OK, feeling better about my choice...

This morning I heard from my salesman, Rudy, at Lowe's about my new washer and dryer.

The good news is that they will be delivered next weekend!

I explained my concerns with some of the reviews I read online last night and he was very honest that, yes, previous generations of these models had had some of those issues, but that they have been dealt with. The model I bought is on its 3rd generation and has only been out for 3 months.

I feel better! Still, I'm glad that I opted to buy the extended warranty--which I usually shy away from--just because it is a relatively new machine and I want to be covered for those 5 years.

I do think everything's going to work out OK.

I hope I don't regret my decision!

After months of feeling frustrated with my 2nd-hand washer and dryer (bought for $30 each at a moving sale 4.5 years ago when I was moving into my house,) I bought a new washer and dryer set today. My current dryer (a GE) oftentimes leaves the clothes damp after 45 minutes of "drying," and my current washer (a Maytag) frequently dances across the room after being "repaired" twice to deal with its constant balance issues.

Here are the ones I purchased:
Lowe's is having a really good deal on this Whirlpool set. The washer is the WTW6340WW and the dryer is the WGD6200SW. They're really pretty and kind of a happy medium between those really fancy front-loading machines that are the big thing nowadays and the older, traditional style with the dials.

The set is currently on back order and probably won't be in for about 2 weeks. I'm actually kind of glad, because it will give me a chance to change my mind if necessary. I am a little freaked though, because I came home and read the reviews for them online at different sites. People all like the dryer just fine, but the washer has not been getting good reviews. Some people say they have had leaks and some say it has ripped their clothes. OY... Now, granted, I'm just a household of 1 person, not a big family with huge volumes of laundry, but, still, when you buy new stuff you want it to work.

AND...the machines I bought have only been on the market for 3 months, so I think that the reviews I'm read are for some older models. Yes, this is me, trying to be optimistic. So, I'm a little bit disheartened by some of the things I read, but still thinking that I need to see for myself. No matter what, things like this are always a big decision and a lot of times you just don't know until the appliances are in your house and adjusting to the way you use them.

Keeping my fingers crossed. But, they're still pretty!

God Bless Us Everyone...

I have some standard favorite Christmas CDs that I grew up on, like Elvis, The Carpenters, John Denver, and Andy Williams. But recently some of our current popular artists have released some great holiday albums.

Here are some samples of my favorites from some of them:

Celine Dion
Album: These Are Special Times
Song: God Bless Us Everyone


Josh Groban
Album: Noel
Song: Thankful


Michael Ball
Album: Christmas
Song: As Long As There's Christmas (duet w/ the fabulous Elaine Paige)
(THIS IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY CD IN MY COLLECTION)
Enjoy this cute Harry Potter-themed video


And last but not least, the wonderful group Celtic Woman, who I have had the chance to see twice in concert. Their Christmas album is gorgeous. I love this song called Christmas Pipes.

2 Days of Decorating...

So far, I have accomplished my Christmas decorating goals for this long Thanksgiving weekend. It was nice not to be rushed. All that is left is putting lights on the bushes outside.

Here are the fruits of my labors. You can click on any of the pictures to see a larger image.

I love having a pretty tree with a color theme. Mine is silver and white. I use a pre-lit artificial tree. No pretty tree smell, but so much easier! And I learned when I lived in my apartment years ago that a really great and inexpensive way to add a lot of decorations is by using two rolls of nice wired ribbon and 2 packages of pre-wired bows (one shiny set and one matte set.) Then I just had to supplement with about 6 boxes of silver and white ornaments. Everything goes back into their original boxes when the season is over.

My philosophy is that you can never have too many twinkle lights.

This is something that I recently inherited from my grandparents who both passed last year. They made this together to hold a Mexican nativity scene. My grandpa built this diorama from a picture frame and wood. My grandma painted the inside and added the stars and rays. There are holes for lights, although the current lights aren't working and this is the best place I could find for it--my entry hall--which doesn't have any outlets. But since this is the first time Christmas Eve will be at my house instead of at the grandparents', I was determined to find a place for this. I know it will mean a lot to my family when they see it.

And now, 2 more days of vacation. It is nice to know that the bulk of the decorating is all done!

The holidays are upon us...

Amazing, it's almost Thanksgiving! How did that happen? I think it feels extra strange because I completely missed Halloween (being down for the count with the flu that day.)

Today is my first of FIVE...DAYS...OFF. Lovely! I've decided to use the next few days to transition the house into a Christmas house. One day of indoor decorations. One day of outside lights, and one day to do the tree. They don't all take one whole day, but I want to pace myself. Last year I did everything in one day and was exhausted. And now I've got the time and don't plan on hitting the stores on Black Friday.

Actually, my family will be celebrating Thanksgiving ON Friday so that some of my cousins can attend who have to work tomorrow. The more the merrier. We'll be at my aunt and uncle's house this year.

Other than this current vacation, life is just rolling along. My mom is enjoying some new appliances, my brother and his family are enjoying living in their very own house, and I have a special visitor coming at the end of December. As my mom put it, "It seems like we're all at a crossroads right now." Perhaps that's true, but change is good. Sometimes you have to shake things up a little.

The other day I was listening to some of my CDs that I hadn't heard in a while. I have 3 by New Zealand teen singer Hayley Westenra, who sometimes sings with the Celtic Woman group. I love this particular song. It's a good one for this season. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We have so much to be thankful for.



P.S. I am feeling A LOT better after that nasty flu. Believe me when I tell you that nearly a month later, I'm still not 100%. There's a cough that's been hanging on for a while, but I do not have pneumonia (got a chest x-ray) and at least I can go back to work. I used 9/10 of my sick days already!)

Yay! I can sing again!

I haven't done any singing in 2 whole weeks and I've missed it a lot. It is such a great stress reliever for me. But today while teaching I could really feel like my voice was stronger than it has been in several days and knew that it was time to give it a try when I got home.

Click on the song title to listen:

I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (It's not too early, is it? Well, maybe a little!)

WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

Nine days later...

So here is the update on my illness. It's lasted for days and days and days.

On Thursday I went to the doctor, and after an interminable 3 hours at the office, I still don't know anything conclusive. It MIGHT be the H1N1. It MIGHT be pneumonia, because my breathing is raspy and I have a cough that I haven't been able to shake.

The doctor wanted to have a chest xray taken and I was supposed to call yesterday to get the results. I called and the doctor hasn't called me back. The whole doctor experience has been kind of frustrating because of the constant delay.

As far as work, I've missed 6 days just because of this illness, but I know that there was no way I could've gone. My job requires so much and it is nonstop all day. You just have to be 100%. I'll go back on Monday and I know I won't be 100% by then, but I'll be much better than last week. Plus, we get Wednesday off for Veteran's Day.

It's been a very slow recovery.

This morning I woke up and, even though I've still fighting this cough, I was determined to get up and out and enjoy this beautiful day. The weather is so gorgeous right now! I got half of my report cards done and ran a few errands. Next on the agenda is to walk around the block and check out the Christmas boutique at the church around the corner. They usually have cute things.

Christmas boutique? Yes, it is that time of year. I can't believe it. Yesterday I stopped at the mall for a quick bit and Macy's has their Christmas decorations up. On TV I saw the first ad with a Christmas theme. Incredible.

So that's what's been going on. I just hope to hear from the doctor soon, because if I am supposed to be on antibiotics, I want to get started...