Okay, so looking back on 2008, what are the things I’d change? what new things did I try that are now favorites? what things need to be worked on? what things do I want to try for the first time in 2009?
I still tend to procrastinate, especially when it’s things I’m not looking forward to- like most people. In ’09, I plan on handing bothersome tasks better- do them as soon as possible during the day, then rewarding myself with a very enjoyable activity afterwards; this way I get them done quicker, and then I don’t have time to build up dread.
I will be taking more pictures of my family – I take lots of pictures, but they tend more towards nature, and the kids around me; my brothers and I created a family calendar for our parents for Christmas, using family pictures – each person or couple will have their own month’s page. Next year, I’ll have more photographs to choose from, instead of having to ‘borrow’ some from the guys.
I will also be offering a photo session to any of the older couples and singles at church who would like one – they’re on fixed incomes, and can’t afford to have a good portrait of themselves; one couple’s last portrait was done over ten years ago. I know they’ll enjoy having it done, and their children will be glad of them later.
I’m a good bit heavier than I need to be – I will drink more water and walk more often during the week; even if I don’t lose a lot of weight, I’ll be healthier.
In 2008, I was more adventurous in my riding – I’ll continue that, branching out even farther on my little jaunts.
I will allocate more time to writing and drawing/painting. I have some talent, but it needs to be practiced in order to improve. I am also going to schedule time several times a week to practicing and improving my guitar skills – I’ve got a very nice 6 string acoustic and a lovely 12-string acoustic that are begging to be played- it’s an awful waste and I won’t do it any more.
I’ll be more aggressive in pursuing my goals and dreams- I have lots of things I want to do and if I don’t make my mind up to do them, they won’t get done. When they involve another person, obviously I’m not going to jump ahead, but I will lay out my ideas clearly so they can see exactly what I’m expecting.
I’ve always heard it said that it’s just as easy to ask forgiveness as to ask permission, but I don’t hold with that too much. Too many times having to ask forgiveness for doing something that goes against someone else’s wishes, will eventually hurt the relationship more than it can be repaired.
Last of all, and probably the most important, I’ll cherish the time I have with my family and friends – the Bible says we aren’t promised tomorrow, and I know that for certain. Several of my friends have faced very close calls, and are still with us, but that doesn’t mean the next time won’t be the last time.
Have a blessed Christmas!

Got off the phone earlier with a new friend in Wales – can you imagine a little town chick like me making friends across the Big Pond?
He had something about me on a blog list, and saw that I love to read.  So he contacted me and asked if I would consider reading his novel and giving him some feedback- he said he’d use my review on his website and possibly the book cover.
I agreed and he sent a copy of his book – It’s called “The Dragon Master”; I was drawn in from the very beginning. The characters in the story are very realistic – some of the things they deal with are tough, like adultery, pornography and drug abuse. He allows us to see how our choices affect us and those around us, and he doesn’t pull any punches, but he also does it so the reader isn’t wallowing in the gutter. It’s a very fine line to walk, but he does it very well.
He’s working on the sequel to the book now, while he’s prepping this book for the printer’s. Nigel has quite a testimony – his site is called Still Small Voice Ministries. Look it over – I’m sure you’ll find some very good information there.

How does your customer service stand up to comparison?
I’ve had plenty of experiences with both very good and very bad customer service – in fact, one of my favorite memories of sales seminars is the story one instructor told about bad customer service. He had a very bad experience with a company, and when he tried to work things out with them, he seemed to run into every person in the company with a bad attitude. It got to the point that he asked to speak to a department manager in the company. When he finally was able to speak to him, he told him in great detail how horrible the company’s customer service had been, and when the manager asked him what he expected him to do about it.
The instructor then began to name what it would take to make him feel he’d been taken care of, and the manager said that was more than what he was willing to do. The instructor told him it would be the his job in life to ruin the reputation of that company. He’s done a good job, too- I think he tells that story at every seminar where he teaches. Any time I hear the name of that company, I immediately think of the salesman’s story.
I tell you this because we each need to remember that any time our customers or prospects have a bad experience with our company, they don’t forget it easily. We have to take a pro-active stand on customer service; if it’s possible, contact customers after any sale or service and make sure they’re satisfied. If they’re not, find out why, and do everything you can to rectify it. I’ve had several companies that didn’t get things right in the beginning, but their follow-up was so great and so pleasing that I’ll continue to do business with them, because they care about how I feel about them.

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