Working Woman’s Beef

It seems a little ridiculous that I would be required to stay in one spot for eight scheduled hours each day if I don’t have any work at that current moment. Is it the temptation of freedom that keeps bosses around the country from allowing their employees to work flex time?

Some weeks I’m swamped. I can’t even make time to chat with co-workers. But other weeks, I have maybe two or three hours’ worth of work to get done. Then what? I sit in my little grey cubicle (some of you have heard this before) and stare blankly at my computer screen while clips of the movie Office Space run through my mind. Women are known as multi-taskers. It drives me crazy that I have no task, let alone enough tasks to multi.

If assigned work is completed and employees are happy, then what is the problem? No one would have to worry about being ten minutes late or leaving early from work. No one would have to worry about being back to work at exactly 12:59 p.m. because they signed out at 11:59 a.m. for lunch. And employees wouldn't bolt out of the office at 4:59 p.m. sharp because they’re sick of staring at their computer screens in their grey cubicles!

I understand that some positions require a schedule, such as teachers and doctors. If doctors didn’t have set schedules, their work would never end; and if teachers didn’t have set schedules, our society’s education would be doomed. However, someone in my position, who has a contract with duties to fulfill within the year, can easily set a schedule to get said duties completed. No one would be doomed.

I’m just saying that some employers should at least give this “flex time” idea a test run for a year. If not that, then fiesta! We should adopt the European work style. Mandatory four weeks vacation per year (minimum), two to three hour lunches each day, and a relaxed time policy, such as, “I’ll be in around 8-ish tomorrow morning.”

Now that my 15 minute daydream break is up, I should get back to staring at my e-mail wondering what I can make-up to work on next.

Note – Notice that I didn’t write any blogs from January 5 to February 8. This means I was swamped at work and didn’t have time for my 15 minute daydream session. I do work…just not when I don’t have anything to do. Please resist the urge to judge.

At a Loss for Words

Literally. I’ve been wracking my brain for things to write about. I’ve got nothin’. Things are normal and on-track. While that’s nice for a change, the situation doesn’t lend to interesting life stories. It would really stink if nothing ever went wrong in life. I would be so flippin’ bored all the time. Not that I want anything to go wrong, I should probably stop talking. The mishap fairies will find me.

Anywho, it’s finally Friday!! I get to sleep in tomorrow…kindof. I’m scrapbooking, which is always fun, so I don’t mind waking up early for that. And Sunday I plan on being a bum. It’s necessary to get re-charged for the working world on Monday.

Next week is Valentine’s Day! Anyone have any special plans they’d like to share? Sheldon claims he got me a present yesterday. I say “claims” because he told me that he got me Dish Network with DVR. What? That’s a man present. He’s just justifying adding a bill to the pile without having to include me in the decision. I’m on to your little plan! I think for Valentine’s Day I’ll get him a diamond heart necklace. Ooo, or some bookshelves for the living room. Yeah, sounds good to me.

Compulsive Hoarder?

I read this interesting article about how people who are disorganized may have a mental illness. The link is below. I know I made organization one of my resolutions for 2008, but I doubt I'm plagued with a OCHD (Obsessive-Compulisive Hoarding Disorder).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/01well.html?no_interstitial

People who suffer from this illness are known as "complusive hoarders." Is this ridiculous or am I just out of touch with all the disorders out there? Apparently if you're disorganized, you're also overweight and your life is in shambles. I just want somewhere to put my shoes and mail when I walk in the house!

I thought I would read an encouraging article about organization and it made me paranoid about everything else! Crazy.

It's the New Year Again

Time for those pesky little resolutions that always come up around this time of year. There's the standard - eat healthier, make lifestyle changes, diet - whatever you want to call it. But this year I also have a resolution that I've never had before. I will organize my life. It sounds simple enough. I'm not sure why I never thought of making it one of my resolutions in previous years.

Yes, by this time next year, my whole house will be completely organized and everything will have its place. Okay, that may be expecting a little much, but I do have a plan of action on how I will solve my clutter problem. I already have closet storage and front door entrace organizations ideas dancing in my head. Target and IKEA, here I come!

Although resolutions hang over my head at the beginning of each new year, I do like the idea of a fresh start. Whatever mistakes I may have made last year are classified as learning experiences and I can start new this year. Whatever bad things happened last year are in the past and new beginnings will be in place for 2008. All the good things that happened are imprinted in memories and pictures and tucked away in scrapbooks for my grandchildren to see one day.

I'm looking forward to making more memories in 2008. I hope everyone has a great year!

Not-So-Virgin Eyes

“Ah! Shield my virgin eyes,” said the red-faced teenager watching a saucy scene from a movie with her parents in the same room.

I used to joke about shielding my virgin eyes from the TV screen every time a kissy-romantic scene would show. Or every time an inevitable sex scene would commence. Even though most of the movies are good at hiding the parts that shouldn’t be shown on television, they’re also good at making the scene an emotionally charged, intense moment.

After being out on my own and married for eight years, I’ve become slightly desensitized to the stuff they show in movies and on TV these days. I thought that I had a pretty good feel for “safe” movies to watch and own.

What I’ve discovered is this – if you think you know a “safe” movie from a “not safe” movie as far as sexual content, language, and violence, watch said movie with your grandma, and then make your judgment.

I was so embarrassed on Christmas Eve when I watched The Holiday with Sheldon’s grandparents in the same room! I’ve watched the movie twice before with Sheldon. I never felt embarrassed, uncomfortable, or red-faced while watching it. But viewing the movie with people born in the late ‘20s made me realize how much sex was actually in it.

Way past “not safe” and into the category of “raunchy” is 40-Year-Old Virgin. One word – ew! I wasn’t just red-faced, I wanted to put a bag over my head and crawl under the couch cushion to avoid looks from the elders. And I didn’t even pick the movie out! I claim no fault of my own. But I was still embarrassed.

I still love The Holiday and I won’t stop watching it with my husband, I just won’t watch it with children, elders or horny teenagers. I’ve learned two things.
1. Maybe watching current TV series and movies has changed what I consider to be appropriate over the years.
2. Always check the rating before watching a movie with family.

On a side note, a new movie I’d like to see is The Bucket List. No, I don’t know what the rating is, so if you’re a child, an old person or a horny teenager, don’t ask to accompany me. I’ll probably get embarrassed.

Happy Movie Viewing!

Juan's Home!!

As requested, the photos from Juan's return home from Iraq. We love you Juan!

Thanksgiving in Alabama

I know all of you are on the edge of your seats waiting for the Alabama Thanksgiving pictures to be posted. So here they are!



We had so much fun! Down-home cookin', family and laughter make the perfect Thanksgiving holiday.