Dancin' Fools

My friend Aisha did one of these on her blog and I nearly died laughing. I thought it was so funny I had to do one myself.

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Just Chillin'

Here are some fun pictures I got of Ayden on the porch when I took a picture of the wreath and the nest (which now has three eggs in it). He was so happy to sit in the chair and just hang out. This morning I took him out while I watered the flowers and again-happy as a clam. Sitting on the porch just people watching or reading a good book is so relaxing to me. Glad I have a buddy that will do it with me. I look forward to many summer nights out here.

That's for the Birds!

Okay, so Kipp was right. This wreath is a little big, but never did I think that my wreath would become a home for several families of birds! Last summer we found a nest with eggs in it. The bird even flew into the house when we opended the door without warning! One night a strong windstorm made the eggs fall from the nest and break. It broke my heart. A couple of weeks ago another nest (and the stupid wreath had only been out for a week)! I asked Kipp to clean it out, and while sitting inside I started feeling guilty for taking away the stupid bird's home! I starting thinking about when I was pregnant and what I would do if all of the sudden I couldn't deliver at the hospital, or that I had no house to bring a baby home to. I even went as far as thinking of Mary and Joseph, and how there was no room in the inn for them! So I went to stop Kipp-but the damage was already done. Now today I notice another nest! These birds are playing with my emotions and I don't know if I can take it! Do I leave it, and risk morning over broken eggs again? Or leave it and wish I hadn't when another bird flies into my house? Or do I clean it out (or make Kipp clean it out) and feel guilty just to have to go through another emotional roller coaster when another one shows up? Seriously! They are birds for crap's sake!

The Face

Live and Learn!

Last week I did something that I have never done before. I ordered something off the television, and mark my words I will never do it EVER again!

I have been starting to work out again (finally after knee surgery) and when I saw this commercial for a ball that is supposed to optimize your sit up-I thought, "I could really use something to help me get rid of this pouch!" So I got on the phone. Halfway through the 10 minute call I wanted to hang up, but I had already given them my credit card number. The whole thing was automated and "special offers" up the ying yang. Here is part of my experience:

Automated Answering Service: "Say one to accept this special offer, say two to decline.
Me: "Two"
Automated Answering Service: "Are you sure? This is a great deal and will only be available to you at this time. To accept this great deal say one, to miss out on this opportunity say two.
Me: "Two"
Automated Answering Service: "Because you are calling at this time, we can actually offer you this same deal at half the price. To accept this offer say one now. To decline say two.
Me: "TWO!"
Automated Answering Service: "Are you sure?"...

This went on for way to long. At the end of the call they never confirmed what I had ordered or what my total was (the ball is 12.99 but no mention of how much shipping and handling costs).

The next week a bill appears on our American Express for $41.82! So I quickly got on the phone with customer service to find out what was going on.

Customer Service: "Mam we show here that you ordered two bender balls. So there are two charges of 12.99 and two charges of 7.93 for shipping."
Me: "I didn't order two-so you are going to have to cancel the second ball."
Customer Service: "Oh mam (little laugh) that has already been shipped out. "
Me: "Tell me what I need to do to send it back to you and get refunded for the ball and the shipping."
Customer Service: "Well I can give you a number to put on the box to send the ball back, but the shipping is nonrefundable."
Me: "I am not taking the loss on a mistake that was not mine. So you are going to have to refund the shipping fee."
Customer Service: "Let me tell you what I can do for you. I can give you five dollars off each ball and you can keep them both, or give one to a friend or family member. They make great gifts."
Me: "I don't want two bender balls, and I don't want to give one for a gift. I need you to refund me the shipping fee."

Repeat the last six lines about five times and you have pretty much the rest of our conversation-only with me getting more and more rude. The conversation ended with him finally agreeing to have someone in management call me in 2-3 days.

Yesterday was day 3.

Today I get on the phone ready to yell at someone. I can feel my heart rate increase as I dial the 1-800 number. I explain what the problem was.

Customer Service: "That is no problem mam. Hold while I put in a request for the refund of the shipping fees. (holding) Okay mam, you will be refunded the $7.93 for the shipping. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
Me: "Uuuhhh.. no. Thank you very much." (a little caught off guard)

I start writing this post when the phone rings.

Bender Ball Customer Service Manager: "Mam, I know you called a couple of days ago as well as today. Were they able to take care of you?"

I explain the whole experience and then ask one last question that I had forgotten to ask.

Me: "Is the return number that I write on the box when I send the second ball back going to take care of the return shipping fees?"
Bender Ball Customer Service Manager: "No, but just keep the second ball free of charge as Bender Ball's gift to you. Anything else I can do for you?"





Anyone want a Bender Ball?

Baby for Sale!

Adorable 8 month old baby boy seeks new caregivers who don't mind being awake from 3 am to 7 am.