It's contagious!

I've been uber busy this past week - oh, I'm not complaining - it's fun stuff - seeing out of town family, filling jewelry orders, making new jewelry, doing massages, etc., etc.; but, sorry to say, there's not always enough time to do everything I want, so I haven't had time to blog. I have had such a frustrating ongoing situation this week, though, that has made me stop and think about how I deal with other people. I won't bore you with all the details, but I had to deal with someone clear across America with a financial business problem. This person called me at home on Saturday afternoon, and was snotty and not helpful. I'm rather ashamed to say, I got snotty right back. I was right and finally vindicated today - however, I realized how I almost instantaneously responded to her attitude with exactly the same. Now, given the chance to react again to this same person on the phone on Monday, I did have enough wherewithall to breathe in, realize that going down this path was profiting me nothing, and I switched roles - I became nice, apologetic, etc., (as if I was, in fact, the customer service rep) and I saw her attitude soften just a tad. In the end (today) I had to conference call her with another person from her company, and, just as a sidebar, she was the nicest person in the world when we were all three on the phone. All of that aside, I realized again how our world has changed - when I held my first part time job at the Karmelkorn shop in the Pekin Mall when I was in high school, we were told, "the customer is always right". "Be nice". "Speak kindly". "Listen to what they have to say". Those words could use to be heard by customer service people again, I think. Also, I got a little insight into myself - I don't like to be told what to do; I don't like to be told I'm wrong when I know I'm right; and I don't like to be snipped at - for any reason, plain and simple. Hmmmm. This final thought - I didn't like that I reacted at her level and became snotty - in the end, she had shown me who was the snottiest and tied up my money all week long - I suspect just because she could. Next time (and I hope there is no next time), I hope I can take that breath and not react but calculate my appropriate response to however I'm being talked to.

Do I Just Think Weird?

Recently I heard a story on the radio. Let me preface these comments by saying I only know the details given by the radio announcer, so there is alot of information left out of this story. Let me also say that this story did illustrate the announcer's point, but, well.....let me just tell you then you decide if I just think weird!

The announcer's point was that our lives can change in just a second of time. He told a story about a man who died and, in his will, hired a private detective to find his brother and let him know he was the heir to the dead man's estate. It took the private detective 2 months to find the brother because he was homeless - pushing a grocery cart down the street with all his belongings. Now the announcer's point was that this homeless man's life would now change in the blink of an eye - he could buy a home, buy clothing, take a shower, etc., etc., etc. We don't know why the man was homeless or what had transpired between the brothers previous to the first brother's death.

Here was my thinking - how sad. Have we come to this point? You can have what I no longer need because I'm dead? I was sickened to think that one of my brothers or any relative (or anyone I know, actually) would be homeless and have no one to do anything about it. Maybe I'm thinking weird, but, really - why can't we all help each other now, while we're still alive? Have we all become so self absorbed that we can't see outside ourselves long enough to assist another? Maybe you don't know anyone who is homeless - I really don't either. But I'm sure you (and I) could find someone who would appreciate a little support and help in this world full of hardships. Set a goal to find someone today and help them out a little - one way or another.

Second blog!

Today I am starting my second blog. Whew! Who would have ever guessed? This second blog is dedicated totally to my new found hobby (therapy) of making jewelry. This well be the venue by which I sell my jewelry currently - that may progress and evolve, time will tell. But for now, you can view the pieces on my blog, contact me with orders or questions, and we'll go from there. I am pretty accessible by phone, e-mail, facebook, or by commenting on the blog. This new blog will contain pictures of what's currently available, prices, information about shows I'm going to, etc., etc. I welcome your suggestions, comments and help, so feel free to communicate with me. The address is www.soothingmomentsjewelry.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!

Jewelry!

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile - been busy making jewelry. I decided, rather last minute, to have a table in the craft section at the Tremont Turkey Festival last weekend. It was alot of fun. Jewelry making is just kind of a hobby of mine - it's kinda therapeutic. But, let's be real - one necklace and two wrists can only wear so many necklaces and bracelets in one lifetime. So I've decided to sell some of my creations. I may display at some other shows or festivals and am considering making an extra facebook page and an extra blog, just to display the pieces and let people order. Also on tap are plans for some "cash and carry" jewelry parties - food, laughs, and fun while purchasing. That's where I've been and what I've been doing. The Turkey Fest was fabulous - unbelievably fantastic weather, seeing old and new friends, eating turkey, corn dogs and strawberry shortcake - ahhh! Life is good.

Feather Extensions

We girls went to get feather extensions put in our hair on Saturday. What's the purpose? Decoration? Maybe. But more than likely, it was to do something inexpensive and fun together. Here's a few pics - don't we look beautiful?