Yesterday morning, I was talking to My Friend Bonnie on the phone and during that conversation, I wandered out on to the front porch and looked at my sad Boston ferns. Usually by now, they would be dead. Goners. Shriveled up and dry because of getting nailed by a couple of frosts. But not this year! Instead, they are still hanging in there. . . . even with MY efforts to do them in by forgetting to water them. . . they are still basically green and full.
I told Bonnie that I had thought about putting a little "FREE FERNS" sign up on the entrance to our cul de sac. I hate to let them die, yet, they are such a mess to winter in the house. . . plus, we just don't have a good spot to put them. Anyway, I decided to go ahead and give them a drink of water, since our weather is supposed to continue to be warmish for another couple of weeks.
Sooooooo. . . . . as I stepped off the porch and headed to the water hose, I studied the ferns again. Yep, I needed to give em one last drink, however, as I reached the side of the house where my hose is attached, I saw THIS on the nearby side of my garage door. . . .
my coveted Keyless Entry Pad was WITHOUT its COVER!!!!!
Now, our little cover had lost its hinge while we were building our house about 5 years ago. All this time, whenever we needed to use this means of entry, we just took the cover off, punched in the numbers, then replaced the cover. Not classy, but pretty simple.
Pretty simple until, for some strange reason, the cover disappeared. I had all sorts of thoughts racing through my mind. . . maybe the man of the house took it off and put it someplace ELSE, or maybe it was a rotten neighborhood kid who snatched it as a prank. . . .
THEN my mind did a rewind and I recalled the strange "crunching" sound I had heard as I backed my vehicle out of the garage the night before. At that moment, my eyes went to the driveway and I saw my beloved Keyless Entry Pad Cover. . . . smashed into 10 jagged pieces!!! :(
OH, whoa!!! I was the culprit. I was one who "did it in"!!!
I still don't know how the cover ended up in the drive way.....maybe someone didn't close it completely and a big gust of wind blew it off. It didn't matter. It was no longer usable!I told Bonnie I needed to find the info on where we bought the garage door stuff and see if I could possibly buy a cover. Hmmmmmm, "fat chance", I thought. I figured I'd either have to purchase an entire new pad thingy.
I dug though our mountain of "house building papers" and found where we purchased our garage doors and Keyless Entry Pad. . . and I gave them a call. Much to my surprise, and joy, I was told that they DO sell just the covers, and after a little "computery research", the helpful fellow at the main OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY, here in the Kansas City, Missouri area, told me that the showroom in Blue Springs had one in stock and they would be holding it for me!!!
They would be HOLDING it for me he had said!
Oh my, I couldn't believe the good new! Could this POSSIBLY be happening to ME. . . . could it be this SIMPLE?
I quickly got my self presentable and headed to Blue Springs, which is just a short distance from my home.When I walked into THE OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY, the cover WAS waiting for me. As the man handed it across the counter, I pulled out my wallet and asked how much I owed him. . . . and he said " NOTHING"!
Well, my eyeballs popped out and my jaw dropped and I blurted out "NOTHING?" in total disbelief. "NOTHING?"
Then he said, "I'd appreciate it if you'd remember us the next time you need something for your garage doors."
I was still a bit shocked over this gesture. . .this small touch of goodwill. This smart business man, by GIVING us the replacement cover (which wasn't going to cost me much even if he had charged me), had made certain that I WILL give his company the first call when we need help down the road. Not only will I call him, but I'll be certain to RECOMMEND that company to anyone who asks, "What garage door company do you use?" In fact, I'm even going to place a link in my post to his business. . . . just in case YOU want to talk to them!!!
Above is a picture I took from their web-site. . . . it's a bit blurry on my
post, but it's looks great on their web-site. So here you go, OVERHEAD DOOR
COMPANY (click here for their web-site), thank you for your kind help!
The photo below shows you my brand new Keyless Entry Cover. . . . isn't it a beauty? :)
Still feeling a bit giddy over the experience at the OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY, I decided to treat myself and check out the holiday offerings at one of the local gift and home decor shops in Blue Springs. . . PETALS AND POTPOURRI!I had missed their official Open House last weekend, and as I made my purchases (which I can't share with you because they are Christmas presents for a couple of people who just might be reading this), I asked the person helping me, how the event had gone. He said it was really good and they were very happy it had been. We spoke a bit about how rough the economy has been on small businesses and how we both hoped this holiday season would be better.
THEN. . . .
he GAVE me one of the darling little spreaders they had passed out to customers at their Open House. . . .yes, he GAVE it to me!
Again, I was pretty shocked. There was a price tag on the spreader and he could have sold it . . .and he STILL gave it to me!
The goodwill was flowing in Blue Springs yesterday! SO. . . .if you are EVER visit that area, I hope you will pay a visit to this wonderful shop......PETALS AND POTPOURRI (click HERE to visit their web-site). It's filled with great florals, home decor items and tons of Christmasy selections!
OK, I know this post is getting wordier by the minute, but I just had to share one more really great surprise I encountered yesterday in Blue Springs. After I left PETALS AND POTPOURRI, I made a stop at Hobby Lobby. While I was loading up on half-priced garland, I ran into a friend who was shopping with her mom. They told me they had just been to a little shop called THE YELLOW STRAWBERRY. They were raving about it. . . .and I said I'd never heard of it. SO, that was my next stop!I found out from one of the clerks that THE YELLOW STRAWBERRY(click HERE to visit their web-site), also located in Blue Springs, has been in business for about six years. I couldn't believe I didn't know about it. It's another wonderful home decor and gift boutique that I have certainly added to my list of great ones in our area! I didn't photograph the inside of the shop, but it is a knockout!! OMG! The selection of tempting treasures is outstanding!!
I love ROOT candles, so I decided to give this little "candy cane" scent a try. . . and I will certainly return to that shop before the holidays are over!
When I returned home, THE STONE RABBIT was waiting for me on the front porch.I told him about my good fortune on my trip to Blue Springs. . . the gifts from two merchants and finding another great home decor boutique.
He enjoyed my little story and was glad that I had returned with a new Keyless Entry cover. . . the fact that it had been broken for so long always bothered him.
He added that it's always amazing how good things happen when you least expect them.
By running over the cover. . .
I took a trip which, in the end, reminded me of how amazingly good it makes a person feel to be given just a "little" special treatment. . .the items I received were very small in cash value, but in this day and age, every penny counts. These businessmen, however, know the importance of nurturing a good customer relationship. . . and thanks to the positive recommendation I received from a friend, I also found another great shop to visit on my next trip to Blue Springs.
Oh, and best of all. . . .
my Keyless Entry cover fits perfectly!!!
I just now need to figure out how to made THIS one stay on, since the metal rod that's supposed to attach the cover to the base is broken off and can't be repaired. I thought about attaching a little chain to the cover. . . kinda like the way some businesses attach their pens to the counter with a chain so folks don't walk off with them. I'm seeing visions of the cover dangling and swinging in the wind at times, but at least it would always be close by. . . and NOT in the driveway!
I hope you have good things happen to YOU today!
DANA