My new haircut.

One of the greatest things about owning your own photo studio is that photos are easy to take in a pinch. I got a haircut and think I like it. It's one of those things that always takes a few weeks to decide. I wanted something simple and easy to take care of. Keep in mind that this is the day-after look, so it doesn't always sit quite the way you want it to.




Don't anger me! (And don't apply for a Citi Card!)

I just spent the most grueling hour on the phone in my entire life! About a month ago, I applied for a Citi "Professional" card for Ekcetera. This card is apparently a consumer credit card taken out in my name to use for business expenses. That's fine...I don't really care who's name it's under - my credit's fine and I'm not going to default on it. Anyway, a couple weeks ago I got a letter asking for address verification. It asked for my PERSONAL information. Ok, so I verify my Boatman Lane address, but I had put my Blaine Ave. address on the application. So, I get a message on my home answering machine today asking for more verification. I call the number and they say, "your application has been declined because you couldn't verify your address?" What the ?!?!

So, while on this conversation, I find out that I am speaking to the consumer department. I explain to them that I'm not applying for a consumer card (at this time I didn't know it was both). They transfer me to the business department who can't find my application. They want me to fill out a new application. NO THANK YOU! I do NOT want to fill out another application because you already have my credit information and you do not need to pull my credit again - you can use the same info you got for my "personal" application. The man on the phone proceeds to tell me that he's worked there for 17 years and there's no possible way that he could be wrong and how could I possibly be asking him something the he can't possibly do. He raises his voice at me, yells a little, and hangs up on me.

A little stunned, I call back and am asked the same 50 questions over and over again. I begrudgingly tell them my answers and try to tell them what is happening. I am speaking to someone in Nigeria or somewhere, and they do not understand me. They continue with their script and anger me further. I'm transferred back to the business department for the 10th time.

Finally, I come upon a very helpful woman who asks me if perhaps this was a professional card application - in which case, the business dept. wouldn't have my app. but it was still a business card. Thank Heavans! She tried to transfer me back to the consumer division, but they are experiencing high call volume. She gives me the 800 number to call at my convenience. I tell her how helpful she has been and hang up.

I called right away, not wanting to put it off any longer. I call and Nigeria answers. Provide verification.......yadda yadda.....explain the situation.....some blubber from the woman's script. One moment, I'm on hold AGAIN to the business department. Thankfully, the helpful woman I just spoke to answered. Didn't I just speak to you? Why are they transferring you back here? She says, "one moment, I'll speak to them and they WILL help you." Tacky music plays for a few seconds....FINALLY, an American woman comes on and I begin explaining to her what is happening. She's two words into her sentence and I hear a "click." I WAS DISCONNECTED!

O-n-c-e-a-g-a-i-n, I call the number I've almost memorized and Nigeria picks up. I ask to be connected to the person I was last speaking to and she mumbled something from her script. Finally, I asked to be connected with a supervisor and she happily did so. THANK YOU! A woman comes on the phone, asks me to verify my info and says, "we can simply change your application to your home address. If you want to switch it when the card arrives, just call customer service to do so." I was on the phone with her for about two minutes and my application was approved and my card is on it's way to my door. I felt like I should have won a prize for the most number of times being transferred between two departments. All this and all I get is a lousy piece of plastic that does nothing but increase the amount of debt I have.

Wow - I hate Citi Bank.

Happy Birthday to You!

Do you ever do something totally stupid that when you realize what you've done you just want to crawl in a hole? I did. Yesterday, it was by best friend's birthday (Yes, YOU Awna!) and I neglected to call her or even send a stupid e-card. The stupid thing is that I thought about it about 5 times yesterday and every time I was thinking about it, it was a terrible time to call. So, I'm proclaiming my public apology to dear Awna for failing to send Birthday Wishes. Hope it was PHENOMENAL! You're another year older and now you're officially in your late 20s! Party on!

Taytum James


This weekend my Mom, Brother, and his family were here visiting. We had a photo shoot with my new, adorable neice, Taytum. She is a sweetheart! I couldn't help but melt as I peeked at her through the camera lens. Here's one of our shots.

Organized!

There isn't a more accomplished feeling than being clean and organized. My family was here over the weekend and Mom and I organized my office (well, actually Mom did more of it than I did - she's such a whiz at organizing!). Now, I can see the top of my desk again. The challenge is to make it last! At least I can begin the week with a fresh start

More Crafting


Apparently I'm really into crafting gifts right now. It's my niece's 8th birthday tomorrow and she asked for CDs. The funny thing is that she doesn't have a CD player. So, I got her a little desktop player to put in her room. But, now that she has a CD player, what will she listen to in it? Behold....the "Mix" CD. You've all heard the recommendation before...we're supposed to make a mix cd for our boyfriends when we want to make something personal on Valentine's Day. I decided to pull that tip out of my back pocket and put it to use. MaKenna's Mix was born. I'm thinking we should offer something like this in the store...

Crafting Time


Since opening Ekcetera, I have had absolutely no time to do anything but work. So, I was so very excited last weekend when I was home for my neice's baptism and could take a few hours to create a gift for her. I have to say I am pretty pleased with the result of my masterpiece. I used the Tilano Fresco Coaster Making Kit and attached the coasters together with a ribbon to create a wall-hanging in celebration of Taytum's baptism. Since she's only a few months old, I didn't think she'd have any beverages to place on the coaster for a while yet, so a wall hanging they became. It was very easy to do and I think the gift was a hit!

A New Blog

I am starting this blog after using Wordpress for about a year. Since this is where our Ekcetera blog is hosted, I figure it would be easiest to have my blog here too. So, if you have any interest in checking out what I've said before, you can look back at my wordpress blog here: http://kellygarrett.wordpress.com