“Mercy” by Duffy. 

I absolutely adore this song. I love her voice and it makes me want to dance. 

Enjoy. It’s a “hot” video for a hot day.

If my technical abilities have failed me yet again, you can find it here.

I just love her red heels in the video. I want need them.

Mrs. V

Ten years ago today (July 23rd) at exactly 5 a.m., we were blessed with the birth of our daughter.  She weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and was 19 inches long.  We called her Miss Mousey.

Here is our Monkey (a well-deserved nickname) at the age of 7 months.  Strangers used to come up to us and want to touch her hair.  Such a fun age.  Except for the not sleeping at night thing, but she will eventually outgrow it.  (We’re still waiting.)

Here she is at the age of 3, as the flower girl for my sister’s wedding.  What can I say?  Her smile was (and still is) precious, and she preferred to be called Queen Beppy.

Here she is just two months ago, and still the star of the show with that million dollar smile.  These days she prefers to be called by her actual name, but those nicknames still slip out once in a while.  Lately she’s my “Miss Mary Sunshine.”  I don’t think she appreciates it much, since I tend to use it when she’s a tad grumpy in the morning.

She’s 10. Wow.  She got her hair cut in a bob and had red streaks put in it right after her dance recitals.  Her birthday party theme this year is “Rock and Roll.”  She listens to Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and the Naked Brothers Band.  We’ve recently updated her room, and she loves it.  I really believe that she’ll love being 10.

I do miss “my baby”, but I’m so excited to see who she’ll grow up to be.

Happy Birthday Miss Mouse!

Love,
Mom

Where Did the Baby Go? Written by Sheila Hayes

This was my favorite book when I was 4 and 5 years old.

Go check out Annie’s blog, Writer Chick Talks. She recently interviewed several women, including me **blush** about being a woman blogger.

I enjoyed answering her questions, and I hope you enjoy reading what she discovered!

Thanks Annie for allowing me to be a part of your fun!

Mrs. V

After yesterday’s experience with Midwest Airlines and their customer service I needed a little pick-me-up.

This editorial cartoon made my day:

So now we know the truth.  It’s all about the money, isn’t it?

Maybe Midwest Airlines should have offered me these options:

I think I would have pressed number 3.  (At least I’m honest.)

And last but not least:

This option would have been helpful, I think.  Are you taking notes Midwest Airlines?

Mrs. V

I’m not holding a grudge, in fact I’ve never been bitter. 

Today I had one of those “I’m so putting this in my blog” moments.  Actually it was more like an hour, which is waaay less than my sweet little sis’ RC had to sacrifice to deal with the same issue. But I’m rambling…

They look so happy, don't they?

Midwest Airlines boasts “The Best Care in the Air.”  I’ve only flown that airline once, and although it was many years ago, I do remember the experience as a pleasant one.  So when it came to booking our flight to Florida, we chose them, 6 months in advance.  We chose them because they come highly recommended, don’t often cancel/change flights, take care of their customers, get good reviews, yada-yada…

A few short weeks ago I received a call and an email from Midwest stating that our flight times had changed. I spent an hour on the phone with customer service and we rearranged all of our flight times. It was annoying, but I figured it was part of flying and they did notify me and they fixed the situation, in a polite manner.  I asked the customer service rep if this would happen again. While she couldn’t tell me no, and I don’t remember what her exact response was, I ended the call with a feeling that everything would be okay. They have great customer service, after all.

However, as of today, we won’t get to experience ”the best care in the air”, because just a few short months before our trip and after one schedule change already, Midwest Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Orlando until AFTER our trip.  How did I find out about this?  From their wonderful customer service?  Via email?  Via urgent voice mail message from Midwest?

Nope.

I was informed by my parents, who read this article in their Sunday morning paper, and left me the urgent voice mail. Wasn’t it nice of Midwest Airlines to issue the press release before notifying their customers, who already paid for their tickets several months ago? Oh, yeah, I’m impressed. NOT.

So, I dialed the customer service phone number. Over and over again. I got a busy signal. Over and over again. The website was no help. At all. Was I becoming frustrated/angry/unhappy? Sure. Then I got through to the annoying computer voice and I settled in for the wait. My hopes were lifted when I was connected to a customer service rep right away. It was temporary, this feeling of elation, because I found out that yes, indeed, our flights were all cancelled.

The solution? Midwest will refund our money (to the credit card) in about 72 hours (give or take a few, I’m sure) and mail us a receipt of this transaction. There will be no email regarding this, no confirmation number, no immediate assurance for me, other than their verbal agreement to refund my money. It makes me wonder, can they conveniently “forget” my call to cancel the flights? Can they keep my money, saying I never contacted them? I hope not, because I haven’t the slightest idea how to handle a situation like that, and we cannot afford to pay for tickets twice.

Unlike my sister, I received an apology. Although it was half-hearted, and really, it was one of those trained monkey responses, in my opinion. This did nothing to soothe my seething temper, and (unfortunately) the service rep got to experience a taste of it.

I have a rhetorical question for you out there. If you (the customer) cancelled a flight because it wasn’t “economically sound” for you to fly somewhere, would the airline make you pay? We all know the answer to that one. Yes, I probably will get my money back, but will they pay me a $50 fee per person for having to rebook and pay more for our new flights? No, Midwest Airlines won’t do that. According to the service agent “it is not the same thing.” Bullshit.

Do we have new flights? Yes we do. Here’s hoping Delta Airlines has a better handle on customer service.

Attention Midwest Airlines: You have put boogers in my cereal, and it was incredibly rude of you to do so.

Enough said.

Mrs. V

Ode to Elmer the Elephant

Your patchwork design pleases my eyes,

And your story is one that is full of surprise.

My classroom theme for next year you will be,

Bringing joy to my students as well as to me.

Your duty is to befriend each girl and boy,

And become something more than a book or a toy.

Your story has a great lesson to share,

About uniqueness and friends who care.

Time you will spend with each child, alone,

For in a blue bookbag you will go home.

Use your time wisely, Elmer, my friend,

And share your story from beginning to end.

I need you more than for nametags and signs,

It is your story that truly shines.

Mrs. V

~Thank you David McKee for writing the fabulous story Elmer which will be my inspiration for the coming school year.

I didn’t paint this weekend, not a single room inside my home. 

I filled my time with another activity. 

I stained!  It’s not painting, it’s staining.  I should say “we” stained.  We: meaning our whole family.  Well, except for the cat.  I don’t think he would’ve been much help, and besides, the cat doesn’t accept cash, but the children willingly accepted payment.  So, we all stained the deck, the playset, the garden bench and the fence on Saturday and Sunday.  

While I was staining the fence all I could think of was “The Karate Kid.”  It’s all in the wrist you know. 

You’d think a weekend of staining would cure my attachment to the paintbrush and the thrill of painting.  It hasn’t.  I have plans to paint my foyer.  Just not this week.  My hand and wrist are too sore.

And a big thanks to Annie for her comment in my last post that brought me to this cartoon.

Mrs. V

~Maybe I should take a summer job as a painter.  Goodness knows I’m getting really good at it!

Or is it possibly something more sinister?

These are the posters that are in my son’s room.

  Periodic Table of Elements

  A Current World Map

 Poster of the Solar System

His room is a beautiful dark royal blue.  He even has:

  Glow in the dark stars.

Is he just a Science Geek?  Or is he a Mad Scientist plotting world domination as a stepping stone to taking over the entire solar system?  I have not heard him practice an evil laugh, so I’m going with Science Geek. 

If I am wrong, I apologize.  In advance.

Mrs. V

Yes, I painted his room too, but that was last week.  There must be a Painter’s Anonymous somewhere out there for me.  This painting addiction is getting out of hand! 

Did that catch your attention?  Or am I just getting silly from all the paint fumes?

This is a popcorn ceiling. 

I have them all over my house, and the ceiling in the kids’ bathroom needed to be painted.

Most people with an ounce of sanity remove the popcorn stuff and then paint. 

I am not sane. 

I have painted many walls, but never a ceiling. 

As of today, I am no longer a ceiling painting virgin.

Behr Ceiling Paint : $20

Fancy-schmancy rollers: $8

Plastic sheeting and painter’s tape: $7

Bathroom size: Way too freakin’ small for all the painting supplies, ladder and me.

Time spent on this project: Too damn long.

Sense of balance: Pretty good, since I did not fall on my ass.

My appearance: Could pass for a white-speckled hobo who hasn’t showered in weeks.

Injuries sustained: Stiff neck, aching back, strained muscles from precariously odd (yoga-like) positions.

Painting a popcorn ceiling: Annoying as hell, and it tastes bad too.

Satisfaction of a job completed:  I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Going to bed and getting a good night’s sleep:  Priceless.

Mrs. V

Yesterday was my 17th wedding anniversary.  Wow…  Where did the time go? 

This is my favorite photo from the day when I married Mr. Right.

We look happy don’t we?  Can you believe that we had just had a little spat before the photographer stuck her head in the window?  Ahhhh, wedded bliss.

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Our first dance was to “Unchained Melody” from the Righteous Brothers. 

We liked it before the movie “Ghost” made it cool.

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I still love that song.

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Here is what we look like now.

Who are those old people?  Really, where did they come from and why are they in my photo album? Seriously…

Alright, I’ll be honest.  That’s us.  **sigh**  That picture was taken for our church directory.  Lovely, isn’t it?  Go ahead and laugh.  I’m laughing with you. 

He is still my Mr. Right, and he’s proven it time and again over the last 17 years.  And that is definitely something worth smiling about.

Mrs. V