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February 2008
How do you say no to telemarketers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there’s one thing just about every one of us shares in common, it’s that we receive calls from telemarketers on a regular basis.
And yes, we know that typically they call around the dinner hour. But that’s not what I want to talk about.
What I want to discuss is the variety of ways we deal with them.
I know plenty of people who are just downright rude to them. They say ugly, nasty things, which personally I think are unnecessary.
I know plenty of people who just hang up on telemarketers, which, while rude, it’s sometimes what you have to do.
I think saying hurtful things ranks higher on the mean scale compared to hanging up.
What I typically tell callers is this:
“What are you selling? Did you say new windows for my home? Actually, my husband is in that business, so I don’t need any, but thank you anyway.”
So, if you get my drift, every time someone calls trying to sell me something, I just say that my husband is in the same business of whatever they are trying to sell.
They usually just say “thanks,” and hang up very quickly.
I feel like I’ve come up with a fairly creative way to say “no thank you,” without being nasty.
What about you? Do you have a regular routine regarding telemarketers?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Abby Brunks
In search of good commerical development in Fayette
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week I drove down to Newnan to check out the six-month old Dillard’s department store and the surrounding stores.
Wowwwwww!
It is all beautiful. Dillard’s is huge, clean and offers a great selection of every need for man, woman and child.
The stores that aren’t connected to Dillard’s, but are in the same area, including DSW Shoes, movie theaters and restaurants are beautifully designed.
It really is an eye-catching set-up and very walkable, which is a big plus to me. So all I kept thinking as I drove around, why can’t we have something like this in Fayette County?
I haven’t been able to come up with any answers. Can you?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Let’s be smart about retail development
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do any of you remember the now closed Hollywood Video store in the Fayette Pavilion?
It was inside the shopping center, but visible from Ga. 85 and was empty for well over a year.
Well, I drove by yesterday and now it’s a mattress store.
I don’t mean to be critical, but really, do we need another mattress store? I wish somebody would have opened some sort of mini Harry’s Market -or maybe a Whole Foods Market kind of place.
Better yet, I would have loved it if it was a Trader Joe’s.
For me that would have been the perfect space for the perfect place. If you could have chosen a business for that space what would it be?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Too much summer camp?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday’s Living section had two, nearly-filled pages, of summer camp advertisements.
I was mesmerized by all the possibilities.
There’s Debate Camp, Forensic Science Camp, Camp Biz Kids (for the child interested in finance), the Science of Food Camp, and the list goes on and on.
I don’t know about those who you who went to summer camp years ago, but in those days, camp was camp.
No specialty camps. Just a couple of weeks of organized art, swimming, eating and sitting around a campfire.
I’m not sure if it was so much for the kids as it was a break for parents. But I digress.
These days it seems there is so much offered to children during the summer months. And I for one think a good long break to just hang out is a healthy idea for a developing mind.
Don’t get me wrong. I think camps offer kids some great opportunities that they might not get otherwise.
And maybe a week is good, but not for weeks on end.
If my child was pestering me to go a particular camp and I could afford it, I’m sure I would do it.
But I couldn’t see trying to convince my kid, who wasn’t interested in going, to attend, just for the experience.
Trust me on that one. My parents did that to me and I couldn’t stand the camp.
So, even though the summer months are still a ways off, are you thinking about sending your child to camp? And would you consider sending your child to a camp that offers something very specific?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Do you prefer a laugh over love?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t know about the rest of you greeting-card-givers and receivers, but I for one prefer the humorous ones to the mushy gushy stuff.
You know the ones I’m talking about.
You’re the one that makes my heart beat. And without you in my life, I would not exist. Blah, blah, blah.
To me, there’s nothing like a good old genuine laugh-out-loud laugh especially on Valentine’s Day, where you’re suppose to be lovey-dovey.
As a matter of fact, one of my all time favorite Internet characters, Hoops and Yoyo, is on the Hallmark page. (www.hallmark.com).
It may not make you laugh, but when I need a little picker-upper, those two really do the trick.
So what about you? Do you prefer to get the serious type of Valentine’s Day card? Or do you prefer to have a good chuckle over love?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Is it time to cut the driving cord?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Saturday, my 16 year-old daughter took the exam for her driver’s license and scored 100 on her driving skills.
Good for her. But that’s not what this blog is about.
I feel I have done the best job possible, along with a driver’s education instructor, to help her develop lifelong driving skills. I hope the words “slow down” and “keep your distance” are permanently etched in her brain.
She is my youngest and I find, like so many other parents, it’s time to cut the driving cord and let them fly (no pun intended) on their own.
Listed below are a few other recommendations she heard, but not on as much of a regular basis. 1) Just because the light is green doesn’t mean you can go. Check oncoming traffic. 2) ALWAYS use your turn indicator. 3) Just because someone’s blinker is on doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to turn. 4) Be a courteous driver. 5) Certainly no talking or texting on a cellphone while driving. 6) Keep the radio volume down so you can hear a siren.
I’m not absolutely sure about this one, but I don’t think I want her driving on any highway for at least another three months.
What I’d like from you readers is additional comments or thoughts on what you’ve just read.
I’m always open to suggestions. There is no rhyme or reason to the order. And personally, I think all the recommendations listed are all equally important. Got any other ideas?
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Abby Brunks
In search of good entertainment for Fayette
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many of us who live in Fayette County know there’s little in the way of entertainment (which encompasses a lot of things) for adults and teenagers in the area, not to mention the fact that we have no public transportation to get us from one end of the county to the other.
We’ve got the usual - a bowling alley, roller skating rink and movie theater, all in Fayetteville.
In Peachtree City, there’s the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, a BMX track and then there’s…golf carts.
Thankfully, a group called The Youth Council, a program under the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department, is holding a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13, at the Peachtree City Library to get input about just that subject.
All Fayette County residents are encouraged to attend.
Executive Director for the Youth Council Art Sivertsen said if anybody wants to put in their two-cents-worth about a community center for all age groups, this is the place to do it.
“The goal of this meeting is to find people who are willing to get involved in discussing what type of building would serve our needs best,” he said. “We want this to be a place that would offer cultural arts, sports, music and just about anything a community that is made up a variety of age groups would want. Maybe even a walking track for adults and seniors.”
If you could help organize a community center for Fayette County, what kind of activities would you like to see offered?
Personally, I’d like to see some kind of exercise classes for teens. Anything that would help them disconnect from their cellphones and computers would be helpful.
On the Web: www.theyouthcouncil.com
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Keep memories of loved ones alive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My father died on Feb.1, five years ago.
And every year, on that date, my brother and I try to pay tribute to him in a different way.
In the past, we’ve gone to restaurants that served some of his favorite foods or imbibed in his favorite dessert - basically anything with lots of sugar.
And this year, we contacted an old friend of his who had plenty of funny stories to share - stories and events my brother and I never knew about.
Since my father was a game show writer for Let’s Make A Deal, they were show business-related and very entertaining.
Listening to those little vignettes, from someone else’s perspective, brings nothing but joy and lots of laughter.
These yearly rituals are a wonderful way of keeping the memories alive and warming the heart.
So I was just curious. Do any of you engage in any activity or event to commemorate a lost loved one?
If you don’t, what kind of activity or event would you consider doing for someone?
Permalink | | Categories: Abby Brunks
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