A Weekend at Lake Geneva

A couple of weekends ago, we jumped in our minivan and headed to Lake Geneva resort for an AmFam-sponsored, work-filled weekend for Ashley and a fun weekend for Bryan and Katie.

Katie and Gianna loved the waterpark. And Bryan loved spending time with the girls! If you disregard the insane Saturday night when 1) our roommate went the ER for a potential heart attack and 2) when Katie screamed and cried from 1am-3am...we had a nice retreat!

(Luckily, Curt only had a case of isolated pnemonia. However, the inept ER workers had to run 2 EKGs because the first one didn't work. Hopefully they don't charge Curt for both of them!).

Mayhem Monday!

Usually, our Mondays are just as typical as other days. Today, however, was the exception!

First--my (Ashley's) boss called me because he picked up some marketing materials that I created. The address that I put down was totally wrong! Well, not totally--but I wrote down the wrong city of the business address! Luckily, he is quick to forgive, and I got a re-ordering discount.

Second--when I was on the phone with Jim--I looked on the fireplace mantel and noticed that Bryan forgot some of his medical charts! Katie and I packed up and journeyed down to Milwaukee.

Third--Bryan called when I was 4 minutes from his office. He forgot his wallet at home! Luckily, he didn't get pulled over today...so Katie got to see Daddy at work today.

Needless to say, I needed a little pick-me-up. Katie and I stopped at Starbucks and treated ourselves to a pumpkin spice latte.

A Great Week--So Far!

We've had a great week so far! Now that I (Ashley) have a new co-worker to take over the FT responsibilities at work, this week has been so relaxing! Monday we watched the Packer loss at the Curt and Becky's. Yesterday, I worked in the morning and Katie enjoyed some time with Tyler. Yesterday night, I made Bryan chocolate chip cookies, and today, Katie and I gave our shot at coloring. Her colors spent more time on the floor, unfortunately.

Riddle Delights

We're resting up after yesterday's fun-loving District 44 picnic yesterday! Katie loved swimming in the pool, and Gianna jumped to Ashley in the pool at least 212 times!

Needless to say, we're resting and staying hydrated on this sunny (and humid) Sunday.

On Monday, someone gave us this riddle. Can you figure it out? (No cheating, mom!)

26 10 03

Updates and Katie pics

I don't know how life has been for you lately, but ours has been busy! First, Ava (Ashley's co-worker) put in her 3 week notice, so Ashley has been trying to find a replacement. Earlier in the week, we learned that the mother of Bryan's boss suffered a blood clot. Today we learned that one of Bryan's co-workers (the third doctor at the Oconomowoc office)also has a blood clot! For the last 3 Friday afternoons, Ashley has watched Peyton. Also, we are revving up to go on our anticipated honeymoon--5 years later! We leave for Hawaii next week.

Today Katie took 2 steps--and fell on her bottom. Her new favorite past time is holding our finger as she walks around the house.

Here are some fun pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

Girls' Night Out!

Michele Stawicki won a makeover session at a local charity auction, so she took 4 girls from work to get our makeup done at Blush in the Third Ward. After the 2 hour makeup session, we grabbed some dinner at Flying Waterbuffalo and went to hear some great music (and dodged some really weird guys) at the Irish Pub.

(L to R)Michele Stawicki, me, Julie Kollenbroch, Roberta Hawes & Becky Wolnniakowski.

The Event of the Year (so far)

Tonight is the Spring Awards Banquet that the Puccis, Ava, and I have been planning since February! We're beginning the evening with cocktails, then dinner, and finally an auction where agents can "bid" on super-cool prizes--including a cool-tool that Bryan picked out from Home Depot. The Banquet will be held at Milwaukee Public Market down in the 3rd Ward. We're looking forward to a fun evening with food provided from award-winning vendors!

Using Publisher

I (Ashley) used Microsoft Publisher the first time for some district flyers. I thought the result was ok...but I can't wait to find out what other neat things I can make! Watch out, Christmas cards!

WebEx at Work

Today, my first pre-recorded class over WebEx was published for agents and staff in district 44.

The class covered basics of Microsoft Excel. Here's the outline:

• Saving data to the H drive (shared hard drive)
• Creating new folders on the H drive
• Inserting and deleting rows and columns
• Moving from cell to cell
• Expanding and shortening cells
• Using the "find" function
• Using the "data-sort" function
• How to change the page setup
• How to change cell color

Believe it or not, the video was extremely well-received because the "more experienced" agents genuinely don't know how to use these functions. :) Go D44!

5 Ways to Get Your Resume Deleted from My Email Account

One of my job requirements is finding staff for agents in District 44. Needless to say, I've come across many resumes in the past few weeks. Here are some real-life examples of what NOT to do when sending a letter of inquiry or resume to a potential employer:

1. Don't Play the Pity Card: "I just lost my 4th job in three years due to the economy..." Um, four jobs? As a hiring personnel, I'm thinking there's more to blame than the bad economy.
2. Don't throw a bunch of buzz words together and call it an objective: "To secure a career in a company that promotes through advancement and education while exhibiting my experience"
3. If you're responding to a job post where the hiring company isn't listed, don't write: "I feel that I would be an asset to your company"
4. Don't misspell the job for which you're applying. Example: "I'm applying for your data enrty position"
5. And finally...don't send your email without re-reading it at least once: "Thank you for taking the bitchy time out of your busy schedule to review my resume. I would like to explore the possibility of joining your company in a capacity which will provide the opportunity to learn and grow professionally."

Don't Waste Your $3.28

I thought I was something this morning...I went to my boss's office at 6AM so I could finish his Operational Plan (Ava, who I helped Jim hire FT before I went on my maternity leave is in Hawaii this week). Since Bryan was able to be with Katie this morning, we were saving babysitting money. So, I decided to treat myself to a Starbucks vanilla latte. Yum!

Well, when I went to enter the office building, I had problems opening the exterior door. Utimately, I placed my purse and latte on the ground so I could use both hands to pull the door. After 5 attempts, I finally opened the door. And knocked over my latte.

I salvaged about 1/4 cup of it.

The District Office at Work

My manager, Jim, is out of town for the next fews days. I think Ava (his personal assistant) is bored.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/yEXoiHYTp1AAoZiSehH0

I don't know why I have the smallest dance part!

**Be sure you watch this video before it expires on January 15th!

Work and other things

Today was Katie's first day with her new babysitter, Mrs. Denise. Mrs. Denise runs a part-time, in-home daycare in our neighborhood. This works perfect for us since most of my work can be done from home--I just have periodic meetings. Today Katie became friends with 2 three-year-old girls. They enjoyed touching Katie's foot. Katie did well for her first day there! She slept an hour and a half during her nap and ate 4 ounces for her snack!

I (Ashley) had a meeting at the state office. For those of you who care to know...we reviewed a third party, contractual recruiting business and learned how to use our new online security file system. The meeting lasted 3 hours, and we ate a yummy catered lunch: pasta, salad and cheesecake.

Ashley's new boss

As read on American Family's district communication...

Jim Pucci
District #44 Manager


We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Pucci as the District 44 Manager in Wisconsin East.

Jim grew up with American Family in Racine, Wisconsin, where his father, uncle, and brother have been American Family Agents. Jim began his agency career with American Family in 1995 here in Wisconsin East. As an agent, he qualified for numerous District, State, and Company campaigns. In 2003, Jim became a company sales trainer in Oregon. Then, in 2005, he became the District 509 Manager in Oregon. District 509 achieved several All American and Life Diamond awards, led the State in Retention, and was the Regional All Lines Profit Leader. In addition, 28% of the District’s agents achieved the American Star Award.Jim and his wife, Jeannie, have a 7-month old daughter, Gianna. They are in the process of relocating and Jim’s office address will be 1011 N. Mayfair Road, S-205, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

Please join us in welcoming Jim and Jeannie to our Wisconsin East Management Team and in wishing them the best of luck as they begin this new phase in their career with the American Family Insurance Group

Miller Park meeting

Ashley's district will be having its monthly meeting at Miller Park on Thursday. Play ball!

Word of the Day

In case anyone else writes newsletters/mailings for their job, I want to share a word I commonly misspell.

Rapport (pronouced "ra-poor"). Commonly misspelled as repoire, rapoire, etc.

Sample sentence: Because Ashley has a good rapport with her boss, she gets to have flexible working hours and can sometimes work from home.

Ashley is moving!

Due to Ashley's boss retiring from American Family at the end of March, Ashley will be moving from a 3-room office to the newly-constructed American Family corporate building in Waukesha.

Some benefits of the move:

* Ashley will be working independently until a new district manager is hired

* The building is approx. 5 minutes from our house (compared to her 20 minute drive to Wauwatosa)

* Ashley will be working with more updated technology

* Ashley will have more people around her...including the marketing specialist, Becky Wolniakowski, who is 27 weeks pregnant! (FYI, Ashley is 26 weeks along)

* Ashley will be (literally) across the street from her doctor