Are You Old Enough to Remember 'Customer Service'?

I finally kept that infamous medical appointment in Fresno yesterday; the one I had to keep postponing because it kept snowing on those particular days.  We (Katie & I) drove down to Fresno in the morning and followed the map and driving directions exactly as given; this being my first  appointment at this facility.

From Hwy 41 turn left onto Chestnut, turn left again at Dearing, turn right at Fir, follow to Recreation, parking lot is to your left.  Sounds easy, huh?  After driving up & down Chestnut and now I'm no longer early but will be late instead, I call and get a recording telling me I'm caller #2 and should have no more than a 3 minute wait.  Finally get the operator who tells me that the reason I can't find Dearing is because a few months ago the street sign was knocked down by a car so there is no sign any longer.  Apparently the city council feels if you don't know where that street is, you don't need to be there.  And, it wouldn't occur to those making appointments and sending maps & directions to advise that there is no street sign and to describe the now nameless intersection so new patients know what to look for.

Called Citicard after I got home.  Granted, I'd just driven to/from the city and  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.  They'd sent me a letter awhile back telling me they've canceled one program and are replacing it with another and were sending me a new card.  I received an email yesterday regarding this new program and my participation in it.  I've not received any new card yet (they were due out the end of March, first of April).

When I finally got through to a human (or replica thereof), who is NOT the most intellectual individual in all of India or wherever, he asked for my name & account no., which the automated 'operator' had already taken.  I gave him this again and he (took a nap and then) asked for it again.  In my sweetest tone I responded, "they haven't changed since you asked 2 minutes ago."  He couldn't answer any questions, didn't appear to have any information. then he asked for my social security number.  "You want what?"  Aren't we told - repeatedly - NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SSN?

I called a different number and found a young lady (still out of country) who, without asking inane and non-essential questions, looked up my account and answered all my questions ... new card was mailed Thursday and should be here next week.  And, and, and.

Okay, maybe I was just a tad cranky but, with the exception of the above young lady, what the dickens happened to customer service and assistance?  "Your call is important to us ...".  Man, if those people worked for me --- they wouldn't work for me!

Sun is out this morning, maybe today will be a better day; especially if I stay off the phone.

"Tap, Tap, Tap"

Yesterday, a local friend who volunteers at a hospital in Fresno, called me.  She goes down every Monday and prays with those going into surgery.  While she was there, one of those she stopped to pray with turned out to be an old friend of mine.  After discovrering this, when she moved on, he asked her, instead of saying "hello," to tell me "tap, tap, tap".  He said I would know who he was by that message.

She called me to let me know he was in the hospital undergoing surgery and to share this strange message (and to try to learn the story behind it.)

I shared with her; let me share this memory with you ...

The friend's name is Walt.  He and his wife, Betty, would go to Ixtapa, Mexico every February and November.  They had a couple of time shares and would take family or friends for a week.  The February before we discovered my husband, Larry, was ill, we joined them.  Our "apartment" was upstairs.  By upstairs, I mean up a narrow, iron, fairly open, stairwell.  The apartment was beautiful.  A large 'loft' style with a beautiful deck and marvelous view.  But that climb was a wee bit uncomfortable if not downright dangerous.

We'd gone walking on the beach one evening and stopped for a few nightcaps along our walk.  When we returned, the men were pretty well in their cups and getting him up that staircase, safely, was a process.  When we got in to our room, he hit the bed and was out for the count.  I moved to a couch and curled up with a book and fell asleep there.  During the night I heard a tapping sound.  I woke and tried to determine what and where this was coming from and determined it was the entry door.  Turning on a light, I discovered Larry wasn't in bed, he wasn't in the bathroom.  With the open floor plan, I could see the kitchen and he wasn't there either.  Meanwhile, I'm still hearing, "tap, tap, tap".  I opened the entry door and there on this tiny landing stood my still somewhat inebriated husband.  Looking down, it was a wonder he hadn't fallen to the bottom, not a good thing.  "I thought this was the door to the bathroom," he said sheepishly.  He came in, looked at me and we laughed 'til the tears flowed.

The next morning we shared the story of his little mishap with our friends and we all had a good laugh.  It turned in to one of those stories that lives forever and "tap, tap, tap" became the code for an inside story.  It lives on still and always conjurs up a memory of a special and happier time.

"Tap, tap, tap," Walt.  Get well soon!!!

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/24/11

First, I'm grateful for ... the Resurrection and the promise of forgiveness and a new life with my Lord when this  dress rehearsal is over.

I'm grateful that ... we're almost at the end of cold & dreary weather.  The weather guessers are telling us, "the sun will come out tomorrow".

I'm grateful for ... now having a friend two houses up the road to share and enjoy day to day experiences with.

I'm grateful for ... knowing I have friends that I truly care for and who truly care for me.

I'm so very grateful that ... the Lord let me spend this season of my life in this wonderful place with these special people.

And as always, I'm grateful for ... my furry, four-legged family who share my home and my heart and their love with me.

It's A Promise

Today is Easter!  The Christian world is rejoicing and celebrating!  Our Lord is resurrected and risen and has given us a great promise.  He died so that we might live!  That's the promise.  And on this very special, most beautiful occasion, the sky is grey ... what's that about?  Good Friday, okay.  That's a day of great sadness for us mortals that can only see the suffering.  Let it rain and be dark & dreary; it's fitting.  But today should be full of sunshine and warmth, the skies should shine as should the rest of the world.  ... In my humble opinion.

In the Christian religion, the new year (the church year) starts with Advent - at Christmas time.  I see it differently.  The new year (the rebirth) starts, for me, with the beginning of Spring ... the sun returns and brings its warmth, its the rebirth of the ground, many of the plants and trees start to blossom again, and its  time again to plant those that don't return on their own, animals come out of hibernation and for others its the season for reproducing and continuing their species.  We, who stand on two legs, feel the tug not only to get outside and join in the planting and renewal process but to clean, paint, redesign, out with the old / in with the new, inside as well as out.

Spring, like the Resurrection, is a time of promise!  Enjoy!  Rejoice!  Happy New Year!!!

Not My Best Week!

This is NOT my "Grateful Blog" but I have to say I am extremely glad to have this week all but over.  It was one that could have stayed off the calendar.

This weather reeks havoc on my bones and I've become even more cranky & bitchy than usual.  It looks like I'll miss Sunrise Service for the first time since I moved up here.  I saw the rheumatologist Wednesday and he's referred me to an orthopedist.  The appointment has been made ... for three weeks from now.  The Rheum'y did suggest I increase the dosage of my anti-inflammatory.  (And I probably need to increase the dosage of my dinner wine - strictly for medicinal purposes, you understand.)  When I requested a new rx (since I would now run out before the insurance company allows a refill), they faxed a new rx, for the same dosage!  Four phone calls later, that's now straightened out.

Wednesday was the seventh anniversary of my husband's death.  Sunday is Easter (his favorite holiday), neither the 'best of times' for me and I know these contributed to my less than awesome attitude.

The Patio contractor was here to give me an estimate on replacing my patio cover.  Anyone have a spare $1200 they don't know what to do with?  On the positive side, a friend poured and spread gravel on the mud pit formerly known as my driveway (for a really good price, bless him) so now I can not only drive down the driveway, people without 4-wheel drive can drive in, and ... I can once again walk the trash barrels to the road.  The boys who do my yard work and heavy lifting were here yesterday.  They mowed, edged, blew the parking area and the deck.  Katie's taller than the grass again. They brought in more pellets seeing as how winter doesn't want to give up.  I put two new lamp posts together and replaced the ones that had been at the end of the driveway and above friend will be back to anchor them for me.  We'll cannibalize the two that were destroyed in the storm and I should be able to make one lamp post out of their parts and I'll put it on the back deck.

There are cut trees, and downed trees still waiting to be cut, all over the yard but things are slowly  improving and returning to normal.  We're even supposed to see sun again by the middle of the week.  Remembering that the glass is always half full, I'm sure I'll shape up and will have my list of things to be grateful for by tomorrow.

Enjoy a beautiful Easter everyone.  Rejoice as the Lord is risen!

A Blast From the Past

A few days ago I ran across an old friend on Facebook.  We only knew each other for a few years but shared those special memories that are made when you're 14 or 15 years old.

I'd have never known him from his picture.  Usually you see something that triggers a memory but he completely outgrew himself.  As I recall he was good looking as a teen and he's good looking today as a senior (citizen that is).  He directed me to You Tube to see how he's spending his retirement.  I guess he hasn't changed all that much after all.

We lived in the same neighborhood and took a school bus to/from school each day.  We had the coolest bus driver.  His name was Gabby and he treated us all like we were his favorite kids.  In those days, girls had to take Home Educ. and one of the sessions was cooking.  He was our guinea pig.  Would you believe everything these 14 - 15 year old girls cooked or baked was "absolutely wonderful"?  We believed it, he told us so.

The cool, older kids, the high school crowd, got to ride in the back of the bus.  We Jr. Hi. kids couldn't wait for the day when we could graduate to the back.  I mean, it's going from scrub to senior; you've reached the pinnacle.  This friend sat in the back where he played his guitar and we were enthralled with his playing.  It was 1956-57 and we were into Rockin' Robin, Party Girl, Rock Around the Clock.  I was set to graduate from Jr. Hi in June of '57.  In September I'd be one of the high school set and was looking forward to my turn with the "cool kids".  - - -   We moved in June, right after graduation.  The teen years are tough.

But it was great to make the connection again, after all these years, and to revisit old memories.  I have another friend that I rediscovered on Classmates.  We email "stuff" back and forth and talk on the phone fairly regularly.  The social network is great, it's become my own personal time machine and the 50's are a great place to visit.

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/10/11

After a tough & frustrating week, there is still much to be thankful for ...

I'm grateful for ... all the many small blessings God shares with me that I'm not even aware of.

I'm grateful for ... the people God has put into my life; from closest of friends to those who simply pass through never to be seen again.

I'm grateful for ... challenges that the Good Lord places in front of me that become opportunities not only for me but to do His work.

I'm grateful for ... my health.  In spite of, or because of, the problems I have with my bones and joints and the discomfort & pain they cause; I recognize that my overall health in general is especially good.

I'm grateful for ... my usually optimistic attitude and sense of humor.  These are a gift God has given me to deal with the tough times.

And, as always, I'm grateful for the small four-footed family I've been graced with, including the little tornado that I brought home to foster but who has become Katie's newest best friend.

Musings on a Snowy April Day

This not being Saturday, instead of 'things I'm grateful for', I think I'll indulge in venting ...

1)  The term April Showers was meant for RAIN, light rain, to bring May flowers.  NOT one snow storm after another.  Rain, snow, and sleet, with sun mixed in yesterday.  Today - the snow was 6 to 8" when I got up this morning and it snowed for another 4 hours or more.  Can't see the driveway, let alone drive on it, again and chains are required 3/4 of the way down to the city this morning.  The high is expected to be in the upper 30's today!

2)  There went the power - again!  Okay, only about an hour this time, no biggie, but who knew for how long and why didn't we keep the generators at the ready?  Oh Yeah, IT'S APRIL!


3)  And why is it that while the snow was plummeting to the earth, the satellite dish was fine.  After it quit and the skies were clear, the dish went out.  Dish & Direct are just about anything except what they claim to be.  But since there's no alternative ...

4)  The topper to all this is:  I called the Women's Medical Center in Clovis this morning to cancel my appointment since I can't get out of my own yard much less down the mountain to the city.  I explained the weather situation and she said, "I'll make a note and maybe they won't charge you as a no show."  The policy is a 24 hour notice or you pay the full office visit fee."  For their sake, I truly hope they have a modicum of common sense.  This could get ugly.

5)  And last, but certainly not least, the fat egos that are supposed to be representing the people of this country  but instead are holding it hostage, really have my ire.  I'm not personally affected by the pending shutdown so it isn't about me, it's what they're doing to the country we hired them to take care of.  And it really gets me that millions of federal employees and others are going to lose financially, including our 'troops' and their families, but the millions of dollars that the senate, congress, & president accept in paychecks  is "constitutionally protected".  Can you say amendment?  Forget the so called Tea Party; here's another place for common sense.

Where'd the Kitten Go?

The kitten went missing this morning.  I was on the phone and she'd been playing in the living room and then I didn't see her.  I heard her mewl a couple of times and then even that stopped.  I got off the phone and started looking under and behind furniture.  I knew I'd heard her in the living room but since I couldn't find her there, I tore apart every other room in the house.

Now this little girl is only 9 weeks old, very small and can access areas that I can't.  I swept under beds, moved the dresser and chest of drawers, even looked to make sure she hadn't jumped on a toilet and fallen in.  My worst fear was that she'd jumped up on the pellet stove (an insert) and then down behind it.  I went so far as to call the stove dude and ask him if he was in the area and if he could pull the stove out so I could check.  I did call him back and left a "never mind" message.  I'm sure he thinks I'm ready for 'the home'.

My friend called back to see if I'd found Sombrita and asked if she could have gotten into a cupboard.  She's smart but she hasn't learned to open cupboards yet, besides I'd already checked them.  Then it hit me ... my friend had asked about a series of booklets and their author when we were talking earlier.  The booklets are in the cupboard of my entertainment unit.  I had opened that to take one out and check the author's name.

Yep!  I opened the doors to the entertainment unit and in the back were two little yellow eyes staring back at me.  Thank goodness she wasn't sleeping because I wouldn't have seen her black fur in the back.  She came strolling out and her world was fine.  I think I aged a couple of years and I can't afford it.  I know that's a cat thing.  You open a cupboard or closet and they somehow slip in unnoticed.  PITA used to curl up and go to sleep waiting for someone to let her out.  Cocoa would let everyone within a 5 mile radius know that he was trapped.  Apparently this little one figured she'd, pardon the pun, catnap until the door opened again.

Now she's curled up with PITA on one side of me and Katie's on the other.  And the floors under all my furniture are all extra clean.

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/03/11

So much to be grateful for this week ...

I'm grateful for ... the beautiful weather we've enjoyed this week after the storm passed through.  The warm, sunny days are gone again, but we know they'll be back.

I'm grateful for ... the ministries Katie and I have developed.  It does every bit as much good for me as it does for those we visit and serve.

I'm grateful for ... the closing of Judi's escrow and her being able to move in to her new house.  It's nice to see her so contented.  She worked really hard to make this happen.  And for me ... It's been awhile since I had a 'friend' living so close.

I'm grateful for ... Karen being able to buy her first home.  I'm looking forward to going north this year to visit her and see her new home.

Hi Neighbor !!!

All I can say is, "it's about freakin' time!"  My buddy, my pal, along with Katie's only true canine friend, are finally moving in up the road.  Thursday evening, I watched the realtor pull the 'for sale' sign from the front yard.  Yaaaay!!!!  And if you think I'm thrilled, Judy is elated.  This has been a l-o-n-g, drawn out process.

We lined drawers Thursday evening.  Well, she lined drawers - I helped separate contact paper from its backing, no small task.  And we visited and planned, in our minds, where everything will go, and how it will fit.  The backyard is just waiting for Foxy to take her buddy out for a tour.

I'm giving no descriptions or anything else to do with the house or property.  When Judy (Beauty and Bread) gets back to blogging, she'll give you all that.  I mean, it is her house; I've already stolen part of her thunder.  But I am so delighted to have a good friend living just a couple of houses up the road.  Walks with the dogs, wine & cheese sessions and dinners on one our decks, just hanging out maybe doing nothing more than each reading a book in the afternoon or evening sun; her place or mine - both; someone you can call and say can you come help hold this while I drive a nail?  And all no more than a two minute walk away.  And don't forget the road trips ... much easier when half the travel isn't spent getting from one house to the other.

Gotta go plan a housewarming.  P-A-R-T-A-Y !!!!!!!!!!!!!!