Changes

Everyone has heard the expression that the only thing that stays the same is something is always changing.  Well, I have been lucky at work and the changes that have occurred were never really earth shattering so I could handle them easily.  Recently though there was a change in the service department management and while the old guy is a very good friend of mine, I have to adapt to someone new being in the role.

You should know that I am a total control freak.  I like to be involved and know what is going on.  I can be a team player and don't have a problem with that but my big thing is being informed and involved.  And I have always held true to...if you want it done right, do it yourself.  That hasn't always worked out for me and at times, left him overwhelm, stressed and definitely feeling unappreciated.

And now there is a new person, who doesn't know that I am one of the 'Crane Divas' and I was fearful.  Fearful that our work styles would clash, fearful that I would be let go if our work styles clashed.  Fear was in every bone in my body for the last week.  Things are so slow at work that we have high dollar, trained crane technicians sweeping the floor.  And I feel responsible because it is my job to bring in service work and there just doesn't seem to be any out there.  Although it was alluded to on Friday that it has to be out there, we just aren't finding it.

I have a counterpart at work, a guy that does the same thing I do only he has experience working on the machines.  We have had conversations about the changes and each of us had our own set of feelings on dealing with them.  We work well together and haven't ever had any problems so when we were asked to attend a meeting with the service management team, we were both a bit pessimistic.

However, glory hallelujah, the change is one for the better.  This guy is a team player, he thrives on communication and keeping people informed.  He's organized and is most concerned about giving the customer what they want at a fair price while continuing to make money for the company.  What a relief! 

Now if we only had some work to do so we can put that into place it would be wonderful! 

July 4th

If you have watched the news lately you know that the weather in Texas has been wet, to say the least.  Since we couldn't predict what was going to happen we decided not to make plans and just kick back at home.

We made ribs on the grill (which were awesome), fried some onion rings (which I have been craving and were also awesome) and then had some corn and salad (ho-hum).  Anyway, the food isn't what's on my mind. 

We flipped on the television and started to watch the July 4th programming.  There were choices to be made, 'Freedom over Texas', 'Boston Pops' or 'A Capital 4th'.  With the remote in his hand, Charlie switched back and forth between them whenever there was a commercial on. 

At Freedom Over Texas, we had two bands; first Little Big Town or something like that and Pat Green.  Neither one of them, for the two hours total that they performed sang one patriotic song.  Not one.  Come on, it is after all the reason that you are there...hello the 4th of July.  When we switched to the Boston Pops, there was Toby Keith singing 'American Soldier' and what do you know, not a dry eye in the house.  They even had a sing along with 5 or 6 Patriotic classics including 'You're a Grand Ole Flag' and 'I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy'.  Everyone there (and here) was singing right along.

In Washington, we didn't get to see any entertainment.  I hope they at least got it right and remembered why they were there.  We did see the fireworks though and they were spectacular.  And the music was appropriate that went along with them.

As for the fireworks in Houston, well that also left alot to be desired.  It started out with pop music, again having nothing to do with patriotism or freedom and then slowly went into that music.  The pyrotechnics were good but didn't last long which was probably good considering everyone there had to stand because the ground was too muddy to sit.

I absolutely loved the one in Boston.  With the Boston Pops playing in the background, one pop after another, it was grand.  I wish we would have recorded it so I could see it again.  When the kids were younger, instead of getting the out in all of the craziness that the 4th of July brings and by that I mean drunkenness by careless people, we would stay home and watch the fireworks on TV.  Then I always recorded because they wanted to see it over and over.  Somehow I had forgotten about that.

I hope you had a safe and happy 4th and that you remembered all the reasons that we are able to celebrate.
And hopefully will be able to continue to celebrate our nation's freedom forever.

Live, Laugh, Love
Karen

Ugly Dog Contest??

Dogs are like babies, there are no ugly dogs or babies.  Or so I thought until I looked at some of the pictures from the Ugly Dog Contest.  Follow this link and see for yourself.  

Most are cute little puppies with interesting characteristics but there are some that have made me think twice about my opening statement.

We have two dogs in our family, Max and Gus.  At this time, Max, a black miniature schnauzer is 7 years old. Gus, who is a grey and white Llasapoo is 1.  Along with getting older, Max has become like a grumpy old man.  He'll play but only when he decides it's time. Which drives Gus crazy because he wants to play all of the time.

Max does like to cuddle though and he is always a good boy.  He was easy to train and does just what he is supposed to do.  I'm not sure if all schnauzers are like that but I am so glad that Max is.  We have never had to put him in a crate while at we are at work, I think he just sleeps all day and barks like crazy anytime he hears a noise.

Gus on the other hand, is a chewer.  If we leave him alone for even a few minutes, he will find something to chew.  His favorite is pens.  It's like he is addicted, he hunts for them and then chews just enough so they aren't usable anymore.  Is there a doggie support group for that. 

I love my guys and wouldn't change a single thing about their quirky personalities.  They give me hugs and kisses when I am having a bad day and they constantly make me laugh.  We are so lucky to have them as part of our family and they are way, way too cute to go anywhere near the Ugly Dog Contest!

Live well, Laugh often, Love Much!
Karen

Pancakes

James loves breakfast. He always has. And now that he is old enough to let loose in the kitchen and I say that because now he can clean up his mess, he makes his own breakfast food.


As I was leaving for work, he announced that he was going to have pancakes. I don't buy pre-packaged baking mixes anymore so I told him where to find the recipe and left.

A few minutes later I get a phone call. 'What is shortening?' he asks. I told him what is was and where to find it. I was even nice enough to tell him to melt it in the microwave before added it to the mix. We hang up and of course, the phone soon rings again, 'we don't have any eggs!' I couldn't help but laugh and it was a laugh he didn't appreciate at all. Yes, I used the last of the eggs and didn't remember it when he made the pancake announcement.

Well what could he use in place of eggs and I had no idea and then bam...use the internet to figure it out. So he did, what a smart boy he is. He found a recipe almost identical to the one he was using but without the eggs.

After awhile of not hearing from him, I wanted to know how they turned out. He said they were really good but kind of dry. I offered that I was sorry about the eggs and then he tells me that they probably would have been better if he hadn't forgotten the shortening in the microwave.

Yep. I bet you needed lots of syrup on those dry pancakes.

I hope you have the best of days!

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

It's Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember those who gave their all for their country. It's sad that most just think of this as the start of summer, a time for a big bar-b-que or the first beach trip.

I hope what ever you do, you do it safely and have an awesome time!

Take a moment to watch this You-Tube clip. It is as appropriate now as it was then.

Live - Laugh - Love!!!

Tuesday Tips

Do what you can with what you have, where you are. - Theodore Roosevelt

My tip for this Tuesday is look around you, at work, at home, everywhere and see what you have an what you can do with it.  Repurpose old furniture, donate clothing or change it to make is useful.  There are any number of things that you can do with what you already have that will save money and time.  Be enthusiastic as you come up with ideas of how you do can what you can with what you have.