Starbucks

Next month, I will celebrate my 6 year anniversary with Starbucks. It seems like just yesterday the Siren and I began our relationship, but when I journey back in my mind, I cannot believe how long it truly has been.

The last year or so have involved a lot of ups & downs with my job and most days I have to really prepare myself for yet another. day. of. serving. coffee.

However, yesterday, as I was driving to California, I began thinking of all of the positives that have come out of my experience. and that really refreshed my soul. So many of these stories are worth mentioning so here goes...

1. Five years ago, I was in an accident two weeks before Christmas. My regular customers all knew what car I drove and, when they started seeing me in a different car they began to inquire what happened. Eventually word spread through out the entire store and a few days later, my manager approached me with an envelope from some of our customers. I opened it and found a Christmas card with a sweet greeting informing me that they had heard of my misfortune and wanted to bless me, as it was right before Christmas and they knew I had presents to buy and a car to pay for. Inside, was $350 in cash. To this day, I have no idea who blessed me in this way, but I have thought of those people and their generosity quite often.

2. I had a customer who bred chihuahuas for a hobby and she would always talk to me about her latest litter of pups. She would keep me posted as the kiddos were born and we would always talk about the health and wellness of these dearest little ones. One day, she brought one in to say hi and my heart melted. This tiny little doe-headed puppy stole my heart. What happened next was something I never would have fathomed: she offered the puppy to me as long as I promised to keep her name 'stella' and give her a loving home. I have enjoyed this dog for 5 years and she brings our whole family so much joy as she refuses to let a sad look remain on your face and does everything possible to win you over to her affection. If not for Starbucks, there would be no Stella.

3. I had this customer who would come in every morning and order a tall mocha. every day. she was my same ago so we became acquaintances and I would ask her about work and boys and life. One day, however, she came in the store and order a decaf. tall. mocha. i immediately inquired as to why the decaf. she told me she was pregnant and not happy about it. she had no idea what to do but knew this was not an optimal time in her life to add a child. My mom is really really passionate about this type of situation and I asked her if she would be opposed to meeting with my mom. She agreed and they set up a time to talk. During this conversation, she informed my mom of her abortion appointment. My mom urged her to reconsider and gave her alternative options and things to think about. The day of her abortion came and my mom and I spent the time on our knees begging for this unborn child. She called me a few hours later, informing me that the doctors refused to preform her abortion because apparently she was not as far along as they originally thought she was and they could not do the procedure. My mom and I rejoiced. She said that that woke her up to realizing that that was not a coincidence and my mom met her for coffee again. She saw that failed attempt as a huge sign but also informed my mom of how dire of a situation she was in. My mom offered for her to come live with us. So she did. This girl, who was originally a tall mocha ended up living in her baristas house and we helped her find a home with whom to place her child and get her back on her feet again.


4. Dominic. Upon entering & opening my second store, I met a boy named Dominic. He and I formed a fast friendship and I just adored his energy, humor, spunk, and spirit. He was a few years younger than I was and I viewed him as a younger brother. I would chastise him if he made silly mistakes throughout life. Dominic was killed in an ATV accident and we had his memorial service in my backyard. I miss him. But I would never have met him if not for a little company called Starbucks.


5. Sarah Beth Ballard. My dearest and bestest friend. We met at the same store that Dominic and I worked at and I just love her to death. I am so blessed by her friendship and we just seem to always encourage and inspire one another. I cannot imagine life with out her.


6. At work, a few months ago, I was at a store in downtown Tempe where homeless people were found in mass quantity. We had one particular homeless man who would sleep in our parking lot in full view of several customers. One morning it was particularly chilly and a woman was sitting at our drive thru window awaiting her drinks. She glanced to her right and came upon this man sitting in his sleeping bag. She immediately asked for an oatmeal, bottle of water, and a 'green machine' Naked smoothie. She drove her extremely nice car over to him and offered him these items. It truly warmed my heart. On another occasion, but same man (I think his name was Michael), our property manager came to our window one morning and informed us that if we saw homeless people 'loitering' in our parking lot we had to kindly ask them to leave.
yeah. right. I could never do that.
So she was cleaning our parking lot a few Sundays later and saw this man sitting in his corner. I was so nervous as to what she would do. She approached him and began conversing with him. He got up and my heart sunk. I just felt so bad that she kicked this man with nowhere else to go out of a parking lot.
but then. she walked with him, over to our window. She purchased him a cup of coffee, lunch sandwich, and muffin. All while offering him tips on how to avoid the cops and where to go. Good deeds still do happen in the world.


7. I met Matt because of Starbucks.


8. I have had a job all through out this economy nightmare that has enabled me to work in California during school and come home to pick up shifts during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Summer breaks. Such a blessing.


So I know that Starbucks takes a lot of low blows from people but there are some pretty incredible things that happen every day. I was reading someone's blog yesterday and they wrote about a barista who offered a kidney to a regular customer who was desperately in need. I often get so wrapped up in the millions of things I have to do while behind the counter but every once in a while it's good to stop. and think about why I do what I do.


and I can work another day.


Onward,
Carley.

wife 101

I would consider today my first day in wife 101 training.

Here is what I have accomplished:

• I cleaned my room.

• I cleaned my bathroom.

• I made a grocery list. (which is SO much easier than just showing up at the g-store and hoping for the best)
• I almost went face down on the cement outside of Sprouts in a skirt because I underestimated the height of the curb...i realize this is not really wife 101 but it was too funny to leave out
• I made lists...long lists...of what needs to be done during the next 68 days.  (*sidenote: I checked my calendar and I only have 2 available weekends until my wedding....gasp!*)
• I did laundry. (if you know me...this is saying something)
• My sheets are currently blowing in the breeze out on the line.
• I made dinner while drinking a glass of pinot noir. (Turkey Mexicali Chili...a recipe my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that is phenomenal...I will have to seek approval before posting said recipe for the greater general public)

I never thought wife training could be this fun! I can't wait until this all takes place in an apartment with both our names on the mailbox. 


Which reminds me:


1) We are going apartment looking tomorrow. We both have a rare Tuesday off so we are going to make the best of it!


2) We took our engagement photos with sessionninephotography on Friday. All I can say is oh. my. gosh. If you are looking for a photographer for any occasion and live in the greater phoenix area or have money to fly them to you...I could not urge you more strongly than to get a hold of them! I can't wait to see them (3 weeks seems like forever and I'm not gonna lie, I've checked my inbox and their website at least twice...it's been 3 days...uh oh)


Sorry about all of the lists but it's just been that kind of day.

two.

Hudson turns two today!!! We had a party for him on Saturday, but today is his official second birthday! what a honey. here are some of him at his party...

haha. oh gosh. it was a robot theme party and Katelyn, the crafty creative mom she is, made robots out of boxes so the kids (and parents!) could try them on for size...

so cute...
happy birthday buddy. i love you so much.

8:00

After working almost 11 hours today and having to open at 4am tomorrow morning, I will be going to bed at 8:00 tonight.

Last year, Dena came home from one of her classes buzzing about this speaker who talked in one of her classes about how crucial sleep is. He talked about how our body goes through what are called 'sleep cycles'. Our body completes a sleep cycle every hour and a half. If you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle, you generally wake up feeling...well...like crap.

Ever since she told me this, I have been testing it out.

It works. like. a. charm.

I can wake up at 4am having gotten 6 hours of sleep (3 complete sleep cycles) and feel better than if I slept 7 hours (because you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle at 7 hours).

I. dare. you.

Give it a try. It works.

bursting with excitement...

ok, so I just have to say that I am bursting with excitement because after weeks and weeks of going back and forth and coordinating and planning and schedules, we finally booked our engagement picture session with sessionninephotography.com. 

The photographers, Jay and Jess Williams, have been friends of my brother and sister-in-law for years and we have gotten to know them as they come over for picnics and summer afternoon barbecues and family birthday parties (they just shot for my nephew's birthday party and their Christmas card shoot  was insane). I know photographers are everywhere and there are so many talented people out there, but for some reason, Jay and Jess inspire more than any other photographer I have seen. You can almost sense their passion and love for photography through their pictures. I cannot be more thrilled and excited that they are going to shoot for us. I am so more than excited!

here is my favorite one of Hudson...

gah. so adorable.


and this one...sorry I am a proud auntie...

I can't wait to see what they come up with for us...I will keep you posted and let you know when the pics are up to view!!!

in other news, if you haven't already, go buy Sandra McCracken's cd "the builder and the architect". I just found out she is leading worship for our kern retreat in October and I'm thrilled. Her words are perfect. It has a very hymn-y feel. beautiful.

3 Happy Thoughts...

When I was a little girl, and I was having a really bad or sad day, my mom would always make me tell her three. happy. thoughts.

I hated doing this.

I just wanted to stay sad and mopey and 'whoa is me'. Yes. Even when I was like five. I have always been dramatic.

So things in my life have been a little sad and difficult lately and I could choose to get really overwhelmed and sad. But instead.

I'm going to choose three. happy. things.

1. I just sat outside at Starbucks (what I am so jealous of people for doing when I work) and had a great conversation with a great friend who is in the exact same walk of life as me right now and it is like 75 degrees and gorgeous out.

2. The fact that my school is being paid for. I often get so focused on my homework and my papers that I forget that I am only in school because of the generosity of someone else who believes in me.

3. I will be Mrs. Carley Maier in 75 short days.  
even if it seems forever away...this is a happy thought so I will focus on the fact that I'm even getting married!!!

I even feel happier after writing these things and ready to move on with my day...

Dressed in blue...

Today, I will attend my Noni's memorial service.

I have learned a few lessons this week.

1. Always tell someone you love them before you hang up or depart from them
2. Family is family forever
3. Don't blog unless you're willing to read it.

During the service today, I will be reading my "What Really Matters" post. My mom read it and insisted it be read during the service so, being the ultimate public speaker that I am, I will brave the possible impending tears, and read my blog. For Noni.

We will also be wearing blue in her memory. She loved the color and practically her whole house was devoted to blue (chairs, wall paper, blankets, china, etc.).

We are doing one incredible thing at the service that I want to share.

My Noni loved and adored ice cream. As I wrote about a few posts ago, my Noni's cupboards were not always filled with the healthiest of items, but she never hid it. When she went in for her heart surgery a few years back, she got on the good side of all of her nurses and coaxed them to give her ice cream along with every single meal. She got ice cream. Three times a day. And her last two meals she ever ate in her life. were ice cream.

So, today, we will each be taking a spoonful of ice cream at the end of her service, and toasting a spoonful of ice cream to Non.