Rawr!

So it turns out the guy at work didn't get laid off due to economic reasons, he was laid off because he was tardy 11 times during his 90-day probation. A lot of people were really angry at him because he went around saying it was due to the economy and frankly, with how bad things are, you hear that and it does put fear in people. Not to say they aren't doing layoff's right now, I believe it has been 6 people that have been let go so far, but they are doing it to basically the dead weight, people who aren't doing their job rights, people who they can tell just don't appreciate having a job in the first place by their attitude. So was I worried, damn right! Anything can happen. But if they are going to lay people off based on job performance, then I know I am ok because I do the best job I can, and my manager has even given me compliments on how I do my job, which is a big thing. And we do need greeters, it really is a job no one wants, so they would be stupid to get rid of someone who actually does the job and does it well.

In other news, I've been really frustrated with Brandi lately because she won't poop for me. I know, this sounds silly, but she used to wake up in the morning and I could take her out after Phil left for school and she'd go and things would be fine. The past two weeks though, I've been taking her out, and she sniffs everything, plays in the grass, everything but do what she is supposed to. Of course, take her home, and 5 mins later she is whining and pawing to go back out. It would be like an all day production to get her to poop, and then he'd get home and take her out and she'd do it right away. So this morning when we all work up I said "Ok Brandi, today we are going to poop and that's final". Maybe she understood because she went right away! Yes, it is silly to get frustrated with a dog not pooping, but when you have places to go and things to do, it is just annoying to take her out for her to just play. Plus, I was also worried something might be wrong because she wasn't going. But I think the culprit was that she was getting way too many treats at my parents house, and not eating her dinner at night. So I've cut her back from that, so maybe that has helped.

Speaking of Brandi, she is laying on my bed under the covers and keeps looking at me like, "Are you coming to take a nap with me Mom?". We've been up since 6a, and we didn't go to bed until really late, so I think a little nap before I have to get up and get ready for work sounds really nice right now.

Possible Layoff's??

Yesterday morning I was reading about what they are calling "Bloody Monday", where tons of companies are letting go of thousands of their staff and closing stores and offices. It really is scary to see what is happening to our economy, and I am hoping the current administration can really change things around like they say they are. I started to worry that maybe MY job could be in jeopardy, but then I thought, well, it's Walmart, they are the only company doing well right now, so I should be safe.Fast-forward to last night, when a cashier, who has been with Walmart as long as I have (4 months), was leaving for the night and stopped to tell me he was just laid off. The reason? ""Economic conditions", the manager told him, and that since they have already cut hours, and the store is still very slow, and not making much money, this is the next step, and they are going to have to start with the newest associates. But after 4 months, you aren't new, we've passed our 90-day probation period, and there are several other people who have started within the last few weeks. So in an instant I went from feeling lucky to be working for a company that wasn't going to be in any need to do layoff's, to feeling scared for my job. Luckily, greeters are needed, and I am doing a good job for them, but when it comes to layoff's, no one is safe. You could be absolutely needed and be the best employee a company has, but if they can't afford to pay you, then that's life. I have already gone from working 28-30 hours a week, down to now 20 hours for the next 3 weeks. That is a huge hour cut, and even though working only 4 hours a day is nice, it is going to hurt in the paycheck, and we are going to struggle. Only thing I can hope for is that we are able to get a large tax refund so we can get current on some bills, and start up a savings account, so if I am laid off, we at least have something to fall back on until I am able to get something else.

What I find really upsetting though, is that no one is really taking about the layoff's that could happen, it is sort of we know it is happening, but management just isn't going to confirm it. Instead of being honest and upfront and saying that yes, we are probably going to layoff some associates, so be prepared kinda thing, it is just you go to work, do your whole shift, and then when you clock out for the day, you are told by they way, we have to let you go. I can only pray that they feel, as a greeter, I am really needed and it would hurt them to let me go, and all I can do is keep doing the best job for them that I can.

I think my dog is racist

This is something I think I have always known for awhile, but it is time to come out with it....

Brandi is racist...

When we first adopted her and brought her home, we started noticing that she would bark and growl nonstop at any of our India neighbors. At the time we lived near Intel in Chandler, AZ, so there was many families living in the complex who were from India, and she would just get this bark and growl like she wanted to eat one.

Now that we are in our new apartment, she's taken to barking and growling every time she sees someone who is Mexican or who is Black. She will sit at the living room window and will just be relentless in her barking and growling.

A white guy just walked by though, and she just stopped and looked at him, and her tail started wagging.

I'm so ashamed....

Anywho..hahaha...tonight after work I am meeting up with Mindy for dinner and I swear I haven't seen her since July! It has been a long time since I have been able to go out on a Friday night, even though I have to work it is just for four hours until 7p tonight, so I can actually enjoy myself for once and go out at night!