Grin and Bear It!

As of last night, we have a new guest at our house!

The TOOTH FAIRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hayden lost his first tooth last night. He's seven years old and just now losing it! The permanent tooth had already broken through and I coached him through wiggling the baby tooth until it was almost ready to break free! Finally, as he was brushing his teeth, it turned sideways and I pulled it out for him! Now Hallie has been walking around trying to figure out how to get her teeth to come out...she's never to be outdone!

I've never been bothered by teeth...they're quite fascinating, in fact. So, I was glad the tooth fell out when I was around, instead of at school or somewhere else.

The fairy delivered three gold dollar coins to Hayden under his pillow and he couldn't have been more excited! "You've got to be kidding me!", he said! "Gold coins! Three of 'em! This is awesome!" It was nothing but smiles for quite some time after that! Toothless, mind you, but smiles!

Speaking of teeth...I'll be starting a new journey next week at a local dentist office and I'm too exicted about the new adventure this will most surely become! The office staff are great folks, the doctors are both outstanding and I'll be achieving one of my goals...learning something new and challenging! So, wish me luck...and here's hoping the tooth fairy is as awesome to your kids as she was to mine! ;)

Who Knew?

The cows are depleting the ozone. Who knew? I mean, cows have only been on the planet for how many years?

Now, folks want to tax those farmers tending thier herds for....what? What's the motive here? What will the money from the tax on superfluous cows go toward? Will it be earmarked for education? Global warming research funding? Will it go to improve roads? WHAT? I'm just not buying the fact that it's all to save the world. Sorry.

This seems so absurd to me. I mean, these farmers are making a living providing the public with the items they need to have strong healthy bones and teeth. Holy cow!!!! How is this going to affect the "Got Milk" campaigns if the farmers are forced to "off" part of their herd for affordability? I'll tell you how...the price of products derived from moo-cows is going to skyrocket! Milk will go up. Cheese. Butter. Meat. The list goes on, I'm sure. I imagine goats aren't polluting the ozone with their gaseous nature, so we should all switch to goat cheese and milk. Or maybe, someone will come up with a milk product that looks, tastes and drinks like milk with the same nutritional value that isn't actually milk. Ha! Doubtful.

I wonder how this happens. How does it come that we blame cows and their farts and belches for the depleting ozone? I feel certain we as a people are doing a pretty good job of depleting the ozone on our own. Cows are just defenseless and easy to blame I guess.

It just seems so nonsensical...especially when the world is going to end December 21, 2012 anyway - according to Nostradamus.

(What? If you believe cows are the reason we're all going to die from the ozone opening up then you probably believe that too.)

Me, personally, I'm not sure what to believe about it all. I just know that I'm not buying into the cow theory just yet. I feel certain there are greater factors at risk here and the farmers out there shouldn't be penalized for owning livestock that may be contributing to the deterioration of the Earth's ozone with their flatulence.

Try this theory on for size: There are certainly more people on the planet than cows, right? Therefore, the amount of gaseous effect depleting the ozone would be larger coming from humans than cows, right? So, on your next income tax return don't forget to check the box marked 'Human'. That way, the federal government can hit you with a "Flatulence Tax". They'll probably base it on the size of your household. The more folks in your house, the more gas being emitted from said house. Oh...but wait! For those with acid reflux present in the confines of your home, you'll be taxed additionally for you being more likely to introduce these toxins into the air - due to your condition and all.

I foresee there being some contraption designed that we can wear over our faces (and posteriors) that will catch the erroneous odors emitted and change them into plant thriving elements. (Something like a water filter for your faucet.) There will have to be different designs for animals and humans alike. Maybe, someone else could design cool covers or faceplates to allow you to personalize your very own ozone replenishing mask! I can hear Billy Mays now - "Make your Fart Filter the envy of all your friends with these crazy covers! They'll be saying Wow! Call now and get not one, not two but three covers! One for church, one for work and one for the night on the town with that special someone. And if you call within the next ten minutes, you’ll get a set of our matching covers for your Fart Filter! One for you and one to gift to a friend!”

Crazy! What are your thoughts?

Pocket Change...

I've written about change on more than one occasion on my blog. Shoot, probably more than ten occasions. I'm okay with change. "It suits me just fine - in fact, it's my idea of heaven!" (Name the movie that line is from. Bonus points if you can name the actor or actress being quoted!) I took steps to make another change in my life today. I turned in my two week notice with my employers to mixed reviews. I'm optimistic about my decision and I feel, deep down (in the gut), that I'm making the right decision for me, my family and my future. Why? Because it's an opportunity to learn something new. I might fall flat on my face...but at least I'll have learned soemthing in the process. And who knows about the interesting folk I might meet on the way, huh? How can one not be excited!? So, in two weeks, I'll be headed down a different road, in a different city with a different role to play and I can't wait! I've been with my current employer for eight years (minus a brief stint as a bank teller that could not have ended sooner) and I've learned so much in that time. I have grown up a lot in those eight years there and I feel lucky to have been given the opportunities I have. My only rant here is....why are folks so gossipy? I mean, if you've already heard from somewhere else that I've taken another job, don't pretend you haven't. Especially if you're not a good liar. I mean, c'mon! What's it to ya? Anyway, here's to change and all it inspires us to be!

Learnin' from kids...it's great, ain't it!?

It goes without saying that my children are smart. I can only hope they keep up the good work throughout their educational careers. I'd like to bestow upon you a few things they've taught me recently:

Math ain't my strong suit however Southern dialect seems to be, huh?! The kids and I have this routine where we try to put how much we love each other into words. For instance, Hallie will say, "Mommy? I love you all the way to the North Pole!" (Melts my heart every time.) Hayden has learned infinity - the theory that numbers go on and on and on...and on. So, he'll throw that one out there: "Mommy? I love you infinity!" (My little number cruncher...I'm so proud!)

So, Hayden comes home from school and hits me with this:

"Mommy? Did you know there is a number bigger than infinity?

(I'm instantly nervous - like he just asked me how to solve a word problem or something!)

"No there's not! Infinity is the biggest number...even I know that!", I reply.

"Yes there is!", he answers back.

"Okay, fine! What is it?", I ask.

"Blasobian."

(Pronounced Blah-so-bee-in)

"Where'd you hear that?" I question.

"I just learned it." he informs me.

So...I think I'm right in this equation (pun intended) but I feel it necessary to confirm my correctness over a six year old. Give me a break! We're talking about math here...I'm uneasy around numbers!

So, later that night as they're all tucked away safely in bed, I ask their daddy if there is a number bigger than infinity known as blasobian. His dead serious response -

"Jenn? Are you letting Hayden trick you with math again?"

The answer - Yes.

Finally, Hallie threw one out the other day that had us all laughing. Every morning as Hallie and I are headed to school we see our neighbor, John, out walking Molly and Roxy - his two dogs - and we always wave at him. Hallie loves it when he waves back. (It's the little things, right?) Anyway, she asked me the other day why John wasn't going to work. My answer was that John was retired. She didn't question it. Simply went along.

Later in the week, her daddy had to carry her to school one morning and she asked him,

"Daddy? What's retired mean?"

(Keep in mind daddy knows nothing about how she heard the word.)

He responded, "It's someone that doesn't have to work."

"Oooohhhhhh. John and Bev are retired."

This morning...she asked me if Courtnee's daddy was retired. (Courtnee is their friend in the cul-de-sac who comes with a set of great parents.)

I said, "No. What makes you ask that?"

"Well, he doesn't go to work, so he's retired like John and Bev." she responded.

(Courtnee's daddy - Chris - works from home.) I should have told her he's only retired on Friday's when you can most often find him on the golf course!

It's funnier coming out of her mouth, but I'm hopeful the humor translates.

Seasons of Change...

It's been a while since I've posted. No reason in particular other than trying to keep up with everyday life. What's been going on with me? Well...where should I start? We're really looking forward to Turkey Day at our house! We get to travel to Atlanta to celebrate at Uncle Derek's house! It's always good to go visit them and the kids absolutely love their cousins Nick and Chris! They are just too cool for school!

I'm crazy addicted to this Swaptree site! It's a sickness...for real! I'm mailing books and getting books at least once a week and it's awesome! I wonder if it will be a fad that will fade like MySpace was for me. We'll see.

I'm trying really hard (and doing pretty good) to remember to take my new Thyroid medicine the Dr. put me on. I have noticed a difference, so that's good. Are you officially 'gettin' on up in the years' when you have to start taking maintenance medication? Oh well...like it matters. Better now than when it's too late.

The kids and I are reading Harry Potter. We read a chapter each night and Hallie is loving it! She's way more into it than Hayden, but he'll come around. The first book is a struggle to get through anyway, but you gotta read it to know what's going on! The two of them amaze me everyday with their knowledge! (Hayden did manage to stump me with some math...but that's for a different blog. I'll try to get that one up tomorrow or the day after!)

We have four puppies left from Jacee's litter! They are adorable! I have three black girls and one black boy left. Any takers? They're cuties! So sweet, huge paws and short hair like a lab. The daddy dog is quite a story too...I'll elaborate more in another blog.

And today, I went through the roughest day at work I've ever had. We went through some layoffs at work this afternoon and when I tell you it was hard, I'm not even scratching the surface on describing it. It was heart wrenching to watch your friends and co-workers pack up their stuff, walk out and know that they won't be back tomorrow. I was lucky to not be among them, but I'm one of the many left behind to make sense of it all. It's hard not to question management in situations like this because you don't have all the pieces to the puzzle. You might think you could have done a better job at this or handled things more professionally or in a better manner, but no matter how you deliver it....it's still the same bad news. I struggle like anyone else to make sense of the decisions, but I hope for everyone's sake that they were decisions made that will benefit everyone in the long run. I'm hopeful that the company will learn to be more efficient through this; I'm confident that some of these folks got a kick start into retirement and perhaps they'll learn how to relax all over again; I'm optimistic that a situation like this can throttle people into something they might never have tried otherwise; and I'm also painfully aware of the economy and how much worry and stress everyone of those individuals is feeling. I feel sad that they're gone...very sad. But, what is life if not a roller coaster, right?

Font Conference

Check out The Font Conference! I'm officially a geek now...but this had me rolling on the floor! (I would have pasted the HTML, but the video is too wide for my layout and that bothered me too much to leave it!) Enjoy either way!

The Balancing Act

It's tough...huh!? Some days I'm left standing in my kitchen, dust cloud settling around me, wondering how I got there. It's everyday events like shuttling to and from school, ball practices, extracurricular activities, housework/maintenance, pets, laundry and add a job (for those that have one) that keep us in a constant state of motion. I wonder if we actually know what it's like to sit still anymore. Gone are the days where the kids play in the yard while the grown-ups hold their rockers in place on the front porch. Air conditioning may have had a lot to do with that, I guess. What happened to the easy breezy days? Not just during Summer time. Everyday shouldn't be a mad dash to make the next big event in our lives. Life happens around us all the time. How much are we actually missing out on by taking it all on? Everything suffers when we stretch ourselves thin. From relationships to job performance - it all takes a beating. All the more reason to evaluate what we've got on our plates and choose what we can do without. With Summer half gone, I realize that I haven't gotten to enjoy much of it. I haven't been the beneficiary to too much relaxation. What I have tried to enjoy has ended up being something that everyone involved wouldn't have chosen...so I tend to bend to the majority. Nevertheless...make the best of the opportunities you have to enjoy life, your family and yourself. This is our only chance to take it all in and I'm going to try and do just that from now on....in stride! What about you?

Potty Business!

My schedule lately has been work and T-ball. It is what it is.

Today, our game was to take place at my old stomping grounds at 5:30pm (we won 22 - 15, if you're intererested). Just so you're aware, it's a modern day scheduling marvel that I get each of my children from opposite sides of town and end up in the desired location by 5:30pm on any day...let alone a game day. My workday doesn't end until 5pm, so I'm still not sure how I do it. I guess I'm glad neither of my kids get carsick. That could certainly throw a wrench into my schedule.

I managed to get back to work by 4:15pm with my son in tow and we immediately stopped in the restroom to change into his uniform. As he was wrapping up his utilization of the facilities, a co-worker of mine and fellow BamaMom came in to do the same. He happened to be in her stall. "Her stall?" you might be asking yourself. Allow me to clarify: she breastfeeds her baby girl. She uses the large (handicap) stall because there is a chair available to her to make it a more comfortable situation. As soon as I saw her coming, I set Hayden's wheels in motion. We can set the clocks at work by Lauren and her breastfeeding schedule, so I knew she was ready to get going.

So, I got him dressed (mostly) and told him to put his cleats on and head for my desk when he was done. He nodded in compliance and off I went to get some paperwork done before I had to book it to daycare and the ball field. He appeared shortly afterward. But, not before he got an important lesson in the ladies room. Lauren had taken her seat in the 'big stall' and the rhythmic hum of her breast pump began to fill the tiled lavatory. Of course Hayden's curiosity was sparked. He proceeded to hit the floor and stick his head up under the stall! He's a very inquisitive little guy...so he's not alarmed by much luckily. He asked her what she was doing, and her response: "Well, I'm making supper for my little girl."

His response: "In the bathroom?"

He's witty too.....

Time - It's not always on your side!

As my "loyal following" is aware, I've recently made a transition at work into a sales position. It's something that I initiated and have been fortunate thus far with my sales and contacts. Nevertheless, the hardest part for me has been adjusting to the disorganization that I've recently adopted.

I'm so close to OCD about being organized, it just ain't funny! So, this is hard. I went from the person that had her "you know what" together to someone that is lucky if she remembers her purse on the way out the door. Luckily, that hasn't overflowed into my personal life....yet. I'm afraid that it's on its way.

Enter the "Time Management" class. I'm forever loving change. I'm in the minority of those that crave it. That's what brought on the career change most recently. I get bored easily. It's not bad...just helps me keep things interesting. It's the reason I have trouble listening to songs on my IPOD all the way through. It's the reason I have to purge my closets once every three months or so. It's the reason I can't pick a beer and stick with it. I'm always afraid something really good (not necessarily better) is out there that I haven't tried.

Today, I attended day one of two in a Time Management class. I'm a pretty happy-go-lucky person. I give just about everybody ample time to get their act together and show me what they've got. I'm no easy judge...but I'm fair. I went in expecting to learn ways to assist myself on managing my time better and I fear that I've been let down. I still have one class to go, but I'm discouraged by what I didn't take away from today - besides the homework. Pardon me, but if I'm in a time management course, odds are that I have plenty to do. I doubt very seriously that I need additional work added - more than likely it's assistance with the current balancing act of life, love and the pursuit!

I'll keep a positive attitude for session two. I'll remain in my "self-help" mode so that I continue to believe that I won't continue down this road of disorganization that most certainly leads straight to the gates of hell!

Pray for me.

Ahoy!

What's your most desired profession?

What I mean by that is....what would you like to do (either for a living or not) for the rest of your life if you had no other obligations? No kids to worry with. No significant other to depend on you. No pets to tend to. No strings, whatsoever. What would you do?

Maybe you'd stay right where you are doing exactly what you're doing. If that's the case, I applaud you for doing what you MUST love. For me...that's not the case. I was thinking about this today as I was on my way home from the birthday party of a friends child. My IPOD was on shuffle and several Jimmy Buffett songs were played in a row. It got me thinking...if I could sever ties with my community, house, schools, work, etc. I'm almost certain that I'd like to travel the world by sea. Essentially, It'd be a pirates life for me! Don't laugh...not a pilfering one, I'd be nice. But, to have a life that is free from worry or want....to wander the seas aimlessly....to take in more sunrises and sunsets than my eyes care to see.....to drink myself silly on Captain Morgan's Rum.....what a wonderful experience. I imagine a life of sea salt and spray; a life that is completely uninhibited and lead only by impulse and desire. Where do I want to go today? What do I want to do today? Who do I want to be around today? What would I like to eat today?

All that and I haven't even touched on the amazement found in scouring the many islands in search of the greatest places to eat and dives to visit. Can you just imagine? Close your eyes and think about the adventures at sea that would await! It entices me more and more every time I think about it!

Then, my wonderful kids laughing upstairs remind me that I'm tethered to this role...for now. I'm a landlubber, like it or not! At least until they head off to college. Do you think they'll be embarrassed to introduce me to their friends?

"Hi John...this is my mom, Lola...Capt. of the Hemisphere Dancer." (Several Jimmy references)

Neveryoumind...it's not like I'd give a hoot at that point, right?!

Oh well, there's always retirement. May your seas be calm and your rum plentiful!

Change...

....it should be self-starting.

We are all aware that it happens whether you like it or not. We are all aware that you better expect it. Everything changes. You best prepare yourself. However, I'm a believer that you should be the one to set the wheels in motion for change. Perhaps it's my desire to retain some control in situations. Or maybe it's the thinking that you should always be of a proactive mind. Either way, I think it just feels better if you're the one making the decision to get the (change) ball rolling.

I'm on several committees within my community. American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Committee, Business Expo (Chamber of Commerce affiliated), Salute to Industry (also Chamber affiliated), CCAF and Junior League is coming up. I was making mention just the other day that something was going to have to give because I was feeling stretched pretty thin. I'm beginning to feel like a professional committee member. Honestly, it's something I enjoy. I get to participate in several different events and showcase my talents in organization and communication. I'm not too shabby at planning either! Nevertheless, it can become overwhelming if you don't keep a watch on it.

Well, before I even had a chance to make the change and forego my seat on one or more of the committees, the decision was made for me. My boss feels that it no longer behooves me or the company to serve on several of these committees because my "job" has changed and my focus has shifted. I'm not saying I don't agree with that angle...just that I'm disappointed that I wasn't quick enough to the draw. I strive to stay a step ahead...of just about everything! I fell short in this instance.

Oh well...time to regroup! Get back in the game, so to speak and kick tail with my new responsibilities. It might be nice to relenquish some of the current ones for something fresh and new. Time for me to go make a difference somewhere else....at least that's what I'm going to tell myself.

Anyone else feel this way?

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Pardon the recent absence. I was much needed on the homefront! It's good to take time to check back in with the family and all that goes on. It can get pretty hectic pretty fast. It'll knock you on your ass if you're not careful! But, I'm glad to be back. During my brief hiatus I learned a few things. I'm a big proponent that you learn something new everyday. Seriously...everyday. It may or may not be anything substantial or worth writing home about, but it's new.

1. I learned that a good friend of mine, Lori, is pregnant. This wouldn't be such overwhelmingly amazing news if it weren't for all she and her husband have gone through to get to this point. She's not too far along...only a couple of weeks probably...and she's already glowing! They're about to experience one of life's greatest miracles and I'm so excited for them!
2. My best friend Kristin just lost her daddy, Mike Cooper, to Cancer. He fought a hard fight and gave it all he could for as long as he could. The best part - he found his peace before he left this world. Read the story of how it all happened...and I suggest you get a tissue or three!
3. I learned (as I have before and will continue to do) that relationships are hard. Whether you're talking about a marriage, a best friend, a parent/child or work related, balancing the art can be tough. It takes lots of hard work, mountains of patience and understanding.
4. I was reminded of how much vacation is necessary. I'm working with a pretty tough deadline at work right now and I'm so looking forward to getting out of town and not worrying about a thing!
5. I re-learned (cause it wasn't like I didn't know!) that I have fabulous neighbors! Seriously...I'll put them up against anyone's. They're just as much fun partying as they are sitting in the driveway putting together patio furniture, or hanging out on the deck in the afternoon. "Home" is so much better with great neighbors!!
6. I learned that I have to take a break sometimes and re-group. Maybe it's just a book and a bath...but a re-group is necessary! It's easy to get caught up in making sure everyone else around you is taken care of. Easy, but not always healthy. Make time to tend to you - you're just as important!
7. I learned, unfortunately, that "Rock of Love" with Bret Michaels is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing ever to grace the small screen...yet I can't make myself change the channel. What a joke...yet I'm mesmerized!
8. I learned/realized that I haven't had my hair cut (not even trimmed) since November 2007 (over four months if you're counting) and that's way too long. I've got to make that a priority this week!
9. I was reminded that if you want something, it might just be as easy as asking. I tend to overthink/overanalyze situations until I end up making them more complicated than they ever started out being. All you have to do is ask.
10. I learned that hard work can payoff from time to time. You can work hard, save your money (or not), make at least semi-smart decisions and then.....you can reward yourself. And you should! You've only got one shot at enjoying this life....you should certainly be willing to take some chances along the way!
11. Finally...I've been reminded that my kids aren't standing still. I have a picture on my mantle of each of them and I was saying something the other day about how I needed to update the pics within each frame. It dawned on me that I was having trouble remembering my little girl that little. In the picture she's about a year old and it seems like eons ago! Add insult to injury by realizing that I'm only about a head and some change taller than my little man and you've got yourself a 'sobfest'.

All in all, the "break from the blog" was beneficial. I missed it, though. It's a great release to be able to tap, tap, tap my way into relaxation. I'm flattered that so many even give a rat's "you-know-what" about anything I have to say...but if you go away laughing I've done my part! So, I'm back on track...and thanks for reading! There's some funny stuff coming up soon!

Straight out of the Honesty Pod!

You gotta appreciate the honesty, right!?

And just so you know...the honesty pod consists of Moira, my podmate, and myself at work. We're brutally honest. It's just who we are. If you don't like it, don't enter the pod. No hard feelings...just the God's honest truth!

Blog Buffet - indulge yourself!

February 2008 is just about over...how quickly time flies, huh? I thought I'd recap a couple of interesting things that were thrown at me today...just in time to call February D-O-N-E!

• I came upon this little ditty from one of my favorite blogs, List of the Day. Quite ironic that it goes hand in hand with my blog from yesterday!

• My little boy came downstairs this morning - bright eyed & bushy tailed - and told me, as I lay in the bed lookin' ruff, I'm sure that I was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen! Then he held my arm and told me it was warm. He said it reminded him of pancakes. I'm so happy to be the best looking, most like pancake mom he's ever seen!

• "Wham! 30" happens in my pod at work everyday at 4:30pm. I was astonished to discover today that two charming, yet sheltered, individuals were not aware of who Wham! actually was. I'll save you the script of adjectives I used to describe their tortured selves and tell you that they left with a better understanding! "Wham! 30" Forever, baby! Whoo-hooo!

• My husband is into plants, as you may have read before. He's in the process of getting his tomatoes ready to go in the ground. No, it's not time yet...but he's growing his from seed. He's been catching some flak from some folks for doing it this way. He mentioned that he was going to grow them from seed just to spite the naysayers. "Like you", he said. I reminded him that I never said he couldn't grow them. I just don't understand the purpose in doing it this way. Tomato plants are very inexpensive at the nursery and your odds are better that they'll be a hearty, stable plant once placed in the ground. His response: "That's like going to the mall to get a baby! You don't have the same attachment or love for the plant!" I had nothing else to say. Here's to voluminous production of acidic fruits in our garden and yours this year!

Is it over yet?

I'm starving for new television! I hear the writers may have finally come to an agreement on terms of whatever they are ironing out with what they deserve and all...and I couldn't be happier! My Tivo has been out of practice so long I'm afraid it won't work when it all does turn around! I hope they come to an agreement that lets them all get back to work soon. They're certainly not helping the slumping economy if they're not working and earning money, are they? Mostly, my reasons are selfish...but I'm okay with it! I miss my Grey's Anatomy! What is McDreamy thinking with Rose? Meredith needs him even though she can't express that to him! I NEED to know what is going on. Ain't it gonna be a pain in the ass of television viewers everywhere if the writer's start back to work and all of a sudden find themselves without humor, intellect or captivating material? Sssshhhhhhhhhh....we won't even think about that! Hurry back writer's - we need you!

Everyone needs a Swear Jar!

Click for more Funny Videos Funny Jokes This is my office! Although not very proud of this, we could probably afford to buy a keg every other day with the money we would raise! I will start a swear jar tomorrow! We will put the money toward our Relay for Life goal...who's with me?

Lipstick Jungle!!!

I went to my first "screening" tonight! It was fun! The pilot episode of Lipstick Jungle was worth the energy I exerted to get there!

This show is gonna be great! I urge you all to tune in when it airs February 3rd on NBC. Starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price, this show is coming in on the coattails of Sex and the City and it's getting off to a great start. They all three play very successful women that deal with having to answer for their decisions when their male counterparts don't! They are all dealing with their own issues and insecurities, families and fashion.

I think what I love most is Brooke Shields...of course, Lindsay Price - who you may remember from Beverly Hills 90210 as Steve's girlfriend (and later his wife) and the surprise was Andrew McCarthy! I know everyone remembers Mannequin and Weekend at Bernie's.

So, tune in and let me know what you think!

Ode to the Grocer!

Please allow me these few precious moments to thank you…and I mean really thank you.

As a little girl (like many at a young age) I wanted so badly to be a cashier. I loved the idea of scanning the items, taking the money, using the register and bagging the groceries. (So strange that nowadays I desire a profession in the hospitality industry…but that’s for another blog!)

So, I thank you, local grocer - which shall go unnamed to protect the innocent – for making my dream come true this evening. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for employing young, ignorant teenagers who scan my items with such disdain even I no longer love life. And, also for teaching them the thing to do when they see a young mother of two struggling to weave her ridiculously overloaded buggy down the isle is to not even move their cart of ‘items being returned to the shelf’. No, no…please, finish your phone call first, “Bret”. I’ll just stand here and age.

(Sidenote: As my children grow up and get jobs of their own, I hope that society doesn’t alter so much so that being on your cell phone while stocking groceries is acceptable. Seriously, the only person important enough to call you at work when you’re sixteen is your mama…and then, by God, you better answer. Am I right?)

In addition, I’d like to personally thank you for allowing me the privilege to bag my own groceries. I was certainly feeling sub par in the challenge department (seeing as how all I did was get out in the cold and brave your supermarket in heels with two kids in tow). Bagging groceries was just what I needed to relieve my stress. Perhaps I’ll work it into my routine on a weekly basis? It was also a nice touch to have 10+ trainees standing at register 3 (me at register 4) and witness this tacky, yet somewhat comical, display of errors as I tried to bag my items correctly and according to placement. I mean, you can’t bag hamburger meat and grapes together, right? I feel that they may have picked up on some pretty important customer service skills while standing there popping their gum, texting their friends and rolling their eyes. Say it with me now, “That’s not my job!” Goooooooood! And if that wasn’t enough for them, they can just tune into my cashier “Tiphany’s” grand attitude about it all. She’ll have you perky in no time! I might have had sympathy for their acne ridden selves if I didn’t stand before them with my “bindi” in place.

So, again, I thank you. Thank you for helping me see the error of my ways. Thank you for proving that my decision to come to you and avoid the long lines at my local discount store that sells tires and groceries was WRONG!!! At least there I can do self checkout and get the real rush from playing cashier! You know…minus the money and all.

Up yours….truly!

A little office humor to brighten your day!

glumbert - Bad Day at the Office

Changes in Latitudes, right?

Change is hard. It’s inevitable. It happens to everyone. Change is probably the most difficult thing to manage. But, it happens. There’s not a whole lot you can do about it. You have to know yourself well enough to know how you deal with change. Do you welcome it? Do you embrace the idea of change and look at it as an opportunity to try or learn something new? I embrace change. I got married at 20 years old. In fact, I had only been 20 for 17 days when I said ‘I do’. I look back on that now and wonder what on Earth made me think I knew who I was at 20. I had my first child at 21 and my second at 24. All of these milestones in my life helped me learn about myself. Not only that, but they changed me. I’ve heard people say that they are happy to report, at 30+, that they’re the exact same person they were 10 years prior. It would make me sad to say that. It would break my heart to think that I hadn’t grown or learned or broadened my horizons or perspective from the challenges I’ve faced. In fact, I’d be a little ticked off, to tell you the truth! What did I go through it all for, if not to learn something? Change is in the air. I can feel it. In fact, it’s been lingering for a while now. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s just around the corner. I’m excited to see what change has to offer. I’m intrigued to find out how it’s going to introduce itself. I feel mostly that this change is going to occur in my work life. Perhaps partly I’m longing for change in my work life. Who knows? Regardless, I’m ready. I recently came across two different articles having to do with business that included statements I found to be profound. One was, “You can’t expect your employees to get excited about selling your product if you don’t show interest in what they get excited about.” Great, right? Basically, if your only interest in your employees is whether they do their job and make their numbers, you won’t have very motivated employees. Think about it! The other statement was, “People don’t leave good companies. They leave bad managers.” Truer words have never been written. All that aside, change is gonna happen. I encourage you to approach it head on with a positive attitude. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll take something away when all is said and done.