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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Chores!!



I created a new chore chart for Madison this week - and I've gotten some questions about what I have her doing and how it works.  Let me start by telling you how I got here...  I was paying her $7 flat per week for chores, but finding that I was spending a ridiculous amount of time hounding her to actually do those chores.  So, I talked with a few other parents to see what they're doing, and my favorites resembled how her Dad, a mechanic, gets paid.  He only gets paid for what he actually does, no hourly wage.  If you stand around doing nothing, you're not making any money!  What I've done is provide a list of wage earning opportunities and compensation for each time she completes the chore.  If she was to complete everything on the list, every day, she could earn $28 or more per week.  So far, it's going pretty good.  She is working on items to add to the list to make more money - we're in negotiations now.  I want to see she's serious about doing what's already here before adding more.  

Here's a copy of the chart seen in the picture:


For Dishes and Laundry - if she does the dishes AND puts them away, it's .50 for each instance.  Each load of laundry would be $1.00 - the possibilities on laundry days are endless, LOL.  I'm hoping this works long term, it's time she becomes gradually more responsible and participates more around the house.

Have you tried this with your kids?  Any differences?  Success rate?  

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Repairs with Damage - Collision Authority


Back in September my car was at Collision Authority at their Henderson location for just a little damage done to my back bumper - they'd previously done repair work on my front bumper (which had a lot of damage), and the work done was excellent.  I had no idea what was going to happen next... I'm going to share my story with you readers, as consumers - and Vegas valley locals can make your own decision on whether or not you'd ever give them your business.

The car was returned to me with the bumper repaired, but my custom-made Cowboys shift knob had been shattered and an attempt to repair it was done.  See for yourself:



The explanation I was given was that the worker repairing my bumper had a tool in the car which bumped my shift knob and subsequently shattered it.  This shift knob is basically a resin cue ball - so "shattering" it would have taken some effort and force.  Additionally, why would any tools would be inside my vehicle as the repair was outside?  Ummmm, ok.  I explained this was a custom item and would be difficult to replace - and he asked me to find one from where I'd originally purchased, and they'd pay for it.  After getting home, I realized my glove box had been rummaged, it was a complete mess.  Maybe they were panicked and looking for a receipt for this shift knob, right?  Well, then I realized a change purse that was hanging next to the shift knob was missing.  It had no more than $5 in change in it and that wasn't the big deal - the change purse was the shape of a vinyl record and had real sentimental value.  I know that I shouldn't leave anything valuable in the car, but it became very clear to me:  Someone was attempting to steal the shift knob and it broke in the process.  My husband had used an epoxy to make sure this thing never came off, but they hadn't counted on that.  You can see in the first picture the large chips missing from the bottom.  It didn't look like that when it was mounted.  Someone was clearly trying to pry or twist it off.

When confronted with this, Collision Authority assured us nobody in their shop would ever do such a thing, but they'd make inquiries.  Seriously, do you think anyone is actually going to confess?  This is supposed to appease me?  

So, I attempted to contact the original maker of the shift knob, but no response, and no real internet presence.  I could only assume he was no longer doing business.  About one week later Collision Authority informed us they'd found another company who makes these and would order one immediately, and even offered to mount it.  No thanks.  Just order it and I'll pick it up.

So this was the end of September - we're now at the end of November, and I STILL do not have my replacement shift knob.  It's been over two months, and as you can see by the photos above, it doesn't stay on the shift assembly - so it's real safe, too.  All I want is the replacement knob - and they don't seem to be in any hurry to provide any customer service.  Nobody has called with a single update or apology in the delay, all inquiries as to the status are initiated by us, and there is never any follow-up on their part.  I'm tired of the crappy customer service - so I'll be using all of my social media possibilities to let other consumers know of my experience.

I would discourage anyone from using Collision Authority in Henderson or Las Vegas.  It's too bad, too, because the work they do is actually really well done.  I can assure you that I will never, ever, be giving them my business again.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

No Time for TV

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later... I have again fallen out of love with television.  I have a Tivo full of recordings from the last two weeks, and no real desire to watch any of it.  Granted, I think I bit off more than I could chew - Monday night alone I have nearly 4 hours of programming I'd like to watch, and no real time to watch it all that night.  I've decided I'm going to give up watching "The Voice", it's not all that attractive anymore.  Three hours of it every week is a bit too much, NBC.  So we'll see.   There may be more on the chopping block if I can't catch up soon.  

What are some of your favorite programs?  

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

It's so dark and rainy today... the Las Vegas desert is getting a well-deserved drink of water.

What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

Sunday, October 07, 2012

NFL 2012 Go Cowboys?!

So who are you rooting for, this NFL season?  Do you watch the NFL?  Why, or why not?

I was raised a Cowboys fan, my mother is from North Texas, I had no choice, really.  No regrets, I bleed blue and silver!  :)

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Back From the Dead

Wow, it's been awhile, huh?

Madison started blogging for her third grade class, a reading collaboration project.  That's made me wonder, is blogging dead?  Should I start doing this again?  It's certainly therapeutic, and fun, to boot.

Bloggers - are you still out there???

Monday, February 22, 2010

Drive Time Conversation

"So Maddy... how was your day?"

"I had a great day!"

"Great days are the best, aren't they?"

"Word Mommy, WORD."

I love my influences. Just luuuuuurve them. :)