So Sunday we suspended our DirecTv service. It's bsically the same as cancelling, but we don't have to buy a new access card when we want to start it up again- we just have to call them within the next 7 months and say either "keep it suspended" or "reactivate the service". Basically, the storms a month or so ago messed with the dish alignment so we kept losing channels, so we kept watching tv less and less. Finally, Tom tried to go up on the roof to realign the dish (easy, once you're up there) and decided it just wasn't going to happen. He was too uncomfortable on the extension ladder to make it onto the roof, and that was before he found the nest of yellow jackets in the opening of the tube that covers the cable. So, we were left with three choices: call a pro (obviously not a favored option, or we would have done that sooner), pay for a service we're not using, hadn't been using, and really didn't miss, or cancel. I had thought about suggesting option 3 a couple weeks ago, but I just didn't see Tom going for it. Surprise, surprise, it was his suggestion this time. So far, not only do we not miss it, but we feel really good about saving some cash for a few months. And, as a bonus, when Tom took the extension ladder back down to our neighbors (given 2 people who don't like ladders, did you really think the extension ladder would be ours?), the neighbor offered to come align the dish for us- him on the roof, us safely inside to tell when we got our picture back. We told him thanks, but that it would probably be a while before we took him up on it.
Now on to the second portion of the entry- yet another episode of the stomach churning antics of the Drexel whore (her boyfriend's term) I am forced to call my mother-in-law. Tom talked to his mom about the Mannatech on Monday. Of course, being the supportive parent she is, she (according to Tom) starts going on about what a shame it is if family won't support you for something like that. The catch? She was bitching that no one bought Avon or Mary Kay off her. Tom was irritated enough just telling me about it, so I'm glad I was at work. I doubt my two cents worth would have been a smoothing influence. After all, she has 2 sons- like they're going to buy Mary Kay. The few items I tried were either crap or highly overpriced. As far as the Avon, I didn't even buy anything from my own mother, why would I buy from her? The only way I even found out she was selling Avon was when my mom told me- not exactly the way to get customers. But I digress- back to Mannatech.
She didn't want to sell or anything, although when she noticed it was cheaper to buy one of the supplements she's already taking through Tom, she had him order it for her. She still hasn't paid us back for the order, even though she promised Tom to pay him Tuesday, but it just arrived today. I'm leaving it between her and Tom- I have enough issues with the woman without being one of her bill collectors. Even though she wasn't interested, she did remind Tom to talk to his brother. She even did Tom the favor of bitching to Tim about it before Tom could call him. Ah yes, always good when family is supportive. Obnoxious bitch. I don't care if she buys anything or not- neither does Tom- but don't be two-faced about it. I guess she can't help it. Besides, if Tom started to do well with Mannatech, she couldn't refer to us as the "poor" ones. At least we're not bankrupt. I reiterate: Obnoxious Drexel whore bitch.
On a tiny third note, my mom is interested in selling if she likes the stuff she just ordered to help her knees. Right now she's set up as a (paying) customer who can order as she needs/ wants to, and once she's more comfy w/ her finances and gets a couple more things paid, she's going to sign up to sell. I have to wonder if it's just because she's my mom that I think it, or if she really is just that much better or a parent. But that's a whole other entry.
I was going through my emails this morning, and came across 2 odd little bits:
1) Nick and I have now known each other for 50% (him) or more (me) of our lives. Of course, the side piece to that is only Nick would run an Excel spreadsheet to figure it out.
2) Today's horoscope: Financial picture improves, although word has leaked out. There's more, but that's the pertinent line. The irony is that I just recently picked up my little table-top fountain from over at mom's, and, having finally gotten batteries, I set it up last night in what Feng Shui refers to as the prosperity corner of my house. (Water, such as fountains and aquariums, are supposed to be great for activating stagnant energy.) In theory, my financial picture should improve. However, "word" isn't all that leaked out- I had forgotten that this fountain holds more water than it can run with (slow drain), so in the process, about a third of the water spilled over. Am I soon to be flooded in financial abundance? Stay tuned.
We took Will to the zoo today- his second trip, although I think the first he remembers. I really can't even bitch too much about the zoo charging for 2-year-olds, because he really did get a lot out of it. No surprise, but his favorite part was the Cat House- he kept asking if he could go pet the kitties. Actually, a few he wanted to take home, but in all fairness, at least those were the smaller ones. I tried explaining that they had sharp teeth. That just spurred more questions (I think his daily average is 67,001), but at least the various kitties stayed at the zoo with no protests. The highlight of the Cat House was seeing the "kittens". At about 4 1/2 months old, they're barely smaller than the mom, but they really do act like kittens- especially this wild heathen we've adopted. I swear, a jungle cat would probably be calmer, if not for the whole eating the rest of the cats thing (well, Misty might hold her own, or Dia, but the guys would be snacks).
Aside from the Cat House, the highlights were the elephants, the birds (the brighter the better, although the peacocks weren't co-operating), and the water. Yep, the water. Not the fish or turtles or anything else in the water, although they were all ok, but the plain, wet, everyday water. The same water that Will got tired of after an hour or so at the aquarium last week. He was more excited about going to the aquarium (the phrase "I don't wanna go to the zoo" came up several times), but he had a better time at the zoo. With the water. I don't understand kids.
There were 2 water highlights. The first was the orangutan playing with the garden hose (smart critter) to keep cool. I think Will recognized a kindred spirit, because we had to all play with the hose when we got home, at least until Tom got stung by a yellow jacket. The second water highlight was the Cool Zone, complete with overhead mist sprays and a very small wading pool with mist sprays and squirters for munchkins. The only way we got Will away from it the first time was to go see the Cat House and promise that he could come back and play in the water afterward.
Overall, it was a really fun trip. The place was crowded, but not so bad that you couldn't see the exhibits. It wasn't too insanely hot, plus the zoo has a nice mix of inside (air conditioned!) areas to break up the outdoor ones. Will was remarkably well behaved, even when he got hot and tired, and he was happy to be pushed around in the stroller for the longer treks (ie, most of the trip) as long as he could get out to see better if he wanted, and Tom was great about lifting him up. Plus, there was a nice surprise as we were leaving- the peacocks and peahens were all in the flowerbed by the exit with their chicks. Not sure if the chicks were male or female (they're all shades of brown right now), but they really are cute.