a bubble in the stream of consciousness

has it really been 3 months?

2012-01-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

man...i completely fail at this blogging thing!    life has been busy, but not busy enough to ignore the 1.37 people who actually still check in over here.   i apologize for my absence.

quick catch up....

in list form....

cuz it's the way my brain works....

1. still loving the "new" car...that has 16,000+ miles on it already....since August...lol

2. still loving the job....

3. transferred to a new land at disney....you can find me in Adventure/Frontier lands now....

4. took a roadtrip to Nashville in December....it was the trip from hell.....52 hours to drive what should take 29 hours.... details were posted on twitter....

5. boy1 should be graduating from college in may.....there will be more trips to nashville this spring

6. the VW saga did finally end....it did require getting the attorney involved again but at least VW paid VW credit for the stupid car

7. my Christmas tree is really pretty this year and i don't really want to take it down.....so i'm going to leave it up for a few more days...

8. girl1 got a new job....she's an apple chick now

9. boy2 is cruising around new zealand on his bike....

10.    hubby1 is turning 50 in just a couple of months.....

11. we'll be cruising to alaska later this year...

12.   applied for some new positions at work....don't expect to get any of them but it doesn't hurt to apply

that's about it.....hoping your 2012 is spectacular!

More Adventures in Car Land

2011-09-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I thought I was actually finished with Volkswagen when they repurchased my defective Jetta.    Here's the latest in the seemingly neverending saga.

We signed the settlement papers on August 4. VW took ownership of the car on August 16. Our August payment was due on August 14....we were assured this would not be a problem, since the payment was included in the amount that VW agreed to pay.

Last week, I received my first late payment notice. I called VW Credit and explained the situation. I also mailed them a copy of the signed settlement papers.    Yesterday, I received another request for payment, so I decided to dedicate this morning to getting this resolved.

I called VW Credit and was told they needed payment and a notification from VW. They transferred me to VW.   VW told me that they can't speak with me because there was an attorney involved and transferred me to an arbitrator. The arbitrator is on vacation.

I called VW Credit again and explained the situation...was put on hold. He discovered that an arbitrator can't help because we aren't in arbitration. He called another department and discovered that they are working on it and will hopefully payoff the loan within 2 weeks.   I explained that this is past my September payment date and I will now have two late payments on my record.

He transferred me to his supervisor who said I should make the payments if my credit score is that important to me. When asked if I would get a refund when VW actually pays off my loan, he wasn't sure.

Outcome of all these phone calls?   I told the supervisor that I am officially refusing to make any more payments and that they should repossess my car.   He asked me to fax him a statement saying that I was refusing to make the payments and authorizing him to repossess. I faxed him a statement with the VW dealership's address as the garaging address.

I'll fix my credit report later....but really really really want to go hang out across the street from VW for a few days and see if anyone tries to repossess a jetta from the lot....

finally friday....on a tuesday.... the one with a car update

2011-08-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

For the 1.35 readers who might actually still be stopping by, here's an update on the car situation. I think I told you all that VW had agreed to buy back the car (that was the end of May). We finally worked out all the details and returned the car last Tuesday (August 16). We received our settlement check yesterday and are now proud owners of this little beauty:

It's a CT200H....been driving it for about a week....averaging 47 mpg and thoroughly enjoying the ride!

So glad to put the whole VW saga behind me and move on.

Have a fantastical day!

finally friday...the one with the car update

2011-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

it's been a couple weeks....and just in case anyone is still interested in my crazy corner of the world, here's a quick rundown on what's on my mind.

1. trying to decide if i want to apply for full-time at work. it would give us health insurance and some other cool benefits...but it makes it seem so much more like a "real" job instead of a fun place to get paid for playing.

2. parenting is not always fun...even when the kids are adults...

3. in May, I video taped my sunroof not responding; sent the video to my attorneys; they sent it the powers that be; those powers agreed to repurchase my car.    I sent in all the requested documentation of my expenses and have heard nothing....absolutely NOTHING....so done with this whole saga.

4. I've already chosen my new car....which really makes driving the current one less enjoyable.

5. Note to pretty much everyone ...if you request information from someone and they email it to you, please send a confirmation of receipt.   If you choose not to confirm, don't get all pissy when you start receiving daily emails asking if you received the information.

6. actual email received in response to my daily emails in #5...."in court but I got all your emails and we are working on resolution and will be in touch soon"...lol    He can take time to write an email from court but his secretary can't write one from her desk at the office.

7. My coffee is unusually tasty this morning....

finally friday #(insert whatever number you want)

2011-07-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and time to wrap up the week and toss it out so we can enjoy the weekend.   Since I started working, Friday has become my Monday ....except for the weeks when Thursday is my Monday and then Friday is my Tuesday but yeah....whatever.....you get the idea.

I've been off work since Monday (well, technically Tuesday morning at 3 am but again...yeah...whatever...) and don't have to clock in until 10:30 tonight which has made for a nice mini vacation week.   In which I did nothing but catch up on paperwork, take my car to the shop, go to the dentist and clean the house....awesome....

I'm out of sorts today and not really sure why.   Been dealing with a couple icky issues lately, but I think one has been resolved (finally....and may I just insert here that people are stupid?)

I have four more nights of crazy late shifts and then move to mornings for a few days.   I like being in the parks during the daylight hours...but switching back and forth from closing to opening shifts makes sleeping difficult.

It's a holiday weekend...and there will be crazy folks camping out in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle from opening until fireworks on the 4th....again....yeah...whatever....it's their holiday and they can spend it however they choose....

and that pretty much concludes the "waste my readers' time" post for the day....i apologize....but yeah....whatever.....

Green just isn't his color

2011-06-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

I recently applied for a speciality job at work. I was a couple months short of the required time on the job and more than a couple months shy of the preferred time but thought it would be a good way to let my manager know that I'm interested in leadership roles.   There were 4 spots available, 28 people applied and 12 were granted interviews.   I was thrilled just to make it to the interview round.

I felt that it was absolutely the worst interview of my life, but wasn't too upset. I wasn't expecting to get the position; it was simply a step on the long term career plan.   Long story short....I got one of the spots! Which should be really exciting...and it was (and still is) but there's been some interesting responses from my co-workers.

The response from the people I will be working with has been incredible. I took the time to meet most of them before I applied, picked their brains about the job and started building relationships.   They seem genuinely happy to have me on the team.

The response from coworkers has been very supportive...except for this one guy who applied for the job and didn't get it.   He's evidently thought the job was his for the taking.

I understand disappointment and I even understand feeling that you were a better choice for something. What shocked me was his sitting at a table of coworkers and telling them what a horrid person I am and how I'm not who I pretend to be and how management is going to be shocked when my true colors start showing.....all while I was sitting at the next table!

People are stupid....and bad mouthing coworkers is not the best way to get leadership roles...just sayin'

must be spring

2011-05-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

our garden is in full bloom. we are already enjoying fresh zucchini and the tomatoes are starting to ripen. here are some shots from a couple of days ago.

how about an IQ test for customers?

2011-04-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

We're contemplating having all potential customers answer a couple of questions before agreeing to maintain their property.

question #1
When you receive an invoice in the mail, do you
a. pay it promptly
b. file it in the "to be paid" folder
c. throw it away and hope to receive a second notice
d. write "addressee unknown" on the envelope and return it

question #2
When you have questions about your bill or service received, do you
a. do nothing for several months and then refuse to pay your bill because the service sucked 8 months ago
b. call the office but hang up if the answering machine picks up and then refuse to pay your bill because no one ever called you back
c. call another landscaping company, have them mow your lawn and expect the first company to pay

my brain hurts.....

This week's "Huh?" award goes to....

2011-04-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

message on answering machine: "There's no way I owe you for February. I mailed the check on March 9th. I don't know what you did with it but I'm only paying for March."

conversation between confused client and me

Me: "I have no record of having received that check. Has it cleared the bank?"

CC: "No...I've been checking online and it hasn't cleared yet. But I mailed it on March 9th...you should have it by now"

Me: "I obviously didn't receive it.   Can you please reissue it?"

CC: "That will cost me $20.   I will reissue it for $30 instead of $50"

Me: "No...you owe us $50 for services rendered in February. You will need to reissue for the full amount"

CC: "It's not my fault you didn't receive it. I mailed it on March 9th.   I'll split the cost of the stop payment with you and reissue for $40"

(I'm pretty much dying at this point...seriously?)

Me: "Noooo.....I have no proof that you actually mailed me a check. If you have a receipt from the post office, I will split the cost with you. Otherwise, you will need to convince the post office to pay for the stop payment and you will need to mail me a check for $50"

CC: "THAT'S RIDICULOUS...I DON'T GET RECEIPTS FOR EVERY BILL I MAIL"

Me: "I understand, but you owe me $50 and I have no way of knowing that a check has been mailed and lost. Do you call the electric company if a check gets lost and ask them to credit you for the amount of the check?"

CC: "No...they are a big company and wouldn't do that....."

Me: "We're a small company and we won't do that either....I'll expect your check for $50 by the end of the week..Thank you"

love my life.....

finally friday....on saturday (again)

2011-04-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

time for a quick recap of the week....

This week has been crazy busy.   Spring break runs about 6 weeks at work and that means mandatory shift extensions and 6 day work-weeks.   It doesn't seem possible that you could extend a shift that ends at 1:15 in the morning but I frequently find myself there until 2:45.

I earned my ears on Sunday which means I can now apply to be trained in different areas and that I have successfully completed my probation at the happiest place on earth.   woohoo!

Once again, spring and winter are disagreeing about what season it is.   Summer even showed up early in the week with temps in the 90s but winter staged a comeback yesterday and sent snow to Southern California.   Yep, snow in April at 2500 ft.   We managed to get the garden covered before it hit....hopefully, the little plants will survive.

I finally managed to file our taxes on Thursday....I don't think I've ever been this late before.   I was really afraid that we'd owe this year since we lost three deductions when the kids all decided to be grown ups and move out on their own....silly kids.    Good news is that we are getting a refund....it's smaller than normal but still a refund.

Struggling to find time to run/jog/walk/crawl.   I really need to get motivated and make it happen on a regular basis.

Other than that....just a routine week of bills, invoices, work, gardening and cute puppies....

this is work?

2011-03-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Last night my job was to wear light-up Mickey Mouse ears and trade pins with guests....

Life is pretty stinkin' awesome....just sayin'...

finally friday 23 - the one that could easily become a book

2011-03-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a Finally Friday for a long time....heck, i haven't done much blogging over here for a long time. Sorry about that....I have managed to post fairly regularly over at That Disney Blog but I know many of you aren't Disney fanatics.

so here's a brief recap of my life lately:

1.   Still working out ....walking/jogging (wogging) about 10 miles a week.   Times are improving.

2. Still loving my job at the happiest place on earth.   I am no longer "land-locked" so I get to work in stores all over the park.   I like the variety but keeping up with all the costumes is a little intimidating.

3. It's a photography and theatre week....the youth theater we work for is doing "Wizard of Oz."   Last night we took pictures of 69 cute little munchkins and one little kid that I wanted to kick over the freakin' rainbow.

4. I'm still driving the volkswagen....they want to "revisit the issue this summer when temperatures are hot again"....whatever.   It's got 20,000 miles on it already and isn't going to be worth anything when they do finally take it back. (cuz the sunroof still doesn't work and it's not gonna fix itself during the cool months)

5.   The kids seem to be enjoying their lives....

Life is good here in Southern California...how are things in your neck of the woods?

in search of a healthier me.....continuing

2011-02-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks?

At the beginning of the year, I got the crazy idea that a 5K wasn't really THAT long of distance...which  led to the thought that I could probably jog a 5K...which led to me actually looking for local 5Ks....which led to me stating that I was planning on registering for a 5K at Disneyland (where else?) in September.....

I hoped that maybe a friend or two would join me in my crazy adventure.    I did not expect more than 20 friends to express interest.

As of today, there are 4 of us already signed up and training.

Right now, I'm managing a 14 min/mile pace which is 6 minutes faster than it was in January.   This week I'm increasing the distance to 2 miles with the hopes of maintaining my current pace at the new distance.

Hubby1 is running with me and his training plan is to run 3 miles at random times....not be able to walk for a week and when he can walk again, run another 3 miles.     I'm not confident in that type of training being efficient but whatever....

Girl1 is being a showoff and running a 35 minute 5K already.    We pretty much hate her.

So here we are at 48/49 years old.....preparing to run our first race....pray for our sanity.....
and our old, protesting muscles....

need to learn to breathe.....

2011-02-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

This week has been one of those weeks.   Beginning with a to-do list that included massive amounts of printing and the printer dying on Monday and continuing with stupid, irritating things, one right after the other.  It was windy so I chose to blame my grumpiness on that but I knew it wasn't entirely the wind's fault.

Part of my gurmpiness came from the fact that I hate waiting and I've been waiting to be converted from a seasonal employee to a part-time.   I was told that it could be a week to two months. In the meantime, my next shift would be sometime in mid-March.    I didn't think I was letting it bug me too much, but hubby hasn't been working much and bills keep coming in and I have always stressed about finances.

Yesterday, I had an overwhelming urge to go pick up costumes (even though I didn't think I'd be working until March).    I really had gotten to the point where I figured I'd be seasonal thru the spring break season and converted before summer, so I'm not really sure why having costumes available was a nagging concern.   But I couldn't get it off my mind, and off to work I went.

And then, today, I got that amazing phone call!   I am now a CR (casual regular) and will be able to call in for shifts starting Monday and will be back on the schedule in two weeks.     What a relief!

Do you think I will ever learn to let life happen and quit stressing over things that I over which I have no control?

Darn those Steelers

2011-01-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

I might have to book another cruise... *le sigh*

and it's Pittsburgh's fault.

I have been on a cruise the last two times the Steelers have won the Super Bowl. If they make it this year, I feel obligated to book a last minute trip....cuz I'm a true fan.

Stupid is Contagious

2011-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Facebook statuses (statii/status...whatever) have an amazing way of making my head hurt.

I have several VERY conservative friends.    I have several VERY liberal friends. I have friends who don't have enough backbone to decide if they are conservative or liberal and I have friends who are intelligent enough to actually take things on a case-by-case basis.

anyways.....my current rant.....

After the events in Arizonza, my liberal friends posted stuff about how Palin and her tea party beliefs may have played a part in the shootings.   My conservative friends wrote incredibly long blogs about freedom of speech and how she has the right to say anything she wants....

I said nothing....

Today my conservative friends are posting stuff about President Obama and the behavior of attendees at the memorial service tonight.    (the whistling and cheering during the service)   My liberal friends didn't watch the service so they have no idea what my conservative friends are talking about.... (you know, cuz liberals aren't patriotic enough to watch the memorial)

I may have tweeted something about stupid people needing to shut up and drink their tea.....maybe....

could it be? Yes! A List!

2011-01-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

I survived my first peak season at D*****l*** and loved almost every minute of it.  Here's some things I learned:

1.   The parks have their own language. Actually, it's more like a bunch of letters that they season conversations with. I think it's a test to see if you will ask what things mean or if you are a "nod and smile" type person.

2. Newbies work the closing shifts.   I saw daylight once in the past 6 weeks.   The majority of my shifts started around 8pm and ended at 2:45am.   Except for that one lovely NYE shift that ended at 4am. Tack on my hour plus commute and you can imagine how sleep deprived I am at the moment.

3. You are actually expected to show up for your shifts....on time....and in the correct costume.   I didn't have a problem with this but several of the newbies were offended when they were spoken to about showing up late.   Go figure.

4. It's not really a good idea to tell your boss that you don't want to fold the sweatshirts again.   Or to stand around talking when the manager is on the floor and your tasks aren't complete.   Yep....a couple of the other newbies have some interesting work ethics.

5. It's a magical place to work.   Being there almost daily for 6 weeks just made me love it more. (I'll be there tomorrow as a guest...lol)

6. I don't really want to work full time....20-25 hours a week is just about perfect.

7. Schools should have mandatory classes on dressing for interviews and proper work ethics.   e.g. Tan leggings stretched to their limit with a black thong showing thru the fabric, knee high boots and a short tshirt does not make the best interview outfit. And, yes, I know they said professional attire but I don't think you understood what profession they meant.

8. No one cares if your parent has worked there for 10 years.    They do care if you will work....at all....

9. If you don't show up for a shift and you don't bother to call in, you will be terminated.   No questions asked.   I liked this rule....and I liked it even more when they actually let 3 people go.

10. Give a child a piece of bubblewrap and they forget all about the candy they wanted.    This makes you a hero with both the kid and their parents.

in search of a healthier me...pt 6

2010-11-29T19:28:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've posted about my search for a healthier me and I'm happy to report that I have continued to exercise regularly and try to eat better.   I've lost a total of 28 pounds since starting this adventure 16 months ago.   I feel great and I think that's more important to me than any number.

I have continued using the EA Sports More Workouts (and would recommend it to everyone) and this weekend, I added the 'couch to 5K (C25K)' plan to my workout.   I am utilizing the "get running" app to help me reach my goal of being able to run a 5K.   I haven't signed up for any race ....I just want to see if I can do it.

I've completed two of the workouts and was pleasantly surprised at how easy they seemed.   Basically, for the first week, you start out running for 1 minute and walking for 1.5 minutes.   You repeat this 8 times during the workout.    Each week, you increase the amount of time you spend running and decrease the walking time. By the end of 9 weeks, you should be able to run for 30 minutes.

I'll keep you posted...

finally friday....on a sunday...just cuz

2010-11-14T19:26:00.000-08:00

wow....this past week has been crazy.

a week ago, we shot our first wedding.

on wednesday, we shot "13" for a local youth theatre.

on thursday, we edited pictures all day and then shot a senior portrait session.

on friday, i had a job interview.

on friday, i became a disney cast member!

this week, i go back to work.....at the happiest place on earth....during the holiday season....it doesn't get much better than that.....=D

our first wedding shoot!

2010-11-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Saiz Photography shot their first wedding on Saturday...so much fun. We've know Josh and Kayt for many, many years and have were honored when they asked if we would shoot their special day. Here are a couple of my shots....I'm still waiting for girl1 to finish editing her batch.

Mt Rushmore

2010-10-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

If you are cruising across South Dakota, you have to stop at Mt. Rushmore....even if you have been there before. It's not possible to get tired of the monument. A new trail has opened since the last time, we visited. It takes you to the base of the mountain and offers incredible views.

I stayed close by so I could get there for sunrise.

While I was waiting for the park to open, this deer wandered by......beautiful!

From the Presidential Trail. Lots of stairs but so worth it.

A Car, GPS, and Time

2010-10-27T05:02:00.000-07:00

Hubby1 flew back to California on Saturday leaving me to find my way home. I've never driven across country alone before and have to admit that it was a little scary. But more than scary, I was super excited to get up in the morning and decide what adventures I would have that day.

On Sunday, I headed north to Peru, Indiana to visit a wonderful friend. We had a incredible evening filled with great food and a game of Mexican Train dominoes.

Monday morning I went to see family in Kokomo and then decided to drive to St. Louis to take some pictures of the arch. I made it just in time for sunset which was a perfect time for photography.

Tuesday found me in my favorite state -- South Dakota. I love the way it smells, the scenery, the funny roadside figures....everything. I took the following picture while driving and didn't even notice all the smaller statues. They were a fun surprise when I uploaded the pictures to the computer.

The flamingo and I made a pit stop at the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge.

Rock City, Tennessee

2010-10-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

This was our Friday day trip while boy1 was at work. What a beautiful place to spend a few hours....the views are breathtaking and FairyLand is a surprising (and a little bit creepy) end to the adventure.

seven states ......no Russia

Hubby1 got bored and started insisting that I take flying pics of the flamingo.

and, before you leave, you get to wander thru Fairyland Caverns....we were not prepared for this and couldnt stop laughing at the treasures we found.

I like gnomes but these guys were creepy

The black light is so outdated....and, in a strange way, very charming.

Things are Different in the South

2010-10-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Lite Fare....Nashville style:

sandwiches served with french fries....lol

road trip - Nashville

2010-10-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Took a walking tour of downtown Nashville (found it online....gotta love the internet). First it had us park blocks away from the starting point. Next it referenced a random "green line" that we were supposed to follow. We spotted remnants of what might have been the infamous green line twice. We ended up just wandering around and trying to remember where we parked the car.

We did see some beautiful buildings. I think this was the Customs House.

and we did get great cell service.

Elvis is on the building:

Saw Southbound in concert:

We just found out the they are opening for Trace Adkins on November 18! super excited for them!