Cranky Peg

What I have learned during this pandemic.

**People, for the most part, are selfish and entitled and only care about themselves.Telling ourselves that isn't true to make ourselves feel better isn't working

The above makes me sad.

**that trump supporters if not the very rich who he helps, but the others who are his majority are the incredibly dumb and uneducated. They believe him when he says fake news because he wants to deflect. You've seen them on TV. Mostly blue-collar. Mostly hillbillys. Mostly just love him for the hate he spews because they hate the same people. Not because he's helped them in any single way. Because they can't name one thing he's done for them expect to share the hate. How friggin' sad are these people? Sadly they breed.

This above makes me sad.

**That some companies are using this pandemic to make themselves rich and hurting others yet again. That rich white idiot who tells you how to live your life while he sits in his mansions and counts his money, Joel Olsten, or something like that. He received PPP monies of 4.4. million. Why? He has that in his checkbook. Just like the football player Tom Brady. He received 1 million. Or my hairdresser who owns her own shop and has no employees got PPP monies to pay her employees. Gee that seems right doesn't it?

The above makes me sad.

**That so many people are hurting. I deliver food to the local food pantry every 2 weeks. Drop off times are between 10-11:30 on 2 days a week. It is always empty but for me and sometimes 1 other person. They tell me we live in the richest county in the USA with somewhere in CA is 2nd. How pitiful that these people neither give of their time, money or food. Pitiful.

The above makes me very sad because for the grace of God that could be me and Rick at any time.

**There is a new strain of covid? Will the vaccine help that strain?

This above makes me sad and scared.This could be the end of us all.

That our leaders are giving a whooping $600 a person. Yeah, it's something, let's see those Potomac idiots live on that. That is less than rent anywhere even in the little small hometown of mine! That is groceries for a family of 4+ What is wrong with the right that thinks that is enough? For whom? Have they tried buying groceries lately? I heard one jerk say that will pay peoples mortgage. I live in a small townhouse - that is literally a 1/4 of my mortgage.  Gee thanks. I'll tell my mortgage company I only got $600 - hold on. Yeah that will work.

Here is a little ditty on the above. These are what other countries I read get during their pandemic. 

**That our orange leader allowed hundreds of thousands of Americans to die from a devasting virus and thinking the solution is extreme liability protection for corporations. This is why you don't want a reality tv show persona to be your leader. You got him in spades.

This above makes me very sad and angry.

**That our orange leader can allow Russia to have the most massive cyberattack on our country and he says, no it's probably China. When we know and have evidence it is not. This man should be held for treason! If I were dying I would take one for the team and nix the guy! I fear what this ahole will do with the security info he has. He is a national security risk with his temper tantrums and petty childish behavior. He is a real threat to our country - WAKE UP AMERICA! 

This above makes me fearful as all get out.

I don't think I've learned anything good from this pandemic.  I keep wracking my brain to think of something positive. 

Fill me in on the positives. I am Susie glass half full today.

Friday.

Allow me to set the picture for you.  

After dinner, I was making myself a vanilla biscotti coffee. (folgers and it's yummy)

I am standing at the kitchen island stirring in my stevia.

Rick is already in his ugly chair awaiting Jeopardy to begin. But it's only 7 ft away from me.

A commercial comes on for this expensive exercise equipment & inversion table. 

The man in the commercials says, "We can fit your lifestyle and your budget"

Rick quickly replies, "Sedentary and Broke?"

Well for some reason that cracked me up. Thankfully the coffee got just to my lips and I didn't take any or it'd have been sprayed across the room.

Tomorrow the men arrive to install my new TV. 

It's funny how I spent so much time researching for a new TV. 

Then finding something we could live with that wasn't as much as a car. Then I tuck away money for months and months. Fingers crossed we hoped to have the money for black Friday. Then I get the TV and soundbar and it's all in my dining room for a month. 

Fingers and toes crossed that this goes off without a hiccup. 

But 2020 has shown me that the universe can just keep piling more and more shit on us so we'll see.

TGIF.

We're Throwing BackThursday

First I would like to tell you what I found funny on Tuesday evening.

The county I live in is all virtual learning. Because of the nor'easter, they said on Tuesday night we MAY get 3-5 inches of snow on Wednesday so they were going to have a snow day.  

Think about that for a moment - A.Snow.Day.  

A snow day for those already at home?  Rick and I looked at one another and laughed. Do they not know what a snow day actually is? 

Did the south lose because they were cold? I will never understand their issues with weather of any sort other than hot and humid.  But it does make us laugh. These folks would melt if they lived up north where there are 4 seasons and seldom or never a snow day.

Patti was discussing having wrist pain and having to use your non-dominant arm or hand.  Boy, it's difficult so I could relate to all of her struggles.

Because I am lazy this week I am giving you something from 2007/2008. I talk about not being able to use my dominant arm/hand for 4 weeks. I found it dreadfully difficult and my husband didn't make it easier all the time either.

I am right-handed and knowing what was coming up he kept reminding me to do things with my left hand. But I just couldn't and would go back to my right hand. Each time I walked into the bathroom he would yell - use your left hand, practice! It would make me laugh. But he was right on that one.

Here ya go....enjoy my pain.

Commando 450

I had my title as Shower Head but then realized that anything that can be misconstrued as dirty or an innuendo then I get all the filthy comments. 
So I changed it in hopes that those idiots stay away.

We bought a big rain shower head a couple years ago when we remodeled our master bath. It does not come from the ceiling however, it is in the standard spot on the wall. The power this thing has makes Rick very happy.

I would just like not to have to jump up reach it enough to lower it each time I get in the shower!  I love that he's tall but sometimes it's a pain in the ass for me. Reaching the vase on the top shelf is when I love it.

  

Suddenly we both noticed it wasn't as powerful. 

I suggested we clean it with CLR.  

Rick came home the other day with a small bucket and 2 big jars of CLR. 

He took the showerhead off and soaked it in the CLR and then he cleaned a screen inside the contraption. Who knew that was there? What would I do without this weirdo? 

Rick took a shower first and said, "Yes this is like it used to be"  

I just laughed at him. The following morning I showered and whoa!
I felt like Kramer on Seinfeld when he got the commando 450. 

That episode made me laugh. The super for the apartment bldg they lived in was installing low flow/energy-efficient showerheads. They all have flat hair because the flow was so low they can't get the shampoo out of their hair. They feel like they can't get the soap off of them due to these new low flow showerheads as well. Then one of them finds on the black market a commando 450 from Bulgaria. 

At the end of the episode, they do all get a commando 450 and it knocks Kramer out of the shower. That is how my cleaned showerhead feels now.

Just like this. It's perfect!

Christmas for Izzy

Rick was on the stoop Saturday with Izzy because it was 63 degrees and lovely. Izzy's 2nd favorite thing after swimming daily is to sit on the stoop to see all her adoring fans. I say she likes to look over her kingdom. 

Don't laugh it's not far off. Kids ride by and yell, "Hi Izzy" Some stop to pet her and love on her. She loves being adored. 

They say hi like they think Izzy understands. 

One little girl makes her mother stop daily and if we aren't on the stoop her mom says she wants to ring our bell to let Izzy out. Her mom whispered, "please tell her if she is not out she is napping because that is what I tell her" So I do just that. It's cute though, isn't it? The little girl is 4 or 5 and she is so dang cute. She asked me how long Izzy's naps are. I told her it depends sometimes for 2 hrs. Sometimes only 30-45 minutes. She thought about it and said I think that is how long I nap too. I told her that dogs take a lot more naps than people do. She kept nodding as if she really was taking all this information in. I wanted to take a bite out of this little girl she was so adorable. But since that is frowned upon by strangers I did not do that.

A woman who has lived across the street from us and a few doors down since 2002 we barely know. We wave to her. She stops by to love on Izzy and then goes away. She lived in Europe for several of the years I've lived here and rented out her home.

But since being home she manages to stop by when we are out on the stoop during my lunch and she always spends all her time with my dog and not much talking to me. That's okay with me. At first, it was odd but I'd just keep reading and she and Izzy would bond for 20 minutes or more. Not much interested in me at all I would tell Rick but she would get on the ground and just be with Izzy and talk to her and play with her or hold her nylabone. Odd but yet it felt comforting.

So imagine our surprise when she came over Saturday while Rick and Izzy were on the stoop with dog treats, a holiday card for Izzy (and us but mainly Izzy) and a bottle of wine. She thanked us for sharing our dog with her and how she just adores Izzy. She said Izzy makes me forget the world and she calms me. Wow. Wanna take her for a night and babysit was my thought but since I barely know her I did not say that.  We just said we were glad and she can come over anytime! Of course, we also thanked her.

Later that day we heard the doorbell. Rick went and no one was there but a gift on the porch. Rick brought it inside and I asked is that for us? He said, "No, it's for Izzy" It was a new nylabone from a neighbor who really likes our dog. (they don't have a dog either)  Oh my Godness. The card read, her nylabone was left on the sidewalk one day and it looks like she needed a new one (and she did) But c'mon how nice is that? The couple left their name and address. We do not know them but apparently, they walk by a lot. 

So that is 3 gifts she has received. The first being a dog Advent calendar which I find funny. 

This from a neighbor we know and their dog plays with Izzy.

Each day we play this little game with Iz on the floor and she knows a treat is coming out that door. If I'm slow she will move my hand along with her paw. She is going to be very sad when the last day's treat is gone!  

Then on Sunday afternoon, we 3 took a walk. We saw a man and his son who always talks to Rick. The little boy had to tell Mr. Rick that he no longer has training wheels, "See Mr. Rick?"  Rick made a fuss over him riding his big boy bike and his dad went inside and he came out with a bow around antler/ bone for Izzy. (another family with no dog) He said we were going to wait but I'd like to give it to you now Rick said, "you don't have to do this guys!"  The dad said, "oh yes we do. You let my son play with her in your driveway for hours. My wife is allergic so we can't have a dog. This stops his complaining. You always let the dog stop for my son to touch her, pet her and it means the world to me. You even let him pull her around in his wagon this summer. He really loved that. Again Wow. We thanked them and went on our way.

Look we all know how Izzy is popular but this was blowing us away.

I have a feeling there maybe more. We get a kick out of this. As I said we noticed no one gave us diddly squat. Izzy is far more popular than the 2 of us.

I think when Izzy is gone the whole neighborhood is going to mourn. 

She has made her mark on this development. 

Last week I was running errands. My crazy dog loves nothing more than to ride in a car. That is #3 of fun things for her after swimming and stoop sitting. She doesn't like to put her head out the window - oh no, she likes to lay down and sleep. She's like a baby in that way. The car soothes her and if I run errands I just bring her when it's not hot out. So last week we went to the grocery store I was making something and I realized I was missing one ingredient. So she hopped in the car and off we went. I left her in the car because it was nice out (55) and I opened the sunroof a little bit. I, being the silly human, always tell her I'll be right back and rub her head. She is practically snoring by this time. 

I returned to the car and as I got in the woman next to me opened her door so I waited by my car.  In the meantime, I was looking in the window at Izzy. 

That made her sit up.

The woman said do you have a dog in there? Her daughter who was with her was about 13ish. I put the backseat window down and said, "See a dog" 

The daughter said, "That's Izzy isn't it?"  

Oh my God, there are 40K people who live in my development how the hell do you know Izzy was my thought. I asked how she knew my dog and she said my dad and I always watch you guys go by our house. (they live 12 blocks away) Mom this is the dog who is never on a leash and Dad says we can get a dog if the dog is like Izzy.

Oh dear. (second time I've heard this type of story. I think I wrote one here about this topic) 

The mom looks in at Izzy and now Izzy is being petted by them both and she being the love whore she is, she is soaking it up. The mom asked if she went to training somewhere nearby. I said no. I told her we got a non-hyper lab, it's a real thing, gave her the link.  Then told her we worked with her from day 1. She doesn't want to disappoint us so she never does anything wrong. Not in almost 12 yrs anyway. She's getting old and stubborn now and we think she doesn't hear as well so sometimes we have her on a leash. We always have it with us though. The woman took the paper I wrote all the info on and said, "If my husband wants to discuss can we call you or your husband" I told her certainly. Then the young girl says, "Does this mean you are going to think about it please mom?"  The mom kept saying she sure is pretty. Does she bark? I've had her for almost 12 yrs and I can count on my hands how many times she has barked. It took 2 years before we ever heard her bark.  I told the 13 yr old if she wants to walk the dog on a leash to come by some time or if she sees us outside she can go for a walk with us and see if she is ready for a dog because it is a lot of work, a lot of exercise and a whole lot of money. 

"I know, I hear that all the time," she whined. I chuckled because I understood that. 

I do not know what my dog has done any differently than any others but she has a friggin' fan club. It's cute as hell but a bit confusing to us. 

She's not perfect by any means. Monday I could have killed her. 

The dog who loves water won't go out in the rain.

At 5:50am she ran to the front door, I opened it and she stuck her head out and then backed up. The only thing missing was the beep, beep of the back up. She didn't go to the bathroom until 2pm when the rain stopped for a few minutes. This dog is crazy. They don't see that stuff. Or how she will fight us for a bath or how she will be so stubborn she won't get out of the car because she wants to ride some more.

She has me so well trained after coaxing her out of the car and her turning her head the other way I went to grab her collar to pull her out....she moved to the other side of the car so I couldn't reach her.  The little shit. 

So I went to the other side of the car and she moved to the opposite again. I began to laugh. I got into the car, sat on the seat next to her and had a little talk and then bribery. She got out of the car. I swear this dog is human. I bribed her and she got in the house - stood at the pantry door waiting on her treat.

I put things away, put my coat away and she just stared at me while sitting by the pantry door where she knows there are treats. I imagine her saying, "Hey you promised me!"  It never ceases to amaze me or make me laugh out loud at her.

In my next life, I really think I want to come back as Izzy. Everyone loves me, everyone feeds me, I get what I want because I will have trained my humans well and I am pretty. Yep, that is what I want for my next life.

In the meantime, I need her to write some thank you cards so people don't think we raised a brat!

Covid Pretty

 I am going to talk about some fluff today, big girly woman fluff. 

So, men, you've been warned. 

This pandemic, misadventures of the idiot in charge, fear, loss of work and health issues are a very heavy blanket to wear. It's all so very exhausting. 

So let's talk about things that really don't matter in the big scheme of things but I want to go there to not think about all the other shit that is swirling around us.

Yesterday I was trying like hell to get my mind off all the heavy stuff. I went into my closet and had a good laugh. Nothing, I repeat, nothing that I used to wear now works with this new hair color. So there I was in my closet trying on different things and realizing dark hair looks fine against beige, with salt and pepper and white around one's face you look sick.

All salt around my face but the rest is S&P except the back which is just pepper. Weird right?  But it does work with the hairstyle/cut.

So as I was looking for a warmer sweater I grabbed a gold/beige one. Oooh, that wipes me out now. I was trying things on in my closet when Rick walked in and asked, "What the hell are you doing?"  

I explained how everything that is not a jewel tone or black looks horrible on me now.  Rick understandingly says, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh, have a seat and I'll show you, Rick."

So I put on my cashmere sweater that I covet and waited a long time to buy and finally got it at the end of the season last year for an Old Navy price but not from Old Navy. I wanted it for our trip to Calif. to visit his sisters. 

I throw the sweater on and turned around and he actually turned up his nose and with the funniest face shook his head and said, "Ooh no that washes you out."

Yes, Rick, that is what I am talking about. 

So we played this little game as he sat on the floor in my closet as I opened drawers and tried things on. (I like when he plays girlfriend with me and yes I am very lucky to have a big walk-in closet - rick got the smaller one of course) 

I found that 1/2 of my clothes look awful on me now. Having dark hair really made a difference. Wearing off white makes me look sick. Bright white is good. 

Black, red, navy, burgundy, and dark green seem to work on me now.  Jewel tones, deep tones, not beige! Oh great. Saving $200 every 5 weeks because I am not coloring my hair but I have nothing to wear. I am not spending money on new clothes we will just maybe sell some clothes. There are consignment shops here and if not the market place. 

The other day I had on my red and black pajama bottoms but wore an old red turtle neck because with short hair my neck gets cold. Rick was talking to me and just stopped and said, "you look really nice today Margaret, very pretty" 

"I  bathed."

Rick laughed and said, "no, i didn't say you smelled nice I said you looked nice!"

"Well after I showered I did my hair and thought what the hell put on some make-up since I'm rather tired of being Covid Ugly."

 

"Well you look good, your hair, the color of that sweater just makes your face pop"

"My face pop?  That sounds like a big zit."

"No, Margaret I'm trying to be nice here give me a break."

"Well, that's no fun I laughed and said, Thank you I appreciate you noticing the effort even though I'm still wearing my pj's."

Then he said to me, "Hey, I'm wearing a day old sweatshirt with stains, dirty jeans, bed head and unshaven, don't you want to tell me I look nice?"

"You look ah, Covid hot babe."

"I'll take it! That's better" he tells me laughing.

It has come to this. I am so awful looking most days that I did my hair and makeup and he makes a fuss. I think that means I've let myself go. Covid clothing and covid no make up with a mask and covid hair let's just throw on a scarf or baseball cap. I think it's time to clean myself up.  

In the meantime ladies, I am finding that my old makeup has to change with this hair color too.  Oh boy. But while figuring that out it keeps my mind off the other shit. Sometimes I need to wallow in the shallow end of life.

Politically correct

This has been happening to me a great deal of late. 

I can't communicate with those I need to communicate with. 

The first was the doctor during my hospital stay. I got 1/4 of what he told me and the rest of the time I nodded. I don't know the accent so I have no idea where he was from. But not Chinese, Mexican, Spanish or middle eastern. So I just gave up.

Then I called Mr. TV Mount. The guy shouted a lot in an Asian dialect but I had no idea of what he was saying. I asked him to slow down, he didn't listen either. I understood, no no no no, when I asked why I had to get a new mount if this one was for all TVs over 55".

He then asked me to hold. I was rude and hung up. I did not wish to go down that rabbit hole. Then I feel bad that I have to ask him to repeat things. I know it was not nice of me to hang up but I thought it was my easy out.  I was chicken shit.

I called a 2nd company about mounting my TV and his English was worse than the 1st two together. I asked if there was someone else I could speak with there and he hung up on me. I think he may get that a great deal and it was rude of me. I don't like it when men want to only speak to a man here. He did tell me the base price and it was outrageous so I would not have used them anyway.

I believe all these people have the right to be here in the USA. 

I believe they should be afforded all the things I myself can. They too should be afforded a chance to grab the American dream (if it even exists)

However, it is nearly impossible to give them my business when I just don't know what they are telling me. When I asked questions to the 2nd company he too yelled at me saying I didn't need any of that, however his price was over $700. I then told him that was a bit more than I wished to spend right now so I think I am going to wait. He hung up and not softly.

Now I understand why my father said they were never allowed to speak Italian in the home, only English. Although his parents did not do the same the kids had to. I think that made his English better and truth be told my father ended up with a Bronx accent. I think his Italian one was far better. Just sayin'....

So there I was back to Best Buys Geek Squad who I could have done for $300 less than they are now charging me. The man asked me a ton of questions in English and I understood him. He had me show him via a link on my phone how my TV was currently mounted. He saw everything. Asked where the sound bar was going etc. Okay that helped him see what they need. So an appointment is set for Saturday, Dec 18th. To save $100 I got a year of their service so maybe they can help me with the firestick? Who knows. If I got their annual service it was less $150 just for the tv and then another $150 for the soundbar and if I didn't then I'd really have to kill Rick for doing this.

I must admit I should have just gone to The Geek Squad first. They understood my questions, they answered my questions without shouting at me and their cost was less than the other 2. Whew.  I sure didn't wish to make an appointment for the cheapest but after talking to the top 3 in my area this one worked out that I could understand him, he could understand me and it was a bit cheaper. 

So maybe by this dreadful Xmas, we will have our new TV and soundbar and also be able to use the firestick on HBO Max. Hey, a gal can dream, right? 

Technology Help

I subscribed to HBO. So with their new HBO Max I receive that as well. 

I also have a firestick. Because HBO and Dish had a falling out Dish my provider, no longer has HBO in the line up. But since I have prime I can access it through them. Now to my dilemna.

I am not tech savvy enough to figure this out. HBO Max worked for one day. Rick watched Super Intelligence with Melissa McCarthey as I laid on the sofa in the middle of my 10 days of misery. Then when I came out of the fog this week I tried. Can't get it to work.

It will ask me for a sign in and when I sign in it says I don't have hbo max.

But I do. So calling the firestick folks for some help is basically useless but I did it anyway. No one is in America. No one understands me and they say the same thing, I am sorry for your inconvenience, you can't get hbo max to work right? 

They had me uninstall it, reinstall it and of course that did nothing.

I have called 5x, hoping to get someone who could actually help me.

Uninstalling it 5 times is the definition of stupidity. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. 

I got an email overnight that told me to do something to the IU. 

IUD? I know that isn't it, just kidding or I'll scream.

I have no idea what the hell that is or where it is or what I'd do with it. 

They also wanted me to verify ghz.  Where do i do that? And wouldn't that be on my computer, not my TV. (my refresh rate is 59hz on my computer but that is not the same thing right?) Then it says to change the channel? Why would I do that? Where are these things and how the hell do I do this? So helpful.

Yesterday on my own I tried some things. I got to the sign in and it said I needed to update. But there was nowhere to update. I googled it of course and followed their instructions but at number 3 I did not have that on my screen even though they said it would be under XYZ, I was there and it wasn't. 

This is so damn frustrating. I don't wish to buy another service where I can get HBO so I am paying for something I can't get. I really wanted to watch Dianne Weist, Meryl Streep's new movie. (which I heard them all say it was all an improvised script. They only got an outline and then just spoke from the hip, like Curb Your Enthusiasm) 

I wish there was a place to call for this kind of help that was not in the Philippines. 

Any ideas? Do I need to hire a 14 yr old kid? I'm not opposed to doing that if I knew one. I'm so frustrated.

In other news...

A woman yesterday asked me if my boss was married. Gee, you didn't see the big gold ring on his finger? I told her he was indeed married.

She said, "Oh well I had to ask. He is so nice and good looking too."

I laughed. She said, "well I'm sure as your boss you don't see him that way"

I just said, "no I don't."

Oh my goodness! When Rick got home I looked at him in his painter pants and company T-shirt with paint all over and wearing a ball cap with the company logo.  I know he's cute, but would I see this guy and thing, Oooh gotta have him. Sorry babe, but probably now. Take off that hat and those funny glasses you wear at work and I'd see the twinkling bad boy baby blues and then possibly.  But I know him, he is a charmer, and he flirts so this old gal was probably thrilled to have him flirting with her. And it's not so much as flirting as being personable and talking to them most of the time. MOST.

I mentioned to him that Loretta called and what she asked me. 

He laughed his big hearty laugh. I said, "flirting were ya?"  

He laughed and said, "not really. She was such a cute older woman. But Margaret I think she was a good decade older at the very least than me. She gave me some cookies and as she left them on the table for me to grab so we weren't close I told her I'd hug her because I was very hungry but the pandemic won't let me". 

Oh, brother!  He said she asked him some questions about himself and they chatted about both being from Pennsylvania and that was that. 

I said," well you made an impression you old coot."

He said, "remember when the women who called were the 30s - 40s? Ah, the good old days."   

"You could  help push her walker Rick and she could push your rocker."

He threw a wadded up paper towel at me. I'm sorry but I found it all funny.

I get it, I was always flirted with back in the day. I had an Ohio cop stop me for speeding through my shortcut to my apartment and instead he had me take off my sunglasses, supposedly to see the color of my eyes, and told me I had pretty eyes and then asked me out. I did not get a ticket. :-) 

I went into a record store and the man told me if I smiled he'd give me the album for free. Don't have to tell me twice, I smiled. Sadly he wasn't looking at my face but I got a free record album while in Toronto Ontario of Robert Palmers Secrets LP.  When I got to the car and told my then-boyfriend what happened he said did you really not have to pay anything? I said I did not pay a thing! Yes, this happened a great many times in my life. I've gotten out of more tickets than you could imagine. Until around 50 things changed. Now I am invisible. Rick's shelf life apparently is far longer than mine. Figures. 

Chocolate Covered Peanuts

I seem to be eating things I have never eaten before & suddenly like them.

I LOVE good chocolate but until about 12 years ago peanuts weren't my thing.  Oh, I liked them but preferred cashews and honestly except at a ball game I never gave them much thought.

Rick on the other hand loves peanuts. In the shell at a ballgame is his favorite with a beer. But he also really likes a brand called Parkers Virginia Peanuts.   One day at the grocery store after moving here I saw this bag claiming they were the best peanuts. So I grabbed Rick a bag and brought them home. Well, Rick too was convinced these were some of the best peanuts he had ever eaten.

I don't buy them often because well he can eat them like Pez and they are very fattening. But a week ago I saw them on the corner of an aisle (yes right off the wine aisle) in a big display. They had them covered in chocolate. I know he likes them in chocolate so I bought them for a treat for him. 

You see my Grandmother always had a stash of chocolate in her bedroom closet. What I find so funny is she never let her grandchildren in that closet but she invited my husband into her bedroom one day and Rick laughed and said he'd follow her anywhere. She giggled. 

They sat down on her bed and she told him where the Stefanelli's candy was hidden. He then fetched her container of goodies for her. She had everything in there, choc. covered pretzels, choc covered peanuts, sponge candy, and an assortment of turtles, truffles, etc. She was Willy Wonka in female form.

She and Rick had some chocolate peanuts and a couple of pretzels and then left her room. I was coming around the corner and said, 'Hey Grandma what were you doing in your bedroom with my husband?" She laughed and said, "never you mind" and winked at Rick. Later Rick told me all of this on the way home. I said, "she's never asked any of us into her stash"  

Rick said that's because she likes me.  HA

When he told me he had some choc covered peanuts and pretzels I said, "eew, that sounds awful!"  He said, "good more for me"

I love pretzels and I love chocolate but the idea of mixing them is very unappealing to me.

So imagine my surprise when Saturday night Rick opened that bag of Virginia choc. covered peanuts and he convinced me to have one. 

OMG, this is crack!!  They were so good I asked him to hide this bag or I may eat too many of them.

I think it's best that I continue to think they are gross along with the pretzels. I don't wish to know they are good or I will eat them all up so they sucked, You never want to eat them! pff, pff.

I was telling my mom that I found these at the store and it reminded me of her mom. She laughed and spoke of Grandma's stash. She then asked me if I had ever had goobers at the movies. Nope. Always get either raisinettes or junior mints. Never anything else. I am a creature of habit I suppose. She said well now aren't you happy to know how good those are? Ah, no frankly I am not happy to know how good they are I tell her.

There are a lot of things I don't eat because it sounds awful, like pineapple on pizza. Who knows after this I may find I like it. But I don't plan to go out of my way to try it that is for certain. I love pineapple. I love pizza. I just believe the two should ever mix. 

When we moved to Seattle for Rick's job the president had embezzled money and it was a nightmare for the company and employees. All lost their jobs eventually and when Rick was looking for work, the company Guittard Chocolates interviewed him several times. ( I think they are based in CA but the opening was for WA) 

Each time he went there they sent him home with chocolate bars and assorted goodies. I wanted him to get the job just for this perk until I realized I probably would gain a ton of weight if he works there. Good or bad he did not get the job. So no more free excellent chocolates. Oh well, all for the better we assumed. 

I could never work at a choco factory. Like Lucy and Ethel, I would be shoving it in my face but not to slow down the production line. 

Just to shove it in my face.

I wonder if I'd get sick of it eventually? As a kid I worked at Friendlys and everyone said I would get sick of my favorite, ice cream. I never got sick of ice cream, unfortunately. I worked at Perkins Pancake House and I did not eat pancakes for 20 yrs. I worked at a drive-in movie theatre and we could eat all the popcorn we wanted. I didn't eat popcorn for 35 years. So maybe I do need to work at a chocolate factory. But at this age, I fear it would take too long to get sick of it. 

Have you ever worked somewhere that you could eat all you wanted and now no longer want?

My Childhood Home

A friend of mine wrote to me on messenger the other day. While my Facebook has been deactivated I can still get messenger messages. She wanted me to know that my childhood home was up for sale and hey why not move back to my hometown? I hope to God I never have to do that but I did not say that to her. I laughed and said it was doubtful but I had to go look at realtor.com.   Now our home was by no means high falutin. It was a middle-class ranch style home in a subdivision and it was built in 1961. 

So for shits and giggles, I went to view the home on realtor.com to see how it changed. I looked at the first picture but immediately went to the property details. It stated it was built in 1967. That is incorrect.  I was 5 and almost 6 when we moved there. Making it 1961. It was brand new to us. Before my father was a master plumber out on his own, he worked for a contractor who did most of the homes in our subdivision. So of course my dad did all the plumbing/heating/air. I would assume he got a break on the house but I don't know that to be true. He would bring us out there to show us the progress. I recall the 2nd time we went there were boards to walk up to the house on. I thought that was cool. My mom was holding my little sister. She had to be around 2 yrs old. There was a man doing drywall that made my father come out to say to mom and me that there was a Negro inside and to not say anything. I had no idea what that meant and what the hell would one say? But I remember that vividly. I find it appalling and pitiful. 

I began to look at all the photos next. Oh my was it changed. The finished basement was the only thing that was exactly the same, the wood paneling like on the Brady Bunch. It was frozen in time. Dad did the basement in 1973 so it was nice I guess for that time. I think it is hideous but no one asked me. 

The upstairs and outside "updates" that were made were horrific. I called my sister and we laughed like crazy. She and I both thought that the white was blinding  - EVERYTHING was white -  it would have looked better dated. Everything was painted white. it was so ugly. Not a soft white either. BRIGHT white. 

The maple cabinets were painted and not well. Like a DIY job.  The mosaic tile backsplash was gone and in its place, something cheap that was painted white went there. The floor was white in the kitchen. The outside was red brick. BUT they painted all trim including the black rod iron porch railing bright white. It was shocking against the red brick. It looked odd. If they liked white they should have gone with a warm white against the red brick. There were maple floors throughout, which my mom coveted. But when I got a new 27 yr old mom in 1970 she immediately covered them in ugly shag carpet. 

I bet the floors under there are in good shape. It is still carpeted but not shag and not white thank goodness.

I could go one but it was like a bad DIY accident happened. My sister and I said it looked like a DIY program gone amuck. The bedrooms were dark colors like dark green and dark blue and the hall bathroom was bright pink. These people had no style but ugly. And just so we weren't looking through distorted lenses I asked Rick to look at the photos without telling him a thing. He didn't know this house so I wondered what he'd see. His first comment was, "did they have a sale on bright white paint? Everything including the fireplace mantel and the brick fireplace was now bright white. Boy that's ugly"  

Okay, then I knew it wasn't just my sister and me. I can not believe that 5 girls and 2 parents shared this 1200 sq foot home. (not counting the finished basement)

How did we do it? Yes, my one sister was in the basement bedroom by 1974 and had her own bath. By the time I moved out the two babies were sharing a room and then one got mine. Seriously today's family could not deal with this. I watch House Hunters and every parent says, "Oh we need a room for the kids to just have as their area to play"  HA, my father and mother would have no more said that to anyone.  His and Mom's house, not ours. My room was a shared room for years. I never could get away from my family unless I was on my bike which I used daily until it snowed. That was my escape. Or a book while sitting on a chaise lawn chair in the back yard. But if a parent could see me then you'd have to do something, a chore, babysit, mow the lawn, wash the car, take a sister for a walk in her stroller....you know the drill. It was always safest to be on my bike. Sometimes I'd throw some fruit in my bike basket and a book and go to the "woods" in the summer. We had an area where we kids gathered. I would go there sometimes and lean against this huge tree that fell and read. It was quiet - no siblings and no one to tell you if you're only reading come inside and do this or that. 

My sister used to hide her pot in the ceiling tiles in the basement. When we moved I asked if she got everything. She said she thought so and if not, she hoped the new owners enjoyed it. Oh my goodness the '70s. My parents would have died had they known. But then again the only person who ever got in trouble was me in that house. They would have insisted it was mine.

My whole childhood was in that house. The piano lessons, the boyfriends, the slumber parties, the family parties, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But most of that time I was grounded. I swear I was grounded way more than I was not grounded. And I was a good kid. A student, student council, cheerleader, oldest living virgin. But yet I was always getting grounded. Here is something I wrote that happened in that house in my senior year.  Read this one - It was a classic Peggy being grounded story. Sucks to be the oldest!

My Weekend

I'm coming back. Know how I know? I ate more on Sunday than I did for the entire week prior. I had dry toast and juice for breakfast. Yes, I love almost burnt toast with no butter. Rick finds that disgusting so that is the only thing he never takes from my plate. The man loves to eat off my plate. God forbid I pause, he assumes I am not going to finish that. I went to the bathroom once and came back and saw he had finished the sandwich on my plate. 

I asked, "did you eat my gf sandwich?" 

"yes, I thought you were done, you walked away"  

"I went to the bathroom Rick. Stop doing this!"  

Rick was working in the garage Sunday. He has some orders for walnut cutting boards. Of course his shadow Izzy was with him. I came downstairs from stripping the bed and making it and saw they were both still outside and I thought I'd enjoy the quiet for a moment. I sat down and my tummy growled. I went to the fridge and stared. Nothing appealed to me. Then I went to the pantry. Ooh, there was peanut butter. Did I have jelly? I opened the fridge again and yep, I had jelly. I had gf bread so I proceeded to make a half sandwich of PB&J.

I never ate PB&J until I was in my mid to late 20s. 

I've written that here before. 

I know, it's an American staple but remember my parents were not very American acting. My mom's logic was why would I give you that when I asked, we can afford meat?  It was as if it was an insult to her. For some reason, she acted like it was nothing more than junk food. Now, remember this is from an Italian American woman from Italy and it was 1965. So I was the kid with the weird lunches that no one would swap with me. I so wanted to be "normal"   It never happened. Now being not normal is okay with me. 

It is not my favorite sandwich by any means. 

It's like candy to me. It's so sweet. 

It's not even in my top 10 of best sandwiches. But yesterday it just sounded good. And it was! I even had a small glass of milk. Getting the childhood flavors I never got in my childhood. Rick came back inside and said, "Are you eating peanut butter and jelly? Who are you?"  I said I know, but it sounded so good today and it is, want one?  He laughed and said you've changed me. 35 years ago I would have said yes, but now like you, I would prefer a salami or capicola with sharp provolone. That made me giggle.  "Talk about Who Are you? I think we're turning into the same person after all these years Rick."  He shuddered and said, "Oh no!" 

I have been craving this sweet potato chile casserole before I got too sick to eat. 

I saw it a long time ago on The Chew. I made it then and we loved it. It is a cross between a casserole and a chili. I asked if Rick wanted this for dinner and he jumped at it. Okay then. I did all the putting together and then just before dinner you bake it in the oven for 40 minutes @ 400 degrees.  This would be perfect to make and refrigerate until the next day if need be. After making this and cleaning up it was all my energy. So I sat down and promptly fell asleep for 30 minutes. I still don't have my full energy level but I'm getting close. 

We ate that Chili/Casserole and it was so good. As I was putting it away I stole another spoonful. I don't know what it is about this that I like so much but it was warm and perfect for the awful cold day that was Sunday. 

So I ate a big bowl of this dinner, had lunch and breakfast. I think I'm going to have to stop this or I'll gain weight but boy was it all good yesterday. 

Rick has been dieting and has lost 17lbs. You know how I got him to diet? Telling him about his upcoming doctor appointment that is how. 

He has a cardiologist appointment tomorrow. Dr. B as we call him. (his last name is a lot of letters and neither of us can pronounce) 

Rick really likes and admires him.  He is younger, animated, very personable, and an excellent doctor, what's not to like? 

But boy does he give Rick a lot of shit about his weight as well he should.  

When Rick was at the hospital once a long time ago they asked him who he saw for his bp. When he said Dr. B the doctor there stopped, looked at Rick and said, "you do know he is the BEST in his field" 

Rick said he did indeed. So anyway he is going to see Dr B tomorrow and he knows he will be yelled at again for his weight. 

Rick goes between 220-300. Remember he is a big guy at 6'1.5" (yes he shrunk from 6'2")  Yes 300.  That is horrific but when he sat at a desk he ballooned. He is now 261 and was 278. I have been trying to get him to diet as I watched him climbing. I stopped buying the stuff he loves to eat. I make healthy meals. But then one day I go to his truck and see candy, I see a box of small donuts, things never in our home. I did not wish to nag him. I just said, "really rick?" as I pointed to them. 

He laughed and said,"well I don't eat this all at once. This has been in here for a while." 

I just laughed. (as if that makes it better the silly boy)

But then a month ago I mentioned that his appointment with Dr. B was coming up. OMG, he began eating the same as me only larger portions. 

He emptied his truck junk into the garbage. (I honestly thought he'd eat it all before dumping it.) I made him some granola and he has that in the truck now and he eats more fruit daily than anyone I know. he stopped bread with the exception of 2 times. You can't eliminate all things. 

He stopped the alcohol. He stopped the sweets. And he has dropped 17lbs. I said if you can do that in 4 weeks you can continue until you get to 220 again. He moans. I laugh. I told him to be thankful he is not a woman. Women still think you're a cute old coot. No woman that overweight would be told she was cute. 

Trust me I know this.

We also watched this weekend something on TV about how so many people fear the vaccine. A man discussing how this was done so quickly vs how long it took for the smallpox vaccine. In fact, that vaccine continued to be made better over 200 years.  Today's technology was the answer to how it could be done faster. Also, not one man working alone helps. I wonder if anyone felt they didn't want the vaccine and wanted to take their chances of getting smallpox back in the day? I get the apprehension, I really do. But isn't that why so many people are being guinea pigs for the rest of us? Taking one for the team so to speak? The couple we know who are in the Pfizer trial are doing well. No side effects and they have the anti-bodies currently. They are monitored weekly and it is a lot of their time. I thanked them. The blood work, the tests, the monitoring all of it. I realize they are retired but this is still a great deal of their time daily. 

We also learned that this is not a live virus which should also help people feel better about it. I was unaware of that but since watching the scientist on tv this weekend I did learn that tidbit of information that is most helpful to me.  Once all this data is given I know nurses will feel better. They need stats, information, good bad and ugly. I understand that.

Today the vaccine arrived in the UK. They are going to begin the vaccination this week. I guess we can see what happens there. They are our guinea pigs in a way too. I thank everyone who is taking one for the team right now!!  After just having the worst side effect from any medication in my life I am hesitant. Depends on the time of day you ask me.

You?

47 More Days

It's Friday. Whoo- Hoo.

Things around here begin to slow down during this time of year. 

We are booked solid up until the 23rd. The phones are quiet and that is great for me to not feel the pressure to be upright. 

Although now that I can be I want to be. 

But not working is okay until I see how I can't pay anything. Minor detail. 

My energy gets better daily but not where it was before so I am just takin' it slow and takin' it easy to quote The Eagles. 

I must say while I am the Grinch this doesn't even feel like Christmas to me.

I also realize it may have something to do with being in a medical and pain fog for a month or two. 😂

But it's just very weird. Normally it feels like Christmas and I feel all the pressure that goes with Christmas. It is normally a very heavy wet blanket feel on me. 

But not this year. I am not sure how I feel about that. I am thinking I am schizophrenic about it all. I HATE Christmas and this year it doesn't feel like it and it makes me sad. What a damn mental case I am!

Last night I was so tired. Oh hell who am I kidding, I have had such fatigue through all of this. But I was also feeling so much better. I actually ate a tiny bit of dinner. I haven't done that in about 4 weeks. 

So if I'm eating...I'm baaack. 

I ate my dinner and then went to the sofa to watch some jeopardy. I was wrapped in a blanket and had the heating pad on me. (I have been unusually cold and it was in the 50s yesterday not like it was bitter) 

Rick says I'm not eating enough to keep my furnace going. He is weird. 

(I ate broth twice in one day - I ate.)  Anyhoo I got so comfy. I yelled out a few answers and I awoke at 11pm to Rick telling me to go to bed. I actually slept through the night!!  I could have slept for another 12 hrs, maybe this weekend.

And I must again tell you that Rick makes the BEST damn chicken soup in the land. 

He can fix broken bones with this stuff!  No lie!

I tell you no Jewish mom has it over him on this. 

His Waspy Nordic penicillin I swear. 

I asked him to make another batch but without the chicken. He thought that was weird. I know he needs the damn carcass to make it. But instead of then shredding the meat and adding it, just leave me the veggies and broth. So he made two batches, one for me and one for him. I think he should bottle it up and sell it. Everyone who eats his soup says this. Damn, that could be our retirement. 😂

Uncle Ricky's Chicken Soup (all his nieces and nephews call him that.)

My mom called me this morning to tell me that my nephew has covid. 

She didn't know much. He is at home currently. But she hasn't heard from my sister yet today to get more info. Apparently, a guy in the truck lied and went home to buffalo over thanksgiving. My nephew is a linesman for the state electric company. He was in the truck with this dude. His sister is currently in quarantine to await her covid test results from being in contact with someone she found out has covid. My mom had so little info to tell me. I reached out to my sister via text but have not heard back. I am sure she is busy with 2 children seriously ill. He is 27 and she is 22. Neither lives at home with their mom and I guess that is good so my sister I hope is taking all precautions right now. God this sucks. I hope they now take this seriously in the midwest and start doing what they are told and not what they feel like doing!

No one is visiting me until this is over. Period. end of story. 

They will have to deal with it.

This weekend is filled with refilling my energy levels and listening to some music. I desperately wish to clean the kitchen. I start something and then need to lay down. My kitchen is a mess. Rick just doesn't see this. 

So it will stay that way until I can do it. Oh, the stove!! 

Women, you know what I'm talking about.

I have not had a glass of wine since October 25th. 

Can you tell I am longing? 

But it still doesn't sound like it is something I can do yet. I mean if I have to eat dry toast, wine should not be on my mind. I long to feel good enough to have some. I can't even drink coffee right now so I know wine is not something I could tolerate but yet I think about it. Hmm...I do think about that and ice cream. I think I may need a 12 step program. lol.  

Ice cream anonymous. Do they have that one yet? 

I hope ya'll have a nice weekend. Now that I am feeling so much better maybe I'll have a funny for you all on Monday just like the old days, which I now long for. You know the ones before a dictator took over our democracy and this damn dreadful Pandemic.  Happy Friday to you all. 

Only 47 more days.

Grocery Store

This was one of the posts of an incident I remembered while lying in bed for 5 days unable to get to my computer. But I'm back and here it is.

I got out of my car and I was holding my mask. As I got to the door of the grocery store a young man who stands outside to provide masks and to disinfect your cart pointed to my hand and then my face. I looked at my hand and then laughed. I said to him as I put it on, 'It works better on my face right?"  He smiled at me and stayed more than 6ft away from me.

I grabbed my cart and was still in the "vestibule" area because a woman with 3 children was having a meltdown and we couldn't enter. I turned to see what was behind me and an older man about 80 with his wife was holding his mask. Hers was on.  I thought to myself. Ha, I'm not the only one who does that. I pointed to his hand as the kid out front did to me. He looked at his hand and YELLED...FUCK YOU. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. I WILL WEAR THIS IF I FEEL LIKE IT. 

Wow! The first thing I knew was he was not from around these parts. 

We don't have that kind of shit here thank goodness. But I could not get away and I did something that felt really good that I never would have done even 10 years ago. (geez aging has made me mouthier) 

I smiled even though he couldn't see it, I lowered/softened my voice and said so sweetly. Sir, I did the same thing upon entering and the young man out front reminded me that I was holding it because I just forgot. I thought you had done the same thing. I was just trying to be nice. To help a neighbor. You went from zero to a "fucking" rage at me for no reason at all. You have a nice thanksgiving now. 

Now his wife is hitting him. I mean belting him in the arm with her purse or something. She is also yelling at him and calling him names. 

She apologizes to me. He does not. But he now will no longer make eye contact with me. I tell them both to have a wonderful day and a happy holiday again and thank God, the mom with the 3 crazy children got out of our way. 

Who do I run into in almost every aisle? He wouldn't even look at me. She did though. I could tell she smiled each time. 

Everyone is at their wit's end today. If we aren't hearing dire Pandemic news we are having to listen to the misadventures of the trumps. Money and food are a struggle. Missing human contact and the list goes on. I get it we are all under all kinds of stress. But I don't get the anger at others for nothing more than a help. I wonder if he would have done that if the kid out front hadn't been helping an older woman and he saw him with no mask. The poor kid was all of 15-17. He may have cried. 

When it was time to check out I was behind them in line. I know it made this guy so uncomfortable. I enjoyed that I must say. 

Hey, I try to be nice but I can be petty too. 

Then when they asked if they had a Giant card the woman told them they were from out of town and didn't shop here. I knew they weren't from here. As they were ready to leave the woman stopped and turned to me and softly said, "thank you" Her husband took off with the cart so he was not in earshot thank goodness or who knows what he'd have done. 

I just smiled and nodded and then said Happy Thanksgiving. 

Hopefully, she could see the smile from the crinkles around my eyes. 

But why a thank you? I have wondered that for a while now. 

Thank you for not yelling at her husband's poor behavior? 

I don't have any idea. I am glad I did not stoop to his level. 

I am proud I did it in a nice and kind way and he just took it the wrong way. This was his issue. 

The old (or should I say younger) Peg would have just let him spew shit at me and I would have said nothing. And each aisle I went down I would have fumed even more inside. Because everything I would have wanted to say would have me acting like him and I will not behave that way. I will carry myself in a way I will be proud and my mom would be proud of. 

But in the old days after holding my anger in I'd come home & bitch to poor Rick. HAHA.  But softening my voice was to show him I wasn't mad, that he misunderstood and there was no reason to get upset.  I know she got it. I wonder if he learned anything? Doubtful people like that. Or maybe he was having a bad day and he regrets it. I hope so. 

I certainly don’t want 'Atta Girl's' 

This was just right for me. 

We all have to do what feels right to us I just wish more people felt it right to be kind first. 

Ramblin' Peg

I was reading how our dictator spent 3 million dollars on a recount in Wisconsin. A recount that our tax paying dollars was used for. A recount with monies that could have been spent on another Stimulus, to help all the businesses dying, to help all the people out of work and that are hungry. 3 Million dollars of our tax paying dollars to find out that it was done honestly but 87 more votes were found for Biden. How long is this asshole going to do this to our country? I know, I know until he is taken out in handcuffs. I hope that is done on the 19th.  Or a blowgun like they do large animals in the wild. Wouldn't that be fun? The big fat orange mass is down - tag 'em and haul him off.

________

So did any of you see the ending to Undoing on Sunday night?  OMG. 

I don't see how they can have another season. This should stop now I think. 

I won't give it away but I will say I have gone back and forth on who did this. Nicole Kidman is very good in this role as is the child actor who plays her son. Hugh Grant needs some serious moisturizer!

Or maybe they wanted him to look that bad. I mean he's Hugh Grant, he still looks good but...no woman in cinema can age but you can put a haggled face dried up prune of a man up there and they talk about his character.  Yes, I rolled my eyes as I typed that. That makes me a bit angry. 

________

But speaking of older women. 

What Hollywood has named "the unf---able". 

This is all women over 40 apparently. 

When a woman gets to a certain age they referred to her/them as what I wrote above. They even spoke about this phrase in the CBS interview I saw these 3 women in on Sunday.  Candace Bergen, Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest. I love these women, Meryl, my least favorite but Dianne Wiest can do no wrong in my book. They have a new Steven Soderbergh movie out Dec 10th on HBO MAX and I think theatres if anyone wants to get cooties at the theatre.  I can't wait for something new to watch. It sounds good.

__________

Rick sent me this meme and I found it funny.

_______

I don't wish to make my blog all about illness. No one ever wants to listen to someone go one about their aches and pains.  I have decided that until I have answers and some things nailed down I will tell you that I am perfect according to all tests. That is true. All tests have been perfect. 

In the meantime, I am doing my very best to stand upright, stay strong, and be positive. Even though most days I am none of those. I'm just scared, exhausted, in pain and tired of the fight. Thank you for your kind comments they all mean the world to me but I won't be talking about this any further until I have good or bad news to report. 

Let me Fix It.

I can do it myself he said.
I muttered under my breathe knowing damn well he can't do it.

Each city we have lived in he panics because it is a new cable company and new remote etc. I program everything while he is away and he comes home to it all being okay in his world. When we had a DVD player and had to record shows/movies on tape I had to do that as well. Even today with something as easy as the DVR he is clueless. What day is Fargo on? I hate that show but I program it and put it in a folder marked Rick so he can find it. 

When we got the firestick I did it. It was plug and play but I knew the remote to switch to a different input would confuse the shit out of him.  

So I explained to him how to get to it with which remote so he could watch HBO etc. It still took weeks for it to stick for the poor fella.

We have been saving for a year now for a new TV and soundbar. 

We can't hear shit and the newer the TV it seems the worse the sound.  

So add those together and you end up using closed captions sometimes. Our current TV was also lagging if we watched some things on youtube or amazon. The mouth and the sound were not always in sync. I was told by several people it was because our TV is old. The term old is relative here.

It's 5 yrs old. But apparently in TV times, it is ancient with the newer technology.

Personally, if they can make the picture better why put the speakers in the back where it is against the wall? Who is the genius that did that?

So we kept watching the prices of the TV we wanted and saw it was going down. But I was holding out for black Friday and sure enough, it dropped another $50. 

It was now $650 less than normal. I was okay with that. 

The soundbar dropped $100. So we hit enter got ourselves a new TV and soundbar.  

BUT right before I hit enter I said, "Hey Rick it's only $99 for them to install with the delivery. I think we need to do that too."

Rick huffed loudly for emphasis I guess. "Margaret, any idiot could do this. We are just taking the old one off the mount and putting this one up there"  

"But, I say, this is bigger I can't help you, and what if you need some help holding up an end or something. I think for $99 we should do this." 

No, just hit enter. He made a fuss and even though I knew better I went along with him. What the hell is wrong with me?!!

It arrived on Sunday at 8:30am. I know they said between 7-1p but honestly, I didn't expect them here that early. It took Rick 10 minutes just to open the top of the box and he thinks he can handle this? please. 

I knew how this was going to go. Why didn't he?

He moved the current TV on the mount to the left, back to the right. 

He read instructions and took out the firestick. He huffed. He puffed. 

I went to the 3rd floor I didn't want to see a TV crash to the floor that we just saved all our money for. 

He came up an hour later asking about how I was feeling. 

I said, "you know how I'm feeling now tell me what happened downstairs."

Nothing he says. 

"What do you mean nothing?"

"I mean the directions were vague they were asking for things that I don't have and I got frustrated and left the old TV right where it was"

"Good"

Then he has the balls to say, "Why don't you just see about someone coming to install it this week?" 

"

WHAT?  You realize it will cost us a boatload more now because you are so !@#"$!$ stubborn?" (I've check $300 more)

"Oh be thankful I don't feel well because I am so pissed right now Richard"

He went back downstairs. Good call on his part. 

I cooled off but it still angers me that he does this.

He can build a cabinet for the TV. He can build a fireplace and mantel to use the TV above. He can build the house the TV goes into. He just can't do one single thing with electronics. That's okay. He got a new phone, I had to help him. What the hell makes him think he can do this? It's nothing to be ashamed of. They won't take his man card. My goodness, the man can fix, build, and repair most anything just not electronics. Everyone has to have their kryptonite. Electronics are Rick's Kryptonite. He needs to face this truth. 

In the past when I've doubted him he gets all hurt and says I don't believe in him. That is utter nonsense. I just know his limitations and he needs to wake up to them too. He doesn't have to fix EVERYTHING. What is it about men that they have a need to fix and let's be honest generally they make things worse? 

Last evening he said to me, "I should know better I really don't do well with electronics."

"Ya think?"

He laughs.

I said,"from now on please allow me to remind you of this when I want to hire someone for help and you won't get mad or have hurt feelings."

"Oh I'll get mad because it pisses me off that I can't do this. It seems so simple.But I promise I won't take offense or be mad at you, just myself". 

I can live with that.