Marriage

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

― Minton McLaughlin

What a  beautiful quote

I love this because I feel like I love my sweet husband more and more every day.

I love him for so many reasons

He is sweet

He is kind

He is gentle

He is genuine

He is funny

He is silly

He is happy

He makes me smile

The way he can make any rainy day sunny

The way he thinks I'm beautiful when I'm in my jammies

The way he holds my hand

The way he holds me

The way he treats the people in his life

How passionate he is

He compliments me

and...

He is all mine

:-)

Determination

“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.”

― Harriet Braiker

What a quote.

I wish you all a wonderfully motivation day!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 21

What's in a name?

{My typical intro...}

Customer: What's your name?

Me: La Tache

Customer: Spell it

{sheesh people are so demanding!}

Me: L.a. T.a.c.h.e.

Customer: What is that? Hawaiian?

Me: Um, no...it's French

Customer: Oh, Bonjour Mademoiselle

Me: Bonjour

Customer: Do you speak French?

Me: No

Customer: Yeah, me neither

Is my name Hawaiian?! 

What?!

First time for everything, I guess...

Time

“Time is strange. A moment can be as short as a breath, or as long as eternity.”

― Cornell Woolrich

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 20

I spoke to the most ridiculous, the craziest, the most loony, the oddest, the most off of the wall woman of my entire time working here...

For purposes of this story I am going to make up a name for the subscriber - I apologize if it is in any way offensive to your name - I am purely making this up

I answered the phone and the customer had put in her account number or her phone number so it came up on the screen and I did not have to ask her for her last name and zip code.

Info you need before you read the story:

personal info has been changed

First Name on Account: P. Q.

Last Name on Account: SMITH-SMALL

The customer had a 2 week complimentary trial subscription that expired 3 weeks ago

after the greetings

Customer: I got an offer in the mail and I am looking at it right now.

Me: Ok, great, would you like to renew with us?

Customer: Well, first, my name is spelled wrong.Will you read to me what you have?

Me: I have: P. Q. S. M. I. T. H. S. M. A. L. L.

Customer: What is capitalized? 

Me: They are all capitalized. Our system writes everything in caps. How is it spelled on the offer?

Customer: The "S" in "Small" is not capitalized

Me: Um....ok....

Customer: This needs to be fixed. It has never been a problem before and I want to know who prints for you.

Me: Sure, hold on a second {So, I put her on hold and asked my buddy her question}

Me: Ma'am, thank you for holding, it is an outside source.

Customer: Well, this needs to be fixed.

Me: Ok, I will put a note in your account, but it is an outside company and I see that it is capitalized

Customer: What are you write, exactly, in my account so I can put it in my files

Me: That the "S" needs to be capitalized.

Customer: Which "S" {insert condescending tone}

Me: The "S" in "Small"

Customer: Ok, if I get any more notices and the "S" isn't capitalized, I will be forced to take my name out of your system and not get any more notices from you

Me: Would you like me to take you out of our system now?

Customer: No, only if this problem isn't corrected

Me: Ok...

and then the typical end of call chatter...

....

what??

Like, is this lady for real?

Oh my goodness...

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

I found this recipe here and she found it here!

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

This was amazing!

Make it!

You won't be disappointed...

I promise!

Before

After

I will admit that I used almost every utensil in our kitchen..

These were sooo good!

During the holidays, did any of you get the butternut squash raviolis from costco?

They were great - and these tasted just like them...only better!

Thanks Kelly for posting this recipe!

It was amazing!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 19

So every 8 weeks or so, I don't work on Friday so I can cover phones and work on Saturday.

Our Sales department is not open on Saturdays to receive inbound calls. Sales will come in on Saturday and they will make outbound sales calls, but I can't transfer anyone to Sales from Customer Service.

Anyways, long story short: a gentleman called because a sales rep called him and he wanted to talk to him. I cannot transfer to sales and I politely told him the department was closed and he would have to call back on Monday.

Customer: Well, he just called me, 10 minutes ago.

Me: I apologize, but the department is closed and I can't transfer you.

Customer: Is he a ghost?

Me: Well, no, sir, he is not a ghost...Actually maybe he is...I've never met him

Customer: UGH! He isn't a ghost, he just called me!

blah blah blah

I thought I would be sassy back with the guy because he was being sassy with me. Probably a bad idea...hahaha

Oh well, it's done...now I know to say that the customer just missed the sales rep for the future...

Moral of the story: Don't ask stupid questions if you don't want a stupid response...

Social Media Etiquette

I get emails from Real Simple every day regarding pretty much everything!

Anything from a daily quote in the morning (which I typically update at the bottom of this blog) to a daily recipe, to ways to get organized.

---

I got an email about a guide to social media and read through it and thought it was really interesting!

So I want to share.

---

image

The World of Social Media

Imagine that you're at a gathering with everyone you've every met, from your niece to your high school gym teacher.

Now imagine that you've got a bullhorn into which you can broadcast every though you have the second you have it. 

That is pretty much the world of social networking.

The Stats
49% of the 945 readers surveyed spend at least 3-hours per week on social-media sites
59%  of the 945 readers surveyed use social media for both personal and professional reasons
49% of the 945 readers surveyed have more than 300 facebook friends

Status Check
What to ask yourself before your next post
1) Am I trying to make up for something I'm not getting in real life?
In tough times, you nee a supportive friend who can offer real advice. Even advice that you would rather not hear. "Online it's easier to interpret things as we wish them to be and avoid the subjects we want to avoid" - Sherry Turkle - Author of Alone Together

2) Would I tell Matt Lauer on Today?
No? The reconsider! Wait before you hit submit. Consider this quote from The Social Network: " The Internet's not written in pencil...it's written in ink."


My Facebook, Myself
91% of the 945 readers surveyed said that social media made them feel more connected, only 29% said social media makes them happier.

83% of the 945 readers surveyed have admitted to self-destructive habits, like gawking at people from their past and 76% of the 945 readers surveyed compared themselves to others

Source:
Real Simple

I am totally an offender of all of these things!
Wow!
I do my best to not over share, because, well, it aint none o' yo bizzznes!
Ha!
But I know that I gawk...I totally do that!
It's a bad habit that I need to kick, asap!

Are any of you addicted to your facebook, twitter, blog, other social media sites?
I think that this article may kick me back to reality...
I sure hope so!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I know this was given to me forever quite a long time ago...and I apologize for not acknowledging it before!

As I stated here I have been out of commission for a while and I am just getting back into the groove of everything.... please forgive me!

The Rules for this award:

1-Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
2-Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
3-Share 7 random things about yourself.
4-Thank the blogger who nominated you.
5-Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

Thank you so much, Ashley! 
You are so sweet to think of me!
Check out her super cute blog! 
She is super cute and you won't be disappointed! 


Random Facts:
I love pickles
I am almost ready to take a test to get a promotion at work
I love to read
I fall asleep in movies - I am getting better thought - I promise!
I was named after a bottle of wine - and yes I have had a glass

I have a bad travel bug!
I love to be busy


And I nominate every one! 
If you are feeling like you are lacking in blogging topics, take this blog and maybe it will give you some inspiration!


I hope everyone is enjoying their Thursday!

Carded at the Movies

Last Friday was "Swate Night" {Sweeter-Date Night)

I got home from work and we headed to Santa Monica for dinner and a movie.

PF Changs for dinner, some gelatto for dessert and The Girls with the Dragon Tattoo to end the night.

We went to the theater, bought our tickets and went inside. 

We walked into the theater and the girl who was checking tickets inside asked to see our ID's because we "look young." So Rich pulls his out and she looks at it and says: "Oh my gosh, I feel really bad now, you're like, as old as my brother...!"

Ha!

Neither of us have ever been carded to see a movie before - it was pretty funny! 

This like this always happen to us! 

We definitely had to laugh about it while walking to the movie.

By the way, the movie was great!
Even Rich liked it!

Have you all read the books?
I did and I thought the movie was great too {this is very unlike me! (to like books and movies)}

Happy January!

Every year I make a calendar with the pictures from the year before.

It is my favorite gift to give and it is my favorite project!

Happy January!

May this month bring you to accept new beginning and the courage to try something new!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 18

I get very upset when men or women make sexist comments

Customer: I didn't get my paper on Monday or today

Me: Ok, I will credit your account for the missed issues. Your new expiration date is XYZ. I will also send a message to the carrier and let them know that you were missed.

Customer: Well, I am wondering if the carrier is delivering the paper and it is being stolen?

Me: Where does the carrier usually leave the paper?

Customer: In the lobby. I live in an apartment building. You know what, it must be the carrier because I live in a building that is mainly women and they wouldn't be interested in reading a business publication

Honestly, it took every ounce of control to not hang up on the man.

Why would you say that 1) in general and 2) to a woman?!

What an ignorant fool

Thanks for reading my rant...if you made it this far :-)

Happy Tuesday!

Sheesh...

Welcome: 2012

I get some great emails from HR at work and I wanted to share this one with all of you!!

May your 2012 be just as great, if not better than 2011!

As you begin 2012, take a moment to pause and reflect on how you can make this year better for yourself.  Don’t just start the New Year off with a resolution, commit to making a positive change in your life.  It requires action, dedication, attention, and a plan.  Creating change in your life must start with the following:

- Identify the area in your life that you want to change or improve upon

-Identify a simple action that would make the most difference with creating the change

-Turn that action into a routine

You’re more likely to succeed in your efforts with making a change by following these steps:

Be Specific – Instead of saying “I will start exercising”, re-phrase by saying “I will walk 30 minutes after work, 3 days a week.”  Or if your plan is to eat healthier, don’t just say, “I will start the New Year by eating healthier.”  Rather, “I will replace eating a snack from the vending machine by eating an apple or banana instead.”

Put Your Plan in Writing – Write down exactly what you want to achieve and post it in a place where you will see it every day.  Keep a journal or log to track your progress.  This will remind you of the goal you’re working toward.

Set a Realistic Goal – It’s unreasonable to expect to make a lot of big changes at the same time.  Start small and create a timeline to help you achieve your goal.  Once you’ve accomplished a few small goals, you can build upon them and begin setting and accomplishing bigger goals.  You’ll set the stage for your own motivation.

Be Flexible – Behavior change isn’t easy and it sometimes takes more than a few times to accomplish.   Setbacks can and will happen, but don’t get discouraged or give up.  Continue to stick with your goal and eventually your hard work will pay off.

Acknowledge and Reward Yourself – It’s important to acknowledge and reward yourself for achieving your goal.  Reaching a goal takes commitment and hard work.  You should acknowledge and be proud of your efforts.

Believe in Yourself – Be confident in your ability to make a behavior change.  Stay positive and find your inspiration.  Surround yourself with positive people, quotes, sayings, or success stories.

“Success doesn’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.” -Anon.

Take the time to think about what you can do differently in 2012.  Whether it’s eating healthier, starting a new exercise program or a hobby, spending quality time with family and friends, learning something new, or just making some time for yourself, you will experience a renewed sense of accomplishment and pride, and you will also add more balance to your life.  To get motivated and stay that way you must commit to moving forward, day after day.  Be persistent and believe in yourself.  All positive changes, regardless of how small, will improve your life.  

Make this New Year count and create a plan to follow through on your resolution.

 Sources:

James Loehr, Ed.D; Co-author, The Power of Full Engagement.

© 2006-2009 WellnessProposals.com. All rights reserved.

MIA

Hey All! Happy New Year!

I have been MIA for the last {about} 3 weeks...

{now you know my secret...I have a few posts scheduled...I just don't want to bombard you all with customer service stories all at once....}

I was not allowed to type, due to some elbow pain/discomfort and so that is the reason I haven't been on the computer - much.

{The dr didn't say anything about texting and updating twitter...}

I will slowly come back to the blogging world.

I hope you all had a fun, safe and fabulous New Year!

Cheers to 2012!