Danger Will Robinson

There was a tragedy at my house this morning.  No one was hurt but my toaster oven didn't make it.  Oh my beloved Delonghi toaster oven I will miss you so.  I know you're all probably thinking I am off my rocker but the truth is I did love that toaster oven.  I will give you the back story to the toaster oven.  I threw a little tv lingo in there.  Wonder how I am learning tv lingo?  That blog will come a little later.
Anyhow, I digress.  What a shocker!!! Please hold the collective gasp of amazement.  Now hold the collective smirk of sarcasm.  I digress again.  So, I got married at the ripe old age of 23 and subsequently got divorced at the ripe old age of 26.  When we split he took whatever had been given to us from his family or what he bought while we were married.  Which left me with a bed, bureau, couch and love seat.  I had no appliances other then the ones that came with the house.  I had no source of amusement other than books and my alarm clock.  This was obviously before the days of these smart phones that could have played music and games and whatever else you could think of.  This was also before wi-fi so it wouldn't have mattered anyway.  Soon after my court date my dad came to visit me.  He brought me a microwave that was extra at my parent's house and the toaster oven.  We then went shopping at Sears and he bought me a tv and entertainment center, I bought a DVD/VCR combo unit.  I could once again watch tv while sitting on the couch that I was able to keep.  It literally looked like someone had started moving in and hadn't finished yet.  But that was my home.  A few months later I bought my ex out for 20k and kept the house.  Best move I ever made.  Rolled my student loans, and car payment into the mortgage and I was financially stable.  Mentally stable was a whole other story.
So, that toaster oven was a gift from my dad.  It served as my main source of cooking when we renovated the kitchen in the house we are in now.  It made Jeff one meal or another at least once a day.  We had been through a lot together.  I knew the controls so well I could practically set it blindfolded.  David and I were in the kitchen this morning making breakfast.  He threw some toast in the toaster oven and went to the stove to cook some eggs.  All of a sudden I heard a snap crackling sound and I looked over to the counter.  I saw sparks shooting out of the control panel and smoke was starting to billow out of the toaster.  David rushed over and pulled the plug out of the socket right as the toaster fizzled out.  I was sad.  But grateful at the same time.  On many occasions I would throw Jeff's lunch in there then go get him from his nap as it was cooking.  That could have started a real fire.  Which would have been awful to say the least.  What the heck would I have done?? One can only wonder.
After lunch Jeff and I made the trek to Bed Bath add Beyond to purchase a new one.  Like I said I used it all the time so it had to be replaced immediately.  Much like when Jeff broke the coffee pot.  I had to go that day to replace it.  I did a little research on line and read some reviews to see what make and model had what I wanted.  I made a list to bring with me because Lord knows I would not have remembered them.  Now what irks me about BB&B is that their online selection is vast and varied.  Their store selection not so much.  They had 3 of the 6 that I had listed.  We all know that BB&B has 20% off coupons, which truthfully is the only reason I shop there.  And you can't use their coupons online.  And you have to pay shipping.  So even though I might like to purchase something from there online it goes against all my shopping principles.  Which means I have to make do with the store selection or shop on Amazon.com. 
There I am debating over whether to purchase a $99 dollar toaster oven or a $179 toaster oven.  Do I really need to spend that much?  If it lasts another 10 years it's worth it? Those controls look complicated, translation--David won't know how to use it.  Back and forth and back and forth I am tossing these options in my head all the while cursing that they don't have the other ones I wanted to see.  I made the trip to the store they should at least have the full selection on line.  Why don't you lose the whole section of Yankee candle and put in more small appliances?  Good idea, right?  I bought the $99 dollar Cuisinart.  It got mixed reviews but I have had Cuisinart coffee maker for 6 years now and have had no issues with it so I trust the brand. 
I like new things, I mean who doesn't?  But I am not crazy about new appliances.  I like the ones I have and would prefer just to replace it with the same one.  Now, I have to learn how to use the new toaster oven then show David about 40 times.  We'll see how it works out.  I'll keep you posted.  Until next time...........

Who's The Judge?

Long time no see.  I guess the heat has gotten to my brain.  I have been very absent indeed.  I really have no excuse.  There is A/C in the room where my computer is.  I guess I am just kind of tired when I am running after Jeff all day that in the afternoon I like to kick my feet up and relax.  I have been trying to get through Pride and Prejudice without feeling like a complete moron, and there are some new summer time shows on TNT and USA that I have dvr'd.  I know, I know none of these things is more important than my readership.  Alas, my will power lags as the humidity rises.  Yet, let's not dwell on things of the past and just enjoy each others company now.  Says the one who has been absent.  Pish posh, let's move on.
So, I was talking to an acquaintance of ours today.  Back story is his wife left him and their child a while ago.  Like almost a year ago, a while ago.  Recently I saw a moving van in front of their house.  Using my best spy tool, which is taking Jeff for a walk, I managed to overhear the child saying that she was back.  Now I try very hard not to be judgmental and the truth is I fail more than I succeed.  Here is this guy looking happy, and talking about trying to work things out and I am thinking "What the hell is he doing?????"  Of course I didn't say that to him but I was thinking it the whole time I was talking to him.  I don't know if I could do it.  I don't know if I could take that person back.  I mean do you just forget all the heartache and not to mention what is it doing to the kid?  She's left before, what if she does it again? Obviously it is not my place to interject my opinions into anyone's relationships.  I have learned the hard way not to do that even if asked because the truth is that person just wants to vent not get your advice.  Even if they say, "I want your advice".  They already have a preconceived notion in their head and really they are just hoping that you agree with that notion.  Am I right or am I right?
I would like to be less judgmental of others.  Even if its simply to not comment on the atrocious outfit I see or behavior I witness.  It's a lot harder than it looks.  For now I am working on not letting my judgment show on my face.  I am a very expressive person so this is a monumental task for me.  I can only get better if I try.  So I try and try and the try some more.  Probably why I am too tired to blog.  Maybe not but it sounds like a good excuse.  Hey, don't judge me!  Ha ha.  Til next time........(and who the heck knows when that will be)