Wednesday Haiku To You!

She's on vacation!

I will get my job back yet!

By just being ME!

Brought To You By Emerson, Vivienne, And The Number 8.

 

Both Kimmy and In My Mind It’s Always Funny tagged me to do this little game.  But I decided to mix it up a bit, I’m going to have Emerson and Vivi each answer the questions.

8 THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO

Emerson:

1) Going to Hawaii

2) Seeing Gage

3) My Birthday Party

4)  The Dells

5)  School being out.

6)  Playing American Idol on Wii

7) Tomorrow

8) See my friends

Vivienne:

1) Dinner

2) Going to Mary’s tomorrow

3) Watching George

4) Getting Bigger

5)  Hugging you

6) My Birthday

7) Fixing your hair

8) Playing together

 

8 THINGS  I DID YESTERDAY

Emerson:

1) Woke up

2) Ate Daddy’s Crispy Pancakes

3) Kept Vivi company

4) Homework

5) Went to Walmart

6) Took a Bath

7) Washed Vivi’s hair

8) Couldn’t fall asleep until 4AM

Vivienne:

1) Got up

2) Saw a worm in my bed

3) woke Mommy up

4) told her about the worm

5) Watched Noggin

6) Got a new George Movie

7) Fell off the bed

8)  Didn’t cry

 

8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO

Emerson:

1) Build a bench

2) Go to 6 Flags with a friend

3) Be a vampire like Edward

4) Drive a car

5) Be on American Idol

6) Make Simon happy on American Idol

7) Throw more strikes at bowling

8) Convince my friends that Santa Claus is real.

 

Vivienne:

1) Play Wii

2) Eat Chocolate

3) Remember not to swallow gum

4) Grow tall

5) Have a dog like Indy’

6)  Go to school like Emmy

7) Read

8) Make Mommy and Daddy see Stacy

 

8 SHOWS I WATCH

Emerson:

1) Supernatural

2) 6Teen

3) Suite Life on Deck

4) Hannah Montana

5) Chowder

6) 3rd Rock From the Sun

7) Maverick

8) Food Network Challenge

Vivienne:

1) Max and Ruby

2) Caliou

3) Golden Girls (That’s My Favorite)

4) Dora the Explorer

5) Scooby Doo

6) Curious George (That’s my Favorite too)

7) Sunny Side Up Show

8) YO Gabba Gabba

8 PEOPLE TAGGED

Anyone who would like to play.

There you have it.  Now you know more about my kids.

By The Way, there was no worm found in Vivi’s bed.

Johnny Depp Monday + 1

Here is a little picture of Johnny for everyone.






And a special treat for Iggy...







THEN THERE'S MAUDE!!!

Rest in Peace, Lovely Lady.

The Newest Member to Our Family

Ladies and Gentleman,

I would like to introduce to you the newest member to our little family...

Her name is Lola, she is a showgirl.

She is a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. She has 29,000 miles and is still under the original warranty. I bought her today, ALL BY MYSELF!!!

After our old car went to automobile heaven, we went without a car for a week. Then in a stroke of genius, (mine of course) we decided to rent a car until ours would be fixed.

We rented a PT Cruiser because Matt has always wanted one. I wasn't sure it was for me...until I drove it. It is so big and roomy inside. It sits up high like an SUV and drives so smooth. I knew I had to have one.

We got the news that the car would cost more to fix than it was worth. In fact, it wasn't worth anything. A 1996 Ford Escort wagon? Imagine that!

I found Lola on the web and Matt and I discussed it. I should go and buy it and put it in my name because I would be the one driving it and it would be something to boost my credit.

I was scared, I have never done this alone. I have always had Matt or my Stepfather with me.

I walked in there armed with some research from the web and my smile.

Well, it turns out that I haven't financed anything in over 5 years. The last car we bought, Matt paid cash. The car before that, I bought from my father. The fact that I have no credit, is worse than having bad credit.

They suggested a co-signer, but I didn't want to do that unless I really had to. They contacted a few banks and were waiting to hear from one in particular. They suggested that I went home and they would call me if they heard anything. I was no sooner out of the parking lot when my cell phone rang. My new very good friend, Dave had worked his little fingers to the bone and the bank was going to do it, but they needed a few items from me.

1) Proof of insurance. (no problem)

2) Proof of income. (I got paid yesterday, so I had check stubs in my purse)

3) 6 personal references (can they be family members? Yes? Then no problem)

4) Proof of residency, a utility bill in my name (UH-OH!)

This morning, I went through all of our bills and thankfully, the cell bill and the Internet bill is in my name. I called all of my references and made sure it was OK to list them, and I walked into the dealership today with a pretty pink folder full of my homework assignment.

I walked out of the dealership with a great sense of pride and a set of keys!!!

The girls named her Lola, isn't she beautiful?

Hooray for ME!!!!

Six Word Saturday!

Trying to buy a new car.

If you would like to play go see Cate.

Thank You Encore Westerns!

Every night at 6pm Encore Westerns puts on an episode of Maverick.

The whole family has gotten in to this show. Even Emerson enjoys an episode or two.

It's nice to sit down and watch these 2 brothers, or even just have them on in the background while I do other things.

On a clear night, right about 6:02pm, you can hear for miles around;

"Is it Bart or Bret..Bart or Bret??"

As you are well aware, we are partial to Bret in our house, but Bart's okay too.

Wednesday Haiku For You!

 

There’s one thing I’ll say

that I have going for me,

I do dress better

Johnny Depp Monday

Our Devine Miss Em!!

Emerson Erin is 10 years old today! Can you believe it??? I am certainly not old enough to be the mother of a 10 year old!!! But then again I had her when I was 11, I would rather be thought of as a loose child than an old lady.

To Our Miss Em:

Since the moment we met, you've had my heart. I wasn't sure I could love someone so much.

Everyday you teach us something new about who you are and about ourselves. You are kind and considerate. Warm and Friendly. Smart and adventurous. Not to mention, the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. But you are truly beautiful on the inside, which is where it counts.

You are incredibly diplomatic and are worshipped by your little sister.

I have no doubt that you will do anything you set your mind to, you have your father's optimism and my stubbornness.

Kid, you're gonna go far in life!

I can't believe how fast 10 years has gone by. Before you, I was just a girl, but you made me a mommy.

I love you Em! Happy Birthday!

Six Word Saturday!

Family having fun, left me cleaning.

If you would like to join 6 word Saturday, go see Cate at Show My Face

I Did It! Well...Almost.

I went into work with my head held high. I did my very best not to cry or throw things.

I sat in a meeting with my boss and her and had a piece of paper given to me that mapped out all of my old duties and when she will have to be completely trained on them and when she'll take them over. On the bottom of the page was a list of 4 things that I will do.

1) Maintain collections (We knew that was coming)
2)Become the local contact for the Re-Branding. We are changing our name (as well as our business ethics, apparently) and I get to tell whoever is in charge how much stationary we have on hand with our old name on it. (They tried to make it a bigger job than it actually is. It was like 2 parents telling a child how great the dentist is)
3) Log in the work that comes in from the other location (basically write them in a book)
4) Basic data entry.

I took a deep, cleansing breathe when she moved from across the building to the desk directly behind me.

And I only broke one (box of) pencils in half when the mass email went out telling everyone that I am still on the Admin staff, just in a more "supportive" position, and to please welcome and congratulate _____ on her new position.

I was able to handle the people who couldn't make eye contact with me. I was able to handle the congratulations given to her. I was able to handle the whispering behind my back and the people not really caring, but just wanting the juicy gossip. I made it through the day.

There was one point of the day that I had to white knuckle it. But that was all Matt's fault. I was sitting at my desk, hanging by a very thin, tattered thread when this email came over from him. As I was reading it, the song that's in the YouTube video started playing. (See if you can read it and listen to the song at the same time to get the full effect)


.WET PANTS

Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!'

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good..

Remember......Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Each and everyone one of us is going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith

The Prayer:
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Amen.



That's all I can stands and I can't stands no more!!!! I stepped outside for a much needed breathe of fresh air. He meant well.

Tonight, I bought a bottle of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and I am going to have a very big drink! Maybe 2!

I toast to you, my bloggy friends who I will always be there for as they are there for me. And to drinking and blogging (because later on, this could get entertaining)

OK...Just Breathe

Today, I was informed that all of my Office Manager duties will be turned over to that woman at 9:00am tomorrow.

We are going to sit down in a "meeting" and map out what duties I am keeping, and what she will be doing. They will also be making an announcement to the entire staff of the change in front of me.

When I asked today, "If she is going to be doing everything that I was doing, why the hell do you need me?"

I was told that they still would like me to do the collections. Great!!! The worst job in the building!

Matt and my mother keep telling me to go in there with a smile on my face and take my lumps because they don't want me to be without a job.

She walked around there today with her nose in the air and a smirk on her face.

How am I going to face this tomorrow? Everyone will give me a look of pity.

I even had a fantasy that the whole place would erupt in outcries of protest and management would change their mind. But who am I kidding? No one is going to care as long as their jobs are safe and their work gets done. It will be just another day for all of them while my life falls apart.

What am I going to do?

I'm sorry to bore you all with this again. I promise I will stop talking about it.

Wednesday Haiku To You!

No more wild nights

Running through the house naked.

They're coming home soon.

It's Too Quite Here!

Matt's Grandmother passed on Sunday Morning. She was quite old, had Alzheimer's and went peacefully in her sleep.

She died in a nursing home in Tennessee and that is where the funeral is today. Because things are so weird at work, Matt and I decided that I should probably stay but he took the girls down there to say goodbye.

They left yesterday morning and will be back on Wednesday afternoon. They drove Matt's mom's car down. The girls grabbed the portable DVD player and a bunch of movies for the trip.

I'm sure Matt will be fine, but I can't say that I'm not a little concerned. I don't think he has ever had both of them by himself for a long period of time. Even when I go to bowling tournaments, he usually drops them off at a Grandma's house. At least he has Emerson, she'll keep him in line.

As for me, I don't know what to do with myself. Last night I enjoyed a cherry coke float while I colored my hair and caught up on some commenting.

I hope I can keep myself busy,who knows what kind of trouble I can get into if I'm too bored and left to my own devices.

Hmmmm...maybe.

Johnny Depp Monday!

Happy Easter!

May your baskets be overflowing with chocolatey goodness.

One Step Forward

I want to thank you all for your kind words and prayers. As I was reading over the comments, one in particular struck me as particularly enlightening.



Punkn wrote (and I'm paraphrasing): In the scheme of things, hun, it just doesn't matter. You know your value.

She is absolutely right, I do know my own value, and it has not gone down since they demoted me.

For some reason, this last Thursday, I felt better. It was as if there was only so much emotion I had left. I went to work and I was actually able to look my boss in the face. I even spoke to him.

It might have had something to do with my future replacement's insane idea to change our phone company 1 month before we vacate the building. This little brain child caused the antique phone system to completely breakdown for 1 week. When asked why and who authorized the switch (by the big, BIG boss) she couldn't come up with an answer. All she said was that it was suppose to save us $1000. Then they told her that the whole disaster caused the company $15000+ a day in sales.

I, on the other hand, was asked to do a mass mailing to let our customers know that we were moving. The mailing consisted of a packet for each client so they had to be printed, collated, stapled, stuffed, stamped and mailed by Friday. I got the job on Tuesday for over 1000 clients. It took me every hour of each day, I worked through lunch and I have paper cuts all over my hands, but I did the last one yesterday and they are all mailed out.

I will continue to do the best job I can and watch her drown. The best part is that I don't even have to resort to dirty pool, she's doing it all herself.

I do have one thing to say to her. As my good friend, Captain Jack Sparrow said in The Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Black Pearl:

"Worry about your own fortunes gentlemen. The deepest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers. "

I Have Come Out From Under The Covers.

Things were bad, really bad last week. We were dealing with what I like to call the "Disastrous D's" and it all seemed to have happened at once. But I think I might finally be OK to talk about it.

Demotion - On Wednesday I was told that after 7 years, I will no longer be the Office Manager of my job. Once we move (which is in about a month) they are going to give it to a woman who's job has been eliminated. She is not qualified for my job, she doesn't know payroll, the data processing programs, the purchasing programs, the billing process, or how to close the month. She's work as an executive assistant for 2 years and from what I saw on a daily basis, she only knew how to order lunch. I have been bumped down to Office Assistant, she will be my supervisor.

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you how hurt and humiliated I was on Wednesday. But unfortunately, the humiliation didn't end there. On Thursday morning, I mustered as much courage and self dignity I could and I went into work. That's when they told me that I was going to have to train her as well.

Now I ask you, how much do they think one person can take? But with the job market, I'm going to have to take it. I felt heartbroken, humiliated and hopeless, which brings us to our next "D".

Depression - On Thursday night I was so hysterical that Matt found it necessary to take me to the Emergency Room. Convinced that I was a danger to myself, they put me in a very small room, took every stitch of my clothing including my underwear and told Matt that he was not to leave me alone for a second. If he had to go to the bathroom, he had to call the nurses and they would come and sit with me. There was also a very big security guard that stood outside the door.

After blood tests, urine tests and a lengthy conversation with the Psychiatrist on staff, they finally let me go home after about 4 hours. They gave me a phone number for a Psychologist and a prescription for a non-narcotic sleeping pills that give me a hangover. Matt was told that he was not to leave me alone for 48 hours, so I stayed home from work on Friday.

Diagnosis - On Friday afternoon, my mother called me. She just wanted to tell me that my Stepfather had spoken with his doctor and has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Now, I have been through this cancer thing more times than I care to count. My mother alone was diagnosed with breast cancer twice and has been cancer free for 8 years now. I know the statistics and the odds, especially with Prostate Cancer. It's very curable and very slow moving, but that doesn't make it any less scary. As strong as he wants to be, it's completely terrifying.

Disabled Car - On Saturday, we woke up to a very busy day full of bowling, birthday parties, doctor appointments etc. We went out to our car and nothing. It won't start and we are without a car for a few weeks until we can get it repaired. My friend Katie has been taking me to and from work and Matt's work van still is working, but to do anything else is impossible.

I felt so bad for Emerson. She was suppose to go to a birthday party at a hotel to go swimming and she was looking forward to it all week. She didn't cry or anything, but I vowed that she would go to the party. I groveled to my father, who really doesn't like to do anything that's inconvenient, and begged him to take her. Thankfully he did and she had a wonderful time.

Death - On Sunday, Matt was outside and when he came in he told me that our neighbor had died. He had moved away just 3 days previous to be closer to his mom. 2 days later she went over there to help him unpack and found him dead. He had an aneurysm and died instantly. He was in his late 40's. Now, I know that it is so not about me, but I feel so bad for his mom.

So there you have it folks. It's been a few days and I have been able to wrap my brain around all of it enough to let you guys know what's going on. I know that a few of you were worried and I'm sorry for doing that to you.

I am hanging by a thread right now, but I think I'll be OK. I will be catching up on everything you guys have been up to this weekend.

Wednesday Haiku For You!

A Trapeze Artist!
I could fill out the costume,
But I'm scared of heights.