New Remote

New remotes are a pain to learn...check out the remote that came with our new receiver. LOL

**front**

**back**

Front and back!? We think our next "big" purchase will be one of those amazing universal remotes with the touch screen...the one that can be programmed for EVERYTHING!! We'll probably have this new one learned by the time we decide to buy the new one...such is life.

Returns, Purchases and 20% Off

**this is a long narrative, but I wanted it in our family journal...so read it at your own discretion**

Last weekend was busy at our house...it seemed to go by very quickly. I hate weekend that seem overloaded with anything other than having a day off. So basically, I despise most weekends. Maybe not quite despise, but there is always WAY too much going on, too much planned...just too much.

We started our weekend on Friday and started with taking down Mike's 1/2 working TV he bought in 2007. Long story short, he finally decided we should return it to Costco since it hasn't worked 100% since he bought it. Luckily, we bought it prior to their new return policy for electronics.

After they handed us the original amount he paid back in '07 (about $1400), we walked over and bought the same TV (a 42" Vizio) for $699. We happily walked to the register, paid, loaded it up and headed home. We dropped off the new TV and headed to Best Buy with the remaining funds.

When we had our A/V guy install my (sorry, our) surround sound, my 13+ year old Yamaha receiver had finally given up. She was too tired to power the front speakers any longer. She was great while she lasted. Anywho, so we've been wanting/needing to replace the old receiver with a new one...but were waiting for the right time. The time had come...and so had the extra money.

We walked into Best Buy and went to customer service to return one of the Blu Rays I bought for Mike for Christmas. When I pulled out the receipt, I noticed they charged me for the extra controller ($54.99). It was supposed to be a "bundle" price of $350...so I felt dumb I hadn't caught it when I made the purchase, but I bought so many movies, games, etc...hard to notice an extra $54.99 (sad).

They told me a bunch of BS that I won't go in to, but long story short they said they would take 10% off the price of the game I bought (which was $70) and 10% off the remote control ($54.99). That total doesn't quite add up to the total amount the controller cost me...I failed math, but that math is pretty simple.

The employees were trying to figure how to refund us ANY money, since there were no items there and the purchase was December 17th... I volunteered that we were there to buy a new receiver...so how about they take the 20% off of that?? They seemed to like that idea and so did we. (Even with poor math skills...that adds up to a lot more savings for us...)

After a LONG decision making process, several phone calls to our A/V guy, getting on-line with the Best Buy people, blah blah blah...we finally decided on a receiver. We opted for the Denon brand instead of the Yamaha...price was the same $499 and it's a better brand. Plus when we walked over to pick it up off the shelf, the only one they had in-stock was an "open box". We looked at it and it seemed to never have been out of the box, plus they took another $50 off the price. So we got out of there for under $400 with the extra 20% off.

We high-fived each other (in our heads) as we walked out...We still hadn't spent all $1400 from the original return at Costco. Nice.

SO...on the way home I start thinking about the TV downstairs. I bought it prior to Costco changing their return policy on electronics (in fact, I bought it in March of 2003). We had been having issue with the TV since the bulb went out nearly a year ago & we replaced it...I wondered if they would still return the TV since it was technically "broken"??

It turns out...Costco DID return it!! They handed us (and by us I mean my very prettiest sister that I forced to return it for me because I am chicken) back nearly $1900 in cash!! The prices of TVs has gone down significantly in 5 years and 10 months!!

SO...I walked over to the TV section to pick out our new Samsung, but they were out. *sigh* We drove to the other Costco...and as I was walking in I saw an empty box in the bushes. Kinda strange, but the part that caught my eye was the shape of the box (a large, flat square) and the picture on the front- the EXACT table Richelle and I have been searching HIGH and LOW for- a 54" x 54" counter height with eight chairs...well made & not a fortune.

We have been 100% unsuccessful until that very moment. Everything so far was CHEAP (not the price) and only came with 4 chairs. The typical price tag was $1299...plus $200 for EACH additional chair. Yeah right.

So Sydney and I ran in and located that very table...and the one other still in its box. Turns out the Arizona Costco stores received a TOTAL of 30 tables...it had just been assembled and put on the sales floor that very morning. The only two the Costco Customer service guy could even locate were the two we were looking at!!

It was perfect!! 54" x 54" dark wood, counter height with eight chairs...very well made and only $899!! Holy crap!! We said we'd take both!! Luckily we did because while Richelle and Sydney stood watch over our new tables, several people tried to buy them!! If we wouldn't have walked into THAT Costco and THAT moment...we would never have even known they had our table to begin with!! It was perfect!!

While they beat people off of our tables...I went to locate the TV we originally came for. They didn't have the Samsung either (so I am guessing it was last year's model), so I opted for the 52" Sony Bravia instead. It was my second choice, but a very, very close second choice. They had the 52" on sale for only $100 more than the 46" ($1199).

We loaded up most of my table and Mike's new TV and headed home to make our first drop-off. We then headed back to Costco to pick up the remaining box of mine and Richelle's new table...that load took Mike's truck and Richelle's Suburban.

That ended Saturday...and I was exhausted. We weren't finished yet...ugh.

When we moved in, the family room in the new house has a much smaller TV niche than my Chandler house did. Only the TV stand fit...the matching A/V tower (that held 90% of the equipment) did not fit...and ended up in the workout room/game room holding that TV.

We decided that with our left over money, we should buy a new stand for the family room that can hold all the necessary equipment properly. This was a much more difficult take than first thought. The niche is only 53" wide (minus baseboards...it's only 52" wide). After about 7-8 stores, we finally found ourselves and a third Best Buy. They had exactly what we were looking for...and it was exactly the right price. (We did end up spending about $538 out of pocket for the table...but that is less that half of what we were anticipating.)

Monday night after work (and after the Best Buy purchase) we came home and set it all up. Mike did the table while I did all the A/V crapola. We finished in just enough time to watch most of Transformers on Blu Ray...and high-fived each other several more times before getting very little sleep and the alarm clock going off WAY too early. (It's not the best picture, but you get the idea...)

Lake Buvala

I'm sure everyone has a lake in their backyard after this storm today...and I'm sure it will only get worse as the storm continues through tomorrow. While I was at work today, Mike spent the day digging trenches to drain water from the backyard (Lake Buvala) and he back washed the pool...draining at least six inches.

When I left for work, the pool look like normal...by Mike was draining the overflowing pool by early afternoon.

The turtle pond was having some pretty serious issues (long) before the rain...but all the water did nothing to help. Harry and Lloyd are now on the porch in their pond...but not before trying to escape. Mike set the turtles on the porch while he secured their new residence...one of them saw the chance to enjoy the lake and took off swimming. Luckily, he popped his head up for air and was rescued.

So far, we have had no leaks in the house. We are both pretty dang happy about that...it's the first thing to NOT be wrong with our amazing house.

Mike's 1st Colonoscopy..but not his last.

On the 14th anniversary of my mother's death, Mike experienced his first colonoscopy. After learning more and more about Mike's family history with colon cancer, I pushed even harder for Mike's dreaded appointment. I had already been pushing, but I finally just called and made him the appointment.

He did his prep day like a champ...it's the only real downer of the entire procedure. The rest is a peaceful piece of cake...

I of course took some pictures (all G rated of course). He was a bit unwilling, but it's important to get the word out about this test.

I was nervous for Mike. I've had at least 5, so I'm perfectly comfortable about it, but I remember ow nervous I was the first time. We laughed and goofed off until they came to take him back...The funniest part of our day (to this point) was Mike's feet hanging (way) over the end of the bed.

The nurse came and wheeled Mike back, so I went to the waiting room. It seemed like forever before she came to get me. I had come prepared with my DS and the book I am currently reading, but I just sat there and wanted to be the one having the procedure.

When I got back to the recovery area, Mike was still peacefully sleeping. The nurse woke him up after a few minutes. He seemed quite with it (later I found out he wasn't with it at all)...answering questions, smiling and talking to me. Dr. Amin came to tell us (really just me) that Mike's procedure had gone well. He found and removed two polyps...the did not appear malignant, but were sent out to the lab to be sure. He also wanted to be able to determine if the polyps were pre-cancerous or hyperplastic.

I honeslty felt like I got kicked in the gut. Dr. Amin walked away and all I could do was sit there and stare at the man I married. Thankful he only had polyps, but sick to my stomach they found anything. I sat and stared at him, wondering where life would take us next...he talked a bit, mostly about nothing that didn't make any sense... We have come a long way, but still have even further to go... I sure do love him...but all I could think about as I watched him sleep was how I would kick his a$$ if he thought for one second he could get cancer...of any kind. Then I woke him up, drove him home and let him sleep it off on the couch.

On the way home, Mike must have asked me six times, "So...what'd the doctor say?" I told him the same thing every time...and every time he said, "Oh...okay." Then he'd fall back asleep...and I'd laugh. I really do love that guy.

We got the (bad) news back a few night ago...the polyps were pre-cancerous. The good news is they have been removed and the really good news is that we know.

Mike made sure I knew what his post meal was to be BEFORE any meds were administered. He wanted Texas Roadhouse...ribs...an ENTIRE rack to himself...mashed potatoes with BROWN gravy....chili...salad...lots of rolls with the cinnamon butter.

Hopefully Mike's experience with a colonoscopy wasn't too bad...especially since he'll be going in for #2 within the next three years...and so on the rest of his life. The paperwork we were sent said that ALL of Mike's first degree relatives should immediately have a colonoscopy...starting at age 26. Obviously Mike's siblings are all older than 26, but I hope they all take this as seriously as it is. I hope to never again watch someone I love suffer and die from this awful disease....it's preventable...we just have to be willing to do what it takes to prevent it.

New Years Eve...a few weeks later (oops)

This year for New Years Eve we were invited to a party with some friends. We had such a good time!! We played games, ate Mexican food, played with silly string and poppers...well, I got to hold onto Maddie during the festivities...much more my style.

Tatum (Rebecca's 2 year old) HATED the silly string...if it even touched her she freaked out!! It was too funny...everyone else seemed to enjoy it. The other kiddos are two sets of twins...all brothers and sisters...exactly two years apart by only two days!! They are 4 and 2...kill me.

Maddie didn't seem to mind the poppers...but her ears were covered, so hopefully that helped to keep her comfortable.

We had such a good time playing games and BSing with old friends and new ones...can't wait to make this our New Years Eve tradition.

Fine...I'll Do It!! Sheesh...

Ten TV Shows I Like (not really in order, right?)

1. The Closer
2. The Amazing Race
3. Survivor
4. Southland
5. Saving Grace
6. Friends
7. Sex & the City
8. Dark Blue
9. Raising the Bar
10. Law & Order (the original...not crappy SVU)

Ten Things I Did Yesterday

1. Went to work...bleh
2. Had an AMAZING fondue dinner with some AMAZING friends!!
3. Had another salad
4. Got rotten news at work
5. Called the plumber
6. Drove a lot of miles...
7. Made 4 crime bulletins
8. Looked at my Bodybugg and prayed I would use it & it will work
9. Went to bed too late and alone (PS3 = bleh last night)
10. Farmed on Farmville

Ten Things I am Looking Forward To

1. Turning 30 (while on vacation)
2. Disneyland for Carsen's 7th birthday on March 7th!!
3. Bon Jovi, Baby!!
4. Losing about 10 lbs
5. Getting to be a mom (I think)
6. The backyard being finished
7. An entire month without something breaking or needing to be replaced
8. Fondue at 59th & SR101!!
9. Retirement
10. Not working day shift

Ten of My Favorite Places to Eat

1. Melting Pot
2. Chik-fil-a
3. NYPD
4. Oregano's
5. Carrabba's
6. Pick up Stix
7. Sardella's
8. Mimi's Cafe
9. FEZ
10. Switch

Ten Things I Wish For

1. A brand new Congress...hopefully one without heads up a$$es (I'm just sayin')
2. Harsher punishment for repeat violent offenders...like maybe death??
3. To keep my city take home vehicle
4. To NOT hear "I have cancer" from anyone I love this year
5. To be a better wife
6. a live-in cleaning lady/nanny (Sydney)
7. To travel more...
8. An entire month without something breaking or needing replaced
9. To not be such a spaz...
10. To be a better friend