Errant Appliances

Yes, I have really pissed off the oven gods.

Right now, in the back of my mind, while I have other stuff to do, I’m trying to figure out the best way to make Thanksgiving dinner.  For years I have done everything myself, save the pumpkin pies, which my sister in law does so much better than anyone.  But a couple of weeks ago, my oven broke.  I don’t yet have the money for the repairs, nor do I have a clue as to what’s broke.  I only know that I can turn it on, preheat it, have it stay on about 9 minutes or so, then it shuts off by itself.  So, I can bake some biscuits, but very little else.  No turkey is going to fly out of it anytime soon.

This is the fourth appliance to expire.  The TV was first (if you want to call it an appliance), just sound, no picture.  It’s plasma, so it’ll cost more to fix than to buy a new one.  Next, the washing machine.  It was the drum.  Fortunately, it was still under warranty, but I still had to pay for the labor.  After that, the dishwasher.  I haven’t a clue what’s wrong with it, just that a piece from the inside has broken off (the part that squirts the water) and nothing gets clean.  Next came the oven.

I guess I've pissed off several appliance gods.

I told my sister in law of my predicament, and she loaned me both her electric roaster and electric rotisserie so I can make both a turkey and a ham.  That, along with my crock pot (for slow cooked baked beans) will be my contribution.  My son has decided he will risk it and he will be making the biscuits since the oven doesn’t have to work very long anyway.  He did a trial run on Sunday and they baked up nice, right before the oven shut off.

I’m really hoping that I don’t piss off the refrigerator gods…

Where were you?

Where were you 11 years ago today?

I was home.  And I have thanked the Lord for it since.

It was otherwise a perfect fall day.  I was getting ready for work, as I normally do.  My husband was home that day, not a work day for him.  The kids were getting ready for school.  My older daughter was already at work (Disneyland).  My youngest was crawling around on the floor playing with his toys, waiting for me to get ready so I could take him to day care.

My husband started yelling from the den, "Hey, come and take a look at this...  Some idiot flew a plane into the World Trade Center".  "You're kidding me," I replied.  "Planes have been flying around that place for decades, and no pilot has ever hit a building there."

I walked out into the den.  The television was on.  It was showing smoke billowing out of one building.  I was watching for less than a minute, when the reporter on the television started yelling just as another airplane hit the opposite building.  My eyes began to sting with vicarious smoke, and I came to the realization that it was my own tears stinging my eyes.  Of all the inane, cruel and evil acts to ever be committed.  This was the most senseless, mass murder of 5,000 plus people.

I was numb.

Some minutes later my daughter called.  Apparently Disneyland was on some kind of "list" as a target place, so all non-essential employees were being sent home.

I exhaled.

As soon as I counted all heads, fingers and toes, I went to work; my husband elected to have everyone stay home.  The kids piled blankets and pillows all over the den and consoled each other.

At work, my coworkers and I continued to watch as other planes crashed into other places, killing more of God's children.  Why?  What could possibly be accomplished by these apparent random acts of violence?  We quickly took care of all urgent tasks where public safety was concerned, and were told to go home to be with our families.

It occurred to all of us, I think, that when we tell someone 'goodbye' as we go about our tasks for the day, we always took for granted that that special someone would be greeting us at the end of our day. But there are no guarantees.  There never were.

I try to remember to be the kindest that I can be when I depart from a loved one - even if we were fighting just moments ago.  Something may happen in the course of the day that might take us from each other.  Of all things, regret is by far the worst emotion.

I believe something happened to us that day as a nation - as Americans.  Maybe we got a little more careful.  Maybe we seem a little more fearful - maybe not.  Maybe we say "I love you" more - and actually mean it.  Maybe we hug a little longer, kiss a little deeper, and love a little truer.

When I think of this tragedy, and others that have happened throughout history, I like to think of what Gandhi said about it "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always."

And this gives me comfort.

Hostages of the Madness

While I'm sitting here writing tonight, I know that the pearly gates have swung wide, and the golden streets of heaven are populated by a few more sweet souls than this time yesterday evening.  I am in deep and prayerful thought for those people in Aurora, Colorado; the families, friends and loved ones of those hurt or killed.  People all over the United States today have taken the time to hug their children a little longer, kissed their spouses a little more endearingly, and were just generally more thoughtful of others today - you know, the way we are all supposed to behave to one another.

I've spoken to a few people about it, and they say that they do not want to go out anymore, don't want to see movies anymore, and so on and that's just madness.

We should not put our lives on hold because of a misguided and perhaps mentally ill individual that cannot distinguish reality from fantasy.  He's not the first sick person to terrorize the world and he certainly won't be the last.

Instead, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back on the horse - and we refuse to be a hostage to the madness.

How can you not love gravy?

I love gravy.  I dream about it even.

My first memory of gravy when I was about 4 or 5 years old, living in Martinsville, Indiana.  My Aunt Patsy made the best gravy on the planet, and still does to this day.

"What do you want for breakfast, Ellie?" she would say.  "Biscuits and gravy," I would say.  "Don't you get tired of biscuits and gravy all the time?"  "Nope".

That was one of the main reasons why I was completely in shock when my granddaughter, Makayla, had a tearful outburst over the heavenly substance the rest of the world knows as gravy.  Makayla is the only child of our child number 4 out of 6, Pamela, who is in the Navy.

As a treat, sometimes on Saturday's or Sunday's, I make turkey loaf. It's not quite an entire turkey, but is great for one meal for just a few people.

This one particular Saturday, I made the turkey roll, green beans, a nice salad and mashed potatoes with a nice brown gravy (and biscuits of course).  My husband, Jerry and my youngest son, Benjamin love to drizzle (or dump) the gravy all over everything - their food might as well be swimming in it.  They are people after my own heart.

Makayla, who was just 3 years old at the time was sitting in her chair fidgeting a bit waiting for her meal to be served to her.  I cut the turkey into very small pieces, and dashed a little gravy on it, along with the mashed potatoes.

What came next will be the subject of controversy for years to come.  Makayla began to pout, which turned into a whimper, which transformed into a sob, which concluded in a wail.  "Grandma, I can't eat this."  "What's the matter, Makayla?"  "Grandma, I don't like this food!"  "Why not, Makayla?" 

"Grandma, this food is dirty!".

Probably from her father's side of the family...

Some Things I have Learned

I’ve learned that you can’t fix everything or everyone.

I’ve learned that I have to accept things for what they are, people for who they are and me for me.

I’ve learned that Murphy’s Law is for real and Karma is a real bad mother.

I’ve learned that when I think I may be at the end of my rope, there’s always someone there, albeit my heavenly father, to either tie a knot in it for me to hold on, or to tie more rope on the end to get me through it.

I’ve learned that the majority of people’s problems are based on misunderstanding.

I’ve learned that, although I question things that don’t make sense – like why do hot dogs come in an 8 pack while the buns come in a 10 pack – I’m still not going to get an answer.

I’ve learned that it’s OK to dream, to cry, to laugh, to morn, to be happy, to be angry, to be sad and to love.  It’s not OK to hate.

I’ve learned that the minimum daily requirement for hugs has not yet been established.

I’ve learned that the only answer to a futile endeavor is to just give up.

I’ve learned that while it’s my responsibility to teach others when I can, it’s also my responsibility to learn from them at the same time.

I’ve learned that the best answer is the truth, and the best action is to do good – even when I don’t particularly want to.

I’ve learned that there’s just no good way to stop the hiccups.

I’ve learned that I don’t know everything there is to know, and I still have much more to learn.

Ben at Shriner's Hospital

Check out Ben’s new Vlog!

House Resolution 615

U.S. Congressman John C. Fleming, M.D. has reintroduced House Resolution 615 to force Congress to live with the laws they create for everybody else; namely the new health care law.  Congress will now “enjoy” the same benefits offered to you and me.  To see the press release, click here. 

To visit the Congressman’s website, go to:  http://www.fleming.house.gov/

To view further details on H.R. 615, show support and receive newsletters, go to:  http://fleming.house.gov/HRes615/