Anniversary of my Emancipation

 Today, October 20th, 2010 is the 10 year anniversary of my emancipation from Hell.  That being a job of 16 years.  At the time I thought it the end of the world.  My daughter on the other hand cheered.   I had been working 5 days a week, 9 to 10 hours a day and coming in as well on a Sunday to clean up email and get ready for the week - about a 60 hour week.  (not getting paid for that Sunday tho).    

But I'm not going to rehash that story - it's in a previous blog if interested.  What I will reiterate is the advice I gave back then that bears repeating.  

“How many people out there are working in jobs that they like but with people/for people that don't appreciate what you do?  How many people are working 50-60 hours a week and not getting so much as a thank you?  Do you work someplace where if you don't eat lunch in the lunchroom you are the topic at lunch?  Do you work with someone whose head is so far up the manager’s ass they see thru one set of eyes?  Are you part of the "in" crowd?   How many of you have heard how Lucky you are to have a job? 

Well listen up.....if that's the kind of job you have you are not so lucky.  Lucky is getting the hell out!

You've heard the old cliché - when one door closes another one opens - and even if it doesn't open right away, it does open.  And I can honestly say the air on this side of the door is so much fresher!

Yep - 10 years later and I hardly ever need Tylenol and I know who my friends are.

Dog Adoption

I thought I would be blogging earlier this year since I adopted a new dog on February 8^th.   It had been 3 years since Gaston passed so it was time.   I happened upon a rescue site called “Day Before The Rainbow Rescue” after I saw a photo online of Bandit.  I filled out a very thorough adoption application and figured I wouldn’t hear anything again (since that’s what happened over the prior months with local rescues).  I applied on 1/31, was accepted on 2/2 and had a new dog in my lap 2/8.

First I’d like to say that “Day Before The Rainbow Rescue” was a joy to deal with.  I was especially pleased that in addition to his neutering, shots and micro-chipping, the adoption fee covered his transportation up to Delaware where I picked him up. (When I had checked with local shelters about adoption I was informed that the fee only covered the neutering, shots and micro chipping and that I would have to come pick up the animal with a crate.)     

The ladies from Day Before The Rainbow Rescue were also eager to answer all my questions and kept In touch to make sure we both were settled!  And the driver who transported the pets was professional and friendly as well.

I guess I’m just saying if you’re looking to adopt, please add Day Before The Rainbow Rescue to your list to check out!

Meet Bandit!

Loss

                                             
I recently was informed of the death of someone very dear to me.  I didn't realize until I heard the news,  just how dear she was.    It's unfortunate now days that when someone has been ill for some time and they pass you are grieved, but not surprised.  In some cases you are relieved that their suffering is over.    It's not ever easy to accept a death, but it's harder when it is unexpected.  When there is no warning.  When there is no chance to say goodbye.

Our friendship started back when my daughter was about 13 and wrote to a number of pen pals in England.  One particular young man wrote back,  and the rest is history.   I only met her once, but over the years she and her family became my family.   My daughter spent time with them when she was on an Exchange,  and after my husband died a few years later,  we took a trip to the UK and I finally got a chance to meet the family.

In the early days there were lots and lots of hand-written letters.  Pages and pages of news!  And then....there was Facebook -  and well - then came postings and messenger.  I rather missed the letters and still wrote in cards, but for the most part we kept in touch by messenger.   Of course the time difference played a big part in not catching up as much since we hardly got to be on at the same time anymore.  But I did look forward to the posts, pictures, and messages.

Over the past two weeks I have gone back over the posts, and messenger  - delighting again in our conversations and wishing there had been more.     I still laugh at her admonishing me for watching an English Soap-opera (Eastenders) as the "most depressing soap-opera on the telly",  and I think of her every time I watch "Somewhere in Time" or see a picture of George Clooney. 

We've talked books, politics, movies and family.  I watched her family grow into fine, talented men and women.  I did envy the time she had to spend with her children, since my own daughter and son-in-law are stationed across the country and I only get to see them once a year if I'm lucky.  I loved to hear about her trips to Paris (she's the one who told me I would love it there), and was very happy that she had a chance to (hopefully) cuddle her latest grandchild. 

I was fortunate to have crossed paths with her.  I can only imagine what more she could have added to my own life if there wasn't an ocean between us.   

Don't put off telling someone you care.   Take the time.  Tell them.  Show them.  Life is short - there is no guarantee for tomorrow.

Bosses, Managers, Supervisors, and Leaders......

I have been in the work force since I was 18.  That's 50 years.  A friend and I recently were discussing the bosses we have worked with over the years.  During these 50 LONG years, I have worked mostly with "Managers",  but have had the pleasure of working with 3 "Leaders".  

So - what's the difference?  Well first look at the definition of each word:

MANAGER - 

• "a person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization"
• "a person who controls the activities, business dealings, and other aspects of the career of .."

LEADER -

• "The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country."

SUPERVISOR  - 

• "a person who supervises a person or an activity.

  synonyms:

  manager,

Looking at those definitions make it clear to me that most of the men I have worked with in the "Boss" capacity have been managers - men who have had to Control.  Managers often delegate and are most assuredly the head finger pointer.  Meaning - they are the one who will point the finger of blame in a situation, but will take credit for the "win" in another.

The Leader on the other hand may delegate as that is his (or her) privilege, but they will assume blame for the person (or team) and will not take the credit for the "win".  It's a much nicer work atmosphere to work for a Leader!

Managers and leaders are both friendly, but a leader does not want to be your Facebook Friend or party with you.    He (or she) is your Boss.  Managers tend to lean on people harshly instead of being constructive.  They're quick to blame, berate, tear you down and hardly EVER let you know that's you've done a good job.  

Have you worked for the good "buddy" who laughs it up with you?  Maybe going to happy hour with you?  I'm not talking about company get-togethers --  I'm talking about individual meetings and outings.  Do they sit there and make "comments" about other workers?  Hmmm...you know if they are "commenting" on your co-workers, they are doing the SAME thing to you with them?  

Unfortunately offices that have managers usually have people with bad attitudes.  I really believe if the managers behaved like leaders it would foster a better attitude all around and everyone might get along better.

Just a thought.   

Online Shopping and EBATES

I am an online shopper.  Working two jobs doesn't give me a lot of  free time to do otherwise.  At first I was hesitant - wasn't sure how safe it was.  But then convenience won out over everything else.  I no longer had to find a parking spot.  My parking spot was wherever I laid my laptop!  

One positive thing I can say about shopping online is that I only get what I need.  Since I am not wandering the aisles of Target or Walmart, there is NO threat I will throw something in the cart I just can't resist.    The joy of shopping online at Walmart is they deliver most items in two days - right to the door - so I don't have to carry anything to my car.  I can just lug it into the house -   So I can buy the ginormous size of Tide and Downy!  And of course we can't forget Amazon!

But the BEST thing about shopping online is EBATES.  If you shop online and are not using EBATES, then all I can say is Your LOSS!  I don't remember how or why I signed up - it was free - and I know I didn't actually use the site at first.  When I actually LOOKED at the site I realized they listed ALL the stores I shop at - so if I was going to actually shop at Walmart, why not let EBATES pay me?   So I gave it a try and the next thing I know I got an email saying money was added to my account.  They put money into a Paypal account for me since I didn't want a check mailed.  YAY!  

AND - they even offer you money to shop in certain stores - all you have to do is link up your credit card and you will get paid.  

Now I have an extension added to my Chrome browser that will automatically come up whenever  I am on a site that is connected to EBATES.  All I have to do is click on the activate now and it will log in my "shopping trip".  

The great part about money going into a Paypal account for me is that it's become a savings account of sorts - I don't touch it.    Since March of 2017 I have earned $160.00 while sitting on my ass shopping!  No gas used, didn't have to wait in any lines, and didn't have any "impulse" buys. 

As an added incentive they pay me for everyone who signs up and gives the new account $10.  

So - if you do shop online and aren't using Ebates I guess you have all the money you need.  Otherwise - shame on you!




                       
                       
                       

Pet Peeves

There are SOOOOO many pet peeves I probably could go on for hours, but after kicking them around with a friend, this is the basic list we came up with:

People who use words out of context because they sound good. 

People who can't figure out words like "they're", "there", too, & to (and the list goes on)  

People (especially in business) who send out illiterate emails - 

    (spell check is available for free people!)

Loud cell phone conversations (in public).

People who can't form a sentence without saying "like".

People who say "oh nevermind" or "whatever!".

Drivers who don't move into the intersection to make a left turn.  (or a right for my UK Friends)

Drivers who don't use turn signals.

Drivers who crawl in the passing lane.

Drivers who think it is their God-given right to merge into you.

Adults who crack gum.

People who abbreviate words to sound hip - Adorbs!
   (imagine Khloe Kardashian's baby voice - gag 😜 )

People who stand too close to you in line!

People who leave their shopping carts in the middle of an isle or unattended in the check-out lane.(then get pissed when you move ahead)

Those wonderful people who "bag" your groceries.

And for those of us who have to deal with the retail public.....

MEN who come through the drive-through without a shirt on. 😱
    (it's a keg fella - not a six-pack!)

People who come in 5 minutes before closing with an order that needs to be filled right then. (we've been here for 9 hours - where have you been?)

I guess that's all I have to bitch about today.

Whatever.

Facebook

Ahhh.....years ago I joined Facebook so I could keep in touch with friends (and some family) who lived in other States/Countries.  It was - and is - a Social Networking Website.  Lately it has become anything BUT Social. 

When I first came on board I was like many and got enamored of all the "games".  I had a Zoo, a Farm, a Prairie and played Words with Friends.   At it's peak my friends list soared to about 600 "friends".  WHAT?    So it was time to take a serious look at this gaming.  I found in order to catch up I had to spend HOURS tending to these little worlds.  It all became a chore to keep up with and of course could get costly when you wanted to "buy" little perks!   Nothing about this seemed "Social" to me.  So I stopped playing and unfriended all my gaming friends. 

Next up was to look at my remaining "Friends".  I'm not much of a social butterfly so what am I doing with 200 friends?  Seriously?  So I have weeded it all down to just under 100, which is a more realistic list of people I care to be "Social" with. 

This is supposed to be SOCIAL forum.  Most days I have to plow through all the "Fake News"  that pops up and/or tons of political Bullshit.   First let me say - I DO NOT CARE  if you are a Trump supporter or Trump Hater.  I DO NOT CARE if you are Republican, Democrat, Christian, Muslim, atheist, illegal alien or alien from Mars.  Just do me a favor before you post - check it out first to see if it is FAKE NEWS.    Do you really believe some of the crazy shit you post?  Really???  Here's a good site - "SNOPES" - please check it out first!  If it sounds incredible (or too good to be true) then it probably is!

I've spent way less time checking my feed because it takes so long to go through all the crap.  I'm sure I've probably missed out on someone's birthday, or some other event I would have enjoyed hearing about (or seeing the photos of).  If that's the case, I am sorry - Belated Happy Birthday- Belated Congratulations.