Thursday Roll Call

Hated the sound I woke up to this morning - rain. Well, I guess I would prefer it to snow when driving. I guess I will need to get the old guy up to drive me to work. Too windy for a 'brella.

According to the online schedule @ the salt mines the boss is not in for the rest of the year nor is the *****y one in my room. I do not see either of them for 2 1/2 weeks - YAHOO!

Off to Willow to serve dinner this evening. Hopefully the weather will not be as bad as they predicted.

Stay safe

 &

Hello everyone

Oh no...I prefer rain when driving.  Snow just makes everyone drive like idiots...and drive times double, triple and sometime even quadruple.  But I'm going to try not to complain...I only work a mile away(so much better than my old commute!!!).  But I do have to drive to the bank and make deposits for work...but even that isn't too bad.

Today, same old, same old.  I have to mention this.  This project I have been working overtime for at work is pretty much done...I am just tweaking it now.  Well I was working with this lady...she is such a nice lady.  She started a month ago and has no accounting experience at all.  She got the job because she is friends with the controller.  The problem is she has NO experience!!!  She doesn't know Excel at all and the whole project was on Excel.  I heard her the whole day asking people for help.  She didn't even know how to highlight something!!!  Well yesterday they were kicking things back for corrections...might I add...NONE of my stuff got kicked back.  She worked all day correcting stuff.  The biggest problem...she didn't know how to figure out a percentage!!!  We are working with payroll and we have to figure out FICA and stuff like that based on the person's base pay.  So like base pay multiplied by 7.65% (or .0765) she didn't know how to do that (it's the same formula you use to figure out a discount).  I had to show her how to do that!!!  Supposedly she used to be a school teacher...how does a school teacher not know this???  So later in the day there were additional items the auditors wanted included on the spreadsheets...I was asked to do ALL of the spreadsheets...not just mine...I can only guess that's because they are worried she will screw them up.  BUT...she is the sweetest person so it's really hard to get mad at her. 

Oh I also have to bring in my Angel Tree gifts today. I don't want them to get wet so put them in a garbage bag. Only wish I could watch the kids open their gifts...that would be fun. I love to watch kids when they open their gifts and their eyes light up...it's so much fun!!!

Christine- Believe it or not I do have my iPod on and I have it up LOUD (probably too loud).  When I work out I like to listen to really loud, fast rock music...like Led Zepplin or AC/DC (it helps me keep up a fast rhythm on the elliptical)...He actually yells loud enough and wave his arms to attract my attention!!! Can you believe that????  But I know I will have to change my time around...I hate that.  As for the food...I don't have a garage anymore.

Nancy-  What kind of cell phone are you getting???  Anything fancy??  I love that kind of thing.

Sharon- I'm sorry your daughter is being so petty.  Sometimes the holidays brings out the worst in people.  You are handling it well, I think your idea is wonderful.

Georgie- What a great gift...your friend getting better after such a long illness.  This will be a great Christmas for everyone around her.

Well time to eat and get ready for work...have a good day and drive safe...see ya later...bye

Oh shoot. I was still thinking about the townhouse you had down in Champaign/Urbana.

Does the machines at your gym have a place for a book or magazine? I have my thinking cap on . . . I sometimes can be the master of diversion from people and totally ignore them.

Hi All,

Well according to the media we are going to finally get the snow we all have not been looking forward to. I live far south in Lockport, so I am praying for a 1-3 inch accumulation. I hope my friends up north fare as well.

Since it's still only rainy and still mild I am going to go to the gym early this morning and then go get the last of my angel tree gifts. I met with the director of the SOS Village where the family of kids lives and he was so nice to take the time to sit down with me and talk about the 3 kids and what they like and what they are like. Crystal, I know what you mean about wishing you could see their faces when they open their gifts from their parents on Christmas that you have provided.

Christine, I am glad you will have peace for the next couple weeks. Peace is a priceless gift.

Crystal, it is so hard to work with people who are not qualified and got the job by knowing someone. It's no wonder she isn't teaching if she does not know percentages!?!?!? The fact that she is nice, makes it harder for you. it sounds like admin has already figured out what is going on since you had to do all the revisions. Ugh! Hang in there.

Georgie, Praise God for his mercy in the rehabilitation of your friend. He is so awesome. Glad things are finally looking up for you.  

Lisa and Nancy, enjoy this end of the week as we inch closer to a long weekend and celebration of our Lord's birth.

Randy, I hope you can relax after such a harried day yesterday. Prayers for good results on Cheryl's bloodwork.

Connie, I know this is hunker down and knit weather as the snow flakes fall up north.

Dawn, stay safe and warm.

Steven, I hope you finally get some rest after all those extra hours of working.

Blessings to all of you my dear ones,

Hugs,

Sharon

Good Morning,

Rain is better then snow, for driving, other then when trucks pass you and spray your windows.

Christine, you will have a nice end of year, with both your problem people gone.

Crystal, Your company is still a good one, even if you have to put up with people who don't know how to do things.

Sharon. I would of done the same thing if my daughter wanted to totally control what I gave her child and when I could deliver it. It is to bad that you are unable to have a relationship with your grandchildren and also your daughter.

Georgie, You are a true friend.

Karen, Enjoy the time with your husband.

I will be going to work shortly. I am working in town today, so even if the weather does tank, I am only 1 mile from home,

tomorrow I go to have the stitches taken out of my back.

By the way, do you know where the snow brush is for your car? You may need it today.

Hugs,

Lisa,

Good Morning Everyone!

It is almost Friday!  For being so busy at work, this week is moving S L O W !   I wi**** would hurry up and finish.  I am ready for a few days off. 

Not much happening in my neck of the woods.  Just work and the usual after work.  Evenings seem to disappear in a flash.  I am not looking forward to the storm today.  It does not sound like fun. 

Crystal, my cell phone is one you would laugh at.  It is a basic cell phone.  I only use my phone for a few calls a week.  I dont even keep it on.  I dont want something that follows me around.  I am way past that.  I want to hide. 

Randy, I  have to admire you for your volunteer efforts.  They are really great.  You are so dedicated even with your health problems.  You really make a difference for people.

Chris, I am glad you get a Christmas gift of no boss or crabby person for 2 1/2 weeks. 

Crystal, I think we all have had jobs where "friends" have been hired.  At least the person is sweet so that it is easier to take. 

Lisa, I hope you stay safe in driving today and tomorrow.

Connie, stay tucked inside your house and keep warm.  I would not go out if I did not have to.

Karen, enjoy your time with your hubby.

Dawn, I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Sharon, prayers to you to lift you up during this emotional time with your daughter. 

Georgie, have a relaxing weekend and enjoy your friends victories!

Steven, I hope you get some time off this weekend.

If I forgot someone, I am sorry.  Have a great day!

Second cousin being in town for training gave Cheryl and I an excuse to go out to Maria's in Rosemont.  Not Tex-Mex but there were bites that could have been on a Tex-Mex plate.  We also went the cheaper traditional foods route instead of steak or seafood which could have broken the bank.  We had chili rellenos, enchilladas and tamales then mixed and matched putting most of the food on the kids plate (40).

I remembered why I do not like UIC.  Or should I say the visit reminded me.  I told everyone that the behavioral things were the main purpose for my visit but all they could see was the hernias I would want repaired when I get my flap redone.  To a hammer everything looks like a nail.  The surgeon there said after a CAT scan they would refer me to a plastic surgeon if there was enough muscle tissue to work with.  Sort of a chicken and the egg thing going on here.  I am still in the 270s so I would like to lose more but I am afraid to do too much with abdominal exercises because that is when hernias like to get tied up inside themselves.  One good thought just came to mind though.  Maybe I could have my PCP order the CAT scan then refer me to plastic surgeons at Northwestern instead of the bariatric folks.

Scarey time for me is when it has rained and then the temps fall below freezing so you get Ice and no snow.  Some snow actually seems to give a little traction.

I miss working with most of the folks in Harvest at Willow Creek.  Big events though always means extra volunteers and even in the smaller Irving Park setting this was true.  I got through it without killing any of the church folks though.  You have folks who have been going to a church for thirty years and maybe they volunteer regular and maybe they don't but there are always a few who think they own the church and do not quite get the idea that they are there to work.

Everyone is so talkitive today.  Enjoy.

Randy, Harvest has changed a lot in the last several months. We had a guy by the name of Jim that took over as the head chef and suddenly this last Saturday he was gone - POOF!. He had some good creative ideas for food variety instead of the same food on a rotation like in the past. The only thing that we did not like about him was that his food lacked flavor with spices and especially salt. From what we heard he was asked to cut back on the salt and some of the food was horrible. He then added too much garlic (I am a lover of garlic but it was too much) or other herbs and spices. He used too much to compensate for the lack of salt. I am not sure how Harvest can even stay open. Also, Harvest does not supply the food for the Wedn Tunnel before the service. It is being catered now, "supposedly" now that is cheaper. They wanted us to serve elsewhere with Harvest and we said no. We love the stage team.

Jim was a lot of fun to work with and the most professional chef we had though some others were very close.  Most likely the spice problems were not Jim but the too many cooks spoil the broth problem with folks who will not follow directions.

We liked him also but were told by staff that he was requested to cut back on the salt. (orders from way above in management). You are correct about all of the cooks in the mix.