After a two long distant calls to the doctor and the pharmacy I got my prescription(s) settled. However, it would have been better IF Wal-Mart could have read my records better. According to my pill bottle it did say the prescription expired on 7/20/08 and I was supposed to have partial refills. So I talked to the doctor's office and they were like me, they couldn't figure it out either. Why weren't they giving me refills, where indeed it had not expired? So I called the pharmacy after so many times of getting a busy signal, only to get an automated response system. I held on the line to talk to a "real life person" and was nearly switched when I said "refill." I say, "Just a minute...." then I tell them my story. The pharmacy doctor on duty says, "We can get you a partial refill." Well, DUH!! That's what I wanted in the FIRST place. So it wasn't going to be 60 pills. Last week I just wanted a 3 week supply and they couldn't even do this because "the computer kept going to the wrong screen." Nothing like computer errors. At this point, I also know this was a human error as well. So she apologized to me. I said, "I am 45 miles out and they tell me that I could no longer get refills." She said that they could call out to another store "closer to me." Well, that doesn't help. It is still out of town...instead of 45 miles...it would be 7 less to the other one! The point is that they should have looked at it again, or at least let me talk to the pharmacy person on duty and get a clarification.
Needless to say Wal-Mart is no longer my pharmacy after July. That is it!
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I got copies of my school records and thought there should be more teacher comments (like I wanted to read that rubbish because I am glutton for punshiment). I talked to the person there at my unified school district and she explained to me that the record was scanned by an outside source at one time. She said they did a poor job of it. But, it was probably to my benefit that I not read anymore comments from my past teachers. Some things are better left buried.
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Ah July is coming up!! I am looking forward taking some time off to visit Larrytown in the summer. I just wish that we could go on a further vacation. S and J have nothing much to do here. Tennis camp for S and if we can talk J into taking it that would give him something to do since there was no basketball camp for his age group this year. Pretty disappointing. Next year, there will be camp for him in junior high. And speaking of next year we will be planning a far away vacation then. But that's so far away!! Sigh!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Injustices of the Insurance Companies
Today I was in at Wichita Wal-Mart. I had just re-ordered my prescriptions online. When I got to the Wal-Mart, they had moved the pharmacy and they were on lunch break. So I waited and chatted to a person in line.
I waited for nothing!
I was told that my insurance company would not fill my prescription because it was "too early" and the wouldn't pay for it. IF I would have waited until tomorrow it would have been okay. But here I was 45 miles from my town that doesn't have a pharmacy. Why is it "too early" to refill this particular prescription. If I was there and off my one day, then by golly what's the problem? No gas savings here! Then my other prescription was to expire on July 26. They informed me that I had NO time left on the high blood pressure med.
By this time my blood pressure is rising. I did have an appointment with my doctor, but not for another three weeks. It seems as if I will have to move up my appointment with him or call them on Monday (a long distance call at that).
I just don't understand why they couldn't issue me at least 3 weeks of Lisinopril. What am I going to do with it? Sell it on the streets?
I did come up with a soluton. I could just stop taking the blood pressure medicine and say to the doctor, "Well, it's your fault for not writing more prescription for a needed medical condition."
Now, no doubt I'll have to have this prescription doubled because of the problems! Grrr...why can't this be a near perfect world?
I waited for nothing!
I was told that my insurance company would not fill my prescription because it was "too early" and the wouldn't pay for it. IF I would have waited until tomorrow it would have been okay. But here I was 45 miles from my town that doesn't have a pharmacy. Why is it "too early" to refill this particular prescription. If I was there and off my one day, then by golly what's the problem? No gas savings here! Then my other prescription was to expire on July 26. They informed me that I had NO time left on the high blood pressure med.
By this time my blood pressure is rising. I did have an appointment with my doctor, but not for another three weeks. It seems as if I will have to move up my appointment with him or call them on Monday (a long distance call at that).
I just don't understand why they couldn't issue me at least 3 weeks of Lisinopril. What am I going to do with it? Sell it on the streets?
I did come up with a soluton. I could just stop taking the blood pressure medicine and say to the doctor, "Well, it's your fault for not writing more prescription for a needed medical condition."
Now, no doubt I'll have to have this prescription doubled because of the problems! Grrr...why can't this be a near perfect world?
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Trades (KU version)
Well now there has been some trading going on overnight. Darrell Arthur's journey started like this: He was "supposed" to be high in the draft but because of some rumor about his health his draft status dropped all the way down to 27 (1st round, at least). New Orleans originally drafted him; then he was traded to Portland; Portland traded him to Houston; and now since last night he has been traded to Memphis. A lot of trading! Sort of sounds like baseball card trading, only we are talking about a person/player here.
Mario Chalmers was "supposed" to be picked in the first round and that is why he stayed in the draft not returning to school. If the scouts (or whoever) could have gotten it right in the first place Mario MIGHT have returned to KU. He was picked in the 2nd round (number 34). He was drafted to Minnesota and was traded to the Miami Heat. Apparently they think highly of him.
Darnell Jackson was drafted in the second round (number 52) by Miami and now they have traded him to Cleveland.
Sasha Kaun was drafted by Seattle (in the second round, number 56). He was traded off to Cleveland. So whenever Sasha decides to return MAYBE he and Darnell will be on the same team. Nothing is set in stone.
There could be some more trades!
Mario Chalmers was "supposed" to be picked in the first round and that is why he stayed in the draft not returning to school. If the scouts (or whoever) could have gotten it right in the first place Mario MIGHT have returned to KU. He was picked in the 2nd round (number 34). He was drafted to Minnesota and was traded to the Miami Heat. Apparently they think highly of him.
Darnell Jackson was drafted in the second round (number 52) by Miami and now they have traded him to Cleveland.
Sasha Kaun was drafted by Seattle (in the second round, number 56). He was traded off to Cleveland. So whenever Sasha decides to return MAYBE he and Darnell will be on the same team. Nothing is set in stone.
There could be some more trades!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
KU and the NBA Draft
As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, "I can't get no respect." This is how I felt about KU in the 2008 NBA Draft. KU who won the NCAA tournament back in April, didn't have very high draft prospects.
Brandon Rush, drafted at number 13 with the Portland Trailblazers. Then he was later traded to the Indiana Pacers. This is the same team where his brother, Kareem Rush is a player.
We waited for Darrell Arthur's name to be called. ESPN kept showing Darrell waiting and wondering where he was going to. They even did an interview with him. Then it was reported that Darrell had some sort of kidney problem. It got around the league and his draft status dropped all the way down to number 27!! Once he got drafted, he explained to ESPN that was a rumor about his health. As far as he knew he IS healthy. So New Orleans drafted him and traded him to the Portland Trailblazers. Portland has since traded Arthur to Houston. This is close to where he has family. That MAY be a good trade, especially for Arthur.
We thought for sure the Mario Chalmers would be picked in the first round. As that was the talk of the scouts that he would definitely go in the first round. This is why he didn't return for his senior season. Well those scouts, were either worthless or wrong. Mario was chosen in round 2 and was the 34 pick overall. Minnesota drafted him and traded him to the Miami Heat.
The last pick of the first round, went to former KU player, J. R. Giddens. Apparently he is headed to the Boston Celtics. In my opinion, I can't see how Giddens is supposedly a better player than Chalmers. Go figure!
The 52nd pick in the draft (second round) was Darnell Jackson. The Miami Heat picked him up. Now Chalmers and Jackson are teammates again!! Also joining them is former K-Stater, Mike Beasley (who went 2nd in the first round). That should be an interesting team.
Finally, (we cheered on this one) Sasha Kaun was drafted number 56 to the Seattle SuperSonics. Nick Collison plays there in Seattle. It is also rumored that the Seattle team may move to OKC in the near future. Sasha currently is playing in Russia and is making more money there than he would with the NBA. He is also planning on trying out for the Olympic team for Russia. So we may see him play this August.
Five Jayhawks drafted in the NBA this year. Not bad. But the placing of these players seemed just a little low. Other players from other colleges got picked over the KU players. These were players from little known Rider College (Jason Thompson), several foreign players (from Italy, France, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatian, Congo, Turkey, Australia, and Montenegro) were drafted before the KU players. It doesn't make sense.
Hopefully the guys from KU do well in the NBA! I think I am a Miami Heat fan now, IF there are no more trades.
Brandon Rush, drafted at number 13 with the Portland Trailblazers. Then he was later traded to the Indiana Pacers. This is the same team where his brother, Kareem Rush is a player.
We waited for Darrell Arthur's name to be called. ESPN kept showing Darrell waiting and wondering where he was going to. They even did an interview with him. Then it was reported that Darrell had some sort of kidney problem. It got around the league and his draft status dropped all the way down to number 27!! Once he got drafted, he explained to ESPN that was a rumor about his health. As far as he knew he IS healthy. So New Orleans drafted him and traded him to the Portland Trailblazers. Portland has since traded Arthur to Houston. This is close to where he has family. That MAY be a good trade, especially for Arthur.
We thought for sure the Mario Chalmers would be picked in the first round. As that was the talk of the scouts that he would definitely go in the first round. This is why he didn't return for his senior season. Well those scouts, were either worthless or wrong. Mario was chosen in round 2 and was the 34 pick overall. Minnesota drafted him and traded him to the Miami Heat.
The last pick of the first round, went to former KU player, J. R. Giddens. Apparently he is headed to the Boston Celtics. In my opinion, I can't see how Giddens is supposedly a better player than Chalmers. Go figure!
The 52nd pick in the draft (second round) was Darnell Jackson. The Miami Heat picked him up. Now Chalmers and Jackson are teammates again!! Also joining them is former K-Stater, Mike Beasley (who went 2nd in the first round). That should be an interesting team.
Finally, (we cheered on this one) Sasha Kaun was drafted number 56 to the Seattle SuperSonics. Nick Collison plays there in Seattle. It is also rumored that the Seattle team may move to OKC in the near future. Sasha currently is playing in Russia and is making more money there than he would with the NBA. He is also planning on trying out for the Olympic team for Russia. So we may see him play this August.
Five Jayhawks drafted in the NBA this year. Not bad. But the placing of these players seemed just a little low. Other players from other colleges got picked over the KU players. These were players from little known Rider College (Jason Thompson), several foreign players (from Italy, France, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatian, Congo, Turkey, Australia, and Montenegro) were drafted before the KU players. It doesn't make sense.
Hopefully the guys from KU do well in the NBA! I think I am a Miami Heat fan now, IF there are no more trades.
Cookbooks/NBA Draft
The church cookbook is out!!!! If anyone who reads this blog is wanting one please let me know through here!! They look really great. It has been 20 years since our church has put out a book. Our committee of Nikki, Vonnie, and Joan W., were the best. We all worked together. I am hoping that we will sell all the books! Come by and see the book, if you can. If you can't then let me know if you want one. They are 3 ring notebooks and $15 a piece.
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NBA Draft is starting at 6:30 Pm. Most of the KU championship team is in the draft. We will be watcing to see where they place. It hasn't even started yet, but insiders think that Derrick Rose is the 2008 First draft pick and Michael BEASTLY (Beasly) will be the second draft pick. Wonder where OJ Mayo, Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, and Mario Chalmers will place. We will find out soon. The draft last until 11 PM...at least it is shorter than the NFL draft!
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NBA Draft is starting at 6:30 Pm. Most of the KU championship team is in the draft. We will be watcing to see where they place. It hasn't even started yet, but insiders think that Derrick Rose is the 2008 First draft pick and Michael BEASTLY (Beasly) will be the second draft pick. Wonder where OJ Mayo, Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, and Mario Chalmers will place. We will find out soon. The draft last until 11 PM...at least it is shorter than the NFL draft!
Accessing Your Own School Records
What was I thinking!!? It was like getting an apple and seeing a worm inside it! Now, I knew I was pretty much a C student with the exception of my senior year in high school. Things started clicking right for me then. Taking subjects that I really liked helped my GPA a bunch!
It was the comments that I didn't care for. But then I thought if I knew what they were saying about me when I was a 6--7 year old would I have even pursued college or even tried? This was just the opinion of teachers (and teachers aren't always right and certainly have no right to play God) in rendering an unjust opinion of a child. It is funny. When I got my report cards, the teacher would write the positive about me, and maybe an occasional negative item. However, this was pretty revealing. I will not disclose what they said because let's face it, everyone grows up and strives to be the best person they are despite what others may say about them. You do what you do and live a life that is you. Do not pay attention about some pre-conceived ideal that a teacher says about you is the gospel truth and that you'll never change. People change.
If you decide to pursue getting a look at your "permanent file" then try looking at the results as "this WAS me then and look how far I came." Take the opinions and results with a grain of salt!
It was the comments that I didn't care for. But then I thought if I knew what they were saying about me when I was a 6--7 year old would I have even pursued college or even tried? This was just the opinion of teachers (and teachers aren't always right and certainly have no right to play God) in rendering an unjust opinion of a child. It is funny. When I got my report cards, the teacher would write the positive about me, and maybe an occasional negative item. However, this was pretty revealing. I will not disclose what they said because let's face it, everyone grows up and strives to be the best person they are despite what others may say about them. You do what you do and live a life that is you. Do not pay attention about some pre-conceived ideal that a teacher says about you is the gospel truth and that you'll never change. People change.
If you decide to pursue getting a look at your "permanent file" then try looking at the results as "this WAS me then and look how far I came." Take the opinions and results with a grain of salt!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Cool Coca Cola Cans at Dillons!
I just found this on the KU Message board! Apparently at the Dillon Store they have these cool cans of Coke. I will have to go out this weekend to find these and keep one. I am such a collector of KU stuff!The L--O--N--G Summer!!
Gas prices has made it impossible for us to travel to our favorite vacations spot to the NW. We haven't been able to see my brother for 2 years!! We thought maybe we would this year, but with gas prices spiking up to $4.00 plus a gallon, we know we couldn't afford it. Every year I say, "when gas prices goes down." It hasn't happened. I can remember when prices were like a $1.50 a gallon, and I used to think that was high!!
Yesterday, we got out the map and looked at the calendar. How could we do this NOW? This past June there has been NOTHING to do. Sure S works a little (and I do mean a little!). I have dental and medical appointments scheduled in July, with a Tennis camp or two, and one college campus visit. I have worked every scenario out and nothing sounds right. Sure we could forego the dentist appointment and reschedule the doctor's appointment, that MIGHT work out. It is possible.
S and J are just so bored this month. At times, S wishes school was still going on. Sometimes summer vacation last too long and for others it is too short. If you put a nice weeks vacation in there then it goes much faster.
Until gas prices goes down or I can figure out how to schedule a week to the NW I'll be watching the birds swoop down getting the cat food off the posts....how exciting! Not. :(
Yesterday, we got out the map and looked at the calendar. How could we do this NOW? This past June there has been NOTHING to do. Sure S works a little (and I do mean a little!). I have dental and medical appointments scheduled in July, with a Tennis camp or two, and one college campus visit. I have worked every scenario out and nothing sounds right. Sure we could forego the dentist appointment and reschedule the doctor's appointment, that MIGHT work out. It is possible.
S and J are just so bored this month. At times, S wishes school was still going on. Sometimes summer vacation last too long and for others it is too short. If you put a nice weeks vacation in there then it goes much faster.
Until gas prices goes down or I can figure out how to schedule a week to the NW I'll be watching the birds swoop down getting the cat food off the posts....how exciting! Not. :(
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Dentist Visit
Today I had to go to the dentist. I think I was just as nervous as going there as I was this past September for the operation.
As I stated, I just hate how things taste, etc. Thankfully, Dr. G didn't have to numb me up. I could actually speak after treatment. All she needed to do was drill my teeth. I really did not like the vacuum and the water treatment! Dr. G would drill and the assistant would hold the little vac above my teeth with the water. I thought I was going to drown!! I knew that they would use that nasty tasting white filling on the teeth. Dr. G worked quickly and I would struggle to breathe. She asked, "Is your nose not working today?" My nose!! I could breathe through my nose, why didn't I think about that!? So, instead I answered that my nose wasn't working, when actually it was my brain that wasn't working. What a dork! Immediately I started breathing through the nose and things went a whole lot better!
I was done in less than 10 minutes and out the door. Much easier getting fillings than getting a crown (crowns are pricey!!).
Now we are all scheduled for getting our teeth cleaned in three weeks. Oh boy!! That's another thing I have to tell the hygenist, to keep that salty treatment away from me. That's why I try to be perfect when I floss and brush, because I really hate getting fillings and crowns. Discomfort in the mouth and the pocket!
As I stated, I just hate how things taste, etc. Thankfully, Dr. G didn't have to numb me up. I could actually speak after treatment. All she needed to do was drill my teeth. I really did not like the vacuum and the water treatment! Dr. G would drill and the assistant would hold the little vac above my teeth with the water. I thought I was going to drown!! I knew that they would use that nasty tasting white filling on the teeth. Dr. G worked quickly and I would struggle to breathe. She asked, "Is your nose not working today?" My nose!! I could breathe through my nose, why didn't I think about that!? So, instead I answered that my nose wasn't working, when actually it was my brain that wasn't working. What a dork! Immediately I started breathing through the nose and things went a whole lot better!
I was done in less than 10 minutes and out the door. Much easier getting fillings than getting a crown (crowns are pricey!!).
Now we are all scheduled for getting our teeth cleaned in three weeks. Oh boy!! That's another thing I have to tell the hygenist, to keep that salty treatment away from me. That's why I try to be perfect when I floss and brush, because I really hate getting fillings and crowns. Discomfort in the mouth and the pocket!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rambling around
I got a call from my former school district (where I attended school) and talked about getting records from my personal file. Since L had obtained his last week, I have been wondering about my own. I asked if I could see my IQ test. The clerk on the phone said that they did testing but it wasn't an IQ test. So I imagine that living in this part of the state (small school vs. big school) did things different. Okay...so she asked me my maiden name and would check into it. About two hours later (I wasn't expecting her to get back to me so soon), she said that she would email me with forms to fill out. She located my records. I thanked her a bunch for her work and signed off on the papers requesting whatever records that I have in my "permanent" file. I probably won't get the file until the Wednesday. I know what the grades were in my grade school through junior high years, but cannot locate my high school grades. I just wanted to see if I was a straight C student or not. Besides, after thirty plus years I am curious to see what is in that file!
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Went to the local grocery store after working at the church this afternoon. I was planning on getting just 3 items. Then I went down a couple of aisles. What could I serve the family tonight? They were sick of barbecue, sick of frozen dinners, sick of sandwiches. Usually when nothing is planned the kids ask, "Are we having whatever for lunch or dinner?" With that I usually get groans from J. He is disastified whatever is in the fridge. Even though it is stocked with a pot pie, bagel bites, frozen dinners, etc. I went down one aisle holding milk, cheese and pancakes. I said "hi" to our local chip man. I thought about checking out and decided to tuck the cheese under my arms while holding a couple of soup cans. I nearly lost all of my groceries before reaching the carts. Whew! The chipman said, "I see you needed a cart, finally." Yep, I needed a couple of more items. The family was happy that I made tatertot casserole instead of having "whatever" for supper. Now, we will have leftovers for at least a day or so. :)
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I am not looking forward to going to the dentist. It's not the drill that bothers me. It is the taste. After all these years, why can't they make fillings taste good? Sometimes it taste just soooo bad!! I have always hated getting impressions, because those things REALLY make me nearly vomit (sorry to be so graphic) but ick!! Why can't they make different flavors like bubble gum, chocolate or vanilla flavorings, wintergreen? Anything but the current taste of ick! Someone could be making a lot of money with dentist if some smart person would develop it!
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Something scary happened at Viola this afternoon. The clerk was abducted at a gas station that we drive by while making the trek to Wichita. I hope that the authorities find her. I pray for her safety!
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Went to the local grocery store after working at the church this afternoon. I was planning on getting just 3 items. Then I went down a couple of aisles. What could I serve the family tonight? They were sick of barbecue, sick of frozen dinners, sick of sandwiches. Usually when nothing is planned the kids ask, "Are we having whatever for lunch or dinner?" With that I usually get groans from J. He is disastified whatever is in the fridge. Even though it is stocked with a pot pie, bagel bites, frozen dinners, etc. I went down one aisle holding milk, cheese and pancakes. I said "hi" to our local chip man. I thought about checking out and decided to tuck the cheese under my arms while holding a couple of soup cans. I nearly lost all of my groceries before reaching the carts. Whew! The chipman said, "I see you needed a cart, finally." Yep, I needed a couple of more items. The family was happy that I made tatertot casserole instead of having "whatever" for supper. Now, we will have leftovers for at least a day or so. :)
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I am not looking forward to going to the dentist. It's not the drill that bothers me. It is the taste. After all these years, why can't they make fillings taste good? Sometimes it taste just soooo bad!! I have always hated getting impressions, because those things REALLY make me nearly vomit (sorry to be so graphic) but ick!! Why can't they make different flavors like bubble gum, chocolate or vanilla flavorings, wintergreen? Anything but the current taste of ick! Someone could be making a lot of money with dentist if some smart person would develop it!
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Something scary happened at Viola this afternoon. The clerk was abducted at a gas station that we drive by while making the trek to Wichita. I hope that the authorities find her. I pray for her safety!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Rambling in Wichita
L and I went to Wichita to look for another car today. We went all over Wichita. West, East, North, and South. We were looking for a nice small car, small in price, and also saving in fuel and safety concerns. We drove by my old place of work on Oliver and remarked how much Parklane had improved over the years. I pointed out an old David's store to J, he was less than impressed. ;O) We drove by an old Napoleon's Sandwich Shop (I used to know the owner back in my time!). Then we drove by our old house. L calls it my old house. He lived there a little after we were married. I was glad that we sold the house and moved to the west side for a little while before establishing our lives in H town.
Once we were done looking at the old homestead we went to our "destination" and drove up and down Broadway looking for a car bargain. We saw plenty of cars, but not the right ones. L would stop and we would look at the "bargains." The ones that we sort of liked were all manual shifts (stick shift). No wonder they were cheap.
We would stop in lots where the sales people would constantly follow us around, as if we were lost or need their help in explaining what kind of car we were looking at. We stopped at one place and the salesman, let us know he was there but let us look. I was happy with that place, but not so happy with the "wrecked" used cars. Then we went to another place across the street. L parked the car around the gravel. Out popped a salesman! The "shark" had spotted the little fishes! L didn't see anything he liked there...then. We came back like 10 minutes or less and there was the "shark" again. L gets out to look at one particular car. I look back and he has made friends with the salesman, as they are now shaking hands.
L comes back and explains about the price of the car and that particular agency. They asked if our credit was good and L said yes it was. They told us, that we would be better off looking at another car agency up the street. This particular car agency only catered to people who's credit was bad. I had read that they had weekly payments for the cars. Kind of strange in my opinion, as when we make a payment on the van we pay in monthly.
Finally we went up to see a PT Cruiser up north. It was a nice car with a sunroof, but I thought the price was pretty high. L talked to the sales guy and he couldn't come down on the price or take a trade. That was that!
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From the What ever happen to this person department: Lately I haven't seen my favorite UPS guy, "Floyd." Instead, there is another young guy in his place. It was always nice to talk to Floyd. His service was the best. One time, L was getting a keyboard and he carried it into the house. Another time before I was to have S, he said to me that I looked like I was going to have the baby any time. He was pretty much correct. That day I went in for a checkup and the doctor told me that I was going to have S either that day or the next. S came early and was born the next year! Floyd knew! Anyway, I miss him. I hope he is just on vacation and that he'll be back soon.
Lately, I haven't seen Richard Smith of KWCH sports on TV for a while. Tonight, while watching the weekend sports on that station, there was a new Sports girl. She apparently took his place. It is about time that Wichita gets a sports announcer who is a woman. Way to go KWCH!
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We got an excellent book over at Borders today: "Kansas Jayhawks...A Year to Remember," by Jason King of the KC Star. There are interviews about the team, the coaches, those who were once a part of the program, even an interview with former coach Roy Williams. S really wanted the book. I bought two. One for us and one for my brother, a KU alumnus. Happy early birthday, G!! If you love KU basketball, then pick up this book!
Once we were done looking at the old homestead we went to our "destination" and drove up and down Broadway looking for a car bargain. We saw plenty of cars, but not the right ones. L would stop and we would look at the "bargains." The ones that we sort of liked were all manual shifts (stick shift). No wonder they were cheap.
We would stop in lots where the sales people would constantly follow us around, as if we were lost or need their help in explaining what kind of car we were looking at. We stopped at one place and the salesman, let us know he was there but let us look. I was happy with that place, but not so happy with the "wrecked" used cars. Then we went to another place across the street. L parked the car around the gravel. Out popped a salesman! The "shark" had spotted the little fishes! L didn't see anything he liked there...then. We came back like 10 minutes or less and there was the "shark" again. L gets out to look at one particular car. I look back and he has made friends with the salesman, as they are now shaking hands.
L comes back and explains about the price of the car and that particular agency. They asked if our credit was good and L said yes it was. They told us, that we would be better off looking at another car agency up the street. This particular car agency only catered to people who's credit was bad. I had read that they had weekly payments for the cars. Kind of strange in my opinion, as when we make a payment on the van we pay in monthly.
Finally we went up to see a PT Cruiser up north. It was a nice car with a sunroof, but I thought the price was pretty high. L talked to the sales guy and he couldn't come down on the price or take a trade. That was that!
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From the What ever happen to this person department: Lately I haven't seen my favorite UPS guy, "Floyd." Instead, there is another young guy in his place. It was always nice to talk to Floyd. His service was the best. One time, L was getting a keyboard and he carried it into the house. Another time before I was to have S, he said to me that I looked like I was going to have the baby any time. He was pretty much correct. That day I went in for a checkup and the doctor told me that I was going to have S either that day or the next. S came early and was born the next year! Floyd knew! Anyway, I miss him. I hope he is just on vacation and that he'll be back soon.
Lately, I haven't seen Richard Smith of KWCH sports on TV for a while. Tonight, while watching the weekend sports on that station, there was a new Sports girl. She apparently took his place. It is about time that Wichita gets a sports announcer who is a woman. Way to go KWCH!
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We got an excellent book over at Borders today: "Kansas Jayhawks...A Year to Remember," by Jason King of the KC Star. There are interviews about the team, the coaches, those who were once a part of the program, even an interview with former coach Roy Williams. S really wanted the book. I bought two. One for us and one for my brother, a KU alumnus. Happy early birthday, G!! If you love KU basketball, then pick up this book!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Squirrels and Birds Will Eat What?
This afternoon I have been doing the "taxi mom" thing and am the lawn care person today. Each time that I have looked outside of the back gate I watch our local squirrel run down the pole and then back up. He seems to be eating something but what?
I didn't lay any dried bread crumbs or dried corn nibblets out there. All I had out there was the dog's food.
I couldn't believe it that the dog wasn't eating it but the squirrel was taking advantage of it. I have had birds come on the backporch and eat Daisy's food too. They loved that Purina Dog Chow. But now it seems that the squirrel is hung up on "Sensitive Stomach," the Science Diet stuff.
I poured the food out of the bowl for the dog and maybe he should get a clue to eat his daily meal before the squirrel got to it. Then I took some kernels out of the bowl and placed them on top of the fence post. Sure enough the squirrel came to the spot and ate some of the kernels. That is until the dog got wise to what I was doing and tracked the squirrel from fence to the branch of the oak.
Now I've put some old cat food on a post hoping that the squirrel will go after that. I'll probably end up with a bunch of unwanted cats and a dog that will eat catfood as well. Upon watching the "cat food"stuff on the post, I saw a Blue Jay come by and get his share of "Indoor Cat" Science Diet food. Our cat won't eat that stuff! Guess the Blue Jay enjoyed that "hairball formula." :)
When does that old saying come into play "You are what you eat?" Apparently the squirrel thinks he is a dog and the bird thinks he is a cat.
Whatever. ;)
I didn't lay any dried bread crumbs or dried corn nibblets out there. All I had out there was the dog's food.
I couldn't believe it that the dog wasn't eating it but the squirrel was taking advantage of it. I have had birds come on the backporch and eat Daisy's food too. They loved that Purina Dog Chow. But now it seems that the squirrel is hung up on "Sensitive Stomach," the Science Diet stuff.
I poured the food out of the bowl for the dog and maybe he should get a clue to eat his daily meal before the squirrel got to it. Then I took some kernels out of the bowl and placed them on top of the fence post. Sure enough the squirrel came to the spot and ate some of the kernels. That is until the dog got wise to what I was doing and tracked the squirrel from fence to the branch of the oak.
Now I've put some old cat food on a post hoping that the squirrel will go after that. I'll probably end up with a bunch of unwanted cats and a dog that will eat catfood as well. Upon watching the "cat food"stuff on the post, I saw a Blue Jay come by and get his share of "Indoor Cat" Science Diet food. Our cat won't eat that stuff! Guess the Blue Jay enjoyed that "hairball formula." :)
When does that old saying come into play "You are what you eat?" Apparently the squirrel thinks he is a dog and the bird thinks he is a cat.
Whatever. ;)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Rainy/Boring Summer Days
I am so sick of the rain!! Today I looked at the dark blue storm clouds off to our west and kept waiting for a warning from either Jay or Ross about what was going on. J got ready to go swimming. I looked outside and said, "I'll just bet they have closed the pool. It really looks like it is going to rainy." J basically ignored me as I drove off to the pool. The pool was open. On the day that it was going to be very stormy the pool didn't even bother to open and it was just a sunny, windy day. So I let him out and he told me to pick him up at his usual time, or until he called or until it rained.
I kept flipping the channel looking for some station to tell me that rain was going to be in our area soon. Nada! I got the first clue when I saw the satellite searching for service that it was going to rain. Then thunder. Then it started hailing!! There was NO WAY I wanted to go get J then. I waited a little to pick him up. I ran out to the van, barefooted and braved driving down the streets of the already flooded town. J was the last kid waiting for me at the pool. Sorry...but it was raining and hailing...I knew that he would be safe in the pool building.
Then I had to make a trip out to church. Every day this week, I have been running the fan and in the dehumidifier in the basement of the church. We have a little area where it leaks and I am in charge of janitorial duties, and this particular trouble spot goes along with the territory. I checked it after the rain today and thankfully I didn't have to turn on either appliance! YEA!
I am also so sick of the mosquito problem in town. I haven't been able to mow the obstacle course (L did that one yesterday) and our own yard. I am fearful of getting any more stealthy mosquitos biting me. The last mosquito bit a vein in my leg that is still swollen. I think I must be a mosquito magnet, a spider magnet or a tick magnet. Either of those bugs I cannot stand at all!!
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S has been bored since the first of the summer. Even though she has a job, she hasn't worked all that much. I wish I could provide some entertainment for her and J but living in the small town doesn't provide that many fun things going on in the summer. So today we drove down the street and she saw her friends B and A2 walking around. A2 used to live here until her family moved up north. We knew that they were going to be here this week so that was a treat for S.
No doubt S will call me on the cell sometime for me to pick her up wherever.
Just call me taxi mom as I am always on the go some where. Life is never dull.
I kept flipping the channel looking for some station to tell me that rain was going to be in our area soon. Nada! I got the first clue when I saw the satellite searching for service that it was going to rain. Then thunder. Then it started hailing!! There was NO WAY I wanted to go get J then. I waited a little to pick him up. I ran out to the van, barefooted and braved driving down the streets of the already flooded town. J was the last kid waiting for me at the pool. Sorry...but it was raining and hailing...I knew that he would be safe in the pool building.
Then I had to make a trip out to church. Every day this week, I have been running the fan and in the dehumidifier in the basement of the church. We have a little area where it leaks and I am in charge of janitorial duties, and this particular trouble spot goes along with the territory. I checked it after the rain today and thankfully I didn't have to turn on either appliance! YEA!
I am also so sick of the mosquito problem in town. I haven't been able to mow the obstacle course (L did that one yesterday) and our own yard. I am fearful of getting any more stealthy mosquitos biting me. The last mosquito bit a vein in my leg that is still swollen. I think I must be a mosquito magnet, a spider magnet or a tick magnet. Either of those bugs I cannot stand at all!!
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S has been bored since the first of the summer. Even though she has a job, she hasn't worked all that much. I wish I could provide some entertainment for her and J but living in the small town doesn't provide that many fun things going on in the summer. So today we drove down the street and she saw her friends B and A2 walking around. A2 used to live here until her family moved up north. We knew that they were going to be here this week so that was a treat for S.
No doubt S will call me on the cell sometime for me to pick her up wherever.
Just call me taxi mom as I am always on the go some where. Life is never dull.
Accessing Records
Yesterday L told me that the local high school was passing out old school records. The local school counselor gave them to people who were still around this town. L got his records from when he started school until his college years.
We looked over his records, grades, tests. It was very interesting! I won't divulge how well he did in school or IQ tests, etc. But I did find some of the grades interesting and a teacher comment.
Then I decided to go ahead and write to my old school up in Hutch. I wonder what kind of stuff that I had in my "permanent records." I wonder IF they still have my permanent records as it has been 35 years since I've been in school there. So I shot an email over to the school district still waiting to hear the details about accessing my records.
It was interesting seeing L's, but then I thought "oh my what if there is something REALLY bad in my files?" I do have my grade cards from being a student in grade school. The teachers would write comments down about me then. Some comments flattering and some not so much. I have always wondered what my IQ was as well. I remember in my first grade year for some reason I had to take the test over. I wondered if I scored a 50 or something! My mom reassured me that I was "average" and the reason that they made me take it over was because my brother was way above average. Our scores didn't match up. Those were the days that they compared siblings. I know now it doesn't matter where you were in first grade, you can continue to raise your IQ based on your life experiences.
I would like to read the summary from when my mom talked to my third grade teacher and my sixth grade teacher. My sixth grade teacher always told my mom I would never be an A student in math, thus my hatered for the subject. I have had teachers who were very opinionated (right or wrong) of my education performance.
Now, I am thinking do I REALLY want to know what is in my permanent files? I cautiously say yes. I am still curious.
I know there has to be some good things in my records. There will be stuff that I will laugh about as we did with L. We were mostly laughing at what the teacher said about reading "too many (insert a sport here) books." In this day and age, a teacher would be happy if a student is reading "anything," as long as they are reading. Teachers and their methods have come a long way since the sixties!
I look at S and J and wonder if their strengths in their educational years have mostly come from L or myself? Are kids shaped by their parents knowledge or are they shaped by influences outstide of the family? Will these records provide a key as to how/why our kids are great in one subject and not so much in another?
Still I am curious! :) I hope I find out about the records. Good or (gulp!) Bad.
We looked over his records, grades, tests. It was very interesting! I won't divulge how well he did in school or IQ tests, etc. But I did find some of the grades interesting and a teacher comment.
Then I decided to go ahead and write to my old school up in Hutch. I wonder what kind of stuff that I had in my "permanent records." I wonder IF they still have my permanent records as it has been 35 years since I've been in school there. So I shot an email over to the school district still waiting to hear the details about accessing my records.
It was interesting seeing L's, but then I thought "oh my what if there is something REALLY bad in my files?" I do have my grade cards from being a student in grade school. The teachers would write comments down about me then. Some comments flattering and some not so much. I have always wondered what my IQ was as well. I remember in my first grade year for some reason I had to take the test over. I wondered if I scored a 50 or something! My mom reassured me that I was "average" and the reason that they made me take it over was because my brother was way above average. Our scores didn't match up. Those were the days that they compared siblings. I know now it doesn't matter where you were in first grade, you can continue to raise your IQ based on your life experiences.
I would like to read the summary from when my mom talked to my third grade teacher and my sixth grade teacher. My sixth grade teacher always told my mom I would never be an A student in math, thus my hatered for the subject. I have had teachers who were very opinionated (right or wrong) of my education performance.
Now, I am thinking do I REALLY want to know what is in my permanent files? I cautiously say yes. I am still curious.
I know there has to be some good things in my records. There will be stuff that I will laugh about as we did with L. We were mostly laughing at what the teacher said about reading "too many (insert a sport here) books." In this day and age, a teacher would be happy if a student is reading "anything," as long as they are reading. Teachers and their methods have come a long way since the sixties!
I look at S and J and wonder if their strengths in their educational years have mostly come from L or myself? Are kids shaped by their parents knowledge or are they shaped by influences outstide of the family? Will these records provide a key as to how/why our kids are great in one subject and not so much in another?
Still I am curious! :) I hope I find out about the records. Good or (gulp!) Bad.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Please Pray For My Friend SL
Today she is having surgery on her carotid artery as she has a tumor in that area. SL lives in Colorado Springs. She is a good friend and distant cousin, whom I can confide in. I have been so self absorbed into my own problems that I forgot that I do have other friends who need my attention and especially my prayers. Please pray that the doctors are skilled and can take her tumor out without any complications. She told me that if there were complications there would be the possibility of stroke and speech problems.
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My bite from either a spider or tick is still red, but itches a lot less. Thank you for your concerns too.
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My bite from either a spider or tick is still red, but itches a lot less. Thank you for your concerns too.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Truth and the Celtics!!
The Boston Celtics beat the L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals on Tuesday night by a score of 131-92! How fiting that the Celtics won! Last year the team had the worst record in the NBA and made a big turnaround. They traded players and got Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
The L. A. Lakers were heavily favored to win the NBA Championship came up short in Game 6 at Boston. Towards the end of the game it looked like the Lakers had even given up. The dunks that the Celtics were making reminded me of a KU Barnstorming game we attended many years ago.
The Truth, Paul Pierce of the Celtics was the MVP of the tournament. Paul Pierce, a former KU Jayhawk, never won a championship. He has been in the NBA and with Boston for 10 years. It was great to see him clutch the trophy!! Scot Pollard, another KU Alum, is also on the Celtics roster.
Way to go Boston!! :)
The L. A. Lakers were heavily favored to win the NBA Championship came up short in Game 6 at Boston. Towards the end of the game it looked like the Lakers had even given up. The dunks that the Celtics were making reminded me of a KU Barnstorming game we attended many years ago.
The Truth, Paul Pierce of the Celtics was the MVP of the tournament. Paul Pierce, a former KU Jayhawk, never won a championship. He has been in the NBA and with Boston for 10 years. It was great to see him clutch the trophy!! Scot Pollard, another KU Alum, is also on the Celtics roster.
Way to go Boston!! :)
Changing Policy
Today I went to my dentist because I had chipped a couple of teeth. When I came inside the office, things had changed. The receptionist whom we all knew for years was gone. The financial manager I was told no longer works there.
The dentist proceed to check my problems and tells me the options that I have. The dental helper brought me back some financial sheets. They show me how much my insurance company will pay and what I will owe. I am pondering over these sheets wondering why they are showing me what I will owe. Surely they will bill my insurance company and then I will pay the dentist after the insurance pays their part.
Surely not. It seems as though the policy has changed. I ask the dental person, "So in other words I have to pay you up front." Yes, was the answer. They told me that they no longer have accounts anymore! Sheesh! That can run into a huge chunk of money that I don't have for needed treatment. My options were to get two crowns for $800 plus (added bonus, I would pay half and then pay the other half after the crowns were seated)...so I was looking at 400 dollars for a week. Who has THAT kind of money?? Then of course, the other option was to get one crown for half of that. The cheapest option was just get them filled. It would be under $100. Even so, I'm going to have to scrape that up somehow.
I know that this particular office has had many lawsuits against people making their payments and perhaps this is why the policy of paying for dental treatment has changed. It makes me wonder since they are having this change in policy that they will be losing their old patients. I know this is how the dentist in this town runs his business.
So I have checked around and one in Wichita, that I went to before I was married does the same thing. You do have the option to pay with credit card there. The one in Hutchinson when I lived with my parents does it like "normal." I prefer going to a dentist office where they set up a plan on how much to pay each month.
In this day in age people are stretching their budgets because of high gas prices, high credit card finance charges, defaulting on payments, and can no longer save back money for certain procedures. Do you get crowns, composite fillings, or no treatment at all? Health care is getting more expensive by the year. I know that some people (not me) have stiffed the dentist for certain procedures by not paying. But it is a shame that the rest of us who hasn't done this has to pay on the nose for their mistakes.
After my composite fillings are completed, we will be looking for a different dentist. It is too bad as we have had this current dentist for over 15 years. But because of the change in policy, what choice do we have?
The dentist proceed to check my problems and tells me the options that I have. The dental helper brought me back some financial sheets. They show me how much my insurance company will pay and what I will owe. I am pondering over these sheets wondering why they are showing me what I will owe. Surely they will bill my insurance company and then I will pay the dentist after the insurance pays their part.
Surely not. It seems as though the policy has changed. I ask the dental person, "So in other words I have to pay you up front." Yes, was the answer. They told me that they no longer have accounts anymore! Sheesh! That can run into a huge chunk of money that I don't have for needed treatment. My options were to get two crowns for $800 plus (added bonus, I would pay half and then pay the other half after the crowns were seated)...so I was looking at 400 dollars for a week. Who has THAT kind of money?? Then of course, the other option was to get one crown for half of that. The cheapest option was just get them filled. It would be under $100. Even so, I'm going to have to scrape that up somehow.
I know that this particular office has had many lawsuits against people making their payments and perhaps this is why the policy of paying for dental treatment has changed. It makes me wonder since they are having this change in policy that they will be losing their old patients. I know this is how the dentist in this town runs his business.
So I have checked around and one in Wichita, that I went to before I was married does the same thing. You do have the option to pay with credit card there. The one in Hutchinson when I lived with my parents does it like "normal." I prefer going to a dentist office where they set up a plan on how much to pay each month.
In this day in age people are stretching their budgets because of high gas prices, high credit card finance charges, defaulting on payments, and can no longer save back money for certain procedures. Do you get crowns, composite fillings, or no treatment at all? Health care is getting more expensive by the year. I know that some people (not me) have stiffed the dentist for certain procedures by not paying. But it is a shame that the rest of us who hasn't done this has to pay on the nose for their mistakes.
After my composite fillings are completed, we will be looking for a different dentist. It is too bad as we have had this current dentist for over 15 years. But because of the change in policy, what choice do we have?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Spider Warning!
Tonight I was thinking about putting a picture on the blog with my "spider bite." Or at least, I was going to post it so someone could tell me either way that the dark red mark with the red looking/feeling rash was a bite in the first place.
I was taking a nice relaxing "Calgon" type bath and picked up my white towel to dry off. I looked toward my left and saw this big, huge spider crawl onto my towel!!! AGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!! I screamed loud! I heard the kids exclaim, "Something isn't right." I told them that there was this HUGE spider that was on me and crawling on the towel. J to the rescue! He tried picking up the spider to no avail. Then he came back with a shoe to crush it. It had disappeared. I wasn't satisfied. I turned on the water faucets to get the spider out of my site. Ha! It apparently likes water and it didn't die. So then I went to the back porch to pick up the long grabbers. The aluminum bat and tennis racket crash as I picked up the grabbers. There was NO WAY I was going to pick up the towel knowing that that horrible spider was still alive. So I picked up the towel and released it. I saw the nasty thing and squashed it with the grabbers. Whew! It was no more!
So I took a picture of it to see what kind of spider it was. The one that matched my spider was that of the brown recluse spider!
Now I wonder if my bite/redness/itchy spot is the bite of the brown recluse spider? I have seen pictures of people who were bit and what happened to them. Gulp! I hope none of that happens to me! I got my corticosteriod shot Friday and have been applying a cream for my rash. It has helped sooooo much. Now at least I can get some rest in at night.
I was reading about spiders and the experts say that you need to shake your clothes after they have been on the floor.
So now I'll probably have these nightmares of those spiders!!! Yuk!! Beware of the spiders in your area, they are everywhere!
I was taking a nice relaxing "Calgon" type bath and picked up my white towel to dry off. I looked toward my left and saw this big, huge spider crawl onto my towel!!! AGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!! I screamed loud! I heard the kids exclaim, "Something isn't right." I told them that there was this HUGE spider that was on me and crawling on the towel. J to the rescue! He tried picking up the spider to no avail. Then he came back with a shoe to crush it. It had disappeared. I wasn't satisfied. I turned on the water faucets to get the spider out of my site. Ha! It apparently likes water and it didn't die. So then I went to the back porch to pick up the long grabbers. The aluminum bat and tennis racket crash as I picked up the grabbers. There was NO WAY I was going to pick up the towel knowing that that horrible spider was still alive. So I picked up the towel and released it. I saw the nasty thing and squashed it with the grabbers. Whew! It was no more!
So I took a picture of it to see what kind of spider it was. The one that matched my spider was that of the brown recluse spider!
Now I wonder if my bite/redness/itchy spot is the bite of the brown recluse spider? I have seen pictures of people who were bit and what happened to them. Gulp! I hope none of that happens to me! I got my corticosteriod shot Friday and have been applying a cream for my rash. It has helped sooooo much. Now at least I can get some rest in at night.
I was reading about spiders and the experts say that you need to shake your clothes after they have been on the floor.
So now I'll probably have these nightmares of those spiders!!! Yuk!! Beware of the spiders in your area, they are everywhere!
Weekend comments
Usually I am right on top of things during the weekend. But since I had a cortisone shot to take care of my severe allergy reaction to whatever bit me, wherever that was, I've just been taking it easy.
We drove to Wichita thinking we were going to find the car to take the place of the green one. We are looking for a small fuel efficient car that's easy to handle. In other words, something that S could practice driving with. We got out of Harper later than I would like and didn't start our search until well after 2. We went up and down the center of town looking at every cheap-o car lot. We have like 3 models in mind and we found nothing! We were just about ready to leave town when I said "I forgot to get g-pa a card." We went to another Target and all the cards were pretty much picked over. I found cards that had a buck on the front, a ship on the front, some inappropriate cards for him (something about beer), a Jeff Foxworthy card, and a "git-er-done," card. Finally we found THE card. It said something about "Grandad." I had to smile as that was what I called my grandfather (on my dad's side).
We get back a little too late for a wedding party (L's boss' kid's wedding reception). They were registered at Target (most everything was bought on the list) and a Bed, Bath, and Beyond place. We did go out there to look and about every entry said "See associate." Meaning, that the store didn't carry that particular item. Great! I ended up doing the easy gift card thing and we were late. We talked to the groom a little and cleaned up a little, as we knew church was to be held in the park for Father's Day.
Yesterday, I slept in late. I wasn't planning on going to Father's Day in the park. Not with those inscets and my allergies. No thank you. We got up and noticed that the weather looked a little overcast. We thought maybe they still held services in the park. But when we got to church, we did notice the cinnamon rolls and coffee pot in the kitchen. Apparently they changed locations at the last minute and it was held in fellowship hall. The water from the cooler was nearly drained!
We went on to Wellington to pick up stuff that g-pa and g-ma needed at the store. We found a great bargain at our local Dillons' store. Milk was priced at $2.99 instead of the usual $4.00 a gallon at our store. Then we decided to get a bucket of chicken for the family and the grandparents. Instead of barbecuing (which I love to do at least twice a week) we bought chicken. What a treat!
L gave the card to g-pa and he thanked us. Then we checked the cards out on the table. There was the EXACT card there from their granddaughter in Maryland. Oh well, great minds think a like.
To top my weekend off I even cracked a tooth! Wonderful! (Not) So now I get to visit my dentist tomorrow (because he is not at the office today). Another disadvantage of living in a small town.
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Other news---Our church cookbook is scheduled to be shipped out June 30th. So I am hoping that people will not forget what they ordered!!
Mario Chalmers is staying in the NBA draft. At first when he went in the draft I thought "No way, would he be staying." I thought this as his dad is on the KU staff and that his family would want him to finish his education. I was wrong. Chalmers is pulling a Paul Pierce and giving up his senior year. Hopefully Chalmers will be as good as Pierce and the Celtics. I will miss not seeing him when we see KU play this year. He was a nice young man whom I spoke with as I complimented his style of play.
I'm pulling for the Celtics in game 6 to win the NBA Finals!
We drove to Wichita thinking we were going to find the car to take the place of the green one. We are looking for a small fuel efficient car that's easy to handle. In other words, something that S could practice driving with. We got out of Harper later than I would like and didn't start our search until well after 2. We went up and down the center of town looking at every cheap-o car lot. We have like 3 models in mind and we found nothing! We were just about ready to leave town when I said "I forgot to get g-pa a card." We went to another Target and all the cards were pretty much picked over. I found cards that had a buck on the front, a ship on the front, some inappropriate cards for him (something about beer), a Jeff Foxworthy card, and a "git-er-done," card. Finally we found THE card. It said something about "Grandad." I had to smile as that was what I called my grandfather (on my dad's side).
We get back a little too late for a wedding party (L's boss' kid's wedding reception). They were registered at Target (most everything was bought on the list) and a Bed, Bath, and Beyond place. We did go out there to look and about every entry said "See associate." Meaning, that the store didn't carry that particular item. Great! I ended up doing the easy gift card thing and we were late. We talked to the groom a little and cleaned up a little, as we knew church was to be held in the park for Father's Day.
Yesterday, I slept in late. I wasn't planning on going to Father's Day in the park. Not with those inscets and my allergies. No thank you. We got up and noticed that the weather looked a little overcast. We thought maybe they still held services in the park. But when we got to church, we did notice the cinnamon rolls and coffee pot in the kitchen. Apparently they changed locations at the last minute and it was held in fellowship hall. The water from the cooler was nearly drained!
We went on to Wellington to pick up stuff that g-pa and g-ma needed at the store. We found a great bargain at our local Dillons' store. Milk was priced at $2.99 instead of the usual $4.00 a gallon at our store. Then we decided to get a bucket of chicken for the family and the grandparents. Instead of barbecuing (which I love to do at least twice a week) we bought chicken. What a treat!
L gave the card to g-pa and he thanked us. Then we checked the cards out on the table. There was the EXACT card there from their granddaughter in Maryland. Oh well, great minds think a like.
To top my weekend off I even cracked a tooth! Wonderful! (Not) So now I get to visit my dentist tomorrow (because he is not at the office today). Another disadvantage of living in a small town.
-----
Other news---Our church cookbook is scheduled to be shipped out June 30th. So I am hoping that people will not forget what they ordered!!
Mario Chalmers is staying in the NBA draft. At first when he went in the draft I thought "No way, would he be staying." I thought this as his dad is on the KU staff and that his family would want him to finish his education. I was wrong. Chalmers is pulling a Paul Pierce and giving up his senior year. Hopefully Chalmers will be as good as Pierce and the Celtics. I will miss not seeing him when we see KU play this year. He was a nice young man whom I spoke with as I complimented his style of play.
I'm pulling for the Celtics in game 6 to win the NBA Finals!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thirty Years Later
I met up with Denis, "The Reformed Angler" blogger, his wife Susan, and their son Liam at the Creamery today. It had been thirty years since I had seen Denis and Susan. WOW! They were going onwards to a different state for a week.
Denis was my Botany teacher. When I knew him at Sterling I was a senior in need of a class (be it science or math) in order to get my teaching degree. As I recall I was a shy student (at least that's what I recalled) besides my lab partner Mike. I laughed as he recalled Mike's nickname as "Big Bird." Mike was at least 6'6" a freshman from Chapman, KS, and not a basketball player. He resembled Big Bird because of his height and he had blonde hair. Funny...now I can REALLY picture him back in his day. He's a social worker/psychologist up in one of the Dakota's I think.
Anyway...it had been a long time seeing Susan and Denis. We talked about old times, and old students (the ones in my class)...most of them are doctors. Old teachers, some we liked and some we didn't. Peaches in particular was brought up. It was just really great to catch up with them! When I went to SC, I knew Denis as a teacher. But now re-meeting him 3o years later, it is great to know him now as a good friend. I am glad that I got to know him through his blogging. It is a great way to catch up on the past, but an even better way to know how people are now.
I wished that L could have met them both. L was working at HI at the time. So I took S with me. S and Liam will both be high school sophomores this year.
At the creamery they have two booth rooms, KU and K-State. Liam, who is a MU fan, declined to sit in the KU booth so we sat in the K-State room. I guess we could stand it (us being KU fans) just this once.
It was great to see you Denis, Susan, and Liam. Thanks for meeting up with us! :)
Denis was my Botany teacher. When I knew him at Sterling I was a senior in need of a class (be it science or math) in order to get my teaching degree. As I recall I was a shy student (at least that's what I recalled) besides my lab partner Mike. I laughed as he recalled Mike's nickname as "Big Bird." Mike was at least 6'6" a freshman from Chapman, KS, and not a basketball player. He resembled Big Bird because of his height and he had blonde hair. Funny...now I can REALLY picture him back in his day. He's a social worker/psychologist up in one of the Dakota's I think.
Anyway...it had been a long time seeing Susan and Denis. We talked about old times, and old students (the ones in my class)...most of them are doctors. Old teachers, some we liked and some we didn't. Peaches in particular was brought up. It was just really great to catch up with them! When I went to SC, I knew Denis as a teacher. But now re-meeting him 3o years later, it is great to know him now as a good friend. I am glad that I got to know him through his blogging. It is a great way to catch up on the past, but an even better way to know how people are now.
I wished that L could have met them both. L was working at HI at the time. So I took S with me. S and Liam will both be high school sophomores this year.
At the creamery they have two booth rooms, KU and K-State. Liam, who is a MU fan, declined to sit in the KU booth so we sat in the K-State room. I guess we could stand it (us being KU fans) just this once.
It was great to see you Denis, Susan, and Liam. Thanks for meeting up with us! :)
Allergies R Us!
I woke up today feeling like one itchy person! I wondered what was the deal. Yesterday, I was scratching an area on my legs and my foot always itches. It had to be something. So I put on the Cortaid, and the athlete's foot cream and if anything it did not help at all. Then I noticed that one of the reactions was getting sunburned like and dark.
Hmm...did I get bit by something? And where? I didn't remember getting bit. Just intense itching. I decided to call the medical clinic and got into today. Of course they HAD to weigh me, ugh!!! Seems that I need to lose around 10 pounds (but they didn't mention that one, that was my observation). They took my blood pressure and it was great!! Within the normal limits, that is because my meds are working well. So I showed them the problems. Two of the problems were allergies (something I ate or something that I use on my skin) and the other one was a bug bite (of some kind) and they were thinking of the arachnid variety. I always hate those things!! Now I have reason to hate spiders with a passion.
The nurse came in with a needle. Thankfully it was put it a place where I could "tolerate" the shot. The area currently hurts a lot. I am getting cream to ease the allergies. Now if I could only figure out what I am allergic to.
When I was a little kid I had an egg allergy. I tell people I'm fine as long as I don't eat a lot of eggs. Maybe I should drop the "EGGO" product. Does the name give away how much of a certain allergen it has in it's product? Probably too much "eggs" oh! Then I know to stay away from legumes (in particular peanuts and products thereof). I probably should get into allergy testing. At least then I would know what to stay away from! I just wish I knew what allergies I have so I would at least feel pretty good!
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I am meeting up with fellow blogger the "Reformed Angler," Denis, Susan, and Liam in Harper. I have not seen Dennis or Susan for 30 years!!! I will HAVE to blog about this later.
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Also, in the news today, Tim Russert from "Meet the Press," died today of an apparent heart attack. He was only 58!! I enjoyed watching his coverage over the years. I will miss him! I feel bad for his family! :(
Hmm...did I get bit by something? And where? I didn't remember getting bit. Just intense itching. I decided to call the medical clinic and got into today. Of course they HAD to weigh me, ugh!!! Seems that I need to lose around 10 pounds (but they didn't mention that one, that was my observation). They took my blood pressure and it was great!! Within the normal limits, that is because my meds are working well. So I showed them the problems. Two of the problems were allergies (something I ate or something that I use on my skin) and the other one was a bug bite (of some kind) and they were thinking of the arachnid variety. I always hate those things!! Now I have reason to hate spiders with a passion.
The nurse came in with a needle. Thankfully it was put it a place where I could "tolerate" the shot. The area currently hurts a lot. I am getting cream to ease the allergies. Now if I could only figure out what I am allergic to.
When I was a little kid I had an egg allergy. I tell people I'm fine as long as I don't eat a lot of eggs. Maybe I should drop the "EGGO" product. Does the name give away how much of a certain allergen it has in it's product? Probably too much "eggs" oh! Then I know to stay away from legumes (in particular peanuts and products thereof). I probably should get into allergy testing. At least then I would know what to stay away from! I just wish I knew what allergies I have so I would at least feel pretty good!
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I am meeting up with fellow blogger the "Reformed Angler," Denis, Susan, and Liam in Harper. I have not seen Dennis or Susan for 30 years!!! I will HAVE to blog about this later.
----
Also, in the news today, Tim Russert from "Meet the Press," died today of an apparent heart attack. He was only 58!! I enjoyed watching his coverage over the years. I will miss him! I feel bad for his family! :(
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ramblings...
Today was one of those days were I was the only one in the church. Being the custodian or janitor, I really enjoy being alone. No one asks any questions, no one is stepping on a cleaned floor, it's just peaceful to do my work without anyone there. Often times I wear my earbuds and listen to my MP3 player. But sometimes that gets old, so today since I knew that no one was coming in I decided to find an FM radio and play the music of KHMY and later KEYN. So I plug it in and start listening to it. Since I'm the only one there I turn it up a little louder. Then I had one person walk in and ask me a question. Then my pastor comes in. Ooops, maybe I should turn it down. He was in and out of the office. Sometimes I do get spooked when I have my ear buds in as I can't hear anyone come in or speak to me.
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We went to our dentist to question about S and whether we should do bonding, retainers, or invisalign. S had first phase braces up until last year. Then her teeth started shifting. Our orthodondist recommend that we get 2nd phase braces but we couldn't afford it. So we went to our dentist and he suggested veneers. The quote on the veneers was $600 less than braces offered by our original orthodontist. There was no way we could do that! So I asked them how much would invisaligns cost....$4500!! This is money, that I don't have. I'll need that kind of money to send her to college in three years. So we made an appointment with another orthodontist in the area in Argonia. We will have to see what he says. I did think about going to my dentist that I had in Wichita about 20 years ago. He bonded my teeth and I have been pleased with that ever since. Sometimes, I wonder if it was worth it sending S and J to the orthodontist early in their lives. Maybe I should have waited until all of their teeth came in like how my orthodontist fixed my teeth. But my space never came together (without the bonding) and my overbite is still there. I just wish that we were blessed with perfect teeth but we weren't. At least the kids eyes are good and they don't wear glasses.
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Driver's Ed at the high school is interesting to say the least. The instructor is taking those who have stellar driving skills out on longer trips. They drive to Wichita! S doesn't get to, nor would I let her. In my opinion, they don't need to be driving out there for quite a while. I say they should get experience by driving to Anthony or Kingman. This instructor doesn't even make them use the cones. When I took driver's ed in Hutchinson we had to manuever the car around the cones (get our steering perfected) and then practice parrell parking. We also had simulators for manual cars (something obsolete in today's driver's education). We would drive out on the highway, maybe out 10 miles. But we never drove to Wichita! Not at that age. When I was a little older I drove out there with my dad but never in driver's ed. Now S will have to continue practice driving throughout June. Sometimes I wonder if she should have learned at Attica High school (but I know, I know, she didn't know anybody there and it would have been BORING!).
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The weather has been stormy as of late. Manhattan had a car dealership destroyed and the town of Chapman was 85% destroyed. Not quite like Greensburg, but since this is a small town too hopefully they will help rebuild that town too. I mention Chapman, as my Botany Lab partner lived there. I remember being in that town 30 years ago.
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I wish that the gas prices were not so high. I was planning to visit family in Oregon. It has been 2 years since I last saw them. I have never met a great-niece who will be 2 in August. There has been talk that gas could go as high as $4.00 by July 4th (it's already 3.99 at Doms), and it could go as high as $5--6.00. When will the madness end!!?? Is it time to go back to the 55 mph down the highway so we can conserve fuel?
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We went to our dentist to question about S and whether we should do bonding, retainers, or invisalign. S had first phase braces up until last year. Then her teeth started shifting. Our orthodondist recommend that we get 2nd phase braces but we couldn't afford it. So we went to our dentist and he suggested veneers. The quote on the veneers was $600 less than braces offered by our original orthodontist. There was no way we could do that! So I asked them how much would invisaligns cost....$4500!! This is money, that I don't have. I'll need that kind of money to send her to college in three years. So we made an appointment with another orthodontist in the area in Argonia. We will have to see what he says. I did think about going to my dentist that I had in Wichita about 20 years ago. He bonded my teeth and I have been pleased with that ever since. Sometimes, I wonder if it was worth it sending S and J to the orthodontist early in their lives. Maybe I should have waited until all of their teeth came in like how my orthodontist fixed my teeth. But my space never came together (without the bonding) and my overbite is still there. I just wish that we were blessed with perfect teeth but we weren't. At least the kids eyes are good and they don't wear glasses.
-----
Driver's Ed at the high school is interesting to say the least. The instructor is taking those who have stellar driving skills out on longer trips. They drive to Wichita! S doesn't get to, nor would I let her. In my opinion, they don't need to be driving out there for quite a while. I say they should get experience by driving to Anthony or Kingman. This instructor doesn't even make them use the cones. When I took driver's ed in Hutchinson we had to manuever the car around the cones (get our steering perfected) and then practice parrell parking. We also had simulators for manual cars (something obsolete in today's driver's education). We would drive out on the highway, maybe out 10 miles. But we never drove to Wichita! Not at that age. When I was a little older I drove out there with my dad but never in driver's ed. Now S will have to continue practice driving throughout June. Sometimes I wonder if she should have learned at Attica High school (but I know, I know, she didn't know anybody there and it would have been BORING!).
-------
The weather has been stormy as of late. Manhattan had a car dealership destroyed and the town of Chapman was 85% destroyed. Not quite like Greensburg, but since this is a small town too hopefully they will help rebuild that town too. I mention Chapman, as my Botany Lab partner lived there. I remember being in that town 30 years ago.
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I wish that the gas prices were not so high. I was planning to visit family in Oregon. It has been 2 years since I last saw them. I have never met a great-niece who will be 2 in August. There has been talk that gas could go as high as $4.00 by July 4th (it's already 3.99 at Doms), and it could go as high as $5--6.00. When will the madness end!!?? Is it time to go back to the 55 mph down the highway so we can conserve fuel?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Sneaky School Situation
While reading the county newspaper today, I came across the School Board meeting. They had supplemental contracts for those people who wanted to become a coach for the now combined sports of the two middle schools. They are now offering two new sports: Wrestling and Cross Country for the middle schools.
Then I came upon this line "It was approved to move the 8th grade graduation of Anthony and Harper to CHS." I read this a few times. WHAAATTT!!??? Anthony and Harper have always held each 8th grade graduation ceremony at their respected school. This year proved to be their last year for that tradition.
I am greatly disappointed at what is going on with the school situation down in this area. The administration has been wanting to move both middle schools out to the high school. They have held various meetings to combine both schools. They have sent out mailings to see what the public thinks. And each time the public has said "no" to combining these two middle schools and moving them out to the high school. But now the administration is "railroading" the public into this particular situation. Since they couldn't have their way, the administration has combined all sports (with the exception of track) with both middle schools. Practices (I would guess would be held at the high school) and most likely the games as well at the high school. At one time I read this was a 2 year "deal" they were using, by combining the sports.
Now they are combining the graduations of both 8th grades at CHS together. The admininistration might have lost the battle, but they are pretty much doing what they want. It is crazy!! We (the public) voted for a brand new school board yet this current one that we voted in seems worse than the previous board. I think everyone figured if we got a new school board, with new people, that they would keep things the same. WRONG!
Now that the admininstration is having it there way, they will come back and ask the public again if they want the middle schools to have classes at the high school. With this combination of sports, now graduation, and eventually everything else will be held out there and they will let the public KNOW about it. They will beg and plead and they may get their way.
The administration also is wanting to develop our youth in sports. Every time I read the Ink Spot, it has an ad stating, "Parents encourage athletes to attend a summer camp." Great! Now, whoever is behind this great gimmick please list some summer camps so my "athlete" can attend.
The administration out here in Anthony/Harper are sneaky when it comes to this combining of activites for the middle schools. First it started a few years ago because of the football team was sparse, then they combined cheerleaders. Next year is a new year for this combination of sports teams for 2 years. No matter how it will work out just watch out for the next few years of the sneaky school tactics that the administration uses. I guarantee you that the public won't like it, but the administration doesn't care they'll do what they want.
:(
Then I came upon this line "It was approved to move the 8th grade graduation of Anthony and Harper to CHS." I read this a few times. WHAAATTT!!??? Anthony and Harper have always held each 8th grade graduation ceremony at their respected school. This year proved to be their last year for that tradition.
I am greatly disappointed at what is going on with the school situation down in this area. The administration has been wanting to move both middle schools out to the high school. They have held various meetings to combine both schools. They have sent out mailings to see what the public thinks. And each time the public has said "no" to combining these two middle schools and moving them out to the high school. But now the administration is "railroading" the public into this particular situation. Since they couldn't have their way, the administration has combined all sports (with the exception of track) with both middle schools. Practices (I would guess would be held at the high school) and most likely the games as well at the high school. At one time I read this was a 2 year "deal" they were using, by combining the sports.
Now they are combining the graduations of both 8th grades at CHS together. The admininistration might have lost the battle, but they are pretty much doing what they want. It is crazy!! We (the public) voted for a brand new school board yet this current one that we voted in seems worse than the previous board. I think everyone figured if we got a new school board, with new people, that they would keep things the same. WRONG!
Now that the admininstration is having it there way, they will come back and ask the public again if they want the middle schools to have classes at the high school. With this combination of sports, now graduation, and eventually everything else will be held out there and they will let the public KNOW about it. They will beg and plead and they may get their way.
The administration also is wanting to develop our youth in sports. Every time I read the Ink Spot, it has an ad stating, "Parents encourage athletes to attend a summer camp." Great! Now, whoever is behind this great gimmick please list some summer camps so my "athlete" can attend.
The administration out here in Anthony/Harper are sneaky when it comes to this combining of activites for the middle schools. First it started a few years ago because of the football team was sparse, then they combined cheerleaders. Next year is a new year for this combination of sports teams for 2 years. No matter how it will work out just watch out for the next few years of the sneaky school tactics that the administration uses. I guarantee you that the public won't like it, but the administration doesn't care they'll do what they want.
:(
Monday, June 9, 2008
Housing Nightmares
I read D's blog on house dealings and it brought up a lot of bad memories for me.
I owned a house in Wichita and when it was pretty clear that I was going to be married, I put it on the market. It was a small two-bedroom brick house with an attached garage and a fenced in yard. Back then the neighborhood was pretty safe so it was in a good area. I had listed it around $50,000 or so maybe a little lower. The realtor whom I dealt with at the time lined up some houses that we could move into once the original house was sold. I saw some up north, west, (those are the ones I wished I would have settled on now), and down in Haysville. There was a new development there and we got to pick out the color of carpet, the light fixtures, and even the exterior color it was exciting to think that we were getting a brand new house!
Meanwhile, I was trying to sell the brick house. It seeming took forever to sell it. I tried all the tricks in a book I read to sell the house. L was commuting from Harper to Wichita during this time. So it was a long drive back home to Wichita. Well we finally sold it!!! We were so happy. That is until the contract and the stipulations came up.
The buyer wanted our nice pink curtains in one of the bedrooms. They were customed made for those windows and I really liked them. But I couldn't take those off the property. They took a humidifier as well. They took my drapes in the front room too. Then they wanted my refrigerator and took my stove (an electric range as well). We negotiated them out of the fridge. When it was time to sign on the dotted line the house away, it was the coldest day in the year!! Icy, cold temps way below zero. We packed our stuff away in our trucks and we were ready to move into the other house in Haysville. We closed and sign and we were to be out of the brick house the following day. I don't recommend EVER doing that. Give yourselves at least a full month or more....
Because what happened was that the buyer changed my telephone number to their new number. This was before cell phones. The people who were going to help (our parents) had no way of contacting us. I even worked for the phone company, yet these buyers took over my lines before even moving in! I was ticked! It was a lot of pressure moving out and dealing with these buyers.
Because they didn't take the fridge we negotiated the deal for $500 less than the selling price. Also our loan was an assumble loan (don't ever get one of these make the buyer get their own loan as they could default and you are the one who would have to pay for their problems!!).
So here it was bright and early like 8 AM. We were barely out of bed and yet here were these neighbors ready to swoop in to take our house. We quickly, as quick as we could move packed things up (accidentally leaving a ladder behind but coming back for it) and went down to Haysville to move into OUR new house.
HA! The house wasn't completed. We didn't get a key. We had to call my realtor to find out what was going on. I had moved my number down to that house. So the realtor talked to the contractor and for some stupid reason we couldn't move in that day. Here all of our stuff was in trucks and we were basically "homeless," for a few hours.
Then our realtor told us we could move into a house that she needed to sell it but we could pay her rent. It was a nice house on the west side of Wichita. So we moved in and got our stuff in there. Later L went back to the old house to get the ladder.
Then those ingrate buyers were mad because they put an electric gas dryer in the laundry room only it didn't work. Because they had bought my electric range we "assumed" that they knew we had a gas dryer. Our electrical box wasn't big enough to support an electric range and an electic dryer.
So about 3 weeks later they sent a note to our realtor and their realtor claiming they were going to take us to small claims court. They signed the contract that after the housing inspections that they bought the house as is. So basically they didn't have a leg to stand on. They wanted us to buy a new electrical box for them, but we told them that we lowered the price on the house by $500. It was up to them to get the new box. Selling the house, really did cost us a lot more than I thought it would end up being.
Then, the house deal in Haysville went sour too. We really liked the west side house pretty well. So we pursued getting a contract on that. I thought the price was high and then bank person told me if it wasn't for my job then we could never swing it. Well, things weren't going great at work and I was wanting to quit the job. Also during that time my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer. Things really got to me. Later on we found out that we could have negotiated for a lower contract and we probably could have bought the house. But instead we backed out of the deal. Needless to say, the people whom we were buying the house from didn't like us too much after that. We did not get our $500 deposit back. :( We moved to Harper and rented for three years and I ended up quitting my stressful job. Granted I missed the money, but not the hassles of working at that particular job.
Three years later we dealt with a nice realtor (who no longer lives in Harper) when we bought this house. The deal went so much smoother. It really does pay when you get a good realtor whom you can actually trust.
So when dealing with realtors make sure you get everything in writing such as a specific date and time that you are to take possesion and move. Allow enough time between signing the contract and moving out. You, as the seller, should have the final say in when you will leave the house. Give yourselves enough time to move out. Or you'll end up like us. Inspections are important!! Take advantage of them and find stuff that the seller needs to do before you sign the contract. Because once the contact is signed, you can't take them to court. Never let the buyers take over your assumble loan, if they default on the loan, then it will revert back to you. Make the buyer get his own loan. Make sure a lawyer looks over your contract and that everything is agreeable between you and your seller/buyer. Things will go a lot better and you won't end up hating your realtor!
I owned a house in Wichita and when it was pretty clear that I was going to be married, I put it on the market. It was a small two-bedroom brick house with an attached garage and a fenced in yard. Back then the neighborhood was pretty safe so it was in a good area. I had listed it around $50,000 or so maybe a little lower. The realtor whom I dealt with at the time lined up some houses that we could move into once the original house was sold. I saw some up north, west, (those are the ones I wished I would have settled on now), and down in Haysville. There was a new development there and we got to pick out the color of carpet, the light fixtures, and even the exterior color it was exciting to think that we were getting a brand new house!
Meanwhile, I was trying to sell the brick house. It seeming took forever to sell it. I tried all the tricks in a book I read to sell the house. L was commuting from Harper to Wichita during this time. So it was a long drive back home to Wichita. Well we finally sold it!!! We were so happy. That is until the contract and the stipulations came up.
The buyer wanted our nice pink curtains in one of the bedrooms. They were customed made for those windows and I really liked them. But I couldn't take those off the property. They took a humidifier as well. They took my drapes in the front room too. Then they wanted my refrigerator and took my stove (an electric range as well). We negotiated them out of the fridge. When it was time to sign on the dotted line the house away, it was the coldest day in the year!! Icy, cold temps way below zero. We packed our stuff away in our trucks and we were ready to move into the other house in Haysville. We closed and sign and we were to be out of the brick house the following day. I don't recommend EVER doing that. Give yourselves at least a full month or more....
Because what happened was that the buyer changed my telephone number to their new number. This was before cell phones. The people who were going to help (our parents) had no way of contacting us. I even worked for the phone company, yet these buyers took over my lines before even moving in! I was ticked! It was a lot of pressure moving out and dealing with these buyers.
Because they didn't take the fridge we negotiated the deal for $500 less than the selling price. Also our loan was an assumble loan (don't ever get one of these make the buyer get their own loan as they could default and you are the one who would have to pay for their problems!!).
So here it was bright and early like 8 AM. We were barely out of bed and yet here were these neighbors ready to swoop in to take our house. We quickly, as quick as we could move packed things up (accidentally leaving a ladder behind but coming back for it) and went down to Haysville to move into OUR new house.
HA! The house wasn't completed. We didn't get a key. We had to call my realtor to find out what was going on. I had moved my number down to that house. So the realtor talked to the contractor and for some stupid reason we couldn't move in that day. Here all of our stuff was in trucks and we were basically "homeless," for a few hours.
Then our realtor told us we could move into a house that she needed to sell it but we could pay her rent. It was a nice house on the west side of Wichita. So we moved in and got our stuff in there. Later L went back to the old house to get the ladder.
Then those ingrate buyers were mad because they put an electric gas dryer in the laundry room only it didn't work. Because they had bought my electric range we "assumed" that they knew we had a gas dryer. Our electrical box wasn't big enough to support an electric range and an electic dryer.
So about 3 weeks later they sent a note to our realtor and their realtor claiming they were going to take us to small claims court. They signed the contract that after the housing inspections that they bought the house as is. So basically they didn't have a leg to stand on. They wanted us to buy a new electrical box for them, but we told them that we lowered the price on the house by $500. It was up to them to get the new box. Selling the house, really did cost us a lot more than I thought it would end up being.
Then, the house deal in Haysville went sour too. We really liked the west side house pretty well. So we pursued getting a contract on that. I thought the price was high and then bank person told me if it wasn't for my job then we could never swing it. Well, things weren't going great at work and I was wanting to quit the job. Also during that time my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer. Things really got to me. Later on we found out that we could have negotiated for a lower contract and we probably could have bought the house. But instead we backed out of the deal. Needless to say, the people whom we were buying the house from didn't like us too much after that. We did not get our $500 deposit back. :( We moved to Harper and rented for three years and I ended up quitting my stressful job. Granted I missed the money, but not the hassles of working at that particular job.
Three years later we dealt with a nice realtor (who no longer lives in Harper) when we bought this house. The deal went so much smoother. It really does pay when you get a good realtor whom you can actually trust.
So when dealing with realtors make sure you get everything in writing such as a specific date and time that you are to take possesion and move. Allow enough time between signing the contract and moving out. You, as the seller, should have the final say in when you will leave the house. Give yourselves enough time to move out. Or you'll end up like us. Inspections are important!! Take advantage of them and find stuff that the seller needs to do before you sign the contract. Because once the contact is signed, you can't take them to court. Never let the buyers take over your assumble loan, if they default on the loan, then it will revert back to you. Make the buyer get his own loan. Make sure a lawyer looks over your contract and that everything is agreeable between you and your seller/buyer. Things will go a lot better and you won't end up hating your realtor!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Cat People
It's official! We are definitely cat people. Maybe it was because during that period of time of losing our dog we had to rely on our cat. Or maybe it was because of the dog we have now we are cat people.
When I was pretty young we had a cat named DeeDee. Actually his name was Schoendist (named after a St. Louis Cardinals baseball player late coach...Red Schoendist only I couldn't pronounce the name. My brother was (is) big on naming his pets after baseball players. Our cat was orange with stripes. He was just a stray but I can remember him a little. I remember I was a weird little kid and took scissors to his whiskers. I am sorry that I remember that about him, but for some reason I remember this. Basically he was a nice cat. I remember seeing pictures of me when I was 3 or 4 with this cat. Then all of a sudden one day in May, DeeDee left and never returned to us. I was around 8 and can remember my brother searching the big ditch in our neighborhood. No cat. No dead body. He wasn't gone. Mom said that the cat must have left because he didn't want to die in front of us. (Which now, I believe was a blessing after seeing my Daisy die).
We went to the Humane Society to look for another pet and we saw this cute little black and yellow dog. They named him "Floppy."(because of his ears). He was a small little dog and my brother taught him tricks. Sit up and shake hands. During this time we would often adopt other cats sometime they got along with Floppy and other times they didn't. We had Toby (we got him when I was 11). The cat would curl up in our sink! You would want to wash your hands and there was this cat in our bathroom sink. Then we had another cat (I got him from a friend) naming him Reggie (after Reggie Jackson, the baseball player).
I always figured I was a "dog person." Floppy was a nice little dog. We all loved him and I could tell him my troubles. We used to feed him chocolate chip cookies (before we knew that chocolate is bad for dogs and could kill them). Floppy died while I was in college, he was 14 years old. Then none of us any pets for a few years. I remember looking for a dog for myself while living in an apartment in Wichita. My dad went with me and found a dog for himself. A beautiful Dalmatian named Samantha. My parents loved that dog. They fed him "everything," from apples to any other kind of people food. The dog was very overweight. The vet put the dog on a diet and told my parents to stop feeding the dog "people food." The dog died about a year or so after his master (my dad) died. My mom has never gotten another dog or a cat. I would find this incredibly lonely!
My brother also got a Dalmatian. He named his dog "Satchel Paige" (yep, another baseball player). He has had him for years. My brother restricts what his dog can and cannot eat. However, the dog has been known to eat pancakes, chocolate milk, and chocolate candy. To which, after my brother found out, has had the dog "throw up" the chocolate as he knows only too well it will kill him. The dog has had it's rounds with various illnesses. Once Satchel dies I think this will be VERY SAD for my brother.
My nephew, however, is also a cat person. His wife had one cat and obtained another cat. He would tell us that cats are low maintenance.
It's true they really are. Sasha is very low maintenance. We just need to feed him, give him fresh water, and clean out his sanitation box. I am very happy that we got an indoor cat. He sleeps where he wants to sleep.
Yesterday I asked everyone which animal they liked more. It was unanimous the cat was our favorite pet. I asked if once Sasha would die would we get another cat. The answere was yes.
We were once dog people but now we are cat people!
When I was pretty young we had a cat named DeeDee. Actually his name was Schoendist (named after a St. Louis Cardinals baseball player late coach...Red Schoendist only I couldn't pronounce the name. My brother was (is) big on naming his pets after baseball players. Our cat was orange with stripes. He was just a stray but I can remember him a little. I remember I was a weird little kid and took scissors to his whiskers. I am sorry that I remember that about him, but for some reason I remember this. Basically he was a nice cat. I remember seeing pictures of me when I was 3 or 4 with this cat. Then all of a sudden one day in May, DeeDee left and never returned to us. I was around 8 and can remember my brother searching the big ditch in our neighborhood. No cat. No dead body. He wasn't gone. Mom said that the cat must have left because he didn't want to die in front of us. (Which now, I believe was a blessing after seeing my Daisy die).
We went to the Humane Society to look for another pet and we saw this cute little black and yellow dog. They named him "Floppy."(because of his ears). He was a small little dog and my brother taught him tricks. Sit up and shake hands. During this time we would often adopt other cats sometime they got along with Floppy and other times they didn't. We had Toby (we got him when I was 11). The cat would curl up in our sink! You would want to wash your hands and there was this cat in our bathroom sink. Then we had another cat (I got him from a friend) naming him Reggie (after Reggie Jackson, the baseball player).
I always figured I was a "dog person." Floppy was a nice little dog. We all loved him and I could tell him my troubles. We used to feed him chocolate chip cookies (before we knew that chocolate is bad for dogs and could kill them). Floppy died while I was in college, he was 14 years old. Then none of us any pets for a few years. I remember looking for a dog for myself while living in an apartment in Wichita. My dad went with me and found a dog for himself. A beautiful Dalmatian named Samantha. My parents loved that dog. They fed him "everything," from apples to any other kind of people food. The dog was very overweight. The vet put the dog on a diet and told my parents to stop feeding the dog "people food." The dog died about a year or so after his master (my dad) died. My mom has never gotten another dog or a cat. I would find this incredibly lonely!
My brother also got a Dalmatian. He named his dog "Satchel Paige" (yep, another baseball player). He has had him for years. My brother restricts what his dog can and cannot eat. However, the dog has been known to eat pancakes, chocolate milk, and chocolate candy. To which, after my brother found out, has had the dog "throw up" the chocolate as he knows only too well it will kill him. The dog has had it's rounds with various illnesses. Once Satchel dies I think this will be VERY SAD for my brother.
My nephew, however, is also a cat person. His wife had one cat and obtained another cat. He would tell us that cats are low maintenance.
It's true they really are. Sasha is very low maintenance. We just need to feed him, give him fresh water, and clean out his sanitation box. I am very happy that we got an indoor cat. He sleeps where he wants to sleep.
Yesterday I asked everyone which animal they liked more. It was unanimous the cat was our favorite pet. I asked if once Sasha would die would we get another cat. The answere was yes.
We were once dog people but now we are cat people!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Student Driver
S is taking driver's education this summer. I got used to her driving in town surprisingly quickly. Today her driving instructor let her go down the highway. Thankfully, he has a brake on the other side of the car.
So now S wants to drive down the highway with L. Just thinking about it gets me nervous!! I have a problem driving down the highway myself. It is because I haven't for a long time and I got out of the habit of driving. I don't like it when cars get behind me and I really grip the wheel. Maybe I need to take a "pill" or see a doctor about this as it is much like a panic attack.
S, the student driver, will be driving to Anthony to pick up the pizza with L. I wish that our car had a brake on the other side I might feel better about it.
I know that S will be driving to college someday, however that won't be for at least another 3 years.
I wonder how my parents felt when I went driving out of town for the first time? I'm going to have to call mom! ;)
So now S wants to drive down the highway with L. Just thinking about it gets me nervous!! I have a problem driving down the highway myself. It is because I haven't for a long time and I got out of the habit of driving. I don't like it when cars get behind me and I really grip the wheel. Maybe I need to take a "pill" or see a doctor about this as it is much like a panic attack.
S, the student driver, will be driving to Anthony to pick up the pizza with L. I wish that our car had a brake on the other side I might feel better about it.
I know that S will be driving to college someday, however that won't be for at least another 3 years.
I wonder how my parents felt when I went driving out of town for the first time? I'm going to have to call mom! ;)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Uprooted!
We had straightline winds in Harper around 5:30 PM on Thursday. This damage was to a tree off to the east. It is near three crosses on the lot, not far from the playground at the church. I heard that the church van was moved away from this "unstable" tree. Pam G., who was there at the time, told me that a man from Colorado took shelter at the church. He gave her $5.00 to help replace one of the crosses that toppled down as well.L sent this picture into KWCH 12 for storm shots. Look for it tonight!
Blowing Down The Road
Here we are with severe weather once again. It is the price we pay for living in Kansas. I have my little desktop First Alert map on my screen watching warning after warning take place. At least we are warned about severe weather. J was planning to go swimming today, but it was closed to to the impending bad weather. We got to the pool and saw no lifeguards, only the pool manager. The wind as been REALLY awful. I was waiting on the driver's ed. instructor with my windows rolled down. I didn't want to waste gas. So now I am paying the price and sneezing from whatever is in the air.
----
Sometimes I tend to have "foot in mouth" disease. It's true I shouldn't complain. I should just thank the Lord with what I have. This past Saturday I cleaned extra hard because there was extra work to do. I felt pretty mad about it. Then was handed an envelope with an appreciation for our services. Well, stupid me, this is when I obtain that foot in mouth disease, complained about what happened. I need to stop complaining and trust in the Lord more. I need to believe that things will get better within the next 24 hours. It's terrible to suffer from this "disease." I need to think first before I speak. Sometimes I just talk too much and I am way too truthful. I need to play "poker" a little more, I guess and have that "poker" face." Not showing my "hand," so to speak.
------
I have batteries in the radio and I should have bottle water around. At least I have my little flashlight. I am still quite nervous about the weather. As flute would say it's going to be a "dave" night. For me it's a "Merril" or "Jay" night (sounds like I am talking about the Osmond family! Ha, ha!) or it could even be a "Ross" or "Rodney" night. Back in June of 1974, they had like 39 tornados (not sure if they were all in Kansas). I remember 1974 but I have a very selective memory of that year! :)
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Batten down the hatches and make sure you've got tie downs attached. I should talk. I don't think the metal shed is tied down, oops!
----
Sometimes I tend to have "foot in mouth" disease. It's true I shouldn't complain. I should just thank the Lord with what I have. This past Saturday I cleaned extra hard because there was extra work to do. I felt pretty mad about it. Then was handed an envelope with an appreciation for our services. Well, stupid me, this is when I obtain that foot in mouth disease, complained about what happened. I need to stop complaining and trust in the Lord more. I need to believe that things will get better within the next 24 hours. It's terrible to suffer from this "disease." I need to think first before I speak. Sometimes I just talk too much and I am way too truthful. I need to play "poker" a little more, I guess and have that "poker" face." Not showing my "hand," so to speak.
------
I have batteries in the radio and I should have bottle water around. At least I have my little flashlight. I am still quite nervous about the weather. As flute would say it's going to be a "dave" night. For me it's a "Merril" or "Jay" night (sounds like I am talking about the Osmond family! Ha, ha!) or it could even be a "Ross" or "Rodney" night. Back in June of 1974, they had like 39 tornados (not sure if they were all in Kansas). I remember 1974 but I have a very selective memory of that year! :)
-----
Batten down the hatches and make sure you've got tie downs attached. I should talk. I don't think the metal shed is tied down, oops!
40 Years ago today
It was 1968. The president was Lyndon B. Johnson. Laugh-in had just started in January of that year. The Vietnam war was going on. The battle of Saigon; the My Lai masacre happened in March of 1968. LBJ edged out Eugene McCarthy (an anti war critic) in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Demonstration against the US involvement in Vietnam were happening all over the world. On March 16th, Robert F. Kennedy, entered the race to become president. Finally on March 31st, Pres. Johnson commented that he would not be seeking the Democratic Party's nomination. The Civil Rights movement was ongoing. On April 4, Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis. On April 11, Pres. Johnson signed in the Civil Rights Act into law. Two months after King was assassinated, Robert F. Kennedy is killed by Sirhan Sirhan in California.
I remember hearing the news about this when I was younger. I was a teenager then and the Vietnam war was on everyones mind. The times were scary as we had two assassination in two months of each other. I remember the song "Abraham, Martin, and John," during this time as well.
When Robert Kennedy would be meeting the crowds they could reach out and touch him. After this tragic death the Secret Service agents protect the candidates. This policy was long overdue.
I found a tribute about Robert Kennedy on "You Tube."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JTYnMpRyg&feature=related. It is Ted Kennedy eulogy about his brother. It's a very moving tribute to him.
I remember watching news accounts about Robert Kennedy's death. It was a sad time during American History. I can remember when he said, "It's onto to Chicago." He had a thumbs up sign and left. Then gunshots rang out and chaos happened. I remember hearing tapes of getting the gun and "breaking the man's thumb" to get the gun away from him. A day later, Robert F. Kenney at the age of 43 died. He left behind a wife and 11 children. He was the promise for the future.
Many people have often wondered what the world would have been like had he was not assassinated. We will never know.
I remember the train traveling along the tracks with his casket inside. People holding signs telling him "goodbye." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG4vJxi9Kis&feature=related
It was a sad time.
I remember hearing the news about this when I was younger. I was a teenager then and the Vietnam war was on everyones mind. The times were scary as we had two assassination in two months of each other. I remember the song "Abraham, Martin, and John," during this time as well.
When Robert Kennedy would be meeting the crowds they could reach out and touch him. After this tragic death the Secret Service agents protect the candidates. This policy was long overdue.
I found a tribute about Robert Kennedy on "You Tube."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JTYnMpRyg&feature=related. It is Ted Kennedy eulogy about his brother. It's a very moving tribute to him.
I remember watching news accounts about Robert Kennedy's death. It was a sad time during American History. I can remember when he said, "It's onto to Chicago." He had a thumbs up sign and left. Then gunshots rang out and chaos happened. I remember hearing tapes of getting the gun and "breaking the man's thumb" to get the gun away from him. A day later, Robert F. Kenney at the age of 43 died. He left behind a wife and 11 children. He was the promise for the future.
Many people have often wondered what the world would have been like had he was not assassinated. We will never know.
I remember the train traveling along the tracks with his casket inside. People holding signs telling him "goodbye." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG4vJxi9Kis&feature=related
It was a sad time.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Competitive 7-12 Athletic Teams
In our weekly Inky paper there was an article about ways to increase the competitve level of the district's student athletes. Since they are combining the junior high athletic programs from Anthony and Harper (because lack of student population from the junior high ranks, or so they say that's the reason why they are combining teams...ha!) they want grades 7--12 to communicate the "importance of using the off season to develop athletic skills.
"It is the goal of the district to set performance expectations and educate its student atheltes and their parents on what it will be required for the district to become more competitive. Student athletes can expect coaches to insist that they attend summer camps and spend time on their own developing skills and keeping in good physical condition."
The problem with this is the costs involved with doing such a program. What are towns are lacking is good athletic camps which are close by. I think that a YMCA type of facility is needed for our area. There would be opportunities for basketball camps, football camps, maybe a swimming facility should be considered as well.
As it is now, the school district is in charge of setting up summer camps. I haven't heard anything about a basketball camp for kids entering the 6th grade at CHS or HES. There are students who go to Wichita for that type of camp. But the ones who go to that have dads who are athletic coaches they are aware that they can send their kids to those camps. But what about families like mine? I am not aware of any camps this year. Granted, I am aware of the Bill Self Camp in Lawrence and the costs. I also know of a camp in Hutch at the junior college.
Another problem with combining teams is the competition of making it and starting on the team. When Biddy Basketball was in session we fielded a team of 8--9 players. That was adequate and everyone got to play a quarter or two. Of course, we had the ball hogs who would put up any kind of shot and not pass it off to their teammates. Now with the combining of teams there will be probably at least 16 kids going out for basketball. Will the coaches thin out the numbers only choosing their 10 best players and will there be more kids sitting on the bench? When it was individual schools competing then everyone got to play!! It was a fair situation. At one point in time if that grade did not have enough kids to play they would bring up more from the other grades. I think that would be a good solution to this problem.
Will it come down to who is more athletic, have better skills (because they did off season conditioning and camps), and who can afford the camps (be aware of them) who will start on the teams and not be cut?
Athletic camps should be available to ALL kids. All kids who want to learn to become a better player. Not to just a select few.
I am definitely not for combining the junior high athletic teams (with the exception of football). Not everyone who likes to play will get to play. It will only involve a select few kids. It's all small town politics.
"It is the goal of the district to set performance expectations and educate its student atheltes and their parents on what it will be required for the district to become more competitive. Student athletes can expect coaches to insist that they attend summer camps and spend time on their own developing skills and keeping in good physical condition."
The problem with this is the costs involved with doing such a program. What are towns are lacking is good athletic camps which are close by. I think that a YMCA type of facility is needed for our area. There would be opportunities for basketball camps, football camps, maybe a swimming facility should be considered as well.
As it is now, the school district is in charge of setting up summer camps. I haven't heard anything about a basketball camp for kids entering the 6th grade at CHS or HES. There are students who go to Wichita for that type of camp. But the ones who go to that have dads who are athletic coaches they are aware that they can send their kids to those camps. But what about families like mine? I am not aware of any camps this year. Granted, I am aware of the Bill Self Camp in Lawrence and the costs. I also know of a camp in Hutch at the junior college.
Another problem with combining teams is the competition of making it and starting on the team. When Biddy Basketball was in session we fielded a team of 8--9 players. That was adequate and everyone got to play a quarter or two. Of course, we had the ball hogs who would put up any kind of shot and not pass it off to their teammates. Now with the combining of teams there will be probably at least 16 kids going out for basketball. Will the coaches thin out the numbers only choosing their 10 best players and will there be more kids sitting on the bench? When it was individual schools competing then everyone got to play!! It was a fair situation. At one point in time if that grade did not have enough kids to play they would bring up more from the other grades. I think that would be a good solution to this problem.
Will it come down to who is more athletic, have better skills (because they did off season conditioning and camps), and who can afford the camps (be aware of them) who will start on the teams and not be cut?
Athletic camps should be available to ALL kids. All kids who want to learn to become a better player. Not to just a select few.
I am definitely not for combining the junior high athletic teams (with the exception of football). Not everyone who likes to play will get to play. It will only involve a select few kids. It's all small town politics.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Morning Walk
Today (after eating some cookies last night) I was determined that I should take a walk. I used to do this a lot before I worked at church. It was a great way to take off pounds, inches and lower the blood pressure.
I put on my dog-chewed shoes (the comfortable ones with the air soles in the bottom) stuffed my pocket with a couple of pieces of gum, change just in case I need to get a drink at Doms or Kangaroo store, my mp3 player and my hat. I took off in my normal direction and thought at first maybe I should just drive to my walking path. Nah, what was the purpose of that, I thought to myself. So instead of going my regular route I walked to the hospital area and found the New Wellness Path. I had been on this path like once and thought I should tackle it again. I really enjoyed the smooth path. No rocks, or loose gravel getting in my shoes, nothing to trip on either. It was just smooth! So I picked up my pace and jogged a few steps. The only problem about this path is that is lacking water fountains.
When I got around the swimming pool area, I primed a pump and pumped out some water. That felt good. I continued back through the park and went passed Doms. Nope, I was fine. I didn't need a drink to slow me down. I went on down the usual route and was thankful for the nice breeze that was passing through. I may complain about the wind in Kansas, but it's nice to have a little breeze on a hot and humid day. While walking I noticed that a friend of mine got rid of her swing set and traded it in on a shed. This is the sign of the times when you no longer have toddlers but now have teenagers.
I discovered today, that I'm not in that bad of shape. I guess walking around the church cleaning has helped my stamina. I think my doctor would be pleased knowing that I was walking. He would be even more pleased if I could just shed a few pounds off my middle and lower that blood pressure.
All in good time I could do this, I just have to make the effort.
I put on my dog-chewed shoes (the comfortable ones with the air soles in the bottom) stuffed my pocket with a couple of pieces of gum, change just in case I need to get a drink at Doms or Kangaroo store, my mp3 player and my hat. I took off in my normal direction and thought at first maybe I should just drive to my walking path. Nah, what was the purpose of that, I thought to myself. So instead of going my regular route I walked to the hospital area and found the New Wellness Path. I had been on this path like once and thought I should tackle it again. I really enjoyed the smooth path. No rocks, or loose gravel getting in my shoes, nothing to trip on either. It was just smooth! So I picked up my pace and jogged a few steps. The only problem about this path is that is lacking water fountains.
When I got around the swimming pool area, I primed a pump and pumped out some water. That felt good. I continued back through the park and went passed Doms. Nope, I was fine. I didn't need a drink to slow me down. I went on down the usual route and was thankful for the nice breeze that was passing through. I may complain about the wind in Kansas, but it's nice to have a little breeze on a hot and humid day. While walking I noticed that a friend of mine got rid of her swing set and traded it in on a shed. This is the sign of the times when you no longer have toddlers but now have teenagers.
I discovered today, that I'm not in that bad of shape. I guess walking around the church cleaning has helped my stamina. I think my doctor would be pleased knowing that I was walking. He would be even more pleased if I could just shed a few pounds off my middle and lower that blood pressure.
All in good time I could do this, I just have to make the effort.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ransacked photo
This is what I saw on Saturday night! I needed this picked up before Sunday services the next day. There were animal crackers, cracker crumbs and puzzle pieces all over the floor. Do you leave your house this messy? Should you leave a church this messy? No.The High Price of small town living
I'll admit economics was never my strong suit. I took it 34 years ago learning about GNP and really not listening in class. I was too hung up on one guy in that classroom.
However, after living out here in my small town, I realize there is a price to pay. For instance the price of gas in Wichita (at this writing) was $3.69 a gallon. In my small town the lowest for a gallon was $3.89 and the highest is set at $3.99. There is an even smaller town east of here and their gas prices were lower than ours go figure. We have no pharmacy in this town, we have one grocery store, several eating establishments and a swimming pool, otherwise there is nothing for the kids to do except play sports.
I know that some advocate that we should shop local but it's tough. Since there is no pharmacy do we weigh the costs of driving 8 miles south as opposed to driving to Wichita and picking up a $4.00 prescription? I opt to go to Wichita. My doctors are in Wichita and so is my pharmacy. When you want a haircut (this applies to an elderly person) they travel 8 miles south as well. Me, I'm always going to Hutch. The price of one half gallon of milk (whole milk) is about $2.19, whereas if you travel 35 miles east the cost is $1.19 a gallon. Needless to say I do most of my grocery shopping in the larger towns.
I think the high price of living in a small town really impacts the elderly who are somewhat homebound. They have to drive out of town (approximately 8 miles) to get some kind of service. If you live in a larger town there is transportation available and you are more likely to get a service cheaper.
Living in the small town, I usually stock up on a lot of food. The selection is so much better in the large town as compared to the small town.
Swimming pool prices are a lot less in Wichita than in the small town. To go swimming here it is like $3.00. In Wichita it is under $2.00. Wichita has movie theaters and recreational facilities that the small towns cannot compete with.
Yet, looking at the crime Wichita beats the small town hands down. There is a price that you pay for feeling/being safe in the small town.
It is too bad that the small towns are dying off. If perhaps more businesses would move into town then more people would have a job. Maybe even the price of gas would go "down" as compared with Wichita prices.
Sometimes there is talk of moving the schools out of the small towns and consolidating somewhere out in the country. If they would do that, then this town and others would become smaller and eventually die. I hope that those rumors or actions will end soon. Hopefully, this small town will grow with more businesses and services and maybe the high costs of living in a small town would go down.
Maybe...
However, after living out here in my small town, I realize there is a price to pay. For instance the price of gas in Wichita (at this writing) was $3.69 a gallon. In my small town the lowest for a gallon was $3.89 and the highest is set at $3.99. There is an even smaller town east of here and their gas prices were lower than ours go figure. We have no pharmacy in this town, we have one grocery store, several eating establishments and a swimming pool, otherwise there is nothing for the kids to do except play sports.
I know that some advocate that we should shop local but it's tough. Since there is no pharmacy do we weigh the costs of driving 8 miles south as opposed to driving to Wichita and picking up a $4.00 prescription? I opt to go to Wichita. My doctors are in Wichita and so is my pharmacy. When you want a haircut (this applies to an elderly person) they travel 8 miles south as well. Me, I'm always going to Hutch. The price of one half gallon of milk (whole milk) is about $2.19, whereas if you travel 35 miles east the cost is $1.19 a gallon. Needless to say I do most of my grocery shopping in the larger towns.
I think the high price of living in a small town really impacts the elderly who are somewhat homebound. They have to drive out of town (approximately 8 miles) to get some kind of service. If you live in a larger town there is transportation available and you are more likely to get a service cheaper.
Living in the small town, I usually stock up on a lot of food. The selection is so much better in the large town as compared to the small town.
Swimming pool prices are a lot less in Wichita than in the small town. To go swimming here it is like $3.00. In Wichita it is under $2.00. Wichita has movie theaters and recreational facilities that the small towns cannot compete with.
Yet, looking at the crime Wichita beats the small town hands down. There is a price that you pay for feeling/being safe in the small town.
It is too bad that the small towns are dying off. If perhaps more businesses would move into town then more people would have a job. Maybe even the price of gas would go "down" as compared with Wichita prices.
Sometimes there is talk of moving the schools out of the small towns and consolidating somewhere out in the country. If they would do that, then this town and others would become smaller and eventually die. I hope that those rumors or actions will end soon. Hopefully, this small town will grow with more businesses and services and maybe the high costs of living in a small town would go down.
Maybe...
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday
I promised photos (but I am have problems with the computer currently, but I'll post them soon regarding the ransacked blog).
When we got to church the church member who used the church handed L an envelope. It was money left for our clean up efforts. I was like, okay (gulp!) that was nice. Because I wasn't thinking nice thoughts after that mess at all!!
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Today we woke up to thunderstorms and torrential rains. When the rain subsided L went out to get the paper. The paper person or persons didn't bother putting the paper in a plastic sleeve to keep it dry. Nope, they did the "cheap" method and didn't put plastic around it. They didn't bother to check the forecast for showers in this area in the morning. So our paper was wet through and through. The kids joked that I could put the paper in the microwave (which I did once). Then I said, "Well I could bake it in the oven like my folks used to do way back when." So we simply called the Eagle newspaper folks and they credited the account. Then they said they would talk to the newspaper person about putting the newspaper in the blue plastic sleeves when it is raining. (I thought, or at least check the forecast!)
After church we went in search for a Sunday newspaper in town. We went to the Kangaroo store and several people were looking for a copy as well. Then L needed change and we saw one copy at B's! While he was inside waiting, I thought about going up to the newspaper stand so no one else could get one. Then the person who was at the Kangaroo store parked at B's and got the last copy. I was laughing!! Then when L came out there was nothing. So we went to Jo's and they were all sold out (no doubt people who were staying at the motel got those). Finally we went to Dom's. L was looking for a parking place. I would have just parked briefly in the handicap zone, but he was honest and didn't. Then we saw a lady walking around and I said, "Go out and get that paper, she looks like she is hungry for one."
Ahhhh! We did get the last paper from that box. Now, the newspaper carrier who also services the box will "think" she will be making a killing, when in fact she probably didn't . I am sure that other people complained about their lousy service too.
When we got to church the church member who used the church handed L an envelope. It was money left for our clean up efforts. I was like, okay (gulp!) that was nice. Because I wasn't thinking nice thoughts after that mess at all!!
----
Today we woke up to thunderstorms and torrential rains. When the rain subsided L went out to get the paper. The paper person or persons didn't bother putting the paper in a plastic sleeve to keep it dry. Nope, they did the "cheap" method and didn't put plastic around it. They didn't bother to check the forecast for showers in this area in the morning. So our paper was wet through and through. The kids joked that I could put the paper in the microwave (which I did once). Then I said, "Well I could bake it in the oven like my folks used to do way back when." So we simply called the Eagle newspaper folks and they credited the account. Then they said they would talk to the newspaper person about putting the newspaper in the blue plastic sleeves when it is raining. (I thought, or at least check the forecast!)
After church we went in search for a Sunday newspaper in town. We went to the Kangaroo store and several people were looking for a copy as well. Then L needed change and we saw one copy at B's! While he was inside waiting, I thought about going up to the newspaper stand so no one else could get one. Then the person who was at the Kangaroo store parked at B's and got the last copy. I was laughing!! Then when L came out there was nothing. So we went to Jo's and they were all sold out (no doubt people who were staying at the motel got those). Finally we went to Dom's. L was looking for a parking place. I would have just parked briefly in the handicap zone, but he was honest and didn't. Then we saw a lady walking around and I said, "Go out and get that paper, she looks like she is hungry for one."
Ahhhh! We did get the last paper from that box. Now, the newspaper carrier who also services the box will "think" she will be making a killing, when in fact she probably didn't . I am sure that other people complained about their lousy service too.
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