Lots of thoughts

Random?  Yes, I can deliver random.

I am sick to death of the water issue, but extremely angered by the towns cover-up.  My husband was down right LIED to on Sunday, resulting in 6 hours without water with NO preparation.  I'm now emailing news stations.  I doubt that anything will come of it since we're so far out of KC, but it makes me feel better to gripe.

So AOL journals are closing down.  Big deal.  I know that many of you are hooked on AOHELL, but life exists beyond here, I promise.  I threatened to leave one time, and many of you said that you'd miss me, but wouldn't visit me elsewhere.  Now there is no choice.  So what do we do?

I have a couple of ideas. (1) I can open a message board for all of us to post our new links to.  In that message board, we could encourage each other and offer help to those who struggle to deal with a new format. (2) I can offer another journal as a place to post links, and we can all bookmark the new ones from there.

I think the first idea is the best.  There is a free service for message boards, and sign up is free.  If ya'll are willing, I'm sure Mom would help me manage it, and we'd all count on each other to answer questions as they come in.  It's easy.  Trust me.

Finally, if you feel that there is NO way you'll ever blog again, then you've made your choice.  In the words of a Rush song "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!"

Please, let me know.  I could have the message boards up and running by tomorrow evening.  It's not hard, and I'm not scared.  Let's move on, and encourage each other.

If you've ever, or NEVER commented before, sound off on this one, OK?

The end of a great weekend.

What an awesome weekend.  I am so blessed.

I had to work yesterday, teaching web classes, but they were the most successful classes that we've ever done.

I got to chill out in the evening, watching TV and visiting with family.

We gathered back at Mom and Dad's again today, and enjoyed good food, and I got to watch the race on Mom's big screen in HD!

On commercials, I flipped back and forth and saw the Chiefs FINALLY win!  Over the BRONCOS!  YeeeHawww

Tonight, it's season premiere time for all of my Sunday shows.

Yup.  I've got it pretty good...boil order and all.

Ready for Sunday

It's going to be an awesome day!  We will have a gathering for Aunt Rena's birthday, including lots of good food.  I'm in charge of the chili.  We're going to have football party type food.  Mom's making her hot hamburger dip. 

The NASCAR race is in Kansas City, and even though I can't go, it's neat to know that they're here.  Heck, I passed Dale Jr.'s trailer on the way to work the other day.  That made me feel pretty darn fast.  HA! 

My BFF Tammy called yesterday morning to invite me to the Nationwide race.  They had an extra ticket!  Did I go?  Nope.  I was at work, teaching web classes.  *sigh*  That would have been awesome.  Maybe next year.

OK, time to shower and get ready for the day.  I hope yours is a good one.

My famous house

Well, we made the news.  Here is one video, which shows the wrong water tower.  I guess any story is a good story to these folks.

http://www.kctv5.com/video/17563456/index.html

This one shows the right water tower, and at the beginning, the house and yard in the background is MY house!  This video was down for a bit, but they've assured me it will be fixed shortly.

http://www.kmbc.com/video/17568474/index.html

Bad news/good news

Bad news:  They've extended the boil "advisory" through tomorrow.  Ugh.  They must be finding something, or they wouldn't keep extending it, right?  That was my first thought.  Stay with me until the end for the "what happened" portion.

Good news: I stopped by Mom's (she was home for a bit today) and got her 7 gallon water jug, and filled it with precious well water from their house!  WoooHooo!  No boiling tonight unless I want to do dishes!  (I don't.)

This water jug is my new best friend.  I heart this water jug.  I guess you can tell that from the pictures.

I'm home safely, with my ego in good shape.  I kicked BUTT today!  I started to let little stuff bother me, but then I realized that it would only be a bad day if I allowed it to be.  Therefore, I buckled down and kept my nose in my work, and I kicked BUTT!

Now, for what happened.  This is a part of a story in a local newspaper.  Scroll to the fourth story.  This will NOT be accurate after next Thursday.  The link will be the same, the stories different. They don't tell the whole thing here, or nobody would buy the paper.

Now, do you understand why I'm so grossed out????

Scream with me, "EEEEEWWWWWWWWW!

UPDATE!

New info, as of this evening, on a local news channel:

  The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has issued a boil water order for Wellington, Missouri after the water may have been tampered with. 

Department officials declared the boil order after a security breech and tampering incident at the elevated storage tank on Lydia Street in Lafayette County.

The initial tests conducted at the tank turned up positive for total coliform bacteria. So, the department is elevating an advisory it issued on September 22 to a boil order. 

Vandalism and tampering with a water supply is a federal offense.  Any information regarding the tampering incident should be reported to Loa law enforcement.  Any suspicious activities seen around public water supply facilities should be report to local law enforcement and public water supply staff immediately. 

The order will remain in effect until water samples indicate that chemical and bacteria contamination is no longer there.

Scream again?  EEEEEWWWWWWW!

Do not bend, fold, or mutilate

What a crappy day.  I caused two remakes at work.  Sure, it's two in over 6 months, but it's two that I had to fix today.  I had a coworker second-guess me, which makes me think that folks expect me to fail.  I had another coworker start another conversation with, "Hey, just so you know, you're not the ONLY one to screw up errors." (I fix software errors daily.) And she ended the same conversation with, "I just wanted to make you feel better."  Thanks.

I have had self-doubt all day, and been on the verge of tears most of the day.  Some of it is the insensitivity of others:  Most of it is my own mistakes, biting me in the butt.  My customers are SO understanding, and my employers trust that I'm the right person for this job.  However, I can't STAND to mess up.  E.V.E.R.

Then, came the text message.  "The boil advisory has been extended through Thursday." (emphasis mine)  Awesome.  If Mom was home, I would have borrowed their 5-gallon water jug, and filled it at their house, from their well.  She's at the hospital, though.  With my Aunt who just had surgery.

Speaking of worrying about ill relatives, I was out in production today, asking a question, when my cell phone rang.  I usually look to see who's calling, then put it back and wait for lunch to return the call.  I looked down and saw, "Dad."  CRAP!  WHAT'S WRONG?

I answered, and he said, "Hi Sis.  Can you take Sadie out to potty after work?"  LOL  Sure dad.  I'll be happy to.  I'm even happier that nothing is wrong.  *sigh*  I think I need to calm down.

I had a good cry on the way home, and now I'm in my bubble.  Don't you DARE mess with me in my bubble!  I can handle life here.  Water "advisories" and all.

The boil order...some of the details

OK, I can't tell you what I've heard, because it hasn't come out completely yet.  Come to your own conclusions.

Every small town (almost every town) has someone climb the water tower at some point.  It's a given, and it's almost expected.  You just hope that it's not your kids, and you hope that whomever does it doesn't fall to their death.  Someone climbed our water tower recently.  I'm not sure when. (That makes it worse.)

Someone, according to the minimal news blurb, "tampered" with the water tower.  As a "precaution," we are under a boil order.  The Department of Natural Resources will test the water, and then let us know.  I HOPE they let us know.

Here are the facts:  Someone climbed the water tower.  They then removed the bolts that hold on the access cover.  They then removed the access cover.  Those are the only FACTS that I know.  What I've heard is scary, but it's not been confirmed yet, so I'll wait and see how it plays out.

The police and water department left the area by 5:30 yesterday.  If I hadn't called around to our neighborhood "source," I wouldn't have known about the boil order.  The school sent a text message, but it was after 6:30.  Nothing on the news.  Nothing anywhere.

I finally called the few people for whom I have phone numbers around town, and walked to a couple of neighbor's homes to let them know.  They had no idea.  There are many elderly in this town, who do NOT get texts from the school.  This morning, it was on ONE local news station.  That's it.

How many people are still drinking this water?  How long will I have to wonder if 5 minutes of boiling is enough?  (the DNR says 3, so I'm going for 5.)  How long was the water "compromised" before we stopped drinking it.

*shudder*

More later.

Oh joy

We're under a boil order.  *sigh*

I heard what happened in our water tower, but I'll wait until I see it published before I say so.

Ick.

Relaxin'

This may have been the most relaxing Saturday I've had in a long time.  Other than a WalMart run, I have been quite useless.  I like this.

Our friends, Brian and Heather, came up to spend the weekend.  They go to the Renaissance Festival each fall, and stay here at night, so they don't have to drive up from Carthage, attend the festival, and drive back home.  We had a good time visiting last night. 

When they head back here this evening, they'll call to let us know that they're on the way, and we'll have a cookout.  It's been a beautiful day, actually a beautiful week, and I'm loving it.  I better go get the baked beans ready, so I can pop them in the oven when it's time.

A phone conversation-this morning

Here is a glimpse into a typical morning around here:  By the way, the girls only walk 4 blocks to school.

Me: Hello?
Monica: Hey, Mom?
Me: Yeah?
Monica: We can't walk to school without gagging!
Me: What's wrong?
Monica: I smell dog poop, and the neighbor's horse pooped in the road and there are dead frogs EVERYWHERE!
Me: Hold your nose, and keep walking.
Monica: Mom, it's real bad!
Me: I know, but you can't just stay home because it smells bad outside, right?
Monica: I know, Mom, but it's nasty.
Me: OK, call me when you get to school.
Monica: OK.

Five minutes later:

Me: Hello?
Monica: Hi, Mom.  We're at school.
Me: Good, you made it!
Monica: Yeah, but it was gross.
Me: Gross?
Monica: Yeah, there are intestines everywhere!
Me: I'm sorry about the dead frogs.
Monica: You don't have to be sorry.  You didn't run over them...or DID you?
Me: Have a good day, honey. I love you.
Monica: I love you, too, Mom.

This is a typical morning.  Yes, this is my family, and this is my life.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

New Hampshire, in a nutshell

I'm glad to be home.  More than you could know.  I am going to save this, however, before I lose all of those images.

Ready to head home

Still no Internet in the room.  The entire hotel is without Internet.  *sigh*  What that means is, I have to use the Sprint Internet card from work.  That only works on my Mac side, so if I boot in Windows, no Internet.  To load pictures, I have to be on Windows.  Headache?  Me too.  It's messy.

Anywho, we're leaving this morning for a 12:55 flight.  I'll be home in time for the finale of Big Brother with my family.  Pictures from there!

Rachel

Day 2

There are pictures.  I took pictures.  I have those pictures on my camera.

However, due to some Internet connection issues, they won't be posted tonight.  After dealing with the tech guy (from India) for a while, he instructed me to call the front desk and let them know that I needed a new modem.  They informed ME that those guys were gone until 7 tomorrow.

After admitting defeat and climbing into bed, I remembered that we had the wireless card from work.  DUH!  Now I'm online, and too damn tired to upload pictures.  

Here are some false advertising and complaint points from the Radisson, Nashua:
1. The beds here are NOT sleep number, although all literature swears that they are.  The front desk said that they haven't all be changed over yet.  Whatever.
2. The Internet, although free, is NOT wireless.  Wireless is available only in the lobby.  Tonight, the Ethernet connection isn't even working.
3. A trash bag full of dirty towels sat outside of our room for 3-4 hours this afternoon.  Tasty.
4. This is a scary part of town.  Every time we go somewhere after dark, and get out of the car, I feel that I'm going to be shot.

OK, it's not a horrible place, but there are issues.  I'm just sayin'.

From New Hampshire

We got to Nashua yesterday around 2, checked in, and got to our room to find that there was a king bed.  I like Michelle and all, but not like THAT!  We came back down to the desk to straighten it out, and got a room on the first floor.  I'll go into the issues of this room another time, but it is a nice hotel over all.

After checking in, we worked our butts off, setting up that booth.  It is, by far, the most difficult booth to erect.  Our third teammate showed up as we were having dinner (they kicked us out of the trade show area for 90 minutes or so) and she helped us finish up. 

When we were done, Michelle and I found a Target to buy a few things that we needed for the booth, and I bought a pair of black shoes, since mine are tucked safely away at home.  *sigh*  I always forget something.  By the time we got back, we were pretty beat, so we relaxed a bit, and went to sleep around midnight.

This morning, it's raining here.  That's probably our fault.  We brought it with us.  I'm a little cranky that the NASCAR race is so nearby, in Louden, and I can't go.  I'll get over it, though.  Who wants to fight those crowds in the rain?  Not I.

OK, time to get dressed and get to breakfast.  In two hours, we'll put the finishing touches on the booth, then we'll be busy in the trade show for 6 hours.  Tonight?  Pictures.  Definitely.  You've been warned.

Stuff 'N Stuff

Brett came out to grab the girls and take them to the Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest for an hour or so.  I am packing to grab a red-eye to New Hampshire.  Kevin is watching movies on his computer.  *sigh*  Crazy stuff.

There are tornadoes going on, but they are going North of us, so I'll enjoy the thunder and keep packing, until the news tells me to do otherwise.

History channel showed the "102 minutes that changed America" last night, and I cried.  I even cried again, thinking about it this morning.  If it's on again, I suggest you watch.  I'm just sayin'.

Have a great weekend!

See you Friday

Friends, I won't be on here tomorrow.  I know, my posts aren't daily, but I want to make a point here.

Tomorrow is 9-11.  My kids get to do the freedom walk tomorrow, and are to wear red, white and blue.  Kevin's uniform is red, white and blue.  I will wear my American flag shirt.

Why?  What does this accomplish?  Does it save the world?  No.  BUT...

My brother went to war to defend my rights.  My BFF's son lost his hand to defend my rights.  Folks are fighting, AS WE SPEAK to defend my rights.  I will show my respect tomorrow.

Respect for those who have died, respect for those fighting now, and respect for my country.  Yeah, this country has a lot of problems, but I wouldn't live anywhere else.  My family will be offline tomorrow, just to pause for those who sacrifice, and have sacrificed.

I'll see you on Friday.

New Stuff!

It's so exciting to get new stuff!  Aunt Charlene was here, and they were moving stuff out of their farmhouse, to take to St. Louis (long story.)  They don't have room for everything, so a lot of family members are making out big!

My grandma used to sell Avon, and she collected the Cape Cod dishes for me.  I have a full set, still in the boxes, because I've never owned a china cabinet.  Guess what?  Yup, I'm set now.

With that in the dining room, the dining room had to relocate.  When you're cooking, it gets pretty hot there, next to the kitchen, anyway, and now there wasn't enough space for the table/chairs. 

Kevin's suggestion was to take the North half of the "computer room" and turn it into a dining area.  Confused yet?  The aquarium will need to come out of there, but that's OK, I want it in the living room, anyway.

The coolest thing, though, is the desk.  Pat had a beautiful, custom made desk.  Solid Oak, 6' wide and 6' tall.  It is awesome.  It will hold Kevin's computer, and the desk that he currently uses will go to his Mom. 

My computer will stay on the desk it's on, but probably move to the South wall.  I like to have them close to each other, for the wires, modems and such.  That end of the room still needs some thought.

The North end of the "computer room" will now be a dining area.  It's nice and bright in there, and that room is all windows on three sides.  It's farther from the kitchen, but not too far, really.  It's just across the old dining area.

Wow, I'm confusing things more.  Just check out the pictures.  Maybe that will help.  Maybe not.  Good Luck.

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_1

Cleanin' and Chillin'

I'm cleaning house in short bursts, and chillin' out between those bursts.  The girls are working on their rooms, and it's scary down there, so I'm avoiding the basement right now.

The new hot water heater rocks my world.  I'm just sayin'.  Remember that other expense we had this weekend?  The propane folks were supposed to come and put some propane in the tank, and we were to leave a check in the lid of the tank.  Kevin went out to check last night, and the check is there, the propane is not.

Just. Groovy.

I'm glad it's not winter!  We'll be able to make it until Monday, but it's frustrating that they didn't do what they agreed to do.  Oh well. 

Tonight, my employer is giving us a Customer Service Appreciation steak dinner.  The funny part is, we've been trying to do this since January!  Our spouses are invited, but not families, so the girls will be left out, but they aren't huge fans of steak, anyway.  Plus, they'd be bored with the speeches.  Natalie wants to go to hang with Grandpa, Monica is undecided.

OK, time for another wave of cleaning.  As I look around my bedroom, I see a good place to start next.  LOL

Have a wonderful weekend!

A PSA

This is a Public Service Announcement.  If you know about this, then help spread the word.  If not, you're welcome in advance.

Today, I had the chance to introduce one of Monica's teachers to Open Office.  If you don't have Microsoft Office, and find yourself in need of Word, Excel, or other Office tools, please go check out Open Office.

Open Office is a free software that allows you to open and edit Office documents, as well as create and save documents in formats that are readable by Microsoft Office.  Microsoft Office is NOT a free software bundle, but Open Office is.

What do I get out of saying this?  Nothing but the satisfaction of knowing that maybe, JUST maybe, I can save someone some grief.  It's not the same software, but with some playing around, you can find out how to do anything that can be done with the paid version.

Homework just got a lot cheaper.

It's late.  Time to climb down off my soapbox.

You're welcome.

Time for a camera dump

Once in a while, I realize that I have a month's worth of images on my camera, and that I haven't posted any here for a long time.  Then, I do a camera dump.  From the dump, I pick some worthy of sharing, copy all to my external drive, then format the camera card to start over.  Today was the day.  That's why the pictures are so random.

The poor, leaky, rusty hot water heater finally bit the big one.  Dad came over to try to get it lit and deemed it completely unsafe.  We are beyond broke this week, and have to buy propane on Friday, so this was quite depressing, until Dad offered to loan us the $$ to get a new one.

God bless helpful parents.  Helpful and knowledgeable.  Dad helped Kevin wire the basement so that we were able to buy an electric one (half the price) which will cut down on propane usage, as well.  Sure, electric will go up a bit, but that propane bites us a couple times a year, so each appliance that we get off it is a positive step forward.

I have really enjoyed the long break from work.  We have relaxed, grilled out, completed a couple of projects, and just generally enjoyed the time.  Tomorrow, it's back to work, but I can go back knowing that laundry is done, and my basement no longer has a river running through it.

OK, I'm out.  Have a great evening!

Vacation is about to end...

So, I have had time to enjoy 4 days off, and I have one day to go.  Gustav is a wussy.  I'm just sayin'.

The cats will soon find a new home, whether they want to or not.  We're done dealing with it, and the girls aren't holding up their end of the bargain, anyway.  So, although I'll miss them, the cats will be gone.  Anyone want a couple of beautiful, loving cats?  Front declawed and "fixed?"  Anyone?  No?  I thought not.  Cats are a dime a dozen, but this will make me sad.

Anyway, if we unload the cats, the next step is to get Hawkeye flea-free, or get rid of him, too.  My plan is to have him live at Mom's for a month or so.  We'll still buy his food and stuff, but he loves it there, and they love him, and it would give us time to de-flea the place.  We will NEVER get rid of him. He's a huge part of this family.

Seriously.  This is where we are right now.  I can't live like this, and I will NOT live with bugs.  Roaches, fleas or any other bug.  It is NOT OK to live here, so they must go.

I still don't know exactly what we'll do, but I'm pretty sure that we have it planned out.  Now, I just don't want my girls to hate me, or my parents to resent me.  That's all.  I hope that's not too big of a quest.

I have to go to sleep now.  I'm sad and tired and suffering from mixed feelings.  I think it will be best when I go back to work.  LOL