A Few Good Men

So, to compliment my beautiful new basement, I purchased a funky contemporary kidney shaped couch from Craigslist. This bad boy was almost nine foot long. I thought nothing about how to get it in my basement. I just knew I wanted it. I bargained and received it for a wonderful price. I called up my bud Will who has a truck. My friend Brian joined us and we headed to Lake Forest. We took it out of their walk-in basement. This sucker took three of us just to carry it to Will’s truck.

Upon arriving at my house, Will and Brian looked at all my doors. They scrunched up their noses. It won’t fit in that door they said. Probably not that door either. They talked about taking a door hinge off to make it work. I became worried that I’d just purchased a sofa that I wouldn’t be able to use.

We moved it in and out of the sitting room in the kitchen trying to get it at a good angle. That didn’t work. We moved the dining room table. No, still won’t fit through the basement door. We were finally barely able to fit it into the door and then it completely stopped. Will stood at the foot of the basement stairs and Brian and I pushed. Nothing. We pushed again. It budged a little, then it stuck. Brian said, WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY! We continued to make small pushes and the sizes of the basement door started to creek. Who cares, I thought. I need this sofa. Finally we had the right push and the sofa made its way down the stairs.

But wait. Now down the stairs, it had to turn to fit into the actual basement. After several more minutes of brainstorming, Will figured out the perfect angle to fit it on the floor. We put the legs back on and put the sofa in a place that it will stay for the rest of its life!

Will and Brian never gave up on helping me accomplish my goal. When something didn’t seem to go right, they made a new plan and continued to improve. Some of our pushes were small, but in the end it contributed to great success. I walk into my new basement and love what I see. Thank you, thank you, thank you Brian and Will!!

I Love Me Some HH Gregg

I finally decided to join the flat screen family and purchase a tv for my basement. I’m one of those people who will do a lot of research before purchasing anything. Consumer Reports listed Samsung and Sony as the top LCDs and Panasonic and Samsung as the top plasmas. I looked online at various sites and found a good priced tv at HH Gregg.

I decided on a Panasonic plasma since it would be in the basement. I asked my salesman Ron about some sales that were going on and price matching. I saw one at Best Buy for a great price. He said it was for a 780 model instead of 1080. No problem, now need to figure out a size. The 50” looked amazing and the 46” was great, but saved me a little money also. Hmmm… what’s a girl to do? Ron told me that most people get a 42-46” and a 50” would be big time. Makes sense. So, I decided to downgrade and get a 42” tv.

I was happy with my purchase, loaded it in the back of my SUV and went on my way. Once I arrived home, I started surfin’ the net. I just decided to look up the 46” on Best Buy. I noticed that the 46” was only $100 more than the 42” at HH Gregg. I was right!!! I would have definitely paid only $100 to increase the size.

So, I called HH Gregg and spoke to Tim, a manager. I explained that I just left HH Gregg about an hour ago and found the Best Buy price online. I told him how much I wanted the 46” instead. He said they’d match the price and to come back. I rapidly put my shoes back on and went out the store.

Ann was working Customer Service and I told her what just happened. She looked the price up for Best Buy online and said they only match the price if Best Buy has the product in stock. They no longer had any available. What!!!!? I told her that I just got off the phone with Tim and he said they would match it. She said that was fine and gave it to me for the listed price. Yes!!!! She called back to the warehouse and asked them to bring the 46” to the front. Two guys came to the front and said that they too were out of this tv. Oh no!!!!

We all looked at each other with a confused look and Ann called Tim to come to the front. I put on my Yeager smile and Ann told him what had happened. I told Tim I appreciated all the help they’d done so far. Tim looked my way and said “just give her the next model up for the same price”. Bless you Tim!

Although I left with a beautiful upgraded flat screen TV, the thing that stays in my mind is the customer service. It started with Ron working with me for two days to select a tv. Then there was Ann who was so calm and understanding behind the customer service desk. Tim, the manager, made it all work and let me know they really care about the customer. And the warehouse guys carried the tv toward my car and sent me away with a smile.

Customer service truly is a team effort and I definitely drove away pleased!

Heel Yeah!

I’m the type of shopper that will get in the mood to buy a certain item of clothing and will visit several stores in search of it. Several weeks ago, I wanted a simple black dress. Then I was in search of a new sweater. My most recent quest was for some black Ugg-style furry boots. I started at Zappo’s but came up empty handed. From there I headed to TJ Maxx, only to end up at Off Broadway shoes.

I instantly walked to the shoe section, and standing there was my friend Joanna Rodgers. I first met Joanna’s family when I lived in Mallgate Apartments. Her sister, Kathryn, and I went to EduPlay (the pre-school that was in the complex). Kathryn, Joanna and I would go on to attend St. MAM (the after school program) during Elementary School. The Rodgers family started me in gymnastics. Kathryn eventually stopped taking lessons and Joanna transitioned into ballet. I remember her being oh so graceful!

In my growing years, the Rodgers family became an integral part of my life. I remember all the overnights we had together. They made me a part of their family. There were even holidays that I would spend to them. Thinking back, although I was the only drop of color in the family picture, everyone treated me just like a part of the family. Even their dog, Jenny B, welcomed me with open arms.

I used to always run into Joanna when I would go on dates to Macaroni Grill. I love Italian food and more times than not she’d be working. But she no longer works there and it had been several years since our paths crossed. To randomly run into her at the store brought back a flood of memories. Stories of my development and molding. Joanna helped me remember I that I am the person today to a compilation of a plethora of experiences and people. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the Rogers family!

Hook Up The Chops

I started training again for my next competition, so my eating choices are very slim. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was supposed to fly out at 7:00am the next morning for a conference. I didn’t want to cook too much, because it would be wasted food that I’d end up throwing away. I decided to order steak or seafood from somewhere. I remembered some great food I’d had at Lonestar so I looked up their nutritional information online. Yeah, some of it was pretty high in calories and carbs.

However, the pork chops were decent in nutritional value. I called me friend TJ that works at the restaurant asking what the sides of the day were. I asked him to put my order in and said I’d come in a pick it up. When I arrive, TJ and I talked sports and small talk. It was great conversation. When my to-go order came I reached for my purse to pay and TJ said, “Don’t worry about it.”

That made my day. Not only was the meal free, but the pork chops had the most amazing seasoning on them. I learned that it is not always strangers that can make your day, sometimes it’s just the simple gesture of a friend.

In Line at Target

Target has to be one of the best places to visit. You walk in the store for one thing, and come out with everything else! On this day, though, I was on a mission. I only needed three things, well really four but they didn’t have the forth item. The line for 10 items or less was not open and there were rather long lines for all of the others.

I was fine to sit and meditate while waiting in line and stood behind a woman with a lot of items. She looked over at one of the other lines and saw a clerk with a short line – however his light was off signifying he was still on the clock. She pointed to him and suggested I head to that line, but I told her it looked like he was ready for a break and I didn’t want to inconvenience him. So we stood in line.

When it came time for her to check out, she turned around and said “Go ahead, honey, you only have three things!” Really? I asked if she was sure. She said yes. That simple gesture made me feel wonderful. I turned around and told her about what I was doing and that she was the first person for me to honor. She smiled, open her arms and gave me a warm embrace.

So now we have two complete strangers hugging in the middle of Target acting like old friends. I didn’t get the woman’s name and may not recognize her if I see her again, but the memory will last a long time!