End of an Era

Today on the last day of 2009 marked the end of an era in the company where i work. Co-workers, many who had worked 10, 15, 20 years or more bid farewell as they left their jobs. Some took early retirement, others took an early leave package - the majority were strongly "nudged" into going. Many would be taking a short break before once going out into the work force and trying to find another job. After so many years at this company they will likely find it difficult, kind of like being married for so many years and then all of a sudden having to go out in dating world again. It's all so different and uncomfortable, you no longer have the hang of it and are lacking in flirting skills. About 2% of those leaving were giddy with joy at the chance to start over and do what they've always dreamed of - writing, starting their own business, staying home with small children, etc., but most were angry and bitter. Although i am grateful that i wasn't tapped on the shoulder with the suggestion to take an offer, i kind of envy the ones that are leaving. They will have several months to really explore what they want to do and have an opportunity to change their lives completely if they so desire. What would i do if i had been given this chance? the possibilities are endless and therein lies my problem - i could seriously put forth strong efforts to get my own business going, pursue a different career entirely or even move to another country.

well who knows what 2j010 will bring and once the dust settles they could still come around and tap on my shoulder -- of course this time the package to leave will probably not be quite as nice -- knock on wood and i'll hope for the best. Happy new year everyone and may 2010 brings us all prosperity and the answers to our life dilemmas.

A Genius Lesson

My sister sent me the following in an e-mail and i thought i would post here as well.

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire class.
--------------------------------------------
That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor then said, "OK,
we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".
All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
The scores never increased as bickering,
blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
Could not be any simpler than that.

Technology

Technology really has me frustrated right now. Although we've come along way in technology, what good is it when it doesn't work?! My cell phone service is not working and apparently it hasn't all day. However it shows i have bars so i should be getting service right? Not so, as everytime i try to make a call i get a 'call failed' message. And trying to call someone else who  has this service (using my landline phone) gives me a fast busy signal.
i try to get on my provider's web site to find their phone number and my computer is super slow. All connection are good and working but i'm having trouble getting onto their pages. When logging into the site there is no indication that there is a global problem. I'm finally able to get through to the provider and after a suprisingly short wait i'm told that there apparently is a global, repeat GLOBAL problem causing the service to be down!

meanwhile i can't get ahold of my daughter who is not home from school yet and of course can't call home to tell us what's going on because she has the same service.

Ah yes technology, gotta love it - but not at the moment.

Choices

There is that word again. It comes up more and more lately. So much is happening right now with uncertainness in the work place and with relationships. On a positive spin times are right for changes in career and life purpose. The problem is in determining what of the many choices available to go for?


From the many choices of starting your own business through direct sales – Tupperware, premier jewelry, pampered chef, Original Limu, Ardyss, Miche, CAbi or through opening your own franchise – Sunstone yoga, McDonalds, etc. the list goes on and on. Uncertainness in the work place could be a blessing in disguise. Many of my co-workers have taken the plunge and are either leaving to change careers or are working their own direct sales biz to supplement future retirement or what would be even better “retire” early from the daily 9-5 and live life on their own schedule.

I’ve taken the plunge into a couple of the above just because I like their product so much. We’ll see how things go – all I know is life is short and I certainly do not want to be working the 9-5 at 65 because social security can’t help cover my retirement or my 401K has been wiped out due to yet another recession or bad money management (on the part of the Company THE MAN has chosen to manage employee 401k).

As someone once said, “All of our tomorrows are shaped by what we do today.” If you could pursue your heart’s desire what would it be and what’s stopping you? What are your obstacles? How can you overcome them? Baby steps…..

And with that I’m off to buy another Miche (or two).

The Boys!

Well went and stood in line and got my photo and autographed copy of the Deen boy's new cookbook. They are too cute for their own good and i cannot believe how close i was to them. And their manners and whole demeanor are unbelievable. Their mama has raised them right and do her proud! If i had been the swoonin' type i definitely would have. Unfortunately the only camera i had to take a photo was with my camera so it's a little blurry... bonbones de primera!

Good food and friends

Had lunch with a good friend today. It had been awhile since we'd gotten together and it was great to catch up on each other's lives and hash around ideas. Macaroni Grill was the restaurant of choice and the atmosphere and pasta got our creative juices going and we discussed entrepreneurial options. She wants to do kitty things and i'd love to do quilty crafty things - from kitty mugs, embroidered t-shirts, kitty mats and quillows. Next step i think is to get our web sites going and inventory to sell. Stay tuned....
On another note, my son went out to buy a laptop, finding nothing in his price range for the functions he wanted, he decided to buy rock band instead - i am now learning to jam out - a little We Got the Beat anybody?

The Deens are Coming to Town!

I am so excited!! The Deen brothers will be in town on Sept. 16 for a book signing of their cookbook entitled - what else: The Deen Bros. Cookbook. The book features not only recipes but tidbits and stories of their travels through the southern states from Florida all the way to Colorado and on up to Washington!
From Coconut Fried Shrimp, Chocolate Chip Cake, Ratatouille Supreme with Pepper Jack, Lemony Honey Almond Teacakes and Texas Margaritas - it all sounds yummy and i can't wait to try my hand at them.
This will be a treasured addition to my cookbook collection and who knows maybe Mama Deen will drop by for surprise visit? I've got my copy, now just waiting for the date - Check out the great photo on the cover.