Samsung Boycott...

OK... I am giving you a forewarning... this is going to sound like major whining, and if you don't want to hear that, just hit the X button and close the blog now!

I don't jump on the boycott bandwagon lightly... I always try to be very aware when I am tempted to feel offended, but Samsung has pushed my buttons, literally.

After our RV microwave almost toasted the whole rig (see previous post about "What A Day!), DH did research and discovered a recall on Samsung RV microwaves. Well, GREAT, we think, something will be done about this.

After more research and about 30 minutes on the phone to Samsung we discover, A) our microwave is not in the recall lot, B) even though we experienced the SAME problem that caused the recall on the other models, because our specific model has not been recalled, they will do nothing, and C) because our warranty has expired, we are just out of luck on this one.

HEY! We are not asking for anything for the damages to the RV. They are something we can either deal with or live with, BUT WE NEED A MICROWAVE! You can't just run to Wal Mart or Target and pick up a microwave that will fit an RV. These are "special" microwaves designed to fit in tiny spaces and hold together when bouncing down interstates at 65 MPH. And of course, they also come with a "special" price... about $160 for a tiny little microwave.

So although we can continue "up the ladder" to ring bells and yank chains on people with more authority, we need a microwave SOON. We have a trip planned in 2 weeks.

The result... I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SAMSUNG APPLIANCE!! The fact that they don't care that their microwave auto-started and almost burned up our camper and truck bugs me. That they KNOW this problem exists (and according to our research, others with our same model have had this issue, too, but there is still no recall) but they choose not to replace our microwave is just not right. If they won't stand behind their appliances, then I won't buy one!

WORD OF WARNING! If you have an RV microwave, NEVER store ANYTHING inside it, even though you do not use it very often!!! I imagine that if I had not stored things inside there, instead of a fire in the unit, it would have just "gotten tired and quit". Who knows?

IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WITH AN RV, PLEASE, PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO THEM! If our experience can prevent one other person from going through this it will have been worth it.

'Nuff said. Now off to quilt with my praise music turned really loud. Putting things into perspective, this is really a minor issue, and I am so very blessed in so many ways! So I think I will go count (blessings) for a while. Have a great day, and count your blessings, too.

Kat

For REAL... It IS fixed this time!!

Yah!! I have my friend, the laptop, back up and running correctly!! It is so good to be back in my own space for using the computer. DH was sweet enough to allow me use of his to check email and blog posts, but his chair does not "fit" me, and his screen is at a wierd angle that pains my neck... not complaining, just stating facts.

But we are back to blogging, etc. It has taken all afternoon to catch up with 2 weeks worth of email and MQP and Gammill Owner list digests, but I think I am done. Tomorrow I will catch up on blogs and also post about our MICROWAVE issues...too tired to deal with Samsung issues tonight.

See you all tomorrow, and sleep well.

Psalm 4:8 (KJV) I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Kat

What a day!

Our day started off great, with pancakes with fresh-picked huckleberries from the woods. DH noticed a bush with ripening berries just outside the window of the camper when we stayed in our woods last week. So he went back down yesterday and picked 250. Yep, he counted them as he picked! For those that are not familiar with huckleberries, they are like a wild blueberry, but much smaller. So we used about 200 of those berries in the pancakes. YUM!

And then... on a trip outside he noticed a smell, like paper burning. It was coming from the camper. He opened the door and smoke billowed out. Upon investigation, he realized the microwave (built-in) had a MAJOR issue. This made no sense at the time... I had stored some paper plates and cups in the microwave. We were not using it since we had no electricity at the camp spot. Somehow, after returning home and plugging the camper back into the electricity, the microwave turned on by itself and "cooked" my stored paper products. I mean cooked to the point of nothing left but ashes! The microwave is toast, there is a burned mark on the ceiling inside the cabinet where the microwave was mounted, and there are slight smoke stains inside the camper where it was, also. And of course there is a smoke smell that is NOT leaving fast!

Upon further investigation via the internet by DH, the Samsung microwave was under a recall because... "a defect in the keypad may cause the microwave oven to auto start." NO KIDDING! Oh yes... they also state, "You will not be charged for this repair." HMMM... I think it is a little late for a repair. We sure are hoping they will replace the microwave. We have a short trip planned in about 2 weeks and I really do need that microwave since I do not have an oven in the RV.

Anyone have any good ideas as to how to remove the smoke smell from the RV? We are feeling so blessed that the whole rig (RV and truck... this is a slide-in truck bed camper) did not go up in smoke. Thank You, Lord!

After a wonderful church service, DD Jennifer and I went to a little quilt shop about 45 miles away... today was its last day. This is the 3rd quilt shop that has closed in the 1 1/2 years I have been living here. We are down to just a few, and none of them any closer than a hour to hour-and-a-half drive. I did find just what I needed for the rainbow jelly roll quilt. Still looking for border fabric for the blue quilt and fabric for an apron. Jenn found fabrics for 2 quilts she plans on making for the girls.

Then a quick visit to Mom to drop off her Mother's Day gift. I was afraid that I would kill the beautiful orange/pink hybiscus if I tried to keep it until "the day" so I went ahead and gave it to her. She was very pleased with the plant, but even more pleased when I told her that I would be going to church with her on Mother's Day. Since I have responsibilities at my church, I have not gone to her's in a long time. I'm really looking forward to it!

So despite the microwave with a mind of its own, this has been a wonderful day. We are so blessed, and I really am working to focus on those blessings.

Count your blessings today, too. I think you will find a very long list there, because as we sang in church this morning, "God is good, all the time. He put a song of praise in this heart of mine. God is good, all the time. In the darkest night, His light still shines. God is good, He's so good all the time."

Be blessed!
Kat

Another Quick Update

I'm NOT whining... I promise I am not!! The technician came this morning, put the new motherboard in my laptop, tested things out and then left. Now we realize that the bluetooth is not working, therefore, still no internet or email. Another call to Dell, another motherboard and service call will be required... next week. I'm not whining because.... it's covered by the on-sight service plan we purchased when I got the laptop. I don't remember how much it costs us, but now I know it was money WELL spent!

The rainbow jelly roll is really looking good these days! I have 14 of the diamonds sewn together and will look for sashing fabric on the next quilt shop trip. The little blue art quilt just needs an outer border, which will also be purchased on my next trip to the QS.

A-Camping We Will Go... off to our woods this afternoon to spend the night in nature. DH has created a lovely camp site (and a road to get there) in our wonderful woods. Down in the section of our land lovingly named "Hollywood" (because there are so many holly and dogwood trees) he has created "Camp David" (named after himself). I doubt we will run into the President there, but it is a wonderful little spot, complete with fire ring and state-park-style grill. Tonight's menu... roasted weiners, of course! Hot dogs rule when roasted over a woodsy fire. We are foregoing the marshmallows this time... trying to help DH keep his blood sugar under control, and I don't need them either... but they sure are good!

Although this would be considered primitive camping due to the lack of electricity, I really don't think of it as such since we will be staying in the camper, complete with bathroom facilities. Now staying in a tent and having to commune with nature to relieve yourself... THAT's roughing it!!

Have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy your surroundings, too!
Kat

Making Progress...

Slowly but surely, things are getting done. A service technician will come tomorrow and install a new motherboard in my laptop. I will be SOOOOO glad to get my computer back up and running!! I sure hope this fixes its issues and the computer and I are once again BFFs.

I got 3 customer quilts done in the last 2 days. YAH!! That means tomorrow I can have some "me" time, which will probably be spent doing some housework, preparing music for church on Sunday, and then a little quilt piecing time, I hope.

What will I piece? I really NEED to be finishing up the Glorified 9-Patch, but I will probably work on the Rainbow Jelly Roll quilt. Then I will need to purchase some sashing and setting triangle fabric for it... I don't think I have ANYTHING in my stash that will work for this one.

One of the UFOs I carried to quilt club on Saturday is done except for the borders. I had the PERFECT border fabric in my stash, but unfortunately I only had a fat-quarter... not enough. I am planning on going to a not-so-local quilt shop on Friday and can hopefully find more of this, or something very similar to finish off the little art quilt. After quilting I will add crystals to it. NOTE TO SELF: Order more crystals ASAP!! I'll post pictures when done.

So it has been a good week so far, despite the computer issues. I am so blessed in so many ways. Thank you, Lord!!

Kat

A Jelly Roll Give-Away

Hurry over to Amy's blog!! She is giving away a jelly roll, but you must work fast... entry will end at midnight on this Wednesday, Aprill 22.

And while you are there check out her wonderful quilts!!

Kat

Atta Gal, Zoe!

Cats are such wonderful creatures. I never really was around any cats growing up... my mom did NOT like cats! I was very surprised at some of their instincts when I first became "owned" by Wishy Cat (short for Alloisious. Named by the kids after the cat on "PeeWee's Playhouse"), a stray that showed up and soon wrapped herself around my heart.



One of the most amusing things to me was the "presents" cats sometimes leave on your doorstep, literally. It's just not quite so amusing when you step onto the back porch barefooted, half awake, and discover a present of inards of some poor creature has just squished between your toes. EEEEWWWWWW!





But Zoe Girl, our adopted long-hair darling, has paid for her raising today. DH had propped the storm door to the back porch open a tiny bit after the sweet potato thievery was noticed, hoping that one of our cats would venture onto the back porch and solve this problem for us. When he called for me to come see something, I did not expect to find the perp lying on our doormat, but there it was.



I find it somewhat amusing that my friend, Paula thought my post about the 'tater thief was about a sweet little "mouse". I assure you, this is no mouse but a full-grown pack rat, which measures a full 12" from nose to tail. So Paula, here is a photo of one of those critters. They are Ugly with a capital U, but still amazing in their own God-created way. Now if the description of such vermin is just too much for you to handle, then do NOT look at the picture below. However if, like me, you are amazed at the variety of God's creatures, then scroll on down and check the 'tater thief out.



Here's hoping that there are no more of these in our yard!

Kat

Computer, Quilting Updates

Not much time for blogging this morning. I am on my way to take my computer to get it repaired... still overheating, even with the cooling tray. Also I am on my way to Quilt Till You Wilt with my local quilt group. A full day of sewing on MY projects... :) !!!!!

I'm taking 3 different projects to work on... hopefully I can get lots done on at least 2 of them today. That will really get me moving on the "Spring to Finish". I'll update as soon as I get my computer back.

Laugh today!! Laughter doeth good like a medicine. (From Proverbs, somewhere... no time to look up the reference now.... OK... You can start your day by laughing about THAT!) Have a great day!

Kat