Looking forward to 2007

I resign

December 31, 2006
Dave Delchiaro
Forest IGA
88 King St. E.
Forest, Ontario NON 1J0

Dear Dave,
With regret, I am forced to resign my position in the bakery. This may come as no surprise to you since my last letter pointed out Sue’s disapproval of my work performance. I’m not sure what I did wrong but it is obvious that she wants me out of the department. I will oblige.

It is short notice. However, we also get short notice as to our schedule. I believe it was understood that I am a morning person. Kirk and I always have been. We start early and fade around 3 or 4 and done by 5 or 6 pm.

When you hired me, you did mention that you needed someone and you didn’t need someone. I think I mentioned I needed a job and didn’t need a job. I truly enjoy working at IGA and it was a great year working with a fine group of organized young ladies. We were a team! Sad to say, upon Sue’s return the team and organization dissolved.

Should in the future you need someone again for some other position? I will be more than honored to be of service.

Sincerely, AnneMarie

Deer Meat...cont.

This is a continuation of a Nov. post - Deer Meat

We received our package of deer meat and now it is time to cook.

Today Kirk is having deer stew and the deer jerky should be ready in approximately 2 hours.
For someone who never cooked before meeting Kirk, I sure am making up for lost time.

The cooking smells good and Kirk said the stew is good! (I don't eat creatures that have four legs so I have to take his word for it.)

As I write he just tried the Jerky. It is good but, should have marinated longer. OK, next time.

Cake, What to do?

This is a continuation of previous post; No Cake today or any day.

I arrive at work to a very empty looking department since it is first day after the store being closed for Christmas. (here it is closed two days as they have Boxing Day)

To me the goal should be, cleaning and making the department look full again. I will be alone until 9:00 am. Get those buns out ASAP. But, low and behold there is a cake order for this morning and no cake decorator scheduled for today! What to do? I was told, in no uncertain terms, "You do not do Cakes!"

I wake up the Bakery Manager at 6:30 am to ask if I should call the Decorator?
"No, you can do the cake."

A pause of silence, then scared, right or wrong, I said "I don't do cakes. Besides, I'm busy getting bread and buns baked and on the self."

The Manager arrived around 7:00 am obviously irritated. She decorated the cake in record time and left. The air was thick with silence. The rest of the day was non-stop as usual as there is always plenty to accomplish before quitting time at 2:00 pm.

My feelings are mixed. I really do like working here. Just wish I could figure out what went wrong to make my life here so tense with the Manager?

Communication

It seems that times have changed.

Around 30 years ago, I used the telephone all the time. I made a great living using the phone. From what I can remember calling friends and family was not an inconvenience for either party. In addition, I even made the an effort to send cards and letters. (Mind you, my address changed so often I understand why someone couldn't write back.)

Now, I hesitate to call anyone, finding myself interrupting one kind of activity or another. Experience shows that everyone is much busier now. The comments now are; we are playing cards, getting dinner ready, eating dinner, guests are arriving, we are just leaving for, etc. In short, I feel like I picked the wrong time to call, again. So much for asking how things are going or what is happening in their life?

Not that I like answer machines but, I'm sometimes relieved that I can let someone know I tried to call to see how they are doing without expecting a response, knowing they are probably busy.

Email became the next best method of communication. Send your note or thoughts and it can be read at the recipients convenience. Many got on that band-wagon and it is now just a way to send "stuff". Found that can be an nuisance too.

So far, my best way to communicate is this blog. No contact, just write my thoughts and experiences and should someone be interested they will check in at their convenience. Down side, they have to have internet access and know the website address. Now, I'm back to the phone or email.

Answering the phone is not something I do often. Good part, most of the calls are for Kirk anyway. Better part, they are from friends and family that actually let us know how they are doing.

Thanks for the calls and emails. We love hearing from you.