Specialists

Everyone is a specialist. The sanitation men only pick up grass clippings on Fridays. Yesterday I needed to have my car looked over because I changed insurance carriers. One place needed an appointment even though they were empty. I went to the second place and they do not do inspections in the rain. The rain had stopped two hours prior so I have no idea why they could not take a picture of my car that was totally dry. I think I want to become a specialist. From now on I will only talk to intelligent people. That would limit my conversations down to about 18 people.

Cost Comparison

Every few years I check the rates of comparable insurance companies. The last time I checked I was getting a good deal. Yesterday I called to see what the new rates of my next car would be and I was astounded. It almost doubled from the previous years. I called the agent and he said that rates did go up but he would try to lower them a bit. I immediately called a rival company and went down my policy point by point to see what they would charge me. If I went with them I would save $1400 a year. Of course I switched the policies. Then I was annoyed with myself that I had not checked last year.

The Folks

My sister and I spent yesterday visiting my parents. We brought in Chinese food and just sat around talking all day. We went through some family keepsakes and reminisced about our past. When we are all together we do not see age. We are just a mom, dad and their two girls. It is the same family dynamic that has been there for over 60 years. We are blessed that we can still have a regular conversation and that they can still fend for themselves. It was a wonderful day. 

Notes

I always have scrap paper in the desk drawer next to my computer. If I need to jot down a number or a thought, the paper is handy. At dinner last night my husband asked me why I was writing down the names of horses? Horses? Where did he get that from? He said that he saw the names of two horses on a note paper. I never gamble so why would I suddenly take an interest in horses? When I got home I went to the desk and looked at my notes. Since I am creating a child ID bracelet, I was searching for upscale children's stores. The names of the stores looked like the names of racehhorses. I told my husband to stop reading other people's scrap notes.

Paper Plates

This morning I will be shopping for some paper goods for a party that I will be having next week. I need plates, napkins, 2 types of cups and plastic cutlery. Thinking back to when I was a child, no one used paper goods. We used real plates and cups. My parents made parties and used china and stemware. Stemware, now that is almost a lost word. The younger generation probably would have no idea what it was. Everything was formal. In fact, my parents still rarely use paper plates. In their house, even snacks are served in a regular dish. My generation and the one after it are more on the go and have less time to spend washing dishes, so paper has become a way of life.

Gymnast

My granddaughter had her gymnastic recital the other day. My son sent me a lot of pictures from it so I could see her accomplishments. I could not believe how agile she is. She was climbing walls, walking on balance beams, flying on the parallel bars and climbing ropes. Her little legs looked muscular as she was swinging in mid air. I was so impressed. After the recital she received a medal and a bouquet of flowers. Her face was beaming with pride. She is such a beautiful, wonderful, little lady.

Long Distance Sale

My husband is selling his car. The infatuation with his Thunderbird is over. This is the last time he will ever buy a "special" car. He put it up for sale on eBay. A man who was interested in it, was out planting in his garden when the auction ended and never had a last chance to bid. He emailed my husband and they spoke on the phone later that day. He loved the car and wants to buy it. He lives in Indiana. He gave us a down payment and has made reservations for him and his wife to fly to New York next Tuesday and buy the car. They will then get into it and drive 750 miles back home. The car has only been driven 30 miles at a time as that is all my husband needed  it for. I hope that it goes 750 without trouble. We will pick them up at JFK and bring them here to do the transaction. They thought they would do it at JFK but that is absurd. I will not count thousands of dollars in a parking lot and sign papers. They were so glad that we are allowing them to come to our home. It seems that they have a car collection and fly all over the United States and Canada to purchase cars. They must have money to do this. So, next Tuesday they will get on the road and drive their new purchase home. My son said that it is a good thing that two of them will be in the car. One to stay with the car and the other to hail the tow truck.