Last night we dinned on some kick@$$ pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, green beans, and baked beans. Our friends had outdone themselves. It was a wonderful meal and the company was excellent. I even managed to drink TWO glasses of wine?!
We ate on their roof-top. It was spectacular. They've planted lots of colorful flowers in pots all about. It created such a lovely atmosphere. Makes me want to do the same.
We were fortunate that the drive to and from Studio City was quick and easy, little traffic (by LA standards). The weather was perfect. Cooler than I'm used to and of course more humid, but enjoyable all the same.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Fur, fur, fur
I don't want to vacuum, but that fur isn't going to vacuum itself up. Guess it's time to sell the critters on eBay. Wonder how much we could get for them.
Even with the cats shaved, it seems the dogs go into shedding overdrive, to make up the difference. Ugh.
I shouldn't complain, our place is much smaller than our previous abode. That took over two hours just to vacuum! I could probably knock out the task in half hour if I do it quick and dirty. If I do a full-out move all the furniture and get into every little nook and cranny it obviously takes longer. Hmm, today I'm feelin' quick-n-dirty is the way to go.
Even with the cats shaved, it seems the dogs go into shedding overdrive, to make up the difference. Ugh.
I shouldn't complain, our place is much smaller than our previous abode. That took over two hours just to vacuum! I could probably knock out the task in half hour if I do it quick and dirty. If I do a full-out move all the furniture and get into every little nook and cranny it obviously takes longer. Hmm, today I'm feelin' quick-n-dirty is the way to go.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Kind Karma
While living in TN we adopted a sweet little doggie named Fran. Due to her good fortune and luck we re-named her Karma. This name is more appropriate than I ever imagined it would be. Unlike Sassy, who definitely lives up to her name, Karma is typically the patient, well mannered dog of the two.
Yesterday while putting her doggie beds in the guest room closet, her favorite little spot, Karma couldn't wait and was all over them before I could arrange them properly. A short while later I noticed Karma laying on the floor facing the dog bed with a look of longing in her eyes. "Karma, what the heck? Why aren't you ON your bed?" A quick glance into the closet and I had my answer: Jordan.
Jordan is our "Matrix Kitty" that literally will bounce all four paws off a hallway wall as she races towards insanity at speeds usually reserved for jets. Jordan was all curled up, happy as could be on Karma's bed and my darling little doggie didn't want to disturb her. That's just the way Karma is: good natured, patient (when food is NOT involved), and very loving. If only we could teach Sassy to be more like this!
Yesterday while putting her doggie beds in the guest room closet, her favorite little spot, Karma couldn't wait and was all over them before I could arrange them properly. A short while later I noticed Karma laying on the floor facing the dog bed with a look of longing in her eyes. "Karma, what the heck? Why aren't you ON your bed?" A quick glance into the closet and I had my answer: Jordan.
Jordan is our "Matrix Kitty" that literally will bounce all four paws off a hallway wall as she races towards insanity at speeds usually reserved for jets. Jordan was all curled up, happy as could be on Karma's bed and my darling little doggie didn't want to disturb her. That's just the way Karma is: good natured, patient (when food is NOT involved), and very loving. If only we could teach Sassy to be more like this!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Lucky?
I've never thought of myself as lucky. Sure, I've been enjoying a winning streak while learning and playing Cribbage with the hubby, but that's just a game. At work we have lots of raffles and other such things and I rarely win. But today, I received a voice mail from Trader Joe's informing me I had won! The spousal unit and I take our bags to TJ's and for months I've been filling out the little ticket. In fact, I just filled one out on Saturday wondering, "does anyone really 'win' this? And, if so, what?" Answer: $25 smackaroos off your next purchase. Sweet! I'm thinking it's time to stock up on weekend breakfast fare. I LOVE TJ's various frozen pastries/tart thingamajigs.
Of course I've been lucky-in-love with regard to the hubby. He's better than chocolate, ice-cream, chocolate ice-cream, better than new socks or new shoes, better than the ocean, the sun warm on my face, better than sleeping in on the weekend, better than 'that new car smell'. He's the best thing to happen to me and everyday I'm thankful that he continues to share his life with me. Not sure if that's "luck" or not, but I'll take it, whatever it is.
Of course I've been lucky-in-love with regard to the hubby. He's better than chocolate, ice-cream, chocolate ice-cream, better than new socks or new shoes, better than the ocean, the sun warm on my face, better than sleeping in on the weekend, better than 'that new car smell'. He's the best thing to happen to me and everyday I'm thankful that he continues to share his life with me. Not sure if that's "luck" or not, but I'll take it, whatever it is.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Shopping
The hubby went on a little shopping spree this weekend. Two new suits, with shirts, ties, socks, a pair of shoes, and suspenders. I encouraged him to do this and am quite pleased he did. He'll look dashing in his new duds. Then, as if that weren't enough, he went a little crazy at BevMo buying up booze.
I went next door to Michael's to spend my gift card from the Mom & Dad G (thanks by the way!). I had $8 and change left over?! I don't even know how this could have happened, but I'll be sure to spend that by next Sunday.
Today I went shoe shopping with a friend. What fun! I like shopping. I like shoes. Thus I LOVE shoe shopping. I'm just bummed I couldn't find a pair of shoes I liked. No worries, there are more shoe stores, so maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
I went next door to Michael's to spend my gift card from the Mom & Dad G (thanks by the way!). I had $8 and change left over?! I don't even know how this could have happened, but I'll be sure to spend that by next Sunday.
Today I went shoe shopping with a friend. What fun! I like shopping. I like shoes. Thus I LOVE shoe shopping. I'm just bummed I couldn't find a pair of shoes I liked. No worries, there are more shoe stores, so maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Work Woes
I have breasts, therefore I'm supposed to like shopping. Actually, I usually do enjoy shopping. I find grocery shopping fun. Shoe shopping?! Heaven! Clothes shopping... yep, like that too.
Shopping as part of my job, not so much. When I first started this position and was given a company credit I thought, "Woo hoo! This is going to be great." Well, that wore off quickly, very quickly. Shopping on someone else's time with someone else's money isn't so pleasurable. It's work. It's time consuming. I go to Subway, Chronic Taco, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Target, Wal-Mart, Ross, Best Buy, Circuit City, BJ's, Olive Garden, AV Mall, Kohl's, and other various places as needed to ensure our employees have gift cards to their favorite places. I prefer to purchase these cards online, however, some of the Supervisors NEED the gift cards RIGHT NOW and to multiple places. And they always want some that are only for $5, which most companies do not offer online.
It's a huge waste... but hey, it's my job so I deal. Well, actually I vent a lot, then deal. I've tried to limit the number of times I go out shopping to just once a week, but met much resistance. I've asked that if I do go shopping can it be for $25 or more to make the trip worthwhile. Seems silly to send me across town to purchase a single $5 gift card to Bronze Buns. No, seriously, I've done that.
I've never worked for a company that seems to live by the "We don't pay you to think" mentality. My screen saver now has this creeping by whenever it times out: WDPYTT. This is to remind me to stop saving the company money, stop working smarter, just work. It's very difficult. I don't like it. I hate being so wasteful, but that is our culture so I try to comply.
I've talked to my supervisor several times about this and other issues. I explained that the cost of my driving all over town is crazy, especially with gas prices being what they are. That I don't like having hundreds and hundreds of dollars in gift cards on me. That expenses for our quarterly celebrations are out of control. And hey while I'm on a rant, what's up with the guy sleeping on the job. Her responses:
"Well, we really need to have a variety of gift cards for our employees. I know it seems like a lot of driving, but..." I don't remember what else she said, I kind of zoned out. Talking to her is like trying to explain statistics to my dog.
"If you're worried about being mugged why not carry the gift cards in a separate bag. We can replace the gift cards and if someone tries to mug you, you can just give them the bag with the gift cards." Great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that! Then I could re-purchase all those #%!!$%@^&^@@ gift cards again the next day.
"We used to spend a lot more on our quarterly celebrations! They used to purchase T-shirts, goodie-bags full of all sorts of things, decorations, big elaborate meals, etc. Thousands and thousands of dollars. We don't spend quite that much anymore." Oh, I didn't realize we used to spend A LOT MORE. Thanks for clearing that up. I know we just closed a facility, so we may as well spend the money like we're Bill Gates, cause it'll be at least several more weeks before they close our doors. Hey, you know what else is just as relevant, I used to get an allowance, but I don't anymore and that sucks. Hey, can I have a $5 gift card to Wal-Mart?
"I know he sleeps on the job an it can't be helped. When a customer puts him on hold he usually wakes up right away. He falls asleep in my meetings all the time, but, you know, these things happen." Oh, silly me! Yes, these things do happen. I can't wait to start catching up on my cat-naps at work. What a relief knowing I don't have to spend my eights at work awake anymore. I wish HR would have covered this in Orientation.
I report to Sponge Bob Square Pants. Ugh.
I've talked to SBSP's boss, as his office is four feet from my desk. SBSP's office is in another part of the building. I see the Big Boss a lot more than I see SBSP and have a better working relationship with him due to proximity. When I mentioned my concerns to him he listened and we tried to figure out a solution. We thought maybe my counter-part and I could report to a different supervisor, but the most logical person is attendance challenged. Another logical person is heading up a big project and just is too overwhelmed right now.
In fact we used to report to a different supervisor because SBSP is so conflict adverse that my predecessors took advantage of that. Then that supervisor started working the night shift, so we got stuck with SBSP. Sigh.
Perhaps I need to shop for a new job? Maybe when I redeem my $5 gift card to Subway I could fill out an application. Did you want to make that a combo?
Shopping as part of my job, not so much. When I first started this position and was given a company credit I thought, "Woo hoo! This is going to be great." Well, that wore off quickly, very quickly. Shopping on someone else's time with someone else's money isn't so pleasurable. It's work. It's time consuming. I go to Subway, Chronic Taco, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Target, Wal-Mart, Ross, Best Buy, Circuit City, BJ's, Olive Garden, AV Mall, Kohl's, and other various places as needed to ensure our employees have gift cards to their favorite places. I prefer to purchase these cards online, however, some of the Supervisors NEED the gift cards RIGHT NOW and to multiple places. And they always want some that are only for $5, which most companies do not offer online.
It's a huge waste... but hey, it's my job so I deal. Well, actually I vent a lot, then deal. I've tried to limit the number of times I go out shopping to just once a week, but met much resistance. I've asked that if I do go shopping can it be for $25 or more to make the trip worthwhile. Seems silly to send me across town to purchase a single $5 gift card to Bronze Buns. No, seriously, I've done that.
I've never worked for a company that seems to live by the "We don't pay you to think" mentality. My screen saver now has this creeping by whenever it times out: WDPYTT. This is to remind me to stop saving the company money, stop working smarter, just work. It's very difficult. I don't like it. I hate being so wasteful, but that is our culture so I try to comply.
I've talked to my supervisor several times about this and other issues. I explained that the cost of my driving all over town is crazy, especially with gas prices being what they are. That I don't like having hundreds and hundreds of dollars in gift cards on me. That expenses for our quarterly celebrations are out of control. And hey while I'm on a rant, what's up with the guy sleeping on the job. Her responses:
"Well, we really need to have a variety of gift cards for our employees. I know it seems like a lot of driving, but..." I don't remember what else she said, I kind of zoned out. Talking to her is like trying to explain statistics to my dog.
"If you're worried about being mugged why not carry the gift cards in a separate bag. We can replace the gift cards and if someone tries to mug you, you can just give them the bag with the gift cards." Great idea, can't believe I didn't think of that! Then I could re-purchase all those #%!!$%@^&^@@ gift cards again the next day.
"We used to spend a lot more on our quarterly celebrations! They used to purchase T-shirts, goodie-bags full of all sorts of things, decorations, big elaborate meals, etc. Thousands and thousands of dollars. We don't spend quite that much anymore." Oh, I didn't realize we used to spend A LOT MORE. Thanks for clearing that up. I know we just closed a facility, so we may as well spend the money like we're Bill Gates, cause it'll be at least several more weeks before they close our doors. Hey, you know what else is just as relevant, I used to get an allowance, but I don't anymore and that sucks. Hey, can I have a $5 gift card to Wal-Mart?
"I know he sleeps on the job an it can't be helped. When a customer puts him on hold he usually wakes up right away. He falls asleep in my meetings all the time, but, you know, these things happen." Oh, silly me! Yes, these things do happen. I can't wait to start catching up on my cat-naps at work. What a relief knowing I don't have to spend my eights at work awake anymore. I wish HR would have covered this in Orientation.
I report to Sponge Bob Square Pants. Ugh.
I've talked to SBSP's boss, as his office is four feet from my desk. SBSP's office is in another part of the building. I see the Big Boss a lot more than I see SBSP and have a better working relationship with him due to proximity. When I mentioned my concerns to him he listened and we tried to figure out a solution. We thought maybe my counter-part and I could report to a different supervisor, but the most logical person is attendance challenged. Another logical person is heading up a big project and just is too overwhelmed right now.
In fact we used to report to a different supervisor because SBSP is so conflict adverse that my predecessors took advantage of that. Then that supervisor started working the night shift, so we got stuck with SBSP. Sigh.
Perhaps I need to shop for a new job? Maybe when I redeem my $5 gift card to Subway I could fill out an application. Did you want to make that a combo?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Yoga
I've started taking yoga classes. It's been many years since I've attended. I like it. I leave feeling great and then about a day later it hits me! I'm just a little tender and sore and yet it feels wonderful. Mainly I just want to be more flexible, tone up everything that's floppy, and hopefully lose a little extra that's hanging around my middle. Of course, the benefit of being relaxed and serene is fabulous too! As well as actually sleeping at night instead of shifting about.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Excel
At work more and more employees are being asked to use Excel. Unfortunately a great many of them don't know what Excel is, much less have any experience with it. My answer, "let's train them!" Surprisingly enough after I complained for weeks and weeks the powers that be finally said, "OK, go for it." Also, one of our Team Leads is certified to teach Microsoft and has taught many, many classes. I knew she was all for training our employees Excel so together we created a handy-dandy guide and instructor outline.
We've taught four separate classes so far. Some employees were thrilled to be exposed to Excel, others were indifferent, and a few who already know Excel were concerned it would be a waste of their time... but we managed to show them a few new tricks.
It's so fun to be able to do more than just my typical work duties, and it's a great opportunity to be of service to the employees in a different capacity.
The Team Lead I'm working with is great. She's provided some excellent feedback to help me improve and is very supportive. I even learned some new things about Excel!
We're discussing expanding the training to also provide classes on Word and possibly PowerPoint - assuming that the powers that be agree. I suppose if I nag enough eventually they'll say yes to get me to shut up. Ah the power of persistence!
We've taught four separate classes so far. Some employees were thrilled to be exposed to Excel, others were indifferent, and a few who already know Excel were concerned it would be a waste of their time... but we managed to show them a few new tricks.
It's so fun to be able to do more than just my typical work duties, and it's a great opportunity to be of service to the employees in a different capacity.
The Team Lead I'm working with is great. She's provided some excellent feedback to help me improve and is very supportive. I even learned some new things about Excel!
We're discussing expanding the training to also provide classes on Word and possibly PowerPoint - assuming that the powers that be agree. I suppose if I nag enough eventually they'll say yes to get me to shut up. Ah the power of persistence!
My New Best Friend
I realize billions of others have already discovered Pandora Radio... but it's new to me! I found it and now I love it. Too fun. Why didn't I find this sooner? It's incredible that I can listen to all my favorite tunes on my laptop and not have to save it on my computer. Crazy neato! I'm still a novice, but as I play with it more and figure out how to manipulate all the cool things it's capable of I'm sure I'll love it even more than I do now! Happy sigh.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Wisconsin
Come September we'll be flying the friendly skies to visit our families in Wisconsin. I'm excited, it'll be fun.
Of course, since we both have family to visit we'll be walking a tight line - making sure to spend quality time with everyone.
In our attempt to be fair, we've decided to stay at a hotel. And, hotels usually have good water pressure and a helluva lot more hot water for my long showers. Plus, Internet! I'm sure I'll be back in class so I'll need a decent Internet connection to keep up with my schooling. Staying at a hotel will allow me to do school work without guilt. Besides, all the beer, cheese, and frozen custard will leave me feeling guilty enough for weeks!
Of course, since we both have family to visit we'll be walking a tight line - making sure to spend quality time with everyone.
In our attempt to be fair, we've decided to stay at a hotel. And, hotels usually have good water pressure and a helluva lot more hot water for my long showers. Plus, Internet! I'm sure I'll be back in class so I'll need a decent Internet connection to keep up with my schooling. Staying at a hotel will allow me to do school work without guilt. Besides, all the beer, cheese, and frozen custard will leave me feeling guilty enough for weeks!
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