Yes, I do still exist, I've just been enjoying a little free time with the family, and since Brian is off, my regular "computer hours" are now "sitting on the couch and eating hours."
Today is alas Weigh in Friday. Before I post my results, I'll remind my trusty readers that the average American gains 1-5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Today I weighed in at 150, which is one pound MORE than last week. Hooray for me, a weight GAIN. But I can't say I didn't expect it...
After months of being seemingly deprived of all that's good (well, almost) I figured I'd give myself a little treat over the holidays (read: the past week). I didn't completely gorge myself like I usually would except for Christmas day but I did indulge in a few cocktails that brought me over my 20 point daily limit. Add Christmas breakfast and dinner, and everything in between (Santa's chocolate chip cookies were pretty damn good - it must be the 2 sticks of butter...) and I'd say I didn't follow the rules so much this week.
The results, while a clear step back, weren't completely devastating. I've been back on track after Tuesday, and don't see any more major eating events in the near future...
Stay tuned.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Weigh in Friday
Despite the fact that I ate like total poo this past week (to include one Christmas party with free booze and a 2 day trip to Lafayette), I somehow managed to lose another pound, putting me officially under the 150 mark. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised (but pleasantly) as I stepped onto the scale at home and saw the results. I was pretty sure that 1/2 pound cheeseburger, fries, spicy mayo, several "cocktails", loaded nachos, mozerella sticks, and the Triple X (Tri-Chi as it's known to the locals) Breakfast Special in the morning would've done me in. Guess not.
It felt great to eat like shit. Does that make sense? I guess I haven't really indulged in whatever I wanted since roughly October, so it felt good to put the points bracelet in the drawer and go out and enjoy myself. I suppose as long as I don't do it on a regular basis, or even a semi-regular basis, it's ok. Plus it quenched my craving for a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger for a while.
All right... now I'm hungry...
It felt great to eat like shit. Does that make sense? I guess I haven't really indulged in whatever I wanted since roughly October, so it felt good to put the points bracelet in the drawer and go out and enjoy myself. I suppose as long as I don't do it on a regular basis, or even a semi-regular basis, it's ok. Plus it quenched my craving for a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger for a while.
All right... now I'm hungry...
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
All I Want For Christmas...
Is my two front teeth (and someone to pay my Discover bill). This post serves a dual purpose. I got to test out my new studio lights, and I got a good pic of Vincent sans teeth. I thought it was so cute that he lost both of his front teeth for Christmas.The only way I could convince him I needed him to pose (again) was to take a picture of him with his dozer. Actually, I shouldn't post this, because I only had really half of my lighting available (I'm waiting for a stand for a reflector for the right side) which is why the right side of his face is so heavily shadowed.... is that TMI? Just trust me :)
Oh well, it's still cute, and I had to put something on so my trusty readers didn't wonder where the hell I've been...
Tonight I need to finish up some Christmas stuff, and get started on my wrapping. Well, at least thinking/planning my wrapping. Ugh. This is the part of Christmas I hate...
Friday, December 14, 2007
Dog Gone (Almost)
I really like our border collie. He's G-R-E-A-T with the kids, and has never shown even a hint of aggression. The only problem is that he loves me too much. Any time I leave (a lot of the times anyway) he tears shit up. Whether he's inside or outside, in the garage, whatever. Something pays the price for me leaving him. Separation anxiety? At it's worst.
Aside from that, Brian often sleeps during the day. If the dog is in a crate, he howls and yips until Brian wants to kill him. If I leave him out, he runs up and down the fenceline to the point he has actually created muddy trenches in the paths he runs through the yard (which is a whole acre big, mind you). He is incessant about chasing cars, trucks, UPS men, when ever one even drives down the road (behind the fence of course, he just goes up and down the fence line, over and over and over and over and over and over...)
If we tie him up, he paces and/or barks the whole time. I know he is a herder, but it is really ridiculous. He gets so much exercise he looks like a greyhound, and is nothing but muscle.
We are just getting sick of destruction. Whether its the yard or something in the house.
We don't know what to do. When we're home, he's fine. He'll lay down and usually mind his own business (when he can see us). Let him out for more than 2 nanoseconds, and he's a muddy mess from running the trenches. So then it's into the garage to dry off, and if we leave him there too long, something gets chewed up. We've tried bones, toys, everything. He even steals food (bread, namely) off the counters and eats it the second we leave.
Yeah, I see the obvious solution, don't leave stuff out, but I don't want to have to pack up the house each time I want to leave. He even stole a chicken breast I was thawing in the sink one time.
Ug. Patience is wearing thin, but I hate to get rid of such a good "kid dog." Any suggestions?
Check out my poll on the right...
What kind of dog was your "best dog"?
Aside from that, Brian often sleeps during the day. If the dog is in a crate, he howls and yips until Brian wants to kill him. If I leave him out, he runs up and down the fenceline to the point he has actually created muddy trenches in the paths he runs through the yard (which is a whole acre big, mind you). He is incessant about chasing cars, trucks, UPS men, when ever one even drives down the road (behind the fence of course, he just goes up and down the fence line, over and over and over and over and over and over...)
If we tie him up, he paces and/or barks the whole time. I know he is a herder, but it is really ridiculous. He gets so much exercise he looks like a greyhound, and is nothing but muscle.
We are just getting sick of destruction. Whether its the yard or something in the house.
We don't know what to do. When we're home, he's fine. He'll lay down and usually mind his own business (when he can see us). Let him out for more than 2 nanoseconds, and he's a muddy mess from running the trenches. So then it's into the garage to dry off, and if we leave him there too long, something gets chewed up. We've tried bones, toys, everything. He even steals food (bread, namely) off the counters and eats it the second we leave.
Yeah, I see the obvious solution, don't leave stuff out, but I don't want to have to pack up the house each time I want to leave. He even stole a chicken breast I was thawing in the sink one time.
Ug. Patience is wearing thin, but I hate to get rid of such a good "kid dog." Any suggestions?
Check out my poll on the right...
What kind of dog was your "best dog"?
Weigh In Friday
Ok, so this week wasn't nearly as successful as the past few. I decreased my points to 20/day, which isn't very much. I kept track of my points well, at least I think I did, and my grand weight loss total was an impressive ZERO pounds. Nil. Nada. Nothing. Zilch.
I think I've hit that "plateau" which, naturally, is right at a major hurdle that I have really never overcome for more than a few days. I can't remember the last time when I was one-fourty something, and it wasn't related to water gain/loss.
I kinda expected this though. I knew at some point the pounds/week would taper off, and I guess now is the time.
Hopefully, next week will be better, but as Christmas carry-ins, parties, and gatherings are starting, it's going to be a rough couple of weeks for me.
I think I've hit that "plateau" which, naturally, is right at a major hurdle that I have really never overcome for more than a few days. I can't remember the last time when I was one-fourty something, and it wasn't related to water gain/loss.
I kinda expected this though. I knew at some point the pounds/week would taper off, and I guess now is the time.
Hopefully, next week will be better, but as Christmas carry-ins, parties, and gatherings are starting, it's going to be a rough couple of weeks for me.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ticket Follow Up
Wow, that post got your attention!!! Anyway, there were a lot of comments I feel like I should answer, so I am doing a separate post.
Q: How do you feel about those officer association stickers? What about PBA cards? I have heard people swear it helps.
A: Not really. There are a few stickers that cops recognize, but they are usually only the kind cops can get. I'd say, for me, they are neutral. They don't help but they don't hurt either.
Q: Sometimes you honestly don't know why you got pulled over...Do you have one for how I can keep from feeling like one of America's most wanted when I get pulled over by a policeman...I sit there, not crying, but shaking in my shoes!
A: We are just people, just like you. We eat, poop, fight, laugh, cry, and get nervous, too. I think the first part of that question says a lot. Lots of times people truly don't know why they are getting pulled over, which, in a large part, is what makes pulling people over necessary. When people are JUST NOT PAYING ATTENTION is when they are the most dangerous. You weren't aware you were going 92? Well, I was aware, and it makes me even more scared that you didn't know you were going 92. That means if you had to swerve, stop, whatever, you'd do it like you were going 65, or 55, which is a recipe for disaster. I've been pulled over since I was a cop, and I still get that cold sweat when I see lights in my rearview mirror. I think that's just a normal response. And remember, we act like you are America's Most Wanted until we know that you're NOT America's Most Wanted. You might know who we are when you're getting stopped, but I have no clue who you are (whether you're in a minivan or not) and I have no idea if you just robbed a bank, or killed someone, or both. We do it for our safety, and so that we don't get complacent thinking, "It's just another minivan..."
Q: You must have been really naughty, to get pulled over in your own driveway!
A: Not really a question, but if you look at the picture really good, you'll see Vincent in the passenger seat effecting the traffic stop :)
Q: I had an MP tell me one time, another tip was to just answer yes or no. When a cop pulls you over and says, "do you know how fast you were going?" that it's better to answer yes or no than to answer with the speed. Is that a good idea?
A: That's a good strategy if you want a ticket. That's more so that the cop doesn't have a "speed confession" from you. To me, personally, "yes, I know how fast I was going" is kind of a condescending answer.
I hope you enjoyed this post, I know I enjoyed the questions and responses...
And thank you to all who thanked ME for doing my job... often times it's thankless, but we realize poople generally don't like the police... till they need one. Many times we encounter people at their worst, but look at places like Iraq. Unfortunately we are necessary to keep "civil disobedience" at bay as much as we can...
Q: How do you feel about those officer association stickers? What about PBA cards? I have heard people swear it helps.
A: Not really. There are a few stickers that cops recognize, but they are usually only the kind cops can get. I'd say, for me, they are neutral. They don't help but they don't hurt either.
Q: Sometimes you honestly don't know why you got pulled over...Do you have one for how I can keep from feeling like one of America's most wanted when I get pulled over by a policeman...I sit there, not crying, but shaking in my shoes!
A: We are just people, just like you. We eat, poop, fight, laugh, cry, and get nervous, too. I think the first part of that question says a lot. Lots of times people truly don't know why they are getting pulled over, which, in a large part, is what makes pulling people over necessary. When people are JUST NOT PAYING ATTENTION is when they are the most dangerous. You weren't aware you were going 92? Well, I was aware, and it makes me even more scared that you didn't know you were going 92. That means if you had to swerve, stop, whatever, you'd do it like you were going 65, or 55, which is a recipe for disaster. I've been pulled over since I was a cop, and I still get that cold sweat when I see lights in my rearview mirror. I think that's just a normal response. And remember, we act like you are America's Most Wanted until we know that you're NOT America's Most Wanted. You might know who we are when you're getting stopped, but I have no clue who you are (whether you're in a minivan or not) and I have no idea if you just robbed a bank, or killed someone, or both. We do it for our safety, and so that we don't get complacent thinking, "It's just another minivan..."
Q: You must have been really naughty, to get pulled over in your own driveway!
A: Not really a question, but if you look at the picture really good, you'll see Vincent in the passenger seat effecting the traffic stop :)
Q: I had an MP tell me one time, another tip was to just answer yes or no. When a cop pulls you over and says, "do you know how fast you were going?" that it's better to answer yes or no than to answer with the speed. Is that a good idea?
A: That's a good strategy if you want a ticket. That's more so that the cop doesn't have a "speed confession" from you. To me, personally, "yes, I know how fast I was going" is kind of a condescending answer.
I hope you enjoyed this post, I know I enjoyed the questions and responses...
And thank you to all who thanked ME for doing my job... often times it's thankless, but we realize poople generally don't like the police... till they need one. Many times we encounter people at their worst, but look at places like Iraq. Unfortunately we are necessary to keep "civil disobedience" at bay as much as we can...
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
WFMW: How Not to Get a Ticket
I figured as we are all running around, spending our last pennies on Christmas gifts, juggling kids, cell phones, and ...What?
Is that cop pulling ME over? Yup. In the day of too many distractions and not enough time, many of us find ourselves pulled over. With those festive red and blue flashing lights and strobes right in our rear view mirror...
Is that cop pulling ME over? Yup. In the day of too many distractions and not enough time, many of us find ourselves pulled over. With those festive red and blue flashing lights and strobes right in our rear view mirror...
What to do? How do you NOT get a very merry ticket?
Read on for a few tips from someone who knows (these are not guaranteed to get you out of a ticket, but they will sure help, usually).
1. TELL THE TRUTH!!!! I put this as number one for a reason. As cops, you must understand that we spend 99.9% of our time being lied to. That makes us literal human lie detectors. When the cop asks you how fast you were going or if you had your seatbelt on, we are not asking because we don't know the answer. We just want to hear what you have to say. So fess up. Yeah, I was going 78 in a 55 and I know that's way too fast with all the other people out on the roads... Whatever. Just tell the truth. I actually gave a guy a WARNING for better than 30 mph over the limit just because he told the truth... which leads me to my second point.2. BE ACCOUNTABLE. Don't blame YOUR speed, YOUR failure to signal your lane change, or YOUR (insert infraction here) on someone else. I actually had a lady blaming her 2 year old in the backseat because she was speeding. Uh, yeah, I don't think that kid was reaching into the front seat pushing the gas pedal. So be accountable. You are in control of your car, and really, your whatever is really your fault. If "that guy" was tailgaiting, intimidating, driving recklessly, blah, blah, blah, then pull over and get away from him. Don't speed up, or pass on the shoulder, or whatever other great idea you have.
3. DON'T CRY. For God's sake. No tears. My goodness, it's just a traffic stop. Tears will surely get you a ticket from me. And most other cops I know. Enough said.
4. DON'T ARGUE AND DON'T ASK TO SEE MY RADAR. The United States of America has a great judicial system. If you weren't (insert infraction), go to court and let the judge decide. Police officers REALLY don't like holding a mini court session while they are standing on the side of the road trying to not get run over. Also, just for the record, NO I don't have to show you my radar!!!
5. DON'T ASK FOR A WARNING. I don't care if you haven't had a ticket in 3 years. 5 years. 10 years, whatever. Thanks for the information, but I can find that out on my own. And really, asking for a warning is just obnoxious. Your attitude (see points 1, 2, 3, and 4) is what dictates whether or not you get a ticket (usually). Believe me, you suggesting a warning isn't going to make the cop say, "oh yeah, I forgot I could issue those, too).
6. LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST.... DON'T TELL ME YOU PAY MY SALARY!!! Let it be known to all motoring public. Police officers pay Federal, State, and Local taxes just like you. So essentially, we pay our own salaries.
Hopefully this helps.
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
Take a better group picture...
Taking better pictures...
How to keep holiday gift giving under control...
The best hair tie ever...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Weigh in Friday
I did it. A solid, positive 150 showed up on my scale this morning. With me standing on it! I lost another 2 pounds this week, and overcame a real hurdle. For some reason, even when I've dieted before 153 seems to be the number I get stuck at, so the 150 looked pretty damn good to me! This week was different than the first few in that it was the first week that I subtracted 2 points from my daily allowance. It was also the fist week since I started this that we didn't go out to eat at a restaurant. It came the end of the week, and I realized I still had over 30 "flex points" left. I ate snacks in the evenings, and indulged in a few "calming" drinks, and still had a bunch of points left over.
I'm sure that won't be the situation as soon as all these Christmas parties and stuff really kick in. So anyway, this plan continues to work for me and I feel great.
Till next Friday...
I'm sure that won't be the situation as soon as all these Christmas parties and stuff really kick in. So anyway, this plan continues to work for me and I feel great.
Till next Friday...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A True Miracle
I know it's the Christmas season and all, and I know that everyone is talking about miracles (well, in theory anyway). But this is a real, live, miracle. My grandma FINALLY has new carpeting. Without going into real detail, lets just say it was well overdue. Let's just say, I haven't seen anything but the green shag ever in her house, since I was a little girl. Well, the day has come that the non-English speaking workers overtook her house, and in a matter of hours, transformed it into a modern miracle.Funny thing is, they say if you wait long enough, it'll come back into style. Funny thing is that when I googled "green shag" I got a bunch of stuff that is, well, back in style (apparently). I thought I'd get a couple of links to someones family portrait from 1952, but I'm seeing where I can actually order some NEW green shag of my very own!!! Imagine that. That's ok though, believe me, this family is glad to see it go. Along with the green slate tile that was under it (or is that back in, too?). Contact me. I know where you can find about 150 square yards of the stuff. Free.
I love how they now call it "retro green" shag rug to attract young, trendy buyers. Lets call it what it is. 1970's flashback OD green brushable carpet. Anyway. I took these pictures as evidence for any of those distant (Sissy) family members who may not believe the day has actually come that it is in... behold. No more green shag...
I know, it's pathetic that I have about 10,000.00 worth of camera equipement at my disposal and this is the best I can do to document the miracle, but you can thank Motorola and Razr for these high quality images...
I'm so happy for her. Now we just have to get the Hummels back in the cabinet...
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
WFMW: Easy Last Minute Meals
I'm glad I checked, because I had a really good WFMW post for this week that I'm sure many of you would've enjoyed, but I remembered this was a theme week, so, in the name of playing nice, I'll comply.Shannon wants our best last minute meal ideas. I guess this is it. All you need is:
about a pound of ground beef (or ground whatever)
a box of regular old macaroni and cheese
one can of any vegetable that your family will eat
a can of cream of whatever soup
some shredded cheese, if you have it.
Preheat your oven to about 325. Brown the ground beef while cooking the macaroni noodles. When the ground beef is done, drain it, dump in the cooked (and drained) noodles, soup, vegetable and cheese powder from the mac and cheese and mix it all together.
Dump it all in a 13x9 pyrex, top it with the shredded cheese (optional) and stick it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, just to cook all the flavors together. While it's in the oven, pour the drinks, get the plates and silverware out, even do the dishes. Voila, as easy as it gets.
It also makes great leftovers, and the kids usually eat it up. You can also add any random spice you may have in the cabinet (garlic powder, italian seasoning, whatever) to jazz it up a little.
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
Easy way to cut kids food...
Take a better group picture...
Taking better pictures...
How to keep holiday gift giving under control...
The best hair tie ever...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Weigh In Friday
I almost forgot... it's Weigh In Friday. I lost another 2 pounds this week, not bad considering Thanksgiving was last Thursday and we had a kids birthday party with cake, too. Now I get to experience decreasing my point intake by 2 points per day and let me tell you, 20 points is not a lot of food. Unless you eat vegetables all day. Well, keep chuggin. I haven't been this weight since college...
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Poor Me.
I see a theme here. As a person involved in law enforcement the recent disappearance of Stacey Peterson from Bolingbrook, IL, and this spring's disappearance of Theresa Parker, I am disturbed. Both were (or as they claim, are) wives of police officers. I have watched both of their husbands taped television interviews and see an alarming similarity to both Drew Peterson and Sam Parker. It's all about me. Even when asked about how they feel about their wives leaving them for another man, how they feel about the fact that they haven't been seen or heard from, they make a short boo-hoo statement, and go right back in to how it's all so unfair for THEM.
This http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=11188157 is a link to the Sam Parker interview and this http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=98456f87-5fda-422e-a4c2-285b8e94a648is a link to the Peterson interview. Watch them both. Now I'm no statement analysis expert, but isn't there a shocking similarity between these two men, and their stories?
If you couldn't tell, I've been very interested in the Peterson case. While I know first hand that the media makes mistakes, and that there is A LOT more to a story than what's made public, I still find the facts, or lack thereof, in this case very interesting. These men just don't appear to be mourning the disappearance of their wives. Or even bothered by the fact that they "ran off" with other men... which is alarming, given most police officers I know are extremely type A people. They like to be in control. And have mercy on the person who crosses them. I doubt any person, especially someone with a take control personality would just shrug something like this off, and turn on the "poor me, I'm the victim" mentality.
I've already convicted Drew Peterson. I hope a jury does the same, someday.
This http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=11188157 is a link to the Sam Parker interview and this http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=98456f87-5fda-422e-a4c2-285b8e94a648is a link to the Peterson interview. Watch them both. Now I'm no statement analysis expert, but isn't there a shocking similarity between these two men, and their stories?
If you couldn't tell, I've been very interested in the Peterson case. While I know first hand that the media makes mistakes, and that there is A LOT more to a story than what's made public, I still find the facts, or lack thereof, in this case very interesting. These men just don't appear to be mourning the disappearance of their wives. Or even bothered by the fact that they "ran off" with other men... which is alarming, given most police officers I know are extremely type A people. They like to be in control. And have mercy on the person who crosses them. I doubt any person, especially someone with a take control personality would just shrug something like this off, and turn on the "poor me, I'm the victim" mentality.
I've already convicted Drew Peterson. I hope a jury does the same, someday.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
WFMW: Cutting Kids Food
Maybe I was just the last person to figure this out, but your standard, good ol' PIZZA CUTTER cuts more than pizza. We have 4 of these things in our house, and I use them to cut EVERYTHING. With kids, as many of you know, at mealtimes there is a lot of cutting to be done. This works great... just line up the food - chicken, green beans, bread... whatever - and roll away (I sound like a Bob Seger song). 
Funny, even Wikipedia defines "pizza cutter" as a utensil that is used to cut pizzas. Touche. It cuts much, much more, at least in this house! Try it... you'll buy a dozen of them!
A special note: This is ESSENTIAL for cutting pancakes or waffles. I will hunt down the pizza cutter before I'll try to tear into these doughy creations with a knife...
I figured I'd put this in instead of another photo tip. Apparently none of you like taking pictures because I only got one lousy comment from last weeks tip.
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
Take a better group picture...
Take a better group picture...
The best hair tie ever...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
A Bad McExperience
Last night I got home from work and really didn't feel like cooking a meal, so I decided to be a cool mom and take the kids to the local McDonalds to eat and play. Rarely do we stay to play in the germ tubes, so I thought it would be a treat, and a way to keep them occupied till around bedtime.
I have to say, I've seen a lot of gross things in my day. But this McDonalds was the filthiest, most disgusting fast food restaurant I have ever stepped foot in. Even the initial impression was awful. In the area before you get into the actual restaurant but after you come inside, it was like, literally, 100 degrees. I thought, ok, it's cold out, they have the heat blasting in here because the doors open and close. I can deal with that. Not like I'm going to be spending any time there anyway... so I thought.
I went through the second door and into the restaurant, and it was cooled down to a chilly, oh, I'd guess 85 degrees. No joke. I felt like I was in an oven. And of course, we were all in sweatshirts and jeans, so that didn't help. I'd have never thought to wear a tank top and shorts. Anyway. Then I looked down. Crap - like straw wrappers, drink lids, french fries, napkins - all over the floor in the lobby. I scoped the area with hopes of securing a table that wasn't nasty like it hadn't been wiped all day - yeah, right. I chose the least nasty of the nasty tables, which incidentally, was right next to about 7 or 8 mid teen "goths." Now, if you want to be gothic, go right ahead, just don't act stupid. They were all there, cussing, not eating any McFood that I saw, sitting on eachothers laps, kissing, and drinking "Monster" power drinks. Then AC/DC came over the radio speakers.
I thought, did McDonald's change it's focus? Am I at a rave or something? I thought, maybe I should say something to the manager, because clearly he or she has no idea what is going on out here. Nay. As soon as this thought crossed my mind, out walks the McManager. And she SITS DOWN WITH THE GOTHS!!! Then proceeds to call one of the employees a dumb ass, right in front of my kids. I hear another customer complain that there's pop spilled all over the floor in the playland. So the employee with the mohawk gets the yellow mop bucket out, slops it on the floor, and calls it done. Hey, while you're at it, why not wipe a few tables or sweep the floor, genius?
I thought, ok, just eat, play, and leave, hopefully without Hepatitis C. The kids ate and went into the playland. After walking through the half assed mopped sticky pop area (that incidentally was just spread around, not really cleaned up) I noticed a band of about 10 adult Nascar fans (clearly) in the rear corner. One parent calls out to his son, "Now don't kill the other kids, ya hear?"
Great. Even Playland isn't safe. The next proceeds to call over his about 10 year old son, and proceeds to hollar at him for an unknown infraction, then whip him, right there in McDonalds. This is about the time the smell of stale cigarette smoke mixed with pot is wafting over to my filthy table. I go back to the lobby.
"Could someone give me a cloth so I can clean a table to sit at?" The McEmployee looks, "Uh, yeah, let me find a clean one."
Let me find a clean one. That indicates to me that you haven't had a clean one for some time.
I'm frightened. Instead of giving me the rag (which is what I expected) he actually came into Playland and asked "Which table?"
DUH. Look around. I replied smartly, "Well take your pick, they're all equally disgusting." He proceeded to wipe one table, then walked out, leaving the other 10 the way they were. By the way, he had to walk through the pop mess twice just to do this.
I am losing patience. After a few minutes, I just can't take it any more. I pack up the troops and head out to get our Halloween Treat Coupon treats (that I promised we'd use) TO GO.
So there I stood at the counter, in the heat, among the cussing goths (half of them were now about 2 feet outside the door, smoking) to get my apple pie and cone.
I wait and wait, as the employees find it more entertaining to play grab ass behind the counter than to wait on actual customers and finally get waited on. I ask for an apple pie, and one cone IN A DISH WITH A LID. I get handed an ice cream cone in a cone, no dish.
Uh, yeah, could you put it in a dish with a lid, like I asked? So the cone goes into a sundae cup (top side up - a real surprise because that actually took a brain not to put it in upside down). Still no lid. I ask for a lid. I get a lid and a "have a nice night." Ok, and what about the pie?
Is it really this difficult? And I am trusing these same people to make sure my chicken is kept at 160 degrees? I think I'm going to go purge now.
Even over 14 hours after this experience, I am still very very disturbed. Yikes.
I have to say, I've seen a lot of gross things in my day. But this McDonalds was the filthiest, most disgusting fast food restaurant I have ever stepped foot in. Even the initial impression was awful. In the area before you get into the actual restaurant but after you come inside, it was like, literally, 100 degrees. I thought, ok, it's cold out, they have the heat blasting in here because the doors open and close. I can deal with that. Not like I'm going to be spending any time there anyway... so I thought.
I went through the second door and into the restaurant, and it was cooled down to a chilly, oh, I'd guess 85 degrees. No joke. I felt like I was in an oven. And of course, we were all in sweatshirts and jeans, so that didn't help. I'd have never thought to wear a tank top and shorts. Anyway. Then I looked down. Crap - like straw wrappers, drink lids, french fries, napkins - all over the floor in the lobby. I scoped the area with hopes of securing a table that wasn't nasty like it hadn't been wiped all day - yeah, right. I chose the least nasty of the nasty tables, which incidentally, was right next to about 7 or 8 mid teen "goths." Now, if you want to be gothic, go right ahead, just don't act stupid. They were all there, cussing, not eating any McFood that I saw, sitting on eachothers laps, kissing, and drinking "Monster" power drinks. Then AC/DC came over the radio speakers.
I thought, did McDonald's change it's focus? Am I at a rave or something? I thought, maybe I should say something to the manager, because clearly he or she has no idea what is going on out here. Nay. As soon as this thought crossed my mind, out walks the McManager. And she SITS DOWN WITH THE GOTHS!!! Then proceeds to call one of the employees a dumb ass, right in front of my kids. I hear another customer complain that there's pop spilled all over the floor in the playland. So the employee with the mohawk gets the yellow mop bucket out, slops it on the floor, and calls it done. Hey, while you're at it, why not wipe a few tables or sweep the floor, genius?
I thought, ok, just eat, play, and leave, hopefully without Hepatitis C. The kids ate and went into the playland. After walking through the half assed mopped sticky pop area (that incidentally was just spread around, not really cleaned up) I noticed a band of about 10 adult Nascar fans (clearly) in the rear corner. One parent calls out to his son, "Now don't kill the other kids, ya hear?"
Great. Even Playland isn't safe. The next proceeds to call over his about 10 year old son, and proceeds to hollar at him for an unknown infraction, then whip him, right there in McDonalds. This is about the time the smell of stale cigarette smoke mixed with pot is wafting over to my filthy table. I go back to the lobby.
"Could someone give me a cloth so I can clean a table to sit at?" The McEmployee looks, "Uh, yeah, let me find a clean one."
Let me find a clean one. That indicates to me that you haven't had a clean one for some time.
I'm frightened. Instead of giving me the rag (which is what I expected) he actually came into Playland and asked "Which table?"
DUH. Look around. I replied smartly, "Well take your pick, they're all equally disgusting." He proceeded to wipe one table, then walked out, leaving the other 10 the way they were. By the way, he had to walk through the pop mess twice just to do this.
I am losing patience. After a few minutes, I just can't take it any more. I pack up the troops and head out to get our Halloween Treat Coupon treats (that I promised we'd use) TO GO.
So there I stood at the counter, in the heat, among the cussing goths (half of them were now about 2 feet outside the door, smoking) to get my apple pie and cone.
I wait and wait, as the employees find it more entertaining to play grab ass behind the counter than to wait on actual customers and finally get waited on. I ask for an apple pie, and one cone IN A DISH WITH A LID. I get handed an ice cream cone in a cone, no dish.
Uh, yeah, could you put it in a dish with a lid, like I asked? So the cone goes into a sundae cup (top side up - a real surprise because that actually took a brain not to put it in upside down). Still no lid. I ask for a lid. I get a lid and a "have a nice night." Ok, and what about the pie?
Is it really this difficult? And I am trusing these same people to make sure my chicken is kept at 160 degrees? I think I'm going to go purge now.
Even over 14 hours after this experience, I am still very very disturbed. Yikes.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Funny Thing Happened...
Compliments sometimes come in small packages. Here is a recent conversation I had with a Walgreens employee when I went to pick up our Christmas Card picture prints.
J: I need to pick up the photo cards for (insert last name).
W: OK (looks in box), uh... um...ugh.
J: What?
W: Um, how were these taken?
J: (pause) What do you mean?
W: Well, we have a copyright protection and these look like they were done by a professional photographer.
J: Yeah, I took them.
And after I provided a business card and signed a copyright waiver (for myself?), my cards were given to me.
Huh.
J: I need to pick up the photo cards for (insert last name).
W: OK (looks in box), uh... um...ugh.
J: What?
W: Um, how were these taken?
J: (pause) What do you mean?
W: Well, we have a copyright protection and these look like they were done by a professional photographer.
J: Yeah, I took them.
And after I provided a business card and signed a copyright waiver (for myself?), my cards were given to me.
Huh.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Weigh In Friday
I lost another 3 pounds this week. I'm down to 154, which is the lowest I have been since Vincent was born. Considering this weigh in included Thanksgiving, I feel pretty good! I was kinda torn over the whole Thanksgiving thing, especially as how it is my favorite holiday. I decided to eat what I wanted in reasonable portions (not the usual fill your plate till you feel sick), but not to skimp and feel like I didn't enjoy the meal. I made an oath to not hit the "snackies" before (or after) and limited dessert to the filling from a half a slice of pumpkin pie (no crust) and a mini cupcake. I still felt like I participated in the holiday, but didn't walk away feeling like I completely fell off the wagon.
I'll keep chugging till Christmas...
I'll keep chugging till Christmas...
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Well, this post really has nothing to do with Thanksgiving. I hope you have a good one and get stuffed... that's all I have to say about that... I got a new backdrop for my photo adventures. I thought I'd try it out in the absence of studio lighting, just to see what would happen, ya know, in my hallway studio. Anyway, I needed some models, so I subjected my loving family to the tortures of portrait sitting. You can see they were less than enthused... 
But they soon realized that they'd better cooperate or they'd be there all day...
So they did, and I got this one... I thought it was great, capturing the beauty of staying in your PJ's till noon on Thanksgiving morning.
In other news, we took some pics of the horses as we begin our construction of this years multi photo Christmas card. This was just an extra, and I messed with it a little, I just thought it was a really nice shot... 
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
WFMW: Take a Better Group Picture
So this WFMW post has a little to do with last weeks, as its photography related. I've just seen so many bad pictures that didn't need to be bad, I feel like I need to do something. Plus, it's one of the few things that I'm actually good at (other than horses - limited audience) that maybe someone will appreciate learning how to do better. And who doesn't like taking pictures, other than who we're asking to stand for them?How many of you have seen (or even taken yourself) the standard lineup of family members in a group picture. Everyone standing shoulder to shoulder, hands at their sides or cupped in front of them, square to the camera, with that familiar cheesy smile?
I admit, even I've done these. Take just a few minutes to actually pose your family, and you might just like the result! I won't go into complicated posing techniques, but I've found people kind of automatically arrange themselves by height/importance in the family, so that makes this job a lot easier. Here's what to do:
1) the eye likes triangular arrangements. Layer your people. Here's an example of what I mean:
1) the eye likes triangular arrangements. Layer your people. Here's an example of what I mean:
And what you should try to avoid:
I'm having a hard time getting these where I want them, so use your best judgement in what I'm saying is good and not good.
2) let the relationships between the people show! In the home taken portrait above, we don' know who is who (except maybe for the dad holding the infant...we'd assume this is the baby's father...but who does the little girl belong to?) Let your emotion show, let the viewer know exactly how you feel about those folks!! 
See, isn't that nice?
See, isn't that nice? Keep these tips in mind as you dress your kids in those sweaters from last year and line em' up in front of the fireplace... let your portraits show the real "you". You'll be much more pleased with the results...
By the way... these pictures are not my own work!! I am using them for demonstrative purposes only and take no claim to any of them. I'll remove any of them if anyone gets upset that I'm using them...
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
Taking better pictures...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A Cute Late Nite Post
I'm up for no good reason, stuck on a photography forum. Anyway, I took a few pictures of the neighbor's kid today. Vincent went with us and I was able to pull a few shots of him, too. I thought this one turned out especially cute...Friday, November 16, 2007
Weigh in Friday
It's officially weigh in Friday. This post is a little late in the day, but not for any reason other than the fact that I have been stupid busy until now.
I lost another 2 pounds this week. So far my grand total, including todays pounds is 8. It's pretty cool because I can actually feel the difference in how my clothes fit and in how I look. Yay. That's motivation right there - I get new clothes!!!
Right now (just in case you were wondering) I can take just about every pair of jeans I own off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. Get your minds out of the gutter - I only know this because I tried.
So I'm happy. I didn't really discover any new major breakthroughs with low point meals or foods, I've kinda just been eating the same things that I have been for a few weeks, and it seems to be working. Pretty soon I'm going to have to decrease my points allowance because I'm getting close to the cut off for 20 points per day. Until then, things seem to be working, and I feel great!
Remember... anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome!!!
I lost another 2 pounds this week. So far my grand total, including todays pounds is 8. It's pretty cool because I can actually feel the difference in how my clothes fit and in how I look. Yay. That's motivation right there - I get new clothes!!!
Right now (just in case you were wondering) I can take just about every pair of jeans I own off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. Get your minds out of the gutter - I only know this because I tried.
So I'm happy. I didn't really discover any new major breakthroughs with low point meals or foods, I've kinda just been eating the same things that I have been for a few weeks, and it seems to be working. Pretty soon I'm going to have to decrease my points allowance because I'm getting close to the cut off for 20 points per day. Until then, things seem to be working, and I feel great!
Remember... anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome!!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
WFMW: Taking Better Pictures
Today's WFMW tip is for anyone who wants to add that something extra to their pictures, without spending a fortune on new equipment. All you need for this one is a supple wrist.Here's the trick and it's so easy: TURN THE CAMERA!!!
Easy, not all the way, just a little to give your pictures a little artistic edge. See what a little experimentation can yield? 
And if you already have a picture that would benefit from this tip, most reasonably well equipped digital photo software programs have the "rotate" option. Just rotate the image to your liking, then crop, and voila! A better looking picture in minutes!!
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
How to keep holiday gift giving under control...
How to keep holiday gift giving under control...
The best hair tie ever...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
A Very Dangerous Week
We have been flirting with disaster all week. Really living life on the edge. Yesterday the weather was AWESOME (with the exception of a few here and there rain showers), so we took the opportunity to put up some Christmas lights. Yeah, I know, it's a little soon, but it sure beat trying to do it in the freezing cold. I haven't even bought one Christmas gift yet, so don't be overly impressed with my efforts...
Jade got another birthday gift from a friend of ours that she LOVES. It's one of those horses that is on 4 springs and a frame that she can jump on and ride back and forth. I tried to put a picture of her riding it on the blog, but realized I took the picture of her on it on my phone and stored it on the phone instead of the memory card. And I'm not paying to send a picture that I took to myself. She's not here right now to duplicate the moment, but I'll post one as soon as I take another. Anyway, the reason this is posted under the title "A very dangerous week" is because she had her first spill on the plush horse. She was riding with a little too much exuberance and her hands slipped off the little hand pegs. She shot backwards and landed who knows how. She looked up, gave a little whimper, then got back on and was back to riding.
What a natural!
Back to the Christmas lights topic. The whole time Brian was up on the ladder, I was envisioning him spilling to the ground, then being laid off work and everything else for 6 months. All in the name of home decorating.
It didn't happen though, and our little LED display is ready for the day after Thanksgiving. I thought it was pretty funny, as he stood at the top of a 10 foot ladder, and told me "hold the ladder" how silly holding the ladder really is. As if my 160 pound body is going to stop a 210 pound man 10 feet in the air from toppling over if he were to start to go. Yeah. I may care, but I'm not Hercules! What a silly concept! With all that leverage, there'd be no way in the world I'd even slow down the topple. Oh well, I guess it only matters that it feels more secure, right?
Friday, November 9, 2007
Weigh in Friday
Well, this week wasn't quite as impressive as last, but I lost one more pound this week. I'm now down to 159!! I followed the plan to the tee this week, so I am not disappointed with my loss- I think I'm going to try and drink more water (I haven't been drinking my full 4 bottles/day). Maybe that will help. I imagine if I work out a little, too, that will help boost my metabolism. We'll see. I just am not in the mood lately to move a whole lot more than I do on a normal basis.
Also, I have found a host of 1 point foods that I'll be posting... I've even found a few that are 0 points!
The first one that I'm totally excited about are these Hostess Cupcakes. What could be better than a creme filled cupcake (3 of them at that!) for only one point? You can eat one now, one later, and one even later and cure a serious chocolate craving for the day!!!
I guess my theme for today is chocolate, because these and these are only one point, too, and totally help me when I JUST NEED SOME CHOCOLATE! 
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
WARNING: THIS IS NOT PRETTY
For all of my co-workers, and anyone else who is sensitive, read (and look) no further. I know you were all anxiously awaiting that "fat picture" I promised you all about a week ago. So here it is, in its raw format, untouched.
Believe me, this is VERY difficult for me to do. I am not proud of how I look right now, and I know I need to do some work. That is why I'm posting. I've been told over and over that I carry my weight well... I think that's not entirely true. I think I HIDE my weight well. As you can tell from the following picture, I don't carry it so well after all.
I am glad I'm doing this, though. I plan on posting again when I hit my target, whenever that might be. WW is going well for me. I am learning what 22 points a day feels like, and am able to plan and ration my meals to include snacks and an occasional treat, too.
Sorry if I've offended any of you... this is more for ME to keep me honest. I need to have that feeling that I've exposed myself (well not entirely, at least not yet... just kidding) to the world or whomever cares to read on... I need to know that someone is watching.
I can do the right thing when no one's watching, yeah, but it's a whole lot easier when someone is...
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
WFMW: Backwards Day, Holiday Overspending
Happy WFMW!! Since this is the first Wednesday of the month, it is backwards day, therefore, I write about something that preplexes me, and you write the solution to my problem.What I don't know how to do is KEEP HOLIDAY GIFT BUYING AT A MINIMUM. I am part of a family that goes absolutely insane at Christmas. And truthfully, every year we say we're not doing much, but we still do. I end up with an entire SUV full of boxes and stuff. Every. Single. Year.
I just can't afford it! I mean, spending 2 grand on Christmas is not unheard of in my family. I just feel like such a cheapskate when my kids get 4 boxes from someone, and I give them an ornament for the entire family. I just don't know how to deal with the "my gift is much much less involved than yours" guilt.
Any suggestions for keeping holiday spending at bay, and for making those overzealous relatives actually adhere to the principle that the kids (and we) JUST DON'T REALLY NEED ANYTHING? I understand that Christmas should be for kids, but at age 2, do they really care if its a pair of pants or a $50 toy? No, not really. They just like tearing shit open and making a mess. A few toys, fine. A hundred toys? Ok, what I want for Christmas is $200,000.00 to buy a bigger house to keep it all in.
Ho ho ho.
Be sure to check out my other WFMW posts:
The best hair tie ever...
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
Monday, November 5, 2007
I Hate Daylight Savings
It totally screws up my entire family's clock. They say, "Yeah, but you get an extra hour of sleep!!!" Oh no, not me. Maybe that night, but then I pay for it with kids waking up an hour early every day, and screaming an hour early every afternoon because they don't understand the concept of a 25 hour day. So actually, that "hour gained" turns into 10 hours lost, and 10 more in misery, until the "clocks" get reset. And by the way, whose idea was it to divide the state in half? Can't we at least agree on what damn time it is? Have you ever tried to explain to someone who doesn't deal with this the concept of going to the grocery store across town, getting there at 2pm, and getting home at 1:30? Yeah, it could happen. Or what about these counties who are actually on CST, but operate on EST? Fast time, slow time, Chicago time... WILL SOMEONE JUST TELL ME WHAT DAMN TIME IT IS? And here's another lovely daylight savings story.
I had to get up early (5:30) this past Friday to go into work early. The alarm clock is on Brian's side of the bed, so in order to not wake him up too much when it goes off, I set the alarm on my cell phone instead. It sits conveniently next to me on my nightstand, after all. So I set the thing for 5:30, and didn't sleep well anyway knowing I had to get up before it was natural (something I'm not used to - I know boo hoo). Well, I had just drifted off to a light slumber and the damn cell alarm is going off. I turn it off thinking, bleary eyed, "I feel like it's too early." This is not an uncommon thought, however. I thought "Just 5 more minutes." Then I looked at the real alarm clock. 4:30. Uhhh, hello?
Then, cursing, I looked at the cell phone clock. 5:30. Ok, I'm tired, but not insane. Now I'm concerned. What the hell time is it, anyway? So I call time and temp. Brian exclaims, "What the hell are you doing? If I did this at 4:30 you'd kill me!!" Yeah, I know, but I just need to know what damn time it is. "Well it's 4:30," he answers. Then I had to explain what happened. Or at least try. And now I'm bolt-ass awake. Yeah, it's really 4:30, but my phone is finding its signal from a tower where its 5:30. How much does that suck? And by the time I complete my call to time and temp, what time does the phone say? You guessed, 4:30. I hate my life. So now that I'm awake, it decides to find a tower in this time zone.
And after my shower, you know what time it is? 6:45. I can't take it anymore.
I had to get up early (5:30) this past Friday to go into work early. The alarm clock is on Brian's side of the bed, so in order to not wake him up too much when it goes off, I set the alarm on my cell phone instead. It sits conveniently next to me on my nightstand, after all. So I set the thing for 5:30, and didn't sleep well anyway knowing I had to get up before it was natural (something I'm not used to - I know boo hoo). Well, I had just drifted off to a light slumber and the damn cell alarm is going off. I turn it off thinking, bleary eyed, "I feel like it's too early." This is not an uncommon thought, however. I thought "Just 5 more minutes." Then I looked at the real alarm clock. 4:30. Uhhh, hello?
Then, cursing, I looked at the cell phone clock. 5:30. Ok, I'm tired, but not insane. Now I'm concerned. What the hell time is it, anyway? So I call time and temp. Brian exclaims, "What the hell are you doing? If I did this at 4:30 you'd kill me!!" Yeah, I know, but I just need to know what damn time it is. "Well it's 4:30," he answers. Then I had to explain what happened. Or at least try. And now I'm bolt-ass awake. Yeah, it's really 4:30, but my phone is finding its signal from a tower where its 5:30. How much does that suck? And by the time I complete my call to time and temp, what time does the phone say? You guessed, 4:30. I hate my life. So now that I'm awake, it decides to find a tower in this time zone.
And after my shower, you know what time it is? 6:45. I can't take it anymore.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
All Right, All Ready!!!
Ok, ok... yes, I did in fact take pictures of my kids for Halloween. It's pretty funny. Someone commented the other day "You must have really good pictures of your kids!" I had to laugh because in all reality, I don't. Not like I should, anyway. The problem I run into is that I have no one to pose them. And if someone does pose them, they are usually instantly reverted to the arms outstretched, screaming "Mommy" pose. Oh well. I 
have some cute candids, but I'd really like to find someone who could handle my camera and take a few of us too. At my cost.Here are a few of the Halloween winners...
Friday, November 2, 2007
Weigh in Friday
SUCCESS!!!
I lost 5 pounds this week. I tried really hard not to step on the scale before today (I cheated once) to see my progress... I didn't want to get discouraged if I didn't see an improvement early on. So far the plan is going really well. I have been eating healthier than I have ever in my life and I am actually feeling the difference. I was kinda doing another diet plan for a few weeks before this, and was eating better then too (more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) so I'm sure it's adding up by now. I have come up with some really good meals through kraftfoods.com (check my earlier post). I even made a recipe with Boca ground... uh... stuff, fed it to both the husband and the kids, and no one knew it wasn't ground beef (till now, anyway). And it's loaded with fiber, low in fat and calories.
I made a bracelet that helps me to keep track of my points. It has beads with a different colored bead every 5 beads. I move a little charm around as I use up my points so I have a constant visual reminder of what I have left for the day. I put the 35 flex points in different colored beads after the daily beads. That way I don't have to remember to carry around a notepad or something else to record the points on. And if you know me, I won't remember how many I have used more than 5 minutes after I eat, so this works really well for me.
So, I'm happy. I am also impressed that I sat and passed out Halloween candy and didn't eat one piece while I was sitting there. This really isn't so bad. If I want a treat, I just count it and move on. I can live with that!
I lost 5 pounds this week. I tried really hard not to step on the scale before today (I cheated once) to see my progress... I didn't want to get discouraged if I didn't see an improvement early on. So far the plan is going really well. I have been eating healthier than I have ever in my life and I am actually feeling the difference. I was kinda doing another diet plan for a few weeks before this, and was eating better then too (more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) so I'm sure it's adding up by now. I have come up with some really good meals through kraftfoods.com (check my earlier post). I even made a recipe with Boca ground... uh... stuff, fed it to both the husband and the kids, and no one knew it wasn't ground beef (till now, anyway). And it's loaded with fiber, low in fat and calories.
I made a bracelet that helps me to keep track of my points. It has beads with a different colored bead every 5 beads. I move a little charm around as I use up my points so I have a constant visual reminder of what I have left for the day. I put the 35 flex points in different colored beads after the daily beads. That way I don't have to remember to carry around a notepad or something else to record the points on. And if you know me, I won't remember how many I have used more than 5 minutes after I eat, so this works really well for me.
So, I'm happy. I am also impressed that I sat and passed out Halloween candy and didn't eat one piece while I was sitting there. This really isn't so bad. If I want a treat, I just count it and move on. I can live with that!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
WFMW: The Best Hair Tie Ever
I have a little bit of really thin hair. Not so lucky for her, I passed this not-so-desirable trait on to my little girl. The problem is that I wear my hair in a pony tail 99.9% of the time (people actually remember me as "that girl with the ponytail"). Naturally, Jade also wears her hair in a pony tail 99.9% of the time too, except for when she pulls her rubber band out in the middle of a fit, or when she's sleeping, or in the car... basically any time I'd really like it to stay put.Thin hair just won't hold.
As many of you also know by reading my blog, I'm really into horses. Well, in preparation for horse shows, we horsey people like to primp and braid our horses. No, we don't actually braid the horse, we braid it's mane and tail. Anyway. They make these great little rubber bands for holding horse hair. They're called "braid binders" and you actually have to work to get one of these puppies to break. That makes it really easy to get em nice and tight. Plus they stretch unlike any human hair rubber band out there.
I know you're thinking, why not just use office supply quality rubber bands? No, these are actually meant to go in hair, so they have that anti-stick, won't rip every last strand of hair out of your head quality. Not only that, they're pretty small, so you don't have to wind them 199 times to get them tight.
Believe me folks, they are truly a bit of engineering genius. Even better, they cost like $1 for a million of them. And they come in black (black), sorrel (brown), and grey (grey - for all of you out there with grey haired kids). You can get them at any tack store, Tractor Supply store, or similar location. If you don't live in a horsey type community, they are available from a plethora of retailers on line. And one bag will last you an entire year.
Works for me!!!
Check out my other great insights on WFMW posts:
Keeping your linens organized in one easy step...
Turning lunch bags into diaper bags (are those raisins you're having?)...
Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for other great tips and ideas!!!
You Guys Suck
Ok, either you guys just suck or no one is reading my blog. I thought I'd have copious replies about what a great idea an online blogger WW club would be, and all I got was one response, basically saying I was crazy for trying to start this right before the holidays.
Fine. I'll do it alone.
In other news, I had a day off today and again, I got an amazing amount of stuff done. Haircut, exchange cell phone, vaccinate horses, Starbucks for coffee. Of course, nothing got done at home. Oh well.
Tonight is pumpkin carving. Keep checking back for pics of that. I'm keeping this post short today. Remember to look back tomorrow for my next brilliant WFMW tip!!
Fine. I'll do it alone.
In other news, I had a day off today and again, I got an amazing amount of stuff done. Haircut, exchange cell phone, vaccinate horses, Starbucks for coffee. Of course, nothing got done at home. Oh well.
Tonight is pumpkin carving. Keep checking back for pics of that. I'm keeping this post short today. Remember to look back tomorrow for my next brilliant WFMW tip!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
A Better Idea
So I thought as I was posting, since the big Weight Watchers theme is the community aspect of it, why not invite other blog fans to join me. We can blog about our successes, failures, problems, and ideas. We can do our own little WW meeting, right here on the blog. And we can report weigh ins to eachother and offer support. Anyone in?
I can say from what little experience I have with this... it's the easiest "diet" I have ever done. I am totally satisfied throughout the day, and the "flex points" really allow me to not get anxious about going to a party, or out to eat. A lot of people criticize WW for offering that its plan allows people to eat small amounts of stuff that isn't good for you. Well, that's true, but if you do it and stay honest, if it appeals to you to eat a slice of cheesecake with strawberries as your entire intake for a day, go right ahead. I'd rather have the ability to snack, and eat real meals. If I want to do this and stay within my points, I am forced to choose wisely.
I have already found a great thing, too. Kraftfoods.com offers tons of great (and stupid easy) recipes, plus they post the nutritional information for every recipe they have. This makes it even easier to figure "points"- all you need to know is the calories, fat, and fiber content of any recipe. I made this one last night. Vincent ate two plates full and Brian commented "this is really good!" I snuck and used Splenda instead of sugar. With sugar, it's only 7 points per serving. Use Splenda, and take off AT LEAST one full point. That's 6 points for a very filling and great tasting meal. Add a cup of steamed broccoli or other veggie... it was fabulous. I had this for breakfast today. Very filling again, and only 4 little points.
I think I'm in love. And I'm really going to be in love when I'm a sexy, healthy, weight!!!
I can say from what little experience I have with this... it's the easiest "diet" I have ever done. I am totally satisfied throughout the day, and the "flex points" really allow me to not get anxious about going to a party, or out to eat. A lot of people criticize WW for offering that its plan allows people to eat small amounts of stuff that isn't good for you. Well, that's true, but if you do it and stay honest, if it appeals to you to eat a slice of cheesecake with strawberries as your entire intake for a day, go right ahead. I'd rather have the ability to snack, and eat real meals. If I want to do this and stay within my points, I am forced to choose wisely.
I have already found a great thing, too. Kraftfoods.com offers tons of great (and stupid easy) recipes, plus they post the nutritional information for every recipe they have. This makes it even easier to figure "points"- all you need to know is the calories, fat, and fiber content of any recipe. I made this one last night. Vincent ate two plates full and Brian commented "this is really good!" I snuck and used Splenda instead of sugar. With sugar, it's only 7 points per serving. Use Splenda, and take off AT LEAST one full point. That's 6 points for a very filling and great tasting meal. Add a cup of steamed broccoli or other veggie... it was fabulous. I had this for breakfast today. Very filling again, and only 4 little points.
I think I'm in love. And I'm really going to be in love when I'm a sexy, healthy, weight!!!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
This Time It's For Real
This time I'm really going to do it. And I need the eyes of the blogger community to make me stick to it. My goal is to lose 30 pounds.
Right now I weigh a healthy 165. I have back problems, and just feel sluggish. By all reports, I'm "overweight" and my BMI is too high. With all the heart problems and diabetes in my family, this is just not a good thing. I have been heavier than I am comfortable with my whole life and I'm tired of it.
I've tried thing after thing, and actually had success for a short time. Then I got pregnant. I was back where I started, and I didn't have the motivation to get low again.
My goal is 135. I don't have an "end date" in mind. I'm just going to follow my plan, not cheat, and see where it leads me.
I am trying the weight watchers plan, with 22 "points" per day and 35 "flex points" a week. I've heard that the meetings and weigh in's are what make it work, because you are actually accountable to someone. I'm not really into paying $40 a month to step on someone else's scale, so you are my audience. You are the people I'm going to be accountable to. And every Friday, you will hear of my progress (I've been doing this now for a few days already). I also plan on posting a "fat picture" of me too, so stand by. I figure if I make myself a national spectacle, I'll be more likely to succeed. If I don't do well this way, I'll probably bite the bullet and pay the $10 a month for the meetings. Stand by for updates.
Right now I weigh a healthy 165. I have back problems, and just feel sluggish. By all reports, I'm "overweight" and my BMI is too high. With all the heart problems and diabetes in my family, this is just not a good thing. I have been heavier than I am comfortable with my whole life and I'm tired of it.
I've tried thing after thing, and actually had success for a short time. Then I got pregnant. I was back where I started, and I didn't have the motivation to get low again.
My goal is 135. I don't have an "end date" in mind. I'm just going to follow my plan, not cheat, and see where it leads me.
I am trying the weight watchers plan, with 22 "points" per day and 35 "flex points" a week. I've heard that the meetings and weigh in's are what make it work, because you are actually accountable to someone. I'm not really into paying $40 a month to step on someone else's scale, so you are my audience. You are the people I'm going to be accountable to. And every Friday, you will hear of my progress (I've been doing this now for a few days already). I also plan on posting a "fat picture" of me too, so stand by. I figure if I make myself a national spectacle, I'll be more likely to succeed. If I don't do well this way, I'll probably bite the bullet and pay the $10 a month for the meetings. Stand by for updates.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Two Cute Links
Moms everywhere will be able to appreciate these.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/index.php?cl=4274384 and http://youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA
Enjoy this bit of mid-day humor...
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/index.php?cl=4274384 and http://youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA
Enjoy this bit of mid-day humor...
WFMW: Not so Diaper Bag
I got really tired of running around with this huge-normous type of diaper bag over my shoulder all of the time. Did I really need 20 diapers, a whole pack of wipes, half of our toy lineup, a half box of cheerios, two jars of babyfood, 3 spoons, and 2 new outfits just to run into Wal-Mart for 10 minutes. Answer: NO. So when I was at Menards one day, they were giving away (after rebate = free) those smallish lunch bags. Ya know, the insulated ones that'll hold a sandwich, yogurt, and can of diet pop but not much more. I thought as I lugged around my 40 pound diaper bag, "What genius!"
So I picked up my new red lunch bag (much more stylish than pastel zoo animals), took it home, and proceeed to load it full of a few diapers, a half used squishy type of container of wipes, and a can of beer (for those really stressful trips - just kidding). It is marvelous. I now have room in my car for the actual kid. And the groceries, and whatever else I may want to put in.
I use it for all our in town errands, and actually leave it in the car most of the time. I've learned over the years, if the kid poops in the store and you're leaving in 5 minutes anyway, are you really going to take the time to change the kid there, or can it wait till you get to the car/home? Usually, I opt to wait, rather than expose my baby's butt to one of those fold down changing tables. They're so cheap (again, FREE), you can put one in every car so you never have to ask yourself when you get 2.3 miles from home, "Did I remember the diaper bag?" They are so unobtrusive, they almost go unnoticed in the car, that is, till you need it. And they come in a variety of designer colors.
It's my perfect solution to less clutter when toting baby/babies.
Worked for me!!!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Key Eating Shop Vac
We decided to go to Southern Indiana on Saturday to go to a fireworks show put on by the guy Brian buys all of his pyro stuff from. Instead of driving the gas guzzling Expedition, we chose to take the very gas friendly (like, free) Taurus. It's one of the major perks of having a company car. Anyway, due to the fact that we anticipated being in the car for extended periods of time and being in the car way past bedtime, we decided it would probably be in our best interest to install the DVD player into the Taurus, from the truck. No problem. I also had to clean out the trunk to make space to carry home a few goodies from our trip. Again, no problem. When I was at it, I thought if we were going to be in the car for a long time, it would probably be a nice idea to vacuum it out before we set off. Ya know, to make room for new french fries on the floor, cheerios in between the seats, and so on.I was vigorously vacuuming and finished in no time at all. We packed up the kids, packed up the car, and were finally ready to leave. Brian asks, "Where are the keys so I can put some stuff in the trunk?" Me, in my smart ass fashion reply, "It stands to reason that since I just backed the car out that they'd be in the car."
And so the hunt began. We looked everywhere for the damn keys. I'm talking even in the laundry baskets. Jade has this big fascination for my keys, so I figured they could potentially be anywhere she could have been in the past 15 minutes or so. Great. That included the neighbor's house, too.
So now we're running late, and I have no idea where the keys are. Not only that, but it was parked behind the truck, so if we just gave up and took the truck, we couldn't get it out of the garage anyway. It became plainly clear that we were just going to have to keep looking. Or drive the truck straight through the living room and out the back side of the house. And yes, I have a spare, but the keys on this car are those new kind that have the little receiver in them. My spare is just a key, no receiver, hence, it will unlock the doors quite nicely, but it will in no way shape or form start the car. And I'm not about to pay $100 for a key for a car that isn't mine.
I just needed my keys, damn it. We got so desperate that Brian had the sense to look INSIDE THE SHOP VAC. You know, a perfectly natural place for a set of keys. Not only that, but I actually thought of that possibility, and thought, "No, they're on a lanyard. That would have made a hell of a racket going thorough a shop vac. Plus, I'm not that dunderheaded that I would have sucked up the keys without noticing it."
Nonetheless, the keys were inside the G.D. shop vac. And we were exactly 50 blood pressure points and 1 hour late in leaving. Now that's what I call suction.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Cheap Wine
I'm sitting here waiting for pictures to download from my most recent photo shoot. I took senior photos for my neighbor. We shot for almost 4 hours, and I took over 425 pictures. I have never experienced this before, but my "off" eye actually got fatigued. From looking thorough the camera with one eye closed. It was the weirdest thing ever. When I was done shooting a particular set, it felt like I had two different heads, and that my eyes weren't working together. Bizarre, but I'm better now.
One has to appreciate, however, taking so many damn pictures that your bodily functions and senses can't keep up. Impressive. I'll post some of my most recent work on my website, so be sure to check it out (if you care) and leave comments here if you want. I really appreciate critiques, but only if they're good :) Just kidding.
We are going to Indy this weekend. Brian's fireworks supplier is having a big annual barbeque and fireworks show for all of his customers Saturday night, so we're going to eat and see stuff get blown up. It'll be a regular pyro-fest. Not your ordinary fireworks show. Because everyone there will be obsessed with the stuff, like my husband is. That's fine with me though, I'll get to take more pictures.
We are also going to stop by Trader Joes to get another case of Two Buck Chuck (Charles Shaw Chardonnay). If you've never tasted it before, I highly recommend it. Wine Spectator rated it like a crazy 98 points or something (right up there with the $100 California wines) and the shit is mass produced and only costs like $2.99/bottle. That's what I call a bargain. Bottoms up!!
One has to appreciate, however, taking so many damn pictures that your bodily functions and senses can't keep up. Impressive. I'll post some of my most recent work on my website, so be sure to check it out (if you care) and leave comments here if you want. I really appreciate critiques, but only if they're good :) Just kidding.
We are going to Indy this weekend. Brian's fireworks supplier is having a big annual barbeque and fireworks show for all of his customers Saturday night, so we're going to eat and see stuff get blown up. It'll be a regular pyro-fest. Not your ordinary fireworks show. Because everyone there will be obsessed with the stuff, like my husband is. That's fine with me though, I'll get to take more pictures.
We are also going to stop by Trader Joes to get another case of Two Buck Chuck (Charles Shaw Chardonnay). If you've never tasted it before, I highly recommend it. Wine Spectator rated it like a crazy 98 points or something (right up there with the $100 California wines) and the shit is mass produced and only costs like $2.99/bottle. That's what I call a bargain. Bottoms up!!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I guess I just suck...
My friend Amy tagged me, which means, according to the rules, I must abide and come up with 7 random things about me that won't embarrass me or get me fired. The only problem is that I don't know 7 other bloggers to attack, except for my attacker, so I will have to break rule 3 and 4 right off the bat. Sorry, like I said, I guess I just suck...
Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.
So here goes, 7 useless tidbits of information about me...
1. I am often referred to at work as "homes" and "dude", and I am perfectly ok with this.
2. I played polo (yes, on a horse) intercollegiately.
3. I have never seen Star Wars... any of them... in their entirety.
4. My husband calls our daughter "scooter"... unknownst to him, this was my nickname for many years in high school.
5. I am absolutely terrified at the thought of going scuba diving.
6. I still sleep with a security blanket that I've had since I was a baby.
7. I could eat plain cheeseburgers from McDonalds for every meal, every day.
Ok, so there it is...
That wasn't so bad...
Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.
So here goes, 7 useless tidbits of information about me...
1. I am often referred to at work as "homes" and "dude", and I am perfectly ok with this.
2. I played polo (yes, on a horse) intercollegiately.
3. I have never seen Star Wars... any of them... in their entirety.
4. My husband calls our daughter "scooter"... unknownst to him, this was my nickname for many years in high school.
5. I am absolutely terrified at the thought of going scuba diving.
6. I still sleep with a security blanket that I've had since I was a baby.
7. I could eat plain cheeseburgers from McDonalds for every meal, every day.
Ok, so there it is...
That wasn't so bad...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
WFMW: How to keep bedsheets organized
So some of you may be wondering, what the hell is WFMW? It stands for "Works for me Wednesday." I don't know it's origin, or even how to make my WFMW post part of the WFMW pool of good ideas that people share through blogging, but here it is anyway.
I have always hated trying to sort through bedsheets to find the matching topsheet, and then the two pillowcases, only to find that the queen fitted sheet is exactly the same tone of red as the twin topsheet for my kids bed...
You get the idea.
So to solve this problem and save you major headaches, when you wash your sheets, fold them neatly. Then place the fitted sheet, the top sheet, and any extra matching pillow cases into a pillowcase (the idea is to use the pillowcase that matches the sheets inside). Then you can store one pillowcase, full of clean matching sheets neatly in one stack. No more sorting through the entire linen closet (or wherever your linens are thrown - I mean, stored) to find a matching set! It also saves headache when you pull that towel out from under the sheet stack, tipping the sheet stack all over the floor, never to be as neatly folded again as it was to begin with. That is, unless you really just like folding sheets!
Works for me!!!
I have always hated trying to sort through bedsheets to find the matching topsheet, and then the two pillowcases, only to find that the queen fitted sheet is exactly the same tone of red as the twin topsheet for my kids bed...
You get the idea.
So to solve this problem and save you major headaches, when you wash your sheets, fold them neatly. Then place the fitted sheet, the top sheet, and any extra matching pillow cases into a pillowcase (the idea is to use the pillowcase that matches the sheets inside). Then you can store one pillowcase, full of clean matching sheets neatly in one stack. No more sorting through the entire linen closet (or wherever your linens are thrown - I mean, stored) to find a matching set! It also saves headache when you pull that towel out from under the sheet stack, tipping the sheet stack all over the floor, never to be as neatly folded again as it was to begin with. That is, unless you really just like folding sheets!
Works for me!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Cute Kids and a Well Behaved Quarter Horse
I haven't been very good about updating the blog. No excuses this time. I'm just lazy. My sister came into town the other week. I haven't seen her in quite some time, so it was nice to be able to hang out and let the kids play and stuff. Her girls (my nieces) are getting so big. It's so strange to only see them here and there... it really makes you realize how much they grow, and grow up, over time. Anyway, Marley, the younger one, really likes horses. The only problem is that my sister is truly DEATHLY allergic to anything with hair and four legs, so that presents a problem for the girls when they want to go horseback riding.I thought I'd take the opportunity to take them myself, where she could be counties away, and hopefully not affected. To give you an idea of how deathly allergic she is, I was in a horse show. I won a few ribbons and thought the kids would like to have them. These ribbons didn't even touch the horse, mind you. In fact the closest they came to a a horse was just being at a horse show, and then touching me after I touched the horse, but only long enough to put each one in the truck. Well, roughly 5 hours AFTER I touched them, she touched them (the ribbon) and had an allergic reaction. That's impressive.
Kinda makes you wonder just how much information you leave just by entering and exiting a room, dosen't it?
Anyway. I think the girls had a good time. At least they acted like they did. Did I mention Harley was well behaved? At one point, we had three wiggling kids on him at the same time, and he just went about in his ho-hum manner. Ya gotta love a nice Quarter Horse. I don't think I would trust too many other 4 year old horses to handle kids like that!
So we got them home, where they were promptly disinfected, washed down, and cleaned before coming into contact with Sis. I'll post again soon...
Thursday, October 11, 2007
"Two" Cute
Well, we survived Jade's 2nd birthday party without a hitch. This year we decided to go with only inviting family, since I am still recovering from the chaos that ensued when we invited the whole neighborhood for Vincent's 2nd birthday. It was nice... we grilled out, had a decent meal and a damn good cake, and opened gifts for a few minutes, not hours. Maybe next year we'll look into having friends attend. Until then, I highly recommend the "family only" 2nd birthday party. Not that we're doing it again, anyway. I included a few pictures for those who continue to complain about how they never get to see pictures because of digital photography. 
I think we are going to be investing in a new bedroom set for the scooter bug with some of the money she got. We planned on doing bonds, but we really need a bed, dresser, nightstand, mattress, etc. That stuff is expensive, when you add in all the pieces and the bedding and stuff. We'll see, I guess.
In other news. I did my first non-family photo shoot yesterday. The pictures turned out really good, if I say so myself. You can check them out in the "weddings and engagements" tab at my website (for those of you who haven't bookmarked it yet). All right. I've got other stuff to do as I take advantage of my day off... have I mentioned what a brilliant idea that was?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Why Nextel Will Never Survive
So, I sat on hold forever. Literally, after over ONE MORE HOUR, I still didn't have anyone who knew how to send me a return label for the phone. I told the rep that I thought this was the most ridiculous adventure I have embarked on in some time, and strangely, she agreed. In fact, she was trying to patch me through to person A and person B, and getting the same types of responses I was getting. No one knows anything about anything. I asked her what would happen if I just threw it away. She replied, "Nothing." They had no record of my order, clearly, anyway. I told her I had to go, as I had spent the better part of my day not paying for their shitty service. I told her that if she could figure out how to do it, and if she wanted to generate a return label in HER time, I would gladly affix it to the box and ship it back to them. I said I'd wait a few days before putting the thing in the fire pit. Her response was a humble, "That's fine. Sorry for your trouble."
And so it ends.
We subscribed to Verizon, and I have already dropped 35% off my blood pressure reading. This phone is pretty cool, too. It has a camera (yeah, I'm in the 21st century like everyone else now) and GPS. All this on TWO phones (Brian's is the same) for only dollars/month over what we were paying Nextel. Awww, but damn, I don't have the "walkie talkie" anymore! Yeah, boo hoo. I have free unlimited in network calling. And it actually works. Take that, Sprint Nextel.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My Problem with Nextel
Ok, so this post is to not only vent, but to document the insanity I have dealt with in dealing with Sprint/Nextel. I have a feeling this needs good documentation, as it will probably be going to the Better Business Bureau... yeah, that's how mad I am. Ok, I have spent (since last friday, September 28) roughly 5 hours on the phone with various people from Sprint/Nextel (SN). I've talked to retention agents, their supervisors, activation agents, account agents, technical support agents, and just about everyone in between. The only person who isn't answering the phone is the CEO, who is probably out filling out applications at WalMart, because in all reality, the popular opinion is that SN will no longer exist, very soon. I've had Nextel service just about since the "direct connect" inception. This was around the time that hard wired "car phones" were cool, and that the latest handheld models were roughly the size of a brick, with a foot long antenna... yeah, it's been a while. Well, ever since this time, the service (read: bars) has been shoddy, at best. Downtown Valpo, not a small town, has numerous areas where you go from full bars to none, it the blink of an eye. Go into a building, and forget it. Dropped calls, missed calls, no calls at all, these things are daily issues.
Everyone I used to direct connect with (with the exception of one lonely holdout) has cancelled Nextel and moved on to a service that's at least partially reliable, within reason. Yeah, in the outback of Australia, I don't expect to be able to dial my mom to see what's for dinner. But in downtown Valpo, I do. And I can, with my work-provided Verizon phone, consistently.
So I cancelled my Nextel about 2 years ago, after they came out to my home and did all kinds of diagnostics, held antennas up in the air, and a host of other things. Brian kept his because he still used it for work, when he had a signal. At that time I was assured that SN was putting up new towers every day, and it should only be a matter of a few short months that I'd have the best coverage of any cellular provider. That was 2 years ago, and my service continues to be marginal, at best.
So I tried to call Brian Friday. He was between Crown Point and Valpo, a very busy, metropolitan area. No signal. I got the tell tale, all to familiar message in the friendly female voice "please hold while the Nextel subscriber youre trying to contact is located..." then... voice mail. That was it. This is 2007 people. iPhones, smart phones, phones that clean your house for you and take care of your kids... and I can't even place a damn phone call.
I called SN. They said they regretted that they were losing me as a customer (yeah, probably because I'm only 1 of 30 left) and that they'd cancel my account. I should see a $200 cancellation fee on my next bill. Pardon me. I am paying $60 a month for a phone that dosen't work. When I signed a contract, Nextel agreed to provide me with service.. I was in the "covered area" afterall! Nextel is not providing me with service (that I'm paying for) and now wants to charge me to go away? I don't think so. For those of you who know me... that just WAS NOT going to happen over my dead body. It's a matter of principle. So after fighting with SN reps for the next 2 hours, I got one sympathetic to my cause. He said he'd waive the $200 fee if I agreed to try SN's new soulution to the problem, the "hybrid" phone for 30 days. If that's going to get me out of the contract, bring it on. I can live with anything for 30 days. So they sent me my brand spankin' new ic503 hybrid. It arrived (a day late) and I attempted to activate it as per my rep Winston's instruction. After talking to a clearly asian female for one hour, she assured me that my new super phone would be up and working in 1-4 hours. The message "in progress" read on the screen. This was at 4pm Tuesday, October 2. It is now Wednesday, October 3 at 5:26pm, and it is still "in progress." I have been attempting to contact Winston all day, as he told me that in the future, I would only have to deal with him.
No reply. So, I called technical support. I was told the system was "backlogged" to the tune of 80,000 customers, and it should be up in no time. Uh, I don't think so.
So I call again, fight with 2 or 3 more customer service reps who claim they can't do anything. They say, cancel the account, the $200 fee will be applied, then you can dispute it. Now, I wasn't born yesterday, which is something SN seems not to understand. Do they think that I believe for one minute that they will have any sympathy for a now non-customer? From a business holding on to every last penny they can keep before going under? Give me a break. Yeah, I'll sacrifice my great credit so SN can cash in on me a little more....
So amazingly, again another 2 hours later, I finally get through to Winston's office! The new retention guy I'm talking to knows Winston... and transfers me to his desk!! Winston sounds glad to hear from me. I explain the problem (again) and he confirms with technical support that there is a "backlog" whatever the hell that means.
My $200 is credited back to my account now closed account (or so they say), and now I sit on hold waiting for someone to tell me where I need to send my high speed ic502 and how to do it. Yeah, in the time I've been on hold, I've drafted this post. Impressive, isn't it? I'll let you know how it all pans out...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Western Dancing
Alright, well if you reference the last post, I thought "maybe something cool will happen tomorrow." Tomorrow came and went, and clearly nothing cool happened. This weekend was fun filled, however.
Friday we went out to dinner at Applebees. I have never really been impressed with Applebees, and the sole reason we chose it is because we had a gift card from Brian's birthday. I thought maybe with a new menu (since we probably haven't been there since his last birthday) or something, things would be different. Au contraire. It was the same ol' same ol' mediocre food. And $60 worth, with two kids meals and two beers each. Even the beers weren't good.
Attention retailers: If you advertise Guiness, and it's not draft, you need to let someone know this BEFORE they order. For any of you beer drinkers out there... Guiness really is not good (or at least $5.00 good) from a can, and even worse from a bottle. This is because Guiness draft is dispensed with Nitrogen instead of CO2. Apparently this has something very important to do with the taste. So, that's the Applebees story.
Saturday, we went to the NIHPA tractor show. This is an annual outing for us, as you can imagine. It's also where the title for the blog comes in. Aside from tractors, NIHPA also hosts other groups to provide fine, hillbilly entertainment. The good time cloggers, and some something Western Dancers. The western dancers were performing at this particular time. They are apparently part of some cult, and all wear telling bright yellow shirts as they are doing their dancing. Anyway...
They were performing the "electric slide" - very contemporary western dance, mind you - and caught Jade's attention. She ran over to the gazebo, and felt it necessary to participate in the line dance. Funny thing was that she was also clad in a bright yellow shirt (no, not the cult shirt, a John Deere shirt) and cowboy boots. She fit right in, and really enjoyed cutting a rug.
I'll add pics later, so check back - they're pretty cute. This turned out to be a very expensive day for us. Aside from the $10 admission, Brian felt it necessary to visit the flea market, where he purchased $30 worth of "collectables." Of course, then Vincent wanted a toy too, and chose one of the most expensive, metal combine tractors they had. We are now up to $90. Believe it or not, we walked around that show, danced, took pictures, shopped, and went on hayrides for almost 3 full hours. Incidentally, we ran out of money half way through, at which time I was directed to the ATM at a nearby gas station. Brian and the kids stayed behind. As I was about half way to the car (read, 1 mile or so from where we were) to go get more money, I realized the car KEYS were in the stroller, with the kids and Brian. I walked back, and then looked for them for roughly 30 minutes. I couldn't exactly ask anyone, "have you seen the guy with a stroller and two kids in John Deere shirts?" as that was just about every one there. This is also probably the same reason why I must have walked right past them at least twice, as Brian claims he never left his post where I left him. Oh well. I needed the exercise. Oh, yeah make that total $94 now that we had to add bank fees for two banks for a "non-Chase" ATM. Geez.
That was about it for Saturday, except I made some really kick ass hamburgers for dinner. This is a really interactive blog, isn't it? By the way, kraftfoods.com has great, easy, dummy proof recipes.
Sunday was ok. I got up in the morning and taught a body safety class at a church in LaPorte. As I was driving home, I happened to see Downtown Dawgs, the business my first customer bought that canvas fireworks picture for the grand opening. I stopped in and viewed my work, as it was prominently displayed in a very conspicuous place in the restaurant. Yay.
Brian sealed the deck when I got home. Vincent played literally ALL DAY with the neighborhood boys, so that was good. I rode Harley (see photo, right), then came home and watched football. Oh yeah, I made a pork roast for pulled pork sandwiches too. Then I mourned at the Broncos horrible loss to the Colts. Of course, the first Bronco's game that is actually broadcasted in this area, and they perform miserably. Actually, the first quarter wasn't bad at all, then all hell broke loose. Oh well. It was still a decent weekend.
Friday we went out to dinner at Applebees. I have never really been impressed with Applebees, and the sole reason we chose it is because we had a gift card from Brian's birthday. I thought maybe with a new menu (since we probably haven't been there since his last birthday) or something, things would be different. Au contraire. It was the same ol' same ol' mediocre food. And $60 worth, with two kids meals and two beers each. Even the beers weren't good.
Attention retailers: If you advertise Guiness, and it's not draft, you need to let someone know this BEFORE they order. For any of you beer drinkers out there... Guiness really is not good (or at least $5.00 good) from a can, and even worse from a bottle. This is because Guiness draft is dispensed with Nitrogen instead of CO2. Apparently this has something very important to do with the taste. So, that's the Applebees story.
Saturday, we went to the NIHPA tractor show. This is an annual outing for us, as you can imagine. It's also where the title for the blog comes in. Aside from tractors, NIHPA also hosts other groups to provide fine, hillbilly entertainment. The good time cloggers, and some something Western Dancers. The western dancers were performing at this particular time. They are apparently part of some cult, and all wear telling bright yellow shirts as they are doing their dancing. Anyway...
They were performing the "electric slide" - very contemporary western dance, mind you - and caught Jade's attention. She ran over to the gazebo, and felt it necessary to participate in the line dance. Funny thing was that she was also clad in a bright yellow shirt (no, not the cult shirt, a John Deere shirt) and cowboy boots. She fit right in, and really enjoyed cutting a rug.
I'll add pics later, so check back - they're pretty cute. This turned out to be a very expensive day for us. Aside from the $10 admission, Brian felt it necessary to visit the flea market, where he purchased $30 worth of "collectables." Of course, then Vincent wanted a toy too, and chose one of the most expensive, metal combine tractors they had. We are now up to $90. Believe it or not, we walked around that show, danced, took pictures, shopped, and went on hayrides for almost 3 full hours. Incidentally, we ran out of money half way through, at which time I was directed to the ATM at a nearby gas station. Brian and the kids stayed behind. As I was about half way to the car (read, 1 mile or so from where we were) to go get more money, I realized the car KEYS were in the stroller, with the kids and Brian. I walked back, and then looked for them for roughly 30 minutes. I couldn't exactly ask anyone, "have you seen the guy with a stroller and two kids in John Deere shirts?" as that was just about every one there. This is also probably the same reason why I must have walked right past them at least twice, as Brian claims he never left his post where I left him. Oh well. I needed the exercise. Oh, yeah make that total $94 now that we had to add bank fees for two banks for a "non-Chase" ATM. Geez.
That was about it for Saturday, except I made some really kick ass hamburgers for dinner. This is a really interactive blog, isn't it? By the way, kraftfoods.com has great, easy, dummy proof recipes.Sunday was ok. I got up in the morning and taught a body safety class at a church in LaPorte. As I was driving home, I happened to see Downtown Dawgs, the business my first customer bought that canvas fireworks picture for the grand opening. I stopped in and viewed my work, as it was prominently displayed in a very conspicuous place in the restaurant. Yay.
Brian sealed the deck when I got home. Vincent played literally ALL DAY with the neighborhood boys, so that was good. I rode Harley (see photo, right), then came home and watched football. Oh yeah, I made a pork roast for pulled pork sandwiches too. Then I mourned at the Broncos horrible loss to the Colts. Of course, the first Bronco's game that is actually broadcasted in this area, and they perform miserably. Actually, the first quarter wasn't bad at all, then all hell broke loose. Oh well. It was still a decent weekend.
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