My Refusal Letter

(See previous blog post first!)

Cartwright Landscaping

123 Tree Blvd.

Houghton, MI 49931

September 25, 2012

Mr. Bob Walsh

34563 Rova Road

Atlantic Mine, MI 49905

Dear Mr. Walsh:

We were pleased to hear that you were satisfied with your retaining wall prior to its unfortunate collapse. I understand your desire to receive a refund due to the collapse, so I have further looked into your request. Under normal circumstances, Cartwright Landscaping ensures refunds for a period of up to five years in order to ensure our high quality standards.

After reading through your signed contract, however, I have noticed that your retaining wall was built near an un-drained marsh. It is our practice here at Cartwright Landscaping to provide the best service possible with the highest quality to you. For this reason, we suggested that you have the local marsh drained or select a new location prior to construction in order to ensure the stability of the wall. Due to the final location of your retaining wall, our company could only guarantee the stability for a one year time frame. Since your request is past the one year date, I regret to inform you that we cannot refund your purchase.

I understand that you expected the wall to last longer, and we would like to help you as much as we can. If you plan to re-build the wall, we suggest that you try a different location or have the local marsh drained.  To help offset the cost of a new wall, the blocks we used to construct your first wall can be reused since they were not damaged in the collapse.

We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences that the collapsed wall caused you, and if there is anything else we can do for you please let us know.

Sincerely,

Sara Schram

Zzzzzzz

That's all I want to do right now. Sleep.

But since I have to do office hours for Blue Key, I'll write a blog post instead.

So let's see, Sunday, I didn't do too much. I did various odds and ends for my homework in the morning and afternoon. At two, I was at the house in the process of making invitations for Alpha Gam's recruitment party this weekend (which I can't go to) when Madie came to the house. She's our Philanthropy Coordinator. Originally our Adopt-A-Highway cleanup was Saturday, but she moved it to Sunday due to weather. Since I had nothing going on, I went and helped. It was just Madie, Katelyn, and I that went. Like usual, there wasn't much to pick up, just a lot of cigarette butts and the occasional piece of trash. I photographed all the big ones so it looks like we actually clean up hehe. Then on our way back to Houghton we stopped at Burger King! I got a Whopper and ate it... wait for it... WITH tomatoes! I felt proud of myself, stepping out of my little box. It wasn't too bad either. We got home at about six, where Chapter Dinner was just about done. I went and changed into sweats and then headed down and sat with everyone else eating. I grabbed a late plate for myself too so I could eat later, since I'd just had Burger King. Then Jessi and I went to volleyball. It was a lot of fun, I think I'm actually improving! Jessi warmed up with me and gave me some tips which helped. Plus, when we played a game, I actually made 4 out of 5 serves over the net AND in-bounds! It's always a good day when that happens haha. So that was a lot of fun. After practice we went home where I showered and passed out.

Monday I dressed up in dress pants and my new blue cardigan for Dress Up Monday's. I went to work and classes, all pretty normal. Well, except Institutions. It was supposed to be a review day for our exam today. It ended up being only a half hour because all he did was answer questions, and most students didn't ask any. I certainly didn't. After that I headed home. I put in laundry and then did my house job, which was to clean the laundry and basement area. After that was done I headed upstairs. Then Beka took me to Walmart to buy brownie ingredients. When we got back I unloaded them and on my way downstairs to check my laundry, my phone rang. It was the lab calling with my last test results. Surprise, I still have mono. that really killed my mood. I spent the next hour in the laundry room, folding my clothes and using masking tape to de-lint my dark clothes. Then we had meeting, after which I called my momma.

Yesterday I went to my business class where we learned the basics of PowerPoint. It was painful. Then my Tech Comm class was actually not too bad. for whatever reason I'm never prepared for that class. Even yesterday when I got to the lab early because Business ended early, I had plenty of time to print out my work. However, I forgot I needed 3 copies of each. So I had to print those out during the first few minutes of class. Then we did peer review. The documents were technical letters, and we had to write two based on prompts. In my group, all three of us did one asking the City of Houghton to forgive a parking ticket and then two of us did a refusal of a refund for a customer for "our company". The city ones were pretty basic, but neither of the guys in my group really provided any feedback. Then when we got to the refund one, I think I blew them out of the water. The assignment was:

You received a refund claim for a refund for a retaining wall you built two years ago that collapsed. Your company usually refunds for up to five years. However, the customer insisted that the wall be built near an un-drained marsh, despite suggestions from the company. For this reason, his contract was only guaranteed for one year. You need to write a refusal letter.

 Well, the other guy who did this prompt was really not very good. He basically said "you're stupid, we're not refunding your money". I gave him a lot of criticism. Well, not a lot, but coming from me, a lot. After I read my letter they both just kind of stared at me, then at the paper, trying to find something to comment on or criticize. They didn't come up with much. I felt special. After that class I headed home and alternated between homework and preparing for our Open House. I did my dish day and made sure the kitchen was straightened up. Fran said she was going to Walmart and asked if I had everything. I said yes, and then realized I forgot the candy for the brownies. Oops. So she bought them. Then I got a few more things ready and around six realized I didn't have all the ingredients to make the brownies... I had forgotten cocoa powder. Wow I felt stupid. Sonya took me to Walmart though so it was all good. She bought milk for the event too. Then a while later I made the batter and got everything ready. The event went well, no one complained or anything. Then when it was almost over I realized I had forgotten to put the milk out. I felt SO forgetful! It's like this event was made to ruin my memory or self esteem or something. But there wasn't much I could do anyway. After I was done with my membership duties, I got ready for bed and passed out again.

This morning was AWFUL. I felt like a truck had hit me or something. I was sooo tired! I somehow managed to make it to work, where three people told me I didn't look so good, so I was allowed to go home. I said I was fine, and that I had two exams today anyway. I literally could not keep my eyes open at work, it was like my eyelids had an ulterior motive or something. But I survived. Then I went to Marketing, where I had my first exam of the semester. It was pretty easy, and it was open book, so what I didn't know or wasn't sure on, I looked up. I think I was the first one done too... I'm never sure if that's a good thing or not. Then I went to the lab and printed stuff out, including my final paper for Tech Comm tomorrow so I SHOULD be prepared for once. Then I went to Spanish class. It was okay, but I hadn't read because I hadn't had time, so I didn't offer much. Institutions was next, and it was my second exam. It seemed okay, but there was a lot I guessed on, so I'll have to wait and see.

After that I headed to the Academic Offices Building for a meeting with a professor. I ran into Emily in the library, so we ended up talking for about a half hour. Then I was still about ten minutes early for my meeting. I just kind of stood around until I was five minutes early and went in. It was basically just a get to know you meeting (it was an assignment). Then I headed to the Bookstore to ask Beckie for a favor that I don't think I'll get. Alph Gam Pref Party (a major recruitment event) is this Saturday and I'm scheduled to work. I have literally asked every student worker and no one can/will work it for me. So I asked her if I could duck out early. I doubt it'll happen, but I figured it can't hurt to ask. So I'll know Friday morning if I can or not. After that I came here to my office hours. All I have left tonight is class at 5, then membership stuff for the Open House tonight, which starts at 5 so I can't be there. Stay tuned to see how they go!

Saturdayyy

Well, where did I leave off? Wednesday nothing out of the ordinary happened. I did get all my reading done in my office hours. Then I went to class... for ten minutes. The TA (teaching assistant) listed the games we as a class will be doing but that we weren't assigned to teams yet. So yay? Thursday I hung around the house in the morning and headed out for my classes. Nothing exciting or unusual happened there. Then I got to Fisher Rotations early so that I could meet with my recruitment committee to discuss the events. It ended up being okay, so that was good. I think we'll get a good selection of girls for our open houses. I should get a list on Sunday night (tomorrow night) letting me know how many girls RSVP'd to ours. I talked to momma on my way home, and got some good news. Then when I got home, I had two packages!! It totally made my week. There were lots of goodies from home :)

Friday (yesterday) I went into work at the normal time, then to classes. Marketing had a guest speaker, and it was really boring. He was the head of the marketing department at Portage Health and just listed off a tons of information and studies they had done. Spanish was decent, I partnered up with the guy I sit next to who I've had classes with in the past semesters for a presentation thing that'll happen in a few weeks, so I hope that works out okay. Institutions was totally boring again, but I know it'll be like that for the rest of the semester. After classes I headed home and took a nap. I was so beat! When I woke up I went downstairs and hung out with two of our recent alumni, Karmen and Dani. Then a group of us went out to dinner. We were supposed to go to Bambu, which is a Chinese restaurant, but it was a three hour wait. So we went to Applebees. It was kind of weird for me though, because it was our four youngest members, our oldest member, and then Jessi and I. I don't really fit into either group. It was okay though, I got the Oriental Chicken Salad and ate the whole thing.

After that we went home and I hung out and watched TV, since the younger members went to play kickball at a fraternity house, and our older members went out somewhere. This morning I had a brunch/coffee date with a girl I met at a party last weekend (I think I mentioned her in a previous blog). It was really fun, she's traveled abroad too, and she's from Midland! Small world, huh? So I was in a good mood after that, when I went to work. I wasn't originally on the schedule, but Beckie asked if I could come in and open since the two other employees hadn't opened, closed, or really worked the register before. Since I needed hours, I said sure. So I opened and hung around the register to make sure the employee (Kristina) didn't need help. The second employee came an hour and a half late. It was kind of weird too, I was in the office, having just called Beckie (the number I had was disconnected) to let her know I was leaving in a half hour for my meeting at 2 and that the second employee hadn't shown up, when he walked into the office. Weird.

I left just before two to get to my meeting on time. It was for bid matching, a large part of formal recruitment. Then I went home and made myself some food. As I was cleaning up, there was a knock on our door, and since I was the only one home, I answered it. It was more recruitment drama, but it's in the process of being dealt with. Then I headed here to campus, where I am procrastinating my homework big time. I'll get around to it tomorrow.

Oh Boy

So lets see... last Thursday I went to classes, not much out of the usual. I did have an Order of Omega meeting though, which is my Greek Honor Society that I'm on the executive board for. It was pretty productive, and we had a large amount of our membership there, which is unusual compared to last year, but good. Then I headed to club volleyball. It was a lot of fun, I'm excited I get to play again. Thursday was special because every time I served, not only did the ball go OVER the net, but it was in-bounds! I felt special. Friday was pretty average, work, then classes. I actually skipped my institutions class so I could head up to the doctors office a bit early. When I got there I called and talked to momma. After my appointment (where they said they didn't know what was wrong with me so they drew blood for lab tests) I headed to Walker Lab to work for a bit, and then to Wads, the dorm. Panhel had a table set up to encourage women to sign up (mostly freshman). Each sorority had to do it on a rotational basis, so I ended up with Friday because it was the only time I could work. We talked to one person the whole time. But it was okay. I then went home and made some food for myself the did some homework before relaxing for the rest of the night.

Saturday I slept in a bit, and when I woke up I did a bit more homework. Then I got ready for our Triangle social, which is a fraternity on campus. We went to Hancock beach and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had cupcakes for Fran's birthday. It was a lot of fun. I brought my camera too, so I was behind the lens most of the time when I wasn't eating. But when I got home and put them all on Facebook, five people (four sisters and one triangle) changed their profile photos to my photos! I felt proud. Then I did some more homework and some Alpha Gam stuff before making myself some dinner. Later that night, the Triangle's had invited us over to their house for a "get together", so three of my sisters and I went as a thank you for the social during the day. Well, when we got there, they didn't know we were invited. Apparently their social forgot to tell them and was at a movie. Needless to say, it was really awkward. I ended up playing pool with the brothers as two of my sisters played darts and the third watched. It ended up being okay though, because I met a brother who was in Alicante, Spain this summer! He spent a week in Madrid before his program started, so we talked about that most of the time.

Then Bethany and I headed over to Sig Tau Semi-formal. It was pretty fun, I hung out with my sisters and talked to the few Sig Tau's I actually knew. One of the Sig Tau's that I knew had invited a girl who didn't know anyone, so he introduced her to me as we were talking. Then he left, so Jenny (the girl) and I talked for a bit longer, since I really didn't know anyone and my sisters had disappeared. We chatted about Delta Zeta for a few minutes, since she complained that they were staring at her and whispering about her. I said they were like that, and mentioned that I was in a sorority. She said she didn't expect that, because I wasn't all drunk and loud. That made me happy, I'm breaking the stereotypes! I left around midnight though.

Sunday I had an EC (executive council) meeting for Alpha Gams. It lasted long because we had some discussions and then a vote about something. It ended up okay though, it all worked out. Then I hung out a bit and did a little bit of homework and Alpha Gam stuff before going to Panhel at 5 with our representatives. It was good because I found out how many women signed up for Formal Recruitment; 44. So that's better than we were thinking. Beka, Rebecca and I headed home after that for chapter dinner. It was chicken pot pie and delicious. Then I headed right to volleyball. It was fun again, and I think the first time I went without Jessi, because she was having a birthday dinner with her boyfriend. After practice I ran home from the SDC. It was fun, and I didn't have to stop and walk at all! I think it was only about a mile though.

Monday was work, then classes, nothing too unusual there. After classes I managed to print off a lot of brochures for Alpha Gams for our Formal Recruitment round that night. Then I headed home and made some food, while I put my laundry in. I did some homework mixed with more Alpha Gam stuff for that night after I ate while I was waiting for my laundry. We had meeting an hour early so we could get to Fisher early to set up and decorate. It kind of turned into a debate about homecoming and which orgs we would do it with. Basically whether we should get rid of a dying tradition or start new ones. Then we headed to Fisher. We got all set up and everyone helped, which was great! It was a lot of help to me. Then everything went pretty smoothly. I forgot to show everyone how to make the bookmarks, so that was a little speed bump in the first round, and then I forgot to grab name tags for the sisters, but other than that it was all well! We had some good conversations and the girls seemed to like us. I had printed out 25 brochures, and we had 28 girls come through, so it was a pretty perfect number. I think we had about two left over? So it went better than I was expecting. Then I went home and ate dinner.

Yesterday morning was my follow-up doctors appointment. They gave me the test results but siad they were still waiting on one and essentially didn't know what was wrong with me. I had an EKG done too, which I've never had before (that I can remember). Surprise, it was all normal. Their new guess is that I have an ear infection, so they gave me a nasal decongestant? They also said my iron is a bit low. That's all they know. Then I was about ten minutes late to class, but I talked to the professor after and apologized for coming in late, but she didn't really care. My second class was good, we went over our resumes and cover letters. After class I edited them on the computer I also printed out some more brochures and papers for Thursday's rotations. Then I headed home in the rain. I made some orange chicken stir-fry and then cleaned up. Then, I took a nap. I was so tired and it was so cold. It was only an hour though, then I got up and did my dish day before doing a lot of reading for homework. Then I took a shower, did some more reading in bed, and then went to sleep.

Today is going to be a loooong day. I got called into work early so I can work register. Then I'll go to all of my classes, and after institutions I'll eat my lunch and head to my Blue Key office hours, and read during them so I can finish my homework (hopefully). Then I'll go to my last class of the day, and then walk home. I'll eat dinner, and then probably do some more homework. Oh boy.

Find My Acorns

Game Idea

for Husky Game Development

“Find My Acorns”

My idea for a game is simple. It’s a spin off the traditional hide and seek game, popular for young children. Meet _____, a squirrel that users can name themselves. During the fall, he went around the forest, hiding his nuts to prepare for the winter. However, due to an accident involving a fallen tree limb during a windy day, the squirrel cannot remember where he hid his nuts. The user must control the squirrel, jumping from tree to tree, scurrying from bush to bush, stone to stone, searching for the hidden nuts before the winter comes, and time runs out.

But the user must beware, this is no normal forest. The evil woodpeckers of the forests have placed booby traps in the trees. Some of their pecked trees have been transformed into transports, black holes which take the squirrel to the other end of the forest. If the squirrel can remember which trees lead where, it could be a great advantage. However, if the squirrel cannot remember which trees lead where, he could be left dazed and disoriented.

The evil woodpeckers are not the only foes of the squirrel, fighting to prepare for the cold, harsh winter ahead. There are many wind storms, dropping tree limbs which the squirrel must dodge at every turn. Not only the limbs have been affected; the leaves have been falling at a rapid rate, creating a hazy storm which the squirrel cannot easily see through. This little squirrel must fight against all odds to find his hidden acorns – all before time runs out.

Refresher

Well, where did I leave off? Last Thursday I helped with clean up of the blood drive. It was pretty fun again, and for doing so, Rachel gave us each a box of ice cream for our houses. Well, there were three boxes in my box. So we have a lot of ice cream - still. Then Friday we had K-Day, short for Keweenaw Day, where all student orgs can sign up for an informational table at a park to get more members. It was okay, I got a free walking taco and realized how hard it is to eat it from a bag haha.

Then we left for the annual AGD retreat at 6. We went to Agate Beach with the intent of camping. We set up the tents, put our stuff inside, made the fire, etc. We roasted hot dogs, told stories, ate some s'mores. A few sisters went swimming before eating, and I took pictures with my camera. I got some cool photos of the sun and the fire. I also spilled ketchup on my lens... Oops. But it cleaned up fine and didn't get inside the camera, just the surface. It was so windy by about nine thirty that our tents were literally not standing up anymore, so we packed up and headed back to the house. Saturday wasn't too memorable, just a normal, lazy day.

Sunday evening I had two meetings. First, I went to the panhel meeting, which is the governing body for all sororities on campus. I heard the rules for formal recruitment this year and more of the plans. My advisor came with us to the meeting, and us Alph Gams stayed after and talked, straightened things out. We're getting nervous for how things are going to go, but I don't want to worry about it quite yet. Then my second meeting was the Blue Key meeting. I basically signed in, got a t-shirt, met my group and left. Then I went back and slept.

Monday morning I had work, so I went in. Apparently Judy didn't know there was even a schedule, so maybe I can hope for a few more hours? I also sent a package in the mail! Then I headed to classes, which were pretty much uneventful. I did, however, speak OUT LOUD in Spanish class. I was proud of myself, and I think Talia was surprised, because she was my professor last spring and I didn't talk at all. Then institutions seems like its going to be painfully boring.

Then I killed time until our Monday meeting by making a PowerPoint for formal recruitment. Meeting was long and informative, but my report, the recruitment one, was the longest because the only thing we have coming up is formal recruitment. After meeting I did some homework and went to bed.

Tuesday, yesterday, I spent my morning working on the PowerPoint again. Then I headed to class. I don't think I'm going to like my business class. It's so... Basic? I guess. My STC class isn't bad though. After classes I headed home to eat some lunch/dinner around 3:30, then headed back to campus for my 5 o'clock meeting for Order of Omega, my Greek honor society. Our eboard met with our adisor and Rachel Wussow (who I'm seeing a lot of these days) to talk about our year. I'm excited, because we are doing a LOT compared to past years. Plus, I'm in line for either VP or president at elections for next year.

My second meeting was with the recruitment chair of panhel to talk about the plans Alph Gams has for this year. My president and advisor were there too, as was the advisor of panhel. It confused a lot of things for formal recruitment, but our events are set, so hopefully all ends up going well. We also found out we can give out informational brochures to the potential new members. So when I got home I started designing one. Then I went to bed.

This morning I worked on the brochure some more before heading to campus for my classes. I got free taffy in my marketing class (the one with Beka) because our professor owns a candy shop. Then my Spanish class wasn't bad. Institutions was boring again. Then I talked to mom on the phone, and headed to the MUB. I spent about a half hour working on my brochure before heading to my Blue Key office hours, which start today. After my office hours, I will go to my last class; Husky Game Development, and then to a Panhel social to promote the sororities on campus as a whole. Then I'll head home for dinner and homework.

Oh, that's the other thing I forgot, my husky game development class, which is actually an enterprise, had an assignment due Sunday. I had to think of a game idea. Now, anyone who knows me knows I don't play video games. That being said, I had a tough time thinking of one. My sister Lindsay, who graduated, came up with the idea, and then Katelyn and I elaborated on it, with me putting in the graphics and wording it. It's a pretty cool idea, actually. I'll post another blog with the text.

Fantabulistic Day

Well, I just made up a new word. Fantabulisitc. That's what my day was. It was fabulous and fantastic. Let me start at the beginning. I woke up at 7 and didn't have any problem getting into the bathroom (I share with five other girls). Then I walked to campus with Beka and Katelyn, who are the two sisters that live in the basement. (If I do move out of the Red Room, I'll move in with them.) Then I worked the Blood Drive. I had the 8am to 10am shift, which was set up, so we moved all the furniture in one of the rooms in the library, hauled in all the beds, all the boxes of supplies, etc. It wasn't too bad. I was working with Aaron, one of the DU's, which was pretty fun too. He's one of my favorites. However, the Red Cross forgot the bags to collect blood with, so we were delayed. I ended up staying an extra hour to help out with more set up and... wait for it... to drive a GOLF CART through CAMPUS passing out free ICE CREAM. It was so awesome! I went with Austin, who I met today and found out was a Sig Ep.

He's really outgoing and loud, so I drove the cart while he shouted "Blood drive, library, 12-6, free ice cream" and passed them out. It worked well. I saw a lot of people that I knew too, which was really fun because I didn't know I knew so many people. I also learned volunteering really does have it's benefits, because not only did I get to drive the golf cart on campus, I also got 2 free wraps and a free sandwich. Since we were postponed four hours (due to the bags we didn't start until 2, when I got back from class), there was a lot of extra food, so if we didn't eat it, it would be thrown away. So that was my lunch today.

Then I went to class at 11. Marketing. It seems like it's going to be fun, I like the professor, and Beka's in the class with me so we're sharing a book, which is always good, and Beka always makes everything fun. Then I went to Spanish. I was so uber proud of myself today in this class. First, I was about seven minutes early, but the back of the class was full, it's hard to explain, but there's six tables set up in the back, then a U shaped one in the front, but on a lower level so you have to go down steps. Well I sat in the last back seat, because I was too timid to move to the front. But after a few minutes, I moved! It's the little things I guess. Then we went over the syllabus for a few minutes, and then Talia had us do a test to see if we were in the right level (aka whether she thinks we can handle the workload or not). Well, the front page was a short story and the back was comprehension and interpretation questions. I was able to understand the story and answer all the questions in Spanish. In about ten minutes. When I left the class (passing all the people at the tables) I saw other papers, most students were about halfway done. I felt proud of myself.

Then I went to Institutions. Not much to say other than I think it'll be boring. Then after that I went back to the Blood Drive, because Rachel (the woman in charge of it and coordinating the volunteers) was freaking out because she didn't know if she'd have enough people. I stayed until my next class at 5. The bags got there just after I did, so we had work to do then. I talked to one of the girls on my broomball team while she donated and she thanked me and said I really helped her by talking to her and distracting her, so I felt good about myself too. Plus I got another free sandwich when I left at 5. 

I went to Husky Game Development after and it seems like it's going to be good. I'm not completely sure how it'll work since I'm not a CS major, but we'll wait and see. I think I'll be doing a lot of the marketing and advertising aspects of the games, as well as the written documentation for them. I'm actually pretty excited to potentially get some real-life experience with technical writing and marketing. Then I came home!