Lookin' like a Fool

Source: polyvore.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Young men, you are our country's future leaders.  Now that school's back in session, please pull your pants up. 

Love,
Amelia

An Open Letter to AT&T

Source: google.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Dear AT&T,

You are abominable, atrocious, abhorrent, and awful.  Your connection service is despicable, your billing department is detestable, and most importantly, your customer service is disgusting. 



My favorite part about calling you every month is that I am able to express my displeasure with your service over and over again because non of your employees knows which department to correctly transfer me to. 

My second favorite part about calling you is that it seems like no one is taking notes of my issues.  Every month, you guys act like it's the first time you've ever heard from me. 

And finally, my MOST favorite part about calling you from my cell phone (service provided by AT&T) is that after I FINALLY get to the right department (after a good 45 minutes), my call is DROPPED.  Sweet! 

Source: google.com via Amelia on Pinterest

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?








Fondly,
Amelia

PS- I got that card in the mail yesterday that looked like a "birthday card" but was really a "Thank You" card for being a loyal customer and then offered me 25% off products in-store.  That's just adding insult to injury.  I ripped up your stupid fake birthday card and threw it away. 

TAKE.  THAT. 

Perfect Gift!

I find myself always taking wine to friends as gifts when I visit them in their homes!  What a perfect way to wrap it rather than buying an ugly wine bag! 

Source: studiopatro.blogspot.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Lessons Learned: Advice from a Blog

One of my favorite blogs to read is A Cup of JO.  I've enjoyed following her about two years as she got married and had a baby.  She lives in New York and I think she's so cool--I bet we'd be really good friends. 



Pat, my brother (and future
Mayor of Midland?) and me



Recently, she's posted about 2 topics that I found really insightful.  Her first topic was on the proper way to introduce someone.  It is proper to first introduce a person by name, and then by relationship to you.  For example, instead of introducing my husband to a colleague as "This is my husband, Paul" I should say "This is Paul, my husband."  It gives more emphasis to the person instead of how the person relates to you.  While visiting my brother recently (in a town where he knows everyone), I told him this piece of advice and I'm pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other. (Oh well, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.)

Joanna's second post that touched me recently was about "How to talk to Girls".  She talks about how usually your first instinct when you see a cute little girl is to compliment her on her outfit "Oh, what a beautiful dress you have on" or "I love that sparkly bow in your hair".  Instead, you should ask her about something intellectual, like "Have you read any good books recently?" or "What fun activities have you participated in this summer?"

By asking these types of questions, you reinforce that beauty comes from within instead of coming from what little girls have on or look like.  In an age where little girls are all too aware of the pressures society places on them to be beautiful (hello Toddler in Tiaras) we should focus on knowledge and intellect at an earlier age.  Little girls will more than likely remember these types of conversations more than compliments with no emphasis on their brains or inner thoughts. 



S&K (my baby sisters), husband, and me at MiCocina



Having 2 cute young sisters (5 & 7), I am quite guilty of throwing out compliments.  I am going to re-focus my conversations with them on Joanna's advice.  They are already super smart and can carry on a decent conversation, so I'm sure they'll talk my ear off! 

On a funny note, my husband and I recently got back from a tropical vacation, and the week after we got home, my family all went to dinner at MiCocina (been going there for years every Thursday night.)  As we were all sitting there, my 5 year old sister turns to us and says "So, how was your vacation?"  I died laughing and was in complete shock that she, a 5 year old, was making "small talk".