DECEMBER 14TH ~ A Kinda Boring Story
with A Great Customer Service Wish

I made it to the post office around 2 something today.  I had two medium boxes full of all kinds of things going overseas to my two sisters and their families.  There were a couple of people in line when I got there.  Great, I thought.

Before getting into line myself, I had to fill out new paperwork.  Each box took two of the bigger customs forms because a) they were over 4 lbs, and b) there was only space to list 4 items per form.  After hunting down extra forms and one false start listing items from the wrong sister’s box, I got it done.  When I finally got into line there were about 6 people in front of me.

Richard, at the counter, was incredibly helpful and wonderfully patient, and he saved me some money.  To save the $8, I had to switch the contents of one box into a brand new one.  Richard provided the box and had me step to the side to make the switch.  When I returned to the counter, the line was probably 25 and out the door!  Luckeee, I thought.

All the information on each of the 4 forms then had to be input into the post office system, which Richard did by hand.  OK, end of boring story.  I paid him, thanked him very, very much, wished him happy holidays and out – it took close to 1 hour all told. I didn’t count how many were in line, but it was a lot.

While Richard was inputting the data, I thought about the losses now being incurred at the post office with the changes in information delivery technology, and wondered how secure Richard’s job was.  I couldn’t imagine not having a bricks and mortar post office to go to. There was no doubt in my mind that here was a super valuable employee providing great customer service.  What a huge loss not to have him. I hope his future is secure.  He deserves it.

And so my wish today is that all hard-working providers of good customer service receive appropriate recognition, appreciation and a secure future.

DECEMBER 13TH ~ FRIENDS

My dear friend A used to have a cat called Pinky Ming.  Pinky Ming and A stayed at my old house with us for a short time and Pinks made friends with Foo Foo Bunny our house-rabbit (RIP).  I liked Pinks very much.  She was pretty much the only cat I’d known (albeit slightly) and even as a sworn dog person I felt there was something special about her.  A loved Pinks a lot and was so sad when she passed a couple of years ago or so.  I was sad too.

This summer, I came across two feral kittens (well actually my son did) – two little guys probably 4-5 weeks old, probably brothers.  We took the orange one, and A took the other, a really pretty grey tabby.

These days A and I send each other cute candid shots of our boys – quite often doing similar things at similar times.

I can’t tell you how much I love the friendship we have.  I wish for everyone to have at least one really and truly special friendship in their lives – it’s just awesome.

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DECEMBER 11TH AND 12TH ~ NO PROCRASTINATION

This weekend has to be the biggest procrastination weekend of the year for me.

I reeeaaally needed to sit down and write cards and wrap presents, because  the bulk of my gifts are for my family back in England, and I’m already late for Christmas delivery there.  The same thing happens every year.  This year I have more anxiety than usual because I know Scotland has had harsh winter weather and therefore it’ll be very difficult delivery conditions.  So guess what, I’m thinking I’m screwed before I’ve started.

As a result, I’ve spent the weekend pretty much avoiding the issue.  Now, on Sunday evening,  there are no more excuses,  just buckle down and do it I say.  I love my family and I genuinely love doing the gift thing, so what’s the problem?!  Alright, rolling up my sleeves…here goes…

Oh, so my wish is that we be a no procrastination nation!  Come on, just do it everyone!!

DECEMBER 10TH ~ WINNERS

One of our local high school football teams – the South Torrance Spartans – is playing in the CIF SS Northwest Division Final tonight for the first time.  They are a cross-town rival of ours and they beat us on their way to an amazing season.  I’m familiar with a lot of the players because my son played with many of them back in Pop Warner football several years ago.  I hope they win, and no doubt I will find out the outcome soon.

Then I got to thinking about the other team, Lompoc.  I know absolutely nothing about them, except that for certain they are equally deserving of praise.

Somebody has to lose, but I wish both teams could win…. of course, they are both already winners really, aren’t they.  Congratulations to all.

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DECEMBER 9TH – READING, ‘RITING, ‘RITHMATIC

Doing accounting work is my least favorite thing to do for my clients or myself, but I have to say when it’s done and all the numbers match and the message on the screen says “congratulations, you’re reconciled” it’s extremely rewarding.

My wish for you today is that you reap the rewards of satisfaction in your work.

Photo credit: matthew_hull from morguefile.com

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DECEMBER 8TH ~ TIME FLIES

At lunch yesterday, my friend and I were catching up a little on what our respective sons were up to.  I mentioned how quickly my son’s final high school football season went by.  In particular, I was remembering how slow the games went when our team was ahead, yet how fast they seemed to go when we were behind, and we both wondered about the psychology of that.  I’ve put it on my list of things to look into some day.

In the meantime, I wish time would slow some over these upcoming holidays, just so we can all linger, savor, enjoy the yummy moments a tiny bit longer.

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DECEMBER 7TH ~ PEPE LE PEW

I was gonna wish something completely different, but now I have to save it for another day because my olfactory senses have been attacked and it’s hard to think straight.

I just got home after being out most of the day, including a wonderful reconnect lunch with friends.  Apparently the local skunks saw me leave and made their move into our ‘hood.  Peeee-uuuw!

So today’s wish  – cute as they seem – is that they leave now, rapido… please, pretty please (and don’t mess with our precocious kitty, or the dogs for that matter,  on your way out!).

Thank you.
The Management

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DECEMBER 6TH – ANIMALS, PART 1

I’ll keep this one simple, because animals are pretty basic creatures themselves.  Pets don’t have any of our human hang ups…really they don’t.  You love them, they love you back, nothing more, nothing less.

I wish just that for all animals… simple love.

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DECEMBER 5TH ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today I’d just like to wish the best little sister
in the whole wide world a very, very happy birthday.

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Juuuu-dith
Happy birthday to you.

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DECEMBER 4TH ~ DIRECTION

Today is Saturday.  Long gone are the days of sleeping in on Saturdays for me.  I loooove to sleep, but I also loooove to do.  I’ve had my good share of sleeping, and now I’m really enjoying doing – especially working for myself and calling all the shots.

As it turns out, Saturday morning sleep-ins are also not in my teenage son’s schedule, even now that his high school football season and Saturday morning game films are done.  He has somewhere to be on Saturday mornings.  Not only does he have to be somewhere, but he has to spit and polish his boots, be clean-shaven and dress in uniform.  He’s an Explorer with the LA County Fire Dept., and we are so thankful to our neighbors for pointing us in that direction.

Having direction can be a wickedly elusive thing, especially when you’re at one of life’s crossroads.  Parents: a point in any reasonable direction, coupled with a little nudge to get rolling, goes a long way in my opinion.

My wish today is for all teenagers to be blessed with some direction as they make their choices and move forward in life.

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