Well, well, WELL......I've been waiting for this time to come and it is all good. Mark is retired from American Airlines May 31, 2012. Great advise came along for him to work out a departure package.....ya know.....fair and reasonable.
What a year 2012 has been. SUCH eye opening revelations. So many friends to leave behind at AA.....oh wait, not really. Such a rewarding job it has always been.....oh wait, that was stress for me as well as anyone working there.
But, none the less, I have recapped such memories of Mark's career at AMR, that I feel is a company bankrupt of sense. And a lot of that has rubbed off on my husband over the years. For staying there 28+ years makes no sense. But how loved and respected he is speaks volumes.
As one of the first new hires into administration (Budgets) in 1983, Mark worked for a couple of old timers that finally got to a desk job after 20 years. Plus, Mark worked for a dweeb of a man, Pete, someone who attended Dayton University. Not well received, but challenging. Budgets and Costs required massive overtime every quarter as well as yearly. One can imagine the fun I had with two pregnancies, then two babies then moving to a second home. If the city shut down due to snow, sleet, flooding, ice storms, Mark was the only car on the road. Let's move to Orange County. Hey, American Airlines is a great company thus far, and they want Mark, a young man, officer in the making, to get "field" experience. Sometimes the best part of moving was that our only friends were the Secret Service.
Such a beautiful place in which to live, we went right into the small townhouse as the only thing we could afford due to the most recent BOOM. So after owning 3 homes and making some equity, we go ahead and lose everything because what went up in OC real estate came crashing down. Oh well, lets rent......but not without a probable lawsuit from one rental that fell through. Again.....fun.
But that's OK, because I was able to return to work for the company in which I worked in Chicago....only to go through sexual harassment situations that made it unbearable. Therefore leaving me little room to start my own concierge business to include travel with the best commissions.......only for American Airlines to spearhead a "cap" commission reducing my income by 70%. Loving this company thus far? But we do what we can, because eventually our goal was to move back to Chicago. Nev-va happened.
Orange County led to LAX, getting promoted along the way in such career fulfilling ways like "hide your title name plate......no one knows your were promoted"......and "we are not asking you to go to LAX ramp, we are telling you.....". The most fun, was Mark's various GM's. One got fired. One left and never came back due to admitting himself into a loony bin. One got promoted to VP in ORD (Wait that is what we wanted). And one was to be Mark's boss for the rest of his career.
LAX was action packed with major drug busts, working with the FBI, dealing with lost dogs and the pet detective (yes, the person Ace Ventura was based on), earthquakes, Rodney King riots, OJ Simpson, mandatory pilot drug testing (sometimes those guys were scary mean). Just LA being LA. One might think our move to Dallas would be a good thing.
NOT when you have a 13 year old and a 15 year old. Life was over. However, the stock, the bonus, the profit sharing, the whole salary package made it worth while. However, we should have anticipated 1999 and the crash of 2000 leaving us with Jelly of the month club and a humongous mortgage. Dallas was the worst place to be during 9/11. The worst!!! No sleep for days......all of AA children upset in life. America will remain United.....YES!
Because of this American tragedy, Stephanie in the midst of applying to college, decided not to apply to Nortre Dame, Northwestern, Boston College, but to stay in Texas, because travel as we knew it has changed forever. Hence a Longhorn, and a Zeta. But the next few years, we along with America, said screw terrorism, we shall live life. Garrett will win that state championship and pursue college football in CA (for at least one season), Stephanie will go to USC and Mark will not hinder his career and take that job at JFK. Yes, another move, American Airlines just keeps making life fun.
The best part of NYC is the cut-to-the-chase attitude and we immediately knew who our friends would be for life. With a bi-coastal life, it was ok going back and forth. Accomplished would be my husband in New York. Sometimes very stressful, but life at American Airlines has always been, only to be rewarded with a VP position and move back to Dallas.
However that position did not come without some idiot thinking would be funny to summon Mark to Miami under the pretense of needing to answer to the Board of Directors. Thanks SVP, Mark loves being on high blood pressure meds.
This time around, I love Texas. We have friends here, we have friends on the right coast as well as the left coast. So the timing is soooooo right for Mark to assess his next venture in life. I'm sure we will be great. We already are and it is very much American Airline's loss.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Surprise.....Surprise
Ode to the Surprises in life
for some of them keep you on your toes.
Some surprises are so unexpected
it's like punching you right in the nose.
Surprises like birthdays or babies or cars
can bring a tear to your eyes.
But those are the good shockers
as they should be, you may surmise.
Then there are the surprises that make you think twice
About what is actually the wrong thing or is it right?
Business is business while friendship aside
is one interpretation, in one's business plight.
Friendship is friendship unless there's a fine line
Sometimes so fine, you forget it is there.
So thanks for surprises we are reminded of this.
That fine line got thicker, just to be fair.
I have learned that I have much more to learn,
but the more I learn, the more I know.....
I love surprises and am blessed with good friends
I love the highs and accept the lows
I have learned that friendships are few,
that IS a good thing, now that I realize
for they are more special, more rare,
and to be cherished, not a surprise.
for some of them keep you on your toes.
Some surprises are so unexpected
it's like punching you right in the nose.
Surprises like birthdays or babies or cars
can bring a tear to your eyes.
But those are the good shockers
as they should be, you may surmise.
Then there are the surprises that make you think twice
About what is actually the wrong thing or is it right?
Business is business while friendship aside
is one interpretation, in one's business plight.
Friendship is friendship unless there's a fine line
Sometimes so fine, you forget it is there.
So thanks for surprises we are reminded of this.
That fine line got thicker, just to be fair.
I have learned that I have much more to learn,
but the more I learn, the more I know.....
I love surprises and am blessed with good friends
I love the highs and accept the lows
I have learned that friendships are few,
that IS a good thing, now that I realize
for they are more special, more rare,
and to be cherished, not a surprise.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Amo l'Italia
Amo l'Italia That is Italian for "I love Italy. It's February, the month of love. What better thing to do than go head on into the Siberian freeze aka Italy. Milano and Veneto regions were under snow warnings, freezing tempertures, slushy roads as well as beautiful sunshine, great landscaping, and LOVE.
Maria and I did an AMAZING job as coordinating this trip, splitting the research and reservations. I booked two hotels and car. Maria booked two hotels. We coordinated our flights to meet up in NYC. At which point, I had to see my baby girl before heading to Italy to see Maria's baby girl.
Snuggle, snuggle with my petunia, first! Why is my son in law traveling soo much? If he continues, maybe Stephanie can be relocated anywhere! Then, my suitcases are packed and ready with a little schmootz from Winston....for Italy. You know I over packed. Silly me, I thought taking only one coat vs two was a compromise. But noooooo.
With a drink waiting for Maria, we had our pinot grigio , and were ready to ...... sleep on the flight! I did a little. Hello Milan! you are snowy. I saved about $400.00 on renting a manual car and agreed to be the driver.....Woo Hoo. Wait...the insurance is $390.00? what the heck?
After several attempts to exit the Milan airport, Maria and I were on our way to Bergamo, Italy. A beautiful small town in the Milano region. Its a good thing Maria brought her GPS and had her I-phone for directions, because by the time she figured out any of those devices we arrived at our destination. We pulled up to the curb of the Bergamo train station and picked up Alexa and her friend Jen as if they were kids waiting in the car pool lane for their mommies. With the GPS that Lex possessed, little did she know that that GPS was attached to a little bit of stress having me as the driver. However, I got to experience the real Italian streets, one lane, cobblestone, STEEP, BEAUTIFUL.
It was truly a fun, fun trip and I treasure every moment of being with one of my best friends and longest best friend along with her beautiful baby girl of whom I loved since she was born, even though we spent little time together over the years. It doesn't matter.
Our trip ended as polar opposite to the quintessential beginnings of small Italian town to trendy, fashion district, art deco, aka weird, hotel. But the most consistent part of life in Italy is the delicious food, great wine, topped off with the best lemon-cello.
Maria and I did an AMAZING job as coordinating this trip, splitting the research and reservations. I booked two hotels and car. Maria booked two hotels. We coordinated our flights to meet up in NYC. At which point, I had to see my baby girl before heading to Italy to see Maria's baby girl.
Snuggle, snuggle with my petunia, first! Why is my son in law traveling soo much? If he continues, maybe Stephanie can be relocated anywhere! Then, my suitcases are packed and ready with a little schmootz from Winston....for Italy. You know I over packed. Silly me, I thought taking only one coat vs two was a compromise. But noooooo.
With a drink waiting for Maria, we had our pinot grigio , and were ready to ...... sleep on the flight! I did a little. Hello Milan! you are snowy. I saved about $400.00 on renting a manual car and agreed to be the driver.....Woo Hoo. Wait...the insurance is $390.00? what the heck?
After several attempts to exit the Milan airport, Maria and I were on our way to Bergamo, Italy. A beautiful small town in the Milano region. Its a good thing Maria brought her GPS and had her I-phone for directions, because by the time she figured out any of those devices we arrived at our destination. We pulled up to the curb of the Bergamo train station and picked up Alexa and her friend Jen as if they were kids waiting in the car pool lane for their mommies. With the GPS that Lex possessed, little did she know that that GPS was attached to a little bit of stress having me as the driver. However, I got to experience the real Italian streets, one lane, cobblestone, STEEP, BEAUTIFUL.
It was truly a fun, fun trip and I treasure every moment of being with one of my best friends and longest best friend along with her beautiful baby girl of whom I loved since she was born, even though we spent little time together over the years. It doesn't matter.
Our trip ended as polar opposite to the quintessential beginnings of small Italian town to trendy, fashion district, art deco, aka weird, hotel. But the most consistent part of life in Italy is the delicious food, great wine, topped off with the best lemon-cello.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
GRRRRR......
......Stands for Great Revelations, Relationships, Resolutions, Revisions, Reservations...aka ... The new year! Let's be optimistic first, but not with blinders on....ok? ok.
2011
Revelations: keenly aware of those I have loved most or all of my life and where they should stand now. just because you love someone does not mean you have to have them in your life.
Relationships: I love the relationships that have developed over 50 years, over 30 years, over 20 years and over the last few years. From that, I will love spending time with and making time for those treasured relationships
Resolutions: You got it, lose weight, workout in some way every day, eat healthier, read more learn more and if all else fails, I will learn more about what plastic surgery to have and then I can read more at that time. Plus, without a doubt, the meds will enhance the probability of weight loss.
Revisions: On a budget, dam it! Thank you American Airlines for enabling me to devise a budget and be more conscientious about spending. (ex: $100 for miscellaneous items to compliment a 60's theme outfit vs $400 for MadMen attire).
Reservations: I have a few with people, places, and things. I have no reservations that the older you get the smarter you are and I'm already a people genius. But as far as places, I need maps! As far as things, different things are important to me these days.
2011
Revelations: keenly aware of those I have loved most or all of my life and where they should stand now. just because you love someone does not mean you have to have them in your life.
Relationships: I love the relationships that have developed over 50 years, over 30 years, over 20 years and over the last few years. From that, I will love spending time with and making time for those treasured relationships
Resolutions: You got it, lose weight, workout in some way every day, eat healthier, read more learn more and if all else fails, I will learn more about what plastic surgery to have and then I can read more at that time. Plus, without a doubt, the meds will enhance the probability of weight loss.
Revisions: On a budget, dam it! Thank you American Airlines for enabling me to devise a budget and be more conscientious about spending. (ex: $100 for miscellaneous items to compliment a 60's theme outfit vs $400 for MadMen attire).
Reservations: I have a few with people, places, and things. I have no reservations that the older you get the smarter you are and I'm already a people genius. But as far as places, I need maps! As far as things, different things are important to me these days.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Grinch Schminch
Twas the weeks before Christmas and all through the days
was a melancholy JoJo shopping while in a haze
And Mark was still working, as bankruptcy ensues
Where we will be next year, we haven't a clue
It's business as usual, so says American Airlines
Thus, I spend "as usual" and hope to be fine.
The credit line extends for the gifts must be bought
I shop online cause going out, I'm distraught.
A few parties we go to and attend with a smile
It's a fake, I admit and but to them I have style.
My heart warms, and to some my smile becomes real
For the family I see, makes me happy with love that I feel.
To hell with you eleven for trying to dismay
wonderful times of this year you can't take away.
But I became quite enlightened by the family and friends
on who really cares and of whom we can depend
Reservations, Resolutions and Revelations this year
Make me feel smart and much wiser than I appear.
To all of those out there who don't give a shit,
You know who you are so just know that I've had it.
To close on a year, of lessons both welcomed and not,
My attitude is great and I'm thankful for all that I've got.
I've got family, I've got friends and also our health,
All of which, I shall cherish, who needs the wealth.
Kisses and Hugs are the gifts that keep giving
See ya later, 2011, we will NOT stop living.
was a melancholy JoJo shopping while in a haze
And Mark was still working, as bankruptcy ensues
Where we will be next year, we haven't a clue
It's business as usual, so says American Airlines
Thus, I spend "as usual" and hope to be fine.
The credit line extends for the gifts must be bought
I shop online cause going out, I'm distraught.
A few parties we go to and attend with a smile
It's a fake, I admit and but to them I have style.
My heart warms, and to some my smile becomes real
For the family I see, makes me happy with love that I feel.
To hell with you eleven for trying to dismay
wonderful times of this year you can't take away.
But I became quite enlightened by the family and friends
on who really cares and of whom we can depend
Reservations, Resolutions and Revelations this year
Make me feel smart and much wiser than I appear.
To all of those out there who don't give a shit,
You know who you are so just know that I've had it.
To close on a year, of lessons both welcomed and not,
My attitude is great and I'm thankful for all that I've got.
I've got family, I've got friends and also our health,
All of which, I shall cherish, who needs the wealth.
Kisses and Hugs are the gifts that keep giving
See ya later, 2011, we will NOT stop living.
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