Closing the door...

Well, I must say, the door slammed as I walked away from my job the other day... regret, I have NONE! I worked there  as an assistant for a little over three years. What did I learn?? Well, I learned what it was like to actually work in a hostile environment... Do any of you truly know the meaning of Hostile Work Environment? Here let me tell ya, cause I did... but didn't really so here... OH... and this is copied from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_work_environment  Anyway... here...

A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences workplace harassment and fears going to work because of the offensive, intimidating, or oppressive atmosphere generated by the harasser.

A hostile work environment may also be defined as when a boss or manager begins to engage in a manner designed to make you quit in retaliation for your actions. Suppose you report safety violations at work, get injured at work, attempt to join a union, complain to upper level management about a problem at work, or act as a whistleblower in any respect. Then, the company’s response is to do all manner of things to make you quit, like writing you up for work rules you didn’t break, reducing your hours, scheduling you for hours that are in total conflict with what you can do, or reducing your salary. The company’s reaction can be viewed as creating a hostile work environment, one that makes it impossible to work and is an attempt to make you quit so that the employer does not have to pay unemployment benefits.

I stayed with this company for the time I did why?? Well, I know, what I am about to say is NO excuse, and it actually embarrasses me... but I stayed because in this area of the US, the pay was awesome! During my management hours I was payed right at $17 per hour... my husband is disabled, we have 3 kids... and the checks were awesome! So ya, I stayed for the money... while doing so, my boss tells me I would soon start training to have my own store... this pay is $6-7,000 PER MONTH! Yip, you read that right... dang that's crazy huh?! Well, how would that NOT excite?? So I did what anyone else would do and I told my family and friends... hey I WAS EXCITED ...but only 3 days after this... I was told the position wasn't available, WHAT??T they gave my promised position to someone hired off the street... WOW-REALLY?! Okay, so what did I do? HA... nothing. I got mad, upset sure... again who wouldn't? My lesson there, listen to what someone says will happen, and but blow it off, this way when it doesn't happen there is no embarrassment... and yes, I was embarrassed! 

Okay so our boss sits everyone down one at a time, documents in hand and shows us our bonus for the year... COOL! That stinkin checks gonna be enough for the kids Christmas and extra.. how awesome is that or what right?? LOL... get this... After the day the check was suppose to be in the back leaves and is gone for a week, I called and asked my boss.. .where's it at? Here is the excuse given to EVERY ONE in the entire STATE of OK  was simply "Oh, sorry that was a lack of communication" WHATEVER!  ... any way, the lesson I was taught there was, don't spend it until you got it... this I already knew. My reasoning was seeing the exact amount on paper... and because of that, I of course, went on a Christmas shopping spree... I am FINALLY caught up from that...FINALLY! 

I guess I should tell you, the boss is the DM... he/she of the company dictates the happenings that goes on, whether approved or not, he/she has the last word...

So, here I am bustin my rear for this company, picken up the slack of others, and yip they were given all credit... all the while squeezed out like a pimple. The manager and assistant that was under me...there are best of friends...need I say more?? My manager hours dropped... on paper (the schedule) looked as though they were still there, but when I would go to work, I would find that I was pushed back while the friend took the hours and was the charge manager... WOW really.. So I did what I was suppose to do, according to their guidelines and order of operations, and mentioned it to the DM, practicably begging him to NOT let on the I said anything about anything, if he did, things would get worse for me, in a devious way... I was assured nothing would be said, so he calls me a couple of days later and says... I talked to her about what we talked about... and didn't mention you... he must have cause they got WORSE! 

I was taught growing up to respect my elders, and the ones in authority, maybe I let to much happen... I don't know... maybe I didn't speak my mind as most would... there are a lot of maybe's that I am sure I should have done and didn't. In my mind, I was respecting the decisions and wishes of the manager. I was shocked when I gave my two weeks notice because as soon as word got around everyone except the two friends said to me... "If your leavin, I am too, I will not stay here if your not here" Okay, that made me feel good, and bad at the same time. This company runs each store with only a handful of employees... with everyone but the two gone, I actually felt bad knowing their stress lvls were going to be heavy. I kinda think its funny... I think... but really it's sad because the two friends will have to come face to face with their ways... and when they do, they'll have no one... with all said, and all that has been done... and I haven't even skimmed the surface...this may sound crazy... when it happens,and they find themselves alone,  I will still be praying for them, and if they ever needed anything at all... yes, I would be there for them too... 

What I will miss... the people I met through the years... Mr. Ed, he comes in every other day and will buy 8 grape fruits, or 3 bundles of oranges... Clara, I have several of her recipes... Bob and Mary, she has systemic Lupus and Bob would give updates on her progress... I can't name them all, there are way too many, but as I told them I was leaving, many tears were shared... That truly touched my heart, that was something I didn't know would happen... I feel blessed to have met the ones I did, I will miss them, but hope to see them again someday...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes!

Yield: 4 servings
prep time: 25min

PANCAKES:

1c. all-purpose flour
2tsp. baking powder
1/2tsp. salt
1c. milk
1tbs. canola oil
1 large egg

Prepare pancake batter in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg, just until batter is moistened (a few small lumps are fine)

CINNAMON FILLING:

1/2c. butter, melted
3/4c. brown sugar, packed
1tbs. ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip  baggie and set aside. You don't want this to remain super-liquidy, it's best if it becomes a consistency similar to toothpaste.

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE:

4tbs. butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4c. powdered sugar
1/2tsp vanilla extract

In a medium microwave safe bowl heat butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth, whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract... set aside.

-Heat large skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Scoop about 3/4c batter onto skillet. Snip the corner of your baggie of filling and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter and keep in a warm oven until ready to serve. When ready to serve, spoon warmed glaze onto the top of each pancake.

ENJOY!!!!

What is UP with Melaleuca???

First there are some of you that may not know what Melaleuca is.. okay let me put it to you this way... MELALEUCA IS SAFE. Okay now ya know... LOL!! Seriously, Melaleuca is a company that has been around for years, way before the whole "eco-friendly" "go green" stuff started. Why is that? Because it was the right thing then, and it is the right thing now. I can by their spring cleaning special all for only 29 bucks, of course there is that shipping and tax thing... but it is all concentrated and lasts forever!

My daughter likes to "drink" water from a spray bottle, so yes I have several spray bottles around. My son saw a spray bottle sitting on the counter and not paying much attention to its contents took a drink from it...spraying it into his mouth... only to realize -hey that wasn't water!- So he then grabs the other spray bottle not paying attention again and takes another "drink"... LOL!! OMGSH! He tasted the glass cleaner, and the tub and tile cleaner I was using to clean the bathroom... but you know what is awesome about his experience... he did not feel sick at all, his stomach did not bother him and I wasn't worried. Of course I laughed at him cause WOW he did that TWICE with in a few seconds of one another!!! LOL!!! Now on the other hand if he would have done that with Windex, or any other cleaner bought from the local stores... I would have made him drink a ton of water to flush him out along with calling the poison control. I would have freaked!

Well, I guess what I want to say... you should really try this stuff, it is awesome! Check out my links (located to the right)... and your on your way to a much safer home along with wonderful opportunities offered each month. For example, just for joining they are offering $100 in loyalty dollars... which means you receive $100 in free products, and that is just one of the offers among many.

My synopsis... I think... ?

Okay... I think this is what I will use for the synopsis on my book... but I am not totally decided... could change and well ... IDK who knows? If you would, please tell me what you think :-) The name of the book is "The Secret Within"

Charlie and Mary Chestney are awaiting the birth of their first child. Mary begins to experience labor pains once again, but the fear of another false run, she decides to keep this hidden from Charlie.

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of their Lil’ Coffee Shop and plans are underway for celebration. Unfortunately a shipment of merchandise was not delivered and Charlie is now making arrangements for pick up.  As Mary insures the trip for Charlie is not interrupted, her contractions become stronger and more intense.

Charlie now a few minutes into his trip notices the storms are growing with intensity. The weather report warns of the severity, delivering the eerie feeling now overtaking Charlie’s body. Storms hit Oklahoma all the time, never has this bothered him before, but today was different. Something wasn’t right and the grip this had on Charlie was not letting go. The Secret Within the depths of this land has started its own labor pains, delivering the worst devastating tragedy anyone could ever face.

Charlie quickly finds himself torn, and looses contact with reality…

The Contract

Nervous, she ponders in gaze to the ceiling as she stands with her hands resting on each hip, elbows bent, head tilted back. She lets out a long sigh, held in by scrambled thoughts being organized in her head. She looks to the floor for only a second, turns to the table and takes a seat in the cold yet welcoming chair already pulled out awaiting her acceptance. She rests her chin on a pile of papers, folded hands hang beneath the table dangling between her knees. Her mind is quiet now, the newly found position at the table seems to be relaxing for the moment. Sitting up, she pulls the chair in while bending one leg up to be cradled under the other leaving it to hang, barely touching the floor. Taking the stack of papers that lay in front of her she straightens them by bouncing them on the table, breaking the silence of the room. Her legs now repositioned and crossed she properly sits up, no slouching. Still holding the papers she reaches for the pen that lays next to her right hand... anxieties tremble... her heart starts to pound... excitement grows with each breath... her throat begins to tighten as she feels numbing tingles over take her body... her hands become clammy. One last deep breath helps her to lay them down, she turns to the last page containing the sign here stick tab, pen in hand she signs her name... she applies the date... then stares at her accomplished work.

Slowly placing the signed document into the return envelope, sealing it with a prayer she stands only to find her legs are now weak. Pure anticipation begins to overtake her control. She screams out "LOOK! LOOK!" laughter rings out bouncing off the walls of her home she jumps around in dance, holding the beginnings of her greatest accomplishment "The Secret Within - DAY ONE"

... LOL!!! Okay, I had to do that I thought it to be funny :-) I have written a book and just signed the contract today and yes I am soooo excited!! My publisher gave me an estimate of 7 months before the first copy will hit store shelves... I am scared and nervous... most of all in disbelief!! WOW! Anyway... just had to share :-)

God Bless!

This Is The Stuff - Francesca Battistelli | With Lyrics

Its a journey, a choice, a domino... how does yours start?

Funny how people can be to each other.. sometimes it is truly sad, but we have the ability to leave behind cherished memories... then again, we can also leave scornful thoughts of who and what we were at that given moment. Each step of our lives, we are given choices, it is what we do with them that adds to our journey.

Some can be so self centered they miss the most important things that have been given. Some filled with so much anger, they too bypass the opportunity of happiness. Some are scared of what could be, letting it pass them by, has become a security in daily life.

The leaf blows through the wind with no regards to where it may land... from there its' journey may end, or may have only began. What would happen if we let the wind float us through life... no worries as to where we may land, only to start again... or rest? What would happen if more of us forgot our own selfish ways so our eyes could focus on the stranger next to us? What would the world be like if the carried anger was set free allowing laughter?

They say it takes only one to make a difference... so what if the one making the difference, touched another... that one then touched another... like the dominoes that fall one after the other.
Have you ever gave a perfect stranger a smile followed with a "Hello" not because you were at work and it is part of your job to greet... but, just because?

So, I started thinkin... what is a domino I can tip? Then one day at the McDonalds drive-thru I paid mine with cash, and handed my card to the cashier for it to be used for the person behind me. At first I got a weird look, and she said "Oookay?" I then asked her for their receipt, and without explaining my actions I wrote these words - Every payday, I pay for the person behind me and today that person is YOU!! May God Bless You!! - I handed the receipt back and ask that it be delivered. It isn't just the paid meal, but the joy of sharing with a stranger, and watching the dominoes fall!

If we could just stop for a moment, and think of the person we have never met, send a prayer, a blessing, anything... what domino would that start?

Try this for a month... pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru... start the Domino! If you do... please share you experience, I would love to hear about it!!