Another One Bites the Dust...

well, at least this particular location. Yep, it's another store that has done me WRONG!! Do I just have a sign on my head that says... It's her... DO NOT GIVE HER WHAT SHE WANTS!! MAKE HER LIFE MISERABLE!!

What has happened to customer service? What has happened to the customer is always right? Uh, clearly it does not apply to this particular store!!

Scenario.... For Christmas my sweet darling husband bought me a north face toboggan... Hmm first we live in a warm climate, we don't go skiing so what the heck do I need with a beanie hat?? Now it was that REALLY SOFT north face brand but still, Don't need it!! Well, sweet hubby shreds all his receipts. So, I think I'll just wait until the bank statement comes in and I will use that as my proof of purchase. And actually I have not one but TWO items to return. So, I go to store number 1... MISTAKE!! First off, the guy is creepy. I explain my situation and he could not have been any more UNACCOMMODATING!! He tells me without the receipt he can do nothing. Well, I can give you a gift card or you can exchange. OK, let me just say that this is NOT a store I would buy anything at. Yes, they have Tervis Tumblers, I have ENOUGH of those and at $15 bucks a pop I don't need anymore {which by the way is 1.01 more than the ones at Bed Bath and Beyond which is about 6 stores down!!} We have t-shirts on sale... {Ok, I did go in in my RUNNING clothes but the T-shirts were all too big anyway. HMMM, are you and LSU or AU fan... UH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Well we have AL stuff too!! OK, at which point are you NOT getting that I only want my $$ back which by the way is only $32 and some change!! {But when you are saving for your "dream purse" it all adds up!!} So finally I ask please just call and ask. Well, I am related to the owner and I already know what he is going to say. I reply just HUMOR me and I don't even care if you FAKE call, just act like you care that I am not happy!! Finally I just go grab 2 Tervis tumblers {whatever} and have and EXACT EVEN EXCHANGE!! Except for the small fact that I will not EVER go in that store again UNLESS it goes under NEW MANAGEMENT!!!

So, afterwards I head to BBandB to get some pods for my Keurig. And I am thinking that I would like the next size up. So I ask the sales girl could I exchange mine and tell her up front that I have no receipt because it was a gift. And that I have used it. She says SURE!! Just bring it in and tell them you are not satisfied and we will exchange it!! Whew!! Customer SERVICE ROCKS!! here!!

Now with my confidence back I go to Pottery Barn where I need to return my other gift {Fingers crossed} I go in with my bank statement and the GENTLEMAN could not have been any NICER!! Gladly gave me a FULL REFUND!!! HMMmmmmmmmmmmm, the store across the parking lot could take some lessons.

So it has been a week, glad it is the weekend {even if it is rainy... it's 5:00 and I already have my pj's on!!}

Feeling the need to do a project this weekend... one that requires PAINT!! Will keep you posted on that!!

TGIF y'all!!

{forgot to mention that I also asked for the name and addy of the store owner and did not get it... but I have it now.... Dear Mr. SO and so....}

Because when you don't feel good...

you need something pretty to look at!!

So Number 1 son started running a fever last night . This morning he was REALLY running a fever. So one trip to the Doctor later and one flu test {which we were neither A or B}, one steroid shot {didn't like that at all!}. one Peppermint Chocolate Milkshake from Chic Fil A, and one pack of Tamiflu, HOPEFULLY we will soon be on the mend!

While at the store I bumped into a friend that had the prettiest flowers in her buggy. So I thought, "I'd like something pretty to look at if I was sick." So $10 later, I have said flowers!! Of course I will enjoy looking at them too!!

And to play catch up from the rest of my birthday week/weekend...

Thursday night the girls took me out for my birthday!! Oh, we laughed, and laughed, and laughed!! We caused quite a stir... It wouldn't be a party if we didn't!!

Friday I went on a field trip with Number 1 son, JOUSTING!! Very fun and entertaining... the jousting was good but hanging with a bunch of 8th Graders, that takes the cake!!

Friday night we ate Mexican, YUMMY!! Saturday we finished celebrating my Birthday with me and the boys!! I feel the need to be scrapbooking. Also McSweetie knows that the one thing {well actually there are 2 things} that I would love to have and have always wanted is ....

and of course

but because number 2 is soooooooooooo out of the budget we went with number 1... now i don't have it in hand, it is a work in progress so any urge I have to make a purchase is going to "THE FUND!!" I cannot wait to have my very own. I will feel like Louise from St. Louis in Sex and the City, movie!!

On Sunday we met my In-laws for lunch to celebrate mine and my FIL's b'day. {Hard to believe it was this time last year that HE was SOOOOO SICK!!} And they gave me a Keurig coffee pot!! I enjoyed a lazy rainy Sunday with a cup of coffee and football watching! GO COLTS!!

Well, need to finish putting away the groceries and get a little organized before Number 2 son gets home... I just hope he is feeling GOOD!!

Forty and FABULOUS!!!

Yes, that is my mantra today! Posted it on FB... might as well own it, right?? So, it started with breakfast made by Number 1 son...then a sweet phone call from friends back home {former Auburn Choir Members} who ALL kids included sang Happy Birthday to me!!

took them to school and had my weekly prayer time with my friend Amy... she is a God send! I love our Wednesday mornings together....

got clean and it was off to school. The 5th grade class invited me to have lunch with them today. They had a special presentation... gifts, gifts and more gifts. And food, YUMMY food. The children know my weakness.... chocolate, Reese's and Whoppers to be exact but any type of chocolate is included!! Oh and the staff gave me the cutest CHOCOLATE cupcake, YUMMY!!

Came home and the boys greeted me with we have TONS of homework... that being said, putting off the B'day dinner. Sometimes life just gets in the way. I'm going to be 40 for a while so why not just keep celebrating on into the weekend! So with that said I went ahead and opened my gift from my parents...

Anything with this on it is sure to please....

not disappointed. Hmmmm, what can i cook for supper in this?? Of course the boys said meatloaf... but they don't like meatloaf so maybe some Friendship bread suggested by Number 2 son. Guess I need to get some starter going.
Tomorrow night it is dinner out with the Peeps... ALWAYS FUN!! I sure miss my girl time, lunches, tennis, shopping, lunch, tennis... you get the picture... but I'm where I am for a reason. I'm good with that {most days anyway!!}

I've loved ALL my sweet FB well wishes... all the comments have made me smile. I am truly blessed and have been touched by so many of you over the years!! {and there have been plenty of those, years that is!!} Thanks to all of you for truly making me feel FORTY AND FABULOUS!!! {Now to put on my favorite fuzzy slippers and pj's... I'm in for the night!!}

So this is it...

my official last day in my thirties. Tomorrow when I awake the BIG 4-OH!! I cannot believe it is here. In my heart I still feel like that 20 something who had the world at my fingertips. A fun job... hey wait, I still have a fun job {I guess I should be thankful that this one doesn't require a swim suit to be worn everyday...that would be SCARY!!!} a sweet, loving husband... Hey, I have that one too....late 20's brought me the 2 greatest joys of my life Number 1 and Number 2 son... Yep, they are still with me!! They have gotten so big.... I still see myself as the same 20 something girl unchanging {except for that swimsuit thing I mentioned earlier!}

So yesterday as I am pondering this thought of 40 I ask out loud what will the 40's bring?? Uh, my leaving home Number 1 son sweetly replies... CRASH!!! Wait... I'm not that 20 something gal I used to be? Really, seriously??

Hmmmmmmmm, so today I go to my baby book hoping to find a pic of me then... no pics just facts...

But I ran across an ALL ABOUT ME that I wrote when I was 8...And I share it with you now...

Name still the same with the addition of my married name.
Address... Nope, not the same and up until 3 years ago my parents still lived at that address.
State... still the same
Weight... uh, no where close!
Hair... uh yes with the exception of the lovely gray highlights!
Eye color... still brown!
Age... only 32 years later!!

Favorite things to do at school... {well, I AM still there just on the OTHER side}
Eat lunch {some things never change!]
Reading { I don't do it at school but I do still LOVE to read!}
Math {not so much!}
English {hmmmmmm...}

Favorite thing to do outside of school...
movies {not as often as I would like but yes!
swimming {if laying out in the sun counts!}
go to the store aka shopping!!

Favorite TV shows... {Now this is FUNNY}
Laugh a Limpecks {I don't even remember what that was... need to google it!}
Happy Days
Wonder Woman {wait that is who I AM!}
I Love Lucy
Charlie's Angels
Chips {Look, I know you all had a crush on Eric Estrada!!}
Welcome Back
Three's Company
Monster {thinking Munsters here}
Gong Show {oh my!}
Pink Panther

Favorite things to eat...
Tacos {Yep, mexican is HIGH on my list of Favs}
Hamburgers
Ham ??!!
Pudding

Favorite places to go...
Florida {uh YES!!}
Minasota {uh, NO!!}

Favorite color...
Yellow {not so much, LIME GREEN!!}

Ok, so some things never change!!

So HELLO FORTY... whatcha got for me??!!

Fun Giveaway...

check out Lauren Nicole gifts. These would make a great gift for your close girlfriends....



Hope you all enjoy your Monday...{especially if you are OFF like I am... about to go to the closet and SCRAPBOOK!!!}



After an entire weekend committed to SWIMMING I need a little me time!!



But a HUGE congratulations and way to go to my boys... LOTS of time drops and I mean LOTS!!! Southeasterns is going to be FUN and BUSY this year!! Watch out Music City, TNT is in the HOUSE!!

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO SAD...

I hate to even bring it up. I called my mom and had to tell her about it. Thought that getting it off my chest would make me feel better, but it didn't.

My favorite store has done me wrong not once but twice now!! And all within a month. It started like this...

I believe it was Christmas Eve, busy time of year but needed to return an item I had purchased because you only have 30 days and I didn't want it to get lost in all the Christmas hustle and bustle. So knowing the lines would be long, I sucked it up and made the return. I get to the cashier and she informs me that she cannot do returns. "What??" "Yes, I'm sorry but you will need to go to the other line." Really... I have stood in this long line and now I need to stand in the long line next to me to make the return. Ok, I'm here; I'll do it. So note to self... we'll call her Samantha can make returns not Jenny. Get to register and get my return handled.

So you all know this past weekend I brought home 2 sets of floral arrangements intending to take one back. I have to be up that way on Monday so I take it. Two long lines but hey... I notice Samantha and think back to my mental note... SHE CAN DO RETURNS!! So after being cut off by a very RUDE woman who doesn't even offer to move her stuff up so I can set the 2 very large floral arrangements down, I get to the register. With receipt in hand and say,

"I have a return." {to Samantha who handled my return last time mind you!!}
"I cannot do returns," she responds.
"WHAT??!! You handled my return last time. I PURPOSEFULLY came to your line because I know YOU can do RETURNS."
"I'm sorry I cannot do this at this register. You will need to go to {pointing} that line. Now I can make it shorter for you..."
and calls the next person in line over {from the other line} and instead of us swapping places the lady behind her just moves up.

Seriously, I am having to get in another line. Sorry y'all maybe it's just me but I was pretty HOT!!! So I carry my HUGE floral arrangements to the other line. When it is my turn I ask sweetly if I can have a card with the managers name and store address. Of course they don't have one. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" the girl asks. {Uh ,yes... get me your managers name and store address.}

Uhhh... I then say, You will have to get someone to sign my return can you get if from them?? Oh, yes. So I get the name and address even the store number.

In the mean time the line behind us is GROWING and the man behind me starts harassing us with the following statements...Can you hurry up!!?? I always pick the LONGEST line. It is always the slowest line!! I have to get home to take MEDICINE!! Seriously, you are giving us a hard time. I turn around and say {maybe not so very sweetly} "At least you have only had to stand in one line!" Then lady behind me in other line says, But we really like your purse! WHATEVER... like that is going to make me feel better!!??

I leave with my credit and sadness in my heart... {I wanted this really cute glass stand. Waiting for the glass to go on sale and alas this is the week. But I will not be buying it}

I get to the school to pick up Number 1 son from his Honor Band practice thinking he finished at 5pm. So 5:10 comes along and clearly they are finishing at 5:30. So I take the time to draft my letter to my now not so favorite store. I think they need to know that it is not clearly marked that only certain registers can make returns. I think they need to know that I am a VERY good customer... I scrapbook and I love to decorate so I am ALWAYS there. Any one trip can easily cost me $50. I really want some sort of apology. Oh and a cute glass stand thrown in the mix. I'm sure I won't get either. And maybe one day I will shop there again. Until then I will just pocket that $50 and put it in the LV fund!!

Will let you know if anything comes of my letter.

Things Look a Little Bare....

now that the Christmas stuff is gone {notice I didn't say put away... still working on that!} So yesterday after I went to Zumba I had some time to kill so I headed up to one of my favorite stores.... HOBBY LOBBY! Thought I would look and see if they had any Christmas left {like I need any} alas no! Then I browsed the scrapbook stuff, nothing I needed. Headed to the glass section, not 50% off. Then went to the floral section... SCORE!! Premade arrangements were 60% off.

{now I have to take you back a little so you can appreciate my SCORE!!... See my MIL was moving to a new location, {they do this often} and during said move she had some topiaries that i LOVED and she said can you use them? Uh YES!!! So I am FIRED up about my new topiaries to go on my mantle. So while hoisting stuff to their new home she says... You know, I think I want to try these on my wet bar... Ok, I think... she won't like them, they won't look good... it's still all good. Uh NO!! They looked GREAT so alas my dream of the topiaries came crashing down!!}

So I grabbed two sets thinking of my mantle. Grabbed both because I wasn't sure if they would still be on sale next week. And low and behold one reminded me of the topiaries. I tried the other more floral arrangement too but came back to the simple greenery. So this is how my mantle looks now...



snagged the painting from my half bath and the boys were like you have GOT to put something back in there... it's bare. Yes, i had some other paintings to fill in the gap.

So there you have it. It's the little things that make you happy. Makes a house a home. Makes a space seem cozy!

Now I would love to tackle some painting but it's a HUGE open space but these butter yellow walls have got to go. What are your favorite colors??? Any suggestions??

Just one little thing to say today...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!

It's still FREEZING...

... and school has started back and the Christmas is still out. Well, it is mostly up in the guest bedroom and it is OBSCENE the amount of Christmas one can accumulate. And I don't have as much as others I know. Where do you people put it?? I have the attic and all but it is MUCH too cold to go in there right now so... I have no room for company. The inn is FULL with Christmas JUNK {as number 2 son calls it.. pretty junk, but junk. Although it is the same junk that if I didn't put it out he would say where is my tree? Quilt? Snow Village houses? Santa? Advent calendar? Nativity... You get the picture...}

The boys have started a new routine, one I must admit that I am enjoying... making their own breakfasts. And I don't mean PopTarts... that's what I would throw at them in the morning. Nope, Number 1 attended some serious swim time over the break with GREAT motivational speakers. So now we are on the Healthy Eating plan. Works great for me and I didn't even have to suggest it. {I have mentioned it before but had no takers unless of course it is testing week then we are all about skipping the PopTarts for some waffles, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit...}

So I now wake to pots and pans rattling in the kitchen. Pleasant! I do still make the lunches but maybe they can take over that task as well.

Here's hoping to one resolution that sticks!!

Stay warm out there. This PE teacher is keepin' it inside this week. I don't care what anyone says... too cold for me!!

Still...

FREEZING HERE!!! I did venture out for a little while to have lunch with a sweet friend!! {thank ya girl!!} Then we went to one little shop to see if they had any cute Christmas left... they did but not so cute! Needless to say I bought nothing, zero, nada!! Yep, that's a first.

Still trying to get the Christmas put away. I said I would be gradual but this may be a little tooooo gradual. Anyway...

tomorrow we all start back the school routine. Not really sure that I am ready but it's here and so what do you do??

Hope you are all staying WARM!!!!!!!!!!

A New Decade Begins...

WOW!! Not only a new year but a new decade. Where oh where does the time go? This is the decade of my 40's... and trust me I am living it up these next few weeks. My 30's are going to go out with a BANG!!

I cannot believe how fast our holiday went... we started it and we have ended it. And school starts back on Tuesday. Cold weather has hit us as well. And let me just say... I am not a HUGE fan of it. It can all blow back up north where it belongs!! I live where I do for a reason... the warm weather.

I am GRADUALLY taking down all the decor. Last night the tree came down. All the ornaments are in a box ready to be put away til next season. I cannot decide if I want to leave the garland out front and decorate for MG. I never have and have NOTHING to put on it... but I have seen some great purple ornaments at Target and if they are still there and if they are at least 75% off I may get them. I also wouldn't mind a little trip to Al's 5 & 10 for some gold and purple meshy stuff to use. What other ideas do you have? All this MG stuff is still new to me even though this will be our 4th MG season. And it is a SEASON people. People come and camp out in RV's for this occasion. It surprised me!! Never knew about this whole culture. But it sure is FUN!!

I have ready many posts on FB lately on how 2009 was a NOT SO GOOD YEAR for many of you. I'm not saying it was our best but I am thankful that it wasn't like alot of y'alls out there. I am very blessed to have what I have and to live where I live and to have the family that I have and more importantly a God that loves me. Our sermon this am was really great, Esther. For such a time as this... God has placed me here, in my circumstances, and it is all for His Glory. What a way to begin the New Year. So don't be "Woe is me..." but be WHOA, is ME!!

Many Blessings in this a New Year and Decade.....& Happy 4o's to me!!