Aidpage

I have a story I want to share with the members of Aidpage, but the only way I can tell the full story is to go into lengthy detail.  Still, what I want to say is very important, so I will do my utmost best to make it as interesting as possible. 

I believe that every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.  I have lived my entire life by those standards and have befriended everyone who has entered my life, which is probably why I wasn't popular in High School.  Everyone is important and should be treated as such, especially when we become adults and enter the work force where we are expected and obligated to uphold the integrity of that company.  Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to uphold those values.

Since I am the sole provider of my family of four, I don't often spend money on myself.  I don't get manicures or pedicures.  I'm 44 years old and I've only had 3 manicures and 1 pedicure in my entire life.  My first manicure was in June 1991 prior to my wedding day.  My second manicure was on Administrative Professionals Day in 2002 where I received a gift certificate from by boss.  My third and last manicure was also on Administrative Professionals Day in 2008 when I received another gift certificate from my boss, which also included a pedicure.  However, I love makeup and will splurge on cosmetics whenever I can afford to do so.  Since I have extremely sensitive skin, once I find a cosmetic product that works for me, I remain a loyal customer for life. 

My story begins with an encounter I had recently with a particular company.  In 2010, I discovered a cosmetic company online that specialized in paramedical camouflage makeup.  When I read more about the company, I was even more drawn to their products when I learned that the owner/CEO was associated with highly respectable plastic surgeons.  At that time, I became a loyal customer and continued to place orders with this company on a regular basis, and even praised them for offering products that I had been looking for throughout most of my adult life.  I didn't start having problems until the fall of 2011. 

It all started with problems with their website.  On numerous occasions, their website would be down and I was unable to place orders, so I would contact the company where I was asked to provide my credit card information via email.  Once their website became available again, it wasn't working properly.  Many of the links contained server application errors, which would later lead to missing or lost orders.  Once again, I contacted the company where I was asked to provide my credit card information via email.  On one particular occasion, I chose to use a different credit card to place an order.  When the order didn’t go through again, I was asked to email my credit card information to the company in which I provided the new credit card number I wanted to use.  For some reason, they charged my order to the wrong credit card, which was the old credit card number they had on file instead of the new one I had just provided in an email.  Therefore, I had to email the company again and request that they reverse the charges on one card and apply them to another card.  In each case involving lost orders and/or ordering and billing issues, they were apologetic, and on two occasions offered me a complimentary product for the trouble, which was greatly appreciated.  Then things got worse.

Since I no longer trusted their website, I did not feel comfortable placing another order until their website problems were corrected, so I contacted the company to express my concerns.  In fact, the following statement is provided on their website by the owner, so I was only doing what they asked.  "We have taken great measures to ensure that your visit to the Site is an excellent one and that your privacy is constantly respected. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the Site's privacy practices, please email us at XXXXXXXX.@comcast.net".  I went on further to explain that I would be placing all future orders by mail and paying by check, but asked if they had any sample products they could offer to accommodate me for the extra time-frame of waiting for a mail order to process.  They declined, but I was perfectly okay with that.

Then a few days later an unauthorized charge appeared on my credit card from this company when I had not recently placed an order.  In fact, I had just informed them that I would no longer be placing credit card orders until their website was working properly.  I contacted the company by email and received no response, so I called them to explain what had happened.  The individual who answered the call was extremely rude to me from the moment she answered the phone.  I heard the fumbling of papers as if she was sorting through a file and she immediately made an accusation that I had deliberately placed the order and now wanted to cancel it.  I had done no such thing!  Then she brought up the email where I had asked for a sample product and she rudely said to me, "And here you asked for a complimentary product and we don't do that!"  I couldn't believe how I was being treated!  Then she went on to say, "So you're saying you don't want this order now!"  I replied, "No, I don't want it, because I never ordered it!"  I tried expressing my concerns that the application errors with their website is most likely causing the problems, possibly even duplicating orders, but I was abruptly cut off.  Out of frustration and getting nowhere with this individual, I said, "You know what?”  If you're going to be so rude about it, then I don't have to remain a customer!"  She said, "I'm not being rude at all, and I'm the owner's niece!"  Okay, does that give her the right to treat me with disreprect?  I replied by saying, "I don't care who you are!  We don't treat people that way where I'm from!"  She ended the call by saying, "I don't care either!  We don't want or need your business!", and hung up on me without settling the dispute involving the unauthorized charges on my credit card. 

Shortly thereafter, I received an email from the owner, who accused me of placing orders and then having the charges reversed; stating it was becoming a problem.  This is not true!  The first time was because they charged the wrong credit card, which was their fault and not mine.  The only other time was when they made an unauthorized charge to my credit card.  I was also accused of asking for free products and after those requests had been honored, asking for more free products!  That couldn't be further from the truth!  Any complimentary products I received were offered to me because of the trouble I was having with their website.  The email ended by telling me that their company would no longer do business with me and asked that I not place any future orders.  How insulting!  What happened to treating all customers with dignity and respect?  I had been a loyal customer for 2 years and customer loyalty is imperative for building good customer relations.  When the same customers do business with you in the long-term, they'll recommend your business to others.  In doing so, they'll help it grow.  Does this company not understand that terminology?  Well, the story doesn't end here.

I knew I had done nothing to deserve the way I was treated, therefore was determined to defend the accusations against me.  I promptly wrote a complaint letter to the owner, which also included copies of the paper trail of emails exchanged between the company and me that corroborated my story and the problems I’d encountered as a result of doing business with them.  Although I wanted to ensure that the unauthorized charges were removed from my credit card, my primary goal was the hope of receiving a much deserved apology from the company for the way I was treated.  I received nothing.  So I took the next step and filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.  This apparently angered the owner, because they responded back to the BBB with an angry letter that added more insult to injury.  When I read their response to my complaint, I was disgusted by some of the horrific things that were said about me and I felt degraded for days.  The following are actual statements this company made to the Better Business Bureau in an attempt to degrade my character.

"I am enclosing copies of correspondence that was sent to my company which indicates the "severity" and absolute EXTREME URGENCY by this disturbed customer.  This customer has been given complimentary products in an attempt to appease her since her website order didn't process.  I feel threatened by this customer and ask that she not contact me or my company anymore."  Am I now a “disturbed” customer for defending my rights?  This statement is coming from the owner of a company who also does business with customers who are former patients of plastic surgery.  Some are possibly burn victims, former victims of domestic violence, etc., who are not only seeking products to help them look their best, but also for emotional support through compassion and empathy from a business owner who specializes in treating special skin care needs.  I’m not a former plastic surgery patient, but knowing what this experience has done to my self-esteem, I sincerely hope that no one else has endured this type of treatment from this company.

The unauthorized charges were ultimately credited back to my card, but a simple apology from the company would have prevented my complaint letter in the first place.  I hope that my message will create awareness to prevent it from happening to others.  In doing so, I will show the owner of this particular company the respect that was not shown to me by not publicly exposing the name of the company, name of the owner, or the website address.  However, I will reveal that this company is located in Reisterstown, Maryland and specializes in Paramedical Camouflage cosmetics. 

Thank you for reading my story.

A nurse escorted a tired, anxious young man to the bed side of an elderly man. "Your son is here," she whispered to the patient. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack and he dimly saw the young man standing outside the oxygen tent.

He reached out his hand and the young man tightly wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing a message of encouragement. The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside. All through the night the young man sat holding the old mans hand, and offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing as he held tightly to his son.

As dawn approached, the patient died. The young man placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding, and then he went to notify the nurse.

While the nurse did what was necessary, the young man waited. When she had finished her task, the nurse began to say words of sympathy to the young man.

But he interrupted her. "Who was that man?" He asked.

The startled nurse replied, "I thought he was your father."

"No, he was not my father," he answered. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?" asked the nurse.

He replied, "I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me..."

By Unknown

Ugly

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.

To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one ugly cat!"

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.

Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear- Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful.

He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give myself totally to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.

Author Unknown

Just for Now


Just for now, just for this moment, allow the body to be at ease.
Just for now ….. invite the mind and body to slow down.
Just for now….. feel the breath glide in and out without effort.
Just for now ….. quiet the inner critic and judge.
Just for now ….. feel the peaceful mind.
Just for now ….. feel the bliss of a calm body and mind.
Just for now ….. enjoy the pleasure in just being.
Just for now ….. rest in clear, unbiased awareness.

Dedicate your day to Adopting a Person – or people as you see, meet, pass them. Here’s a simple way to bring more happiness into your life and into the world.

Become a vehicle for kindness and friendliness as you go about your normal daily activities. Bring people back into the family of humanity by acknowledging their presence. Spread kindness one person at a time and notice how you feel. It may be a silent moment inside of you that warms your heart or it may involve an actual interaction with another person.
Some of the ways to Adopt a Person:

Smile at someone
Say “Thank you”
Hold a door open for someone
Say “Hello”
Look someone in the eye with warmth and friendliness
Wave and smile at a stranger
See with warm, kind eyes as you walk through a market place or drive your car
If someone speaks to you, pause and really listen
Give someone else the parking spot
Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know
Compliment someone on how they look or something they did
Make someone feel seen or heard
Find your own creative way to send gestures of kindness and good will

First do this with people that are easy for you to feel natural kindness and friendliness toward – even strangers. Don’t forget to include those closest to you.
Then go the extra mile and do it with people that are difficult – pause and find one thing about them that you can appreciate or respect and let that be the catalyst for returning to an inner feeling of kindness for that person—even if you don’t speak to him or her.
You might even want to keep track of how many people you Adopt in a day. But be sure to notice how you feel when you do this simple practice of the heart. You may notice you are more aware of others and less absorbed in your own stories for awhile.
Also be sure to notice how others respond to you, whether you speak to them or not. Your inner and outer presence will convey to them your intention to be kind and friendly.
This is something you have to try for yourself. You can’t just think about it. You have to put it into action to know the results.

Some of us may have loved ones to share this day with, some of us may be all alone, and some of us may not celibrate holidays at all. Well as a friend and Familia, I wanted to tell everyone on Aidpage Happy V-Day. Many blessings and know that I am here for all yinz if anyone needs to talk, vent, or just need a friend, just know that I am a message away!

Many Blessings for love,health & happiness to all the wonderfull people on aidpage!

Here is a poem for all of AidPage it is very true for all of you so I was compelled to share with my V-Day Cheer:

Lots of Love,

PittsburghMomma

(Next Monday is my Birthday!)

   When I was a child I hated Halloween. I was never a kid that needed many sweets and the idea of knocking on a door to receive them was crazy. What I really disliked was the costumes, because of the mask. The mask were used to create an illusion of secrecy. The idea was to hide who we really were, and become someone else. I know it's all apart of childhood, and fantasy, but some times we grow up and continue to wear a mask.
   We dare to be different, but we strive to be accepted. Our mask may change from day to day, they can be based on the situation we are in, or the group that surrounds us. Some times we become what others want, or expect us to be, and in the process we lose a little of who we are.
   When someone is being cruel, or making a joke at the cost of another's reputation do we laugh, do we join in, do we put the mask of unkindness on to be a part of the majority? Do we become what we don't like to win the approval of others and be accepted? We have all been there. It's sometimes easier to listen to the gossip, to join in, and maybe add to the problem. We are taught that we are to treat other's the way we would like to be treated, but would we really like to be treated the way we treat others? Do we wear the mask of cruelty more then the mask of kindness?
    We cannot ever really see into the heart of another. We may think we know them, and deem them to be trust worthy, but then a situation may occur that causes us pain and we begin to view them in a different light. We begin to see the human flaws, and we feel let down, and dissapointed. We feel wronged and justified in our anger, but we neglect the understanding needed to see that they too may be feeling pain.
    There are also those times where we are the problem. We see ourselves as being better then someone because they are different , or don't share our ideas and beliefs. We put on the mask of pride and delusion. We make ourselves feel better by attacking the person who goes against us, forgetting that we are all created different, and those differences are what makes life exciting. We tend not to embrace the lessons learned through others, instead we put on the mask of intentional pain and open our mouths and allow our words to be used as weapons. We forget the bond and closeness we once shared, and we forget that they were once friends. We put on the warrior mask and plan out attack. We create our army and become upset whenever others refuse to be a part of it. We feel we have been betrayed and we proudly wear the mask of the victim.
    There was a man who also was adorned in a costume that he did not deserve. He was accused of crimes he did not commit, and given an unfair trial. He was beaten, spit upon, and belittled. They placed a crown of thrones on his head, and placed a robe on his bloody, beaten body. they then made him carry a cross which they nailed him to. He wore no mask, he had nothing to hide, only love to give. He loved so much that He allowed Himself to die for us. He became the only true sacrifice in order for us to be able to live victorious without the mask of human nature. He arose from the grave and sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us, and empower us in order for us to be able to overcome the mask that satan wants us to wear. The evil mask that kills, steals, and destories. The mask that robs us of our joy, and causes us to behave unkindly.
    We are the only ones who have control of our mask. At the end of the day, we are the one who has to look into the mirror, and decide if are we happy with our appearance. Do we see ourselves as we really are, or are we fooling ourselves. Do we try to please others at the risk or hurting someone in the process, do we hide behind the mask and use it for our personal gain, or do we allow the Lord to help us remove the mask and become who He wants us to be.
Maybe if we would spend less time focusing on the weaknesses of others, then maybe we would have more time to work on our own. Maybe if we would allow the Lord to help us, and change us into His imagine, then maybe we would be able to put away the mask. and become who we should be, and who the Lord intended us to be.
   Father God, I pray that you bless us. Speak to our hearts, and give us the opportunity for others to see you in us. Change our attitudes, and create in us a desire to remove the mask and be the people you created us to be. Help us to be able to look in the mirror and be happy with the image that we see. Continue to love us in spite of our faults, and teach us to be more like you. Remind us to be kind and considerate to those around us. Help us to think before we speak, and use our words to help and not hinder. Help us to love one another, and truely treat others how we would want to be treated. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN

Today, purpose to show love to someone. Each of us has individual gifts, so what you have to use only you know.

I have had, what I thought were passing conversations with people that made a significant impact in their lives. For example, I passed a young woman in a community college hall that was feeling discouraged because she did not get into dental hygiene school. I encouraged her and mentioned a few tips. A couple of years later she approached me to tell me she got in and that my words had changed her life. She explained that she felt defeated that day and was trying to figure out what direction to go. She found motivation in my few words. Wow, really? I remembered the situation, but in no way viewed it the way she did.

I am not trying to pat myself on the back, but to encourage others. We are islands in ourselves, but can do great things together.

Sure the grocery clerk is just doing her job, but why not let her know how you appreciate her. What about the friendly guy at the drive-thru window? These are the very people that could use some encouragement. Write a little note and stick it on a window.

My two cents--
Cassandra Minor

My mother was a wonderful Christian lady, who tried to seek good in everyone. She became angry very seldom, and had a difficult time understanding why others seem to enjoy causing pain. I went back and read some of her earlier post today, and the following in an insert from one of her post that I would like to share.

( I do appreciate the encouragement many of you have shown, and I am trying to visit this site a much as possible in hopes of being an encouragement to others. But I do request that if you cannot be an encouragement, then please, do not respond to my blog. You may not realize how hurtful your words could be to others.
I feel we should be here to help build each other up, and not to tear each other down. I am sure we have all heard our mothers say " If you cannot say anything nice, then do not say anything at all". God Bless You All)

We all experience those times we speak before we think. We insert our foot into our mouth, and then wish we had been wiser, because words are hard to take back. We have all done it, ands will do it again, because we are human.
What's hard for me to understand is when people do think before they speak, and they intentionally choose words to hurt and break a person's spirit. Those are the people I worry about and feel the need to pray harder for.
We are blessed with the ability to talk and share our thoughts. Words used wisely can be a wonderful tool to help encourage others, but when they are used to hurt they become like a two-edged sword that pierces the heart and leaves scars.
Lets all try to make more of an effort to remember what this site is for. Everyone needs to be encouraged, but they do not need to be kicked when they are already down.
I pray that we guard our tongues, and use our words to help and not hinder. I pray that in spite of the different personalities and beliefs that we all can be more considerate to one another. Like my mom said, "If you cannot say anything nice, then say nothing at all"

God Bless
See you all in my prayers

Hello everyone I hope everyone is having a Great day! I did I spent some time with my 80 year old granmother. We had a great time. Hope everyone os doing good today. If any one hears of any thanksgiving programs in the next few days please let me know. untill next time-Bella

I will never understand how things are always different. I do realize that things change and that is life. But God never changes and yet sometimes people act as if he does. Go fuguire what is the ryme and reason. Or in the famous words facked for us: Blame It On The Rain.

 God bless you all and keep you warm and safe!

                                                       r. d. ruffin

                                                       robinart40

Hi there. I’m here because I really need some help. I am a 51 year old Veteran who found himself homeless eight days ago. I’ve never been on the streets before and I can’t imagine how long some of these people out here took before they got a routine down. I work, but it may not be possible to maintain employment for much longer. As I’m finding, once you live on the streets, every day is just a struggle to survive for that day. If you are employed, then everyday you work buys you food and keeps you somewhat clean for the next day of work. Homeless shelters have hours that don’t quite correspond with one’s working schedule, as is my situation. Finding the basics to just get by is a daunting task that exhausts the soul and not just the body. Some of you are aware of all this, so I won’t dwell.

I am on parole. I served a sentence for carjacking. I’m sorry. That statement right there will send many of you away believing I am getting what I deserve. The fact is, however, that the prison term I spent was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I took inventory of my life while inside and found that I didn’t like the person I was very much. I was cruel, selfish, and apathetic. I committed crimes because I somehow felt that it would make me whole.  Well, I was whole the whole time. Everything I need for happiness I have right here in my mind. Living in the moment allows me to see the wonder in all things and recognize that I am but just a part of a much bigger mechanism of change. I want to be a positive influence on society by helping others recognize their confused states of mind.

Right now, however, here I am. I am restricted in the places I can live because this county has gang injunction zones and I have had past gang associations. So anywhere near a nice place where good people hang out is out of the question for me as well as run-down areas where the seedier elements are known to congregate.  I have, however, found an apartment for 950.00 a month and a 950.00 deposit. I cannot afford this lump sum. I have two dollars in my pocket and that will buy me a place to have coffee while I charge my cell phone (424)229-0928. That’s it. I will asked for an advance on my pay tomorrow to cover the cost of eating and laundry. See, when I need to get out of the weather I have to have money to go into someplace. Even using the restroom is an ordeal because you need money to be a customer. Today I actually crapped my pants looking for someplace to use the restroom. If I could afford to pay the move-in costs of this apartment I would be able to keep monthly rent payments up because I would not have to rely on restaurants and fast food, and my clothes would stay a little cleaner, as well as myself. I have quite a few things and I may lose them living on the street. I am concerned about my possessions and I don’t know what to do.

Any help someone could offer would surely be appreciated and not be in vain. I will help others fix their lives in whatever way I can.

Well I got my car towed & am paying off the engine that's going n it its amazing how smaller companies are able to be nice n work with u on things (payments) compared to larger companies soo even with poop economy smaller biz are willing to work with u so if u'r having car repair issues keeping looking they know times are tough n someone might be willing to work with u since their biz is slow too. Smile chin up!!