Wow, it's been a long time since my last post. A lot has been going on...
Anyway, Merry Christmas! Yay Ravens for making it to the playoffs and yay Eagles (for Mark)!
I have been on "vacation" from work since last Wednesday...it's so nice. I go back Tuesday and yup, I have already forgotten my computer password (also used to check my e-mail).
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Layoffs at Work :(
I copied my thoughts from another place I had written:
This week has been one of the hardest weeks. We were told on Tuesday morning that there would be layoffs at work. That 1/3 would be laid off and we would know on Thursday morning. Those 48 hours were filled with misery, pressure, stress, no sleep for not just me, but many of my co-workers, their family, and friends.
Thursday morning came and one by one people found out. It was like a disaster had hit our building. Like death. I have never cried so much in my life. I'm the girl that didn't cry at my wedding until I danced with my dad. I was a sobbing mess just driving into work. It got worse and worse. My sister was laid off. About 75% of my friends. I'm trying not to complain since I temporarily have the security of a job, but I will also have to be doing not just two jobs like I do now, but maybe four.
Morale has hit an all time low for us survivors as we have survivor's guilt and can't seem to do work when our closest friends (and in my case) family were put out of work. They did get a decent severance package, but we are going through a rough economy. This was a shocking blow since our company has been through rough times before but always said, ALWAYS, that we had never laid off anyone, nor would we have plans. October rocked us into the red so much.
There is usually an annual mandatory Halloween celebration at work. Well given the layoffs they smartly decided that there would be no celebration. Wonderful timing, huh? My team was so excited about Halloween and had started cutting out bats and everything, only to shove it all to the side when half my team was laid off. Many of us had already bought costumes and decorations.
But there was a silver lining...every year, we bring in homeless kids from Ark (a preschool headstart program). So some peope decorated the area they would be in, got them costumes. We had all contributed money beforehand to get them backpacks, books, hats, gloves...etc. So it was good therapy to spend time with these kids on Friday...watch them get their faces painted.
I thought all my tears were gone by Thurs. afternoon, but then our COO called us all in on Friday morning because he hadn't been able to sleep...so he penned his thoughts. He talked about one co-worker who came from Burma with no money, worked his way through college, and said, "it's okay, I'm just as happy today as I was when you hired me" when he was laid off. Or the other people that were laid off that stayed to say good bye to everyone and complete their work. Or my sister (and that's where I lost it) who was captain of her lax team in college, and so smart... Or our head trader who was not laid off but spoke (he's also a preacher) about how it just rips them up and it's not about dollars and cents. Because we really were and are family.
This week has been one of the hardest weeks. We were told on Tuesday morning that there would be layoffs at work. That 1/3 would be laid off and we would know on Thursday morning. Those 48 hours were filled with misery, pressure, stress, no sleep for not just me, but many of my co-workers, their family, and friends.
Thursday morning came and one by one people found out. It was like a disaster had hit our building. Like death. I have never cried so much in my life. I'm the girl that didn't cry at my wedding until I danced with my dad. I was a sobbing mess just driving into work. It got worse and worse. My sister was laid off. About 75% of my friends. I'm trying not to complain since I temporarily have the security of a job, but I will also have to be doing not just two jobs like I do now, but maybe four.
Morale has hit an all time low for us survivors as we have survivor's guilt and can't seem to do work when our closest friends (and in my case) family were put out of work. They did get a decent severance package, but we are going through a rough economy. This was a shocking blow since our company has been through rough times before but always said, ALWAYS, that we had never laid off anyone, nor would we have plans. October rocked us into the red so much.
There is usually an annual mandatory Halloween celebration at work. Well given the layoffs they smartly decided that there would be no celebration. Wonderful timing, huh? My team was so excited about Halloween and had started cutting out bats and everything, only to shove it all to the side when half my team was laid off. Many of us had already bought costumes and decorations.
But there was a silver lining...every year, we bring in homeless kids from Ark (a preschool headstart program). So some peope decorated the area they would be in, got them costumes. We had all contributed money beforehand to get them backpacks, books, hats, gloves...etc. So it was good therapy to spend time with these kids on Friday...watch them get their faces painted.
I thought all my tears were gone by Thurs. afternoon, but then our COO called us all in on Friday morning because he hadn't been able to sleep...so he penned his thoughts. He talked about one co-worker who came from Burma with no money, worked his way through college, and said, "it's okay, I'm just as happy today as I was when you hired me" when he was laid off. Or the other people that were laid off that stayed to say good bye to everyone and complete their work. Or my sister (and that's where I lost it) who was captain of her lax team in college, and so smart... Or our head trader who was not laid off but spoke (he's also a preacher) about how it just rips them up and it's not about dollars and cents. Because we really were and are family.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New PJs!
yayyy how lame am I to be excited about new pajamas? I just bought new ones from VS and they are so comfy.
They look like this (but in brown and pink stripes...not sure why they aren't online).
They look like this (but in brown and pink stripes...not sure why they aren't online).
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Sick :(
I have had a cold since Tuesday morning and have not been a happy camper since I never get sick! Usually Zicam helps me with this, but it let me down this time.
So that means I'm going to watch movies all day long while Mark is helping his parents mount their new tv. I went to the library and also got about 30 magazines...I think that they think I'm crazy.
So that means I'm going to watch movies all day long while Mark is helping his parents mount their new tv. I went to the library and also got about 30 magazines...I think that they think I'm crazy.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
2008 Baltimore Marathon
My sister, Liz, ran the Baltimore Marathon in a lightening quick speed of 4:00:19. Her boyfriend Evan (4:00:05) also ran with his father (who flew in from Arizona!). The 4 hour pacers couldn't even keep up with Liz and Evan. My parents and I were mere spectators!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Our Painted Basement
Welcome to Smurf Land! Okay, the blue is still a little scary to me, since there is sooo much, but we plan on getting a rug, painting all the trim white, and perhaps putting in wainscoting or chair rails with other molding. Work in progress! Mark put in the white toe molding or whatever it is called - quite impressive. We'll probably get a flat screen for above the fireplace.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Our New Couch
It is so comfortable! It was delivered a few weeks ago and we still have the tags on it. Can you say lazy? Actually speaking of lazy...the maker is Bauhaus (I guess they are owned by La-Z-Boy). Our other couch (which was moved downstairs) was also made by Bauhaus. We also ordered this one from Gardiner's. The delivery guys were awesome. Now we just need to knock down the wall so it really fits.
Some Cat Photos
Since we're crazy cat people!
Tully on the desk.
Oreo chilling in the loft next to art work.
Tully being bad and trying to escape - attempt # 4,567.
Oreo yawning. She looks evil, but is really very sweet.
Tully yawning, but he really is evil.
Chilling in the windows (check out the lovely new blue paint).
Again, there is always the fear that Tully will find a way to jump out of the window and run through the streets of downtown.
Where's Oreo? How she loves my clean clothes.
She's funny. Like a fat little Buddha.
Tully on the desk.
Oreo chilling in the loft next to art work.
Tully being bad and trying to escape - attempt # 4,567.
Oreo yawning. She looks evil, but is really very sweet.
Tully yawning, but he really is evil.
Chilling in the windows (check out the lovely new blue paint).
Again, there is always the fear that Tully will find a way to jump out of the window and run through the streets of downtown.
Where's Oreo? How she loves my clean clothes. 
She's funny. Like a fat little Buddha.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day Visit to Myrtle Beach & Charlotte
Mark, my sister, my one aunt, and I drove to visit my two other aunts in Myrtle Beach and Charlotte, respectively. Some photos...not too exciting, but I'll post more later. The below photos are actually at Sunset Beach, which is near Myrtle. It was a lovely day. The ocean was 85 degrees! Which means I actually went in.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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