Sans Photos

I drove up the freeway about an hour yesterday to go out to lunch with my two sisters, my niece and my niece's daughter (I'd say great niece but that makes me sound really old! LOL!). We live just enough apart that we attempt to meet for lunch mid way to keep in touch. Mom was feeling under the weather so she stayed home and I drove alone. It was sunny and with the radio to keep me company it was a pleasant drive.

I promise I had my camera, all charged and ready to go. In the bottom of my purse. Left and forgotten! Bad blogger, bad! Lunch was great and the company even better. Lots of laughing and sharing. We definitely need to do this more.

Afterwards we all went on our separate ways and I took the opportunity to hit a couple quilt shops I've been wanting to visit. With the price of gasoline at what it is I try to make my trips worth while. I don't hop in the car and just run off as much as I used to.

Anyway, visiting the quilt shops was fun but interesting as well. The only purchase I made was a package of Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washers. I had seen them on a blog and thought I would give them a try. Hop over and read what they are for.

Back to the shops....At the first shop, where I made my purchase, I was greeted with a hello when I came in the door. After that "you're on your own!" I felt like I was intruding at someone else's party. There were lots of ladies in the shop who obviously all knew each other and the sales people and they were laughing and having a grand old time. "Hello! Is anybody back there?" At the second shop I didn't even get a hello. This shop recently changed owners who obviously didn't get the training memo on customer service.

Gosh, I wish sometimes I could open my own quilt shop (In the Garden With Miss Jean's Quilt Shop-may I help you?") I would clone some of the awesome quilt shops I've been to in my travels - California, Oregon, Washington,Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Alabama, to name a few - and make ALL of my customers feel welcome and special. In this economy it's the only way to stay in business.

Quilters: tell me about your experiences good and bad. What do you do when you experience bad service? I've been known to email the owner when it was really bad. Sound severe? She was really glad I did as she didn't know what was going on.

Football is on so I'm going to go make myself scarce. Denver lost yesterday and I just can't watch another game. *Disclaimer-I don't "like" football, but it was Denver and Tebow and you know....."

Have a restful Sunday and a wonderful week.