We'd like to upgrade you...

7:59 am: Phone rings. I'm still sleeping (up late last night). "Out of Area" number. Hmm...better pick it up.

Me: Hello
The early caller: Hi Melissa, this is the LA Times. Because you've been a wonderful customer, we'd like to upgrade your subscription so we're sending you the LA Times all week. (We currently only get the paper Th-Sun. And truly I'd prefer to just get Sunday but because of their weird prices, it's cheaper to do it the way we have it set up.)
Me: Well actually you guys called me a few days ago and I declined your "upgrade". You should really tell the people you're calling that they will be charged for this supposed "upgrade". You didn't tell me until I asked.
LA Times: Well, we just don't want you to miss out on this great promotion.
Me: Yeah, about that. It's actually not a great promotion. It is 4 times ($2.99) the amount I'm paying now ($.75) per week, and I receive only 3 more days of papers.
LA Times: Well, you must have a current promotion that expires after 6 months.
Me: Actually, I've been getting the paper for 10 months, as I'm sure you know, and I've been getting the same price the entire time. And, just so you're aware, I pay the same price listed on your website and it doesn't say it's "promotional".
LA Times: Oh.
Me: And by the way, you're calling pretty early. You woke me up.
LA Times: I know. Goodbye.

What??? I guess I could have been nicer. But it was the 2nd time they called in 3 days (after I asked them not to call again). And actually, looking back, I was being perfectly nice. I was just telling them the facts.

So...I proceeded to try to go back to sleep.

13 minutes later...the phone rings again. It's an automated person trying to sell me phone service.

Plastic

Because I was having this conversation with my mother-in-law the other day, I thought I'd post about it.

For years my mom has been telling me not to drink out of plastic bottles, put plastic in the microwave, or store highly acidic foods in plastic. I kind of paid attention but not really. Well, in the past year or so, the studies have really been showing what my mom has been saying is true. Besides the fact that throwing away plastic is bad for the environment, certain types of plastic can leach into your food and cause all different types of problems with the most serious being cancer. Babies are at a higher risk. BPA (Bisphenol-A) is found in polycarbonate plastic bottles (baby bottles and Nalgene bottles - anything that contains a #7 in the little triangle on the bottom of the bottle) and is particularly harmful. #1 is used for regular bottled water and is not quite as harmful. #3 is also apparently bad. Because I'm not a scientist and can't possibly do a very good job of explaining it, please do the reasearch yourself. You can search for:

• BPA and plastic
• Bisphenol-A and plastic
• Polycarbonate and plastic

You get the idea. In the meantime, here's a list of the plastics and which ones are good, bad and in-between:

http://www.cure-guide.com/Natural_Health_Newsletter/Plastic_Bottles/plastic_bottles.html


Here's an article on baby bottles:

http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/4858/1


So, what do you use instead? Aluminum is the best solution I've come across. My mother-in-law claims that aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's. However, I did a bit of research and found that thus far there's really no link. So, where can you buy aluminum bottles?

• Whole Foods
• REI
• http://www.mysigg.com/

I realize that not everybody believes this stuff. So, all I ask is to please do the research yourself and make an informed decision.

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!

I was born on Father's Day so it's always been an even more special day than normal for both me and my dad. I truly couldn't ask for a better dad!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Wedding Pictures - slightly late

Here's a couple of my favorite non-professional wedding pictures. I figured since I'm still so far behind on actually getting the jpgs from the photographer, I'd go ahead and post these for the 2 or 3 people who read this blog oh so religiously. Such a great day!

In Jewish weddings it is tradition that both parents walk the bride down the aisle. It's my favorite tradition actually.

Sleeptalking?

According to Miles, I spent 3 hours last night talking in my sleep...but he couldn't understand anything I said besides "Mom!" I do remember having some weird dreams where I was back in high school and living in Claremont. Strange. Anyhow I've never done that before so we'll see if I ever repeat myself!

I have a million and one updates but just don't have time right now. Keep checking in though and I promise to have updates and pictures in the next few days of our trip to MN and Vinny's wedding.

Northern California

For Memorial Day weekend, Miles and I flew up to Northern California to visit his sister, her husband and our niece. They live in Dublin and it's gorgeous there...so much open space and brand new homes. But, the best part was spending time with our adorable niece.

Chloe and her hot dog - Berkeley

Eating breakfast with Aunt Meme

A very happy 2 year old with her Uncle Miles