Lisa’s Whiteboard

while others are much too clear …

Another of Lain’s 30 Minute Thursday Challenges - posted 10 minutes before the deadline!

The challenge was to scrap your favorite song. A tough one to decide on, although Jimmy Buffett was an easy choice. I chose Migration from the A1A Album.

Cardstock and printed paper from a JoAnn’s Summer Stack - and a photo of the boys in the surf at St. Augustine’s Beach in 2001. Simplicity is the nature - of the vacation, the beach, the song, and the layout.

The title is from the chorus, “Got a Caribbean Soul I can barely control, and some Texas hidden here in my heart.”

If you aren’t familiar with the song, the lyrics follow. (You can click on the pic for a larger image.)

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I’m in need of a makeover!!!

Believe it or not, this was the closest celebrity match. YEOW! Other matches were Aurdery Tautou, Charlize Theron, Anne Bancroft, Frank Sinatra, and Dan Rather. To be honest, Ville is actually not a bad match.

Maybe I should quit using that pic.

I picked up a tag from LisaB. It’s long, but fun. I’ll join her in tagging anyone who reads this and wants to answer these questions on their own blog/site. Put the link in the comments section so we can read your replies!

1.WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope. After Nat King Cole’s Mona Lisa. So glad Mom didn’t choose Mona.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
A few weeks ago. General metldown over constant picking up after people old enough to know better.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I do.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Pastrami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Chip (20), Thomas (18), Belinda (34), Larry (55)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
You bet!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
::rolling eyes::

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Nope

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I think not!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Special K with Strawberries

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This is a mini album that I made for my sister-in-law to corral our diet plan and all of the food lists and restaurant suggestions. (Click here to go to the Google Photo Album and see the inside - it turned out really cute!)

It is one of those discount store albums that lets you slip your own photo in front and back covers. I was able to use up a package of Marcella patterned mats by K&Company that’s been sitting in my stash for over a year. Where I needed a base, I used a plain yellow cardstock.

I also inserted 3 blank yellow pieces of cardstock in the back for notes.

This is a follow-on to Nicki’s thoughts on a digitally-inept McCain, and my own response below.

I just had to look at Google.

Google McCain. Notice that the sponsored link goes straight to his donation page. Notice, also, that there is a distinct link to continue on to the website.

Goggle Obama. His sponsored link also goes to a donation page. Notice anything missing? Want to get to any content, you better go back to Google and click on the actual link.

Moving right along …

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Wondering if I can use trackbacks to MusesMecca.

In McCain and the 21st Century, Nicki wonders what the backlash will be of McCain’s admission that he doesn’t know how to get online, and is he that far off average?

Hard to tell. I probably am, that’s for sure. Like Nicki, I telecommute on a regular basis, have been online-with-website for more years than I care to disclose, and, no, I don’t remember the IBM portable, but I had a similarly cumbersome Compaq portable - with a pretty black and orange screen.

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You have GOT to LOVE Seth Godin’s post on his customer service frustration with, who else?! - Verizon.

And he’s right. It’s not just Verizon. It’s the cable company, the power company, virtually any “big” business you must deal with on a regular basis. I will note that the most frustrating of these seem to be with the companies that you either (1) have no choice in dealing with - read lack of competition, or (2) those who have already secured your business for x number of years - think banks and credit card companies.

Fine points he makes …

• WHY am I taking the time to punch in my phone/account number, when your associate must ASK me for it when they (finally) come on the line?!
• WHY is it so hard to get a competent, alert, capable, English speaking associate who can actually HELP me?!
• WHY, in this global business environment, can’t I get HELP 24/7?
• WHY can’t a SINGLE competent associate make adequate notes in a database so that someone can call me back at an appointed time to HELP me?
• WHY am I listening to that insepid elevator music - at least give me a choice!
• WHY can’t a caller on hold for more than X number of minutes be escalated to the next service level? If I’ve held this long, I must really need to TALK to someone!

Seth offers a couple of suggestions ….

• Divert some of that marketing budget to REAL customer SERVICE.
• Apply telemarketing technology to the customer service systems.

Amen, brother!

What’s a consumer to do? I will offer a small piece of advice that may encourage positive change …

When you run across one of those rare companies that actually gets it - LET THEM KNOW! Don’t just say something in passing - take the time to write a letter, send an email, post it on your blog - scream it from the mountain top! And, make sure that the management knows which associate it was. Nothing begets better performance than knowing it is recognized and appreciated!

Got this in by the hair on my chinny chin chin.

Another of Lain’s 30 Minute Thursday Challenges - this time to use fabric in the layout.

This is a Hollyhock that appears almost by magic every summer. No. I didn’t plant it, and I don’t think too hard about how it got there.

It’s an 8×8, using a Becky Fleck pagemap. The green cardstock and maroon & pink ribbons from my stash. The floral fabric is a quilting scrap - from an entirely different stash! Rubon’s are from a Christmas (shhh!) themed set from DCWV.

Too much fun!

I don’t “do” many recipes. In fact, this may be a first here, but this has become a staple on “the diet” and is so good, I thought I’d share.

• 20 oz package of lean ground turkey
• 1/2 tsp each: cumin, cayenne pepper, poultry seasoning, oregano, basil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sage
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Combine turkey and seasonings, and mix well.
Add broth, mix well. (It will feel pretty wet. That’s ok)
Cover and refrigerate - 20-30 minutes minimum, I let it sit overnight.
Form into patties, being careful not to squeeze the broth out.
Cook in nonstick skillet over med-low heat until done (about 8 minutes).

By using a low heat, the patties will poach in their own broth, so you don’t need to add oil or cooking spray. Once done, turn the heat up to medium. As the broth evaporates, brown the patties slightly. I usually get 10-12 patties, and they are as good cold as they are warm.