A Time of Change..

While thinking about what to write my new blog post about, I realized that the Watson family's lives are changing so much that I could probably write a good "memory lane" post about all the craziness that is happening. I have also embraced the fact that this post will probably make my mother and sister cry - it's the Watson Women genes.. we are doomed to cry at the drop of a hat.

So what am I talking about, you ask? Well.. I have moved out of my apartment and into the Schlosz' family house in Round Rock and my parents are moving out of their house and into my apartment. Crazy? Yes, I think so.

Growing up we moved around a lot as a family, I feel like we have lived in every part of England possible, yes that is a slight exaggeration.. but you get the point. We then left England and moved to the states and landed in Little Rock, Arkansas. Hmm... no comment. We then moved to Austin, Texas. And since then, both of my siblings have gotten married :tear:, 4 dogs have been added to our family, 2 college graduations have happened, and 2 high school graduations have happened. 2 grandchildren have been born, both the parents had the big 5-0 :), 1 sibling moved out of town, and the other out of state, and we have met so many great people. I'm sure I'm missing many other events, but you get the point, a lot of big stuff has happened since moving to Austin.

But now, there is a time for change. The word alone can often scare many people, but depending on the way you look at it, it can also be a great thing. Change challenges us, as humans, to not freak out at the "altering" of what we have gotten used to. I admire my parents for their courage and strength to face many challenges that come from change in their years of marriage. And now they take on yet another huge change, moving from a big ol' house into my 1 bedroom apartment.

So, 10636 Floral Park Drive, we solute you.
From birthday parties, to engagement parties, to baby showers, to anniversary parties, to family reunions - you have given our family shelter and a great home to live in. But now, it is time for you to be the home for a new family and bless them.
So, here are a few pics to celebrate the great time we had in this house, but to also look forward to the new memories to come. So, yes. Christmas will be different this year, Thanksgiving will be different this year. But, I'm learning to understand the true meaning of these times, to celebrate with the ones you love; Whether with a huge Christmas tree with presents and a big table to sit around, or in a new place where things are a little more cosy.

This is the classic look of our living room after all the prezzies have been opened in the afternoon:


Mum and Dad's 50th Birthday


My lovely family <3


I love this picture, it's from last Christmas, Derby and his grandad :)


Mum's yearly masterpiece:


Laura + Jack


The classic "too early to take pictures" photos from Christmas morning:


Han and Dave lad:


The classic present that Dad buys Mum every year even though they promise not to get each other gifts:


Han and Dave are engaged!


The snow day when Han punched me in the face...


While we pretend to help with the tree


Grandma and Grandpa Visiting:




The cake making masters!


Putting up Christmas lights!


The Man of the house!


Thanksgiving:


A VERY old picture from a great time when family came to visit form England




Karaoke nights!


BALLOONS!


One of the many parties:


No comment..


Laura doing Han's makeup for her Jr. Prom


Being goofy


Jack Lad representing his British pride!



Tornado warning.. everyone in the closet.. with a bottle of wine!


Father's Day 2009:


Alright.. you've all seen enough :P
But you get my point... it's been a great house and we have all grown up so much since moving in years ago that December day. Lets see what the next years bring!

How to avoid being the customer everyone hates

Dear friends,

Today comes a lesson to you all. This lesson I teach you with words of wisdom from 6 years of working retail. Follow these simple steps to avoid being the customer that anyone in the world of customer service hates.

Step 1.
When we say, "Hi, how are you doing?" DO not ignore us. We're not asking for a novel back or anything, we're just looking for a "Good thanks, and you?" Even if you don't mean it. Pretend you do. Come on people. Do not be the person that will look us directly back in the eye and then look back down at the ever-delicious-looking pastry case that I PREPARED for you this morning. Rude.

Step 2.
If you are on the phone.. you are CLEARLY not ready to place your order. Would I take your order while I'm chatting on my cell phone? Nope. Because that would be considered preposterous - yet I'm supposed to figure out when you're talking to me or talking to the other person who is giving you some lame excuse as to why they can't meet you for coffee that day after all.. probably because you're a jerk face who won't get off your phone. HOWEVER, there is one excuse in this situation. You get big time brownie points if you go through the phone/place order scenario - but then come back at a later time and apologize. You will then be forgiven.

Step 3.
Do not complain about the prices. Such a simple step, one would think. However, to some of us - it is not. I have to tell you all, and to some of you it may be like telling a child about Santa Claus, but... WE.DO.NOT.MAKE.THE.PRICES. We only stand there and whip up these magical drinks that you order. I do not sit around on a Monday morning and think.. hmm.. how much do I wanna charge these suckers for their morning latte? Nope. That doesn't happen. So when you complain to us, that's why we have the face "Yep.. haven't heard this before" or the "I just work here" face.



Step 4.
Do not get frustrated with the assortment of questions we ask you at the registers. We are told to do this. We do not have the option if we feel that you look extra busy compared to the other hundreds of business men that walk into my shop everyday. Do not sigh. Do not "humph". Just simply answer the questions with a yes or no and we can all move on with our day.



Step 5.
Money. As we all know, there are many ways to pay with money. Cash, credit, debit, gift cards.. and so on and so on. Some not valuable options:
-Throwing money on the counter
-Putting money on the counter when I'm holding my hand out... you can put your 4 dollars in change in my hand, thanks.
-Walking away without paying and thinking we won't notice. We do.
-Tapping your credit card on the counter while I get your 1000 calorie carrot cake Mr. Track suit and protein powder drinker.
-My tip jar. Contrary to popular belief my tip jar is not sitting there to assist you in the payment of your large drink and food item. I have no idea how some people fail to see this.

Step 6.
The final step I will address to you all today... Never. EVER. Say to someone working in customer service - "You must be new here." Why? Because we can't read your mind? Nope. This is NEVER ok to say. It is offensive and rude for you to assume that because you make up whatever drink you want, not on the menu of course, and we try our best to create it and it's not perfect - chances are that does not mean that person is new. Don't even try to say it. You can think it, but never my friends, say it.

I feel better, don't you?
I hope you take this lesson to heart, lets make the world of customer service a happier place :) One friendly customer at a time.

Until next time,

J

"It's actually come as quite a shock to learn just how many people don't like me." - Phil Collins

Phil Collins. Musical genius. Drummer of the ages. A man whose voice melts my heart when he sings!
As many of my friends know, I have a not-so-secret obsession with the music of Phil Collins. So I decided, that I can't claim to love his music and know absolutely nothing about him. So, I did my research on Mr. Collins and found some interesting stuff, some not so interesting, and some pretty funny stuff also. That's right folks - a blog post dedicated to Phil Collins. Now, if you're one of those people who he is referring to in the title of this blog post - "It's actually come as quite a shock to learn just how many people don't like me." - then do not feel the need to read further. If you are interested however, then here we go:

I'm not gonna lie, the first thing that popped up when I googled Phil was a news article titled - Phil Collins Turned Down Prostitute's Free Service Offer - This was not exactly what I was going for with this blog post - but decided to read it anyway. All I got from it was a really scary picture of him and that's about it. So, moving swiftly along...

Phil was born January 30th 1951 in London. His love for music came from a toy drum kit that he fell in love with. Phil has actually been quoted saying, "I'm not a singer who plays a bit of drums. I'm a drummer that sings a bit." Hence, why in so many of his songs we hear the classic Phil Collins drum solos - can't blame the man!
Phil has been married 3 times and is currently dating someone new - he mentioned that all of his ex-wives and current girlfriend get a long, quite bizarre, but I guess it would take a special kind of lady to marry Phil.
Now I could go over his awards and all that - but we'd be here all day - so lets skip that part and just say that the man is extremely talented.

Any of you seen 'The Hangover'? Remember the scene with Mike Tyson in the hotel room? Well, for your viewing pleasure - here it is:



Here's what Collins had to say about it:
"The greatest surprise for me is how some of my songs have had this amazing afterlife. Often when I bump into strangers on the street, they won't speak to me; they'll just act out the drum sequence from In The Air Tonight. That song just won't lie down. I knew nothing about the song being used in The Hangover (2009). Then a friend asked me, "Have you seen that movie where those guys steal Mike Tyson's tiger during a stag night in Vegas and they all end up singing In The Air Tonight?" When I saw it I thought it was hilarious"

Collins was even mentioned on one of my favorite TV shows, 30 rock, as Tracy Jordan offers to make Jack Donaghy a mixed CD. Tracy: "Jack, I'm going to make you a mixed tape. Do you like Phil Collins?" Jack: "Do I have 2 ears and a heart?"
[Truer words have never been spoken]

I read this quote before seeing the commercial he is talking about - but of course had to look it up and it's one of the greatest things I have ever seen:
"When the chocolate company first rang up about the advert, they asked whether I'd have any objections about a gorilla playing my drum parts. My attitude was, "If you can make that mad idea work, then good luck to you." Then it goes on to become one of the most popular ads of all time."



I watched a couple of interviews with him, and he is an interesting fella - sounds like he works hard and that's his main motivation not the "star" treatment or the feeling of being a celebrity - That gave me some respect for Mr. Collins.

"In the air tonight" is obviously his top hit - but my main favorites are: Take a look at me now, Easy Lover, Love don't come easy, and Two worlds

If you haven't really heard his music - I highly recommend checking it out - yes, some of it is cheesy, and he may or may not go a little overboard on the drums. But ain't no party like a Phil Collins party coz a Phil Collins party don't stop! ;)

Until next time,

-J

I hate being sick :(

Well folks, I'm sick. And what better to do when you're sick than to complain about how sick you are? Luckily for you, I'm too tired to go into detail so you got a free pass on that one. I just wish I had some Tazo Refresh Tea at home, I was drinking it ALL day today at work. Tazo Refresh Tea. Also known as, my life saver while sick at work. I don't know what it is about this magic peppermint drink but it works wonders. I have a little secret ingredient that I will share with those of you lucky enough to read this post, add a touch of green tea leaves to the peppermint/refresh - you're golden! My throat feels like I am swallowing knives, and no this is not me being dramatic, however, this warm touch of heaven is helping indeed. :)



I set up for the fall promotion today at work. It's a pumpkin party over at that coffee shop, let me tell ya! Point being, as I was attempting to be artistic while drawing "fall-ish" things on our Team Feature board, I realized that it's close to fall.. which means :: fingers crossed :: maybe some cold weather soon! I can see the confused look on your faces now, but yes, it is possible for a person to live in Texas and secretly want cold weather all year long. I love it - scarves, gloves, coats, oh my! And of course, once the cold weather arrives - I can jam out to the Christmas music that I wait for all year long!



One other thing before I go - can anyone tell me what happened to the wave? That's right, the wave. No, I don't mean the over-the-top school spirit exercise done at such things as pep-rallies or football games. I mean the car wave. See image above. The, "well I see you in the lane next to me and it's cute you think that's gonna stop me from switching over lanes and cutting you off" wave. I'm telling you, where did manners go? I had such an experience this morning - I thought... "hey this traffic sucks and I'm late to work but I'm gonna be nice and let you into my lane because I'm a rock star like that" and my eyes did not leave the spot where their hand should have raised to simply say "hey thanks". Alas, there was nothing - not even a pinky lift. RUDE. Point being, lets bring back the wave people. It's 2 seconds out of your day and it keeps drivers like me happy, and believe me - we want to keep drivers like me happy!

Until next time - I leave you with this amazing song. Yes I realize John Mayer can sometimes be a complete cheese fest however, I love his cover of this song and won't lie - belt it out while driving alone in my car :) Enjoy!



-J

Ok, for real this time!

I'm going to be honest with you all, I have started more blogs in my time than I can count on 1 hand. However, I feel like this time - it's for real! I actually started this blog back in 2009 and as you can see, stopped posting after 4 posts. Right. This time is different, I'm tellin ya!

Basically, this blog is going to be me blabbering on about my oh so exciting life and my opinions on things that probably most people don't care about what-so-ever. But you, as my loving audience/family/friends that I am making read this - of course care what I have to say! :) This first post will be a short one as it is almost 2am and I have to be up for work in 3 and a half hours. Curse my life. However, I couldn't sleep so the refresher of this blog is what I turned to, yay! :: Productive points ::

So I leave you now, with a classic clip from my favorite TV show, 30 rock... Yes I realize you have to watch it on youtube - but believe me, it's worth your time :)


Until next time,

-J