25 Years!

March 1st was my anniversary with AT&T for 25 years. If I hadn't taken 12 years off I would have 37 years total!! But I did take the time off - and the good thing is I was able to "Bridge" my service. So anytime someone reaches milestone anniversaries the company recognizes it. My whole team was able to go to lunch on the company's tab! We went to Buonarroti Ristorante here in Sac. It was great! Also- I was able to pick something out of a special catalog the company sent me- for my "award". I chose a Pentax Optio P80 Camera. So not a bad deal for reaching 25 years, huh??? I am not really crazy about the "New AT&T". Corporate is so much like Big Brother. They are implementing processes that don't always seem to work. There are fewer employees to do just as much work as before and we are always wondering if our group is next on the chopping block. But I am very fortunate. Fortunate to work with a really fun, amazingly smart group of people. All the years I was in Sales- I felt alone because of the competitive nature of sales. Since I have moved over to the support side I am able to be part of a team that has common goals. We all help each other. My job consists of hitting my head against a brick wall hundreds of times a day! Working with technology, processes that don't make sense, impossible deadlines and escalations, high maintenance customers, tracking systems that are a pain, and never ending job insecurity. But I am happy where I am. I love my group and other good friends that I have the privilege to be around (need to include Bryan and Ms T. here....). Each person in my group brings something different and unique to the group. I have never before felt like my co-workers "have my back" as much as this group does. I love being able to be of help when needed too. My boss is the best- she truly cares about us. So all in all- I am lucky to have the job that I do. I want to retire but still can't afford to- so for now I will get up and go to work every day and I do so willingly!! But only because I get to work with Lynn, Lisa, Chris, Judy, Anna, Yvonne, Theresa, Paula, Ben, Ramon, Deanna, Jamie, Michael, Marv, Gilbert, and our boss, Debbi.

My new toy

I bought an iPhone for my birthday present to myself. Do I need a reason to buy one? Not really - but in my mind I needed to rationalize. Lynn and I bought our previous phones on the same day- and to get a new one you need to be within 6 months of the end of the contract to get the discounted price for a new phone. So to the very day of being within 6 months of the end of our contracts- we went to the AT&T store and bought our new phones. I had grown to hate my old phone - it kept turning itself off. So I was more than ready for a new one...... I have been having a lot of fun with the new one. I like to think I am pretty techy but the truth is- I am not all that. I do OK but Lynn will be the first to tell you don't have the patience she does. I just want it to work immediately. And when I can't get it to do what I want it to do I get frustrated! Evan and Brooke gave me a few tutorials too.... so I am getting the hang of most of the apps. Lots of new lingo that goes with an iPhone!!! Apps, location on, brightness uses more battery, navigating Facebook is not quite as easy as on the computer, sending text, touch don't push, ding, words with friends, postcards, AroundMe, etc, etc etc, So I need to finish up - I am playing Words with Friends online with Lynn and I am also playing Bejeweled!

What a day!

I had a great birthday! It actually started earlier in the week when I got a great recipe book in the mail from Leigh. Then the phone calls started. Leigh called first! Then I went to dinner last night with Marcia, Tiffany, and Diana. We went to Bucca de Beppo. Lots of good food and fun conversation. Today was great!!! It started with being sung Happy Birthday to in Swedish by Cami! Goodies at my desk including the biggest balloon I have ever received, a plant, some toys, a beautiful purse!!!, lunch with friends, then cake at work in the afternoon. I also received some great emails, lots of messages on Facebook and more phone calls. I loved hearing from all of my granddaughters! I really do cherish the friendships I have. It is hard living alone and being so far away from my children and grandchildren. I don't think I could handle it if it weren't for my friends and other family! With all the heart ache that has happened the past few months that each of my children have experienced in different ways-- I am extremely grateful for the life that I have and all the people in my life. I look forward to the next 58 birthdays!

What Matters Most

My heart is hurting tonight.... Brooke lost a dear friend to cancer today. Catie was a young mother of 3 small children, wife to a sweet gentle husband. I am once again reminded of how fragile life is and to never take those that matter for granted. I try not to and will continue to work at that.



Catie's husband, Steve, has posted a beautiful tribute to Catie on her blog.
This is her blog : http://steve-catie.blogspot.com

Amended Valentine's Post

Got this in the mail today--- from my Reagan and Jenna- they are soooooo cute! Love them!!

Happy I Love You Day!

Being single is not a great thing on Valentine's Day! I don't let it get to me but the reality is I don't have a special one person to share the day with. That being said - I did manage to have a fun time with Valentine's Day. My Valentine's started early on Thursday- when I received beautiful flowers from Ian, Anayansi, Reagan and Jenna! They are so good to remember me every year on V-Day! I also got a few cute little Valentine's from friends at work.

Love my tulips from Ian and his family!


Found these cute little goodies on my desk at work.

On Friday we celebrated at work with a Pot Luck- we don't really need an excuse to bring food to work but we thought it was a good one! So after eating spaghetti, enchiladas, fruit salad, cookies, etc., etc., I went to a dinner party for the opening of the Olympics! It was fun to visit with Marcia, Diana, Torry, Gary, and Kevin. GO USA!


YUMMMMMMM!

Saturday I went on over to Brooke's to stay with Brynn and McKenzie while Evan and Brooke went to SF for the night. This was one of Evan's birthday presents to Brooke. As usual I had fun with the girls- even though little Brynn was feeling kind of crummy. McKenzie made the sweetest little Valentine Heart for me! We kept it low key since Brynn wasn't feeling great. This morning was pancakes as usual! We then got a little baseball practice in- in their back yard. Kenzie is such a little athlete. She loves baseball and basketball.


My cute little Valentine from McKenzie!

I tried to explain to McKenzie that Valentine's Day is a time when you tell people that you appreciate them, or you like them or you love them. "But Grandma- you always tell me you love me anyhow..." Love that kid!


Pure silliness in the car!


Monkey see - Monkey Do!!

30 years ago!

Happy Birthday Brooke! I remember the day you were born so clearly. We got to Kaiser Hospital on Mission Gorge Road in San Diego at about 5:30 AM. I never made it to delivery. You were born at 8:13 am in the labor room!! A doctor I had never met before helped deliver you. Aunt Susie was there too with your dad and me. It was so exciting to have a little girl. Your big brother was over at the babysitter's house. By some weird notion I knew it was going to happen and the night before we had taken Ian over to his daycare provider's house. You were born 4 days early. You weighed 7 lbs. 11oz. and you were fair and blonde!!!! So sweet! You looked different than Ian had as a newborn so it was a totally new experience for us. You were such a quiet natured baby! You have grown into a beautiful woman and mother. I am so proud of you and love you so much!


Brooke at six weeks old


Here she is at two and a half years old


Brooke's beautiful family last November