Why is it always with work?

I love my job. It has been great to me and I work very hard for my job. So I am not complaining here at all. Just this complaint is because of my job.

I have stayed in some of the nicest hotels around the country (for work). I mean these places are seriously nice. The kind of places I imagine famous people staying in and reality stars coming to, to be seen. I am in California for work and staying at by far the nicest places I have ever stayed. When I road the elevator up it was with the Italian futball team (the entire team). My view is of the marina with boats (one boat being) worth more than my house and every single possession I own. Woa. This is nice, only wish Big and Little Red were here so I could experience this with them. That is the compliant. Why are all of these experiences with work and not with family. Oh well, I guess I should be grateful for at least experiencing it.

Success?

Success at Home
Not sure how you measure success when it comes to Potty training a little one. Is it by the number of accidents or number of days you are accident free? Not sure, but by all accounts, I am calling this a victory. Little Red was in full panty wearing mode day one and has never looked back. In fact she likes to point out that she is now officially a big girl (well she says "I am a bigger girl" but you get the point) and her cousin (still in diapers) is a baby. With only a few minor accidents under our belt I am completely over the trauma and stress experienced on day one. I do have to give it up for her school and their support and guidance. I was completely overwhelmed by the idea of potty training and they totally put me at ease. Now if they can help with my work schedule that would be great.

VS. Success at Work
Speaking of work, I found myself hiding in the bathroom today. Sad really, but after eight back to back meetings with a 45 minute break for breakfast/lunch and ohh about 10 people stopping at my desk with "quick questions" - I couldn't catch a break. So I just went to the bathroom and hid in the stall. This can't be a good thing. usually the bathroom is so busy and gross really that I try to avoid it. But today it provide me a relatively quite sanctuary from the chaos at work.

So let's call it victory at home, not so much at work- not today at least.

It's Potty Training Time!

I cannot believe we are at this point in Little Red's life. It doesn't seem like she is old enough or I am experienced enough but it's here. I got the word yesterday that Little Red will start wearing big girl panties at school.

I actually think school wanted to start Monday but we were out on Friday and didn’t get the note. Opps. Of course, in Little Red fashion- she did perfect at school. No accidents at all at school, but she had one accident at home last night and one this morning. She cried for like an hour when she got home yesterday so I think the pressure must be hard on her. I can't imagine going into school one day and learning you will have to change your "functions" that day. It must be weird for a little person hearing that. I tried to prep her as much as possible but who knows how she really felt. She is like an angel at school and when she gets home she just has to decompress. I just hope it’s not too much. Her brain is so full already I hope this doesn’t put her back as far as development. I am totally winging it and probably not doing the right motherly thing but I told her if she doesn’t have any accidents at school today she can have a special treat (her version of asking for candy). So she might be fat from all the candy I have promised her but at least she will be potty trained.

On another note, it has been a long time since I have posted. Not for any reason inparticular, I thnk I have just felt uninspired and been busy on top of that. Now that summer is in full swing, we have had great changes at work, and there longer sunlight in the day- I am feelng better. :)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Chad- where ever you are- I hope you are having a good time.

It's been a while.

So it has been a while since I have written on this wonderful thing called a blog. Allot has happened- little Red turned two years old, I turned one year old, Valentine's day, and much more. While the economy is tanking around us, we still feel very lucky. Big Red and I have manged to keep our jobs (mine with a pay cut but hey- at least I have a job) and I know others haven't been so lucky. Little Red is now "a big girl" and is wanting to be like her big cousins and her hair is finally growing in! We are so excited about the small things, I know. Little Red's LuvBug party was a huge success. At first she was a little overwhelmed but then she got into the fun and never looked back. She received some of the nicest and most fun gifts ever and we really are thankful! We could have not pulled off the party without the help of our family and friends. Next year my goal is to go small but meaningful. I think we are over the big parties now.

The best lunch break ever....

Had to work from home today due to the schools being closed. I had the best lunch break ever. And I got to talk to my good friend who leaves up north. What a great day!!

It happens again!

As I have said before, I don't like to drive in inclement weather. Period, no exceptions. My head and knuckles are just not strong enough. So this morning was no different than any other, I got in my car noticed a couple snowflakes and really didn't think a thing about it. Then as I drive further out to non-Midtown land, the snow was getting stronger and stronger. I was a little worried but not as worried as I was when I got on Nonconnah. People just seemed to forget all driving skills- there were people driving 30 in the fast lane, people in between two lanes- I mean you would have thought we were in Chicago or somewhere in the middle of a huge ice storm. It was kinda scary but not because the roads, because the dang drivers.

Well I made it safely to work and was secretly hoping I would have to turn around because schools were dismissed but nope not in Memphis, they only close schools when there is nothing. So here I am at work- wishing I was home with little red playing in the snow flurries (come on its Memphis don't judge- this might be all we get.)

I took some pictures at my favorite intersection for crazy people (Winchester and Nonconnah).

The new addiction in 2009...

I have a new addiction, Facebook. It is bad too. It might cost me my marriage and my custody of my child. I can't stop checking it and responding. How do people keep up??

I just joined on Tuesday (I know sad right). I have resisted for a long time but as the digital branding person for my company, I felt the need to be on top of the digital world. So I joined and within minutes I had reconnected with high school and college friends, friends I worked with in Walt Disney World and old boyfriends. Crazy! Really it's insane. How do people get any work done?

I do have a problem however, what do you do about the people you don't like? You know the sorority girl that only identifies herself with that (still 10 years later), the weird girl from high school that was a little too friendly, and others. Its hard because work and personal people are all over it! You can't hide from anyone no matter if you do have a private profile! Also how do you stop people from posting horrible pictures from the past and then "tagging" you so everyone on your page can see it? I don't want my SVP to see that stuff (yes my SVP is my friend on Facebook.)

I guess I will have to learn the etiquette and rules of Facebook, but as of now, I am completely overwhelmed!

All around Memphis bad things happen, however they seem to be getting closer to home. A friend of mine is a Memphis police officer and she sent me some tips. While most of them are common sense kind of things, they are helpful so I thought I would pass them along. I am not going to note my source since she is a Memphis police officer and I don't want to put her name out there but below are the tips (although I personally, whole heartily DO NOT believe in guns or having one in the house or whatever).

Crime Prevention Ideas:
Burglaries and break ins to cars WILL eventually happen in Memphis, so prevent you loses by leaving nothing of value in your car and concealing anything that may indicate an item of value is inside your car. For example, don't leave cell phone chargers visible or leave coin change in a console that is visible. I've seen a $500 window broken for $1.25 in change. Also, if you use a GPS you must not leave it in the car and should regularly clean off the window that it may be attached to if it leaves that round seal mark on the windshield. Never leave a laptop, GPS or other electronic devices in your car! When you are out shopping, put sacks in your trunk before leaving store #1 and then drive to store #2. This prevents someone from seeing you park, put something in the trunk, and then leave the car and go inside another store. Write your tag number on your insurance card and keep it in your wallet in case your car gets stolen. You must either have your tag number or your VIN number for police in order for them to take an auto theft report. And you'll want to report it as soon as possible in hopes that nearby police can locate the vehicle.

As for home burglaries, I have several ideas. Recently the items of interest are , electronic game systems laptops, flat-screen t.v.'s, guns, jewelry, and money. Usually the target areas are the living room (entertainment center), the master bedroom, and in the tops of closets. If you have valuables in your bedroom (top drawers, jewelry box, under the mattress, or in the master closet, take them out! Items that cannot be found, cannot be stolen. Consider hiding places such as the food pantry, under the bathroom sink, over the washer/dryer, and other places that people do not traditionally put valuables. *****Important***** You need a list of all serial numbers for electronics and guns. The make, and model are also good to have, but items with a serial number should always be recorded to prevent their sale in a pawn shop and to increase the possibility of their return to the owner. Items without serial numbers, like pieces of jewelry, should be photographed so that they can later be identified.

Alarm systems are wonderful, albeit sometime a pain with the false alarms. I have found that some nationally monitored alarm companies (ADT) sometimes get in the habit of sending the police instead of calling the homeowner first to check for a false alarm. Ideally, the company is locally monitored and calls your home or cell to see if you have triggered the alarm in error. They will ask for your password and if you give them the correct password they will not send police. If the police are called and determine there is no break in they usually issue the homeowner a false alarm citation. After you receive 6 false alarm citations in one year, the city begins to fine you for every additional false alarm you have. Thus, a good alarm company that calls you before sending police is a definite asset! I find that Frase, Protection Unlimited, and even Brinks seem to do the best job. ADT is my least favorite and the one that I have noticed has the most false alarms.

When you are at home and someone knocks on your door, be sure to let them know you are home by speaking to them through the door without opening the door. Often times potential burglars knock on random doors and if no one answers the door they choose that house to enter. If you have any security doors or dead-bolt locks, always use them! Any house can be burglarized, just make yours more difficult than the others in your area. Don't leave keys in the locks inside your house. The glass can be broken and they can reach through to turn the key to enter. Instead, hang a hook near the inside the door that is not visible from the outside. That way, in case of fire, you are not trapped inside.

As for personal crimes, keeps these things in mind: Walk with a purpose and keep your head up and your eyes roaming your surroundings. Suspects choose victims that are less aware and seem less sure of themselves. If approached by an armed person, give them whatever they demand. Your life is not worth a purse, a car, or your jewelry. Do not, I repeat, do not get into a car, yours or others, with a suspect. If you let them get you inside a car or worse, a trunk, your odds of surviving have significantly decreased. If you are faced with this demand, fight for your life. Use keys to gouge his eye socket, his nose, his throat or any other soft area that may cause pain. Use the heel of your hand to try to force his nose through the back of his head. Bite his ear off if you have to, but do not get into a car with him.

If your cell phone is stolen in a personal crime, do not turn off your service until you have spoken with an investigator.Be able to recall approximate height, weight, clothing and distinct features of your assailant.Never, ever, leave children unattended in a vehicle.Never leave your car running unattended.

As you may have guessed, I am always armed and think that it is a good idea these days. If you are inclined to ever be armed, then go to a training facility (RangeMaster, Range USA, Top Brass, or wherever you choose), learn the law on self-protection. Get comfortable with a gun and know how to use it. Then go to the highway patrol (Driver's License station) and apply for a carry permit. Follow the steps for fingerprinting, background check, etc and pay your fee. But, if you are unsure, then don't do it. If you have a gun and are hesitant to use it, it can be taken away from you and used against you. This is a very personal choice.