Sunday, April 18, 2010

Shame on Walmart in Florence, Kentucky

I am a bargain shopper. In this day and age we are all looking for the best return on our money. To be honest Walmart does have good prices, it is not worth the rudness and general mistrust of customers by the staff.
I have had many unpleasant experiences at this store, and have now decided not to spend my hard earned money at this establishment any longer. I have decided to put my money where my mouth is and not shop at stores that treat me like a criminal.

Experience #1: I purchased a scrapbook from the craft section. I grabbed it quickly and did not pay much attention to the condition that it was in. After inspecting the item in my car, I went back into the store to return the item. I was hassled for 15 minutes by two employees about wanting to return an item that was clearly damaged. I was told, "How do we know you didn't damage the item yourself?". Pleasant Customer service staff is not available at this store.

Experience #2: I purchased a bra to go with a dress that I had at home. When I got home I realized that the bra would not be appropriate for that particular dress. So I brought the bra back to Walmart. I waited in line for 20 minutes in the returns department only to be told that I needed to get a ticket from an associate at the door. When walking into the store I was clearly caring a Walmart bag and was not stopped by any associate at the door. So I went to get the ticket and was given the ticket with no questions asked by the associate at the door. So I walk back to the returns area and waited another 10 minutes for service, I actually go up to the same woman who had originally told me to get the ticket. She looks at me and says, "They actually gave you a ticket? I wouldn't have. You could have gone into the store with a bag and then put the bra in there and are now trying to get money back for the bra." I told the lady, "I had the receipt right here!" This lady fought with me for 10 minutes about the bra. I was finally given my money back after asking for a manager and arguing with them for 5 minutes. I was very upset.

Experience #3:(Today 4/17/10) I normally park by the tire section because I am able to get a parking space close to the building. I do my shopping and head back to the tire section. It was before 9:00pm when that area usually closes it's doors. Anyway I try to go through the doors and they would not open. There was a cashier at the check-out who was helping a customer and I asked if he could open the door for me. He told me, "We are closed!" I asked again several times if he would open the door. Each time I was rudely told that they were "closed". If they were closed why was he cashing out some customers? I asked him one more time if he could please open the door for me. He said, "Do you have the number for Bentonville, AR , maybe they can help you? I was already in the store! They could have let me out!

These are only three of several more unacceptable experiences that I have had at this store. Customers are the bread and butter of business. If businesses continue to offer poor service and substandard products than they will no longer be in business. We as consumers need to stand up for our rights and no longer put up with crappy service. If we keep letting business get away with this behavior, things will not change.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

I am a Project 365 Dropout!

I was one of the crazy people desperate to buy the Project 365 on January 1st, 2009
I clicked and clicked and clicked and finally got the kit into my shopping cart. I was on the band wagon until the middle of July. The summer was extremely busy and I just stopped creating stuff. 

Extreme guilt followed. I had spent $40 on the kit and I hadn't followed through on yet another thing. 

So until two weeks ago all the unused supplies sat hidden in my craft room. Sat down and looked through the part of the album that I did finish. I loved it. It was so much fun to see what happened a year ago and the stories that I had forgotten. 

So out goes the guilt. Scrapbooking is a hobby. It's suppose to be fun. It's not suppose to be about guilt. Its about documenting the stories of life. 

Last week I broke out my kit again. Took a picture a day and used the journaling cards. It felt nice and comfortable to do that process again. No pressure just fun in documenting life.I am planning to pick up and document August through December of 2010. Thats the plan at least. If it doesn't work out again, I will not feel guilty!

Here is my 2010 album. It's a 12 x 12 American Crafts album. I love the size. I love the color. The real color is an olive green. 

Have a lovely Friday everyone!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

The Kite Festival

We spent a beautiful afternoon enjoying the incredible weather at the Kite festival. We attended two years ago with Michael's parents. We had such a good time that we decided to go again this year. Just the perfect day for the festival. Not to hot, not to cold. There was a slight breeze and the sun was shinning! It was a happy shiny day! Here are a bunch of pics!


The yummy and greasy funnel cake!

Michael making his very own kite! That very nice High School kid helped us out. We were the only ones in there without any kids! We are big dorks! It's OK!




I'm actually in a picture!!!!

After the kite festival we headed to one of the Hamilton County Parks for a little walk. They have a really nice walking trail. Some more goofy pictures!
I love windows!



 

We ended the evening with a concert performance by the Cincinnati Christian University Concert Choir! They were brilliant!

Have a lovely evening! Enjoy your sunday!

 

Improv Everywhere! and a High Speed Car Chase

Been in a foul mood funk the past couple of days! So I was browsing Youtube videos and found this great group called "Improv Everywhere". They set up pranks around the country. Most of them are set in New York City. They are harmless and just plain funny! Thought I would share a few of my favorites!!!







While in college in the beautiful city of Boston, I was on a field trip with a group of elementary students downtown on the Freedom trail. As we were walking around a group of about 5 to 6 photographers jump out and start taking pictures of me! They keep calling me "Rachel". It was very funny! I kept smiling and laughing, and they kept taking pictures until our group leader told them to leave. I bet this was one of their early pranks.

Speaking of wild things. This morning I went to Krogers to pick up some cinnamon rolls and OJ. As I'm walking out I saw an orange car speed by on the main road. There were police cars chasing after the guy in the orange car. Well, I drove after them,but they must have gone on the highway because I lost site of them. That was a fun way to start your day!

Have a lovely day!

Off to the kite festival!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Just a vent...

I wrote the other day about thinking about the little things. So, yesterday at work the children had just returned from a field trip to the zoo. The coolers and left over lunch stuff was sitting in the cafe ready to be put away. I saw the stuff sitting there and thought that I would be nice and put it away for the teachers. I put away the unused plates and cups. I bagged up the leftover and put them in the fridge. Then I brought the cooler outside to dump the ice. It was not a difficult job at all.

When I walked back inside the office staff mentioned that I was too nice and the teachers should have taken care of it.It wasn't the words she said, but the tone. I saw a need and met it. 

That same office staff person put up a fuss when I took the garbage out last week. It wasn't my job to take out the garbage. It such and such teachers week to clean the staff lounge. Honestly, the trash was overflowing so I just took it out and it was really no big deal. I think she may think I'm going to get that school in trouble because they didn't put their coolers back right a way or they didn't take out the garbage. I'm not out to back stab anyone, I just saw a need and did it. I'm not so important that I can't take out the garbage or clean out a cooler.

OK...I feel better now!

I'm still going to find ways to go the extra mile.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Birthday-In-a-Box and Stuffed Shells

Watching the news lately has made me feel pretty helpless. Why does the news always have to be so negative? Why do they always leave the happy human interest stories until the end. Why can't they mix them in with the rest of the "news".

While reading through my quote journals recently I was reminded of a quote by Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things; only small things with great love.”

Small things. I need to remember the small things. The smile from a stranger. Someone opening the door for you when you have your hands full. The warmth of a sweater. The smell of fresh brewed coffee. The flower or tiny gift given just because. 

Trying to be more mindful and remember to do those little things that make other people's day!


Being busy is no longer going to be an excuse for being lazy. If everyone would take steps to "small things with great love" think of what the world could be life!


Have had the desire to plan a kids birthday party lately. Don't know why, I don't have children. Ok...I do spend a LARGE chunk of my waking hours with children. So anyway,I was on Volunteer Match looking for volunteer opportunities in my area. I came across an opportunity to create themed birthday-in-a-box for the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati. It's the most perfect volunteer opportunity. I get to use my desire to make a difference and my love for creating and planning thing. Perfect. So the theme for the box is Butterflies. Going for the 5 to 6 year  old age range. I'm so excited to get started. Hoping to make a couple of things this weekend. Maybe a cool butterfly banner!! Stay tuned for pictures of the project as it comes together. 


Made the most delicious stuffed shells for dinner on Saturday! Yummy! I used ricotta instead of cottage cheese. I enjoy the texture of ricotta a lot more. 


  
I will leave you with a funny kid conversation
                
        Little E: Ms. Emily are you a mommy?
        Me: Not yet!
        Little E: Are you a sister?
        Me: Yup! I have a brother!
        Little E: My brother is old enough to be a 
        daddy!
        Me: How old is he?
        Little E: Seven!

I love 4 year olds!

Have a lovely evening!

Emily

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter Day

We have started a new tradition! On Sunday we went for a walk at Spring Grove. The flowers were all in bloom it was a beautiful day! We hope to do it again next year!


Here is my adorable husband! What a goof!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Opinion on Mommy Stuff by a Non-Mommy!

I admit it I do browse through parenting magazines. I hope to be a parent someday and well, I work with children. Most of the articles are pretty mundane regular stuff you'd expect. Then there was an entire article about baby poop and what the different colors mean. That completely grossed me out. I'm really glad that I don't have to worry about anyone's poop. Would you call that beige or mustard yellow? Ewwwwwwwwwwww gross!  Now I know why most people who do not have children do not read parenting magazines. They might get so repulsed that they decide having kids is not a good idea. While I'm grossed out, I still want kids.

Some of the advertisements can be pretty comical. One contraption was called Milkies. It looks like a small Tupperware dish that you place inside your bra to collect the extra breastmilk. To me as a Non-Mommy this looks like the most absurd item. I guess its good for when you need to multi-task. You can wear them to work, you can wear them to work out. Could you wear them to the pool? No I don't think that would be a good idea. Chlorine spiked milk doesn't sound very healthy to me. Have any of you Mommies out there heard or used Milkies before? I'd love to hear some feedback!

Another item that I saw in a parenting magazine seriously made me burst out laughing. It's called Thudguard. Basically its a helmet for babies to wear when they are learning to walk. I'm all for protecting kids, but this is one step closer to just wrapping your baby in bubble wrap and packing tape. I have to give them kuddos for putting cute little doggy ears on them. It does help the cuteness factor. Yet, it kinda reminds me of the bike helmet that my older brother used to wear when he rode his moped around. 
  I'm really sorry to pick on this product. I don't mean any disrespect, but I just think its going a little too far into feeding the paranoia that many new mommies feel already. Again, anybody use this product? I'd love to hear feedback about this one too!

I grew up in the 80s it was a different time. Does anyone else feel the same way that I do about overall feeling now-a-days to protect your child from EVERYTHING? I've seen a parent FREAK out because their child scraped their knee up a little. I remember I scraped my knees up all the time. I would fall down on my bike or rollerskates.My mom would clean me up and send me back out.

Kids fall down, kids scrape their knee.Kids are clumsy.Kids get bloody noses. Kids really don't have to win everything. How can a child experience the sweetness of winning when they never lose? Just let kids be kids. Ok...I will now get off my Non-Mommy soapbox!


Off to go frost my bannana cupcakes! Yummy!



April Menu

Friday, April 2, 2010