Monday, September 29, 2008

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Nothing earth-shattering or especially inspiring today. . . .

So, I'm going with my fall-back subjects . . .

the boys !!

They never fail to make me smile !!!!

Happy Monday !!!

Monday, September 22, 2008

"Makes Me Snarky" Monday

Instead of pictures and smiles and fun,
I pose a question today:

What is wrong with people ??????

Working with the public has always had its challenges . . . there are always those high-maintenance, grouchy people to deal with. But it seems like most people have become that way lately: they're cranky, demanding, condescending, and just plain rude ! They make it tough just to survive the day ! Common courtesy is definitely not common anymore, and people just say and do whatever the heck they want, regardless of how it effects those around them. It's the guy at Staples that decides to cut in front of you in line, even though you've clearly been standing there longer . . . and the person in the grocery store with their cart parked across the entire aisle, who's so caught up in their own little world that a polite "Excuse me" gets no response !!

Then there are the people who are blatantly nasty . . . like the patient my new co-worker, J., encountered last week. When this patient checked in for an appointment and mentioned new insurance coverage, my co-worker asked to see her dental card. The patient then tossed her medical and prescription cards at my co-worker. When J. asked about a dental card or information, the patient just got nasty, insisting that these were correct, and not answering the questions J. posed to help determine what coverage the patient actually had . . . she finished her little tirade with a condescending "Do you understand that ?!" We did eventually figure out what she had, and she ended up treating J. with sugary-sweetness at the end of her visit . . . but was that really necessary just because she didn't know her dental coverage and J. was trying to help her ??!?!!! Or, today in the check-out line at the grocery store: I was purchasing 5 jugs of water for the office, and placed only one on the conveyor belt and kept the rest in the cart. When the cashier scanned it, I let her know I had 5 total. She then said in a sing-songy, pre-school sort of voice, "Yeah, I figured that out all by myself !" Was that really necessary ???!?!?! What a snarky thing to say !!!

I know these are just a few examples, and that everyone goes through the same thing . . . but that's just it: it's the norm now. It's rare to encounter people who are actually friendly, polite, and courteous. What happened ???? Is it because everyone is so stressed out that they can't possibly rise above it for a moment or two, long enough to be civil ?!?!? Is it because people are so used to and reliant on technology that they no longer know how to interact properly with actual human beings ?!??! Or is everyone just so caught up in their own little world that they truly cease to notice or care about anyone or anything outside their sphere ?!??!?

I don't know . . . seems a little like "all of the above" to me. It just gets frustrating and downright exhausting dealing with people like that all day long, day in and day out . . . makes it very hard to keep a positive attitude !

So what do you think ??
Any thoughts out there . . . ?!?!?!???

Monday, September 15, 2008

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

It feels like Fall is definitely arriving . . . especially today, with its dark clouds, cool temperatures, and falling leaves. So many leaves have already changed color . . . .

I think I'm ready for Fall . . . for flannel sheets, chunky sweaters, apple cider, and pumpkin everything !!!! Not Winter, though . . . just Fall !

Looks like Mr. Tibbs is ready, too . . .
. . . he's all cuddled up on his blanket !!!



Happy (Fall-ish) Monday !!!


Monday, September 8, 2008

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Isn't she lovely ?!?!?!!!!!!!

(Sorry for the flash/glare . . . it's the only
way that beautiful red would show up !!!)


Christmas came early this year with the hand-delivery of my new Kitchen Aid mixer . . . and I love it soooooooo much !!!! Not only sturdy and efficient, she looks great in my red kitchen, too !!!!! I'd show you a picture of the yummy cake I whipped up with her . . . but it's in the fridge chilling for a bit !!!!

Happy (hands-free) Monday !!!!

Monday, September 1, 2008

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

A long, holiday weekend . . . that is the best type of weekend, afterall !!! And ours has been a busy one, full of eating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, eating, visiting with family, reading . . . and eating some more !!!

We did manage, though, to do a little extra sleeping . . .


. . . and relaxing on the porch . . . !




But what we've really been looking forward to . . .


. . . is the Prison Break 2-hour season premier tonight !!
Icing on the cake of a great weekend !!!!
Happy Monday !!!!