Friday, May 26, 2006

It's been about a month...

Ok, so I'm a little late updating my blog. Most of you already know that I am back home in the land of the sane and excitement. Let's see what has happened...

1. Arrived home on April 8th. We packed up and drove the Friday night, slept in Regina and continued on Saturday. We made good time as the weather was great and the highway was quiet. No major incidents to report. Unpacked the moving van into Rod's basement and just kept my clothes with me to take to mom & dad's. Girls we glad to see me and I was glad to see them.

2. Mom and Dad's move. ARG. It was a good thing they didn't take possession of their house in town until May 1st. It took us the entire month of April to pack and toss old stuff. I'm not sure how many trips to the Salvation Army we took, but mom kept saying that everyone there was saying "oh, that poor lady must have died". No ma, you just had a lot of clothes you never wore.

Dad had gotten a 20 cubic bin that we had filled with junk in no time. We had that one taken away and a smaller bin was brought out. That we filled as well. I can't believe how much stuff we got rid of, it was truly scary. When I started packing in Winnipeg I thought I had a lot of stuff. I tell you I'm not going to be a pack rat.

We packed boxes all month and I hate the thought of moving when I get a job and find a place. Luckily for me all my stuff is already packed and stored at Rod's, so the pain will just be moving it. If I don't move ever again I'll be a very happy person. The next place I find to live, I think I will be there for a very, very, very long time.

Mom & Dad's move didn't go too bad and their new house is just right for the two of them. The basement needs to be developed, but that should be done this summer. Once mom gets her quilt room setup, she'll be happy. The dogs did very well in this move and I'm proud of them.

The yard is small but they don't need to have anything larger. Dad has a lot of reading to do to learn how to work the underground sprinklers, alarm system, infloor heating in the basement.... the list goes on.

Dad actually got all his boxes unpacked today. He was in the garage and has most of his stuff put away. Once we have a garage sale (hopefully next week), we should get rid of a lot more stuff and he'll be able to put his truck in the garage.

3. Jacki has been working since the first week in May. She is really enjoying it and seems to have fun.

4. Dana found a job and has been working for about 2 weeks now. Her first official week, she was in Toronto for 4 days training. I really don't think she wanted to go back to work but she did. She enjoyed not having to deal with people and be able to do whatever she pleased.

5. I've been slowly looking for a new job, but I'm not looking too hard. This past week I've had the most activity since getting back in Calgary. I've had about 4 interviews so we'll see what comes out of them. I still have no idea what I want to do. I know I don't want a TON of responsibility and just want to be a worker bee from now on. Working for myself would be ideal, but I haven't found anything I could do yet. It will come and I'm not too worried, until mom & dad get their basement renovated. Then I have to be out for 2-3 months, possibly living in my car with the girls.

6. Rod missed Dana so much when she was in Toronto, he proposed to her last Saturday and she was silly enough to say YES! She has a beautiful ring and he has a hop in his step.

7. Moving back to Alberta is the best thing I could have done. Yes I had a headache getting all my id and stuff back to Alberta. You need to have so many pieces of paper showing your proof of citizenship, it is crazy. I had to have my car inspected, it failed and had to shell out $3000 so I could get a license plate. Weird how I had my Alberta insurance for a good 3 weeks before I could even get my drivers license.

You will all be glad to hear that I am learning to RELAX. I'm not stressing out as much and taking things easy. I know it is hard to believe but it is true.

Basically that is all that has happened in the past month and I'll post again soon. Take care everyone!

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Winnipeg Signs

Driving to Dana's yesterday I commented to Jacki that I wish I had my camera with me so I could take some pictures of some weird signs that are in this town.

So tonight we hopped in my car and drove around to get some of my favorites - hope you enjoy them as much as I do!


The sign really says it all.

Who says being overweight isn't acceptable?

And you thought Harry Potter had a difficult time finding his train platform number!

I wonder what is on the menu at the HotShots BBQ & Jerk Pit Restaurant?

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Packing, packing & more packing

For those of you who have moved several times, you can relate to the dreaded packing. It has been two weeks of packing and getting things organized for the move home. I have the living and dining room filled with boxes and furniture, waiting for the U-Haul to come and be loaded. I think I'm dreading the loading of the truck more than the packing.
Living room stuffed with boxes.

Dining room starting to fill up.

One good thing is that the snow has melted and it is drying out so I'm hoping the loading won't be too messy. I have hired two men to help with the heavier and larger stuff - washer, dryer, deep freeze, etc. So we can just worry about the boxes.... the loads and loads and loads of boxes. I don't think the 26 foot U-Haul we have will be large enough. Everyone else thinks so. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

This week is going to drag on by, I just know it. Monday I'm taking my car in to be serviced to ensure it makes it home on the drive. Then nothing to do but wait until Thursday. That will be the big day.

Dana, Jacki & I will be meeting with the realtor who is taking us out for lunch. Then later in the evening Rod comes into town and we are going for one final wing night with a few of Dana's friends.

Friday can't come soon enough for me. I can't wait to be out of this town and home.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Ok, I'm depressed

I am having a bad day today. I couldn't sleep last night and kept tossing and turning all night. I've packed almost the whole house but I still have over a week before I even move. I've finished my quilt that I started BEFORE leaving Calgary and now I have nothing to do.

I can't find a job when I'm stuck out in Winnipeg as I have to be in Calgary. I do have a telephone interview with Telus tomorrow night.

I can't find a place in Calgary as I have to be out there to do that. The listings over the internet just aren't enough. I can't buy a place or get a mortgage without a job.

Jacki & Dana keep telling me about goings on at work and it makes me even more depressed that the 8 months I spent out here and things have gone back to the way they were.

I did see an awesome purse yesterday but I can't afford it.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

What a difference a day makes

Ok these "people" who make up these says are getting to me. Thursday I was bummed and unhappy, Friday I was still bummed until I SOLD MY HOUSE! Yahoo! That was a big worry on my shoulders and you all know I don't worry - RIGHT!

Interesting day yesterday. I went in about 10:30ish and the Senior VP was in a meeting with the guy who quit being the Field Manager after a few days. So I went to speak with the controller. We chatted, I handed in my keys and the SVP was finally out of the meeting. I went and saw him, he was kinda of a jerk but I expected that. I went to field gathered my bag and shoes (I'd cleaned my stuff out of there in the beginning of the month). It was really sad saying goodbye to the HR Manager I hired, few staff and the desktop guy who has been really, really helpful and just an amazing guy.

Jacki & I left and I helped her with her stores. Ok I walked behind her shopping while she checked on her vendor lines. I then get a call on my cell, it's the HR Manager (most of you will see what is coming). Guess what, yup their fired her. Said she wasn't a right fit and I left them with no indication that she was going to work there after I left. Bold face lie! I specifically said to the SVP just hours ago that she is awesome and the company would be stupid to lose her. She has done so much in such a little time and helped me out it is truly amazing. I told him that she was going to stick it out as I told her things were going to get better. See what I have had to deal with in the past 8 months!!?!?!?!

I then heard later in the afternoon as she found out from staff who have been calling her, that one of the old pre-merger supervisors is the new field manager. What a mistake this is. First he knows absolutely nothing, is a liar, drinks heavily (was in the crowd of staff who was fired for smoking pot at work, but couldn't substantiate it) and no one respects him. I called it. My email to the President and Chairman had stated that he was saying he was going to be the field manager and that I didn't trust him and no one else did (nor liked him).

That place is going down fast. I feel sorry for the good staff (interviewers and supervisors) who are left and for the Project Directors in Vancouver (as their work will not get done).

My only hope is that the Chairman who talked with me doesn't know what is going on or that he lied to me. Or if he lied to me, he is letting Winnipeg hang themselves so he can pull out of the company.

My money is that Jacki will be walked out Monday (not Sunday because they have no one to work it). Also everyone that the HR Manager and I hired will be gone within two weeks.

Adios assholes!

Thursday, March 16, 2006

I'm outta here

Well the day came. I was frustrated with what is going on with their games so I let them have it. I spoke with the senior VP whom I report too, stating my concerns and wanting to let him know that I most likely won't be able to get everything I wanted done before I left. He left me feeling like I just talked to a wall, so I followed up with an email to the President and Chairman.

The Chairman called me later this afternoon and wanted to call me at home as the walls seem to have ears. Guess I spoke my mind too much as the Chairman said what I knew he was going to say. Basically tomorrow is my last day. After I drop my keys off and say goodbye, I'm unemployed.

I have mixed feelings about this as the deal on the house fell through (they couldn't get approval from CHMC), so it is back up on the market. Normally in Winnipeg if the house doesn't sell in a week, people won't want to see it. Now I have something else to worry about - just lovely.

What would happen if I torch the *&*&#$? Could I get the money and then leave? I want out of this goD forsaken town so bad it isn't funny.

I'm sad that I won't get to say goodbye to the people in Vancouver, but I have their emails so will send them a note.

The Chairman did mention that it wasn't my fault and that if I needed a reference he would definitely say nothing but positive things.

I'm kinda depressed as I feel sorry for the good people who I tried to help and helped me turn the field centre around. I'm bummed and don't know what else to say.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Belated birthday, Guam shift

First I have to say BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dearest sister Jacki. Yesterday was her birthday and I was gonna surprise her at work with supper, but plans in the city just don't work out. I owe her big time and have to come up with something HUGE to make up for it.

Yesterday was a day from hell. With my departure (if I make it), the President is being really nice but annoying. He is also spending more time trying to figure out what I've done wrong and how I've screwed the company, thus causing me more grief. I had one supervisor say to him that all the problems we are currently having the payroll issues for the interviewers is my fault. Nice. This is the same supervisor who walked out of the shift saying he was done and wouldn't help others wrap things up.

So I had to start looking at payroll discrepancies from January! This just made my day. I don't have enough time to even go to the washroom, let alone take on another task. But it is expected of me. I was at work late last night and the supervisor who was to work the Guam shift (11 pm to 5 am) came in stoned. Lovely, just (*&)@#$ lovely. So I had to fire his ass and run the shift as I could not get anyone else to run the shift with no notice. I started looking into things and he didn't do anything that was required of him, which made me more pissed off then I already was. He never kept track of the taxi vouchers, so I am deducting all the missing information from his final pay.

Thank goD for Jacki as she came and helped me figure things out. I'm exhausted today and not going into work. I don't know what it is about my personality but even though I have resigned and am giving them 4 weeks, I really care that things get done properly while I'm here. I know I shouldn't take on this burden as no one helped me before but I don't know how not to. I'm pissed and worried at the same time. Moving home with no job or house doesn't help either.

The house is conditionally sold - they have until Friday to get financing. I think that's all the news I have for now. I'm gonna go take a nap.

Oh ya! Mom & dad are moving into town in May, so I was helping mom go through some of her "stuff". We came to a lot of knitting that is half done. So if there are any knitters out there who can finish some of these projects off, please contact me. I also found a lot of buffalo wool and would really like to have a sweater made. Send me an email or update my blog and we can get in touch and start this going!

Thelma and Louise

Well I thought I caught up on a little of the lack of sleep from this weekend, but last night didn't help. Let me tell you about the adventure.

Dana, Snoopy, Cali & I left Winnipeg Friday evening around 6 pm. We girls were heading West - to the land of sanity, family and friends. I had thought (actually mom suggested it) that we should send the girls out while the house is being shown so I don't have to worry about them during the showings. So us girls filled Dana's car and headed to Calgary. We were doing good - the roads were clear, we were upbeat and ready to get away from Winnipeg and the hell.

Roads in Manitoba weren't bad. They were actually the best part of the trip. We did get stopped by a cop who says Dana was speeding but she wasn't. He was just being a jerk as he slammed on his breaks and pulled out in front of us before we passed him. Dana wasn't doing anything wrong nor was she going that fast. If I was driving I would have surely gotten a speeding ticket.

So on we go. Gas up in Brandon and heading into lovely Saskatchewan. Ok for those who have driven the prairies know I'm lying. The weather starts to change on the East side of Regina. It is snowing and the roads are getting yucky. Fearless, we push on after a pit stop and let the girls have a pee. The nice gas jockey in Regina told us to be safe and helped with the repair of Dana's broken nail. The only mishap so far on the journey.

We continue on Westward bound and the roads are getting worse. At Moose Jaw, exciting city of the prairies, I ask Dana if she is ok on continuing. I was getting worried as I didn't want to get in an accident and was prepared to stay overnight. She indicated she was ok so we continued.

Then it happened. Important note to all travellers going either west or eastbound between Moose Jaw and Swift Current. Dana really had to go pee. I thought she was going to wet herself so I tried convincing her to pull over and get the job done. She tried and I really have to give kudos to her but she got performance anxiety. She just couldn't do it. Even after I found liquid soap, paper towel, kleenex and sanitizing lotion. She hopped back into the car and we continued on.

I being the valuable co-pilot that I am, looked on our trusty map and saw that a town - Morse - was coming up next. We looked for a gas station - nothing. We looked for a restaurant - nothing so we pulled up to the only motel in town. It was about 3 am in the morning. Dana went in and asked the owner if she could use their bathroom. The jerk said NO. She asked if there was anyplace else in town and he told her to find out for herself. If I had to go, I would have peed on his carpet right then and there.

We continue on, next town - Herbert. Again keen eyes are out trying to locate a gas station, restaurant - anything. We even drove down the main street but found nothing, so we headed back out to the highway. It happened again - we got pulled over by cop #2. He was shocked that we were driving around Herbert but when we asked him if there was a restroom in town, he laughed and said good luck. He then proceeded to say find a dark corner (nice safe police) and do our business there. Dana stressed that she tried that, but to no avail. He suggested that we try this motel in town so we did.

Dana woke the reluctant motel owner and she was able to get a room key to use the bathroom. While she was doing her business, the cop came by and chatted me up. He was lonely - poor guy - and wanted someone to talk with. Then the motel owner saw him, called him over and gave him shit for him suggesting we stop in.

WHAT A HORRIBLE STRETCH OF THE ROAD. PEOPLE ARE SO IGNORANT!

We continued on and stopped off in lovely, friendly Medicine Hat. Here both us girls did our business and we took the girls for a walk as both Dana and I were exhausted and trying to stay awake. I'm amazed Dana drove all the way as I would not have been able to.

The roads were bad, but we finally made it home to mom & dads with no further issues or stops with the police. I dedicate this to Adam one of the Senior VPs who I've worked with in the past two years for causing all this to happen. He was the one who called us Thelma & Louise, thus put the curse on us.

We got to mom & dad's about 9:30 am had some breakfast and went to bed. I didn't sleep well as I was excited to be home and dreading the thought of having to leave at 6 am Sunday. Luckily (or not) the weather wasn't the greatest and we didn't drive home Sunday. Instead we took the first plane to Winnipeg Monday morning and went straight to work. Monday night I went home and went straight to bed.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Momma - I'm coming home.

Well this week has been very eventful. It is my first full week back from holidays and I only lasted 3 days at work before I got sworn at by the President. I came back rested and ready to get things in order when this happened. I also heard from my HR manager that he was a complete asshole and treated her like shit, making her cry and think she wasn't doing her job. Also asking her operations questions when she would not have any clue as to what was going on or how to answer. So with that, I handed in my resignation.

I dropped my letter off on the Senior Vice President's desk early Thursday morning and then emailed a copy to all stakeholders in the organization. I didn't hear anything until about 10 am when the Senior VP called and wanted to talk about it. He knows that I'm in the building with the call centre and sharing an office with two other people - HR manager & new Field manager, so I don't know why he wanted to talk over the phone (stupid). So I told him I would meet him later in the morning - I made him sweat a little first.

So I met with him and the first thing he asked (since I report to him), was it him? What an asshole. I told him not necessarily. I then went into the fact that I do not let any of my staff to be yelled at or sworn at over the phone and I had enough of it myself. I then told him that I still felt like an outsider (have always felt that way) and other various issues that made me come to the conclusion. He actually shook my hand and said good job for quitting.

The only other person I heard from was the Senior VP in Vancouver who had hired me when it was Nordic. He indicated he was very concerned with operations, asked if I was really going and when I told him yes, he asked if I was going to be ok. I was truthful to him as he has been a great ali and friend, stating that I was moving back to Calgary and I didn't know what I was going to do.

Late Thursday, the President called me asking for a meeting as he was coming back in town on Friday. I agreed, but didn't really want to go.

Thursday night the house was put on the market. The realtor I'm using is fantastic and completely crazy, but he is the #1 realtor in all of Manitoba so I'm not worried. The only thing he suggested that I do is tear up the carpets and clean the hardwood floors, so that is what I am going to do. Actually Jacki has started and we just have 3 rooms to take the carpet up and then we can clean the floors and put some oil on - then we are done. He is also getting a guy to come and do a 360 degree shoot of the rooms to put on the web, etc. My house has gone up about $10K since I bought it 7 months ago, so I'm hoping to get a bidding war and make some cash. This will be helpful since I don't have a job after the end of March and am moving back to Calgary with no place to live.

I met with the President today. He is such an ass. He indicated that he was sorry the way he treated me, but his kids are grown up and they have survived him. Nice, real nice. He also indicated that it wasn't anything personal and he said that if I wanted to reconsider I could but would have to let him know by Monday. Ya right - KISS MY ASS.

I think the next 4 weeks are going to drag on and I might become postal by March 31st. Just an observation.

Rod is in town to help Dana paint her house so she can sell it and to help us get ready for the move to Calgary.

I might have to change my blog name to Calgary Gal who was in Winnipeg, got treated like shit and had to come home.... or something to that affect. I'll have to think about it.

A supplier called me today and he has been treated with respected by the President (ya right) so when I told him that I resigned he said he would help me look for a job in Calgary. Here's hoping he can help.

So all my Calgary buddies I need two things - 1. A job and 2. someplace to live. Apparently there are only about 600 homes for sale in Calgary so I might have to rent for a while.

I also think we need to have a HUGE WINNIPEG SUCKS party when I get back to the wonderful city of Calgary. All in favour?

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Mexico - My new home

We'll I'm back from my awesome vacation in Mexico. I didn't want to come back, not because the weather is -30 degrees, but because I hate Winnipeg. Work is shitty, the weather sucks and the city and it's people are getting on my nerves.

For my first trip to Mexico, I can't really complain. The first few days were windy and cold, but other than that it was beautiful. I basically lived in my swim suit. The only complaint I had was my roommate as she was a complete pig. I had a chair and the small table for all my stuff. She had the dresser, closet, bathroom and even the lamps with her shit all over the place. It was horrible. I felt really sorry for the housekeeper. She had a mess to deal with daily.

My flight was long and lucky me (the curse of Winnipeg) I was stuck in the Cancun airport for 4 hours waiting for our luggage. I thought customs was going to be a bitch, but it was the luggage and people traffic. I could not believe all the people and mass confusion. Then the bus ride to Tulum which normally is about an hour was two hours long.

Our first real day in Mexico we went shopping in Playa del Carmen. It was rainy, windy and cold but then the sun came out and it turned really nice. This picture is of the beach by the shopping mall.

I'm kinda sorry I didn't take more pictures, but live and learn. The hotel was nice but huge. We had to take golf carts around to move from complex to complex. I was lucky to catch a picture of the full moon over the ocean on night.There were a lot of iguana's around and we named a few. Here is a picture of Ike. He was the biggest in our area.

Most of my time was spent either on the beach relaxing or in the pool (with the swim up bar). I was able to come home with a very nice tan. I wasn't too impressed with the shopping as things were over priced and you could get the same things in all the various stores. I wasn't able to find anything unique as everything had a "big box" feel to it. I'm sure you could go to the dollar store and get the same items.

One day I went to the Tulum ruins and spent a good 3 hours walking around and looking at the various temples and scenery. The hurricanes from last year had wiped out a lot of the beaches, but Tulum seemed to have been saved.

I tried to capture the sunrise one night by the small pool.

We went snorkeling at Xel-Ha one day and had a blast. There were a lot of big fish and I even was lucky enough to see a stingray. I was goofing around with Rod's friend Kevin when we heard Rod yell "Barracuda". We both thought he was fooling us, when I saw this huge 4 foot long fish heading towards us. It was thick and moving quickly. I panicked and pushed Kevin between the fish and me.

We then followed some paths and found a cliff to jump off. That was a lot of fun. Rod was a little nervous as he is afraid of heights. We then snorkeled down a river back to the ocean. I think that was the best day the whole trip.

My final week I went snorkeling in some cenotes a few miles away. We went down this large hole in the ground about 20 feet down into a small pool. The water was cold but very clear. We then went into another cave and into a larger pool. It was big enough to canoe in. Plus it was very deep. We spent a good hour exploring these two cenotes and then came up and swam in some smaller ones. There were a few catfish in them, but nothing else.

Overall the trip was very relaxing and I'm ready to get back to my life. I missed the girls tremendously and wished they could have come with me.

I'm hoping to have some good news in the near future so everyone keep your fingers crossed and keep checking my blog.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Threats, 18 days & Ghosts

I have to apologize for not updating my blog until now but you'll soon find out why. I might as well break the suspension and anticipation - I've worked 18 days in a row so far this month. This is the first weekend I didn't go into the office or bring any work home.

So let's start from the beginning of the month...

After having a nice relaxing holiday in Calgary, work started actually on January 1 when I checked my email. Yes I know this was the wrong thing to do, but I thought how bad could it have been? Well it was bad, worst than I thought. I think I should actually be writing a book on all the drama that I've encountered in Winnipeg since getting here. Back to the email. Apparently "someone" had broken into the centre over the holidays, supervisors were having sex with interviewers on company property and people tried breaking into some offices to see what they could find out what was happening.

Oh the joys of working with immature, arrogant people. So the first day back to work, I had to investigate what was going on and then on the 4th I got rid of 3 supervisors and the Field Manager. Thus my work began. Since business still needs to continue (thank goodness it has been a relatively slow month) I have had to move to the Field to begin the cleanup and training. The interviewers have just all signed a new Conditions of Employment and I needed to work on the supervisors next.

Of course the 3 supervisors think we owe them the world, but I think I've finally gotten rid of them. They actually threatened myself, my recruiter and the new assistant manager I brought on board just before Christmas. We were lucky as we were the ones who found 3 knives hidden in the field centre and have been sticking together for the past few weeks just watching each other's backs. Oh the fun never seems to end.

We've been pushing through basically starting the field centre over from scratch as there is nothing around to indicate that this place even existed. I am completely astonished that they were able to get things done, but I guess when you have just 50 seats and ran the place with fear and demoralizing actions/comments, you get things done. It is really scary at the things we are finding out from the 3 supervisors who seemed to have run the place.

So I have 3 more weeks to ensure the centre is running at a good pace until my vacation to Mexico. I've worked hard in trying to get the centre working efficiently, but I know it is still going to be a while until that is done. I'm hoping that I can mentor the new field manager so I can comfortably and confidently go away. There is a lot of training that needs to be done and meetings with staff as they were completely ignored.

I heard the best comment this week from an interviewer - he said this place is starting to look and run like a business, not like an after school hang out. I'm expanding the centre this past week so will have a full 150 stations by the end of the month. The second dialer is coming in and construction of a few offices is almost complete.

Since moving back over to the old building I've found we have a few ghosts in the building. I've decided to name two of them - George & Charlie. George usually works days and is a prankster. He has a fascination with the first elevator and likes to play tricks on you. My office is on the 8th floor with part of the call centre. The other day I was going to the new building to my other office and pressed the lobby button. Well I didn't speak nicely to George so he took me to the basement, then up to the 9th floor, down to the 5th and then to the lobby. George is finicky if you don't talk to him.

Charlie on the other hand is a little more serious and works nights and weekends. If you are not polite he will drop a floor on you to make sure you remember who is really in charge.

So that's what I've been up to. Yesterday was the first day in a long time the I didn't leave the house and slept in. Ok not really slept in as the girls got me up early.

Hope everyone is fine. CHEERS!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Holidays, Driving and Back At It...

Well the holidays have come and gone. I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season and all the best in the New Years.

I was lucky enough to be able to go home for the holidays. Jacki & I drove home on December 23rd. We left at 5:18 am and got to mom & dad's at about 6:45 pm. The start was really bad as it was foggy and we couldn't see the end of the car. Once we got out of Manitoba, we were able to make up time.

My visit home was wonderful. I really didn't know I'd miss Calgary and all my friends as much as I did. I really, really miss Calgary. Winnipeg does have a slow pace with a small town feel, but nothing beats Calgary and the hum you feel as soon as you hit the city limits. Plus it has all my friends, whom I miss. I was able to meet up with Sheila & John and Debbie & George. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet up with Ross V, Ross L, Trish and the rest of the gang, but I had limited time and had shopping to do. Of course I had to shop - NO PST!

Christmas was good and it was nice to spend time with mom & dad, as well as Uncle Ken.

We drove home New Year's eve, which was good as the roads were quiet. We hit bad driving conditions from Swift Current to Regina. Other than that, it was smooth sailing.

I really want to go back to Calgary so am counting down the time I have left in my contract. I'm looking into business solutions for my move back to Calgary.

Getting back into the swing of things has been more then interesting. Today I let 4 people go and have a month to get the call centre into working order so I can go to Mexico in February with no worries. I did really well this past holiday season as I didn't check my email until the Sunday I came back to Winnipeg. This I shouldn't have done as there was nothing but issues and problems - hard to believe especially since we were CLOSED!!

Today was stressful and tiring so I'm hoping the remainder of the week goes better.

That's all for now folks!