When you have worked in restaurants for so long and are married to someone who cooks in a restaurant, it is so difficult to eat out without being so critical. I have another blog that talks about my love for food www.marriedachef.blogspot.com.
But when we do go out, regardless if the food ends up being great or just OK, we always take care of our server as long as they are attentive. I know how hard they work since I worked in the restaurant business for 19+ years. And I now tip 20% of the TOTAL bill. Inflation has hit everyone and these servers depend on us to make a living too. In North Carolina, the pay for a server is $2.13 an hour. Restaurants take the stance that they are doing you a favor by hiring you to serve their clientele since you will be making tips or gratuity, whichever way you want to call it. And the extra work of cleaning, setting up, breaking down and putting away adds an extra 2 to 3 hours a night, without tips. And it is nasty, dirty hard work. Chewing gum stuck under the tables, crumbs everywhere. Spills made by babies and toddlers that parents ignore since they feel that the help will pick it up. We called them baby bombs.
I learned that all the folks waiting tables have great life stories. Students supplementing college tuition, parents that need extra money to pay unexpected bills, divorced moms that never expected to maintain a household alone, like me.
BE NICE to your server this 2011 Christmas Season or Holiday Season. Smile, say please and thank you. And tip them accordingly, or even a little bit more. They might be trying to get the money to buy that special toy for the little one at home.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
TEXTING - losing a way of communicating
I just saw on internet that they are taking a poll on whether OMG, LOL & BFF should be added to the dictionary. Really? We even have to consider OMG as a word? I see my college son on his cell phone constantly texting. I asked him why didn't he just call people? He told me that his friends won't answer a ringing phone, only the beeps of incoming texts.
I recently had a friend through Facebook send me a joke on what it would be like if senior citizens used text messages today. I can't lie, it is actually funny.
But reality is that since my son's generation doesn't have conversations with each other, they will actually be sending texts like the ones above.
Another thing that we are losing is penmanship. Kids today don't know how to write cursive. I taught my kid how to write cursive, but since he doesn't practice it a lot it isn't pretty. Schools no longer put any effort into teaching penmanship or cursive writing since now we type everything. Even I am typing this blog.
I have the blessing of teaching a Zumba class at my church. Every week between the two classes approximately 125 beautiful Christian women show up. And one of the things that I have marveled and admired about them is their attentiveness. But what stands out the most is their art of writing cards. I get cards hidden in my bag or places on my car door or on the stage where I dance. And their handwritten notes tell me so much more about them than the words itself. I think about the time this person took to find the card, to find a pen and sit down and think for a few minutes what they are going to write. Then they put pen to paper and write. The results make me smile, laugh, or shed an emotional tear. A cell phone text is nice, but a hand written note is so much more special.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Buy a card for someone you like. It isn't expensive. The Dollar Store has two cards for $1.00. Give a thank you card to the lady that cleans the bathroom at your office or leave a thank you card for the church nursery worker. Tell your friend you appreciate them for standing by you year after year. Write a note on pretty paper and put it in your daughter's bag and tell her how much you love her and how proud you are of her. Draw a picture and write a note to tell your small child how much you love them and put it in their lunch box. WRITE, don't text. It tells the recipient that you care a little extra more.
I recently had a friend through Facebook send me a joke on what it would be like if senior citizens used text messages today. I can't lie, it is actually funny.
But reality is that since my son's generation doesn't have conversations with each other, they will actually be sending texts like the ones above.
Another thing that we are losing is penmanship. Kids today don't know how to write cursive. I taught my kid how to write cursive, but since he doesn't practice it a lot it isn't pretty. Schools no longer put any effort into teaching penmanship or cursive writing since now we type everything. Even I am typing this blog.
I have the blessing of teaching a Zumba class at my church. Every week between the two classes approximately 125 beautiful Christian women show up. And one of the things that I have marveled and admired about them is their attentiveness. But what stands out the most is their art of writing cards. I get cards hidden in my bag or places on my car door or on the stage where I dance. And their handwritten notes tell me so much more about them than the words itself. I think about the time this person took to find the card, to find a pen and sit down and think for a few minutes what they are going to write. Then they put pen to paper and write. The results make me smile, laugh, or shed an emotional tear. A cell phone text is nice, but a hand written note is so much more special.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Buy a card for someone you like. It isn't expensive. The Dollar Store has two cards for $1.00. Give a thank you card to the lady that cleans the bathroom at your office or leave a thank you card for the church nursery worker. Tell your friend you appreciate them for standing by you year after year. Write a note on pretty paper and put it in your daughter's bag and tell her how much you love her and how proud you are of her. Draw a picture and write a note to tell your small child how much you love them and put it in their lunch box. WRITE, don't text. It tells the recipient that you care a little extra more.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Heartbroken - I pray for you JAPAN
I had the opportunity to work for a Japanese owned company. They are one of the world's largest producers of some of the best sesame oil in the world. We always had folks from Japan work in our office in the USA. They are the most polite, respectful and soft spoken people I have ever met. They always said good morning with a bow. And they always said your name with -san at the ending. Remember the Karate Kid movie? Daniel-san? If you were ever stressed or under the weather at the office, they came around with freshly pressed hot green tea. Whenever they traveled to Japan, they always came back bearing gifts. Some were very unique and not always familiar to the American pallet, but the packages where always so beautiful. The attention to detail and art is so exquisite in Japan. They conserve their heritage, customs and folklore. I don't think there is any culture that can rival Japan's in the way they respect the elderly. In the USA we put ours away in homes most of the time. I see pictures of rescue workers carrying the elderly on their backs with all the care in the world.
It is mind-boggling to see the pictures of towns totally wiped away. Boats and cars on top of 3 story buildings. A truck dangling on power lines. Piles and piles of cars thrown around.
So many people are homeless. Yet they conserve a sense of dignity that comes through in the pictures. They form lines and patiently wait for all to be attended by relief organizations that are on the ground now. I have seen on the news in other disaster areas where people fight, push and shove to get their supplies first. Maybe it is just the initial shock and people are still walking around numb in Japan.
To this day I still stay in touch with my friend Masanori Suzuki. I call him Suzuki-san. When I heard of the earthquake I immediately thought of him and his wife and all of their families. I thought about all the employees of the sesame oil company. The only way I knew how to contact him was through Facebook. And he responded. They are all well. It was such a relief to know, thank God. Fortunately they were on another part of the island, but he still felt all the shaking going on. But now we are worried about nuclear
fall-out. To scary to even think about it.
I want to do something to help. My commitment to give up something for Lent is going strong since last Wednesday. And my promise to donate the money I would have spent on myself still stands. What I haven't done was commit to a certain charity until now. I know exactly which one, and a very reputable one at that. The AMERICAN RED CROSS. They can take the money and purchase what is needed the most. I trust them with my donation. Here is a link to their website.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Donate to the American Red Cross for Japan.
It is mind-boggling to see the pictures of towns totally wiped away. Boats and cars on top of 3 story buildings. A truck dangling on power lines. Piles and piles of cars thrown around.
So many people are homeless. Yet they conserve a sense of dignity that comes through in the pictures. They form lines and patiently wait for all to be attended by relief organizations that are on the ground now. I have seen on the news in other disaster areas where people fight, push and shove to get their supplies first. Maybe it is just the initial shock and people are still walking around numb in Japan.
To this day I still stay in touch with my friend Masanori Suzuki. I call him Suzuki-san. When I heard of the earthquake I immediately thought of him and his wife and all of their families. I thought about all the employees of the sesame oil company. The only way I knew how to contact him was through Facebook. And he responded. They are all well. It was such a relief to know, thank God. Fortunately they were on another part of the island, but he still felt all the shaking going on. But now we are worried about nuclear
fall-out. To scary to even think about it.
I want to do something to help. My commitment to give up something for Lent is going strong since last Wednesday. And my promise to donate the money I would have spent on myself still stands. What I haven't done was commit to a certain charity until now. I know exactly which one, and a very reputable one at that. The AMERICAN RED CROSS. They can take the money and purchase what is needed the most. I trust them with my donation. Here is a link to their website.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Donate to the American Red Cross for Japan. Monday, March 7, 2011
GIVING IT UP VERSUS GIVING IT OUT
It is the day before Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL as they say in New Orleans. Then comes the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday. A solemn time for Christians around the world as we approach Good Friday. It was a turbulent time in the days of Jesus Christ and it is a turbulent time now. Wars then, wars now. Poverty then, poverty now. Struggle then, struggle now. Nothing seems to change. A person can get very downtrodden.
I have recently fallen in LOVE with a song by Kirk Franklin. Here are a few of the lyrics. The name of the song is:
I SMILE.
I dedicate this song to recession,
depression and unemployment.
This song’s for you.
For the first time it has been in my heart to give up something for Lent. And I am going to SMILE. I know what to do with the money I would have spent. I am going to donate it. This should be something between God and myself, but I also know that people get motivation from others sharing their heart and stories.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Give up something and start giving it out to others. A simple thing to do during this time of reflection as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all. Love Eternal from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I have recently fallen in LOVE with a song by Kirk Franklin. Here are a few of the lyrics. The name of the song is:
I SMILE.
I dedicate this song to recession,
depression and unemployment.
This song’s for you.
For the first time it has been in my heart to give up something for Lent. And I am going to SMILE. I know what to do with the money I would have spent. I am going to donate it. This should be something between God and myself, but I also know that people get motivation from others sharing their heart and stories.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Give up something and start giving it out to others. A simple thing to do during this time of reflection as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all. Love Eternal from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 4, 2011
TISSUES FOR SNOTTY NOSES
The education system in the USA is on a downhill ride going 100 miles per hour and shows no sign of slowing down. As much as people want to fight it, the statistics are there. The USA keeps dropping and dropping compared to other nations in education. And we can name a thousand reasons why. Low teacher pay, overcrowded schools, parental indifference, low family income, no more prayer in school, government cut backs, busing, etc, etc. Yet it amazes me how cities always seem to have enough money to build sports arenas and stadiums, but none for schools. And who pays the consequences?
WE ALL DO.
WE ALL DO.
It might seem funny when Jay Leno on the Tonight Show goes to the streets and asks people questions about geography, presidents and other various topics. He once asked a high school senior if she knew what the capital of France was. She didn't have a clue. Yet when he asked her who was Nicole Richie's best friend during a reality show, she said Paris. Jay asked her the question again about France and she still wasn't putting 2 and 2 together.
Teachers are overrun with too many students in one class. They have to worry about social issues that never happened when I was in high school. They are not given enough essential supplies to perform their functions and stimulate the young minds under their charge. I know of countless teachers that spend a fortune of their own money to make up for the shortfalls of the education system.
Even if you don't have any children, it is essential to support your local schools. These are the adults of the future making decisions. Paris vs Paris just doesn't cut it.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
DONATE: Go to your local dollar store and buy a few items of school supplies. Pencils, erasers, construction paper, stickers, etc. Hand Sanitizer and paper towels. And the most important item of all is TISSUE PAPER. Children are sent to school with colds all the time. Some parents just don't have a choice to stay at home with their kids. Teachers desperately need TISSUE PAPER. A few boxes means cleaner noses and less kids wiping with the back of their hands. Drop it all office at your local school and make a teacher happy.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
SAVE A JOB
We are all frightened by the global economy. Analysts keep saying that it is SLOWLY improving. Yet it seems everyone is suffering around the world except China. And right behind it is India. I watched a progam hosted by Piers Morgan recently. He was visiting China and showing the immense prosperity happening there. I wasn't surprised since they export so much and WE buy it all up.
When President Obama was elected to the presidency he wanted for every new item brought into the White House to be Made in the USA. And I believe he wanted to extend it to any US government office. I agreed with him 100% on this issue. Yet the backlash was huge by exporting countries. How in the world can they dictate what is purchased for OUR governmental offices? They accused us of PROTECTIONISM. And they won. It was at this point that I understood how weak the USA had become. I bet if I visited the White House today or other governmental offices and looked for manufacturing labels, aside from the historical pieces, it would probably be made in another country. How sad.
I recently read a story that shared how we can start saving our country, the USA. Unfortunately it was in passing and at a Dr.'s office that I didn't catch the title to share it here. But it stated that if EVERY American purchased 3 items - Made in the USA - on a weekly basis it would cause a surge in the need for workers at American manufacturing plants. Putting American's back to work.
When I go to the supermarket I make extra time so that I can carefully look at labels. When I see "Distributed by", that means it was imported into a distribution center in the USA and sent out to the various stores. Yes there are jobs at the distribution centers, but not enough to grow our economy. So I put the 'Distributed by" product back on the shelf and keep looking. I want to see MADE IN THE USA. If I can't find it, then I have no choice. I have found at various stores sponges, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs, drinking glasses, floor mats and socks to name a few items. Does it cost a few more cents? It does sometimes. But it doesn't matter to me because I am joining in the effort to save this land that I love, a few extra dimes at a time. And this should apply for any country you live in. I am not against the exchange of product. Bananas just don't grow in the USA and Russian Vodka is still the best. What I am against is total dependency on others for our survival.
Here is a suggestion of an item made in the USA that I use. I keep one in the car and another in my pocketbook.
Udderly Smooth Udder Cream for dry Skin. Made in the USA for over thirty years.
It has it displayed right in the front with pride.
They sell this cream at your local pharmacy, or online. I found it at Walgreens.
I think Wal-Mart might even break their own rules and sell it. Imagine that, a non-imported product decorating Wal-mart's shelves.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Buy a product made in the USA to give as a gift or to donate. Your local community center can use the items to give away to help fellow Americans. If you chose to give it away as a gift, let your friend know that it came from the heart and directly from the Heartland of this beautiful country.
When President Obama was elected to the presidency he wanted for every new item brought into the White House to be Made in the USA. And I believe he wanted to extend it to any US government office. I agreed with him 100% on this issue. Yet the backlash was huge by exporting countries. How in the world can they dictate what is purchased for OUR governmental offices? They accused us of PROTECTIONISM. And they won. It was at this point that I understood how weak the USA had become. I bet if I visited the White House today or other governmental offices and looked for manufacturing labels, aside from the historical pieces, it would probably be made in another country. How sad.
I recently read a story that shared how we can start saving our country, the USA. Unfortunately it was in passing and at a Dr.'s office that I didn't catch the title to share it here. But it stated that if EVERY American purchased 3 items - Made in the USA - on a weekly basis it would cause a surge in the need for workers at American manufacturing plants. Putting American's back to work.
When I go to the supermarket I make extra time so that I can carefully look at labels. When I see "Distributed by", that means it was imported into a distribution center in the USA and sent out to the various stores. Yes there are jobs at the distribution centers, but not enough to grow our economy. So I put the 'Distributed by" product back on the shelf and keep looking. I want to see MADE IN THE USA. If I can't find it, then I have no choice. I have found at various stores sponges, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs, drinking glasses, floor mats and socks to name a few items. Does it cost a few more cents? It does sometimes. But it doesn't matter to me because I am joining in the effort to save this land that I love, a few extra dimes at a time. And this should apply for any country you live in. I am not against the exchange of product. Bananas just don't grow in the USA and Russian Vodka is still the best. What I am against is total dependency on others for our survival.
Here is a suggestion of an item made in the USA that I use. I keep one in the car and another in my pocketbook.
Udderly Smooth Udder Cream for dry Skin. Made in the USA for over thirty years.
It has it displayed right in the front with pride.
They sell this cream at your local pharmacy, or online. I found it at Walgreens.
I think Wal-Mart might even break their own rules and sell it. Imagine that, a non-imported product decorating Wal-mart's shelves.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Buy a product made in the USA to give as a gift or to donate. Your local community center can use the items to give away to help fellow Americans. If you chose to give it away as a gift, let your friend know that it came from the heart and directly from the Heartland of this beautiful country.
Monday, January 10, 2011
THE BREAD AND MILK RUSH
It has been an unusually cold and snowy winter here in the South. Whenever the meteorologist calls for really bad weather, a syndrome develops and it is called the 'Bread and Milk rush'. There is a stampede to the supermarket to stock up on bread and milk. I have never really understood why, but it happens.
And then I realized that there are folks out there, the elderly, that don't have the luxury to rush and get bread and milk. A lot of elderly folks don't own a car or they are too old to drive. They are sight impaired now or forgetful and can get lost, or they just don't have the reflexes to react quickly in a dangerous situation. Driving in bad weather is a dangerous situation. And believe me, now that I am 50 years old, my eyesight has changed and now I need nighttime driving glasses, aside from my distance glasses and my reading glasses. Thank God for GPS. It is sad to know that one day our liberty of driving will be taken away from us and we will depend on someone to get us around.
We might have a neighbor or know of someone who is elderly and there is something very simple that we can do.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
If you hear that the weather is going to be bad and plan on going to the store to stock up on food supplies, remember your elderly neighbors. Go over and ask them if they need anything to keep them comfortable. Even ask them if they have sufficient meds to keep them healthy. What extra effort is it to pick up 2 gallons of milk instead of one? I will be old one day and I hope someone includes me in the Bread and Milk rush.
And then I realized that there are folks out there, the elderly, that don't have the luxury to rush and get bread and milk. A lot of elderly folks don't own a car or they are too old to drive. They are sight impaired now or forgetful and can get lost, or they just don't have the reflexes to react quickly in a dangerous situation. Driving in bad weather is a dangerous situation. And believe me, now that I am 50 years old, my eyesight has changed and now I need nighttime driving glasses, aside from my distance glasses and my reading glasses. Thank God for GPS. It is sad to know that one day our liberty of driving will be taken away from us and we will depend on someone to get us around.
We might have a neighbor or know of someone who is elderly and there is something very simple that we can do.
DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
If you hear that the weather is going to be bad and plan on going to the store to stock up on food supplies, remember your elderly neighbors. Go over and ask them if they need anything to keep them comfortable. Even ask them if they have sufficient meds to keep them healthy. What extra effort is it to pick up 2 gallons of milk instead of one? I will be old one day and I hope someone includes me in the Bread and Milk rush.
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