Just when I thought it was safe to move away from the tv

I was so relieved to have the Olympics over, since they were taking up too much of my time. But, of course, they were followed by the Democratic National Convention. I particularly like watching MSNBC's coverage, because when Keith Olbermann finds something amusing, he doesn't hide it. I watched part of the roll call yesterday, which was pretty funny. They were trying to orchestrate it for Hillary to make the motion for Obama to be the nominee, apparently trying to do it in time to be the lead story on the evening news, BUT all of the people doing the intros for the states were taking FOREVER. I was seriously laughing out loud when (I think it was) Montana was speaking. That person ran on and on and on. It did not end up as the lead story, but was breaking news.

After watching that drama, I got ready for MNO. It was fun to go out and talk with the other moms without having to chase down James. It allowed for actual conversations. I even tried to be good by ordering off of Applebee's Weight Watcher's menu, but probably blew it by getting a pomegranate martini. And, when I got home, Blake told me he had recorded Bill Clinton's speech (actually the whole evening's convention) for me, since I had forgotten. How thoughtful is that? (By the way, I loved Hillary's speech, think Joe Biden is a great choice, and am looking forward to Obama's acceptance speech tonight!)

We went to the zoo with Mom's Club on Tuesday. James liked the animals, but really enjoyed running around by the wrecked airplane with the other boys.

I was attempting to add more pictures from the zoo and July (!) , but am tired of waiting for them to upload. It just doesn't seem to want to work right now!

Gotta get better at this

Muscle boy


In Daddy's Chair

I have been neglectful of the blog lately. And since it partly helps ME keep track of what we've been doing, I need to update it better. So, this week, I'm going to try to add more pictures of what we've been doing the last few months. And, here is a list of some of what we've done since my last post:

• Blake's family all came over to swim, play and watch the Olympics


• We took James to Chuck E Cheese


• We went to Music with Mar, where James had a blast dancing and singing and getting in everyone's face


• We went to Insect-A-Rama, where James (and Blake) competed in an insect Olympics and James and I made a lightning bug and a bandanna


• We tried to eat at Fritz' railroad restaurant, but the service was lousy. So we just looked around for a bit and then


• we ate at the Crayola restaurant
  
• James and Blake ran through the fountains at Crown Center
• I got my scrapbook space organized and finally did a little on it.
• Blake went golfing
• We went on several walks around the neighborhood
• We watched too much of the Olympics
• We got caught up on Mad Men
• and despite the many many calls I get from the Barack Obama campaign wanting me to volunteer for them, I did not receive a 2am text message about Joe Biden. Which is a good thing.

So, things are good here. I continue to have my usual difficulties getting blogger to understand how I want my paragraphs and bullet points, but there are certainly bigger problems in the world.

Being a bee at Insect-A-Rama

Not sure about those fountains yet

Sliding at Chuck E Cheese

Don't Cross Me US Cellular!

First, James and I had fun with our new playgroup this morning at Tunnel Voyage. It's our new Hippo Place, I think. He had fun running around, climbing, sliding and playing in the ball pit. And I actually got to talk to some of the other moms. This group does about 3 things a week, so we should be able to keep busy. And, of course, there is a monthly Mom's Night Out, which is always a highlight!

Now, here is a copy of the letter I have sent to the FTC and FCC. You don't have to read it. The basic idea is that US Cellular "done me wrong" and I am NOT happy about it. I'm sure nothing will come of my complaint letters, but it makes me feel better. I may submit it to Good Housekeeping, too. Don't cross a SAHM -- I'd so much rather bash US Cellular all over the internet than do laundry and clean the bathrooms during James' nap.

"We have had phone service with US Cellular for a few years. We liked their service and told others so, and got new phones and contracts when our old ones ended. We signed up for the nationwide calling plan, after looking at the coverage maps and seeing that they have coverage listed in both the Kansas City and Dallas areas, where we had family that we visit. (Of course we knew there was coverage in our home in the St. Louis area where we lived at the time.) We have since moved to the Kansas City area, and are finding that we do not get good coverage here -- we are frequently cut off, our reception is very poor, and (unrelated to reception) my phone turns itself off without warning or reason and without me realizing it. (On this last point, my fiance almost called the police one night to check on me, because he couldn't reach me, I didn't realize my phone had shut itself off, and I was home alone with a 2-year-old.)

I looked at US Cellular's web site to find a local store to try to change our phones to local numbers, to stop the roaming, only to find that the nearest was 64 miles from my zip code. When I called US Cellular, they confirmed that there are no stores or towers here and that I would continue to have poor reception. However, unless I knew someone who wanted to take over our contracts (do you know anyone who doesn't already have a cell phone plan who would like to take over one that doesn't work?) we would have to pay a $285 early termination fee.

I understand that I signed a contract. However, I feel that US Cellular misrepresented their services by including Kansas City in their coverage map, when they knew they did not have adequate coverage in this area. I would not have signed a 2 year contract if I had this information. I spoke with 3 people at the company about this, one of whom was a manager. I was not getting anywhere in resolving this, and in the middle of the call my phone cut out. Again, I have a 2-year-old (and I am in a wheelchair), we do not have a land line, and I now feel trapped with a phone that doesn't reliably work for the next 19 months. I feel that this is wrong on their part for misrepresenting their coverage area and is unsafe for me and my family.

Thank you. (I'm sorry this was so long. I am very upset.)"

Catching Up

We really have been busy since moving here. Not really doing anything monumental, but busy all the same. James and I did join a Mom's Club today, which was fun for both of us. Lots of people commented on how friendly he is. Which means that he gets in your face and doesn't stop talking. True.

Blake's new job is good. He is starting to be more busy, which he enjoys, but also leaves on time each day, which gives him more time at home.

We are having fun watching the Olympics, which I tend to get a little obsessive about. We need a globe, though. There were a lot of countries in the opening ceremony that I have never even heard of.

Well, I know that's not much of an exciting update, but it is at least an update. I intend to get better about posting and including pictures soon, but first there are emails to catch up on! And a wedding to plan. I realized with a bit of a panic yesterday that I REALLY need to get going on some of the planning. Otherwise I'll be wearing a dress from Target and our parents will be doing the photography.