A Bumpy August

What a summer!  Or maybe, what an August!  Do you want to hear about it?  Probably not, but here goes anyway!  (My therapy, remember.)

First, there was the burglar alarm problem.  After the 4th visit from an ADT service man, I pitched a fit!  It was not one of my proudest moments, but it worked.  I was switched from talking to Florida (where my alarm is monitored) to talking to Fort Worth (which actually dispatches the repairmen.)  The manager there finally sent a lead technician out.  After showing me the multiple mistakes of the other servicemen, he fixed my problem(s) in a permanent manner!  Hallelujah!  I have a much improved smoke detection system, which is a biggie.

Mingled in with those service calls was a sprinkler head problem.  The sprinklers are set to run in the early morning hours, so when one malfunctions it is not evident until the next morning.  By that time there was a lake in front of my house and my neighbor's house.  This actually happened twice.  And, yes, you should see my water bill!  (I do have an excellent sprinkler guy--Kevin Jones.)

A co-conspirator on my water bill is my pool.  One day I noticed that my pool guy (neighbor Scott Bradley) had the water running to fill up the pool.  But...it ran and ran and the pool was not filling up.  I suspected right away that I had another crack.  It is a fiberglass pool which had sustained a crack once before.  Sure enough here was Scott tapping at my back door to give me the bad news.  I had saved the name of the excellent repair company from the prior incident.  The man who fixed it before finally got here to look at it Friday and was supposed to be here to attempt the repair today.  Unfortunately, he couldn't come, but I did get a call nice and early this morning informing me of that.

Then there's my electricity situation.  Jack and I always patted ourselves and each other on the back for our loyalty to good old Texas Electric, or whatever name it's going by now.  We had stuck with them for 50 plus years.  I suppose you know how they rewarded us for our loyalty.  Yes, they overcharged us!  Fortunately, a 24 month contract I had signed with them expired, and I heard about another carrier charging less, at about the same time.  So...bye, bye old "friend."  Wish I'd booted you two years ago.

In an unrelated problem, I was sitting having lunch a couple of Saturdays ago, and I got a call from my credit card company.  While I was using my credit card for an inexpensive lunch in Arlington, someone was using an actual card with my name and number on it in Orlando, Florida, buying very expensive items.   Now how in the world could that happen?  Well, I think it's something called "skimming," but I have no idea how it would be possible.  I spent mucho time on the phone that weekend trying to find out what I needed to do, much of it to the Philippines.  (Out-sourcing has to be one of my pet peeves.)  They forwarded forms which my computer couldn't download properly, gave me contradictory information, etc., etc., etc.  I now have a new card but still face the hassle of changing any automatic charges to the new number.

So, how was your August?  I'm definitely kidding.  I am still blessed beyond measure, and WAY beyond what I deserve. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say Rejoice.  Let all men know your gentleness.  (Sorry, ADT in Florida.)  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything (certainly not a pool), but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will be granted your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7

A Progress Report

I know you are all waiting eagerly to hear how the "new" Charleigh-Girl is doing!  It is pretty hard to believe.  She has been rigorously tested by repeated visits from the ADT Security repair guy.  He has been here Thursday, Friday, and twice today.  (And it's still not fixed.)  Charleigh-Girl has not jumped on him one single time!  That has never happened before in 6 years! 

I have also been able to put a stop to her idiosyncrasies--going crazy over the icemaker, the popping open of canned drinks, taking off my shoes, my answering the phone, etc., etc., etc.!

I'm not sure, however, just exactly who has been busted.  I fear it might me moi.  I have to really stay on my toes to be consistent.  It is not permissible for me to pet her every time she requests.  I have to initiate the petting, and she has to sit first, since I'm now the boss!  It may be easier to teach an old dog new tricks than to teach an old owner new tricks.