Timeshare..Love Em or Hate Em?

I've had a timeshare now since 1995. I've generally loved the timeshare and the fact that it forces you to have a vacation. I've been to places that I probably wouldn't have gone to without it, so I'm extremely lucky. What bothers me is their billing department.

Before a couple of years ago, I paid the dues on a quarterly basis. For about 5 payments straight, they would harass me with notices saying I hadn't paid it and I would call, give the check number and they would find that they've applied the payment to the original loan balance and have to move it. I would get apologies, but it doesn't stop the feelings you get when this happens. We paid off the loan and decided to add more credits to our account, which meant a new loan and increased dues. They changed their policy and now take the payments from your account monthly. I said that this was fine, as long as they don't send me any more notices.

Well, in trying to reserve the timeshare the other day, they said that I had an outstanding due payment of $400+. I asked how that was possible? They wanted to know what I meant. I said, You take the money out of my account every month, how could you manage to screw it up that much? And the fight ensued!

Turns out they said that when I increased my credits last year that one payment was missed for August. I told them my bank statement shows that it was made. Then they said that it didn't show the increase, I said that there's a separate payment for that one the statement. The other costs was penalties and interest. I had to fax in my bank statement showing otherwise. Still haven't heard from them.

What's the point of having a vacation timeshare when all it does is stress you out?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day (American) is a day when we remember all of our heroes who have fallen during our wars supporting our freedoms. It’s a day that is celebrated in different ways throughout our Country. I think if you ask people, it means different things that encircle the fallen ones. Some of us have family who perished, some have family that serve or have served, some people just like to picnic with family.

In these desperate times, the underlying theme for me is sacrifice for freedom. I like to think of all the freedoms I enjoy that those who have fallen have bought for me with their lives. Freedom of speech is a huge thing for me. The freedom to blog and tell you how I feel, or not feel. I wonder if the young bloggers of today give a thought to that. Many of them think of it as their right and don’t give it a second thought. They don’t think of it as a privilege that was purchased for them by the blood of others.

Do Americans hold dear the thoughts of mothers who have lost their babies (no matter what age, they will always be their mother’s babies) who fought for our freedoms? Do we remember the fathers who grieve silently so they can be strong for their wives? Do we fill our hearts with the thought of sisters and brothers who are missing their siblings and remembering days when they played together in sunshine and happiness?

I won’t go into a political diatribe as to whether or not we should be at war. The bottom line is, we are at war. Our soldiers have spilled their precious blood in service to their country…to us. It is important for us to remember the price of freedom. The price was the same in 1776 as it is today. What is the price?

The price of our freedom is blood, pain, loss, lives, hearts, souls and sacrifices of those who have fallen….and for us. A fallen soldier means a piece of us has died. If we hold this in our hearts and appreciate what we have, then our heroes have not died in vain. Remember, not just on Memorial Day, but anytime you think about it, close your eyes, offer up a prayer to heaven, and ask God to take care of all of our soldiers, fallen or otherwise, and to watch over their families and our Nation.

Retirement Parties...Oh My!

So yesterday afternoon I attended an awesome retirement party. It’s really fun to be around the people you work with in a totally different environment. You can find the party animals, the girls that get a little too tipsy, the cool guys, and an atmosphere that is relaxing. I generally have a rule about partying with the people I work with….with the exception of a select few, I stick to one drink, nurse it for ages, and then go home.

I stuck to that rule yesterday. Today in the office, we all had a laugh over the people who “lost it”. The things they said and did, etc. This is usually stuff that will get pulled out at the wrong time, when you need to have your game-face about you and then…someone tries to ruin it. Fortunately for me, not a problem.

I also got to know our LANWAN guys better. They are so much fun, open, and they offered to buy me drinks. Can’t go wrong with that…too bad I had to refuse. They also said that I looked much younger than my years…SCORE!!! Ok, so they lied to me, it sure felt good going in my ears…know what I mean? I did have to dispense some “elderly wisdom” though. Apparently 3 of them are dating girls from work…and my philosophy is…you don’t piss in your pond. It’s rare that it doesn’t come back to bite you. If the relationship goes sour, everyone knows about it and is all up in your business. Ah well, the impetuousness of youth. I must be a really jealous bitch.

What a Day...

So I'm lying in bed last night and felt something bite my right arm just above the elbow. I grabbed my arm and rubbed it and went back to sleep. When I got up this morning, I could still feel the bite so I went to the mirror and looked. I didn't see anything but my pudgy arm. Then I looked at my left arm and noticed that it wasn't really pudgy at all...I realized that my arm was swollen, but I've lost weight and didn't realized that my arms had changed. I started laughing. It made the bite funny. It's still a little sore, but I'm not going to worry about it.

I'm feeling better from the raking also. Didn't do the stair machine this morning, but after my body loosened up today, did it this afternoon. It was hard getting up from chairs because inactivity made my side hurt more. Middle age sucks sometimes! It's all good though.

Sore!!!

Well, this weekend's raking has done a number on me. My legs and arms are fine, but one side hurts and is sore. I'm getting up like an old lady, instead of a middle aged one. What's a girl to do.

I had fun on my weekend without the husband. Went to tea with girlies, rented a chickflick...P.S. I love you. Ended up buying the soundtrack off of iTunes. Things went well.

Freedom!!!

So the man is going to be gone all weekend. He’ll leave early Saturday morning, and return on Monday afternoon. The boys are headed to Eagle Lake to open up the summer house and have a great time. This, of course, leaves me to my own devices. Hmmm, what to do??? Eat bonbons, watch chick-flicks??

Tomorrow is Tea Day with the Ladies. There was going to be 8 of us, but 3 backed out. Wish I could be mad, but they all had solid reasons. I'll just miss them there. I roll with some righteous chicks. They're strong, independent, persevering, and funny as hell. Not quite sure how I got to hang with them. I know I'm extremely lucky. Most of them are older than me and I pay attention to what they say. However, I feel like we're all the same age, and when we get together, I never feel the age gap between us.

I'll also do some raking of leaves so the man won't have to worry about it and come home feeling rested. Sunday I'll rake some leaves in the morning and do some exercising. Vacuum, and then the rest of the day is mine. WooHoo.

BIANCA AND TWINS!!!

Today, I got to see my friend Bianca and her sisters, twins Sydney and Peyton. It's been awhile since I sang a song to Bianca. I think I need to remember to do that. She used to leave me awesome songs on my work machine and stuff.

The twins did "High Fives", shared raisins and were just plain cute!!! Bianca has grown into a beautiful young lady. I think her Dad had better get a shotgun to clean when her dates come over to pick her up. Maybe I'll just have to let him borrow one. I can tell she's going to be popular with the boys. With a little luck, she'll stay into sports and remember that boys have COOTIES!!!

Thanks for bringing the girls to work KristieGirl. I sure enjoyed the visit.

The Love of a Good Man

I came home today and my man had the garage open and the fan going...knowing I'd be exercising. My man is an alcoholic and a procrastinator. However, he works hard at keeping his addiction at bay. I am a slob. I have a boy gene inside me that detests housework, but loves to tinker with cars and be outside. I think I have the better end of the deal. I have ways of dealing with the procrastination, so it's not too bad of a thing.

He, however, does his own laundry and cooks. I love to cook, but laundry? YUK! He loves me. He tells me all the time how beautiful I am, no matter how fat I get. I wonder when the spell will wear off (I'm sure FairyGodmother had something to do with this) but it never seems to. He does little things to show me he loves me. He forgets the big things...like Mother's day, etc. But I'll see contstant reminders that he does...like stocking the freezer with my favorite South beach lunchables, or buying SkinnyCow ice cream sandwiches.

He is a good man...and I'm lucky enough to have his love. Stay tuned till tomorrow, when, for some reason, I'll be so mad at him that I'll want to shoot him and bury him under the house. Just kidding.

Teensy

She's a great friend and I worry about her. She's under such stress and she keeps a brave face. She's shouldering the weight of the world and yet still remembers to ask how I'm doing, or bring me a recipe. She treasures her children and grandchildren. I hope they know how much she talks about them all, how her eyes sparkle when she mentions their accomplishments, Heather and her job, Chris working hard in school, Georgine raising her beautiful daughters and doing a great job juggling teaching and mommyhood, Brandon rocking the world of Apple.

She worries about her man and the hardships he's going thru and is a rock for him. She pays attention to details so they can be used for his recovery. She is love and it surrounds her, permeates the air, and infects the people she cares about. Yes Teensy. I see you. I feel you. You are not alone. You may never read this (you're not a blog reader), but your friends have built a web around you and sense the turmoil you're in. We will always try to relieve the pressure, comfort you, sustain you and love you, just as you do for the ones around you.

Parents Again

One thing I notice, being a member of the Booster club for the local high school, is that many parents do not participate in any of their kids school activities. You have to beg to have participation to help out at the snack shack for games, or stuff envelopes, or whatever. I find it amazing that parents can't devote 10 measley hours of their month to the extra curricular activities of their kids. Why is that? What is the priority?

Maybe I feel differently because we couldn't have children. I do have a son, and although we adopted him at an older age, when the opportunity came to be involved in his school activities, we moved heaven and earth to do so. One of us was always at his little league games, we attended back to school and open house, we chaperoned trips, we didn't want to miss out of a second of his school years because we knew there would come a day (like now) where we'd be shut out due to his growth and life choices. I don't regret ever blowing off work to participate in his school days. I miss those days horribly. I can still see him looking to see if we're there and catching our eyes, smiling and then focusing on whatever it was he was doing. He needed to know we were there in some way.

I so wish there was a way to communicate to these parents that "these are the days of their lives" to quote a Queen song. Don't let them slip through your fingers. Get involved in the Booster club and school activities and what your kid is doing. For God sake, make sure to read your kids "My Space" page and know that they're involved in. Don't let the one precious thing you have slip thru your fingers. Money comes and goes, homes are bought, sold, lost, jobs can be replaced...but that first home run, the shared feeling of wining or losing a game, the feeling your child gets taking you to each of his classes for open house...you can't get that back. Once it's done...it's gone forever.

Dirty Underwear

So I had a busy day yesterday. I got up early and exercised. Went to my friend's graduation, and lunch. Went to our friends for dinner and off to the soap derby races. I brought a change of clothes for the pool and for the races. When I changed for the pool , I wrapped my underwear in my green skirt and put it in my bag. When I dressed for the races, I had on an exercise skirt that comes with pants. I forgot to bring a fresh pair of knickers so I went commando.

When I got home and went thru the bag this morning, I can't seem to find the skirt with the undies wrapped in them. I'm totally mortified that they'll be found at my friends...which they will be. Nothing like leaving your dirty skivvies around for others to find. Ah well..I knew ya'll needed a laugh on Mother's day, so here you go. Yes...Diz leaves dirty skivvies at her friends house!!!

On a great note, I heard from the boy today. He's feeling better and doing well. I miss him. It's always great to hear his voice and those feelings of joy and longing bubble up uncontrollably. He may irk me terribly, but he's a good boy and I love him so much it hurts.

Happy Mother's day to all of you Mom's. A special Happy Mother's Day to those Mom's who's babies are overseas fighting for our country, or stationed far away from home. Also to those Mom's who's babies have been taken by the Lord. No matter where your babies are, it is your day...and I know they are thinking of you and loving you with all of their hearts!

Retirement

We had a retirement potluck today at work. I gotta tell ya, I'm not due to retire for another 14 years (If I retire at 55) however, most of my closest friends are retiring within the next year, 2 years on the outside. I'm jealous as hell because I'll miss spending time with them. But I'm also jealous because I know they'll be doing fun things like going to tea, shopping and heading to Vegas for some fun.

I'm sure I'll be able to attend a few of those things, but I know I'll be missing out on the majority. I can hear it now..."Diz..we're headed to Vegas for a mid-week special. Can you go?" "No??? Too bad...SUCKER..I mean Diz."

And I'll be swearing under my breath..."Those no good dirtbag Beoches did that sh#t on purpose! @#$$%^$#^@^"

Ah well, they know I'll love them anyway, but that doesn't mean that envy won't cop a squat in my chest and make me writhe in jealousy, wasting away the last vestiges of goodness that I've managed to horde these past 43 years. Oh wait...I think I pissed the last of the goodness away when I wished bad mojo to the AntiChrist. Perhaps there's no hope...or help for me after all.

Butt Dragging

My tushie was dragging today. I did not want to be on the machine today, and neither did my fat legs. Ah well, I did it anyway. Today was just one of those days at work...Know what I mean? Just busy and working on budget stuff....SNORE! I had to juice the coffee big time.

Got reminded that tomorrow was potluck day at work, and I had to bring in bread. So..stopped at the store. I have to say, the upgrades they've made to my local Raley's is awesome. It's huge, and has hot foods, sushi, a coffee shoppe. I love it. Saves me from having to drive extra to Bel Air. The people are cool and friendly. It feels like part of the community. Love it!!!

I gotta PEE!!!

Today was busy!!! I managed to down a gallon of water today. But I gotta tell ya, I was in a meeting that lasted an hour and a half, and I had to pee so bad I was in serious pain. What up with that? I don't think I've had to pee that bad in years...possibly since the infamous Tahoe trip so many years back.

It's good that I'm drinking water, but sometimes I forget about that damned diuretic, and it reminds me at the worst time. Ah well. I practically sprinted to the restroom and every step was painful. Why didn't I just get up from the meeting and go? Because I was taking notes and was afraid I'd miss something. Ah well... it was funny.

Legal stuff....

So I consulted with the lawyers about the trailer issue. They were good common sense people. I have a clear direction to go and they consulted for free. How cool was that? You hear all the lawyer jokes and everything, but these people seemed to sense my desperation and it's comforting to know that I have options.

My mother is a different story. I've asked for a copy of the recent contract, and she can't seem to find it. She's so lacksidasical about her legal issues, contracts etc. She never thinks about consequences or the future. She leaves that to me to figure out. How much can you wish for a 60 year old woman to get it together. If she can't do it now, she never will and this is the future I have to look forward to. Instead of God giving me children (except the beloved Boy), he gave me family responsibility.

I asked my husband what I did in a past life to deserve this. Was I Hitler? I must've been a real bitch! Ah well, when I come back, I want to come back as one of my kitties! They are so damned spoiled, there isn't anything we don't give them. They have their treats, run of the house, self cleaning litter box, and our love, of course... If you ask them, we probably don't give them enough..typical cats. Enough of my whining...I don't have cheese to go with it.

I'm doing ok, and with a little luck, I'll be doing better.

Naughty Day

Started out great. Did the 3 mile hill walk, came back and got ready to take my buddy Chris out for her birthday. She picked Olive Garden for Lunch. Fortunately for me, I hadn't eaten breakfast...and after that lunch...didn't eat dinner either. I was stuffed! We had the garden salad...awesome, I ate one breadstick, we had stuffed mushrooms, I drank a glass of wine and had the 5-cheese ravioli...in the words of Rachel Ray..."Yummo". I was loaded down.

We headed to Wild Bills and my buddy got her navel pierced. Then headed to the mall and did some shopping. All the exercise clothes & my favorite Avia shoes was on sale...and I desperately needed exercise clothes, so I bought them. It will be so cool to exercise in actual workout clothes instead of the pants and old cotton leotards that I have.

It was great seeing the kids again and Papa Mark is in rare form...as always. Hope your back feels better Mark. Had a great time with my buddy, and it was a fantastic day.

Collective Soul BooBoo

Ok, so I'm a member of the "Collective Souls"...yea, I know....I'm a freaking Geek, but I love them so. And they released tickets to their fan club members. I thought I had locked in front row seats, but I stupidly opened another web window to see if the condo was available, and when I confirmed the tickets, I confirmed the 9th row...not first.

OMG...what a DUMBASS!!! I so felt like crap because I got tickets for our friends too, and it comes out to $180 per couple. I called her and told her they were going for free and that I was really sorry about the whole thing. I was ready for her to kill me, but instead we end up fighting over them paying...I said no, she said shut up, we're paying...blah blah blah.

Next time, the man is standing behind my sorry ass to make sure I have the right tickets before I confirm. I just feel really rotten about it. Our friends are totally KEWL. We hung out in Cancun together in February. Ah well...I just knew I couldn't sleep until I confessed. Sorry Dean and Ed. Don't worry...one day we will be front and center!