IT’S NICE TO KNOW NICE PEOPLE! IT’S “NICE”...NOT “NOICE”, SHARON!

"Kath & Kim" cast...with "Sharon" on the right....

Sharon Strzelecki aka Magda Szubanski would disagree with me, but I’m standing my ground, even though it’s not my ground.  I don’t own it! 

“Sharon Strzelecki”...for those not familiar with the name... “Sharon” was one of the main characters (played by Magda) in the much-loved Australia television comedy series...”Kath & Kim”.  Lately, Magda, in her “Sharon” character, features, alongside Kim Kardashian, in a couple of Uber Eats television commercials...

It is nice to know nice people, that is for sure.  It is also nice to meet nice people. 

I met a very nice person for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  I was in desperate need of a new mattress; had been for far too long.  Ask my hips, they are nodding in agreement. 

Giving into my desperation, and screaming hips, I ordered a new king-size mattress, which, by the way, was delivered by an errant Brisbane delivery driver who dropped the huge, heavy load off at the wrong address, even though I had given very clear, descriptive delivery instructions, in black and white, three times!  (Nothing is black and white these days, it would seem).   Why the recipient accepted such a bulky, large, heavy item that obviously wasn’t his...that hadn’t been purchased by him, beats me. 

Some people never cease to amaze me...in a most negative way!

After the delivery debacle of the very large, bulky, heavy product i.e. the ”mattress in a box”, when it eventually ended up where it was supposed to end up...here at my door, not at my landlords’ home, which is a couple of hundred metres up the other end of this block of land ...and, after about an hour of me grunting and groaning, half-inch by half-inch, I slowly managed to ease the monster load inside my humble little abode.

In an email received on the Tuesday morning from the "Koala" company, I’d been informed  the very large...very large...parcel would be delivered somewhere between the hours of 1 pm and 7 pm on the Tuesday.  

 I waited and waited...and waited some more.  Once dark fell, I had my little cabin lit up like a town centre Christmas tree!  7 pm came and went...no sign of my expected delivery.  My anxiety levels rose as the minutes ticked by.

Next morning, I immediately got in touch with the company to ask when I could expect delivery.  

I was assured my king-size mattress-in-a-box had been delivered the previous afternoon.  Politely, I assured the person with whom I was speaking it had not.  I was emailed a photo as proof of delivery.   

Wonders will never cease.  The photo depicted my landlords’ home, brick double-garage with their two vehicles therein!

As I was trying to solve the mystery loud banging began on the rear door of this “cabin”.  Excusing myself from the person helping me solve the mystery, I went to the rear door...opened it...and found my landlord panting and puffing, wheelbarrow in hand.  Lying across the top of the wheelbarrow was a very, very large box!! 

By that stage, I was pretty furious...his loud banging, alone, was enough to set me off, but I managed to contain my feelings.  

 I asked him when it had been delivered (remember, it was by then...the time of his banging on my door....Wednesday morning, around 9.30 am).   

His reply was, “Oh! About an hour ago.”

Doing my best to keep a smile on my face, and not let the anger I was feeling erupt like Mt. Vesuvius and Krakatoa in unison, I asked him to wheel the huge package around to the narrow concrete area out from the glass and screen sliding doors that lead into the main section of this small abode. 

Returning to my conversation with the supplier, I explained why I had deserted our chat. 

  

I have only good things to say about the company, “Koala”.  It was the delivery driver who was at fault.  He didn’t read the instructions...clear, descriptive instructions that were on the exterior of the large box.  From what I was told during that particular conversation, and follow-up communications, he won't make the same error again...

After mayhem had calmed down, is when, with me, the penny dropped!  And what a penny it was!  

I realised I’d been blatantly lied to by my landlord.  The mattress HAD been delivered the previous afternoon...not “about an hour ago” as he had stated.  I had photographic proof!

What frustrated and angered me further was...why on earth would anyone, in his or her right mind, accept a parcel as large, heavy and bulky as the “mattress-in-a-box”, knowing full well it wasn’t theirs?  A tiny parcel...perhaps, in error...but never something as large as the mattress!

Finally, I managed to get the “box” inside, where it remained for a few days because I needed someone...a strong someone...to remove my old, battered, still heavy king-size mattress from the base, and take it to the dump for me.  

In the meanwhile, my two furry roomies were curious, of course, about the strange, large package that was taking up so much floor space.  "Could it be filled with cans of cat food?"  Was a thought that teased them.

Who was I going to call?  Definitely not the Ghostbusters...they’d be of no use in handling the job required.

Instead, I rang Rubbish Removal, and asked Simon for his help.  He advertises in our local “rag”.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he agreed to be my knight in shining armour.  I was very glad I contacted him.  Not only is he a nice person, Simon is an obliging, intelligent, and very strong fellow. 

Feeling utterly useless – and, a little guilty - I stood aside watching him do the heavy lifting all by himself, with nary a grunt, groan, nor a loss of breath...not the loss of one single breath!   I bet he eats lots of spinach.

My two furry bed-mates didn’t think it was very nice of me to lock them out in the back area while the activity was going on.  There was much scratching and knocking at the inner door, along with some not very nice miaowing going on to make their annoyance known. They couldn’t understand what they’d done wrong for me to have treated them so rudely.  How dare I?  I’m sure a few curse words were added to their disgruntled complaints. (They didn’t learn those words from me, of course *cough*)! 

Both furry rascals changed their tune once they’d tried out OUR new mattress. 

Getting out of bed the next morning, and every morning since, has been more difficult than usual, now that WE have a nice new firm Aussie-made mattress.  My hips are grateful, too.  

Upon opening the box, to my delight, I found a lovely fluffy, stuffed koala...a surprise gift from the Koala company.

Simon, not only for his assistance, also deserves high praise for lowering my anxiety levels.  I sometimes talk rubbish, but in this instance, it isn’t the case.

The “Koala” bedding company have been very nice, too.  I have no complaints about them, or their product.  They’ve bent over backwards since the stuff-up.  The delivery driver was given a lesson on delivery, apparently!   

A couple of days ago I received another email from the company saying it wanted to send me a new pillow to help make up for the muddled delivery.  Thanking the lass (through our dealings she and I had become old friends!)...I told the lovely young woman everything was fine, and I didn’t expect anything.  I told her I was very happy with my purchase; and, with the company’s positive, personable communications...its way of dealing with customers.  However, being more persistent than I am, any day now, I am expecting a new “Koala” pillow to arrive.  Aussie-made products...the way to go!

Between the lass at “Koala”, and Simon, it goes to prove nice people are out there.  They are the quiet ones, who go about their lives with dignity and consideration for others. No fanfare required. 

Move over, Sharon... “Nice” rhymes with “ice”.  “Noice” rhymes with “Joyce”.  Joyce had a voice.  It was her choice to buy a Rolls Royce.  Excise didn’t apply, so she paid less than the list price, which was very nice. Bryce, who was always precise, agreed.  Bryce reckoned it was like being in paradise when he was at the controls of the Rolls. 

See what I mean...as well as talking rubbish, I write rubbish, too, as my final paragraph proves!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Spinach-Walnut Pesto: Process.4c fresh spinach, 1/4c toasted walnuts, 30g grated Parmesan, 1 chopped garlic clove, 2tsp lemon juice, and 1/4tsp crushed red pepper. With processor on, slowly add 3tbs olive oil. Add 2tbs warm water; process until blended.

Spinach with Chickpeas: Heat 1tbs olive oil in saucepan over med-heat; add 1 chopped onion; cook, stirring, until tender. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1tsp lightly toasted and ground cumin seed, 1tbs tomato paste and 1/2tsp salt. Cook, stirring 1-2mins, until the tomato paste has turned a darker colour. Add 460g canned chickpeas, 1c chick or vegie stock, and cayenne, to taste; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat; simmer 10mins.Stir in 180g spinach, a handful at a time, stir until spinach wilts. Season; simmer uncovered, stirring often, 5mins. Add freshly ground pepper, adjust seasonings to taste.

Creamy Spinach-Chicken Pasta: Cook to al dente stage, 240g pasta of choice.  Cut 2 chicken breasts into small, bite-size pieces; season; coat with flour.  Add 1tbs butter and 1tbs olive to pan over med-high heat. When hot, add chicken; cook until no longer pink on the outside; remove from pan; set aside. Take pan off heat; add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/3c chick stock, 1tsp lemon juice, 1/2tsp Dijon mustard and a dash of Italian seasonings. Return pan to heat; let bubble 1-2mins. Scrape brown bits from pan base. Add chicken, 1c heavy cream and 155g fresh spinach; cook 5mins or until chicken is cooked through. Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Stir in 1/c grated Parmesan; serve.  


Koala Bedding Company with ever purchase made from their company donate to.....The Koala Foundation: - https://www.savethekoala.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwm_P5BRAhEiwAwRzSO0VL6L6r1BMpcHRPvORbqDT7Q5qikrKdgypucFtjwRm6n32lm99jvhoC0FMQAvD_BwE