Washer Leak - Help!

It started with a small leak. The pan under my washer will fill up, although not overflow, and I noticed that the brown dirt from the washer was also there. A friend came and investigated and we found where the water was coming out.

After unsuccessfully testing several screws to see if something would fit, he suggested we take a photo of it and I go to a home improvement store to see what they suggest. That trip turned out uneventful and it was instead suggested I go to an appliance parts store - Marcone's in particular.

I arrived at Marcone's and was instantly greeted by Mark. He looked at my photo and said the leak was coming from the water pump. The cost for the pump was $50. I asked about how much it would cost for a plumber to fix it and he said he wasn't sure. He suggested, though, that since the washer was pretty old, it may be better just to invest the money in a new washer. He made several suggestions also of where to buy the washer.

While talking to him, I also spotted a cool product in the store that tests your dryer to tell you if it has the potential for a fire. I picked it up and told him I also wanted to buy that product while I was there. He suggested I not even waste my time or my money.

Although it was just a short and quick visit, I appreciated Mark's expertise and knowledge. Some salesmen want to sell you everything in the store, but Mark truly was focused on just giving me quality service. Thanks Mark!

Be Careful With My Blood

There is a screening at the University of Louisville that tries to watch for early signs of Ovarian Cancer. Since my mother passed away from this, I felt it was best for me to be a part of the screening. I participated last year and everything looked fine. This year, they wanted me to return for follow-up.

The actual screen was pretty quick. I was an ultra-sound. After that was completed they said they wanted to do blood work. I was hesitant to get blood work because the last time I gave blood (at a different hospital) they left this huge bruise under my skin that took several days to go away. I told Tracey Chatham about my hesitation and that everyone that takes my blood always comments on my protruding veins, yet they always seem to miss the vein on their first try.

She said they just didn't know what they were doing and used too big of a needle. I also told her about my last experience and she said that was because they didn't apply pressure afterwards. Tracey had a great personality and talked to me throughout the entire. Let me tell you - Tracey was a pro. She found the vein, stuck it right it and was able to fill three samples of blood.

You never think that having blood drawn will be a good experience, but I left the James Graham Brown Cancer Center with a band-aid on my arm, and a smile on my face!

Finding the Perfect Place to Watch the Heels

I had waited all day for 5:45 to come so I could watch my Tar Heels in the NCAA tournament. Imagine my dissatisfaction when 5:45 came and WLKY decided to show the Purdue game instead. I instantly threw on some clothes and headed out the door determine to find somewhere showing the game.

My first stop was the BW3 on Taylorsville Rd. They were busy, but there wasn't a wait. Most of the tvs were on the Purdue game but I asked if I could sit somewhere where I could watch UNC. The host sat me in my own booth and even turned a tv to the UNC game just so I could see it.

Nicole B. was my server. We started with my favorite drink, water on the rocks. Since I am getting ready to start training again, I wanted to try to eat as healthy as possible. I couldn't decide between naked chicken tenders or chicken wraps. I asked which one she'd suggest and she said the always eats the tenders, but if I am looking for a meal, then go with the wraps. Since I needed something to last an entire game, I went for the wraps. They were very tasty.

The UNC/LSU was very close for the first half. I jumped out of my seat several times and cursed several LSU fans that I felt cheered at the wrong time. The thing that was so wonderful about Nicole's service is that she let me have my space. Some servers can get on your nerve by stopping by every five minutes and asking if you need anything. Nicole did not. She let me watch my game and cheer on my Heels. When my water was low, she filled the cup. She asked if I needed anything, but never rushed me. Even though the restaurant started filling up and I was sitting at a big booth that held six people, Nicole made me feel welcome and that I was just as valued as any of her larger parties.

Toward the end of the second half, my Tar Heels pulled ahead and we moved on to the Sweet 16. Thanks Nicole B. for making my game watch experience a good one!

A Quick Jump

Don't just hate it when you are ready to go somewhere, you jump in your car, turn the key in the ignition - and then the car won't start!? That happened to me this weekend on Friday night as I was headed out to watch the University of Louisville game with some friends. The car didn't even try to start. I looked up and saw that the inside light on the passenger side had been left on. (Can't blame it on anyone but myself!)

Luckily, I am a AAA member and pulled out my gold card to use their services. I waited until Saturday morning to call when I thought it would be less busy. I had to be less than ten minutes from when I called and I heard the AAA people pull into my driveway. Two men stepped out to assist me with my car dilemma. All it took was a quick jump, and they were done. And, even though it was a quick job for them they were very talkative and fun to be around. For them to be the first people I saw on a Saturday morning, they helped me start it with a smile. One told me I needed to keep my car running and drive around for about 20 minutes - what a great reason to get dressed and head to the gym!

Thanks Kenny and the Rescue Rangers team!

It's More Than Just a Rhinestone

I decided to 'bling out' my fitness costume. I estimated that I would need 90 rhinestones to complete my entire outfit.

When I arrived at JoAnn Fabric's in St. Matthews they had all types of rhinestones of various prices and sizes. I wanted the larger ones that had the best shine. The package I selected had 15 rhinestones in it. I bought four packages.

Several days later I was gluing on the rhinestones to my outfit. I realized that I must not have had my carbs that day because 15 x 4 only equals 60. I was too bags short. I returned to JoAnn's to get two more bags. But the didnt' have them. After searching, I was able to find one bag. I had to have these exact size/color rhinestones in order to complete my outfit for the stage.

I went up to the front counter to see if they had any more packages in the back. Two younger girls were working at the counter. One was able to determine that their system said they had 12 packages in stock. As soon as she says this, up walks Sherry, another employee. Sherry said they could probably be in this big box they just received. I thought she would just blow me off and tell me to come back in a couple of days, but she didn't.

She asked me to follow her to the side of the store with a box with A LOT of items. She picked up a couple of packages, they were weren't what I needed. She said the chance of finding these exact rhinestones is almost like finding a match in a haystack. Well, Sherry must have found that match because as soon as she said it, she picked up my package.

I came back a day later and gave Sherry my thank you card. She was shocked that I took time out to thank her for her time. Shen opened the card and read the letter. She made a difference in my life, so I was glad to make a difference in hers!

Buy One, Get One Free

Places like Walgreens are great places to visit when you need something at the last minute. There happens to be one around the corner from my house on Taylorsville Rd.

I had been researching different supplements to take for my fitness training and saw that taking fish oil can help decrease body fat. So, I threw on my shoes and took the short drive.

If anyone has ever seen the vitamins row, there are probably five different brands of vitamins. The price range varies. I think to myself, are there really that many different types of Vitamin C? Shouldn't all vitamin C's be the same? After standing there looking confused, I decided on a brand \of fish oil pills that was priced in the middle.

I arrived at the front counter with my bottle. The cashier, Susan, scanned the bottle. She then said, "Hold on a second" and scanned the bottle again. I had no clue what she was doing. Then she said, "That's what I thought." She continued to tell me that these vitamins were on sale - buy one, get one free. She put my bottle in a bag and told me I could go back to the vitamin isle to get my other bottle.

I thought this was such a nice, honest caring gesture. When I was in the store I didn't have a "MY Day Made" card with me. Luckily, when I arrived home, I noticed that Susan's name was on top of my receipt. I went back several days later on a day I knew Susan was working. She seemed a little surprised when I walked up to her, but once I explained my reason, a smile beamed across her face. She gave me a great hug and said this was the first time anyone had ever done anything like that for her. It's moments like this that remind me the importance of reminding people that they make a difference!

Oh My Neck (but not my back!)

Neck issues are never fun to deal with. Especially when you can't sit up to get out of bed. Especially when it is painful just to brush your teeth. Especially when the thought of sitting through church makes you cringe. Especially when you wake up each morning unsure of whether or not you can move.

This was just how I felt during February. Nothing really seemed to be making my neck feel any better. I had been seeing Meghan at Jewish Hospital's Physical Therapy office. While I felt relaxed when I would visit, by the time I arrived back in my office I was back in pain. So much pain that I ended up receiving an MRI and then being referred to a Neurosurgeon.

But, Meghan saved the day! She started doing traction on my neck. When she did, as I left the office, it felt so wondeful to be able to move my neck in any direction without much restriction. Meghan did such a fantastic job that when I visited my Neurosurgeon he said he wasn't too worried about my neck since PT inproved my condition. So good that when I asked the Neurosurgeon if I could enter a fitness competition in two weeks where I would be tumbling, he said "Go For It!"

So good that my neck has started hurting much less. But, unfortunately so good that I may not need any more physical therapy visits. Meghan- you are the greatest eva!!!