An excellent "new find" for dinner (the Friday night Italian buffet at the Colonial Hilton in Wakefield; Saturday night it's prime rib). Sleeping until almost 10 a.m. on both days. Spending time with an old friend (even if it was at a funeral). Beers at the '99' in Wilmington on Sunday afternoon--practically sinful!
Read More......Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
My bad hair day
I've been waiting a good long time to have a bad hair day. Today was that day! Got out of the shower and fluffed my little curls with some Suave Curl Enhancing Spray Gel. If I do say so myself, I was looking pretty fine.
In short order I was ready to head out the door, and I walked outside into a cold, icy rain. So much for great hair. But you know what? It's only hair. It grows back (I'm living proof), and tomorrow brings another styling opportunity.
Speaking of fluff...
I've started stocking up on containers of the stuff to take to my friend Laura in Switzerland. It's one of a small handful of things she has me packing in my suitcases . Apparently Marshmallow Fluff is a New England tradition and just unheard of over there. It's something she misses so I'm happy to bring it to her. Small favor the kindness she and her Monica are extending with their kind invitation to visit. Good thing my mother is coming on this adventure, I can fill her suitcases as well!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Switzerland, baby!
I bought my ticket! I'm on a Swiss Air flight on May 6 and back on the 14th! If you're very good I'll bring you back some chocolate!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
How to complain and get away with it
You might not need a lesson, but there's an art to complaining and walking away feeling like you've been heard, listened to, and respected for voicing your concerns.
Today I expressed a series of complaints about the way I've been treated--or not treated as the case may be--by a number of people who work for one of my doctors. The problems surround communication (the lack of it, and some of it unprofessional in nature), and the less that full attention that was given to an important request. At no time was my health in jeopardy. So, nothing dramatic, just irritating.
I think I have a pretty long fuse. I'm prone to giving an inch and letting someone take a yard (don't hold back if you disagree). But over these three incidents, I'd had enough by the time this morning rolled around, and when I arrived at the doctor's office I was ready to tango.
I asked to speak to someone with a bit of authority. Dave and I were ushered into a private office and I put my concerns on the table. Within a few moments my comments were being turned into action points. The person we talked to agreed that some changes need to be made and she thanked me for bringing it all to her attention.
I moved on to my medical appointment and spoke briefly about it to the doctor (so she would be aware of my concerns). Before I left the building I found the person I spoke to originally reviewing my concerns with the office manager.
I have every confidence that they will take a good look at processes and procedures and do some fine-tuning to make things better.
I knew I needed to say something, even if just to make myself feel better. Speaking up is never a bad thing, as long as you do it the right way. The trick to speaking up in cases like this is to create an opportunity for someone to take up your cause and make some changes.
So, here is the lesson for the day:
If you're going to complain, do so about issues that management can change. Don't just run off at the mouth for the sake of hearing your own voice. Make a list of your complaints so you are sure to hit every point.
Ask to speak to someone in authority. Let them know you have matters of concern that you'd like to discuss and ask if this is the right time and place to have a conversation.
Keep a normal tone of voice and maintaining a level, calm tone throughout the discussion.
Don't accuse anyone of anything unless you have solid, irrefutable proof.
Rather than accuse, let the person you are talking to know what you are concerned about.
If you can, acknowledge that staff is busy and obviously juggling a lot of responsibilities. If possible, say that they are generally helpful, professional, or whatever (but don't gush, pick one trait you can compliment).
Acknowledge that this may be an isolated incident, but it happened to you and that you hope it doesn't happen again.
Don't ask for action. You should haven't to ask for anything at this point. With luck, the person you are talking to has already apologized and promised to look into the matter.
Making a complaint doesn't have to be about nailing someone's ass to the wall or causing someone to lose their job. It should be about making a situation better for the next time you or another customer-patient-person walks through the door.
Remember: The person who ticks you off may be having a terrible day. Maybe their dog died. Maybe they drove over a curb and blew out a tire on the way to work. Maybe the school principal called and their kid is being expelled. You have no idea.
Keep your cool. It works. You'll feel good about standing up for yourself and behaving like an adult when what you really wanted to do was throttle someone.
Then celebrate! I'm having a Blueberry Ale. It's wicked yummy.
Here endeth the lesson.
Saw my doc today....
... and all is well. Oncology doc is pleased with the results of Sunday's blood work. No major complaints about my new prescription (the five-year post BC drug Aromasin). A good visit with good results.
Dave treated me to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Burlington (actually I have to thank our friends Chuck and Gail for the gift certificates they gave Dave on his birthday). What a nice place! If you've never been, go for lunch or an early dinner. We hear the wait can be long if you're trying for seats for dinner.
Otherwise, not much is new. I'm loving the sunshine and waiting impatiently for the day when I can open the windows and let the fresh air drift through the house.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Another mini-milestone
I renewed my friendship with a hair product this morning. Yup, that's Garnier Fructis Style XXX Volume Thickening Mousse in my hair. You'll notice it's giving me and my new curls a bit of styling capability (I'm trying not to go with the damp poodle look).
And Happy Day After Easter (Easter Monday to your southerners). Pj and I spent the afternoon with my cousin Kathy, her kids Lauren and Connor, her parents and my best aunt and uncle Nancy and Mike, Mike's sister Mary, my sister-in-law Cindy and nephew Ted (brother Ted begged off with the flu) and a trio of puppies (Bailey, Maddie, and Pat). Dave had to work (but Kathy was kind and sent along a hefty helping of ham, we'll make a meal of it tonight!) Yes, the E.B. visited our house. We still believe.
Enjoy Monday.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Happy Friday!
Yea! It's the weekend! I'm very excited about the prospects of a couple of days off. This was a rather extraordinary work week, but lately they all see to be that way. I think I need a break from work. Don't we all?
Here's your Easter smile...
Read More......
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mrs. C
My dear friend Elaine's grandmother died yesterday. "Mrs. C" was 88 and in the days of better health was a spunky lady with lots of heart and a wonderful laugh. I'm so sorry she's gone and so sorry my friend Elaine is hurting.
Read More......Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday stuff
It's a gloomy Sunday afternoon. Lots to do, like work projects, laundry, and (heaven forbid) house work.
Went out to do some necessary running around and saw two men walking their dogs. They were about 50 feet apart and the man in front was talking on a cell phone. His dog, a pretty yellow lab, was prancing and jumping.
The dog's body language was pretty clear: "Hey, you! Man holding my leash, hello! Look behind us! There's another man with a dog! Forget the phone call, these might make great new friends! Maybe they want to play! Do you think so? Can we stop and wait for them to catch up? They look like nice man and dog! Hey, do you see them? Hello! Please? Let's stop and wait for them. Can we? Please? Let's play with them. Hello?"
But the man just kept walking and talking. The dog ran around the man, tangling his legs in the leash. The man, more engrossed in the phone conversation, simply untangled himself, and kept walking.
It was pretty sad. That poor dog needs to find a new walking partner. I'd take the job.
And I just finished a wonderful book, "Nerve Damage," by Peter Abrahams. I listened to it on CD in the car. It's the story of a man, dying of cancer, digging into the past to learn about his deceased wife's secret life. It's a must-read (or must-hear) on all counts.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
P.S. A movie recommendation
Have you seen "Gone Baby Gone," with Casey Affleck? Go rent it. It's dark, and the excessive foul language is a little much in places, but it's a powerful story and it was shot in Boston, which is kind of cool if you're from the area. More than well worth the rental fee.
Read More......It's snowing! Again!
What a joy to wake up this morning to a fresh coat of snow on the landscape. Not. I'm really tired of winter and snow and cold weather. As much as I want to see it all go away, I know my mother and sister want it all to disappear more than I. Trouble for them is they need it to go slowly--too fast and it means flooding concerns. Why needs that?
And isn't the price of gas getting ridiculous? I started carpooling to work with a guy who lives in Reading. We take turns doing 2 or 3 days a week and it's made a difference in my gas tank for sure. I figure I save 50 miles a day by not driving to Marblehead. It's time to negotiate one day a week at home, plenty of other people do it, there's no reason I should be able to do it too. Perk of being a senior manager (or so I hope).
Gas prices and the fact that the value of the dollar is tanking in Europe has me rethinking my Switzerland plans. Not forever, mind you, just for now. Maybe it would be better to wait until the summer/late summer.
My Swiss chick friends Laura and Monica sent a short list of "please bring with you when you come" items ranging from pruning shears and black licorice to angel food cake mix and marshmallow fluff (which is apparently a New England classic and not readily available anywhere else). I'm gathering the goods and will probably ship items in a couple of packages rather than make them wait for me to get off a plane in Zurich.
Man, I hate to delay this trip. I've looked forward to it for a couple of years now. Sure, I have the money for the ticket, I just want the best value for the dollar, both on the ticket and to spend while I'm over there.
Oh well. Happy Ides of March. If you're headed to the Senate today, watch your back.
Who wants to come food shopping? I'll buy you a candy bar.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Don't tell my mother
Look what I did Saturday... baked apple pies. They're prettier than I am.
The Wilmington United Methodist Church Trustees (of which I are {!} one) held the annual turkey dinner Saturday night (all the fixings and pie for dessert). The whole affair was a smashing success.
It's always nice to spent time with the WUMers and every time I do, I say I should do it more often. Then I get tied up doing something else...
I think I said the same thing a couple of weeks ago when I served as worship leader. It's about deciding priorities and putting some growth plans into place.
Speaking of growth, you should see my hair. It's amazing! I'll try to find time with the photographer this weekend.
Read More......
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Dreams
I had the strangest dream last night. My friend Gail was running for mayor (city unknown); I was the editor of the local newspaper. She promised me the job of school superintendent if I helped her get elected.
She won, but in order to get the school job, I had to prove to her husband Chuck that I could rescue cats drowning in their pool (they really have a pool, and in life, Chuck is allergic to cats).
I rescued the cats and passed Chuck's test. Then I woke up, so I'll never know what I wore to the inaugural ball, how I decorated my new office, or whether Gail ran for a second term.
So many questions, so many wet cats, too few hours of sleep to resolve these pressing questions.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
My latest trick: Invisibility
I went, among many other places, to the bank today and arrived a few minutes before they opened. It's a branch inside a supermarket, so I stood just off to the side of the "pretend you're in line at Disney World" maroon velvet ropes. I figured it was more polite to stand just a little off to the side, rather than have the bank tellers think I was getting ready to pounce.
The overhead lights weren't on, it seemed pretty clear that they weren't open for business yet. Or so I thought. After all, I was standing there in the middle of the floor doing nothing but waiting.
Not one, but two people walked AROUND me and up to the counter.
Teller: "We're not open yet."
Idiot #1: "Why?"
Teller: "It's not 10:00 yet."
A moment later:
Teller: "We're not open yet."
Idiot #2: "Ahhhh...., what?"
Teller: "It's not 10:00 yet."
Finally, with #2 impatiently waiting at the counter, someone flipped on the lights. The teller looked at me and said, "Good morning, can I help you?"
Good thing he did. I was loaded for bear.
I stepped up to the counter, locked eyes with Idiot #2 (who was clearly ticked that I was being served first) and said, "Thank you! I thought standing to the side while waiting for you to open was more polite than barging up to the counter before you turned on the lights. Funny, in doing so I apparently became invisible. Thanks for noticing that I was here first."
{deep sigh}
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Bows on the toes
Taking a few days off from the rat race. It's my first real break from work (for non-health reasons) since last July. Needless to say it's L-O-N-G overdue.
PJ and I headed north to Nashua, NH, today where the stores were calling my name. Too bad we didn't have a lot of luck. Well, we did have luck, just not in getting what we went up there for. We got some great stuff at great prices.
Went for blouses--came home with a skirt (khaki green, $10), two jersey tops (one black, one ivory, $5 each), a pair of shoes (the bargain of the day, 80% off, $7.99, black leather ballerina flats with bows on the toes), and my favorite find, a red leather passport wallet ($10, and if you know me, you know red is my favorite accessory color).
PJ (who went SHOPPING without her wallet and credit card, duh, HELLO???) found a pair of "Oh please mom, I can't live without these Rocket Dog sneakers" ($5) and a sweet dress ($19). Mommy doesn't plan to ask for renumeration.
All in all, a good day, even if it means I'll need to go out tomorrow and resume the blouse hunt.
Read More......
Sunday, March 2, 2008
W-A-Y too much snow in Sanford, Maine
Went to Maine to see my mother and sister today, and holy crap, have they got snow. Check out his picture of PJ on the snow bank at the end of my mother's street.
Yea, it's as high at the stop sign and street sign. Wicked, huh? Try peeking around that to check oncoming traffic.
And here's the view heading to my mother's front door.
And here's me and my mum, with the snow bank higher than we are tall!
Read More......
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Which punctuation mark are you?
I am an exclamation point. Read on. . .
I Am An Exclamation Point
I am a bundle of... well, something.
I'm often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama.
I'm loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it.
Definitely not the quiet type, I really don't keep a lot to myself.
I'm lively and inspiring. People love to be around my energy.
(But they do secretly worry that I'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.)
I excel in: Public speaking
I get along best with: the Dash
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
