I'm Still here - August 2008

I PROMISE I am still Alive and Kickin'... And Screemin' too I guess! I actually have about 6 blogs that I've started but not been able to finish. Work has been well...you get the picture...

Things should get better Friday... I HOPE!!! Plus, we have a Sushi double date Friday woth S. and E. Dime so it HAS to get better!!!

A BIG Thank you to all of you that have been writing on your blogs. They have been much needed relief from my crazy 16+ hour days.

Till Next Time,

Bon Voyage!

Pick your Battles! - July 2008

Note To Reader: On the grounds that I might have tainted our case, I have had to exercise every ounce of restraint to keep from blogging about this, but now that we have our settlement check in hand, here goes!!!

Early in July Jeremy and I made our weekly grocery run to XXX-Mart (you know who I mean!). As with many of the super centers, this one was paired with a XXX’s Club. (Man I just realized that all those X’s make it look like we are doing our grocery shopping at the adult book store.

Anyhow, when these two establishments share the same property, there is often an adjoining parking lot (See Google Earth diagram for the visual)… I LOVE GOOGLE EARTH!!!

As you can see, we were parked in said adjoining parking lot which was on the lower side of a slight incline, and headed in to get the goods. About 40 min later we returned to the truck with a full cart of groceries and all was well until we rounded the corner and were stopped in our tracks.

Have you ever herd that old adage that S%*t rolls down hill? Well so do shopping carts. At some point while we were inside shopping, a gigantic, double barreled, tank of a shopping cart slammed into the back end of Moose leaving a pretty big dent and chipped paint everywhere!!!. (See photos.) Lets just say, it would be an under statement to say that we were upset. I calmly removed the cart from Moose’s tail gate and silently made my way across the parking lot to the buggy return to find it over flowing and I snapped, not in a crazy mail man sort of way, but in a smart decisive sort of way. I'd decided we were going to fight this battle. I marched back to the truck where Jeremy had just finished loading the groceries and announced to his agreement that we were "Filing a damage report."

After 30 min of searching for a manager, giving our information and statement of what happened, and then returning to the scene of the crime to take pictures, not to mention that we had to endure jerky comments about our situation from the cart boys that were leaning against the wall instead of DOING THEIR JOB, we finally left and headed for home.

Note to Sue: Thanks for letting me barrow you camera Sue! BIG HELP!!!

Over the next couple of hours, we contacted our insurance company and discovered that a cart hitting your car does not fall under comprehensive property damage, which has a much lower deductible. It would actually be covered under collision because it is considered a "wind powered unoccupied vehicle. We also discovered that our milk jug was leaking and had leaked all over Moose’s cargo area. Needless to say we stayed in for the rest of the day and plotted our next move.

Three days later the claims agent called us to take our statement. And surprise surprise, our statement and the store statement conflicted. They said that the cart return was only half full and we said that it was full to the point of overflowing. She was really nice and explained that the next steps would be that they would go back to the store and see if they wanted to change their minds about the status of the cart return. If they didn’t, which they didn’t, then she would request the video to find out what actually happened. I just have one thing to say, thank the LORD for surveillance cameras!!!

Four min. before we exited the store, a gentleman attempted to put his cart in the return and couldn’t because it was full and overflowing into the driving lane, so he placed the cart beside the return pointing down the hill. Well it shouldn’t take much to figure out what happened next. Moments later the incredible hulk card had begun making his way quickly down the hill aimed straight at moose’s behind, and the rest is history.

The tape proved that we were telling the truth!!! Due to the inattentive cart boys, the store was negligent and there fore liable for our damages. Late last week, we received a check for the full amount of the repair!

The moral of this story is that some battles are worth picking especially when you know you’re right!

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

A Bag and Two Men - Cincinnati, OH. - August 2008

Note to Reader: Okay, traveling as much as I do, I honestly see some crazy stuff, and although this may not be the strangest of all, it is definitely in the top ten.

So there I was, successfully checked in and passed through security, (where I should mention that it only took me one try to clear) and after purchasing a coke and a bag of chips (yep as much as I hate to admit it, most mornings this is my breakfast… what can I say, I’m not much of an eggs with biscuits and gravy kind of girl…)

Anyway, so there I was making my way to my gate, A29, when I pass two men, sharing the load of a two handled black leather duffel bag. With one handle in each of their inside hands, they made their way through the terminal. Both of these men looked well built, as though either of them could handle the weight of the bag on their own, so now I am ULTRA curious.

Note to Reader: I really had to use all my restraint to keep from whipping out my digital camera and snapping a covert picture of this strange site, but my better judgment and my desire to get to Cincinnati prevailed. So you will have to accept this fine artist rendering of the gentlemen and duffle in question. I must repeat… I love Snag-IT!!!

From head to foot I assess their appearance. I notice that they are dressed remarkably similar, with black shoes, socks, pants and jackets. They are both wearing white button down dress shirts. One is wearing a narrow, solid black neck tie with a small tight knot at his neck and the other has his top button undone so that his white tee-shirt was just visible. Nothing abnormal about their dress, I think to myself as my gaze moves down their inside arms to the duffle between them, and that’s when I notice it. They are both married, I presume, not to each other, but in this day and age you never know, and then, something shiny under the cuffs of their coat sleeves catches my eye. Bracelets, I think to myself, “Why on earth would they be wearing matching bracelets?

Then it hits me, like walking into a brick wall at full speed. They aren’t matching bracelets, they are hand cuffs!!! These men are hand cuffed to this black leather duffle bag!!! And then I notice that this bag has a small, yet secure looking lock connected to the super duty zipper clasps. What the heck is in that bag!?

To this day I have no idea, it’s not like you can go up to the two Secret Service looking dudes and say “Hey Dudes! What’s in the bag?” My first thought was that it may be money, but then I remembered that that is normally transported in some sort of mettle box… unless you are a robber then you transport the money in white canvas bags with dollar signs on them. Ha ha!!) Then I thought, maybe it was a valued piece of art, or maybe an organ, but, wait… no… don’t those normally come in little Igloo coolers, not duffle bags. What about some sort of super secret super computer?

This is really driving me CRAZY!!! Any thoughts?

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!.

STUCK!!! - Atlanta, GA. - July 2008

Another day brings me to another city, however this time it’s a little different. I’ve got company!!! And, it’s not a trip for my business, its Jeremy’s business.

Step 2 of the Medical Licensing Board Exams brings us to Atlanta, GA. We got a smoking good deal on air fare, so I was able to come along for moral support. YAHOO!!! We flew in on Tuesday afternoon and were scheduled to fly out this evening, but due to weather issues our flight has been cancelled.

We’re booked on the first flight out in the morning, but for now, we’re STUCK in ATL. Wish we’d known we were going to be here over night. We might have been able to do something cool like go to a baseball game.
Oh well, no worries, it’s really just nice to be here with my Jeremy. There’s no one on earth I’d rather be stuck with!

Happy Nanner’versary to US!!! - July 2008

Today is our 3rd Anniversary and I have to say I think I got the coolest gift for my Hubby on the planet… except for the coolest gift that he got for me.

The 3rd Anniversary is the leather anniversary, which poses a certain amount of risk. There is a FINE line of what we can give each other without being corny or having a gift that is SUPER expensive. I for one think we both did a GREAT job.

He got me a leather bound Writers Journal, which, for those of you that know me, is the PERFECT gift for me. (Photo Coming Soon!)

However, I had a little more of a difficult time picking something for him. After a great deal of online research, some of the contenders were:

1. Wallet (generic)
2. A desk Calendar (even more generic)
3. Boots or Shoes (we don’t have that kind of money)
4. A leather bound first edition of his favorite book (I don’t even know where to start with that one, and again we don’t have that kind of money?)
5. A motorcycle hat (that would be one for my father-in-law, but not my husband)
6. A Photo Album (seriously these people don’t know my husband)
7. Belt with his last name on it (are you serious?)
8. Chaps (Okay lets not go there!)

All joking aside, about 5 weeks ago I was seriously in a panic because I had no idea what to get him. I mean I know it is just a gift, but I really try hard to make gifts unique.

Well in the middle of the night, about 4 weeks ago, it occurred to me like an Atam Bomb. I knew EXACTLY what to get him. It was unique, not terribly expensive, he would LOVE it and most importantly it was made out of leather. Can you guess…?

Okay I will not keep you in agony. I got him a BASEBALL!!! This is not just any old baseball. This baseball has a map of Boston around Finway Park and in case you didn’t know it, my Hub is a MONSTER Red Sox Fan! Check it out!!! (See Pic to the left) He totally Loved it!!!

Next year is fruit or flowers... maybe I should start planning today!

Till Next Time,
Bon Voyage!

I've been SPAMMED! - July 2008

NOTE TO READER: I don’t have a blackberry or any other PDA, but I do dream of the day our contract with a certain cellular provider ends and I can get a new one that actually gets service within the four walls of our home.

Additional Note to Reader: We have become a people at are VERY dependant upon our PDA’s and I don’t mean “Public displays of Affection”. Even I have become attached to Texting and being able to check the score of the Red Sox / Yankees game from the car or a restaurant. I also LOVE the idea of having the capability to receive happy e-mails from my friends in the most remote of locations.

HOWEVER, it is important to remember that a PDA is not a replacement for the real thing, and FINAL judgments on a sender’s true identity should be held until the e-mail is viewed on a real FULL SIZED computer.

So here goes, this week we held a workshop in Memphis for a few of our regional managers. And as with most of our workshops, a few “BIGS” seam to make an appearance. So I am sitting at a conference table as everyone is being introduced and it comes to me. “Hi, I’m Lili and I am the Field Training and Development Specialist, which basically means I am the ‘On the Ground’ resource for any of your training needs.” A few more introductions, one of which being a certain “Mr. BIG” whom never returned my e-mails, and who I was almost positive didn’t remember me, as I had only met him once in Milwaukee. A couple more people say there hellos and then we’re off to the races.

Through out this segment of the workshop I wasn’t presenting, but only contributing as needed, so I was able to look around and observe some of the participants. Some engaged, some typing on their Crackberries, some day dreaming, and one, “Mr. Big”, burning holes in me, as he is staring at me so hard through his smart man “Mr. Big” glasses. If I had been an ant, well you know the rest of that story. This, of course, sends me into somewhat of an internal panic. What’s wrong..? Why is he staring at me…? What have I done…? By the end of the meeting I was so wound up, I wasn’t sure if I should crawl under the table or run from the room crying. Needless to say, the workshop concluded and I proceeded calmly back to my desk.

About 30 min later my boss appears at my desk with a funny grin on her face. You’ll never believe what ‘Mr. Big’ did.”

“What?” I say with mounting intrigue.

“Well… he SPAMed you!” she said in a fit of laughter.

My jaw dropped “WHAT!!!??? WHY???”

Still laughing she told me the story of how he had stopped her in the hall after the workshop and confided in her the details of the SPAMing. He’d explained that the blackberry screen was very small and often times it would shorten the first name and only give you the first initial of the last name. He went on to explain that for me, that name read “Lil V”. Again, my jaw dropped.

By now my entire team has gathered around my desk and they’ve made two assessments of the situation. One, “Lil V” should be my new rapper name. The second is far more scaring. If you didn’t know, there is a certain small, blue, diamond shaped pill that, on top of changing the lives of men around the globe, is also often referred to as “Lil V”.

Needless to say I have since been UN-SPAMMED and now it makes for a wildly funny story around the water cooler.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage

Thinking of a new doo... or don't!!!??? - Oklahoma City, OK - June 2008

Okay, I think I may be stuck in a bit of a hair doo rut! I saw a photo of myself teaching a class in Oklahoma City a few days ago and felt like it looked a little on the dull side. The trick to my hair though is that it is naturally curly... No really I am serious!!

Exhibit A: Me at 3 years old

Exhibit B: Me at 5 years old

Just to prove I didn't grow out of it... Exhibit C: Me at 13 years old

Exhibit D: In later years I was so traumatized by my hair I had to cover it with a swim cap. (Ha ha, just kidding! Those were from swim team when I was 15 years old, but really in all honesty I HATED my hair with a passion.

So... all of this to say that cutting my hair comes with some risk. Cut the right hair and I'll get to ROCK OUT a semi short doo for the rest of the summer... Cut it wrong and... well you saw me at 13, and by 15 I was in therapy and wearing a rubber cap!

My mom would swear that my red hair was a gift from God, in fact, she tells most people (this includes grocery store clerks, cashiers, bank tellers, mail men/women, Fed Ex people, co-workers, church friends, even the new neighbors) that she "...prayed for a curly red headed little girl and..." well here I am.

So now it's decision time. What to do!!!??? What to do!!!???

Till Next Time,
Bon Voyage!