letters

I happened into a Walmart store on a Friday evening at approximately 9:00pm almost 5 years ago, and after that visit, swore to never go back.  I have nothing against Walmart (or at least didn’t at that time, but am thoroughly disgusted at their treatment of the Shank family, but that is another issue). 

I understand that their prices are low and that the convenience of 24 hour shopping is tempting, but if you have small children who should be in bed at this time and are “acting out” due to being at Walmart and not in their beds, you should cut them a little slack, or come at a better time.

The amount of abuse I witnessed in the 30 minutes I was at the store broke my heart.  My son was 3 months old, and yes, he was with my husband and I.  He was asleep in his stroller.  If he had started crying, I would’ve known that  he was hungry, and/or tired and would not have taken this “inconvenience” out on him.

I saw children yelled at, yanked, smacked, and literally thrown or slammed into carts.  It was an outrageous display of abuse from all types of mothers and it totally disgusted me.  It’s been 5 years and another child since that first and only visit to Walmart and I do not feel any differently.

I told my husband that any further trips to Walmart would result in a trip to jail for me.  If I had to witness any of that again I would seriously hurt one of those moms, and would feel just in doing so.

Treat your children kinder and know their limitations on time and sleep, and if a late night trip can’t be avoided, at least expect your children to “act up” and make your trip as quick as possible.

Sincerely,

Disgusted Mother

Dear Ben,

I really appreciate all the help you gave me yesterday with trying to get my EC on the main page of this blog.  I apologize for my inability to get it right the first time, causing you all the grief,  and my apparent “breech of contract” by setting up different accounts for the same blog while attempting to fix the problem on my own.  I usually like to do things on my own, even if I don’t really know how, so as not to “bother” others.  You were thorough in explaining the situation and what needed to be done.  You were right there on e-mail when I sent you my response and replied as if I was the only one you were helping.  I think we traded 10 total e-mails between us and the situation was rectified in under 10 minutes.  I truly believe that this would have taken days if not weeks with any one else or another company.

Your customer service is beyond exceptional and you should be commended.  I will share my experience with anyone who will listen.

Sincerely,

Fan of Ben at EC

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

I am in desperate need of help with this wordpress/Today blog.  I am very new to blogging and jumped right in with a Bravenet blog.  I then started a blogspot blog which I ended up purchasing the domain for, then I came across this program and thought it would be fun to just write letters.  I’ve been blogging for 3 months and have been trying to teach myself about the different formats for the different hosting sites and have done okay so far, or so I thought.

Today I noticed that I had 5 unmoderated comments (Sorry, Tammy) on this blog.  I thought I had set comments to automatically post, but obviously NOT.  They were from weeks ago and I’m wondering why I never noticed that they were waiting for moderation?

I also can not figure out how to get my EC Widget on this page.  I have it on my “who am I” page and you’ll go directly to that page if my card is clicked on, but then you might miss the actual content of my blog.

I will accept any and all help and will be eternally grateful for any advice.

Sincerely,

Confused with Wordpress

Dear Big Brother Jury Members,

I appreciate all you have gone through and realize that you are all pretty pissed for NOT winning the money.  Now is the time to vote for the house member who deserves the $500,000.  If you look back at all that has transpired, and put all your “hatred” aside and look at the game as a game I think the winner is obvious… 

 Dan has played a flawless game, outwitting all of you.  The only bad moved he made was “in the way” he put Michelle on the block.  While it was a little harsh for my liking, the move was strategic and got him to where he is today.  You must look at the big picture, who you trusted, who you didn’t, and see that while he played both sides, he always played for himself and always made the best choices for “his game”.  He even had to suffer through a week as “America’s Player” and although you thought he was acting strange, you let it go.  Please do the right thing and give Dan the money.

I’m watching,

BB fan

A letter from Boogie to his dad (Written by Mommy)

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Dear Daddy,Please listen to me when I tell you what I want to wear.  Wearing the “right” clothes, while important to you, just isn’t that important to me, I’m 5.  I do not feel that I need to wear a buttoned down shirt to a birthday party at the park .    I know you think it will make me feel better about myself, but I feel pretty good about myself already and knowing I’m old enough to make my own decisions, makes me feel even more confident, I also like knowing that you and mom trust me.About the gel.  Please stop “greasing” my hair back before school in the morning.  I don’t like looking like a kid from the 50’s (I don’t know what the kids in the 50’s looked like but mommy says they looked like me after you do my hair).  I like to just spray a little water and brush the hairs that are standing up, so they lay down.

Please know that I know it’s your job to teach me about these things, but sometimes it’s helpful for me to take your lessons and make my own decisions about them.  I like wearing red socks no matter what I’m wearing, it makes me feel good.

p.s. Thaks for letting me where my Spiderman Costume out to breakfast the other morning, that was cool!

Dear Google,

I’ve been reading a LOT about you lately.  Congrats on celebrating your 10 year Anniversary.  I’m sure a LOT of hard work has been put in over the years to get you guys where you are today.  You also recently launched Chrome, and even with the unfortunate mishap in the wording of the original “agreement” I’m sure you guys will rectify it and regain the loyal customers who may have been scared off from the original wording.

Anyway, you are my favorite search engine and I just wanted to give you a heads up.  It has been brought to my attention that you are NOT the search for EVERYTHING.  I saw this sign on my way to drop Hubby off at work and just thought you would want to be made aware of it.  I’m sure your “higher ups”  will want to get working on this right away.

Sincerely,

A Google Fan

Picture isn’t that clear as I was driving by at the time.  It’s on a Church sign and says

“GOOGLE CAN’T SATISFY EVERY SEARCH”

Dear Families,

What a wonderful feeling I got today after that pitiful little storm named Hannah came through.  The storm was really nothing but left me feeling so good about our choice to purchase this house 5 years ago, less than a month before Boogie was born.

It rained some in the early morning and about 10am we all lost power.  After Isabel 5 years ago, I think we are all used to being without power, and we seem to lose it all the time for no reason.  What was great was the comraderie and friendship, as well as the caring spirit of all the neighbors.  After about an hour and a half we decided to hook up our generator, just in case the downed power-line couldn’t be fixed right away.  Hubby had some difficulty starting it, so here came Mr. Troy to the rescue.  While the boys were getting the generator started, Miss Beth (our newest member to the Cul de sac,  absent during Isabel) was out in the rain with her 8 year old daughter, going door to door to offer up space in her freezer for those without a generator (she didn’t realize that after the11 days we all spent without power after Isabel, we are all proud owners of generators).  The fact that she would go out in the weather to make the offer shows the great caring spirit that we share in this little circle.

The power was off a total of 2 hours and all was bright anad sunny after that.  We really enjoyed the Karaoke party we had that night and were thankful for all that could come.  Watching the kids (and adults) sing was definitely enjoyable and a good time was had by all.

Thanks for being great neighbors,

Dear Boog,

You were just goofing off when I took this picture on your first day of school,  but I’m sure this is how you were really feeling when we put you, screaming and crying, onto the bus that morning.  Mommy’s heart was breaking watching you cry through the window as the bus pulled away.  I felt it was in your best interest to “get it over with” even though every part of me wanted to hug you and just drive you to school.

You had a GREAT first day, and yesterday only wanted me to walk you across the street to get on the bus.  Today I started to walk you across the street and you stopped me saying “Mom, I got it from here.”  I am sorry for the trauma I caused the both of us on that first day, and while I believe you have already forgiven me, it may take a little more time for me to forgive myself.

Another letter from Boogie’s “journal”.  Tomorrow he will start Kindergarten and I find myself a little on the sad side, and a little excited for him.  He will learn so much, and soon he will be busy with friends and will not need me anymore.  So I reflect.

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                                                                                                                                                                          3-25-2005

Almost 20 months.  You have a 25+ word vocabulary, you’re sweet,adorable, and very much your father’s son.  Yesterday we made pudding pie.  You did a really good job cleaning the whisk, we have pictures to prove it.  I love you so much and you’ll never know how much you mean to me.  Words could never express what a joy you are.  Mommy stays home with you everyday now and am so happy to do so.  You are the light of my life.  I can’t imagine life without you.