tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11661754062658322762024-03-05T01:18:35.115-08:00Legal Secretaries RockA blog for legal secretaries, paralegals, support staff and others who want to keep up with the latest trends in the legal and business world, including lifestyle trends. All original articles are my property and may not be reprinted without permission.Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.comBlogger458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-14808494642318989292021-07-28T19:48:00.003-07:002021-07-28T19:48:47.045-07:00Take Me Off Speaker! When Did We All Lose Our Telephone Manners?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8qp5cPj3vpb-2vCz1ruxxTs-MxNOoGsusMDDiGg649GEl_hzvQgZ3Mp0KteXZkE9Wms1vRD7s0uUFYX8_sxWBDqVDpx3hCFNZBZ-hCN4sU1q1hV2hWQIFeeg-z3Qkz7b6_kpBuhe0JFE/s512/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="512" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8qp5cPj3vpb-2vCz1ruxxTs-MxNOoGsusMDDiGg649GEl_hzvQgZ3Mp0KteXZkE9Wms1vRD7s0uUFYX8_sxWBDqVDpx3hCFNZBZ-hCN4sU1q1hV2hWQIFeeg-z3Qkz7b6_kpBuhe0JFE/w400-h259/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">If you want to call me a boomer, I'll take it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">There are some things that never change or at least they shouldn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Since when did it become appropriate to answer every phone call on speaker (in your car, in your home, in your office) without notifying the caller that they're on speaker?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">There's a reason to call person-to-person. Otherwise, we could just use the "party line." Uh-oh. I think I just dated myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Nevertheless, if I wanted to talk to you, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your kids, your nanny, your cube-mate or your housekeeper, I would have called them and not you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">There are times when you have to use the speakerphone (like when you're driving). But, please have the common courtesy to at least notify the caller that you're not alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">This should be right up there with not changing your profile photo on zoom to a cat picture.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Save yourself and the rest of us the embarrassment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">You're welcome.</span></p>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-51162511996100690702021-07-19T07:00:00.001-07:002021-07-19T07:00:00.193-07:00Zoom Fatigue<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlyl8zLkDlijHp6783JVyJg-m4ioEy74c0eggTcj7COXOIgrNvuEfVcShOEAPXRhEWQ7xf_19oGg-Fq472AJRBtNFFIOmwOPxPiPnZXUkj4va4nFT3SSkIYU26IKdyAlXUSCrQXMry4kF/s250/Zoom_Featured_Image_250_250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlyl8zLkDlijHp6783JVyJg-m4ioEy74c0eggTcj7COXOIgrNvuEfVcShOEAPXRhEWQ7xf_19oGg-Fq472AJRBtNFFIOmwOPxPiPnZXUkj4va4nFT3SSkIYU26IKdyAlXUSCrQXMry4kF/w400-h400/Zoom_Featured_Image_250_250.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I'm a people person. I love people. Most of the time. Most people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Which is why virtual activities and zoom meetings versus zero interaction with other people is a much better option for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">However, sixteen months into the pandemic, post-pandemic, possible pandemic part two has me completely worn out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I've run out of virtual backgrounds, zoom lighting tricks, outdoor options.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I am quite simply over it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">That said, please people get vaccinated so that we can get back together, in person, in office, in coffee shop, in restaurants, in community meetings and scream in each other's faces rather than at the screen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Sure, looking presentable on top with sweatpants on the bottom was a real hoot for a while, it's no longer fun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I want to go back to the pre-pandemic cautiously glancing at my phone while being bored in meetings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">That's all.</span></p>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-39519087485735560792021-06-28T08:30:00.000-07:002021-06-28T08:30:43.889-07:00Remember when we were stressing about Working From Home - Not so Fast Forward - It's Time to Return to the Office!<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"> I'll never forget the beginning of pandemic. I mean, who could? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">My firm was super about getting us set up to work from home and made the transition as smooth as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Sure, we were all working from our kitchens, couches, bedrooms, you name it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">For me, it was a very difficult transition. No social interaction, no coffee shop experiences, no office services, no one to talk to or to offer a second opinion on that filing or a second set of eyes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Now nearly a year and a half later, and I'm in rhythm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Whereas, I once said "I can't wait to get back into the office," I'm now saying "how will I ever go back to commuting and traffic and the old routine?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">And if I'm really honest, it's causing me more than a little anxiety.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I, for one, would love a hybrid model. I mean we've proven we can do it? Or have we?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">If you have thoughts about in-person return to work, I'd love to hear them. All suggestions are welcome. Remember, there are no wrong answers.</span></p>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-68787366299831827362020-05-23T13:13:00.000-07:002020-05-23T14:35:23.144-07:00Working from Home - The Good, The Bad, The Lonely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezcQDr1-YN4LuIH1fTa29cKwzqGnm06vqCpS0Ec_nWQkafyHdnNoYPsMnUlfmByT2N_3PaGsd8HbZRAE1brYNDXaKoW5mqVB-WhyxlNJz85C4pmHX0EUlzT9e6SqjWCP_UrTGzg2Z3gvH/s1600/WFH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezcQDr1-YN4LuIH1fTa29cKwzqGnm06vqCpS0Ec_nWQkafyHdnNoYPsMnUlfmByT2N_3PaGsd8HbZRAE1brYNDXaKoW5mqVB-WhyxlNJz85C4pmHX0EUlzT9e6SqjWCP_UrTGzg2Z3gvH/s400/WFH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Covid-19 has been surreal. The illness, deaths, unemployment, lack of human contact, it's a lot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">None of us have experienced a pandemic before, so who knew what to expect?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For many people, including myself, who are used to the 9 to 5 routine of commuting to and from work, the thought of being able to work from your home sounded like a dream come true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is, until it turns into a nightmare. For over two months, I've been blessed to be able to earn a living, with medical benefits, without having to venture outside the safety of my house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The flip side of that benefit is the isolation, the day-to-day drone of what feels like "Groundhog's Day" is hard on the mind. And not so great for the body when you're not walking or getting up to walk to the coffee shop or lunchroom or take breaks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the days have turned into weeks, turned into months, I'm finally ready to tackle the reality of formulating a plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's what I've come up with so far:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plan to go to bed at night and get up in the morning at the same time each day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Force yourself to get dressed (sweats don't count)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Put on makeup, jewelry and real shoes (not bunny slippers)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Get up at least once an hour to stretch or get water or poke your head outside and get some fresh air</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take a dedicated lunch break</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make an effort to stay in communication with colleagues, clients, vendors, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Join a zoom or online wellness class (exercise or meditation or mindfulness)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you've got ideas or suggestions on how we can WFH and be more productive and positive, leave me a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>STAY SAFE</b></span></div>
Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-42459320806384145612020-01-22T13:53:00.003-08:002020-01-22T13:55:01.631-08:00I Was Planning on Getting a Planner - Next Time I Should Plan Ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGseGA5E7bXi419HeFINX264l3qEKRbQp_PYWlrR7IX-EwuGUSjk6saMyGjEtZypXjra8YqutLCP8rXFT8QWUrWl6Xal9dfn0h5ClQy55h0s7Wd5SIUe9EDfGfXEquT0N2FCZJI9IArVmr/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGseGA5E7bXi419HeFINX264l3qEKRbQp_PYWlrR7IX-EwuGUSjk6saMyGjEtZypXjra8YqutLCP8rXFT8QWUrWl6Xal9dfn0h5ClQy55h0s7Wd5SIUe9EDfGfXEquT0N2FCZJI9IArVmr/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ZG4XOcbscV1mpvD-zE2q7SjHgGnF4sevwNe0_2UwSDbxmMZQ-DVuGV8S8cN8OFZPI8NR9R7tPe9Lq_bMHdQWN17ClPjjj8dHIzheGpEPtCF1tssMGvqb4yhUVb_BKbNjcA5yBE9d2SP/s1600/Unknown-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ZG4XOcbscV1mpvD-zE2q7SjHgGnF4sevwNe0_2UwSDbxmMZQ-DVuGV8S8cN8OFZPI8NR9R7tPe9Lq_bMHdQWN17ClPjjj8dHIzheGpEPtCF1tssMGvqb4yhUVb_BKbNjcA5yBE9d2SP/s1600/Unknown-5.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTdHAgUln6oI74I063p-J4BmpV8qrvIsxVaXJjE_RC5Xo8ttWIEW8fBePF_0bJYSvSBI3HO9mERKg6FpE3D6CmhGzBXdJ4KaatZOIJL1NOCh3qzOBVoxHX7ds5aNFuytEl0rytr9KOqop/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTdHAgUln6oI74I063p-J4BmpV8qrvIsxVaXJjE_RC5Xo8ttWIEW8fBePF_0bJYSvSBI3HO9mERKg6FpE3D6CmhGzBXdJ4KaatZOIJL1NOCh3qzOBVoxHX7ds5aNFuytEl0rytr9KOqop/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cGKoCUay5FzVdedkvql64wkqKw0z0ddjJDen72Cxm7aHfzu0oLHjEXDxb_MtkWdIS3bYgO1gIjr-GCy5KqnS15ZCC5QGhICxoMb_1h-mKoZ_zP6PqFlpE0Es3CZGkbMl_Wt-d7svMBOK/s1600/shopping.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cGKoCUay5FzVdedkvql64wkqKw0z0ddjJDen72Cxm7aHfzu0oLHjEXDxb_MtkWdIS3bYgO1gIjr-GCy5KqnS15ZCC5QGhICxoMb_1h-mKoZ_zP6PqFlpE0Es3CZGkbMl_Wt-d7svMBOK/s1600/shopping.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had such big plans for my paper planner this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, I had planned to get one before the end of 2019 so that I could start planning my New Year on a good foot - or pad.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas was close to Thanksgiving in 2019, which means that the new year just crept up on me before I had a chance to pick the perfect planner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Looks like now, the first event that I'll be planning will be Groundhog Day 2020. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess it's never too late to start planning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So many planners. So little time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which one to choose. . .? I've got a lot of planning to do!</span><br />
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<br />Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-52911500537533890462019-12-13T14:33:00.004-08:002019-12-13T15:49:42.806-08:00Beware the Office Holiday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi0TH3EOKSZ9n76USRQdRp_M-keSs15Zz07Yg5rP9DKTAcq3K8I8vyhDcQqDQ6fmWFppsRLuBZ2fHIAA5dqY1EJuGijTNo1qTtUlz9L6D2D2a6XwBQXstWmDUz2FzeD8sc_yc97lYLXvy/s1600/Holiday-parties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi0TH3EOKSZ9n76USRQdRp_M-keSs15Zz07Yg5rP9DKTAcq3K8I8vyhDcQqDQ6fmWFppsRLuBZ2fHIAA5dqY1EJuGijTNo1qTtUlz9L6D2D2a6XwBQXstWmDUz2FzeD8sc_yc97lYLXvy/s400/Holiday-parties.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope I'm not too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I say this every year, and every year, I read about someone who got a little too loose and had way too much fun at the office party.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll keep this short and sweet.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you think your outfit is inappropriate, it probably is</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you think you've had too many, you have - switch to water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep your hands to yourself</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To err is human - to get snookered at your holiday party is just plain dumb</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't be the first one to arrive</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't be the last one to leave</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have fun - but not too much fun</span></li>
</ul>
Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-9820579479292895842019-11-14T11:01:00.003-08:002019-11-14T11:01:59.322-08:00Book Review: "The Better Sister" by Alafair Burke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuW4O8MtonYSiUef4fVOBFAebihQCdoJTMJu36sH4dQNr_x5C3EDUOOHaUqgtzeFFxrQKo31rTYk-fkrg7o113QMvsJUu503WrqgRSjArEUfu4DxLdbmXT-p0pJ7XSdxm7OZLcLqN3Ush/s1600/better-sister-hc-c-199x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuW4O8MtonYSiUef4fVOBFAebihQCdoJTMJu36sH4dQNr_x5C3EDUOOHaUqgtzeFFxrQKo31rTYk-fkrg7o113QMvsJUu503WrqgRSjArEUfu4DxLdbmXT-p0pJ7XSdxm7OZLcLqN3Ush/s400/better-sister-hc-c-199x300.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The name itself spells trouble. "<a href="http://alafairburke.com/">The Better Sister</a>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alafair Burke's newest novel covers 'the good, the bad and the deadly.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have sisters (raise your hand), you know that a certain amount of sibling rivalry is unavoidable. Not that it doesn't happen with brothers, it's just I don't have brothers so I can only speak for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether there is a "better" sister or not, in our heads, we can't help but feel that Mom and Dad favored you over me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This thriller, and it is a thriller, takes that sibling rivalry to a whole new level. I'm afraid to tell you much for fear of spoiling the ending, but trust me when I tell you it's well worth your time and will give you an adrenaline rush that you didn't even know you needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to read it a second time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Description from cover:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>The murder of a prominent Manhattan lawyer spurs the reunion of two estranged sisters—one the dead man’s widow, the other his ex. To save the teenage boy accused of murdering him, they must confront a history of long-buried secrets and betrayal. But can sisters ever escape the shadows of their past?</i></b></span></span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-41300340455271365142019-08-06T20:32:00.000-07:002019-08-06T20:32:26.854-07:00The "Eyes" Have It - Lancome Grandiose Mascara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFvz6AwG76zz8G2ezwJsWo-_BU035cTm-R2j7NMCf79l2uCHlZ6YGGf0TCodBa3Bnn_d8aM5oLGJqfbpYXOxT5n-I2iRbZvF5Yn3EiSWz2ia8dd5uX9vr_puEyKEr7SNMnqGHKVMy5W1m/s1600/thumbnail-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFvz6AwG76zz8G2ezwJsWo-_BU035cTm-R2j7NMCf79l2uCHlZ6YGGf0TCodBa3Bnn_d8aM5oLGJqfbpYXOxT5n-I2iRbZvF5Yn3EiSWz2ia8dd5uX9vr_puEyKEr7SNMnqGHKVMy5W1m/s640/thumbnail-4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm back!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Long time, no blog. I've been in a bit of a writing slump.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't forget about you. I've just been working really hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So hard that I need a beauty overhaul. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If I look better, maybe I'll feel better - even if beauty is only skin deep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We get so busy commuting, working, running a household and taking care of our families that we forget to take care of ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That said, I hope you won't mind if I pop on here from time to time to share a few "lifestyle" tips, including great beauty finds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My most recent discovery is <b>Lancome Grandiose Mascara</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a minimalist when it comes to makeup most days. Mainly because I'm always getting dressed in a hurry and have little time to put on a decent face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I always wear mascara. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to tell you about the <a href="https://www.lancome-usa.com/makeup/eyes/mascara/grandiose/3605533303252.html?GeoRedirectOff&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0JnZh-fv4wIVFcpkCh3LlwX-EAAYASAAEgJT8_D_BwE">Lancome Grandiose Mascara</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just like everything else, lashes seem to go with age, and the fewer lashes I have, the better mascara I need. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also have very sensitive skin and irritate easily but this one so far has been great.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll like it as much as I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">*(Not endorsed by Oprah - the magazine is a prop) :)</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-15187776434175311022019-04-23T10:02:00.000-07:002019-04-23T10:02:32.782-07:00Does Your Digital Imprint Define You? Leaving Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiioTv0fIOhhpK1zTQLahsyaQ2hV6Pf-8U0tA5yst_j6863jqaAmKFdux986RlIBe0rDnzN5fHBIdbacAYsZ3HKcVtxUu2IXiov0xGhYI80dtqWsgtyM45hUfRGKZnUaDd1UtXAhiHvHe/s1600/How-to-create-social-media-graphics-that-spread-like-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1100" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiioTv0fIOhhpK1zTQLahsyaQ2hV6Pf-8U0tA5yst_j6863jqaAmKFdux986RlIBe0rDnzN5fHBIdbacAYsZ3HKcVtxUu2IXiov0xGhYI80dtqWsgtyM45hUfRGKZnUaDd1UtXAhiHvHe/s320/How-to-create-social-media-graphics-that-spread-like-fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm often left wondering if I should get back on Facebook. I've been on hiatus for about seven years now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I must say it feels pretty liberating not to keep checking to see if someone has "liked" or commented on something that I've posted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How important is it what other people think about your activities, your job, your family, your dog, your avocado toast?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I once read that social media often leads to depression. I honestly don't doubt it. I remember that awful feeling the first time someone "unfriended" me. It felt so personal. So hurtful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days, I keep my social media limited pretty much to an anonymous instagram account (mainly because I am adding photography to my bucket list of things to do before I kick it) and LinkedIn. Somehow LinkedIn feels a lot more adult. People, for the most part, are a lot more respectful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I haven't heard about a family or social event, I often get "Well, it was on Facebook!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nothing against Facebook. Or social media overall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just prefer to keep my relationships personal and meaningful to me and a select few, rather than 4,522 "friends."</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-70678841851301829572019-03-14T11:45:00.001-07:002019-03-14T11:45:22.016-07:00Is AOL O-U-T? Asking for a Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT4DtP76jM4HHDGH-hnGg3Liw13kBL12q4JrBxBeURjQha7IhVuynnviz7z1jRlspDoCAiwrKw10pgbSnpfNGfC8fek4V32kD6RTKgbybU3FNFg8gU2AMh6Ilhy5ykWdtFkOEDwKXBhlh/s1600/youve-got-mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="772" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT4DtP76jM4HHDGH-hnGg3Liw13kBL12q4JrBxBeURjQha7IhVuynnviz7z1jRlspDoCAiwrKw10pgbSnpfNGfC8fek4V32kD6RTKgbybU3FNFg8gU2AMh6Ilhy5ykWdtFkOEDwKXBhlh/s400/youve-got-mail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I read a lot of "tips and tricks" for the, shall we say, mature worker. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Among the many resume suggestions, the one that remains a constant is the "don't use an old email address like AOL as it signals to a potential employer that you're a dinosaur.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I gave my email to a millennial and he chuckled and said "Old school, huh?" Not only was I offended, I let him know that I had multiple email accounts including gmail, hotmail and yahoo, but that my AOL account was the one that I used as a "file cabinet," so to speak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I appreciate and embrace new connections, I certainly don't want to lose the old ones. Let's face it, they all get hacked from time to time. And unless you have your own personal server, you're still at the mercy of the people who own your email domain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, it started me thinking that "if it's not broken, why fix it?" Is it really important to a potential employer if you're using AOL or gmail or whatever? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I were applying for jobs, I would err on the side of caution and use gmail on my resume.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, does it really make a difference? Most employers know what they're looking for and it's either experience (which means they're willing to pay) or a younger person for less money. And besides, if you do land the interview, they're going to see your face at some point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I think we buy into these "myths" and "stereotypes" that don't always play out in reality.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-52868269456799891112018-11-18T10:23:00.000-08:002018-11-18T10:23:12.944-08:00"Bring Your Mask to Work Day" - California Wildfires and Bad Air Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NE2RZ3ponYnc5fnzE0AR1tx3_UvBx2enVpetaCiz-5XUKNsrfynQU8miSmfxheU7SEK2siTuO8Fd3Mrp0QwrWa7Ve2NA9rQEHk51LGBtjr1Yhfi3Ep260QbG0U6PWYLcJa1dykkmrsNm/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NE2RZ3ponYnc5fnzE0AR1tx3_UvBx2enVpetaCiz-5XUKNsrfynQU8miSmfxheU7SEK2siTuO8Fd3Mrp0QwrWa7Ve2NA9rQEHk51LGBtjr1Yhfi3Ep260QbG0U6PWYLcJa1dykkmrsNm/s400/IMG_1840.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The past week has been really rough for people in California.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The tragic and devastating wildfires have no only wreaked havoc on the poor people who have lost lives, family members, homes, property, jobs and much more but have created some of the worst air in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're a San Francisco commuter/worker you're having a really rough time navigating the smoke and fumes. Stores can't keep enough masks in stock and the streets look like something out of a movie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if you don't believe climate change is real - I don't know what to tell you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe pictures say it best. The stress level is at an all time high. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Major gratitude to the firefighters from around the country who have come to help out and sincere prayers to all impacted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hoping for rain.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-87121746731507827072018-08-28T12:00:00.000-07:002018-08-28T12:00:48.986-07:00Bosses Behaving Badly<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you think that the days of bosses screaming at their assistants was a thing of the past?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you did, you've got "another think" coming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bosses are still behaving badly at work. And this is not gender-specific. We're talking both men and women losing it over what is never a matter of life and death. How could it be? We're not doing brain surgery. We're litigating. Somehow not the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do appreciate the fact that after they "block their stack," they almost always feel embarrassed. Because isn't yelling kind of the equivalent of being out of control. They never want to be out of control. They just want to control you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And before you say, "If someone yelled at me, I'd do blah, blah, blah," take a look at your bank account, your mortgage, kids' tuition, electric bill - go outside, take a walk, get a latte and remember don't sweat the small stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it's all small stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if my boss loses her cool and I keep mine - who's really winning?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So while smoking is no longer allowed in the workplace, there's still plenty of smoke coming out of the tops of their heads.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-87750553543290120442018-07-24T15:13:00.001-07:002018-07-24T15:13:34.134-07:00Can You Hear Me Now??? Noise Cancelling Headphones in the Office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9PNBf4bYOqTEVzjxKnBmG4MuuoVHwky54n-An2kvMQwwvzW0fCdx5XlCqX5De5qjJd-KiS65PYTHjenYFSQOzEpimc3u3_QEKMyuSGwC2-gt7zUiAq9-0m1bIi_pma_mJKYiIQ2byWkX/s1600/headphones.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9PNBf4bYOqTEVzjxKnBmG4MuuoVHwky54n-An2kvMQwwvzW0fCdx5XlCqX5De5qjJd-KiS65PYTHjenYFSQOzEpimc3u3_QEKMyuSGwC2-gt7zUiAq9-0m1bIi_pma_mJKYiIQ2byWkX/s320/headphones.png" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Guilty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I often wear headphones and listen to music while doing tasks such as entering time. It's not the same as if I'm handling a court filing or preparing a pleading shell. And it doesn't slow me down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm always mindful to make sure that I look up constantly and that my music isn't so loud that I don't respond when someone (especially an attorney) is talking to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, I do take exception to some people who wear noise cancelling headphones at work. If we're on the same team and sitting right next to each other, I shouldn't have to scream your name or get up and tap you on the shoulder (and startle the heck out of you) to tell you that I need you for something (work-related).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's a time and place for everything. They call it 'work' for a reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And while I love to enjoy a good podcast or "beach read," as much as the next person, I certainly don't expect the firm to pay me to do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team work, people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-4549201889807751282018-06-10T15:45:00.002-07:002018-06-10T15:45:14.872-07:00Ocean's 8 - A Great Movie Escape - Pun Intended<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaGlVMv1OXp5IT8wkP9tgcTgRkaDex-9PSv1SFWtJ3-giaG6VL80IT1btY0QusHIoj-i-OXqi4mortQOErsjoa5al7vqyyz4S_tV1XyfYyoPI2ejYM69y1uYSDv43pguX0bqEoklT6Ct_/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="184" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaGlVMv1OXp5IT8wkP9tgcTgRkaDex-9PSv1SFWtJ3-giaG6VL80IT1btY0QusHIoj-i-OXqi4mortQOErsjoa5al7vqyyz4S_tV1XyfYyoPI2ejYM69y1uYSDv43pguX0bqEoklT6Ct_/s400/Unknown.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually go to the movies at least twice a month, however, the last couple of months there hasn't been anything that I've really wanted to see. So, I've been streaming on Netflix.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Ocean's 8" has an all-star cast of women actors: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kawling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter and Rihanna.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With a line-up like that it's hard to miss. And the movie hits the mark.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not an Oscar nominee, but certainly a wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon. Entertaining, fast moving, fashions galore and proof once again that the best man for the job is a woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In theaters now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Watch the trailer <a href="https://youtu.be/n5LoVcVsiSQ">HERE</a>.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-56202033656122624892018-05-16T11:53:00.000-07:002018-05-16T11:53:03.791-07:00Knowing when the hold them and when to fold them - is it time to look for a new job?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMabWQW4Xa-g_7y20XZSIUQPKqdfQvZtu44zt5caXnH6QFBsqr2LnktGT8y5pvZ3__SlIiNlX7fZv66O-e-G5iryDdXuBLxCnQTFNcO4GHy55knqZByMmaq9YvHuj5wMjY5oHdtyUpJvc/s1600/1086_S028063_gambler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="800" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMabWQW4Xa-g_7y20XZSIUQPKqdfQvZtu44zt5caXnH6QFBsqr2LnktGT8y5pvZ3__SlIiNlX7fZv66O-e-G5iryDdXuBLxCnQTFNcO4GHy55knqZByMmaq9YvHuj5wMjY5oHdtyUpJvc/s320/1086_S028063_gambler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think we've all been through some form of layoff, reduction in force, hostile work environment, tremendous pressure or a change in environment that has caused us to either change jobs or seriously consider it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for me, I've often bolted just in time. Other times, I've panicked and left too soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How do you know when the time is right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some signs you should perhaps dust off the old resume and update your LinkedIn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Long-time employees are starting to leave your company (abruptly)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your work assignment has changed drastically (i.e. you've lost the rainmaker on your workload has decreased significantly)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're a person who bills time, your hours have drastically dropped</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The office manager who was once super friendly has recently stopped talking to you </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you walk in the lunch room, everybody gets quiet</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes there is an "ebb and flow" of work and things start to get better.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My motto is best to be proactive than reactive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You might consider contacting a headhunter to "test the waters." Shop your resume just for practice. You may get a nibble and you may not but at the very least you can test your interview skills. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And most importantly, be very careful in selecting a confidential recruiter and above all, don't talk to your co-workers about your concerns or plans. </span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-71788548423215064192018-04-05T11:45:00.001-07:002018-04-07T10:00:26.903-07:00If Secretaries want to be taken Seriously. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5usehAKVLtUMGMsWc_lILpXZ60-Gq-pz3E_uKXLg1T4TlFmld9WGXyg8f6EBv6D3xsq_L4bQkknLwqMLAuuK6KdPV9qavt8BdcTwJV_jFrSLvwuloZEunEqMbqNF5qMLzf7FAx-GWvmF/s1600/gossip-bullied-been-rumor-story-to-colleague-57293277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5usehAKVLtUMGMsWc_lILpXZ60-Gq-pz3E_uKXLg1T4TlFmld9WGXyg8f6EBv6D3xsq_L4bQkknLwqMLAuuK6KdPV9qavt8BdcTwJV_jFrSLvwuloZEunEqMbqNF5qMLzf7FAx-GWvmF/s320/gossip-bullied-been-rumor-story-to-colleague-57293277.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It occurred to me while riding the train into work this morning that perhaps legal secretaries are often not taken as serious professionals by attorneys because they don't always take each other seriously.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For whatever reason, this profession seems to be one where secretaries (both male and female) feel that they must minimize the accomplishments and knowledge of their colleagues in order to gain favor with the people they support.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing could be further from the truth. I think that law firms appreciate having an office comprised of well prepared, highly skilled and capable assistants who support them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Spreading negative gossip and undermining your co-workers only serves to further the "myth" that secretaries are nothing more than typing coffee klatches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We need to support and lift each other up. Each person has his or her own set of unique skills. Combine that with the basic skills necessary to work in a law office and you get productivity and a happier environment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Team work. It's called that for a reason.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-56655729625902300572018-03-25T08:28:00.004-07:002018-03-25T08:28:52.850-07:00Book Review: "The Wife" by Alafair Burke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ85de8O6GGWJqMj-vtvNeJqHK_EcPK90I4XFp-MXN5JGA3BIiSbdpWlusIjbtovW5meBUkqIwDmwwFVefLWXIdc5zk1kmP71n1YJAEYn-NLRRCJaAzM3zTzrN2YRbEimWpWeiYypEcfrY/s1600/Alafair+Burke+book+portrait+P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ85de8O6GGWJqMj-vtvNeJqHK_EcPK90I4XFp-MXN5JGA3BIiSbdpWlusIjbtovW5meBUkqIwDmwwFVefLWXIdc5zk1kmP71n1YJAEYn-NLRRCJaAzM3zTzrN2YRbEimWpWeiYypEcfrY/s320/Alafair+Burke+book+portrait+P.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had this book for weeks before I started reading it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only because I love Alafair Burke's books so much that I wanted to save it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But when all the reviews for "<a href="http://alafairburke.com/books/thewife/">The Wife</a>" got me so hyped, I couldn't wait any longer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm a huge fan of the Ellie Hatch series, but this one really had me on the edge of my chair. I raced through it because the suspense was killing me (pun intended).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're a mystery lover like me, you'll want to add this one to your reading list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From the back cover:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0em; padding: 0px;">
<i>When Angela met Jason Powell while catering a dinner party in East Hampton, she assumed their romance would be a short-lived fling, like so many relationships between locals and summer visitors. To her surprise, Jason, a brilliant economics professor at NYU, had other plans, and they married the following summer. For Angela, the marriage turned out to be a chance to reboot her life. She and her son were finally able to move out of her mother’s home to Manhattan, where no one knew about her tragic past.</i></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Amazon Ember', Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0em; padding: 0px;">
<i>Six years later, thanks to a bestselling book and a growing media career, Jason has become a cultural lightning rod, placing Angela near the spotlight she worked so carefully to avoid. When a college intern makes an accusation against Jason, and another woman, Kerry Lynch, comes forward with an even more troubling allegation, their perfect life begins to unravel. Jason insists he is innocent, and Angela believes him. But when Kerry disappears, Angela is forced to take a closer look—at both the man she married and the women she chose not to believe. </i></div>
Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-81141833658564327442018-02-07T17:00:00.001-08:002018-02-07T17:27:48.950-08:00Aging out of the Law Firm - Is there a place for older workers in the legal industry?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xlZGUucflFkhbCo756vMcB2jA8_86dhScTib3wWIKOLkCP1e17P5Z3mI88oxNyocJSwBA-LVteLgD5NPTwzl5m-nfNbkwYBbHeh0cLgkrfhKFxK7uWFkV2Alfot31ZcECHacACsONCez/s1600/law-office-clipart-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="425" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xlZGUucflFkhbCo756vMcB2jA8_86dhScTib3wWIKOLkCP1e17P5Z3mI88oxNyocJSwBA-LVteLgD5NPTwzl5m-nfNbkwYBbHeh0cLgkrfhKFxK7uWFkV2Alfot31ZcECHacACsONCez/s320/law-office-clipart-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found myself today googling "<i>the world's oldest legal secretary</i>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't laugh. I'm serious. I want to know what happens to senior secretaries. I don't mean people who can't use the technology or who refuse to adapt to change and learn new skills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a world of 10.00 dollar avocado toast and 15.00 lattes being consumed by millennials as the "norm," what happens to the mature law firm support staff?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do they eventually get "phased out," by way of reductions in force or having to jump through so many hoops they just voluntarily leave?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A friend of mine told me recently that her old boss asked her when she planned to retire. When she told him that she didn't - he said "just let me know. I'll find someone younger and cheaper."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Does younger and cheaper really work in this industry? Younger to me means you're ambitious and looking to be paid fairly for your time and talent. Cheaper to me means that you're hiring people who really aren't top notch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can't have it both ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Either you want someone who can do the job and do it well or you want someone to give you a mediocre work product.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With clients demanding more and more for their legal buck these days, firms might want to consider being nicer to their mature staff. They might be the ones who save the day.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-55191547641856733342017-11-14T17:13:00.000-08:002017-11-14T17:16:40.246-08:00Happy 131st Anniversary to the Hole Punch!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGpvxV_Mi3ICjd2b4xEv3bh8xXPtiNIfHMMbx5wfm-ap2tCpdQgmuSf1-rrJcqoFTQU9cQhqijv-DxGqTX3C55P5bWCrkFbo5qAYFVJQUq6sgEfu1yHO59C6G0hfmDZbqVbQKJcjczXzV/s1600/Two-hole_German_Hole_Punch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGpvxV_Mi3ICjd2b4xEv3bh8xXPtiNIfHMMbx5wfm-ap2tCpdQgmuSf1-rrJcqoFTQU9cQhqijv-DxGqTX3C55P5bWCrkFbo5qAYFVJQUq6sgEfu1yHO59C6G0hfmDZbqVbQKJcjczXzV/s400/Two-hole_German_Hole_Punch.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to "google doodle" I know that today marks the 131st anniversary of the hole punch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The doodle is adorable and it's a fun little fact, but then I started thinking about how important the hole punch is in this profession.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mean, there are courts that will toss your documents if they aren't punched in just the right place. And some Judges have very specific rules - 2 at the top - 3 at the side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And don't get me started on people who move the ruler guide and then you go and punch your papers and everything gets punched in the wrong place. And they don't fit the acco fastener (when is the acco fastener's birthday?) or they won't go into the file folder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And no matter how much people say we're moving towards a paperless office - let's be honest - that's never going to happen. At least not in my lifetime.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, while some might laugh it off as a silly little "holiday," I think it's more than that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You might even call today HOLE-Y!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232327; margin-bottom: 13px; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>The first patent for a hole puncher, or <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Papierlocher für Sammelmappen</span> (paper hole maker for binding) was filed on 14 November 1886 by inventor Friedrich Soennecken.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232327; margin-bottom: 13px; word-break: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Mr Soennecken was a German office supplier from the town of Remscheid who founded his own company, F Soennecken Verlag, in 1875.</i></b></span></div>
Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-53332842223050697772017-10-05T11:38:00.001-07:002017-10-05T11:38:14.508-07:00Do Firms Want Secretaries Who Get the Job Done or Secretaries Who Look Good Doing It? Aging in the Workplace<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uS_Hwarqi1hcr7sBAPxDXzsiQdp5rc1xZjijflHTKvkp25c_HrGpMxlcMlOLm75Ip293vnQsrZxuwuLgig1UHhw4De8wfpphztViRjCXra4qEnkkUxrDzSzYxZYP4zzsAhqCK9VZoIB0/s1600/secretary.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uS_Hwarqi1hcr7sBAPxDXzsiQdp5rc1xZjijflHTKvkp25c_HrGpMxlcMlOLm75Ip293vnQsrZxuwuLgig1UHhw4De8wfpphztViRjCXra4qEnkkUxrDzSzYxZYP4zzsAhqCK9VZoIB0/s1600/secretary.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It happens to the best of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And while I'm not sure when I first became aware of it, I'm fairly certain that once you reach the ripe old age of 40 it starts to peek at you in one form or another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of us "seasoned secretaries" (like myself) may have been too busy working hard to actually take note of the first time they realized that some of their attorneys don't just want the job done, they want someone who looks "perfect" doing it. Unfortunately, we can't have everything we want.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I'm going to go ahead and play the gender card here - this is much more common among male attorneys than female. Although, women attorneys don't get a complete pass.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, the minute your roots begin to show, ageism starts to take root.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We all know that the role of the legal secretary has changed drastically over the years, but skills are skills. And as long as I have them, I plan to use them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, if you don't mind my grey hair, I'm going to get to work.</span><br />
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<br />Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-57217644109860151292017-07-11T17:07:00.003-07:002017-07-11T17:07:59.817-07:00The Perfect Travel Companion - "The Summer House" by Hannah McKinnon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtewZIlORuoRp-eMHrb-k6aHZHtmYRtn-X5iXmWloHaCwkCsASPg75ZeymTayatiUqTaB_24pvt5wKsAsVXpQqgKU9EPvNHW7mn1cL5JAQR-qvBn46Jcwgsdsz7Zzk1Y0PuRHaVm82KAvE/s1600/Hannah+McKinnon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="383" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtewZIlORuoRp-eMHrb-k6aHZHtmYRtn-X5iXmWloHaCwkCsASPg75ZeymTayatiUqTaB_24pvt5wKsAsVXpQqgKU9EPvNHW7mn1cL5JAQR-qvBn46Jcwgsdsz7Zzk1Y0PuRHaVm82KAvE/s320/Hannah+McKinnon.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxee7Da6jLepEbo2zg9vhoQsltp3WmynQPAOa7VpoPl3l2W5N8PHWZkcUrzrjrmKyclMgP4GjVJ2l9HIIBkoc8VlCs2CV_mnQi1w6B8OiDB0x7EEhG1-qy4wD5U2oz-bLMKJxArkBNzpVC/s1600/Summer+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxee7Da6jLepEbo2zg9vhoQsltp3WmynQPAOa7VpoPl3l2W5N8PHWZkcUrzrjrmKyclMgP4GjVJ2l9HIIBkoc8VlCs2CV_mnQi1w6B8OiDB0x7EEhG1-qy4wD5U2oz-bLMKJxArkBNzpVC/s400/Summer+House.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"When Flossy Merrill summons her children to the beloved family beach house to celebrate their father's 80th birthday, both cherished memories and long-kept secrets come to light in this charming and lyrical novel from the author of "The Lake Season" and "Mystic Summer."</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hannahmckinnon.com/">Hannah McKinnon's</a>, The Summer House online and in bookstores now. From <a href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Summer-House/Hannah-McKinnon/9781501162800">Simon and Schuster</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-58684239737326374932017-05-11T10:21:00.000-07:002017-05-11T10:21:00.780-07:00Desk Essentials and "Treat Yo'Self Thursday" - Milka Oreo Candy Bar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV0aLItFMK2THAP7ZcNONzB59UODOWvk2nik1BuO77Qwg8U_fqdrdz0n_F0l9QepCWB7-sRwqjk035EaK9wib26HH1jNusWY4GKUndiv4UlQ_WqDnDsGziN_KCcv5ykv_Pgz2p3NeJ-uO/s1600/Oreo+Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV0aLItFMK2THAP7ZcNONzB59UODOWvk2nik1BuO77Qwg8U_fqdrdz0n_F0l9QepCWB7-sRwqjk035EaK9wib26HH1jNusWY4GKUndiv4UlQ_WqDnDsGziN_KCcv5ykv_Pgz2p3NeJ-uO/s640/Oreo+Bar.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay, it's going to be one of those days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And just for these times, you should always have something in your desk to get through the rough patch (or in case of an earthquake - God forbid an earthquake - but hey, be prepared).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my new favorite desk staples (pun intended) is the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Milka-Oreo-Alpine-Chocolate-Bar-Pack/dp/B007R6VOZU?th=1">Milka Oreo Candy Bar</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stumbled upon these by accident. After I may or may not have accidentally eaten my daughter's in the fridge. She said "Oh, no! My friend brought that back from England and you can't find them here."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, now you can. I got mine at my friendly neighborhood Walgreen's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's your "emergency work pantry" look like? I'd love to hear.</span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-11959621882875533972017-04-27T15:01:00.001-07:002017-04-27T15:01:19.309-07:00Staff Appreciation Week - How's it going for you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKXQx-Wtb2WypF_duYa6X-MvEGcpkY5nCwRerzPXBx3mxJaHsRP2IUpmsuUO3d_0-aqxb96fCYM6xXtjeckfJGMDN2dypMG9kAlPYBlsjbIEhFEosgF0uDn2GddxPGesPgFA1_OFpSvf-/s1600/Staff+Appreciation+Week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKXQx-Wtb2WypF_duYa6X-MvEGcpkY5nCwRerzPXBx3mxJaHsRP2IUpmsuUO3d_0-aqxb96fCYM6xXtjeckfJGMDN2dypMG9kAlPYBlsjbIEhFEosgF0uDn2GddxPGesPgFA1_OFpSvf-/s320/Staff+Appreciation+Week.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The older I get, the more I dread this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not because I'm ungrateful for the weeklong activities from HR and the law firm office manager, but because the more presents I get, the less appreciated I feel. And that's because even though the firm pulls out all stops, my attorneys never seem to notice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I suppose I should be grateful for the fact that my bosses never want to take me to lunch. They have no interest in doing anything with me outside of work - which is fine by me. However, I can't help but recall the days when I was young and bosses couldn't wait to take you out to a fancy restaurant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not speaking in terms of sexual harassment. Male and female bosses loved doing lunch with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was like, "you've got a bright future with the firm and I'm happy to have you on my team."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, it's more like, "You're a certain age and let's not kid each other, people aren't exactly lining up to hire people over 40." Plain and simple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If there's anything that gives me consolation, it's knowing that my skills are still pretty darn sharp and I'd match myself up against most of the younger men and women in my office any day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, almost any day. Maybe not Monday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did I say, "Happy Administrative Professionals Week?"</span> Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-37147058686640541212017-04-20T14:23:00.000-07:002017-04-20T14:23:19.925-07:00Say "Hello" to my new Best Friend - "The Beauty Blender"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z_71QBJdWhd6uinUzOOVWhJZjWbweBybvqESavx-QIgPpB6KUJ7_jor0oduHY_vEkAU_92sA7S-AFIga1p9O-k_y2N4d0f-MLQh3HMlnsTBVBex7jdR-HCLXlqrt5S8A6_FfgmZ1sTIy/s1600/Beauty+Blender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z_71QBJdWhd6uinUzOOVWhJZjWbweBybvqESavx-QIgPpB6KUJ7_jor0oduHY_vEkAU_92sA7S-AFIga1p9O-k_y2N4d0f-MLQh3HMlnsTBVBex7jdR-HCLXlqrt5S8A6_FfgmZ1sTIy/s400/Beauty+Blender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will be the first to admit that I did not think this little sponge was worth its price. However, after using it for the last month, I have found it to be worth its weight in gold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The </span><a href="http://www.beautyblender.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beauty Blender</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(TM) is the perfect tool for makeup newbies or makeup old-timers who just can't seem to "whip it real good."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, this little thing is easy to use and saves so much time and frustration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Around $20.00 for the "original" sponge and well worth the price.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perfect for the working women.</span><br />
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<br />Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1166175406265832276.post-14993205447313493592017-03-08T13:55:00.000-08:002017-03-10T12:39:22.673-08:00Take Good Care of Your Hands and They'll Take Good Care of You With Crabtree and Evelyn<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpn996F2E7yBg4s8Y64WD2Q97QsgMwJbDvIuI1AgiBrsXPAWAMJ853ZjB21yd3BPiQpIk4036oPzCzKs_9rK085qK9QdixXPaCxhQaELHjdy7tulOrTqPuXTnG-FfYycjmxm2Rd7_im2r/s1600/La+Source+Hand+Cream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpn996F2E7yBg4s8Y64WD2Q97QsgMwJbDvIuI1AgiBrsXPAWAMJ853ZjB21yd3BPiQpIk4036oPzCzKs_9rK085qK9QdixXPaCxhQaELHjdy7tulOrTqPuXTnG-FfYycjmxm2Rd7_im2r/s640/La+Source+Hand+Cream.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never thought about my hands much until I reached a certain age.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, truthfully speaking, I never thought as much about my hands as I have this winter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are taking a beating. The colder temperatures combined with what may or may not be compulsive hand washing in an effort to avoid germs, it's been brutal on "les mains."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grateful for Crabtree and Evelyn (TM) and their <a href="http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/collections/la-source/ultra-moisturising-hand-therapy/Las-Hand-Therapy.html">La Source Hand Care Collection</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I usually "treat myself" during the holidays to a nice bottle of hand cream that will take me into the first quarter of the new year. It's important to take care of your "whole self," which includes your hands. Feet are another subject for another day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've tried many hand care products over the years and this one has really proven its worth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's nothing like handing over the brief to the attorney with alligator hands. You don't want alligator hands. No one wants alligator hands.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You should treat yourself to a nice hand cream. This one is well worth a try.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you find this tip handy. Get it?</span></span>Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343516541722457221noreply@blogger.com0