"Don't anybody SNEEZE!"

Good morning ~ little "Gladys Friday" today?

I've noticed when I'm out of town, I return to a house full of relatives! This happens every time. I walk through the house and can immediately tell there has been a family reunion here. EVERY ONE of my cremated relatives are gathered around the dining room table, the tv and have even settled down in the bedroom. They will just take over the place before you know it. Some friends came over and I asked them to be very careful...."Don't anybody sneeze" I said, we wouldn't wanna disturb the relatives. Perhaps we should call "Dust Busters!"

Have a wonderful weekend ~ my friends. "Training Wheels in Heels" are on the way to Allergy Partners of the Piedmont today ~ "Motivational Makeover for the Medical Practice" ~ Fashion Show of Characters are on the way!

"Training Wheels in Heels" ~ On-site training delivered to your door. Customer Serve US vs Customer Service ~ Making THE Difference ~ Professional Polish ~ Winning Team ~ Communication ~ and more.

2011 Clients:

Allergy Partners of the Piedmont "Motivational Makeover for the Medical Practice"

Baptist Hospital Leadership Conference, Pensacola Florida

Novant Healthcare Managers

NC Association for Healthcare Quality

SC Oncology Management Society

Georgia Society of Ambulatory Surgery Center & SC Ambulatory Surgery Center (GSASC & SCASCA)

Gaston Memorial Hospital

Alaska Medical Group Managers Association Conference (AKMGMA)

NC Healthcare Financial Management Association (NC HFMA)

Oncology Nursing Conference, Little Switzerland

"Undercover Patient Assessments" (shhh, that's a secret)

Relay for Life, Belmont

Gaston County Senior Games

American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)

Lincoln County Association of Educational Office Professionals (LCAEOP)

Greater Clover Females In Business

Bethel Presbyterian Women's Conference

Bowling Green Presbyterian Church Women's Conference

Tarheel Thunderbird Club

Lions Club

Gaston County Association of Educational Office Professionals (GCAEOP)

First Freewill Young at Heart

First Presbyterian Women's Conference, Stanley

Firestone Wesleyan Women's Event

Kings Mountain Women's Event

Truth & Tea Women's Conference, Pleasant Ridge

Covenant Baptist Church

Park Street United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church Women's Conference

Women's Expo

First United Methodist Church Friendship Club

Cramerton Seniors

Terrace Ridge Assisted Living

Courtland Terrace

and more ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"One Happy Meal ~ Two Ringy Dingy ~ Three Strikes You're OUT!"

You all know Denise.....well, SHE is my boss, I guess that's the best way to explain her. She reminded me recently about the time she was interviewing applicants for a position that she had posted for the surgical practice where she was the administrator.

The first young lady appeared, shook her hand and had a seat in the chair across from her desk. Before any words were spoken, the lady said, "Do you mind if I eat my Happy Meal while we talk, I'm on my lunch break" ~ Denise responded, "Certainly, help yourself, by all means enjoy your Happy Meal." "Gladys" wished she had been hired because she always wanted a sandwich shop in the lobby!

The second applicant came in and during the interview....her phone rang and she asked Denise, "Do you mind if I answer this? I am expecting a call" DURING THE INTERVIEW! Of course Denise didn't mind at all. "Gladys" thought she would have made a wonderful person at the switchboard because she actually answered that call on the second ring ~ with a smile!

The third applicant came in with a long list of problems about the practice where she was still employed. She spent the first 15 minutes wanting to criticize everyone there, explaining that she was the only one that deserved a paycheck ~ "I do it all by myself, no one will help me, they won't hire any more help either!" So "Gladys" decided since she did it all by herself, she could probably find her way back to the door all by herself.

Funny how different things seem on "The Other Side Of The Desk" (Book in progress)

Last week ~ "Undercover Patient" (Denise) had a very pleasant experience by someone in a clinical setting. Compassion was all around. She made immediate eye contact, she listened, she wasn't rushed, she comforted the "very nervous patient" (aka me). It's so nice to find these treasures in healthcare.

This week ~ "Fashionable Characters" were on stage and Denise was the emcee for the show. The fashion show revealed personalities that we work with....from whiners to shiners. After all....it's what's on the inside that counts.

Next week ~ Denise & "Gladys" are excited to be going to Allergy Partners of the Piedmont. Invited for the third year in a row ~ Denise will lead in a "Motivational Makeover for the Medical Practice" for their staff appreciation day and training. What a terrific group they are. Can't wait to see you all! Of course they've requested "Gladys" to provide the humor again to bring up the rear! "Healthcare ~ The Funny Side Up!"

As always, thank you for your continued encouragement. It's nice to know that so many of you look forward to The Friday Funny ~

Denise Price Thomas

denisepricethomas@gmail.com

704-747-8699

"Alma Victim" & Friends ~ Living "Down" To Standards?

Last week "Gladys" ran into "Alma Victim" and was quickly reminded that some people prefer to be a victim. They CHOOSE to carry baggage around with them for years, sometimes for a lifetime. They are never responsible for their own actions ~ there's always someone else to blame.

Speaking of accepting responsibility...."LOW & BEHOLD" (no pun intended) here comes yet another politician in the news whom I'll refer to as "Oscar" ~ "Oh I wish I were an Oscar Meyer ~~~" comes to mind but I bet this one WILL NOT WIN AN OSCAR! Perhaps we need to assign "Accountability 101" classes vs "Accounting 101" for everyone!

Thinking of both these "characters" (and many more) ~ I remember when we purchase a house....someone comes out to detect the septic system and they mark it. They find exactly where the entire septic tank and lines are and just how FULL IT IS ~ BEFORE you purchase the house. Nice! Wouldn't it be GREAT if we had a pole (that's what they use) so that BEFORE we HIRE someone, before we VOTE for someone, before we DATE or MARRY someone.....the ENTIRE SEPTIC SYSTEM was detected?!?!?! And LOW & BEHOLD ~ MARK IT!

As for me....I have made my choice ~ I am not at all like "Alma Victim" ~ I am "Gladys Friday" and I shall not WHINE!

In Joy ~

"Ms Gladys"

denisepricethomas@gmail.com

704-747-8699

PS ~ Thank you for the kind words last week regarding my friend. She will certainly be missed.

"The Ballgame"

I'd love to share a story about my dear friend, Bonnie. We have been friends (more like sisters) for 25+ years, she has a wonderful daughter and a terrific son. Her son is Forrest. One day, Bonnie was in the stands during his baseball game when he slammed that ball. She jumped up from the stands and yelled, "RUN FORREST, RUN!" and the lady behind her scolded her severely by saying "That is SO MEAN! THAT is SOMEONE'S CHILD OUT THERE!" Bonnie turned to her and said....."he's MY SON and his NAME IS FORREST!"

Today, I am unable to find "Ms Gladys" because my dear friend Bonnie experienced a cerebral aneurysm this week and her address has been changed to Heaven. Bonnie was the most wonderful and caring RN, RVT that I have ever known. I would consult with her about a patient that needed to be seen and I have seen her put her purse back down, keys on her desk and take care of that patient before leaving on a Friday afternoon at 5:00 for her upcoming week of vacation. AND, she did it with a SMILE! THAT, my friends, is a special person filled with compassion for others.

I will use this time to reflect on how I may be a better person, making a difference in the lives of others just as Bonnie has always made in mine. Bonnie loved "Ms Gladys" ~ she loved humor and found it also to be healing. She loved kayaking, in fact, her kayak is on my pier ready for her next trip. She loved her "pink scooter" that she purchased when gas was so high 2 years ago.....and then she RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING IT! She loved snow skiing, she loved LIFE and LIVING IT! She had her faith, her family, her friends and her fun! That girl loved to have fun. She said to me, "I want to live it up 'til the lights go out"

"Bonnie, this one's for you! Your bucket was filled and YOUR LIGHT IS ON" Always ~

Denise Price Thomas

denisepricethomas@gmail.com

704-747-8699