Monday, November 28, 2011

Customer Service

I was excited, then furious, then mad, then pleased. It all started Black Friday. Amazon.com was having cyber lightning deals-you were able to get great bargains as long as you got them in your cart and checked out in time. They were nice enough to post what was on sale when-so I woke up Friday and got online to get the second season of The Vampire Diaries for only $9.99. I was also getting the final Redwall book to add to my total to get free shipping, but I needed another item. Then I saw the lightening deal for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Whoo hoo. I needed it, the price was great, and the timing would be close to get Vampire Diaries too-but it was doable. Got all the items in my cart and went to check out. Tried to combine to get free shipping...it wouldn't let me. I get a warning that time is running out on my deal. The site won't let me check out. "We're sorry" the new screen read. Sorry?!?!? I lost the deal, I lost both deals. I was furious. I looked at the forums and discovered that many people were having the same problem. All of us losing deals. I was praying the matter would be resolved by the time the True Blood deal was out (Season 2 for $9.99!) I was lucky-not only was I able to get True Blood-they resold the Vampire Diaries-so I was able to get that...but no Harry Potter. Plus I had to buy more to get the free shipping-the Potter price would have been a perfect sale. I was able to calm a bit, I was able to buy the 2 items I really wanted at fantastic prices...but I was still mad. Then I came home after work Sunday night and found an e-mail from Amazon. They heard I had difficulty on the site and lost my lightning deal of Harry Potter-if I wanted I could buy it now at the lightning price. I did. Now that's great customer service.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Christmastime

Christmastime is here. Thanksgiving is over, although since I just celebrated it yesterday I'm still enjoying leftovers. The car radio has been tuned to Christmas music. The outside lights go on at dusk and stay til dawn. Christmas cards have been selected, presents mostly bought. It's not quite December, but I feel the pressure already. I need to gather the presents that need to be mailed out (most of them), wrap them and prepare for shipping. Space needs to be made for the Christmas tree. The house needs to be cleaned and decorated. So much to do...but I have to go to work now.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for so many things. I'm thankful that although my Dad remains in rehab, he's making great progress and will, hopefully, be home for Christmas. I'm thankful that my mom remains strong and retains a sense of humour even having to deal with all the stress. I'm thankful for all of my animals: Sam, Seneca, Aleister, Calumet, Wallace, Harrison, Tyskie, Zywiec, Okocim, Grodziskie, and Harley. I'm thankful that Sam recovered through his surgery and is adjusting to only having 1 eye. I'm also thankful that he's dealing with his other health issues with a happy disposition. I'm thankful for my house. I'm thankful for my friends. I'm thankful that even though I hate my job, it allows me to to provide for myself and my family in a comfortable manner. I'm thankful that I'm me! Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Candied Ginger

Many stores have special products only available during the holidays. Last year I discovered Cranberry Joy at The Body Shop. I liked it, but surprisingly didn't adore it. This year they added Candied Ginger and I LOVE it! It has an incredible spicy, gingery scent which is just wonderful. I got the body scrub, body butter, and bubble bath. If you pass by The Body Shop, stop in and try it.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Deal!

I love deals and getting great shopping bargains. Last week I made a great deal. I bought a $20 Groupon for The Body Shop. Gotta love Groupon (and Living Social and Get My Perks)! So for $20 I could get $40 worth of stuff. Great deal already, right? But there's more. I went and bought a special bag for $5 (unfortunately all the cute Joy bags were already sold out-sigh). The special part of this bag was that everything that fit inside was an extra 30% off...and, since I'm a member there I got to add an additional 20% off. And there's more. Every week for 6 weeks I can go in and with no purchase necessary get a free gift. The first gift was a body butter duo worth $18! Yes, I love getting deals!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Intuitive

Dogs are very intuitive. Even if something has never happened to them, they know it's coming...and run! Sam had to go back to the vet this morning. Skin issues he's had since I've gotten him haven't gone away. I won't go into the fancy names, but he's got a couple things going on. For the lumps on his feet-the doc injected them with steroids. Ouch! For the itchy back-a shampoo. I need to give Sam a bath with medicated shampoo twice a week for 2 weeks, then we go back to the vet. After the vet Sam accompanied me as I stopped at the feed store. I needed to get rat food as well as bag balm for Sam's nose. Sam got some treats from the owners and I took him home before running more errands. When I got back-it was time for Bath #1. I prepared the bathroom then encouraged Sam to come upstairs...which he did. He then saw me in the doorway of the bathroom, turned around and ran back downstairs. Keep in mind-I have never given Sam a bath in this house! I tried to get Sam back upstairs...no deal. I tried again, and he came up. I got him in the bathroom. Then I had to get him in the tub. These are the times I half wish I had a smaller dog as I tried to get 79 pounds of not quite willing dog into the tub. At my first attempt he went limp and lay down in the cat's water bowl. But then I got him in. Collar taken off and warm water started. According to the directions I had to put enough shampoo to get a good lather, then rinse and repeat. Here's the fun part, at the second application you had to let it stay on him 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Fortunately, Sam was a good boy and just stood there. He couldn't get out of the tub on his own anyway...I don't think. Anyway, I rinsed him off and helped him out. Of course, we were both fairly wet! Well, 1 bath down, 3 to go!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Photo Phriday - Sam & 1st Snow

We has our first sticking snowfall last night and this morning some was still around. Here's Sam enjoying it!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

TGIT

Thanks God It's Thursday! You seem for me Thursday is Friday as it's the last day of my work week. (Sunday is my Monday.) Work has been stressful and I'm so glad that after today I'll be gone for 2 days. There's lots to do during those 2 days. I still can't believe that a week from today is Thanksgiving! I have the usual errands to run, plus a visit to the vet and then I want to clean and start getting the house ready for Christmas.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Art Expo

Last evening I went to the Animal Art Expo at the Seneca Park Zoo. This event is my favorite local event. The zoo keeps entry prices down, I'm sure so people will spend more money on art and raffle tickets! This event is for those 21 years of age and older and they have appetizers and a bar. The food is free with admission (only $3 in advance for Zoo members, $5 for everyone else) and there's a cash bar. The art work is actually created by the animals at the zoo! Some of the more prolific artists are Anna, the cougar, Aurora, the polar bear, and Admiral, the river otter. But pieces are done by many more critters as well. Some pieces are available to purchase immediately, then there is a silent auction, and many pieces are part of a raffle. They also had 2 spotlight auctions. These tickets are much more expensive, but the prizes are extra special. One was a painting by the 2 rhinos AND a meet and great with the artists themselves. The second was the one I tried to win (and lost). The prize was a yet unpainted picture by Aurora. The winner would be able to choose the colors Aurora would paint with and actually be there when she painted it! Not only that-she donated her chewed rubber toy! Talk about a conversation piece! I chose not to buy a piece right out, and I didn't win any of the raffle pieces. I got outbid in most of my silent auction pieces...but I refused to go home empty handed. I stayed by my final silent auction piece and won it! A small painting by Buffy, Xander, and Willow-the racoons!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Time

I've gotten so behind in so many things-then I realized that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away! How is this possible?!? I finally got my offerings for a paper ornament exchange mailed out, now I have to come up with a concept and create my Thanksgiving cards. I better get inspired quickly-my international cards need to go out by Wednesday at the latest. Considering it's Saturday evening already...YIKES! I also need to get cracking on the Christmas presents I'm making. I got almost all of the outdoor Christmas lights up-Thank you Mother Nature for giving me beautiful days to do it! Now the inside of the house...YIKES! I need more time.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Hacked

One of my e-mail accounts has been hacked. I apologize to anyone that's gotten spam from me lately. My account is now frozen and I'm working to get it back. At least it's not a computer virus!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Photo Phriday - North Chili Rural Cemetery

Sam takes a drink as we explore the North Chili Rural Cemetery.