Are you getting server?

Are you getting served, we are. One of our clients has served us with papers for some sort of lawsuit. I was informed upon my return from lunch that I was to get our paperwork in order. Good thing I didn't eat lunch, lawsuits always spoil my digestion. I was having a pretty good day. I guess my boss was too, because this morning he was in early, ten-ish, and actually was making conversation with me and told me why he and his sweetie were M.I.A. to the living world yesterday (hung over, did I have to even say it by now?). That was before they served him the papers when he was home relaxing today.

This beast woman who is attempting to sue us is a real piece of work. Five foot five, probably pushing two hundred pounds, bleach blond hair and always wearing no make up except that black liquid eye liner - (that normal women wear on their upper lids) thick black eye liner under her eyes, like a real hooker or eighties skeezer. Despite her disturbing appearance, she's a dentist. One time she came to the office to pick up some samples and was making polite conversation with the boss' dad and I in the hallway when her bridge, that went clear across her six upper front teeth, fell right out of her mouth. She actually caught it in her hand about half way to the floor, must happen a lot. I wonder who did her work.

My boss made many unnecessary consolations to these people in building their home. None of which were appreciated or recognized when it came to the end of the job. People always forget all the extras, they always remember the extra costs. The work has been completed but we cannot agree upon the how much money the homeowners owe because they are getting back a credit when the loan closes towards things they paid for themselves. It's really complicated and going this route, to court, is going to make my life a living hell - like it isn't all ready. I have notebooks on top of notebooks overflowing with paperwork pertaining to these people's home contract and estimates and bills and changes, it just goes on and on.

Change order is like a dirty word in construction. In a perfect world, when the customer tells you they would like a change from their plans, you would stop what you are doing, estimate the cost, present it to the customer for them to make their decision. Most of the time that never happens and all of the time it never happens in that order. These guys have a thing about stopping what they are doing, something about forward momentum I guess. Or maybe it means they would have to communicate or reschedule or do one extra iota of effort. Here's the way it goes down in reality, customer says 'oh, I'd love a giant chandelier in the foyer...', contractor says 'okay.' Then the contractor, who takes this as consent, proceeds to make all the arrangements to accommodate the giant chandelier, increasing the structural framing, supplying the electric, the electricians who will need to rent a lift to hoist said giant chandelier, the cost of the chandelier itself of course and all it's trimmings. Then the customer who does love the giant chandelier gets a giant bill from the contractor for ten thousand dollars. When the customer turns around and says 'I had no idea it would be that much, I don't agree to pay that!' What is the contractor's recourse? Take away the chandelier, un-do the framing and electric at more cost to himself? Unless you like to eat giant chandeliers or give them a really nice house warming gift it would probably pay off to STOP, but I don't want to tell anyone what to do, I'm bossy enough.

I think I was out to lunch when this story began. My husband made the most beautiful wreath out of some vines he had been trimming along the fence. He really surprises me sometimes. I went out to the local crap store to get some sparklies and ribbons to decorate the wreath. By crap store I mean one of those big chain discount stores that you always think you're getting a really good deal, until you get the item home and it completely self-destructs or was totally misrepresented in the packaging. Example; I bought ribbon that said it was sixty feet - I will probably get it home and there will be three. It was mobbed in there with Christmas shoppers. Same thing at the craft store I went to the other day, there are already long lines, I had to wait at least ten minutes today! My husband is going to go into fits when he finds out I spend forty dollars on decorations for his free wreath.

Back to work on my documents. I always thought I should have been a lawyer myself, just a few too many years of school and not quite enough ambition. Plus who wants to go to court...ever?

Just shoot me.

The boss' wife has been on board now for a few months. I've witnessed my share of family ass chewings. Having worked with my own husband for several years before we were married, I know what it looks like when a husband and wife have been arguing all morning and get to work and she tries to pretend everything is fine, wiping rampant tears away between conversations, and he nips off the head of every other unsuspecting man, woman or child in his path - and in my case barking orders all the way! Tension has been high in the office between them, projecting onto me, I would say us, I'm not the only one that works here - really, but I am the only one here all the time. Kind of a stationary whipping post, while the guys are off driving around all day.



We had to plan a trip to Arkansas to close up the house for the winter. It was pretty time sensitive, seeing as my mother-in-law is moving a thousand miles away November 1st and is the only one we trust (or have enough money to pay) to watch the farm and all the animals for us. I requested to the boss, and his dad, the personnel manager, to take three days off - that I have accumulated as personal time since I haven't called out sick this year. I submitted in writing and never heard back. I sent another request, this time stating my flexibility on the dates, that I would switch weekends, whatever worked best for them. It works best for them if I do not take off. I should have known that to begin with. So this is where the proverbial poo does you know what.



The boss was running around, as usual, no time is ever a good time, and I stopped him and explained my situation, his response was 'you don't need to go there to do that.' End of conversation.



Okay, like I said before I am flexible. Ray drove up and took a buddy of his, he got things in order, I hope. But I haven't gotten over it.



Probably while he was out of town and I was shouldering the responsibility of all the animals, the mother-in-law and the farm, I may have lost my patience.



The two 'others' (non-family members) that work here are always asking me what they get for time off and I refer them to dad, who gives everyone a different answer. One of my first duties, assigned by the boss himself, was to collaborate with 'The mom' on our employee manual, that his wife had lifted from her corporate banking job. Painstakingly, believe me, we went over the manual and made the changes we thought were applicable. I signed the back sheet and gave it to dad for his 'files' and kept a copy for myself. Only now, after I requested days off, am I hearing that we don't have a policy, we are not going by the manual, surprise! So how many days off am I entitled to? Here is my correspondence with the H.R. manager, names removed to protect my precious job;

Sent by me;

"**** mentioned something about needing a certain day off. Can we get in the practice of posting these on our calendars in outlook so that everyone is aware? Also, I refer the supers to 'dad' regarding time off, and I keep track of my own time, but I do not know if/who or how we are tracking this. What is our policy? 'Mom' and I made an employee manual in March ’06 (on ***** server in office folder), but I cannot tell if we are following policy in it or not."

Dad's response;

"Yes, **** did mention wanting a day off. He said he would confirm and I will post. I am keeping track of days off. We did copy the *** manual in March, but never issued it as policy. wife, boss and I are reviewing as there are some items that we need agree on. Currently vacation is 2 weeks after the first year of service. After the first year of service, accrued vacation days may be used prior to the completion of the year."

Me;

"And sick/personal days? I don’t see that someone should be penalized if they don’t get/call out sick?"

Dad;

"That is one of the items we are looking at."

Me;





That's the last I heard, ever.