Return Policy

So I had to go into the Apple store on State Street today to exchange the shuffle charging cable that I bought last week since contrary to what the salesperson told me, it is NOT compatible with my 2 -year-old shuffle. No big deal, right? I got to the store 5 minutes after it opened and already EVERY sales associate (there were probably 20) was working with someone. I waited a few minutes and then parked myself at the counter until someone appeared to help me.

Luckily they have what I need in the back. For $10 more than the one I'm returning. Seriously? Shouldn't newer stuff be MORE expensive? Or is it an antique now, thereby making it more valuable? Oh well.

As I'm waiting for the exchange to happen this 20-something girl comes up to the counter and announces that she needs to exchange her IPhone. The first sentence out of her mouth is: "I knew you guys were coming out with the new one when I bought this one and the lady told me I could exchange this one within 30 days". So the guy says "So you want to exchange this one for the new one?" Turns out no, since the Apple store has a 300 person waiting list, she has one on hold at the AT&T store so she wants to just RETURN this one.

It gets better.

She doesn't have the packaging. She has the receipt, but not the packaging. The associate tells her she needs to have the packaging to make the return. She's all loud and says "Who keeps the packaging???!!" And I'm thinking...didn't you JUST say you KNEW they were coming out with the new one and planned to return this one all along? I would guess that YOU would keep the packaging in that situation.

It gets even better.

She doesn't have the charger. Or the head set. Both of which came with the IPhone when she purchased it. She argues that those things are 3 hours away- can't she just return the phone now so she can get her new one at the AT&T store, and then bring those items in at another time?

Seriously?

The guy goes back in the back to "find out" if that's possible (I'm pretty sure he just went and had a snack) and meanwhile she's swearing under her breathe "Who keeps the bleeping packaging?"

I had a REALLY hard time not answering her as I stood there reading the prominently displayed return policy to myself which states in the 3rd sentence:
"The iPhone must be returned in the original packaging, including any accessories, manuals, and documentation."

Justin Sweats Love

In case you didn't catch it, the sweat on his chest is in the shape of a heart.

15 Days and Counting!

Can't believe only 15 days until we go back to Iowa! I can't wait to get there!

In the meantime...4th of July this weekend. No major plans, we'll probably hang out with some friends, maybe go to the beach. Then, next Tuesday we're heading down to San Diego with our friends James and Marissa (and their new baby Sidney!). We mentioned to them a couple of weeks ago that we hadn't been and wanted to make a trip down there this summer. Marissa's best friend from college lives down there with her husband and so James and Marissa suggested we all go together and stay for FREE with her friends! Awesome...because we are poor!

Speaking of being poor- I scored an awesome purchase at the thrift store today! A super cute brown corduroy blazer for $2!! What an awesome find!

Anyways, not much else to report. I'm headed to book club tonight to discuss "Son of Hamas" a story of a man whose father was one of the founders of Hamas and who grew up to become a spy for the Israeli government and eventually became a Christian. Thursday I'm going to the Santa Barbara Zoo with my friend Shannon and her 1-year-old son Hank. Should be good times- I'll try to remember to take pictures!

Thanks Megan!

I forgot to say "thanks" to Megan- she is posting again despite their incredibly hectic life right now- moving up to Cedar Falls and into their new house! Craziness! I told someone yesterday that Aaron and Megan bought a house and they were like- "your OLDER brother?" Um no.

Congrats to Aaron and Megan and Wyatt! Can't wait to see you guys. And Megan- you are an awesome blogger we LOVE seeing Wyatt and hearing about your lives! I'll try to be better too!

Denver!

We had a great trip to Denver over the weekend! Right around Justin's birthday I had gotten an email alert about cheap airfare Santa Barbara to Denver. We had to travel by 6/15 so we went ahead and went for the weekend- it was totally worth it! As you can see Audrey is getting SO big! She loves to go through my purse, try on my necklace and sunglasses and even pretend to put on makeup with my makeup brush! It's really cute. She also has this new thing where she points to people and says their gender- she sounds especially excited when she sees a boy- "Boy!" and she'll keep saying it until you acknowledge it. It's adorable.

She warmed up pretty quickly- I think it helps that we were on her "turf". Here we are snuggling and watching the Lakers:

Here she is with Daddy and Uncle Justin:
It was funny all weekend Graham and Marie kept saying "Uncle Justin" and "Aunt Rachael" trying to get her to say our names. I think we might have two of the hardest names there are to say- especially "Rachael". Marie and I were sitting at the table while Audrey was eating a snack and we were trying to get her to say Uncle Justin and Aunt Rachael and Marie was saying that she said "Abby" (Justin's sister's name) when they were home for cousin Ren's wedding and all of a sudden Audrey (who is always listening!) says "Abby!" What a punk. :)

It was great to see them- I wish we were all going to be together in July! I actually had a dream last night that I ran the Bix with Marie! :( I know she wishes she could run it, and I do too since I'll probably have to run alone. :( I'm not going to force Justin to run with me this year! He'll run it on his own too. It'll be ok- I'm running a 15K on July 4th weekend with JoAnn so I should be set to go for the Bix.

So now I'm enjoying NOT working over the summer! Although I did teach a couple of private lessons yesterday, but I didn't have to go in until 2:00! I actually got up and ran 5 miles with JoAnn at 7:00 this morning, so I'm not being too lazy but now it is 10:30 and I'm still in my bath robe....I should probably go run some errands and clean up the house a bit! Especially since Justin left for his office (aka Starbucks) at 9:30! This is the life- I love summer!! 27 days until Iowa!!

I'll leave you with a video of Audrey. I started saying "Oooh!" when she put on my sunglasses and she eventually started copying me so I caught it on video- so cute!

Summer Time!

One more day of school before summer vacay! I had a momentary lapse in judgment and considered working over the summer- I have to say I am a bit relieved that didn't pan out. I would rather pinch pennies than work this summer! I will be teaching privately a bit, so that will be some good extra income, but just one day per week. The rest of the time is for summer fun!

This weekend we are flying out to Denver to see Graham, Marie and Audrey. They won't be back in July when we go home so we decided to take a quick trip to see them rather than going a whole YEAR without! I'm really looking forward to getting out of town and seeing some family- especially Audrey who is going to be 2 in just a few months! Time is FLYING.

So maybe I'll be a better blogger this summer? Who knows. If life gets more blog worthy? I don't know what has ever constituted "blog-worthy" in my haphazard blogging career, but I guess I just know it when I see it. I'm not feeling it today really, but a certain sister-in-law of mine who is AWESOME at updating her blog has NOT updated in almost two weeks. I find myself grumbling about the lack of updates while simultaneously aware of the ironic nature of my grumbles. So I am forced to update my blog. Nice work, Megan. Seriously, did my mom put you up to this? :)

Speaking of my mom, I miss her! I am so lucky to have such an awesome mom. I miss my whole family- Brummers AND Clarks. I have a niece I haven't even met yet! Gracie! I'm tired of California and I can't wait to visit Iowa in July! One of the most annoying things about California lately is "June Gloom". It's been 60's and overcast until 3:00 in the afternoon every day this week. I'm over it. Nothing makes me grouchier than knowing that it's hotter in Iowa than it is in California. If its not at least going to get hot here, then what good is it???!! California Shmalifornia. Overrated.

Some of the things I'm looking forward to during our Iowa visit:
1. Family (obviously) I can't wait to seem my niece and nephews especially!
2. Summer weather- hot hot hot!
3. Thunderstorms!
4. Brueggers!
5. Bix! I am 95% certain I'm going to run it. I'm planning on running a 15K with JoAnnJuly 4th weekend, so I should be more than ready for the Bix.
6. Grilling out at my parents house- get ready to feed me dad!
7. Air conditioning!
8. Miniature golf with the Clarks!
9. Downtown Iowa City!
10. Family Family Family!

Alright, that's all I've got for now. I'm super tired so this post is kind of fragmented but hey, something is better than nothing. (Right mom?)