Nana Was Always #1 in Customer Service

Originally posted on Remembering Frances.

For the 40 years Nana worked at Ellis National Bank, which later became NCNB, and finally NationsBank (and today is known as Bank of America, but she retired from NationsBank), she was always recognized for her outstanding customer service abilities. The day of her retirement in 1996 (on her 80th birthday!), customers came in to say good-bye who had been her customers for 40 years. Even after her retirement, those customers would call her at home and ask her questions because they knew that she would always tell them what was best for them and not just what was best for the bank. She treated everyone the same, whether they had $50 or $5,000,000. Wealth didn't matter to Nana. What mattered was that every customer she served felt important and valued. Nana also knew how to keep matters confidential. Her customers knew that when they told her their personal financial information, she was going to hold that information in the strictest confidence.

Needless to say, anyone in type of sales or customer service position could learn a thing or two from the way she treated her customers. And NCNB knew it, which is why when they created training videos, they always featured Nana.

"Waste-Wise" Shopping - The Smart Way to Shop!

I received this from the moderator of the Arlington Heights Freecycle Group on Tuesday night. She did not credit anyone as having written it and I don't know her name, so I don't who to thank for these tips. All I can do is pass them onto you.

Here are some tips to change the way you shop to reduce waste, help our environment and even save money!

Waste-wise shopping why should I do it?
Currently all of the rubbish that we throw out is sent to the tip (landfill) and buried. However, we are quickly running out of space. As a result, the cost of getting rid of our rubbish is increasing every year, and it is important to try and find more ways of reducing the amount of waste that ends up in our rubbish bin.

"Waste-wise" shopping is a great way of reducing the amount of waste you create before you even bring your groceries home. And don't be surprised if it saves you money!

Before starting on your shopping trip, try to keep in mind ways that you can REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE!

1. REFUSE
Say "NO" to plastic bags! Take your own calico shopping bags, basket, box, backpack or even a laundry basket!

TIP: Calico bags can be reused over and over again simply wash them when they get dirty. Calico bags often hold more groceries and are stronger than plastic bags, which means no more "double bagging". You could even make your own or give them as presents instead of using wrapping paper!

What's the problem with plastic bags?
Plastic bags are a convenience, however they also cause many waste and environmental problems.

• Plastic bags are a litter problem which not only looks ugly, but can harm and kill our wildlife.
• Plastic kills up to 1 million seabirds, 100 000 sea mammals and countless fish each year worldwide. When the animal dies and decays the plastic is free again to repeat the deadly cycle.
• Plastic bags take a long time to break down, which can be anywhere between 20 and 1,000 years.
• Plastic bags are a common contaminant in council curbside recycling bins, which results in recyclables that are inside the bags being sent to the tip as rubbish.
• Plastic bags can be recycled through many supermarkets which have special plastic bag recycling bins. Despite alternatives such as calico or string bags being available, people keep using plastic bags. In fact, Australians use around 10 billion plastic bags per year, nearly 7 billion of which are supermarket plastic bags!

Question: What is one thing you could do to reduce the amount of plastic bags that you use? Use reusable bags!

What would make this easier for you?

Some examples could be:

• keeping calico bags or boxes in the trunk of your car;
• keeping a spare calico bag or plastic bag rolled up in your handbag for any unexpected purchases;
• getting into a routine and returning bags/boxes to the same place after unloading your groceries.

2. REDUCE
Buy goods with less packaging. Buy fruit and vegetables loose, not wrapped. Avoid products that are individually wrapped, or with multiples layers of packaging (e.g., biscuits in a cardboard box which is also wrapped in plastic; bars of soap individually wrapped in plastic). Many fruit and vegetables have their own "packaging, so why buy them in a plastic bag or wrapped on a foam plate (e.g., corn and bananas)?

Buy economy sized products, concentrates and refills. Save both money and packaging. Less packaging means less rubbish. This could include goods like detergents, juices, cordials and cleaning products. For example, if you are buying potato chips for your kids, don't buy the multi-
packs. Buy large single packs of chips and put individual servings into reusable plastic containers.

TIP: Why not join a food co-operative where you can bring your own refillable containers?

3. REUSE
Reuse plastic bags and choose items that can be reused many times. Choose durable and reusable products instead of disposable ones.

For example:

• pens with replaceable refills
• razors with replaceable blades
• refillable lighters
• using reusable utensils and plates/cups instead of throwaways
• using rechargeable batteries instead of single-use ones
• sponges instead of paper towels
• cloth nappies and bottom wipers instead of disposable ones

Reuse and repair products, or buy quality second-hand goods. Why throw something out if it can be repaired? Many repairs and secondhand goods come with a warranty.

TIP: Next time you buy any second-hand goods (especially electrical items) check to see if they have a warranty.

4. RECYCLE
Choose products with recyclable packaging. Learn what can be recycled and choose as many products as possible made from recyclable packaging. Recyclable packaging which is then recycled means less waste being sent to landfill!

For example, why not buy:

• Toilet paper wrapped in paper instead of plastic
• Dishwashing detergent in a recyclable bottle
• Yogurt in recyclable HDPE containers (marked with a 2 on the bottom) instead of non-recyclable Polystyrene containers (marked with a 6).

TIP: Take the next step and "close the recycling loop" by buying products made from recycled materials (e.g., paper products like toilet paper and tissues, materials made from glass, PET and aluminum). This will also help to make recycled products cheaper.

Waste Wise Tips for Buying Presents
Christmas is getting close, so here are some ideas on how to shop smart to save waste and money!

• Give "experiences" as presents - Massage vouchers, dinners out, or even your time, make great presents, and they don't need any wasteful wrapping.
• Give presents in reusable "wrapping" - Instead of wrapping presents in throwaway paper, calico bags and tea towels make great wrapping, which is waste-wise and a great gift! Colorful ribbon will "dress up" your present, and can be used instead of sticky tape.
• Buy long-lasting presents and ones that can be repaired if they break (e.g., Wooden toys for children).
• Make your own presents - Home-made presents can be cost-effective yet thoughtful with minimal or no packaging.
  
• Why not make reusable shopping bags as gifts!

20 Steps to a Waste-Wise Christmas

1. "SNUB" - Say No to Unwanted Bags. Try to take reusable shopping bags or a basket with you and decide whether or not you really need a new bag for every purchase.
2. Compost vegetable peelings and food scraps except meat, seafood and dairy products.
3. Try to buy Christmas decorations that can be used for several years.
4. Close the loop buy recycled Christmas cards, wrapping paper, tags, diaries and calendars.
5. Avoid buying presents with excess packaging.
6. Make your own cards and presents if possible with reusable materials it could be a lot more fun and more personal. Have a go at making your own gift labels by recycling last year's Christmas cards.
7. When shopping, make a list! Don't buy unwanted presents! You may be creating unnecessary waste. Before you buy, think whether it will be a welcome gift.
8. If you receive a present that you don't like, why not give it to the charity shop and give someone else a chance to enjoy it rather than throwing it away.
9. Email electronic Christmas cards saving money, paper and the environment. (LMS Note: Not to mention expensive postage!)
   
10. Don't waste paper wrap creatively! Use tea towels, cloth, wool, ribbon, reusable bags or Christmas stockings.
11. Reuse old Christmas wrapping paper (and open your presents carefully!).
12. Recycle paper, cardboard and recyclable containers from your Christmas cheer (glass bottles and jars, soft drink bottles and other recyclable plastics, aluminum and steel cans) through kerbside collections. Even the corks can be recycled by dropping them off at any Body Shop stores or Girl Guides.
13. Recycle your old Christmas cards by taking them to Planet Ark drop off boxes at Coles, Video Ezy or Body Shop stores in January and February. (LMS Note: I cut off the pictures on the front - assuming there's not personal note on the back of the picture - and use them as gift tags on future Christmas gifts. This saves me money in buying gift tags and dresses up gifts.)
    
14. Buy 'live' Christmas trees which still have soil around the roots ready for potting. After Christmas you can replant it in your garden. Or artificial trees can be re-used year after year.
15. Choose gifts and products which are long lasting, repairable, refillable, reusable or recyclable for when they eventually reach the end of their life.
16. Avoid purchasing items which are non-functional and gimmicky. Avoid buying gifts which need batteries.
17. If you are throwing a party, avoid using disposal items such as cups, plates and napkins. For example, why not hire out glasses. (LMS Note: I assume this means to rent glasses, but I would recommend going to a resale shop and buying glasses cheaply. It doesn't matter if the glasses match or not and you can use them again and again.)
    
18. If goods are packaged, choose items which are made from recycled materials, and that can be easily recycled by you after use, such as glass and paper products.
19. Christmas gifts don't necessarily have to be material items. Treat somebody to a day out, buy cinema or theater tickets, open a children's savings account, make a donation to charity, or arrange a year's subscription to a society such as The National Trust, or magazine such as Habitat, ECOS or Amnesty International.
20. Plan meals wisely. Think ahead when buying food and plan for left-overs - after a big roast dinner for example. This will help minimize the amount of waste you throw away and avoid wasting money.

What are your favorite ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce at this time of the year?

Will You Be My Hero Baby?

Over the last 12 months, good news has been tough to find. "If it bleeds, it leads" is not just a cliche it's how most newsrooms run. For proof, just turn on the nightly news. Stories of people doing good things are never the lead stories.

The Dow has had its ups and downs. Too many jobs have been lost. People have died. Wars have been fought. Natural disasters have occurred. Once again, the Cubs had a rough year and the Bears might as well sit the rest of the season out. It's been a tough year.

But in spite of it all, there are people doing amazing things. There are people who not only see the problems, but more importantly, they create solutions. These people are heroes. All too often, they are unsung.

In spite of all this bad news, CNN has spent the year searching out and honoring these heroes. They've narrowed it down to the Top 10 and will honor each of them in a special to air Thanksgiving night.

Help CNN choose the Hero of the Year by voting for your favorite. But hurry! Voting ends at 6am (ET) on Thursday, November 19th.

Don't forget to tune into CNN at 9pm ET on Thanksgiving. Your belief in mankind will be restored. You will be inspired. And have a box of tissues. Trust me, you'll need it.

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's a . . . Bra That Turns Into a Putting Green?

I know that soon you're going to think that Little Merry Sunshine is obsessed with breasts, but I assure you that is absolutely not the case.

That said, we were taken aback a few days ago when our good friend Klambity Jane sent us this bizarre story and video about a bra that turns into a putting green and golf skirt with the words "Be Quiet" on the rear that doubles as a golf flag.

I also wonder if this would be appropriate attire for any of those fun charity golf outings that I must now attend, although I'm not exactly a "keen golfing lady," so maybe not. I guess I've got about 7 months to figure that out.



Bra That Can Be Used As A Golf Putting Mat
Lingerie makers Triumph have unveiled the 'Nice Cup in Bra', which can be removed, rolled out and used as a putting mat for the keen golfing lady.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Harriet Alexander, November 11, 2009

Triumph have designed the new bra to appeal to Japan's busy golfing women.

The green corset-style garment can be removed and unrolled to create a 1.5m-long putting mat.

When the user sinks a putt into one of the cups, a built-in speaker pumps out a congratulatory "Nice shot!".

The bra also features pockets for extra golf balls and tees, and a detachable flag pin that serves as a score pencil.

The bra set comes with a skirt with the words "Be Quiet" printed on the rear, which doubles up as a flag for use on the course.

Quite how the user is supposed to do cover herself when she removes the underwear is unclear.

Twice a year, Triumph unveils a new novelty bra in Japan to highlight social trends.

The novelty bras are generally designed to raise awareness of an issue, rather than be worn regularly.

Triumph claim that the Nice Cup in Bra is a response to the growing popularity of golf among Japanese women.

In previous years the company have invented the postal bra – with pockets for letters – and a chopstick bra made from miso soup and rice bowls, with a special holder for chopsticks.

In May they unveiled the novelty husband hunter bra, which features a countdown clock that stops once an engagement ring is inserted into the mechanism, and plays Mendelssohn's "The Wedding March".

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . .

Chicago radio station WLIT 93.9 on the FM dial changes from its typical "lite" fare to all-Christmas, all-the-time starting in just about 2 hours and will continue to play nothing but Christmas music through Christmas! That's 39 days!

Now I know that some of you will remove The Lite from your preset stations on the radio dial in your car, but not me. I love it.

I love Christmas music. Even the cheesy stuff. Maybe especially the cheesy stuff. Christmas music, by its very nature, is happy, uplifting music. I don't think I've ever heard depressing Christmas music and if you have, please do not tell me about it. I don't want to know.

Go ahead. Give it a listen. You know you want to. Just click the picture.

Four Months. I've Made It 4 Months.

I know that I said I would be taking a short hiatus, but two things happened earlier today that necessitated some blogging. One I'll write about next week. The other I'm writing about now.

I realized as I was getting dressed this morning and I was feeling a bit cranky and tired (a winning combination, to be sure) that maybe I was feeling so sensitive because Nana passed away four months ago today and I'm starting to prepare for the holidays and I miss her so much.

I had this realization as I was thinking that I should pick up the phone and call her today to discuss Christmas plans and fruitcake. Except I can't. And then I got really sad. But my day was too busy to feel my sadness until right now. So now I feel it and there's a part of me that wishes I could just put it back in the bottle I keep it so well confined to.

But the good news is that I've made it through four months. I didn't know how I would make it four days at the beginning. Most days I only acknowledge that I miss her and don't feel intense the intense sadness I feel at this moment. And that's a huge victory over a month ago. I even laugh again.

The sadness will pass soon and I'll be fine again. Thanksgiving and Christmas won't be the same this year, but I'll enjoy being with my family and knowing that Nana is with us in spirit.

LMS Will Be Back After These Messages . . .

Have you noticed that posts have been a little light over here at Little Merry Sunshine? Well, the holiday season is in full swing and our offices are swamped. I'd have Betsey and Ross ghost write, but we all remember what happened the last time they got their paws on my laptop.

This week is especially busy with my annual Mary Kay Holiday Open House this weekend, but I digress.

Anyway, Little Merry Sunshine will return with it's regularly scheduled blog post on Monday, at the latest. I promise. If you're good, I may post over the weekend. I've got some great posts coming in the next few weeks including my annual holiday gift guide, which is not to be confused with my own personal holiday wish list, Little Merry Sunshine's Rules of the Road, and a number of other surprises. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.

While you're missing me (and I'm sure you will), take a peek over at my good friend Bergsie's awesome blog Kittens Farting Rainbows. She delightful and witty and oh my gawd so smart. You'll adore her just as much as I do.

Just don't forget to come back on Monday. And in case you can't remember how you got here, just click here for instructions.

Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

Forty years ago today, Sesame Street first premiered on PBS. Four decades of children have grown up with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert & Ernie, the Cookie Monster, Grover, and many other Sesame Street friends.

But not me. Sesame Street was not allowed in my house. I don't know why. I also wasn't allowed to watch The Electric Company, but Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Captain Kangaroo were okay, in limited amounts.

Anyway, happy birthday to Sesame Street!

Maybe We Need a "No Congressman Left Behind" Act

You may have heard that there was a Tea Party-type protest on the steps of the Capitol today. Organized by Congresswoman Michelle Bachman, quite a few Republican Representatives were not only in attendance but had vital speaking roles.

First up, Congressman Todd Akin (MO-10) led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance:



He was obviously pretty excited about getting to the God part.

Contrary to what Congressman Akin believes, this bleeding-heart liberal doesn't go crazy when people say the Pledge, I go crazy when they don't know the words.

Next House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH-8) motivated the masses by quoting the Preamble to the Constitution.



Now I'm certainly no Constitutional Scholar, but I did pass 8th Grade Social Studies and my teacher, Ms. Peterson, would be very happy to know that I can still tell the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the United States Constitution (I scored a 100% on that test, but you knew that). I also still have the Schoolhouse Rock song in my head.



And here's the Declaration of Independence:



It sure would be nice if our elected officials knew what every 8th grader knows.

For All Those "I Gotta Have Some Wine NOW" Moments

You know when you're walking down the street and all the sudden it hits you like a ton of bricks and you realize you've simply got to have some wine? You've got the wine in hand, but then you realize you have no corkscrew. What in the world will you do?

Thanks to this instructional video, there's now an answer that even MacGyver himself could learn from.

It's not in English, but I don't think any translation or French skills are necessary.



Thanks Bergsie for the heads-up on this video!