Update

Two days after Christmas... wow, this year, Christmas came so fast and went by even faster! I still can not believe that it's over and that we have to wait another year for it to come again! I love Christmas, all the prepping, the atmosphere, and I usually get a little sentimental when it is over :)
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A quick recap of what we did:
Saturday, Dec. 24th: Yes, I admit (last gift wrapping). We went over to Jer's grandmothers place and met with his grandma, mom, stepdad, auncles, aunts, cousin(e)s in the evening. We had tons of food, a fabulous and fun gift exchange and it was so nice to see some family members again that I had not seen in a while. Reminds you of what it is all about... The kids have gotten so much bigger and older and 2 of them just started college while 1 is getting ready in summer. They are all GREAT kids or I probably should say TEENAGERS. They fun to be around, they are loving and sweet and they all have awesome personalities. If Jer and I ever have a child, I really hope and pray that the kid turns out the way all his cousin(e)s have turned out.
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December 25th: We had Jer's dad, stepmother, grandma and his stepmom's grandson over and made a turkey. It all turned out good. The food was awesome (although we went the simple road and ordered a meal that only needed 2 hours in the oven from Ralphs). We got Ricky a game that I used to play when I was a kid and we ended up playing and had a blast!
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December 26th: Talked to my family back home in Germany. (I had briefly spoken to each of them on the 24th and the 25th) but we had a chance to catch up in the morning. Afterwards we decided to do check out some car lots to see if we would find a good deal on a car but ended up not finding anything worth while. Jer's car is getting old, the miles are piled on and Jer's dad just got a new Jeep for a great deal, which made us think it was a good time to look. I guess we will wait for another 10 months and see if we can find something before all the models from the year are sold.
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December 27th: Back to work for me today. It was a quite day and besides getting follow up questions on Mid Year, it was quiet and slow. I will have a few days off next week...and can't wait.
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And here are the things planned for the remainder of the week:
1.) I need to get my butt into the scrapping gear and work on a few assignments
2.) I am starting physical therapy for my back on Thursday morning.
3.) I am planning on getting my Asian symbol (the symbol for happiness) tattoo with my coworker on Thursday late afternoon. Let's see if I chicken out. I saw this awesome add a while back where a woman had a cute little asian symbol on her foot. I instantly fell in love but I am a chicken, so we will see what happens. {AND I hope Wendy is not reading this, since I practically talked her and another coworker into going with me and we are ALL scheduled :)
4.) New Years is coming up... can't wait to get together with friends to ring in the New Year

And last but not least, I have some EXCITING NEWS I can't wait to share!!!!!!!!!!!Make sure to check back! Just a little longer....
Hugs!

Merry Xmas to you all

Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Xmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just finished cleaning and gift wrapping the last presents. Talked to my family in Germany who was already in the process of celebrating and surrounded by opened presents and gift wrapp everywhere! It's hard to imagine that they are already celebrating while we are still running around like crazy trying to get everything done!

I met with my dear friend Inken yesterday and we had such a lovely day. We went shopping, than scrapped at her house while watching our favorite German and American Christmas movies. In the evening we went to Starbucks and got coffee and turned the radio on listening to Xmas songs while doing a little light turn around the neighborhood. It was a blast. We were both singing, laughing, having the camera ready to capture the lights. One house in our neighborhood looks like the Northpole. The owners truely went all the way out! It's so amazing... we couldn't help just sit there and stare!

This evening we are going over to Jeremy's moms side of the family. All the uncles, aunts, cousins, grandma and friends gather and we have a big potluck and gift exchange. We are around 40 people and its always a lot of fun.

Tomorrow we have Jer's dad, his stepmom, her grandson, and grandma over to our home. We purchased a premade turkey dinner and we will be putting the birdie in tomorrow morning. The house looks xmasy, relaxing, and beautiful. Xmas music is playing and I feel so peaceful!
Just wanted to quickly take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Xmas! Enjoy, be good and spend a wonderful time with your loved ones!
Hugs from SYB

Oh NOOOO... I saw my xmas present by mistake!

I am really bad when it comes to presents. When I was younger I would try to unwrap the presents, take a peak and wrap them back up. When I got older I would ask so many questions, that by the time xmas rolled around I had a good idea what was inside the wrapped boxes.
The past 2 years I have been really good and got surprised! No more questions, just touching and feeling and most of the times I didn't know what it was. This year, dh and I agreed to only exchange something really small.
Yesterday evening I was on the PC doing some online banking when dh came in the room and tried rather unsuccessful to get me away from my PC. He finally said: "Get off the online banking... you are going to find out what I got you". My response was, "I am sure I won't - it's something small we agreed on and there are so many charges before xmas that I won't figure it out".... so I kept going! NOOOTTTT GOOOODDDD!!! All of a sudden I saw a rather expensive charge from our local photo store. "Jer, what did you buy at the photo store"? Poor guy was standing in the door way with such a disappointed face that I almost started crying. DUH!!!! He explained that he wanted to surprise me and that he had it all planned out to give me a present on Xmas Day.
OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I felt so terrible! I had ruined his sweet surprise plan and I had ruined my surprise. I dont know if we both laughed more or cried more....
SO Todays ADVISE:
1.) Don't pay anything with your ATM card! Take out cash! No money trail
2.) Women - DO under NOOOOOO circumstances do your online banking BEFORE XMas! Just wait a few days and do it AFTERWARDS!!!

Quick and inexpensive xmas presents

I was thinking long and hard what Jer and I could give away as handmade presents this year. You see, Jer's family is fairly big (6 uncles and aunts, and each of them has 2 kids, plus grandparents, mom, dad, stepmom, stepdad, just to name a few). So by the time xmas rolls around we are usually so broke that our presents to each other are reduced to stocking stuffers. The year before last, we decided to start making handmade presents. A little something for the adults that is from the heart but doesn't leave us stranded. In prior years we made soaps and candles, last year we gave away tons of tile coasters and this year we decided to make frames with pictures. So here is the result. I think it took me longer to edit the photos in photoshop and print them than to put the pattern paper and the ribbon on the frames. And the best, the frames were a bargain and can be found at Michaels. So if you are still struggeling to find presents... a quick, easy, and handmade alternative.
Enjoy!!!

11 more days, can you believe it?

11 more days and it's Xmas Eve. I can't believe it how time is passing and the sad thing is that I am not at all in xmas spirit. We just barely got the tree up last week... Still need to purchase presents, finish handmade presents, the cards are on my desk but need to be written and mailed (wonder if I get them out before xmas this year LOL), and I am not sure if my back will allow me to bake what usually puts me in a complete xmas mood.
Need to call my friend Joe with whom I get together each xmas to bake. Yes, a guy and he makes the most delicious italian wedding cookies. Its the most fun day when we get together. we usually start early and sip on wine throughout the day and in the afternoon we giggle and laugh and to heck with the cookies. We are known as the italian/german team in our office and everyone is begging for cookies.
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Had a little downer today... My back is not getting better the speed I wish and although the acupuncture is helping immensly, it's putting a big old hole in our wallet right before xmas. But a girl with a bad back gotta do what a girl gotta do, right. So more needles in Friday :) Can you believe that I forgot the time for my appointment today. I called in to check what time I was supposed to be there, and expected them to put some needles in my head as well for "brain damage". LOL. Luckily they didn't. Whoever reads this and believes in positive prayer, please think of me. My best xmas present would be to stand up streight again and to be able to walk right. I am terrified that I will eventually have back surgery if things are not progressing.
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It seems like our contract at work is going to pass. I am so bummed and disappointed that people just take the easy road out. No one is willing to stand up anymore and take a stand for what they believe in. I am still talking to a few people but it seems like the boat is sinking and I feel discouraged. I sometimes wonder what was different in history and time when people did take a stand, no matter what they faced? I feel the best changes happened when people stood up and spoke out. Where would be be otherwise?
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There is something I am wishing for so badly right now that I can't seem to concentrate and get it out of my head. I guess it's wishful thinking, hoping for something that will disappear in no time like a big bubble that busts. Still hoping and praying...
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AND the COUNTDOWN IS ON.... 11 more days.... take a little time each day, sit down, listen to music, enjoy the lights, enjoy the xmas magic, and spend time with your loved ones!
Hugs to you all!

Bloglift :) What is your Holiday Style

So I blog-lifted this from my fellow ScrapsAhoy friend Julie "Getting to know your holiday style"

Here it goes:

Hot chocolate or egg nog: --> Hot chocolate whithout a doubt :)

Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree: --> Santa Syb does LOL

Colored or white lights on the tree/house: --> White lights on the tree this year. I would love to put white lights and blue lights on the outside of the house, but DH refuses to put lights up until we have our house painted (which may take another 5 years). So no lights outside - Bummer!

Do you hang mistletoe: --> Haven't hung any mistletoes this year, but we always end up under one at Jer's aunts house.

When do you decorate: --> Haven't really had a chance to decorate this year due to my back problems and slipped disks. Jer was a sweetie and put the tree up last Thursday and waited till I got home to decorate it. I helped with all the lower ornaments while sitting down. It was sweet and fun and I at least feel like I did a little bit of decorating this season. Usually I get insanly busy right after thanksgiving and put up the tree, put up lights and deco and candles throughout hte house. This year its a bit empty, but once the tree is turned on it still feels like xmas season.

What is your favorite Holiday Dish: --> I am a sucker for cookies and chocolate... so I have to go with all my mom's xmas bakery goodies. Unfortunately, I am no longer getting a taste of them. I usually end up baking 5 - 7 different kinds myself, but for some strange reason, they never taste quite as good as moms.

Favorite holiday memory as child: I remember that my sister Sabine and I always took a bath when "Santa" came to drop of presents. How sneaky is that for parents? One year I opened the back of my xmas chocolate calendar and ate all the chocolate on the first. Pretty smart for a first grader. I knew that mom would notice if I would open the front, so I opened up the back, ate them all and glued the whole thing back together. And no, I did not get away with it. If one chocolate would have been missing, maybe, but unfortunately the entire chocolate stock was gone.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa: I think I was still in Kindergarten. I always thought that Santa looked either like my dad or like our neighbor. I was trying to believe that there is a real Santa out there, but once I went to first grade, I knew that my instincts back than were right.

What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve --> We dont set out cookies. I did not grow up with this tradition but would love to start it once we have a child. We have Santa Nicolaus on December 6th and always put our shoes out on December 5th. The next day they would be filled with oranges, nuts, and chocolate. Later when I grew older there would be little gifts in or next to my shoes.

Snow - love it or hate it: --> I love the snow, esp. around xmas time. Makes everything so magical. I so miss the snow. It's weird to celebrate xmas when its warm outside and there is no snow. I always loved the first snow of the year. We would go out and play in the snow for hours and than get home and have hot chocolate. Once I started driving, I loved the snow, but dreaded and feared the ice.

Can you ice skate? --> Sabine and I ice skated for the very first time when I was in first grade. back than we had an ice skate ring in town pretty much year around. We got ice skates for xmas and would go 3 - 4 times/month. We got pretty good. Not good enough to do anything fancy, but good enough not to fall down. I also remember that our first time going out was not dancing or to the club, but to the ice disco when we were in High School. Oh, fond memories, - so much fun and ....

Do you remember your favorite gift? --> I think my favorite gift on year (can't remember the exact year) was a camera. Sabine and I got the camera together what was a big mistake, because we could never agree on who could use it. Other than that, I think I always enjoyed all the gifts I got each year. No matter how big or little, they all had meaning to me.
what is the most important thing about the holidays for you: --> spending time with my dh and enjoying a peaceful, rememberable time together with other family members. Putting smiles on other peoples faces. Remembering the true meaning of xmas.

What is your favorite holiday desert? --> Drinking coffee and nipping on xmas coffee. When I grew up my mom and I would sit together each afternoon and have tea and coffee in the month of december and talk and talk for hours. I miss spending time with her and I miss spending the holidays with my family and my nieces. I was hoping to go back this year, but unfortunately things didn't work out. I am really sad that I am not able to go and spend this special time of the year with them.

What is your favorite holiday tradition: --> My favorite holiday tradition in Germany was to go to midnight mass on December 24th. We would have dinner at 5 or 6 p.m and afterwards open some of the presents. Than we would all get in our coats and go to church at midnight. Usually it would start snowing outside and the cold air and the light reflecting in the snowflakes were so unforgettable. I remember coming out of church and always feeling a sense of deep satisfaction, happiness and feeling complete.

Do you prefer giving or receiving? --> This might sounds strange, but I think I really enjoy giving. There is nothing sweeter than seeing the excitement and happiness in someone else's face. Dont take me wrong, I love to receive as well and I do appreciate each and every gift. Just thinking that someone went out of their way to make something for me or to purchase something for me, makes me feel so grateful. But if I could only give or only receive, I would definitely have to say giving. There is nothing sweeter than the look of joy in a childs or someones face. I would love to volunteer one year for xmas. To give back to people who have been less fortunate than I have been. Definitely something I need to do!

What is your favorite Xmas carol? My favorite song is "Silent Night" and "white Xmas". I could listen to it over and over and over again.

Candy canes, Yuck or Yum? --> Yuck

So, what is your xmas style?
Be Merry and Peaceful and ENJOY the magical month of December.

Our Trip to Grifftith Park Holiday Light Festival

Jer and I went to see the Xmas Lights at Griffith Park yesterday evening. It was the 10th Annual Holida Light Festival and since we were married in 1998, we haven't missed one year. It's our little tradition to get coffee, to drive one night before xmas to Glendale to see the lights and to see festive holiday decorations in the neighborhood. Love listening to christmas music and looking at lights. It completely brings you in the spirit...
After a 30 min. wait I noticed that my camera battery was low. Darnit. Stuff like that always happens to me. I need to be better prepared. Nevertheless, I was lucky and the battery lasted for all the pictures I wanted to take.

Finally Done- Our Kitchen

Here you go...finally done. The pictures don't really do any justice. It looks much better in person. I am so in love with our kitchen and I can't wait to start making some xmas cookies this year! The feel and atmosphere in there is relaxing, clean, everything has it's place... just the way I like it! (Now if I could just get the rest of my house organized like this LOL) EnJOY!!

Man, there is nothing better than scraptherapy

I finally was able to scrap again after nearly 3 weeks. It felt so amazing to sit down and to let it all out. To sit and create, to chat with my friend and to enjoy life. I met with Inken yesterday and after we did a little LSS field trip we went over to her house and scrapped all day till 1:30 a.m. It was a blast. At around 8 p.m. we moved the table in the living room and watched "Maedles vom Immenhof" and "Sissy" our all time favorite German movies. There is nothing better than having a friend who speaks your native languge, who shares your customs and your little memories from growing up :) So glad that I met Inken 1 1/2 years ago. I could not imagine my life without her anymore.
I will be uploading a few layout to my gallery on Monday. I am so excited... I got some xmas stuff and projects done and 4 layouts. So stop by if you have some time.
HUGS!
I am off to go see xmas lights with Jer in the neighborhood. We have this little tradition going that we do a driving tour each December. We get coffee, and see the lights at Griffith Park and than the candy cane lane in Pasadena. It's fantastic and truely brings us in the xmas spirit. ... and OUR TREE IS UP!!! Jer put it up on Thursday on his day off. I came home and it looked so nice and festive in the living room. Just gotta love xmas...

Update...

Feeling soooo much better. The acupuncture seems to help.
On a scale from 1 to 10, I felt a 10 last week and now I am down to a 5. I am slowly getting there... trying to be as good, as careful as possible.

Wrapped up our Mid Year budget today and it feels so darn good to know that I was able to go into work and not let my team down. We have one more meeting tomorrow morning to fine tune things and to give the doc some tender loving care, but that should be it. I am proud to say that I went in the office under pain but was able to get the work load done and accomplished. Feels good :)

And I am having a little scrapping planned for Friday. I am so excited. I haven't been able to really sit and scrap for nearly 3 weeks now and I am so darn excited to finally not only look at my stack but to play around a little bit. Keeping my fingers crossed that I am up to speed on Friday and that the pain level is continuing to go down. :)

Hugs!

Thank You...

THank you all for your sweet posts and emails! I am back to work as of yesterday. I am still walking hunched over and I am still in pain but it's nothing compared to the last week and a half.
I had my third acupuncture appointment yesterday and I really think that it has helped relieve some of the pain. I am scheduled for another one tomorrow and I start up with Physical Therapy next week. Just taking it one step at a time!

Haven't really had the chance to do any xmas fun stuff yet. Usually we would have the tree up, have some of our decoration out and feel xmasy all around, but this year just will be a little different. I am hoping that Jer is putting the tree up this weekend and that we can decorate it together. Luckily I am done with all my shopping for my family back home and the package is on it's way. One thing of the plate... now we just need to find some time to go out and purchase presents for the rest of the family here. I promise, if I am not doing better I am taking advantage of the internet :)

My birthday was very different from what I expected. I definitely will need to celebrate and get out and party once I am back to normal again. Inken my sweet friend was over and gave me company, so we at least had some laughter going! But how can you celebrate when you body is not playing along?

Definitely time to change a few things around:
* Time to relax and recup
* No more cleaning - Yes, we are hiring a crew every other week. So that hopefully will help and prevent me from lifting, bending, etc.
* Need to take things slow... no more rushing, and trying to get stuff done in between
* Need to try building up my stomach muscles and back muscles to support my spine
I am sure there is a lot more to do but just a few little things for now!

I was supposed to go to a Moonlighter last Friday with Inken, but I had to cancel. So much for knowing when your body is not up to speed. When would you ever drop the opportunity to crop away all night long?? I think I have never done this so far.

On another note... we are finally having our kitchen back. I am so excited. It's been such a long time since February since the Waterheater exploded and left us without a kitchen. First all the insurance struggle, than contractors, waiting for orders, etc. And now, we are finally HOME. Jer was a sweetie and cleaned it all out and put all the dishes away. What a keeper!!! I will post pics soon. It turned out so amazing... pretty much what I had envisioned all along and what had kept us going.

So what does a girl do when she did nothing but lay down for nearly 2 weeks?? I think I have read about 4 books, have watched TV as never before and my limit in sleeping is about exceeded LOL. I am soooooooo ready to get moving again... keeping those fingers crossed that things progress and that I am back to normal in a few weeks and than keeping those fingers crossed that the next "attack" is not any time near!!!!
Thanks again for all your well wishes! A kind word can put a big smile on someones face. Pay it forward!!!!

Seeing the world from a different angle and hoping for a bday miracle

I never thought I would have had to say that seeing the world from a different angle can open your eyes to so many things.
But it has and still does...

I am currently walking in a 120% - 130% angle, meaning that my upper body is bend forward and once again I have to use my cane. It all started last week on Tuesday... I felt a slight cramp in my leg but tried to ignore it. Wednesday it continued and on Thanksgiving I already was walking bend over. On Friday my entire body was in so much pain that every move hurt. Sitting, laying, walking... nothing felt right and each move brougth tears to my eyes. My friend Inken (what a godsend) had me in for a chiropractor appointment on Friday evening after she heard me almost crying on the phone. They gave me a massage and some ice treatment which gave a little relieve for a few hours, but at nighttime I was back in excrucitaing pain. Saturday morning I went back to the chiropractor and hoped for a miracle as it was Jer's birthday. But the miracle didn't happen. I tried to drag myself around for a little bit to give a little Joy to Jer on his birthday but even though I wanted to pretend that I am ok, I was not able to and I ended up in bed in the late afternoon. Poor guy! I still feel so terrible for not being able to give him a birthday he truly deserved! The only position that felt right was to lay on my side with my legs up to my chest. But even that started to get painful after a few hours. All the pain pills didn't help and Sunday was pure terror. I called my doctor yesterday to see if I could get the epidural shots, but without much success. Although I found out that I have 2 slipped disks and not just one, he wants me to try PT one more time. I finally scheduled an appointment with an acupuncurist for this evening. My boss has been talking very highly of acupuncurist treatments and has recommended to me to see one since my last back "attack". Back than the pain was bad, but not bad enough for me to have someone put needles in me all over my body. Yesterday I felt pain that I never thought would be possible. My entire body just felt like a big cramp and each move brought tears to my eyes. I heard from a few other friends and people I know that acupuncure has really helped relieve some pain. So now I am waiting paiently to go in and to get the needle treatment. I am still freaked out about the needles but if it helps, I really dont care that much right now anymore. Just want to get better and hopefully be able to stand up on my birthday tomorrow. I can not imagine spending my 33rd birthday in bed all drugged up with pain pills. So wish me good luck this evening and pray that they dont only do a consultation but actually relieve me of some of my pain! I will post an update soon!
Anyhow, life really looks quite different from my current position. Dont ever take for granted the way you move, the easiness with which you sit in a chair or drive, the simple moves to open a cabinet or the fridge, the peaceful sleep you get each night... The only thing I am praying for at this moment is to be able to move around painfree! To feel like a person again ... and to see the miracles my body is able to perform. I know that this was given to me with some sort of purpose... things dont just happen without a reason... and although the main reason is not clear to me right now, I have learned that a nice word, a hug, being there for someone in pain can go a long way! Thanks for your kind words and for your support! You have no idea how much that helped during a period like this!
You are my angles! THank YOU!!!

Update..

I have totally neglected this blog lately and you know what....
I DON'T feel guilty one bit!
Life is crazy as it is... With the holidays coming up, I am simply having my focus on other things:
Preparing for Thanksgiving
Getting my kitchen finally done (It's done and I only need to do the clean sweep and move everything back in - photos will follow once I did the clean sweep)
Finished our kitchen yesterday (chaulking the baseboards, moldings, patching a few spots on the wall and touch up paint) - It felt so darn good to have that paint brush back in my hands... and I am finally ready to tackle the last room that needs remodeling
Preparing and enjoying the holidays
Baking xmas cookies
Sitting in front of the fireplace just sipping a cup of tea and watching xmas movies
Spending time with friends scrapbooking
And finally finding time to read again... I miss sitting down with a good book and completely loosing track of time and place...

Just wanted to popp in and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I will post pics of the kitchen once I am done moving in. But I am going to take it easy, at my pace and enjoy the process.

I love my new QuicKutz

I have been having my eyes on a QuicKutz for some time now...
I really, really had my heart set on one of the new squeeze tools and when I saw the studio font and the punctuation set, I couldn't help and knew I had to have one. The only problem was the $$ part. How could I possibly right before xmas justify a purchase like that?
Last week my LSS had 20% of everything in the store... I broke down! I now longer was able to resist and I am now the new proud owner of a black squeeze tool and the studio font! I think I haven't been as excited about a scrapbook purchase as I am with this tool. I can't stop using it, I love it, and I am anxiously awaiting my punctuation set (preordered) in the mail! Take a peak... aren't these just to die for??

New contract proposal and my thoughts...

It usually takes a lot to really set me of, but today is one of those days!!!
See, two years ago my bargaining union had to vote on a proposal to go from hourly employee with overtime benefits to salary. Back than some of the roughly 170 members of our bargaining union worked a lot of overtime having to go to night meetings and having crush times during budget time which required more than 14 + hours a day. The salary part was "sold" to us that although we no longer qualify for overtime we would have the professional freedom of working our own hours as long as the work gets done, f. ex. staying late for a few weeks and than taking a few hours here and there to make up for all the extra hours. In addition our team was given a performance bonus based on how you performed throughout the year but with them emphasis on working above and beyond your job duties. Although I was against the salary status and bonus, the majority of our bargaining union voted for it.
I somehow knew that there were problems arising that not everyone had thought of when the salary part was sold to us as follows: "You only have to account for full days (absent or present), and if you come in for 2 hours, you do not have to mark it on your time sheet. Most people already knew that that was not possible, since they had to be there for customer contact, or for meeting or simply to get the regular work done. However, that was the language used to sell us the contract.
One week ago we got a new proposal. The proposal is as follows:
* Each member gets an additional two non cashable days
* The following language will be added to our contract:
So far it reads: You only have to account for FULL days of absences
Contract proposal would read: You have to account for full days of absences if you are not showing up to work and for 1/2 days if you work less than 4.5 hours.

I don't think I remember one day in my entire work history that I have worked less than 4.5 hours, not to mention that I only use the flexibility benefit if I have a doctors appointment that I can not schedule during off time or after hours. So I most likely would not directly be affected by this contract change if voted for, but and here is the BIG BUT, I am stunned and it boggles my mind that members would seriously think of all of a sudden making changes to a language that was the selling point of our contract when going from hourly to salary. I don't abuse the contract, I don't leave before working my full 9 hours day, BUT I would currently have the freedom to leave early once I have my work done and in case I had an emergency or any situation that would require me to leave work after a few hours. In addition I know that if I am required to work longer hours, I no longer get overtime or accrue off time. So it just seems fair that you have the flexibility originally promised versus putting in long hours during crunsh times.
This new proposal appears to me as if we have a status between salary and hourly but dont get the flexibility that was originally promised and no longer get overtime that hourly employees get.
Now, I am a responsible worker... as I mentioned before...
The language was proposed to us since 10 out of 170 members apparently abuse the system. Quite frankly.... sounds more like a management problem than a bargaining union issue to me. If the work doesn't get done a manager should talk to the employee and if that doesn't help lower the performance bonus, etc.
But no! Instead of going back to the 10 who cause the problem this new proposal was given to us...
The feeling at the meeting was mixed.... some for it, others against it... not sure how the contract will be voted on....
But here are a few points from the people who are for this new proposal:
* Great, I dont work overtime, and I get two additional days, really dont care what was voted on 2 years ago
* I dont understand why you dont love the proposal... how could you vote down only having to work 25 hours weekly.
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My take on it is as follows: First of all I do care what was voted on 2 years ago. It was the selling point and although I dont use it, it's what it is
Secondly, how could you possibly think that working 25 hours is going to be ok! It's not.. but this new proposal would restrict us in case of emergencies way more than the original contract.
See if I work 5 hours longer one evening due to a meeting or due to crunsh time and have a doctors appointment the next day that requires me to leave 5 hours earlier... you would think its all a wash... but with the new contract it's not any longer... with the new contract I would have to take 1/2 day vacation althought I did put in the hours required and even showed flexibility by staying longer!

The deal is, I have to account with 1/2 day vacation if I leave before having worked 4.5 hours. HOWEVER, I do not get 1/2 day back if I stay 4.5 hours longer or work in the evenings or on th weekends.
So how come people are only concerned about what best benefits them.... why don't they worry about some of the people who are required to work long hours or work on the weekend... why are they not worried about giving parts of a contract back that was the major selling point 2 years ago... because all of a sudden they get 2 additional days.... boggles my mind.
And YES, I WILL VOTE NOOOOOOOO on this proposal... not that I think it will help, but just because I strongly think that after we got sold the professional salary part with flexibility and only having to account for full days (although I dont really use it), it's the principle that after 2 years they want to take back what was the selling item. So what is next... going back to hourly but not getting overtime?
I am curious to see how this turns out... but for some reason I am having a real bad feeling!
And yes, some of you may roll their eyes since they do not have contracts or such, but just imagine you did have the privilege, wouldn't you want to keep what was originally promised? I don't abuse it, I put in my hours and more, and therefore I do not feel bad for saying this new proposal really stinks

One word

Got this email from my dear friend Tasha a week ago... you should give it a try... it's really funny what kind of responses you get back and goes down like butter for one's ego :)

One Word
Describe me in one word - just one. Send it to me (only me), then forward this email to your friends and see how many strange things people think about you.

So these are a few of the responses I got:
Loyal (from Inken)
Lucky (from Simone)
Sincere (from Alissa)
Amazing (from Jen)
Passionate (from Assi)
Strong (from Jer)
Sweet (from Tasha)
Artistic (from Mona)
Vivacious (from John) had to check that one in the dictionnary ;)
Creative (from Jane)
And the strange response was from my co worker Bob:
Red (LOL) Still laughing... so all he thinks of is apparently my hair color when describing me in one word!

Special Elections

... yeap, we are having a special election in California today and I am NOT allowed to vote!!! What a bummer! I am not a political fanatic (trust me), but I wish I could put in a vote as well to make my "little" voice heard. Not that one vote really matters, but still, gives you the feeling you at least participated, although I am not sure how much one vote really matters.

You probably wonder, why I am not allowed to vote: well, it's pretty simple... I am not an American citizen. I was born and raised in Germany and when I got married in August 1998 to my dh, we went through the entire visa process, embassy doctors, etc. to get a permanent resident card. The card was good for two years. After those two years we had to get in line at the INS and reapply for a more permanent status that I obtained back than. Although I am allowed to work, pay taxes, and am legal liable, I have no say in the political direction this country is taking. I am not upset and have no hard feelings that I am not allowed to vote, and completely understand the fact that this "privilege" is only for American citizens. However, I am saddened to hear that only about 25% voted so far. Projections were an estimated 40%, but the polls are still open till 8 p.m., so the percentage might go up as time passes.

A lot of people are not interested in politics... understandable... pretty boring and a lot of bs to listen too. However, this is everyone's chance to participate, to voice their opinions ... And it saddens me to hear that people are taking it so easily and giving up their voice because they are not interested in politics, don't want to bother, and are too busy to go to the poll or fill out an absenty ballot.

I am not going into what party I believe in and whom I would have voted for... it's not really that simple. First of all I believe that both sides LIE... and secontly you are basically voting for someone you feel you agree on more points with, not necessarily on the entire philosphy, if that makes any sense.

NEWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

So this is how we have been housing the past months (since May) - Truly NO FUN!!!



And this is what happened today! We finally got the countertop! Still missing the backsplash and sinks, but we are getting there! So darn excited!!!



And yes, I can't wait to finally move in there and start having a "real" life again :)

You know you are living in 2005 when...

I got this forwarded at work a few weeks ago and had to laugh.... so true!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2005 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

AND NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

GOOD, laugh at yourself, that's what I did and it feels darn good!!!!

Maine ROCKS...

The new destination is up... we are travelling to Maine this month at Scrapsahoy and the gallery is rocking. Go check it out...
Crew Gallery
My layouts
TFL, Syb