short.  Or, another way to look at it is life is too long to keep putting up with idiots.  It makes me wonder about employee training, education, common sense.  It's the whole "what's the world coming to?" line of thinking.  Or as my Grama used to say, "The world is going heck in a hand-basket!"

After spending over an hour on the phone being irritated, I thought about what the next step should be.  I mean, really, I wasn't speaking an alien language or asking for some outrageous unheard of product.  Although it was obviously unheard of by all the people working at the power company!

I called our handy-man and asked him if he had any ideas.  Within ten minutes he called back with the name and phone number of an electrician.  I called him.  He said the protectors were great and he had one in his house!  Ours will be installed in the next day or so as soon as he gets the parts he needs.  I'm going to suggest he could drum up some business if he advertised since no one else in the area knows about these!

BTW - I was getting close to looking up the phone number for Mike Holmes.  He'd "make it right".

Stay safe!

Good Way to Spend an Afternoon

Playing with PaPa. . . .

Then napping on Grama . . .

Stay safe!

Wishing . . . .

I wanted to post this picture of Angus.  I took it recently on one of our cooler days.  He's wishing the window would open.  :)

Stay safe!

Gee, What an Offer!!

Every now and then something comes in the mail that makes me smile, or really makes me wonder who comes up with marketing campaigns.  No offense or criticism to Bikini, she does a great job for her company!  But this week's mail brought just a fabulous, unbelievable offer from a financial institution.

For $400+ a year (payable every year) we can get an American Express card!  Wait!  There's more!  If we use this card and spend at least $100,000.00 they will send us a reward (??!!) of $500!  What a deal!  We looked at each other and laughed.  Guess where we filed that?

Stay safe!

Modern Technology. Fhoo!

I totally have a grasp on reality and know that modern technology can be a wonderful thing.  Period.

However........ here at our house we are having a running battle with our technology.  At times I fear it is winning.  But we shall persist and keep battling and we will prevail!

We had to replace the CPU a few weeks ago.  We kept the same monitor and printer.  Unfortunately, if you buy a new computer now, it is going to come with Windows 8.  Mr. Gates needs to go yell at a few of his people on that one!  I have learned to use Windows 8 on the Surface 2 Tablet that Golfer got me for Christmas, but it was a real struggle at first.  Golfer didn't like the looks of it and said he didn't want it on our new computer.  Well, so much for that idea.  He's been grumbling and fussing with the thing for weeks now and it's not working the way we think it should.  Every day it's a new issue. 

The printer was a wireless connection deal.  Great.  Sounded wonderful.  We could print from our phones and from our tablets.  When we tried to print something while we were sitting in front of the computer just inches away from the printer we got zilch.  Well, actually we got many error messages.  But nothing printed.

The battle continues.  Golfer finally hooked up the cables to it and we can print, but it's really slow sometimes.  You know, like it's thinking about some new way to screw around with us.

Now Rico, the truck, is using his technology to send us messages and warning lights.  He's going in for service tomorrow.

You all know I love science fiction and I enjoy Star Trek, Star Wars, and TV shows like Almost Human and Intelligence.   J.D. Robb's "In Death" series of books takes place in the future with flying cars.  I've read every book!  It's exciting to think about how things will be in the future.  But gosh darn if that technology isn't annoying sometimes now.

Stay safe!

Happy Easter, Everyone!

No matter what your beliefs, remember to give thanks.  Enjoy the day and stay safe!

Hey, All!

Well, we are almost to the end of another week.  There's been all of the usual stuff going on around here - the housekeeping, the cleaning, the cooking, the yard work.  Got some good reading in. 

One of the most fun things in my week was going along with NurseJ to have Cutie Girl's pictures taken.  This is the one the photographer posted on her Facebook page.  Soon there will lots of proofs to choose from and honestly, I have no idea how Nurse J is going to choose!

The photographer is Julie from Purple Owl Photography in Poquoson, VA.  If you are in our area and need a photographer, look her up!  She is very, very good.  And very patient with a little one.  Cutie Girl did her part and was very well behaved and cooperative.  She handled five "costume" changes like a pro!

Today is her birthday.  Hard to believe it's been a year already.  NurseJ took this picture of her new birthday hat.  Her birthday party is going to be next weekend, due to NurseJ's work schedule.  Like her Great-Grama Eddie use to say, "it's good to spread out a birthday and enjoy it longer".

Golfer and I went to see the new Captain America movie.  I can highly recommend that, too!  Very good movie.  And I like how the movie coordinates with the TV show, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."  If you go see it, be sure to sit through the credits for the previews!


I have to go now - things to do, people to see, phone calls to make..... Stay safe and have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Happy Birthday, Cutie Girl!

We love you!

A New Quilt

Thanks, Bikini!  We love the new quilt!

Finnigan was the first of the furry kids to get on it.  He was closely followed by Angus.  Cinder and Cecil have also checked it out.  All of us agree it's beautiful and comfy!

Stay safe!

BRRRRRRR! WTH?!

So we had a few warm days with the windows open.  Those were followed by a couple hot days with the A/C on.  Yesterday it rained/stormed all day and a front came through the area in the evening.  The temperature dropped about thirty degrees in less than an hour.  There were freeze warnings for last night.  It's not getting out of the forties today.  The heat is turned back on.  This just does not seem right.

My body does not "do" rapid, drastic changes well.  I woke with a headache and a lot of joint aches, too.  Things have gradually gotten better as the day progresses.

Family in Ohio told us they got snow with this same weather system.  They aren't happy either!

On a good note --  we know our generator works!  The power went out last evening and the generator kicked on.  YAY!

This would normally be a golf day for Golfer.  Only two guys showed up this morning and he was not one of them.  :)

Stay safe!

Happy Anniversary, Nurse J and IT Guy

Love you!

Medical Updates and Other Goings-On . . . .

Most of you know that I have a list of doctors that I see regularly.  A lot of my appointments are the kind where I go every six months.  This has been a week for check-ups.  And add in a few other things that needed attention and it's made for a full week.

Monday I saw my rheumatologist.  He says I am doing well, all things considered.  No need to re-start the medication that prevented alcohol consumption.  Yay, wine!  Come back and see him in six months or sooner if I have a flare or need anything.

Tuesday was my orthopedic doctor check-up.  X-rays were taken of my left knee, right foot, lower back and hips.  If you are in our area and see a glow, don't worry, it's just me!  I had some concerns since I have fallen twice since the last surgery.  We had a nice discussion.  He offered an additional test that involves injecting dye into my spine and doing a "study".  I said I'd prefer to put that off for now and he smiled and agreed with me.  He mentioned if certain things got worse, there was the option of more surgery.  I very nicely told him that more surgery would happen when I was brought in, put on the table and couldn't get off of it myself.  Again, he agreed with me.  (I told you he was a nice doctor!).   He said the X-rays all looked good, everything was well.  And also said that I should remember that I am currently very early in the recovery process from the surgery.  It seems like it's been a long time, but in the grand scheme of things, it's only been a moment.  Be patient.  I am doing the right things.  Come back and see him in six months.  Sooner if I need anything.  Or if I do something else to myself!  We laughed at that comment.

Wednesday I saw one of my new doctors, a dermatologist.  Golfer has been going to him for years, so he doesn't really seem new.  But new for me.  He had biopsied a spot on my shoulder a couple weeks ago.  It was okay.  This visit was for a full scan.  Found four spots to treat, or freeze.  A couple others I am supposed to "keep an eye on".  The only downside to this visit is not getting in the pool again until the spots heal.

Also on our calendar for the week were a Frankie Valli concert, a trip to Virginia Beach to have a new radio installed in Golfer's truck, a meeting with our financial advisor, a meeting to address drainage issues in our side yard, and a visit by the exterminator to deal with previously mentioned ants. 

Who says retired people just sit around??

Stay safe!

News of the Unsettling Weird

Golfer and I still subscribe to a daily newspaper.  I like reading it in the mornings with my coffee.  I will admit there are a lot of articles I skip over.  With so much bad news in the world, sometimes I just don't want to read about it all, especially first thing in the morning.  Without a doubt, the funnies are usually my favorite part of the paper.

But lately, there's just been some articles more weird than others.  Here are some examples:

The interstate was closed and traffic was stopped the other evening.  Now, this is a common occurrence in our area.  Traffic is always being stopped or slowed down for something. You know, things like someone texting or talking and running into a tree, or worse, into another vehicle; huge potholes trying to swallow someone's car;  an idiot shooting at someone on the road;  someone freaking out in a tunnel and hitting the wall.  Anyway, we're used to hearing about roads closing and traffic being stopped.  All they reported this time was that the police and authorities had a vehicle stopped for an incident.  The incident turned out to be it was a woman driving a mobile meth lab around in her van!  Really!!??  There aren't enough distractions out there on the road????  You have to drive your meth lab around and endanger even more people??

A "state of emergency" has been declared in part of our city.  Five people have been murdered in less than a week in one area.  Citizens are demanding that things be fixed.  Well.  Yes.  And you know what the biggest fix would be?  Tell people they need to not use drugs, they should stay in school, get an education, get a job, support themselves, take care of their families, and behave.  If they were busy doing what they should be doing, they wouldn't be out there killing other people.  Be a productive member of society.  Don't be a waste of skin.

In Pakistan a baby has been arrested and booked for mob violence.  There was a picture of this baby boy being held while getting finger printed.  Seems his father and grandfather had participated in a protest against rising gas prices.  The whole group of protesters was arrested.   Given the state of things in Pakistan, there is much concern over the baby's welfare.  The family member that has taken the baby into hiding says it is ridiculous.  The baby boy can't even hold his own bottle of milk yet.  He has been charged with throwing rocks at the police.  Absurd!!  And  might I add, STUPID act by the police.  Ever hear of common sense?  Of course I say the same about that father and grandfather.  What makes sense about taking an infant to a protest??

Stay safe!  (some days that isn't an easy task)

Frankie Hit the High Notes!

Golfer and I recently attended a wonderful Frankie Valli concert.  It was originally scheduled in February.  Unfortunately, that Friday was a day for many storms to be traveling across the country and Frankie couldn't make it to our area.

But finally the postponed concert got here! On a Tuesday evening, starting at 7:00 p.m.  "Why so early?"  some of you are asking!  Consider the performer - Frankie is almost 80! And consider the audience.  I would venture a guess that almost all of us were at least sixty or over.  Boomers unite!  Somehow it is comforting to go to a public event where there is a person carrying a large bag obviously filled with medical supplies and he's wearing a bright red jacket that says "medical staff"!

We heard some great music and enjoyed the whole concert.  There was much singing and clapping.  There was also some unfettered enthusiasm by some of the attendees.  One silver-haired lady in particular was in danger of injuring herself.  She was a couple rows in front of us and she was constantly jumping up and down, waving her arms, shouting, and swooning.  There were a lot of eyes rolled and smiles by those around her.  Although I would venture a guess that those sitting with her would have liked her to sit still just a little bit.  :)

I had not realized that Frankie was such a small person.  He gets a lot of sound out of that small body.  Of course, we all know there might be some modern technology back-up, but he can still sing.

He had four young men as back-up singers.  They were not called the Four Seasons.  They were very talented singers and dancers.   Three were from California.  My favorite one was the fourth one from Toledo.

Other than having to deal with the traffic, it was a great evening!

Stay safe!

ACH!! OY!! ANTS!!!

It's official - Spring is here.  Technically, Spring arrived officially a few weeks ago.  But it is now here for sure at our house.  The ant invasion has arrived.  Every Spring, in one corner of our kitchen, we get ants.  Little, teeny, tiny ants.  Ants you have to really be looking for on our dark tile floor in order to see them.  Always in the same corner.  I only saw these because they had settled on the furry kids' dry food dish.

So, I've sprayed, cleaned, and sprayed again.  I sprayed around the foundation outside.  Everything has been caulked, inspected, and looked at.  The ants still come.

We need to be careful about insecticides because of our furry kids.  I am calling in reinforcements and will have the exterminator come and take a stab at the problem.  I had hoped after I discovered them yesterday morning and sprayed them down and killed a couple hundred that they would have sent telepathic messages to their friends and family saying  "Stay away!  Good-bye!"  But no such luck.  I will say though that the ones I cleaned up today so far have already been dead or were dying.  Still.  ICK!

Stay safe!  And have a happy Spring!

Happy Birthday, IT Guy!

Have a great day!

Open Windows!

Hooray! It finally got warm enough to open the windows.  Of course, it has now cooled off and I am

on my way to get a sweatshirt to put on!  But the sun is out, the birds are singing, and the squirrels are
running around and digging holes in our new mulch.

The guys from the garden center spread the mulch earlier in the week.  Looks good!

Golfer spent a day working out in the yard mowing, trimming, edging, etc.  Then he tackled digging out some tree roots that were a hazard in the back yard. The holes are now all filled in with topsoil and seed.

I spent my energy and strength yesterday working outside on some cleaning projects.  I like to use the exterior Windex that hooks up to the hose.  I cleaned all the screens.  In the process that also took some of the grime off the windows, but I plan to tackle some more serious window cleaning from the inside since our new windows fold in.  Anyway, I cleaned all the window framing and got it white again.  Then cleaned the deck and patio furniture.  And then spruced up the siding on the porch and at the deck.  It felt good to get that all done.

Today was the community yard sale and Nurse J and I went looking.  We found a few good bargains.  BeyB is sick again with strep.  We're glad next week is school break for her.  Nurse J said she is considering tenting their house and bombing it with Lysol after so many of them have been sick.  If only it were that easy to get rid of the germs!

Golfer is still working out some issues with the new computer.  But it is better.  And BTW - in the process of all the computer stuff, I discovered that I can print things from my phone!!  Who knew?!?

We've had a guest this week - Bloomer's friend, Flat Stanley!  He has helped in the yard, and also helped the furry kids find their toys under the stove.  He'll be heading home to Bloomer on Monday.

This is going to be a busy week coming up.  I have three doctors' appointment, an appointment regarding a drainage issue with our side yard, and a concert to attend.  (Frankie Valli was postponed from February.)

I hope all is well with you all.  Stay safe!