Working after the Holiday . . .

Actually for being closed almost 3 days (we closed at noon on the 24th and reopened this morning) we weren't faced with as large a bookdrop backlog as expected.  Our fantastic ILS people changed the due dates so that things that would normally have been due on the 24th or today are due on the 29th and 30th - that might have been part of the reason for the light load - but whatever the reason we had everything checked in and sorted for deliveries in a little over 1/2 hour!  Amazing!

We were busy with people who were suffering computer withdrawal after 3 days - and some people who were just having a really bad day themselves and trying to foist their ill-will off on us - to no avail!  Two hours of IM reference netted NO questions - but it did allow me to update my calendar for January and get the schedule set up for the new year.

It's going to be different next year (next week) since my boss of 8 years is retiring and a new one will be starting in March.  Goodbyes are never easy especially after 8 years and a new building - but I know we'll be ok - and we wish only the very best for our retiring boss - and hope that she enjoys every minute of her well-deserved retirement!

Tis the Night Before Christmas . . .

. . . And the stockings were hung from the chimney with care - in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there . . .

Happy Christmas to All and To All

a Good Night

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Wishes

Christmas isn't about shopping, or cards or parties, but it is about loving and sharing and caring.

There are many things for which I'm thankful this year:

     My sons are healthy - I'm so proud of both of them

     My brother and his family are healthy and happy - my nephew graduated from college this year!

     My mother is doing well and enjoying her life - for which I'm extremely greatful

     I have great friends who make my life better

     I have a great man who's very good to me and makes me laugh - a definite plus!

I wish peace and joy to all my family and friends this Christmas and hope that 2009 brings good health and prosperity to us all.    

    

Doghouse!

Too funny - it takes a long time to load but worth it!

Cat Baths

Last Sunday Cleo had a bath - a real one in the bathtub!  Being a long-haired cat who's a chubbette, she's not able to clean herself as well as we (or probably she) would like.  This has caused massive matting of hair around her nether regions!  Simply wiping wasn't enough so it was time for a SOAK in WATER!

She did very well - she didn't seem to mind standing in the partially filled tub although once I went in to help as she was clipped it was obvious she wasn't happy to see me!  I was interrupting the "Kitty-Daddy" time! I guess we'll have to do this more often - and maybe she won't have such "difficulty" with her grooming.

It went much better than I thought it would! 

Appliances - OMG

Who knew (ok I guessed from shopping online and doing minor "window shopping" before going to the store today and getting the new appliances for my soon-to-be new kitchen) but OMG the cost of these things is out of sight!  Of course I say the same things about cars too - and it's probably for the same reason - I don't replace my stuff until absolutely necessary so the prices climb without my realizing it!!

  Now if we can only get the rest of the kitchen done without TOO much disruption and mess (and, yes I do believe in miracles!) and actually go through all the "stuff" that's been here for years and years!  SIGH!!

Post Thanksgiving.

I have a great deal to be thankful for this (and most) years and I try to remember that every day not just on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was a nice day - we had a good dinner with good company - all the usual fixings and I easily resisted Black Friday.  There is NOTHING that I want badly enough to get up at 4 a.m. to buy.  I don't like crowds and I don't like mornings well enough I guess!

Today was busy at work and everyone pitched in to get things done - lots in the bookdrops (drive up and walk up) and lots of deliveries too.  We didn't get all the back issues of the newspapers out but we did manage today's papers! 

Now I can look forward to the next two days off - I get Monday because Friday was my normal day off!  It really doesn't matter why, I'm just glad there are two more days!  Lots to do in December - and even more in January but that's what makes life interesting!

Feels Like Winter . . . at last!!

Wow - this week has been COLD!!  Even had to break out the winter coat!  Unfortunately it was at work (I'd worn it one day when it was raining because it has a hood) so the morning meeting was REALLY cold - and the room was a fridge (or so it seemed)! It certainly felt good when I got to work and was able to wear the jacket home!!

Today was a sweatshirt with turtleneck day (which did make it a bit harder when I remembered it was also Flu Shot Day)!! In fact the news reported that there were snow flakes seen in Virginia Beach today - I didn't see them but I would think they'd have been some of the earliest ones!

It's also my mother's 86th birthday -  Happy Birthday Mom!

Back at Work and Other Problems . . .

It's a bad time economically everywhere and I guess I thought we'd weather the crisis better than some other areas because we do have such a large military base that will continue to be paid and who, for the most part, pay rent and mortgages - but maybe it will be worse than I imagined. 

There are going to be even more changes at work - people moving, positions not being filled, general cutbacks.  Even more reason to be thankful that we've got some nation-wide changes coming - not that any one man can "fix" this mess! 

One wish - PLEASE no more Sarah Palin - I'm totally tired of her and the whole family.  Can she stop talking to everyone with a video camera?  Can can the networks and cable news shows stop showing all the film??  Please???  Pretty Please????  SIGH . . .

Happy Veteran’s Day – a Little Late

I know it's a day late, but I hope everyone had a good Veteran's Day and took at least a minute to think of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and everyone else who's served the USA during times of strife and times of peace.

Since it's the day after Veteran's Day, I'm at the airport waiting to go home – and, as usual, it's a bittersweet moment. I don't like leaving my mother here and do have to get down here more quickly than I did last year – but it's always good to go home!

 

Beaches, feet and more . . .

Well I saw the Gulf of Mexico again - large expanses of pure white sand and VERY calm waters!  I smelled the salty air - so now I can say I went to the beach in Florida!  It's still absolutely beautiful - about 75 and just perfect weather. 

We're having my mother's birthday dinner tomorrow - a week early - but should be fun. She and I went out today for pedicures - a first for me! Again a good time tho it took longer than I anticipated lifting wheel chairs and such but she did very well! 

I am looking forward to going home -I miss my bed and my TV!  Such a baby am I!

Disconnected . . .

It's Saturday and, aside from my phone which receives email, I've been disconnected for one day! And it's amazing how much I've come to rely on being able to have information at my fingertips . . . and not only at my fingertips but available 24/7. Oh well it's not the end of the world now is it – but might be good practice for a power outage . . . thank goodness for the generator!!

The weather has been beautiful – high 70s and breezy. Simply lovely. I hope to be able to get to the beach – maybe for a little while tomorrow – just to say I've been. I live in a place with Beach in its name and work 5 blocks away from the ocean and never go – so maybe I can go here!

I have gotten some information about family – not much but if I don't ask now I might never get it – so there's another avenue of searching – I'm not sure who'll be interested in any of this research in the future but I enjoy doing it!

PITA

Ok – I was thoroughly disgusted that ORF (Norfolk Airport) charged for Internet access – it wasn't a great deal but more the principal of the thing! Then I get to Jacksonville with enough time to actually do something online or at least pass the time online and their network would only give limited access. Now the computer logs on easily at home and had no trouble at Norfolk so I'm thinking the problem is with the Jacksonville Airport's network – BAH!! I'll check again at Tampa – I'll need a break in travel and I do need to make sure it's the network and not the computer (I don't have good experience with built-in wireless!) but this one is WAY too new to be messing up this bad!
Hopefully I'll get to post this sometime today!
4 pm – Bradenton Florida – computer effortlessly connected to a wireless network so obviously the problem was not with the computer – deep sigh of relief!
Weather is beautiful here – about 80 and sunny (of course). Flights were good and, since the Enterprise agency had "lots" of Priuses I got one of those – WOW what a different experience! But interesting! Not really comfortable seating for a longish trip but great around town. Shouldn't need much gas that's for sure!

New Beginnings

Time to find out who's going to be in the cabinet - very interesting times!  I've been watching re-runs of West Wing (still one of my favorite TV shows) - it offers interesting insights since the recent shows have been dealing with the election of Bartlett's replacement!  That Sorkin guy was good!!

On my way to Florida tomorrow for an overdue visit with Mom - she's doing well but I really shouldn't have put off the trip this long.  It's supposed to be nice down there the next few days - about 80 - so it should be nice.  I do need to take something a little warmer because it will probably be in the 50s when I get back (in the evening!). 

Need to figure out what to pack - computer for sure - although finding access will mean trips to cafes! Decisions, decisions!

November 5, 2008

WOW - way to go Virginia!!

Parking Lot @ 7:15 a.m. November 4, 2008

Getting to work was easy - people weren't on the road - they were waiting in line to vote!  This is the parking lot at my place of work at 7:15 a.m. - luckily someone left as I got there so I found a place to park - but it was exciting to see everyone so energized by this election.

Civic Duty

PLEASE GO VOTE - It's THAT important.

Results

I prefer BLUE - fingers crossed.

7 Days and Counting

It's almost THE DAY - just one week and we'll know who the next President will be.  I, personally, don't think there's much doubt but I'm trying very hard not to be over confident. 

Tonight Barack Obama is in Norfolk - or will be soon - but there wasn't any way I was going - much as I would like to see and hear him in person.  It's just SO crowded and traffic would be horrendous - I'll just have to hear whatever parts of his speech are televised.  It's pretty amazing to me that Virginia is "in play" this year - it's been a long time!  I do remember when Virginia always went Democratic but it hasn't happened since LBJ! 

I've made my plans to go to Florida - I know, I should have gone already, but at least it's planned.  I'll be there for 5 and 1/2 days - longer than usual (maybe that will make up for being lax in actually going - Nah!).  SIGH

PS -

in early voting.

Too Fun Not to Post - from Funnyordie.com

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Political Musings . . . and Clothes

How bizarre that one of the biggest stories in this contencious political season is the $150,000 of Republican Party funds spent on Sarah Palin's wardrobe. 

I haven't given either party any donation - I just haven't - and I certainly don't begrudge anyone new clothes - I need some myself - but, if I had given a donation to a political party to further their cause, to help "my" candidate get elected, I WOULD be upset to discover that my money hadn't gone to advertising or placards or even bumper stickers or anything else that would further my candidate's cause,  but had gone to buy clothing for one of the candidates.  I would have been even more upset to find out how much and where the money was spent. 

Surely there was some middle ground - someplace to get Sarah Palin's clothes - that fell between the thrift store (where she said she shopped), Walmart, Kmart and Barney's and Saks Fifth Avenue!!  I mean really - there are mid-level department stores that have nice looking clothes - stores like Kohls or Macy's, Bloomingdales or even Nordstroms.  Places where the bill might well have been under $100,000!!  From what I've seen her clothes are nice but not that much different (at least from the distance of the TV set) from those mass-market versions available for much less.

To me this is just another indication that the Republican Party, John McCain and Sarah Palin are out of touch with reality and the American public - we're facing massive economic crises and they're spending $150,000 for clothes that, according to the campaign, will only be worn for a few weeks and given to charity.  That's what the disadvantaged need - used designer clothes!

And as a governor - couldn't Mrs. Palin afford her own clothes??? 

Politics Overload

I'm really getting tired (maybe this is the price "swing" states pay that we haven't had to deal with in the past because we were never "in play" before this year) of all the political advertisements - mostly for President but some too for the House of Representatives and a few for the US Senate.

I've had a survey call from a campaign that wanted to know if I'd made a decision about who I was going to vote for - my answer was "yes" then silence.  Finally the pollster asked if I'd like to share my decision - I told her.  Then we went down the line until we got to the US House of Representatives where I had to admit that I didn't know a lot about one candidate except that he wasn't the incumbent - that mattered to me! 

I have little idea about what to do for the local elections - either City Council or School Board - guess I better get busy and read some about who's running and decide pretty soon. 

I really wish Virginia allowed early voting without reasons - I have a reason but it seems so elementary school to have to come up with an "excuse" for wanting to vote early and avoid long lines on Nov. 4.  After all, I do have to work!  Oh well, either way I'll do my civic duty gladly and keep my fingers crossed for the results! 

Now I'll just get ready for CSI (new people coming) and the Campaign Comment on Countdown!

Are You Web 2.0'd out??!!

Exhausted

It's been a very busy two weeks - at home and at work - but mostly at work.  There have been several long, intense meetings - the Library is undergoing a major transition and, like many things, it's painful.  There are tears, anger and stress but I, personally, think the outcome will be amazing.

I'm a rather literal, practical person and nothing frustrates me more than dithering.  Even if I don't agree with your decision - make it - we can discuss how it actually works after we've used it a while and, since our decisions aren't carved into the side of a mountain, we can certainly make changes if they're needed.  I have enjoyed our progress so far - but the problems are real and do impact our ability to do our work - we can't be effective with our customers if we're fighting among ourselves.

That's what's made our meetings so long and so difficult.  But I do think it's good to get things out and not let them fester under the surface.  Like childbirth - the process is painful and messy but the outcome will be well worth the effort!

I HOPE!

Done . . .

I made the inital down payment on the new kitchen today - I don't really like writing checks like that but I did it anyway!  Next Friday I have an appointment to pick out tile for the backsplash - and I need to choose a faucet - sink's done, handles are chosen. 

I guess I'll start more seriously looking for appliances - at least to figure out prices and model numbers.  I've decided my present to myself for Christmas will be a wine refrigerator - there's a perfect place for it and removing the cabinet almost paid for the cooler!! 

They'll start work in January - and it's going to take about a month - but that's not including flooring and painting and all the "smaller" details!

SIGH

Paris & Cindy & Sarah Oh My

It's pretty sad when Paris Hilton's Fake Presidency is beginning to make more sense than the actual commercials/public announcements of the "conventional" political parties! 

I know I'll certainly be happy when the election is over - and my fingers are crossed that the results are ones I'm hoping for - something needs to change because the current situation is in the toilet and we're circling the basin!

Too Funny - on so many levels!

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

Debate's Over

Whew - 1 1/2 hours of BS is finally over - but it was interesting to hear that J. M. is going to buy up mortgages - I have one he can have at a discount!!

I didn't like the format - and felt sorry for Tom Brokaw having to moderate and try to contain those two!  But I did think that Barack did better overall and appeared more confident and Presidential - now I only hope that Virginia "stays the course" that it appears to be on with recent polls. 

I know that a lot of promises that can never be kept are made but it really would be refreshing to have a candidate come on TV and simply say that times are really tough and we're going to face some really hard decisions in the days/weeks ahead.  DREAM ON!

Debate's ON . . . . . Again

Ok - I'm convinced - from the debate so far (18 minutes into it) that JM doesn't have a clue about the financial crisis or have any idea how to do anything about it.  So far I haven't heard anything new nor have I heard anything that will change my mind in any way. 

But the real question is one a friend asked on her blog - will "Sarah Palin" be on SNL again???!!!  PLEASE!  Love that Tina Fey!

BTW - eyes are glazing over - don't like the "town hall" process and really wish there was a REAL debate!!

On to the next glass of wine - it does help!

The New Baby . . .

is doing well - smaller than the 17" of course but I think I'll be able to actually move this around more easily and use it as a portable and not a desktop alternative!

A New Computer

Definitely wasn't on my list of things I needed or wanted right now but I've really gotten used to having a laptop!  Last night I shut down the computer (old laptop - 2 whole years old!) and all seemed fine.  Off I went to work today and, still, all seemed well.  When I got home I opened the laptop, pushed the power button - lights came on and immediately winked out!  Hummm - not good - try again - same result - BLAST!  No monitor at all - not even a flash  :-(  A quick check online and off we went to the new Best Buy down the street.  Now I have a nice new Toshiba - smaller, lighter and easier to haul around!  Spent the rest of the evening taking off all the "stuff" I didn't want and adding the stuff I did want - and configuring Outlook to get my mail for me! 

BTW - check out this Flow Chart from The Huffington Post - too funny!!

Debates and more Debates

The Vice Presidential debate wasn't all I hoped it would be but it was good - Joe Biden didn't offend (is it REALLY possible to offend a professional politician?? After all Sarah Palin isn't new to politics - just politics on this level!!) and Sarah didn't fall on her sword (or her shotgun).  But give me a break with the folksy talk - I've had all the folksy I can tolerate (admitedly not much) in the past 8 years - NO MORE!  And I never realized that Alaskans talked as if they were from the upper mid-West!  I've known others from Alaska - a neighbor in Florida had just moved from Anchorage- and she didn't talk like she was from Minnesota.

SIGH

Two more debates (this Tuesday and the 15th (I think)) and we're done for this election cycle.  I promise to vote, on the local level, for anyone not currently in office and for anyone who doesn't imply or state that his/her opponent is evil, dumb, or wicked!  My list gets shorter every minute!

It's very interesting having Virginia actually "in the game" - we've actually had THE candidates here - and that rarely happens!  Hopefully we'll do the RIGHT thing and go BLUE!

ANTICIPATION . . . .

is making me crazy!! 

I'm ready for the Vice-Presidential debates - eagerly awaiting some Palin"isms" and hoping VERY much that she closes the deal - and McCain/Palin loses - BIG TIME!  Come on Saturday Night Live  moment!!

Love the email a good friend sent that said McCain replaced Sarah Palin with a wide-eyed Deer!!   (this isn't the exact email I got but it's the same article!!)

Joe - stay steady, stay calm and bury her!

Too Funny! Tina Fey Rocks!

RIP Paul Newman

Debates

Poor Jim Lehrer - trying to get straight answers!  Interesting especially in light of the economy but geeze if anyone actually uses debates to make their decisions - yikes!

Interesting article today from a conservative commentator - from her lips to Sarah's ears!  (As if!) 

Getting testy now on both sides - personally, after the Couric interview especially, I'm looking forward to the Vice-Presidential debate - but I'm truly doubtful that there will be one - SP can't speak coherently on almost any topic and I bet the party finds a way to keep her away from Joe Biden!

STOP SPENDING $10B a month in Iraq and we'll have a better chance to end the economic problems - but that's just me.

New Season!

NCIS is back - but who would have thought that Lee would be a traitor??  I always liked her.  :-(

Now Gibbs just has to prove it!

A LONG Week

This is been a REALLY long week - interviews, training and meetings filled all 6 days but the week is almost over!!  Last night I went to bed (and sleep) at 8 pm and didn't wake up until 6 this morning.  I know the TV was one when I fell asleep and I (dimly) remember hearing someone talking during the night (probably evening) but I didn't really wake up enough to know who it was or turn the TV off.  Oh well - needed the sleep for sure.

Next week looks much calmer - we'll see!!

Buyer's remorse??

I got the estimate and saw the drawings for the new kitchen - beautiful - and easy to get caught up in the excitement!!  But a couple of days later and I'm wondering if I should be so daring.  Besides, in the meantime I've had to buy a new washer and dryer (not in the plans) which are being delivered tomorrow. 

The kitchen is beautiful - the cabinets lovely - a honey colored maple with tons of storage - and countertops of quartz (about the same price as some granite but easier to take care of and guaranteed!).  But floors aren't included (yet another decision) and painting and all that good stuff.  The suggestion was to take down the 1/2 wall in the kitchen (don't know yet who'd do that) and appliances - OMG I had no idea (until shopping for a new washer/dryer) that the cost of appliances had soared quite so much!

Oh well - I have some questions for the designer - and then I guess we'll move forward - but probably not until the first of the year - it takes about 6 weeks to get the cabinets/countertops and about 4 weeks for the installation and that would be between Thanksgiving and Christmas - not a particularly good time not to be able to cook!

Fingers crossed   -   decisions to be made.

Kitchens, Appliances, Air Conditioners and More

Today I got the A/C downstairs fixed - yea!! - and now all is cool and the poor little window air conditioner, which nobly picked up the slack, is silent!  Best $89 ever spent because it was able to make the entire downstairs comfortable (along with a fan) enough to wait several days for repairs.  Now they just need to come back in the next few days to fix my duct work . . . and so it goes!!

Of course, right after I'd made the appointment to get the A/C fixed, I came home to discover that the washing machine had given up the fight.  It's time has come and I'm now on the hunt for a new washer (and probably a dryer).  I know these things happen but they always seem to happen to me just when I've gotten some money together to do a major project!  Oh well, hopefully by next week I'll have a new washer & dryer (one question - to stack or to pedestal??? suggestions?) and move on to the next problem!  (One additional problem - gas dryers aren't always in stock - except for the most expensive, of course!)

Tomorrow I meet with the kitchen designer - he says he's got some good pictures and plans ready for me - ones that will make my kitchen much better.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them and then going to look for more new stuff - range, dishwasher, fridge, wine fridge??, countertops, tile.

HBO Special . . .

If you have HBO On Demand, check out the HBO Special "Thank You Mr. President" by Helen Thomas.  It's only 37 minutes but a good look at the "Dean of the White House Press Corps" and a brief insight into 47 years of Presidential reporting.

PS Helen - I've seen you on TV at press conferences since JFK and you always had good, HARD questions - but you weren't as funny as Mae Craig (thanks for the brief view of her in the special - now THAT brought back memories!!).

Showing my age here!

New Week - New Meetings

Well, I have to admit I enjoyed my Saturday off - thank you to whoever made the decision - but I really wish that Saturday (NOT today) had been the NCIS marathon     - but at least I got to see some of the shows before I came to work!  Looking forward to the 23rd and a whole new season!!

The downstairs A/C decided to stop working but we did have a "spare" window unit that worked remarkably well considering its size in relation to the downstairs!  The A/C repair man is coming Wednesday (after another meeting in the early morning) and, wonder of wonders, their rates have gone up!! SURPRISE!
Hopefully it will be something relatively minor and easily fixed - but it must be done!

I'm still waiting for the kitchen designer to come up with his design - I'll give that a few more days before I call - I would love to get it done by Christmas (I know - fat chance!! But I can dream!)

OMG - HANNA is coming . . .

Oh no - Hanna - not a hurricane - is coming and you'd think, from listening to the news, that 1. it was truly the storm of the century and 2. it was actually going to have MAJOR impact here!  Even if Hanna becomes a hurricane before landfall tomorrow, it won't be a hurricane by the time it gets here.

Oh well, I just hope that the over-reaction to Hanna (libraries, rec centers, etc. closing for the entire day)  doesn't cause people to underestimate future storms (IKE is a much more powerful storm).  We'll see!

In the meantime, I'll stay home tomorrow and wait for the rain to end.  I'll also wait to see if we close for nor'easters - they're frequently as strong as what we're going to see from Hanna and, to my knowledge, we've never closed for one of those!

And the politics continue . . .

I must admit I've not been watching the Republican convention as much as I watched the Democrats convention - but there haven't been any speeches I've really wanted to see - yet.  I'm hoping to be able to see John McCain's acceptance speech - but it depends on when it happens - if it's before 9 EDT then I probably won't see much of it because I'll be at work. 

I have been watching the Daily Show - great place for news!  It was very interesting Wednesday night - particularly when the show compared several "pundits" opinions on various things. (Strangely most of the pundits were from Fox News - go figure!)

For instance, when talking about a possible Gov. Kaine vice-presidential candidancy, Karl Rove said that he (Kaine) had been Mayor of the 105th largest city in the US and "apologies to Richmond" but it's just not that big a city and, by inference, doesn't give much experience to the possible candidate.  A few weeks later:  Sarah Palin was the Mayor of the 2nd largest city in Alaska and that gave her lots of experience - guess Alaska doesn't have very many large cities because the city she was the Mayor of has a population of 9,000 to Richmond's 100,000+. 

You'd think these people would remember what they had said - after all it was written down and taped! 

Oh well, I guess that's what makes ratings on news programs - but I find it annoying and misleading.  I just fear that too many people simply believe what is said on the various news programs and don't bother to do any of the research to see the facts behind the headlines.

I would like to see a woman in a vice-presidential or presidential role during my lifetime and I think that will happen but I REALLY don't want this particular woman.  I don't like much of what I've read and heard about her positions -

"Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. "She asked the library how she could go about banning books," he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor. "  TIME magazine September 2, 2008


Not exactly what I want a heartbeat away from the Oval Office - and I wouldn't have wanted her to be MY mayor either.
61 days to go . . . I'm still Diane and I wrote this message . . .

I'll Admit It . . .

I'm not an Olympics junkie (used to be but not so much anymore) but I AM a political junkie and I'm truly enjoying this time - conventions!  I've been working each evening during this convention but have been able to see the "big" speeches (at least so far) and I must admit I've enjoyed them!  And I'll watch the next convention too - for how better to understand your opponent!! 

It was an interesting (to say the least) primary season (although I totally refused to watch ANY of the seemingly thousands of debates!) and I'm convinced this one of the most interesting election years I've seen in a long time - and I was around (in elementary school!) when JFK won the squeaker against Dick Nixon.

I do miss the time when the conventions were simply broadcast without a lot of commentary - I can understand the spoken word and really don't need all that "extra" help understanding what's said - SIGH.  (Actually there was commentary but Walter Cronkite was younger then!! And the coverage was gavel to gavel - much of it boring but it was the only thing on TV so watch it I did and I learned!)

I'm Diane and I approved this message!

Getting Started . . .

Well, I had an appointment with a kitchen designer on Friday - and now I'm waiting for a week or two for him to come up with ideas. 

It feels good to get started with getting started but there are so many variables - and so much else that needs to get done too - duct work among other things!  But at least there's a start - and hopefully there will be some great plans in the works.  I'll let ya know . . .  as soon as I know!

Need to work on the townhouse too - same thing as what the house needs - kitchen update, windows, paint - neverending story!  Guess I'll be working for a LONG time yet!  Good thing I enjoy what I do!

Worn Out!

I don't think I've ever had 6 meetings in 4 days before - one on Monday, two on Tuesday, one on Wednesday and two on Thursday! 

     Whew!

Olympics - Finally

OK - I admit I finally watched some of the Olympics:  swimming (men's and women's) - simply wonderful, gymnastics all-around - beautiful, and dressage preliminaries - wonderful and the men's 100 m dash - wow!

I don't watch the Olympics much anymore - I used to and I don't know really why I don't but there you are!  Anyway, I'd exhausted my cable options (I either didn't want to see them or had already seen them several times) so there I was on NBC watching Michael, Nastia and Usain do fantastically.  Along with the Silver and Bronze metalists they were all great - and it was beautiful to watch. 

Congratulations to all the participants - Great Job!

I did get my fix (although I'd like to be able to catch the dressage finals) and I'm ready for non-Olympics again.  This week is going to be busy with meetings almost every day - but that's OK because I'll have a great time with friends one evening.  I'm really looking forward to that!!  Great talk, good nachos and wine -what more could anyone ask??

See everyone on Wednesday!

A Year Ago . . .

Last year at this time, my mother had just returned home from a nursing facility after being in the hospital for several weeks.  Hospice had been called and my entire Virginia family (me & both boys) had been down to visit (while she was still in the nursing home).  She was able to go home because Hospice agreed to manage her meds and because my brother was able to arrange around-the-clock help.  She weighed 71 pounds (mostly because she wouldn't eat at the home - it didn't matter what was brought, she didn't want it!)

Today she's home, has gained over 25 pounds and enjoys getting out of the house for weekly hair appointments and grocery shopping with "the ladies" who take care of her.  We've been extremely lucky that she's doing as well as she is and we're greatful for each day.

My total thanks and appreciation go to my brother and sister-in-law - without them living so close and being able to handle everything I don't know what we would do.  I'm very glad not to have to find out!  Thanks so much, both of you!

One Day At A Time is not just for AA!

All By Myself (with two cats!)

This will be a different week for me - I'm in the last day of dogsitting (my oldest will be home tomorrow), Don is off to San Diego on business and I have the week off - whew! 

The dog is good and, luckily, she & my son live close by because she wasn't really happy here - anxious and pacing the few hours she was here. So I've been going over to her house several hours at a time, several times a day and last thing at night.  She's fine over there - relaxed and happy to be home! I know she'll be happy when her "Daddy" comes home tomorrow.

This week will be a busy one - even without going to work.  The car needs its inspection and an oil change, I have plenty of "stuff" to clean around the house (yuck) and I do have to go into work once this week to make sure timesheets are finished on time!  But it will be good not to have to get up and out early!  I'm sure the week will fly and all will be back to "normal" faster than I can imagine!

Wish me luck on the cleaning  -  I'll need all of it I can get!!

Getting Closer . . . .

"NCIS,"  Premiere    

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 

Finally - Civics 101 "in plain English"

Well - I had the video but apparently that's not a good thing - SO . . . here's the link to Electing a US President in Plain English - try this!!

Update:  the video was changed - hopefully this will work!

The Kitties

Finally Friday

I wasn't sure this day was going to get here - not before I went crazy that is!  Monday, each hour seemed like two - Tuesday was the same.  Thursday was faster but not necessarily in a good way!

BUT FINALLY today arrived and it was good!  Now for two full days of weekend - stuff to do - sure but not work - not customer service - not dealing with police!!

Monday will come soon enough!  Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!  I intend to!

Another Day - Another Arrest

Well, it's Thursday and we had another eventful morning at work!  We had not been open long when the guard came and said that there was someone who'd been falling asleep a lot - and had then gone into the men's room.  And had been in there about 30 minutes!  Since he'd been falling asleep, there was concern that there might have been something wrong!  So . . . I asked a male staff member to go into the rest room - he reported that the man was awake, shut into the stall and not responding to talking.  So . . . a call to the police was made!  Two officers came and spent quite a lot of time in the rest room - then a third officer came and the three police officers and the man left to talk outside.

Eventually the man was arrested (after the police discovered outstanding warrants) but not for the incident in the bathroom where (allegedly) he had been packaging marijuana for sale!! 

Oh well - we banned him for a year - the police arrested him and it was just another day in libraryland!

What is it about Thursday???  Last week was "interesting" too!!

Weekends

Just for the record - one day weekends are WAY too short to count as time off!!  I know that I have two days off per week, but when I work Saturdays (every other week) I have Friday & Sunday off - just isn't the same!

Friday was good though because my hair got its 6 week overhaul - including a much needed cut.  Hopefully it will last another 6 weeks without getting too shaggy - one can only hope.

Saturday was a quiet day - the economy has definitely affected our business - tourists just aren't coming in the numbers they have in the past.   Until, of course until the last hours of the day - when, once again, we had to call the police - SIGH.  This time it was some people out front yelling, cursing and threatening.  Of course, by the time the police got there (and they were quick!) the offenders had moved on - and they didn't come back (at least not before we closed).

Ok - I've whined about work, hair and weekends - Great Start to the Week!!

Thursday @ the Library

Well, it was an interesting end to a relatively quiet day - we had to have the police yet again - but for something new - at least for me.  Because of the nature of the event, the police asked the customers involved if they were willing to prosecute the offender - one was, one wasn't.  Because the customer was willing to go to the precinct (just down the street) and talk with the magistrate, the police took the offender in - and we banned him for a year (could be longer depending on the court case!).  SIGH 

Tomorrow is my day off - hair cut is definitely in order and overdue - silly stuff grows way too fast in the summer!  After that I'm planning to putz around the house and rest up for Saturday - always a fun time!  Hopefully the day will be as quiet as it's been all week - that would be fantastic!!

Weekends Are Too Short

Busy weekend - got to talk and spend time with both of my sons (always a good thing!) and then I decided to rearrange the furniture in the family room.  I've been talking about doing it for a while but that's all I was doing - talking.  Not a lot of actual cleaning, but some!  Dusting done for sure!!

Finally decided it was now or never and off I started - pushing, pulling, moving cords, tables, chairs and the sofa.  It looks good - a bit more open and, if/when we decide on an LCD television, this arrangement will work better than the old.  Still can see the fireplace (always a plus in the winter, especially for the cats) and now have room for both laptops!  So connected are we.

Now if it were just Saturday again tomorrow . . .

Losing my Mind

There are times I think I'm truly losing my mind and the past few days have certainly fostered those thoughts!  For a couple of days I couldn't find my credit card - not a good thing - but I was fairly sure where it was - but it wasn't where it was supposed to be!  Luckily I was right and I had put it down where it didn't belong instead of putting it away!!  Today I was getting change from my wallet and noticed that my driver's license wasn't there - I remembered immediately when I took it out - and I could have sworn I'd put it back.  Well - good thing I didn't swear!!  Anyway - I told my boss that if I couldn't find it where I thought it might be (at home) I would be stopping by DMV before I came to work on Friday!!  It was at home (not exactly where I'd imagined but still in the house!) and is now safely back in my wallet....

I don't know what's happening - stress (I don't think there's more than normal), old age (there's always that!) or just plain need a vacation (I vote for that one!!) but the past couple of weeks have been hard on my cards! 

Oh well - this too shall pass - course it would pass better if I could keep in touch with important government documents!!

Frustrations

I don't handle frustration well - never have and I doubt I ever will - but I usually manage OK - unless something really DUMB happens - like today.

I had to have my windshield replaced some weeks ago - and with the windshield went the expired base sticker. In itself not a big problem, but my ID card had also expired and, even worse, was missing.

So today I head to the base to get both - first to the pass office for a temporary pass onto the base so I can get the ID card and then back to the pass office with the ID card to get the sticker.  That was the plan . . . and we all know about best-laid plans . . .

The temp ID was ok - only because D was with me and used his military ID to get it - but the ID card was a bust - because there is ONLY ONE WAY to access information on their computers and, 17 years after his death and 8 years after the last time I actually had to remember it, I couldn't remember my husband's social security number!  Putting in my social security number brought up my name and the notification that I wasn't the sponsor (so there was a linkage - interesting huh??) but there was no way to link between my name and the "family"!!  SIGH!! 

It means another trip sometime to get the ID card and the pass - but not any time soon - probably my next Friday off.

Movies and Marathons

Two fun movies over the Fourth weekend - both were kids movies - one animated and one "real" and both fun.  Wall-e was funny and cute, Kit Kittridge An American Girl was sweet - and just what I needed this weekend!!

There were several marathons on TV - a JAG/NCIS marathon on Saturday (I'd forgotten that NCIS was a spin-off from JAG!!) and, of course, Law & Order (several of them!!)  Of course I watched the NCIS ones and the L&O Criminal Intent - SIGH!!  L&OCI is new on USA this summer so I got to watch new shows too!!

Lots of cleaning going on this weekend - mostly on Don's part - but I worked too - and we took another load to the dump and one to DAV.  We can see carpet in all non-used bedrooms (miracles do happen) and we're ready (I think) for all of Don's stuff that's coming back this week (he starts his new job in Hampton Roads next week!!).  Still lots to do to get stuff organized and put somewhere but there's light at the end of this particular tunnel and I don't think (at least right now) that it's a train!!

4th of July

Happy Birthday

USA!


I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Kennedy Center - 2008/2009

Next season's performances!

Frost/Nixon

Legally Blonde, the Musical

Ragtime

The Color Purple

Spring Awakening

Looks like a good season - tho I'm not sure about a musical Legally Blonde!!  Will definitely be interesting!

Lion King

What a great play! The costumes are astounding - the giraffes were amazing (as were all the animals!).  The singing was great.  There were a lot of children at the performance (the first Saturday of the run) and all were entralled - the two nearest us were ok although I was glad I wasn't sitting in front of one - she was kicking the entire time!


We were able to get in and out quickly and the ride home was uneventful - we were even able to stop in Glen Allen and get the motorcycle and bring it home (I drove the Explorer of course!!).   All was well down 64 and through the tunnel but as soon as I got to the Virginia Beach border the smell of smoke was everywhere!  I'd forgotten the smell (or I'd gotten used to it) until I'd been out of it for a while - and then it was REALLY strong when I got back! 


Oh well, we can hope that we'll have enough rain soon to put out the fires here and in North Carolina!


A great weekend and the start of a hectic week - but it's a short one!

Whew - what a week

Yippee - an early weekend and a longer one too - I took Saturday and Monday off - just because! I'm going to see Lion King at the Kennedy Center on Saturday - and REALLY looking forward to that!

Sunday will be more cleaning in the "spare" rooms that have become general dumping grounds for all things not in favor! Hopefully I'll be able to get all junk & real garbage out of my assigned room and move on to actual cleaning! There's still another room for me to do - but that's going to mean heavy lifting so I'm going to have to have massive help!

Monday will be a day of rest and relaxation (along with dusting and working from home - I know but there are things that HAVE to get done before Tuesday!!).

PS There are 131 days until the election - if it were over tomorrow I'd be very very happy!

Burning . . . eyes, throat, lungs . . .

The Dismal Swamp is burning - North Carolina is burning - and all the smoke is here in Kempsville outside (and inside) my house!

Too bad they're not making whiskey - there's peat a plenty burning around here - and all we're getting is watery eyes, coughs and scratchy throats! This morning it looked foggy but it was actually smoke haze in the air . . . between the heat a few weeks ago (with smoke then too!) and the increasing amount of smoke, this summer is stacking up as one of a kind!

The newspaper said that North Carolina officials said that the rainfall from a hurricane would be needed to put out the fires there - peat is up to 12 feet deep. Here in the Dismal it's about 3 feet deep so we DON'T need a hurricane - just 10 inches of rain!! Maybe the rain expected this evening or tomorrow will take some of the smoke out of the air - time will tell!

Oh well - I'll stock up on Sudafed (the REAL stuff), Excedrine and plenty of fluids!

PS - in the klutz department (again), I (apparently) tossed my wrist brace out with some garbage - SIGH. I've gotten another (different) one from Walgreens and will hit the medical supply store on Monday to get another one like the old one! GEEZE

Goodbye Tim Russert . . .

I didn't know Tim Russert personally but I've taken his unexpected death harder than I would have ever thought. Perhaps it's because we're the same age (actually he was a day older!), or maybe because it was so sudden.

He's definitely going to be missed.

UNCLE . . .

I've had enough already! It's not even the middle of June and already we've had several days in a row of 90+ weather (in some cases 100 degree weather). It's not August - not even the end of July!!

On top of that gas is costing almost $4 a gallon here - we're a bit lower than some other places and I just cringe at the thought of the electric bill next month! I don't think the A/C or the fans have stopped running (fans help keep the a/c a little higher - probably a vain attempt to save some money!!). We did cook outside so that was something but you certainly couldn't stay outside long - at least I couldn't.

Oh well - fingers crossed for no power failures and we're not going to mention hurricanes!!

Interesting Times . . .

The supposed Chinese "curse" is May You Live In Interesting Times. I've never been sure why living in such times would be a curse but I'm pretty sure we're there!

The first First Lady I remember is Maime Eisenhower - with bell skirt and peter-pan collar - she seemed like a nice grandma lady to a kid!

But I've now seen a woman make a very good run for the Presidency - good for her! And an African-American is now the nominee of the Democratic party - WOW talk about interesting times! So dispite the curse, I'm thrilled to live in these times!

My grandmother saw automobiles, airplanes and space shuttles. I've seen men walk on the moon, clear, closeup pictures of Jupiter and Mars, and women serving on Navy ships. I was in high school before I had a classmate who black and now I've voted in a primary election (and soon the general election) for a black man for President of the United States. Interesting times indeed!

So I can only hope we continue to live in interesting times - daily life can seem mundane and routine - but these special events certainly do add spice!

And people wonder why I find history so interesting and fun!

Thanks for small things

Reading a friend's blog I realize that I have it pretty easy in the "neighbor" department! Some problems - some lack of mowing, etc. but nothing like the mess she's facing every day. I wish there was some way to help . . .

My broken wrist silver lining - here it is 4 months after the "event" and I've still not started biting my nails again - and I actually have nails! To be sure, they're not really all that strong and a couple have broken but not as far back as I used to gnaw them! It's been a little hard getting used to typing with nails - never knew it could be so difficult!

There's a "new wind blowing" at MPOW and I, for one, am extremely pleased about it! Looking forward to the upcoming changes . . . The Winds of Change was a training video we used to have, narrated by Patrick Stewart . . . I can hear him now!!

Almost Sunday

It's almost Sunday, I can't sleep (probably slept too late this morning) and we're heading to NVa tomorrow morning to make sure the grass is cut and all is well! I'm sure I'll be sleepy soon!

I did have a productive, if frustrating afternoon. I worked on my library's Summer Reading Club web page(s). It was productive because I got some of them finished - frustrating because the program's preview doesn't work and requires publishing to view the results. Things didn't line up exactly the way I'd like (or the way it appeared within the program) but it's not too bad! I have more to do - the teen pages in particular so I may work on them some more and see if I can't get it straight!

It was supposed to rain today but it didn't - but it certainly was hot. The first day it was really hot - upper 80s - and humid. Can't wait to see this summer's electric bills!

I'm amazed that it's June already - on Monday it will be the start of the fourth month of the "broken wrist". Amazing. Of course, my wrist isn't broken anymore - it's fixed (a little crooked but that's ok). But it certainly isn't back to "normal" and I just hope it will be someday. It gets better day by day - sometimes it's two steps forward, one step backwards but, in general, progress is being made! I can hold many things with my right hand - I can write with it (although it gets tired and sore easily) but I can't easily make a fist unless it's in the morning - my hand (and fingers in particular) still swell and I can't turn my hand palm up - it goes further than before but still not all the way. Oh well - I guess it really is time for physical therapy - much as I've been hoping to avoid it!

Well - it's after midnight and now June 1 - time for some sleep and a trip later this morning.

Later . . .

It's Summer

Once again, Virginia Beach is going from Spring to Summer to early Spring! The weather over the Memorial Day weekend was absolutely beautiful - perfect temperature and sunny. Today it's hot and somewhat humid - summer weather - high 80s and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be 65 - after some thunderstorms roll through - back to early spring!

We're finally seeing many of our foreign student workers come to the library. In previous years, we've seen them come earlier - as much as a month earlier - but they're coming in now. It really is inspiring - I don't know that I would have ever had the courage to travel across the globe to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language well to work for 3-4 months. I'm just glad we can provide some contact for them to their friends and family back home. If only we had wireless!!

As the other area libraries calm down (somewhat) with school closing in a few weeks, we gear up for a really busy summer. I wonder how the gas problems and prices will affect the number of people who come to visit Virginia Beach and how many visitors we have coming in to use the computers. Only time will tell!

PS - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a good friend - I didn't forget - I'm just that way!

Memorial Day

It's more than a day off - take some time this weekend to remember the fallen and to thank a veteran for all the freedoms we enjoy.

Open Letter to NCIS Producers

COME ON - what was that finale?? Ok - I get that Jenny was the one to leave - I've seen that coming for a while - with all the sneaking around with Ducky about a secret illness (or whatever). The shootout in the diner was probably a more fitting end than a lindgering illness - but the rest??

Leon has GOT to go - simply has to. I can't imagine that someone as smart as the Director would have put something into his personnel file (which he convienently shredded) without a backup copy somewhere (maybe in the mail to Jethro??). And splitting up the team - puleeze!

It's bad enough that Ziva's going back to Israel and McGee to somewhere, but Tony to the Ronald Reagan?? Really now!

Anyway - it made for good television and ensures that I'll be anxious for the fall and a new season. BTW I have full confidence that McGee, Tony and Ziva will be back - after all they are the most productive (apparently) of the NCIS agents!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

I say - Celebrate the Small Stuff!

Example 1: Yesterday, for the first time in 10 weeks, I used BOTH my hands to brush my hair, gather it (somewhat sloppily!) into a ponytail AND twist a scrunchy around it tight enough to last for 14 hours!!

Example 2: An early meeting (before the hand swells too much) called for more notes than my poor left hand could laboriously handle - so, with brace on and a stiff thumb requiring an awkward pen position, my right hand rose to the challenge! And in the chicken scratch that resulted I actually saw shadows of my former handwriting!

World peace is still a distant dream, cancer is still uncured and gas and fuel prices continue to soar but my optimistic glass got a few drops fuller and the dim flicker at the end of what seems like an endless tunnel of aching, stiff and somewhat useless wrist got a little bit brighter. So I'm going to Sweat and Celebrate the small stuff and, hopefully, the big stuff will follow along.

Diane - now feeling that sometime in 2008 my wrist will be back to its new normal!

Wonderful,Energizing Workshop Today

Today, my Library department had one of it's regularly scheduled monthly "all staff" meetings - actually three one-hour sessions throughout the day. (That schedule lets most of the staff, including part-timers and "evening only" staff participate!)

Today was extra special, tho, because Michael Stephens of Tame the Web fame was here and gave a very engaging and dynamic talk (or three of them!). He spoke on what's next after Library, Learning and Web 2.0 - what we should be looking at for the future (and the present) and what we should learn next.

It was a fascinating hour - and honestly quite gratifying to know that we're doing some things "right" already and energizing with all the wonderful new things we have in front of us! Of course, there are always some obstacles but I don't think they're insurmountable and I'm very hopeful that we'll be able to move forward on a lot of the ideas! I know I have a lot of new sites to check out!

All - in - all a wonderful (long) day -

Thank you Michael - for coming to Virginia Beach!

Happy Mother's Day!

I've made it a point (not that I think anyone's really noticed!) not to endorse either of the two people running for the Democratic party - but this is pretty convincing because it's so reasoned and logical!

Beware: Celebrity Endorsement


Might actually make up my mind for me - NOT! But it is the kind of political advertising I wish we had more often!

Besides - I HAVE to go with someone who reads history for pleasure!!

Baby Steps

Ok - here's the thing - the cast(s) are all off - the wrist is officially healed and I've got a brace which I've been using religiously. HOWEVER - it's been a week and I don't know that I've made the progress I should have - for many reasons! I do have an ulterior motive - I'd like to avoid physical therapy if at all possible!

• Fear - it's very strange to feel "afraid" to use part of your body that you've always used but there you are. I'm able to type with both hands but not as smoothly as I used to - yet. But I've been babying my wrist - probably too much!
• Relying too much on the brace - my wrist - heck the arm - felt naked without something on it so I left the brace on except for showers. It's scratchy and doesn't (of course) have the support of the cast but it does give a sense of security - but it definitely limits mobility!
• Feeling particularly old and vulnerable - this is my birthday month (in fact week) and the length of time this is taking to heal has pointed out, once again, that a significant amount of time has passed and "bouncing back" simply doesn't happen any more. That realization also causes mini - pity parties, which while temporarily gratifying (on some bizarre plane) are simply not useful or helpful

SO - what now!!?? Well, the brace is off today - I'm typing without it and doing ok - the old arm is stiff - of course it is! I don't have any real pain - just some soreness! I'll use the brace at night (at least for another few days) and I'm going to try to make myself use my hand and wrist more. Poor thing can barely hold anything but it's getting better every day!

AND - no more pity parties! I had some whine (with cheese and wine actually) but it's time to "let it go".

I'm going to depend on my friends to reign me in if (ok when) I get going! That's what friends are for - listening, supporting and smacking upside the head when it's needed! It's been a while since we've been able to get together - really looking forward to that!!

Saturday - May 3

It's my first Saturday to work in a long time - my co-workers have been wonderful in giving me the time to heal! I was able to do the money (rolling the pennies one penny at a time was interesting) and I know the day will go well! Apparently the NCIS marathons on USA are over - at least there wasn't one last weekend so I'm not missing Mark & the crew! It's supposed to be a picture perfect day at the beach today!!

(Picture courtesy of AmericaninCanada - Flickr.com)

A good friend's Mom had to go into the hospital this past week - Delilah - all good thoughts to you and your Mom and don't hesitate to call whenever!

Blood, Sweat and Tears

OK - so there's no blood - but the quote's good!! There is sweat and tears though! Out of the final cast, I've been given my orders and they're proving difficult to accomplish. Make a tight fist - that one is moving along although my fingers get stiff and don't want to bend into a fist sometimes! Turn my palm upwards from the elbow - now that one is impossible right now. Palm down - ok - typing has become much easier with both hands (although with the brace on my wrist doesn't flex too well and, to be honest, isn't totally palm down - 95%! But palm up - no way. Every day I push a little more on it several times a day to move it but the best I can get is perpendicular and some days that 's painful.

I know it's only been a few days but I need to be able to accomplish these tasks in one month or I have to start physical therapy and I'd rather not! Fingers crossed (I can do that!!).

One other thing- how crazy is it to be fearful of taking a shower??!! I like showers but my arm feels so strange without anything on it for support that it's a bit scary in there! And it's still difficult because I really can't hold much or do much with that arm so my left arm doesn't get too washed! SIGH - baby steps!

Liberation!!

The cast is off and another is not going on!! I now have a brace that can be removed for bathing (yippee!!) and some assignments to get my fingers into a fist and my wrist flexing more.

I must say that my wrist feels funky and looks very strange - but it has loosened up even in the hour since the cast was removed. It's going to take some time but I'm actually typing with both hands (not just one or two fingers on my right hand!!) and I have hopes for the future and recovery!

I still do have pain meds tho - and based on the difficulty I'm having making some wrist/arm movements that's probably a good idea!

All in all, a good day!!

Final (I Hope) Week

Next week at this time I'm very hopeful that I will no longer have a cast on my right arm - it's been a long time and I'm ready (I think!!).

It's kind of scary though! The other times the cast has been removed, my wrist has been very painful and I've babied it - so I'm sure it will be painful this time too. But I am getting more function back and I can't say that I will miss this thing! I'm looking forward to a real shower (I'm sure my hand is gross!!) and someday using the blowdryer again! In the meantime, I have to give credit to Donna (my stylist) who came up with a pretty good wash & wear 'do!!

And I know everyone will appreciate it if I can once again sign my name and have it look normal and not like a demented third-grader! I just can't get my left hand to do what I want it to do!Thank goodness I don't write many checks anymore!

Casts, Dust and Stuff

Now if that’s not enough to get your attention!! 1.5 weeks left on the short, lime-green cast and I’m really anxious for it to be gone! The skin on my fingers and exposed part of my hand is scaly, dry, peeling and generally yucky! I’m hoping fresh air and being able to wash will cure that! There is a silver(ish) lining to this ordeal – I haven’t bitten my fingernails since March 2 – the day of the “event”. I couldn’t reach my right hand fingers for a month but my left was available!! I just didn’t do it – and, for the first time since I was very young, I have the beginnings of real fingernails! We’ll have to see if I continue the “good” way – I want to but I’m weak!!

Dust –everywhere I look there’s dust – and I just don’t do anything about it. I can dust with my left hand – but I’m used to picking up with one hand and dusting with the other and THAT ain’t happening! Oh well – it’s not going anywhere! Maybe by my birthday I’ll be able to do more with this silly hand – I hear the physical therapy is terrible but it must be done – SIGH!

This is National Library Week and we’ve got programs galore going on – including beaded booked thongs tomorrow night – really cute and I hope we have lots of teens come make some! Ridley Pearson is coming for a lecture Thursday evening at Central Library – big doings!! The Rescue Squad next door gave us a beautiful basket of goodies for NLW – they’re always so good to us – time to start planning for their special week!

Not much going on - it was sunny and nice (cool) today - great spring day! My azaleas are almost all in bloom and look great as usual - the grass is looking better each week - it's a good time!

Saturday - and RAIN!

OK enough already! It's yet another Saturday and rain! I know we need it but other days are available!

Thank you USA - NCIS marathon!!

Last Week

I had a great time in Arlington at Computers in Libraries but I wasn't able to accomplish all I hoped. I don't want to whine (you know there's a but coming!) but I don't know how to say that this stupid cast was annoying, somewhat painful and kept me from totally enjoying (and blogging) about CIL without whining!

I was with some terrific co-workers - some newly met! - and saw some great presentations - me and my "little (green) friend"! It's difficult to always have to really think about what to order for meals - I REALLY didn't want to have to ask anyone to cut up anything!

My room was terrific - very comfortable and the wi-fi was great although I wasn't connected to the hotel's wi-fi!! One benefit for me was the train that ran behind the hotel next to National airport - the train whistles were very reminiscent of my Grandma's house!

The Second Annual Youtubey awards were great too and I'm hopeful that not only Virginia Beach but Oceanfront will have entries in next year's contest!

I plan to have more on specific sessions and ideas for us later!

Rainy days and Saturdays

Another Saturday - another NCIS marathon (yipee) - and more rain. Best news of all, my taxes are done and filed!! I'm waiting for an acceptance email, I sign a form verifying I am who I am (and no I couldn't immediately find last year's return) and then wait for the money!!

I'm getting ready to pack for Computers in Libraries next week - it's always fun and educational!! So many interesting things to learn about - and bit by bit we're starting to implement some of them at work! It's going to be a bit more difficult with one arm but that's the way it's going to be this year! Maybe next time!!

Speaking of casts (ok I really wasn't but I am now!) this one is worse on the inside than the other two - it's almost gummy (yuck) but fans help. The pain is a little more because of the arm rotation - I REALLY have to remember to take it slow (not a strong suit) and be assured that it will be better. 3 more weeks to my next appointment - splint time I hope!

Unfortunately there's no "group" meeting this month -- watch out May!

Another cast - another month . . .

Another trip to the doctor - another cast cut off (goodbye purple hello green . . . yes I know the picture is of a left hand!) and more x-rays. The bad news is that the wrist has shifted a little more (very slightly) from the last time 2 weeks ago. The good news is that's not all that unusual. It will probably mean that my wrist is slightly crooked (which I don't mind) and the bone will stick out a little and. as long as I have full function, that is OK.

The doctor said the only way to ensure perfect alignment is surgery & a plate. However, there are possible complications from that too. Right now, the complications from a crooked wrist and surgery are a wash - we'll see how things go!

Anyway, my long-arm cast is gone ane I have a short one, beneath my elbow. My poor elbow hasn't stretched in a month and it's a bit sore. But I now have no doubt that elbow movement affects the wrist! I haven't had this much pain since the accident! My arm now can rotate and tears come to my eyes - especially when it happens unexpectedly!

It'll get better - it will just take time - SIGH! My next appointment is in just over 3 weeks (instead of the 2 I was hoping!).

Taxes, Cooking and Misc.

Get your attention?!

Today has the potential to be a very busy day - and I'm basically a very lazy person - SIGH.

My intention was to have my taxes finished in February and, when that didn't happen, to have them done by mid-March. However, I decided to throw myself down on the porch and break my wrist instead. Thoughts of taxes flew out of my mind but now it's the end of March and I don't think the IRS will care about my wrist ordeal! I have my stuff together so I need to sit down with Turbo-Tax and get busy (but first a blog post!!).

I'm also making a pot roast for dinner. I discovered that peeling (or whacking) garlic isn't easy with one arm at a permanent 90 degree angle - nor is chopping up an onion. Luckily help was at hand and the roast got properly browned, garlicked and onioned and is now roasting away. The potatoes, carrots, celery and more onions will be added later. Since the weather today is cold and rainy, this comfort food dinner will be great! Not to mention the leftovers!

Next Sunday I'm off to Arlington and the Computers in Libraries conference. I've checked the weather forecast and, right now, it's cast friendly! Tomorrow I hope to get a new, smaller cast, but cooler weather is always better with plaster I've discovered! I always enjoy this conference and am anxious to go again!

A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day and it started well at work. About 3, tho, my arm started throbbing. I hung in until almost five, (got in about 11) then came home to rest and get my arm in the air! Yesterday was my first full day at work - guess it can only handle one but not two days in a row!

When I got home I opened the back door and let the cats enjoy the many birds taking advantage of the puddle of water on the pool cover! They were mostly crows but a couple of robins dropped by too. Both Cleo and Quincy enjoyed the show - at different times of course!

After it cooled down and I closed the door, Cleo jumped up on the ottoman facing the fireplace. She sat there gazing first at the cold hearth then back at her "staff" willing someone (me) with a thumb to turn on the gas. Unlike last night, she was out of luck tonight. She'll have better luck this weekend - it's supposed to get cooler again.

Truly Blessed

I work in a great place for terrific people. Everyone's been so supportive and concerned with my progress with this hunk of plaster on my arm! Emails, phone calls, opening my soda bottles!! (I can open cans but not bottles!!). It really makes the entire ordeal a bit easier knowing that kind of support is there!

I'm very lucky that I have wonderful support outside work too. My friends, neighbors and family check to see if I need anything on their way to run errands and I've gotten lovely flowers and delicious fruit!

In case anyone is interested/concerned - yes. I woke up at 3:30 a.m.! I fell asleep at 10 p.m. and, in my dreams, I heard one ring - like a phone - which it wasn't - and "bink" my eyes flew open! I'm not good at lying in bed so I got up and here I am! I'm sure I'll be back in bed soon. In the meantime, a little surfing, a little reading and I'm good. What's really strange is that there are more interesting TV programs (in my opinion) on at 4 a.m. than during regular "daytime" hours - go figure!

Back to Work . . .

Today was my second day back at work - and I want to thank everyone who suggested I go back part-time! Four hours seems to be the limit my arm and I can handle!

Monday I did too much with the arm - I had the sling but not the waist band and that just allowed me to do more than I probably should have.

Today I had the waist band but I was still tired enough and my arm ached enough that when I came home at noon I took a pain pill and had a nice nap!! This evening has been much better!

I know that slow and steady is the way to go but I don't have a lot of patience - I'm sure that will come as a complete shock to my friends! - and it's hard for me to wait - - but, of course, I will!

PS: to my bank, co-workers for whom I've signed leave slips, etc. - that's not a forgery . . . it's my poor attempt to write with my left hand!!

PPS: kudos to the programmers who created an easy way to switch mouse buttons!!

Two Weeks & Counting

I have fingers!! On my visit to the doctor today he said the cast was too big and I said I couldn't use the sling because the angle wasn't right. He also said that the fracture has slipped a little but not significantly - probably because the cast was slipping.

Anyway, I got a new cast today and my fingers and thumb have been freed! I might actually be able to sign my name soon! My wrist (outside the cast) is a lovely shade of yellow!! My cast is now a "healing" purple - and I am using my sling!

Next appointment the 31st - and another cast - this time a short one!

Alone and tired

I'm exhausted and I haven't done anything! I had a great visit from a friend I haven't seen in quite a while! She was here a couple of hours and all we did was talk - me with my arm up! but her visit reinforced my decision not to attend All Staff Day tomorrow. Getting dressed and simply sitting up on the couch did me in!!

Well, it's also my first night since the "event" by myself. Just me and the cats. But not for long - companionship will return Thursday evening. I quickly got spoiled though!! It's really nice having another human in the house - the cats are good but don't talk much - well they do "talk" but not so I understand.

One Week Down - Five To Go . . .

Well - almost a week now and my cast is like an unwelcome guest at a party! I took this week off and called Thursday to take next week off too. It means that I'll miss All Staff Day - double bummer - but since getting bathed and dressed is a MAJOR issue I thought it was a wise decision!

It's been amazing finding out just how hard it can be not to have use of my arm - even more amazing how cumbersome this silly cast is! And how right-handed I am!! The simplest things are now difficult and don't even ask about a signature!!

I have to say that sleeping has been ok - but I've noted more dreams using my right arm! It does help when it's cold so I guess Va. Power will be happy (when the weather gets warmer)!

PS my cast is bright blue!!

Broken . . .

I now am the proud "owner" of a shoulder-height bright blue cast that has to stay 4 weeks with an additional 2 weeks in a shorter cast. And hopefully this will be all that's needed - the doctor did mention surgery but said this should be enough. Apparently the wrist wasn't terribly out of line - thank God - because the setting was horrible as was the numbing beforehand!

Oh well - one day at a time!

What a Day . . .

This morning I went out to get the paper about 7 - barefoot. On my way back into the house, my foot caught on my pants leg and down I went. My wrist led the way into the door, which luckily wasn't closed tightly - but my pour right wrist didn't fare well at all!

After a trip to the new emergency room down the street. I have a splint on my broken wrist, instructions to call the orthopedist tomorrow, a bandaged toe and a prescription for vicodin . . . what a flipping mess!

SIGH