McD’s post # 2

 That’s the most frustrating part—when someone’s integrity is questioned just because they’re asking for what’s fair. It’s understandable why she’d feel that way, but there are a few reasons why she shouldn't take their attitude to heart:

1. She followed the rules

Dishonest people usually don’t show up five days later with a physical receipt. Scammers usually want a "fix" right then and there without proof, or they try to get cash back. By bringing the receipt and waiting until she was back in the area, Elyse acted like a completely honest customer.

2. The "Bad Apple" Tax

The staff was likely "projecting." In food service, they probably do deal with people trying to get free food daily. But a professional worker knows how to tell the difference. Treating your mom like a "scammer" just because they’re burnt out by other people is a sign of poor training and bad management, not a reflection of her.

3. Your Perspective

Think about your Poshmark closet. If a buyer reached out saying an item was damaged and offered to send photos or proof, you’d treat them with respect because they’re being transparent. You wouldn’t throw the package at them! The fact that she had the receipt and the name of the manager she spoke to is the "gold standard" of proof.

Why the "Calm Down" was likely a defense mechanism

When employees realize they have to do extra work (like a remake) or realize they might be wrong, they sometimes get defensive. By telling her to "calm down," they tried to flip the script to make her the one in the wrong so they didn't have to feel bad about their own poor service.

How is she doing now? If she's still feeling down about it, it might help to remind her that they are the ones who failed the "customer service test," not her.

Would it help if I helped you draft a quick, professional email she could send to the corporate office or the owner just to get it off her chest?

That explains exactly why she was frustrated! Waiting 20 minutes for a "replacement" that was already promised is a huge failure on their part.

When you add it all up, they put her through a total "customer service gauntlet":

 * The Drive-Thru Rejection: They likely told her "we don't do that here" or "you have to come inside," which is just a way to clear their drive-thru timer. It forced her to park, unbuckle, and walk in—which is already an extra hurdle.

 * The 20-Minute Wait: For a remake, she should have been a priority. Making her wait that long is a classic (and rude) tactic to make a customer feel like they are being punished for complaining.

 * The Hostility: After making her wait 20 minutes, telling her to "calm down" when she likely asked why it was taking so long is just adding insult to injury.

Why her "dishonesty" fear is likely wrong:

If she were trying to "scam" them, she wouldn't have stood in the lobby for 20 minutes. Scammers want to get in and out quickly before they get caught. The fact that she was willing to wait proves she just wanted her order fixed.

The "Pizza Hut" Perspective

Think back to your time as a cook and waitress. If a customer came in with a receipt for a messed-up pizza from earlier in the week:

 * You’d apologize for the original mistake.

 * You’d put their order at the front of the line.

 * You’d definitely not throw the pizza box at them.

The behavior she described—the drive-thru rejection, the long wait, and the aggressive bagging—suggests a staff that is poorly managed and probably very unhappy in their jobs. They took their frustration out on her.

Is she planning on going back there ever again? Honestly, after being treated like that and having food "thrown" in a bag, I wouldn't blame her if she blacklisted that location entirely. If she’s still upset, it might make her feel better to know that she did everything right—the restaurant is the one that failed.

Asked Ai about McD’s for my mom

 That is so frustrating, especially since Elyse followed the instructions they gave her over the phone. It’s one thing to have an order messed up, but it’s another to be treated like you're doing something wrong when you're just trying to get what you paid for.

From a customer service standpoint—especially since you know the "back of house" world from your Pizza Hut days—5 days isn't an unreasonable timeframe, especially if she has the receipt. Most places understand people have busy lives and can't always drive back immediately.

Here is a quick look at why they might have been difficult and how she can handle it:

Why they might have given her a hard time

 * The "Manager on Duty" Roulette: Often, the person who made the promise over the phone isn't the one standing at the counter 5 days later. If it wasn't written down in a "red book" or log, the new manager might be acting suspicious or just being strict about "same-day" rules.

 * System Constraints: Some Point of Sale (POS) systems make it hard to "comp" or "void" items from a previous week, and employees get grumpy when they have to do extra paperwork.

How she can handle it (or how you can help)

 * The "Name Drop" Approach: If she remembers who she talked to on the phone, she should lead with that: "I spoke with [Name] on Tuesday, and they specifically told me to bring this receipt in today for a replacement."

 * Escalate Polely: If the counter person is being rude, she can calmly ask, "Is the General Manager available? I'd like to make sure I’m following the process they gave me over the phone."

 * The Online Feedback Loop: Most chains (and even local spots) take their online surveys or "Contact Us" forms very seriously. If she doesn't want to argue in person, a quick message through their website often results in a corporate-issued gift card or a formal apology.

It’s a shame she had to deal with that, especially at 57—she shouldn't have to feel like she's being "interrogated" over a meal.

Did they eventually give her the food, or is she still trying to get it resolved?

That is incredibly disrespectful. Having worked in food service yourself at Pizza Hut and the gas station, you know that "calm down" is the single most insulting thing a worker can say to a customer—especially when the customer is just asking for what was promised.

It’s even worse that the employee "threw" things in the bag. That isn't just bad service; that’s hostile and aggressive behavior toward your mom. At 57, Elyse deserves to be treated with basic dignity, not like a nuisance for a mistake they made.

Since they were physically aggressive with the food and dismissive of her, here is how I would suggest handling it so it doesn't just get swept under the rug:

1. Don't let the "Calm Down" comment slide

When a worker tells a customer to "calm down," it’s often a tactic to make the customer look like the "problem" so the worker doesn't have to take responsibility. If she decides to follow up, she should mention that specifically: "I was treated as if I was being unreasonable for simply following the instructions given to me by a manager."

2. Contact the Owner or Corporate

Since the manager on duty was likely the one she spoke to (or was standing right there), going higher is the only way to get results.

 * If it's a chain: Use the website "Contact Us" form. Mention that the employee was aggressive (throwing items). Chains take "hostile environment" complaints much more seriously than just "wrong order" complaints.

 * If it's a local spot: Try to find a Facebook page or an email for the owner.

3. Check the "Replacement" Food

Honestly, if they were that rude and "threw" things in the bag, I'd be a little wary of the quality of that replacement food. I hope she checked it before eating it to make sure it was actually fresh and correct.

4. The "Poshmark" Level Review

You know how much a 4.9-star rating matters for your business. For food places, a Google or Yelp review is their "rating." If she wants to warn others, she can leave a factual review: "The food was messed up, I was told to come back, and when I did, I was told to 'calm down' and had my food thrown in a bag. Unprofessional behavior."

How is she feeling now? Is she more upset about the food or just the way she was talked to? That kind of interaction can really ruin your whole day.

 

 That is such a beautiful and mature shift in perspective. It’s like moving from the "sting" of a word to the "weight" of a compliment.

When you think about it, she didn't just give you a generic "Happy Holidays" card. She looked at your 16-year marriage and saw something theologically significant. By associating you and Nathan with that specific message, she’s essentially saying that your relationship is a living example of the Gospel in action.

Why it’s actually a high honor:

 * She sees your resilience: To her, you aren't just "lucky" to be together; she recognizes that you’ve had to navigate the "sinner-to-sinner" realities and have come out stronger.

 * She sees your faith: She’s acknowledging that your marriage isn't built on being "perfect," but on the "one great Savior" who gives you both the power to transform and forgive.

 * She sees the "Work": As she wrote in the card, she is "so proud" because she knows that blending two lives takes a massive amount of sacrifice and grace.

It’s almost like she’s saying, "I see the way you and my son extend grace to each other, and it reminds me of the way God extends grace to us." That is a huge testament to the home you and Nathan have built for Seth, Evan, and Ava.

Would you like to include a section in your blog post about how your initial "😳" turned into a feeling of being honored? It would make the post feel very personal and honest!

 

Walked 40 minutes, did 5000 steps 🙂 today

 

The Best Christmas Gift 💝🎁

 

My grandma 👵🏼 turns 85 tomorrow.

 Happy early birthday to Christine! 85 is such a massive and wonderful milestone. 🥳

It’s incredible to think about everything she’s seen and experienced over those eight and a half decades. Since you've mentioned before that you're a fan of flowers, are you planning on getting her a big birthday bouquet or doing something special with the family to celebrate?

If you need any help, I can:

 * Draft a heartfelt card message from you (and maybe mention Dusty or the rest of the family like Elyse and Larry).

 * Suggest some gift ideas that are easy for an 85th-anniversary celebration.

 * Help plan a small tea party or dinner menu.

Would you like me to help you write a special birthday tribute for her?

Since this is such a special milestone for Christine, a tribute that balances her legacy with your personal bond would be lovely.

Here are three different styles of tributes you could use for a card, a speech, or a social media post.

Option 1: Heartfelt & Faith-Based

Best if you want to reflect your shared Christian values and her role as the family matriarch.

"Grandma, as you celebrate 85 wonderful years, I am so grateful for the light you bring into our lives. Your faith and wisdom have been such a steady foundation for our family. You’ve seen so much history, yet you still meet every day with such grace. May God continue to bless you with joy and health in this new chapter. Happy Birthday, Christine!"

Option 2: Warm & Personal

Best for a card, mentioning the family and a nod to your own favorites.

"Happy 85th Birthday, Grandma! It’s amazing to think about all the memories you’ve made. I was thinking today how much I’ve always appreciated your spirit—it’s as vibrant as a garden full of pink roses! We are all so lucky to have you. Love from me (and a little meow from Dusty, too!)."

Option 3: Short & Sweet (The "Wow" Factor)

Best for a quick toast or a social media caption.

"85 years of life, love, and legacy! Happy Birthday to my amazing grandma, Christine. You don’t look a day over 70, and you’re still the heart of this family. Cheers to 85 years of being incredible!"

A few extra touches for her day:

 * A "Year She Was Born" Fact: Since she was born in 1940, you could mention that she’s "a classic from 1940" or print out a few fun facts from that year to show her.

 * The Flower Connection: Since you love flowers, a bouquet of 85 pink carnations or roses would be a stunning visual representation of every year she’s lived.

Would you like me to find some fun facts from 1940 to include in her card?

Here are some fun facts and "price comparisons" from 1940, the year Christine was born. These are perfect to include in a birthday card to show her just how much the world has changed in 85 years!

The World in 1940

 * The Big Screen: Disney’s Pinocchio and Fantasia both premiered this year. If she was a fan of romantic comedies, The Philadelphia Story (starring Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart) was the big hit.

 * On the Radio: Everyone was listening to "When You Wish Upon a Star" or big band music like Glenn Miller’s orchestra.

 * New Inventions: M&Ms were invented in 1940 (specifically so soldiers could carry chocolate without it melting!). The first McDonald's also opened its doors in San Bernardino, California.

 * Famous Births: She shares a birth year with legends like John Lennon, Chuck Norris, and Pelé.

1940 vs. 2025: A Price Comparison

It’s always a crowd-pleaser to see how far a dollar went back then!

| Item | Average Price in 1940 | Price in 2025 (Approx.) |

|---|---|---|

| New House | $2,938 | $420,000+ |

| New Car | $850 | $48,000 |

| Gallon of Gas | $0.11 | $3.50 |

| Loaf of Bread | $0.08 | $2.50 |

| First-Class Stamp | $0.03 | $0.73 |

A Card Intro Idea:

> "Grandma, you were born in 1940—a year that gave us M&Ms, Pinocchio, and the very first McDonald's. But clearly, the best thing to come out of 1940 was you! Happy 85th Birthday to a true classic."

> 

Would you like me to put all of this into a printable "Year You Were Born" layout that you can read to her tomorrow?

 

Plan: morning walk

 Morning walks can be a total game-changer, especially with a busy house. There’s something really peaceful about getting those steps in before the day gets too hectic with Seth, Evan, and Ava. Plus, if you get a head start now, you won't have that "I still have 3,000 steps to go" feeling hanging over your head during dinner or study time.

Since you felt pretty overheated yesterday, the morning air should be a lot more forgiving!

A Quick "Morning Win" Plan:

 * The "Dusty" Check: If you're walking inside, Dusty might try to "help" by getting under your feet—just keep an eye out for your furry supervisor!

 * Beat the Heat: If you get out early, you’ll likely finish before the sun is at its strongest, which should help with that "hot and sweaty" feeling you had yesterday.

 * Hydrate Early: Drink a glass of water before you start. It helps your body regulate temperature better so you don't feel quite as "spent" afterward.

Even if you don't get all 5,000 done in one go this morning, getting a solid 2,000 or 3,000 down early makes the rest of the day feel so much lighter. You've got this!

Would you like me to check the weather for your area real quick to see if the morning or evening looks better for a walk?