the gods must not be crazy about football
The best of Thanksgivings to all my family and friends in the states.
So Tuesday, after I waxed rhapsodic in my last post about all the great football
games this holiday weekend, I turned on our TV and saw this message:
ATTENTION 015
Please standby for your satellite signal. Thank you for your patience.
Satellite: 91
Transponder: 3
Progress: 0 of 5
HELP
I patiently stood by for a bit. I’d seen this message several times since we
switched to a new service provider. When the zero turned to five, the signal
soon followed. Except it didn’t change. I grew impatient, stopped standing
by and turned off the TV.
It hasn’t changed yet. I called the provider yesterday. After exhausting the
few options we had for home repair, the techie concluded that something had
blown out on the dish.
“The soonest we can get someone out there is next Tuesday,” she informed me.
That’s the Tuesday immediately following the Packers/Lions game, the 49ers/
Ravens, LSU/Arkansas, Alabama/Auburn, Steelers/Chiefs and Saints/Giants.
And up here, the B.C. Lions vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 99th Grey
Cup.
Two years ago, Jude and I exchanged a sizeable cabinet and $100 for a decent
plasma screen TV. That and satellite service is the height of our decadence,
but also our entire entertainment budget. To deny me premium access to so
much pivotal football is punishment I can only describe as cruel and unusual.
I don’t want you to pity me, and you won’t if you keep reading. Whatever blew
out on the dish does not affect the secondary receiver on the smaller set in our
bedroom. The extent of my inconvenience is that I have to watch the games
on a smaller set further from the fridge.
So this is my holiday message to you: after the three seconds of despair I felt
wore off, I laughed out loud at my pettiness. I realized that this problem is a
piffle of a pimple on a popcorn fart. My life now is an embarrassment of riches.
And I’m thoroughly thankful.
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Anchor Struck 
Yes indeed – an embarrassment of riches – and you are thankful!! I spent over 6 hours yesterday with my two-year old granddaughter Sophie – a real delightful day!! We spent some quality time on the outside deck with my two big dogs (sloppy dog kisses don’t faze her), chasing bubbles that I blew tirelessly for Sophie and Lucy the Weimaraner to pop. Betty, the Lab/Weimaraner mix, is just too lazy to chase even ONE bubble – but she does like to chase and kiss small creatures, which is why I don’t let her NEAR the bird feeders!
I also blew up at least 40 small balloons from my stash of toys, then let Sophie stomp them. When summer comes, we’ll fill some with water and have a water balloon fight – YAY!!! We ate lots of chunky peanut butter and honey on crackers, drank juice, went through all my many little “treasure” boxes, with Sophie carefully handling all the items inside and then returning everything to its’ proper place – pretty impressive for someone barely 2!. Then we spent some quality time “spinning” Sophie around – she loves to do it with two hands/arms, not a leg and an arm – personal preference! I get a little dizzy, too, so it would be better outdoors, but as it’s cold and a little rainy – not an option!! So much for just baking a few cookies – my grandmother got off easy – ha! I’m both greatful and thankful on this day to have a 17 year-old granddaughter AND a 2 year-old granddaughter, both of whom are TOMBOYS!!!!! NO GIRLY-GIRLS FOR ME!!
Kudos to Sophie. I’d never heard of a careful, organized two-year-old human. And she’s a two-hand or two-foot spinner not fazed by sloppy dog kisses, as well. Sounds like a keeper. It also sounds like you had the perfect holiday, Charlotte. I’m a little concerned about your balloon hoarding, though.
You could always switch TVs!
Beanie, that never entered my mind. I could likely disconnect and reconnect the wiring properly. If I screwed it up, the techies could make it right Tuesday. The larger challenge is getting the big boy upstairs. Jude is at work, and won’t be home until after the LSU/Arkansas game, which is the premier event of my sporting weekend. I may just put a chair in front of the smaller set, so I can read the all-important yet often picayune stats. But thanks for the suggestion. I trust all is well with you.
I have 2 decent channels and the cowboys were playing somebody. I have no idea who or the score or any of it. I was neck deep in turkey and ALL the trimmings and special food dishes that only get to come out during this special day. I was ears deep in laughter, joy and love. A very special day but an exhausting one. Time for bed. A happy thanksgiving to everyone.
Ah, Beth. I’m so glad you had the day you had. I bet you appreciated it all the more because of your tribulations earlier this year.