The following is a sentence you never hear in church. "Uh, your Bible is pulling your top down." Stretchy v-neck top caught on a suede Bible cover = ROFL.
How embarrassing. Hopefully, Tim was the only one that noticed. So nice to visit our son's church on vacation.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Bump Outs make exciting driving
I laughed out loud at the sign as we passed. We were traveling in Illinois in such torrential rains that Interstate 80/94 in the Chicago area was shut down. Tim and I were on our way to a Sunday wedding and taking the slow scenic route due to the rain. We were not having a happy time.
Somewhere in the Chicago suburbs there was a sign posted that read, "No driving on the shoulder of the road." The sign itself wasn't funny, but I got tickled anyway. I said to Tim, "I guess they have some Indiana people driving over here and had to put up a sign."
Indiana drivers and roads are unique. Having moved here from a lifetime in Illinois, I noticed this phenomenon right away. It took a while to get used to it, but I have adapted. At least in our area, a suburb of Indy, no one seems to think that widening the road to at least four lanes seems to be necessary. It doesn't seem to matter that the roads are congested with traffic. No extra lanes are built. The transportation department merely creates bump outs.
I had never experienced a bump out before in Illinois. A bump out is a curved piece of road that looks like an elongated backward "c" on the right side of the road. The bump out occurs when there is a possibility of a left turn off the main road. Passing on the right in Indiana is the norm, at least where we live. The theory is that if you are making a left hand turn off a major road, the bump out will allow cars behind you to zoom past you on the right. It works fairly well, but honestly, we could use a few wider roads with more lanes.
I really don't mind the bump outs, I use them frequently. The only thing that really bugs me is that people will pass you on the right even if there isn't a bump out. They just zoom around on the shoulder of the road. Those drivers are scary, because sometimes the shoulder isn't all that wide and is right next to a deep ditch. YIKES! In fact, every time I drive to church there is a possibility that this little excitement will occur. There is no bump out for our left turn into the church parking lot.
I could see that at the location of the sign in Illinois there were nice wide blacktopped shoulders to the road. People from Indiana must surely drive in Illinois frequently and need a little reminder that not everyone drives like they're passing at the Indianapolis 500. Ya gotta love it!
Somewhere in the Chicago suburbs there was a sign posted that read, "No driving on the shoulder of the road." The sign itself wasn't funny, but I got tickled anyway. I said to Tim, "I guess they have some Indiana people driving over here and had to put up a sign."
Indiana drivers and roads are unique. Having moved here from a lifetime in Illinois, I noticed this phenomenon right away. It took a while to get used to it, but I have adapted. At least in our area, a suburb of Indy, no one seems to think that widening the road to at least four lanes seems to be necessary. It doesn't seem to matter that the roads are congested with traffic. No extra lanes are built. The transportation department merely creates bump outs.
I had never experienced a bump out before in Illinois. A bump out is a curved piece of road that looks like an elongated backward "c" on the right side of the road. The bump out occurs when there is a possibility of a left turn off the main road. Passing on the right in Indiana is the norm, at least where we live. The theory is that if you are making a left hand turn off a major road, the bump out will allow cars behind you to zoom past you on the right. It works fairly well, but honestly, we could use a few wider roads with more lanes.
I really don't mind the bump outs, I use them frequently. The only thing that really bugs me is that people will pass you on the right even if there isn't a bump out. They just zoom around on the shoulder of the road. Those drivers are scary, because sometimes the shoulder isn't all that wide and is right next to a deep ditch. YIKES! In fact, every time I drive to church there is a possibility that this little excitement will occur. There is no bump out for our left turn into the church parking lot.
I could see that at the location of the sign in Illinois there were nice wide blacktopped shoulders to the road. People from Indiana must surely drive in Illinois frequently and need a little reminder that not everyone drives like they're passing at the Indianapolis 500. Ya gotta love it!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
It's not easy bein' green in Central Indiana
Okay, for the sake of the environment and global warming I'm trying to be a little more green, but it ain't easy. I'm not sure where I come down on the issue of global warming etc., but I do think it's my job to dress, till, and keep the earth, so I'm trying to do my small part. It might be easier elsewhere, but in Central Indiana it's hard.
On TV they give you all those great suggestions about buying more green building materials and more efficient appliances, but let's face it, the majority of us are not building houses, remodeling constantly, or replacing appliances every few days. I'll keep those things in mind when the issues come up in my home, but I think the suggestions need to be more immediately practical.
I have bought the new light bulbs, and they're okay. Okay, unless you have to actually see them in a light fixture, and then they are just dumb looking. That's just my two cents worth. I'm dreading the day when my chandelier bulbs all need replacing with the new bulbs. I think the new bulbs for those are just horrible. Maybe I should stockpile a lifetime supply of those skinny old bulbs. I'm not too thrilled with the disposal methods of the new bulbs either. Even if I dispose of them correctly, I can't see that everyone will.
I also purchased and use those reusable shopping bags. I do like them. They hold a lot more than the wimpy plastic bags and they stand up and don't let the tomatoes roam free in the trunk. Plus, they are easier to fold up and put away in my opinion.
I have two problems with the "green" bags. Sometimes I forget to take the bags into the store. I get very annoyed with myself, because usually by the time I remember, I have a cart half-full of items. I am getting better at remembering to take them out of the trunk though. The biggest drawback to the bags is that where I live I seem to be the only one using them. I never see another person in the store carrying or using their own bags. It makes me feel weird, plus it takes longer at the checkout counter because the checker has to put your bags on the staging area and shove the regular bags out of the way. I feel like the people behind me are rolling their eyes at me behind my back. I will persevere, and maybe the idea will catch on as time goes on.
The other two areas that I think are ripe for the green process for the regular person are bottled water and disposable diapers. I rarely buy bottled water, unless I'm on a road trip or something. It just doesn't seem like a good use of my money. I think bottled water became a status symbol for a while. "Hey, look at me, I'm so flush with cash that I can buy my water in a plastic bottle, and then pitch it in the garbage." I use a filtered pitcher and a reusable water bottle. It tastes just as good and according to reports that I've read, tap water is a lot more regulated for quality than bottled water.
I probably shouldn't speculate on disposable diapers since my kids are long since out of that stage. I did use them when they were little, at least part of the time. Can you just imagine the mountains of disposable diapers buried in our landfills. Yuck! I am an offender on this one even now. When my adorable little grandkids come, I use and toss the little diapers with the best of them. If the diaper is especially odoriferous I even enclose it in it's own plastic bag before tossing it in a garbage can lined with another plastic bag. Centuries from now archaeologists will probably wonder at the way we have preserved "poo poo" in our century.
Not to discount driving less, etc., here are my practical suggestions: use the new light bulbs, nix the bottled water, forget the disposable diapers, and put yourself out there and use your reusable shopping bags for all the world to see.
On TV they give you all those great suggestions about buying more green building materials and more efficient appliances, but let's face it, the majority of us are not building houses, remodeling constantly, or replacing appliances every few days. I'll keep those things in mind when the issues come up in my home, but I think the suggestions need to be more immediately practical.
I have bought the new light bulbs, and they're okay. Okay, unless you have to actually see them in a light fixture, and then they are just dumb looking. That's just my two cents worth. I'm dreading the day when my chandelier bulbs all need replacing with the new bulbs. I think the new bulbs for those are just horrible. Maybe I should stockpile a lifetime supply of those skinny old bulbs. I'm not too thrilled with the disposal methods of the new bulbs either. Even if I dispose of them correctly, I can't see that everyone will.
I also purchased and use those reusable shopping bags. I do like them. They hold a lot more than the wimpy plastic bags and they stand up and don't let the tomatoes roam free in the trunk. Plus, they are easier to fold up and put away in my opinion.
I have two problems with the "green" bags. Sometimes I forget to take the bags into the store. I get very annoyed with myself, because usually by the time I remember, I have a cart half-full of items. I am getting better at remembering to take them out of the trunk though. The biggest drawback to the bags is that where I live I seem to be the only one using them. I never see another person in the store carrying or using their own bags. It makes me feel weird, plus it takes longer at the checkout counter because the checker has to put your bags on the staging area and shove the regular bags out of the way. I feel like the people behind me are rolling their eyes at me behind my back. I will persevere, and maybe the idea will catch on as time goes on.
The other two areas that I think are ripe for the green process for the regular person are bottled water and disposable diapers. I rarely buy bottled water, unless I'm on a road trip or something. It just doesn't seem like a good use of my money. I think bottled water became a status symbol for a while. "Hey, look at me, I'm so flush with cash that I can buy my water in a plastic bottle, and then pitch it in the garbage." I use a filtered pitcher and a reusable water bottle. It tastes just as good and according to reports that I've read, tap water is a lot more regulated for quality than bottled water.
I probably shouldn't speculate on disposable diapers since my kids are long since out of that stage. I did use them when they were little, at least part of the time. Can you just imagine the mountains of disposable diapers buried in our landfills. Yuck! I am an offender on this one even now. When my adorable little grandkids come, I use and toss the little diapers with the best of them. If the diaper is especially odoriferous I even enclose it in it's own plastic bag before tossing it in a garbage can lined with another plastic bag. Centuries from now archaeologists will probably wonder at the way we have preserved "poo poo" in our century.
Not to discount driving less, etc., here are my practical suggestions: use the new light bulbs, nix the bottled water, forget the disposable diapers, and put yourself out there and use your reusable shopping bags for all the world to see.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Wondering in the world of technology
I like computers. I use computers. I can operate the programs, and I'm not afraid to do so. Somewhere there is a disconnect between all that and understanding the real workings of the computer and other technology. Maybe it's my age bracket, but all the computer terminology is a bunch of background noise to me.
We've been shopping for a new computer lately. The old one went to meet its maker recently, or at least I wish it was back at DELL. Expensive equipment isn't supposed to just die in 3 1/2 years is it? On what other big ticket item are we supposed to shell out our hard earned cash and expect that it will be all over with in such a short time. Back in the day, it might have been the automobile. If you kept your car for three years that was a long time. Many people bought a new one yearly. Now, most cars aren't even paid off in three years.
Computer shopping left me wondering in this strange land. I'm wondering what is all this gig stuff about, how much do I need, how fast is it going to be etc, etc, etc? The bottom line is that I want something fast and reliable, something that won't explode in a big bang in the near future, and yet I won't be doing any film or music editing for the industry in the near future. Do you have something like that? It seems they do, but it's confusing. Honestly, when I go and look at TVs or computers do you know how I judge them? Strictly by the looks. You make it look good and I will buy it! Which is why I want the iMac. (I think that's the name.)
A few weeks ago my mom and I went shopping for a new flat screen TV for her. Her television from a decade ago or so died and she was watching a little 13 inch screen in her living room and complaining about it ever time I visited her. She did not really want a flat screen. They were just too expensive in her mind, but I persuaded her that they were about all she was going to find, and they weren't as expensive as they used to be.
Off we went to Best Buy. Tim and I had gone about the alien world of TVs a few years ago when the issue was plasma or LCD, their expense and all that jazz. That whole thing was so confusing that we ended up never replacing our broken TV and just using a smaller one in the family room that we already had. So, I knew a bit about TVs from that. I knew which brands I liked. I knew which size would look good and be appropriate for her viewing area. The price was good. The picture was amazing.
Then the sales people walked me over to a TV display wall to show me the benefits of having their service people come out and fine tune the color etc. WOW! it was stunning. Their service people could tone down the pinks, purples or whatever and really make the screen crystal clear. Since my mom was to have the TV delivered that might be a good thing.
Okay, how much will all this cost? So the TV with tax was under $700. Delivery charges and hauling away the old set, $60. Adjusting the set. . . $350, with $50 off if I paid for it upon purchase. I swear my jaw hit the ground. I was flabbergasted. Like I should be thrilled to have $25,000 worth of equipment sitting in mom's house adjusting the color. "Oh, and would you like the service plan, too?"
Uh, no thanks! "We'll take the TV and the delivery. Thank you very much!" I was left wondering, "Can't they make a $700 TV look decent right out of the box with maybe a few adjustments by the homeowner?" It's definitely an alien world out there for a 50+ year old.
We've been shopping for a new computer lately. The old one went to meet its maker recently, or at least I wish it was back at DELL. Expensive equipment isn't supposed to just die in 3 1/2 years is it? On what other big ticket item are we supposed to shell out our hard earned cash and expect that it will be all over with in such a short time. Back in the day, it might have been the automobile. If you kept your car for three years that was a long time. Many people bought a new one yearly. Now, most cars aren't even paid off in three years.
Computer shopping left me wondering in this strange land. I'm wondering what is all this gig stuff about, how much do I need, how fast is it going to be etc, etc, etc? The bottom line is that I want something fast and reliable, something that won't explode in a big bang in the near future, and yet I won't be doing any film or music editing for the industry in the near future. Do you have something like that? It seems they do, but it's confusing. Honestly, when I go and look at TVs or computers do you know how I judge them? Strictly by the looks. You make it look good and I will buy it! Which is why I want the iMac. (I think that's the name.)
A few weeks ago my mom and I went shopping for a new flat screen TV for her. Her television from a decade ago or so died and she was watching a little 13 inch screen in her living room and complaining about it ever time I visited her. She did not really want a flat screen. They were just too expensive in her mind, but I persuaded her that they were about all she was going to find, and they weren't as expensive as they used to be.
Off we went to Best Buy. Tim and I had gone about the alien world of TVs a few years ago when the issue was plasma or LCD, their expense and all that jazz. That whole thing was so confusing that we ended up never replacing our broken TV and just using a smaller one in the family room that we already had. So, I knew a bit about TVs from that. I knew which brands I liked. I knew which size would look good and be appropriate for her viewing area. The price was good. The picture was amazing.
Then the sales people walked me over to a TV display wall to show me the benefits of having their service people come out and fine tune the color etc. WOW! it was stunning. Their service people could tone down the pinks, purples or whatever and really make the screen crystal clear. Since my mom was to have the TV delivered that might be a good thing.
Okay, how much will all this cost? So the TV with tax was under $700. Delivery charges and hauling away the old set, $60. Adjusting the set. . . $350, with $50 off if I paid for it upon purchase. I swear my jaw hit the ground. I was flabbergasted. Like I should be thrilled to have $25,000 worth of equipment sitting in mom's house adjusting the color. "Oh, and would you like the service plan, too?"
Uh, no thanks! "We'll take the TV and the delivery. Thank you very much!" I was left wondering, "Can't they make a $700 TV look decent right out of the box with maybe a few adjustments by the homeowner?" It's definitely an alien world out there for a 50+ year old.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Isn't it cute
The first words off his lips were, "Isn't it cute?" Normally, I think of "cute" in terms of puppies, babies, the grandchildren or possibly a kitten. Although the latter thing would never be an utterance made by my husband, ever.
What was so cute? It is difficult to believe that a grown man would gush so over a motorcycle that is only a decade shy of his own age. But there you have it, Tim rolled out of one of our church member's garage on a little motorcycle.
It all began like this. On Sunday Tim came out after church and said, "What would you think if I got another motorcycle? Someone at church has offered me a free one." We've been down this road before. Of course the cycle is not running and hasn't for a least 20 years.
I've learned a few things about old motorcycles from Tim's previous restoration project.
1. Motorcycles that sit too long never are in working order and have a myriad of problems.
2. The motorcycle must be taken apart and spread over the entire shed, garage or whatever and cleaned, repaired, or pieces replaced.
3. While some of this restoration is fun, a lot of it is frustrating.
4. A free motorcycle is never free.
5. Thank heavens for a good motorcycle mechanic friend. (Residing in a different state.)
6. A motorcycle in pieces in a shed is one thing, but in the one-car side of the garage along with a bigger motorcycle friend, the lawn mower, wheelbarrow, work bench, freezer, saw and whatever else is a bit much.
Conclusion: "Why doesn't anyone ever give you a newer motorcycle in good working order? And "No I'm not thrilled about this newest motorcycle, our garage is just too small." I guess I'm ornery that way.
I knew as soon as he came rolling out on that motorcycle and made the cute statement it was all over. The motorcycle now sits where the wheelbarrow used to reside. I'm not sure how convenient it will be to dig out the wheelbarrow from the front of the garage when it comes time to use it.
I wouldn't want this to get back to my dear honey, but "yes" I thought the motorcycle was kind of cute. Now, I think I'll start campaigning for a new puppy. That would be cute for sure.
(Here's a peek at the new baby!)
What was so cute? It is difficult to believe that a grown man would gush so over a motorcycle that is only a decade shy of his own age. But there you have it, Tim rolled out of one of our church member's garage on a little motorcycle.
It all began like this. On Sunday Tim came out after church and said, "What would you think if I got another motorcycle? Someone at church has offered me a free one." We've been down this road before. Of course the cycle is not running and hasn't for a least 20 years.
I've learned a few things about old motorcycles from Tim's previous restoration project.
1. Motorcycles that sit too long never are in working order and have a myriad of problems.
2. The motorcycle must be taken apart and spread over the entire shed, garage or whatever and cleaned, repaired, or pieces replaced.
3. While some of this restoration is fun, a lot of it is frustrating.
4. A free motorcycle is never free.
5. Thank heavens for a good motorcycle mechanic friend. (Residing in a different state.)
6. A motorcycle in pieces in a shed is one thing, but in the one-car side of the garage along with a bigger motorcycle friend, the lawn mower, wheelbarrow, work bench, freezer, saw and whatever else is a bit much.
Conclusion: "Why doesn't anyone ever give you a newer motorcycle in good working order? And "No I'm not thrilled about this newest motorcycle, our garage is just too small." I guess I'm ornery that way.
I knew as soon as he came rolling out on that motorcycle and made the cute statement it was all over. The motorcycle now sits where the wheelbarrow used to reside. I'm not sure how convenient it will be to dig out the wheelbarrow from the front of the garage when it comes time to use it.
I wouldn't want this to get back to my dear honey, but "yes" I thought the motorcycle was kind of cute. Now, I think I'll start campaigning for a new puppy. That would be cute for sure.
(Here's a peek at the new baby!)
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