Vacationing with the Griswolds ( Us)

Sometimes we feel like Ellen and Clark Griswold.  We have such high expectations of everything we do and rarely do we reach those expectations.

Expectation #1:  Purchase a new boat, after much research, and expect it to run properly.

We bought our boat in 2008 and it came highly recommended.  The first year, the console had to be replaced:  under warranty.  The 2nd year, we had another warranty job done on it.  Which brings me to this year.  We ALWAYS do all the maintenance work on everything we own.  So, after being checked out and de-winterized, we thought we were good to go.

Right before July 4th weekend, Larry and I took the boat out for a leisurely ride.  We were about 20 minutes from home when the boat quit running and would not start.  We had to be towed in , which took about an hour because you have to go slowly when towing.  I think it was about 94 outside with heat index of 105.  Nice...baking in the beautiful sun.

The mechanic determined the problem and only took 5 days to fix it....hahaha that is an eternity when you were expecting to use the boat.  So, once repaired, Keith and Aundrea and her family were able to use it and have alot of fun.

Larry and I went to Heber Springs this past weekend and decided to take the boat out as we hadn't driven it since the repairs.  This time we were 15 minutes in to our ride and it died again.  Same exact scenario....dead in the water.  Only this time a storm with lightning was coming.  We were towed AGAIN to the closest marina,  Mechanic met us there and told us this time it was the ignition coil.  Off to the shop the boat went.  Another week and it should be ready for our next trip this weekend. 

Expectation #2:  2 well kept Sea Doos should be in working order!

Right after the boat was hauled in to the marina, Larry was out on the Sea Doo and it messed up!  Fortunately, the hull protector was causing the problem.  So that was an easy fix. 

Expectation #3:  When you pay off all of your credit card (3) balances every month, you should never get declined at the check out.

We had a Visa denial in 3 different stores while in Heber Springs.  After calling and getting a human being, we found it was blocked due to suspicious activity.  Turned out that the suspicious activity was Larry buying worms from a vending machine!!!  Finally, that was all cleared up. 

So, the question is:  wanna go on a vacation trip with us?  Never a dull moment!

Here is me waiting at the Marina after being towed in.

Newly painted room

Hey friends,
Here is a virtual tour of my newly painted living room.  I need to place my piano somewhere but could use some advice.  All ideas are welcome.

Funny noises #1

I was standing in a store talking to my cousin, when we heard it!!!

A POOT!  

In mid sentence, I said...."Did someone just fart?"  She heard it too and then we got hysterical!

There was this lady leaning against the recycle bins at the exit and she pooted and it echoed off of the bins.  It was so loud and it made us laugh til we teared up! 

So...that store exit sound will forever be etched in my mind.

Bye Bye Exxon Credit Card

Oh my goodness!  I am so over Exxon.  We have missed 2 paymnents on this wonderful 'PAPERLESS BILLING SYSTEM".  A CITICARD message has been harrassing me daily with a message to call about our private Citicard account.

WE DON'T HAVE A CITICARD ACCOUNT!

Today, I finally listened to the message and called them back.  Guess what?   Citicard took over Exxon's billing.  Who knew?  Since we have never had a Citicard, all mail from them goes to the trash.  Any emails from them are promptly deleted.  So...somewhere in the mix, we missed 2 billing cycles and are now on the delinquent phone call list. 

Exxon should have sent something with their logo announcing the changeover.  The voice message should say "concerning your private Exxon account"  not concerning your private Citicard account.  I am not a mind reader....I can't deduce from that voice mail that it was really Exxon.

So...we will pay it off.  My goodness:  it is only $178.54 balance and that included 2 late fees.  I would think they could look at our 32 years of paying the balance off EVERY month and give us a personal courtesy call to see what is up.  I am really sure that there are BIGGER amounts that are outstanding in the Exxon billing department.

So visualize me cutting up the Exxon card and throwing away the speed pass keychain device.  After of course I express my feelings to a real person at Exxon or Citicard or whatever.