Christmas Countdown - 2011

[judesmama]

Warning: Rant!

I'm feeling so bad for Mr., and so angry at his workplace ... he's covering for a bereaved colleague this week, so he's working from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of until 5:30---except that TWICE this week, just before he's due to leave, he gets word that "some work is coming down in a few hours ... it has to be out by 6:30 a.m., so we'll be here past midnight." The other night, he was lucky enough to get home about 11:30. Tonight there's no end in sight---he'll miss the last train home and have to pay for a cab home himself---about 30 miles---because the people who can cut him a voucher have left the office. And he'll be expected to be there bright and early at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Lately his department has been slammed with a lot of late and weekend work, caused by ad writers who just don't give a d--- how late others have to work. They take all the time they want, pushing all the schedule pressure onto people who are supposed to have regular working hours, but wind up having to accommodate the writers' erratic work habits. It'll be tough trying to sleep tonight, not knowing whether he'll be home in a couple hours or will have to work until dawn. I can't even say "thank goodness tomorrow's Friday," because he was on call last Saturday in case they needed him to work from home!

I realize it's bad form to air workplace grievances online, especially someone else's, but I'm so frustrated tonight that I just had to vent. I can only hope that some complaints reach some managers who can do something about the current situation. Some of those writers need a swift kick in the tuchus. Any volunteers? The line forms here!

I feel your pain! My husband's company is similar sometimes... very frustrating!

 

[Bradmac]

Warning: Rant!

I'm feeling so bad for Mr., and so angry at his workplace ... he's covering for a bereaved colleague this week, so he's working from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of until 5:30---except that TWICE this week, just before he's due to leave, he gets word that "some work is coming down in a few hours ... it has to be out by 6:30 a.m., so we'll be here past midnight." The other night, he was lucky enough to get home about 11:30. Tonight there's no end in sight---he'll miss the last train home and have to pay for a cab home himself---about 30 miles---because the people who can cut him a voucher have left the office. And he'll be expected to be there bright and early at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Lately his department has been slammed with a lot of late and weekend work, caused by ad writers who just don't give a d--- how late others have to work. They take all the time they want, pushing all the schedule pressure onto people who are supposed to have regular working hours, but wind up having to accommodate the writers' erratic work habits. It'll be tough trying to sleep tonight, not knowing whether he'll be home in a couple hours or will have to work until dawn. I can't even say "thank goodness tomorrow's Friday," because he was on call last Saturday in case they needed him to work from home!

I realize it's bad form to air workplace grievances online, especially someone else's, but I'm so frustrated tonight that I just had to vent. I can only hope that some complaints reach some managers who can do something about the current situation. Some of those writers need a swift kick in the tuchus. Any volunteers? The line forms here!

That stinks. I'm lucky that our company really does consider that their employees have lives of their own. I hope it improves for your husband!

 

[Crown 84]

Good Morning.

Another one gone.
(The week, that is.)

What else is going?
This:
Days to the Season: 128
Days to Christmas Day: 170
UNDER one week off now from the 2/3 Season Milestone!
We's just racin' along, ain't we!

Rain last night but clear this morning, albeit overcast with more rain possible for both today and tomorrow.
(At least our drought is taking a beating.)
Currently, we stand at 78 degrees.

Have a Fabulous Friday, Friends!
And may your Weekend get off to a Wonderoulsly Wacky start this afternoon.

 

[Bradmac]

Good Friday morning, my Christmas friends!

I have to leave for a couple hours for a funeral visitation. One of my longtime friends' father passed away a couple days ago. The big problem is that my friend has bipolar disorder, and is currently in a manic phase. He'd done a few things that landed him in jail for a few weeks. His family asked me not to bail him out because his condition leads him to drinking heavily. We're afraid he'd hurt himself or someone else. While he was in jail, his father passed away (the sheriff allowed him to leave the jail temporarily to visit his father in the hospital). Since then, another friend of his bailed him out. I'm worried what his reaction to me will be, since I didn't bail him out after he left several messages on my machine asking me to. I guess we'll see.

It's always something around here!

I hope you all have a great day! cheesy

 

[Snow-in-Texas]

Got a long day ahead of me working 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM, unless things don't get done, then I will be there later. I work for a logistics warehouse, and they got a bunch of new customers, but no new hires, so we all have to do extra work.

And oh yeah, I am still waiting for the move to first shift. The guy they hired to replace me on third shift couldn't handle the job and quit. I mean it isn't exactly rocket science, drive a forklift, pick up pallets and move them to the staging area, then load it when the truck gets there!!!

 

[Christmasstar]

Good Friday morning, my Christmas friends!

I have to leave for a couple hours for a funeral visitation. One of my longtime friends' father passed away a couple days ago. The big problem is that my friend has bipolar disorder, and is currently in a manic phase. He'd done a few things that landed him in jail for a few weeks. His family asked me not to bail him out because his condition leads him to drinking heavily. We're afraid he'd hurt himself or someone else. While he was in jail, his father passed away (the sheriff allowed him to leave the jail temporarily to visit his father in the hospital). Since then, another friend of his bailed him out. I'm worried what his reaction to me will be, since I didn't bail him out after he left several messages on my machine asking me to. I guess we'll see.

It's always something around here!

I hope you all have a great day! cheesy

that's rough, making those decisions is never easy. Praying for you all.

 

[MerryCarey]

I hope he is getting overtime pay for this! Does he also get paid when he works from home?
Sounds more like these people own him rather that him having a job (I thought slavery was outlawed now?)
I have a friend who carries a company cell phone just in case they need her. When she comes to visit I make her turn it off, or have her conveniently forget it. (she is a truck driver by the way)

Yes, he does get overtime pay, and yes, he can charge time when he works from home. But there's a point at which the extra money just doesn't compensate for losing your evenings and weekends. A body just needs to relax and recharge sometimes! He got out of the office at 2 a.m. and got to bed about 3:30 a.m. He sent them an e-mail saying he would be in today, but not at 9 a.m. I left him asleep this morning. When his colleague returns from his bereavement, at least they can split the overtime. But this week has been brutal.

That stinks. I'm lucky that our company really does consider that their employees have lives of their own. I hope it improves for your husband!

Thanks, Brad ... I work in the same line of business as Mr., but in a different agency. We DO have our fire drills here, but the agency is MUCH more considerate of our lives outside the office. I get the impression that in Mr.'s agency the creatives run the show---and that's like putting the lunatics in charge of the asylum.

I hope the situation with your friend turns out for the best. Hopefully one day he'll understand why it was better for him that you didn't bail him out.

 

[Christmasstar]

taking breaks here between baking and painting and flower making

 

[MerryCarey]

taking breaks here between baking and painting and flower making

Do we get to see that sunset cake when you're finished? cheesy

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

Warning: Rant!



I realize it's bad form to air workplace grievances online, especially someone else's, but I'm so frustrated tonight that I just had to vent.

Go ahead and vent! We are here for you.

As you noticed, my husband just mentioned, he is also working some long hours this week but nothing like your husband.

I hope things slow down for you all.

Feels fall-like out this morning

I am melting here! The summer weather here sometimes makes me ill. Wayne has noticed every summer that I tend to get real sluggish and not feel well. I just wish it wasn't so darn hot. Maybe I could like the summer months more.

I have to leave for a couple hours for a funeral visitation. One of my longtime friends' father passed away a couple days ago. The big problem is that my friend has bipolar disorder, and is currently in a manic phase. He'd done a few things that landed him in jail for a few weeks. His family asked me not to bail him out because his condition leads him to drinking heavily. We're afraid he'd hurt himself or someone else. While he was in jail, his father passed away (the sheriff allowed him to leave the jail temporarily to visit his father in the hospital). Since then, another friend of his bailed him out. I'm worried what his reaction to me will be, since I didn't bail him out after he left several messages on my machine asking me to. I guess we'll see.

Sorry to hear. Prayers are with you all.

 

[MsChristmas]

CM3 goodluck today with your job!!!


MerryCarey sure hope your Hubby can find a break at work soon and things get better!

Good morning!

CM3 - Good luck on your job interview today!!!!!

MerryCarey - I hope things get better for Mr. at work!!!!!

Feels fall-like out this morning - I wish it would last, but the heat is coming this weekend. I am going to enjoy the day as much as possible! Getting an early start on work this morning as I am hoping to catch up to my personal goal of hours worked this week. Tomorrow I am having my brother help me get a dresser I found at a thrift store - I have a hold on it, and if it fits where I want to put it, I will have a very busy day - but a much more organized house later in the evening!

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!

MECEKA I am getting a new dresser this weekend too!

Good Friday morning, my Christmas friends!

I have to leave for a couple hours for a funeral visitation. One of my longtime friends' father passed away a couple days ago. The big problem is that my friend has bipolar disorder, and is currently in a manic phase. He'd done a few things that landed him in jail for a few weeks. His family asked me not to bail him out because his condition leads him to drinking heavily. We're afraid he'd hurt himself or someone else. While he was in jail, his father passed away (the sheriff allowed him to leave the jail temporarily to visit his father in the hospital). Since then, another friend of his bailed him out. I'm worried what his reaction to me will be, since I didn't bail him out after he left several messages on my machine asking me to. I guess we'll see.

It's always something around here!

I hope you all have a great day! cheesy

Love that fireplace Brad and best of luck with your friend!

 

[Seawaters]

I love the quote, "Poor planning on your part does not make it an emergency on mine." Somebody should drop a big hint. Does Mr. get overtime? You would think that the powers that be would notice!

Warning: Rant!

I'm feeling so bad for Mr., and so angry at his workplace ... he's covering for a bereaved colleague this week, so he's working from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of until 5:30---except that TWICE this week, just before he's due to leave, he gets word that "some work is coming down in a few hours ... it has to be out by 6:30 a.m., so we'll be here past midnight." The other night, he was lucky enough to get home about 11:30. Tonight there's no end in sight---he'll miss the last train home and have to pay for a cab home himself---about 30 miles---because the people who can cut him a voucher have left the office. And he'll be expected to be there bright and early at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Lately his department has been slammed with a lot of late and weekend work, caused by ad writers who just don't give a d--- how late others have to work. They take all the time they want, pushing all the schedule pressure onto people who are supposed to have regular working hours, but wind up having to accommodate the writers' erratic work habits. It'll be tough trying to sleep tonight, not knowing whether he'll be home in a couple hours or will have to work until dawn. I can't even say "thank goodness tomorrow's Friday," because he was on call last Saturday in case they needed him to work from home!

I realize it's bad form to air workplace grievances online, especially someone else's, but I'm so frustrated tonight that I just had to vent. I can only hope that some complaints reach some managers who can do something about the current situation. Some of those writers need a swift kick in the tuchus. Any volunteers? The line forms here!

 

[MsChristmas]

Good morning and Happy FRIDAY! Another weekend closer to the Fall, the nice cool air, the start of "The Season"..so much to look forward to! This weekend I am getting a new dresser..so excited lol and hope to take my youngest Son to Toys'R'Us to see what kind of things he might like for his Birthday next month. I doubt I will be on until Monday as usual so I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

:rudolph:

 

[Seawaters]

Good morning, Christmas friends. It is already hot here in northern California. Yuck! Not much going on, but I do plan to run over to the school and see about getting a key to my new classroom. It is really going to be a pain to move. I hope everyone has a great AC day!!

 

[Seawaters]

Bradmac, What do you think about the cheating scandal in Atlanta?

 

[MerryBells]

I'm not Bradmac, but I don't condone cheating. I had to look up the story, because I hadn't heard about it. I must admit, however, that the standardized testing used to determine the children's academic prowess leaves something to be desired. Not that it makes it too easy to cheat (although that's evidently a problem too), but becuase I don't think it can give a complete picture of what a child has learned. When you consider the pressure being put on educators to "do more", no matter what, to improve these scores, you almost have to come to the conclusion that this is just an all-around bad way to do testing. I can certainly understand that Principals and Teachers have a hard enough job as it is, and I certainly don't want our Teacher and Principal members to think I'm blaming anyone....I really don't even have a better suggestion for them to use for testing purposes. I'm just noting that constant pressure on educators seems to have taken it's toll in this case. It's sad, because I think a lot of teachers.

 

[trackrebel]

how is everyone doing? all fine over here....weather is great....been working hard at my brother s new house....puttin wallpapers on the wall, laying floors, paintin.....carrying boxes and stuff....been working out while working last week.

today kandice s pre-school did a picnic in the afternoon...playtime-----bigtime....luved it....especially since Kandice is in the group of Brigitte...and Brigitte has already been my care-taker in pre-school...in the same group....so this woman knows me since I am 3

 

[MerryCarey]

Go ahead and vent! We are here for you.

One of the many reasons I love this place---a big thank-you to everyone who lent an ear and comfort.

I love the quote, "Poor planning on your part does not make it an emergency on mine." Somebody should drop a big hint. Does Mr. get overtime? You would think that the powers that be would notice!

The other quote I love in our business is: "Fast. Cheap. Accurate. Choose any two."

Yes, he does get overtime pay, and he knows enough to charge his waiting time to the appropriate project. I'm hoping that'll bruise some client's bottom line eventually and get some attention.

 

[Seawaters]

I hear you loud and clear, MerryBells. The thing that saddens me is using test scores for merit pay for teachers. Many teachers may be inclined to cheat to earn that merit pay. No thought has gone in to how can teachers be fully accountable for scores? Why does no one else share the blame? I had one student who was absent over one school month, more than 20 days. How can I make up the skills and subject matter I taught while Mom did not make the kiddo come to school? This same mom was adamant about her son going on to fourth grade, even as unprepared as he was. Also, this same mom wanted ME to document that he had a disability and needed SSI. Excuse me? His disability was that he was not coming to school! He was very capable of doing the work, but just wasn't there!

I'm not Bradmac, but I don't condone cheating. I had to look up the story, because I hadn't heard about it. I must admit, however, that the standardized testing used to determine the children's academic prowess leaves something to be desired. Not that it makes it too easy to cheat (although that's evidently a problem too), but becuase I don't think it can give a complete picture of what a child has learned. When you consider the pressure being put on educators to "do more", no matter what, to improve these scores, you almost have to come to the conclusion that this is just an all-around bad way to do testing. I can certainly understand that Principals and Teachers have a hard enough job as it is, and I certainly don't want our Teacher and Principal members to think I'm blaming anyone....I really don't even have a better suggestion for them to use for testing purposes. I'm just noting that constant pressure on educators seems to have taken it's toll in this case. It's sad, because I think a lot of teachers.

 

[MsChristmas]

Went to Michaels on my lunch break today... they had some Christmas stuff out! Just a few little crafty items but there were arrows on the floor with snowflakes pointing towards the Christmas stuff..it said something about "get a head start on your Holiday projects".. I was so excited! I also found some Fall stuff.. bought some window clings and a adorable Charlie Brown Happy Halloween mini flag! YAYAYA so excited to see this stuff starting to come out cheesy