Outside the Bubble...

Even though I grew up outside of Utah, I've lived there the past 7 years of my life and grown pretty accustommed to the way things go down there. It is definitely like no place on earth, it is not the real world. Anyone who thinks otherwise is only kidding themselves. Time for a reality check.


Every summer when we leave to some random place for summer sales, I am reminded of this concept. And luckily I've taken pictures of all the many things that have brought me back to reality.

One thing that has boldly stood out to me is the sanitation issue in these eastern states. It is literally impossible to walk into a women's restroom and find a toilet seat cover in the stall. Since I work about 11 hours a day I get to use many different public restrooms and I can honestly say I have never seen a toilet seat cover. Needless to say, I've been forced to hover. One of the grosser things I've come across in a public restroom was when I had to sneak into the men's because the women's was broken. Trey stood guard for me luckily. I looked into the trash can and saw lots of toilet paper with an unknown brown substance covering it all. I quickly learned that substance was poop. I guess in Latin countries it clogs the toilets if you flush paper down them so you have to just throw it in the garbage. Unfortunately, nobody told these guys they are in America now. Toilets work here.

Another great site you won't see in Utah is lawn ornaments. People decorate their yards here like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It is entertaining and ridiculously tacky. And the ornaments don't just stop at one or two. People can't even mow their grass because there are so many fake animals in it. You can name any animal and I guarantee they make it in a lawn ornament. On top of that, nobody takes down their Christmas lights. Also entertaining.

I just realized I could write a book about this stuff. So maybe I should wrap it up and save the rest for another day. Stay tuned for 26"inch rims on a jacked up Chevy Caprice.

Things I Miss When I'm Stuck In New Jersey For The Summer...

Being away from home for 5 months out of the year is hard enough but it's even harder when those 5 months happen to fall during the nicest time of the year...summer. You feel me. While everyone else is laying out by the pool, vacationing to wherever, I find myself at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. So here are some things I am missing while I'm out here knocking door after door:

#1 My Family
#2 My Best Friends
#3 Vacations With Trey (Hawaii)
#4 Lake Powell With The Fam
#5 Rated Hero Shows
#6 Having a Tan
I could go on and on, but I don't have enough pictures to go along with every single thing I miss. Stay tuned for things I don't miss.

Day in Philly

Since we are leaving for Detroit in 3 weeks we decided we need to see as much of this area as we can before we take off. So after church today we headed to Philadelphia, only about 1 1/2 hours away. We had so much fun and loved the city. It was so clean and surprisingly uncrowded.
Clearly, this is a picture of us in front of the Rocky statue. And the one below is a Paul Revere statue I think. Who knows.
And I guess this place is the originator of Philly Cheese Steaks.
I'm going to leave the rest of the blogging up to Jenna. I don't have as much time on my hands as she does. Thanks.

Handsome Hubby

Trey walked out of the bathroom the other day looking like this. I begged him not to go to work with that hair do and luckily he told me he was planning on wearing a hat. I was wondering why he was using the blow dryer for so long. He showed up to the morning meeting and everyone thought it was hilarious. Hopefully he doesn't mind that I'm sharing this picture with the world. It's not his best look.

Some Days You Just Want To Cry...

Story #1

So last Friday I was out knocking doors and it was about 4:45. I had an appointment with a home at 5 but really needed to use the bathroom so I went to the local Dunkin Donuts to use their bathroom. I was wearing a jacket since it was chilly outside and as I hovered over the toilet and starting to go to the bathroom, my phone in slow motion came out of my jacket pocket and plopped into the toilet. Though grossed out by my own pee, I dove in after it as soon as I could but watched in horror as the screen went black. I am happy that the bathroom was only for one person or I would've struggled at this point. I wobbled over to the sink with my pants still down and washed my hands. I debated about whether or not to wash the pee off my phone but decided that would make it even worse so I just held it until the hand dryer. I walked out of their with my head hung low and drove to my appointment and luckily got the sale. I explained to them what happened with my phone so luckily they let me use theirs. I went to T Mobile after that and they said they would overnight me a new one. The next morning in one of my sales, the technician came in and I asked if I could use his phone. He said laughing, "Oh yeah, your customer yesterday told me you dropped yours in the toilet." Not funny. 

Story #2 

Memorial is a pretty big day for selling because it's a holiday which means most people are home, not at work. So we went out knocking bright and early to get a head start on the day. The very first door that I knocked went like this...

Me: Hey I'm just here about that security sign out front. Did you guys put that in or was the system in the home when you moved in? 

Man: We had that put in, why?

Me: Oh we're just coming through the area to some homes that were set up a few years ago with the older equipment wanting to update the systems. 

Man: Well we don't even use the security system anymore so we're not interested, but do you have a card?

Me: Actually I left them in the car. If you're really interested I'll go grab one but if not no big deal.

Man: Oh ok, then no.

Me: Ok see ya

5 minutes late I'm driving in the van and a cop flips around and pulls me over. It went like this...Just picture the cop being a total jerk and loving that I'm crying...

Me: Hey

Cop: What are you doing out here? Are you soliciting?

Me: Huh? What do you mean soliciting? We sell security systems...

Cop: Why are you doing that on a holiday? 

Me: Holidays are a big day for us cause everyone is home.

Cop: That doesn't make sense at all. No one is working today. Don't you see how that would be suspicious? Someone called in saying that you were asking if their security system was working and you wouldn't give them a business card. 

Me: I didn't ask them if it worked, I just asked about it. And I told them my cards were in the car but I'd get one if they wanted it.

Cop: What company are you working for anyways? How long have you worked for them? They just send you out here to bother people on a holiday? I need your license and registration.

Me: Its called Pinnacle, we do this every summer and this is my second year.

(He goes back to the car with his buddy. My tears start to flow. 5 minutes later...)

Cop: Have you ever been arrested before?

Me: No

Cop: Are you sure you've never been arrested before?

Me: Yes I'm sure. Why?

Cop: Because your license pulls you up as a convicted felon. Why would it say that if you've never been arrested.

Me: I don't know, because it's wrong. Are you guys just messing with me?

Cop: This is no joke mam. What were you arrested for?

Me: I've barely even been pulled over, I've never been arrested. What does it say I'm convicted of?

Cop: It's still trying to pull that up. Why would it say you were a felon if you weren't?

Me: Sir, I don't know but I'm not a convicted felon. 

Cop: We're probably going to have to tow this van. Have you been to jail before? Is there someone else working with you here?

Me: Can I call my husband?

Cop: Sure but I'm not talking to him.

Me: (calling Trey about 15 times in a row and he won't answer...more tears)

To make a long story short...Jeff showed up to help me out. They told me they were giving me a break by not towing my car and not taking me to jail, just giving me 2 tickets and suggesting I look into why it says I'm a convicted felon. They were totally nice to Jeff as soon as he got there. Meanwhile I was traumatized for the rest of the day and had sporadic spurts of tears. I now hate all cops and get nervous every time I see one. Rewriting that dialogue brought back the emotion, now I'm pissed.

I was just gonna say...

Every Sunday in church I find myself so annoyed with people who make comments because they always start out with "I was just gonna say..." You should all notice how often people begin their sentences that way and maybe it happens in other situations but I notice it in church. I guess it annoys me so much because it is just stating the obvious. Of course we know that you were "just gonna say" something...you raised your hand for that very purpose. Here's a word of advice...if you decide to raise your hand and comment in Sunday School or wherever just get straight to the point. You don't need to preface your comment by telling everyone that you are planning on saying something, I think they already know that. 

And now for Jenna's debut

This video takes a little longer but it's worth the wait. I don't know why my family is so jumpy but it makes for good video I guess. Trey continues to be amazed at how easily I jump. He doesn't even try to scare me, it just happens. A few weeks ago we were watching Law & Order and I freaked out so much in one scene that I almost fell off the couch. Trey just stared at me, completely unaffected.