Ryan and Molly are sitting on a rock that is situated at the end of our townhome neighborhood’s property. This small boulder has become a highlight of our evening walking route.
Little do they know that the rest of the neighborhood calls it Poop Rock because all of the dogs in the area gravitate to it for their daily constitutionals.
My kids are putting themselves through spy training or at very least self-awareness training.
As a baby and toddler Ry slept with one or both of his eyes slightly open (which is a little weird to see mind you). I always joked that he’d grow up to be a lookout in a cowboy bandit gang. Well, his sleeping quirk added with a love for guns, beards and the expression eehh-haw all led to my believe I guess.
Bottom line: He is very light concise and has to sleep in the dark. (Thanks Phil for our room-darkening shade!).
Molly has super sonic hearing. She sleeps with her ears on full alert. Since she has quirky hearing we have never been able to sneak into her room to watch her sleep and give her one last sweet tuck-in before we head to bed ourselves. I don’t even think I have ever seen her sleeping except for in the car seat. She will stir in her crib if you even so-much-as think about her in your head.
Good defense reflex for her. Bad bonding deal for us.
Spies? Agents? Soldiers? Maybe. But for now it is so nice to know they are under my roof recharging their little bodies for the next day.
All too soon I know we will be waiting up for them to come home in time for curfew and praying they stay in their rooms all night long, alone. Till then I dream of their futures and pray for their childhood quirks to turn into grown-up character traits like a heart for justice and a spirit of discernment.
Self checkout lanes, automated voice teleprompts and ATMs alike are very transparent in their purpose.
Less labor force = More income
I am not outraged at companies creating income. Capitalism and “Big” anything don’t annoy me. What annoys me is the automated processes themselves. Now, I have come to except and use ATMs without hassle. I have used the self-checkouts a number of times, each time with a less-than-seamless experience. I have used automated voice teleprompts more times than I would have ever wanted.
Here is how a recent phone call to our unnamed health insurance company unraveled:
Automated “Employee” (AE): Hi and Thank you for calling So-and-So insurance company and affiliates. Please say your subscriber ID.
Me: Blah-XYZ-Blah-123 (with eye roll). <I just found out that companies have you enter this information just to make you feel like you are making progress during the wait time and to ensure that you have your information at hand for them later. Ever wonder why they ask you for you information AGAIN when a real human picks up the line? The first time does absolutely nothing.>
AE: Are you calling about mental health or substance abuse?
Me: (nothing said here) I am still waiting for a number to push for yes or no
AE: I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.
Me: No. Followed by a short pause. No No! Molly get out of the dishwasher!
AE: Please try again. Are you calling about mental health or substance abuse? Please say yes or no.
Me: No. Followed by a shorter pause. M-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-M (the extra long version of Mom) did you see my trick, I can fly like an airplane!
AE: Please respond with a Yes or No so I can fully understand your response.
Me: No. Immediately followed by a Whiinnnnne from Molly for graham crackers and me saying “Just I second I’m almost done”.
AE: I am sorry please call back. I am not able to understand you at this time. click…
Hey, I can see user error all over this story but whatever happened to customer service? I miss customer service. I tried the call again and was put on hold for 10 minutes 56 seconds. Of course I had to tell her my subscriber ID again! No big deal though, she said if I log on to So-and-So insurance company’s website I could find the answer to my question. Oye!
This entry is inspired by the age old question, “How are you?” I have always felt cheap for saying “Fine and you?” But really it gets complicated doesn’t it? Here are some facets of my day.
5 Lovely Times
I walked out of my house with a swimming suit on underneath my clothes.
I got a free shot of espresso in my coffee (Super Target Starbucks in Richfield).
I ate a picnic lunch with a good friend (hi Becki!) and her daughter Lucy.
I rode up and down the Mall of America parking ramp 3 times at 30 mph for Ryan.
I got dirt under my nails pulling weeds in the patio rocks while Molly and Ry played in the sandbox.
5 Trying Times
I made a behavior chart (instead of joyfully jotting out to our park play date) for Ryan due to some major meltdowns lately.
I forgot to return an item to someone (hi DeAnna!), again!
I had a headache from not drinking enough water.
I had to distract Molly aka Whiner Buns constantly because she fussed for everything her brother had, everything.
I refolded the same laundry pile three times due to the original pile getting decimated.
5 Telling Times
I have a red Popsicle stain on my white shorts.
I have a bun in my hair, again.
I did not shave my legs before going swimming in my red bikini.
I still have paint on my elbow from yesterday.
I can still feel somewhat sexy when my doting husband Pete gets home. How, I’ll never know.
