Does my face say 'Come and 'ave a go!' ?

Today has to be one of the most stressful days at work ever. Like. Ever. Christmas, in general, is stressful when you work in retail.

I hate customers. You try and help them as much as you can, being as polite as you can, and they still find something to complain about.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control........... Hmmmm.... Really tests those fruits, does working in Halfords. Especially that last one.


Just a few examples,

at the sat navs,
Customer: So with Garmin you get free map updates
Me: No, you do with Tom Tom, but they're less reliable
Customer: Oh right, just a fella in here told me 2 years ago that Garmin is free for life
Me: Well, I'm sorry, I don't know who you were talking to, but you have to pay for Garmin map updates
Customer: Right
Customer's wife: So which do you want?
Customer: I don't know now, I think I'd rather go somewhere where they know what they're talking about

I turn around to the next person who needs help.

>>>>>>>>

Customer: I'm here to collect a sat nav that I reserved online
Me: Ok, do you want to buy a case for it? Theres a set you can get with a case and home charger for 9.99 if you buy it with your sat nav
Customer: Ok. Will it fit?
Me: *no, Im just selling it to you for fun* Yes...
Customer: Ok

I put the sale through the till and make an announcement for the satnav keys to be returned to the desk, 'cause someone has walked off with them.

Customer: Do you know where it is?
Me: ...Where what is?
Customer: My satnav
Me: *No...I just work here...* Yes
Customer: Oh right
Me: I'm just waiting for the keys so I can get it for you
Customer: Why?
Me: *WHO ARE YOU!???? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!?* ....because they're locked up out the back
Customer: Oh right. Do you know what you're doing?
Me: *Are you looking for a punch?* Yes.

I finally get the keys, get the satnav, and come back. She is examining her receipt

Customer: I thought the case and charger were 9.99
Me: They are
Customer: Why are they at £15 and £13 on my receipt then
Me: That's the price they'd be without the reduction
Customer: Well why doesn't it say that
Me: If you look at the sub-total....and then at the total.... it does
Customer: Oh right.

>>>>>>>>>


At the till by the main entrance. The customer is around 30 years old, she has crutches, and obviously can't really walk very well, but she is not on her own, and is with a man who appears to be her 'other half'.

Me: Hello
Customer: I'm here to collect a bike
Me: Oh right, that's no problem - all the bikes are upstairs
Customer: I have to go upstairs?
Me: Yes, you need to go upstairs - they have forms for you to sign, and the bike is actually up there, we don't keep any down here
Customer: *hmph*
Me: I can't leave the till unattended, and we're quite busy at the moment, but if you go upstairs they'll be able to help you at the desk up there. There's a lift over there if you want to use it.
Customer walks off towards the lift muttering something along the lines of "that's f-ing ridiculous, people are so lazy these days". In my head I am thinking "why the heck don't you let the bloke go up and get the bike for you, people are so stupid these days"

Phone Rings
I answer
I am still speaking on the phone when the customer returns from upstairs. She comes down in the lift by herself while the bloke carries the bike down the stairs, and then has to wait for the lift to get down. While I am on the phone, she marches over - on crutches (it's quite amusing to watch an angry person trying to march on crutches, by the way) and starts yabbering on at me to fix the lift because she leant on the handle in it, and it fell off the wall and now she's hurt her fractured foot even more. Boo hoo. My heart bleeds. Handles in the lift aren't meant for sitting on. But if you want to sue Halfords, go right ahead - it's not coming out of my pocket, and it's not my job to fix the lift

Customer: You need to fix that lift. Get it seen to. I leant on the handle and it came off the wall. Go and fix it. That shouldn't be happening in a shop like this
Me: Oh really? Oh I'm so sorry about that
Customer: I thought Halfords was a good shop, well. I'll never be back here again.
Me : Oh right.
**not till next Christmas, anyway, when you want to buy another cheap bike for your kid that will be wrecked in 2 weeks, and good, if you want to go breaking our lift, I'm glad you won't be back**
Customer: You need to go and fix it
Me: Ok **no I don't**
Customer exits stage left

>>>>>>>>>>

Setting: A customer comes in with her friend to see someone about baby seats. I hear my name on the tannoy, and go to help.

There are 4 different stages in baby seats: 0-9months need a rearward facing car seat with a harness; 9months-4 years need a forward facing car seat with a harness; 4years-7 years (ish) need a booster seat with a back on it; 7years-12years need a booster cushion. The ages on each seat, however, are approximations, and the key to getting the right child seat is the weight of the child.

Customer: Can I have that seat?
Me: What age is it for?
Customer: She's 4 months
Me: Yeh that's ok, do you want me to fit it for you?
Customer: Yes
Me: Ok I'll go and get it for you

I get the seat, ring it through the till, and go to fill in the forms and fit the seat rearward-facing. The customer is carrying her baby in a carry-cot style seat that can only be fitted backwards.

Me: Ok so this seat needs to be fitted backwards until she reaches 40lb in weight, and then you can turn it round to face forwards. If you want to come back at that stage, bring your receipt and we'll put it forwards for you.
Customer: I want it to go forwards now
Me: Well, you actually can't put your baby in the car facing forwards at all until she's 40lb which is roughly 9months, sometimes a year
Customer: Well I fit this one in forwards
Me: *shocked* you what?
Customer: I said I put this seat in forwards in the front
Me: Well you shouldn't be. That seat doesn't fit forward-facing
Customer: well it does 'cause I do it
Me: It's illegal to put your child forward facing, and if you ever do have an accident, I have to be blunt with you, your child will be seriously injured if not killed.
Customer: I don't care, it's awkward trying to fit it backwards. So you gonna fit it for me?
Me: I can fit it backwards, not forwards
Customer: You're supposed to fit it
Me: Sorry, I'm actually refusing to fit that seat for you. It's not safe, and its not legal and I'm not fitting it for you.
Customer: Fine I'll fit it myself

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!!!!

2 weeks later, I hear a tannoy announcement for babyseats again and it's the same woman back again.
She has fitted the seat herself, kept an extra bit of padding in the seat that is only supposed to be used when a newborn is in it for the first 2 weeks, and moved the harnesses up to the top level for a 4 year old. The seat is fitted incorrectly and wobbling on the seat. She is complaining that the seat is faulty and the harnesses won't pull tight around her baby. The harnesses are loose, but upon closer inspection, I see that the harness cover inside the seat has been removed to adjust the harness and make them higher. The seatbelt of the car has been passed through the harness, trapping it, and tangling it.

Customer: You sold me a faulty seat. The straps won't pull tight
Me: Yeh, I can see that-- you've moved the harnesses up to the next level, yes?
Customer: No I haven't they just went like that
Me: No, you have moved them but I'll take the seat out for you now and fix it
Customer: I haven't touched it
Me: I'm not going to stand here arguing with you, 'cause we both know you have, haven't you?
Customer: Well I wouldn't have had to if you had fitted it for me
Me: Your baby is too small to go forward-facing
Customer: No she isn't

I take the seat inside and call another member of staff over to deal with the customer. The next person from child-seats comes and it's Dan. I explain to him the situation, and that she was in 2 weeks previously with a baby weighing 14lb.

Customer: Can you fit it?
Dan: What weight is your baby?
Customer: 22lb
Dan: Look, I'm not trying to be funny, but are you saying that your baby has gained 8lb in 2 weeks?
Customer: That's none of your business
Dan: Do you have the baby with you?
Customer: Yes she's in the car

Dan goes out to judge for himself, and refuses to fit the seat for her.

Customer goes away in a huff, carrying the child on her lap as she drives out of the carpark.
I stand wishing that I had taken her registration number and called the police.

2 hours later, the customer returns and demands to see the manager. She complains about Dan and myself, telling him she doesn't appreciate being criticised over the safety of her child. The manager tells her that we were both right in what we said, but sorry that she took offence. She asks him to fit the seat. He also refuses.

Some people are just stupid.

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, you'll find me.

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, you'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end, and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, - the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His, or are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end, and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, - the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His, or are we caught in the middle

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You’re by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I’m caught in the middle

©2007 Casting Crowns

the colours of the autumn are more beautiful this year

So... it's been a while, and quite an eventful summer. Although saying that, I don't really have a lot to report.
It's been a fulfilling summer, albeit a tragic one.

So to start at the beginning:

June:
June brought the wonderous occasion of my Gran's 90th birthday. We had a big surprise party in Oswestry for her, though she kind of caught on.. it didn't help that randomers sent her birthday cards saying "sorry we can't be at your party" during the week running up to her birthday... it was quite a fun time, though. The weird/nazi family turned up and basically prayed that Gran would die soon.. which was rather amusing.. but at least there was no physical fighting to spoil the day. They weren't invited to the 'family only' bbq in the evening. well, they may have been.. but I don't think they felt as if they were, and good. They're not invited to my wedding either.
Anyway, so Dan and I drove over for that and played dvd cluedo at louise's house. It seems like a LOT longer than 4 months ago, though!! We also went via Bangor and got lost in Chester, after passing an ancient Halfords.

Good times.


July:
July was not so fun a month. It started out well, and brought the visit of my parents and a few sunny days. It brought my first trip to the Botanic Gardens in Belfast-Nothing to write home about, really! - and it brought a new bike for myself.

Here is my gorgeous lovely bike:
(It's the 2008 Kona Fire Mountain)





It brought the visitation of Mim and Jim, and Miriam pretty much wrecked my new bike.. but it's ok cause I managed to blag a new one from work after they scrated the paintwork over the logo while it was being repaired.

July also brought the terrifying reality of how fragile life really is, and it took Paul - one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever known. He and his family were like family to me for a long time, and I really feel actual pain in my heart that he's gone. It's hard to believe he's gone, and at times it's as if none of it has happened. He had a stroke early in July and never regained consciousness, leaving behind a devastated wife and three heartbroken children.
Pray for them.
It's his oldest child's birthday today (well, yesterday -30th September). She's just nine.


August:
August brought the funeral of Paul, which was of course a very sad time, but also a nice time in a strange way. Of course its a tragic time, but knowing that he knew God personally really changed the atmosphere tremendously. Things could have been so much worse, and I know there's a reason for him being taken. I just don't know what it is, or if I'll ever know what it is. I guess I just have to believe that there is a reason beyond my comprehension.
It was a nice time, quite a raw time, but a nice time, and I was glad I could make it back to Devon for the weekend. There was an amount of healing in being surrounded by friends who knew him, and felt the pain I felt/feel.

On a lighter note, August also brought the birthday weekend - all the family gathered in Oswestry for mine and Jo's birthdays (and Jason's, for his is the same day as mine!), and we went to some aquaduct in Wales, and also to Liverpool to Jack's. We went walking a LOT and I was so tired.. it was good though.. we went shopping in Liverpool's new shopping centre place too. Incredible. Oh and we also went to see an open air showing of A Midsummer Nights Dream at Liverpool Cathedrals garden. Brilliance.

September:
September brought engagement (on the 1st), and also my 22nd birthday.
That's about all.



Although I have now definately found a church and settled well in it. I now feel at home here, and I feel as though I can relax. I've made friends at church - a group of people from the small group Dan and I go to, and they're an amazing group of people . Very welcoming and friendly. And it feels so nice to know I actually know people outside of work now. It feels like I have a life again!! I can't write down how good that feels!
And I now have a wedding to plan for next summer, for which the lovely louise shall be my cheif of the bridesmaids, and mr graham is best man!
oh and dans the groom.
obviously.

I haven't really been consistent in grammar or use of capital letters in this blog. I can't be bothered. It's late. I need to sleep.

Love Them Like Jesus

"When I fear what to say, I've taken my eyes off Jesus. He will restore. He will rebuild. He will answer the questions. My place is just being there, loving them, and pointing them to the Father." ~ Mark Hall

The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus

Mark Hall, Casting Crowns

Sometimes, I just don't get it, and I become numb

Sorrow came to visit us today
Was the longest day, was the loneliest day
Sorrow came to steal our hope away
Only tears can tell
Of this holy hour

This mountain’s high, too high for us
This mountain’s high, too high for us

Sorrow came quicker than a fire
Was the longest day, was the loneliest day
I feel your hand, the warmth, your sweetest smile
But you slipped away, through the great divide

This mountain’s high, too high for us
This mountain’s high, too high for us

Your ways are high, too high for us
Your ways are high, too high for us

Written by Martin Smith ©2003 Curious? Music UK

Taken from World Service

just another day...

man walks into halfords.
"excuse me, love, is this the abbeycentre?"

umm... no


arrogant old man buys a product, and as he is about to leave, he says,
"youre from ballymena. or scotland." (ballymena accents are very hard to understand, almost another language in themselves though its only dialect, i'm told! very broad, rural, ulter scots lingo! i.e. dans mum and dad)

i respond,
"pardon?"
"you're from ballymena or scotland, aren't you. i can tell."
to which i reply,
"no, england."
he exclaims, slightly frustrated,
"what!!!?"
"im from england actually"
he says, "well, the north of england," (as if I'm the one trying to be smart.)
i reply, "actually, devon."
"well thats north england, isn't it!!"
he walks out, shaking his head, not waiting for a response. perhaps that's not a bad thing.
the ignorance of young halfords staff these days. as if they wouldnt know devon is on the border of scotland.


what a moron.
and he was wearing a fishermans jacket.