Reorganizing

Today, I felt like I was at Misys, the home of the reorg. I am trying desperately to determine the best structure for the implementation team and who fits in which position the best. It brought back fond memories. We used to always joke, "If you don't like the way it is now, just wait because it will change soon enough." I hope that we don't need to change that often. It is pretty fun to watch the company and departments mature. I never thought I would like process stuff, but I really enjoy trying to find the best process that will work and then trying to improve it. Who knew?

I thought this article was interesting with the "how to know that you need to reorg list."

There are a wide variety of reasons for reorganizing an organization, particularly in today's rapidly changing marketplace. However, there are several reasons for reorganization that seem to keep coming up in small businesses, whether for-profit or nonprofit. These reasons include
1. An employee keeps complaining (and you agree) that he or she is overloaded with work.
2. Employees complain that their activities overlap.
3. An employee indicates (and you agree) that he or she does not have enough work to do during a work day.
4. Employees complain that they're reporting to more than one boss, or supervisor.
5. An employee complains that their work includes very different tasks. For example, they may have a highly complex and demanding project (e.g., leading strategic planning) and a large routine, recurring task (sorting a great deal of the organization's daily mail).
6. Management notices a large amount of employee turnover, that is, employees don't stay long enough with the organization.
7. A department, or major function in the organization, has recurring problems.

NOTE: It is not always problems that provoke the need for reorganizing. For example, if the organization has been conducting strategic planning and produced new goals, these goals may require the organization to reorganize. For example, if the business wants to expand marketshare in a certain region, then the organization may need a new office in that region, more sales people, etc.

I also heard today that Misys is banning AOL Instant Messanger (AIM) starting soon. Interesting. Wonder what fun stuff they will do next? I haven't really heard much in a while other than what I read on other sites, but the past few days I have heard from several people who are frustrated. It doesn't seem like people feel very confident in the direction being provided so far. It is sad because people seemed so hopeful a few months ago.

The death march, also known as release, is churning along. Unfortunately, the timeframe isn't gowing. :) Gotta love releases. This is a really cool release, but it is a lot to test and prepare for.

I didn't do my Couch to 5k today. I decided to let the body rest for a day. I am going to try to get up and go in the morning. I really like using the podcasts. It makes the time go by really fast because you don't have to think about what you are doing. I am nervous about next week where you run 3 minutes as the short portion and 5 minutes as the longer portion. I am not sure I am ready for 5 minutes yet. :) Of course, I didn't think I was ready for 3 minutes yet either and I have done ok. :) Anyone else doing the couch to 5k?

Week 3 Runs 2 and 3

Today, I got up and did week 3 day 2 of the couch 2 5k program. It felt good. I really like getting up and exercising in the morning ONCE I AM OUT OF BED. I hate getting out of bed. Something about that transition is just no fun. However, once I get up and get moving, I feel SO great.

Work was pretty good. We are in major crunch to get the release out. I am ready for the stress to decrease. I love working in development, but the end of the release cycle is rough.

After work, I did a SECOND round of the couch 2 5k program. WOW!!! I have had several requests for the couch 2 5k program link and for the podcases. Follow this link to get the program and this link to get the podcast by Robert Ulrey.

shriner's cute wall mural

We loved the wall and had to take a picture. The doctor said 4 more weeks of no running, jumping, tumbling. Bummer.

I am so proud of myself. I got up this morning and started the week 3 part of the couch 2 5k program. In this one, you jog for 90 seconds, walk for 90 seconds, jog for 3 minutes, walk for 3 minutes, and then repeat. I know for some of you, this is no big deal. For me, the former smoking fiend, this is a huge deal. I was so proud because I actually think I could have kept going and doing it a few more times. I am going to go again tomorrow morning. I will let you know how it goes. For anyone thinking about the couch to 5k program, it ROCKS!

Stress

Stress - the uncomfortable gap between how we would like our life to be and what it is.

What a great definition. I feel very stressed lately. My heart races. I get a headache. Sometimes I am not even sure why. It is just everything at once I guess. I can't put my finger on the one stressful thing. It is just a general feeling. Anyone else just feel a general stress without having a specific reason?

Today was not a bad day. It was busy. It was stressful. Abhijeet arrived from India today and joined us in the Dev Lab. It was nice to have him. Welcome Abhijeet!

After getting Morgan, I rushed home to make dinner and help Morgan with her homework. She had math and spelling. I can't wait until she can write again! She goes to the doctor tomorrow. She is hoping she can be tumbling in 3.5 weeks for her first cheer competition. :)

I heard from some Misys peeps that their PTO must ALL be used by March 31st. They can buy what they have at 50 cents on the dollar (ouch), but if they haven't used it by March 31st, they can't earn more. Ouch. To make it worse, there is now a mad rush on vacation requests! This seems to be a trend at companies now to reduce their liability. What do you think about PTO?

Tomorrow, I am getting up early to run, so I am signing off for the night. Nablopomo is fun!!!

Our Store Is Open

We have been trying to find something to do to earn some extra money in the Gleason house. So, we got together and brainstormed on some funny shirts. We will be adding to the site often, but we have quite a few to pick from now. Since we are heavy into cheer, there are several cheer shirts available. We also have some good divorce ones (we have some experience with that!). We have had a good time with it so far. To see them, go to http://laughoutlouds.com/. The ordering piece is secure, so order early and often! :) To celebrate our opening, you can enter a promotional code of BUCK to save $1.00.

Today, we went to Morgan's friend Alexis' house to work on the NASA project. But, we didn't have any concrete instructions, so it was pretty much a wash. The girls had fun though. :) We went to Target and Walmart to stock up on cat supplies and groceries (and to get Morgan her new fish - Bubblette). I have only had 11 points today, so I need to figure out what to have for dinner. Today, I am a little behind on my couch to 5k program, so I am just finishing week 2 today. I am interested to see how week 3 goes since you run for 3 minutes straight twice. Should be interesting.

Football and Shirts

What a great day. First, I got to sleep until 9:30. I missed aerobics, but that is ok because I needed sleep SO badly. The trip to San Fran and back on the red eye really wiped me out. I was also stressed because I was also flying to Ft. Lauderdale this week. However, that was cancelled, and I am so happy about that.

Morgan was wanting attention this morning, so we hung out. Then, I bribed her to give me a little more time while she went and read or something. However, less than 5 minutes into my quiet time, she is crying and carrying on. So, I finally get up, and I am angry. She isn't telling me what the problem is, and then she blurts out that her fish died. Talk about feeling like a mean mommie. Then, I said the dumbest thing. "I will get you a new one sweetie." UGH. It was my chance to be fish free. But no. I had to go and promise a new one. She put the fish in a bag that is still in the house. Yuck. I guess we need to bury it. It was a lot easier with the hamster. He just went into the trash on trash day without another thought. Bummer.

Then, Morgan and I worked on creating some funny t-shirts to sell. We have decided to make an online store. Hopefully, we will be ready to release the first version tomorrow. :)

After t-shirt afternoon, we went to see the Bee Movie. It was very cute. It had some moments that made everyone howl with laughter. The rest was cute. Morgan asked for some yellow salt for her popcorn. Unfortunately, she dumped most of it on the popcorn. Ick. She ate it though. Scary.

We met Dana, Katie, Chris, and Michael at a Japanese restaurant in Brandon. It is fairly new and named Tokyo's. It was good. I had shrimp, veggies, and rice. Morgan wasn't feeling good (maybe it was the butter and salt??), so we left as soon as dinner was over. Of course, the chef asked if we all knew each other. Mike went around the table and referred to me as Wife #2 and Dana as Wife #1. Of course, he took that to mean that we were all together now. So, then he was making jokes the rest of the time. Crazy people.

5 Months SMOKE FREE and down 16 pounds!!!

As of today, I am 5 months smoke free. Amazing. I still can't believe I actually did it and don't want to go back. :) Also, I am down 16 pounds as of today (1 month into Weight Watchers).

Amy - smoke free for Five Months, 6 Hours and 52 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 12 Days and 18 Hours, by avoiding the use of 3679 cigs that would have cost me $629.37. I spent $212 on patches.

I have to say that I don't even want a smoke ever. I am exercising and can breathe. Amazing. :)