I really don't enjoy using the telephone, and when I do, what I have to say is usually short and to the point. Being upset doesn't make matters any better.

My sister has officially moved in with me, and one of her bad features is her unwillingness to call people--she's worse than I. Case in point: She didn't like my beds, so she bought another one. Fine, except she didn't have the movers take away the old mattress and box springs (needing to be tossed). After a week of dodging them, and my pleas to her to call them, I finally did it myself. Gone in an hour.

She did the same thing regarding her grand piano she had moved. I kept saying, call them, call them. No, I had to. I won't go into the reasons.

My roof was finally patched this morning! It was two months ago that I called a German Baptist man to do the work. He kept putting me off, so yesterday, I raised a stink, and out he came today! Let it snow.

One more phone story. I'm going to have a septic system put in (my 100 yr. old house has never had one--field tile only). It's been 3 weeks since they said they'd be out as soon as possible. The hang-up has been the soil tester. I finally called him to get his a** out here. Next day service! Now I have to wait on his filing the results. I think I already know to whom my next "angry" phone call will be directed. I can't wash clothes without raw sewage backing up into the basement. Live with that someday.

Old houses-"it's always something" (Rosanne Rosannadanna).