Busy Week

I’ve survived my first big deadline at work.  This was actually the third big deadline to pass since I started work, but the first one that I had any returns to prepare. 

I had most of my work done between Monday and Tuesday.  I kept getting new returns at the last minute, but that was ok.  They weren’t too complicated and it was nice to have something to do and be useful.  One return on Tuesday only had front pages of source documents and completely skipped some documents we knew we needed.  I requested what we needed and we were told we would have it by Fed.Ex on Thursday morning.  Of course, it was almost lunch before we got it.  The pages I needed were now front and back, but some items were missing.  Luckily, they were items that I could find based upon last year and published government information.

Also, on Thursday, we had lunch brought in.  Apparently, there are several Jim-n-Nicks in Tennessee.  It made my day to have some barbecue chicken, macaroni and cheese, cheese biscuits and of course, chocolate pie!  It’s funny how a little bit of Alabama really made my day.  Of course, after everything I ate, I was just about sick and needed to walk about ten miles to work off all the calories.  It was worth it though! :)

Friday, we had college recruits in the office to interview for internships and full-time positions.  I was assigned, along with two other people, to take two recruits to lunch.  I needed to drive and, of course, I had planned to buy gas on the way home from work.  Instead,  I got to leave work during the day to go get gas and it didn’t require me to take time off! :)  We went to lunch—unfortunately we had a miscommunication and two groups made reservations at the same place and we didn’t get to go where I really wanted to.  Oh, well…

After lunch, a client brought his information in around 2 and it had to be out the door before we left and in time to be postmarked with 10/15.  The return was quite simple, but the phone call after the return was prepared wasn’t quite as simple.  Luckily, I was more of an observer while the manager did most of the taking with the client.  We ended up conferencing in the firm manager (the partner in charge of all the other partners)—he is the signer for this return.  I hadn’t participated in client phone calls except to request information before, so this was a learning experience for me.  I’m grateful for the experience, but I hope not all conversations are that complicated.

After work, I raced home to take Emma out and then went back out to meet some of the girls from the Tax department at Cheekwood.  We went to see the Chihuly exhibit.  It was really pretty—even though we went off-roading nearly the entire time.  We weren’t too concerned with ropes and signs that pointed us in the “correct” direction! :)  I think it would have been nice to get to the exhibit before sunset so you could see the sculptures both in the light and lit up after dark.

All in all, it was a busy week, but good.  I survived a deadline and I feel a little more prepared for what’s to come in the spring.

I’ve got cleaning to do this weekend and I have promised to pay more attention to Emma this weekend since she’s been alone much more than usual this week between horrible traffic this week and my Friday night plans.  I’ll really miss her, but this week confirmed that she needs to vacation in Florence during busy season.  She’s a snow bird, so she’s going south!

My List of “Good Companies”

Lately I’ve been really frustrated with my experiences calling various companies and dealing with their customer service representatives.  You have already heard me rant about Charter.  Unfortunately, Comcast (my cable and internet provider in Nashville) is only marginally better.  I’m really hoping to get AT&T or DirecTv in my new house late next summer.  I haven’t heard anyone that I can think of complain about service from either of these companies.  I really like the idea of free HD and DVR from DirecTv.  I just can’t stand to pay Comcast any more, so I just have almost the most basic cable and internet service with no HD and no DVR.  Since I can watch almost everything on the internet, not having DVR isn’t that big of an issue—just a convenience thing.

Back to the subject of this post—good customer service.  About two weeks ago, I got a notice from Nashville Electric that my payment didn’t go through because my checking account showed closed.  I called immediately to try to fix the problem.  I found out that I didn’t enter my account number correctly and it was an easy fix with the help of a polite and friendly customer service representative.  So, about a week ago, I get another letter saying that I was being assessed a $15.00 charge for a returned payment.  I wasn’t happy about this, so I called to see if the fee could be waived since it was simply a first-payment mistake with my bank account.  The customer service representative was very nice and quickly got approval to waive the fee.  They didn’t have to waive the fee, but I felt like it was an honest mistake and not worthy of the fee.  Luckily, I was able to make them see my way and get out of the extra fee.

My second example of good customer service is at Banana Republic.  Specifically, Banana Republic online.  I placed an order maybe three weeks ago and the pants didn’t quite fit correctly.  I returned them yesterday, but the store didn’t have any to exchange.  I placed another order last night and had a 25% off plus free shipping coupon.  That coupon expired last night, so I had to use it before midnight.  This morning I woke up to a 30% off plus free shipping coupon.  Since the difference was over $10, I decided to call and see if they would adjust my bill or cancel the order so I could re-order with the additional savings.  The representative was polite and quickly got approval to adjust my bill.  I just have to wait until my order ships to make sure I was billed the correct amount.  I know it sounds silly to go through this trouble for less than $20, but, with my new “big girl” budget, every penny counts!

So anyway, I want to say “Thank You!” to Nashville Electric and Banana Republic for being polite, efficient and not raising my blood pressure to stroke levels.  I’m now on the lookout for other companies with good customer service—I’ll keep you updated!

Charter Strikes Again

I’ve got to vent a little bit.  Feel free to skip over this if you don’t want to hear a little complaining.

So, when I canceled my digital cable and internet at the very end of July, I had a refund due.  I turned in my cable box and left a forwarding address to send my refund check.  They assured me I would have my check in 6 weeks or less.

So, I’m still getting bills from Charter showing no current activity.  Just the credit that they have still not issued to me.  So I called today and asked where my money was.  Apparently, SOMEBODY didn’t finish filling out the form.  So, now the clock starts again and I should receive my rebate within another 6 weeks.

Also, our condo association in Auburn pays for basic cable.  I didn’t want to interrupt this service, but I didn’t want a Charter account anymore.  Apparently this is impossible.  I know it’s possible because this is the way things were before I upgraded my service.  I’ve told them that if I get another bill, I’ll be calling the corporate headquarters.  We’ll see if that scared them…doubt it.

I don’t love the Comcast service up here, but it’s so much better than Charter.  I’m hoping I can get DirecTV or AT&T when I buy my new house next summer.

That’s all the complaining for today.  Sorry you had to listen to that.

Routine

I am very much a creature of habit.  I wake up around the same time each day.  I get ready in exactly the same order each day.  I like to pick out my clothes the night before so a clothing disaster doesn’t derail my morning routine. 

Mom didn’t understand for the longest time why I wanted a clock on the vanity in my bathroom.  I need to know what time it is so I know if I need to step it up an notch to stay on schedule.  I know what time I should be out of the shower, what time I should have my makeup finished and what time I should finish drying my hair.  I know, I know—I really sound neurotic now! :)

I have a less regimented nighttime routine.  It includes various things like taking my contacts out, taking my medicine and taking off my makeup.  However, I can do it all in practically any order as long as the contacts come out before I remove my makeup.

Ok.  This was random.  I just was thinking about how structured my life is and thought I would give you all a little more insight into how weird I am.

The Volunteer State

Today I officially became a resident of the Volunteer State.  No, this doesn’t include a mandatory membership in the UT fan club.  I’m still an Auburn girl through and through, but I will cheer for UT as long as they aren’t playing Auburn.  Since that only happened once in five years at Auburn, I don’t think this will be a serious problem! :)

I got my driver’s license, voter registration and library card all during my lunch break.  I was really worried about the driver’s license thing because I’d heard horror stories about having to wait for hours to get service.  Luckily, I had all the necessary paperwork and was in and out in about 15 minutes.  They said it was really slow there since it’s the first of the month and most people had not been paid yet.

Now, I have to find out where my polling place is and get informed about local and state politics in Tennessee.  I know there are many more “blue” people in this state than Alabama.  Unfortunately, the Mayor of Nashville is “blue” and I believe the Governor of Tennessee is “blue”.  Maybe I can be part of the force that changes the map to “red”! :)

You may wonder why I bothered to get a library card?  In Davidson County, with a library card, you can get online music downloads and audiobooks.  Also, there are some books you can get in PDF format.  I think the website said you could get 5 downloads per week for songs and you get to keep them forever.  With audiobooks, you have about 3 weeks—similar to checking out a paper book.  I think it’s a really nice service, but I have yet to use it yet.  I’ll get back to you with a review!

Two in one night…now I’ll probably wait two months before my next update!

Halfway there

I’m so glad we’re halfway through the work week—I can’t even tell you how much I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Work is going well.  Monday was really slow, but I’ve been busy since then.  I think I have learned my lesson about asking for work…now I have more than I can handle!  Actually, we’re supposed to email our managers when we’re slow…the only problem is that I got work from five managers! :)

Right now, I’m working with another department trying to better understand a new client and all their businesses (they have a lot).  I worked all afternoon with them and I am so exhausted!  It’s really making me appreciate MY job (in the Tax Department) and I’ll be so happy to get back to my desk and the work that I am at least somewhat familiar with.  :)

Tomorrow, I’m going to the Titans’ last preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.  I’m really excited for several reasons…just to go to the game, of course, but especially because Mom and Dad are coming north to go with me!  Even though I’ll only see them at the game and I’ll go straight to sleep after, it’s so nice that we are close enough to go to events like this.  They will take Emma home Friday morning and I will follow after work and spend the Labor Day weekend in Florence.  Speaking of Labor Day weekend—I’m so excited for the paid day off on Monday!  One of the great perks of being a salaried employee! :)

Sorry I don’t have any new pictures.  I’m going to have to take some of my apartment for Grams and Grandaddy, so hopefully I can manage some before long.

It’s not even 8PM yet, but I am so tired.  I think Emma and I are going to bed soon.  I still have to clean up the kitchen from dinner and other random things, but hopefully we will be asleep by 9.  Ah, the life of the working girl!

Long Overdue Update

Last time I wrote, I hadn’t graduated yet.  Since then I have turned 23, received my Master of Accountancy degree, moved out of my condo in Auburn where I’ve lived for four years, moved to a new city and state and finally begun my very first big girl job.  Wow—what a run-on sentence!  But that only begins to capture the whirlwind that is my life lately! :)

  We never managed to all look at the same camera! :(

Just got my copy of the creed.  We get the real diploma after the ceremony.Just shook President Gogue’s hand.

I found Uncle Mark and the camera!

It wouldn’t have been the same without Morgan

The night of graduation, most of my things were loaded onto the truck.  We thankfully had help—two of my wonderful next door neighbors helped when we found ourselves in a bind.  They worked as hard as possible and wouldn’t even take a dime.  I certainly would not have asked them if I didn’t intend to pay them.

Tuesday morning we finished packing my last few things and started the long drive north.  I was alone in Mom’s car and headed directly to Nashville while Mom, Dad and Emma had to stop in Florence first to pick up some furniture.  I got here, signed my lease and started unloading the car around five.  Everyone else arrived around six and it took until 10:30 to finish unloading the truck.  That was a day!

Wednesday Daddy had to leave and Mom and I had lots of boxes to unpack.  Honestly, Mom did most of the work and I will be forever grateful to her for making this place comfortable and as much like home as possible.

Dad came back late on Friday.  Things were pretty much done here except for hanging curtains and pictures on the walls.  We only hang things with the Engineer’s help! :)  Mom and Dad left Sunday afternoon and Emma and I were on our own for the first time in our new state.  I went to Church on Sunday (It was so huge, btw) and did a little shopping before the cable man came to hook up my cable and internet.

Monday was the big day—my first day of work!  Of course, it was also the first day of school in Davidson County, so traffic was a nightmare.  It took an hour and fifteen minutes to go fifteen miles.  Coming home was slightly better at about an hour.  Mom was here when I got back to pick up Emma and do a few more things.  We had dinner and then I went to bed.  Mom and Emma left Tuesday sometime after I had to leave for work.  The drive has gotten a little better—especially since I’m leaving before 7 now.  I get to work really early compared to everyone else, but I get things done!  I’ve gone to sleep between 8:30 and 9 every night and I have to finish this so I can get ready for bed!  I can’t function at 5:30AM without lots of sleep!

Well, I think that just about sums up what’s been going on lately.  I hope to take some pictures of my apartment soon, but I’ll have to be here sometime when the light is still decent first! :)