Dave at http://ratherthatworking.blogsopt.com wrote an interesting blog called "Saving the News Gathers" regarding the demise of newspapers. I agree with Dave and think it is really sad. The daily newspaper has been a part of my life since I was a little girl.

When my sister-in-law and brother-in-law moved to a small town in western NC, there was no newspaper. This was very hard on my bother-in-law so three times a week he would drive to a town 20 miles away to get a copy of USA Today. After a while he cut it down to twice a week and then down to once. Finally he stopped altogether. He hasn't read a print paper in two years and says he doesn't miss it at all.

I subscribe to the St Petersburg Times but will probable go to just the weekend only when my subscription is up. The paper really doesn't have much news in it now anyway - just advertisements.

I do worry about the cartoonist. Cartoons are really an important part of the paper for me. Reporters can get other writing jobs but I really hate to see the demise of good cartoons. Perhaps we should put then on the endangered species list.

Time marches on but sometimes it's hard to keep up.

All Done

The new windows are in and the new blinds are up. I couldn't be happier. Home Depot did a fantastic job on the windows.

Of course, when I told my husband that the blind man was coming to install the blinds he said "that should be very interesting to watch". He thinks he is so funny.

I have used this company before and they are a small, family owned, local company. I like to use small, local business whenever possible. These people need all the support we can give them now and they actually are the same price if not better than the big box stores.

I hope that's all the home improvement projects I will have to do for a while.

Although...... The pool still isn't finished. Lesson learned - Don't hire friends.

Boring

This has been a very boring weekend.

How boring was it, your asked?

It was so boring I actually got dressed, combed my hair, put on makeup and went to Nala's (my daughters dog) puppy obedience school graduation. Woo Hoo!

Check Sonja's blog. I'm sure there will be pictures.

Hurry, Hurry

They measured for the new windows yesterday. It will be 2 to 3 weeks before installation. It can't happen soon enough for me. The window above my computer lets in so much cold air, my hand is frozen to the mouse.

A new project - maybe.

Our house is about 37 years old and has many of the old roll out style of windows used in Florida back then. Although nice, because you can open them when it's raining, they now don't close properly and cold air seeps in and AC seeps out. Thus we have high heating and cooling bills. It is time to replace them. I called Home Depot and after much discussion I signed a contract with them. Last week the project manger was to come and measure so they could order the windows and pull the permits. When I didn't hear from him I called and he said he hadn't received the paper work yet but there was a big meeting the next day and he would call me after that. No word, so I called again. Project manager, due to layoffs, has lost his job. Never fear I was told, new project manger will be out next week and all is well with Home Depot. The job will be done and they will stand behind their work. That 20 year guarantee will be good.

I'm not holding my breath. Guess I'll just get out more blankets.

Didn't your Mother teach you anything?

If you are going to an event where there will be television cameras everywhere and there is a good possibility you will be on camera - for all the nation to see - why in the world would you chew gum? Yes, I'm talking about you, Tipper Gore (although I know you will never see this). Why does anyone chew gum in public? It is really disgusting.

Rose Parade

I just watched the Rose Parade from Pasadena, CA. Once again, the floats were elaborate and magnificent. I think they were more interesting this year than last. Lots more creativity.

But - (there’s always a but)

Interesting fact – the amount of food used on one float could feed a family of four for a year.

In these hard economy times, people are losing their jobs and there are many families of four without enough to eat. Perhaps this kind of excess is unnecessary or at the very least, should be scaled down some. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be a parade but perhaps a different kind of parade.

We need to pull together to get through these tough times but it looks like some just still don’t understand that it will take all of us.

Is there any other country that has as many displays of excess as the United States does?

I’m just saying.