Hot Hot Hot!!!

And I'm not just talking about the temperature in my house. Our A/C went out sometime while we were sleeping on Sunday night. As most of you know, we are renting from Premier Homes. We called them around noon on Monday. The boys and I got hotter and hotter as the day went on. Finally after calling Premier a couple more times and not hearing back from them, I couldn't handle it anymore. It was 4:30 and I was losing hope. So I went in the house and looked at the thermostat. I called the number that was printed on it. It was a very recognizable a/c company in North Port. They were there in less than 10 mins. I had to agree to pay a $90 service call fee. They figured out it was the fan motor and they couldn't get it in until Wednesday. Tuesday was out because of the tropical storm. So I paid him and packed our stuff. We went to my mom and dads. We were still waiting to hear from Premier Homes. Derek called them again on Wednesday morning. He talked to the sales guy and told him to have the owner call him on his cell phone. The owner must not have received the message correctly and called the house. The 90 degree house, like we were going to be sitting there waiting for him to call while we were sweating our butts off with 2 small children. We never got that message. So Derek called the a/c company and they said they still didn't get the part and it would be Thursday. So, we stayed another night. That was 3 nights we had to stay at mom & dads, and one of those nights my grandma was there because of the storm. It threw the kids' schedules off and made me get up earlier than usual. And if you've noticed my new list of things I hate on the right side of the blog, getting up before 8:30am is on there. So Thursday morning the a/c company called and said the part was in and when did we want them to come out. Since repairs are not our responsibility as renters, Derek tried to call Premier again. He finally got to speak to the owner. He said that the a/c company we called was not on the list of approved vendors. Do you remember where I got that number? Ya, off Premier's thermostat. We never received an approved list of vendors. He said he would send a guy out to look at it. So he did and he must have gone and swiped the part from a different house of theirs because he had it fixed in about an hour. So Derek had to call the other company and tell them we didn't need the part we had waited 3 days for. Derek asked the owner of Premier how he was going to pay us back the $90 service fee charge and he said he wasn't going to pay us back because the company we called wasn't on his approved list. And we couldn't get a hold of him because he was out securing all his other homes for the storm and wasn't in the office Tuesday because of the storm. Well, that wasn't going to fly with me. Our rent was due this week, so we took the $90 off our rent check and I wrote on the back of the check that if it was cashed, they agreed to pay the $90. We took the check in the model home on Friday, with both kids, hoping to find the owner. I wanted to ask him what he had wanted me to do when we couldn't get a hold of him on Monday. He wasn't there so we left the check with our cell phone numbers. He called Saturday morning and I spoke to him. He said we needed to bring the full amount in or he would charge us a late fee. I asked him what he wanted me to do on Monday. Sit in a 90 degree house with 2 small children for 3 days waiting for him to call back? He just kept saying that he didn't know about it because he was out of the office. I told him that I understood why he was out of the office, but what should I have done? I asked him numerous times what he wanted me to do when I couldn't get a hold of him. He never answered my question. I told him that I called the company I did because that's what was on his thermostat. He didn't care. He said we needed to bring the full amount in. I told him we aren't paying anymore money and if he wanted to evict us, he could. He continued to argue with me and I told him to send us the eviction notice. He said he'd send out the letter. I know everyone is going through hard times right now, believe me, I know. That's why we are renting right now and don't own a house anymore. If he had been nice to me and showed a little bit of customer service, and maybe asked to split the bill, I would have considered it. My neighbor called the owner of Premier after all this happened to let him know what great neighbors we are and she would be really sad to see us move out. He told her that we shouldn't have called "any Tom Dick or Harry" to fix the a/c. She told him we called who was on his equipment. He was very rude to her and hung up on her. So now I pose these questions to you, What would you have done? and Who is responsible for the $90. Please vote on the top right side of the page.

The House That Cleans Itself

That's the title of the new book I'm reading. I got inspired by Denise Logan to buy Redeeming Love. This book has been recommended to me by several people over the years. And everyone that has read it before, eventually reads it again. I can't wait to start that one, but right now I'm reading about how to keep my house clean. It's great so far. I get very stressed if my house is cluttered, but I'm a perfectionist. So if I don't have time to do it perfect, I don't do it at all. And if I don't know what to do with things, I don't do anything. And if I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start, I don't. And then I'm so stressed because my house is a mess that I can't stand to be there. Does anyone else have this anxiety problem besides me? Well you'll be happy to know, I got help! Derek's grandma came over and helped me tackle my house a couple weeks ago. She made us empty boxes and find homes for things and she cleaned. It was wonderful! And can you believe she came back last week to tackle the garage?! I can actually park in there!!! I feel like a new women! I am happier at home, and it is easier to keep it clean. And this book I'm reading is only going to make it even better! I would recommend it to all you moms out there that don't have time to clean your whole house at once and don't really have a plan either. The author is Mindy Starns Clark. Overstock.com has the best price on it, I think. And shipping at Overstock is only $2.95 no matter how much you order! It's great! I'll keep you updated as I read. We took Tyson bowling a couple weeks ago. We had fun! On the way there, we asked him what color ball he wanted. He said orange like his shirt. When we got there, we asked the guy behind the counter for a childs ball and he handed us an orange ball! Tyson was thrilled! Here's some pics. Look at those cute little shoes!! Sorry about the video. I couldn't figure out how to turn it.

A Trip to the Hospital

I was sitting at my mom & dad's house today, waiting for Derek to call on his way home from church. Ring, Ring. Finally, it's Derek calling. No, it's Najla, on Derek's phone. She said, "Hi Ang, I don't want to alarm you, but Derek's hurt and we're taking him to the hospital. He's ok. He hurt his leg." So, I'm thrilled that it's nothing serious, but I'm not thrilled that I have to go to the hospital looking like I do. I didn't shower yesterday because we went out to Boca Grande to swim with Abby at their vacation house. And I hadn't showered today yet because we were in mom and dad's pool all morning. I didn't smell, but I never would have stepped foot out of the house like that. So, I had to pull myself together, borrow some of my mom's clothes and go. No makeup, no shower, the sports bra I came over in, a tee shirt and moms jeans. It's ok, it's just going to be Derek and people I don't know. Or maybe not! Pastor John rode with Derek in the ambulance and Dan, another minister on staff, met them there. I didn't even try to explain why I looked so bad. I'm sure they didn't care! But I did! Anyway, back to Derek. It's not all about me! The church had back to school night last night. They gave away over 600 backpacks with school supplies and t shirts in them and still didn't have enough! They gave about 300 free haircuts and lots of free food. It's wonderful being a part of such an awesome church that God uses for His outreach. All that to say, Derek was moving the big salon chairs and the heavy bottom pedestal part fell off and hit his leg. The scary part, so I hear, was when he turned white and started sweating. They x-rayed it at the hospital and it's not broken. He got some pain meds and I took him home. He's doing well. Don't think I didn't get some pics for the blog! Here's some pics of yesterday in Boca and today at the hospital.

The Sweet Suite Life!

Summer & Reppard picked Derek and I up Friday night for my birthday dinner. Tim, Heather, Sara & Robby met us up there. When it was time to leave, Summer & Rep said they weren't coming over to our house so we could just ride in the van with Tim, Heather, Sara & Robby. Tim passed the on ramp heading south and got on 75 north. I told him he was going the wrong way. I thought maybe we were going to University Pkwy or something. No, we passed it. Derek finally told me we were going to Tampa. He planned this awesome surprise trip. We were going to stay at a really nice hotel, the girls were going to see the live simulcast of Beth Moore Saturday morning and then we were going to meet up and go to lunch and see an Imax movie. So right away I ask, "who packed for me?" He did. I'm lovin the surprise trip, but my mind is racing about what he packed for me to wear, my makeup, my pillow, my face wash, etc. He got input from my mom on what outfit to pack. It definitely wouldn't have been my pick, sorry mom. I've only worn the shirt once. It's a little bit thin and my bust, well, busts out, so I wear a tank under it. The tank didn't get packed. They packed my jean shorts too. I wouldn't have picked them to go see Beth Moore in, but they were fine. If you want to see the outfit, it's the one I wore to Islands of Adventure three posts ago. I would have thought they would have packed a couple outfits to choose from, but that's ok. Sara had a tank I could borrow. Yes, I know what you're thinking. How in the world did Sara's tank fit me! It was one of those stretchy ribbed ones, Thank God! Before I went to bed, I decided to check and see what all makeup was packed. None! My makeup wasn't packed at all. Derek thought mom got it and mom thought Derek got it! Instead of telling Derek we had to leave right away, I sucked it up and used Heather's. My pillow wasn't along for the trip. So I didn't sleep well. When I got out of the shower the next morning, I didn't have anything to comb my hair with and no deodorant to put on. So Derek had to go down to Tim and Heather's room and borrow a comb along with the makeup. Other than that, it was a perfect trip! Just a word of advice girls, make a list of things to pack for a surprise trip. I have a list on the computer titled, "Things to take on a trip" But I guess Derek didn't know that. I love surprises, so it was all worth it! The Westin hotel was fabulous! Derek had upgraded us to a suite and it was bigger than any apartment we ever had. It was so big, it had to have a guest bath! And the view was beautiful! It overlooked the channel and the bay! I wish we could have stayed longer! Anyway, we got there around 11pm, got settled and then walked about 5 miles to get ice cream at Cold Stone. Maybe that's a small exaggeration, but it felt like it. We were practically running because they closed at 12. We got there with 5 mins to spare and I had the best ice cream I've ever had in my life! Chocolate cake batter ice cream with chunks of real brownie and coconut and caramel. It was like german choc cake. Yum! We rode the rails on the way back. The trolley! The next morning, Heather, Sara and I found our way to a church in Tampa to watch the live Beth Moore simulcast. It was wonderful! She spoke right to me! When that was over, Derek guided us over the phone to the nearest Firehouse to pick up lunch. There were a few u turns, but we finally made it! We took it back to the suite, ate, checked out, and headed down the rode to see Black Night on the IMAX. We paid for parking and got in line to buy tickets. Sold out! So we saw the regular movie half an hour later. Great movie! All in all, it was a wonderful surprise and a great birthday! Derek and friends did a great job pulling it off. Thank you all!!! I would put pics up of the trip, but no one had their cameras. Darn!

Turning 30's not so bad.

I'm What?! 30!!! I can't believe it! It was weird turning 30. Age has never affected me before, but 30 was a little scary. I think I'm over it now though. I'm going to split this post up into a few posts. It's just too much for one. So all week, I was ready for a surprise party. I did my hair and makeup every day and wore decent clothes. Every day, I thought for sure it was gonna happen. I received my first birthday present on Sunday. Now presents aren't everything, but they sure do take your mind off your age! My mom brought a gift over for Tyson and Tyler to give me. 3 pairs of earrings! Which I needed! As most of you know, we got robbed Christmas before last and all my jewelry was taken. So, I have one pair of earrings now and they got left in North Carolina with all my toiletries a few weeks ago. So the earrings were a great gift! Monday, Derek's grandmother came over and helped me clean and organize my house! Tuesday night Derek surprised me while I was getting the boys ready for bed, he was making me smores. We have never made these before. I was very impressed with his homemade chocolate! I was shocked when I walked out. Wednesday was my actual birthday. My mom made a delicious roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Texas sheet cake. Mom and dad gave me a beautiful necklace and matching earrings. Thursday I didn't really get anything, so I am considering the nice shirt my sister got me for my birthday earlier this month, as my present for Thursday. I wore it on Sunday. Friday was my yearly birthday dinner at DaRuMa's in Sarasota. It's a Japanese Steakhouse where they cook in front of you. I Love it! I look forward to it all year! That's where the fun began! More later!