Guest blogger and mom of twins Elizabeth Lyons says: Good service, a little assistance. Not a lot to hope for ... is it?

Here's what I'd LOVE to hear when I walked in the door after I was out and about: "Mom, I'd love to help," or "Yeah! Mom's home!" or "I'm lowering your interest rate, ma'am. I just am. Gas prices simply. aren't. fair."

Instead, here are the responses/requests I stomached before lunch today: "I didn't do it," "It's not mine," "Please hold while we connect you (with someone in another country)," or "Para espanol, o primo el numero uno."

And so I pronounced (just after lunch), "Time to visit the savior."

We hopped into our unacceptably hot car (it's only 115 today) and barreled to my favorite Starbucks drive-thru (to which I commute 18 miles one way at $4.20 a gallon, not solely for my iced venti soy latte but also to be greeted by the friendliest barista this side of Venice, Alex).

Alex welcomed me to the window with an enthusiastic, "Yeah! Liz is here!" OK, that's not entirely true. But he did nearly shout, "Hi Lizzy!" as though I were his long lost dog arriving home. It could be the 19 espresso shots with energy he'd had by noon, but...

For the record, no one calls me Lizzy. Please, don't start. Alex, however, can call me whatever he wants because he appears to enjoy seeing me and provides complimentary ice water for the clowns in back who are no longer permitted to order chocolate milk with whip.

As a mom of multiples, I need coffee. Even more, I need people who smile...who appear happy to see me...who are be happy to help me!

Where do you turn for a smile on your craziest days? If a Starbucks barista is also your choice, what's the craziest drink order you've ever placed (iced venti half-caff 7-pump latte with whip no ice, anyone?). I do love to say "half-caf." I won't drink it, but I love to say it.

For more from Elizabeth, click here.

Tell us about your saving grace by commenting below.