Here comes the Frugal Bride...

Any of you reading this that have had a wedding of your own, already know what I'm learning... it's stupid expensive!  I've always heard that adding the word 'wedding' in front of anything bumps up the price threefold... or even tenfold, as I'm finding out.  What I'm not understanding is why so many brides allow themselves to be sucked in by it all.  Me?  I'm planning on a shoestring budget.  Not so much because I have to, but more because I can't stomach going into debt over a day that's supposed to be the happiest moment of my life.  I think I can live without the $2,000 dress and $500 cake.

So make way my firnds, here comes the Frugal Bride ;)

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Flight 5335 to Cootietown

Ug.  I'm sick.  Our wonderful weekend came with an unwelcome ending of a flight of germs that ended up liking our immune systems.  Like good doobies, the honey and I got up per the norm Monday morning, cleansed our bodies and swept the cobwebs from our groggy, congested heads to go to work.  Hi-ho, hi-ho... no-go.

He's a trooper and pulled out a full day.  I, on the other hand, went home at 11:30, lol.  Between the boogers, vertigo and body aches (and the guilt of having just brought more germs into a hospital), I packed up and headed home to indulge in a large dose of NyQuil and slip into a couch coma.  Ahhh, Couch, my old friend... are you happy to see me back early again on Tuesday?  Yup, I'm home today, too.  I stuck it out til noon, but again, the boogers, coughing, and runny eyes (don't forget the side of hospital guilt), caused me to sling my bag over an achy shoulder and head back to Couch.  Why is it that nursing a cold is always better on Couch?  With a ginger ale by your side, slipping in and out of sleep with the TV watching you... that's the best.  I'm taking advantage of my half day at home before heading to Couch this time.  The laundry's laundering, dishes are soaking, and blog has been blogged... even if it's a boring, silly one. 

I'm trying to keep positive, regardless of that sick-o who gave me this nasty bug on the way to ATL.  My good Karma take on the Cootie Flight?  Being reminded of how comforting Couch feels on a sick day.  Come here Henry... let's take a nap :)

Semper Paratus!!!

What a great weekend we had at the Honey's college reunion at the US Coast Guard Academy!  From the gorgeous coastal location to the hours of laughs we shared; it was just great.  Originally being from New England I was a little embarrassed to say that I had never been to Connecticut... driven through it, but never stopped by to check it out.  What a beautiful place!  I only got to see a thimble worth of the sights, but if you've never been to Mystic for a leisurely stroll, then go.  On a more important note....

I am absolutely in awe of the people I was introduced to this weekend.  I have never met a more extraordinary and successful group of men and women in my life.  The Commandant of the USCG was even there... which also gave me my first up close look at the Secret Service!  I never knew just how intense of an education and training these guys (and gals) get being in the Academy.  Impassioned and disciplined, all of the graduates have fantastic positions and careers with major companies, the government, or their own business.  It was truly inspiring to see so much talent and intelligence, combined with humility and consideration for each other, in one room.  The brotherhood and sense of family they showed was all-consuming, and I was brought to tears a few times over the expressions on their faces as they saw each other for the first time in years... some as many as 30.  It was like the time washed away and they fell right back into place with each other; hugging, laughing and a few jabs to the arm.

My recommendation, as an outsider given the opportunity to be a part of the USCGA family...  if your kids are thinking of a branch of the military, and they have the smarts and the drive, make the USCG Academy #1 on their list.  There's no doubt they will be the best of the best, with a very bright future ahead of them.

Thank you, Matt, for an amazing weekend and experience.  SEMPER PARATUS!!!

New beginnings!

New look, new name... for my blog not me! 

Since I've fallen over the 'edge' of 40, I figured it was time for an update on here to reflect what it is that I'm always yammering about.  And it's life... love... and everything else I can fit in the pot.  I'm still on a daily trek of discovering who I am, what I want in life and how to find it... and why it's ever changing, lol.  But that's a good thing!  Change is good!  Change is progression!  And progression makes us better people!  Yep, progression, confusion, and the occasional piece of chocolate :)

I've also decided to make this blog more public than before, so share away!  I'd love to see communication & feedback on my posts.  Agree, disagree, or share a something story - kibitzing and chatter are most welcome!

If you suck with people...

... don't work in retail!! 

Why has the customer service I've been getting lately been so awful?  Is it happening to everyone else too? Just about every other day I have a situation with a business, whether in person or via phone, that makes me want to hunt down the Customer Service Rep and smash in their windshield.  I'm writing to you in the heat of the moment, after having dealt with a company that had me red in the face. Here's the skinny on two recent ones to brighten your Monday...

We ordered a very nice outdoor dining set in time for my folk's visit.  The table was delivered today, but no chairs.  After calling the company and nicely (I always start out nice :)) explaining the situation the CSR, I'm told they cannot discuss anything about the order with me because I'm not listed as a authorized user.  "But we were only given one tracking number, and that one has been delivered.  Are the chairs under the same number?" I ask.  She was not kind, to say the least, and elaborated about with whom she could speak, which I was not one, and that "although I'm sure he's busy, we're on Mountain time and he can call as late as midnight Eastern time", etc.... I let her have it, making damn well sure she understood that whether she could not or would not speak to me about the order, I was speaking to her about it and she'd better be making some calls because she had until WEDNESDAY to have those chairs to our house.  I mean Christ, we ordered patio furniture here, not a frigging liver.  In the end, FedEx was my hero in kind, sweet and caring armor that resolved the issue... explaining that the company had neglected to give us the other TWO tracking numbers and the chairs would be delivered in the next 30 minutes.  This was today.

Want another one?? 
I'm waiting at Home Depot to get a quart of paint mixed... and waiting and waiting.  I turn around to see a cashier talking on the phone just watching me.  I ask "Would you call someone to the paint counter for me?".  I get a "Sure" mouthed to me (as not to interfere with his important call).  After emptying my bag trying to locate a large paint chip I needed matched, I realize that over 5 minutes has passed and no one has showed up yet.  I turn around to see that little puke still on the phone.  I ask "Did you call them?".  The answer I get "She's right down that aisle if you need her".  Muthafu... I give him a nasty "Really???" and I head down the aisle.  "Are you handling paint?  I need a quart mixed and I've been waiting a while at the counter"... I say nicely and kind of drained.  She replies "Yes"... and continues to do whatever crap she's doing with the shelf price labels.  NOW NOW NOW!!!  OH MY GOD!!!!!  Needless to say I won't be shopping at HD, all due to two douchey little idiots that may not even represent the overall customer service of the store.  But you know that?  THEY DO.

Grrrrrr!!  There are unfortunately SO many more stories like this that I could go on about, and this is a regular occurrence!  We pay a price for a product, usually an inflated price to boot.  And included in that price is Customer Service.  Decent, respectful and HELPFUL people to give or get you answers on the product that you bought, that is paying their freaking rent!  What do they not get about that?  And WHY are they still employed by these companies when the market is absolutely saturated with people just begging for a chance at a job? 

Okay, vent over.  Thank you for your time.  I've got to get back to sending upbeat, positive energy out there so it doesn't happen again... at least not today, lol.

Get your hands off my produce!!

Have you ever been to a store that is overly helpful to the point of annoying?  I thought I had, but I was wrong.  It wasn't until Monday that I was truly annoyed by the syrupy sweet, over zealous associate who was lucky enough to have little ol' OCD me as her customer at a local Publix. 

You see, my breaking point is probably much different from yours, or yours, or even yours for that matter.  The thing is, I love grocery shopping.  L O V E it.  I find it relaxing and therapeutic to leisurely walk the aisles crossing off the items on my list and stumbling on a great deal or BOGO (side note: this does not include during holiday seasons.  I'm crazy, I'm not suicidal).  I have a beautifully choreographed path that I take through the store... and the same goes for when I'm checking out.  I'm a BIG fan of fabric, reusable shopping bags, as well as re-adding the total cost in my head as I empty my cart.  So I have a very methodical process of unloading my items onto the belt... don't judge me, you know you do too.  I place my bags on the line, then heavy bulk items, boxed & canned, frozen & refrigerated, fresh produce, fragile stuff like eggs/bread/chips and finally other non-food crap to be bagged separate from the eatable stuff.

So when little Miss Helpful pulled my cart into the checkout lane (albeit nicely) and stated "I can unload those for you" and proceeded to place all of my stuff, jumbled and in no order onto the belt, I was sad, speechless and frustrated by her intrusion.  After an immediate "No thank you, I've got it" from me, a polite "Oh, it's no problem" squeaked out of her pointy little head and my carefully selected groceries were out of the cart in a flash and already being rung up... and bagged.  WAIT!  I HAVE BAGS!!  I CAN'T SEE THE AMOUNT!!  My flow,my energy, my peaceful shopping mojo all screwed up by Miss Helpful.

But wait, isn't this what I've wanted?  After pissing and moaning these past 11 years about the overwhelmingly poor service I've received while living south of the Mason-Dixon, and now I finally see a glimmer of 'going above and beyond' by a grocery store clerk?  Nope, just smile, make eye contact, don't over charge me while you're ringing me up, and know how to bag... oh, and keep your hands off of my stuff.  That's all I ask.