Monday, July 30, 2007

Monday Monday...

Today was a Monday, Monday. It started off with me being yelled at because I told a guy that the manufacturer of his phone would be able to tell if it was water damaged... Apparently that meant I was calling him a liar. Yeah, because he called me and had the phone in front of him and was telling me that it hadn't been in the water. Right. I understand that. But let me fill you in. A phone doesn't have to be physically dropped in water to be water damaged. Humidity can cause that (don't leave your cell phone in a vehicle on a hot day, you'll void the warranty), or rain. Anyone ever walk around talking on their phone in the rain? That'll hurt it also.
So when you call me and tell me that it's not water damaged I understand that you believe that. But I also know that if you sent it to the manufacturer they have the tools to check on water damage. Tools that I don't. Think about it, they MAKE the phone. It stands to reason they know exactly what it's supposed to look like. Hence, the ability to find the water damage.
And if I can't see the phone, I can't tell you that it's not. It's not a matter of me telling you that you are lying. It's common sense. That and my knowing that a company that makes the cell phone has final say on the warranty. Just because I can't see it doesn't mean that it's not there. And let me stress, the guy called me so I couldn't see the phone in the first place.

Okay. Done with that.

Things are looking a little less stressful for me today than they were yesterday. I only need one more line to make my numbers for the month and that is absolutely doable. HUGE sigh of relief.

It's stressful, but I do enjoy my job. Other than the occasional ogre that comes (or calls) in.

I'm looking forward to Michelle and Chad being up here. Cari and Kelli will be up also so it would be fun if we could all get together!

And then the next weekend is the camping trip. It's been quite a few years since all of the relee's have gotten together. It should be an enjoyable weekend. And then before you know it summer will be over and it'll be snowing again. Ugh.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Happy Anniversary!


Happy One year to Michelle and Chad! Can't believe it's been a year already!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

It's HOT

And humid... And I don't have air... Living in an apartment is really nice sometimes but on weeks like this it's pretty brutal. Like when I have to take a cold shower before I go to sleep and again when I wake up... Although it hasn't been bad enough this year to have to get up in the middle of the night and take another one just to cool off. I remember doing that when I was on the third floor of an apartment building.

Yet, it doesn't seem worth it to me to purchase an air conditioning unit to use for the few weeks that I would need it. So I buy fans. And they don't always work. But I'm cheap. So I'll stick with the fans. And when I build my dream home someday, I'll equip that with central air. For now, it's the showers that do the magic.

I also keep putting off doing my laundry. Who wants to spend time at the laundrymat when it's 90+ outside? Not my idea of a great time.

While I'm confessing things I'm putting off because of the heat, I'll also tell you that my house needs to be cleaned, my bed put together and I need to go grocery shopping. Although, the grocery store is probably air conditioned.

But I'd rather go to the beach.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

I am a lurker

I am a lurker... I love to read other people's blogs and catch up on what's happening in their lives. It's fun. Then I come back to this page and try to come up with something that would be interesting for others to read... And most times I have nothing. Nothing that I consider worth passing on. Sometimes I will anyway, other times I sit and type, then erase, type again, then give up and walk away.

I have written in a journal for ten years. In fact, I am on volume 63. I usually average one journal per three months, although I have done longer and shorter. I don't run out of things to say in there. So why the problem online?

Quite honestly, my personal journals are pretty boring. Maybe that's the problem. I write in those just to release my emotions. When I come online I feel that I have to be witty, or knowledgeable... Or at the very least, interesting. But I'll keep trying because I do enjoy this method of keeping in touch.

Aaron and I went down to the camp this weekend. I had Monday off of work, so I enjoyed an extra day there. Things have changed since we were kids. The lake is a lot busier. I remember when we would spend all day out on the lake, tubing, and skiing, only coming in when we were hungry. Now the younger kids don't take advantage of having a boat (or maybe I just see it that way because I don't have the opportunity to be on one very often anymore). We did get the chance to go skiing although we had to wait for boats to come off the lake.

There was a dulcimer festival going on in a nearby town. My parents, Aaron, Janelle, Jodi, Laura and I went there one night. That was pretty neat. I have never seen or heard a dulcimer before. (For those of you that haven't either, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammered_Dulcimer) Events like that make me wish I had a musical talent.

All in all, it was a good weekend.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Weekend state of mind

Ever since Monday, I've been thinking that it's Friday... My family was up last weekend to do some more work on the lot. It was a lot of fun to see them. I spent time with the kids on the sand hill. I'll have to post pictures when I take the time to put those on my computer. It's fun to see the little siblings and cousins playing the same games that we used to play there.

Auntie T was up, with her kids and Noelle. We (my parents, gramma and grandpa, Auntie T and Uncle Dave) went out for dinner one night. It's a fun experience to now be an "adult" and get to know my aunts and uncles on a new level. That makes me look forward to the camping trip in August all the more!

For now I'm just looking forward to heading to my favorite place, the camp. I haven't been there yet this summer, and this will probably be my only chance to go. That's why I decided to skip the weddings this weekend and head down. But I do have to get through a day of work first! Oh well, have to make a living.

I can't wait to get there and go water-skiing. Kelli and Bryan will be there also and it'll be nice to spend time with them. Here's to an enjoyable weekend spent relaxing!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

In Our Own World

When I was at home I brought up the rest of my stuff from downstate. As a result of going through those boxes, I thought I would share this. I titled it "In Our Own World"

*******************************************************************

"Gramma! You won again?!" We sighed in unison, making sure there would be no doubt in anyones mind of our disappointment. Gramma always won at Skip-Bo.

Megan and I looked at each other, rolled our eyes, then quickly got away. Experience had taught us a fast escape was best if we didn't want to be saddled with one or more of our siblings.

Ringing the cast iron bell as we scampered down the wooden steps and behind the house, we plotted our next great escape. The world was opening before our eyes. The familiar dirt path led straight up making it hard for short lets to pull my wisdom of nine years to the top of the hill. Branches of the surrounding pines and birches wore evidence of my hands. Mine, and those of many visitors to this sacred hill.

Once at the top, Megan and I gazed over Lake Superior. From my throne at the top, I could see all the way to Canada! Anything was possible on these trips out to the sand hill. All we had to do was take that leap.

We looked at each other, grabbed sweaty hands, took a deep breath- and soared. Landing with a thump and a giggle, we took off down the sand hill, our laughter floating to join our dreams in the sky.

As we made it to the bottom, the sand giving way under bare toes, we were pleased this hadn't caused a head over heels tumble. Then how to get the dirt out of our clothing before going back to the house? No worry, we weren't heading back to the house for several lifetimes anyway.

The Superior waves rolled gently behind us as we looked at the monstrosity we'd just raced down. Unfortunately, running down was a hop, skip and a jump, while climbing up the face took the will of an expert.

But together, Megan and I could do anything! The sunlight danced on the particles and the magic crept into our souls. Knowing how to unlock that treasure was a gift we both possessed.

The trek back up the hill was the final transition from cousins, to sisters, to twins. I never envied the twins I met in my early years. What did they have that I didn't already have with Megan? And no matter who they were, no set of twins had anything like Gramma and Grampa's sand hill.

Why this hill had held the secrets of friends, of couples, of long ago Indians, of children, of adults... And today it was graced by the presence of two glamorous movie stars.

To be sure, we weren't famous actresses yet, but as our stepmother harshly ordered us around we were determined to escape. Taking off instead of milking the cows, we walked for days through rough, wild land. Thankfully, just when we couldn't go any further, just when stepmother's evil had almost caught up with us, two men appeared out of nowhere...

Immediately captured by our intense beauty, they helped us over the last cliff into safety. Wouldn't you know our rescuers were casting agents in Hollywood? And being overwhelmed by our beauty and charms, insisted they make us the stars of several upcoming films. Of course we sent money back to Father. He was always in our thoughts. Our sympathetic hearts knew he had no choice but to believe stepmother. She was always so nice to us when he was around.

Our rescuers fell madly in love with us. Who could resist the charm of two twins, dirty, exhausted and days from their last bath? Especially as their stomachs rumbled in hunger.

Thankfully, we heard the clang of a bell, faintly at first, then growing louder. Abandoning our men, Megan and I raced down the hill and across the beach. Up the stone pathway we charged, Up the wooded steps and onto the sharp stones of the driveway. We paused only long enough to rid ourselves of excess dirt before we flung open the porch door, flew across the hall and announced our arrival with the ringing of sleigh bells on the inner door.

Balancing our plates of hot dogs, potato chips and holding a glass of lemonade, we made our way through the kitchen and living room.

"Grampa, you're full of hops!"

"Thanks mom."

"Somebody smells! Do you need to go potty?"

"Best of three?"

"Don't forget to wash your hands."

"Will somebody feed the baby?"

The sounds of family filled the room as an uncle stole chips, a dad tickled and we kids pushed our way to the back deck. Slipping through the screen door we made our way to the wooden swing.

With plates in our laps, food crunching between our teeth, and drinks on the ground, we rocked contently. The air off the lake was cooler now and we decided we'd put on warmer clothes before heading out to watch the sunset.

If the best part of Grampa and Gramma's was the sand hill, a close second was the sunset over Lake Superior. I've lost track of how many sunsets I've seen in my short life but none have been as magnificent as those ushering in summer nights on Sedar Bay.

We would arm ourselves with bug spray, jeans, and long sleeve shirts, and then head up to the beloved pathway. Sitting on the hill, legs dangling over the top, we'd rest against the regal birch. The smooth wood, cool against small backs and surrounded by moss, made the perfect seat. In a blaze of purple, pink, orange and yellow, the sun sank lower and lower until finally disappearing. Only after it took a last glance around before diving under water would we speak.

Quietly now, we headed back to the house. Our trip down the sand hill more sedate, and the walk across the beach- only a walk, we'd make it back to the house that was a home. We walked closely together- somewhere in our hearts knowing, even then, what a precious gift we shared.

Entering the house this time, comforting sights and sounds became new droplets in the well of memories we possessed. Invariably, Grampa was joking around, Gramma was offering salt-water taffy from one of her many candy jars, mom and dad were visiting with the aunts and uncles, cousins were sprawled here and there. The older ones would join in with the parents conversations, while younger ones would read comics or play Sorry. Satisfied with the peace and love in the room, Megan and I would head to the game closet to pick out the Skip-Bo cards and start a new tournament.

"Best of Three?"

Home for the weekend


Here are some pictures from the weekend. I went down on Friday night and came back Sunday, so it was a quick trip. It was fun to see Billy's baseball games and get to spend time with the girls though! Can't wait to see them up here either!









Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Are people really serious?

This is more about work, so I'll warn you don't read if you are sick of hearing about my job!

One of our towers was hit by lightning in the storm on Sunday night. This, obviously caused it to go down. The powers who be were aware of this and working on it for the past two days and it is finally back up.

This is what I understand, the people who called or came in to make sure it was a tower issue and not a problem with their specific phone... This is what I don't understand, the people who want a credit for not being able to use their phone during this time.

Now, let me say this also. This issue only affected people going off of the Hancock tower (mainly Houghton). And if you were anywhere else, the phone was usuable.

So for the people that called in screaming at me because they signed up for this service and now they couldn't use it and they should be able to get out of their contract (because we DID cause the lightning to strike the tower) without the early termination fees I have a question...

When the power goes out due to weather, or some other reason, do you call the power company and demand a credit for the days the power is out because you weren't able to use it during that time? Probably not, so why is a cell phone company any different?

And I was not able to use my phone either, it was just as frustrating for me.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

More about Work

My company was bought out. We found this out last week. So now comes the time of waiting to see what is going to happen. It will be a great thing for our customers because once the transition goes through we will be able to provide them with the latest and greatest technology. I'm hoping that it will end up being good for my job also. It's a little nerve-wracking waiting to see what will happen. The final merger won't go through until January at the earliest so I'm trying to adopt the policy of taking it one day at a time.

This on top of the one month at a time mantra we all have. See, in my position I have a quota that I have to meet. This means that I have to sell x number of phones each month to keep my job. I wasn't too worried about this the first three months because I was on a probation period in which they don't count quota (I made it anyway). Now I am off of that probational time and my quota's doubled with me going to full-time. The end of the month is a time when tempers are high and stress levels soar in the "office".

That said, I love my job. I never thought that I would like a sales position but I do. I thrive on the challenge of meeting my goals. And I love knowing that what I do directly affects my paycheck. I have a slightly competitive nature, and I get to set the goals for myself and meet them, or try to. I also enjoying learning about cell phones and the technology behind them. Who would have thought that most problems can be solved simply by shutting your phone off once a day?

I'm probably a bit obsessed, as I was mentioning in my last post. Aaron gets tired of me telling him the cool features on this phone, or that headset and did you know that the latest _____phone can do that?! And on top of this, I'm always pushing him to switch over to us. Sad to say, he is with the competition...

It's good to love my job

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Fireworks and Car Alarms

We went up to Copper Harbor for the fireworks last night. It wouldn't be the 4th up here without going up there... The fireworks aren't the best ever, but they are decent. Last night as soon as the first one went off we heard a "beep, beep, beep" of a car alarm. This went on throughout the entire display. I guess nobody wanted to find out if it was their car alarm. And when the alarm went off on it's own, the next vibration from the fireworks display would set it off again. It was enough to silence the crowd.

I am realizing that one of the side effects of my job is that I now want the latest and greatest phone. My current wishlist tops off with the BlackBerry Pearl. We, as employees, weren't allowed to buy them before but we learned today that we can. It's quite the phone. And would link me to technology in a way that I would never be able to get away from work. That would be the one downfall. Of course I already have a BlackBerry so that wouldn't actually change anything.

Whoops, going off on a tangent that I am sure doesn't interest anyone. My original thought was that I have never had a job where I wanted the products sold. It's a new experience for me. I mean when I worked at the gas station, I needed gas but it wasn't like "OH, I have to have the premium gas and I have to have it now."

Monday, July 2, 2007

St Johns pictures

Here are some pictures from last weekend
Who knows what was going on in this one! The girls went sauna and swim even though the water wasn't that warm...

Internet, flies and thoughts on becoming an aunt

I'm so excited that I have the internet at home now! The guy came and set it up this morning. I had to do some rearranging since the place I had my computer wouldn't work, but it's okay! Such is life.

My apartment has flies in it. I've spent half the morning chasing after the dumb things. Why is it that you can never find them when you have a flyswatter in your hand but everytime you are settling down to enjoy a nice peaceful nap they are right there buzzing in your ear? And of course those are the times that the flyswatter is halfway across the room so by the time you get there that fly is nowhere to be found.

We are having an addition to the family. Kelli and Bryan are expecting. It's pretty exciting news for all of us. I can't wait to be an aunt!