YOT 73 - "I love you most"

We all have those memories of our moms that we hate; there are those things they did that we remember where we think, "Man, I seriously hated when she did that!".  The one that stands out the most is what she did on the mornings before school.  

She would come in our rooms and DEMAND us to get up as if we were in the Air Force (as she once was.  I am so incredibly proud of her for choosing to enlist into the armed forces.  I am quite sure, that is never an easy decision to make but she did it and, I believe, it was absolutely the right one for her.  Without that choice, I may not have been born!  I feel the Air Force made her stronger, made her proud, and gave her that sense of self that she was missing at the time.  It also gave her the perfect husband for her!  So, in the long run, the Air Force gave her happiness.)

Oh, and if you said you were sick, all hell would break loose.  No, you better have clear signs of leprosy or stroke or else your ass was getting out of that bed and going to school.  In all honesty though, she KNEW when you were faking.  I have no clue how in those 5 seconds of listening to us saying we didn't feel good she could do a full body scan on us and determine that we did, in fact, feel fine and just did not want to go OR that yes, they are a bit sick and staying home is a viable option.  Cyborg.  That is the only answer.  

If you did stay home, there were strict rules.  This, I am fully aware, was the final test for staying home.  If you felt fine, there is no way any sane person would agree to the terms and promises put upon you for the day.  If you felt horrible, you did not care about the rules and would comply to anything.  No television, no video games, no visiting of friends, no eating crap.  You would think we would realize that she wouldn't know all of these things even if we did them but the fact she knew we were faking basically made us wonder what else she could find out.  We were not stupid enough to risk it.  She also knew when we had tests.  She would say, "Don't you have a chemistry test today?"  Before my answer of "No, why would you think that?", my mind would reel with Wait, what?  I didn't tell you that, how do you know that?  What the hell? Are you talking to my teachers?  Crap.   ( Now that I am grown up, I appreciate the Dictatorship of my mother on school mornings.  This was the only time I remember her as that description, to be fair.  She had to be strict on us for this.  She was smarter than us in so many things but this especially.  She was teaching us so many lessons in that few minutes every morning.  She taught us that we could not fool her, that she was not to be "had" by a couple of evil-doing adolescents.  She was teaching us that sometimes, no matter how you feel, you have to do the right thing and just suck-it up.  She was teaching us that we were not going to ruin HER job and that she did not have time to baby us anymore because she also had to get to work; this in turn was teaching us that we were not the center of the universe. Life does not stop because we are too tired to get up or because we forgot to study for the test we had that day.  We needed these lessons.It now makes me second guess my feelings when I first wake up.  I fully believe that if my mother had let me stay home every time I wanted to, I would not have the work ethic I have today and would probably not have a job anymore.).  

My mom always says I got my stubbornness form Dad.  So not true.  Well, partly true, but not completely.  She was plenty stubborn. She was very hard to negotiate with as well.  If she said something, it pretty much was the way it would be.  Even Dad didn't [publicly] override her decisions. She says it is cleaning day and you want to go out with your friends?  Nope, you should have planned ahead and done your cleaning earlier.  You went to the mall and ate pizza with your friends an hour before dinner and want to skip it?  Sorry, it is family time and you chose poorly.  Mom ran the household whether she realized it or not.  (She had her stubbornness all along.  From the very time she met my father in the Air Force, it was mom that was being the stubborn one; she was fighting with him to keep her nail polish on when he was a medic and trying to get her to take it off for a procedure.  He must had appreciated the charm then too because not long after, they were married.  

Family time was always important.  It didn't matter if it was cleaning day or family dinner time.  Family dinner time could be anywhere from 5:00 to 10:00 at night.  The important part was that we were together whenever possible so if that meant Dad didn't get home from work until 9:00, and all we had was Taco Bell because it was late, then that is what we did.  I remember the nights of sitting at the table, or even the living room, with our Taco Bell eating dinner late but still doing it together.  As much as everyone dreaded cleaning days, there were some great qualities to them as well.  My mom would always have her hair up in her palm tree pony tail.  Her hair was always full and straight and usually short.  When it was long enough, she would put it up in a ponytail on top of her hear for cleaning days and fell ending up looking exactly like a palm tree.  I love that memory of her.  It was adorable.  She would also sing during cleaning times.  I remember being little and wondering why she never became a singer.  It was such a wonderful feeling hearing her sing.  She would sing such random songs but for some reason,  I can still hear hear singing 

"Lipstick on your collar told a tale on you

Lipstick on your collar said you were untrue

Bet your bottom dollar you and I are through

Cuz lipstick on your collar told a tale on you"

I still remember hearing her sing that and wondering if she meant it and during cleaning day, she found lipstick on Dad's collar.  I was too scare to ask but quickly realized that she was too happy when she sang it.  Had she been bitter and scary, I would have worried more.  

Now that I am grown, I make sure we always eat together as a family.  It might usually be in the living room but we are together and talking.  Where and what you eat, in my opinion, does not matter.  Mom taught us that if you are together, it is all good.  

Fighting with my mom happened quite often.  (92% my fault there, not hers).   We fought about everything   Why I couldn't go to my friend's house, why I couldn't talk on the phone for 45 minutes, why I had to do my homework.  Sometimes these arguments would end with just her saying, "you know what, fine. You go ahead and do whatever you want then if you are so smart."  Oh crap, that can't be good.  It always felt like a trap.  Or even when she said, "Go ask your father and see what he says".  I would always answer with, "Fine! I will, and he will be on my side!"  Yeah, he never was.  At least, if he WAS, he would side with my Mom in defense.  (Smart guy).  (Arguing with my mother was so difficult!  She was usually right and VERY clever in her arguments.  She used to tell me after I had gotten older that I was clever and it was hard to find points to argue with me about but, to tell you the truth, it was HER that was the clever one.  I only had to find new points because I had to keep up with HER.  She had excellent points and reasons for things so I found myself floundering and grasping for anything I could think of.  She made me have to think quick and become witty in my arguments.  The reason it felt like a trap when she said "do whatever you want" was because it was.  Oh, it was.  For anyone looking for advice about moms - when they say that - DON'T DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!! You will pay for it.  Mom taught us that you can, in fact, do whatever you want but you will ALWAYS pay the consequences.  They are usually not worth the choices.    Everything has consequences, good or bad.  She made us realize we had to think about that and weigh the options before making our choices. Mom always thought I thought I was smarter than them...but in actuality, I knew I wasn't and was trying to figure how to be.  I am still trying to figure that out. )

I love my mother. Period.  I would not trade her for any other mother ever.  She taught my sister and I how to be moms and how to be a family.  She taught us that family was not just blood but whomever you chose to into your heart to be your family.  She taught us to laugh at our mistakes, not dwell on them negatively.   Our mom did what moms are supposed to do.  She taught us love, family, strength, and the courage to live our lives being good people.  Courage, yes, because it is so much easier sometimes to make the bad choices.  She gave us the gift of learning how to choose the harder, yet right choices and making our lives, and others' lives, better.   

Mother's Dy can be quite commercial and cheesy, we know.  So I want you to know that I appreciate you each and every day.  Not a single day goes by that I don't use something you taught me or appreciate something about you and my childhood.  Mother's Day or not, I am so thankful for having you as my mom.   Thank you. 

YOT 72 - SMG being the good guy

Last week, as you may, or may not have any idea, I wrong a letter to Studio Movie Grill in Spring Valley about some of the compliments and complaints I had with my first ever visit there.
Didn't read it but want to?  Forgot all about it?  Here it is: Original Letter to SMG Spring Valley

Well, I have to admit, that the Assistant General Manager, Tim Pittman, seems to be a great guy that cares about his theater.  Here is his response:

I appreciate that you took the time to give us feedback on your experience.  I apologize, however, that it did not measure up to the standards that Studio Movie Grill has been known for.

We pride ourselves in delivering a great experience with quality food, excellent service, a clean store and a friendly smiling staff.  I see from your email that we did not provide that for you. The management staff is currently reviewing how to have the bathrooms continuously clean even during high volume time periods.  We currently have a staff member assigned to check every 15 minutes however I believe we may need to simply place someone in there always.  I am embarrassed that staff members were not more helpful to you and more pleasant. 

In regards the tables, these are almost exactly the same tables that are in the VIP rows of certain theaters in Arlington location.  The only difference is that placement of the light box.  I prefer the ones at Arlington also.  We are currently looking at newer table designs to better accommodate our guests here at Spring Valley.  I apologize that they caused such a difficult time for you and your family.

Please give us another chance to show you the true SMG experience.

He also is giving me four free tickets to use to give him another chance.  You bet I will do that, Tim!

So many times, we (you, me, everyone) mentions concerns or issues with management and they really just don't care.  I mean, many times they OBVIOUSLY don't care.  Other times you just get that vibe and expect nothing to change.  But, sometimes you get those people that seem to love their job, love their customers, and honestly want to be proud of their business and want you happy.  Tim Pittman is one of those guys and I believe Studio Movie Grill is one of those places.  

I am thankful when someone, especially a  business owner / representative, cares enough to acknowledge an issue, apologize, and think about ways to correct them.  Even without the ticket offer, this would have been an excellent email that made me want to visit again.  There were many good things about this place and none of the bad things ruined my night with Omega - all of which I mentioned in my email to him.

Tim, I will not say no to your ticket offer!  Please know that while it was absolutely not necessary  it is very much appreciated but not as much as your amazing attitude and response.  Thank you!

YOT 71 - Flea-be-gone!

I was at the end of my rope.  Seriously, something has to stop these fleas!  We have had them for months now, ever since we dog-sat for someone.  It's been horrible.  *insert pitiful sad face here*  No,really, it has.  there is flea dirt everywhere.  The dog is itching constantly.  It is embarassing when she goes to the vet and they have to clean up after her because she leaves flea dirt all over.  Nothing helps.  Literally, nothing I have tried has fixed it.  The Adams spray helps for a few days but then they come back - this sucks because every other year if we get fleas, I spray her with that and they are gone for good.

So, here I was on amazon.com (again).  I searched flea remedy for dogs and sorted by highest rated.  I bought the first one that was on the list immediately.

This is a one-day pill (although, I have had it lasting a few days) but they have a once-a-month pill that I got at the same time and she took that once the first night.  That one just takes a while to kill them because it only makes the adults sterile but does not kill them.  The one-day pill kills them.  So, together, they are a force to win them all!

Little City Dogs
Flea Killer Capsules for Cats and Small Dogs

I cannot say enough how great this stuff is!  Here is my review that I posted on Amazon.com:

To be completely honest, I was hesitant at first.  As much as I hate it, I am drawn to the colorful, flashy products even though I know that does not automatically make them better.  It's like when you are flipping through the channels and scroll past the old 70's style movie because the picture isn't as high quality as today's movies...that is not to say it is a bad movie or even worse; it just gives that first impression aura.  Again, honesty here, I tried it because it got amazing reviews and the price was outrageously low so I figured I had very little to lose.

Apparently, what I had to lose was fleas.   This little super tiny pill works wonders.  The night you get it you open what looks like a pill box for infants and stare at those minuscule capsules wondering how that is going to do any good.   After surrounding it, easily, in shredded cheese and giving it to the dog, you notice how easily it disappears.  Maybe it is because it is smaller than the shreds of cheese and goes unnoticed, maybe it is because it is beef flavored (although I did not taste-test it); it really doesn't matter because it is gone and you think nothing will happen anyway.

In the morning, you awaken to something different.  Unaware of what has changed, you shower, get ready for work, and notice the dog sitting on the bed waiting...just sitting there...BAM! It hits you like a beer bottle in a bar fight; she is just sitting there and not itching!  Not once - not even a flinch.  Ok, it is just a fluke, you think.  Luckily she is white (your dog color may differ than the one in this review and it is no reflection of the product.  In all fairness, my dog was white before the pills as well) so you can easily see her skin.  Not a single flea.  Nowhere.

You do a little embarrassing dance while the dog stares in confusion and scream to the world, "BEST FLEA STUFF EVER!!"

YOT 70 - SMG makes me SMH

Here is my letter to Studio Movie Grill on my experience tonight :-)

Hello SMG!

I have gone to your Arlington location several times and have never had a complaint.  Tonight, however, we went to the Dallas / Spring Valley location and my experience changed.  

Upon entering the location, we were so impressed!  It was beautiful and clean; it was so open and welcoming.  The service at the bar was great and there were even people passing out popcorn and a dessert (I didn't get offered any but it looked delicious!).  I even said to my husband while sitting at the bar, "well, my movie-going experience tonight it really amazing!". It was unlike the Arlington location that we normally visit.  

We were going to Theater 2 for Iron Man!  We got into the theater itself and it too was spotlessly clean.  It even smelled new!  Then we got to our seats.  The "tables" at our seats were the smallest I have seen in a dine-in theater.  They reminded me of the old desks we used to have in school.  Remember those; the ones where the desk was attached to the chair?  Yeah, those were bigger.  

The "table" swings out and to the right to sort of allow you to enter your seat.  There is still a bit of squeezing and jimmying to get between the back of the seat in front of yours and the "table" but you can do it!   So, I did.  After looking at the menu, which is great as always, our server came pretty quickly and was friendly.  In the 20 minutes it took to get our drinks, my elbow, hand, and menu hit the service call button three times accidentally.  The "table" is so small and the button is right where anyone's arm will hit it when naturally leaning on it.  I felt so because each time it happened, a server had to come over.  Ugh, how embarrassing.  After the third time I just had to sit with my hands tucked in behind the "table" like a little kid in trouble.  It was the only way to avoid the button. 

So, after the 20 minutes passed and we go our drinks, it immediately started sliding down towards me.  Now, here is where my predicament happened.  Do I hold the drink and risk pushing the button or keep my arm down and risk the drink sliding.   What to do - what to do...  I stole my husband's napkin and that seemed to hold the drink in place a bit better so  problem solved.   About 30 - 40 minutes after that, we got our food. The food was the same as the other location, it was just as good as normal.  Albeit, sliding down my "table" towards me.    The theater was packed so we were not upset or surprised about the length of time the drinks or food took.  It was completely understandable.

Finally, the awesome movie ended and we were happy - even temporarily forgetting (and forgiving) the "table" issues.  Wait - they are handing out mints right outside the theater - awesome!  Maybe I was too hard on you, SMG, and maybe I should give you another chance after all.   Happily, I chew on my mint when I realize all that Pepsi really gets to a girl so off to the restroom I go.

To be honest,  I have been in New York City subway station restrooms that were cleaner than this one.  In their defense  there may have been someone living there though.  I will give it one thing, it was huge!   There were so many stalls in there and that is impressive.   Upon entering the row of stalls, I see a girl going from one to another.  Immediately, I assume she is looking for one with toilet paper.  Sure enough, it took me 10 seconds to deduce how this nice restroom was funded;  they save money by only supplying 1/3 of the stalls with toilet paper.   All of them had dispensers for two rolls but 2/3 of the stalls were completely empty.  Luckily, a girl was leaving as I passed and I was one of the lucky few to get a complete stall! Whew!  As I was, erm, doing my thing, I overheard several discussions about needing paper.  The women in that restroom bonded over sharing toilet paper.  

On my way out, I did speak to two girls at the front ticket counter area.  One of them was very polite about it.  I very nicely stated exactly this, "Hi.  I just want to let you know that the restrooms are ..." Yes, I know that is not a complete sentence but that is all I got out before the non-so-polite girl answered me with, "ok, thank you.  So, thinking she just may have not heard me, I proceeded to complete my statement while rephrasing it a bit.  "They are pretty messy and..."  Damn, foiled again by not-so-polite girl with her "ok, thank you".  I began a little mini rant to see if I could actually get my point across to her and count how many interruptions I received.  I had only three sentences to get out but she said "Ok, thank you" six times.  At the end, when i think we are all done she threw me for a loop when the last interruption was...no, not "ok thank you" but "ok, I will let the manager know". I like to think I won that little battle but I am not so sure.  

Anyway,  this has been my story on the experience tonight with a new location of your theater system.  I do hope you have a wonderful night and thank you for listening.    Keep up the great work in the bar area of this location - it was stellar!  Just maybe extend that experience to the rest. 

Regards,
Me

*** Not in the letter:  Tonight, I am thankful for finding stalls with toilet paper because egads! It sucks when you don't have any - especially if there is no one next to you.  I hope I am not alone here, but I have done the" pants close to all the way up but not touching the important (wet) parts  hope no one comes in and sees fast run/waddle to the next stall to find toilet paper" fiasco.