You’d Think…

You’d think that in this great age of technology it would be easy to find a contractor to do something.

In the past… pre-internet… I would go through the phone book – the yellow pages of said phone book – evaluate the ads and call several businesses to get estimates.

My problem is that there is no ‘single phone book’ anymore… in my cabinet I have one put out by Verizon for Lancaster County that also has a supplement book… there is another put out by Yellowbook for several of my local communities… yet another put out by one of the small baby bell phone companies… and a Lancaster County Business Directory made available each year from one of our local stores.  The stack in the top right corner are duplicates – all dated for 2013 (these will land in the recycle bin).

 

The real kicker is… they all have different businesses listed.  So you still have to look through them all.

I know you are thinking… just search the internet already!  That is all well and good… there are some businesses that come up in a search but most of these businesses don’t have web sites.  So all I’m getting is more phone numbers. 

And then when you do call people and leave messages… you never hear back from them?  What’s up with that?

My New Faucet!

What do you mean you don’t see the faucet?

Let me start at the beginning…

When we moved into The Stone House nearly 4 years ago I just couldn’t appreciate the special features of the existing faucet.  It had a removable handle… yeah… really… came right off in your hand every time you used it.  A bit of an inconvenience when you are spending so much time cleaning a new to us old house.  So The Engineer picked up a cheap kitchen faucet and I’ve made do these past several years.  My biggest gripe with that faucet was that it wasn’t tall and I use lots of tall pots. 

Last year I saw the Delta Faucet Touch2O advertised… and I LOVED it.  It would give me the height I want and the touch feature would turn running water on and off thereby saving water (shhh - I tend to be a water runner)… and water is expensive here so that is a key feature for us.

I ordered the faucet last week and The Engineer set about the business of installation the other day.  We had a large Stainless Steel sink with a small bowl on the left for the disposer.  The drain for the large bowl was showing some wear and needed to be replaced and I wanted the sink lifted and resealed to fix a leaky area – since all the stuff under the sink was removed already it seemed like the time to do it all.

Well… nothing is never as easy as it should be!  The Engineer is perfectly capable of doing the work… it is just that the equipment didn’t cooperate. 

The drain was indeed in sad shape but had apparently been GLUED in place and we couldn’t remove it.   So off we go to buy a new sink.

Fortunately Sad to say they didn’t have the same sink so we looked over the available styles and this cast iron one was our favorite – the large bowl is plenty big for my canning pot and (woohoo) deep too - and the small side is actually big enough to be useful.  But goodness gracious this guy is heavy!

The person who installed the old sink apparently cut the hole too big and that sink was sitting on just a quarter inch of counter all the way around… which explains why I had a hard time keeping it sealed.  Since this new sink is so much heavier we decided to add a little support underneath.  I’d really like a new counter… but that’s not happening any time soon… LOL

The plumbing will need to be reworked as the drains don’t line up with the previous drains… and the disposer needs to be switched to the other side – which means it needs to be rewired… oh and I need to call the fella that installed the water filter because that spigot needs to be moved as well.

It’s clear the old sink was installed by an idiot a not too handy handyman and not a plumber… This is exactly why Plumbers make so much money… they are worth it!

Hopefully today the plumbing will be finished up…Hopefully…

Gone…

Have you ever looked for something only to find it’s gone?

I have opened, moved, and unpacked every bin and box in my sewing room and I cannot find what I’m looking for.

The other night I started out looking for some samples I had made from the Bits and Pieces Book a few years ago.  I know I got these back from Southampton Quilts late last winter and was going to send them back to display again.  After I had gone through and looked everywhere the first time I realized that I also did not see the fabric I had bought for the back of my grandsons quilt. ?????  The quilt I need to be working on soon.  I can visualize both of these items in my sewing room.

Sunday I started at one end of my sewing room and opened everything, looked through every bin, box, and drawer.  I looked in the attic storage space, I looked in the storage cubby, I looked in the basement, and went through every other place that had a door, drawer, or cover to it.

I found nothing…

As I’ve pondered this over the past few days I realize I’ve also not seen a tote bag of quilting samples and some other finished pieces… I haven’t a clue where I could have stashed them.

I’m having a really hard time wrapping my head around this… I guess I should make a list of the things I haven’t seen so that I know what I’m looking for.  Phooey!

The worst part is now I have to go find new fabric for the back of my grandsons quilt… uuuugggghhh!

Sirens… and Quilts too!

Sirens… local volunteer fire department sirens.  The fire station is just down the street and around the corner – probably only about a mile away… if that.  So we hear sirens on a regular basis during the day… and usually they are just part of the background noise of daily life.

But at two in the morning those sirens sound like they are in my back yard… right outside our bedroom window - why is that?

At two in the morning those sirens wake the dog… the dog that is afraid of sirens… the dog that hasn’t figured out the difference between the fire department siren and the quarry siren.  She hears a siren and thinks the ground is going to go boom and rumble… she doesn’t understand and doesn’t find it as cool as I do to feel the rumble. 

So at two in the morning I head downstairs to shoo her back into the kitchen because she’s pushed her way through the gate that keeps them contained to the kitchen and laundry room.  It’s not so much that it keeps them in the kitchen/laundry room as it keeps the fur and dirt they track in out of the rest of the house.

Anyhoo… so I put up a second gate - because 2 gates are better than one… at two in the morning… when sirens are whaling… and a silly dog is freaking out… (yeah I’m sympathetic like that – at two in the morning)

And when I return to my bed… the siren sounds again… six tones… six long tones… up and down… and up and down again… emphatically calling the volunteers… and scaring the dog… because the siren is literally right outside our window… or so it seems at two in the morning.

So what was the problem?  Big factory fire… spreading quickly to other buildings in the high winds… lots of toxic smoke… we were evacuated… it was quite the scene getting all that we would need for us and the dogs… not sure if we would have a house when we returned… 

At least that’s what happened in my dream… the fire and evacuation – the sirens were real…

I have no idea what really happened… because there was nothing mentioned during the local morning news… no mention of an accident or fire… nadda, nothing, zip!

OH WELL… today will be a good day anyway!  The AQS Quilt Show is in Lancaster this week!  Lots of quilty friends have come to town and I will be meeting up with them later today!  I’m actually picking one lady up at the airport this afternoon and I’m excited that I actually get to meet her in person as I’ve known her only ‘virtually’ for many years.

Good Friends and Fabulous Quilts… yeah it’s going to be a good week… and sirens at 2 in the morning aren’t going to make me cranky today… well, ok… not too cranky!

That Storm...

I heard the rumble start way off in the distance.  In the dark of not quite morning it rolled and rumbled closer and louder.

Then the heavy rain fell... all at once like a waterfall making the roof roar in the early morning quiet.

I made my way downstairs knowing that the dog was going to be upset and would force her way through the gate that keeps her in the kitchen.  We didn't need that racket at 5:00 AM.

As I came through the gate - one dog was sound asleep on the kitchen floor... the other one - the one I was most concerned about also sound asleep on her bed in the laundry room.  ? Huh?

I looked out the kitchen door to the sidewalk and driveway beyond... nothing... dry as a bone...

?  Huh?

As real as that thunder and rain had sounded - it was in my dream...

You'd think I'd learn...

But no...

I walk into the grocery store... right past the carts and pick up the carry basket.  I only need to get 3 creamers and 4 TP... a carry basket will do.

Or not.

Not if you pick up some canned pears (I've had a hankering for pears and cottage cheese recently)... a loaf of bread... a carton of soy milk... 2 boxes of cereal... a bag of Tostitos... and some salsa... along with those creamers and TP.

And if you have to carry the Tostitos in your free hand because they don't fit in the basket... and you are using the self check out isle... you are quite likely to leave those Tostitos sitting on top of the candy display where you put them so that you could use both hands to heft the carry basket up onto the platform.

I don't know why I pass by those stupid carts and don't get one...

Don't Cry for Me....

Argentinaaa.....

GGgggggrrrrrr - Thank you very much Susan Boyle!

Did the TV News have to include the little clip of her singing that little ditty?  It will go around, and around, and AROUND my head for days and days before I can shake it out...

And if you managed to miss seeing it...  Well now you are caught up... we will all be walking around singing Acappella in our heads... to Argentina...

I heard that... and you are Welcome!  I'm all about sharing...

In the Middle of the Night...

...in a hotel room in a strange city...

Sounds like the beginning of a bad B movie don't it?  LOL

Let me back up a bit... back to two weeks ago when I left Texas to return home.

The first day of my return trip went fairly well.  I packed up quickly and the dogs were more than happy to jump up and settle down in the car.  Although it was sunny, it was also cold and windy.  By the end of the day (550 miles and 9 1/2 hours) my arms hurt from holding onto the steering wheel all day - especially since I had tripped over one of the dogs 2 nights before.  I was soooo looking forward to going to bed that night.

So there I was... in the middle of the night... in a hotel room... when I woke up... with a pain that went right through me from between my shoulder blades!

Great!  Well - that wasn't actually the word I thought... as I lay in the dark... in the middle of the night... in a hotel room in a strange city... just me and two dogs...

Wondering if it was really a heart attack or just muscle spasms from pulling, jamming, twisting my arms in the door way as I tried to not squash the dog the other night. 

As I lay there... waiting to see if I was actually going to die... I wondered...

How long would I lay there before someone would brave the barking dogs and come in to find out why I hadn't left?

If I called 911 would I be able to give them enough information about the dogs and their medicines so that who ever took care of them wouldn't make them sicker until The Engineer came to pick them up?

In the few 'logical brain cells' I had operating at 2:30 AM... I knew it was just muscle spasms.  But there were not enough 'logical brain cells' awake to veto all the other 'what if brain cells' that were running amok and going through every possible scenario imaginable... and a few more... (I've got lots of 'what if' brain cells) 

Then I had a hot flash... which I knew was a hot flash... but 'what if' it wasn't... LOL

So at 5:00 AM when it was apparent I wasn't going to die or sleep I got up and got my shower.  I knew then that it was truly a muscle spasm because it hurt to raise my arms to wash my hair.

So I dressed and feed the dogs - who were a little confused at having to get up so early.  I had a quick breakfast courtesy of the hotel, threw my stuff in the car and got on the road.

Next time I travel... I'm packing more 'logical brain cells' for the trip!

Coffee, Sunshine, Mud and Pepper...

Coffee:  Just thought I'd let ya know that coffee is again tasting good... it's nice to enjoy my mug of coffee in the morning.  This cold is just about completely gone... just a little congestion left - otherwise I'm pretty good.

Sunshine:  Little secret I'll share with you... if I adjust my mini-blind just so in the shower window... and I get up there before it's too late in the morning  - I can take a shower in the sunshine!  How cool is that!  No I'm not exposing my self to outside - unless you are up there where the sun is you can't see me... but it is nice to get a little bit of sunshine (and Vit. D) without getting cold.  Unfortunately it's cloudy today... but I have been enjoying my little 'sun showers' in the mornings.  LOL

Mud and Pepper:  These go hand in hand around here - unfortunately.  I do not understand why - but my 2 dogs eat dirt - especially now that things are thawing a bit with the warmer weather.  (There are times when they eat 'other things' but I'm just talking about dirt today)  They dig in the dirt and then gobble it up... it's not like I don't feed them.  Usually they eat their meal (they get fed twice a day) and they go right outside and eat dirt... right out and eat dirt!  Auuugh!  I'm tired of them digging - so I figured I'd sprinkle pepper around in the areas they visit to deter them... well that does work... but I didn't sprinkle pepper behind the  bush so one of them this morning headed right out behind there for their 'dirt chaser'.  I'm tired of the mud they are tracking in the house... I'm tired of the mud in the bottom of their water bowl... I'm tired of sweeping dirt back into the holes... I'm tired of washing their bedding because of the mud.  I do not know what is in the mud that attracts them... worms/bugs... ???  Are they missing something in their diets they are trying to supplement??  The vet just kinda shrugged his shoulders... suggested having their stool tested periodically to rule out their picking up problems - but otherwise he wasn't much help.

So anyone else got dogs enjoying 'dirt chasers'?  I'm ready to pave my back yard...

2 Something... 3 Something... 4 Something...

Followed by...

5 something, and 6 something... at which point - I just got UP!

Goodness... I must have slept very well between 10 something and that 2 something when I started waking up every hour -  every stinking hour.

No reason... not dreaming... not hot... no noises... just awake.

I feel like my body is thinking about getting sick... started yesterday when I was outside running the snow blower.  Granted I feel achy but I think that's just from wrestling with the snow blower and the little bit of shovel work I did... man that stuff was heavy!

But I've got a tickle way down my throat... you know - makes your voice sound sexy - but you aren't.  It is a sign I recognize as not a good sign.  So I hauled out the echinacea pills this morning and we'll see if that works again for me.  I'll have to see if I still have some echinacea tea... not only is it good but it's help me fend off a few colds over the years.

I dropped off the 2 class sample quilt tops at the shop this morning so my errands are done.  So maybe I'll go take a nap work on that 4 Patch Stacked Posie quilt top.... or I could go take a nap watch some of those shows I've recorded and not sat down to watch... maybe I should go take a nap practice knitting for my class next week... I really could take a nap clean the kitchen or take a nap do some laundry.  I could always take a nap unpack some other boxes or take a nap arrange the linens.

But what I really want to do is take a nap... TAKE A NAP!

Casual Dress Monday!

It's official... even though the event you are attending says the first day is 'suit and tie' with casual dress the remaining days...

The airline can supersede that decree and declare the first day as "Casual Dress Day"... as in wear what you traveled in all day the day before...

Did you know they can take your carry on bag at the gate and apparently not give it back?

And to think - he didn't check his bag because he wanted to make sure it got where he was going... LOL 

Enough Already!

See these guys...

I have found 3 of them today... just TODAY...

We usually find 3 or 4 every week - some are dead but most are alive - just really cold and motionless - usually laying on their backs.  I scooted one onto my hand one day so that I could toss him in the toilet and as he warmed up he started moving.  He Went Swimming.  Warm sunny days seems to bring them out and about.

This is the kind of bug that I felt really sorry about killing back earlier in the summer... such a drama he put on.  Well my sympathy is fairly thin these days... they go in the toilet or out the door - good riddance.

In my research this is what I've found...

"The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a fairly new species imported from the Far East (e.g., Taiwan, Japan, Korea) which was first discovered in Allentown, Pa., in 2001. It has subsequently been found in New Jersey. It is an ornamental and agricultural pest, which like some stink bug species, find homes and buildings an attractive place to overwinter. Seeing stink bugs inside on warm winter days is not uncommon. As this species begins to spread, its prominence as an overwintering structural pest will increase."

I usually refer to them as dinosaur bugs... they are clumsy and dumb and slow.... and annoying as all get out.

We had a Howling Good New Years Eve...

Seriously... we've had high wind gusts all day.  Seems when the wind is out of the Northwest and is blowing rather hard... it filters through the Plexiglas in the front storm door and sounds very much like the pitch pipe the music teacher use to use in class.

Since I've listened to it all day I figure I may as well share.

For your listening pleasure... I bring you the wind...

Howling Good Time 08_0001.wmv

Here's Wishing Y'all a Very Happy New Year!

Knock it off...

Have you ever been sitting someplace while a couple kids proceeded to be loud and annoying to each other and everyone else?

That just drives me nuts... especially those kids (mostly boys) who seem to take great delight in annoying a sister while the parent is blind to the activities or absent all together.

Such was the case last week when I went to pick up my glasses...

I sat down amongst several other adults and 2 kids who had taken up residence in two small kids size chairs parked in front of the TV showing something about the Great Apes on Animal Planet.  Now I would have been happy to sit and watch had it not been for the constant poking and slapping occurring between the boy and girl.  A few minutes later in twirled the Mom chasing after a toddler who's hands and face were covered in green goooooo - I kid you not - Green Goooo.

The forth child was the one there for an appointment and was apparently changing from one little exam room to another... so Mom and green gooey baby (thankfully) disappeared.  The older two continued to jump up and down, pick up and whack each other with the 'free calendar cards' on the counter and other such nonsense.

I don't know about you but several years ago (I think about the time I hit 50) I stopped sitting by and watching stuff like this.

So I leaned forward and I said in a firm voice...

"Knock it Off, Sit Quietly or Go Sit With Your Mother"

Those two kids never even turned around to see who it was that had just issued that edict.  They immediately stopped their noise - sat up straight facing the TV.  They didn't even look at each other...

A little while later the Mom came back in and called them into the next waiting area... you know the place with all the toys to play with eye glass samples to try on.  I resisted the temptation to wave when they turned to look at me as they followed Mom out.

Does stuff like that drive you nuts too?

He made me feel so guilty...

I hadn't really intended to hurt him...

I gave them all fair warning...

I told them all to get outta my way...

I even tried to distract them...

He just didn't get the hint...

... and again I'll say I hadn't intended to hurt him...

much less KILL him.

I swiped at him with the end of the paint roller to get him away from where I was working... I guess I had an awkward hold onto it and hit him a little harder then I intended... I just wanted him to go away.

... but did he really have to fall over on his back and kick his little legs up into the air... my goodness - the drama involved.

I felt so guilty... damn bug!

I wonder about me sometimes...

I spent a good deal of time today leafing through the phone book, checking a local medical directory, and checking health plan info on the Internet as I've got to make some appointments for all those various body parts that need attention.

I found that the hardest thing is finding a new dentist... I'd really rather go back to MA and see my old dentist - the same dentist I've seen since 1982... (OMG that's 26 years - now I feel old).  I really like him and most importantly I trust him.  The Engineer just will not consider it an option for me to drive a couple hundred mile to have my teeth cleaned or any work done.

Late today whilst I struggled to find a new dentist - I realized that I could find a new OB/GYN Doctor in a flash... but I'm agonizing over finding someone to look around in my mouth...

We had a Blast here today...

Really we did... and we do several times a week!

No - not the "Gee that was a Blast!" kind of thing - but the "Wow that was a Blast" as in 'sirens in the background, pause, BOOM, rumble, rumble' kind of thing.

Actually it's not right here at the Stone House - it's just beyond the next road over... at the Quarry.

I was happy to learn of the Quarry the other day as it 'splains that strange boom/rumble I've heard/felt around here every once in a while.  I never put it together with the siren off in the distance because our town has a volunteer fire dept and hearing a siren is a regular part of life here at the Stone House.

I am also happy to know I'm not crazy... well - um, not so's you'd notice anyway.

How you tell time depends on where you are in life...

Many years ago when I worked full time for a School Department Business Office I was aware of the Date. So much of what we did in the office was Date Driven. School calendar, maintenance contracts, bids for supplies and services, etc.

When I changed jobs and worked as a Nanny - I knew what Day of the Week it was because I worked on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. But I never knew what the Date was...

When I worked at the Quilt Shop - I was all about the Weekends... I worked the Weekends - the rest of the week didn't matter. If The Engineer had time off through the week it really messed me up because if he was home it seemed like it must be the Weekend... but I wasn't working... something was wrong!

Now that I don't work... and The Engineer works from home... I know when it's time for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner... that's it! Everyday is the same as the next or the last...

Unless he's traveling and I don't really have to cook... then I can tell the difference between day and night...

If the blinds are open.

And it isn't overcast and raining...

Stop the world, I want to get off...

Do you ever have times like this?

I'm tired of trying to find the right people to call to do the job that needs to be done.  The Internet is wonderful... as long as you don't really, really, need something important... RIGHT NOW!

Then when you do find the someone to do that specific job... they either don't do that job in that part of the state (?) or they just don't return calls.

This would be a whole lot easier if I handled conflict better... I'm not one to rock the boat or be nasty... I'm way too patient and understanding.  And when things aren't going my way - I'd just as well go take a nap... except my room here isn't dark enough really to give you that 'I'm hiding in a cave' feeling.

Buying this house... is getting to be a pain.  Trying to schedule all the various inspections that need to be done... and those bring up other questions that lead to other inspections.  I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end... but boy oh boy am I gonna be ticked off if this place doesn't pass the various inspections or the sellers don't give some concession for the work that needs to be done.

Yes - Thank you for pulling over... I'd like to get off right over there...

 

Honey, it AIN'T "The Network"!

Apparently all of the folks who work for "The Network" are out in Hollywood making new commercials... because they aren't here working.

This is kinda long - but it's not my fault. I'd love to say I called - they came - I'm back in business... but it didn't happen that way. I've often heard folks talk about their customer service problems with this, that, or the other company - I can't remember ever having problems myself quite like this.

So lets start at the beginning...
December 19th I call "The Network" to set up for new TV, Internet and Phone service for when we move on the 22nd. I will admit that I called "The Network" because I couldn't get a call back from the Cable Company sales representative for our complex (3 calls over 3 days) - if he didn't want my business I'd just take it someplace else. Anyway - "The Network" gives me an install date of Dec. 29... oh well - OK I can live a week without services... I do have a cell phone and we have the holidays and all those boxes too... and as it turns out the cable was still on (but I didn't use it - noooo not me)... and we could get a weak signal on occasion for wireless Internet... so we make do until Saturday the 29th.

Our install date arrives and our 'service window' is 8 AM to 5 PM - they told us to expect the install to take about 6 hours because it's the new FIOS (fiber optic) service and they have equipment to install and yada, yada, yada... OK - we've got lots of boxes to unpack so that's fine we can keep busy while "The Network" works their installation magic. So we wait for "The Network" to show up... all day... ALL DAY we wait - but "The Network" never shows up.

"The Network" with all those people and equipment never shows up AND doesn't call to say they aren't coming. Really?!!?

Sunday comes and goes and still "The Network" hasn't called. OK - so maybe "The Network" takes a day off.

Monday - I wait until late morning... you know - just in case they wanna call me first! But we've got shopping to do and it's New Years Eve... you know how much I like shopping... so I break down and call "The Network". The PA sales office number I have says "The Network" is closed for the holiday. So I call the other tech services number I have - after a long wait I get a very nice young man. He can't explain why nobody showed up - you know he's Tech Services and doesn't know what the install team does. He can help me by giving me a new installation date... January 18th... Yep, more than 2 weeks away... a month after I originally ordered the service. "You know that I find that date completely unacceptable don't you?" was my question to him. He says he will call dispatch and see if they can move it up - he can only take what the computer gives him - but he will call me back in about a half an hour. Nice young man! NEVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN!

New Years comes and goes and on the 2nd I call "The Network" again. Guess what? The PA sales office is still (according to their message that thanks me for calling "The Network") is still on holiday... maybe their office is in Europe - they are big on month long holidays in Europe aren't they?

Anyhoo... I call Tech Services again because that last guy from there was just so very helpful. This guy also can't explain why nobody showed up for the original call or why the other guy didn't call me back... but he can help me. He can put through 'a ticket' and someone will call me that very afternoon or the next (Thursday) morning. Also a Nice young man! NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE that afternoon nor the next morning.

All of these conversations occurred after having been on HOLD for long periods of time - there was nothing easy or quick about talking to "The Network" - I'm thinking all that equipment is just movie props. Although I'm sure you can 'hear' my sarcastic tone here - I'm not that way on the phone. I don't yell or get angry or blame the person I'm talking to... I'm nice, I'm always nice, I hate it that I'm nice - Miss Goodie Two Shoes! I just don't understand "The Network" - I was nice to "The Network".

So Thursday - at 12:02 PM (I gave "The Network" all morning to call me) I call the cable company. I actually tried the 'cable sales rep' again but his service says he's not taking messages right now - I'm thinking he must be on holiday with his friends from "The Network". I cut my losses and call the 1-800 cable company and yes they would be more than happy to help me out with TV, Internet, and phone service... would I like that installed Friday or Saturday? Lets see - today is Thursday... and you could come like tomorrow or the next day??? REALLY? We opt for Saturday and they give me a 2 hour window and tell me that if the tech arrives after that time - we get a 20$ credit on our bill. Gee I'm thinking I'm just gonna be happy if he shows up at all!

Sure enough - Cable guy shows up before the 2 hour window is closed - does his job and is out before a full hour is complete.

Now - just for grins... I was playing a waiting game with "The Network" through Monday, Tuesday, and most of Wednesday to see if "The Network" ever gets around to calling me... NOPE they don't.

And being the Miss Goodie Two Shoes I am - I feel compelled to cancel my order - no sense having someone finally show up (LOL... I know - wishful thinking!) to install something I don't want anymore.

Oh - in case you were wondering... the PA sales office is still on holiday... but thanks for calling!

After waiting 19 minutes and 20 seconds on hold - the young lady I reach says she's sorry but she can't cancel orders - she will have to transfer me to someone else... they are the only ones who can cancel orders. OoooKayyy - Miss Goodie Two Shoes will be patient... for a little bit more! I get another nice young man... who can cancel my order and asks why? "If you really want to know I'll tell ya - but other wise I won't waste your time." Sure he says - he's waiting for my account to come up on the computer. So I detail to him my calls, the promises, and the lack of follow though. "The Cable Company installed here on Saturday - I have TV, Internet, and phone." He starts to explain something about the cable company already having all their equipment in place and that for "The Network" to install the FIOS equipment it requires a long install..... and I cut him off. "I know that you needed about 6 hours to install the system - we understood that and spent a whole day waiting for someone to show up. ANY service is better than NO service - which is what we got from "The Network"!"

The phone call to cancel my service order from "The Network" cost me a total of another 32 minutes... the last bit of time "The Network" will get from me.

So when someone asks me what service I have... my answer will be - Honey, it ain't "The Network"