Monthly Archives: April 2009

So Much to Love About Easter

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Easter has always been a favorite holiday of mine just as Spring is my favorite time of year.  Refreshed! Fresh! Reawaken! Rebirth! Anew! Renewal! New beginnings! Hope! Feast! Joy! Rejoice! Reborn! Celebration!  Family! Love!  These are common words surrounding Easter.  How can this single time of year invoke so many different feelings and such happiness?

The religious significance of Easter is at the heart of its celebration.  In Christianity Easter represents the resurrection of Christ.  What better reason to rejoice and celebrate than the rebirth of your saviour?  Part of the beauty of our world lies not only in its variety of landscape and environment, but in its scope of people, culture, tradition, beliefs and religion.    Even though religious beliefs may differ, rebirth and new beginnings are a common theme.

Change of Seasons is a powerful factor in human spirit and mood.  Your lifetime of experiences, good and bad, has been accompanied by a consistent and predictable cycle of weather and landscape.  The light of the day, as well as temperature & smell of the air are a much ignored backdrop in your life, that serves as a reminder and enrichment of memory in days and years to come.  The senses and joy you felt that hot day in June when you exchanged vows will return every June, even when thoughts of your nuptials are not at the front of your mind.  Likewise, the rainy gray day in October that you lost a treasured loved one will come back to you every year in the form of October’s typical rains and uniqueness of temperature as summer’s warm breeze reluctantly makes way for the cool of fall.  Springtime is the most powerful change in season for many as the burdens and confinement of a bitter winter are replaced by blooming vegetation, warm sunshine, and a renewed vigor and inspiration to wake up, get busy, and live life.

The Feast.  Abundant dinner and celebrating with family and loved ones is the tradition of many holidays.  Whether motivated by the celebration of Jesus or general renewed spirit of mankind, people are inspired to “break bread” with their neighbors at Easter.  Bread for Easter is found in abundance in many forms at every dinner table.  Rolls, braided Easter bread, Easter bread rings, even biscuits & gravy and banana bread encourage us to forget we ever even heard the word “carbs” and embrace the smell, flavor and contented fullness that only bread can deliver.

Yes there is so much to love about Easter.  Set your diets, worries and job stress aside for the day and focus on what’s important.  Real life won’t let you wander too long.  Let Easter’s spirit of renewal, hope, and starting over inspire solution to your problems, relief to your worry, and the reminder that you can return to your healthy recipes and workouts tomorrow.

Silly Mom Learns How Easy it is to Fix Her Ailing Computer

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Here’s a Saturday extra.  A little something from the technical files.  :-)   I don’t usually post on Saturdays, I try to keep them lazy… reading, studying, planning posts with paper & pencil, and technical stuff.  My computer has been killing me lately.  It really isn’t old enough to need replacement but it’s performance is far beyond its 5 years.  Or maybe 5 years old is older than I think, I don’t know.  I just know my work is pretty light duty and the old girl shouldn’t be so sluggish and spazzy.  So I’m cleaning and scanning and researching and tuning up today.   To the best of my capabilities anyway.  I’m not much of a techie, sadly. Anyway, I am told there are ways to get my laptop up and running again without spending a lot of money.  So I’m on a mission to figure it out.

Can you believe that I did not know how much memory my computer has?  Before I was a mom I was so much smarter, proactive, technologically competent, and detail oriented.  Now I’m scatter brained and an expert at putting out fires.  :-)   I looked it up.  512 MB.  That’s embarrassing.  I can add 1G for under $60 probably and that would improve my performance.

Part of the reason I am so motivated today to get cleaned up, other than my writing production has been cut in half, is because I was asked to tell you about this QIF file extension website.  The problem is, as mentioned above, I am not very computer savvy and don’t really know anything about a QIF file extension.  I understand that it has to do with reading and writing financial information but that is not very inspiring as far as my blog goes, you know?  But then I found something.

While reviewing the website I found that they have a free driver scan. Of course it’s free because they want you to buy the program that fixes your errors, but still… I know my laptop is full of errors and conflicts so any information I can find is good.  I ran it and 17 errors came up.  The scan tells me which drivers are outdated, possibly affecting my laptop’s performance, so I am going to go in and try and find the updates myself.  Yay!  Although I can’t diagnose too many problems myself, I can usually fix them once I have some direction.  If not, I know where to find the program to take care of it for me.

While I was digging around in my computer I found a program that scans my system, internet usage, clutter, RAM, etc. and then cleans it up.  I am running better already!  You might have a similar program yourself.  After doing a “lite” tune-up I have already gone from 11% free memory to 30%.  I say “lite” tune-up because I was very conservative with uninstalling and deleting programs and software.  I didn’t have time to take the time to investigate them all.  30% is still not much free space but my laptop is suddenly running like a champ so I am thrilled.

I mention all this because I have been complaining about my ‘puter to you a lot lately and wanted to let you know that I am back in business.  Also wanted to share how easy it is to get your computer back up and running when it starts getting slow.  If I can do it anybody can. :-)

Adam Lambert is Top Choice for American Idol. That’s our Final Answer.

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We don’t watch much television through the week.  Hubs goes to bed early, kids have lots of homework, and after sitting at a computer all day, it’s hard for me to sit still and watch tv.  Everything stops, though, for American Idol.  Does your family watch it together?  Who are you rooting for?

After last night’s performances of Season 8′s Top 8, Sari announced, “Bottom line Ma, It’s gonna come down to Adam and Danny, then it’s anybody’s guess.”  Such musical wisdom from a 9 year old with frosting on her top lip and clenching her gut because she has to pee.  But in addition to the bladder infection she is going to have from holding it, she also has a good point.  We have been torn between Adam and Danny for 8 weeks now and trying to decide who should win.  Over the last couple of weeks the choice has become abundantly clear.  Adam is so far beyond the talent and excitement of everyone else that he doesn’t even belong there anymore.  But will America let him win?

My concerns just three weeks ago about Adam were that he did not fit the “American Pie” mold and he would alienate the majority of voters.  Danny, on the other hand, in addition to having an amazing voice IS the American pie mold.  I was pretty sure he would win.  Until now.

Adam Lambert’s RING OF FIRE rendition sent America into a tizzy.  I thought it was amazing but I thought he might go home.  It was too weird.  Even though I loved the sound of it, his performance was too provocative and made me uneasy.  Part of the beauty of Adam, though, is once the performance is over…regardless of how dramatic, uncomfortable, dark, or over the top it is… it is over.  And there stands this smiling, happy, charming, nervous boy.  He is a performer.

Whereas I thought RING OF FIRE might be the end, it was actually the beginning.  Adam got people talking about him and they haven’t stopped.  Since then he has delivered two tender, beautiful performances and one funky dance tune, each one remixed to suit him, and each one more genius than the last.  When Adam showed up for Motown week with a suit on and slicked back hair, he startled us with his heart breaking rendition of Smoky Robinson’s TRACKS OF MY TEARS.  Smoky gave him a standing ovation.  Last night’s performance of MAD WORLD was breath taking.  Simon gave him a standing ovation.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so enthused.

Meanwhile, Danny has been pretty consistent, but the goosebumps have faded and he doesn’t seem to be growing.  We still have several weeks to go, of course, but I don’t see how anyone can top the magic and electricity of Adam’s performances.  They would have done it by now if they had it in them, you know?  Adam is without question the most talented contestant this year.

But back to my original question.  Will he win? Will the majority of American voters vote for a good natured, handsome Emo style Elvis Presley look-a-like who wears black nail polish & eyeliner, kisses boys, and pushes the envelope of comfort and originality with his breath taking and electric performances?

I hope so! How about you?

If your dvr cut out Adam’s performance of MAD WORLD due to American Idol running over, you can check it out at this official American Idol link.  All the youtube videos have been taken down.


It is Hard to Find Good Cleaning Fairies these Days.

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Isn’t it typical that just when you need your cleaning fairy the most, she doesn’t show up?  I can’t tell you how many times I have had unexpected company drop by on the exact day I woke up to find that the cleaning fairies did not come in the night.  I know what you’re thinking… “Poor Cin, she is suffering from CHAOS” (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome).  But I’m telling you, it’s those darn cleaning fairies!

Maybe it’s the kind of cleaning fairy I use, the midnight variety, that causes the problems.  After everyone gets their homework done and goes to bed for the night, that is when the cleaning gets done.  It seems that that would be the best time for taking care of household business.  I am understanding that fairies get tired too, and it’s very likely that after a double shift or something it only stands to reason that if your cleaning fairy was going to poop out before the job was done, it would be during a night gig.  I get that.  But the problem is it seems like HER times of exhaustion seem to pop up at my own times of exhaustion and when I need the help the most.

Take last night for example.  Mamma Mar, Potato Salad, Wakeboard Champ and myself hosted a bridal shower for our future Sissy.  The night before the shower was a long one, cooking and preparing.  The day of the shower started very early.  There was getting fancied up to tend to, packing the car, traveling, setting up, greeting, game playing, cleaning up, traveling back, unpacking the car, feeding the boys… and so on.  My daughter (9) Sari and I were pooped!  It wasn’t far from bedtime so everyone cozied up with Extreme Home Makeover and went to bed.

This morning when I woke up it felt like someone had thinly sliced the bottoms of my feet off.  I was sure that when I looked down at the carpet there would be bloody footprints.  Then I remembered the brutal high heeled shoes I was in for almost ten hours straight the day before.  The true agony, though, was when I rounded the corner into the kitchen to find all my pots, pans, coolers, party dishes, and other stuff from the party strewn about the kitchen mixed in with the messes the boys made rifling through the leftover food from the shower.

Darn that cleaning fairy!  I bet she fell asleep watching Extreme Home Makeover.  I am beginning to think that the midnight cleaning fairy is just not my best option and it’s time to start listening to the FLY LADY.  I know she has all the cures for household cleaning and organizing ills, but for some reason I have been resisting.  Now, I guess, is the perfect time to get to know her.  Spring is springing and the sunshine and fresh air stomps out the blues and flus bug, replacing it with the cleaning and projects bug. Yep, I’m in!

I know a lot of people have already championed their “CHAOS” and are living in organized bliss thanks to the FLYLADY.  Please share your experience and favorite FLY LADY tips.  It will help keep the rest of us motivated!

You Can Burn My Lasagna but Don’t Mess with My Family Time

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Are you a complainer or a go with the flow-er?  How do you feel about the saying, “squeaky wheel gets the grease”?  Is it more important for you to make your point/get your way, or to move on and enjoy your experience without losing another precious moment?  Do you feel that as the customer you are always right, or do you look beyond yourself and want what’s best for everyone?  We received a letter today from Tom who sold us the new Dodge truck and now I have customer service on my mind.

Myself, I despise the “squeaky wheel” mentality and in my many years of customer service, found that the only people who practiced it were the ones concerned only with themselves, wanted something for nothing, and were prepared to get what they wanted whether it was fair and deserved or not.  Pretty laid back, I would say I am a go with the flow-er.  Or at least I used to be.

I am still easy going except when it comes to special time with my family, such as summer vacation.  No, I don’t suddenly become an unpleasant consumer, but I do seem to desire better quality service and products.  I guess the reason is that these times together as a family, away from work, and bills, and responsibilities are so rare and cherished that I cannot tolerate wastefulness.

Even so, I find “complaining” to be useless.  In my customer service experience I was always the one with “the power.”  If you were unhappy it was my job to make you happy.  You wanted free merchandise, cash back or even a hug, I had the power to hand it out on the spot.  Do you know who NEVER got what they wanted?  Squeaky wheels and rude complainers.  I could count on one hand the number of people who did not walk away from me smiling and I rarely had to give away the farm to do it.  As a consumer I walk the same walk.

That said, ain’t no glory in being a door mat either.  If someone delivers bad service, let them know how they could serve you better.  Delivery is the key here.  If you’re a jerk, your “suggestions” will not be well received.  But if you can truly accept the fact that no one MEANT to deliver your entree late or give you the wrong product, your delivery will be sincere and well received.  Everybody’s happy!

We were in Cedar Point a couple of years ago and our room was really shabby.  Clearly, someone did not take much pride in their work.  In addition, our key cards didn’t work.  It took some 15 swipes for the strip to take each time.  When I went to the front desk to discuss it with someone there was somebody else there throwing a hissy fit because her key didn’t work.  The agent was trying to calm her, making her a new card, and apologizing.  The customer continued ranting that she wanted her money back and she wanted to talk to the manager. She was told that the agent was the manager and they don’t give refunds.

I was at the other end of the counter with another agent.  I laughed with her, told her about my room and the key frustrations and asked if there was anything she could think of to turn things around for us.  She said, “You bet!”  She excused herself for a minute and returned with a new key to a different room and a voucher for dinner at the restaurant onsite which was delicious.  I was thrilled.  I didn’t want more than what I deserved, I just wanted to enjoy my time with my family.   Two weeks after we returned home, we received an apology from the hotel and a voucher for a free hotel night next time we’re in town.   We were so surprised.  It was completely over and above what was expected and also what was received by the complainer from the same night.

Now that is an extreme example of the kind wheel getting the grease and it won’t always work out your way.  There are bad customer service agents out there just like there are bad customers.  But trust me, my favorable results have far surpassed the negative.  And doesn’t it just feel better to walk around nice than squeaky?

What are your best/worst  customer service experiences?  I’d love to hear tales from both sides!