My life - a continuing saga

For an update on what's going on around here.

Tuesday AM - The 4th garage door opener I've had since Thanksgiving is now beginning to stop working. Thank goodness one remote still works but not mine and the keyless entry only works occasionally.

The latest thing was last night before going to bed I discovered we didn't have any hot water. I went to the garage to check it - husband sitting in his chair and not moving - and found it cold. It is gas and I am deathly afraid of gas ever since the stove blew up and threw me across the house when I was 11. He yelled "Check the pilot light." I got as close as I dared and didn't see any flame. (Needless to say, he didn't get up and help.) The next statement was "Call and get them out here." (It was 9:30 PM)

Wednesday AM - The garage door opener dealer/installer just left and promised me they have the garage door opener fixed. He brought me an article from a magazine that talks about this very situation. All this is caused from homeland security following 9-11 and the "government" wanting to clear the old frequencies used by garage door openers. He also said this area is the worst in the region because of the cell phone tower on one side of me and the a Gas Company on the other. He said they are continually changing their frequencies and the gas company uses jet engines to power some of their equipment and they change those out often. The two combined was giving us our problems.

The door can now be stopped and left up like we want it. At least it does with mine. We have wires running every where so it can have direct power. But if it works, I really don't care.

Wednesday PM - Got a new hot water heater, but since it is in the garage, the government (I'm beginning to hate that word) now has made a law that a gas heater must be up 2 foot off the concrete floor to be approved. The man put one in after we had to remove the shelf above the washer and dryer because it was too low. I'll get it shortened and a new bracket up later. Then when he was finished I realized there is not enough room now for the dryer. He thought we could "shove it down a little" but didn't notice it is up against the wall on that side and the heater is on the other. He will have to come back Friday and take it drain it, take it back down, put it up on concrete blocks, and repeat the connection process. We measured - that just give the dryer enough room. In the mean time the dryer is setting in front of the interior door with just enough room to walk by and come inside.

Next, when the guy left he said there were be air in the water lines for some time. I went to the main bath to wash my hands and let the water run. It ran about 20 seconds and then became a trickle. Thought it was the air. Checked the other lines - OK. Went back; the water is going out underneath the sink. Don't you just love it!

Thank goodness I can still laugh about it. However, that may not last much longer.

God's power

This week our area has been visited by God's tremendous power. Storms swept through with winds over 100 MPH. Trees were blown down, rain not only fell, but exploded on us, small streams rose and covered roads, lightning flashed, thunder rolled. This week's Sunday School lesson is about just that very thing - God's creation and power. As I prepare to teach that lesson tomorrow, our class will probably discuss this week's events.

November 15, 2005, just five months ago, our county was hit by two F4 tornadoes, with many homes completely destroyed, mahy others damaged and in need of repair before they could be habitable, and one life lost. This week was a sharp reminder of that, and how vulnerable we humans are to God's power.

As I type this, the weather forecast is on - more storms for today, tomorrow, and Monday. This is just the start of the Spring Storm season. It is definitely times like this that should draw us closer to God and strengthen our faith. It does for me. I hope it does for you, also.

Praise God we are safe - for now. We are in God's hands. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones and property Thursday night. I pray no more lives are lost and property is protected from the damaging weather being predicted.

In a later blog I probably will discuss the fire that destroyed my daughter's home last summer. The news on property damage brings that to the forefront of my mind. It is still fresh in our hearts.

Stay safe. God bless.

Mickey and Phoebe 

Pets

Today’s topic is pets; more specifically, my pets. I have a feline daughter who is in her teenage years (about 10 months old), and she has a much older canine brother. He is about 13 years old, so he’s what - about 70 in human years? Although arthritis is beginning to hinder his activities, Mickey does manage to keep up with Phoebe most days. She still is in the playful stage and loves to “box” with him. She will stand in front of him and raise up on her haunches with both front legs in the air. He will begin to move his head and pretend to snap at her. They are quite a sight!

Phoebe eats her food; if she has any left over, she knocks the bowl over in the floor and gives it to Mickey. He seems to love her food better that his own. In return, he will occasionally groom her and clean her fur.

I wonder where the phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” came from. Certainly none of my four-legged children have ever been like that. All of them have been loving to each other, sharing food, snuggling up in a chair for a nap together, and taking care of each other. It is such a joy to watch them interact with each other and have them as companions.

I thank God for providing us with animals to enjoy. I wonder if we provide Him with as much joy?

Welcome to Sidney's Snippets

Sidney's Snippets was a brainchild of mine back in 2001 when I was installed as President of the Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministry. I felt an e-mail newsletter to women throughout the denomiation would be a good tool to keep the lines of communication open. I used it to let them know of my travels, activities, update information on the upcoming events, and voice my opinions on some topics. I dissolved it when I went out of office in 2002.

Since that time I have missed the time of sitting down and connecting with those wonderful ladies. I have developed an internet newsletter for my local church and our presbytery. I use them to send out prayer requests, breaking news, and announce events.

In addition to being a frustrated wannabe writer, I am an only child of an aging mother, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a Sunday School teacher, a Choir member, an officer of our Women's Ministry, a bowler, a Red Hatter, and many other things all rolled into one package - just like other women.

Welcome to my world through Sidney's Snippets!