Wow. I guess it has been a busy month and we haven't talked much...since I haven't told you that about a month ago my wheels started turning and I decided to give some serious thought to getting another masters in....[wait for it]...counseling psychology...so that after another 6 years (during which I would earn my masters part time) in teaching, I might switch to guidance or school psychology and/or then hang a shingle. Ultimately, that's the goal: to hang a shingle. Me and my own patients/clients/schedule. I think I'd be good at it. I'll leave it at that for now, but I have more to share...
Meanwhile, my day off yesterday was EXACTLY what I needed. I got my laundry done and went grocery shopping and by 3, when I'd just be getting home from work if I forced myself to leave by 2:30, I had my chili on the stove. I vacuumed and set a beautiful table (far fancier than it needed to be for chili) and when M arrived at 5:30 I felt ready. Good. Then J came and stayed later than I expected but it was all good. I went to bed knowing I only had another day to get through. And when I woke up today, knowing that I wouldn't start the weekend with laundry and vacuuming hanging over my head, I couldn't have been happier. Having (ahem, taking) yesterday to myself, to do some basic chores and enjoy myself seems to have broken the cycle of my rut of compartmentalizing my life. Tomorrow I can really enjoy my coffee. I won't be gulping it down while making my grocery list and errand list and figuring out what time I should go the the gym to make sure I can do everything else too.
Yay, me.
I hope your week ends well and that you and J can smooth things out a bit and enjoy the weekend. White light.
Love you,
Barb
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Free Pass to Vent with Me
Hey there.
I don't blame you for being bitter, that's exactly why I couldn't do it anymore. And I hadn't even been doing it half as long as you had; granted I had the luxury of just giving it up without having something else lined up, so I was lucky that way. But I so get your frustration. It's the most draining job I can imagine, mentally, physically, emotionally. Have you been thinking about changing careers, seriously? What would you want to do?
I hate to go on and on then about how much I like my job, but I do feel very fortunate. And, not to be a whiner, because most people work full days and function just fine, but I'm still new to this and the nine hour day (especially those hours, 10-7) is kicking my butt. I'll be fine by next week when my learning curve starts to level out a little more, but today, I'm tired. And...still fighting with J, since the weekend :( so it's tense around here and not much fun to come home to.
But I've been to the gym three days this week and plan to go tomorrow too, so I'm keeping my mental health in check. I feel so much better just because of that.
Hang in there, my friend. I wish I were C some days, that I could meet up with you for a cocktail or two (or accessory shopping - jealous!) and commiserate with you. As it is, know that you can always vent to me and that I (sort of) get it. I know I didn't teach for long, and I know I wasn't half as dedicated to it as you are, but I do feel your pain.
Love you,
A
I don't blame you for being bitter, that's exactly why I couldn't do it anymore. And I hadn't even been doing it half as long as you had; granted I had the luxury of just giving it up without having something else lined up, so I was lucky that way. But I so get your frustration. It's the most draining job I can imagine, mentally, physically, emotionally. Have you been thinking about changing careers, seriously? What would you want to do?
I hate to go on and on then about how much I like my job, but I do feel very fortunate. And, not to be a whiner, because most people work full days and function just fine, but I'm still new to this and the nine hour day (especially those hours, 10-7) is kicking my butt. I'll be fine by next week when my learning curve starts to level out a little more, but today, I'm tired. And...still fighting with J, since the weekend :( so it's tense around here and not much fun to come home to.
But I've been to the gym three days this week and plan to go tomorrow too, so I'm keeping my mental health in check. I feel so much better just because of that.
Hang in there, my friend. I wish I were C some days, that I could meet up with you for a cocktail or two (or accessory shopping - jealous!) and commiserate with you. As it is, know that you can always vent to me and that I (sort of) get it. I know I didn't teach for long, and I know I wasn't half as dedicated to it as you are, but I do feel your pain.
Love you,
A
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
More Bitter than Sweet
Hi there, Amanda.
That new job of yours sounds more and more perfect. Really. I'm so happy for you. Just what you needed, I dare say, just when you needed it.
Meanwhile, back here in New England your teacher friend Barb said at least a dozen times today "I can't take it." Half way through the day today I said I don't know if I have it in me--physically or mentally--to get through the day tomorrow (my schedule is that I am free first block, then go straight through with five blocks to the end of the day). Every time we turn around we are given something else to do, another responsibility in our "free" time. In other words, the micromanaging administration is going out of their way to make sure we haven't a single minute during the day to correct or photocopy or prep. I guess the message there is that we should be grateful to have our jobs, and willing to work 16 hours a day to keep them.
Perhaps the worst thing for me these days is coming home from work and seeing at least one news story in which teachers are blamed for...well, everything. It started with teachers being to blame for failing schools in America. Nice broad stroke to brush there. Kids can't read or write, or can't read or write on par with the rest of the world, because of their teachers. Yeah. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? I haven't really gotten over that yet. But no rest for the weary. Last night teachers were blamed for bullying. Well, not directly, but when people are quoting laws that are broken when teachers don't report bullying--especially related to race, gender or sexual orientation--the inference is that we are not reporting, and therefore we are responsible for all this hateful bullying. It all just makes it hard to be a teacher these days.
But enough woe is me. After school I had a delightful time with C at happy hour, after which we discovered a new accessory store in our favorite outdoor mall. And now I'm home, sipping another glass of wine while I enjoy the balmy rain with my windows open.
Hope you're having a sweet day...Clearly I'm bitter enough for both of us.
Love,
Barb
That new job of yours sounds more and more perfect. Really. I'm so happy for you. Just what you needed, I dare say, just when you needed it.
Meanwhile, back here in New England your teacher friend Barb said at least a dozen times today "I can't take it." Half way through the day today I said I don't know if I have it in me--physically or mentally--to get through the day tomorrow (my schedule is that I am free first block, then go straight through with five blocks to the end of the day). Every time we turn around we are given something else to do, another responsibility in our "free" time. In other words, the micromanaging administration is going out of their way to make sure we haven't a single minute during the day to correct or photocopy or prep. I guess the message there is that we should be grateful to have our jobs, and willing to work 16 hours a day to keep them.
Perhaps the worst thing for me these days is coming home from work and seeing at least one news story in which teachers are blamed for...well, everything. It started with teachers being to blame for failing schools in America. Nice broad stroke to brush there. Kids can't read or write, or can't read or write on par with the rest of the world, because of their teachers. Yeah. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? I haven't really gotten over that yet. But no rest for the weary. Last night teachers were blamed for bullying. Well, not directly, but when people are quoting laws that are broken when teachers don't report bullying--especially related to race, gender or sexual orientation--the inference is that we are not reporting, and therefore we are responsible for all this hateful bullying. It all just makes it hard to be a teacher these days.
But enough woe is me. After school I had a delightful time with C at happy hour, after which we discovered a new accessory store in our favorite outdoor mall. And now I'm home, sipping another glass of wine while I enjoy the balmy rain with my windows open.
Hope you're having a sweet day...Clearly I'm bitter enough for both of us.
Love,
Barb
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Life is Good
Hey, Barb.
Love the neighborly hoopla last night. What's up with that? And then having to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work. Sorry.
No late night parties here, even though it is Tuesday Late Night, which is what we grownups call the District's Wednesday Late Start. Usually it's dinner with the gang, but a) T&A have family plans and 2) the weather is so unbelievably crappy that none of us even wants to walk across the street for dinner. I had ribs planned for this evening and once you're committed to that, you're kind of stuck. So in a few minutes, I'll head out onto the soaked deck in the pouring down sideways rain and Halloween-decoration-destroying winds, to barbecue. They better be good.
But the weather isn't really getting me down because I really, really like my new job! It's not as hard to learn all this information as I thought it was going to be, but it's still challenging and entirely new to me, so I'm not bored. And far from capable. It'll take me a good month, I think, to be totally comfortable working the desk alone. I know, that sounds crazy, sitting here with a Master's Degree, but who thought there would be a gazillion different types of insurance and a gazillion different conditions and rules within each type? And then, working in the same-day clinic I have to process different kinds of state insurance, and the 37 different options for paying when you don't have insurance.
But it's fun. It's never dull; some of the patients are real characters, as I'm sure you can imagine. Many, I know personally so that makes it fun too. Today, my friend Jenni went into labor and I was the first one to know since she's one of our patients. Of course, I couldn't tell anyone, so that kind of sucked :)
The rest of this week I'm on full time, 10 - 7, which will be fine with me since it looks like the weather isn't going to improve any. I'd rather be there than sitting here unable/unwilling to go anywhere. This weekend is T's birthday; he traditionally throws a birthday/Halloween party that, traditionally, starts out as a few friends coming over and ends up as a massive drinking bash with everyone he knows. This year will be no different, so I'm sort of planning ahead for that on Saturday night. I hate that Halloween is on Sunday night this year, but JJ has decided he's too old to trick or treat, so I won't have that whole jacked-up-on-sugar problem when it's bedtime.
Look at that...I wrote twice in one week! And I wrote elsewhere, too! I tried to write a second entry today, to share some pictures from the 50th, but I was having problems transferring them over from iPhoto so I gave up on it. Just goes to show that busy begets busy.
Love you!
A
Love the neighborly hoopla last night. What's up with that? And then having to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work. Sorry.
No late night parties here, even though it is Tuesday Late Night, which is what we grownups call the District's Wednesday Late Start. Usually it's dinner with the gang, but a) T&A have family plans and 2) the weather is so unbelievably crappy that none of us even wants to walk across the street for dinner. I had ribs planned for this evening and once you're committed to that, you're kind of stuck. So in a few minutes, I'll head out onto the soaked deck in the pouring down sideways rain and Halloween-decoration-destroying winds, to barbecue. They better be good.
But the weather isn't really getting me down because I really, really like my new job! It's not as hard to learn all this information as I thought it was going to be, but it's still challenging and entirely new to me, so I'm not bored. And far from capable. It'll take me a good month, I think, to be totally comfortable working the desk alone. I know, that sounds crazy, sitting here with a Master's Degree, but who thought there would be a gazillion different types of insurance and a gazillion different conditions and rules within each type? And then, working in the same-day clinic I have to process different kinds of state insurance, and the 37 different options for paying when you don't have insurance.
But it's fun. It's never dull; some of the patients are real characters, as I'm sure you can imagine. Many, I know personally so that makes it fun too. Today, my friend Jenni went into labor and I was the first one to know since she's one of our patients. Of course, I couldn't tell anyone, so that kind of sucked :)
The rest of this week I'm on full time, 10 - 7, which will be fine with me since it looks like the weather isn't going to improve any. I'd rather be there than sitting here unable/unwilling to go anywhere. This weekend is T's birthday; he traditionally throws a birthday/Halloween party that, traditionally, starts out as a few friends coming over and ends up as a massive drinking bash with everyone he knows. This year will be no different, so I'm sort of planning ahead for that on Saturday night. I hate that Halloween is on Sunday night this year, but JJ has decided he's too old to trick or treat, so I won't have that whole jacked-up-on-sugar problem when it's bedtime.
Look at that...I wrote twice in one week! And I wrote elsewhere, too! I tried to write a second entry today, to share some pictures from the 50th, but I was having problems transferring them over from iPhoto so I gave up on it. Just goes to show that busy begets busy.
Love you!
A
Monday Night Party???
Hey, Amanda.
Well, after making myself a nice dinner and being content to go upstairs early to read, my plans were disrupted by whoops and hollers from the unit next door. Just as I was getting ready to call it a day, their guests arrived for what I guess was a Monday night football party. Arg. The Giants. (Which means I wasn't watching) I went to bed anyway but couldn’t read. Eventually, just as I would nod off there was a cheer-worthy play, I guess, and I was startled awake. Over and over until 12:30. I wake up at 5:30 so I wasn’t a happy camper.
But I’m still doing okay. I have nothing going on tonight except maybe to make chili in advance of my get together with M and J (which will be OVER, not BEGINNING at 8:30) on Thursday. Tomorrow C and I are going to do Happy Hours somewhere and I’m scheming to “get a migraine” on Thursday. Just cuz.
Hope your week is off to a good start.
Love,
Barb
Well, after making myself a nice dinner and being content to go upstairs early to read, my plans were disrupted by whoops and hollers from the unit next door. Just as I was getting ready to call it a day, their guests arrived for what I guess was a Monday night football party. Arg. The Giants. (Which means I wasn't watching) I went to bed anyway but couldn’t read. Eventually, just as I would nod off there was a cheer-worthy play, I guess, and I was startled awake. Over and over until 12:30. I wake up at 5:30 so I wasn’t a happy camper.
But I’m still doing okay. I have nothing going on tonight except maybe to make chili in advance of my get together with M and J (which will be OVER, not BEGINNING at 8:30) on Thursday. Tomorrow C and I are going to do Happy Hours somewhere and I’m scheming to “get a migraine” on Thursday. Just cuz.
Hope your week is off to a good start.
Love,
Barb
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sluggish Weekend
Hey,
No I haven't gotten out of the habit of checking in here every day... it's the writing I have trouble with! At least you inspire me :)
Sounds like a good weekend on your end. You are indeed very lucky to have two sisters with whom you enjoy spending your "premium time". I can barely stand to spend an hour on a Tuesday afternoon with mine. I envy you!
I may be joining you in the "compartmentalization of life" cycle now. Yes, my job worked out in the end. Technically, my hours are 9-2, Mon-Fri, but they have only just posted the announcement for the remaining 2-7 shift. So I offered to cover it until someone is hired; they have two candidates already lined up, so it shouldn't be for too long. I don't mind, though, it's a little extra cash I hadn't counted on. I was thinking, too, that I might suggest an alternate job share schedule if they have trouble finding someone (who wants to work 2-7??) and I wouldn't mind doing a Mon-Tue-every other Wed deal either. At least it wouldn't be every day and I wouldn't have to miss so much of JJ's sports and stuff. That's really my reason for not wanting to do the full time gig - if it were something like 6-3, I would do it in a heartbeat. It's the not being available to pick him up from practices, go to games, all that. Anyway, we'll see what happens.
I did a training thing on Thursday which was very informative but slightly overwhelming for someone with absolutely no medical background at all. Particularly in issues of insurance and billing --- yikes!!! We ended up just doing half the training that day and I will have another day this week learning the Electronic Patient Management system. Friday, I observed another Patient Services Coordinator (sounds so much better than Front Desk Receptionist, don't you think?) all day, which helped to relieve a little anxiety over not understanding 90% of what I had learned on Thursday. The people with whom I spent my shift were really nice and fun to be around, so that was a good sign. It's pretty laid back, I must say. Plus, I know many of the patients, as do the other PSCs, so it's very informal and friendly.
Tomorrow and Tuesday, more observing, then Wednesday I start the full shift, (10:30 - 7) so they will put me at the desk and have me participate a little more. I have to wear this goofy scrub-type jacket that's pretty ugly, until I get around to purchasing a slightly cooler black fleece jacket that we're also allowed to wear. Otherwise, black pants, white t-shirt, standard uniform. I actually had a really good time on Friday and am looking forward to getting started this week. I'm so excited to be back to work, much more than I thought I would be. This will be good for my mental health too.
Have been a bit of a funk this weekend, but probably more alcohol-induced than anything else. We had a progressive neighborhood dinner last night that was very fun but J and I weren't getting along very well and I drank too much with too little food. By 9:30 I was just pissed off at him and then I couldn't find JJ (who for some reason never answers his phone) or M (who had told me he was going out but I had forgotten). I got myself all worked up trying to get ahold of them (because I was drunk) until I finally found JJ over at JK's and was all pissed at him, too, for the phone thing. I took him home and we visited for awhile after I calmed down; by 10:00 I was just ready for bed, so I never went back to the party. I didn't sleep well, of course, and ended up on the couch downstairs in fits of restless sleep all night.
Today I was just so out of it, probably because of that, so I took off for a few hours and got my nails and toes done, then ran a couple of little errands. When I got home I curled up on the couch with a book and stayed out of J's way, not wanting to talk about it. It's 8:25 now and legitimately time to get in bed and watch mindless tv until 9:00, when I feel like I can go to sleep without risking another sleepless night.
Other than that, nothing to report here. I am counting down the days until November 28th and my departure to Maui! I promise to get better about writing and not leaving so much time between posts. Wishing you a good Monday and maybe a little less work, with a little more play mixed in.
Love you,
A
No I haven't gotten out of the habit of checking in here every day... it's the writing I have trouble with! At least you inspire me :)
Sounds like a good weekend on your end. You are indeed very lucky to have two sisters with whom you enjoy spending your "premium time". I can barely stand to spend an hour on a Tuesday afternoon with mine. I envy you!
I may be joining you in the "compartmentalization of life" cycle now. Yes, my job worked out in the end. Technically, my hours are 9-2, Mon-Fri, but they have only just posted the announcement for the remaining 2-7 shift. So I offered to cover it until someone is hired; they have two candidates already lined up, so it shouldn't be for too long. I don't mind, though, it's a little extra cash I hadn't counted on. I was thinking, too, that I might suggest an alternate job share schedule if they have trouble finding someone (who wants to work 2-7??) and I wouldn't mind doing a Mon-Tue-every other Wed deal either. At least it wouldn't be every day and I wouldn't have to miss so much of JJ's sports and stuff. That's really my reason for not wanting to do the full time gig - if it were something like 6-3, I would do it in a heartbeat. It's the not being available to pick him up from practices, go to games, all that. Anyway, we'll see what happens.
I did a training thing on Thursday which was very informative but slightly overwhelming for someone with absolutely no medical background at all. Particularly in issues of insurance and billing --- yikes!!! We ended up just doing half the training that day and I will have another day this week learning the Electronic Patient Management system. Friday, I observed another Patient Services Coordinator (sounds so much better than Front Desk Receptionist, don't you think?) all day, which helped to relieve a little anxiety over not understanding 90% of what I had learned on Thursday. The people with whom I spent my shift were really nice and fun to be around, so that was a good sign. It's pretty laid back, I must say. Plus, I know many of the patients, as do the other PSCs, so it's very informal and friendly.
Tomorrow and Tuesday, more observing, then Wednesday I start the full shift, (10:30 - 7) so they will put me at the desk and have me participate a little more. I have to wear this goofy scrub-type jacket that's pretty ugly, until I get around to purchasing a slightly cooler black fleece jacket that we're also allowed to wear. Otherwise, black pants, white t-shirt, standard uniform. I actually had a really good time on Friday and am looking forward to getting started this week. I'm so excited to be back to work, much more than I thought I would be. This will be good for my mental health too.
Have been a bit of a funk this weekend, but probably more alcohol-induced than anything else. We had a progressive neighborhood dinner last night that was very fun but J and I weren't getting along very well and I drank too much with too little food. By 9:30 I was just pissed off at him and then I couldn't find JJ (who for some reason never answers his phone) or M (who had told me he was going out but I had forgotten). I got myself all worked up trying to get ahold of them (because I was drunk) until I finally found JJ over at JK's and was all pissed at him, too, for the phone thing. I took him home and we visited for awhile after I calmed down; by 10:00 I was just ready for bed, so I never went back to the party. I didn't sleep well, of course, and ended up on the couch downstairs in fits of restless sleep all night.
Today I was just so out of it, probably because of that, so I took off for a few hours and got my nails and toes done, then ran a couple of little errands. When I got home I curled up on the couch with a book and stayed out of J's way, not wanting to talk about it. It's 8:25 now and legitimately time to get in bed and watch mindless tv until 9:00, when I feel like I can go to sleep without risking another sleepless night.
Other than that, nothing to report here. I am counting down the days until November 28th and my departure to Maui! I promise to get better about writing and not leaving so much time between posts. Wishing you a good Monday and maybe a little less work, with a little more play mixed in.
Love you,
A
Cycles
Hey there, Amanda.
I see you started working...how did things turn out? Are you temporarily full time? Or were you able to keep the dream schedule? How was your first day?? Has there been a second? And--I guess by the time you read this I should also ask--how was your weekend?
My weekend was low key, as most are, but good. Friday evening L et. al. came up and my mom hosted a family dinner. After dinner we lingered a while, then all of us but mom and dad made our way to M's. We had lots of laughs (no one is safe from friendly ridicule) and a good time was had by all. When I got home I had a sentimental moment, feeling really fortunate to have two sisters that I like enough to hang out with them on a Friday night. We are all so different, yet clearly cut from the same cloth--and there's never a dull moment. The kids all get along well, too, and I feel very grateful.
I never got my laundry done, but yesterday and today I ran a bunch of errands, and this afternoon I made some tortilla soup before sitting down to the Pats game. I could use another day to myself before going back to work, but what else is new? I decided I need to get over it. I need to stop compartmentalizing my life so much. It's like the only thing I can manage to do during the week is work, and then I spend my weekends cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and running errands and going back to work on Monday already looking forward to the next weekend. Which will be exactly like the one before, or one during which I do absolutely nothing, thereby perpetuating the cycle either way. Ah well. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
Anyway. Game is over and my kitchen beckons. Time to clean up and pack up a lunch for tomorrow.
Hope all is well.
Love you,
Barb
I see you started working...how did things turn out? Are you temporarily full time? Or were you able to keep the dream schedule? How was your first day?? Has there been a second? And--I guess by the time you read this I should also ask--how was your weekend?
My weekend was low key, as most are, but good. Friday evening L et. al. came up and my mom hosted a family dinner. After dinner we lingered a while, then all of us but mom and dad made our way to M's. We had lots of laughs (no one is safe from friendly ridicule) and a good time was had by all. When I got home I had a sentimental moment, feeling really fortunate to have two sisters that I like enough to hang out with them on a Friday night. We are all so different, yet clearly cut from the same cloth--and there's never a dull moment. The kids all get along well, too, and I feel very grateful.
I never got my laundry done, but yesterday and today I ran a bunch of errands, and this afternoon I made some tortilla soup before sitting down to the Pats game. I could use another day to myself before going back to work, but what else is new? I decided I need to get over it. I need to stop compartmentalizing my life so much. It's like the only thing I can manage to do during the week is work, and then I spend my weekends cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and running errands and going back to work on Monday already looking forward to the next weekend. Which will be exactly like the one before, or one during which I do absolutely nothing, thereby perpetuating the cycle either way. Ah well. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
Anyway. Game is over and my kitchen beckons. Time to clean up and pack up a lunch for tomorrow.
Hope all is well.
Love you,
Barb
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Falling for Fall
Hey, Amanda.
So good to hear from you! I remember well my parents’ anniversary party weekend. It was such a blast, and yet I knew that my parents had more fun than we—their kids and friends and family—did. I remember feeling so satisfied by that and so relieved that it had gone so well, and then incredibly let down when it was all over. Sounds like you’re in that same place.
So fall is here and I’m good with that—the scents, the colors, the nesting—but not quite ready for frost on my windshields. Arg. Still, I agree with your thought that pretty much the holiday season is here. I was actually just explaining to S during our pumpkin adventure over the weekend that during summer I want my whole life to be summer. Eventually the seasons change despite my protests, and when the leaves start changing and I enjoy some of what fall brings (like our pumpkin adventure) I start to look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, and snow days even. It just takes me a while to get there. And I’m there.
I’m looking forward to the weekend with nothing to do but would love to catch up between now and then. Tonight should work if you get a minute. The job sounds PERFECT; the schedule: dreamy.
Love you
B
So good to hear from you! I remember well my parents’ anniversary party weekend. It was such a blast, and yet I knew that my parents had more fun than we—their kids and friends and family—did. I remember feeling so satisfied by that and so relieved that it had gone so well, and then incredibly let down when it was all over. Sounds like you’re in that same place.
So fall is here and I’m good with that—the scents, the colors, the nesting—but not quite ready for frost on my windshields. Arg. Still, I agree with your thought that pretty much the holiday season is here. I was actually just explaining to S during our pumpkin adventure over the weekend that during summer I want my whole life to be summer. Eventually the seasons change despite my protests, and when the leaves start changing and I enjoy some of what fall brings (like our pumpkin adventure) I start to look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, and snow days even. It just takes me a while to get there. And I’m there.
I’m looking forward to the weekend with nothing to do but would love to catch up between now and then. Tonight should work if you get a minute. The job sounds PERFECT; the schedule: dreamy.
Love you
B
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Little Catch-Up
Hey, Barb.
I'm having a hard time getting started writing - although I have been reading - so I thought I'd begin here where it doesn't matter too much if I'm eloquent or if I don't say exactly the right thing.
I'm still in the post-major-event energy drain, even though everyone left Sunday night. The anniversary weekend was beyond anything I could have hoped for, but I'm glad it's over. Everything turned out perfectly, from JJ's baseball game Thursday afternoon with a handful of cousins and Grandma and Grandad in the cheering section, to Sunday evening at Red Robin, saying goodbye to the last of the travelers. We had a blast. I think my parents had the time of their lives, as did most of the rest of us. What a memorable few days! I don't have pictures yet from KA (our photographer, TA's little sister) but as soon as I do, I will share.
Monday morning, I slept late and finally got up only because I had a job interview. A few weeks ago at baseball, a team mom mentioned that one of her employees had given her two-weeks notice that day, and after a bit of conversation, we agreed that I would forward her my resume. I wasn't sure if she was really serious, but she called me while I was in New York and set up an interview. I don't think she's interviewing anyone else at this point, so I was happy when I immediately hit it off with the two office managers Monday. It's a front desk reception/patient admit position at a local family medical clinic; it's right here in BL, about three minutes from the house, M-F, 9-2. Could I have designed a better job if I had tried??? All I wanted was something close to home, during school hours, with no emotional baggage, no take home work, no overtime. Hello!! I got a call the minute I got home from the interview to ask if I could do my drug test that day, so I went and got that out of the way. Now I'm hoping that CN (the baseball mom) will call me in the morning to let me know what the next step is.
I'm pretty excited about it -- the timing is perfect, the money isn't too terrible and the rest of it is awesome. We'll see what happens... now I just have to figure out how I'm going to get a week off next summer for my trip to the east coast! ;-)
Other than that, I've just been trying to get my house back in order, although it didn't get too out of control while everyone was here. All of my redecorating is finished and all the pieces are finally in place. It's beautiful and I love all the changes we made. We have a bunch of busy weekends ahead - well, pretty much the holiday season is upon us, I think. We've got a huge neighborhood progressive dinner, a visit from JB from California, a trip to Portland with M, a trip to Corvallis to see a football game and spend time with C, Halloween, blah blah blah, right up to when my parents come back for Thanksgiving. Then we leave November 28 for Maui! I'm now allowing myself to get excited about that, and I already told CN (new boss) that I need that week off, which was no problem. I had really put the thought of it out of my head, but now it's nice to have something fun to look forward to that won't take any effort on my part! Ok, maybe fitting into a bathing suit will take a little effort...
I would love to catch up on the phone this week. Tomorrow would be great if you will be around; Thursday I am having my tooth extracted (the one I cancelled to go to NY) so I'll be OOC that day. I should be around Friday, as far as I know. Saturday M and I leave for Portland. Let me know what works for you.
Speaking of NY, John is doing well with the death of his sister but is not doing well with being back to work at all. I am a little worried about how much his personality changes when he's back at work. I'm not sure how much longer he's going to be able to put off retirement. I would be just fine if he quit tomorrow; the stress is killing him. One of the great things about being back in NY was the time we spent with his family and how much we all enjoyed that sense of closeness and relaxation. We talked a lot about retiring there, and C is already applying for a job transfer to Albany. She was that happy there.
Anyway, I'll sign off and look forward to talking to you soon. It seems like it's bedtime but it's only 8:00 and pitch dark outside. I love fall, but the darkness tricks me. I could seriously go to bed right now!
Love you and hope all is well with you,
A
I'm having a hard time getting started writing - although I have been reading - so I thought I'd begin here where it doesn't matter too much if I'm eloquent or if I don't say exactly the right thing.
I'm still in the post-major-event energy drain, even though everyone left Sunday night. The anniversary weekend was beyond anything I could have hoped for, but I'm glad it's over. Everything turned out perfectly, from JJ's baseball game Thursday afternoon with a handful of cousins and Grandma and Grandad in the cheering section, to Sunday evening at Red Robin, saying goodbye to the last of the travelers. We had a blast. I think my parents had the time of their lives, as did most of the rest of us. What a memorable few days! I don't have pictures yet from KA (our photographer, TA's little sister) but as soon as I do, I will share.
Monday morning, I slept late and finally got up only because I had a job interview. A few weeks ago at baseball, a team mom mentioned that one of her employees had given her two-weeks notice that day, and after a bit of conversation, we agreed that I would forward her my resume. I wasn't sure if she was really serious, but she called me while I was in New York and set up an interview. I don't think she's interviewing anyone else at this point, so I was happy when I immediately hit it off with the two office managers Monday. It's a front desk reception/patient admit position at a local family medical clinic; it's right here in BL, about three minutes from the house, M-F, 9-2. Could I have designed a better job if I had tried??? All I wanted was something close to home, during school hours, with no emotional baggage, no take home work, no overtime. Hello!! I got a call the minute I got home from the interview to ask if I could do my drug test that day, so I went and got that out of the way. Now I'm hoping that CN (the baseball mom) will call me in the morning to let me know what the next step is.
I'm pretty excited about it -- the timing is perfect, the money isn't too terrible and the rest of it is awesome. We'll see what happens... now I just have to figure out how I'm going to get a week off next summer for my trip to the east coast! ;-)
Other than that, I've just been trying to get my house back in order, although it didn't get too out of control while everyone was here. All of my redecorating is finished and all the pieces are finally in place. It's beautiful and I love all the changes we made. We have a bunch of busy weekends ahead - well, pretty much the holiday season is upon us, I think. We've got a huge neighborhood progressive dinner, a visit from JB from California, a trip to Portland with M, a trip to Corvallis to see a football game and spend time with C, Halloween, blah blah blah, right up to when my parents come back for Thanksgiving. Then we leave November 28 for Maui! I'm now allowing myself to get excited about that, and I already told CN (new boss) that I need that week off, which was no problem. I had really put the thought of it out of my head, but now it's nice to have something fun to look forward to that won't take any effort on my part! Ok, maybe fitting into a bathing suit will take a little effort...
I would love to catch up on the phone this week. Tomorrow would be great if you will be around; Thursday I am having my tooth extracted (the one I cancelled to go to NY) so I'll be OOC that day. I should be around Friday, as far as I know. Saturday M and I leave for Portland. Let me know what works for you.
Speaking of NY, John is doing well with the death of his sister but is not doing well with being back to work at all. I am a little worried about how much his personality changes when he's back at work. I'm not sure how much longer he's going to be able to put off retirement. I would be just fine if he quit tomorrow; the stress is killing him. One of the great things about being back in NY was the time we spent with his family and how much we all enjoyed that sense of closeness and relaxation. We talked a lot about retiring there, and C is already applying for a job transfer to Albany. She was that happy there.
Anyway, I'll sign off and look forward to talking to you soon. It seems like it's bedtime but it's only 8:00 and pitch dark outside. I love fall, but the darkness tricks me. I could seriously go to bed right now!
Love you and hope all is well with you,
A
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Hi!
Hey, Amanda.
Wow, we really suck at this lately, hu? Thank god for texting and FB...at least I know you're okay! And very busy. I know the party is coming up soon (is it this weekend?) so I'm not sure when you'll have a chance to catch up in writing or on the phone, but I wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm thinking about you and I look forward to catching up when we have the chance.
Love,
Barb
Wow, we really suck at this lately, hu? Thank god for texting and FB...at least I know you're okay! And very busy. I know the party is coming up soon (is it this weekend?) so I'm not sure when you'll have a chance to catch up in writing or on the phone, but I wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm thinking about you and I look forward to catching up when we have the chance.
Love,
Barb
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