The only way to have a friend is to be one." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[lyzziesmom]

Ashley, what did you think of Idol last night? Emma was so sad that Jasmine went home, she loved her because she's named after a princess. rincess: I really don't like the roughneck guy. He seems like a nice guy but his voice isn't that great and his songs are a snoozefest. The "surprise twist" I don't think is that big of a deal. Didn't they do that a couple years ago? The bottom two were on stage and they said one was safe and the other one was.... safe too! I think it was right before the Idol Gives Back show. I think it's funny how they're presenting it this time though, "You're going home... or will the judges save you?" "No." Just another way to crush those poor kids!

I obviously don't have much else to talk about today. I started a new thread yesterday which ended up pretty funny, you guys should check it out!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I just posted on your thread Lyzziesmom, I always do stupid things!

I am so excited to go see Brad Paisley tonight at the Rodeo! I can't wait!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Nicole, you'll have to let us know how the rodeo is. I haven't been to one in a long time!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Hey All!

Nicole, have fun!!

I don't get why AI did that. It's not like the judges haven't heard them sing, so if they want to keep them, then just do it.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Evening guys!

Man, I am exhausted! We had a clinic today and didn't get back until after 6, then the kids had to get back into regular clothes and cleaned up. I also had to take my leg to a table and kick a leg off of it because the screw was stuck and I needed to take it apart to get it back on the bus. It was pretty funny, since I would generally yell at my kids for doing that!

Anyway, I'm finishing watching Ugly Betty on DVR, then I am off to bed!

 

[hellokitty86]

Hey guys!

I'm super exhausted, we've been running around all day shopping for the big weekend at my Grandparents. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying to be positive but after today I just don't know.

I thought American Idol was ok. Apparently I was wrong about the new twist. I was happy with who went, I definitely don't think they deserved to be saved either. The twist might be good; I remember being really upset when Michael Johns got voted off last year (atleast I think it was last year!)

Hope everyone has a great night, and a wonderful Friday!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ashley, you sound just like Lyzzie with Idol. She can never remember which year people were on. She was trying to convince me that Chris Daughtry was on last year and couldn't figure out how that worked, since we saw him open for Bon Jovi last year.

Last night at TDS I had a rough night. First I was informed that earlier this week, the Company decided to axe 75 Assistant Store Managers -- since our store had 2, one had to go. The remaining one broke the news to me, and he feels awful because he's been there just about 2 years and the manager who was laid off has been with the company for 17 years. He feels very guilty about still being there, but understands that since it was a cost-cutting measure they let go the one who was making more money. Everyone liked her and it was a huge shock. I'm glad I wasn't there when it happened, because she is a strong woman and apparently left in tears.

I had another issue where I was stuck in the middle of a situation and still don't know what to do. Without going into too much detail: a coworker confided in me about feelings for another coworker. The other coworker confided that the feeling is not mutual. To make matters worse, one is in a supervisory position over the other. (Are we thoroughly confused yet?) I don't want to say anything to either of them and break their trust in me because I am friendly with both (and don't like work conflict), but it puts me in an awkward position -- especially when they are both in the room!

The temp agency just called to talk to the boss here -- I wonder what's going on? It's not the agent I work with, it's the lady who handles the actual contracts. Aaaaack! Stress!! Hopefully it's GOOOD news.


Nicole -- how was the rodeo and the concert?

Ashley -- I had to laugh that you've been shopping to go clean out clutter!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Lyzziesmom- Tough situation with your coworkers! I'm sorry about your manager being laid off. Do you know what the temp agency had to say?

Ashley- Good luck this weekend!

Lin- That's pretty funny about the table!

Brad Paisley was great! Right before he came on, they had about 5 or 6 kids that were riding sheep! It was so funny, those poor kids were hanging on for dear life! Two of the kids were only 4 years old!!!! I wasn't able to get any pics of the Disney named cows and sheep, because my friend wanted to go after the concert and the livestock part was closed.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Nicole -- I've seen that before, where they have the kids ride sheep. I can't remember what they call it but it is so funny! Sounds like you had a good time.

I don't know what the agency said. The boss here hasn't said a word to me about it. I sent an email to the 2 ladies at the agency that I've been working with; one works with temp only and the other with temp-to-perm. I just mentioned that the date they guaranteed I'd be here until is just a couple weeks away and asked if they'd heard any news about keeping me on longer. I hate not knowing!

 

[hellokitty86]

Hey guys!

I just got back from the first day of cleaning...I am so exhausted. It doesn't even seem like we got alot done. I could tell some of my family members were mad that we left (my Mom and I) but we had been there since 9:30! I'm not sure how much more they expect. Tomorrow Jeremiah is coming (he is not happy about that though) and he can do more heavy lifting. I am still pretty sore so its hard to do alot of bending/lifting.

Lyzziesmom, it is funny now that you said it that we are shopping when wanting to get rid of clutter. But we needed to get cleaning supplies and storage bins and stuff like that! I'm sorry about your manager getting laid off and the coworker situation. Does one have a crush on the other one? That must be tough. Hopefully the temp agency had good news!

Hope everyone has a great Friday night and wonderful weekend! Wish me luck in surviving the next 2 days.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ashley -- wow the cleaning sure sounds exhausting. Did anyone take some "before" pictures so you can take some "after" pictures and see how much got done?

Yes it's one of my TDS coworkers has a huge crush on another one who does not feel the same, and since I am friendly with them both I feel stuck in the middle because they both sort of confide in me. I love that I'm (finally) spending more time around adults and having friends, but I hate all the drama and sort of want to go back to being a hermit again!

Speaking of which, I don't think I told you guys... Lyzzie has gotten her heart set on buying herself a hermit crab!! I keep reminding her of how her pet mouse turned out (not as fun as imagined) but she has wanted a crab for a really long time and thinks it'll be easier to take care of. I'm pretty sure my mom is encouraging her, taking her to pet stores over Spring Break to check prices, paying her for chores, and helping her research what she'll need to buy. Thanks Mom!! I was kind of hoping the phase would pass on its own. Wow my eyeballs are starting to hurt from all this rolling!!

The temp agency didn't really have any news, just that I'm getting good feedback and am still temp. Still sort of being "tested" by the other execs in the office -- but no pressure!!

Any exciting weekend plans? I might head out for drinks tonight but nothing exciting because I work tonight and then open the store tomorrow.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Ugh, it is rainy, cold and nasty! I just want to curl up and go to sleep!

Lyzziesmom, that sucks for the coworker. Here is what I have never understood about laying off the people that make the most...in theory, if they are great at their job they attract more business. So, if you keep the one that makes more, they make more FOR the company as well... Just my two cents, not that they other guy doesn't do well too, but its sad to cut someone that stuck by the company in the dark days of the last few years.

Nicole, glad you enjoyed Mr. Paisley! We loved seeing him last year!

Ashley, take a bubble bath!!!

 

[Linzybrooke]

Lyzziesmom, point out how awful hermit crabs smell! Like stinky feet and wet clothes! Then maybe she will change her mind... I totally forgot about Oreo!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Wow Lin, I am impressed that you remembered Oreo's name! Emma forgot who he was when we were talking about him the other day... she was appalled at the idea that we set a cookie free in Grammy's backyard.

Huh, my brother used to have a hermit crab (Herman, of course) and I don't remember him being stinky. I do remember that he was weird because he liked to crawl out of his shell and try to hook his butt onto your finger.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Eeewwww!! That is gross! Everytime I walk past the Hermit crabs at the mall I can smell them...but, I have a pretty sensitive nose so maybe I'm just special like that!

Any plans for the weekend?

 

[lyzziesmom]

Well it's a good thing I had an hour and a half between jobs and went home in between -- because it turns out I'm not working tonight after all. When I called in this afternoon, one manager told me they are using my on call shift, but the store manager later said they are not. Luckily one of my friends is working tonight and mentioned it, otherwise I would have showed up. Methinks they need to work on their communication skills! This is the 2nd time that has happened in the last month -- last time I actually did show up. Oops!

The girls are already busy at my mom's house, Emma is watching movies and Lyzzie is at the pool with her friend, so I have a rare free night. I am going with 3 girl friends to the bar down the street to see an 80s cover band. Should be fun! The other 3 girls are younger... I might be the only one who actually remembers the 80s.

Lin -- there used to be a hermit crab store at a mall here a few years ago. They have since torn that mall down (it was mostly empty) but the place was so darn cute! It was called The Hermit Hut or something, and the whole store was about the size of a walk-in closet. They had their crabs in a big display case that took up the whole front window, and you could come inside and play with them. If you took 2 steps backward, your butt would be hitting the back wall of the place. I told you it was tiny!! The only thing they sold was the crabs and little "crab kits" with the cutest little accessories for them. Each kit was themed, so your crabs could hang out on the beach or in Paris or in outer space, or whatever. Lyzzie is really wishing that place was still around! Oh and it didn't stink at all either. Maybe the place in your mall just doesn't take very good care of them? Or maybe it's their food that stinks. I had a horribly sensitive nose when I was pregnant and for a couple of years after. I could smell food in the fridge across the house! It was really annoying. It's still pretty sensitive but thank goodness not like that. I'm just glad it works -- seems like everything else (eyes, ears, back) are giving out on me in my old age.

We have a dwarf hamster at my work for a couple weeks. His owner (a coworker) is on vacation and brought the little guy in for the rest of us to take care of. His name is Grassy and he is so cute!! And last week my boss brought in his daughter's dog for the afternoon (guess who ended up having to walk her? ) Another coworker brings her son in every couple days after school. Yeah, can you tell it's a small laid-back office?

 

[hellokitty86]

Lyzziesmom, I can weigh in about the hermit crabs!! When Jeremiah and I were dating and I still lived at home, I convinced him to buy me a couple from one of those places in the mall. Mine didn't smell either, but I was super anal about keeping the cages clean and changing the sand. The upkeep can be expensive. If you are planning on getting more than 1 (which is recommended because they are very social) than you need a seperate little cage/water bowl/food bowl for when they molt (it doesnt happen very often though). Oftentimes people think the hermit crab is dead but its actually when they are shedding their skin and they kind of go into a hibernation for up to a week. They need a seperate cage because oftentimes the other hermit crab will try to eat the other in its weakened state. You also need to put the exoskeleton in with the hermit crab because they eat it for nutrients. You need several other sized shells for when the hermit crabs want to change. It was always fun to come and not recognize your hermit crab because its in a different shell! You can't exactly release them into the back yard so it can be a big commitment. They do live long, which my Mom can attest to. When I moved out and to Virginia I had to leave them with her, they wouldn't allow them on the plane (I did take my hamster though!) You also need a little water bottle to "spritz" them every day. I think they are a fun pet! My Grandparents even went to Key West once and brought me back a couple "wild" hermit crabs and I added them to my tank, they were much smaller than any I had seen in a store!

Anyway, here is a really good website for hermit crab 101:

http://hermit-crabs.com/

Hope you have fun tonight! I'm going to go collapse in bed now, its been a LONG day!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Hey All!

Ashley, you have quite the knowledge of hermit crabs. I was never allowed to have one.

Lyzziesmom, I hope you have fun!

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, you have quite the knowledge of hermit crabs.

I know, aren't I a dork?! I always do ALOT of research on pets before I buy them, its a sickness!

 

[Linzybrooke]

Hey guys!

Well, I've been past several different Hermit Crab places, and I've thought all of them smelled...must just be my nose!

Well, we have to leave in the morning to go to Louisiana for a wedding so I probably won't check in tomorrow. We will be back Sunday night.

Have a great weekend everyone!