November Thanks day 3 & 4

I am thankful for my mommy. That sounds very cliche, but it's true. If I am ever in a pinch, she is there at any hour of the night. She drove back and forth to worcester with me four different times when I was in false labor with my oldest and I just KNEW that this time it was going to be real. She's been by my bedside for the birth of all three of my boys, and cut two of their cords. I love our weekly shopping trips where we try to out coupon the other. We walk down the aisles together with our own separate carts and coupon binders, browsing for unadvertised sales to match our coupons with. We're constantly swapping coupons right in the store aisle when I see my favorite yogurt is on sale or she needs just one more coupon to score a great toothpaste deal. We're constantly in touch on facebook--posting photos and writing on each other's wall. We're even in the same groups and have introduced each other to our own people.

My mom, with my sister and I

I am thankful for my work managers. It's been a long time since I've had a group of managers who would literally do anything to make my life easier. I missed Halloween with my boys because of an issue caused by the snow storm that caused us to not receive our delivery until 36 hours later. Carrie was by my side until it was solved--13 hours into her shift. When the town of Webster rescheduled trick or treating until friday night--our busiest night of the week--she spent her only real day off covering my dinner shift so I could do Halloween right with my kids. She's taken on the role of my unofficial assistant, learning how to do inventory, interviews, orientations, and payroll. There is nothing i ask of her that does not get done. Michael picks up so many small jobs, I couldn't even count them. He's always reorganizing my office, sorting through my invoices, entering transfers...and I never have to ask. My new managers--Dylan and Emily are like sponges, trying to learn how to do everything possible. Kayla's been with me almost since day one. She's always making sure bank runs get done. I never have to second guess if the deposits got dropped off or if we have enough coin. She is constantly staying late. Garrett is constantly helping out--he comes in early and goes to other stores when we are in a pinch. He takes feedback with a good attitude and is consistently trying to better himself for the store. Shane has started a crusade to improve our procedures and cleanliness--and it's paying off big time. He's exceeded the expectations I had of him when I began his training. Estefania  is the heart and soul of our team--she's always happy and singing. I assigned her uniform inventory, and it's always done when I need it to be with out reminders. She's constantly moving around her schedule to help us out.

 my manager, Michael crawling underneath equipment to help out

30 days of thanks, day 1&2

Lot's of people on facebook, as well as quite a few fellow bloggers are doing a thing called "30 days of thanks." They say one thing (or more) each day that they are thankful for during the entire month of November. Why pick only one day a year to express thanks or all the little (and not so little) things in life? I've jumped onto this bandwagon head first. Here's hoping I can keep up daily! :)

The first thing I am thankful for, I could go on about for days. The four men in my life. My 3 boys and my husband. They are the biggest and most important thing in my life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a big smile on the face of one of my boys. I love watching them run back and forth and play cars and animals. I loved all the first steps, and first words. The first smiles that I insisted were not gas. The slobbery open mouth baby kisses, the tight toddler hugs, and the current popular "punchies." My boys literally light up my life. My husband is my rock. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. He's an amazing father, and one of the most supportive men I've ever met. He always finds a way to make it work when I need to run into work for "just a few minutes" on my day off and end up stuck there for hours. When my mom and I need girl time to go shopping and frighten cashiers with our coupons binders. When my managers have issues at 2am and have to call me so I can walk them though it. Or lock their keys in their car at 4am and we have to go down to unlock the store. I don't know what I would do with out him.

My three little boys <3

old navy frost free coats!

I have recently been chosen to sample old navy outerwear. i received two coupons in the mail (one for me, one for a friend) to pick any type of outwear to try. So Carrie and I went to the Old Navy store in the blackstone valley mall. We both liked the lightweight frost free jackets (hers in black, mine in blue). We both work at teh same fast food restaurant and spend some time in the freezer unloading deliveries, as well as counting inventory and rotating stock. We wanted a coat that wouldn't be too heavy, but would keep us from freezing in the walk in. This coat is lighter than it looks (I wish it were a tiny bit thicker--but the heavier jackets were a tad too much for what I wanted), but looks amazing. The colors were bright, and the coats look trendy. I would have loved to get this coat in the pink color that the matching vests come in, but the blue works nicely also. Since I have picked up the coat, I have worn it everyday. I receive lots of compliments on it. It is the perfect jacket for fall/early winter in New England.

 Carrie and I styling in our frost free coats at work