Thank You, Hermitage Publix

In 2011, I finally called it quits on the Donelson Kroger and gave my heart to Publix, completely. For two YEARS I have literally been driving by SIX grocery stores to shop at the Hermitage Publix at Oakwood Commons.

Why? Two words. Customer Service.

For the past few years I have enjoyed the most pleasant shopping experiences. Buying groceries is not my favorite task. It's mundane and repetitive and takes up my time. However, I actually don't mind the weekly chore when shopping at Publix.

I've gone in dressed to the hilt and, other times, looking like a rag-a-muffin after a day at the lake. I always feel like I have VIP status at Publix. It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like. They treat all of their customers with the utmost respect. They look you in the eye. They ask you if you need help and they mean it. They ask how your day is and actually stick around to hear the answer. They aren't bothered by my daughter's weekly request for a cookie. They compliment her on her manners and wink at me. The deli knows how I like my meat sliced and the seafood department has answered countless questions for my curious Kindergartener. She now impresses everyone with her knowledge of lobsters. Plain and simple, they get to know their customers. My coupons are welcomed, rain checks are given freely, and I'm always offered help to the car. In fact, even when it's pouring down rain they have a plan for that too. My favorite employee always chats me up about SEC football and another has developed a bond with my daughter over Build-A-Bear. From the moment I enter the store until I climb back into the car, I am impressed and pleased at every turn.

I'm not quite sure what goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the employees are always so happy and helpful but it's a business model that others should be watching. It's certainly made me a beyond loyal customer.

Yet, after 3 years of bugging your corporate real estate department, I'm finally getting a Publix in my neck of the woods. No longer will I have to pass by multiple, subpar grocery stores to make my weekly purchases. The Hermitage Publix has been good to me. So good. Some wonder why I get so sentimental about it. It's just grocery shopping after all. Grocery shopping or not, I sometimes get the feeling that customer service is a dying art. So forgive me for flocking to one of the few places I can get it on a consistent basis. Your motto is "where shopping is a pleasure." I get it. Totally.

So, thank you, for being what you advertise... and then some.

My new Publix in Donelson has some big shoes to fill. They could learn a lot from you. I hope they don't let me down because I'm kind of looking forward to cutting my drive time down from 25 minutes to 10. It's been a long time coming. :)

P.S. Thank you to the real estate department for making it happen! I was your biggest fan and advocate before Donelson (37214) was even on your radar.

Back To School Without Breaking the Bank

Hello everyone. I just wanted to share with you another article I wrote for FUSION magazine. It's very timely considering that school is starting back. In fact, in my area, Tax Free days start tomorrow, which is another great way to save. Here's to another great school year.

*If you are unable to view the article in this post, please click here*

Ya'll - I'm Published!

Last year, around August, I was contacted by a magazine and asked to write an article for their quarterly publication. To say that I was thrilled is an understatement. It was a total God thing because He somehow orchestrated the right people to be in the right meeting at the right time discussing the right topic and miraculously my name came up. I've since been asked to write for them a few more times and they have been so fantastic and lovely to work with. It's also been a great outlet for me as I love to write and this has given me a good excuse to get to use a thesaurus. Oh how I love the thesaurus. I know, I'm a nerd. Granted, I just had to use spell check to fix "thesarus." I love words but spelling them is a whole other story. :)

Anyhoo, I digress.

In case you've never heard of FUSION, they are a devotional magazine for adults published by Randall House and it's distributed in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The magazine is part of the D6 curriculum that my church uses. I love the D6 program because it is consistent across the board, meaning that I am studying the same themes that my 5-year-old is learning about in her Sunday School class. It's really neat to hear her take on the same subject and it makes it super easy to discuss Biblical principles together.

Because there is such a big lead time in the publishing world, my article has just been released but this is a perfect time to share it. In the article, I give some ideas for how to have a fantastic and fun summer without breaking the bank. We are seriously counting down the last few days of school over here. Bring on summer fun!!! So, without further ado, please check out my very first published article....

Summer Family Fun on a Budget

(can I just tell you how cool it is to see my name in print! squee!!!)