Customer Service Sells - Make it Work for You

Many of us have lived long enough to see a decline in customer service.  When I was growing up and even as a young adult, serving a customer was more important than the sale itself. It was common knowledge that if you made a customer happy, he would return, again and again.  Remember when you went to the service station to get gas?  You got SERVICE. Someone filled your gas tank, cleaned your windshield, rear window and side windows.  Your oil was checked and your tires were checked as well.  You were offered the free item of the week, usually drinking glasses or coffee mugs.  

No matter what you are selling, you need to distinguish yourself as a personal service company. The strength of your company’s business should be the quality of your products, but your success is determined by the quality of service you provide.

What is Your Dream Vacation?

All of us have dreamed of white, sandy beaches, exotic resorts, luxury hotels, or a cruise around the globe.  Or maybe we have dreamed of a quiet romantic getaway or exploring the ruins of past civilizations.  I rarely think about that.

For this month's Secret Subject Swap post, I was asked what my dream vacation would be if I had ten days and an unlimited budget. My question to you is: "Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only weird one?"

My perfect vacation would be to take ten days and spend it at home without any obligations, phones, computers or money concerns.


I would have the choice of having someone cook my meals, (And I DON'T mean Meals on Wheels!) order in or go out to fancy restaurants in my area. 

Does Your Dog's Breath Make You Want to Run Away?

For those of you who like the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and the heat that goes with it -- I hope you are seriously enjoying this one.  There is little I like about summer which I shared in my post this time last year.  For a smile, read 10 Reasons Why I Would Like to Skip Summer.  This year is no different except we are not having the wild fires on the North West Coast.
                                                                                                                                                                                       







What I do enjoy about summer is seeing the grandkids more often and watching them enjoy their summer activities. William loves to go fishing with his daddy and has learned all aspects of fishing including driving the boat.

Bits and Bites You May Not Need to Know

I'm sorry

My sincere apologies to all bloggers participating in Use Your Words this month. For a reason that will forever remain a mystery, I did not receive my words in time to prepare a post. The words are floating in cyberspace.  Please let me know if you see them out there.  Hopefully, this was a one-time fluke.

I am 'on the road again' and was not able to formulate a story around the words I received only yesterday.  My words are Gone ~ Mottled ~ Bleach ~ Washer ~ Paint ~ Lap and submitted by Southern Belle Charm

If I took each of these words and put them into a sentence with the first thing that popped into my head -- it would look like this:

Sorry for missing this month's post -- I was gone.  The words are gone.  I'm coming back.  Hopefully, this will never happen again.

For Better, For Worse -- A Language a Dog Understands

When we think of the words "For better, for worse," we usually think of a marriage.  We say our vows on our wedding day proclaiming that we will never leave our spouse, no matter what happens.





But sometimes we don't follow through with those vows.  Sometimes, our spouse is abusive or falls out of love with us. Those words ring in our ears -- for better, for worse -- but......it may be out of our control.

When we acquire a pet, how often don't we promise to take care of that pet, for better - for worse?

We fall in love with that puppy and look forward to many years of joy with him. BUT.....sometimes....

He has genetic problems and requires special care, which can be very expensive.

He will NOT stop barking.

He bites people.

He poops in the house.

He pees in the house.

He is left alone all day and then goes crazy when his owner comes home and becomes a pest, trying to gain full-on attention.

He isn't as cute as when he was a puppy.

He has a serious accident and requires special care for the rest of his life.

He won't behave properly so he is beaten and kicked or worse.

He is destructive when left alone.

Sometimes, rather than spend the time needed to restore the relationship, we give up.....and give that dog away.

You Can Hang on to Hope, Even if it is Only by a Thread

Someday....but maybe not today, life will be easier.

Someday.....but maybe not today, I won't have to work so many jobs to try to make 'ends' meet.

Someday....but maybe not today, I won't cry every time I think of my son who left us four years ago.

Someday....but maybe not today, I won't think of my two grandsons who I have not seen in four years.

Someday....but maybe not today, I won't gasp a little when I walk into a room and see my husband holding his head in his hands because the pain is stronger than usual and unbearable.

Someday....but maybe not today, I will be able to go for a walk with my husband -- even a couple blocks would be awesome.

Someday....but maybe not today, I won't have to deal with the stress of running my husband's business and trying to keep it afloat until the economy turns around.

Someday....but maybe not today.

How Would You Cope With the Loss of a Child?

"Which character from a book would you most like to meet and why? What would you do?" This is the challenge given to me for this post.  When I read for entertainment there are two authors I read -- Harlan Coben and John Grisham. These are my favorite authors and I have read almost all of their books.

Yet, there are no characters in any of their books who I would want to meet. Consequently, this question posed a challenge.

For my talk show, Never Ever Give Up Hope, I interview at least two authors a week. The majority of these authors have written memoirs which is the basis for the interview.  I read their books, interview them and often they become friends.  I feel I have already met them.  

If you are ever having a down-in-the-dumps day and need a lift, I GUARANTEE you will be encouraged when you take a few minutes to listen to these incredible stories.  They are ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary circumstances.

What Do You Do When You Are Caught Red-handed?

I heard the garage door open.  It would only be a minute before I would be free.  I waited.  I heard the car door slam shut.  I was so excited.  I could hardly stand it.  It seemed like forever since Mommy left me that morning.  She always locks me up.  She says she loves me but I know she does not trust me.  If she trusted me, why does she lock me up?

WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG?  Then I heard a funny rustling sound as the door opened.  I knew that sound.  I  L O V E D that sound.  It meant she was bringing home food.  Not my boring food -- this would be REAL people food.

She put some bags on the floor, opened the door to my prison and then she ran out the door again.  I had a good smell of each bag.  Nothing too exciting there.

She came back.  More bags on the floor and she left again.  Mmmmm, this one bag smelled amazing.  I recognized that smell.  It was like heaven.  It was that yellow stuff that comes in plastic wrapping. This is the stuff she hides my pills in when she gives them to me.  She calls it my treat and sometimes she calls it cheese.

Then she left me there with all these bags and went into that room that always sounds like water running.  I knew she would be gone awhile.  Surely she wanted me to have a look at all the bags and help myself to my special treats.