I Attract the Crazies Part II

So if you read my first post about my wonderful experience at the Color Me Mine in 4S Ranch in Rancho Bernado, here is a little update. On Sunday, my mom asked for my receipt so she could go pick up the items at Color Me Mine for me. I really did not want to see that lady again. Anyway, I got the receipt for her. I also found the original receipt that came with the giftcard. My mom decided to visit a different Color Me Mine store in Carlsbad this morning. She had them swipe the card and here comes the shocker; there is $15 on that card!!! Anyway, my mom explained to the lady at the new Color Me Mine what had happened in Rancho Bernardo and she told my mom that they had problems with that particular lady. By the way, she was the owner of the store. However, I do know that she has a partner. I would like to write a letter either to her partner or to the Color Me Mine corporate office.

Southern California Fires

I am sure most of you know by now that southern California is fighting around 16 fires now. My dad was evacuated around 6am on Monday morning and my mom was evacuated around 7am Monday morning. My sister in laws parents were also evacuated around 4am Monday morning. Her parents neighborhood was hit hard. However, their home is still standing. They were able to return to their home somtime this afternoon. My mom was able to return to her home yesterday, Wednesday, October 24th. However, my dad is still not allowed to go home. However, he was able to finally go and see his area last night. His home is still standing. The fire burned all the way up the hill by his driveway. However, as he said the firefighters saved those homes in the area. We are so grateful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost their homes. I cannot imagine the grief that they feel. We hope the fires can be contained soon. The news says that it may take until November 4th to get in under control. Madison's school is shut down today (Thurday) and Friday due to poor air quality. The fire in Fallbrook (10miles or so) down the road is leaving a blanket of smoke and ash in our area. They have canceled all games (including the BYU vs. SDSU) for the weekend. I know it will be a long road ahead, but hopefully things will be under control soon.

I Attract the Crazies!!!!!

I am not sure how many of you have been to Color Me Mine before, but this was the first time I went. Madison got a gift card for her birthday for $15 (last year) and the one by us had closed down. So last Friday, I decided it would be a fun outing to go. We went to the one in 4S Ranch in Rancho Bernardo. Before going, I had looked on their website. It said that there was a $6 studio fee for each child and that you could paint items that were as inexpensive as a few dollars. So I invited my mom and Krystal to come. I figured this activity would cost me around $12 for the studio fees and around $4 or $5 total for Maddy and Audrey to paint some small item. (Total for the day $16-$17). So we made the trip down there (35minutes). When we got there, I was looking around and there was nothing under $15 and then you would have to pay the studio fee. Hello $42 for ceramic items. If you know me, you know that I don't like clutter. These items would of definitely constituted clutter. Who wants to pay $42 for clutter or junk in this case. So I asked the lady where the less expensive items were. She looked at me very snooty and said, "What less expensive things?" So I then told her that her website had said that their were items as inexpensive as a few dollars to paint. And here goes the dialogue

Lady: What website were you looking at???

Me: Your website

Lady: (tying on her computer) Well I have my website up and I don't see anything like that on here.

Me: I found it under Frequently Asked Questions

(She clicks on it and I point to where it says items to paint as inexpensive as a few dollars)

Lady: Well we will have to get rid of that. I do have these misc things that are around $10 in the back.

Me: Can we see those?

Lady: (brings them out) Here is a bug that is $7 and here is a set of 3 unicorns for $19.50 Here is a mermaid. It is normally ten, but I will give it to you for $9.

Me: (thinking in my mind) wow, don't go too crazy. Okay, we will take the mermaids.

So for the next hour, we spent the time painting the mermaids. The girls had a fun time. Allison chose a bug to paint. They all seemed to have fun, but the items still didn't seem like they were worth the price. They were going to cost around $15 a piece. So after they had finished, I went to pay.

Lady: That will be $32.32.

Me: I have this giftcard with $15 on it. ( I had showed her the giftcard when we came in).

Lady: (she swipes the card) There is no money on there.

Me: I have never used this card. There is $15 on it. (I have the receipt at home) Could you swipe it again?

Lady: No, it costs me money every time I swipe the card.

Me: Well, I think there must be something wrong because there is $15 on the card.

Then I explained how we had come down from Temecula to use this gift card and that I really didn't want to pay $32.32 for the small mermaids. I told her that her website was misleading and that the items were overpriced. She didn't seem to appreciate my comments.

Lady: We don't cater to the Temecula Crowd.

Me: Well, I am sorry if I am not rich enough for this area. However, I know that there is money on that card.

Lady: Well, I discounted the mermaids for you already

Me: By a dollar. I am just thinking that for good business you would let me just pay for the one mermaid.

Lady: Do you know that I pay $5000 a month for rent here.

Me: I am sorry but I still don't think the $16 will hurt you. I am sure those mermaids did not even cost a dollar to buy.

After much bantering back and forth, she finally agreed to let me pay for the one mermaid.

Lady: That will be $16.16

As I handed across my American Express, she tells me they only take visa and mastercard. I hand her my mastercard.

Lady: (swipes the card and in the most snotty voice possible) That was denied.

Me: There is no balance on that card. Here try it again

Lady: Denied.

Me: Well, you can try my visa card

Lady: (throwing it back on the counter) Denied

Me: I know there is no balance on that card.

I hand her my check card

Lady: Denied

Me: I am sorry, but there is something wrong with your system. That is my check card and I know that I have money in my checking account. It is a little funny that it would not read my gift card, or three of my credit cards.

Lady: There is nothing wrong with my system. It is your cards and every time I swipe them it is costing me money.

I finally handed her cash and walked out. My mom and I then went to lunch. After lunch I was loading up my car and she came out.

Lady: (again in a very snotty voice): How do you like your escalade?

I had walked away while she was asking and so my mom answered for me. The nerve of some people. In retrospect, I probably should not of been asking for her to give me the one mermaid for free, but I knew there was money on the card and I did not want to spend $32 on junk items. I will say that the most offensive thing she said was that they don't cater to the Temecula crowd as if we are trash for living in Temecula. Anyway, that was my fun experience at the Color Me Mine. I don't think I will return there ever.

Drew's 2nd Birthday at Disneyland

Happy 2nd Birthday Drew

I can't believe that two years have passed by so quickly. Drew, we are so grateful and happy that you are a part of our family. I honestly cannot imagine life without you. You are always so happy and enjoyable to be around. If ever I am not in a good mood, your smile just melts my heart and I can't help but smile too. You are the best. You are talking so much now. A short list of what you can say: ball, mom, dad, Maddy, Audrey, Nana, Ally, Cole, Dan, Krystal, shoes, shirt, pants, milk, water, no, poppa, outside, slide, swing, Ryan, Nate, car, train...the list goes on and on. You also love to count: one, two, three and then jump into our arms (sometimes when we are not looking). You are so fun to have around. We are so grateful you are part of our family. On your birthday, we took you to Disneyland. Along with Mom, Dad and sisters, your Nana, Aunt Krystal, Ally, and Cole joined us. We also were able to meet up with your cousins, The Rees, from Utah. It was a fun day. I think your favorite ride is the carousel. We look forward to all the fun times we will share with you. We love you!!!!!!

Bates Nut Farm-October 5th 2007

An Amazing Summer 2007