The Benefit of Working

Today was soooo nice. I thoroughly enjoyed having an extra, no-agenda planned, day. Ahhhhh! I was able to get the house all clean on Friday night so I could enjoy this long weekend. Smart! So I thought today I would like to get out the Fall decorations. But didn't want to stress out about it if I didn't get to it.

But, I did!! Yay! And just like every year prior, I hauled everything out and strew all the leaves and pumpkins, scarecrows and everything else imaginable from one side of the house to the other, with boxes and bags all over the place, and then lose steam. Uugggg! Well, Dave and Charity were having a movie marathon. I really just wanted to be with them. And as I sat there enjoying time with my family, the boxes of Fall paraphernalia haunted me. And I knew I only had one choice: finish what I started. So I did! And boy, did it feel good when I put those rubber totes back out in the garage and returned to my freshly, Fall-decorated abode.

It may not seem like a big deal, but I don't think I've ever taken on a this task in just one day. Usually the goods remain strewn for days as I slowly put everything in its place. Not this year. I just couldn't possibly return to work tomorrow with my nice, clean house and then, such clutter everywhere. So I got 'er done!

So for once, yay for work! And that it encouraged me to complete the job started. Guess it's not all bad! :) The paycheck is nice, too!!

Pink Bobs!

So I had a few Bobs left over from the big party. I had promised the gals at work each one since they helped. And then I figured I'd pass some on to my team leads since they were so kind in allowing us to work on them in our down time. It never hurts to be on their good side, especially when you're a temporary employee.

Then I remembered (how could I forget?!?!) Lauren's obsession with pink . . . and I knew there was no way I could give her a yellow Bob . . . it must be pink! So Charity and I gathered the supplies and got to crafting. Well, Charity lost interest and went to bed and I stayed up and finished them.

So hers was waiting for her when she woke up, because she had to have a pink on too!


Lauren's pink obsession . . . don't think I ever got to this post done (April 30th) . . . we plastered her cubicle with pink post-its on her birthday. She loved it and saved every one of the post-its to reuse. She's green, too!! :p Of course, even before we put those post-its up, everything in her area is pink to begin with: stapler, tape dispenser, coffee mug, pens, markers, etc . . . so there was no way I could put a yellow SpongeBob over there. He just wouldn't match!!

The Happy Bobs . . . I even glued Velcro on their back so they stick to our "walls".

In perfect peace and harmony!

We had way too much fun playing with them at work today!

@ Work

Since our SSA (Social Security Administration) department at work went from 1 in December, to 2 in January when I was added and now 6, we've got a little free time on our hands, but just a little. They've given us permission to read in our "down" time, but we've also (re)discovered MS Paint. Oh dear . . . well, they have. I'm not quite as talented.

So Megan (far right) did a department picture. The bird is the SSA logo. Pretty amazing, huh? I love how skinny I am!! Then Megan had a little more spare time and since we're so super, she decided to make us heroes. Yes, of course, I'm Wonder Woman! Yes, we rock! Or as I like to say, Talx Rox!! :) Glad we're able to have a little fun on the job . . . sometimes! But nobody likes it when it's time to buckle down and work. And who has to tell them? Well, some one's got to be the bad guy! Just kidding, they wouldn't listen even if I paid them!!! All I can say, is at least I've got a good bag!!! Thank you, Sarah, for this lovely portrait of the evil me! Now I don't even need a mirror!! Too bad they wouldn't let us have Solitaire on our computers. We'd all be the Solitaire Champs!! :)

It is Friday, isn't it?

It's a strange week when Friday turns out worst than your Monday. Monday was normal, good actually. Today, not so much. Tried to go to work, only for my car to die at stoplight about 10 minutes from our house. Thought it would be as easy as taking Gramma's car to work and having a friend pick up Charity from school, but Gramma would be needing her car for her Chemo appointment today. Had no luck getting in touch with my staffing agency or my employer, so I knew they were wondering were I was. Eventually got it all worked out and I was only about 45 minutes late. And all was fine, Gramma brought me in and headed off for her day and Dave would come and get me.

Frazzled and distressed about my broken car, my co-worked tried to relieve me worries, "Aren't you glad this isn't Monday?"

Wow! Yep, a Monday with all the excitement I had this morning would have been way too much for me! :) She really helped me see the positive side of things.

And it wasn't all bad. Dave did get our car to the garage to get fixed (it made it all the way there) and then he and Charity came and picked me up in our spiffy red, rental car. Too tired to go home and cook, we decided this was a perfect night for dinner out. So the three of us enjoyed a yummy, Asian meal on the patio at Pei Wei. And though the morning left much to be desired, I couldn't have asked for a nicer evening!

Just 8 Hours

Wow! It's amazing what you can accomplish when you work an 8 hour day. I did for the first time in over 3 weeks today! I think the overtime has finally come to an end. And though the extra money is good, I'm ready for a break.

3 loads of laundry put away, the rest of the week's outfit ironed for Charity and I, lunch packed, and even . . . updated my stale blog!!! Yay! Can't wait to see what I accomplish by the end of the week with my new "short" shifts!! Tomorrow's day begins at 9:30am, so with the late start there's even more time for tasks, including bringing Charity to school. I miss this. :)

So it's off to bed to see how much I can knock off the to-do list tomorrow.

The BIG 3-0!

Yes, I had to work on my birthday, which I personally think should be illegal. But Discover Source didn't make it so bad. I arrived to my little cubicle donned in streamers, a banner and balloons. Everyone brought in goodies to munch on all day. I was completely surprised as I've only been there a couple months and am still not a "real" employee (only temporary). And then this showed up:

That is a BIG 3-0! So sweet!!
And here's my piece:

Just kidding! :P That was actually the piece I brought home to share, as there was plenty to go around. Yummy!

Thanks guys for making having to work on your birthday not so bad!!

This Isn't Right?

I'm not too happy right now with "The General" a.k.a. PGAC, the company Dave works for. They so kindly scheduled their visit to my house the week following my 60 hour work week. Ahhhhh! Just what I want to do this weekend: clean the entire house top to bottom for guests to stroll through! FuN! But my goal tonight is the upstairs and tomorrow is the downstairs, in between church in the AM and having the work in the afternoon. Oh, I want a real weekend. Hopefully that will happen next week, because there's no rest for the weary today! My poor blog is starving and I know it's April. But it will be March here at The Cook Book until I can breath. And we've got so much planned this month it's not looking too good. Oh well, it will be May before we know it . . . and you know what that means? V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!! Finally a break! So, thank you Mr. General for making another weekend go by extra quickly!!

Work Work . . . Say Cheese!

Ahhh . . . nearly 60 hours this week at work. I hardly remember Monday it seems so long ago. But all that work made this little package waiting for me when I arrived home this evening worth while. Things should start looking better on The Cook Book . . . hopefully!! I think it may take a lot more than a new camera, now I just need some time!! If you've got any spare, leave it in the comment section!! :)

Life in a Fabric-Covered Box

Dave and I loved how this week Dilbert referred to the work cubicle as a "fabric-covered box"! :) The company I work for moved into a new office building this week. With that, new furniture. I officially have my very own fabric-covered box!

Here's my little piece of happiness in my box. Just need some more and those drab fabric walls won't be so miserable. And I'm sure Ms. Charity will be able to take care of that for me!

Flying By

Worked sooo much last week, well over 50 hours. Hoping this week isn't as intense. Love the paycheck, but it doesn't leave much free time.

Today I started my new schedule: 7:30am-4pm. I'm really looking forward to getting out earlier. Monday's are usually pretty crazy, today wasn't too bad, but before I even looked at the clock I had already worked 10 hours! Wow! I thought it was going to be a 12 hours day, but ending up only being 11 1/2 hours. Wish that first day that I could barely make it through 7 hours went by that fast! Guess things do get better with time!!

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

He Just Knows

Thank you, Jesus! I am just thanking Him for working all things out.

Today at work things just "blew" up, way busy, way lots of work. Needless to say I didn't get to take my lunch and left a few hours late, 8:30pm! Late! I didn't mind the overtime at all. And though I was sad that I missed some of the special Youth Praise Gathering at church this evening, I could not stop thanking God that this isn't how last Friday ended when I had to rush to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to be with my baby and her broken arm. Things wrapped up so easily last Friday and I was on my way. I could have left if I really had to tonight, but it just worked out. And He just knows!! Praise God!!

Made It Through Monday

I've been working soooo intently, since I've been working, to really eat right and knock off these silly 10 lbs. especially before our May vacation. Munching on carrot stix, only bringing my little 100 calorie packs, yogurt, cottage cheese, all the nasty stuff I can barely stand.

Well, I kind of blew it today when the company treated us to lunch from O'Charley's. I had an absolutely scrumptious California Chicken Salad, which was about 13 points. Ooops! Probably the buttered roll was another 13 points. Oh dear . . . luckily Dave made a nice, light Thai Soup for dinner!!

Thai Vegetable Noodle Soup

~ 1 carton (32 oz.) College Inn Thai Coconut Curry Culinary Broth
~ 1 cup chopped onion
~ 1 cup broccoli florets
~ 1/2 cup diced carrots
~ 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
~ 1/2 tsp. curry powder
~ 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
~ 1 Tbl. vegetable oil
~ 1/2 cup thin spaghetti 2" pieces
~ 1 Cup light coconut milk
~ Cilantro
~ Lime juice

Cook onion, broccoli, carrots, ginger, curry and red pepper flakes in oil in large saucepan, 3 minutes. Add noodles, broth and lime juice. Bring to boil, reduce heat. Simmer 7 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in coconut milk. Heat through. Garnish with cilantro and lime juice.

Monday's not my favorite day, but I sure was well fed today!! :p And that made it a whole lot better!

A Weekly Update

News here on the Cook Front . . . since I don't get to blog too much these day.

Work for me is going much better than last week. Enjoying it and still picking up lots things. I'm a temporary employee, so I'm always worried they'll be done with me one day, but I know God's got that all under control.

Dave is doing good, recovering from his 6 day work week last week and doing lots and lots to keep the house running smoothly, as well as helping me with a bunch of baking this weekend for a bake sale our Asian Church. He does a really good job handling it all! I love you, Dave!

No cute little Charity stories since I only see her about 2 hours a day and that's when I'm getting her ready for school and ready for bed. :( However, she's has had 2 warnings at school last week and one today. And it's only Tuesday!! I half expected this when I began working, but am not happy about it at all. I have emailed the teacher for any suggestions with this. And they're not for being bad, but just not paying attention or talking/laughing at the wrong time. Uuggg! Hope this stage passes soon!

Grumpy arrived today and will be with us until next Tuesday! We're all very happy about that, especially Charity! I'm sure I'll have pictures coming up this weekend when it should be a little warmer. . . . and maybe I'll update my blog for February. Hummmm, always lots to do!!

That's about it around here. Just life as we know it now. Hope yours is good!

Good night!!

Working for the weekend . . .

This working thing is sooooo hard. I'm so thankful I like what I'm doing or it would be a whole lot worse, but I'm an emotional wreck being away from Charity. I can just sit there at that computer and start tearing up just thinking of her. I've become a pro at making those faces that keep your tears in, so the people I'm working with don't know I'm losing my mind. When I look at the clock and it's nearly 2 o'clock, it's the worst. I think for a second, "Oh, I've got to head out soon and get Charity." Then reality. Nope! It's just miserable.

This is the first time I've worked full-time since before she was born, so I guess it will take some getting used to. How do people do this when their child is 3 months-old? Maybe it's easier when they're younger. This is treacherous for me! And I can barely talk to Dave on lunch break, as it just reminds me what I'm missing! :( Uuuggg, Dave says this too shall pass. Hopefully!!

So when I made it home today from my first week of work, I am SO happy that it is Friday. Two entire days with the people I love and no work. Back to living for the weekends! Even though it's going to be a busy one: getting ready for Grumpy's visit next week and lots of baking to do for Sunday's bake sale. Oh well . . . it's the weekend!!

Have a good one!!

My First Day

I made it through my first day. I think the greatest challenge was the drive home in the beating rain in the dark after staring at a computer screen for 8 hours.

It's going to take me a little getting used to my training hours of 11 am - 8 pm. But after these first two weeks, I should be able to switch to some more "normal" daytime hours.

It's been a ride of mixed emotions, but I know it's what's best. I was crying this morning when Dave and I told Charity, I wouldn't be home until after she was asleep. :'( And even though though they released me early today, Dave was so good and she was already asleep when I got home at 8 pm.

For today it was fairly easy, almost boring. But I'll be learning more over the next few days, overall I really like it and am looking forward tomorrow. But I need lots of rest, so it's off to bed now!

Good night!!

. . . . and see working is not all bad. Here's the salad Dave had made me for dinner when I got home! He's so sweet when I'm working! Love him! (If you can't tell, the tomatoes are in a heart-shape!! . . . .

1..2..3..4..5..6..7!!

I think I'm liking 2009 better already!! I'm having a change of heart, a positive attitude!

Today I joined the class of working women! I GOT A JOB!! Though I have thoroughly enjoyed my 7 months off, reality has hit and I feel okay with it! And I'm woman and am completely subject to change my mind at any time! Just a warning!! :P

Ask me how happy I am about missing Charity's first field trip . . . trying not to think about these things. Believing God for every step along the way!! I know He is completely in charge, because, get this: If you've read the bible and study God and numbers at all you know 7 is His number of completion. This is so hard to believe, but it's things like this that make me trust God all the more. It was exactly 7 months ago today that I was unemployed!! June 26th was my first day unemployed and January 26th was last day unemployed!! Is God not good?!?!

So I start tomorrow . . . so my blogging will be far fewer and much shorter. Need to start sleeping a lot more, and though I'd love to share all the details of my new position and how it all came about, I must head to bed. Sorry . . . all 2 readers of this blog!!

Good night!

Craigslist is a Waste of my Time!!

I found this while looking for a job on Craigslist. It's so true and it's getting old. I'd say probably 75% of what I apply for are bogus. This is very annoying, when you put so much time and effort into something and get nothing. Glad someone made this post!! Thanks to whoever you are!! :)
__________________________________________________

Way Too Many Scams on Here
Reply to: job-990598521@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-01-12, 7:36PM CST

Why do these idiots keep posting scams on here???? Times are hard and there are too many hard working people looking for real jobs and real opportunities. We're not looking for weirdos just trying to get our personal information, or people trying to sell you something, and once when I applied for a job that was listed as Accounts Payable Clerk in the accounting section, I got a response with a tutorial and get this....the job was for posting bogus jobs on craigslist!!!!! IT'S TOO DARN HARD TO FIND A GOOD JOB THESE DAYS WITHOUT ALL THE SCAMS!!!!! STOP WASTING OUR TIME!!!!!!!

Compensation: NOTHING
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
PostingID: 990598521

Floral Brights

They came out so beautiful and very colorful, I had to snap some shots. Luckily Stacey knew what she was doing, the table settings looked great . . . the client was happy. Mission accomplished!!

Guess I've got to go work on our own festivities now!

Getting Ready!

Trying to get back on the blog wagon . . . will be putting together arrangements for a client's Thanksgiving tables this morning (fun, fun!). Love my job on days like these. We'll see if they look like anything.

Then it's back home to get my own table ready and my pies baked and a little house work done! More fun! I do think Thanksgiving is becoming my favorite holiday. The big meal, the beautiful decorations, friends and family, all without all the commercialization. Yes, I love Thanksgiving. What's your favorite holiday?

Until Next Year

We made through. Christmas Village 2008 is behind us! Hallelujah! It's always a whole lot of work, but soooo very rewarding. All together our church made over $17,000 for missions and other causes, over $1000 of that from our little Wonderland Closet area!! Our best year yet!

It was a busy week, not much time for blogging. But here's some of the shots from this week:

Some of our faithful workers (Lisa, Jodi, and Sherry). We couldn't do it without them!! Thanks, gals and even a few guys that helped us out!!












Allison, starting to set up the Tie Table.












Allison's hard work . . . Beautiful! Unfortunately, it never lasts long!












Especially when people use it as a dog bed! Hello! That really is a dog in the middle of our tie table!!












Allison, picking up our nearly 30 balloons from Wal*Mart, almost flawlessly. I'm rather proud we remained very Christian despite a slight hitch, but it all worked out! Yay!
















Whoville's, a.k.a. Kid's Korner, booth and costumes looked so good! I loved their creative hair! We tied with them for Best Decorated Booth contest this year. Kudos to them for all their hard work . . . we know your pain!! :-P












Lampon Nhotshiri (our Asian pastor's wife) and I. Her hair was unbelievable. She's so clever!!
















The First Lady of First Church (Cheryl Becton), Allison and I.












I hadn't been in the door 5 minutes when Charity took all my "props" and made them hers, including my boots. Always, a little mommy!! She's a cutie!!