They say that misery loves company. While I don’t want to turn this into a gripe-fest, I thought you might enjoy participating in a recent discussion I had with some of my online colleagues. In some warped way, as my friend Latte Mom says, it is always encouraging to be reminded that we are not the only ones….First, I have to tell you a funny on myself. The title of our discussion was: “I don’t take “that” for granted any more.” Here’s what my initial response was before I started reading about washing machines and things like “that.” I am still just blushing that I actually thought that “that” was, well, “that” is generally what I call, um, in my prudish way, I say "THAT" when I don't want to say... Oh, never mind.
My head is in the gutter. (*see below to join me)
Here is the compiled list of serious answers people submitted. Feel free to add to the list in the comment section.
A = availability of grocery items
B = bridges (here we drive through rivers)
C = chicken packaged nicely with no evidence that this was once a breathing, pecking, feathered, living thing
D= death not displayed for my children in newspapers and on the side of the road
E = exercise in air-conditioned house or outdoors without being stared at
F = fuel at the gas station
G = grains and flour that aren’t bug-infested
H = hot water any time I want it
I = Internet working reliably
J = just being able to drive where people respect the laws and speed limits
K = keeping the house presentable with no sand, dirt, and dust after cleaning
L = laundry without hanging, ironing, etc.
M = menu items I order at the restaurant actually being available
N = neighbors that don’t have loud music blaring all night
O = oven and stove not shutting off when the gas runs out unexpectedly
P = power
Q = quality for a price (here you pay more but it may not be better quality)
R = restaurants open before 7:00 P.M.
S = seatbelts and other safety measures
T = telephone service everywhere
U = urgent care help, ICU, emergency room facilities
V = vegetables and fruits that don’t require soaking and scrubbing
W = water
X = expiration dates being accurate and expectation that people will stand in line
Y = yucky stuff removed from the nicely packaged, already dead, meat
Z = zoos and other safe, fun places to take the kids to play
IRL* “THAT” is what you can't take for granted on furloughs when every bed in America is super squeaky and behind thin walls.
I really love the way you organized this list!
ReplyDeleteThe menu items are what get me the most. Even a certain flavor juice, or even a canned drink! Nope, sorry, we're out. Or, we have it, but not cold. And they never know when you order, they have to come back and tell you. Cracks. me. up.
I hear you. Then there are the times you order something, and they don't tell you they are out, and you see the employee walk across the street to the market and come back with the one crucial ingredient. Or the times you don't actually see the transaction, but you suspect that is what is causing such a ridiculous delay.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean!! I love this list!!
ReplyDeleteI find that if I pass by in the morning and say what I'd like at a certain time, they can usually do that. Otherwise I just ask what they have:)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you didn't mention anything about insects on that list!
I smiled my way through this list.
ReplyDeleteInsects! Ooh, gonna add that one. Many of you don't dare go to bed without mosquito netting.
ReplyDeleteBrook, why didn't I think of that? Just ask what they DO have, and select from that list. You are so wise.
ReplyDeleteJamie Jo I have to mention about "that". My husband and I were newly married and headed to a conference to report to churches who supported me as a single. We stayed with a really nice older lady who said, "I knew you wouldn't mind having the room with the twin beds since you are missionaries!" We smiled but my mind was saying, "yes, but we are newlyweds!"
ReplyDeleteNow that, Kristy, is funny! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow about a list opposite of this one? Things that you have in your country that you can't get in the States, or something like that?
ReplyDeleteYes, we actually should compile a list of the things we CAN take for granted where we live.
ReplyDeleteHere's another one I found on a friend's Facebook after she linked this blog:
G- Grocery Stores that stock something people want, and restock it if it sells cause people want it. And they do it this week, next week, the week after.... wow.
Any of you experience this? One time, and one time alone, I found Trisquits at the store. Went back later, and never found them again. So sad. It makes you want to hoard the good things you find out of the blue like that.