I'm afraid my new co-worker is just too good to be true.
I intended to cut some flowers to put on her desk for her first day. I didn't get around to it, but she walked in with two huge bouquets of roses, one for each of our desks. I learned she has 50 rose bushes. Isn't that interesting, we both love roses and like to have bouquets on our desk. She brings fresh bouquets every Monday morning.
A few days later when I went out to my car I spotted a red Mustang next to it. Turns out it's hers. I have always secretly coveted red Mustangs.
Last week she brought us both a yogurt parfait that she made, layered with granola, blueberries, strawberries and bananas. I love yogurt parfaits. It was fantastic.
Friday when there was no school she brought her dinner leftovers for us to share for lunch - some delicious teriyaki chicken and twice baked potatoes.
She went crabbing last weekend and brought me some crab to take home and share with my family. She was a little concerned that I'd forget it and it would stink up the refrigerator, so before she left for the day, she put a little sticky note on my purse that said "crab". (Will had his own interpretation of what that might mean.)
Yesterday she wore a black shirt with white polkadots. I own the exact same shirt.
We like so many of the same things and are similar in many ways, but she is just all around a better person than I. The big difference is, she actually follows through and does things, whereas I have lots of good intentions but very weak follow-through.
So she is inspiring me to be a better person.....but I am at a loss of how to reciprocate all the good things she keeps bringing.
Oh rats, I was so pleased when I came home today and my kitchen was spotless. The boys all work evenings, and sometimes when I come home (to my great displeasure) I can tell exactly what they ate for lunch/after school snack. Not a crumb of evidence today - until now. This laptop is on the dining room table, and I just realized my elbow was sticking to the table. Then I see grape jelly on the corner of the voters pamphlet that is next to the computer. Good grief.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A New Leaf
You heard it here first, I'm turning over a new leaf.
On Friday we rearranged the office. It's very strange, totally different than it was before but it accomplished our desire to face forward when we are on our computers and got me closer to the front counter. I got things set up the way I want them and stayed Friday until I was caught up with paperwork. I'm ashamed to say how late it was, but it was very dark outside. I went back Saturday and cleaned up the two conference rooms off the office that had become out of control with junk.
The rearrangement got rid a table full of Helen's plants. We still have some of her plants scattered around the office, but it's time to let most of them go. We will let staff take them away this week. It was/is hard to let go, but I know some change needs to happen.
I have reached the end of my tolerance for all the hours at the office. I am determined to leave work by 5 pm every day this week and try to get my life back. Enough is enough!
On Friday we rearranged the office. It's very strange, totally different than it was before but it accomplished our desire to face forward when we are on our computers and got me closer to the front counter. I got things set up the way I want them and stayed Friday until I was caught up with paperwork. I'm ashamed to say how late it was, but it was very dark outside. I went back Saturday and cleaned up the two conference rooms off the office that had become out of control with junk.
The rearrangement got rid a table full of Helen's plants. We still have some of her plants scattered around the office, but it's time to let most of them go. We will let staff take them away this week. It was/is hard to let go, but I know some change needs to happen.
I have reached the end of my tolerance for all the hours at the office. I am determined to leave work by 5 pm every day this week and try to get my life back. Enough is enough!
Monday, October 20, 2008
I Couldn't Believe My Eyes
This afternoon a student walked into the office and said she needed help. I looked at her and saw the she had a large paper clip hanging from her lower lip. It was poked in and under the skin for about a quarter inch before sticking out again. "I didn't mean to do it," she said. "Could you just pull it out for me?"
Why is the health room person out to lunch when you need her?
"No I will not," said I. "It could start bleeding or who knows what." "I don't care if it bleeds. Just take it out," said she.
I told this young lady to have a seat while I called her mother. She said she felt like fainting. I told her to stay seated. She wanted to go to her locker. I told her to stay where she was. "I need to go to the bathroom. I feel like throwing up," she said. I put a garbage can in front of her, and she leaned forward and started gagging into it.
Such was the scene Nick beheld when he walked in to say hi after he got out of school. For some reason he didn't stick around.
Fortunately the girl's mother came right down. They were back within a half hour, the girl's lip red and swollen but otherwise fine. The doctor pulled it right out.
You just never know what will walk through that door!
Why is the health room person out to lunch when you need her?
"No I will not," said I. "It could start bleeding or who knows what." "I don't care if it bleeds. Just take it out," said she.
I told this young lady to have a seat while I called her mother. She said she felt like fainting. I told her to stay seated. She wanted to go to her locker. I told her to stay where she was. "I need to go to the bathroom. I feel like throwing up," she said. I put a garbage can in front of her, and she leaned forward and started gagging into it.
Such was the scene Nick beheld when he walked in to say hi after he got out of school. For some reason he didn't stick around.
Fortunately the girl's mother came right down. They were back within a half hour, the girl's lip red and swollen but otherwise fine. The doctor pulled it right out.
You just never know what will walk through that door!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Autumn Update
What a gorgeous Autumn day. After being treated like a princess all weekend, I am back in the real world, well rested and ready to face another week of crazy busy long work days.
I actually left work somewhat on time Friday, packed my bag and headed up to the posse camp, where Will already had the fifth wheel set up. I slept nearly 12 hours Friday night and lounged around in my pajamas in the heated comfort of the fifth wheel Saturday morning, looking out at the dark overcast day, drinking coffee with Will, then reading the latest Robin Cook medical thriller. After lunch it seemed like a good idea to get dressed. I finished the book mid-afternoon.
Will and I took a nice long walk, and the sun even peeked out a few times. Why is there such pleasure walking on a path carpeted with crispy, colorful, new-fallen leaves? A cougar was recently spotted in the area and Will had cautioned me to keep my eyes open. As we were about to step down and out of the woods onto the gravel bar along the creek, there was a sudden commotion in the brush by my right foot. Expecting a cougar attack, a piercing scream escaped me, but it was just a grouse flying out of the bushes. That got my heart rate up just a bit!
Nick joined us Saturday afternoon after taking his PSAT and we enjoyed his company. He managed to escape getting put to work this time. The little foot bridge over the creek that he helped with the last time is all done and very picturesque, as well as sturdy.
Last night was not quite as restful. There was a loud banging on the door at 3:30 am, a deputy calling out to Will that he needed to talk to him. I sat straight up in bed with my second near-heart attack in 12 hours, frightened that one of our boys had been in a car accident or some other tragedy. I strained my ears to hear the deputy's report, and I heard him say, "I just wanted to update you on a search that's going on for some missing elk hunters." You wake us up in the middle of the night to report on a search for missing elk hunters? That is not even close to being newsworthy enough for a 3:30 am update. After he left it was difficult to get back to sleep, so about 4:30 we got up and had a snack, me a banana and Will a bowl of cereal. I told Will if that deputy comes back at 6:30 am to give him another update I will beat him up. Then I practiced punching Will's face, (missing on purpose) because I really don't have a clue how to beat someone up. Lucky for him (and me), he didn't show up again.
On the work side of things, my replacement started almost two weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier with her. God is so good, he gave us someone who already worked in attendance at the high school so she already knew the new program and everything involved with attendance. Woe to those truant and tardy children, I think she will deal with them much more effectively than I did. There are many more things to learn, but she is doing great.
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all my new responsibilities, mostly because I am kept so busy just responding to all the things that happen in a day that I can’t get paperwork done until everyone is gone. In addition to the constant phone calls, the counter traffic, requests from the staff of 60+, new things come up that I have to research or call someone to find out proper procedure before I actually do it. So in spite of the extra hours I put in, the paperwork pile continues to grow.
But hope springs eternal. There is no school Thursday and Friday due to parent-teacher conferences, so surely things will be quiet and we will get a lot done in the office. I’m confident that by the end of the week my in-basket and to-do list will be empty. And instead of 6 am to 6 pm, I will start working the normal 7 am to 4 pm again. LOL. ROTFL.
I actually left work somewhat on time Friday, packed my bag and headed up to the posse camp, where Will already had the fifth wheel set up. I slept nearly 12 hours Friday night and lounged around in my pajamas in the heated comfort of the fifth wheel Saturday morning, looking out at the dark overcast day, drinking coffee with Will, then reading the latest Robin Cook medical thriller. After lunch it seemed like a good idea to get dressed. I finished the book mid-afternoon.
Will and I took a nice long walk, and the sun even peeked out a few times. Why is there such pleasure walking on a path carpeted with crispy, colorful, new-fallen leaves? A cougar was recently spotted in the area and Will had cautioned me to keep my eyes open. As we were about to step down and out of the woods onto the gravel bar along the creek, there was a sudden commotion in the brush by my right foot. Expecting a cougar attack, a piercing scream escaped me, but it was just a grouse flying out of the bushes. That got my heart rate up just a bit!
Nick joined us Saturday afternoon after taking his PSAT and we enjoyed his company. He managed to escape getting put to work this time. The little foot bridge over the creek that he helped with the last time is all done and very picturesque, as well as sturdy.
Last night was not quite as restful. There was a loud banging on the door at 3:30 am, a deputy calling out to Will that he needed to talk to him. I sat straight up in bed with my second near-heart attack in 12 hours, frightened that one of our boys had been in a car accident or some other tragedy. I strained my ears to hear the deputy's report, and I heard him say, "I just wanted to update you on a search that's going on for some missing elk hunters." You wake us up in the middle of the night to report on a search for missing elk hunters? That is not even close to being newsworthy enough for a 3:30 am update. After he left it was difficult to get back to sleep, so about 4:30 we got up and had a snack, me a banana and Will a bowl of cereal. I told Will if that deputy comes back at 6:30 am to give him another update I will beat him up. Then I practiced punching Will's face, (missing on purpose) because I really don't have a clue how to beat someone up. Lucky for him (and me), he didn't show up again.
On the work side of things, my replacement started almost two weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier with her. God is so good, he gave us someone who already worked in attendance at the high school so she already knew the new program and everything involved with attendance. Woe to those truant and tardy children, I think she will deal with them much more effectively than I did. There are many more things to learn, but she is doing great.
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all my new responsibilities, mostly because I am kept so busy just responding to all the things that happen in a day that I can’t get paperwork done until everyone is gone. In addition to the constant phone calls, the counter traffic, requests from the staff of 60+, new things come up that I have to research or call someone to find out proper procedure before I actually do it. So in spite of the extra hours I put in, the paperwork pile continues to grow.
But hope springs eternal. There is no school Thursday and Friday due to parent-teacher conferences, so surely things will be quiet and we will get a lot done in the office. I’m confident that by the end of the week my in-basket and to-do list will be empty. And instead of 6 am to 6 pm, I will start working the normal 7 am to 4 pm again. LOL. ROTFL.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
The Brain is Fried
I have nearly forgotten about this blog in this season of loss and adjustment at work. I have been working way too many hours for the past six weeks, and my brain is fried by the time I get home. Two weeks ago I became the Office Manager, and this week we hired someone to take my job ("Clerical Specialist"). For now I am still doing my job plus many tasks of the office manager. We have a terrific sub (a retired office manager) working also. I don't know yet when the new person will start, but I can't wait to hand over all the time-consuming daily elements of my job. I am ready to get rid of Attendance duties and its the bothersome new program for sure! I have never been so consumed by work, and I am growing weary of it. But this too shall pass.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Family Dinner
Yesterday at lunch was the first time in weeks that the five of us have all been home at the same time for a meal, so it was quite a celebration, for me at least. I was at church for two services versus the rest of the family only attending first service, and I texted them in that we were having "steal" and baked potatoes for lunch. I have to maintain my reputation for bad texting!
So we barbecued and ate out on the deck in the warm sunshine. Sometimes with this crowd, it's hard for Will to get a word in, since he actually thinks before he speaks. Toward the end of the meal, he asked, "So do you suppose I don't talk much because you guys talk so much, or do you talk so much because I don't talk very much?"
Craig's response was immediate. "Oh, Dad, how could you do this to me? I'll be trying to figure this out for the next week! You and your riddles!"
Oh yeah, we are very deep thinkers around here.
So we barbecued and ate out on the deck in the warm sunshine. Sometimes with this crowd, it's hard for Will to get a word in, since he actually thinks before he speaks. Toward the end of the meal, he asked, "So do you suppose I don't talk much because you guys talk so much, or do you talk so much because I don't talk very much?"
Craig's response was immediate. "Oh, Dad, how could you do this to me? I'll be trying to figure this out for the next week! You and your riddles!"
Oh yeah, we are very deep thinkers around here.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
A Day at the Coast
A wonderful relaxing weekend - just what I needed. Will, Nick and I headed for the coast yesterday. Got out there just in time for lunch. Mo's was very crowded and Will decided we should experience something different. Nick and I were both a little concerned when he parked at the South Beach Fish Market. Its' bright multi-colored paint job and the crab cooking outside didn't exactly shout "fit for a princess". It didn't quite have the ambience of Mo's, but the food was excellent. I would eat there again, but it's definitely a place to leave the tiara in the vehicle.
Then we tried out Will's nice new binoculars and did a little bird watching at the bay. We watched this egret catch and eat several fish. There were enough binoculars to go around to all of us.
Then it was to the beach for some kite flying. I hoping to get in a nice beach walk too but the wind was to strong for me to enjoy much of that. Looking away from the ocean here the sky is blue.
But the other side was socked in with fog and clouds. The kite flying was entertaining. Quite action packed. The "Detonator" is a cool kite with dual controls.
I found myself a nice sheltered spot in the dunes and this was my view. It was amazing how warm it was there - the heat of the sun burned right through that fog.
A Mennonite youth group poured onto the beach shortly after we got there. The boys played football and the girls waded in the water, soaking their long wet denim skirts. Brrr. Perhaps they felt a strong sense of the Lord's protection as they wondered through the danger zone where our kite was madly doing figure eights in the sky. They were obviously oblivious that they were in imminent peril of impalement should the high-speed kite suddenly come streaking to the ground. Which it did with regularity, fortunately never coming in contact with loitering youth. It eventually broke something loose, so we took it to the kite shop for repair. The nice man there fixed it and was very impressed with the fine job Will did of rewinding the kite string. I told him Will was also extremely talented at backing up enormous fifth wheels. Will threatened to send me to the car.
It was very windy here today so the men went to the school to fly it again. Apparently the "Detonator" is just not quite sturdy enough for McAnulty men and Oregon winds. It broke again. Maybe we'll have to go back and by the $300+ quad line "Revolution" that does all kinds of cool things. Then again, maybe not.
Then we tried out Will's nice new binoculars and did a little bird watching at the bay. We watched this egret catch and eat several fish. There were enough binoculars to go around to all of us.
Then it was to the beach for some kite flying. I hoping to get in a nice beach walk too but the wind was to strong for me to enjoy much of that. Looking away from the ocean here the sky is blue.
But the other side was socked in with fog and clouds. The kite flying was entertaining. Quite action packed. The "Detonator" is a cool kite with dual controls.
I found myself a nice sheltered spot in the dunes and this was my view. It was amazing how warm it was there - the heat of the sun burned right through that fog.
A Mennonite youth group poured onto the beach shortly after we got there. The boys played football and the girls waded in the water, soaking their long wet denim skirts. Brrr. Perhaps they felt a strong sense of the Lord's protection as they wondered through the danger zone where our kite was madly doing figure eights in the sky. They were obviously oblivious that they were in imminent peril of impalement should the high-speed kite suddenly come streaking to the ground. Which it did with regularity, fortunately never coming in contact with loitering youth. It eventually broke something loose, so we took it to the kite shop for repair. The nice man there fixed it and was very impressed with the fine job Will did of rewinding the kite string. I told him Will was also extremely talented at backing up enormous fifth wheels. Will threatened to send me to the car.It was very windy here today so the men went to the school to fly it again. Apparently the "Detonator" is just not quite sturdy enough for McAnulty men and Oregon winds. It broke again. Maybe we'll have to go back and by the $300+ quad line "Revolution" that does all kinds of cool things. Then again, maybe not.
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