My laptop is dead. About a month ago the battery suddenly burst... talk about scary! The first rep I talked to with Apple completely freaked me out by telling me to immediately put the battery outside, as if it was going to suddenly explode completely. He then told me that I could go to the nearest Apple store and get a free replacement. I was so relieved! But before I could thank him for his help, he told me I would have to speak to his supervisor. After a few minutes, an abrupt woman came on the line and proceeded to interrogate me. Where was the laptop when the battery burst? (On my stomach.) Was I injured in any way? (Does mental trauma count?) Did I have any painful substance on my hands from touching the battery? (Um.. no, but now you're really freaking me out!) Had I scrubbed my exposed skin since handling the battery? (Seriously examining my skin at that point, wondering how much time I had left before it melted from my bones.) Was the computer case damaged? (Not that I could see.) Was anyone else in the vicinity when the battery burst? (Looking for ways to discredit my story? No witnesses makes it easy to deny my claim, right?) After about 5 minutes of in-depth questioning.. (covering their asses) the woman told me that this is "normal" for laptop batteries and that I should bring the laptop battery to one of their stores for disposal (for a fee, I might add) and then I would be welcome to purchase another battery for $189. WTF?! The last dude told me that I would be covered.. Futhermore, while you had me on hold I did a little research on my iPad and learned that a few years ago, Apple admitted these batteries were defective and had a battery replacement program. How about that?? Woman said no. Then she said no again. And just for good measure, she said no a third time.
Wow.
Thanks, Apple. Because of your "normal" battery, I now have almost no regular internet access. I can tell you that my Dell Laptop never.. I repeat, NEVER did such a "normal" thing! I've learned my lesson though. You can bet my next laptop will not be an Apple.
So.. I need to save for an overpriced laptop battery. But no matter how much I try to put money aside, things keep coming up to take that money away for other things. What things, you might ask? Well, here's a few of the other items/people I have funded recently..
Abby and Linzie turned 16! Can you believe that? I would much
rather spend money on their driver's licenses, birthday dinner, and
presents than a silly laptop battery!
I loved their balloons this year! I had such a hard time convincing the clerks to let me have two bouquets. Did you know there is a world-wide helium shortage? It's true!
We took the girls to The Cheesecake Factory (a birthday favorite!) for Abby and Linzie's birthday dinner. Emily had to work.. :( so it was just Bill and I plus our two sets of twins. We died laughing when a group of waiters sang happy birthday to the WRONG set of twins! Judging by the picture here though, Carley didn't mind.
My adorable baby girls. Hard to believe they're so grown up! They are driving almost everywhere now and I'm so proud of how responsible they are! I just wish I could have even one more day with their bald baby heads. I don't know what I ever did in my life that was good enough to deserve these two!
Following close on the heels of the birthday was Abby and Linzie's orchestra fund raiser. Believe it or not, I bought $120 worth of chocolate bars from them.. which I see them nibbling on daily. Oh the things we do as parents to support our kiddos!
Birthdays and fundraisers were enough to delay the purchase of a new laptop battery, but then to add insult to financial injury, I found myself in need of an emergency dental procedure last week. I was traumatized because I have always taken such good care of my teeth! Once again, as quickly as I got my head above water, those tricky financial gods took it all away again.
So for now, the battery must wait. There's orchestra dresses to pay for, unexpected furniture purchases to pay off and those ever present medical and dental bills. Being a grown up is so much fun!
