Someone new to love!

Andrew and Audrey with their beautiful new cousin Hailey Marie!
**************

Hailey is 13 months old. Isn't she a cutie?
***************

Andrew celebrating with his new cousin.
*****
Adoption. I can't think of a more special thing.

Snapfish/Shrek Promotes a Bad Deal

So my mom, ever the DVD shopper, bought some Shrek movies for the kids and in return received two "instant win" game coupons for a sheet of photo stickers from Snapfish.

Not a huge prize, but a prize nonetheless.

To redeem the prize, coupon holders were instructed to go to www.snapfish.com/shrekstickers, log in, and enter the winning code to receive the free stickers. My mom received the coupons before Christmas, gave them to me, and I waited till early this year to claim the prize. (I needed some time to figure out which kid to stick on which photo sticker....) So I went to the website, followed the instructions, and received a message that stated something like, "Due to fraudulent activity with the Shrek promotion, winners should return to this site after Jan 17 to redeem their prizes...." or something like that.... So I waited.

I tried again last week, followed the same procedure and this time received a message that said, "Due to the holiday...we are busy...try again later..." or something like that.
Ummm... What holiday? President's Day? Valentines? Not good.

I then called the customer support line which is basically a phone bank in Alabama with a bunch of message takers who can't really do anything for you except relay your complaint to some nameless, faceless, Snapfish employee. I tried calling these jokers three times before I took my problem to a higher authority.

(Someone from Snapfish customer support did eventually email me back with a response. "You must be doing something wrong, try again later...also you can't redeem two coupons on one account" To which I replied...." Bull, it doesn't say anything about how many coupons you can redeem and I don't see how you can run a promotion, and not let people actually claim the prize! Oh...and I DO know what I'm doing. It's your site that's F'd up!)

I searched the Internet for Snapfish Corporate, got a number for an office in San Francisco, called, and found the line was disconnected. Still not good.

Next I did a search on the Internet. Somehow, I got connected to this blog discussion about how Snapfish sucks, you can't get a hold of anyone to talk to, numbers are disconnected, etc... I followed the thread and, believe it or not, I found the name, phone number, and email address of an actual, current Snapfish employee. (The employee Otto, posted it there himself!)

So I give Otto a call. I explain the situation. He IMMEDIATELY credits my account for 2 sheets of photo stickers. Says he's real sorry and that he's happy to help. Okay. That was weird.

The next day, I received another email from customer support (the person I had previously been corresponding with via delayed email) which said, "So sorry, I just credited your account for 2 free photo sticker sheets."

So guess what? I'm up four sheets of photo stickers!

Tagged Again! Yeah!!

Book Meme

Rules:

* Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
* Open the book to page 123.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the next three sentences.
* Tag five people.

From Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan

"She remembered a time in her own childhood when she had begged her father to let her keep a kitten she had found. Without a word to her, he took it from her arms, handed it to a servant, and told her to drown it; the servant, however, simply put it outside, and Marlena secretly fed it scraps for months, until one day it did not show up. Esme was so like her."

If you reading this, consider yourself tagged.

4 Things

I was tagged by Vivian.... thanks for the diversion.

4 Jobs I Have Had
- I worked with my mom. (I was 14 and I worked part-time to earn money for a month long family trip.)
- I worked at Great America. (First as a cashier, then as a Lead, then as Supervisor, and finally as a Section Manager.)
- I worked a Conroy's Flowers (and later Navlet's.)
- I worked at Macy's. (First as a Lead, then as Dept. Manager, then I transferred to Employment.)

4 Movies Watched Over and Over
- The Coal Miners Daughter (not by choice.)
- Legally Blond ('cause every time I turn on TBS it's on and I can't turn away.)
- American Graffiti (love it!)

- It's a Wonderful Life (It's on every year, and I always watch it.)

4 Books Read Over and Over
- There's nothing I read over-and over. I usually read a book once then I'm completely done with it. The only exception to this has been the re-reading of Maya Angelos's 4 book bio.

4 Places I Have Lived
- San Francisco (I was born there.)
- San Jose (Berryessa)
- San Jose (Downtown)
- San Jose (Almaden)

4 Shows I Watch
- Project Runway (although the re-runs are killing me.)
- Law and Order (and every variation thereof.)
- HGTV (decorating or organizational type programs)
- The Girls Next Door

4 Places I Have Been
- Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, & Kauai )
- Mexico (Cozumel -- my favorite)
- Belize (apparently the gross part)
- Memphis, Tennessee (to see Graceland-- I went with my sister.)

4 People Who E-mail Me
- All of my Girl Scout co-leaders
- My friend Lori (whom I've known since Kindergarten)
- Paul
- The entire Book Club (okay - cheated, I couldn't just name 4)

4 Favorite Things To Eat
- sourdough bread
- cheese
- mango
- avocados

4 Places I Would Rather Be
- Hawaii
- On a cruise going anywhere.
- On an island in the Caribbean.
- Wine country.

4 Things I Look Forward To This year
- My kitchen remodel--- finished!
- A cruise to Alaska.
- A visit from my Seattle friends.
- Many restful days at the beach.

4 People To Tag
- Jennifer
- Sally
- Monique
- Sharon
(of course.... the last three will actually have to START a blog to participate.)

To the crack-whore who stole my wallet Saturday night

I'm dying to ask...why me? Did you see me struggling with my children while shopping at Target and thought to yourself, "She looks vulnerable, she'll be my next victim!"

I wonder, did you see me check my handbag (which I foolishly set in the shopping cart kiddie seat) and realize it had been pulled open, wallet skillfully removed? Did you see me panic, grab my children and run out of the store? Did you smile and laugh?

And yes, I did run out of the store and drive home. Nervous, angry, and sick I came home and began calling credit card companies. But you were too quick for me. Before I could finish closing accounts you had already racked up over $500 in credit card purchases.

As I spoke to each credit card representative, I mentally mapped your shopping expedition. Home Depot on Hillsdale Ave, Cupids Corner on Blossom Hill, Longs Drugs on Snell. So fast, you must have had accomplices.

Well I'm on to you sweetheart. After you left each store, I called each store. I know what you look like. And I know for fact, that each store has captured you on store security cameras. I've filed my police report and I will follow up. I will get your photo. And when I do, I will post it on my blog. You will be found.

Just try a different extension.

Sarah's recent post prompted a memory.

About 10 years ago I was trying to redeem a $100 gift certificate at Kmart for some paint. (My mom had given me the certificate, which she had of course won months prior, to get some interior paint for her home.) Anyway, I brought the paint to the counter and was told by the cashier that the certificate had expired.

"But there's no expiration date... how could it expire?" I asked.
"I dunno" said the dim cashier.
"I need to speak to your manager" I demanded.

After much back-and-forth with the manager, I got no further, and left the store- sans paint.

I got home and jumped on the Internet. I found a listing for the corporate offices of Kmart. A little more searching and I found some phone numbers for marketing and promotions big wigs. The number must have been something like xxx-xxx-4323. So I just dialed and when I couldn't get through I tried variations. I knew 4323 must have been an extension so I dialed ext. 4320 or 4321 or something like that. Then bingo! Some assistant to the CEO of marketing or some such. I told her my story and presto! The gift certificate was now valid again. "Could you please call my local Kmart and tell them I'm coming back to the store? Thanks so much!"

About 30 minutes later the store manager of my local Kmart called me.
"So sorry for the problem" he said.
"Well, amazing what a phone call can accomplish... I'd like the paint waiting for me at the front check-out," I said "and I want you to help me load it into my car."

Now- obviously I don't frequent Kmart. Had it not been for the damn certificate I would have never walked-in in the first place! But when I'm told they can't do something, like redeem a certificate, when I know damn well they can (especially after working in retail for so many years) I get very mad. Hence, the long distance phone calls to Kmart corporate.

So... when you're trying to call a big-ass company. Just try variation of the phone number or different extensions. You're bound to find some high-up mucky-muck who is so pissed that you called- they will do anything (or give you anything) to get you out of their hair.

New Years Edition..

New Year's Eve -- do you like to stay in or go out?
I like to stay in - watch a movie, or play cards.... no cheesy T.V. count downs.

Do you like to stay up or just go to sleep?
I used to like to stay up-- now I just yearn for a good night's sleep.

Any special plans this year?
This year we were invited to go to my mom's house. As our current living standards are sub-standard at best, we accepted. Hot party plans included working on a puzzle with my grandmother and eating pizza. We were also invited to spend the night (to avoid the crazy drunks on the road.) The kids and I stayed, Paul left for home just after midnight.

What's your favorite New Year's memory?
One year Paul & I went to the Exotic Erotic Ball in San Francisco (my mom had won tickets.) Clearly, only about 20% of the party goers could be labeled "exotic" or "erotic." The remaining fully clothed 80% of the crowd were walking around watching the 20% that was either half naked or totally nude. No, we did not go nude.

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?
I used to. For years I vowed to loose weight. Then one year I finally did and I stopped making resolutions.

Do you do anything special on New Year's Day?
Nope. Unless you count cleaning as something special. This year I cleaned out the kids rooms, moved beds, bookcases, realigned furniture, removed clutter... a complete room re-do! I also reorganized my closet.

Christmas Edition...

...of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags 90% of the time.

2. Tree--Real or Artificial?
Artificial. We used to do real- but then the kids came along and I was afraid we'd burn the house down.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up?
I've been known to put it up Thanksgiving Day (we don't do that holiday at home if we can help iy.)

4. When do you take the tree down?
Always the day after Christmas. The 27th at the latest!

5. Like egg nog?
Sure- with a little wkisky.

6. Do you have a nativity scene?
No

7. Favorite gift received as a child?
Can't remember - seems like my sister got all the cool stuff.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My mother.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Me. (It used to be the kids, but now they're getting picky.)

10. Worst Christmas gift?
An electric blanket... from Paul the year we got engaged!

11. Mail or email a Christmas card?
Mail.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
It's a Wonderful Life.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I'm always looking.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yup. I usually give those gifts to my mother-in-law.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas?
Grandma's tamales.

16. Clear or colored tree lights?
Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas Song?
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland version from the movie Meet Me in St Louis. Ahhhhhhhhh.

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home?
Stay home.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Sure can.

20. Angel or Star on Tree top?
Angel.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family. Christmas Day with Paul's side.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Too much f'n candy!

Bahumbug!