Enough with the BEEPS!

I was in the middle of "spring" cleaning this afternoon.  Getting a jump start.  The rain and melting snow has me almost in the mood to open the windows.  If only.  I just happened to turn off the vacuum and BEEP! 

NOOOOO!

Went downstairs to investigate.  Of all things, I was the dang cordless phone beeping because of a low battery.  If you remember from my previous post, I unplugged it.  I'm ready to throw anything that BEEPS in the garbage.

Stop The Beeps

I woke up this morning at 9 am to the voice of Dave Ryan.  I hit the snooze button and rolled over.  BEEP!
What was that?!  Roll over again.  BEEP!
Is it my head board?  Lay perfectly still.  BEEP!  Awe, $hi+.

Maybe you guys need a little insight on why I hate beeps.  It all started over a year ago.  It was a Monday night.  I got off of work, came home, got in my PJ's and sat down to watch some TV.  BEEP!  Is that my fire alarm going off?  I thought the battery needed to be replaced.  I didn't have any 9Volt batteries and it's was too late to get them, so I took out the battery to stop the beeping and I'd get some new ones in the morning.  I settled back in under my blanket on the couch.  BEEP!  NO!  I got changed head to Cub at 10pm to get batteries and reinstalled the fire alarm.  Okay.  Not minutes later....BEEP!  Agh!  I spent a couple of minutes trying to see if it was a different alarm going off.  There are 3 fire alarms, one on each floor. 

Not knowing what to do next, I called the fire department for someone to come and take a look at my alarms.  Two gentlemen came (one a cop, the other was the Blaine Fire Chief) both smelling like a camp fire.  It was the night of a HUGE brush fire in Forest Lake.  To make a long story short, it took the 3 of us 45 minutes to realize it wasn't the fire alarm going off, but the carbon monoxide tester that was 5 feet away from the fire alarm.  That was the battery that needed to be changed.

And now to present day, it was just 2 weeks ago that my other carbon monoxide tester in the basement started BEEPing too.  That tester I replaced completely.  And now this morning.

Got out of bed and I headed straight downstairs to the basement.  I was going to rule out that stupid carbon monoxide tester going off again.  I waited a couple minutes then...BEEP!  I was coming from upstairs (meaning the main level).  I stood under the above stated fire alarm...BEEP!  It was coming from the living room.   Hmmmmmm.  My portable phone has always beeped during long phone calls.  Since I no longer have a land line, I unplugged the phone.  Still....BEEP!  Aha....it was coming from the home security monitor.  Why it was beeping I have yet to find out.  I can only assume because it was sensing that the phone service had been disconnected. 

Hopefully the BEEPing has stopped.  If not, I may actually lose my sanity.
For the love of God, somebody Stop The Beeps!

Vikings Fumble

So I've decided that I am totally in love with Jared Allen.  I won't go so far as to claim him as my boyfriend, but a girl can only hope.  After getting a little razzed by my BFF's for not wearing purple on Sunday, I decided that I was going to get some sort of Skol Vikings wear.

Monday night after work I headed to Fleet Farm.  It was right on the way.  I was going to take the chance that the selection wouldn't be picked over.  I grabbed a couple jerseys, sweatshirts and t-shirts in various sizes (I have no idea what my size is in men's) and headed to the dressing room.  I should probably mention that throughout this shopping experience I was talking with my mom on my cell phone.  The fitting room attendant lady opened a room and I tried everything on and made my selection for what I was going to purchase.  Expect I needed a different size, so back to sporting goods I was headed. 

When I came out, the fitting room attendant wasn't there, so I left everything I didn't want on the counter and meandered around clothing racks.  I picked up some raisinettes on the way too.  I remember seeing a couple guys (dressed in orange...obviously employees) looking at me every once in a while but didn't think anything of it.  Got back to the vikings wear and picked a Jared Allen jersey in the size I wanted, but I also wanted to double check on t-shirts.  I was on the fence if I really wanted one.

As I was browsing a women came up to ask if I needed any help.  I said "No, I'm fine."  and continued to browse.  HOLD THE HORSES.  I've been shopping for probably 45 minutes and now someone asks if I need help.  And then again I remembered those dirty looks I was getting from those guys earlier.  I called her back to see what time Fleet Farm closes and she said "We ARE closed". 
WHAT?!  I didn't hear any announcements but then again,  I was on the phone with my mom.  I asked her what time it was.  She said 9:20.  They close at 9.  There was no way I was in the dressing room for 20 minutes.  Why didn't the lady dressing room attendant tell me they were about to close.  I would have been fine coming back the next morning to purchase my Hottie's jersey.

I felt like such a fool.  So embarrassed.  I had become the very person that annoys me at the Y.  People that overstay their welcome at closing time.  These employees want to get home to their families and get to bed after working long hours on their feet and here I am, deciding if I want Vikings crew socks or no-shows.  Stupid.  I don't think I'll be able to show my face in there for quite some time. Oops.

The Bandwagon

Yes, I admit it.  I'm a bandwagon fan.  I know that the hard-core fans hate us, but it's true.  Any given Sunday, I would rather watch a Disney movie over a football game.  Working Sunday afternoons at the Y, I am usually stuck watching/listening to football on the TV in the lobby.  But today was different. I CHOSE to participate with the Vikings frenzy.

I decided to poach in on my BFF's who are huge Viking fans.  I knew they would be settled right on the sidelines in their living-room with buffalo wings and Honeyweiss.  I brought the brownies and apple-snickers salad.  After the first missed field goal (courtesy of the Cowboys) and the numerous sacks, I was hooked.  If we play as good as we did today next Sunday, we might have a chance against the Saints.  And then it's Super Bowl Baby!!!!

Now it's time for me to go shopping for some purple.  I'm thinking #69.  I (heart) Jared Allen.  I hate to admit it but the mullet is growing on me.

The 21st Century

I've finally decided to join the 21st century.  Thursday morning I discontinued my home phone and now will only be reachable via cell phone.  I didn't know how I was going to feel without having a land line, but it's settling in.  I think I was more attached to the number (763-757-5388) than I was to the phone.

I have a "thing" for double eights.  They follow me everywhere.  My phone number in Heights had double 8's (1488), it's part of my employee number at the dental office, among other things.

I made the decision a couple months ago, when week after week, the only numbers on my caller ID were telemarketers.  The majority of people that I actually know call my cell phone.  And only 2 days in, I am savoring the silence.  No phone ringing every hour on the hour.  No telemarketers.  Sweet!!!

Loathing Lowes Part III

Today, I'm feeling a little better.  Before I went to work, I made a little phone call to Discount Appliance to get their view on the previous stated phone call.  I don't want to say I overreacted, but I think there may have been a misunderstanding between what Chad said and the way I interpreted it.  When he said "This won't be covered by my warranty", he was meaning the replacement of the venting itself, when I thought he meant everything.  The fixing of the wires on the block are covered by Frigidaire's warranty.  So the $150 bill is for the service call for Chad to come out and for the purchasing of the solid metal vent and it's installation. 

Now that I understand and am clear on what the bill actually is for, I'm good.  I had a hell of a time getting the flexible duct stuff on the first time, I'm thankful I had someone else put the solid venting on.  And for me to pay a little for it to be done right, and without DUCT TAPE, I'm good.

Before I hung up with the manager of Discount Appliance, I asked him if it's possible for the dryer vent to make the dryer not work.  He said that with newer machines, there is a safety mechanism.  If the dryer can't vent fast enough (as if there was a blockage) it will prevent the machine from working.  Good to know, but I still think the Lowe's manager is full of $h!+.  

As for replacing the dryer, I'm never letting Lowe's touch anything in my house and have them screwed up.  Ever. 

Loathing Lowes Part II

So I'm a little confused.

I've been playing phone tag with Thom, one of the manager's at the Lowe's in Blaine (Hwy 65/ 118th Ave.) all weekend.  Yesterday I dropped off the copy of the repair bill so he could see it and also call them to verify what services were done.

I got a call from Thom today...and I'm very confused.  He said the improper installation of the electrical cord to the block on the dryer "is not their problem".  That was not installed by the two boys that delivered the machines.  So then who's responsible for it?  If wasn't Lowe's who crossed the wires, was it Frigidaire?  It certainly wasn't me. 

He also said that a faulty dryer vent can also make a dryer not work.  WHAT!  What does a dryer vent have to do with anything electrical or the computer chips inside the dryer?  To me, they are two separate things.  Computer chips.......and a piece of tin.       They are not the same.  That is bunch of bologna. 

Is fighting this really worth my time and energy?  For $150 dollars?  I'm thinking not.  I think I'm going to cut my losses and moving on.  The thing that worries me is that this could happen to someone else.  And with it being an ELECTRICAL problem., could someone loose there house via a fire?  But again, Lowe's or Frigidaire?  Hmmmmm.

Loathing Lowes

Where to do I start.  What was originally as a Christmas present  from my parents has turned into an April Fool's Prank on me.  My parents bought me a new washer and dryer because my washer was leaking water every once in a while and would dance and chimmy when off balance and make a ruckus.

Yeah!  I get new appliances.  That's what any mid-, no make that late-20 something wants.  Forgot the new car or Wild tickets, or a tropical vacation.  Okay, I need to be serious here.

So ma, pa and I did a little window shopping around town.  We ended up getting a Frigidaire set at Lowes.  They deliver, haul away and install for free.  Looking back, I got what I paid for.  Mom and Dad even threw in an extended warranty to cover any computer malfunction that could occur within 5 years.

We had the date of installation set on Christmas Eve.  Mom and Dad were supposed to down for the holidays but stayed home due to the snow storm.  Two  "juveniles" came and dropped off and picked up all the appliances, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Now's the good part.  When it came to installing the dryer vent, they said they couldn't reattach it.  I had to make a special run to Lowes to get a new vent.  When I questioned him who, what, why and when, it was $60  later.

Eight days go by......

My dryer doesn't work!  Troubleshooting with circuit breakers doesn't work.  Call Lowe's.  Transferred to Frigidaire.  Called Discount Appliance and service call scheduled for January 8th.....nine days later.  I had no dryer for NINE DAYS!

Nice guy named Chad from Discount Appliance comes and looks at dryer.  Explain in detail about situation with lazy dryer.  He pulls it out.  "Oh No!"  Tsk!  Tsk! Tsk!  The electrical wires hooking the dryer to the electrical cord are loose and screwed up!  The new dryer vent that I was told to go and buy (the flexible slinky kind) is wrong and now my Frigidaire warranty is null and void.  The Juvie-Boys didn't tell me that!  But I have an extended warranty through Lowe's........nope.  Now I have to pay an extra $150 to this nice guy named Chad from Discount Appliance to fix all the errors.  Fine....he's nice and he knows what he's doing and it's going to get done right so my house doesn't blow up or burn down.  Electrical wiring fixed and SOLID metal PVC-like vent installed.  The nice guy named Chad from Discount Appliance told me that if I hadn't caught this now, it would be twice as much to fix later on down the road.

The wheels in my head are turning and if I were a cartoon, probably smoke coming out of my ears.  Complained to Lowe's Appliance Manager and Delivery Team.  They want to exchange my dryer out for a new one.  Hell No!  You are not touching it!  (This is what ran through my mind).  Instead, I just say that it's now installed correctly and I would like to be reimbursed the $150 being that it was done wrong in the first place.  If they won't reimburse me, the installation team needs better training so this doesn't happen to anyone else.  I should be getting a call back tomorrow afternoon.  Stay Tuned!

Side-note if you haven't guessed my now:  If anyone needs help with appliances, call Discount Appliance and ask for Chad!  He's a nice guy.

New Tires

I need new tires.  It's hard to believe that 60,000 miles has come and gone.   It seems like I just got this set just a couple months ago, but it's actually been over 5 years.  I was still living at home at the time.

When dad was down a couple of weeks ago, we shopped around and found the best deal at Tires Plus.  I got a reasonable quote at the Columbia Heights store but I wanted them installed in Blaine.  They offer free tire rotations for the life of the tires and it's more convenient with it just 2 blocks away.

So I took my quote in, but they wouldn't honor it.  They said that sale ended on the 31st.  But that's not want "Justin" told me in Heights.  Justin said the quote was good for 30 days which means it should have been honored through January 15.  However, the gentleman that helped me in Blaine said he could hook me up with a different tire and still give the the Buy 3, Get 1 Free, plus $15 off the alignment if I need it.  The total was going to be about $440.  With my holiday bonus check, that was exceptable.  Where do I sign?

Left the car and Jean and I headed out to do some shopping while they work was being done.  Not 10 minutes later, they called and said that my front right wheel was loose, which causes the tires to wear faster.  To fix this, they have to tighten the tire rod.   And when they tighten the rod, an alignment is needed.  To do this will bring the total over $600.  What?!  What happended to $440.00?

The alignment is $50 (the quote from before I left including the $15 off) which means the tightening is about $150.00 .  It costs $150.00 to tighten a rod.  A monkey can do that.  Whatever.  If it keeps my tires healthy longer, I guess it's worth it.

But what do I know.  I'm just a woman.

New Year's Eve

I'm still not getting the hand of this blog thing.  I don't have time to write anything worth-while.
So next topic is New Years Eve.

My plans were to go out to Povlitski's with Lori, Judy and Jean.  Jean ended up needing to work.  Who the hell schedules people to work on New Year's Eve.  Target, that's who.  Dumba$$e$.  We went there last year and got one of the last tables available.  In the back, an exceptable view, but got stuck next to a grump Santa.  This year we'd get there earlier and get a better seat.  No such luck.

Lori and Judy got there 2 hours before the band was to take the stage and all the tables were already reserved.  Note to other people: don't reserve tables for other people unless they are going to show up.  Some tables didn't have any people sitting by them, not once all night.  We got stuck sitting at a high top next to the pool tables.

I would have thought "That's where the cute guys are", so I'm all in.  If you're going out with your girlfriends and want to flirt with guys, they aren't going to be on the dance floor.  Guys don't dance unless they have a girlfriend dragging them out. They're going to be shooting some pool.  I usually am all for the flirtiness, but not this time.  I just wanted to hang with my girls.

So we're just talking and bopping to the music, and old, smelly men would not leave us alone....all night.  They smelled like perio-breath took a bath in a bag a used chew.  (My dental peeps will appreciate this.) Yuck!  One guy came over to set up his horn-dog of a buddy with Lori.  After a couple of minutes, and sniffs, she left me alone at the table with the two of them!  Some friend.  I couldn't help but pray "Please, God. Please have someone save me."

No one came.  And they didn't get the hint by the silent treatment.  We had to wait them out for their smoke-break.  It was time to discuss our contingency plan.  When one of us saw them, we would bolt to the dance floor and get lost in the sea of people.  And we'd stay on the other side of the bar....avoiding them.  When that didn't work, we'd talk to the 2 couples at the table next to us and act like we were playing pool with them.

As we were doing all of this, we had to watch for other people's pool sticks.  The high tops were just close enough that if you got up too quickly, you'd get poked with a pool stick, ruining someone's shot.  It was one big disaster.  I should have just stayed home and watched the annoying Ryan Seacreast do the countdown in NYC.

Happy New Year's everyone.  It can only go up from here.