Meet the new "ducks"

The new holi-ducks, four kitty ducks, and an Angel duck in the center :)

If you don't like the poultry industry.... wait a week

I can't tell you how many times my shift manager has said that, but I never knew it was so true!

Monday night
Our shift manager decides that she wants us to start learning more of the positions in the plant so we can be moved around to fill in as needed. Agreement is made that Lines C/D supervisor will spend the week learning how to run Tray Pack, and then in the following week, I will move back to shipping and learn those responsibilities and paperwork. Shipping is currently missing a lead, and in order for that supervisor to take his requested vacation in a few weeks, we need a back-up.

Tuesday night
We got word we were opening the cone lines back up on night shift. When? The very next night... We thought at first it was just going to be a temporary thing, but now we have new business, and instead of just hiring for one line, they're supposed to be hiring for all four. Decision was made to move lines E/F supervisor over to supervise the cone lines, leaving lines E/F without a supervisor. Additionally... Line C/D supervisor's training of Tray Pack is cut short as he has to return to help me run our room.

Wednesday night
Fourteen new hires, split into two orientation groups of English and Spanish speakers, and we have cone lines running. In talking the night before, we discover our lead/trainer for our room also knows how to work on cone lines, so he spent most of the night over there teaching the new people. We begin discussions about promoting new people to leads, and eventually our lead to the next supervisor. He accepted the challenge.

Thursday night
Calm... Lots of talking with our lead about his upcoming responsibilities, pouring over information currently in our supervisor's manual, and information I have promised to help write to make things easier for him to learn.

Friday night
Hour long meeting in the middle of the shift. A decision has been made upstairs to change the typical line arrangements of night shift and instead of 4 lines of Chipotle and 2 lines of zero bone, we're to have 3 lines of each. In order to successfully do this, the experienced line D will switch places with the mostly new hires line F. Line C, a former chipotle deboning line, is basically handed a 4 cent per pound pay cut. We spent most of the rest of the night fielding requests from all of the experienced employees from line C asking to move to lines A/B or the new version of line F. It is believed that our lines are not productive enough, and re-aligning our lines will help allow the plant to run 1-million plus pounds in a five day week instead of a 6 day week. There is much discussion on the fact that currently 4 lines sometimes have trouble meeting chipotle orders and we have no idea how only 3 lines will accomplish this alone. I could go much further, but there's only so much that makes sense without writing you a complete book...

So to recap the week......
We opened a cone line and hired 14 new people, we moved one supervisor to the other room, we promoted our lead to supervisor, promoted a deboner to a new lead/discussion, promoted a meat dumper to the shipping lead. Made a list of 15 people we needed hired in our room to make full lines, 10 more people needed in tray pack, and who knows how many needed to fill the cone lines.

Needless to say....... Tuesday at work should be hell. I hope I have enough chocolate!

New Food Critique #4

Has it seriously been since March that I did this? Geez...

The next selection!

Green Giant - Just for One Vegetables

Broccoli and Carrots in Italian Seasoning - YUM
Nibblets Corn and Butter Sauce - YUM
Broccoli and Cheese Sauce - YUMMMMMMMMM YUMMMMMMMM

They're all delicious, come four in a package, only take 2 minutes to heat up, and comes out to about 75 cents a serving. After trying the Broccoli and Cheese, I picked up the other two flavors next time I was at the store :)



Try them!!!

More Skills updates

Was looking through old posts, found this one and realized I have accomplished a few more things!

I cannot:

* Operate the cryovac packaging machine
Finally had Jose teach me, I'm a pro now :)

* Operate the device that tests the CO2 to O2 concentration in the cryovac packages
yeah, still haven't done this one. But in my defense, the little thing has broken several times and there's a sticker that says "Do Not Touch" So umm.... I'm not touching, yeah, not touching :)

* Operate the strapper machine that puts the hard plastic straps around boxes to keep them closed
I can doooooooooooo it. But don't ask me to fix it if it gets jammed. On a related note, I can completely assemble and strap a tote bin myself with the big strapper.

* Drive one of the jacks loaded with a pallet
I'm still working on this, hehe. My legs and the pallet jack don't coordinate well. I'm working on moving them short distances at a time :) Getting more confident though. It's hard to drive one because I don't want anyone to watch me, and it's hard to find one alone without people nearby!

* Understand how in the world they figure out payroll!
Payroll is still pretty much a grey area......

* Fix the scale settings on the indexer bagging machine.
Mastered! It really was simpler than I made it out to be, the only hitch is that you have to slow down the belt, and I don't like climbing up on the line to do it, so I call maintenance :)

* Operate the lift on the bone trailer
We now have tote bin dumpers on our lines, and they work the same, so this is another mastered task :)


More things I've learned about that I can't do...... (and still have never tried)

* Run/Set up the sizer machine
* Run the marinator in coneline, or the slicer
* Drive the yard dog (the truck cab we use to move trailers around the lot with)

My Own Personal Shopper

Some of the Wal-Marts are re-inventing themselves, mostly the older ones. The one in Rogers on Walnut is one of those trying to change everything under the roof. New floors, new lights, new lay-out, new registers, you name it!

So here's some of my experiences in the last few weeks... I wish I'd thought to take a few more pictures.

* Spices in carts in the aisles with a note of A-H, H-R, S-Z to know which are in which cart.
* Men using a saw to cut plywood in the middle of the produce, getting sawdust all over the place, smoke in the room, and fumes half way across the store
* Aisles on wheels in the middle of the main walk ways running the entire length of the store with no break! Why is this notable? I was trying to go from the middle of the store to the toy side of the store, walked all the way down, only to find that it was roped off before the end. So I had to walk all the way back toward groceries, go around the aisle, and walk all the way back!
* Pet food relocated from the front left side to the center of the back where baby items used to be.
* Aisles on wheels, turned sideways in completely empty spaces (see picture below)


And the best one yet, my personal shopper! When I went in tonight, I needed milk, eggs, and sour cream (among other things). Since they were re-tiling the back section, things were turned in all directions and there was orange fencing blocking a lot of stuff. I couldn't get to the 1% milk, so I settled for 2%. But then the eggs and sour cream were completely blocked, so I went up to 4 associates standing there talking and asked which one wanted to run an errand for me. One of the girls asked what I wanted, and went to fetch my groceries :)

So this is what my Wal-Mart looks like now... how about yours?

My Big Dreams Wishlist

I'm bored..... Here are some of my wishes. Although I think wish #1 needs to be winner of like a multi-million dollar tax free lottery :)

1. Hybrid/Expandable Travel Trailer


2. Chevy Trailblazer (to pull the trailer)


3. Land with lots of trees and a great view


4. Custom built house on that land


5. Calico kitten for Oyster to play with (aka terrorize)


6. Boat for the lake


7. Island Resort Vacation


8. Tropical Fish Tank


9. Screened-in Pool and hot tub


10. Clydesdale horses to hitch up and take to shows/festivals



That's all I can think of right now... It's enough dreaming for one evening :)

This one's for Lesley!

I dedicate this to Lesley and her boys!!!!!!!!!!! It cracked me up and I knew I had to blog it for you :)

My duckies!

I finally discovered the hiding spot for the rest of my rubber duckies and now they're all proudly displayed in my front bathroom :) Thought I'd share a pic or two!

I took this picture!

How freakin cool is this??



I rounded a corner later, and the hand just disappeared!

A funny for you

This wasn't exactly what I was hoping to find when I googled for an image of "downtime" but it was amusing enough to post!!

This CRACKS me up

Man Gets DWI After Riding Motorized Cooler

Some people are morons..........

One New York man's Memorial Day fun ended when police pulled him over while he was driving his motorized cooler.

Leslie J. "Bomber" Marr, 57, was charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after the police saw him swerving on the street and driving on the sidewalk in his "Cruzin Cooler," Whitehall Police Chief Richard LaChapelle told the Post Star newspaper.

Marr's electric-powered cooler was filled with 14 beers and has room for 24 cans and ice, Fox News reported.

Under New York state law, driving any motorized vehicle must be done without alcohol, including motorized coolers. In various states, other modes of transportation in which driving is prohibited while intoxicated include lawnmowers, boats, bicycles, golf carts, wheelchairs and horses.

The "Cruzin Cooler" Web site features talk show host Ellen Degeneres riding a cooler. The site praises the vehicle, saying it "combines two basic necessities of life, the ability to have cold food or a beverage handy along with the means to get somewhere without walking."

According to cruzincooler.com, the motor or electric-powered cooler can go up to 13 mph and has hitches to attach a wagon that can pull a 400-pound load on level surfaces.

Two things...

First, it was insanely foggy at 2am!!! I even missed my road! I had to turn around at the gas station and go back, lol.

Second... I find the Alltel commercials really funny now considering Verizon bought them out. You know, the ones with Chad as the Alltel guy and one of the other four is wearing a Verizon shirt. Wonder how much longer those commercials will last....

Another article on the silliness of TX courts...

Judge bases court order for Wal-Mart trial on UA, UT football rivalry


FAYETTEVILLE - In a highly unusual situation, a judge in Texas is ordering a lawsuit against Wal-Mart to hold court, in Texarkana. His reason? A college football rivalry.

According to Judge James Nowlin, because Wal-Mart, and the plaintiff, cannot agree on which state, Arkansas or Texas, to meet in to hold trial, he's ordering them to what he calls "neutral ground," splitting the state line. But, his comments are anything but neutral.

According to an actual court order, the plaintiff, Ruth Waggoner, wanted the deposition of Wal-Mart's representative to take place in San Antonio. But Wal-Mart wanted the deposition to take place in Bentonville.

Now, according to an official court order by Judge James Nowlin of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judge Nowlin is citing the U of A, University of Texas rivalry as the reason why the two sides cannot agree on a trial site, and orders that the deposition will happen in Texarkana, with each party on their side of the state line.

The story becomes more wild with the judge's comments, on the order. He states: "surely the defendant's corporate representative, a resident of Arkansas, would feel great humiliation by being forced to enter the home state of the University of Texas, where the legendary Texas Longhorns have wrought havoc on the Arkansas Razorbacks with an impressive 55-21 all-time series record."

Judge Nowlin goes on to say, "the Razorbacks, who disgracefully retreated from the Southwest Conference to the gentler pastures of the Southeastern Conference, could have likely learned a lesson about stamina and perseverance in the face of battle by visiting the Alamo in San Antonio."

Some Razorback supporters say what the judge did was not professional. Connor Henderson, a recent Arkansas transplant, says he thinks the judge is in the wrong occupation. "I would tell him that he needs to get another job, because he has no idea what he's doing, and that he's blowing things out of proportion."

Holly Lovell is a Texas native, but even she says Judge Nowlin has taken things too far, expecially in regards to the plantiff. "I think that is completely wrong and disrespectful, very much so, to the family. I love Texas, but I don't think he should do that."

Others, like Razorback fan Scott Howie of Harrison, say the judge's order, and the whole scenario, is pretty amusing. "I think it could be very entertaining, depending on what it was about. That's pretty interesting, but you know, as long as we call the Hogs, we'll have our day in court."

Regardless of the way people feel about the judge's decision, everyone says they've never seen a court order like this, before. Order was signed May 3rd, 2008, this case goes to trial because, according to the judge's court order, the two sides must meet outside, on the steps of the Texarkana Federal Building, because it straddles the state line, on June 11, 2008.

And, Judge Nowlin is specifically ordering each party to remain on their own state's turf.

And we're supposed to take the courts seriously??

Texas Judge Cites Longhorn/Razorback Rivalry in Bizarre Order

Posted: June 5, 2008 05:36 PM
Updated: June 5, 2008 05:36 PM

A lawsuit brought against Wal-Mart in a Texas court involves a very unusual order.

According to the order, the plaintiff wanted the deposition of Wal-Mart's representative to take place in San Antonio....but Wal-Mart wanted the deposition to take place in Bentonville.

So a judge has decided that the deposition will happen in Texarkana...with both sides on their respective sides of the state line.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson says they have seen the order and understand what the judge is saying and will continue to work out details with the plaintiff.

Below is the text from the order:

Before the Court in the above-entitled and styled cause of action is Defendant Wal-Mart Stores Texas, L.L.C.'s Opposed Motion for a Protective Order, filed May 29, 2008 (Doc. #26). Apparently, the parties are unable to agree if the deposition of Wal-Mart's corporate representative should occur in San Antonio, Texas or in Bentonville, Arkansas.

The court is sympathetic with Defendant's argument. Surely Defendant's corporate representative, a resident of Arkansas, would feel great humiliation by being forced to enter the home state of the of the University of Texas, where the legendary Texas Longhorns have wrought havoc on the Arkansas Razorbacks with an impressive 55-21 all-time series record.[1]

On the other hand, the Court is sympathetic with Plaintiff's position. Plaintiffs might enter Arkansas with a bit of trepidation as many residents of Arkansas are still seeking retribution for the "Game of the Century" in which James Street and Darrell Royal stunned the Razorbacks by winning the 1969 National Championship.[2]

Because the Court is sympathetic to both parties' positions, it has found a neutral site, intended to avoid both humiliation and trepidation of retribution.

ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT unless the parties agree otherwise, the deposition of Defendant's corporate representative shall occur at 9 AM on June 11, 2008 on the steps of the Texarkana Federal Building, 500 State Line Avenue, TX/AR 71854.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT each party is to remain on his or her respective side of the state line.


SIGNED this 3rd day of May, 2008.

JAMES R. NOWLIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

[1] It is worth nothing that the Razorbacks, who disgracefully retreated from the Southwest Conference to the gentler pastures of the Southeastern Conference, could have likely learned a lesson about stamina and perseverance in the face of battle by visiting the Alamo in San Antonio.

[2] The Court takes judicial notice that the "Game of the Century" for the current century occurred on January 4, 2006 when Vince Young and Mack Brown led the Longhorns in a 41-38 win over the USC Trojans, thus securing the 2005 National Championship.

Imagine a giant bottle of windex...

That's what the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Rogers smelled like!! Maybe with a touch of citrus though...

The greeter said they were re-sealing the parking lot. I guess they're trying to impress the Wal-Martians and Wal-Nuts. But geez... it smelled!

I'll clean this up later, I'm too lazy right now, LOL


Julie Andrews Turns 69, this is hysterical




To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.
One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > >
(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >
(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores. Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who would appreciate it.

I love my monster!

Why I'm thinking about it, I don't know. But Oyster has really put up with a lot in his years with me. On the first of this month he turned 6 years old, which is roughly 40 in human years, hehe.

Thinking back.......

We've lived in 7 different places
We've had 5 different roommates
We've lived with 4 other animals (counting mom's two cats)
He's had horrible vet experiences
He's eaten or chewed on more things than I even want to remember or count! Grrr
He's learned to let me clip his nails and take a bath
He's learned to play fetch with ponytail holders (and still steals every single one I own that isn't put away)
He's learned the words breakfast, hungry and t-r-e-a-t. (notice those all involve food)
He's left numerous scars on me, some still visible, and some have faded
I've painted him with easter egg dye
He's made my feet fall asleep numerous times
He's bitten several people, and hissed at more

And through it all, he's still my sweet and loving kitten and I hope we have at least 6 more wonderful years, if not more! :)

How much was YOUR oil change?

Oil Change instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.
2) Drink a cup of coffee
3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:
Oil Change: $20.00
Coffee: $1.00
Total: $21.00


Oil Change instructions for Men:

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.
2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, drive home.
3) Open a beer and drink it.
4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain pan under engine.
8) Look for 9/16-box end wrench.
9) Give up and use crescent wrench.
10) Unscrew drain plug.
11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil; splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.
12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.
16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trashcan to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
19) Remember drain plug from step 11.
20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
21) Drink beer.
22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.
23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.
24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.
25) Begin cussing fit.
26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.
27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.
28) Beer.
29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.
30) Beer.
31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.
32) Beer.
33) Lower car from jack stands.
34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.
35) Beer.
36) Test drive car.
37) Get pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence.
38) Car gets impounded.
39) Call loving wife, make bail.
40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:
Parts: $50.00
DUI: $2500.00
Impound fee: $75.00
Bail: $1500.00
Beer: $20.00
Total: $4,145.00
But you know the job was done right!

SEND THIS TO WOMEN WHO NEED A LAUGH . . . AND TO MEN YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT. .

How to identify a sin...

It comes in a package like this:



Tin Roof Brownie Blizzard Cake from Dairy Queen........ delicious-o.