Snow Day II - Snowman?

Thanks to Solely In Black and White for sharing this clever image of a "snowman".

Snow Day - My Favorite Shot of the Day

This shot of Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan wins the vote for my favorite hands down!

I've sat on those very same chairs many a time - on Succos in their fabulous public Succah, in the summer and their Summer Film Festivals and at numerous other "Broadway in the Park", "Opera in the Park", or just hanging out with my family events.

It's awesome to see them buried to their gills :)

Scroll down on this post, for my favorite shot of the big snowstorm aftermath a little over a year ago.

Snow Day - Shadow Shot

FBB sent in this wonderful Shadow Shot of her backyard.

Thanks for playing!

Snow Day - Remembering Last Night

Hagit sent in this picture of the early hours of today's storm. How much snow has fallen - and been plowed since then.

Keep those photos coming!

Snow Day - Still Gotta Shop

It seems that nothing deters New York shoppers.

Not even 20 inches of snow!

Thanks SL for sending in this photo (apparently I wasn't the only one who had to go in to work today....).

Good Morning Snow Day - Heading Up To Ft. Tryon Park

Good Morning Snow Day II

Good Morning Snow Day!

Send in your pics folks!

I sense a meme coming on...... :D

Thanks for these shots Yekke Wannabe.

Do A Chessed On A Snow Day

With conditions like this, I'm utterly serious.
If you're off from work or school tomorrow, call your elderly neighbor on the phone.
Offer to pick up a meal for them at the local senior center.
Then call me - I'll have one packed up and ready to go.

Snow Pics - The Early Returns

Thanks to the anonymous fan for sending this lovely pic in.

snOMG Begins....

I'm gettting too old for this, folks......

Help me out here, and send me some of your photos.

(Oh, and speaking of getting older - call up your elderly neighbors and see if they need anything. Perhaps a container of milk tomorrow, or picking up a meal for them at the local senior center)

Say That Again.......

I was inspired by a recent post over at Mrs. S.'s blog and was struck by the universality of certain aspects of family life. Her Top Ten post of phrases commonly heard in her home, prompted a scientific study in mine ;)

Here are the results, and thanks, Mrs. S., for the inspiration.

"Where are you going?"

"When are you coming home?"

"Can I check my email?"

"Who left their breakfast dishes in the sink?"

"Who forgot to hang up the bathmat again?"

"What's for dinner?

"Could somebody please pick up the phone!!!" (Alternately: "Jenniferrrrr! It's Racheeeeeeelllll.....")

"Does anybody have my socks?"

"Who are we having for Shabbos?"

and finally.........

"Do NOT put that on the blog!!!"

What is most commonly heard over at YOUR house?

Shovavim

This week marks the beginning of "Shovavim", the six week period spanning the Shabbosos in which we lein Parshas Shemos through Parshas Mishpatim. It has become customary (also only in recent memory.... if someone cares to fill me in on the source..... but I digress....) to spend extra time during these weeks working on marital issues. Seminars and lectures abound.

I thought I'd share with my readers a little joke that I received via email a few weeks ago, that I find rather appropriate for this juncture.

While attending a marriage seminar on communication, Chaim and his wife Shira listened to the instructor declare,

"It's essential that husbands and wives are aware of the things that are important to each other."

He addressed the men, "Can you describe your wife's favorite flower?"

Chaim leaned over to his wife and asked in a whisper, "Kemach All-Purpose, isn't it?"

The rest of the story is not pleasant...

Hat tip: Older "cuz"

Wednesday's Wacky (Fruit)

While it's true that you never know what you might find while shopping at Whole Foods in New York - this one was new for me.

The Buddha's hand pictured above looked like an esrog that had been caught in some major nuclear fallout yet still emerged smelling exactly like an esrog.

Who knew?

We're Here For You... Now and ALWAYS

I know that I've endorsed companies that I firmly believe in, on this blog, in the past.

(By the way, my Soap.com coupon code for new customers is still valid - just enter SILV7629 at checkout....)

I know that I've bashed some company's customer service in the past as well, though I don't like to give names.

Land's End is not compensating me in ANY way for this endorsement, but I just have to share with my readers this funny, "above and beyond" story.

This morning, in my email inbox, I find yet another daily this tantalizing new offer from Lands End. 30% off my entire order AND free shipping. "Whatta Deal," as they say.... Jen needs gloves, a hat, tights.... did I forget something? Off I went to put together my online order. I plugged in my offer code - gave a smug little grin at the eighteen dollar and change discount applied - and then furrowed my brow when I noticed the shipping charge remaining. A quick check of my email revealed that my careless reading caused me to miss the part about free shipping on orders over $100. This was the part where I picked up the phone and called Land's End directly. They have the most AMAZING customer service in the world and I happen to be an equally amazing customer, so I figured that it wouldn't hurt to ask... I barely got my request out of my mouth and the lovely Land's End Lady reassured me that she will cheerfully, gladly, merrily reverse the shipping charges.

Just as I was finishing up with the pesky details, I heard a call waiting beep on my line. Land's End Lady was happy - nay THRILLED - to hold for a moment while I checked who was on the other line. It was my sister. I told my sister to hang on for a second while I quickly finished up with my order. After I completed the order with the still perky Lady, I quickly switched back to the other call. Suffice it to say that my sister and I are very close on an emotional level and very far apart on a physical plane, so phone calls aren't short, to say the least. We spoke for quite some time, at which point her other line rang with an important call and she told me she'd call me back. When I disconnected the call, I got a "ring back" on my phone, similar to if I had somebody on hold, which was odd. I answered the phone:

"Hello?"

"Yes, hello Ma'am. This is your Land's End Lady again. I'm not able to disconnect your call. You have to hang up first."

Apparently, I had picked up my sister's call without actually hanging up the other call. Whereas MOST customer service reps hang up on me with NO PROVOCATION, this one couldn't. And she was JUST AS CHEERFUL through my profuse apologies as she had been all along.

Boy, do I feel foolish.....