Halloween is approaching, time to discuss scary things, and not Frankenstein, Dracula and ghosts...real scary things like:
Emily WANTS to go driving on the interstate..oh boy. I'm not sure it would look good to the police occifer if I had a glass of wine before the drive to take the edge off...not a good idea! And how in this area do you slowly introduce interstate driving?
The owl that hoots at night in my backyard...ask me during the day: I love having an owl (I'm a gardener, so an owl = no rabbits). At night, I don't like the owl, he is spooky...why, you ask? My grandma once said that an owl's hoot is the sign of death...thank you, Grandma, thank you very much for planting that seed (see how I brought that back around to gardening...tricky, I am).
Today on my drive home I passed a man in a truck. He had a roll of toilet paper on his dashboard...don't now about you all, but that is SCARY! Might even be scarier to think about what is on his steering wheel...oh I won't go there. But what I really wanted to say was, "Hey, if you are going to keep toilet paper in your truck, how about the glove box? Or maybe the floor? Or how about wet wipes...then you could used them on your hands as well? How about that?"
The substitute UPS man, he is always angry and frazzled...what if I'm the last straw someday?
Accounting.
No need to worry about ghouls and goblins when all of these other scary things are staring me in the face :)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Things Learned Later in Life...
I bit the bullet...I paid to have someone wash my outside windows (and siding)...couldn't bring myself to pay for the inside, BUT did learn...totally worth it! It is amazing how clean windows can make one's life a little brighter...no pun intended.
Professional massages...need I say more! For years, I attempted to convince my spouse that a great professional massage cannot be rivaled, it was worth hours of therapy. About 3 months before Keith passed away...he finally caved and got a great chair massage...he was hooked, yep, after one time! And I know he would tell you all...do it regularly!
Instead of asking...just make an announcement, right Em? This seems to be Em's approach to her social life. Instead of asking, just she announces...ironically, I think this should go under the Learned Too Early List when it comes to her, but when it comes to me...I'm going to take this approach from now on. No more asking, just telling :)
Professional massages...need I say more! For years, I attempted to convince my spouse that a great professional massage cannot be rivaled, it was worth hours of therapy. About 3 months before Keith passed away...he finally caved and got a great chair massage...he was hooked, yep, after one time! And I know he would tell you all...do it regularly!
Instead of asking...just make an announcement, right Em? This seems to be Em's approach to her social life. Instead of asking, just she announces...ironically, I think this should go under the Learned Too Early List when it comes to her, but when it comes to me...I'm going to take this approach from now on. No more asking, just telling :)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Things To Wonder About...
*Ran the 5K at the Run for the Schools on Sunday...wondered if I could do that again after a 12 year break in "racing"...made it, but wondered, what are some parents thinking? I followed a youngster for a few blocks who was on the 5K route who was running in her Mary Jane shoes...EEK! Though a Sunday morning, all I could think about was...plantar fasciitis...maybe I am old, but a good pair of running shoes are a must!
*Used to wonder what exactly a podcast was...but thanks to Joe (who keeps me posted on such things) I now know and was happy to learn that most are FREE...yippeee! And what is the first podcast I downloaded you ask? Well, coincidentally...The BS Report (which Joe has accused me of stealing the name)...I say not.
*Went to Shred Day on Saturday morning (totally worth the trip BTW) and wondered, do they really shred your documents once they are in the big truck OR does it just sound like it?
*When will I actually HAVE TO make the closet switch? You know, the dreaded summer-to-winter change over? I hate this, in my world, this involves a step ladder.
A glimpse of Shred Day! I'm going every year, man!
*Used to wonder what exactly a podcast was...but thanks to Joe (who keeps me posted on such things) I now know and was happy to learn that most are FREE...yippeee! And what is the first podcast I downloaded you ask? Well, coincidentally...The BS Report (which Joe has accused me of stealing the name)...I say not.
*Went to Shred Day on Saturday morning (totally worth the trip BTW) and wondered, do they really shred your documents once they are in the big truck OR does it just sound like it?
*When will I actually HAVE TO make the closet switch? You know, the dreaded summer-to-winter change over? I hate this, in my world, this involves a step ladder.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
My Gratitude List for the Day
When things look a little bleak, I like to rearrange my thinking into..."What do I have to be thankful for today?" Thought I'd share my list..
1. Went to the store today and REMEMBERED to unload the groceries when I got home, thus saving all cold items. Unfortunately in the last month, I have inadvertantly, not once, but twice forgotten to unload the groceries out of the car...not a good September/October happening.
2. Felt proud that my accountant confirmed that I had done some correct accounting after taking a few guesses at some things...Go Logical Thinking!
3. Up to this point today, there are NO ruined items on the "What did Finley Chew Today" List...though I can share since the throw blankets have been thrown around recently, that I have NOT ONE blanket in my home that has not been chewed upon.
4. And, last but not the least, at least I can come up with the names and birthdates of my children unlike the fellow in my new favorite YouTube video...check out this NY Jets player :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ47LdpkDog&feature=related
1. Went to the store today and REMEMBERED to unload the groceries when I got home, thus saving all cold items. Unfortunately in the last month, I have inadvertantly, not once, but twice forgotten to unload the groceries out of the car...not a good September/October happening.
2. Felt proud that my accountant confirmed that I had done some correct accounting after taking a few guesses at some things...Go Logical Thinking!
3. Up to this point today, there are NO ruined items on the "What did Finley Chew Today" List...though I can share since the throw blankets have been thrown around recently, that I have NOT ONE blanket in my home that has not been chewed upon.
4. And, last but not the least, at least I can come up with the names and birthdates of my children unlike the fellow in my new favorite YouTube video...check out this NY Jets player :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ47LdpkDog&feature=related
Friday, October 8, 2010
These are a few of my favorite things...
From the journals of the Unexpected Entrepreneur
One of my favorite things...calling the credit card company:
Conversation 1
Setting: Two weeks ago, home office
Betsy: I need to take care of two issues with your company, one is a name change and one is a question.
CC Company: Let's do the name change first.
Betsy: We need to change the contact name to mine, my husband has passed away and I am now the contact person.
CC Company: Oh ma'am, now that you have disclosed that information, I have to immediately close your accounts.
Betsy: No, there must be another way, these are business accounts, the cards are in the business name.
CC Company: They are tied directly to your husband...let me transfer you.
END OF STORY...cards were cancelled after more and longer conversations ensued.
Conversation 2
Setting: Two weeks later
Betsy: I'd like to activate my card AND fix the spelling, you spelled my name wrong.
CC Company: No problem...DONE, new card will be sent out and you are activated.
Conversation 3
Setting: Two days later, Mini-van office (nothing like multi-tasking)
Betsy: My card is no longer working after just one day.
CC Company (1st operator): We suspected fraud, would you like to activate your card now?
Betsy: I activated the card two days ago, used it yesterday...do you have on record that you are sending me a new card, spelled correctly?
CC Company: Let me transfer you...
Betsy: I am just trying to get this all cleared up...
CC Company (2nd operator): Let me lift the security hold on your card, I'll ask you questions...
Betsy: Great, let's get going...and by the way, I'm wondering if you have it down that a new card is being sent to me...
CC Company: I'm lifting the restrictions on your card, would you like to activate it now?
Betsy: IT'S ACTIVATED!
CC Company: Let me transfer you...
Betsy: I think I just am down to taking care of getting a new card that is spelled correctly.
CC Company (3rd operator): Sure, let me help you, I show that we have a new card coming your way. Would you like to activate your card while you are on the line?
*OK, at this point I let her have it, poor gal...the conversation ended with this:
CC Company: I have been happy to help, I hope that you feel you have received excellent customer service!
Betsy: No comment!
One of my favorite things...calling the credit card company:
Conversation 1
Setting: Two weeks ago, home office
Betsy: I need to take care of two issues with your company, one is a name change and one is a question.
CC Company: Let's do the name change first.
Betsy: We need to change the contact name to mine, my husband has passed away and I am now the contact person.
CC Company: Oh ma'am, now that you have disclosed that information, I have to immediately close your accounts.
Betsy: No, there must be another way, these are business accounts, the cards are in the business name.
CC Company: They are tied directly to your husband...let me transfer you.
END OF STORY...cards were cancelled after more and longer conversations ensued.
Conversation 2
Setting: Two weeks later
Betsy: I'd like to activate my card AND fix the spelling, you spelled my name wrong.
CC Company: No problem...DONE, new card will be sent out and you are activated.
Conversation 3
Setting: Two days later, Mini-van office (nothing like multi-tasking)
Betsy: My card is no longer working after just one day.
CC Company (1st operator): We suspected fraud, would you like to activate your card now?
Betsy: I activated the card two days ago, used it yesterday...do you have on record that you are sending me a new card, spelled correctly?
CC Company: Let me transfer you...
Betsy: I am just trying to get this all cleared up...
CC Company (2nd operator): Let me lift the security hold on your card, I'll ask you questions...
Betsy: Great, let's get going...and by the way, I'm wondering if you have it down that a new card is being sent to me...
CC Company: I'm lifting the restrictions on your card, would you like to activate it now?
Betsy: IT'S ACTIVATED!
CC Company: Let me transfer you...
Betsy: I think I just am down to taking care of getting a new card that is spelled correctly.
CC Company (3rd operator): Sure, let me help you, I show that we have a new card coming your way. Would you like to activate your card while you are on the line?
*OK, at this point I let her have it, poor gal...the conversation ended with this:
CC Company: I have been happy to help, I hope that you feel you have received excellent customer service!
Betsy: No comment!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Mom Moments
Scary Mom Moment: I have decided I'm not cut out to be a "football practice Mom"...it is too scary to watch the hitting drills...it doesn't bother me during the games, but geez...practice made me cringe...hit after hit after hit. YIKES!
Proud Mom Moment: Emily ran in her first varsity race today, she has worked so hard and it paid off...so proud!
Embarrassing Mom Moment: Didn't quite get the car cleaned out after tailgating this weekend. Emily invited a new friend to ride home with us after practice the other day. When they climbed into the backseat, there was an empty beer bottle in a koozie in the cup holder...Emily was sure to point out how inappropriate that was...BUT like a good friend said...it could have been worse, it could have been cold, half-full and in the driver's cup holder...it is all perspective!
Funny Mom Moment (but the Mom was my sister...too good not to share)...My sister asked me the other day if I'd ever received a call from the school lunch lady..."No," I replied. Well, she got one...the school lunch lady wondered if my sister knew that her son was out of lunch money? She did not. She told the lunch lady that her son, my nephew, hadn't said anything about that...the lunch lady wanted to make sure that my sister knew that her son had had to eat cheese sandwiches for days...Katy replied, "Well, maybe he likes your cheese sandwiches." The phone call abruptly ended. We would both like to think that the line was disconnected, but perhaps the lunch lady thought differently. In any case, my nephew now has lunch money and the cheese sandwich run, I believe, has ended.
Proud Mom Moment: Emily ran in her first varsity race today, she has worked so hard and it paid off...so proud!
Embarrassing Mom Moment: Didn't quite get the car cleaned out after tailgating this weekend. Emily invited a new friend to ride home with us after practice the other day. When they climbed into the backseat, there was an empty beer bottle in a koozie in the cup holder...Emily was sure to point out how inappropriate that was...BUT like a good friend said...it could have been worse, it could have been cold, half-full and in the driver's cup holder...it is all perspective!
Funny Mom Moment (but the Mom was my sister...too good not to share)...My sister asked me the other day if I'd ever received a call from the school lunch lady..."No," I replied. Well, she got one...the school lunch lady wondered if my sister knew that her son was out of lunch money? She did not. She told the lunch lady that her son, my nephew, hadn't said anything about that...the lunch lady wanted to make sure that my sister knew that her son had had to eat cheese sandwiches for days...Katy replied, "Well, maybe he likes your cheese sandwiches." The phone call abruptly ended. We would both like to think that the line was disconnected, but perhaps the lunch lady thought differently. In any case, my nephew now has lunch money and the cheese sandwich run, I believe, has ended.
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