Signs of Spring in WV

1) Ground hog road kill

2) Robins

3) Calves

4) Ramps

5) Vicki gets sick


Spring is here....

Senior Pictures

Which is your favorite???

You Might Be a Redneck If....

....the neighbors return your deer because he's playing too close to the road.

Just Ask!

We've been having washing machine woes since October. That's when my trusty 14 year old Maytag died. We were left to purchase a new washing machine. Have you looked at what's out there these days??? Some of them cost more than a car! And they have as many bells and whistles too. We figured our best bet was to stick with what had worked in the past. A basic top-load Maytag. We found a current version of our old machine and at a great price. We were happy! Until....it started leaking shortly after we brought it home. The repairmen have been out three times. They've replaced the sensor panel and the transmission. Neither of which solved the problem. The repairman that came this week was at a loss as to what to do next. He "modified" the machine to redirect the water flow. And then ordered yet another part. A part to replace the one he just modified (he may have used his pocket knife, I'm not sure). He called the home office to get some input as to what could be the problem. Their advice to me was to wash smaller loads of laundry until the weather warms up because it's probably too cold in my breezeway (66 degrees) for the machine to function properly. Not a satisfactory answer! I decided to call the store we purchased it from. I spoke with one of the managers and told him the short version of what was going on. He told me to bring it back for a refund. Yay! Happy again. Until...until I realize I now have to purchase a new machine. The in-depth homework began. I looked at consumer reports. I read hundreds of reviews on-line. And finally decided on a new washer AND dryer by LG! So, here's where the "Just Ask" part comes in. When something isn't satisfactory, just ask if there are other options. The repairman told me there wasn't anything he could do. I was told previously that I couldn't return the machine to the store but had to go through the service company. But I asked and was able to return the machine and get a full refund. When I went to purchase the new machine. I decided to go ahead and get a new dishwasher as well (we'd been looking for awhile). So, I asked the salesman if there would be any additional discounts available for the multiple appliance purchase. He said there wouldn't be for that reason, but that particular store does price match and he was pretty sure he could find the washer/dryer set cheaper at one of their competitors web sites and he would be able to give me the additional discount from that. As well as the 10% price match guarantee. Again, ask! Asking, saved me an additional $50.00+ that time.

Now, what to do with the old dryer and dishwasher that still works? I decided to post them on freecycle.com. Literally, within 2 minutes of it being posted, I had multiple inquiries. And within an hour both pieces were picked up and taken away by two different families. Ask!

I'm loving my new LG washer/dryer. We won't get the dishwasher until Tuesday. The store had to order it because I asked for a color that wasn't readily available.

I don't know if I'm getting bolder about asking for what I want because I'm getting older or what. But I'm learning to not be satisified with the status quo. I've had enough of that. I want quality, richness, fullness and satisfaction in all areas of my life. I want to know that what's in my life is there because I want it to be there. Not because it's what someone else thinks I should have. Just ask!

An Apple A Day!

Let me introduce to you my new toy... Apple ipod nano (third generation).
nano in it's handy dandy (and cute) case.

I'm having so much fun with this new toy. I have downloaded lots and lots of music, tv shows, podcasts (love podcasts). It's amazing. Now when I'm flitting about the house doing all my housewifey stuff, rest assured nano is in my apron pocket. The kids fuss when I sing out loud but sometimes I just can't help it. The funny thing is the vast assortment of music on my ipod. I have Alan Jackson and Alabama, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Britney Spears and Beyonce, Toby Mac and Skillet, Daughtry and Elliott Yamin, Janet Jackson and Kelly Clarkson, Beethoven and Mozart, Norah Jones, Veggie Tales, Reba and Rascal Flatts, April Wine and Nickelback, Hinder and Fergie, Casting Crowns and Mercy Me just to name a few. I have over 500 songs and haven't even used half of the memory yet. This nano is an 8 gb just to give you an idea of the capacity.

If you're interested in your own "apple a day" check out apple.com and type in "refurbished". They have great deals and the ipods come with the same warranty as a new one.

And if you already have an ipod, tell me what you're listening to.

What is It????

I knew there was a problem when there was a shortage of dishes in the kitchen. The problem: daughter has been taking food to her room and not returning the dishes. So, last night when I issued a recall on my dishes, this is what was returned to me. I have no idea what it used to be. But it makes a wonderful science lesson for school.

2008 in a Nut Shell

Dad had 2 heart surgeries that included 5 stints

He also had 2 eye surgeries

Christal came to visit

Frank turned 40

We celebrated our 20th Wedding anniversary

I went to a taping of the Martha Stewart Show in NYC

Visited Washington DC twice

And Aunt Darlene and Glenn once

Gladys, Bryan and Francelina came for a visit from Arkansas

Amber turned 16, got her driver's license and a job all in the same week

She had a car accident that totaled her car

Andrew turned 13 and became interested in the guitar and girls

Frank was hired at his new job

Luke came to visit

We went to Georgia and Florida for vacation

I took a roadtrip with my new friend to Niagara Falls, NY

to visit Nancy and Steven

Chris, Becky and the kids came to visit

Amber took her first flight by herself to visit our friends in GA

Nancy and Steven came to visit

Mom was hospitalized

Frank's mom had a cancer scare

We got chickens!

Amber got her GED

She's been accepted at her first pick college

Andrew and I saw the Pirates play

Frank went hunting in Ohio several times

Frank built a shed/hen house

I had my first mammogram

People we're close to have divorced, moved, have lost a loved one, been ill or a combination of all of these things

We planted a garden and had more success than last year

We had family pictures taken for the first time in many years

We visited with Shannon and Drew and the kids

We harvested an abundance of grapes

We made apple butter outside in a big copper pot

We've met more people and grown a lot at our new church

My prayer shawl team(which consists of 4-5 people) made approximately 300+ shawls

And now I'm tired from listing all of this. Through the good, the bad and the ugly, God has been good. He is faithful and true. And that's all that gets me through some days.

May 2009 bring peace, unity and happiness to my home and yours!