My horoscope says that my communication skills are golden today. Would seem to fit, because I’m not feeling real shy right now. I’m in a good mood, but I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those days that the people who routinely rub me the wrong way at work should steer clear. Even in a good mood, I’ve got a mean streak when it comes to my words lol. Nah, I’m just tired is all. Today is Fun Friday at work. During the Spring and Summer, we have cookouts throughout the day for people’s lunches and everyone signs up to bring something like a side dish or dessert. I just made mac & cheese for about 50 people. At 6am. I’m so glad I’m off this weekend.

Happy Friday  

This week has kicked my ass. We’ve been busier than normal at work, thanks to it being the first of the month as well as people getting their insurance checks for damage caused by The Storm. I open today and then I’m off for the weekend, can I get a AMEN. I was wide awake at 6am today, ready to do it again before I realized I don’t have to be there until 8. Oops.

We have fun things planned this weekend. It finally feels like Fall around here, so we’re hitting up the farm markets for pumpkins, apple butter, cider and other goodies. I really think I’m happiest at times like these, meaning Fall of course. I’m also doing some clothes shopping because, hello, my pants are getting too big (YAY!). Anyway, all things considered, I can say that I made through the week and didn’t maim anyone, so I’ve got that. But then, the day’s just begun…

I just got a call from my boss asking if I wanted to work a mid today instead of closing. Well hell yeah, who wouldn’t?! So I go in at noon and get off at 8 instead of being there til 10. Two more days and I’ll be on vacation, I can do this.

I’m having a lot of problems with my site right now. It will be winter by the time I get my fall design up. The css is giving me major headache for some reason. I know it’s something stupid and simple, it always is. Oh well, I’ll figure it out.

NaNoWriMo is coming up FAST. Like in two days. I haven’t signed up yet. Still not sure I want to. I probably will, since I like pain haha. We’ll see. OK, off to finish some laundry and get ready for work.

OK, here’s the thing. I’m not a confrontational person. Not usually, anyway. I like to avoid it if at all possible, because I just get all weird and nervous and I don’t know what to say and end up sounding like an idiot. That being said, I do have a limit, and react accordingly if pushed over it. There were some changes made in our workplace structure, and it shook things up a bit. People had to take on more responsibility to make up for the people we lost, etc… you know the drill. This is when everyone needs to be on their game. We all need to step it up and just do the damn job already. So I have a question, because I need some insight (advice, an idea, whatever).

How do you handle your peers at work who are not pulling their weight, and therefore are making work life hell for everyone involved? Go.

I successfully cooked a Thanksgiving dinner that turned out wonderfully and got mad props (I aced the turkey!), but have nothing to show for it because I forgot to take pictures! Yes, I am one of those people who likes to take pictures of food… well more so the complete spread on the table is what I had planned to photograph. I’ll remember for Christmas. We had a small group of five with myself and John, my brother, dad and grandma. I had SO much fun preparing the meal for them, and I can’t wait to do it for the bigger group at Christmas. If they don’t all have to work, John’s family will be joining us as well which brings us to ten or so.

So Black Friday… crazy as usual but honestly, not that bad. All the people I encountered were in good spirits and pretty laid back. Actually, it was Saturday that brought out the ass clowns. Love being yelled at before I’ve had coffee, it’s great. All in all, the whole weekend was pretty uneventful. No fights, no deaths, no shootings… seriously what the hell is wrong with people? I’ve seen a woman smack another over a Tickle-Me-Elmo, but stampedes and guns? I don’t even know what to think about it all. I’m just glad it didn’t happen here.

My next mission? How to afford presents for all on my list with limited funds and only one more paycheck before Christmas. Yeeeah. 

I have about three days to make a big decision about my job. We’re opening a new store in Lebanon, about 15 minutes from where we live, and 20 from our current store. I’ve been feeling The Burnout at my store for a while now, so I decided that I would probably look into transferring when the new one started hiring. Now it’s here and I don’t know what I want to do. I don’t want to go for the wrong reasons, but I don’t want to stay out of fear of change either. I’m in that comfort zone, and this will be a bigger store with bigger challenges and more responsibility. Most of me knows that I need that. I’ve been with the company for thirteen years, so I’m feeling a bit stale right now. Some of me is scared of the “what-ifs”.

What if I do go, and I hate it? There’d be no turning back, as our store is already over head count as far as managers go (they can’t make you leave if you’re doing a good job, but if you do leave, you couldn’t come back as a manager). What if I can’t handle the bigger store? What if I’m creating this big scenario where transferring will fix everything but it doesn’t and it sucks and I’m even more unhappy than I am now and and and….

I think most of my problem is fear of change. The best friend is applying too, but he would interviewing to actually move up a level. So if he went too, at least I’d know someone there and it wouldn’t be so bad. Our current boss is going there after Christmas, so I’d know her. I’m just stuck in the day-to-day comfort zone like I said, and that’s hard to break out of. I’m taking this weekend to think about it and talk it over with John, then I need to talk to my boss on Monday about it. Interviews are next Thursday. Advice?

Been a while since I posted, other than on Twitter. I’ve been busy. The economy may be faltering, but it’s not stopping people from spending money, that’s for sure. I’ve seen more 1am work nights this year than I care to count. But it’s almost over. I’m making fudge and cookies and putting together food gifts for people, and I found a little time to winterize my little blog here. It’s not much, but I thought it was cute! And now, I’m off for another fun-filled night at work. Then I’ll be home to continue baking, because I need to have it done by tomorrow! Ugh. Caffeine and I are going to become intimate this week. Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!