Office Redo: My gift to myself

The days of getting a big fuss over your job anniversaries are gone. And, I'm okay with that. Once, at a job, I got a crystal trophy for a job milestone. I don't work there any more, so now what do I do with it? It's in storage. Gimme a card and a cake (especially the cake. Buttercream icing only, please) and I'm thrilled.

So, I got MYSELF the gift I wanted most for my 5 year anniversary. A new office! Well, not new. It's the same 5 walls, but they're a soft gray instead of institutional off-white. Gone is the 6.5 foot desk wedged into my 8 feet of usable floor space. Gone is my ugly bulletin board. Gone are the WWII era paper holders.

What did I replace them with?
Pink. Antique Medical Equipment. Vintage Nursing Books. A custom painted owl lamp. And, a pink moose with glitter antlers. Aw, yeah. I said it. GLITTER. ANTLERS.

So, I'll start with the "naked" befores. I'm so sad I didn't think to get a good picture of what it looked like with all the crap we had wedged in here. It was impressive. My office is, at its widest point, about 7.5 feet, and then there are cabinets. So, if you count them, maybe 10 feet. It was the med room, originally. So, it has no windows. And, it has an odd little nook that was some leftover space from the bathroom. There is a whopping total of ONE outlet in the office, and a strip of plug mold that was cantaloupe orange against the blue/gray cabinets. Yeah, it was stunning. ANYWAY...

Notice the test patch of paint on the wall.

The mural was the ONLY thing I liked in my office, so it stayed. Notice the ring where my chair has been for years, and how horrible the floors were. It was so jam packed in there, you could honestly not even get to the area under the desk to mop it. SO NASTY. 

In the bottom of the wall, see my ONE outlet. Also, notice the steel plate that's not a light switch. My office is pass card set-up. So, when the door closes, it automatically locks. People can never find the button to get out, so it's kind of funny. 'Cause... it's RIGHT THERE!!

So, the first step was paint. I wanted something very neutral, but not white or beige or any combo. So, I went with the softest gray I could find. Woodsmoke by Valspar at Lowes. The walls were wiped down and it actually covered everything in one coat! My office is so tiny that one gallon completely covered the walls, and I had  some left for touch-ups if I need it. TEENY TINY. But, mine all mine and I love it so! 

The inspiration for me to redo the whole darn office, started with a quote. I saw a painting on Etsy that I just loved the quote. But, the colors were all wrong. So, enter my friend Fallon, who can paint like a fiend. I gave her the quote, and free reign. She knocked it out of the park! 

She even added the little nurses hat without any input from me. Can you say PERFECT?! The quote to me is all about my job. I have always loved being a nurse, but never so much as I do where I am now. It's an odd environment, and people ask me all the time, "Aren't you afraid?" Yes, I work with inmates. Yes, I've treated murderers and some other scary folks. But, I'm not afraid. I was born to do this. This is my calling. This is where I belong. So... my sign!

Poor Fallon had no idea what she was getting into. I'm hooked. And, I've asked her to make me 2 more companion pieces for it. So, I'll have more pictures of the office later on when those 2 are done! By the way, she has an Etsy shop that has a handful of her best sellers, but she can do anything!!! Fallon's Etsy Store  (and, no I'm not getting paid to plug her, I'm just in love with her cool stuff).

So, with the color palette in place, I got to go crazy girl shopping! I really tried to do this on the cheap. So, I hit Ikea for my desk. Now, Ikea can, and will, drive you to drink, if you are shopping online and don't have a store near you. They will sell a 700 pound item online, but not a 2 oz cup. They will charge you freight shipping on one desk, but will UPS another. It took me HOURS to figure out what I could get shipped. But, I managed to pick out this little number. 

Micke Desk with Drawer Unit.  Thankfully, I ordered it in solid white. They did have it in pink, but I restrained myself! 

Thank goodness, I work with amazingly sweet people who tolerate me well. Our sweet maintenance guys took one look at the multiple boxes, Picture instructions and my confused face and put the desk together for me. After my 6.5 foot long, 3 foot deep desk... this thing looks so tiny! But, I really need a small desk. I tend to cover up any available space with junk and papers. So, instead of having to wedge the desk in across the room, it fits up against the wall with door, and even has room to spare!

Then, you gotta have CUTE STUFF! I love mid-century modern stuff, and especially the old starburst clocks.

I am too broke for this

But, at $399, I do not see that hitting my budget. So, away we go! Hello, Amazon! 

I love you!

I added a groovy bulletin board that I already had from a long, long ago trip to TJ Maxx that I'd never found a true home for. And, then... my favorite piece.  

Monsieur Moose

Thusly named, because as a moose, he's got to be Canadian. That's where the best moose live. Everyone knows this. But, since Monsieur Moose is not afraid to show his softer side, in shades of pink and chunky silver glitter, he must be French Canadian. No?

I've actually wanted one of the giant, white moose that White Faux Taxidermy sells for years. I want one over a mantel in my home. Our only mantle is in Mom's part of the house and she says no. Mean ol' mama. So, I got the mini version in a color dark enough to show on the pale gray walls and jazzed him up, so as to be Emily Appropriate. 

I added a cute floor protector for my chair, too. $10 at Big Lots! Score! I tried a super-cute pink rug here, but it got so nasty in just a month that I knew I'd never be able to keep it clean. The chair mat works much better, and is easy to just wipe off. 

So, all that fun, and we're just up to the first wall! HOLY COW!!!

We also left the mural up, but didn't even attempt to paint around it. We just left the top half as is, even though it had a few dings and paint drips. I love the mural enough to look over those. 

We just added a cheap chair rail that was pre-painted white, and painted the bottom half the same gray as the rest of the walls. 

Ze finished product (please say that in an outrageously over the top French accent. One worthy of Monisuer Moose). 

Still trying to figure out what to do with the tower. It's ugly, but I don't want it ON my desk, so there it is. Also, I need a cute trash can. Anyone? Volunteers? Something cute? I may just vinyl the heck out of the plain black one I have. 

You can see the chair mat a little better in this one. And, you can see my beloved mural. The quote is from one of my nurses, Stephanie. She said it to me the first time she met me. I had no idea how prophetic that quote was. "They will wear the nice off you like the shine off a penny."

A note about the pictures: My office is so tiny you can't get back far enough to get an entire wall in one picture. So, I had to use a picture stitching panorama app. It does great, but it makes it look like my office has sort of rounded walls. It doesn't. It's all square, just a photo thing. 

OK, that's it for today. I'm sick of typing and I have to put together the new pink chair that I got for the office. I'll take pictures of it later. 

Total so far on my redo: 

Moose $89

Paint: $27

Labor: FREE

Mat: $10

Desk: $54 & $49

Clock: $35

TOTAL: $264

Tomorrow: Shelves in the weird nook, the most difficult vinyl project I've done so far, and a plea for design help! 

About "Natural" Remedies

OK, I've seen about a billion posts about how natural medicine works better than anything manufactured and how the pharmaceutical companies are "hiding" this information. As a nurse, and as a patient with multiple chronic illneses, this is the kind of stuff that sends me off the deep end. Now, before you think I'm saying that big pharma is always right, and that natural stuff can't work, keep reading. I don't think that at all. I do think there's a time and a place for everything, and that there are reasons we have pharmaceutical companies and vitamin companies, and that the 2 should usually not mix.

The two that make me scream the loudest are cinnamon and honey. For the most part, those belong on your toast and in your tea, respectively.

Let's talk about cinnamon first. I'm diabetic, type 2 to be exact. And, I can't tell you how many people tell me I'd be just fine if I would take cinnamon. They read it on a piece of paper in an antique store beside a booth that sold honey extract from Watkins, so it has to be true. While there has been SOME research into cinnamon reducing blood sugars (notice, reducing, not fixing, not stabilizing, not normalizing and certainly not curing anything), the research is spotty and most of the research is one off and can't be duplicated. Add to that... how much should I take? Is a little on toast gonna fix me right up, or do I need to swallow it down in elixirs and drinks? Or, maybe just tough it out and snarf down spoonfuls of it, like they do on Youtube for the cinnamon challenge. Oh, and what about the fact that most cinnamon you can get in the US isn't even cinnamon. Which one works? The real stuff or the fake stuff? Or maybe the oil? And, is there a standardized strength to cinnamon? OH, and that note in the antique booth, nor the bottles they sell mention that people with liver disease or damage (like me) should be very careful with cinnamon as it can further liver damage. So, basically what I'm saying is, until a company can do easily replicatable research that shows it works, come up with standardized strengths and dosages... it's a pipe dream. Here's a great article on cinnamon and its failure to live up to the dream: Cinnamon Info.

It sounds great. To be able to take something that doesn't make me have to stick myself with needles, doesn't make me run to the bathroom every 20 minutes, that doesn't make me nauseated? That sounds wonderful! Sign me up! But, right now, it doesn't exist. It is, at best, a theory. Maybe in a few year, someone will find some reason to do the above testing. But, I'm pretty sure if it could be replicated, big pharma would have found out, added some binder to it, patented it, and be selling it like hot cakes (with cinnamon on top). See, that's how it works. It's not like pharmaceutical companies can't patent natural remedies. They do it all the time. They just add some sort of binder, figure out how to process it down to a single ingredient, synthesize it or put it thru some process that is proprietary, then they can market it. That's how sulfa drugs, aspirin and other drugs are able to be manufactured. They just tweak them a bit.

And, I must add, there's a process that the FDA puts meds through. They have to go through stringent testing. Do they screw up sometimes? yes. Do bad drugs get through? Yes. Do side effects turn up after years of use that couldn't be spotted in the shorter term studies? Yes. But, does it work? Ask the millions of European women who took thalidomide, that passed their much less strict standards. The FDA refused to pass it here, and other than the women who went to other countries and/or bought it black market, the US escaped the millions of births with limb deformities.

But, it's natural, so it can't have any side effects? Natural is always good for you! Right?! May I point out that Arsenic is naturally occurring? And, it'll kill you deader than 4 o'clock. May I point out how many women found themselves pregnant while on birth control pills because they took St. John's Wort for depression? Since it's an herb/supplement, it had no FDA control. So, no one looked for that side effect. If they thought they were depressed before, I'm sure that unwanted pregnancy didn't help.

Now, let's get to honey. The latest is that it can be used on wounds. Granted, honey does have some antibacterial properties. BUT, it also has sugar. Yeast loves sugar. Remember how sugar makes it go crazy in breads, wines, etc? So, if that person has yeast on their skin, or in the wound, you're making it a lovely, sealed environment with lots of food. Also, how clean is that honey? Honey can harbor clostridium, botulism and just plain ol' dirt.

And, the honey used in testing is actually medical grade and/or specific breeds of honey. Meaning, the honey in the little squeezy bear at the grocery store has not been tested AT ALL for these properties. Here's the link to a long paper regarding this, and how honey is being used as a last line treatment for burns and other wounds that aren't responding. The conclusion at the end says that certain types are promising, but that they can't know what the local honey each person can access will do. Boring honey article here.

Oh, and as a side note: NEVER EVER EVER give a child under a year of age honey. They do not have the immunity to deal with the botulism that can be found in honey and it can sicken and/or kill them. I have been blessed to never have to see anyone die of botulism, but it is said to be a terrible way to die. So, let's not risk that, okay? Don't take my word for it, listen to the National Institutes of Health

I'm not saying that all natural medicine, herbs and vitamins are useless. I'm a believer in probiotics, Vitamin D for depression and diabetes, Vitamin C so we don't wind up with scurvy. But, these are usually used in addition to other treatments (as in Vitamin D will not cure a diabetic, but it may help them process their meds better). I also believe in them because actual, documented studies, by someone with REAL training, have shown them to be effective.

Remember, one faulty report on vaccines and autism has led to huge outbreaks of totally preventable diseases. Simply because people WANT to believe the conspiracy theory. They want to think that natural is better, and that taking anything manufactured has to be bad for you. But, it's not, folks. Not always. It's how some of us stay alive. It's how I'm not dead from a diabetic coma. It's how I didn't die from an infected gallbladder. It's how my Dad lived for years with high blood pressure. It's how my Mom can still see even with macular degeneration. It's how HIV patients live for years now instead of dying a slow, cruel death. Big pharma may make a fortune off of us. They may have been busted for some unscrupulous stuff. But, in the long run, our life spans are vastly improved in the last 40-60 years because of medication. Real medication.

So, before you click "share" on Facebook, or before you "pin" something about how all I need to do is take some cinnamon and my pancreas will come back to life... READ the article. Look at who wrote it. Is it a legitimate website, or a conspiracy site? Are they selling the miracle cure no one wants you to know about? Are they a housewife in Dallas whose uncle saw a guy in Boston who said his wound totally healed itself in a day after he used honey on it? If so... don't share it. You're leading people down a dangerous path. Your friends trust you to give them good advice. Don't let them down. Okay?

Flu shots... good or bad or somewhere between?

I've seen a post lately on many Facebook walls about the Flu shot being "useless" and quoting  Dr. Doshi. The article that is posted is found here: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Headline/influenza-virus-flu-vaccine-Peter-Doshi-Ph-D-/2013/05/16/id/504942

On the surface, it seems like a good, sound article. But, about midways thru, it throws up a HUGE red flag. They switch from Dr. Doshi's (he, by the way, is a researcher who has forced many pharmaceutical companies into releasing their clinical data, and particulary attacked the makers of Tamiflu. He's a trusted source, and they quote him in this article, but he does NOT advocate against the vaccine, merely against marketing it as it is) information to a "Dr. Russell Blaylock", who uses the phrase ""The vaccine is completely worthless, and the government knows it."

This, and his parroting of the mercury in the vaccines will kill you theory, led me to research him a little bit. Now, bear in mind, I am NOT a neurologist, I am not a member of the CDC. I'm just a nurse, with a good BS Barometer. But, what I turned up was that the man who makes a vastly over-reaching statement of "Mercury overstimulates the brain for several years, says Dr. Blaylock, and that activation is the cause of Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases." has his own product... wait for it...

A BRAIN PROTECTION KIT!!! Yes, for $54, he'll keep you from getting Alzheimers, Parkinsons and all sorts of stuff. The best part?? It's for sale on the "news" website that the article is from! He'll actually "give" you the kit for free, if you just subscribe to his newsletter, a collection of non-peer-reviewed information from him. The $54 is for your subscription. 

Now, considering that there has been multinational research into Alzheimers, and no clear cause has been found, but this guy states definitively that HE knows what causes it, he sounds like a quack to me. The fact that he is lashing out at vaccines, which have been proven to NOT cause Autism, no matter what Jenny McCarthy from former MTV "fame" tells you, makes the quacking noise come so loudly at me it's like a flock of ducks. Do ducks come in flocks? I have no idea.

So, should you or shouldn't you get a vaccine? I'm surrounded by unhealthy people with poor health habits all day at work. It's a no-brainer for me, I always get one. I've also never had the flu. Coincidence? I doubt it. 

But, it's up to YOU. Decide for yourself. But, do it wisely. Don't let some quack trying to sell his newsletter fear-monger you into not getting it. Don't let some pharmaceutical company wanting to make money off you fear-monger you into getting it. Do sound research and decide for yourself. Look at non-biased groups, who aren't making money or receiving pharmaceutical company money. I always look to the CDC, because they are charged with the large-scale version of our health. What is best for the majority of us? That's what they see. But, again, arm yourself with knowledge and make your own call. 

I will state one more time, for the record, I am NOT an authority on quacks, flu, vaccines, ducks, neurology, mercury, spandex, super-glue or many other things. Don't take my advice, because I'm "just a nurse." Make your own advice, folks. It works better that way.

An Open Note to the "Christian" carrying the doom 'n' gloom sign at the car show

Dear Doomsayer,

I'll give you a description to make sure you know that it's you I'm talking to. You had a sign about judgement that you lugged over your shoulder. You had on a t-shirt that had some more judgmental slogans on it. You had a bible in your left hand. You didn't speak to a single person. You wouldn't even make eye contact with anyone. You just stood there in the heat of the day, ignoring everyone.

Now, before I get down to brass tacks here, let me introduce myself. My name is Emily. I'm 40. I'm a Christian. I have a bad temper. I have to ask for forgiveness a LOT. I'm so far from perfect, I can't even see if with a set of binoculars. So, this is a little out of character for me. I can call people out with the best of them. I'm smart, you see. I have a really high IQ and a command of the English language that can flay you to the bone. But, I hold back. Because I like to be nice to people. But, you are screwing up my groove, Doomsayer. So, here we go.

In the title, I called you a "Christian."  Please, notice the quotation marks. Those are to let you know that I don't mean it. Sure, you go to church. One that has a cross on the top. And, you sing the songs, and you listen to the message, and most likely, you get told that if you don't bring people over to Christianity, you're gonna have to answer for it. But, you don't want to actually work at it. As I think of it, you don't want to get DIRTY. 

You don't want to deal with people who aren't exactly like you. You don't want to be uncomfortable. You don't want to deal with "those people." You know, the ones like Jesus helped. The ones with diseases (lepers then), the ones who sin openly (hello, prostitutes), the ones who commit crimes (thieves). You know, the ones that actually NEED help. You can't stand that thought. So, instead, you put on a sign, you carry a very new-looking bible and you just hang out and judge people from a distance, and think that will work. You really think you are racking up points. 

But, I can say, with a decent amount of certainty, that if it comes down to you... refusing to even make eye contact, and obviously having never read half of that book you're toting around... and the elderly man who was walking around handing out bottles of water because it was so hot, and giving them to you with a pat on the shoulder and a "God Bless You," I think I can guess who's getting in first. I can guess who people saw reflecting the compassion of a loving Christ, of a caring Savior, and of a Savior who asked us to "love one another." It wasn't the guy judging. It was the guy sharing love. No one saw Christ in you. They just saw someone else telling them how awful they were. They saw someone spouting hatred. And, I know what I saw. I saw the Devil himself, using someone like you to drive people further and further away from Christianity, because when people think of Christianity, they think of people like you. Full of hate and judgment, but saying you serve a God of love. 

Since you haven't read much of that book, I'll leave you with some of it: 

Matthew 7:1 Judge not lest ye be judged. 

Matthew 8:3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. (please note: he held TOUCHED THE MAN. He didn't stand 50 feet away, with a sign, listening to his iPod and ignoring the man)

Luke 7:36-50 where a woman of sin comes and washes Jesus feet with her tears and he forgives her, with a rebuke for the man who thought he was better than her. 

I know you will never read this, but I feel better getting it off my chest. I'll ask God to forgive me of the sin of pride in writing about how smart I am, and for the sin of judgment for judging you for judging others. But, mostly, I'll ask what I always ask. I'll ask him to do his will with me, and to help me be a better Child of God. I'll ask him to help me with my anger, and to help me see those who need me, and thru me Him. I'll also pray for you, Doomsayer. Because that's what my Lord charges me to do. Good Luck.

Awesome Businesses (during some crazy times)

In the past few months, I've dealt with more companies than I probably have in my entire life. With Dad passing, us moving, having house repairs done, buying cars, etc., we've seen a ton of businesses, and deal with a lot of folks. The amazing thing is, the experiences have been overwhelmingly positive.

I, like most people, tend to tell people about the lousy things happening. I forget to pass on that somewhere did a GREAT job. So, let me take this opportunity to tell you about some GREAT local businesses, owned and/or staffed by some GREAT people. And, one national corporation that sucks.

Let's start the accolades with an odd thing to deal with following a death... trading a car. Shortly before Dad passed away, he traded for a HUGE new Suburban. This thing had every bell and whistle you could get. And, um... it was the size of a small country. Seriously, I got stuck in a parking space, because I didn't have room to back it out without taking out the cars on either side of me. When he passed, I knew Mom could NEVER drive this thing. It terrified her. So, my dear hubby took it back to Champion Chevrolet in Johnson City. Our wonderful salesperson remembered Dad trading for the truck and when Chad explained the situation, he went so far above and beyond what he could have. He helped Chad find a car mom could drive. Mom also snuck and had Chad get ME a car as well (mine had over 100,000 miles on it). Even with the Suburban having only 1500 miles on it, it had been titled, and they could have hosed us for that. But, they didn't. They did a great deal for us. They got us 2 cars and money back. Everyone likes to bash car sales as such an unethical business. But, these folks were absolutely wonderful. They have called to check on us, and even sent a sympathy card. http://www.championjc.com/

In the midst of Dad's hospitalization, Mom and Dad's house sold. Our realtor was ah-mazing. She took us house hunting on a holiday weekend, ferried papers back and forth into the hospital (even having to wear an isolation gown into the room to get papers signed, for Pete's sake!), bringing us breakfast (and refusing to take $ for it), and just being the most amazing realtor EVER!! Her name is Donna Sartin, and she works for Coldwell Bankers.  http://www.coldwellbanker.com/agent?action=detail&agentId=15619&mode=detail  She helped us pack, she helped us move. You cannot ask for a more wonderful person to know, let alone to sell your house. LOVE this woman!!

At the hospital, we had no idea what funeral home to use. A hospice nurse recommended Tetrick Funeral Home in Johnson City. Oh, what a wonderful group of people. They never pushed us to spend more than we wanted. They were so kind. They helped us navigate the crazy world of death. They helped us with social security, death certificates, etc. They actually issued us a REFUND for overbilling. We would never have known. They have remained in touch, and invite us to a survivor's group every month. We haven't gone, but it is so nice that they do something like that for the people who have used their services. We spent very little, because Dad's wishes were so specific and so bare-bones. But, they treated us like we were spending millions. http://www.tetrickfuneralhome.com/

53 years my parents were married. They had 53 years worth of stuff to deal with. And pack. Did I mention it included everything from 16 boxes of (heavy) books and 4 sets of china? East Tennessee Movers (and the wonderful Rita Eggers) packed up every single thing in that house, down to Mom's undies (well, they were in the dresser drawers and they packed those, so it counts). Not one single item was damaged. Nothing broken, nothing misplaced. And you could not find a sweeter bunch of guys. Mom was ready to adopt them all, and I think the feeling was mutual. These guys lugged and loaded in the snow without a word of complaint. They were amazing!!  http://www.easttnmovers.com/

We had the um.... interesting problem of our home inspector missing a very strange thing... he didn't notice that none of the exterior doors locked. Ooooops. We really needed that fixed. So, we called Donna (did I mention she's the best realtor ever??) and she got a locksmith there that same day!!! David Irick of Johnson City Locksmith was amazing. He rekeyed all the locks, worked to get them actually working and told us to just tell Donna thank you. We thought she'd paid for it. He was gone before we found out he just did it for free to be sweet. I guess he knew we'd been thru a lot and could use some sweetness. I am not the least bit ashamed to admit it made me cry. So, so nice. http://johnsoncitytnlocksmith.com/

With any new house, you find a few kinks to work out. We didn't like the wall colors, so enter another one of Donna's referrals... Robert Santucci. He and his Dad painted several huge rooms for us. Our part took 4 coats of yellow to cover. Not a single drip out of place, the walls look beautiful. SUPER nice guys. Totally professional and worth every single dime!!! http://paintersource.com/Painters/1250-Robert-Santucci/View-details.html  (don't think he has his own website, he pretty much stays booked up from referrals, but this site has his number. You WILL have to wait, because he is the BEST. He is totally worth the wait!!!!).

I didn't have a kitchen. At all. So, we needed a plumber. Because kitchens need sinks. Have I mentioned Donna knows EVERYONE?? Yup, enter Robbie the plumber! I don't even know his business name. I just call him up and say, "Robbie! HELP!" and he's there! He worked his butt off and charged me so little that I added extra to the check. Seriously. He also caught 3 mistakes that had never been caught on the original plumbing, including a sewer pipe not being glued, just hand-tightened. They also cleaned up every single drop of mess they made. They vacuumed!! Robbie's number is 423 773 0746

Our thermostat could be programmed to launch the space shuttle, and I was entirely too darn tired and confused to use it. We also needed to split our main electric panel into a sub panel to handle the new lines we'd run for the kitchen. Now, my Dad was an electrician and so was Chad. So, I expect the best, and I will know if your lines look like crap. Enter Lonnie the electrician. Another Donna find! Such a sweet guy. And, let me tell you... OCD!!! That box was wired perfectly, every line labeled clearly and tacked up and lined up like little little soldiers. My Dad would have been proud, and Chad actually said, "This guy needs meds worse than me." That's a compliment. I promise. So, again, I don't know his company name. He's in my iPhone as "Lonnie Electrician." Mention Donna Sartin sent you ('cause she did, via me) and he's your new best friend! 423 360 1284

Lastly, we had to recharge the HVAC unit. One of my work friends gave me Lamb's Heating and Cooling's number and saved the day. He had it done in such a short amount of time, and was super nice. He's gonna be coming back soon to cut me in some ducts for our part of the house, 'cause it's gonna get hot soon, and I do NOT do hot! http://www.lambsheatandair.com/air-conditioner-furnace-hvac-contractor/Johnson-City-TN-37601-37604-37615.php

Now, what on earth could these small businesses do that a giant couldn't? Fix something. Let me tell you about Verizon. Dad had a wireless account with them. I just needed it to shut it off. I called them, and was told I had to go to the store with a death certificate to get it cut off. I did that. When I got there, they said that has never been a requirement, and they can't even turn off service from there. They gave me the phone there to call and cancel it. I did. A month later, still got a bill. Called again. Cancelled it. Again. Got another bill. Called and was not nearly as nice. "Oh. We only cancelled one line. Not both." Cancelled it. Again. Snet Verizon a letter, including Dad's full name and explaining how un-fun it had been to make multiple calls and discuss my Dad's death over and over again. Got a letter telling me how sorry they were, and that they couldn't find his account, but they were sure it'd be fixed. Got another bill. Still not fixed. Talked to someone AGAIN. Told it was fixed and that they'd call me to make sure it went thru. Haven't heard anything. Not holding my breath. Way to go, Verizon. Way to go. My contract was up on two of our lines this month. I was really considering Verizon. NO. WAY. IN. HELL. So, congrats on losing a customer and having the dubious distinction of screwing up an account for over 4 months. Impressive.

Random Emilyisms

I'm sure this will come as a surprise to no one, but there is a LOT of noise in my head. As in, things running thru my brain. Random, odd thoughts that I think of as Emilyisms. They aren't worth a whole blog, but are often too long for a FB update. So, they kick around in my head for a while, unable to find a home, and finally they demand to be freed! So, here they are today:

In the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels by Laurell K Hamilton, the phrase "white goat" is used to indicate a human who is to be used as a sacrifice for some kind of supernatural ritual. In the game I used to play on Facebook, Cityville, you have a small farm and you one of the things you earn for taking care of your farm is a white goat. I had a ton of them, and it just amused me to no end every time I got another one. I just have this image of a tiny little woman in black stomping out into my farm and raising the dead with the white goat. Yeah, I know... only me.

Not-a-mom: I don't have children by choice. Chad never wanted any and neither did I. Kind of makes us the perfect couple. But, what does make me sad is how many people accost us for our choice or who just have no sensitivity. Not everyone knows that we are childless by choice. And, often, people will ask us, "So when are you gonna have a kid?" or some variation of that. My standard reply is, "About the time you get manners, I guess."  I mean, what if I was unable to have a child and wanted one desperately??? How cruel a question would that be to ask someone who cannot have a child? Rub some salt in their wound, why don't you?! Geez.

Recent signs I'm getting old: I hate top 40 music. I don't know anyone on the cover of People Magazine. Way too many people who are driving look too young to have a license. Your music is too darn loud. I can't hear anything any more. Certain technology escapes me. I really do not care what comes after Blu Ray. I'm done buying machines for movies I watch once. I hate skinny jeans and think people wearing them look like dorky fashion victims. I avoid the mall simply to not have to deal with teenagers. I haven't had a hairstyle change in YEARS. I hate waiting in line at restaurants, so I go early.

The Jonesborough Farmers Market offers a 50% discount to anyone paying with EBT (aka food stamps) for online orders. I am a little torn on this. It's nice they are helping people with financial difficulties get high quality food. But, considering the fact that I am paying full price, working full time and taking care of a LOTTA inmates who get food stamps... I am little peeved. Talk amongst ya'selves. What do you think?

What thoughts ramble in your head? What drives you crazy? What makes you think? Share!

Let's try this again

When I was a kid, I must have bought 1000 blank books. All that promise! Glorious, empty pages for me to fill with all my ideas, my thoughts, my feelings. But, within a few weeks (or days, even) of writing stuff, I'd just sort of forget about it. It was too much bother, and seriously... Barbie was NOT going to dress herself. I had things to do! So, I'd forget for a while, then find a new, pretty blank book and start over.
It turns out, I do that with blogs. Seriously, I think I've started 3 and lost steam. Now, Clyde is still going strong, just not getting posts much because... SNOW + CAMPER RENOVATION= NO GO! But, it's the only one I've ever stuck with.
So, I thought today, as many thoughts as Iv'e had racing through my little head, I need to start blogging again. But, instead of starting a new one, let's just go back to the old one. Let's not buy a new pretty book, but finish the one we have!
So, here's to new beginnings, or do-overs.
As it is Easter Day, the time of resurrection, it seems appropriate! Rise again and try to keep focused this time.
Wish me luck!