When I was working at the flower shop I was initially hired as a designer then moved to the position of a phone order taker during non-holiday periods then was put in charge of all store displays/all Christmas themes -- usually 16 to 18)/all inventory back-stock. I was also a buyer and LOVED our trips to Atlanta (staying at the Ritz and sipping a virgin Strawberry daiquiri at 11pm were two salves for the 10 hour days spent on my feet) and Dallas (savoring a steak at Bob's Restaurant) to expand our giftware and store merchandise.
We had two very large storerooms for all the extra items not displayed in the shop's layout. My office was near them. (I actually reorganized the largest one all by myself and I had to be familiar with all the various lines to be able to find them for my display purposes.) Not a week went by without a harried saleslady rushing up to my desk desperately asking me where "such and such" was because it just wasn't there and a customer needed one right now!!! I would immediately assume my soothing "it will be all right" voice and escort them back into the stockroom and proceed down the row of shelves where the lost item should reside. I would listen to their frustrated rant as they explained they had done all they possibly could do to locate the missing gift item and how-could-it-not-be-there-and-what-stupid-person-put-it-somewhere-else-and.... I would calmly nod my head to communicate my bonding with their situation and tell them I agreed the search and placement were constant constraints considering all of the merchandise we carried. Then I would share my coup de gras that always caught them unawares. "Now I know this is very upsetting but let me tell you what I always remind myself of in these situations. Don't lose your focus. You know the item is here. I will be happy to be another pair of eyes because we must remember the Lord's advice."
Well, that always grabbed their attention the first time they heard me say that! The lady would look at me with a sort of wide-eyed quizzical expression and wonder what was coming next. "I know this is not a direct quote from the Bible but in my own words when I am in a pickle and feel myself getting uptight I remember the advice God shared with his followers ...."Just keep looking" (you know-- wandering through the desert for 40 years, the three wise men following the star, etc etc). Their initial facial reaction could be read as either "WHAT??!?" or "HUH!!?!". Then they would giggle and relax when what I said sunk in and we would find the box of whatever they needed tucked behind something else or on the floor underneath or somewhere close by. The salesclerk was then smiling when she returned to the customer, her treasure hunt successful and having enjoyed the support of a fellow employee.
So just repeat this phrase, one of my little Julie-isms, whenever you need to in your life. Please feel free to share it with folks (especially your children to keep YOU calm). And don't be surprised to hear these six words repeated back to you during the next adventure of searching for socks....or shoes....or their little brother....
Monday, October 6, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Oh, Look! A Duck!!
There is a catalog of baseball caps, T-shirts and sweatshirts (and a few coffee cups and such) called What on Earth. Each piece has a quote or saying or smart remark. Every year I receive one around Christmas and laugh my head off. Not kidding. There is always one or two that I think are priceless.
The last edition showed a sweatshirt with a notation that has become a part of my everyday life. I cut it out of this smallish sized book and have it taped where I can see it everyday at work. My fellow employees now say it as well. It really has quite the universal appeal. In this one sentence my entire existence at this point in my life is succinctly summed up .....And I'm telling you right now I never, NEVER want you to have to go through this so take my advice and simply refuse to let this happen to you. Female or male. It doesn't matter.
The gist of the message is: "Some people say I have ADD Oh look! A duck!" That's it. This one grammatically incorrect sentence has become the mantra in my everyday life. I have become this totally unorganized, unfocused mess. The cause you ask? One word says it all: Menopause. The M word. Because of this hormonal crappy stage in life my brain has turned to mush, sleep eludes me, a lovely rosy blush now beams from my cheeks without the aid of any pinky-toned fluid or powdered cosmetic, a small tabletop fan now graces my work desk, lose my train of thought in the middle of a sentence and I have no short-term memory whatsoever. In short I have become a blubbering idiot.
Case in point: Day off three weeks ago. Got up and started the yard sprinkler. I was in the kitchen doing dishes when I got the hankering for chocolate chip cookies. Pulled out the mixing bowl, gathered the ingredients, added the flour, sugar and margarine to the bowl when I remembered I needed to call for a doctor's appointment. Walked to my bag to retrieve my address book in the spare bedroom. Called two friends. Went to the computer and looked up some info off Google that I needed. Decided to start laundry so took the baskets to the basement and put a load in the washer. Saw a can of pork and beans on the pantry shelf which sparked the concept for the menu for dinner so I carried that and some baking potatoes upstairs, sat them on the counter and pulled ham out of the freezer. Looked at the clock and decided to run my errands to get them out of the way.
Have you figured it out yet? The sprinkler was on for FOUR hours in one spot. Some dishes still sat on the counter unwashed. I never called the doctor. The laundry wasn't ever started and the cookies didn't get baked until almost dinner time.
So listen to me people!!?! When your body clock starts to give you the signs that IT is coming, I want you to refuse to let it happen. Trust me. Your life will be thrown into utter chaos. Take my advice. For the love of God don't let it happen to you!!! Run!!! Run as fast as you can!!!!!! ...AAAAHHHHHHHH!
The last edition showed a sweatshirt with a notation that has become a part of my everyday life. I cut it out of this smallish sized book and have it taped where I can see it everyday at work. My fellow employees now say it as well. It really has quite the universal appeal. In this one sentence my entire existence at this point in my life is succinctly summed up .....And I'm telling you right now I never, NEVER want you to have to go through this so take my advice and simply refuse to let this happen to you. Female or male. It doesn't matter.
The gist of the message is: "Some people say I have ADD Oh look! A duck!" That's it. This one grammatically incorrect sentence has become the mantra in my everyday life. I have become this totally unorganized, unfocused mess. The cause you ask? One word says it all: Menopause. The M word. Because of this hormonal crappy stage in life my brain has turned to mush, sleep eludes me, a lovely rosy blush now beams from my cheeks without the aid of any pinky-toned fluid or powdered cosmetic, a small tabletop fan now graces my work desk, lose my train of thought in the middle of a sentence and I have no short-term memory whatsoever. In short I have become a blubbering idiot.
Case in point: Day off three weeks ago. Got up and started the yard sprinkler. I was in the kitchen doing dishes when I got the hankering for chocolate chip cookies. Pulled out the mixing bowl, gathered the ingredients, added the flour, sugar and margarine to the bowl when I remembered I needed to call for a doctor's appointment. Walked to my bag to retrieve my address book in the spare bedroom. Called two friends. Went to the computer and looked up some info off Google that I needed. Decided to start laundry so took the baskets to the basement and put a load in the washer. Saw a can of pork and beans on the pantry shelf which sparked the concept for the menu for dinner so I carried that and some baking potatoes upstairs, sat them on the counter and pulled ham out of the freezer. Looked at the clock and decided to run my errands to get them out of the way.
Have you figured it out yet? The sprinkler was on for FOUR hours in one spot. Some dishes still sat on the counter unwashed. I never called the doctor. The laundry wasn't ever started and the cookies didn't get baked until almost dinner time.
So listen to me people!!?! When your body clock starts to give you the signs that IT is coming, I want you to refuse to let it happen. Trust me. Your life will be thrown into utter chaos. Take my advice. For the love of God don't let it happen to you!!! Run!!! Run as fast as you can!!!!!! ...AAAAHHHHHHHH!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Being Abe Lincoln
That's what we called living for seven days without electricity due to Hurricane Ike. From Sunday, September 14th, when the 75mph winds whipped through this entire state for eight incredible hours (at one time our son in SW Ohio, us and my inlaws in NE Ohio were all out at the same time -- go figure!!?!) to Sunday the 21st when crews from Tennessee and Virginia brought our grid back up we were sharing the lifestyle of young Abe (you know....those stories we read about him studying by the burning logs in his cabin fireplace ...similar to walking home 18 miles for lunch...ok, ok maybe that was overkill...).
I was being my usual Pollyanna-self, stressing the blessings of water (yes, plenty of that, even abundantly hot) AND cool temperatures (opened the windows at night for refreshing breezes to float through the bedroom), and I got to burn the candles I had collected over the years and never had used!! I learned to run my errands after 7:45pm when the house got too dark. The stores are open until 9p or 10p, my gym until 11p, and of course, restaurants as well. So I nudged my husband into learning to flip the schedule a bit. (We just followed that famous movie line from Poltergeist, "Go toward the light.....")
About Thursday my other half had had just about enough of my cheery attitude....all he wanted was the darned ability to flick the switches on again!! And once the lines were repaired we found ourselves only turning on those lights we really needed. Hey! We lived a week with zilch and I guess you could say we adapted pretty darned well without that new-fangled invention by Mr. Edison. I do believe Mr. Lincoln would have been very proud.
HINT: I found some great 6-volt battery flashlights ($3.97) so I bought 2 and a Coleman lantern with fluorescent bulb/battery run ($19.97 + cells) at Lowe's and they helped illuminate our dinners and our pathways around the house. Go grab one/some now. You just never know when those little goodies will come in handy.....
I was being my usual Pollyanna-self, stressing the blessings of water (yes, plenty of that, even abundantly hot) AND cool temperatures (opened the windows at night for refreshing breezes to float through the bedroom), and I got to burn the candles I had collected over the years and never had used!! I learned to run my errands after 7:45pm when the house got too dark. The stores are open until 9p or 10p, my gym until 11p, and of course, restaurants as well. So I nudged my husband into learning to flip the schedule a bit. (We just followed that famous movie line from Poltergeist, "Go toward the light.....")
About Thursday my other half had had just about enough of my cheery attitude....all he wanted was the darned ability to flick the switches on again!! And once the lines were repaired we found ourselves only turning on those lights we really needed. Hey! We lived a week with zilch and I guess you could say we adapted pretty darned well without that new-fangled invention by Mr. Edison. I do believe Mr. Lincoln would have been very proud.
HINT: I found some great 6-volt battery flashlights ($3.97) so I bought 2 and a Coleman lantern with fluorescent bulb/battery run ($19.97 + cells) at Lowe's and they helped illuminate our dinners and our pathways around the house. Go grab one/some now. You just never know when those little goodies will come in handy.....
Friday, September 12, 2008
Life as a Sponge
Mine began in earnest my senior year in high school....one of the greatest times in my life (hold on now-- those reflections are for another day's entry). A classmate, who was the class president, gave me an off-the-cuff compliment one day after a class we were sharing that caught me totally off-guard. (Background: It surprised me because first, we weren't at all close friends, and secondly, she wasn't the type to hand these out. During this point in the school years we had been working on a Class Board project together. I found her comfortable to work with and she found me efficient and detail-oriented.) She told me that she knew she could tell me anything knowing I would keep it to myself. She was confident there would be no leaks, no fodder for gossip. She thanked me and told me how much she appreciated that from someone she didn't know very well.
WHOA. Now on the one hand that is very, very nice to hear. Yet, on the other, I now had a big responsibility to really watch what I said. No room for inadvertent comments. No "Oops! I didn't mean to say that!" moments. No excuses for slippage. I had become a designated Person-To-Trust.
You know how hard that is in high school!!?? Man, you get a juicy piece of gossip dropped in your lap and you just want to share it in a big way because of the power that tidbit gave you especially if it was about someone super popular or someone you really didn't like. And what if the news was one of those jaw-dropping you've-got-to-be-kidding-me spectacular bombshells??! Well, shoot. Those prospective bright and shining moments in the "whispered comments" world had just been swept away in a heartbeat.
So as I walked down the hallway lamenting the loss of great and endless possibilities, I was also rejoicing in my new found status. Because you know what?? I found I learned a whole lot more keeping my mouth shut than I ever would have if I was still a regular cog in the rumor mill. Pretty cool. And it is true. Knowledge is a formidable power to wield in the hallowed halls of high school. Life WAS good and still is as my role hasn't changed in all the years since that defining moment.
WHOA. Now on the one hand that is very, very nice to hear. Yet, on the other, I now had a big responsibility to really watch what I said. No room for inadvertent comments. No "Oops! I didn't mean to say that!" moments. No excuses for slippage. I had become a designated Person-To-Trust.
You know how hard that is in high school!!?? Man, you get a juicy piece of gossip dropped in your lap and you just want to share it in a big way because of the power that tidbit gave you especially if it was about someone super popular or someone you really didn't like. And what if the news was one of those jaw-dropping you've-got-to-be-kidding-me spectacular bombshells??! Well, shoot. Those prospective bright and shining moments in the "whispered comments" world had just been swept away in a heartbeat.
So as I walked down the hallway lamenting the loss of great and endless possibilities, I was also rejoicing in my new found status. Because you know what?? I found I learned a whole lot more keeping my mouth shut than I ever would have if I was still a regular cog in the rumor mill. Pretty cool. And it is true. Knowledge is a formidable power to wield in the hallowed halls of high school. Life WAS good and still is as my role hasn't changed in all the years since that defining moment.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
My Favorite Annual Appointment
Every woman who reads this will absolutely identify. Without question it is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself. No matter how you personally feel about this exam, you MUST do this for your own health and piece of mind and that of your family. All that being said.....
I have gone to the same OB/GYN for 21 years. I respect him as a doctor and like him as a person. We get along just great and just talk about anything. Now. Those first few years were a tad bit rough.
I call this the "Scoot down...a little more...Ok, stop. That's good" appointment. My analogy: Me lying on the table being given both audible and visual signals on how and where to place myself is like being an airplane slowly rolling across the tarmac with one of those orange-cone waving airport employees guiding me into a good position for the lock with the loading gate tunnel. Once you are in position the cones are crossed, employee stops walking backward and you're good. Except in my personal scenario I am now lying there feeling like I'm totally uncovered for the entire nation, hearing those seven familiar little words, "It's going to be a little cold."
I don't know about you but the first time I was with my doctor I felt a whole lot embarrassed. Heck, it is like you're screaming, "Hey!! Here I am!! I'm feeling a little vulnerable and very exposed so hurry up about it, will ya?" How did I handle it? The first year I said (total truth here) trying to break the ice a bit , "So, is it dark down there?" He slowly raised his eyes and very quietly, very professionally replied with something like, "This won't take long. Let me complete this test."(when he was actually thinking, "Oh, great. I got a comedienne on the table and I just want to get through this as easily as possible.") The second year I asked, "Does everyone look pretty much the same?" thinking that if I were he I would MUCH rather be delivering babies than conducting Pap tests. This time he obviously felt more at ease with me since I was making another one of my quirky inquiries to lighten the atmosphere. His reply, again very professional and softly spoken, was "Shut up, Julie" and I started to giggle. By the third year we were totally comfortable with each other, conversing like old friends through all of the exam asking about vacations, dogs, kid, spouses. And this year we celebrated my 21st exam together and over the years our dogs have passed on and new ones found to love, careers have changed in my family, child has gone to college, lots of vacations enjoyed. We have laughed together. Cried together.
I still ask occasional questions during the exam just to relive the good old times. He still gives me the look. And, come to think about it, he never did answer my questions.
I have gone to the same OB/GYN for 21 years. I respect him as a doctor and like him as a person. We get along just great and just talk about anything. Now. Those first few years were a tad bit rough.
I call this the "Scoot down...a little more...Ok, stop. That's good" appointment. My analogy: Me lying on the table being given both audible and visual signals on how and where to place myself is like being an airplane slowly rolling across the tarmac with one of those orange-cone waving airport employees guiding me into a good position for the lock with the loading gate tunnel. Once you are in position the cones are crossed, employee stops walking backward and you're good. Except in my personal scenario I am now lying there feeling like I'm totally uncovered for the entire nation, hearing those seven familiar little words, "It's going to be a little cold."
I don't know about you but the first time I was with my doctor I felt a whole lot embarrassed. Heck, it is like you're screaming, "Hey!! Here I am!! I'm feeling a little vulnerable and very exposed so hurry up about it, will ya?" How did I handle it? The first year I said (total truth here) trying to break the ice a bit , "So, is it dark down there?" He slowly raised his eyes and very quietly, very professionally replied with something like, "This won't take long. Let me complete this test."(when he was actually thinking, "Oh, great. I got a comedienne on the table and I just want to get through this as easily as possible.") The second year I asked, "Does everyone look pretty much the same?" thinking that if I were he I would MUCH rather be delivering babies than conducting Pap tests. This time he obviously felt more at ease with me since I was making another one of my quirky inquiries to lighten the atmosphere. His reply, again very professional and softly spoken, was "Shut up, Julie" and I started to giggle. By the third year we were totally comfortable with each other, conversing like old friends through all of the exam asking about vacations, dogs, kid, spouses. And this year we celebrated my 21st exam together and over the years our dogs have passed on and new ones found to love, careers have changed in my family, child has gone to college, lots of vacations enjoyed. We have laughed together. Cried together.
I still ask occasional questions during the exam just to relive the good old times. He still gives me the look. And, come to think about it, he never did answer my questions.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Acting Like an Adult (RATS!)
Let me tell you about what happened to me last week. You can identify, I'm sure.
Had a customer who placed an order. TWO WEEKS LATER (about 10 days ago now) I was told by our office staff that the item was on back order and the vendor "hoped" to ship within 5 days. Whoa -- not good. So I didn't get mad or frustrated (Yes, I know it's hard to believe calm-cool-me EVER reacting that way. HA!). I just kicked into "alternative mode" and called another vendor whose product I like and talked to them. They were to drop ship the item to an artisan who needed to put a special touch on it and he would send the package onto to us in plenty of time. Done. Everyone was on board and all knew their specific piece of the puzzle.
Well.....(you know what's coming).....the second vendor never sent his product to the artist and I found out Friday morning (when the customer was coming at 5pm that evening) after I had repeatedly asked if we had received a box from Massachusetts. Here was another chance for a good 'ole, really ripe, kicking and screaming temper tantrum where I could blame others and seem like I had every right to do so, you with me? Oh, man, what an opportunity. But I didn't. I acted like an adult (RATS!!). What saved this scenario? I knew the original item had arrived and was on display. So I nabbed one of them and called the customer. Explained the situation and told her how I was going to solve it. She TOTALLY understood, wholeheartedly accepted my solution, and thanked me for all the help I had given her. Whew!! She had every right to tee off on me, rant and rave on how this had inconvenienced her....but she didn't. And I thanked her in kind for her pleasant understanding and acceptance and silently said a prayer thankful for her reaction along with the coincidence of the in-store arrival of the perfect substitute.
I know all of you have had similar situations. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. The former feels really good....and the later stinks big time. Let's be happy that the odds are more in our favor than not.
Had a customer who placed an order. TWO WEEKS LATER (about 10 days ago now) I was told by our office staff that the item was on back order and the vendor "hoped" to ship within 5 days. Whoa -- not good. So I didn't get mad or frustrated (Yes, I know it's hard to believe calm-cool-me EVER reacting that way. HA!). I just kicked into "alternative mode" and called another vendor whose product I like and talked to them. They were to drop ship the item to an artisan who needed to put a special touch on it and he would send the package onto to us in plenty of time. Done. Everyone was on board and all knew their specific piece of the puzzle.
Well.....(you know what's coming).....the second vendor never sent his product to the artist and I found out Friday morning (when the customer was coming at 5pm that evening) after I had repeatedly asked if we had received a box from Massachusetts. Here was another chance for a good 'ole, really ripe, kicking and screaming temper tantrum where I could blame others and seem like I had every right to do so, you with me? Oh, man, what an opportunity. But I didn't. I acted like an adult (RATS!!). What saved this scenario? I knew the original item had arrived and was on display. So I nabbed one of them and called the customer. Explained the situation and told her how I was going to solve it. She TOTALLY understood, wholeheartedly accepted my solution, and thanked me for all the help I had given her. Whew!! She had every right to tee off on me, rant and rave on how this had inconvenienced her....but she didn't. And I thanked her in kind for her pleasant understanding and acceptance and silently said a prayer thankful for her reaction along with the coincidence of the in-store arrival of the perfect substitute.
I know all of you have had similar situations. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. The former feels really good....and the later stinks big time. Let's be happy that the odds are more in our favor than not.
Friday, September 5, 2008
My Obsession with Reading
Once upon a time there was a little second grade girl who LOVED school..... Yep, that's how it all started for me. My teacher, Mrs. Weaver (who looked just like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle of the stories I giggled all the way through), had a summer reading contest and I was bound and determined to win. Why? Three reasons: I loved to read, I wasn't allowed to go to summer school, and I was competitive (imagine that!!). That second reason was the benchmark as I just couldn't understand why I couldn't go. Even with all the DRAMA AND TEARS I could produce there was no persuading my teacher nor my parents. (I didn't comprehend that the concept of summer school was to give additional scholastic help to those in need. Hey, I just wanted to go and have more time in the classroom!)
She devised a program where the students would read a book then fill out a Book Report form and the student who diligently read AND completed the forms well the most would win. Well, I was NOT about to lose and spent all summer engrossed in a myriad of books that I had at home and borrowed from the public library. I filled out those forms judiciously with minute details. And guess what?? I WON -- woo woo!!!! And Mrs. Weaver gave me my prize.......Are you ready for this?? Get ready: it was a forest green metal recipe box with index cards inside. Yep, that's right. A recipe box. Did I think it was the most wonderful gift? Absolutely. Was I proud? I beamed from ear to ear when she handed it to me. Do I still have it? You bet your life I do.
And I have never stopped reading. Been through different "periods" in my life. Started with the with wonderful childrens' books like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Paddington and The Bobbsey Twins and then onto the Trixie Belden series. Mysteries were followed by tons of biographies then all the Emilie Loring books (I actually owned the entire series at one point) and, of course, the great novels like Gone With The Wind (if you have never read this incredible story you absolutely must do so!). I devoted a year to reading the Bible as well.
Now? I get totally absorbed in my Smithsonian magazine whenever it arrives(it has everything: science, animals, art, history, discoveries, travel, photography.... ). The articles totally fascinate me. And I'm into well written historical novels with a splash of romance.
Reading is an ability that opens the universe. Share this gift with those around you.
She devised a program where the students would read a book then fill out a Book Report form and the student who diligently read AND completed the forms well the most would win. Well, I was NOT about to lose and spent all summer engrossed in a myriad of books that I had at home and borrowed from the public library. I filled out those forms judiciously with minute details. And guess what?? I WON -- woo woo!!!! And Mrs. Weaver gave me my prize.......Are you ready for this?? Get ready: it was a forest green metal recipe box with index cards inside. Yep, that's right. A recipe box. Did I think it was the most wonderful gift? Absolutely. Was I proud? I beamed from ear to ear when she handed it to me. Do I still have it? You bet your life I do.
And I have never stopped reading. Been through different "periods" in my life. Started with the with wonderful childrens' books like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Paddington and The Bobbsey Twins and then onto the Trixie Belden series. Mysteries were followed by tons of biographies then all the Emilie Loring books (I actually owned the entire series at one point) and, of course, the great novels like Gone With The Wind (if you have never read this incredible story you absolutely must do so!). I devoted a year to reading the Bible as well.
Now? I get totally absorbed in my Smithsonian magazine whenever it arrives(it has everything: science, animals, art, history, discoveries, travel, photography.... ). The articles totally fascinate me. And I'm into well written historical novels with a splash of romance.
Reading is an ability that opens the universe. Share this gift with those around you.
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