Customer Service

I have been quite pleased with customer service I have received lately and thought I would give the businesses some kudos for making me happy.

1. Lisa Leonard Designs I bought a ring from her company in September and the antiquing is coming off. I emailed, thinking I would be lucky to get a response, and the customer service responded within 12 hours and advised me to send it in and they would reantique it (for free). GREAT!!

2. Jimmy Johns - I frequently order from Jimmy Johns online b/c they deliver to my office for free. Problem is they are TOO "freaky fast" as they screw up the order over 1/2 the time. Today they screwed up my colleagues order and it just ticked me off b/c I ordered for her as a favor, then they screw it up!! I called and they wanted me to return the sandwich to them...ummm, please get the manager on the phone. He then offered me a free sub coupon and had someone drive it out me. THANKS!!

3. Southwest Airlines - LUV them!! My Mom forgot to use her credits before they expired (within a year) so the nice lady I talked to on the phone said to call customer relations and they would extend them for 6 months. They did, and emailed my Mom a voucher within 2 days. AWESOME!! Would have sucked to lose $400+.

My roommate says that he married me for my ability to be a biatch and get better customer service. I would say that it is working for me based upon the past few days experiences. I am not a biatch, just stern.

Mind Over Matter

Like the new template??? I thought all of us could use a little beach in our life for the next few months since it seems like it is going to be forever before it is warm out.

Went to IHOPs free short stack pancake fest last night. I ate all three and was extremely proud of myself....until I got home and thought I was going to puke. I am still feeling the effects, but darn those panny-cakes are the best. Not really sure if you care to know that and I know that isn't really that funny, but it was on my mind so there you go.

2014 Olympics

I predict we will see the following at the 2014 Winter Olympics:

1. My roommate is going to drive a bobsled (I noticed you don't have to be physically fit to do this)

2. I am going to Curl - you can do this and even be pregnant - no, I am not pregnant, I was just pointing out that you don't have to be fit.

3. They will do away with men's ice skating and there will just be a general ice skating category as the men all look and act like ladies anyway.

I am really enjoying watching the Olympics - just poking fun. Also, I have to admit that I have a hard time walking on the treadmill while watching a race that goes around a track. I have to hold onto the rails or else I veer off the belt. Yes, this is just another reason why I chose Curling, not Ice Dancing as my sport.

Update on "Fishing"

A few weeks ago I blogged about our little Jordy being intrigued by Quattro, the fish. Well, her fascination with him comes and goes (I think she forgets he is there), however, she almost got to him a few days ago. We came home from being gone all day, and Jordy greeted us with wet paws and underbelly. We thought this was weird that she was able to get that wet playing in the sink, then about 30 minutes later, I noticed the desk was wet and Quattro's fish bowl had cat hair in it.

She wasn't able to get him with her paws (thank goodness she is declawed), nor did she knock it off the shelf, however, I think Quattro was pretty scared. He has now been promoted to the top shelf and I do not think Jordy has even noticed. I think she has forgotten about him.

Poker face

Editors note: I can keep confidential things (have to for my job!), but surprises such as presents, etc., I really suck at.

I wanted to surprise my roommate with Kenny Rodgers tickets for Valentines Day. Immediately after I bought the tickets I texted his friend, my friend and called my Mom. I was elated. I thought this was going to be such a great surprise. I held it in one whole evening. Then on Friday evening I bound in the living room and tell him I have a surprise for him, but its not here yet......I then allow him to guess a few things but I have to cover my face with a pillow b/c if he guesses it I will crack. He didn't guess.

The weekend goes by, I am still in the clear, then we are sitting on the couch watching TV on Monday and he says "Did you know Kenny is coming into town?". I start dying laughing (it was a really loud outburst). And then I tried to cover it up by saying that he surprised me by saying that (or something dumb like that). The sweet boy he is, he didn't press me, he knew I screwed up.

Two days later, the concert comes. I still think he doesn't know and try to get him to guess what it is when we were talking on the phone. He tells me that when I get in the car he will guess. I get in the car and guess what is playing : Kenny Rodgers. I die laughing. He informed me that I suck at secrets. He figured it out when I laughed.

Then....he proceeded to tell me that I showed him his X-mas present! It was in my office and I told him to come in and sit down and his present was right there, for him to see - I never thought about it nor did I have any clue he already saw it.

Geez.

By the way, Kenny was awesome and worth the money. I don't care that the average age person there was 79.5.

Gabby, please be my friend

For Valentine's Day I got the ultra sexy, sleek wide screen...Garmin!! In all seriousness, I NEEDED this. I have been getting lost for years and this will hopefully prevent me from calling my roommate in a panic b/c I have no idea how to get where I need to go and I am late and NO! I don't know what direction I am driving so how can you help me get to where I am?? Whew....

So today I happily tell Gabby (this is the name of every Garmin, I call them all Gabby Garmin) where I need to go. She gets me there just fine and we are creating a true friendship of trust. I then need to get from my meeting to the office, and this is where things get rocky. She sends me on a 10 mile trek across town on a road with 3 to 5 stoplights per mile. What happened, Gabby? I thought we were going to be friends and you were going to take me where I needed to go, stress free????

I thought this was my fault as maybe I had the settings wrong, nope, it is set on the fastest route. Anyone who lives in the city knows that 10 miles down Nall is not a fast route.....

Maybe she was testing me? See, I actually knew how to get to my office, and I would have taken the highway, however, I thought I would allow Gabby to continue to guide me in peace, but maybe I need to not put all of my trust in her.

Things I love Part Six

Sorry this is a few days late, I wasn't on the computer this weekend - feels great to be "unplugged" for a few days!

While this list contains things I really do love, this is not an exhaustive list. I could do a years worth of blogs I of things I love, these are just things that came to me quickly when I was making a list. And just as a reminder for all of you who are reading and want to think I am shallow, of course I love my friends, family and life in general. I know I am blessed with so much and am extremely grateful.

Now, back to my shallowness:

I LOVE JEWELRY.

I don't care if we are talking about diamonds or Target jewelry. I just love accessories. Of course, I would love to only speak of diamonds, however, the budget doesn't allow for that. I absolutely love my wedding ring today as much as I did the day I received it. I have also recently gotten into redoing items - changing old pieces of jewelry into something new. I have talked my roommate into letting me design a few pieces of jewelry and all he has to do is pay for it. This allows him to not have to think about buying me a birthday or anniversary gift, nor does he have to get me a card. He sees this as a steal.

When my niece was a baby my mom offered her a diamond necklace if she would quit tugging on it. I have never been so mad or jealous of a baby in my life. I immediately told my Mom that she can't have it - either me or my sister gets it! Recently my mom has started loaning me things but I really just hope she doesn't ask for them back b/c I fall in love with things easily! Don't worry Mom, I will give them back.....if I have to......

Ok, for the honorable mention list:
1. I love purple
2. I love KSU
3. I love my house
4. I love throwing parties
5. I love shopping!

Things I love Part Cinco

I love my black Dodge Charger. (and yes, I loved my black Dodge Avenger wherever you are these days). I also like to name my black cars. Charley the Charger and Avery the Avenger. Notice the pattern here. Oh, and Charley is a girl and yes she is very fast. Actually, I only have girl cars, the last thing I need is a male car trying to tell me how to drive. I get myself where I need to go just fine, thank you, I don't need your advice (you know what I am talking about, men just think they know everything about driving).

I have always loved driving. I have driven whatever I could waaay before I was legal. Whether it be a 4-wheeler, jet ski, lawn mower, boat, or stole your babysitters car, I loved to drive. One time my friend and I decided that we could both drive the car and since we were too small to reach the pedals ourselves, one was the pedal operator and one was the steerer. Good thing we grew up in a small town and didn't kill ourselves or someone else! I think my Mom was really mad, but when she saw the car driving with two kids heads at the wheel, she was laughing.

I also really love speed, but I don't know what happened to me when I got Charley, I became a wimp!! Maybe part of that is that I now pay my own insurance and have to pay the price for tickets (just kidding, Mom!). I don't take full advantage of my power Charley gives to me, but when I need it, it is nice to know it is there.

What is it about black cars? Well, next time you are out at night and you see a freshly clean, black car under the moon light you will see just what I mean. Pure heaven. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Back to Charley. Have you seen that new Dodge commercial for the 2010 charger? It is advertised soley to men, talking about how manly it will make you feel to drive one. Puh-leeze. Women will enjoy it just as much, if not even more.

Things I love Part Four

I love Bath and Body Works Wallflowers




There is nothing more refreshing than walking into your house and thinking how good it smells. It may not be dust free or clean, but darn it sure does smell good. My only complaint is that the warmer units get a little gunky and gross so I have to replace them more than I would like to, but it is a small price to pay when your house smells like coconut lime verbena or warm vanilla sugar or p.s. i love you.

And if you are wondering, I think the aromas put out by the Wallflowers are so much better than the Glade or Airwick air freshners. AND if you shop the sales and have coupons, the Wallflowers can be the same cost as the others.

Things I love Part Tres

I love CHEESE!!



If I ever had a last meal (whether on death row* or I actually know the day I am going to heaven**), I would choose:
1. Rotel cheese dip
2. Velveeta shells and cheese (reduced fat of course ha!)
3. Mozzarella cheese sticks
4. Espinaca (spinach and cheese dip)
5. Grilled cheese from So Long Saloon, Manhattan, KS - it has like three cheeses on it
6. Cheese breadsticks from Pizza Hut (I prefer these over their pizza!)

For the record, I would also add fried okra to the mix and cinnamon rolls (just the middles, I like the gooey part).

Oh, boy, just made myself really hungry thinking about all of this. I also don't need to be judged about liking Velveeta. IT IS CHEESE - who cares if it is processed, most cheeses are in one way or another!

*No, I am not a criminal and I do not see any reason to think this is remotely possible
**I know I joke about being the bus driver on the bus to hell, but since I am directionally challenged I really think I will just end up in heaven anyway

Things I love Part Deux

I love Hempz lotion. I am a daily lotion applier, usually two times a day. Moisturizing is a very important part of my day, especially in the winter! I can't stand itchy, dry skin.



It is thick, but not too thick, has a light smell, but not too strong, great moisturizer, but not too oily, and lasts all day. See why I like it? I have been using it for years and so has my sister in law. I am very frugal with this lotion and do not share it as well as I should. My roommate can use the cheap stuff.

Things I love Part Uno

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am doing a six part segment on things I love. Now let me be clear, these are going to be somewhat superficial things. I am not going to include the obvious, like my husband/roommate, family, friends, kids, etc. These may be things worth money, some things sentimental or things I don't have yet that I would like to have. Judge all you want, I don't care.

ONE:
I LOVE MY RED HAIR

This relationship has not always been so positive; when I was younger I used to ask my Mom to let me dye my hair b/c I hated being made fun of. I will never forget when I was in junior high a boy yelled in front of a big group of kids: "Does your carpet match your curtains?". Honestly, I am not sure I really got his joke at the time, but I never forgot it.

Then there was another time (again in junior high, uggh) when my Mom made me this really pretty green jumper outfit. I was feeling pretty cute in it until I walked into the 6th grade dance and one of the boys yelled out "You look like Gumby". OMG, wanted to die. I know Gumby doesn't have red hair but I always associate this comment with my hair.

So, on to today. I love when people comment on my hair, love that it sets me apart and love that it gives me an excuse for having a temper!

Patience....

or not so much!! Well, we finally got into the 21st (or is it 22nd now??) century and got DVR. Yeah!! Now I have come across one more thing to ruffle my feathers. We recorded one of my favs, Modern Family and sat down to watch it late last night. We watch the first segment, then I boss my roommate the remote hog to fast forward (doesn't he know if I get to hold the remote I wouldn't be so bossy?). He fast forwards but then we fast forward through some of the show, then rewind, then get to watch a bit of the last commercial, then we finally get to watch the 2nd segment. UGGH!! ANNOYING!

This just isn't as much fun as I want it to be. I want a skip commercial button. If someone out there has Comcast and knows if this exists, please let me know, because I worked for 2 years to gain this luxury and I want it to be worth my pain and agony.

Ta ta!

I don't need an alarm clock, I have two cats

My children are getting into a very BAD habit. They like to fight over who is going to wake me up so he/she can get fed first. It is absolutely horrible b/c big boy Willie sleeps on a pillow right next to my head. Then Jordy will climb onto my chest or near my shoulder and the fight ensues ON MY HEAD. It is like a horrible nightmare, waking to cats hissing and pawing at each other.

Problem is, they really have nothing to fight about. Willie has already been fed at 6 a.m. from his auto timer, and Jordy gets fed her breakfast and Willie gets milk before I leave for work.

I know, keep the cats out of the room, but I just can't do that. Then I would have nothing to bitch about.

I love other smart asses

Texts between my sister from another mother ten plus years prior during the KSU v. KU game:

HER: Go purple people
ME: no shit! better be cheering for us b!tch!
HER:I am! U there? I haven't seen your red melon
ME: I am here. Be on the lookout for the hot red melon!
HER: They don't show the old peoples section
ME: I am right next to the students. I don't sit where you would sit
HER: Sure thing Mrs.
ME: you are the one with cobwebs
HER: We are past cobwebs sister, more like when a tree turns to stone. So are all the coaches wearing gay white tennis shoes? Even Frank?
ME: Yeah it is for cancer, fund raiser
HER: Lame.
ME: Lame my ass. This game rocks.
HER: Agreed. Just you are lame. And the shoes.

We used to sit next to each other at work and were so mean to each other about everything. I was mostly mean about her bangs and she was mean to me about everything AND she always took my roommates side. Annoying.

Amazingly, I miss her.