This post has been brewing in my mind for over 3 weeks.
On June 5th, National Donut Day, Dunkin’ Donuts had someone (their head chef, their CEO, cannot remember?) on The Early Show to announce a new donut that won a month long voting process - I of course voted, but not for the winner. After the announcement that “Toffee for your Coffee” had become the newest donut to join the DD ranks, I was set to go out and buy it that day…it was after all National Donut Day! Side note: Kudos to the person that manages their Twitter feed because that was where I was getting my information and pictures from the Early Show event while sitting at my desk at work (hope that my boss doesn’t read this…).
However, after my excitement had died down, I was really disappointed to see a tweet - which I confirmed on the DD web site (and it is still there) that the new donut would not be available at stores until September 2009! REALLY???? You announce a new donut and then put it out there 3 months later???? Is it really that hard to get the recipe out to the stores in May and have the donuts ready to be sold while the hype is out there. The Early Show people were enjoying the new donut…what about ME?????
I think that a huge opportunity was missed here by DD. I know, believe me I know, the inner workings of company politics and time needed to pull things together, but I just felt really jilted on June 5th by Dunkin’ Donuts. Make a big to-do and then make me wait. At least give me a date in September so I can plan to go to the nearest store.
I’m currently in Naples, Florida for Wiley’s sales meeting. I love the time in Florida and, to some extent, find it re-energizing to be away from home. But in turn, life is not moving at its usual hectic pace so it also gives me time to think and reflect. With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I often remember my mom around this time of the year. In 2006, Mother’s Day was the last time that I talked to my mom before she died on June 23rd. And before that, it had been Easter Sunday (beginning of April). What I remember most is how poorly our conversation went. I had taken great care that year to find her nice coffee mugs and some biscotti to have with her daily coffee. I was completely disappointed that day when she told me that she apparently misread the mailing label and thought that they were from my brother and sister-in-law (also named Jen). I was crushed. First of all, they wouldn’t mail her something since they live only 20 mins away. And why would my SIL buy her a Mother’s Day gift - their relationship was like oil and water most times. This also happened to be my FIRST Mother’s Day. Little A was 11 months old and I was celebrating my own rite to motherhood. Several people in my family circle, including my dad and my good friend, had sent me gifts. My mother did not send me anything and did not acknowledge MY Mother’s Day until the end when I told her that we were going out for dinner for Mother’s Day. Her response was “Oh yeah, this is your first Mother’s Day.” That was it. I was devastated. Obviously…because 3 years later I am still thinking about it.
Then she died. And a year later, I spent Mother’s day with my Dad and our family (extended). My brother and sister were so depressed that year and holed themselves into their own world. I reminded them that this was also my day and that though I missed our mother, I was going to celebrate my motherhood with my children. You’d have thought that I’d burned their souls. I’m heading back to NJ again this year to celebrate and I hope that it ends up better. I think that it will.
I’ve noted several times here that things with mom were not good for the last year of her life. We fought about everything from her dependence on pain medications to her insistence that my stepfather be called “Grandpa” - a horrifying request considering some of the things that happened between this man and her children…nothing physical but the emotional abuse in our home was choking and we could not wait to break free, even if it meant leaving her behind. So part of me feels extreme guilt and the other part is angry. And it seems to start every year around this week and drift away around the beginning of July. I know the reasons but I have trouble getting beyond it. I wish that I’d talked to her more those last few months, but it was unbearable listening to her recreate the past for her “own world” and give up her independent soul to make her husband happy and - as she put it - “make her life easier.”
My heart just ache sometimes…
My mother was a true-blood coupon cutter and she taught me well. I have always been a user of coupons when I do my grocery shopping. I’m also known for bringing a dining coupon with me to a restaurant. Lots of people find this surprising. Not sure why. But with these times of needing our money to stretch as far as possible, I’m now finding myself going the extra mile to save money. My last shopping trip(s) found me looking through the weekly circulars for where Kroger and Meijer to see where I would find the best pricing on the items I needed and then matching my coupons to the store with the best value on that item. Then I went to Meijer with my “Meijer List” on Friday lunchtime. And on Saturday (the next day), I went to Kroger with my “Kroger List.” I likely saved about $100 on the items that I bought/needed that weekend. It isn’t really about convenience anymore right now…it’s about getting my family the best value for our money. So markets be aware! I’m sure I am not the only person willing to do this! It is all about the pricing and my coupons now. Mom would be proud of me learning this from her and using it to better my family’s life.
My husband surprised me this year (hard to do) with a Wii Fit + balance board for Valentine’s Day. We don’t exchange Christmas gifts anymore but tend to go all out for V-day. Our Wii has hardly been used since we got it last year (my gift to him for his February birthday). However, since I opened the Wii Fit on Friday, February 20th, I’ve only missed 4 nights (including tonight) on the Wii Fit. As husband said last night after I did the Hula Hoop exercise for 6 minutes, “This was the best and most used gift I have EVER gotten you!” It is true! I love it.
I gained over 20 pounds when I moved from NYC/Northern NJ to Indiana in 2003 which I attribute to my general lack of walking and being active. I’ll put it out there…I weighed about 120 lbs. in January 2003. By March 2004 (when I had a final fitting for my wedding dress), I was at 127 lbs. Then two kids later, I weighed 143 lbs. in November 2008. So my main goal was to maintain my weight through the holidays and beginning January 5th, I set out on a calorie cutting diet and exercise regime to lose about 17 lbs and get myself back to the 125-127 lb. range. I ended up losing one pound (!) over the holidays - no clue how on earth I did this, but I’ll take it. Over the last 2 months, I’ve gotten down to 137 lbs. but seem to be stuck there. February was hard to get exercise in…kids were sick, work was busy, blah, blah. So now I am spending 4 nights per week on the Wii Fit along with 1-2 cardio sessions either at the YMCA or at-work training room. I’ll keep you posted on the progress, but my goal is to hit 130 by the end of April and, as a reward to myself, purchase a new dress for the Welcome Dinner at the May Sales Meeting on May 5th!!!!
January 26, 2009 – 10:29 pm
Although I am notorious for harping on the negative things - at least I admit it - I felt today that I should relate a very positive interaction that I had today with a new doctor. The last 4 years (when I was pregnant with Little A) began my decent into the world of doctor mania. I have had my fair share of medical issues, but for some reason, I am extremely concerned about the doctors that my children see - go figure! I have even been known after getting advice from some trusted people to change their doctors (Alex’s pediatrician) or completely stop taking them to a doctor (Alex’s pulmonologist). The reasons vary - but it usually has to do with being made to feel utterly dumb for proactively asking question or seeing the doctor for the third or so time and they STILL need me to run down his medications or they come into the exam room with another child’s chart (and then proceed to make me wait an additional 20 minutes for them to return). UGH. I’m getting angry just thinking of that pulmonology office at a hospital on 82nd Street on the West Side of Meridian Street…
But I have never been afraid to take a quick appt. with a new doctor if our regular doctor is not in or unavailable. That is what happened to me today as I anxiously needed to get Little Z in to be looked at for a really gross runny ear. So when Dr. W came in and we talked about Z a bit, she examined him and talked about him in a manner that I immediately knew that she had taken the time to actually READ HIS CHART! I was stunned and happy all at once. I finally said something to her when she knew that he had had an allergic reaction to Omniceft back in the Fall. I made a point of thanking her for taking the time to read his history before seeing him. Not many doctors would do this and I found it refreshing. It also made me trust her a bit more. Something is often missing at doctor appointments…the feeling that we are being “cared” for in all aspects by the doctors. Too many times I feel I go there, give them $15 co-pay, and leave with my prescription notes. So I felt good today loading Z-man back up in the car.
BTW - Z was diagnosed with a double ear infection - despite having ear tubes in since July 2008, a sinus infection, and possibly a ruptured eardrum. Luckily, the eardrum should repair. The antibiotic and ear drops will help get rid of the gunk in his ears so that they can see if the tubes are still there or if the rupture dislodged it (very likely). But I brought him home, medicated him to the hilt, and then he slept for SIX HOURS. I had to wake him up for dinner (a banana), bath, and more ear drops. Sigh…
