Let's Dish about Customer Service

I am a service snob. When I pay my hard earned money for something, particularly a service, I expect a certain level of customer service for my effort. I'm talking about the kind of service I ALWAYS get at Nor.dst.rom or Sa.ks. Whenever I'm in there, I know that the people are going to treat me right, they are going to go out of their way to ensure my satisfaction, and if there is a problem - they don't fight you, get rude or defensive, or refuse to help you. In all of these years of shopping at those stores, I have always walked away completely satisfied & happy...eager to come back and spend some more.

After my most recent rant about my Di,shD.eli'very from Le.t's Di.sh, I have to come back and give them the Diva Customer Service Seal of Approval.

Let's Review:
I spent an entire day waiting for my goodies and was furious after calling 3 times getting assurances that it was on its way. At 11pm that evening, I went outside to every entrance to the house and looked for my box - no joy. I left a rather hostile message at the local LD and and email. As you recall, I also had a doosey of a day and had 3 other rants.

The next morning, I get ready for work and mention to Ron to keep an eye out for my LD box. He says, "You mean the one I put in the garage?". WHAAAAAAAAAT? R U SERIOUS! Ron proceeds to tell me that the box came around 11 or so and he moved it into the garage (amongst all our other boxes etc) and then forgot about it when he was putting some grass seeds on the lawn. I asked, "Didn't you hear me fussing, ranting & raving about my food delivery last night? Didn't you see me keep going to every door looking for the box?"
He tells me, "Well, no, not really, I wasn't listening, I was watching ________(fill in CNN, History or Discovery Channel or any other news channel that you so choose)"

I swear there are days where my knight in shining armour is not so shiny. Not so much. I could have just killed him. At that moment, I felt like I had a household of people riding on the short bus and I am the bus driver. Kill me now.

DAMN. DAMN. DAMN. DAMN. DAMN. Now Imma have to apologize. Now, I gotta call the store up and let them know all is right with the world and I went off of them for nothing. At 9 am sharp, the moment the LD store opened, I got a call from Chris who started to apologize to me for the mishap and wanted to know if someone would be home cause he had put together a replacement order and would drive it over to my house himself. I ate me a big ole piece of humble pie and told him the story and apologized for being so testy and fierce on my messages. I wasn't rude, just demanding a resolution in a certain amount of time. He told me that he understood my frustration and hoped that I would be back. Of course.

But it was not over. I guess that someone at LD HQ does a Go.og.le search of their company name on a regular/daily basis cause within 12 hours I had this email from Rich the Co-Owner of LD in this region:

Hi Lisa,
I'm the co-owner of Let's Dish! in this region. I received this blog alert early this morning. Naturally, I was concerned and with the help of a number of colleagues, dug into all available info to try to solve your problem. We assembled new meals just to be safe and were prepared to drive them personally to your home. I've since been informed by our GM in Columbia, Chris _______, that you two spoke and that you had your meals and are all squared away. I'm very glad to hear that. Sounds like it was a miscommunication with UPS-- when we do have problems with delivery, which is rare, this tends to be the nature of the problem. If there is more to the story that would help me think about how to avoid these types of issues, please do share with me.

Your satisfaction is our #1 priority and I'm glad you now have your food. I hope you enjoy it. Since I'm writing you anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to tell you a bit about our process and why we do it like we do it.

Rick goes on to explain in detail why they use U.P.S/Fe.d.ex, why the delivery window seems long, and why they did not have more information for me when I called. He even asked for my suggestions on how LD could improve on their system. Rick closes with this:

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have other questions.
Thanks, by the way, for the kind words at the beginning of your blog. We appreciate those-- they made the rest of it easier to take! :) I'm just glad the reality ended up not being nearly so bad. We look forward to serving you in the future.
My best,
Rick
Co-owner

I sent Rick a note back thanking him for his follow up, added my suggestions (giving the customer the tracking number was one) and told him that I would write a follow up.

LD went above and beyond the call of duty, especially when the issue was no fault of their own. I thank you LD and we are enjoying our dinners - in fact, Ron whipped up the Chicken Mole' Burritos that very night and I know they were a hit when my son whoofed down about 3 himself.

To everyone else out there providing products/services - excellent customer is like honey to the fly. It is an absolute must in my book.

Can You Dance Like a 1st Grader?

I thought I could dance, but this little girl had me, hands down, at the split. I'm done.

I'm Pissed at Let's Dish...and other Rants

I have really enjoyed Le.t's D.is.h. I'm a working gal with a house full of people and I still want to be able to bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan for my family as well. I discovered LD where I could spend 2 hours and put together 12 complete dinners for my family and then in 20 min to 30 min fry it up in pan/oven. WhaLa! I can still work (not much longer), fit in some gym time, attend all the school events, lacrosse games, function as CFO for my husband's delio's and manage a sit down dinner with the crew.

Scoff if you want. It is a myth that you can do and have it all with little effort. Sacrifices are made and I do my damndest to hold it together as a family. NEWay...I didn't have 2 hours to put together this months selection, so I did D.is.hDe.liv.ery. My selection was to arrive TODAY! I have called 3x wondering where the HE.LL is my food, DAGNABIT....I kept getting the run around that it will be delivered today. Nobody would give me the freakin tracking number. It is now 11pm and I'VE GOT NO DISH. WTF?!!!! Of course you log on and you get no additional information. No tracking number. Just my order number as if it has already been delivered. Ugggaaaaaaaaahhhhh! Where the heck is that drink!!!!!

Other aggravations in the last 2 days-
1. Outsourcing Technical Support. So, my son's BRAND NEW LAPTOP that he got for Christmas, the Ali.en.wa.re super computer that can play any computer game known to man that required a small business loan to purchase, decided to have a meltdown last night. This time I did not get someone from India on the phone but a guy named Vladimir (no kidding) who sounded like he was being held hostage in Siberia. He walked me through a 2 hour fix. KILL ME NOW! But he could not answer the question on how a computer that is less than 4 months old, crashes just like that. He gave me this long convoluted story that made absolutely no sense and then when I repeated back what he told me and asked if it sounded logical to him, he said, "Well, no really, Mizz Stephoe (WTF), but it iz pozible." WHATEVER.

2. Piss Poor Prior Planning on your part DOES NOT consitute a CRISIS on my part. There is a hospital rep who went on vacation for a week, knowing that she has a dinner program the day after she got back. I get a phone call last night from the freakin' airport asking if she can borrow my In.Fo.cus machine for the program. Sure. If you come get it. "But Lisa, I live an hour and a half from you." Uh Huh. But I have things to do, people to see, appointments to keep. I'll leave it outside for you. If you want it, that's where it will be. She tells me that she will come straight from the airport since it is only 10 min from my house and then she'll go home. She doesn't do it. Leaves me a message this morning about finding a place to meet her today. I ignore the message for 2 hours and call her back to tell her that the machine will be where I said it would be. She whined for a while thinking that I would make arrangements to suit her. Not so much. She eventually came and go it. She knew she had a program, she knew what she needed to make it successful, she knew she was going on vacation. MAKE SOME DANG PLANS. It is not my responsibility to bail you out cause you are trying to pull something outta yo azz at the last minute. Humph!!!!!

3. Don't make promises/Don't write a check - you can't keep/you can't cash. I had another person ask me to help get some textbooks for some doctors. I get them and we have been going back and forth on arranging a time to deliver. Uh Huh. I get a message that this person PROMISED the books at a certain time and needs them "Sooner than Later." WTF? I've told you when I can and can't deliver. Guess what...here is where I will be, when and where. You want them before the dates I gave you, come get em. I get a message back that they are busy on the days I gave to meet me so they will have to "settle" for the original delivery dates I gave. That's Damn Skippy! Humph!!!!

I really just want to BEAT THE SNOT outta somebody. I've counted to 10 and have exhaled.
Anybody else have a day or two where if just ONE MORE PERSON plucks that last nerve you got, you will be a future episode on C.SI and L.aw & Or.d.er?

Resurrection Sunday

The Steptoe's wish you a blessed Resurrection Sunday. We pray that you made the most of this day to reflect on the meaning of salvation and your journey to "resurrect" your life, your relationship/marriage, your friendships, your family. May you all have many blessings.

I Know- It WILL Grow Back

Only in the Steptoe household...I leave the house for a doctors appointment. I leave Cara in the hands of 3 adults and 2 teenagers. It should be no problem, right? WRONG. I'm gone for about 15 minutes and I get a message on my phone with a picture attached from my ADULT daughter. "Ummm, do you notice anything different?".

I look at the picture quickly....I am in the middle of a PT session for my knee and reply "No?". Erin immediatly calls me on my cell and says, "Uh, you don't notice that Cara cut her ponytails off almost to the hair band?" WTF. I take a closer look at the picture and tell Erin, I can't discuss this right now, and hang up.

My Princess Mini-Diva went from this....

to this....

Cara BooBoo Kitty had gotten ahold of a pair of scissors and proceeded to cut off her ponytails. Then she hid the scissors and the hair in her pockybook. I get home and ask my man - the senior adult in the house - what the hell happened? He said he was working in his office and thought the other kids had everything under control. Obviously not. He said he was so upset (cause he had spent so much time learning how to do her hair and to work a flat iron & stuff) that he had to "snatch her up" and make sure she understood about not using scissors. I think "snatched" meant that someone got her behind tagged. I pretty sure somebody got a beat down cause the minute I walked in the door, here comes Cara...."I'm sorry, mommie!" Took the wind right outta my sails.

I give the evil hairy eye to all the other adults & teenagers in my household, mooching off of the government tit. They should have known better. But I have to give it to Erin & Ashley (my "other" daughter), by the time I got home, they had started redoing Cara's hair. Ashley is very good at cornrowing and had started creating a very pretty new style in Cara's hair for Easter. Whew.

It is just hair....It WILL grow back.

LAWD HAB MURCEY

When Re-Gifting Pisses Me Off

My sociopath sister and all of her associates just continually PISS ME OFF!!!!! Ugggggaaaaaahhhhh! My sis sends me a Visa Gift Card for Cara's Birthday. She got it from one of Cara's alleged family members on the alleged father's side (did you follow that - My sisters baby daddy grandmother or godmother or something). Laura told me that they really wanted to do something nice for Cara since I've been so good to her. (What da hellz do you think I would of done?)

So here I am a couple of weeks later at the To.ys.R.U.s website looking for something to get the Princess. NO CAN DO. Card invalid. Ooops, I think, maybe I forgot to activate the card. I go to the card website...enter the numbers....CARD INVALID. I call the 800 number. Well, the card is still valid (in theory), it is just well over a year old and once it went a year without use, then a monthly "bank" charge was assessed at $4.95/month, leaving only about $10 on the card.

WTF?!

The man on the phone tells me that I will have to use the card by midnight tonight to avoid another $4.95 charge and it would probably be best if I added some funds to the card to keep it current.

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!!!!!!

I told the gentleman to just keep the card. It's not worth the aggravation and I'll just my own money. WHATEVER. It is just so typical. So, these alleged relatives have had that gift card sitting in the drawer or their wallet for over a year and since they never got around to using it, they figured they'd give it to Cara as a gift. I know it's the thought that counts and they had good intentions, but the road to hell was paved with good intentions too.

Cara's bio-dad and the family "want to be involved" and "want to help out", then by God, why in the hell don't you SHOW up from time to time. They could have EASILY come to her Bday Party - they knew about it - it was at the FREAKIN Mall!!! They could come to any number of family events - we live in the same dang area! Just go ahead and pluck my last nerve. Why don't you send a money order for that child's tuition and special tutors? Hmmmmmm. Cause in reality, Cara is just an after thought. Not one of you jumped up to fight us for custody. Not one of you showed up at the hearings. Not one of you called, asked questions, NOTHING. These people just irritate the hell outta me.

And this whole gift card thing was just the THE last straw.

I know that my sister didn't purchase the card herself, but it is just SOOOOOOO typical of what would happen when my sister or any of her associates are involved. DRAMA. DRAMA. DRAMA.

And since she is on work release, I can't call her till tomorrow morning (she working at the Burger King 10-3) to read her the riot act. I'm not even gonna bother since I will only raise my blood pressure and she won't even be fazed.

Okay, I got it outta my system. Imma go kiss my mini-diva nite-nite and buy her something anyway.

Building A More Perfect Union

Did you see the speech? If you missed it, I hope you will take a moment to listen to it. Personally, I think it was well done - Presidential - even. I don't believe it was empty rhetoric, as so many of his critics are saying. If you think the man still hasn't done anything and is just a speech machine, perhaps you should take some time and actually research his background, experience and platform. A good place to start is his website, not just the websites of his opponents.

Anyway, here it is in its entirety. I pray you will do you own homework and make up your own mind based on that research. Let me know what you thought.

Grandma's Car Accident

If only I had my own reality show. The drama can't get any better than this very real life stuff.

So, there I am, standing in the Department of Medicine at Was.hin.gton Hosp.ital Cen.ter, trying to make stuff happen when my cell rings. Usually, I don't answer if I don't know the number, but for some reason I answered. It was a Good Samaritan:

Good Samaritan: You don't know me, but my name is ______________ and I'm sitting here with your grandmother waiting for the paramedics. She's been in an accident.

Me: Where are you? How bad is it?

GS: We are at the corner of _____ & ______ and I think she is fine, but we called an ambulance.

Me: Where is the car? How bad is it? What hospital are they taking her to?

GS: I'll let you talk to her?

GMa: OOOOOH Lisa...Lord Jesus....it was awful....he came out of no where....Lord...AH Jesus, have mercy.....

Me (Interrupting)...Grandma! are you hurt? What happened?

GMa: I don't know, baby, my head hurts. Ummmm. I'm sore. Do you think I should stay with the car or go with the ambulance.

Me: GRANDMA! If you are hurt, go with the paramedics. Does the car need a tow?

GMa: (Crying) WHAT DO I DO?!!!!

Me: GRANDMA!!!!!! stop crying. I'll meet you at the hospital. Leave the car. We'll get it later or let them have it towed. I'll be there as soon as I can. Imma call Ron and he'll take care of it.

I call Ron...and he dons his Super Suit saving the day. When he calls me back (as I'm driving like a mad woman to gt back into MD) he gives me the run down....

"Willie was sitting at the light. Another car runs a police officer (unmarked car) off the road and he swerves and hits (more like scrapes) the bumper of Willie's car. No damage, airbag did not deploy. Car is being towed since it was in middle of road. I'll meet you at the hospital."

Breathing a sigh of relief, I slowed down and arrived alive at How.ard C.oun.ty Gen.era.l Hospital. Wile an ER is a necessary evil, I simply hate them. PERIOD. I hate the waiting & waiting & waiting & waiting. I hate being healthy and having to sit with a lot of sick people also waiting to be seen. People bleeding, wheezing, broken, sick to the stomach, feverish, swollen, sweating and so on. Ugggggah. I fidget just knowing that I'm going to have the cooties the next day and since I hate the ER, I'll have to wait to get an appointment to see my primary care provider. WHATEVER. My philosophy with ERs is that unless arterial blood is spewing, a limb is severed, a limb or organ going in the opposite direction than nature meant it to or heart/brain tissue is dying then it can wait. I HATE EMERGENCY ROOMS.

There are A LOT of people here...this is gonna take a while. Ron is sitting and I'm like "okay, what is her status?" For a moment, I thought Ron had taken off his Super Suit, cause he said, "I dunno, THEY said they'd let us know."

WHO THE HELL IS THEY! AND WHEN WAS THAT?

Ron replies, "Good question" and goes to find out. We are immediately ushered back to Grandma Willie. When we find her, she is being interviewed by some poor resident who's 1st language was clearly NOT English. This poor chick is trying to get some info (history, chief complaint, pain scale rating) outta my grandmother. NOT SO EASY. Especially if you run all your words together as one big sentence. "Lord, LEEEEEEEEESA!!!!! What is she saying?" I got this Grandma. I let the pitiful creature ask her questions as this is supposed to be a learning experience for her (called practicing medicine) while I repeat for my Grandmother every question she asks.

A nurse tech calls me over to tell me to let the resident handle it. WHAT!!!!! Don't mess with me. I've been in this industry long enough...don't let me turn this ER on its head. When I slam the brakes on her and start speaking in her language, attitude changes, BUT wait a minute...STOP....1st things first.....how she gonna pay was now the priority of the day. SOOOOOO, I'm rifling through Grandma's purse to find her insurance card. Come to find out Grandma Willie is better insured than probably most of us. She's got Tri.car.e Pri.me, Ma.il Han.d.lers & Me.d.icare. You go girl.
- Living Will/Advanced Directives? - YES
- Power of Attorney for your GMa? - YES

Great - Sign here.

They took her away to do a CAT scan and XRay's to make sure she's A-OK and then we had to sit a wait (well, just me - Ron & Erin went to get Willie's car out of the tow yard-$125/day) IN THE HALLWAY to be seen by a doctor. They actually have monitors on the wall that tell you what "Room" the patient is in, who the nurse & doctor is, the treatment orders (in code so I couldn't figure it out), patient status and my all time favorite - TID - Time in Department. We were in a hallway "room" NSO4 and a TID of 2 hours 53 minutes. (at the time of writing). KILL ME NOW!

While we continued waiting to see the doctor, Willie talked me to death and I sat there nodding while watching the parade of characters. One thing for sure, HCG is not a city ER. It's actually pretty quiet with people just laying around in various stages of waiting.

Occasionally an alarm went off. Nobody came running. Someone got an EKG in the hallway. An old lady kept calling for someone to help her. Eventually a nurse came by.

....AT LAST, the doctor came. CAT scan clean, XRay clear. Nothing broken. She can go home. She refuses the pain killer asking if her arthritis medicine and/or aspirin will be fine. Sure. The doctor humors her while he looks at me to fill it anyway. Just in case.

Ron loads her into the Hummer and I run home to get a drink.

Just so you know...the Sidecar Martini's & Sushi were wonderful...I don't know about grandma, but I'm feeling no pain.

P.S. GMa Willie (after 7 phone calls) is doing just fine. The car only needs minor repair.

Clear the Roads!

Clear the roads out there. Watch out! Jordan got his drivers license today! My little man is has just grown all up. Now my big man can drive Miss Mommie and run me some errands. Gotta love it.

I'm a Black American

I don't need to add any more commentary to his presentation by Smokey Robinson on Def Poetry Jam. He summed it up for me...I'm a Black American...

Matron of Honor Duties -Part 2: THE BRIDAL SHOWER

Yesterday, LisaA. and I hosted a Bridal Shower for our girlfriend Val who is getting married on April 5th at the beautiful St. Regis hotel in DC. We had such a great time. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I think I bruised my kidneys. It was like a family reunion on several fronts. All of us girls that grew up together in Columbia and went to the same elementary, middle and high school were all in attendance (minus Travia who lives in FL) Then there were the bunch of us who at one time or another had all worked (or were still working) at P.fi.zer.

We played Bridal Bingo, Toilet Paper Wedding Dress & the "Find Prince Charming" Scratch off game. I put together a basket of candles (of all different colors representing a milestone in their marriage) and read the Candlelight Poem to Val.

CathyD (my personal trainer/torturer from H.ell) was gracious enough to play bartender for the evening...and yes, all of you lushes went through the biggest bottle of K.et.le One known to man. Cathy hooked up some of the best martini's ever! The girl was rockin the shaker. One of the funniest moments of the evening was when my grandmother leans over to me (acting like she was whispering - but not really) and asks "Lisa, which one of these little girls here was the one that you always fought with in school?" Cathy goes (because g'ma did NOT really whisper), "That would have been me. But we're all grown up now g'ma Willie. We can't even rembember what we were fighting about." G'ma Willie, in her infinite, but uncensored, wisdom says "Well, baby, you guys fought cause you both were so much alike and didn't know what to do about it. Instead of recognizing a kindred spirit, you tried to beat each other down. Glad your friends now." Grandma Willie knows her stuff.

Ron gave a wonderful toast and then we cut another one of my mother's masterful cake creations...and I know it was good when people started to ask for the foil. Then we had the grand finale for the evening...I invited our dance instructor over to give Val & Manny dance lessons, since neither of them had much in the way of dance skills (but at least Val can do the Electric Slide...Manny - no so much). Another classic moment....when Ron comes upstairs to tell us when had to stop stomping (from doing the ChaCha slide) cause we were "breaking the house." You'll see in the video below that we paid him no mind.

You'll also see CathyD & KarenG had had a little TOO MUCH martini cause they took to the dance floor with their rendition of "The Bump". Uh Huh, ladies, ladies this won't look as good at the wedding in cocktail dresses - Not so much. Push away from the table and say No More K.e.tle One for me, Ma!


If the Bridal Shower is any indication of what is going to go down at the Wedding Reception, I'm not sure I have enough memory on my camcorder to capture all the blackmail. Hmmmm. Good Times.

I've Had A Bad Day

I called on one of my major accounts today after doing like some serious pre-call planning and analysis for pull through on one of our products that has a contract signed but needed to check on the status of formulary acceptance and a conversion protocol. After all of that mf#*@@@@@!!!!, I got the major bull shyat run around and basically have about another 3-6 months of work to do. Uh Huh. Kiss my high yella azz. Where is happy hour?

I've had a bad day.....

http://www.glumbert.com/wii/view.php?name=baddayoffice

Princess Cara

It is SOOOO great to have wonderful friends and "Aunties"....I know for a fact that Cara thinks so. A box arrived yesterday from Aunt Val & Uncle Mannie and Cara nearly blew a head gasket. Here is my Princess in her outfit that Aunt Val & Uncle Mannie sent...

Cara insisted on sleeping in her outfit, cried when she couldn't wear the outfit to school today, and immediately put it on when she got home today. A Diva after my own heart.

Amafights/Quixspats - Part 2

To know where I stand before I go on with another MLM rant read Amafights/Quixspats - Part 1.

I'm really pissed off now with all of the drama over Am.w.ay/Qu.ix.t.ar and the Books, Tapes Functions (Tools) business - Especially after I received the following email:

To Free URA Members,

Transition to the Top

Hi everyone,
The UR Association Board and Leadership have been considering the format of the various URA memberships and access to urassociation.com. After seven months of providing complimentary access to the community website, we have decided to discontinue this abbreviated version of access to the website. We want to offer only the best community website where business owners have full access to Events, Education, Videos, Resources, and Photos.

When will the complimentary websites be discontinued?
The website will be suspended on March 1st. We encourage you to upgrade to the basic, premium, or premium plus membership to gain the benefits of being a UR Association Member. Thanks for all you do and keep up the good work!

In other words, unless you pay a minimum of $25.00/month (basic package) and get a few tapes and other business support material automatically sent to each month whether you need it or not, you can't access the organizations website and find out about events or other resources available to you. Uh, huh. I thought (and according to the Business Support Material Agreement everyone has to sign) that the tools of the business were VOLUNTARY. Lies from the pits of Hell. There isn't anything voluntary in that letter.

Like I've said before, STOP lying! JUST STOP THE MADNESS. Everyone knows that there is a side business to this MLM and that is a Tools/Business Support Material Business. A lot of money is made off of new distributors and all of those who don't reach the Profit Sharing (or whatever they call it now...Q12 or something) Direct Distributor Level. All you hear about at business meetings, rally's, functions, night owls, team meetings..blah, blah, blah is about how "the only way to succeed in the business is to learn from the system - read the books, listen to the tapes, attend the functions." BULLSHYT.

I've been a REAL Business Owner/Entrepreneur for 8 years vs 12 years as an Independent Business Owner (MLM) and there ain't nothing independent about it. Basically, what they are telling you is that you MUST read what they tell you to read, listen to what they tell you to listen to, and attend the meetings they tell you to in order to succeed. If you don't, then they (your upline) won't help you. You can't think for yourself, you can develop your own business strategies, you can't pick the books you think would be best to help you succeed - basically you can't do anything without the consent & approval of your upline. Totally different story when you are REALLY in business for yourself - we make our own business decisions, we attend functions/conventions that we decide are relevant and make good business sense, we purchase business support materials when we NEED them, we purchase products & services at a REASONABLE price, we sell products & services at COMPETITIVE prices - that's what is INDEPENDENT. They need to change the name to Independent Business Owner (IBO) to Dependant Business Owner (DBO) cause that is what you really are.

While we still have an active IBO-ship (and we will keep it that way cause we ain't gonna throw away the little bit of change we get each month for building a network over 12 years), I am so glad we are NOT actively building this business. I don't think I could stomach listening to more Bull served up on a silver platter. I'm not gonna give UR Association $290/year to distribute amongst the upline or to whoever just to look at the calendar. At this point, I don't give a rats patootie what is going on in the organization.

And mark my words...I wouldn't be surprised if I get some nasty letter saying that because of my "negative" attitude that they are gonna terminate my IBO-ship. Wouldn't be surprised at all - it wouldn't have been the first time they've done it, no would it. And then I'm really gonna have something to say.

Build a Bear - Cara's 4th Birthday Party

Cara's 4th Birthday Party was yesterday at the Build-A-Bear store in the mall. 17 kids showed up (I really only planned for 12). Cara had a blast and I'm broke. Whew! That was a great party, but I don't ever recall my parents spending that kinda loot on me for parties. It was pizza and cake in the kitchen with a few (max 5) kids. Maybe a slumber party or two, but that's it. No entertainment (entertain yourself), no party planner, no themes (happy birthday is a theme in itself). My mother just shook her head and took pictures. Now it is a major production. Decadent is what I kept thinking.

No matter....Cara had a wonderful time and got lots of annoying toys with little pieces. If I step on one more thing. UGAAAAH!

Surprise Birthday Get-Together

My daughter and husband surprised me with a birthday get together last night with a bunch of my friends and family. I WAS surprised. I thought Ron and I were just going to dinner and when we got there...SURPRISE!

It was so nice...I felt loved....

Happy Birthday! Happy Blog Anniversary!

It is almost 2 years (in March) that I have started blogging. I started my blog shortly after my 40th Birthday after prodding from my girlfriend Terri who said that I should blog about all the wonderful trips and adventures that we (Ron & I) experience. So I started 2 years ago in March with adventures from my 40th Birthday trip to Tahiti. In my life, I've had a lot of GREAT years - very few NOT SO GREAT. While we are only into the 2nd month of 2008, Ron and I are having some bumpy, stressful times right now...not in our relationship, but in our business dealings and sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel seems so far away...so dim.

What I hold onto are the GREAT years. The good times, because the not so great times are fleeting. We may not be able to control every aspect of what is going on right now, but what we can control is our ATTITUDE about it. We may be under a great deal of stress and it seems like the weight of the world is upon us, but if it don't kill us - it WILL make us stronger.

I recite this verse every day (probably several times a day right now) to keep me from going over the edge...."Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12 (NIV)

So, even though things are a little rough right now...it is still my AWESOME 11th Anniversary of my 21st Birthday & my 2nd Blogging Anniversary. Rock On!

I hope you enjoy these videos from another GREAT BIRTHDAY as much as I did....

40 Year in a Diva's Life

Remembering Tahiti

Lunar Eclipse

The last lunar eclipse until December 20, 2010 occured tonight and I managed to capture a few shots with my Canon EOS and a tripod. Not too shabby. It was pretty cool to look at. If I still had a telescope I would have been able to see the rings of Saturn.

Tech Support Rant

The Steptoe Ranchero has just had a bad month of technical difficulties. Check out the latest IT debacle over at my ma's place:

http://sandysprogress.blogspot.com/2008/02/hard-drive-crash.html

It looks like a scene right out of The Terminator...I'm not sure what she is really building over there, but it sure looks like the precursor for Skynet.

21st Anniversary of my 21st Birthday

WOOOO HOOOO! Tomorrow is the 21st Anniversary of my 21st Birthday (and my mother-in-laws too - but more like her 35th anniversary). Just another workday tomorrow but I've been told that I must be ready for a night out on the town on Friday. I am ready for my closeup!

I'm sharing with you a little video ditty that I put together last year. When I started at my new company, we were a whole new division, all new people (just 15 of us) and we were asked to put together a presentation about who were were and what we were about. In addition to my powerpoint with all my vitals, I included this video slide show so the team would know that they had a diva in their midst...Watch out...she may be beautiful, but she does know how to kill.

Happy Birthday To Moi!

The Last Lecutre

Take 10 minutes of your time to watch this video...it will leave you thinking. What would you do? Would you be able to live like Dr. Pausch if you knew you only had a few months to live?

I know that I have been inspired.

My Valentine's Day

My day began with a kiss, a card, flowers and a new purse....

Not too shabby...The purse is just soooo beautiful...and RED - my favorite color.

I then spent the morning with Cara at her Dayton Oaks Classroom for their Valentine's Party. I'll admit right up front that I was over the top with my gifts. Especially for her teachers since I was weak over Christmas. I notices several ooos and aaaaahs going on in the back of the classroom (Bath & Body Works Shower Gel, Hand Sanitizer, Red Massage Hand Tool & Lip Balm, heart box of candy)...yeah, okay...it was all on sale.

Anyway...we made crafts, exchanged valentines and ate snacks. I just love that Cara thinks I'm the "cats meow" and is so excited that I am there. Every time I think that I'm tired or remember that I was almost done with rearing children, she looks at me with those angel eyes and I'm lost.

Ron and I went out to dinner at our favorite haunt...The Iron Bridge Wine Company. The Food is fabulous and the wine - enough said. I gave Ron an David Yurman Thouroughbred Cross Necklace at dinner over our champagne. HE LOVED IT!

A perfect day.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Black History Month Facts - Usual Suspects

In keeping with Black History month, I'm including here a couple of facts about African-American Inventions and Inventors:

1. Sarah Boone's invention is probably in every household in this country. Her invention of the ironing board in 1892 helps people keep their clothes wrinkle-free.

2. On November 20, 1923 the first automated three way stop light was invented by Garrett A. Morgan.

3. Without J.F. Pickering's invention, the air ship (BLIMP), many of us would not know Goodyear.

4. Achieving straight hair without any chemicals was made possible after Walter Sammons invented the pressing comb. (December 12, 1920, Patent #1,362,823)

5. Grandville T. Woods invented the apparatus for transmission of messages by electricity (Patnet No. 315,368 April 7, 1885), the electric railway system in 1892, the roller coster and the auto air brake among many other things.

6. The feminine care ailse has not been the same since Mary B. Kenner invented the sanitary belt. (Patent Date May 15, 1956)

7. Car repairs became easier after John A. Johnson invented the wrench in 1922.

8. P.B Downing and E.G. Becket invented the mailbox in 1891.

9. Benjamin Banneker, a 22 year old African American, became the first person in America to build a clock in 1753.

10. Physicist Robert E. Shurney invented the metal chevrons (or wire mesh tires) for the wheels of the "Moon Buggies" that deflected moon dust away from the astronauts on 1972's Apollo 15 moon landing.

There are 148 Inventions and Inventors as well as 58 List of Firsts in "Your Little Black Book, Vol 1: African American Inventions and Inventors."

FYI - I will be giving this book out to all of our fabulous guests at the February 17th USUAL SUSPECTS EVENT.

The invite has been sent out. Check your mailbox. If you haven't received your invite and want to come play and have a good time, drop me a line at ecomwealth@bww.com.

Don't miss the fun.

Black Knight On Leadership

Our classmate and best friend just started a blog on Leadership. It is great! I hope you will go and check it out....today's entry features a lesson on Focus and going back to the Basics featuring my Knight - Ron.

Recharge Your Energy, Revisit Your Compass

Daddy Does Hair

I just thought this was so cute. Ron didn't like the ends of Cara's ponytails lookin' all crazy, so he decided they need to be curled a little. I told him that I would take care of it and bump the ends with the flat iron. He insists that he needs to learn how to do Cara's hair...."what am I gonna do if your not here?"

So here are some pictures of Ron learning how to press Cara's ponytails and bump the ends....

I love this man!

A Few Good Expenses

If you are in sales, you'll love this one.... YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH....just remember, you CAN NOT expense lapdances & strip clubs.

Personal IT - Part 2

Let's just start off with a good ole Foamy Tech Support Rant (this is a different one).....



Sooooooo, I get a phone call from my daughter.

Child: Ma! Should I buy a new laptop?
Me: Why would you do that. What's wrong with the one you got?
Child: Well, it won't boot to Windows. It gets stuck during the boot process. I can't do anything.
Me: Uh Huh. What do you want me to do?
Child: What computer should I buy?....or Ahhh, can you look at my laptop for me?

Kill me now.

So, she brings it over. After getting the computer to run a diagnostic and my mother and I looking up the error codes that we got, we figured out that either the hard drive has failed or the operating system is corrupted. Another 30 min online at online support, I can't find anything on how to fix the problem myself. We have to call tech support and guess what?....the computer is out of warrenty. We get "Varnum" on the phone and Erin agrees to the $39.00 support fee. We are off. After I convinced him that I have done the 1st 5 things he suggested, he decides to finally look up the 3 error codes that I had already collected.

Guess what? It is not the hard drive. It's the operating system and we only have to reinstall (which means Erin will lose everything on her computer). Erin balks (ARE YOU STOOOPIT). She wants to know how much for them to see if they can recover the PICTURES on her computer. Let's see...$159 just for the tech to look at the computer and then it starts at $100 and up for the recover/backup fee...plus you will be without a computer for 10+days. OR we can reinstall the operating system in 10 minutes and you can download you pictures back off of Sli.de and Fac.e.book....for $39... She saw the light.

It actually took 30 minutes to reinstall, adjust settings, and reconfigure stuff, but she saved about $800 dollars. Didn't offer Mom a dime. Just poured me a glass of wine. Hmmmm.

Saving the world, one laptop at a time.

Primary Election Depression

I have been voting in every elections since I was 18 years old. I have had to vote mostly absentee in the beginning because I was in the military and was hardly ever in my home state. Nevertheless, I have NEVER not voted. NEVER.

I have switched my party affiliation a couple of times as my political bent has shifted during my life, but once again I have NEVER not voted.

Today is the first time in my life that I am contemplating not voting in the primary. WHY, you ask? History is being made...why would you even think about it. This has been the most exciting time in politics in my lifetime and today I learned something new and it hit me like a lead brick....

I got my "Official Election Mail" today with my voting location and all kinds of tidbits of info. Ah, there is a "facsimile of the ballot you will be voting on Election Day" inside. Wow - Imma gonna need to keep this to put in my scrap book. WHAAAAAAAAT THE F____________K! These be the wrong people inside. Who be these people? I don't want to vote for none of these egg heads. WHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!

AAAAAH. Hell to the Naw. This ain't gonna work. I get me on the computer right quick and look me up some dang rules. I go the Maryland State Board of Elections and look up FAQ's...

Q: Must I vote for the candidates of the party that I am registered with?
A: It depends. In the primary election, you are only permitted to vote for candidates of the same party with which you are registered. In the general election, you can vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation.

So, guess what boys and girls. I can't vote for my boy Obama in the primary. As as far as I am concerned, voting for anyone else, just to say I voted is a damn waste. I'm so fugggin' pissed, I want to jack slap someone....like my freakin' self....for not changing party affiliations (which had to be done in Nov07). I'm so sick right now. I've gotta lay down.

I pray to God that Obama gets the nomination. Imma just die. Kill me now...put me out of my misery.

The Biggest Giver!

My fellow alumni (THE United States Military Academy - AKA - West Point) are just doing it large these days.

Angelo Adams, alumni and fellow Department of Admissions, "Project Outreach" Officer, was on Ophra's new show that airs on March 2nd.

You can view the trailer for it here...http://abc.go.com/specials/oprahsbiggive/index
My boy Angelo is the guy at the beginning of the trailer in the bright blue shirt. It goes fast so watch close. He can't/won't tell me anymore, so I don't know if he was "The Biggest Giver" or not. Tune in to find out how he does.

I Feel The Spirit

My friends & classmates, Nate & Walter, need your help....

Dear Fam and Friends,

Back in October, Walt and I submitted one of our songs, "I Feel the Spirit," to the International Song Competition 2007. Well, as of yesterday, we found out that we beat out over 15,000 entries and thus have become one of the finalists!!!!

Over the next 2 months, there will be a panel of judges consisting of top industry executives and artists that will determine the overall winner. However, there is also an award category called the "People's Choice Award," where music fans can vote for their favorite.

You can vote online by going to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm, where you'll see the the list of finalists (we're listed in the Gospel category). At the top of the page you'll see where to click to listen to the song and vote for us. You can vote every day, once a day until Feb 29th.

Thanks alot for making this our SUPER TUESDAY!!!! Hope you enjoy the song!!!

Be Blessed,

Nate and Walt

Check out their song...hope you like it and vote for them.

Super Bowl Fun - Congratulations Giants!

Humanity Redeemed & Some Cheer

This past Saturday, my fellow man redeemed themselves, by coming to my aid. I was on my way into my nieces high school to watch her cheerleading competition when I hit what I thought was a wet patch on the sidewalk. Turns out that it was a big ole ice patch. All I know is that my feet left this earth and I landed dead flat on my back - "THUD"....followed by the back of my head bouncing of the concrete - "WHAK". (At least that was what it all sounded like in my head).
I think I stunned myself as I just layed there for a moment. When I opened my eyes, there were two people standing over me asking me if I was okay, trying to help me up off the ground, sitting with me while they checked to see if I was bleeding and then after all checked out, they helped me into the building. I was so moved by these two stangers expression of concern and help, I was brought to tears. They didn't just let me lay there on the ice while they continued into the line to get into the competition. Humanity Redeemed.

Okay, people...move along, nothing to see.....

So the whole family gathers to watch Charlee (the only niece I don't have custody of) in her Cheerleading Competition. We all gotta see if those tumbling lessons and cheerleading camp fees have paid off.

Charlee's team came in 4th place. We are very proud. Look at my girls....

Are we all Cold-Hearted?

Is it true that my fellow man are, more often than not, a bunch of callous, uncaring, don't-give-a-shyt-if-it-affects-me bunch? I witnessed something last night that has nagged at me since it happened and it just makes me sad.

I was out hosting a dinner for a group of young physicians last night. At about the time we were finishing dessert, in come a bunch of DC Fire Department, Paramedic & EMS personnel. Oh, my - what's going on? This older man (probably in his late 60's) is slumped over in his chair, with his forehead almost touching the table. The paramedics seemed to just be looking at the man, trying to get him to wake up. They pulled out the defibrillator, but ended up not using it. They spent about 10 minutes just "looking at him". Two of the doctors that I was with offered their services to the EMS personnel, but they politely told them that they had it under control and if they need their help then they would call them over. "Please sit down." OOOOOkaaaay.

Finally, they brought in a stretcher and wheeled the guy (still passed out) of the restaurant. Nothing to see, move along.

THEN....the 3 other people who were having dinner with the man who just got taken away to the hospital in an ambulance...SAT BACK DOWN AND FINISHED THEIR DINNER. *Blink**Blink**Blink* WTF. Not one of the people at his table bothered to go to the hospital with the man. Tell me that it is just my crazy self. Tell me that that isn't one of the most callous, cold-hearted things you have ever seen/heard. One doctor at my table, just shook his head and said it is really gonna be hard for the guy when he wake up in the ER with not a friend in sight. Another person suggested that maybe he was their boss and they hated him. SOOOOO WHAT! Even IF I hated my boss, I would at least go to the ER with the person and make sure that someone was called. I'm not saying that I'm gonna sit there all night or anything (maybe I wouldn't go either), but I'd at least make sure somebody gave a damn and then be on my merry way. Is that too "Good Samaritan?"

I just pray that if I was hurt, sitting on the curb, in a restaurant, or where-ever, that somebody would stop and say "Are you alright, Are you okay?....Somebody get help....You'll be fine". Rest assured, this Diva will NOT turn the other way, walk over your bleeding body, or just let your injured self fend for yourself. Lisa WILL get help...you will be fine (or at least in better care).

Call me crazy if ya want. I thought it was cold-hearted and it saddened me.

Personal IT Department

I am Ron's Personal IT Department. I have just spent the last 4 hours FIXING/DEFRAGGING/DE-SPYWARING/REGISTRY EDITING/DELETING/DOING BASIC MAINTENANCE on his MFn' laptop. As much as I love my man...he is that computer idiot that ran away from the computer village. UGGGGGGAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Save me from the madness....

I have told him time and time again that he doesn't need to save the email in 3 different folders as well as the documents attached in triplicate. I have remindhim on numerous occasions to backup his crackberry. I've told him over and over to run the spyware program (even taped a note to his desk). NO you can't store 100GB of photo's on a 50GB hardrive. NO you can't just hit escape and make it all better. NO you can't just close your laptop and walk way when you get an error message and think it will go away. NO Ctrl-Alt-Del is NOT a fix all. Can you say that I am pulling out my hair.

So, this afternoon, Ron calls me on my cell to tell me that there is something wrong with his outlook.

Ron: Lisa, somethings wrong with my laptop.
Lisa: Uh Huh. What seems to be the problem?
Ron: I keep getting an error message when I try to delete something and it keeps sending the same message over and over.
Lisa: And, uh, how long have you had this problem.
Ron: I dunno. This is new but I've had other errors going on too.
Lisa: And you didn't do anything about it?
Ron: Uh, no. It wasn't bothering me much then. This is a problem.
Lisa: And you want me to fix it.
Ron: You're a borderline genius, right? I'll be right home...but can you look at it for me.

Okay. So, I stomp upstairs - like I don't have nothing better to do - and start messing with his computer. First, I look at all the crud he has on the laptop - UNINSTALL. Second, what is all this crap running in the background? - MSCONFIG - STOP those puppies from loading at start up. Ran SPYBOT - removed 44 errors/spyware. Ran AntiVirus software - nothing. Analyzed harddrive - DEFRAGED and removed all unnecessary files. Researched outlook error message on my computer, implemented solution. Ran Fix/Restore for outlook - fixed the problem (at least temporarily). He is back up and running.

While I was doing all this, I fixed martini's for my mother and I, while Ron went to pick up J-Man from his girlfriends house and pick up some dinner.

He thought it was hilarious that he got us food from Akbar - an Indian Restaurant....cause I was like tech support in India. There are moments when a good open palm slap to the mouth need to be rendered expeditiously.

I didn't even get paid. Only a Foamy Rant - Tech Support III could say it better.

The Box Project

The Box Project: Alleviating the effects of poverty in rural America since 1962.

I've been a Box Project Participant for almost 5 years. I am currently sponsoring my second family. I find this program rewarding and am putting this out here for your consideration. I send a box filled with ordinary things....School supplies in August, Thanksgiving goodies in November, cleaning supplies whenever...and we write letters back and forth about our dreams and life. The differences between us...the language...the education level can be shocking, but you manage to find common ground, particularly with the children. I think you would love it too.

The Box Project is currently participating in The America's Giving Challenge. The top 4 charities will recieve a $50,000 grant to continue their work.
This is where The Box Project stands in the America’s Giving Challenge.

As of today the top four charities are:
The 11th Hour Animal Rescue Inc. 1288 donations
A Place to Bark Inc. 1161 donations
Fanconi Anemia Research Fund Inc. 1037 donations
Bubel Aiken Foundation Inc. 691 donations

Our current total:
The Box Project 35 donations

I've enclosed The Box Project History here for your consideration:

Since 1962, The Box Project has been working to help people living in America's worst areas of rural poverty. We seek to alleviate the effects of poverty and increase mutual understanding through direct, people-to-people assistance. With the help of our referring agencies, we seek families who want to better themselves... by getting an education or better job skills, and by working on ways to improve their lives. Sponsors, in concert with The Box Project, provide support for the growth and success of recipient families, with the goal of alleviating suffering and increasing self sufficiency. The Box Project, Inc. is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and all contributions to the organization are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Through our first and most successful program, Family Match, we match sponsors with individuals and families living in rural poverty in America. The sponsors develop long-term friendships, providing encouragement, advice, and boxes of needed supplies about once a month. Sponsors communicate and send letters and boxes directly to the families they are matched with, enhancing the one-to-one experience. As the families come to know each other, trust and friendships grow--providing a positive and valuable experience for both the recipient and the sponsor.

After the success of the Family Match program, we expanded to include additional volunteer match options to help such as: Holiday Match, a match only through the winter holidays; and Community Center Match, which matches a sponsor or sponsor group (such as a church group, or employee group) with a rural community center in one of our recipient areas.
Additional programs funded through donations include our Emergency Fund which provides limited emergency financial assistance to recipient families in times of extraordinary need, a Back to School Fund and an Educational Award Fund providing financial assistance to encourage students to pursue higher education as a means to break the cycle of poverty.
Acquiring an education is one of The Box Project's core values. We firmly believe that education is one of the keys to increasing self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty. The goal of this steadfast commitment is to help remove some of the barriers to education and make a significant impact on the areas of rural poverty that we serve. Visit our programs section to find out more about our services.

As you can see, The Box Project has a long way to got, but there is still time for them to climb to the top of the heap and qualify for that $50,000 grant. Use this link if you are so inclined to make a donation. Do your research and decide for yourself. If you send out this link: http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=109561 to friends and family and then they send it to their friends and family, we're spreading the word about The Box Project to thousands of people across the country. Remember the shampoo commercial that said “I told two friends, and they told two friends and so on and so on”? Word of mouth is the best way for people to learn about what The Box Project does for people in poverty.

The Box Project sent this offer to well over 1200 of their current supporters and friends and families. Think about it…if every one of those people donated just $10.00, they would be in one of the top four slots with a clear shot at one of the $50,000 grants – money they could use to make a huge difference for families and individuals living in rural poverty in America.

Just Food For Thought....

LTC Greg Gadson '88 - Giant's Inspirational Co-Captain

His name is Lt. Col. Greg Gadson and he used to wear No. 98 for the Army football team and was with the Second Battalion and 32nd Field Artillery, on his way back from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade when he lost both his legs to a roadside bomb in Bahgdad. It was the night of May 7, 2007, and Lt. Col. Gadson didn't know it at the time because he couldn't possibly have known, but it was the beginning of a journey that brought him to Lambeau Field Sunday night.

He was there as an honorary co-captain of the Giants, there on the sideline at Lambeau because this Giants' season has become his season now and he wasn't going to watch from some box. This is a Giant at the Super Bowl worth knowing about, as much as any of them.

"Me being a part of this team," Gadson was saying Monday night from his home in Virginia, having made it back there from Green Bay, "really starts with the team I played on at West Point."

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/01/22/2008-01-22_lieutenant_colonel_greg_gadson_is_giants.html

Usual Suspects - The Video

We is crazy. Ya gotta see the video. Check out the little girl who rolled up on CreoleInDC...dang skippy you was tazed!
*insert sinister laugh here*
http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/2008/01/the-usual-suspe.html

Usual Suspects - Laser Tag

The Usual Suspects crew was at it again. This month we played Laser Tag. Why ya gonna take a Diva who still occassionally has flash backs back to her days in the Army & Jungle Warfare Training out to play with a gun...even if it is just a laser gun? WHY? I got all into it and was really disappointed when they had rules and whatnot...No Running...No Physical Contact...WTF? How am I supposed to take that little 12 year heathen, Megan, out if I can't knock her out. Yeah, we had a bunch of young people playing with us and let me tell you...it was a good thing that they had dem rules cause I was all ready to go Rambo on some rugrats.

I did have a moment (or two) in the "Hall of Briefing" - what is up with the no flash camera rule? Safety monitor said that the flashes could cause seizures. WHAT? And the flasing red lights on the gear wouldn't? Hmmmmm.

Anyway, I had another wonderful time with the Usual Suspects. I about to have a stroke with planning February's event...what to do, what to do....I should have picked June.

A Girl & Her Daddy

Cara got a Dora ATV for Christmas. At first she was scared of the thing, but then Daddy took her outside and walked with her while she tried it out and then let her pretend that she was catching him/running him over with her ATV. She loves the thing now and I can't keep the battery charged fast enough for her. I finally pulled a clip off the camcorder of Ron & Cara playing together in the yard.

Ya gotta love it....

Grip Hands...A Benefit for The Houston's

Friends & Family,

I wanted to share with you a story about our friend, classmate, groomsman, co-captain on Army Basketball team (someone instrumental and a cornerstone in our lives) - Kevin & Liz Houston. Kevin and my husband played Army Basketball together at West Point from 83-87, and Kevin was a groomsman in our wedding. We have been family friends for over 20 years.

I just received this message from Kevin's brother-in-law and our classmate, Jim Gagliano...

Kevin Houston, is currently dealing with an incredibly difficult set of circumstances, in that his wonderful wife (highschool sweetheart), Liz, has been stricken with an insidious disease (scleroderma), and has been bravely battling its ravages since 2003. The undeniable strain---financially, physically, and emotionally---has taken its toll on both of them. I felt compelled and find it absolutely appropriate to post this missive to our class-wide distribution list, along with the directions, for those interested, to a special website set up with the intention of raising funds for them at www.friendsoflizandkevin.com. This site contains information regarding an upcoming local benefit, as well as alternate means to make a donation if any, or all, are so inclined.

We all knew Kev as more than just the superstar basketball player he once was, and some of us are still lucky enough to share his company and continue realizing what a unique and special person he is. He's been a great partner to Liz and a wonderful father to three incredible kids. He and Liz are a special "team" and share a unique partnership that almost defines loyalty and one-of-a-kind relationships. Liz, to the many of our classmates who have been blessed to know her, is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and through all the difficulties presented by the disease, has managed to keep her lovely smile and motherly tendencies as she rides herd over her household and half the neighborhood's kids, as well. Never having been one to seek the limelight or attention, Kevin and Liz have eschewed the publicity and fanfare these efforts typically engender, but support this effort by their friends and family that so desperately want to assist them through these difficult times.

This ad hoc consortium of benefactors has been or chestrated and coordinated by local folks (Kevin and Liz reside near West Point in the New Windsor area), as well as friends and family from Pearl River, New York, where they both grew up. The aforementioned link contains information about the 3/1/2008 Benefit, as well as background on their situation and details about Liz's disease. Read it and you'll find yourself motivated to help out.

Please, if at all possible, help get this circulated to as many of our difficult to reach classmates, as possible. Directions on how to respond in order to lend a helping hand, if so inclined, are detailed at the website. I think the below quotation, famously articulated by E.W. Howe and 'preached' to me in various forms by my dear Mother over the years, aptly applies:

"If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there's anything you can do. Think of something appropriate and do it."

Thanking you all, in advance, for whatever assistance you can provide, whether it be financial support, or simply keeping Kevin, Liz and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

Best regards,
James A. Gagliano ("Gags")
c/o '87 company G-1

www.friendsoflizandkevin.com

I know most of you in the blogosphere barely know me, let alone some strange family from New York, but rest assured Kevin & Liz are everything that Gags said they are in his letter. Ron and I are going to the benefit. PERIOD. DONE. We are going to do what we can to support them both emotionally and finacially. We know and love them.

After visiting their website, if you are moved - buy a raffle ticket. I would so appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and you will be supporting a wonderful family. I nothing else, please add my friends Kevin & Liz to your prayers.

"Service to All Mankind"

Tommorrow, January 15th, my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha celebrates its 100 year anniversary.

I pledged grad chapter (Mu Delta Omega Chapter, 1988) at my first duty station in Ft. Knox, KY and my Big Sister, Pattey, became my BFF - FOREVER.

(Don't even bother getting your panties in a bunch about pledging grad chapter - I pledged the ultimate fraternity/sorority - THE LONG GREY LINE - at West Point for 4 years before I could even think about pledging AKA)

Happy 100th Birthday to all my fellow Sorors with a special shout out to my Big Sister, Pattey; my fellow West Point Alum Soror DebbieW; and my other Diva's AnissaW, MarshaA, SamanthaS....if I forgot ya...holler at me.

Lose Weight in 2008

Phat & Fabulous - A bunch of 40+ women, saving the world and losing weight one pound at a time.

Tune in to the continuing saga of these SuperWomen:
Wonder Woman
Warrior Princess
Storm
Polly-isha
Hot-Tamale
Swaz
...and a few who will remain unnamed since they bout to get exiled for violating rules (non-participation=lack of accountability). Woman-up.

Enjoy the journey.

On Being Supportive

My husband is an entrepreneur, a business man...as far as I'm concerned he rocks the world. He works hard...sometimes too hard (GET OFF THAT CRACKBERRY FOR A MINUTE!), but he always gets the job done. He is a partner as well as President & COO of a Real Estate Development Company and an Asset Management Company - Chief Cook & Bottle Washer - my man hustles. And I'm always there, standing just off to his rear right, one step behind "being supportive".

What does that mean - "being supportive?" My friend, CreoleInDC, posed that question about a month back and I've been mulling over it ever since. I've heard it a lot during my marriage to Ron. I've always been slightly amused by that statement - what else would I be? I knew back when I was dating Ron, that he was a man of vision and purpose. Now I could either join the team or politely move on. I knew then, as I know now that I had a MAN, a WINNER and I wasn't about to "move on" to something less. I saw potential and I was going to work with it.

I (and my mother) recently received this email from my husband after he successfully finalized a Joint Venture agreement with a Caribbean Island (it will remain nameless until that government releases the press agreement) to build a resort and recording studio there:

"Lisa and Sandy,

This contgrats and thanks is specific to you. (he was referencing a congratulations note that when out to all the partners).

Thank you both for your support and love over the years, but in particular over the past 3 years. It was December 2004 when the journey began for the Federal Owens team to develop a world class resort in the Caribbean. There have been many ups and downs on this journey and I truly appreciate you both for allowing me the freedom and latitude to work as I have.

The majority of the day to day negotiations and operations on the Federal Owens resorts rest on my shoulders during the pre-development phase. The team has several million dollars invested in our Caribbean model; thus the high risk - high reward. Again, I know at times I can be quirky about being on the phone, computer, and blackberry. Many will never know the sacrifice of time you made supporting me. However, your sacrifice will be a blessing to so many lives in the future. the finalization of the _________ project with the attached documents validates Federal Owens efforts and capacity.

Again, I thank God, you, and the children for all that you do and being the perfect family for me. I love you."

Wow! But his note got me back to thinking about CreoleInDC's question...What does it mean to be supportive...to be a supportive spouse? Well, I went to the source - I asked Ron what his thoughts where. What does he consider "being supportive". Of course, Ron looked at me and said "You, and everything you do to make it possible for us to be a success." Scrunching my eyebrows together, I asked him to give me more.

I could tell he wanted to just eat his spaghetti in peace while reading his Crackberry, but he exhaled and humored me with, "Well, I'll tell you what it ain't".

It is not:
1. Always saying what I (Ron) can't do, shouldn't do. You (Lisa) might ask me valid, intelligent, reasonable questions about my ideas but I've never heard you tell me that I can't do it. You may have great suggestions for improvement or tweaking but never just downright discouragement.
2. Killing my dreams or the vision for our family. You wanna destroy your spouses confidence, destroy his/her dream.

Then he got into the swing of it, moving his Crackberry off to the side...
"Lisa, I can't give you a list, I just know what it is when I see it. You have been a living example." So here is a list of some of the things I did over the years that he considers "supportive." (I'm quoting him as fast as I could take notes in shorthand)
1. When I decided to build a Network Marking business, you weren't really into it and never really were, but you didn't fight me (too much). You let me go to meetings, you let me show the plan to God knows how many people, you processed orders, you drove miles to pick up products, you were mother, business partner & friend to every distributor I brought in the house. You did all of our books and kept us financially solvent - AND when it came time for me to see the light - that we needed to move on, you figured out a way to explain the necessity of it in terms that would hit home for me - WHERE IS THE MONEY?

2. When I branched into residential real estate, you went to the seminars with me, read the same books that I was reading and after I lost my mind and bought 9 properties within 2 years and the numbers weren't gonna work to have a separate property manager - who stepped up and volunteered to do the property management. You did. Do I need to say more?

3. When WE decided that both of us couldn't work a full time job and nail this development project down, you were the one who said it had to be me even though you are an partner with me in all of our companies (no other wife on the team is a partner - let me remind you). You would keep working for a while till everything was in place. I know you are tired, I know you hate it, but just hold on baby, we are almost there. And I have enough confidence in you to know that you will.....

4. You always say that Love is an action verb...well, I also believe that "Being Supportive" is an action verb. As a team, you gotta be in it to win it.

"Lisa, when I come home, I don't have to fight you on every decision I make. I don't have to brace myself for an argument over a bill, a tenant, whatever. I come home (or come out of my office - laughing at the irony of the fact that he works out of a home office) because I know you got my back. I have no worries. And I guarantee you are going to have and do all the things you ever dreamed of for that support."

Ron: "Does that answer your question? "Can I go watch CNN now?"

Lisa: "Yes, dear"

And with that, the matter was closed. I am a supportive wife and I love it.

Work Release Program

Sooooo, my sister is now in the Work Release Program through the Maryland Divison of Corrections:

The Work Release Program enables inmates who have demonstrated positive work ethics in the Division of Correction to work for a private employer in the community.

The Work Release Program is highly structured with supervision requirements that help the offender to be successful as he/she attempts to bridge the gap between incarceration and return to society.

Inmates often learn skills or acquire trades enabling them to maintain jobs when they return home. The Work Release Program is an important tool in reducing recidivism as work release employees are strongly motivated to succeed in any position they are offered.

Guess where she is working? Burger King down the street from the Detention Center. I'm glad that she has got a job, but my long term concern is that Burger King is not going to enable her to survive on her own once she is released. The family subsidy program will have to be re-instated in order for her to stay off the streets and out of jail.

The initial "Get Prepared for Your Job" investment came to about $400+. My sis got a 2 hour pass to go to the store (My (our) mother, picked her up and took her to Walmart) and get stuff for the job. $350 dollars later and she had pants, shirts, underwear, makeup, pajama's and other sundries that, since she is now in work release, she can take with her back into the detention center. Mom also got her a $50 cell phone top-off card so she could stay "in touch" with the family, prison & job while she is working. And then I had to top off with $50 on her Correctional Billing Phone line (the phones inside the prision - cause you can't use your cell inside). So, why or why do you still call my house COLLECT (.87 cents/call)?

Sis wants me to come on down to the Burger King so she can "hook me up". Have you lost your ever lasting mind? Besides the fact that I don't eat fast food, I do NOT want her to parade me around the BK introducing me to all of her co-workers and manager. And that is exactly what she will do. Not so much. No. I had to tell her don't mess with the "hook ups" and lose your job because of it. Just don't go there. Don't do anything to jeopardize your job and land you right back in general population.

Anyway, after over 20 years of dealing with sis, I gotta be careful. I've learned the hardway on too many occassions that while she's grinning in your face, being all sisterly and whatnot that I've ended up with something missing. I've ended up with a police officer in my house trying to execute a warrent for my arrest because my sister was using my driver license and name as her own. I've ended up with checking accounts drained dry, equipment missing and then sold...the story goes on. So my not wanting to spend a lot of time hiding my purse and clutching the jewels, is why I'm reluctant to visit her anywhere...including her job. My turf, my rules...I run the game.

I wish her luck with her new job. I pray that this works out and is start of her "return to society" as a legal participant. We will see.

Ikea Addict

I am an Ikea Junkie. I admit. I love that stuff. I've build an entire walk in closet including the flooring (myself - yes I have my own toolbelt), my mother's entire kitchen (well, I didn't mount the cabinets myself), shelving, Cara's bedroom, and all kinds of little things here and there...all from Ikea.

I can roam through that place for HOURS getting ideas and finding little things to add to the collection (I had ludded the Marketplace). Anyway, I stumbled upon this blog called the Ikea Hacker. Ya gotta check it out. Some interesting recreations, some complete junk but it's fun. Check it out.

We Had Visitors....

The Pollhein's Came a Visiting....
http://homeatlastfarm.blogspot.com/2008/01/family-trip.html

The Lemon Drop Martini's were definitly on point. I also made Sidecars - I'll get the recipie for ya later. Yeah, we put away some adult beverages.
Ma' Shrimp Scampi was the bomb - not even a scrap left.

Great and Awesome Friends...The ONLY people I know on the face of the earth that can visit with FIVE children and I not want to shoot myself in the head within the first hour.

Terri even got up at the crack of dawn (no kidding, like 5am) and completely cleaned the kitchen, even hand washing the pots and pans. When I finally dragged myself out of the bed to join her (I usually can't do earlier than 6 or 7), she was fixing me a cup of coffee. WOW! and WHEW! I needed it.

Back to work...BUMMER.

And My Spirit Died....

I was visiting "And So It Is Live" and read the post "And My Spirit Died". WHY, OH MY LORD, WHY did I not heed her warning to NOT watch that video. Curiosity WILL kill the cat and it bout nearly killed me. I ran screaming and crying from my computer. I AM NOT KIDDING.

Just don't do it. Just don't. There is absolutely NO reason to view it. DO NOT EVEN SEARCH FOR IT. Be satisfied with the reaction videos, if you just want to know.

(on my knees)...Lord, I beseech thee to remove the vision from my head.

FIRED UP!!!!

Is anybody else fired up! GO OBAMA. Spanked that bootie in the Iowa Caucuses. The Hilster is gonna need all the "enthusiasm" she can get (I'm listening to her speak right now) from here on cause my boy is got her on the ropes. I am so thrilled...how bout you?

Celebrating a New Year