I just finished wrapping presents for my nephews and now I find myself ankle deep in scotch tape and Spiderman Xmas paper.  I picked up my mess as much as I could but I've been so tired after hiring new help at my day job that I'm spent before I can get home...  I honestly do not know how I managed to find energy to shop in the first place.

One great thing about being an Aunt: gives me an excuse to buy toys again. 

My brother wanted me to buy the boys clothes but I'm not the type of Auntie who is going to give her nephews boring presents.  I got them Lord of the Rings action figures and books.  Shopping for my nephews with my brother wasn't all that fun, however. He talked me into buying the boys jeans, but being the way cool Auntie that I am, I wanted to buy them not just just any jeans, but way cool jeans with chains and skulls and stuff.  My brother wrinkled up his nose and called my gift selections "gay."  "I think it's way too early to start imposing sexual roles on the boys," I told him.  We argued for a few minutes and he almost made me change my mind, but then I decided to hell with it; I am going to buy only what I want to get for my nephews.  I know that they like chains and skulls and stuff; so there!  And when they grow up and want to dye their hair blue, they can come over to their Auntie Val's house, too.

It's Hard to Find Good Job Applicants

After going through dozens of applications, I've realized that the average person does not know how to fill out an application for employment.  Or how to sell themselves effectively.  Either that or I am a tougher manager than I imagine.  I am also surprised at how many people don't give very good references.  When interviewing strangers, I fall back on all the job interviews I've gone through in my own personal searches for jobs and I remember the great questions past employers asked me.  Those questions worked!  After interviewing four people, I could immediately pick up on those who wouldn't fulfill their duties well.  I'm not looking for geniuses, just good, loyal, and honest workers who can look me in the eye and smile.  The guys I interviewed this weekend were shifty-eyed and not very talkative.  It made me wonder if they had something to hide or if I was intimidating them.

I have an Assistant now

I hired a new guy, Jeremy, to help me run my store.  It's been hellish training him just before the holidays, but he has such a brillant attitude it's infectious.  I'm lucky to have him.  I am also beaming with pride at my choice of an assistant manager. He was the first guy I interviewed who could look me in the eye and smile.  Plus he knows the meaning of "integrity."  One of my test questions I give to applicants is "what is integrity?"  You'd laugh at the answers some people have given me.

I want to throw dictionaries at people!

The Snow is Knee Deep

I don't know how much snow my friends in Milwaukee got, but here in Stevens Point it has become knee deep.  I'm disappointed.  I was hoping to put off buying a new pair of boots for another week.  Now have to walk through the snow in my work shoes and that means wet socks.  At least my landlord finally turned up the heat and I'm really looking forward to going home to sleep.