looks like I tied for eighth place on that list

I don't know if I can say this company made my day, but after six months of endless phone on-holds, being passed around from person to person, "lost mail", Better Business Bureau reporting and outright roadblocks, Rheem finally sent us a check for our lifetime Marathon Water Heater than didn't make it a lifetime (it made it about 16 years). Just about the time we were ready to go to the next level (by this time we were all in), they sent a check for more than we thought we would get. Happy to chalk up this little victory for the consumer and cross it off our list.

I have the next two weeks off from work during which I have a pinball tournament to play in, the kids will be home for some portion of the holidays and a very short honey do list which will leave me plenty of time to work on some pins and a game room project I have been wanting to do. By the end of it I will problem regret what I didn't get done but for now I am happy!

We traded in the wife's 2013 Durango and our 2010 Ram for a new Ram 1500 for her back in late November. Ordered Nov 20th, came in January 28th. Just under 10 weeks, much sooner than we thought. Happy wife, happy life

If we could only get NIB pins that fast ...

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The dealer said it was their fastest one yet during COVID. I think we just got lucky - picked a build package they already had going on the line, or possible already done waiting on a chip. Who knows? When we ordered they said hopefully 16 weeks so they beat that pretty good.

Last day in the Military was May 31st. First went into the Army in 1983. Served in all three compos (Active, Reserves, National Guard). Deployed to Afghanistan, state emergencies, been to multiple other countries including Poland, Panama, Egypt, Israel, Germany, Romania, Kuwait, and others. Had great opportunities to command and serve with great people who care about the nation and the world. At first I was a little melancholy about it, but now feel happy - mission complete.

This pic was from the Illinois National Guard's Civil Disturbance Response in Chicago in 2020. We had 900 soldiers deployed across the state. The tall guy is from our MP battalion who was primarily deployed in Chicago. I'm the short guy

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Day three of a Four Day weekend at home. Pretty happy just working on things that have been on the list for a while. Currently "tricking" out the Golf Car dash, wiring and a new Steering wheel. Why I don't know but it is nice to work on something outside that doesn't involve getting on a ladder or moving massive amounts of mulch, rock or stone.

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That is a ton of points you just banked! You can really screw up two, maybe three times before using them all up!

Just got woke up by a storm - not too bad, transitioned to a gentle rain pretty quick. The dog and cat are both scared of storms, but mostly the dog - he has a spot in our closet under my clothes he retreats to. Try to hold him but he shakes pretty violently so it is better to let him go to the closet. I am happy this wasn't a bad storm - we have been pummeled here lately and we lost five-six trees over two particularly bad storms but luckily no people, house or car damages.

Three days ago our seven month year old cat bolted out the door and didn't come back - the first night was 30 degree temps but the second night got to minus 6 degrees and was almost as cold last night. My wife was convinced she was a goner and was pretty upset. Last night I got up in the middle of the night to stoke the fire and thought I heard a soft meow outside. Got dressed and called her name - she was 30 feet up in a tree by the fireplace. Got an extension ladder and got her down and in the house. She was moving slow but it does not look like she got frostbite, at least not much or permanent damage. Was probably mostly dehydrated. Doubtful she was in the tree the whole time. Mostly sleeping now but drinking water and eating and moving around. We will take her into the vet on Monday if we see any further signs of frostbite but this pretty much seems like a Christmas Miracle for us.

Wife is super happy, and so am I (the dog not so much I think )

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Johnny,
I am happy to read your optimistic posts not just here but in many threads. One of the positive personalities on Pinside - Thanks and keep it up!

My oldest daughter completed her dissertation defense and after seven years will be getting her doctorate in Plant Biology. We are not suppose to make any announcements but she is not on Pinside so I think this is ok We are very happy she stuck with it!

Me too. Love the smell, crisp mornings, foliage colors, getting some projects done on those last few good weekends without the blistering heat, getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

@mooch, Rock Band is a childhood memory, not for me but my kids - we played it a lot when they are young and now they like a lot of the same Rock music I do - that makes me happy