Peeves

I'm not in a bad mood, I swear.
The weather has been so pretty. So far, we've avoided the sickies that have been going around. Life has been just fine.

But. There are still some things that are irritating me. And, I thought it necessary to gripe about them here. So...here we go.

1:  Zombies/Vampires/Other Horror Crap---Yes, I know it's Halloween season and that stuff tends to "go" with it. But, the zombies and vampires have been BIG for quite awhile now. Apparently, there is a tv show that is HUGELY popular about zombies and walking. I don't watch it. I find it all stupid. And somewhat disturbing. But, the "Horror Theme" is just everywhere and I'm a little peeved about it. I was in a store the other day (which reminds me of the next peeve I'm going to list. Stay tuned.), found a cute hoodie, on sale. But, upon further inspection, I noticed it was covered in skulls!! I just...don't....get it.  If that sorta thing is something you like, then go for it. I'm just tired of seeing it everywhere.


2:  Being Asked to Donated to Random Charities When I'm Already Spending My Hard Earned Money in Your Store--Seems to me, every store is asking me if I'd like to round my total up to benefit some charity. And, while I have no problem giving to charity, I do have a problem with people asking me for MORE money. The money I'm about to spend on the ONLY pair of jeans in the entire town that fit my 10 year old daughter, like a 10 year old girl and not a 21 year old hooker, (peeve!) is enough of a dent in my dwindling budget and you're asking me to donate money to a charity that I have no idea of it's validity and if you will indeed give the money to them? I think not. And, while I'm at it--wearing pink or posting my bra size on facebook does absolutely NOTHING to fight cancer. I'd rather donate my time in helping a mother/woman by giving her a ride to chemo, babysitting her kids, buying groceries or any other easy task that would be actually helpful . Rounding my purchase up at Penney's is not going to help my neighbor.

3: Since When Does the Music in Stores Have To Be So Loud--I know Ami wears headphones when she shops and while I think that's a wonderful idea, I find it somewhat claustrophobic and I have a hard time keeping a watchful eye on my kids if I'm wearing headphones. Why not have a station at the checkout where if you want to listen to the crap they play on the radio these days, then you "rent" a pair of headphones and can listen and other shoppers will not scream and pull their hair out because some girl singing a song about "Maybe" is driving her insane?


There. I feel so much better getting that all off my chest. And, yes, I realize it makes me sound like I'm 88 instead of 38 but...it is what it is.

What are your peeves?  Everyone has some. Spill it!

Camera Dump

Jarrett with the hermit crab he found in a tide pool!

Friends just hangin' out.

My big 2nd and 3rd graders!

Judd's Grandma and Grandpa, celebrating 65th wedding anniversary.

Jayce's first doe, with his father, family friend and Great Grandpa.

Josie watching t.v. with the duck. Yup.

Total Irony

I was out of the job field for 14 years before going back part time at the assisted living facility.
And while I always had bosses that treated me fairly and that I got along with , I am not totally naive in my thinking that sometimes, it's all about the money. Money the boss receives in a bonus for being under budget,  under hours or full filling some quota or another.

But I was still shocked at the happenings this past week.

My shift is 3pm-9pm, and it's called the "half-shift" although it's more of a three-fourths shift.  The "full-shift" is 2pm-10pm, with each caregiver assigned a certain section of the facility and me floating around, helping every where. 

Tues, I got to work on time and was greeted with "Makayla called in sick, we are short a girl." 
So, we all ran our butts off and constantly asked management if they were calling anyone in to help us out. "We are working on it." we were told.
Then, it was 4:59 pm 

Do you think management stuck around to make sure we had the help we needed? 
Do you think they kindly asked if I would consider staying until 10, to make sure our residents were well taken care of?

Nope 

I kindly stayed an hour past my shift, took no lunch break and gave a 100%, like I do every time  I work. 

The following day, I went into my boss' office and had to report why I stayed late and did not take a lunch. When I stated that there was not enough coverage at 9 for me to go home, and I took no lunch because again, it would have left not enough aides on the floors, I was lectured about budget hours and labor laws. 
Not a "thank you" for staying to take care of our residents.  Nothing.

Except a reminder that scheduling rules were changing.
Now, instead of people having certain days, and times, off, the schedule would rotate to 4 days on, 2 days off.
When I asked, "Even the part timers?" I was told "Yup."
When I asked, "No matter what agreement was reached when I was hired? With my availability accepted then?" . I was told, "This new schedule will void out all that." 
"Hmmmm...that doesn't work for me. I chose this job, and you chose me for this job, with the understanding that I could not work certain days and I only wanted certain hours. We both agreed on this certain schedule."
"Doesn't matter."
"Well, I don't think I will be able to work here then."
"We are hiring more staff in the anticipation that we will lose some current staff."

I have worked there a year!! I have called in sick two times.  I have come in on my days off numerous times. I have stayed past my scheduled shift numerous times. Residents request me, by name, to help them. Co-workers request me on their shift.  I am not a slacker employee. I have won prizes from the same management team.

I thought I was a valued employee. 

I guess I was wrong. 

The irony? 



It was staff appreciation week.