My mother recently took two unexpected trips to the emergency room at St. Joseph's hospital here in Tucson, AZ. She had never been admitted in emergency care before and was a bit scare, bewildered, and worried, not to mention - in health crises.
The local papers sometimes feature stories on the poor health care and worse customer service one receives in Tucson medical care. For those of you who read my blog, you know I'll often comment on restaurant service, so I felt "duty-bound" to share a bit of my mother's experience. For the sake of brevity, I'll leave out most details of her illness. (She is under medication and recovering nicely, thank you!)
During trip #1 - We encountered a young man who took her immediate vitals, etc. in emergency entrance lobby. Polite, funny, looked my mother in the eye. Wow. She was given a room in less than 20 minutes at a time many were suffering from swine flu. The doctor himself came and got me out of waiting after she was situated and assured me she was being taken care of. She went through a battery of tests and every clerk, assistant, technician, etc. was kind, thoughtful, and unhurried. I especially remember one wheeling her down for a CatSkan singing..."Money, money money money...Muh...neee (Pink Floyd)
Ten days later she was re-admitted again with immediate entrance and was situated in a ward room until admittance. During her initial ward visit she was seen by the general hospitalist doctor, the pulmanary specialist, an internist, a respiratory specialist, and her cardiologist from the previous visit was notified. All were polite, kind, thoughtful, unhurried, and many showed a nice sense of humor trying to help my elderly mother relax and recover. During her stay of two days the nurses were kind and quick to answer pages, cleaning staff hummed and talked to the patients politely, and medical staff explained things to my mother, complete with written instructions.
Sure, there were a few glitches and incorrectly written precriptions, etc. but for the sake of the overall experience, I choose to disregard those things right now. I am glad I was with my mother to figure out all the medications, etc. afterwards, for sure.
Bottom line?? Hats off to the staff of St. Joseph's hospital here in Tucson. Thank you for your bedside manner and humane demeanor. It's what hospital and health care SHOULD be, and for my mother's two experiences - was. May all of you experience the same care should you find yourselves in a similar situation some day. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Kitchen Nightmares
I watch a lot of resturant/cooking shows on tv. I admit it. Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Iron Chef, Next Iron Chef, Top Chef, etc. It's amazing sometimes what people will serve. I actually saw a contestant pick something out of the garbage and put it on a plate to serve to the public. (They were quickly eliminated) There's a quote out there I'm going to paraphrase from Jackson Browne, "Character is what you are when nobody is looking". I think this is really true in the kitchen!
So on with my story. My mother, a Tucson/Washington State snowbird, is down for the winter and on our first day together I invite her out to breakfast to a place we've been many times. We notice upon entering through the attached gift shop that it is now 50% in size, and many tables have been added in the back. The place just has a few late breakfast diners this mid-morning.
They seat us in the main isle across from the door, and being that it's a 50 degree "cold snap" here in Tucson, my mother asks for another table not so cold. We are seated at the booth closest to the kitchen. "Uh, oh, they're mad at me," my mother jokes.
Presently, we are served drinks and our order is taken. The place begins to fill with early lunchers as we visit and catch up on news. After awhile, it occurs to me that everyone who filed in after us is eating; I contact the waitress. I put on my nicest voice and ask if perhaps our ticket got lost. She jumps to the defense, although I am trying to calm her that we are not angry, we just hope we get our food eventually, and she shows us the ticket and says there was a computer malfunction. The ticket had indeed been submitted 25 minutes ago. We assure her it's okay...we just want to be sure it's coming.
We hear her yelling at the chefs in the back and soon have our meal. The plates are cold, the bacon is cold and chewy, the eggs are still raw in the middle (ordered scrambled and over medium) etc. We're hungry and decide to just eat anyway, mostly because the waitress looks beleaguered. I finish most of it and excuse myself to the restroom.
Well, if I'd have entered the restroom before our food arrived, we'd have left. The filth, the compounded dirt in the grout and corners and walls -- needless to say, my half raw scrambled eggs were no longer sitting easy in my stomach. A cursory check at things as I left the restroom had me wondering what happened to kitchen cleanliness. I began to visualize the Kitchen Nightmares discovered by Chef Ramsey in the tv shows....
Our meal was only a grand total of $8.99. We told the waitress about the poor quality food at the end, just to let her know, and we said we were going to pay anyway. And I left her a tip over 15%. But we won't be back. We're telling our friends. We're disappointed that another locally owned Tucsonan resturant bites the dust that previously sat high on our "list".
My children said - (because I have a history of receiving poor service) - why do I even go out?
I guess I'm just looking for characters....
So on with my story. My mother, a Tucson/Washington State snowbird, is down for the winter and on our first day together I invite her out to breakfast to a place we've been many times. We notice upon entering through the attached gift shop that it is now 50% in size, and many tables have been added in the back. The place just has a few late breakfast diners this mid-morning.
They seat us in the main isle across from the door, and being that it's a 50 degree "cold snap" here in Tucson, my mother asks for another table not so cold. We are seated at the booth closest to the kitchen. "Uh, oh, they're mad at me," my mother jokes.
Presently, we are served drinks and our order is taken. The place begins to fill with early lunchers as we visit and catch up on news. After awhile, it occurs to me that everyone who filed in after us is eating; I contact the waitress. I put on my nicest voice and ask if perhaps our ticket got lost. She jumps to the defense, although I am trying to calm her that we are not angry, we just hope we get our food eventually, and she shows us the ticket and says there was a computer malfunction. The ticket had indeed been submitted 25 minutes ago. We assure her it's okay...we just want to be sure it's coming.
We hear her yelling at the chefs in the back and soon have our meal. The plates are cold, the bacon is cold and chewy, the eggs are still raw in the middle (ordered scrambled and over medium) etc. We're hungry and decide to just eat anyway, mostly because the waitress looks beleaguered. I finish most of it and excuse myself to the restroom.
Well, if I'd have entered the restroom before our food arrived, we'd have left. The filth, the compounded dirt in the grout and corners and walls -- needless to say, my half raw scrambled eggs were no longer sitting easy in my stomach. A cursory check at things as I left the restroom had me wondering what happened to kitchen cleanliness. I began to visualize the Kitchen Nightmares discovered by Chef Ramsey in the tv shows....
Our meal was only a grand total of $8.99. We told the waitress about the poor quality food at the end, just to let her know, and we said we were going to pay anyway. And I left her a tip over 15%. But we won't be back. We're telling our friends. We're disappointed that another locally owned Tucsonan resturant bites the dust that previously sat high on our "list".
My children said - (because I have a history of receiving poor service) - why do I even go out?
I guess I'm just looking for characters....
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Lovely New Listing
http://www.thelistingwidget.com/view.cfm?tourID=3083
Ok sorry...adding the sound back in....although not the song I wanted. :(
Ok sorry...adding the sound back in....although not the song I wanted. :(
Sunday, August 9, 2009
CUSTOMER SERVICE – A thing of the past???
Last night, my wonderful in-laws took my husband and I (and Jenna) to a very nice place to celebrate our anniversary. Because the hostess area was full, we sat outside in a fountain area to wait for the 30 minutes they said we had before a table would be free. We couldn’t wait in the bar area with a minor. Not too many Tucson restaurants take reservations, so we accepted a thirty minute wait as normal for a Saturday night. After 20 minutes, my husband went off to make sure they knew where we were. He was told it would be another 20 minutes.
During the next 45 minutes, both Jenna, and my mother in law also checked. We were told there was a party of 6 at the table we would be seated at, and had to wait for them. Now, this is a large restaurant, and they only had ONE table for more than 4??? As we waited outside, we watched dozens of people enter the restaurant. After an hour wait….they finally seated us…OUTSIDE!!!
Now this might not seem like much at first you think, many restaurants have attractive outdoor seating, and so does this eatery. However, bear in mind that we live in Tucson, and this is SUMMER. We were not seated in the regular restaurant garden seating with misters, fans, or anything like that, but instead in a far off solitary section of two tables set up next to the parking lot and the indoor restrooms. We politely asked to have an inside table as soon as it became available and they said “sure”. By this time our “Sunday best” dress clothes, hairstyles, and makeup were all much the worse for waiting so long in the heat.
Thirty minutes later my daughter went in to check on the status of “our table” and they’d given it to someone else. This was when my husband called for the manager. And before he got to the table, the entrees were served. Two of the five of us were served the wrong meal. Rocco was served the wrong sides with his meal. When we spoke with the manager, he said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” Asked what side Rocco had ordered, and left.
Our bill totaled over $150. There was no discount, no complimentary beverage, no dessert on the house, no coupon for return. Nothing.
Are we over-reacting here – or is this standard service now. This is NOT the first time we’ve had celebratory meals made memorable by bad service and a lack of care for the consumer. I figure, “they don’t care” = a nice blog, twitter, facebook and online reviews for all their
future customers. Oh, and watch out…the chicken SPECIAL is $26.00.
During the next 45 minutes, both Jenna, and my mother in law also checked. We were told there was a party of 6 at the table we would be seated at, and had to wait for them. Now, this is a large restaurant, and they only had ONE table for more than 4??? As we waited outside, we watched dozens of people enter the restaurant. After an hour wait….they finally seated us…OUTSIDE!!!
Now this might not seem like much at first you think, many restaurants have attractive outdoor seating, and so does this eatery. However, bear in mind that we live in Tucson, and this is SUMMER. We were not seated in the regular restaurant garden seating with misters, fans, or anything like that, but instead in a far off solitary section of two tables set up next to the parking lot and the indoor restrooms. We politely asked to have an inside table as soon as it became available and they said “sure”. By this time our “Sunday best” dress clothes, hairstyles, and makeup were all much the worse for waiting so long in the heat.
Thirty minutes later my daughter went in to check on the status of “our table” and they’d given it to someone else. This was when my husband called for the manager. And before he got to the table, the entrees were served. Two of the five of us were served the wrong meal. Rocco was served the wrong sides with his meal. When we spoke with the manager, he said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” Asked what side Rocco had ordered, and left.
Our bill totaled over $150. There was no discount, no complimentary beverage, no dessert on the house, no coupon for return. Nothing.
Are we over-reacting here – or is this standard service now. This is NOT the first time we’ve had celebratory meals made memorable by bad service and a lack of care for the consumer. I figure, “they don’t care” = a nice blog, twitter, facebook and online reviews for all their
future customers. Oh, and watch out…the chicken SPECIAL is $26.00.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Blessing of Grandchildren
I read a blog on the subject of Grandparents today that was very sad. It is from an author I follow that I found through my part time job at the speakers bureau. Michelle lives in Green Bay, WI. She has written a number of books on parenting & pregnancy and a memoir, “Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (With Kids) in America,” - as well as articles on attachment parenting, gardening, raising teens, simple living, eating well, living cheap, homelessness and poverty, etc.
Her recent blog on absentee Grandparenting had me recalling some things in my own young mother experience, as well as thinking over my present, long-distance situation. Here is her blog if you'd like to read it: Organically Inclined
Being a long distance Grandparent is very difficult. I think because my own mother was always so far away, I didn't contemplate my own ramifications of distance. Thankfully, I was able to attend the baby shower, come about 10 days after her birth, see the baptism, and I just spent 9 days there in June. We hope to get out in October again, for a friend's wedding and to see our Grand-daughter. I am also a very poor absentee-Aunt - it is my supreme wish that my full-time career change will net the travel funds I need to be a present relative! The following is a short slideshow of birth to now. Enjoy!
Her recent blog on absentee Grandparenting had me recalling some things in my own young mother experience, as well as thinking over my present, long-distance situation. Here is her blog if you'd like to read it: Organically Inclined
Being a long distance Grandparent is very difficult. I think because my own mother was always so far away, I didn't contemplate my own ramifications of distance. Thankfully, I was able to attend the baby shower, come about 10 days after her birth, see the baptism, and I just spent 9 days there in June. We hope to get out in October again, for a friend's wedding and to see our Grand-daughter. I am also a very poor absentee-Aunt - it is my supreme wish that my full-time career change will net the travel funds I need to be a present relative! The following is a short slideshow of birth to now. Enjoy!
Full Time Work, Short Sales, and Down Time!
Hi everyone!
I apologize for not blogging sooner - it's funny how busy one can get when they go from part-time to full time!
This past week alone I picked up five buyers and got on offer on my listing -- very exciting! I've been updating my education like crazy and am especially focusing on an aspect of the market that has really hit Tucson - SHORT SALES. The statistics are staggering!
It's a great time for buyers and investors who have good credit and a down payment. FHA has some 100% options too. Don't forget that if you want to cash in on the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers you need to do so by November at the latest! Call or email me if you need more details!
Someone asked me this last week what I do to relax - what is my down time.
I've attached a little link to one of my hobbies. See it here: http://tinyurl.com/c8eewy
In June I had the pleasure to paint and create an entire bedroom set, complete with pictures for the walls. The theme was to fit into a hacienda guest house and to compliment her bedspread. See photos here: http://tinyurl.com/kvqkdb
Sometimes I take a trash can along to an open house and work on it between visitors. It's a great way to pass the time. I hope all of you have a creative week.
I apologize for not blogging sooner - it's funny how busy one can get when they go from part-time to full time!
This past week alone I picked up five buyers and got on offer on my listing -- very exciting! I've been updating my education like crazy and am especially focusing on an aspect of the market that has really hit Tucson - SHORT SALES. The statistics are staggering!
It's a great time for buyers and investors who have good credit and a down payment. FHA has some 100% options too. Don't forget that if you want to cash in on the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers you need to do so by November at the latest! Call or email me if you need more details!
Someone asked me this last week what I do to relax - what is my down time.
I've attached a little link to one of my hobbies. See it here: http://tinyurl.com/c8eewy
In June I had the pleasure to paint and create an entire bedroom set, complete with pictures for the walls. The theme was to fit into a hacienda guest house and to compliment her bedspread. See photos here: http://tinyurl.com/kvqkdb
Sometimes I take a trash can along to an open house and work on it between visitors. It's a great way to pass the time. I hope all of you have a creative week.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
How to Observe National Stress Awareness Day
I was planning the agenda for our weekly staff meeting at my part-time job I'm soon to lose, and discovered that April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day. Having a tendency to stress out myself, I decided it was a BLOGWORTHY topic and set to researching ways to reduce stress to pass along to my readers.
Here’s some steps for DAY ONE – Reducing Stress
Plan something relaxing for DAY ONE – Stay away from traffic: a picnic (indoors or out), a family SHARE time (everyone reads a funny Shel Silverstein poem, shares some music, etc) or browse photo albums or cookbooks.
Prioritize. Do the most important stuff first each day, and don’t sweat the small stuff! Schedule EVERTHING, so your priorities easily rise to the top. Lunch date with a friend, reading a book to your child, taking a walk with your spouse, lead generation calls, etc. If these things are listed, the truly MEANINGFUL things in your life won’t be missed and your life will have balance. Your bathtub can always be scrubbed tomorrow, or your weeds pulled over the weekend!
Think of ways to relieve your stress long term. Find meaning: Spiritually, expand your education, develop a new hobby. Make a long term decision: Read, "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, MD. It’s very short and may perhaps be life-changing.
Here’s some steps for Week ONE – Reducing Stress
1. Chat with your friends and/or family
2. Pray and/or meditate
3. Go see a movie
4. Read a book or magazine
5. Attend a community function
6. Play with your pet
7. Browse through your photo album
8. Exercise
9. Keep a journal or write funny little poems like limericks
10. Take a nap or go to bed an hour earlier
Here’s some steps for your first MONTHS – Reducing Stress
FUN ways to lighten the load, many found online:
Play some music and Clean House, or cook something fun
Watch Aquarium Fish(You can even download a screen saver!)
Instead of saying “Yes”, Just say, “I’m sorry. I can't do this right now.”
Take a Walk With A Friend or relative
Sing Along With and/or dance to Music
Set Up a Home Spa for yourself
Cut Down On Some of Your Commitments
Play a Board or Card game
Walk Your Dog (Don’t try walking your Cat – NOT stress-less)
Try Breathing Exercises
Draw a Picture
Visit the Elderly
Work on Becoming An Optimist(sign up for an optimistic quote per day and other
motivational tidbits!)
Put a Puzzle together!
Try Focused Meditation
Take a Mini-Vacation
Write down your daily blessings!
Surround Yourself with Positive Energy (Books, music, CD’s, people!)
Take a Nap
Reduce Stress At Your Job
If you suffer from illness, grief, or other issues – find a GROUP to share with.
Take On A New Stress Relief Habit and Stick With It!
Plan a progressive meal – appetizer at one place, entrée at another, dessert at a third!
Have a theme or idea in mind – a nice surprise for a loved one!
My stress buster for the day: A limerick :)
An underlying WHY must be lurking
That my boss is often sales shirking
Spending much of her day
A- “twittering” away
Social NETworking in place of just...working
Here’s some steps for DAY ONE – Reducing Stress
Plan something relaxing for DAY ONE – Stay away from traffic: a picnic (indoors or out), a family SHARE time (everyone reads a funny Shel Silverstein poem, shares some music, etc) or browse photo albums or cookbooks.
Prioritize. Do the most important stuff first each day, and don’t sweat the small stuff! Schedule EVERTHING, so your priorities easily rise to the top. Lunch date with a friend, reading a book to your child, taking a walk with your spouse, lead generation calls, etc. If these things are listed, the truly MEANINGFUL things in your life won’t be missed and your life will have balance. Your bathtub can always be scrubbed tomorrow, or your weeds pulled over the weekend!
Think of ways to relieve your stress long term. Find meaning: Spiritually, expand your education, develop a new hobby. Make a long term decision: Read, "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, MD. It’s very short and may perhaps be life-changing.
Here’s some steps for Week ONE – Reducing Stress
1. Chat with your friends and/or family
2. Pray and/or meditate
3. Go see a movie
4. Read a book or magazine
5. Attend a community function
6. Play with your pet
7. Browse through your photo album
8. Exercise
9. Keep a journal or write funny little poems like limericks
10. Take a nap or go to bed an hour earlier
Here’s some steps for your first MONTHS – Reducing Stress
FUN ways to lighten the load, many found online:
Play some music and Clean House, or cook something fun
Watch Aquarium Fish(You can even download a screen saver!)
Instead of saying “Yes”, Just say, “I’m sorry. I can't do this right now.”
Take a Walk With A Friend or relative
Sing Along With and/or dance to Music
Set Up a Home Spa for yourself
Cut Down On Some of Your Commitments
Play a Board or Card game
Walk Your Dog (Don’t try walking your Cat – NOT stress-less)
Try Breathing Exercises
Draw a Picture
Visit the Elderly
Work on Becoming An Optimist(sign up for an optimistic quote per day and other
motivational tidbits!)
Put a Puzzle together!
Try Focused Meditation
Take a Mini-Vacation
Write down your daily blessings!
Surround Yourself with Positive Energy (Books, music, CD’s, people!)
Take a Nap
Reduce Stress At Your Job
If you suffer from illness, grief, or other issues – find a GROUP to share with.
Take On A New Stress Relief Habit and Stick With It!
Plan a progressive meal – appetizer at one place, entrée at another, dessert at a third!
Have a theme or idea in mind – a nice surprise for a loved one!
My stress buster for the day: A limerick :)
An underlying WHY must be lurking
That my boss is often sales shirking
Spending much of her day
A- “twittering” away
Social NETworking in place of just...working
Friday, April 10, 2009
Hopping Down the Bunny Trail!
Happy Easter!
I was "twittering" this morning and came across one of my favorite "tweeters" blog about Easter. It sent me spinning down the bunny trail, lost in memories of my children growing up.
I asked permission, and she said I could share it with you all: (If you have children or grandchildren, you'll love this! Here's the link: Easter Ideas!
Last night I began planning for our own Easter Extravaganza this weekend. Without LITTLE ones, it's not as much fun as years ago, although the family dinner aspect is always nice. :) I decided to pull out my roll of butcher paper and "decorate it" for a bunnyish tableau. My 14 year old daughter comes in and drolled, "What, being cheap again this year?" (the tact of teenagers)
I said, "No...I'm being creative this year...") After a painful conversation in which she negatively critiqued all of my ideas (more like AXED) she DID end up coloring construction paper eggs I'd cut out. She deigned to help after all. Sigh.
My three boys were easier - I swear they were. We always colored more eggs than we could eat, and I saved the plastic shells from year to year. I'd also spent the year saving change, which would accompany the candy inside. I usually purchased from whoever stocked the cheapest candy - the kids didn't care - it was CANDY, something not normally purchased.
We have made the coconut bunny cakes (round pan, cut in half, put on edge) and the egg cakes and decorated cookies through the years. It was always important to "make memories." When my sweet little two year old girl picked up her basket for egg hunting, it didn't take long for the (then late teens) boys to gather up their own and "help". (To my satisfaction, I have PHOTOS) When weather was horrid - so often in Wisconsin, the bunny got crafty and hid eggs inside with clues, or I once even borrowed the junior high gym! The most talked about Easter was the year they woke up to three different color yarn strings - mazed through the tri-level house, eventually leading to their baskets. What fun to watch them!
Way back when I started babysitting my Sunday School teacher's kids at age 12, I began a life history of "treasure" hunts. They were geared to the intelligence, attention span, and interests of my children and their friends for the next 37 years...and counting. The clues have been everything from trivia questions, to rhymes, songs, even simply "look for something blue". I bet anything that as my grandchildren grow, my sons will be composing treasure-hunt ditties.
Start a memory trail for YOUR children! When special occasions come around it's a wonderful indulgence to sit and sip a cup of coffee/tea, and remember the smiles, the groans, and most of all, the laughter of kids at holiday.
I was "twittering" this morning and came across one of my favorite "tweeters" blog about Easter. It sent me spinning down the bunny trail, lost in memories of my children growing up.
I asked permission, and she said I could share it with you all: (If you have children or grandchildren, you'll love this! Here's the link: Easter Ideas!
Last night I began planning for our own Easter Extravaganza this weekend. Without LITTLE ones, it's not as much fun as years ago, although the family dinner aspect is always nice. :) I decided to pull out my roll of butcher paper and "decorate it" for a bunnyish tableau. My 14 year old daughter comes in and drolled, "What, being cheap again this year?" (the tact of teenagers)
I said, "No...I'm being creative this year...") After a painful conversation in which she negatively critiqued all of my ideas (more like AXED) she DID end up coloring construction paper eggs I'd cut out. She deigned to help after all. Sigh.
My three boys were easier - I swear they were. We always colored more eggs than we could eat, and I saved the plastic shells from year to year. I'd also spent the year saving change, which would accompany the candy inside. I usually purchased from whoever stocked the cheapest candy - the kids didn't care - it was CANDY, something not normally purchased.
We have made the coconut bunny cakes (round pan, cut in half, put on edge) and the egg cakes and decorated cookies through the years. It was always important to "make memories." When my sweet little two year old girl picked up her basket for egg hunting, it didn't take long for the (then late teens) boys to gather up their own and "help". (To my satisfaction, I have PHOTOS) When weather was horrid - so often in Wisconsin, the bunny got crafty and hid eggs inside with clues, or I once even borrowed the junior high gym! The most talked about Easter was the year they woke up to three different color yarn strings - mazed through the tri-level house, eventually leading to their baskets. What fun to watch them!
Way back when I started babysitting my Sunday School teacher's kids at age 12, I began a life history of "treasure" hunts. They were geared to the intelligence, attention span, and interests of my children and their friends for the next 37 years...and counting. The clues have been everything from trivia questions, to rhymes, songs, even simply "look for something blue". I bet anything that as my grandchildren grow, my sons will be composing treasure-hunt ditties.
Start a memory trail for YOUR children! When special occasions come around it's a wonderful indulgence to sit and sip a cup of coffee/tea, and remember the smiles, the groans, and most of all, the laughter of kids at holiday.
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Recession Drops a Personalized Bomb
The Impending AX:
So last friday, my boss took me aside ten minutes before I was to leave for the weekend, letting me know that a business meeting was scheduled for Saturday and they were looking at ways to cut costs. In other words...I was low man on the totem pole and first to be axed if push came to shove.
This wasn't a surprise. She's been hinting about the subject since Thanksgiving. As an employer that spends much time in social networking, and less in sales calls and aggressive marketing, the writing was on the wall. As her "sales assistant" too few sales have been coming across the desk. However, I can have a full time job just updating files...but that doesn't bring in MONEY. Sure enough, on Monday, I was given the termination agreement - with a generous 30 days in which to find new employment, which was thoughtful.
The Job Search:
I've been searching for another possible job, and sending out my resume, since her first warning back in November. I haven't received one reply. Now, I'm an admin with 25 years experience - I know how to type, run an office, etc. NO CALLS. Of course, the papers are full of sad stories of job fairs - 2000 applicants for 200 jobs. People are out of work city wide. I don't think my lack of response is so much about me, as about jobs in Tucson. period.
Money and Whining:
My husband lost his temper this week because my ex didn't pay for child support again. He's now owing for TWO payments. I've been this route before and recovery takes some time through the Wisconsin Court system. Anyway, this income is significant because I have a mortgage and second mortgage on the townhome.
So last friday, my boss took me aside ten minutes before I was to leave for the weekend, letting me know that a business meeting was scheduled for Saturday and they were looking at ways to cut costs. In other words...I was low man on the totem pole and first to be axed if push came to shove.
This wasn't a surprise. She's been hinting about the subject since Thanksgiving. As an employer that spends much time in social networking, and less in sales calls and aggressive marketing, the writing was on the wall. As her "sales assistant" too few sales have been coming across the desk. However, I can have a full time job just updating files...but that doesn't bring in MONEY. Sure enough, on Monday, I was given the termination agreement - with a generous 30 days in which to find new employment, which was thoughtful.
The Job Search:
I've been searching for another possible job, and sending out my resume, since her first warning back in November. I haven't received one reply. Now, I'm an admin with 25 years experience - I know how to type, run an office, etc. NO CALLS. Of course, the papers are full of sad stories of job fairs - 2000 applicants for 200 jobs. People are out of work city wide. I don't think my lack of response is so much about me, as about jobs in Tucson. period.
Money and Whining:
My husband lost his temper this week because my ex didn't pay for child support again. He's now owing for TWO payments. I've been this route before and recovery takes some time through the Wisconsin Court system. Anyway, this income is significant because I have a mortgage and second mortgage on the townhome.
Without disclosing too many details, my daughter and I purchased a modest condo/townhome 6 years ago in a great town school district. Stability and all that. My husband bought his house before we were married with 100 percent financing. So, we're in that recession "threshold" situation.
I think back to my happy days at my church job -- until the Pastor resigned due to illness and it became clear that the Council's political view was to start over with new, and cheaper staff. So my 7 years of loyalty and above and beyond work ethic was for naught. I think about the past 6 months at the job I have now, where my two co-workers average at least 2 days sick a month, and sometimes more like ten, * I haven't missed for one entire sick day, and once again, I face the ax.
I remember my pastor's sermon about bad things happen to good people. I also remember hearing a lot of "what goes around, comes around." It gets hard to stay positive. I KNOW other people have it worse, but I'm standing in my own shoes this week, not someone elses.
Bread Winning Ability:
There are positives! I have a REALTOR's license, and I have two listings. I have an e-book planned, (however, I don't think an e-book on Frugal Children's Parties will make the best selling list) I sell handpainted items: garbage cans for $16.99, suitcases, furniture--I've advertised on Ebay and Craigslist for years. So, there are options, as there have been my whole life long.
I remember my pastor's sermon about bad things happen to good people. I also remember hearing a lot of "what goes around, comes around." It gets hard to stay positive. I KNOW other people have it worse, but I'm standing in my own shoes this week, not someone elses.
Bread Winning Ability:
There are positives! I have a REALTOR's license, and I have two listings. I have an e-book planned, (however, I don't think an e-book on Frugal Children's Parties will make the best selling list) I sell handpainted items: garbage cans for $16.99, suitcases, furniture--I've advertised on Ebay and Craigslist for years. So, there are options, as there have been my whole life long.
I just thought as I was approaching 50 that life would have gained some stability and security. So why am I sharing this with you? I suppose it comes down to honesty. I'm not just some person blogging on optimism and happy thoughts and positivity - I have my valleys, and I have my moutain summits.
...Maybe I'll find a flower meadow in this lowland I'm wallowing right now. :)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Happy April Fool's Day!!
A collection (with permission) of great April Fool’s Day compilations by a comedian speaker by the name of Scott Friedman. He can be found at www.FunnyScott.com. Enjoy!
1. I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it.
2. Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone.
3. When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
4. I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
5. If you ate pasta and anti-pasta, would you still be hungry?
6. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
7. Time may be a great healer, but it’s sure one terrible beautician.
8. Forget about World Peace . . . Visualize using your turn signal!!
9.Always remember you’re unique, just like everyone else.
10. Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.
11. WARNING: Dates in calendar are closer than they appear.
12. Give me ambiguity or give something else.
13. Because madness takes its toll, please have exact change.
14. I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.
15. All I ask for is the opportunity to prove that money can't make me happy.
16. One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people.
17. Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant.
18. Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn shop?
19. Is it possible to be totally partial?
20. You know it’s an April Fools kind of year when…you wake up screaming and you haven’t even gone to bed yet.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Happy Talk
Remember the musical movie, South Pacific? For some reason, the lyrics to Rodgers and Hammerstein's, “Happy Talk” has been whispering in the back of my mind for the past couple of weeks.
“Happy talk, keep talkin' happy talk, Talk about things you'd like to do. You got to have a dream, If you don't have a dream. How you gonna have a dream come true?”
How do YOU find your “happy place”? What lifts YOUR mood? I looked across the internet and did some twitter queries…here’s what I came up with. Feel free to comment with some more of your own!
- Smell a flower. (That always brings a smile to my face.)
- My mom always told me if I was feeling sorry for myself, to go visit someone else – especially the elderly. It never took long to quit focusing on me.
- Yawn and stretch. Seen a dog when he/she wakes up?
- Get out and exercise. Talk a walk or a bike ride! Go to the gym and push your limits.
- Polish a mirror. Smile at yourself, stick out your tongue!
- Brush your teeth.
- When I was a little girl, I used to spin. Spin in circles in our big back yard til I fell laughing to the ground.
- Make yourself a cup of hot tea.
- Brush your hair. Brush someone else’s hair.
- Drink two glasses of water, add a wedge of lemon or lime to it. Many times sadness is really just dehydration.
- Read the Bible. If you aren’t a big Bible reader, just open to Psalms or Proverbs…there’s always something there to touch you.
- Eat something healthy and fresh. Your blood sugar might have taken a dip. Set out a bowl of fresh fruits or vegetables.
- De-clutter a part of your home or office that needs it. Clean out your junk drawer!
- Reminisce. Look through your old scrapbooks, personal journals, blog archives, collections of your own paintings, poems, songs, yearbooks.
- Take a bubble bath.
- Watch the birds at a feeder or a hummingbird flitting around blossoms.
- Make a date night with your significant other, or one of your children – quality one on one time.
- Make lists. Who doesn’t like to cross things off a to-do list?
- Say a prayer. Give your problems over to God, Jesus, or your Higher Power.
- Turn on music. Use classical and jazz to de-stress; or energize with something lively.
- Write down and archive what’s bothering you. It’s amazing what a release it is to keep a journal or your thoughts or poetry.
- Call your mom.
- Make the decision: “History or baggage.” History can be the life events that shape us - our education, children, marriages, careers; all those things that come together to season us, to give us character, form, substance. Baggage is the emotional weight that drag after us, slowing (or even stopping) us from moving forward. Baggage has everything to do with our self image or how we feel about ourselves and then, how we perceive the world as treating us. History is who we are and what we’ve become over this thing called Life. (History and Baggage bullet is paraphrased from a blog insert written by Anne Perry)
What shapes you? History...or baggage? Where’s your happy place? ...keep talkin' happy talk, ...You got to have a dream, If you don't have a dream. How you gonna have a dream come true?”
Sunday, March 15, 2009
We CAN do Something!!
Hi Readers:
About ten days ago or so, I wrote a post wondering about what can we do to help out. This past week, I came across this blog by Judi Moreo, a motivational speaker, and immediately felt that it would make a great followup. You can read the blog yourself, or subscribe, by following this link at www.Judimoreo.com:
http://www.judimoreo.com/ezine/archive/2009/0309.htm#article.
By the way, please feel forward to pass MY blogs on to your friends and relatives, and invite them to subscribe by filling in the email link at the bottom of my blog: http://swdeserthomes.blogspot.com. Thanks!
And so, without further explanation, here's something you can do!!!
About ten days ago or so, I wrote a post wondering about what can we do to help out. This past week, I came across this blog by Judi Moreo, a motivational speaker, and immediately felt that it would make a great followup. You can read the blog yourself, or subscribe, by following this link at www.Judimoreo.com:
http://www.judimoreo.com/ezine/archive/2009/0309.htm#article.
By the way, please feel forward to pass MY blogs on to your friends and relatives, and invite them to subscribe by filling in the email link at the bottom of my blog: http://swdeserthomes.blogspot.com. Thanks!
And so, without further explanation, here's something you can do!!!
Do Something |
What have you done today? Sure, you got up, got the kids off to school, fed the cat, put in a load of laundry and made it to work. But what have you really done today?
Most people these days are so busy just getting by they don’t take time to think about what is really getting done. And, frankly, they just don’t care. It takes so much time and energy to accomplish the things that have to be done to insure survival, there is little left for figuring out what could be, if only we cared enough to make it happen.
Apathy, is the number one disease spreading around the world today. Somewhere between apathetic individuals with a total disregard for anything and extremists loudly and violently vocal about a single idea, there is a middle ground. It is a place where we all stop, think and do our part.
It doesn’t take much to pick up a stray piece of trash that has blown into the neighbors yard instead of just assuming someone else will take care of it. We all want ‘someone’ to “do something” about everything from the quality of education in our schools and the potholes in the road to the economy, global warming and world peace. We are all, each of us, that someone. And while we can’t just wave a magic wand and make it all better, we can do SOMETHING – anything.
Write a letter to your congressman/woman. Volunteer at your child’s school. Visit someone in a nursing home. Donate to a food pantry. Speak kind words, share a smile, help the gentleman in the wheelchair reach the box on the top shelf. Organize a carpool at your office or child’s school to save gas and the environment. Spend a few hours serving meals at your local homeless shelter. No matter how bad you think it is for you, there is always someone worse off than you who would appreciate a helping hand. Get involved. Hug a child, call your mom. If you don’t consciously get involved in life, in your community, in your job, you will wake up one day and realize that life just sort of happened. You didn’t live, you just took up space and air.
Stop waiting for things to get better...do something.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Positivity Is Positively the Best!
I ran across this blog and wanted to share it with everyone.
Let's, do, share and count our blessings!!
http://positiveenergy-polly.blogspot.com/
Let's have some Positive News for a Change!
"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people." Zig Ziglar
"Positive anything is better than negative nothing." Elbert Hubbard
"Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." Charles F. Kettering
"Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be done." Bo Bennett
"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure." Norman Vincent Peale
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first." Mark Twain
All for now!
Cara
Let's, do, share and count our blessings!!
http://positiveenergy-polly.blogspot.com/
Let's have some Positive News for a Change!
"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people." Zig Ziglar
"Positive anything is better than negative nothing." Elbert Hubbard
"Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." Charles F. Kettering
"Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be done." Bo Bennett
"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure." Norman Vincent Peale
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first." Mark Twain
All for now!
Cara
Monday, February 23, 2009
What Can We Give?
In a city, we often learn to shut out the view of the homeless, the beggars at the corner, the ragged newspaper salesman in the median, or the people with signs standing stooped at free way entrances. It’s painful. It hurts to know people have it so bad, and we really don’t want to see it.
It triggers my inner struggle. I’ve heard dozens of scam stories – the people who work the medians and then end their day driving home to their nice homes in their nice automobiles-- the one who brags how much money they scored in a day of begging, laughing that they didn’t have to work at all. There are scams on TV, the internet, and on the radio news of all types, classes, and professions.
But, you can TELL who is indigent. The leathered skin, the worn clothes, the gaunt bodies. They can’t be faking it. In this economy, it’s very easy to lose a job, and then your car, and then your home. When 2000 people in Tucson show up for 200 jobs at Target at a job fair..you KNOW it isn’t easy. Don’t we all need help some times?
I’ve done hundreds of hours of donated work in my life, and helped with March of Dimes, Retarded Citizens of Wisconsin, Northman Drum and Bugle Corps (a teen’s marching group – not helping homeless and poor, but providing opportunities for youth) Primavera, Interfaith Community Center, and the Tucson Food Bank – to name a few. It doesn’t make the desire to make their pain go away any less. And I know daily I have blessings so much more than so many.
This past weekend my husband and I had a date night, and decided to go downtown to the University District, with a detour into the Y Generation night life on Fourth Avenue.
The main university district was maybe 2-3 blocks long and well populated – a buzzing and upbeat location. We decided to walk the 7 or 8 blocks through the college residential area over to Fourth Avenue, the home of our twice-yearly Street Fair.
Right away it struck us was how dimly lit it was, and so sparsely populated for 7-8 pm Friday night. On top of that, we didn’t see a single police car, bike cop, or foot patrol the entire evening. About half of the reatil shops were closed up. The bars and restaurants were open and had small clusters of people spilling out of doorways.
We got nervous. My husband, the retired NY policeman, reminded me to walk with authority with my head up. I told him to look mean. (HA) We passed a few homeless sitting on the sidewalk and one man singing away with a tip jar. I thought about giving, but in the dark, I was afraid to open my purse. I was afraid to draw attention to myself.
After dinner, we left an Italian place and I had half my dinner. I’d specifically ordered a meal with two chicken breasts, intending to bring one home.
We started a brisk walk back, at this point just wanting to be home. I noticed we huddled closer together, especially every time we had to approach or were passed by strangers. The trees looked taller, the hedges more overgrown…we even crossed over to a more open side of the street. By this time my purse was under my coat. We confided to each other we were a little worried about mugging. There just wasn’t enough pedestrian traffic, or light, or patrol.
A young man with a backpack passed us and my husband thought he heard him ask for money. I heard different.
“Can I have your leftovers?” He asked. He asked again, very quick, without stopping his walk. I turned around and followed him.
“Sure”, I said. “I didn’t even touch it!” He grabbed it and hurried down the road.
My husband asked, “What did he ask for?” He looked down at my empty hand.
I said, “He asked for the right thing.”
He just wanted food, and it was something I could give.
It didn’t sound like a scam to me. How many of us would ask a stranger for food, if we actually had a choice?
We reached our car about 15 minutes later and my husband let out a deep sigh. We’re going to save Fourth Avenue for daylight hours from now on.
What CAN we give in these times?
I think times are going to be tough for a lot more, a lot sooner.
What can we give?
It triggers my inner struggle. I’ve heard dozens of scam stories – the people who work the medians and then end their day driving home to their nice homes in their nice automobiles-- the one who brags how much money they scored in a day of begging, laughing that they didn’t have to work at all. There are scams on TV, the internet, and on the radio news of all types, classes, and professions.
But, you can TELL who is indigent. The leathered skin, the worn clothes, the gaunt bodies. They can’t be faking it. In this economy, it’s very easy to lose a job, and then your car, and then your home. When 2000 people in Tucson show up for 200 jobs at Target at a job fair..you KNOW it isn’t easy. Don’t we all need help some times?
I’ve done hundreds of hours of donated work in my life, and helped with March of Dimes, Retarded Citizens of Wisconsin, Northman Drum and Bugle Corps (a teen’s marching group – not helping homeless and poor, but providing opportunities for youth) Primavera, Interfaith Community Center, and the Tucson Food Bank – to name a few. It doesn’t make the desire to make their pain go away any less. And I know daily I have blessings so much more than so many.
This past weekend my husband and I had a date night, and decided to go downtown to the University District, with a detour into the Y Generation night life on Fourth Avenue.
The main university district was maybe 2-3 blocks long and well populated – a buzzing and upbeat location. We decided to walk the 7 or 8 blocks through the college residential area over to Fourth Avenue, the home of our twice-yearly Street Fair.
Right away it struck us was how dimly lit it was, and so sparsely populated for 7-8 pm Friday night. On top of that, we didn’t see a single police car, bike cop, or foot patrol the entire evening. About half of the reatil shops were closed up. The bars and restaurants were open and had small clusters of people spilling out of doorways.
We got nervous. My husband, the retired NY policeman, reminded me to walk with authority with my head up. I told him to look mean. (HA) We passed a few homeless sitting on the sidewalk and one man singing away with a tip jar. I thought about giving, but in the dark, I was afraid to open my purse. I was afraid to draw attention to myself.
After dinner, we left an Italian place and I had half my dinner. I’d specifically ordered a meal with two chicken breasts, intending to bring one home.
We started a brisk walk back, at this point just wanting to be home. I noticed we huddled closer together, especially every time we had to approach or were passed by strangers. The trees looked taller, the hedges more overgrown…we even crossed over to a more open side of the street. By this time my purse was under my coat. We confided to each other we were a little worried about mugging. There just wasn’t enough pedestrian traffic, or light, or patrol.
A young man with a backpack passed us and my husband thought he heard him ask for money. I heard different.
“Can I have your leftovers?” He asked. He asked again, very quick, without stopping his walk. I turned around and followed him.
“Sure”, I said. “I didn’t even touch it!” He grabbed it and hurried down the road.
My husband asked, “What did he ask for?” He looked down at my empty hand.
I said, “He asked for the right thing.”
He just wanted food, and it was something I could give.
It didn’t sound like a scam to me. How many of us would ask a stranger for food, if we actually had a choice?
We reached our car about 15 minutes later and my husband let out a deep sigh. We’re going to save Fourth Avenue for daylight hours from now on.
What CAN we give in these times?
I think times are going to be tough for a lot more, a lot sooner.
What can we give?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thoughts on Social Networking
To be honest, I joined FACEBOOK mostly to keep up with my kids--spread over three states—from Alaska to Wisconsin to Washington. On my page, I mention I’m in Real Estate, and I sell crafts…but mostly, my aim is to keep an ear to what my kids post and talk about online, as well as keep up with other friends and family members. I don’t have a stylish, customized site, or music that starts up as you load my page, or any of the hundreds of gadgets and links one may have in order to be truly hip in the technological world of online networking. And, like many of my era, I struggle to MySpace and Twitter and Blog and Ecademy and Email and Skype…and I don’t do them all.
But, I love the little “gifts” of social networking; Photos and links to interesting things others want to share. This weekend I got a little message from a former boss/partner of mine whom I shared 13 years in the black tie dj entertaining business. It’s wedding promotion season in Wisconsin and the bridal fairs and shows have begun. Like our days of old, Joe has his system set up and is raking in the prospects. He wrote me to share that a photographer contact of ours stopped in to say hello, and had inquired after me – sending his hello via Joe through Facebook.
It was a warm spot all day and I mentioned it on the phone to my son the next evening. You know, sort of in the context of “Guess who remembered me!” because it’s almost 9 years since I’ve seen the gentleman. How nice to be remembered…and all that.
Not much further into the conversation my son mentioned that every so often, it occurs to him how very [SMALL, SHELTERED, NAÏVE] – he didn’t come up with the word he wanted to describe his rural upbringing in Smalltown, Midwest USA. So he illustrated his point. (I paraphrase) “Do you realize how little that photographer had on his mind, that he still thought of YOU after all of these years? Do you understand that just not that much goes on in Rural America….?”
Well, my happy little bubble burst as I thought of that. Perhaps the photographer wasn’t necessarily remembering ME so much as not that much has altered in the pattern of his life and he marks my absence because of it. Maybe that’s why the tendency to gossip is so rampant in Smalltown, USA? Not that much new, not that much different happens to disrupt a lifestyle that centers around folks and family.
Conversation pivots around folks and family. A professional in his business remembers co-workers in the industry a decade after the fact… People talk mainly…of other people. My son noted that the office turnaround in one of his Seattle places of employ has completely rotated in the past five years. No veteran staff. No history. No memories. Nobody remembers…
Days later, I find I’m still mulling the conversation over. I am also currently happy being almost anonymous in Tucson. But, I believe there’s a lot to be said for history, and relationships, and community. I LIKED being remembered by that Wisconsin photographer.
Social networking is the current way to “gossip” among folks and family in the age of computers. I use it almost daily to stay in tenuous touch with those I love and care about. And, hopefully, make a few new friends along the way. I’ll always be a small town girl and it just hit me that it’s so. My life has meaning because of folks and family.
But, I love the little “gifts” of social networking; Photos and links to interesting things others want to share. This weekend I got a little message from a former boss/partner of mine whom I shared 13 years in the black tie dj entertaining business. It’s wedding promotion season in Wisconsin and the bridal fairs and shows have begun. Like our days of old, Joe has his system set up and is raking in the prospects. He wrote me to share that a photographer contact of ours stopped in to say hello, and had inquired after me – sending his hello via Joe through Facebook.
It was a warm spot all day and I mentioned it on the phone to my son the next evening. You know, sort of in the context of “Guess who remembered me!” because it’s almost 9 years since I’ve seen the gentleman. How nice to be remembered…and all that.
Not much further into the conversation my son mentioned that every so often, it occurs to him how very [SMALL, SHELTERED, NAÏVE] – he didn’t come up with the word he wanted to describe his rural upbringing in Smalltown, Midwest USA. So he illustrated his point. (I paraphrase) “Do you realize how little that photographer had on his mind, that he still thought of YOU after all of these years? Do you understand that just not that much goes on in Rural America….?”
Well, my happy little bubble burst as I thought of that. Perhaps the photographer wasn’t necessarily remembering ME so much as not that much has altered in the pattern of his life and he marks my absence because of it. Maybe that’s why the tendency to gossip is so rampant in Smalltown, USA? Not that much new, not that much different happens to disrupt a lifestyle that centers around folks and family.
Conversation pivots around folks and family. A professional in his business remembers co-workers in the industry a decade after the fact… People talk mainly…of other people. My son noted that the office turnaround in one of his Seattle places of employ has completely rotated in the past five years. No veteran staff. No history. No memories. Nobody remembers…
Days later, I find I’m still mulling the conversation over. I am also currently happy being almost anonymous in Tucson. But, I believe there’s a lot to be said for history, and relationships, and community. I LIKED being remembered by that Wisconsin photographer.
Social networking is the current way to “gossip” among folks and family in the age of computers. I use it almost daily to stay in tenuous touch with those I love and care about. And, hopefully, make a few new friends along the way. I’ll always be a small town girl and it just hit me that it’s so. My life has meaning because of folks and family.
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