Belated Christmas Package

Sometimes we have to wait a little bit for packages to arrive. Patience - not our strongest suit, but well worth it. Saturday we received a big box from the mailman. It was addressed to me so Phil brought it upstairs to my sewing room where I was working. I opened it and saw that it had a few items in it from Kevin and Kerry. A book called "Radical Brewing" (not pictured), a package that had been opened and six bottles of beer.
Kevin had sent his Dad a sampling of the beer that they brew together in August. We had gone to Chicago for two days after Nick and Julie's wedding to spend a little time with Kevin, Kerry and the pooches. Those two days were the hottest - 95 degrees, air conditioner quit and then the transformer blew in the back yard. But they brewed outside and had a great time. Phil said this is good stuff and he will savor every last drop.

I had asked for a wool project from Bird Brain Designs called a "Think Pink Sachet/Pin Cushion", a pattern coordinated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It had the pattern in it as well as all the wool needed to do the project. Well, the package looked a little battered when I opened the box.

Well, there is a story behind this (always is). Kerry had wrapped the package and put it under the tree. Bill McGill - little doggie - decided to investigate the package - probably thinking it was for him. So he tore into it and helped Kerry rewrap it. They sent it to me as is so that I would know that Bill had a hand in helping Kerry with the wrapping of presents this year. Fortunately the wool is fine, the pattern a little gnawwed at but still readable so all is well. Gotta love him.

Thanks for the great stuff. I am looking forward to my project and I know that Phil is going to savor every bit of the beer. Now, if he opens the book - well that is another story. Have a great day.

Shopping Day with Phil

Phil has every other Friday off and we usually stay home and get somethings done. Today we decided to get out of the house and do some shopping. Not a lot of stuff, just things needed.

We started out at Goodwill, Industries. I have had my eye on some magazine holders and although they were not on sale for 1/2 off (wrong color day), I purchased them anyway. The large one at Staples is &7.50 - I purchased mine for $3. The smaller ones were $.99 each so I had a great by for under $5.

We went to Fabric Depot where I took back some items that I didn't need. While there, we looked for the clips that quilters use for binding their quilts - the same clips we used to use to keep our hair out of our eyes. Well, we looked all over the store and I finally had to ask a lady where they were. In with the pins - not sure why, but at least I know where to look if I need more. I also got some finger thimbles that you use for applique - they work wonderfully. Plus I got over $2 back. Well worth taking back my unneeded items.

We went to lunch at Shari's - it is like a Bob Evans back in the Midwest. When we were seated and ordered, we looked around and realized we were the youngest ones there beside the waitresses. That was scary.

A trip to Staples was needed as my printer ink is all out. I know that Walgreen fills some of the Dell cartridges, but not this size - of course. So, now I am ready to print off the baby shower invitations.

Before Christmas I had purchased a few items from VanHeusen in the Outlet Mall. Well, the two tops that I had picked out for me, didn't fit so I returned them. I had tried to get Phil a couple of shirts, but they didn't have any that he liked. So, I found a blouse for me and am happy.

Next was a stop to Home Depot. Phil has a gift card that is burning a hole in his pocket and so we needed to check things out there. We looked at the step ladders, boards to make a frame for our window, etc. But Phil said that he needs to think on this stuff so we didn't purchase anything. BUT, I found some strapping that they use to keep the wood together and picked up some for the ladies who are making scrap bags.

On our way home, we stopped by a new Auction House and shop. Lots of antiques, odd looking things and stuff. Lots of Stuff. But it was fun exploring the aisles to see if there may be a treasure that we needed. There happen to be a blue/white crock that I may go back and get - my large spoons/spatulas, etc need a new home - those darn handles are too wide for the current large mug I am using. Sounds like a great excuse to go back.

We then stopped into Burns Feed Store. They have lots of items for horses, seeds, stuff and more stuff. While there, these two girls were running throughout the store. They went out the back and then came back through the front. They then said "We caught it!" A customer had a rooster that it didn't want any more so he put it in a box and brought it to them to see if they could give it to anyone. While they were getting the cage to put it in, it got out of the box and was running around the store, both inside and out. They had been trying to catch it all day and finally did. I wish I would have had my camera - he looked so harmless....once he was in the cage.

We are now home, and will eat dinner and then relax with TV (if there is anything on). I will get my stitching out and all will be well in the world. Hope your day was a good one as well as our was. Enjoy your weekend.

Customer Service

Customer Service seems to have gone on the wayside. You call on your phone and you have to press 2-8 buttons before you can even get the message to press "O" for operator. You go into a store and if you are lucky, you can find someone to at least take your money after you have spent lots of time looking for the item you needed. You wait in line to only have grumpy people waiting on you.

Well, not at the Tollgate Inn and Bakery.

Phil and I order a special made "All grain, raisin, walnut bread" for breakfast. Besides what the name says, it has wheat flour and is pretty organic. Because of our sensitivity to sugary items, it fits us perfectly. I call to order six loaves so that I can put it in my freezer and to make it cost effective for the business.

I am on my last loaf. I call this morning. The girl answers the phone "Tollgate Bakery". I say "hello" and she immediately says " Hi Teri, are you ready to order your bread?" She says it with a smile and is very personable. It makes me smile and know that I am not just a sale. We chat a few minutes, she tells me the baker will be in tomorrow and will probably make it then. She inquires if I need to have a call reminder when it is ready. She tells me to have a nice day at the end of the conversation. I hang up.

This is so refreshing. She brightened my day, I brightened hers by being friendly. I enquire as to how her day is going (she has been there since 6 am - can't be fun to wake up so early and be friendly to demanding people), tell her to have a nice day. We have had at least one person be nice to us today.

I just saw on the Internet about the airlines raising their baggage fees, long lines, TSA workers taking a long time with checking things, people not putting their shoes on the belt but taking up containers, etc., etc., etc.
The last time I flew - before Christmas - it was busy. I was at PDX by 5 to make a 6:30 am flight. The lines were long, the training meeting ran over, the employees were a little stressed. All I did was smile, have my identification ready, follow directions, be patient and tell everyone helping to have a nice day. My time was stress-free, and I hoped to make their day a little brighter - even for just a moment.

So why this blog: Well, it only takes a little bit of effort on our parts to make not only our lives easier, but others around us. Be kind to those who do have to put up with rudeness. Be patient when they have to continue to ask those dumb questions. They are only doing their job and we can help make their days a little brighter. Who knows - the next time you deal with others, the customer service may just be friendlier than you expected. Have a great day. :-)

Stuff

So, my brother is now in California visiting and helping his daughter. He gets into town and tells me I have to update my blog. So here it is.
Isaac and Phil decided to spend last Thursday playing Legos. As you can see, those little pieces are all over the place. Isaac is fun to be with and when the rains come, this will be a great spot for them to spend their evenings together - before they go to Dairy Queen for their treat.

Both Isaac and I had to help Phil off the floor - he isn't quite as flexible as he used to be. :-)

Last week Wednesday, some of the Wednesday Quilters came together at my house to have our Christmas Party. It was a wee bit late, but we had fun. Phil came home in time to take our picture before they headed home: Becky, Cindy, Dixie, Donna, Marilyn and me. So, Christmas is now done and the decorations are put away.

Thursday I went to my Q-FAC meeting. Shirley brought the 2010 Sandy Quilt Show Raffle Quilt to be bound and then a picture taken to be part of our publicity. So, photographer Teri was ready with the camera to get a great pic of our quilt. These are all miniature blocks representing miniature quilts. I put together three of them: row 1 - second from right (Flying Geese squares); row 2 - far right (Flying Geese strip quilt top; and row 5 - second from right (pinwheel). Hopefully we will sell lots of raffle tickets to help the Sandy Historical Museum with more projects that they need. That's it for now. Will post soon.

Christmas, 2009

After talking to our sons, daughters-in-law, Mom and other family members, we had a light lunch and then went on our Winter Wonderland Hike up the mountain. We drove to Government Camp, at the 4,000 feet level. Mt. Hood is over 11,000 feet but this was just enough for us. Of course there is lots of history there as it is part of the Oregon Trail so we stopped and visited a few of the historical markers telling us about the Trail.

I got to romp in the snow a bit. The sky was sunny and clear, temperature 23 degrees but the wind chill was a whole lot lower. Reminded us of Michigan for sure.

There were Belgium horse drawn carriage rides throughout the town and toward the ski resort area.

Mt. Hood is in the background and this was one of many places to ski.

On our way back down the mountain, we found a place where we could stop and take a pics of us in the snow.

This was 30 Road and there was a nice bridge that made the scenery just splendid for us. It was a whole lot warmer and less windy as well.

The little creek was flowing. When you get mountain runoff, it is usually extremely cold even in the summer. Many people think it is ok to take a dip in it but that can bring on hypothermia very quickly. Just best to enjoy it in pictures later on. One more picture of me in the snow.

Then I decided to blow the very fine snow at Phil. Got more of it on me. Burr - it was cold. But we really enjoyed our visit to the Mountain and have our snow fix for Christmas Day. Hope you had a great day as well.

INTRODUCING.......

Phil and I are going to be Grandparents!!!

As I was in MI for Greg's swearing in as a lawyer, Nick and Julie had their first ultrasound

scheduled and they asked me and Julie's Mom, Rita, to attend.

And we are happy to introduce you to................

CALEB MICHAEL LaVOY!!!!!

Oh, he is soooooo handsome!!! :-)

The imaging was so clear, we could see all of his greatest features.

He is about the size of a cantaloupe, weighing 12 ounces;

his little heart was beating 153 beats per minute;

we were able to see him wave to us ;

we saw him swallow,

and he accommodated the nurse when she needed him to move

a certain way for measurements of head, etc.

A wonderful day for a very excited family.

Greg's admission to the Bar

On December 14th, Greg was sworn in to the Michigan State bar by his boss, the Honorable Justice Robert Young of Michigan Supreme Court, where he is working as a judicial clerk. Finally an office instead of just a desk with school books on it. I surprised Greg by coming to MI for the ceremony.
Gram went with us and had to get her picture with Justice Young. As she said, "Once in a lifetime".

Just as we were about to go into the court, there was a bomb scare so we had to evacuate the building. A perfect opportunity to be treated to lunch at the Detroit Athletic Club with Justice Young, his clerks and secretary.

We returned back to the Cadillac Building and proceeded into the Courtroom where Chris Hammer presented Greg to the Judge for the swearing in. (maybe I can figure out how to load that in and send it out later). Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Jerome and Nick were also there for Greg's special day.

Pictured here are his staff; Carolyn (secretary), Amber, Chris (judicial clerks), the honoree, Tammy (Judge's permanent clerk) and of course, Justice Young. We went back into the office area and had one final picture of Greg with Justice Young and Kermit the Frog. A great group of people and a wonderful experience for Greg.