To tip or not to tip? That is the question.

I ran into town today to drop of my Redbox movie and to the bank. I decided that my car needed a little love- so I took it to a car wash. I paid $8 bucks for a wash, which to me- it should be a dang good wash!

The guy did a nice enough job, as he finished drying he stood looking at me through my window. I rolled it down, and thanked him. Then I drove away. 

I got thinking he acted funny when I said thank you. Then I realized- he was waiting for a tip. I paid $8 bucks for an okay wash- I wasn't going to give him the cash I had in my car (it was for a treat later). 

Then my mind started spinning. When do you know when to tip? I know the standards- the waitress, a cab driver, a hotel worker who does out of their way for you, the pizza guy, etc. 

But then there are some I am on the fence about. 

For example- the lady who hands me my Chinese take out? I feel like that is a perk about takeout- not having to tip.

Or the pedicure lady? 

Or my hairdresser? 

The girl who brings me my ice cream cone at Rupes when I drive up?

I was getting a pedicure a few years ago, and I wanted to tip the girl. She had young kids and did a good job. She told me- she doesn't get to keep the tips. They go to her boss. Her boss wasn't even present during the pedicure.

So I became skeptical about tipping- does the deserving person get to keep it? 

Yes I tip the normal places but when it comes to a pedicure or a car wash- I feel like I paid for a service- they provided the service- the end. They shouldn't be tipped if do a good job. They should always do a good job- it is there job to provide a service. I'm not expected to tip the cashier or the kid who bags my groceries- am I?? Oh now- my head is spinning. Should I carry 1s everywhere I go?? People will start to think I'm a stripper-( now that is someone people tip.) 

Money isn't coming out of my ears, though I wish it was! So I tip where I feel necessary but now I am beginning to wonder if I come off stingy! 

So who do you tip?

What are your tipping rules?

Bald and Bold

I look at my sweet bald baby and can't believe she is 17 months old. She is growing like crazy! The things she learns each day or says to me amaze me!

Outside is her favorite. We have horses behind our house and goats across the street! 

Ruby loves sleep. I guess she gets one thing from her momma besides her eyes. She still takes 2 naps a day and sleeps for 12+ hrs at night. She finally loves her crib and I love the extra room in my bed! She has been sleeping in her crib without crying for 3 months now! As long as she has her gang of friends- Elsa, Anna, and her bubble guppies, she is good to go! (She really doesn't use a binky- she just found it and wanted to be like the cool kids) ;)

Ruby's communication is getting better each day! She is a really good little listener. She still is naughty- trust me- I just caught her eating dog food as I was typing this. Yuck. 

She can't get enough milk lately. She drinks like 40 ounces a day. But she needs the calories and so I support her addiction and supply it. 

She knows lots of animal sounds and I didn't even know it! She sneaks my iPad and plays games-

At least they are teaching her! Haha 

She loves visiting her dad on the farm- she is always so happy to see the baby cows ;)

And is so good for Reese when he takes her out! 

She is my helper and sometimes my mess maker! But she is good at cleaning up! 

And I just can't get enough of her- (most days) I just wish I could pause time- she is growing up way to fast!!

The Best Worst First Date

Some of you claimed I left you on a clifthanger on my blog post about Reese and I meeting at the Jazz Game. Of course if you know me- you know the ending to the story but I will fill you in on the rest. 

First a little thing about Reese- he isn't a texter and never really has been- it's rare he will text to have a conversation- it's usually over the phone. Plus he had T9 text back in this time and was not the fastest texter on the block;) 

A few days after the Jazz Game, my phone vibrated on the desk in my room- which wasn't unusual for me because I am a texter- but what was surprising was the text on my phone. It was from Reese, which was the surprising part because I never gave him my number- he had tracked it down. After a few texts- very few- he asked me to go on a date the upcoming Saturday. Snowmobiling. Yes I got asked on my first date by Reese through a text which is completely out of character for reese but he was a newly returned missionary sitting in a room full of guys who were encouraging him to ask me out- he was a nervous nelly. So he choose the easy way out and text me. I still tease him about it, but I secretly love it because it just shows how nervous he was! 

Snowmobiling. I had never been. Figured it couldn't be too hard- so I slapped some snow clothes together- and I was ready to go! 

The only person I knew on this date was Reese and everyone else knew each other. I was the oddball out but I never felt that way! I am a talker. I don't like always silence- so I filled it on the drive up. 

The snowbobile ride was fun. Until the sun started to go down and we weren't anywhere near the cabin. The ride back to the cabin seemed to be a lot longer than the ride there. I think at this time, everyone quickly realized we were lost. Reese had taken a wrong turn and we were headed the wrong direction. There was no one else out on the trails, we were lost- in the dark- in freezing temps.

I was on the snow mobile with Reese, and our double date was on the other snowmobile following. Reese was remaining so calm and positive even though he go us into this mess- so at first I remained positive too- despite the fact I was freezing and hungry and scared! 

After awhile- I started to panic. I panicked to myself though- I didn't want to make my date feel bad. So there I sat- hugging Reese's back-  tears streaming down- and pouring my heart out in prayer. 

We were  lost for a good 3 hrs. Soon we began to see lights, and soon we were back to the cabin. We built a fire and warmed up. Well sort of, I think it took my 3 days to thaw. 

Dinner was glamorous that night- McDonald's at midnight. But I was just thankful to be back in a warm and safe place. 

I was never mad at Reese- it was a mistake anyone could have made. He was so sweet to check on me always, and try to keep me warm.

A few days later he went back out snowmobiling with his friend- they didn't even make it out of the driveway of the cabin before the snowmobiles ran it of gas. 

 

I learned later that Reese was not calm- he was freaking out underneath that helmet too. 

Between all of our prayers that were silently said that night- they were answered. I have never been more cold in my life. And I still like Reese, but snowmobiling isn't my thing! Ha 

After a 1st date as disastrous as that one- I didn't really expect to hear from Reese  again. 

But I did the next day- when a text came to my phone:

"Are you as sore as I am"

And then I replied with one of my old dad jokes. Cause I have a sense of humor like my dad- and sometimes sound like an old man when I joke. And that didn't even scare him away.

 

Actual first date photo: