Ten on Tuesday: Reasons I Love My Job

My boss bought some candy over the summer. When we moved back into our regular space, I put it in the candy jar and hid the rest of it in a drawer.  As the candy in the jar was eaten I slowly replaced it.  On afternoon, my boss was handing out candy to a few students in the center when he commented that no one must like the Whoppers because there were still a lot of them left. I mentioned that I *love* Whopper and he tossed he a pack.  I mostly forgot about it until yesterday.

I came back from lunch and noticed that he had gone shopping to replenish some office supplies. He had also bought some more candy for the candy jar. I noticed this because it was full again with a different kind of candy than had been in there before.  Out of curiosity, I opened the drawer to see what kind of candy was in there.

Which leads me to...

1. We dress up for Halloween!
2. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and other days for no reason. Usually with chocolate.
3. I work with the best staff around. Even the guy in the satellite office across campus!
4. We have awesome staff meetings that involve the best pizza around.
5. I can bring my kids to work with me if I need to.
6. I have an automatic babysitting pool right here!
7. I can easily take a day (or part of a day) off for a doctor's appointment, school event, or just because I feel like it.
8. I am regularly told that I do a good job.  Even when I mess up, the response is about what I have learned from the mistake.
9. I get to read all the free books I can handle.  And my kids can come check them out too.
10. I get two week off at Christmas to spend with my kids!

What about you? Do you have a fun and rewarding job?  What do you love about it??

Student Worker Appreciation Week

This week my university is celebrating Student Worker Appreciation Week. We have such an awesome group of students here that I enjoy the opportunity to go all out and say thank you to them for the awesome job they do here. 

On Monday, I put out a Candy-Gram sign.  I've seen these before and I've always wanted an excuse to make one. I actually made the sign last year, but I bought new candy and put it out again this year. In front of the posters there are two bowls of assorted candy that the students (and I) have been snacking on it all week.

"In honor of STUDENT WORKERS APPRECIATION WEEK we would like to say thank you for all you do.  You do {Good & Plenty} around here. You process {Mounds} of books and other materials for students and professors. Instead of being {Nerds}, you have been real {LifeSavers} for professors who are having technology issues, or when their computers are running as slow as {Turtles}.  And thankfully you are not a {Butterfinger} when handling laptops and projectors.  We know that the lessons you are learning will help you both {Now & Later} in life.  You are definitely not {DumDums} when it comes to juggling school and work.  You are {Almond Joys} to have around. We are very fortunate to have hired such a group of {Smarties}. We wish we could give you {100Grand} on {PayDay}, but you will have to settle for {Hugs} and {Kisses} and a {Symphony} of voices saying "thank you!"

My co-worker also made confetti cookies on Monday and those were a delicious addition to the sugar coma we started!

On Wednesday, I brought in BBQ and cole slaw.  Apparently the whole outer area smelled good enough that several students commented on it when they walked in.  To those students who were studying and completing class projects, I must apologize for the teasing aromas coming from my office.  It could have been worse-you could have been me sitting two feet away from a crock pot of BBQ all day!!

Today my boss brought bagels and orange juice for everyone, so the day has started out quite nicely.  Friday another co-worker is bringing a "candy bar."  As in an open bar of a variety of candies that the students can mix, match and bag up. 

Next week should be back to business as usual. It's a good thing too.  Otherwise, I might need to go buy some new clothes because those new dresses I talked about yesterday aren't going to fit so well if we kept this up any longer!

Megan, Kelsey, Lauren, James, Michelle, Jessica, Ashley, Deserae, and Kate: You guys rock! Working with you on a regular basis is one of the reasons why I love my job so much!  P.S. Next week you'll have to bring your own food, sorry!

The early bird probably forgot something

I mentioned on Monday that I had been early to work but had forgotten a few minor details in the rush.  Well Tuesdays are my regular day to have all three kiddos by myself in the morning because Ken has to meet the truck at work to get started unloading.  So Tuesday morning we were zipping along getting ready for work and school. I made sure to check that Henry had on a shirt. I remembered to have Frances comb her hair and brush her teeth. We got in the van and pulled out by 7:35-still earlier that usual!
When I dropped the boys off, I made a joke about double checking to make sure Henry had a shirt on. Then I realized that I had neglected to check if he had underpants on!!  We had a good laugh while I called him back to me to ensure that he did.  Whew!
I got to work early again and let myself in with my disappearing/reappearing keys and took a moment to feel proud.  Then I realized that I had forgotten my earrings!
This morning Ken was home to help out and I still got in the van at 7:35 and got to work a little before 8. Alas, I had forgotten my earrings again!  Maybe I should just leave a pair in my desk for these types of emergencies...I already have toothpaste, a toothbrush, dental floss, mouthwash, a sewing kit, lotion, chap stick, band-aids, and two drawers full of snacks! For, you know, emergencies!