Mary of Mom Writes participated in the Middle Name Meme, a while ago. I thought it was a fun idea, and I’m supposed to write a post using each letter of my middle name to describe something relevant in my life. I chose four words to describe me instead.
My middle name is Jane. Plain Jane, as my aunt Judy called me as a child. I would get so angry and tell her, “I’m not a plain Jane! I’m a beautiful Dana!” I was six years old and feisty. No one would call me plain. Years later, after getting married and having a baby, I do feel a bit plain but I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
So, here are the four words to describe myself as anything other than plain, however!
Jovial - I chose this word because I have a hearty laugh, I love humor and being funny is just something I am. I suppose I inherited that trait from my dad. He can tell a good joke and he loves to make others laugh. I’m not as witty as some, but making someone laugh brightens my day.
Amiable - I’m a friendly person, I smile at strangers and I don’t get upset if they don’t smile back. I think it’s wonderful to be good spirited toward others and I try my best to be pleasant. This is most difficult on my chaotic days, but I do try!
Nutty - It should be obvious by now that I’m quirky and a little crazy. I often let my freak flag fly. I can’t help it. I think I get that from my mom’s side of the family. All of her relatives are a little insane.
Earnest - Even when I’m being silly or funny, I know when to be serious. My husband is always in comedian mode so I must be structured. This is probably why I’m the one who disciplines Dawson the most. My husband is always telling me to lighten up when he’s kidding around too much and I find that I have to be firm. There’s a time for fun and there’s a time to be serious and industrious. I think I’m like this because I’m the oldest of four kids. I had to be the “adult” all the time!
I’d tag people to do this, but I think it’s better to allow you to decide. It was harder than I thought, finding these four words! If you do this meme, please let me know! I’d love to read yours!
Last year, the weekend after his birthday, I took Dawson to the pumpkin patch at Altenburg Farms in Wisconsin Rapids. It was the first time I’d been there since I was a teenager.
Dawson got a kick out of the hayride and the tractor that pulled us and he didn’t mind standing next to his pumpkin so that I could take a picture for the Halloween card.
Such a tiny little tot he was.
This weekend I was looking back on the calendar and thought we’d take a trip to Altenburg’s once again. I was so excited because it was the opening weekend of the Fall Fun, and again it is the weekend after my Bug’s birthday. We’ve started a little tradition and it just makes me smile.
He’s grown so much since last year!
This year Dawson was more interested in the pumpkin patch and the hundreds of pumpkins scattered everywhere. He enjoyed the hayride again, but wasn’t as excited as the year before. I remember hearing “Tractor! TRACTOR!” several times. I think I heard him say, “Been there, done that!” this time.
The best part of our field trip was that my mom and brother came along again. My sister was with us last year but she had to work this time.
This is one tradition I’m going to look forward to every year!
Thursday, September 20th, was the anniversary of Jim Croce’s death, thirty-four years ago. I love the folk singer’s work so much I couldn’t help but share these videos with you.
My father had a vinyl album of Jim Croce’s music. I can’t seem to find it anywhere, but I’ve purchased some of Jim’s songs on iTunes. It’s sad that he died so young. I can only imagine the songs he would have continued to write and the music he would have made.
Nearly two years ago, my cousin was selling magazines to raise money for a school trip. I purchased two years of Parents magazine for ten bucks. Several weeks later, my co-worker’s son was also selling magazines for a fund raiser. I chose Parenting for two years at the same $10 price.
A year after that, my neighbor bought me a subscription to Ladies Home Journal as a Christmas gift because her daughter was also selling magazines for a church benefit. I was shocked and surprised and also grateful. Magazines are great to read when I’m bored.
Imagine my surprise when several other magazines began showing up in my mailbox a few months ago. Better Homes and Gardens, Yoga Journal, Family Circle, Time, Sports Illustrated and Family Fun, to name a few.
I was perplexed and I began to freak out, thinking someone stole my credit card information and began charging me for subscriptions I didn’t order. At first, I thought these fund raiser companies made a mistake and were sending me more magazines.
I called the billing departments of each of these magazines and not a single one had any record of a payment made by me. I asked if any gifts had been purchased in my name. No dice. The customer service agent even asked me, “Are you sure you’re getting these magazines? Uh…no, I’m making it up so I can call y’all for no reason at all, just to talk about my imaginary subscription to your magazine.
I went so far as to check our credit card statement to see if any miscellaneous purchases appeared. Nothing. I couldn’t figure it out. How was I getting these mags? Who ordered them? Why are they being sent? I asked my neighbor, she didn’t order any more on my behalf nor did she purchase them.
Until yesterday, I hadn’t a clue. Then I got the mail. Inside was a letter from an online marketing research company stating, “Based on your recent purchase…” They thought I would be interested in reading the magazines that were previously selected for me.
I know. What?
Yes, apparently when I purchased tickets for Go, Diego, Go Live! on Ticketmaster, several subscriptions were purchased for me as a way to say thank you.
How the heck did they determine that my purchase for a Nick, Jr. show, I’d love to get Time, Sports Illustrated, and Family Fun? Interesting mix of media, eh?
Here’s the catch. I’m not being charged for the first year of the subscriptions, but my credit card information from Ticketmaster is stored, and at the end of 12 months I will be renewed automatically! Is this even legal?
Apparently so. When I checked the box that said, “By purchasing tickets via Ticketmaster, you agree to receive pre-selected offers and correspondence from us unless you cancel by calling [insert phone number here]…”
So, because I wanted to take my son to Go, Diego, Go, Live!, I had no choice but to say yes. I didn’t think they’d start sending magazines to me. I thought I’d just get some junk mail from Ticketmaster about upcoming events. Boy, was I wrong!
This type of shit really pisses me off.
When I tried to cancel these subscriptions I was put on hold forever. No one seems to know how to fix this situation. I got the runaround from the agent and all I can tell you is I’m so glad the credit card I used to buy the tickets expires in 10 days. They can’t renew this crap by using an expired card, can they?
Dana Tuszke began her Mom career in 2004 after the birth of her son, Dawson the Demanding. She spends her days catering to the endless needs of a 3-year-old, vacuuming the never-ending trail of cookie crumbs in her living room, and suffering through too many episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants; all while working from home. More About Dana.
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