Father Knows Best

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary."
~ Margaret Cousins

My dad gets pretty excited when I even mention that I might want to get a different car.  I had the thought a few months ago....and I would get a phone call every now and then that went like this... "So I found this SUV at such and such place.... and I talked to the salesman and I think you should go look at it."  And this was before I even decided FOR SURE that I wanted to trade in my car!!!!

So I am sure you can only imagine the reaction when I decided again that I was thinking about trading my car in just a few weeks ago.  My dad went to about 4 different car places, found a few that I might like, then spent a Saturday afternoon with me in the freezing cold going from place to place just looking - JUST LOOKING! 

We narrowed it down to 4 different cars - at 4 different dealerships.  My dad spent an afternoon while I was at work getting the prices at each place, figuring out how much they will take for my car.... etc etc.  Then he brought the numbers back to me so I could make a decision.  (I hadn't even decided for sure yet if I wanted to get a different car at all!!)

One dealership was offering me the best deal...so we went back there just to look again.  By now, I decided this would be in my best interest...and NOW came the hardest part....which color!?!?!

So my dad asked the salesman to line up 4 cars in a row for me to look at - all different colors (both interior and exterior). 

It is quite a process...this whole car buying thing.  I am glad I don't have to do it very often!  I did decide on one and I just picked it up on Saturday.  I love it!

Today's Starfish

I am blessed to have a father who is willing to do the heavy lifting for me (in most aspects of my life - not just car buying!)  One thing I have learned about the relationship with my dad is that everyone shows love in different ways.   We have a very unique relationship.  Some dads help you with your homework and tuck you into bed.  Some dads are non - existent and maybe send you a card on your birthday.  Some dads offer advice on every single aspect of your life. 

MY dad makes sure I don't get screwed over by a salesman, picks me up for doctor appointments so I don't have to drive by myself, calls me just to say hi, let's me have a drink of his Coca Cola in his pick-up truck and makes sure all my paperwork is in order for my insurance, registration and all that other stuff :)

I love MY dad.  I don't have enough words to even begin to thank him for everything he has done to make my life better.  But I hope a little hand-made thank you card in the mail will make him smile.

I'm also going to send the salesman at the car dealership a thank you this week - for being patient with me while I chose which color I wanted and for making the process as painless as possible for me!

Coffee Queens

A little appreciation and a "Good Morning" goes a long way to building a good relationships with your co-workers and getting results.
-Unknown


Webster defines co-worker as:

n

a fellow worker; associate

synonym

colleague

 

I define co-worker as:

 

Someone you see every day.  Someone who shares a printer, water cooler, and boss with you. Someone you help and someone who helps you.  Someone who knows if you are in an bad mood and can lift you up with a few simple words of kindness.  Someone who is truly interested in what you did over the weekend and how your dog is doing.  Someone who turns their music up a tad louder than normal so you can hear.  Someone who invites you to do things outside of work.  Someone who brings you socks so you can go walking over lunch. Someone who knows how you take your coffee.

 

Someone who has turned into a friend.

 

Hopefully, most of you can relate to my definition of co-worker in one way or another.  I am lucky enough to work with a whole department full of these wonderful people!

 

 

Today's Starfish

 

One of my cubicle neighbors, Angie, and I share a love for coffee.  Not just any coffee - Caribou, Starbucks, you name it.  The warmth, the smoothness.  The caffeine and the taste.  The lattes, mochas, skinny drinks and Americana. The extra shots and the mugs and the delicious aroma. Yum Yum Yummmm.  There is nothing like a marvelous cup of coffee to start off your morning..... or for lunch........ or for a nice evening treat.

 

If Angie is running early and has time to get coffee, she texts me to see if I am interested.  Am I interested?  HELLO have you met me!  And vice versa if I am running early or sneak to Starbucks on my lunch break.

 

For today's thank you, I am writing to Angie to thank her for getting me coffee today (and numerous other days!).  It was a nice way to start a cold, windy Monday.  And she didn't HAVE to get me a coffee.  She didn't HAVE to think of me, take the time to send me a text and ask what I wanted.  But she did. 

 

 

 

Thank Your Favorite....

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”
Ralph Marston

 

 

Do you have a favorite hair stylist?  Favorite Starbucks bartista?  Favorite waiter?  Favorite manicurist? Favorite salesperson?  Is there someone you ALWAYS ask for when you go out to eat or go to a store or go pamper yourself?

 

Do you say thank you with a 15% tip?  A quick "Thanks, see ya later"? 

 

Or do you ever go above and beyond to express your gratitude?  Maybe leave a generous tip or compliment your favorite person by telling their manager how much you appreciate them? 

 

Just as the above quote reads... “Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.”

 

My challenge for you this week - think of someone who helps you often, someone you purposely look for or ask for.  And instead of the usual quick thank you or small tip, do something a little more meaningful.  Something that will show this person that you truly do appreciate them!

 

 

Today's Starfish

 

I had a horrible headache all weekend and I thought maybe a massage might help me out!  So this morning, I called my salon and just by chance my favorite masseuse happened to have an opening right after work!  Just my luck :) 

 

I am sending her a thank you in the mail.  Yes, I did leave her a nice tip and yes I did say thank you after it was over, but I am going to go the extra mile and make sure she knows how much I appreciate her!