When I decided to write this post, I struggled with the terminology to use, but decided to go the Nike route and just do it.  I know that the politically correct thing to say is “the N word,” but that wouldn’t be as effective.  This word is so inflammatory that my husband and I argued over its use in this post.

A few days ago I was at Marshall’s Department Store shopping for my little gift basket business.  When I was on my way back to my car, another car was driving through the parking lot, music (and I use the term loosely) blaring to a rap that was ni##3r this and ni##3r that.  I don’t remember the lyrics, I just remember hearing that one word over and over again.  I’m pretty sure my face was twisted in a manner that made me look like I smelled something repulsive.  And I’m certain that the young man driving the car was amused by my obvious distaste in his choice of music.

I actually hate the N word.  When I was a teenager and someone was called a ni##3r, a fight ensued.  I understand it is a new day.  I understand hip hop music is very popular with young people.  What I don’t understand is why I would pay you to call me a ni##3r.  That is insane.  What is the thought process?  “I have $15 I want to give you to insult me with racial epithets.”  Come on guys, if you don’t have any common sense and can’t understand how disrespectful this is, at least roll up your windows and turn down your music so I don’t have to hear it.

If the weather forecast says it might snow, stores here sell out of bread, milk eggs and other staples.  I don’t get it.  Schools close and church services get canceled.  Today it started snowing around 10:30 AM.  There were huge snow flakes that melted as soon as they hit the ground with a little accumulation on the grass and cars.  Guess what, by 5:00 PM churches had canceled their evening services and schools announced Monday closings.  I looked outside at 6:00 and the streets were bone dry.

People, it’s a little snow, not a blizzard.  Why not wait until Monday morning and see if there are dangerous driving conditions before canceling school.  That’s just another wasted day that students will have to make up and a day parents will lose from work because someone has to stay home with the kids.  Stop panicking, it’s only a little snow!

So, how do you create a run on stores?  Get the local meteorologist to forcast snow, that’l do it!

Why is it that I can have one cable connection for my television, add a router to it and use it to run several lap top computers from any place in my house?  Why then, can’t we use the same technology to run cable TV to the guest room.

When we built our town home, we had the builders install three cable connections:  family room, office and master bedroom.  In hindsight, we should have put a connection in the guest room but we were empty nesters and didn’t want the kids to come visit and get too comfortable with cable in the bedroom.  We wanted them to go back to their own homes (well I wanted them to go back my husband would keep them forever).

Just like most families, we all have different taste in TV.  On Sunday night I want to watch The Unit, Fred want’s to watch sports or CNN and the girls want to watch something else.  So back to the original question – where is the geek squad when we need them?  I know there’s a solution to this problem.  Could it be that the cable people just want to make more money by coming out to install another outlet?  I don’t know, I just want another cable connection without drilling a hole in the wall!

I have another blog where I talk about being a caregiver for my god-sister (Gladys), it’s called A Caregiver’s Journal.  My last two posts on that blog focus on my sister’s cat, Lexie who has been sick.  She’s lethargic and walks like a drunk.    Anyway I had to take the cat to the vet to be treated for a condition similar to vertigo.  They gave me three prescriptions and instructions on how to give the pills to the cat.

For the first three days Lexie was sick, she would not eat so I had to call the vet several times and they told me to either feed her baby food or broiled chicken with white rice.  Well, this afternoon the vet called to see how Lexie is progressing and if she is eating.  I was stunned.

Why was I stunned?  Because at least once a month, I take my 82 year old god-sister to the doctor.  Not only do they not call to check on her, they often forget to make her follow-up appointments and call in prescriptions.  In November Gladys had a seizure and a mini stroke.  We had to rush her to the hospital.  The emergency room doctor said to follow-up with Gladys’ regular physician and make an appointment with a neurologists as soon as possible.  The doctor’s office said they would make the appointment with the neurologist.  After 3 weeks no appointment had been made and every time I called and asked about it, I was told, “We’re working on it.”  WHAT!

Eventually I made the appointment myself.  So, what’s wrong with this picture?  The animal doctor is more attentive than the people doctor.  It’s a sad state of affairs when a veterinarian provides better customer service than a geriatrician.

I’m sure some of you are wondering why I’m still with this doctor.  I’m looking for another but there are very few geriatricians in this area and the feedback that I’ve gotten on the other’s is not good.  I’m working on it!

In the mean time, I’m thinking about asking the vet’s office to offer some training to the doctor’s office.

Last week the Today Show did a little segment on the blanket with sleeves.  They were amazed at how well it is selling.  All of the anchors – Matt, Meridith, Al and Ann – were on the set wrapped up in a Snuggie.  Matt had to eat his words because he had previously said he wouldn’t be caught dead in a Snuggie.  Who knew these things would be selling like hot cakes.

Popular belief is that this item has sold so well because of the economy.  People have turned the thermostat down and wrapped up in the Snuggie and that may be but, if it’s about the economy, why spend the money?  Why wouldn’t you just wrap up in a blanket?  So what people are really buying are sleeves?  Call me crazy, but that’s a little strange.

Since I’m not one to follow the latest craze (unless it’s electronic), I’m still wrapping up in my well worn blanket.  I keep it in the coat closet behind the tv.  It’s been there for years, just waiting for me and the tv.  I’ve had it for years and didn’t spend extra money for it.  It doesn’t have sleeves and it’s not pretty but it keeps me warm.