Keurig Party - Success!!

Remember my posts about House Party and the Keurig give-away?   Well, I am happy to report it was a great success!   

Ready to brew!  (Sorry it's blurry)

I hosted the party on Thursday evening - hoping to avoid some of the back-to-school weekend madness.  I had two folks who couldn't attend because it conflicted with the elementary school open house.  However, the ladies who did come had an awesome time. 

Everyone enjoying their brewed beverages!

House Party made it so easy to host.  Literally, everything I needed to host the party came in a box from either Keurig or House Party.  The guests enjoyed hanging out with each other and most of all no pressure to buy anything.  They had a chance to sample a variety of K-Cups (hot and iced) and learn more about the Keurig brewers.  Even though there was only one Keurig to give-away, everyone walked a winner thanks to the awesome coupons and tumblers!

Thank you House Party & Keurig for choosing me to host this party!!

Lists - To Do? or Not To Do?

Are you a list-maker?   To some extent, I always have been.  Some days I wish I were more of a list-maker than I am -- some are well thought out & others are scribbled on a piece of paper.  

-Have you ever gone into the grocery store without a list?  I have & it's never been a successful trip.
-Have you ever ran errands without a list?   Forget something?  I have.
-Have you outlined goals for the year?   Only to forget two weeks later what they were.  I have.

My point is a list helps keep us focused. 

At work - I have an ongoing list of tasks & deadlines.  I'm constantly marking off completed items and adding more that needs to be done.

At home - I have several  :)  One in particular that I enjoy looking at is room by room of things I would like to do to update or change the space.  (Painting, moving furniture, decluttering, etc)  

During the school year,  I try to make a list each day before I leave work of things I need to get accomplished that evening.   Super-husband works evenings, so I have to make sure I maximize the time I do have -- ensuring super-son's schoolwork is complete coupled with dinner and other household duties.

What's your take on lists?  

See my fitness goals list here.

Menu Plan Monday

I opted for the easy way out and avoided the grocery store this week.  I placed an order online via Lowes Foods To Go & picked it up the next morning.  It sounds ridiculously lazy!  Typically, I spend less because I stick to my list and there are no impulsive purchases.  They will even take coupons and apply them toward your next order.

Sunday -- Fried Chicken (it was the deli e-offer special this week)

Monday -- Lasagna Roll-Ups

Tuesday -- Salmon Patties

Wednesday -- Pizza Casserole

Thursday -- Ham & Cheese Party Rolls

Friday -- Smoked Sausage & Sauerkraut

Saturday -- ?

Rain, Rain, Rain....

Here in the South - our summers are typically hot and humid followed by hot and humid, but this year it's been unusually wet and alot like this.... 

It seems as though every five day forecast has called for a reasonable chance of rain.   It's cancelled several pool days and outdoor plans.   Generally, farmers are anxiously awaiting rainfall, but I think this year too much rain has hampered some of the crops.  Personally,  I can't remember a summer this wet in my lifetime. 

Yesterday was no exception.   We had hoped to tackle some yard work,  to mow,  and get a handle on the weeds.  We've either been out of town or it's rain - so the yard seems out of control.   On a positive note,  the grass is usually dry and brittle by this time of year; but this year, ours is plush and green.   We had a nice quiet, steady rain all.day.long - all.day.long.  Sometimes, I wonder if it's God's way of getting us to slow down a little bit.  We spent a lazy day at home... a little laundry, a little cleaning (I really hoped to do more), and alot of lazy.  

Customer Service

Happy Saturday!

Customer Service embodies so many qualities and characteristics, but I believe EXCELLENT customer service is integral to any successful business.   I worked retail for a few years during and after high school, and I will agree there are times it is close to impossible to keep the smile on your face and the pleasant tone in your voice.  Over the past several months,  we've tried to bring super-son's awareness to customer service when we are out and about.  We've had a few excellent experiences and it gives a chance to talk about what was right -- the attendant went above and beyond our expectations;  they corrected a wrong order; or they were just polite!   Unfortunately, we've had a couple of bad experiences too - but it's given us a chance to talk about what they could have done differently or could we have communicated differently.   It probably seems silly to most - but I think it's good for him to see and understand.

Remember my House Party post, if not run over and check it out!   The Keurig brewers arrived this week.   I'm still in awe of this awesome party pack.  House Party provided all the essential party supplies:  cups, K-cups for the brewer,  coupons, and a cookie tin.  Keurig sent two brewers - yes, you read that correctly TWO brewers!  One for me to keep and one for me to give to away to a lucky guest!  

The brewer boxes indicated there were a couple of bonus items included - but I was missing the bonus K-cups in each box.  I called the company last night & to be completely honest -- I would rate the phone call as a 5 (on  1-10 scale).   AND, to be completely honest - it felt weird calling when the brewer was free to begin with - but I wanted the guest who wins it to have whatever was supposed to be in the box. 

Anyway, I was told my request would be sent to the "department that handles that type thing".   Shortly afterwards,  I received an email with a coupon code for free K-cups.   I was confused, so I emailed them to inquire if this was in response to my phone call or was it because I registered the brewer.   They sent another email with a discount code this AM because it was in response to my phone call but they didn't realize neither brewer had the bonus K-Cups.  So that my friends is EXCELLENT customer service in my book!!!

Have you had an EXCELLENT customer service experience recently?

Family Staycation

Typically, we spend a week enjoying the sand & surf at one of the Carolina beaches.  This year, our family vacation was very different for us. We chose to stay home!  We spent the week cleaning closets & enjoying a few things off the beaten path.  

Super-husband & super-son are big Dr Who fans.  They heard about a dad who had built a TARDIS for his son.  It turns out it was only about 30-40 minutes from us, so we set out to find it.  And we did!

It was literally on the side of the road & had we not been looking we would have missed it. 

 On the way home, we discovered an Amish market with big supply of spices, fresh bread & deli meat. 

We will definite be visiting them again!

Have you ever done a staycation?  Dud you like it?

Lions and Tigers and Bears and Yellow Jackets Oh My!

A couple of weeks ago, we were going to do some yard work.  I headed out a few minutes before super-husband to throw some limbs in the backyard over the fence.   One of them was rather large so I opened the back gate to throw it further into the woods.   As I tugged on the branch,  I felt something scratch my leg - assuming it was the branch - I readjusted and tugged some more.  I threw the branch into the woods and still felt the stinging on my leg.  I looked down and saw a yellow jacket & quickly swatted it off.  Suddenly, I felt more stinging and realized I had aggravated a yellow jacket's nest.  They were on my lower leg, my arm, and then I felt stings up my pant leg.  I panicked and started - yelping, crying, and swatting - all the while running toward the back door.  As I'm making my way to the back door, I realize until I get them beat off of me I can't go in because they will go in with me!   (By the way, this is all happening while super-husband is still inside getting his shoes on!)   I do what any crazy person would do -- start pulling clothes off as I go through the yard.  I run inside and go straight to the bathroom while my husband looks at me like I've lost my mind.  I'm crying and sobbing & can hardly get out the words to tell him what happened.  I was fortunate only to get bitten eight times and even more fortunate that I am NOT allergic to them.  In hindsight, the whole scenario was humorous!  

Yesterday, my neighbor walked over as soon as I pulled in the driveway to point out this...

Yes, it's a hornets, wasp, or stinging insect nest of some sort!   This is in our front yard.  Yes, we've called the professionals for this one folks.  Hoping they can take care of it for us.  :)