Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah!

The attidude at work lately has been sooo negative. I hate it! Not being one to just let things be and since I am a former cheerleader, I wrote a cheer for the store.

Extra Foods is here for you.
Customer service - it's what we do!
Teamwork is the way we play.
Extra Foods is here to stay.
Let me hear you strong and LOUD!
Our colleagues really make us proud.
Put on a smile and show the rest.
We're working hard to be the BEST!

Corny enough?

Mammograms and Ultrasounds make the world go round....

Almost 2 months ago I found a pretty good sized lump in my left breast. Oh goody......I finally got the time and the gumption to get to the Dr. and have it looked at. He assured me that it was just a cyst and most likely nothing but because of my history he sent me for an ultrasound and mammogram. I got a look and at first thought it looked fine too. Then they rotated to the other side of the lump. Not so good. It now is classified as suspicious. They've moved me on to the surgeon and the breast health centre. Goody again........The centre called today to try to set up an appointment for a biopsy but I missed them. Let's hope they call again soon. This biopsy isn't sitting well with me. I have the same feeling I did just before I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I'm much too nervous. I have that naggy sensation that I have too much to do to deal with this right now. I keep feeling like I can just ignore it and make it go away. Maybe I'm making too big a deal of this. Maybe it will be nothing......

100 Days

As you all know, I have been in a special training session in Ft. Saskatchewan over the last 2 months. Our last project of the session is to develop two 100 day business plans. Yikes!! So, I'm hoping if I let you all know about them as well it will help to keep me more accountable. I have to present the results at the Learning Centre in August and I want to be successful. I plan to run a fantastic Garden Centre. Last years wasn't as profitable as hoped and I am don't want a repeat. Also, I am revamping the way I run my Beauty department. I am changing things up a bit. Task lists and planos signed off when completed. I hope this will keep my employees more accountable. It's hard sometimes to manage people you have known all your life. Especially ones who are your parents friends. It makes for some interesting dynamics. I have to figure out a way to overcome my reticence in dealing out discipline and coaching. It's not going to be easy for me but as we've been told repeatedly at the LC, "we learn best in the stretch zone". Grrr! I would much rather be comfortable. LOL!

SNOW??!?!? Now?

Just when we thought it was spring we are hit with a full on storm! Winter storm warning and all!!! ICK!! I thought we had escaped and rounded the bend to warmth. WRONG!! It snowing like some one ripped open feather pillows from heaven. Then add in the wind and you get the picture. Oh and lucky me, I get to drive in this mess in the morning. I have to leave for Calgary by 530am. Yippy. Some one please find the sun and pin it over Southern Alberta.

Learning to Deal

I am frustrated this evening. Ok, more than frustrated. It really doesn't matter how I got here or what drove me here. What I want to know is how to get out. I don't like the out of control feeling my life has right now. I'm letting too many factors bounce me around and influence what I feel. How do I convince myself that what people say and do really doesn't matter that much? Why am I letting a petty thing ruin something good? Any answers?

OH the fun of Retail!

Since it is Good Friday and school was out, I took my son with me to work today. Just as I set him his first task our adventure began. He'd only been out of my sight for maybe 20 seconds. He came tearing around the end of the aisle yelling "Call 911! A customer's been hurt!" I ran to investigate and found a customer I'd seen only a minute before, with blood pouring out of his mouth and his female companion proclaiming he had been assaulted outside. I sped off for the phone and for some first aid supplies. As I convinced him to put pressure on his wound I called for help. But the whole story was sounding fishy. As I reported to the 911 operator all that I knew, another woman began frantically pointing to a man walking past, "that's him, Jimmy Bad Man. He's the one". This man was apparently the assailant and was headed straight for the victim. I had 911 dispatch the police immediately. Luckily our handy dandy former military man just happened in the door at that moment, stopped the bad guy and brought him back to me at the service desk where we proceeded to investigate what looked like a lumpy bumpy shoplifter. Oh joy! Another case of bacon down the pants. It then began to dawn on me that this was all a set up. Jimmy began to complain that they made him doing it while pointing at the bloody man. It looks like they set up an elaborate ruse just to steal a case of bacon. All of them got arrested. Great way to introduce my son to the fabulous world of working retail.