We Will Never Forget

Epic Fail

Awhile back, I cleaned up my resume and went on a job search. Mostly for financial reasons. I needed to work full time, and it would be great to get benefits. Anyone who has had to buy their own health insurance will understand that; there is a definite discrimination against the self employed.

I wasn't specifically aiming for staying in the animal care industry as good pay and benefits are rarely part of the job, but I managed to hit pay dirt: I landed a job at another small animal practice, full time, benefits, with an offer of much better pay to do way less than what I was doing as an Office Manager for Boss Man. A much more technologically modern practice with upscale clientele. It appeared that the staff made a great team. Sounds perfect, right? NOT.

I've learned that getting what I wish for means I've shit in my own mess kit.

It's not hard to check clients and patients in and out. To put them in rooms, and weigh and temp the pets. However, I came from an old school pen and paper type of practice, and this one was run by computers with software that was temperamental and virus infested. I went from one doctor to having several doctors working at the same time. Doctors who kiss the clients butt and treat the staff like dirt. Like Multiple Personality Disorder. One who is such a nasty bastard I expected his head to start spinning and pea soup to start spewing out. I made sure to stand at enough of a distance not to get splattered.

Then there were the receptionists, my lovely coworkers. I was supposed to be in training but nobody wanted to train me. One of them said "If I have to train her, I'd have to talk to her, and I don't want to talk to her." Of course where I could hear it. Derogatory remarks were made about me in earshot. I was berated for not doing my job right. I was ubraided and berated in front of clients. Before my first paycheck (which I still don't have) the woman who hired me had sudden amnesia about the wage she had offered me.
By the end of the first week I had tremors in one of my hands. By the end of the third week, I was shaking at the thought of going to work. On my last day, I had a panic attack at work and had to go to Urgent Care to get sedation. The work supervisor called me later and told me "the only complaint I've heard about you is that they have to tell you things more than once" Ya think?! Then why didn't they fucking train me? and "If you're that unhappy, then it's best that you don't come back." Well, no shit.

I have worked some shitty jobs, but this has been the worst. I'm appalled at the behavior of these women. Who the hell raised them to be these kind of people? A pack of shit throwing monkeys raise their kids with better manners than that. If my own kids had ever treated another person like I was treated, I'd pick them up by their hair, even though they're grown and I'd have to stand on a ladder to do it. And since I didn't get the opportunity say what I wanted in person, I'll do so here:

I'm editing this out today. Time to let go and be grateful I'm gone from there, away from those toxic people and that hostile workplace. They belong together, and I've learned some good lessons from my thankfully short time there.

Some Favorite Things-Human Edition

Despite being constantly covered in dirt and hair, and dressing like a candidate for the People of WalMart website, I love girly things like hair and makeup products. I don't have the inclination to do a beauty blog, but there are so many fabulous ones out there, I don't have to. Here are a few of my favorites:

H2O Plus Spa Hand and Nail Cream
Pricey, yes, but it works, and a little goes a long way. The skin on my hands gets trashed with my job and lifestyle. I've still got half a tube left and I bought this in February, and I use it daily. I prefer the unscented.

H2O Plus Face Oasis Moisturizer
Another product where a little goes a long way. Perfect for my cranky oily skin, and it's cooling effect is a wonderful "ahh" feeling for skin that's been outside all day. There's no SPF in this though, so if it's used in the daytime, sunscreen is still needed. I use it at night.
**Note on H2O Plus products-I linked these to the manufacturers webpage, but they're available in other places. I bought these at Ulta. Which leads me to a semi-rant. I do a major haulage at Ulta a couple of times a year, whenever the 20% off coupons come out. The prices with the coupon means major stock up time for me. It used to be that the Ulta I go to had exceptional customer service. I got totally ignored on this last visit, except by the rep from this company.  Get your shit together Ulta.

Lucky 107 Cosmetics
I tried this company out recently based on a blogger's review. I'm really impressed by the eye shadows. Great color, easy to blend, and they stay on even with sweating in 100 degree weather. The owner's got her game on  and the customer service is excellent. I haven't tried her lip products but I have some of her lip scrubs on the way.  She just closed her Artfire shop and gearing up to launch her own site, so for now, ordering would have to be done by email, which is why I've linked to her facebook page. My favorite so far is the Sweet Tooth collection.

Linnaeus Cosmetics
I saved the best for last. I learned about this company from bloggers when she was on Etsy. Marin, the owner is a vet student who has created these fabulous shadows based on animals and wildlife. I can get lost in reading about the animals that inspire each collection on the website. The customer service and attention to detail are unequaled, with the packaging (hand stamped stationary, personal note, products in a hand stamped bag tied with raffia) being as exciting as the products themselves. Several bloggers have swatched these shadows, and it's worth a Google visit to check them out. I recently gifted some these shadows, elevating my status to "favorite relative."

So, above are a few things I like. Feel free to comment, or share some of the things you like, too.

Every Ride, Every Time

I loved watching Courtney King Dye in the 2008 Olympics. I admire her as a rider, and as a person. This is the video that makes her a hero in my book. The embedding is disabled, which is a shame.
Courtney Video

Assclownism Of The Week

"Ma'am, what brand of dog food are you feeding your dog?"

"I don't know the name of it! It's the one with the picture of the dog on it!"

Way to go, Platte Valley Humane Society!

Local Humane group rejects HSUS grant

Defy the Fly: A Review

The county I live in has unofficially declared the fly the state bird. November through February are about the only months we have off from constantly dealing with flies. I have tried every spray, feed through, covering, etc that gives a hint of fly relief for my horses. This year, with no real frost and lots of rain has brought the bugs out in record number, which means when the 747s come out in summer, fly control will be my second biggest horse expense.
I recently visited my favorite horse rescue. With so many to care for and donations being down, they've had to get really creative with fly control. All the horses have a fly mask. Those worst plagued by flies have sheets, and I've seen the donkeys wearing brightly colored dollar store knee socks on their legs (way cheaper than fly boots).  Then a package is thrust in my hand and "OMFG, you have to try these things, they work!" It was a package of Defy the Fly leg bands. Some generous supporter sent the rescue some of these, and the horses that have the worst fly problems were wearing them.
I got online and ordered a couple of packages. I gave one to my in laws for their little horse whose legs are eaten alive every summer, and kept a package for my guys. There are 4 of these bands in the package. The flies love Princess Pout's front legs, so I put a pair on him. I resealed the bag according to the directions, when these no longer work, I'll have another pair. The colt eats everything so I haven't even tried putting the bands on him.
Defy the Fly leg bands are plastic with air holes on one side like a band-aid and material that is saturated with Geraniol. Geraniol is a natural alternative to DEET.  There are two sets of snaps to adjust the fit. They go on the cannon bone above the fetlock in the front and the ankle in the back. There is definitely a strong scent when you open them and for the first week or so.
It is very important to check these regularly. Some animals are sensitive to the ingredients and the bands can cause skin irritation, which is stated on the label. In this case, they should be taken off immediately. I was especially concerned because PP has white socks, which can be more sensitive. But he and my in laws horse are having no problems with them.
Do using these mean I can stop all other fly control and quit making fly spray? No. But for horses that are plagued by flies on their legs (I'm talking Alfred Hitchcock movie here). But it is so nice to see him be able to stand without constantly stomping, not see his leg black with flies or pebbled in fly poop. Considering I can get up to 4 months out of a package (they retail for about $18-$22 for the leg bands) they're definitely being added to my arsenal.
Defy The Fly also makes neck bands (good for face flies) and dog and cat collars, which are supposed to repel fleas, etc. I did buy a neck band but haven't tried it yet.
These are sold at most online vet supplies.