Say a Little Prayer For Kitty Sticks - Baltimore, MD. - November 2012

For the last couple of weeks, we noticed some changes in our kitty cat's weight and behavior. She was hardly getting up to do anything but she was still purring and drinking small amounts of water. We thought she had a bug of some kind or a really bad hair ball, but after several bad days and no improvement, yesterday we took her to the veterinarian.

After an x-ray and several tests they found she did not have any g.i. obstructions, but she was very dehydrated and in acute kidney failure.

They put her on fluids and antibiotics and kept her over night. 

If you have a minute to say a quick little prayer for our Kitty Sticks that would be great! She is a sick little kitty and we love her very much!!!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Layers of Thanks - Baltimore, MD. - November 2012

On a day where we can so often get lost in the preparation...

The perfect table - Su Casa Baltimore

The perfect runner - Pottery Barn

The perfect place mats - Su Casa Baltimore

The perfect dishes - Sams Club

The perfect flatware - Bliss Knoxville, TN.

The perfect finishing touches 

The perfect food;

Twice baked sweet potatoes, salad, and...

The PERFECT deer tenderloin in a cranberry-port reduction sauce (courtesy of the HUB and his mad hunting skills)

We can't forget what and who we are truly thankful for;

A beautiful day!

This little ladies first time eating meat provided by the hands and feet of her daddy.

And her RAVING review!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Do You Shop Zappos? - Baltimore, MD./ Las Vegas, NV. - November 2012

NOTE TO READER: Let me start by saying I am getting NOTHING to write this blog post. No contest, no commission, no discounts, no freebies. With that out of the way, I'll get right to the point.

I LOVE ZAPPOS!!!

I discovered this online shopping wonderland about 4 years ago when I found THESE beauties!

I've trusted them with my work shoes, and when I ordered them a half size too small they sent me the new size, overnight, no additional charge, so I could start work with the correct size shoes.

And then last Christmas The Hub and I got each other backpacks.

Over the last 4 years we've gotten winter coats and several other odds and ends and always been impressed by the speed and service.

However in the last week my opinion of Zappos as gone from impressed to floored when a couple of days ago I received THIS.

A hand written thank you note from Autumn, the customer service representative based in their headquarters in Henderson, NV, just outside Las Vegas, that helped me with a warranty exchange a few days before. She also included little gifts for our girls.

You can check out more about their company HERE on Wikipedia, I'm not going to bog you down with all the details, but know that this company doesn't just treat it's customers right, they take care of their employees as well. According to Fortune magazine they were # 11 on the "Best Companies to Work for" list in 2012.

In our 30 or so minute conversation, which felt like I was talking to a long time friend, we shopped for a new backpack to replace the one I'd receiver 11 & 1/2 months before. She laughed at my silly little girls as they giggled and played beside me as we talked. She shared with me that it was the best place she'd ever worked and that although she didn't, they could wear pajamas to work.

Their comfortable work culture is visible in this CBS Story

And also here on Nightline

And in the countless Homemade YouTube videos they are encouraged to make and post. as well as in these super funny commercials.

Emotionally Ready

Jessie

To get you in the holiday spirit - Santa Pants

And my Personal favorite - Deep Fryer

The more I've researched this company the more I like them. With my background being in training I was pleasantly surprised to learn that after a 4 week customer loyalty training program, which includes at least 2 weeks of talking on the phone with customers in the call center, each new employee is offered $2,000 to quit. only 3% of new hires take the deal leaving behind a fiercely loyal team ready to help you with anything, from choosing the right color shoe to wear under the drape of your wedding dress to finding the closest late night pizza delivery place (TRUE STORY).

There are moments when you go from being a loyal customer to a customer for life and this has been one of them. Happy Zappos Shopping!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!

Fall Fun - Baltimore, MD. October 2012

Note To Reader: I literally have about 15 posts in "draft" right now and am working to get them out over the next couple of weeks. A few things are occupying my time (posts to come on those soon) but mainly it's that MJ is CRAWLING!!! And E has taken it upon herself to shorten her daily nap. We're working at having quiet time, but when those girls get together there's a lot of laughing and not much sleeping. I LOVE having two girls so close in age and pray that they are close friends always.

***

This year we ventured into the land of fall festivals and pumpkin patches. And I have to say, while I've never really been a "fall"sort of girl, I can definitely see how it'd be easy to "fall" in love with this season as I watch my little girls play in the beauty of autumn.

Irvine Nature Center had a Fall festival that was too inviting to pass up. We met a friend there and had a great time. It was E and MJ's first encounter with a pumpkin, up close and personal.

E loved every bit of picking her pumpkin... 

and MJ's too!

MJ wasn't sure what to make of them...

But with E by her side she'll try anything!

I also discovered that E is pretty much fearless when it comes to giant mascot type animals. This owl was making the rounds throughout the day and if she saw him she RAN to him!

NO FEAR!!!

***

We also took a short day trip with our good friend Annie and her three kids to visit Weber Cider Mill. This place was AWESOME!!! 

There was a kid size tractor ride.

A hay ride with E's best friend Joe (More to come on this).

And a MASSIVE cloth sack slide... 

I'm contemplating installing one of these in our back yard it was so fun!

We ate a picnic lunch with good friends and by the end of the day I had to very tired but happy little ladies.

Thanks Annie for lunch and a GREAT day!

Till next time,

Bon Voyage!