Kindness comes in many ways...

I had reservations at Embassy Suites Hotel in Palm Desert for my mom, dad and I.  I made them through Orbitz.  Originally we were going to go in July, but medical issues made me have to change that.   Orbitz did not want to give me a refund or change my dates (which is what I really wanted),  so I called the hotel directly to see if they could do something.  I spoke with a woman at the front desk named Esther.  I explained my situation and before I knew it, she had Orbitz agreeing to change my dates with no penalties at all.  Not only that, she guaranteed me that she would make sure that my mom and dad would get the special disability room and that I would get the room right next to them.  What's wonderful about that is that the room right next to them is what they called "an executive room" and it costs significantly more.  She made sure that I would not be charged extra because she wanted to accommodate me to be close to my mother.

We were suppose to go the last week in August, but for many reasons it seemed better that we go this week instead.  I then called Esther directly at the hotel and spoke with her.  Without hesitation, she changed my reservation and made sure the rooms would be ready for us yesterday. 

We got to the hotel yesterday, and everything was perfect; however due to my mom's medical condition,  we had to leave early this morning (Wednesday) and could not stay until Thursday.  I knew by leaving a day early I would lose that money, but it didn't bother me because my mother comes first.  When I got home from Palm Desert, I called the hotel and spoke to Esther.  I explained that we left and that I once again wanted to thank her for all her help and that I would recommend the hotel to everyone because the service had been supreme.  She asked me if I had come to the front desk to ask for a refund.  I told her no because I had prepaid with Orbitz and with everything that she had already done for me, she had gone above and beyond the call of great service.  We said our goodbyes and I hung up.

Approximately an hour later, I received a call from Orbitz.  They informed me that they would be refunding me tonight's charge for both rooms.  When I asked why they stated that a lady by the name of Esther at the hotel had called and stated that the hotel itself would not be collecting the money from Orbitz, so in turn Orbitz had to return the money to me.

I was shocked and amazed.  Her kindness exceeded anything I have seen lately.  She didn't know me or my family, and yet, she went out of her way to be kind to us and to make my life a little easier.

She didn't just pay it forward.. she paid it all the way till the end.  I believe that with her karma she will get back threefold what she gave.  I just hope that I get to see her again and be part of that karma.  :)

What is Friendship

Mikey and I had dinner tonight with a wonderful couple.  You could say that we've been friends for over 30 years, but that wouldn't be true, because the truth is we just reconnected about a year ago.  We see this couple often and everytime it's a fun experience. 

That started me thinking, (I know scarey thought), what is "true friendship"?  Webster defines friendship as

1

: the state of being friends

2

: the quality or state of being friendly : friendliness

3

obsolete : aid.  

In reading that definition it was easy to gather what #1 and 2 were referring to; however, number 3 caught me by surprise.  How is a friendship obsolete?  Does it mean that he holds no more significance any more and therefore no longer needed?  Why would that word be there?

All I can say is that I have found from retiring that many people whom I "thought" were my friends truly aren't anymore.  Maybe it's because for these people I have become "obsolete".  

Tell me your thoughts on friendship.  This is definitely a subject that can be expounded on.

I did it today :)

So I did it.  I went an enrolled in the gym.  I chose to make my start date Monday because I know for a fact that I would not be going over the weekend.  Don't yell at me.  I know myself.  This way I have 3 extra days on my contract. I am hoping that whenever I get bored at home (which is happening quite often) that I will know that I can go to the gym to get out and then I can get in more than one little work out.

I then went to Target.  For those of you who know me well, you know that I can not stand Target.  I am a Walmart girl through and through.. Yet, it was there, and I didn't really want to go home so I walked around and looked at all the things I would normally buy, but didn't, because I have placed my self on a very strict budget.

Finally, Michael came home and asked me if I wanted to go out to lunch.  We went to the Golden Corral which is a buffet type restaurant that my hubby loves.  He loves it because there are tons of vegetables to chose from and that makes him very happy.  There were way too many people there for my liking so we decided not to go back on a Friday, and only early afternoons Monday thru Thursday.

Well, now I am back here updating my blog.  I certainly hope that soon enough my life will become more interesting, and therefore, you will be more interested in my blog.

Keep reading.. I promise to improve; and if you want, you can comment and we can begin a dialogue.

The next day~~

Ok, so here I am.  I am going to post again today and try to be witty and creative.  Yeah, right, good luck with that one.  Here are my plans for today.  I am going to go to the gym and sign up.  Yes, folks, I am going to go join a gym.  (I would like to do a shout out to my dad right now because he is actually going to pay for a one year membership for me.)  Then I am going to meet my little sis, Sonya for lunch.  Should I be doing these things the other way around?  Anyway, after those two things.. I am not sure what else I will do today.

I will try to keep you informed!

My Retirement Life

Though I have been off since July 25, this is really my first real week of retirement.  Lets see, I have slept in until 8 am (that's major for me), I have taken two naps, and I have just basically been lazy.  This is going to get old soon. Now I have to come up with some ideas to keep me occupied.  I k ow I want to make special appearances for lawyers and maybe take a case or two, but still, I need purpose. So I am sending this out to the world. What do you think I should do.  Give me your ideas. Can't hurt.