Totino's Party Pizza Promise

A few months ago, my friend Jessica blogged about an unfortunate incident involving a Totino's pizza. She got food poisoning and found out through their website that there had been a recall on several of their varieties. Because she was nice enough to update everyone on her own plight, Nate and I were saved from a similar fate. We checked the UPCs and sure enough, we had been sold pizza that was on the recalled list. The website urged us to throw away the entire pizza immediately and send the UPCs back for a replacement coupon. Nate followed half of the these requests (cutting out the UPCs). The pizza, he decided, was just fine for animals, so he was going to leave them outside for any and all to enjoy. Noble, I thought, but disgusting. I questioned Nate's desire to feed the (probably) possum and raccoon combo; wondering if they too could get sick. To appease me, he took removed and threw away the offending meat, and deposited the pizzas outside. It took about a week for them to be eaten, which produced another fear from me..."what are the neighbors thinking about the frozen pizza under my car?" Fast forward a couple of months, and we finally mailed in the UPCs for our reimbursement. I got a letter this past Friday with four coupons for a free pizza each; the letter describing them as follows: "The enclosed product certificates will allow you to replace the product that we asked you to destroy as a precaution". Destroy. We didn't exactly do that; do we still deserve the coupons?

Tires, Costco and L'eggs

I should be reading for my class, but my eyes and brain have grown tired of reading about supervision...so instead, I'll discuss a few events.
Last night, Nate and I decided to visit the YMCA; on our way out to my car, I noticed one of my tires was nigh unto flatness. Nate followed me over to Discount Tire so my car could have a sleepover. We discussed where my car would be most safe. We first considered the front, but I didn't want Carol to be too visible. We then discussed parking it in the back, then I noticed that the dilapidated, vacant Pizza Hut appears to be a favorite spot for graffiti. I'm not expecting everyone to be tempted by a 1998 champagne colored Carolla beyond their control, yet I still wanted a car free from a tag reading "PLAYAZ" or an equally brainless phrase one can see painted on many a freeway overpass. We went for the front of the building and won. I planned on getting a flat fixed, but instead bought two new tires. Ted earns salary and his girlfriend is taking the bar this July, so I was willing to trust him.
Costco is a great store, but it takes so much of our money. Once inside, I'm convinced we could use a plasma screen tv or that I need a purse so nice it is stored in a glass box. Luckily we don't end up buying ridiculous items, but I was really tempted by a 700.00 home gym and the squishy recliner/rocker. There would be no place to store these items, but I'm positive they would make our life better.
My favorite events at Costco are centered on interacting with the older crowd. We've now had three instances, so I feel safe in saying "it happens all the time". A month or so ago, there was a complication at the pharmacy (I forgot I actually had an insurance card to give them!) so we had to wait for a manager to void a transaction. An impatient octogenarian behind us kept eyeing our food as if that was partially to blame for us holding up the line. She fidgeted until she couldn't hold it in any longer: she walked right past us to the other, absent register. When told it wasn't her turn, she acted surprised and sputtered "what is the problem?" (there had been loud discussion of what the problem was) As an aside, the entire time Nate was attempting to take pictures of my face with his camera phone. He explained that there wasn't anything else to do (except embarrass Liz). Today we were in the line placing our items on the moving conveyer belt. The woman ahead of us was getting suspicious...what were we doing? She remained quiet until Nate threw on the case of toilet paper with gusto. "I'M NEXT" she informed him. Nate is not nearly as excitable as I am, so he just looked back at her with no response. In case the checker hadn't heard her, the nervous customer reiterated her previous point. I wanted to push something-either the toilet paper or her, but I took the higher road. It should be noted that these reactions are certainly not specific to older adults; I've seen it happen other times, yet I lack the details.
ps-the "city diner" down the street from us has posted the following on their marquee: "Eggs and Leggs" (some of the "g's" were actually 9's) I wonder--do they now offer pantyhose as a side dish or are their waitresses enjoying a not so modest uniform?

Delilah: Embarrass someone tonight

After class last Tuesday, I ran out to my car (yes, it's that exciting to be released) and got settled for my drive home. I've recently finished listening to General Conference, so now I just listen to whatever. As I drove out of the parking lot, I quickly turned my stereo to "tuner"...I was disappointed, all I heard was static. I should figure that 70 or so miles from home might just have different radio feeds? So why was I disappointed? I didn't realize it until it happened, but I was hoping I could listen to Delilah on my way home. This is a horrible admission, but it must be done. I remember several years ago, my sister encouraging me to listen to Delilah, mentioning that she "played good music". Well fine Ruth, she does.
For those of you not familiar with the set up of the show, I will explain. Delilah excels at finding "just the right song" for anyone who calls in and shares their love situation/problem with said radio personality. Listening as dedications were made to: Jeremy (being an 18 year old girl's savior..."we've been through SO much"; song picked: Blessed Union of Souls "I Believe"), Annie (in a long distance relationship with caller for 6 years, recently broke up-"the most amazing woman alive" song picked:had to go to my visiting teaching appointment before I heard the song) and Craig (ex-husband to caller, divorced because they both cheated on each other, yet she is convinced they are soul mates; song picked: Mariah Carey "Forever"), I felt happy about my life and that I am too embarrassed to call a woman I don't know and spill my love secrets. Another night as I listened, Delilah threw out a theme for her callers "Do you have anyone in your life that has betrayed you, been deceitful, and hurt you deeply? Call me and we'll get through it" Okay, I'm glad she is willing to help, but does anyone really need to be encouraged to discuss their (mostly) strange relationship dynamic? Answer? YES.
Next week will be my last week of class (that I will be driving to Michigan for) until about July, so I'm currently trying to figure out how to keep Delilah alive...I mean, what if I miss Nate's dedication??

Easter pictures...a week after

New Hair

No more Josh Groban!

Kegs and Eggs

I cringe at the title, but it must be done. St. Patrick's Day has come and gone, but tonight I remembered I hadn't shared how mine began. As I tried to pull myself out of a sleepy haze, I decided on black pants and a black and white shirt. Few people see me during the day, so I didn't care much how I looked; because of the state I found myself in, wearing green was the last thing on my mind; who really can get away with pinching a 27 year old female? Anyway, because I had class the next day, I stopped at Costco to fill up my car with liquid gold. While I was filling up, the gas shack person yelled over to me "ARE YOU GOING TO WORK OR ACROSS THE STREET". Um. By this point I still hadn't registered that her question had anything to do with the holiday I had forgotten. I said "nope, unfortunately just going to work". She says, “Bill (guy in delivery truck) invited me to go across the street to Arnie's for 'Kegs and Eggs'". So many of her words were foreign to me, but I think I pretended well. (Apparently Kegs and Eggs starts at 6:00am with beer and eggs in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. (I challenge you to think of a more disgusting combo). The shack girl explained, "ya, I went to that the year I turned 21...I was passed out before noon!" As the weather gets warmer here, I try to think of fun things Nate and I can do; if I can get bar stories at Costco, who needs Arnie's anyway?

Springtime for Hitler

Our week in review:

-I started my newest class (Career and Vocational Counseling) in a learning center that is a whopping 20 minutes closer to my house. It's odd to me that it really shaves that much time off my drives, but it really does and I'm happy about it. I'm not quite sold on the class though. Last Tuesday night, I arrived on time and I didn't get lost so I considered it a good omen. I also sat by a women who immediately was willing to chat with me about the upcoming course. It wasn't until class actually started that I saw that my chatty friend is also a bit flighty. Halfway through class, she turned to me and asked me if I had and/or had seen her phone. Phone theft is a good way to make friends, but I really hadn't this time, so I quietly told her no. Class continued (the instructor is most likely brilliant, but she is unwilling to email her students a copy of her powerpoint presentation; her explanation for her quick manner of lecturing: "this is in the reading". No kidding; why are you forcing me to read all of it? At the end of class, the instructor, noting some of the dirty looks as a result of the quick lecture, asked if anyone had any questions. My friend raised her hand and said "Okay, I had my phone right HERE; I went up to the front of the room to turn my paper in, and now it's gone". So, perhaps phone theft isn't a great way to meet friends, but neither is accusing an entire classroom full of Master's students? A resourceful classmate offered to call her phone, to see if we could find it. Moments later, the girl's bag started to buzz. "OH OKAY, HERE IT IS". The case is solv-ed.

-This week Toledo enjoyed more than 2 days of sunshine, which allowed a significant amount of snow to melt. I was almost convinced spring would arrive soon. Nate and I celebrated the arrival of the warm weather by talking a walk in the local park. Our celebration should have been held on Friday, because today we have been without sun. It was still nice to get out, get some sorely needed exercise, and put the scarf Ruth gave me to good use; we were frozen when our hour was up.

-Nate and I dedicated this morning to what was labeled "Spring Cleaning". I didn't go through a single drawer, or make a single pile for the DI/Goodwill, but we did manage to clean the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom (complete with vacuuming)*, so we'll call it whatever we want.

*these activities are sometimes rare, please be impressed

-This week I was (once again) deeply impressed for the need for me to continue my education. Some could say, "that just means your job sucks"*, but I say it's an opportunity for me to appreciate the sacrifice Nate makes to work hard at school, along with my own sacrifice to attend school. This will mean that I can leave said job at an undetermined time somewhere in the future. Some people like to get through a job by looking forward to vacation time, I like to look forward to something a little more permanent.

*true

-I kept thinking this would be the week for more babies for the Harrison fam-and while for health reasons I hope the girls don't come yet, I am getting really anxious for a Liz II and Liz III. Those were the names you agreed on, right Jim?