My Inner World

This pregnancy is the exact opposite of my first one. With Munchkin, I did not get morning sickness. My skin stopped all it's pesky extreme dry-ness issues and I was really LOVING pregnancy. Now, I have to do deep breathing excercises whilst typing, lest I have to dash for the toilet. My skin feels like it's being slowly teared apart and I can't wait for the pregnancy to be over already and for me to hold my happy, healthy baby in my arms.
I am SO tired all day long that I have requested an extra week holiday because the idea of going back to the office makes me want to weep. Had I mentioned my hyper-emotional state?
I have had to psych myself up to write this entry, what I really want to be doing is lie down on the sofa and kindly request the room to stop spinning already!
The Glucose thing was borderline they said, 6. something. My cholesterol was waaaaaay low. I have to go in for a chat with her though, as this extreme reaction to sugar thing is freaking me the heck out!

Thanks a million for checking in folks, the concern is much appreciated!

I will try and drop by on your respective blogs, as I am dying to read what you all are up to. Just bear with me, the first trimester can't last forever!

Love and light and wishing your wonderful holidays!

My Works for me Wednesday this week is about dealing with Customer Service Desks.

Since I started work in Ireland, I have always worked in Customer Service. I like the job and always get excellent feedback from customers. Being a Customer Service Rep (CSR) does not have to be terrible, but it sure can be sometimes. I firmly believe that to have a good customer service experience both the agent and the caller need to work together.

The agent needs to be friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile. They chose to be in that profession and my feeling is that if it’s a job worth doing, it’s a job worth doing right.

The caller can make all the difference to the call by taking the following things in to consideration

• If you are calling the customer service desk, have all the relevant paperwork handy. You will be asked for your membership/account/tracking/reference number.
• Also have a pen and a notepad handy. (I have a zipper binder with the relevant papers, a pad, a calculator and a pen in front of me when I call.)
• When the call is answered, take down the agent’s full name. Feel free to ask for it if you didn’t catch in the first time. Also jot down the date and time of the call.
• Be short, sharp and to the point. The CSR will ask the relevant questions. It’s easy to get caught in a ramble. Remember, the quicker the CSR can start asking you the relevant questions, the quicker you are likely to be off the phone again.
• During the call, takes notes of what the CSR is saying.
• At the end of the call, confirm that your query is completed. “So, you will refund this money to my credit card and it will be there by Thursday?”
• If the answer is not what you are looking for, don’t shout or be rude. This will NOT get your query solved quicker and is more likely to make the CSR move you down on his or her priority list
• If the CSR is rude to you don’t get rude back, just ask for their supervisor. Believe you me, a CSR does not want that to happen. If they hang up on you, you have their name! If their direct team-leader is not to your satisfaction, go higher up the line. It’s part of their job.

Stick to these guidelines and the experience will be a better one for both you and the CSR!

Check out Rocks in my Dryer for more tips!

Was told yesterday, that my MIL is coming over to our house for Christmas Eve Dinner. I always make a leg of lamb, roasted baby-potatoes and steamed vegetables. When I told Paddy and his uncle (who always comes over on X-mas eve) that I wanted to try something else, the idea was not very warmly received! They like their lamb! So I am just sticking to the tried and trusted menu!
My MIL is the queen of cooking, she makes amazing dinners and to say that I am now suffering from a case of stage fright would be an understatement!

Some great news however, my dad will be coming with my mam next Christmas! It was going to be just my mam, but yesterday I received a confirmation e-mail that my dad was going to come, too! Muchkin will be so delighted!

Oh, if I haven't been in blogland much the last few days, my job has started blocking blogs. It's really hit or miss with the auld access.

I am looking for a video of something that just gets me all "Christmassy" but they are not making it easy for me! Hope to be able to show you on Thursday!

Late last week there were several reports of a man trying to abduct children from two primary schools. One school is in our village, the other in Munchkin’s Grandmother’s.
A man had been reported to be asking small children whether they liked chocolate and sweets. Telling them to go with him. The children, thankfully, ran away and reported it to their teachers.

The schools sent out letters to the children’s parents and the police was involved.

Last Tuesday, Paddy was putting the Munchkin in the car to take her to her Nannie’s. He saw three men standing with clip-boards and it seemed odd to him that those people would be out so early. And it was. Seconds later, a police car came screeching around the corner. Together, they arrested a Nigerian man that lives in the houses parallel to ours. A man that lives 50 meters away from us. In a neighborhood that has lots of small children playing outside all day long.
I do not let Munchkin play outside alone, but there are kids, younger than she, that are playing outside by themselves. I think they are absolutely crazy for allowing that, but what can I do?
The idea of what this man could have done to them scares me to death. He could have opened his door, grabbed one of them in, and nobody would have known! The tears are welling up in my eyes just thinking about it…..

The idea that an animal like that lives across the street from us! He was in court on Thursday and they are now investigating charges that a 16 year old girl has made to him as well.
I hope they put him away, and tell the other inmates exactly what he is in there for.
(My step-brother was in jail for a while, completely different story, and he said that offences to children were the one thing that were not tolerated by the inmates. Those people would have a VERY hard time on the inside.)

I hate that the world has come to a stage where I have to talk to my (almost) three year old daughter about strange men. We were going to anyway, but I hate that it’s necessary…