The Good:
-- I love Sundays. It is soooo good to have a day set aside to worship, and to rest, and to be.
-- Today I sewed a bag for my ice skates out of an old curtain. Sometimes I am proud enough to post pics of a sewing project, in spite of knowing sewing geniuses like Jodi and Karen who can literally make amazingly beautiful things out of nothing (You ladies inspire me!). This bag, however, is not worth posting. It is great because: a) I reused a sunfaded curtain b) it fits my ice skates and gets them off the closet floor c) I started and finished it in one day and d) it got me sewing and doing something creative on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But it sure isn't pretty and now that I've finished it, I know what is wrong with the design. Ah well, live and learn :)
-- My February list is proving to be a good distraction and I'm getting some stuff checked off. More on that later. But if you don't have a February list, you should probably make one. :)
-- After weeks of sunlessness, and the last few days with the high temperatures around 15 degrees F, the sun came out today! And the high was upper 30's or lower 40's. It was glorious, felt practically like spring! And the robins are back- they were congregating in the tree out front while I sewed. I'm hoping they remember how awesome that rosebush nest was and do not remember the scary lady with the camera who peeked in several times a day.
-- I had a Saturday at home and got some little things done around the house. And cleaned out the front cleaning closet-- that had become disorganized, dirty, and ridden with dog hair. Sure, I could have worked on other things and probably should have, but it feels nice to accomplish something- no matter how insignificant.
The Bad:
-- I am still feeling like I am no where near achieving my work life balance again. Just when I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I am proved wrong and land back in the overwhelmed and working a lot of hours camp. That being said, I am SO grateful for a job that I like, fun coworkers, and good work to do. God is so good to me. So although I am whining about it some, I am also profoundly grateful for the gift of work and this work even.
-- I miss my friends, my kiddos, my people... near and far.
-- I am never as productive as I want to be. Ever.
-- Flumaggedon... I'm still optimistic about avoiding it, and in the past week was around several people who were in various stages of getting over it... but two of my housemates are sniffling now, and it feels dangerously close all the sudden. And I clearly do not have time to be sick! So I'm taking vitamins like it's going out of style and hoping for the best.
The Ugly:
-- I have no idea what Suzie ate (and I know it wasn't the usual culprit -rawhide) but she is making smells that no person should have to endure. It's like something died in there (and worse yet, it isn't staying in there).
-- The end of a weekend...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Take Down the Sign Reenie
I know, another recurring theme... today it was my boss coming into the office early afternoon and begging for someone to take his three girls for the night, he'd had a business meeting he really needed to be at rescheduled for the day he has the girls. He cajoled R, one of the auditors, at length trying to get him to take them. Both J and R gave flat "no". Then he pulled one of those mean sales tactics on me, where he says he feels bad asking me since its too much like piling on... but he really does need someone to watch them... I resisted as long as I could, and then agreed to take them. I know (hangs head in shame), this clearly isn't the balance I'm searching for... but really his girls aren't that bad. Don't get me wrong, the afternoons he has brought them into the office are completely unproductive, but they really are sweet kids.
This foiled my "work from home thursday afternoon" plan, but tomorrow I'm planning to work from home. Though E, the CFO, caught me as I had my arms full of J's kids stuff and said we should meet tomorrow. Ugh. I said I was working at home for at least the morning but heard myself agree to a noon meeting. What is wrong with me? When my boss got the girls tonight (at 9:15 pm), he said to work from home all day and rolled his eyes at the meeting... maybe this means I can skip out... we shall see.
I will also say that I did enjoy the time with John's girls. They are really entertaining kids, ages 10, 8, and 4. The older two are great and the youngest is a pistol but was very well behaved for me. She even fell asleep on the couch before the evening was out.
Besides "kids" is on my February Survival List. So technically I couldn't have said no...
This foiled my "work from home thursday afternoon" plan, but tomorrow I'm planning to work from home. Though E, the CFO, caught me as I had my arms full of J's kids stuff and said we should meet tomorrow. Ugh. I said I was working at home for at least the morning but heard myself agree to a noon meeting. What is wrong with me? When my boss got the girls tonight (at 9:15 pm), he said to work from home all day and rolled his eyes at the meeting... maybe this means I can skip out... we shall see.
I will also say that I did enjoy the time with John's girls. They are really entertaining kids, ages 10, 8, and 4. The older two are great and the youngest is a pistol but was very well behaved for me. She even fell asleep on the couch before the evening was out.
Besides "kids" is on my February Survival List. So technically I couldn't have said no...
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Surviving February
This may be a theme here for the next while… it’s kind of the theme in my life right now. My annual February Funk stayed away longer than usual because I was so busy working I didn't realize it was February. But then it hit with a vengence. And it feels particularly bad on the heels of job adjustment and being overworked in general... so suddenly it hits me that I have no life... I have no balance... I never see my friends... AND I also haven't seen the sun in weeks.
Once I realized I was headed into the February Funk, I began making lists of activities to do to survive the next stretch, the longest part of winter. Even making lists makes it sound more acheivable.
And here's the progress so far... Actually, I’m giving myself a gold star for last night. I left work after 7 pm, having been there since 7 am, with a short break for Mass at noon. I finally leave and head for home; it is cold, dark, and I strongly suspect that I hate my life. But even I know it has a lot to do with February and not so much to do with actually hating my life. I walked in the door, trying to ignore the half of the driveway I still haven’t gotten back out to shovel. The boots are overflowing in the entryway. I slide on my slippers, greet the mutts, feed them, and consider turning on a movie, laying on the floor and giving up on life (aka falling asleep as soon I hit the floor). I sat there pondering it for a few minutes and realized I couldn’t afford to fester in the funk. Don’t give in!!! I put my boots back on, bundled up, and headed for the library. Book club awaits (and I am trying really hard to finish the book before we meet). I found that book. Checked out several gardening books (a girl can dream right?) and a few DVDs that I won’t have time to watch. Then I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things and stopped by a local sick house to deliver the items, which turned into me coming in and visiting with said sick friends for a bit. And that’s all it took. Festering in the Funk avoided!! Thanks to the library and Busch's and most of all for the Mitzels for taking me in and saving me from a fate worse than death, the Funk. And a gold star for Reenie for putting the boots on and walking out the door.
And then today, after working hard, getting a lot together for accounting meeting, having the meeting, getting more assignments, scheduling follow up meetings, I walked out the door at 5:20!! Incredible! Look at me leaving the office while it’s still light out! And the sun was even shining!! And to make the day even better, I talked to my sister the whole way home and through a game of ball in the yard and dinner preparation. I got a phone call from my other (adopted) sister (also far away). And then a couple of my friends came by to chat and catch up. And my sister in law was here visiting with one of the homies. Talk about a one two punch for February!! Funk avoided two days in a row!! Hurray!!
Other things that make me really happy: That I haven’t experienced the Flumageddon that is plaguing so many of my friends and their offspring. I may be speaking too soon since I visited said Flumageddon zone yesterday and hung out with two recovering victims tonight… and got sneezed on a lot this weekend. But still… I am grateful. And to those of you still in the war zone, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with you!! Take heart, it can't last forever!!
Once I realized I was headed into the February Funk, I began making lists of activities to do to survive the next stretch, the longest part of winter. Even making lists makes it sound more acheivable.
And here's the progress so far... Actually, I’m giving myself a gold star for last night. I left work after 7 pm, having been there since 7 am, with a short break for Mass at noon. I finally leave and head for home; it is cold, dark, and I strongly suspect that I hate my life. But even I know it has a lot to do with February and not so much to do with actually hating my life. I walked in the door, trying to ignore the half of the driveway I still haven’t gotten back out to shovel. The boots are overflowing in the entryway. I slide on my slippers, greet the mutts, feed them, and consider turning on a movie, laying on the floor and giving up on life (aka falling asleep as soon I hit the floor). I sat there pondering it for a few minutes and realized I couldn’t afford to fester in the funk. Don’t give in!!! I put my boots back on, bundled up, and headed for the library. Book club awaits (and I am trying really hard to finish the book before we meet). I found that book. Checked out several gardening books (a girl can dream right?) and a few DVDs that I won’t have time to watch. Then I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things and stopped by a local sick house to deliver the items, which turned into me coming in and visiting with said sick friends for a bit. And that’s all it took. Festering in the Funk avoided!! Thanks to the library and Busch's and most of all for the Mitzels for taking me in and saving me from a fate worse than death, the Funk. And a gold star for Reenie for putting the boots on and walking out the door.
And then today, after working hard, getting a lot together for accounting meeting, having the meeting, getting more assignments, scheduling follow up meetings, I walked out the door at 5:20!! Incredible! Look at me leaving the office while it’s still light out! And the sun was even shining!! And to make the day even better, I talked to my sister the whole way home and through a game of ball in the yard and dinner preparation. I got a phone call from my other (adopted) sister (also far away). And then a couple of my friends came by to chat and catch up. And my sister in law was here visiting with one of the homies. Talk about a one two punch for February!! Funk avoided two days in a row!! Hurray!!
Other things that make me really happy: That I haven’t experienced the Flumageddon that is plaguing so many of my friends and their offspring. I may be speaking too soon since I visited said Flumageddon zone yesterday and hung out with two recovering victims tonight… and got sneezed on a lot this weekend. But still… I am grateful. And to those of you still in the war zone, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with you!! Take heart, it can't last forever!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Stories from CrazyLark
I know, you're excited, right? Where does this Favorite Aunt go during the day? What are the people like? Why have we not heard stories about huge staplers or the score on who wants to be her friend more? Well, tonight is your lucky night. And I am going to attempt to do this story justice, although lately my blogging is flat and my storytelling abilities may be ... well... uh... tired, like the rest of me.
Thursday morning started like most others. I groaned when the alarm went off. I slept 10 minutes longer than I intended to. I made it out the door and to Mass (praise God!). I got to the office around 7:30 am, where B and C were already there. (I know, I desperately need code names for my new work peeps). B is an auditor, a couple years younger than me, hilarious, kindred spirit, and good fun to work with. C is mid-forties, the main estimator for the insulation side of the world. He's also a lot of fun, quieter, but fun. Anyway, the three of us typically arrive and try to get some work done before all the interruptions begin. And then, just before 8 am, Boss2 enters, beaming, with a toolbox in hand. We do these tests called CAZ (Combustion Appliance Zone) that require a smoke puffer or smoke stick. When we got some equipment stolen a few weeks back, one of the smoke puffers was also stolen. And then R was gone with the smoke devices we did have. So there was a scramble for a smoke making device the day before, which apparently got Boss2 thinking...
So he opens this tool box, where he's cut foam to hold all the specific tools. Grinning from ear to ear, he goes through them one by one. "Here's your pen, and your mini flashlight, and your maglight..." He pulls out the large maglight, turns it on, points it around the room. "And then..." He unscrews the lid on the large maglight, removes the bulb, and starts screwing in two wires, that are connected and have some kind of connectors on the ends. Hmmm.
Boss2 goes on, "What flavor smoke would you like? Sage? Rosemary? Cedar?" I'm already too amused to be trusted to speak. B calls for sage. Boss2 takes a piece of this sage chip he's got, sticks it between the contactors on top of the wire that are now sticking out of the top of the maglight. "Ehh???" More grinning. He turns it on. Seconds later, the sage begins to smoke and makes a perfect smoke stream that smells kind of like thanksgiving dinner. He was so excited, and the others of us couldn't help our amusement. Boss2 admitted he started the project at midnight. Oh boy.
A few minutes later, another coworker comes in... and he repeats the show. Starting again with the large maglight used as a flashlight. And then impressed the next guy with his brilliant invention. This time I couldn't help giggling. By the third show, B and I sat at our desks, laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces. Seriously? Boss2 didn't mind our amusement, but clearly didn't understand why it was so funny.
To be honest, the regular smoke puffers have all kinds of warning about cancer and the dangers of the smoke. And his puffer smoke does smell better. Is it a little far fetched? Absolutely. Will we use it? Sure. Did it provide a highly entertaining Thursday? No doubt about it.
Thursday morning started like most others. I groaned when the alarm went off. I slept 10 minutes longer than I intended to. I made it out the door and to Mass (praise God!). I got to the office around 7:30 am, where B and C were already there. (I know, I desperately need code names for my new work peeps). B is an auditor, a couple years younger than me, hilarious, kindred spirit, and good fun to work with. C is mid-forties, the main estimator for the insulation side of the world. He's also a lot of fun, quieter, but fun. Anyway, the three of us typically arrive and try to get some work done before all the interruptions begin. And then, just before 8 am, Boss2 enters, beaming, with a toolbox in hand. We do these tests called CAZ (Combustion Appliance Zone) that require a smoke puffer or smoke stick. When we got some equipment stolen a few weeks back, one of the smoke puffers was also stolen. And then R was gone with the smoke devices we did have. So there was a scramble for a smoke making device the day before, which apparently got Boss2 thinking...
So he opens this tool box, where he's cut foam to hold all the specific tools. Grinning from ear to ear, he goes through them one by one. "Here's your pen, and your mini flashlight, and your maglight..." He pulls out the large maglight, turns it on, points it around the room. "And then..." He unscrews the lid on the large maglight, removes the bulb, and starts screwing in two wires, that are connected and have some kind of connectors on the ends. Hmmm.
Boss2 goes on, "What flavor smoke would you like? Sage? Rosemary? Cedar?" I'm already too amused to be trusted to speak. B calls for sage. Boss2 takes a piece of this sage chip he's got, sticks it between the contactors on top of the wire that are now sticking out of the top of the maglight. "Ehh???" More grinning. He turns it on. Seconds later, the sage begins to smoke and makes a perfect smoke stream that smells kind of like thanksgiving dinner. He was so excited, and the others of us couldn't help our amusement. Boss2 admitted he started the project at midnight. Oh boy.
A few minutes later, another coworker comes in... and he repeats the show. Starting again with the large maglight used as a flashlight. And then impressed the next guy with his brilliant invention. This time I couldn't help giggling. By the third show, B and I sat at our desks, laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces. Seriously? Boss2 didn't mind our amusement, but clearly didn't understand why it was so funny.
To be honest, the regular smoke puffers have all kinds of warning about cancer and the dangers of the smoke. And his puffer smoke does smell better. Is it a little far fetched? Absolutely. Will we use it? Sure. Did it provide a highly entertaining Thursday? No doubt about it.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Things that make me happy today
1. Daily Mass (even if the only one I can make it to is way early in the day).
2. A new swear word we made up at work (that isn't a swear word). And my seamless use use of it. Point for Reenie. And the fact that the actual swear words are being used less.
3. The homies.
4. The puppies. The one that likes to nest. And the one that climbed her whole heavy self onto my lap (can we say neglected?) I need to be home more.
5. A home to go home to at the end of a long day at work. (Is it only Monday?)
6. Slippers and sweatpants.
7. The new ice rink a couple blocks away -- I need to go buy ice skates and get out there!!
8. That January is half over...which means it is closer to spring... and it's flying by.
9. Drinking water.
10. The Christmas tree... that really needs to come down...but in the meantime, it's still really pretty and has tons of pretty lights on it. =
2. A new swear word we made up at work (that isn't a swear word). And my seamless use use of it. Point for Reenie. And the fact that the actual swear words are being used less.
3. The homies.
4. The puppies. The one that likes to nest. And the one that climbed her whole heavy self onto my lap (can we say neglected?) I need to be home more.
5. A home to go home to at the end of a long day at work. (Is it only Monday?)
6. Slippers and sweatpants.
7. The new ice rink a couple blocks away -- I need to go buy ice skates and get out there!!
8. That January is half over...which means it is closer to spring... and it's flying by.
9. Drinking water.
10. The Christmas tree... that really needs to come down...but in the meantime, it's still really pretty and has tons of pretty lights on it. =
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Middle of January already???
I love Sundays!!! As I sit here, by the light of my Christmas tree (still up), drinking my coffee and reveling in a few moments to just be before I get ready for Mass and the rest of the day, I find myself breathing deeply and profoundly grateful for so many blessings in my life.
Yesterday I spent the day at a wedding for two of my young friends (how on earth did they get old enough to get married?) Lauren M. married Mark S. Talk about a small town kind of wedding! As I looked out over the people at the wedding Mass, it was really fun to see all the connections, the intermarrying, the community connections. I was struck repeatedly at the wedding and reception at just how blessed I am to be part of such a unique and wonderful community of people. It was also exciting because I am FINALLY related to Cora, one of my closest friends for many years. Related? you ask. Why of course, it's simple. My brother (a Cous) married a Mishler, whose sister married a Sauter, whose brothers married Wagners. See? Related. So exciting. Even if it is 4 marriages removed :) ... pretty quickly you realize nearly everyone in that crowd is somehow related. Awesome. Oh small town CTK / community circles.
In other news, taking my life back week one was mildly successful. I still managed to work over 50 hours. But at least it wasn't 60! And in the past week, we finished out Christmas celebrations with my fam on Sunday. Monday I worked a long day and collapsed at home. Tuesday was the snowstorm, evening at home with homie and her boyfriend. Wednesday I managed to get my laptop repaired and have coffee with my girlfriends. Thursday was dinner and catching up with another friend. Friday I went shopping and then chilling with yet another friend. Saturday was the wedding. So... I was uber-social and felt much more connected to my people and my world than I have in the past couple months. But I am not quite to that spot of achieving balance. But I'm still applauding any progress, and have to consider this past week a success.
And finally, halfway through the month, I've finalized my January goals:
1. Work on getting my life back
2. Drink more water
We'll see what I can do with that. :)
Yesterday I spent the day at a wedding for two of my young friends (how on earth did they get old enough to get married?) Lauren M. married Mark S. Talk about a small town kind of wedding! As I looked out over the people at the wedding Mass, it was really fun to see all the connections, the intermarrying, the community connections. I was struck repeatedly at the wedding and reception at just how blessed I am to be part of such a unique and wonderful community of people. It was also exciting because I am FINALLY related to Cora, one of my closest friends for many years. Related? you ask. Why of course, it's simple. My brother (a Cous) married a Mishler, whose sister married a Sauter, whose brothers married Wagners. See? Related. So exciting. Even if it is 4 marriages removed :) ... pretty quickly you realize nearly everyone in that crowd is somehow related. Awesome. Oh small town CTK / community circles.
In other news, taking my life back week one was mildly successful. I still managed to work over 50 hours. But at least it wasn't 60! And in the past week, we finished out Christmas celebrations with my fam on Sunday. Monday I worked a long day and collapsed at home. Tuesday was the snowstorm, evening at home with homie and her boyfriend. Wednesday I managed to get my laptop repaired and have coffee with my girlfriends. Thursday was dinner and catching up with another friend. Friday I went shopping and then chilling with yet another friend. Saturday was the wedding. So... I was uber-social and felt much more connected to my people and my world than I have in the past couple months. But I am not quite to that spot of achieving balance. But I'm still applauding any progress, and have to consider this past week a success.
And finally, halfway through the month, I've finalized my January goals:
1. Work on getting my life back
2. Drink more water
We'll see what I can do with that. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)