I HATE shopping for a new car!

During a time which should be of great excitement,  I enter the process with hopes and expectations that in the 9+ years since I purchased a car things have changed - guess what they haven't.

In these tough economic times you would think auto dealerships would get a clue, again they haven't.  You see as a woman and a web professional,  I prefer to conduct initial dealings via electronic communications to reduce what inevitably will have to happen - i walk into the dealership.

Let me digress,   I have been seeking a new car for the past 9 months, not in a hurry and continually searching for the best car, at the best price and available.   I did walk onto a local dealership lot, 3 times over the last couple of months.   Know what happened,  all three times as I was reviewing the car stickers in plain view of the main showroom a salesman never approached me,  2 walked right past me and never looked in my direction.

This has not been the first time,  in my previous car purchases I have often brought along a male friend as both support (to quell my impulse buying) and for a test - who would the salesman approach first.   Of course, it was always the friend they addressed first and offered a hand.   Really.

Why is this a problem?  Well statistically,  women comprise 80% of the auto buying decisions either as an individual or as part of a family unit.  80%; that is a large percentage to ignore, but yet they do.

In my research, I have found a few cars I like and contacted the dealership through their forms with exact specifications as to what I am seeking.   What did I get in return?   E-mails with the following:

1. Contact me or come in and we will find the car you want - I did contact you and I did give you the exact car I was looking for.
2. We don't have exactly what you are looking for, but how about these, for which it included different models and color schemes I specifically stated I would not consider.
3. Generic messages about the car and current offers.
4. One responded to my e-mail 2 days after inquiry,  when I responded back I was very interested in the vehicle I received no response back.  Forwarded the inquiry to the general sales manager,  he as well didn't respond back until 2 days later,  with an apology and the car had been sold. 

Stop wasting my time,  I have specifically offered to you my interest to purchase,  exactly what I a seeking to purchase and other considerations I may be open to.   I don't want to call you,  I don't want to walk into your dealership until I am damn well ready to.   That is the whole idea of contacting you via e-mail,  get it.

But sadly they don't and are losing a lot of sales because of it,  they want you in their dealerships so they can wheel and deal you,  'speak to the manager' and keep saying I am working for you - no you are not.

And interesting new twist is now the e-mails are being responded to by women (or young girls),  I guess this is a softer gentler approach,  but when you respond to their e-mails,  the actual salesman responds - nice bait and switch.

Get with the program people,  the day of sleazy car salesman is dying and/or dead. So here are a few tips for you.

1. Respect every woman that walks into your dealership as a potential buyer and address them accordingly whether or not they are accompanied by a man, quit making assumptions.   Its as simple as a question of who is seeking a new car today and go from there.
2.  Don't treat your internet channel as a step-child or must have to do business,  in the future it WILL be your business and the faster you realize this the better off your business will be.

Still seeking my new car,  but I have patience on my side and once I find a dealership that is willing to work with me on my terms,  they will have my business.

Spring 09

What happen to March - who knows....there is only two big things that happened in March.

My grandmother turned 93 and Alexandra turned 16, my baby is getting all grown.

Kelsey came home for Spring Break, worked a little and took a trip up to Chicago with Megan for some downtown shopping.




Alex had the opportunity to go to Florida for Spring Break with friends and enjoyed the beaches of St. Petersburg. I stayed home and tended the gardens and kept praying for those warm days, they were very few.

A friend Jen and I took in the garden show and a few weeks later picked up some fabulous bulbs from the conservatory.

Alex had a soccer game in South Bend Easter weekend so I added a few miles to the trip and swung by Purdue to pick up Kelsey so she could have an Easter Brunch with us, it was a quick trip, but enjoyed by all.

---

February?

Not sure where this month went, searching through my photos and calendars to see if there is any record of it. I do know, Kelsey stayed at college until the last weekend and I got to see her, she is still doing well enjoying her friends and having some college (wink, wink) fun on the weekends.

Alex pretty much decided definitely she would not play fall HS soccer, but I am paying for her to play in the Spring league, yes I am a sucker I originally said I wouldn't. She cheered more basketball games and is looking forward to trying out in April for both Fall and Winter squads.

We finished off the cheer season with dinner at Applebees, the moms took a booth as far as we could from the girls and proceeded to enjoy the Bahama Mamas on special. All our girls are drivings so we were good!

Pics from the month of February

Times R A Changin

It's been a month of changes and acceptance that things do change. Kelsey and Devon have separated, it was tough on all of us. Yes, all of us....while Kelsey was away at college, Dev came by every week to play Halo with Alex or just hang out, he was a part of our family and we lost a member.

Right on the heels of this news, Alex informed me that she would not be trying out for HS soccer in the fall. Wanting instead to tryout for the Fall & Winter cheer squad. Again, heartbroken over this news, I loved watching her play. This of course has caused some discourse over the past few weeks.

All of this is more on me, I need a few weeks to accept what has changed, figure out how I am going to proceed and act on it....this gets to be a slower process as I get older, because I get comfortable with the way things are. My children on the other hand are initiating change, embracing it and enjoying it...Good for them!

What's in store for next month? Who knows!

Alex Cheerleading

The Holidays and Happy New Year

Happy New Year All.

We had a whirlwind holiday starting with Kelsey arriving home from college and settling in for a few weeks home. We had many celebrations with Christmas Eve with her boyfriends family, Christmas morning opening presents and Christmas night with my sister in laws family.



Then it was off to Chicago for the weekend, a normally three hour drive took us 5 and half to finally arrive with my brother just a few minutes ahead of us. We never really did figure out what the issue was, but dang, it was a long drive. Both of us made the decision to head downtown instead of going around the city and that didn't even help. But we made it and began the celebrations with everyone in attendance. Over the weekend we enjoyed being a family with the welcome addition this year of my grandmother who if you didn't catch we moved to Chicago from Kansas City a year ago. She is adjusting, her apartment is finally clearing out a little as she goes through all the stuff she moved and takes the time to decide what she truly would like to keep and what can go. I always enjoy spending time with her because she always makes me laugh with her funny statements, like in response to her stuff.

"I like junk, it just kinda sticks to me" I can relate some days when I myself go into the garage and see all my junk.

And then there is the profoundly insightful statement of 'With thickening, there always comes a thinning' which she said is what her father always said. I have found in the weeks past, this is so true in so many realms. She related this us in the context of a couple of the neighborhood ladies who had become tight and now were fighting, just like high school right gram? ;)


On Sunday, after making my kids suffer through a couple of hours of me catching up with my best friend from high school, we traveled home , my day of birth, yes my present, I got to drive home from Chicago. Alex quickly made plans to go out with a friend upon our arrival home so Kelsey and I went out to one of our favorite places for dinner, it was a quiet birthday and quite frankly I was alright with that.

Back to work a couple of days, yeah like a lot of work was getting done, mostly monitoring with a lot of the people in the office out. We all celebrated the new years with our respective friends, I attend this bash at a country club that was absolutely packed so tight, probably won't do that one again but had fun with my friends and that is always good.

Now looking into the New Year and my resolutions, yeah I made a few...to break of course. I resolve to continue to work on quitting smoking, slid backwards a bit but still way down from what I was a month ago. To go along with that I am resolving to have some kind of abs this year, at least some definition right, the butt is holding up well but the belly has slacked off these past couple of years so we need to whip it back into shape. With a training center just downstairs from my office and Zoomba (dance/excercise) offered in the office and done right on the other side of my cube I really have NO excuse, but I am sure if I work really hard I can find one!

I want to wish everyone a prosperous new year and hope it is wonderful for you all.

If you haven't had the opportunity, jump over to the link that says 'Sam and Jillian'. Ms. Jillian just completed a sled dog race and I personally am in awe of her resolve. You see, she did this in -30 below, with winds that would take your hide off...truly in awe.

Believe, Imagine, Dream

Angels on the Field

Last night our HS Football team (Center Grove) played for the state championship.

I have never really been much a fan of HS football, but Kelsey's boyfriend Devon was a senior offensive lineman, so I attended the games this season with her and for him. Pretty much all season the games were boring due to the fact Center Grove dominated most of their opponents, barring one our rivals to the north Carmel.

(Devon & Kelsey after a regular season game)

This saga started last year when we took an overtime game away from Carmel for an amazing, exciting win. Fast forward to this year, Sept. 3rd with 6,000 fans in attendance, unheard of for a H.S. game, Carmel came back in the last 45 seconds to win the game against us, it was the only lost the CG football team had for the season, setting the stage for last night's state championship against Carmel.

(Kelsey & Alex in the Suite)

We headed down to Lucas Oil Stadium (the Colts) for the game, Devon's dad had gotten us his company's suite, we came early to watch the other division games but come game-time we headed over to the regular seats, managing to secure 45 yard line lower seats for the game we were all ready. The stadium was 3/4 full of Center Grove kids, parents and community members having sold 6,600 pre-game tickets, we pride ourselves that we may not be a city, but we are a strong community.

The game started and Carmel pulled ahead, going into the 1/2 we scored but were still down, it wasn't looking good - it wasn't the CG team we had watched all season, there were mistakes and as with the Sept. 3rd game it didn't look like we could close down the Carmel quarterback. The Carmel fans were taunting us with their 'championship' signs and going into the 4th quarter it really didn't look good, I must admit I was praying for a miracle, I wanted this group of boys, especially the seniors and Devon to have this win.

And that's when those angels appeared, with 6 minutes left, our student's shouting 'We Believe' and the boys never giving up, though many of the fans had, they managed to overcome a 19 point deficit in the remaining 6 minutes of the game to win the State Championship and put Carmel in their place, we were overwhelmed. They are truly Champions.

(Picture of Devon that appeared on the front page of the Indy Star Sports Section)

It was a lot of firsts, first HS state championship to be played at Lucas Oil, largest crowd to attend a HS state game and the first football championship for Center Grove....I was so excited for the seniors, for Devon and for the community!

I called mom to tell her the news not knowing she had been watching the scores online, she had last checked with 8 minutes remaining and had conceded we had lost the game. She thought I was joking when I told her we had won, it took some convincing to get her to realize it. As they say, it ain't over until the fat lady sings....


We all went back to the HS to celebrate the win, at 12 midnight the school gymnasium was packed with kids & parents, the emotions were overwhelming. Here is Kelsey, Alex and Devon with his state medal around his neck and a wonderful close to his football career!

November

This month has pretty much been about the same as October, quiet, reflective and enjoying the peace. I enjoyed dinner with a mysterious antique buyer at the beginning of the month and we are both looking forward to the next time we will be able to converse again. Friday's have been taken over by the High School football team when Kelsey comes home to see Devon play. They are ranked in the top 50 for HS teams on ESPN, just look for Center Grove. Games are usually followed by all the football parents going to a local restaurant to relish victories (until the wee hours), Devon's parents invite me along, I have enjoyed myself and getting to know more of the other parents.

I am getting out a bit more during the week reconnecting with friends, but still laying low, kinda feel like I am re-charging for something, just not sure what yet. Or it just maybe work has left me worn from trying to get so much done before the 'code freeze' which is when we lock down to any changes going into the holiday sales.

The girls have been busy with their activities both doing well in their respective schools. Kelsey's roommate had a breakdown and returned to her home, leaving Kelsey relaxed as not to have to deal with her anymore, she is enjoying school more and stressing less. Alex and I took in the Twilight movie this past weekend after both of us read the book, were hooked - well she is, I have always loved vampire stories and we are looking forward to the next movie. A friend of mine at work just introduced me to a series of Anne Rice trilogy I didn't know existed called Sleeping Beauty which came with a warning that I will probably feel the need to smoke after every chapter if you get my drift.

This maybe difficult now since I gave up smoking on November 20th *the great smoke-out day*, 7 days and counting. I have faltered a few times, its not so much the physical need to smoke, it is more mental but I still feel one or two in this time frame is doing better than my almost 2 pack a day, and to just think of all the money I have saved so far - yeah!

We are looking forward a great Thanksgiving and on Saturday the football team will be playing for the State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium complete with pre-game tailgating, we are all looking forward to a victorious win and lots of celebrating afterwards!

Wishing you all a wonderful happy Thanksgiving and stress free holiday and hope this all finds you well! As I say on myspace - I am around!

October

Was a quiet month for us, Kelsey is pretty much settled into Purdue getting into the swing of classes and coming home most weekends when there are home football games to see her boyfriend Devon play, they are having a great season. She is struggling with her roommate but making the best of the situation. Alex and I have gotten into a comfortable routine with school, work and soccer.

Much to the chagrin of my friends who have been wondering where in the world I am, I have been a homebody of late, venturing out only on occasion. It's not that I don't want to be around in all honesty, I have become bored with the whole routine of going out for awhile, so why bother. I have taken in a few poker games but for the most part, been home taking care of the house, reading, running Alex around and enjoying the quiet.

My photographer buddies got me out at the end of the month when they came in for the annual FFA convention. We took in a few nights of drinks. One of the first evenings we landed in the Slippery Noodle, a favorite Jazz/Blues bar of mine that always has someone good playing. This was a Tuesday evening, quiet for downtown but they had a jazz duet playing. The manager encouraged us to come around and sit down to enjoy the second session, after getting our drinks and of course, our shot(s) of bourbon we always enjoy together we obliged. As always, my eyes wandered around to take in the group who were joining us in the bar this evening and sitting directly across from us was Peyton Manning...wow! He was out as well enjoying a couple with some friends, after his lackluster showing in Green Bay I am surprised he was taking a bunch. They stayed through the set and no one bothered them, I came to find out later this is a favorite haunt of the team, many times they come over after the game to review film and drink in a private room downstairs.

Later in the week, the group reconvened again at the Noodle, this time we were in for a special treat...a private tour of the building which is the oldest bar in the state dating back to the 1850's. During our tour we saw some of the old tunnels, now sealed but used for the underground railroad and later moving and storing munitions under the city. Saw bullets Dillinger left in the back brick wall (once the stable area) from some fun target practice and a run through the upstairs which was originally a brothel. All in all a fascinating building to tour and find out about. Above all I was spellbound by the stories of the resident ghosts which are known to haunt the bar, disappointed they didn't visit but have been seen by many of the employees who work there. There is George whose domain is the downstairs basement, a black coal-tender who appears now and then causing no harm but seems to scare the shit out of some of the employees by just standing behind them. Big Boss, who feels he still runs the place and gets a little angry with the current general manager but alas cannot do much about it and word from the local paranormals who have visited, many teenagers and other spirits who have come to rest in the building due to their buildings being torn down, they are known to tease the staff and reek havoc.....just fascinating, but again I was disappointed they didn't choose to visit us.

If you have the opportunity to visit Indianapolis, make sure you stop into the Noodle, have a drink and enjoy the oldest bar in the state!

Heart/Journey/CheapTrick Concert

I had been anticipating this concert for a bit wanting to really see Heart, they did not disappoint. Cheap Trick opened the show, Heart was up next and gave a totally Awesome on fire show which then brought on Journey lead by their new singer found on You tube. I as well as many people felt Heart just stole the show!

As always when I join Cristina and Josh, a good time was had by all. We finished up the night at a local pub and retired home to get a few hours of sleep before work the next day.

I actually made it in on time to work, was in a silly mood and starving about 10am!

Colts Pregame Against Bears

Took the opportunity to join friends for a pregame tailgating party with the Colts Disciples who have been doing this for the past 15 years, lead by Josh's dad and uncle. Fun was had by all even though the game was quite disappointing!

Though didn't have tickets for the game, other friends had an awesome setup complete with 52" tvs!

Kelsey at College

Kelsey spent the last week getting comfortable with school and attending Boiler Gold Rush, a freshman orientation. She came home Friday night to watch Devon's home opener and I brought her back today.

I had Alex's soccer game to attend first, then over to attend my first ever high school game. It's a Friday night event around here, I am just not that big a fan of hs football. Alex scored the only goal for her team, we rushed home and I waited while 3 girls proceed to get ready. We arrived and Alex promptly dumped me off on Kelsey saying 'she's driving me crazy!' - lol. Center Grove won the game easily 41-0, a lot of the players got to see some field time but for me, it was a little boring. Devon got his pic in the paper (to the right of the coach)

I drove her and Gywnne back with a loaded car on Sunday, dropped the off and came back home. She of course came home with 'a list', the box fan being on the top priority, there is no air conditioning in her dorm, and the humidity has crept up with coming of August, it's hot! She starts classes tomorrow.

First Day of School

School started for Alex this week. It was a sad moment when I took the 'first day of school picture' and it was only Alex, it brought in another realization that the days of having 2 children and having full responsibility for both is coming to a close. Of course I always will be feel responsible for Kelsey, but she is now entering the world of adulthood, and as much as I am working on letting go, she is working on taking more and more on her own. We are both doing fairly well with it so far.

But this is about Alex starting school, so here is her picture looing all the teenager she is!
Soccer season has begun, Alex was disappointed she didn't fully make the JV team, but is double rostered between JV and developmental. I do beleieve this will afford her more opportunity to play and be a leader to the younger players, but I know in her heart she wanted to be all JV...she is doing well with all of it, it's one of those moments in life that you make the decision to accept, go on and do your best or quit ~ I am proud of her making the first choice, no matter how hard it maybe for her.

Her first week of school was 'boring' but I think this will change as homework, school activities and reconnections with friends she hasnt seen over the summer will kick in.

Tomorrow, I have another 'mommy moment' for we bring Kelsey to Purdue to move into the dorms for Boiler Gold Rush, a week long freshman orientation program. She will be back home next Friday for the first home football game at the High School, Dev, her boyfriend is a senior and will be playing.

~hope

I am the Worst Daughter.....

I have the most loving parents in the world, they are there to support, encourage and help me still when I stumble and fall. So what leads to this headline, I forgot my dad's birthday on August 5th, sure, I have excuses..,but truly this is in-excusable.

I get so caught up in my little world here, I forget a larger one around me.



I'm sorry daddy, maybe it's my own old age catching up with my brain, but I hope you had a wonderful day!

Friendly Poker

My favorite place to play free poker quit hosting in June. I liked this place, it was close to home, I enjoyed the people I played with (meaning they played poker, not craps) and it was a nice weekly respite that had a 'Cheers' type of atmosphere with a cast of characters to fit.

I tried a couple of the other places still hosting, but they just don't fit and why bother going if I am not fully enjoying myself. So, since I was finished with my house, I decided to host a weekly game. An opportunity to play with the people I enjoy playing with, be really close to home and above all get to play some cards. I just love to play cards, really any card game, I take that back, I just can't 'get' Euchre, and damn if it is not the hottest game in the state of Indiana.

The games have been fun, on average there are 8-9 of us, small enough to enjoy the company, large enough to earn some $$'s. It has taught me more about my game, the approach to the game and the ramifications of each, it's why I enjoy cards and its strategy. Many of the players can spit out the pot odds, number of 'outs', card odds of winnings, etc. Mathematical genius I say! Me, I ain't that good at that, I do 'understand' each hands odds of winnings and the number of outs - pot odds, not so much, but I also 'feel' some hands, you have 'lucky days' where the cards fall in your favor and above all, it comes down to chance, it is gambling.

As true sometimes in cards, is true in life. I am not a genius in my respective field(s), but I have knowledge and understanding of the overall approach of each, the ramifications of decisions and the strategy . What cards has taught me is to make to take that chance more often, when you have run through all the options (chip stack, number of outs, odds of winning,etc.) and to just listen to my 'gut', now I need to work more on employing this strategy into my life.

July 2008

The road to Purdue, I have received SO much paperwork about everything from dorm rooms to student insurance, it is overwhelming. With the incoming class being 'so connected' why do they not offer and outline of required documents and the ability to complete them online, it's hard to keep up.

We had a Day on Campus, Kelsey worked with the advisor and the plan they have outlined establish her to have a choice of pre-pharm, pre-dental, pre-med and biochemistry her junior year without having to take additional classes. Chemistry is currently her major with a Biology & Spanish minors.

I discovered Soules garden, finally after years of searching for this hidden Day lily farm. Day lilies are my favorite garden flower and I hope to hydridize them some day. Jen and I explored the vast assortment and snapped a few of our favs, we would break the bank if we bought all the ones we wanted!

June 2008

Kelsey graduated, the house done and summer beginning, I decided to take a month of rest! And that's what I did - rested and enjoyed my patio.

Alex took driver's ed and passed with an 'A'. Regardless of her flying colors in the class, I am still a nervous wreck riding with her, I am just getting used to Kelsey...it is not going to be easy for me.

Summer didn't stop for the girls, Kelsey working additional hours and Alex getting together with her friends. Alex went to cheer camp and spent a day at the lake with some friends.

Kelsey Graduates High School

Ya Didn't Have my Back

That's right grandma and grandpa, this one is for you! Oh the bad talk about tattoos, piercings and more - Gypsy's, isn't that what I have always heard? Only Gypsy's pierce thier ears and bodies!!! So when it came down to it - I left it to you to say 'no' and you failed me! Where was my support on one of the few things I wanted to hold off on. Gone, out the door!

So This One is For You!

And to my darling brother who egged the situation on (as always with Alex)_, you now owe me $45 bucks since you decided to put your money up for it!

I hope you all love the outcome ~ Alex is thrilled and all her friends are SO jealous of her abs!

Alex also received her driver's permit on this day - it was a growing up day for all of us!

Yard Done....check

Managed to get the yard and house done on Memorial Day, a thanks to my next door neighbor who brought over a big-ass wheelbarrow and a pitchfork, it made my task of mulching the gardens much easier.

Thanks to Devon who showed up just when my arms, back and legs were pure mush to help finish up the job. Kelsey was busy inside mopping and cleaning the floors where I had finished caulking and painting the 1/4 round on the floor.....the downstairs is done ...well except a few spot things here and there....but it's done enough for the graduation open house!

Senior Toga Day

Kelsey was busy all last week with different dress days, on toga day the girls stopped by our house to get their wraps into place.

Peace