One Down.................

Our recruiter resigned today, probably the only position we really needed to keep. She called to say she has had enough of the new guy and resigned. Two of the other Ops Managers has also been talking about leaving. Since I am so rarely in the office the new guy does not bother me as much.

I have been watching the new guy with great awareness as to why he was sent here. Based on what I have seen and the phrases he used in our staff meeting, he was basically told that my old boss did nothing to supervise us and that we we're all running around in different directions.

Half right, the old boss let us do our jobs and was very hands off, new boss wants to stand over us, constantly checking our outlook calendars and sending out emails as to where we are and what we are doing.

The new guy's biggest problem, he's realized that someone above his pay grade gave him some bad information. Even though our old boss let us run, we we're, and are still our doing our jobs. To do our jobs we run all over the state.

His problem now, is how does he tell his new boss that all the problems he was told we had, are non issues? In the mean time he treats people like servants and talks down to them. Maybe it's a good thing I don't spend that much time in the office.

Keep this very problematic situation on your prayer list.

Thanks

Too Busy For Football

While out of town on business this week, I was exchanging email with a friend. I was informed that I was also involved in a live draft for my AOL Fantasy Football league at the same time.

Since my company will allow me to blog, it will not allow fantasy football or anything fantasy. Although not present at the draft, I did Ok.

Thanks to the friend who says I need to update more, you know who you are. I will not mention any names here Lori, but you know who you are.

Just Shoot Me

Our staff meeting that was suppose to start at 7:30am, but actually started at 8:00am because two of the principal attendees we're half hour late. Then our "one hour" meeting got over at 11:00am.

All I heard was, "you're managers, you will be held accountable, you will do what you're told, you're managers, you will be held accoutable, you will do what you're told.

One of our Operations Managers came in on Sunday and cleaned out her cubicle, just knowing she was going to quit. (her application is before mine at McDonald's). My "would you like fries with that", has got her beat so I am confident I would not have to start at the drink machine.

We now have a total of 1,348,927 reports due each week.

I feel the new guy knows what we are doing, but was feed a ton of BS from corporate. I feel he is torn between what he was told about us and what he has found out. But is more loyal to corporate than his new staff.

"would you like to supersize that?"

New Boss, Week One

Well, I am trying to remain optimistic, no really I am, it's not working. When you compare my old boss, (with his shortcomings) and the new guy, 180 degrees out.

Right up front the new guy is taller by a foot and out weighs him by 200 lbs. The old guy gave you a task and let you run, new guy, well lest just say it's had to move when he is looking over your shoulder.

We now have weekly staff meetings in the office at 7:30am Monday morning, instead of our conference call no matter where we are at.

Needless to say, I am still a little apprehensive on what's taking place, I've been told to get on the bus.

Only question, who's driving the bus.

Day Three, New Boss.

The worst thing you can tell the new boss is why you're having problems and blaming someone else for your failures.

Rule one. Never, ever lie.
Rule Two. See rule one.

Seems two of the other operations managers tried to throw our recruiter and trainer under the bus. This is the story the old boss told the regional VP to place blame on others, rather than holding those responsible accountable.

I told my recruiter and trainer several months ago to back up their data because it's something I have always done and I can not count the number of times it saved me from being under the bus.

Anyway, to make a long story short and not get into company business. Both recruiter and trainer took my advise, they we're the last two to be interviewed by the new guy. The new guy had it in for them, along with the regional VP because of what the ops guys told them.

After much back and forth, the evidence was presented and needless to say those ops guys who lacked integrity are in front of the fan waiting for it to start flying.

As for me, the reginal VP had no idea of how big my area is, or that I did my own recruiting and training. He and the new guy liked what I had to say, but a first for me, liked the way I said it. I may get to like these guys.

My old boss hid a lot of information on his operations from corporate. We also learned of issues that we're to be trickled down to us that never did.

Honesty is the best policy, take responsibility for your actions and be accountable.

But, this policy at church may get you blacklisted, I don't care, I'm not here to impress anyone on earth. I do my job to please the Lord, he is my ultimate supervisor.

Keep those in my office in prayer, it's going to get turbulent from this point on.

Day One New Boss

I actually did not meet the new guy today, he will make his appearance tomorrow. Today was having to deal with the regional VP (RVP). He came in and walked through our office space and then disappeared.

I was on my way to the coffee pot and got caught by the RVP, "Got a minute?" he said. Thinking I have the rest of my career with this company in front of me I said, "yea, I've got some time."

Apparently my old boss was not living up to his part of the deal, I did not ask and he did not volunteer as to why he was gone. I steered clear of this question.

Instead the RVP just said there would be changes for the good and that we will see some major changes in the next few months.

The new guy has extensive security experience, on the electronic side ie; CCTV, electronic access control systems, both magnetic and interactive systems, but not the physical side.

We have all been tasked with short and long term goals and realistic expectations for the next two months. (Maintaining employment is on all my lists.) I'm first on the list to present on Tuesday at 2pm, prayer would be greatly appreciated. Cause as most of you know, I am straight to the point, I lack tack, and have been known to offend some with my not being politically correct. I have rewritten my report six time this evening alone.

I am at peace for whatever tomorrow holds.

Busy Weekend

The weekend started out badly, although we all knew it was going to happen, my boss was fired Friday afternoon. The new boss comes in tomorrow, then the big roll out party on Tuesday. We are all apprehensive about what to expect, he's coming in from the northeast and was picked by our regional VP. We are all envisioning "a mini me" of the VP. I hope no one at corporate is searching blogs for employees.

But then the weekend got better with golf on Saturday and Sunday, church, gardening and family.

The garden is producing more than I had every expected this year.

The garden is getting big and I am picking tomatoes and peppers on a daily basis.

The apple tree is full and I have to harvest them weekly, good thing we like apples too.

Emma even likes the apples, this one is just her size, now that she has a tooth on the bottom, this can become messy.Stacy making apple crisp, one of my favorite deserts.

Dave and Emma having some floor time, Dave is now convinced that babies do not bite or attack when provoked.

Because Emma has become a crawling baby, I had to install locks on the drawers and cabinets.

Holiday World

I just realized why this place is called Holiday World, it's named after the year's holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.

It's not advertised but, I think the owners are believers, there is a huge manger display and a lot of the items in the gift shops have scriptures on them.

Arriving early in the morning, (l to r) Dave, Mandy, Jerry (our adopted son), Nichole, Stacy and Lisa.

Nichole and Mandy relaxing on the merry go round.

Stacy and Lisa waiting for the ride to start.

Dave and his Tiger
Dave and I, he on his Tiger, I on my rabbit.
Stacy would not ride with me, she said I would make this thing spin, I promied I would not. She did not believe me. So she went with Lisa, and I had Lisa make it spin. Stacy had to take some tummy meds when finished.




This ride was mild to the rest of us, but as I have said, Stacy needed tummy meds. Actually I was surprised she got on. Stacy likes the rides that people under 3 feet tall ride. Kiddie land, nothing there goes off the ground.



Everyone wondering where to go next.

The Voyage roller coaster, rated the number 2 in wooden roller coaster in the world. My back still hurts.

When I returned to the lockers to get our stuff, I had 23 missed calls and 12 voice mails. I did not even care. I had a blast with my family and I have come to know, that's what it's all about.

We stopped for dinner at Bob Evans in Owensboro KY, some had breakfast, some had regular stuff. Either way, it was a great day, and will be remembered for a long time.

Good Advice

I took some advice from some good old friends and decided to play some golf. I played 18, at Paris Landing on Friday, 18 at Eastland Green on both Saturday and Sunday.

I did feel better, got to get my head away from work for awhile and was able to relax a little. Although Stacy would be the first to admit I was still a little irritable this weekend.

We are having my boss' good bye lunch this Friday, and the new guy comes in Monday. We have a staff meeting with our regional VP on Tuesday.

Stacy and I can never plan anything with the girls because of their schedules. So when Stacy and I decided to go to Holiday World this Wednesday and told the girls we we're going, somehow they all got free and we are all going! Awesome.

By the way, I am back in Johnson City until tomorrow, then back to Knoxville, Cleveland, Chattanooga then home.

I'm looking forward to Holiday World, and hopefully no cell signal in Santa Clause, Indiana.

I'm Bummed

Changes at work. Boss getting fired, more changes after that. (So much for Obama'a change platfrom.) A mini-me of my boss' boss has been hired and trained, this guy does not know what we do, or the area we cover.

Changes at home. Grandbaby here! (Love that), She smiles and my heart melts.

So many concerns, too many miles to get the job done, no time to play.

It's said, "if you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life." At one point, I had that, been along time since I have felt that way.

I just keep on keeping on, Isaiah 40:31, that verse is what keeps me going.

Stacy keeps me sane.

Lunch in Virginia

I needed a break for lunch while in Johnson City, the receptionist/supervisor I had just hired recommended that I go to Virginia for lunch. So I did. Considering I was only 6 or 7 miles from the state line, I took off, had a good lunch at Panera Bread, and was kind of happy to find gas for $3.55 a gallon at Walmart. While in Walmart looking for golf and fishing stuff, I saw more camouflage, more mullets and more rednecks than back home in Clarksville. This is truly NASCAR country.

This is one road trip I am looking forward to getting behind me. I left on Tuesday, and won't get home until Saturday afternoon. But I will have racked up over $200.00 in gas rewards for my hotel stays. Needless to say I will be working from home on Monday and Tuesday, and I have a tee time on Thursday at Paris Landing.

On a serious note, my boss has notified the rest of our staff that he is being let go two weeks from now. So we are all a little concerned of what the future will hold for us. Although I feel I am reasonably safe, if you would add this situation to your prayer list, it would be greatly appreciated.