I'm sorry what did you say??????

** Warning this a long rambling rant

Remember I said I would have a post about arrogance, well here it is.

So those of you who have followed my blog for a while will remember that I was in the process of getting approval to launch a new division of my company, that approval was granted and I have been busy ever since coming up with detailed planning documents and a ton of other stuff I won't bore you with.

So about 2 months ago someone got the bright idea to hire and actuary to help me build a portion of this business, I protested saying I didn't see the need as the work to be done was limited and after Jan. I would not have work to support a full time employee, no need in hiring someone just to fire them 6 months later. Hence I was working with a consultant instead of hiring a full time person. However the powers that be and someone who wants to be king of the kingdom, decided he wanted an new prince. Enter Sam (not his real name), I interviewed Sam for about 30 mins, what can you really tell in 30 mins? Nothing!!! Keep in mind he is not my direct hire and he was only going to be of value to me till Jan. hence the need for only 30 mins. So Sam is hired and started about 3 1/2 weeks ago. On the first day he was arrogant and or as some of us thought just socially inept. On day 4 he asked me for a prefered time to meet to discuss things since he was told I was the key player on most items he was to be working on. I said sure, anytime but Tuesday afternoons as I have a busy Tuesday mornings and I need the afternoons to catch up. Well, the very next day he scheduled a meeting for the very time I asked him not to. When I asked him if it was a mistake he replied "No." I then asked if he recalled our conversation about times to schedule the meeting and he replied "Yes, but I outrank you so I set it up when it was convenient for me."

Ladies (and men if you are reading) it took everything I had not to grab him by the balls tie his manhood in a knot and hurl him out the window. Who the hell did he think he was? While his title is AVP and mine is Director, we are not in the same reporting structure and as a matter of fact I am awaiting board approval for the same title, not that he has anyway of knowing that on day 5! I informed him I indeed would not be at his meeting and marched into the SrVP office and told him that I expected a full apologize and who the hell did he think he was telling me he outranked me! The Sr. VP assured me that he would smooth things over and not only speak to Sam but Sam's boss as well. The next day Sam begrudgingly apologized (if you can call it that) and rescheduled the meeting. Fast forward to last Friday, which I have determined is the day he likes to stir things up. Sam is speaking with my compliance officer (CO) and asked who is in charge of my division, CO replies, Stephanie is. Sam says "No, I mean who has the final say about that division", again CO says Stephanie. Sam says, "I really I don't see her as a peer." CO replies "Well if I were you I would show her some deference because she has final say on the division and she has no hesitation picking up the phone and calling the CEO to get what she needs done." Yahoo!!!! for CO, I think I owe him dinner.

Bottom line this guy is a pain in my ass and will try to undermine me at every turn. He clearly has a problem with women or is just super stuck on titles. I have 10 years to his 3 weeks and I am a hell of a lot more connected then he is, so I am trying to figure out how long he will last because I am not the only one he has shown his arrogant side to, he has pissed just about everyone he has come in contact off. So my over under on his tenure is 8 months. :)

Let me know your thoughts on how you would handle my new friend!

Boxtops for Education... and the cool ways to earn points for your school

You might be thinking to yourself why am I writing about the topic Box Tops for Educations. Well, I am our schools chairperson for Box Tops and I have seen firsthand what the Box Tops program can provide in the way of free money and or products to schools who collect Boxtops.

Recently I was asked if I had ever used the Marketplace to earn Box Top points for my school! I had seen it but never ventured out to use it. So off I went to check it out. I must say I am in love! I had no idea that there were some many participating retailers. Here are some of the ones I frequent on a regular basis

Leap Frog
Kohl's
Old Navy
Oriental Trading Co.
Chadwick's
Overstock
And many many more.

Here is how it works go to the Box Tops website and sign up, select your child's school to be sure the points are directed to the school of your choice. Then check out the market place and get to shopping! Retailers will give anywhere from .5% to 3.5% of your purchase to the school you select. This program is only online but based on gas prices and some of the $0 shipping deals,not to mention the time saved shopping on the computer vs. trudging out to the store, you can receive I think it is great because it is a huge time saver for me and I am helping my children's school in the process.

In addition to the market place you can also earn points with these programs.

Clipping Box Tops: Clip Box Tops from hundreds of participating products and send them to the school of your choice. The school’s Box Tops Coordinator will collect the Box Tops, send them in to General Mills, and then the school will receive a check twice a year, up to $20,000 annually. This a lot of fun to do with your kids my kids have the job of checking out everything we throw in the trash to see if it has a box top on it. It's like I spy for box tops.

Reading Room:Box Tops for Education and Barnes & Noble have teamed up to bring you the newest way to earn cash for your school!Through the Reading Room, your school will earn 6% on your online purchases of new books, including textbooks and magazines. All other purchases, including gift cards, will earn a 3% donation for your school.

So go check it out and let me know what you think!

What's up with retail stores pushing the season????

OK so the other day I am at Kohl's returning some stuff and I realize I am alone and I have a few precious moments to myself to shop ALONE, which is ultimate mom time for me. So I am strolling along founds some cute pants and a top then I stumble upon the picture frame and seasonal sections. I look up and straight ahead I see the Christmas section!!! Trees, ornaments Christmas cards, the whole nine yards, it is flipping September people!!! Of course this threw me into a high hover because I now have it in my mind that Christmas is just around the corner and I have nothing done. I am anal and I am a planner and so thanks to Kohl's I am now making freaking Christmas lists in September!

The kicker to this was that there was a Halloween display in the center aisle which only had about 2 shelves, I am a huge Halloween fan and to see only 2 shelves dedicated to one of my fav holiday's was quite the bummer too!

What's next are people going to set up Christmas tree stands in August! I hate that retail has done this to Christmas as I have always thought it is not about the gifts but instead the family and cheer!
Ba humbug

Crockpot Dessert Love!

I had the yummiest banana pudding last week. I am a huge fan of Steph's Crock pot blog that I must read it each week to get new ideas for dinner. The banana pudding she bloged about was out of this world and the kids are begging me to make it again. So if you like bananas and sweet desserts head on over and check it out!

I need new tunes!!!!!

Ok so as some of you know I am a runner and I am training for the Marine Corp 10k to be held here in DC in October; ok it's not the marathon but you have to start somewhere.

So I need your help! I am bored with my ipod tunage and I need to know what you listen to that gets you up and moving??? Hopefully enough of you will respond so I can have a new mix to run to. Don't be shy no song is to silly, I love all music types, so hook a girl up!

My favorite things swap...look what I got!!!!

My Swap partner was Steph! How cool, two Steph's swapping fav things! She sent me the sweetest email saying she was late and apologizing profusly, no worries I was so overwhlemed if she hadn't told me she was late I would have never known!

But look at the stuff she hooked me up with!!!!! I LOVE M&M's, the neo to go was very useful this weekend :) , Memo pad cause I always need paper to make lists on, smelly stuff for my bathroom, Pickled dressing which I can't wait to try, Jelly Belly's Yum, Lip gloss so I have kissable lips (my hubby thanks you) Halloween socks so cute, and a rocking CD that I have played 3 times already!

Is this cool or what?? Steph thanks for the goodies, I love them!

Wendi you rock thanks for hosting this I can't wait to do it again!

My life is a roller coaster.....but I don't think I would have it any other way!!!!

OK it seems as though some of you (who will remain nameless) get a little testy when I don't post! I love it, it means that some people are really reading my blog and liking it!!! But seriously I am fine, just a bit overwhelmed as a matter of fact I am typing this at my desk and yes the posted time is correct! Since the company sales conference I went to Friday thru Sunday I have not been able to catch my breath let along write a blog post. So I am fine I haven't dropped off the face of the earth and thanks for your concern. Now to the business meeting.

Riddle me this batman! ...How do you fly 50 people in after a full work week and have the following schedule!

Friday arrive and dinner at 6:30 PM till 10:30 PM
Saturday Breakfast at 8 meeting starts at 8:30 PM till 5 PM
Saturday night 5:45PM (yes I got a whopping half hour to get changed and cleaned up can you tell there were a bunch of men there?) bus leaves for the boat dock for a dinner cruise (trust me it wasn't all that and I hate being stuck somewhere) this excursion ended at 10:30 which got us back to the hotel at 11 PM
Sunday Breakfast at 7 am meeting starts at 7:30 AM till 1:30 PM
I have a 4 PM departure and arrived home at 7:30 PM

I was *&^king whipped! I worked from home yesterday in between doing laundry straighting the house up and various other motherly tasks, yet here I sit at 6:54 PM at my desk 36 miles away from home typing!

Comical observations from the conference:
A gentleman who is new to the company introduced himself to me and within 2 seconds of "Hi I am Scott nice to meet you" he said "and my wife has breast cancer but don't worry it is 98% curable." I was floored, what do you say! But then I overheard him with many others with the same line, just seemed very odd to me as it did to others I talked to.

One of the speakers a Sr. VP addressed the entire meeting with his fly down!

One of my sales people showed up at 7:50 am for our 7:30 am meeting looking as though he had just had a fight with a raccoon seems that drinking with the young sales people will 2:30 am then getting up and shaving at 7 am didn't work out to well for him. his entrance was looked as though it was right out of a sense from Seinfeld complete with sunglasses wild hair and toilet paper stuck to his bloodletting face.

So as you can see I have been busy the last few days!

I must tell you that Dan did a fabo job with the kids on Saturday everyone got to their games and pictures on time dressed and ready to go as a matter of fact one of the moms told me yesterday at soccer practice that he was rather impressive! Later in the week I will have a post about the things I learned at soccer practice!

So I am back behind on my blog reading that I thought I could do while I was away but I am sure I will catch up over the next few days.

I have great posts rattling around in my head so stay tuned!

I need to get my fingers tapping.......

OK, ever have one of those weeks where you think of all these cool posts to write about but never ever seem to get the time to put fingers to keyboard to get them out of your head???? Well that has been my week, I have been meeting to death at work, I have had to put a new employee ( 7 days here and not my hire) in his place twice already this week! I have back to school night tomorrow and I have to pack and leave detailed instructions for the weekend since I will be on a business trip all weekend!

But trust me I have good posts coming here is a preview......

Box tops market place a cool way to earn your school some cash

Blog anniversary giveaway

My favorite things swap

Kid and family time giveaway

Arrogance in the first 7 days ...not a good idea

Me a soccer mom .......NOT!!!!!

Ok well the weekend got off to a splendid start why might you ask? well because I was able to carveour some precious girl time with my best friends Magin and have a little post birthday dinner! Between us we have 4 kids ranging in age from 6 to almost 4 months so it isn't always easy getting together. Thanks for Dinner Magin it was yummy and it was so great to spend some in person girl time with you! Mwah!

So the rest of the weekend HOT... I know some of you are saying "Well it is September Steph!" yeah you're right but normally here in DC that means we start to see the chilling sign of fall not the heat and humididty of mid July! Saturday I officially became a Soccer mom (please no Palin comments here :) )yes my 2 rug rats stated soccer for there we were at 9 am for Jackson's game and then at 11am for Lauren's. 3 hours on the field. It was clear I was a first time soccer mom why might you ask? Well I ran our of bottle water mid way through Lauren's game, the kids did not have cleats instead they had sneakers, no sunscreen and the worst no memory card in the &*^% camera when I went to snap those precious 1st soccer photos. Needless to say a stellar soccer mom I am not but Ia m working on it. Next weekend should be comical because I am away on business the kids both have picture and games and they are at different fields. Good Luck hubby, I'll be thinking of you!!! So check out miss thing in her uniform!
Then here they are hours later... if they soccer thing doesn't work out for them may be they have a shot at the rodeo!
*** See anything new on my page? Look over to your right, see that new button? Well Revka at RS Designs created that for me, isn't it cool? Feel free to take it and place it on your blog. I am going to start a page where I collect all the buttons of the blogs I stalk love!

Awards and the long over due thanks for them.

I owe folks some love since they sent me some love! Below are awards that I received well well over a month ago I have been moving a light speed with work school the kids social activites etc. and let's just say the posting to say thanks got away from me.

So to all of you my friends and faithful readers I give you these awards too! You inspire me to write about my day and fill me with friendship each and every day!

From Dawn and Lori

From Wendi

Good Mail ... I love it!

OK I have been a bad bad Good Mail friend, I have let my girls down, so this weekend I am going to get to some serious business. I hope to have some good mail put together so I can get of the bad good friends list. Is there such a thing??

Some great folks have sent me Good mail and I have neglected to give them a shout out so

To : Jen!

Your soaking ball with the bomb, at one of my long runs I used it to relax and unwind what a great thoughtful idea

To: Tina

I LOVE my Bookmaker it has come in handy for my book club books and I can't wait ti show it off at the next book club meeting.

To: Jody
Thank you for the belated birthday wishes your card put a smile on my face all day!

(sorry I don't have a picture)

If you are interested in being a part of Good mail contact Jody and let her know. you will love it!!!!!!

My memories of 9/11

Growing up I remember adults around me talking about the assassination of President Kennedy, recalling where they were, who they were with, and the days that followed. In my late teens I remember thinking man I hope I never have an event like that happen in my life.

Fast forward to September 11th 2001, I was still a newlywed of sorts and we were expecting our first child. On that morning I remember having morning sickness (I was only 3 months along) and thinking I would go into work a little bit later. I am glad I didn't because I would been on the road about the same time that the plane went into the Pentagon and it is something I don't think I could have bared to witness. Instead I went to work at my regualr time and spoke to my husband who at the time was working day shift at the watch center of the Pentagon. This center houses all branches of military and monitors all events globally. I spoke to him just after the first plane hit the Towers, while on the phone with him the second hit and he quickly said "I love you but I have to go, this looks really bad and I may need to stay late." Typical of my devoted Army husband. I can't recall the amount of time that passed from that call to the call I received from my mom.

I was at my desk, reading CNN and other news web pages for information of the tragedy in NY when my phone rang, it was my mom. She said to me "I don't want to alarm you but I just saw a report that a plane has hit the pentagon." My heart sank, I felt ill and not due to morning sickness. I all but hung up with my mom and frantically dialed the Army watch desk at the Pentagon, the line was ringing busy, not that someone is on the phone busy, busy as in the phones were down. I tried his cell nothing, again I called the watch nothing. The knot in my stomach as growing by the minute. My phone at work started to ring off the hook with family and friends asking if Dan was alright and I was unable to to say yes or no. I quickly shooed them off to keep the line clear for him to call and tell me he was fine. I waited an hour and 27 minutes for that call. The call was brief, he said he was fine but going back into the Pentagon to do his job, saying things were bad and he had to help. He told me he was not sure when he would be home and that he would be in touch as soon as he could. I hung up the phone weeping, sick to my stomach but elated that he was OK.

I drove home from downtown DC and the image of passing the Pentagon from a distance with smoke billowing high into the sky and thousands of people walking home is still seared in my mind. I sat intently watching the news coverage witnessing the Towers fall over and over. It wasn't until 11pm that night Dan walked in the door smelling of smoke and diesel fuel, that smell is forever etched in my memory.

Dan and both knew people in DC and NY who were not able to make that call home to say they were fine. We were deeply effected as was every American that day. So while I never thought I would have an event in my life that would hold such vivid detail as the adults around me use to talk about, I do and I wish I didn't.

Please take a minute today to remember those who lost their lives and the families that have had to continue on. Also say a prayer for our troops, whether they are home or abroad they are fighting for us and our freedoms and doing their best to keep us safe.

Wordless Wednesday...not so much!

So it has come to my attention that my son has a fascination with the word naked! You will recall that he asked me for a bagel naked the other day, well a couple of nights ago before his bath the phone rang and it was his Nana and Pop pop, he decided it was fine to cop a squat on the stairs and talk to them naked, he even told them what he was doing.

So we had to take a picture! Of course I had to censor it because the family jewels should not be seen in public and I don't want to pay for the additional years of therapy that I am sure he is headed for having us as parents. LOL!! So here he is in all his glory!

Too Cute!

Still stewing over WTF friday post and First day of Preschool

Ok so I stewed all weekend about my Friday post, silly I know but that stuff gets to me. I hate the feeling of someone being mad at me or worse knowing that I have done something wrong. So I marched into my boss's off this morning while he was in the middle of telling one of my peers that he had to put me in my place, yes I walked up to his office and heard him. I apologized again and told him that his email really upset me because not only was I in the room when I was asked to make the meeting/email request so was another one of his direct reports. He acquiesced a bit... but not much. I feel like I am back in high school, which by the way I hated because I felt so insecure. Why would you tell one of my peers what you said to me in an email??? These people, all of them, are 50 plus years old to my baby (as I am reminded) age of 36 and I think I have more maturity over the whole thing then they do. Ok I have ranted enough, I think.....

So this weekend we had Hanna come to town she was welcome for about the first 3 hours, nothing like a good morning rain to keep you in bed a little longer, then I was over her. I tried to beat her, taking the kids to an indoor pool since the outdoor one was closed, going to dinner anything to not stay inside all day watching the rain fall. We had over 6 inches of rain here, can you say rain rain go away??

Sunday was my long run day to prepare for my 10 K in Oct, I did ok but man my legs hurt yesterday and today! The rest of the day was spent cooking up the fresh veggies hubby brought home from a farmers market, yum I love a fresh pot of green beans with potatoes.

Today was the Little Man's first day of Preschool, granted he was in daycare before but this seemed much different and he won't be there all day like daycare. We took the traditional first day of school shot, he was such a ham. I can't wait to hear all about his day.

Well, I need to get back to work I have goofed off quite enough I guess. I still have a Sh*t ton of blogs to catch up on so don't think I am ignoring any of you!

WTF????

First let me start off by saying my boss is letting me work form home today and I couldn't be more grateful!

OK on most days I can and do put up with territorial bullshit at work, but today I was taken aback when I received an email from my boss in a sense reprimanding me for sending out a meeting request on behalf of someone else to his staff without sending it to him first! The person for whom I made the request is not actually his boss but he is acting in that role. I did what the man asked me to do! At he top of the request it said sent on behalf of.......

Why oh why do people feel the need to be so freaking territorial? This is the gist of what I got "I'm not dead (or retired) yet…. please send any assignments to me instead of to my staff directly". I know it shouldn't burn me but it does. I really do love this man and this is the first time I have ever gotten so much of a cross eye from him maybe that is why it bothers me so. I was just doing what I was asked to do!!!

OK sorry for the rant, I know this is going to stick in my craw all day I can just feel it!

On to happy stuff my little man has preschool orientation today at 11:30, he seems excited which is great! So I will have first day dejavu all over again on Monday! Lauren was cute this morning she asked to bring in an apple for each of her teachers she looked so cute walking into school with her backpack holding her apple.

The weekend I think will be a bit blah we are more then likely going to get some unwanted weather from Hanna so that means rainy indoor time, I need to find some crafts to do!

Hope you have a great weekend, let me know what you are up to maybe you might inspire me!

Ack my mojo is all off

My google reader currently says I have 169 blogs to read! That is after I plowed through about another 160 yesterday and a bit of today. I promise I will get better I just need to find rhythm with work school and blogging!
So don't abandoned me because I am a poor blog reader right now I promise I will be back bigger badder (so not good use of grammar but you get the meaning!) and stronger then ever.

First day of school, Check!

Well, I am happy to report the first day of school was a success! Although it was like pulling teeth at the dinner table last night trying to get answers about how the day was, if she had made friends etc.

My main concern was the Spanish portion of her day. We were lucky enough to be selected to participate in a Spanish language immersion class where half of the day is totally taught in Spanish. the program starts in Kindergarten but we were not accepted so most if not all of these children have a years head start. However in speaking with the administration and parents of children who entered at the same time Lauren has they all say not to worry and clearly I shouldn't since she didn't seem to be phased at all!

So now I am ready for round 2 of first days, my son Jackson will have his preschool orientation on Friday and then Monday will be his first day. He will attend preschool 5 days a week 3 hours a day.


Wow two kids school everyone said it would go by quick and it is!

So how were your first days? I know some of you have been in school for weeks!

The first day of school

Today was the first day of First Grade for Miss Lauren she was very excited and didn't even want me to walk her in! Here she is in her annual back to school photo that I take :) She is just growing up way to fast.

Ready to go!
Proud Mama
The boys getting into the act

Final Instructions :)