Hot Weather and Work Don't Go Hand-n-Hand

It's definitely a scorcher out there today. I am actually cranky now when before I left for work, I was on top of the world. Nothing like working on a Sunday when the temperature is around 101*. I have to travel from store to store in this heat and it can take a toll on a person. Good thing our stores have great air systems. Thank goodness I have a car that is only a year old with great air conditioning.

I was checking out some of our competitor stores today and it dawned on me that people view me as high maintenance when it comes to service. When I worked retail in a management position, I would always make sure that the customer was first. Now that I am in a supervisory position, I noticed that I have extremely high standards for service, or everyone else has low standards. When I am the customer, it better be damn near perfection. My money travels out of my wallet, therefore the service and quality of product better be good. However,

There are some stores who are not created equal. When I did my competitor check today, I had to go into a store that made me want to vomit in my mouth. It was filthy. The quality of the produce and meat in this particular store was questionable. The ground beef was actually gray. Yuck. Now, is having good quality products too much to ask? I wouldn't think so, but today you would have thought I was looking for a needle in a haystack.

All of today's events made me realize that I am working for a pretty good company who usually puts the customer first with great quality and service to match. I am tired and so I will retire into more comfortable clothing, suitable for 100* weather. Have a great day.

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

I have decided that nothing tastes better in the morning than a great cup of coffee. I prefer Folgers Classic ONLY because that is what my parents drank when I was growing up and the aroma alone brings back such great memories. I am pretty fond of any kind of coffee, especially Starbucks. I do not really like going into Starbucks, but I usually by the whole beans at one of our grocery stores. My great cup of coffee consists of hazelnut creamer and one packet of sweet-n-low. Perfection in the morning. It's a great way to start off the day.

The weather is going to be a scorcher today. Each time I log on, my computer makes a thunder sound to warn me about the weather. We are under a high fire danger because it is so dry and hot. Living in the plains makes that a big deal I guess. I am obsessed with the weather channel on my computer.

Well, I will leave all of you out in blogger land so I can get to work. I have to hit some of my stores today to see how we are doing. I say "all of you in blogger land" because I have not told any of my friends that I have a blog. I am sort of private in the way that I don't want them to know my personal thoughts or opinions. You know, in case I want to write about them. LOL. Anyway, have a great day and I will talk at all of you later.

Saturday - What's A Girl To Do?

Life can be so boring sometimes. My mom use to call me a "dreamer" when I was younger. I always planned for things that would never come. I'm not very spontaneous you know.

Life is good though. I really can't complain much. My guy friend who recently got himself a girlfriend is still not talking to me. It's weird. I don't extend myself out there because of it. It's shallow, but I look at it as the phone works both ways. He has made no attempt to get a hold of me either.

My boyfriend has a house and his sister has pretty much taken over it. It really gets on my nerves that she lives there and does not have to pay any bills. She has been living there over a year.

I guess I am mainly rambling today. It's 98* outside so it's too hot to go anywhere. Besides, there is a ton of laundry that is begging to be washed. I guess I could give in to some chores today. Not my favorite thing to do unless I am mad, distraught, or restless. My job takes most of my energy.

Now look at me. I said that I can't complain much and I have gone and done just that. Human nature, I guess.

I'm Back

Got back from our Disney cruise to the Bahamas and had to turn around and get ready for our HUGE food show. We had over 100 vendors and tons of food. I am now extremely sick. I can't decide if it's from the vacation or what. I am probably overworked and tired.

The cruise was awesome. The boat was huge. I was on the 10th deck before we were leaving and I was looking out at the polluted ocean in Port Canaveral. I looked up and saw something flying toward me. It kept coming and wasn't stopping. I literally had to duck before a PELICAN hit me in the head. It was my first time seeing one. My kid was laughing at me and wanted to know why we had dinosaur birds on the planet. I started laughing and explained that it was a pelican.

We both saw the ocean for the first time. It's amazing to see how different the water looks when you get away from the port. In the Bahamas, the water was beautiful. I could see my toes. We went swimming and tasted the salt water on our lips. Gross.

Anyway, the trip was fun and relaxing and I will go on another in a couple of years. I would like to take an Alaskan cruise or Mediterranean cruise next. We shall see.

One more thing I would like to talk about. I have a friend who has a blog called 4th Avenue Blues. Andrew is a talented writer who lets us get a glimpse of what goes on in his life. He is thinking about closing the blog. If any of you get a chance to check out the blog and read a couple of posts, you will see what I see. Drop a line of support to him and encourage him to keep writing.

Stay cool out there people. It's going to be a scorcher this weekend.

One Is A Lonely Number

After reading a post from 4th Avenue Blues tonight, it made me think about people and how some may be alone. When I say alone, I mean that they have no one from the opposite sex to be with. They lack a companion. I find myself in that same situation sometimes even though I have a boyfriend. I feel like I am truly alone. And that's okay. The need for companionship is in us all. You would have to be the red dirt up on Mars if that weren't true. We all want to feel loved, we all want the attention that one gets from someone who is in synch with them. Sometimes, we have to wait for it. I had to wait five whole years before I would find someone. And it happened just like they say: you stop looking and then all of a sudden, there are potential men everywhere. I think I had four guys who wanted to date me at once. It was weird because I wasn't used to getting all of that attention. And it was great attention. However, after awhile, I got overwhelmed with it. I had been alone so long that I was very independent. I think that is what may be happening now. I feel like I am being suffocated a little and I need room to breathe. Is that bad?

Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are not what they use to be. Growing up in a small town, about one mile from town actually, it was so different. Back then, I didn't have to worry about work, responsibilities, the everyday go, go, go. I remember every Sunday waking up and helping my mom cook breakfast. It was always the same breakfast every Sunday: Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs. I would be in charge of getting the biscuits and setting the table. In my family we would sit on the floor around a black lacquered table. This is usually how Koreans eat. It was funny when we brought friends home and they would comment on the things that we did that weren't "American". For example, you take your shoes off before coming into the house and we always sat on the floor to eat, play cards, etc.

Anyway, back to my Sunday. This is the first Sunday I have not had to work an 8-15 hour day. I am going to pick up my mail from my home store and read what's going on in our division. Then I am going to clean my apartment. It totally needs it. There won't be any breakfast to cook, because now I skip breakfast entirely, unless I am at my parents' house for the weekend.

As I write this, I wonder about what my kid will remember when he is my age. It will be funny later in life to hear it. Sundays are truly the best day. People can relax before starting the mundane 9 to 5. I guess I got lucky this week. Hooray.

Cruisin' and Limits

I leave Wednesday for my cruise. It is a well deserved vacation. My kid and I are going to have so much fun!! We both deserve it.

I was wondering about people and their limits. Do people really know what their limits are in life? When it comes to abuse of substance or action, do people really know their limitations? I was wondering about it tonight after reading a post on a blog called 4th Avenue Blues. My friend Andrew has a friend who seems to not have limits. He has limits to the extent that he would hide alcohol from his mother, but has exceeded the "normal" limit by hiding a fifth in the bushes to satisfy his cravings. It just makes me wonder. I have limits for about everything, what I will and will not tolerate. I guess it just depends on who you are and the circumstances.

Anyway, like I said, I can't wait for this cruise. I wish I could take several people with me. It is too pricey and I wouldn't want them to go unless I could pay their way. It's that generous side that keeps getting the best of me.

Locks of Love

I cut 14 inches off of my hair today. I feel bald. I feel naked. Then I thought about the ones who are bald already, the ones who have cancer. Then I felt selfish. But, I feel better because at least my hair will go to someone who can use it.

It's cute. And it will grow back. If I decide not to keep it this way, anyway.

Autumn

It is a wonderful day out today. I had to get up at three this morning to go to work and I have just arrived home. There has been a steady light rain falling all morning. It's glorious. I have that feeling of nostalgia, remembering back to when I was 12 and wanted to go to the city pool so bad, but couldn't because of that light, pitter-patter. It brings back such good memories. It's a reminder to me that autumn is just around the corner. Then the rain will be a touch cooler and the smells will be different; more woody and smoky. The leaves will fall off the trees and gather along the curbs of all the streets. Children will be kicking it along as they trudge off to school. That is when I think about the holidays that will approach soon: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and on to Christmas.

I don't want to stop daydreaming about this. Autumn is my favorite time of year. It's also the lonely time of year. That is why I like it so much. It's the time of year when I am so in tune to me, myself, and I. It's a time of year to reflect on the previous, make a couple of mental notes, and plan to embark a whole new year.

I can't wait for autumn to get here.
It's the best season of the year.
Leaves turning gold, red, and brown.
Turning my frown up-side down.
Soon there will be costumes and candy.
Toasting our wine and our brandy.
It's the perfect time of year,
To spend it with someone very dear-
Me.

Go Slower

I have a million things to do before I head to my parents for the fourth. But as I am getting ready, I realize that my life is just that. My life consists of all of these "millions of things to do". It's quite sad actually. It's like I have forgotten how to live. I remember when I was a kid, I would lie on my back on the grass, look up at the clouds, and wonder what life would be like when I got to the age I am at now. I have surprised myself. I never thought I would be a 32-year old, single, full-time+ career mom.

Is it what I wanted for myself? Back then I did not. I expected what every little girl expects. To meet the perfect guy, get married, have babies, and play house. What in the hell was I thinking?

I am happy right at this moment, but I know that I could be happier. Maybe if I take all of those "millions of things to do" and slow down. Maybe take it a "hundred at a time". Who knows.

Well, I hope that all who come across this post have a safe 4th of July. My parents do not own a computer, so I will not be back until Friday.

Happy Holiday

Nothing To Do

I don't know what to talk about tonight. There isn't much going on. My boyfriend is watching baseball. Joy. The Mets and the Yankees are playing. Battle of the big city. Don't have any major baseball teams very near to me except for the KC Royals, and they suck, Royally. Lol.

Some sports are fun to watch on television, but baseball is not one of them for me, live or televised. I love football though. I am a big fan of Randy Moss. He currently plays for the Oakland Raiders. My boyfriend likes the KC Chiefs. Go figure. I purposely do not like the Chiefs because he does. I know that is childish, but I don't always act my age. I can thank my kid for that.

Anyway, I am a season ticket holder for the Chiefs, even though I don't care for them. It's just exciting to go to the games, tailgate, people watch, and just get out of town. You should see some of the folks that come to these games. WOW!!

Oh!! I am so bored! I guess I will explore the internet for awhile and see how my friend Andrew is doing on his blog, 4th Avenue Blues. He is truly talented. If you get a chance to check him out, do so. You will not be disappointed.

Tis' the Season

My goodness. It is July 1 and it is busy, busy, busy out there. I work for a major grocery chain and holidays kill. The stores were humpin' today. First of the month is horrendous for some of these stores depending on the location of the store.

Anyway, I was working today and a boss of mine made a "suggestion" to me about one of my stores. Boss said that we would have to place a "newbie" manager in the deli dept. in one of my large volume stores. I about had a stroke. "newbie" came from a competitor and has not worked in our stores before. We have recently employed several workers from this certain competitor because they are soon going out of business. So, I am a little nervous about putting "newbie" in one of my monsters. I think he should start small and work his way up.

Boss said that we would have to place "newbie" in this store and deal with it. Boss said that I would have to get "newbie" some training. I know in my right mind that the training will have to come from me. "newbie" is scheduled to start the week I go on vacation to the Bahamas.

Do you see where I am going with this?

I have given Boss other options, but Boss doesn't want to go those routes. Looks like I will have an untrained manager in one of my high volume stores alone the first week. The employees in that department will eat "newbie" for dessert.

I better get all of them some bibs. :)