March 19-30 Exchange Student

I survived my first ever exchange student living in my home. He was only 13 but my 17-year old son took to him immediately. He was like the brother my son never had. It was quite interesting to learn about another culture and to try to communicate with our live-in. The first few days were rough, but, by the end of his stay, he was actually using full sentences in English. This guy was a quick study. I would recommend this experience to anyone who may be on the fence about it. It will be very rewarding for you and your family.

So, as not to cause an international incident should he ever return to the USA and someone realizes what "choice" english words my son taught him, I'll Just refuse to say what particular country he hailed from.

Guess all you want, my lips are sealed!

Leap Day

Well - I survived Leap Day. I always have a problem with an extra day during the year. It kind of throws off my circadian rhythm. I think too much about it. Like, will July 4th (which would have been July 3rd) have better weather than July 5th which has become July 4th for this year only? That would really mess up my fireworks plans.

I don't get an extra days pay, so, my employer is actually getting a "free" day. That doesn't seem fair! The least he could do would be to give me a comp day.

And don't get me started on birthdays... I'm still miffed that a friend of mine, who was born the same year as I but on February 29th, is so much younger than me.

It took years of research to figure out why Hallmark didn't push to make this an "official" American holiday. They wouldn't make much money selling these cards every 4 years. Duh!

Snow Blowing Overachiever

Today our area had a snow day. Students and teachers alike had the day off. When I arrived home from work this afternoon, my driveway had been cleared. In fact, my neighbor's driveway was cleared and so was the neighbor's across the street. These three drives are usually snowbound until I get around to cranking up my snowblower. Further research uncovered the culprit. My neighbor across the street, a teacher, had the day off. I thought - boy he was so bored he cleared three driveways besides his own. I changed my thinking NO ONE is that bored. Perhaps he's being nice for another reason - he wants the neighborhood to buy Girl Scout cookies from his daughters. Nope, that wouldn't fly because they had grown up, gotten married and moved away. My brain hurt from all the possibilities.

My son finally gave me the answer in one word: MOM! Yup, Mom has moved in with my neighbor and his wife. Suddenly spending all that time snow blowing everyone's driveway made sense to me. What a great Escape!

New Car Buying - 2007

After 12 years, I've decided that it's time to purchase a new vehicle. This could be the latest in a series of stressful decisions that I've made. I think buying a car twelve years ago was MUCH simpler.

First we have the Make / Model decision. Yikes... where did all these choices come from? Next, what color would you like? How about that electric metallic green. SORRY - the model you chose doesn't come in that color. OK, how about blue? Nope - not in that model. ALRIGHT...just tell me what colors it DOES come in. (I'm sure this ruined the salesperson's fun.) Answer - Black, Dark Gray, Silver, and White.

What kind of choice is that!!! Once I chose the color I had to go through the same routine with options! I just want GPS, a rear spoiler and a sun roof. Apparently, they are all in different packages and you can't get there from here!

Well I made a command decision - the car I have will make it another year. That will give me enough time to take a class on "car buying without the frustration". I'm sure there must be a class offered somewhere. I can't be the only one that became unnerved by the experience.

Summer winding down

Well, summer is winding down and with it my self-imposed hiatus. I'll be posting regularly again in September. I've had a very busy summer both at work and home. I'm hoping to get some well needed down time to catch up on the many rants that have plaqued me since June.

My first will be Car Buying 2007 style...what a gigantic pain!

See you in September