Awesome

This is a Scottevest, otherwise known as 'the out of the park home run' birthday gift to my son. When you check out all of the specifics at...www.scottevest.com , you will see the many features that make it a perfect traveling accessory.

I was watching CNN on a Sunday and one of the show's promos included five innovative gifts for Father's Day. This vest has numerous[22] zippered pockets both inside and outside for everything from passport, camera, cell phone, kindle/ipad, pen, water bottle, change, keys, etc. These are also available for women in different styles, colors, and sizes.

Before I ordered it, I called customer service to ask if there were any coupons or discount promo codes that I could use on my first order to their company. The woman said that there were some ads in The New York Times that listed a code for a savings. So I passed along that I had seen it on CNN and wanted to get it for my son who was about to go to Europe. In chatting with her, she shared with me the code letters to enter when I ordered . It turned out to be 20% off, and as my way of repaying her random act of kindness, I am doing my own little 'promo' to bring them more business. My son wore it on Friday when we went out for his birthday lunch, and the vest is really awesome. It is like a hands free carry on! Amazing! Check it out!
Another tip is the website: retailmenot.com

Before you order anything from anywhere, go to this site to see if there are any available savings. Sometimes it is free shipping, and other offers may be a percentage off the total. It is worth putting it in your list of favorites. And don't be afraid to ask. My phone call to customer service saved me $20. Share the good news.

Kick It Up a Notch!

I have always maintained that 50% of whatever you say is HOW you say it. And I live by that belief. Sarcasm, unkind truths said in jest, and negativity promote more of the same. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, 'Is there anything good that would happen as a result of saying......'? If not, keep it to yourself. I have occasionally said on one or two occasions,

"Now, that's a comment that I may have thought in my head, but I would have decided to keep it there. Some things are left better unsaid!" You know, sometimes it is a matter of habit, and people are not consciously aware of how their words affect someone's state of mind, and then it gets carried on even further...like a domino effect.
Where am I going with this? It is a fact that I have complimented a person, often a stranger, because ...why not? Last week at the RSVP [Retired AND Senior Volunteers] Luncheon at The Holiday Inn, there was a gentleman playing a keyboard as background music as the 300 people found a seat and awaited the opening remarks. Many attendees were relatively oblivious, and didn't really 'hear' it because their focus was on the 'celebratory occasion' in progress. When the luncheon was over, my exit path led me right by the [75+] year musician who was packing up his music. So I stepped up to him and said,

"I really enjoyed your music."

A big smile lit up his face as he said, "Thank you very much."

I am not sharing this because I want any praise for being complimentary. I share it in an effort to light a few candles for people to say aloud what you may be thinking if it will bring on good will to someone.

Last week as I was pushing my [loaded] cart out of the grocery store, there was a 'Helping Hands" employee pushing carts back into the lobby. He looked at me and said,

"Would you like some help with that?"

"Sure. Thanks, that would be great!"

We chatted as I popped the hatchback on the van, and he said his day was just beginning and he was working two jobs. He lifted all of the bags into my car with a smile and a "Have a nice day!'

When at home and the groceries put away, I called the store to pay my compliment [forward] to management. A very friendly voice told me, "

"That's what is supposed to be happening and we appreciate hearing when it is happening. Thank you for calling and I'll be sure to make a note of it as there is an employee reward plan."

It took one minute to recognize and acknowledge a positive act of kindness regardless of the fact that it was an expected part of someone's job. I thought to myself...why don't I make that phonecall or 'on the spot' compliment to management more often? I know that they get many complaints, and the manager was pleasantly surprised to hear something good.

So, I pass it along in an effort to 'plant the seed' and germinate more examples,

"Say something positive." Let's 'reverse ' the customer service interaction from 'complaints to compliments.'

I would love to hear your comments of how you joined the wave. How were you able to pass it along? I welcome your ideas.

It's A.....Party!!!

Over the weekend, my son was invited to a couple's "It's a ...Party" celebrating the announcement of...'it's a boy' or 'it's a girl'. The sonogram had produced an answer to...'What's it gonna be?'
Party goers were supposed to wear something pink or blue depending on what their guess was for the newborn star who will be joining the planet in February. What a great idea, and a joyous occasion!
I think there are two unwavering groups of expectant parents: those who definitely want to know, and those who are determined to be surprised.
Sometimes one parent to be wants to know, and the other one doesn't. I can't imagine I could keep a secret from my spouse because of my well defined 'poker face'...NOT! My face says it all. I am not a good liar.
Thirty years ago, the option wasn't there to find out. I'm thinking that I didn't have even one sonogram in all nine months. I do remember the first time I could hear Jer's heartbeat at an appointment. And when he was born, I can see his face, too, as he was placed beside me!
I wanted to call my mom in NJ at 5:30AM to tell her, and the hospital people thought I should wait. What?? Huh?
Well, anyway...if I had the choice of finding out ahead of time, my guess is that I would want to be surprised. In the celebrating and toasting at the party over the weekend, the announcement was made:
Inquiring minds want to know!!
Would you want to know?

What I Really Meant Was...

On Wednesday and Thursday, I volunteered to teach another AARP Safe Driving Class. There were 24 people [ strangers to each other] sharing and bonding as we passed along tips that had been learned from experience. For example, when backing out of a driveway, along with looking to the left and right for a safe break to join the flow of traffic....be sure to also look BEHIND you. This was my particular learning experience because across the street was a car doing the exact same maneuver, and we both became aware of each other as our cars met in the middle of the road. We had backed into each other...crash! Quite an unexpected yet unpleasant surprise!

There was also some serious discussion about accidents that had happened as a result of backing up without checking for something/someone directly behind the car [a serious blind spot]. Someone shared the tragedy that happened as a result of already having your wheels turned left in preparing for a left turn and was hit into oncoming traffic by the car behind it that didn't stop fast enough. [ Keep your wheels straight until you are actually going to begin moving into the turn].
There is a relative amount of safety in sharing personal experiences with fellow classmates because there is no exchange of names and/or information that lasts beyond the two days. It is also a voluntary conversation which more often leads to laughter. When the laughter subsided, I said to them,
"This is one of the reasons that I volunteer to do this. It is so rewarding to see people laughing together and enjoying themselves."

Another tip that I share from a newspaper article that I read is to have a funny story or joke ready that you can recall in an effort to bring on a smile. It actually helps to counteract the stress you encounter from other drivers and situations. My regular example made people laugh, but I am sure that it will forever be remembered that earlier I had said,

"Okay, we're going to take a ten minute break. Grab your snack, or if you'd like, there are some 'Ritz crappers ' on the back table!!!"

[I obviously meant to say Ritz Crackers!}
I couldn't believe it!! OMG!!

Without missing a beat, a participant added,

"I think I'll pass on them. Thanks anyway!!!"

There was some hearty laughter, at my expense, the loudest of which was mine...I am sure!

After class, a very kind gentleman took out his wallet to get out one of his business cards for me. On the reverse side was the quote:

"A smile is a window on your face that shows your heart's at home."

This quote was submitted in a 'Salada Tea' contest by his wife and it won the Grand Prize!!!

Aboard the QE2 as they left the country, they had won a 17 day trip to Ireland and Scotland and stayed at the very best of hotels with first class accommodations all the way. The return trip was on The Concorde which travels at twice the speed of sound!

Now that was quite a prize!!

Kind of curious, I asked him,

"So, how did you and your wife meet ?"
He immediately waved her over to tell the story:

When she was 10 years old, she went on a bike ride. On her travels on country roads, she happened upon a driveway with 3 kids tending to a horse. She stopped to talk with the 2 girls and the boy, and then continued on her way. Fifteen years later, her friend arranged a blind date to accompany them on a double date. He was the boy in the driveway with the horse!!!

They've been married 47 years and have traveled to 72 countries including Antarctica.

Oh, the people you meet while talking about safe driving!

And, by the way, if you are tense, angry, or annoyed about something...whether it be an aggressive driver or an irritating relative...feel free to think about my 'Ritz Crappers' and it will help to take the edge off a bad situation as well as lower your blood pressure, too!!

Details tomorrow...

There are 24 safer drivers on the road as a result of hosting another 2 day Safe Driving Class. It was a learning and good time for all of us, and I met some very interesting folks. I have some funny stories to share. Right now, I don't have the energy to type it all out. I am pooped! So, tomorrow is another day and I'll guarantee some laughter as well as an amazing story or two shared with me. Night all!!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

What a splendid concept! The cat and the dog are calmly enjoying a 'time out' moment together... how fascinating!! This could happen in my house only on the condition that I was sitting in the middle, and each animal would have one ear listening for any hint of movement by the other party.

The cat and the dog are a very unique 'odd couple' for sure.

Each has endearing qualities...and annoying habits, too.

This is Scout:
About fourteen years ago, a good friend called and said that her 5 dogs were barking up a storm and that upon investigation, she found a scared, little kitten in the bushes. Once removed from danger, she was the friendliest little ball of fur, and did I want to come out and see her and maybe bring her home as a companion to my lone cat?

Did I think that I would make a rational decision?

The first couple of hours were spent outside on the porch with a mixture of Dawn dish detergent and water to stash the whole bunch of fleas that I removed off of her body. When I took her to the vet, she said,

"I hope you didn't get this cat to keep the other one company because cats enjoy being alone."

Great...isn't that just great!! The vet was right...the two cats tolerated each other at best.

In reference to Scout [the cat] here's one version of ...the good, the bad, and the ugly:

The Good: As a young cat, she would retrieve the plastic water bottle cap that was flicked away for her to chase, bring it back, and drop it in front of me. While getting ready for school, I would pitch it[ the cap] down the stairs from the second floor. She would retrieve it, drop it back on the floor in the hallway, stretch out and lie down...waiting for me to pick it up again and send her in chase of it again down the stairs. It was pretty amazing! Perhaps she's a dog masquerading as a cat!

The Bad: When she wouldn't come out from behind the couch, I thought something was askew. When she began projectile vomiting, I knew something was wrong. Of course, my vet was on vacation, and so the vet covering her absence agreed to examine Scout. She was kept overnight, and was just not rallying. When xrays were taken, it became clear that there was a blockage that needed to be fixed. The 'substitute' vet said he would have no problem doing the surgery, but he was going off duty at noon, and I would have to pick her up and deliver her to the next 'on call' vet. Scout was not conscious when I placed her box in which she was sandwiched between two heated bags of [IV] solution into the car, and delivered her to the next vet.
Forty eight hours and $300 later, they handed me the ziplock bag with the thread she had eaten along with the plastic thing she had for dessert!!

The Ugly: She rules! When she feels it is time to eat breakfast in the wee small hours of daybreak, she comes to the bedroom door and MEOWS. If ignored, she then begins to scratch the carpet at the doorway. She wins. Then I had a folding louvered door installed at the beginning of the hallway to the bedroom so that she could not get to the bedroom door. That worked for a while, since the louvered door had to be pulled to fold...

Somehow she figured it out and managed to squeeze her head in the far right space of the doorway, and get past it! This is like the never ending battle with squirrels at the birdfeeders!

Now I put the waste basket from the living room in front of the right side of the louvred door so that Scout can't push it with her head. So far, it's 'advantage...human'! [Similar to a tennis call!]

The first thing that happens in the morning is the feeding the four-legged members of the family. Not dry food...

When I place both dishes on the floor, Gracie will sniff hers, and then go stand directly behind the cat. Then, after about twenty-seven seconds...Scout will mosey on over to the dog food and eat some of it while the dog eats the cat food.

I even began feeding them the same food at times: Pedigree Ground meat packets. They both still prefer to eat the other's food!! Do they think they are starving each other, or do they think the other bowl just tastes better?While the cat is a force to be dealt with, there are times that the dog will chase the cat out of the room at hurricane speed, and then smile.

Yes...I swear she smiles! Grace does know that in a stare-down, Scout wins.

So the dog chooses her battles, and knowing that the cat rules, Grace has to keep her in line any way that she can!

It certainly makes life interesting!!! One never knows...do one!

Love Grows...

Sharing some seeds of thought...

There is a grassy median in town that is extra special and regularly groomed with tender, loving care. For three seasons out of four[winter excluded], there is a group of people who regularly transform a full block's length of plainness into a beautiful and restful sight for sore eyes. In memory of a loved one, this area is constantly maintained to be a visual delight. In spring, there are different kinds of colorful, blooming bulbs and sweet smelling lilac shrubs. In summer, there's a variety of different shapes, sizes, and hues of annuals as well as flowering bushes [ like perhaps a butterfly bush or a cluster of day lilies]. In fall, you will see yellow, purple, and maybe some rust colored mums as well existing burning bushes turning their brilliant 'fall red.' It also has a hanging basket or two, a wrought iron park bench, and a birdbath/watering spot for the birds. It is a definite committment of time and energy.

I share this because I like to pass along good ideas when I see them, and I find this to be novel idea as a way to share the remembrance of a loved one.

What a testament in honor of their loved one who had passed along! And the general public gets to enjoy this ever changing landscape on the city's median.

God bless them all!

Hard Hearted Hannah...

At the time, we called her.... "Hard Hearted Hannah!"

If you sent someone to see her, they had better be sick! Or else you had to deal with HHH.

Who was that cold, inquisitive person who was in charge of everyone's health issues??

She was 'da school nerdtz' as one younger kid referred to her...not out of disrespect; it was the child's normal speech pattern. But it kinda stuck, and people would kid her every once in a while saying , "So how's the school nerdtz doing today? To know her is to admire and respect her. She is retired now, after many years of fielding the many, various, and unusual attempts at having a good reason to lie down in the nurse's office.

Kid: I don't feel very good.

HHH: Oh, what's going on? Where is your class right now?

Kid: In gym class.

HHH: So, what's happening there?
Kid: Square dancing[ No. 1 answer]...Or 'the mile run'[No. 2 answer]...

HHH: I think you'll be just fine.

HHH: What's the matter , dear?

Kid: I think I'm sick.

HHH: I'm sorry to hear that. Did you feel that way before school this morning?

Kid: Nah, it just kind came over me.

HHH: What are the other kids in your homeroom doing right now?

Kid: They're taking a Social Studies test.

HHH: Well, go back and give it a try. I think you'll be just fine.

Kid: I feel like I'm going to throw up!
HHH: Where are you coming from...where's the rest of your class?

Kid: They are outside at recess after lunch. I was there, too. And then I felt sick.

HHH: What were you doing right before you began to feel sick?

Kid: I was twirling round and round on the tire swing!! And the other two kids wouldn't stop it.

HHH: And you didn't think that spinning on the tire swing right after lunch might make you dizzy...or sick to your stomach?

Kid: I had waited in line to get on it.

HHH:And so, what did you learn from this?

Most kids knew that the nurse HATED that [damned] tire swing, and wouldn't have mentioned it as the cause of the sickness!!!

Kids who were genuinely ill received excellent care.

The reason that all of this comes to mind is that she had returned my phone call about the gathering next week for lunch, and it was delivered in a manner similar to my song on her answering machine! My invitation was to the tune of, 'Camp Grenada'. [Hello mudder...hello fadder...here I am at camp Grenada.]

Her response was sung to the tune of 'Hello Dolly' and was indeed a very clever verse that she had crafted to tell me that she would see me at the luncheon. Her given nickname for me was "PT" which stood for 'paranoid twerp', a name for which I cannot remember its origin!!

And so her song began, "Hello, PT...well Hello PT...

Over the years, we've enjoyed a great professional relationship along with an occasional practical joke for some laughter. I would send in my morning attendance in picture form being the right brained person that I am. A child named 'Courtney' would have a tennis court and net with a kid standing next to it with an arrow pointing to her knee. If the last name was a noun that could be illustrated, I really enjoyed the challenge. And then one day, I received a letter in my school mailbox from 'The State Education Department' about my attendance procedures and the need to correctly document it !!! It was from... Hard Hearted Hannah...of course!! She even saved a couple of them as a part of her retirement speech as she roasted many of her colleagues. We, however, had the last laugh at her retirement party.
Do you remember the commercial for the 'ten o'clock morning break' where the office women assembled by the window to watch the soda delivery man 'chug' his soda?

Well, the Pepsi Man who delivered the canned soda for the soda machine in the faculty room was a great guy who was also 'easy on the eyes.' Our much loved secretary would give us a 'Heads Up' by way of the intercom when he approached the building. She also sent the word to our favorite nurse, HHH, as she was a big fan. What a good sport he was when he agreed to personally deliver his six pack [of Pepsi]!!! to the head table of her party along with a friendly peck on the cheek. She was so surprised, and the laughter was the best.

On Wednesday, the laughter will resume as HHH and PT are among about 20-25 retired friends...to reminisce about the fun...planned or happenstance...that at one time had us joined as a family. It will be a grand event...as long as no one mentions that dreaded tire swing !