Craig’s List is a beautiful thing.  We sold our old 1995 Ford Taurus today.  The buyer’s call came in less than 24 hours of the original post…and the money came 24 hours later.  In less than 48 hours, this car that had carried us so far was out of our lives. For good.

I never thought I’d feel emotionally attached to a car.  When my car-loving brother talked about his emotions to their Subaru, I thought he was nuts.  I just couldn’t imagine feeling sad to see an old car go away.  After all, we got a new beauty.

But, after all, this was the car we got right before we were married.  It was our getaway car after our wedding (sexy, huh?).  We packed all our china and crystal and many other wedding gifts inside as we headed south to our new home where we spent the first few years of our life together. 

In that car, we traveled all over Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.  It had it’s share of “sugar” sand from the Florida panhandle coast vacuumed out more times than I can count. It went to Disney World, Busch Gardens, Jacksonville, Birmingham, Savannah, Atlanta, and more…all within the first few years! Then it carried us back through the Midwest and to the place we now call home in Boise.

The irony of all of this is the fact that the first car we sold as a married couple was my old 1980 Toyota Corolla…which went the exact opposite route - from Idaho, to the Midwest, to the south (which I can only presume became its final resting place).  (That was a great car, too.  It was a manual and FUN to drive believe it or not!…at least that’s the way I remember it…)

Despite its 13 years, that “old” car still seemed “new” to me, oddly enough.  So I found myself somewhat offended when my husband said various people had made fun of it in recent months (I’m still convinced it was a ploy to get me to go along w/his scheme to sell it!).  Needless to say, it was a good car.  The first car I ever had that had power windows, power locks, power seats, and AIR BAGS! 

As I cleaned out the glove box today, looking at receipts from various repair shops and places where we had the oil changed, it was an odd feeling to know that a significant chapter in your life was about to literally drive away.

The Taurus is on a new adventure now.  We wish the new young owner good luck, good safety, and many happy years (and hope it at least gets her through high school!) riding around in that “old” new car.

Farewell…

I can remember when it cost a less than 20 cents to mail a letter….  It stayed the same price for a very long time.  I feel like I can’t even buy more than 10 stamps at a time anymore without risking having to buy extra cents.  Well, I guess I missed the boat.  I paid my bills on Saturday night, and did not realize the price to mail a letter went up today… by a penny. 

I guess I’ll be buying “Forever” stamps from here on out… 

There’s something to be said for great customer service.  It makes you feel great about your purchase and/or experience - regardless how much $$ you dropped!  A good sales person knows this.  They also know that if the deliver first-class service you will be loyal.  Take Albertsons for example.  Their prices are higher than all other grocers in the valley (except for the Boise Coop) but by and large, the set themselves apart with the service - thay have to.  I would far prefer to shop there after dark, when I know that someone is available to walk me to my car.

I don’t like to gripe often, but I just have to say shame on you to one local company.  And KUDOS to another!

I’ll start with the Kudos.

THE EXCELLENT : Last night we went to Macaroni Grille for dinner.  If we were greeted by one smile, we were greeted by a dozen.  The staff was on their toes with “Happy Mother’s Day” greetings all night.  We were personally serenaded by an accordion-wielding musician (twice) named “Enrico.”  And, when the youngest member of our table was throwing a fit, Enrico came over and drew a picture and completely distracted our little one.  It was smiles the rest of the night.  It was friendly and excellent service throughout our experience.  Despite the fact that I happen to really like their food…the service is what makes us want to go back (sooner than later).

THE GOOD:  A trip to Home Depot proved to be crazy yesterday.  It seems everyone else in Boise had the same idea.  I had to buy a bunch of bricks for a garden box we are building.  The staff was hard to find because they were so busy, but when you finally tracked one down, they were very accommodating and helpful.  I would have expected them to be grumpy with that kind of traffic, but I couldn’t have been more pleased. 

THE UGLY: Our last experience had to do with buying a car.  We are not newbies to car buying…we’ve bought a few in our time. Like most red-blooded Americans, we try to get the best deal possible and we are not going to apologize for it.  We bought a car from Lithia this weekend, but the service was truly lacking.  Here’s the story.

We had been talking to a couple dealers and initially settled on a 2007 used car with low miles at Lithia.  Meantime, another dealer called and was willing to drop their price by $4000 on a 2008 - also used with about 3,000 less miles.  Their offer put the car within $1,000.  When my husband called Lithia to inquire if there was anything they were willing to do to seal the deal for us there, he was referred up to the GM (I think his name was Shane or Sean) and boy, was he read the riot act!  The guy was a complete jerk, and tried to make my husband feel bad for even asking the hard questions or get the best deal possible.  The GM told him that they (Lithia) had done everything “right” and implying that we were being sneaky and disingenuous. 

Ultimately, we decided on Lithia for 2 reasons - 1) there were some question marks about the other car because it was a previous rental car, and we’d have to drive out to Mt. Home to really check it out, 2) we thought, ultimately, we’d get better service because Lithia was local and the dealer for this particular kind of car.

Lithia ordered new wheels for the car for us, and had 5 days to get everything ready.  When we showed up (with kids in tow), none of the paper work was ready to go and it took us 2 hours of waiting around to complete the deal (honestly, I have far better things to do with my time…).  Then, when we finally saw the car, it had not been detailed or cleaned.  It wasn’t anything significant - but enough to know (that other than cleaning the engine) they’d done absolutely none of what they’d said they did. There were crumbs and scuffs inside, grease on the front of the car, the exterior was covered with a thick layer of dust, and the gas tank had just over 1/4 tank left.   The car was also missing a key and the driver’s manual.  They gave us a drivers manual…only to discover when we got home, that it was for the completely wrong car (different year and model). 

This is how you sell a car?? Seriously??

To their credit, we left the car for them to clean up.  When we returned the sales guy was cleaning up the scuffs (with 409…on leather) and the car had been washed.  We were told however that unless the gas tank was under 1/4 tank, they will not fill it on a used car.  They are ordering us a new key and owner’s manual. 

While we honestly feel great about the value of the purchase - and the car - the customer service (or lack there of) has left us completely questioning the experience.    Needless to say, the likelihood of our going back to Lithia in a few years to replace our other car are slim to none.

Good customer service seems hareder to find these days…  At the risk of becoming a grip string, I am going to open this up and encourage you to post your experience.  Especially if you’ve had an experience counter to ours at Lithia, I want to hear it.  Since it’s easier to find fault than praise good actions, I encourage you to balance the bad with the good.  If we get too much griping, I’ll shut down the comments on this one. 

I know, I know…before you think I left you high and dry for ideas for the big day this weekend, never fear!

Here are a few fun things to do with Mom on Mother’s Day 2008!

Mother’s Day, SUNDAY

Mother’s Day at the Winery- Winery at Eagle Knoll, 11-4.  Live music by the Frim Fram Four. Before you dismiss this as a non-kid friendly event (because it’s at a winery) … guess again. They will be cooking projects for kids and families, craft project, gourmet buffet brunch, featuring a kid’s table with hands-on make it and take it lunch items.  Price:  $30 general, $20 children age 13-17, $15 for kids 7-12 and $10 for children 6 and under.  YOu do need to call in advance for tickets:  286-9463.  The winery is on the way to Emmett (highway 16).

It seems Mom really might need a drink.  And the good folks at the Sawtooth Winery just outside of Nampa think it’s a good way to show her you love her…  “I luv me mum: Mother’s day wine festival” is Sunday  12 to 5pm.  This is the 19th year for the event (I didn’t even know they’d been around that long!).  For $20, you get your own commemorative wing glass, sampling of over 9 wineries, gourmet food and live music. Kids are free.  Call 467-1200 for more details.

Get into the swing of it with the High Desert Swing Dance Club at Shorty’s Saloon on Glenwood.  Swing dance lessons from 7 to 8 p.m. with open dancing from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

 You say you have a music lover in the house?  Then head out to Jewitt Auditorium for a Mother’s day Attebery Hunt Piano Duo.  Barbara Attebery and Sylvia Hunt are presenting personal favorites: Mozart “Sonata in D,” Infante “Danses Andalouses,” and the Braggiotti “Yankee Doodle Variations.”   The event is free but donations for the college of Idaho Skyrm Music Scholarship are suggested.

Last but not least…a little advice from my Dad, that as a mom, I tend to agree with…  Before you go buy mom that big screen TV, that you know YOU really want.  Think carefully about what you might be able to sacrifice for her…and you’re sure to come up with a winner.  Dads, that could just be telling her to pick the day and you’ll stay home with the kids so she can go shopping, out for coffee, or do whatever she wants.

Our moms do so much for us - sacrificially - sacrificing for them is advice well taken.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Hmmm…  My oldest child insists that on Sunday I should stay in bed all day. 

Not a bad idea…but with the weather forecast, I’m thinking I’d rather be OUTSIDE!  Even if that means working in the yard… that actually sounds good to me! (especially if Monday followed with a pedicure or massage…..hint, hint….)

If that’s not your bag, here are some other ideas for the weekend:

FRIDAY, May 9

Eagle Island Days - Military display and Civil War Bivouac and Living History Display, Eagle Island State Park. This event is on both Friday and Saturday, and begins at noon.

9a.m. - Young Discoverers at the Discovery Center of Idaho on Myrtle Street. This is a program for pre-schoolers.  Explore and discover the wonders of science through story and activity time. The topic for today is - What is a Weed? (This program is also on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.)

SATURDAY, May 10

9:15 a.m. KOMEN Race for the Cure - www.komenboise.org.  Starts at the old Albertsons HQ on Park Center Blvd.

SCIENCE SATURDAY “Science of Flight”:  for 3rd and 4th Graders at the Discovery Center of Idaho, on Myrtle Street.  9am -noon

Here’s a romantic start to your Mother’s day weekend…Salsa Dancing at Caffe Bellisima (downtown Boise).  10pm Saturday - 2am Sunday.  $5, includes lessons at 9pm.  Call 343-3397 for details.  (By the way, this is EVERY Friday and Saturday night)

9am-5pm Migratory Bird Day at the World Center for the Birds of Prey (5668 W. Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709)  http://www.peregrinefund.org/default.asp.  Prices are $5 general, $4 seniors, $3 children 4-16. Live raptor demonstrations and lectures on raptor migration patterns.  From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids of all ages can enjoy a “prey” toss, migration scavenger hunt, and an interactive and educational birds of prey game.

Visit the Farmer’s Market Saturday morning on 8th street in downtown Boise.  (This runs through the rest of the summer)

You can also visit the Meridian Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning at Boise First Community Center on Eagle Road. http://www.meridianfarmersmarket.com/

And then, there’s the Eagle Saturday Market in downtown Eagle at Heritage Park. http://www.eaglearts.org/

From 10-4, get your kids started on a Health kick by attending the Health Fest at the Idaho Center. This Free event includes activities for kids of all ages, free screenings, health education, fitness demos and raffle prizes.

8pm - Take mom to go see Tony Bennett at the Morrison Center!  This is a benefit concert for the Children’s Home Society of Idaho’s Centennial Celebration

SUNDAY (Mother’s Day), May 11

Whew!  with all that?  My vote is for a restful day!  Bed is sounding better by the minute!

I was dinking around online tonight and came across this incredibly inspiring story about Amy Rhoades, a C of I softball player with breast cancer.  She’s 20 years old. 

Here’s the link to the story:

http://www.kivitv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?clipId1=2460072&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=A+College+of+Idaho+Student%27s+%27Rhoades%27+to+Recovery&d1=337333&redirUrl=www.kivitv.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.kivitv.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp%3FclipId1%3D2460072%26at1%3DNews%26vt1%3Dv%26h1%3DA+College+of+Idaho+Student%2527s+%2527Rhoades%2527+to+Recovery%26d1%3D337333%26redirUrl%3Dwww.kivitv.com%26activePane%3Dinfo%26LaunchPageAdTag%3Dhomepage%26clipFormat%3D&rnd=27503774

Or…you could take a walk… (Now that I have your attention!)

Are you going to the Komen Race for the Cure?  We have a great team going from my church and I’m sure a fabulous time will be had by all!  If you missed the deadline to register online, you can still register at the race on Saturday morning.  Visit http://www.komenboise.org/ to find out more details about the race, donate or support a team.  You can also “Sleep in” for the cure on Saturday! 

In honor of the many women who are breast cancer survivors, I’m posting below a few blogs by IDAHO breast cancer survivors.  They are inspiring in their own right.  I encourage you to visit these blogs, understand the journey and get inspired to support this wonderful organization! If you know of other Idaho breast cancer survivors who are blogging, please add them here in a comment.

http://www.mangymooseacres.blogspot.com/

http://blogs.kivitv.com/margos_road_to_recovery/

http://fightingbreastcancer.blogspot.com/

To the survivors out there (sadly, I know many!) I wish you good health, happiness, love and strength!

Okay, this is a bit of a different post for this blog, but I would be suprised if we didn’t have more people out there looking for something similar during the Special Olympic World Winter Games next year.  So, while you will find this question posted on my About page, I’m also posting it here to increase awareness…wondering if anyone else happens to know of any suggestions for him that could also be helpful to others.  If you have any ideas, please post them here in a comment.  Thanks!
-GG

Comment from Grant:

Hi Gal,
This is a stab in the dark . . but here goes.
In January 2009 Boise is hosting the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Our special daughter has been chosen in the New Zealand team as a skier and Jane, my wife and I are going to travel to Boise to watch and support her and the team.
We have waded through the myriads of vacation home swap sites . . . and wasted some money, with out any success. We have what we think is a lovely home on the shores of Auckland Harbor close to the city and we want to contact a family or couple who might like to have a summer holiday in our little corner of the world.
Could you direct us to a community notice board or website that we could advertise on. Or any other suggestions you might have for inexpensive accommodation.
Anything information that may be of use would be appreciated.
Kind regards Grant

Tis the season when you dust off the bikes… Motorized and non-motorized. 

We’ve all done it…Taken the bike out on the open road…withOUT a helmet. Sure, it feels great.  Sure it’s fun.  It’s a casual ride, no big deal, right? 

That wasn’t the case yesterday afternoon on Dry Creek Road.  My friend’s husband saw the entire thing happen.  He said this motorcycle was FLYING down Dry Creek when it hit some gravel or something and the driver lost control.  There were 2 people on the bike.  The driver did not have a helmet.  His passenger did.  The passenger walked away with a broken arm. 

By the time my friend’s husband got down to help (which was fast), the helmet-less driver was in obvious shock with a significant head-wound.  He was totally disoriented - not knowing where he was or who he was with. 

The guy was life-flighted to the hospital as some neighbor kids who saw all the commotion looked on. 

I’m not sure that’s the kind of thing I’d want my kids to see, but I do know (from personal experience) that those images stay with you for a very long time.  Hopefully it made an impression and those kids will never ride without a helmet again.

Before I close, I just want to give Kudos to the 2 men who saw it happen and responded immediately with calls to 911 and running down to help.  I don’t do well with blood and guts and can imagine that was not a pretty scene.  To the driver of the bike…we wish you well and hope you will be okay.

A friend planning an impromptu visit recently e-mailed me about coming to our house and wrote “By the looks of it, you folks do put your trash out…if indeed that is your house on GoogleMap Street view…”  Yep.  Our trash for all the world to see!  Thankfully for us, it was just a 2 can day without all the extra over flow bags!

You may have heard about Google sending a car out last summer to Boise to systematically drive nearly all the streets in town.  It’s a little freaky, but also quite cool.  I looked up old addresses of places we lived before and some of those towns aren’t even on the radar (or at least Google Maps Street View) yet!  The ones that were, well, you could almost imagine yourself there.  Standing on the sidewalk, gawking at your old house (without anyone knowing!)! 

Anyway, I took a “drive” up Bogus Basin Road on google, and here’s what it looks like on the way to the top (click link below).  You can input all kinds of addresses, or just navigate around town to see what different parts of town look like.  Enjoy!

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bogus+Basin+road,+Boise,+idaho&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.122306,81.914062&ie=UTF8&ll=43.769358,-116.12978&spn=0.060741,0.159988&z=13&layer=c&cbll=43.73881,-116.129806&panoid=7iTFJdtxqWJXTIYJeNSUPA