One of the beautiful things about Blogger is that I can back-date posts. My little sister says we should only blog in "real time," but "real time" is not the reality of my life.
Big sister's theory is that as the twins grow, Faith gets more involved in extracurricular activities, and her veterinary practice expands, my dear sister will realize that "real time blogging" is a great concept but not very practical. So, please forgive me Cathy and others as I journal backwards...
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
St Louis and beyond
Successful completion of week one on the job. Next stop, St. Louis for orientation and meeting with Johnathan and my partner Maury. See Johnathan had a vision last fall. He wanted to hire four regional Logistics Managers. He was able to get approval for two. Maury has worked for Spartech for 18 month and his office is in Wichita, KS. We are partners. Johnathan is our fearless leader.
Since I'm home and reflecting on the past week, I can say that without a doubt there is absolutely nothing glamorous about traveling for work. My work week started on Sunday the 22nd because my orientation was set for 8:15 am on Monday the 23rd. Off to the airport to catch my 5:15 pm flight. The weather was perfect in Fort Wayne, so it never crossed my mind to check the status of my flight. Upon arriving at the airport, I found out that my flight to Chicago was cancelled due to fog at O'Hare. The American Airlines agent immediately found me a seat on another flight, departing an hour later, heading to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Really, flying OVER St. Louis (my utlimate destination) in order to catch a connecting flight. My arrival time in St. Louis was pushed from 7:30 to 11:30. Todd watched my delays and flights on the Internet and knew I was not a happy traveller.
Sitting at the gate in Fort Wayne, my new flight was delayed due to high winds in Dallas. Flight delayed by an hour and seven minutes. Wait. Wait. Wait. Board plane, fly to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Wait in Dallas for flight to St. Louis. End up landing in St. Louis around 12:30 am. Cab to hotel. Settled into room around 1:15 am. In orientation at 8:15 am and not so bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Exhausted to say the least.
Great week working in St Louis. Parameters laid out for Maury and I. The job description that we received will be a live and evolving description that will be subject to change as we need it to change. In other words, we will learn what we need to do as we do it. We will learn by accomplishment and error.
Out to eat for lunches and dinners. When I got home Todd asked what and where we ate. I truly don't remember the restaurants. They were walking distance to the office and the hotel (which are walking distance to each other). I know I had an excellent salad, but I don't remember what was on it. I know I had fabulous Rainbow Trout, but I don't remember what I had as sides. A risotto, mushroom, and shrimp dish was in there somewhere too. It's a blur. All I really wanted to do when I was done working was go to bed.
I am being challenged to think in ways I've never had to think before. I am professionally respected in ways I've never been respected before. This whole "corporate" gig is new, and challenging, and exhausting, and it will be so rewarding. OH... I am also the new Spartech "go to" person for international shipments. My close to 6 years at Terex I've missed international logistics. Now I will be right in the middle of it for 34 (I believe) manufacturing facilities and warehouses. A dream come true!
Since I'm home and reflecting on the past week, I can say that without a doubt there is absolutely nothing glamorous about traveling for work. My work week started on Sunday the 22nd because my orientation was set for 8:15 am on Monday the 23rd. Off to the airport to catch my 5:15 pm flight. The weather was perfect in Fort Wayne, so it never crossed my mind to check the status of my flight. Upon arriving at the airport, I found out that my flight to Chicago was cancelled due to fog at O'Hare. The American Airlines agent immediately found me a seat on another flight, departing an hour later, heading to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Really, flying OVER St. Louis (my utlimate destination) in order to catch a connecting flight. My arrival time in St. Louis was pushed from 7:30 to 11:30. Todd watched my delays and flights on the Internet and knew I was not a happy traveller.
Sitting at the gate in Fort Wayne, my new flight was delayed due to high winds in Dallas. Flight delayed by an hour and seven minutes. Wait. Wait. Wait. Board plane, fly to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Wait in Dallas for flight to St. Louis. End up landing in St. Louis around 12:30 am. Cab to hotel. Settled into room around 1:15 am. In orientation at 8:15 am and not so bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Exhausted to say the least.
Great week working in St Louis. Parameters laid out for Maury and I. The job description that we received will be a live and evolving description that will be subject to change as we need it to change. In other words, we will learn what we need to do as we do it. We will learn by accomplishment and error.
Out to eat for lunches and dinners. When I got home Todd asked what and where we ate. I truly don't remember the restaurants. They were walking distance to the office and the hotel (which are walking distance to each other). I know I had an excellent salad, but I don't remember what was on it. I know I had fabulous Rainbow Trout, but I don't remember what I had as sides. A risotto, mushroom, and shrimp dish was in there somewhere too. It's a blur. All I really wanted to do when I was done working was go to bed.
I am being challenged to think in ways I've never had to think before. I am professionally respected in ways I've never been respected before. This whole "corporate" gig is new, and challenging, and exhausting, and it will be so rewarding. OH... I am also the new Spartech "go to" person for international shipments. My close to 6 years at Terex I've missed international logistics. Now I will be right in the middle of it for 34 (I believe) manufacturing facilities and warehouses. A dream come true!
Monday, January 16, 2012
First days
January 16 is the first day on the new job. I'm officially a Spartech employee and a Corporate Regional Logistics Manager. My office is in Paulding, OH. My fist day on the job is in Chicago. My boss (remember Johnathan) and I met at O'Hare airport and headed off to the office of our freight management partner.
Yes, from Fort Wayne, IN (only a three hour drive from Chicago) I flew into O'Hare. Johnathan asked if I would be comfortable driving to Chicago and into downtown-downtown, in the heart of the city downtown Chicago. I told him that I would not be comfortable, but I have done it before and I would do it again.
His reply? "No you won't. It's your first day on the job. You're going to be anxious enough. I'm not adding to your anxiety by making you drive into the city. You will fly and we will meet at the airport and take a cab in."
His sincere respect for and caring about other's is only one reason I accepted this job. Me flaying versus driving also made Todd more comfortable. He knows how I get driving in unfamiliar territory.
So, my first three days on the job were spent in Chicago. Days four and five were spent at my office in Paulding. I was welcomed with open arms. The employees are a great big happy family. The spirit of the facility is much like we had at Terex. I think I'm going to like it there.
Yes, from Fort Wayne, IN (only a three hour drive from Chicago) I flew into O'Hare. Johnathan asked if I would be comfortable driving to Chicago and into downtown-downtown, in the heart of the city downtown Chicago. I told him that I would not be comfortable, but I have done it before and I would do it again.
His reply? "No you won't. It's your first day on the job. You're going to be anxious enough. I'm not adding to your anxiety by making you drive into the city. You will fly and we will meet at the airport and take a cab in."
His sincere respect for and caring about other's is only one reason I accepted this job. Me flaying versus driving also made Todd more comfortable. He knows how I get driving in unfamiliar territory.
So, my first three days on the job were spent in Chicago. Days four and five were spent at my office in Paulding. I was welcomed with open arms. The employees are a great big happy family. The spirit of the facility is much like we had at Terex. I think I'm going to like it there.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
On the road again...
Facebook message to me from Aunt Jeannie on 1/15:
"Hi Barb and Todd. Well, the boys left this afternoon. Heading toward Savannah, Georgia. It's just a few hours from here. I sent them on their way with full belly's, and well rested. I don't think they ever stopped eating. And believe it or not, they were in bed asleep by 9:30 every nite. Up early the next morning , ready to eat again. Ha ha They were very respectful , talked about their travels. Pher enjoyed watching the tape of you folks Zip lining and got a kick out of how young he was when we had Grandma Hornes 85th Birthday and you all met our son. Anthony also is a sweetie. SO, we wished them a safe journey, and a good adventure. I'm sure he will keep in touch with you. Love ya, Aunt Jeannie"
So now I'm a little fuzzy and this is where "real time" blogging would have been useful. After Atlanta, Pher and Anthony got on the MegaBus and headed to Orlando. Gypsy headed to Savannah on a train. The "bus boys" met a couple of young ladies on the bus who talked them into getting off in Gainesville and going to an open mic night with them. So, they did.
After they played music in Gainesville, they took a bus to St. Augustine. Christopher called from St. Augustine to let us know all was well. I asked if he remembered visiting the town when he was 10. "Yes, I remember, but then I was into the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. This time I'm into the history and architecture of the city." He was enjoying the country's oldest city and the beach.
Todd and I believe that he is going to find his place to settle through experiencing it. He will not be moved to a city for a job or for a person. He will be moved by emotion and fulfillment. This super intelligent son of ours has an old and romantic (Definition: imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc.) soul.
"Hi Barb and Todd. Well, the boys left this afternoon. Heading toward Savannah, Georgia. It's just a few hours from here. I sent them on their way with full belly's, and well rested. I don't think they ever stopped eating. And believe it or not, they were in bed asleep by 9:30 every nite. Up early the next morning , ready to eat again. Ha ha They were very respectful , talked about their travels. Pher enjoyed watching the tape of you folks Zip lining and got a kick out of how young he was when we had Grandma Hornes 85th Birthday and you all met our son. Anthony also is a sweetie. SO, we wished them a safe journey, and a good adventure. I'm sure he will keep in touch with you. Love ya, Aunt Jeannie"
So now I'm a little fuzzy and this is where "real time" blogging would have been useful. After Atlanta, Pher and Anthony got on the MegaBus and headed to Orlando. Gypsy headed to Savannah on a train. The "bus boys" met a couple of young ladies on the bus who talked them into getting off in Gainesville and going to an open mic night with them. So, they did.
After they played music in Gainesville, they took a bus to St. Augustine. Christopher called from St. Augustine to let us know all was well. I asked if he remembered visiting the town when he was 10. "Yes, I remember, but then I was into the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. This time I'm into the history and architecture of the city." He was enjoying the country's oldest city and the beach.
Todd and I believe that he is going to find his place to settle through experiencing it. He will not be moved to a city for a job or for a person. He will be moved by emotion and fulfillment. This super intelligent son of ours has an old and romantic (Definition: imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc.) soul.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday the 13th
I received this Facebook inbox (posted somewhere between 5 & 6 pm) from Aunt Jeannie in Jacksonville, FL:
"Just letting you know, We picked up the boys at 10:30 A.M. And they are all showered, fed, and now sound asleep in my family room! I may try to take photos."
"Just letting you know, We picked up the boys at 10:30 A.M. And they are all showered, fed, and now sound asleep in my family room! I may try to take photos."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Show Choir will be our life
The first of many Parent Previews was tonight. The electricity in the air was amazing. This group of kids loves what they do. Select Sound was the first choir to perform. This is the All Girl choir. Cameron plays guitar in the band. He even has a solo at one point. The band is well hidden, so I was unable to sneack a picture of the boy and his guitar. I did get many pictures of the choirs though!
The young lady on the right is Sarah. She is one of Cameron's very good friends and an absolute sweetheart. The pictures above are all Select Sound.
Pictures below are Minstrel Magic:
First competition is Saturday January 14th at Twin Lakes Hich School in Monticello, IN. I posted pictures of all costumes and songs for both choirs. Unless I capture something spectaular, this will be it. I will post competition standings for those of you who want to know how the competition season is going. This is taken as seriously as football, soccer, and basketball. These kids are in top shape in order to be able to dance as hard as they dance and continue to sing sounding like they are standing still. Simply amazing!
Pictures below are Minstrel Magic:
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Back to the bus
Todd received an accidental call from Gypsy. He meant to call someone else on Christopher's phone. They had a nice chat and Todd got to know the guy that's assisting Pher. It was then that we learned that Pher did not go to Birmingham because his friend (Anthony from Fort Wayne) caught a ride to Atlanta instead. Gypsy did head a different direction, and then he headed back to the rail yard and they reunited.
The MegaBus tickets were discussed and it was decided that they could indeed utilize the tickets. Now there was a problem. There were three of them and two tickets. Gypsy went his own way. Christopher and Anthony headed to Orlando.
The last we heard was from Christopher while he was on the bus. He asked for Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Berto's number. Todd gave the house and cell numbers to Pher. As of 10 minutes ago, Aunt Jeannie hadn't heard from them.
The MegaBus tickets were discussed and it was decided that they could indeed utilize the tickets. Now there was a problem. There were three of them and two tickets. Gypsy went his own way. Christopher and Anthony headed to Orlando.
The last we heard was from Christopher while he was on the bus. He asked for Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Berto's number. Todd gave the house and cell numbers to Pher. As of 10 minutes ago, Aunt Jeannie hadn't heard from them.
And then Spartech found me!
On October 3, 2011 Terex issued WARN notices to 65% of our workforce. A week or two later I called a gentleman I worked with at Terex (in a Traffic/Logistics capacity). He left the company 18 months ago. I asked if I could use him as a job reference. In turn he told me that he had me in mind for a position he was hoping to create. He filled me in on his plan and asked if I'd be interested. Yes, I was very interested. First of all, the job would be negotiating freight rates and assisting business units from a corporate level. Promotion for Barbara! Secondly, since I worked with Johnathan before I already know him and the uncomfortable phase of boss/employee relationship building is over. I know that he has adult ADD or ADHD. I know that he gets excited very easily when it comes to trucks, trains, planes, and cargo vessels. I know that his family is his number one priority and he wants nothing less than the same for his employees. I also know that he is demanding, precise, loves statistics & spreadsheets, and likes to have fun at work.
I received a call from him the week before Christmas asking if I'd be interested in a phone interview. Within an hour I was having an interview with he and his HR Manager. I received a call between Christmas and New Year asking if I'd be interested in flying to the corporate headquarters in St. Louis the following week. On Tuesday 1/3 I flew to St. Louis. On Wednesday 1/4 I had three face-to-face and two telephone interviews at corporate. (At this point I actually received the job description for the job I flew in to interview for. I only had Johnathan's word up to this point. I could not have composed a more perfect job description for myself!) On Thursday 1/5 I received a phone call from Johnathan offering me the job and en e-mail from HR with an official job offer letter. I signed and returned the acceptance letter on the 6th and on the 9th I received a packet from them via Federal Express. In the packet was a job application. It was then that it hit me.
I was offered and accepted a job for which I never applied.
I received a call from him the week before Christmas asking if I'd be interested in a phone interview. Within an hour I was having an interview with he and his HR Manager. I received a call between Christmas and New Year asking if I'd be interested in flying to the corporate headquarters in St. Louis the following week. On Tuesday 1/3 I flew to St. Louis. On Wednesday 1/4 I had three face-to-face and two telephone interviews at corporate. (At this point I actually received the job description for the job I flew in to interview for. I only had Johnathan's word up to this point. I could not have composed a more perfect job description for myself!) On Thursday 1/5 I received a phone call from Johnathan offering me the job and en e-mail from HR with an official job offer letter. I signed and returned the acceptance letter on the 6th and on the 9th I received a packet from them via Federal Express. In the packet was a job application. It was then that it hit me.
I was offered and accepted a job for which I never applied.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wrong direction
My sister (Cathy) has been keeping in close contact with Christopher via text messaging. When she hears from him she forwards the texts to me: This is how I woke up at 6:34 the morning of the 5th:
Cathy (to Pher): "How's it going?"
Pher: "Great now that its warmed up from the last few days. Still in Atlanta and probably riding to Birmingham tomorrow to meet a friend."
Cathy: "I thought your mom said you were going to Orlando?"
Pher: "I was. Then I decided to split earlier cause stuff and I don't like being stagnant. And it still a bit early for Florida."
Cathy: "Still with Gypsy?"
Pher: "No. He's heading South and I West. I'll see him in Ocala though."
Me to Cathy: "There goes 50 cents."
Cathy to me: "I was thinking the same thing."
Cathy (to Pher): "How's it going?"
Pher: "Great now that its warmed up from the last few days. Still in Atlanta and probably riding to Birmingham tomorrow to meet a friend."
Cathy: "I thought your mom said you were going to Orlando?"
Pher: "I was. Then I decided to split earlier cause stuff and I don't like being stagnant. And it still a bit early for Florida."
Cathy: "Still with Gypsy?"
Pher: "No. He's heading South and I West. I'll see him in Ocala though."
Me to Cathy: "There goes 50 cents."
Cathy to me: "I was thinking the same thing."
Monday, January 2, 2012
MegaBus
Apparently there is a bus system called MegaBus that travels the East coast (and midwest) for dirt cheap. Pher sent a text today wondering if we (MOM) would get on the computer and investigate this transportation system. So... Mom got online (love how this hobo of ours relies on technology) and researched the system. I found a promo code for FREE tickets (so I ordered 2). They are departing Atlanta on 1/9 for Orlando. FREE wasn't "free." It cost me a $0.50 transaction fee.
So it cost Momma a quarter each for Pher and "Gypsy" to travel from Atlanta to Orlando. And... Momma is sneaky. Since I did not know what the booking requirements would be, I told Pher that I'd need "Gypsy's" name and birthdate. He understood, and I now have both.
I thank you "Mr. Gypsy" for keeping my son safe and free from harm. I thank you for teaching him the ways of the road. If you ever want to travel North with him, you have a soft bed and a hot meal.
So it cost Momma a quarter each for Pher and "Gypsy" to travel from Atlanta to Orlando. And... Momma is sneaky. Since I did not know what the booking requirements would be, I told Pher that I'd need "Gypsy's" name and birthdate. He understood, and I now have both.
I thank you "Mr. Gypsy" for keeping my son safe and free from harm. I thank you for teaching him the ways of the road. If you ever want to travel North with him, you have a soft bed and a hot meal.
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