Oh What a Weekend, part two November 26-28, 2021

 As predicted, the headlight replacement at the dealership was expensive.  I had them change out the bulbs on both sides, which was not expensive.  The labor to get at the bulbs replaced was.  The service representative said that some models of the Chevy Malibu also require the front assembly to be removed to replace the headlights!  It took about an hour.

The Saturn Vue is a low maintenance car, but when it needs maintenance, the maintenance is expensive.  

So, I was able to run a few quick errands, and call the appliance repair people to tell them that I was available earlier than I had anticipated.  The young man who came to my aid was very nice.  And explained that because I was using the "super load" function on my washing machine, I wore out the bearings.  The gear box would cost close to the cost of another washing machine, and the labor charges would surpass that. The young man said, that he did not want to do that replacement and "take my money." So, I went out shopping and found another washing machine that I could get delivered on Wednesday. This one had a good deal for a 5 year extended warranty, so I added that to the purchase agreement. I don't usually do extended warranties, but this sounded reasonable. And the dealer has a repair service, so they can take care of the warranty work.  A lot better than waiting 2 months for my refrigerator. 

So, my new washing machine was going to be delivered on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.  That meant I needed to take some items to the local laundromat. (A friend of mine latter chided me and said I could have done laundry at her house, and we could have had a "girls time."   Never thought to ask.)  

Well, going into the laundromat, I tripped on an obvious berm, fell forward, could not easily catch my breath to even call for help, and landed on the berm with the full force and impact on my right side. Eventually, people came to my aid, helped me up, and got me into the laundromat so I could sit and rest.  I was carrying a basket of laundry, and had another in the car, and gave my keys to the laundromat attendant, and a customer, to bring my other basket in.  The customer kept coming by to check on me.  The attendant did not, but I understand that, because the laundromat did not want to make it their problem.  

I had planned to go home to unload the laundry and them go shopping, but decided once I went home, I was not going anywhere again.  So I went shopping, and then went home, put clothes in the dryer a little batch at a time, and did the best I could.  

Oh! What a Weekend! November 20-21, 2021

 

I feel like the gods have been conspiring against me, or I was cursed by the recent lunar eclipse!!!!   I am still having trouble with Suddenlink, and I have not had cable service on my primary TV since November 13.  I can live with that. After all the techs were done, I could not access wifi on it either! I am at the point that I have to call New York and can do so on Eastern time.  I would assume they open at 8 or the latest, 9 EST.  I have called several times, and the upshot is, they wanted to send a tech out, for the 5th time in a week and a half.  I said enough is enough.  It is a systems problem, and if they cannot fix it, I can live with something else. 

Saturday, my car flunked its state inspection, due to a headlight!  I went three places to try to get it replaced, but all 3 said they could not because they have to remove the front assembly to get to the light bulb.  I could not dispute that, because I could not understand the owner’s manual instructions, and could not see how I would get at the bulb, without doing so, either.  Through the magic modern technology, I was able to schedule an appointment on Friday, the 26^th (first date available) at Scoggin Dickey.  This might be the most expensive headlight replacement in the world!  

Sunday morning, when I woke up, I did not have a working furnace.  Fortunately, after a while, I was able to figure out that the programable thermostat needed new batteries.  I try to keep stocked up with everything I can image, but had to scrounge in my junk drawer but found 2 double A's.  Situation resolved.  And new supply purchased same day!

Sunday afternoon, when I started laundry, after the first load was done, it was apparent that the washing machine was not agitating or spinning.  I tried separating the amount of laundry and spun it again, no such luck.  I now have a mega load of super soaked laundry that I am nursing through my 16-year-old dryer!  I could shlep the rest of my laundry to a commercial self-service laundry but who wants to do that?   I have enough clothes to get through a 3-day work week. Again, through the miracle of modern technology I was able to schedule a repair appointment for Friday, the 26th, begging for the last appointment of the day, due to my car appointment earlier.   (They could come out Wednesday but really, I can wait.)

My ESPN+ account did not work Saturday for the men’s basketball game.  I was really frustrated, and when I went into ESPN costumer service chat, the help I received was immediate and successful.  The suggestion:  use Google Chrome for the browser.  That has been successful since!

Hair Bun - Really

So why do we call it a "man bun?"  It is not like females have not had hair buns with their hair before.  Probably the most notable in South Pacific  with Bloody Mary or with Kathryn Hepburn https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44191640063641361/  (I hope this works. Adding a link has changed since the last time I did this)  

So why are we calling them "man buns" instead of hair buns.  Which wipes out LGBTQ buns.  After all hair buns are just hair buns.

A Gratitude Post # 5

Sometimes, I struggle to do the things that have to be done. And, even more often, I struggle to do the things I want to do.  Today was one of those days. I have long since learned to decrease my expectations so I can do the best I can with what must be done, and what I want to do. But, today, I was able to manage to do what must be done, and most of what I wanted to do. So, this was a successful day.

I will also say that in my sports world, the Kansas City Chiefs won; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Patriots (neutral), the Red Sox and the Yankees will play a wild card game for the MLB post season.  I don't care who wins that game, but I will cheer till the end for both teams.

Isn't that really what life is about?  Not who wins or loses, but how we play the game? Isn't that what we baby boomers learned as children?  How has that lesson been lost?  Do we even teach it to our children in this day and age, or is it all about winning?  Shouldn't it be more about honest gamesmanship, good sportsmanship, respect, and more importantly, honor and dignity.  And most importantly of all, the greater good.  

Oh my gosh, I hope gratitude does not bleed over into Pollyanna-ism. I mean, wouldn't that be nice, but so unrealistic.  

So maybe this gratitude post is not as in touch with reality as it need to be, or should be, but tonight, I do not care.  I want to be optimistic and grateful at all cost. 

A Gratitude Post #4

Gratitude today is for the opportunity to be alive, and have the sick leave I need to stay home and rest, when I cannot function adequately.  That is a multiple blessing, acquired from years of  hard work, not using sick leave unless I really needed it, and having a supervisor who understands my health problems.  Plus being ready to retire soon. 

Gratitude Post #3

So, today, I was feeling very poorly. I have a combination of health issues, but the worst is fatigue.  I could have predicted my fatigue by the end of my workday on Tuesday, but I hate to assume the worst about my health status. I had to call into work about being absent.  Today, I slept until after 2 PM. I actually was able to get onto the computer, and do some things, with the opportunity to lie down from time to time.

I am grateful that I have supervisor who is understanding of my physical health issues, and also have the sick leave to cover me when I have these days.  

A Gratitude Post #2

Last night, we had some thunderstorms blow through.  This time of year, we usually need some rain, and 2021 is no exception.  The farmers worry about the rain damaging their cotton harvest, but everything else is pretty well dried out.  So, we had some solid rains, and thunder and lightning. This was a blessing.  I could see the lightning to the north, and at one point, it was right over my neighborhood.  My power never went out, and my electronics were not effected.  So, another blessing.

My work day went well, and a meeting was cancelled, which gave us all a breather.  Yet, another blessing.

I was so tired, it was difficult for me to finish my day.  I was able to leave after 8 hours, today at 4:30 PM, earlier than i have been able to leave work lately. I had hoped to get some extra things done at home tonight, but I was too tired, and slept while I watched TV and tried to read some professional materials. Well, I needed to sleep.  I am still tired, and hopefully my nap will not interfere with my sleep tonight.  

Focusing on positive thinking feels good.  I have had so many negative experiences in the last 2 and a half years, it has really been oppressive.  I realize, though, that I have become habituated at looking at the negative or the worst.  Focusing on a positive outlook makes things easier.  I know that.  I have known that for more than 40 years.  I just needed to be jolted out of my rut, so I can again focus on the positive.