i make things

Corporate Trainings/Seminars are...

all the same...here's the top 10 things to expect at a training/seminar...in my experience of course and I'm an accountant.

1. The room will be frigidly cold.
2. You will zone out/fantasize/daydream/whatever at least a handful of times.
3. Nobody likes to participate so when the instructor asks a question requiring audience participation there is always an awkward silence until he/she picks somebody randomly.
4. They make you do some introductory game where you go around the room and say your name, what you do and some interesting fact. Yeah, 'cause I'm going to remember everyone's name. I don't think so.
5. The instructor/teacher/speaker starts to sound monotone as in bueller, bueller, bueller after about 2 hours
6. There are never enough breaks.
7. Lunch is provided and it's usually some kind of sandwich.
8. Cookies come during the afternoon break. Usually.
9. Breakfast always consists of some fruit and muffins.
10. You'll always see someone nodding off.

My Boss Turns 40 Today!

My boss turns 40 today so we decked out her office with black and white streamers and balloons and 40 confetti all over her desk. We put a ton of streamers in her doorway so it looks like you're entering a brothel (think beads) and she even has a princess hat that she has to wear. It's too funny. We bought her a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting on it from Byerly's (makes me drool just thinking about it. they have the best frosting.).

I wrote her a poem and pasted it on her office wall.

Turning 40 Limerick

One day a lady turned forty,

she cried oh my goodness lordy.

she stopped in her tracks

and thought about that fact,

and wished she was just still 30.

"created by Jen for your reading pleasure. i'll be here all week." :)

We bought her some items that she might need since she's over the hill now: multi-vitamins for old ladies, extra strength tylenol 'cause regular just won't cut it, a post-it note pad and a pen on a chain that can go around her neck to write notes on now that she won't be able to remember anything, chocolate 'cause everyone needs that and a deck of cards with huge numbers on it since she won't be able to see.

It's too funny!

My Dad's Job

My Dad is an Field Installation Supervisor (at least that's the title I always use. it might have changed). He builds spirals for FMC in Northfield, MN.

A spiral, eh? What the heck is that? Well, basically (and this is what I know) it's a huge freezer with a stainless steel track. Food (i.e. pizza, ice cream, cool whip, etc.) goes in, spirals around while freezing then comes out frozen and the company puts the frozen food on a truck. Pretty simple idea really. (Dad if I've messed any of this up I'm sure you'll let me know.) It takes a few months to build a spiral and it can be dangerous too. They have to climb on and around the machine to get it put together. A lot of welding is involved.

So here's some pictures of the machines my Dad builds.

Witty...

I went out to lunch with my accounting co-workers. Okay, I know what you're thinking...how exciting can that possibly be? Well, after we got past the office garbage which is insanely boring but highly necessary, seriously, you can't have a work lunch without talking about work. Well, I can't or I feel guilty. Anywho, we're sitting outside at a round table and we are getting pestered by a hornet and some house flys. In fact, the controller, the hockey star, was getting it the worst so he finally commented on it. He said, "Okay, I'm the salt-lick of the wild, so we gotta get out of here before they eat me alive." I laughed so hard. Isn't that witty? Salt-lick of the wild. Haaa LOL

Okay, just thought I'd bring some cheer to your day. I know it did for me. Dontcha just love that, those funny little witty phrases that just put a smile on your face? I do. :)

My Dad's favorite tractor

I came home fromwork today and my little brother was outside tinkering around with the hay mower (for anyone not familiar it's basically a very large lawn mower to cut hayfields for bailing),which I might add is just what my Dad does.

Anyway, I don't get many pictures of Nick so I grabbed my camera, trotted outside and tried to slowly, cautiously and carefully without being discovered, take pictures of my brother. Even with his ear plugs in and the diesel tractor puttering loudly he still managed to sense my presense. He scowled at me but I kept going. So here are some pictures of my Dad's favorite tractor and my little brother with his shirt off. (Pst...ladies, he's single and he grew up with 3 sisters and a mom so he's pretty good around ladies albeit a bit shy without booze).

JD 4020

Ahhh....the 4020 (redone thanks toa 4-H project and Nicky's hard work)

A view from the top. "Hey Dad, I was sitting on the 4020 today."

Nick fixing...something.

Should I add that he's good with kids?

New Job

Work is going well. The first day went fine. Usual first day stuff. Meeting everyone, trying to remember their names, titles and job description. Learning the accounting software. Trying to get the feel of the place.

So far I like it. The people are very nice and friendly. They are very flexible and I get to wear jeans most days. The drive is about 1.25 hours everyday and I hit a bit of traffic so that stinks. Hopefully I'll be able to talk Michelle and Nick into carpooling.

Last night was interesting. Something I wasn't used to. Driving home from work, making myself a quick dinner (pasta, passion fruit juice and some fresh cherries). Then heading over to Michelle's house to play with Jack. Kimmie came over and Michelle and I helped her with her benefit package for her new job. Nick was over too trying to nap. :) He naps more than any individual on the planet.

Oh, it was hilarious last night. Kim brought Michelle and I some DQ. So Michelle's eating her blizzard feeding Jack some of the ice cream and Kim is sitting there eating her french fries from Arby's. Jack looks at Kim and points to the fries. Kim says, "If you can climb up on the couch by yourself then I'll let you have one." Sure enough, he does. So she gives him a fry and he sits between her and Michelle ont he couch. Then he eats some more ice cream and wants another fry. Kim says no a couple times and then he just throws a fit and starts bawling, like hard core. No tears but he was mad. Michelle and I start laughing because it was funny. Crazy...he cried because he couldn't get his way. Terrible two's are rearing their ugly heads.

I'm leaving and I'm never coming back.

This is what I've always wanted to say while walking out of the door from work...and now I'll finally get the chance to. Today is my last day at my public accounting job. See you, bye! I'm never coming back to work here. I've closed a chapter in my life. Lately the only thing that I looked forward to when driving to work was the scenery on the way to work. Not good.

So, that door is shut but here are a couple shots I took on the way to my last day of work today. Oh and by the way I start my new job on Monday in Minneapolis.

the valley with that really neat red barn with 3 silos.

another close up at the bottom of the valley

one of many dairy farms on the side of the road.

popular dairy farm in the area.

oh look another farm

p.s. sorry about the quality of the pictures. most of these I had to take directly in the sun and you know how nice that is.

Exciting Opportunity!

I've made the decision to resign from my current job at Virchow Krause and start a new job, closer to home. I'm going to be working at Diversified Graphics Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. A fairly large printing and design company. I'll be the Accountant under the VP of Finance. I'll get to do regular accounting and work on special projects. I'm excited! Should be something new and different. I'm not excited about the extra driving I'll have to do everyday to work but I'm willing to make that sacrifice. Hopefully I'll talk Michelle or Nick into carpooling with me. That would be nice. Save on gas and I'll have two companions.

I needed a change and I needed to get closer to home. No more busy seasons. Awesome!! So Awesome! I'll be able to see my nephew and upcoming niece everyday if I want. Well, I won't see them everyday because that would be too much but the opportunity is there. :) Hey Squeaker, Auntie Jen's comin' home to play with you! :) (and annoy your father. hee hee)

Ryan is going to finish up his principal degree this summer and then start looking for jobs in the fall and winter. Hopefully we'll only be a part for at the most a year. :) I'm determined to remain optimistic even if he's pessimistic. (Ryan you're brilliant I don't know why you worry so much.)

Well, that's the big and exciting news...:)

I'm going home!!! Yeah, Minnesota here I come. (Hey Kimmie, I'll be in the cities so we can go to several Twins games. :)

Taxes Are Done Man!

Oh yes, taxes are done! No more taxes. No more crazy money-hungry, refund-wanting people. I'm leaving now to go and get drunk. Well, not really but I'll watch people get drunk which is almost the same thing. :) (yes, I'm the responsible one.) See you, bye.

Taxes

Okay everybody and anybody who reads this and resides in the U.S. The tax due date is next week. I hope you have everything into your accountant by now. If not, then they are cursing your name and throwing darts at a dart board with your picture on it. If you just turned your stuff in this week, then you should be ashamed of yourself. If you uttered these words to your tax accountant you should feel mortified, "So, will I be able to get my tax return back by the due date?" Shame on you.

Just thought I'd post this to remind you to get your sh*t in and not to ask for miracles. :) (this is all said with a great deal of humor.)