That's a PB&J, for those of you who are curious.So what do your kids like??
we're talking 6:30am, still dark
this was the really cold day last week it snowed...
that's one way to keep your face warm!
Ninja mask...checkBatman cape...check
Gun shoved in pants in case of bad guys...check
and last but definitely not least...Spiderman
Our little web spinner!
**when you get the concrete wet and get the chalk out, it makes a very messy paste**
Does anyone else actually mail in rebates?? Last year at the After-Thanksgiving sale I purchased a portable DVD player for the van and it had a $30 mail-in rebate. I followed the directions and had all necessary steps covered. Rebate was supposed to arrive within 6-8 weeks. So I wait…
The company has a website where you can check the status of your rebate, so I check about once a week. All it ever showed was that they had received it. I waited until week 9 before contacting them by phone. At that time I was told it was a glitch in the system and she would move the process along it way. Sure enough, the next day I checked and it had progressed a step, so now I’m thinking any day now I’ll get my money….not! A week later I check and it has not progressed to the final step…I’m not happy. I call the customer service to ask for them to move it along again and mail my rebate. The girl says that is impossible, it takes 2-3 weeks between the two steps. I tell her that is unacceptable since I followed the guidelines they laid out and expected them to do the same. Of course she has nothing else in her training manual to tell me so I insist on speaking with a supervisor…this is where it get hairy!
Supervisor gets on the phone and I give him the sequence of events and explain that I expect my rebate to be mailed immediately. He proceeds to tell me my explanation has no credibility and that my calling in at week 9 had nothing to do with it moving a step and that the rep I spoke to must have lied when she said there was a system glitch, it was just coincidence the day I called is the day it advanced…um, ok, if that’s what you want to believe, but you’re WRONG! I then explain I’m not really concerned about when or why it moved, we are now coming on week 11 and I should have had my money by week 8 and need to know what he is going to do about it. He’s got nothing but a smart mouth and a bad attitude AND he was yelling at ME. So then, after raising my voice at him, in order for him to stop talking, I politely tell him I need to speak to his superior….oh the shock in his voice was priceless. He barks at me to hold and transfers me to a number that rings and rings and rings and goes nowhere….seriously?!? At this point I search the internet for the manufacturing company for possibly a different customer service number. The website that was unfortunate enough to have the same name as the loser manufacturer of the DVD player has in bold lettering on their Contact Us page ‘Note: We are NOT an electronics manufacturer for DVD players and other equipment.Please do not contact us concerning rebates or other questions about their products as we cannot help.' Sounds like I am not the only one with issues. I finally track down the Parent Company and get an email address for Customer Service. Wanting an immediate solution I call the original number and ask for the same supervisor I spoke with to begin with (note: always write down times and names of customer service you speak with—very handy). The agent tried to get the Supervisor I spoke to the first time, but apparently he was WAY to busy-or scared-to talk to me again and I get another Supervisor. I tell him had transpired earlier and he can’t help me either, but he was very nice about it. I then ask to be transferred to his next higher up and he says, hold while I transfer…not again. I ask for a direct number or name and he says they don’t have direct numbers…um, ok, highly unlikely but this is kind of what I expected. So I tell to go ahead and transfer me, but if it rings to nowhere like before, I will be contacting their parent corporation to inform them of the service they are providing their customers and the store where I bought the product to let them know what is going on, and the Better Business Bureau. He sounded a little uncertain about transferring me at that point, but did. And again it rang and rang and rang…I put it on speaker phone and let it ring for about two minutes before hanging up. So very frustrating!!
I never did actually speak to anyone, emails will be sent.
Miraculously I received my rebate in my mailbox within two days!! Victory on my part, I just wonder how many people send in their rebates to this company and get back a big fat zip-zero-nada-nothing…ever!!
Fun tidbit--Cash isn't as fond of the horses as Jasmine. When she brought the bag of apples Cash was more worried about getting his share. So he grabbed an apple for himself and began munching away, paying no attention to the horses. Well, once they got a taste of what we had they wanted more. While Jas and I were preoccupied with one of the other horses, the brown one tried to help himself to Cash's apple. He yelled, 'Momma, he's trying to get my apple.' I told him he needed to move farther away from the fence...and so he did...he also kept his eyes on the horses from then on!
' What choo looking at'
Jasmine is so funny, she names all animals that step foot on our property...Above we have Rocco and below is Julia and Sophia
I also needed to mop the floor but did not do that this morning...will have to fit that in tonight...although I'm not sure when. We have lots going on this weekend and I am starting to cook stuff tonight that I will take to various events **one of those events being Joe's birthday**!
OK, I’ve been tagged and need to list 7 random things that many of you out in blogland may not know about me. The rules are to list the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. When I was 21 me and my best friend moved to St. Catherine’s, Ontario…Canada. We lived there for about four months (or until our money ran out), then moved to Niagara Falls, NY so we could get a job. –See we were both fortunate to get great jobs right out of high school at the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas and thought finding a job would not be an ordeal. We went straight to FRB in Buffalo and quickly found out the only way to get on there is to wait for someone to retire or die…which was the case with all desirable jobs in the area-- After several days of searching we stopped for lunch at a Denny’s and ended up with a job there purely by the hand of God (seriously people, we were desperate at this point).
2. I grew up attending church, always knew I was a Christian and Jesus died on the cross and all the Bible stories that are taught when you grow up, but I never GOT it. Not until we were unexpectedly pregnant with Cash and there were circumstances with the pregnancy that could be ultimately devastating.. One day at work I was searching possible outcomes and just lost it. I started praying with a passion there at my desk and my life has not been the same since. God answered my cries to Him regarding my pregnancy and Cash was as healthy as they come when born…weighing in at almost 10lbs.
3. I am a very guarded person, don’t trust others easily—think it stems from my parent’s divorce at a young age. I have a lot of friend’s but I am very deliberate about what I share and what I don’t with certain people. Which is why I think I like blogland so much…I only share what I want to? ~~I am working on this one baby steps, right??
4. Wow…7 things…really…I’m already way out of my comfort zone so I’ll make the next few lighter….I love love love musicals…Grease is my all time favorite movie since I was 5 and saw it in the theater. But I also love Grease 2, Hairspray, Chorus Line, Fame, Annie….and now High School Musical and HSM2 (I’m so glad I had a girl so I had an excuse to buy those movies!!). Any time these movies are on, a family dance session is likely to break out in the middle of the living room….and if I don’t start it Cash does!
5. I lost 100lbs with the LapBand surgery. Was banded August 2005. Lost the weight by working out at Curves 3-4 times a week and eating smaller portions and meal replacements with protein shakes and such. I gained a little over the holidays by not sticking to my workout routine, but I’m back on track now and going 3-4 times a week.
6. I love to be in control! ~which is another thing I am working on~ In the past it was easy cause that’s how Joe liked it too, less responsibility for him. But, the last year he has made some life changing decisions –including being baptized…can I get an AMEN!!—and I am desperately trying to step aside and let him take his place as the head of the house as outlined in the Bible. But boy is it tough…
7. Gosh, I thought I was going to lighten up on these, not be so serious…ok here is another fun one…I have never had a massage! I never thought this was an odd thing, but lately when it’s come up people look at me with amazement…I do plan to have one soon though. Joe got me a gift certificate to a salon for my birthday and I have scheduled a couple times and the appointment was canceled for some reason or another…but soon, I promise.
Instead of tagging 7 people, just let me know if you did it so I can find out what makes you tick...
My cup runneth over from the blessings the Lord God has granted me and I would like to openly profess a few things I am thankful for
......for Jesus dying for MY sins
...for a husband who LOVES me
...for my two beautiful HEALTHY children
...for a FANTASTICLY supportive and loving family
...for a host of FRIEND'S who each serve a different purpose in my life
...for a caring CHURCH family
...for allowing me to be able to openly WORSHIP YOU
...for my MUSIC
...for the prayer WARRIORS in my life
...for a stable HOME to live in
...for STEADY income
...for those willing to TEACH me
...for the church LIBRARY
...for reliable TRANSPORTATION
...for a SERVANT'S heart
...for CHOCOLATE
...for many many answered PRAYERS
...also for the UNANSWERED prayers
(don't you just love the red icing smile!)Saturday started off w/ a Chuck E. Cheese's playdate (early to beat the Saturday birthday craziness). Just before we were about to leave Chuck E. Cheese made an appearance and apparently hiding behind me wasn't working as well as Jasmine would have liked, so she found a better hiding place....
Under the slide in the kiddie area
That evening we went to a friend's house for dinner (they made a killer chicken and dumplings--definitely need to get their recipe) and stayed way too late discussing the Bible, religion & churches.... poor Jasmine was passed out in the bean bag chair and Cash (who finds it impossible to sleep unless he is snug in his bed or his car seat) finally came in and told Joe he wanted to go home and started pushing him towards the door.
Sunday after church we went to Gram's for a Birthday lunch of brisket, mashed potatoes & salad (yummy). It was a beautiful day and the kid's went crazy playing in the backyard. When told it was picture time the obvious choice was to pile on Uncle Josh....
**Josh may have been moaning and groaning the whole time, but he loved it**
And here's one where Gram grabbed Cash and made him get in the picture (and yes, we made Josh stay there for a little longer than necessary by saying 'wait, one more picture')
Back to Sunday Birthday lunches at Gram's...this is something we have done since I can remember. Once a month, after Church, we gather at my Grandmother's house and celebrate whoever's Birthday is within that month. It has always been a fun time. When I was younger we would spend our time out on the jungle gym or trampoline after lunch. In my teens (and twenties) it was a touch football game in the street. It is so great to have a 'tradition' that has lasted several decades and to see it come full circle as something your children look forward to as much as you did when you were their age.
Awww, cousinly love...You know what gets me....seeing someone in a car driving along nice and snug with their seatbelt on and then there are the children....bouncing, bopping and jumping all over the car. I had this encounter just yesterday....I was at a red light and this little girl jumping around in the car next to me caught my eye. And there wasn't just a little girl (who was approximately 3--Cash's age) there was also a little boy (about 5--Jasmine's age). They were pushing each other and pretty much doing what siblings do, but seriously, does this adult not even consider that her children need to be buckled up....not just in seat belts, but in a car seat or booster. Unfortunately they were in the left hand turn lane and were able to go before I could pass them up and shoot the driver a look of disgust while shaking my head.
We've been pretty busy lately. We had something just about every night last week and during the weekend. Although I enjoy keeping busy, I don't much like doing stuff on evenings during the week. Just like to come home from work, cook and spend time with the kid's...this week has been like that and that is good.
A couple weeks ago we started a reward chart for the kid's for picking up toys, dishes in sink, etc. for each sticker they receive a Chuck E. Cheese's token and at the end of the month we go spend our tokens.
Well Friday was our reward night and we had lots of fun at Chuck E. Cheese's. Jasmine took this picture of one of our friend's that met us there. I thought she did a pretty good job.
Our friend came and spent the evening at our house where the fun continued. The kid's played and played....
(Good Bye)Man, I used to love to play this game. Try it with the first letter of your name with the following questions.
What is your name - L***
4 Letter Word - Love
Vehicle - Lexus
City - Las Vegas
Boy Name - Lance
Girl Name - Linda
Fruit - Lemon
Alcoholic Drink - Louisville Slugger
Occupation - Lounge Singer
Something you wear - Lipstick
Celebrity - Lindsey Lohan
Food - Lasagna
Something found in a bathroom - Lotion
Reason for Being Late - Lazy
Character - Lucy (Charlie Brown)
Something You Shout - Love You!
Animal - Lion
Body part - Leg
Word to describe you - Lovable
