I know I'm complaining

I'm having a hard time getting this started... I know what I want to say but I want to say it in a way that doesn't make it sound like I'm perfect...I'm only practically perfect. That being said, I wonder what's wrong with people. The past two days I've had two "Is this really happening?!" moments. Two things that I've been reminded that I don't like are 1) Disrespect and 2) Customer Service Agents.

A few days before my 16th birthday my family moved from the house on the turkey ranch to our new house. I had lived in the other house since I was 1. Of course many memories were created in that house. I remember so many little details about it. And the yard...I remember the HOURS I spent playing in the playhouse or swingset fort my dad built or just skating around the cement sidewalk. It was a HUGE backyard. The playhouse had a cute little porch, a dutch door, and 4 working windows. And the furniture... We were so lucky!

So yesterday my mom called and said my dad was over at our old house and we could go walk through it. The previous hired man moved out and before the new worker went in they had to fix it up a bit. The house showed 12 1/2 years of neglect. Obviously people that didn't like to clean. BUT it was the playhouse that really bothered me. This was more than just lack of respect. Total vandalism. Profanity was graffitied on the outside of the door and the walls inside. I was beyond disgusted that people would do that. What kind of world do we live in? This wasn't their property. Did the parents not care that their teenage or older boys would deface something that wasn't theirs? So perhaps the "kids" were going through a wild stage...but what about the parents?! I can't imagine they didn't know. What really bothers me is the fact that people do things like that but are not held accountable. I think they should have to pay for the damages but I know that will never happen. Who knows what these people did with their money but they sure didn't save it. To live in a house rent free and beyond not taking care of the house, they defile the innocent little playhouse. Even though the playhouse was bad and the house wasn't in good shape like we left it, I enjoyed being able to walk through the house. There were things about it I had forgotten. Fun memories in that house.

But as for my second item of annoyance...Customer Service Agents! I talked to PG&E for over an hour today and still didn't get my questions answered. I talked to three different representatives today and one a week and a half ago. I don't know what kind of training those people go through but someone should at least teach them to tell people the same thing. I heard so many different things that I was more confused after I got off the phone. I wished I hadn't bothered calling. What's so great about it is one lady told me she was going to transfer me to her supervisor so he could help me understand what she was telling me. WHAT?! I totally understood what she was telling me...but why could I not get a straight answer from her?!
The issue is about NONBYPASSABLE charges. When we moved into our house I was told that there was a charge for about $3 a month from PG&E. The charge is because PG&E came and put the equipment here but they didn't get the Electric accounts...those went to Modesto Irrigation District. The charge was about $2 for the month of November when we first moved in. The month of December was $3.64. I knew it was supposed to be around $3 so it didn't bother me. Then for the month of January it was $7.12. I just wanted someone to answer why it went up so much and if it's based on the average from the previous owners usage or our metered usage or all customers average usage. Not one of those 4 people could tell me that. And then I'm the one that doesn't understand what they're saying. I am a college educated person. Not saying that I know everything...but I seem to be able to understand what people are telling me. I can't say the same for Barbara, Beverly, or Michael. I still want to put up a fight for finding out what this really is all about...but is it really worth it!? I should just pay the bills and ask no questions.

Ever so dependent...

I can't believe how much we rely on technology! It's crazy that we once lived without computers and without the internet. Right around the time Tyler was born our computer monitor was fading and fading fast. It would shut off on us all the time. Frustrating. I realized then how much we depended on computers. Lately we have a whole new issue. The monitor is working great...it's a new one. I think Tyler was 2 weeks old when the old one finally gave up completely. But this new issue is the computer. It gives us the blue screen of death.

For those that have experienced this joyful event know how it's not so joyful. One morning I had it shut down on me 5 times within 30 minutes. Why did I even keep trying?! Last Friday I was talking to Dell tech support for 3 hours. When I got off the phone after the first hour I thought the kind lady in India must have figured it out and helped. Shortly after...the BLUE SCREEN hit. I called them back and hoped it was a simple little problem they could fix again. Two hours later I got off the phone hearing that it would be best to reinstall the whole operating system and upgrade the memory on it. Our computer IS 5 years old next month. That's pretty good for a computer. The Dell tech support people said there was no need to buy a new computer but we just need to upgrade. I thought they would convince me I needed a new computer. More money for the company they work for, RIGHT? We now have more memory so all it needs is a reinstalled operating system... We'll see what happens!!

The late bloomer

Everyone develops at different rates... I just expected my kids to be a little more similar on their developmental learning. Tyler has definitely been the late bloomer in the family. I'm not sure if I just spoil him more...or if he's just a more needy baby...or what?? I have found that he's just a little more difficult than I've heard other 3rd children to be. He's just as sweet as can be and LOVES his MOM more than words can express...but I keep waiting for him to "catch up" to his brother and sister. Grant was crawling at 6 months. I know because I looked it up in his baby book. Those were the days when I was really good at writing everything down because I only had one child. Tyler is 8 months and I think I can finally write in his baby book that he can sit without support longer than 5 seconds. He CAN roll over...sometimes...but doesn't really chose to do so. Of course Grant and Kenzie were rolling all over the place by 4-5 months.

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining but I don't really consider it bragging either. Some kids are walking by 8 months and I'm glad that Tyler is not. I really am so grateful to have a HEALTHY and mostly HAPPY baby. Sure I wished he slept through the night! But that will come, I think.

Dinner and Dessert

I love a good deal. It's fun to see how much I can get for as little as possible. Coupons. Sales. Deals. Bargains. Discounts. All a language I understand very well. Monday night for FHE we decided to use our FREE SUB coupons for Quiznos. Talmage and I each had one so we knew we were covered. We figured we would just share our sandwiches with the kids and get something else to eat at home. Not a surprise that I took a little longer to order...I just couldn't decide what I wanted. The lady helping me was very patient and kind. She let me taste the different sauces that went on the sandwiches to make sure I liked them. After ordering my sandwich she asked if I wanted to get something for the kids. I asked how much the kid sandwiches were. $1.99 for a 3 inch sub...but she would give me two for the price of one. Sounded like a good deal to me.

So after getting our three sandwiches...which were delicious of course, we were enjoying a nice evening together. Our kids were happy. We were able to eat our sandwiches and they were able to eat theirs. When we were just about done the other lady working came to our table with three cookies and asked if the kids could have them. Well of course! Grant had been asking for a cookie but we didn't want to pay $1.29 for 1 cookie. How nice of her!

Then Talmage went to go refill our waters and one of the ladies said he could fill up on any of the other drinks. He thanked them but we just stuck with water.
What an evening! It was great walking out of there having dinner and dessert for only $2.14. It might have helped that were were the only ones in there most of the time. Only a few people came and went during the time we were there. Maybe it's just that we have cute kids?! Whatever the reason, those two employees were so nice. We had to leave them a little tip. Of course it wasn't ALL free...but close enough! Thanks Quiznos!