Me on Monday

Well, I've done it again. I've gotten myself into another "situation!" Remember I mentioned that my ink for the new printer finally arrived last Tuesday. On Wednesday--the day I was spending in my scrapbook room--I started by installing the new color ink cartridge. The black was still printing just fine. Unlike my old printer, the cartridges that needed changing would blink. 

So, I printed a few pictures. I wasn't crazy about them--they seemed so light. Still, I proceeded on and completed a couple pages. Then, when I went to print another picture, it was a mess. You could barely tell what it was. 

I decided to call HP tech support. That's when everything went wrong!! 

You don't get a phone number to call and speak to someone, you have to use the "chat bot." I spent about 15 minutes going back and forth with the bot who finally said that they were going to have someone call me. They sent me a pop up window to fill out with my phone number and credit card! What?? I asked what that was for. I was told that there was going to be a $5.00 charge, but it was completely refundable. I didn't quite understand that, but I proceeded. 

When I finished the transaction, the message said that someone would be calling me within 5 minutes. Then I got a "thank you" message for "signing up" for monthly tech support! What the f**k? 

All of a sudden my anxiety level was through the roof! I went to my credit card website and saw a "pending" charge for $70!!! OMGosh! Here we go again! I've manage to let myself be cheated! 

I called my credit card company immediately. I was so nervous, that I accidentally disconnected the call 3 times before it went through.

I explained the situation. Since the charge is just "pending," there's nothing to do right now. I have to watch it. If the pending part drops off and I actually am charged, then I have to call back to "dispute" the charge. In the meantime, I didn't answer the call from the "guy." He called, texted and even emailed me. I ignored all of it so he can't claim he "helped" me.

I decided that even though I thought I was talking to HP--I don't think it was--even if the website looked legit. 

So, the next step was that I called Best Buy--where I bought the printer. I requested the phone number of HP support. It took quite a while of me on hold, but I finally got it.

Before I called, I thought of one of the questions the "bot" asked me: did I change out the black cartridge too? I hadn't because, it was still printing documents, so I thought there was still black ink.

I decided that since I have free ink for the next 6 months I was going to go ahead and change it. I did and voila'--the pictures started printing correctly. Now I'm not saying that I love the quality of the printing. Ultimately, I might just take the darn thing back. I print all of my own pictures now, so I do want good quality.

All right, that's it. Actually, I should have an answer before this posts as to whether I had to file a dispute or not. We'll see.

**************

Yep, the charge was finally taken off yesterday! Okay, I'm two for two in getting my money back. I don't think I'll be purchasing anything off the Internet anytime soon!  

Now I just have to figure out how to get better prints.

Something for Sunday

A little of this and that for the day.

These little 'ol ladies--soon to be 98 (oh my gosh!) are friends of mine for 30+ years in my bridge world. Betty in blue and Louise in front. Louise lives at Mary Queen of Angels Assisted Living. Connie and I go over there to play bridge with them about twice a month. We took them out to lunch for Christmas. They are so much fun and really sharp when it comes to bridge. Betty still drives. Louise did too until she fell and broke her shoulder exactly one year ago. That's when she decided to she needed to live at MQA. She's very social so she had no problem adjusting.

On to Stephanie's house.

A pretty inviting entry!

I love the lights. 

Her table is so pretty. I love all of her new decor!

And then their tree! Everything is so festive and cheery. I just love Christmas!

I found these cute little gingerbread mug riders at Trader Joe's. I'll be setting up a beverage bar for Christmas. I'll share that later.

Hmmm, which to buy? Okay, I settled for the old one with the black circle logo. I think the new cans look too generic.

My first thought was that "Strawberry Lime Chilly" sounded disgusting. Then I re-read it and realized they were just playing around with "chilly" and NOT "chili!" I wonder how many other people didn't get it right away? My brain just read the word and thought Mexican.

 

This took every bit of my willpower not to buy any of this at 2 for $6.00. So pretty. But, considering I have 3,278 BIG plates and 5,000 matching napkins that I got from Sam's, I was able to pass. But I guarantee you that before I use up all of the ones from Sam's, I'll be sick of them and give them away! In fact, I might just hand out a stack to everyone who leaves my house!

As I was pulling out recipes for Christmas, I came across this cute little cherub--a Christmas present from Elizabeth in 2011! I think she was 5 or 6.

I love fun surprises!!

Okay, on to the next thing! I hope you are having a fun and festive holiday season!

Scrapbook Saturday

As you read this, we are in Atlanta celebrating Christmas with Sandy and family. This has become a tradition for us. We go the weekend before Christmas every year--well except last year, we had the "big" birthdays on this weekend--Jordan turned 30 and Mindy turned 40. It was so much with the just about all of the family together. 

Anyway, I love going to Sandy's because her house is decorated so beautifully. And, it really seems like a vacation when we go there. I just get to sit back and take it easy. It's so relaxing. Just what I need--the calm before the storm!

I got this post ready a few days ago. I am loving my "December Daily" project--even though I was held up for over a week while I waited for new ink. It finally came in on Tuesday. Luckily, I was able to spend all day Wednesday in my scrapbook room. The pages shared here are from before I ran out of ink.

Day 1.

Day 2.

2. & 3. 

3. I used a Starbucks bag to make this pocket. I cut it up and stitched it with my sewing machine. 

This is the backside of the pocket and what's inside. I cut the actual cups to make the flat cups.

On the backside of the photo of Stephanie and me holding our cups is the journaling.

On Wednesday when I was actually able to work some more on this, I finished the days all the way up to December 12th. Stay tuned...

Friday Funnies

As you are reading this, I am having my 3rd annual Dickens Party. Dec. 19th is the anniversary of the publishing of A Christmas Carol. I'll report on the party later. Butch and I will be leaving right after for our weekend with Sandy and family in Atlanta. 

In the meantime, here are some regular Friday Funnies.

The is not really funny, more unbelievable. That's 5 football fields straight up! Kind of amazing. I wonder how long it takes. He better not forget anything!!

Five Things Thursday

I thought I better share these now so you have time to plan them for next week!

Make something pretty and fun--surprise everybody!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Okay, so I agree that this is a handy little list--just in time for the holidays. But, there's no way you can do everything on it in 15 minutes! If they are referring to each section being 15 minutes, then you better start the day before your guests arrive!!

Travel Tuesday

This post is not about our travel, but about the neighbor next door. 

Apparently, they have had a little traveler from afar. Isn't this just about the cutest thing--parked in the driveway. 

They do not have little children and all of their family is out-of-state. I have not talked to my neighbor to find out what the deal is.

It moves around in the parking area as if she's been out and about sightseeing in Nashville--maybe doing a little Christmas shopping!

Our neighborhood is turning over with lots of kids. I love it! Especially when one is visiting next door in her own little car. So darn cute!