Saturday, August 24, 2013

June Bliss(ters)

June 2012 - Wasatch Back

What is Ragnar?
To some, Ragnar was a handsome viking.
 
To me...
(Van 2)
(Left to Right: Scott, Sandy, Cam, Nellie, Richard and Collin) 
Me and 11 of my craziest family members piling into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style from Logan to Park City Utah. Only one runner hitting the road at a time. Each team member running three times, with each leg ranging between 3-11 miles and varying in difficulty.

Weird to some. Fun to others!
 
 Sandy
Collin
This was his first Relay Race. He did great!
 Rich
 Nellie
Cam
Scott
The course is absolutely beautiful!
 
Finish Line - Park City, Utah
Van 1
(Left to Right: Whitney, Kevin, Brent, Kenny, Meg and Alan)

Van 2
(Left to Right: Scott, Nellie, Rich, Collin, Cameron and Sandy)

So much fun to run with the people you love! I had a ball. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Round the May Pole

These posts are a little out of order as my Shareholders trip was held at the end of May.

 May is always eventful due to Mothers Day, our Wedding Anniversary, Birthdays and the School year winding down.

This May 10th, the Mr. and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary. I can't say enough good about him. Sure we have our differences, but isn't that normal. :) I love him with all of my heart. He is a good person and extremely handsome. I am truly lucky!
Devin celebrated his 17th and now embarks upon his final year as a minor. :)
Devin has always had a good head on his shoulders. I am proud of him for the responsibilities he takes on and excited to see the person he'll become.
He doesn't usually look at his gifts this longingly, but I guess I can't blame him.
 While I was at Shareholders, Caleb was able to participate in his Elementary Graduation. 
His Dad took a few photos and sent a few texts which helped take 
some of the sting out of not being there.
 This kid is a smarty pants and the last of four boys to graduate and move on to the next phase. I think he's pretty happy that he longer has to classify himself as an "elementary" student. 
He is SUPER excited for intermediate. 
As the month closes, I returned from my work trip (if I can call it that) to an excited face  
and some warmer weather. 
I love this picture of Lila and her cousin Carter playing at Grandmas, enjoying the sun. 
Bring on the Summer Season.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

A Shareholder

....and with the blink of an eye, May is here. 
(did April just happen?)

I was selected to participate in the Walmart Shareholders event.
This is my 11th year working for the company and something I've wanted to participate in since about year 5. 

I have to say... I would wait all over again. 

50th Year Share Holders Celebration
 Employees from all over the world.
 (Thousands of them mind you)
Lines GALORE.
(I was in the middle of this line. There were numerous people in front of me and even more so behind me.)
Entertainment
Carrie Underwood.
I love her. 
(not to mention stunning) :)
Meetings, meetings and more meetings.
 I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I was able to hear an executive talk about the fundamentals and history of this company. It's obvious that the media can paint a pretty nasty picture at times....so many inaccuracies that it can be maddening. It was nice to be at the other end of the spectrum for the week.

Vendor Fair
(a look at new and upcoming items)
The Utahan's
(a few of us anyway)
 I guess the wiener mobile can really bring out the worst in people. 
Don't ask why we felt the need to show a little leg. :)
  More Entertainment...
Steven Tyler.
(not quite so stunning)
-Touring-
Home Office
Interesting and nothing like I expected. 
A lot of little rooms. A lot of small cubicles. Very clean, but nothing spectacular. \
(I would even dare say that my working quarters are much more personable)
 Many of our meetings are broadcast from the home office. Each week we receive a broadcast listing for different departments and/or managers in the store. This way they can give everyone the same information and hold Q and A sessions. 
There are a few different rooms to accommodate this...  
 and again, not very large in size.
 Five and Dime
My most favorite part of the experience. 
What a quaint little taste of Arkansas. 
This reminded me of a scene in a movie. 
(an old movie)
I wish I could have taken the "big picture". 
A complete square of buildings all similar to the ones below.
A bench park in the middle with many flowers and a cement statue right in the center.
What was once a bustling retail store is now strictly a museum filled with history of those people and things that were able to build such a big corporation. 
More Vendor Fair...
 It's quite apparent that I am not used to the humid climate of Arkansas. 
  ....and if you were American, you were pretty much a celebrity. :)
The Big Meeting
Educational and Entertaining
Mike Duke - CEO
Justin Timberlake - Host
Taylor Swift, Lionel Ritchie and the Zac Brown Band.
(just to name a few)
Celine Dion!
(um, yes please)
I took a few hundred pictures and had such a great experience. 
Overall I have had a good experience working for such a large corporation. I've never been made to feel like my well-being, family etc... need be jeopardized due to the up and down demands of the retail field. I realize that not everyone feels this way, and my loyalties are still strong to the retail life that I was raised in. I firmly believe that I have surrounded myself with good, hard working people over the past 11 years. Stores definitely have a "feel" to them and  I have known some that focus primarily on the negative which is why I feel that some employees/ stores struggle more than others. It can be difficult, stressful and crazy at times, but I am happy. 

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