I've had a few things going on today and figure I must share the contents of my day. "Why?" you may ask. The answer is simple...because I can.
1. Lucy saw the dermatologist for the second time today to discuss her spot. According to the Dr. Lucy is fine and I am a hypochondriac. Ok, so she didn't really say that but I'm pretty sure she thinks it. Either way, the spot is nothing to be concerned about from what she can tell and she has us back in 4 months instead of 2 like we originally discussed. (Proof she thinks I am a bit of a worrier.)
2. Took the kids for a walk at the mall to burn some baby fat. While there I happily raided a K B Toys that is going out of business for awesome things for the (I think) super cool goodie bags for the kiddos at my cousins wedding. They're pain is my profit, everything I got was 50-70% off! Then, I scored some cool picture books for $1 each at the Borders outlet. Love that. Needless to say, I also had a huge coffee at Starbucks that forced Rex to run alongside the stroller...
3. Received a call from the manager at Wal Mart. He half-heartedly apologized for my inconvenience the other day and reassured me that he hired more cashiers this week. I am going to be sure to note his enthusiasm and conflict resolution skills in the letter I'm planning to write to their corporate offices.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hey Big Baby!
Lucy had her 2 month check up today!! She is doing great so far, weighing in at 10 lbs 12 oz. She is growing well by all accounts and we're enjoying every minute of it. She's super smiley and cooing nearly all of the time. It's so much fun!!
She has an appointment tomorrow at the dermatologist to look at her spot, we're hoping that will go just as well!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Big Box Boycott
Earlier today I needed to run to the store to pick up a few things for dinner. Since Todd is home sick I loaded up Lucy and we drove 4 miles down the road to Wal Mart, as we so often do because it is so darn cheap and close. We were shopping along fine, then she got crabby. I rushed through my shopping and got in line to check out. That's when it happened. 2 lanes open, staff worried about lunch and not customers, loads of people in line. Certainly a recipe for a very angry me (especially because Lucy was now nearing an all out rage). The other people in line with me were more helpful than the staff at Wal Mart...so I wrote them this little letter:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to inform you if my grossly disappointing visit to your Zion, IL Super Center on 1/6/09. As has happened on numerous occasions before, there were insufficient registers open when I approached your check out lanes. On this visit, at the first lane I entered the checker put up her lane closed sign after another customer and I were already waiting in her lane. She informed us that she was going to be going on her lunch break and would not be taking any further customers. This closure left 2 remaining registers open in the store, with at least 4 customers each waiting in line. The other patron and I joined this line of now 8 people where we waited as the cashier was having some difficulty. During this time another Wal Mart employee approached the lanes, but rather than open another lane she began to discuss lunch break schedules with other employees that were in the area but not operating a register. While myself and 7 other customers waited in line, 4 of your store employees congregated at the cash lanes discussing breaks and calling other available employees to operate the registers, rather than do so themselves. It took 5 minutes, 3 store pages and a member of management to finally open another register. Within this time I very seriously considered leaving my $80 cart of groceries in the store to tend to my infant daughter who began crying during this debacle.Unfortunately, I did have items I needed to purchase and felt forced to wait while the staff made their lunch plans.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to inform you if my grossly disappointing visit to your Zion, IL Super Center on 1/6/09. As has happened on numerous occasions before, there were insufficient registers open when I approached your check out lanes. On this visit, at the first lane I entered the checker put up her lane closed sign after another customer and I were already waiting in her lane. She informed us that she was going to be going on her lunch break and would not be taking any further customers. This closure left 2 remaining registers open in the store, with at least 4 customers each waiting in line. The other patron and I joined this line of now 8 people where we waited as the cashier was having some difficulty. During this time another Wal Mart employee approached the lanes, but rather than open another lane she began to discuss lunch break schedules with other employees that were in the area but not operating a register. While myself and 7 other customers waited in line, 4 of your store employees congregated at the cash lanes discussing breaks and calling other available employees to operate the registers, rather than do so themselves. It took 5 minutes, 3 store pages and a member of management to finally open another register. Within this time I very seriously considered leaving my $80 cart of groceries in the store to tend to my infant daughter who began crying during this debacle.Unfortunately, I did have items I needed to purchase and felt forced to wait while the staff made their lunch plans.
This is not the only incident where my family and I have encountered this sort of situation in this store. On several trips I have often felt I am sacrificing prompt and courteous service for the convenience and low prices. This trip, however, made the most impact on my choice to shop there because of the complete disregard for customer satisfaction. I live in an extended family household of 7 people where we spend an average of $200 per week on groceries and household items, most of which we purchase at this store. Though it may not create any sort of impact on your big-box establishment, I do not have any intention to shop at this or any other Wal Mart again. In fact I would rather drive 10 miles out of my way and pay double the price to be treated with courtesy just as I would rather devote my extra time informing my friends, neighbors and associates why I refuse to shop there than explain my dissatisfaction to a member of your management who does not appear to take it seriously.
I am not sure what your customer philosophy entails, but I do not believe the behavior I witnessed is in line with that of any successful business. I hope that you can convey at least that part of my message to your staff.
Sick Bay
Kids with two weeks off for winter break, a hubby with numerous vacation days to celebrate at home, and what do we get the first day back? Sick.
We aren't even sure where it came from, but it sounds suspiciously close to a bug a friend described this weekend that ravaged her family on Christmas. Todd certainly has it, so he has been banished to the basement. I'm pretty sure I've got it too, but I'm doing my best to fight it before I get to Todd status. Then there's the kiddos, all fine now but we'll see if they make it to the weekend illness free. We're certainly crossing our fingers...
We aren't even sure where it came from, but it sounds suspiciously close to a bug a friend described this weekend that ravaged her family on Christmas. Todd certainly has it, so he has been banished to the basement. I'm pretty sure I've got it too, but I'm doing my best to fight it before I get to Todd status. Then there's the kiddos, all fine now but we'll see if they make it to the weekend illness free. We're certainly crossing our fingers...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Oops, I Did It Again...
I really hate to quote Ms. Spears, but there is nothing more fitting than her old standby for what happened to me last night...Bowling Night. Two margaritas at dinner + a beer and a half at bowling = me barfing in the car on the way home (I actually threw up in a box that minutes earlier housed a very cute outfit for Lucy from some well wishing friends). Damn it. I thought I was regaining some sort of tolerance to alcohol, but apparently I was very mistaken. Todd continues to list the goofy (and somewhat obnoxious) things I was doing (so far the list includes air guitar on the lanes & showing off a belly I am VERY self conscious about right now), not to mention he is blaming me and my shenanigans for provoking similar behavior in the other bowling wives. Double damn it.
With only months before a highly anticipated family wedding I really need to work on my behavior after a few drinks, unfortunately Todd has already claimed the next bowling night as his time to return the favor of becoming ridiculously drunk...to which I simply said if he can get there in less than 4 drinks like I did, he can have at it.
With only months before a highly anticipated family wedding I really need to work on my behavior after a few drinks, unfortunately Todd has already claimed the next bowling night as his time to return the favor of becoming ridiculously drunk...to which I simply said if he can get there in less than 4 drinks like I did, he can have at it.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The (wo)Man Behind The Magic
I had a request from my MIL to include more photos of me on this blog. Seems with all of the photos posted I am lacking some of myself.
I feel I should do some explaining because I think I have good reasons for this...#1. I am nearly always the person taking pictures. Todd does sometimes, but usually I man the camera. #2. I have not been very eager to jump in front of the lens this past year. My chubby pregnant face and unrecognizable bod have made me a temporary photo hermit. (Truthfully, I am secretly hoping there are very few pics of the 2008 Ky floating around, just as I did in '04 &'97.) #3. I am the person obsessed with blogging. I have even been scolded by my hubby for grabbing the camera solely to capture the moment "for the blog."
So...now that you understand why I act merely as the messenger, I suppose I can share a few pics of the Christmas me (please read that as the unshowered, first-thing-in-the-morning me not necessarily posing for photos taken by my aunt and her blasted cell phone).
See, I told you...even when my camera broke I opted to use Rex's to continue to take pictures.
Lucy's Honey Bear uniform. Too bad the Bears didn't make the playoffs...maybe next year.
I feel I should do some explaining because I think I have good reasons for this...#1. I am nearly always the person taking pictures. Todd does sometimes, but usually I man the camera. #2. I have not been very eager to jump in front of the lens this past year. My chubby pregnant face and unrecognizable bod have made me a temporary photo hermit. (Truthfully, I am secretly hoping there are very few pics of the 2008 Ky floating around, just as I did in '04 &'97.) #3. I am the person obsessed with blogging. I have even been scolded by my hubby for grabbing the camera solely to capture the moment "for the blog."
So...now that you understand why I act merely as the messenger, I suppose I can share a few pics of the Christmas me (please read that as the unshowered, first-thing-in-the-morning me not necessarily posing for photos taken by my aunt and her blasted cell phone).
See, I told you...even when my camera broke I opted to use Rex's to continue to take pictures.
Lucy's Honey Bear uniform. Too bad the Bears didn't make the playoffs...maybe next year.
Ok, this one isn't me, but isn't she cute!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wii-ly Fun
My grandma bought our family a Nintendo Wii for Christmas. The gift tag said to the family, but us adults figured it would really be more for the kids than anyone else. Well, we were wrong. I have not had as much fun with a video game system since Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog when I was a starry eyed tween.
The grown ups in this house are caught in front of the TV far more often than the kiddos these days. Last night, Harry and Lisa opted to compete in games of golf and bowling rather than watch their usual evening worth of crap network television. (At one point I even heard them argue because my dad was cheating...amidst rants that the game is nothing like the real thing he said he did not want to lose to my mom again.) Todd and I are big fans of the Boom Blox game Nate got for Christmas (we even considered bringing it to a friends so the adults could play while the kids watched movies). Perhaps the most notable shift in gaming here is that my parents returned from a trip to the store with a new fishing game they could not wait to play. That is, after Nate showed them how to do it.
Then there is the coup de grace: the Wii Fit my mother and I called every Target in a 15 mile radius trying to find and traveled near light speed to pick up 1 of 4 available in the area. For $90 ($140 after we bought a few "accessories") we purchased fitness bliss. It weighs you, motivates you, and helps you work out while playing games. So much cooler than strenuous dvds and way cheaper than a gym membership. For 30 minutes a day I do yoga, strength training, and aerobics in my living room and get updates on my progress toward my weight goals. AWESOME.
Bottom line, if your kids want one (and you can scrape up the cash), get one. You won't regret it.
LuLu update: In case you were wondering...Lucy did end her potty struggle after 7 gag-worthy prunes and mostly before we got to our friends house. Granted she did need a new diaper before getting out of her car seat at the party, but we are still considering that a success. So, this is where I have to send a shout out to Todd's boss, Tina, for the prune recommendation. She seems to know a little about everything and has yet to fail us with her knowledge. I keep telling Todd to push her to try out for Jeopardy. I think she could be the one to make us forget about Ken Jennings...
The grown ups in this house are caught in front of the TV far more often than the kiddos these days. Last night, Harry and Lisa opted to compete in games of golf and bowling rather than watch their usual evening worth of crap network television. (At one point I even heard them argue because my dad was cheating...amidst rants that the game is nothing like the real thing he said he did not want to lose to my mom again.) Todd and I are big fans of the Boom Blox game Nate got for Christmas (we even considered bringing it to a friends so the adults could play while the kids watched movies). Perhaps the most notable shift in gaming here is that my parents returned from a trip to the store with a new fishing game they could not wait to play. That is, after Nate showed them how to do it.
Then there is the coup de grace: the Wii Fit my mother and I called every Target in a 15 mile radius trying to find and traveled near light speed to pick up 1 of 4 available in the area. For $90 ($140 after we bought a few "accessories") we purchased fitness bliss. It weighs you, motivates you, and helps you work out while playing games. So much cooler than strenuous dvds and way cheaper than a gym membership. For 30 minutes a day I do yoga, strength training, and aerobics in my living room and get updates on my progress toward my weight goals. AWESOME.
Bottom line, if your kids want one (and you can scrape up the cash), get one. You won't regret it.
LuLu update: In case you were wondering...Lucy did end her potty struggle after 7 gag-worthy prunes and mostly before we got to our friends house. Granted she did need a new diaper before getting out of her car seat at the party, but we are still considering that a success. So, this is where I have to send a shout out to Todd's boss, Tina, for the prune recommendation. She seems to know a little about everything and has yet to fail us with her knowledge. I keep telling Todd to push her to try out for Jeopardy. I think she could be the one to make us forget about Ken Jennings...
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