Fabulous Power Cords

For whatever reason, HP laptop power cords hate me. When the first one died on me, I changed my computer habits as to be easier on my new cord. Fat lot of good that did me! The new cord died on me within the year. Thankfully, the cord had a one year warranty. My tech savvy hubby got on HP’s site and started the process to get me a new cord. After a time he admitted defeat. Calling HP proved to be just as difficult, however. HP claimed that their warranty was only 90 days and we would not be receiving a replacement. Well, we happened to order the cord through NewEgg.com (something the Hubby and I highly recommend) and they guarantee the information on their site. They assigned us a case number and advocate. Eventually we will receive a new cord. In the mean time I have no computer and therefore spend my time in the Hubby’s office goofing around and bugging him. Sitting on his couch, I look to my right and see his laptop. “Where is your laptop power cord?” I exclaim! “Is it compatible with mine?” The Hubby looks at me lovingly and answers, “Do you really think that if I had a compatible power cord I would not have given it to you?” *sigh* I know he would … I just got excited… it’s been days (3) since I used my computer! Two days later, I hear the Hubby calling. “I am so sorry” from down the hall. He turns the corner holding a functional cord. While looking for something for himself, he found his old cord. I could have been on the comp this whole time! I am not even the slightest bit upset at the Hubby. I can check Facebook again! Fabulous!

Fabulous ½ Marathon Training

I started this year with a major accomplishment – I completed my first ½ marathon. That is 13.1 miles people! This feat was done in 2:43:26. My goal was to finish in 2:30:00. However, I did not stick to the training schedule. To be completely honest, towards the end I was only running once a week. Mondays we were running as a group and I tried not to miss those (key word = tried). It is said that when you challenge yourself you learn about yourself. Well, I learned that even when I am a lazy, half-committed runner, I can do 13.1

miles in less than three hours. Fabulous!

Fabulous Carpet Fiasco

When the Hubby and I bought our home we knew that the carpet would need to be replaced eventually but that it was good enough for now. What we didn’t know was about three weeks later we would have two puppies that would change the status of the carpet from “good enough for now” to “AHHHH! We NEED new carpet!”

It so happened that the In-laws had a nice sized roll of new carpet in their attic that they were more than willing to part with. We discovered this piece of happy news while assisting in the cleaning of their garage and attic.

“Fabulous!” we thought. We will only have to buy carpet glue and padding. That’s good! We arrive at Home Depot (after enlisting the help of my Dad and Brother) to buy the carpet padding. While we know exactly how much padding we need, we have to buy the whole roll (twice as much as we need) at $0.30 a square foot, stretching our budget. That’s bad! We suck it up, buy the padding, and head home. At home the old, nasty carpet comes out with great ease, as does the old nasty carpet padding. That’s good! We roll out the carpet from the In-laws and discover that the nice sized roll of carpet is less than half of what we need. We have twice the padding and half the carpet that we need for the living room. That’s bad! We already ripped out the old stuff, threw it away and now have carpet tack sticking up everywhere. Although the Hubby is not happy about it, we have to buy carpet NOW! We return to Home Depot to price carpet. Finding a color we agree on at a price that is not ridiculous we order our carpet. That’s good. It takes two weeks to get delivered. That’s bad. In that two week time period the Hubby has to have a very sensitive procedure done. So the house is a mess, the Hubby is in recovery, and the carpet is on its way. Well, the carpet on its way is good, I guess. Carpet arrives. Carpet installation takes special tools, special tools that a friend of Dad owns, so we thought. Back to Home Depot to rent tools. Budget? What Budget? *Sigh* that’s bad. Brother installs carpet. It looks and feels amazing. And that is Fabulous!

Fabulous Finds

While looking online for the location of Redesign by Goodwill, I saw on the events calendar that Thursdays are dollar days. Now, whether or not it is like the 50% off Saturdays, where EVERYTHING is 50% off, I know not. Worth finding out? YES! Unfortunately it was only the green tag and 32 week items that were a dollar. But all was not lost. I got a $45 pair of shiny black, brand new, flats for $6. Three days later the dogs had a shiny black, brand new, doggie snack. Fabulous!

Anyway, I found the location for Redesign by Goodwill and the hubby and I decided to go check it out. We are not above buying furniture from Goodwill; especially if the pieces are higher end, like Redesign claims. After driving FOR-EV-ER, passing several Goodwill stores, we arrived at the semi-rundown building. So far, unimpressed. After walking around the store, evaluating quality of pieces and comparing prices, still not impressed. Quality low, even by Goodwill standards. Prices high, especially considering quality. Fortunately I had already researched the particular piece I wanted (a futon) and knew the retail price. A trip to a clean, well lit, conveniently located Target later and the Hubby has seating for his man cave. Fabulous.

Mor (Fabulous) Furniture for Less

After a very disappointing Friday, the Hubby and I deserved our fabulous Saturday morning. We slept in late enough to enjoy and not so late to feel bad about ourselves. When we woke we went to Lamar’s doughnuts (NE side of I-17 and Bell. They are the best!) and then drove to the Paradise Valley Area. There, we stopped by a Starbucks and headed into Half Priced Books. Coffee and books = dream date. On our way home we saw a small Farmers Market in a park. We pulled over and walked through the park and around the Farmer’s Market. As we walked I started talking about how truly disappointed I was with the experiences of Friday (see post: (not so) Fabulous Sales Woman). The Hubby agreed that it was a disappointing experience. He also agreed to check out The Room Store. Neither of us had been there and I thought there was one on Bell Rd.

In trying to find The Room Store we spotted a Mor Furniture for Less. Close enough! Walking in we were greeted by a sales associate who offered his help. When we declined, he stepped away indicating where he would be should we need him. As we made our way around the store, looking lost, the same sales associate asked if he could help us locate anything. I told him we were looking for couches, preferably a sectional. He helped us locate a few and then left us alone. As we turned the corner to go in the direction indicate, we see it. IT! The Dream Couch! The SAME EXACT couch from Pruitt’s!

The couch is priced the same as Pruitt’s had it priced. However, Mor was offering 5% off their entire stock (Super Sunday Sale). The Associate noticed that we had been admiring the couch for some time and asked if we had any questions. He began to explain Mor’s financing options. I cut him off and explained that we would pay cash. His response, “In that case Mor will take care of the sale’s tax!” Excellent! “What do you charge for delivery?” I inquired. “$90 delivery fee and deliveries are made between 4pm and midnight.”

Did he just say what I think he said? I could have the Dream Couch in my home TONIGHT?

Currently, I have a beautiful, chocolate brown (same color as the furbabies), down feather cushion, sectional in my living room. Fabulous!

(not so) Fabulous Sales Woman

New couches have been on our home’s “wish list” since the beginning. Other home improvements, however, were more important than comfy new couches. Well those couches have made their way to the top of the list. Took almost two years, but they made it! Remembering paint shopping, I would be a liar if I didn’t say I had some hesitation about furniture shopping. Furniture, after all, is more expensive than a gallon of paint. What if we have different ideas about what we want… or like the same piece but want different materials…

Talking to a respected aunt made me think that Pruitt’s would be a good place to make a furniture purchase. Having dealt with their customer service about a return, she still recommended them. Customer service is a very important feature when making a large purchase, so I was happy to hear they worked with her and were so responsive. The Hubby agreed.

After looking at weekly ads and discussing a budget, we headed to the nearest Pruitt’s (which is not very near… but their slogan states, “worth the drive”). We were not immediately greeted by a sales rep and that’s fine with us! We were able to look around un-assaulted. Near the middle of the store the Hubby and I spot an absolutely gorgeous sectional. We both fall in love with it. Fabulous! It is out of our price range. Not so fabulous. Eventually a sales rep asks if we need assistance. I explain that if money were not a consideration we would be ordering the sectional, however money must be considered. At this point she begins the financing pitch. The Hubby’s response, “I will finance a house, I will finance an education, but I will NOT finance a couch! We’ll pay cash.” He’s so smart!

I would like to take this time to state, I know how to talk to my husband. I know what works. I know what doesn’t. As any of you who have met him would imagine, “pulling at the heart strings” doesn’t work. You have to appeal to reason. And you can not under any circumstance make him feel disrespected.

Long story short the sales rep will not leave us alone at this point. We can’t shake her off. As we are standing in front of the dream couch, the lady plops herself down and lets out a sigh that makes me cringe. The Hubby and I turn and look at her. She says, “You know Sir, that you are going to get that couch. I don’t understand why you don’t just give up and start the paperwork.” … … … In my head I say, “YOU STUPID STUPID WOMAN! YOU HAVE JUST RUINED EVERYTHING!!!!” Out loud, I look at her and say, “That is the worst possible thing you could have said.” And I begin to walk toward the door. After all, I know my Husband and I know she just lost a sale. The Hubby looks at her and says, “Way to undermine my free will.” And he follows me out of the store. Fabulous…

Fabulous Schedules

Sometime in early November…

Me: Hey Hubby, I have next Thursday off for Veterans Day. I could take Friday off too. What do you think?
Hubby: I have to work both days, so whatever.

Thursday – Veterans day – lunch time

Hubby: Hey, I looked and Friday isn’t waitlisted so I could take the day off with you.
Me: I didn’t take it off. I figured since you were working I would just save my vacation time.
Hubby: Oh, okay.

Later that same day…

Hubby: I took tomorrow off anyway.

Fabulous