DEAR WAL-MART

To Whom it May Concern,
 I am Extremely Dissatisfied with my recent experience at Wal-mart. On Saturday(6/18) I bought an Intex 15x48" metal frame above ground pool.
Shortly after getting it home we set the pool up, after taking all measures to make it a successful set-up. After filling the almost 5,000 gallon pool, we noticed a defect in the top of this pool and it was leaking. Imagine my Frustration!! Well I called Walmart and spoke to an Assistant Manager named Melissa who reassured me that I could exchange the pool and that the next day(after having to drain all the water) I would be able to go to Customer Service and a pool would be waiting so we would not have to be messed around waiting for the exchange. Well Much to my surprise and disappointment, the pool was Not there and No one knew what was going on! So what was supposed to be a quick and Easy exchange turned into a 45 minute wait for a stock man to find the right pool and bring it from the backroom upfront. In the meantime I was frustrated about the situation and the wait, to then, be told by the Customer Service worker in a condescending way, To Just Be Patient!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I tried to remain patient, but this should have never happened. Well it gets worse! We returned home to set up the new pool and were shocked to see that this brand new pool liner had a hole near the seam at the bottom! After calling and speaking with another Assistant manager who was not very helpful,. We have decided to make a return on this and support some other store and hope for a better experience all around!  What happened to "guaranteed satisfaction with what you buy; friendly, knowledgeable service;  a pleasant shopping experience?"  This is so Extremely far from my 2 most recent experiences at Wal-mart!

Grandmother Willow

I've been thinking A lot about my Sweet Grandmother and How Lucky I am to have her in my life! She will probably never see this post, but I thought I'd Write some things about this Great Lady, so I will never forget the good times!

 Dear Grandmother Willow,
You probably don't even know that I call you this, but when I decided that I would make the move to your home to help care for you, I changed your name  from "Grandma" to WILLOW!

Just F.Y.I. -Grandmother Willow is a Slightly Creepy looking, talking tree from the Disney movie, Pocahontas, but the reason you have received this special name is because, she is a Very Wise Woman, just like You!!

Willow you have always been a great lady in my eyes, I'm so Thankful for my time spent with you, all these years!

Somethings I remember from my childhood.

    Playing- I remember playing at your house when I was a little girl and spending a lot of   time with you and Grandpa.  I loved Playing the baby animal matching game and doing the Map puzzle,  I also loved listening to you tell stories of "the Farm" and all your Pets. and Watching Movies with  you! Playing the piano was also something I could watch you do for days, Such a talent, and one I hope to have someday.

Hair- I remember sitting on the couch as a little girl as you brushed my hair, and then I would brush your long beautiful hair. I used to love that, and I still love having people play with my hair to this day. I will Never forget coming over and seeing you without your Wig, for the 1st time, and I was Terrified that some Stranger was hanging your wash out to dry!!  I now have the chance to brush and fix your silvery white hair and I still enjoy it!

"Grandma Parties" were always a time for us to feel special! I remember all the fun things you planned for each of us, and how much fun all the cousins had spending time together and just being with Grandma!

Fishing! I remember that Fishing and being out with the Bugs was Not your Favorite, but you still came sometimes, and would spend time with the "cold, Dirty kids" in the car! Those were always fun trips, maybe you would disagree?

Kittens-   Cats and Kittens EVERYWHERE! I loved those baby kittens as a kid, they were so fun to carry around and pretend that they were my little babies! I grew up not being much of a cat person, until I adopted the 3 kittens and brought them home last year, I Loved Callie and her Kitties, and Prince Michael and Olive loved being Spoiled by you and somehow wormed their way onto your couch on more occasions than one!! Sorry Grandpa :)

Holidays- I have always been lucky to live by one set of Grandparents. I love the Holiday traditions that we as a family have enjoyed All the years growing up and I look forward to adding some of these traditions to my own family someday. Some of my Faves- Christmas Nativity and singing after,the last few years have gotten a little more eventful, but we always have a great time. Memorial day, grave decorating and BBQ,  4th of July Parade, BBQ and Fireworks. I love spending holidays with you and the Family.

Scriptures and Prayers- I have enjoyed the quiet times, reading scriptures and saying prayers with you. You have such a sweet spirit and I'm so blessed to have been able to have some of these special memories with you!

Laughing and Joking- Oh Willow, You are a Funny One!! You say some of the craziest things, and quite simply, some of them keep me laughing for days!
I'm so lucky to have been able to spend some quality time with you, and see this side of you that some people have never seen and probably wouldn't believe me even if I told them!!! Good Times :)

Willow, I hope you know, Just how much I love you! I feel pretty lucky to have had this time with you, and to have you as my "Willow" and have benefited from your sweet and loving Spirit. Your are someone who I look to and am so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed my life by giving me one of the Best Grandma's in the world!

Disclaimer** From this post, it may seem as if Willow has gone to a better place, but No! She is Alive and Well, and I'll continue to make memories to add to this list, as time goes on :)

Life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans.

When I was younger I used to dream of the day when I would be All Grown Up and Successful, like one of those famous Women on the Big Screen, You know the ones, Beautiful, with the perfect home, perfect man, perfect family, dream car, ya know the one, Who Had It All, Or so I thought in my Naive little mind!!

Well as I grew up, I realized that Life was NOTHING like this.  I'm not a downer usually, but I know now that life is Not At All Like The Movies! I know that there are parts of life that can be almost perfect, and I feel pretty blessed with how my life is.   I set some goals for myself before I turned the Big 30 and Guess What?? Most of them Did NOT Happen, I was disappointed in myself for awhile and then I realized that although I may have felt it, My life was NOT over at 30!! So Now I added those goals to "My Bucket List"

Here's a Sneak Peak of My Ever Growing Bucket List!

Find a Job I Love**

Graduate from College

Get to  my Dream Goal Weight

Run a 5k without Stopping

Go to England

Learn to be more Humble

Make a Professional looking cake

Swim in the Ocean**

Travel the World
Get a Massage**

Go to the Barnum & Bailey's and Ringling Brother's Circus

Go to the Temple Monthly for one year

Buy and Drive :) a Jeep Liberty Sport

Become a Mother
Finish my Louisiana Scrapbook

Meet my Mom's Family

Learn to Water Ski
Play the Flute really good

Wear a Freaking Cute bathing suit in public Without a Shirt!

Learn to control my Emotions

Marry "my" Perfect Man

Speak in public without "shaking"

Sleep under the stars without a tent

Learn to really trust

Go to Disneyland

Serve a Mission with my Husband
Organize my Craft stuff  so I can craft ,When ever I want and be able to find what I need :)
Do a Session at the Baton Rouge La Temple
Be Brave
Go on an African Safari
Go on the Terror Ride at Lagoon With my eyes OPEN for the Whole Ride
Master the Sewing Machine
Be More Consistent in putting others first
Make it to the Celestial Kingdom (I guess that's After I kick the Bucket!! ha ha)

I had Better get my butt in gear, I've got a lot to do before I die, Which hopefully is not too soon :)

**- Accomplished

Dear Mr. Benjamin Franklin,
I feel like I need to let you in on a little secret. I think I Love You!! Okay maybe that's a little(Or A Lot) Creepy. "Frankly" you are Not my type, but I'm seriously so happy when I have one of you tucked nicely in my Pocket. Who says money can't buy happiness??  I may just disagree here!! I'm kinda shallow, I know!! But I need to tell you just one more thing. I think my love for you, grew just a little more when I stumbled upon this quote last night, in the most unlikely of places, Facebook!!

"While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us."  Benjamin Franklin

Thank You for being such a Wise Man
Love Your Admirer,
 Stacy

BIG BONES

Big Boned!!  I Absolutely HATE this saying ,when it comes to people's Weight, Especially my own. Who wants to hear that they " Are Pleasantly Plump or BIG BONED"?! I sure didn't want to, BUT

I've been doing some thinking lately and for almost a month, I have been Really emotional. Life with Willow (Grandma) has been Less than fun, and I have had so many emotions running through my head. I LOVE Willow So Much and have been so thankful for the good times, and the laughs, I know someday, I'll look back and be so grateful for ALL my time spent with her, even the less than glamorous times! Are you wondering where I'm Going with the Bones??    

This past 2 weeks, have become way more physical, when it comes to caring for Willow. She has become really dependant and is needing A lot of Physical help, It is Exhausting and I am honestly beat. I have cried so much, because I feel physically, mentally and emotionally tired, and I wish I could do more, but I can't!! It's so hard to feel like you are Failing the one person who counts on you!!
Anyways back to the Bones, I know that if I Didn't have these Big Bones, I would Not be able to do the things that are required of me at this point in the game, so because I'm trying to find the positive in the current situation, I am Grateful that I have Big Strong Bones, so I can lift and help the Willow out where she needs!!  Love Ya Willow

A Few Of My Favorite Things!! Ok Maybe more than a few

Well to Begin I Love the Sound of Music and this song and I secretly wish I was a Von Trapp Family singer :)
I thought it'd be fun to list some of my Favorite things today, instead of taking a much needed Sunday Nap!
 Here goes in No particular order
* Chocolate, Especially English Choc -YUM
*My Niece- She makes me smile so much, and I can't wait to meet her Baby BROTHER :) :)
*White Chip Macadamia Nut cookies from Subway
*Dirty Dancing the Original- I Love You-Patrick Swayze!!
*My Family- I'm so Lucky- Shh- they are pretty Lucky too :)
*Otter Pops- Pink, Blue and Orange- OK Green too, just not red!
*Music- current faves-Rolling in the Deep(Adele) Price tag(Jessie J & B.o.B) Lazy Song(Bruno Mars) Friday(Glee Version) Jar of Hearts & Bang Bang Bang(Christina Perri) Just to name a few
* Mowing the Lawn and how great it looks and smells afterward
*Tanning
*Girls Camp- Oh the Memories. Can you say "Chubby Bunny??" I CAN
*Glee
*Pink-Anything and Everything- Except my Meat!!
*Lemonberry Slush's from Sonic
*Massages
*Holidays spent with Family
* Burping LOUD- Oh I know "Not Very Ladylike"- Who Say's I'm trying to be Ladylike??
*Friends- They make life, so much better
*Fishing and and eating fried chicken with worm guts on my hands :) My Grandpa taught me it's OKAY
* Being Crafty
*BAKING- Something I absolutely LOVE
*Working with Special Needs Kids
*Playing Board games
*Dandelions
*Testimony Meetings around the Fire
*Peas from the Garden- Never Cooked, Just Fresh
*President. Hinckley & David B. Haight- 2 of my All time Favorite Men, and my new Favorites Elder. Jeffery R. Holland and Elder. David A Bednar- The rest are pretty great as well
* Holding soft squishy Babies
*Swimming & SUMMERTIME!!
*BBQ's
* Smelling Spring Blossoms
*Remember the Titans & The Blindside
*Jamba Juice- Caribbean Passion
* My Cell Phone- I'd be Lost without it. Sad but true
*My Chacos & Painted Toenails
*Thunderstorms & Someday Kissing in the Rain(maybe it's not as Romantic as it seems!!) I'll let ya know:)
*Grey's Anatomy & Biggest Loser
* Camping and Roasting Starbursts and Cinnamon Bears and Marshmallows all seperate of Course
* Feeling Safe
* Singing at the top of my Lungs- EVEN if I sound Like a Goat!! 
*Laughing until I Cry or Pee- Eww that has Never Happened : /
* Reading Scriptures and understanding them! Doesn't happen enough :(
* Acting Crazy
*What about Bob? The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and Mr. Boogedy
* Missionary Homecoming's
* Accomplishing hard things
* Church Leaders
* Party Planning
*Chick Flicks
*Making & Eating Cheesecake

Okay I think I could go on but I'll stop!! This was pretty fun to see how Blessed I am

THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR, IS FEAR ITSELF

I Hate Fear, I hate how it freezes me! Silly statemnet, but it's so very True.
I have so many things that I would Love to do in this Life, and I don't because I let Fear stand in my way.
I've been thinking how many things I have passed up, because I was afraid for some reason or another.
I want to feel free. Sometimes I feel trapped and am not sure how to push through "My Fear Barrier"
I'm shy and awkward when I meet people, and have been told that I came across as unfriendly! I feel bad because that's not me, I Love people and learning about them, and becoming close friends. Friends are so important to me. They make my life Happy.
One of the things I have pushed aside is College
I am going to start the process soon to enroll ! I'm Terrified, but it's something I have wanted and needed to do For Years. I was crushed last week to find out that I didn't get my Summer position. I wanted it, I Needed it, But I have to know that Heavenly Father will look after me. He Always does :)
I know that I fear failure of enrolling in school, but if I fail, then at least I gave it my best shot.
Life is about taking chances and jumping back up, when you fall down.
So here goes my first step of looking Fear in the face and plowing through that wall!