The Toy Box Years: Score One For The Little Guy!

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

So, for those of you following my Toshiba laptop saga.......

Yesterday I talked to Derek - the head Geek over at Geek Squad. Derek explained to me that in spite of Toshiba trying to give them the run-around, the Geeks stood strong. It was a heroic battle of epic proportions, but in the end.....David slew Goliath.

I am getting a new laptop!

The little man will not be squashed by Big Bad Corporation!

What made me even more endearing to Derek? Well, I called them at exactly 1:05pm. I was told the day before that Derek starts his shift at 1pm. I gave him 5 minutes to get settled before I called. And Derek? Dear sweet Derek apologized TO ME for not calling me sooner! I told him that he had no need to apologize since I was the impatient one and couldn't wait for him to call me.

So, as a note of thanks, I have composed the following notes:

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Dear Toshiba:

While I am one small piece of stone under your corporate feet, yesterday, victory was mine. Your piece of crap computer will no longer be the source of my high blood pressure and temper tantrums. You may have tried your little tactics, but my might Geek Squad Warriors prevailed. I suppose that I also can thank you, in a small way, for providing me with a BRAND NEW LAPTOP.

So...PPPfffffffftttttttttttttttt!!!

Sincerely -

A Happy Dell/HP/Compaq Laptop Customer

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Dear Derek and the rest of you Geek Squad compadres -

I love you! You embraced your Geek Status with pride and fought for the little man. And won! I appreciate all that you have done to ensure that I will never have to utter the words F****** Toshiba ever again. You will no longer cringe when I walk up to your help desk and threaten to see how far a Toshiba laptop can be airborne. And while it saddens me that I hope that after today, I never have to see you again, I will always bring any computer issue to your feet. You guys rock!

Sincerely -

One Very Happy Geek Squad Customer

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