Midlife’s A Trip

Life Lesson From A Conversion Van

Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Karen.

Do you know what a conversion van is?  Well in my neck of the woods here in the Midwest, it’s a van that’s been converted to include beds, sinks and other stuff you’d find in a house. No disrespect to those readers who have conversion vans but washing up at the sink looking out of a van just isn’t my idea of fun. Yet I’ve found that these vehicles carry a very important message for me.

See when I’m driving around town going to appointments and running errands, I’ve been know to rush - and be impatient. It’s a bad habit I’m working on and the Universe is helping me out. How? Well everytime I’m driving a little too fast, the Universe plops a slow-moving conversion van right smack dab in front of me on the road. You think I’m nuts?

No it’s true. I start driving a little faster than I should and sure enough that conversion van shows up - different color, different trim - going 10 miles under the speed limit. Aaaaaaaaaaargh!! Or that used to be my reaction. But now - I just smile because I know it’s the Universe’s way of telling me to just take a chill pill. And these days, I get the point and - chill.

What’s the trigger that gets you to slow down when you’re moving too fast through life?

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Can You Make A Difference?

Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by Karen.

If you’ve ever questioned whether one person can make change happen or make a difference in more lives than just our own, watch this:

Then ask yourself - “what makes me unstoppable?” I’d love to hear your answer:-)

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Even More Karen’s Favorites from Britain’s Got Talent

Posted on 30. May, 2009 by Karen.

OK, now don’t say I didn’t warn you but this video will melt your heart as little UK songbird Hollie Steel gets a case of the nerves during her performance in the semi-finals. But surprisingly, she got a second chance from none other than tough as nails Simon! He really has a heart:-) She made a courageous comeback and then went on to the finals. Go Hollie!!

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More Karen’s Favorites from Britain’s Got Talent

Posted on 30. May, 2009 by Karen.

11 year old Aiden Davis is a star in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Have to say that the UK has some off-the-chart talented kids. Watch Aiden and see if you agree with me!

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Karen’s Favorites from “Britain’s Got Talent” Finals

Posted on 29. May, 2009 by Karen.

I’ve become a huge fan of the UK talent show “Britain’s Got Talent” - the place where Simon hung out before American Idol. This week are the semi-finals and I’ve been watching via You Tube.  Since the finals are tomorrow, I thought I share my favorites here on Midlife’s A Trip. Funny how this show and the amazingly talented performers have touched my heart and inspired me. Hope they do the same for you.

First up is Julian Smith - a teacher, dad and kick-ass saxophonist.  If you like Kenny G, you’ll love this:

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My Un-Complaint Against Zappos

Posted on 26. May, 2009 by Karen.

Last week I ordered 2 pairs of black cargo shorts by Jag for the summer that’s finally coming to Michigan.  So why do you need to know this. Work with me here because these black shorts led me to a mind-blowing experience with a little known phenomenon called great customer service.

I placed my order with online retailer Zappos, known for their wide variety of shoes.  I’ve ordered from them before because they often carry shoes in narrow sizes. If you wear a narrow shoe size I don’t have to explain why this is a big plus, do I?  In the past whatever I ordered was available in my size and arrived as promised - end of story.

But when my Zappos package arrived today, I was disappointed.  There were 2 pairs of black shorts inside but in 2 different sizes - one not mine. Because Zappos only had 2 pairs in my size when I ordered, I picked up the phone 1) to complain and 2) to see if that second pair of shorts was still available.  This is where the story gets good.

My call was connected to a very cordial Zappos customer service rep, whose name I didn’t get, I’m sorry to say. When I explained my dilemma, she went into action and gave me no opportunity to complain. She checked to see if the other pair of shorts was still available.  The bad news was they weren’t. Darn it but I’ll live.

Then the nice young customer service rep apologized profusely and offered the following solution to Zappos’ mistake in filling my order. Here’s where the good news comes in:

1. She emailed me a return label for the UPS package AND a return form completely filled in with all the details of my wrong size black shorts. No need to fill out the form while trying to find a SKU number somewhere on the garment.
2. She enrolled me in the Zappos VIP program which gets me an upgrade of 1-day shipping on any future orders.
3. When I decided to order another item for $7 more than the shorts, she told me she wouldn’t charge me for the difference.
4. And finally, she gave me a $10 coupon I can use for future purchases.

I’m still picking myself up off the floor.

I’ve heard about the brilliant strategies of Zappos’ innovative CEO, Tony Hsieh but hadn’t experienced what that means to a real customer until now. Like many of us, I’ve been known to complain when things aren’t right, so I wanted to make sure to give acknowledgment when things go well, like here. So Tony and the amazing Zappos team who really get what customer service is all about -

Thanks for making my day:-)

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Stuff For Sale

Posted on 18. May, 2009 by Karen.

This past weekend was my neighborhood-wide garage sale.  Motivated by the camaraderie and the need to clear some space in my little bungalow, I set up shop with my sister, MenoMom and my niece, the Peanut.

We put together all our collective junk, um I mean treasures. Then we labeled each with a bright pink sticker and anybody’s best guess on the value that someone would pay for what we didn’t want anymore.

Our family garage sale rule is that “what goes out of the house for sale, doesn’t come back in”. So for 2 days, MenoMom and I sat and sold.  The Peanut served very capably as a quasi-Walmart greeter as people came and went.

By day 2 of the sale, MenoMom and I were really gung-ho about getting rid of everything.  So we gave away toys to little kids who came through (this strategy was particularly tough on the Peanut who wasn’t as committed to getting rid of her stuff). And we gave away books:

Buy one thing - take some books free.

Overall we did pretty well. By 3:30 on Sunday afternoon, not much was left.  We boxed the last few things up and made it over to the Salvation Army to make a donation before they closed. My tally after the garage sale was about $100.

But as I think back, it really wasn’t about the money.  It was about being outside in the fresh air, hanging out with family, laughing with neighbors and making life a little less cluttered - a little simpler.

What can you do to simplify, simplify?

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Time to Get Through These Tuff Times

Posted on 15. Apr, 2009 by Karen.

Hope you’ll join me on my first teleseminar.  It’s about how to get through these tough economic times and move into a place of opportunity and hope. Watch the video below for more details.

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Think Green

Posted on 26. Mar, 2009 by Karen.

If you can’t think of a reason to go “green”, watch this beautiful video:

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Putting a Gag on the Voice of Doom and Gloom

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by Karen.

If you hate your job these days or something else in your life, this video of motivational guru Zig Ziglar is a must-see.  What he points out is that a lot of the “doom and gloom” we experience takes place in the conversations we have with ourselves–not in the outside world.  So if you’re ready to put a sock in it, listen up.

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A Midlife Valentine

Posted on 14. Feb, 2009 by Karen.

I was thinking this morning that commercialism has conditioned us to think that if we don’t have candy, flowers and someone to cuddle up with on Valentine’s Day there’s something’s wrong.  Well it’s time to throw that thought out the window because you have a lot more than chocolate-covered cherries to be happy about today.

You have friends who are thinking about you - whether they’re close by or out here in the blogosphere.  Count me as one of them and listen to this song from Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, the late Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston on what we should focus on today:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Life Lessons From An Old Dog

Posted on 11. Feb, 2009 by Karen.

Meet Stump, a 10-year old dog which is about 70 canine years.  But not just any old dog because this exceptionally persuasive Sussex spaniel got the judges at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show to pick him as the winner over all the young pups prancing around the ring.  And he’s the first in his breed ever to win the Westminster.  Stump is now “top dog” worldwide.  You go Stump!

Stump had been in retirement before the show and almost died a few years back from some mysterious illness.  But with more spunk left than anyone, including his owner, could have imagined, Stump showed the world that he could still strut his stuff.  Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

Or better yet, who defines what old is?  Think there’s a lesson here.  Even a dog can figure out that you’re only as old as you think you are.  So think young.

Thanks Stumps for the great life lesson and congratulations!!

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Taking an Oath with President Obama

Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by Karen.

In a few hours Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.  This all takes me back to that day over 4 years ago when I was sitting in my living room watching the Democratic Convention.  I confess that I really had tuned in to watch the Jennifer Granholm, the governor of my state of Michigan who was scheduled to speak.

Before she came on, this Black man stepped to the podium and introduced himself.  I remember thinking “Barack who?” But I confess that there was something about him that in retrospect I can honestly say that he had me at “hello”.  By the end of his speech I was standing in my living room by myself — cheering like crazy.  That was the day I became an Obama supporter even though he had yet to announce his candidacy.  I went to work the next day and told everyone I had just seen the next president of the United States.  Everyone thought I was crazy.

Well as Grandma used to say “crazy like a fox”.  So today I’m thrilled to watch him take the oath of office that makes him the leader of our country and bearer of hope and change.  This is also an incredible burden.  Millions of us expect so much from him.  So President Obama, I’m taking an oath too:

I, Karen Batchelor, citizen of the United States of America and one of “we the People” hereby promise:

• Not to expect miracles as you sort through the challenges you face.
  
• To be patient.
• To be as good as citizen as I expect you to be President.
• Not to armchair quarterback every little decision you make knowing there are many steps required to put our country back together again.
• To steel myself against some tough days ahead.
• To keep as informed as I can about your strategy to bring about change and
  
• To hold onto hope and faith.
  

And this I swear.

Congratulations and God bless you President Obama!

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