THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES

Friday, November 13, 2009

At my Dad's insistence......

I will be killing two birds with one stone this morning. I was gonna blog about my amazing Tuesday anyway so I mine-as-well "record every detail!!" (to quote my pop)

The company that owns Sears Portrait Studios & Picture Me Studios (the photo places in Walmart), CPI Corp, are doing corporate sweeps throughout the USA, Canada & (I think) Mexico. They are doing surprise visits to studios to make sure "All the Aces are in their Places" their quote not mine. Naturally for the 2 months now that we've known about these sweeps all the studio managers in my district and I'm sure every where have been freaking out! Except me. I was a little nervous sure but in the big scheme of things I knew that my studio would be fine. I was not expecting a win but I knew we would pass. I've said before and I'll say again my team is the Best in the (North)West!

On Tuesday morning (11/10/2009) who should come walking through our door.....Yep Corp! I was in the middle of taking pictures of my studio for my dist. manager with my cell phone when he walked in! I was like "Nice Heather, cell phone on the sales floor". We shook hands and a made a joke, "You Corp?" He said "Hmmm. Am I Corp? I guess I am. You the Manager?" "I am indeed!" I said. He handed me his card, I glanced at it and sat it down. He informed me he was going to look over our photography. I asked if it would be cool if I went about my business or if he needed me to hang out with him. He said he was good so I went to do manager type things. I went to make copies and called Michelle, my DM. "Fucking Corp is in my studio!!" "What?! Who?!" "Ranoldo. Ranato. I can't remember his name. " "RENATO!!!" "Yeah that's it. Is he ok?" "Yeah he's one of the good guys. Don't be nervous, you'll be fine."

I get back to the studio and he was up behind my register where all our drawers are. I assume he went through them but he never said anything. I asked him if he needed me to show him anything specific, paper work, props. No was his answer. I was kind of bummed because all my stuff was nice and in order waiting for inspection!

At this point he starts asking questions that I won't bored you with. We walked around the studio with him taking pictures of EVERYTHING!! Pictures on my wall, the front counter, my sales station, my cameras, he must have taken a hundred pictures! Some of the things we do at the studio aren't "corp approved" things. I have pictures of my girls on the wall, we don't use flip charts we use price sheets, bla bla bla. So he's looking at these things and I'm thinking "Crap! I'm gonna have to take this stuff away." HE LIKED 'UM! Even said "This is a good idea, I'm taking this back to corp!" (Thanks Trae!) He dug the picture of my girls.

Finally were standing up at the front and he asked "What do you think as a company we could do better?" I preceded to tell him just what I thought. "These $7.99 coupons are kicking our asses, the online appt. scheduler sucks, other than that it's cool!" "Oh and since I have you here maybe you can help me. I have a girl would has been, for the last year, screwed out a her raise. And I don't believe I make enough money. I'm not asking for a huge raise I just want what I deserve as a manager." Not in those exact words but you get the point. He's taking notes and listening to every word I'm saying and all in all being a really nice guy, so I say "Well how'd I do?" "I don't have a set criteria, I'm basically looking for good management good crews and well run studios. So Heather I think I'm gonna give you an Award for Excellance! Your studio just won $100! What do you think of that?"

Well let me tell you what I thought! I teared up and hugged him. "Are you serious?!? Oh my God!! Thank you so much!" He took my picture told me to have a nice Christmas and left. Wendy came running out of the camera room and we jumped up and down! We looked like big idiots! I called Michelle "WE JUST WON $100!!!" "YEAH, I KNEW YOU WOULD.....OMG I HAVE TO CALL CHERYL!! (her boss) Then she hung up on me.

I then preceded to call anyone who would answer the phone.

I got home that night and I was telling Terry all about it. He was like "So who was this guy?" I said not sure some field tech I think. No wait his card said Chief Executive Officer." Terry's like "You mean CEO!?!?!" Now before you think I'm stupid just know I didn't examine his card really closely and I just simply had not connected the dots. I hugged the CEO! I talked to him like he was just a random person. I TOLD HIM I DESERVED A RAISE!!!

It was truly awesome! I'm so proud of my studio. And just so you understand what a big deal this is, we are the only studio in our dist, region & market (of like 5 states) to have won yet. And only 11 other studios across the country have won. THE CEO OF CPI THOUGHT WE WERE AWESOME!!!!

Oh and FYI.......I got my raise!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Pumpkins & Home Improvements

The pics I ment to write about in my blog a few days ago. Opps!
1. The pumpkins we carved.
2 & 3. Same pumpkins just lit up on the porch.
4. Our new dining room table.
5. The work bench Terry built in the garage.
6. A better shot of my haircut. I just liked this pic better than the first!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Meet the Lameos!

I feel like I should update my blog considering its been FOREVER since I wrote anything informative, but I got to tell ya, there is seriously nothing going on! But I will fill ya'll in on the little things.

As some of you know Terry is learning to play guitar. He's doing quite well! at first it was just alot of random notes and alot of repetition but he's now playing songs and is getting all excited about it. I'm glad he's got a hobby. It brings out the fun side of him.

work is going well for him. He's finally able to work some overtime which is nice. We can always use the extra $!

I myself have nothing going on. I'm working alot (which I hate) so I leave early when ever I can. Although I'm VERY grateful to have a job this manager stuff blows! It will one day look good on a resume but the job itself....not fun! Stupid conference calls every morning, having a district manager who has a pain in the ass regional manager, cranky customers, worrying about what everyone else is up to or needs. I never wanted to give a crap about any of this but now I do. Ba-humbug! I'm just whining. The jobs not all bad. Only sometimes.

I'm on a new medicine for my stupid diabetes. It's called Byetta. It's an injection but not insulin. So far its working great! My blood's staying normal! And its suppose to help me loose more weight! Awesome!

Love the short hair! Very liberating!

Well my beloved Seattle Rains have come. I love rainy weather! It makes me sad when it rains while I'm at work and I can't watch it. No windows at the studio. Everything's so green! I love it here.

I've been missing my Family & Friends lately. :( I wish everyone I loved was here in WA not 3000 miles away. I'm working my ass off to get my BFF Steph to move out here. I think that if I just get her out here and locked in a room she'd stay! We'd feed her and stuff. To all my Kalgren readers help me out! I wish that Jake, Nicole & Will were out here, too. I wish they were all out here. Brenda, Melis & the boys, my Hallmark Girls, Minn. And mine & Terry's families. :(

Terry and I are watching Arrested Development in DVD. Holy Shit is that an awesome show! What the hell is wrong with this country? "So you think you can dance", "the Bachelor", "American Idol", mindless shows like that are going strong but great shows never make it! WTF?

Well I hope that catches ya'll up. Until next time........

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Wicked: Awesome!

I can't explain to ya'll how much I love Broadway Plays! A few years age Terry and I saw The Lion King in Norfolk VA (Broadway Across America) and last Thurs we saw WICKED!! It was amazing! If you haven't read the book you should.


That's all for now!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A Slight Change

Out with the old look.....

In with the new!!

Neither are great pics but oh well!

Monday, August 24, 2009

So my Mom yelled at me......

......"you haven't posted a blog since July!" Well this is true and to be fair nothing blog worthy has happened since my last post. I really don't want to be obnoxious and post every other day about random nothings. This is not Twitter and I have no desire to go there. Well not a lot is still happening but I'll update my loyal readers anyway!


I have lost roughly 40lbs! I look awesome if I do say so myself. I still have a long way to go till I'll be satisfied but I'm proud of myself none the less! My diabetes is under control for the moment and I am still not on any insulin. Insulin makes it harder to lose weight so I want to get closer to my goal before I go on it. However, I was given a choice by the doc. He said "either you go on insulin now and continue to try for a kid (I'll have to go on insulin when I get pregnant) or wait till we get you on it to start trying again". I have decided to put it off for a few months. Like 6 or 7 months or until I reach my goal weight. I want to be as healthy as possible and loosing weight will only help me be healthy.

Terry is learning to play the guitar. He's really enjoying himself. I love that he's doing this.

Boeing had "Friends & Family Day" yesterday and I finally after 2 years got to see inside the worlds largest building. No pics unfortunately. No cameras aloud. But let me tell you this it's like a small city! It even has streets!!! Like 747 Lane! There were bikes and golf carts! You can't really imagine how big planes are till your standing underneath one. Crazy! I got to sit at Terry's desk. It was the first time in 10 years that I've been able to see where he's worked. He was so excited to show me everything. Let me tell you my ass was tired when we were done. We walked around for 4 hours and still didn't see everything.

Terry and I got our pictures taken for the first time in like 6 or 7 years. Professional pics I mean. I thought it appropriate that we get pics for our 10 years ann. I'll post a few here but just know that most who read this blog will be getting some with their holiday cards. If you not sure if you'll be getting one but you want one let me know and I'll make sure I don't forget you!








This is a picture of me & my girls at work. Since Trae abandon use last Jan. we had still not taking our group picture down. So finally we took a new one.

Well that's that.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Lookie, Lookie!

Pictures! Terry, me & our friends Aaron & Sara made our way to the Olympic Peninsula last weekend. Here are some of the highlights.


The Olympic Game Fame in Sequim WA (rhymes with swim):

Some of the bears are former circus bears.




The deer have clowns in them too!


A Rhino with a crazy horn!


We also visited Hurricane Ridge.


Oh Yeah.....


Monday, June 29, 2009

Our 10 Year Anniversary Trip: San Diego

Ahhhhh...I have to say it is good to be home even if we did have a wonderful time on our trip. But ya'll don't want to read about it. So with out further ado, pictures!!

Us at the......
A mommy & baby Koala


Giraffes, Terry's favorite!

2 Humped Camels (cause one hump is just never enough)

California Condor. 2nd largest wingspan in the animal kingdom! The first being the Albatross. Thank the "know-it-all" kid next to me for the tid-bit of trivia.
One sleeping Panda
A Hungry, Hungry Hippo


An adorable Baby Gorilla


Some Flamingos (the little grey one's a baby!)

And my favorite....The Rhino! Ain't he cute?

Ughh Los Angeles.......

........sucks! Hated it there. Will probably never go back. Too many people and there all trying to sell you something. You know for having one of the most famous landmarks on the planet you'd think that there would be a well marked, easily accessible place to see it fairly close. Well you'd be wrong. I just wanted the hell out of LA! There were a few thing to see so we hurried the hell up did 'um and got out!

Me in front of the "Charmed" house (1329 Carroll Ave. Los Angeles) From the show Charmed!!
The Le Brea Tar Pit

Grumman's Chinese Theater

This pic was very zoomed in!

Highway 1, Santa Cruz & San Jose

We drove the coast as much as we could because I ,being a water sign, am very drawn to water. Big Sur is so amazing the ocean cliffs, the crashing waves.....Heavenly. There were quite a few interesting things along Hwy 1. We also made stops at The Santa Cruz Mystery Spot http://mysteryspot.com/ and the Winchester Mystery House http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/ Both very cool.

Some very friendly (& hungry) Squirrels (Like my coat? Terry hates it!)
Elephant Seals
My Favorite picture from the whole entire trip! Terry's gonna hate this! tehe
Big Sur

Mystery Spot

The Winchester Mystery House

San Francisco

Let me just start out by saying I really do like the city and fully intend to go back. However I was disappointed in it. Nothing seemed to go right. Couldn't see the Golden Gate Bridge well due to fog, couldn't go to Alcatraz (the part of the trip I was most excited about) because it was sold out, little things we wanted to do were foiled for little reason bla bla bla. But we did get to see a few family friends while we were there and that was wonderful. They showed us around and took us to local haunts. Good times. All in all it was nice.

Lombard St. Curviest road in the world.
Alcatraz. Sadly only from the mainland :-(
The Famous Pier 39 seals.
The house that the Grateful Dead lived in on Ashbury St.

Shannon & Jason, our tour guides, in front of the row houses near Alamo Park.

The Golden Gate Bridge