Thursday, February 12, 2009

Time to catch up

Ok, it has been a week or two since my last blog and quite a few things have happened. The biggest thing that has happened, and most recent, is that we found out we are not getting raises this year. Don't get me wrong - I am glad to have a job that I normally enjoy, but it is just upsetting because we all busted our tails off this year with the remodel and all that goes along with it. What is more upsetting is the way they told us. We have something called impact planner. It is basically a program that has a list of stuff we need to do and important communications. We need to sign off the items as they are completed. They actually put that we were not getting raises in this impact planner. Talk about trying to avoid conflict! Not only did they do a poor job at delivering that message, but the reasons they gave seems kind of fake. And, since it costs just about nothing to give us all another week of vacation, why not offer a week of vacation instead? Like I said - at least I have a job that I like. Just wish that those delivering the message would have done it in a more appropriate manner and would consider some alternatives instead of just saying something along the lines of "sorry, but everyone else is doing it due to the economy."

I am just about done my last class to get my Master's certificate in HR management. I am dreading the final paper because it will make me look at myself and I will have to write about my personal leadership style and what kind of leader I want to be and how I will get there. There is basically no heavy research involved, just a lot of personal reflection and such. I think this will be the hardest paper I will ever have to write!

Now that my parents know about this I can put it in my blog. James is going to move into the house in April, probably along with my sister. His lease is up at the end of March, I need a roomie, we spend almost all of our time together as it is... so why not? We are redoing the bedrooms, which is something I wanted to do already. I haven't done anything in my house to make it my own since I moved in so I am very anxious about getting some rooms painted and such. Yay!

James and I are going to Mexico in 11 weeks! I am very excited to be going out of the country for the very first time - and even better yet it is free!!! I am just waiting for Mrs. Natalie Brankin to give me some advise about what to do while there since she went to the same resort while she was on her honeymoon. I really want to go fishing and see some ruins... and go to the swim up bar at the pool. Yes, I said swim up bar... and that is included in the "all inclusive" part of the resort!

I think that is all that is going on here in my world. I am sure I will update the blog more frequently once school is over.

Monday, February 2, 2009

It's been a while since...

OK people. I know I have been delayed on the blogging, but I have been super busy! We had inventory at work, my new class started, and I have been spending a lot of time doing things around the house and with James. So with out any more delay here is a new posting.

Inventory went really well. I am glad that it is done and that we are starting the new fiscal year with an "accurate" inventory. I found a few errors so far but they will be easily corrected. Work is going well so far. Fiscal year 2009 started yesterday so we start from square 1. Goals are reset to reflect our new configuration (TRU/BRU) so we will be challenged to meet our numbers from July to January this year. And, our company has combined into one operating unit. Yes, you are correct, it has always been one company with two divisions. Now we are one division. My district manager now has TRU and BRU stores and we are all one happy family. I hope that this allows for a better flow of communication between the TRU and BRU stores and upper management and that the transition will be smooth.

Ok, onto the relationship front. I know this is the most exciting part for all of you to read. The update is that we are still together. There really isn't anything different. We are going to Mexico in April courtesy of James' employer. Stay tuned for updates. There might be some exciting news in April. We decided to have lobster at home insted of going out and spending money for dinner.

Lobster!

What are these???

Fritz likes the white stuff left in the shell.
My friends Megan and Jason had their baby! It's a girl!! Anne Katherine was born on January 16th, 3 weeks early! She is so cute and precious and she is really good at keeping mommy and daddy up at night. I will put up a picture once the proud parents give me the ok for blog posting. Their baby shower was a mere 4 days before Anne made an effort to arrive! Just in time! It was a shower for all.

Nick and Jason at the shower.

And, Dutch celebrated his 7th birthday last week. My little boy is officially an old man now. He is a senior dog. Gray muzzle and he has old man belly (it's saggy). I remember when Dutch came home with me and he could fit on my lap in my little S-10 pickup. I could hold him in my arms like a 10 pound baby that he was. I remember the first time we went to the beach, the first time we had a vet emergency - Auntie Meghan hit him in the eye with a toy and his pupil wouldn't diolate, and how proud grandpa was when he lifted his leg for the first time (he was 2 and a half - an underachiever). Grandpa used to make fun of Dutch for peeing like a girl! I remember the first time Dutch's protection instinct kicked in - he was 6 months old. I remember the first time he met his Grandma - love at first site - same trip that Meghan hit his eye. The time when Irina went to check the mail and Dutch got out and half way around the neighborhood.... and pregnant Irina chasing him and finally getting him to run back down the street by yelling "Do you want a treat?" He came barreling back down the street and right into the house for his treat. And of course the latest incident - the rotisserie chicken. It has been a fun 7 years and I hope we have a fun 7 more.

Happy birthday baby boy!
I will be painting a few rooms in my house in February. Once I am done I will post pictures. Huge changes are on the way and I am so excited!