Mattress Firm has been on an advertising rampage about when to buy a new mattress. I'm sure you've heard it..."If it's over 8, it's time to replace!" Well, I bought my mattress in 2000, so guess what?
In reality, my mattress wasn't really 12 years old. It was just me for most of that time, and I rotated and flipped it on a fairly regular basis. And it was comfy, comfy, comfy... until I moved it downtown. I swear, the moving of it did something to the springs, because ever since it was set up downtown, I could feel it's age. So sad.
Eric and I realized awhile ago a new mattress was in our future. When we first started talking about buying one, we thought about the Sleep Number bed since we like different firmnesses. We even wandered into one of the stores once, long before we were ready to thin about buying. We liked what we felt, but the one we would have liked was nearly the priciest they had! It's the standard bait and up sell - the one they advertise is not the one you want!
Naturally, we progressed to the Temperpedic option. One of the nice things about traveling a lot (I used to, he still does) it that a lot of hotels have these beds, so you do get to test drive them. But it's also a hotel room, which never has the same climate conditions as your home, or even your desired sleeping conditions. So it's still a bit off. But more importantly, we learned from people who had them or looked at them. HUGE factor in us NOT going that direction was the fact that it can get hot! I'm a VERY hot sleeper, so this would not work well!
So finally, we figured a standard, inner spring mattress would have to work. We needed something new and the other options just weren't panning out. So, (surprise surprise) off to Mattress Firm we went!
If you haven't bought a mattress in awhile, you'll be surprised at some of the new 'technology' that is out there. The biggest is the fact that they've finally figured out a way to construct the mattress so you don't have to flip it. Yay! Plus, there's all sorts of innovative foams and padding that help keep you cool, have 'memory', and have denseness zones for support. We were both pleasantly surprised by the customer service, too... from entering the store through delivery (they gave us pillow mints when they left!). Even the post delivery phone call! The salesman wasn't pushy, but was full of knowledge (not just a sales pitch, but actual knowledge). It was worth going there just to become more informed.
So Saturday, we finally did it - we bought a new mattress. Ended up with a Simmons Beautyrest, if anyone cares. And it was delivered yesterday and my old mattress was hauled off. It was a good mattress. But I can't wait to get this new mattress broken in with some non-back aching sleep!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Political Vent
Okay. So I laid it right out in the title. It's time for a political vent. I'll try to keep it short.
I will never vote for someone who was 'bred, born, and raised here, and now raising my own family here' type of politician. Unless they have some decent stint where they did not live here. Nothing is wrong with never leaving you're hometown... unless you're a politician.
The arguement of 'they know best for their consituents since they've lived here' is BS. How can you know what's best if you don't even know what else is out there? That's just called living with blinders on. If you haven't lived soemwhere other than where you live now, how can you possibly know something won't work better? Taking trips to see things in other communities/states/countries doesn't cut it because, quite frankly, you have to live it!
And while it's hard, if not impossible to do, the same goes with taxing people and health care and the like. Very few people have llived on the both the low end and high income sides of the tax bracket to really know how the other side fairs. So I can't expect someone to have experience on both side there. But healthcare? Don't bash a nationwide healthcare plan unless you've had bad (or NO) insurance! I see these ads with politicians, many of which are lifetime politicians who've had some amazing healthcare, saying they want to 'repeal obamacare' as one of their main platforms. Well of course you don't think it's fair and want it repealed - you've never had to deal with a crappy plan that covers nothing or complete lack of plan! While it may not be perfect, it's a start! Don't repeal it, work with it! We NEED something like that because healthcare has gone crazy in this country!
Okay... I'm done. For now. I just see more and more stupid pilical ads on TV... stupid politicians.
I will never vote for someone who was 'bred, born, and raised here, and now raising my own family here' type of politician. Unless they have some decent stint where they did not live here. Nothing is wrong with never leaving you're hometown... unless you're a politician.
The arguement of 'they know best for their consituents since they've lived here' is BS. How can you know what's best if you don't even know what else is out there? That's just called living with blinders on. If you haven't lived soemwhere other than where you live now, how can you possibly know something won't work better? Taking trips to see things in other communities/states/countries doesn't cut it because, quite frankly, you have to live it!
And while it's hard, if not impossible to do, the same goes with taxing people and health care and the like. Very few people have llived on the both the low end and high income sides of the tax bracket to really know how the other side fairs. So I can't expect someone to have experience on both side there. But healthcare? Don't bash a nationwide healthcare plan unless you've had bad (or NO) insurance! I see these ads with politicians, many of which are lifetime politicians who've had some amazing healthcare, saying they want to 'repeal obamacare' as one of their main platforms. Well of course you don't think it's fair and want it repealed - you've never had to deal with a crappy plan that covers nothing or complete lack of plan! While it may not be perfect, it's a start! Don't repeal it, work with it! We NEED something like that because healthcare has gone crazy in this country!
Okay... I'm done. For now. I just see more and more stupid pilical ads on TV... stupid politicians.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Empowerment
So I've have quite a few meetings with various City/Government officials (from different cities) in the past month. Most of them for work, but there's been some personal requests/meetings in, as well. Going into at least half of them(probably more), I felt like I was going into a fight. I'd get all amped up and ready to throw it all on the table. I get there, staying calm, and whoever I'm meeting pretty much rolls over.
It's giving me an ego! These meetings aren't supposed to go this smoothly!
A few have been in a City notorious for their use of the word "No!" The last one with them I fully expected to have to fight for our client because of one of the comments in their review letter. Once we got face to face, the reviewer essentially said, "that's okay if you can't do that. We just like to ask."
WTH??
Most recently was a personal mission for me (and my neighbors... but mainly me). We're (I'm) trying to get residential parking only on my block due to the increased levels of, let's call it business patron traffic, parking in our neighborhood, leaving those of us who live here no place to park. This does not make me a happy girl when I have to park way down the street. I have this thing where I like to see my car from my house. (Crazy! I know!!) So I had a meeting with the guy who initially said 'no' to our petition (because that's what they're supposed to do, apparently - push back) and another official who's been trying to help me along the way. He was amazingly open minded and ultimately appreciative of our need for this! He stopped just short of saying "done deal"... of course, he doesn't have final say, and that may be why he was so open to it all - he's still just the middle guy. But it was really an easy meeting!
These meetings are making me feel empowered... like I can take on any government official that likes to say 'no!'
But ultimately, all these meetings are intermediate meetings. The final say on all of them are down the road. So my ego may be deflated a bit yet. But it'd be nice to get some stuff done for once without that nasty little two letter word at the end of it all!
It's giving me an ego! These meetings aren't supposed to go this smoothly!
A few have been in a City notorious for their use of the word "No!" The last one with them I fully expected to have to fight for our client because of one of the comments in their review letter. Once we got face to face, the reviewer essentially said, "that's okay if you can't do that. We just like to ask."
WTH??
Most recently was a personal mission for me (and my neighbors... but mainly me). We're (I'm) trying to get residential parking only on my block due to the increased levels of, let's call it business patron traffic, parking in our neighborhood, leaving those of us who live here no place to park. This does not make me a happy girl when I have to park way down the street. I have this thing where I like to see my car from my house. (Crazy! I know!!) So I had a meeting with the guy who initially said 'no' to our petition (because that's what they're supposed to do, apparently - push back) and another official who's been trying to help me along the way. He was amazingly open minded and ultimately appreciative of our need for this! He stopped just short of saying "done deal"... of course, he doesn't have final say, and that may be why he was so open to it all - he's still just the middle guy. But it was really an easy meeting!
These meetings are making me feel empowered... like I can take on any government official that likes to say 'no!'
But ultimately, all these meetings are intermediate meetings. The final say on all of them are down the road. So my ego may be deflated a bit yet. But it'd be nice to get some stuff done for once without that nasty little two letter word at the end of it all!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Race for the Cure 2012
Another sign the year is flying by - Race for the Cure has now come and gone! I know I keep commenting on how fast the year is going by, but it really seems to be going fast this year! Anyway...
This morning was the Race for the Cure. Thanks to everyone who supported me this year, despite the silly controversy that happened earlier this year. It was just that - silly. And no reason to stop supporting this great organization. So again, thank you. If you didn't donate, you still can for the another month, just go to my donation page and click though. They fell about $600k short of their goal this year because so many people backed off because of the controversy. Not cool.
So the Race itself. It was COLD! The temp was in the low 40's, feeling like the 30's! There's been races like this before, though - you just layer up! Which I did. The changed a lot of stuff us this year due to construction in the area. To start, they normally have two staging areas - one on the IUPUI campus and the other at Military Park... this year, it was all in Military Park. But I kind of likes it better that way. Then the race course itself was changed, actually impacting downtown traffic a little more. Not sure why the changed the route up, actually - might have been bridge work. Not really sure though. I actually like this route better - it takes you by Victory Field and the capital building, which is nicer scenery than the old GM plant.
So despite it all, most of us kept on through the controversy and, overall, the day went without a hitch. I always love seeing all the get-ups people wear as part of a team... or individuals. I hope things get back to normal next year, though. This used to be one of the largest RftC events in the nation... there were about 10,000 less people this year, though. Again, not cool. But they still have my support.
This morning was the Race for the Cure. Thanks to everyone who supported me this year, despite the silly controversy that happened earlier this year. It was just that - silly. And no reason to stop supporting this great organization. So again, thank you. If you didn't donate, you still can for the another month, just go to my donation page and click though. They fell about $600k short of their goal this year because so many people backed off because of the controversy. Not cool.
So the Race itself. It was COLD! The temp was in the low 40's, feeling like the 30's! There's been races like this before, though - you just layer up! Which I did. The changed a lot of stuff us this year due to construction in the area. To start, they normally have two staging areas - one on the IUPUI campus and the other at Military Park... this year, it was all in Military Park. But I kind of likes it better that way. Then the race course itself was changed, actually impacting downtown traffic a little more. Not sure why the changed the route up, actually - might have been bridge work. Not really sure though. I actually like this route better - it takes you by Victory Field and the capital building, which is nicer scenery than the old GM plant.So despite it all, most of us kept on through the controversy and, overall, the day went without a hitch. I always love seeing all the get-ups people wear as part of a team... or individuals. I hope things get back to normal next year, though. This used to be one of the largest RftC events in the nation... there were about 10,000 less people this year, though. Again, not cool. But they still have my support.
Monday, April 16, 2012
What is Wrong With the World Today?
Is it just me, or are things getting seemingly more out of whack every day? I find myself shaking my head about things way too often.
For starters, what's with all the school employees sleeping with students?? Is this an Indiana thing, or is this happening elsewhere in the country? On the increase, even. I can think of at least 10 case in the past 6 months here... the latest being a Vice Principal. It's both men and women, both straight and gay, and in all cases, just weird! While no one wants to blame the kids, you have to in some cases... some of these teenagers think they're way older then they are and while the adult in the situation should damn well no better, have you seen how some of these 'kids' act??? I have no doubt some of these case were pure 'seduction for a cause'... IOW, they the kids wanted to get the adults in trouble and knew they could.
Then we jump over the healthcare. We were recently switched to an HSA, which I already despise! Not so much because of the lack of coverage (you pay for everything up front - no co-pays!), but because you realize how outlandish healthcare costs really are! How can a single dose of a generic prescription drug cost over $30?? A SINGLE DOSE!! I think if more people were on HSA's, you'd hear more outcry towards all the medical companies (drug makers, insurance, etc) like you do about the big oil companies! THEY ALL RIP YOU OFF!! I think the entire nation needs an overhaul on what's needed and ALL salaries need to be adjusted back to realistic numbers! NO CEO needs to be making multiple mullions of dollars! They try to claim the cost of the drugs are what's needed for research and development... don't put that on the consumer - let your all mighty CEO front the buck if it's such great research and development that will cure the world! If he feels it's going to be something, he should have NO PROBLEM fronting the money for "R & D" since he'll surely make that back in reasonable sales. But lately, all I see coming out of drug companies are things that have WAY too many side effects!
Finally, petty thieves. We've had a few things stolen from our backyard. Not things you notice right away, but when you do, you have a "WTF?!" moment. A few years ago, it was a cast iron tub. A CAST IRON TUB!! And it had a hole in it, so we were planning on planting a herb garden in it. It happened something through the winter because come spring, when we were ready to plant, it was gone! That took a coordinated effort to steal - way too heavy for one guy! More recently, a wheel barrel disappeared! With a flat tire. Yet all the scrap metal we have from the bathroom renovation and cleaning of the basement goes untouched, so if they're stealing for the metals, they're not helping us out any. Even more petty and stupid - a friend had her TEMPORARY car tags stolen, bolts and all, right off her car. Sure, I'm guessing they were going on a stolen car, but I'd think the temporary tag (which CAN be ran through the system in Indiana) would draw more attention that an actual tag.
Okay... I've gotten the stupid stuff off of my chest. Be warned, our primary election is next month, so I'm sure some political venting will be coming soon to a blog near you!
For starters, what's with all the school employees sleeping with students?? Is this an Indiana thing, or is this happening elsewhere in the country? On the increase, even. I can think of at least 10 case in the past 6 months here... the latest being a Vice Principal. It's both men and women, both straight and gay, and in all cases, just weird! While no one wants to blame the kids, you have to in some cases... some of these teenagers think they're way older then they are and while the adult in the situation should damn well no better, have you seen how some of these 'kids' act??? I have no doubt some of these case were pure 'seduction for a cause'... IOW, they the kids wanted to get the adults in trouble and knew they could.
Then we jump over the healthcare. We were recently switched to an HSA, which I already despise! Not so much because of the lack of coverage (you pay for everything up front - no co-pays!), but because you realize how outlandish healthcare costs really are! How can a single dose of a generic prescription drug cost over $30?? A SINGLE DOSE!! I think if more people were on HSA's, you'd hear more outcry towards all the medical companies (drug makers, insurance, etc) like you do about the big oil companies! THEY ALL RIP YOU OFF!! I think the entire nation needs an overhaul on what's needed and ALL salaries need to be adjusted back to realistic numbers! NO CEO needs to be making multiple mullions of dollars! They try to claim the cost of the drugs are what's needed for research and development... don't put that on the consumer - let your all mighty CEO front the buck if it's such great research and development that will cure the world! If he feels it's going to be something, he should have NO PROBLEM fronting the money for "R & D" since he'll surely make that back in reasonable sales. But lately, all I see coming out of drug companies are things that have WAY too many side effects!
Finally, petty thieves. We've had a few things stolen from our backyard. Not things you notice right away, but when you do, you have a "WTF?!" moment. A few years ago, it was a cast iron tub. A CAST IRON TUB!! And it had a hole in it, so we were planning on planting a herb garden in it. It happened something through the winter because come spring, when we were ready to plant, it was gone! That took a coordinated effort to steal - way too heavy for one guy! More recently, a wheel barrel disappeared! With a flat tire. Yet all the scrap metal we have from the bathroom renovation and cleaning of the basement goes untouched, so if they're stealing for the metals, they're not helping us out any. Even more petty and stupid - a friend had her TEMPORARY car tags stolen, bolts and all, right off her car. Sure, I'm guessing they were going on a stolen car, but I'd think the temporary tag (which CAN be ran through the system in Indiana) would draw more attention that an actual tag.
Okay... I've gotten the stupid stuff off of my chest. Be warned, our primary election is next month, so I'm sure some political venting will be coming soon to a blog near you!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Just Us Girls
So in my meanderings throughout the web, I've found various survey panels and test market panels to partake in. Some are more active than others, some are more involved, and some give you a bit of everything. CrowdTap is one of those such panels. They ask basic questions, get you involved with questions about certain brands, and even throw out a fun little way to test a product.
Recently, I got to enjoy one such 'testing', and it involved shopping, so that made it fun!! PLUS, I got to invite friends to go with me! Doubly fun! One of the brand panels I joined was the Old Navy Style Council. This particular review was called "Give Some Love to Your Bottom Half" and my friends and I all got to have a little shopping spree, try on some new styles, and walk out with a FREE pair of shoes and a FREE pair of pants/shorts/skirt/etc! How cool is that??
We got there right after work Thursday and while we were waiting for everyone to get there, the rest of us started filling up our carts. It's amazing how much the 80's really are back, mainly with he colors. There's all sorts of neon and the coral. Coral is HUGE again! Then there's the knits. knitted tanks, knitted tops... not quite sweater-like, but very reminiscent of the 80's! The fact that they were playing 80's music on the Muzak probably helped that feeling.
After we loaded up our carts, we headed to the dressing rooms for our own little montage. 
The linen and gauze stuff they have made us feel very beach worthy. The shoes were the big winners that night, though... so many cute styles and colors! It was nice to see such a selection over the typical flip-flop wall! I will likely get myself another pair, even!
After our little shopping spree, we went next door to this trendy restaurant called Late Harvest Kitchen that I've heard so much about. It has a daily changing menu based on the local fresh food available. Wow! That's all I can say! Excellent food and a great atmosphere! And an even better way to end a great night with my girls!
Recently, I got to enjoy one such 'testing', and it involved shopping, so that made it fun!! PLUS, I got to invite friends to go with me! Doubly fun! One of the brand panels I joined was the Old Navy Style Council. This particular review was called "Give Some Love to Your Bottom Half" and my friends and I all got to have a little shopping spree, try on some new styles, and walk out with a FREE pair of shoes and a FREE pair of pants/shorts/skirt/etc! How cool is that??
We got there right after work Thursday and while we were waiting for everyone to get there, the rest of us started filling up our carts. It's amazing how much the 80's really are back, mainly with he colors. There's all sorts of neon and the coral. Coral is HUGE again! Then there's the knits. knitted tanks, knitted tops... not quite sweater-like, but very reminiscent of the 80's! The fact that they were playing 80's music on the Muzak probably helped that feeling.
After we loaded up our carts, we headed to the dressing rooms for our own little montage. 
The linen and gauze stuff they have made us feel very beach worthy. The shoes were the big winners that night, though... so many cute styles and colors! It was nice to see such a selection over the typical flip-flop wall! I will likely get myself another pair, even!After our little shopping spree, we went next door to this trendy restaurant called Late Harvest Kitchen that I've heard so much about. It has a daily changing menu based on the local fresh food available. Wow! That's all I can say! Excellent food and a great atmosphere! And an even better way to end a great night with my girls!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter
Proof the year is going by extremely fast... Easter has come and gone!
Eric and I hosted another very nice Easter at our house this year. Kelly and Kimber came over with all four kids, and of course Eric's parents came over, as well. I'm not sure why it's taken us so long to figure out that if the Wii is out and available, the kids will entertain themselves. It always seemed like they got rather bored, rather quickly, with the limited amount of toys we had on hand. 
Granted, today was a rare exception of nice weather for Easter, so they were actually outside for quite a bit playing good ol' fashioned hide'n'seek! Luckily we snapped a family photo before all the hyperactivity got started.
We had our traditional lamb with some fresh sides and dessert. I like that we do lamb... something a little different from the norm and always something to look forward to. And once again, with the kids at their own table, it gave us adults a nice meal to catch up over. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a nicer Easter.
Hope everyone out there had a nice Easter, as well!
Eric and I hosted another very nice Easter at our house this year. Kelly and Kimber came over with all four kids, and of course Eric's parents came over, as well. I'm not sure why it's taken us so long to figure out that if the Wii is out and available, the kids will entertain themselves. It always seemed like they got rather bored, rather quickly, with the limited amount of toys we had on hand. 
Granted, today was a rare exception of nice weather for Easter, so they were actually outside for quite a bit playing good ol' fashioned hide'n'seek! Luckily we snapped a family photo before all the hyperactivity got started.We had our traditional lamb with some fresh sides and dessert. I like that we do lamb... something a little different from the norm and always something to look forward to. And once again, with the kids at their own table, it gave us adults a nice meal to catch up over. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a nicer Easter.
Hope everyone out there had a nice Easter, as well!
Friday, April 6, 2012
With All Due Respect...
Let me start by saying that I full respect all police officers, whether they be local or state or what ever. But lately, I can't help but wonder if, at least locally, they're not stepping up to they full capabilities since there's budget issues. Or something else maybe??
This is why I'm starting to wonder... there have been two cases in the past month where a common civilian solved they're own case after reporting something to the police. One's kind of a major deal... a friend of mine sold his car for a decent penny, only to find out the cashiers check was bogus... AFTER his car was long gone. He was smart enough to have a copy of the guy's ID (with a wrong address, and possible name, of course) to show police and the police even commented how they had been after this guy for awhile, but haven't been able to track him down. But this was little comfort to my friend, as his entire future was put on hold since he, essentially, lost a huge chuck of change. But he wasn't content to take it for what is was. Long story short, he found his own car and got it back! And how did he do this? He Googled it! The police were no where near finding his vehicle.
Case number two, and this one, while not quite as major, actually hits home a little more. Our neighborhood has seen an increase in gang tags showing up on everything from transformer boxes to curbs. We have one neighbor who gets a little edgy about this, more than your typical city dweller that sees this all the time. Indy has a 'Gang Task Force' within their police department, so they have people that focus solely on stuff like this. At least you'd like to think this. So initially, pictures were taken and sent to them. Not sure what they did with those pictures, maybe just put a mark next to our neighborhood for the number of sightings. This wasn't good enough for our neighbor. He did a little research online himself about the specific tags he saw. Guess what? He found the guy's FACEBOOK PAGE, where he had pictures of his tags in the area and was bragging about them! So maybe they didn't catch him in the act of spraying the tags, but they damn well can tell who it is and now who to watch. Maybe they already knew the guy, but then why are new tags so easily showing up still??
Don't get me wrong... I know there's a lot out there for the police to do. But I find it odd that there are two cases, both so close to me, that were solved by the very people that reported them. And police wonder why so many take the law into their own hands... it gets done faster, it seems!
If someone can explain this to me, please do. Is there too much red tape? Is it truly a budget thing? Are they that overloaded? I mean, the technology being used to find his stuff is right there, at everyone's fingertips. There was no stakeout. No one was in harm's way in the process. Just a computer and some keywords to search. Done.
This is why I'm starting to wonder... there have been two cases in the past month where a common civilian solved they're own case after reporting something to the police. One's kind of a major deal... a friend of mine sold his car for a decent penny, only to find out the cashiers check was bogus... AFTER his car was long gone. He was smart enough to have a copy of the guy's ID (with a wrong address, and possible name, of course) to show police and the police even commented how they had been after this guy for awhile, but haven't been able to track him down. But this was little comfort to my friend, as his entire future was put on hold since he, essentially, lost a huge chuck of change. But he wasn't content to take it for what is was. Long story short, he found his own car and got it back! And how did he do this? He Googled it! The police were no where near finding his vehicle.
Case number two, and this one, while not quite as major, actually hits home a little more. Our neighborhood has seen an increase in gang tags showing up on everything from transformer boxes to curbs. We have one neighbor who gets a little edgy about this, more than your typical city dweller that sees this all the time. Indy has a 'Gang Task Force' within their police department, so they have people that focus solely on stuff like this. At least you'd like to think this. So initially, pictures were taken and sent to them. Not sure what they did with those pictures, maybe just put a mark next to our neighborhood for the number of sightings. This wasn't good enough for our neighbor. He did a little research online himself about the specific tags he saw. Guess what? He found the guy's FACEBOOK PAGE, where he had pictures of his tags in the area and was bragging about them! So maybe they didn't catch him in the act of spraying the tags, but they damn well can tell who it is and now who to watch. Maybe they already knew the guy, but then why are new tags so easily showing up still??
Don't get me wrong... I know there's a lot out there for the police to do. But I find it odd that there are two cases, both so close to me, that were solved by the very people that reported them. And police wonder why so many take the law into their own hands... it gets done faster, it seems!
If someone can explain this to me, please do. Is there too much red tape? Is it truly a budget thing? Are they that overloaded? I mean, the technology being used to find his stuff is right there, at everyone's fingertips. There was no stakeout. No one was in harm's way in the process. Just a computer and some keywords to search. Done.
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