Tuesday

Vote For Oreo Speedwagon!

Help me help other pets! Read my story below!!!

Hi! My name is Oreo and I am an adopted kitty. You see, I was kicked by a heartless brute when I was very young and left for dead in an alley. Someone heard my whines of pain, found me shaking in fear, so they picked me up and took me to the Humane Society. Several x-rays and exams later, it was discovered that my left hind leg was broken and my hip was completely shattered. Everyone feared that I was a lost cause because of the extensive damage - and I just couldn't stop crying. A nice volunteer put a call in to a local veterinarian to see if they would invest their time and energy to help me. My bones were so small and fragile, that all my new friends could do was give me pain killers and hope for the best. The vet sent me home with a new foster family every night to administer my medication, but he knew I would need a lifetime home very soon. One of his assistants told her husband about me, and he knew one of his co-workers had cared for a special needs animal before. One week later the woman and her husband took me home - and further cared for me in recovery. I am almost 2 years old now! In my home, I have the best friends in the world - another adopted cat named Gracie, and an adopted Greyhound named Callie. We all look out for each other and have great times causing mischief! In fact - with Gracie's help I have even learned how to jump on the table and counters!

I want the chance to help other animals find a home too - and you can help me in my mission! Bissel.com is having a photo contest for pets, and if I win I can choose a charity to give $10,000 to - and it would be the Humane Society, because without them and their efforts I wouldn't be alive today.

Click here or on my picture above and visit www.bissel.com . I am entry 4007.

Between January 29 - February 5 - all you need to do is click on my picture, enter your name and e-mail, and I will be one vote closer to helping other pets (you can only vote one time per person)!

Thank you for reading my story!!!

Saturday

The Best of January - Horror Stories From Advertising

So my first few months on the job back in 2004 were interesting to say the least. I once asked in a meeting if people could check their paperwork to help the new employees and reduce errors - and was told by The Boss that I may have to look for another job for speaking up. I really should have known that the best way to correct errors is to STFU.

I realized early on that The Boss was a racist - the first time was when she accused me of being one my first week on the job (I was working for a temp agency). We were talking about holidays and travel, and the best way to work out who can be gone when. I mentioned my college room-mate Masami and how we would plan travel so someone was always at our apartment to take care of the cats. The Boss said, "Do you think that's funny? Giving an Asian nickname to someone? You're a racist - and I don't think that's funny at all." I said, "No. Her name was Masami and she is from Japan." Which her follow-up was, "Didn't you find it weird being forced to dorm with someone from another country?" I think my jaw dropped, but I was able to say, "We were friends from Economics class, and decided to share an off-campus apartment." She gave me a full furrowed-brow scowl and went on about her travel tangent.

The travel conversation came up because my father was coming to stay with my husband and I for Christmas, and I wanted two weeks off to be with him, but still come back to my job. The Boss told the temp agency to find a replacement for me to train, and gave a high recommendation for me to be placed elsewhere after - but 4 women had came & went through the department during the two months leading up to my time off. When only 1 week remained before my vacation, The Boss offered me a full-time job to come back to if I could find the right person and get them trained in a week. I spoke to the staffing company, they sent over a computer person at my request, I interviewed him, and started training him that day. The Boss was initially pissed at me because a computer person costs more than a basic temp hire, but once she met him her whole attitude changed. He was almost 30, good-looking, funny, Chinese (I will call him Pet). In that first week of training she took him out to lunch 3 times. She told him to just write in an hour lunch, even if he spent more time out with her than that. She brought him a Christmas gift.

I took my 2 weeks off, loved having the holidays with my hubby and father, and spent time reflecting over the awaiting job offer. I returned to have a welcome from The Boss of "Oh. You're back." I in-processed that first week of January 2005. The Boss moved Pet into her department. RJ had been hired while I was out, and we were just stuck sitting in the office together trying to work together. Pet and The Boss became friends - spending time outside of work together... much to the suspicion of The Boss' husband (since she told me she hadn't had sex with her spouse in over 6 months). Pet got his own cube and new laptop - and played video games all day. The Boss would scold him, and he would invite her to sit and watch him play, and she would. Pet decided to go back to China for the New Years celebration and spend time with his family. The Boss had a big office party for him, and she let everyone know Pet would be coming back after his travel and not to worry about his absence. Pet had only wanted to be part of the team. He called me once to ask if things were okay, but specifically requested I not tell The Boss he called. I think she was hurt... and never realized she smothered him away from the company by playing favorites. Pet never spoke to The Boss again.

In more recent developments - I was contacted by one of the sweetest girls I've ever had the pleasure to work with. She had initiative, foresight, intelligence, and most importantly - she cared. Lady D was a college student with the desire to do her best; at school and in the office. A recent post from her simply informed me she had taken all she could stand from The Boss - and was leaving her position after a recent blowup. Lady D is not one to shout back because she is a lady - so I think the putrid black filth that oozes from The Boss' pores had been enough to finally drive her away... Lady D - I wish you all the best in life, wherever you may go!

Wednesday

The Color Test

Ah - the Left Brain/Right Brain struggle. This was a fun link sent to me by a friend... The average person takes 5 tries to get to 100%.

THE COLOR TEST

FYI - I got 88% on my first try, and 100% on my second :-P

Friday

Crock Pot Steak Stew

Being a work-at-home wife has it's benefits. I've recently begun to experiment with food in my Crock Pot Slow Cooker, and have come up with the most AMAZING recipe!

Here's a gift to my readers - STEAK STEW

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs - Steak (remove fat & cut into 1" chunks)
1 lb - Yellow Squash
1 lb - Potatoes (cut into 1/2" chunks)
2 Cups - Carrots (cut into 1/2" chunks)
1 Cup - Onion (cut into wedges)
4 Cloves - Garlic (less if you're not a big Garlic fan)
32 oz - Chicken Broth (gives a nice flavor)
8-12 oz - Can of Tomato Sauce
2 Tbs - Worchestershire Sauce
1 tsp - Ground Black Pepper
1 Tbs - Allspice (I LOVE "Old Bay" in this)
8-12 oz - Can of Peas
* I recommend using Low-Sodium & Organic ingredients to make this a healthier meal.

Cooking:
Put your cut meat, squash, onions, carrots, potatoes, and garlic into your slow cooker. Stir in Chicken broth, tomato sauce, canned peas, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and allspice. Cover and cook on "High" setting for 4-5 hours - or "Low" setting for 8-10 hours.

Feel free to post a comment - and PLEASE let me know if you try this recipe and like it!!!