I am going to take this quiet time to share 2 experience....life lessons if you will. Settle in folks. I promise a cookie recipe if you make it to the ending.
Life Lesson #1
Be Courteous and Kind....100% of the Time
I never find it to be a shock when I am asked, "Do you work here?" It happens quite frequently when I am out and about at different stores and normally I am more than happy to tell you, "No, but what are you looking for? or "No, but the toothpaste is down that isle." I don't find it difficult to be friendly to strangers. In fact, if I were as friendly to random strangers as I am to people approaching the front desk at my work, I would be the best receptionist ever. Must just be the fact that I will never see the strangers again, but at work I will see them 3 times a week....sometimes for 8-10 weeks. Good first impressions don't come easy for me.
Anyways, about 3 weeks ago, after dropping something off to Anthony at his work, I found myself with some free time before I was to be to work. I drove out to Riverton and stopped in Down East to use the rest of a gift card. As soon as I walked in I realized that I was grumpy. As I walked around the store, I was asked by the same employee how I was, if I needed help, and if I was looking for sometime in particular. After being asked the 3rd time I wanted to punch her in the face and sternly ask if she had short term memory loss. Lindsey, just find something and get the heck out of here!
As I picked up an item that interested me I was interrupted by a middle aged couple. "Do you work here?" I promptly responded to the lady with a quick, NO!" Scarf wrapped around my neck and purse in hand should have been her first indicator that I in fact was not a paid employee.The woman seemed confused and then said, "Are you sure? You look like you work here." Seriously? Did this lady think really think I would lie to her. I gave a snotty chuckle and without even looking at her I said, "Uh yeah, I don't work here."
I walked away feeling annoyed but also disappointed in myself. I couldn't pin point why I was so grumpy but there really was no reason to take my frustrations out on this woman.
I purchased my items and drove to work. The day wore on and my mood didn't improve much. Patients came and went and I was startled when a patient walked in the door and immediately said, "I knew that was you." I looked up and said, "I'm sorry, what?"
She then explained to me that she was the lady at DownEast and she knew that she knew me from somewhere, thus thinking I worked there.
I could feel the heat rise in my face and I stumbled over my words..."Oh! Hi! Yeah.....People always think I work places....I must have one of those faces...I got a shirt..."
There was no recovering. Not only did I sound ridiculous but I felt awful. She was one of the sweetest ladies and now she knew....She knew that my chipper and friendly demeanor at work was a facade. I must put on a show at work, and as soon as I get into the world I become this monster that can't even answer a quick question about a clothing item that may or may not have been on sale.
I have seen this patient every other day for the past 3 weeks since the incident and I still cannot get over it. What are the odds? The one time I chose to be unfriendly was the one time I run into a patient. Also, did I mention that she is great friends with the owner? Perfect.
Be nice to people. All of the time. It isn't that hard of a thing to do. But it can make a huge difference. I know it would have been a completely different outcome for me in this particular incident. Instead of having a sour feeling whenever she comes in, I could have gotten to know her better while at the store, thus helping me communicate better with her at work. I wonder what she thinks of me and I wish I had the courage to truly apologize to her, but instead I suck up and act completely cheesy and sweet when she comes. The moment has passed, I lost out on that opportunity, I feel.
WE INTERRUPT THIS MESSAGE FOR BREAKING NEWS:
Meaning I have a new picture of the house:
**Please let me know if you are absolutely sick of hearing about it. I get it.
Life Lesson #2
Love yourself. It isn't worth the hardache.
I struggle with self image. This is not something new. All of you are well aware of my annual weight loss/gain. Thursday I was feeling particularly....large. I was sitting on the couch waiting for the time to pass to leave for work when I stumbled on a facebook status from a "friend" of mine.
"Has anyone else tried this diet? I have lost 18 pounds in the last 3 weeks! It is awesome!" I thought it was fake but after reading some of her friends comments I realized that she had in fact lost that much weight. I was happy for her, but also wanted to bank on that happiness. I read a link she had posted from Fox 13. A Fox 13 employee was given the challenge to try these drops and report weekly on her findings. Each week she lost between 5-9 pounds and she was amazed at how easy it was.
I was sold. Instead of thinking about it or discussing (like usual) the price and my excitement with Anthony, I went ahead and purchased a 15 day supple....at a ridiculous cost of $60. I didn't even do it on the computer...I did it on my phone, thus proving that I was truly stoked to have a leaner, sexier, healthier me...just like their 30 day guarantee promised!
I left the house, paid $70 for gas and drove to work. As soon as I arrived I had a voicemail on my phone. "This is wellsfargo, please call the fraud prevention department asap."
I immediately called and was informed that my card had been compromised by someone in China. Not only had my card been over charged for the miracle drops but it had been charged 4 more times each ranging from $90-$140. Please let Anthony be in a good mood today.
Thank goodness for a fantastic bank. They deleted the charges and also deleted the card. I then got the privilege of calling Anth.
"Hi, hope you are having a good day. Hey listen, I am just walking into work but I just needed to tell you......um...k I was feeling vulnerable today....and I might have made a purchase..because I was vunerable....and China might have gotten a hold of it.....and our card might have been charged a couple of times...but it's cool...the card is cancelled and I learned my lesson.....k love ya....love ya so much"
He was understanding but not impressed. "I'm not mad, I just wish you weren't so impulsive."
After that was over I checked on face book again and the same "friend" left a status which said, "Sorry about all the spam! My account must have been hacked."
What a schmuck! I understand why so many people get sucked into pyramid schemes. We all want the easy way out. We want instantaneous results and it always seems to happen at your lowest most vunerable state. Stupid....stupid...stupid.
I now have no card (for the next 5-7 business days) and had to use the credit card to get groceries last night. As I have thought of this experience I have realized that I am the same person regardless of my weight. Yes, I might have more confidence and self esteem when I am thinner but the rest is the same. Weight loss comes from a huge amount of motivation, healthy eating and exercise. It's that easy/hard.
I am old(ish) but I still have so much to learn. These past couple of weeks have shown me that this is true. I hope the next couple of weeks come easier for me lol.
YOU MADE IT! IF YOU ARE READING THIS IT MEANS YOU SUFFERED THROUGH MY RAMBLINGS!
REWARD: COOKIES!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
{Recipe from Taste of Home}
I love that they have oatmeal in them.....mmm mmmm delicious!
- Prep: 10 min. Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling
- Yield: 48 Servings15 25 Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 dozen.
1 comment:
I saw this on Jenikas page! I was like how the heck did she do that? Then the next day I noticed it was a scam. I also noticed like 105 people "liked" it which I found odd b/c Jenika is rarely on FB! Scary!
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