(Shirt) and Shoes Optional

Upon arrival to work today, I saw the following note on the door (much as I would love to take and scan said note, I don't want to get fired!) "If you are coming from the plant or have on dirty shoes, please slide them off. We just got the carpets cleaned and would like to keep them that way. Thanks, LET" (LET--CEO of my company) It's one thing when I go to some one's home and they ask me to remove my shoes, but at my place of employment. It just seems a bit unprofessional! The joys of working for a family (not my family!) owned business. Maybe today is "beach day" and nobody told me about it!

Pill popper or Vitamin-ahloic?

I realized today that I take 19 pills/supplements every morning. They all have a purpose. The combination is intended to make me a better, stronger, more fit athlete and to improve my overall health. Honestly, who eats enough iron and every other trace mineral in a day? So, my questions is this, am I a druggie or just someone who is health conscious? The word "druggie" does show up as part of spell check--what has the world come to?

Does iPod have an opinion?

So, I recently loaded a new version of iTunes onto my work computer. I need some music in my day to keep me happy (even if I can't dance because I'm in "cubieville"---my own private, totally exposed cubical!) So, I loaded a very small sampling of music that I thought would be work appropriate. There is enough music to get not quite through 2 days of work (I need to add more!) However, I've noticed something odd. I put the player on shuffle so I get an assortment of artists. When looking at iTunes this morning, there are songs with a "0" play count and songs with a "6" play count (and every number in between.) How are some songs played so many times and others not even make the cut? Does iTunes play some songs more than others because it likes them better?

Not so instant gratification

About a month ago, I saw this swim suit in "Women's Health" magazine. I fell in love with it and have been desperately wanting it. Well, I'm a firm believer in the reward program...even for myself. So, I set a little goal for myself. On Tuesday night, I reached that goal and have now ordered my new swim suit!

Look for me in that cute suit at a pool near you!

Working Girl

A few observations after a short time at a "real" job:

1. This working 8 to 5 is for the birds. Who decided on the 8 hour work day? And why did he think it was a good idea? (Yes, HE, I'm certain it was a man!)
2. Having to show up at an actual office at a specified time and stay until a specified time!?! What's that? I'm used to setting my own schedule! (yes, this also references #1)
3. I never realized what a bear commuting is! In the morning, I leave extra early and head to a gym 15 minutes from my office. But, in the afternoon, an hour or more to get home. Does that mean I get to leave at 4pm?
4. How is it that the guy I supervise/manage works fewer hours than me? Does this seem strange to anybody else? I can only hope I get paid a lot more than him!
5. Do they realize that work is cutting into my work-out time? I need my 2 hours a day at the gym!
6. A one hour lunch! Are these people crazy?!? I prefer at least 2 to 3 hours. Lunch is the most important part of the day!
7. There is no way I can make it to 6pm yoga (see #3)
8. Am I the only person not related in some way? It seems that way. About 90% of this company is family. But, not me!
9. I'm tired of the sympathetic reaction I get from people when I tell them I work in the pharmaceutical division (OK, so there are only 3 of us) However, give me a chance to succeed before you write me off (like all the others before me!)
10. Running errands on the weekend. Seriously, Saturday is not enough time to get everything done. I need at least one afternoon a week all to myself!

The bottom line is, I was not cut out for work. And if I do have to work, I need to set my own hours! I'd better start traveling soon so I can get out of this place more often. And to think, I gave up free Diet Coke, fresh baked cookies and all the freedom in the world for this. These people had better appreciate me!

Let's just be honest, I was meant to live a life of luxury!! Where's my rich husband!

Greeting cards galore!

If you are like me, you are always looking for great cards to give people (and they are usually impossible to find!) However, by sheer luck, I stumbled upon this great card company. They make cards with great pictures and great quotes. Here are just a few of my favorites!

New Job

Let me first say, I was not cut out to work Monday thru Friday, 8am to 5pm. Who invented this as a weekly work schedule anyway?!? That being said, I started my job yesterday. And yes, it is 8 to 5 and I don't like that part. However, everything else is pretty much good! I am employed by Thatcher Pharmaceutical. They are a chemical company who is just (OK, for like the last 5 years, but with little success) started in the pharmaceutical arena. I have been brought in to jump-start the sales, work with the major companies they supply to (I can't say because of all the confidentiality agreements, but think of me as Delco supplying to GM) and in general take over the management of the pharmaceutical division. I work for a great manager/boss/President of the company. We get along great and there is a lot of potential for growth. Unfortunately, I have to be here at 8am and don't leave until 5pm. This is going to seriously cut into my working out time! But, it will be nice to have a pay check again! Whenever I think of a full-time job, I can't help but think of the song (brought to fame by Seinfeld, in my opinion, just picture George riding a car up the stairwell while this tune is playing) "My baby takes the morning train, he works from 9 to 5 and then he takes it home again....." (I don't know the name or artist, but if you've ever seen the episode of Seinfeld, you know the song)

Not all yoga is created equal

I have started attending yoga more regularly, as opposed to sporadically as I used to. I have begun to truly love the practice of yoga and actually look forward to class. I think in part it is because our Thursday teacher, Liz, is so fantastic! She really knows how to get in a great balance of stretching poses, balancing poses and challenge poses that make it ideal for me.

Last night, I was reminded just why I hate "restorative yoga" as much as I do. First, it is basically a bunch of stretching, lying on the mat and child's pose. All fine for a 30 minute class, but 60 minutes of this and I'm just ready to scream! Its actually achieving the exact opposite effect that yoga should have for me. Couple this with an instructor that can't stop talking and most of what comes out of her mouth is just gibberish and I was ready to walk out of class! I did manage to stay for the entire class and I know the stretching did me good (since I hate to stretch after my typical workout!)

In the future, when we do restorative yoga, maybe I'll just wear my iPod with my own relaxing and soothing music and I might just enjoy it a little better.

Ballet West

Saturday night, I had the pleasure of attending the ballet with Natalie. She is a true lover of ballet and even takes ballet herself. Rather than doing an entire ballet, they performed parts of three different ballets. It is amazing to me what these men and women are able to do!

Even more exciting than the ballet itself, was the man sitting next to Natalie. He could not stop hitting on her! It was quite interesting to watch a man flirt with a woman at the ballet!

Even without the added excitement I had a fantastic time. Thanks Natalie!

Alyssa, just like her aunt Mel!

Can you say, "high maintenance!" Seriously, we are in the middle of a hike and the 3 year old has to stop to put on lip gloss! I guess I've trained her well!

At least I've also trained her to get in a workout no matter the time of day or how you are dressed!

Memorial Day Weekend 2007

Here is the proof, Stratton's really do hike! After eating a delicious breakfast up North Fork in American Fork Canyon, we decided we had better work off all that food, so up we went to Silver Lake Flats. Matt is not in the picture because someone had to take the picture! After getting back down, we took a few photos by one of the lakes. It's always fun to have a sister's photo!!