Saturday, July 5, 2014

I hope everyone had a happy, safe 4th with lots of food, family and friends. We spent the time with hubby's sister and her husband and two cousins. I can sit at my craft table and see seven different places setting off terrific fireworks. It was 11:20 last night before I could take Molly outside to wet. She is afraid of the noise. I hope no one had any damage from Arthur. I'm happy it didn't do as much as the weather people though it would.

I've had no return call from the USMC. Today I'm taking some advice from online friends and sending a letter to their website along with a snail mail letter to the Commandant U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. Can't hurt. May get some results although I doubt the Commandant will actually see the letter.

Today's card is for my girlfriend's birthday next week. She is one that I could send that to. I saw one like it online and I have gone to the Lawn Fawn website and looked through all their cards and I can't find one like I saw so if it was yours, please let me know so I can give you credit. Haven't been in the card studio other than that this week. It's been so nice here we have been outside working and I have been looking at counter tops and stoves. Also, had a fellow out to give us an estimate for a patio in back. We have a glassed in sun room, but it is so hot in the summer we can't use it! Since we are staying here we are thinking of making some improvements.

A new rant. It used to be you called someone and told them what you wanted and they took care of it. Not so much now. I picked out a stove. We have to have a gas line run for it. My dryer is gas and on the other side of the wall from the stove. Hook into gas line and run it through the wall and cap it off. Called the gas co. They don't do that anymore. Huh. I thought that was their job. Nope. You have to have a plumber do it. $230. to have that done. The appliance store doesn't do gas. You have to have a specialist deliver it and hook it up. $150. for that. Now we are into three people to get a stove and three different charges.

Counter tops. They will deliver and install if you take out the old counter tops and disconnect the water. $430. if they have to do it in addition to the small fortune for new counter tops.

Patio. The construction company will remove the old stoop and lay gravel and pour patio. You call the people to have them mark where the utilities are. Want a pergola. Nope, construction co. doesn't do that. You call someone else.  On top of the VA Marine thing I'm just not up to it right now.  I'll just stick to making cards. That's just me and the cardstock and stamps. No middle man and no new charges.  I guess I'm just to old fashioned and set in my ways but I can't seem to keep up with the new world way of doing things. I believe the term is "old fogie".  Have a fun weekend and be kind to one another.


7 comments:

Colleen said...

Brenda, I just got caught of on your saga with the military. I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this, I do not have any answers for you, but will certainly keep you and your husband in my prayers! And now about the potential remodel... holy moldy...I hope this will work out for you, it is unbelievable what you are going through to get appliances!

cards4ubylouise and other treasures said...

Oh my...all the hoops we have to jump through now a days. I think the older we get the harder things get. There is a verse in the Bible that goes something like this "God has made man upright but they have sought out many inventions" In another version of a Bible the same verse says, "God made things plan and simple but man has made things complicated" Yep, that is so true.

Just take one problem at a time and chip away at each one. One problem and one day at a time. That's all we have to do, thank God he gave us card making to keep us sane in an unsane world!!!! Have a good day anyways!!!

cards4ubylouise and other treasures said...

*** Ummm I think I meant "INsane" world....lol! Oh and your card is really cute too.

MaryH said...

What a delightfully cute & fun card. Love this dino as a bday card! I have no images of that kind at all! (mainly thought I didn't need such as no littles around. Didn't have the imagination to see how well it could be used as you have done!) Well done on the creativity front. I hear your frustration with all the stuff going on. Don't feel too alone, I think it's the same everywhere. It's called "Let the other guy get his little piece of your $$$ too". Good luck, and I hope you can get the improvements you are wanting, done, successfully (another pie in the sky dream these days!) without too much aggravation. Glad you were able to enjoy the holiday with good company. These poor doggies who don't like noise...they must be so scared and wonder what on earth is going on! Have a good rest of the week! TFS & Hugs from another old fogie.

Darnell said...

Hahaha! I LOVE that card, Brenda! I am sitting here wondering if I have any dino stamps! I hope writing letters resolve things since doing it by phone certainly hasn't. Everything seems to be done by websites or emails anymore.

I hear you about how flippin complicated it is now to get a simple thing done and more expensive! I swear life was a lot simpler "in our day!" I guess we can only be grateful that we lived most of our lives during those times. Good luck with the improvements!

Ha, I just noticed what Mary wrote above and I was thinking the same thing!! Hugs from another old fogie!! Darnell

Brenda said...

I so know what you mean Brenda, no one does anything anymore, it seems as if the buck keeps getting passed on down the line with it costing more and more money. What happen to the old way of doing things?!! I am thankful to have such a handy husband but not everyone's husbands are handy or are not able to do the kind of work anymore do to physical limitations. DS is going to school for Construction Management and will be able to do it all like his dad. I'm sure he will find out how handy it will be to him in the future as well as his future wife will love how handy he will be. It is seriously getting out of control at all the hoops you have to go through to get anything done anymore. Now your card is simple too cute!! I love that sentiment and of course the instinct dino! Cuteness overload for sure and I know your friend will just love this card. Hang in there Brenda, hopefully it will get better soon. Hugs, Brenda

Greta said...

Wowzer--what an adorable card, Brenda! I know your friend loved it! Glad I'm not the only old fogie--LOL! So frustrating when no one values customer service or doing the job right & just add on the charges.