I Was Wrong! ... and other stuff

Gasp! How often have I said that?!

Every time I have taken the kids to the doctor, I have pre-diagnosed them. I've gotten it wrong only once. Until today. Today makes twice. Luci's been so congested for the last month or so. It got much worse over the last three days. She spent last night crying and not sleeping. An ear infection or sinus infection for sure, right? Wrong! I was so glad to get it wrong. The nurses worked Luci in this afternoon. The doctor (who also has a Lucy at home) gave us a steroid nasal spray and right now Luci's taking a much-needed nap. He even got Luci to quit crying and smile, which was a miracle in itself. Any kind of medical person terrifies her.

Like the dentist. This morning I had a regular check-up, and had to take Luci. She sat in the visitor's chair in the exam room, with a blankie over her head the entire time. It made her invisible. I wish I had my camera! She's had two trips to a doctor's office in the same day. Horrible mama! After the pediatrician visit, we hit Wal-mart and got a Barbie. Perfect reward for surviving quite nicely two traumatic doctor visits.
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John's off on a three day camping trip with the boys, and my camera. They are in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg. Two other guys are going, two of John's long-time friends. They go to the area around Cades Cove. He is under strict orders to bring back lots of pictures (the man usually takes 5 or 6 total for a 3 day trip!) and two boys completely intact (ask JT about a bike ride in the Smokys when he was 7 years old). My idea of camping is going to a hotel and eating in a restaurant. I don't understand the thrill of roughing it. Hikes would be nice, but not the whole tent thing. Watch him come home with the whole 1 gigabyte card filled up. As long as the boys don't have any boo-boos, that's okay with me.
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Pirate's Cove, the gas station that I reported for gouging before Hurricane Ike even hit shore, now has gas for $2.22. That is a whopping 3 dollars and 15 cents lower than it was in September! They now have the distinction of having the lowest gas in our part of the county. Next time I need gas, I'm going there.
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The leaves here are absolutely gorgeous! This is the best year for leaves that I can remember in all of the 18 autumns I've lived here. Really makes you feel wonderful just looking at them. Even with all the emotional stress of John's upcoming trip, I feel totally happy just looking at the incredible show of Nature.
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P.S. to the previous post: I don't care what my Dad says, or how much I like the man--SPIDERS ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!!!

It's Happening!

The Attorney General's office just called!! I am so stoked. They are, indeed, looking into Pirate's Corner (does anyone else find that name ironic besides me?).

I am all for free enterprise, and people earning money...but please, be honest about your gains!

Something's Going On!

Friday's scene:

Here's what we saw this morning on the way to church: The prices off the signs at our gas station, and.... baggies over the pump handles.

Last night around 7:30, they were still selling gas. This morning people were buying things inside the little shop, but no gas. WHNT-TV last night said that the gouging laws were in effect, but there was a lot of leeway in pricing....BUT those stations charging $5 and up were likely to see action from the Attorney General's office. It's nice to know that I did the right thing. It's good to be brave once in a while.

Original post on this topic: So Angry!

So Angry!

This morning, a gallon of regular gas was $3.99, and 3 hours later it was $5.35!! (Wednesday at noon it was $3.48.) I can understand the 50 cent jump, but 1.36 even before Hurricane Ike hit?!

I was angry, and I had my camera with me and took this photo, and sent it to our newspaper, local news station, and FoxNews channel, too (wanted to cover all bases!). Another viewer's photo actually showed up on the tv tonight. I also called our Attorney General's office. WHNT said that $5.35 was the highest of anywhere in the Valley--or, to be more correct, the highest that they've heard about from complainers like me.

Here's what was on WHNT's site tonight. I am glad!


Attorney General Troy King Vows to Enforce Price Gouging Law
September 12, 2008

(MONTGOMERY)- Attorney General Troy King said that Alabama's price gouging law was triggered and went into effect with the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency earlier this afternoon. General King has vowed to use the resources of his office to enforce it. With gas prices across Alabama being reported to have reached or exceeded five dollars per gallon in some cities and with hundreds of Alabamians calling the Attorney General's Office to report rising prices, Attorney General King warned unscrupulous businesses that are seeking to profit illegally at the expense of Alabamians that these practices will not be tolerated. ...story continues here.