Not sure how mad a wet hen is, but I am sure I can top it! OK, I admit I am 66 years old and probably not as tech savvy as I should be, but gimme a break! My story begins 5 months ago.
HISTORY -
I saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a writer. The company "looking" was the local newspaper, The Cheboygan Tribune. Having been thinking about finding something to do, I thought this could be a great opportunity. The ad requested a resume and samples of my writing. Not a problem. However, I did not have a current resume and was pretty sure my old resume did not present an updated approach. I went on-line to find a "FREE" service to help me. I found Live Career - Home of America's #1 Resume Builder. I read through the website and saw "FREE" everywhere. The website also promised to promote my resume to thousands of employers around the world. I worked on my resume and put together one that had all the 2013 appropriate buzzwords and phrases used in today's workplace. When I completed it, I tried to post it to my own computer so I could forward it to the newspaper along with my writing samples. It wouldn't post. So, I saw the link for a live chat, and believing my tech skills sufficient, I clicked it. Someone immediately answered my "call". I explained I didn't want my resume posted for 1000's to see, I only wanted to post it to my own personal computer. Well, it turns out I am apparently selfish with my resume and consequently that would cost me $2.95. I asked about the "free" part and it's only "free" if you allow Live Career to do what they want with it. I decided I would exclude Live Career from my job hunting experience and spend the $2.95. GET READY - HERE COMES THE REALLY BIG MISTAKE I MADE! I put the $2.95 on my credit card. It's a major credit card and linked to my personal checking account. Believing all was right with the world, I clicked the "fine print" request (without reading it) agreeing to the terms of the website and went on with my life. By the way...I sent the resume and writing samples to the newspaper and NEVER heard a word from them. I even e-mailed the contact information listed in the ad and still didn't get a response. I cancelled my subscription to the paper! What's wrong with these people? Idiots, that's what's wrong with them!
UPDATE -
I do all my banking on-line (wondering about that now) and as I was reviewing charges, I saw a $34.95 charge from Live Career. WHAT????? As I continued to look, I saw they had been charging me $34.95 for months! What for and how did they gain access to my checking account? I called them immediately. "Gabe" answered my call. I don't know if Gabe was a man or a woman but I do know English was not his/her first language. Needless to say that added more fuel to my fire! After calmly (I promise) explaining the situation to Gabe, he/she checked my account (ACCOUNT??????) and told me after I completed my resume writing, I had 14 days to cancel my subscription!!!! "Subscription to what" I asked. The "service" he/she responded! You need to know I'm still not screaming into the telephone, but the top of my head is about to blow off! "What service? I payed $2.95 to not use your service"! Gabe said "I checked the box agreeing to their terms"! Dammit to hell!!!!!!!! I took a couple of deep breaths and then asked how they were able to access my checking account. Gabe said my credit card was linked to it and that was something else I had agreed to. Oh my! So I asked how I could cancel this right now. He/she said he/she could do that for me while I was on the telephone with him/her. I then asked what the possibilities were for me to receive a credit for the previous months charges. He/she said he/she would speak with their supervisor and find out. Surprise - I'm put on hold. A few minutes later Gabe came back on the line and said "Good News" (I swear!). He/she would be able to credit my checking account with $25.80! I said thank you and hung up.
FINDINGS -
I am clearly not as smart as I believe I am.
I will NEVER again not read the fine print.
I will stop using my checking account linked credit card on-line.
I will continue to use my HUGE influence to let the world know how awful I think Live Career is. I
did the same thing to Home Depot and everyone knows how effective that was!
I will continue to use all of you as my sounding board for my life as a poor retired widow woman on a
fixed income.
I love all of you and thanks for listening. The wet hen has dried off a bit!
xxoo
Friday, November 15, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
First Dates!
Well, I have begun dating for the third time, and it's not like riding a bike!
EARLY 1960'S:
I remember when I was a teenager and had my first date. I was so curious about the wonder of it all. (I should add young and thin and unwrinkled too!) It was fun and exciting. I spent days wondering what to wear. The "date" day arrived and butterflies filled my stomach. Waiting for the doorbell to ring, I wondered how my mother and father would act. Were they going to embarrass me? Yes, I survived all that and much more. WOW, the lessons I learned. My father had always told me to call if I ever felt I was in a bad situation. He said he would come and get me where ever I was. I did that one time. At a party, it appeared I was the only one not drinking beer. I found the phone in the home (pre-cell phone) and called Dad. He came right away, and I never had a date with that young man again. Dad thanked me for calling him. I'll never forget that.
MID 1970'S:
After a failed marriage (not sure exactly what failed but it's safe to say "it" did), I was the mother of two precious little girls. I was working several part-time jobs and loved them all. I began to receive invitations from MEN to go out to dinner or a movie or dancing. I found it interesting that some men seemed to think a divorced woman's morals might have been left behind with the marriage contract. Oh how I loved to disappoint them. There were a few wonderful gentlemen who's company I certainly enjoyed. HC Baker was one of them, and we all know how that ended!
LATE 2013:
I am blessed with wonderful friends both female and male. And I enjoy being with all of them in casual and elegant situations. But there's something about being asked to dinner by one man knowing it will be just the two of you that made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! And those feelings are compounded 1000 times when this is a man (one of those wonderful gentlemen from years ago) you haven't seen in over 35 years! I did spend the "morning of" searching the web for a diet guaranteed to relieve me of 50 pounds in one day! You'd think with all the diets out there, one could have filled my request! To no avail! So off I went. I told the gentleman I would meet him as opposed to him picking me up. I wanted to have some kind of control since everything else about me was so out of control! He hadn't changed one bit (dammit!) and I knew him immediately. There was an embrace and a kiss on my cheek! I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man's arms around me. The dinner was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and the evening was delightful. I survived and now my next date will not be a "first date"! Be still my heart!
Put your arms around someone you love right now. xxoo
EARLY 1960'S:
I remember when I was a teenager and had my first date. I was so curious about the wonder of it all. (I should add young and thin and unwrinkled too!) It was fun and exciting. I spent days wondering what to wear. The "date" day arrived and butterflies filled my stomach. Waiting for the doorbell to ring, I wondered how my mother and father would act. Were they going to embarrass me? Yes, I survived all that and much more. WOW, the lessons I learned. My father had always told me to call if I ever felt I was in a bad situation. He said he would come and get me where ever I was. I did that one time. At a party, it appeared I was the only one not drinking beer. I found the phone in the home (pre-cell phone) and called Dad. He came right away, and I never had a date with that young man again. Dad thanked me for calling him. I'll never forget that.
MID 1970'S:
After a failed marriage (not sure exactly what failed but it's safe to say "it" did), I was the mother of two precious little girls. I was working several part-time jobs and loved them all. I began to receive invitations from MEN to go out to dinner or a movie or dancing. I found it interesting that some men seemed to think a divorced woman's morals might have been left behind with the marriage contract. Oh how I loved to disappoint them. There were a few wonderful gentlemen who's company I certainly enjoyed. HC Baker was one of them, and we all know how that ended!
LATE 2013:
I am blessed with wonderful friends both female and male. And I enjoy being with all of them in casual and elegant situations. But there's something about being asked to dinner by one man knowing it will be just the two of you that made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! And those feelings are compounded 1000 times when this is a man (one of those wonderful gentlemen from years ago) you haven't seen in over 35 years! I did spend the "morning of" searching the web for a diet guaranteed to relieve me of 50 pounds in one day! You'd think with all the diets out there, one could have filled my request! To no avail! So off I went. I told the gentleman I would meet him as opposed to him picking me up. I wanted to have some kind of control since everything else about me was so out of control! He hadn't changed one bit (dammit!) and I knew him immediately. There was an embrace and a kiss on my cheek! I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man's arms around me. The dinner was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and the evening was delightful. I survived and now my next date will not be a "first date"! Be still my heart!
Put your arms around someone you love right now. xxoo
Friday, October 18, 2013
The "Firsts" and the "Lasts"
Dear, dear friends just left and as usual I'm sad. Christy and Kristi arrived Monday and for the next two and a half days we laughed and cried and talked and had a beverage or two! Christy and Kristi have been coming to visit me ever since HC Baker died. So we celebrated the fourth annual visit! Their first visit was at the blue cottage and then the next year they saw the house before it was my home, then last year they saw my home, and this year Kristi got to sleep in "her" bedroom, the last room I finished. And she loved it as was evidenced by the fact that Tuesday morning she didn't get up until 11AM!!!!!! Christy and I went to check on her to make sure she hadn't "slept her life away" (did your mother ever say that to you?). So these two very special people are my last visitors of the year.
But let me tell you about the "firsts"!
1. Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)! It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels. The girl got it goin'! And so began our talks. Isn't that the best thing about friends? No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate. This year we had several new subjects to review!
2. We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night. We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want. (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!) Anyway...what to do? Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street. This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!! Those logs burned for a while and guess what? We're out of wood again. So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle. We kept that fire going until we went to bed. I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top. Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out. Guess what? When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!! I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!! (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!) Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????
3. Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard! No shopping or sightseeing at all!
Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.
Tonight is Garrett's last home football game. (I thought last week was!) Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team! Holy Cow! Really - where does the time go? Does anyone have an answer to that question?
The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season! (What season is that? I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!) Oh my - not ready for this!
As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill. Isn't that where everyone keeps them? I bought them at the Farmer's Market. Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.
So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week! Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too! xxoo
Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
Thank you Leesa!
Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT. Please and thank you!
But let me tell you about the "firsts"!
1. Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)! It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels. The girl got it goin'! And so began our talks. Isn't that the best thing about friends? No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate. This year we had several new subjects to review!
2. We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night. We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want. (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!) Anyway...what to do? Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street. This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!! Those logs burned for a while and guess what? We're out of wood again. So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle. We kept that fire going until we went to bed. I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top. Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out. Guess what? When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!! I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!! (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!) Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????
3. Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard! No shopping or sightseeing at all!
Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.
Tonight is Garrett's last home football game. (I thought last week was!) Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team! Holy Cow! Really - where does the time go? Does anyone have an answer to that question?
The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season! (What season is that? I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!) Oh my - not ready for this!
As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill. Isn't that where everyone keeps them? I bought them at the Farmer's Market. Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.
So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week! Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too! xxoo
Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
Thank you Leesa!
Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT. Please and thank you!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Medi(no)care!!!!
Well, I've been been trying to avoid my soapbox for a while, but I couldn't let this one go by without comment! It's tough to write because you know HC Baker was the insurance man and he was as honest as the day is long. But I have to keep in mind he was the insurance MAN, not the insurance COMPANY! Yes, this is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God!
I've talked before about my up north doctor. He's wonderful and I love him! Remember, his grandparents were from eastern Kentucky and he would spend his summers not far from Lynch running all over their farm. This is NOT about him.
Today - October 10, 2013 - I received a bill in the mail for $25 from the McLaren Medical Group, the company that owns the 2 closest hospitals and my doctor's office. I thought to myself...I haven't been to the doctor in months. I looked the bill over very carefully and see this is a bill for a visit on - June 25, 2012 - 15 months ago. Here it goes...I dialed the number!
The phone rings and I am told the caller volume is exceptionally high today so please leave a message and they will call me right back or if I choose to hold, the wait could be longer than expected. Two questions - How can they call me right back when they're so busy and how long is longer than expected? I "hold" and put the timer on! The phone music is so loud I'm tempted to put the phone in the other room! (It's apparent they never call themselves or they would turn that music down!) Not a long wait 'cause in a minute and 22 seconds Marian (not her real name) asks how she can help me! I'm very pleasant (really, I promise) and tell her about the bill. I also questioned her as to why an office visit made over 15 months ago was just now coming to my bank account's attention. She says many times it might take MEDICARE that long to make the payment. (Next time I owe money on my income taxes, I'm going to take 15 months to pay it! Think that'll work?) Anyway, back to my $25 debt. I told her it sounds like a co-payment wasn't recorded because $25 is my co-payment and how many times do you get to see the doctor before you give them your money? I look at the bill and give her what is called the "Plus Acct #", and she asks for my address and birthdate. She says let me look at this. She says she thinks I'm right. She said it looks like they charged me a co-payment twice. She says she will send this down to the coding office and they will review it and call me with any questions. I asked her if she had my phone number and she said yes. (Knew I should have left that blank!) Anyway, she said don't pay the bill. I'm very happy. I am right and I am $25 richer!!!
Get ready...the other shoe is about to drop!
About 20 minutes later my phone rings. I almost don't answer it because it says "No caller ID", a label I'm always wary of, but what the hey????? My day is going great, the sun is shining, and I have $25 in my pocket! After I say "Hello, this is Jo Ann Baker" the voice on the other end asked "is this Jo Ann Baker?" Seriously????? This "voice" needs to work on her listening skills! She is Susan (not her real name), and she says she is calling to explain the bill in question. I'm not liking the sound of her voice. She proceeds to explain to me that yes, she sees I made the $25 co-pay but I had a procedure done and the insurance company determined that required another co-pay. (The procedure involved Dr. Everett spraying that cold burning stuff in the stainless steel canister on a mole on my forearm. It happened while I was there for an office visit for something else and the procedure took all of 5 seconds. Dr. Everett turned his upper body toward the counter, lifted the canister, pointed it toward my arm and sprayed. 5 seconds at most!) Now keep in mind, I drove to the doctor's office, went in, signed the sheet, gave them $25, and sat down to wait. The wait is never long there. Once I am called back to see the doctor (for what I don't even remember - probably a refill on my allergy meds) and we talk and I ask him if he can get rid of a mole, he looks at it, made the upper body turn, lifted the canister, etc, etc, etc!
Somebody H E L P!!!!!!!!!!! And in this government shut down, please include the medicare workers because all they do is sit in their offices and think up crap to "piss-off" (sorry!) those of us who have reached the "golden years"! I said it once and I'll say it again...getting older ain't for sissies!!
By the way, I told Susan (not her real name) to make a note in my file. I'M NOT PAYING THAT $25! I told her to have the head of Medicare to call me. Who is that anyway????? I am now on a personal mission to find out and give them a call!
Happy Trials to YOU! (Miss Terri - I meant to use that word!)
Love to everyone!!!! xxoo
Prayers needed for...
EE and CH
Friend Trish
Safe travels for...
C and G returning from Rome
T returning from London
J traveling to Dublin
C and K traveling to Topinabee to see ME!!!!!!!
Just so you know I am now officially off my soap box but also just so you know...my insides are still on a roller coaster! DANG!
I've talked before about my up north doctor. He's wonderful and I love him! Remember, his grandparents were from eastern Kentucky and he would spend his summers not far from Lynch running all over their farm. This is NOT about him.
Today - October 10, 2013 - I received a bill in the mail for $25 from the McLaren Medical Group, the company that owns the 2 closest hospitals and my doctor's office. I thought to myself...I haven't been to the doctor in months. I looked the bill over very carefully and see this is a bill for a visit on - June 25, 2012 - 15 months ago. Here it goes...I dialed the number!
The phone rings and I am told the caller volume is exceptionally high today so please leave a message and they will call me right back or if I choose to hold, the wait could be longer than expected. Two questions - How can they call me right back when they're so busy and how long is longer than expected? I "hold" and put the timer on! The phone music is so loud I'm tempted to put the phone in the other room! (It's apparent they never call themselves or they would turn that music down!) Not a long wait 'cause in a minute and 22 seconds Marian (not her real name) asks how she can help me! I'm very pleasant (really, I promise) and tell her about the bill. I also questioned her as to why an office visit made over 15 months ago was just now coming to my bank account's attention. She says many times it might take MEDICARE that long to make the payment. (Next time I owe money on my income taxes, I'm going to take 15 months to pay it! Think that'll work?) Anyway, back to my $25 debt. I told her it sounds like a co-payment wasn't recorded because $25 is my co-payment and how many times do you get to see the doctor before you give them your money? I look at the bill and give her what is called the "Plus Acct #", and she asks for my address and birthdate. She says let me look at this. She says she thinks I'm right. She said it looks like they charged me a co-payment twice. She says she will send this down to the coding office and they will review it and call me with any questions. I asked her if she had my phone number and she said yes. (Knew I should have left that blank!) Anyway, she said don't pay the bill. I'm very happy. I am right and I am $25 richer!!!
Get ready...the other shoe is about to drop!
About 20 minutes later my phone rings. I almost don't answer it because it says "No caller ID", a label I'm always wary of, but what the hey????? My day is going great, the sun is shining, and I have $25 in my pocket! After I say "Hello, this is Jo Ann Baker" the voice on the other end asked "is this Jo Ann Baker?" Seriously????? This "voice" needs to work on her listening skills! She is Susan (not her real name), and she says she is calling to explain the bill in question. I'm not liking the sound of her voice. She proceeds to explain to me that yes, she sees I made the $25 co-pay but I had a procedure done and the insurance company determined that required another co-pay. (The procedure involved Dr. Everett spraying that cold burning stuff in the stainless steel canister on a mole on my forearm. It happened while I was there for an office visit for something else and the procedure took all of 5 seconds. Dr. Everett turned his upper body toward the counter, lifted the canister, pointed it toward my arm and sprayed. 5 seconds at most!) Now keep in mind, I drove to the doctor's office, went in, signed the sheet, gave them $25, and sat down to wait. The wait is never long there. Once I am called back to see the doctor (for what I don't even remember - probably a refill on my allergy meds) and we talk and I ask him if he can get rid of a mole, he looks at it, made the upper body turn, lifted the canister, etc, etc, etc!
Somebody H E L P!!!!!!!!!!! And in this government shut down, please include the medicare workers because all they do is sit in their offices and think up crap to "piss-off" (sorry!) those of us who have reached the "golden years"! I said it once and I'll say it again...getting older ain't for sissies!!
By the way, I told Susan (not her real name) to make a note in my file. I'M NOT PAYING THAT $25! I told her to have the head of Medicare to call me. Who is that anyway????? I am now on a personal mission to find out and give them a call!
Happy Trials to YOU! (Miss Terri - I meant to use that word!)
Love to everyone!!!! xxoo
Prayers needed for...
EE and CH
Friend Trish
Safe travels for...
C and G returning from Rome
T returning from London
J traveling to Dublin
C and K traveling to Topinabee to see ME!!!!!!!
Just so you know I am now officially off my soap box but also just so you know...my insides are still on a roller coaster! DANG!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
October - Already?
How can it be October already? Wasn't is just Easter and summer vacation? I'm really not ready for what's coming next. I've heard that the number of acorns falling to the ground is an accurate indication of how hard the winter will be. Well, let me tell you that my yard is covered in acorns...tons more than last fall. Oh no! And last winter went on F O R E V E R! Will this one be worse? And why am I worrying about this? There's not a thing I can do...except worry!
I've been "footballing" every chance I can. This Thursday, Garrett and the JV team will play Alpena at Alpena. Last week Cheboygan JV lost to Petoskey. It was a rough game. One Cheboygan player received a broken arm and another a concussion. This football stuff ain't for sissies! Friday night is Homecoming at Cheboygan High School. There'll be a parade before the game (taking on Alpena) and then the half time crowning of the Homecoming Queen! Remember those days? The weather forecast says rain but remember, I'm in my press box! Go Chiefs!!!!!
New dog Maggie is doing very well. She and Nutty are getting along great and I'm beginning to see less of Maggie's bones! Her arthritis seems to be a bit better. I guess those joint pills are helping. I do have my favorite store, Lowe's, coming in the next few weeks (before the ground freezes!!!) to install a fence. Maggie's "pointer" instincts are either gonna' pull my shoulder out of socket or give her whiplash, so I decided a fence was in order!
The fall colors are beautiful up here, and we have had wonderful sunshine the past few days. Hope it lasts a while longer.
OK...I'm stalling for time because I've got a mess on my hands of my own creation. Let's just say my brain is working overtime on a few decisions. Just when I think I've got it resolved, something happens and I need to begin again. And the more I worry about it, the more upset/concerned/frustrated/over-wrought I become! I was reading a book this week and loved a particular paragraph that kind of describes what I'd like. I'll paraphrase..The paragraph talks about how in a movie, when it's time for bad things to happen, the music changes. I've always thought it would be really neat if real life came with a sound track. It probably wouldn't change anything, but it would be nice. Your thoughts?
TR Baker suffered a work-related injury on Monday night. His finger was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the end of his left hand middle finger was ripped away. He was taken to the ER where they said it was not good! Yesterday he went to the doctor who said it was a worst case scenario and Friday he will see an orthopedic hand guy. Oh my!
The good news is my friend Ray had a second procedure for a kidney stone and is doing well. My friend Hub had a heart procedure and is now home concentrating on getting better. I saw a picture of sweet Miss Roberta at church and she looked wonderful. My sister Linda fell while on vacation in Telluride and now has a staple in the back of her head but home safe and (sort of) sound!
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful colors of fall!
Continued prayers for EE and CH, my friend Trish, and TR Baker's finger! Please and thank you!
xxoo
I've been "footballing" every chance I can. This Thursday, Garrett and the JV team will play Alpena at Alpena. Last week Cheboygan JV lost to Petoskey. It was a rough game. One Cheboygan player received a broken arm and another a concussion. This football stuff ain't for sissies! Friday night is Homecoming at Cheboygan High School. There'll be a parade before the game (taking on Alpena) and then the half time crowning of the Homecoming Queen! Remember those days? The weather forecast says rain but remember, I'm in my press box! Go Chiefs!!!!!
New dog Maggie is doing very well. She and Nutty are getting along great and I'm beginning to see less of Maggie's bones! Her arthritis seems to be a bit better. I guess those joint pills are helping. I do have my favorite store, Lowe's, coming in the next few weeks (before the ground freezes!!!) to install a fence. Maggie's "pointer" instincts are either gonna' pull my shoulder out of socket or give her whiplash, so I decided a fence was in order!
The fall colors are beautiful up here, and we have had wonderful sunshine the past few days. Hope it lasts a while longer.
OK...I'm stalling for time because I've got a mess on my hands of my own creation. Let's just say my brain is working overtime on a few decisions. Just when I think I've got it resolved, something happens and I need to begin again. And the more I worry about it, the more upset/concerned/frustrated/over-wrought I become! I was reading a book this week and loved a particular paragraph that kind of describes what I'd like. I'll paraphrase..The paragraph talks about how in a movie, when it's time for bad things to happen, the music changes. I've always thought it would be really neat if real life came with a sound track. It probably wouldn't change anything, but it would be nice. Your thoughts?
TR Baker suffered a work-related injury on Monday night. His finger was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the end of his left hand middle finger was ripped away. He was taken to the ER where they said it was not good! Yesterday he went to the doctor who said it was a worst case scenario and Friday he will see an orthopedic hand guy. Oh my!
The good news is my friend Ray had a second procedure for a kidney stone and is doing well. My friend Hub had a heart procedure and is now home concentrating on getting better. I saw a picture of sweet Miss Roberta at church and she looked wonderful. My sister Linda fell while on vacation in Telluride and now has a staple in the back of her head but home safe and (sort of) sound!
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful colors of fall!
Continued prayers for EE and CH, my friend Trish, and TR Baker's finger! Please and thank you!
xxoo
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The downside of F O O T B A L L and other stuff!
Yesterday presented all the perfect parts of a great high school football day! It was Friday, the sun was shining, the temperature hovered around 55, and with my Cheboygan High School Athletic Fund donation comes my own reserved parking place and my personal section of the press box! Perfect! That is until the Escanaba Eskimos ran onto the field! First of all who would name a team the Eskimos???? Nothing personal toward any authentic Eskimos but really????? And I know it gets cold with lots of snow but really????? (After watching them play for a bit, Emily decided they were a "prison" team! And I agree!) Then to make matters worse...I think the referees came from Escanaba too! They were ALL blind to the rules like roughing the kicker, personal fouls, illegal motion, false starts, and trust me, I could go on! But the big one that got my attention and my concern and my over the top anger was a face mask penalty by #62, UNCALLED, that pulled the helmet off of Garrett Lindgren! That's enough! Emily gets very upset when I scream and "hollar" because she's a teacher and has an image to project, but yesterday I told her I was a grandmother and of an age when I didn't care what anyone thought of my image (like I ever did)! So the shouting began! And keep in mind I'm up in the press box with the window open, right next to the announcers. Do you think I could be heard? My favorite two word "shout-out" was "KILL 'EM"! Well, enough said. You get the picture. Garrett has a concussion and will be on the sidelines until the doctor releases him. He's not happy at all because that boy just really loves to play football! And I came home and created a #62 "voodoo" doll out of aluminum foil, and I called the penalties! Years ago when the children were young I adopted the ever popular mindset that when you hurt my children, you hurt me and you have stepped over the line! That feeling pales in comparison when you hurt my grandchildren. With my grandchildren, there is no line! Back off and leave 'em alone! Cheboygan JV football lost to the Eskimos 21 - 0.
OK, it's Saturday morning now, and Garrett feels fine but is still upset about the "sidelining"! Thank you Lord for watching out for him!
I do want to tell you about two good things that happened last week.
The first one is I hired a company to come and wash all my windows inside and out, and they came Wednesday! Oh my gosh! I am so happy! I love clean windows I didn't have to clean! I have 53 windows in my home! A team of six arrived at 8am and were gone by 10am! I would have still been cleaning windows (if I had started)! Thank you Lord for people who know what they're doing!
Secondly, ever since I moved to Topinabee (and several years before I got here), there has been a little victorian cottage for sale right in the middle of beautiful downtown Topinabee. I finally asked my son-in-law Brett (the candy man but also a real estate agent) to show it to me. He kind of ignored me so after summer was over I asked him if he thought ignoring my request would make me forget it. He smiled. I promised him if he showed it to me and it was horrible, I would remove it from my mind and never say another word about it. Well, he showed it to me. It was worse than horrible! Black mold on the walls, the hardwood floors were so warped, doors would not open inside the house, the smell was overwhelming, and Brett and I both thought we would be sick if we didn't leave immediately. We saw what we could and trust me when I say...I'll never say another word about it. It does hurt my heart though that people would let a beautiful home become so neglected. It was very nearly falling in on itself. Thank you Brett and thank you Lord!
Well, as I have been writing this, I have been baking a pineapple upside-down cake. It's done and looks beautiful. Taking it to dinner with friends this evening. And now I must close as it's 11:44am.
OK, it's Saturday morning now, and Garrett feels fine but is still upset about the "sidelining"! Thank you Lord for watching out for him!
I do want to tell you about two good things that happened last week.
The first one is I hired a company to come and wash all my windows inside and out, and they came Wednesday! Oh my gosh! I am so happy! I love clean windows I didn't have to clean! I have 53 windows in my home! A team of six arrived at 8am and were gone by 10am! I would have still been cleaning windows (if I had started)! Thank you Lord for people who know what they're doing!
Secondly, ever since I moved to Topinabee (and several years before I got here), there has been a little victorian cottage for sale right in the middle of beautiful downtown Topinabee. I finally asked my son-in-law Brett (the candy man but also a real estate agent) to show it to me. He kind of ignored me so after summer was over I asked him if he thought ignoring my request would make me forget it. He smiled. I promised him if he showed it to me and it was horrible, I would remove it from my mind and never say another word about it. Well, he showed it to me. It was worse than horrible! Black mold on the walls, the hardwood floors were so warped, doors would not open inside the house, the smell was overwhelming, and Brett and I both thought we would be sick if we didn't leave immediately. We saw what we could and trust me when I say...I'll never say another word about it. It does hurt my heart though that people would let a beautiful home become so neglected. It was very nearly falling in on itself. Thank you Brett and thank you Lord!
Well, as I have been writing this, I have been baking a pineapple upside-down cake. It's done and looks beautiful. Taking it to dinner with friends this evening. And now I must close as it's 11:44am.
GO CARDS!!!
Monday, September 9, 2013
F O O T B A L L!!!!!!
As many of you know, I L O V E football! Michigan grandson Garrett has already begun playing JV football for his high school, and I have already made my annual donation to the Cheboygan High School Athletic Fund so I can sit in my warm and dry press box for each game. Yea Me!!!! At the beginning of each game, they play our National Anthem. Tears always come to my eyes. Is it because I'm old and my emotional nerves are closer to the top of my skin or is it that as well as being older, I am much better informed about life and the situations our country finds itself in? (I'm sure that's a run-on, complex, or just plain poor sentence, but you get my drift!) Anyway, I do love to hear the band play it and the crowd give its' best effort to sing it!
Since I live in northern Michigan, it's not often I can watch U of L play football on our local TV stations. The first game of the season was broadcast on ESPN so we did see that one, but last week's game was on ESPN3 so we were gathered around the laptop for the "streaming" thing! It was a small screen but great playing. One thing I miss about watching the games on TV is you miss the pre-game and half-time shows. Well, MISS THEM NO MORE!!!!! My amazing friend, Ray Kirkland, is videoing (word ??) the band performances, and you can find them on YouTube! Go to YouTube, enter Ray Kirkland and search for the game date and watch and listen as Steve Kirkland, the Official Voice of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band hosts these performances. It's wonderful! I'm sorry last week's half-time show didn't include EKU's performance so I could have watched for my friend, Kelsay! That would have been awesome! But I know his mom and dad were there and enjoyed his performance...not so much the heat!!! I love watching the band perform. Talented friend Amy is also on the field as she is the marching band director. Amy, Steve and Kelsay are only 3 of the inspirational young people who are making a huge difference in our world. I'm sure each of you know many more, so always give them a big "shout out" when thanking God for role models! And as always, Ray is there to add his expertise to any and all events!
I've spent the last three weeks with guests from Kentucky visiting. It's been a blast! Tomorrow Rick and Barbara and Julie and Phillip head south, and I am left wishing their stay had been longer. In mid-October I'll have my last visitors for the year (unless any of you out there want to head this way). I love having company and when they leave I anxiously await the next group.
The leaves are beginning to turn here. I've spotted them in the trees. The temperatures are definitely cooler and there's that "fall" smell in the air! What is that smell? You know, when the gentle breeze or mighty wind passes by your nose and leaves behind that crisp (cool), tangy (apples), smokey (camp fires burning), musty (dried leaves), and burnt sugar (toasted marshmallows) smell! (It's that memory smell thing again!) Don't you love it?
Peace be with all of you! xxoo
Prayers still needed for EE and CH and Trish. Please and thank you!
OH MY GOSH - I completely forgot to tell you something. The Preacher called me!!!!!!!! That's a story for another time!
Since I live in northern Michigan, it's not often I can watch U of L play football on our local TV stations. The first game of the season was broadcast on ESPN so we did see that one, but last week's game was on ESPN3 so we were gathered around the laptop for the "streaming" thing! It was a small screen but great playing. One thing I miss about watching the games on TV is you miss the pre-game and half-time shows. Well, MISS THEM NO MORE!!!!! My amazing friend, Ray Kirkland, is videoing (word ??) the band performances, and you can find them on YouTube! Go to YouTube, enter Ray Kirkland and search for the game date and watch and listen as Steve Kirkland, the Official Voice of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band hosts these performances. It's wonderful! I'm sorry last week's half-time show didn't include EKU's performance so I could have watched for my friend, Kelsay! That would have been awesome! But I know his mom and dad were there and enjoyed his performance...not so much the heat!!! I love watching the band perform. Talented friend Amy is also on the field as she is the marching band director. Amy, Steve and Kelsay are only 3 of the inspirational young people who are making a huge difference in our world. I'm sure each of you know many more, so always give them a big "shout out" when thanking God for role models! And as always, Ray is there to add his expertise to any and all events!
I've spent the last three weeks with guests from Kentucky visiting. It's been a blast! Tomorrow Rick and Barbara and Julie and Phillip head south, and I am left wishing their stay had been longer. In mid-October I'll have my last visitors for the year (unless any of you out there want to head this way). I love having company and when they leave I anxiously await the next group.
The leaves are beginning to turn here. I've spotted them in the trees. The temperatures are definitely cooler and there's that "fall" smell in the air! What is that smell? You know, when the gentle breeze or mighty wind passes by your nose and leaves behind that crisp (cool), tangy (apples), smokey (camp fires burning), musty (dried leaves), and burnt sugar (toasted marshmallows) smell! (It's that memory smell thing again!) Don't you love it?
Peace be with all of you! xxoo
Prayers still needed for EE and CH and Trish. Please and thank you!
OH MY GOSH - I completely forgot to tell you something. The Preacher called me!!!!!!!! That's a story for another time!
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