Death of Salesmen

As we have researched and test-driven cars, we decided how lacking the sales people here are. It is really quite amazing to us. We want someone to sell me the vehicle. While I may not be the best at speaking "car talk" I do understand some basic physics and get the general idea most of the time. Simply answering my question about why I should buy your car with, "Well, the amount you see on the road lets the brand speak for themselves" is not an acceptable answer. Especially when I follow it up with, "Well what about your brand makes everyone buy them?" I may not have a three year old yet, but I can ask why questions and string questions together with the best of them. I noticed this trend several years ago in Chicago, and it just seems to be getting worse. While I don't always want people trying to sell me stuff, if I walk up to you and ask about a product, sell it to me. Tell me what makes it good, give me some numbers, give me some real life stuff that it may work for, anything other than apathy. Unfortunately with our economy going from a goods economy to a service economy, salesmen are more important than they realize.

Speaking of those not quite three yet (and really about a year and a half off of three), we are starting to get definite sounds. She doesn't quite say "Thank you" or "You're welcome," but if you give her something she'll give you two sounds that are a clear indication of "thank you," and if you say thank you to her, she'll give you something that is a clear indication of "welcome" back. It is sweet.

We continue to have issues with her being bitten at daycare. If it was occasionally it wouldn't bother us so much, but for the past few weeks (since they got a new girl in her class) it has been at least a weekly thing. Yesterday she got bit twice. The daycare providers have tried telling me that she didn't get bitten, or that she bit herself. Yesterday Chris actually dressed her in long sleeves to discourage biting (since they bite what skin is available normally), but that clearly didn't work. Hopefully I will be able to get a new place soon.

Work has been good but hectic for both Chris and me. We have some semblance of a schedule and it doesn't leave for much time, but we are almost to fall break for him. I think it is the week of Oct 8. He is looking forward to it as his long days are starting to drag on him. He is also being jerked around about time (though he is working near 50 hours a week this term because of scheduling mishaps on the department, both stockroom people are) and taking time off as comp time.

We are really starting to see the trees change color. This makes my drive pretty. I really like seeing the colors spread across the mountains. It is also making for some pretty runs. I did seven miles this morning, and felt pretty good after it. :) I let A and Chris sleep, and they enjoyed it. Even though it rained some on me, it was good to get out and run. I've been running at lunch and there are a few guys there who will run with me.

With the trees changing color bring a lot of other fall activities. We are trying to decide what to make A for Halloween this year. I'm all about not having to buy or make something for her this time around. She still fits into her blue stuff from last year, so we are contemplating doing a Cornish Pixie again. Any ideas?

Well, I should get to the shower and bed. Let me know what ideas you have about Halloween costumes. :)