Archive of Marcia's Musings - January 22-28, 2001Sunday, January 28, 2001
Today's Adventure
The adventure began this morning when we finally rolled out of bed around 9 (I think). Brian made coffee and then, before I had a chance, he started making breakfast. It was delicious, indeed! After watching a bunch of "how to" shows, we rotated our way through the showers-- having one more person on the house makes a minor difference in getting the mundane done-- and started down to Natural Bridges State Park. I've got a feeling that Brian took a lot of pictures so I'll let him put the pictures in an adventure page for you-- he was busy! There were a lot of very vibrant and moving butterflies-- last year, they were so lethargic, they let me "play" with them!! Natali was amazed and I was pleased that they were so active as well as so colorful by comparison to last year!
After that, we had a quick trip through Costco and now we're watching movies. On our way home, we stopped and picked up the truck-- we didn't know for sure if it was fixed last night because they didn't call to tell us it was done but, it is and the actual cost of the fuel pump wasn't as bad. The price they quoted us was the whole price without separating out the cost of the tune-up. Tune-ups are expensive on SUVs, ya know? Well, we know now and that made a huge difference in the price.
We've decided to make it a snack night but, in case Natali's mother is reading this, I'll make sure that she only eats the snacks that are good for her. ;>) (Yeah, right-- that's why its called "A Weekend Away From Home"!!)
Anyway, I've gotta get back to it . . . have a nice evening!
Saturday, January 27, 2001Another Busy Day
Well, it didn't start out that way! We had every intention of having a not-busy day simply picking up some hair conditioner and then going on to Brian's folks' to have lunch with them since his sister was down from Sacramento with the two kids, Alex and Robbie. We managed to go into full busy at about 11:10am-- VERY busy. How, you ask? Well, its quite simple . . . when the fuel pump on the Blazer went out, we got real busy trying to get it fixed!! Well, first we had to call for a tow from the exit that we took (that took an hour) and in the meantime, Brian walked the 3+ miles back to the apartment to get the Benz while we (Natali and I) continued to wait for the tow truck. When Brian got back with the car, Natali and I went to get lunch-- twice but don't ask why we had to make the second trip-- and, when we got back with the food, the tow truck came so, of course, Brian's food got cold.
We went to our regular repair place with the truck and then, finally, left for the in-laws. In the meantime, Brian had called and told them to eat lunch without us-- it would be horrid to make the kids wait soooo long until we got there! As we finally started up to Orinda, the repair place called. Remember the "profit" we made from selling the Cavalier? Yeah, well, its a distant memory to us, too!! Not all of it is a distant memory but enough of it is that I'm not happy about it!!
We had a nice visit with the in-laws and Barb and the kids-- they are cute kids. The nice thing was Natali being able to meet my in-laws-- I am very lucky because they are such wonderful people!! We took the "long way home" to give Natali a bit more of a tour. When we got home, Brian started cooking the burrito meat, I grated cheese, he heated the beans and, eventually, we assembled nachos and burritos for dinner-- num-num!!
We'll have to see how tomorrow's weather is before we can say what we'll be doing-- I'd still like to catch the butterflies at Natural Bridges but, if the weather doesn't work for it, we'll maybe head toward Half Moon Bay.
I'm going to try to pull the two of them away from the Black Adder series that we've been watching-- maybe I'll succeed and we can play a game together. Family fun stuff-- love it!!
Have a nice evening!!
Friday, January 26, 2001Short Shrift Again
My niece, Natali has arrived safely by "train" . . . well, okay so it looked like a bus with the "Amtrak" logo on the side. Apparently the train doesn't run all the time as a real train but they didn't want to give up the route so they call it Amtrak and its a bus. It doesn't matter, really-- it got her up here and that's the important part.
First order of business? Shopping!!! We went to spend a $50 gift card that I had from work and she got two sweaters and I got one and a pair of pants-- all for under $30.00 out of our pocket!! Not bad, eh??
Now we're waiting on a pizza . . .
Tomorrow, we're going to have a slight change of plans: we're going to my in-laws because Barb (Brian's sister) is there with the kids, too. Should be fun!!
I'm getting used to my new natural keyboard . . . its actually going pretty good, I think.
Anyway, sorry so short again but, you know how it is!
Have a nice evening, okay?
Okay!!
Thursday, January 25, 2001A Blur
The last 24 hours have been a blur!! We have, indeed, sold the car-- we drove through pouring rain during rush hour to "deliver" the car (which I wasn't particularly happy about) but, at least we don't have to mess with it any more. That's a relief!!
I've done what feels like a gazillion agreements in the last few days-- Sunday's visibility paid off. Now that they know the face that goes with the name and voice, they've decided I need to be kept busier-- I like that!!
I've been in a ton of meetings at work and have tried to prepare my director for her meeting on Tuesday of next week. I've done as much as I can-- she does need to read the documents and email and other correspondence for herself. I can't do everything even though it would be easier if I could-- I told her today: She needs to learn how to write better email!! If she'd've written the email right, I'd be going to Chicago instead of her!! ;>)
The Belands (I'm not going to link cuz their sites aren't current anyway) called last night-- Matt and Brian talked geek-stuff for a bit and then I got the low-down on the drive-up from Keri. Apparently, there have been better trips made but, the good news is that they've arrived in one piece and safely!
I spoke with Leah again today-- I try to catch her when I think she might be on her hospital break and so far, I've been pretty lucky in consistently reaching her. She starts out a little too uptight (well, dah!!!) in the conversation but by the end, she's laughing which is a good thing. That's another calling I missed: being a comedienne because I love to make people laugh, especially when they need a good laugh!!
Another high point of the conversation with Leah was hearing the reaction that the kids had to the Netwidows second set of gifts!! Yes, we sent the fruit baskets last week but this week, the toys arrived!!! Apparently, there was enough glee around to share cuz Landon sure liked his new maze!!! Leah and Landon "discussed" how to make the music happen but Leah couldn't figure it out. The next thing she knew, Landon's pushing Bear Blue's nose to make the music happen!! Talk about a smart kid!!!
Then they opened Danielle's gift and, apparently, the Wiggly Giggly ball hasn't stopped laughing since!! It is drawing the attention of the staff, other parents, the kids but most importantly, Landon and Danielle!!
We done good, Ladies!! I'm proud to count myself among these wonderful, generous and warm human beings!!
That said, its been a long day and will be even longer tomorrow-- Natali arrives and we need to start our time together doing . . . what? Oh, yeahhhh, SHOPPING!!!!
Have a nice evening!
Wednesday, January 24, 2001Extremely Short Shrift!!
First, I think we sold the car-- the guy has made an offer that I've accepted and, assuming he shows up tomorrow, he has himself a new car and we have another bill paid off-- well on our way to buying a house, indeed.
I've got a contract that I'm summarizing (or trying to) for my director to take with her on the Chicago trip next week. Its long and boring and before we had real contracts people in the department so its badly written, too.
I forgot to mention that I've had three different sales reps contact me about assignment and transfer since my presentation on Sunday! IT WORKED!!! Yeah, they listened!!!!! I am really pleased, needless to say. That presentation also gave me more visibility and the guys have been keeping me busy these past few days asking for forms, etc. to me to make sure that they have the latest-n-greatest on everything. I'm really please on how that went!
Sorry so short but I've got work to do!
Have a nice evening!!
Tuesday, January 23, 2001Let's See . . .
I spoke with Leah this afternoon-- have you seen the adorable picture of Landon on Tom's page?? If not, go there-- he's such a cutie!! This was taken before he got the flu, of course. Yes, indeed, he went to the hospital and lo and behold, he got sick!! The nurses are good tho and Leah's pleased with that part of the hospital-- it makes it more bearable, I'm sure!
After my ergonomic set-up a few weeks back, it was decided that I needed a "natural" keyboard so, they finally got around to ordering it for me today. We're getting a similar keyboard for me at home so that I don't have to switch back-n-forth between natural and straight. I typed about two lines today and it seemed okay-- yes, Shelley, I'll probably lose about 20 wpm but that's only temporary, I'm sure!!
With the new speakers that Brian bought himself last week, I was "given" the speakers from the Gateway-- yes, it was my computer before I met Brian. Now it is ONE of his minions, doing his bidding but I digress. Tonight, while I was gone, he set up my new speakers, moved the flatbed scanner to his office, set up the USB hub needed because of the APS and the Palm HotSync Cable and, basically, rearranged my world. Yes, I am grateful and I know he didn't put anything away or move anything that I won't be able to find later-- I had recently done that myself so there wasn't anything for him to "put away properly" for me.
By the way, my Chicago travel plans have been cancelled-- not a huge surprise. UMM decided that it would be better if a higher level, i.e., my director, person went instead. Not a problem-- I do not want to be in the "Windy City" in January thanks!!
I hate to say it but there isn't much to report tonight-- I'm not doing much of anything tonight except relaxing which is something I thoroughly enjoy!
Have a nice evening!
Monday, January 22, 2001Where to Start??
First, and foremost, I've heard from Leah-- she's "okay" but a little tired. Landon isn't sleeping well so neither is she, of course. I'll let Tom report on his condition today and the rest of the stuff that they've been updated on but, rest assured that Leah is doing well. She still has her sense of humor which is imperative at this point. It was good to hear her voice.
Michael, my co-worker's husband, was released from the hospital late last week and the two of them flew back up to the Bay Area over the weekend. Debra came into work today and we all hugged her-- it was so good to see her and know that they survived what they've been through together. Needless to say, there is some emotional trauma in addition to the physical damage he suffered but they are working through it together-- they are a surprisingly strong couple considering how young they are in age. Generally, that kind of maturity only happens when you're "our" age-- it is refreshing to see them even closer with each other since the accident!
Work Stuff
It was mentioned at the sales conference this past weekend that I may be needed to negotiate with a customer in Chicago in regard to the maintenance renewal that is high a fairly high dollar value. As you all know, I usually negotiate for the Southeast region but, I'm also responsible for maintenance renewals and NDAs. If the "Powers that Be" (read: Upper, UPPER Management) decide that I need to go with the Manager of Maintenance Renewals, I will be going with her next week.
This trip would be the first time that someone from our staff has gone out of our office to do direct, face-to-face negotiation. Because it is the first time, it opens itself to areas that are uncharted territories like, what happens to our other responsibilities when we go out there? Does Upper UPPER Management want us to go into that uncharted territory? My director, being the intelligent woman that she is, is leaving it to the UUM to decide if I will be traveling. That seems like a safe way to handle it to me!
Speaking of Business Travel
My director instructed me today to contact my AVP, John, to find out when his regional sales meetings (which are typically held quarterly and on weekends) are so that I can become a regular attendee. We are a part of the team and, to be a part of the team, we need to be involved in the team activities and meetings.
Personally, I think this is an excellent idea . . . so does Barbara Thompson. Why should Barbara Thompson care? Cuz it would get me to a reasonable driving distance of her!! ;>) I'd try to plan that trip so I could get there a day early or stay a day late and meet up with her when I'm there. We have already agreed that that would be TOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!! I'm looking forward to those trips already!!
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I can't think of anything else to update you on except that today I heard from one of the inside sales reps (copying his outside sales rep) on an email telling me that they have a customer that needs to have the document and software assigned and transferred! I guess I did get through yesterday, huh? Whew!! I'm glad!!
I have more geek-y stuff to do tonight-- programming my cell phone and my Palm. I'll have a fun night-- I hope you have a nice evening, too!
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