Thankful

I'm thankful for so many things, but this post is about good customer service.  Recently, I lost my keys in a department store.  No amount of searching through the racks would make them appear.  I was really upset because on my ring included my new office key.  Really, really long story short - I gave up on finding the keys and figured they were gone for good.  If anybody has these new keys like my VW, you actually have to order them them through the dealership and they are really expensive.  Right before I decided to order a new spare key, I received a package in the mail.  From Kroger, the grocery store.

My keys were magically inside.  

Kroger has a free key-return policy through the loyalty cards that you keep on your keyring. For example my small Kroger card says:  If found please drop in any mailbox.  Postage Guaranteed.
  

Kroger pays the shipping for my keys to get to their corporate offices.  Using the UPC code they scan the card and find out the keys are mine and then pay to ship them to me - as a courtesy.  The letter I received with the keys explained this policy along with their commitment to my family and our security.  Excellent customer service and I must say, I am now brand loyal to my Kroger store. 

As I look at the other cards on my keyring, many of these cards have similar policies.  Remember this if you find a set of keys.  Also, as Kroger pointed out to me - remember to change your contact info on your loyalty cards when you change addresses.  This service would not have been possible if I had an old address associated with my card.  I know where I am purchasing my turkey this year...

It's Snowing... In North Carolina!

It snowed today!  Sure it was only for five minutes, but it was still exciting.  This is a horrible photo from my office window, but it's proof!

Video Shoot & a Mascot

I coordinated my first video shoot last week at my client's hospital.  It's a very cool project - a video that helps kids get over their fear of going to the hospital.  The shoot went very well & one of the scenes called for the Hurricanes mascot.  Knowing my love of mascots, I just had to get a photo.

Wilmington Sunday

Along the river walk

USS North Carolina

With Doug having only a few weekends off last year, we are really enjoying his weekends this year.  He works about one per month, which is such a luxury compared to last year.  Last weekend we took a Sunday day-trip down to the beach enjoying lunch in Carolina Beach and a walk along the beach and pier.  It was a beautiful fall day, 68 degrees and sunny.  Then for our afternoon,  we walked through historic Wilmington, finally grabbing dinner at a great French restaurant Caprice Bistro before heading home.  

Took this pic for my dad.  Interstate 40 runs the entire length of the country.  My dad had driven out to California & back to visit my brother on Hwy 40 - ending in Barstow, CA.  When dad came to visit us, he drove again on Hwy 40 the whole way to Durham.  We took a trip to Wilmington so he could say he traveled the entire length of road - 2554 miles.  We tried to take this picture on that day, but it didn't turn out.  This time - it was a keeper.  

My Dad

Today would have been my dad's 68th birthday.  As many of you know, we lost him to Lung Cancer almost a year ago.  But instead of paying tribute to him on the anniversary of his death, I choose to remember him today.  I choose to remember him healthy  - sitting down on his dock at the lake, with a fishing pole in his hand.  Or dancing with me at Doug's and my wedding.  That is what he would have wanted.  

I miss him everyday and honestly I think the pain gets worse.  Worse because I see all the things he is missing in our lives.  67 was not long enough.  Regret is a horrible thing, and while my dad lived his life with the utmost integrity, love and honor - he regretted the fact that he smoked.  

Live a healthy life.  Take care of yourselves. Value your time with your loved ones.  

Willie's Terrible Twos

Birthday present rawhide.  Willie's other present was 12 

brand new tennis balls.  He is in heaven.

Can you say beggars?

At lunch in the tobacco district - have you ever seen a cuter face?

Round 399 wresting

It was Willie's birthday this weekend and we celebrated by dog-sitting his best friend Bo.  They were able to wrestle, pal around and get into trouble all weekend together.  We also did some of Willie's favorite things - a hike at Eno River State Park on Saturday.  The dog park, a visit to Petco and lunch outside on Sunday.  

While Willie becomes a better trained dog everyday, having two dogs this weekend felt a little overwhelming at times.  Maybe we'll just stick with the one!