Sweet PotatoesVinegar Chips
Raspberries
I wonder what he's making for dinner?
24 February 2009
23 February 2009
Good Deeds
I manage the technology for a small Inbound Call Center. We have thousands of toll free numbers that ring in here at any given time depending on the promotions we're running. When a particular campaign has run its course, I send the phone numbers to an unmanned extension. The calls that ring to this line are mostly wrong numbers. But from time to time, when I have nothing better to do, I'll answer the line to see what the caller is looking for. Today was one of those days.
The first call I picked up was from a woman who was trying to contact Walgreen's prescription mail service in Florida. She told me she would try the number again. When I picked up her call the second time, she hung up on me. The third time, I offered to help her. The number she called was printed on an insert she received with her last mailing. She had tried to contact them via they're website but had been unsuccessful She had been on the phone for an hour trying to track down the right department and had been transferred too many times to people who couldn't help her. I looked up the information on-line for her and found a local number in Florida. She sighed. I realized that she'd have to pay for the local call, so I put her on hold and dialed it myself. When I got back on the line with her I gave her a toll free number that would get her to the right place. She told me she was amazed that I had gone out of my way to help a little old lady in Wisconsin who had hung up on me.
The second call I picked up was another older lady in Dayton Ohio trying to reach her Healthcare Advocate to see about getting a reduced price on her anti-depression medication. She doesn't have a computer so I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with her tracking down the correct number. I learned that she married young, had two children and then divorced. If she hadn't had her kids so early she supposes she would have gone to Woodstock. She's now living in "the most boring state in the nation" but has a boyfriend who takes her to interesting places. She surmises that they'd take more trips if she could actually stand him for more than a few days at a time. She'd like to get a computer but she's not sure she has the attention span to learn it - though there are lots of things she'd like to "Google". Turns out she had just transposed a digit when she dialed the phone number and got to me. I gave her the correct number and she told me how fortunate she was to have reached me today. I really wanted talk with her more.
Each of these anonymous women did me a good deed today. Their random interaction with me filled a little cranny in my soul that has needed nourishment. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone get what they need whether it be information or just an ear for a moment or two on a cold and lonely winter's day.
The first call I picked up was from a woman who was trying to contact Walgreen's prescription mail service in Florida. She told me she would try the number again. When I picked up her call the second time, she hung up on me. The third time, I offered to help her. The number she called was printed on an insert she received with her last mailing. She had tried to contact them via they're website but had been unsuccessful She had been on the phone for an hour trying to track down the right department and had been transferred too many times to people who couldn't help her. I looked up the information on-line for her and found a local number in Florida. She sighed. I realized that she'd have to pay for the local call, so I put her on hold and dialed it myself. When I got back on the line with her I gave her a toll free number that would get her to the right place. She told me she was amazed that I had gone out of my way to help a little old lady in Wisconsin who had hung up on me.
The second call I picked up was another older lady in Dayton Ohio trying to reach her Healthcare Advocate to see about getting a reduced price on her anti-depression medication. She doesn't have a computer so I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with her tracking down the correct number. I learned that she married young, had two children and then divorced. If she hadn't had her kids so early she supposes she would have gone to Woodstock. She's now living in "the most boring state in the nation" but has a boyfriend who takes her to interesting places. She surmises that they'd take more trips if she could actually stand him for more than a few days at a time. She'd like to get a computer but she's not sure she has the attention span to learn it - though there are lots of things she'd like to "Google". Turns out she had just transposed a digit when she dialed the phone number and got to me. I gave her the correct number and she told me how fortunate she was to have reached me today. I really wanted talk with her more.
Each of these anonymous women did me a good deed today. Their random interaction with me filled a little cranny in my soul that has needed nourishment. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone get what they need whether it be information or just an ear for a moment or two on a cold and lonely winter's day.
20 February 2009
Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Everything is a little rosier these days at Chez Goose! The days are longer, Spring if officially less than a month away and I'm getting a bit of a bounce back in my step.
The most wonderful thing though? Owen wakes up singing.
We've been planning for Finn's birthday next week and obviously Owen has picked up on it.
This morning as I lay in bed waiting for the alarm to go off I heard him stirring. I couldn't make out what he was saying so I rolled over and turned up the monitor.
Like the Hoos down in Hoo-ville, it started as a whisper but the song got louder and louder as the sun came up:
I have to figure out how to download video from our camera because this kid? Stinking Cute!
The most wonderful thing though? Owen wakes up singing.
We've been planning for Finn's birthday next week and obviously Owen has picked up on it.
This morning as I lay in bed waiting for the alarm to go off I heard him stirring. I couldn't make out what he was saying so I rolled over and turned up the monitor.
Like the Hoos down in Hoo-ville, it started as a whisper but the song got louder and louder as the sun came up:
hoppy buwpee to bii, Hoppy Buwpee to Bii, Hoppy Buwpee to Bii,
HOPPY BUWRPEE TO BII!!!!!
I have to figure out how to download video from our camera because this kid? Stinking Cute!
What a way to start the day.
19 February 2009
Sunny Side Up
My mother was a Glass Half Full kind of person.
Despite some less than perfect hands she was dealt throughout her life, she always found the bright side of any given situation. I don't really know how she did it, but she always taught us to see the positive side of things too. She obviously did a good job as I've actually been accused of being too optimistic. I know that's kind of hard to believe after I've let my Dark Debbie side out a bit of late, but it's true - but I'm usually pretty stinkin cheerful.
And now the torch has been passed. I do believe the Positive Gene has been passed down yet again... Lately Finn has been telling stories of the harrowing events (at least to a 4 year old) that happen at Daycare: He kicked the ball and it hit her right in the face! Or, She didn't make it to the bathroom in time!... And as traumatic as these tales are he almost always goes on to say
Despite some less than perfect hands she was dealt throughout her life, she always found the bright side of any given situation. I don't really know how she did it, but she always taught us to see the positive side of things too. She obviously did a good job as I've actually been accused of being too optimistic. I know that's kind of hard to believe after I've let my Dark Debbie side out a bit of late, but it's true - but I'm usually pretty stinkin cheerful.
And now the torch has been passed. I do believe the Positive Gene has been passed down yet again... Lately Finn has been telling stories of the harrowing events (at least to a 4 year old) that happen at Daycare: He kicked the ball and it hit her right in the face! Or, She didn't make it to the bathroom in time!... And as traumatic as these tales are he almost always goes on to say
But the good news is...
That's my boy! :)
That's my boy! :)
17 February 2009
The Track
My funk is still there. No - Right here wrapped around me like an old sweater that really should have been thrown away a long time ago.
Last night my husband asked me if I was okay. He said I didn't even seem like I was here. Is it time to find someone to talk to?
Wow. How's that for a wake up call?
Here I was thinking I was the Stealth Bomber - doing a good job of hiding the fact that maybe I was dealing with a pesky little bit of depression. Guess not.
It's time.
The forced smile I put on for the sake of the boys isn't fair. To them or to me. I'm finding there are a lot of contributing factors - I'm finally beginning to name them. The stink of this funk has gotten too ripe and it's time to send it down the drain with the dirty bathwater.
The track always leads back to the same place: Despite several go 'rounds to convince myself otherwise, I dragged my ass out of bed at 5:00 this morning and got on the treadmill. Recent attempts at getting back in to a routine have been tough to keep up. (Damn Christmas cookies!)
I know I am better when I'm exercising. I know this. It really is amazing how a measly 30 minutes can clear the cobwebs and point your day in an entirely different direction.
And as far as finding someone to talk to? Well sorry, I hope you don't mind, but for now you're it.
It's time to refocus on what makes me happy and to find a way to quiet the sulking, sad, "boo-hoo for me" little girl who has forgotten how to take care of herself. Perhaps the longer days might help a bit too.
"Shit a cat's ass it's good to see the sun again." - from Judevine by David Budbill
Gotta get the glitter back. It's time.
Last night my husband asked me if I was okay. He said I didn't even seem like I was here. Is it time to find someone to talk to?
Wow. How's that for a wake up call?
Here I was thinking I was the Stealth Bomber - doing a good job of hiding the fact that maybe I was dealing with a pesky little bit of depression. Guess not.
It's time.
The forced smile I put on for the sake of the boys isn't fair. To them or to me. I'm finding there are a lot of contributing factors - I'm finally beginning to name them. The stink of this funk has gotten too ripe and it's time to send it down the drain with the dirty bathwater.
The track always leads back to the same place: Despite several go 'rounds to convince myself otherwise, I dragged my ass out of bed at 5:00 this morning and got on the treadmill. Recent attempts at getting back in to a routine have been tough to keep up. (Damn Christmas cookies!)
I know I am better when I'm exercising. I know this. It really is amazing how a measly 30 minutes can clear the cobwebs and point your day in an entirely different direction.
And as far as finding someone to talk to? Well sorry, I hope you don't mind, but for now you're it.
It's time to refocus on what makes me happy and to find a way to quiet the sulking, sad, "boo-hoo for me" little girl who has forgotten how to take care of herself. Perhaps the longer days might help a bit too.
"Shit a cat's ass it's good to see the sun again." - from Judevine by David Budbill
Gotta get the glitter back. It's time.
11 February 2009
06 February 2009
03 February 2009
I Won!
I NEVER win anything. I am SO excited to have won a little something just for me from Liz at A Giveaway A Day!
I won a $10 gift certificate to Pudleduck Soap Company! Yippee!
Anyone who knows me knows I'm kind of a soap whore. Yep. Love the stuff. Can't have too much - every scent is a new adventure.
So this win is right up my alley! They have so many wonderful items it's going to be impossible to choose! (High on the list: Tired Ol Bones Goat Milk Soap, Lemon Verbena Kitchen Bar or the Bergamot Sage Cold Process Gold Milk Soap ) And, they're in Maine to boot!
I won a $10 gift certificate to Pudleduck Soap Company! Yippee!
Anyone who knows me knows I'm kind of a soap whore. Yep. Love the stuff. Can't have too much - every scent is a new adventure.
Citrus Calendula Goat Milk Soap
So this win is right up my alley! They have so many wonderful items it's going to be impossible to choose! (High on the list: Tired Ol Bones Goat Milk Soap, Lemon Verbena Kitchen Bar or the Bergamot Sage Cold Process Gold Milk Soap ) And, they're in Maine to boot!
All I know right now is I'm certain I'll spend way more than the $10.
Thanks Liz! I'm so excited!!
Thanks Liz! I'm so excited!!
02 February 2009
Tag! I'm It!
Kelly tagged me for a fun picture posting...
1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder
3. Explain the picture
4 .Tag 4 more bloggers
1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder
3. Explain the picture
4 .Tag 4 more bloggers
This is Finn being baptised 4 years ago this week. He is being held by his Godfather, Uncle Gauv, and Godmother, Auntie Ky, is looking on.
Not the best picture but I loved it because the title is "Blessed" and today, I needed a reminder of how blessed we are.
And we are.
Now get to work ladies!
Sunset Zaguán
Dysfunctional Housewife
Fisherman's Daughter
Carsick In Kennebec
01 February 2009
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