back in the swing of things...

do you think my boss will excuse me???

because i'm back at work today, sitting at my desk for the first time in 7 weeks and i can't remember most passwords. Therefore, I can't do much. So, I'm blogging. I've cleaned my office enough where I can now see my desk again. (It looked like a tornado hit it when I walked in at 6am this morning...NOT a pretty sight for drowsy eyes! who knows what went on in here while I was out! whatever it was, it wasn't pretty!) I've rearraged chip racks (yes, simply that...individual bagged chip displays...you know, like in the gas stations. I have a HUGE fetish with these being exactly how I want them, and I'm sure they haven't been "correct" in weeks...7 to be exact). And I've done a few other things that I can correctly remember how to do, but now, I'm taking a break. Mainly because I don't feel like being 100% back in the swing of things just yet. AND it's a holiday, business is slow, and no other managers are here. So, I feel like I have a little freedom.

Truthfully, I'm very anxious and nervous about this "returning to work" thing. It's been easy so far today (except for the part where my alarm went off at 4:45am!!) I got about 6 hours of sleep which has been pretty standard for most of the last 7 weeks...give or take on any given day. 6 hours is about average. NOT fun, but most moms know that this comes w/the territory...and worth every bit of that new little baby you get to hold, and smell, and feed, and burp, and change, and bathe and do it all over again and again 24/7. It's SO worth it! Really and truly. That first smile makes your heart melt and then the cooing and all the little noises (even the VERY loud grunts my little man lets out regularly) put a smile on a mom's face and make every mom want more and more.

Anyway, now that I'm about to cry cause I miss my little man, back to my work anxiety. Last time it was fairly easy. I'd been off 4 months and was ready for some adult interaction. 7 weeks is SO different! and I was the "boss" the last time I went back so I had a little more freedom on a schedule, etc. Not so much this time...we'll see how it goes!

a few new pics...excuse the iPhone quality...

Ruby Belle LOVES her little brother!!!

Corporate Training lessons

What i've learned over the last week...

1. Professional training is good, but...boring at times, redundant at times, elementary at times, and overwhelming at times. In the end, though, you learned something, right?!

2. Look behind you 8 times before backing out of a parking space.

3. Speak up if you don't think the car accident is your fault! and especially speak up if you KNOW it's not your fault. You'll regret it if you don't. (yes, i got in a car accident...in the company car!!! one of the worst moments ever...as if being away from 2 weeks wasn't bad enough. wasn't my fault, but either way, cop decided we were both at fault. Thank goodness the company was understanding and made me feel better about it!)

4. Eating on the company tab can be fun (even if you are pregnant, can't have an adult beverage, and are dining by yourself...with room service)! Experiment! (within reason, of course!)

5. Always check the amenities at the hotel before traveling (believe it or not, some hotels, still don't have "business centers" or fitness centers.

6. Time flies...sometimes even when you're not having so much fun. Cherish every minute.

7. It's nice to sit outside on a sunny day, eat frozen yogurt, and just watch the world pass by...even if you are by yourself.

8. BUT, nothing's nicer or better than being home. With family and friends.

3 more days...

The Perks of Work

if any of you have read any of my previous posts, you may know how much i LOVED my job in Bentonville, AR. and how i was SO excited to be moving home to Shreveport, but SO, SO, SO sad to leave my job that i loved so much! it was like leaving family.

but, i was hoping to find something of the same sort (though i knew it would take years to match what i left) in my new job! I know, some of you are thinking...foodservice is foodservice...it's all kinda crappy and lunch lady-like. well, in NW Arkansas it wasn't quite like that. yes, still lunch ladies, but a different world from deep south foodservice. just drive through McDonald's in Shreveport and then in Bentonville...you're in for a treat!I knew it would take a while to get adjusted, and that going from working in a nice, newer hospital foodservice in NW Arkansas to an older nursing home (somewhat in the sketchy part of town) foodservice department in Shreveport, LA would be a drastic change.

but i had NO idea...

my new kitchen (i SO wish i had pics of my "old" kitchen in AR so you all could see the differences...my "new" kitchen in LA meets EVERY stereotype you can imagine...continue on with the pics to see!)

This is the chair I had to find and make myself for the 1st 2 days.

And the desk that was being shared by 2 people (Also, I didn't get a pic...because I quickly killed them...but I was also greeted by a spider and a roach in the first 2 minutes I was there!)

On the 3rd day, I was granted these 2 fine pieces of furniture.

My new chair!...

and my desk...yes, there is a scary looking Jesus (i love some Jesus, but this one is posted on several walls in the kitchen and throughout the nursing home...apparently a resident drew him. yes, pretty good drawing, but i can't help but think it's a bit creepy! guess I will constantly be reminded that he's always looking over me!)

and a typical lunch.

The ladies so proudly serve this to you! and actually after the first few days (which also included liver and onions for an entree one day!...who still eats that?!?) the food has been decent on most days. you have to give it to the African-American cooks who have worked there 20 years...they know how to cook soul food...it's just not always what i'm hoping to have...especially after seeing the roaches! (4 in the first week! the pest control has come since then, and i haven't seen one since...but there's always tomorrow!!)

OH, how i miss Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville foodservice! I LOVE being here in Shreveport, but me trying to improve this kitchen is, as my boss called it, like polishing a terd!

now if that doesn't inspire you, i don't know what will!!