No More hhGregg

Nothing like having a 36" HD LCD TV, a Toshiba, with the most beautiful picture in the world, most of the time, that you can't use. As it's been, we haven't watched that beautiful picture for a month now.
The bulb blew.
When we got the TV, the young man advised that I purchase the extended warranty. It would be an extra $200.00, but he let me in on a little known fact ... the bulbs usually go around 20-23months or so on the average. With the extended warranty, I'd get 2 of the bulbs which costs around $200.00 a piece, in stalled for free. Yep, I'd call, the bulb "popped," and a nice serviceman would come out to the house, install the new bulb and clean the TV all at no charge.
It was all in the fine print.
That was cool with me.
And guess what? The 1st bulb blew at 7 months.
One phone call, 3 days and we were up and running. Not unreasonable. They told me to call this number and an electronics store local to us came over and handled everything. Cleaned up her inside, too.
Then last month, she popped again.
One phone call. I get a call back in 4 days asking to set up a time to install the bulb. Then a cancellation. Bulb didn't come in. And so it goes for nearly 14 days.
To the point that I called the Hub of this bulb providing fiasco.
"Well, we have to order them from the warehouse," says Norman's Electronics.
"Well, I called Toshiba's warehouse, ma'am, and I was told there are 10,000 bulbs available. I fail to understand the difficulty with your large company obtaining 1 bulb," I reply.
Calls to hhGregg, from which I purchased said TV, no assistance, nothing, NADA.
They don't use the local guys anymore, I have to stick with Norman's or void the warranty which extends to 2011.
I file a complaint about the service. I'll at least let them know what I think. Oh, and let everyone know what I think about hhGregg dumping reliable, FAST, courteous service business do their warranty work.
Well, finally this am, after 13 hours on shift, and waiting up, the bulb was installed by the local rep. of Norman's. But he didn't clean out the TV. I'll have to call and arrange a separate appointment for that little number.
"Sorry, ma'am, that's Norman's policy."
Policy, huh? To screw around with so much paperwork you can't find a bulb from a warehouse in your city; ship it to another city 4 hours away; ship it from that city to mine 1.5 hours away; and arrange for it to be installed in less than ; oh say; a week? And then the serviceman can't clean out the TV while the back is open unless he comes back out to your home AGAIN?
Oh, please tell me how this is more efficient? And how this benefits big, bad hhGregg and makes the customer want to return to their store? Especially when a customer appealed for their assistance and was flat out turned away. I have the documentation, I called at 1125 on 7/9/08.
You see today's date.
And the gentleman I spoke with from Toshiba wasn't real happy either. He wants them to examine the whole TV and see if we need further assistance since she's blown 2 bulbs in so "short" of time. But what the heck, Norman's just installed the bulb, gotta call back for that one, too.
Sorry, Toshiba, maybe YOU should be more careful who you let sell your products.
As for me, I'm going to watch my 36" beauty tonight, again.
At least until we need another bulb.
OnceAgain

Home Again

It's late; in my time zone anyway. It's quiet and very still in the house. It's a good time for musings and pondering. No one else is up and about; except the cat, Charley.
You can't count Charley. He marches to his own beat as they say. And that drummer can't keep the sticks straight; trust me.
We returned from our travels and cleaned and tucked away the RV and equipment on Saturday. The washing is done. Today was a day to catch up on bills and just veg. We didn't go anywhere or really do a thing. We had a little vacation from our vacation.
Isn't it amazing? Vacations used to be a time where folks got "away" from it all. Now you go; and you keep going. It's one thing after another it seems. Everyday you jump up and hit the floor with an agenda. Got a list of "must do's/have to's."
Half of the commercials advertise places geared just for that. Off you go and zip and slap and flip and flop about. They almost make you feel guilty if you aren't running, jumping, swimming or throwing yourself out of a damn plane or something.
My job and life are filled with enough jumping through hoops and stress and "thrills" thank you. I would love to just go someplace and hide for about a week and not do a flipping thing.
I promise you, I'd get my exercise. I'd walk and stroll; along the paths and trails for hours. Not rapid calories, but enough cardio to keep me going.
There's medical proof; destressing is as important to longevity as is spinning. Do the research. And so many of us just don't do it.
Maybe, it's time to start.
Our next trip is to a race in August. And I can assure you; Hubby will have an agenda laid out. Almost every moment will be filled if he has his way. He gets a little distress when I balk at following along with all his plans. Guess, he's going to be a little distressed again.
I've been good long enough. I feel an evil, evil mood coming on and that rebellious spirit I've been known to have is rearing it's little head. And I, by George, want to sit or walk or fart in peace the next time I've got some time off away from home without somebody having a freaking list of things to do all the time; everyday.
I'm drawing a line in the sand. I'm declaring war; so to speak. And by the time we pack out; the "enemy" will have had a warning shot fired across his bow. Sad. But, it will be a brief skirmish and then over; with a truce.
But for now; all is quiet on the home front. And the hour is late. I bid you good night and peace.
OnceAgain

It's Always An Adventure

I originally wrote this and posted it for my RV Group; July 14th. It was suggested I add it to my Blog. So...
Greetings from the South of Florida. Those of you that are here know it has been stormy in the afternoons and is VERY humid of late. Those of that aren't here; count your blessings you aren't traveling with us. The good news; we're all fine. Awful news; the RV Fix -It dude comes out tomorrow to repair the air conditioning unit. Bad news; it was hit or affected by lightening on Saturday afternoon. Better news; our friends that had wanted us to stay at their home still welcomed us with open arms despite the fact we had brought our 2 pups with us. So here we are in this neat house. Stevie the TT is in the RV park; locked up tight. She'll be back together; we hope; by tomorrow afternoon.
Here's the gist. We pull in, get our allotted space and set up -quickly as the black clouds roll in; then dive inside. There's howling winds all about and the place is shaking, but we're buttoned up pretty tight. Hubby decides to roll up the antenna, with me protesting, and hook-up the brand new LCD-HD 36" TV. Then there's this awful crack/boom and I've got this horrible feeling and my hair is standing up on my neck and arms, (guess who was under the damn air conditioner) and I'm going, "we've been hit." Hubby is saying we've lost the TV. I keep saying we've been hit and I feel icky. Half the sockets are off line. It's a freaking mess. Long story short, we reset breakers and plugs, etc., work again, TV doesn't, air conditioner whirls but fan doesn't blow, and I get the feeling back in my neck. Oh, the storm blew through.
Hubby did stomp around calling the TT foul names while I glared at him. Then after a bit, admitted he was a dumba--. Sometimes it's better to let them come around to the truth themselves. And guess who's check will be lighter come tomorrow afternoon? Oh, yeah. I'm not footing the bill for the yawning distances in his synaptic gaps. And he blankety-blank knows it. We've had that little discussion. My right eye twitched for 3 hours. And yes, I realize it might have happened no matter what; but when you beg for it...he's been pretty nice today. SOMEBODY'S on probation and I'm the Governor. So, plan is to be with friends until Wednesday, and then back into what is now a big closet for all intents and purposes. Supposing we can get the air conditioning repaired or replaced. We may be able to file on insurance, I don't know. The roof is intact, the circuit breakers mostly did their jobs, but the lightening appears to have skittered along the roof and downward through conduits or something. All I know is I felt the worst tingling ever; like every hair on my head and arms had come alive. I don't care to repeat it.
So lesson learned, my friends. Don't tease Ma Nature. And if you travel with us, be prepared; it's always an adventure.
OnceAgain

Working Again

I haven't been able to Post for a while. I've been working at long last! Yes! It's finally come to pass. A job has been located; I got my background straightened out from the identity theft issue, and it's been hi-ho-hi-ho and off to work I went. Oh, happy day.
I guess, I must be unusual in that aspect. I truly enjoy my work. I know there are sick folk involved, but there you are. Maybe I'm a little sick myself. I just enjoy taking care of them. And I enjoy the challenges of the IV's, etc.
So I bounced into my 1st patients room, that grumpiest of men, fussed with him and teased him like I always do and we were fine. The next day when he transferred to Re-Hab, he even waved good-bye said he'd miss us! 180 from previous days. He'd just needed someone that wasn't afraid to go toe to toe with him and grin about it.
The other RN's were staring. Yep, they've got a nut case on board. Poor babies, light a candle for them. They'll need all the help they can muster up. I've new territory to conquer and I'll take no prisoners as I blithely bounce my way through the days and/or nights going my merry way.
And yes, I know there'll be shifts from hell. That goes with every job. But we'll muster our way through those and still make it. What other choice have we? Our patients depend on us. I for one intend to render the best care I can give them. I am a Nurse, a good one, not the best nor the greatest, but I hope a damn fine one. And no one better mess up or with my little folks. They are flat out gonna be taken care of in spite of the doctors.
You were suppose to smile at that one.
Wish me luck as I go about my way. I'll be the one with the creaky right knee, the aching lower back and the grin on her face. Oh, and I'll be teasing my co-workers and trying to coax a smile from my patient, when I can, if it's appropriate. If it isn't, I'll be the one with an arm around their shoulders giving support and providing the support in their storms and the shoulder they need.
That's me, not the best, but the one that cares and tries. The one that loves her job and wants the best for them all.
I've got a JOB! Just let me work and I promise you; you'll get my best.
OnceAgain

Prevailing III

I'm beginning to lose what's left of my patience. What little patience I had to begin with in this instance. It's the Bank again. And I'm ready to blow their cover.
They were supposed to come to a conclusion last week. Well, kiddos, guess what? Nutthin'. Absolutely, nutthin'.
So I decided to yank on their chain and see what would shake up. I was of course put off again for, "a few more days." Uh huh.
And this time? I set a deadline. Friday. If I don't get some kind of resolution by Friday; I'm turning this over to my Attorney.
Let's go to Court Kiddies. Let's duke it out in front of the Public and see what Joe Everyday thinks about the situation.
We'll just stick to the records. Oh, wait. They haven't any records. Either there weren't any or the Bank mysteriously "lost' them. I on the other hand have everything and can trace them back to 1992. Care to carbon date my ink?
And how about all that business they advertise about being friendly and caring for their customers like neighbors, etc.? We'll just let the Public know how they've treated me. Did I mention all my records? Did I mention how I take notes and jot down quotes and all that good stuff with every interaction even to this date?
And as El Attorneo is just fascinated with all the goings on and my "jottings," I can tell he's actually more in this for the long haul.
Fine. Let's get to it. My rope is getting frayed. Usually when ropes fray, they are signing that the end of their useful life is nearing an end.
Maybe it's time for the Bank to use that rope and hang itself.
OnceAgain

Employed at Last!

I think I just might have found myself new employment at long last. Well, to me it's at long last. Some others might look at what I consider a "drought" as nothing. But I've been most perturbed at all this.
I've gone on 4 interviews and been courted like the queen I am. (cough - cough) And then ... nothing. Except that one time where I got the very nice letter telling me that my resume was quite outstanding, and I was most impressive. Then it further pronounced that I just didn't "fit" the position they, "had in mind."
OOOKKKAAAYYY. And this was after YOU called ME when I'd Fax'ed my resume to you a mere 18hrs. previously. And I'd been fawned over during the interview process and practically tendered an offer before I left the facility. Hmmmm.
To be fair, I've been fighting Identity theft and I had to get another's name removed from my Social Security Number. THAT may have affected my background search. And the places I had meandered into were, in 3 cases, affiliated with my old employment haunts.
Well, we know how THEY feel about me. I won't go there.
The 4th I just never heard from. And they made/ask me to fill everything out at the Job Fair before I left. I didn't even have time to finish my wine and crackers. I never even had one slice of cheese. Talk about getting the short rift. Pout; pout.
But this one, the 5th one ... They called me the day after I Fax'ed my resume and sent an e-mail to their HR. Then the interview went pretty well. I was escorted over to HR to fill out the application. I did take the precaution to ask HR to hold off on the background search for yet another 24 hrs. as I had just found out about the other person on the SS#. And they were in the process of removing said person. Since they were so backed up, it was apparently not a problem.
And I passed. So I'm wondering if that wasn't the problem the whole time. Whoever it was that had helped themselves to my "life," well guess what? They have a less than stellar background.
Who'da thought?
And after getting the jerk off my number, I got a call suddenly from a 6th place to which I'd Fax'ed my resume. They called just after I'd accepted a tendered offer from #5. And they want to keep me on file just in case things don't work out or I change my mind. Cool.
I'm thrilled. It's frickin' nice to be wanted. What an ego boost. And I needed it frankly with all that's been going on in my life.
So at this moment. I'm technically employed, pending the passage of the drug testing.
My soon-to-be-Supervisor will call the Employee Health Nurse on Monday, and we'll go from there. I am ready to go at anytime. Uniforms, etc., are at the ready. Stethoscope is dusted off and aching to be hung from my neck. I even treated myself to some new pens.
My poor husband is just shaking his head over it all. He has a hard time wondering how anyone can get so excited over a "blood and guts," job.
Sorry, Honey, it's something you just can't explain. You either have it or you don't. I have it. I live and breathe it. It's in my blood. An incurable disease from which I've no desire to be cured.
I might just have found myself a job and it's about time.
OnceAgain

The EX

The trip back to the old home town to deal with problems, (see past blogs), brought up a thought. An odd pondering as it were. Something that had not occurred to me, nor had actually happened to me up until this time.
How do you deal with the Ex when He's...friendly; and seems maybe just a bit too familiar in his behavior? Or actually, how do you deal with the thoughts that arise from your dealings?
The meeting was a necessary evil as it were. Ex was over at the daughter's house, with whom I was staying, to do some yard work for her. We are at this juncture on civil terms.
Time has past. Wounds have scarred, if not healed over. Ex is widower of just over a year's time. We are both of over 50+ year's of age.
Time to act like grown ups and be civilized. Let bygones be bygones after all these years, I suppose. And I have always refused to hate Ex. He is one half of my daughters. To hate Ex would be to hate half of their being, their very existence. I can not, can never do that. They are and always will be my life.
But, to return to the subject.
We had a missing cat on our hands and so the yard work was delayed. Ex was outside; unloading equipment; while we "girls" cat searched. No grass could be cut in case she had escaped outside for fear she'd scoot away and be forever lost. The grandest daughters would be heart broken, so the search was on for la cat.
I was sent out of the house, after about 30 minutes, to tell Ex that the cat had been found. He was free and clear to go about his yardly duties.
Instead, Ex turned suddenly and stopped me as I turn to go back into the house. He just wanted to know if I was, "all right." He was, "worried about me." Apparently Ex could still," after all these years remember what my face looked like when I was worried or under stress." According to Him, I, "needed to take care of myself and not worry about Him and the Girls." "They would be fine." He just wanted me to take it easy and let Him help me how ever He could, etc.
Then there was the flattery. He approves of how I've held up apparently. I'll not bore you with it. I cut Ex short, so it matters not anyway.
There was also the sharing with me the news of His progress on the dating scene. While I'm glad He's out and about; I'm not sure what I have to offer Him on that score. I'm married; I don't date.
That was pretty much the gist of things. Oh, there were two phone conversations, during my stay. Just attempting to check up and make sure all was well with this old war horse. And I like to think He meant well, but I wasn't comfortable making small talk. So I babbled. I'm good at babbling.
Part of me is amazed that two people who once shared a married life for 18 years, intimate life longer, knew every inch of and mirrored the other person, are now such total and complete strangers.
I haven't the foggiest of what He does or doesn't like anymore or vice verse. Where once two people could sit down after a meal and chat or pick a television show to watch; now... nothing. We finished each others sentences; read each others thoughts; and laughed at the same times. We had planned our lives so carefully from teenage to retirement. Then....BOOM!
We have so little in common now; we might have never as well have met.
And that was in my thoughts while he was speaking to me, I'm afraid. I heard His words. But, they came from a greater distance than from where He stood. I was searching His face. I'm afraid I was looking with more than a little curiosity for a glimpse, even a small one, of the man I once knew; once loved.
But, all I saw was a stranger with gray hair and thick glasses. The voice was familiar. The intonation was different. Maybe because the feelings directed at me had changed? Or maybe the feelings I felt in the direction they came from had change? I do not know.
But the change was there. It was as concrete as the driveway upon whence we stood.
And if it's come to that place; that's where I feel it should stay. The oddness; uneasiness comes from the sudden need for Ex to hug when we meet and such. I'm not into that. I need my distance. I'm not a stranger hugger. I always tighten up and pull back.
Maybe that's the reason for this writing. Maybe I've twirled and whirled it all around to this. The arms that held me for all those years and through all those things; are now unknown entities. They belong to a stranger now.
And I think maybe a little voice is reminding me that we're supposed to be wary of strangers.
OnceAgain