Landscaping Gone to Seed

I am sooooo beyond frustrated with the landscaper that I hired to do my lawn.  I did all the right things, I checked the BBB, I checked references, I received several quotes and compared the landscapers. 

And somehow I STILL get a rotten one! UGH!  So this is how my day went (by the way, I called the landscaper the day prior, no answer, but left a msg on voicemail)…….

My husband and I woke up 6:30 am Thursday morning.  The thought process on this was because it has been hot here (95 degrees) that the landscaper would get here early to start work.  We get the dogs outside, have them do their business (and clean it up).  And now is when we begin to wait, and wait, and wait.  Well, about 9:15 am my husband is saying, “Ah, I don’t think they are coming”.  But, optimistic me is, “well, you know they have to pick up all the plants and material, so maybe that took a little longer”.   So my husband calls the landscaper at 9:30 am, no answer, leaves a message on vm.  He calls him again at 9:45 am, still no answer, leaves another message on vm.   Finally we get a call back from the landscaper around 10:00 am, informing my husband that he tried to call me yesterday 3 – 4 times on my cell and the vm never picked up.  He stated he was trying to let us know that he could not do the landscaping Thursday.  Now, I did not have any missed calls on my phone, and he has called me multiple times on my cell before.   He informed us that due to losing employees that he is running behind and that he “thinks” he may be able to get to my project by next week. 

Now, my Homeowner’s Association wants my landscaping in like yesterday, and I hate contacting them to let them know it is now delayed.  The yard is dead and barren due to no rain.  I have huge two cracks in the dirt (or what I would like to call concrete) that look like the San Andres fault and the Grand Canyon.  I know my neighbors are tired of looking at my ugly yard, but, I am trying to get it fixed, everything else is not cooperating!  

Now the best part, about 30 minutes after my husband talked to the landscaper he calls back.  He needs the sketch and list of plants that he did for us.  He seems to have missed placed his copy!  WHAT!?!?! REALLY?!?!?!  Now if that right there does not tell me that he completely forgot about us, I don’t know what else would.  Then he had the nerve to tell us that he would call us the day before he can do the landscaping.  REALLY!!! I don’t think so!  I already took a vacation day for this.  I am so frustrated, and have considered changing landscapers, but, I have already paid ½ (which he cashed immediately) of the price and I do not want to go through that fight to get my money back.  In addition, I can’t afford to pursue another landscaper without the money I have already spent.  UGH!!! What to do?  What to do?

But, this is nothing new.  This type of “thing” happens to our family all the time.  This is why I have started blogging.  Last year Kelley Chevrolet tried to sue us.  My car keeps breaking down, and not just the simple things.  Son’s car broke down 30 days after we purchased it and is still sitting in the garage. The list is long and I could keep going on!  

I hope my next blog will be more positive, or may hey, my landscaping is done!

Results from Regionals! My Kids are Awesome!

WOW! What a whirlwind weekend!  The kids skated awesome!  Enjoyed time with the team and family, though this is how it all started out. 

First off, my car is in the shop.  Now normally this would not be so bad, but, my car is the traveling car. So, we took my husband’s car.  Which is cool and all, ‘cause it’s a 2010 Camaro and looks sleek and fast.  But, for room in the back seat, that would be nada!  Now the trunk was a different story.  I had two skate bags, case of Diet Coke, black medical bag, extra wheels, air mattress for Mikayla, air mattress pump, our overnight bag packed for 4 for 2 nights, my box of necklaces (more about those soon), Mikayla’s blanket and pillow, and a lap top.  That all fight nice and snug in the trunk!  With a little room to spare (I took care of those areas later).  Now, in the back seat it was Mikayla and I, the cooler in between us, my purse (which I am rethinking the size on) and snacks for everyone.  Then my husband and son in the front.  Oh, did I mention my knees were to my ears during the drive up to and back from Regionals! Thank goodness it was only 2 ½ hour drive.  

Now a little pet peeve about my husband.  I love him dearly, but, he does not like to use the GPS with the sound on, so it can instruct you (oh so politely) on where to go.  Needless to say, we do miss a few turns.  So as we travel the rest of us watch the GPS and are constantly telling him, you need to turn here or you just missed your turn.  

So we arrive safe and sound, and check into the hotel.  It is on the okay side, not sure if I would stay there again.  Went to practice at Skatin’ Station II, met old and new friends.  Kids rolled several times on the floor, floor felt great, and then off to carb up and rest for the races on Saturday.  

I swear that the parents of kids in sports go through more stress about the sports event than the kids.  We are up and moving early Saturday, check in at the rink and getting the kids ready to race.  They warm up, we have to remind them to stretch and drink water.  My son competed in Senior Man (18-25) Novice he had 3 races: 5000 meter (5 laps), 15000 meter (15 laps), and a 30000 meter (30 laps).  My daughter competed in Freshman Girls (12-13) Novice she had 3 races: 3000 (3 laps), 5000 (5 laps), and 10000 (10 laps).  Both kids skated really well.  The only problem that my son has is he seems to defeat himself mentally on the 30 lap race before he even hits the floor.  So during the last 15 laps of that race he really struggles.  This has been an ongoing battle for him.  He builds up so much anxiety that I think he quick burns through his energy at the beginning of the race causing his legs to “lock up”.  I hope that he can find what will help calm him and allow him to get past this hurdle.  I know he can win the 30 lap, he has the skills and the ability, he just lacks the self-confidence.  Both kids ended up taking 2^nd in their divisions, and now we are home training hard for Nationals in July.  

And thank goodness I got my car back; at least we won’t be traveling 10 hours to Nationals in a Camaro.  I think the 2 ½ hour drive was long enough!  

Regionals Bound!

So the kids had practice last night and of course both of them fell!  I am hopping they are just getting it out of their system before Regionals.  And Regionals, oh my gosh!  It has come up so fast, it seems like just yesterday the kids competed in Nationals last July.  Where does the time go.  Well, I know, skating practice (as I say sarcastically).  But, to be truthful, I wouldn’t give any of it up.  To watch my kids grow and develop through this sport has been a great enjoyment!  And I am not just talking about their skating skills, but also their sportsmanship and self-confidence.  How to handle defeat and how to learn from their mistakes.  

I seriously think I am more nervous about Regionals than they are.  By the end of a meet I am soooo exhausted you would’ve thought I was the one that raced!  While I watch them race I find my legs moving back and forth, like I will be able to help them or something.  But, I am that way on video games too!  Moving the whole controller and my body, like it’s gonna make a difference.  

So to this I say to my kids’ good luck.  You both have but in a lot of hard work this last year and sacrificed a lot of social time to practice.  I am proud of you both no matter the outcome at Regionals.  Your drive and determination has shown through your practices, your injuries and your successes.  Your Father and I will be there this weekend as your biggest fans.  We will support in the triumphs and there to lean on if you need a shoulder.  But remember this, no matter what placement you get; you are still #1 in our hearts!  

Wow this turned emotional!  Didn’t expect it to go there, but, had to say what was in my heart and my fingers just typed.  I hope to update my blog again before we go, if not, it will be immediately after the meet.

Hitting the Floor Hard

So, last night at skate practice, one of the skaters went down hard.  Unfortunately, he split his eyebrow open, needed stitches with a possible concussion. Thankfully this morning he is doing better and the fall could have been worse.  Believe me, I have seen worse. 

As I was running out to our car to get the medical kit we carry, that made me start to think.  What do you think is important in a medical kit?  What I have is basic.  Scissors, Neosporin, medical tape, athletic tape, large Band-Aid’s (because floor burns are never small!), Duraplast Spray, New Skin (love to put this on my kids blisters), one time use ice packs (I get the CVS Brand they come in a two pack for cheap), VetRap (I love this stuff, works well to hold large bandages in place and it also comes in lots of colors and designs), Kinesio Tex Tape (for shin splints),  Benadryl, Pepto Bismol, Tums, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, anti-itch cream, I also have a gel that is for burned skin, that I also use on floor burns.   I try to cover as much area as I can.  If you can think of anything else to add, please leave a comment. 

On a side note: The skaters helmet was not tightened securely which allowed it to slip back when he hit the floor exposing his eyebrow/forehead area.  There have been many times that I have seen my daughter fall and swear she smacked her face on the floor.  And me standing there knowing that she is going to get up off that floor with missing teeth.  Fortunately, every time the helmet has saved her from any marks on her beautiful face.  So just as a reminder it is very important to always double check your equipment and make sure to wear it properly.