A poopy solution

My pooping menagerie has grown over the years...


And they are now forced to live in a very cramped area of a cubicle instead of along the top of the cabinets in the office.


So I found a solution for them. Aren't they just happy little poopers now? Ha! Pretty soon they will crowd out the girls.

And yes, that is a spice stadium rack they are on now :) the better to see them all.


Cube sweet cube (note Dads clock front and center?!)


Maybe a bit toooo wide angle standing in my neighbors cube looking towards the hall door. I'm one cubicle over from the window view, but I'll live. The squirrels were always a distraction anyway ;)

You would think moving from an office to a cube would make me sad but it didn't. I'm happy to be back in maintenance and even if the system does have problems. Glad to be back in the mix of things.

New Jobs

After 7.5 years with one system, I have moved to a new job.  Why?  Well, it was time.  I had mentioned to my supervision that I was ready for a new challenge.  AND I'm afraid it was starting to show in my attitude of dealing with some problems over and over and over...  I hope not, but the reality is that the outside offices didn't seem to sad to see me go, so, yes, it was time. 


Believe it or not I started with this team (not the exact same players, but close) in 2002 (January) when I started at Robins AFB, I worked with this system for a year, then moved to PC support from 2003 until 2006.  In 2006 I came back again to this system where I had been until the 14th of this month.


That is a long time in one position.


I had been offered the chance for a new challenge a few years prior and didn't take the offer seriously enough as I didn't feel like I had a handle on my current job  yet.  In retrospect, I don't think in a highly challenging and active job like I had that one EVER gets a handle on the job totally - it's like trying to rope a runaway train while you're standing on the ground. 


Hindsight being what it is, I told myself if the opportunity ever came up again I would NOT say no.  No matter what the offer was and no matter how it would scare me.  A co-worked down the hall was in a position she wasn't thrilled with and wanted to switch with someone/anyone.  Management chose to offer us the opportunity to do a direct swap - same grade, same pay, just different jobs. 


When first offered the opportunity to do a job swap with someone on in our area it was a much scarier position to me that I really thought twice about as it would really push me out of my comfort zone... but even to the very scary job I said  yes.  I did my best not to let my reluctance show and I'm pretty sure I was successful in that effort.  Within 10 minutes supervision was back in my office recanting that offer (must have been a miscommunication) and offering me the job I did swap for.  I'm not sure why I was thinking this job was less scary either.  it's not as technical, however it is more about managing people rather than a system.


The proposition was presented to both parties and I was honest about the level of intensity.. she was equally honest as to why she didn't like her position.  The issues with her job is a management issue with personnel and resentments as she was brought in from an outside organization and promoted people already in place.  I'm sure I'll face similar issues with my move - I've heard rumblings, however I haven't met a challenge I can't meet head on yet.


The decision was really in her court as she was still undecided if she would accept the swap.  As I said I was already committed to NOT turning down any opportunities, no matter the fear factor.  She told me she needed the night to think and pray on the decision.  She came back the next morning with the answer of "yes" she would agree to the swap.  Part of me was scared, part of me was elated. 


I am taking a step back from a busy, busy system and moving more into a supportive role in that I'm no longer working with maintenance on the base, but with admin in SharePoint. Will this be the same challenge it was in the other system?  No, it won't.  My challenge in the new job is PEOPLE... now THAT scares me.  Will I be a good leader?  Will I be able to do what needs to be done?  Not a clue, but I'm up for the challenge!!

Outdoor Curtains!

Butch putting in the wire curtain rod...

Very nice!!


Even from the inside. And it's not a super hot and sunny day yet...


Look how much shade this gives. Can't wait to see the difference this summer.

Weekend warrior

Although I LOVE living in a non-desert environment living with the pollen is gross. You clean and clean and clean and it just keeps coming!! So this weekend was the patios turn. Did you know pollen when wiped on "plicker" (plastic wicker) makes some mean static? Yep it sure does. I sent part of the morning being shocked. :( I think I'm going to have to wash them this year. Same with the cushions. They won't "beat" clean sigh as I was having yard work done I opted to NOT spread cushions everywhere and went for the blower/rag method for today. It's mostly clean. I had to blow it twice - achoo!


So after all the cleaning I have deemed the pool open!


Looking good HOWEVER I do have a large 10x10 aluminum frame shade for the corner that has the umbrella! Need to put that up, but only after we figure out how to "mount" it to the concrete. Or maybe we'll use water anchors? Who knows.


(Yes, need to stain the deck to be one non clay staines color)


The front is looking wonderful!!


The back makes me think it is time to relax!!


AND I even have a pool boy ;)

Job hunting

Air Force Materiel Command	TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR	eligible
	Supervisory Inventory Management Specialist (Emerging Leader Program)	eligible
	Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist (Emerging Leader Program)	eligible
Air Force Materiel Command	Operations Research Analyst, DR-1515-2/3/4
Military Sealift Command	IT SPECIALIST (SYSANALYSIS/CUSTSPT)
Forest Service	Program Specialist
U.S. Air Force - Agency Wide	MANAGEMENT ANALYST

 

Well, I was shot down on a few more jobs while I was gone… sad, but true.  I’m down to those seen above.  I was kicked out of the training leadership job possibility – however, qualify for a job there still .  Strange.

So, time is still marching on and things are a-changing at work.  We’ll see what happens on the rest of this for the guys.  They have something worked out with our local contractor and headquarters, so I should still have support, but less of it if they move up to support all three Centers,…. Oh wait, we’re complexes now.  Sigh… things are sure in an uproar all over the place, eh?

Did I mention I’m ‘oh so happy’ to be back at work after two weeks away?  Hahahaha!

 

Alter Ego's and potty humor

You know how Batman has the batphone? 

Not sure if you know my alter ego’s name is “Butt Mom” and uses the same theme music…

Well, now I have the buttphone… due to it’s dunking yesterday… hahaha

Ok, Potty humor is not lost on me even at this age!

The phone didn't escape unscathed....

I’m soooo sad to report the phone didn't escape unscathed...  the external speakers (ringer/speaker phone) are almost kaput… they work, however at a very degraded level.  I’m ultra bummed.  I went to the shoppette and purchased some rice… the phone is now in a rice “sauna”… in hopes of rescuing the speakers from a fate worse than death…

I can barely hear it when it’s in my purse now… add lowered tones and I’m sunk!!  Oh, and limited speaker phone too.. as that is what I would hear – very low tones of discussions… it would be VERY low… too low to hear on the road, I’m sure.  Drat, drat and double drat!!

Potty Talk... and women's clothing

Ok, I have a few complaints today… one of which is women’s clothing…

Why the H*LL don’t them come with POCKETs.  I mean really, yes, I’m fat… yes, I like comfortable clothing, but come ON – pockets should be a given.  Decent pockets… ones that would hold, say a CELL PHONE.

I mean really.

What brings this on?

Well, for the first time ever I dropped my phone in the potty… no, I’m not talking on the floor, which would have been gross, but acceptable.  I’m talking a nice SPLASH.  The great thing is that I was in the bathroom with the auto flush, so I escaped the really gaggy option of dirty water… but still – GAG!!  Why/how did I drop my phone?  I needed to blow my nose after the fact, so had tucked my phone into the optional pocket we all know and love – my bra… bent over to get some toilet paper and tumble, SPLASH, there went my phone!!!!  GAG.

Ok, I do have an Otter Box on my phone, but it’s NOT water proof… it did, however keep water from getting too much of the phone with exception of speakers and microphone.  Sigh… there was a VERY little bit of water inside the case.  I did rescue it quickly, drop it onto some paper towels and come back to my cubicle to tear down, wipe down with baby wipes, another thing I am SO grateful for today – the wisdom to have not taken out my baby wipes from my recent flights (*they are wonderful for quick clean up in airports)… sigh.

So, phone is cleaned and appears to be none the worse for wear… but ewh, gag and double ewh!!!

Tighter bra’s or only purchase pants with POCKETs from now on!!