Well, now there's a controversy over where to place wreaths for Memorial Day. Several professors sent a petition to President Obama asking him to not place a wreath on the Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery because the monument is "a denial of the wrong committed against African-Americans by slave owners, Confederates and neo-Confederates through the monument's denial of slavery as the cause of succession and its holding up of Conferates as heroes" and "implies that the humanity of Africans and African-Americans is of no signifigance". What a load of crap, hogwash, bunk, and any other term you would like to use!
First of all, the monument in itself does not deny any of the wrong that was committed against the slaves before and during the war. The monument stands as a memorial to the brave men who fought for their land. It seems that the myth that says that all Southerners owned slaves is rearing its ugly head again. Most of the soliders that fought in the Confederacy did not own slaves. They were bravely and honorably fighting for the side of their homeland. I wholeheartedly agree with the wrongness of slavery and that it was time for it to go, but at the same time, I can also understand why so many fought on the side of the South. Just because they were members of the Confederate Army doesn't make them less brave, less heroic, or less honorable than the soliders from the North.
Secondly, the humanity of Africans and African-Americans is certainly not made less significant because of a memorial honoring war dead. Humanity of all people is degraded by the actions of others. All people should be treated with respect and should not be demeaned because of their color, language, nationality, or beliefs. We should all strive to honor all people at all times.
While I vastly disagree with most of the President's agenda and ideas, I do agree with what he did. He did place a wreath at the Confederate Memorial and he also placed a wreath at the African-American Civil War Memorial. I know there will still be some people angry because he still placed a wreath at the "offending" memorial as well as some that will be angry because he placed another wreath at the African-American memorial. But one can't make everyone happy all the time. All I have to say to these people is "build a bridge and get over it"! Both groups deserve to be honored because of their bravery and fortitude in the middle of the darkest, toughest, most confusing time in our nation's history!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Green Clunker
Today started out as a good day both weather-wise and in my outlook. Once I tried to leave, the day went south fast. My car wouldn't crank again. I tried over and over several times with no luck. Finally, Mom let me use her car to get to work so I wouldn't be late.
Unbeknown to me, she took care of matters while I was working. I was expecting to return home tonight and help Dad find out what the problem is and hoping that it would be very minor and cheaply fixable. Come to find out on the way home was that Mom had it towed to the shop. Guess what? It was the fuel pump relay again! This episode makes the fourth time I have had that relay replaced in the last 2 years. The last time was just last August or September. I am getting really tired of the repair bills adding up. If I had a had a cliff nearby, I would push it over the edge and not think twice. Wait! Lake Wheeler is close by!! Hmmmm...
When I get a little extra money, I am going to start looking hard and heavy for a new ride. It's time. I am not one of those people that are sentimental over cars, old or new. For me, they are a tool and not much more than that. So while I wait, I will be driving the Green Clunker around town. Honk if you see me!
Until next time, any suggestions for a possible ride would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Unbeknown to me, she took care of matters while I was working. I was expecting to return home tonight and help Dad find out what the problem is and hoping that it would be very minor and cheaply fixable. Come to find out on the way home was that Mom had it towed to the shop. Guess what? It was the fuel pump relay again! This episode makes the fourth time I have had that relay replaced in the last 2 years. The last time was just last August or September. I am getting really tired of the repair bills adding up. If I had a had a cliff nearby, I would push it over the edge and not think twice. Wait! Lake Wheeler is close by!! Hmmmm...
When I get a little extra money, I am going to start looking hard and heavy for a new ride. It's time. I am not one of those people that are sentimental over cars, old or new. For me, they are a tool and not much more than that. So while I wait, I will be driving the Green Clunker around town. Honk if you see me!
Until next time, any suggestions for a possible ride would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Cousin of Man?
Today I heard about more news that supposedly links us to the Chimpanzee. I learned that a Duke researcher now says that Chimpanzees are even closer to us humans because they take risks and gamble. (No, they didn't have them playing poker, pulling slot machines, or rolling dice in Las Vegas!)
The researchers compared the wild Chimpanzee to its smaller cousin, the Bonobo, which only lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire). They found that, while the two species eat similar items, Bonobos eat from sources that are much more reliable. Chimpanzees, on the other hand, forage from more unreliable sources and are therefore willing to take more chances when it comes to gathering food for the troop, including actually hunting down small prey or even a fellow chimpanzee.
According to their findings, they believe that this characteristic is another reason why Chimpanzees and humans are closely related! Supposedly, humans and Chimpanzees separated 6 million years ago. Where do they come up with these ideas? Do they really think that people will believe it? Well, actually, I guess they do. For all the educated people there are these days, there sure are some dumb ideas floating around. Below I will elaborate on some of the ideas and then give my take on the evidence.
First of all, we share 94% of our DNA with a Chimpanzee. That fact certainly doesn't make us closely related. We are not really that far removed from a housefly if one compares DNA. All that the common DNA proves is that one Creator spoke life into existence and used several common elements to create all the diversity that is found on earth.
Secondly, Chimpanzees use tools. So what? Many other animals use tools. Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) use stones to break open Ostrich eggs. Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) breaks open the shells of abalone and other molluscs with a rock. Green Herons (Butorides virescens) use food scraps or insects to attract fish to the water's surface. The world is full of tool-using animals. In fact, there are probably more tool-using species out there waiting for their behavior to be discovered.
Thirdly, Chimpanzees are very communicative, as are humans. Well, let me give brother Chimpanzee a great big bear hug and ask him over for tea. Then we can laugh and cry together as we regale each other with stories of our lives. There are all kinds of communication in the animal kingdom. And more wait to be discovered. There's no end to what there is left to discover as far as animal behavior. I agree that communication in Chimpanzees is very similar to humans, but again that proves nothing in the way of relatedness.
Fourthly, Chimpanzees display aggressive tendencies, can organize a very sophisticated hunt, are able to lie, cheat, and steal, and are very conscious of their status within the troop. All that proves to me is that Man has fell so far away from God that he acts more like the animals than the animals act like him.
I do see the similarities between humans and Chimpanzees. They are fascinating creatures to watch and learn about, but they are not closely related to humans. I believe that God used the primate "mold" when he created Adam and Eve, but then took a radical turn from the rest of Creation. He made them in the image of Himself. This fact means that Man is a three-part being; he has a body, soul, and spirit. Chimpanzees and the rest of the animal kingdom have only a body (the physical) and a soul (the life inside).
Man's spirit was made to commune with God and to have fellowship with Him. Sadly, when Adam and Eve fell, the spiritual part of humans was severely damaged and he has been trying to repair it ever since. But he will never succeed. The only way to restore the healthy spiritual relationship with God is to accept God's gift of free salvation through His Son's death, burial and resurrection. There is no other alternative except to be separated from God forever in the eternal flames of hell.
When you see a Chimpanzee, think on these thoughts. Watch with joy and praise God for all He has given us with His Creation. If you don't know Him as a personal Father, accept His gift now. You will experience more joy than you will ever know.
The researchers compared the wild Chimpanzee to its smaller cousin, the Bonobo, which only lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire). They found that, while the two species eat similar items, Bonobos eat from sources that are much more reliable. Chimpanzees, on the other hand, forage from more unreliable sources and are therefore willing to take more chances when it comes to gathering food for the troop, including actually hunting down small prey or even a fellow chimpanzee.
According to their findings, they believe that this characteristic is another reason why Chimpanzees and humans are closely related! Supposedly, humans and Chimpanzees separated 6 million years ago. Where do they come up with these ideas? Do they really think that people will believe it? Well, actually, I guess they do. For all the educated people there are these days, there sure are some dumb ideas floating around. Below I will elaborate on some of the ideas and then give my take on the evidence.
First of all, we share 94% of our DNA with a Chimpanzee. That fact certainly doesn't make us closely related. We are not really that far removed from a housefly if one compares DNA. All that the common DNA proves is that one Creator spoke life into existence and used several common elements to create all the diversity that is found on earth.
Secondly, Chimpanzees use tools. So what? Many other animals use tools. Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) use stones to break open Ostrich eggs. Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) breaks open the shells of abalone and other molluscs with a rock. Green Herons (Butorides virescens) use food scraps or insects to attract fish to the water's surface. The world is full of tool-using animals. In fact, there are probably more tool-using species out there waiting for their behavior to be discovered.
Thirdly, Chimpanzees are very communicative, as are humans. Well, let me give brother Chimpanzee a great big bear hug and ask him over for tea. Then we can laugh and cry together as we regale each other with stories of our lives. There are all kinds of communication in the animal kingdom. And more wait to be discovered. There's no end to what there is left to discover as far as animal behavior. I agree that communication in Chimpanzees is very similar to humans, but again that proves nothing in the way of relatedness.
Fourthly, Chimpanzees display aggressive tendencies, can organize a very sophisticated hunt, are able to lie, cheat, and steal, and are very conscious of their status within the troop. All that proves to me is that Man has fell so far away from God that he acts more like the animals than the animals act like him.
I do see the similarities between humans and Chimpanzees. They are fascinating creatures to watch and learn about, but they are not closely related to humans. I believe that God used the primate "mold" when he created Adam and Eve, but then took a radical turn from the rest of Creation. He made them in the image of Himself. This fact means that Man is a three-part being; he has a body, soul, and spirit. Chimpanzees and the rest of the animal kingdom have only a body (the physical) and a soul (the life inside).
Man's spirit was made to commune with God and to have fellowship with Him. Sadly, when Adam and Eve fell, the spiritual part of humans was severely damaged and he has been trying to repair it ever since. But he will never succeed. The only way to restore the healthy spiritual relationship with God is to accept God's gift of free salvation through His Son's death, burial and resurrection. There is no other alternative except to be separated from God forever in the eternal flames of hell.
When you see a Chimpanzee, think on these thoughts. Watch with joy and praise God for all He has given us with His Creation. If you don't know Him as a personal Father, accept His gift now. You will experience more joy than you will ever know.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Customer Service
There is always a lot of talk about the lack of customer service these days. We are always being reminded of that at work and how to make the customer happy. We were even required to take a two day class on how to upgrade our customer service skills in order to help change our company to a better one. I personally think it was a waste of time and money, but they didn't ask my opinion.
Everybody concentrates on bad customer service that the reverse, bad customer attitude, falls through the cracks. Being in the customer service industry, I have seen it over and over through the years. Several examples come to mind.
1) Customers enter the store thinking they are the only ones in the world. They can be spotted from the parking lot. They enter and make a beeline to the nearest clerk and demand their attention immediately because they are more important than the clerk helping someone else. Another tactic is that they will stare at the clerk that is on the phone with a why-aren't-you-hanging-up-the-phone-to-help-me look. Personally, that look makes me take a little longer answering the telephone person's question.
2) I remember a time in one of the stores where I worked when an irate man charged through the door and aimed for me at the counter. He slammed the alternator he was carrying down on the counter in front of me and demanded his money back. Thankfully, the manager was right beside me and I was able to shrink back, watch the encounter and keep my head on my body. The alternator was supposedly defective and he didn't want another one. Now, I can understand being frustrated at the situation one finds oneself in, but there's no need to come in biting people's heads off and spitting them out for shark chum.
3) Another time, two women came into the store to return a battery (normally a non-returnable item) that they had just bought at another store a few miles away. Their reason for the return? Because we didn't install batteries. Well, excuse us for not being a garage!! We sell parts; we do not install them. First of all, why didn't they ask first? Secondly, when they found out that there would not be an installation at the store, why did they buy it? But no, those questions can't be voiced because that would not be good customer service. But they can come inside with a stupid reason for a return because they are the customer.
4) I have already mentioned being berated over nothing in this post. I do not understand why people think they have the right to talk down to and berate a person that is trying to help them with their situation. It certainly doesn't make the customer service agent want to help him and also garners bad feelings all the way around.
In short, people on both sides of the customer service fence, agent and client, need to realize that good manners, friendly attitudes, and respect will go a long way in fostering a good relationship and will keep a lot of the stress out of helping the public. But then again, I have come to realize that customer service agents will have to bare the brunt of this burden because people today are becoming more and more demanding and are exhibiting less patience and gratitude towards their fellow man.
Until next time, be kind towards your customer service agent. I realize there are some lazy, inconsiderate dopes servicing the public now, but for the most part, we really do want to help you with your problem. Have a little patience and we will do our best to make you happy.
Everybody concentrates on bad customer service that the reverse, bad customer attitude, falls through the cracks. Being in the customer service industry, I have seen it over and over through the years. Several examples come to mind.
1) Customers enter the store thinking they are the only ones in the world. They can be spotted from the parking lot. They enter and make a beeline to the nearest clerk and demand their attention immediately because they are more important than the clerk helping someone else. Another tactic is that they will stare at the clerk that is on the phone with a why-aren't-you-hanging-up-the-phone-to-help-me look. Personally, that look makes me take a little longer answering the telephone person's question.
2) I remember a time in one of the stores where I worked when an irate man charged through the door and aimed for me at the counter. He slammed the alternator he was carrying down on the counter in front of me and demanded his money back. Thankfully, the manager was right beside me and I was able to shrink back, watch the encounter and keep my head on my body. The alternator was supposedly defective and he didn't want another one. Now, I can understand being frustrated at the situation one finds oneself in, but there's no need to come in biting people's heads off and spitting them out for shark chum.
3) Another time, two women came into the store to return a battery (normally a non-returnable item) that they had just bought at another store a few miles away. Their reason for the return? Because we didn't install batteries. Well, excuse us for not being a garage!! We sell parts; we do not install them. First of all, why didn't they ask first? Secondly, when they found out that there would not be an installation at the store, why did they buy it? But no, those questions can't be voiced because that would not be good customer service. But they can come inside with a stupid reason for a return because they are the customer.
4) I have already mentioned being berated over nothing in this post. I do not understand why people think they have the right to talk down to and berate a person that is trying to help them with their situation. It certainly doesn't make the customer service agent want to help him and also garners bad feelings all the way around.
In short, people on both sides of the customer service fence, agent and client, need to realize that good manners, friendly attitudes, and respect will go a long way in fostering a good relationship and will keep a lot of the stress out of helping the public. But then again, I have come to realize that customer service agents will have to bare the brunt of this burden because people today are becoming more and more demanding and are exhibiting less patience and gratitude towards their fellow man.
Until next time, be kind towards your customer service agent. I realize there are some lazy, inconsiderate dopes servicing the public now, but for the most part, we really do want to help you with your problem. Have a little patience and we will do our best to make you happy.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Virtuous Woman
Proverbs 31:10-31 describes in detail what makes a virtuous woman. Today on Mother's Day, I am going to go through each verse and share a little about my mother with each one. By my calculations, she is more than qualified to be listed in the Virtuous Woman Hall of Fame.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. My mom is definitely worth more than this precious gem. There is not even a way to calculate her value to me.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Dad has no reason to ever doubt her faithfulness to him.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Mom always has Dad at the forefront of her brain and will go to the ends of the earth to do anything for him. To borrow a few lines from a song that describe Mom to a tee, there "ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep [her] from" doing for her man!
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Mom never shies away from a job and never considers a task, no matter how menial, beneath her.
She is like the merchant's ships: she bringeth her food from afar. Mom looks high and low, near and far, to find food for family.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. Mom has always risen early to prepare for the day ahead and is willing to share with anyone that helps her.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Mom labored day and night in the garden to provide us with food for the winter.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. I don't know how many times I saw Mom go on when she had already passed her daily supply of strength. She knew she had to continue to make sure that the job was done.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. Mom knows good quality and will not let anything leave her house if it's not up to her high standards. She also does not let a late hour stop her from finishing a job.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. While Mom was never much is a seamstress, she didn't allow that fact to keep her from using a thread and needle to attend to anything that needed repair.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Mom has always given to anyone that needs help and is willing to give them all she has to help with their needs.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for her household are clothed with scarlet. Mom made sure, and continues so to this day, to make sure her family is will clothed for any kind of circumstance.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry: her clothing is silk and purple. Mom never looks sloppy or tacky. She always makes sure she looks her best even if she's just going to the garden.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Everybody knows who my dad is because my parents are well known as an example for a good marriage.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Mom has always looked for ways to make ends meet with the household budget.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Mom is a pillar of strength and knows how to act in an honorable manner in every situation.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Mom has always been full of wisdom. Sometimes I didn't think so at the time, but she has always been proven right. She also doesn't mind telling someone something that will help them, but she never says it in an ugly manner.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Mom has never known how to sit back and "chill". It's just not a part of her makeup.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Obviously, I don't need to explain that first part. Dad never wastes an opporturnity to "brag" on his wife.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. No one can beat my mom!
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Mom has never been vain or haughty. She has always displayed a fear of the Lord that shines from within.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Mom has never needed to brag on herself because her many works are there for anyone to see and to understand.
My mom isn't perfect, but as far as I'm concerned, she epitomizes the Virtuous Woman!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!!
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. My mom is definitely worth more than this precious gem. There is not even a way to calculate her value to me.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Dad has no reason to ever doubt her faithfulness to him.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Mom always has Dad at the forefront of her brain and will go to the ends of the earth to do anything for him. To borrow a few lines from a song that describe Mom to a tee, there "ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep [her] from" doing for her man!
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Mom never shies away from a job and never considers a task, no matter how menial, beneath her.
She is like the merchant's ships: she bringeth her food from afar. Mom looks high and low, near and far, to find food for family.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. Mom has always risen early to prepare for the day ahead and is willing to share with anyone that helps her.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Mom labored day and night in the garden to provide us with food for the winter.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. I don't know how many times I saw Mom go on when she had already passed her daily supply of strength. She knew she had to continue to make sure that the job was done.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. Mom knows good quality and will not let anything leave her house if it's not up to her high standards. She also does not let a late hour stop her from finishing a job.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. While Mom was never much is a seamstress, she didn't allow that fact to keep her from using a thread and needle to attend to anything that needed repair.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Mom has always given to anyone that needs help and is willing to give them all she has to help with their needs.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for her household are clothed with scarlet. Mom made sure, and continues so to this day, to make sure her family is will clothed for any kind of circumstance.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry: her clothing is silk and purple. Mom never looks sloppy or tacky. She always makes sure she looks her best even if she's just going to the garden.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Everybody knows who my dad is because my parents are well known as an example for a good marriage.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Mom has always looked for ways to make ends meet with the household budget.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Mom is a pillar of strength and knows how to act in an honorable manner in every situation.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Mom has always been full of wisdom. Sometimes I didn't think so at the time, but she has always been proven right. She also doesn't mind telling someone something that will help them, but she never says it in an ugly manner.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Mom has never known how to sit back and "chill". It's just not a part of her makeup.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Obviously, I don't need to explain that first part. Dad never wastes an opporturnity to "brag" on his wife.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. No one can beat my mom!
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Mom has never been vain or haughty. She has always displayed a fear of the Lord that shines from within.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Mom has never needed to brag on herself because her many works are there for anyone to see and to understand.
My mom isn't perfect, but as far as I'm concerned, she epitomizes the Virtuous Woman!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Tractor and Days From the Past
I have just returned from following Dad on the tractor after the mower's blades were sharpened. We had to travel about 4 miles on county roads to return home. I stayed close behind him with the hazard lights on to warn people of a slow-moving vehicle.
While following him home, I begin to wax a bit nostalgic for days gone by. I remembered growing up on the farm and learning to drive that same tractor. It was an exciting day when I was able to go by myself to the pasture or the corn field to pull the manure spreader around making sure all of the area was covered in freshly gathered cow manure. I felt like I was a big shot because I could drive the tractor away from the farm for a short distance by myself and operate a big (at the time) piece of machinery.
The one task I never could master was backing up the tractor with the trailer or manure spreader attached. The day Dad tried to teach me will always be good for a laugh. He told me to try to back the spreader under the ledge so he could fill it with the manure. Well, I tried over and over and over to back it straight. Dad tried over and over and over to teach me. I became more frustrated as did Dad. Finally, he motioned in a not so subtle way for me to remove my carcass from the tractor seat and allow him to show me how it was done. Of course, he backed it up in short fashion and I felt like a dufus. Since then, I have never learned or attempted to back up anything with a trailer. (I guess I shouldn't say anything about Mom and bowling, huh?)
I miss those days sometimes. Don't get me wrong! I never had any interest whatsoever in operating the farm. But when I have to follow Dad on the tractor dodging racing vehicles and being saluted with one finger, I think about now much nicer it was when people remained calm when they came upon a tractor on the road and actually waited for the appropriate time to pass as opposed to racing around it like Tony Stewart at Daytona. Now days, people don't have the time to take it easy and a slow tractor just infuriates them to no end. I think it's time for a little more "tractor time".
Until next time, watch out for tractors....they may be pulling manure spreaders! :-)
While following him home, I begin to wax a bit nostalgic for days gone by. I remembered growing up on the farm and learning to drive that same tractor. It was an exciting day when I was able to go by myself to the pasture or the corn field to pull the manure spreader around making sure all of the area was covered in freshly gathered cow manure. I felt like I was a big shot because I could drive the tractor away from the farm for a short distance by myself and operate a big (at the time) piece of machinery.
The one task I never could master was backing up the tractor with the trailer or manure spreader attached. The day Dad tried to teach me will always be good for a laugh. He told me to try to back the spreader under the ledge so he could fill it with the manure. Well, I tried over and over and over to back it straight. Dad tried over and over and over to teach me. I became more frustrated as did Dad. Finally, he motioned in a not so subtle way for me to remove my carcass from the tractor seat and allow him to show me how it was done. Of course, he backed it up in short fashion and I felt like a dufus. Since then, I have never learned or attempted to back up anything with a trailer. (I guess I shouldn't say anything about Mom and bowling, huh?)
I miss those days sometimes. Don't get me wrong! I never had any interest whatsoever in operating the farm. But when I have to follow Dad on the tractor dodging racing vehicles and being saluted with one finger, I think about now much nicer it was when people remained calm when they came upon a tractor on the road and actually waited for the appropriate time to pass as opposed to racing around it like Tony Stewart at Daytona. Now days, people don't have the time to take it easy and a slow tractor just infuriates them to no end. I think it's time for a little more "tractor time".
Until next time, watch out for tractors....they may be pulling manure spreaders! :-)
Monday, May 4, 2009
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
My title pretty much sums up my day. I felt as if I was in one long scream from 8 AM until I left work at almost 6 PM. I knew it would be bad today because my co-worker was on his last day off, but even I was taken aback by the ferocity of the day. On Friday evening, I had tried to make sure I was caught up so I wouldn't have a mound of orders to place first thing today. I managed to succeed with that endeavor, but it didn't take long before the orders started pouring in this morning. For most of the morning, I was placing orders and answering questions with reckless abandon without getting much ahead, but by lunch time, I had the pile down to a very manageable level.
Alas, I went to lunch (a little late mind you!) and I came back to a stack of orders and questions that weighed at least 10 pounds! On top of that, I had 14 voice mails! The first order of business was to listen to all the voice mails and then work them in amongst the paper orders/questions. After a short while, I found out the answers and then distributed the papers back to the ladies and asked them to help me call the customers back. I felt like a chicken running around the yard with my head cut off. As the day wore down to it's last few minutes, I gave up trying to place all the orders and just answered the questions as best as I could. I stockpiled the orders and late questions in my in-box for tomorrow morning. At least my co-worker will be back which will be a big help! I told him before he left that he had better enjoy it now because my time for vacation is coming up soon. Then it will be pay back time! I still have a pile in my in-box for tomorrow morning, but I think that all will go more smoothly since I will have help. At least I hope so!
Until next time, have a screamless week! I certainly want one!
Alas, I went to lunch (a little late mind you!) and I came back to a stack of orders and questions that weighed at least 10 pounds! On top of that, I had 14 voice mails! The first order of business was to listen to all the voice mails and then work them in amongst the paper orders/questions. After a short while, I found out the answers and then distributed the papers back to the ladies and asked them to help me call the customers back. I felt like a chicken running around the yard with my head cut off. As the day wore down to it's last few minutes, I gave up trying to place all the orders and just answered the questions as best as I could. I stockpiled the orders and late questions in my in-box for tomorrow morning. At least my co-worker will be back which will be a big help! I told him before he left that he had better enjoy it now because my time for vacation is coming up soon. Then it will be pay back time! I still have a pile in my in-box for tomorrow morning, but I think that all will go more smoothly since I will have help. At least I hope so!
Until next time, have a screamless week! I certainly want one!
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