Wednesday, July 27, 2011

"WARSH" DAY IN TOWN

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!  It's been a while since my last post... but it's just been darned hot and crazy humid... and that doesn't lend itself to spending time doing much!

However... there are things that can (and should) be done even in the tough weather.  One of those things is to visit the local car wash.  Please note that just because it is called a "car" wash does not mean that is the only item that can be washed.  Oh no.  Not at all!!  In fact, far from it!!

So... recognizing I have a really hard-working Murray and that said Murray had been left far too long without a good bath, we decided to load that bad boy on the trailer and take it for a "ride."  :)  We didn't tell it where we were going as we wanted that to be a surprise.

The Murray was VERY surprised and quite happy to have arrived at the car wash.  We could tell by the look on its face.

Closer inspection revealed a bath was far overdue!!



After a LOT of quarters and finding myself about as wet as the Murray, we had a "clean machine" to take back home.  You can see the look of pleasure on the Murray's face.

If any of you were thinking there wasn't something to do here, rest assured we can always find something!!

Hope all of you are staying cool and safe.  I am looking toward late fall!!  :)

Until next post...

Monday, July 11, 2011

A RAVE FOR A CHANGE!! WITH A SMALL RANT THROWN IN...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!  Welcome back! So... you have listened to me rant about SOOOO many things.  I figure it's time to let you know I DO appreciate GOOD customer service and am willing to share information about that, too!  :)

I don't use personal or company names for those about whom/which I rant.  Figure if any of you are truly interested, you will contact me.  Otherwise, no reason to name names.  However... I also figure that any individual or business who/that actually exceeds my expectations should be named.  That's why I am going to tell you about my stellar experience with Zappo's.  Some of you have probably already experienced their extremely appreciated customer service.

I wanted to purchase a pair of new walking/working out shoes (a story for another time).  I was referred to Zappo's by my friend who has had excellent experience with that firm in the past.  I wandered onto the web site and began a search for what I sought.  There were actually two pair of shoes I wanted.  I ordered them, provided my credit card info, then waited for them to arrive.  They did so within short order (quick packing & shipping!).  I tried on both pair and found I really liked one of them but I just didn't care for the way the other pair fit.  Aw gee.  Now I'm going to have to fight to get the darned pair returned and wait for it to process and probably call or email about when I should expect my credit... Nope.  That is NOT how it went, I am delighted to report.  The shipment to me arrived with information and instruction that led me very quickly to the web site to obtain a return shipping label.  Oh... did I mention that Zappo's pays for the return shipping?!?!?!?  Unheard of!  Yep.  They do.  So, I box the pair back up with all of the stuff then drop it off to the nearest UPS site on a Monday.  I figured it would take a while to get the store credit (which I had requested as I had found another pair that cost the same and planned to order them as soon as the store credit was issued).  To my surprise (and delight!), my return shipment made it, was processed, and my store credit was online the following Tuesday... and that's because Monday was the Fourth of July!!  Hot Diggety Dog!!  So, I go to my account online, go to my shopping cart which held the pair of shoes I wanted, processed my way through... and found that Zappo's was going to provide me with FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING on this order!!  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  What on earth has happened here?  That can't be right.  Yep.  It was.  My shoes arrived the very next day (and fit beautifully).  I cannot say enough good things about this experience.  Really.  So when you are thinking about new shoes, check out Zappo's first.  They have a huge selection and may have exactly what you want.  I'm going to bet their price is best, too.  Tell 'em I sentcha'!  :)

On another note entirely, I have had 2 really weird experiences here in my world of shopping.  The first thing was my call to a local eating establishment to place an order to pick up.  After a LOT of rings, I got the message that it would be closed the entire week, opening again the following Monday.  Hmmmm.  I don't remember seeing that information anywhere when I was just there a few days before?  I may have missed it.  Whatever.  Go to Plan B.  The second thing was my stop at a local downtown establishment where a friend of mine had indicated I could likely get a product that is not found just anywhere.  I pulled up in front of the place, piled myself out of the vehicle, and walked to the door... where I read the sign that said (I'm paraphrasing)... "Flexible Summer Hours.  Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you need help."  Uh.  Okay.  I called and caught the individual finishing lunch... at about 1:30ish.  I was told the individual was most likely to be there between 10:00 and Noon in the mornings.  Okay.  I'll try again.  (I didn't as I found what I needed 45 miles to the south at a store that apparently has FIXED Summer Hours!)  *chuckle*  So... I'm wondering if "business hours" has a different meaning here?  I really prefer to have hours I can depend on.  Call me crazy!  Guess I'll just get in the habit of calling ahead before I go anywhere to shop or eat here.  Oh... and we did call another eatery here to find out what time they would open the next day as we wanted to pick up lunch for ourselves and the aunt.  Good thing we did.  That was when we were told they were closing the next day and would be closed for several days.  Alrighty then!!  Guess we'll have that lunch this week.

Finally, as I ramble on, I want to share a couple of photos sent to me by my friend.  Now... I am not going to make any assumptions about exactly what she and her spousal-unit are growing on their property... but if there are any Cheshire cats in this town, I'm guessing they are living (and disappearing) in my friends' back field.  I did not see the rabbit or the Queen of Hearts... but I will be cautious in my future visits to their home.  You'll see what I mean.  If you don't get it... go ask Alice!!


Until next post...

Sunday, July 3, 2011

LAGOON MONSTER!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!  I so hope you will have a safe and happy Fourth of July.  I also hope you will remember why we celebrate that day.  It's important.

So... things here in Swampland have been relatively calm.  There was an interesting sighting recently, however, in which I think you may have an interest.  I ask you to recall that the elevation of the airport here is only 203' above sea level.  This is important so you can understand there is a LOT of water here and there are MANY critters slithering and sliding in it.  With that in mind, I present you with an apparent "lagoon creature" found in our pool recently.  Its origin is unknown.  Its purpose in finding its way across land to end up in the pool is unknown.  If it continues to appear, I may be forced to contact the LSU (Louisiana State University) swamp specialists for an opinion.

CREATURE SPOTTED!!!

IT HEADS FOR THE DEPTHS!!

IT REMAINS SUBMERGED, AVOIDING SCRUTINY!!  SLY!!
I will keep a close watch for this creature.  I will notify you if it continues to appear in the pool.  I certainly hope it is a friendly creature!!

On another note entirely, I hope we all can be as relaxed as "Demon", the tuxedo kitty that hangs out here (without any contribution to the household such as catching the occasional flying insect that has found its way in or alerting me to the presence of the pool creature!).  I don't know if I will ever feel quite as confident and quite as comfortable as he is obviously feeling below.

So enjoy your holiday.  Relax and take it like Demon.  :)

Until next post...