20 Year Anniversary

 SO it's my 20 year anniversary working for Procter & Gamble this month! YAY! for me! I got my award plaque, and I got to go out for breakfast with my work team. All on the company's dime! And when you have anniversaries in increments of 5..like 5,10,15,20,25...then you get to select a gift from the on line award catalog.

 They have all kinds of things to choose from at the 20 year level. A bike, electronics, a TV,

 a table saw, watches, lamps, clocks, camping gear, luggage

 small appliances, like blenders and juicers rings and pins and jewelry like that

 But I chose this! I've been wanting an air compressor for awhile now and just lucky me, there was one waiting for me to select it.

 It arrived the other day so I had to go get a few accessories for it...like a hose......and fittings...I got this package with everything I need, I guess....darn it! Too bad the package tried to maim me!

 I got it all together and it works great. What a nice way to celebrate 20 years of hard work!!

It's Christmas Time!

Yes, you guessed it, I always say it's officially Christmas when my employee Holiday box arrives. 

Look closely at this box..the snowflakes are made of product! So cute....

 You may recall that I work at Procter & Gamble-hello corporate social media policy!

 It's a company tradition that they send employees a Holiday gift. And they are always a beautifully packed gift!

 This year the gift is a wooden tote box. I think it might be made for silverware & napkins but I think it will hold some scissors or sewing tools.

 In addition to the gift, there is also an assortment of product! YAY! And always packed in pretty cardboard.

 Have you tried these Bounty with Dawn paper towels-they are pretty nifty.

 Oh good some Downy, Cascade & Old Spice & Olay & Head & Shoulders....

 But the one thing that stays the same every year-delicious chocolate covered almonds!

And it's time to get my friend snowblower out! Gassed, oiled and a little air in the tires & ready to roll-
they say there's snow coming!

Visiting For Work

So, my employer (I work for Procter & Gamble) provides us with a day called deployment day. It's when they roll out the plans for the year ahead and try to generate some enthusiasm for work in general. You know, sing kum ba ya and hold hands...no not really. But they do allow part of the work day to go out to lunch with your work team and to do a team "bonding" event.

  

I had lunch with my team, and then for our team "bonding" we trekked out to the McBride Nature Area and visited the Raptor Center. I hadn't been out to the Raptor Center since Uber Son was a cub Scout! They've grown a little bit! But some of the same birds are still there. The Raptor Center houses birds that have been injured or are unable to survive in the wild. Many have broken wings or have been raised by humans (for some reason that I will NEVER understand) or have been permanently disabled.

This eagle has a wing problem and can't survive out in the wild , but it's amazing to see him close up at the Raptor Center.

Here are two of my Team members-Dave & Todd. 

We're providing evidence that we really did go bird watching!LOL!

 Each of the raptors are kept in their own enclosure.

 You don't really realize how big they are until you see them close up. It's a great area out at Lake McBride-a nice drive through the woods, and an easy walk through the butterfly garden and the prairie paths. Here's a link to learn more...McBride Raptor Center

 It seems kind of sad that some of these birds have been here for 10 years or more, but they would be dead if they hadn't been cared for by the Raptor Center. The center is a self guided tour and it is a really lovely area to walk around.

We saw owls, hawks and a falcon too. We had beautiful weather and the walk from the parking area was just what we needed after a big lunch!