Simple pleasures in life! — Living An Amazing Life

Adjectives

May 19, 2010 By Robyn 2 Comments

I LOVE celebrating my birthday, especially receiving friends amazing blessings by phone, email, and social media. I’m always completely OVERWHELMED!

I need to get better about writing to all of my Facebook friends on their special days in return. If I missed yours, I apologize, hope it was amazing - I need to “make” more time daily to see which Facebook friends are celebrating.

My friend Jeremy summed it up best -“The best day to have Facebook.. Thanks for the Birthday Wishes…”

One part of receiving the wishes, that I get a charge out of, is to see if and what adjectives my friends use.

I love learning new things, so after seeing all of the adjectives, I asked my coworker Lawrence for a lesson on how to make graphs in Microsoft Excel. So I gathered all of the data and made this from all of the Birthday greetings I received that included adjectives, to have a visual of the breakdown.

I wonder if my friends used “amazing“ specifically because they were sending me Birthday wishes and they hear me use it often? AND use other words for different friends??

I vividly recall Good and Great being used the most last year – by a long shot. I’m thrilled to see the use of new colorful adjectives this year!!

What is your favorite adjective?

Happy New Week,
Robyn

Filed Under: Simple pleasures in life!

Nestle

May 13, 2010 By Robyn 6 Comments

I got my coupon!! Remember from my post on April Fools Day, about my Easter treat being hollow?

I received a letter from Nestle about a month ago:

Basically this (most likely) generic letter thanked me for letting them (Nestle) know about my incident. It also informed me that they will be using my experience to research the short fall that caused the error.

Enclosed was this awesome Manufacturer’s Coupon! Recall from my original post about the missing filling on, April Fools Day, I spent nothing out of my pocket (other than a 3 minute call). Then received this $3.00 coupon for FREE Nestle product(s):

I “thought” about giving my prize away – however I decided I was going to relish in this gift for providing awesome feedback to this company! I didn’t have to be a hag on the phone to the customer service representative, I was calm, cool, and collected.

This wasn’t my first gift for providing feedback. My family could tell you lots of stories about getting free toiletry products growing up. I can’t remember exactly, but when growing up, I think we got a few months supply of toothpaste or something when I was a teenager! My family would say it was for complaining, I simply feel I was helping hold the companies accountable.

If you were a business owner (or maybe you are), would you like constructive criticism or experienced based feedback to improve your customer loyalty &/or bottom dollar? I DO!

I took the $3.00 and FLEW to the store…mmm…chocolate!

This is what I came out with:

Since our followers are diverse, I thought I would explain, Nestle offers different products in Canada then in the United States.

SOOO – here is a brief explanation to our American and International friends about my chocolate choices.

When I saw the 3 pack of Turtles, I thought it was only fair that I buy them with my coupon – since it was one of their Turtle friends that caused all of this excitement in the first place!

Smarties are delicious little chocolates, similar to the shape of M & M’s – but taste WAY different (well…in my opinion!) In the USA, “smarties” are more like a sweet tart, not chocolate! Interesting…

Aero is a hard to explain but the mint version is one of my favorites!

I had a blast reading my friend Deanne’s post about “What foods are Canadian?” different on her blog High Country Cattle. It reminded me so much of when I moved to Kansas and then onto Texas for college and university and discovered some of my favorite foods could not be found in the USA!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

Filed Under: Simple pleasures in life! Tagged With: Aero, Canadian, chocolate, Food, Free, High Country Cattle, Manufacturer's Coupon, Nestle, Smarties, Turtles

Experienced Feet

April 16, 2010 By Robyn 2 Comments

Experiences make us the people that we are. I’ve been so blessed by the opportunities in my life – that have helped shape me into the woman I am.

I’m very lucky to have amazing relationships with my family. Fortunately, I’ve made the time to spend with my grandparents. I’ve learned lots about their journey through life and shared many experiences with them. I could go on and on about the hilarious memories I have.

Just over a year ago, my Grandma (my Mom’s mother) was diagnosed with lung cancer. The past 13 months have been a roller coaster. It’s so hard to watch anyone, in particular, one of your mentors in life and close family members face health challenges head on.

Whenever I’m able, I visit my grandparents – before the diagnosis and after. I’ve always tried to go with a story or joke to tell (learning the later of these 2 from my hubby), to lighten the mood and share a bit of excitement. A few weeks ago, while visiting my Grandma, I noticed her gorgeous, experienced feet could use some attention. I didn’t say anything, as I know that she would be very self consious.

I know how good I feel after getting my feet touched. (Especially when a professional does it, I love pedictures)! Our feet deserve regular attention, especially when you consider the “weight” and stress they carry around.

I showed up the next day to visit with a file, nail polish, and Arbonne foot cream!

It was a simple gesture that made my Grandma smile and experience a bit of relaxation.

I challenge you to always seek ways to help others. I’d love to hear your ideas – so I can keep learning of new ways I can serve. If you’re lucky to still have grandparents in your life or other influential family and friends that you’ve lost touch with or haven’t talked to in awhile - I encourage you to stop right now and call them OR go stop in for a visit. I know they’d love to see your smile OR hear your voice.

Have an amazing weekend!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

Filed Under: Simple pleasures in life! Tagged With: experience, feet, Grandma, grandparents, pedictures, Pedicure

Eggs-perience Winner…s

April 7, 2010 By Robyn 3 Comments

Hope you had an amazing Easter weekend!

Thanks to everyone that “read” my April Fools post (I realize it wasn’t a true joke - but I wanted to share my experience with you). Only 3 of you (fabulous followers!) entered before the deadline! Crazy…guess you didn’t want to receive a super sweet package from me OR I need to improve my communication & clarity of the contest. Mmm…

Either way – I look forward to reporting back about what Nestle sends me in the mail!

WINNING the random draw…and also with the most entries… (for the Eggs-pereince Contest from the April Fools post!):

Stacy Young

Congratulations Stacy (be sure to follow her blog - ! Thank you so much for following my blog and participating in this contest.

Because I LOVE giving things away and love winning too…I’m giving away 2 more prizes!

I went digging through my tickle trunk and found 2 more prices for the other 2 followers that entered the draw. You will both also receive a prize from me…

Laura & Kattie

Please email your mailing address to prizes@robynbeazley.com and our “team” (me!) will send YOU your prize!

He he…I completely entertain myself…I really wanted to write that!!

This time, I have all 3 of your addresses (as luckily you’re all amazing friends!) – no action is required.

Have an amazing day!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

P.S. I can’t wait to tell you about the Easter celebration at Chateau Beazley! Lots of delicious eats.

Filed Under: Simple pleasures in life! Tagged With: Contest, Easter, Nestle, prizes, Winner

April Fools

April 1, 2010 By Robyn 7 Comments

Hint hint…there is a contest to WIN at the bottom of this post!!!

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I thought I had successfully hid from any April Fools jokes today – but I was sadly mistaken!

(I giggled over Crystal & Stacy’s April Fools stories on their blogs!!)

I returned to my office from a meeting just after 11am to find a fabulous Turtles Egg left on my desk! I love chocolate, love Turtles, and love Easter…this kind gift got me excited. My coworker Joanna let me in on who the secret Bunny was.

I sent a quick email to my coworker Carole, on the other side of campus.

“Thanks for visiting Easter bunny. Have an amazing weekend!”

Carole smartly responded – “Just remember that the egg is not your lunch! Have a great Easter!”

Hmm… “Oh…you know me too well…” I replied.

THEN…I continued to break into my surprise. I live by the motto – Eat Dessert First!

Inside the colorful bag was the egg wrapped in foil. I pulled it back and cautiously took a bite, expecting it to explode with filling. This was NOT what happened – it was a light, airy bite – my egg was HOLLOW!

The funny thing is – I still at this point – didn’t “realize” that I has been shorted. I’m sure I gave out a little grunt of disappointment and thought to myself – huh, good on Nestle for saving money on the filling and selling thousands of these eggs! I disposed of the trash and went on with my action steps.

THEN at about 1:30pm – my coworker Joanna made the comment of how awesome her egg was that she was enjoying!

I kind of smartly sneered, “Your hollow egg?”

“No, it has turtle filling!”

Mmm…the light bulb finally turned on and was shinning down on this blonde diva!

The wheels started turning inside my head, Nestle needs to know about this, I’m going to look on their website. Then Joanna said something like, “Maybe you should call and report this!”

I looked up with my sneaky grin. I grabbed the bag from the garbage, found a 800#, and dialed.

At this point – Joanna and Morgan were busting a gut watching me intently.

The Customer Service representative was amazing!

“Happy Easter” I exclaimed and giggled my way through my “April Fool’s” story to the lady attendant.

The fantastic woman informed me that she wanted to make this right for me. She explained that this will be reported to the Plant Manager – to explore where the problem happened on the assembly line. I could visualize it all happening – like a scene off the Undercover Boss (my new favorite TV show – watch snipets on YouTube.com OR if you’re in Canada visit the CTV website OR USA – visit the CBS website)! I gave her the bar code and stamped numbers on the bag.

While on the phone, my two supportive friends were sharing my experience with the growing crowd that stood outside of my office waiting for the verdict!

The conversation finished by me providing my mailing address. That’s right – in 10-14 business days, I will receive a COUPON for free products from Nestle!!

I will let you know what I receive – when it arrives ;)

After reflecting, I had to laugh that of all the people my friend Carole gave Eggs to – I received the one (or the only one that has reported to our group!) that was missing the goodness of the treat! I can only imagine if my friend Morgan would have received…he he…

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This calls for a CONTEST!

Please COMMENT below to win an Easter Prize (you KNOW it will be good – Chocolate (since I’m a MiniEggaholic), Starbucks gift card, etc), answer What would YOU have done if this Eggs-perience would have happened to you? and you will be entered to win!

Become a follower (if you aren’t already) – by clicking on Join This Site (with Google Friend Connect) to the right and I will give you 3 EXTRA entries.

Get a friend to become a follower, they have to leave a comment saying you told them how inspirational I was (ha ha…) and made them follow my blog, and you will get 5 EXTRA entries!

DEADLINE – Saturday, April 3, 2010 & I’ll randomly select a winner on Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter,
Robyn

Filed Under: Simple pleasures in life! Tagged With: April Fools, Easter, joke, Mini Eggs, Nestle, Turtle, Turtles, Turtles Egg

Perfect Long Weekend ch 3

March 25, 2010 By Robyn Leave a Comment

The rest of the details on what I’ve coined as our Perfect L-O-N-G Weekend! (Read the first chapter & second chapter)

Our final day on our amazingly spontaneous long September weekend, was spent eating, shopping, and driving!

John got to pick where we ate lunch and BBQ was his choice. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is always an “experience” (even there website is a hoot!). John was in heaven…as Canada doesn’t offer anything comparable!

A trick I learned when I met the Beazley family! You use a buttered piece of bread/bun to butter your corn on the cob! THEN you devour the bread…only in Texas, I’m convinced! Did your family do this growing up OR have you acquired this tip?

A few unique things about Famous Dave’s!

We left Kalispell and stopped in the tourist town of Whitefish. I found a couple awesome western inspired stores and we grabbed a cup of joe for the road trip home.

Gorgeous views – I love escaping to Montana!

View Full Album

Back to reality…

We actually ended up being at the border for about an hour – not to be searched but to visit! John (who used to work at the border) knew a past co-worker that transferred to this crossing.

Have you ever just GOT in your vehicle and taken a spontaneous road trip?? Where to?

Happy Travelling (think I’m getting the bug again!),

Robyn