Thursday, July 21, 2005

This has nothing to do with much, and yet everything... haha... JC Penney always said two things....

JC Penney had two sayings... One. There is not a dime made till the last shoe is sold. If you have 12 pair, you have to sell the 12th pair to realize any profit, and the second was: The customer is always right!! So with that in mind.. here is a neat post I found on this subject this am.... I post this for my four kiddos.. who grew up somewhat in a retail business and heard Dad say this many times......

Why the customer is always right

You're hearing from a customer who isn't happy with the service or product. Either the customer is right or the customer is wrong. You have to decide which it is. Suppose you decide the customer is wrong, but the customer is actually right. You've now taken a serious chance of losing the customer, and it's possible that the former customer will tell other customers or potential customers that you suck, not only do you give bad service, but when you do, you don't make it right.

Now, suppose you assume the customer is right and you give them a new one of whatever was wrong, and apologize for the screwup, and thank them for their continued patronage. Having been given what he or she asked for, and having been vindicated, and received gratitude, the customer is glowing with a magnanimity that is greater than it would have been had you never made the mistake. You win, big.

Okay, now flip it around. Suppose the customer is wrong. They're just human, it could happen. Suppose you assume the customer is right and give them a freebie and an apology and a thank you. It's likely that the freebie didn't really cost you anything, or not very much. Cost of goods ain't what it used to be. Most of the cost is in time, and you'd spend as much time arguing with them, as you would by giving them what they want. And I don't care what you say, and apology and a thanks costs nothing. You can always be sorry and thankful. Always, no matter what, even if you're being scammed and know it. You can be thankful that this person is leaving your place of business sooner than if you argued with him.

The final case is the customer is wrong and you say they're wrong. In this case you're the most screwed. This is one angry mofo and you don't want to hear what they're going to say about you. You don't even want to think about it. Everyone in your store is going to wonder why you don't just give them what they want so they will leave and they can all get on with what they came to do -- spend money.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Can you imagine.. we can see the view as Dave did on his way to work this am.... in Vermont!

If you were in Vermont and drove to work this am... these are photos of the drive Dave Winer, internet friend.. music lover, etc.. took this am...

Some pics from last night.. enjoy the day!


I didn't want to put the one of Andrew sitting in the bed with Madison Ann... so her Mom would not get upset...hahah..... but... he was... and then he just played with her before they went to sleep last night... This was the last night with Grandma and Grandpa and tonight they will be with Mom and Dad... or at least that is the plan.. haha... right now.  Posted by Picasa

The little princess last night about bedtime.. Madison Ann had her bath and was waiting on Grandma Ann to put her to bed with a warm bottle of milk... .... Posted by Picasa

Andrew Paul skate boarding across Grandma Ann's kitchen last night.. from one side to the other.. he can really ride it and make it go fast.... Posted by Picasa

Marvin decided he was too fat.. so he went to the spa where he went "under the hood" and here I caught him reading the advertisments, etc... with his hood on... he did all this himself...  Posted by Picasa

50th Anni. poem a friend shared with me... kind a neat...

Flowers On Highway Twelve

Memories are made up of magic,
they're made up of all tinsel and lace,
a memory here of a wonderful time,
a memory there of a wonderful place.

And that's how we remember our childhood,
such a great place and such a great time.
So please sit back, and let us look back,
and I hope you enjoy this wonderful rhyme.

We grew up in Middleton, Wisconsin,
where the winters can take your breath away,
but memories of eight foot snowmen,
soon melt on the breeze of a Summers day.

The 'lady with the flowers on Highway Twelve',
gardened well and her time was wisely spent,
thousands got to know her beautiful displays,
can you smell again that Heavenly Scent ?

I remember our softball games,
we played while Mom had a deserved nap,
you encouraged us from our early years,
we'd hit the ball, you'd cheer and clap.

We've always loved our animals,
some were hand reared and bottle fed,
they say that you can lead a horse to water,
but Boy ! Princess wasn't that easily led !

I remember the canned tomatoes,
and making jam by the pound,
you've always grown the best strawberries,
and Mom, you make the best apple pie around.

Dad milked his cows in his early years,
bent over on a cold concrete floor,
I guess there were too many early mornings,
because his knees and back said 'no more' !

You can take the man off the farm,
but you can't take the farm out of the man,
and Dad is happiest when he's combining,
and loves it when Jerry's harvest is to plan !

We've discovered the power of prayer,
and the wonder of working so very hard,
there have been times it has been a battle,
and at times we've fought for every yard.

But you've always been there for us,
to lend a shoulder, a hand or to give advice,
I've never met anybody so honorable,
so adored and even as half as nice.

Because we had such a very, very good childhood,
I think that as parents you've been the best,
we have been surrounded by your love,
and with that love we've been truly blessed.

You've helped us to build our houses,
and like all of the greatest ever teams,
you've cemented those homes with your love,
and shared your excitement for our dreams.

You two possess a very deep love,
for one another and for all of us seven,
a love that was born in the Cosmos,
a love that could only be made in Heaven.

You've put your faith in the Lord,
and you've passed that faith rightly on,
you've shown us the Lord's light,
and for us all it has brightly shone.

And your love and your wonderful care,
will always keep the winter chills away,
we are rich beyond our wildest dreams,
what more can there be left to say ?

We love you both so very much,
today, tomorrow and for evermore,
we just wanted to say THANK YOU,
and that's what these words are for.

Because the seven flowers on Highway Twelve,
have grown up now and sown their seed,
because they were tended with so much love,
and that's all that they will ever, ever need.

Copyright Allen Jesson :) 2001

A band from Stillwater OK... lead singer is from Harrah OK.

Jason and Jake are friends... this is Jason Boland and the Stragglers. They are a band from Stillwater, OK. He is the Waylon Jennings of his generation... he has done nothing but get better since the first time I heard him....

Jake has played with Jason, and he and Jason and the Stragglers were in a wedding where Jake sang... a couple of years back.

I know this is not a music site... But I am proud when folks are having success with their talents.. too.. enjoy.

'I Hope You Dance... sent to us from Ward and Melanie Shaklee.... enjoy, it's so true~!

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend. *The last line says it all. *

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the

garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance"

Enjoy the day!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

They are home.. Paul and Heather..

or at least their MSN Messenger became active... so they must be home.... Praise the Lord.... Welcome home guys... welcome home....!!!

Thanks Phil for the comments on photos..

It's easy to take good photos when you have good things to photograph!! Your home is awesome again this year.. the yard, garden, etc. It shows your love and devotion to the cause! I am proud of you and your efforts! Thanks for the comments...

Heather called.. and they are "headed home"!

Heather and Paul called from their car on the way home from the hospital this morning... Jake talked with Sis and she reported she was feeling much better. Ann is going to meet Paul at the kids doctors offices this afternoon, both have Doctor's appointments.. and she will help Paul with that and then bring them here for the evening... and night.

Heather loves Oklahoma music aritst/singer/songwriter Brandon Jenkins, as do I, and he has a new cd out... but .. as she was leaving the hospital, they ran into Stoney Larue's, another oklahoma music artist who has written several
songs and co wrote several with Branden, ... brother, Bo. So she reported they talked and had a good visit... He must be trying to branch out on his own too, His brother Stoney Larue has enjoyed a great deal of success and is really one of the top artist from Stillwater in the last few years! Anyway.. point here, it's a small world sometimes.. haha..

She is very excited about heading home...

Their home phone number is 405 372 1149.

Their mailing address is :

Paul and Heather Blankinship
Andrew Paul and Madison Ann
11414 E 19th Ave
Stillwater, OK 74074

Here is note from Ann I just received...

Heather just called and they are on their way home. Got her staples out,
going by the drug store and then home to rest for a while. Joan is going
to bring them some supper tonight. Paul will go by and get the kids for
their doctors appointments and I will meet them at the warren clinic to
help go two places at once and then the kids will stay one more night
with us. Then go home tomorrow. Anyway, that is the plan for the moment.


later.. S





For Jonathan....

The Mozilla Foundation is expecting to see a surge in interest in the Firefox browser from enterprise users once Microsoft launches Internet Explorer 7 next year.

IE 7, which will be available in beta this summer, will not be available to users of Windows 2000.

Asa Dotzler, the community coordinator at the Mozilla Foundation, said Tuesday that he hopes to attract many corporate Windows 2000 users to the Firefox browser, since they will be unable to take advantage of the improvements in IE 7.

"We have high hopes that we'll do better and better in (the enterprise) space with Windows 2000 users," Dotzler said. "We're excited about Microsoft launching IE 7--it will remind a lot of people that if they want better features they have to spend hundreds of dollars upgrading" to Windows XP.

Nearly half of all Windows-based business desktops are still using Windows 2000, according to a recent survey by AssetMetrix, meaning that there is a big market for the Mozilla Foundation to tap into.

Firefox 1.1, which is due for release this month, will include a range of features to encourage companies to migrate to the open-source browser, including an auto-update and preference locking feature.

Previous Next The auto-update system, which Dotzler described as a "world-class update system," will allow users to automatically install patches and updates, rather than needing to re-install Firefox each time an update is released. Version 1.1 will also include improved tools to lock down browser preferences, he said.

Improvements in Firefox, along with IE 7, could lead to a dramatic increase in the open-source browser's market share, according to Dotzler. "As we improve our tools for corporate deployments and people feel they're being left behind on Windows 2000, hopefully we'll see a real domino effect," he said.

ZDNet UK also spoke to Dotzler about the history of Firefox and Mozilla, the rise of Firefox in the enterprise, future marketing campaigns and how the Mozilla Foundation plans to target less tech-savvy consumers. Read his view of Firefox's and Mozilla's history here, and read the full interview with Dotzler here.

Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y. was shot and then captured the enmey and treated them...


Photo of soldier in video....... being shot... below

BAGHDAD -- Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic
with E Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th
Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot
in the chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.

 Posted by Picasa

Warning.. you need to be ready to see someone being shot to watch this......

Soldier survives attack; captures, medically treats sniper (Video)




Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer is a native of Mendon, N.Y. —

During a routine patrol in Baghdad June 2, Army Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a medic, was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper, hiding in a van just 75 yards away. The incident was filmed by the insurgents.
Tschiderer, with E Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was knocked to the ground from the impact, but he popped right back up, took cover and located the enemy’s position.

After tracking down the now-wounded sniper with a team from B Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs and gave medical aid to the terrorist who’d tried to kill him just minutes before.

here is the link to the short movie of the incident....

Here is official press release...

Media Release
256th Brigade Combat Team
Camp Tigerland
Baghdad, Iraq
APO, AE 09326
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2005
RELEASE 20050705-01
256th BCT Soldier survives sniper attack
Spc. Chris Foster
256th Brigade Combat Team PAO
BAGHDAD -- Being able to react to and maintain control of a situation in a
combat environment can be a difficult task for Soldiers. They must be able to
quickly react and assess a situation, in order to ensure their survival and the
safety of those around them.
“Stay alert, stay alive” is the reminder that is driven into the minds of
Soldiers since the first day of basic training and echoes throughout their military
careers.
This axiom was driven home for at least one Soldier on June 2.
Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic with E
Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry
Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot in the
chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.
While Tschiderer was relaying information to the truck commander of his
M114 Humvee, an enemy sniper team prepared to engage him from inside of a
cushioned silver van being used as a mobile sniper’s nest. This nest was lined
with numerous bed mattresses to muffle the sound of a Dragonoff sniper rifle
fired through a hole just big enough for the shooter to engage his target of
choice.
Tschiderer was knocked to the ground from the sudden impact of the
sniper’s bullet. The bullet only seemed to have fazed this Soldier as, adrenaline
pumping, he sprang right back up in order to take cover and locate the enemy’s
position.
The sniper was unsuccessful in his mission, due to the stopping force of
the Tschiderer’s daily wardrobe, his protective body armor, which saved his life.
“I knew I was hit, but was uncertain of the damage or location from the
hit,” Tschiderer said. “The only thing that was going through my mind was to take
cover and locate the sniper’s position.”
“The shot came from my 12 o’clock position from a silver van parked
across an intersection about 75 meters from my location.” said Tschiderer.
After Tschiderer alerted his fellow Soldiers of the enemy location, they
immediately began to pursue the terrorists.
Due to his heroic actions and quick decisions, Tschiderer located the
enemy while he took cover and alerted the rest of his team on patrol. As the
Saber team engaged and disabled the sniper’s position, two terrorists fled on
foot, leaving a blood trail that came from the wounds of the enemy sniper.
A cordon and search was immediately set up and Tschiderer assisted his
team in the search of the two terrorists. The driver of the silver vehicle was
detained by a team from B Co. 3-156th Inf. Bn. while Tschiderer and a team from
B Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, continued to follow the blood
trail which led them to the yard where the wounded sniper lay in pain.
As Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he gave
medical aid to the wounded terrorist—the same one who’d tried to take his life.
-30-
BAGHDAD -- Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic
with E Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th
Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot
in the chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.

You just gotta love the government....

If our government is helping storm victims, or earthquake victims... like they help farmers.. haha..

Yes, I wondered why the hurricane victims in Florida still had not done much after the damage last year and there was a lot of clean up that had not taken place. I am beginning to understand... slowly.

As a farmer, the government helps us in times of natural disaster, too. In our county in Oklahoma, we encountered severe drought in the year 2003. We started buying hay in August of that year, which is three months earlier than usual. We spent almost 11,000 on hay that winter.


About 5 months ago, ... in the year 2005, we got to sign up for help.... and we waited and waited and waited.. .. and now .. been told it might be first of August or later.. but it's on it's way...

To make a long story shorter... with the amount of cattle we run, and the land we own and rent, we will receive about 1500. first figures were 1900.... Now that seems like a lot ... but let me tell you... it's not. But we are glad to get anything that helps us continue on with our farming...


My point is this... I just wonder if the nice folks who suffered all the losses in Florida and other places along the gulf, are still waiting on help too??? Geeze, I hope not.... our loss was two years ago.. if they are.. can you imagine..???

Just wanting to share... haha...

From Uncle Ivan.. Mars and Jupiter on August 27th..... need to watch..

The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2,287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can be certain only that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification

Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10:00 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3:00 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your children and grandchildren. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN !!!

for Philliip.. and Paul.... Organic farming uses less energy than regular farming

July 19, 2005 9:55 AM PDT
Organic farming uses less energy than regular farming
Organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as conventional farming, but consumes 30 percent less energy, less water and no pesticides, according to a study that reviewed 22-years of farming results.

"Organic farming offers real advantages for such crops as corn and soybeans," said David Pimentel, a Cornell University professor of ecology and agriculture, in a prepared statement. Pimentel studied the results from the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial, the longest running comparison of organic vs. conventional farming in the United States.

The study compared a conventional farm that used recommended fertilizers and pesticides with an organic animal-based farm (where manure was applied) and an organic legume-based farm (that used a three-year rotation of hairy vetch/corn and rye/soybeans and wheat). The two organic systems received no chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

You have to see this to believe it...

What is our world coming too..... ????

Paul, Heather, Andrew and Madison...... again....



Yes..

Heard from the lady herself this am she is heading home hopefully today. The Doctors did find a 7cm bloodclot behind her bladder causing her discomfort she reported. They think it will dissolve on it's own, but it is a big one. She will stay on meds for about 10 days to 2 weeks.
Ann and I kept the kiddos last night... OK, for all you doubting thomas's in the world.. haha.... ANN kept the kiddos... and they did great. We will do this again tonight, according to Heather so her and Paul can get ONE night of rest before the storm.. haha.. and we don't mind. So guess this is what will be.

Will try to keep you informed on what else happens today. I am running water again.. 15 on and 15 off, trying to clear up our well...

Have a great day.... and here's a photo of Andrew and Madison near bedtime last evening...

Enjoy the day....