Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Running and Beer

August has been quite the 'off month' when it comes to exercising (OK, let's face it, July too) . It's been depressing because I see what I've worked so hard for, slipping away at break neck speeds. Yesterday I committed to myself that I WOULD work out no matter what. So when a friend IM'd me at around 8:30 a.m. to see if I wanted to run the local Jack Quinn's Tuesday night 5K. I said 'yes'. God knew I might possibly back out of my commitment to work out but if someone was expecting me, I would do it.

I knew this run would be nothing to write about (let's just say this is only the 3rd time I have exercised all month) so that's not what I m writing about.

This was my first run with this group and I was blown away by how many people where there to run. I think we got passed by like 45. But what completely floored me is the packed out bar when we got back, of people who had just run 3.1 miles and were downing beer like it was water.

I don't get it. But whatever.

I will be going back to run again (there are several ways I can improve from last night's run). After 10 runs I get a white running T-shirt. Many people wore theirs on their run last night. They might have regretted that at the end when we were hit with a down pour. Colorado weather?

Yet another thing I don't get it. But whatever.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I Decided

A townhome, on the east side, with a two car attached garage, in a gated community.

I made an offer but the home is a short-sale and I will likely hear nothing for 30-60 days. Being a 'short' sale does not mean things will move quickly (I originally thought that is what the short part of that meant). Short sale means the bank will be losing money. In my case the lower listing price (and what the bank has said they will take for this house) is why I can afford the place.

I mulled over the whole having a yard thing vs. paying a huge monthly HOA payment and as I thought about what I'm passionate about, what energizes me, what I currently love to spend time doing...none of it came back as 'yard work'. Huge monthly HOA it is then.

I love this townhome and I hope it will be mine but I'm well aware that I might possibly wait 2 months for the bank to tell me 'no'. If that is the case then I will move on and trust that God has something else in store.

Stay tuned.

Buddy Walk

My cousin, John was born with Down Syndrome. When he was born I knew little about what that was. I still know very little, except that every person I meet who happens to have Down Syndrome is super sweet. John is no exception. He has his moments of course but doesn't every child?

Every year the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association hosts a 'Buddy Walk'. Over 1,000 people came out this year including my parents (they made the trip from Iowa and brought Grandma along too). Its always a fun day and always a reminder that no matter the disability someone has they can still laugh and love. The Buddy Walk is one of the most fun events in town.


Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Sometimes I'm Stupid

I'm a sucker for 'free'. I also try to see things from every angle and not get duped into what I thought was free, only to get frustrated when I'm charged for something. Unfortunately I was dragged in to a new 'free' offer that has so far cost me $240. I'm ashamed to even post this for you to know how stupid I can be but on the slim chance you were going to try the same thing...hopefully this would save you from experiencing my dilemma.

It all started with one of those Internet ads that runs along the side of my email and Facebook pages that I normally IGNORE. This day I was feeling particularly vulnerable and I clicked. I read a woman's blog about how she lost all kinds of weight in like 6 weeks and it was because of these two 'magic' supplements. The first one sounded like an interesting option it was Acai Nutraburst. The acai berry s all the rage right now so I thought, 'why not'. The second supplement this woman swore by was called Power Cleanse. Personally I believe the body has all it needs to cleanse properly and that colon cleanses are not necessary but this sight was offering me both for 'free'. I read the sight carefully making sure I knew exactly what I was getting into. Then when I advanced to the next screen to enter my info I was told I would need to pay for the shipping and handling. This was my first clue that this was not legit. I immediately hit the box to close out of the sight. A message pops up saying they want to cut the shipping and handling price in half so I'm only paying $2 each for the supplements. I wanted to continue to close out, walk away and never look back. But I didn't. I caved.

Fast forward to last week Wednesday, I'm on-line checking out my bank statements and I see a charge for $74 and a charge for $81...to the two companies I had received my 'free' supplements from. I called immediately. One phone number didn't work...panic mode, I was going to have to change my credit card number. The second one I finally got a hold of and they informed me that because I did not send back the unused portion of the supplement or call them within 15 days of receiving it I had agreed to purchase the supplement. What? In what language had that fine print been, that I NEVER saw. I assured them this info was not on their website and "Why does it not tell me that extremely important detail ANYWHERE on the order confirmation I received with the supplement?" I'm about to cry. HOW could I have been so stupid. Eight days later I have a charge from the 1st company that I have yet to get hold of and again I'm thinking I have to change my credit card number.

My bank credited my account for all the charges and are going to 'investigate' my dispute. I'm afraid I'm going to be stuck paying most of the charges in the end but I first have to write letters to my bank explaining everything I have done to remedy the issue.

I'm frustrated because I know this company did what the did on purpose and probably get loads of money from vulnerable woman wanting yet another option for slimming down. I'm not condoning the usage of pills for such a goal but these seemed different to me. I hate that there are people who do business like this and ALL the work I have had to go through to try to 'fix' this stupid problem.

I know I did a dumb dumb thing. I'm glad my bank sees that it was a mistake and wants to help me and I'm using this post as a reminder to myself and if at first I feel like it's a scam of some kind, I'm probably right.