I would just like to take this time to thank you for being a patron here at Starbucks. We are very pleased to see you every day and appreciate your patronage. I would also like to address some issues that have come up as of late. Clear the air as it were...

Item one on the docket...our bold roast. It's true we sometimes don't have it in the afternoon. This is a decree that has come down from on high (the big wigs in Seattle) in an effort to better serve you in the future. It is a temporary glitch that we are really trying to fix. In short the barista you see at the till who tells you there is no bold roast is not, I repeat, NOT, trying to ruin your day. He/She would absolutely love to serve you the roast of coffee that you prefer, however is unable to create it when it is not there. Please extend some grace to him/her and think about that fact that you are probably not the first, nor will you be the last, customer to mention your distaste about the lack of bold roast.

Item two...our lack of cinnamon/chocolate powder. When you loudly declare that we "NEVER" have the powder you want please understand that you are just adding to the amusement of our day. We would happily give you the powder you desire if we had it, again we are not keeping it from you for kicks. Really, we swear, there isn't any in the store. We aren't keeping it in the back as some sort of cruel joke to ruin your drink. Honestly. As soon as that powder is in the store we will make it a priority to get it out to you and promise to try and make sure that this shortage doesn't happen again. If you feel vindicated by making declarations that we can hear please know that it will definitely add a chuckle to our day, but isn't really going to impact us that much. However, if you feel better, good on ya, feel free to declare.

Item three...last but not least. This has actually been an on going thing that should have been addressed awhile ago, but hey better late than never right? It is in regards to the price difference you notice on the merchandise you purchase. Yes we are aware that there is a price difference between the Canadian and US. And yes we are also aware that right now the dollar value is pretty much equal. No we are not trying to milk you for more money and no we don't have the power to charge you the US price. A couple of suggestions...go online and order the item from Starbucks itself, you'll probably get the US price then...or take a trip out to the States for the weekend and stock up on all of the resonably priced items out there. Starbucks still gets the money...they're fine with that. Your friendly barista at the till can't do anything for you...really, she/he can't...even if you come in at a later date and ask another one...it still won't work. The prices are decided before they items are shipped out based on the rates at that time, MONTHS before. It is not a conspiracy...it's just not that quick to adapt. We are sorry for the inconvenience, please enjoy the Canadian priced drink we have made for you and try to have a wonderful day.

As an addendum...yes the drinks are cheaper in Alberta...they don't have a provincial tax...again, something we cannot change. :)

Thank you very much for being a Starbucks customer, we hope to continue to serve you to the best of our ability in years to come as we keep striving to give you the best possible service we can provide.

Sincerely,
Your Barista

*Disclaimer* I am in no way intending to insult anyone this is merely a satirical letter aimed to amuse...I do love my job and find that these sorts of situations just add humour to my day. You, the customer are appreciated I can assure you of that. :)

...not much but it is shocking me a bit that I am four days from my last post...could this be a trend?

I doubt it.

My daughter is doing some wombnastics right now...it's rather fascinating and never gets old. Yesterday Jonathan and I got to see her again in an ultrasound...well we got to see the back of her head, her spin, her arms, and a quick glimpse of her feet because my daughter will only show herself when she feels like it...go fig. LoL Jonathan and I are an interesting combination of strong wills so our child is going to be a joy that's for sure. At the very least a joy for our parents to point and say "Your turn!" LoL

At one point during the exam she absolutely kicked the instrument that was on my belly as if to say 'no more pictures'. I honestly think that every day I get just that much more excited to meet her...for more reasons than to possibly end this never ending backache and perpetual need to lean forward because of the extra weight I hold there.

Drive thru was fun at work yesterday. I sheepishly would have to ask people to pull up closer to the window because any attempt to lean out by myself was out of the question. I have to compliment the customers because they took it all in stride and most were very interested in when I was due and how I was feeling. It was cute...I was half tempted to put a note at the drive thru speaker saying 'Welcome to Starbucks your barista today is 7 months pregnant and requests that you drive as close to the window as possible...thank you' But I wasn't in drive thru that long to need to do that. :p

I'm being hoofed a lot right now so I'm going to go and lean forward on my exercise ball to alleviate some of my backache.

Okay so the last time I posted something was in February?? That's just ridiculous...lol I'm on this thing a lot more than that you'd think I'd keep ya'll posted better. I suppose I do if you have me on facebook, there are at least pictures...but come on...lol

Right...so I'm still pregnant...lol 28 weeks to be exact...this is the week of appointments for me. I have another ultrasound, my midwife is giving me a glucose test and then my WinRho shot as well...not sure why they are all happening one day after the other but there you have it.

7 months...yowza...honestly where does the time go? It astounds me that I've really been pregnant for 7 months...then at the same time I can't remember not being pregnant at this point. I remember looking at a picture my parents have of me a couple of Christmases ago and I was astounded by my ability to lean forward...LOL I spend more time going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, except unlike my first trimester I have to couple the getting up with a rolling technique to get out of bed with minimal injury. Pretty soon I'm gonna get Jonathan to just give me a little shove so I can sit up...it's good times.

Sleep isn't too bad it's interrupted but for the most part I can get enough...of course I go to sleep at about 9 even if I have to wake up at 7 because I'm definitely more tired these days especially after working a lot. Speaking of work I've moved down to 7 hour shifts from 8 hour shifts which doesn't sound like much but wow does it feel like a lot. I still feel pretty tired by the end of my shift but it wasn't as bad as when I was working full time...so for now I'm only cutting down by an hour daily...gotta keep up working in the time I have left.

I also feel like I have to apologise for that rant in my last post about people touching my belly. I really don't mind if it is someone I know...really. I know that it's fascinating and frankly I don't blame you, I tend to want to touch friend's pregnant belly's too...although now that I have my own the compulsion is abated just slightly...lol

So I'm going to go finish laundry and enjoy the rest of my day off. I'm also not going to promise quick updates...we are well aware of how good I am with those.