We had a hard time trying to get a good picture as we didn't want to scare it away.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Our Pet Eagle
Ok, I don't really think you could keep an Eagle as a pet...but we have really enjoyed watching this eagle fly around in our backyard. Sometimes watching it dive as it hunts. The other day, we had a great surprise, it landed in the backyard and we got to watch it for a few min...
We had a hard time trying to get a good picture as we didn't want to scare it away.
We had a hard time trying to get a good picture as we didn't want to scare it away.
Joslyn is 1
I am a little behind, but on June 6, we were invited to Desirae and Tim's house to celebrate Joslyn's first birthday. When Dez ordered the cake, they gave her a little cake all for Joslyn.
At first she wasn't so sure.....
Then it all made sense......
At first she wasn't so sure.....
Then it all made sense......
Friday, June 4, 2010
Neighbors moving in
Sometimes a neighbor moves in and you just are sure you are going to like them. Nothing against them personally but you aren't sure if they will make good neighbors.
Yesterday, Kevin was in the yard doing some mowing and he came across this bull snake making himself a home.
Yes his head is in the hole, I think he was digging. It seemed to take him hours....sometimes he would be much farther in. Then late last night, we went out, and you can hardly tell where he was, the hole was covered up and he was gone. So did he move in or not? I don't know.
I have mixed feelings about this neighbor...he will eat mice and moles. A bull snake also will kill a rattle snake. Now we haven't seen any rattle snakes here, but we know they are in the area...so given that, this little bull snake, may make a good neighbor. The catch, his new "home" was right by the sidewalk and the dog run. May be too close to my house..... Sigh. I guess I will watch for him more closely now when I am outside.
UPDATE: Saturday June 5, in the morning I was outside with Deogi...we were looking for bunnies to chase (one of her favorite pastimes), and she found the snake....curled up, hissing, ready to strike at her, right underneath our bird feeders (about 4 feet from where I was sitting on a rock). So I think I have a new neighbor. Will have to be careful when the kids come to visit.
Yesterday, Kevin was in the yard doing some mowing and he came across this bull snake making himself a home.
Yes his head is in the hole, I think he was digging. It seemed to take him hours....sometimes he would be much farther in. Then late last night, we went out, and you can hardly tell where he was, the hole was covered up and he was gone. So did he move in or not? I don't know.
I have mixed feelings about this neighbor...he will eat mice and moles. A bull snake also will kill a rattle snake. Now we haven't seen any rattle snakes here, but we know they are in the area...so given that, this little bull snake, may make a good neighbor. The catch, his new "home" was right by the sidewalk and the dog run. May be too close to my house..... Sigh. I guess I will watch for him more closely now when I am outside.
UPDATE: Saturday June 5, in the morning I was outside with Deogi...we were looking for bunnies to chase (one of her favorite pastimes), and she found the snake....curled up, hissing, ready to strike at her, right underneath our bird feeders (about 4 feet from where I was sitting on a rock). So I think I have a new neighbor. Will have to be careful when the kids come to visit.
Corn tortillas....chips
So, I did it. I made the corn chips. First I made the "dough" corn masa mix and water....made balls a little larger than golf balls. Now, I don't have a tortilla press, and I really think it would have been easier with one. Instead I opened up a large ziploc bag and "smashed" them inside. Actually at this part,Kevin was much better than I was...I had sticking issues ;-)
Next I cooked them in a cast iron skillet.
They were really good at this point and would have made excellent enchiladas....but Kevin likes corn chips, so next I cut them into "chips" and fried them. Here they are waiting on the fryer...
And cooling after being fried.....
We had a taco/nacho bar, beans, cheese, taco meat......it was fun.
So my analysis? Well, I enjoyed the experience. But really they were a lot of work. And given that they are so inexpensive to buy....I probably won't be making them (the tortillas) again soon.
Next I cooked them in a cast iron skillet.
They were really good at this point and would have made excellent enchiladas....but Kevin likes corn chips, so next I cut them into "chips" and fried them. Here they are waiting on the fryer...
And cooling after being fried.....
We had a taco/nacho bar, beans, cheese, taco meat......it was fun.
So my analysis? Well, I enjoyed the experience. But really they were a lot of work. And given that they are so inexpensive to buy....I probably won't be making them (the tortillas) again soon.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Crepes for Kevin....or were they for Holly.....
So after making tortillas, I said Kevin wanted me to make crepes....and Holly agreed, so here are the results....
I mixed up the batter, let it sit for a little over an hour and then cooked them up. I was surprised at how easy this really was to do.
Here they are cooling.
Once I had them cooked, I filled them with meat and cheese, rolled them and warmed them back up in the pan....and this is what they came out to be:
They were really good and a great dinner. We even made some dessert ones with jam inside. I think I may just have to make these again sometime.
Holly, what do they fill the crepes with there? I was looking for new ideas.....
Next up....homemade corn chips...well I have made the chips before our of store bought corn tortillas, this time...I make them all from scratch...
I mixed up the batter, let it sit for a little over an hour and then cooked them up. I was surprised at how easy this really was to do.
Here they are cooling.
Once I had them cooked, I filled them with meat and cheese, rolled them and warmed them back up in the pan....and this is what they came out to be:
They were really good and a great dinner. We even made some dessert ones with jam inside. I think I may just have to make these again sometime. Holly, what do they fill the crepes with there? I was looking for new ideas.....
Next up....homemade corn chips...well I have made the chips before our of store bought corn tortillas, this time...I make them all from scratch...
2010 Bolder Boulder
Memorial Day was here again and that is the day for the Bolder Boulder. It is either the first or second largest 10K road race that is held in the US, with 53,700 people participating. So it is fun to participate in, even if you are a big loser like me. I admit I really didn't have very high expectations for a good finish time. After all I was going to walk it rather than run it. Also, Jody and I really had not prepared like we needed to, mainly due to poor weather. So as long as we got to finish the race and didn't get kicked off the track for being to slow, we considered it a victory.
So here we are at the starting line, we were in wave PB, which had an expected finish time of 90 to 120 minutes. So right where we were planning to finish. There were about 40 waves that started before us. So we were near the back of the participants.
One of the fun things is the people that line the course of the Bolder Boulder. They entertain people and shout encouragement. Which makes the race more fun. Here is a group of belly dancers we saw between 2KM and 3KM. The funny thing, is that this one only one group of belly dancers, I think we saw two more on the course.
Between 6KM and 7KM you reach the summit of the course. If you didn't live here and were really running, this is where you would hurt alot.
One of the best parts is the finish of the race. The actual finish is in the Colorado University stadium. And there are all these people cheering you on, even slow pokes like me. It is really a cool feeling. Frank Shorter, an Olympic Marathon runner was doing the commentary for the people in the stadium, said that the Bolder Boulder is a unique race in that people actually stick around at the end. I think it has to do with the Memorial Day celebration that happens after the end of the Elite Races.
So the Elite runners finished in 28 mins, 13 seconds, which is 4:34 per mile. I wasn't that fast. I finished in 1 hour, 44 mins and 53 seconds or 16:52 mins per mile. My best time was in 2003 where we finished in 1 hour, 29 mins. I'll have to try again to see if I can improve my time, and why don't you come join us next time!
So here we are at the starting line, we were in wave PB, which had an expected finish time of 90 to 120 minutes. So right where we were planning to finish. There were about 40 waves that started before us. So we were near the back of the participants.
One of the fun things is the people that line the course of the Bolder Boulder. They entertain people and shout encouragement. Which makes the race more fun. Here is a group of belly dancers we saw between 2KM and 3KM. The funny thing, is that this one only one group of belly dancers, I think we saw two more on the course.
Between 6KM and 7KM you reach the summit of the course. If you didn't live here and were really running, this is where you would hurt alot.
One of the best parts is the finish of the race. The actual finish is in the Colorado University stadium. And there are all these people cheering you on, even slow pokes like me. It is really a cool feeling. Frank Shorter, an Olympic Marathon runner was doing the commentary for the people in the stadium, said that the Bolder Boulder is a unique race in that people actually stick around at the end. I think it has to do with the Memorial Day celebration that happens after the end of the Elite Races.
So the Elite runners finished in 28 mins, 13 seconds, which is 4:34 per mile. I wasn't that fast. I finished in 1 hour, 44 mins and 53 seconds or 16:52 mins per mile. My best time was in 2003 where we finished in 1 hour, 29 mins. I'll have to try again to see if I can improve my time, and why don't you come join us next time!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Lastest Cooking Experiment
By now you all know I like to cook. One of the blogs I read, was talking about cooking tortillas. I had never done that and wanted to give it a try...so yesterday I made some...here they are rolled out ready to cook...
The finished product. I only made half a batch (about 9 taco size), since I wasn't sure how they would work. But I have to say, they were very yummy!
While I was at it, I thought I might as well make my own refried beans. So I took some Pinto beans, cooked them in water, added some seasonings (red pepper flake, onions, roasted garlic, salt, etc..) and then smashed them...and cooked them a second time in the pan.
I admit, I don't know if you can take a picture of refried beans and have them look "good" so you will have to trust me, they were very Yummy!
Cooked some ground beef and we had taco night. I have to say, it was a successful experiment. I think next time, I will make more tortillas and make black beans... Yum
The finished product. I only made half a batch (about 9 taco size), since I wasn't sure how they would work. But I have to say, they were very yummy!
While I was at it, I thought I might as well make my own refried beans. So I took some Pinto beans, cooked them in water, added some seasonings (red pepper flake, onions, roasted garlic, salt, etc..) and then smashed them...and cooked them a second time in the pan.
I admit, I don't know if you can take a picture of refried beans and have them look "good" so you will have to trust me, they were very Yummy!
Cooked some ground beef and we had taco night. I have to say, it was a successful experiment. I think next time, I will make more tortillas and make black beans... Yum
Friday, May 7, 2010
New Dining Room
So it only took us 6-10 months to decide what we wanted and take the plunge to have this built. Then it took 2 months for it to arrive. It was so worth the wait....now to fill up the hutch and redecorate that room.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Toronto
Ever been to Toronto Canada? If so let me know...I am looking for something fun to do there.
I have had 2 proposals accepted at the Ed Media Conference in Toronto the very end of June. My papers are written and my tickets are bought.
Kevin will be traveling with me, so we are going to stay an extra day to see what we can see. Any ideas?
I have had 2 proposals accepted at the Ed Media Conference in Toronto the very end of June. My papers are written and my tickets are bought.
Kevin will be traveling with me, so we are going to stay an extra day to see what we can see. Any ideas?
Goodbye Shadow
11 years ago, Mert, Jean, Jody and Kevin went out to a small farm to look at the puppies. We picked out a very cute, sweet black lab mix, and she was named Shadow.
The last few weeks were rough on Shadow. She had arthritis, diabetes, and her liver and kidneys started to fail.
Thus Jean had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Shadow to sleep on Tuesday. We were all very sad. Even Stormy and Deogi miss her, as they walk around the house and look for her.
Our pets do become like family and we learn their personalities just like people. They bring us much love and enjoyment, and when they are gone we are saddened by our loss.
Here is a picture of Shadow....in order left to right Boo Boo (Doug's dog), Stormy, Deogi, and Shadow.
The last few weeks were rough on Shadow. She had arthritis, diabetes, and her liver and kidneys started to fail.
Thus Jean had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Shadow to sleep on Tuesday. We were all very sad. Even Stormy and Deogi miss her, as they walk around the house and look for her.
Our pets do become like family and we learn their personalities just like people. They bring us much love and enjoyment, and when they are gone we are saddened by our loss.
Here is a picture of Shadow....in order left to right Boo Boo (Doug's dog), Stormy, Deogi, and Shadow.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Disney 2010
So here are our pictures for Orlando.....We arrived on Thursday night and it was raining when we got to the hotel. We stayed right across the street from Downtown Disney.
Friday morning arrived, it was sunny and beautiful out. We headed over to Hollywood Studios as we had never visited that park. First stop was to take pictures of the big Sorcerers hat that is the symbol of the park...
And why do we really go to Disney? To see Mickey of course!
At Hollywood and Epcot (it was actually the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot), they had great topiaries. This is one of my favorites....it is the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Notice the brooms have buckets of flowers they are dumping and making them grow. Think I need this in my yard....
We had a good time at Hollywood. Rode some good rides...Kevin even had me ride the Hollywood Tower Hotel ride...which is an elevator ride that drops you and drops you and drops you :) They also have some good shows there too.
Then we headed over to the Magic Kingdom.....We did of course go to toon town to see Mickey's house and then a stop in to see Mickey at the Fair
Saturday we decided to go to Epcot. We actually got to the park early, and they let us go in early. We rode the Soarin' ride 3 times before the park opened. (nothing like hang gliding over all of California) That is unheard of as the day before we heard the ride had a 115 minute wait (yes that is almost 2 hours) so we took advantage when we could.
We also rode Test Track and Mission Space and almost everything else there. It was a beautiful day, not too busy at the park.
As I said above, it was the Flower and Garden Festival...so they had all these set up for the various Disney movies...here are some of the best ones...can you believe this is all flowers?
Of course, Mickey is one of the best :-)
Speaking of Mickey, we had to find him at Epcot too....
And Pluto....(we skipped the other characters...can you imagine?)
I think I need this in my yard too. That wouldn't be much to take care of, water, weed...ok, maybe I need a gardener too.
We had a good time at Epcot, and had dinner in France, at Les Chefs de France it was really good. So we had to stop to have our picture taken with the Eiffel Tower behind us...
Not long before we left Epcot, we came across this empty pavilion and then I realized why it was empty how could they ask the expert when I wasn't there :)
After we left Epcot we headed to Downtown Disney for a stroll through the stores before going back to the hotel.
Sunday we only had part of a day since I had to be at my conference in the afternoon. We also woke up to cloudy skies, but that didn't stop us. We went back to the Magic Kingdom and hit a couple of rides we had missed on Friday, and then went over to the Animal Kingdom...I know, I know, that isn't a lot of time, but really it is 4 parks, 1 World (or so we kept seeing).
The safari ride is one of the best things there, so we got to see it and the Finding Nemo Musical
Since it was cloudy out we got to see more animals, I won't bore you with lots of pictures
We left the park around noonish and by the time we got over to the conference it was pouring down rain...So I didn't feel so bad about having to leave the parks for the conference :-)
The conference was the real reason for the trip. The conference was all about course redesign. How to redesign courses for the best student learning kind of things. So we did a small presentation about one of our courses (this course has about 30,000 students a year so it is a big one for us), and how we redesigned it and improved our student success.
So here we are (Betsy and Me).
So all in all it was a good trip. Vacation is great...wish I could do it more often.... sigh....
Friday morning arrived, it was sunny and beautiful out. We headed over to Hollywood Studios as we had never visited that park. First stop was to take pictures of the big Sorcerers hat that is the symbol of the park...
And why do we really go to Disney? To see Mickey of course!
At Hollywood and Epcot (it was actually the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot), they had great topiaries. This is one of my favorites....it is the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Notice the brooms have buckets of flowers they are dumping and making them grow. Think I need this in my yard....
We had a good time at Hollywood. Rode some good rides...Kevin even had me ride the Hollywood Tower Hotel ride...which is an elevator ride that drops you and drops you and drops you :) They also have some good shows there too.
Then we headed over to the Magic Kingdom.....We did of course go to toon town to see Mickey's house and then a stop in to see Mickey at the Fair
Saturday we decided to go to Epcot. We actually got to the park early, and they let us go in early. We rode the Soarin' ride 3 times before the park opened. (nothing like hang gliding over all of California) That is unheard of as the day before we heard the ride had a 115 minute wait (yes that is almost 2 hours) so we took advantage when we could.
We also rode Test Track and Mission Space and almost everything else there. It was a beautiful day, not too busy at the park.
As I said above, it was the Flower and Garden Festival...so they had all these set up for the various Disney movies...here are some of the best ones...can you believe this is all flowers?
Of course, Mickey is one of the best :-)
Speaking of Mickey, we had to find him at Epcot too....
And Pluto....(we skipped the other characters...can you imagine?)
I think I need this in my yard too. That wouldn't be much to take care of, water, weed...ok, maybe I need a gardener too.
We had a good time at Epcot, and had dinner in France, at Les Chefs de France it was really good. So we had to stop to have our picture taken with the Eiffel Tower behind us...
Not long before we left Epcot, we came across this empty pavilion and then I realized why it was empty how could they ask the expert when I wasn't there :)
After we left Epcot we headed to Downtown Disney for a stroll through the stores before going back to the hotel.Sunday we only had part of a day since I had to be at my conference in the afternoon. We also woke up to cloudy skies, but that didn't stop us. We went back to the Magic Kingdom and hit a couple of rides we had missed on Friday, and then went over to the Animal Kingdom...I know, I know, that isn't a lot of time, but really it is 4 parks, 1 World (or so we kept seeing).
The safari ride is one of the best things there, so we got to see it and the Finding Nemo Musical
Since it was cloudy out we got to see more animals, I won't bore you with lots of pictures
We left the park around noonish and by the time we got over to the conference it was pouring down rain...So I didn't feel so bad about having to leave the parks for the conference :-)
The conference was the real reason for the trip. The conference was all about course redesign. How to redesign courses for the best student learning kind of things. So we did a small presentation about one of our courses (this course has about 30,000 students a year so it is a big one for us), and how we redesigned it and improved our student success.
So here we are (Betsy and Me).
So all in all it was a good trip. Vacation is great...wish I could do it more often.... sigh....
Friday, March 19, 2010
Too Excited.....
Do you remember this video?
That is exactly how I feel as one week from today...I will be visiting with Mickey.
That is exactly how I feel as one week from today...I will be visiting with Mickey.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Its a Math Holiday!!
Happy Pi Day!
Today is March 14 (3.14) and celebrated all across the country as Pi Day. It is also Albert Einstein's birthday.
It was Albert Einstein who said “Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. ”
This is a fun little Pi song for you to enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwKZEp2K_0&feature=related
And Google is celebrating the holiday with a “Google Doodle” go that shows some of the many formulas that depend on pi to google.com to see.
How am I celebrating? Well I think there just might be some pi(e) involved for dessert tonight. :)
Happy Pi Day!
Jody
Monday, February 15, 2010
Orlando.....yea!
Today, I learned that I was accepted to present a poster session at the NCAT Redesign Alliance Conference in Orlando next month! Really any excuse to get to Orlando works for me. I am hoping for an additional conference presentation in November (I will be submitting a couple of proposals).
Yes and for those of you 'counting' I was just in Miami last month, in Chicago last week...will be in Chicago again the first part of March...then to Orlando the end of March.
I NEVER would have thought, that I would like to present at conferences nor that I would travel as I do for work and conferences....so not at all like me....well maybe it is now.
Yes and for those of you 'counting' I was just in Miami last month, in Chicago last week...will be in Chicago again the first part of March...then to Orlando the end of March.
I NEVER would have thought, that I would like to present at conferences nor that I would travel as I do for work and conferences....so not at all like me....well maybe it is now.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day
It is so good to be home. Last night after Kevin picked me up at the airport and we got home, I found something special for me on the Kitchen counter:
Thanks Sweetie! They are beautiful and I love them. Tonight we are going to dinner at O' Sole Mio! Yum!
Kevin, you are the best!
Thanks Sweetie! They are beautiful and I love them. Tonight we are going to dinner at O' Sole Mio! Yum!
Kevin, you are the best!
A surprise Birthday Gift
Not too long ago, we received a box from Pauline. In the box was a memory game for Caelum for his birthday. Here he is playing on Super Bowl Sunday with Leslie
Saturday, February 13, 2010
So I am in Chicago....actually heading home later today (YEA!!!).
It has been a good/fast trip. I am here to work with a publisher and many of their developers for some software we use. It has been interesting to learn their thought process and the items they are working on. We have also been able to say what we like, don't like, and what features we want to see. Many of the people I have worked with and met with on the phone, but the first time I have met them in person, and that is always fun too.
The publisher has treated us very well. It is cold here, Lake Michigan and the river are both icy, and there is snow. Here are a few pics from my cell phone...that really means they are not good pictures, especially out my hotel window....
The skyline....
Last night we went to Trattoria 10 it was really yummy...I would go back in a heart beat....
This was our ride over to the restaurant...there were several of us and this was actually cheaper than taxis
Looking forward to being home. I will be back to Chicago the first week of March, so I won't be home too long.
It has been a good/fast trip. I am here to work with a publisher and many of their developers for some software we use. It has been interesting to learn their thought process and the items they are working on. We have also been able to say what we like, don't like, and what features we want to see. Many of the people I have worked with and met with on the phone, but the first time I have met them in person, and that is always fun too.
The publisher has treated us very well. It is cold here, Lake Michigan and the river are both icy, and there is snow. Here are a few pics from my cell phone...that really means they are not good pictures, especially out my hotel window....
The skyline....
Last night we went to Trattoria 10 it was really yummy...I would go back in a heart beat....
This was our ride over to the restaurant...there were several of us and this was actually cheaper than taxis
Looking forward to being home. I will be back to Chicago the first week of March, so I won't be home too long.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Small town antics……
Yesterday Kevin had a bad day at work, we have all had them you know…meetings…things broken…internet down etc…so, around 3:30 in the afternoon we decided to go to town and do some errands.
1. Kevin had something from work to ship back via UPS
2. Go to the bank
3. Go to the office supply/Hallmark store
4. Go to the post office
5. Pick up dinner at the Mall/Subway (really this means go to Wal-Mart and then to Subway on the way out)
Since our town is so small, we decided to park at the UPS shipping place (it is a copy service company) and then walk the rest of it...town is only 4-5 blocks after all
So, we go to the copy place. Their internet and entire network was down, so they couldn't get the shipping label done or printed. After waiting about 10 min, we said, “We have some errands we will be back” Only in a small town, can you feel confident leaving the item knowing that they will get it all set while you are gone. Therefore, we leave and go to the bank.
The person at the bank was new and we were depositing a check into savings but also getting $200 cash back...we asked for $40 of that in 10s 5s and 1s. First, it took her forever to just figure out how to enter all that into the system. Then she could not (I had to tell her how) count the money back to us, and how much there should be. When she did finally count it to us, she had to do it twice because she was so confused...I would think that counting cash would be a job requirement of a teller, and if this was a large city she would never make it. At this point Kevin states that it must be “Waste Kevin’s time day”, because that has been the flow of the day up to that point.
Next, we go to the office supply/Hallmark store
Side Story
We decided to read our Valentine’s Day cards to each other, while we were there. Then I picked up a card to mail to my friend Kari (shhh do not tell her it is in the mail)….We go to the register and of course have to wait for the person to talk to her friend who was leaving. Then I do not have any coins, just a $5. The register she is using does not have the right coins either. The lady says, “Let me check this register” and goes to the other one. No coins there either...so she says, “let me get some from the back” And she leaves BOTH registers (which had cash in them) open and goes to the back to get coins while we are standing there. I cannot believe she left us there, with both drawers wide open...so I warned her to be more careful. She says, “I like my small town and trust people here” I reminded her there is crime even in small towns. Of course, more wasted time for Kevin, while we waited.
We go to the post office. The line is out the door, and there is only one person workingso we wait and wait. People were mailing packages, getting money orders, you name it, and anything that is slow is what the customers wanted. Finally get our stuff done.... (More wasted Kevin time)
Then we go back to the shipping place. By now, they have Kevin's bill ready. He wants to pay with Visa since he is turning it into work for reimbursement...but, we have to wait (more waiting), because, someone came in to send a 17 page fax and the credit card machine and the fax machine use the same phone line. So we wait. While we are waiting, a man comes in to make copies. The receptionist talks to him and says, “I have your tab here (for 60 cents), from last time you were in”. They talk and come to find out; his tab goes back to December. Only in a small town would a place carry a 60-cent tab this long. Now that he made more copies, he now has a 90 cent tab and says "I will come back tomorrow to square this away.”Yes only in a small town is something like this possible.
Finally we are able to leave, we go outside and realize that the guy who was in the store, left his car is out front, unlocked, running...... only in a small town can you carry a 60 cent tab and leave your car running out front of a store while you are inside.
Yes only in a small town...crazy
So what about Subway for dinner? Well we never got there….we were headed on our way it was just after 5, we were going to do a little shopping, pick up a couple of items, then grab dinner and take it home. Well on the way to the Mall (aka Wal-Mart), Kevin remembers he has class at 5 pm, and he is now late. We came straight home, he went to class, and I warmed up some stuff in the oven for dinner.
Tomorrow I am off to Chicago for a few days. I am sure it will be different there than here….no small town antics in Chicago. However, I hope I learn something and have some fun too. I am one of 14 people that one of our publishers invited to Chicago to meet with their developers.
1. Kevin had something from work to ship back via UPS
2. Go to the bank
3. Go to the office supply/Hallmark store
4. Go to the post office
5. Pick up dinner at the Mall/Subway (really this means go to Wal-Mart and then to Subway on the way out)
Since our town is so small, we decided to park at the UPS shipping place (it is a copy service company) and then walk the rest of it...town is only 4-5 blocks after all
So, we go to the copy place. Their internet and entire network was down, so they couldn't get the shipping label done or printed. After waiting about 10 min, we said, “We have some errands we will be back” Only in a small town, can you feel confident leaving the item knowing that they will get it all set while you are gone. Therefore, we leave and go to the bank.
The person at the bank was new and we were depositing a check into savings but also getting $200 cash back...we asked for $40 of that in 10s 5s and 1s. First, it took her forever to just figure out how to enter all that into the system. Then she could not (I had to tell her how) count the money back to us, and how much there should be. When she did finally count it to us, she had to do it twice because she was so confused...I would think that counting cash would be a job requirement of a teller, and if this was a large city she would never make it. At this point Kevin states that it must be “Waste Kevin’s time day”, because that has been the flow of the day up to that point.
Next, we go to the office supply/Hallmark store
Side Story
We do not buy birthday, anniversary, or holiday cards for each other anymore. The story is that we both had a huge stack of sweet cards, and we didn’t know what to do with them anymore but didn’t want to throw them out, since the other person had put much thought and care into picking the right card. So, we decided the stack could be thrown out and instead of buying new cards each “event”, we go to the store, pick out the perfect card for the other, the other person reads it, and we put it back on the shelf...saves a ton
We decided to read our Valentine’s Day cards to each other, while we were there. Then I picked up a card to mail to my friend Kari (shhh do not tell her it is in the mail)….We go to the register and of course have to wait for the person to talk to her friend who was leaving. Then I do not have any coins, just a $5. The register she is using does not have the right coins either. The lady says, “Let me check this register” and goes to the other one. No coins there either...so she says, “let me get some from the back” And she leaves BOTH registers (which had cash in them) open and goes to the back to get coins while we are standing there. I cannot believe she left us there, with both drawers wide open...so I warned her to be more careful. She says, “I like my small town and trust people here” I reminded her there is crime even in small towns. Of course, more wasted time for Kevin, while we waited.
We go to the post office. The line is out the door, and there is only one person workingso we wait and wait. People were mailing packages, getting money orders, you name it, and anything that is slow is what the customers wanted. Finally get our stuff done.... (More wasted Kevin time)
Then we go back to the shipping place. By now, they have Kevin's bill ready. He wants to pay with Visa since he is turning it into work for reimbursement...but, we have to wait (more waiting), because, someone came in to send a 17 page fax and the credit card machine and the fax machine use the same phone line. So we wait. While we are waiting, a man comes in to make copies. The receptionist talks to him and says, “I have your tab here (for 60 cents), from last time you were in”. They talk and come to find out; his tab goes back to December. Only in a small town would a place carry a 60-cent tab this long. Now that he made more copies, he now has a 90 cent tab and says "I will come back tomorrow to square this away.”Yes only in a small town is something like this possible.
Finally we are able to leave, we go outside and realize that the guy who was in the store, left his car is out front, unlocked, running...... only in a small town can you carry a 60 cent tab and leave your car running out front of a store while you are inside.
Yes only in a small town...crazy
So what about Subway for dinner? Well we never got there….we were headed on our way it was just after 5, we were going to do a little shopping, pick up a couple of items, then grab dinner and take it home. Well on the way to the Mall (aka Wal-Mart), Kevin remembers he has class at 5 pm, and he is now late. We came straight home, he went to class, and I warmed up some stuff in the oven for dinner.
Tomorrow I am off to Chicago for a few days. I am sure it will be different there than here….no small town antics in Chicago. However, I hope I learn something and have some fun too. I am one of 14 people that one of our publishers invited to Chicago to meet with their developers.
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