Boycotting VS

DISCLAIMER: I am going to talk about bras and the search for them. Read at your own risk.

I'm going to start by saying I'm boycotting Victoria's Secret. It's the only store I've ever shopped in that actually causes me dislike myself and my boobs. It's a bra store, right? So you would think they would carry an assortment of bras... not just several styles of pretty bras, but lots of pretty bras in various sizes. When the girl measured me the first thing she said was "we don't have anything in your size... You'll have to try this size." I say "oh, super"... she brings me 4 of the ugliest granny type bras - granted I've seen uglier, but these were bad! I'm in VICTORIA'S SECRET for crying out loud! Where are the "sexy" bras they advertise? Because these were NOT them! They had big fat straps and 4 hooks in the back, if you could have seen the routine I was going through to put these things on! Finally get the first one on - surprise! It doesn't fit... the next one, same, the 3rd one same. With the 4th one I had some luck at least it fit, however I had no interest in looking like Madonna with cones on my chest - and for $48 no less. It was too much!! ;-)

From there it was off to Lane Bryant... where I should have gone to begin with. Sure enough, I walk right in, they have the style I like, I picked 2, tried them on and they fit perfectly. Lucky me - buy 1 get 1 half off!! 2 for $50 heck of a deal! Started to feel a little bit better about myself...

Oh my...

how time flies... I can't believe my last post was over a month ago!

Happy Birthday to Alexandra Alder!! My sweet little niece turns 1 today! Happy Birthday to the Wasband and Happy Anniversary to Dad & Sue!

To quickly sum up the last month: I have a new job and I am LOVING it! I am being challenged - and it feels really good. I spend A LOT of time in the car 812 miles on Blue Dart in a 2 week period... and that's just work miles. She keeps going strong... that little car has 188,000 miles on it! Not bad for a 1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon.

JD and I getting along great and discussing the next step in our relationship. We are able to communicate with each other and for the first time in a relationship I am able to say what I need to in a reasonable amount of time. For example, in the past when I would get irked about stuff and I would hold it in for weeks or even months - like the pressure in a volcano and then I would EXPLODE!! The Wasband can back me up on this one... In fact, I had to institute a code between he and I - the sign for "time out" like in sports. That was his code to me I had completely lost my cool and needed a time out (yes, much like a 2 year old having a tantrum). I would try not to let these episodes happen, but inevitably they would. I won't kid myself into thinking they NEVER happen now - but fortunately for JD he gets little bursts of steam instead of the massive volcanic eruptions of my past. Of course it helps that he really listens to what I have to say and pays attention when I talk. :)

Friends and family have been asking about Sweet Vivian and I want to let you all know she continues to do well with her treatments. I am amazed and inspired by her strength, she kicks ass.

I'll wrap this up with a typical Adrienne moment... This morning I was in Saco for a training that started at 9:00 as I neared the Bored (hahaha BOARD) Room I could tell that the session had already started, doors are shut and I can see something on the screen through the crack in the door... I'm thinking to myself, crap! I can't believe I'm late - my watch still says 5 minutes, so I very quickly open the door, and sneak into a seat against the wall. It's then that I actually look around at who's in the training, and I recognize only 1 person... the president and CEO of Sweetser, Carl Pendleton and realize everyone is staring at me. I say to Carl - "I'm in the wrong meeting, huh?" I got a terse nod and I quickly excused myself. When I got out into the reception area I asked the Admin, "um... clearly that isn't the HR training I was supposed to be in, where is it?" She said "OH NO... Did you go in the Board Room!?" Anyway, I was in the right town - but I should have been on the campus not in the admin building. I am still laughing about it :)

Who's the boss?

I know it's been several weeks since I last posted... I have so much rolling around in my head and didn't even know where to start.

Very exciting news - after 7+ years of dedication at Sweetser I have a new job! AT SWEETSER! I am the new Administrative Supervisor sounds fancy, right? I will be supervising somewhere between 10-12 Administrative Support staff (the job I have been doing for the last 7+ years). I will be on the road 4 days a week visiting sites from Sanford to Wilton. For those of you not familiar with the state that is about a 100 miles from each end of my coverage area. I am so excited about this challenge! I know the expectations for me are really high - both from my new supervisor and myself... I imagine it will be really stressful at times, however I thrive in that environment more than I do the stagnant one I have been in.

I have been so bored at my job - but not enough to look for another one hehe I've had it really good here... I work with great people, the pay is okay, (or at least it was enough when I was married to someone making a lot more than I was - not so much now that I am supporting myself) amazing benefits, the ability to come and go as I please, etc. But it has been pretty much the same thing forever... I am thrilled to be doing something new and still be with the same organization.

I was offered the job yesterday, I countered their offer this morning, they came back with a number we could both agree on, I accepted and I start MONDAY!? Jeez - talk about hitting the ground running... Intensive training for a couple weeks, learning aspects of the job I haven't had to do (billing, client records, etc.) but need to know. Then evaluations on all "my" staff and the list goes on and on... With such limited time left in my current position - I had better get to work!

I need to thank Viv, Lisa & Jami for reviewing my resume and helping me get it in top form. Special thanks to Bartlett who helped me negotiate my salary - I got more than I thought I would! You rule. (a little dramatic, I know... but seriously would you expect less?)

I am looking forward to celebrating this weekend - who's in?

New Year's Day

My dear friends Nancy & Jason Riggs had their baby today, a little boy they named Levi James Riggs. He was 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 19" long. Of course he is adorable and is such a little sweetie. Congratulations to the proud parents!

We had quite the storm on New Year's Day - we got a foot of snow! I was informed that I had a little bit of "redneck" in me because I wanted to go with JD to plow... there is something so satisfying about seeing the big piles of snow and a clear driveway. I like jolt from the plow hitting the snow banks, I like to watch the snow swirl in front of the headlights... I like sitting in the cab of a warm truck when it's cold out and I really like spending time alone with JD. We both have so many friends it feels like there is always somewhere we are supposed to be or people we are supposed to be with, it's a bit of a treat when I get him to myself :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

For the 2nd year in a row I spent New Year's Eve at Peter & Vivian's house. It was so fun!!

Here are a couple photo highlights:

JD & I

All the girls

Vivian with her sassy new short haircut


Shiloh, Karri, Suzanna & I

The Newlyweds: Sandy & Fabrice (Peter married them earlier in the day!)

Cory & I

Wishing you all a very happy 2008!

Duh

I need to start a category of just DUH posts...

This morning on my way to work I stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get a bagel... Too lazy to actually get out of the car - decide drive through. Almost to the window to pick up my order and realize - I drove right by the speaker without placing an order!?

tgif

Christmas Highlights

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It was a great Christmas! To keep it short - here are the highlights (in the order they occurred not in order of importance)

Christmas Eve with the Blackstones: blueberry martinis, scallops (a.k.a. chicken of the sea), JD & I being told to get a room - without even touching each other! (too funny not to mention), the boys in their Christmas jammies, hide and seek/scream with the boys, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, watching Caleb clean up for Santa so "he doesn't trip", putting out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, Connor telling me "I wuv you"

Christmas Day: Morning with JD, Stone's Annual Christmas Party: opening presents with the St.Jeans while having a bloody mary - it's tradition! Seeing all the St.Jean Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and babies of the cousins, fabulous food, LOTS of laughs. Talking to: Donee & Grandpa Rick, Meagan, Lauren and Dad (for about 2 seconds). Having The Mother come up, her meeting JD for the first time, cooking dinner at my house (group effort), talking to mom while I washed dishes, JD being a good sport and watching my favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually

Yeah!

Happy Winter Solstice!

I am so happy the days start to get longer starting tomorrow... Maine winters are long, dark and cold, it's nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel

Hmm...

Amy, a woman I work with brought in a present for me this morning... She wanted to watch me open it and had a HUGE smile on her face - and at the same time was slightly concerned that I might be offended. I knew we were off to a good start! hahaha

The good news is, it's microwaveable! Whatever the hell IT is... does anyone know? We are guessing some sort of cake with raisins... Has anyone had it? Amy found it at the grocery store in the "Ethnic Food" section and after a double take decided she had to buy it for SOMEONE... I'm so glad she thought of me! :)

R.I.P. Rico Tubbs

Rico just passed away... godspeed big buddy.

Steve posted a tribute to the Fatty on his blog and does a very good job describing His Bigness.

Thank you for all the phone calls and e-mails.