See My Widget??

I added a Widget to my page. I want to see how many of you guys actually look at my blog ;-)

All Things I Need to Know in Life I Learned From My Mom.

This is a take on the familiar "All I need to know in life I learned in kindergarten." I spent the weekend with my mother and had a wonderful time. She really is an amazing person and though she often bears the brunt of my teasing, her presence in my life is a blessing.

Always practice good manners- you did not grow up in a barn. Saying "Buck up honey, this too shall pass," to someone who is in need is not exactly comforting. Just because you know your right hand from your left doesn't mean you will know which way is East or West. Beating a dead horse when attempting to drive home a point will just cause your audience to tune you out. Saying "I know" as a response to the dead horse conversation WILL NOT stop the lecture- It actually makes it worse. You will never graduate from mommy school- a mother will always dispense advice, direction, criticism and love- deal with it. Always be the bigger person- your strength of character is not relative to the circumstance that tests it. Always have your house ready for company- you never know who may stop by. Go with the flow- it causes less stress.

Only truly confident and fashion-forward people can pull off the "dressy sweat outfit" look and pair it with knee highs and flats and still manage to be cute. People with lots of hair look silly in hats- give up and get over it. Never sunbathe with Baby oil and iodine- you'll pay for it 40 years later. If you wear a yellow sweater with a yellow skirt and yellow flats you will be teased. Clunky shoes make you look like you have "hooves" for feet.

Love and give with your whole heart and don't ask what's in it for you. Laughter is the best therapy. Do whatever it takes to "GIT ER DONE." Kill them with kindness. Be patient. Listen first, react second. Showing up right on time does not mean you're running late. Remaining idle is a waste of time, there is always something productive to do. It is OK to ask for help. Your taste buds change every 7 years- try it even if you don't think you like it. Share. Concentrate on the task at hand. Indecisiveness hinders progress. Don't be afraid to be wrong.

Standing with hands on hips and right foot sticking out does not command attention. Communicate and be clear about what you want. Send thank you notes and make them personal. Read directions first if you have no clue what you're doing. Don't be afraid to try. Failure only exists if you're unable to learn from your mistakes. Forgive- it goes along with "being the bigger person." You don't have to yell in order for your voice to be heard.

Your success in life will depend on how quickly you can adjust to the curve balls life throws you. Pray- God will never give you more than you can handle- have faith. Smile. Be gracious and humble. Don't procrastinate.

Saying "Judas Priest" when you're shocked often makes people laugh. No one knows what "piffle" means unless you knew Pearl. A real lady never swears or burps. Don't crack your knuckles. And lastly-- If you put something in a safe spot- MAKE SURE you remember where the "safe spot" is, otherwise this safe spot becomes the Bermuda triangle of all things lost.

I'm certain there are many more Magisms, but alas, I must move on.

T-Mobile

I am using this forum to publicly bash T-Mobile- A stand I am unaccustomed to taking.

I have never had T-Mobile cellular service, but when my identity was stolen, they used it to open a T-mobile family share plan. When the account was not paid, they ran my credit report and proceeded to send the bills to my address. This was how I found out I was a victim of Identity theft-- In some abstract way, I am thankful for this, as otherwise I would have had no clue this was occurring.

So, we are now 2 months in and I have successfully restored my credit back to where it was. I was even able to purchase a new car. (Yippee!!!) The only thing remaining was this stupid T-Mobile bill of 792.00 and they were refusing to deem the account as fraud.

Something to note- when applying for a service utility (such as a phone) you need to supply a photo ID. T-Mobile has all of this- the front-back of my social security card, and my driver's license. This verifies the person who used a fake ID to open the cellular account was not me.

My last instruction from T-Mobile was the fraudulent address and contact info was still on my credit report, and once I got it removed, they would deem it as fraud. On Monday, I received notification it has been changed and removed off my credit report.

Yesterday, I called T-Mobile and advised them of the same. I was then told I needed to file a police report naming a suspect and to send a utility bill verifying I didn't live at the address they have on file.

Alarm sirens blared in my head-- 2 problems.
1. I have already filed a police report, but have not named a suspect b/c I HAVE NO FREAKING CLUE WHO DID THIS.
2. The address they have on file IS MY REAL ADDRESS!!!! (how else would I have gotten the bill?!?!?)

As I calmly and rationally attempted to explain this to the fraud rep, I was advised this was my only course of action. Exasperated, I said, and I quote.."let me get this straight. You want me to file a police report, falsely accusing someone of stealing my identity and thereby committing a felony offense, AND send you a utility bill from the address where I currently live in order to prove I DON'T live there?"

I then became a little more forceful advising the $792.00 is small potatoes in comparison to the 19k of fraud that was on 1 of the 6 credit cards opened. I then asked why something as insignificant as a phone bill is the thorn in my side while $37k just magically disappeared of my credit as soon as the credit companies received my identity theft affidavit?

I was met with silence.

After a long pause the fraud rep asked if he could run an inquiry on my credit report. I gave him permission and he decided b/c I now have a "fraud victim alert" attached to my credit file for the next 7 years, he would erase the account and mark it as fraud.

I felt like I just one a boxing match- In 10 rounds. But alas, it is done! Yea!

In Some Things

I'm headed back to the light-hearted side of life. The past few weeks have been wrought with craziness, and there's nothing like the comfort of routine. So, in the spirit of this, I'm going to write about my favorite topic.... My mother. There will be many more postings of the wondrous Mags, but I told this story the other night at dinner, and it went over well, so thus, I shall share with you.

Over the holiday season, my mother had some work done on her car. When she was about to wrap things up, the store manager came out and studied my mother quizzically.

"Mrs. M-. Are you the mother of Erin?"
"Why yes." my mother replied.
"Wow! Erin and I used to be pretty good friends back in Jr. High. I haven't seen her in years. What is she up to these days?"
My mother explained where I was currently living and working, etc.etc.
Now, I do remember this person. He went out with a friend of mine and we ran around together until the relationship fizzled with my friend.

The conversation continued.
"You know what I remember about, Erin? She was really friendly and intelligent."
With that, my mother cocked her head to one side and said, "yeah, in some things..."

IN SOME THINGS!?!?!? When Mags told me she had run into this person, I have to say I was kinda pleased he thought of me as being smart. I perceive this as one of the best compliments one can bestow upon me. So naturally when my mother finishes the story and doesn't say something like, "Thank you, yes, she works very hard." or "Yes, Thank you, we're so proud of her..." I'm speechless. This from the same woman who tried to argue with me that sometimes we get weather from the east. (I reasoned with her by asking when was the last time we got weather coming in from Pittsburgh...)

As I incredulously chastised my mother for her response, she explained she didn't want to appear boastful or arrogant. I reminded her a simple "thank you." would have been gracious, not boastful.

It appears the lesson behind this story is a mother's continual pursuit of instilling humility is never ending. If you ever feel you're getting to too big for your britches, have a chat with Mags. She'll set you straight.