So I took my own advice this week.....
I took the time to devote my energy to those that matter the most in my life. I learned how to work the IPOD the mom-in-law got me for Christmas with help from my oldest. I have played HOURS of Monopoly with both my kids. We may not have it all- but we have just the right amount for me.
The kids are pretty sure I have flipped my lid. Yesterday we spent time doing nothing but spinning. Literally. We spun and spun in the kitchen and when we got too dizzy- we just collapsed on the floop in laughter. It was childish. It was pointless. But it was the greatest feeling I have had in years. We will do it again soon. Laughter is definitely the best medicine.
"Red Light Kisses" really threw them for a loop!! At first they weren't sure what to make of it. Then they were typical kids and started screaming "EWWW Mom & Dad you guys are gross". The one thing I noticed though was that seeing the hubby and I laugh and play like that helped put them at ease with the situation. We forgot about our stress as we played. We relaxed and just had FUN. It rubbed off on them- no matter how gross they thought we were being.
Since it is Tuesday- here is another clip from Tuesdays with Morrie (hang around long enough you will probably see the whole movie just really out of order haha)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
THANK YOU Does not begin to cover it......
Today was a GREAT day. It was one of those days I don't even have to look for anything simple to be thankful for. There are so many to thank I do not think I will hit everybody and my advance apologies if I overlook you......
To the members of IBEW- Thank you for all of your generosity and hospitality during todays toy drive. It was truly an honor to meet so many of you.
To the United Way: THANK YOU!! There are no other words that could possibly summarize the wonderful events of today.
To the members of our hardship committee- thank you for all of your hard work. It has been a crazy couple of weeks but today made it all worth it!!
Today was simply amazing. I met so many of you for the first time and the expressions on everyone's faces were AMAZING!! I am still humbled by this entire experience. I am completely speechless by the amount of love and holiday spirit I was surrounded by today. (Those of you who do know me are aware that "speechless" and I do not encounter each other often).
Let me end this with the ONLY choice to summarize my emotions right now.....
To the members of IBEW- Thank you for all of your generosity and hospitality during todays toy drive. It was truly an honor to meet so many of you.
To the United Way: THANK YOU!! There are no other words that could possibly summarize the wonderful events of today.
To the members of our hardship committee- thank you for all of your hard work. It has been a crazy couple of weeks but today made it all worth it!!
Today was simply amazing. I met so many of you for the first time and the expressions on everyone's faces were AMAZING!! I am still humbled by this entire experience. I am completely speechless by the amount of love and holiday spirit I was surrounded by today. (Those of you who do know me are aware that "speechless" and I do not encounter each other often).
Let me end this with the ONLY choice to summarize my emotions right now.....
Friday, December 19, 2008
Today is a good day
So I really TRY to have a positive outlook on each day as it comes. Today is a good day.....
1. I have made it through 82 days of my spouse being on strike without killing him (not to say I haven't entertained the thought haha)
2. I have awesome kids who now know the REAL meaning of the holiday season.
3. I got a million hugs from 53 five year olds
4. I managed to close out my 1st semester back to college with a 3.5 grade point average
I may not know what tomorrow holds- but today is a good day and I will enjoy it to the fullest....
1. I have made it through 82 days of my spouse being on strike without killing him (not to say I haven't entertained the thought haha)
2. I have awesome kids who now know the REAL meaning of the holiday season.
3. I got a million hugs from 53 five year olds
4. I managed to close out my 1st semester back to college with a 3.5 grade point average
I may not know what tomorrow holds- but today is a good day and I will enjoy it to the fullest....
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Live for Today- Worry about Tomorrow when it gets here
Since the beginning of this, I have my good days and I have my bad days. Some say how can ANY day possibly be good? This thought has even come to me on its own. But I stop and look around. I look at my spouse being able to spend time with our children. This was not something that had happened much over the years and I see the sparkle in their eyes. That makes that day a good day. Nothing could replace that.
Several years ago, my husbands father became ill. He required major surgery. The night before the surgery, my husband curled up in my lap and sobbed uncontrollably. This was one of the rare occasions I had seen him cry. The reality of his fathers aging and now illness had hit him like a ton of bricks. When I asked him why he was crying he said "Something could happen to him and I don't even know him." As a child, his father worked day and night at the plant to make sure the family was taken care of and had everything they wanted. As my husband grew, he did what most of us are guilty of- he found himself consumed with the events in his own life and never took the time to enjoy the wisdom and company of his father. As time went on, he continued to be caught up in his own life. His father has since recovered but that was a turning point for our household. It was then we began to realize how precious time is and we need to seize every day to the fullest. We still don't do as well with it as we would like. It takes effort and the will to MAKE the time.
I recently read a book by Mitch Albom entitled Tuesdays With Morrie Some of you may have read it or seen the movie. For those of you who have not here is a quick summary: Morrie Schwartz was a real man who shared his illness and journey to death with the world. Ted Koppel featured Morrie on "Nightline" twice. Morrie was Mitch's teacher and mentor in college. Then "life" happened. Mitch became so consumed in his own quest for the all mighty dollar he lost sight of what mattered. Until one night he saw Morrie with Ted Koppel on the 1st installment. Morrie was dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig's). Mitch decided to reconnect with his old friend before it was too late. Even in dying, Morrie continued to teach Mitch lessons that we should all heed while we are still living. The irony in this story in relation to ours: During the course of the story the writers at the Detroit Free Press went on strike. Instead of sitting around the house, Mitch took this time to experience the moments he was too busy for before. Here is a clip from the beginning of the movie:
I am still working on the blog I promised last night- don't think I have forgotten. That one is just a little more in depth than I originally anticipated
Several years ago, my husbands father became ill. He required major surgery. The night before the surgery, my husband curled up in my lap and sobbed uncontrollably. This was one of the rare occasions I had seen him cry. The reality of his fathers aging and now illness had hit him like a ton of bricks. When I asked him why he was crying he said "Something could happen to him and I don't even know him." As a child, his father worked day and night at the plant to make sure the family was taken care of and had everything they wanted. As my husband grew, he did what most of us are guilty of- he found himself consumed with the events in his own life and never took the time to enjoy the wisdom and company of his father. As time went on, he continued to be caught up in his own life. His father has since recovered but that was a turning point for our household. It was then we began to realize how precious time is and we need to seize every day to the fullest. We still don't do as well with it as we would like. It takes effort and the will to MAKE the time.
I recently read a book by Mitch Albom entitled Tuesdays With Morrie Some of you may have read it or seen the movie. For those of you who have not here is a quick summary: Morrie Schwartz was a real man who shared his illness and journey to death with the world. Ted Koppel featured Morrie on "Nightline" twice. Morrie was Mitch's teacher and mentor in college. Then "life" happened. Mitch became so consumed in his own quest for the all mighty dollar he lost sight of what mattered. Until one night he saw Morrie with Ted Koppel on the 1st installment. Morrie was dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig's). Mitch decided to reconnect with his old friend before it was too late. Even in dying, Morrie continued to teach Mitch lessons that we should all heed while we are still living. The irony in this story in relation to ours: During the course of the story the writers at the Detroit Free Press went on strike. Instead of sitting around the house, Mitch took this time to experience the moments he was too busy for before. Here is a clip from the beginning of the movie:
I am still working on the blog I promised last night- don't think I have forgotten. That one is just a little more in depth than I originally anticipated
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ladies, we have the "gonads" too......
So in the beginning it was said the Union did not have the "gonads" to go out on strike. Last night the kids and I were surfing through YouTube.com looking at a bunch of videos of different songs we like and I stumbled across this one. Not one you would hear on mainstream radio because of the one word in the title but it is oh so true and made me smile a little bit.
Elizabeth Cook- Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman
Well I need to grab some coffee- will blog more later. Just wanted to start my day with a smile.
Much Love,
~TS1~
Elizabeth Cook- Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman
Well I need to grab some coffee- will blog more later. Just wanted to start my day with a smile.
Much Love,
~TS1~
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE YOU CROSS THE STREET
****Just a reminder: This blog is the sole opinion of the author (well and probably a bunch of others but ya know how that goes....). It is no way officially related to the thoughts and opinions of LL 735 blah blah....in other words it is just my 2 cents*****
So, Vought has posted yet ANOTHER fact checker about working during the strike. Counting their original posting at the beginning, this is their third attempt at promoting us to cross the line. Perhaps they are confused about the fact that if the first 2 attempts did not work, this one will not either.
Here are some interesting things to think about and relay to ANYBODY you even suspect may be contemplating it:
The company "says" that it will adhere to most of the provisions of the contract in terms of job security blah blah.....Well what else has the company "said":
1. They SAID we deserved and would receive a fair contract. Ummm where is it????
2. They SAID (and continue to say) they desire to negotiate in good faith. By Dan Tharp's own admission the week before the vote, they had not even submitted an economic proposal by that time. Negotiations began August 4th so there is no explanation of this fact beyond the reason that the company just thought we would accept whatever they threw out there.
3. They maintain that they want to negotiate in good faith. How is it good faith when you bring your bullies with you and walk out of not one but TWO attempts to negotiate? If they were sincere in their good faith we would be back at the table this week-not next month.
4. They issue media statements that SAY they are fine without us. But when presented with a proposal by the Union, they then SAY they can't accept it as they have to recover losses that have resulted from the strike. What losses? They SAID they made a profit in the 3rd quarter....oh wait the small profit they did earn was because of the work done by the Union members before the strike.
5. They SAY no bargaining unit employees have been fired since they returned to work. Again, this is just my opinion but once you opt-out of the Union are you still a "bargaining unit employee"? I would think not as you have waived your right to Union representation and have removed yourself from the "bargaining unit". We all know of the ones who have been fired as a result of crossing the line so I must doubt the legitimacy of Vought's statement.
Vought can SAY anything. They will SAY anything. But saying something and meaning it are 2 entirely different things.
Those of you who have crossed should be FURIOUS. Salary employees received their bonus checks yesterday. What did you get?? Was crossing the line worth losing your dignity and the respect of the people around you? Was it worth the fact that you betrayed us? How long will the company actually keep you? Tennessee is a right to work state. So the "just cause" Vought refers to in grounds for termination can be very loosely interpreted. Tardiness, absenteeism, failure to perform....these are all "just cause" grounds for termination in Tennessee. How can you fully execute all of your duties without those us who actually know what we are doing? The company will make excuses for the contractors errors as they are not employees. They will not do the same for you. Sure hope you enjoy working during the holidays with no "perks" of holiday pay. You already know it is not going to happen.
There is no point in crossing the line now. You will gain nothing and stand to lose everything. Vought needs to come back to the table and get on with this. The only explanation for them not coming back before January is once again GREED. They will save a fortune in holiday pay but will it be worth the cost of not getting all of their products to EVERY customer? Vought talks about the state of the economy in their latest postings. Yeah it sucks. But what measures have they taken to help improve it by ending this FAIRLY and infusing money into it?
Today's video, by request of The Replacements has a lot of very valid lyrics to relate to this situation. (Hey, maybe I have a future as a DJ haha)
So, Vought has posted yet ANOTHER fact checker about working during the strike. Counting their original posting at the beginning, this is their third attempt at promoting us to cross the line. Perhaps they are confused about the fact that if the first 2 attempts did not work, this one will not either.
Here are some interesting things to think about and relay to ANYBODY you even suspect may be contemplating it:
The company "says" that it will adhere to most of the provisions of the contract in terms of job security blah blah.....Well what else has the company "said":
1. They SAID we deserved and would receive a fair contract. Ummm where is it????
2. They SAID (and continue to say) they desire to negotiate in good faith. By Dan Tharp's own admission the week before the vote, they had not even submitted an economic proposal by that time. Negotiations began August 4th so there is no explanation of this fact beyond the reason that the company just thought we would accept whatever they threw out there.
3. They maintain that they want to negotiate in good faith. How is it good faith when you bring your bullies with you and walk out of not one but TWO attempts to negotiate? If they were sincere in their good faith we would be back at the table this week-not next month.
4. They issue media statements that SAY they are fine without us. But when presented with a proposal by the Union, they then SAY they can't accept it as they have to recover losses that have resulted from the strike. What losses? They SAID they made a profit in the 3rd quarter....oh wait the small profit they did earn was because of the work done by the Union members before the strike.
5. They SAY no bargaining unit employees have been fired since they returned to work. Again, this is just my opinion but once you opt-out of the Union are you still a "bargaining unit employee"? I would think not as you have waived your right to Union representation and have removed yourself from the "bargaining unit". We all know of the ones who have been fired as a result of crossing the line so I must doubt the legitimacy of Vought's statement.
Vought can SAY anything. They will SAY anything. But saying something and meaning it are 2 entirely different things.
Those of you who have crossed should be FURIOUS. Salary employees received their bonus checks yesterday. What did you get?? Was crossing the line worth losing your dignity and the respect of the people around you? Was it worth the fact that you betrayed us? How long will the company actually keep you? Tennessee is a right to work state. So the "just cause" Vought refers to in grounds for termination can be very loosely interpreted. Tardiness, absenteeism, failure to perform....these are all "just cause" grounds for termination in Tennessee. How can you fully execute all of your duties without those us who actually know what we are doing? The company will make excuses for the contractors errors as they are not employees. They will not do the same for you. Sure hope you enjoy working during the holidays with no "perks" of holiday pay. You already know it is not going to happen.
There is no point in crossing the line now. You will gain nothing and stand to lose everything. Vought needs to come back to the table and get on with this. The only explanation for them not coming back before January is once again GREED. They will save a fortune in holiday pay but will it be worth the cost of not getting all of their products to EVERY customer? Vought talks about the state of the economy in their latest postings. Yeah it sucks. But what measures have they taken to help improve it by ending this FAIRLY and infusing money into it?
Today's video, by request of The Replacements has a lot of very valid lyrics to relate to this situation. (Hey, maybe I have a future as a DJ haha)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Hitting the Ground Running
Well it has definitely been a busy week-end for me!! But I have to say I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it!!
Sorry for the lack of communication in the past week but it was finals week for me at school!! Now that it is over I will have much more free time to concentrate my efforts on our cause. These efforts started on Saturday and have been NON-STOP already.
Canned Food Drive- I received contact yesterday from the one we all know as The Replacements. This person asked to meet up. They wanted to help us out and needed a starting point so they chose me. We met in a public place for both of our comfort and security since we were strangers. THE REPLACEMENTS DELIVERED OVER $200 IN CANNED FOOD FOR OUR FAMILIES!!. While we are on opposite sides of the gate, caring for others does not know any boundaries. Thank you Replacements for putting everything aside and just caring. While many of the Union members are not happy about what you are doing by working inside the plant, deep down we truly are grateful.
I would like to suggest, if you are not already, that if you need to make use of the canned food table that you make a donation to the hardship fund. No matter how small you can do, it will be able to help keep things like this going.
Angel Tree: Some of my outside sources have donated a few toys to help our children. I have been in contact with Angel Rock and have adopted my own angel on top of some angels I already knew about that I just wanted to sponsor. These other people did not come to me. I went to them. I heard of their situations through the grapevine on the line and it is my honor that they have allowed us to help.
Here is where I would like to go with my efforts from here and some questions that have been sent to me:
KROGER CARDS: Many of my "elves" do not want to do cash donations directly to the Union Hall. We will be loading as many Kroger cards as we can (dependent on the dollar amounts we receive). As we do this, we will also be helping one of the schools in our community. The Kroger cards we have purchased, as well as many of the ones at the Union Hall, are all specially bought as a fundraiser in which Kroger gives 5% of the totals back to the school at no additional cost to the purchaser or the receiver. PLEASE NOTE THAT KROGER CARDS ARE RE-LOADABLE!!If you have friends or family who want to help you out they can just take the card to Kroger and add more funds on it. Sure beats them shopping for you and you ending up with a pantry full of food you will never eat!! Kroger Cards can also be used for fuel and prescriptions!!
HARDSHIP FUND DONATIONS: I have had some inquiries as to how to donate via money order to protect identities of contributors. First, let me say some of you have the funniest anon e-mail addresses haha. If you wish to donate via money order, Mail it to the Union Hall at 1844 Air Lane Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37210. I have spoken with the treasurer of the hardship fund and if you "earmark" your donations for a specific part of the fund (i.e. medication, utilities, food) I have been assured that is where your money will be utilized. Of course cash donations are always accepted as well. If you do not want to (or simply CAN'T) go the Union Hall but wish to donate let me know and we can work around that one.
DEAL ALERT: K.B. TOYS HAS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY!! EVERYTHING IN THEIR STORES IS AT LEAST 30% OFF AND THEY EVEN HAVE SOME BUY 2 GET 1 FREE DEALS GOING ON IN ADDITION TO THE 30% OFF!! SOME ITEMS ARE SCANNING FOR MORE THAN 30% OFF TOO!! I KNOW THERE IS ONE IN HICKORY HOLLOW MALL AND AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE AREA!!
Well time for me to get the little people off to school. Since my last video was kinda sappy (I am not a sappy kinda chick but I LOVE that song). Here is a little something a little more silly and will bring back the childhood memories for a lot of us:
~TS1~
ts1_2008@hotmail.com
Sorry for the lack of communication in the past week but it was finals week for me at school!! Now that it is over I will have much more free time to concentrate my efforts on our cause. These efforts started on Saturday and have been NON-STOP already.
Canned Food Drive- I received contact yesterday from the one we all know as The Replacements. This person asked to meet up. They wanted to help us out and needed a starting point so they chose me. We met in a public place for both of our comfort and security since we were strangers. THE REPLACEMENTS DELIVERED OVER $200 IN CANNED FOOD FOR OUR FAMILIES!!. While we are on opposite sides of the gate, caring for others does not know any boundaries. Thank you Replacements for putting everything aside and just caring. While many of the Union members are not happy about what you are doing by working inside the plant, deep down we truly are grateful.
I would like to suggest, if you are not already, that if you need to make use of the canned food table that you make a donation to the hardship fund. No matter how small you can do, it will be able to help keep things like this going.
Angel Tree: Some of my outside sources have donated a few toys to help our children. I have been in contact with Angel Rock and have adopted my own angel on top of some angels I already knew about that I just wanted to sponsor. These other people did not come to me. I went to them. I heard of their situations through the grapevine on the line and it is my honor that they have allowed us to help.
Here is where I would like to go with my efforts from here and some questions that have been sent to me:
KROGER CARDS: Many of my "elves" do not want to do cash donations directly to the Union Hall. We will be loading as many Kroger cards as we can (dependent on the dollar amounts we receive). As we do this, we will also be helping one of the schools in our community. The Kroger cards we have purchased, as well as many of the ones at the Union Hall, are all specially bought as a fundraiser in which Kroger gives 5% of the totals back to the school at no additional cost to the purchaser or the receiver. PLEASE NOTE THAT KROGER CARDS ARE RE-LOADABLE!!If you have friends or family who want to help you out they can just take the card to Kroger and add more funds on it. Sure beats them shopping for you and you ending up with a pantry full of food you will never eat!! Kroger Cards can also be used for fuel and prescriptions!!
HARDSHIP FUND DONATIONS: I have had some inquiries as to how to donate via money order to protect identities of contributors. First, let me say some of you have the funniest anon e-mail addresses haha. If you wish to donate via money order, Mail it to the Union Hall at 1844 Air Lane Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37210. I have spoken with the treasurer of the hardship fund and if you "earmark" your donations for a specific part of the fund (i.e. medication, utilities, food) I have been assured that is where your money will be utilized. Of course cash donations are always accepted as well. If you do not want to (or simply CAN'T) go the Union Hall but wish to donate let me know and we can work around that one.
DEAL ALERT: K.B. TOYS HAS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY!! EVERYTHING IN THEIR STORES IS AT LEAST 30% OFF AND THEY EVEN HAVE SOME BUY 2 GET 1 FREE DEALS GOING ON IN ADDITION TO THE 30% OFF!! SOME ITEMS ARE SCANNING FOR MORE THAN 30% OFF TOO!! I KNOW THERE IS ONE IN HICKORY HOLLOW MALL AND AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE AREA!!
Well time for me to get the little people off to school. Since my last video was kinda sappy (I am not a sappy kinda chick but I LOVE that song). Here is a little something a little more silly and will bring back the childhood memories for a lot of us:
~TS1~
ts1_2008@hotmail.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Southeast Financial Strike Loan Info
I happened to see this in the comments on the main blog site and thought it was definitely worth posting on mine!! Many thanks to the Anon who originally posted it!!
Southeastern Financial is offering "strike loans". They are loaning out up to one MONTH'S average salary!! Here is what I know about it (I went and asked for details today so I could share it with as many as possible)
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CREDIT UNION BEFORE THE STRIKE BEGAN
LOW INTEREST RATE
YOU HAVE 4 MONTHS TO REPAY THE LOAN. THE WAY IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME WAS THAT YOU MAKE A BALLOON PAYMENT ON IT. MONTHLY PAYMENTS MAY BE AN OPTION- PLEASE JUST ASK THE GANG AT THE BRANCH.
What you need to apply:
Your check stub dated 9/12/08 which shows you paid your Union Dues
Your check stub dated 10/3/08 which shows your year to date income
(If you do not have these items the credit union can help you get copies of them)
I know of several people who do not "need" the money right now but they got the loan just to have it on hand. It can help take a little of the day to day stress off and make the holidays a little more "normal"
The hardship committee can help provide basic necessities to those in need but this is just another way to help keep us out ONE DAY LONGER!!!!
Kinda like a paid vacation where you actually get to take the time off :)
Southeastern Financial is offering "strike loans". They are loaning out up to one MONTH'S average salary!! Here is what I know about it (I went and asked for details today so I could share it with as many as possible)
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CREDIT UNION BEFORE THE STRIKE BEGAN
LOW INTEREST RATE
YOU HAVE 4 MONTHS TO REPAY THE LOAN. THE WAY IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME WAS THAT YOU MAKE A BALLOON PAYMENT ON IT. MONTHLY PAYMENTS MAY BE AN OPTION- PLEASE JUST ASK THE GANG AT THE BRANCH.
What you need to apply:
Your check stub dated 9/12/08 which shows you paid your Union Dues
Your check stub dated 10/3/08 which shows your year to date income
(If you do not have these items the credit union can help you get copies of them)
I know of several people who do not "need" the money right now but they got the loan just to have it on hand. It can help take a little of the day to day stress off and make the holidays a little more "normal"
The hardship committee can help provide basic necessities to those in need but this is just another way to help keep us out ONE DAY LONGER!!!!
Kinda like a paid vacation where you actually get to take the time off :)
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