Sarah has Max for at least 6 months. They will re-evaluate Ashley at that point to see how things are going. If the state decides to terminate Ashley's parental rights, then the Judge will have Sarah's family and our family checked out and will decide who can adopt him.
Sarah told Tim that she will tell the judge that he should be able to adopt him.
But I don't believe that because all she had to do was say that she would take care of him for a month before he came up to us. That was the plan - I thought. She is not going to want to say goodbye. Her and her family will be attached to him.
After work, we received the news that Tim's close friends were killed in a helicopter crash. Bruce was like a father figure to Tim. Tim loved him and loved working with him. Both men were Tim's friends and sometimes-bosses. (Tim would work for Bruce and Klause when they were needing help, usually when Klause was out of state working on a project.)
It is so hard to think that the friend who teased Tim and who Tim teased relentlessly is gone. Bruce always gave Tim advice and talking to him about all sorts of things. He was a wonderful man.
Last July, we went with Bruce and Linda to the July 24th concert at the Conference Center. It was an amazing night with amazing friends. After the concert, I mentioned to Tim that maybe we should just wait in our seats for a while until it clears out. Nope. Bruce and Linda were up and outa there! Those two shorties held hands and weaved in and out of people so fast that they got us out of there in no time at all. They walked fast! I had to trot at times to keep up with them.
Bruce and Linda would borrow our trailer. The last time they borrowed it, Linda cleaned it up all nice and pretty - then turned around to see her grandson pee in the toilet. After it had been emptied. They were very embarrassed.
They were just GOOD people! My heart hurts for Linda. I can't imagine what she is going through.
I don't know Klause as well, but Tim really liked being around him. Klause and his wife had served a mission and were making plans to expand their business up to Alaska so they could relocate there. Bruce and his wife were going to go on a mission in a couple of years when she could retire.
After receiving that devastating news, Tim's sister called with more bad news. Bad news for us.
Max (the grandson) is in foster care right now until they can get everything squared away for Sarah to take care of him until we get him moved up here. The plan was that she would care for him for a few weeks and then he would come up here. Well, Max's attorney feels like it would be best for Max to stay in Texas. So Sarah agreed to keep him longer.
I am heartbroken. I had given up on having a baby years ago. I was fine with not having a baby. I was happy to be past the baby stage. When we heard the news that we may get him, I was so nervous because I hadn't held a baby in years! I was getting worried about how to pay for daycare and diapers and formula and baby food and clothes and him getting sick. But I also started to get very excited. I didn't think I wanted another baby - but apparently I do. I was looking for cribs, bedding, looking for all the things a baby would need. I held a baby over Thanksgiving and thought to myself that I could do this! We went to the Temple for a sealing and Tim and I talked about it being us being sealed as a family to Max someday (I don't think Ashley will get him back - she still hasn't made an effort). I was so excited to have another chance at a baby. So excited.
And that chance is most likely gone. Unless the Judge says Max is coming up here, he will stay in Texas for at least 6 months. In 6 months, they may send him up to us for the next 6 months.
But in 6 months, if Ashley doesn't change, Max will have grown attached to Sarah and her family. They will have grown attached to him. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a child that you have loved as your own - to send them back to their parent, wondering if they will take care of him as you would. How will they be able to say goodbye? Would it be in Max's best interest if we take him from the family he knows? If Ashley's parental rights are terminated before the year is up and Max is with Sarah, they will be able to adopt him if they want to. So many things to think of.
I was soooo looking forward to taking care of our grandson. But now I have a heavy heart and am crushed.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten excited. I am trying so hard not to be upset with Sarah for saying she'd keep him longer. If she had just told them she could do it only for a few weeks......
My dad is home from the hospital and getting better every day. He is still really weak and isn't eating as much as he used to, but he is getting better. We took dinner to them Sunday (we ate there, of course) because I wanted to spend more time with my parents. I realize they won't be here forever and I want Sterling to have many good memories of them.
I found out that two of my brothers haven't even called them. Granted, they were on a cruise while dad was in the hospital. My mom sent texts out to all of us kids knowing that they may not get them for awhile but wanted to make sure they were kept in the loop. She hoped that there would be times when the texts made it through. They did. One brother responded with a comment about how it took 12 hours to get that text. No "how is dad now" or anything like that. They have been on US Soil since Thursday and had plenty of chances to check on him.
Nope. Nada. We know their wives don't like us - but come on. IT IS YOUR DAD. For heaven's sake CALL HIM.
Maybe I will leave a lump of coal on their porches Christmas Eve.
The last 8 days have been full of excitement. Well, excitement isn't the right word. Adventure? No. Anxiety? No. Lets just say there have been a wide range of emotions.
Last Monday, Tim received a call from Texas Child Protective Services. To make a VERY long story short, see this cute kid?
Well, this adorable 2 1/2 month old may be coming to Utah. After an hour and a half on a conference call with three officials, Tim, his daughter, Kym and Levi's father, Max's father, and a family friend, nothing was really decided what would happen with Max.
After the last time of giving out too much information and Tim's daughter getting very upset, I can't say too much. But there is a chance that we may be raising another grandchild.
In a way, I really want to bring him up here. He needs a stable, safe place to live. Somewhere he will be taken care of by people who love him dearly. Not that he isn't loved in Texas. He is. But I'm also hesitant because I am WELL past the baby stage. I gave up a few years ago on having a baby and have since come to accept it and to relish in the fact that I have some freedom. Having a baby will tie us down and put a financial strain on us.
But I look at his face (isn't that face just adorable?) and want to protect him and love him.
Then I think of the diapers and the crying in the middle of the night and the teething and the fussiness and it kind of scares me! And then I have to laugh because two weeks ago, as I was sitting in Relief Society I was giggling inside at the mothers who had fussy babies and thinking that I was glad it wasn't me.
Tim is trying to get some answers as to what will be happening. Oh, he needs to be well taken care of and I hope we find out soon.
Then on Friday, my mom tells me that my dad had to be taken to the ER because of a kidney stone. My dad does not complain. Not once did he complain when he had a major tooth infection - resulting in teeth being pulled. And not once did he complain about being in pain until it was unbearable.
They sent him home with drugs.
Unfortunately, his kidney became infected and it shut down. So when he took the pain meds, it made him extremely loopy. Almost to the point of a drug overdose. The drugs went straight to his bloodstream without any filtering. My mom and sister called 911 Sunday night around 11 pm. My dad was so out of it. He wouldn't respond to them. He wouldn't eat. He wouldn't drink. He just wouldn't move. he didn't need to visit the little boys room. He could barely stay sitting up in the chair.
This is my dad last night, after having his kidney drained:
My dear, sweet dad. He gave us quite the scare. None of us got much sleep Sunday night and Scott, Paula nor I got any work done at work! I couldn't focus. I just kept checking my phone for updates and staring at my computer.
It is such a relief to know he is feeling better. Hopefully they will let him come home tomorrow - after he gains a little more strength.
If I had to describe how I feel in one word, it would be exhausted.
I have never felt this way in my life! When I was pregnant, my biggest complaint was being so, so, so very tired. But this is a different feeling. For the last few months, it has been getting worse. I have no energy to do anything. I wake up in the morning and I'm still tired! I am yawning from the get-go. I don't want to do anything but lounge around and relax!
I finally had enough of the exhaustion, the hot flashes (if these ain't hot flashed, then I'm in big trouble later on in life!) and being hot all the time, the headaches, the achy body, the feeling of a ten pound weight being on my chest when I lay down and the wicky-wacky heartbeat. I went to the doctor thinking that my thyroid might be messed up. Heaven knows our family has more than a few members with thyroid problems! Nope. That wasn't it.
My doctor told me that my depression/anxiety must not be under control like we thought. And I have acid reflux (who knew? I thought that involved burning sensations). I wanted to tell him he was off his rocker about the depression. But thought that he would know best. I thought my depression/anxiety was just fine! Sure, I'd get anxious going in to work - but that has been a normal part of my life for the past few years.
So I got a new prescription and had hope that things would get better.
That was Monday.
Friday morning was fantastic! I had so much energy. I cleaned the kitchen, swept and mopped the floor, and did some laundry. I was thrilled!
Then noon hit and I crashed. Exhausted. I am back to being so tired and achy. I drag my butt out of bed around 6 am and am back to pulling my hair back most days so you don't know it is wet. It feels like I have the start of the flu - it comes and goes so I know it isn't the flu. I get headaches and I'm miserable!
(And don't tell me I'd feel better if I exercised. And don't tell me it is because I'm overweight. Just ask Tim. I don't take kindly to that.)
Lately things have been kind of stressful for us. For reasons I don't want to go into, we have had to make weekly visits to a doctor. It isn't life threatening or anything like that, but it is to help with a certain someone in my home that needs help.
When I set up the appointment, I checked first on our insurance coverage and was told it would only be a co-pay of $25. We can do that. We get to the office, and she tells me that it is $75 minimum until our deductible is paid. I about passed out and became very anxious. (Did I mention that I suffer BIG TIME from anxiety?) Imagine what my anxiety level did when I found out that we needed to go back every week! And that the cost per visit was $90.
For the last 4 weeks I have been so stressed and anxious. I know we need to be doing this, but the cost was causing me to lose sleep, eat more, drink more Mtn Dew, be crankier, and I started to go back into a depression.
I finally called our insurance company again and was assured that we do not have to meet the deductible. I told her they informed me at the office that I had to meet a deductible, but the insurance company has assured me that we do not.
I haven't blogged lately because there isn't a whole lot going on!
I was thinking I don't have much to post about - but then I remembered my family reunions. At our Woodbury Reunion I won the coveted "Woody 2014" smoker that my two brothers made and donated. I've used it a couple of times and really enjoy it! But it can turn a bit pricy if I keep buying meat. So it'll be a once a week or every other week event. Right now I have to get a cover for it so won't get rusted.
School started last week. Did I get a picture of Sterling? Heck no! He didn't want me to do that. He doesn't like his picture to be taken so I can't get the first day of school picture. Yes, I am the mom and I can force him to let me take the picture - but then it would be a terrible picture and a waste of time and effort. (I'm tired of people telling me I'm the mom and that he should obey me. Keep your lips zipped. Until you have a child exactly like mine, you have no room to talk!).
I am extremely anxious with school this year. At Ster's school, there is a rule that you have to pass "Take Aways" at 80% or better or you will fail the class. I understand that Take Aways are quizzes or tests. Either way, it causes major anxiety for both Ster and I. Ster because he is assuming he will fail all his classes. Me because without A LOT of help, he won't be passing them. I know that isn't very optimistic or motherly of me. But I am realistic and know what abilities my son has. And the ability to take tests is not one of them. He struggles academically. Big time. Is he dumb? No. But his learning style is not like most kids and so he struggles. The knowledge that he has to pass at 80% is killing him. I've tried to encourage him. I've told him we will study together. I've told him that I want to learn too, so he needs to teach me. I've tried to reassure him. But he ain't listening! He is still so worried and anxious.
I hate school.
I hate work, too. I have a really good job and I can't complain. But I am just not happy here. I get paid half what my boss gets paid, but I can do - and have done - his job many times and kept our department running. I have learned the art of acting dumb so that things get done - like I'm not sure if there is something that needs to be done and asking for help so that it brings something to light that needs to be done. I'm the one EVERYONE goes to, not him. Yes, I'm the deputy but sometimes I want to tell them to go to the boss to get an answer! There is no appreciation at my place of employment. My boss is some-what appreciative, but those of us who have been here for 20 plus years have come to realize that the longer you are here, the less valuable you are. It doesn't matter that I have 20 years of knowledge of the workings of the city. There are a few employees with over 30 years who have to work for insurance or they would retire. They are made to feel worthless. It is really sad.
Okay. Enough of a pity party. I am happy. I am happy. I am happy.
Sterling wasn't a happy camper. Can you tell? And lovely Tim Sr - making a face. As usual. No wonder Ster makes faces in pictures! He gets it from daddy.
For those of you who know Jayden, he is the middle boy up front. Can you believe how big he is? And look at Levi - 3 years younger and almost as big!
I was reading a headline from msn.com about a family who stoned a woman to death because she married for love. Man...how sad.
I've always wondered about stoning people to death. I always pictured a person cowering while people through stones.
Stupid me googled it. I wish I hadn't. The images were very sad to me. I can handle some blood and these weren't gory so I could handle that. What I couldn't handle was seeing how they did it! Oh. my. heck.
Did you know that they buried people up to their waists or necks? Then they throw the stones. I had no clue. Now, there were some that were not buried, but others were. Some were small rocks - but some rocks were HUGE. Like, HUGE!
Awhile after General Conference, I had the desire to once again read the Book of Mormon. I am the first to admit that I am far from perfect. We don't hold regular Family Home Evenings. We don't regularly read the scriptures. Goodness, we are lucky if we read once in a blue moon! I have read the Book of Mormon several times. But it has been a few years since I actually read from the first page to the last page. I've started several times, gotten to a certain point and then stopped. Then I would start over.
I didn't want to do that again. I made a decision that I would read every night and that I would finish the Book of Mormon. And then start again. I decided that I would read and then write down my testimony and share that with others. I am close to finishing.
This time around, I have had a thirst and hunger for reading the Book of Mormon. There were only a few times when I had to force my way through the chapters. And which ones were they? The Isaiah chapters. I have a hard time understanding those. But I pushed my way through and conquered the Isaiah chapters! I couldn't put the Book of Mormon down. I would literally read until my eyes didn't want to stay open any longer. One more chapter! One more! And I can't wait to finish because I can't wait to start all over! I can't wait to really delve into the chapters and study them.
There have been several things that have stuck out as I've read. Things that happen over and over and over. And it scares me. How many times did Satan lead away the Nephites? How many times were they strong and righteous and happy - and then lead away by Satan? How many times did the members of Christ's Church leave and become wicked? How many times did those who were righteous fall away from the church and become more wicked than the Lamanites? Isn't that happening today? People are being lead away and it is so sad to me. Those who fall away from the LDS Church are more vocal against the church and have a hatred of the true gospel. How many have left the church because of the homosexual issue? How many have left or thinking of leaving because of the Ordain Women movement? How many are questioning the basic gospel principles? How many are getting offended over something and leaving?
In my own family, I have those who are not homosexual but think that it should be okay for them to get married. Some think it is perfectly fine and nothing wrong with it. I believe homosexuality goes against God's commandments. It scares me. What is next? Viewing child pornography? Those who have those tendencies claim they were born with it and it should be just fine? Will we have to allow them the right to view that or we are discriminating against them? Satan has a way of taking something and twisting it and making it seem right. And then people follow along and soon it is "fine" and "natural" and "okay". That is what is happening today. We are being bombarded with things that are wrong but the world thinks they are right. And if you don't agree, then you are wrong and ridiculed.
Our home is more peaceful when we are doing the things we are taught to do - pray, study the scriptures, attend church, attend the Temple. Are we perfect? No. But we are trying and that is what we need to be doing. We need to stay strong and not allow Satan to pull us away from what is true. I have a strong desire to help my family stay strong and firm in the gospel principles. And I am making an effort to change our habits so that we are doing what we need to be doing to keep the spirit with us.
I have been blessed with a wonderful family and the wonderful opportunity to have been raised in the gospel and to have a knowledge of the plan of salvation. I believe that Jesus Christ did come to this earth to offer up himself as a sacrifice so that we could return to live with our Father in Heaven. I love this gospel. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love the fact that we can repent and be forgiven of our sins. I love the Book of Mormon and all that I am learning from it.
(Wow - if you have stuck it out and read to the end: THANKS!)
I didn't until a couple of weeks ago. For years, I have thought that I was just cranky about certain things. You know - people chewing their food (see a few previous posts), clicking their pens, chewing/popping their gum, the boom-boom-boom of music. I get so irate when I hear those sounds! Sometimes I have gotten pretty pissed off pretty darned fast (like the morning I walked in and heard the Opera going.)
There has always been something that is just buggy about certain sounds. Like the gum popping - sometimes it hurts my ears! Seriously - especially when it is popped really loud. I would hate to sit in meetings or classes and have people behind me whispering. It would grate on my nerves and start to make me antsy and irritable.
A couple of weeks ago, my cousin mentioned in a facebook post her "misophonia" and counting the times a lady behind her popped her gum as she was chewing. I thought to myself that would drive me bonkers, too! I didn't know what misophonia was, so I googled it.
Wikipedia: Misophonia, literally "hatred of sound", is a neurological disorder in which negative experiences (anger, flight, hatred, disgust) are triggered by specific sounds. It can be described as an immediate and extremely negative emotional response accompanied by an automatic physiological flight response to identifiable auditory, visual, and olfactory stimuli. The disorder disrupts daily living and can have a significant impact on social interactions Misophonia Facts and Information:
When you suffer from misophonia, you have a strong reaction to specific sounds. People with misophonia can react with irritation, rage and even panic to these sounds.
Misophonia is also known as selective sound sensitivity syndrome (SSSS or 4S). If everyday noises like a dripping tap or someone else chewing or clicking a pen makes you irritated or panic, you might suffer from misophonia. Miso- (hatred) phonia (sound) means strong reactions to selective sounds. It is not to be confused with hyperacusis where sound is perceived as abnormally loud or physically painful. Though people may have suffered from misophonia for many years, it has only been recognised as a medical condition since the 1990's. As such, misophonia is a syndrome which is still something of a mystery for the general population all over the world.
Symptoms
The symptoms of misophonia often appear in late childhood but onset can be seen at any age. Usually it starts with a single trigger-sound then more sounds are added to the list of triggers. When exposed to a trigger-sound people with misophonia react with irritation, rage, panic or even physical violence (or the idea of exercising violence).
This is soooo me! It explains so much. And it is good to know that I'm not the only one out there! I seriously thought I was a freak for hating sounds so much. There are certain places in Sacrament Meeting I WON'T sit because of someone who chews gum non-stop (mouth open - I hear squoosh-squoosh-squoosh and the constant, loud pop). I hate to be in big crowds because there is always someone who pops their gum - and it is usually loud.
Not that it helps any with getting so irritated with those sounds, but it helps to know there is a reason behind it!
Now if I could lose my hearing, I'd be better off ;)
I was so excited to see they are naming him Maximus - my Grandpa's name is Max. Since I won't be having another child to name Max, this is just as good!
I want to express my gratitude to my Father in Heaven for all I have been blessed with.
I have a wonderful husband. A husband who will do anything for me - or for anyone else. He cooks, cleans, takes care of the vehicles, takes care of the yard, takes care of the dog poo, helps the neighbors. He is amazing. He puts up with me and my crankiness. He puts up with Sterling and his pre-teen attitude. He does what he can to help those around us - and he feels terrible when he isn't able to help. When neighbors have moved in and he couldn't help (because he just had shoulder surgery) he felt bad and really wanted to help. When those same neighbors put in their sprinkler system, he felt horrible because he just had his knee scoped and couldn't help. (We called him "Grandpa" using his cane.)
I have a child who melts my heart more than anything. He may have that pre-teen attitude and may make me want to pull my hair out, but he is a sweet son. He winks at me as he is passing the sacrament. He still wants to hold my hand (at times). He loves to hug me. He is a kind child who, although he is selfish at times, willing to share what he has with those who don't have as much. I sure love him.
I have been blessed with my "baby" - Duke, our dog. He is so good and obedient and loving. He gets so excited when we come home and smiles at us (he is baring his teeth - but his butt is going a mile a minute). He is a calming presence in our home.
I do have a couple of wonderful step-children. Things are much better in that area and there have been some wonderful phone calls. I am so excited to see them in June. All of them. (Although I think it may be difficult for me not to stare at all of TJ's tattoos if he takes his shirt off).
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that has been such a blessing to me. It seems like members are being bombarded with comments like "being brainwashed" and questions about how we can feel that way and accusations about our religion. But I know I belong to the true Church. I feel it as I am reading the scriptures. I feel it as I see the wonderful blessings I have been given. I feel it as I pray for comfort in our trials. I feel it as I witness huge blessings in my friends and neighbors. I am so far from perfect. But I know that because of Him I get to keep on trying. That I can work on my deficiencies and my mistakes and improve myself.
I haven't posted many pictures. Usually I'm just rambling away. Tonight, I thought I'd put up some pictures. We got a picture of Jayden in the mail and I can't tell you how excited it was! He is growing up. I'm sad to be missing that. I'm sad to be missing Kym and Levi, too. And a soon-to-be new grandbaby.
I couldn't get our scanner to work, so I took a picture of his picture with my phone. Not the best, but it will have to do until I remember to take it to work and scan it.
Anywho - since I don't have any decent pictures, I stalked Tim's kids on facebook and copied their pictures. After our Texas trip, there will be lots of nice, new pictures!
Ashley, Kym, and Tim's ex-wife (this was taken a couple of years ago)
Ashley's 18 week baby bump.
My little Peanut - Jayden. So precious to me.
Kym is on the left
Kym
Levi - I only have one picture of him
Ster at his "What a Wonderful World" program put on by North Point Elementary. It was very nice! He even sang.
Ashley's tattoos on her leg - she was showing how she had the colored in.
Tim Jr. - He probably designed most of his tattoos. He is an amazing artist.
Tim Jr. again - school work. I should have copied some of his artwork from his facebook page!
Another Sterling. Man, he's growing up!
Okay, so I should have organized the pictures better. But I just didn't. I'm in a weird mood. I really want to be closer to the grandkids. But I don't want to leave here. I don't want to wait until this next grandbaby is a year old before I see him/her - but unless we are blessed, it will be awhile. Guess I'll have to pay someone to take pictures for me =(
Hope you enjoyed the stolen from facebook pictures!
As soon as Duke heard me say "Duke!" in the you-are-in-hot-water-buddy voice, he went right into his doghouse. I couldn't get him to come out - so I peaked inside and this is what I saw:
So work is just fine and dandy. Can you sense my sarcasm? I want to be anywhere but at work. Again, I work with idiots.
We had that customer service training and I did make a big deal about putting people on hold. None of this covering the mouthpiece with your hand. It didn't work. They haven't quite caught on to the fact that we want them to put people on hold. I get so flustered when they hold the phone away from their mouths, cover the mouthpiece and ask me a question.
I get floored when they bring their lunch and eat at the front counter. If someone comes in and one lady is helping them, the other lady continues to eat. Tacky! One lady has her sandwich and will take a bite - even if someone is walking in the front door.
Really? And answering your cell phone and making birthday plans when there are customers at the counter?
Common sense, people. Common sense.
You are at work. You take a break to eat your lunch. If you are part-time, you still get a 15-minute break and you can eat the food in the break room. There is NO NEED for you to have your pot pie at the front counter where people can see you eating.
It is common sense to stop personal conversations when customers come in. And it is common sense that the customer comes first - that you help the customer and then go back to talking with co-workers.
But maybe I'm not one who is not thinking correctly. Maybe that is perfectly acceptable and I'm in the wrong.
It all came to a head this morning when the Mayor's secretary "confessed" to the Administrator about something she said last week.
Laurel and I were covering the office for an hour while the two ladies went to lunch. Both of them came back from their lunch break with lunch. Neither of them ate for that hour - they brought something back. Now, I have done this a time or two - but I'm in an office where I can keep my food hidden and it is not a regular thing. Laurel had had enough. She told the one lady that they were not to be eating at the counter, and that the city administrator didn't want them to be eating at the counter - so they better stop doing it.
I giggled to myself. And then we forgot about it.
Yesterday, the part-time clerk was eating her lunch at the back counter. (She works 11 to 6). At least she was at the back. Her food smelled up the office, but you didn't have to see her eating. Their supervisor came back from lunch and asked why she was back there eating and not up front. They told her why and commented that they were waiting to find out if they could eat at the back counter but figured it would trickle down to them if they were in the wrong. Their supervisor is one to run up and find out what is going on, so I warned Laurel. And since the city administrator didn't come out and say they couldn't eat at the front counter, Laurel thought she'd better let him know what she said.
He agreed with her. In fact, he was shocked that they ate at the counter and that their supervisor didn't think it was inappropriate. So, he said something to all the department leaders about it - not calling anyone out, but saying that it was not appropriate.
Then all heck broke loose. There was a bit of yelling between Laurel and the one supervisor. They had to have a meeting this afternoon about it and you can tell they aren't happy.
I'm just glad that I no longer have to watch and hear them eating their lunch. I can handle the smell. Just not the sound of them chewing.
I don't do so well with some changes. I have a tendency to dig in my heels and protest things. So that has made this week a bit interesting.
I think my complaining at work backfired on me. I was asked to help with Customer Service Training. At first, I thought it was an easy "Do This" and "Don't Do This" type of presentation. So I spend a couple of days looking at different websites for customer service etiquette and put together a list of the ten most common things to watch out for. Okay, only 9 most common things - I saw one website that put down leaving food and drink in the break room. About that time, my lovely co-worker started to munch on nuts. So I added that to the list =)
After I put this together, I met with our Chief of Staff (who was over the presentation) and she had something totally different than I was expecting. She put together a really nice presentation - the hows and whys of customer service. Our City Administrator is pushing for "Excellence American Fork" and that includes excellent customer service.
Hey, I complain enough about the poor customer service here so I should know what to say to them, huh!
I did not like being part of the presenting. I came up with the list and then needed to come up with something to break up the "lecturing" and so I came up with scenarios/roll playing. There were four different groups and the second and fourth groups were by far the better ones for me. The people there made it good. Plus, the two people I really wanted to stress some areas on were in the 1st and 3rd group - and I totally chickened out on some things.
Anyway, one thing that we have been asked to do is answer the phones in a specific way. I am to say "Hello, American Fork City Administrative offices, this is Teri. How may I help you?"
I don't have a problem with it. Is it long? Kinda. But not bad.
Most people are throwing fits. It is too long. Too formal. Too fake. Normally, I would probably be complaining too. But I'm not this time. In fact, I am relishing in the fact that the ladies out front are being pushed to be more consistent and <hopefully> more pleasant.
One lady was complaining that she has had so many people hang up on her since she started to do that. I was kinda surprised. Then I thought that maybe our Administrator is calling in to check and just hanging up. Nope. My friend called in to talk to me and the lady out front hung up on her. So it isn't a problem with people not liking it. We have phone issues.
A lot of people have questioned and/or made fun of my pen stash. I have to admit, it is a bit odd. I mean - not many people have over 1,000 pens. Of course, if they did I'm sure they would have them neatly organized like this:
Of course, they could be organized even better - I try to keep them level and nice and neat but it isn't always the case. Especially my pencil drawer. My left drawer has black ink pens. The middle drawer has blue in up front and colored in in back. The right drawer has pencils and markers and crayons.
My husband thought I was kidding when I first told him my plan of having pen drawers in my kitchen. (We went from having one utensil drawer and three narrow drawers to 13 regular drawers. I had to fill them somehow!)
And I wonder why people make fun of me. Okay, so I don't wonder - I know. Don't ask me why I like pens so much. I just do.
And people always tell me that they are sure many of them have dried up and don't work. I can assure you that I regularly go through my pens and if they don't write up to my standards then they are promptly hucked in the trash. They have to write smooth and with no clumps.
When I watch movies or tv, I usually don't just focus on watching it unless it is something I haven't seen before. I am doodling. When I am working on minutes at work, I am doodling. How do I doodle when I'm supposed to be listening to the tape recording of a meeting? Well, I go through and make complete sentences in my draft and try to make it sounds as good as it can. Then I listen to the meeting and make necessary changes. Since I don't have to continually type, this is what I do:
I write different words down that are mentioned. I doodle. I write "I love you Tim" or "I love my Ster" or anything else I want to write. I write names of who is talking - over and over and over. I circle things. I just love to be writing things down.
I make written lists. And re-write them if the paper gets messy. I keep all sorts of scrap paper on hand and just write write write!
I'm weird, I know.
And guess what? I have another meeting tonight. So, later this week I'll be able to use one of these babies and doodle:
(I'm have a City Council meeting tonight and instead of wasting gas to run home and then come back, I've decided to eat at my desk and blog. What a life.)
I am having the hardest time going to work each day. I really detest my job. I love what I do - I just wish my office was in another location. I love tracking things and keeping lists and finding documents. I truly was made to be a secretary.
But I can't stand some of my co-workers.
And I feel really bad that I can't stand working with them! They are nice ladies. Really nice. But at times I think I work with idiots.
No phone manners. Really. One lady has been known to get on her cell phone and talk to family while customers are standing there. They also don't put people on hold - they would rather cover up the mouth piece or hold it away from their face as they ask other people questions. I think that is so tacky. The previous supervisor kept getting after one lady for doing that - she kept telling her to put the person on hold but it never happens. Tacky.
They can't seem to multi-task. They can't acknowledge the person that just walked in if they are doing something. One won't even look up from her computer if she is doing something because she might forget. So the person walks in and stands there for a bit before being acknowledged. Yes, I've witnessed this in horror before I start to help the person. It is embarrassing.
There are times when it is really, really slow. No payments to enter. No customers coming in. They are all caught up. This happens quite a bit - but you need both of them because of the times that we are really busy. During slow times, they have a habit of getting on the internet. That's fine. There is nothing worse than sitting at a desk with absolutely nothing to do. Or primary stuff. One lady will do her primary cutting out at her desk and her coloring and her reading of scriptures. TACKY! And it makes it look like there is no reason to be paying her to sit there. The least she could do is keep her projects to small ones that can be covered up quickly. The internet? Fine. Just don't make it a full screen that everyone and their dogs can see what you are doing! It drives me crazy to walk past their desk and see Candy Crush or Facebook on larger than life. Come on! Make it smaller, for cryin' out loud!
All of this is driving me bananas. I had a week off and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't do all that I wanted to do. I had plans to keep the kitchen clean, do some sewing, clean out our storage area. I had plenty of time. I did keep the kitchen clean - but was just content to sit back and enjoy myself. If I'm not at work, I'm cooking or cleaning or doing laundry or grocery shopping or fighting over homework. So it was nice not to worry about that.
As I was sitting in Sacrament meeting, I was trying to avoid looking up as the Deacons pass the sacrament. I get a bit nervous for Sterling, hoping he doesn't drop the trays or something just as terrible. I couldn't stand it, so I looked around for him - he saw me and gave me the cutest wink.
Melted my heart.
Then I noticed, as he was standing in the front of the chapel, that he never brushed his hair that morning. Tim would have flipped out. Ster and I already had discussions on why he had to brush his teeth and tuck in his shirt - in the process totally forgetting about his hair. Oh well. Life goes on, right?
As Ster was walking back to sit with me, he winked at me again. Several people saw him =)
Totally melted my heart all over again.
So next time he starts giving me grief, I'll have to close my eyes and remember him winking at me.
Our plans to go to Texas were in June and I was fine with that. I was sad because Ster would miss his first scout camp. But Texas is more important.
I was thrilled when they moved the reunion to the following week. Ster could go to scout camp and it would be better for my work schedule. (June is the month of budget meetings - and the first three weeks are a bear).
Now they have moved it back. Really???
And, to top it all off, we have to pay for our own cabin/rv spot. The original plan was for those from Texas who wouldn't be spending much money traveling would pay for the lodging. Apparently we have to pay now.
Great. My budget plans have been blown. Again.
This comes on the heals of another letdown on tax returns. We aren't getting as much back as we usually do. Seriously? We were still working on paying off a couple of house items!
I just love pampered chef. I hold parties regularly. I used to be a consultant (but only had a few parties - I'm not much of a salesman). I hold the parties to help my friend out make money and get new stuff.
I had a party at the end of January. I know my friend wanted me to invite everyone so that I could get a good turnout. She set up a Facebook event for me. But I had different ideas. I wanted to invite all the ladies from my subdivision and have a "get to know you" party. I have met every woman in the subdivision. Mostly because I am on the "welcoming committee" for our neighborhood. But I also want this neighborhood to be the best ever. I want everyone to get along and enjoy living here.
So I took out invites to every. single. house. 36. It took me almost 2 hours - mostly because I would talk to the ladies if I actually knocked on the door. I had 13 show up and I was so excited! I really wanted a few specific ladies there because I don't know them - they don't go to our church and so I don't know them very well. I've talked to a couple of them but only once or twice. One lady showed up but she didn't stay thru the whole thing but at least she was able to meet a few more of the ladies here. She didn't know anyone other than me and one other lady.
Did I want free product? Yes. But my main goal was to get together with the ladies. My next goal was to help my friend get points toward her year goal of a Disneyland vacation. lastly, I wanted free stuff.
I didn't think I'd do as well as I did. I came away with $280 in free product! Holy smokes! It was awesome! Then, I had 3 half-price items and 1 60% off item. I paid just over $200 and got $600 in product. It was awesome.
Then, Tina (the consultant) mentioned to me that one of my favorite pans was going to be discontinued. The mini loaf pan. I had been tossing around the idea of getting another pan so that I could make 8 loafs at a time and give them out. But I put it off. Until I found out it is going to be discontinued! Crap!
Tina also mentioned that February is double points month for her. So I couldn't pass up the chance to get the pan before it was gone. I put it on facebook hoping to drum up more business for her and guess what? I had several ladies want to buy one - or two! (Thanks JF!) So Tina set me up with another party. I'm just excited that I can help her get double points for her trip.
Wow. I haven't blogged for a while. Maybe it is because I have nothing to say =)
Just before Christmas, we had family pictures. My sister in law took us to a park in Lehi that has really old olive trees. It was actually pretty cool. It was freezing so we didn't get a ton of pictures taken, but we were able to update our family photo. Now I need to get one printed up pretty large for our living room. I'm kinda bummed because I don't have pictures of Tim's kids yet or the grandkids. We've only been asking for quite a while.
Here are my favorites:
We could not get Ster to smile normally. Little fart! In his single photo, his mouth didn't look all that great. It looked like it was puckered up. No amount of cajoling or teasing would get it to change. He would smile all cute, but only when his face was down or his hands were in front of it. I like the bottom picture - he has an attitude posture.
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We are going to go to Texas this upcoming summer. Lake Bastrop. At least, I believe that is the plan. We were planning a surprise trip for Tim's mom's 70th birthday. At first, we were looking at going to Durango Colorado. That was fine, but it was going to cost us about $3000 for one week. Yikes! So, his sister decided on a Texas location - four of the 7 won't have to travel and they will help pay our lodging so it isn't as expensive. We are still looking at $3000. BUT, we will {hopefully} have Tim's two kids there and all the grandkids. We decided it was worth two travel days down and two travel days back with a trailer if we can see his kids/grandkids. We will probably have to pay for his daughter's gas and food but we are willing to do that if it means we can spend a few days with them. We are praying that they can make it. If not, then we will take an extra few days and go to them. I am not looking forward to traveling that far with a trailer - but I'd rather do that than rent a "cabin" that doesn't have a potty in it! No way and I going to walk a ways to go potty and shower. No way!
I can NOT be upset with him now.
