Tuesday, July 30, 2013

How I Became Unemployed

I've been toying with whether or not I wanted to share this. I've decided to tell my story. Names have been omitted to protect the guilty and the innocent. If you know me in person, you'll know where I worked, but probably wouldn't know the people anyway. I've left that information anonymous too.



In April, while I was at the main offices for my quarterly visit, a meeting was called for all in my department. We were told we would be merged with another, given a new director, and our current director was going to be a part of a new team with a different title. The how’s and why’s were not really discussed. Neither were the details on how it would all come into play and when the official change would be made. The VP of the whole would be gone for two weeks and the former director and new director were to work out the changes to be put in place when the VP returned.

FYI – here is the old organizational chart:
          VP
o   New Director (who’s been under VP as long as old director)
*  Supervisor 1         
·         Team
o   Old Director
*  Supervisor 2
·         Team

New organizational chart:
          VP
o   New Director    
*  Supervisor 1
·         6-7 from team
*  Supervisor 2
·         6-7 from team


Two days later, another meeting took place with the new director and her team, the old director and his team. We discussed how we did things and what would need to change. The two teams were re-assigned to the two supervisors. There would be more meetings to come with individuals to discuss how they would now be utilizing their positions and changes to their duties.

Friday of that week, my last day before going home, I met with the new director and two supervisors. I was told, by the new director, that she wasn’t sure she wanted me on the team because I do not live locally (with the changes, I was the only person on her team that hold the title “outside rep” because I do not live local to the main offices) and that hasn’t worked well for her in the past. I was asked if I would relocate back to AL/FL. The answer was “no,” even without consulting my husband. I was then told that she would need to discuss with the VP what would need to be done.

For two months I was in limbo. No new trips were approved and anything beyond what was already booked was cancelled…for the new team members. The old team members were still “business as usual.” I was back in CA by now. I had a phone conversation in May with the new director. I was no closer to an answer on my status than I was in April.

In May I made arrangements to visit my husband, who was in Andalusia to train a new call center. There was also supposed to be a team meeting at the main offices. So, even though I was on vacation, I made arrangements to drive down so I could be a part of that meeting with my full team. Honestly, the day ended up being a waste of time and nothing was accomplished that was supposed to be accomplished. But I made the effort and I wanted that on record to the lady who was trying to get rid of me.

In June I was finally able to get a trip approved. It ended up being my last.

On Monday morning, July 8, at 8 AM, I got the phone call that I knew was coming. I was being let go. I think my favorite part of the call was how the director used various excuses that were never an issue before that phone call. But I have a feeling she couldn’t fire me because she didn’t want me on her team. “Having a remote rep hasn’t worked well for me in the past” is not a valid excuse when firing someone, so you must come up with other reasons that have never been addressed in the past.
* Low productivity – my job had never been about numbers. There was never a quota to be met at any event. They had just started looking at numbers in January, but there still was never a quota for trips.
* Not finishing my Bachelor’s degree – I was never told I HAD to have it or given a time frame to complete it by, even though the position technically required one for all new hires.
* Lack of initiative – I’m sorry, who took a day from her VACATION to sit in on a team meeting that she hadn’t been required to be a part of?  (FYI – this reason makes me mad more than the others do)

Those were the three reasons she actually gave, along with the term “various other reasons”.

So there you have it. The story of how I came to be unemployed.

Oh, and FYI – I had been with this organization for ten years!



I'm currently on the job hunt. I had two interviews last week and I had a call back for one of them. I go for my second interview for one of the positions tomorrow afternoon.

And, thankfully, despite the pressure of being jobless, I feel so much less stress in my life now!
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Monday, July 29, 2013

Weekly Weigh In - Week 28

I have been doing this for 28 weeks. There have been many ups and downs...sometimes for ups then downs. And when I say ups I mean gains...bad ups, not good ups.

Thankfully, this past week was a down. (Again, for today's blog post, downs are good...ups are bad).

This morning's weigh in:  233.9
Difference from last week:  -1.1

I have no idea what worked for me and what didn't. I only logged my food two full days. Mr S and I had a birthday party on Saturday where there was A TON of Philipino food...and I ate quite a bit of it. We were at the in-laws yesterday for BBQ, in honor of Mr S birthday, where, again, I ate a lot of food...especially my father-in-law's potato salad. OH. MY. GOODNESS! Is that stuff ever delish!! (and it's the only potato salad I go back for seconds, thirds, etc., for) And I only worked out one day last week.

So, again, no idea what worked to lose that pound.

But this week will be different. I'm going to track my food. I'm going to try to get in more than one work out this week. And I'm also going to try to mix up my work out. I usually do cardio - Elliptical and stationary bike. I want to get in some strength training, too, and get my flab toned up some.

So here's to all of us on this constant journey to get healthy and lose weight! Keep up the good work, dolls!

And may all your weight loss dreams come true!!

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Friday, July 26, 2013

The Nail Files - Iron Man

Last week I mentioned heading to Comic-Con on Sunday with Mr S. In honor of that, I went on a search to find the perfect nail design. I settled on an Avengers theme with this as my inspiration:
(You can find it on my Pinterest page, too)

And then I remembered the day after Comic-Con I had a job interview scheduled. I really didn't want to put all that work into nails that would come off the next day. So I didn't do them.

However, in honor of Mr S's birthday today, I did my nails in an Iron Man theme. Iron Man is the favorite superhero of Mr S. And, if I can find what I need, will be the decoration theme for when he comes home from work tonight!  :)

So, without further adieu:
 Left hand (which always looks better)

Right hand

*Please excuse the mess on my right hand...I haven't cleaned my edges yet, as you can see!

One coat of Julep Myrtle (red). Once dried, I diagnoally taped all but the ring finger and added Sally Hansen's Wedding Glitters (gold). The accent finger I used my white and black nail art paints then added a thin tip in the gold. I used the dotting tool and made a large white circle. And then the black rings, which were a pain in the bootay!

But, over all, I love this!

And, as always, linking up to show off my hard work! 



Happy Friday, y'all!!
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

So What Wednesday

So What Wednesday


So What if:

* I didn't do my weigh in post on Monday. For those that follow me, I gained 1.7.  Not overly thrilled, but it's partly my fault (lack of tracking, three alcoholic drinks Saturday night, and no healthy food all weekend).

* I'm starting to fade on the "diet". But I need to stay at it because I need to get healthy and get the weight off.

* This is a week of no motivation. I'll get there, eventually.

* I have about five things started/planned/shopped for to do around the house since last week and I've not finished any of them. Lack of motivation, remember?

* I still haven't found a job. It's only been two and half weeks. Thankfully, though, I've had a couple interviews...just nothing beyond that, yet. It's out there, somewhere.

* I actually kind of miss traveling! I don't know if it's the actual traveling I miss or the fact that traveling meant I had a job.

* I grossed myself out by looking at the Fiery Calimari last night. I still ate it. I just need to remember not to take my food apart to see what it looks like or how it's prepared.

* Aside from the not getting paid part, I'm kind of enjoying not working right now. It's like a vacation!
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Friday, July 19, 2013

The Nail Files

It's been a while since I've linked up. And, to be honest, I've not done a whole lot with my nails lately. There just hasn't been time...and I needed some bare nails for a bit (GASP!).

But, I broke out the nail art this week, so I thought I'd share what my nails were like for the majority of the week!



The inspiration (from my pinterest and this website):

The execution:
Two coats Ulta Glam Session on all nails.

 Left hand

Right hand

The "tail" of the star is from my silver nail art lining polish. The stars are nail stickers I've had for a couple years. They were a pain in the tuckus! The didn't bend very well, so they didn't fold down on to the nail. Which translates to sharp corners and a butt-load of topcoat around them to kind of "smooth" them out and make them stay. It worked, too. The first star fell off in the shower on Wednesday...after being on since Sunday.

This weekend I'm going to Comic-Con in San Diego with Mr S (his early birthday present). I'm planning an Avengers theme for my nails. Stay tuned to next week to see what happens!
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Monday, July 15, 2013

Weekly Weigh In - Week 26

It has been a little insane since my last weigh-in post two weeks ago. There were two days at Disneyland Resort followed by a week of house/dog sitting at my in-laws. Round it all out with not having any food in the house that would make this journey successful.

Despite it all, I'm really surprised at my results.

Today's Weight:  233.3
Difference from last weigh in:  +0.1

I can handle that, considering my eating habits the last week and a half.

I'm ready to get back on the wagon, though. Groceries have been bought. Meals have been planned.

Let's do this!!


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Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday Social

Now that I find myself with more time on my hands, for the moment, I thought I'd try to get back into blogging and maybe even get some organization going with this little online place. I'm not talking massive overhaul or anything like that - I'm quite happy with the looks of my page. But I want to get back to having things to talk about, even if it's just a ramble post.

So, to kind of kick-start my week, here's a link up hosted by Neely, over at A Complete Waste of Makeup, and Ashley at Ashely Lately.

Sunday Social


1. What is your all-time favorite song?
     Broken by Seether feat Amy Lee. And it HAS TO BE this version. No other version he does...this one only! I don't know why, but this version is amazing (to me)!

2. Who is your favorite singer/band?
     3 Doors Down and Third Day. I think I have all of their albums:  I can only say that about these two bands.

3. What song reminds you of your childhood?
     Anything by DC Talk, especially from their Free At Last album.

4. What songs put you in a good mood?
     Lately, it's been Remix by New Kids on the Block. I am in love with this song!!

5. What is your music to rock out to in your car?
     See #4! I also like to dance in my car to just about any song with a great beat:  LMFAO, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, P!nk, Fall Out Boy...the list is an eclectic one!

6. What is your most embarrassing album or song you own?
     I don't know that there are any, that I can think of. There are, however, a handful of songs I wouldn't play around my mom! For example:  Get Low by Lil John & The East Side Boys  & Ying Yang Twins. Or Candy Shop by 50 Cent & Olivia. But they're great dance-in-your-car songs!

And there you have it...info on the music that fills my days.
    
Want to play along this week, or next? Head over to Neely or Ashley's pages and join in!


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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Subscription Share - June Boxes


Here's a look at the goodies I got in June!!

Julep

Once again I went with my regular box - Classic With A Twist. I have to say, I wasn't overly impressed with the month's selections.) My nail colors are Martha (pink) and Kennedy (taupe?). I'm really not sure what color category Kennedy falls into. It is one I wouldn't pick for myself, normally. There were three pieces of salt-water taffy. And DD Creme in Medium.

*Update - I haven't used the polishes yet. But I tried the DD cream - the medium is too dark! And the Saltwater Taffy candy was good.

Birchbox
* 29 Cosmetics - 29 Preserves Skin Care Collection:  An antioxidant-rich and eco-chic quartet that protects and firms skin.
* Antica Farmacista - Body Moisturizer in Grapefruit:  Freshly scented, antioxidant-packed moisturizer from Italy.
* Beauty Protector - Protect & Detangler:  Nourishing elixir that locks in color and instantly detangles.
* Birchbox + Color Club - Wanderlust collection:  Exclusive neon pastel shades inspired by four of our favorite Cities.  *ironically, this is Reign in Spain - Reign isn't a city and Spain is a country*
* Glee Gum - Sugar-free Glee Gum:  chew on this - this all-natural gum has no artificial ingredients (and retails for $11.95 for a 12-pack!)

I may use the lotion and detangler. And possible the nail polish. And, if I'm feeling adventurous, I'll give the gum a shot too. But, overall, I'm disappointed once again. Therefore, I have cancelled my Birchbox Subscription. Due to finances, I probably won't do another subscription box for now. From here out, you'll have to satisfy yourselves with my Julep boxes.

Thanks for stopping by!
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