Reset Button

Okay, so I have essentially decided to hit the "reset" button. I deleted every online thing I can remember being signed up for except this, Facebook and Twitter. My web site is no longer feasible for me. I just can't keep it up or add content. I just don't have the time with a family. Facebook is followed closely as well as Twitter to follow suit., no doubt.

This will probably be probed and followed by someone for something.

But technology has superseded what I can handle. Maybe something else in the future, but after 5 to 6 years, I think it is for the best. Too much of me online as it is!

I hate having to call 9-1-1

Well, I had my first experience with the local fire company , Mill Creek.

My wife and I get home around 9:15 last night, when we see a haze lingering in the neighborhood. It was enough that I smelled like smoke. I walked around and couldn't find an obvious source. The last thing I wanted was one of my neighbors to have their house burnt down. So after a brief discussion with my wife, I go ahead and call 9-1-1.

After a brief call, knowing what they need exactly, I wait for the arrival. Lemme tell you how much I cringed after what seemed like a long wait, when I saw the duty chief truck (Dolan -21-8C, Chief-at-Large), rescue pumper (2-6) and an ambulance (A-21) come pulling up. Well, they were cool enough and even though it had mainly dissipated by the time the showed, you could still smell it. And wouldn't you know it, the Chief-at-Large tried to recruit me. But yeah, I was laughing by the time I was walking inside as they were going to drive around the neighborhood with the spotlights on to see if the saw the source. They apperantly had someone a few months ago do the same thing.

I went to bed and didn't turn on the scanner, so I have no idea if they found anything. But I was too tired to care since it wasn't my house burning. So, yeah, that was as exciting as it got. OK, I'm done now. Now that I have written it out, it was even a lamer story then I thought it would be.

Old Cars Suck

Ok, just a quick B*tch session about how old cars suck and the inability to afford a new one also sucks.

Went to get the brakes done on the 97 Pontiac. Yeah, not just the brakes. Your Sub-suspension rusted a HUGE whole to the point it is not structurally sound. Like, I couldn't drive it from the shop and them feel comfortable doing that. So, ok, I could let that go since I have a spare vehicle, right?

Wrong. A couple weeks ago before the "last big snow", I went to take my explorer. The pedals were going down at the same time. Great, grand, terrific. So BOTH of my POS's are out of commission. As I describe the problem to my mechanic. "Oh, that sounds like the fire wall came loose. That is a problem with those trucks around that year because the clutch was too tight and you had to push hard to shift." In the great acronym of a fun new website I was shown. FML.

So BOTH vehicles need significant work. Needless to say. The Explorer, as much as I enjoy it, will be going bye-byes and the Pontiac being the more "fuel efficient" of the two, will be getting fixed for a significant amount of money. I will accept donations if you happen to be above the recession. So, yeah, the saving must begin to obtain a more "reliable" vehicle in the not-too-distant future.

And you know what "Grinds My Gears"? I am stuck at work. Thank goodness for the bunkrooms, but no wheels and don't feel like dealing with the train. Now, I sleep at work, not being paid even and missing my wife and daughter. FML. I can't wait til they come to visit me at work tomorrow and bringing me supplies as I will most likely be here tomorrow night as well. Stop by and visit if you know where I am!

Aileen (O'Kane) McGarvey, Mom, Aunt Aileen, Mom-Mom, G-G,... We Will Miss You

Aileen (O'Kane) McGarvey, Mom, Aunt Aileen, Mom-Mom, G-G,... We Will Miss You
July 20, 1921 - March 7, 2009

Photo courtesy my Sister Micki. She took it at a birthday party for my cousin
before my grandmother took severely ill.

Aileen M. McGarvey (nee O'Kane), 87, of Ridley Township, Swarthmore, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at her home.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Robert and the late Ella (McDonnell) O'Kane.

Mrs. McGarvey resided in Swarthmore for the past 24 years, coming from Rutledge, where she lived for 34 years.

Mrs. McGarvey was past president of Rutledge Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, its 50 & Over Club, Altar and Rosary Society, Sunday Counters, Church Cleaners and founder of OLPH Bowling League and Holmes Leisure Club.

She was a homemaker devoted to her family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel McGarvey; three brothers, Robert, Joseph and Thomas O'Kane; four sisters, Mary Cahill, Anne Furey, Betty Smith and Catherine O'Kane; and son-in-law, Bruce Miller.

She is survived by two daughters, Judy Miller of Paoli and Aileen Zelusky of Swarthmore; one brother, James O'Kane of Clifton Heights; one sister, Peggy (McCloskey) Hackett of Newtown Square; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church, Amosland Road, Morton.

Friends may call Tuesday, March 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church, Amosland Road, Morton.

Burial will be in Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Notre Dame De Lourdes School, 900 Fairview Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081.

Arrangements are being handled by Kevin M. Lyons Funeral Service, Glenolden.

http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/10/obituaries/srv0000004868714.txt

Dealing with Death

How does one deal with death? My grandmother, who is 89 years of age, has lived a full and long life. Raising 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren so far. She was part of an HUGE Irish family, gaining and losing several siblings over the years, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins in the area. Well, some of you may know, she had a stroke a couple of weeks ago, began to make a recovery and now has become worse again.

They decided to bring her home so she can pass comfortably surrounded by family.

My grandmother will be the fourth close family member to pass away in as many years. I must say that knowing it is coming is not helping at all. Her being fairly confused and medicated does not help, knowing whenever I will be there, she won't remember. Knowing that her confusion along with an infection is where she will not see her youngest great granddaughter again, my daughter. I am just glad she got to meet her before.

It is just tough, knowing that any day, at any moment the matriarch of my mom's side of the family. But I guess that is tough for anyone to deal with. I don't know, I think it is tough trying to be there for my mom as she loses her mom. She lost her mother in law 2 years ago and her husband 4 years ago. I just wish there was more I could do to also help support her.

Please keep my grandmother in your thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately, we do know it is just a matter of time.

Meteorologists and Plowing

OKAY, yet another snow bitch. I get up this morning expecting an unbelievable amount of snow. I woke up to,... (drum roll)... a whopping 4 inches or so. I know we all have said it, but I love how there are always 4 different projections, and NONE of them are correct. Now with 4 inches, this relatively small amount of snow, at which time was a lull in the snow fall, you would have figured that the roads would have been cleared. Um, nah. Why would one expect that? Roads were "not bad" I heard. Oh yeah, I have a Pontiac Sunfire, so I am screwed. I made it to work, which is all good. But, ee-gads man! It was horrendous. The snow has begun to fall again since I arrived at work. From looking at my car, it has dropped anywhere from 1 to 2 inches. And the roads still stink!

I would love to be paid to be wrong most of the time taking truly "educated guesses" or driving around pushing snow and slush back and forth for double and a half.

SNOW? WTF?!?!

See, anytime I actually WANTED snow to be something when they predicted the storm of the year, nothing ever happened. Now that my wife is out of the state, due back tomorrow, NOW it is going to be a "good" storm. WTF? Add onto that the fact the clutch is messed up on my Explorer, so I am wheeling the Pontiac Sunfire, I just can't WAIT for the snow.

Now I am spending my second night at the firehouse like a loser (no offense, Ford). Yes, I miss being up here since I spend no where near the time I did before, but yeah, I don't know if I could ever get back into being here as much as I did before, just hanging out. If I get 'shutout' tonight, I will have been here 31.5 hours without a single call. But of course, that does mean that I get to sleep.

Alright, I think my bed will be calling me very soon.