SRP

Today was the beginning of the Summer Reading Program and the start of Oceanfront's Crafty Mondays programs.  This Monday was dream catchers and very popular!  Next Monday is paper plate fish to be decorated as the kids like.

SRP registration is via the web - and despite great trepidation among some of the staff, the public has apparently had little problem with the new process.  And that's a good thing because ultimately I think the new process will save us a lot of time (I know it will for data entry alone) and I think people will be happy to be able to access their accounts from home.

Even tho I can't win the big raffle prize, I did enter!  I can always use another pen (prize for finishing 5 books).

Decisions

I made a momentous (at least at this time!) decision today to get another dog.  I called the breeder where I'd gotten Sasha back in 1991.  She was such a fantastic dog, it was only natural!

We'd lost our first German Shepherd in November 1990.  After Harry's death in January '91, I decided the boys and I needed a dog.  I was reading the Washington Post one day and noticed an advertisement for German Shepherds in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  I took a chance, called and made an appointment to go up on Mother's Day.  We were able to pick out a puppy and take her home with us.  She traveled very well and she was a complete joy for 11 years.

Obviously the breeder has grown over the years - now, waiting until a puppy is 8 weeks old probably means you won't get one!  The puppy I'm interested in was born at the end of May and will be able to come home at the end of July.

I'm very excited - however, there is some concern because of the two cats who already are living here. I know they'll adjust - after all they adjusted to each other fairly well! - but it will still be traumatic for them.  On the positive side, they'll be able to whip a puppy into shape and teach her quickly who's the boss(es)!!

It's been a long time since there's been a puppy (or even a kitten) in the house.  Quincy & Cleo arrived as adults - but I'm sure we'll manage!

Selfish or Self Aware?

At work, a co-worker mentioned a person who said that she didn't want to have children because she wanted to spend her money on herself.  Another co-worker said that was selfish ...was it?

Is not wanting to have children (whatever the reason) selfish or is it self aware?  And is being selfish a problem?

I think that having children should be a decision made for the right reasons - you WANT children, you love children and you're willing to make the sacrifices to lifestyle and life required by having children.  In this case, the reason (spending money on oneself) may be shallow but it certainly isn't selfish in my opinion - it's a reflection of that person's realization that children don't fit into her preferred lifestyle.  Will that change - could be or it could be this person actually knows herself very well.

I've never regretted having children.  They've been a crucial part of my life and have helped me move forward during some very rough times. However, I have to admit that, looking back, my life would have been significantly different without them.  Not better, but definitely different.  I wouldn't be living in the house I am and probably wouldn't be in the town I'm in - because there wouldn't have been anything (other than my job at the time) to have kept me here 21 years ago when life changed so much.

Now that my children are grown and on their own - is it selfish that I spend more money on myself? Basically that's the same as the person who doesn't want children in order to spend more on herself isn't it?

Anyway - it's just something to think about.  I don't think, with or without children, that being a bit selfish is a problem.  As long as others aren't hurt or suffer, your bills and necessities are taken care of first and you're not going into debt with things you can't afford ever - then pampering yourself once in a while and putting yourself first isn't a bad thing.  Your children will grow and leave you - you have to live with yourself and be happy with yourself your entire life - might as well enjoy it if you can!

Tuesday . . .

A long meeting this afternoon - but it was productive (at least I thought so).  I enjoy seeing co-workers I don't see all the time and I really enjoy sharing information.

My next projects are fixing the fence (with a new gate) and getting a new front door.  The biggest obstacle so far is getting someone to respond to my phone messages.  I'll find someone somewhere to fix the silly thing!  The fence is becoming a bigger priority because I really want a new dog!

Rashes - still

Going into week three of the dermatitis - it's getting better - my thumb has all but cleared up and my face (where I must have wiped my face) is much better and no longer itches.  However, between my fingers and on the back of my wrist still looks bad and my fingers itch!  The rest are single blisters, like someone put one drop of acid on my wrist and it blistered - there are 5 of them! They itch some but mostly just look horrible.

I've been wearing whatever long sleeved (light weight) shirts I have - to try to hide as much as possible.  Thank goodness it's another 4 day week for me (I'm off Friday for Saturday) so I should be able to cover up!

I haven't ever had this bad a reaction and I still don't know what it was - something that just touched the back of my hand - because there's nothing on my palms!

Air Show 2012

The air show isn't usually at the Oceanfront - it's usually in the fall and at Oceana Naval Air Station but this weekend is the Patriot Festival and the air show was at the beach Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Today at work I was off the desk at 3, grabbed the camera and went straight out the front door (we're 5 blocks from the beach) and got this picture of the Blue Angels.

At lunch, looking out the lounge window, we saw some prop planes flying by and there were F-22s that put on a show too (no pics :( ) but I've always had a soft spot for the Angels and was glad I got to see them!

New Beginnings

The week I was off I had this delivered and spent time throwing stuff away!  I have two more days (actually 4 but I think I'll have it picked up early!) to throw more things away.  Not everything will be gone, of course, but enough will be that I feel lighter!  (Silly I know)

The other thing I arranged for was new porch railings.  I wasn't sure when they'd be installed exactly but last Thursday was the day!  I must admit they're a bit jarring - not used to seeing screws in the porch railings, but they're pretty, clean and VERY white!  All in all a good decision!  Next I think will be a new front door and storm door.