Fellowship, Food and Fun

A very quick hit and Big Shout Out to my peeps and the mister tonight.  Thanks for a Fantastic dinner of Fellowship, Food and Fun - and remember we're not women - we're friends!  Blessings and Love to you all!

Beautiful Weather And Wonderful Friends

So I think I mentioned a while back (I do such a good job of keeping my stories current!) that we had a girls weekend in Palm Springs. Terrie and I went out to cheer Kris on in a softball tournament. And what a good time we had! On the way out there – Kris was driving and we had stopped off at her parents first and as we are driving through the back roads of the desert I told her that if she were to drop me off anywhere – I would have no idea how to get back home – had never been to that area before. Of course, we kept it at a lower elevation – Terrie took a bit of a scenic route after the road she wanted was closed and ended seeing snow on her route!

On our way out to Palm Springs – I’m not sure why – but I found it fascinating that we were traveling along the Sonny Bono Memorial Highway – such excitement. When we got to the hotel, the room was nice - one of my favorite chains - Marriott (and I was even able to take advantage of a special rate being a Marriott Hotel Specialist - goodie for me - aren't I just so special) anyway - back to the room – it had this very friendly door. The door to the bathroom remained open and blocked the sink – so you had to close the door to be at the sink or contend with the door that wanted to be close to you and rest up against you – of course, it was the most action I’ve seen in a while! And then there was housekeeping! They came by on Saturday morning around 8am! We couldn’t believe it – we hadn’t put out the do not disturb sign – we didn’t realize that they would come by so early! And speaking of the do not disturb sign – here is a picture of it... 

It certainly isn’t your mother’s do not disturb sign! It’s been updated with current lingo – just like the conversation hearts. The other thing I found cool in the room was the pad of paper from the hotel – this is what it said…  'Accomplished List.  Much more gratifying than a to-do list, don't you think?'  - I thought that was pretty cool! - Although I guess I already said that - think I'm losing my mind today. Anywho...

One of the best things, though was the guy we saw Saturday morning. There was an older man walking through the parking lot with his shorts, black socks and black shoes! Classic! As we were getting into the elevator – another guy walked in with the same thing – shorts with black shoes and socks! Then as we walked by the pool – the original guy was laying in a chair with his shoes off – kept his socks on though. Very amusing!

The softball tournament was good also – fun to watch all the ladies playing. And Saturday evening during one of the last games, Kris made this Awesome diving catch for the out! Unfortunately a couple of plays later she twisted her knee and was out for the rest of the tournament. We still enjoyed cheering the team on for the rest of the games. They ended up coming in second place – but that was ok – it was such a great weekend to get away and just enjoy the beautiful weather and wonderful friends!

They Certainly Don't Make It Easy

So check this out…

I have tried twice this week to compliment someone on the service they gave me and it just hasn’t been working out – what is the matter with companies today? They certainly don’t make it easy. I’ve already told my story about JCPenney – they frustrated me again, though. After I sent the email through their website, I got an automated response that a representative would contact me in 48 hours – yeah – that was 6 days ago – oh well. I was telling a friend at work that I was considering printing out the email and taking it into the store to talk to the manager – she encouraged me not to do that – it would more than likely just add to my frustration – and of course she is right!

So my second attempt to compliment someone came when I called Countrywide. I’m refinancing my home and didn’t think about the fact that property taxes are due April 10 and the loan closes on March 30 and since they are compounded – they are paid out of my escrow account. So my loan guy told me to call Countrywide and have them pay the taxes before the loan closes – which I did – and the representative was wonderful – friendly, helpful, followed up and explained everything that was going on. At the end of the conversation – I told her that I really appreciated the service I had received and if she had a supervisor or manager that I could talk with to give her a compliment – apparently the only supervisor was on an escalated call. No one else is available? I was disappointed! She told that since they have my email address, that I may be getting a survey – yeah – because I have had such good luck with surveys this week. What a bummer!

Bad Cat Mommy

Last night - I felt so bad - here's what happened...  

In the morning - at around 5am I hear Sadie purging on her favorite blanket on the bed that she always sleeps on.  Not just once - but twice.  I have to admit, though - I was so glad it was on the blanket not the comforter - wouldn't want to have to deal with washing the comforter!  So I immediately get up - fold up the blanket and throw it on the floor by the washing machine - with every intention of washing it yesterday.  Well, the day got away from me and although I did get some laundry done - the blanket wasn't one of the items.  So last night I was getting ready to go to bed and walked around the corner and found her as she appears in this picture.  And I just felt like such the bad cat mommy that I didn't get it washed and put back on the bed!  So last night she had to make a decision about where to sleep - her favorite blanket on the floor by the washer - or her second favorite blanket on the bed with me.  Well - apparently I wasn't that bad since she opted for the bed with me.  And tonight she will be in for a double treat - her favorite blanket - fresh out of the dryer - on the bed!  Doesn't get much better than that - God Bless Her!

What a Disservice

I like JCPenney - I've shopped there for many years - and yesterday's experience was good also.  I went in looking for some new pants for my mom.  And being much shorter than me - I was shopping in the petite department for her.  I had no idea they had so many choices - they had pants that were short, pants that were petite AND pants that were short petite!  Who knew there was something called short petite - actually - someone at breakfast this morning knew and said they are a rare commodity!  So I feel pretty blessed to have been able to find not just one - but two pairs of pants in short petite for my mom.  Anyway...  I went up to purchase the pants and the sales associate was just wonderful!  At the end - she mentioned that there was an online survey that I could take to get a coupon - and if I was happy with her service - to please mention her name.  I'm all for making sure people get credit when they provide this kind of service (not that I'm always this diligent - but I try).

So I go online this evening to take the survey - answer the questions - and at one point there is a free form box that asks if I have any suggestions for improvements to the store - I mention that I was disappointed in the shoe department by the sales associates that were standing around talking and not offering to help any of the customers.  I continue on with the survey - waiting for the free form box that I can mention what a great job Nell did in helping me - when I'm all of a sudden at the end and the coupon appears - there was never another spot that I could make my comments about Nell.  So they want to know what kind of improvements to make to the store - but don't want to know what was right with the store - unacceptable.  Now I'm frustrated because I want to make sure that Nell gets some kind of credit - I know how nice it can be for a customer to recognize the service that I have provided.

Well, I couldn't let it just rest at that - I immediately went onto the website and sent them an email about what a nice job Nell did and how I was unhappy with the survey since I wasn't able to provide any positive feedback.  And, of course, the skeptic in me doesn't think that they will respond at all - but what a disservice to their employees to not allow the customer to give them praise - I wish I had written that in my email - if I hear from them - maybe I'll include that in a response.  How was I to know that I needed to write my kudos in a box with a question about improving service.  Unacceptable!

Does That Make Sense?

Another quickie tonight - went to Costco and thought I was going to have to make another trip to WalMart for Red Yeast Rice that my mom takes for her cholesterol - but I was pleasantly surprised that Costco had it - and a 90 day supply for the same price as a 60 day supply at the other place.  And let me tell you - anything that keeps me from having to walk into Walmart - especially by myself - is tops in my book!  So I brought my Trader Joe's bag to put the few things in that I bought and they ended up putting those things along with the TJ bag in a paper bag - does that make sense?  Crazy!

Peanut Butter

I know it's been over a week since I've posted anything - will get around to more stories later - I have several that need to be told - but for tonight - enjoy this picture of Little Miss Sadie.  I treated her to some Peanut Butter this evening - of course, being Lady Licks A Lot - she had to clean up after the treat...  Enjoy the picture and know that she truly enjoyed the PB!