We LOVE amazon.com (us!) sandra & robert mickanen
now, before i sing their praises, i want to emphasize that i am speaking, strictly, as a customer; exclusively as a customer; not an employee of (and we know no employees of..); not as a board member, stock holder, not as driver, not as a vendor... on and on, etc.
exclusively as a customer.
and in all my life -having worked in retail the majority of it; having tried to start my own business; having been a customer my entire life at a variety of stores, malls, restaurants..
there is no where i have ever shopped that has delivered such consistent, high quality, exceptional service. -we were reluctant initially,
but based on our experience as customers, our purchases via amazon.com increase ever year; the percentage of online shopping vs. brick n mortar shopping
i really believe they are demonstrating the most magical, wonderful formula for success [ and realize they have been at it, for decades! not years...]
it is convenient. -of course, and we know, equal with being 'creatures of habit' us humans, we are 'creatures of convenience'
i don't have to drive anywhere.. i just walk to my computer..
amazon.com is easily the most user-friendly, intuitive, website we have ever, and do ever use.
the prices are generally fair; with a range in line with quality, quantities.
the turn around time.. often overnight/next day; or clearly communicated when it's not [i.e., will arrive on ____ or 'expected to arrive by']
there is pro-active, clear communication via text and email when packages arrive -we love this!
on the occasions we cross paths with an amazon delivery driver, they are consistently kind, respectful, professional.
on the occasions we need to return a product for one reason or another; they have made that process convenient, seamless, easy -again, with a very user-friendly website set-up.
when we reconcile our bills -also, very convenient ** our only slow-down in this area, is when we have returned items, and are 'credited' the amount; we have to search/find/balance out, do a little math to determine why a subsequent item is not listed for original price
i.e, returned a thingamajig, and was credited $20. the next item we purchase, might retail for $40, but we are charged $20, and the $20 is credited, which throws off our books a little...
purchasing gifts for others -The Best! all the same user-friendliness; shipping to a different address, all the same pro-active, clear communication regarding when a package has arrived
AND! when family members send us a 'gift list' from the amazon.com registry.. we can choose from the list -that item is removed, so there are not duplicate items purchased by other family members.. we love this!
Amazon.com GIFT CARDS -exceptional. The ease of use, convenience of putting gift card # in and having amount immediately and directly credited to our account [and gift cards for other retail stores have been a nightmare for one reason or another.. namely, there seems to be a trend of 'crime & corruption' where gift cards are purchased, but then are unable to be used at given store by recipient.. 'already activated/used' and/or, when you scratch off to reveal the pin, the pin itself is scratched off, and no one wants to be accountable, or help, or reimburse..]
i could go on, but these things rise to the surface.. i am just blown away by the consistency, the ease, the convenience, the clear communication-to-customer, from purchase, to delivery, to returns, to gift giving and gift-receiving, -how quickly.. how accurately.. how professionally..
from a customer -from this customers point of view, based on years of experience now: A++++++
*****
now,
if this company, Amazon.com, -is as exceptional to its employees -is as exceptional to its vendors
if they properly treat, compensate, recognize, reward, incentivize, appreciate.. value.
if they go 'above & beyond' to all the people/employees/vendors who are contributing to their success
-that would really be somethin' wouldn't it.
****
selah! hallelujah & amen
****
also, i do like to submit compliments.. and for a long time, i didn't click on 'above & beyond' -nor could i find justification for it..
like, if you deliver it, on time, follow instructions.. /which they all do!
that's the expected..
what justifies 'above & beyond?'
-certainly driving at night, in rain storms...
but then, in broad day light, on a clear and beautiful day, i watched an amazon driver have to negotiate his way around 3 reckless, selfish, idiot drivers..
and i decided they go above & beyond every day just having to share the road with so many idiots.
****
selah! hallelujah & amen.
i heart canva! a love affair of the creative kind... for (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom #canva
now, -just as i shot out of my mother's womb a writer.. i also shot out a.. 'marketer' -a, greeting card, poster, paper-advertisements, sign designer
give me any occasion, any excuse.. my portfolio is long!
and, although i was never hired as... /or paid for...
almost every place i've ever worked from my first job, to my last, -which was alden lane nursery
i have always, naturally navigated to, offered to, and did create marketing materials. i remember now at alden lane..
i implemented the idea of creating marketing pieces for the classes being taught at the nursery by the various horticulturists; and for the craft classes.. and for the owner, Jackie's TV show..
so, if i was not being a cashier in the kiosk, i was in the office upstairs, creating pieces for the literature rack, posters for the bulletin boards, advertising/drawing on the chalk board wall inside the gift store..
it remains my great JOY! my great PLEASURE! on my short list, over the years, i have created/designed birthday invitations, graduation invitations, -promotion pieces for workshops, classes, upcoming events.. Christmas cards.. on and on..
and, i have always used whatever tools were available at the given time. -want to give an example here, create an analogy.. with movie makers, -look at movies made 30 years ago..
vs. movies made today. we've always had movie-makers, story-tellers; they use the tools available at the time; and help those tools evolve based on the desire to accomplish a given effect
so.. i'm going to skip ahead here and just say... WHAT A DREAM! "I was born for such a time as this!"
CANVA.
obviously i only use it for personal use, i am not 'employed' -but, in our day to day lives, with the amount of birthdays, get-togethers, special occasions, seasonal parties, etc. -there is still great need and opportunity
i confess here, as an artist and creative, i initially avoided canva.. wanting to do the 'creating' myself
but i would not turn back now.. i love it so much! what it has done, is change me from the 'creator' to a 'designer'
that is, i pull from a variety of pre-made creations, be it, background, font, colors, composition, etc.
and i create my own 'arrangement' and design from a variety of canva sources [design, text, elements, frames...]
plus, i can upload and use, my own pictures, icons, logos, etc. and incorporate those inside; so, much of what i create/design is a hybrid of sorts...
and, is it necessary, mandatory.. that i create a poster for our driveway happy hours? -of course not, we could just use word-of-mouth, or text 'come on over...'
but I LOVE MAKING THESE POSTERS! it is my JOY to sit and come up with a general idea.. look through the pre-made designs, pull a background from this one, a font from that one.. add a personal pix.. tweak this, embellish that..
and, of course i could just use the same poster, and just change the date.. but because I LOVE MAKING THESE POSTERS! unless there is some pressing time issue, i WANT to make a brand new poster, with the same basic information
SUPER BOWL PARTY invites are a great example.. i've tried to create a new one every year, and pre-canva, i used stickers, actual 3-D stickers, designed the invite, went to the local Staples store, had color copies made..
but, "Thank You!" to canva.. and "Thank You!" to phone cameras, text.. now i design an invitation, print out, "Thank You!" to parents for colored printer,
now, we print one out, take a picture of it.. and text to our guest list individually. [we do not use the popular social media sources of our day to mass send an invite]
anyway, i've also used canva to create a seating chart, to make simple labels, to just upload and print colored pictures of awkward sizes..
and, if i was working today, in a creative industry.. i'd sure love to learn more about everything this canva can do! i use it in quite a limited/restricted way.. i've only 'felt my through' -entirely self-taught, so to speak.. /although, got help learning, download/print pathway..
i stick to tried and true: poster (landscape or portrait), go from there... everything i do will ultimately be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper
but, example, -i used it for -a long time- without knowing about the 'group' feature/benefit. So, when i wanted to change, alter a design, i was moving each unit independently,
and picky as i am, that could take a good long time.. re-aligning several things to all match up again, but a couple inches to the left.. or down, or up
my daughter showed me how to highlight/group, and -i've mentioned it before, yes? that one lesson, that took under 30 seconds to be shown and learn
saved me HOURS!
*****
and i've mentioned before, yes? there needs to be a marriage between avery labels and canva!
anyway,
we use it to print out the current NFL Super Bowl logo, with a grid on top, to aid us in creating our yard art..
and, used it to create our invite to our annual Super Bowl Party.. and to 're-create' a design of 'my favorite f words' poem, where i only change the last 1 or 2 lines to match with the Super Bowl Number, /fifty nine & sublime; they rhyme..
all of this, every time i sit down, and go to canva.com
it is because I WANT TO... not once, because ' i had to'
most grateful! every design is a "Thank You!" prayer.. #canva
hallelujah & amen
my go to scripture in time of crisis; facing trauma (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
and among our prayers this morning; our gratitude for the first responders battling the multiple LA fires.. palisades, eaton, kenneth, sunset, hurst, lidia -for their strength, (mental, emotional, spiritual, physical) for their stamina, for the population of first responders to grow..
they are doing all that the crisis demands.. many with training and experience; expertise
but as are, individuals, families.. everyday laypeople, with no training or experience; who can only 'react' by instinct.. function through shock.. -they are doing what the crisis demands, and this becomes their training and life experience..
we have family packed, ready to evacuate
we pray for protection, God's careful watch
we pray for containment, we pray in advance for healing, restoration, resurrection
we pray to learn from and improve and prevent..
we pray with hope, faith and internal love
in Jesus name, amen & amen & amen...
-sharing my go to scripture in time of crisis, in the face of natural disasters, in response to unexpected traumas; in response to wickedness, evil of any kind
*****
valuable reading! a treasure to me in the archives of this blog: GERMANE
The Heart Seen in santa cruz by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom #theheartseen
#theheartseen #santacruz
i do still LOVE when i come across "the heart seen!" and i have my camera phone with me..
and i do still LOVE when family or friends send me pictures of the hearts they've seen..
although i no longer take the time & energy to capture/add to collection/post w/credits and thank you's.
i still keep to my original code for the collection, which began in 2006:
only heart shapes not made with human intention..
but i no longer take a picture every time.. no longer spend the amount of time and energy i did in the past, organizing, posting, preparing for pubic display, collecting/thanking.. trying to grow it (world-wide!)
at one point, i really tried to turn into a business..
then just tried to keep a collection going, people could add to, at will..
used to want to try and market..
but now, i just, on occasion, and only if i happen to have my camera at the same time i see..
but it would impress anyone.. the amount of heart shapes i do see, that i just enjoy in the moment
and never take a picture of.. just think: i see.. thank you!
they are everywhere! and it still holds true:
never look for... only notice when.
selah! hallelujah! & amen!
The (almost) PERFECT DRESS for (me!) sandra mickanen, topps, writeousmom #fashion #macys
so, couple months ago i was shopping at, -you know where, -write:
Magic of Macy's
and i tried on lots of dresses.. and was about to call it a day, but, then..
that's interesting.. wonder what that looks like on
and, all at once, i fell in love with the fabric, the design, the fit, the comfort, the look AND feel of it..
i think my husband would like to see me in this one..
but, i really do prefer a sleeve... not a full sleeve.. but some kind of sleeve..
often this is achieved, by many a' woman, by wearing a shawl, or scarf, or small light weight sheer jacket..
items of this nature:
but i did not want to cover up the dress itself. the fabric is gorgeous! -that is, the fabric beneath the black netting overlay..
but i positively LOVE that added touch.. and the way the netting allows you to see through to the fabric, and how the netting is denser at the bodice
every time i tried the sheer jacket on for the purpose of having sleeves... it took away from the dress.. ruined the overall look.. covered shoulders looked yucky..
then, of course, lesa popped in my head... and my imagination, -because i know lesa, was allowed to experiment, to think... to envision..
love, love, love, this fabric! and i imagined matching sleeves.. but, like, where on earth am i going to find a matching fabric? i did not want a solid color fabric that matched.. i wanted the exact same fabric..
and i knew in advance, i wanted the exact same fabric, but that it would look extra cool, if the sleeves were not covered in the black netting..
and then! -and a matching tie! for my sexy..
and i left macy's on that day, having contemplated... but not purchased the additional dress.
i could not sleep.
i started justifying. like, my God, i can buy two dresses at macy's for less than the price of one dress at a fancy boutique..
and started to realize.. like, if you purchase a larger size dress.. that's more fabric, but for the same price as a smaller size dress..
and then, i found my way back to macy's -went straight to the rack where my favorite dress was.. grabbed the largest size... paid for it.. and practically skipped my way back to our car in the parking lot.
inquired with lesa.. noting this was a time-sensitive request, because we wanted to wear our outfits on new years eve.. would she have the time & availability
and, lesa, when she did my wedding dress.. [LOVE!], my added sleeves were attached to the dress itself..
but i explained for this one, .... i'm gonna be on the dance floor.. i need full range of motion..
i did not want the sleeves attached... restricting my movements in any way /showed her a few of my dance moves..
and when it came to the way i wanted my sleeves to look, i brought this top over.. i love this top, love this fabric, and this is my favorite sleeve! -length and style:
and we talked about velcro as a way to keep the sleeves -up- to keep them in place..
now.. when i got to go back and pick up the sleeves she made.. and the matching tie! i could not have been more pleased..
and on my initial try-on, dress rehearsal at home.. the sleeves stayed put. but they did not want to stay put on new years eve. on new years eve, we secured the velcro, and i added the use of double-sided fabric tape, but they just would not stay up..
to dance freely and not worry about it, i just left my sleeves at our table
but, my mom and i, we've been talking about how maybe some elastic string might help..
and i love the look and feel enough, that i am very willing to experiment, with the goal of wearing this again, but being able to keep my sleeves on..
while i dance another night away with my sexy husband.
"thank you!" here to magic of macys, lesa, the designer of the dress..
now, i do want to share my -if i could customize and make this dress look even better; my dream would be this.. double-sided fabric. see how the sleeve reveals the plain white.. as you move, dance around.. well, if that was the gorgeous fabric, inside & out.. on the scallop of the sleeve A+++
****
and i light-heartedly joke about math now and then..
but, i can do the math: magic of macys + dress + my imagination + 1 more dress + lesa ='s
****
i think it is VERY COMMON that when we shop, we love something.. but, just want to tweak it somehow..
i learn too, from my friend & neighbor, fancy nancy.. she can layer, so creatively and colorfully! i will admire a dress she is wearing, an outfit.. and learn she added an applique.. painted something.. embellished... if anyone should have their own fashion blog.. or magazine.. it's her, i promise you. and since i'm blogging on the topic of fashion this year.. i know in advance i'll be sharing pix of her amazing fashions and style.
#fashion
#macys
this is all a "thank you!" prayer..
hallelujah & amen
"ENCORE! ENCORE! ENTOURAGE @ Meritage Resort in Napa... Very Happy New Year
"ENCORE! ENCORE! ENTOURAGE"
"Thank You! Wilson's & Entourage & Meritage
for an EXCEPTIONAL New Years Eve Dance Party Experience!"
and how we LOVE our family & friends!
you all looked amazing.. in your party clothes AND on the dance floor..
entourage live! -can't help but get your groove on..
all night long
so grateful for this experience, and these memories! Hallelujah! Amen!
"THRIVE IN 25!"
#entouragetheband #napa
******
does this make us groupies? WE LOVE ENTOURAGE!
michael jackson -verbatim
k, i re-watched this documentary -play, pause, stop, rewind, write, repeat, with the goal of capturing michael jackson's own words verbatim:
"well, the song writing process is something that's very difficult to explain
because it's very spiritual
it's uh, really
just in the hands of God
and it's as if it's been written already
that's the real truth
as if it's been written in its entirety before you were born
and you're just really the source to which the songs come
really, because,
they just fall write into your lap
in its entirety
you don't have to do much, uh, thinking about it
and i feel guilty having to put my name sometimes on the songs, that i
i do write them, i compose them, i write them, i, i do the scoring, i do the lyrics, i do the melody
but still,
it's uh,
it's a work of God."
****
and i am just personally curious.. having similar experiences as a writer and poet..
and this being 2025, advanced in so many technological ways..
are we any closer to fully understanding the experience mentioned above?
***
selah! hallelujah & amen.
speaking of michael jackson...
i watched, or rather listened to, another documentary about... and want to go back, and capture verbatim what he shared:
about how, -how, some of the songs he wrote.. that came out in full form.. how, he couldn't explain it, outside of it just being God..
God gifting him the lyrics.. he was just a vessel.. taking dictation..
*****
so many writers know that experience.. song writers, fiction writers, non fiction writers, playwrights, poets..
we 'receive'
we do not, ourselves, generate..
****
and it is, as michael jackson says in the documentary, 'a very spiritual experience.'
****
selah! hallelujah & amen
warby parker does, that's who... by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
crazy blessed, way fun, ultra wonderful new years eve.. and that post, and those pictures will be ready soon,
for now,
return with me to santana row.. gorgeous landscaping, all decked for the holidays, a joy just to walk around..
but i did have some money from a Christmas gift to spend.. and, i had given away the sunglasses i'd been wearing for some time, and was in the market for a new pair
stopped first at the sunglass hut, i think its called.. and fell first for a pair that had a price tag of $300 something -art of immediate detachment. next, for a pair that had approx $150 price tag... art of less immediate detachment, but detachment still..
left the store, continued my stroll..
felt pulled inside warby parker... "books!" and i did find a cute pair of sunglasses, just under $100 (before tax..)
but a STRONG CH! [Cerebral Hyperlink] and i started just talking to anyone who was willing to listen, while simultaneously taking pictures
"i'm a writer.. a poet.. one time i asked... who organizes their books by size and color?!? but look.. you guys do.. and it looks beautiful! like, i might have to eat my words, -again.."
and i just shared my 2025 instructions, if you will.. i don't remember order, but i do 'receive' like a message to go by.. different messages, for different seasons..
i remember 'let that be enough' or something like that.. for one season.. and i remember applying it, when we went to vegas and saw ONE, the Michael Jackson show.. [best ever! encore! encore!]
but anyway.. then you see the gift store.. and find yourself, or least, i find myself, wanting a t-shirt, a decor piece.. souvenirs galore from this magnificent experience.. but, 'let the show.. seeing the show, let that be enough'
and as a result i left with only a couple pens that said ONE on them..
but the newest message is this: eating my words. in short, now that i'm just shy of 59 years old, i have that many decades worth of personal thoughts, ideas, opinions, philosophies, mantras...
that, with the advantage of time and life experience, observation and experiments, -well,
i've had opportunity to change my mind, change my heart AND mind, in some cases.. and i find i no longer have the exact same thoughts, ideas, opinions, philosophies, mantras as i did at age 30, or 40, or even early 50's..
so.. working on a poem for that too: about how glad i am that the words i have been, and will be eating.. they were pretty nutritious in the first place..
but back to warby parker... and my very STRONG CH from the archives
TABLE TOP PIANO, by sandra, ttgp
in the rich house i saw a piano
a piano not once played
used only as a table top
where pictures are displayed ~in suede or leather frames
in the poor house lived a young boy
longing fingers; much to say
songs to compose, music to share
but no piano 'round to play ~and for lessons, couldn't pay
in the rich house i saw a swimming pool
sparkling water still and blue
so beautiful to look at
which is all that you're to do ~ "look at that beautiful swimming pool!"
on the poor house lawn were children
running through the sprinklers
oh how they would love to splash
and swim, and plug their noses and dive to the bottom of the pool to find pennies, and pretend that they are mermaids, or sharks, and cannon-ball off the side of the pool, and get yelled at like this... "walk. don't run! the cement is slippery, i don't want you to get hurt now" and dry off on a great big fluffly towel under the sun with snacks and drinks nearby... then jump back in whenever they wanted
oh how they would love to splash ~ and swim the day away; with friends.
at the rich house i saw four cars
but three were never driven
three unused cars for just in case
now, that's some kind of livin'!
at the poor house, shoes and passes
for walks to bus or train
yellow plastic coats and boots
umbrellas for the rain ~ "$3.52 a gallon!" don't hear them complain.
in the rich house i saw lots of books
with matching leather covers
alphabetized and organized
-not by an author lover!- ~ who reads by size or color?!
in the poor house, dated magazines
a library book or two
hungry minds, big appetites
for stories that are new ~books owned and loved; not due.
in the rich house, cleaned by maidens
many objects to observe
crystal designs so shiny they blind!
shout, "see what i have earned!" ~ see in college what i learned!
in the poor house, small but tidy
family pictures line the hall
in wal-mart frames, big smiles remain
shout, "i love you one and all!" ~ keep your chin up and walk tall
in the rich house, pride and prejudice
aversion to the weak
mistaken thought, that what they've got
is what every person seeks ~ but this is mine for keeps! i earned it!
in the poor house, hopes and wishes
for a better life with more
piano's, pools, books and transporation
a better life with more
~just one car, not four
~their very own musical score!
~to swim with friends galore
~own books bought from a store!
a better life, a better life, a better life with more.
and i wish you all a better life
a better life with more
to everyone who's hurting
knocking softly on hopes door
and i wish sometimes that i
-me- that i could even out the score
and give to the poor thought rich
the wealth of the rich but poor
so that everyone, poor or rich
everyone rich or poor
can manifest, become your best
~know a better life with more.
by sandra, the traveling gypsy poet. final touches, may 24th, 2006. spell check edits...that's wal-mart, not wallmart and who's, not whose... by favorite blogger friend, len stegmann.thank you.#warbyparker
****
speaking of... good God.. giving my email was part of the purchasing process.. now, -emails from this company on a daily basis. i've hit 'unsubscribe' every time.. no results. it is a huge irritation to have your email inbox colonized by advertisements. now i have to make a point to revisit, talk to manager.. have my email REMOVED from their list.. -watch it happen.. verify.
when you multiply this experience out, by the different companies.. it is ridiculous to look at your email in box, and the burden is on you to delete and 'clean space'
i remain convinced, the current generation can figure out a way...
some way, anyone -any company- that wants to send an advertisement to your email inbox.. they need to pay you, even a few cents, but let's round it to a dollar,
what happens? if every advertisement to your email cost the company itself $1, and that $1 goes to the person tasked with either 'unsubscribing' 'deleting' or 'reading' and then deleting...
please experiment with this. PLEASE
selah & amen
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