New Year's Eve, so far

It's been a good day so far, and it's not 6 pm yet.  Our new (free) shed is in place, my basement is getting clean, and Jonathan is here for the weekend.  Who could ask for more. The junk food I'm eating is just a bonus.

I was up at 3:30 to leave for work by 4, so we'll see if I make it until midnight.  I really want to, though.  The house is so peaceful and happy right now.  Everyone is in a groove.  Here's hopin' it keeps going.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year indeed!  It's going to be a great weekend, and I'm stoked about it.  Linda (Kevin's mom) and Jonathan (Kevin's son) will be here in about an hour.  We have junk food, snack food, beverages and desserts.  Yeah, it's going to be a great weekend.

I have to work a bit tomorrow, but will be off before noon.  Then, it's relaxation, getting my butt kicked at Rummy (by Linda) and laughter.  I'll eat too much, then eat some more.  I'll rest too much, then rest some more.  What a great holiday...no gifts, no pressure, no nonsense.  I love this one as much as the 4th of July.  YeeeHaaawww!

The kids can have Pepsi without limit, junk foods that I NEVER buy, and staying up late.  I can have Diet Coke without limit, junk foods that I NEVER buy, and staying up late.  Kevin can have Diet Coke without limit, junk.....well, you get the idea.  I'm happy, excited, and peaceful   I love my life, and I love my family.

My 2006 bring you at least 1/2 of the happiness that I've experienced in 2005.  If you get that much, you will be truly blessed indeed.  I raise a glass to you tonight, 'cause I'll be too busy celebrating tomorrow night.  I love all of you, even those that I haven't met.  I have received differing thoughts and opinions that would have never met my ears without J-land.  Peace out, Dawgs.

Back to work

Well, after a WONDERFUL 5 days off, I went back to work today.  It was nice to have the "off season" work load.  I was caught up by noon (from missing yesterday) and out of work by 4.  Ahhhhh.  Now I can get caught up on software updates, new software releases and training issues.

Before long, it'll be time for trade shows to start.  I think I'm going to Indianapolis the first weekend in February.  Until then, though, just normal relaxed working days.  I do have to go in Saturday, but if I start by 5, I should be out of there by noon.  Kevin's family will all be up for the weekend, so I'll be ready to get home as soon as possible.

I got to hang with my best friend last night.  Tammy and her husband came over and we played Rummy for a while.  I lost....badly.  LOL  That's nothing new.  It's always good to visit with Tammy.  We connect quite well, and use each other for venting.  I've never had a friend as good as her.  Everyone is very blessed if they have ONE true, TRUE friend.  I am blessed.

Well, the girls are exhausted from their day at Grandma's house, and have collapsed in bed.  Kevin is passed out on the couch, and Brett is in his room, too.  I guess I should follow suit and go to bed.  We had Bates City BBQ for dinner, and it was awesome as usual.  What a treat.

I wish you all an incredible new year, and hope it finds your families healthy and happy.  Here's to health, happiness, and always plenty of money to pay your bills.  And, if you find yourself with extra money after paying those bills, I'll send you my address!

A Merry Christmas Holiday

It's been a good weekend.  The kids enjoyed their gifts, and we had fun watching the excitement.  Kevin cooked a good breakfast and Mom cooked an incredible Christmas dinner.  Monica has gotten so far on the keyboard that I am SURE she will have a musical future.  Today, we went to a little bar to meet up with fellow J-landers Russ and Sim.  It was great, and I have two days left.  Poor Kevin has to go back tomorrow.  Sorry honey.  Don't wake me up on your way out!  LOL

My Friday Memory

I was looking forward all day to dinner.  Kevin, Mom and I were going to Outback for dinner, courtesy of a gift card from one of my customers.  I love a good meal out.  Outback is great, too.  But then I got to thinking about what a "good meal out" was when I was a kid.

I loved McDonalds.  Grandma and Grandpa would take us, and I didn't have to get a happy meal!  I could get whatever I wanted, and it was usually a Filet O' Fish sandwich.  MMMmmm, I loved those things.  Other times they'd take us to Kentucky Fried Chicken.  What a treat!  Once in a while we'd go to Taco Bell, too.  Wow, now THAT was livin'.

Now, fast food is something that I rarely buy, and am disappointed when I do.  It's greasy and tasteless and overpriced.  Microwaves and healthy oils have ruined the flavors, and the Cokes are watered down.  I'm sure they weren't much better then, but to me they were a fabulous opportunity.  I miss my childhood innocence.  Now it's all bills and money and weight gain. 

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for helping me enjoy it while I could.

(I still like Shamrock Shakes, though!)

We Did It!!!!

We made incentive!  That means that I get a 5 day weekend!  Wow, you have no idea what that means to me.  I have busted my butt to get my customers taken care of, and I have gone above and beyond more than once.  They said they appreciate me, and have proven it.  I'm done.

I'm done.

Yeah, I've made it all happen through the miracle of Christmas Magic.  I'm nothing...just a voice on the phone...yet....there's something.

Something makes customers brag on me in my boss's voicemail.  Something makes customers cry when I tell them that a last minute order will arrive on time. Something makes other reps ask my advice.  Something makes me drive home singing....something....something.

I am in the right field.  I wondered whether or not I was doing the right job for...well... for my whole life.  I love daycare, but there's no money in it.  I love receivables, but I don't get to talk to PEOPLE.  I love being a housewife, but I need to DO something...something else.

I am in the right job.  I'll retire from this joint.  I love my customers and my customers love me.  Damn, I'm on such a high right now.  Let it ride, baby.  I will turn off the phones by 3 tomorrow (probably earlier) and will have a FIVE DAY WEEKEND!!!!!!!

Life is good, and I'm happy.  I love ya man...I love ya!

P.S.  See ya Monday, Russ and Sim?

Almost there, and sliding down hill

"It's all downhill from here."...or so they keep saying at work.  Yeah, it's slowing down, but there are so many last-minute stress-out moments, and they keep me stressed.  Every order we shipped yesterday got delivered today....some of them with problems.  That means, I pull the file, have something reprinted, and ship it out.  They still get it before Christmas.

We made the second part of our three-part incentive.  All local orders were finished today.  That means that they are on deliveries in the morning.  Only one part to meet.  We must not go over 4% remakes by Friday.  Let's all hold our breath!

Today, I received another cool gift.  I HUGE cheesecake, in a styrofoam cooler on dry ice, all the way from Georgia....McDonough, I think.  It got stowed away in mom's freezer for my houseload of company New Year's weekend.  I also got two cans of Pringles from my secret santa...boy, they know me pretty well!

We will go Christmas shopping Friday night.  We have a sitter and it's all planned out.  We are limited enough on funds that we were going to grab a cheap burger for dinner...but not now!  Another customer sent me a $50 gift card to the Outback.  WooooHoooooo!  Now we get a dinner that we can NEVER afford on our own, and we don't have to pay.  Thank you, dear customer in Texas.  What a sweetie.

Yeah, people are letting me know that I do a good job.  I appreciate it.  I appreciate being appreciated.  ROFL  Life's good, and I'm almost done...almost there....2 days from a 5-day weekend.  Ahhhhhhh.

Oh, and one more thing.  I found a funny site.  Have a hi-res head shot handy somewhere, and visit this site.  It seems to think that I resemble Charleton Heston.  WELL!  I NEVER!  Oh well, it's the internet, after all.