Bfth's Boring Blog

  My grandmother (but on her wedding day) It's hot.  It's very hot.  When I got up this morning to go for my walk (why did I do that?), it was already 86 degrees in the home office. (Which is why the portable air conditioning unit is on right this moment.  Thank you cousin Lee:   https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/mystery-gift.html ).  I did manage to get in just under 5 miles this morning (didn't expect to do even that much) while the temps hovered just under 80.  By midday it will be 98 with a real feel (ok, I'm not sure exactly what that means) of 107.  Ouch!  I'll have the office unit on all day (and into the night) and will keep the bedroom doors shut to keep the cool air in when we are not using the room.  I have a feeling today will be a day where my son and husband will hide out in those rooms with the air on to try and keep cool.  How cool that will be, I don't know.  You can get cooler, but not necessarily cool when the temperatures outside a

 My social media is filled with proud parent posts.  Graduating from pre-k, elementary, middle school or high school.  Anxious posts about the weather since ceremonies are still predicated on the weather.  In my little town, the posters with photos of graduating seniors fill the front lawn and chairs have been placed on the field.  (The same field that I walked across nearly [but not actually] 40 years ago!)  On my morning walk I see lawn signs and balloons congratulation students.  It is definitely the end of the school year. And what a year it has been.  While last year was crazy, at least we got in September through the first week in March before everything went to hell in a handbasket.  During the 2019-2020 school year there were sporting events, concerts and plays.  Kids ate together at lunch.  For those 6 or so months, life was the way it always was (but never will be again.)  This year the only constant was change. The year started all remote.  Then there was the opportunity to

  Which coupon would you use?  I have 3 mailers in my possession from Total Wine and More (my go to since the pandemic started and you could order on line and have them place the order in your car.)  I got them all in the mail yesterday.  The $10 is addressed to me.  The two $15 ones are slated for another street on the other side of town and another street in a different town.  Guess I haven't bought enough liquor yet, since I only rate $10 off.  (And if I use the other coupons they are coded so the person they are intended for will get the "credit.)  While I get other peoples "junk" mail, my husband is still waiting for a package that was out for delivery yesterday.  Too bad it never showed up.  (He was not a pleasant person to deal with when the mail came and there was no package.)  Such is what we have (sadly) come to expect from the postal service.  There's got to be a better way, but I'm not sure what it is.   Meanwhile I have updates on last week's

If you've read anything I've written, you know that I'm all over customer service and communication.  I've done my bitching of poor service and when I find the good I try to extoll it.  Over the past couple of days I've experienced both ends of the spectrum from local, relatively small companies.  Let's look at them both. First up is a local plumbing, heating & air company.  I've used this company before for my plumbing needs; although thankfully I haven't had to call on them often.  They are the first people I call when I have a plumbing issue.  They've installed a hot water heater, unclogged drains and installed new faucets.  Several weeks ago I decided I wanted a new kitchen sink (stainless steel to replace the white stained one that I currently have) and single-handle pull-down sprayer faucet.  I started poking around on line and it was my husband's suggestion that I call the plumber and see what they suggested.  So I did. I got on the ph

 Last Friday I went to Shoprite with my husband and for the first time since March 13, 2020 we did not wear masks.  It was a little strange.  It was certainly easier to move through the store.  It was certainly easier to see the small print on items.  It was easier to speak and hear without being muffled.  However, it was strange and a little disconcerting. Mask regulations have been lifted here in NJ.  However, places of business have the right to request that you wear a mask. I'm good with that.  I would never challenge that because you never know what circumstances that business might be facing. I have to admit that I'm a little apprehensive about taking off the mask.  It took me a while to get into the mask mode.  (Who had a mask on hand early last  year?  Certainly not me!)  I had to find a face covering.  Remember this?   (Not very attractive) Or how about: (A gift from a neighbor)  I even got trendy on vacation: Masks were (and still are in some cases) and essential part

 If you haven't already, please refer to my post earlier this week:   https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/talking-birthdays.html .  This gives background info which may or may not be helpful. So, on my birthday I got bit in the butt.  (LITERALLY!)  I posted on a neighborhood site about the incident to warn people.  Everyone told me I HAD to report this to the police.  Being that my thoughts flow better when I write (hey, there is a reason why I am a blogger), I wrote everything down and sent it to the police department via email.  It took my time writing it (not that it took hours or anything crazy), to make sure that I included as much detail as possible.  I didn't have an address where "the incident" took place, but I could narrow it down and wanted to be as detailed as possible. The day after I sent it, I received an email back asking me to call them.  So I did.  I gave my name and address and a brief account of what happened to the officer who answered

  When it comes to holidays, I am an idealist and an optimist.  Holidays should be special.  Celebrations should be joyful.  (I'd say perfect, but after 55 years on this planet, I've finally realized that it's not going to happen.) In my mind, birthdays are our own personal holiday.  It is the day to celebrate YOU.  It is a day when you should be selfish.  It's all about you.  The world (or at least YOUR world) should take the time to wish you a happy birthday.  It is YOUR day. In order to make birthdays special, I used to decorate around the house for my husband and my son.  Turns out they HATE that.  It took me years to understand.  I didn't get how some people don't want to yell from the highest mountain that it is their birthday.  As hard as it is for me to wrap my brain around it; my husband does NOT see his birthday as a special day and he doesn't want a fuss.  I don't get it, but after 25 years I'm finally (trying) to honor that. As for me, I

The other day on social media I called out a local business on shoddy service.  A "friend" called me out for bashing a local business.  As I see it, I wasn't bashing a local business, I was publicly sharing my opinion on a bad business practice.  Now I DO realize that I write about bad customer service.  I write about it more than I'd like.  Not because I LIKE ranting or being angry, but because it seems like good customer service is hard to find.  When I do find it, I try to share that as well.  (For example:  h ttps://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/ill-always-remember-cory-white.html ,  https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/good-customer-service.html and  https://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2020/03/customer-service.html ).   Saturday night was a total mess when it came to dinner.  My son and his girlfriend were going out to dinner and I was the designated driver.  No problem.  Hubby and I decide to order out and we are told food will be ready for p

  Think the photo says it all.  It's not a bad photo, but it definitely expresses how I am feeling today.   First of all it's another overcast, clammy kind of day.  Not unlike last weekend (the long holiday weekend), although it IS warmer.  But it's still NOT the kind of weather that lets you sit outside on your new patio.  (You KNOW I so want to sit outside on my new patio and sip some coffee or even better a cocktail or two even if my furniture is not great.  It will do for now.)  Tomorrow promises to be a sunnier day; however it also promises to be 90+ degrees.  (A trend which runs through next Thursday).  I'll be volunteering at my local thrift shop for most of Saturday morning, so the coffee is probably not going to happen and at 90+ degrees I'm not ready for an alcoholic beverage in the sun, so...The patio is NOT going anywhere; there will be plenty of time to enjoy it.  But I want to be there NOW, especially as on the of the Coreopsis plants (also known as

On June 1st, my town held a Progress Pride Flag Raising; a formal ceremony recognizing the start of Pride Month.  There was a decent sized crowd that gathered on town square to stand in solidarity and support of the LGBTQ+ community.  It was an important event.  For our relatively small community it was a big deal. For me it wasn't a big deal.  Supporting the LGBTQ+ community has never been a big deal in my mind.  Why wouldn't I support the community?  Why wouldn't anyone support fellow human beings?  It shouldn't be a big deal.  Yet it IS a big deal.  It IS a big deal to be able to share your truth. That's something I didn't realize when I was in college and a new friend (I'd probably only known her for a couple of weeks) told me she was gay.  I'm sure it wasn't easy for her to say the words.  My response was something along the lines of "okay."  For me, her proclamation wasn't a big deal.  It was just like making an announcement t

Dear John.   Well here we are again.  Its 9 years later and I don't know what to say or what to do but I'm back here at the cemetery.  Just like I (try to) do every June 2nd.   I usually come here only once a year. There doesn't seem to be much purpose otherwise. I mean it's not like you're really here. You're just here but not. That makes no sense, but then none of this really does.  Which is why I am rambling on in this "letter," which is really just my random thoughts for today   It's June 2nd again and I never know what to do on June 2nd.  I never know what to say.  I never know who to say it to.  I'm at a loss (ha).   As always I called Mom and Dad in the morning.  I have to call mom and dad every morning.  After all you're not going to be calling Mom and Dad. (Did you ever consistently call them?  Am I trying to guilt the dead or just make myself feel better?  You know the answer is the later and I'm just going to run with

  I know what Memorial Day is about.  Despite the fact that my town was unable to have a parade again this year, I did attend Monday's service in the town square.  It was COLD and it looked like it could rain again.  (It didn't).  It was a well done service and I'm happy that every year we take the time out to honor those who paid the ultimate price. But I'm also realistic...Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and let's be honest most of us were looking for some sunshine and fun.  There wasn't much of that around here.  As a matter of fact since Saturday, my heat has turned on every day.  (And yes, the A/C had been on earlier in the week.)  This cold and crappy weather is my fault.  Let me tell you why. Back in the 1940s or 50s, my grandfather put a patio in his backyard.  You can see part of it in this video I took when we had a rain/sun storm last summer. (Not the greatest of videos, but give you an idea of what was there.)  For over a year