A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 17

Sometimes people are just crazy in their heads....

Me: {Introduce myself and company}

Customer: "Why am i getting this paper? who sent it?"

Me: "Does it say {Newspaper Title}?"

Customer: "Yes"

So I asked her for her last name

Customer "Why do you want that?"

I explained that we look up accounts by last name and zip code

Customer: "Well I can tell you we dont have a subscription with you"

Me: "It could be a trial"

Customer: "Well this is a Communist paper"

Me: "Um....ok....?"

Customer: "I better not get this anymore" 

And then she hung up

Well, I can't promise you won't ever get it again if I have none of your information!

This is a Financial Publication....the farthest from a Communist Publication...

Oh man....

Happy Christmas Weekend to All!

Happy Christmas Weekend!

I am at work - Boo! :-(

Tomorrow we are heading up North to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with Rich's family and then Christmas and the day after with my family

Then we have to drive back Monday :-(

Well, at least I get Monday off!

The Holiday Card that we sent out:

We made it on Snapfish! 

We got an awesome deal! 

40 for like $20! 

We got like 30% off and free shipping!

And I wrote a little note to go along with our cards :-)

A lot has happened this past year

Which has brought both of our families a lot of cheer.

We rented our first apartment in a far away place

We handled the transition with a lot of love, excitement and grace

Rich returned home from his final deployment

We were able to spend the holidays with our families for optimal enjoyment

We made our first big purchase: a Honda Civic in black

With all of our statewide driving we wanted good gas mileage, now that is a fact

Wedding gown fittings, Bridal showers, Bachelor and Bachelorette parties galore

The beginning of 2011 was definitely not a bore

On May 29th, we embarked on a whole new adventure

Going from being single to spending the rest of our lives together

We Honeymooned in Switzerland and France

Having not planned one day of the trip, most of our experiences happened only by chance

While Rich completed his active duty with the USMC

La Tache changed her last name with the Social Security Office, Credit Cards and the DMV

We packed up our Carlsbad place

And moved to our new Los Angeles space

La Tache landed a great job working for IBD

While Rich is doing great in classes at his University

We planned, prepared and cooked our Thanksgiving meal

Our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, everything seemed so surreal

With 2011 being so great

2012 is going to be even better at this rate

We are loving our newly wed life

Having a blast as husband and wife!

WEIR wishing you all a very joyous Holiday Season!

Someone's Bitter...

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

from this FedEx guy!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 16

A guy just asked me what the "@" symbol was.....

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough said...

Christmas Lists

Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 15

I got a funny customer

And by funny, I mean, he told me a joke...

Why did the cowboy buy a dotsin dog?

Because someone told him to "get along little doggy" 

:-)

Happy Day!

Poor Customer Service

Back at the end of September I was playing Tennis with Rich.

Read story here.

I fell.

I hurt my knee.

Pretty much, I was just trying to walk it off.

I was avoiding the doctor.

My knee is still swollen and with deductibles met, I decided to bite the bullet and see an orthopedic doctor.

I mean, I need to take care of my legs/knees - so I should take good care of them!

I found a doctor through my insurance website {I want to make sure that I see a preferred provider}

I called to make an appointment, made it and was looking forward to the appointment.

The (what I assume to be) office assistant, Martha, called the day before the appointment to let me know that she confirmed my insurance and that I had not met the deductible. So I asked to call her back because I wanted to call my insurance company.

Martha: So, do you want to cancel your appointment or what?

Me: Can I call you back?Martha: Well, do you want to cancel?

Me: Can I call you back? 

I called the insurance and they told me that we had met the deductible, at the end of Novemeber. So I called the clinic back and asked to speak with Martha to clarify. She was extremely rude to me. She told me that the insurance told me the wrong information and argued with me over the phone. She, reluctantly, offered to call the insurance back and made sure to add that the insurance would tell her the EXACT same thing that they told her earlier in the day.

Me: I just got off of the phone with insurance and they told me we met the deductible.

Martha: They told me that you hadn't

We proceeded to argue about what the insurance said to each of us and then she said:

Martha: I guess I can call them back but they are going to tell me the same thing they told me this morning.

We hung up the phone and then I came to my senses and realized that I didn't want to go there even if my insurance proved to be good. And then I thought to myself

Wait, I want her to to call

I want her to realize she is wrong

Does that make me a bad person?

She was supposed to call me back once she spoke to insurance. I was getting antsie, so I called her back before she called me and told her I wanted to cancel and told her that she was extremely rude and that I would take my business elsewhere. She didn't even acknowledge that I called her out.

Me: I would like to cancel

Martha: Oh! So you want to cancel now?

Me: Yes, you were extremely rude and I do not want to take that and I will take my business elsewhere

Martha: Ok, Sorry, Bye

And she hung up!

I was shocked!

I get bad days...

We all have them...

That doesn't mean you can talk to people this way...

They got a bad review on yelp...!

Thank you social media!

I hope you all are having a great day!

Pomodoro Fresco Sourdough Bruschetta

Food Network Pomodoro Fresco Sourdough Bruschetta

image

You can find the recipe here

My recipe was inspired here.

I just made the bruschetta

And If I may toot my own horn...it was soo tasty!

How gorgeous are these tomatoes??

And I typically don't like tomatoes...

{I know you are thinking, then why did you make bruschetta? I was just craving it....it was weird...}

Fresh ground Pepper

The fresh basil....yumm!

It smelled sooo good!! 

Enjoy!

Achieving Work-Life Balance

I got this email to my work email and I thought that it was awesome and wanted to share!

Achieving Work-Life Balance

Balancing a career with life outside work is a complex task. Life is a juggling act with work, home, the family, errands ... we sometimes feel like hamsters on their wheels. When your work and personal life are out of balance, your stress level is likely to soar. It's important to take the time to step back and take a good look at your work-life balance. Here are some tips to help you put some balance back into your life:

Set Goals:  

Set specific goals with actions and incremental milestones that you can track. Define your goals in terms that create a vivid mental picture of your desired end-state. Written goals help you establish clarity of purpose and provide accountability. Regularly review them and your progress against them. It has been said that “true character is the ability to carry out a goal long after the mood in which it was created has passed.”

Create a Personal Mission Statement:  

A personal mission statement defines who you are, what’s important to you, and what you’re all about. It will help you make difficult decisions when faced with the myriad of choices that life presents. It will also help you recognize when you’re off course and steer you back in the right direction.  Use your personal mission statement as your benchmark and standard of excellence that you measure yourself against.  When you’re making changes in your life and setting new goals, remember to refer to your mission statement.

Focus on the Important:  

With the many communication channels and other distractions vying for your attention, staying focused is a constant challenge. Be proactive. Track everything you do for one week, including work-related and personal activities. Decide what’s necessary and what satisfies you the most. Drop activities that sap your time and energy, or that add no value to your life and goals. Stay focused on reaching the milestones that support your goals.

Learn to Say “No”:  

You can’t do everything. You can’t attend every seminar or go to every social function, or every family gathering. Of course you might like to, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Learn to say no. Or if it is truly worthy, learn to use “yes, if …” instead of just “yes.” In other words, put conditions on activities you can influence like adding “if you can make the food this time” or “if there is a way to shorten the event to a half hour.” Remember that it’s okay to respectfully say no.  When you quit doing the things you do out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you’ll make more time in your life for the activities that are meaningful to you.

Be More Productive at What You Do:  

For those activities you must do yourself, find ways to be as efficient as you can. Your time is your most valuable resource—don’t squander it. Create reusable templates for anything that you do repeatedly. Employ tools and computer applications to automate your tasks as much as possible. Streamline your processes so that there is little wasted time and effort. Everything counts when managing your life. If something in your life is an energy drain, replace it with something better, delegate it, or eliminate it.

Get Organized:  

You will not be as productive if you’re not organized. A little planning can go a long way. Take some time to plan your activities and appointments well ahead of time. Slowly build more activities into your schedule. Getting organized will serve you well in your quest for balance and it will make you feel better.

Nurture Yourself:  Being tired robs you of the energy you need to stay productive and focused. Eat healthy foods and include exercise in your weekly routine, at least 30 minutes a day – three times a week. Experts say that exercise will help boost your energy level and your ability to concentrate. Be sure to get enough sleep, at least 7 to 8 hours a night. Set aside time for an activity or hobby that you enjoy.

Maintain Some White Space on Your Calendar:  

Pretend there isn’t as much availability on your calendar as it affords. Take a break. Carve out some time for reflection. The cliché that your best ideas come to you in the shower is more fact than fiction. When relaxed, your brain is free to unleash its power. Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Archimedes of Syracuse and countless other historical figures were relaxing when they came up with their world-changing ideas.

Don’t Worry: 

 Leave your worries behind. Do what you can to resolve your problems. Worrying and chronic stress are bad for your health and energy level and provide no substantive benefit to you or others. Studies show that 92 percent of what people worry about has already happened, won’t change a thing, or is completely unfounded. Channel your energy into more productive uses such as exercise, reading, or any other physical or mental enhancing activity.

Know When to Seek Support:  

No one is successful on their own. Everyone needs help from time to time. Solicit the help of others, family members and friends. If your life feels too chaotic to manage and you’re worrying about it, talk it over with a trusted friend or professional mental health counselor. They can be a good source for helping you reframe your situation and offer advice. Seeking support will also help you release the emotional stress you may be feeling. Whatever your situation may be, it’s important that you have people in your life that can offer you support.

Remember, striking a healthy work-life balance isn’t a one-shot deal. Creating work-life balance is an ongoing process as your family, interests, work and life continually change.

Sources:

Mike Hawkins; author of Activating Your Ambition: A Guide to Coaching the Best Out of Yourself and Others

Robert Brooks, PhD; co-author, The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life

Laura Stack, president, The Productivity Pro, Inc.; author, SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best

Tis the Season

I got this from here.

The questions are great and really got me into the holiday spirit!

So I thought I'd do it to!

Thanks Liv! 

 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? 

We decided that since I work for a newspaper, it would be funny to wrap everything in old papers!

 2. Real tree or Artificial? 

Artificial and I love it!  

3. When do you put up the tree? 

We put it up this past weekend, so December 3rd. I wanted to wait until December to put it up

4. When do you take the tree down? 

That's a good question... I am not sure what we will do - likely after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? 

Um, I drank a pint of it last night....absolutely! 

6. Favorite gift received as a child? 

hmm....this isn't my favorite, but this is the first think that came to my mind...

I got an ant farm! 

And I thought it was the coolest thing! 

ha!

I definitely would not be happy if I got that today...

7. Do you have a nativity scene? 

No, I think we will have to wait for that for when we have a house

8. Hardest person to buy for? 

All the men in my family!

9. Easiest person to buy for? 

Myself? haha

 

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? 

We just mailed ours and we have gotten a lot of positive feedback!

I think it was a success!

Woohoo!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? 

So one year....in college, I got a floral headband from a friend...I thought it was weird

and so I was talking to a friend about this and she got an 8x10 picture of her friend framed...

Like it wasn't of the two of them, it was just of the gift-giver and she was wearing a Santa Hat...

...um, weird!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? 

The Grinch!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? 

We started planning in November

We are buying as the items come up! 

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? 

I don't think so...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? 

My mom makes an antipasto that is a family recipe - I need to learn to make it because it is the best!

And William Sonoma Panattone - oh.my.god!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? 

Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? 

Sleigh Ride

The Grinch

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 

This will be the first time I am traveling for Christmas!

We are headed to the Bay to spend Christmas with our families and friends!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? 

Donner, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Blitzen, Vixen & Rudolf - these are the ones I can name without help!

Prancer, Dasher - I think I did well!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? 

We don't have anything yet - we haven't found the perfect option...

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? 

Typically we do 1 gift on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? 

Traffic

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?  

We just got a personalized ornament and I am so happy with it!

The colors on our tree are sliver and red

And I love it!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? 

um....world peace?

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 14

I had a customer call and he told me a joke:

Why did the cowboy buy a dotson dog? 

?????

Because someone told him to "getta-long little doggy" 

HAHAHA

Gotta love the customers who have a sense of humor!

Happy Happy Birthday to my Hot Momma!

Today is the most amazing woman in the worlds birthday!

I hope her day is fabulous!

We are celebrating, drinking wine and champagne is spirit!

May all of your wishes come true!

You have helped mine come true!

I love you!

Happy Birthday!

Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches

Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches

These were amazing!

Make these!

You can find the recipe here

They are like an oreo cookie...only better!

Mix together white & brown sugar and butter

In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients

Add egg & the dry ingredients in increments & vanilla extract

use a spoon to make big dolups of dough on a cookie sheet & bake

Let cool

Mix together cream cheese & powdered sugar

Lick all of the utensils...

Spread the cream cheese frosting on 1/2 of cookie then put another cookie on top

The finished product

Oh. My. Gosh.
These were heaven!
So so so so so good!
And they are best when the cookies are still a little warm
YUM!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 13

A woman calls...

The following is our conversation:

Customer: first of all, I got a call from someone at {my place of work} and I do not want to be called and receive solicitations.

Me: You got a call from us and you don’t want to have those in the future?

Customer: Yes

Me: Ok, I will add you to that list. Now, how can I help you today?

Customer: I want to get the online version of that paper and the paper once a week. How much is that?

Me: It is $279 for the weekly combo

Customer: When I was called I was told that it was $249

Me: Do you remember who you spoke with and I can transfer you to that person?

Customer: I didn’t know that I had to remember

Me: The price that I can offer you is $279, if there was a special offer you would need to take advantage of it at the time or with that person.

Customer: Ok, so cancel my free trial and then they will call me if they have a special offer?

Me: Well, you just asked to not be called?

Customer: Well they can call me with special offers

What?!

Do they want my head to explode?

People are just crazy!

Customized Tree Ornament

I wanted to get a Christmas Tree Ornament for our First Christmas together as a married couple.

{I think I saw it on someone's blog and thought the idea was genius}

So I did a little google search and found zazzle! They were having a 30% off  "Cyber Tuesday" sale so I got 30% off!

I am so excited to get it!!

Front

Back

I hope it looks like it did on the site :-)

Fingers crossed!! 

Tattoo gone wrong

Do you all remember this horrible tragedy?!

image

Now this?!

image

What is wrong with the world?!

Shrimp Tacos With Black & Pinto Beans

Real Simple's Shrimp Tacos with Black Beans {We added the pinto}

image

You can find the recipe here

We were looking for something different (from chicken or ground turkey) to eat and we had the ingredients so we figured...why not?!

We obviously cooked more than 4 shrimp...the picture just came a little late :-)

We had both black and pinto so we thought we would just cook both!

All of the fixin's

I just love while extra sharp cheddar - it is sooo tasty!

So we put three shrimp in each tortilla....that didn't work...

Two was the max!

These were pretty tasty...a little dry, so recommend a lot of salsa :-)

Enjoy!