a tale of customer service

My beef this week has been with customer service.  I've noticed over the past several years that decent customer service has gone the way of the dinosaur.  Too bad some of the customer service agents couldn't have accompanied them on that little sojourn, but anyway.

Customer service story #1.
I'm part of a group of women who try to get together once a year for a long weekend away.  It started out way back when our now college aged kiddos were tots, and we would get the kids together once a week for playgroup.  As an escape from being a MOM, the group decided a weekend away once a year was in order.  So for the past 15+ (OMG It's been that long?!) the moms have traveled to various places to be non-moms for a weekend.  We each take turns making hotel arrangements and coordinating who is or isn't going to make it this year.

Well, this year was my year to do all the legwork.  Being an owner of a Starwood condo timeshare, I'm in the "gold" class of their Starwood Preferred Guest club and was "awarded" a 50% discount at any Starwood property.  

(Now mind you, I have never had issues with the Starwood Company before this.  In fact I've been treated like royalty at their properties.  Club level, upgraded rooms at no charge, free happy hour, etc.)

So I'm thinking that a nice hotel on the beach might be in order.  The group decided on Clearwater Beach, FL and I called the super-secret-only-owners-get-to-know number and made a reservation for two rooms with a gulf view.

w

 would be a nice view, eh?

When I called to make the reservations, the two rooms were booked with two separate confirmation numbers.  This means while I'm on the phone with the agent, one of the reservations shows up in my e-mailbox.  I noticed it doesn't say "gulf view" but "bayline/harbour view."

 not quite the same view.

Uh-oh.  So, since I'm still on the phone with the agent I ask about this and am assured we have a gulf view room but that the reservations are all showing as bayline/harbour view.  I let her know we are a very particular crowd and if we don't get a gulf view I might end up on someone's  shitlist. Well, I didn't say "shitlist" but she got the message.  She assured me we had the gulf view rooms and made a notation  in the reservation that we required gulf view rooms.

Earlier this week I decide to call to make sure everything is in order.

Gulf view?  Ha!  In my friggin' dreams.

Nope we don't have gulf view rooms.  But for an additional $35/night they can rectify this little glitch.  Needless to say, Ruth is not a happy camper.  For those of you who know me well, I don't just let things slide.  Nope, I'm going to take it up the ladder.  The agent I'm speaking with is unable to help me so I request to speak with a supervisor.  I am told, and I quote, "You're wasting your time.  They're just going to tell you the same thing I just told you."   Excuse me?!  I asked to speak with a supervisor.  Your job is not to argue with the client but to do whatever it takes to keep them as a client.  After being "accidentally" disconnected I called back and decided to bypass the agent and go directly to supervisor mode.  The new agent thought it was her duty to argue with me that she "might" be able to help me.  I assured her this was not the case and there really was no point in me wasting her time or my time.


I was held hostage by this agent who wouldn't let me speak to a supervisor until she tried to help me.  So, after explaining the issue AGAIN, I was told there was nothing she could do.


Um, Miss I-Don't-Listen-Because-It's-Beyond-My-Capabilities, didn't I just explain that to you?  What is it about customer service people who won't actually LISTEN to what you have to say?


So, onto a supervisor I go, so that I can explain the situation yet one more time.  I'm told there's nothing he can do but bump it up to the "corporate" level.  Someone will get back to me in 24 to 48 hours.


Right.  Sure they will.


72 hours later *I* call *them* back.  Guess whose issue wasn't bumped up to "corporate?"

Yesterday  I get an e-mail from "corporate" basically telling me they have no recording of the initial conversation but they would be happy to put us in a gulf view room.  At additional cost.  Really?! Oh please let me pay more for a room I already booked at a lower rate!  Please, please let me!  Let me!

Yes, I am a very sarcastic person.  But not while talking to customer service people.  Having worked in customer service industries, I know for a fact it doesn't help.  I'm very calm, professional, and tactful.

After numerous e-mail messages back and forth with "corporate" it was resolved that nothing was resolved other than I will never book another Starwood property again.  My last exchange with "corporate" came back with an auto reply that she was sorry but she would not be in the office until 12 April and if the issue was urgent to write to customer support.  You're kidding me, right?

Sigh.

I forward all of the e-mail messages "corporate" and I have exchanged to customer support and receive a message back.

"Thank you for your email to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
This message is to acknowledge we have received your email.
We are currently experiencing higher than normal e-mail traffic, which may result in a delay in responding to your message.
We are working very diligently to respond to your e-mail in a timely manner.
We would like to extend our sincerest apology for any inconvenience this may cause, as well as our appreciation and thanks for your patience at this time.
Best Regards,
Customer Service Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide"

Yes, they spelled e-mail two ways.  And my issue is still unresolved.  But I write letters.  To owners and presidents.  It's amazing the response you get then.  I'll keep you posted.

Customer service story #2.
STARWOOD TAKE NOTE ON HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE!!!

Last year I bought a nice Weber grill.

This year the starter mechanism went out.  You know, the little doohickey you press and magically the burners light?  I have the receipt somewhere in my house papers but don't think it's still a warranty issue so don't bother looking for it.

I call Weber customer service.  The woman on the other end listens to the issue and asks if I had registered my product.  I tell her I'm not sure.  Sometimes I send those little cards in and sometimes I don't.  I do; however, have the serial number for my grill so she looks it up that way.  Nope, I didn't register the grill so she has no way of knowing if it's under warranty or not.  OK, this is my fault and I'm fully expecting to just order a new part, pay for it, and wait for it to show up.

Nope.

The customer service agent (Starwood are you listening...? emphasis on SERVICE) says, "No problem Ms. Covington; we'd be happy to send you a replacement starter kit at no charge."

*blink*  *blink*

After picking my jaw up off the floor, I thank the customer SERVICE agent profusely.

Three days later the part shows up.

Go WEBER!!!

Customer service story #3.
AGAIN, STARWOOD ARE YOU LISTENING?!

A couple of weeks ago I ordered some nifty upside down growing bag thingies and various accouterments.

 Check 'em out; they're really neat!

The box shows up and I open it and take inventory to make sure everything is there, and alas there are three extra bags and three extra chains missing.

I immediately call the customer service line and explain the situation.  The woman I'm speaking with apologizes to me and says she will get the missing items sent out ASAP.

Guess what?  Three days later they show up just as promised.

Go Gardner's Supply Company!!

So, there is such a thing as decent customer service out there.  For that I'm grateful.  There is hope for us yet.

PS Juan at Buca di Beppo in Broomfield is a mediocre server at best.  Note to Juan:
1. You do NOT slap food or drink on the table as you are walking past.  Take the time to SET the food or drink down and make sure your guests don't need anything else before you go on your merry way.
2.  If the guest says the wine smells like bleach you might want to check the glasses (or have the barkeep check) to make sure there isn't an issue with the glassware.  You wasted two perfectly good glasses of wine on what could have been a very simple fix.  Never mind the rolling eyes and attitude.  The guest should NOT have to go to the bar to get the problem resolved.  That's YOUR job.
3.  Don't think I'm going to tip you 15% or 20% because that is the "norm."  I tip based on service.  You don't offer up exemplary service, you don't get an exemplary tip.  I gave you 10% only because that is what you deserved and frankly I think I was being generous.

and you wonder why?!

Earlier this week I was talking to a friend about the whole single parenting thing and it got me thinking about some stuff.  Dangerous area there, I know.

Do you see a soap box in my future?

My daughter is 19 years old now, which means I've been a single mom for over 11 years.  It hasn't been easy, but I can honestly say that it certainly hasn't been overly difficult.  My daughter was one of those kids who was easy to be around.  She didn't pitch "fling herself on the ground-flailing arms and legs-screaming at the top of her lungs" fits.  Mainly she'd give me THE look and go off to her room to sulk.  There's no doubt where she learned THE look, so I only have myself to blame for that one.

I taught her manners and she used them.

I had high expectations for her behavior and she met them without question.  That's just the way it was.

She is and always has been polite and respectful, caring and generous, smart and funny.  There wasn't much disciplining going on because there wasn't much "bad" behavior to discipline.  All in all the best kid a mom could ask for.

Anyway...  This post is going to be about single dads.  If there are any of you out there (and frankly, this may apply to non-single dads as well) please take note.

If you wonder why your child has decided s/he doesn't want anything to do with you, perhaps you should reflect on a few things.

Don't make promises you can't or have no intention of keeping.  It just makes you look like a total loser.  And the other parent gets the extremely difficult and heartbreaking job of trying to make things right while doing their very damnedest not to let on that you ARE a total loser.   The hardest part about being a single mom was thinking I should try to convince my daughter that her father really loved her and to encourage her to maintain contact with him.  

For example, don't promise your child you are going to call and then don't.  There is nothing more painful to a mother than to see her child sitting by the phone waiting and waiting for a call that isn't ever going to come.  She even refuses to go outside and play with her friends because she "might miss daddy calling." Even though you PROMISE you will go get her if he does call.  After sitting and waiting for the call that didn't come, my daughter would ask me why her daddy didn't love her and didn't want to talk to her.  Then she'd go to bed and cry herself to sleep.  If Scotty could have beamed me to another location, I'm guessing there would be one less dad making idle promises. 

Don't tell your child they are the most important thing in the world to you, and then expect them to buy this load of crap when you finally get around to calling a couple of MONTHS later with some sorry ass story about how you had "really important" job related something or other going on that made it impossible for you to call.  You still managed to find the time to call the girlfriend/mom/sister/brother/friend/etc.  Kids aren't stupid.  Forgiving yes.  Stupid no.

Don't lie to your kids or withhold information.  Your relatives talk.  In fact some of them seem to get perverse pleasure in being the bearer of "bad" news.  You have a girlfriend, or in our case, a new wife, you might want to let your child know.  If you are starting another family, let your child know.  Don't wait until after the baby is born to spring it on them that they are a "big sister."  And most certainly don't tell mom that you didn't tell the child because you weren't sure how your child would react and that you didn't want to "hurt" them.  Yeah, my daughter knew she was going to be a big sister MONTHS before the baby was born but had been sworn to secrecy by her grandmother (the one who spilled the beans) that she wasn't to let her dad know that she knew.  (In fact, don't tell ANYONE anything you want kept secret from your child – because it ain't gonna happen.)  Give your child credit for being stronger (and sometimes more mature) than you think they are.

If she can forgive you not calling for months on end, surely she'll forgive you remarrying and starting another family.  Assuming she even cares at that point.

Don't expect mom to "make" your child visit you just because the judge said you get the child every other holiday.  After several years of sporadic contact, you seriously can't think your child will want to spend holidays or summer breaks with you or your family.  You're a stranger.  What child would want to spend their holidays or summer breaks with strangers?  Oh, and if you do somehow manage to convince your child to spend some of their holidays or summer break with you, take vacation time to spend with them, don't stick them in day care or send them to camp.  They didn't travel across country to be plunked into daycare or sent to camp because you couldn't afford to take time off work to spend with them (especially when you can afford to take time off work to go visit the new in-laws or take your new family on vacation to Disney World immediately after your child goes back to mom – yeah true story.)  It's called planning.  Moms do it all the time.

Remember your actions speak a whole lot louder than your words.  Children pick up on things pretty darned fast and it doesn't take them long to realize your platitudes and empty gestures are just that.  Be honest with your child.  Hell, be honest with yourself.

From personal experience I know parenting isn't easy.  And parenting from a distance is probably harder, but it's impossible if you only do a half assed job at it.

Points to consider:

• Don't tell a child you're going to do something and then don't.
• Don't assume children are stupid and ignorant of what's going on in your life.  Believe me there are other family members out there only too willing to spill the beans.
• Don't get angry with the child if they refuse to talk to you or don't want to visit you if over the years you have repeatedly let them down.
• If you are going to send birthday and/or Christmas presents, try to find out what the child's interests are or what they like.  Don't expect the new wife to come up with gifts; it's not her job.  Oh, and sorry, but a $10 Target gift card is perceived by a 10 year old as "Oh crap! I forgot about ."  You can't expect your child to believe for one second that you only spent $10 on your new children for their Christmas presents.  And seriously do you know many 10 year olds that put a Target gift card on their list to Santa?  Really.  As a further FYI, 19 year old college students don't shop at Land's End.
• Don't expect the mom to "fix" the relationship you have irrevocably broken with your child.  Believe me after years of seeing their child disappointed and hurt, moms are probably relieved the child has finally said, "Enough!  I don't care if I ever hear from him again."
• Don't call every couple of years asking if the child is interested in "working on" the relationship.  Leave them alone.  You've disappointed and hurt them enough.  Let them move on.  If they want to "work on" the relationship, let them contact you.  But don't hold your breath.
• Don't equate child support to love.  It isn't.  Don't begrudge paying for some of the child's expenses outside of your monthly obligation.  You are the father.  You chose to have a child.  Be responsible.  And remember mom's probably eating thousands of dollars of expenses that legally should be split, because it's way easier than having to deal with you and your excuses as to why you feel you shouldn't have to pay.
• Finally, don't act surprised or shocked by the lack of interest from your child if haven't taken the time to energy to prove that you really do care.  Just because the child isn't showing anger doesn't mean they care.  The opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy. 

single again

I'm single again.

After five years, my SO decided to head back to Florida.   It was a mutual decision based on many reasons.  At least for me, it was based on many reasons.  I can't speak for him.

(I admit to being a bit peeved that he moved back to the land of warm and sunshine and I'm still stuck in the land of cold and snow.)

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I got home and found he had finally packed up most of his things and moved on.  You notice I said, "most" not "all" of his things.

I mean seriously, did he really need to leave that ugly blanket nailed, yes, nailed, over the windows in the room formerly known as the mancave?! 

a curtain this is NOT

I wondered if this was his way of thumbing his nose at me; although, that kind of behavior doesn't seem to really fit his personality.  He knew I thought that sort of thing was the ultimate in tacky.  Blankets and aluminum foil are not appropriate window dressing.  This is the sort of blanket I carry around in the back of my car to throw on the ground for a picnic or as a table cloth on one of those disgustingly dirty picnic tables in national parks.  Never ever in my wildest dreams would I have considered it for a curtain.

Along with the above mentioned blanket, I am now the proud owner of a veritable smörgåsbord of screws, nails, nuts, and bolts. 

I also have oodles of bottles of car "stuff."  I say "stuff" because to be honest I have no clue what half of it is.  I do know that I probably won't ever use any of it and now I need to find a way to dispose of it in an ecologically friendly (re. legal) manner. 

He also left a set of shelves he fashioned himself, that while they "fit" into the mancave decor, do not fit in with my style of decorating.  I know he was very proud of those shelves, and it probably pained him a great deal that he couldn't make them fit and take with him.  My daughter and I managed to get them un-wedged (yes, I know that's not a real word) from the floor and ceiling.  They have been dismantled and are now in the garage with disposition TBD.

To his credit he did leave some things that I will find useful.  The kitchen table for instance.  It's nice to have a place to sit and eat.  The bookcase in the kitchen that holds my extensive cookbook collection.  The pegboard and pins to hold tools.  I can now put my tools out where they are handy and useful.  The sleeping bags and large coolers.  Since camping was a "him" thing, I don't see me doing it much anymore.  If I do, it will probably be in a travel trailer, not a tent, but the sleeping bags might come in handy somewhere down the road.  The coolers will be used for my many forays to visit national parks.  It's a lot more cost effective to take some of your own food for meals than to eat in the park.

He also left some pretty good memories.  And I'm thankful and will always cherish those.

Unlike the blanket. 

oh, the places I've been

Over the past few months I've found some friends from my high school days on Facebook.  With lots of questions on what I've been doing the past 30 years – THIRTY YEARS?! – it got me to thinking of all the places I've lived and traveled.

In talking to several of my friends, it seems that not very many of them have traveled quite as much as I have.  And to think all this time, I thought traveling was something EVERYone did.  Apparently this is not so.  Apparently I am in the category of people known as "well traveled."

Bear in mind, being "well traveled" doesn't necessarily mean "traveled well."  I can count on one hand the number of times I've flown business or first class.  As I've gotten older I do find myself leaning towards the four and five star properties, but I have to admit one of my favorite places is the Lake Yellowstone Cabins.

They are the most basic of accommodation but the location makes up for anything I could possibly be missing.  And a little pink hotel on the beach beats a huge resort any day of the week!

So, as I said I got to thinking of all the places I've lived and visited and thought it would be interesting to make a chronological list just to see if I really am "well traveled."

Since leaving high school here are places I've lived.

• Las Cruces, NM
• El Paso, TX
• Hobbs, NM
• Spring, TX
• San Angelo, TX
• Polkville, NC
• Birkenfeld Germany
• Clovis, NM
• Tucson, AZ
• Valdosta, GA
•  Lafayette, CO
• Longmont, CO

Since leaving high school here are the places I've visited.  Some of them many, many times.  There's really no way I could list every town I've visited...  For one I seriously doubt I can remember them all, and to spare you, dear reader, from falling into a catatonic state, I'll limit it to states and countries.

• New Mexico
• Arizona
• Texas
• Colorado
• Wyoming
• California
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Florida
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
  
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
  
• Washington DC
• South Dakota
• Montana
• Nevada
• Utah
• Alaska
• Illinois
  
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Canada
• Mexico
  
• South Korea (and into the DMZ)
  
• Germany
• East Germany
  
• Austria
• Luxembourg
  
• Switzerland
  
• Czechoslovakia
• England
• Italy
  
• Ireland
• Northern Ireland
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Dominican Republic
  
• United States Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands

For those of you who are really interested you can continue reading and I'll list all the National Parks, Monuments, and sites I've visited too!

• Petrified Forest National Park
• Casa Grande Ruins
  
• Saguaro National Park
• Chiricahua National Monument
  
• Fort Bowie National Historic Site
• Grand Canyon National Park
• National Mall and Memorial Parks
  
• Redwood National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Golden Gate
• Muir Woods National Monument
• Mojave National Preserve
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Cache La Poudre River
  
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison
• Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
• Bent's Old Fort
• Canaveral National Seashore
• Everglades National Park
• Little Bighorn Battlefield
• Glacier National Park
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• White Sands National Monument
• Fort Union National Historic Site
  
• Gila Cliff Dwellings
• Scotts Bluff National Monument
  
• El Malpais National Monument
• Tonto National Monument
  
• Petroglyph National Monument
• Bandelier National Monument
• Pecos National Historic Park
  
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Fort Sumter National Monument
• Mount Rushmore
• Badlands National Park
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Fort Davis National Historic Site
• Big Bend National Park
• San Antonio Missions National Historic Park
• Fort Laramie National Historic Site
• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Flaming Gorge
  
• Devil's Tower National Monument
  

double dipping

Holiday party season is upon us and for many that means dips and chips.  We've all been told NO double dipping by our parents, spouses, significant, other, etc., but seriously does anyone really pay attention?

I didn't.

Well, I didn't before.

At home I've been guilty of it, but I figure the people eating the dip with me are going to get good night kisses anyway, so what's the big deal, right?

Out in public, I don't do it.  At all.  Ever.  Ever.  Ever.

But it never entered my mind that the huge spoonful of dip I just plunked on my plate might have been double dipped by someone else. 

It's gross thinking about swapping spit with strangers.  I know *I* don't have cooties, but that guy over in the corner with the slicked back hair, cheesy smile, wearing the "I think I'm sooo cool, all the ladies will fawn all over me" office party outfit might!



This morning I watched the morning news and Steve Spangler was on sharing one of his experiments.  For those of you who don't know him, Steve Spangler is the guy I wished I had had for a science teacher.  He does really awesome experiments and makes science actually look fun and interesting.

So anyway, back to Steve's experiment and what it has to do with double dipping.  Watch this video and I bet you NEVER double dip again.  'Cause if you're doing it, you know someone else cruising the buffet line is too!

my thoughts on Tiger

Only because I can't get away from Tiger this and Tiger that, am I going to comment on the whole debacle.

First let me say that I am not a close friend of either Tiger or his wife or any of the many women who are claiming to have bonked Tiger, so I can't confirm any of what's been reported.

That being said, if Mr. Woods was soooo stupid and naive to believe he could bonk a multitude (the number is up to ten even as I write this) of women and expect not to be found out, he's one taco short of a combination plate.

Again, I don't personally know any of the women involved but the majority of them seem to be in professions that I don't perceive as being especially discreet.  Porn actresses and Hooters waitresses, among others.  Are you kidding me?  I'm sure they all have their redeeming qualities, but morals and decency don't appear to be among them.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with working at Hooters.  If you have big boobs and don't mind being perceived as bimbo-ish, then I'm sure it's a great gig.  Someone has to schlep all the food and drink to the discerning clientele who are there for the top notch cuisine. Yes, I'm aware that their buffalo wings are supposed to be quite tasty.  Having eaten there many, many, many years ago, I can only hope they've improved on the quality and taste.  Let's just say, I didn't get the impression that the wings were the real draw for most of the diners.


As for choosing to be a porn actress (I hesitate to use the term "star" since I'm not familiar enough with the industry to know if these women had achieved that status or not,) I'm at a loss.  Perhaps someone could enlighten me on why a person chooses this profession. 


My first thoughts were, did he really expect all these women to keep it quiet?  And did he really think none of this would ever get out?  Is Tiger Woods really that brain-impaired?  If so, then I think we need to get to the bottom of this and have him fess up and fill us all in on who conked him over the head with a nine iron! 

I guess out of all of it, those questions are the ones I want answered.  I don't care why, when, or where he did it.  I want to know if he honestly thought he could go on with his life after all these little trysts or affairs or whatever you call them and NOBODY was going to find out.  Seriously, Mr. Woods.  You may not have the common sense of a bag of rocks; but you can't think all of your friends, family, and fans were as dense too?

kitty & doggy cams

I just read an article on data collected on what cats do during the day when their owners are at work.  Friskies people had collar cameras attached to 50 cats.  The cameras took a photo every 15 minutes, and interestingly enough, the data found cats don't sleep all day.  In fact the cats only spent 6% of their time sleeping.

It kinda makes me wonder what my pets are doing when I'm not home, but I'm fairly certain it doesn't involve hours of sleeping.

Sometimes it's fairly obvious.  You know, such as when I walk in the living room and there is pillow stuffing strewn wall to wall, on table tops, under tables, hanging from the ceiling fan – well you get the picture.  Or when I discover knick knacks or papers that were on shelves or counters when I left for work are now squirreled away under the kitchen table or the recliner in the living room.

The incredible exploding pillows along with furniture covers that suddenly develop HUGE gaping holes in them, I'm 99.9% sure is attributable to the dogs.  Doe, Willa, and Izzy are more the curl up on, in, or under pillows and blanket types, rather than the MUST KILL PILLOW/BLANKET NOW! type.

The dogs have also taken to playing with the cat toys.  Well, playing may not be entirely accurate.  More like dismember.

Funny story...
     On walking into the living room I saw Fallon chewing on something that didn't resemble any of the dog toys, so I scooped it up.  It was what had at one time been a cute little giraffe cat toy.  It had a cute little head and cute little body and cute little feet that had been attached to the body with thick bits of thread, which were the "legs."  Sadly, the little giraffe was missing a couple of feet, but I figured they'd probably appear in the back yard at some point in the next 12 - 24 hours if you get my drift.
     Cut to a couple of hours later...
      On the floor, I see what looks to my trained eye something that suspiciously resembles cat turds.  I heave a huge sigh and prepare to do the EWWWW!!! chore, and head over with paper towels and carpet cleaner.  As I lean over to do the dreaded deed, I realize it's not cat turds after all!  It's the cute little feet off the cat toy.
       Now why it didn't occur to me that it might be something other than cat turds is beyond me, since my cats have NEVER used anything but their cat box for their bodily functions.

Everyday when I get home, I'm greeted by five *starving* pets.  The overzealous reaction when I walk in the door, I know, is not their happines at seeing me, so much as knowing food is forthcoming.  The cats have kibble out for them all the time, so I'm not sure what their story is.  I *know* they aren't starving!  In fact, this is another clue they haven't been sleeping all day, because generally the full bowls of kibble are now empty.  Unless the dogs are getting on the couch and climbing over the bar onto the kitchen counters (which while not completely out of the realm of possibility, is highly unlikely,) the cats are the ones who have noshed to their heart's content.

So, even without a camera attached to Doe's, Willa's, Izzy's, Kyna's, or Fallon's collar, I can say with great certainty there isn't an all day sleepfest happening while I'm at work.

It would be kinda fun to have the camera - maybe even one of those live web cams, so that I can watch them while at work.  It would even be more fun to have some sort of speaker system rigged up so that if I see one of my little darlings doing something illicit, my voice would resonate throughout the house, "NO!  STOP THAT NOW!"

Hmmm....I might have to consider this some more...