Dr's Visit Bullshit!

So Perry generally rarely gets sick. He's a healthy boy. He's finishing up his 3rd year in a row with perfect attendance. So the only time we go to the doctor is in the spring to fill out summer camp medical forms. It's been a while since he's had to get a shot, and I can't remember him ever freaking out. When he was a baby, he literally never cried when he got a shot. I was the big chicken and would usually send Ron with him if I knew he had to get a shot. This time I didn't think it through very well. And he's almost a teenager and more aware of what going on, not to mention he's got some sensory issues. His learning disability, makes it take him longer to interpret things in his head. It's just how it is. Often times he doesn't want to put forth the effort to try and figure things out because it often just takes too long. Things that are unpredictable send him over the edge. Fire Alarms have been a big issue in the past, basketball buzzer, he doesn't like to ride a bike, it took him a few years to go fast on his razor scooter, the element of pain and it being unpredictable is an issue for him and we've learned to live around it. This is also why he doesn't like to try new foods also.
So discuss in front of him that he's getting a shot, much less 3, bad bad bad idea...and this is my fault, it's been so long since he's had any shots, I didn't think it through and attempt to make accomodations. Like how about we not discuss it, we get that shit together and perform a sneak attack, we will be much better off people. No instead, a lengthy discussion of which shots he was getting, and turn your head and cough incident, more shot discussion and anxiety builds. By the time it's shot time it's been discussed at least 4 times and the nurse show's and Perry's devised a defense plan. Like running around the room, sitting in the chair in the fetal position refusing to move. I offer to hold his hand, and he's not having it. Bribes of toys and what not, ain't working...we are now fighting a losing battle. So the unpleasant nurse, who has no people skills much less any attempt at any niceties, leaves to get reinforcement, and in walks Nurse Cratchet, who is even more evil. She begins to insult the kid who is having full on freak out, by telling him kindergartners who are 5 years old get shots all the time with no issues. REALLY LADY, is that at all necessary. I was mortified but too busy trying to get my kid to sit still so he could be inflicted with pain I requested. So they decide to leave and give me some time to talk him into it, which I am sure I could have done had they given me at least 5 minutes but they gave me all of 30 seconds, came in with my Dr. (whom I love by the way) they make the decision for all of us to hold him down and get it done. Feeling like the worst mom in the world I help in this, he gets the first shot while flayling about screaming like an insane lunatic, he gets the first shot and he says "ahhhhh......silence.....oh that was just a pinch, that didn't hurt so bad....can you let me go now, please....NOT...you got 2 more." Dr. Koehl and I hold him down while unpleasant nurse number 1 and Nurse Cratchet finish the job." Once we're done, Perry was kind enough to apologize to the nice ladies for acting like a nut......while I fall the heck apart. Dr. Koehl says that's not the first time we've had to hold down a 12 year old. Seriously there has to be a better way! Did I mention I had a scheduled appointment, and I had to wait over 1.5 hours, and the whole thing took me 2 hours???? The shot fiasco was all of 20 min maybe. Fairfield Medical you cost me a trip to Culvers, and a new truck from Target....and you may have cost yourself a patient!

Trailer Education

Ok so I met with Perry's teachers, and the special ed teacher at the Middle School. Didn't want to change anything, everything they are doing is working just fine. He's doing fine. I just want to know what transitioning to the new school will look like. I pretty much do this every year whether he's going to a new school or not. Meet with those who help him learn and make sure we're on the same page, and see if we need to change anything for next year. So you'll have to excuse me for not being completely aware of what's going on with the budget cuts, but I know at least 36 teachers are losing their jobs, the High School is going from 4 blocks to 7 bells, and I am sure theres a ton more that I am unaware of. So me being concerned that my special needs child is being isolated in a trailer outback is the very least of their worries. BUT IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN. So the special ed kids.....AKA resource room kids are in a trailer behind the Middle School, the trailers are needed because there isn't enough room for everyone in the school. And a few of the special ed kids require air conditioning, and the school isn't air conditioned....which is a lame excuse, as many rooms have window units, and if that was the case, they can provide AC for whatever room the special ed kids are in!
Here's my concern. Middle School, it was called Junior High when I was a kid, is probably the worst 2 years for any kid, you are becoming a teenager, your hormones are raging, you are trying to figure out what social group you belong in, you are losing friends, and gaining new friends or not. Ad in the added presure of a learning disability, a resource room with little to no integration, and you ride the short bus. In addition to all that you are going to isolate these kids in a trailer behind the actual school building. So average kids have little to no social interaction with the special needs kids and the special needs kids have little to no interaction with average kids. Many of the special needs kids are fairly normal, they may have their quirks, but most of them are as normal as any other kid. If they are left with each other they will never learn what is socially acceptable during normal everyday social interactions. A community trip once a week to the dollar store, or a resturant is not enough to teach a kid how to interact socially with his peers. Sure the nose of the hallways, can be overwhelming for a kid with sensory issues, but they don't change class's as often and they can close their door, and they have aids that help them get to where they are going.
Ideally I would be all for total integration with the right assistance it can work. Fairfield doesn't have the budget to do it properly, so theres no way. Not to mention it's not for every kid, but for some I think they'd benefit greatly. Ok I am off my soapbox, feel free to debate, I doubt you'll change my mind, I am not a fan of my kid being isolated in a trailer out back, air conditioned or not, the social implications are not reversable. And for the record my kid could careless, he thinks it sounds cool to have a trailer classroom all for his class. Ha! I am in an uproar for the other kids who do like to socialize, and aren't fine just to talk to themselves.
*I am aware that much of what I said is politically incorrect, it's my blog and I do what I want.

Yellow Springs Adventure 2010

Yellow Springs Adventure 2010, originally uploaded by Yoda0419.

I will add more details of our adventure later, but wanted to post this as I haven't blogged in ages. Enjoy.

SNOW! We are tired of you!

He charges by the hour, and he may get it shoveled before it melts.

I'd like to take a moment and complain.....

So my beloved Switchfoot is coming in Concert in the nati, during my birthday month. Heres the problem, actually there is quite a few.....first of all see the awesome pictures below of my beloved Switchfoot, from someone who got to see them in concert recently.....LUCKY. Ok the problem. The one friend who appreciates them as much as I do, will be attending a retreat that weekend, and probably won't be home in time.....yeah retreat....used to do those too, then something happened and I just don't scrap anymore! Yeah I said it, often consider scrapping, think about scrappin....might sit at my scrap table, but haven't scrapped a page probably in nearly a year....it's awful I know. Ok so back to Switchfoot......1. It's at the Underground, which is a nice place, it's just not all that big, and it's no seats (dang I'm old), and it'll be full of teenagers. Enjoyed them the most at The Newport in Columbus, and we have places like that here why not go there? 2. Tickets are $25 to $35, WHAT THE? Seriously I love them...and would pay this much, but come on seriously, that's a big increase from when I saw them before....well not huge but I think the most I paid was $20 and what's it mean $35, it's general seating.....does that come with a backstage pass. 3. I ain't going alone...that's just lame. So this is a PSA, if you LOVE....not moderately like, as in you've heard a song or 2, LOVE as in you own all their songs and they are loaded on your ipod and you know the words. Gimme a hollar......I'd hate to miss this concert since Hello Hurricane is an awesome album, and Switchfoot is my favorite band, and MARCH is my birthday month, I see no other reason! Being a grown up sucks sometimes for real!

Made this today....it's super yummy. I think we are suppose to get more snow tonight. So I can make more tomorrow. Wow that picture is crap! Maybe if you click on it you'll see it bigger....sorry.

Christmas is coming.....

I made an observation this week. The world of retail begins the holiday season so early when it comes to Christmas week, most people are actually sick of Christmas. I know I am. I mean seriously is it too much to ask to respect the turkey and the pilgrams and just wait? At work we did all of our Christmas festivities a week before Christmas week. So cookie baking happened then, and I made sure all my cards were done before then. Our annual Christmas party was this weekend, so...... now it's the week of Christmas and I feel like it's already happened. The anticipation isn't all that exciting. Although I am hopeful for an amazingly surprised 12 year old when he opens his Wii on Christmas morning. We spent so much on the Wii and all the stuff we need to go with it that Ron and I won't be giving each other much.

I did have an element of a little less stress when I chose not to make my Christmas cards. Other than the few I made for work, my cards were bought cards for the first time in 10 years. Instead I chose to simplify Christmas, and buy these cards.

So they went postal on Friday. Most everyone got the larger cards that I bought but some got a card with a picture Perry made just for my card. For those of you who didn't get that card here ya go.

And those of you who got this card you didn't get the picture of the fam, because it wouldn't fit. So I'll post it here so no one feels left out.

It's hard to keep everyone happy honestly. We also did our annual Santa picture with Grandpa and the Grandkids. Always a good time for all. Funny thing is we've gone to the Cincinnati Mills/Cincinnati Mall/Forest Fair Mall/Money Pit Santa for years. He used to always have a real beard and not look fake at all. Well they hired a homeless skinny guy this year, and oddly enough no one wanted to sit on that Santa's lap. I wasn't really down with sending my kid to him he completely creeped me out. So off to Bass pro's free Santa picture we went. Waited in line for 20 minutes and got our picture taken for free. As my dad eagerly aproached the Jolly fat fellow to get in the picture with the kids, my brother and I slowly turned our back and pretended such craziness is natural. We are sure his days are numbered as far as the kids will eventually not want to carry on t his tradition so we humor him. So all I have left to is wrap, a lot of presents, and have Christmas already. I love Christmas I really do I just wish it didn't start so early, I think I'd love it even more. God Bless everyone, and have a great Christmas!

SWITCHFOOT-Hello Hurricane

Remember back in the day when I would blog about switchfoot like every other day? Well, then life got serious, and I had to act like a respectable member of society and not like a groupie, which is truly what I'd like to be. Well their new album came out a few weeks ago, and I got it on itunes the day it came out. It's super fabulous, close to as good as Beautiful Letdown, which is my all time favorite Switchfoot album, this one doesn't top that one but comes closer than any of their other albums, it's great! So their tour isn't coming even remotely close to cincy, so I stalked flickr and found.....

This, amazing pictures that makes me feel as though I was right there. Enjoy, and if the photographer is out there....thank you, thank you, thank you!

So that we'll never forget.....

Charlie Matthews Celebration of Life from Mason Vineyard Church on Vimeo.

For those I've spoken to since the service, and for those who weren't able to attend. I hope to never forget the impact it had on my life. And now those of you who never knew Charlie can now see why it's so important to never forget him.

Do Over!

This week I'd like to ask for a Do over! Not Halloween it was dandy, and it involved candy. Not sure why I just said dandy but I think it's because it rhymes with candy. "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker....." Anyone??? So Perry was a sock monster. I caught a brief glimpse of this costume at Spookeree last year and memorized it in my head, and recreated it because it's a genius idea. But before Halloween could even begin, while at work I got word that Charlie Matthews , had passed away that morning. Due to medical complications, he had been in the hospital since October 5, and days before seemed to be on the road to recovery. I was crushed. 2 Corintians 4:8 is crap. " We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;" Some of it I am certain is true. Crushed.....CHECK.....hard pressed....CHECK......perplexed......CHECK CHECK.......not in despair.....WRONG....Saturday I was fine, sad, but not in despair just yet because I was working and somewhat in disbelief, Sunday in church....was when I started feeling that despair that Paul says in that verse I'm not suppose to be in. Then Monday when I read Dave Workmans blog, he said all the right words, and it was almost like he gave me permisson to be in complete despair.....thanks Dave! (honestly something needed to be released) It just seemed to get worse from there like a crazy downward spiral of overwhelming sadness. It seemed to get worse as the day of his funeral drew closer. Felt somewhat alone in my sadness as I hadn't really been connected with anyone from Alpha in over 2 years. Then I got connected, and it was as though we had never lost touch and they were experiencing the same kind of grief I was. It was so good to reconnect. And grieve with people who knew exactly how I felt. It was good to see even more Alpha peeps at the memorial service.....which was super sad.....super cleansing and was pretty much a life changing event. You could not walk away from that service and not feel like you were commissioned to change the world, and be passionate about doing it. 3 of my Alpha peeps and I were invited back to the Mason Vineyard, after the cemetary. What an honor to see what Charlie had poured his heart into over the past 6 months. And wow these people loved him and his family. They embraced us immediately. It was as though they saw some of Charlie in us, afterall we were trained leaders who served under his leadership for many years. All 4 of us were what many refer to as Alphaholics.....those who serve every session often it would be 3 sessions a year. (that's 30 weeks people) So we got the grand tour.....what a special place.....clearly inspired by all that was Charlie. As I stepped foot into the sactuary, first of all the smallest sactuary I've seen in my whole life. It seats 50 people, anymore you are violating the fire code. I've been at VCC for 22 years, when I first started one service was 200 we had 3 services, when we moved to crescentville we were at one point at like 7 or 8 services. And by the time we got to where we are now, we eventually grew to 8,000, don't check the math but I think it's fairly accurate. So I digress...basically 50 people is like a small group to us. Just a little bit before my time VCC started with as few as 50 people.

So asside from the smallness, it was actually very quaint and cozy, the first thing I noticed was the chairs. I recognized the chairs. Ok so to most these chairs are just chairs. To someone like me who thrives on the simple things.....these chairs signify way way more than just a place to


rest your rear. These chairs were at VCC when we were at Crescentville. These chairs bring back a lot of great memories. Lots of great worship, with Dave Workman as the worship leader. I once saw a women get slain in the spirit and nearly hit her head on one of these chairs (true story) me and my friend Weezer (mean Kim) were right behind her and both of us neglected to even attempt to catch her. She was fine the HG....allowed her to rest gently to the floor. These chairs represent growth and change, because they are moveable and you can always add more. Which I truely believe is going to happen at Mason Vineyard. Charlie set them up for great success.....I got a great sense of the Holy Spirit in this sactuary, and felt like he was saying "great things are going to happen here." Can't wait to see what happens. So I am "double dipping" on Sunday with some of my Alpha peeps, Charlie had prepared to do a series called "One Month to Live." I listened to the first week online at the Mason website....and well lets just say, it's going to be a good one I'm sure of it. Ok so no more crying, pretty sure I've got no more tears left...I said that before then found some more. On to the business of living people we got a world to change! Lots of people blogged about Charlies death. When my friend Michelle had mentioned Steve Fuller had visited Mason Vineyard on Sunday, he's always had a way with words, this time was no exception, very well put and keeping it real just like Charlie would have it.

My Secret...

It's really not a big deal. I was just told by someone who appeared to have a bit of authority, "please don't tell anyone." So I kept it on the "DL" till now. So Chipotle in Fairfields official grand opening isn't until friday. I saw people there eating at lunch time. So I assumed they were open, and the big celebration is on friday. So I made my plans for dinner before leaving work. Went at dinnertime. Walked in like I owned the place (trust me I'll be partial owner in no time) and was stopped by an official looking burrito dude. He asked "do you have an ivitation?". To which I said "no", so he whispered over to an official looking burrito lady....while I stand there looking like a goon. She then said "go ahead, but don't tell anyone since it's free tonight...". DO WHAT? Oh I've had my fair share of free love from them before, lost wallet, tax day, mothers day ect....but not a whole meal. Apparently you could feed the whole fam fo free since the dude in front of me did. I didn't want to be greedy so I just got my burrito and the drink. Considering I didn't get officially invited. So I got the fam's food at the other one that was only like 7 miles up the road. So there's my secret. Was it worth the wait?
Sent from my BlackBerry device from Cincinnati Bell Wireless

Fall Fun and Blogging from the Blackberry

Sent from my BlackBerry device from Cincinnati Bell Wireless

Testing Technology

So this is a test. Just set up to blog from my phone! We all know I sure do love me some technology. But which is easier? 140 character tweet, or an entire blog post from my blackberry? That question was answered right away since an SMS post is limited in characters and it breaks it up. So I'll try and do it as an MMS or another way, or just tweet.......

Socks.....and other Nonsense I might come up with at 1:45 am

So I had an epiphany while putting clothes in the dryer, and seeing the mountain of socks on top of my dryer. Socks should magically find their mates while spinning around in the dryer. There I said it. I mean really how many countless hours are spent matching.....(or not)....up socks? In my line of work people rarely see my socks, so if I am too lazy to find the mate sometimes I will find something that's close. Surely I am not the only one in the whole world who does this.

Those right there are my favorite socks, with my favorite shoes. One of the socks is missing, but I have a red, white a blue striped one that came in the same pack so essentially it's the same sock just diff colors. Yep I've worn them together. Oh let it out people it's not a big deal, no one cares really. And if you've always wanted to do this and have not, I'm now giving you permission. Make it happen, you'll feel liberated. So while we are on the topic of socks according to Walmart only grown ass men have a need for warm wool socks. True story. Now granted I am not a fan of going to walmart, and if I could afford it I'd avoid it like the plague, but lets be real folks, most of us are BROKE these days and we can't afford to buy that crap anywhere else but walmart. So I was on a quest to purchase some either super warm or wool socks at the Mart of Wals, for the boy and I, along with other essentials needed for camping with the boy scouts in the cold wet climate, of which we are experiencing right now. None could be found for dainty lady feet like mine, and none for little boy feet either, oh but if you are a manly man, and entire section is devoted to warm wool socks. And apparently there aren't any wee little men in the world with wee little feet, they all must have size 9 or larger. UGH.....So I will have to venture out on my day off tomorrow to score warm socks....because Lord knows my strippedy, mismatched socks would not be cold ass camping worthy! My first camping adventure with the Boy Scouts and I choose a wet cold weekend. Cub Scouts don't camp when it's cold. Boy Scouts camp no matter what the climate.....I've hit the big time, pray I don't freeze to death. So to see some of the sites I saw during my late night adventure just go HEAR and pretend it's Hamilton, OH.....or should I say "The Township", don't get all offended Hamilton folks......you know I love you all and you are an exception to the rule, most of you anyways!

The Boy got a TV....in his Room??

I kind of feel like the reason my child has ADHD, would be because he watched ALOT of TV as a baby. Ron and I worked opposite shifts, and opposite meaning we saw each other coming and going. He worked nights and I worked days. So he was home in the mornings with the baby, often quite sleepy. So the TV helped him babysit. Sad but true. So once we got on a regular schedule I vowed the child would never have a TV in his room. I mean seriously, theres a TV in ever other room in the house why would he need one in his room? I don't ever remember having one in my room until I was 16. He didn't really ask for one until the past few years when he started going to friends houses and saw most of his friends have TV in their rooms, and he's like um wheres mine? So he has a whole wall, painted with chalkboard paint, so he drew one, and then crafted a remote control out of cardboard. Imagination+chalk TV+cardboard remote= cheapest TV ever! The power of that TV didn't last very long. So in order for us to get him to do his summer reading this summer we bribed him with a TV in his room if he completed his book. With a little help from Geegaw, and a TV she was getting rid of his dream finally came true today.
So now heres my question, to those of you who are parents of children who are fortunate to have a TV in their room. What sort of rules do you have for that. I can see him up at all hours watching TV. Never leaving his room, ect.....I'm going to need some guidance on the rules here. This is a whole new territory for me. Dag remember when you turned 12 and got a phone in your room? Do people even do that anymore? Few people even have land lines anymore, I am considering getting rid of ours. I mean seriously, why do you even need a landline anymore? I know I've not blogged in forever. Blogging is so 2008 people, microblogging is the wave of the future, regular old fashion blogging involves way too many words.

Retail Hell.....

Hey it could be worse it could be Life Insurance hell which we all know that is a 10 times worse hell, where you are left to rot in a cube, while you enter data into a computer like a trained monkey. I served my time yo. Now I get to be entertained by the mass's of hilarious retail consumers who love all things swedish, and like to bitch about lousy service. Have I mentioned lately I LOVE MY JOB? I am not even being sarcastic.

So I was summons to returns today. (it happens way more often than I would like I roll with it and rarely complain, we're all hurting) and a super tall lady had apparently been waiting 35 minutes or so when she got to me. She was super tall and had about a pound of botox in her lips. I am sure of it, is botox even measured in pounds? She had sunglass on that each lense was the size of a big screen TV, I am not kidding about this you can check the video. And she says to be with her large lips and her large sunglass's...."I don't understand how the rest of the store can be so fabulous and your returns system be so awful...." She said this to me in somekind of movie star I'm from Hollywood voice. Well her return took all of 5 minutes, and she was on her merry way. Maybe she'll think twice about buying shit she don't need!

Yesterday is the best story of all. I was late getting in yesterday since I had to go to the doctor for a stupid side pain I've had for a week. (back to that in a minute) So no one in my department was in all morning as I was schedule alone for the whole day.....(awesome, it happens with few people) So a women had a fridge delivered that morning, she was a 78 year old women. She freaked the heck out on the poor delivery dude because it opened on the wrong side so it was obvious it was the wrong fridge.....ummmm.....so she called and left message after message when I wasn't there. She talked to every manager she could get transferred to. So when I get in I am bombarded by.....messages from all sides about this crazy women. Um hello people fridge doors are interchangable, it's a feature known to mankind about american fridges....geez....I was fortunate enough to avoid the crazy women, as she was irrational and cussing folks out left and right. Her daughter called me who was very pleasant and apparently afraid of her mother so she lives far far away, so is able to help defuse the situation from affar. Good daughter. The other part of the story was she asked the delivery dude to move her old fridge which they are permitted to do just not haul away since that's an extra charge. So Mr. Delivery guy requests a tip (big no no), she offers $4.....to which he apparently was offended, because if you are going to ask for a tip....it'll need to be more, so he requests $20? (oh Lord) Obviously delivery dude was called out on this and deny's it happened......So there is a happy ending sort of......her fridge was redelivered, after she cussed out the delivery dude again when he called to let her know he'd be there in 30 min. Dispatch told the driver to proceed with caution....LOL....her daughter is hiring a assembly guy to switch how the door opens. Hours of my life spent for one happy customer....it's what they pay me for!

Oh the doctors visit....pulled muscle....(just above my rib cage, no idea how that happened) I HATE GOING TO THE DOCTOR.....I could have diagnosed that myself, which I think I did. It's the medication part I forgot to do. Took some alleve a few times yesterday, and a muscle relaxer provided by my visit to the doctor. And today little to no pain. So no reason to be alarmed I am all better.

Tears....seriously....YOUR CRYING?

Ok so as of late my new favorite thing to do is blog about my job. Which is fine, because now I have that kind of job. As long as you don't talk about co-workers or your boss, you should be fine. The folks I talk about, I won't share their name and I am just a voice on the phone trying to save their lives apparently.

So the women on the phone describes to me what she needs and even has a article number, which is rare. She apparently planned incorrectly and got the wrong size coverpanel for her dishwasher. So as she's giving me the article, she begins to cry..........WHAT THE? I place her on hold and begin to freak the heck out. It's a coverpanel, not the end of the world, A COVERPANEL and you are crying. So I gather my thoughts, put on my best "I need to be nice to this person cause she's crying" voice, and tell her how we are going to proceed to get her the correct coverpanel, in hopes that the process doesn't send her into hysterics. She then tells me she hasn't had appliances for 2 weeks, and it's all just too much. I talk calmly and let her know her cover panel will be ready to picked up in 10 to 14 days....which I guess wasn't the right thing to say, because that was super sad to her as well. I try to say nice thing, but she says "you don't have to say anything." So I don't......
Ok so not having appliances could be nerve racking, but can we put this in perspective? You can get some ice and put your shit in a cooler, and you can wash dishes by hand for a while, heck forever, these things are luxurys. Maybe because I've experienced a 3rd world country for 10 days I might feel differently about these things. Or maybe because I am devoted to praying for folks who don't have clean water, I respond to things differently?
PSA#2 Take a deep breath, pull yourself together, before you call me about your coverpanel! I am here to help you, I will make it as painless as possible. I just ask one thing of you......DO NOT CALL AND CRY! Please wait till you hang up, then you can cry yourself a river! If you feel the need to cry Please ask for Kristi or Matt....

PSA: Attention IKEA Shoppers

Well here goes, I am going to break the #1 blogging rule. I am going to talk about my job. Lets hope I don't get "Dooced" (aka-she got fired)

This first one is to the lady who decided to pick up the display pillow's instead of getting the stuff to make the pillows. Hey Lady.....YOU CAN'T DO THAT....Do you not see that my line goes on for at least a mile, and now you have pillows that I can't sell you. Some people take this as an oppurtunity to pay it forward and say..."you know I don't really need those, I'll get them next time..." Except you didn't say that. Now you know what happens? I have to call all over the store trying to find a co-worker in that area to answer the phone, who will then give me the article numbers for the items you have, and then they will either give me the go ahead to sell the display, or you will have to wait for them to bring you the actual product.....while all the people in the line wait...and wait...and wait. So I call 3 numbers with no answer, and then resort to the manager of that area, who saves the day. She gives me the numbers I need and oddly enough was able to get someone to answer the phone, and bring the customer what she needed. Lesson learned here.....DO NOT TAKE DISPLAYS, read the signs and get the items it takes to make that fancy pillow. Co-workers in market place, answer the phone when I call this saves time and angry customers, just sayin! You've been warned don't let it happen again!
To the people, behind the lady with display pillows, sorry the 5 minute wait was too long for you, however it is not ok to leave your stuff on the belt and walk away. That's just rude! That's like placing an order in the drive-thru and driving away. Now you caused several people more work. I had to place all of your items in my go back bin, which was then full. Then some cashier had to empty that bin and take all the stuff to the go back area, and then you caused a sales co-worker to be at work a little bit longer because they then have to put all that stuff back where it came from. All of this because you couldn't wait 5 minutes! If you ain't got time, you should not come to IKEA on a saturday!
To the lovely couple who attempted to return open pillows. BIG NO NO! It was nice of you to roll them back up and shove them back into the plastic packaging, that was just impressive I ain't even mad at you for that. Please refer to the return policy on the front and the back of your reciept. We can not take back any opened bedding or pillows....those were pillows and those were opened. You look like respectable enough people, but it's clear that you could have lice. I understand you can't tell how they feel when they are rolled very tightly inside the packaging, this is why there are display model right by where you picked up those packaged pillows. I understand you can't get your head up there on that shelf to try it out, but you can get the idea from just touching it. If you can't play by the rules you should not shop at IKEA....you've been told!
Please stay tuned for more PSA's as I spend more time in the cashlanes....it's good for comic relief!

Too Much Time, so Little to do......The one where I pretend to be a Princess!

Strike that, reverse it. OMG.....Seems that actual blogging has become a thing of the past, now thanks to micro-blogging. Our lives have become so busy that telling the world what we are doing in the moment is far more feasable than sitting down and writting up something super witty that people will read.

I will attempt to share a story I've been meaning to blog about for what seems like forever. So I am a big fan of Kroger, or Bro-Kro (depending where you go, no offense), or K-ro-jay if you are fancy folk. So my usual Kroger is the fairfield Kroger. I don't have a particular day I shop on I just go when we got money and have no food. I am so disorganized that a list may or may not happen, and coupons are way too much for me to think about. Well this one particular Friday I believe it was, we needed food, I created a list on the blackberry, I gathered up coupons Krogers had acutally sent me, since they keep track of what you buy then they send you coupons for those items, quite thoughtful. I was super pleased I remember those coupons, and a list.....the grocery shopping angels were singing. Oh and even better I've made the switch in the past month from plastic to buy your own bags and bring those with you. Fairfield Krogers gives you 3 cents per bag (good people!) Then a wrench was thrown into my plans, my mom needed me to stop by to drop something off, oh that's fine, theres a Kroger right by her house I'll go there, problem solved. So I went to the 747 Kroger (now known as "I will never shop there again" Kroger). First problem, it was completely laid out incorrectly produce was on the left, mines on the right, some sort of crazy isle formation going on in the center....mine doesn't do that....UGH....induce panic attack from the very beginning. So I gather my basket full of groceries, we're talking overflowing amounts of groceries! Head to the cashlanes.....it was around 9:30 pm......appeared not a single lane was open, no cashiers, um is this place closed? Seriously....oh wait.....SELF CHECK OUT IS MY ONLY CHOICE.....for an entire basket full of groceries. That's right, you heard me! Lets recap, I have coupons, my own bags, I gathered these things myself, and now.....NOW I GOT TO SCAN ALL THIS, BAG IT, PAY FOR IT, TAKE OFF MY OWN COUPONS......WTF???? I nearly cried right there. The best part, I am pretty sure I did not get 3 cents per bag, that I remembered to bring to bag my own crap. Yeah 747 Krogers you suck, and I will not be visiting anytime soon, I don't care if you have a starbucks!

ps I am aware that I work at IKEA, the originator of GET IT AND SCAN IT YOUR DAMN SELF. Why do you think I don't shop there during the week.....duh!

It's only been a Month!

I haven't blogged in a whole month. Thankfully in the past month I started project 365. I am excited about it. It'll document my life with one picture a day for a whole year. And I'll create a scrapbook with those pictures.

1. 365 project 5/23/09, 2. june 8, 3. June 11, 4. june 10, 5. june 9, 6. June 7, 7. june 6, 8. june 5, 9. june 4, 10. june 3, 11. june 2, 12. June 1, 13. may 30, 14. may 29, 15. may 28, 16. may 27, 17. may 26, 18. may 25, 19. may 24, 20. may 23, 21. may 22, 22. may 21, 23. may 20, 24. may 1925. Not available

A ton of craziness has happened in the past month. Perry turned 12, and finished the 5th grade. He's really grown up this year. He leaves for summer camp in a few days with Daddy. Work has been exhausting but I still love it. The economy is starting to effect us big time. Everyones hours have been cut, so we end up covering all over the place and never getting to do our job, so the customers who were already angry get more angry. Speaking of doing everything but my job, one of the fun adventures I got to do the other day.......was offer my assistance to disabled geri's, yep you heard me. Guess a couple called in asked if we had electric wheel chairs, which we do not due to safety issues since we are 2 floors. So they asked if they were to come since they both weren't able to walk the whole store if someone could push them. Who ever they spoke to said "why sure we can...." Probably not thinking they'd actually take us up on it. Oh but they did. I tried to not be the one. But I was the only one around who was available to offer this service.....although I am just one person and they needed two. So the one that was a little more adual chose to push his own wheel chair, so he could sit if he needed to and I pushed the wife. They were very gracious, and sort of embarrassed that they needed my help. Not sure what happened to them, possibly an car accident. It was a lesson in humility and I survived. I'd even do it again.