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.