A Day Out for the Old Lady

The girls were kind enough to take me to the movies today.  And as always when I choose the film, they were the only people under 50 in the theater.

We saw "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", which I loved (and I think they enjoyed it too).  Most of my favorite Brits were in the cast except my gal Helen M.  It was a sweet movie, almost made me want to go to India.

We did a little shopping too: I bought a hoodie at the Gap as I was freezing (evidently I thought the 90 degree temps Cara and I were discussing this morning were here in Spokane.  Instead, it's that warm in DC and in Austin.  Here -- cold.)  Pia bought some cute shoes at Nordy's half-yearly sale.  Katie bought the World's Cutest Swimsuit and Matching Swim Cap for her pal Sarah's baby girl (due in the fall).  Hopefully Katie will show pictures bc this outfit was To. Die. For.

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Rant Mode ON

Grrr.  Don't you hate it when you get really crap customer service?  This happened today:

I needed to mail a Fedex package.  The recipient is paying the cost.  Seems pretty simple.  So I walked over to my nearest Fedex store, which is Manito Ship and Copy (putting the name right out there so you'll know to avoid this place)  Mind you, I've mailed 3 prior packages the same way, at the same place with no problem at all.

The cheery owner was on duty.  I told her what I needed, and she asked how I was sending the package.  I said "recipient is paying, can I please have a Fedex mailing label and box?"  Again, seems pretty simple.  Fedex GIVES their stores those shipping supplies so that customers can USE THEM.

Imagine my surprise when she refused to give me a Fedex box.  She cheerily informed me that "I have to make my money somehow, I can't be giving away boxes.  You can buy a box.  Or you can go downtown if you want a free box."  I told her I had gotten Fedex boxes there several times and she said "no you didn't".  When I insisted that yes I did, she said "well I'll have to talk to my employees about that"

Since I didn't have the time or the inclination to "go downtown" for my free box, I bought a fucking padded envelope from her.  And was not the least bit nice about it.  I only wish I had cash to pay her, because I think I would have spit on it before I handed it over.

OMFG.  Really lady?  This is such hideously stupid and bad customer service I can't even understand it.  Not only have you ensured that I will NEVER GO IN YOUR STORE AND BUY ANYTHING EVER AGAIN, I have also filed a complaint with Fedex (because that is the kind of angry customer I am), and I'll of course tell this story to anyone who ever mentions Fedex, mailing packages, Manito businesses, and bad service.  So for the crappy $2.50 you made on today's forced purchase, I'm guessing you are going to lose on that sale.

Okay, rant mode off.  God.

Only 76 Days Til My Birthday

Ah, Fame

Remember when I posed for this picture, wearing the "Barrister's Wig" and doing my best Queen Victoria impersonation?  It paid off, people.

I received this email today:

"I came across your wonderful blog while searching for Queen Victoria lookalikes on Google.  Myself and two colleagues are producing a book called Forgotten Lancashire, a spoof local history of the County of Lancashire in England.  This requires a picture of a very poor Queen Victoria lookalike, and we would love to include your picture in it (it would only be about an inch high, unfortunately!).

Do we have your permission to use it and, if so, to whom should we credit the picture?"

Who could resist the chance to appear in a spoof history book?  Not I.  Look for me (one inch high) at your local bookshop.

Family Photos!

One of the things we did this week was gather up the tons of family photos.  We haven't quite managed to sort them, but I snagged a couple of good ones.

This picture was taken at Mom and Duane's wedding.  A little backstory: our brother Ray is NOTORIOUS for never showing up for family gatherings.  Evidently, we were pretty sure he would be a no-show at the wedding so we took matters in our own hands.

We drew (I use the verb loosely) a life-size picture of Ray and stationed it out by the party.  We added quite a few conversation starters too.  I can't read all of them, but here are the ones I can see:

"Hi! My Name is Ray.  How do you know Lois and Duane?"

"OK.  I voted for Reagan."

"Try the fruit -- it's divine."

"Yes, I do work as a programmer."

Jon added the man-hug and the glass of wine.

Best part: Ray DID show up.  And was furious about our Cardboard Brother.

Here's another goodie:

"Sliver" was Jon's nickname.  Can you see why?  Love the St. Brendan's basketball uniform with the shiny green shortie shorts.  And he's rocking the hated "child actor" haircut.

Recap

It's been strongly suggested that I blog, so that T. Cruise's hideousness is not the first thing you see...

Just got back from my 3 day Seattle trip.  Here's what I did:

• endured the long boring drive over.  Stopped about 4 times so I didn't fall asleep and crash.  BORING, did I mention that?
• Met up with the sisters (B, Susna and Clare) at Mom's house for an initial clean up and to meet the estate sale ladies.  Despite going through every item in Mom's room, her missing diamond ring was not found.  We were really hoping it was in a "secret hiding place" aka a shoe.  No luck.  The estate sale gals were enthusiastic about working with us and confident they could do well with Mom's stuff.  Don't think there are any "Antique Road Show moments" in store, but she has a lot of very nice Northwest art pieces and lots of good household stuff.  So the sale is tentatively set for mid-June.
• Had a fun lunch with the sisters.  Clare regaled us with the exploits of hubby Bill (aka Where's Waldo, Forrest Gump or Zelig), who has been on periphery of EVERY public event of the last 10 years (sample convo: "Honey, turn on the TV!  To the coverage of the G-8 Summit!  Now look to the right of the giant palm tree next to the stage!  See that tall blond guy lurking behind the tree?  It's ME!  I thought this ball room was where our conference breakfast was being held, but it turns out it's a gathering of world leaders!  And I got right in!")
• Also, I am convinced that Jamie and Bill's house is built on an INDIAN BURIAL GROUND.  Seriously, the weirdest stuff happens there.  Escaped felons running naked through their yard.  Terrifying biting fresh water eels.  Swamp people.  Rats trying to bite their way out of the cabin.  Etc. Etc.
• Visited Mom at her new adult family home.  Run by great people and with wonderful care providers.  Of course, she doesn't want to be there.  And is a bit more confused than the last time I was there.  But she was glad to see B & me, and enjoyed an outing to Target for a couple of summer weight tops.  Although she will probably continue to wear her favorite sparkly sweatshirt :-)
• Enjoyed delicious dinners cooked by my favorite chef, B-Z.  If I had half the skill in the kitchen (or half the enjoyment of cooking) I'd be thrilled.  She gave me her recipe for this yumm-o chicken dish with feta and green beans and I will definitely be cooking that.  And finagling another invite to stay at her house!
• Went to see "Dark Shadows" with B.  So fun!  The two of us LOVED this soap when we were kids, and it was a fun movie. 
• Got to see two of the babies.  Meg stopped by with Hads and Carson (plus they were at Zaide's house when I got there Wednesday)  My two favorite moments:
• Hadley offered to share her Teddy Grahams with me, and I told her "no thanks, I'm trying to lose some weight".  She looked me over very seriously and said "Auntie Laurie, you don't need to lose any weight".  What a sweetheart.
• Carson was M.A.D. that his mama wouldn't let him play out in Mimi's front yard.  She carried him in kicking and screaming bloody murder.  As soon as she put "Furious George" down, he marched over to Mimi's chair and threw it over with all his might.  I'll show YOU, Mom!

Hoping to get back over soon for another visit!