ATT Customer Service

We all have had horrible experiences with customer service be it for one company or another. However yesterday, I had a rockin' customer service day.

Dan and I had been discussing direct tv as we are in the stone age and don't have cable. Well the internet choice bundling wouldn't give me an idea of what I wanted. So I called just to see what the price was. Boy am I glad I called!

They haven't been telling anyone, but if you were a Bell South customer call and ask about being 'switched' to ATT's plans. Why? Because for a flat rate of $25 you get your local as well as Unlimited long distance. (need it having an at home business and a cell phone with a different area code). That happens to be cheaper than Bell South's rates with NO long distance. So for switching that over we got a $50 rebate. Well, then I ask about bundling bills. By bundling our (already bundled) internet, we got another $30 rebate. Ok, DUH! She then informs me that for one price I get that phone plan, faster internet and direct tv AND another $50 rebate.

So now I'm up to $130 in rebates. I go on and ask more detailed questions about the direct tv and cost and what extra is going to be added to our bill. Sometimes I ask her to repeat it so that I make sure it's noted in our account. I start asking questions about DVR...well that's a free upgrade with no monthly charge. Ok, add it to my order please! I double check with her again to make sure nothing is going to be added to my bill each month and she lets me know that nothing other than the state taxes. Okay. fine. I restate it again just to make sure that I heard her correctly and to make sure there is record of it.

After I am done speaking with her, she transfers me to wireless as I have a few questions for them.

I had been getting messages from the company saying I was eligible for a phone upgrade. yay! Everytime I went into the store though, they are like the free phone is this and proceed to show me the old Nokia...you know the one. So I thought I'd look online. Well, I found one that I wanted and it's pink!! I add it to my cart and it says "total due today: 0.00 **" Well I saw the astricks and that's what I was wanting to ask about.

So I talk to the guy about what it all meant and he said there is an $18.00 upgrade fee. That's dumb. I've been a customer, with this phone, never having a late bill since I was 19 years old. We're both looking at my account at the same time. I mention the "fee waived" part that I had just noticed on the bill. He checks and sure enough it was so I pay nothing....not even shipping. Yay so now I have a free phone!

But wait, there's more! (man that sounds like a RonCo commercial)

Being a Mary Kay consultant, I knew I was eligible for another discount. So I ask about that and what I need to do in order to receive it. He tells me. I do it and call back. So now, I have a discount on my cell bill. Here's the kicker. By adding the direct TV and taking the discount off my phone. We are spending the SAME amount of money each month.

So as of today, I like ATT customer service. We'll see how much I still like them between 12 and 4 on Friday afternoon.

Moving....

No we're not moving...not yet anyway, but Jackson is. Sunday he started crawling. So far he has 2 favorite spots to crawl to and try to play. First, he enjoys the VCR (yes, we still have one) with the portible DVD player on top of it. His second favorite spot is my Mary Kay discount basket. I guess he likes the bright colors.

The thing that I really love about his age right now is he LOVES to give me kisses. Sure I have more slobber than a lick from a Saint Bernard would give me, but I love his kisses. You never know when they are coming, but he grabs my cheeks with both hands and just lays them on me.

Other than that, I've been working and getting ready for vacation. Everyday when Dan comes home from work he gives me the offical count down; both in days until we leave, but also how many more days he has to work between now and then. So what are the numbers?? 14 and 7.5 I'm so ready for this vacation. We'll be celebrating a lot while we are there: 3 birthdays, 2 anniversaries and several first-timers to Disney. Dan thinks I haven't done anything for his birthday. Little does he know that there is a cake coming out for him while we are dining with Goofy. My in-laws are also in the dark in regards to their anniversary. This year will be there 42nd one. Dinner that the Coral Reef restaraunt will be so suprising for them when the divers swim by holding a banner that says, "Happy Anniversary Grammie and Papa" I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, but they aren't necessarily for public notation or day time television. Then again, Dan and I are celebrating our anniversary too....

Anyhow, Jackson and I will be off to Richmond later this afternoon. Mom to work; Jackson to chill with Aunt Neen. All should be fun!!

Ready for a Slow Down.

We've gone non-stop for weeks it feels like. It's been a relativly good busy, but non-stop none the less.

Friday after WW we went to the mall for lunch with my SIL, nephew and a friend. We walked around for a bit and I got 2 new pair of shoes!! :) Aftwerwards, we went over to my SIL's to go swimming. I think we were in the pool for about 3 hours. Since it was after 5 at that point we stayed for dinner which turned into a game of Rummikub.

Saturday we slept in...some of us more than others. Then we went for some fine dining at the Golden Corral. YUMMY! Steak and eggs for breakfast! I was very good with my choices. Not one bisquit or drop of gravy. I really didn't crave it either. Next, we came home and everyone took a nap. Mine happened to be about 3 hours long. Once we got up and ate lunch, we had to clean the house as we had life group at our house that evening.

Sunday we had to wake Jackson up for church. Then we went out and got some groceries for my SIL and had lunch at her place. We left there only to run home for a couple of seconds while I grabbed the birthday gift for the party we were attending. Once home fromt he party it was off to bed for Jackson and then dinner and Big Brother for mom and dad.

So yeah, I'm ready for a slow down.

In other news, I received a phone call today from my dr. Bloodclot is gone!!!

Jackson had his 6 mos. check up. Developmentally he is ahead of at least 90% of kids his age! What momma wouldn't be proud of that?! Physically he is in the 95% for height and 60% for weight. Tall, skinny kid.

Routine

For some reason, the routine's of this household are on my mind this morning. I guess maybe it's because I'm missing a part of my morning routine. Really bad. It's amaxing to me how one minor thing can change an person's routine in a huge way. The hardest part of that is figuring out what to do to "fill in the gap" and put the part of your routine that you had to take out for one reason or another into a different part of the daily routine.

Change isn't easy for most, yet it's the only constant in life. Change with a baby is even more difficult. When the littlest member of the household gets off routine it takes a week or so to get back into one. However, for me at least, I usually don't have a week where what's routine is the same every day. It may be the same on Mondays or Thursdays, but not the whole week.

I can give Jackson credit though. When we go on vacation in 29 days and he is completly off routine, he shouldn't be too bad fussy or anything.

However, he is fussing; ready to get up. Just like his normal morning routine.

Disney redeemed themselves

Yup...they did after yesterday. Although, it had nothing to do with yesterday.

So I'm sitting in my office checking email, etc. The phone rings. Caller ID say 407-something something.... I knew right away it was Disney. Well, the restaraunt that Dan and I were going to have a lovely just the two of us (and Jackson) dinner at is being renovated so they had to move our reservations to some place else in Disney. I was a little bummed, but not a ton as it was our chance to eat in Canada since we had to cut out that reservation earlier in the month. Luckily they had an opening for us on that Saturday night...it's one of the hardest places in Epcot to get reservations. So I'm pretty thrilled #1 that they called and #2 we got to eat where we wanted.

But wait, there's more! The girl goes on and says that since we were inconveienced they have a little something for us. She said we're giving you VIP passes for the Illuminations that night. Not completly showing it in my voice, I'm totally excited! I was informed that there would be a cast member waiting for us around 840 to walk us to our area of seating for the 930 show!

Now not only do we have VIP passes, but for us it's a big deal as last year we missed it because we fell asleep after dinner so it was the one show that Dan and I wanted to see! YAY!

I think I'm going to scream

if I hear one more time, "let me transfer you".

Normally I have no problems when calling Disney. Not the case today. I call to pay the balance on our vacation in October. I go through the automated selections. Finally I get a real person. They say oh you're with a grand gathering let me transfer you. So I get transfered. That person says oh you're making a payment, let me transfer you. It takes me back to the automated selections. I get a 3rd live person and she says, well didn't you call this number? It's the grand gathering number. I said no, they were transfering me there and I got the automated selection. She informs me that if I call the number I'll go straight to a person skipping the stupid menu.

I call.

The automated menu is there. Finally I get a real person that is actually willing to take my money!

UGH!! Maybe it's worse today since we're all sick. I don't know, but I've never had worse service from Disney.

I could..... I can.

I've had lots to say lately, but no way to say it.

I could talk about how much Jackson has grown or that he is sitting up on his own now or that he talks so much he's a carbon copy of his momma. That just doesn't sit right with me at the present time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my son and I'm amazed at what he does at his young age. It's just not the right thing for me to discuss.

I could go on about how we are ready for Jackson to be a big brother. I'm already fielding the "you're crazy lady" comments, but whatever.

I could go totally opposite and talk about how it still hurts so bad to know that my mom lives in FLA now. Yeah, I'll get to see her for 2 days at the end of our vacation, but that's it.

I could go even further from that and say how blessed Dan and I are. He isn't thrilled with his job right now. He's talked about changing to Toyota, but is the grass really greener?

I could talk about help; how it's such a difficult thing for me to ask for. I could say that I was told in recent weeks it's probably the #2 (if not #1) reason I'm not married to someone else right now.

None of those is really what is and has been on my heart lately.

What is on my heart is completely different from that. What is on my heart is not meant for one person in particular, but a myriad.

So here it goes.

I'm different. I'm not the same person you knew, dated, or loved. I'm not the same person you lived with, said was your "BFF" and now choose to ignore, or fought with.

I'm a completely different person than I was a year ago, 3 years ago, 5 years ago. Life does that to us. Experience, good and bad, does that too us. Sometimes when the natural ebb and flow of life doesn't allow paths to cross, you have to find a way for them cross.

Becoming a wife teaches you a lot. Becoming a mommy teaches you a lot, but doing them both within a year teaches you even more. I think some people would be pleasantly surprised with changes I've made. Not that I was a bad person or anything before, but I've still changed and bettered myself. I think there are others that would be or are proud of my life changes. I'm sure there are others still that could care less....and I'm okay with that.

In the midst of my thoughts the past couple weeks, I've decided I need to make some personal apologies. I'd like to make them in person, but some just aren't able to be. That's not something I will post publicly other than possibly to say that it was done. One of those will hopefully happen this weekend. We shall see.

My heart and head feel better.

I can go on talking about my son and the mundane things in life.

I can prepare myself mentally, physcially, spiritually and emotionally to become a mommy again.

I can be excited for vacation in October and going to see my mom.

I can be supportive of my husband and the choices he makes as head of the household.

I can ask for help when I need it.

I did it...

I asked for help.

Bummed.

So while I was talking to my brother this morning, he mentioned something about Joanne Glasser possibly leaving EKU (it's nice to have close people in the know). Well, on the news tonight it was said that she has resigned. Man, I can't believe it. I hope they find someone that can fill her shoes. As long as they don't put Harry Moberly in there, this too shall pass.

Early Riser.

yup, that's my son all right.
This morning it was 530. So he's playing.
Friday morning, he thought 430 was a great time to wake up and play...
Dad and I on the other hand, not so much.

I know what you are saying....keep him up later.
Trust me, I wish I could.
But even keeping him up until 715 makes him unbearable for that extra part.

Oh well, extra time with the 2nd love of my life isn't really that bad; especially since I'm working more now.

Speaking of working more....
We're going on target for our car this month!!!
I'm not completly sure on even who reads this anymore, but if you think you might like to try what I do or know someone who would enjoy it, has more month than money, or just wants some girlfriend time....please let me know!!

Baby Fever

I've got it BAD. People think I'm crazy and I'm okay with that... I've always been a little crazy.
I know Jackson is only 5 months old (well, almost), but still. I'm SOOOOO ready for another one.
We said we'd start trying in October on vacation, but I don't know if I can wait that long. It's not like we have a problem getting pregnant or anything.
I know it'll be crazy in the beginning, but it'll be totally worth it. Plus, when I'm done with diapers, I'm done. I'm not going to have them spaced 3, 4, 5 years apart. It's not for me (or Dan for that matter).
Besides, after this little medical episode, I'm not allowed to go back on the pill ever again. Considering that's the form of B.C. we like, and typically works for me looks like we'll have to try to good ole calendar method. (maybe there is a little catholicism in our blood from way back in our families)


Otherwise, things are on the up and up...somewhat. We're trying to sell the LaBaron too...it's time. We don't REALLY need it. It's a '90. Asking price at the moment is $1000. We'll work with that.
Bills, well, they suck. That's part of growing up and getting older though.

My marriage rocks though!
My husband is awesome.
Supportive of my dreams and goals.

What more could a girl ask for?!

I made it to yet another weekend.

Well, I made it. Out of that hellish weekend last weekend to hopefully something a little better.
Things have been totally crazy around here.
LOTS of work things. (a good situation)
An unwanted argument.
Great making up....

Anywho, I'd better get back to it.
Hopefully a little more posting to come.

Long Week.

Is it over yet???

Ever have one of those weeks when by the time Tuesday hits you are ready for it to be over? It's not that it's been a bad week really. I just am dreading this weekend. I offered to help out at the LSS while the girls are gone at CHA. I'm there open to close Thursday (with Jackson there until Dan gets off work), noon-4 on Friday (and then driving up and back to Cincy) and finally open to close on Saturday. Then I get a phone call YESTERDAY asking if I can come in at 6 so they can leave early. Are you serious?!

Now, a little background. We were trying out a partnership there. However, it was decided that since Dan and I want to have 3 more children right close and the fact she didn't like it when I flat out told her MK was going to come before the store that it wasn't going to work. So yes, I did say origninally that I would come in to close. Here's the issue with that now:
1. I said that when it was a benefit to me and I wouldn't be working other hours.
2. I said that I'd come in at 730 (store closes at 8) to do the closing.

Anywho, I get this "guilt trip" of "well, I guess I'm going to have to call Paul (her husband) to come in. He's not going to be happy since he's watching the store while you won't be there on Friday." That just made me angrier. I wanted to lie to her all together and say I couldn't work at all after she said that to me. When you go into business, especially one like this area, your significant other (who works from home) is going to have to realize that he's going to have to help out sometimes if the store is going to go to the trade shows. That's just how it is.

I feel like she is taking advantage of me... and she probably is. That's okay. I don't have to help out. I'll go in for DT when I need is there and that's about it. I have bigger and better things to do.

Bigger and better things in my life:
1. God
2. Dan
3. Jackson
4. my mom
5. my business (and all that comes with it)
6. my friends
7. my home
8. my health (mental, physical, emotional and spiritual)
(and those are just off the top of my head)

Cousin Caleb watching the fish at the Arboratum (April 29)

Chillin' at Normandy Horse Farm (april 30)

Tired of working Nana's Yard Sale (May 5)

Bath Time (June 8)

Jackson in his bouncy seat (june 29)

Whirlwind

That is definatly an accurate discription of life lately. It just seems as if every summer gets busier and busier. It never stops! Most days it's fun and exciting as I never know what the day will bring or what new thing Jackson will decide to start doing.

This past weekend was one of those busy ones of which I have been speaking.

Friday:

• weighed in with Nancy and my MIL. I lost 5.2 lbs to bring a total of 15. 6 :)
• we all went to the mall. Of course we stopped in the Disney store. I think Dan went in 3 times that day. (he took the boys over while we were at WW)
• had a wonderful lunch in the food court. A group of deaf families were near us and of course everyone was fascinated by the signing. Of course I was asked several times about what they were saying, etc.
• As Dan and I were headed home, Nancy called. They came over and watched Jackson so we could go to dinner at Murray's!!! YUMMY. We were home within an hour and a half of our reservations. We weren't really sure on what else to do.

Saturday:

• Slept in some.
• Cleaned up a bit.
• I blew up the inflatable pool for Caleb to go swimming.
• MIL, FIL, Nancy and Caleb show up.
• Dave and Donna show up while Caleb is swimming.
  
• We nibbled a bit.
• I received a phone call from Amby and RG as they were in stand still traffic on 75S.
• Took the boys swimming. Yup, Jackson got in too!
  
• Amby and RG finally showed up. They brought my wedding pictures!!!
• Unfortunatly they couldn't stay very long due to their traffic fun.
• Nancy had to leave for work. So our family minus Nancy went to dinner.
• Everyone headed home and we looked at wedding pictures.
• Finally we were tired of doing that so we watched a movie. It was nearly midnight before we went to bed. Dan and I hadn't done that in forever.

Sunday:

• church
• lunch at Nancy's
• quick trip to Sam's. I can't believe how much diapers are....even on sale! We spent $150 and got 2 packages of diapers, 2 cans of formula, a thing of wipes, 1 5x7 photo and picture CD and then some Crystal Light! Lord almighty....and we want 3 more!!
• had some family time and then just relaxed.

That was, in a nutshell, my weekend. Jackson had his first dip in the pool. What fun it was!!

I'll leave you with some pics as many have been requesting them.

Jackson with his cousins for Memorial Day.

Jackson eating for the first time. (June 25)

Jackson and Caleb in the yard. (Wednesday)

Jackson and Caleb swimming. (Saturday)

15.15

I guess I really should update this thing.

Becoming a mommy for the first time (and probably the times thereafter) completly turns your world upside down. I can't believe Jackson was 4 mos. old on Sunday. Time just flies.

He had a visit with the dr. yesterday. Dr. Warner is VERY impressed with his growth and development. He's doing many things that babies several months older than him do.

• rolls over from both back to belly and belly to back
  
• getting very close to sitting unsupported
• is eating "real" food

He weighed in yesterday at 15 lbs 15 oz and was 26.5 inches long. WOW!!

In other news, I've done a lot to really be building my business. That's another big reason I've not been updating as I'd like to, but you have to get back into the groove. I'm semi-there.

I try to maintain somewhat of a schedule, although it can be difficult.

Oh yeah and before I head out to get ready for the day, I have a new thing that I'm doing with Mary Kay. I now have a product of the month!

This month's product is: The Miracle Set. When you purchase the Miracle set from July 15-Aug. 15 you'll receive a FREE firming Eye Cream!!! Now who couldn't get excited about that?!

It's not fun anymore....

OK...I'm over it.
I'm ready to be done and have this baby. The contractions are so sparatic.
I'm uncomfortable 24/7.
My feet...oh my feet.
They've taken the name of "elephant feet." Even Old Navy flip flops are too tight across the top because of how swollen my feet are.

That's just not right, not human.

There's no ankle crease anymore...well there is, but it's almost a permanent indentation in the swollen mass.

It takes 3 men and a suction cup to roll over at night. Poor Dan...he gets about 6 inches of the bed and I can't even be comfortable in the rest.
Breathing sounds like a horse...
Heartrate up with all of it.

The baby has dropped to the point to where it feels like it's just going to fall out

...I wish it would.

If nothing happens between now and 445 tomorrow, we'll know something:

An induction
a scheduled c-section....

something.

Almost time

Well here we are....sitting at 36 and 1..... This time next week I will officially be "full term".

Friday morning at 1130 we go for an ultrasound and cerclage removal. There's a strong possiblilty that I could go from there to the labor and delivery floor. Frankly, I hope that's how it goes...

At the check up this past Friday, peanut HAS dropped and I'm at 0 station....means I'm ready to have the baby, just no dialation yet.

I do have to admit, not feeling peanut inside me will be thouroughly missed; for both Dan and I.

Baby Premintion??

So my mom called me the other night to tell me about a dream she had.... She dreamed I had the baby. It was a girl...7 lbs 14 oz. And the name, well she couldn't remember but it was a boyish name.

hmm...I wonder?!

In real life though...I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow. Holy cow...where did the time go??? At the dr. yesterday I was measured, per normal...
except one thing:
My measurements = HUGE


45 cm!!

normal = about the number of weeks you are.

I asked about the next ultrasound as this is either one BIG baby, or another is hinding. He didn't seem to say anything when I made the suggestion of twins....
didn't even give me a wierd look.

3:30

It happens twice a day.
I'll see both times it happens today.
UGH
I hate not being able to sleep because of being pregnant.
Don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant (most the time), but not at 330 in the morning because I'm TOO big to toss and turn!!!!

SO the 2nd 3:30 is coming up soon.
Maybe I'll go take a nap so I only see one of them...

2006 in Review.

2006 was quite the year. A big year!!! a HUGE year for me!!

JANUARY

• Did you have a New Year's resolution this year? Apparently I had several. Looking back in my blog I found some.
  
• Who kissed you at midnight? Notta....I was at a party with a bunch of bar friends.
  
• Did it snow where you live? Nope...it was cold though...real cold.
  
• Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? Not yet.
  

FEBRUARY

• Who was your Valentine? Notta. I was kinda depressed about that.
  
• What did your valentine get you? no valentaine = no gift.
  
• When you were little, did you buy valentine's for the whole class? Yup sure did. I saw them the other day at Wally World and thought it might be fun to send them to people. :)
  

MARCH

• Are you Irish? That's ONE of the countries in my line of heritage.
  
• Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day? Of course.
  What did you do for St. Patty's Day? My friend Matt came over and we hung out for a bit.
  

APRIL

• Do you like the rain? Yes I do...sometimes...not when it's cold though. I like summer rain.
  
• Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? I don't think so, but I'm sure I'll have to get Dan this year.
  
• Did you get tons of candy on Easter? actually J got me a tiny little basket and I was with Dan's family so part of his basket was for the both of us.
• April 9 I started talking to Dan
• April 10 I met Dan
• April 11 I could have killed him for inviting me to dinner and not telling his parents I was going to be there...that was awkward.
  

MAY

• What's your favorite kind of flower? Any flower that I actually get.
  
• Do you like the spring? Most the time. Usually it's the beginning of flip flops...not this year though since it's been so warm.
  
• Finish the phrase, "April showers bring..." May flowers and Mayflowers bring pilgrims!
  
• What would you think of as a spring color? baby pastels.
• May 6 we told our families we were getting married.
• May 13 he actually proposed right here at home.
  

JUNE

• What year did you graduate from school? High School:2001, College: 2005
  
• Did you go on any vacations last June? I don't think we did....we may have gone to Cincinnati for a weekend or two.
  

JULY

• What did you do on the 4th of July? We were in Cincinnati...I think...I honestly can't remember.
  
• Did you go on any vacations this month? No vacations, but I did do some weddings.
• July 24 found out we were going to be parents via the pee on a stick test.
  

AUGUST

• Did you do anything special to end off your summer? we were planning our wedding.
  
• What was your favorite summer memory of '06? planning our wedding, helping other friends with their wedding.
  
• Did you go swimming a lot in the summer? one time.
  
• Did you go to the beach a lot? nope...not at all.
• August 11ish we found out from the dr. that we needed an early detection ultrasound to find out for sure if we were pregnant.
• A week or so later we had that ultrasound.
  

SEPTEMBER

• Did you attend school/college in '06? No I didn't, I wanted to though.
  
• Who was your favorite teacher? No school, no favorite teachers.
  
• Did you like fall better than summer? Yes, I don't do well in the heat.
  

OCTOBER

• What was your favorite Halloween costume ever? I found my care bear costume...that's probably the one.
  
• What's your favorite candy? Chocolate, chocolate or chocolate...maybe even sour patch kids.
  
• What did you dress up like this year?Aunt Katy....Dan, Nancy, Dad and myself took Caleb out...he was a traffic light.
• October 13 married the best man in the world!
• We went to Disney on our honeymoon....can't wait to go back.
  

NOVEMBER

• Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving? We were at Dan's Aunt Mayme and Uncle Del's house....in Ohio...about an hour west of Cleveland...and it was 60 degrees!!!
  
• Do you like stuffing? I didn't use to, but I do now
  
• What are you thankful for? The rockin' year I've had and the rest to come!!!
  

DECEMBER

• Do you celebrate Christmas? yes, yes we do.
  
• Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes I have...and was this year!
  
• What do you want this year for Christmas? This year was hard I wanted the 2nd season on desperate housewives (thanks Amy), a portable DVD player (thanks dad) and it was hard coming up with other things....DVD's mainly
  
• What's the best present you ever got for Christmas? not sure I can answer that.
  
• Do you like cold weather? If it's a pretty snow, yes...otherwise no way.
  
• How would you rate your year on a scale of 1-10? I'd have to say 10.....fell in love, married the love of my life, and found out I was going to be a mommy. Very cool!!

So that's my year in review. I'm going to TRY to be better about updating my blog.