Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Mission Memories
We got to be the lucky recipients of the Elder's service for the week --yeah! They worked in the yard all afternoon. It was so nice to have capable help in the yard. I am not implying that my wife isn't capable, but when both of us are outside with the kids, they usually start fighting, so I usually pretend I can't hear them and keep rototilling and let Michelle play referee. And she has to referee a lot, so not much gets done. Not only that, but Elders always seem to have something to prove and I love it. Maybe they are trying to outwork each other or something. I dunno. In any case, it was really nice to be on the receiving end of a service project.
Having the Elders over reminded me of my mission and I found a diagram that reminded me of the Filipino philosophy on food. The most famous dish in the Philippines is Lechon Baboy (roast pig). The pig is roasted over a fire and EVERY part of the pig is eaten. I remember eating at a fiesta during Christmas and almost every person was drunk. Kids were fighting over who got to eat the ears! No joke, they eat every part of the pig and the nastier the part may seem, the more desirous it usually was to have. For some strange reason they did this to goats, chickens, fish, etc. Even stranger was that I started to like it.
This picture was taken when Michelle and I went back to visit my mission with a bunch of old companions. Notice she is sitting in the background "eyeing" the feast that is about to be.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
How to make yourself feel super popular:
Join Facebook about 7 years after the rest of the world does, then ask all your old highschool, college, preschool, swim team, cross country buddies to be your friend. It's pretty frightnening how consuming Facebook is: 95.6% of my invites responded back within like 23.4 seconds of my invite.
Yay for social networking! Finding people for our class reunion is going to be waaaaaaaaaay easier. Thank you, Facebook!
Yay for social networking! Finding people for our class reunion is going to be waaaaaaaaaay easier. Thank you, Facebook!
Some days heaven smiles down on you
...and others, you feel like your luck has completely run out and all timing is against you.
There are days when company drops by unannounced at the absolute perfect moment: when phone rings, the baby is screaming to get out of the high chair (after hurling the leftover applesauce in all directions), and the 4 year-old is queitly "playing" upstairs with markers on the wall. The house looks like a tornado blew through. It's the day you were lucky to get some clean sweats pulled on before the disastrous day started. Day-old Mascara is smeared around the eyes, your teeth are not yet even brushed.... well, you know the day.
Then there are days when you shower and get ready before the kids wake and creep into the kitchen for breakfast. The house is spotless, the day is just humming along perfectly. Those are the days no one ever drops by unexpectedly.
Well, I will have you know that yesterday, the stars were pretty well aligned. After a very successful afternoon of errand running, the missionaries stopped by. No, my house was not even close to orderly. In fact, it was a royal mess. I myself was a royal mess. Kyle happened to be home, so I asked them if they had lunch yet. They hadn't. And what do you know folks? I had leftovers from dinner the night before to feed them. While there was only one clean room in the house, it was a good one. The kitchen!!! We were able to feed the missionaries a decent meal on the fly! I even had cookie dough from the night before to boot. I really should make dinner more often. :-)
There are days when company drops by unannounced at the absolute perfect moment: when phone rings, the baby is screaming to get out of the high chair (after hurling the leftover applesauce in all directions), and the 4 year-old is queitly "playing" upstairs with markers on the wall. The house looks like a tornado blew through. It's the day you were lucky to get some clean sweats pulled on before the disastrous day started. Day-old Mascara is smeared around the eyes, your teeth are not yet even brushed.... well, you know the day.
Then there are days when you shower and get ready before the kids wake and creep into the kitchen for breakfast. The house is spotless, the day is just humming along perfectly. Those are the days no one ever drops by unexpectedly.
Well, I will have you know that yesterday, the stars were pretty well aligned. After a very successful afternoon of errand running, the missionaries stopped by. No, my house was not even close to orderly. In fact, it was a royal mess. I myself was a royal mess. Kyle happened to be home, so I asked them if they had lunch yet. They hadn't. And what do you know folks? I had leftovers from dinner the night before to feed them. While there was only one clean room in the house, it was a good one. The kitchen!!! We were able to feed the missionaries a decent meal on the fly! I even had cookie dough from the night before to boot. I really should make dinner more often. :-)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Everyone needs a wife
...but not the kind of wife I am!
So far project Cook-A-Lot has been a complete failure. Unless you all will accept that it just has simply been put "on hold" for the moment. The meals every day since I last posted have all provided by my "wife," Kyle. It seems as though we have swapped roles for the time being, which I absolutely love. Remember, any meal that I don't cook, I love? Well I've been lovin' a lot of meals lately.
So what caused the drastic change from gung-ho in the kitchen to not?
My yard.
Yes, that blessed place that I have silently cursed under my breath for the last 2 years has been the sole recipient of my time, love and attention. Fortunately my kids don't mind and they have enjoyed the great weather with me.
After 3 1/2 days of non-stop rain, I decided the ground would probably be moist enough to start some clearing and weeding without too much hassle. I ordered 7 yards of mulch and went to town. It has now reached the point of an obsessive-complusive disorder/addiction. Once I managed to tear myself away from the 4 walls of my house, I have mastered the art of focusing my energy and efforts on the outside, and the outside only. Yes, the inside has suffered, but not too terribly so, since my children have been playing outside as I work. I know Kyle is chuckling to himself ---"I told you so. Having a big yard is wonderful!" --- but for the record, I'm not saying I'm loving my life right now. I have enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment I have felt with the yard though. I am not ready to be grateful that we bought a tiny house on a huge piece of property, but I guess that's how the pioneers did it. Right? Didn't Laura Ingalls Wilder play on acres and acres of land growing up while living in her tiny mud house dug out of a hill? Yeah, just call me Laura! Except I have not let my kids play catch with a pig's bladder. Yet.
Not that any of my readers are truly interested in what one has to do with 1.24 acres of land but here is my run down. We've cleared our fenced in "garden" now that the day lilies have bit the dust. We've rototilled around our driveway and I have even re-done the flagstone "pavers" up to our front door. With the exception of Monday when the mulch was delivered I have been in the yard working at 9am. I usually come inside around 4 for a quick break with water and maybe a bite to eat. Then around 8 or 9 I call it a day. Occasional errands to the grocery store, pick up or drop off for pre-school, and trips to Home Depot and Menards-- oh yeah, and book club, have been my "down time" --- I am pooped! The strange thing about yard work is how therapeutic it can be. I've worked through a lot of frustration and anxiety out there. I can get used to not being inside. Ever. But that only works if I have a man to fold my laundry, cook my dinner, and put my children down for bed and naps. Oh wait, I do!
Yes, in between "work" (though I remain skeptical at what he does while he's there beyond finding funny videos to watch) and working out, Kyle has fed me, the kids, and put them to bed. In addition, he has folded 6 loads of laundry. What a man!
So, my dear friends, perhaps next week will be the week when I break out those mad cooking skills. In the mean time, I'll be spreading mulch. I may not have anything on Rachel Ray for the moment, but Master Gardeners, look out!
So far project Cook-A-Lot has been a complete failure. Unless you all will accept that it just has simply been put "on hold" for the moment. The meals every day since I last posted have all provided by my "wife," Kyle. It seems as though we have swapped roles for the time being, which I absolutely love. Remember, any meal that I don't cook, I love? Well I've been lovin' a lot of meals lately.
So what caused the drastic change from gung-ho in the kitchen to not?
My yard.
Yes, that blessed place that I have silently cursed under my breath for the last 2 years has been the sole recipient of my time, love and attention. Fortunately my kids don't mind and they have enjoyed the great weather with me.
After 3 1/2 days of non-stop rain, I decided the ground would probably be moist enough to start some clearing and weeding without too much hassle. I ordered 7 yards of mulch and went to town. It has now reached the point of an obsessive-complusive disorder/addiction. Once I managed to tear myself away from the 4 walls of my house, I have mastered the art of focusing my energy and efforts on the outside, and the outside only. Yes, the inside has suffered, but not too terribly so, since my children have been playing outside as I work. I know Kyle is chuckling to himself ---"I told you so. Having a big yard is wonderful!" --- but for the record, I'm not saying I'm loving my life right now. I have enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment I have felt with the yard though. I am not ready to be grateful that we bought a tiny house on a huge piece of property, but I guess that's how the pioneers did it. Right? Didn't Laura Ingalls Wilder play on acres and acres of land growing up while living in her tiny mud house dug out of a hill? Yeah, just call me Laura! Except I have not let my kids play catch with a pig's bladder. Yet.
Not that any of my readers are truly interested in what one has to do with 1.24 acres of land but here is my run down. We've cleared our fenced in "garden" now that the day lilies have bit the dust. We've rototilled around our driveway and I have even re-done the flagstone "pavers" up to our front door. With the exception of Monday when the mulch was delivered I have been in the yard working at 9am. I usually come inside around 4 for a quick break with water and maybe a bite to eat. Then around 8 or 9 I call it a day. Occasional errands to the grocery store, pick up or drop off for pre-school, and trips to Home Depot and Menards-- oh yeah, and book club, have been my "down time" --- I am pooped! The strange thing about yard work is how therapeutic it can be. I've worked through a lot of frustration and anxiety out there. I can get used to not being inside. Ever. But that only works if I have a man to fold my laundry, cook my dinner, and put my children down for bed and naps. Oh wait, I do!
Yes, in between "work" (though I remain skeptical at what he does while he's there beyond finding funny videos to watch) and working out, Kyle has fed me, the kids, and put them to bed. In addition, he has folded 6 loads of laundry. What a man!
So, my dear friends, perhaps next week will be the week when I break out those mad cooking skills. In the mean time, I'll be spreading mulch. I may not have anything on Rachel Ray for the moment, but Master Gardeners, look out!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Don't get too excited folks
...but I'm on a roll.
Now that Kyle is home, and the "summer hours" have come to a brief cessation, I think I am making dinner again. It already happened twice this week! I'm probably going to jinx myself though by announcing it to the world. Don't ask Kyle about the ribs from tonight, however-- they were not very good. I'll be better about my meat selection next time. At least I had chocolate chip cookies to finish off the meal. That's the important thing.
You may be wondering since I have only one meal left before I run out of meal ideas, if I have a backup plan. Yes! My dear friend who came to visit me, also came with a wonderful gift in tow. A box full of RECIPES! Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not fond of the kitchen when it comes to cooking dinner, so typically, recipes would send me into a panic. Paring knives, cheese graters, garlic presses give me nervous twitches. Dicing vegetables, sprinkling spices, and boiling water gets my stomach all tied up in knots. Why? Because cooking, much different than baking, allows you to use your own artistic flare to create colorful and tasty meals based on your liking. I really don't have food preferences, and I'm not too picky, so the "creative" part of cooking is hard. I like food. I eat food. The best food, however, is food I do not cook myself. That kind of food is truly delicious.
Baking, my preference, is more of a chemistry. I never was fond of the subject, but I am very good at measuring and following recipes with exactness (meaning, I don't have to think. I just have to do. Period). I don't have to stress if the cookies will turn out (unless my kids play with the knobs and turn the oven to broil), or if the crust will be fluffy enough. I have my ingredients and my recipe, and I am for sure going to get what I want. And, when it comes to sweets, I know what I like, so when there are choices to make and your own artistic flare to add, I'm good at deciding if I want raspberries on my chocolate bundt cake, fudge sauce, or both.
So back to the magic recipe box from Liz. She spent hours upon hours pouring over her repertoire of recipes, selecting her favorites, evaluating if they were easy enough for me, then handwriting each one. She really did select doable, flexible, and (dare I say Fun?) recipes that I cannot screw up. Liz spent an entire evening with me answering all my questions about the recipes. And yes, I had a lot of dumb questions.
Knowing what you do about me, perhaps you have a few questions yourself....
Do your kids live off McD's since you don't cook? No. Providing well-balanced meals for my kids is easy. They still both eat the pureed vegetables in the baby food jars (yes, Cade is 4 and he still prefers pureed over whole) except for carrots and broccoli, which they do eat whole. And that takes care of the vegetables. Fruits are easy to prepare--slice or dice or simply serve: Applesauce, apples, pears, mandarin oranges, peaches, grapes... Protein: string cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, grilled chicken, ham. Grains: bread or rolls or the occasional cous cous. And they both like pasta. They are usually fed a very lunch-like dinner that is no mess no fuss. I don't have to think very hard about it. That's probably how most normal people feel about cooking dinner. Easy, don't have to think hard.... Mine just really is easy. I know, I am certainly not setting my kids up to be adventurous eaters.
Do you eat the same food you feed your children for dinner? Sometimes. I often just don't eat dinner. Or I'll have a sandwich with a V-8 and yogurt or something. And of course, move quickly on to dessert, which I always have available.
And what about Kyle-- how does keep from starving? Hmmm, it's a mystery really. Often he comes home and fixes himself (and me) something to eat, be full from lunch if he went out somewhere.....or??? Yes, sadly, he probably starves much of the summer. Sorry, hon.
Did the bishop know this about you before you were called to be Relief Society President? Do you think I would have this calling if he knew of my incompetence in the kitchen?! RSPs are always excellent cooks, gardeners, and canners. I am not. Clearly I put on a great facade.
Is your mother embarrassed at your lack of ability to cook? Probably. She was a great example. She made dinner every night (except Tuesdays. I think Tuesday was salad night from Ukrops because she had class or something?) and Sundays us kids were forced, er, kindly asked, to make dinner. I guess I just never developed a love for cooking. I can cook, sort of -- I just don't do it well, and cooking unfamiliar meals gives me serious anxiety.
Has reality of your lack of sport in the kitchen been a big let-down for Kyle? Hmmm. You'd have to ask him. I don't think I ever said while we were dating that I enjoyed cooking, so I don't think I tricked him into marrying me for my dinners. I did go through a stage one or two summers in our marriage when I cooked nightly because I was all inspired by those great cooking shows. But school always started back up in September and the kitchen no longer found it's way back into my life the same way. Kyle is always trying to pump me up and tell me how much he loves it when I serve one of the three meals I know how to make. If he stayed on that meal rotation for the rest of his life, I don't think he would really mind. Yes, I have a pretty low maintenance guy. Wouldn't take much to keep him happily fed. Yet for some reason, I manage to still starve him... Yes, I guess he probably is a teensy weensy bit disappointed that after 5 years, I still haven't made it big over the stove.
Is your grocery bill pretty low since you don't plan dinners? Hmmm, my grocery bill is probably normal. Each week I still have the anticipation that I am going to actually cook. Each week I say, "This is going to be the week that I change!" I plan meals and include them in my grocery shopping, but it's inevitable that one of the following happens:
a. Kyle will get home really late from work (post 10pm), nullifying the desire to cook
b. Kyle will be out of town
c. Kyle will be with the scouts and have a pizza party or the like
d. Kyle will have taken an employee out to lunch and he would be still full from that
e. Kyle grabs a bite for him and me to eat on his way home. He is the one that keeps me from starving many a times.
So, either the food goes to a meal delivered to someone else in need, OR the meat goes in the freezer once I realize it's not going to be used in enough time, the produce goes in a quick salad to be eaten for a light dinner or lunch, and the unperishable ingredients are added to the shelf of "meals that never came to fruition." And yes, food has gone to waste all too oft.
I certainly don't spend money on exotic ingredients, so that will keep the costs down. But remember, if my kids are still eating baby food, that stuff isn't cheap (yes, I know, I could make my own, or somehow force them to eat sweet potatoes, garden vegetables, green beans, squash and corn in there non-pureed form, but I haven't succeeded quite yet) so I think it all evens out.
What's your game plan? I've selected recipes. Next I'll do what the rest of the meal-planners in the world do and make a grocery list. Then, I'll post the meals for the week on the fridge so Kyle knows what to expect, which will be key. Then I'll go ahead and give it a go. If all else fails, there's more cookie dough in the fridge.
To Be Continued.
Now that Kyle is home, and the "summer hours" have come to a brief cessation, I think I am making dinner again. It already happened twice this week! I'm probably going to jinx myself though by announcing it to the world. Don't ask Kyle about the ribs from tonight, however-- they were not very good. I'll be better about my meat selection next time. At least I had chocolate chip cookies to finish off the meal. That's the important thing.
You may be wondering since I have only one meal left before I run out of meal ideas, if I have a backup plan. Yes! My dear friend who came to visit me, also came with a wonderful gift in tow. A box full of RECIPES! Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not fond of the kitchen when it comes to cooking dinner, so typically, recipes would send me into a panic. Paring knives, cheese graters, garlic presses give me nervous twitches. Dicing vegetables, sprinkling spices, and boiling water gets my stomach all tied up in knots. Why? Because cooking, much different than baking, allows you to use your own artistic flare to create colorful and tasty meals based on your liking. I really don't have food preferences, and I'm not too picky, so the "creative" part of cooking is hard. I like food. I eat food. The best food, however, is food I do not cook myself. That kind of food is truly delicious.
Baking, my preference, is more of a chemistry. I never was fond of the subject, but I am very good at measuring and following recipes with exactness (meaning, I don't have to think. I just have to do. Period). I don't have to stress if the cookies will turn out (unless my kids play with the knobs and turn the oven to broil), or if the crust will be fluffy enough. I have my ingredients and my recipe, and I am for sure going to get what I want. And, when it comes to sweets, I know what I like, so when there are choices to make and your own artistic flare to add, I'm good at deciding if I want raspberries on my chocolate bundt cake, fudge sauce, or both.
So back to the magic recipe box from Liz. She spent hours upon hours pouring over her repertoire of recipes, selecting her favorites, evaluating if they were easy enough for me, then handwriting each one. She really did select doable, flexible, and (dare I say Fun?) recipes that I cannot screw up. Liz spent an entire evening with me answering all my questions about the recipes. And yes, I had a lot of dumb questions.
Knowing what you do about me, perhaps you have a few questions yourself....
Do your kids live off McD's since you don't cook? No. Providing well-balanced meals for my kids is easy. They still both eat the pureed vegetables in the baby food jars (yes, Cade is 4 and he still prefers pureed over whole) except for carrots and broccoli, which they do eat whole. And that takes care of the vegetables. Fruits are easy to prepare--slice or dice or simply serve: Applesauce, apples, pears, mandarin oranges, peaches, grapes... Protein: string cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, grilled chicken, ham. Grains: bread or rolls or the occasional cous cous. And they both like pasta. They are usually fed a very lunch-like dinner that is no mess no fuss. I don't have to think very hard about it. That's probably how most normal people feel about cooking dinner. Easy, don't have to think hard.... Mine just really is easy. I know, I am certainly not setting my kids up to be adventurous eaters.
Do you eat the same food you feed your children for dinner? Sometimes. I often just don't eat dinner. Or I'll have a sandwich with a V-8 and yogurt or something. And of course, move quickly on to dessert, which I always have available.
And what about Kyle-- how does keep from starving? Hmmm, it's a mystery really. Often he comes home and fixes himself (and me) something to eat, be full from lunch if he went out somewhere.....or??? Yes, sadly, he probably starves much of the summer. Sorry, hon.
Did the bishop know this about you before you were called to be Relief Society President? Do you think I would have this calling if he knew of my incompetence in the kitchen?! RSPs are always excellent cooks, gardeners, and canners. I am not. Clearly I put on a great facade.
Is your mother embarrassed at your lack of ability to cook? Probably. She was a great example. She made dinner every night (except Tuesdays. I think Tuesday was salad night from Ukrops because she had class or something?) and Sundays us kids were forced, er, kindly asked, to make dinner. I guess I just never developed a love for cooking. I can cook, sort of -- I just don't do it well, and cooking unfamiliar meals gives me serious anxiety.
Has reality of your lack of sport in the kitchen been a big let-down for Kyle? Hmmm. You'd have to ask him. I don't think I ever said while we were dating that I enjoyed cooking, so I don't think I tricked him into marrying me for my dinners. I did go through a stage one or two summers in our marriage when I cooked nightly because I was all inspired by those great cooking shows. But school always started back up in September and the kitchen no longer found it's way back into my life the same way. Kyle is always trying to pump me up and tell me how much he loves it when I serve one of the three meals I know how to make. If he stayed on that meal rotation for the rest of his life, I don't think he would really mind. Yes, I have a pretty low maintenance guy. Wouldn't take much to keep him happily fed. Yet for some reason, I manage to still starve him... Yes, I guess he probably is a teensy weensy bit disappointed that after 5 years, I still haven't made it big over the stove.
Is your grocery bill pretty low since you don't plan dinners? Hmmm, my grocery bill is probably normal. Each week I still have the anticipation that I am going to actually cook. Each week I say, "This is going to be the week that I change!" I plan meals and include them in my grocery shopping, but it's inevitable that one of the following happens:
a. Kyle will get home really late from work (post 10pm), nullifying the desire to cook
b. Kyle will be out of town
c. Kyle will be with the scouts and have a pizza party or the like
d. Kyle will have taken an employee out to lunch and he would be still full from that
e. Kyle grabs a bite for him and me to eat on his way home. He is the one that keeps me from starving many a times.
So, either the food goes to a meal delivered to someone else in need, OR the meat goes in the freezer once I realize it's not going to be used in enough time, the produce goes in a quick salad to be eaten for a light dinner or lunch, and the unperishable ingredients are added to the shelf of "meals that never came to fruition." And yes, food has gone to waste all too oft.
I certainly don't spend money on exotic ingredients, so that will keep the costs down. But remember, if my kids are still eating baby food, that stuff isn't cheap (yes, I know, I could make my own, or somehow force them to eat sweet potatoes, garden vegetables, green beans, squash and corn in there non-pureed form, but I haven't succeeded quite yet) so I think it all evens out.
What's your game plan? I've selected recipes. Next I'll do what the rest of the meal-planners in the world do and make a grocery list. Then, I'll post the meals for the week on the fridge so Kyle knows what to expect, which will be key. Then I'll go ahead and give it a go. If all else fails, there's more cookie dough in the fridge.
To Be Continued.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
2008 Woodbury Man Trip
There are only a couple things I look forward to all year with great anticipation. Like when I was younger and would count down the days to Christmas starting December 26th. I remember thinking, "only 364 more long days til I get to open presents again." Well, one of those things that I think about all year is the Woodbury Man Trip.
The annual trip is 5 nights backpacking in the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho. Usually we go to the same lakes and camp at the same places depending on the fishing. The trip always starts on Labor Day and this year was especially cold. When we started the hike the temperature outside was 39 degrees...it got down in the 20's every night! The first night the lake had 2" of snow in some places. I guess nothing spectacular happened of note but we had a great time.
We convinced a couple of friends to come along by showing them all the good pictures of fish we have caught in years past. It was nice having Shane and Jared Whiting come along, however, Shane probably thinks we photoshopped all the fish because he only caught 1 lousy fish the entire time! All together think we caught around 115 fish.
Day 1: hiked into Toxaway Lake (6 miles and 1400' elevation gain)
Day 2: hiked to Edna Lake (5 miles 1700' elevation change)
Day 3: fished all day
Day 3: fished all day
Day 4: fished all day
Day 5: hiked back (11 miles)
Here is the link to the pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/kyle.woodbury/2008WoodburyManTrip#
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Killing Time
I am now in my 24th minute of being on hold with a customer service rep from Expedia Travel.
Yes, after all these years of me booking Kyle's flights for screaming deals, I made a mistake. Well, two I guess. The first was using Expedia Travel in the first place. I usually snoop around on their site, then go directly to the airline's website for the best fare. However, Frontier Airlines wasn't having my address when I filled in my info for whatever reason, so I paid the silly 5 dollars extra to get it through expedia. BIG mistake. The second one? I got his flight at the right time, just the wrong day. Argh.
So why am I on hold? So she can tell me how much price difference it is to go to the flight on the next day. I already told her the answer, but she wanted to "check herself" --- and I am still waiting. How hard is it to look? I found the answer in 3.7 seconds flat.
So let's do the math here:
I got his original flawed flight for 127.19
The web site tells me a flight for the next day, same time is 157.19. $30 difference.
So, she can charge me 30 bucks, plus whatever "fee" there is to change and I am really curious about that one
--
The verdict: A change fee for 150 dollars plus my new flight: 157.19 minus what I already paid.
180 something.
Oh my. The woman was not getting it. Why would I pay them 150 bucks to change my flight, when I can get one myself for the same price and not pay them to change it?? Southwest Airlines is MUCH more flyer friendly. You can change, cancel and reschedule your flights online without EVER being put on hold. And they don't charge you to change it. ARRRRGGHGHGHGHH.
I am better off going online buying an entirely new ticket. That was a waste of an evening.
Yes, after all these years of me booking Kyle's flights for screaming deals, I made a mistake. Well, two I guess. The first was using Expedia Travel in the first place. I usually snoop around on their site, then go directly to the airline's website for the best fare. However, Frontier Airlines wasn't having my address when I filled in my info for whatever reason, so I paid the silly 5 dollars extra to get it through expedia. BIG mistake. The second one? I got his flight at the right time, just the wrong day. Argh.
So why am I on hold? So she can tell me how much price difference it is to go to the flight on the next day. I already told her the answer, but she wanted to "check herself" --- and I am still waiting. How hard is it to look? I found the answer in 3.7 seconds flat.
So let's do the math here:
I got his original flawed flight for 127.19
The web site tells me a flight for the next day, same time is 157.19. $30 difference.
So, she can charge me 30 bucks, plus whatever "fee" there is to change and I am really curious about that one
--
The verdict: A change fee for 150 dollars plus my new flight: 157.19 minus what I already paid.
180 something.
Oh my. The woman was not getting it. Why would I pay them 150 bucks to change my flight, when I can get one myself for the same price and not pay them to change it?? Southwest Airlines is MUCH more flyer friendly. You can change, cancel and reschedule your flights online without EVER being put on hold. And they don't charge you to change it. ARRRRGGHGHGHGHH.
I am better off going online buying an entirely new ticket. That was a waste of an evening.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Shoulda been born in 1980
Over the last several weeks I've noticed a blue post card in my mailbox on occasion telling me I've won some amazing prize and I need to call some 1-800 number to claim it. I think I've received about 3 notices in the mail. I always glanced at it and said to myself "Riiight." Then I would throw it in the recycling bin.
Once home from vacation on Wednesday, I checked my messages on the machine. One of the messages said:
"Mizz Woodbury, I'm calling in reference to a drawing entry form you filled out about 6 months ago. We've tried to reach you by mail, but have been unsuccessful. Please Call Mark Hart at the verification department to claim your prize that is ready for pick up. Oh, and congratulations."
Uhhhh?
I was pretty paranoid that this was some sort of scam or trick to buy a timeshare or a life long membership to Quixtar or something. I figured that in order to "verify" who I was, Mister Hart would ask me my social security number, address, birthdate, and expect me to blindly offer it over the phone and steal my identity. My curiosity was peaked though.
I called the number and after pushing a series of buttons with voice automated prompts from some company I don't remember the name for, I left a message for the myseterious Mark Hart from the verification department.
Yesterday I answered the phone from a 404 area code and "Mark Hart" was on the other line. He congratulated me on winning a new Lincoln Navigator and Sony plasma flat screen TV. I remained non emotional, waiting for him to say I could pick them up after I gave my firstborn or something.
He said first, he needed to verify a few things about me and then I would be able to pick up my prizes. Sounded easy. I waited.
"Okay Mizz Woodbury, First thing is I need to make sure you are between the ages of 28 and 64 in order to be eligible to claim your prize."
I laughed, "No, I'm not."
Mr. Hart was speechless. Finally after a moment he said, "Really? Oh. Well that really is too bad. I am so sorry. These prizes and the entry was based on a specific targeted market and I am afraid you don't qualify for the prize."
The disappointment in his voice was actually convincing and after he kept talking in circles about how sorry he was I started to believe I may have actually won something and it wasn't just a fruad. So I attempted to "win back" my prize:
"My husband is between the ages of 28and 64. Does that help?"
"Mizz Woodbury, I'm afraid that this entry was to target a specific demographic and the sponsors are quite strict on their rules. You AND your husband must fit the demographic. I am so sorry."
"Oh, okay. Thanks anyway."
Too bad I'm not a little older. Otherwise, we'd have a lovely gas guzzler in our driveway and something besides Kyle's laptop to watch a movie on. Well, maybe. Okay, probably not, but it's fun to think about.
Once home from vacation on Wednesday, I checked my messages on the machine. One of the messages said:
"Mizz Woodbury, I'm calling in reference to a drawing entry form you filled out about 6 months ago. We've tried to reach you by mail, but have been unsuccessful. Please Call Mark Hart at the verification department to claim your prize that is ready for pick up. Oh, and congratulations."
Uhhhh?
I was pretty paranoid that this was some sort of scam or trick to buy a timeshare or a life long membership to Quixtar or something. I figured that in order to "verify" who I was, Mister Hart would ask me my social security number, address, birthdate, and expect me to blindly offer it over the phone and steal my identity. My curiosity was peaked though.
I called the number and after pushing a series of buttons with voice automated prompts from some company I don't remember the name for, I left a message for the myseterious Mark Hart from the verification department.
Yesterday I answered the phone from a 404 area code and "Mark Hart" was on the other line. He congratulated me on winning a new Lincoln Navigator and Sony plasma flat screen TV. I remained non emotional, waiting for him to say I could pick them up after I gave my firstborn or something.
He said first, he needed to verify a few things about me and then I would be able to pick up my prizes. Sounded easy. I waited.
"Okay Mizz Woodbury, First thing is I need to make sure you are between the ages of 28 and 64 in order to be eligible to claim your prize."
I laughed, "No, I'm not."
Mr. Hart was speechless. Finally after a moment he said, "Really? Oh. Well that really is too bad. I am so sorry. These prizes and the entry was based on a specific targeted market and I am afraid you don't qualify for the prize."
The disappointment in his voice was actually convincing and after he kept talking in circles about how sorry he was I started to believe I may have actually won something and it wasn't just a fruad. So I attempted to "win back" my prize:
"My husband is between the ages of 28and 64. Does that help?"
"Mizz Woodbury, I'm afraid that this entry was to target a specific demographic and the sponsors are quite strict on their rules. You AND your husband must fit the demographic. I am so sorry."
"Oh, okay. Thanks anyway."
Too bad I'm not a little older. Otherwise, we'd have a lovely gas guzzler in our driveway and something besides Kyle's laptop to watch a movie on. Well, maybe. Okay, probably not, but it's fun to think about.
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