Wonderful Winter

Looks nice and comfortable, huh? Looks are deceiving. It is COLD, not cold like you might find back east, but plenty cold for here! I was reading another blog where they were concerned about -single digit weather at night. OK, it is not that cold...but that kind of cold would really uncomfortable for us here. This weather in the teens at night and not getting above freezing during the day is plenty cold for us, and the wind chill makes it plenty cold! The sun makes you think that it should be warmer, it is not, Brrrrr! Normal Washington Winters are usually mild with lots of cold rain, and the occasional cold snap (like this week) where the skys clear so we don't get much snow usually. The weather predictions say we may get a bit of snow this weekend, I hope so!
And yet, I want spring with all the plants bursting with growth. But I know that this cold dormant time is necessary for all the growth that is to come. It makes me anticipate the growth that we will experience our first spring and summer here. I kind of feel like that dormant seed or tree...you can't see much going on...but it is behind the scenes, where no one notices. We are getting the 'foundation' for success ready. Like this earlier week, struggling with internet problems. It had been going down without promise of a problem found...it seemed to escape the technicians understanding for the longest time. It was very aggravating, and yet, if we were busy with customer's issues like we can be during the spring or summer it would be monumentally frustrating and it could cause us to lose our customers because we could not manage their simple requests. As much as I can't wait for this spring & summer, it is really better this way. I keep having to remember we need this wonderful winter weather!

Free Lunch

As I have said before, I like watching the wildlife out my window. So, as you can imagine I have a few bird feeders. My first summer here I started feeding the birds and enjoyed seeing my first Red Polls. They are very striking with their red heads, some even have red down onto their chests. But, it really took the birds quite a long time to find my bird seed offerings.

So when I opened the office I began looking for a place to offer the birds a free lunch. The criteria: I wanted to be able to see and watch them from my desk. I chose an open place near our security fence. Next door there is a large open field and not much 'cover' to offer timid birds. I was surprised and impressed when it took less than 2 days for the birds to find the feeders. I have not ever seen a feeding station as well attended in such a short time!

First to visit were the adorable little Oregon Juncos. I have to admit these little birds have always been my favorite, since childhood I enjoyed seeing them at our feeders throughout the winter even in the deep snow. Following them in were a generous flock of House Sparrows. The next day I was surprised to see a large group of Blackbirds, a really big mixed flock of both Red Winged and Brewers Blackbirds came and realized that they had a smorgasboard available. I was delighted when I saw my first Scrub Jay, I had never seen them before I moved down here. Where I grew up there were Stellar's Jays with their raucus calls and bossy attitudes. And just the other day a Mourning Dove came to visit for a bit.

I have only had the feeders up about 2 weeks and I am excited to see who will come to visit later in the spring and summer! If you stop by, you might enjoy checking out our feathered visitors too!

Service Please

Is it too much to ask...service please! I don't think so. I can remember my mom quoting, as she regularly did some tidbit of wisdom from some memorable source. This time, the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". It's simple...treat others kindly, with respect, being genuine. And, as my children were growing up I remember instructing them when they had a particularly difficult situation "You don't have to like that person, but, you do not have to be mean or rude".

I had a pleasant experience yesterday, and it reminded me how important the little things are. I went in to the store to pay my cel-phone bill because I like human contact. I used to work for the cel-phone company so I know how hard we were pushed to 'make that sale' or 'upgrade features or services'. The sales agent I spoke to encouraged me to go through a different department to get the 'service' I was looking for. I knew what he was suggesting ment that he was missing out on a bit of commission. He was looking at the 'big picture': If I was happy I might come back when I was ready and eagerly spend my money at his store.

He was absolutely right...I will visit that store again, happily!

It's our goal here too: Kindness....genuine care...respect. Yes there might be times that we cannot meet your needs, we will try our darnest. But, we can ALWAYS use the golden rule. It's called customer service and it lives alive and well here.

Clear Skys

We sailed right through the tornado scare! Others in our neighborhood were not quite so lucky, with damaged roofs and cars and dodging flying objects like sheet metal, flying trees and overturning semi trucks. The news pictures are telling; we are not accustomed to tornados! I don't care to be used to seeing them either, thank you very much! I can truly appreciate the clear skys this morning, after yesterday!!!!!

I look forward to the "clear skys" for "smooth sailing" forward here at A Better Way Storage too. We are expecting a review early next week and I expect to sail through it. We continue to happily received many positive reviews from customers and professionals alike. Bring on the review...I'm looking at, and forward to clear skys!

New...

New. I like to think about new. I get energized and want to make some sort of progress. I don't do much in the way of resolutions, but the new year really makes me feel like moving forward, and this year, organizing. I have a new home, my horses have a new home and I feel like making both more 'homey'.

I thought I would share a tidbit that one of our new tenants shared with me...a strategy for getting organized.

1. Set aside your treasures, your belongings you will not part with. Our new tenant is moving hers into a storage unit temporarily. Set them aside apart from the rest of your belongings, so they don't command any of your energy right now.
2. Organize or discard what remains leaving room for your treasures. Our new friend is enlisting the help of her friends in a work party. Since you have already decided what merits keeping and it is easier to streamline or pare down unnecessary belongings. And you won't be worried about the fate of your treasures in the hands of your well meaning friends.
3. Return your treasures to their place in your home and enjoy the fruits of you hard work, an orderly, organized, streamlined home!

I hope this encourages you, I hope you have a prosperous NEW year!

It's not business...it's personal.

I bet you have heard "It's not personal, It's business". I am sure that a lot of companies find success with that mentality, however, that thought is not for us. We like to keep it personal, we care. We care about making your move comfortable. We know that moving is hectic and stressful whether you are upsizing, downsizing, de-cluttering or just relocating. It's hard, and we understand that! We'll bend over backwards if that would make your move easier.

Meet Dick, he is on his way out to pick up a customer's belongings with our company truck. It's a courtesy we offer, just one of the many ways we 'go the extra mile' for you. So, if you need a little more 'personal' and a little less 'business' come on over and meet Dick, or Mike...they would happily truck your treasures.