Monday, April 30, 2012

the rush into may

May is going to be one helluva month. I made the mistake of looking at the calendar without having a second cup of coffee. My brain about exploded.

With the oldest kid's high school graduation now just weeks away and all of the other activities going on  surrounding that main event, life is going to be a bit hectic. Toss into the mix this new job, the other kids' stuff and just normal household routines....oy vey.

Good thing I stayed in the kitchen and cooked all weekend. At least I know we will have food to eat! Ha!

And tomorrow I get to venture all the way into the big city to report for jury selection. Really? Who did I tick off? Like I need one more thing to try and accomplish?

Happy Monday....the fasten seat belt sign has just come on, time to get ready for some turbulence.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

half way thru

I'm only half way through the InDesign tutorials for the first course I am taking. I'm hearing the narrator's voice in my sleep. Believe me, that is not a good thing.

Today, however, may bring some actual work that does not include a tutorial. I may be pivoting to templates! Wowsa. The template we use for our Constant Contact emails is so boring and bland. My manager and I were discussing it and we may spend some time today perusing other templates and seeing if we can adapt one of the existing layouts they offer and incorporate the banner graphic we have to use.

In other news, the Literacy Council ad hoc committee met yesterday and we have narrowed our book choices down to three titles : "Guernsey Literary"...., "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", and a book featuring Maisie Dobbs (I can't remember the title). I'm reading Hotel as I've already read Guernsey and four other committee members are reading the Maisie Dobbs book.

We meet again next week. In the meantime I have to contact the Library Director and see how much support I can drum up from them. I also need to contact the Friends. We are going to need money. Time to start begging!

Today is not my Friday.....sigh.  But, I think I will stick with only posting Monday through Thursday. So, when the weekend does arrive, hope it is a good one!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

and the beat goes on

Nothing to post about this morning since the sinus headache I woke with is making creative thought, no make that ANY thought, darn near impossible.

It is Wednesday. All day.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

tutorials

My work life for the rest of this week is going to consist of watching hours of tutorials. Ugh. I'm excited to learn this software, but I have a mental block when it comes to learning via an online movie. Planning to 'soldier on' with all that today.

The first full day went by more quickly than I expected, although when 2:00 came around I had to make a concerted effort to keep my behind planted in that chair. I soooooo wanted to go home. The moment passed and I survived! Ha Ha

After work I met the Friends of the Library president and helped her with more of the Constant Contact features we use to email our monthly newsletter. I think she is going to be just fine. In fact, we have already started the June letter and she has a good month now to play around with that mailing and get it all set and ready to go out to the membership.

I was able to spend an hour with the oldest at the Senior Art Exhibit. She had a lovely piece displayed and I already have dibs on it for my cubicle.

Life in the cubicle wasn't too bad yesterday and I have to say, it was kind of nice to be considered part of a department.

Monday, April 23, 2012

punk my cubicle

I've gone from an office with a window to a tiny cubicle. Wah! Ugh! First project for today is to deck out that cubicle. I haven't purchased any art, yet. After I get the stuff I already have in new spots, I will evaluate and see what else I need to procure in order to make my new home more mine. Sure, I have biology, anatomy and all sorts of marketing posters I could slap up on the walls from our inventory...but I'd rather look at something else. Maybe some kid art. The oldest has a piece she is exhibiting in the high school art show. Hmmmm. That might be the ticket.

In other news, after I finish my work day I am meeting the current Friends president and giving her a second lesson in how to use Constant Contact. I will be glad to have that duty off my plate.

Happy Monday to all and here I go.....full time work week dead ahead!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

final day in the foundation

Today is my 'official' last day as the administrative assistant in the Foundation. When I go to work on Monday, I will be a member of the Communications Department.

I can't believe a year ago I started back to work. We all survived. The house didn't get swallowed by dust bunnies. The laundry still got done. The pantry stayed stocked. We all managed to eat.  All in all, things pretty much kept rolling along without too many problems.

This transition to full time has been causing some second thoughts, but the opportunity to take this particular job in this particular department was truly too good to pass up.

What will it all mean? Well, I fear the list of books I've read will grow a bit more slowly as I will do a lot of reading at work. I'm still going to log in and write my morning journal/blog post. The housework will still get done and all of the other chores that keep the plates spinning will still get done.

The big change will be that I will not have my "Sanity Friday".  I did love my Fridays off. I especially loved the moment when the kids and hubby left and I was alone in the house with the dog. Peaceful silence, perfect bliss. Well, those days are over.

Unless I take a PTO day....hmmmmm. How many more of those do I get now that I'm full time??

I have my last "Sanity Friday" day all planned.  I'll be at a restaurant patio with some friends for lunch after I enjoy a morning of quiet and calm in my house.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

i'm such a sucker

Last weekend I received a phone call from a member of our Literacy Council. Our local council just received a national certification. To celebrate that achievement and the fact they have existed in our community for 25 years, a special community reading event is being planned for the fall.

The gal who called me is a retired English teacher from the high school my girls attend. She taught AP 12 for years and although my girls never sat in her classroom, I knew who she was. We had a lovely chat and she convinced me that I should serve on an ad hoc committee to steer this new reading event.

My first meeting is Thursday. All together now.....Liz is such a sucker. Yes, I am a sucker for reading, for books, for talking about books, for words....for it all.

Lisa...huge shout out to you.....at this point they are focused on just an adult title, but I am going to push for them to do adult, YA and children's titles.  Got any suggestions?

Happy Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

going to be a long week, folks

It is going to be a long week at the office. I'm not good at transitions and that is what this week is all about. Of course, after I get moved to my new cubicle, I will continue in transition mode for not just weeks, but months. My current boss needs to hire my replacement. We will need to train that person. I will be learning my new job.

I figure that May and June are going to be a bit crazy.

It was nice to arrive at work yesterday and have several congratulatory emails in my mailbox. I also had folks stop by my office to wish me luck.

In other news....the oldest has picked up some sort of 'bug.' Ugh. Not what she needs during the last 17 days of her senior year. The middle kid continues to do a wonderful job for her team in the goal. The youngest has decided that math homework is optional, the teacher and his parents disagree.

Never. A. Dull. Moment.

Happy Tuesday

Sunday, April 15, 2012

a blur of books

The preview sale was a lot of fun. The majority of our customers were gone by 6:00 and we were all able to visit and relax a bit before we closed down shop at 7:00.  Friday was crazy! By the time we opened at 10:00 shoppers and library patrons were parking on the streets surrounding the library as the parking lot was full. They were even parking across the street at Town Hall! The day started off crazy and while it did settle down a bit, foot traffic remained steady for the entire time I was there. I finally left at 3:00.

So, I put in a good 9 hours of volunteer time for this sale. And unless I take a PTO day, I will not be at the Fall Sale.  I got the call on Friday morning and accepted the full time job in the communications department. I'm not sure when I will be starting my new position, but I do know I have a lot to wrap up with my current job before I move to the other side of the building.

I'm excited and nervous. I will only be working an extra 13 hours a week, but I know very well how much I get done in those 13 hours at home.

So, some adjusting is going to have to happen. I have some thoughts on how to keep all the plates spinning here at home. The extra money is more than welcome not only for the kids' college expenses, but it will also allow us to do some things around the house we have put off for a long time.

So, onward and upward. Happy Sunday night....no Monday post.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

itchy eyes

Flipping allergies are killing me this morning! UGH. Blech! Argh!

I can't remember a Spring that triggered such awful allergies in me. No walking this morning. Just some hot coffee and yet another allergy pill.

The weekend is here come 2:00 for me. Yeah! Still no news on the job front, other than lots of second and third hand comments/rumors/gossip.

At this point, I've stopped listening and while the extra money would be awesome, I'm just fine if the offer isn't made. Another opportunity will turn up when the time is right.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

book sale time

I miss working the set up at the book sale. Yep. Never thought I'd say that, but there it is. All those boxes will be unpacked and all those books will be set out and organized today while I'm at work.

Tomorrow night I'm working the pre-sale for our members. Everything will be organized by then, so my task will be to check that membership dues have been paid, help shoppers find what they are looking for and encourage people to join or to buy a shopping pass so they can shop that night. Pretty easy duty for only two hours.

Then Friday the sale opens to the public and I will be on hand to visit and book chat with our regulars and clean up the sale tables as things are purchased.

I love the sale. It is a wonderful community event and a lot of fun for the shoppers and the volunteers.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

walking

Hubby and I are making a concerted effort to get up and moving in the morning. We used to walk on a regular basis, but fell off that path (no pun intended) a while back. We both missed the conversations we could have, the fresh air and the exercise.

So, we are back to walking in the early morning.

I've started to read the latest Bernard Cornwell novel featuring Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I do love these stories set in Saxon England. But, I need to read fast as it is due back on the 13th.

The big Spring Book Sale starts this week at the library. I'm working the preview sale on Thursday night and then working all day on Friday. I am so looking forward to this event. I miss my friends in the Friends and the good times we had doing good things for the library.

I may have a new volunteer opportunity coming up. More details on that tomorrow, but it involves the Literacy Council and a new event they are planning: A Community "Read" Day!!

Happy Tuesday

Monday, April 9, 2012

what a weekend

I think I could use a few days off to recover from the weekend we had. Busy, busy, busy. But, it was a lot of fun!

We purchased the younger daughter's prom dress at the discount store another soccer mom recommended. It was a little bit of a drive to get there, but well worth the trip. The dress we ordered for the oldest arrived and fits!  Yippee!! So, both girls have dresses and my big part of the process is over. Yippee!! They can handle procuring the shoes and the accessories themselves.

Saturday we ran a few errands in the morning and then worked in the yard for the rest of the day. My allergies were killing me and I wound up nodding off before 8:00 P.M.

Sunday was church, a lot of cooking and a lot of laundry. Plus, we had promised the youngest to take him to see The Hunger Games. We did and we all enjoyed it. I think hubby and the boy will now, finally, read the books and understand why the rest of us enjoyed the trilogy so much.

Off to a busy week and perhaps an odd one. I think they are interviewing the external candidates this week. Hmmmm. Might be interesting!

Happy Dyngus Day or Easter Monday if you are not Polish.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

the thirteen hallows

Most definitely a book for adults, "The Thirteen Hallows" by Michael Scott and Colette Freedman makes for some fast reading. The Thirteen Hallows are ancient 'artifacts' imbued with special powers to keep the world save from demonkind. But, the Hallows can never be brought together as they will also form keys to unlock the door between our world and the demon world.

So, of course, we have a crazy guy trying to get the 13 items from their 13 guardians and do just that.

Scott and Freedman put some interesting twists on Celtic folklore as well as the entire Judeo-Christian faith system.

Lots of sex and graphic violence in this one, most definitely not for the younger crowd. But, in some ways, a bit refreshing to have a fantasy adventure novel aimed at adults!

Yes, this is the first in a series of books, as is almost every other book I read these days. I'm looking forward to the next title.

Thumbs up.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

impromptu interview

I interviewed yesterday for the position they are creating in the communications department. I think it went well, but it is hard to know for sure. I do know they are going to talk with the two external candidates next week and a decision will be made the week after that. But, sticking to a schedule when it comes to hiring decisions is not always possible.

My best guess is that by May 1 I will know what is what.  Which will also be about the time that I will have my one year anniversary with the association.

That is all I have today. I'm rather tired this morning. Enjoy Wednesday!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

on again, off again, prom again

First off......both soccer girls are going to prom this year. We scored an amazing dress online for the oldest; it was on sale and then I got another 25% off. So, a $240 dress wound up being under $90 with FREE shipping. Yippee! One dress down, one to go.

Yes, the younger daughter got asked last night. The young man doing the asking marshaled some support from one of my daughter's friends and they came up with a very cute way of popping the prom question. Those familiar with The Hunger Games might recall a scene where Peeta tosses Katniss a partially burned loaf of bread.  The loaf tossed at my daughter last night had a piece of yard tied around it with a hand written note, "PROM?"

She loved it and said yes. Her obsession with the Hunger Games isn't anywhere near the level of her fixation on HP, but she is quite taken by the books.  Looks like Friday will involve lots of dressing rooms and lots of dresses.

In work news......I arrived at the office yesterday and learned that the BOD has some members who are wanting to put the brakes on the new magazine concept. The director called the department and told them to hold off on making any appointments with anyone about interviewing for the new position.

This news didn't make my happy or sad. Frankly, I sort of expected these types of roadblocks/hurdles. Nothing every goes smoothly and nothing is guaranteed to go smoothly when you are talking nonprofit association management.

Later in the afternoon the assistant executive director stopped in to talk to me. He wanted to make sure I was still interested and said they'd be setting up a 'formal' interview for this week or next. Hmmmmm. Okay!  Guess the ruffled feathers were smoothed and things will be moving along after all.

Monday, April 2, 2012

on the nightstand

I met the Friends' president last week to show her how to log into the website, constant contact account and our yahoo email account. We went over a few details and have agreed that we will meet again to create the May newsletter later this month. The best way to learn our emailed newsletter service is to use it, so that is what we will do.  I can also have her edit the website at the same time.

This is all in preparation for IF I return to work full time. If I don't, well, it is always good to have a backup person.

While I was at the library waiting for her to arrive, I found three books to check out. "The Thirteen Hallows" by Michael Scott and Colette Freedman, "A Parliament of Spies" by Cassandra Clark, and "Death of Kings" by Bernard Cornwell.

I adore Cornwell's historic novels and for some reason, the name Cassandra Clark is ringing a bell with me. I may have read another book from her, once I dive into the new title, I might recall which one.  Lots of reading to do in the next 14 days!

Enjoy the week. Going to be a crazy one around here. Happy Monday.