Tale of two Chairs

Ok...so I haven't really been good about updating.  I haven't really had much to share.  I mean I have pics from Christmas, and I could post, but do you really care that Maddison got 3 of the same Taylor Swift Cd?  Totally my fault-thinking next year need to keep my lists a little more organized!  Owen got cows, cows, tractors,tractors and more of each.  He's totally in love w/them.  Garrett got wii games.  He's been the basement all week and barely comes back up for air!  I know, I know, his "screen" time is overloaded, but hey-he's going back to school in a few days.  Its Christmas Vacation!  That should update everyone on Christmas....

My little tale is a month in the making...

These 3 chairs are in our basement. They are theatre seats that can be hooked together to make "one" section. We actually have 2 sections.  EXACTLY the same! 

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  On December 1st while Owen is/was potty training.  While I was working out, he pe'ed his pants. 
  
  
  

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  With wet pants.  Sat on arm rest and then crawled over another armrest and sat on the cushion of this chair.
  
  
  

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  This armrest.
  
  
  

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  When buying these chairs we new they would get a lot of wear being in the basement.  We "live" in our house, meaning we do eat and drink on our furniture and in the basement and to be honest, hope for the best. 
  
  
  
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  99 percent of time we don't do warranties. 
  
  
  
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  We did  do warranty on this "sectional" along with the other "sectional" which is EXACTLY the same so they match in the basement
  
  
  
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  Called company w/in 5 minutes to come clean "soiled" areas (company requires calling them w/5 DAYS of problem)  again I called within/5 minutes
  
  
  
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  No problem just fill out papers the lady will email me, w/all warranty information
  
  
  
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  They will put in the claim and get someone to come clean "soiled spots"
  
  
  
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  Sent papers back to warranty company
  
  
  
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  Earliest cleaning company can come Dec. 16 between 5-8pm.  Really almost 3 weeks after occuracnce?  That is the soonest????  Ok...whatever I called to confirm time and address
  
  
  
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  Dec 15 cleaning company calls -guy will be running behind on Dec. 16 can we push the appointment back to 6-9pm?  Really??? you already know he is going to be late??  Whatever sure come between 6-9PM
  
  
  
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  Dec. 16 5:30 pm-Cleaning guy calls himself.  He is running late it will be around 8:30 or 9:00pm before he will get there. Really??? Can he still come?  What are my options?  Cancel appointment and they will reschedule again?  Really?  Already has been 3 weeks? How long will cleaning actually take?  How many pieces am I cleaning?  Really you don't know that?  Don't you have my paper work?  Oh, I'm guessing 30-45 minutes?  Are you going to be loud?  I have kids that will be sleeping?  No, I shouldn't be too loud?  No I don't want to cancel. Come at 9PM.
  
  
  
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  9:30pm  Cleaning guy calls again.  Sorry still running late.  Really??? Can I come at 10PM.  Are you kidding me????? NO way.  Cancel appointment!
  
  
  
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  Dec. 17 still no cleaning.  Call warranty company again.  Said what kind of servicemen do they hire?  Why on earth would I let a stranger come into my house at 10pm to clean something that is 3 weeks old?  Really????  Am I just a bum because I go to bed at 9:30 or 10pm?  Is this normal practice?  They assure me  it is not.  She will see what they can do?
  
  
  
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  Dec. 18-Warranty company calls back.  - They will replace the pieces that are soiled, if they can find same make, model, and fabric?  Really just like that?  Really?  Yes they would do that.  Really?  what do they know that I don't know? She will check w/NFM and place the order.  Really?  Cool.. some companies DO still stand by their word!
  
  
  
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  Dec. 22-Warranty company calls.  SO SORRY can't find make and model to match!  Really?  I knew it was too good to be true!  We will do an extensive search to find a another cleaning guy in area to come clean?  Really 21 days later???  Really?  Fine whatever I just want it cleaned.
  
  
  
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  Dec. 23 cleaning company calls Jan 14 is first available appointment (left on answering machine) Before I even have a chance to call them back..Warranty company calls.  So they can't find a cleaing guy in area.  Really?  Who just called me...oh-the ORGINAL cleaning company...Really can't find a cleaning person?  Now what? 
  
  
  
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  Dec. 30. Store credit...really?  really?  We can go pick out whatever we want?  YEP.. already got the call from NFM saying that they would be sending us a letter w/our reference number and everything. 
  
  
  
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  Store credit is good for anything that "GUARDSMAN" will cover.  Really?????  Really?
  
  
  
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  Excited-but don't really need anything.  Oh-sure I WANT a ton of stuff
  
  
  
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  NOT getting my hopes up until after I receive letter!
  
  
  

AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE TALE OF TWO CHAIRS!

Feliz Navidad

Thinking "Happy Thoughts" of this place:

and SOOOOO wishing we were there instead of waiting for this next big snowstorm. 

( I sooo want to go back!)

May your Christmas be filled with love and happiness.  I pray each family has safe travels wherever you go, near or far. 

From our house to yours Merry Christmas!

Christmas Part 1

Our Christmas Season is always a long one.  We have many Christmas's that we try and go to.  Both sides of our extended family still get together.  Thus making the total around 5.  We had one last weekend...and we had 2 this weekend..

We had my immediate family Christmas Friday night.  We had a BLAST.  The younger boys played well together considering them being 2 and well...boys.  Here the kids are eating their light supper.  We usually do sandwiches, becuase we always have a TON of food to munch on all night!

Nephews Kael and Grady checking out their new book lights. Yes, book lights and yes that is what they wanted. 

Maddison opening up Taylor Swift CD!

Garrett w/Ghostbusters Wii game.  This was Garrett's first real taste of  "its not about the number of presents, but WHAT the present is."  He had a number of things on his list that were expensive, therefore-not as many gifts as others.  We had told him this might be the case, but hearing is a not the same as experiencing.  He had to do more watching than opening.  After a few brief minutes of some pouting and little arguing he enjoyed the rest of his night!

Nephew Carter w/tool box

Owen

This was priceless...My sister Katie and her Confessions of the Pioneer Women Cookbook.  She  had NO idea!

My mom posing w/her new mixer!  Her old one had bit the dust! (she was really surprised too)

Brent and his forever gift stand by: Home Depot Gift Card

My Dad and his new gift-A gun cabinet

My brother Mark and niece Morgan-Look at those eyes!

A good time was had by all. 

Today we had the BIG Rundquist Family Christmas.  Everyone was there except 3 cousins.  We missed them not being there, but everyone else made it.  We ate and ate and ate.  My brother in law Jeremy got a new game called Wits and Wagers.  I recommend it.  It was a great game.  A few can play or up to 20.  AND each game lasts only around 20 minutes.  

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas Season!

Snow Days

So we had some snow on Monday night and Tuesday. A lot of snow.  More snow than I have seen in awhile.  Thank goodness no ice came first.  The kids got out of school Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Garrett bundled up.  Trying to build a snowman.  This wasn't the "packin' snow".  This was light and fluffy snow. 

Owen in his 5T snowpants.  They were a little big, but they worked!

Maddison in her Layers as well.

View to the north

Group shot (maddison's picture taking skills come from her mother!  One in 2 shots has her eyes closed!)

These are Wednesday morning "after the storm" pics.  Man did the wind blow.  I thought a few times we were going to blow away..One fence post is buried.  But other spots in our yard were almost bare. 

(my apologies on the pics, but I took these from inside! It was too stinkin' cold for me and plus G had to wear my snow boots.  Apparently we don't own any his size!  )

Looking out our bedroom window off the wrap around porch.  Notice around the trampoline hardly any snow.

Garrett and Owen Thursday morning chillin'.  We did have school today, but on 2 hour delay.  So the boys had a little more hanging out time.

We did have a few rough moments during the snow days, but all in all had fun. Brent took off Wedneday and went to help his parents out choring.  A lot more work when it snows like this.  The fence line feed bunks were full of snow.  Anyway. Garrett and Brent were gone so it was Owen, Maddie and I yesterday.  We played and did a few little things then Maddie and I had a tea party during O's nap time.  It was a simple affair.  She had Pepsi, I had Sprite and each a cinnmon roll, BUT we did use her little china set.  Then we painted fingernails.  AND we made supper, Rice Krispie Christmas Trees & Carmel Chex mix.  If you have never made or had Carmel Chex Mix.  MAKE AT YOUR OWN RISK.  BEWARE-That is one of the most addicting foods I have EVER had and trust me I have had a lot!  It needs its own special "warning" sign.  But oh soo good, but oh soo bad for you. 

Hoping everyone enjoyed their snow days.  Now back to the grind we go....

Garrett and Maddison's Trees

When we went to SD over the summer we stayed w/my aunt.  She was doing a little house cleaning and purging.  My kids thought it absolutely awesome to go through her closet and see all that she had.  She is the family's "heirloom and picture" gal.  I think because her house is big that a lot of things get left at her house.  So while going though the closet we found 2 apartment size Christmas trees.  Kids grabbed them up and we brought them home.  Up into the attic that sat from July to Dec.  Out they came this morning.

Garrett's Tree. He decorated this all by himself. 

 (and yes I know this looks like a fire hazard!)

Garrett's Tree (and window) all lit up!

Of course Maddison chose pink for her tree.  The silver garland came with the tree. 

Maddison's tree all lit up.  And she decorated all by herself as well!

Bird Nest Tree Farm

This year we decided to try a different place to get a Christmas Tree.  We headed north about a mile past Washington.  Bird Nest Tree Farm.  Wow was it big.  We had a good time, but it was really cold.  We could have looked and looked, but it was starting to get dark.  Cold and hungry.  But kids did really  well, better than me in fact.  My feet were FREEZING! 

Here is the back of Maddison looking for the "right"tree

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Owen also trying to find a tree.

Still Looking

Garrett telling us to follow him.

"Wait for me"...he could easily have gotten lost!

We found it, We found it....It was a  BIG!

One more pic. 

Time to head home.  Garrett, Maddie and I ran a few errands in CC and picked up some pizza while Owen and Brent headed home to unload the tree and move the toys out of the way...

Tree still in netting.  We had to pick up a ton of needles.  Even after they shook the tree.  We have ruined one vaccum because of needles and don't plan on doing that again.  So we used our hands. 

Owen even helped out. 

Maddie and I holding the tree up while Brent SLOWLY trims the net away.  I seriously thought we would have a Chistmas Vacation rendition.  You know...when Clark "cuts" the rope and branches and sap go everywhere.  Well....we DIDN'T.  Thank you, Lord.

Finished Tree minus presents.

Lights went up last night.  Kids and I decorated this morning.  Kids liked it, but had some issues as to who would put what ornament where, etc.  Felt like a referee, but all in all it got done!

PS- Not sure how tall it is, but it is one of our biggest ones ever.  Sure glad we didn't go any bigger.  Pretty sure nothing else would have fit. 

Exhausted

This is how I found Garrett on Wednesday afternoon around 2pm.  He was tired BEFORE Thanksgiving.  I guess a sleepovers at a friends' house will do this. 

AND this is how I found my dad and Owen right after Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday!  Owen just crawled right up and snored like the best of them!

Family Pics

Check out this great looking group of people!  Grandpa Dave and Grandma Donna couldn't be happier!  Oh the kids did so well.  Love, love, love it!

Just the grandkids

.....and can't forget little Miss Morgan- she was sooo good all weekend and let everyone hold her!

Out of touch

So I have been a little out of sight and out of mind. My apologies.  We have been busy.  Busy as everyone else I am sure.  We had 3 Thanksgivings this past week.  Ate waaaay to much and are now trying to get back into a schedule once again.  The new header was from pics taken on Saturday.  We did a "grandparents" pic w/all the cousins.  The 7 grandkids did exceptionally well considering that we have tried numerous times and always seem to strike out.  AND when you have three boys age 2 (8 weeks apart in age),  makes things a little extra difficult, but they did AWESOME.  I will post those soon as well.  Other than to say we are "busy" I can't think of anything major that has been going on.

On Wednesday we had some out of town guests them and them over a little socializing.  And Brian and Carrie! We had a great time and found out some exciting news...but you will have to check here to find it out!  Whooohooo!

The kids head back to school tomorrow and I'm off to Christmas shop on Tuesday afternoon  w/my mom and sister.  It will be a fun "girls getaway".

More to come soon!  I promise.

New Receipe Try

I was wanting something "different" today for a little snack and something to put in freezer to pull out one or two here and there.  You know when I get my 20 minute coffee/tea break in the afternoon?  Cookies are ok but not my fave.  I was thinking muffins, but couldn't really find anything.  Didn't want to take the time for cinnamon rolls.  I came up w/this.  We will eat what we want tonight and then I will take and put single servings in baggies and freeze.  I am hoping a quick nuke in the microwave and they will be good for a quick snack.

Cranberry-Maple Scones:  These were really pretty good and took no time at all.  I did add pecans instead of walnuts and a few chocolate chips.  I think these would be excellent w/white chocolate chuncks and cranberries.  I also used sugar free maple syrup.  Next time I might add a little maple flavoring to the dough as the maple "taste" wasn't real noticeable.  I made my pieces smaller than called for.  Definately makes more than 8.  Let me know if you try them out.  Again I thought they were pretty good. 

Thin Mint Imposters

Sweet Swap

Click on Sweet Swap link to see other receipes and how you can join in on the fun!

Thin Mint Imposters

Waaaay Easy.  I have absolutely no measurements, but DO NOT be scared, really these are pretty fool proof.  I think these taste A LOT like the Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies.

Ingredients:

1 Box Chocolate or Vanilla Wafer Cookies. 

 *Chocolate ones are harder to find, Vanilla really does work ok.

Chocolate Almond Bark or semi-sweet chocolate chips melted. 

(I usually start with 1/2 pkg of almond bark for one batch. ) 

Peppermint Oil

Directions:  Melt almond bark/cc as directed.  Add very, very little peppermint oil and mix well.  Taste!  Taste testing is very important.  Some like it really minty some don't.  This oil is STRONG stuff DO NOT DUMP.  I use a toothpick, Old infant Tylenol dropper or something of the sort.  Some come w/a dropper already.  If you want more minty flavor  add more, but again little at a time.  After determining the right amount of mint.  Dip vanilla wafers.  Tap off excess chocolate and place on wax paper.  When chocolate is hard and set.  EAT & ENJOY  (These are great for Cookie exchanges and FREEZE GREAT.)  I would recommend not sharing these cookies in a container w/other cookiesin the freezer as they do give off a small amount of minty "breath"