Since I have worked like crazy from day 1, and havent had much time to post, I guess I should fill in what I didnt on my post Monday morning-- I was hired on November 8 to fill a newly created position in the accounting department. It was the position of Accountant/Supervisor, and I was told that a 4-year degree was needed for this position. I was also told that I would learn the 5 audits that the department performs, as well as any other additional accounting functions that were needed. I was not given a deadline in which to have finished my training. During the last 2 weeks of November, I was taught one audit, and in December, I was sent to supervisor training, and then my direct supervisor, "H" re-certified as a supervisor me on December 28th and wrote on my evaluation "Good Job!!". I also started learning the slot audit about during the first/second week in Dec. And that is where I stayed until. On or about January 4, "H" called me into her office to say that from the reports she was hearing, that I was "burnt-out" (wtf???) on the slot machine audit, and that I was being put on another audit on January 8. When I asked what the problem was, she replied that she had received reports that I was stressed out. The only slot auditor for the week in question (December 25 to December 29; that supposedly burnt me out; it was also the busiest week at the property) was "R", who at one point told me to "stop f*cking things up", among other various job-misleading "help" she gave me while she was "training" me. I was told previously that she ("R) was very angry with me coming on board as she thought she should get the new position, even though she does not have the required degree. She ("R") was hostile to me while training, uncooperative and very demeaning to me and my background. She refused to help me on more than one occasion when I had problems with the audit, and would have a negative attitude when I asked for advice. And no, she wasnt too busy with her work to help-- I went to the other audit, and have been there ever since. "H" called me into her office on Sunday, January 22, told me that my position was eliminated because I wasnt trained enough to supervise the office for the week of January 23 27 (since the other supervisors were in training that week), and that I had had problems with that week in the slot audit. (Seems to be a re-occurring theme.) At this point, told her that I had never been given any specific guidelines as to when my training was to be finished, and this was the first I had heard that the other supervisors were to gone from the office that week. Then, I spoke up, and finally told her the conflicts with "R", and some of the things she said to me, and that she deliberately tried to teach me wrong procedures concerning the slot audit. (I learned about the wrong procedure from the other slot auditor when she came back to work, and I asked the correct procedures.) I also pointed out that I was never given a timeline that I was to know the whole department, and that she, "H", was my supervisor, and had failed to inform me of this. "H"then kept repeating that that week in the slots was bad (see, keeps re-occurring), and that I was being demoted to this other position, with a 50% reduction on pay (and I now became hourly; I was salaried before) and that my off days would be changed to reflect my new status. She also asked me not to say anything to the rest of the department until next week. (I assume the week starting January 29.) On Tuesday, January 23, I was sorting paperwork at the printer, and "H" apparently did not see me standing there, and I over-heard her, speaking in a low voice, tell "R"that my supervisor position was open, and she should go apply for it. No one else in the accounting department knew, as they might have a degree and be qualified for the position, but "H" did not choose to share that information with anyone other then "R", who has been sabotaging me since she had the chance in December. So, at this point, I figured that since it was, ahem.. public knowledge at this pointhey"H" told "R"and I let it slip at lunch to the others. Everyone was shocked, as I get along with them, and have helped out with their problems before. And, I figured that it was best to hear it from me, so that I dont look like a whipped pup. One of the guys that reported to me went back to the department and let it slip that he found out, and "R"s face was pricelessshe got defensive and her voice got high. It was funny to see and hear. He said that he overheard "H" tell "R", and she immediately started to backpedal. I did go to HR, and register my complaints, and the rep asked what I thought the repercussions would be, and I told her that I figured Id be fired, and she said "Well see about that", and smiled. Throughout all of this, I have kept my composure, and have smiled and not acted any different. I still talk and laugh and cut up, and I have kept the same level of work standards that I have from the first day. I finished one audit by 10am yesterday, the second by 4, and still and time to deal with other peoples problems with their work. So, I am still employed, but I think things will change on Sunday. And probably not for the better. Oh well. Its just a job that paid very well; its not my life and it does not define me. I did tell Rog on Monday, after I took a good assessment of things, and he is OK with things, no matter what happens. I told him everything, and I told him the reason that I could not tell him Sunday was that I couldnt bear the look of disappointment in his eyes, he told me I was silly, and that I couldnt disappoint him, ever. BJI love you, my sisnothing you can say to me would ever hurt me, b/c I know you speak from your heart. If I were hourly, I would say you are right, but I was salaried, and all supervisors must stay until all the work is finished, even if they themselves have been done for hours. And I was told that everyone must help the others out to finish up, which is fine with meso, thats why I would always ask, when I was finished, if I could help with someone elses work. (Although, in retrospect, I never did see any of the other supervisors do thatever. ???) My insurance will not kick in until Marcha long way to go--, and I was not given any type of review until this past Sunday. Nor any sense of unfilled expectations on anyones partI was told by one of me peers that I was going a very good job And as for the "down with" statement, I merely meant that I was now down in the pit with themnot a put down (LOL!) in anywaythey are great people! J The coatit is a Burberry, and it came form a consignment store with a no-return policy. (I rarely buy anything from a mall.) Still, even for that price, I wouldnt have bought it now. Its so gorgeousI feel like a million bucks with it onJJJ And---about the attitudeyoure right, and thats exactly what Ive been doing all week. Im still the same person I was this time last week, and Ill be that same person this time next week. While I hate being in this position, it is just a job, and it does not define me anymore than my MIL does. So, Im disappointed, but Ill liveits OK, and Ill just start over again Enough of me Patti(((((hugs))))) to you and your friendI can not imagine that pain NHSuzannegreat pics! JJ Marcithanks for the birthday exchange! Gotta goRog will be home in a bit Love and hugs to all Maddie

Good FRIDAY Morning!! Wonderful to hear from Joanne and Maddie! Suzanne, looks like you got some very nice gifts from Raeanne. Looking forward to seeing those slippers in April 2005! Was thinking about you this morning...I just had to turn Howard off and listen to some old fogies on a local NYC station. Howard just goes on and on and on about his new gig and how much "injustice" he's suffering. I tried to call up and say "shut up and make me laugh"!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...but the phones were busy. LOL By the time I got to within a mile of the office, he was on to funny stuff, but geez, do I need another year of his whining for the first hour? MAKE ME LAUGH!!! LMAO (Hey, I made myself laugh!) OK, another evening and no decorations. I got home after my yogilates class, and DSD was at my house. DH had finished putting new locks on two of our outside doors. Why? I've no idea. On our list of things to-do, it was probably #35, but he was so proud of himself. This evening, we are going shopping and picking up a tree on the way home. I went over this carefully with him before he left the house this morning! LOL Gotta run; I'm working on finishing up my 2004 report on how I accomplished my development and objectives...what corporate BS !! Got to get the wording 'just right' so you get a bigger bonus than the next guy. Ah, what I endure for great vacations! LOL Take care, eat healthy, and NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! DeeMarie

Got home from TN RV trip late Sunday, was a 13 hour drive home, got lots of crocheted/ribbon bookmarks made that day, a good trip though. Yard guy came and cut grass earlier this week and he weed-whacked one of my daylilies, but thankfully it had already finished blooming for the year, oh well it will come back from the tubers next year. I cut grass and weeds inside my large back yard flowerbed this week. I collected cosmos seeds, took some flower pics, then bent to collect some canna seeds and darned if the cosmos seeds didn't fall out of the small cup I had them in in my pocket, so now I have cosmos seeds scattered in amongst some of my daylilies and as wet as it has been this summer who knows maybe they will grow and bloom by this fall. Thursday started hand-quilting Christy's grandbaby quilt and have gotten about 17 hours done on that in the past 3 days, plan to take it on our AR RV trip. I did not work on crocheted lace yet on last trip, I decided to wait until after I have it fully hand-quilted and binding sewed on so I will know my exact measurements for making the lace so hopefully can do it in 2 to 4 segments and then connect them all when done, I was hoping I would have her quilt done by beginning of August, but at the way things are progressing and with RV trips looks like it may be September before I finish her quilt. Hubby got a new RV temperpedic type mattress yesterday, so hoping we sleep much better on future RV trips. Once this new mattress airs out next week, I gotta start packing and loading for our AR RV trip. Hubby is wanting to go, go, go RVing this summer since he had surgeries last 2 summers, so I am only getting to work on quilt projects in short spurts. So I plan to spend most of Sunday afternoon hand-quilting Christy's quilt. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Best to you, Sandra

Happy birthday, Rita! I'm grateful I let my husband talk me into going to the flea market this morning. I didn't want to go because I was cold. I found a neat old light fixture with a glass shade and the part that hangs down from the ceiling has roses and dog wood on it. I have an old depression era bedroom suite, so going to use the light fixture with it. A friend of mine's mother is a painter and we had already decided she would paint roses across the bed and dresser...so now will have her do roses and dog wood instead.