SEARS ~ I'll NEVER buy from them again!!!

Two postings at once!
What's up?

Well I just got another cancellation phone call from Sears and I'm fuming!!!

Remember the new stove that I bought in November (6 months ago)from Sears. Well it is JUNK!
I have had nothing but problems with it and Sears doesn't really seem to care.

I first noticed baking problems when I hosted a Pampered Chef party of all things in my home. The dessert that we made was not cooked completely. After that I began to monitor the oven temperatures and eventually made an appointment for a Sears repairman to come to my home to take a look at it.
That appt. came and went ~ the repairman said he couldn't fix something that was not broken...GRRRR!
It heated perfectly that day.

A month later I called again because my temperature was off again. The lady on the phone scheduled a repair but also walked me through the process of recalibrating the oven.
The same repairman showed up again and agreed the temp. was off so this time he recalibrated it himself.

Another month later my smoke alarms began going off after placing my food in the oven for only 10 minutes. I ran to the oven to find that it wasn't my food that was burning...it was my oven overheating BIG TIME!
Again, I called Sears Repair.
They scheduled another repair with a different repairman (at my request).
That day came and went and NO ONE showed up or even had the decency to give me a phone call to let me know that the appt. had been cancelled.
I contacted them and they offered to reschedule in another 7 days.
I'm furious at this point so I told them that I would be contacting the Attorney Generals Office on Monday.
They put me on hold and then came back and offered to replace the stove with a new one.
Not the same stove ( as it is no longer in stock even though it shows it in stock at sears.com)
They informed me that I needed to pick another stove out that cost more than the old one and if I didn't then that would void the warranty on the new stove and I would only receive the remaining (6 mos.) of the original stove that was purchased in November.
Are you all following me, now?
Confusing isn't it.
After much ranting and raving I finally picked another stove out and paid the extra cost. (May 23, 2011)
Sears said they would deliver the new one, pick up the old one and I would recieve the full 1 year warranty on the new stove.
Delivery date: May 31, 2011 
That's today and guess what??
I received yet another call saying that their delivery truck had broke down and they would have to reschedule my delivery for June 4, 2011.

I am SOOOOO mad right now!
I will never buy another big purchase at Sears again.
It's truly not worth the hassle.
If companies can't make and sell quality items and stand behind them then they should just close their doors.
Stop selling JUNK to America!

I will be writing a letter to send to Sears Executives.
I don't anticipate a response to my letter but I feel that they need to hear my story so that they may improve their service from beginning to end!

Schools Out and Our Long Weekend

I'm not sure who is happier, me or the kids.
Friday was the last day of school for my oldest and the last week for my younger two that I homeschool.
Friday also began the long weekend for many.
Here at our house we didn't do anything fancy.
We had cooler temps. on Friday evening so a fire was nice.

My sister-in-law had to work on Monday so we all gathered at Mom and Dad's for a cookout on Sunday.
After dinner we took a dip in our new pool.

Then we headed back to Mom and Dad's to build a fire and make Smores.

Yesterday was a bit toasty outside. This is what my thermometer was reading but it is was in full sun at the time. Our local weather station said the actual temp. was around 90.
Today we have more of the same...HAZY HOT & HUMID!
Yuck!
But I must say that after all the snow and rain that we have had it's mighty nice to see the sun a shining.

So what's one to do when it's so hot outside?
Sit indoors and sew a bit.

I finally finished the last Block 4.

I also began cutting out the newest blocks for the Boot Bash ( I'm only 2 months behind)

and the newest blocks of the Flowers of Love BOM. (I'm way behind on this one as this free BOM has already been completed and removed from her blog.)

That's about all that is new here in my world.
Just enjoying lazy summer days and soaking up some sun in our new pool.

Hope many of you are having a decent first day back to work.

May We All Remember...

May we all stop to remember and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers that have given their lives for our freedoms and be thankful for the soldiers that still put their lives on the line to keep our freedoms.

Crockpot Meatballs and Gravy

Need a hearty meal but hate to turn the oven on when it's hot and humid out.
Give these crockpot meatballs a try. I prepared them early in the morning and then let the crockpot take care of them the rest of the day.

Crockpot Meatballs and Gravy

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
garlic powder to taste
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can full of water

Mix first four ingredients together.
Roll into small meatballs.
Brown in skillet on all sides.
Remove meatballs and place in a greased crockpot.
Drain grease from the skillet and then mix the mushroom soup, onion soup mix and water in the skillet while on low heat.
Pour over top of the meatballs.
Place lid on crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours.
Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Need a vegetarian version?

                                                     Quorn brand meatless meatballs
Substitute a store bought vegetarian meatball for the beef and cook the same as above recipe.

Ok, now for my rant!
Has anyone else been having trouble with Blogger?
For the past few days I haven't been able to leave comments on some blogs. It asks me to sign in and I do, then it comes up as an anonymous comment that I am leaving. When I try to go back in to edit it then shoots me back to my sign in screen.
Also, I tried to post this yesterday but I couldn't because none of my pictures would load.
Whatever the problem is I hope it gets fixed soon!

In other news, I have another appliance that died on me.
Who ever said that things happen in threes was wrong.
This is the fourth appliance to croak on me in the past year.
First it was my stove, then my computer, refrigerator and now it's my dryer.
Speaking of the stove ~ Sears is delivering another new stove to me on Tuesday. I bought the new one in November and have had nothing but problems with it. It either undercooks or overheats. No ryhme or reason to it. One day you have to adjust the temp. up so that your food cooks properly and the next day your food burns. My last request for a repairman was because the oven overheated within 10 minutes and it actually set my smoke alarm off ~ however my food wasn't cooked or even burned. It was just the oven getting so hot.
Needless to say Sears repair never showed for the appointment and I was not happy. They told me they overbooked and I'd have to wait for another week before anyone could come.
That was the final straw. This was the third time that they were called to my home to repair the thing and it's only six months old. I told them that I was unhappy with their product and their service and I would be getting in contact with the Attorney Generals office. Amazing how quickly they offered to bring me another stove.
It's sad that first off pretty much everything we buy now a days is poorly made but even sadder that we have to fight for the service, repair or warranties that we have paid for.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Sinks of Gandy

                                cave opening to the Sinks
Have you ever even heard of the Sinks of Gandy?

I hadn't!
That is until going on this school fieldtrip with my son.

The Sinks of Gandy is an underground cave located near Whitmer, WV. It's over 8,000 feet in length and has two main entrances. Both entrances are located on private property ~ one opening is in Randolph County and the other in Tucker County.
On our way down from Spruce Mountain the bus pulled off alongside the gravel road.
Nothing to be seen but rolling meadows and Spruce trees.
A cave here???
You wouldn't think so but once we climbed over the pasture fence and meandered through the rocky meadow we came upon Gandy Creek and the opening to the cave.

The kids were given another lesson on the history of the cave as well as a stern lecture on cave safety.

Then we were off!
We entered the darkness and waited for our eyes to adjust.
We walked bent over so as to not hit our heads on the ceiling of the cave until we reached the first large open "room".

Here the kids stopped to take pictures, learned about how and why the cave had formed and searched for any living creatures that may have been using this cave as it's home. (bats and one lonely salamander)

The tunnels were flooded due to the heavy rains we had been having so we were forced to turn back. It's hard to see but that water was over our heads in depth.

We exited the cave and headed back through the field to our waiting bus.

We all would have loved to go through the whole cave but safety comes first. Maybe one day we will get the chance to return and explore it again.

Busy as a Bee!

Howdy all!
It's been a while since I last posted.
There has been so much going on plus I've got a touch of the summertime BUG!
No, I'm not sick!
It's just that after being  cooped up in the house ALLLLLLL winter long I can't seem to make myself come indoors & sit at the computer long enough to even type up a post. I'd rather be outdoors walking, watching the kids play or just swinging on the porch swing.

I've been super busy the past few weeks trying to finish the schooling up with both kids as well as trying to get some spring cleaning done so that I can have a yard sale before the hot summer temps. arrive.
On top of that, we've been outside working on the pool,

                            planting a few veggies

                              and a couple posies.

My dad tilled up a spot in his yard so I've got more garden planting to do this evening too.

Oh, and there was a graduation to attend!

Cody (my best friend's son) graduated from the John Marshall Class of 2011.
Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and successful future.

Last but not least...today a birthday!

My hubby~

Never too old to play in the sandbox :)

                                 Happy 40th Mark
                                        Love ya!

SPRUCE KNOB ~ Highest Point in West Virginia

This was my first trip ever to Spruce Knob and it was absolutely beautiful.

Spruce Knob sits 4,863 feet above sea level which makes it the tallest point in West Virginia and it's also the tallest mountain within the Allegheny Mt. Range.

The view from the lookout tower ~
  Mountain tops for as far as you can see, a thick forest of Spruce trees and large boulders that littered the ground.

Those trees were a welcome sight after standing atop the lookout tower. The winds were pretty strong but once we were back on the ground those trees offered shelter from them. We could also feel a definite temperature change as our bus began climbing the mountain road...glad we brought warm winter clothing.

                              Looking out over Germany Valley
On the way back down the mountain we stopped for a view of Germany Valley and a lesson on the formation of these mountains which happened millions of years ago during the Paleozoic Era.
I'm more of a history buff than a science lover but let me tell you, I learned so much from this group of Science teachers and I loved every minute of it!

I hope that this science fieldtrip will continue for many years to come. It was an AWESOME learning experience for the kids as well as us adult parents.

Next stop... The Sinks of Gandy!

Top Kick's Military Museum in Petersburg, WV

Click on photos to enlarge!

I'll warn you ~ this post has a good many photos!

Day 2 of our field trip began with a stop at the Petersburg Fish Hatchery ~ "Home of the Golden Trout" ~ in Grant County, WV. Unfortunately most of the pictures that were taken here did not turn out so this is all I've got to show you.

After leaving the hatchery we headed up the road to the Top Kick's Military Museum and I have tons of pictures from this place that I could share.

Top Kick's is a one of a kind military museum run by Gereald W. Bland. What began as a hobby and interest due to his own military career (Vietnam Vet) has mushroomed into a unique museum that is located beside his home and is open to the public.
Here you will find everything under the sun that relates to our U.S. Military from WWI clear through IRAQ.
When you approach the building you first spot the mini jeeps that sit upon the rooftop.

Outside the museum as well as inside you will find over 35 military vehicles that have been restored to original or near original condition.

All have a story to tell and Gereald is more than happy to share them with you.

He is especially fond of the Jeep that he rode in during the filming of "Major Payne".

As you browse room to room you will find many antique items.

                                 Candies and Gum

                                  Cigarettes and such

                            War-time Newspapers

 

                                 Artillery Shells

                  and my favorite ~ old military bicycles.

There is memorabilia in every nook and cranny of this building. Lots to see!
 Click on link for more info ~ Top Kick's Military Museum
If you are ever in the area of Petersburg I can tell you that this is one interesting place to stop. My son wants me to take him back someday so he can see more and I know that the rest of my bunch would love it too!


Spruce Knob and The Sinks of Gandy coming NEXT!

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

Does Anyone Know what Plant this is??

My Dad transplanted this to his yard a few years ago but can't remember it's name.

I plan on digging some of his up so that I can plant a bit in my yard.

It comes back each year on it's own and I think it is so pretty and delicate looking. It almost looks like a flower inside of a flower.
Just wish I knew what it was!

I've still got plenty of photos to share with you all from our trip but I've been super duper busy trying to wrap up our schooling for the year and attempting to get my Spring Cleaning begun.
Hope to be back tomorrow with a few more of those photos PLUS I'm way behind on reading all of your blogs. I'll be around to visit all of you soon!