What does Employee of the Month look like?

Well, usually Employee of the Month pictures at my Costco look like a regular head shot photo of the person smiling. Month after month, my coworkers got Employee of the month and some of my friends pictures were put up. For the past year (or so....) I have day dreamt about what I would do, should I be chosen to receive Employee of the Month.

Well, June came and went, and the first week of July I was informed that I had received Employee of the Month for June, 2011! I was ecstatic! I was so enthralled with what I would do for my picture that I didn't even bother to ask how or why they picked me. (Later I guessed it might be because they ran out of people to give it to! I'm always running in at 5:15 am trying to make that 3 minute window, I ask at least a handful of coworkers what they did on their days off before starting work, I'm always chewing gum, and I stock clothing pretty high to most every one's standards but don't really notice because I, myself, am in fact pretty giant in stature!)

Anyway, I was SOOOO excited, and this is what Employee of the Month should look like when you're as excited as me:

Side note: a supervisor later congratulated me and said he was amused by my picture, only, he also pointed out that I really didn't jump that high...only lifted my legs as high as I could! Who cares?! I've never gotten Employee of the Month!

Second side note: No, no parking space, no gift card, not even a free hot dog :( But again, who cares?! I've never gotten Employee of the Month and now my picture will be up for an entire year!

Boy! Am I glad I didn't pay a dollar for that!

I have a brother-in-law who checks consumer reports for just about anything from clothing, to restaurants, from cars, to toys (for big kids and little kids). Sometimes, we give him a hard time about it and tease him for constantly tuning into consumer reports.

I can only remember a handful of times where I was mad about paying for something that wasn't worth the price tag. #1, Jeff and I spent $30 for dinner at Johnny Rockets at the Cherry Creek Mall and I was a little more than disappointed and a little less than ticked off. Case in point, no food that unappetizing should be more than $4 for the entire family.

Anyway, I'm not the type to check out consumer reports, I usually just shop the best deal or greatest discount, that way if it's a bust, I'm never that mad. I recently visited Target to get soda and Peanut Butter M&M's and I don't know how, but on my way to or from those aisles, I passed the 75% off summer sale rows. I got a few pool toys for Lauren and a fridge water dispenser for me. Let me break it down:

1) Fridge water dispenser thing, normally $6.99 (I paid $1.75)

2) Bubble 3 pk, normally $1.99 (I paid $.50)

3) Cool fish bomb pool toys 3 pk, normally $3.99 (I paid $1.00)

4) Water guns 3 pk, normally $1.00 (I paid .25 cents.)

Today we experimented with the water guns. (Disclaimer, I know I have a little girl, but every time we go to the pool she's always trying to steal the boys' water guns!) Two of the three are great. Excellent accuracy, high range shooting, tasteful really in a kid's squirt gun. The third, however, leaks out the bottom. Needless to say, I sure am glad I didn't pay an entire dollar for the water guns! Really tho, it's a way of me saying that I really do enjoy getting a good deal--and, I suppose I have an underlying understanding that the item might not reach my expectations and I get what I pay for.

There are some things you don't skimp on, and that is up to the consumer to decide. In my brother-in-law's mind, he could put that quarter toward a $20 powerful super-soaker, deemed to bruise a kid's gut. I, on the other hand, am okay with spending a fraction of the cost on a super cheap toy or two that my kids will inevitably break anyway!

Leftovers, Episode 2

It's been awhile since I last wrote, so again, the leftovers have been piling up.

Tupperware thought #1: My sister, husband and I went down to the Castle Rock Outlets recently to go shopping. One of the only things on my list were denim capri's. Think Cameron Diaz character in "What Happens In Vegas" at the very end when she is on the beach. Super cute, super dark, rolled up capri. Anyway, everywhere we looked the price ran anywhere from $60-$110 (reference, True Religions). While I would LOVE to own a pair of designer jeans, I'm not spending full price for half a pair of pants.

As we kept walking, I told my husband that my price range was under $20. At the rate we were going at, I was thinking I might need to hit up Goodwill or my sister's hand-me-down piles. Anyway, we decided to slip into the Lucky Brand Outlet. And as luck would have it (pun intended), I found a pair of capri's for $9.97. They were THEE last pair, and I won't mention the size as I had to squeeze my bum into. Seriously, I got lucky at the Lucky store.

Tupperware thought #2: I'm okay with people owning dogs. I'm usually okay when they bark once in awhile or pitter patter above our apartment. I'm not okay with my neighbors not picking up after their dogs. My daughter is super independent right now and loves to walk and run in the grass. Right outside our apartment, I see dog poo everywhere.

I don't understand. Every 20 feet or so in our complex there are doggie bags provided and special poo trash cans. Here's the way I see it. Some people have kids. Some people have pets. Some people have kids and pets. I have a kid. I don't have a pet. Do I have to change my kid's diaper? Yes. Does my neighbor take his/her dog out to take care of business? Yes. Do I toss my dirty diapers out my window? No. Should I? Maybe. I mean, there's already a waste land within throwing distance. What's the difference between me not picking up after my diapers and someone not picking up after their pet?

Are you sensing one of my biggest pet peeves? I won't name names, but there is a certain bald guy with a huge dog who thinks he's flying under the poo-poo radar....

Tupperware Thought #3: I started watching "Prison Break" again and it's just as addicting and captivating as it was the first time I watched the series. Michael Scofield is just fun to look at. I can admit that he is super good-looking because my husband and I point out people who are super good-looking to each other. (Including each other!)

Think of a Wonderful Thought!

Any happy little thought! (Peter Pan theme song.) Jeff, Lauren and I just got back from our vacation in California. We had a wonderful time and did everything on our list.

We ate at "In and Out", went to the beach (even though it was rainy and overcast), headed to Santee Alley, and played for an entire day at Disneyland. Jeff's only disappointment with our Disneyland day was that we weren't the first ones in line when they opened the gates. He thought that maybe there would be a grand entrance for the first devoted Mousekateers!

I have to start at the very beginning. The highlight at DIA, and proof that old age doesn't equate to maturity level, were the automatic, industrial hand dryer's in the ladies' restroom. If you hold your hands a certain way, it makes a farting noise!

Lauren was overstimulated from the get go. She waved at all the other passengers, screamed

excitedly out the window before takeoff, and had we packed any less fruit

snacks we might have been in trouble with her ears popping.

Saturday morning, we all got up and by the crack of noon were out to the beach. It was spring weather, so we didn't wear suits. We just rock hopped, shoreline dipped our toes, and Jeff got

soaked by an oncoming wave hitting a group of rocks. The best find of the day? A vibrant red crab!

Sunday, we literally hung out all day at my in-laws. We went on a walk to a nearby park, and if one thing other than the weather and the beach would get me to move to California, it would definitely be all the green. I love how green the parks there are. Lauren and her cousin love playing on the playground, and Lauren started quaking, "QUACK" more clearly!

Monday, we headed downtown to Santee Alley, which is like Chinatown to San Francisco, only people there call it "Mexicotown" because there are way more South American shop owners than oriental. We found the good finds, bought the good buys, and bargained the already good bargains. Jeff expertly negotiated a $125.00 watch down to $120.00. With the $5.00 saved, I was able to buy a belt and 4 different neon colored nail polishes. Screamin' DEAL!

Tuesday, well, Tuesday deserves it's own post. So, stay tuned for pictures and details about our Disneyland Day!!!!

Finding my Quarter in the Sandbox

Every once in a while I like to read a church book, light reading, about inspirational or uplifting stories. The latest one I read was about a little girl going into 1st grade on her first day of the school year. She was so excited and even had her best outfit picked out.

The story goes on telling that on the morning of the first day of first grade, she spills breakfast all over herself and has to change. That, in turn, makes her late for her bus. As she runs to catch the bus she trips and gets cuts and scrapes everywhere, then the bus door opens and smacks her face, giving her a bloody nose and two black and bruised eyes. Yet, she insists on going to school. At recess, she falls on the playground and just before she blacks out, she sees something shiny and grabs it. When she wakes up, she's in the nurses office all bloody and bandaged. When her mom runs in, distressed and worried, she tries to console her daughter and asks if she wants to come home. The first grader simply says, with a huge smile on her face, "Look, Mom! I found a quarter!"

I love this story, because contrary to the little girl having such a horrible day, it just took one little positive to turn this child's day right around. Anyone else might just give up. I like the idea of having a positive attitude and trying to find one good thing in every day, in every situation. But the other night.... I'm ashamed to say it didn't happen that easy for me.

Jeff and I went to our favorite burger place to eat dinner. As he was giving us his usual rundown of his day, Lauren and I played and listened. All of a sudden, she reached out and grabbed my drink, pulling it down and spilling Coke all over me (white t-shirt and all!) It even got all over my favorite shoes. The entire time we ate, I worried over my shoes and if they were ruined.

I'm not going to lie. I had a really hard time finding my quarter in the sandbox. I read about the girl's story earlier that day so I was constantly trying to find a positive from this situation. I think it wasn't until a few days later when my shoes dried and I tried them on that I finally found mine. Instead of my shoes smelling like feet, they smelled sweet and sugary!

I think the key for me is to always be looking for the positives, even if I can't always find them right away!

What do you do when....

What do you do when you have so much to tell your husband, but he can't answer his phone because his new job demands most to all of his attention? Well, I blog. In the midst of my "That 70's Show" marathon, I realized maybe I've been watching too much 70's. I started listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin, wearing a lot of colors (I used to be a jeans and white t-shirt kind of girl), decorating my kitchen in orange, yellows, and greens, and shopping for floral printed clothing. I've come a long way from when I used to ask, "Led Zeppelin, who is he?" I decided to watch the news the other day, and was informed that our government might shut down tomorrow because of the budget dilemmas. It reminded me of a bumper sticker Jeff and I saw: "We live within our means, please tell the president." It was a good one. Anyway, one of the newscasters on this segment was talking about how our generation doesn't know the meaning of sacrifice. Back in the 50's up through probably the 80's, men entered into the draft, went off to war, came home and got a job, provided for their families, etc. He said, "...today's generations probably think they are making a sacrifice if they don't have the I-Pad 2." Then, I felt guilty. What have I sacrificed? I barely lasted one month of my spending fast. I constantly think how cool would it be if everything you owned fit into one suitcase? But, do I live that way? Not exactly. After my latest spending-spree two weeks ago, I felt some buyer's remorse, but I couldn't find one thing that I was willing to give up. After some thought, I decided the only thing to do was to start another spending fast. It started April 1st, and lasted till April 4th. So today I felt a compulsive returning session coming on. I returned $70.00 worth of merchandise today. I'm going to start spending fast #2 (technically #3) on Monday, April 11th. I'm going to prove to myself that I can sacrifice!

Leftovers

I haven't written in so long that all I have are random bits and pieces of thoughts. A lot like leftovers. You don't have an entire entree or meal, all you have are Tupperwares of cold corn, lettuce salad, french bread, and 1/4 casserole dish of lasagna. And hence, my leftovers post.

Tupperware thought #1: I've been thinking a lot lately of my dream job. I still love working at Costco and although it's the early shift, I love the physical elements. On the days I feel like quitting (usually the initial 3 days when I get back from vacation) all I have to do is talk to a coworker who has been with the company for a couple years. Then, I am reminded of the great benefits, the pay raise scale, and the awesome bonuses you get after serving the company for x amount of hours! Anyway, my dream job I've decided is to write. Write books, children's books, young adult fiction, historical fiction, freelance, etc. The only problem? The other day when I was at Barnes and Noble with Kelly and my nephew, I got to thinking that I don't even buy books. For me, it is borderline a waste of money because why buy a book you're only going to read once when you could just rent from the library? So, I decided I'll keep my dream job as my great hobby: blogging.

Tupperware thought #2: One of my favorite TV shows growing up was "That 70's Show" and still is. We don't get cable, so you could imagine my sheer joy when I found ALL 8 SEASONS on Netflix!!!! Since mid-February I've been having a "That 70's Show" marathon. Don't ask me how, but where I thought it would take me 8 months to finish them (one month per season) I am currently all the way through 6 seasons and halfway through season 7. I love the 70's. Also, I'm learning life lessons such as, there were recessions in the 70's (and throughout history) so we shouldn't get so down about the ones we are going through. Learn from them: yes. Get depressed: try not to. Stay positive. It reminds me to keep my head up, that things turned around in history, they will turn around for our futures. It also makes me wonder, did no one in the 70's wear a bra, or is that just part of the show?

Having been obsessed with this series leads into my 3rd Tupperware....

Tupperware thought #3: If you are going to hoard something, why not try and hoard something productive that you could turn into a business? Like, I would hoard buttons. Then, I would make a store, call it something cliche like "Cute as a Button" and sell crafts that I make with buttons in them. If my hoarding was really extreme, I might buy a few dressers, fill the drawers with buttons, and sell the buttons along with the crafts. I would have called it "The Button Boutique", but someone beat me to it. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButtonBoutique

(Who knew there were so many button crafts!!!)

I would love to attempt to make this clock!

Tupperware thought #4: I miss getting up any day of the week and going for a 90-minute marathon training run. That would also mean I miss not having to start work till sometime after 11:00 am. But, mainly I miss feeling great and in an "exclusive group" of the few who have a resting heart rate below 50 beats per minute. That lead to thought of what life would be like if I didn't have a baby. (It is okay to mention this thought because every book about having kids that I've read say this is a natural and normal thought.) I thought of all the restful nights I would be having, messes I wouldn't have to clean up, laundry bill going down down down, being able to run to the store on a whim and have it take less than 30 minutes, having a full time job, taking my 90-minute marathon training runs, and did I mention GETTING SLEEP?!? Wow, that's just to name a few....

But, that would mean I would miss out on raising a baby, cuddling and kisses, having someone who needs me and loves me unconditionally at every hour of the day, playing and creating, being creative, finally getting to buy those miniature outfits that are adorable, having so much in common with so many people and swapping stories, feeling like I have something so special and worthwhile in my life, feelings of accomplishment that outweigh any other project or event thus far, and logging every first-->first smile, first giggle, first crawl, first tooth, first steps, first time I caught her climbing in the dryer...to name a few! I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world! Not even a lifetime supply of 8-9 hours of sleep every night!

And those are my leftovers. I hope you enjoyed!