Monday, October 16, 2006

I'm coming home!!!

I'm heading home for almost a full week! I'm so excited! I'm makin Ashley proud....I already have 3 suitcases full of stuff (1 strictly for shoes and handbags)

I plan to spend every moment with family and friends...and eat as much Tex Mex as possible. I'll sleep when I get back.

To my Dallas friends, I'll see you soon! To my friends here, I'll miss ya, but see you next week.

-MB

Saturday, October 7, 2006

I'm a girl and I like girlie movies

As I'm taking this slow but inevitable journey into being a girl (vs. one of the guys), I found another thing that I had been previously resisting....

Affinity to girlie movies.

Oh sure, I love Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Wedding Crashers, Old School, Tommy Boy, etc. But I saw a movie tonight that drew a clear line.

The Departed. GMA called it Oscar buzzworthy. Violent but not gory.

LIES!!!

Ashley and I left whimpering something about needing a Disney movie marathon to start the recovering process.

So from now on, it's chick flicks, butterflies, teddy bears, and puppies.*



*Scary movies are still ok as long as they are psychological thrillers vs. Chainsaw Massacre-ish.

Friday, October 6, 2006

Pet Diaries

This is why I want a dog. -MB

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A Dog's Diary

7 am - Oh boy! A walk! My favorite!

8 am - Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!

9 am - Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!

Noon - Oh boy! The yard! My favorite!

2 pm - Oh boy! A car ride! My favorite!

3 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!

4 pm - Oh boy! Playing ball! My favorite!

6 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Mom ! My favorite!

7 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Dad! My favorite!

8 pm - Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!

9 pm - Oh boy! Tummy rubs on the couch! My favorite!

11 pm - Oh boy! Sleeping in my people's bed! My favorite!


A Cat's Diary
Day 183 of my captivity.

My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am
forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the
hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the
furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another
house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while
they were walking almost succeeded. Maybe I should try this at the top
of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once
again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. I must try this
on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt
to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear
into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good
little kitty cat I was. This is not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in
solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the
noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my
confinement was due to my powers of inducing something called
"allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to
my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches.
The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He
is obviously a half-wit.

The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He speaks with
them regularly, and I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his
current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can
wait.

It's only a matter of time

Monday, October 2, 2006

Fay Fay Crew

So, I have to take a moment to brag about the people I work with. Our store will be open a year on Nov. 11. We've been challenged with aggressive sales plans, goals, and stiff competition with other stores. Through it all, we've fought like crazy to stay in the game.

I'm proud to say that it's definitely paying off!

Last week we found out that of all the 30 apparel stores, we had the best secret shopper results. Perfect score! Granted, we had a vague window as to when we could be shopped. But my team stepped it up and continued to do what they're so good at regardless of the window.

To top that, every week our stores are evaluated based on specific sales goal. Did we make plan? Did we beat LY? (freebie for us since we don't have one) Did our average $ sale beat the chain? Items per customer? etc. We have the opportunity to make 6 stars (one for each category). I'm almost 27 yrs old and I've been pushing to get 6 little stars. Cool.

We finally got all the stars last week!! We beat our sales plan, and beat the chain in all our other stats. There was much screaming and squealing when we found out.

It's weird, but I feel like I've finally accomplished the goals I needed to when I set out to work in stores. I passed my first LP audit with a 96, I got 6 stars, perfect secret shopper results, beat plan, good performance review, and promoted several people. I feel like I'm leaving a legacy that I can be proud of.

And now I'm ready for my next challenge.

Bring it on.