I might be in love

Sigh. I think it's meant to be.  Thanks to my boss for truly knowing what a girl wants.

A Big FU Gift Goes to:

• The guy that was offered a raise after only working here 90 days and still asked for more money.
• The same guy for threatening to quit if doesn't get more money.  You know what?  I didn't make your poor financial decisions, why do I have to get you out of it?  You knew how much you'd be making when you took the job.  That wasn't a secret!
• The ungrateful student who tore up his award right in front of the President because he didn't think it "was good enough." FU you little sh*t head.
• The insurance company for raising my premiums $50 a month (which makes it over $200/month) and then offering a 2% discount for not smoking.  Gee thanks.

Blog Award - Honest Scrap

Here are the Rules:

1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.  Thank you Andrea at The Snorthing Gigglesaurus!  I've known Andrea pretty much the majority of my life and am amazed at how she's grown into a beautiful mature woman and mommy!
2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

So here goes:

1. I have no idea what I want from Christmas. I know I spent a whole post complaining about what to get people and how I'm out of ideas. I believe my stumped gift giving stems from the fact I have no clue what I want. I think it's because, wait for it...I'm satisfied; which is a very bizarre feeling for me. (At least in regards to material things) Weird.
2. I ordered all my gifts online this year. I've received two so far. I'M FREAKING OUT!! Please UPS deliver the gifts so I don't have to go to the dreaded mall.
3. The general public annoys the piss out of me. I try to avoid places like movie theaters on opening night, malls during the holiday season, etc. However, I love concerts and the people do not bother me. Maybe because we're all singing?
4. I'm allergic to the cold. I break out in hives and get all itchy. I typically hate cold weather. Yet, I've been "running" in freezing temperatures. 
5. My outfit to run in freezing temperatures consists of: two pair of socks, long johns, running pants, tank top, long john top, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt (yes, twice), two pairs of gloves, ear warmers, and knitted hat. I may or may not look similar to this.

6. This is the first Christmas that I will not be spending with my family. Typically I see my parents at some point and this year it just wasn't possible to see both families on Christmas. So my family is getting together on Sunday. It’s just not the same.
7. I have been at work before 7:00am twice this week. That deserves some kind of award right?
8. Growing up I always opened my stocking gifts first.  Dave always did his last.  We argue every year which way to do it and have always stuck with our own traditions so far.

9. I'm really looking forward to a few days off and getting out of town.  However, I really want a big trip.  One that requires a passport and 7 days off. 
10. I'm going to break rules 3 & 4 and let those that want to join the fun do it.

Top 6 Company Christmas Party No-No's

So I went in with a group gift and we're getting our boss a Kindle. It became a reasonable gift and I think she'll really like it. The mom and in law gifts are still to be determined. But you've given me some great ideas that I'm going to see if they'll work for my family.

We had our Company Christmas Party on Saturday. It was fun, but there were some things that probably shouldn't happen in front of your boss:

1. When the dance floor is practically empty, it’s not appropriate to run up behind someone and hump them.
2. Passing out on the table.
3. Giving a lap dance to your significant other.
4. Getting so drunk that you fall down, puke, and twist your knee.
5. So drunk that you hurt your knee and have to be carted off in a wheel chair.
6. Starting a fight in the elevator with the CEO.
   

Ahh the holidays, they're magical right? Thankfully, I was only the victim of #1.

I received a blog award that I promise I'll post. Soon.

Gift Ideas??

What do you get your boss who has everything? One year I got her a photo book of Oklahoma signed by the author. Another year I got her Oklahoma wine. Any ideas?

What do you get a mother who's not going to like anything you get her, but refuses to give you clues for something she might actually like? I'm thinking about giving a best buy gift card. I know its impersonal, but she's not giving me anything to go on!

Also, we're doing stocking stuffers for the hubs family. WTH! Three men and two women and a 3 year old. We already got the three year old a gift, but guess what? Same gift bought by the grandma.

Shouldn't Christmas be about the holidays? Family time? Not expressing your love through gifts? Ideas for gifts welcome.

I feel like a bad ass

As always, in no particular order:

1. I pull my welders, also known as 3rd grade little girls, into my office and told them that I expected them to communicate to each other, work together, and get over this squabble. If they didn't feel they could do this then some adjustments to the team were going to be made. They're now working together and talking.
2. I got my hair done! I love hair did days. It always puts a little pep in my step.
3. I did my own banner. Did you see it? You probably can't miss it since its a picture of a flame. It's not special or cool like most of yours, but its better than nothing right?
4. My company Christmas party is tomorrow. I'm trying to decide if I want to wear the same dress I wore last year or get a new dress. I'm leaning towards new dress that I could also wear out for New Year's Eve.

Welders = 3rd Graders

I honest to God have two welding instructors who will not speak to each other. They are being like two little girls in a fight. They gossip behind each others back and literally refuse to say anything to other.

Actual email sent from employee:
Blaze, I just wanted you to know that the shop looked awesome. :) it was super clean and my students and I greatly appreciate it ,since the other welder acting like a little girl and I are not talking I was wondering if you could pass a thank you on.

Thanks !
Welder who won't talk to coworker therefore is acting like a 3rd grader

Seriously? This is management?

In lieu of Christmas Cards

We adopted an Angel from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. There were so many pieces of papers representing kids and families wanting to have a Christmas. It was heart wrenching. I just looked at the table and grabbed the first one. This was my first year and I wasn't sure what to do. It was so easy, you pick your angel, they give you a bag, then you return the bag with the present(s) and the paper and it goes to the family.

After I picked out Stephanie, the 20 month little girl, I went shopping. I may have gone a touch over board. She likes Dora the Explorer, so I got her a cute little Dora shirt, Dora fleece blanket, Dora talking backpack play kit, and a Dora doll. I also picked up clothes and shoes. Not having any kids, the picking out clothes part was a bit of a challenge. Is 24 months the same at 2T? It should be. Makes sense right? Because the Target clothes are more 2T than 24 months and I hope this 20 month little girl can wear them for awhile.

My parents always came through for Christmas. Every year they made sure it was big deal and these are some of my happiest memories; being excited for Santa and waking up the parents so they could see what Santa brought me. Anyways, if you're able, I encourage everyone to adopt an Angel. The program ends this Saturday.

Accreditation Visit

It went great. We kicked ass and took names. I'm flying high right now. In preparation for this visit I felt like I was back in college. On Tuesday night I was up until 1am working on it and then Wednesday night until 3am. It was ridiculous. So far my accreditation visits have been perfect with no violations.

This visit was different since I had to deal with one man who didn't think he should talk to me since I didn't have a penis. Seriously, he would barely speak to me even when I asked him a direct question. Either I charmed him or he decided I wasn't so incompetent that I could read and that I did know what was going on at the school. Surprisingly, he warmed up to me, realized I am capable of understanding policies (regardless if they're automotive related or not).

I'm tired, but I think I'm going to celebrate with an adult beverage.