65 posts tagged “misc”

There's been so much on my mind over the past week, but I haven't been able to get it out and onto the screen.  It's summer here, for all intents and purposes, though the calendar still gives us a week or so.  This is the first summer that I've worked consistently since - gosh, since marriage, save cleaning offices a few evenings a week back in Rob's college days.  Oh, and cleaning a friend's home in the early 90s down in Charleston. 

Maybe that's why I feel a bit discombobulated...not having the summer off to be with the kiddos.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.  The kids are at an age where they don't need me breathing down their throats every second.  It gives all of us a sense of independence.

And I enjoy my job, though honestly, it's a bit dull at times!  A good dull - none of the drama and stress attached to the previous workplace - but still - and there isn't a gentler way to say it - dull.  I've already mastered the routine, and most days I finish my administrative tasks within 2-3 of the scheduled 5 hours.  But I am there to answer the phone and greet guests also, so I don't feel too bad about the down times.

So, let's see...what have I missed...?

Vacation was lovely.  We spent two nights at the beach, and we had the most relaxing, laughter-filled time as a family that we've had in ages.  The final two nights were spent more inland, and we were able to hang out with some life-long friends, as well as some new ones.  Again, much laughter abounded. 

One of the best parts of the trip was being at our "home" church.  We get more hugs there than we do in a year or more at the church here!  The lead pastor is also a gifted speaker, so I am never bored, even if he tends to be long-winded.  And we were able to tour the facilities and see all the cool changes/additions/upgrades they've made in the last year or two.  It is such a vibrant place, and I still miss it, even after almost three years.

In other news, The Daughter got her permit last Thursday!  She has to drive at least 50 hours supervised over the next 6 months.  I've been letting her drive to and from work each day, and she's doing pretty well, though she has what I call the "wild ass turn tendency".  I had forgotten that it takes some time to coordinate the gas pedal and the steering wheel.

No whip lash yet, but we've come close a few times (heh).

I took that personality test that everyone's been taking, but true to my tend-to-be-Gemini (though I don't "believe" in horoscopes, sometimes I wonder about the "twin" thing when it comes to me), I couldn't quite decide between two different results: The Engaged Idealist or The Social Realist.  EI was the initial result.  But again, on at least two of the four questions, I could have equally chose either answer.  So, perhaps I am a mix of both.

I am going to have Rob read them both and tell me which is more accurate before I post any results.

Speaking of Rob, he's a bit anxious about work.  They've called in all the remote folks for an all-hands meeting on Monday.  The buzz is that the company is being sold (Liberty Media owns them now).  Not sure what that could mean, but I am sure that it will bring big changes in benefits and structure.

He's almost finished with his Associates Certificate in Project Management - that's a good thing, though Project Management Professional (PMP) certification would be better.  I hope that whatever changes are afoot don't include an end to the tuition benefit plan that's allowed him to take courses over the past year.  It'd be nice to get that PMP under his belt.

Let's see...what else...

I submitted a devotional article to Associated Content, but haven't heard anything yet.  I really don't expect any upfront payment.  And if that proves to be the case, I can still publish for page-view payments, which have been equating to a medium coffee a month at WaWa.

Better than a sharp stick in the eye, I suppose.

I think that about covers it!  I guess I had more to say than I thought, eh?

Hey, if you can, send me a comment so I can see if my notifications are working again.

Thanks!

I haven't been receiving email notifications for comments, private messages, etc.  This has been the case for a day or two, maybe longer.

Has this been happening to anyone else?

I sent a note to feedback, but it is the weekend, so...

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else was experiencing this.

I love Saturday mornings with nothing to do.  They seem to be fewer and farther between now that the kids have sports and youth group and the like.  But today was just that kind of morning.

Sleeping in, then stumbling upstairs to grind coffee beans (which I've been too lazy busy to do for over a week now).  I whipped up some pancakes (with pecan for me) and served them up with some crisp turkey bacon.

What a lovely way to start the day.

Last night was similar - the first Friday in a long time that we had absolutely nothing planned.  We watched the news of all things!  Then we pondered whether or not we should go somewhere or do something, but instead we just sat on the couch and talked with The Middle, our only child still home for the evening.  I sipped a nice glass of pinot grigio and read a few blogs.  Eventually, we popped in Juno and were treated to a delightfully poignant little film (if you haven't seen it, you should, especially if you have teens - lots of great conversation starters throughout).

In a bit, I will force my relaxed self to get ready so we can pick up The Youngest.  I'd like to pop by the mall and Bath and Body Works - they have their anti-bacterial soaps 5-fer-10.  Too good to pass up!  Rob wants to go by Lowe's to get more deck stain.  And I need to bake something for a pizza party we will attend tonight - this is a yearly event we always look forward to, hosted by a couple from our church.  She was born in Italy and she makes pizza upon pizza with homemade tomato sauce; they are incredible.  She always brews a wicked espresso too, and with the chill in the air today and their lovely porch overlooking the water, it promises to be a great evening.

But I think I will just savor a few more moments of this slow start Saturday.  Sip what remains of my coffee.  Read a bit. 

And Relish the contentment of having absolutely nothing I have to do.

That is, until about noon...

I really do love my new job.  Despite the bulk mailings.  And mail meters that don't work (I'll perhaps explain that another time).

But it is seriously cutting into my blogging time!

I miss writing.  It is a creative outlet I have to find a way to incorporate into my weekly (and better yet, daily) life.

I could cut out making dinner, but something tells me the family will revolt.

Hubby got home last night, and we've been - ahem - what you might call busy.

[insert sweet smile here]

In all seriousness, we have been busy: grocery shopping, running errands, playing "Whoonu" with the kids, solving all of the world's problems. 

You know, important stuff.

I'll try to come up with something witty, profound, or just plain entertaining in a day or two.

I go through these cycles - phases of sorts - where I feel like I have so much churning around inside of my brain, but I just can't grasp a hold of any one thing and sort it out.  I feel a compulsion to write, yet the very thought of actually doing so is daunting.

I think the main reason for this conundrum is lack of alone, creative time.  Work is back in full swing, and by the time I get home and take care of the evening responsibilities, not to mention that the house is teeming with life (good life; it is my family after all!), any and all writing mojo is just gone.  Vanished.

Maybe vanished isn't the right word.  It is still there, but it is as if a valley is fixed between me and getting my thoughts out and into something discernible.

I am reading a really great book - Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - and I am finding I can only read a very little bit, and I then I have to sit it aside and soak in what I've read. 

(I should probably be taking the time to write down my thoughts as I read, but I haven't even done that.)

I really, really, really need a coffee and free wifi day.

(But instead, tomorrow I will be found feeding, changing, and soothing babies while hoping my nose doesn't decide to gush blood again for no good reason.  Seriously.  What is up with that?!  A nose bleed, totally out of the blue - I haven't had one of those in a year or more.)

Just in case you were wondering...

I have been around.  I've even been doing my best to read everyone's posts each day. But I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get everything done for Christmas on the days I didn't get called into work this week.

And today I was at three medical practices and a lab with The Daughter, so that pretty much kept me busy.

So, I am reading, if not commenting.  And I do hope to "be back" soon.

For a more interesting entry, go back one.  At a minimum, it shows a photo of a really hot guy.

:-)

Or go back two - I added another photo.