(43-342) The Pizza Incident

Before we came out to Jackie's we all agreed that we were gonna just go with the flow, take it very easy and that's exactly what we've done.  We all slept in, got up leisurely, had breakfast and just enjoyed each other's company.  We've gone to the pool, we went to the rehab center to visit Jackie's dad; and meal times have kinda been delayed - not that anyone went hungry.

I don't think we ate lunch yesterday until 230 and just before 7pm Jackie, Kelsie and I took Hershey and Molly for a walk that lasted well over an hour.  We had been planning to order pizza and salad from Amici's, to go along with our keep it simple plan; but around 830 when we got our order together and Jackie called, she was told that they weren't taking any more orders because they couldn't handle the business and they were going to close.  Jackie couldn't believe what she was told, so she called back to inquire more.  She asked why they were closing and the person who answered the phone said that they were just TOO busy and couldn't handle the business, so they were going to close for the night.  Now from a business standpoint, I think they should have capitalized on this opportunity by telling everyone that there was a two hour wait for pizza because they were so busy.  Of course people wouldn't have ordered, but they would have had the impression that Amici's pizza was a commodity, and that they should call earlier from now on. But instead, by closing they just ruined people's plans (namely ours) and made themselves appear unprofessional.

Unable to order from Amici's we had to come up with a plan B.  Given the choice of fast food or Pizza Hut, we opted for the latter because everyone had been looking forward to Pizza.  Big mistake (yes) HUGE!  We ordered three pies, but Luis and Gene only came home with two, and to say they were slightly burnt would be generous.  Jackie called about our third pizza (which she'd already paid for) and they agreed to deliver it within 40 minutes.  Luis, Jackie and I waited to eat until the last pizza arrived, and suffice it to say that it wasn't burnt, but the dough was a tad (OK a lot) undercooked.  Nicky had made the comment that the pizza "was better than nothing"; and we really appreciated that.  Nicky seemed to get that this weekend wasn't about what we ate, just that we ate it together.

When we all remember this weekend, the pizza incident will give us a good laugh, but it wasn't important in the least.  Besides, at least it gave me a story to tell.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-243) A Reason To Smile

If you read "Name The DJ..."then you probably know that I've been experiencing some technical difficulties.  This should come as no surprise really, since we all know that I am NOT the Queen of TECHNOLOGY; however, I can't take all the blame on this one.

When I first tried to include Luis' 80's mix in my post, I attached it via a link that he created, by publishing the mix on Youtube.  Everything seemed to have worked smoothly, by the time that I published my blog; but when I checked it last night, I found that the video was not available.  That darn Prince, is all I can say.  I didn't really understand why Luis couldn't put his mix on Youtube, when everyone else and there mother does.  Luis wasn't clear on this either, but speculated that it had something to do with the fact the he used "Little Red Corvette," and Prince watchdog's his material constantly.

Extremely disappointed over this new development, I wrote a temporary advisement to add to the blog; so that people who were just seeing it, would know that the mix was unavailable.  I did say that if you really wanted to hear it (and I hope that you do;) you could email me and I'd send it to you.  This still holds true.

Well this morning I managed to upload the mix as a video, and once again at the time that I published the blog, the music was available; but this is no longer the case - AAGGGHHH!

Anyway, despite this little pitfall, I managed to have a lovely day with my kids.  My girl's in particular.  We went in pursuit of new shoes for Kelsie, and while in the area; we ran into Michaels.  We were looking around, and Kelsie caught eye of a hat that looked like a bee.  She tried it on and it was darling.  She then tried on a monkey and a pig; but it was this last little number that we knew she HAD to have.   Kelsie was willing to spend her own money to purchase this charming cap; and I encouraged her to do so, because I thought that it would make people smile, to see her wearing it.  Honestly, I don't know how you can look at her in this hat and NOT smile.

Kelsie loved the idea of causing people to grin; and she wore her hat proudly. 

Right after she paid, I asked the cashier of they still honor competitor's coupons, because i'd just realized that I had one for Jo-ann; and the cashier said that they did.  Had Kels not paid with a gift card, I would have asked the girl to refund her and start over.  But since I didn't want to make things too complicated, I told Kelsie that she could choose another hat and I'd use the coupon to buy it for her.  Don't try to understand that logic.  It made sense to me at the time, because I felt badly that Kels could have spent less of her own money had i thought to pull out the coupon.  Just call me sucker.  Kels ran back to the hat display and before we could blink she was back with the piggy hat.  Both Lyndzi and I questioned her choice; but she said that she really liked the piggy and we were not going to try and change her mind.

Now while we were in Michael's Lyndzi found some clay that she was interested in purchasing; but I reminded her that she had a Targt gift card and some money left on a Joanne's gift card too.  I suggested that if she waited, to get the clay, she wouldn't have to spend any of her own money.  Lyndzi agreed and we walked over to Target.  Lyndzi found a whole clay kit for just $4.99 and as soon as we got home, she started sculpting herself as a little figurine.  I was astonished.  She then made Nicky, Hershey and a frisbee.  I proposed that she and Nicky get together and make a video with her figures; and they did.  But of course, since I've raved about how much I love continuity, life's handing me a big helping of it right now, because I can't download that video for you either.

I'm going to work on getting all of these lil technical snafus resolved; so that you can enjoy the clay video, the 80's mix and the 90's mix as well.  In the meantime, I'll share another pic of Kels in her hat, because I always love to give you a reason to smile.  
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-113) The Results Are In...

I think I did a very good job of remaining calm, despite the potentially bad news that I was awaiting.  I refused to let negative thoughts consume me; and I chose to take my friend Jimmy's advice instead, and pray.

My cousin, Jackie called to check on me after reading "The Glass Is Half Full," and I was moved to tears over her concern for me.  I told her that I thought that my doctor's office would have contacted me weeks ago if something was wrong; and that this was probably just a mishap. 

Around 1130, I still hadn't heard from my doctor's office, so I gave them a call.  The receptionist checked my records and told me that my last mammogram results were from October 2009 and that they hadn't received anything from the radiologist recently.  She told me to call the radiologist and have them fax the results over.  I called the radiology office and asked for the office manager, but this person was not going to be until 5pm.  I explained EVERYTHING to Brenda, the lovely woman that had taken my call; and she assured me that she would fax my results to my doctor and call me back once the fax went through.

It was an hour later when Brenda called.  Brenda explained that her contract with my doctor's office required test results to be hand delivered to them and according to their records, my results were deliveres on November fifth.  Brenda told me the name of the person who had signed for the results and went on to say that my doctor's office had no idea what had happened to that delivery.  My doctor's office agreed that Brenda could fax my results over, and Brenda told me to follow up with them in a half hour.

This was becoming a comedy of errors; unfortunately there was nothing funny about it.  I waited a little more than a half hour and called my doctor's office.  I asked to speak to the office manager, but she was on her way to a short meeting, and the receptionist advised me that she'd call me back when she returned.  I told the receptionist that I also needed a nurse to call me back with my test results, and she said that if I'd hold on, she would get a nurse on the phone with me now.  I was on hold for over five minutes when the receptionist came back and said that she couldn't find a nurse.  The receptionist asked me to leave a message on the office managers voice mail, and said that she could have a nurse call me as well.

Within 15 minutes, Diane the office manager called me back.  I explained what had happened, and how someone had signed for my test results, but they were no where to be found.  Diane was very compassionate and aptly apologetic.  She was also quite disturbed because there must have been other people whose test results were misplaced as well.  I asked Diane if she could have a nurse call me with my test results, but she told me that she had them and that everything was negative and I was absolutely fine.  Hallelujah!! 

I knew in my heart that there was nothing wrong; and maybe that's why I  was able to remain positive.  As soon as I hung up with Diane, I called Luis to let him know that I was OK; and I texted Jackie. 

It is my 113th day of being 43 and I am delighted to say that  I have a clean bill of health.  What a fantastic way to celebrate my 250th post of "The Bumpy Ride."
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-77) Just Another Day...

I began my day at 445AM.  I got up a little earlier than usual because I wanted to shower before starting work, since I had promised to help in Kelsie's class at 8am.  By 5, I was ready to start work and enjoy my first morning cup of coffee; but as I went to pour a cup, I found that the pot had been off  kilter and so the coffee had not brewed all the way; but instead seeped out across the counter and deposited an excess amount of grinds in the pot.  I'm good for this happening once every couple of months; so I wasn't phased by it.  I dumped out the coffee catastrophe and brewed a fresh pot.

I woke Lyndzi at 630, (because she likes to have extra time to get ready;) and Nicky and Kelsie at 7.  Clocked out of work, and prepared breakfast (OK, toasted breakfast;) and made the kid's lunches.  By 745, we were out the door.  I signed in at school and helped in Kelsie's classroom until 930.  I then went home and clocked back in to work.
By 1230 I was ready for a lunch break.  I made myself a turkey sandwich; and created a flyer for Luis to give out to his soccer team.  I then checked my Facebook account and proceeded to vote for Lyndzi in the MIX 96.9 Fridge Art contest.  I clicked on Lyndzi's link, as I do every day; but this time it went to another girl's artwork and not Lyndzi's.  I perused through the pictures, and found that Lyndzi was now # 17 instead of # 22.  I emailed the radio station as earlier that day they had sent an email advising that there had been a problem with the website / voting; but it was now resolved.  Um; I guess not!  I tired to explain precisely what had happened; but didn't have faith that my explanation would make sense to them; so I welcomed them to call me with any questions.  I received an  informal email, confirming that in fact Lyndzi's link had changed; and shortly thereafter, I received a phone call.  I was informed that something had gone wrong with the coding; but it wouldn't effect the outcome of the contest as none of the votes from the other phases of the competition were going to count.  I asked if the winner was going to be determined solely by Internet votes; and this was affirmed.  To say that I wasn't happy about this situation, would be an understatement.  For just as I wrote in "For The Love of Art;" I don't think it's fair to have an "art" contest where the winner is determined solely, by how many votes their parents can facilitate.  Nonetheless; we are all very proud of Lyndzi and her artwork, so once again I had to hit the campaign trail, and implore my friends via Facebook, email and "The Bumpy Ride," to vote for Lyndzi.  So please excuse me this one last plea to vote for Lyndzi.  You may vote once a day PER email address, until 8 am on October 25th; and the winner will receive $1,000.00!!!
Lyndi's new link is http://www.mix969.com/pages/fridge-art/vote-entrants.php?ag=8#17 and we would GREATLY appreciate your support and assistance in this endeavor.

At 1:00 I clocked back in to work, and then out at 3 to pick up the kids from school.  By 315 I was back to work; until I finished for the day at 345.  I was supposed to go to Kelsie's soccer practice so that I could give out some information to Luis' team; but my friend that was supposed to take Nicky to practice today, had to cancel; so basically, I needed to be in 3 places at once.  Luckily 2 of those places were the same place; but the 3rd was about 10 minutes away.  I drove Nicky to his practice, and then went back to Kelsie's / Lyndzi's.  I gave out the flyers that Luis had printed out for me; and circulated our snack sign up-sheet.  It was at this point that the mom of one of Luis' players, told me that they thought their son should have been playing with the older kids, in U-10 and that she had been thinking of switching divisions.  I felt badly; even though there was no way that this was my fault.  I'm not sure why I felt responsible; when there was no way that I was; but that's just how I am.  I didn't want this mom to be unhappy with our team, or Luis; and I encouraged her to make a decision promptl; before a switch wouldn't be possible.
I excused myself and walked over to see Michelle M; who was at Max (Michelle's son) and  Lyndzi's practice.  I expressed my frustration about the possible team change that I'd just discussed; said "Hi" to a couple of other friends; and headed for the parking lot, because it was time to pick up Nicky.
I bid ado to the rest of the parents, and left to get my son.  Nicky was still practicing as the sun set; and I waited patiently, for him to finish up.

We drove home and pulled into the garage about 15 seconds after Luis.  The kids got out of their soccer gear; and we went to Chick-fil-A for dinner; because our school was having a fundraiser there tonight.  Now I like Chick-fil-A as much, if not more than the next girl; but boy oh boy; for a family of 5 at dinner time; it's EXPENSIVE; and I'm usually really good at ordering in a cost effective manner.   Good thing we didn't go to Red Robin the other night, when I was dying for a burger; or I wouldn't have had the bankroll for Chick-fil-A. 

Now don't get me wrong; I'm not complaining about any of these things.  Not the coffee grinds in my java; or the mix up with MIX; or having to be the soccer taxi, or the pricey fare.  Nope; this is ALL just in a day's work for me.  I certainly could have used a perfect cuppa Joe as I started the day; ready to champion any cause that involved my family.  But alas; the first pot went the way of the trash.  so, in situations like these; I think it best to resort back to the advice of my favorite college professor; Jack Kenneally; as I wrote in "The Rules." #1.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  #2.  It's all small stuff and #3. If you can't flee and you can't fight; FLOW.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING