Life Lesson

My mum taught me lots of things. Among them was this lesson:

A letter to a company you're not happy with (broken product, misleading product, poor service - any thing) is always worth the trouble.

Even if you only get an acknowledgment letter in return at least they have your dissatisfaction on record.

A few moths ago I was looking for some plain long sleeve t-shirts. In Adelaide if I wanted something like that I went straight to Giordano. Good quality for a good price (thank you dear sister in law for introducing them to me!). I figured that since they had a web address on their dockets I might be able to buy their product on line. I was excited to see a little shopping trolley in the corner of their page when I visited because that meant I could put things in it - online shopping. Right?

Imagine my disappointment and confusion, followed quickly by annoyance when the screen that follows the cart says "sorry, you are unable to by our products online at this time" (or something like that)!

So I wrote them an email. I told them I found it strange to have a website that served no purpose (they hardly had any products on there and you couldn't buy the ones that were). I told them I liked their product. I told them I would have to spend my money elsewhere. So there.

A girl wrote back and said blah blah blah. Sorry about that. Something something. We didn't know if any would buy online. More blah blah. Please keep an eye out in case we do.

TODAY. I get an email that says:

Launching TODAY all your favorite Giordano Products will be available to purchase online

For those of you who enjoy the convenience of online shopping or if you live overseas,

starting from today you will be able to replenish your favourite Giordano Tees

and Giordano Jeans at any time no matter where you are.

That's right people. Send in your letters of complaint. Letter might add to my letter and we might make the difference were looking for. Because consumerism is nothing without satisfied consumer!

More Morgan

After my last post I realised I hadn't given you a Morgan update in a very long time. So I took his picture today and compiled a list for you:

• He's nearly 5 months old (will be in ten days time)
• Weighs just under 8 kilograms and the last weigh in
• Has never had a hair cut other than around his eyes and bottom (and obviously needs another one soon! Wednesday - he's all booked in)
• Has claws like talons - thus being booked into the grooming clinic. No way I'm cutting black toenails that can bleed. Especially when they're attached to eight kilo's of squirming teeth
• Loves to play hide and seek with his toys an will find only the toy you ask him to find
• Also loves hide and seek when he has to hunt for us or his food
• Sits, stays, drops, rolls over, shakes hands, waits (stops and waits until you say 'ok' or shut the door and leave him on the other side of it) and is working on heeling when we go for a walk. And most of those with hand signals as well as voice commands. He wants to learn more but we can't think what to teach him. Ideas?
• He has recently discovered barking. We are not pleased and are combatting it in various ways
• He makes sad whimpering noises and funny yawning noises. I'm sure he thinks he's talking to us
• He gets VERY excited when new people come to visit
• He like magpies - watching and chasing
• He digs in his water & food bowls when he thinks there's not enough in there so we know he needs more
• He likes to drag his blanket to where he wants to sit then sits on it
• He's learning that our hands are not chew toys and gives them a big lick when you stay stop - almost a "sorry, I know, but they're nice"
• And when he gets told off for other things he quickly does something else and pretends he wasn't doing anything naughty in the first place
• He listens well to what we want him to do... when it suits him
• He still loves to sit on my lap for a cuddle even though he barely fits
• Will sit on you if there's even the smallest bit that looks like he can - lying on the floor on my side he will try and sit on my hip... my hips are not that big!
• He's hilarious when we wrap him in his blanket and has to get out.
• He loves chicken necks, peanut butter, cheese and liver treats and will do anything for them
• He wont be getting any more stuffed toys - the latest one lasted less than a week before he successfully pulled it's guts out.
• Today he has a brand new kennel that Joel is finishing off with some all weather varnish and draft padding. Soon he'll graduate to sleeping outside like a big boy!
• His best friend is Plugger who sometimes comes to stay. When he does Morgan likes to jump onto Plugger from the couch WWF style. Too funny.
• He mostly only chews things we've given him. Thank fully.
• He's gorgeous.
• He's very loved
• And he's going to be excited to meet you!

Extreme Loving

Just before they make their last journey - to the rubbish tip - I thought I'd show you just how much Morgan loves his two teddies. In 10 weeks the 95 cent toys have been carried everywhere, chewed, blinded, re-stitched (the one on the far left became the stitched one on the far right), de-stuffed, slept on, washed, rotated (he was only allowed one at a time) and drenched in slobber. Very much the favourite thing. We have finally got sick of rescuing stuffing from his mouth though so these two teddies are being retired. Permanently.

And now he has a frog. Which, already has had it's eyeballs removed and stitched over... Know any good soft toys I could buy??

90% complete kitchen

(Images were slides I made up for church so the congregation could see without all coming over to visit at once!)

Here it is folks. The new kitchen. And mighty fantastic it is too. To benches are just a tiny bit taller than standard and so comfortable to work at. The floor is gorgeous - to look at and stand on. The cupboard space - enormous! And our new appliances (stove top/oven/dishwasher - all Omega) - brilliant!!

The whole space seem so big now with out the floating glass cabinet. It's lovely to be able to see through the whole room and not be cut of from our guests at the table when something needs doing in the kitchen.

I haven't included a picture here but we also have a whole new pantry and space for the fridge. It is 100 times more usable than the old space and 100 times lovelier too.

Things that still need doing:

• Painting - walls and ceiling. Obviously we aren't going to leave big grey paint marks everywhere!
• Spice racks installed inside the pantry. They're sitting there waiting...
• New extraction fan in the ceiling
• Blinds/window dressing of some type
• kitchen chairs
• stools for the bench
• ... leaving space because I'm sure I'll think of something else!

For now, that's it. So pleased with how my choices have turned out. It was a little nerve wracking but so satisfying to see the end results. It is certainly inspiring me to do some fancy cooking already.

When are you free for a meal?!