Be Proud

Be proud of me.  Be very proud. 

Why? 

Because I made a phone call.   Yes, me!  I made a phone call!  This calls for a celebration!

Ok, maybe we won't go that far, but I'm pretty stoked that I finally got it done.  

And what was this phone call I made, you may ask?  I finally called to get my transmission fluid in my car changed.  It's been on the list for a while, and after trying several times to schedule it online, I had no choice but to call.  I'd been psyching myself up for it all day long, knowing all the while I'd probably lose my social energy by the time I got home from work and would put it off yet again. 

Then, along about 12:30, Group Leader Shark came around and said, "Only two brazers can stay.  Everyone else has to go home at 1:00."  At first, I'd said I wanted to stay, but then I looked at how much work I had left on the order I was doing, then looked at the clock, and thought, "I can get that done by 1:00", so I told GLS I'd leave.  So two other brazers stayed, and I came home and made my phone call.

The good news is, when I explained that I'd like to have it done on Friday so I wouldn't have to take an extra day off work, the person at the car place replied, "Gotcha!" and fixed me right up. She didn't have any openings for this Friday, so I'm scheduled for next Friday, November 1, and I requested the valet service so I don't have to get up and get dressed.  I mean, I'll likely be awake anyway since I'm used to getting up at 3:30 anyway, but I won't have to get dressed and leave the house.  

That'll be one more thing I can cross off my list. 

Once that was done, I went outside on this beautiful but slightly warm day and hung the small bird feeder on my new shepherd's hook, because the big one I normally use was just a bit too large and laid up against the pole.  

Then I got my shortening and rubbed a thick layer up and down the post.  I'd seen that on YouTube, and thought I'd try it.  It's supposed to make the post too slick for squirrels to climb.  I guess we'll see if it works, eh?  

Finally, as promised, the progress photo on my latest knitting project. 

It's about 7" long, so only 6 inches more to go before I start the crown decreases.  I'd forgotten how slowly knitting with sock weight yarn could go, but it is going.  

In fact, I have lots of sock yarn.  I might make a few more of these for Christmas gifts.  

 

Small Victories

Those of you who know me know I'm an introvert.  

Those of you who don't know me, I'm an introvert.  

As is typical of most introverts, phone calls are difficult for me.  It's been this way for my entire life.  The greatest invention ever in the mind of an inny -- as we refer to ourselves -- is the technology which makes texting possible.  However, some things can't be texted.  Certain business calls, for example. 

I've been needing to call a plumber for quite a while now.  I've also been needing to call the washing machine repairman.  And an oral surgeon.  And the eye doctor.  But I want to go ahead and get this sink unclogged before Thanksgiving, if I can.  What with Cody and Brennan coming and all.   

Every day at work, I tell myself when I get off, I'm going to call the plumber, and I'm going to call the washing machine repairman.  I even stand there and rehearse the phone calls -- when I'm not mentally debunking Facebook memes, that is. 

Every day when I get home, I don't. I don't call the plumber.  I don't call the washing machine repairman.  I tell myself I just need a minute to unwind before I call, then I don't call at all.  I've made progress, though.  At least I got their numbers stored in my phone now.  

Today was no exception.  I stood there at work all day long intending to call at least one of them.  But when I got home...I didn't.  I even picked up my phone and pulled up my contacts...then put the phone back down.  

Sigh...

Then I picked the phone back up and called to make an appointment for my eye checkup.  And I thought, "That's one..."  There are three more calls I need to make, but those didn't happen today. 

I will try again tomorrow.  

And finally, it's Wednesday, and that means, whiskers!  

I've got to get better at posting Whiskers On Wednesday.  I will get better at posting Whiskers On Wednesday, now that I have someone with whiskers again.  

So Proud

Y'all would be so proud of me.  Why? 

I made another phone call!

Yes, that's two days in a row that I've made phone calls.  I'm exhausted now, but the deeds are done. 

Today's phone call was to Ancestry.com customer service.  See, I'd gotten the All Access membership during a special promotional deal, in which I got it for the basic membership price.  However, it's due to renew this month, and they were going to renew it for the full price of $199 for six months.  Yeah, I'm not going to pay nearly $400 for something I don't use all that much.  In fact, I don't think I ever even used the additional features the All Access provides.  So, I chose to downgrade my membership back to the basic one.

The thing I don't like is you can upgrade online, but to downgrade, you have to call.  I don't like that about Cable One, either.  I get my internet through them, but you can't change or cancel your plan online.  You have to call -- or in my case, drive all the way across town, which I'd rather do than call. 

That was my big thing to do for today.  The rest of the day was filled with mundane chores like laundry and house cleaning.  The only exciting thing I did was to get my sister's family's Christmas gifts ordered.

A few weeks ago, I'd asked her to have her kids make wish lists on Amazon, because I'd much rather send gifts than gift cards.  Another benefit is, I can have what I choose for them shipped directly to my sister's house in Alaska, instead of buying things then having to mail them up there.  When I've done that in the past, I've spent more on postage than on the gifts themselves.  This way, I can save the money I would have spent on shipping, and spend a little more on each nephew than I would have otherwise. 

So, the whole point of that story is, I asked them to make wish lists so I wouldn't have to send gift cards.  What does my youngest nephew do?  Fills his wish list with gift cards.  A gift card in a bow tin.  A gift card in a cupcake tin.  A gift card in an Amazon box tin...What could I do?  I got him a gift card. 

Oh, and you know that earthquake that hit Anchorage yesterday morning?  My brother in law and oldest nephew were in Fairbanks (they live about an hour north) when it hit, and they said they could feel it all the way up there.  That had to have been a powerful quake to be felt that far away. 

Last but not least, my friend Kristine has a shop on Etsy, Stormy Blue.  She makes candles, soap, and lip balms.  I will admit, her stuff is usually a bit more than I would pay for soap and candles, but I will also admit, it's worth it.  Her stuff smells so good!  And totally unique.  I've never smelled anything quite like them. 

A week or so ago, she put up a Christmas candle collection, and I promptly ordered it. 

I'd bought Holmes For The Holidays and Gaudete last year, and since then, I've been hoarding them like a miser.  Or this time of year, you might say like Mr. Scrooge.  Now that my new candles have arrived, I can burn them with abandon!  And that's exactly what I have done.

All afternoon.

Do go and give her shop a visit.  Whatever you choose, I can promise, you won't be disappointed. 

That Really Happened

You know that feeling when you make yourself a to-do list, and you accomplish every single thing on that list?  Yeah, that happened to me today.  Admittedly, it was a short list, but I'm still counting it.

The big thing on that list was to call down to the dentist in Ridgeland and get my root canal scheduled.  Those of you who know my phone issues know how big an accomplishment this was.  On the other hand, I was supposed to have done it Wednesday...but hey, it's done now and said appointment is scheduled.

Tuesday, I went to my dentist here in town to get my toothache checked out.  After looking at my x-rays and mashing around on things, we agreed I needed a root canal.  The problem is, it's a tooth I just had crowned last year.  Dr. Horan said he could do it, but he'd want to take the crown off.  Since I've only had it for a year, insurance isn't going to pay for a new one.  He suggested sending me to an endodontic specialist, who might be able to drill through the crown and save it.  Dr. Horan referred me to a specialist in Oxford, but I asked him if I could go to the dentist in Ridgeland who'd done all my previous root canals.  He said, "OK, if that's what you want to do."

I said I did, because I'm familiar with him, and really like him.  What I didn't say -- out loud at least -- was when I'm done with that, I can visit AMY!!!  So, what do you say, Amy?  Up for a day of window shopping and visiting December 6? My appointment is at 8:30, and it should take about an hour.  After that, I'm free for the rest of the day.

The other major thing I wanted to accomplish today was to finish putting out all my Christmas decorations and get the storage boxes back out into my shed.   Really, there wasn't much left to do.  I hung this wreath, and our stockings, and ...what?  Doesn't everybody have a nativity on top of their gun cabinet?

I did something new with this stuff this year.

The decorations aren't new, but putting them here in this little nook thing is.  In retrospect, I could have done a better job of cleaning that mirror of, but eh, there's nobody here but me.  I'll clean it after Christmas, when I put all that stuff up.  Also, in retrospect, that little nativity is too small for that space, but it's going to stay there.  I'll figure out something different for next year.

While I was hauling boxes back out to the shed, I started digging through a cardboard box that's been out there since I moved.  Look what I found!  My cake pans!

And more cake pans!

And there are more still in the sink I haven't washed yet.  All in all, I have a Santa, a snowman, a football, a Christmas tree, a cross, and a shell  --besides the round and rectangular ones.  I used to have a bunch more pans that I either sold or gave away, but these were my favorites.  I also have some mini pans, most of which have never been used.  At one time, I was really into cake decorating, but once the kids started growing up, I stopped doing it so much.  Some of these pans have never even been used.

These, however, have been used quite a bit, my cookie stamps.

I have two boxes full of cookie cutters, but I prefer the stamps, because they are so much easier to use.  I don't think Wilton even makes these kind any more.  BTW, I've got some spring and fall designs, too, but didn't take a picture of them.

At the very bottom of the big box, I found this one.  It hasn't even been cut off the cardboard.

It was fun finding all this stuff again, but it put me into a bit of a melancholy mood.   All the kids are grown, and family is scattered here, there, and yonder.  We don't have those big family gatherings like we used to.  It's a part of growing up, but it makes me miss the old days, when we used to really do up for Christmas.

Maybe I'll make a bunch of cookies and ship them to Cody.  Or give them to Edna, who told me she likes to eat, but doesn't like to cook.

What say, Ed?  Up for some Christmas cookies?

New Phone

You'd think I'd be more excited about it, but I'm not. 

I didn't really want a new phone, especially since ATT has stopped selling phones for super cheap with a 2 year contract.  But the old iPhone 5s seemed to be on its last legs.  So to speak.

The selfie camera didn't work any more.  Not sure why I was worried about that, because I never took selfies.

The internal speaker didn't work any more.  That was annoying.  As much as it takes for me to make a phone call, I sure don't want to have to talk on the speaker phone every time.

Siri didn't work any more.  I hated Siri, and never used it but by golly, I wanted it to work! 

To be perfectly honest, I'd never really been pleased with my 5.  I'd have bought a new phone long time ago if they weren't do darned expensive.  I figured, heck, I'm working all these hours, might as well get something I need.

Funny thing, my new phone has 32G of memory.  My first computer had only 7G.  And that was considered "oodles of memory" at the time! 

Two things I do like about the new phone is the camera seems so much clearer, and that I was able to download all my photos and apps from my iCloud backup.  I didn't have that the last time I bought a new phone -- which would have been the old 5 -- and never could get that transfer app to work right. 

I think the main reason I wanted a new phone is that I'm planning a little weekend excursion later this month, and needed something reliable. 

But more about that later...

It's Not Saturday

All day long, it's felt like Saturday to me.  Let me tell you, nothing ruins your Saturday like realizing it's only Wednesday.  Sigh...

The good news is, we actually get a Saturday this weekend!  We're getting a three day weekend, but our Production Superintendent told us not to get excited.  This is not the start of a trend, he said. We'll be back to working Saturdays next weekend.

People are asking me what I'm going to do over the weekend, and the short answer is:  sleep.  I'm going to sleep, and sleep, and sleep.  I may just sleep the whole weekend away.  All three days of it.

Realistically, the plan is to finish stripping my mantle.   I found my extension cord, so I can finally get those spots back in the corner.  I also took some advice and returned the stain/polyurethane combo back and got the separate stuff.  I like this color of stain better anyway.

I got the pre-stain conditioner, too.  Yes, it may not be necessary, but since the wood is old, and has been painted more than once, I figured it wouldn't hurt to apply it.  You can see how pretty the grain of my wood is. I think it's going to look great.

Speaking of my house, it's been one year ago today that we closed on it.  A couple of weeks ago, a guy at work asked me if I had it the way I wanted it.  I know it shouldn't have, but his question irked me.  Why in the world would he think I'm made of money when he works at the same place I do?  It's slowly coming along, but it'll be a long time before I get it the way I want it.

First thing I need to do is call that guy back about cutting down that tree.  I meant to do it Monday. Then I meant to do it Tuesday.  Then I meant to do it today.  Now, I'm meaning to do it tomorrow.

Did I ever mention that I have telephone issues?

Let's move on to a more pleasant subject, knitting.  I still haven't found my size 7 DPNs, so I broke down and ordered a new set.  On this hat, I'm about to the point I need to switch to said DPNs.  

So, while waiting for said needles to arrive, I decided to cast on with the last of my neon yarn colors.
 

I just have to decide on a pattern...

Look!  I've been practicing with my dip pen.

It's betting better.  Nifty how even my manky handwriting instantly looks better when written with a dip pen.

When I get good, I'm going to invest in a really good quality fountain pen.  I've wanted one for ages, I just haven't wanted to spend the money.

My birthday is in November.  Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Yesterday's Post

This was supposed to be yesterday's post, but I was waiting for the FedEx guy.  I was expecting a package, so I was waiting on the FedEx guy. 

While I was waiting, I checked my mailbox.  There was a package in my mailbox.  It was the last Christmas present.

Beverly and James collect bird ornaments for their Christmas tree.  Back in November, I was looking in the Avon book, and saw this one.

 "What a great gift!"  I thought.  When I went to buy it, though, it was unavailable.  I clicked the link to have them notify me when it became available again.   Christmas came and went, and I never received the notification.  I bought them something else, and didn't think about it any more. 

About 10 days ago, I got the e-mail.  The ornament was back in stock.  Fat lot of good that did me, but then I thought, "what the heck, I'll buy it anyway.  At least they'll be able to add it to their collection."  And that is what I did. 

I was still waiting for the FedEx guy when the UPS guy arrived, bringing me my new movie.

I haven't watched it yet.  I'll probably wait until the weekend, so I can relax and really enjoy it.

I was still waiting for the FedEx guy, and getting a little aggravated.  I wanted to go take a shower to wash the day's sweat and grime from my body.  I figured it'd be just my luck that as soon as I got in the shower, he'd show up.  So, I waited.  Waited for the FedEx guy...

Finally, at 7:00 PM, the FedEx guy showed up.

"Had you given up on me?" he asked.

"Just about," I said. 

He explained that they had gotten so far behind because of all the ice and snow, and the airports being closed and the roads closed...they were just now starting to get caught up.  It's been rough, he said.

And just what had the long awaited FedEx guy brought me?  A new phone!

Yep, I was due for an upgrade.  I debated on skipping straight to the iPhone 6, but when I realized I could get a 5 for less than $100, my Luddite ways won out.    Besides, I figured, what do I use a phone for, but to check Facebook and play Hay Day?  Yeah, my issues run deep. 

I'll wait a few weeks before I give my opinion on it.  I'm still in the I don't like it!  It's new and I don't like new!  stage.  I'm sure I'll like it fine once I get used to it. 

Or as well as I can like any phone.  Like I said, my phone issues run deep. 

Telephones...and Stuff

I've always had telephone issues.  I've known this for a long time.  For almost as long, I've thought there was just something wrong with me. 

Lately, as I've become more familiar with the characteristics of introverts, I've discovered that telephone issues are pretty common amongst us.  Us introverts, that is.  Still...

I was about 16, at home alone one evening when the phone rang.   Being as I was home alone, it was up to me to walk into the kitchen where our rotary dial phone hung and pick up the handset.

"Hello?"

Before the days of Caller ID, I had no idea who was on the other end of the line.  Whoever it was asked for my mother.

"She's not available right now.  May I take a message?"

"No, that's OK," the lady said.  She explained that her son was about to leave for college, and was just wondering what kinds of things she would need for his dorm room.  She knew that my brother had started college the year before, and was going to ask my mother for some tips.

"Hmmm, I don't really know, but if you'll leave me your name and number, I'll have my mom call you when she gets home."

"No, that's OK," she said again.

She thanked me for my trouble, and we hung up.  Sometime later, my parents came home and I mentioned the call to my mother.  Big mistake.  I got chewed up one side and down the other.

"You should have taken a message!!!" my mother screamed at me.

I'd asked twice, and the lady had declined.  What was I supposed to do?  Crawl through the phone line and forcibly extract a message from her?  My mother and I got into such an argument that my daddy actually yelled at me.  It's the only time in my life I can remember him yelling at me like that.

My mother eventually figured out who had called, and returned her call.  Then I had to listen to her apologize for "her stupid daughter who didn't know how to take a message." 

Sigh, is it any wonder I have phone issues.

In other news, it's cold outside.  It's so cold, that my knitting mojo seems to have headed South for the winter.

Souther than Mississippi, at least.

Facing Fears

Y'all would be proud of me.  Remember that phone call I blogged about a couple of days ago?  Well, after much shaking, sweating, and even some heart palpitations, I finally made it.  I got my house phone cut off.  I only have a cell phone now.  If you're a real person and you need my number, message me on FB or send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.

Now, that doesn't mean I'll actually answer the phone if you call....  Hey, I told you my phone issues run deep.

The customer service rep was very nice, but she did try to talk me into keeping my phone.  I politely declined.  To make it up to her, I let her talk me into getting a faster DSL package.  Because she offered me a special promotional rate, it'll only be about $5 more than what I'm paying now.

After I took care of that, I got dressed and went to the post office.  Two of my least favorite things to do, and I did them both in the same day.  Y'all would be proud.

As if that weren't enough, when I left the post office, I went to Wal-mart -- which isn't one of my favorite things to do, either.  But since I was right there anyway, I figured I might as well get it over with.    Then I came home and baked a cake, watched three episodes of Criminal Minds, and finished the hat I was working on.

I had enough yarn to cast on another, slightly smaller, hat. 

And here, I'd thought I wasn't going to get much done today because I laid in bed until 8:00.  Let me tell you, when you normally get up at 5:00, that is such a luxury.


Your PSA for today:  Do not let your radiator run dry.  Your vehicle will not appreciate it.

Back when I was in college, I had a friend whose car kept dying on her.  She'd put it into three different mechanics, and they couldn't find anything wrong with it.  But it still kept dying.  Finally, her then boyfriend (now husband) asked her if she'd checked the water in the radiator.  Sure enough, it was dry.  Three different mechanics, and not one of them thought to check the water.  She didn't know, either.  When she was telling me the story, she said, "Did you know there is water in your radiator?"  Yep, I knew, because my Daddy taught me.

I had another college friend who absolutely burned her engine up because she didn't know she was supposed to check the oil.  Even back then, I didn't understand these dads who bought their daughters a car, and sent them off to school without teaching them even the most basic maintenance.

Finally, here's a little fall color to brighten up your day. 

Now I think I'm going to go eat a piece of that cake I made.

Changes

It appears that my brief brush with popularity is over.  Checking my stats page,  I've gone from around 100 views per post,

back down to my usual number of between 15 and 20.  I'm not complaining, mind you.  I'm just wondering, what caused the sudden spike in views, and the just as sudden drop?  As far as I can tell, there was nothing special about those particular posts -- not even the one that got nearly 900 hits. 

No matter, I'm still here, and still blogging for my faithful readers. 

Another, but less interesting change, is that I'm finally planning on cutting off my house phone.  I never use it any more (except to find my cell phone from time to time), and I'm tired of paying for it.  I'm also tired of the political robocalls, but that's another rant for another time.  With the money I save by doing that, I think I can afford to upgrade my cable to the standard package.  Then I can watch Walking Dead with the rest of you -- except when the Cowboys have SNF, that is.

Speaking of the Cowboys, how bout them?  

I've also upgraded my data plan on my phone.  I got tired of having to be so stingy with using it-- or paying double if I went over.  The next plan up only cost $10 more, and gives me 3 gig of data, up from the 300 meg I was currently getting. 

The only problem I'm having now is that I can't cut off my house phone online.  I have to call them.  Those of you who know me also know that my telephone issues run deep.  Very deep.  Three days ago, I finally looked up the customer service number that I need to call.  But I still haven't called them. 

Like I said, my phone issues run deep.

Lastly, a bit of fun...I've discovered that you can shout "BEAT ARMY" at the end of any song, and it works.  Really, I've spent the last two days trying it out on every song I can think of, and it really does work.  Here, listen (imagine me singing...well, don't imagine me singing.  Imagine someone who can sing singing.)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
Was blind, but now I see.
BEAT ARMY!!

See?

Or how about some Johnny Cash?

Because you're mine, I walk the line.
Because you're mine, I walk the line.
BEAT ARMY!!

Still not convinced?  OK, how about some Proclaimers?

And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door...
BEAT ARMY!!

Go on, try it for yourselves.  Let me know what you come up with. 

Not Quite Unscathed

I thought I'd escaped damage from Monday's storms, but not so fast.

James called me outside this afternoon and showed me this.



Seems the high winds had peeled back some of my shingles.



Boy, am I glad I paid my insurance premiums!  I dug out my forms, and found the information I needed to contact them.  Then I went to their website and filed a claim.



Yes, I filled out the claim form online. I've told you before.



My phone issues run deep.



Hello, my name is Becky, and I have telephonophobia. 

But at least I have homeowner's insurance. 

Irony of Ironies

It all started at a quarter to two this morning.  I woke up needing to go to the bathroom.  OK, that's normal enough.

But then, upon returning to bed, I flew into a near blind panic because my cell phone wasn't on my nightstand where I thought I'd put it the night before.  There was no, "I'll find it in the morning".  Not at all.  I had to find it, and right then.

I checked all the usual places.  I looked on the charger.  Not there.

I looked by my recliner.  Not there.

I checked the computer desk.  Not there.

I even checked the bathroom cabinet, though why it would be there escapes me.  Not there.

On top of the microwave.  On my dresser.  On the snake tanks.  The phone was nowhere to be found.

So I got the bright idea of calling myself from my house phone.  Only the cell phone didn't ring.  Why didn't the cell phone ring?  What was going on?  I briefly heard the buzzing sound from the vibration, but the line disconnected before I could locate the phone.

Four times I called myself before I was finally able to track down my phone.  You'll never guess where it was.  Well, OK, if you know me at all, you wouldn't be surprised.

It was wrapped up in the pile of clean laundry that I'd thrown on the floor so that I could get into bed, because I didn't want to fold it.  The laundry, not the bed.

Cell phone safely retrieved, and on the nightstand, I headed off to dreamland again.  Yet, something still nagged at me.  Why hadn't the phone rang?  I got back up.

I checked the settings.  It was set to Ring And Vibrate.  I checked the sounds.  Yes, I had a ringtone selected.  Why hadn't the phone rang?  My sleep deprived brain was unable to make sense of this riddle, and I finally drifted off again with the mystery unsolved.

It was only after a so-so night's sleep that I thought to check the ring tone volume.  Yep, that was it.  It had somehow gotten set to vibrate only.  Volume adjusted, mystery solved, and all was right with the world again. 

By the way, have I ever mentioned that my phone issues run deep?

Yeah...

.

Afghan Tales

For those of you who don't know, Sus is my long lost twin sister. OK, not really, but sometimes we're so much alike it's scary.  Anyway, she's given her blog a bit of a re-design, which is something I'd like to do, too.   I need to spend more time nurturing my blog as it is.  Facebook and Netflix have sort of taken over my life.

Anyway, in today's post, Sus tells a story of starting an afghan, only to have the yarn discontinued. I won't relate the whole thing, but I'm sure she'd be thrilled to have you drop in to her blog for a visit. I bring this up because I did something similar way back in the early days of my knitting venture.

I was going to knit an afghan that I found in an old Creative Knitting magazine, back when they were Knitter's Digest.  The pattern can also be found on this page.  Scroll down a bit until you see Christmas Stars.

The pattern calls for you to knit long strips of the patterned blocks, separated by red stripes, then long, thin strips of solid red.  Then you sew them all together.  Well, I got two strips knit-- one of each -- and got about 1/3 of the way through sewing them together when  I said to myself, "Self, this is the pits.  I'm going to figure out how to knit this all in one piece."  Shouldn't be too hard.

I started frogging.  Then I thought, "This sucks."  So I put the afghan back in a Wal-mart sack, and there it has languished in the bottom of my closet for some 10 years now.  Every now and again, I go pull it out.  I look at it for a moment, think that I really should either knit the darn thing up or recycle the yarn, and I put it back into the bag, and stuff it back into the bottom of the closet.

And the wind comes up and the Dead Sea goes on being dead.

Extra credit for anyone who can tell me where that quote came from.

On a more pleasant note, I've been working on the Family Blankie. 

I know this isn't the greatest photo, but I really didn't want to vacuum my carpet, so you're stuck with it.

Oh and by the way, those Pledge Pet Hair Fabric Sweeper thingys are da bomb!   When I actually use them, that is, which I didn't today, so you don't get a close up of the blankie because Rylea's hair is still all over my couch.  Which needs reupholstering anyway.  Which isn't going to happen any time soon.  So that's that.

Moving right along...

On the other hand, I'm a bit frustrated.  I added a data plan to my cell phone service.  It was supposed to be effective starting today, but I still can't connect.  I've searched all over the support section of their website, and nothing has helped.  You know what that means.

I'm going to have to *shudder* call them.  Yeah, my phone issues run deep.  Real deep.

Then again, if I wait until tomorrow, they will have someone available for a live online chat.  Yeah, maybe that's what I'll do.

Just one more thing before I go:

Crab Salad

Crab meat, or Alaska Whitefish
Pasta, cooked -- I used small shells
Boiled eggs, chopped up --3 or 4 of them
Pickle relish
Grated cheese --flavor of your choice.
Mayonnaise

Dump it all in a bowl and mix it up.  I can't tell you the measurements, because I never measured.  I just added it in until it looked right.  This is something I really, really, really miss since becoming allergic to eggs.  Just the thought of it makes me sad. 

Darned immune system!

Telephones

I work in a job that is basically a no-brainer, and as such, I have a lot of time to just think about stuff.  Its strange the things you sometimes think of when your mind isn't otherwise occupied.

There was this boy I went to high school with.  We weren't really friends, but I had a lot of classes with him throughout junior high and high school.  One day we were in class, and he was telling the story of a girl--a class mate of ours--and how she would call him all the time and just talk and talk and talk.  She drove him crazy.  Finally, he got an idea.  When he was tired of talking to her, he'd ask his parents to yell at him to get off the phone.  He said his dad was cool.  He'd just yell across the room, "RANDY!  Get off the phone!"  The first time he asked his mother, though, she came up to him and said, "Randy, dear, I really need you to get off the phone."

He was like, "Aww mom!" 


Moving right along....

I was in fourth grade, or thereabouts, when one day I couldn't remember my homework assignment.  I got the phone book to look up a classmate's number.  As I was searching for her number, I found another classmate's number.  "Oh, here is James' number.  I'll call him.  He'll know."  At that moment, my mother rounded the corner, arms a-flailing and eyes a-blazing. "Girls do not call boys on the phone!  It's not proper!"

"But mom", I countered. "It's not like I was going to ask him out on a date.  I'm just calling him about school work."  But my mother was adamant,  girls do not call boys on the phone under any circumstances. 

Fast forward to 6th grade...my little boyfriend called me on the phone.  I was unavailable at the moment.  My mother told him to call back in about 15 minutes.  He did.  "What were  you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, I was using the bathroom," I replied.  At that moment, my mother rounded the corner, arms a-flailing and eyes a-blazing.  "Girls do not tell boys they were in the bathroom!" 

"Why not?", I asked.  "They have to go, too."  But my mother was adamant.  Girls do not tell boys they actually *ahem* use the bathroom.

I think this may be where my phone issues come from.  My older brother had phone issues, too.  His freshman year at college, he was unable to find a ride home for the Thanksgiving break.  What did he do?  He wrote my parents a letter.  They got it the day he was supposed to be coming home.  My dad got off work that evening, and had to immediately set out driving 4 hours to Marshall, TX to pick up my brother.  They took the younger kids with them, but told me I could stay home if I wanted to.  I was 17, and they would have let me stay home alone, but I didn't really feel comfortable doing that.  I chose to go stay with my grandparents instead.

I was waiting for them to come pick me up, and they didn't come.  Six o'clock passed, then seven.  Finally I called my grandpa and asked him what time he was coming to get me.  "At 9:00," he snapped, then sneeringly added, "Is that OK with you?"

I have a terrible aversion to using the phone ever since. 

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The Inaugural Sketch

This is the inaugural sketch in Cody's new hardback sketchbook. It is a Nazgul from The Lord Of The Rings. The little bugger even copied the Elven script.

Sorry about the poor quality. I took this with my camera. I can scan it onto my computer, I just can't get online to upload it.

I still haven't called the computer guy. I must confess my shortcoming. I hate calling people on the phone, even for business. I'd much rather send and e-mail or meet in person, or heck, even text. I've been this way for as long as I can remember. I just hate telephones. I'll have to do it soon, though. Cody is getting tired of sharing his computer.

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