Last week Amanda took Madelyn grocery shopping and as kids do Madelyn kicked off one of her shoes. Not just any old shoe but one from a set that Amanda was quite pleased with. Teva shoes that she found at a thrift store for about 10% retail price. Amanda noticed the missing shoe before she exited the store but could not locate the rogue agent, so she left word at the lost and found desk.
Later that night the store called letting Amanda know that the shoe was found and to just come pick it up in the next few days.
Amanda went to pick up the shoe and lo and behold they had thrown it away because apparently sometimes they just ditch the lost and found items, even if someone has claimed them.
Bummer
28 April 2010
25 April 2010
Counting by 17's
In case you didn't hear I started a blog that's less family oriented and more "Tom" oriented, you'll find it at countingbyseventeens.blogspot.com
Growing Up
Madelyn is growing up, I'm torn about that. I'm looking forward to having a relationship with her, one where we can discuss life, one where we can go on expeditions around the world, one where she chooses to share life with me, her papa. I don't want to give up the little girl aspect though, one where she falls asleep in my arms, one where she giggles when I tickle her ribs, one where she gets so excited that her arms flap and she gets a big grin when she sees come in to get her from her crib.
13 December 2009
Look Alike?
So...we've been trying to decide...
does Madelyn look like Amanda...
...or does she look like Tom?
What do you think?
does Madelyn look like Amanda...
...or does she look like Tom?
What do you think?
11 December 2009
What makes me tick - part 1
We are going through a personality profiling at work with the intention of trying to identify what makes each of us tick. The theory goes that by knowing what makes each person tick the productivity of the office will increase and the satisfaction level of each person will increase.
Amanda laughs at me because I'm not very patient with "what makes Tom tick" questionnaires. She likes to point out that when we were newly married she tried to get me to take the Briggs - Meyer (or is it Meyer-Briggs) personality test to which I got frustrated with the questions halfway through and refused to complete it. I suspect that the test designers have a category for my type of person. In general I don't like questions that either a) don't account for context or b) are stupid.
Seemingly the questions are of the following nature
Which one of the following do you like
a) Puppies
b) Pizza
c) Winter
d) Football
Can't I just answer "Yes"?
The personality profiling that I'm involved with at my office takes the approach of "tell me ten stories about yourself" (within certain parameters) and then they'll tell me about myself based on themes within the stories I picked. The stories don't need to be very long, just a quarter of a page or so. I don't know how well this will work, we will see, I'm usually fairly skeptical.
Fun for you readers I'm planning on writing out the ten stories that I pick, maybe you all can tell me about myself based on the stories.
My first story is one that I don't actually remember. I have been told the story on enough occasions to have conjured up a "memory" but I suspect that this "memory" is not real.
The story takes place when I was young. I don't know how young but I was living in Arizona so I must have been less than 4 and it involves counting so I must have been old enough to count. Now that we know that I don't know how old I really was, and now that we know that I don't really remember this event happening though I do remember being told about the event, I will describe it to you in full conjured memory.
The story goes that when I was young I would take my collection of hotwheel cars, line them up along the fireplace hearth (which in my conjuring existed and was comprised of dark full size bricks, placed in the corner of the room with black wrought iron fireplace tools and paneling on the walls, in reality a fireplace in arizona?) and count them from first car through last car (with the total being in the 100's) and then I would take the first car put it at the end of the line and then count them over again. This activity would apparently keep me entertained for a long time.
Now that I've confessed that I really have no recollection of these events, perhaps one of my parents are reading and can give some clarity to this set of events.
p.s. no spell check or grammar check used. Why? Because I'm lazy!
Amanda laughs at me because I'm not very patient with "what makes Tom tick" questionnaires. She likes to point out that when we were newly married she tried to get me to take the Briggs - Meyer (or is it Meyer-Briggs) personality test to which I got frustrated with the questions halfway through and refused to complete it. I suspect that the test designers have a category for my type of person. In general I don't like questions that either a) don't account for context or b) are stupid.
Seemingly the questions are of the following nature
Which one of the following do you like
a) Puppies
b) Pizza
c) Winter
d) Football
Can't I just answer "Yes"?
The personality profiling that I'm involved with at my office takes the approach of "tell me ten stories about yourself" (within certain parameters) and then they'll tell me about myself based on themes within the stories I picked. The stories don't need to be very long, just a quarter of a page or so. I don't know how well this will work, we will see, I'm usually fairly skeptical.
Fun for you readers I'm planning on writing out the ten stories that I pick, maybe you all can tell me about myself based on the stories.
My first story is one that I don't actually remember. I have been told the story on enough occasions to have conjured up a "memory" but I suspect that this "memory" is not real.
The story takes place when I was young. I don't know how young but I was living in Arizona so I must have been less than 4 and it involves counting so I must have been old enough to count. Now that we know that I don't know how old I really was, and now that we know that I don't really remember this event happening though I do remember being told about the event, I will describe it to you in full conjured memory.
The story goes that when I was young I would take my collection of hotwheel cars, line them up along the fireplace hearth (which in my conjuring existed and was comprised of dark full size bricks, placed in the corner of the room with black wrought iron fireplace tools and paneling on the walls, in reality a fireplace in arizona?) and count them from first car through last car (with the total being in the 100's) and then I would take the first car put it at the end of the line and then count them over again. This activity would apparently keep me entertained for a long time.
Now that I've confessed that I really have no recollection of these events, perhaps one of my parents are reading and can give some clarity to this set of events.
p.s. no spell check or grammar check used. Why? Because I'm lazy!
10 December 2009
Winter Wonderland
We have finally been introduced to old man winter. I was beginning to wonder if he had up and died. If that would have been the case you might have seen me deteriorate into a long funk. After talking a little it with old man winter I found out that he was just getting more forgetful and that he hadn't looked at his calender in a good three months, time had progressed quicker than he thought.
Now that old man winter is finally here I want to celebrate! Yesterday I celebrated by breaking in the snowshoes that I purchased at an REI event last spring. They sat lonely in the corner of the garage all summer long yearning for the day when they would touch the brilliant crystals of fresh snow. I strapped them on and walked the two miles to and from work. With the winter gear that I've been collecting over the past couple of years the jaunt to and from work was perfectly fine. In fact, with the gear and with the working out inherent to snowshoeing I was soaked in sweat both when I got to work and when I got home.
The only problem with snowshoeing to/from is that the snow wasn't deep enough in all of the places causing a little blunting of the teeth. If any of you want to play in the deeper snow let me know and we can set up a snowshoeing date!
27 November 2009
Thanksgiving
Madelyn, Amanda and I went to Thanksgiving dinner with some friends of ours at their parents house. We ate and played and played and ate again until we got our quota of 3000-7000 calories (estimates vary). Madelyn did fairly well most of the day, had a few fussy times but also chatted with people a little bit. Towards the end of the day she started getting over stimulated and over tired. She slept all the way home, woke up for a minute when I accidentally hit the alarm button on the car remote (while the car was parked in the garage causing the sound to echo), transferred to her crib with no problem and is still sleeping now, 10 hours later (though she did scoot down to the opposite end of her crib).
I came to the realization the other day that in a decade I'll have a pre-teen girl, yikes! I came to the realization on the same other day that when the pre-teen emerges I'll have to start reading pre-teen girl books for research, to ensure that I have a slightly better clue where she's coming from. Whatever the new craze is then, like Twilight is now, I'll need to be up on. Yikes!
While watching ESPN I saw an example of the type of legacy I want to leave behind. The story involved John Wooden, the basketball coaching legend for UCLA. He was married to his first love Nell for 53 years (she died in 1985). In 2003 when UCLA wanted to honor him by naming the basketball court after him he declined unless they would also put Nell's name on the court. When UCLA accepted John declined again unless Nell's name came first on the court. So, now the court is named the "Nell & John Wooden" court.
I came to the realization the other day that in a decade I'll have a pre-teen girl, yikes! I came to the realization on the same other day that when the pre-teen emerges I'll have to start reading pre-teen girl books for research, to ensure that I have a slightly better clue where she's coming from. Whatever the new craze is then, like Twilight is now, I'll need to be up on. Yikes!
While watching ESPN I saw an example of the type of legacy I want to leave behind. The story involved John Wooden, the basketball coaching legend for UCLA. He was married to his first love Nell for 53 years (she died in 1985). In 2003 when UCLA wanted to honor him by naming the basketball court after him he declined unless they would also put Nell's name on the court. When UCLA accepted John declined again unless Nell's name came first on the court. So, now the court is named the "Nell & John Wooden" court.
25 November 2009
Frustrations (repeated)?
To air one frustration and one analysis of people's illogical nature, perhaps one or both of these have been "aired" [via blog] before.
Subject 1 : Insurance
Amanda and I have been dealing with insurance on a dental exam for going on 14 months now. It's not a terribly large sum but large enough that I'd prefer to have insurance pay for it, particularly when I'm paying for the insurance. This time however it's not the fault of the insurance, it's the fault of the dental office who seemingly refuse to submit the claim to insurance. Both Amanda and I went in for a routine cleaning in September 2008 to the same dental practice. We submitted the co-payment and insurance cards and went on our merry way. The following day Amanda realized she gave the wrong information and went back to the dental office and provided updated info.
Fast forward to February/March 2009, I receive a bill stating that I have an outstanding balance so I logged on to my insurance provider and saw that they had paid the remaining balance promptly [prompt is relative when you're dealing with insurance] so I called my dentist back and told them what I found to which they responded that even though the balance outstanding was for "Thomas" it really was for Amanda. Amanda called up her insurance and sure enough they had no record of a bill by the practice. Amanda provided her insurance information to the dentist office again and went on her way.
Fast forward to August 2009, I receive a phone call stating that I have an outstanding balance. I explained that I've paid and they say "Oh yeah, Amanda has an outstanding balance". Amanda checked her insurance and sure enough nothing has ever been submitted. Fed up Amanda tried to submit on behalf of the dentist and the insurance says that they'll pay but they need the service codes. Armed with the document stating such Amanda went back in to the dental office and explained what they need to do (basically send this form in with a few numbers attached".
Fast forward to today, we received a letter from the dentist saying that we have an oustanding balance and they've exhausted all of their options with insurance and that we need to pay "or we're dead" [ok, they [probably] didn't say that but neither of us could read the writing and it could say that]. Amanda checked in with her insurance and guess what, the claim has never been submitted [except for the one that Amanda tried to do on their behalf]. The dentist did send a claim form but ut had Amanda's original [old] data, apparently the three times Amanda went in to tll them "that's old information, use this new information" hasn't quite sunk in.
The person was a decent dentist but all of this back and forth has prompted us to find a new one.
Subject 2 : Wheel of fortune [il]logic. Why is it that when someone knows the puzzle and they spin one more time they don't always call the letter that is represented more in the puzzle? If you know that there is 1 'N' and 3 'Cs' and you're going to solve after this spin ... pick C!!!
Rant is over - if you don't hear from us anymore after this, check with our former dentist...
Subject 1 : Insurance
Amanda and I have been dealing with insurance on a dental exam for going on 14 months now. It's not a terribly large sum but large enough that I'd prefer to have insurance pay for it, particularly when I'm paying for the insurance. This time however it's not the fault of the insurance, it's the fault of the dental office who seemingly refuse to submit the claim to insurance. Both Amanda and I went in for a routine cleaning in September 2008 to the same dental practice. We submitted the co-payment and insurance cards and went on our merry way. The following day Amanda realized she gave the wrong information and went back to the dental office and provided updated info.
Fast forward to February/March 2009, I receive a bill stating that I have an outstanding balance so I logged on to my insurance provider and saw that they had paid the remaining balance promptly [prompt is relative when you're dealing with insurance] so I called my dentist back and told them what I found to which they responded that even though the balance outstanding was for "Thomas" it really was for Amanda. Amanda called up her insurance and sure enough they had no record of a bill by the practice. Amanda provided her insurance information to the dentist office again and went on her way.
Fast forward to August 2009, I receive a phone call stating that I have an outstanding balance. I explained that I've paid and they say "Oh yeah, Amanda has an outstanding balance". Amanda checked her insurance and sure enough nothing has ever been submitted. Fed up Amanda tried to submit on behalf of the dentist and the insurance says that they'll pay but they need the service codes. Armed with the document stating such Amanda went back in to the dental office and explained what they need to do (basically send this form in with a few numbers attached".
Fast forward to today, we received a letter from the dentist saying that we have an oustanding balance and they've exhausted all of their options with insurance and that we need to pay "or we're dead" [ok, they [probably] didn't say that but neither of us could read the writing and it could say that]. Amanda checked in with her insurance and guess what, the claim has never been submitted [except for the one that Amanda tried to do on their behalf]. The dentist did send a claim form but ut had Amanda's original [old] data, apparently the three times Amanda went in to tll them "that's old information, use this new information" hasn't quite sunk in.
The person was a decent dentist but all of this back and forth has prompted us to find a new one.
Subject 2 : Wheel of fortune [il]logic. Why is it that when someone knows the puzzle and they spin one more time they don't always call the letter that is represented more in the puzzle? If you know that there is 1 'N' and 3 'Cs' and you're going to solve after this spin ... pick C!!!
Rant is over - if you don't hear from us anymore after this, check with our former dentist...
19 November 2009
Random Tidings of Today
To follow are my random tidings for today. Apparently this is more interesting for me to write about these than to write about events in my life. Note that that doesn't mean that these are more exciting than events in my life, just that they're more exciting to write about.
First random tiding is the sesquicentennial anniversary of the unsolved/unproven Reimann Hypothesis. If you are smart enough to figure out how to prove it you could earn a cool million. Good luck, your time starts ...... now!
Second random tiding is that it's sad to be a kid these days. Up until today I used to think that I wished I were a kid today instead of 20 years ago, primarily because toys are much cooler now than when I was a kid. Granted, kids can't have play time now that's not structured and coordinated but the toys are cooler. The final straw in determining now vs. then was laid when the post office decided to not pass letters to santa along to the north pole. We've been to the North Pole, it was 20 minutes from where we lived. Candy cane shaped light posts, etc. We're even going to take Madelyn there in a month when we visit, but poor Ralphie can longer write and ask Santa for an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. What a sad day for kids everywhere.
Last random tiding is that the Levi Johnston kid makes me ill. Yuck. I'm not saying that in-laws (or almost in-laws) are a piece of cake but come'on kid.
First random tiding is the sesquicentennial anniversary of the unsolved/unproven Reimann Hypothesis. If you are smart enough to figure out how to prove it you could earn a cool million. Good luck, your time starts ...... now!
Second random tiding is that it's sad to be a kid these days. Up until today I used to think that I wished I were a kid today instead of 20 years ago, primarily because toys are much cooler now than when I was a kid. Granted, kids can't have play time now that's not structured and coordinated but the toys are cooler. The final straw in determining now vs. then was laid when the post office decided to not pass letters to santa along to the north pole. We've been to the North Pole, it was 20 minutes from where we lived. Candy cane shaped light posts, etc. We're even going to take Madelyn there in a month when we visit, but poor Ralphie can longer write and ask Santa for an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. What a sad day for kids everywhere.
Last random tiding is that the Levi Johnston kid makes me ill. Yuck. I'm not saying that in-laws (or almost in-laws) are a piece of cake but come'on kid.
18 November 2009
All about the world
This posting is a representation of a variety of things that I've been thinking about or that have popped up that I want to comment about. No general continuity except that they've all passed through the filter that is Tom's brain. It's a scary filter indeed but if you're going to read this posting I thought you'd best know. In my line of work we have a lot of disclosures attached to documents so that clients can know what they're signing up for, well, now you know what you're signing up for.
I've decided to run a marathon (note that "run" doesn't mean "run" it means "get through") so today's tidbit in the Wall Street Journal regarding mega-marathoners piqued my interest. Apparently there's a whole sub-culture who collect marathon finishes. Some of these crazy people have logged more than 1000 marathons. To put that in perspective that's a marathon a week for twenty years. I'll be lucky to complete one!
On a sad note, flooding in Atlanta has caused a nationwide shortage of Eggo waffles. I don't actually remember the last time I had an eggo waffle but a shortage of them just makes me sad.
On a happy note, UAF has come up with a promotion to weed out the wimps and to embrace the cold. Answer a few questions and get a hat that says "&@*! Right it's Cold". Time to embrace the cold! It's the middle of November and we are still in the 50's here in Minnesota, we're not weeding out wimps here just yet. What happens if there's no snow and ice for ice fest in Sandstone in a few weeks? There are the type of things I have to think about.
On a Madelyn note, the last few days she has been fussing as soon as I pick her up and when she goes back to momma she calms down. I don't remember pinching her! I did learn yesterday that she had her first jealous fit. Amanda and Madelyn went out to a mall with a friend of hers who has a 6 month old boy. Apparently when they were in the elevator another person came in with an 8 month old (or so) girl and when the 6 month old boy started looking at the 8 month old girl Madelyn started bawling.
I've decided to run a marathon (note that "run" doesn't mean "run" it means "get through") so today's tidbit in the Wall Street Journal regarding mega-marathoners piqued my interest. Apparently there's a whole sub-culture who collect marathon finishes. Some of these crazy people have logged more than 1000 marathons. To put that in perspective that's a marathon a week for twenty years. I'll be lucky to complete one!
On a sad note, flooding in Atlanta has caused a nationwide shortage of Eggo waffles. I don't actually remember the last time I had an eggo waffle but a shortage of them just makes me sad.
On a happy note, UAF has come up with a promotion to weed out the wimps and to embrace the cold. Answer a few questions and get a hat that says "&@*! Right it's Cold". Time to embrace the cold! It's the middle of November and we are still in the 50's here in Minnesota, we're not weeding out wimps here just yet. What happens if there's no snow and ice for ice fest in Sandstone in a few weeks? There are the type of things I have to think about.
On a Madelyn note, the last few days she has been fussing as soon as I pick her up and when she goes back to momma she calms down. I don't remember pinching her! I did learn yesterday that she had her first jealous fit. Amanda and Madelyn went out to a mall with a friend of hers who has a 6 month old boy. Apparently when they were in the elevator another person came in with an 8 month old (or so) girl and when the 6 month old boy started looking at the 8 month old girl Madelyn started bawling.
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