Puppy for Sale, Only 50 Cents

Wow! We've officially had this little guy for 2 weeks now!
So here's the story. It was a Monday and I was driving home from Turlock. I was in a hurry so I could finish reading my bible study lesson before everyone showed up in an hour. While getting ready to pass Hilmar Cheese a little fuzz ball crossed Lander looking very scared and panicked. I kept driving. I called Kaitlin. She said that maybe it's so and so's little poodle that got loose. Guilt kicked in. So I turned around.
I found the little guy, hiding under some desks that are being stored (?) outside. He came right to me. So we walked to the security guard to see if they could call animal control to come get him. Well, being as it was after 5pm and since all 5 pounds of him weren't a threat they weren't coming. Ok, so I'll take him home for the night, go to the vet in the morning to see if he's chipped and go from there.
After feeding, watering, and bathing him at my place, with minutes to spare before bible study, they (Kaitlin, Chris, and Colleen) took him across the street. I feared that our dogs would make a squeaky toy out of him. Which they didn't. When I went over after 9pm they were all playing. Hallelujah! Chris kept him overnight.

Vet: no microchip. No signage around town. No missing puppy cries. No sign of missing pet anywhere. Possession is 9/10 of the law, right? So he, Hobie, has a home. No, he's not with me. I'm not ready to replace Izzie yet. He is Chris and Colleen's dog, that lives with my parents and will move out when Chris does.
So there you have it. There is a new, lovable fuzz ball in our lives. He's still very much a puppy, with puppy teeth but without puppy breath.

And don't worry, we only picked about 267 fleas off the little guy. I think they're all gone now!

A Work Birthday

This is what I found when I got to work Thursday morning...
And a birthday treat. Is there a better day to start the morning then with a donut?Don't forget the paper towel dispenser!
And 2 wonderful gifts from two great co-workers, Devon and Charmaine.
Is the pig not the cutest thing ever!?! He's from the Visitor Center. I pet 'em every time we go up front. And the gummy turtles. I love gummy things.

But what should I name him? Or her?

10 Creative Ways to Earn Extra Money

Yes please! Who wouldn't like a little extra cash these days? I know I would, and I'm secure in my job.

I see some things that I just may have to look into.

So here are some ideas for you...

1. Do freelance work - If you enjoy writing or editing, this is for you!
   
2. Sell your books - I've been selling DVDs and CDs that I never listen to or watch. I'm about ready to go through my bookshelf too. I use amazon.com, but there are tons of places you can sell through.
   
3. Search circulating coinage - All you have to do is buy rolls from the bank, sort through them for older coins, then resell them. So if you don't mind your hands smelling like coins, do it!
   
4. Start a "business" - Do you have a hobby, skill, or are experienced in something? Why not use it to your advantage. I've actually been thinking of this lately. Not totally sure what I'd do though... I'll keep thinking.
5. Enter local and online sweepstakes - Are you a lucky person? I sure am not. But hey, it doesn't cost anything to enter these sweepstakes. So what's the harm?
   
6. Give your opinion-and get paid - May have to look into this one... Sounds easy enough.
   
7. Sell your junk - This to me would take too much time. I'd rather donate my junk and let a non-profit sell it.
   
8. Join a direct selling company - I'm not a sales person, so I'll skip thanks.
   
9. Be a secret shopper - I like shopping. I can keep a secret. Hummm....
   
10. Sell your photos to stock agencies - I'm going to have to do this one for sure! Y'all know I take a lot of pictures.
    

Hey, every little bit helps!

Check out this article for more information and links!

Trim and season

it's that time of the year again

I'm at the place I used I work. The place I grew up visiting. The place where we can always count on a catering job.

I'm at the Spring Fair!

I'll keep you posted with pictures as I think about it.

Off to find a cinnamon roll or cotton candy or something.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

It's a QA Christmas...

This past Friday was my department's Christmas party. I convinced my boss to have it at Mundo's, because they're yummy, kick back, and affordable. Not that I was paying for it, but last year we went to The Bistro, just a little more expensive.

I took my camera, and was going to take pictures... But I didn't. Face it, QA - Quality Assurance - is a bunch of lab people, with exception to me. And, well, lab people can be kind of lame. Including the dude that chose to sit next to me, much to my dismay. I think I did a fine job ignoring him best I could without being a jack*.

So there was no dancing on the tables. No shots. Nothing horrible or embarassing happened. It was just a kick-back relaxing evening.

It was still fun. Hey, it was dinner right?

I Graduated!

That's right! You heard correctly!
Two weeks I was chosen to participate in a Quality Chk'd Supervisor Boot Camp. It's actually quite an honor to be chosen. Especially since I'm not a supervisor.

This would be the same Boot Camp where I learned about Social Styles. And the same Boot Camp that dinners were mandatory at Bistro 234 and Mundo's...where drinks were included... The same Boot Camp that pulled me away from my desk for 2 1/2 days, and kept me from doing the butt load of work that needed to be done. Did I mention that adult beverages were included with dinner?

But yeah me! I passed! I even had a randomly selected partner and we had to give a presentation in front of the Managers of the participants and the Steering Team (CEO and VPs of HCC)

Golf Partners

Once a week, for the past 2 or so months, a group of us leave work early. We leave work, clubs loaded and ready to whack a little white ball around a big mowed lawn. It's fun! We make rules up as we go, we try to teach one another, we share our frustrations, and we are always happy if we make par on at least one hole.

Let me introduce you to my work buddies. Not only do I eat lunch with them just about every day, but I also golf with them.

Angie...
Angie position is Admin Assistant for Operations, all operation departments for Hilmar Cheese. She's got a big position. And she does it well. I found out a month or so ago that Angie and I grew up around the corner from each other in Winton. Small world!Tamara...
Tamara is the Food Safety and Sanitation Supervisor for Cheese. That means that she goes around the 3 cheese plants on a uber regular basis and audits them. When Tamara moved desks and became 'trailer trash', I moved to her desk...right next to where my old desk was. Tamara is the mother of 2 teenage boys. She's a fun gal!
Devon...
Devon is the baby of the group at a young 26. She is the Cheese Lab Supervisor, and she plays with FT machines all day. I think. Devon is a kick in the pants! Working at Hilmar Cheese is a family goal of theirs. Actually, Angie is Devon's assistant...and her brother. Devon is my Friday going out buddy. Or my shopping buddy. Or my talk about internet dating companion.
Eek! Who's that?
So Wednesday or Thursday afternoons, you'll find me at River Oaks in Ceres. Normally we golf the top 9. This past week we golfed the bottom 9. The bottom 9 kicked my butt!

Back in the Saddle

It's been awhile since I've helped my parents cater. But when duty calls, I must answer. And duty called a couple weeks ago.

And since I'm a goon that loves her new camera, even though I totally don't know how to use all the features yet, I brought my camera with me so I could play.

Here is a sampling of photos.

Great depth of field. I really like this picture for some reason.

Mr. BBQer for the night. He was roasting some weenies, sausages, whatever you want to call them. It was a hot day. Can you tell by the redness on Chris' face? I'll tell you. I think I drank like 6 bottles of water and never once went to the bathroom.

Some lovely models. We have Abby, DeEtte, and Mom. Abby is Kaitlin's best friend. She goes to Purdue in Indiana. She was gone all summer in England. This job was the first time I saw her. And she flew out the next morning to return to school. DeEtte is our star caterer helper bee. She's great. She tells great stories. And she's funny to boot! And Mom. I love Mom.

Mom, I love you!
Yum... dessert... These are the peaches that caused the Peach Sorbet that I made.

And the star of the whole show... the tri-tip. Need I say more?

Everybody, please welcome the newbie, Katy. Katy comes to us via Colleen, Chris' girlfriend. Katy is Colleen's sister. Welcome Katy. Your spunkiness will be a great addition to the team!
Now you've seen a bit of the catering world.

Now, next time, maybe I'll actually do some work and not take so many blasted pictures!

1 Year Anniversary

One year ago today I changed jobs and officially began my new one. One year ago today my life improved for the better. In many ways actually.

And tomorrow, my bosses are going to take me out to sushi to celebrate. Because they forgot today.

I think I'll let it slide. Because today some of my co-workers and I went to lunch. Where we talked nothing of work and all of current drama situation as well as numerous other non-work things, like world peace and our plans to go golfing tomorrow.

But more about our plans to go golfing than world peace.

Footsie Wootsie

Pay no attention to the people in this picture. They are old co-workers. People that I used to work with at my fresh out of college job, at the Merced County Fair.
The fair which occured last week, that I attended last Wednesday to go to a concert (more on that and my future husband later). You know what's great about working at fairs, you know people. You know people that are excited to see you and give you a corn dog and water (Thanks Tracee!)

The most wonderful part of working at the fair during the fair were those machine. Those things they call "Footsie Wootsie". Or as I like to call them "25 Cents of Heaven." They were wonderful. I think throughout the 6 day fair I spend $10 on them.

What happens is you drop your coin in the slot, and then this "feet mold" where your...feet are... starts to shake and vibrate and hum. Oh...it's wonderful. Wow, writing that out it actually sounds kinda dirty. But honest to pete it's for your feet. (I'm a poet and didn't even know it.)

And last week, I spend 25 cents of someone else's money for my own pure enjoyment.

And honestly, I've googled those machines. And I can't find them anywhere. And if I could, you know what, I'd buy one! And I'd have it in my living room for my guests to enjoy. Cause what good is having something if you can't share it. And maybe, if my guests are lucky, I'll have a dish of quarters for them to use on the machine.

Or maybe I'll just charge them. I haven't decided yet.

But you know what, the Stanislaus County Fair starts this Friday and they get those machines too. And boy howdy, I'm showin' up prepared to have my feet massaged.

Tonight, I Break the Ice.

Tonight, scratch that.

This afternoon, a group of folks from work are getting together at our local Applebee's for adult beverages. And to just hang out really.

Well, after much, um, plotting, scheming, planning, the mystery guy from work that everyone wants to set me up with will be there. At least he told someone that he would go, and he apparently sounded excited about it.

So, I'll report back tomorrow or Sunday about how it goes. If there is any spark. Any potential. Plans made for a future date.

Maybe I'll even try to snap a picture...

Wish me luck!

(PS: I cancelled eharmony.com. It was a crock of poop!)

Less Overwhelmed

Maybe by listing off what I've completed each day I'll feel less overwhelmed and more caught up. Well, it's at least worth a shot... So here's what I've done so far today.

Personal:
Faxed off proof of Izzie getting rabies shot to Merced Animal Control.
Filled out passport application.
Update weight tracker on blog.
Installed Turbo Tax 2007 on computer. (ok, I really did that last night, but it's done none the less.)
Call Pier 1 about rug I saw in shop yesterday. Drat, not on clearance like I hoped and prayed, $399...
Wrote down (actually typed) all of the cool "National Day of..." for January before throwing that sheet of my desk calendar away.
Read through a month of my new favorite blogger.
Voted.
Imported 2 CDs onto my computer.
Got my taxes done.

Work:
P5 Capability
Leakers
Closed IP Files for P1, P2, P4, P5
Scanned over 100 documents.
Worked on updating the vendor assurance requirements.

Putty

Can I just say, I love a guy with good accent. Bring me a guy from the south and I'm in heaven. Bring me a guy from another country and I'm putty in their hands. And guess what, I work with multiple foreigners. Of course, they're all older than me with families etc. But I love listening to them talk. In my area alone there are 2 gentlemen from New Zealand. But there are plenty more within the Company. Now I'm just waiting for the younger ones... more say, my age...

I'm moving!

No, not what you think. The house isn't done yet. And I'm not moving out of my parent's house yet. I'm moving office locations at work. But get this, my desk is moving tomorrow, but I'm not moving until Thursday... Hummm... I get someone's old desk, my desk is going to someone else, and I get to sit on the floor to do work until Thursday. Well, not really. My computer will be moved Thursday with me. So, tomorrow I'll be using my officemate's computer while she's in Texas. I do have a feeling that it'll be a short day. And Thusday, I can't be near where I'm moving to between 8am-1pm. So I'll be not only deskless, but officeless; therefore homeless at work. I'm thinking of coming in a little late. Going to get a coffee. Making myself disappear until I can "move in". Oh the joys of departments swapping buildings...

Weekend Ahead

So as I'm sitting here thinking about my weekend, I'm realizing that I've got quite a bit going on. Let me give you a quick snippet of what I KNOW I'm doing.
- I'm taking a trip to Lowe's to purchase bathroom stuff (toilet, tub, vanity w/ sick, etc.). Hopefull this will be happening tonight, but it depends on how dad is feeling after a routine procedure he's having done this morning. If not, tomorrow afternoon or Sunday will be the trip.
- Big giant huge fancy smancy wedding to attend tomorrow evening. We're talking 550 people sit down serve. The groom was a high school classmate, we went through the same confirmation class at church, went to the same college (where he took a few extra years to party), good family friends all around. I'm ready to party like a rock star. (I'll post pictures after the shindig)
- *crossing fingers* Taking a trip to IKEA to purchase couches Sunday.
- Working on house when I can.
- Finish the Oktoberfest invitation, get them to Kinko's to get copies made, finish the labels, and get them in the mail.
- Oh, and I just told HCC Catering (past employer) that I could help set up tomorrow morning for said giant wedding mentioned above. They are desparate for help. I can use some extra money. So why not?
- Church. Let's pray I can make it this Sunday. I've been a heathen lately. Bad me!

Wow, that's all I can think of for now. I'll enjoy the resting while I can get it. Like next weekend in Tahoe...

New Job

Can I just say that I'm thoroughly enjoying my new job! It just dawned on me that today is Thursday. I'm just skating through the week without really caring or worrying what day of the week it is. Now, if I were still working in the VC I would have been counting down the days until Friday starting Monday. Although I've got a lot yet to learn with my new position in QA, I'm enjoying the environment, co-workers, everything. That's all I have to say about that. God does bless those that are patient.

The End.

Words to Live By: Obedience

o-be-di-ence, noun.
1. acquiescence to a command.
2. an act in submission to authority.
3. fulfillment of an expectation.
4. Biblical: compliance with the voice of authority.
5. Personal: a lifestyle of deference to God's will.

We ought to obey God rather than men.
-Acts 5:29

The Christian man is the freest lord of all and the most obedient servant of all.
-Martin Luther

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
-Isaiah 1:19

"Obedience means relying on an authority outside of yourself to know how to fly, to know how to live your lives. You can't trust yourself, so you have to rely upon God, his Word, and the leaders he puts in your life."

Learning obedience is hard. I am a prideful human that has been affected by my forefather, Adam. Adam was disobedient towards God, and his rebellion has passed down from generation to generation and on down to me.

How is one obedient? How does one become obedient? It's actually quite simple, but it's much easier said than down. One is obedient when they submit their will to God and listen to his authority. Even Jesus had to obey, and he was perfect. I struggle with being obedient. And I struggle because I want the instant gratification. I want to be obedient and then quickly receive the fruits of my labor or my rewards. I don't want to wait, I don't want to be patient. But going through that is all part of the learning to be obedient.

For the past year and 9 months, I was working in a position, or department, that I was not happy in. But I knew that if I wanted to stay within the company I needed to just wait it out and pray that a position would become available that would be a perfect fit for me. I was obedient to God, or so I thought. I was the good Christian that was going to church, participating in a Bible Study, befriending strong Christian people, praying, going to Sunday School. You name it, I was doing it. You know what I found out though, works does not equal obedience. Obedience is matching my lifestlye and my heart to God's will for me. As I grew closer and closer to being an obedient person I grew stronger and more encouraged that although my time with my place of employment had not been pleasant, that there was a perfect place for me within it where I feel valued and be valuable.

And here I am now, 3 days into a new position where the people are friendly and understanding of the learning curve that I have. Where they want to see the employees excel and improve. Where I feel valued, yes, even after 3 days. I am where I am now because I was obeying God's command. I am reaping the fruits of my obedience. And boy does it feel good!

Now... let's see how else God will reward my obedience as I continue to obey...

We are born subjects, and to obey God is perfect liberty. He that does this shall be free, safe and happy.
-Seneca

2 more days!

Only 2 more days of working in the VC! I'm so excited to finally be done with the place and moving up to bigger and better. Although, I'm nervous. Scared that I won't live up to what they want. But confident at the same time that I can do it. Oooh, a bundle of nerves, confidence and excitement all together! And stress from having to wrap up a job, while training 5 people that are taking over what I've been doing, while lining everything up before I leave, while still doing my job, while have been mentally checked out since last week.

Oh how great Friday at 4 will be...

PRAISE THE LORD!

After many attempts to move to another area of the company, I have finally been offered one. You're reading the blog of the new Quality Assurance Administrative Assistant. I pretty much just got a big fat raise, and a position outside of the visitor center. Hallelujah!