Birthday flowers...

I am blessed.  Amid the hustle and bustle of going to school and working full time, I was able to have an amazing birthday week.  So amazing I just have to share.

It all started with this man...

Mmm mmm mmm, just look at this man.  Let's just take a moment...


My amazing partner gifted me with tickets to see Prince at the Showbox Market last Thursday night.  Now, to set the scene, the Showbox Market is a pretty small venue which made it pretty awesome.  Prince looked just this good... still... and he sounded great.  He put on such a show with all the theatrics you've come to know and love.  Oh Prince, you slay me.  I put my big-girl pants on, sucked it up and went to the late show that started at 11:30 PM.  I was not disappointed with his rock set and two encores, one being a medley of some of his hits.  I may have only gotten 4 hours of sleep that night but it was worth it.

Saturday the festivities continued at a bowling alley with friends, then dinner with friends.  Lovely day. Sunday, my birthday wishes were actualized as we did gardening.  Yes friends, I've turned into one who gets excited to garden.  I'm sure blog posts totally devoted to favorite plants didn't clue you in.  So my "study break" consisted of planting a couple of hellebores, moving plants around, pruning one of the trees and giving some compost love to some of our existing plants.  Here are our two newest hellebore additions...

 

Gotta love putting the education to good use.  Very gratifying.  These kids will be perfect in the shady area we put them in... if Fynn doesn't trample them.  One more gardening goal for the year finished!  Check!

And then to top it all off, for my birthday yesterday, I got flowers!  I am pretty sure I was delivered flowers for the first time in my life.  That makes a girl feel quite special.

And then I went home to not only a freshly cleaned house but another bouquet!  This girl here is spoiled!

We took a walk with our dogs (which is a little slice of heaven, my equivalent of smelling the roses) and went to dinner on Lake Union where mama got to have her wine... happy birthday me!  Shout out to my girlfriend for supporting me through this time as well as making me feel extra special on my special day.  Like I said... truly blessed.

Administrative professionals, hats off to you!

Did you know today is Administrative Professionals Day?  It is!

Yesterday my boss gave me a lovely bouquet of lilacs for my birthday which always falls around this other holiday.  I choose to see this gift as recognition of both.  After all, I deserve to be recognized for all the pain I go through!  So here's a post for the unsung heroes...


Dear Executives of the World,

There is a person or a few people in your office that deserve to be recognized.  I'm talking about your administrative staff.  Too often, these folks function beyond their job description and are the first line of defense against the world of customers.  They also help to make the little mundane tasks go away so that you can focus on "more important things".  Without this administrative element, your office would more than likely cease to function like the well-oiled machine it is.

All I ask is that every year you recognize that person or people on this one national holiday.  It is your responsibility to remember that date.  Put it on your personal calendar so as to remind you to get them something in honor of the work they have done for you.  Your appreciation will go far as we all know, if your staff is happy, you are happy.

Beth, Office Manager Extraordinaire



My dears, let's hear it for the administrative professionals!

I'm talking about the people that...

• mindlessly stuff envelopes for a mailing
• field phone calls of really pissed clients and effectively talk them down off the wall before they grace your ear
• manage the billing and often take the heat when charges are called into question (charges that would never be questioned elsewhere)
• wear multiple hats, managing to do jobs they weren't initially trained for while still being paid the small amount of the lowly assistant
• make miracles happen with schedules to make meetings and other priorities happen
• pick up your children and gas up your car when you can't
• fetch food for you so that you can remain nourished

And last but not least.... (drumroll please)

• pick cheese off of a salad that was fetched for you because, unbeknownst to the assistant, your mind should have been read and cheese should have been requested to not be included.  This is picking off fine cheese on a salad after being yelled at for not having the gift of ESP that most people don't have.

Oh yes, that happened.

See kids, this is why these helpful individuals need recognition.  So help a gal out and spread the Admin Pro Day cheer!  The person who receives it will be forever grateful.