During the week of May 14, I went to Las Vegas to attend training for work. Training for work in Vegas? Yes, indeed and I loved it. This was the third time that I have been to Las Vegas in my life and the second time in two years. Our chapter shared a lot of information with other chapters. I picked up a few pointers for our chapter newsletter and other public relation ideas. I would not say that I actually *learned* as much as I did last year, but I still valued the experience.

Outside of training, I explored Vegas a lot more than I did last year. On Tuesday, we walked as far as Tropicana Hotel. This is a fairly long walk from the Flamingo Hotel in 90 degree weather. We stopped in M&M World, Coca Cola Store, MGM Grand Hotel (my family and I stayed there in 1994) and a few random shops. When you go into M&M World then the Coca Cola store, the Coca Cola store is a huge disappointment. M&M World has 4 levels of merchandise and a few activities. The Coca Cola store has 2 levels and besides the station with fresh fountain drinks, there was not much pleasing to the eye. We probably walked more than 3 miles up and down the strip that morning and afternoon. I left my visor at home, but with my sunglasses and sunscreen, I survived. I had a pretty nice tan with my tanktop.

Throughout the week, I talked to JT and the twins on Skype and that helped me not being able to hug and kiss them whenever I want like at home. My heart melted as I heard William and Keisha say, “Saw Mommy, Saw Mommy.” I also had a lavender oil plugin in my hotel room to remind myself of home.

Read the rest of I Went to Las Vegas But I Did Not Forget

Today was probably the best day that I have ever had at my job. I found out some fantastic news about an issue I helped with an employee.

But it feels like I do not have someone to share the moment with.

Oh well.

Must sleep soon.

I am looking forward to my trip next week.

Somehow this song captures the moment for me. Madonna - What It Feels Like For A Girl:

(Spoken:)
Girls can wear jeans
And cut their hair short
Wear shirts and boots
‘Cause it’s OK to be a boy
But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading
‘Cause you think that being a girl is degrading
But secretly you’d love to know what it’s like
Wouldn’t you
What it feels like for a girl

Silky smooth
Lips as sweet as candy, baby
Tight blue jeans
Skin that shows in patches

Strong inside but you don’t know it
Good little girls they never show it
When you open up your mouth to speak
Could you be a little weak

Chorus:

Do you know what it feels like for a girl
Do you know what it feels like in this world
For a girl

Hair that twirls on finger tips so gently, baby
Hands that rest on jutting hips repenting

Hurt that’s not supposed to show
And tears that fall when no one knows
When you’re trying hard to be your best
Could you be a little less

(chorus)
(chorus, prefixing 3rd line with “What it feels like”)

Strong inside but you don’t know it
Good little girls they never show it
When you open up your mouth to speak
Could you be a little weak

(chorus, repeat)

In this world
Do you know
Do you know
Do you know what it feels like for a girl
What it feels like in this world

Read the rest of Best Day Ever At My Job But…

Washington, D.C.—Last week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced to its workers that, in the wake of the failure of an outside contractor to live up to its obligations under a contract, IRS employees will be responsible for performing work that was awarded to the private firm.

The contract—in which IAP Worldwide was to take over the files work at seven IRS sites across the country—was originally awarded in May of 2006. The contractor was to assume work at each site on Dec. 1, 2006, but just days before the start date IRS announced that IAP would begin work at only two sites and would take over files work at the remaining sites six months later—June of 2007.

Source: http://www.nteu.org/PressKits/PressRelease/PressRelease.aspx?ID=1070

Last year the IRS began using private sector debt collectors to collect federal tax debt. This plan not only compromises the private information of tax payers, but also takes jobs away from federal employees. The IRS’s plan also allows these private collectors to keep up to 24 percent of what they collect which clearly invites aggressive collection techniques.

How can we stop the IRS from allowing our social security numbers to get in the hand of private tax collectors?

Read the rest of IAP Worldwide Delays Again Implementation of $103 Million Contract at IRS

Today was a pretty busy day. The morning started off with a doctor appointment with my primary care physician. The appointment went well. Dr. D. is concerned about weight gain but he doesn’t seem as concerned as I am. He just wants me to stay healthy and do all I can to prevent getting diabetes, which is so prevalent in my family. Twenty pounds is my personal weight loss goal, and this pretty much matches up with the height and weight chart that I saw in the office. My doctor is quite the character and his subtle jokes always keep the appointments interesting.

I was in a hurry to get out, but I wanted to be sure and stay at the receptionist desk to schedule for a follow-up in three months. I stayed patient and hung in there, scheduling the next visit for July something… heh it’s a good thing I have a printout of the date, because I already forgot the date. I just know that it is in July. The receptionist also gave me a cool pen. You see that it really doesn’t take much to please me.

After the appointment, H. and I headed to an offsite POD for our Family & Medical Leave Act Lunch and Learn. Considering the size of this particular POD, we thought the turnout was nice. The draining part of that day was the ride back to our own POD… Highway 70, bleh.

Read the rest of Pet Peeve Number Nine

I had a very busy day at work today. On paper, I would say that I accomplished a great deal. On the other hand, I didn’t feel productive. This is hard to explain…

I like staying busy and on my feet at work instead of sitting on the phone taking calls all day, but today was a bit different. Perhaps in the back of my mind, I replay conversations that I had at the end of the work day.

Argh, today is only Tuesday. My body says that it is Friday… because that is how tired I am.

Good luck to Calvin on this test tomorrow. His new layout is smooth by the way.

Well then, why I am up so late then?

My mind is pre-occupied.

Going to sleep now.

Maybe.

Read the rest of Productive, But It Didn’t Feel That Way

Today was my first day back at work since last Wednesday. You know that I wasn’t happy to go back, but we do what we have to do right? Many of my co-workers and friends asked about William and I let them know that he was feeling much better. All of the thoughts and prayers mean so much to my family and I. Aunt C bought William and Keisha (she didn’t leave her out this time) some outfits and a get well soon card for William. She called him Willie T. Only C can get away with calling my son Willie… I hate that name… Willie… ugh. My son’s name is William. Anyway, how thoughtful of C *smile.*

My acting manager (current manager is on vacation) brought me a piece of paper with denial written all over it. I quickly glanced at it and said, “yeah, I saw that coming.” I motioned to my manager that it was not a big deal and told her I have bigger battles to fight. I’m slowly learning what C taught me several months back about picking and choosing the battles that I fight. Considering what I had just gone through with William over the weekend, this one wasn’t worth fighting.

Read the rest of Pick and Choose

I went to a new doctor today. He was very kind and agreed that I should start on the medicine that Dr. J discussed with me last week. I have to admit that I am scared to take the medicine because I am not good at taking anything everyday at the same time and because of the possible side effects. This evening, Dr. B assured me (or at least tried to) that if the medicine didn’t work for me, we would try another prescription.

We’ll see.

I will schedule a follow up appointment in four weeks.

It is hard starting over with a new doctor. Medical release statements… I just always feel weird when I sign those.

My energy level is very low today. A couple of times at work, I debated coming home because I was extremely exhausted, my voice was hoarse and I had difficulty concentrating. I haven’t been motivated to do anything that I should be doing.

I hope that I can get a good sleep tonight.
Tomorrow begins day one of four to six weeks.

Read the rest of Starting Over

With having training beginning at 8am and ending 4:00pm-ish followed by a meeting at 7pm, you would think that today would have been exhausting. Well yeah, I’m tired now… but a good tired. I learned a great deal of vital information in training today. Usually trainings are boring and I spend more than eighty percent of the time sleeping, but today was different. I could have used a nap in between training and the meeting, but I handled myself well.

We had lunch at Houlihan’s… I had a Buffalo Heartland Chicken salad and a loaded baked potato. Of course the preparer screwed up and put bacon on the potato when I specifically said no bacon because I am allergic to pork. That never gets old with me, I get highly upset every time it happens and it happens all too frequently. How hard is it to remember no bacon? Anyway the meal was delicious once it was prepared to my liking. I had left over salad which, much to my dismay, I later left in H.’s car that evening.

After the meeting, I ate well again. Chicken quesadillas, cheese and crackers, honeydew and cantaloupe. H. dropped me off to an empty home. I immediately missed JT and the children. My mom is watching the twins while JT is at work and I had a late evening. As I lay here the sleepiness is settling in.

Read the rest of Long But Enlightening Day

The meeting today went better than I thought that it would. I appreciate the comments from JJ and Nik, showing their support. I was up most of the night doing my hair and despite the fact that I couldn’t straighten it quite the way I wanted, when I curled it this morning I was fairly pleased. I would go absolutely insane if I curled my hair every morning because it takes me at least an hour and forty-five minutes.

I had a whole lot to say but now I’m exhausted.

Read the rest of Not So Bad After All

I decided that Keisha Nicole needed another day of rest so JT stayed home with her today. She slept more than half of the day and didn’t eat many solids nor drink much fluid. On a positive note, she did go through a full twenty-four hours without another fever. We were thankful for that. I called home to check on my two loves throughout the day and from what JT described, Keisha Nicole really missed the company of her brother. Of course after arriving home, I made sure to love up the twins, a little bit more than normal. They both are still trying to get over their colds and we all know that babies and some adults…*cough can get needy when they are ill.

With children under age two, most over-the-counter medicines for colds are useless. But as a parent we still want to relieve the symptoms that are children have; sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. For mothers like myself who say that we just have to try out something we have Children’s Tylenol Cold and Sudafed. The Tylenol Cold actually seemed to help relieve William’s decongestion but not get rid of it totally. Inevitably the cold still has to run its course. The Sudafed has helped Keisha’s runny nose but not the cough. Bleh.

The twins will be fifteen months old next week so that means another wellness visit with their pediatrician. I also need to make a follow-up visit for William with his ENT. William snores extremely loud. One of his specialists thinks that it may be his adnoids. I just hope that it is something that can be fixed with as little pain as possible.

I found out via email that an important meeting is scheduled at work next Monday. I’m nervous but I think it will go well. I don’t think that everything will be resolved that day but I do think it will be quite a learning experience. Because of the powers that be, I cannot go into details and I don’t want to be a victim of those fired because of discussing work on her blog. Phooey.

Read the rest of Resting Time