My bridesmaid dress

 To take my mind off of things, I went online and bought my bridesmaid dress for Carly and Scott's wedding this June.  I'm really excited for the wedding.  

Thank you all for your prayers for John--all of our family came today and said their goodbyes, we'll see how the next few days go. 

Please keep John & Jean Matlock in your prayers...

So how do I start?   I've tried to start this blog entry three of four times but I'm at a loss for words.  Today started out fine and dandy... a couple of good deals at some garage sales, picked up the Twilight DVD at Target, and met Narine at Burke Williams for a well-deserved massage and Rip Tide for some yummy sushi, and then headed over to return some of the clothes I had bought at Layne Bryant (and the nemesis lady returned the items for me--ughhh) and a vase that broke to Crate & Barrel, when my mom called and asked me if I was sitting down.  No conversation ever goes well if it's starts with the "are you sitting down?" question.  I was then told that the doctors said that my grandpa John was going to leave us within the next seven days.  

It all started about a month ago when he broke his leg (he is a very active 80-something year old...you wouldn't think he was 80 if you met him).  After a few tests they found he had tumors throughout his body that were making all of his bones so weak that they were breaking.  They put him in skilled-nursing for a week or so, then sent him home.  Then a few weeks later he broke his arm.  This time they did more tests and found he had stage four cancer, but they were positive and were going to treat him with chemo.  They started his chemo right away (last saturday) and they told him that side effects would occur within the next 3-5 days. But nothing happened. He was feeling good.  Then, yesterday he was feeling really tired and started to hallucinate a little, they went to change him and found that he was extensively bleeding.  They rushed him to the ICU at San Clemente hospital.  That night after my grandma had left to go home and sleep, he made a decision to tell the doctors and nurses that he was done trying. He knew it was his time.  He didn't want the blood transfusion (which would help increase his white blood cells), or any antibiotics--he knew he didn't have the strength and that his body was dying.My grandma came this morning to find that he had made his decision.  Luckily my Uncle Dave had come down again to help her out when he heard, and eventually my mom (who went up to Santa Barbara for my brother-in-laws birthday)  found out.

Since just my Uncle was able to help, my mom said if I had the time to go down there to be with my grandma, I should go.  I couldn't shop anymore after this news, so I headed to the hospital.  When I walked in, my grandma was with a woman from her ward sitting on a couch.  She stood up and hugged me so hard and started crying really hard.  I thought I was a strong one, but to see my grandma cry for the first time in my life  and to realize the extent of what was happening was too much for me and I started to bawl.  We stood there and cried for a while.  She asked me if I wanted to see him and we went to his room, where he had been moved out of ICU and into Saddleback Hospice.  

When I walked in my grandma said, hey look who's here, it's Debbie!  He was fully coherent, and said Hi Debbie, How are you? I told him I wish I wasn't seeing him in these circumstances and he said he was so relived to have made the decision.  My grandma went on about how he was going to be going to such a better place and how wonderful Heaven is and somehow we were talking about who he was going to see when he was up there. Somehow I was asked who I would want him to say hi to for me... and I asked him to say hello to my future children, and to let them know that I was excited to meet them someday.  He then said they were lucky to have me as a mom.  I was so touched and so saddened by the whole situation.

The rest of the day is somewhat a blur as I sat with my grandma and uncle for 7 hours as his other family members came in and out to see him.  I was close to my grandpa John.  He is an amazing man and I am so sad that we are going to lose him.  He was my grandma's everything.  This will be the second husband that she has had to lose (my first grandpa died of a heart attack at 54).  It seems unfair that she has to go through this as well.  I can tell that she feels helpless.  She is one of the most strong women that I know. She's always working hard and fighting.  She never gives up.  And to have to honor his wishes is going to be one of the hardest things she'll ever have to go through.  

My mom arrived around 9:15 tonight at the hospital with Amanda.  I took them in to see grandpa.  He was in and out of sleep because the nurses gave him some medication to help him sleep.  But he was awake enough when we came in.  He kept muttering to my mom "tell your mother I'm sorry."  It was one of the most heart wrenching things I ever felt.  

This whole day has been an emotional blur.  I don't think he's going to make it to seven days.  It's funny because I am so sad that he is going to be leaving us, but yet so happy about where he's going... and then I'm so sad that my grandma has to go through this.  

John is an amazing, caring, loving, fun, intelligent, successful man whom I have always looked up to.  He's had a wonderful life full of family, faith, and devotion. He says he's not in pain and that he's relieved to be going home.   

I hope these next few days he has left go well for him.  Please keep him and my family in your prayers. I know we're going to need it this week.  

The garage sale junkies week 4

So today I was on my own for the sales. Russ is at his red-line attack
race for the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't find any books! But I
did find some really cool baskets both metal and weaved. One is huge
and I am going to spray paint it a really dark brown and use it as a
blanket basket. I also found some really cool costumes. Russ and I
decided a few weeks back that we wanted to start a costume box for our
future kids and us--- that way we can make hillarious movies and have
fun FHE nights and stuff like I did when I was a kid. So I found a
hippie costume, a fat sumo costume and a couple of wigs (notice Fro
Mama below). So it's a good start! And I think the deal of the morning
was these plates. I got all 8 for $1. They are these adorable little
fish plates. Which will be so fun on or dinning table for sushi or
dish night!!!

Fro mama

First night of botanical watercolor class

So tonight was my first night of botanical watercolor class. I've been
really excited about it all week. I got there and was totally
overwhelmed. This was an intermediate class and everyone was an expert
painter!!! They were all doing these amazing roses and daffodiles and
I was way intimidated.

So after failing a couple of times on daffodiles, I decided to draw
instead. I saw a photo of this picture online and decided to make my
own rendition. I think it turned out pretty good. Luckily our
professor let's us create whatever were in the mood to do.

Im really nervous about next week. Im really going to have to step it
up a notch or two. And get my color blending together so I can at
least play with the big kids next time.

So it finally caught up to you...

So Russ has been on a roll this week... Poor guy.

First his car with the clutch, then last night I come home and find
this on his desk--a letter from Budget Car Rental charging him $150
for the damage he incurred while rally car racing his rental in Utah
at the Provo airport. I've got to say it's about time that it's
caught up with him. I didn't even know that rental cars were abused
until I met him. And let's just say he's probably neared several
rental cars in the past to a quicker car death. Anyway, I don't know
what was worse for him, the letter, or me freaking out about it.

And then tonight I come home to find that he's completly altered his
car while I was at art class. The one thing I told him I hate most
about rice-rockets are the carbon fiber hoods because I think they
look ghetto. (I know all of you men out there cringe when I say this,
but seriously... It looks like you got in a car accident and didn't
have enough money to replace the same color hood on your car.) So just
imagine coming home and finding this--the whole middle part of his
car-- carbon fiber (which I guess I have to add in his defense, was
free through sponsorship)-- with no warning that it would be
happening. (I'm sure he'll be posting pictures soon for those of you
who want to see it.) Again, poor Russ. At least I can say life is
always full of suprises in our Taylor family. :)

I wont say "I told you so," but I guess I just did.

Okay it's almost been two weeks since Russ' car died. Yes, from his
racing stunts. Today we finally go to pick it up. Sharing a car wasn't
as bad as I thpught it was going to be, but I know Russ is excited to
have it back.

It's cancelled!

It's official. I got my card in the mail, called in and cancelled the
whole thing! Suprisingly the customer service lady was extremely nice
and took my whole complaint down (again, since I also sent a letter to
customer service) and was very apologetic. She said that it will go
through corporate, then regional, and then directly to the store. So I
feel somewhat satisfied. Casey ended up writting this amazing letter
too. I think we've both felt like we were able to make a statement!

Mini problems!

So I go out to my car to leave for work this morning and guess what...
My car won't start! It has been acting a little funny lately, but we
thought it was okay, but that wasn't the case this morning! So Russ
diagnosed it as either the battery or alternator. So we decided to try
the battery first. We walked to Kragen Auto Store around the corner
next to Target and got a new battery. Then we walked it back in a
roller suitcase. Russ just spent the last 1/2 hour installing it and
it worked! Yeah! So now I'm off to work. Russ is my car hero once again!

Spiritual High

So I am on a spiritual high this week. We had some great lessons at church on Sunday. Then I went visit teaching on Tuesday and had a blast (I’m partners with Michelle Dunkley and we visit Ali Ailport and Allysa Felt ,both high school seniors). On Wednesday night we had a Relief Society dinner (where Sister Kneght, my old beehive advisor growing up gave a talk…and on the side she asked me how my life was and if I had found the man of my dreams—and I got to say “YES I DID…EVEN BETTER THAN MY DREAMS!”). And last night Bishop Graff and Brother Fitzgerald came over for an hour to see how we are doing and to give us callings (can you guess what we’re going to do? I guess we’re not officially supposed to say until Sunday when we’re sustained, but I’m excited… mine is easy to guess… Russ’ will be a little harder).

I’ve just felt this awesome energy this week and I think it’s all from the spirit I’ve felt from the good lessons, from doing service, and from feeling like I really belong to this ward. I really feel blessed for the gospel in my life and for the spirit of peace and goodwill it gives to me.

Russ is amazing!

So tonight Russ threw a party at his new store location for all Apple
employees. (He invited The Shops of Mission Viejo, Fashion Island,
South Coast Plaza, and the Spectrum Apple store employees to come.) I
was able to come towards the end of the night, and the party was
hopping! He gave away free shields and laser engravings and the
employees were loving it! What a great idea! He is such an awesome
entreprenuer and I am so proud of him! :)

The Garage Sale Junkies week two.

Garage sale season has officially begun! I didnt write about last week
because i went by myself and didnt find too much. I think Russ is a
lucky charm. So yesterday russ and I went to a couple community
garage sales... And we scored. :) I'm totally excited about all 9
seasons of king of queens we found new, never opened for $60. On eBay
they're retailing for $100 to $225.00 for the set. We love the show
and have been talking about downloading all of the seasons for
years... So I think were going to watch them before we sell them...

I also found a whole bunch of books, a brand new blanket and really
cool bowl. Yesterday was a successful garage selling day!

Fuming against Lane Bryant

So I just spent that last hour and a half writing my story and then posting it on RipOff Report and LA.BBB.org.  I'm also preparing  a letter to send to Lane Bryant.... and I will also be contacting the credit agencies on Monday.  

I haven't been taken advantage of in a long time.  A very long time.... where I felt like someone purposely did something against my will for no reason.  

And now, comes the repercussion.  They didn't know who they were dealing with....  Here's what happened... let me know what you think.... has someone ever done this to you? Was I just naive?  Augghhh.... I can't believe what happened!

     Let me preface this by stating that I NEVER SIGNED anything stating that I wanted an open line of credit for Lane Braynt.  I was scammed by the sales representative into applying for a card by falsely representing the terms and conditions.

     I went into the Shops of Mission Viejo Mall today for my first time to visit Layne Bryant.  My friend, Casey, had been talking up the store saying what a great place it was to get business clothing.  We had been planning to go for a week because she received a coupon in the mail for a discount off of a purchase. 

      When we arrived, we were met with some great service representatives who measured me and helped me find the right clothing.  The shopping experience in the store was a lot of fun.  One service representative came up to us about three times asking if we wanted to sign up for a Layne Bryant card. My friend already had one, and I said I might be interested.  She kept asking if she could have my credit card so she could start the process.  I told her twice that if I found something I liked, I would consider it.  Within an hour,  I found several items and was ready to check out.

     The same rep who had asked me several time about the card, was at the register and I asked her to see if she had a specific pant size available. She said she would look online.  When I approached the register she had already rung up my other items and was waiting for me.  My friend also had a dress that she was going to buy.  My friend asked if we could use the coupon on both of our purchases. The sales rep then said—“I’ll tell you what, if you try to see if you are approved for a Layne Bryant card, I’ll give you 20% off, and I’ll let both of you guys use the coupon for your purchases.”  I then proceeded to tell her that I would have to talk to my husband about registering for a new line of credit before doing anything. 

      She then said, “Well you don’t have to accept the card. All I’ll do is see if you could have an open line of credit, and you’ll get 20% off of the purchase and both of you can use the coupon if you just give me your information.”  I asked her again if it would be an open line of credit and she said “No, all I need to do it put in your application, nothing will open if you don’t want it to.”  I didn’t see anything wrong with that—she made it sound like all she needed was an application, and nothing would happen—so I gave her my credit card, my social security number, and my address. 

     All of a sudden she hands me these terms and conditions along with a receipt saying, “you were approved, your line of credit is $300.00.  Congratulations! Do you want to put this on your new card?” 

      I was so taken aback that I said, “What do you mean I have a line of credit?  I thought I was just giving you an application, you said I could decline the card if I didn’t want it, all you were going to do was see if I was able to open a card or not.” 

      She said, “I’m sorry, but you were approved, so it just put you through and gave you a card, look at the receipt, here are your terms and conditions.”  I didn’t know what to say, I was flabbergasted.

     I then said “you just totally tricked me so you could sign up someone on a new card.  You totally lied to me.” 

      She just smiled and said, “I told you, you would be getting a card.” I couldn’t believe that she totally lied to me! 

      I couldn’t believe how I was taken advantage of.  My pleasurable shopping experience turned completely negative and I felt so helpless that someone would take advantage of me my credit like that.  My friend started to argue with her as well and was trying to ask her why she totally just lied to us and then did exactly what I told her I didn’t want her to do.  I looked to the other sales reps for help, but they just looked at me with pity… I couldn’t believe it!

      I started to argue with her again and said, “I don’t want a line of credit, can you please undo what you just did?” 

     The representative said, “Sorry, I can’t do anything anymore, you’ll have to do what ever it says on the terms and conditions.” 

     I said, “What do you mean?  You didn’t even explain to me how the card or the whole program worked.”  She then said “sorry, but you’ll have to contact your credit agency or the company, but there is nothing I can do”.  

       My friend was so disgusted by the whole thing that she handed the dress back and said “I won’t shop at a company that takes advantage and tricks people. You’ve lost my business.”  We walked off fuming.

 I NEVER SIGNED anything stating that I wanted her to run my credit, nor did I sign anything stating that I wanted a card or a line of credit open at this company.  I was scammed by the sales representative into applying for a card by falsely representing the terms and conditions.

      I couldn’t believe how horrible the situation was! I hope they don’t scam other shoppers like me. 

..................

So what do you think? Was I scammed? Or taken advantage of?  Man!!! I'm still so upset about it!

 

 

The PT cruiser has it's own rally race pit crew

So after a solid victory on the rally race circuit of Provo airport
with my awesome navigator (chris williamson with his iPhone) we had to
have the pit crew swap out a blow out( I guess you can call the tire
completly seperated from the wheel that)
We passed a jeep like it was standing still and made it first
across the finish line
PT cruiser FTW

And the office musical...

And this one is from Heathers blog.... for those of you who love The Office... you'll love this!!!

thanks for making my day rachel!!!

Rachel posted on her blog and it made me laugh so hard, that I had to share it on mine!!!

I think Baxters selling himself too short.

So I've been working on the magazine, organizing, and cleaning this
weekend while Russ has been gone. Baxter was helping me organize the
"art" room when I looked down and saw this. I had a good laugh!

The Cinderella Pact--A great read!

The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I was totally into it! The story line was fun and even though there were several morals to the story-- something I took from it is don't be scared to be who you are, live life to the fullest by basking in good friendships, family experiences, and romance and everything else will fall into place. I loved this book so much, I'm going to post it on my blog! :)

View all my reviews.