All's Well That Ends Well

First off, a big THANK YOU to everyone who offered to look for better priced costumes! :) Now, today was "shopping day" at my house so I have a little something to vent about... then the good news.
Coupons, promotions, freebies, "price matching."
These are words I have a love/hate relationship with. Why? How can anyone hate those words? Well, let me explain...
I cut coupons. I utilize promotions, ads, freebies, price matching. I love to bargain shop. I live for it. There is only so much you can perfect in my current "occupation" and this is one aspect I am passionate about. Mostly to give me something "stimulating" to think about I suppose. So I LOVE the coupons and other "tools." I HATE the way people make me feel about using the said "tools." I have a real problem with stores and their associates who snub those of us who use the above mentioned shopping tools. ESPECIALLY when the coupons are send directly from that store. (aka JCP portrait studio). I used to go to said picture studio quite regularly and take full advantage of the wonderful coupons they'd send me. Please note again, THEY sent ME the coupons. I could get a nice set of photos for a wonderful price and still stay in the starving student budget. I lasted four and a half years of the snobby picture people turning their nose up at my coupons before I snapped. I feel like I was pretty fair. When I would call to schedule the sitting, I would be very clear that I was coming to USE MY COUPON. I would be quick through the sitting and my kids love getting pictures, so they weren't dealing with moody mom or kids. Big bonus, I'd say. Then I would proceed to the computer to view my pictures and make my final decision, because you only get one pose. The associate would try at least three times to convince me that I needed to spend a minimum of $350 in order to fill my need for photos. I worked sales so I understand that some things you just have to present to the customer. No problem. I would let them have their say and kindly remind them that I had a coupon and would like to use it on pose "A." Then I'd get the look. Followed by the loud obnoxious voice to alert all other customers and employees that "someone is using a coupon." I'd smile and proceed to checkout. After leaving the store I'd fight tears all the way home and vow never to go back. A few months later, new coupons would entice me in for another humiliating round. This finally ended at Kaylee's five year photo shoot. I was dealt with very tactlessly and informed them I would never be coming back. And I finally stuck to my word. I see those coupons and find great joy in burning them up. (Which is obviously what they intend for you to do with them.)

Today as I was at my "favorite" store I was price matching some items when a price came up the lady wasn't sure on. So she left for a few minutes to fetch an ad to verify my claim. As she gave me the price, she muttered under her breath the small savings. I wanted to just let her know, "Yes, I know it's only a few cents, but why should I pay more here when I could have bought it for less at the last store? Why didn't I buy it there, you ask? Because your store claims to have the lowest prices, guaranteed. I decided to take you for your word, and it so happens that your price is HIGHER, so guess what? I'm making you live up to the guarantee. Quit making me feel bad for using your own marketing tools!!!"

At any rate.... I went in and spoke with the assistant manager about the costume "situation" today. As we talked he said, "Well, I can do this.....I'll return the item for the price you paid... (this is where my blood pressure starts to rise because it appears he missed the whole point) ...and then let you buy it back for, um, $10. Is that ok with you?"
I almost fell over, but tried to keep my composure until the deal was sealed.
"$10? Yes, I think that would be ok." HEE HEE! I got a Darth Vader costume for $10!!!! Granted, it's used and some of it is broken, but still, what a steal! Yay!!!! I must say I left feeling much more kindly toward a certain company, though they are still NOT my favorite place to shop.

Am I Wrong??? Tell Me, Please

Ok, I am frustrated! This began on Friday. I went to do my shopping as usual and my trip to me to a most unfavorite store that shall remain unnamed for the time being... but I bet you can guess who they are. Tell me if you can. I like to reward Charles by walking down the toy aisle and most recently, the costume aisle. I still have yet to buy a costume at this store because I feel like they are overpriced. I usually luck out and find something cuter or more creative without the cost. Well, my darling Charles wants to be Darth Vader. I started looking at costumes and could hardly bring myself to buy one for $20, ok let's be honest... $19.88+tax. After realizing that I really probably couldn't make, again let's be honest, convince my mom to make a costume for Charles, I thought $20 isn't THAT bad. Plus, he can use it for a dress up afterward and he would be sooooo happy. I would really do almost anything for him, I just love to see that face; the one he makes when he is so excited and sucks in a big breath! Besides, I reasoned, Kaylee got a special "expensive" costume a couple years ago and then got good use of it at princess parties and dress up time. So I keep browsing the costume aisle. I have had a hard time finding a costume his size. Well, Friday was the day! I finally found a costume claiming to be 4-5 size. Yes, Charles is only three, but he is a BIG boy. The costume was different than all the other costumes there and looked like it had been opened. My suspicion increased when the helmet that should be part of the costume was lying halfway down the aisle. I picked it all up and decided to give it a go. There was no price tag and so I just took it up to the check out. I was looking over my receipt on the way to the car when I saw how much I paid... $35 dollar. WHAT?!?!? Are you joking me? The only tag I could find on the costume was a pink sticker with the date of 9/1/08. Hmm. Then it hit me. It was returned on that date. It was a pink return sticker. After going to almost every other store that could possibly have a Darth Vader costume, including the DI, I decided to take it to customer service, explain my situation and offer to keep the costume for a better price. That didn't go well. The lady was very nice and agreed with my discovery that this costume is actually a costume from LAST Halloween that someone used and the returned. She even agreed with me that paying full price was a rip off. So, she kindly informed me of the store's policy.... a whopping 10% off. WHAT?!?!? 10%? That is such a joke! I was so mad, but she said there wasn't anything else she could do but return it. So I took the 10% since I as of yet had not been able to find a costume in Charles' size. Of course, he loves the costume so I can't rightfully return it... Yet. I came home and called the headquarters of said store. They said they'd let the store manager know and he'd contact me. Right. Well, he did! The next day, even. We chatted and I explained my predicament and he didn't hide the fact that he was put out that I would call headquarters. Like it's that big of a deal. I talked to some college or high school student in their teens that didn't care either in a big call center. Oooo scary! He asked me why I didn't have someone call a manager. I explained I was told that this was company policy and I guessed that was the final word, so since I didn't have a gripe about the store, just the company, I called the company headquarters. Anyway... he said he wanted to "work with me on this" and "make it right." I wasn't able to follow his preferred schedule and get in there the same day... and then I've been sick... blah blah blah. So, here is my plan, tell me please if I am totally in the wrong. I want to check one more store to browse their selection. If I still can't find a costume in his size, I plan to go talk to the manager and ask him to do one of two things for me.

1. Call another store and see if they have a costume (from this year) in Charles size and ship it to me at no extra charge.
2. If number one is not available, give me the used costume for half price, or at least the same price as this year's costumes.

I am a bargain shopper, I know. But really, is it too much to ask that they not profit TWICE on a costume that should never have been allowed to be returned this year?

High School Tag! I was afraid of this...

1 Did you date someone from your school? Yes, but it only counts because we kissed the last day of school.
2 What kind of car did you drive? A hideous boat! It was a Ford Fairmont silver with wine red interior. I had to jump start that dumb car so many times! The horn would come through the stereo! I hated it mostly, but laugh about it now. The car was as old as I was and we finally parted just before our nineteenth birthday.
3 Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Yes, but not the vision test at the DMV! I was so mad! I had to go to the eye doctor and get a special note. In fact, I probably have to do it again this year. Dumb!
4 Were you a party animal? Not in the way most people think, but I liked going to parties. My parents thought I was a party animal.
5 Were you considered a flirt? I don't know. Though, Louis says I'm a maneater.
6 Were you in a band, orchestra or choir? I always wanted to play flute and violin, but never did. I was in choir for two years of High School.... maybe three. Hmm.
7 Were you a nerd? Uh, I still am a nerd, what do ya mean?
8 Were you on any varsity teams? I was on the Girl's Varsity Basketball team, but because of work conflicts I had to quit. It was a hard choice. I had played two years before on the Sophmore and JV teams
9 Did you get suspended or expelled? No
10 Can you still sing the fight song? Yes, am I supposed to sing it now? "We're the Woods Cross Wildcats, fighting for our school. We've got spirit, loyalty and ever will be true, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT, We've got power we've got pride always on our side. F-I-G-H-T-I-N-G We're fighting for a victory. Go CATS!"
11 Who were your favorite teachers? Hmm... Mrs. Wheeler!!! Ms. Ratz... though I didn't find out she didn't hate me until the next year. Mrs. Cook, Mr. Hendrickson, Mrs. Duffin, Mrs. Ferrin, my seminary teachers...
12 Where did you sit during lunch? My friends and I would usually go somewhere. Fast food or one of our houses.
13 What's your school's full name? Woods Cross High School
14 What was your mascot and colors? Wildcat Red, white and blue
15 Did you go to homecoming? Yep
16 If you could go back and do it all again, would you? There are some things I miss, some things I'll never miss, and some things I wish I could do differently. But, I don't think going back would help.
17 What do you remember most about graduation? Sitting next to people I wasn't really friends with (because of alphabetical order) and trying not to cry! I was very sentimental, but very excited, too. Yoli and Jim sang a beautiful song that I will always love! "Time to say goodbye." I also distinctly remember being so nervous that I would trip and fall, but I didn't. Whew.
18 Where did you go on your Senior Skip Day? We were threatened that anyone who skipped wouldn't graduate. I didn't have anywhere to go anyway.
19 Were you in any clubs? Pep Club, Concert Choir, Impact Team I think that is all...
20 Have you gained some weight since then? I've stayed about the same. I did lose a lot of weight AFTER I had Kaylee which was fantastic! I'd never looked that good in High School (minus the flabby pouch stomach, some things never do go back...)
21 Who was your prom date? I'm assuming they mean Senior Ball our senior year? Jared Despain
22 Are you planning to go to your 10 year reunion? I think I'll probably go, unless we move way far away in the next year or two.
23 Did you have a job while in high school? Of course. I worked at The Pizza Place for a few months of my sophmore year. I worked at Willey Ford as the receptionist my junior year. My senior year I worked at Quizno's and The Lion House, as a birthday hostess.

I tag.... Jenna, Melanie, Amber, Amme, and anyone else who wants to remember!

Double Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to two great friends! Donna and Megan!

Donna is my newest friend of about a year and a half. She and her husband, Steve, live a few doors down and our kids want to move in with them. Donna is super gorgeous and tons of fun! She is good to always plan fun things like picnics, BBQ's, game nights, and girl's night out, and she includes me! Love ya, Donna! Have a super awesome birthday!

Megan is my dear friend from High School. We were in drama together, and so we became fast friends. She is living in Bluffdale which is too far away, in my opinion. Especially since her new little boy will be arriving soon. In fact, if he's not already here, she may be celebrating a "birth" day on her birthday!

A Trip Down Memory Lane... 26.2 Miles to be exact.

So, today was the Top of Utah Marathon. Wow. I had sort of felt a stirring of desire to run this year in June. After I ran seven miles and couldn't walk for two days, I decided to wimp out. I just didn't have that "eye of the tiger." Today, I got my desire back!

My dear friend, Tiffany and her two amazing sisters came to stay last night. They ran the marathon together this morning. I want to say it was the first time for all three of them, but this might be incorrect.... (Chelise is basically Iron Woman and has done several races including placing first in her division in a half iron man, yeah, I know. I was jealously proud.)

Anyway, I had planned to drive them down to the bus this morning, but slept in and woke to the sound of their car starting and pulling away. What a goober I am! It worked out good, though so they didn't have to walk so far once it was all over. I had the time of my life today! The kids love marathons and want to run so badly in one. Hopefully someday...

We went down to mile 17 and cheered and cheered! It was so amazing to watch. I saw a lot of neighbors and friends, and my cousin! Hey Stephanie, way to go!!! It is amazing the people you find at a marathon! The next stop was mile 22.5. That is a tough mile. The canyon is pretty easy being all down hill, really quiet, and just gorgeous! It's a great distraction. Getting into town and running through the cities was a bit trickier for me. Lots of twists and turns, and some "hills." Having people there, even strangers, cheering me on really gave me such a boost when I ran this two years ago. I hope I was able to help some of the runners there today. It was all I could do to contain my emotions and not just bawl my eyes out. Especially when someone would be running along with a look like, "I'm pretty sure I am going to die." The memories would rush back into my mind and I would cheer as hard as I could. Then they'd look up with a faint smile, mouth a "thank you" or pick their feet up a little higher. It was so neat to see. I really was pretty emotional. Good thing I had sunglasses! I was so proud of Tiffany, Chelise, and Kara! How awesome to run with your sisters! Way to go ladies!!!! I'm planning big for next year and looking for a training partner.... all interested parties leave me a note! ;0)

I thought about just posting some pictures, but that just wouldn't do it justice. So of course, I had to put together a montage. I love this song! It is just perfect for a marathon, and life. My favorite line is, "Focus on the prize, dreams will be realized. No matter what people say, just keep going anyway!" That is so very true!!! Hope you don't mind the three pictures of me from two years ago. I put the pictures in to correspond with the same place/time that the ones from today were taken. It took a lot of courage for me to post those after looking at the pictures from today of my friends. I mean! How is it possible to look so cute after running your guts out? Never mind, I don't want to know.

Congrats again to all the amazing runners from today! See you next year, I hope!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

To whom it SHOULD concern...

For your reading pleasure, an excerpt from the email I just sent to my boss. Poor man who has to hear my every complaint. Figured I'd better include some others as well!

I have had several near misses the past two weeks. I'm getting used to the fact that people try to hit me, it must be some kind of game? 1000 points if you hit the crossing guard? But now people are aiming for the kids, too. This afternoon was the worst. Cars speed through the school zone and don't see me until it's too late, and even when they finally see me, instead of stopping they grin sheepishly at me and DRIVE THROUGH THE STOP! I glare at them the best I can to try and inflict pain or death, but so far, no casualties. Today I can't keep quiet because a little boy was almost hit. I screamed so loud at the lady in the car that no other car dared to drive through in any direction for about five minutes. It caused quite a scene. Anyway, I know we can't prevent everything and we can't stop everyone, but I really am getting nervous. I am thinking it might help a little if I stood on the opposite corner, in the direct sun, but I am still too weak to attempt that on these hot afternoons. If I could get some patrol in the afternoon, that would be much appreciated. I know they are so busy, and I was so happy to have had so much patrol in the mornings at the first of the year, but I don't know that I've ever had afternoon patrol, and it is getting bad. People gun it through there and don't have time to stop when I'm walking out and the kids get impatient standing there waiting and some of them don't wait.....
Thank you for reading my gripes. It helps to sometimes just let out my frustration.

Tagged!!!

Okie doke. I just got tagged by Becky. I have to try and come up with five things people don't know about me.... this is hard because most of the people who read this already know everything I could possibly think to put.... I will try.

1. I have a cosmetology license. I know, GASP! "HER???" you say, "She doesn't even do her own hair or makeup!" I know, but I ask you to kindly remember that I went to beauty school and learned how to do YOUR hair and makeup, NOT MINE! ;) My favorite aspect of school was waxing. Which leads to number two...

2. I am obsessed with plucking things out of stuff. Mostly, ingrown hairs, coarse hair, slivers, blackheads, scabs... When waxing, I have to look at the hairs I pull out each time. It's wierd, I know, but there are others out there who feel the same as I do. Really. I have a vivid memory of playing with playdough and toothpicks. I made a turkey of the clay and then it "crashed" into a truck of sticks. I then was the surgeon who had to pull out all the sticks.

3. I never liked running, so this might shock a lot of you, but in September 2006 I ran my first marathon in 4 hours, 22 minutes! Yea me!!! It was a super awesome experience!

4. I can perform the entire scene of Munchkin Land from "The Wizard of Oz." All the characters, by myself. I love acting and hope someday to sing well enough to star in a musical. Again, we shall see!

5. I always wanted to study law and become a famous lawyer. Now I think instead of owning my own business.... specifically a salon, (not likely) or a cake business because I love making cakes!!! I think I'll call it "Camille's Custom Cakes." I'll set up shop in like Hollywood or something where people want to pay lots of money for those kinds of things. ;)

I tag... Amme, Amber, Tawnya, Katelyn, and Michelle.