It has been a long, slow death.

A little over a year ago, in a freak-of-nature moment, lightning struck my TV. Well, it struck the electrical box outside my apartment. All the apartments on my side of the building suffered a strange, supernatural increase in one electrical source and the rest were completely non-functioning. My super-bright light was in my closet. It could not be turned off and no other source of electricity worked. It was a nuts.

In the end I lost my fan, microwave, heated blanket, and several other minor things. (I did gain a greater appreciation for surge protectors). But the biggest loss was my TV. Over time it improved a little. The static lines that made it impossible to see the picture began to decrease but the awful buzzing sound never went away.

This isn't just any TV. It was a gift to me from my best friend. She spent sacrificially to give it to me just before I went to college. I couldn't throw it away. I think of her every time I watch it.

But tonight the end has come. During another sleepless night, the TV suddenly went black. The static lines may be gone, but so is the picture. I can still hear it. And the obnoxious buzz.

I'm secretly wishing for a new TV for Christmas.

You should read Good to Great.

Dear Walmart -

Sometimes it is hard to like you.

Your carts are faulty. For a while I thought it was a quirky little thing about me: I always get the bad cart. But I've realized that I never get a good cart. Your carts need repair.

Your employees, while not necessarily rude, are improperly trained. Recently I asked 4 employees the same question. Each person respectfully told me they didn't know and referred me to another employee. Your employees need cross-training.

Some of your employees are rude.

But I do appreciate your low prices.

Stalled out...

I hear the number one way to kill readership is to post irregularly. I don't have a computer right now so there's not too much I can do about it. I'm sure all 3 of my readers have been very disappointed with my lack of updates.

In case you feel severely out of touch with me, here are the highlights:
1) I have a new job (sort of). I love it.
2) My dogs with special needs are doing better. I love that.
3) God is incredible. I love Him.

:)