Dear Verizon....

It's official, you stink. I've been with you since 2001 and it saddens me that this love-hate relationship may soon come to an end. You see, I've had a problem with almost every phone I've ever purchased from you. At first the phone works great and the battery could last all day long, no matter how many random phone calls I make.

Three months later, it's a different story. I make 10 minutes worth of phone calls and suddenly the dead battery sign is blinking. I panic, knowing I have an hour drive home and what would happen if my car breaks down and I need to make a phone call? Oh I know what would happen, I would have to get out and try to flag someone down to help me because I wouldn't be able to call my hubby for help.

I was in your store last week, demanding you give me yet another free battery because the one you gave me in September barely holds a charge. You inform me I am one month out of my warranty and nothing is free any longer, so I'll need to pay you $50 for a new phone. Pardon me? Is $50 worth losing a valuable, on time paying customer in the current times of economic turmoil? I think not, so I tell you how it's going to be: I am getting a new phone and I'm not paying one cent for it. You stare at me, and I stand in complete silence for 5 minutes, staring right back at you. You glance around the store uncomfortably and finally say, "Let me see what I can get the manager to do." Good idea, because I have all the time in the world to stand in silence. What you don't know is that I was doing my yoga breathing and relaxation techniques and I could be comfortable for hours on end.

You come back 10 minutes later with lo and behold, a brand new phone in your hand! Good boy, I knew you had one back in stock. I take my new glorious phone home and proudly tell my hubby it didn't cost me anything. I'm so happy to have a phone that holds a charge for more than ten minutes. Fast forward a week later and the damn phone has half a battery charge after a 8 minute phone call to my mother. WTF? How can we put a friggin' spaceship in space, but we can't design a phone and battery that lasts for 10 minutes? So dear Verizon, I'm afraid we'll be meeting again after work today. I'm prepared to stand in silence until you give me a different model phone that works properly and lasts. And don't be surprised when I ask you how much it costs to deactivate my account. I hear the iphone is amazing and it's looking better every day....

I've Been Granted A Reprieve!

The doctors office called me today to go over various items regarding my colonoscopy next month. After they told me the do's and dont's, they informed me I would be responsible for paying $1,200 the morning of the procedure. I have an HSA account and I'm responsible for paying everything until I reach $2,500 and then everything is fully covered.

I knew this procedure would cost some money, but I really wasn't expecting $1,200. So I've made the decision to not get the procedure done. The doctor had suggested it because it was the only test they didn't do last year, even though I don't fit hardly any of the criteria for Irritable Bowel Disease. That being said, I just can't justify spending the money on the procedure. If I had other symptoms and indicators of IBD, I would do it in a heartbeat. My stomach has been feeling better since I started a new whey protein formula and have been eating more protein, so I feel okay with skipping this test.

I have decided to consult with a homeopathic doctor. My mother went to one years ago for her migraine headaches that were life-altering and miserable and had wonderful results. The cost for that would be around $400, which is much more reasonable. The main thing I like about homeopathic doctors is they treat the whole body and the cause, not just the pain and discomfort. It's about identifying and treating the issue that is causing you pain.

Is My Watch Fast?

Nothing like going in for your 12pm doctor appointment to realize your appointment isn't actually until 1pm. Duh. Good news, I had some time to kill so I went to the Mall and found a cute purple summer dress for $35!

Weekend Wrap-up

Another busy weekend has flown by and allowed me to add more funny pictures to my yearly scrapbook. Friday night hubby and I went to dinner with another couple at a local restaurant. We'd been building this place up and you can imagine our disappointment when the steaks we ordered as "medium-rare" came back well done. Hubby and our friend sent the steaks back and the second round was cooked perfectly, but the damage had already been done. My mahi-mahi however, was cooked to perfection the first time, so I was a happy camper.

Saturday a group of us celebrated our friend S.'s birthday with dinner and dancing downtown. Her hubby had ordered bottle service at a favorite club of ours, and the ladies enjoyed lounging on the sofa's and surveying the room. We indulged in three wonderful bottles of champagne and some Maker's Mark for the braver drinkers. We danced the night away in our reserved area and the main dance floor. Of course I requested "Poker Face" by Lady GaGa and I don't think I've shaked my hips like that in a long time! Hubby was the DD that night (not by choice, but he grudgingly accepted his fate) so that I could enjoy the champagne. It was a great night and I laughed and smiled so much my cheeks hurt the next day.

Sunday I finally dragged my behind out of bed and made a trip to the Verizon store where I complained about my crappy phone. The battery dies after 10 minutes on the phone! They informed me I was a month out of warranty and it would cost me $50 for a new phone, or $20 for a new battery. I informed them that I would not be paying anything and I wanted a new phone. I told them this was the third phone to crap out on me right after a year, and no I did not want to purchase their scam insurance, and I've been a loyal customer since 2000, yada yada. I pretty much stood there in complete silence for 5 minutes and they got so uncomfortable they got a manger and agreed to give me a new phone for free. Thank you very much!

I also hit up Party City to get some baby shower supplies and decorations. I should not be allowed to shop for this shower any more. I'm going crazy! So many cute and fun decorations, games, etc. I also hit up Old Navy because they had some good deals going on as well as Ann Taylor Loft. I found a great pair of jeans there and the cutest coral flats. Dang that money is spent fast!

Cruise Ship Memories

When I was 14 or so, I went on a 14 day cruise with my mom, sister and grandmother. It was during Christmas and New Years and we went all over the Caribbean, including Venezuela and Columbia. I met a ton of kids my age and we ran around the ship and had a blast. One of the boys I met, Matt, was funny and dorky and we hit it off right away. We became a "thing" and held hands, kissed, etc.

One night after dinner, we were walking around on the top deck and we went to sit on some lounge chairs. We talked a bit and kissed, and then he tried to feel me up. That was my first experience with someone trying to touch a boob, and I quickly smacked his hand away. I also laughed, because it was utterly ridiculous. He laughed too and we went back to the group and went to the dance club.

We kept in touch after the cruise, mostly by letters and some phone calls. I hadn't heard from him in a few weeks and I got a letter from him. I was girlishly excited until I started reading the letter. He informed me that he enjoyed talking with me and hanging out but he had to confess something: He sometimes liked to wear woman's clothing at home and in public. Honestly, I was weirded out for 5 seconds and then said whatever floats his boat was fine with me. I realized we were just pen pals and we'd never be anything more than that, so I wrote him back telling him that. I was supportive because let's face it, we all have weird quirks.

We lost touch shortly after and I sometimes wondered whatever happened to him.

You Must Make This!!!!

I found this White Chili with Ground Turkey recipe off of All Recipes. I made it last night and hubby and I both agree this is a prize-winning recipe. It's really easy to make and the taste is Delicious! I ate two huge bowls of this for dinner last night. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 (4 oz) cans canned green chile peppers, chopped
1 Tbsp. ground Cumin
1 Tbsp. dried Oregano
1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
Ground Cayenne pepper to taste
Ground White Pepper to taste
3 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans
5 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. In large pot over medium heat, combine the onion, garlic, ground turkey and saute for 10 minutes, or until turkey is well browned. Add the chile peppers, cumin, oregano,cinnamon, cayenne & white pepper to taste, and saute for 5 more minutes.

2. Add two cans of beans and the chicken broth to the pot. Take the third can of beans and puree them in a blender or food processor. Add this to the pot along with the cheese. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing cheese to melt. Enjoy!

This recipe makes 8 servings and is ready in about 45 minutes. You could also top with sour cream and some grated jack cheese.

So Embarrassing

I was dropping off some clothes at the dry cleaners this morning and while I was pulling my items out of the bag, out flies a pair of my undies! Thank god the other two people in line didn't seem to notice, but I was mortified. And let me tell you, when they flew out, it was a slow-motion, launching high into the air kinda deal. I grabbed them on the downward arc and hastily put them into my purse. The clerk looked at me like I was nuts. Ugg, Happy Thursday!