November 8, 2007 by pamela.

Yes, with petrol and food.

I had waited long enough to buy gas… a sort of game of anxious anticipation: just how close to the “E” do I allow the needle to go before I dare to drive past another station or make a Costco trip.

Anyway, a couple of ‘comic strips’ came to my mind as I slipped my Costco-Amex card into the swiper and then, in anticipation of how much this fun venture was going to cost before I even went into the store with the cart (at $3.07 per gallon). I watched the price inch up to $100. and I just had to laugh.

Actually, I was sort of taken aback at the newest price of petrol. And milk. However - I did bear in mind that a gallon of gas (and a 4 2-gallon boxes of milk) is really still a slightly better value than a gallon of Starbucks mochas or lattes. But the ambiance - I told myself - the ambiance is just… not there (at the pump or in the warehouse).

I began to dream of the warm, comfortable Sbux store… the wonderful aroma of a “Peppermint Mocha” and red cups that just came out today…

And then reality struck: the intense click of the nozzle and the wafting aroma of gasoline interrupted those pleasant dreams.

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November 8, 2007 by pamela.

I received the following email a few years ago. Truer now:

Obituary for Mr. Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr.
Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn’t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. - Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.”

Still… may your day be blessed in the Lord…

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