Admin Professionals Day

So today was Admin Professionals Day. We have about 6 people that we do things for on this day. They have come to expect something big and grand. The last two years I have been in charge of this and last year we were able to go into Bakersfield (1/2 hour away) and go to the Elephant Bar for lunch. The Elephant Bar is a nice restaurant. It ranks up there with the Cheesecake Factory and PF Changs. When we go out, we seem to take the whole office, not just the Admin Professionals.

Anyway, this year I was told that we wouldn't be able to close the office to go to lunch and that if I wanted to take them out, I would have to leave a couple of people behind. I didn't feel that was right, so it was decided we would bring in lunch. I was still a bit bummed, and then I was speaking with a co-workers wife and she mentioned the missionary trailer was empty. The trailer is just across the parking lot from the office. She said that we could have it in there. It is not necessarily away from the office, but at the same time we can get out. I then thought about it and decided there was 20 people that would be invited, and a mobile home...even a double wide...isn't big enough for that many people. Then I remembered they had a nice grassy backyard with a really large tree. So we had a picnic outside. We were close enough to the office so we could take care of the trucks as they came in and then get back to the picnic.

The weather turned out to be really nice. It was probably in the high 80's at lunch, but under a tree with a nice breeze, it was beautiful. I know that some of the ladies were disappointed we didn't go out to a nice restaurant and one mentioned something like that to me. Whatever....you can't please everyone. I went out and got the true Admin Professionals small gift cards, and this year instead of picking Chili's or another place, I got AMEX gift cards. This way they could go where ever they wanted. I don't think she realized I picked them because she came up to me and complained that there were restrictions on the cards. I couldn't believe it. The only restrictions was she couldn't use them on a cruise line, in a casino, at a car rental, or an ATM. Other than that she could use the card where ever AMEX was accepted. What restrictions was she talking about??? She can go to Wal-Mart, Target, Chili's, the gas station...anywhere she really wanted. Gripers!!!

I made shredded BBQ beef, funeral potatoes, a veggie tray, and cookies. All in all, I think it went well. Everyone stayed and talked until I started to give them the hint by putting chairs away.