I know it's your job and all..

but when I call to cancel something, please just let me cancel.

Through my bank I received an "offer you can't pass up." It was a 30 day free trial to Auto Advantage (like AAA) along with that, I would get a free iPod Shuffle. Well, I thought, hey, let me sign up, get the iPod and then cancel. WRONG! Your registration for the free iPod will be reviewed and fulfilled within 4-6 weeks and then it will take another 4-6 weeks to get it in the mail. I think they realize how many people will keep the membership until they receive the iPod and then cancel. By this time they've already gotten one month of their service out of you. A service you don't need or want and won't use in the 30 days because you are simply waiting for your free iPod. It's a bait and catch plan. They know what they are doing and it makes me sad that so many people get sucked into it, but I digress.

I called today to cancel the membership (since you don't find out about how long it takes them to actually process your registration for the iPod until you get your new member materials in the mail) I'm no sucker, I'm not waiting around to get the iPod and then cancelling. It's not worth it to me. So, the conversations goes something like this:

Me: Hi, I'm just calling because I would like to cancel my membership, please
Rep: Ok, Miss (yes, he said Miss) Jxxx. My name is Isaiah and I would be happy to assist you with that today.
...... *confirmed my name, address etc* .....
R: Ok, now, can I just ask why you want to cancel your membership Miss Jxxxx?
M: I just don't need it. My AAA covers everything that this covers.
R: Ok, but does it have... blah blah blah
M: Yes, it does.
R: Hmm... Somehow I don't think that's possible.
M: Well, it is. Can you please cancel my membership.
R: Ok, well right now we have wonderful giveaways and a couple of sweepstakes offers you can enter on our website.. blah blah blah.. you can win... blah blah blah...
M: Well, that's great for your customers. Can you please cancel my membership?
R: Ok, Miss Jxxx, I think you're making a big mistake.
..... * this is where I become Sasha Fierce* ......
M: Well, Isaiah, that was your name, right?
R: Yes, Miss, it is.
M: I called to have you cancel my membership and I have already asked you three times to cancel my membership. Up until now, I think I was pretty nice about it. I haven't cut you off once or anything. I would like to cancel my membership. I don't want it, I don't need it, I'm not going to keep it. Just cancel it.
R: Ok, I am sorry to hear you are frustrated Miss Jxxxx, but I think there are lots of..
...... *here's where I cut him off* ......
M: Remember when I just said about a minute ago that I was being nice and hadn't cut you off? Well, I'm cutting you off now. I want you to connect me to someone that will cancel my membership.
R: Ok Miss Jxxxx, I will cancel your membership. Please stay on the line for confirmation of cancellation and a confirmation number. You have a great day.
M: You as well.

I couldn't believe how long this went on. Kind of reminded me of this. David and I have both been through the hell that is named AOL. UGH!

Finding the motivation.

I can't seem to gain the motivation I need to clean up this dang place! It is such a mess in here and I hate it. We were doing really well for a while. David was actually loading/unloading the dishwasher on a regular basis and taking the trash out every morning on his way to work. Somewhere along the line, both of them came to a halt. When they stopped, I also stopped. I was picking up everything every day, vacuuming daily, laundry every 3 days or so. Now, I haven't vacuumed in 4 or 5 days, there is stuff (mostly toys and clothes) everywhere and the laundry hasn't been touch in about a week and a half. I never have the energy to do my cleaning during the day. I get my cleaning bug around 5 or 6 pm. Well, lately, I have been at work during that time so obviously, things aren't getting done. Maybe since tomorrow is my day off I might be able to muster up the energy to clean. Maybe, just maybe...

How annoying!

There have been lots of little things that have annoyed me already this morning. I think it is just one of those days... Well, it got me to thinking of all of the stupid things that bug me. Here is a small list:

** When you are trying to walk and the cats go between your feet/legs
** Chewing with your mouth open
** Toilet paper roll put on backwards
** When thin people complain about how fat they are (I used to be one of those girls, too)
** When I have a hole in my sock and am at work and there is nothing I can do about it (especially at the toe)

** Stepping on a lego in the middle of the night

** When the baby/kid wakes up right when you fall asleep

** When the cat always seems to find something that makes noise while you are sleeping

The biggest one, probably -
** When people misuse their/they're/there and you're/your. OH, I HATE THAT SO MUCH!!

Now we're really going to have CRAZY parents out there

I was just reading this article about a 17 month old girl that can read and the first thing I thought wasn't "Wow, that's awesome!" it was more like "Oh great, how many parents are going to push this one on their kids?" So many people out there feel like they have to constantly shove learning down their kids' throats. What happened to letting kids be kids? Sure, we do educational things with Graycen but I don't think it's something that has to be crammed into every waking minute of these little kids' daily lives. We watch her Baby Signs video, learn some sign language, read, do stimulating activities and talk about EVERYTHING under the sun but I let her play with her toys and I play with her toys with her. Graycen really does have way more toys than is necessary but hey, we didn't buy them all. She is a very smart girl and it all came with the little things we have done - you can see how extensive her vocabulary is for her age and I simply think it is due to the fact that we are always talking to her. We point out everything and talk to her all day long. She may not understand a lot of what we are saying but we continue to talk. I could go on with this subject for days and still have things to say about it, so I am going to cut it now before I get too frustrated!

EDITED TO ADD: I understand that the parents of this girl weren't the type that pushed everything and that they actually were honestly surprised when they learned their daughter could talk and read the way that she does. I guess I was trying to express how I hate the parents that ARE like that. I know there are a lot of kids out there that are very smart and advanced for their age and can do all of these wonderful things that nobody expects or even really teaches them, but for those parents there are the ones that have to 'one up' them and they are the ones that push everything in the kid's face and try to make them smarter. I'm sorry if I'm still not making much sense. Basically, I was trying to say because they have a naturally talented/smart girl, there are lots of parents that will try to make their kid the same way. I hope I don't sound like some bitter, jealous parent - because I am not. I think it is amazing what their child can do and they have every right to be extremely proud of her. It was just that my first thought was of all of the parents that have to force it on their kids now because they saw a smart girl on TV.

Paris, Paris, Paris....

For once a celebrity is treated just like the 'rest of us' Today Miss Paris Hilton was ordered to return to jail to finish out her original sentence!! Apparently after the verdict was announced she kept saying "It's not fair, Mom." How is it not fair? Because your parents have millions of dollars so you should be treated like the 'heiress' you are?! I don't think so. They (being the media) keep saying "Can Paris take more jail time?" why not?! She is a girl who did something wrong. She should be punished for it. I don't normally get in to things like this, but seeing her treated like a regular, normal, everyday human being is great! Hope you enjoy your stay Paris!

6:15 am - NO WAY!

Graycen decided to wake up super early today! ISH!!! I had such a hard time dragging myself out of bed. She usually decides to grace us with her wonderful baby presence around 7:30 am, not today - 6:15 baby! I am feeling like today is going to be a long day.

*Oh, by the way - her second tooth is almost through the gums. :)

My baby is growing up - or so it seems. And other stuff!

I have really noticed, as of late, that Graycen is changing so much! It seems like everyday she is doing something different. Over the past few days she has done nothing but "talk" Boy, does she love to talk! She is grabbing everything in sight and reaching for everything else. I remember when she was a tiny baby and the only thing she would do was lay there and look at us. Now she is moving all around, squirming and squiggling off of my lap, sitting so well for about 30 minutes at a time, grabbing toys from all around her, eating fruits and veggies (which I make myself!) drinking water or watered down juice from her sippy cup. Oh! She also tries to take off her diaper. When did she grow up?!

------------------------------------

Graycen is getting her pictures taken today! I am so excited!

------------------------------------

Graycen and I are attending a bridal shower this weekend. It will be Graycen's first shower (yes, she was invited too) We went to a baby shower last weekend and she was VERY well behaved!

------------------------------------

We have been invited to Sarah's* wedding in May. We have the option of staying overnight in a hotel. The big debate is if we should have an overnight baby sitter so we can go.... I don't know if I can bear to be away from my baby that long!

*Sarah is a friend from Best Buy. She was also my old supervisor/manager. She is also the bride of the shower we are going to!

------------------------------------

I am getting a new elliptical machine tomorrow!! It was my grandparents' and they are getting rid of it. They have NEVER even used it. So I was the lucky one to receive it. This should make losing some of that baby weight a little easier.
In addition to the elliptical machine, I am starting Weight Watchers again this weekend. We're going to give it another go!