Tuesday, April 17, 2007

It's funny how I go check out some of my favorite blog spots and when they haven't updated anything or have new pictures it kinda makes me crazy - and now I'M ONE OF THOSE who hasn't updated anything in awhile!!

Well, we have 3 new members to the Sparrow Pointe Family. The birds who return to build their nest in our cat birdhouse have three new little chirpy babies! We heard them in their today just chirping away! Here's a picture of the mama - I haven't gotten brave enough to take a picture of the babies just yet - give them about a week and we'll peek in!

Here is Holly and Jack - the newest drivers in our neighborhood!

Work has been a little weird lately. I've been the un-popular person lately. I've been trying to challenge the schedule lately. We have certain hours that we can use each day and only in certain departments. We get grades (or maybe I should say that 'I' get grades since I'm the Ops manager) on our 'effectiveness' of our schedules. Some of the associates' availabilities fit within those parameters...So, there is one associate that really works hard and is really dedicated to his department and the store. But his availability to work doesn't fit with the schedule of his department. I spoke with him about maybe getting hours from another department since there weren't enough hours in his current department. I really thought that I was trying to help him with his schedule as well as his paycheck. I didn't want him to have to go and find another job or even quit! Well, he went to the other managers and even the district manager telling them that I didn't think that his department was important - that he wasn't important. How was he going to be able to get his work done by himself and with only a few hours per week...He really misunderstood my intentions. And this is one time that I really felt like I was trying to help someone out and they didn't appreciate it nor did anyone back me up. He doesn't speak to me and now I feel like I'm the 'bad guy' - the new manager that has come in and changed everything that was working for the past 9 years!! I guess that I shouldn't really care - that I'm just doing my job - but to me working WITH everyone in the store is my job. Working TOGETHER to get things going is MY job...I guess that it hurt my feelings that no one understood my intentions...I am really trying to bring in a little 'softness' to the group. All of the guys (there are only 4 of us girls) just yell at each other to get things done...Maybe that's the way they work. I just can't work by force...Oh, well. What can you do?? I'll just do my best at making a difference one way or another and then go home to my quiet little neighborhood and family. (I keep telling myself that so that it'll be okay...)

I'm starting to count down the days till June! We are planning our trip to TEXAS!! I'm really excited about taking this trip. Lane, Logan and I always have such fun on the road trips and I just can't wait to see my family!! We laugh sooo much during our trips that I just can't wait!!! Happiness!!

I've gotten into a crafting 'funk'...I told Lane today that I've lost my crafting MOJO. I can't seem to put anything together lately. Last weekend I made this really cute doll - squirrel. His name is Bleak. He is REALLY cute. After seeing a picture I decided that I could make my own pattern and create a really cute mixed fabric softie of my own. I DID IT!

Then after I finished him I made a penguin for Lane. He has all kinds of crazy colors and came out REAAAALLY cute, too!! Maybe they sucked it all out of me...I just can't seem to get started on anything else. I have 3 swaps coming up and I'm almost waiting until the last minute to finish them up. I think that I need to take some time away from the the crafty room and re-energize. Maybe my yard work MOJO has taken over???

(Bleak the squirrel/frog and Pingy the Penguin!)

(MOJO stealers!!!)

Well, here's to heading to bed and trying to retrieve my crafting mojo!!

Enjoy!!