Storage Revolution = Worst Treatment of a Customer Award

Don't EVER shop at Storage Revolution - I have never been treated so poorly. I bought a bath tray there on November 17, 2008 as a Christmas gift for my husband. Before wrapping the gift, I peeked inside the box on Dec. 10 only to discover that it was broken. No worries - I still had the receipt and original packaging, so I would simply return it or exchange it for a new one.

I arrive at the store and explain my situation to the clerk. She tells me that she inspects every item before putting it on the shelf, and accuses me of breaking the item. She cannot exchange it, and I cannot return it. I got angry with her - wouldn't you, after being accused of lying? I told her I would contact the Better Business Bureau to complain, which I did right away.

After this, we contacted the store numerous times to try to reason with them - this was a $50.00 item, and they were obviously willing to risk their reputation over it. Storage Revolution is a small business - not a chain. They rely on word of mouth.

We then proceeded to call UMBRA, the company which manufactures the bath tray. They told us that there was absolutely no problem in exchanging the broken tray for a new one for up to one year. We called Storage Revolution, and they finally relented - offering to switch our tray for a new one.

This whole ordeal took over two weeks to settle. The owner and staff were rude, unhelpful, and accusatory. I will never shop there again, and I hope you won't either. What could have been an easy solution turned out to make me angry, and wasted a lot of my time. They have lost me as a customer, and I hope they lose others as well. They do not deserve the business of Edmontonians.

Coping with the Idea of Death

I went to see the Body Worlds exhibit today – a display of real human bodies, with the skin removed. It was quite amazing. I’ve already been feeling really sad about the fact that we all have to die. I am really enjoying life right now. I love each individual moment and am looking forward to exciting things in the future. I am discovering excellent things in myself – things that I am really good at, and would like to pursue further…interior decorating, mostly. I love making nice places to live in. I love home.

I am married to David. He is my love. I could not imagine loving anyone more than I love him. And I could not imagine a bigger love than the one I have for him.

I love God. But that is still a strange concept to me. I am trying to get to know Him better. I feel unworthy sometimes. I feel almost embarrassed to pray – I am learning, a little bit, that God is huge and powerful and way beyond whatever my mind could begin to comprehend. Why should anything I say be worthy of his listening? He loves me. I believe that but can’t grasp it. I can understand my love for David better. We’re equals. We’re on par with each other. But a relationship with God is...different than that. Obviously.

So I get sad about one day saying goodbye to David and to life on earth. I believe that David and I are going to heaven. And I am trusting that it is even better there than it is here. That is what I read. But I don’t understand it. Will I get to love David? Will he get to love me, too? Will I get to decorate? Will there be spring blooms? Autumn leaves? I hope so.

How do people who don’t know Jesus and don’t have hope for heaven cope with the concept of death? How can they get through each day? What is the point for them? How do they deal with the death of people they love?

I get twinges of sickness when I remember that we’re all going to die. I am confronted with it, almost on a weekly basis, at work. But then I feel a wave of hope when I think that there is something better coming. And things will become more clear.

Quit it with the Boring Beige!

In the past decade or so, I have developed a strong passion for colour - specifically, colour in the home. It seems to me that the majority of home owners choose to paint their walls beige, sand, or white – the most uninspiring and dull shades on the market.

People tend to be afraid of colour. They may feel that they do not have “an eye” for decorating. They are unaware of the colours that will look nice. They may also be afraid to choose colours that will soon go out of style.

My response? For heaven’s sake! Be a risk taker! As far as risks go, this is a very small one! If you don’t like the colour in five years, go drop fifty bucks and buy some new paint. It’s cheap! Go for neutrals in your furniture, window coverings, floor treatments, and other expensive items that you want to remain in style.

As far as not knowing what colours will look nice, there is an easy solution. Flip through one of the thousands of home decorating magazines; you will inevitably be drawn to certain rooms and specific colours. Rip these pages out; go buy the paint, and get going!

Regardless of what kind of home furnishings you own, colour on the walls will make a significant difference in the atmosphere of your home. The walls in your workplace are most likely cream coloured. Why would anyone want to leave work to enter a space that feels exactly like work?

Colours create moods. If you want a cozy home, go for deep shades of blue and green. If you want a bright and cheery home, go for reds and yellows. In the northern hemisphere, where we have at least six months of winter weather, people spend a hefty amount of time indoors.

Make your home a sanctuary that you love to be in and that you’re proud of! This is the space where you will build friendships and grow a family – make it inspiring and beautiful.

Welcome spring, spiders, and squishing...

Spring has arrived (finally) and apparently this also means that the spiders have made their home in our basement. I love living here…so do the arachnids of Edmonton. These are not your normal tiny Northern Alberta creepy crawlies; these are, ugly big, fat bugs with pinchers on their mouths…waiting to bite human beings. I can’t ask David to kill them for me; last time I did that he captured the spider under a glass and chased me all over the house with it. So I must fend for myself…squashing any creature that I find in the shower, in the sink, in the bed, or under the laundry basket. I find the best way to accomplish this task is to gather up half a roll of toilet paper, bunch it up in your hand and quickly come down upon the crawly creature. Following the dramatic death, you must flush the bug down the toilet; garbage can disposal is not sufficient, should the arachnid miraculously decide to gather his legs together and come back to life.

Oh Dear!

I am seriously concerned about a person who cannot make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

One Week Outta E-Town

This week David and I went to Jasper; David had a conference all week at Jasper Park Lodge (very beautiful!) and I had reading week so I decided to tag along. It was one darned relaxing week…and also kind of interesting. David was in sessions from 8:00 AM until 10:30 each day (except Thursday night…we went swimming…outside…in the heated pool…mmmmmmm…) Anyway, needless to say, I had a ton of time by myself. It was the first time I’d ever walked into a sit-down restaurant, asking for a “table for one.” Just me and my book…I felt awkward…I even felt that bit of that fear that comes up from your stomach into your throat, and then sinks back down inside. I don’t know what I was scared of.

There was a point in my life when I would have been fearful of what people would think of me…of me by myself. But that wasn’t it this time…I think I’ve come to the point where I don’t care what strangers think of me…the people that I want to love me, love me…and that’s good. So it was this other type of fear that I can’t really pin down. Maybe part of it was…what am I supposed to be doing…alone? It was strange to be away from everyday living. I didn’t have any tasks to complete…no homework, no dishes, no phone, no email, no grocery shopping, no job, no music...it was just me and an entire day.

I heard an interview on CBC the other day…this guy had spent three years in silence! Now maybe this is a bit much…personally I think it’s quite stupid, but it’s probably good to be all alone and away from life sometimes…or to just to be quiet for a while.

Ryan – he’s given up music/stereo/radio for lent…wow! Because there are hardly any moments when it’s just us and our own thoughts…and when there are these times, I get so scared I try to find some kind of outside stimulation…

I gave up chocolate for lent…I’ll save this for another blog.

EXCITING NEWS!

Hi Fam and Friends;

Well, this week brought about some exciting news. I’ve been doing a practicum with Leisure for Life Ltd. (they have a neat website: www.leisureforlife.com) which is a company that provides recreation and leisure opportunities for independent older adults. I’ve really been enjoying my time working there; the residents are a hoot and my supervisor is wonderful to work with. After the first couple of weeks (which were a little bumpy, as it sometimes goes with new endeavors) I had hoped that I could work for them after I graduate in April. Yesterday my supervisor and her husband met me for coffee and offered me a position starting as soon as my practicum term is up!

So I will be working as a recreation consultant…planning parties (we’ve already had a Hawaiian Luau and we’re currently working on an event called “Viva Las Vegas”…does anyone know where I can find an Elvis impersonator?) We run exercise classes, bring in health and wellness speakers, host pub nights, and take them on trips around the province…it has been a lot of fun so far (also a lot of work!) Plus, it’s a job where I will essentially be my own boss. Today I was informed that I’ll need to create a name for my part of the business, under the Leisure for Life umbrella. If anyone has any creative ideas, let them come forth!

Anyway, I’m pretty stoked about the whole thing and also incredibly thankful that this opportunity has come along – I couldn’t think of a job I would rather be doing!