Just Jyll

Animals, especially dogs, have a way to work themselves into the fabric of our lives. Mickey was no exception.

My brother rescued Mickey in 1999 when he was about 2 years old. He was horribly abused as a pup. It didn’t take him long to adopt my brother or to claim the rest of us as family.

Over the past ten years he filled our hearts with joy and often brought tears of laughter! “Mo Mo” – as our mother called him – “mind of my own” – definately owned us!

This past year, we treated Mickey for arthritis. The abuse he received as a pup had taken a toll on the old guy. Today was a bad day for Mickey. He had multiple seizures and was rushed to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.

Rest in peace my little buddy.

Mickey 1997 - 2009

Silly me, I decided to pick up the phone a couple of weeks ago when the caller ID clearly listed Arbitron (410-312-8222). They asked if I’d do a radio log for a week, I agreed. They went over the process with – not complicated.

The books arrived (Friday, June 12) and the instructions were very clear – the survey period started Thursday, June 18. Arbitron called on Monday (June 15) and asked if I’d received everything and did I have any questions. I told the gentleman we understood everything and he reminded me that the survey started on June 18.

Arbitron called on Wednesday, June 17, and asked if we understood what we had to do. I said we understand clearly. He reminded me that the survey stared tomorrow.

Arbitron called today – Sunday (June 21) and asked if we understood how to use the books. I nicely told the lady that I did not appreciate being called a third time to inquire if I knew how to write down the call letters of the radio station I was listening to at a particular time.  I said, “I can read and follow directions. This isn’t a difficult process.” She continued to read from her script, “We understand that this process is very confusing and we want to make sure you are doing it correctly.”

On my third attempt at trying to interject, I finally said “we will complete the books, but please take us off your list as we do not want to do this again.” She hung up.

Wow.

Wow – things are progressing nicely on our house. I was up there on Sunday and the joists for the first floor were down. John is going to be uploading pictures from today. The framers finished the decking and started building out the first floor.

One of my biggest concerns is the lack of broadband in the Henryville, IN area. There is one small provide, Community Wireless, that has a less than stellar reputation for support and reliability. But – my concerns were alleviated when John learned we can get Verizon DSL!

Insight Communications is only 1.7 miles away from our house with fiber drops. Yet – we do not qualify.