Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Mostly Wordless Wednesday...The Writings on the Wall

Hubby and I landed at a quaint little shop in Solvang
on our weekend adventure up the Central Coast

I walked into this craft store and fell in love
with the writings on the wall...



http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Confessions of a Shopaholic...Now You Done Gone and Pissed Her Off


I’m normally a happy, easy going person.
I laugh all the time
I smile at everyone
I’ll start a conversation almost anywhere
I usually end up talking to creepers the most random people
and end up in the most akward of conversations
(maybe I’ll should write about those)

But lately
I’ve noticed a change

Maybe it’s frustration
Maybe it’s anger
Maybe it’s the stores ripping me off
and the second you question the cashier,
they look at you like you just grew a 2nd head.

Seriously?!

I do NOT understand why when I ask the cashier to double check a price
I get the sigh
I get the eye roll
I get the complete attitude

Hey, I’ve been in their position before…
I’ve worked in the Customer Service field in some way or another most of my working life
I understand people have bad days, but c’mon people.
What’s with the all of the attitude?

This past Sunday I was uber-excited
because the Halloween costumes were on sale for $12 at Target.
I sent Teen 2 with The Boy to search the aisles
as I picked up other items on our shopping list.
As I approach the Halloween aisle,

Teen 2 holds up the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume that The Boy chose.
I check the price on the rack and the tag shows a $12 sale price over the regular price
We throw everything in the cart and stroll up to the register
I place the costume up on the register belt first
Then I begin to unload the rest of my items
The cashier scans the barcode, and sure enough $20 appears on the screen.
She scans another item.
How much was the costume, I ask?
She squints into her computer screen, $20.
The display shows that it’s on sale for $12, I explain
No, it’s $20, she says.
Sigh* here we go… This aint my first price war lady!
Can you please check because they’re on sale for $12, I ask.

The cashier in lane 7 chimes in-
$12 for the costume, she chuckles as she picks up the weekly ad
Look B*tch, I want to say, but I compose myself.
My cashier flips the switch on her #8 light pole for some help.
over walks her supervisor
She says it’s on sale for $12, the cashier explains to her supervisor
The supervisor swipes the barcode
She turns the computer screen to face me.
It’s $20, see, it says here in the computer.
She points- this right here- says that if you didn’t have a receipt and returned it, you’d get $20
That means it’s never been on sale.

At this point, my blood is boiling and the line behind me is building up.
Ok, I say, with a twitch, I could feel a little crazy comin' on
Now they done gone and pissed me off…

Unfortunately I wasn’t wearing the most comfortable shoes
so I didn’t have the strength to walk to the all the way to back of the store again
and it was apparent her lazy supervisor wasn’t going to entertain the customer standing before her.

I go home with determination to confirm the price is only $12
That’s $8 they’ve just taken from me, I’m thinking.
How many people are there today buying costumes and not double checking their receipt?
How much extra profit are they making without the consumer realizing it.

I look over the ad, yep $12.
I go online, sure enough $12.
I take off my cowboy boots, throw on some slippers, gather my Target bag, and receipt
And put on my boxing gloves
(Well not really, but wouldn’t that have been funny?!)

Ahem, I digress

I stomp into Target
Walk all the way to the back of the store
find the exact Teenage Mutant Ninja Costume
It’s right there, The Boy says as he points to the ground.
it fell off when I took the costume off Mom.
He certainly is my kid, he knew exactly what I was looking for
I pick it up.
The Sale Sticker showing $12 clearly states
“Rafael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle”
The Boy and I march back up to the register.

I take my costume and receipt out of the bag.
I was overcharged, I tell the cashier, I want to get my money back.
I show him the sale tag.
He re-works the transaction and gives my $8 back.

I ask him if the lady with the glasses on is the manger
She’s the supervisor, he replies.
Tell her to believe the customer next time, I instruct him.
I will, he quivers.
I’ll show her this he says as he holds up the sales tag.

I take my Boy, his costume, and my $8 and vow to never shop at Target again.

I know that won’t really happen, but damn they pissed me off!!


http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Mostly Wordless Wednesday...Cheese please

Teen 1 is such a cheeseball sometimes
She picked the header for our photo booth photo shoot
give mama a kiss
 
Beauty and The Beast!
http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Moments of Serenity


I despise homework

My fourth grade teacher helped to solidify my disdain
I already had a dislike for it
Mr. O’Mally didn’t believe in it. Period.
He told us so
In fourth grade
My little brain attached to that concept
He was smart, he was a teacher
He dressed up as a leprechaun for St. Patrick’s Day for goodness sake
He taught us how to construct wooden napkin holders with real saws and workhorses
He taught us how to build rockets that actually flew through the air
From that year on, I didn’t believe in homework either


As life would have it, I would end up with 3 kids of my own
3 kids that would obviously go to school
3 kids that would have homework
The thought of their homework makes me irritable
I try, they try
I get frustrated, they get frustrated
I explain, they roll their eyes
I instruct, they complain

I curse you Mr. O'Mally *shakes fist in the air*

Thankfully the teenagers are in high school
and I’m pretty clueless so they hardly ask for help
The Boy has started doing his homework at daycare

Wheh…

Until yesterday,
Teen 2 was at the dining room table working on her homework when I stepped foot in the door
The Boy had completed some pages at school,
but I told him to sit down and study his spelling words and math
Teen 1 must’ve felt the homework bug in the air and came out of her cave bedroom
to inform me that she needed help with her school assignment, a resume
So here they are, all 3 of them
At the table, looking at me for guidance to do their homework

I tried to remain calm

The Boy complained that I didn’t pronounce the word “hand” correctly as I quizzed him.
Mom, You said had, you tricked me
Seriously, kid? H A N D …geez!!

Teen 1 tried to reel me in,
Mom, I want to be a photographer because they I won't have a boss
You’re gonna be 18 in how many days? I’m thinking
The thought of her being an adults absolutely terrifies me.
I inform her, that she will indeed have a boss
and her customers will most certainly be in that category
Teen 2 and The Boy push each other’s papers at each other
Sighing and glaring at each other with irritation.

The Hubs knowing to stay clear of the warzone and offers to cut up ingredients for dinner

But for just a minute, one solitary moment
There it was
Peace
As they all followed directions
As they all sat there doing their homework
Teen 1 asking and accepting my answers
The Boy re-writing words that he needed to study
And Teen 2, just knowing what to do
Relief

I exhaled, serenity, I thought to myself

MOM!!!!!

Even if just for a moment…



http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 3, 2011

Akward Family photos part deuce

remember when i was so worried about taking family photos?
If not, read here.
It turned out that there was no need to be nervous,
Jack was amazing as usual, this kid has a true gift.
Check out his blog when you get a chance.

We were absolutely ecstatic when we received the cd,
we popped it in the player
and we were all happy with the way we were captured

The portraits of the kids were true to their beings,
the way The Teenagers look at The Boy is pretty typical
and I loved it
Teen 2 hates to be hugged and loved,
this was perfect...
We even got a few of ourselves that we loved
Then these started to roll through the playlist
awww, how cute, we thought
until we looked closer at the boy's face -
the cheesy smile
and what's with the hands?
obviously this kid is just too cool,
and we just had no idea...
lean back
seriously? akward...

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Confessions of a Shopaholic...You Betta Check Yo'self...


I need a break
Desperately

After the stress of buying a home,
Deciding to, then actually going through with surgery,
Dealing with 2 teenage daughters that are pushing us to the limits

I need a break
Desperately
Even if just for one day

That’s it, I decide, I’m booking an overnight trip
Just me and The Hubby

A L O N E time
We’re outta here

I check out a few different online websites for current deals in our area
I decide he we could drive an hour or two-
just to get away
After all we are in SoCal,
there are so many local places that people spend their life savings to visit

There’s just one problem- I’m cheap, very cheap
I want things,
but the thought of actually spending my hard earned dollar bills makes me nauseous
I’ve got credit cards to pay off
The kids will surely need things
The cars could require maintenance
And then good ol’ Mr. Murphy could come enforce law at the most impromptu time

It’s just one night,
I need a break
Desperately,
I remind myself

I decide to try William Shatners Pricebreaker deals,
I mean with karate chops and kicks like that,
the big ol’ bodyguard of his standing by,
He must have the best deals

Click, click, click
Nothing good enough, nothing cheap enough

Click, click, click
“Name your own price”, well that’s intriguing
Heck, I’ll give it a shot
I check what the 3 star hotels in Santa Barbara are going for $150-200+
The latest “name your own price” winner bagged their deal for $134.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and bid…
$80

William Shatner appears on the next screen with his awesome karate moves


He’s chopping,
He’s negotiating
He’s dead…no deal for me

Ughhh…

By the next day, I was bummed
I was frustrated
I wanted to get the heck outta Dodge

That’s it, I’m gonna offer even more today
I’m willing to spend an extra $10 this time!
Hold her back ladies and gents, we got a big time spender here!
I pull up my failed deal with the enticing “Give it another shot” lingo
And decide to increase my offer to $90.

Submit

*Please change your criteria before submitting* appears on the screen

I did, I delete it, and retype $90.00

*Please change your criteria before submitting*again

Oh, now you’re pissing me off Captain Kirk

I start clicking this and that
Un-clicking this and that
I’m making changes can’t you see Mr. Shatner, I plea
Submit

Oh yeah, here we go
He’s chopping away at my deal again
“Please wait while we are negotiating your price”
*butterflies in my belly*

Congratulations, you won the deal!!
Whoo fricken hooo!! I won the deal!!

Then the next screen appears

You’re staying at a 3star hotel in... Santa Maria

Huh?
Santa Maria?
Where is Santa Maria?

I clearly clicked on Santa Barbara….didn’t i?

My inner voice says,
yeah, you did,
but you also clicked Santa Maria during your clicking fit.

Maquest quickly
Where
Is
Santa
Maria?

Only 3 hours and 30 mins- One way!!

You betta check yo'self
before you wreck yo' quick overnight vacation!



http://www.daysoffivelives.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Now I lay me down to sleep...

As I lay my head down next to The Boy,
I wisper softly to him...
tonight is the last night Mama's gonna lay with you,
it's your last day of being 5. when you're 6 you won't need me anymore
He quickly repies, no, it's when i'm 7
Son, when you were 4, you said 5.
When you were 5, you said 6.
And now that you're gonna be 6, you say 7?
He quickly wispers back to me...I mean when I'm 10.


Friday, February 11, 2011

He loves me, He loves me not...

I reach into The Boys cubby to grab his backpack,
lunch bag, school papers that are falling about,
and a red and white beaded circle tied with a cute Valentine’s bow.

Interesting, I think to myself… a circle?! Tied by yet another circle.
Ok, it’s after school day care, they must’ve run out of ideas.

But as a mother, you show pride in your kids’ work,
even when you’re not exactly sure what it is.
I try to hang it from my rearview mirror as The Boy is in the backseat
getting situated and looking around my car for his special treat.

It’s a heart mom, he says.

Oh. Now it makes sense I think to myself.

The next day, the circle is still sitting in my car.
I bend it back into it’s heart shape and hang it from my rearview mirror.

I pick up The Boy from school with my heart proudly hanging.
He notices.

Mommy, you fixed it?! He asks in excitement.

Yep, son., I reply. (He thinks I’m a genius, I just know it)

Why did you hang it from your car? He continues.

Because you’re in love with me, I say.

I’m just a kid, I hear him grumble.

I know (I’m insistent to get this Boy to say he loves me)

But I want everyone to know that you love your mom.
You made it for me because you love me, I insist.

It was just my craft, he replies in irritation.

Because you love me right?!

It was just my craft.


I guess I’ll just take the heart.

Follow along through the fun and agony as we try to figure out how to raise two completely opposite teenagers- Teen 1, the fiesty yet inquisitive one, Teen 2 quiet but wise-cracking and our ball full of energy known as The Boy. It aint always pretty, but we’ll sure try to make the best of it!
These are the stories of our lives…