Well, here goes Ms. Grumpy.  I am not pleased today.  More than 10 days ago, I ordered some much needed supplements and medication.  They have still not arrived.

To make a short story longer, I chose to have these items delivered by UPS.  I will not be doing that again. Delivery was set for yesterday.  To move backwards with details, my package was held for 4 days in Salt Lake City due to ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.  On Monday AM, I called UPS and inquired whether I would still be getting my package on the 12th.  They said, YES, it is still scheduled to be delivered ON TIME.  That was good to know, so I waited at home all day Tuesday.

Sometime, Tuesday I checked the UPS website and sure enough, it was noted that the package was scheduled for ON TIME delivery on the 12th.  Finally midafternoon, I ran out of the house to pick up my granddaughter. Upon returning, I found no note from UPS and also no package at the front door.  WHEW!  I checked the UPS website again, nothing changed, still scheduled for ON-TIME delivery and no notation of attempted/unsuccessful delivery.

It's Wednesday, the UPS website shows no notation of ON-TIME delivery.  I called UPS and was told my package is in Colorado.  I asked for someone to call the COLORADO location and get the status of my package.  Afterall, this is not a toy being delivered, it is medication. Two supervisors later in my conversation, and one disconnect, I was told no one can call the Colorado office and no one can give me the telephone number to call the Colorado office either.  CAN"T or WON"T - some customer service eh.?  I even asked for the local UPS number and was told they didn't have the number.  This is not just bad customer service it is NO CUSTOMER SERVICE based on FALSE information.  They don't have the telephone number - OK, yeah, I believe that, of course I do.  I also have STUPID tattooed on my forehead. BTW, the state of Colorado is also shut down because of SNOW.  Perhaps the snow tires couldn't get delivered for the trucks! 

I should have followed my intuition and selected Fedex or USPS instead.  Well, never again will I use the bozos at UPS.  They post inaccurate info on their website, no info available by telephone, and could care less about being truthful.  UPS is a publicly owned company.  It seems to me, if you owned stock in the company as an employee, you would at least be truthful and helpful to your customers.

Put a fork in me, I'M DONE!

Here's another granddaughter story.

Oh Joy!

Merry Christmas Everyone!  

I served a great big glazed ham, croissants, homemade sausage from a White Tail (taken last hunting season), an enormous fruit platter, Pasta Salad, condiments, Wine, sodas, and a decorated Chocolate cake.  Everything went on the table and that was that.  I could enjoy the PARTY too. 

We had a houseful of guests and they left grudgingly.  We were sad when it was over.  I drove my dear friend home, a few miles away.  There, a few blocks from home was a car accident, two Emergency vehicles, someone lying on the street injured.  I still shudder when I think about.  It was foggy (pea soup). On that note, I hope we all have a SAFE holiday; be careful.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Well, I did it.  Yes, I put my feet in the mud and they got dirty.

 I commented on the use of copyrighted graphics without permission from the artist.  Somehow I am now in the WRONG and not the copyright abuser.  It's such text book dysfunction, I could just scream.

Sadly, making a post on the SUBJECT of abusing copyrights was not well received.  The abuser was lauded and patted on the head with a big "there there, you poor thing".  Are you nauseous yet; I am.

The originator of the topic at hand, was also attacked for making the facts known about the abuser.  She posted her comments only once.  I made the mistake of posting several times to explain and re-iterate my opinion and the facts, as I knew them spanning over two years.  Yes, the abuser used copyrighted graphics for over two years; all the time KNOWING she was using graphics of a well-known American artist.  How I am so sure she knew the graphics were copyrighted?  Well, she was informed by private email by the originator of the now posted thread.  The abuser disregarded the email and continued in her behavior.  Then the abuser proceeded to make graphics for others, all the while taking credit for artwork by a well known artist. The conduct is now made public on another website. 

As ridiculous dysfunction abounds, the abuser is now morphed into a VICTIM.  The thread originator is now being slammed for not minding her own business and making the matter PUBLIC.  I was likewise slammed for adding additional facts and labeled an ATTACKER.

As I posted elsewhere, DYSFUNCTION can survive without my input. Now i will go my way and watch.

 

The past few days here have been cold and wet.  However, today, the sun is shining and temperatures are in the high 60's.  It's downright pleasant weather.

When all was said and done my granddaughter said "grandma, we had a GOOD day!"  Does it get any better than that?

It's three days past the Holiday.  The fridge is still loaded with food; candies and desserts abound.

I'm waiting for a call from my granddaughter.  Tomorrow we are going to get Christmas pictures made.  

Last week we bought a Christmas dress made of red chiffon, layers of it. This dress calls for a "standout petticoat".  As you may surmise, that's a slip with tons of ruffled layers so your dress/skirt stands practically straight out.  Who cares if anyone sees that slip; it's all about the layers of fluff.

At the grocery store, of all places, I found a sheer red hair bow with many strips of fabric and a christmas bell attached to each one. 

When my granddaughter calls, I will be off to her house to pick out "pantyhose" and shoes.  She requested "red shoes" on Thanksgiving day; but I'm not so sure. I saw some sequined ones a few weeks past while shopping.  Where was that exactly?

I had such a good time dressing my children, and doing likewise for this grandchild is more fun that you can imagine. My better half just shakes his head at all the fluff and do-dahs.

For Halloween, I dressed my granddaughter as a LadyBug; black tights, black leotard, sheer spotted wings and a sheer outfit that stood, YEP, straight out in all directions.  We had pictures taken too and that was so much fun.  I'll share some here. 

Tomorrow should be a fun day; a grandma' day. I sure hope the rain stops.

     

There is alot to be said about preparation for a feast.
I, for one, believe it is important to shop early and prep
early. With this notion in mind, I did all my baking the day
before Thanksgiving. I chopped every vegetable and assembled
every side dish, as possible.

On Thanksgiving morning, I slept in. Yes, you heard that
correctly. I slept in. Another family member arose to place
Mr. Turkey in the oven, along with the dressing, which was
prepared the day before. How wonderful to awaken to the
smell of coffee and good things cooking in the oven.

My wonderful daughter, the youngest, that is a darling in
a every way, had already set the table for 14, made a
gorgeous flower arrangement, vacuumed the common areas of
the house, fed the dog, swept the walkway so guests would
not track in falling leaves, etc. Did I say, she was
wonderful? She is. I will tell you more about this
later.

My oldest daughter and her brood arrived about noon. My
youngest daughter's sweetheart arrived at the same time.
Appetizers and drinks were set out for everyone. The tv was
on with the one football game of the day. My gorgeous
granddaughter, who is a dead ringer for Drew Barrymore came
in with two ponytails and dressed adorably. How I adore that
child. All day it was "grandma this and grandma that".

The table was surrounded with those I love most dearly.
The food was outstanding. I enjoyed my day immensely. Even
the tea party, my granddaughter hosted on the coffee table
was wonderful.

I must admit we totally forgot the Thanksgiving blessing.
When someone mentioned it halfway through the meal, we had a
time of sharing that brought tears to my eyes. It was
wonderful.

I wish all of you good health, happy holidays and let me
be the first to say, "happy new year".

DeeM
Barefoot Contessa