Christmas Cheer

I didn't exactly plan a holiday hiatus from the blog, but that's what's happening.  We closed shop.  I've shopped.  I've wrapped presents.  I prepared some Christmas sweet treats.  I have visitors from Texas and am playing tour guide.  We'll celebrate Christmas.  We're going to the beach.  We're going camping.  And more........

I want to join in the Show Us Your Books "Best of 2016"...but I don't know if I'll be there or not.  I'll certainly be reading all the posts at some point.  Jana and I intended to do our playlist post, but we opted to wait until 2017.

So, I truly hope you and yours are surrounded by love, laughter, and happiness this holiday season.  Yes, that sounds so cliché, but it's true.  See/chat/read you soon!

Hugs & Smooches,
Erin

Holiday Playlist with a Jana and Erin Twist

It's that time again...time for Jana and Erin to bring you a playlist.  You know, the holiday season is upon us, and we'd be letting you all down if we didn't bring you our own version of a holiday playlist.  Yes, there are many bloggers who have posted their own enjoyable playlists.  This is a holiday playlist with a Jana and Erin twist.

The Season's Upon Us by the Dropkick Murphys -  What better way to kick-off a holiday playlist than with a group of aggressive Irishmen? 

 

Merry Christmas  Baby by Sister Hazel - If you aren't a fan of the sing-song type Christmas songs, then check out Sister Hazel's entire album.  They have enough grit (but not too much) to make it feel like you aren't listening to cheesy Christmas music.

 



 

 

I Won't Be Home for Christmas by Blink 182 - Pop punk icons that are completely irreverent should record a Christmas song, right?  Makes total sense.  This is a fun one.

 

 

Oi to the World by No Doubt - Want more pop punk fun in your Christmas song?  How about this one that really doesn't sound like a Christmas song at all?

 

All I Need is Love by Ceelo featuring The Muppets - More silly holiday cheer?  Yes.  But, is it a decent song?  Yes.

 

Christmas Wrapping by Spice Girls -The original by The Waitresses is probably a better version, but it's a rare moment that I'm going to want to post the Spice Girls...so here it is.

 

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Anberlin - This song has been covered by many...admittedly, most aren't too bad.  You might have assumed we'd pick U2 because they'd be the most obvious choice for women who like rock music that grew up in the '80s and '90s.  But, no.  We picked Anberlin's.

 

Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid - Speaking of the '80s, this song holds Jana's title of "the only Christmas song on the radio I don't turn off". 

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful/Oh Holy Night by Trans Siberian Orchestra - Trust me on this.  If you ever have the opportunity to see this live, do it.  Not kidding.  If you don't get goosebumps multiple times in a TSO performance, well, then, I don't know what to say about that.

 

Happy XMas (War is Over) by Winger - You didn't think Jana & Erin would create this playlist without some hair bands, did you?  Don't laugh at Winger.  This is a good version. 

 

Medley (Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Run Run Rudolph) by Bon Jovi - You didn't think Erin would have a hand in this playlist without Bon Jovi, did you?  C'mon.  It's a live clip, and Jon dances with Santa.  What's not to love?

 

Please Come Home for Christmas by Jon Bon Jovi - Hey, Jon Bon Jovi and Bon Jovi (the band) are two different things.  Plus, this is the sexiest Christmas video ever created.

 

Dominick the Donkey by Lou Monte - Because Jana allowed Erin two Christmas songs with Jovi in the artist, Erin has allowed Jana this song.

 

Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You by Billy Squier - Every time this comes on, I can't help myself, I sing, I sway, I want to say "I love you" to a loved one.

 

On behalf of Jana & Erin - Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Merry Festivus!



The Longest Christmas Day Ever!

I'll be home for Christmas, and not only in my dreams!  The last Christmas I spent in Texas was 2006.  This year, for a combined wedding & Christmas & birthday present to himself (my dad's birthday is Christmas Day), my dad and stepmom paid for my guy and I to fly home. 

We work until 4:00pm Christmas Eve.  We'll spend the evening of Christmas Eve with Neil's parents, kiddos, and our fur babies with presents and pancakes.  Yep, we decided pancakes for dinner this Christmas.  Christmas morning we'll squeeze in a little more time with the kids, then we head to the airport.  We fly out Christmas Day direct from  Sydney to Dallas/Ft Worth.  We'll be in the air 15 hours and 20 minutes.  You think that sounds bad?  Try 16 hours and 55 minutes on the return flight.  It is the longest running commercial flight going.  I'm good.  I watch a movie or two, and I sleep.  Poor Neil.  He doesn't sleep on any kind of transport. 

Photo credit

 With the crazy timezone difference, we arrive Christmas Day too.  We spend Christmas in Sydney, Christmas in the air over the Pacific Ocean, and Christmas in Texas too!  Threeeeeee Christmases!!!!!!  We'll be in Texas for less than two weeks, but we've crammed as many family get-togethers in that time that can possibly be scheduled with parents, step-parents, brother, sister-in-law, step-brothers, step-sister, nieces, nephew, cousins, aunts, uncles, kids of my cousins.  Oh, I mentioned it's my dad's birthday on Christmas Day.  Also, it's my niece's birthday and my mom's birthday while I'm there.  More celebrations!  (more cake!) 

I pretty much invited myself to my aunt's and uncle's for New Year's Eve at their farm.  And, I'm going to squeeze in a day at College Station, an Aggie basketball game, a day in Fort Worth, a few stops at Buc-ee's during the road trips, Tex-Mex and more Tex-Mex, and somewhere, we'll find time to sleep. 
 
In honor of my dual continent Christmas celebration, I share with you these white trash Texan and bogan-tastic Australian Christmas songs.  I love them both!

Thoughts #21: Courtesy

I know that common courtesy from customer service people can be lacking.  Common courtesy from customers need help too.  I have a couple of rants from today's personal experiences.  And, I have a couple of Maury Povich memes.  This is sizing up to be a very entertaining blog entry...

Christmas shopper rant from a retail salesperson:  Guy comes in...
Guy: "How much are watch batteries?"
Me: "We don't sell individual batteries.  We supply and fit battery by a qualified watchmaker.  It's either $18 or $24, depending on the watch"
Guy: "Why? I just want the battery.  Why does it cost so much for a watch battery?"
Me: "We've charged the same price for a battery change for 8 years.  We offer the service to have the battery changed properly done by professional tradesmen."
Guy (aka Ebenezer Scrooge now): "Fine. How quick can you do it? I don't really want to pay that much, but..."

Comes back 15 minutes later...
Me: "Your watch is ready, set to the correct time, day, and date."
Guy: "Oh, thanks.  I never could figure out how to change the date."
Me: (what I wanted to say): "Maybe you shouldn't complain about paying for a service when they can provide a little something extra like setting the date on your watch that apparently you could never figure out for yourself."
Me (what I really said):  "No worries.  Have a great afternoon."

Another guy comes in...
Guy: "Do you have silver necklaces?"
Me: "We have a variety of sterling silver necklaces over here, and throughout the store we have many options of necklaces and pendants in white gold."
Guy: "Do you have one with a heart?"
Me: "Sure, let me get it out for you.  It is in 9karat white gold with a small splash of diamonds"
Guy (cuts me off): "Diamonds.  I don't want to pay too much."
Me: "This has a very small amount of diamonds, and 9k gold is a more affordable option of gold.  Also, it is discounted, so this necklace cost you $279.)
Guy: "Do you have one with more diamonds?  Do you have one that is bigger? Do you have one where the heart sits straight instead of at an angle?  But I don't want to pay too much, but I want bigger diamonds."
Me: "Do you mind if I ask your budget to point you in the right direction?"
Guy: "Well, $279 is more than I want to spend, but I want bigger diamonds, and a bigger heart, but I don't want to spend more than $200."
Me (I want to stare at him like the dumbass that he is until he leaves the store)
Me (what I actually do): "I can offer you an extra 10% savings on this piece that I'm showing you.  That helps you get closer to your budget.  Unfortunately, bigger diamonds in a larger heart is going to cost more money.  I'm happy to help you with that if you'd like."
Guy: "I think I'll look somewhere else for something cheaper."
Me (what I want to say): "I'm sure your girlfriend will be thrilled with that decision."
Me (what I actually say): "No worries.  Have a great afternoon."

Photo credit