Growing pains ..... dusters ..... and glitter

There's lots I'm still discovering about myself, but one thing's an absolute:   I'm a pathetic salesperson.   

Were she still alive, I'd invite you to ask my mom.  Family lore has it, my first foray into door-to-door Girl Scout cookie sales went like this:  "I don't suppose you'd like to buy any cookies would you?"  

By choice, I've always been most comfortable in supporting roles  -- first as an extra in high school little theater productions, then in a myriad of secretarial positions.   One of my all-time favorite compliments goes like this:  When waiting for his appointment with our President, a suit from CBS told me, "Steve says you're the best secretary he's ever seen."    

At this writing, I find myself a bit discombobulated by subtle, seismic shifts - both at Corporate and my workplace.   While I believed my role too insignificant to be noticeable, a few weeks ago my performance review contained a strong suggestion that I assume more leadership in the workplace.   Then, last week they bumped the hurdle up a notch.  

(Aside: I thoroughly enjoy crafting written responses to guests' comment cards, but I'd rather have a root canal than speak with a reviewer.)   

Believing no-one opens what they presume is an auto-response e-mail, I've been directed to call those commenters who've rated us a 7-8 (v. 9-10).  "Fish where the fish are."

Two days I managed to put off the task.   I fretted and stewed until, in a not-unkind manner, DH urged me to put on my big-girl panties and deal with it. 

Friday morning I literally felt I was going to throw up.  Then I said a little prayer and dialed ..... and hallelujah!, got a voice-mail.

Successive calls and I'm chanting, "Don't pick up ... oh puleeze don't pick up."   The Universe must have taken heed, because I only had to speak with 4 individuals - two of whom turned out to be really nice men.

I don't know.  Arriving late to the hospitality arena, I'm no expert, but my instincts tell me what I'm doing borders on harassment.  I mean, IF I take the time to participate in an on-line satisfaction survey ... they're everywhere! ...  I'd be rightly annoyed to have a stranger calling to discuss my ratings.

Do you think I'm over-reacting?

Geesch.  What I'd give to be called into someone's office to take dictation or coordinate a conference!   Sure and you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

* * *

Some of y'all are familiar with my cyber-pal Carol's blog, Buttercup Counts her Blessings ... right?

She's otherwise engaged at the bottom of the Earth right now, but I'm taking a page from her series 

"Do You Still?"

 .....to ask the ladies, "Do you still wear a housecoat/duster?"  Like it was yesterday, I can close my eyes and see mother in her button-up affair, teal with glorious red hydrangeas. 

Hey, I'm all about preserving my clothes from hairspray and cosmetics' spillage!  In fact, I bought a cape like that found in hair salons.  But when I double-over each morning to blow-dry my hair, that sucker billows and whups me up the back of my head.  (Fail ...)

Far too self-conscious to go looking in person, I'm headed to eBay.  I'm thinking something teal ..... perchance with a hydrangea.

* * *

"What was your most embarrassing moment?"

Spotting that question on a recent meme, I began to nod.  This is by no means my most embarrassing moment; rather, the most recent.

If anyone's looking for a reason to chuckle, I'm happy to oblige.

For more reasons than Carter has pills, I never learned the fine art of applying cosmetics.   Understandably, there've been plenty of hits and misses - and, "What on earth was I thinking?" moments.

Scowling at my overly-generous nose, I had the notion to massage a chocolatey shadow onto each side, to minimize its width.

But some 5 hours later when I stepped into the ladies room to adjust my contact lens ... I discovered an unnatural glittery sheen staring back at me from the center of my face.  Yup, in my haste I'd grabbed a sparkly shadow .... probably left over from the Nixon administration. 

Thank you coworkers ... not!

Ah well, live and learn.

... and try and have a good time while doing so.

Have a beautiful new week, m'friends!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra

Rabbit! Rabbit! Hodgepodge

Com'on along and join the fun at Joyce's place!

1.  Can you believe it's the end of January?  What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

Please turn OFF that fast-forward button!

I can't think of anything in particular; yet DH and I've begun taking in a movie once or twice each month.

Harkins' recliner seats and hot buttered popcorn are the best!

2.  What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Ringing telephones, fax machines, young folks' giggles and the occasional 'HBO word.' 

... Embracing the soundtrack of a usual workday.

3.  I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of 10 things to drop from your life right now.  They are:  Anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead).

Which on the list do you most need to drop?  Are you trying, or will you try?

That's a toss-up between regret and negative self-talk.

No, I'm not consciously trying to drop anything.  I suspect that (regret) prompts me to be a better person in what time I've remaining.   Make sense?

4.  What is sacred to you?

5.  January is National Oatmeal month.  Are you a fan; and if so, how do you like it?

Not ordinarily, no. 

I prefer grinding and gnawing my calories!

On those rare occasions when I'm feeling under the weather, our on-site restaurant makes the best oatmeal with a little pot of warm cream and brown sugar.

  

6.  What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

I'm prone to melancholy ... 
for no apparent reason!

7.  Something you're looking forward to next month?

DH is turning 75 y/o on February 26th!

I've nothing in mind so far, but want to make his a memorable day.   Suggestions are sure welcome!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

"And then a hero comes along ...."

Y'all may have seen this on the evening news, but for some reason or another, my mind can't let go of the scenario that played out last month near our home in Goodyear.

http://abc7.com/news/az-trooper-shot-in-ambush-attack;-good-samaritan-kills-gunman/1699112/

Like many folks, I've been a gun owner for years.  (I've believe) I've no qualms about using it to defend myself or my loved ones.  Never in my imagination, however, could I conceive of doing what this ordinary soul did.  I've probably asked myself a hundred times, "Could I?  Would I?"

And ladies, imagine if you were this guy's spouse when he returned to their vehicle to retrieve his pistol!  I have to ask myself, would I beg him not to go?  

The DPS is praising this man for saving the trooper's life - and you know there's one wife out there praising God for ordinary heroes.

Every day's a gift!

Hugs from Phoenix!

Myra