UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Since it has been quite a long time since we have been active, we are going to be Under Construction for a while - trying new fonts, designs, and updating our sidebar stuff. Hopefully we will get it how we like it soon so it won't change too much!

Also - Can someone tell me how to get rid of the giant gap below this notice - I cannot figure out how to do it - thanks!!




Friday, January 7, 2011

We are back!

Well, as much as we can be right now. I am really stressed about work lately - I seriously just feel like crying all the time because of it. And not being able to visit my friends blogs because of either not being allowed at work or being so wiped out when I get home doesn't help. I am hoping to get to visit everyone this weekend and then hoping to figure out a way to visit more often. Once we move our office is just going to be horrible - I swear they are really trying to destroy everyones morale completely - some of the rules are going to be:
two pictures per desk allowed (better than the none we were originally told I guess) - in appropriate frames. No hanging them on the cubicle panels. In fact, we can't hang anything anywhere - no paper is to be out on the desks, no personal items other than the two pictures, nothing. If you bring even a magazine to read at lunch you have to keep it stored away. And we aren't allowed to have any reference materials out - they have to be kept in binders, we have been told have to be put away when not in use, and at the end of the day everything we have out has to be put in our drawers. Now keep in mind, from the blue prints we have seen our desks will be smaller and that means less storage area (we have u-shaped desks now - we will have l-shaped at the new place). We have taken all the reference stuff down in prep for the move and it is taking a lot longer to do our jobs now. And we will all have to have matching company screensavers. But at least the computer background is our choice - mine is Virgil (his baby picture - I am thinking of putting together something like our new header with everyone in it so I can see all the kitties - my home computer screensaver is like that - I just really feel guilty when I think about changing from Baby Virgil).

(Edit: I should add that this is not a company-wide thing with the rules. It is our office and to a lesser extent our Lisle office - in fact our corporate office has notes, pictures and personal items all over it. When we had the meeting about this the person giving the meeting - not the manager who implemented this by the way - said that he wanted us to be more like the corporate office, and when he was called out on it by the girl I work with in my division, who used to work at corporate and was in fact there over the Christmas holiday because her daughters live out there - Pennsylvania - so she always stops by the office to visit, he said "well, we think of the Lisle office as the corporate office" - it is a tiny sales office - not even one of the biggest in the country - and they think of that as the corporate office - they are seriously mental. I honestly think that the manager who came up with the rules is seriously in need of some sort of psychological help - and not just because of the rules either).

Ok, seriously I have to stop talking about work because it just makes me so sad to think of all the things that are going to happen - so much more than I have listed already.  So here are some happy things - videos I took recently of the cats! They are all doing good, but Kirzon is having mouth problems again so he is going to the vet tomorrow. But otherwise things are good. I hope that everyone is doing ok - we are always sending out lots of purrs to our friends who need them, even if we haven't been by we think about you all the time! I will be starting my catching up tomorrow (I am still too miserable from work to risk a sad post to be honest) and hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Ok, here are the videos!! Oh, and of course I am sure I am rambling on like an idiot - I can't remember what I said and honestly didn't listen to them this time - so feel free to turn the volume off (though I am sure most of you won't).











32 comments:

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

They were hinting at that strategy at the company i use to work for. They had some 'name' for the strategy that was Asian based. Apparently a lot of companies are looking at it. 'Work on one thing at at time and store away every thing else'

Good luck!

BeadedTail said...

We're glad to hear from you but sorry to hear about what's going on at your work. We hope it gets better and at least you can smile when you see Virgil on your computer background! Hugs to you!

We enjoyed the videos and it was good to see Lola out! All the kitties are very cute and it's fun to see them playing or in the tree or just sleeping!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Khyra's Mom here -

Don't stop talking about it 'here' -

Venting might help extend your sanity a bit!

Sounds like you could use the nickname a past co-worker of mine and I use for the place - he is still at the place I had worked at for 25 years and 361 days -

We call it The Gulag -

Don't sweat the visits to our khorner - we will soon be having to curtail our own visits -

Take Care!

Phyll

Pip said...

Oh Amy! We are so sad for you! Sounds like the bosses are very miserable people. Just look at Virgil on your monitor and try to think of time with the kits!
We loved your videos. We purrs things will get better for you soon.

GreatGranny said...

Sounds like a depressing place to work, but go with the flow. Your videos were cute, love the White Christmas tree. Don't worry about not visiting. I don't work and it takes a long time to visit.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Fortunately that is not the type of job the Woman has... but she has other issues. WE like the kitty photos and remember, petting cats brings down your blood pressure...

Stellaluna said...

I haven't been able to visit my friends, but that's just because the
humans here are still on vacations until next month, and they want to stay with their loved ones (including us!) during this month.

As the others said, I am sorry about your office too, look at Virgil everytime you feel sad or tired, your loved ones want to see you happy when you come home :)

White Dog Blog said...

Amy you sound so sad. Please don't stop sharing your frustration, we agree with Khyra...if you can't bit*h to friends, then who else is there? I hope Corp. realizes their mistake and reverses some of these decisions. In the meantime, visit when you can and know that we love you.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

That manager would have a heart attack if he saw my human's desk! Well, I'm not happy with it either because at the moment, there is no place for me to walk! But I do think it sounds awful and soulless. Bleagh. At least I am glad your kitties enjoyed the holidays!

Princess Jasmine said...

Mummy definitely has sympathy for you and your office. She thinks your boss must be reading the same management style book! One that needs to be burned. Rumours are that her evil boss (yep, she really is evil,you don't want to know how nasty she was and what she said to mummy when her mummy passed away) is going to retire early some time this year. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but you may have to be patient and wait it out a bit. A least you have lovely cuddly kittys to come home to xxxx

Kea said...

Mom Kim here: Oh, do I know all about tiny L-shaped cubicles! But we at least moved to a better space last October, with more room, after 2 years scrunched in like sardines.

My suggestion is to keep your job while you put resumes out for another. Seriously, Amy, you will make yourself sick in this kind of atmosphere. Set your intention with the Universe and do not be swayed from it. The few times in my life I've made up my mind to do or get something (job, whathaveyou) I refused to accept anything less than what I wanted and I worked, worked, worked for it.

I had been out of work for a year and a half when my ex and I split. We had bought this townhouse 6 months prior to that. I had no self esteem, was (unknowingly) clinically depressed, but I knew I needed a job with a certain amount of income to keep the townhouse and support myself. I went to a couple of employment agencies, sent unsolicited resumes around, knew I wanted to be at our university. Week 5 I started a 3-month temp position with the Ministry of Health. During that first week, I had an interview for my current job--and I almost got up in the middle of it and said that I didn't have what they were looking for and let's not waste any more time. I really almost stood up and left. The director offered me the job and I've been there 10 years. That was six weeks after my ex and I split. It's not perfect, but it's the best job I've had in my life, and I'll be 47 in the spring.

The point is, even in crummy economic times, no matter what is going on, you CAN find a better job. But it does take an absolute 100% commitment and focus to it, and effort.

I really don't want to see you get sick over this. It's a job. I've been there, with *ss hole bosses and crummy working conditions. I've made myself sick over work, stressed to the max, not enjoying life. Please know you CAN change this.

(((Hugs))) and Light.

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Whoever is making those rules sounds like a complete control freak. Don't they realise that happy staff work harder and more efficiently? We feel outraged on your behalf ... Grrrrr!

Do they have an anonymous feedback box at your place of work? Maybe you should all say how you feel about the new rules?

In the meantime, maybe you could create one screensaver image that included ALL the cats AND the baby Virgil pic? Maybe like your blog headed but with baby Virgil as well?

We love the vids!

Love from us all.

Kea said...

Mom Kim here: Oh, do I know all about tiny L-shaped cubicles! But we at least moved to a better space last October, with more room, after 2 years scrunched in like sardines.

My suggestion is to keep your job while you put resumes out for another. Seriously, Amy, you will make yourself sick in this kind of atmosphere. Set your intention with the Universe and do not be swayed from it. The few times in my life I've made up my mind to do or get something (job, whathaveyou) I refused to accept anything less than what I wanted and I worked, worked, worked for it.

I had been out of work for a year and a half when my ex and I split. We had bought this townhouse 6 months prior to that. I had no self esteem, was (unknowingly) clinically depressed, but I knew I needed a job with a certain amount of income to keep the townhouse and support myself. I went to a couple of employment agencies, sent unsolicited resumes around, knew I wanted to be at our university. Week 5 I started a 3-month temp position with the Ministry of Health. During that first week, I had an interview for my current job--and I almost got up in the middle of it and said that I didn't have what they were looking for and let's not waste any more time. I really almost stood up and left. The director offered me the job and I've been there 10 years. That was six weeks after my ex and I split. It's not perfect, but it's the best job I've had in my life, and I'll be 47 in the spring.

The point is, even in crummy economic times, no matter what is going on, you CAN find a better job. But it does take an absolute 100% commitment and focus to it, and effort.

I really don't want to see you get sick over this. It's a job. I've been there, with *ss hole bosses and crummy working conditions. I've made myself sick over work, stressed to the max, not enjoying life. Please know you CAN change this.

(((Hugs))) and Light.

Kea said...

I've been trying to post a long comment, but can't, and your email form isn't working for me....

Old Kitty said...

I am so so sorry that your work is getting worse because of one person (your manager). I cannot believe this person is getting away with it too. It's appalling. I'm truly sorry. I shall pray very hard for a change of management!!! Hang on in there Amy!!!

Thanks for these amazing clips of your kitties!! I'm so intrigued by that toy that shoots out string! What is it? I've never seen anything like it but it looks like such fun for the kitties!!

And yay for lovely Lola!! Oh she totally adorable!!! I hope she and Stella become bestest friends soon!

Kirzon loves his nip!! Awww!! Hugs to sweet Barney, quiet Virgil and adventurous Gus!

Take care
x

Tia and Millie said...

Ah, Amy, that sounds truly miserable and I'm sad you're having to go through it! If my paws could reach you, I'd give you a good snuggle to make you forget all about it. I do that with the human when she's had a bad day at the work hunt, and it seems to help. Will any of your cats let you cuddle like that with them? My human says to tell you that through it all, you should be smug and just keep thinking to yourself that they can take everything away from you, but they can't take your imagination or your memories! Rememver, you have your cats and your loved ones with you at all times. Just look inside you.

Head bumps to you

Admiral Hestorb said...

That sounds exactly like COFO which is "Conduct of Office Operations" and is always enacted at Government installations. It's repressive and horrible and having the reference materials in a binder is a major pain in the neck when you need those materials right now! I feel your pain. BUT as some has said..try hard to just roll with it and don't let it fester and cause you any more pain. Been there, done that and I know what you're feeling but YOU can control how you react.
xoxox

Hannah and Lucy said...

Hearing all that it makes me glad I worked for a small concern.
Hannah and Lucy send purrs and gentle headbutts to you all.

Cat said...

Wow Amy, what a lot of rules..sounds as if you work at the Pentagon?!?!? Love the videos, especially Gus in the tree. I know it's naughty of him to climb up, but he looks so adorable with his "Whats the problem?" face :-)

Cara n Crew said...

the work manager sounds like a control freak! Our mom said her company was going to do something similar and to even go so far as no eating or drinking (as in coffee or anything) at your desk - thankfully it didn't happen! We hope things will go ok.

The videos were fun! As always, Gus in the tree is a hoot!

Purrs,
Pip, Smidgen, minnie, and Hollie

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Amy what kind of work do you do that they are doing that to you?

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

That sounds like such a depressing, demoralizing place to work - so sorry to hear that it just keeps getting worse.

On the plus side, you have seriously adorable kitties!!

Sagira said...

I hope that things are not as bad as you think they will be. Sometimes rules are enforced when you first move to a place. My work used to be that way but now I have TONS of pictures up. hang in there! :)

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Amy
I am so sorry to hear about your work environment. I worked in a similar one for many years (government agency) and it was very difficult at times. Kim's advise is really sound ...hope that you can find something that cn make you happy and that will work for your schedule. We will all still be here for you.

Purr in
Xoxox

the booker man said...

miss amy,

i'm very sorry like that your work is bein' a pain in the hiney. all those rules 'n regulations just sound so stoopid. don't the head honcho peeps realize that happy workers are better workers? what's so wrong with havin' pictures and a plant or two in your cube?!
pretty please don't worry about not bein' able to visit everybuddy's bloggie. it's hard to do all of that when you have so much to do! mama says she totally understands!
thankies for postin' the videos! me and asa and mama especially liked watchin' the kitties play in the christmas tree. heehee.

*woof*
the booker man

Anonymous said...

Amy. You don't ever have to stop posting about the things that bring you down. That's how we know what's really going on with you - and as you can see from the comments, WE ALL CARE. I agree with Kim's comment. I believe in setting intentions, believing in them, and then working like heck to make it happen. You need a place of employment that appreciates YOU.
I appreciate you!!

Angie, Catladyland said...

Amy, that just makes my heart hurt to hear what's happening at your job. It's like they are taking the personality out of everything and creating an office of robots. Blah!

Loved the kitty videos, though...just keep thinking of those sweet babies and maybe start updating your resume!

Quill and Greyson said...

I have moved to new offices a few times in my career and every time they come out with these great rules and they last for awhile and then things go back to the way they were. Don't stress too much.

Meg

Although the no internet surfing has always been the rule where I've worked. :-(

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

The Big Thing here: I worked at US Govt offices for 30 years, and our space and desks got smaller every time we moved. So I understand what you are going through. But even they were not as harsh about personal items.

I am glad I'm retired from that. My former coworkers tell me things have only gotten worse the past 4 years.

I would have lost my mind about the "one thing at a time" and the "clean desk" rules, because I had to juggle a dozen different problems every day, and if I couldn't have had stacks of subjects on my desk at all times, I couldn't have done the work!

Sometimes I was literally on the telephone about one problem and emailing someone about another.

My hopes that things get better, Amy!

Remington said...

Ozabella asked me to write to Gustin -- she says she is a little sore today but will be back to herself in no time! She says she is lonesome for you....

White Dog Blog said...

Just wanted to touch base and let you all know we are thinking of you. Sending no stress energy to mom and warm winter cuddles to all you kitties!

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was a lot to cover, but you did it nicely!

Hey, Hugo is still here with us...he was going to head out to his next stop but the southern snow storm has delayed him for aother week. We can't get out to get him on his way.