People are Funny - and Strange too . . .

Years ago I volunteered with the Navy Relief Society - I did it here and in Maine - and, for the most part, enjoyed it.  I worked 4 hours per week and was trained as a budget counselor which, in and of itself was amusing because I rarely maintained a budget myself!  Every week I would talk with people who, for many different reasons, had gotten themselves in a position where they had to ask for help from Navy Relief. Some were easy to advise and some were very very difficult but the work was always interesting.

When we went to Maine, the base was, of course, much smaller.  I actually worked two days a week for 4 hours each day.  On my days it was me and the social worker.  Because the base was small, and because my husband was stationed on the only ship in the area (in for repairs) it was important that I notify everyone coming in from the ship that there was a connection.  I also assured everyone that I didn't talk about my work with him as he didn't talk to me about his work - but everyone had to be given an option to either talk with the social worker (if she was available) or come back the next day.

Most people didn't leave, although after I introduced myself to one client, he did say - they told me your husband worked on the same ship - they didn't say he was my boss!  He and I had a good laugh and I was able to help him!

All this leads up to a talk I had with the social worker during a quiet time one day.  We were talking about what I was going to do after we moved (again).  I said I didn't know - I enjoyed what I was doing but being a social worker meant going back to school and that wasn't something I wanted to do and besides I didn't think I was social work material.  Imagine my chagrin when she laughed and said definitely not!!  Anyway there are days I still think I'm in social work and, while it was fun, interesting and fulfilling part-time, it's not nearly as much fun full time. 

This too shall pass . . . sooner rather than later would be nice!!

Why?

The local newspaper, for whatever reason, has posted salaries of full-time city employees (all the local cities) in an online searchable database.  You can search by job title & department or simply click on the city for a list of all the departments.  If you have some knowledge of the department it's not too hard to figure out who's who (for those job titles with more than one position listed) because there's a date of employment listed.  For those job titles with only one person, it's a slam dunk!

A sure fire way to ensure that co-workers become suspicious of each other - or upset because of salary differences (and there definitely are some).  Salaries, politics and religion - three things that don't need to be discussed at work (and I'm flexible on politics!!).  SIGH 

Robert Reich

If only reasoned, rational voices could be heard above the manic shouting . . .

President Obama's Speech to School Children

Since I was home, I decided to watch the President's speech - because I really did want to see how telling children to stay in school and have some responsibility for their lives would translate into brainwashing.

The speech was good - if it had been given by any of the Presidents who were in office while I was in school I know that the entire school would have been in the auditorium to hear it.  My parents were Republicans but they wouldn't have thought to keep their children from hearing any President - including the ones they didn't agree with politically.  Civility goes a long way in the world - fear and panic only lead to more fear and panic. 

As for the speech - the old rhyme went "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" - while that's not totally true (words do wound deeply), listening to the President of the United States won't hurt any child.

It's time the children of America were told to be responsible for their actions.

Rainy days and Mondays . . .

It was a rainy Labor Day today with NCIS and Criminal Minds marathons.  Both good things - although I've seen the NCIS episodes many times!

For some reason I couldn't sleep last night - it was about 3:30 when I got to sleep and then I woke up again- once about 6 (fed the cats) and later about 8:30.  Short night!  Small nap this afternoon but all that did was make me groggy - SIGH.  Hopefully tonight will be better - I'm really looking forward to a good night's sleep!

I'm looking forward to a few days off this week - not as long as I'd hoped - but better than nothing.  I hope.

Doors . . . Wonderful

Who knew that new doors could be so exciting!  The townhouse now has new windows and new doors - front and patio.  Beautiful and the installation was great - the men were very professional, pretty quick for two doors (one big!) and they cleaned up after themselves wonderfully!

The patio door (which of course is a non-Lowe's or Home Depot standard size) was a size that this company carried and, for a little extra, I was able to get the blinds between the panes of glass - FANTASTIC!!  It is such a clean look and those blinds won't get torn, dirty or messed up! 

The front door is more mundane but the lack of windows does make the entry a bit dark - there are always tradeoffs!!  It's nice that they'll put a color on the outside with a different color inside - this one is brown on the outside and white inside.  (Patio doors white on both sides!).  Gives a nice finished look without having to paint! 

Next time it's my house getting windows (and maybe doors!).

End of an Era?

It's sad to think that I've seen the last Kennedy brother's funeral. 

I was in school when the Principal came over the PA system (just before school was out) and said that President Kennedy had been shot in Texas.  He asked us to pray for the President.  When I went out to the bus (I was a bus patrol) the bus driver said that the President was dead - I didn't want to believe her but it was true.

A few (very few) years later I learned on the news that Bobby was killed in California.  I was working the summer between college semesters and found out when I listened to the news.

Now Teddy - it wasn't unexpected but still sad - it was very sad to see his sister, sister-in-law and wife during the service. 

Arlington is a beautiful place - I remember visiting the President's grave before it became a huge granite place - it was a simple grave with a white picket fence around it - and the flame. 

I'll be making a trip to Arlington in the near future - lots of MY people to visit there - maybe I'll stop by and visit the Kennedy brothers.