My rip-off report

I have come to the conclusion that car shopping as a single woman is not fun. I've done a lot of "guy jobs" on my own (thanks to a patient Dad who let me watch him fix things and also showed me how), like change my car brakes, caulk a bathroom shower, fix a broken VCR back when people actually had "tapes"...I even have a tool box and can name all of the tools in it :-) I enjoy being independent, but not when I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I'm not saying everyone I've dealt with is out to rip me off or is lying. I like to believe that most businesses and their representatives are for the most part honest. But here are some of the claims I've come across in the past couple of weeks:

Salesman: "The check engine light is on? Oh that's weird. They must have bumped the switch when they were detailing it."
Me (in my head): "Does he really think I believe there is a check engine light switch?"

Salesman: "This is your out the door price ($3500 over the asking price). It only includes tax, our doc fee, and title and registration."
Me: "Then what's this $400 fee?"
Salesman: "Oh, that's required by law. It registers the car with the police in case it gets stolen."
Me: "What law is that? I have insurance if my car gets stolen."
Salesman: "Oh, well I don't know. I'll ask my manager."
Me: "Ok. Well what's this $150 fee?"
Salesman: "Oh that's the maintenance fee. I guess I can scratch that."
Me: "And what's this random $300 fee?"
Salesman: "Oh, that's required by law too."
Me (in my head): "Tax, our doc fee, title and registration, and over $1000 in bs fees."


Salesman: "We're actually losing money on this car at the price we listed."
Me (in my head): "Really? So you're just giving cars away now?"

Salesman: "Utah tax is 7.5% for cars."
Me: "Really? The DMV said in this county it's 6.75%. How are you charging extra tax?"
Salesman: "Oh, that includes our doc fees."
Me: "So that's a separate doc fee from this other $300 doc fee?"
Salesman: "Let me ask my manager."

Sorry shady salesguys, I've done my research! It's funny to see how they respond when I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about. They always have to "ask their manager." Oh well. Until I find something at the right price, I guess I'll just have to show them that blonde and female does not always equal stupid :-)

New favorite talk

Occasionally I get on lds.org at work and read the First Presidency Messages. Last week I stumbled across this one by Elder Uchtdorf and I have to say it's exactly what I needed to read and I highly recommend it!

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/07/always-in-the-middle?lang=eng

This is my favorite quote from it:

"Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us. We are always in the middle."

I love that idea!

Don't judge me, but...

I've been taking Zoey to day care.

I just feel horrible leaving her alone all day when I'm at work, especially since the commute adds another hour and a half to the amount of time she's by herself. When I move I can go let her out and play with her during lunch, so it won't be bad then, but for now I've been dropping her off at Ruff House in Orem on my way to work. (The picture is one they took of her and put on their facebook page.) I was nervous that she'd be miserable because she has such separation anxiety when I leave the house, but she LOVES it! She loves playing with all the other little dogs. It's so cute when I pull into the place she immediately starts jumping around and getting excited. She doesn't even look back at me when I drop her off! Then when I pick her up she falls asleep on the way home because she's had fun playing with her little friends all day. It's worth every penny to me to know she's not lonely and bored all day long and is having fun and socializing with other dogs. I know how this probably sounds, but what can I say? She's my baby :-)

First Half Marathon!

So for a variety of reasons I have not really posted much (or at all) lately but I have had a lot going on that would be fun to document, so I will get started. I did my first half marathon in June! It was a lot of fun! We had to be at the buses at 5:30 AM and I was so worried I wouldn't wake up in time that I kept waking up in the middle of the night. Anyway I made it no problem and it was so much fun! I'm so glad I did it. I hadn't done a ton of training so I was just concerned with finishing but I was proud of myself that I didn't even stop to walk until the 10 mile point, and then it was just for the length of a song. Anyway I'm glad I did it. Next up is the Halloween Half down Provo Canyon, so I'll need a costume!

Self Defense!

So, Trent taught a self-defense class for his ward and it was really interesting! He did a great job and I learned a ton! I learned how to get someone off of me from a full mount, avoidance techniques, getting out of a headlock, gouging eyes, shopping for a taser, etc etc. Just things all women should know!

Longest. Week. Ever.

Easter was just a week ago but it feels more like a month! It was fun though...I wish I had taken some photos. Trent and I went to my Aunt Stephanie's house, and it was fun to catch up with all the cousins and aunts and uncles and see my grandparents. I do miss my family but I love having extended family around. Then we went to Trent's parents' and had an Easter egg hunt with his cute nieces and nephew. His family really does make me feel like one of them. They are all so sweet and a lot of fun! This has been such a long week. I think partly because we had our big yearly conference at work, which meant very long hours. The plus side was that it was in downtown SL this year, so I didn't have to drive 40 minutes like I usually do. It was actually pretty fun...I was in charge of writing a few of the executive speeches, so I had to make sure their presentations were set and make any changes to the speeches as needed. We were working long hours getting those set up but it was fun. It was also fun to see all of the different cultures that were there. Next year it will be in Hawaii! Woo hoo, can't wait. I really feel blessed to have the job that I have!

Congratulations!

My little brother Zach got engaged a few weeks ago. His fiance Brittany is adorable and they are so cute together. Here is a photo of them at the Bombay House, where we went a few weeks ago:



They are getting married in Dallas in July. I'm very happy for them! Brittany is a lucky girl and she is marrying one of the funniest, most easygoing, caring people I know. I have so many funny and happy memories of Zach growing up. He has always been a wonderful brother and friend. I love that he lives close. We go and get fro yo all the time after work and catch up...that better not change! :-) Well, I guess Brittany can come now too ;-)

As a funny side note, everyone is asking me if I'm "ok"...maybe because I'm 31 and the last one in my family (even behind my baby brother who I used to babysit) to get married? I'm very happy for them!

And here are me and Trent at the same place and time:



<--Look how cute he is!

A Word of Caution....

So, I Often leave online reviews for places of business I visit. Some good, some bad. Well, I left one last year for a company that I took my broken laptop to. He diagnosed the wrong problem then charged me for his mistake and took a whopping $28 off the bill. That's it. Said he was 99% sure the problem he fixed would take care of it, but it didn't at all. All he said was that I was the 1%. So...because of the horrible customer service I experienced, I left a 1-star review that said it wasn't a good or honest business to work with because he fixed the wrong part and charged me for it. All true. Well the owner literally hired an INVESTIGATOR to track me down and wrote a letter to my new home address asking me to contact him. Included copies of my invoice and bill even though i had zero problem with the pricing. So I emailed him reiterating my beef with his company, then told him it was upsetting and off-putting that he tracked me down. Well, then he emailed a little bit later referencing where I grew up, where I went to college, and made it known he knew where I lived through an investigator because he's going to file a defamation charge against me. He then copied and pasted some arbitrary definitions of "slander" from a website saying I fit all the criteria. LOL! If he had an attorney, he needs to get a new one...preferably one who understands the difference between "libel" and "slander." Anyway, obviously he creeped me out. He was very insulting and rude and clearly didn't know what he was talking about. He prob got on ehow and looked for "How to sue someone for defamation" without actually knowing that no matter how rude a review is, if there's any truth to it he can't win. lol. But anyway, I talked to several defamation lawyers in Utah, showed them the email threads and documents and review, and they said not only was I completely within my legal rights and nothing I said was libelous, but I had a strong harassment case against him. I also talked to the police, who told me to file a police report if he said anything to me again. I'm temped to just leave the review up and tell him good luck, since he won't win, but it's not worth my time and I could care less. Also who knows what length he'll go to.

Moral of the story? Be careful what online reviews you leave, because there are psychopaths out there who will track you down!

Fitness Bucket List

I saw this idea somewhere, can't remember...probably Pinterest, anyway I thought it was great. A bucket list of fitness goals! (Both large and small) I think one of the best ways to stay in shape is to keep setting goals and working towards them.

So here is my bucket list...I'm sure I will add to it as time goes on:

- Do an unsupported handstand
- Learn how to do a cartwheel (it's pretty embarrassing that 3-year-olds can do them but I can't)
- Run a full marathon
- Run a half marathon (signed up for the American Fork Canyon Half in June!)
- Climb a mountain
- Take swim lessons
- Swim with dolphins (Check! Did this in the Bahamas!)
- Do a figure competition
- Scuba dive
- Kayak in Hawaii
- Do yoga on the beach
- Jump horses (I've actually done this, but I'd like to do it on a regular basis)
- Try all the fitness classes at the gym
- Use a bicycle regularly in the summer
- Run a Ragnar
- Compete in a triathlon
- Maintain my size 0-2 the rest of my life

Well that's a start...with so much to work towards there's no excuse not to work out!

Spring Is Coming!

I checked the weather forecast and was so excited to see that it's going to be in the high 50's and sunny all this week! (Except for snow on Tuesday...lame) I'm so unbelievably excited for sunny, warmish weather. These are the things I'm most excited about:

- Tennis. I love to play tennis! Trent got me new grip for my racket for Christmas and I've been waiting to try it out.

- Walks with Pudge. I blame myself for Zoey's winter weight. We used to go on long, long walks and she used to just run laps around the court when Trent and I played tennis a few times a week. Now, I am outside only long enough for her to do her thing then it's right back inside. I'm looking forward to taking her on actual walks.

- Not having to warm my car up. Not that I ever do, because I don't want it to get stolen, but I love the idea of getting into my car and not shivering for the next 5 minutes.

- Gardening. I want to plant a little patio garden this spring, and some herbs.

- Longer days. I am actually very anti daylight savings. We never had it in Indiana and we all got along jusssst fine. But I am looking forward to longer days.

HOpefully I am not getting ahead of myself and this is going to be one of those "springs" that snows until June!

Car Woes

So this is my car. (well, one of them) Cute huh? Looks like a fun car to drive right? While I have enjoyed having it, I think this car has been more trouble than it's worth. Last night, I was happily driving home from work, playing some tunes, when suddenly it started dropping from 75 mph. I pushed the gas, nothing. So I had to pull over in rush hour traffic. It would start but wouldn't go...very strange. I had it towed and am still waiting on the diagnostic, but here's the fishy thing...it has been running perfectly. Never had any mechanical problems (except one when it was under warranty) until yesterday, when I had my oil changed and my rear differential fluid replaced. Not sure if that had any effect on it, but it just seemed weird that the first time I ever had any problem with it was when they messed around back there. So who knows. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's not going to cost me an arm and a leg to fix.

And now that I'm on the subject, here are some gripes I have with it now that I've had it for a couple years:

1) No one sees it. It's so low to the ground that it's easy to overlook, which is why I've been hit by not one but 2 SUVs (on the freeway, no less). I was also rear-ended but that wasn't the size of the car's fault...

2) It's loud. I don't know if this has to do with the fact that it's a convertible or that it's been hit 3 times (they never drive the same after an accident...sigh) but it seriously sounds like I'm on a motorcycle if I'm trying to talk on the phone and drive at the same time.

3) It's TINY. I knew this going into it. But it's kind of annoying sometimes when my car will only fit a couple grocery bags and a 12-pack of diet coke. And my little dog. But that's about it. There is no trunk space to speak of since the gas tank and the top are the only things that fit. At least I'm never the one that they ask to drive anywhere :-)

It's been the perfect single girl car, but as those days are coming to a close, I think maybe my next car will need to be a little bigger.

Week in Review

In the spirit of online journaling, I am blogging an overview of my week. It wasn't horribly eventful, but there were some things that stood out:

1) I witnesssed a crime in progress! Saw this guy steal a cop car on my way to the gym. I watched him from the light and thought, "Huh. That's a weird cop uniform. It's all tan and he has a beanie." Then i read about it on ksl the next day.


2) Got some new running shoes. Love the Nike Frees. I've heard great things about them so I bought them and broke them in with a 5 mile run. Now I'm a believer! I got pink and black too...so me.


3) Pudge got a haircut! Sad to see the bangs go but I think this is for the best. She's skinny again!


4) Got released. so I'm no longer a RS teacher. I was kind of sad about it but what can you do? Hopefully something else is in store soon. I really enjoyed it while it lasted though.

Pudge

Ok, her name is Zoey. But between the extra fluff that comes from needing a haircut (see left) and a little bit of winter weight, we are now calling her Pudge. All in good fun. Isn't she sweet?! I usually have her groomed every 8 weeks but I'm kind of loving her hair long like this, esp the bangs!



And here we have Pudge rolling in style in the front seat (and the only seat, i guess) of my car. She's been so good lately, we took a trip to Petco tonight where she got a new plush orthopoedic dog bed (?) and a treat. I love my baby girl!

Valentine's Day!

So Trent really came up big yesterday! He had all sorts of cute surprises and it was a perfect night! Here we are at dinner...we went to Oasis Cafe in SLC. Very romantic. They also gave us our astrological compatibility chart. It was fun.





I also came across this the other day that I thought was sweet. It's been floating around the internet:

"Today I was in Hallmark buying my mom a Happy Birthday card when I noticed an old man standing in front of the Valentines card section, contemplating which one to get. I asked him, “Are you getting a Valentine’s Day for your wife?” To which he replied, "No my wife died 3 years ago from breast cancer but I still buy her roses and a card and bring them to her grave to prove to her that she was the only one that will ever have my heart."




Awwww!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've always loved Valentine's Day! And ironically, I can only recall a few of them where I was actually in any kind of relationship. Regardless, I love the idea of celebrating love...not just romantic, but love in general. I love the hearts and the cupids and the cards and the flowers and seeing how happy and giddy everyone else gets over it.

Well...maybe not everyone. Valentine's Day seems to bring out the bitter, the grumps, and the people who just want to whine for the sake of whining. Examples of real comments/facebook posts I've come across today (keeping in mind that it's only 1 pm):

- "Happy Stupid Holiday...I mean Valentine's Day."
- "I'm going to go to work every day so I can pay the bills this month; that's my Valentine's Day present to my wife."
- "Valentine's Day is rediculous."
- "It's just a Hallmark day to make money." (Nerd side note: It goes waaaay back before Hallmark Days...it's actually been celebrated around the world for centuries, and Chaucer--who wrote Beowulf and is one of the most famous poets in all of English literature--is the one who made it a romantic thing.)
- "Being single in Utah sucks. Being single in Utah on Valentine's Day sucks even more."

So why does it tend to bring out the bitter in so many people? I completely understand that there is nothing fun about wanting to be in a relationship or trying to get over a breakup, but it seems like the people who get so bent out of shape about it are the ones who can't imagine being happy single. It reminds me of some advice I overheard once in college. A girl was lamenting not being married yet (at 21! lol!) To which my friend Jimmy turned to her and said, "You should be happy in all stages of your life."

For some reason, this really resonated with me. From that point, I decided to be happy in ALL stages of my life. Not to say that was always easy, esp when my friends starting getting married, then started having kids, then starting to send their kids to school, then turning 30...you get it. Of course I wanted those things too, but in the meantime I made it my goal to do everything that having a husband or children would keep me from, or at least delay, and then I went out and either got them or did them -- I bought a home, a little convertible that fit just me and my dog, traveled, started grad school, took tennis lessons, etc. I also decided to make myself the kind of person that someone would WANT to be with and develop qualities that would be helpful when I had a family, like learning how to cook and manage money or being more patient. And in the process of doing all these things, I happened to meet someone special.

So, from what i've noticed, it seems to me that once people stop looking for love or stressing about being single and instead start living a full life, great things start to happen :-)

Off to the races...

Spring and summer are just around the corner (thank GOD. Even though this winter has been ridiculously mild so I can't complain) and you know what that means! Time for some runs! I picked up running awhile ago to lose and keep weight off and I have fallen in love with it. It's a time to clear my head, listen to some tunes, and get a good workout all at the same time. I have been researching upcoming races online and just registered for the American Fork Canyon Half Marathon. It will be my first half that I actually complete (I think I registered for one a couple years ago and ended up sleeping through it. Such dedication) so I'm excited for it. Not to mention the course will be stunning...see?



I got a little too excited I guess because I also signed up for the Thanksgiving Point 5k in April, mainly because the course goes through the Tulip Festival and they have the prettiest gardens! I can't wait to run through this (should probably load up on the Claritin first though)


I like doing these races and try and do a 5k or two every year...it's good motivation to stick to a running schedule.

Year In Review...

This past year (2011) has been very eventful for me. To summarize:

1) About a year ago, I met this guy:

His name is Trent. Quite simply, he is the man of my dreams. He is smart, handsome, funny, sensitive, sweet, caring, dedicated, hard-working...I could go on and on. He is a police officer, EQ president, and no joke, good at everything he does but always so humble. I'm really, really, really lucky to have him. I cut myself out of the top picture (taken in Indianapolis when we went to visit my family in Dec) because I looked hideous, but this one is us on New Years Eve:



2) Moved to Salt Lake City. Yes, Utah County wasn't really doing it for me. I am about 10 years older than the average resident and I was really getting tired of the whole scene. So, to be closer to Trent and to try something new, I rented out my house to some awesome renters and headed north. I have always wanted to live in the downtown of a large city, and Salt Lake is a good start. I love my little apartment and I love not having roommates.

Here is a stock photo of where I live (mine looks a lot like this, just all hardwoods)



3) Started a new job. A few years ago, I lost what was a really good job shortly after purchasing a home and buying a new car. I spent the next two years scrambling to make ends meet in a bad economy with contract jobs and a lot of freelance. Luckily I was able to keep my home and everything, and a few months ago I was offered a new job (in Provo...right after I moved, lol) that has proven to be an amazing opportunity. I work as the senior writer for a company that makes healthcare products. I work from home two days a week, have an awesome boss, fun coworkers, and a salary that is double what I was making at the job I lost. I couldn't be happier.

This is where I work. I love it.


4) Started grad school. Very exciting! I applied and got accepted to the Master of English program at Weber State. It's a little bit of a drive, but I'm excited to be working towards my master's and for the additional education and doors it will open up for me.

5) Started a business. It's still in the works, and it's not exactly up and running yet, but I started a business that I've been working on tirelessly for the past couple years. My brother Andy is helping me, and I am really encouraged and excited about it. It's legal and organized right now...all I need now are customers! More about what it is and what I'll be doing when I actually find some clients :-)

So these are the big highlights from this year. I'm excited to see what this coming year will bring!

Guess who's back...back again...

Yep...back again! I guess I take about a year-long hiatus or so between blogs, but I really need to do better. Not so much because I have scads of blog followers eagerly awaiting my next post, but just because I like to look back on life and see how far I have or haven't come. Anyway, here's to a New Year's resolution to be better with my journal!