Well, at long last I am about to give you and update on my new job. I was hired at Caffe' Panini and started work on January 7th. When they hired me, the idea was that the current management wasn't working. The owners want to franchise the store and they wanted someone to kick it up a notch and get it really running smoothly so that could be done. Imagine my surprise when I walk in on the first day and am told and then introduced to, the former manager (I will call him Jake), WHO IS STILL WORKING THERE! It was awkward to say the least and I wasn't happy about the situation.
I tried to do my best to let him know how much I appreciated his humbleness at staying on and the help he was providing me. For the first week, things seemed fine. I can totally understand how that must have felt and I felt really badly about the whole situation. He is young and in culinary school, never has managed a place before. He seemed to understand that they wanted to do what was best for the restaurant to grow it. Moving in a new direction was what would do that.
Slowly though, things have gone down hill with him. I have asked him for help in several ways, such as writing down the soup recipe, but he has never done it. Even with me repeatedly asking. Right now I am working six days a week while we get things up and running, so on Monday's, I just work until 1:30. When I came in Tuesday, the place was a MESS! "Jake" had closed the afternoon before. I expressed gently my displeasure, but all I got from him was a bunch of excuses. I have since discovered that nothing is ever his fault...lol.
Things progressed about that way all week until yesterday when he crossed the line. I heard "Jake" telling my boss that he need to talk to him. I went to my boss and asked him if he would encourage "Jake" to talk to me since I am the boss at the restaurant. He agreed completely, thank goodness. I went right over and told "Jake" that I had overheard him talking to Robert and asked him if there was something I could do for him. I think this threw him a bit, but he went ahead and talked to me anyway. He told me how he thought the restaurant was going downhill and the quality was bad since I took over. He proceeded to tell me the other employees were unhappy (which I know is untrue because I do talk to them). He also complained about the other employees. He was all over the place and it was obvious that it was an effort to make me look bad. I discussed all his complaints with him and showed my willingness to work with him on the things he was concerned about. That should have been the end of it. But no, he then went ahead and talked to my boss as well. Right over my head. That ticked me off royally. It was VERY obvious that he was trying to do me in.
I didn't have a chance to talk to my boss about it all yesterday because he was out running errands. BUT, he did call me later that evening to tell me that he had just gone into the restaurant and one of the grills had been left on. Now, there are three panini grills in the kitchen. All sitting right next to eachother. When I left, I thought all three lights were off, telling me the grills were off. But when Robert came in later (and thank goodness he did!), one of them was left on. Now, if you were going to turn the grills off, you would turn them all three off at the same time. It seemed much to obvious that one was left on. Now, I take full responsibility for a grill being left on. I swear the lights were off, but if for some reason, one was still on, it's on me. I do however, think one was left on for the very reason of getting me in trouble.
Today, the disrespect from "Jake" has continued with some very sassy comments early on in the day. He is very obviously trying to make trouble. I called my boss and he agrees that this is a bad situation and must be remedied. We are planning to talk on Monday, but most likely, I will have to fire him. Ick. Not my forte. Never done it before, but in this situation, I cannot allow him to continue to try to sabotage me. It will hurt the whole operation, and that is unacceptable.
Listen to me! Two years ago, I would have been a mess over this situation, and I'm not even sure I would have had the confidence to stand up for myself at all. I've come a long way, and I like the newfound confidence I have. Go Erin!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Things Change
In an era when people are so amazed at our country electing an African American President, I have to say, I am not surprised. I guess this comes because I was never raised with these kinds of prejudices, although many in our country have been. My great Grandfather was a farmer, and his main ranch hand was, unsurprisingly, a black man. What was unusual, especially at the time, was that he was also my Great Grandfather's BEST friend. Their families did everything together. My Mother spent her summers there in tiny Temple, OK and I always love to hear the stories.
Growing up, my Grandparent's continued the tradition, even though they had moved to the big city (Oklahoma City). A couple times a year they would make the trek back to Temple with a truckload of baby chicks for Lome and George. I have such fond memories of these trips. Grandma and Gramper would have a big box of baby chicks in their trunk. They would always allow me to pick one baby chick, which I always fitting named "Peep", to ride up front with me in a shoe box. We would drive the couple of hours it took to get to Lome and George's little while house with Peep in my lap.
Being a city girl myself, going to a real farm was always alot of fun. I would race out of the car and hug Lome and of course introduce her to this trips' "Peep". She would always save the chore of getting the eggs from the chicken coup for me on that day. That's what I was always most excited about! I would take the basket and go to the hen house looking for those warm treasures that seemed so amazing to me and proudly carry them back to the house. The afternoon would follow with the Grandparent's inside visiting and me running around outside exploring and picking apricots off the tree to eat. Dinner time would come and we would eat some amazing fried chicken and Lome would always promise me that they would never eat my little Peep.
Back in those days though, you never saw any teen movies where there was any interracial couples. Sixteen Candles....Pretty in Pink...Breakfast Club....nope. Ah, but times have changed, and so much for the better I think. In watching my daughter grow up and begin to have boyfriends, I have seen the way things have become different, and I am glad for it. Audrey is only 13 and has just done the typical pre-teen and now teen thing of something I refer to as "The Boy of the Week Club" (Of course that is a whole other story!). The point being, she has had crushes on a rainbow of boys. She sees them no differently than she sees herself. That makes me so very happy. Every race has it's prejudices, blacks can be racist against whites, whites against blacks and so on....the reason? Because we are all people, we are all HUMANS. We are all the same.
What made me really think on this subject was much more than the election. I won't share my political views here and now, but to be honest, political views make no difference. Barack Obama is an American. Period. Just the same as any other President we've had. I'm really talking about how the American view has changed. Audrey and I finally finished watching "The sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2" today. In this teen love story there are mixed couples everywhere. It rocks! I hope that our country and our world can continue to see all races as equals. And that's my soapbox speech for today:).
Growing up, my Grandparent's continued the tradition, even though they had moved to the big city (Oklahoma City). A couple times a year they would make the trek back to Temple with a truckload of baby chicks for Lome and George. I have such fond memories of these trips. Grandma and Gramper would have a big box of baby chicks in their trunk. They would always allow me to pick one baby chick, which I always fitting named "Peep", to ride up front with me in a shoe box. We would drive the couple of hours it took to get to Lome and George's little while house with Peep in my lap.
Being a city girl myself, going to a real farm was always alot of fun. I would race out of the car and hug Lome and of course introduce her to this trips' "Peep". She would always save the chore of getting the eggs from the chicken coup for me on that day. That's what I was always most excited about! I would take the basket and go to the hen house looking for those warm treasures that seemed so amazing to me and proudly carry them back to the house. The afternoon would follow with the Grandparent's inside visiting and me running around outside exploring and picking apricots off the tree to eat. Dinner time would come and we would eat some amazing fried chicken and Lome would always promise me that they would never eat my little Peep.
Back in those days though, you never saw any teen movies where there was any interracial couples. Sixteen Candles....Pretty in Pink...Breakfast Club....nope. Ah, but times have changed, and so much for the better I think. In watching my daughter grow up and begin to have boyfriends, I have seen the way things have become different, and I am glad for it. Audrey is only 13 and has just done the typical pre-teen and now teen thing of something I refer to as "The Boy of the Week Club" (Of course that is a whole other story!). The point being, she has had crushes on a rainbow of boys. She sees them no differently than she sees herself. That makes me so very happy. Every race has it's prejudices, blacks can be racist against whites, whites against blacks and so on....the reason? Because we are all people, we are all HUMANS. We are all the same.
What made me really think on this subject was much more than the election. I won't share my political views here and now, but to be honest, political views make no difference. Barack Obama is an American. Period. Just the same as any other President we've had. I'm really talking about how the American view has changed. Audrey and I finally finished watching "The sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2" today. In this teen love story there are mixed couples everywhere. It rocks! I hope that our country and our world can continue to see all races as equals. And that's my soapbox speech for today:).
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Coffee is GOOOOOD!
I'm so sorry I have been bad about blogging. Starting the new job just consumed me for a few days, and then "Twilight" consumed the one day I took off.
The first couple of days on the job were pretty good, but just extremely overwhelming for me. That's just how it works for me though. When I am really nervous about something I just turn into a deer in the headlights and it takes a little bit to move past it. It is the same way when I am learning lines for a play. Some of my past directors know this, so the first few times offbook they know that I will stumble alot. But once I have gotten the lines right just one time, I always get them. It's just a weird quirk I have I guess. Soooo, learning the POS was a little intimidating at first, but by Friday I was able to do the lunch rush with no problem.
Mostly though, the stress comes from the weight on my shoulders. This place has a ton of possibilities and I have alot of ideas. I'm sure I am just putting undue pressure on myself. Rome wasn't built in a day. I do worry about failing though. I just need to take it one day at a time. And hey, free yummy coffee drinks on the mornings I need them....good deal:).
As far as the family issues, I have decided to let it go for now. I think what I really needed was to know that I wasn't crazy for feeling the way I did. All of your input really helped me see what was important. I got lot's of different feedback from many of you and some of it hit so close to home that it made my cry. I needed to hear it. Audrey is struggling in school and I think at this point, she needs to focus on that. It isn't a lie or a way out, so I am not being dishonest. I want my children to have a relationship with their grandparents, I always have. At this point, I will keep an ever watchful eye on things and if the need arises, I will not hesitate to discuss the situation.
I guess that's it for now.
The first couple of days on the job were pretty good, but just extremely overwhelming for me. That's just how it works for me though. When I am really nervous about something I just turn into a deer in the headlights and it takes a little bit to move past it. It is the same way when I am learning lines for a play. Some of my past directors know this, so the first few times offbook they know that I will stumble alot. But once I have gotten the lines right just one time, I always get them. It's just a weird quirk I have I guess. Soooo, learning the POS was a little intimidating at first, but by Friday I was able to do the lunch rush with no problem.
Mostly though, the stress comes from the weight on my shoulders. This place has a ton of possibilities and I have alot of ideas. I'm sure I am just putting undue pressure on myself. Rome wasn't built in a day. I do worry about failing though. I just need to take it one day at a time. And hey, free yummy coffee drinks on the mornings I need them....good deal:).
As far as the family issues, I have decided to let it go for now. I think what I really needed was to know that I wasn't crazy for feeling the way I did. All of your input really helped me see what was important. I got lot's of different feedback from many of you and some of it hit so close to home that it made my cry. I needed to hear it. Audrey is struggling in school and I think at this point, she needs to focus on that. It isn't a lie or a way out, so I am not being dishonest. I want my children to have a relationship with their grandparents, I always have. At this point, I will keep an ever watchful eye on things and if the need arises, I will not hesitate to discuss the situation.
I guess that's it for now.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wow
I have to say that I was amazed at all the responses I have gotten from people about my last post. I really appreciate all the support! I've been so busy with my new job over the last few days that I haven't had time to make any decisions. Right now I feel like I need to just sit back a bit.
Things are going well with the new job. I was overwhelmed at first, which is normal. Each day has gotten a little better, so that is really good. I have to go to work soon, but hopefully tomorrow I will have time to really write.
Things are going well with the new job. I was overwhelmed at first, which is normal. Each day has gotten a little better, so that is really good. I have to go to work soon, but hopefully tomorrow I will have time to really write.
Monday, January 5, 2009
New Job:)
Ok, I am officially REALLY excited! Jeff and I went to lunch there today. We took the computer and planned to talk about bills and budgeting as well as look at the menu and talk about my new job. The shop isn't much to look at from the front, but once you are inside, the place is really pretty. Once I am actually working, I will send pics for those of you who don't live local. It was really fun watching Jeff's face as we walked in and how surprised about how nice it is inside.
I have so many ideas! There are so many things that can be done to make this place even more successful and I can't wait to get started. And with Jeff not having a job at the moment, I am planning on having him work with me to develop things. How stupid would I be not to have the help from the man who has 20 years restaurant experience. And, we will get to work together. I think it will keep his mind occupied too.
Wooohooo, I have a job!!!!
I have so many ideas! There are so many things that can be done to make this place even more successful and I can't wait to get started. And with Jeff not having a job at the moment, I am planning on having him work with me to develop things. How stupid would I be not to have the help from the man who has 20 years restaurant experience. And, we will get to work together. I think it will keep his mind occupied too.
Wooohooo, I have a job!!!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Video Games & Rock Bands
Kids are hilarious. Amazingly I saw today that a video game can actually spark some great imagination:). Over the past few days the kids have been playing Guitar Hero World Tour at the neighbor's house. Yesterday after about an hour of playing the game, all the kids were suddenly in our garage making their own rock band. After about two hours of banging from the garage area, Michael and Natalee came in (stating that the band was only the two of them now since their manager Jeffrey had quit) with homemade flyer's stating, "The Rock is going on tonight, Saturday from 8:00 to 8:30, To: Mom, only 25 cents!"
After about another 15 minutes, Michael came in and said, "There's been a change in plans. The Rock is only going to be from 8:00 until 8:03, we couldn't think of any more songs.". Ha,ha,ha,ha!
When I looked out my front door, my enterprising kids had set up a drum set consisting of a cooler and two buckets and a microphone using a paint roller. Imagination ROCKS!
After about another 15 minutes, Michael came in and said, "There's been a change in plans. The Rock is only going to be from 8:00 until 8:03, we couldn't think of any more songs.". Ha,ha,ha,ha!
When I looked out my front door, my enterprising kids had set up a drum set consisting of a cooler and two buckets and a microphone using a paint roller. Imagination ROCKS!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Emotion
Emotions are funny things and such a powerful part of life. When I applied for the job at Cafe Panini, I felt really great about the interview. I knew it was a awesome opportunity and I was assured that I pretty much had the job. At that point, I was elated. Time then dragged on with no word from the owners and I began to separate myself from that elation because it was beginning to seem that I was not going to get the job. I learned how to do that when I was a teenager. My mother an I often fought due to me being a teenager and her being very depressed. She would corner me in my room or in the car and gripe at me. I found that the way to defend myself was to separate myself from these episodes and ignore her instead of fighting back. Of course that also served to make her angrier.
Now I have to say that my Mom is a wonderful amazing person and I admire her greatly. That was a time in her life that I know she would do anything to change. She was in a deep dark depression and did the best she could at the time.
So, there are times in my life that I can take things and bury them, and strangely it is sometimes very hard for me to reach back in to those things that I have buried. So, when I FINALLY got the call that they had hired me, I felt strangely calm about it. Cautious is maybe how I felt? Of course as things have sunk in and I realize that yes, I really do have a job, I am absolutely thrilled. This job has a great potential for being something really amazing. Maybe some of what I am feeling has to do with Jeff. Even though I am so happy for this new opportunity, it's hard to enjoy when your husband is having such a hard time.
I want nothing more for Jeff than for him to find the job of his dreams. I want him not to have to feel pressured that he has to take the first thing that comes along just so that he can support his family. His sense of responsibility for us is so great that I fear he will take a job that will make him unhappy. He is such a wonderful man,and has healed me in so many ways from a really bad time in my life. He has shown me what love is truly about. More than anything, he has always believed in me and helped me to see that I can do so much more than I thought possible. I love this man more than words can truly express.
So, emotion, I watch him and I see his fear, his panic. It's hard to sit here feeling so helpless about how to help him. All I can do is love him and hope that is enough to see him through.
And then there is the emotion of being a Mom. Audrey had oral surgery today. As an adult, I knew that this would be easy and safe and she would come of out of it without a hitch (and she did). As a Mom, I worried about all the "what if's". I guess sometimes you just can't help that. And of course we haven't heard a word form her Dad. He knew how nervous she was, yet we haven't heard from him since he dropped them off the day after Christmas. The first person she wanted to call on the way home was her Dad, but his phone was turned off. I hate that my kids are growing up thinking that's how a Dad should act. And once again, I am thankful that they have Jeff in their lives to show them that isn't how a man treats his children.
Emotion....
Now I have to say that my Mom is a wonderful amazing person and I admire her greatly. That was a time in her life that I know she would do anything to change. She was in a deep dark depression and did the best she could at the time.
So, there are times in my life that I can take things and bury them, and strangely it is sometimes very hard for me to reach back in to those things that I have buried. So, when I FINALLY got the call that they had hired me, I felt strangely calm about it. Cautious is maybe how I felt? Of course as things have sunk in and I realize that yes, I really do have a job, I am absolutely thrilled. This job has a great potential for being something really amazing. Maybe some of what I am feeling has to do with Jeff. Even though I am so happy for this new opportunity, it's hard to enjoy when your husband is having such a hard time.
I want nothing more for Jeff than for him to find the job of his dreams. I want him not to have to feel pressured that he has to take the first thing that comes along just so that he can support his family. His sense of responsibility for us is so great that I fear he will take a job that will make him unhappy. He is such a wonderful man,and has healed me in so many ways from a really bad time in my life. He has shown me what love is truly about. More than anything, he has always believed in me and helped me to see that I can do so much more than I thought possible. I love this man more than words can truly express.
So, emotion, I watch him and I see his fear, his panic. It's hard to sit here feeling so helpless about how to help him. All I can do is love him and hope that is enough to see him through.
And then there is the emotion of being a Mom. Audrey had oral surgery today. As an adult, I knew that this would be easy and safe and she would come of out of it without a hitch (and she did). As a Mom, I worried about all the "what if's". I guess sometimes you just can't help that. And of course we haven't heard a word form her Dad. He knew how nervous she was, yet we haven't heard from him since he dropped them off the day after Christmas. The first person she wanted to call on the way home was her Dad, but his phone was turned off. I hate that my kids are growing up thinking that's how a Dad should act. And once again, I am thankful that they have Jeff in their lives to show them that isn't how a man treats his children.
Emotion....
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