Introducing the new Roy Munson....

A reference for all you Kingpin fans out there...

Matthew's first bowling experience went surprisingly well Friday. We headed to Southtown Lanes with Rocco and Meg and bowled two games. Matthew's high game was a 72 (legitimate with bumpers). He was actually more enamored with the foot fault light sensor, but whatever. Having only bowled a 110 high score (pathetic), I thought 72 for a four-year-old wasn't too bad.

What am I thankful for?

Take a look. This about sums it up.

Well, actually, Matthew's missing from that larger group family pic below, but I think it goes without saying that I am thankful for him and the many antics and love he brings to our lives every day.

We had a great Thanksgiving day with the Hansons. We ate lefse--some for the first time.

We played the piano--always a favorite at Chez Hanson East.

Grandpa even let Matthew put some lights on the trees out front--something he's been asking to do for about six months.

We even got a little silly toward the tail-end of the day.

All in all, a great day. And really, our first as a family (Amy was only three months old last year--doesn't count). Here's to many more just like this year's...

That flouride treatment cost me how much?

We recently received a bill from Matthew's dentist. We owe $55 for his flouride treatments. But wait, we never received any kind of heads up from the dentist that this wasn't covered. No conversation about the option of forgoing the flouride. No talk about the fact that this would result in an extra charge because our insurance only covers one flouride treatment per year per child.

Would you ever get away with that in any other service industry? 

What if PR firms started charging clients randomly for services they thought they needed, but never officially asked. Isn't that the same thing? What am I missing here? At the very least, the dentist should have just sat us down and said, "now this may or may not be covered by insurance since this is Matthew's second flouride treatment of the year. Are you sure you want to proceed?" Given all the data, we could have made an informed decision. The way it played out, we were basically duped.

Now, the dentist probably isn't out to "get us" but he's definitely in the business of making money. There's a conflict there. And this is just a basic example--there are some other examples on the health care side that are far more frightening. 

Something needs to change. Providers and dentists need to be more open with their patients when it comes to what's covered, how much it will cost and your options. All the burden can't rest with the consumer. It's just too damn complicated. It's like the darn tax code trying to figure out health care insurance costs these days--thank God I married an expert in health care insurance. 

Any ideas on how we can fix this mess?

The Geek Squad needs a makeover

I've had it with the Geek Squad. I really have. I've tried to give them the benefit of the doubt because I love what the organization stands for and the way they've so strongly branded their company. 

But, my four experiences with the Geek Squad have been anything put fulfilling--in fact, they've been downright hideous. I've waited a minimum of 20 minutes every time I've visited the Geek Squad location in Bloomington. 20 minutes! And I usually have a four-year-old or baby in tow, so I don't have the luxury of being able to wait in line for an extended period of time. What's more, my latest waiting game was merely to pick up a camera. 

 

What if I could have called ahead and alerted the Geek Squad that all I needed to do was pick this up? A team member could have greeted me, grabbed the item and sent my on my way. I would have been a satisfied customer. Now, I'm an angry customer that plans on steering as many people as he can find away from the Geek Squad.

The other frustrating thing. Each time I've been to this location, there's a pretty deep line. Meanwhile Geek Squad members come and go from behind the desk as if there aren't four people patiently waiting. How about a "I'm sorry you've been waiting, but we're a little behind at the moment, and we'll be with you as soon as we can." Not that hard and would make a difference. Or, what if when you "checked in" you were greeted by a team member and handed a buzzer (similar to what they do at restaurants) and then you were free to shop and roam the store until your number is called. Again, not that hard. For an innovative and forward-thinking organization like the Geek Squad, I guess I would have expected more. 

Work on your customer service and get back to me, GS. Until then, I'm taking my repair--and warranty--business elsewhere. Very disappointed.

One reason to come to Duluth: Fitger's

One of the reasons I enjoy coming up to the north shore each fall: Fitger's. During our two-day stay at Larsmont, we get our fair share of Fitger's finest brews. Tonight, it was Starfire, the double-hopped IPA, Kolsch and a seasonal wheat beer. Good stuff. Just wish we would have had a little more of the apricot wheat. Oh well--always next year. 

Bedtime convos with uncle Rocco

"Nothing better than readin' books and taking a nap with my uncle Rocco," says Matthew...

Live from the frozen tundra

The third weekend in November means it's time for our annual pilgrimage to the north shore with the Martell family. We head to Larsmont Cottages, just south of Two Harbors, for a Thanksgiving weekend with the family. 

The accomodations are over-the-top nice--spacious cabins, good food and a pool and hot tub to boot. We rolled in yesterday afternoon and have already enjoyed a short session at the pool. The kids love it because they get the chance to play with other kids (namely, Clayton and Lewie) and bedtimes are a little later (Matthew went to bed at 11 pm last night).

The weekend plays out like this: each family is responsible for one meal. Ours was last night providing sloppy joes, chips, cookies and assorted snacks (and when I say "ours" I mean Jane's). There is always a good selection of Fitger's beer on hand as well. 

More to come later today...

P.S--buzz-phrase of the weekend has already been established courtesy of uncle Rocco: "Yanky my blankey"