Incognito

So, here I am, last Sunday, in our new store with the new layout...a very exciting venture for Michaels. I planned to go in completely under the radar, as I was not dressed appropriately to be in the store in the first place. No such luck.
I ended up having to introduce myself to the store manager when I asked him to ask a woman taking pictures to leave. After that, I had to let the customer service manager know that the behavior of the girl who checked me out was unacceptable (it truly was - I was embarrassed). So, that was pretty bad, but I thought to myself, no one will remember once I walk out the door.

Again.....no such luck.........


I got a phone call from HR this morning...never a good thing on a Friday, as Fridays seem to be "firing days"....(why am I so paranoid?). She told me she had had several people call her about this HUGE scrapbooking website that many of our employees and customers frequent. On it, a woman posted a link to her blog on which she posted pictures of our new store. So, if you'll scroll down to the entry from Sunday, Sept 14, there you'll see me....in all my Sunday morning glory....beautiful.

So much for incognito.

http://scrappyloveworld.blogspot.com/

Cool as a Cucumber

I'm not a person who gets overwhelmed easily. I've always been a "Don't-Panic-Until-There's-Something-to-Panic-About" kind of gal. But MAN! These last couple of weeks have really put my patience to the test!!! I can't seem to win for losing - screwing up EVERYTHING that I touch!! I guess when it rains, it pours! Prayers, please!

It's my BIRTHDAY!!!!

I love my birthday....today is #27.......What I don't love is being the center of attention - singing Happy Birthday, decorating my desk at work so EVERYONE knows... Take a look at the handy work of my very dear girlfriends in the office, my boss included, who wanted me to know I'm loved (and that they know about my hatred for milk). Oh, and there are buttons with my milk-mustached face circulating all over the building on the shoulders of everyone I know....including my VP.....

Drama at the Car Dealership

It’s an age-old story…you’ve heard it before. I’ll share my experience, this being my first of a “big girl” nature.
I walked into the dealership to pick up my car, dressed in a leopard print top, black pants, and black peeptoe pumps. I clearly don’t belong there.
As I opened the door, I noticed a row of desks separated by glass panes, each occupied by a gentleman somewhere between the ages of 30 and 55. Their heads pop up above their computers in unison……..nothing……no “may I help you?”, they’re just staring. Finally, I said, “Excuse me, I’m here to pick up my car”. (I may have snapped my fingers for emphasis, but do you blame me?)
“Did they tell you it was ready?”
No, I just thought I’d drive over for a practice run so I know how to deal with you oogoling perverts when the real time comes to pick up my car.
“Yes, I wouldn’t be here unless they had.”
“Go around the corner to the cashier – she’ll have what you need.”
Cashier? My car is still under warranty – I shouldn’t need a cashier for the money-less transaction I’m about to make. I round the corner to find a girl of about 19 dressed in a hoodie and jeans (it’s 103 degrees today).
“Hello. I’m Jennifer Marshall. I’m here to pick up my car.”
“Last name?”
Didn’t I just give it to you? First name, then last. I had my ID ready, just like the huge sign next to me told me to.
“Marshall”
She looks at the tag on each set of keys.
“Jennifer?” She hasn’t even looked at my ID. Is it this easy to get into someone’s car and drive away? What if Mrs. Jones drove a Porsche? I’d be rollin’ in style! “Here, sign this.” She shoved 2 pieces of paper in front of me – one with a pink highlighted dot and one with a blue highlighted dot.
As I’m scanning the document, making sure it doesn’t say “Transmission fluid leak, did not fix. Evaporating air from gas tank, did not fix”, she slides the window open further than the small crack she was talking to me through.
“It just tells what they did to your car. Will you just sign the thing?”
“I beg your pardon? I’m not signing anything, pink or blue, until I’ve read through what I’m signing”.
She looks at the boy standing next to her, rolls her eyes, and says into the walkie talkie, “500, I need a drive around for Ms…..uh…..Marshall”
Finally, a 13-year-old rounded the corner in my Jeep Commander that shouldn’t have a transmission fluid leak or evaporating air in the gas tank in the first place. Whah…Whah…

Bad Blogger

I thought I would really enjoy this blogging thing, then I realized I have no pictures to upload...boring, no good stories lately.....double boring, and not really enough time to do it. I'm inspired now. I'll be better, I promise.

Since May 7th, which was the date of my last entry, I've been overloaded at work. I've given 2 of the most important presentations of my career, and gladly, they went famously! I find myself wondering why, whith such rave reviews about my performance circulating around the executive floor, I go home every night thinking I'm the worst buyer in the world....I guess I'm my own worst critic...but who isn't?!

My car is in the shop. I guess when a car dealer tells you "everything seems to be in fine working order, Ms. Marshall. If you need anything or have questions about your warranty, please don't hesitate to call", that means, "watch out, Ms. Marshall, when your dad finds out you've had a transmission fluid leak and haven't taken care of it, you're in for big troubs"! (as if I know what a transmission is and why and from where it would be leaking....please!)

I'm in mourning. My favorite pair of shoes passed away on Tuesday morning. The candy apple red pattent leather ripped off of the bottom of my perfect peeptoe Stuart Weitzman Rollpumps. This may sound like Latin to those of you who give less than stellar performance in the art of dressing, but this will go down in history as one of my saddest days. Luckily, I still have my connections from NM which have allowed me to arrange surgery for my unfortunate, overworn fabulous shoes. I'm sure they'll come back from NY good as new!

Is it Friday yet???

Things to Ponder...

These things have actually crossed my mind since the beginning of my work day…it’s only been 3 hours….

Why do people assume you want to hold their child?
Why do people think it’s okay to wear leggings to work with a top that’s too short?
Why do people think we need to hear them scream at their wives in the office?
Why do meetings always get scheduled when I’m alone to speak to a business I know nothing about?
Why does the electric company seem so on top of things when it’s time to disconnect service, but still can’t figure out where the heck to send a statement?
Why do Shih Tzus have such a hard time potty training?
Why do I think it’s necessary to drive a car as big as a school bus when I can’t drive it or afford the gas?
Why am I sitting here like I have nothing to do when I have a year’s worth of planning to get done in about five minutes?
Why are guys I would never even consider the only ones attracted to me?
Why do men in the workplace think there are microphones in women’s breasts?
Why do people only bother me when I’m clearly busy?
Why do I love planning weddings so much?
Why do some people think "Associate Buyer" is synonomous with "Secretary"?
Why is it inappropriate to drink alcohol at work?
Why did I go to the grocery store and buy sandwich stuff, but no bread?
Why does Saturday only come once a week?
Why do I still have to do my own advertising?
Why am I yawning when I’ve had 3 cups of coffee this morning?
Why can’t I lose 20 pounds by only consuming tortillas and wine?

Forget sanity – let’s just focus on staying alive!

Is It Friday Yet?

I’m playing the parts of 3 different buyers today. All parties who are here to support me in my time of learning a new business are out of town. Even on a day like today, I know in my bones I am made to do this. I do not regret, even for a second, the choices and sacrifices I’ve made to be here. There are 3 things that have made me happy today :
1) The vending machine gave me 2 cookies by accident
2) Diet Coke
3) Wearing flip flops around the office because all of my superiors are on vacation and how fabulous my toes look because I had a pedicure last week