Why Do They Do That?

Standing in line at Walmart I again witnessed something that boggles my mind. A lady was waiting in line (I was two people behind her) for about two minutes and then it was her time to purchase her items. The clerk rang up her items and then the lady started to open her pocket book to find her money. Is it a female thing because this happens a lot. Why can't they just start the process while their items are being rung up.
Driving on the highway there is always one car (or more) that insist on driving in the left lane at or below the speed limit. They never pull over to the right and they generally have a NY license plate.

Hummer H3

I have owned a Hummer H3 for three years. Numerous times a person will ask me about the gas mileage. They all want to know how expensive it is to have a "gas guzzler". I always ask them what do they drive and how many miles do they drive each year. Most if not all state that they travel about 15,000 to 20,000 miles each year. I have 12,000 miles on my H3 after three years. Who owns the gas guzzler?

John Wooden Maxims

The smallest good deed is better than the best intention.
Don't let yesterday take up to much of today.
What is right is more important than who is right.
If we magnified blessings as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier.
Being average means you are as close to the bottom as you are the top.
You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for another without thought about return.
Forget favors given; remember those received.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Acquire peace of mind by making the effort to become the best of which you are capable.
Coach Wooden passed away today (June 5, 2010)at the age of 99.

It Ain't Heavy!

Working at Fitchburg Plumbing Supply when I was younger was not always a pleasant experience. My father would call and ask if I was interested in working. This generally meant that a truck was delivering a shipment. The worst shipments were boilers, SlantFin, steel pipe or soil pipe. Each of these shipments meant hand carrying many items or very heavy items. SlantFin was the worst because after unloading hundreds of 3' to 8' boxes your shoulder would be sore for several days. Breaking back a several hundred lb boiler was dangerous because you needed to break it on the hand truck but keep your balance with an item that out weighted you by hundreds of lbs. One day my father asked me to move a boiler plate from the dock to the building. This section of a boiler was on a cart with a handle. While I put my 145 lb weight into it and the cart didn't move at all. I continued to try with no luck. I went upstairs to see my father and he told me to follow him to the dock. He proceeded in trying to move it and he also didn't move it an inch. It seems the boiler plate weighted over 2000 lbs. I had the last laugh!

Family Friends

My whole life has had some involvement with dogs. As a very young child the family had a little white dog named Sugar. Sad to say but Sugar was struck and killed by a car. My father introduced Beagles (we had several) to a Great Dane puppy. Again tragedy struck for my father was working on the family water well and the cement cover was off when the Great Dane puppy went running towards the hole. I saw it and tried to stop him but he fell down the well. I quickly went down the well but I was to late. I remember a Bull Dog that my father brought home but it wouldn't let my mother in the room. The dog didn't stay long. My cousins ( lived next door) got a German Shepard/Collie mix puppy and my father got the kids in the car to go get our family a sibling of that dog. We came back home with five little puppies. My mother was not happy and three of the dogs were returned. However, Peggy and Baby became family pets and lived about 14 years. After I got married we had several dogs. Bergen (a hotdog) didn't last long because he bite a neighbor. Rufus was a beagle that was very high strung. When loose he would run and run and seemed to have Energizer Batteries. In Townsend we received a gift from Uncle John by the name of Heidi, an overweight Beagle. Heidi eventually ended up living in Ashby with my parents. Heidi weighted about 45 pounds and he loved the fields around my parent's home. Heidi lost all of his weight ( chasing rabbits??) and looked great. However, I think he realized he wasn't going to catch a rabbit and he put the weight back on. Our next dog was Posner, a black Miniature Schnauzer, one of my favorite dogs and was named by Ashley. Again, Posner escaped from our home and was struck and killed by a car where we now live in CT. We had picked up a little White Maltese which we named Harmony (PICTURED ABOVE). Harmony became Linda's dog and she lived with us for 8 years. Harmony had a bad heart and we miss her warm personality. After Posner died we picked up a Cairn Terrier, Zachory as a companion for Harmony. Zack quickly became my friend. We have since picked up a Westie by the name of Zoey. Both Zack and Zoey are important members of our family and are always happy to see us.

Car Games Growing Up

There are many games that are played by youngsters. On Sundays or vacation time the family would travel to Worcester (Uncle Eddie's) or Stinson Lake in N.H. One of our favorite games was trying to recognize a certain type of car before the others in the car. One game was called "beaver" and that was recognizing a station wagon first. The other game was "beetle" for VWs.

Selling A Home

Situated on a picturesque .83 acres, this beautiful 3 bedroom cape boasts central air (new in 2009), stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, hardwood floors, 2 car attached garage, 2 fireplaces and more. Relax on your large private deck and enjoy the views of the beautiful,private and professionally landscaped backyard with a gentle stream. Coldwell Banker Home Warranty Included! We have had our home on the market since Oct 09. Very little action and it has been a little frustrating. Our plan is to sell the home and purchase a new home in the Central Mass area. I would however, continue to live in the Norwalk area for the next three years. The reason for moving is to be closer to family and friends. I need to complete 3 more years to earn a CT pension. If we sell and buy it would mean we have to travel a little more on weekends. Linda's company is relocating and Linda is not going to continue to work. This will allow her to do the many things she needs to do such as volunteer, get new home ready, see the grand kids more, etc.
June 1st and we have an offer that we have accepted. Now we have to wait and see how the inspection goes as well as their financing. We are now in high gear to find a home in the Central Mass area. We have seen about 10 homes on the internet that look good with a reasonable price.