I am a Rock...I am an Island

Simon and Garfunkel's lyrics speak of someone who has been hurt (by love) so he or she retreats away from the world for protection.

We have had the attack of a nasty cold/flu virus in our household which has left me feeling like a shut-in for the past two weeks (aside from doctor's appointments). To top it off, we have been seeing a pediatrician for Addisyn's weight. Although all is positive (she is just long, lean and extremely active), I am feeling the pressure for both of my peanuts to put the poundage on, which of course I only have so much control over. I am feeling island-like. Isolated.

My friend from Arizona visited and was excitedly discussing her anticipation of the opening ceremony for the Olympics. Olympics? I had actually forgotten they were occurring.

I am hoping my isolation (or should I say quarantine) is over for a while and that I can have more of a Kanye West or Kelly Clarkson approach the hiccoughs in our family life. I am learning to live in the storm rather than look for away out. The a storm is not a bad place to be. Jesus was sleeping on the boat caught in a storm. I am feeling rock-like. Stronger.

I am grateful for friends and family who helped me feel connected despite my isolation the past couple of weeks.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you fighter..."
(Kelly Clarkson's Stronger)

Bible Reflections:

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
^"6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

I am learning that there is nowhere I can go, where God has not gone ahead of me. I am learning that when we are isolated by trials it is in order that we may draw near to Him. I am learning that we must not stay in isolation, so that we may out pour His Love with genuine connections to others.

"You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all."
(You are my All in All)

Didi and Daddy after a walk in the rain, she stayed dry and fell asleep...

...the rest of us got soaked all in the name of getting Daddy some chocolate milk.

 (We could have driven the car, but walking with the chance of rain seemed more exciting).

As Time Moves

Rylyn received her official Celiac Disease diagnosis yesterday. The Dr. said that the scope results were textbook. From here I will be advocating for follow-up with our family doctor and pediatrician alongside our yearly check-ins with McMaster Children's Hospital. Chris and I have both had blood tests to err on the side of caution and Addisyn will be tested once she is on solid food.


Time is a funny thing. The appointment which seemed so far away is now behind us. We will continue to pray  for healing for Rylyn because God is her creator, we have seen miracles before and He longs for us to come to Him with our concerns so that we may draw near to Him. We are also praying for Addisyn as we will be seeing the pediatrician for her weight in the next few weeks.


On a less important note, there is no progress with Jenny Maids, but I do know DealFind is inquiring about the problem prior to refunding my money and as per Better Business Bureau's policy, Jenny Maids has 30 days to respond to my complaint. I won't give up, but this too will be behind me shortly.

James 4:8a

⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

As mentioned, here is the video of the girls I have shot and edited. I included a shot of Rylyn from January so you can see the difference in her face and body. She has already put on almost 2 lbs since going gluten free so I look forward to posting before and after pictures at a later date. I hope the video brings joy to your day as the girls do to mine.

Jenny Maids Review

First of all, if you are reading this to see if Jenny Maids (cleaning service located out of St. Catharine's, ON, Canada) is worth your time and money, please hear me loud and clear, NO. Put away your wallet and save yourself the stress.

I will be upfront. The purpose of this review is to deter anyone from using Jenny Maids, a service that is customer unfriendly. I want this review to negatively impact their business. Not because I am so spiteful I want them to go under. Rather, I want them to change their way of business to improve. However, if Jenny Maids continues to function how they presently operate, then in my humble opinion, they deserve to fold and file for bankrupcy.

History: Last fall (2011) I purchased three vouchers on Dealfind.com for 3 hours of Jenny Maids cleaning service (9 hours total) for $29 a piece or $87 total not including taxes or gratuties.

Secondly, I have NOTHING positive to say about this company. I will explain both short and the long of it. The short of it is that I have been trying to redeem my vouchers now for 2 months with no luck. Jenny Maids, please watch the movie The Rainmaker. It is about a lousy insurance company that initially denies all claims and keeps denying claims. They operate on the principal that the client will give up. No payout, equals full profit.

The long of it is it is my suspicion that Jenny Maids operates their vouchers on this principal. Jenny Maids, the client in The Rainmaker is that small percent chance of a client that does not give up, hires a lawyer and forces the insurance company into bankrupcy. At this time, I am not looking for a long legal battle over something as frivilous as having my home cleaned. On the other hand, I will not give up until I feel justice for my time and money is served.

People ask for their homes to be cleaned because they are looking to save time or because they need help. The main problem with Jenny Maids is they create more work. It is a battle to make an appointment to get one's home cleaned. Then, when they do not show up or cancel, one is left with all the housework that was counted on being done. Of course, one must also factor in the time spent to prepare for the cleaning.

I have made three appointments. Two which were cancelled minutes before the appointment time (the maids for our area had called in sick) and the third was a no show. I called after each of the first two appointments to reschedule and voice my frustration. In addition to these calls I sent emails. After repeated requests to speak with a manager or have one phone, I am still waiting.

The phone number on the vouchers does not even work. I initially had to Google them to find a different number to use. Once dialing this number one will NEVER get a person, just a machine. Jenny Maids calls one back, probably in hopes of not getting an answer. The circle continues in hope of the client giving up indefinitely.

Finally, here is an excerpt from my last email to Jenny Maids:

"I would like to reiterate, with emphasis, it is NOT okay:
-to cancel an appointment minutes beforehand, when services such as this require 24h cancellation notice from their clients
-to be under staffed
-to leave a family in need of help with cleaning unserviced, especially when I have made an appointment and already paid you for the service (people make plans around a clean home)
- to make more work for someone who has paid to have a service to lighten their load

I have two babies. I need help around the house. I was counting on this appointment today and your company let me down AGAIN.

I will once again attempt to speak with a real live person next week, which I was unsuccessful at this week. I am first dealing with you. This is my first step. If you are unable to uphold your end of service I will expect a refund in full. The secretary [name removed] said she would forward my concerns to her supervisor [name removed] and she would phone me back. I am still waiting for that call.

My possible next steps will be to do the following:
-contact DealFind
-write a negative review on my blog, which receives a lot of traffic and I imagine will affect your business... www.momnowwhat.com
-contact the Better Business Bureau and give a negative report
-legal advice with possible action

I am not looking to make enemies. I am just trying to get a service I paid for and to improve your business' service for others in the future. I would not treat anyone the way I have been treated by your company. I have been firm, but I have NOT been rude, lost my temper or used profanity and yet I feel like my concerns are being ignored. What will it take to have my home cleaned and concerns heard? Thank you and I look forward to your response and call."

If you have made it to the end, thanks for reading. I have already contacted DealFind and plan to follow-up this entry with the Better Business Bureau. DealFind's response will determine my next steps, if any. I will keep you posted.

I plan to follow up this extremely negative post with a video of the girls I have been filming and hope to edit this week. As per my Facebook post, Rylyn's scope went well and we get results late next week. Thank you for your support and prayers.

***

Psalm 25:20-21 (NIV) Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.

-I think this says it all!