Labor Day

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Today's blessings: getting stuff done; Giordano's pizza and movie with Steve

Five Things I Like About Disney

1. No matter our ridiculous my outfit of the day is, there is always someone whose outfit is even more ridiculous than mine. And I'm assuming that I'm somebody's "more ridiculous" outfit person.

2. No matter how tired I am, there's always somebody who's more tired than I am. And she is usually screaming at the top of her little two-year-old lungs.

3. No matter how much Disney crapola I purchase, there is always somebody who's purchasing even more unnecessary crapola than I am. But since it really looks like some really cool stuff, I have to go hunt it down and put it in my basket.

4. No matter how much I manage to stuff in my face and eat at Disney World, there's always something even more delicious to eat just around the corner. I just have to waddle around the corner and get it.

5. No matter how many times I see Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, I still love it as much as I did the first time I saw it. I still get all verklempt and get chill bumps. I think it will never be as good as it is at that moment. And it isn't - until I see it the next time.

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Today's blessings: saying goodbye to Migdalia; checking in at Beach Club Villas; shopping and lunch at Red Lobster with Steve; clerks at Christmas store at Downtown Disney; Epcot walking; Big River Grille dinner with Steve; watching Illuminations fireworks from the balcony

Changes

Okay, so I changed the blog all up. Usually I change it on my birthday, which I did this year. But it just never really felt right. I'm not sure whether this layout will stay around - but then again, it just might.

The important thing here is to change stuff if it just doesn't suit you or feel right. Don't hang on to the "way it is" for any reason except that it is what you truly like. Switch things up as many times as needed until you find just the right thing.

Because if it's truly YOUR thing, then you're the only one to whom it matters the most and the only one who knows what that right thing is.

Happy changes!!!

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Today's blessings: Three laps around the resort; ten short laps in the pool; quiche for breakfast and chef salad for lunch; Ghiradelli for dinner and Big Mac for dessert; Disney mini-golf with Steve

Just Call Me Jabali

Last week on my birthday, a baby elephant was born at my favorite place, Animal Kingdom. He did top me slightly in weight, coming in at 311 pounds, and will probably grow to weigh over 10,000 pounds (although I hope to go the opposite direction weight-wise).

Today the keepers gave him a name - Jabali - which means "strong as a rock" in Swahili. Somehow, this inspires me to do better, try harder, and be stronger. Watch me and Jabali go!

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Today's blessings: SLEEPING PAST 5AM!!!, 3 laps around the resort lake; phone chat with Marilyn, chat with housekeeper Migdalia; swim in the quiet pool; shopping and dinner with Steve

Customer Service

Example #1: We ate lunch at Truett's in Atlanta. When we were checking out, we noticed a big sign advertising their t-shirts. We asked the person checking us out about the shirts. She asked several people, then went to the back office. After several minutes, she and the manager (I guess) came out. The manager started rummaging around underneath the counter. One of the employees told the manager that there were no shirts, to which the manager replied that she thought there were a couple of extra-smalls left (a size I haven't worn since I left the hospital as a newborn). The manager conceded that there were no more shirts to be had, then mumbled something about them having not decided if they were going to order the same shirt or not. She then proceeded back to her office, leaving the sign still in the display window. There was no acknowledgement about their error, no mention of being sorry about taking up our time, no "sorry for your inconvenience, here's a coupon for a free sandwich," or something like it. Not even an attempt to correct an obvious erroneous message front and center. More like, "too bad, so sad, see you next time." While we will return in the future, we did leave a bit disappointed.

Example #2. Tonight we checked in to our resort at Disney World. When we finally found our room (we are sometimes directionally challenged), we went inside the room and unpacked. We noticed the toilet was still running, and was going to need a jiggle to stop the water flow. We also noticed a rust-looking ring in the bowl. It was sort of gross. We walked to the gift shop and I stopped by the front desk to voice my potty concerns. I assured them that tomorrow morning would be adequate for a remedy to the situation. Fifteen minutes later, someone had already been to our room and fixed and cleaned the toilet. Fifteen minutes earlier, I was questioning whether we would return to this resort, a feeling that was totally changed because somebody in charge wanted to make sure I (their customer) was happy.

Usually all it takes is just a few minutes and a little effort to make or keep a loyal customer. You just have to be willing to try.

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Today's blessings: safe road trip to Florida; Walls shopping; Giordanos with Steve; Coronado Springs staff