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Posted by michelle on Jul 3, 2012 in Site News | 32 comments
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Other than that, the only hiccup happened before meeting up in the form of a $400 plumbing emergency (more to come on that later). Because of this, we weren’t able to shower! I was given about a tablespoon of water to brush my teeth, so I felt really fantastic showing up late to meet people for the first time sporting a messy ponytail and jorts! (For those that didn’t grow up in the 90′s, jorts are jean shorts. They’re basically one step above throwing on an old pair of cut-off sweats.) Even though I’m kind of a perfectionist who completely freaked out about not being able to present myself in the best light, I had a great time talking to some really cool people! We talked for hours about the good, the bad, and the ugly of blogging and shared all our tips we had picked up along the way. We’re talking about meeting up again soon!
Baby SDR is officially a toddler. She’s been walking for over a month and is actually running and saying a ton of words, but now…it’s real. She’s not a baby baby anymore! Her party was a success! I think everyone had a good time, and she made out like a bandit. I wish our AC could have kept up a little better, as it never got below 77 in the house. Of course, with a bunch of people walking in and out when it’s in the triple digits, I think that’s normal? I hope anyway.
We really need things in the house to stop breaking! Our fridge door issue is still…an issue, but I’m going to hold off on writing about it until I’ve given all parties a chance to do the right thing and fix our 18-month-old fridge. Of course, if they don’t do the right thing, I will not only write about it; I will tweet it, facebook it, share it with my friend who works at a local news station, I might write a novel about it! Our site name might change from See Debt Run to See ThatOneBigBoxStore Lose. I’ll tell all my friends, family, people in line at the grocery store, my kids’ friends’ parents, their parents, their ob’s, the mail lady, my cousin who lives in another state, my other cousin who lives in another state… Basically, I will go absolutely crazy on these people if they don’t fix my fridge. Want to get called by a crazy lady every single day? I didn’t think so.
Remember that plumbing emergency I touched on? Here’s what happened. Jeff went outside on Friday to turn off the sprinkler and came back in to tell me that “we’ve got a problem.” I wondered what kind of problem we could possibly have when all he did was turn off the water. Thankfully, he didn’t leave me in suspense for very long; he then handed me the handle for the outdoor faucet. My hulking husband broke it clean off! I actually believe him when he says it was stuck and he had to use a bit of force to even get it to budge, because the temperature had been well into the triple digits for a week prior to that night. As night falls in the Midwest, it drops back down to the 70′s and 80′s, so we’re thinking that if we would have waited until it had gotten hot again to turn it off, maybe it wouldn’t have broken? I’m not sure. Anyway, my brilliant husband had a plan! He went downstairs to turn off the main water for the entire house, so that we wouldn’t have to run the sprinkler all night. We would then deal with it in the morning. But then? Wait for it….the main water shut-off also broke! It didn’t break off like the other handle, but instead stuck in the ON position, thus not letting this crappy night end on even a semi-decent note. We kinked the hose and went to bed. After a few hours of sleep, we woke up early and called Roto Rooter, who said they could be at our house between the hours of 8 and 10. Perfect, right? We were supposed to meet John and Jason at 11 and it’s about a 20-minute drive, but we also had to drop the boys off at swimming first, so? We were late, but we made it!
Oh, you probably want to know why the plumbing emergency is under debt reduction stuff. Well, it’s because it cost $400! Our goal was to have it at or below 12,100 and it was sitting at 12,458 as of June 30th. July is going to be the most frugal month ever! I might not eat. Just kidding. Don’t do that. I will say, however, that I’m not above inviting myself over to my parents’ and grandparents’ houses and raiding their stock. They love surprise “feed me” visits! Don’t you guys? I’m also not above being super creative with meal plans! Tonight, we’re having leftovers from the party! No creativity needed there. As the week winds down, don’t be surprised if you see me tweet about some weird concoction involving peanut butter, oatmeal, kidney beans, and honey mustard. I’m sure it will be delish and the kids will love it–don’t worry! I’m not! *bites fingernails*
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I think we had one of those weeks last week where we had to eat out of the pantry. Somehow I just made it work. Also, we have had that happen when you are expecting company and then something goes wrong. Once our entire yard exploded with a busted water line and then for Thanksgiving we were left with an air conditioner leak which makes our entire house spell like mold. Another time we had family over and our garage disposable was out of commission. So, I know that feeling all too well:( Good luck w/the rest of your month.
Why do those things always happen when you’re expecting company? Well, I guess it’s never a good time for something to break down. Thanks for the luck…I’m gonna need it!
I’m still regretting not meeting with you all! And that really stinks about your plumbing. That happened to me in May and it was super stressful.
Michelle recently posted..We’re switching to CASH
I’m hoping to meet up with everyone again soon. That way, all the people that couldn’t make it can have another chance. We’ll have to talk about when would be a good day for it…for everyone!
lol amusing post Michelle. I loved the threats about the fridge door. Hopefully a certain someone reads this post soon. I had no idea jean shorts were called jorts. Maybe that’s cause my family was poor back in the 80s and only had the cutoff versions. Also, sorry to hear about your plumbing problem.
Modest Money recently posted..Save Money When You Book Travel
We weren’t wealthy, Jeremy!!! I wonder if it has more to do with your living in Canada. I bet there’s lots of funny things you say that I just scratch my head over.
I hope that big box store that you purchased your fridge from, steps up to the plate and fixes your fridge!
I worked for one of their competetors way back in the day and I can tell you from experience, keep pushing the issue. Go all the way to the top. The home improvement industry is the same in terms of customer service issues. At some point, they want to just resolve the issue and be done with it.
Good luck!!!
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Thanks, Mackenzie. I haven’t even started calling them and going crazy on them. I’m giving them a chance to do what’s right!
I’m still sad that I didn’t get to go meet you all! It was only a 5 hour trip for me but I got to meet some new future relatives so that works for me. That is a bummer about the plumbing issues. Hope your fridge door gets fixed soon. And I found a pair of jorts just recently!
bogofdebt recently posted..Goals Again!
Lol…jorts. I know–I’m so bummed! Cool that you got to meet some future relatives! You just HAVE to come next time!
I’d have loved to have had the opportunity to be at that get-together and meet three of my favorite bloggers! Also, you met in my old stomping’ grounds: I was born in Wood River, grew up in Carbondale, have been to St. Louis (and many Cardinal baseball games) dozens of times, and my Dad lives now in Lawrence, KS. On the other hand, that heat you guys are having would have melted me!
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Oh Kurt, you should come back and visit some time! I’m thinking blogger volleyball tourney…John mentioned pool party…lol. Either way, it will be fun and you can call it a “work meeting.”
We weren’t terrified by Baby SDR at all! I think most kids are the same and the actions typically come with the territory. …saying that, it’s just not something we’re looking to take on anytime soon.
It was truly awesome to meet you and Jeff! It was a ton of fun and I can’t wait to do it again!!!
Sorry about the sprinkler…that does really suck and it’s never fun having to use money to pay for house repairs when you originally hoped it could have gone towards debt progress.
Oh well. It’s just part of the grand roller coaster ride that is getting out of debt and building wealth!
Jason @ WSL recently posted..Recipe: Strawberry and Mango Salad
It did put a kink in our plans, Jason, but we’re not going to let it get us down. We’re still going to pay that debt off ASAP. I will breathe so much easier once we are free from it!
It was so nice meeting you and your wife as well! I really hope we do get to meet you again soon! When can I expect another guest post from the Mrs?
I really had a great time, too, and can’t wait to do it again. When my wife saw the picture of us, she said, “those guys are tall!” Tell Jeff he emasculated me in front of my wife
(just kidding)
John @ Married (with Debt) recently posted..A 3 Step Way to Guilt-Free Vacation Spending
So cool that you have a group down there in St Louis. Some of us here in Denver have been meeting and it’s great to put faces to URL’s.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..ING Direct Review – Orange Savings and Checking Accounts
That is awesome, Sean! I’m hoping to meet up with these guys again and also hoping that more can come next time. We have a lot that are close to the area, but many had plans.
How nice for everyone to be able to get together and meet in person. Like fincon but way cheaper!!!
I bet you’ll move finding in restaurants to your own list of things you won’t miss once all yours are grown. I can’t believe I forgot that one, I guess because we haven’t been out with the kids for so long.
Good luck with the fridge and tell hubby to be careful of his own strength.
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Oops that should say eating in restaurants, darn iPad
Crystal recently posted..June income update.
Lol, I do that all the time with my phone! My phone likes making me look stupid, I swear.
Yes, eating in restaurants is NO FUN WITH KIDS! Thankfully, we can’t afford to eat out anyway…because you’re right–it sucks!
That’s so cool that you could all meet up! And I love that I just learned a new word today: jorts. I’m gonna use that next time I wear them.
Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses recently posted..Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue Ideas
You should, Jessica! Bring it back!
Man it’s cool you actually got to meet up with other bloggers! And about your littlest… Our youngest girl started crawling and I’m desperately clinging to those last shreds of babyhood before she’s walking and talking. Goes too fast!
Nell @ Housewife Empire recently posted..June 2012 Income Report – Game Face Time
Oh Nell, I know! She started around 10.5 months and I was discouraging it the whole way! Crawling is SO cute! And she’s still the most precious thing ever, but little by little, she’s growing up…way too fast!
Jorts! I love it. I had a pair with the strap on the side so I could hang a hammer I guess…
Plumbing issues are a nightmare. After several overpriced and generally bad experiences, I finally found a plumber I could trust. That’s an important thing to have.
JW @ AllThingsFinance recently posted..Financial Calculators Can Now Be Found Here
I actually have someone in the family that does plumbing…and I totally forgot about him! I will probably call him next time.
Holy sounds like you’ve been busy! I’m surprised the company you are dealing with regarding your fridge isn’t more helpful, if there’s one thing that I learned from business school it’s that unsatisfied customers are six times more likely to share their experiences with friends and family. I’m surprised they’re basically forcing you to be that statistic!
Also, I love surprise “feed me” visits! My fiancée and will often go out to his Dad’s or my Mom’s place on Sunday afternoon and offer to do some small tasks in the hopes that they’ll invite us for dinner. It’s worked so far and it’s a great way to save money on groceries.
Jordann @ My Alternate Life recently posted..I’ve Paid Off $10,000 in Debt
I know. The company is a BIG one, too. They already know that I have a blog and a friend in television. I think I would want someone like me to be happy!
I’m hoping they will make things right, and I will then be able to write a NICE blog about my experience. 
That would be beneficial to them. Make me happy, big box company. Michelle is a good friend to have!!
Jordann, that’s so funny about your “feed me” visits! I’ve called my parents before to say “hey, we’re in the neighborhood. What are you doing?” They didn’t invite us to stay for dinner, because I think they’d already eaten, but we did procure some snacks from their fridge and pantry. hehe
Wow, not being able to shower and getting a tablespoon of water to brush your teeth is DEFINITELY an emergency. YIKES! That’s tough. I’m glad you were able to address that and had fun at the meet-up. Cheers!!!!
Uh, Plumbing emergencies, not a big fan of those. I had one myself yesterday/today and it wasn’t fun at all. I did save a ton of money doing all the work myself though. Can’t complain about that. Hope July is a good month for you.
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I just had one of the best “feed me” visits yesterday as we spent the 4th with my parents. My mom made ribs, sweet potatoes, and peach cobbler. She also took me to this awesome wholesale produce store in town where we got POUNDS of strawberries jam. We also did laundry at their place and laid out in their pool all day. Bliss. Sorry about your plumbing situation! I’ll soak up the “amazing” apartment life while I can and keep putting in maintenance requests when things break.
Jessica @ Budget for Health recently posted..Budget Review: April – June 2012
I kind of (really quite a bit) want the bigboxstore to ignore you because I can’t wait to hear about you openin’ up a can.
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