April's Real Pins and 25,000!!!

From my heart to yours:

During the month of April my blog page views totalled over 25,000!!! 

That absolutely amazes and touches me deeply. 

Ever the math geek I never grasped how huge that number is until I thought of it this way:

Your 25,000th minute of life occurs when you are:

 17 days, 8 hours and 40 minutes old 

Your 25,000th hour of life occurs when you are:

 2 years, 311 days, 16 hours old

Your 25,000th day of life occurs when you are:

 68 years, 6 months, 1 week and 5 days old

Here's the new things I tried from Pinterest this month: 

1. Hard Boiled Eggs in the Oven ~ these were so easy to do and turned out wonderfully.  I cooked 20 at once and not a one cracked.  The eggs did turn out with brown spots as the post mentioned but the spots wipe off while you're cooling them in water... no more boiling for me.  I did this while baking a cake so double duty for the oven :)  Royally Rocked

2. Organizing Measuring Cups and Spoons ~ My attempt did not turn out as lovely as this but it was truly my fault:
       ~I recently treated myself to metal measuring cups/spoons from Crate&Barrel that I love however they are bigger and heavier than most
       ~ I did not buy strong enough hangers for my metal measuring items
I plan on retrying tis idea in the next week so hopefully I'll have a picture in May

3. Freshen air in bathroom~ Use your favorite scent of essential oils dropped onto the toilet paper roll to freshen up the air after each use.  Maybe we go through rolls quicker than most but I went through a lot of oil and no one really noticed the scent  Royally Failed

My biggest disappointment to share with you this month was with crochet attempts. 

I think I got a bit too ambitious with trying these new patterns:

Not willing to be defeated I created a YouTube Channel and filled it with crochet videos so I am planning on having new wash cloths to show you next month.  I think I'll learn better watching someone instead of figuring it out myself.

That was pretty much the extras in April that didn't get their own blog posts. 

 Remember you can find me on pinterest as Lady Bren.  If you don't have an account and need an invitation email me and we'll get you set. 

Are people really that clueless?

    It amazes me that people can be so rude and think no one notices.  I guess I really shouldn't be surprised by at times it still takes me aback. In the past two weeks I have had run in with people who just are clueless. One I went back at and the other was well a delicate situation.
     The first was at the bank.  Patrick was driving and let me off then parked the car ~ in a handicapped space, which we have a parking tag for.  On most days I don't use the tag but on some days I'm very thankful we have them.  As we were getting ready to leave a noticed a gentleman talking to him.  When we got to the car I asked what he said. Seems the gentleman made the comment that Patrick didn't look handicapped.  OH NO he didn't!!  Considering how crappy I felt lashing out at someone was a welcoming opportunity.  I went back inside and from the door called to the man.  "Sir, I understand you made a comment to my son regarding parking in a handicapped spot? Just so you know not all handicaps are visible.  My son happens to have Spina Bifida which YOU can't see.  He's endured more pain than most men will ever know.  Not only has he overcome that but he's enlisting in the Marines to serve YOUR country.  On top of that he's driving me today because due to complications from my stroke I'm unable to drive.  So next time you think of making a snarky comment remember all handicaps are not visible."  With that I left the bank. I'll admit that was a bit easier as there was maybe 6 customers that day.  As we were getting ready to leave the gentleman came out. I could see Patrick thinking oh no what did she do now.  The gentleman began a huge apology but then pointed out that we didn't have handicap license plates. NO sir we had the blue handicap placard hanging on the rear view but we've taken it off to drive which you are supposed to do.  He then said his goal was to make sure that people weren't using the parking spaces that weren't supposed to. Once again he apologized.  We felt a little bit bad because we couldn't put down the window when he was talking to us because it was broken but didn't feel bad that he had to talk louder to make his apology.
     While that was incredibly annoying at least it was from a stranger.  Today's situation just blew me away as it was someone that we know.  Well I don't know him but my husband does.
     There are some days when my migraines are so bad that my speech is affected.  I usually wind up repeating words or get stuck on words.  This morning was one of those days.  I called Michael to let him know not to call me at lunch when he usually does as I was going to lay down until I had to leave for physical therapy.  Unlike his old shop that had a phone on the work floor to reach him in this new shop I have to call into the office.  Today when I spoke to his boss instead of only using six words - Can I please speak to Michael - it wound up being probably close to 20.  Sure, his boss said.  Maybe he thought he put the phone on hold because the next thin I hear is him mimicking me! This is Michael's boss who is well aware of my situation. I made sure not to cry when Michael got on the phone as I really wasn't even sure whether or not to tell him. When I did tell him I could hear the conflict in his voice.  He was obviously upset with what his boss did yet at the same time this is the man who picks and chooses who gets to work overtime.  That didn't matter he told me he was going to talk to him.
     How could someone who knows me indirectly be so cruel?  So immature, so clueless?  Does he think this is fun for me?  It took me right back to the first weekend I was home from rehab when a door to door salesman called me retarded due to my speech issues.  And my therapist wonders why I hate going out in public

A Little Bit of Sunshine

I was so excited to see that I had received a blog award:

April 23, 2012

Thank you to Lynette atRantRaveWrite for passing this award along

The rules for this challenge include answering the following questions:

1. Favorite color-  Green 
2. Favorite Animal-  Whales My dream is to swim with a Blue Whale
3. Favorite number – 23 (ok not really mine as I don't have one but this is both hubby's and son's)
4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink -  Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free
5. Facebook or Twitter – FACEBOOK though really getting into twitter of late
6. My passion – Music 
7. Getting or giving presents - Giving. I love finding that "perfect" gift
8. Favorite Pattern- well now that I am crocheting I'd have to say anything easy :)
9. Favorite day of week – Friday love kicking off the weekend
10. Favorite flower - Tulips

5 Blogs I am passing this award onto:

Denise @ Denise Moncrief

Erin @ My Nuggets of Truth

Jane @ A String of Pearls

Katherine @ Life with Arie

Trish @ Chickletslit

The Healing Power of Music

            The expression is often misquoted as " Music has charms to soothe a savage beast"  from Playwright/Poet William Congreve's The Mourning Bride, 1697.  The power of music has been recognized to such that we now have certified music therapists.  Did you know that simply handing a teenager a CD has healing powers as well?

     The first Friday of every month is YouthQuake Live.  All three of my kids have been cast members over the last 4 years.  In all honesty we do not attend every show for a number of reasons. First off it is by teens  for teens ~ In other words it is very very loud with music and skits that appeal primarily to teens.  Secondly very often they overfill the venue so seating is usually limited and should be available for the kids. Thirdly until Meg joined the cast Patrick and Emily were never on stage as they were on the Tech Team and kept telling us to not come.  However whenever Meg is on stage we are always there. 

     This past month her team was featured in a video.  She told us we didn't need to be there as we could see the video on line.   I was quite surprised when my phone went off just 30 minutes after the show had started.  "Mom, I'm with the nurse I hurt my knee!"  What? How? She was part of the dance team that got the audience excited at the beginning of the show. The nurse gets on the phone and he believes she has dislocated her knee. Of course this is the month that Patrick wasn't there as his NJROTC team was in Pensacola, FL for National Competition.  Meg wants to stay for the rest of show, claiming that she's fine in a wheelchair with ice on her knee.  I'm walking out the door.

     Ever notice how you are aware of every traffic light and car in your lane when you're trying to get to a hurt child?  I just dropped her off 4 hours earlier and knew exactly how long the ride was.  How is it that the 30 minutes now felt like an eternity?  Why does everything seem farther in the dark?

     By the time we arrive she is surrounded by cast members and adults as she's now in serious pain and the tears are flowing.   On top of being hurt she is also upset as she realizes she can't go to her Bible Study's Beach Party the next day.  With her knee swollen we settle her in the van and head home.   All I want to do is make her feel better NOW; do you want a drink or snack on the ride home?  Then it hits me, I know how to heal her pain, well ok at least distract her from the pain...  I hand her a CD that I purchased over a week ago and left hidden in the van.  Her sobs of pain turn instantly to squeals of joy.  If you haven't heard a teenage girl squeal over a boy band it is something your ear drums will never forget, so consider yourself lucky.

     Remember how I said the ride to get her seemed long ~ well the return ride listening to her One Direction CD seemed even longer.  I'll admit though I preferred hearing her sing along to the CD then cry.  The healing power of music gotta love it!

YQL Sept 2010 Meg dancing for  OutCast

     Thankfully the Orthopedist said she didn't locate her knee but horribly overstretched the ligaments.  She is currently in a knee brace and starting 6 weeks of physical therapy.  She will not be dancing in the May Show.

You shouldn’t have to get mad to get what is fair

            I don’t back down.  If I think I am right I will go toe to toe with anyone.  Today the lucky person to feel my full wrath was the manager at The Orange Box Store *.

     Last Spring we went through a fruit tree phase.   We bought 6 different varities of trees.   We’ve been fertilizing and just generally loving them for the past year.   All but one of our fruit trees have been doing really well.   This one tree finally lost its fight with the last dry spell we had.  But I wasn’t too disappointed as we bought the tree at The Orange Box Store .  Like Lowes, The Orange Box Store offers a one year guarantee on their plants.  With that in mind we leave the store tags on the trees in case something happens.  (Can you see where this is going?)

     In the past I have had to return plants.  I’ve never had an issue.  Return the plant in its pot with tags and you get a replacement, no questions asked.  Having decided to return my dead tree I called over to The Orange Box Store and spoke with the garden manager.  Told him my tree was dead and it still had all of it’s The Orange Box Store  tags on it.  I explained I no longer have the receipt and that I didn’t want a refund just a replacement.  He said no problem, bring the tree in and we’ll swap it out.  I should have gotten his name.

            Today we dug the tree up and headed to The Orange Box Store to get a new tree.  I really have to wonder- do the put the most clueless person at the returns desk?  Seriously if they don’t have any authority whatsoever don’t put them there!!  We explain to the girl (in her tight leopard top-can’t make these things up) about the tree and our conversation with the manager.  Sorry you need a receipt.  Again tell her what the garden manager says, she repeats all this (in a “TONE”) to another girl in customer service who repeats the store motto ~ no receipt no return.  Honestly who keeps their plant receipts for a year?  Never mind the fact that today’s receipts are not printed in ink like the good old days but are actually printed on thermal paper and even with the safest storing methods fade over time.  “No sorry you need a receipt, how do we know you bought that plant a year ago?” 

            Obviously she thought her stern tone would be enough to scare me away.  I replied with one of my favorite lines ~ can I please speak with the store manager?  She calls the store manager, tells her the situation and turns to me and says, the store manager said you need the receipt.  UMMM NO I asked to speak to the store manager can you have her come here.  

            The store manager comes up front and before I can say anything tells me that a receipt is required to return anything to the store.  (Oh yeah this is going to be fun) I explain my conversation with the garden manager.  I also tell her how I have returned plants to Lowes, which is literally right next door, without any problem whatsoever.  This doesn’t seem to faze her one bit.  She stands her ground repeating that she’s sorry but a receipt is necessary.  After five minutes this was getting old.  Feeling like we were losing the battle I start to leave and let her know that this is not done.  I tell her I plan on contacting not only the area manager but the corporate headquarters telling them how this store seems more concerned about paperwork then their customers.  Before we leave I turn one last time to tell her that I am going to write a blazing blog post regarding how this store treats their customers.

-and then-

Mam!?!  Mam!?!  I want you to know that this one time I will exchange your plant.  But please know that in the future if you need to return a plant you will have to have your receipt.  You can go to the back and pick a tree to replace this one with.

Now why did it take me threatening to write a blog for me to get a replacement tree???   Let’s face it when something is returned it goes against the vendor not the store (my husband used to work at Lowe’s so I know how this works).    UGGH SO FRUSTRATING!  Imagine how many people just give up.  I hate that stores and corporations have gotten so big that customer service, real customer service barely exists anymore.  Oh forgot to tell you the tree in question cost a whopping $19.95, imagine if it had been one of the $59.95 trees!

My orchard now is the proud home of a Cherry Tree!!

***So I ran this post by my husband as he was there with me.  He pointed out how I threatened to write a blog and got a new tree yet here I am writing a blog.  He felt it would only be fair if I took the name of the store out, The Orange Box Store was our compromise.  Also in all fairness I did not mention which one it is as there are 4 in our area.