Work Ethics

Ya'll know I work in a Big Box Store. And while I enjoy what's supposed to be my job, and the folks I work with, lately???? not so much.

We're all adults, those of us who work. So why is it so hard to follow the simple rules? Why does everyone want to take shortcuts? To say "not my job, man" and walk away from something that needs to be done?

Ok, in my position, I have to deal with all the stuff that's returned. In order to do it via company guidelines, in an efficient manner, it means that people bring the stuff to my department, and are supposed to sort it into bins according to departments. I realize people are human, make mistakes, or just plain don't know every item in the store, but some don't even try. Some are so lazy they just park a shopping cart full of things and leave it for me to deal with. But the problem is there's only one of me, and 250 of "them" (other employees) .... If they all brought a shopping cart full of things to me, there would be no carts for customers to shop with.... which means we don't need all the people who are employed to do what's considered their job.

Every item in a store, in order to purchase it, needs a bar code. It's what runs a retail facility these days. So if you're bringing back something, make sure it has a code on it! If I tape a note to an item, requesting the correct bar code, then dammit, write it down before you bring it back to me.

As for open and leaking bottles..... Some days I just want to reach in and pour the open container all over the dumb associate who thinks they can put a leaking container just anywhere.

Sorry, this is a rant. I'm just tired of people who just come in to collect a paycheck, doing as little as possible to get away with staying employed. They don't care about anything, they're just there to perform like monkeys.

If you are reading this, and you work in my store.... sorry, this could be about you.
Grow up.
Give a shit.
Work together.

Wistful

Sometimes I have trouble sleeping. And when that happens, I flick on the TV. Saturday night, I caught an episode of Friends. It was the one where Monica and Chandler get engaged in a room full of candles, with tears and tender words. I didn't know how much it affected my psyche until I was walking out of work today, through the store, watching men and women shopping together. There's a quiet kind of intimacy in doing regular things together with your significant other person.

It made me feel wistful.

I've been married and divorced three times, and I don't regret my choices, or my decisions. About 90% of the time, I'm happy with my life, where I'm at, how things are going. I don't have many (well, not too many) thoughts about some Knight who whisks me off into a glorious sunset, taking me away from all the humdrum my life can be. It's too time consuming to believe in fairy tales any longer. And frankly, I have to wonder if I've become so accustomed to living alone, that living with someone again would be more difficult?

That doesn't mean I'm not still wistful. I am.

And I can't help asking myself "When?" Most of my life, I've been the kind that says "When the time is right for it to happen, it will." And my timing has been perfectly timed in the last few major decisions I've had to make. Am I trying to jump the gun on something that it isn't time for? *sigh*

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking things like "I'm not worth it" ... and even though I know that's not it, its the one thing I conclude in my thoughts. Its hard not to make comparisons from now to other things in the past, to think about would have beens, could have beens, and even might have beens ........

And I become wistful all over again.

Small Change

I've been doing some reading off and on, and while I usually call them "escape books" -- simple stories that when you get into them, make the rest of the world go away, for a time -- and wanted to share a few little tidbits, words of advice, because when you find them buried between lines ... you just have to share :)


A man telling a divorced woman he is about to date: "I think the best thing to have, during hard times, is common sense, a good work ethic and a certain amount of distrust." "Distrust?" she asks. "If you don't protect what you have, you'll lose it," he replies. --Good advice, in my opinion.

On their next date, she's dressed up prettily, with the help of her friends and a deal at the Bargain Boutique. When he tells her how nice she looks, she admits her bargain hunting. "You're a smart shopper," he tells her. She tells him that "..sometimes it would be nice not to have to struggle with money so much." And his reply is "Sometimes the struggling makes you appreciate it all the more when you get it." --Another good observation.

The story ends with some very good advice, especially for single women:

1. Cinderella can keep Prince Charming. A good man's love is all any woman needs to make her feel like a princess.

2. The only person who can fix your life is you.

3. Small changes can make a big difference.

It's a story that's made me smile, but I'm enjoying the subtle little message it passes along as well.

On a personal note, speaking of small change.... I had another phone call today. One that was designated as a "courtesy call" .... but for those who know me well, know that I am easily thrilled, and definitely thrilled over this little surprise. Thank You!!! You made my day :)

Alone, but not Alone

A friend of mine called the other day. His mother passed away unexpectedly. Needless to say, he needed an ear, and I was there for him. With every passing year, I recognize my own mortality, and that of my parents. I'm lucky, they're still healthy .... but no one's getting any younger, including me.

I dread the thought of growing older. Not because I can't handle the eventuality of old age. Frankly, I'm just not thrilled about doing it alone. When I talked to my best friend, he said "You're not alone. Yeah, I'm not all alone in the way of not having anyone to talk things over with. My best friend is there for me every day. We chat and txt every day, but its not the same as sharing, being together, having someone to hug you when you really need a hug.

And some days, I really really really need a real hug. or two.

Stockings

When did stockings go out of fashion? I looked up some history on the internet, and they went out with the invention of pantyhose. Garter belts were designed in the 1920s as an alternative to uncomfortable and restricting corsets. Women could just slip into a belt and attach their nylons directly to it, instead of to a corset or girdle. The glamour of stockings also evokes the 1940s and 50s, and the golden age of sensual Hollywood femme fatales.

Since the early 1960s, when men's magazines featured images of women in underwear, they have acquired an erotic element. Why does the slightest glimpse of a lacy stocking top, a taut suspender or a naked thigh above the stocking turn men mad with desire? I think it's all about contrasts. Black against white thigh. Even long black gloves can be a male turn on when covering a white arm.

Stockings and garter belts can play roles in erotic fantasy. Some women will include garter belts as part of a sexual fetish costume. They are usually made of lace or other silky material. They are considered to be part of lingerie and they come in variety of styles and colors.

Generally speaking, if the desired effect is achieved, they don’t stay on too long. *GRIN*

The Phone Call

It's Saturday afternoon, you've been busy doing things, not paying attention to telephones or computers as you don' t need the distractions, wanting to get some things accomplished, when you hear your phone ring. Once glance at the screen and its a number you don't recognize. Do you answer it? Or ignore it? It's very easy to assume its some kind of telemarketer, as not many unknown numbers call you.

But some little voice says "answer it" ....

"Hello?" I say, distracted with carrying things into the house

"Hi... I'm looking for _____ ..." I hear a male voice say

*blink*blink* I know this voice....

"This is_____...." and I'm nodding vigorously, knowing that its him!

When realization hits, and I know who it is....
talk about going into shock!

the rest of the conversation is stammered and crazy,
not at all like its gone in my head a thousand times or more.

It's a short conversation; he was worried, I was in shock.

"I'll call you back in a few minutes." he tells me

"Oh, Ok then" I answered back, still stymied over the call in the first place.

*smiles* (I think we both needed a moment to regroup!)

Hopped in the shower, getting cleaned up after working in the yard all morning, and yes, the phone rang a bit after that, and the conversation went much better after we got over our momentary lapse.

*all smiles the rest of the day*

Isn't is amazing how one phone call can change your day?

Love

"We humans -- at least some of us -- are seriously flawed.
The things that are the most necessary,
the most critical to us,
are the things we take most for granted.
Air.
Water.
Love.
If you have someone to love, you are lucky.
If you have someone to love you back, you're blessed.
And if you waste the time you have to love them,
you're a fool."

~The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans.

Four AM Problem Solving

If you're like me, you're awake in the wee hours with your brain using that time to do its thinking, figuring, problem solving. One of the things I've noticed is that I seem to have thoughts that are profound, that make sense, that would be a perfect line for a given situation, and when the light of day comes, my mind cannot think of any of those good thoughts! I tried to record them in a notebook, just like if I were recording dreams, I tried having my netbook next to the bed so I could pop on and jot notes even faster that way. But it hasn't worked out that way. (Usually because I get the netbook open, and I have the urge to check email, etc etc. hahah)

So what profound thoughts hit me early this morning? If I could remember them, I'd put them here! I'm trying to solve an issue in my mind. Part of it is related to time, which has become our most valuable commodity in modern times. There is never enough time to do all that we want, or need, to accomplish. The issue at hand is very complex, and muddling my way through it has caused many sleepless nights, and some heartache as well.

One of the things I've always told myself is this: when you're not sure what direction to take, don't take any. But. It's been ongoing and there doesn't seem to be an end to how it is now, so I guess its time for me to decide. And I hate deciding.

So what do you use for problem solving? Rock-Paper-Scissors? Trust your Gut? a List of Pros and Cons? Or following a pattern, as in "if history repeats itself...." *sigh*

So far, my problem isn't solved.
Tears wash the hurt away a little at a time.
Time creates a little space.
And every day gets a little closer.

Happy Kings Day

The 12th day of Christmas is January 6th, the day the wise men gave their gifts to the baby Jesus. It's not celebrated much in the US. Maybe because we go over the top with Christmas that we don't need to keep the 'celebration' going that long.

Tradition says for Three Kings day, you should fill a shoebox with grass to feed the camels, and put it under your bed. When you wake up, the grass will be gone and you will have gifts! (Since its a shoebox, I suppose they'd be small gifts, probably like the ones you would find in your stocking on Christmas morning.)

My son and I exchanged gifts, then took down the Christmas tree. And I got to thinking about it all, and in a divorced household, its always hard sharing holidays with an ex. I used to wonder how my good friend and mentor, Ed, could have his whole family over, and still invite his ex wife as well. I can understand it better now - no one should have to be alone on Christmas. Which is why I am liking this holiday so well. My new motto is Just say No to Christmas. And I will begin celebrating it on Three Kings Day. It won't interfere with my kids' plans to be with their Dad, and that makes it quite perfect for our family.

Happy Three Kings Day to everyone!

Frivolous, circus style!

Have you ever looked at something you wanted,

found yourself going back to look at it

over and over again,

knowing that it's calling out to you ?

Your practical side says :

you don't need that,

it's frivolous,

and just where would you wear it?

It was that way for me with this pair of shoes.

Don't they just make you smile, feel all happy?

Thanks to someone generous, I splurged!

Totally indulged myself on something

so very impractical. Or are they? heehee

(Now to find an outfit to go with them.....)

(Thank you very much!! You know who you are)