Deseret Industries - the day after Christmas

I have a few cousins who periodically inquire after what's happening at my D.I. I have been a little hesitant to saying anything on the world wide web but let's get our feet wet with this one....

Don't get to excited. I just want to shed a little light on an ordinary D.I. morning.

6:30 a.m. - wake up, wish I was unemployed, shower, dry my hair, put makeup in my bag with the intention of using it soon

7:45 a.m. - turn off the alarm in the store, wish I was unemployed, ignore the ringing phone, head out onto the dark sales floor

7:50 a.m. - borrow Shirlee's stool to climb up and unlock the back door for the associates, they bust through before I can climb down, I nearly die, wish I was unemployed, return Shirlee's stool

8:00 a.m. - start answering the phone

1st call: Jim's associate - has a toothache, needs to make a dentist appointment, I said no dentist is open take an Advil and come in, he says it hurts, I say come to work

My associate comes in the office: doesn't feel well, wants to leave, I say everyone wants to leave....you stay....I'll check on you later

Alan's associate comes in the office: her son (Trina's associate) had a seizure that morning and can't call yet, I give her no trouble, I don't want to mess with that

Check the voice mail: Alan's associate isn't feeling good, has a headache, not able to come to work, he's lucky I didn't answer that call

Next call: Jim's associate - coming but late, I say hurry

8:05 a.m. - wish I was unemployed

Never got my makeup on, the parade of associates who "need to leave" doesn't end, my Christmas wish comes true as one cashier leaves for good (congratulations on your new job), one person tries to get me to work less because he/she works less, I find 2 counterfeit $100 bills in the cash count, another $100 is missing as well, go through all the change in $5's twice over, try to keep anger inside of me, wish I was unemployed.

This story may give you the impression that I wish I was unemployed. Please let me clarify: I love my job. The way it frustrates me is an adventure every day. I have total control over my attitude even when I can't control the actions of others. My boss is great. He lets me do lots of things and say things I shouldn't. Best of all, I have associates who work so hard to make positive changes in their lives and I rejoice in their successes.

I heart D.I. Who knew?

Christmas activities...a very important update

This is my special niece Elizabeth Rose. I apologize for any blood relative infant confusion due to the Gus post. He is a very special friend, not relative.

Elizabeth Rose was born on December 1st. She's beautiful! Betty likes to sprawl out, not be bundled; she likes to be called whatever you choose; she prefers being held; and she has pretty little fingers. I love her!

Please note that I'm just testing the "Betty" thing. I'll try something else later. So far, I prefer Baby Rose or Elizabeth.

Christmas activities...a special visit

I loved the gift but this card is way better than the gift!!!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Pena!

Christmas activities...my favorite installment

Christmas was fabulous this year! I made a few gifts by hand, I baked, I went to a fun-filled family party, I drank delicious hot cocoa at the annual tea party, I shopped with Dad on Christmas Eve, we had an excellent story by Jimmy + Friends, and I dressed Wendy and Anne's dog in a Santa suit. I did other stuff too but let's get back to the dog. I'm not sure how he knew it but as soon as I pulled out the suit he started growling at walking backwards. This memory makes me happy.

He had to go to naughty dog time out when he naughty dogged on my carpet.





He loved opening his presents.




This is a video of the aforementioned dog hanging out and chewing my slipper while it was on my foot.

And after 13.57 hours of wearing the Santa suit, I took it off of him and he tried to kill it. Several times. Over and over. This memory also makes me happy.

Happy Christmas!

G...brought to you by KWC

I have a very new and very special friend. His name is Gus.

Katherine's been baking him for some time now. She was very patient but in her words, he had to be "evicted." I'm very glad he was so that I could finally meet him. Gus is a very talented infant. For example, he eats a bottle so efficiently it holds itself up; he makes and holds the most precious Zoolander face; and the word on the street is that he sleep like a champ. I like all of these things about him. Plus, how cute he is and I'm amused by his size as well.

Thanks for my new friend Katherine and Matt! I like him a lot!