Open House

Today we went to an open house for the school that I hope Elijah will be attending in the Fall. I went on a tour last April, but it was nice to walk around again and actually meet some teachers. I think it looks good, but we will not know until April. Elijah seemed really excited while we were there, but later on he said it was boring. Since they have library, computer lab, art, gym, and science once a week, I don't see how it could be boring compared to what he does now! We shall see . . .

Hangin' In There

Well, I survived the first week on Jell-O and Italian Ice. I was able to also eat whole grain bread, some soups, egg substitutes, salad, fruits, and vegetables. One of our hotels came to visit and brought these delightful cookies. I really wanted one, but I didn't want to have to explain to an ER doctor that I was there because I ate a cookie! The only rough thing is that my energy level is very low. I wake up feeling good, but right now, I could easily go to bed. By this time next week I will be recovering and hopefully on some good pain meds! LOL

As of right now, my surgery is in the afternoon. What amazes me is that they still don't want me to eat anything after midnight. So, let me get this straight . . . if you have surgery at 8 a.m., or 9 a.m. (8-9 hours from midnight), you are okay, BUT having surgery at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. needs to be 14-16 hours of nothing). Makes no sense to me, but hey, not like I'm eating much these days anyway. I just hope I don't get a headache from it, since I have gotten a migraine before from not eating.

Not much else is going on 16 days left in statistics! I can't wait for it to be over! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Happy Birthday Uncle Herbie!

Happy Birthday to my Uncle Herbie! I hope you had a great day! I wish you a great year!

Happy Birthday Aunt LeeLee!

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Lynda (I've always called her LeeLee - something to do with when I was learning to talk). I hope she has a great day and a great year! She deserves it!

An Update

Well, I followed up with my doctor yesterday. Can you believe I had to have blood drawn again! That makes about 8 pokes since the drama started on Tuesday. Needless to say I look like a bruised arm junkie. I found out surgery will be February 2. After that, I'm off work for 1-2 weeks. The plan is to go back to work Monday and attempt to work until the surgery.

The good news is that I have progressed from Jell-O and Italian Ice, to cereal, toast, and egg substitutes. The key is to avoid fat so the gallbladder doesn't kick in and give me another attack. Do you realize how hard it is to find food with zero fat? This should be an interesting couple of weeks to say the least.

On top of that, I got a horrible grade on my homework, but a great grade on my midterm. So, I'll be plugging away, trying to stay on top of my studies . . . yippee!

Enjoy your weekend!

Nothing like a little January Drama

So, what started off as a normal week, did not end as one! If you did not know, I ended up being rushed to the emergency room Tuesday afternoon. I was just released today and I will be having surgery in about two weeks. I'm doing okay now, but I still haven't graduated from clear foods yet! I'll be having my gallbladder removed. Thanks to my health insurance, they didn't do it while I was in the hospital. I have to do it as outpatient elective surgery. (I'll vent about that another time). Overall, I think I'll be alright!

Kevin is doing better as well -- they had to go in and remove scar tissue that was causing complications, so he has officially had two surgeries in one month! ATA (Against Tawnya's Advice), he came to the hospital to see me. I talked to him today and he's doing good.

That's all the drama for now . . . I hope!

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

Thanks to my friend Ray, I've been tagged to tell everyone five things they don't know about me. Some of you may know some of these -- I'll try to make it fun for all.

1. I started playing piano when I was 4. My only regret is that felt I was coerced into it, so I didn't appreciate it until I was an adult.

2. I was doing phone scams long before Q95.5. Back in college I pulled a bunch of them! I was also doing reality TV back in high school and college, but it was more like reality video. Anyone who knew me then, remembers that I always had a video camera to document us doing ridiculous things -- (nothing X rated!).

3. I applied to intern at the White House when I was in college. I got rejected . . . it's a good thing because I would have been there for Monicagate! Hey Monica -- I wouldn't have tape recorded your confessions!

4. I kissed Scott Baio. Okay, I was like six or seven years old, but I got his autograph and got to kiss his cheek at Autorama!

5. I was in the newspaper. It was a half page picture, taken my senior year when I was picking up my cap and gown. I grabbed a guy that I hardly knew and had him put the cap on my head while the photographer took the picture. I forgot about it, but my dad showed it to Elijah and he showed it to me over Christmas. The article was about how we were getting ready to graduate. That was funny!

There's probably more, but I have to be cognizant of the statute of limitations! :-)

Tag, You're it Janinne and Suzette!

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations to the 2007 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. I mention it because one of my favorite groups, Van Halen was selected. I am also a fan of REM. The big question is, who will be there on behalf of Van Halen? Who will perform: Sammy or DLR? Only time will tell! What's rock & roll without a little scandal! There's also a historical moment with the first rap group inductee: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five!

Happy Birthday Uncle Kenny!

Happy Birthday to Uncle Kenny! Elijah and I called him today (and reached him, we didn't have any luck yesterday with Chuck). Sounds like he had a good day. I asked him if he felt any younger and he just laughed at me!

Happy Birthday Chuck!

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law, Chuck! Hopefully we can get together soon!

Statistics . . . Yuck!

I just started week three of statistics (technically week five since we had a two week break, but those two weeks don't count). Before starting it, I was dreading it. Then I got the book and saw that it was teaching you how do everything in Excel, so I had hope. Well now, I'm just frustrated and unmotivated. Most of you know how analytical I am, so it would seem that this would be right up my alley, but it's not.

Kevin is doing okay. He still has the infection from surgery and they are trying to keep it from spreading. On a lighter note, he went for blood work and it came back that he was pregnant. We might just make some money off this! At least it gave him a laugh. Me too!

My dad called today and the police found his car. All the windows were broke out and it sounds like they went on a joyride or something. The car looked to have been in an accident where one side of the car is damage pretty bad. They took his satellite radio (no surprise), but they also took Elijah's booster seat. I guess you can't have too many of those. Considering we usually do a charity walk to help underprivileged families purchase booster seats, I guess I could consider that a charitable donation. I just hope some kid that needs it is using it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

History is Made

It's not my intent to write every day, but it's just worked out that way this week!

Today was a historic moment . . . we have our first female Speaker of the House! Although I am happy about it (regardless of your political affiliation, if you're a woman, you should be happy), I find it sad that it has taken so long. What took so long? England had a female prime minister in the 80's. Canada had a female prime minister in 1993! Although we try to act like we are modern, are we really?

A Year Later

It was a year ago on this date that I started this blog. 143 Posts later, here we are. I hope it has been enjoyable for you. I know I have liked using it to keep everyone up to date in the happenings in my life. I still wish that more people would share Gary stories. That was the original purpose for doing this after all!

Unbelievable!

My dad called me today to tell me that he was leaving to pick up Elijah and someone stole his car! WHAT! Out of his own driveway! Unbelievable! My uncle said he drove by around 9 a.m. and the car was there. He came back by about 12:30 p.m. and it was gone. He thought my dad was running errands, so didn't think much of it. WOW! I'll let you know when I hear more.

Happy Birthday Ray!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Ray. We went to college together awhile back. It's hard to forget a day like today as his birthday! I wish you all the best!

Happy 2007!

My Wish for You in 2007
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ............
May 2007 be the best year of your life!!!

Is Superior Customer Service Gone? Part 2

Back in May I wrote about a bad experience I had at a shoe store. Well, now I have another one. It's regarding getting a new battery. Here's the note I wrote to the company (I blocked out names to protect the guilty and the innocent):

I wanted to share with you my experience in purchasing a car battery. I went online to price batteries because I was advised to get a new battery. While researching, I saw a button that said "pick up in your local auto center". I selected it and put in my phone number where I was contacted immediately. I was then connected with a gentleman named J***. He assisted me in confirming a battery for my make/model, and completed my purchase. He told me that I would need my reference number, photo id, and the credit card number. I was given reference 6******. He told me all I would have to do is go to the auto center, give the three items he mentioned, get my battery, get it installed and be on my way. Sounds easy, sounds efficient. Well, my experience in the S*** Auto Center in Westland, MI was anything but easy and efficient. I went to the store at 10:20 a.m. I walked in and there was a gentleman behind the counter named T**. I told him that I bought the battery online/phone and here's my reference number. He said "I don't know how to do that." I said well, I was told that you need this number, ID, and credit card. He just looked around and said he didn't know how to help me. I asked if someone else could help. He responded that "I don't have a manager in today." I asked him if he could call someone. He looked around at another gentleman in the store named C*** and asked him if he knew how to help me. C*** said that I needed to go to package pickup, that they would need to get the battery from the lobby I was standing in, they would carry it over to package pick up, give it to me to put in my car and drive it back over to the auto center. That doesn't sound convenient or efficient. C*** said that the online/phone service people do not know that the store is not connected to the main Sears building. So, I drive over to customer pickup. When I walk in, I'm told that the computer system is down. Nobody knows what to do with this reference number. C*** who was in the auto store who walked over to the main store was trying very hard to help me and truly appreciate him going the extra mile. He was the only one who showed me true customer service. About 20 minutes later he comes out and says that I should have received an email confirmation. How can I get that when J*** never asked for an email address? I asked C*** if I could get to a computer to show him where I went on s****.com and how I purchased this battery. He took me in the back area and allowed me to go online. Just like I did at home, I put in my phone number and got a phone call. I was connected to J*** again (thank goodness it was someone that knew what I was talking about). He had me put C*** on the phone and then called over to the auto center to speak with T** to tell him how to pull up my order. By the time I drove back over to the Auto Center, 45 minutes had passed. I walk into the store and T** is on the phone with J*** and is holding my paperwork. Finally I feel like we are getting somewhere! He gets off the phone and proceeds to wrap up another customer and then moves on to me. He did apologize for not knowing what to do and for sending me to the wrong place. However he then goes into complaining about why I would purchase online when I have to come into the store anyway. Then a customer comes out of the lobby to ask about his car and Tom proceeds to get defensive, use the word "Hell" and says that he is only one person and can only take care of one person at a time. He then goes back to complaining about why I ordered online. He then hands me paperwork to sign after asking me if I paid over in package pickup. I explained again that I had nothing to do with package pickup other than the wasted trip. I paid online and
proceeded to show him on his own paperwork where it shows that I paid. He then asks if I would like him to carry my new battery to my car. Why would you do that when I paid for installation? He looked surprised and I show him on his own paperwork where I paid for installation. So, he had to do the paperwork again and set it up for installation, while continuing to chastise me for doing this online. I realize that I am younger than him, but I felt he was out of line, however I did not feel comfortable telling him that I didn't appreciate his comments for fear that he would keep me there even longer then I have been waiting (we are over an hour at this point). He gets it all set and I proceed to sit in the waiting area. The service gentleman takes my car and I watch him replace the battery through the window. I did not get his name, but he was efficient. When he finished my car, I watched him drive around to the front of the building. As he was walking in, I asked T** if all I needed were my keys. He said no, there's more paperwork and once again complained about me doing this online. It's been a long time since I have been this frustrated over an experience in a store. If he had only apologized, I could have accepted that, but he didn't. By the time I left I had been there over an hour and half. I was never offered any sort of compensation. (In customer pickup it says you get a $5 certificate if it takes over 5 minutes to get your order -- it sure took longer than that). I originally did not plan to purchase online, I was only shopping around. It seemed efficient, but quickly turned into a nightmare. I have apprehensions about making any purchases related to your auto center, ever again. I would suggest that the employees in the auto store know how to pull up these types of orders, as well as learn to complain somewhere else other than in front of your customers.

A Moment to Remember

I have to admit that I have not been as political over the years, as I used to be. However, when I heard of President Ford's death, I knew that being in Michigan, I had an opportunity that I did not have before and probably would not have again. Yesterday, I took Elijah to the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor to sign the condolence book. Even though he didn't understand what he was doing when he wrote his name down, I thought it would be something he would appreciate later in life. Years ago, Gary and I went to Grand Rapids for a mountain bike race. I remember dragging him to Gerald R. Ford Museum. He was kicking and screaming a little at first, but once we were there, I know he enjoyed it.

Happy Birthday Glenn!

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law Glenn! I don't know if he's in town or out of town, but I hope his day is great!

When Will It End?

I saw my friend Kevin just before the holidays and it looked like he was doing well. This morning I got a call that he was back in the hospital and has had complications and infection. The details are gross, so I'll spare you, but if you would please continue to pray for him.