I feel like I am beating my head against a wall ... (And a Re-prieve!)

Normally (Due to superstitions) I do not like to put out anything negative. I am a full time believer in (what you put out- comes right back.) But I also believe that holding things in can have a major effect. Also, and quite frankly ... I just need this off my chest.

I feel like I have been bashing my head against the wall dealing with Idiots! Freaking, gosh darn, cannot do their jobs, morons of customer service. I was seriously losing hope in the worlds ability to hire people with actual intellect. Someone capable of doing what is expected, someone who can do what they said they would do. 

It's no secret that I have been miserable dealing with the people who were initially hired to fix our AC unit. It's been two months and nothing, nada, still broke. (I blogged about it.) Hadn't heard from them at all. Until, we get an email saying they are going to replace it. They are going to charge "Fuck all." For modifications. Why are we doing this? Because the coils are in a space that they are unreachable, and cannot be changed. WTF? 

NATURALLY - We have a problem with this. 

We call our case manager (Candace.) 

We had just spoken with Eddie, who we (made sure knew) that the system under the house is completely get-to-able. We have already been through this, we have had numerous people come out to fix the damned AC because it is forever breaking.  They said they would send out a technician so WE could show him how to do his job. 

Back to a minute ago ... we call Candace. We let her know. She starts telling me that they are going to send out someone to better see what is going on with that. (I know, I just got off the phone with them to make it happen, you did nothing.) - (I let that slide.)

We are good with that! Because that means, they can fix the coil (which is what is broke.) Only the coil, and we will not be ass out in an amount we cannot afford at this moment. 

She says - I will call you back on Wednesday to make sure the contractor has been in touch. 

WEDNESDAY - I get a call, I missed this call because I was too busy singing in the shower, to be bothered with answering the phone. (I didn't recognize the ring tone.) I get her message, saying they have sent the specifications. That they are ordering a new unit. 

WHAT????????? 

What the fuck happened to sending someone out? What happened to seeing if the coils could in fact be changed? What happened to people doing what they say they are freaking going to do?
(Ps. NO - The contractor had not been in touch, and I was now dealing with this on my birthday.) *Assholes!*

THAT IS A PET PEEVE OF MINE! 

If you say you are going to do something. THEN DO IT! If you don't. Chances are, you have just annoyed the hell out of me, and I will never believe a word you say from then on out. I forgive, but I do not forget and my trust is hard to earn. 

So ... annoyed that they are just ordering parts without having the technician come out. I call her back and leave a message. SURPRISE no call back. (I have never received a call back on any of the occasions I have left messages) I love how they say, if you have questions or concerns call me and I will call you back. THAT IS BULL. It's just to make you feel better. Do not expect a call back. At least not from people who are incompetent.

But that is what this whole rant was about ... people who are hired to do a job, and then fail to do it. They are out there, annoying the shit out of people like me and so many more. Maybe even one of you have dealt with the frustration of a failure at their job. Sometimes I wonder how they even manage to land the job in the first place? 

Needless to say ... I got a re-prieve. THANKS DYLAN! He is someone at First home warranty who knows how to help the customer. Who listens to your concerns, who does something about it, instead of pushing you aside, because some workers would rather dick around doing what ever the fuck Candace was doing other than her job. (I will be assigned a new case manager for the claim, and they are sending a different company out.) There are good workers out there, and if you run into a bad one, be persistent, maybe luck will be on your side and you'll end up with someone better qualified. 

Here's to hope!   Hoping that this next round, goes a little more smoothly. 

Hope everyone who happens past this, has a great day. xxDee

Where do they get it ?

This is for those of you out there with kids. Do you ever just look at them, in their moments of jerk like behavior and think ... "Where the hell did you learn to be such a little asshole?"

If you have asked yourself this - chances are that you already know the answer.

Maybe you use better or different language than I did here, however its always something similar, 

That really was what my husband and I were thinking, (The quote in the picture there.) Really was what we asked ourselves in one short moment in time. 

I mentioned in another blog that I finally figured out how to get all my information off of old hard drives. Well, learning how to do that, let me see all the old photos I have missed seeing. 

The two in the picture - being the two that led to this blog. 

Nicholas and I stare at our three girls. They look adorable, and sweet, almost like well mannered children who listen to their parents, never throw fits, never fight, etc. (I could give so many *I wish* scenarios here- but I will spare myself the heartache.)  I know the truth. I'll just give you the literally convo.

Nicholas: Aww, They are so cute! How can they be so cute, but at the same time, still be such assholes?

Diane: I know right ... I don't get it. 

(we click to the next photo.)

Nicholas: Oh ... I see! 

I simply agree. They really do get their assholish behavior from us. The evidence is right in the smug like looks on our faces. 

It's funny when I think back at all the curses parents place on their kids (aka- a familiar one.) I hope your children are half as bad as you. 

I always laughed at that one, I wasn't really a bad kid ... Was I? 

Well - *AfreakingParently* I really was ... only the curse didn't just give them my half of badness, but nicks half as well - Giving us three full blown Brats! 

I say that with all the love in the world - Reality, I couldn't live without those girls even in their worst moments. They are my reason for living. 

I just wanted to give all the parents out there who might have passed by and seen this - a little reminder. 

Love them - even when they are driving you crazy and making you want to yank your hair out. They are simply little versions of you.

Think back to when you were a kid - don't you remember doing some of the same things?

I find myself having to stop and think for a moment (a lot) of the time. Because it is true. I have done most of the silly things they have done (that is annoying the crap out of me in those moments) to my own family. 

Spoiled - on the other hand, that's a whole different ballgame. I didn't have half of what my children have today, and it's like my friend Jeri said to me today. 

WE ARE BOTH SUCCEEDING AND FAILING

We may be able to give them more than our parents ever gave us, but it seems the bitter sweet truth of doing just that, is what causes greed to be a little more than just a possibility on developing attitudes. 

My sister ... Her kids, take nothing for granted. They do not throw fits when they are told no, they accept it, figuring that they can just get it another time. 

My kids - not so much. Sometimes leaving a store without the intended item ends in all out war. 

I'm thinking that, I will have to scan through a lot of mother blogs out there to help me out with that issue. (they are not greedy - but they could very well end up that way if I do not find middle ground.)

So why are our children these days little jerks? It's in their genes. 

Hope anyone and everyone who happened to come across this blog has a fantastic day. xxDee

I'm Dreaming About :By, Dan Jackson: (Book Review)

Okay, so anyone who knows one of us Chattaway's (knows) that we absolutely love to read in this house. So scoring a free book to read, in exchange for a book review, is probably one of our favorite ways of scoring. 

Book up for review (I'm dreaming about, By Dan Jackson.)

First thing you notice, is the adorable book cover. My children being HUGE animal lovers, fell in love with the cover of the story. 

Second thing you notice, is that this is more of a encyclopedia, or resource for information, rather than an actual children's story. 

Third thing (probably most important.) Is that the illustrations is what keep the child's attention. Some facts seem cool, others my daughter tended to blow off. "That being said- she is into story, type stories.) Now my daughter Erin, is very much into non fiction and this was right up her alley. 

So I had to read it twice, with two very different types of children. 

Avery - This wasn't the sort of story for her, although she did enjoy the free color pages that came with it! (BONUS- It comes with color pages that you can print out.) 

Erin, quite enjoyed all the little facts. In fact, I have overheard  her telling her father a few she had learned. 

The story itself is full of fun facts, well informative. The illustrations are cute and endearing. So while you are getting your kid to (aww) at the site of an adorable pup, they are soaking in, whether they know it or not, quite a bit of information. 

This is not one of those types of stories that you will spend night after night reading, and re-reading to an eager to hear what happens toddler. But for an educational purpose, its a ok!

If you want to check it out for yourself, you can by following this link. I'm Dreaming About : By Dan Jackson

as always -- thanks for stopping by xxDee

Freebies!

It's no secret that I love free stuff. I am forever trolling the internet looking for people/companies, that are willing and want to hand over a little something free in exchange for a honest review in turn.

GoodReads, Tomoson those are just to name a few.

Here is a list of my next few freebies, that you will see me ranting and raving about, whether good or bad, here on my blog. Giving a out about them, in case you would rather skip that blog or make sure you do not miss it.

First up:
A kids story (I am dreaming about.)
You can check it out too if you want Link to kids book
I have not read this yet, but a quick look through, makes this look a lot more like an educational peice than an actual children's story.

Next up:
A very adult book. (Going Down, The only guide you'll ever need.)
Curious? Here's a link to get your own copy.

I haven't read this yet, and I am sure that I will blush through every second I am reviewing it. taking a glance into the "Look inside." portion, it doesn't look half bad.

Last but NOT least:
Some sort of Scar Gel
If you have a scar or even multiples you can give it a try too following this link -- .Scar Gel
If you haven't realized, I have a rather large scar of my forehead that I am hoping will lesson its visibility, and I plan on trying it on a few stretch marks (that are in fact scars)

Heres to hoping I am not wasting my time. If any of these peak your interest, keep an eye open, I will be reviewing them soon.  If you guys want to review right along with me, Feel free.
Check out Tomoson if you like free stuff too.

Happy Freebie hunt, and reviewing guys! xxDee

Contracting NIGHTMARE! (Updated)

Anyone who has a home knows that things can just go ... well, they can just go wrong. Thankfully, that is what home owners warranty is for. I use "First American Home Buyers Protection" When in a bind, they always pull through. If you do not have home buyers protection, I strongly urge you to get it. A 60 dollar copay, for a 1200 dollar repair, is well worth it. "Look into it guys!"

Either way ... while my home owners protection is never faulty, sometimes their choice of contractor falls short. I unfortunately am dealing with this at the moment.

HERE IS MY HONEST REVIEW OF (Comfort Experts LLC.) https://www.facebook.com/ComfortExpertsHeatingAndAir?pnref=lhc

I should have took notice from the very beginning, when a company gives you red flags from the start, it pretty much ensures that the entire ride will be a bumpy one.

I received an email from my buyers protection, with the contractor hired and a number. I was to give them two days to give me a call to set up an appointment.

(For those of you wondering, My AC is freezing up, not heating my home, and its the coldest part of winter.)

Three days go by, so I decide to give them a ring. They pull up my info and I have an appointment next week. Now I am not really happy that it is a week out, because its cold, my house isn't warming, and my electric bill is shooting through the roof as we wait. But I am content, I realize companies get busy and I figure it could be worse! The contract worker will be here anywhere between 8 in the morning and 5 at night. AWESOME!!!
Not so awesome. The worker didn't show up till well after eight, in fact, I believe it was almost nine. By then, it was too dark to really do any work, but he sees that its shaking, that there is a problem with the fluid inside etc. But -- its too late and it will not get finished that night, so he is going to have the secretary call over tomorrow to schedule out yet another appointment.

I WAITED 2 WEEKS before calling them back.

Got my appointment, this time ... he shows us well on time. I am very thankful. I have restored hope for the company. (Now, they have had me make sure to turn off heat so that it wouldn't be frozen, and thank goodness for bipolar weather that decided to cooperate.
He looks ... can't figure it out, this is fine, while this is not. There is a part too big to get in, hes going to have to do some research to see what he can do.
SIGH ,,,,,,,,, Another waiting game.
Having no choice and being hopeful that research will not take long, I agree to yet, making another appointment.

I WAIT!
and wait.
But then, I got my bill and I am a bit pissy and no longer willing to wait. SO .... I call, I get the owner Chris. He schedules me out an appointment for the very next day between 8 in the AM and 11.
I waited again until ONE in the afternoon then called to make sure they were still coming.

Chris then ensures me that he remembered taking my call, but then got another call and forgot to write me on the list.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?????
But he will have his worker come over right after his next appointment is over.
The day comes and goes.
NOTHING! No show!

I am beyond LIVID! I am with my whole heart angry as hell and about to call and complain, WHEN I get a letter from my warranty people saying that they have sent in papers for whatever reason! (I still do not know because I am waiting on the Protection agency to open so I can call.)

Now tell me ... how can they submit a claim? When they haven't come out? When they haven't done a thing?

IF YOU ARE IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND YOUR PROTECTION PLAN ASSIGNS THIS PLACE. Sure by all means give them a chance, they might be different for you than they are for me. BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allow them to make you wait, STAY ON THEIR ASS!  I do not want anyone else out there going through what I did.

Now wish me luck .. (First - should be open now and I have a call to make.)


(Update) It is now a few days later, Still no report has been sent to my home warranty company, however - the guy does tell me straight up it will be 450 for electrical, 1450, for duct work and modifications. WHY ARE THEY MODIFYING ANYTHING? Ps, that is just a partial estimate, they are still looking at other things they can modify.
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY -- They will dig their heels into any way of fucking you over pricewise! They inform me, that because they are replacing the part under the house, they will have to replace the part outside of the home and that will not be covered (an extra 3+ thousand.) This company is an absolute scam!

Have a great day you guys xxDee

Throw Back Thursday -- A new flick

I rarely participate in throw back Thursdays - Mainly because I try to steer clear of the past. But this time .... I am throwing back a realization that I MISS making flicks with the kids. We do not tend to do that much anymore, and I think we will change that.

This is a short fun film we did, I believe last summer. I had more blooper material to work with than actual shots ... But I still love it. I even got my nephew his girlfriend and my niece to join in! It was so much fun.

Avery -- my youngest says "Grab the idea book - I wanna do *I thought you wanted to be my mommy*" I think I will take her up on that suggestion.
Going to grab out the book and see what else we can have fun with!

Hope you all have a great day! xxDee

Working hard, or Hardly working?

Today has been a long day, and if there was a way of writing long in an exaggerating manner, without annoying myself due to it "looking off", I would.

My eyes are cramped from having been staring at a computer screen all day.

I love to write, I do. But I love the first draft of writing, where I just write without worrying if there are mistakes, misspellings, or if the grammar police is going to knock down my door. The editing process, not really my favorite.

I'm tired, my eyes hurt ... and I am hungry as hell. You see that picture up there? Yep, all I have had. Spoonfuls of goober. Couldn't apparently be bothered to grab some bread.
You know, I remember loving this stuff as a kid. Nothings changed since I have become what they call an adult. It's still pretty good.
Makes me wonder if I relived any of my other, old favorites, if I would enjoy those as well. My sister Bree, used to make us this concoction of, Peanut butter, syrup and sugar and called it "Peanut butter surprise." When I was younger, I could have sworn it tasted just like peanut butter cookies! "My favorite - next to oatmeal raisin."  Hmmmm.

Either way , long day editing a story that I have been working on. So far I have only released a short story (will be releasing another short to go with that one- I just haven't figured out what to do with Alice yet.)
Secrets within, will be my first (longer-short- more like novella, maybe on the verge of novel) I'm very excited about it. However, after my first blooper of a bad editing job and my misuse of  (") marks, I am taking a little longer.


I would say that I have been working non stop all day, but then, I would be lying. Truth is, I stopped to watch a movie (ouija) I chatted with a few new found friends who share a kindred love of one of my favorite actors.

"The move- if you are wondering."
Not all that great. I enjoyed it, because I enjoy movies. But in all reality, it wasn't that scary. They threw in a few jump scares that will getcha for a second. But for the most part, it wasn't truly scary.
I am still on the lookout for something to truly scare the crap out of me.
That being said, I am looking forward to "The cell - Stephen King" and also "IT" the remake.



Today - It's been a good day. A loooooooonnnnnnng day, but a good one. I hope anyone out there who pops by and sees this, also has a good day, and if not, I hope it gets better! xxDee

ps. Yes, I did just annoy myself while exaggerating long!

Why?

So many questions of why rushing through my head right now. 

Why did I cut off my hair? (see that Elsa braid I was sporting in the picture?) I miss it. Reality is, that I know why on this particular question. 

Because I was growing my hair out to completely natural. It finally got long enough to cut off the rest of the dyed portion. I swear the past few years, my hair has been *Black, dark brown, red, strawberry blonde ... etc.* Its nice to be all natural again. 

My light brown (dirty blonde) with OH MY FREAKING GOD!!!!! GRAY!!! Wtf???? I'm 32 and I have a huge gray strip through my hair. Damn it all to hell! I said I would just rock it, But, I might just dye it. Who knows what color next. Maybe I will take a cue from my daughter Erin and go purple, or blue! 

Most of my why's are the normal why's. Why do I constantly get myself into situations I shouldn't be in. Why do I help people who constantly shit on me, why do I stick around when I feel unwanted? Why can I always see the beauty in other people, but not myself. Why can't I take a compliment? Why can't I be pretty like those models on Americas next top model, why do I have to be so freaking short? (I can't reach anything.) Why can't I just have Leo. Why does no one around this freaking town seem to know how to do their damned job? Why the freak is my dog always hitting me in the face with that damned rope toy. (really think I will take that away- he only seems to do it when I am sitting and writing. Little asshole) 

Another why ... why do I not wear make up anymore? I was just scrolling through photos that sync to Facebook, and I realized ... I used to always wear makeup. I do not think a day went by without me having my hair and makeup done. Why did I stop? 

This one got me. 

Did I just give up? Did it stop when everything in my life decided to take a downward spiral to hell? I used to feel a lot better about myself. Maybe I should take an extra effort again. 

That why led to  ... am I depressed? I don't feel depressed. I smile, I laugh, yet ... There does seem to be a piece of me missing. Honestly feel like I am losing grip on me, by trying to be what everyone else expects of me. I am so tired of faking that god damned smile, but I do not want the questions. You know ... the, what's wrong? Did I do something? Are you okay? 

I should be okay ... But something just feels off. 

I am still seeing a therapist and maybe she will find the answers, or help me find them. Maybe by time she ransacks my mind I will end up in a padded cell room. Who the hell knows. 

I had a dream the other night, I tried to decipher it on Dream moods, but I had no luck. 

I'm in a forest of some sort ... surrounded by fog. Suddenly I am surrounded by wolves, they are nipping at my heels. I'm torn between the feelings of "Fleeing, and wanting to pet one." I stand there, looking into their snarling faces, watching the drool pooling from their faces, I felt like I was about to be devoured completely, but couldn't move. I take a deep breath and I move towards them, all but one backs away. I kneel down - (Don't ask why, I guess we just do dumb things in our dreams.) I held out my hand , I realized that I was holding a lily - I was offering this flower to this wolf. Before I knew it, It pounced. 

I woke up sweating my ass off and holding my hands up in a shielding position. It was intense. 

Today was an okay day - Nick stayed home sick from work. My me time, was interrupted, I always feel guilty if I do what I should do when he is home, I can't stand the thought of making someone feel ignored or neglected. I wouldn't want to feel that way, so I try my best not to do it to others. 

I guess that means tomorrow, I will work extra hard. After my date with Lisa that is. 

I am kind of excited ... someone asked me, to help them! 

I realize that sounds strange, but I rarely know how to do anything someone else doesn't already know. 

She wants me to teach her how to make homemade pretzels. I am actually excited about it! 

Anyway, nothing really new in Dee-land. I am just writing about whats up with me, for anyone out there who happens to cross it, who might be going through the same, who might have advice, or who might just want to know they aren't alone in it. 

I hope that anyone and everyone who comes across this has a lovely evening xxDee