Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Update - Mouse Caught...or rather MICE!

Yep, got the sucker, and two of his friends in the garage. Haven't seen anymore since Friday, so looks like we are in the clear for a bit. Things have been crazy here...my trip to Pittsburgh last Thursday was a welcome break, but I loved coming home to my FAMILY! (I will admit though it was nice to have a whole day of just adult conversation, and the ability to get back in front of a meeting was pretty powerful too!)

Other than that, trying to make it through the end of the month business and bills and plan for a quick quick quick getaway for Cory and I to Huntington Beach, CA for a wedding. We leave Sunday and return Tuesday, sans children (thank you Grandma and Grandpa!) and will relish every second of it, even if the majority of it will be spent in airplanes and airports!

Will update more next week when I catch another breath!

p.s. Panera Bread sent me a $6.00 gift coupon, so hey, it will buy me a bagel and a coffee!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Received a Response, but Mouse Still on the Loose!

My week is already looking up...

From: Sam Sam.ContactUs@panerabread.com
To: sarah.rath@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 11:47:34 AM
Subject: RE: Contact Us [Topic: My experience at Panera Bread]

Dear Sarah,
Thank you for contacting Panera Bread regarding our product availability and your recent experiences trying to buy bagels at our Birmingham, AL bakery-cafe (#790). We are truly sorry you had such a terrible 24 hours.

We carefully plan our baking needs using historical sales data and operational experience. On unusually busy days, we may run out of certain products in the afternoon or before the end of the evening; however, this early in the morning is very unusual.

We apologize for any inconvenience and disappointment this caused you. I have forwarded your comments to the District Manager and to the bakery-cafe for review and follow-up there.

Thank you for your feedback. It will help us to improve our service.If you will Reply e-mail your home postal mailing address, I will be happy to send you a certificate so that you may have a treat on us. Please allow approximately two weeks for delivery.

We work very hard to create and maintain a great experience for our customers. We enthusiastically invite you to visit us again in the future and give us another opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,
Sam
Customer Comment Coordinator

Friday, September 12, 2008

TGIF!

Usually it's the start of the week that is the nightmare. For me, my nightmare began on Wednesday when I walked into the office and our entire network was down. I would elaborate, but it would be more fun to let you read what I wrote to Panera Bread Company's "Contact Us" page which invites you to participate with the following:

We'd love to have your feedback. Drop us a line. Fill us in. Tell us about your latest visit to your neighborhood Panera Bread bakery-cafe. Or maybe you have a question for us. Whatever the reason, use this form to let us know what's on your mind.

They may have wanted to be less inviting...


From: sarah.rath@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:54 AM
To: ContactUs
Subject: Contact Us [Topic: My experience at Panera Bread]
Topic: My experience at Panera Bread

This morning, as I drove into work after dropping my 9 mo old and 2 year old boys at daycare I thought, what could be better than treating myself to a few bagels to share with the office and a nice latte at Panera. It's not right on my route, but heck after the long sleepless night I'd had, I'd make the exception and drive the extra few miles out of my way for that treat.

After all, my husband and father of the two children I'd given birth to in under two years, just left yesterday for another week long business trip in Texas. I had a very long day at the office after walking in to be faced with our entire network down and so spent the first 6 hours with a co-worker trying to find the reason and a solution. By the time I was able to get back to my normal workload, I had only a bit of time before it was time to dash back out, pick up the kids, drive home, rush dinner, get both kids bathed and to bed, get the house in order, pay some bills, write some correspondence, do a little blogging, watch a little Leno and hopefully fall gently asleep and be refreshed in the morning.

Unfortunately, that did not seem to be the case, as I awoke 30 minutes later to a strange noise in the house. It turns out a mouse had found its way into my kids bathtub...which I discovered around midnight when I heard something scurrying around and got up and turned on the light in the bathroom and saw a flash of brown fur and a VERY LONG TAIL bouncing up and down in the tub. Not a big fan of mice, I managed to throw a trap in the bathtub from 5 feet away and stuff a towel under the door before diving back into bed and listening for at least another hour to the little critter scamper around before drifting off until 4am when I awoke to hear what sounded like him finding his way into the wall between my bed and the bathroom. When I finally climbed out of bed at 6 and removed the now chewed on towel from below the door, and cleaned the tub with bleach and reset the trap and placed in the cabinet under the sink where I think it made it's escape (for now) and got myself show ered and clothed, the kids up, diapers changed, clothes on, breakfast fed, and in the car and on our way, I thought, yep, after the past 24 hours I'd had...bagels would be just the thing to put a smile on my face.

At 8:30am I walked in, stood in line for 5 minutes picking out the bagels from the bins I would get for my 1/2 dozen and when it was my turn to order I was told..."I'm sorry we aren't taking any more bagel orders today, we already have too many to fill."

Are you kidding me? At 8:30 am on a Thursday, there are no more bagels? How does a bakery/café which can't possibly have been open for more than a couple of hours already be out of bagels for the morning??? Thanks for extending my miserable last 24 hours for another few.

Sincerely,
Sarah Rath

I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Oh, and I still haven't gotten the mouse. He's somewhere in these walls and woe to him if he decides to make another appearance.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

WATCH OUT FOR MORE LATER THIS WEEK

Just popping in to say I will be back later this week with pictures and to report on all that's happening in our busy life...

  • Jack had a fabulous 2nd birthday! His cast is off and he is back to his usual fearless lifestyle. Elmo rules the roost, although Cookie Monster and Oscar are battling it out for a close second. Thanks for all the cards and gifts, thank yous are in the works, but may be a bit to get in the actual mail!
  • Both boys had their latest well checks and both are in the 50/50 ranges. Duke came in at 9 mos just 1/2" longer and 2 1/2 lbs heavier than his brother at the same age. Now that
  • Jack's cast is off, life is GOOD again. He actually broke a bone in the top of his foot...toddler fractures is what they are called. Either way, the boy got the bath of his lifetime that night and is happily practicing his "swimming" moves from our lessons this summer in the tub "kick kick kick" and blowing lots of bubbles.
  • The pond is DONE! Well, mostly...let's just say the last of the dirt has been moved out and all that needs to finish it off is the grading and grass seed on the dam, but I'll take this over having Daddy working on it every waking moment when he does happen to be home. (Unfortunately, it got done yesterday, the day before he left for a week long trip...) But he gave me a break Monday night and I snuck out after getting the kids home for dinner with friends, so I will cut him a very little bit of slack! :)

So on that note, stay tuned. Didn't want to go slacking but need to spend a little time tonite zoning out rather than working on a computer (which is what most of my life at work these days is dedicated to!)