Crabby Abi's Blabbing

There’s an app for my blackberry that let’s me post a blog. Not sure how often it will get used because it’s a little tedious but hey, could be fun

I wish that I could take pictures of some of the people I see on the train every day.

Today there’s a man sitting a few rows in front of me that I wish I could post a picture of just because he was so interesting looking.  I’ll try to describe him, but I’m sure that I’m not going to be able to do him justice.

He has very fair skin with what may have been really red hair at some point but is now a light strawberry-blond.  He’s probably in his late 30’s.  He’s wearing a hat (like an old-school golfer cap), his hair pulled neatly into a ponytail in the back.  His goatee has been trimmed to a perfect triangle that hangs about an inch and a half from his chin and his mustache is impeccably trimmed.  His hair gives no evidence that he has been anywhere at all – it’s like he just did it.

He’s wearing an eggshell trench-coat over a light blue collared shirt.  I can’t see the color of his pants from here, but I’m guessing that they are probably a nice shade of khaki.  He’s reading a hard-back book but is too far away for me to see what it is.  His glasses are rectangular and appear to be tortoise-shell, but thin framed.  He’s sitting straight up with his bag probably in his lap.

And now he’s getting off the train.  Yep – they were khakis.  Sensible.

It’s been at least 2 years and 8 months since I could honestly say “I enjoy my job.”  Three years ago (next month) I was laid off from a job that I LOVED.  I was working for Graham Webb, a contract manufacturing company of professional hair care products, and had been for 5 years.  Just before I started working there, they had been purchased by Wella/Sebastian, based out of Germany, but the operations were separate.  I was hired on to handle sales meeting materials, literature mailings, and a few chain accounts.  It evolved a few times and in the end I was managing a team of 11 fantastic people doing various things.  We worked well together and at the end of those 5 years had developed all of our policies and procedures and were working like a well-oiled machine.

A year or two before the lay-off, P&G purchased the whole Wella family and positioned them as their North American Professional Line.  Graham Webb, Wella and Sebastian all became part of the P&G family.  (Just so you know – I don’t care what anyone says about P&G – they’re big, yes, but they take care of their people.)  Not a lot changed at first.  After a while, and slowly, different systems started to be introduced.  They had an online training center where you could learn about different things.  We switched from Lotus Notes for email to Outlook (which was awesome!).  There were a few other minor changes too, but they were all good. 

Then came the dozy.  They made the decision to close the office in Carlsbad and move all Graham Webb operations to Woodland Hills, combining the Wella/Sebastian operations with Graham Webb’s.  Everyone (that I know of) got an offer to move to LA and work in that office.  Some took the offer, most didn’t.  There were many extenuating circumstances in our life at that time so Jon and I decided that we would not move and that I would find another job.

I worked with a friend for a while and then got a call from a lady named Jane* asking me to interview for a Customer Service Manager position at a personal care product manufacturing company in Carlsbad.  I interviewed and got the job (that is a looooong story itself which I will tell at some point).  One bad thing after another happened while I was there for 2 years and 8 months.  I met some really awesome people while I was working there.  By the time I left, we had developed a great team of hardworking people.  Unfortunately, by that time, it wasn’t enough to stay for.

During one random weekend a couple of weeks ago, a series of events took place that showed me that my Heavenly Father really is looking out for me.

1. While working in the temple on Saturday, I got the distinct and urgent impression that I needed to get away from the company I was working for.
2. On Sunday, during a Ward Council meeting, a random conversation began between the Employment Specialist, a member of the Bishopric and the YM President, during which was mentioned the opening for a position at the company where the YM Pres worked.
3. My completely joking comment, “Ooo, I’ll take it!” to which he responded, “How serious are you?”
4. An hour long conversation with the YM Pres about the position (later that day, not during the meeting) - only to find out that it’s almost exactly what I was doing at Graham Webb (minus the management part) – which meant that it was something I actually felt qualified to do.
5. An interview scheduled for the following Friday.
6. A random assigned (by the ”old” company) trip on Wednesday to drive to Orange County to meet with an outside lab that was doing some work for them – the outside lab being literally 5 miles down the same street as the potential job.
7. An impromptu interview on Wednesday instead of waiting until Friday.
8. An official offer the following Monday, at which time I put in my 2 weeks notice.

So far, I love everything about the new job.  I love the beautiful view from the train.  I love the positive atmosphere.  The sales people I’ve met are cool.  My boss is great.

… and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (Malachi 3:10)

*Name changed

It’s about time!

I love Coco Puffs but when I saw these at the store I was more than skeptical.  I’ve tried the Special K Chocolate one and it’s terrible.  The box was on sale though so I thought I would give them a try.  I’m so glad I did!  YUMMY!!

Jon showed me this today and I love it so I thought I would share it.

The embed option isn’t working so you’ll have to use this link:  http://vimeo.com/3829682  (It’s the video called Typography.)

I get so tired of the boringness of water but really need to stay away from caffeine.  So, in addition to the caffeine free Diet Coke I bought at the store a couple of weeks ago, I thought I would give this stuff a try:

I really like it!  I’m out already but it’s on the shopping list.

Remember this guy? 

My seminary kids love donuts. I think it would be more accurate to say they love sugar, but donuts seems to be the sugar of choice.

DeEtte and Lori came to visit this morning and brought them some donuts. The kids were in heaven.

Unbelievably, there were about 3 donuts left when all was said and done, and DeEtte sent them home with me. Like I need them. They’ll make a pretty tasty breakfast tomorrow though – thanks DeEtte

When I was carrying the box out to my car, I noticed something on the side of the box:

I laughed out loud. This is SOOO true!!

There are three things that give me nightmares…

These things:

These things:

And being burried alive – by water mostly, but I stopped watching CSI when Nick was burried alive during a season finale.

The fact that there was a tornado WARNING today that covered northern San Diego County as well as southern Orange County did not sit well with me. There’s a reason why I won’t move to any of the Plains State. Shoot – Salt Lake is looking pretty sketchy anymore. And now here? And don’t you dare tell me that there have been funnel clouds over the ocean either! I already know and it freaks me out. I think the last time I begged to sleep on my parents’ bedroom floor was when I was about 17 and there was a storm causing funnel clouds over the ocean. Yes – SEVENTEEN! Who does that??

Me.

I’m such a baby…

Jon showed me how to create my own blog templates. The possibilities are almost endless. Don’t be surprised if it changes daily for a while until I come up with something that I really like. FUN!

If I do say so myself…

I had some chicken. I had some cream. I had some leftover red bell pepper from a vegi tray. Mix it all together and you get…

Creamy Chicken and Pasta

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 chicken breast, cut into cubes
• ½ red bell peper, chopped
• 1 can of mushrooms (or a cup or so of fresh ones)
• ½ tablespoon dried oregano
• 2-3 table spoons garlic powder
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 2 table spoons of dried onion flakes (or a small onion, chopped)
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Salt
• Parmesan cheese (could’ve been about ¼ cup)
• 1-1/2 cups uncooked macaroni (or equivalent of your favorite)

Cook macaroni per package directions.

In the meantime, heat large frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot add olive oil and chicken. When the chicken is almost done, add the red peppers. When the peppers are almost done, add the mushrooms. If using fresh mushrooms add them at the same time as the peppers. If using a fresh onion, add a little before the peppers and mushrooms. Add oregano and garlic powder and stir together.

While the pasta and chicken/veggies are cooking, combine whipping cream, corn starch, onion flakes, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Use as much salt and pepper as you want. Remember that you can add more later so don’t overdo it.

When the chicken and veggies are cooked and while the pasta is draining, lower the heat on the chicken and add the cream mixture. Stir together. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top and continue stirring. The sauce will thicken. When the sauce is thick, turn off the heat and add the pasta. Stir together and serve.

This recipe would also be great with some diced fresh tomatoes added at the same time as the cheese. I didn’t have any but would have LOVED to have been able to add them!