So, until now, I've referred to our son as the Boy, and only made reference on the sidebar that his nickname is Mozart. The name was first donned when he was still in utero. It started as a joke - because I refused to give up his name, a friend christened him Mozart. Another decided on Cosmo, short for Cosmonaut. So while I was pregnant I referred to him as both Mozart and Cosmo, but when he actually came out and joined our family, it was clear that music is his thing. He would perk up and/or calm down when music was playing from the time he was tiny. And now when the music comes on he does this little dance. So flippin' cute!
So now I think I will mostly refer to the Boy as Mozart.
Shame, that.
Back to my uncle's digs and I was going to post the promised photos from the farm, but apparently I'd have to download something to do so, therefore, it will have to wait. Since the last post we've been to the beach, the Enchanted Forest, and had a visit with a childhood friend. We've had fun, lot's of it, and we are exhausted once again. What happened to the idea that vacation is supposed to be restful. Uh, yeah, not with a toddler. One still needs to get up before the rooster crows - and I do mean this literally, as the Boy generally started about 10 minutes before the bird did. On still needs to maintain, some semblance of the same schedule. And one's activities must come to a grinding halt when the small one has a meltdown or is otherwise in need. All that said, this has been a pretty good time.
And the Boy is gaining personality like crazy. He's become very vocal about things he finds fascinating - mainly vehicles, animals, and other oddities - and has the, "OoooohOOOhoooh!" that he exclaims quite often. He's gotten pretty good at saying, "I don't know." And giving a definitive, "Yesss," or a thoughtful, "Um, no" when asked a question.
Farmer's Bliss
Short post for now as I'm borrowing Globetrotter's computer. We have just been to my aunt's raw milk farm to fetch the her share of the cow's milk (here in Oregon, in order to get raw milk you have to buy a portion of the cow). On the farm they also have chicken aplenty, cows, goats, pigs and at least one llama. We went down a trail to see the herd of cows and saw all the livestock, saw the herd get rounded up, and the Boy got to ride (read sit on) a pony. He was in his bliss. Photos to follow.
Bodily Takeover
When I overdo it, my body tends to give me the smack-down and just take what it needs by any means necessary. Usually what it needs is a good rest and the method for getting it is to get sick.
So here we are on vacation, after a very hairy week wrapping things up and getting ready without much sleep, and my body did just that.
I won't go into the gory details, but suffice it to say - it wasn't pretty. And instead of going out and enjoying a day and dinner with family, I was huddled down in multiple blankets trying to keep up any kind of warmth on a day that was nearing 90 degrees. I've had two rice cakes since the ordeal began. I can't tell if the tummy is growling because it's just hungry, or if the rebellion continues. I am now going to brave a cup of coffee, hope for the best, pray that the 4 hour ride this morning will be A-OK, and that by the time we get to the family reunion yesterday will be a distant memory.
So here we are on vacation, after a very hairy week wrapping things up and getting ready without much sleep, and my body did just that.
I won't go into the gory details, but suffice it to say - it wasn't pretty. And instead of going out and enjoying a day and dinner with family, I was huddled down in multiple blankets trying to keep up any kind of warmth on a day that was nearing 90 degrees. I've had two rice cakes since the ordeal began. I can't tell if the tummy is growling because it's just hungry, or if the rebellion continues. I am now going to brave a cup of coffee, hope for the best, pray that the 4 hour ride this morning will be A-OK, and that by the time we get to the family reunion yesterday will be a distant memory.
I'm sorry, we can't find you.
Well, we made it to Oregon. Through two 4.5 hr flight, with an and hour and a half delay. And in one piece no less! And all things considered, relatively smoothly.
From getting a late start all the way to arrival, though, I got little jolts of uncertainty as to whether the universe was working against us.
As I say, late start. I didn't mention: the original leave time was 5:30am. We had to drop something off for the Wife's work on the way, so the plan was to leave 15 minutes early, but instead we got out of the house a half hour late. Which, with traffic, got us to the Park'n'Ride an hour late. This in itself wasn't so, so bad, but when we arrived at the Park'n'Ride, reservation in hand, the office was locked up with no-one in sight! *Enter 1st moment of panic here.* No note, just an empty dark office. I'd gotten a confirmation email and also called to confirm, but since we were late the thought that perhaps being an hour late meant we'd forfeited the reservation. I called, though, and apparently only one guy works at that hour and he was on an airport run. He was back shortly, and within 15 minutes we were trying to check in.
I say trying because when went up to the kiosk and scanned my driver's license, it came back that there were no reservations by anyone with my name. *Enter 2nd moment of panic.* Finally. it registers my name, and the Wife's, but makes no indication that we have a lap child. *2nd moment of panic continues.* The agent came over to add the Boy, check the bag, and finally we move on to, and thankfully through Security without a problem. And thankfully so, because as we arrived at the gate they were already boarding! I run to the water fountain and get a quarter bottle before they call for those traveling with infants. Run back, whip the Boy out of his car seat, take wheels off Go Go Babyz, shove whole thing in car seat bag and haul self, car seat, two large carry-ons, and diaper bag down the ramp while the Wife corrals the Boy. But hey, we made it. And even survived the flight by running up and down the aisles at every possible moment the 'fasten seat belt' sign wasn't illuminated. The people looked slightly annoyed as the Boy bumped, grabbed or attempted communication a 5th, 12th, and 32nd time but I just looked at them, smiled and said nothing. If you want me to have him sit, then you'll listen to his screaming, so suck it up and smile at the kid, won't ya!
With only a 40 minute layover I wanted to know before we got off the plane how far away the connection was, so I called to find out any updated gate information. Gave the man my information and, guess what, again with the, "we can't find you" business. This was not so much of a moment of panic as of annoyance. Grrr. Finally, after giving him my phone number, confirmation number, and ticket number, he was able to find me. At each step I was ready to say forget it, but he kept insisting. So, gate info confirmed, off the plane, car seat gathered and Go Go Babyz assembled for a LONG haul through the Houston airport and to the very last gate of a second terminal. We got everything ready to board again and let the Boy run about. People were completely queued up but wanting to let him run and besides, wouldn't we be boarded after First Class as a family? Yeah, no, apparently that is no longer standard. So we were the last to board the completely packed plane. An irritation, but no more so than sitting on the tarmac for an hour and a half while waiting to take off.
After the long wait, we finally start taxiing, the engine gets louder, and what looks like smoke starts pouring into the cabin. *Um, enter 3rd moment of panic - or you could say outright alarm.* Only a couple other passengers seemed to be alarmed. I decided not to let the Wife know of my concern. She is terrified in general of flying and, "falling from the sky in a fiery ball of flame." Besides, there was no smoke smell. I watched and studied the stuff - it was coming in just above the windows and seemed to dissipate before it got fully in with the people. I came to the conclusion that it was the air conditioning - it had gotten rather warm in the cabin, and was now cooling off, and it was also quite hot outside. I was still a bit weirded out by it, but not as concerned. And it was a bit funny to see the Wife notice, become alarmed, and apparently come to a similar conclusion about the stuff all in the space of a minute or so.
A very long flight later, we exit the plane to *not* find our car seat waiting. While very irritated that we specifically gate-checked the thing so that it would be handled better and so that we could have a mode of transport through the airport, we learned that it had been checked to baggage claim. So much for moving the Boy through the airport with ease.
Off to get the rental car. My reservation said to go to the board find your name with the parking space, pick up the car, and get the paperwork printed out as you leave the garage. But guess what. Name's not on the board. *Sigh - too tired to even register any moments of panic, but irritation was again growing.* So instead of the promised easy rental, we waited in line. But we got it. And while there was still traffic on our way to our destination, the Trip Tix provided by AAA proved to be very useful, and perhaps the exhausted final drive was the most relaxing part of the day.
So we have arrived. Family has set us up in a cute little in-law apartment that has been fully stocked for the needs of the Boy. We were fed a delightful meal on arrival and fell into what must be about the most comfortable bed on Earth. The boy is still on East Coast time, so my sleep wasn't for long - G'mornin' Moms, I know it's only 3am, but it's time for me to get up, don't understand why it's so dark, but get up, get up, get up! So I've been up since then. I look forward to a good long nap later today.
From getting a late start all the way to arrival, though, I got little jolts of uncertainty as to whether the universe was working against us.
As I say, late start. I didn't mention: the original leave time was 5:30am. We had to drop something off for the Wife's work on the way, so the plan was to leave 15 minutes early, but instead we got out of the house a half hour late. Which, with traffic, got us to the Park'n'Ride an hour late. This in itself wasn't so, so bad, but when we arrived at the Park'n'Ride, reservation in hand, the office was locked up with no-one in sight! *Enter 1st moment of panic here.* No note, just an empty dark office. I'd gotten a confirmation email and also called to confirm, but since we were late the thought that perhaps being an hour late meant we'd forfeited the reservation. I called, though, and apparently only one guy works at that hour and he was on an airport run. He was back shortly, and within 15 minutes we were trying to check in.
I say trying because when went up to the kiosk and scanned my driver's license, it came back that there were no reservations by anyone with my name. *Enter 2nd moment of panic.* Finally. it registers my name, and the Wife's, but makes no indication that we have a lap child. *2nd moment of panic continues.* The agent came over to add the Boy, check the bag, and finally we move on to, and thankfully through Security without a problem. And thankfully so, because as we arrived at the gate they were already boarding! I run to the water fountain and get a quarter bottle before they call for those traveling with infants. Run back, whip the Boy out of his car seat, take wheels off Go Go Babyz, shove whole thing in car seat bag and haul self, car seat, two large carry-ons, and diaper bag down the ramp while the Wife corrals the Boy. But hey, we made it. And even survived the flight by running up and down the aisles at every possible moment the 'fasten seat belt' sign wasn't illuminated. The people looked slightly annoyed as the Boy bumped, grabbed or attempted communication a 5th, 12th, and 32nd time but I just looked at them, smiled and said nothing. If you want me to have him sit, then you'll listen to his screaming, so suck it up and smile at the kid, won't ya!
With only a 40 minute layover I wanted to know before we got off the plane how far away the connection was, so I called to find out any updated gate information. Gave the man my information and, guess what, again with the, "we can't find you" business. This was not so much of a moment of panic as of annoyance. Grrr. Finally, after giving him my phone number, confirmation number, and ticket number, he was able to find me. At each step I was ready to say forget it, but he kept insisting. So, gate info confirmed, off the plane, car seat gathered and Go Go Babyz assembled for a LONG haul through the Houston airport and to the very last gate of a second terminal. We got everything ready to board again and let the Boy run about. People were completely queued up but wanting to let him run and besides, wouldn't we be boarded after First Class as a family? Yeah, no, apparently that is no longer standard. So we were the last to board the completely packed plane. An irritation, but no more so than sitting on the tarmac for an hour and a half while waiting to take off.
After the long wait, we finally start taxiing, the engine gets louder, and what looks like smoke starts pouring into the cabin. *Um, enter 3rd moment of panic - or you could say outright alarm.* Only a couple other passengers seemed to be alarmed. I decided not to let the Wife know of my concern. She is terrified in general of flying and, "falling from the sky in a fiery ball of flame." Besides, there was no smoke smell. I watched and studied the stuff - it was coming in just above the windows and seemed to dissipate before it got fully in with the people. I came to the conclusion that it was the air conditioning - it had gotten rather warm in the cabin, and was now cooling off, and it was also quite hot outside. I was still a bit weirded out by it, but not as concerned. And it was a bit funny to see the Wife notice, become alarmed, and apparently come to a similar conclusion about the stuff all in the space of a minute or so.
A very long flight later, we exit the plane to *not* find our car seat waiting. While very irritated that we specifically gate-checked the thing so that it would be handled better and so that we could have a mode of transport through the airport, we learned that it had been checked to baggage claim. So much for moving the Boy through the airport with ease.
Off to get the rental car. My reservation said to go to the board find your name with the parking space, pick up the car, and get the paperwork printed out as you leave the garage. But guess what. Name's not on the board. *Sigh - too tired to even register any moments of panic, but irritation was again growing.* So instead of the promised easy rental, we waited in line. But we got it. And while there was still traffic on our way to our destination, the Trip Tix provided by AAA proved to be very useful, and perhaps the exhausted final drive was the most relaxing part of the day.
So we have arrived. Family has set us up in a cute little in-law apartment that has been fully stocked for the needs of the Boy. We were fed a delightful meal on arrival and fell into what must be about the most comfortable bed on Earth. The boy is still on East Coast time, so my sleep wasn't for long - G'mornin' Moms, I know it's only 3am, but it's time for me to get up, don't understand why it's so dark, but get up, get up, get up! So I've been up since then. I look forward to a good long nap later today.
The Snit
I've been told. By the Wife. That I get in a Snit at times. I was apparently in one of these the other day. What started out to be really a fine day somehow got turned all upside down when a wave of exhaustion rolled over me. Suddenly I saw what would have been a productive afternoon/evening turn into less than productive, and that began the Snit.
We are going to be very. Very. VERY. busy this week and next, you see, and I cannot afford to have waves of exhaustion or anything less than full-production-mode. I will likely post less, if at all, during this time, but I tend to keep a running log of what I can write about, so when this busy time comes to end, hopefully, I'll catch up on all kinds of happenings and tales. But I hope to see you before then. Even if for just a note like this. But not if my doing so will put me or the Wife into a Snit.
We are going to be very. Very. VERY. busy this week and next, you see, and I cannot afford to have waves of exhaustion or anything less than full-production-mode. I will likely post less, if at all, during this time, but I tend to keep a running log of what I can write about, so when this busy time comes to end, hopefully, I'll catch up on all kinds of happenings and tales. But I hope to see you before then. Even if for just a note like this. But not if my doing so will put me or the Wife into a Snit.
The Path of Life
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| One last look after entering the Path of Life. |
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| And we're off, through the Labyrinth. |
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| It's good to pick up friends on the way. |
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| Our own Stonehenge of sorts. |
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| Getting a better look. |
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| Couldn't have said it better myself. |
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| A whirlwind of action. |
Finally out, we found the Stonehenge - carved wooden sculptures that had been set aflame for a charred effect. Very cool. Photos are better in the bright sun. Then off to these fun twirly things, and through a peace garden. We did not take the path of life as it was meant to be taken. We skipped back and forth, letting the Boy take the lead.
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| Lots to explore. |
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| One can even get it to a touch of trouble, if one tries. |
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| Motivation (<--- Less, ^More^) |
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| Joining the Big Band. |
At any rate, I think we saw nearly everything this time. And even had a moment in Sorrow to change someone's diaper. By the time we left it was fully dark and so, of course there are no photos of the end of our journey, but the Buddha saw us off and wished us well into the night. The Boy slept soundly on the way back and we concluded that we'll definitely come back.
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| Off to investigate that 1/32th percent of his heritage. |
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| Awesome, now to the river. |
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| And at the end of the evening, offerings made to a peaceful Buddha. |
Our bat made the paper!!
I just love it! We are the first incident listed in this article that was on the front page. They don't list us as the home being invaded by the bat, or give the bat a name or anything. But hey, there's some notoriety for ya! I didn't have time to scan the article, but here's a photo. Notice the fold, and how the headline is above it - this must truly qualify as serious news. Gotta love small town papers. Sales tactics.
We need a new roof. We are not happy about this and don't exactly have the extra 10+ grand hanging around to just slap down on the table and do it immediately. Yet it needs to be done fairly immediately. And so the adventure begins. Well, it really began about a about a year ago when a leak appeared on the ceiling. We had our neighborhood handyman climb up and patch the culprit of a hole and then report to us that really, we needed to deal with this in an asap kind of way. But we didn't have the money then so we crossed our fingers, and continue to do so. Thank-fully luck has been with us, but we don't figure we've got enough luck stored up to last another winter.
So last night we got a couple quotes, both from companies with A+ ratings from BBB. First guy was nice, seemed respectable, gave us the quote (about $3000 more than the very top of what I expected) and took his leave. Then the second guy came. He was very much into the sales pitch, making a point to use our names every third sentence or so, which made me suspect, add that to some other funky mannerisms, along with the general look of him, and I was reminded of Robert De Niro.
Before even looking at the house, De Niro went into a long spiel about the quality of the product he is selling. We've heard of it before, and have no doubt about the product or the company, so we really didn't need this, but he has an agenda. Finally we show him the crawl space so knows what he's dealing with from the inside and he takes a walk around. Then the three level sales pitch comes out. There is the average quality roof, which of course they guarantee for a number of years, and it has one price (about $4000 more then that previous highball I figured). Then there is the middle-of-the road roof that has a middle-of-the-road guarantee and middle-of-the-road price (about $7000 more than the top of our budget - really? middle-of-the-road, huh?). And finally, the top-quality, guaranteed for 30 years, everything you can wish for package for a mere $9500 more than we could afford. The first thing I notice about these prices is that with the conveniently included financing, the average quality roof payment is nearly twice as much per month as the top-quality roof. For only 3 years vs. 10 years.
I am ready to send De Niro off into the sunset (and the sun was setting by this time) as we explain that, yes, we do need a roof, but we need to consider these prices and all of the information that he's given us, and consider other quotes, before we make a decision, when he pulls out the secondary sales pitch. Now De Niro wants to give us the top-quality roof for the middle-of-the-road price, which would make our monthly payments less, but would extend the loan to those 10 years. In exchange for this offer, we'd agree to write a testimonial letter as to the high quality of work (should we agree), would be available to speak to 3-5 potential future customers and tell them about our experience, and could be listed as a happy customer (as he hopes we would be). All of this sounds like a fine exchange - we're still not too sure about that 10 year financing, but we haven't looked into what other financing we could get, so it might be the best thing out there. We are considering it. Heartily, as we really do need this roof, and frankly we just want to get it done.
So what's the catch? Ahhhh! In order to get in on this fantastic deal, we'd have to make up our minds on the spot - the deal goes away if he walks away. As in we can't think about it. Can't look into other options. Can't be sure this is the right thing for us to do in our situation. Granted, the previous quotes we got would be good for a year, but this extra $2500 off of the top-quality roof would not last. I think we both had the feeling that it was a quick jump into a big commitment, but since we knew the company/product he almost had us. Until Papa called us and advised us to back away - quickly, back away from this highwayman of roof-seekers and do more research.
So we put the brakes on - and none too soon, and we were mighty close to signing those papers. But funny. De Niro, who I seemed to warm up and act more and more human to over our hours-long interaction, suddenly cooled off and got just a touch hostile, with a finely tuned edge of guilt. What, that he wasted his evening on a sale that didn't happen? Sorry buddy. We were able to get him out the door, feeling a bit vulnerable and more than a little foolish for coming so close to signing something we hadn't had a chance to mull over properly. After he left, I stayed up far too late still trying to shake off the feeling of being had.
This morning when we woke up, not quite rested, but with head that were more clear. We agreed that it was good to have NOT signed the deal. We may still need to pay the same amount of money per month, or we may still be financing our roof for the next ten years, but we will certainly have thought about the decision for more than a three hour sales pitch.
We also decided to write to the company. We will explain that while we have every confidence that their product is high-quality, and we may have even decided on them to do the work had we been given time to think things through, due to their high pressure sales tactics they lost our business.
I will study this article on How To Defend Against 7 Sneaky Sales Tactics before we see anyone else for estimates. Because, after all, we still need a roof.
So last night we got a couple quotes, both from companies with A+ ratings from BBB. First guy was nice, seemed respectable, gave us the quote (about $3000 more than the very top of what I expected) and took his leave. Then the second guy came. He was very much into the sales pitch, making a point to use our names every third sentence or so, which made me suspect, add that to some other funky mannerisms, along with the general look of him, and I was reminded of Robert De Niro.
Before even looking at the house, De Niro went into a long spiel about the quality of the product he is selling. We've heard of it before, and have no doubt about the product or the company, so we really didn't need this, but he has an agenda. Finally we show him the crawl space so knows what he's dealing with from the inside and he takes a walk around. Then the three level sales pitch comes out. There is the average quality roof, which of course they guarantee for a number of years, and it has one price (about $4000 more then that previous highball I figured). Then there is the middle-of-the road roof that has a middle-of-the-road guarantee and middle-of-the-road price (about $7000 more than the top of our budget - really? middle-of-the-road, huh?). And finally, the top-quality, guaranteed for 30 years, everything you can wish for package for a mere $9500 more than we could afford. The first thing I notice about these prices is that with the conveniently included financing, the average quality roof payment is nearly twice as much per month as the top-quality roof. For only 3 years vs. 10 years.
I am ready to send De Niro off into the sunset (and the sun was setting by this time) as we explain that, yes, we do need a roof, but we need to consider these prices and all of the information that he's given us, and consider other quotes, before we make a decision, when he pulls out the secondary sales pitch. Now De Niro wants to give us the top-quality roof for the middle-of-the-road price, which would make our monthly payments less, but would extend the loan to those 10 years. In exchange for this offer, we'd agree to write a testimonial letter as to the high quality of work (should we agree), would be available to speak to 3-5 potential future customers and tell them about our experience, and could be listed as a happy customer (as he hopes we would be). All of this sounds like a fine exchange - we're still not too sure about that 10 year financing, but we haven't looked into what other financing we could get, so it might be the best thing out there. We are considering it. Heartily, as we really do need this roof, and frankly we just want to get it done.
So what's the catch? Ahhhh! In order to get in on this fantastic deal, we'd have to make up our minds on the spot - the deal goes away if he walks away. As in we can't think about it. Can't look into other options. Can't be sure this is the right thing for us to do in our situation. Granted, the previous quotes we got would be good for a year, but this extra $2500 off of the top-quality roof would not last. I think we both had the feeling that it was a quick jump into a big commitment, but since we knew the company/product he almost had us. Until Papa called us and advised us to back away - quickly, back away from this highwayman of roof-seekers and do more research.
So we put the brakes on - and none too soon, and we were mighty close to signing those papers. But funny. De Niro, who I seemed to warm up and act more and more human to over our hours-long interaction, suddenly cooled off and got just a touch hostile, with a finely tuned edge of guilt. What, that he wasted his evening on a sale that didn't happen? Sorry buddy. We were able to get him out the door, feeling a bit vulnerable and more than a little foolish for coming so close to signing something we hadn't had a chance to mull over properly. After he left, I stayed up far too late still trying to shake off the feeling of being had.
This morning when we woke up, not quite rested, but with head that were more clear. We agreed that it was good to have NOT signed the deal. We may still need to pay the same amount of money per month, or we may still be financing our roof for the next ten years, but we will certainly have thought about the decision for more than a three hour sales pitch.
We also decided to write to the company. We will explain that while we have every confidence that their product is high-quality, and we may have even decided on them to do the work had we been given time to think things through, due to their high pressure sales tactics they lost our business.
I will study this article on How To Defend Against 7 Sneaky Sales Tactics before we see anyone else for estimates. Because, after all, we still need a roof.
A tribute to Mme. Child
Had a very trying evening. May say more about that tomorrow, but this cheered me up.
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