Gosh! A LOT has been going on this past month...I can't believe that it's been a month since I've actually been back to blog...Here is my past month - as told (again) in pictures...
SADNESS...
We had to drain the pool because we were having liner issues as you can see...We had to fight with the warranty company (10 year warranty on the liner - in bold print on our paperwork)...So Lane is swimming in it after three days of watching sadly as the water drips down the driveway...
A little bit of happiness...
Our neighbor unpacked her inflatable water slide in our time of need for a 'water' fix...This thing is HUGE...It's like one of those bouncy things that you can rent for a party...only she got this one at Wally world last year for a bargain and now her backyard turned into 'KIDland'...Logan and all of the neighbors just had a blast!! The kids have to climb up one side by putting their feet in holes and making their way up. Then at the top (about 7 feet high) they are sprayed by water as they jump/slide the whole way down. At the bottom of the slide is a spot where the water accumulates. So, as they come down, anyone nearby gets a little washing...It's really fun and the kids have a blast. It's really cool how it stays inflated. Once we got them lathered up with sun screen, they were REALLY slick and we had to put another float at the end because they kept slipping off of the end!! FUNNY!!! About 3 hours later, we were all tired. They kids from playing and the adults from laughing at the kids playing!! Good times...
A lot of happiness...
The guys finally arrived after I had a 'sit in' at the REC Warehouse (where we bought our pool)...I had the day off and we had emptied the pool like we were supposed to...I called and called and called and finally I decided to actually go see the manager...I told him that I was going to sit in his store (we knew that his regional manager was going to be there that day, so we could always use that avenue if we had too - I'm in retail so I know how the game is played - even though I NEVER need to play games - really I don't)...So, after sitting with Lane and Logan for about 45 mins. the manager came back with good news! He got a hold of the installers, upgraded our liner ( REALLY nice) and gave us 100.00 in credit to use at the store...HMMMM...he could have saved himself 100.00 if he just would have helped us out in the first place!! Anyway, here's the final pictures of happiness. The pool is filled, chemicals are in (thanks to the credit) and the sun is warming it up for us...
Future Happiness...
And now I'm counting down the days until I head to Texas!! I'll be heading out next Sunday morning!! Maybe I'll actually be able to swim before then - hopefully!! It's funny...every time I plan a vacation, there is always something big going on at work. We have a really big regional visit on Friday (the first day of my vacation). So, needless to say, I can barely think about my trip because I'm trying to stay in 'work' mode to get the place cleaned, organized, etc...I was off last Wednesday and will work all the way up until Thursday just getting things together...So, I'll be enjoying my Friday and Saturday just becoming a human again!!
This trip isn't our normal Texas trip. Logan and Lane are staying home this time. We usually make a road trip of it and laugh the whole way...This year there are just toooo many expenses and Lane doesn't have vacation time yet...GAS - 3.15 per gallon! YIKES! For me to fly round trip is less than the gas that it takes us one way! So, I'll be trying it solo this year. I already told both of them that next year will be back to normal and we all will fly so that we'll have more time to spend there and less money spent!
My sister is moving there so everyone but me and my family are officially TEXANS! One of these years we'll make it out there. We have to figure out the geography thing with Logan since she has two families and we really aren't the 'main' one that can make big decisions like that for/with/about her at this point...We'll get something figured out sooner or later. So, I'll spend the time in Texas helping everyone get settled into their new homes and leave the SC casa to Lane, Logan, Ellie, Louie, Kitty and the crazy fish. We'll see how they fare...I'm sure that I'll be calling them every day and will be sending them pictures of 'wish you were here laughing with us' moments. It'll be nice to spend some time with my dad. I figure that with about 4 different places to 'bunk' I won't be worried about a bed to sleep in while I'm there! And I'll get my dog 'fix' from my sisters, my craft 'fix' from my sisters, my cat 'fix' from my dad and my kid 'fix' from my niece!! I'll be well taken care of!!
Make sure that you ask for what you want - even if it's loudly and while sitting for 45 mins in a store...
Make sure that you find some time to get away and have fun- even if it's in a neighbors yard with the neighborhood kids...
Make sure you let your family know how much you miss them - and how much you'll miss them while your without them...TX family AND SC family
And most of all...ENJOY the times!!!!
