When Did Gratuity Become Mandatory?

I just read about a couple from Bethlehem, PA who were arrested for not leaving a tip. Now, the bill was marked with a mandatory 18% because they had 6 other people - but if the service was that bad and they explained that when they paid the rest of the bill, why would the restaurant call the police? Are you serious? In my opinion, a tip should be a tip. You are allowed to sway and/or guilt patrons into paying you a tip, but it is gratuity! you're supposed to be thankful for the service! If you're not happy - you shouldn't have to pay!

This is where we should really take after restaurants in Europe and other countries around the world - where tips aren't given, or if they are they are small - just enough to say "thanks". Heck, there are restaurants that even allow you to pay what you think the food is worth- not what they demand. I really think that people need to rethink their interaction with customers and the quality of service they give. Even if you didn't get the $16, is it worth all that bad media and potential legal fees?

I may not be a crazy out-of-this-world tipper, but i believe that most of teh time, the service isn't out of this world either. If we really tipped based on performance, don't you think the resturants, experience and employees would be better? Guess we know what restaraunt I won't be visiting anytime soon!!

Giving Back (Some More)

In September I donated 6+ bags of summer clothes to GoodWill. That's both a win for the community, the environment and my closets.

Last month I ran an impromptu cell-phone drive at work - collecting 25 phones for Verizon Wireless' Project HopeLine which benefits victims of domestic violence through funding, new phones and donated cellular airtime minutes. We recycled 6 phones and countless batteries and charging cords ourselves which was both environmentally friendly and helped us clean our closets a smidge.

This month we're running a food drive at work, so I've brought in a few cans of soup and vegtables. I'll buy some more things like crackers and toothpaste when I'm shopping later this week for the donation pile.

I'm also thinking about going and volunteering at our town's Soup Kitchen for thanksgiving. Its always a little nerve racking doing something you've never done before, but hopefully it will be a good experience!

The Craziest of Weekends

I'm exhausted from excitement. This weekend we added my future SIL to the family with one sweet proposal by my BIL assisted by a super shiney diamond ring. It was sweet and wonderful and I'm so fortunate to have been there to witness it. Now I get to help plan another wedding (yes, I'm inviting myself to help)!

If that wasn't awesome enough, Kake & Jelly had their little baby girl this morning at 4:12 am. I woke up and checked my Facebook account, and there was her little picture. The fact that my friend has a little girl just made me cry. That was just the best way to wake up; I can't wait to meet her.

Inspired Pop Art

Inspired by Andy Warhol and my cousin Niki's pop art she did of a dog a while back, I decided to do some pop-art of my own for the house. Here's the final for Trotter - didn't it turn out cute? I'm still trying to craft something different up for Missy. Now while Niki actually painted hers, I cheated and used my computer. Cute though, right? I still have to convince the hubby to let me get it printed and hang it in the house. :)

Baby Kakes' first photoshoot

My wonderful sister & I spent Sunday photographing my uber-pregnant friend "Jelly" at a nearby park. The first photos came out beautifully - I'm so proud! It helps that there was a light wind, beautiful lighting and the most adorable and hip pregnant model to make the photos this awesome. Now we just wait to meet the baby!!

Cuddle Monsters!

Missy under all our pillows

Trotter, my own personal space heater

He likes my reading as much as I do

How cute are my dogs? They L-O-V-E me, and I love them and their surprise snuggling just as much. I have the best dogs! (Can someone remind me of that the next time they get out of the yard or pee on something they shouldn't?)

Note to self: This photo documentary also makes it look like I do nothing but lay down on the couch or my bed... hmm.

The day after Halloween, and we're the two-headed cuddle monster!

Again, Missy's the queen of pillows

Another couch cuddler

Would you please put away your laundry?

Whoever said you can never have too many clothes obviously never had to put them away! I'm well on my way to purging anything that doesn't fit, isn't in fashion or is damaged; but these are just 2 weeks of my laundry that I actually wear!

As odd as it may sound, doing laundry is therapeutic for me. Something about sorting, cleaning and the simple folding relaxes me. When I was younger, I used to watch the water churn and slosh in the machine - I loved it! Putting the clothes in their separate wash loads; the noise and the water combined was so calming. I still love putting clothes up on the line - neatly lining them up, making the heavier items were on the end so that they don't pull on the line, then seeing the way they flutter in the wind. I fold everything and put them in organized piles on the bed. Then it comes time to hang up the shirts and skirts, and my love of laundry crumples. I HATE hanging up my clothes - and don't know why! It should be simple, right? I should be able to do it when I'm folding the others and putting away my pants and pjs. That's why i have this giant pile of clothes that I pull from or why it sits in a basket for 1 week while I deal with the messy room.

Possibly its because I have too many clothes and they don't fit in my closet and I have to squeeze them in the drawers. I think hanging and putting away the laundry would be the one chore I would have someone else do if I had the money. Well that and clean up the bathroom. If anyone has any tips and tricks, I'd be open to hearing them!!