I usually try to check my order before leaving but in reality, don't always. And of course you know WHEN the mistake will happen! Mostly, I check to see that, for instance if I order to sandwiches and a fry, I see if there's two sandwiches and a fry in there. On burgers I order just ketchup. Interestingly at Burger King, I've found there's a WAY to say it, to get what you want. Do not say "just ketchup", you need to say "ketchup ONLY". Never a problem since. It's using THEIR lingo. The new thing I've run into is the way they push upsizing. "Small" costs $1.50 more! You have to say "value size". I started saying "whatever size is the price you advertise". I've made them change it more than once. I do like to think that most of these places truly do want to try to make things right when there's a legitimate problem. And yes, if they don't know about it, there's nothing they can do to improve. So we as customers do owe it to them to let them know when there's a problem. You were very reasonable Glenda. Many would be expecting they give them the world for a mistake. Hopefully they can straighten things out and you can return to being a satisfied customer at their establishment. I understand the business's frustration too, what with people threatening all sorts of things and the like. Everyone knows that nobody in their right mind will sue for a burger mishap. But it makes for good laughs at the water cooler. And really, some of these mistakes are just people not paying attention to their job. And that's a big frustration of mine. I don't care if you're a CEO of a gigantic corporation or a floor sweeper in an office. If you don't take pride in your work, you're incompetent. So many of these mistakes are so easily avoided. After all the health issues lately I've been forced to eat out much more. I'm tired of of. Been buying more groceries lately and doing light cooking at home. And appreciating it much more. I'm sure many would laugh at my menus of late but compared to drive through... it's gourmet cuisine!

Lindsey_ca, I would disagree. People like that generally just don't care and are selfish. They feel they're owed it. I don't think the difference would amount to more than a handful. I don't understand why people have to bring a whole tribe of gawkers into a hospital room anyway. Good grief, when I'm in a hospital the last thing I want is a bunch of people around wanting to be entertained, fed, and other special accommodations and more. And no, my family and friends with whom I'd allow in there aren't that way but so many are. Having finished a hospital stay recently I went to measures to NOT let people know I was in there. I have a peeve with the hospitals and their digging for phone numbers ("emergency contacts" which we know are more for collection options) and such. And who they can tell about my condition when they call, etc. I said they shouldn't get any calls - the only way there should be contact is if something goes wrong and I can't be revived or something, then YOU call THEM. I will give them credit (and for a lot of things). I called my sister to try to arrange a "release" for the next day when I'd be discharged (more on this peeve later!) The goofy phone system there wouldn't let me block the number and when I left a message, my sister saw the CID of the hospital and panicked, exactly what's not needed. So she called and got a hold of the night nurse but he wouldn't put the call through, just said that I was "resting comfortably" and not release any more info. Good for him, except that I actually was awake so I guess I could have taken the call. Now for the discharge procedure: When someone is conscious and alert, why can't a person take a cab or drive themselves? This ticks me off. I still drove home after I left. I told the nurse I could get to my car fine and since she had other things to do she went to do them, I got in my car, Sis got in hers and off we went. I didn't want anyone knowing I was having surgery and not letting you take a cab a bus or something? That's crazy. I don't think that's their position to dictate that. Now, short kudos deserved. The entire hospital staff was overall EXCELLENT during my recent stay and during the months of followup. This hospital gave me nightmares 40 years ago when I was there. Poor care but now, totally opposite. I don't think I could have asked for better care. They have thankless jobs and right down to the ones who cleaned the rooms, delivered food and otherwise, were respectful, cheerful and would ask if they could do anything for me, and that's not their job! I was amazed. Now for the crazy people. Generally, in my experience, it's not so much they're acting "crazy" because they are, it's because they're selfish and childish and grew up with getting what they wanted by throwing temper tantrums. Also they have heard the expression "squeaky wheel gets the grease" and often that probably works for them too. They're probably just spoiled brats and could use a smack in the chops and a wake-up call to reality. There's other people in the world besides them but that doesn't matter to them. It's no different than people butting into line. Back when I dealt with them directly I, a couple times, told people that if they could get EVERYONE else (patiently waiting in line) to agree to let you go first, then I would, but I wasn't going to ask them. Of course they were insulted and oh, I guess I wasn't "nice" to them but the world doesn't bow to them and they might as well start learning it. Often when I see a person like that who is (let's face it, the term is) "abused" by a patron, I try to give them a day brightener if I can. Go up and say something like "Who sh*t in THEIR cornflakes today?" or "Hope they don't step on a landmine on the way home, huh?" or something. Even a compliment on how they handled it or something. I've been on the receiving end of spoiled brat stuff and it is helpful to know that others appreciate the situation.

Despite anyone's opinion of her parents and their views, etc., I think they have always strived to raise a responsible, kind and fair-minded individual. She's grown up in a fishbowl and I'm sure it hasn't always been easy. I got tickled at Twinkie the other day when I told him that AOL was announcing her engagement. He said, "How old is Chelsea now? About 23?" I laughed and said, "Try 29!" LOL He nearly fell over. Small states - what can I say? People feel like they know everybody else there! LOL

Oh, gee, Chisue . . . Once I get a good idea (or an idea I think is good), the first draft gets written fairly quickly. I know some good writers who can sit down at the computer without any clue about what they're going to write, but I need to have a beginning and and ending in mind before I start. Either or both may change, but this gives me a framework. My favorite part to write is the dialogue. After that first draft is written, I revise a lot. Woman's World's word count is 800 max, so you have to make every word count. I pick away at it until I'm satisfied. Once a manuscript is submitted, it takes 4 to 6 months (usually 6) until you hear back from them. Thanks for your confidence! I hope you do enjoy it. Murraysmom, I'm glad you did!