Loss Prevention Agent

I am walking into Rite Aid yesterday and cannot help noticing the sign on the door.  It was advertising the need for a Loss Prevention Agent. Wow, doesn't that sound like a cool job.  As I read the job description, I realized a Loss Prevention Agent is a security guard.  Apparently this particular drug store is experiencing some theft.

This title is awesome.  How creative!  It is the first time I heard a security guard referred to in that way, so I checked it out on line and guess what - it is a common legitimate term and covers a lot more than just protecting the door.  Salaries are about $11 to $18 per hour and places like The Gap, Costco, Hilton Resorts and more are all advertising for this expertise.

Now I am thinking I need a new, creative title.  Trophy wife is old, housewife is hideous, and this little blog thing is not enough to call myself a writer.  Hmmm....what about Philosopher of Daily Activities (blogger) or Executive Director of 551 Lafayette (housewife) or Personal Psychological Consultant (mother, wife, sister, friend, etc)?

Free Pancakes

A couple days a week I need to pick up my son from school and take him directly to an activity like guitar practice or tutoring.  On those days we usually stop at Tim Horton;s to get a snack.  This week he insisted we go to IHOP.  I am not a fan, but fine we go to get him some breakfast food.

We walk in at about 3:45 pm and it is packed.  I mean almost all the tables are full.  Very odd for this time of day.  Reviewing the menu, he orders steak and eggs, I get an omelette.  Odd because he usually orders pancakes.  While waiting for our food, we notice a placard on the table announcing today is free pancake day.  These signs are everywhere.  How did we miss free pancake day while we were right there and there is a sign everywhere you look? So some reason we burst out laughing at how unaware we are.  Our meal comes with a side of free pancakes.  We are hysterical.  Well that explains the crowds all eating their free pancakes.

As I later found out, IHOP does an annual free pancake day to raise money for a children;s organization nationally.  What a great idea and worthy cause.  However in speaking with the manager, I found that last year they gave out over 20,000 pancakes and only raised $1400 for the charity.  Isn't that sad?  Made me really look differently at those tables of people with nice clothes, driving in luxury cars and walking out without contributing.  Shameful.

Undeclared Teachers

You know those people who have taught you something significant in your life, but you don't realize it at the time?  I am not talking about your academic teachers or your career mentors, but people who trained you in some life lesson.  Well I was just thinking about one such person last night.

You see I am active in the WNY Women's Fund (quick plug - this is an amazing organization doing a lot of good for women and girls in WNY so if you are looking to donate some funds or time consider this org).  We are having an event tonight and  I voluntered to create the take home bags.

We are only expecting 40 people, but I got a little crazy.  Must have cookies with the org name iced on them, must have curling ribbons, must have bright tissue paper and tulle, inside stuffers must all be packed the same way, colors must be right...blah blah blah.  Really want to take one, so entice with a pretty presentation, include a treat and maybe the guests will look at and use the pledge card inside.  This little activity took me 4 HOURS.  Am I nuts?

So I ask myself why so obsessive?  One word comes back...SARAH.  The lovely Sarah took me under her wing as a co-chair for the Park School Auction a bizillion years ago.  I was a clueless nubbie.  She taught me to care about the little things and how to make an event beautiful.  Actually all of those brilliant women who worked the auction to raise tons of money for the school, formed me like clay.

Although I may have sworn Sarah's name last night as I couldn't get the damn ribbons even, I have to say a big thank you to my friend...my teacher.