Ecstatic!

Out with the old; in with the new. What a difference a new power strip makes!!

My new TV began randomly turning off and then back on, beginning with the recent thunderstorm that rattled through our area. I didn't think too much about it until I also lost the "guide" function that allows me to look at the day's offerings and set up to DVR that which I will watch tomorrow. Curious, I got down on the floor, a huge undertaking when one cannot bend one's knee, nor put direct pressure on it, and saw that the power strip was blinking. Deciding that was, indeed, not a good sign, I drove across the freeway to the big box store's electronics' department and bought both a new strip for the media center and for the laptop computer--just in case, ya know.

Wow, I am totally ecstactic with my new strips! The picture on the new TV is so sharp and crisp, and the remote device works much quicker than it was. I know that bad weather affects the cable input off the surrounding poles, but I had no idea that a bad power strip could also affect electronic performance. Guess I just wasn't thinking in the viagra vein ... boosting the performance of an old, tired piece of equipment.

Also, I had the carpet cleaners come in, for which I believe I paid the technician's monthly mortgage payment. I had no idea just how expensive it could be to remove pounds of dog hair from carpeting, tile floors, and a huge wrap-around couch. The good news is that my house smells much cleaner than it has recently, especially since Crazy Dazy was reluctant to go outside to potty during the storms. The tech told me that the solutions used during the cleaning help to dissipate the odor of urine, but also discourage pets from returning to the spot again. However, in my living room, there are many acres of unspoiled carpet left to soil, and winter is just beginning.

I enjoyed sitting outside for the 2 hours the cleaning took, reading a good book by Rick Mofina, The Panic Zone. I picked up my first Mofina novel as I was drawn to the name (how fine is he? Mo-fina!), but I've read several as he writes a good story that would also make a good movie, especially if Matt Damon is looking for work. The Jack Gannon character is more clever than smart, and more determined than daring.

The dogs aren't too happy with spending the day outside, but until the carpets and the furniture are dry and I've brought back all the scatter rugs for their most favorite nap areas, they are staying outside. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and all too soon it will be too cold to enjoy so many hours sitting in the sunshine. Besides, I haven't quite finished my Mofina and still have a couple of hours of daylight left to do so. Priorities, people!