Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Pool Progress

Proceeds at a slothlike pace.
Actually, this is a better than a soap opera! We couldn't make this stuff up!

They were supposed to put the concrete around the pool last week, but that didn't happen.  It seems we are at the mercy of the County Inspector. He deemed one item - the grid?? - unacceptable on Wednesday and was supposed to return Friday to approve the re-do.  The pool guys were here late Thursday and did the re-do -- they even showed up at 6:59am on Friday to be sure it was done and done the way the inspector wanted it for his 8am inspection. So much for that! Mr. Inspector did not show up.  at. all. ahem...
Yesterday I sent an email to the Pool People asking about the inspection and this week's schedule - or as we say "this week's pipe dream".  
This is the email I received from our Pool People yesterday:
Good Afternoon,
I was surprised to see your email about the inspection, since I was PROMISED it would be done Friday.  I am now being told they will be out tomorrow, and I will be sure to stay on top of them about it!
We are still on schedule for concrete Wednesday/Thursday, and plaster Friday, with water being hauled in after plaster Friday.


The Saga Continues...
Will #1 get to swim in his pool before he heads off to school on July 5?
Will LLB get to swim in her pool before she heads of to camp on July 14?
Will it be done before Labor Day?
Tune in on Thursday to find out if the concrete has gone in...
See -- I told you -- this is way better than a Soap Opera!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Affresh Stainless Steel Review

I was sent a bottle of Affresh Stainless Steel cleaner.
I have a stainless steel sink that I can never seem to get clean. Gram gets really annoyed by smudges and fingerprints on her stainless steel appliances. I thought that this might be a great product for us to try.

Gram used the Affresh on her appliances first. (She had fingerprints, water drips, and smudges and since I had a sink full of dishes -- She won!)  She sprayed a soft cloth with the Affresh. She rubbed. The smudges and fingerprints came right off. The drip stains from the ice/water in the door where people dribbled took more than one application, but nothing else has ever taken them completely out until now.
The company claims that the cleaner stays put where it is sprayed... not so much on a smooth vertical surface.  Gram put paper towels on the floor to catch the drips from when she sprayed the water stains on the fridge.  But honestly, it's not a huge deal.
Gram's dishwasher front was kind of a mess. With one application of the Affresh, it looked like new. No smudges. No drips. No nothing.  And a week later it still looks great. Ditto for the fridge. I don't think it has stayed as clean looking ever...  

I emptied my sink and proceeded to clean my sink.  Affresh works well. The scent is wonderful and clean. My problem is that the minute I get the sink clean, someone comes along and fills it up or runs water or just gets in my way.  That said, it seems to stay cleaner longer - you know?  The stains don't seem to stick to the sink the way they did before.  I did notice that when I sprayed the sink, the Affresh didn't seem to run down it as fast as I thought it would. It did sorta stay where I sprayed it. I wonder if it's because the sink is a different kind of stainless than the fridge...

What they say:

Affresh® Stainless Steel Cleaner gently cleans the fingerprints, smudges, and residue left behind from daily use. The cleaner combines commonly used cleaning agents with special ingredients that, when used as part of a normal maintenance program, can help prevent the formation of residue that can build-up on stainless steel surfaces.

The durable, distinguished look of clean stainless steel can really make a kitchen shine. Keeping that look, though, has always been a chore, until now.

To ensure maximum performance, Whirlpool recommends a monthly maintenance and cleaning routine detailed in the product’s Use & Care Guide. With the new Affresh® Stainless Steel Cleaner, consumers have even more cleaning power to help resolve the build-up residue.


Anyway - we'll continue to use it and let you know if we still like it in a few weeks!  Although, since we cleaned the appliances last week, they've stayed clean... This stuff seems kind of expensive - $6.99 per bottle - but since you use so little and the clean lasts so long, it's a great deal!


 “I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Affresh and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Sunday, June 19, 2011

It's Fathers' Day!

Happy Fathers' Day!!

We have a huge surprise happening here a little later.
It involves the two fathers in the family - of course!
Now I need to run and clean up this house while my Mr. is off strumming his guitar at church.

I found this ladybug family picture and thought it was so cute!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

How can it be Saturday?

This week as absolutely flown by...
They came to fix the air conditioner. It's still not fixed. They had to order a compressor for the second unit. They said 3 days. I suspect they will be back on Monday. If not, I will be calling them... It's getting hot again and I don't mind not having air when it's cool out. Somehow, I do mind not having air when it gets hot and sticky.
The pool progress continues to be slothlike. The electricians came and were done in a couple of hours.  For this they made me wait two weeks? sigh...
The pool people sent an email stating that the concrete around the pool is going in next week. It's supposed to rain next week... of course it is.
It will be interesting to see what they do or don't do. It would be nice if #1 could actually swim in the pool before he leaves for college, but I'm certainly not holding my breath.
LLB had her Brass sectional here this week. There were trumpets and horns and tubas! It sounded really really good. I have to admit, I was impressed. They worked on marching skills. They worked on music. They worked on standing and breathing, too. Next week we do it all over again and I can't wait! I just would be so much better if the pool were done so they kids could enjoy it. Alas... patience is a virtue -- or so they tell me.
Polo tonight!  I'll be sitting on my rear end watching polo drinking a mimosa... Be there!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

On the upswing...

So, Mr. took the car in yesterday and for $272, it has been fixed. It had a bad V-Tech valve thingy. They wanted to replace the catalytic converter for $1900. Ahem.. um... no.

Yes, there are reasons to replace the catalytic converter - emissions and better gas mileage... But there are reasons not to replace said item - about 1900 of them.

I will continue to drive my sweet car until it croaks.
I can only hope it isn't too soon...  I've got 170k miles on this car... I need another 100k out of it.

We shall see...

Saturday, June 11, 2011

When it rains...

It pours...
This is my week:
Pool - not done and there has been very  little progress this week.
Air Conditioning - guy came to fix it and now it's still broken. They will be back on Monday to fix it.
My Car - the transmission seems to be on the fritz.  It is going in to the shop today. I hope it is an easy and inexpensive fix.
So - I got no pool. I got no A/C. I got no car.
Where is the hidden camera??

Thursday, June 09, 2011

It's the little things....

I was reading Fatal Abstraction. I enjoy her blog immensely.
Today she posted about the most wonderful TP holder I have ever seen.
No more springy holder thingy. It's is a lever... How absolutely brilliant! 
Those of you who receive Christmas gifts from me -- you just might be receiving this.  If you don't know what to get me - this would be an awesome stocking stuffer. ahem...

Friday, June 03, 2011

Overheard in PE Class...

LLB has PE. Right now they are working on a "Health" unit.
The class is a co-ed class.
The teacher was talking about bacteria.  She has a very pronounced southern twang...

"Bacteria thrives in a dark, warm, moist environment.  Girls - y'all are a walkin' petrie dish!"

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard...

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Graduation...

It's time...
My #1 is graduating.
The Band Moms and one Band Dad got together and made surprise scrapbooks for this year's seniors. We filled them with pictures and keepsakes...
Since my sister and my in-laws are far away and probably won't get to see the book - I thought I'd at least share the letter I wrote to put in #1's book. 


Dearest #1,

Your senior year at Highschool is over. You are graduating in a few days. It seems like just yesterday you were getting on the kindergarten bus. Time just flew ~ How did that happen??

Thanks to the US Army, you have been given the opportunity to follow your dreams, study at VMI - your first choice school, and serve your country. This is the beginning of the next step of a wonderful journey! Just think - You are going to learn, see the world, do great things, and have awesome experiences! As my Gram used to say, “The world is your oyster”.  I can’t wait to see where it all leads. That said, Dad and I are in need of a destination vacation, so choose your deployment assignments with your dear parents in mind, okay?

College is a time to grow. You’ll grow in ways you never expected and I’m not talking about biceps. You’ll be pushed and pulled in many directions – some good, some exciting, and some difficult. It’s your level head and your faith in God that will keep you on the straight and narrow.  I can only hope that you remember your roots and your small town values as you move in new and unfamiliar circles.  Temptation comes in many forms – you’ll be tempted to try things, go places, and do the stupidest most moronic things you’d never think you’d do. The question is – which path will you follow?  The choice is yours, but the repercussions are like a pebble dropped in a lake. They affect more than you alone and most, both good and bad, will follow you well into adulthood.

Success in life comes down to 4 simple rules:

1. Keep your head up, your mouth closed, and your eyes and ears open.
2. Always tell the whole truth – no matter what.
3. Think twice before you speak or act.
4. Don’t shame your mother. 
(If you follow rules 1 - 3 to the letter you won’t have to worry about rule number 4.)

We love you.
We are proud of you.

Love,
Mom and Dad


That says it - right?