The Week From Hell - DAY 3

after going thru the last few days of hell, i was trying to be more optimistic w/Day 3. the hotel mgmt apologized for the snafus during the wk, and tried to make amends by schmoozing. they offered a few comps, and i even got a bottle of wine and cheese/fruit plate in my room the previous night (no, it didn't come w/sexy underwear, but it still made me feel kinda dirty so i didn't touch it!).

Day 3 was suppose to be last day of the general session stuff, ending w/a recognition dinner that night. unfortunately it was still a stressful day of last minute planning. the incompetent one was a little better after her performance the day before, tho i still had a few moments where i wanted to take off my heels and throw them at her...

the biggest surprise of the day came during dinner when i received a special recognition and gift. very nice, but very embarrassing. i like giving recognition, but i'm not good at receiving it.

when i finally returned to my seat, my boss tried to get me to open it.
him: open it.
me: i'll do it later.
him: i want the 1st thing that comes out of it.
me (still shocked and now totally confused): what?
him: open it!

after the program ended, the planning committee was asked to return to the front for some certificates. when i got there, the chair of our committee asked if i had opened my gift yet. i said no, so he insisted i open it right then and there.

inside the small box was an envelope, and inside that were 2 things:
1. a picture of a 5qt lime green KitchenAid artisan stand mixer
2. a card stating a 5qt lime green KitchenAid artisan stand mixer had been ordered for me and would be arriving at my apt in 2 wks.

OMG!!! i can't even begin to tell you how EXCITING this is!!! as a becky-homecky who finds baking like therapy, i couldn't have asked for anything better! apparently one of my coworkers remembered how much i wanted one from a conversation 5 yrs ago and they finally tracked one down in racine, wisconsin (lime green versions have been discontinued). do you know how far away that is to go for a kitchen appliance???

the card on the outside of the box said, "i heard this is something you've always wanted, but would never buy for yourself." and he's right! i would've never bought myself one. do you know how spendy they are? i've always been able to afford one and my parents have offered on multiple occassions, but it seems to me if you're going to spend that much on a kitchen appliance, it should wash dishes and make your bed too. i always figured my money was better spent elsewhere, and mixing doughs and batter by hand was OK. if pilgrims could do it, so could i...

i was so overwhelmed by the generosity and thought put into the gift that i started to cry (i know you think i'm a nut). thank god i didn't open it sooner otherwise EVERYONE would've seen my reaction (and 200+ people would've thot i was a nut too).

my boss walked up shortly after opening the present and reminded me of his earlier comment. apparently a lot of folks were waiting for me to open it cuz i'm now making coconut cake for the office...