Little Overwhelmed

Yes I am, a little overwhelmed. The Commercial side at WOW! got us this for a baby present:







Not pictured are a few other items. A stroller (one of those small, light weight, quick & easy ones), a grooming kit, some snack containers...just all sorts of things. Their thoughtfulness and generosity made me a little weepy.

Speaking of weepy...I had a full on mental breakdown this past Monday...and it happened at work...and I had to pawn the guy off on a co-worker. Let me digress a little bit, there were a couple items leading up to this. First, I was the big dork that completely forgot about the time change and got to work an hour early. Which turned out to be a good thing, because there was no one to take some of the calls that I take. Well it turned out, everyone had a really good time Saturday night and every lost their debit cards and everyone had to call in on Sunday. Second, on average I take any where from 75 to 110 calls a day, I had 155 calls between 7a and 3:30p Sunday. Yeah I was pooped. Third I come in on Monday...all the people that were to hungover to call Sunday...were calling Monday. I felt like I hadn't even left work from Sunday. My wall of self-preservation was crumbling like a bad game of Jenga. One call, from a guy that was just a total booty head tore that last brick out. My wall was gone, nothing left to shield me. I cried for 15 minutes and had to take another 15 minutes to get up the gumption to get back on the phone. I was really worried about breaking down again.

I completely rationalized the breakdown though. I hadn't had enough time to recover from the previous day, and I am over 7 months pregnant. I thought, "Well, you haven't really had a huge uncontrollable crying jag all this time, you are probably about due."

We went to see the the Perinatologist today (the prenatal specialist) and had an ultrasound done. Glo-Worm weighs 4lbs 5oz, and doing wonderful. We couldn't see a whole lot since there wasn't a lot of room in my belly and Glo-Worm is taking up what room there is. From here on out we will be talking to which ever pediatrician we choose and an orthopedist about Glo-Worm's foot. Glo-Worm was of course completely non-cooperative with the nurse trying to do the ultrasound. Whenever she tried to get pictures of anything, Glo-Worm would move. With the lack of room and stubborn baby, we didn't get any new pictures.

It has been a few days

I know, I know it has been at least 12days since my last blog. I have been a busy bee these last twelve days.

I did get my cleaning done that I spoke of last time. That Friday we had Isabella with us for the day. We had such a good time. She went to Chiropractor with me, then we went to McDonald's. When we got home she help Uncle Chris dig dirt while I cleaned. She helped Uncle Chris with lots of dirt. She was very excited about seeing a worm, but no amount of pleading would convince her to touch it.

As many of you know occasionally I work at Impulse at the front desk, plus I have been helping out at my Chiropractors office (my previous place of employment) doing some Data Entry. Their computer cashed about a month ago and before they could get all the info back in, the office manager broke her arm. That is where I am at today.

Last weekend we went to Andi's Roller Derby We had such a good time. I wasn't sure at all how this would play out. The first quarter everyone was a little hesitant to cheer (we didn't have a clue as to what we were cheering for.) The second quarter, everyone had a little more "Umph" in their cheer (we all had a better idea what we were cheering for.) The third quarter, everyone knew what to look for and the crowd was quite vocal. The Blog Nazi, mom and I sat in the Suicide Pit. So we were right on the floor (we had people in front of us to break the impact if a skater came flying at us.) The next day at work I told everyone they needed to go to the next match.

Wok & Other Things

Have I mentioned how in love I am with my Wok? I already had an adventure with it and cooked in it.

The evening I got my Wok, I was seasoning it (put some oil it in it spread it around and heat it up until your pan burns), well after I was seasoning I really wasn't paying as much attention as I should and set the super hot pan on the counter. This is what my counter looks like now:Oops!

I made Stirfry monday night and it was so yummy. I cooked the chicken with soy sauce and Chinese Five Spices then added broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and celery. YUMMY! Chris even loved it, vegetables and all.

I have all sorts of new receipes I am going to try. I will let you know how they turn out.

I hired into my current job as temporary to permanant, well because we were supposed to be hired as permanant by this point the programs we use tend to lock us out every few days. This has been a source of endless frustration. I am using paper forms and other people have to complete my work. Then programs are changed and no one told us or showed us to use them. Finally I am getting calls for clients I don't even take or have been trained on yet. So, yeah really frustrated. Hopefully this will be taken care of soon.

Oh, exciting!!!!!! My birthday is coming up soon. I was singing a little ditty that makes me happpy and shared it The Blog Nazi...it went something like this:

Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday to Me
Oh yeah it's my Birthday
Do the Hustle...

Then The Blog Nazi reminded me that I didn't know how to the hustle. I thought The Blog Nazi should teach me since she is older then me and wanted me to have the best Birthday ever. I was so right...she sent this link to me:

The Blog Nazi teaching the Hustle.

Not so fun, I have to go get a new drivers license today. I realized the other day it expires this year. <blech>

Some Work Stories

At work I take what are called Lost/Stolen calls. This is a number people call if their debit card is lost of stolen. Now my company provides this service for 1200+ Financial Institutions (have to say "Financial Institutions" because Credit Unions get cranky when you call them a Bank), and my open spiel goes a little like this:

"Thank you for calling Lost/Stolen Card Services. Are you call you to report a card Lost or Stolen today?"

I have to actually ask if they are calling to report a card lost or stolen, because you would be surprised at how many people call Lost/Stolen to activate a card.

Here are a few othe conversations I have had since I stated working there:

"Thank you for calling Lost/Stolen Card Services. Are you call you to report a card Lost or Stolen today?"

"Yes"

"what is the name of you Financial Institution?"

"Ummm...I don't know it is somewhere in Delaware." (yes people do actually live in Deleware)

"Thank you for calling Lost/Stolen Card Services. Are you call you to report a card Lost or Stolen today?"

"No I need to get some information on my fathers account, he is in the hospital dying and I need to get this information now. I need to talk to someone"

"I do apologize sir, unfortunately I do not have access to that information. We are a third party that provides Lost/Stolen support for your Financial Institution."

"If my father dies without this information it will be all your fault!"

"Sir, I refuse to take that guilt trip. Once again we do not have access to that information."

"Well, I refuse to take a guilt trip when your father is the hospital dying."

"Sir, my father is already dead"

"I have a right to talk to someone about this account, THIS ISN'T RUSSIA!" (he hung up on me)

"Thank you for calling Lost/Stolen Card Services. Are you call you to report a card Lost or Stolen today?"

"Yes"

(Sometimes ou just can't find the person in the database. We can search by name and card number and sometimes checking account number. After we have exhausted all of our seach options and we still can't find them, people get a little testy)

"I do apologize, I have search several different ways and tried multiple spellings of your name, but I can't seem to find your account in our database."

"Well, did you try..."(list several ways for me to try to search again)

"Yes I have"

"I have been with XYZ Bank for 10 years, I know I am in there. Someone has my card and can take all the money in my account. I can't believe you can't find me. Have you tried...(once again giving me more ways I can't seach by)"

"We can only go by the information provided to us by your Financial Institution. I can't turn your card off if I can't find you."

"What good are you then?" (he hung up on me)

"Thank you for calling Lost/Stolen Card Services. Are you call you to report a card Lost or Stolen today?"

"Yes"

"What is the name of your Financial Institution?"

"Ummm...what do you mean?"

"What is the name of your Bank or Credit Union?"

"Oh...VISA"

"That is the name of the Bank or Credit Union you keep your money at?"

"Oh no...that's ABC Bank"

These are the types of calls and people I handle on a day-to-day basis. As I get more stories I will share them with you.

Team Player?????

Yes that would be me in a UK shirt. As many of you know I am not much of a sports person. I don't generally watch sports on TV or even have a favorite team. Usually my favorite team is the opposite team that everyone else is rooting for. I shall explain why I even own a UK t-shirt let alone 3 of them. I am getting ahead of myself...let me digress a moment and tell the whole story.

At work we have monthly "Team Player Meetings." These are meeting to share all the good things that are coming up in the next month and to praise the people that did good the previous month. All-in-all these are very positive meeting and unlike most meetings are actually quite fun.

It was decided by the powers that be, starting in the month of December, we could wear jeans the day of the Team Player meeting if we wore a shirt supporting our favorite "legitimate" team. My first thought was "well poop!" I had realized that I owned not a single sports team shirt.

My next thought was I could possibly borrow my nephews hockey jersey. I dismissed that idea, since he would probably need it the same day I did.

Then I remember that Jessica is a huge UK fan. She has been trying to convert me for the last year to a UK fan. I thought that I would go get a UK t-shirt & wear it to work just for her.

I trek over to Wal-Mart in Henderson for the UK shirt. While shopping I find one...more money then I really wanted to spend. Then I see it...a 3pack of UK tee's for the same price and the one shirt and that folks is how I ended up with 3 UK tee's.

I has been talked about since that what I really need is a Minnesota Gophers shirt. I think that would be perfect!

Love Actually...

...is all around us.

******WARNING: Mushy Stuff Ahead******

I am feeling so full of love lately. My last blog was a little mushy too.

I have a husband I absolutely adore, brothers & sisters I couldn't live with out, and a mom that loves us all unconditionally. I have nieces and nephews that bring me such joy with their innocence and openness. My wish for Christmas is that everyone gets to feel this kind of love at least once in their life, if not every day. I am one blessed lady.

******End of Mush*****

We had Secret Santa this last week at work and I had a fantabulous Secret Santa. I got:
Hot Tamales & SweeTarts
Mt. Dew & Starbucks Coffee
A set of super yummy candles
A Happy Bunny Calendar
A HUGE fruit basket

I have my Christmas decorations up. I spent most of Wednesday trying to convince myself i wasn't getting sick. I got all my presents wrapped, laundry done, decorations up, and several other things i can't think of right this now. All to no avail, I was sick. I am on the way out of it now, but I don't think I will get to hold my new nephew Keegan today :-(

Last but not least today:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG DOODIE!!!!!!!

December

Is it just me, our December kinds sneak up this year? I know, I know, it's the same time every year, but it just got here faster then I wanted it to. It's the time of year to think about all the things you are blessed to have in your life.

Me? I have the best family, new family, extended family and friends a gal could ask for. It has been a rough year for us and we wouldn't have made through without their support and love. Thank you so much for being there for us. (Big Hearts)

I am in the process of putting up Christmas. So far I have come garland and a wreath...hmmm. Not a very good start.

Work is going well. We got our permanent seats at work, we got booted from the "Nest." I am in the process of meeting the people sitting around me since I am no where near the people I trained with.

Answer to 2 Truths & 1 Lie: Number 2 is the Lie. I was never a fragrance model.

So much to catch up on...

So I am now out of training at work and am in what is called the "Nest." Which is where they put for a few weeks after training. They have a supervisor or specialist there through the day to help you out with any questions while you take the live calls. So far so good.

I am also working at Impulse again. They are working around whatever my schedule is at CMC. I decided to use what money I get from there to get the nieces & nephews Christmas presents.

Speaking on Christmas....is it just me or did this year just fly by? I just floors me that it is already the end of the year.

We had a great Thanksgiving. The night before Chris helped me to make my pumpkin and pecan pies and I also made a pumpkin cake, that was quite fabulous. Thanksgiving morning we had breakfast with my m-i-l and then we went to my mom's for lunch. I was sooooooo stuffed. Chris ate like 4 slices of the pumpkin cake and then had a tummy ache.

Sad news, one of kitties passed away. Ubu was the biggest scaredy cat I ever knew. I was a big kitty and every little move freaked him out. Chris & I went out the rain today and buried him at my f-i-l's.

Hopefully now that I am out of training I will have more time to keep everyone posted in the going's on in my life.

Ohhhhhhh, one more thing. We got my sister moved into her fantabulous new house. Between the four of us (michelle, jacob, chris & myself) we got her apartment emptied and her stuff unloaded at her house in 5 hours. We was some pooped puppies the next day.. I went back on Sunday and we got some of her new furniture inside the house from the garage. She is officially all moved out of her apartment. We are having our first family dinner at her new house this Tuesday.

One more thing. Chris had Carnival Day at work and they were supposed to dress up like Carny's here is one of his pics...tat's look real don't they? I thought they were so hot on him

Random Bits

First off, please keep your thoughts positive for my brother Jacob & my s-i-l Andi. Seems we may be getting another nephew sooner then we thought; Keegan.


Let's see what else. I got through my first week of training. My brain was spinning by Friday afternoon. In some ways I feel very much ahead of the curve as far as knowledge of Call Centers and how to talk on the phone. Learning their billing program....YIKES! There is a lot the learn and they have so many clients that you have to learn all their different requirements. Mind boggling.


Mom had her Open House at AHA! They sent out over 1,000 invitations....and had nightmares they would all show up. The office looked gorgeous and they had a fabulous turn out. They have been busy doing all sorts of marketing and starting a web page. I think they are even going to keep a blog on the website.



I was looking at my fridge and realized I had some great kid art that could be shared




The first one is from Kaidyn....have no idea
The second one if from Bella....I do believe this was a banana factory
...I love kids

One other tidbit....my pool team is in first place. Well, at least we were as of last Wednesday. I am so very excited. This is the first time we have been in first in a long time. I will let you know how we do. Little background. I have been playing on a pool league with my friend Paula since 1999 or 2000 maybe (somewhere around in there). I started off in 8-ball...not my forte. Then we moved to a 9-ball team...much more my level. We have always played for the fun and companionship, every now & again we do really good and end up in the playoffs and such. It really is a good time, I love my teammates.

More on the Training front

I have to give major props to our trainer, Emily, she tries so hard to keep the training as interesting as she can. She comes up with little games for us to play and lets us tell funny stories.

I have have learned so much in the last two days. I have learned what all 16-digits on your credit card mean. I have learned about all the different types of cards, and that our clients can pick and choose what fees and services they want offered with their cards. I have learned CMC likes to give away prizes for anything they can think of. They are a very positive company, I thoroughly enjoy that.

We had to take an assessment test today. Basically it lets Emily know if she needs to cover something in more detail. She said we did great (I got 100%). She said that we are the outgoing of groups she has had in a long time and we have all clicked the fastest. I am training with some really fun people.

The rest of this week and more next week, we are going to be getting into more systems training. WOO HOO!

Oh....and is my sweetie totally hot or what?

First Day of Training

Today was my first day of my new job at CMC.

Very positive things to say so far:

1. I already know a couple of the programs we use
2. It seems to be a company you "WANT" to work for
3. I really like the people I am training with

Then there are some of the benefits:

1. 2 weeks vacation (of which you can roll over 40 hrs)
2. You can purchase vacation days
3. 6 Holidays
4. 4 Floating Holiday's
5. Accrued Leave of Absence (LOA)
6. 6 days Sick Time (unused rolls over into LOA)
7. 401K
8. Flex Accounts

Sweet Right?

So, so far-so good

We watched this great video called Employee 101 - very amusing. It about how to be a good employee. They have lost of incentive prizes. Good ones too, no rinky-dink prizes here. Some past prizes were Flat-screen TVs, $500 gift cards.

The next few days we are going to be getting further into what our jobs are...

Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Toast...

...is the best ever! Thanks Perri. It has become a Sunday morning routine in our house. I was very surprised that Chris liked it and then repeatedly asks for it.



Few updates...



This last week has been incredily busy. I have been trying to get everything in order before I left my job. That meant making instructions on how to do things, getting other things ready for the next receptionist (I wanted them to be a little more prepared then I was), plus saying good bye to everyone. I had a few patients call me just to say good bye and it made my entire day. I also got to help narrow down some of the applicants for my job, that was kinda fun.


My new job starts on Monday and to clear up an misconceptions...I am NOT going to be a telemarketer (tried that once...not good). I am going to be in customer service, which means people will call me not the other way around. I am very much looking forward to the opportunities at this new company...so fingers crossed.



Very excited....my pool team is in first place. We have been for a few weeks now. WOO HOO!


My bother-in-law (Chris or MC) and newphew (Stephen) are in town for a few days. They will be moving here next summer. Michelle & MC's house is coming along fabulously! Makes me a touch green....but waaaaaaaaaaay excited for them. I will have to get some pictures to post. We went to dinner with them on Thursday and I got some fun pics:








Hmmmmm....like father like son?


We went to my mom's yesterday for a family lunch and Miss Sophia was being fun:








How fun, that was my first video post.


Stephen sent the night at our house last night and got to stay up late and play video games.


So that is all for now. I will try to keep you all updated over the next few weeks on how the job is going.

Odds and Ends

So, did mom's hair turn out fabulous or what? They all look totally HOT!!!!!!!!





Every other Tuesday evening we have family dinner at my sisters house. We started this awhile ago with it being every Tuesday, but then Shell's voice lessons ended up being changed to every other Tuesday, therefore family dinner changed. Anyhoo, this is always such great fun since it gives us all a chance to catch up on each others lives. I always look forward to dinner. I got these next two pictures at last weeks family dinner.




<giggle> They are both so cute.


Other news, I put in my notice Wednesday at my job. I am leaving the exciting city of Henderson, KY and going to work in the much smaller world of Evansville, IN. There are many reasons for this decision. The main two being: MORE money and closer to home. There are some other postive things: 2 weeks vacation, sick time, buy vacation days, you know...benefits. So were am I going you ask? I am leaving Lockwood Chiropractic for CMC. CMC is owned by 5/3 Bank and is a credit card company for them. Yes, I am going back to the world of call center. My sister-in-law, Carrie, works there and she seems to like company quite a bit so I am hoping that rubs off. My last day at Lockwood is this Friday, October 26th and I start training at CMC Monday October 29th.

Back To Work

Blah.... Yep I am back to work...seems almost like I never had the week off. Spent yesterday getting caught up on my stuff and today everything seems back to normal.

Not a lot happening last few days. Sunday Chris & I spent the day relaxing. We did do a little cleaning in the basement.

Last night Michelle Came over and watched the season finale of The Closer. Ooooooo....She is also coming back on 9/19 to watch the season premiere of ANTM (America's Next Top Model). Chris & I have gotten totally addicted to CSI (the original one) and so far we like Torchwood (it's on BBC America - if you like Doctor Who then you would probably like this show). It's that time where TV shows are all starting back up again, yippy.

Mail Merge Continued

YIPPY! <sigh of relief>

The fates have decided that I deserve a break. Somehow, I managed to get my 2 documents of labels all into one. Not at all positive on how I did it, but it is done.

So glad I go on vacation tomorrow at noon-ish. I need it after all that.

Mail Merge

Okay...now I am not in way shape or form a computer geek, however I am pretty handy with one. Decently proficient in Microsoft Office and whatever other program I am using I can usually figure out.

This last week has tried my patience in so many ways....patience is a virtue my tookus!

I have been trying for a week now to get my mail merge to work. First using the mail merge to pull a list from excel....no luck. I finally gave up and printed out all the labels I needed plus the extra labels I didn't.

Then, much to my consternation my boss decides he wants to make a completely new list for a mail out he is getting ready to do in September. So, I go into my mail merge, I type in all 50+ names and addresses...then proceed for 2 hours to get the names & addresses onto the word document. Before you ask...<sighs wearily> I tried using Help, but the help was not so helpful. I know there was just one step that I was somehow missing and just couldn't see it (I think I got tunnel vision).

Finally to my utmost joy...I did it! Unfortunately, I don't know how I did it and am not quite sure is is correct. I ended up having 2 docs with the 2 pages of names and addresses instead of it all being on one, but I will not let my joy fade! Why? Because....it is done. WOO HOO!

If anyone knows some quick easy steps to mail merge, from existing or new lists, I would love to get them. You would have my eternal thanks!

Have a Fantabulous Day!