Employers....Your Attention Please....

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

• Unemployment rates are at an all-time high.
• Layoffs continue to happen in both small companies and corporate giants.
• People are draining their savings and retirement in order to live.
• Families are being forced into homelessness and hunger.

Yes, it's an economic crisis of gargantuan proportion.

Now, here is something you can do to help.

Unemployed folks are out there capable of doing work, begging for work and they would make some excellent employees. The problem is these capable potential employees are being turned away at the door when they apply because they are deemed to be "overqualified" for the positions they are applying for. For this reason, I think you should overlook a person's past job history for the time being and have you just look at the candidate applying.

I know what you are thinking. "How can we expect to retain this person after the crisis is over when their work history is so above the position that they are applying for?" Well, that's exactly my point. We need to get those willing to work BACK TO WORK. They will thank you with a loyal and consistent work ethic, I guarantee, if given the chance. That's all they want and it is what they deserve.

You are only fueling your own increases in unemployment tax rates in not doing exactly that. Just my two cents on the unemployment situation. Take it or leave it.

Thanks for reading.

Ellen
XOXO

Celebrate Good Times...

Please forgive me if this post seems self-absorbed. I warn you ahead of time it will also be lengthy as I have many pictures to share. :)

We've had much good news about achievements in our house this week.

My teenage daughter tried out for and made the Winter Guard Squad at her high school. She tried out last year, but did not make it and is one of only two sophomores on the team this year. I am really proud of her. Winter Guard is like the Color Guard in the marching band (flag tossers), but Winter Guard actually performs to prerecorded music and competes. They also bring guns and sabers into the mix along with the flags. Yikes!

I also got a pleasant surprise at work. I have been promoted to an Assistant Vice President of the company.

It seemed that a mother-daughter celebration was in order, so I asked the teen if she would like to go to dinner. She thought the idea to be a good one so I asked her where she wanted to go, expecting an answer like Olive Garden or some other typical place. She said she wanted to go to Ruth's Chris. I looked at her for a moment in amazement and then threw caution to the wind. Why the heck not?

So this post is kind of to memorialize our evening out, but also to give those who have never been to Ruth's Chris steakhouse a glimpse of what you get inside. They truly, most certainly make the BEST STEAK EVER. No doubt.

Ordering at the restaurant is kind of al a carte. The side dishes all can easily feed two people and most who go order steaks and split everything else. The teen and I decided not to do that when we got there. We decided we were going to order whatever we wanted. That resulted in bringing home two massive shopping bags of food which will be devoured again tonight. I can't wait for dinner.

Ruth's Chris locations are generally unique. The one here in Richmond is in an old plantation house which is on the National Historic Homes Registry. So not only do you get awesome food, but you get an EXPERIENCE. The service is beyond excellent too. Staff is carefully screened and you really feel like you are a guest at a dinner party rather than sitting in a restaurant. The people who work there go the extra mile to be friendly and helpful.

Now, it IS very expensive to eat there (my steak alone was $35) but if you did the smart thing and shared on the sides, you can come out without too big a dent in the good old checkbook. We didn't do the smart thing last night and our bill with the tip included weighed in at around $230. But we were celebrating and we eat there maybe once a year and save it only for occasions which deserve something special.

So, to share, here are some pictures of the restaurant and the incredible meal we had last night. I know. I'm such a geek.

1. The outside of the restaurant; 2. One of the cocktail lounges

1. Our dining room; 2. Celebratory drinks...bloody mary for me, virgin daquiri for her

Shrimp appetizers. 1. Shrimp cocktail for her; 2. Barbequed shrimp for me

My steak and potato. The potatoes really do weigh a pound before they're baked!

1. Asparagus hollandaise and spinach au gratin; 2. Savannah's dessert, a banana cream pie that was literally a mini whole pie. My dessert was not as interesting but my favorite so I didn't take a picture but I had the berries and sweet cream.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed!

Ellen

XOXO

Jammie Day

Most of you who follow me on Twitter know that I am graced with the ability to work from home 1-2 days per week. I call those days "Jammie Days". There are many reasons that Jammie Days are good for the employee and the employer. Here are a few.

Employer Benefits

• I actually put in a longer work day when I work from home. I boot up the laptop right after my daughter leaves for the school bus at 6:30 a.m. and on many days find myself still working at 4-5 p.m.
• I don't have the distractions I do when I am in the office. Let's face it, if a co-worker pops in for water cooler talk, there's not much of a way to say no.

Employee Benefits

• I don't have to get out of my pajamas all day.
• I don't have to get ready and drive into the office.
• I often can complete more intense work that requires my focus.
• I am in the comfort of my home.
• My dog has company (OK, so this one is ridiculous, but I do feel bad leaving him alone for the whole day.)

That's all I got for today. No, I will NOT be posting a pic of me in my jammies for this entry. Thanks for reading!

Ellen XOXO