.:Friday, September 14, 2007:.
Is it 2008 YET?!?!?!
| So, the repair guy makes a phone call after checking out the oven. Then I hear him exclaim, "OUCH!" "Please, please, please let something have fallen on his head and cracked it open," I thought to myself as I looked up from finishing the last blog entry. No such luck though. Today's service call was $65.00 to tell me that the entire electrical system is bufarred on our oven. This much I knew already. Just exactly how terribly is this going to hurt though? Should I find a chair before you continue speaking? $320 with shipping for the part. Labor another $60 and if they get the part in within 30 days, then we won't have to pay another service fee of $65, but if it is after 30 days then we have to pay another service fee. And that is hoping that nothing else is wrong with the oven. He didn't think there likely was, but he couldn't promise that due to the huge obvious malfunction. So, best case scenario, we fix it and drop just over $400 doing so. I couldn't help but laugh as I stated that I could buy a new one for that much. He chuckled and said, "I was just about to state that it is what we usually refer to as 'beyond economical repair'." Beyond economical repair, that is a cool little phrase. I wonder how many different things I can attach that to? Tehehehe. I refuse to get all upset and worked up over this. It is what it is and there really isn't anything that I can do about it at this point. So, I'll suck it up and do some online shopping before going out and buying a new stove/oven today. WAHOO! *laughs* NOT. The two guys that came to fix it kept saying sorry we had to deliver such bad news. I couldn't help but laugh as I told them no worries, you aren't the first this year. It just seems to be our year....everyone has to have one and this is ours. |
It's A Shame
| just how judgemental people are. Ah, but unfortunately, this seems to be the way of the world. It was only just recently that I learned I have a whole new stereotype attached. Apparently, officer's wives are referred to as the BSB's (blue sticker *insert foul word here*) referring to the color of the base sticker on our cars. I personally find it amusing and have never been one to be too terribly concerned about what complete strangers to me had to say about me. I know that anyone who knows me knows the truth and there is no need to get myself all worked up over it. And if someone that doesn't know me hears something and doesn't come to me with the information to get their facts straight, then frankly they aren't the kind of people I need in my life anyway. Simply put, I'm only concerned with the people that I love and care about....their opinions are what really matter to me. So, when I got to hear firsthand for the first time the BSB term flung out, I couldn't help but laugh on the inside as I quietly listened further. Who in their right minds would just start mouthing something like that off with complete strangers standing around them? I'm guessing that they assumed that I wasn't one of the "said BSB's". Thankfully for them, I'm quite good at just snickering inside and rarely really get nasty with someone. No worries though, I can slyly get my jabs in. A reference was made to my husband and being deployed. It certainly wasn't called for and might have been considered "boasting" for those that didn't know what was going on, but I mentioned that I knew he had to go for the year and while I'm not super excited about it, I just hope that we get to celebrate his pinning MAJOR before he has to leave as his date for leaving and pinning are both about the same time. "I mean what kind of huge accomplishment is that," I asked them as I smiled so very sweetly and carried on about how proud I am of him! Muwahahaha. I wish, wish, wish that there had been a camera to capture both of their faces with at that moment. Funny enough that the degrading, judgemental comments stopped completely at that point and they left shortly after. My only thought on that is, if you aren't brave enough to say it to the persons face, then best not say it at all. Secrets (gossip included) have a life span of about 1.2 seconds and have a way of coming back over and over and over again. It certainly will for those ladies and I won't ever have to say or do anything...I'll just smile everytime I see them. And on that note, I'm going to check on the repairmen who just arrived at 10 minutes before 11. Whew, that was close..they almost didn't make the time slot of 8am-11am! *laughs hysterically* |
Yesterday
| was an increasingly frustrating day. Everyone was on "my list". Tehehehe Oh, but did it ever turn around. Jeff and I had 3 friends coming over for dinner. Nothing special, just a hey....let's get together and catch up...it's been way too long. Around 6:00, I asked Jeff if he wanted coffee, I was craving my usual machiatto. He immediately said yes. About the time I'm finishing up my cup, the doorbell rings with our first two guests. Who also want a machiatto. I hand them my cup and proceed to make myself another cup. I'm barely getting the flavoring in when our third guest arrives. He wants a mocha like Jeff's. I stop making mine and make his. Then again proceed to finish making my cup all the while seasoning steaks, putting the veggies on the stove top and making a salad. Said first two guests have since finished their cup and I'm getting a pitiful face for another cup. I hand off my newly brewed cup once again, starting my whole process over. Hehehe...there is something to be said about an at home espresso machine that is hardly considered "top of the line", and yet can still make 6 espresso drinks, including steaming over 6 cups of milk, back to back in such a quick amount of time! Jeff, have I thanked you lately for getting me my most favorite piece of kitchen equipment last Christmas? You completely ROCK! Anywho, dinner was fantastic and the conversations that started from the moment everyone walked in the house until 1:30 this morning were unbeatable. We are so blessed with some of the most amazing friends anyone could ever ask for! We laughed so hard that we cried all night long and all left asking why we didn't do this more often. I can't wait for the next time! Kolby was up playing hard WAY past his bedtime with the other kids that came over and he and I are both paying the price this morning. Thankfully he isn't being a terror about it, but I was willing to accept it if he had been. We're both just exhausted though. Tehehe. I'm certain that we will all sleep well tonight......after OF COURSE, the meeting and greeting of Donna tonight at the airport just before 10pm! Yep, yep, we are all super excited that she is coming to visit and thus probably won't be blogging this weekend at all. Unfortunately, I have my CASA training all day Saturday, so I won't get to visit with her as much as I would like. Then Saturday night, we have dinner reservations at the Backdoor Theatre for dinner and a show. Pop's and Mitzi will be joining us for that. YAY! Supposedly, the repair guy is going to be here sometime between 8 and 11am today. He called the house phone yesterday when I finally broke down and knew that I had to leave to go get my car and the steaks for last night as I was running out of time. I was gone for just over an hour out of the entire day and as most anyone would expect, that is when he finally decided to get around to us. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. This wouldn't have been a problem had he called my cell phone. I could have told him that I would be home in 10 minutes but according to the office staff, they had written my cell phone number down incorrectly. Oh well, it is what it is right? While Jeff and I haven't seen the live show from Big Brother 8 that aired last night, we know the outcome thanks to Zoe. She finally got her revenge by bolting into the sunroom where we were all laughing it up exclaiming, "Dick won! Dick won!" And our house is officially divided. Zoe and Jeff are ecstatic that Dick won HOH. Me not so much....okay, not at all! BLAH! Zach, great game....no matter what Zoe says, you played a great game! And on that note, I need to go make myself at least a little presentable as I am volunteering in the school's workroom this morning AND Kolby needs a little 'extra' motivation to get moving this morning. More to come on Monday or Tuesday. Huge, huge hugs and kisses to you all! |
Sharing
| My mom sent me this email. Upon receiving it, I did a very quick Yahoo search which turned up at the top of the list, a memorial page for Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques met his angels on May 30, 2005 while in the line of duty just one short month before he was due to return home. The reply printed below was one of two responses. There was also a response from Col. Robin Rand that was printed in the paper, but apparently didn't make it to this email for whatever reason. The link to the memorial page and the Snopes page (which is where I found the response from the Col.) are at the bottom of this email. This email is being updated by me to show the apology from the man that wrote in with the original complaint. It went unnoticed for the most part. Right or wrong, he made an ignorant statement. Even had there not been "special circumstances" on this particular day, I wish that people would be more open and understanding in regard to those defending our nation. With a husband that is also a fighter pilot and living right on top of the Air Force base here, I often hear complaints of the "noise" myself. My only response is, "isn't it beautiful, the sound of those men and women that have dedicated their lives to protecting YOU and the seriousness and dedication with which they train daily so that they can better protect YOU and HOPEFULLY come home safely after doing so." Please remember that next time you hear one flying over head and are annoyed by the temporary "noise". Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit. The complaint: "Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns' early bird special? Any response would be appreciated." The response: Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son, and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects. The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?" The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives. Lt. Col. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke AF An Apology From the Heart to the Airmen of Luke Jul. 9, 2005 12:00 AM Regarding "Flyby honoring fallen comrade" Letters, June 28): I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to The Republic concerning an Air Force flyby ("A wake-up call from Luke's jets," Letters, June 23). I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known. I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused. This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise. I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged. I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing. Please accept my heartfelt apologies. - Tom MacRae, Peoria http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/fresquesjeremy.html http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp |