Furnace issues, or are they.....

So Friday, we had our furnace maintenance done.  Twice a year, we have a tech come in and check the system just to make sure it works ok, and they clean out whatever they are supposed to.

Friday (and the weekend) was a pretty warm day.  By the time the tech got here, it was like 75 in the house - yes, our house warms up like crazy with the sun. So the tech put it up way high to check it, did what they were supposed to do, and said everything was working fine.

Monday morning, I woke up and it was 63 degrees in the house while the furnace was set at 68.  I immediately called the company and set up a time for them to come out. 

A different tech came out and as soon as he opened up the closet, saw the issue - the 1st tech forgot to re-connect a hose after cleaning it out.😑 Seriously???!!!

Of course, we were just glad that nothing was wrong with the furnace.

First game of the season and scrapbooking

Last night was the first game of our 5 game pack. 

Our seats are a little down from our previous seats.  We are in the same row but in seats 7 and 8, which is a couple down from our 12 and 13 seats which were at the end of row.  Still some good seats!

The game was awful! They had played the night before, but that's not an excuse because the Panthers played the previous night too.

Dan had to work yesterday, so our schedule was a little off.  I was supposed to be a scrapbooking crop all weekend, with the evening at the game, but I ended up staying up until midnight on Friday, then Theo got sick right after Dan left (at 3 AM) and then I just decided to stay home and do some work. Which was really fine because I really wanted to get a couple of things done for CVBS (my company).

Today, I did come to the crop, but I'm working on some stuff that I just haven't been able to get around to for the business.  

It's funny, I say work, but it really doesn't feel like work - because I LIKE what I do! So - back to what I enjoy doing!

Catching up

I'm still not in the habit of blogging again.  I enjoy it, but just don't sit down and do it at the end of the day.

A week ago Saturday, we took Theo to The Blessing of the Animals Event.  We just went before the blessing and visited the Loudoun Animal Services mobile adoption since our friend Erin is the driver and then to see our friend, Holli with Compassionate Animal Communication.

Theo did will with everyone.  Everyone was all over him wanting to meet him.  Then of course I remembered I hadn't made him any business cards yet.

So today, the business cards have been made and ordered!

Now it's time to really get blogging and setting up the website!

Community yard sale today!

I always go back and forth about doing a yard sale - it's a lot of time and work and then people just want a bargain and don't want to even pay the low prices I put on things.

Today we did ok - we didn't get rid of too much, but made $31 - better than nothing.  The leftovers are being donated this week.  To Lupus, FOHA (to their upscale thrift store) and then Birthday Blessings Inc who is a friend's charity.

The things learned today -

1.  Always ask for double of what you want.
The person is going to offer less.  This happened SEVERAL times today.  I had a BRAND NEW purse that I was selling for $5 and was offered $3 a couple of times.  Come on!  Same with a brand new clock - I was asking $10 and then they offered $5.  Same with stuffed animals - I was asking $1 for a beanie baby (brand new), and they offered 2/$1.  I rather just donate and get a better tax deduction!

2.  People do not pay attention when driving around at yard sales.
I don't know how many times people drove by looking at our yard and there was either a car behind them or coming towards them.  Same with just pulling over at a moments notice.

One of our neighbors came over with their dog, Apryl - who has met Theo before, but he was in one of his moods and was growling at her.  Then he was growling at Apryl's dad too.

Don't know if it was because we were at our house and he was "protecting" it or what.

One of the things that I got rid of was a bunch of containers (shoeboxes and larger containers). I used them A LOT when I was stockpiling.  I haven't been stockpiling or couponing that much since I started my business (and that was 4 years ago!).  It became more of a chore than fun.

I still use coupons, but it's mostly online coupons that I print with MyPoints.com and using Couponmom.com for the sales on that week. Even then, there are times, when I'll do all of the work (look up the sales, match the coupons) and then not go shopping.

When I do have multiple coupons for items and they are on sale, I do stock up, NOTHING like I used to do.  I think some of it is because we are eating a little better - less processed/boxed foods. Still, when I do have a major shopping spree, I do save majorly - like 60% savings.

OH! We had a really good "dining" and "shopping" experience today.  We went to Chipotle - the one we always go to and it was CLEAN - like they were on top of cleaning as soon as the customer was gone, and the floor was swept.  I could tell that the manager was at the register because she gave excellent customer service -saying the extra comments, etc. I said something to her before we left - that we hadn't seen this place this clean in a long time.  I asked if she was new and she said she wasn't but I don't think we have ever seen her.

Then we went to CVS for water. The cashier was AWESOME. Chit chatting and asking if we needed help and making a joke "getting some water uh?" (because we got 4 cases).

Tell you what we were both in a good mood when we got home - just because it was a memorable dining and shopping experience.

Theo is my protector

Mama had a scare this morning on the walk.  We were walking the path and as we were coming up to an alley way, a loose dog (blond lab) came running up to Theo.  Then another loose dog (black lab). 

By that Theo was growling and I was freaking out and couldn't tell but thought the black lab was attacking/Theo was attacking.  I was just screaming and saying, get the black one because the wife was getting the blond lab who wasn't doing anything.

Everyone was fine, the owners, who I think I have met before, were nice.  They apologized and you can tell they are responsible and understanding owners.  

We stood there and chatted awhile.  They understood, of course, Theo was going to growl when two dogs coming running up - he was trying to protect me. 

Mentally, we (both Dan and I) need to get over the fact that we know he was in a dog fight before at the shelter.  Because of that, we are guarded when we introduce him to other dogs AND we think that is why he growls at other dogs.

Anyway, hopefully, we'll be able to introduce the dogs another time when both are on leashes.