May

This year is flying past - it's almost Memorial Day!  Bryan graduated from ODU and won the Academic Achievement Award in History - so proud of him!  He invited me to the honors luncheon - very nice event and I was thrilled to go.  Of course now he's looking for a teaching job and, while I certainly want the very best for him, it will be a jolt when he leaves.

One more year at work - that's the plan right now and I don't foresee any changes - before retirement. Guess then I'll have to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life! So many opportunities!  I do know that I'd like to travel some - hopefully I'll find someone to go with me - but I also want to just "be" - and enjoy the area around me.  I can go on mini-trips that I don't have time for now - lots of dreaming going on!

But for now, I simply can't believe how fast the year has gone - in the past it's seemed to move slowly from January to May but not this year!  I suppose all the changes and additions at work have had a hand in making it appear to fly.  Here we are in the beginning of "holiday time" (that's what I call it since we'll have actual holidays almost every other month while we don't have any from the middle of January to the end of May!) and pretty soon it will be Christmas and another New Year!  But, l don't want to get too far ahead of myself!

Think I'll go enjoy this sunny, cool day after all the heat and humidity.

Managing Change

Today I went to a session on Managing Change - it couldn't have come at a better time.  The talk dealt with a particular model that has the change be an event then the transition being the reactions to that event.  There are three steps - 1.  the Ending; 2. the Neutral Zone; and 3. the New Beginnings.

We're always in some part of this transition and sometimes in two or more stages at the same time!  I know that at least one of my changes started with my boss's retirement - that was The Ending.  My reactions to that were mixed - I was pleased for her yet wondering how my life would be changing both in the long term and the short term.  A new manager was definitely the long term change but, in the short term, was trying to manage all the new responsibilities while attempting to ensure the rest of the staff had what they needed.  The Neutral zone is where I think I am now - I've moved forward but there are still questions and, unfortunately, not, as yet, very many answers.

If that was the only change then it would be fairly easy and simple to wait for the new manager to be hired and figure out my role at that time, but life is never that easy!  My problems, staff problems, department issues - all conspire to make this change simply one of many - I can tell when I'm getting stressed by change - I want to sleep too much (most of the time), and get cranky! Then I know it's time to stop, take a deep breath and slowly start one step at a time to work through the problem.

SIGH!

Busy

It's been a tiring couple of weeks.  My boss decided, somewhat unexpectedly, to retire and has been on leave this week.  I've needed to take on some of my boss's meetings & responsibilities - it's certainly made my week seem much longer!

It's all going to be fine and a new boss will be hired in a couple of months. In the meantime, the added meetings will pass, the extra reports will get sent and all will be calm in the universe again!! Now, if there were only more than 24 hours in a day!

Time passes

It's been a long time - I'm not certain why exactly . . . but!  Found out at the end of January that my boss was retiring (can you say jealous??!!) and her last day is in a couple of weeks.  The uncertainty of change is always difficult but there is always the chance for new beginnings too.  It will be interesting to see who comes and how he or she will put his or her stamp on the place.  In the meantime, our new big boss is putting her stamp on the system and my place of work - and in a good way!

I've had my fill of snow this winter and am hopeful that the worst is past us.  I'm looking forward to spring and getting a list going of things I'd like to get done this spring - will have to prioritize because it's a pretty long list!  Cleaning the small room upstairs is definitely on the list along with removing the carpet from the stairs and upstairs hall - have to see if laminate or red oak would work best!  There's a bunch of other things too - a vacation with a friend??

#2 son is doing his student teaching this semester and it seems to be going well.  #1 son is doing well. We all went to Hampton to see my niece and her family when she was down for a friend's shower. My great-nephew is a real cutie pie and it was wonderful to see him (and his parents of course!)!! My dog is wonderful (even when I'm tired and don't think so).  She's such a sweet girl - loves people and cats. She's still very much a puppy and a bit bitey but maybe this summer we can get some formal training in - that would definitely help.  Q-man is much more comfortable with her now - he swats her when she's really annoying but that doesn't seem to bother her!

All in all, I must say that my life is going well.  Not exactly how I pictured it 30 years ago or even 5 years ago but that's ok.  New year, new beginnings - new adventures!

Halloween 2013

Halloween was a fun day at work - we dressed in our jammies!  It's the first time (in my whole library career I think) that I've dressed up for Halloween - I usually say that I'm cleverly disguised as a responsible adult!  But this was fun and extremely comfortable!  (The pigtails were a headband courtesy of Gale!)

Finally - cool weather

I can't believe that October is almost over - this year has flown by - but I'm VERY glad that cooler weather is here! Taking Frey out, I've seen my breath and it's almost time (especially at night and early morning) to have a jacket nearby!

Our walks are longer (and should be getting longer yet) because it's cool enough to actually walk over a mile without sweat dripping down my face and back.  Of course, it's almost time to stop the playing in the pool/hose after our walks but not quite yet (she enjoys it so!).

Next week is Halloween and, for the first time in my 27 years of working, I've agreed to dress up with several co-workers. (I have worn my robe (long zipped high collar) for an evening Holiday program!) We're going to wear our PJs!!  I got two new pairs (since my usual sleepwear is light weight sweat-type pants and an oversize T (not exactly what I could wear to work!)) - one pair is a pink plaid which is quite comfy and the other (which I'll probably wear) is Lady & the Tramp! :=)  Now I think I'll get a new pair of pink (maybe) fluffy slippers to finish the outfit!  I also have a borrowed Witch's hat to wear - if I dare!

SIGH

I had a nice weekend with friends in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.  Good conversation, shopping, site seeing and generally good fun - until I saw some pictures.  of me that is - my friends both take wonderful pictures but I hate pictures of myself - and these were no exception.  I've got to download the pictures to flash drives to give to my friends - but I will definitely be editing the ones of me!  Oh how I've always wished to have good pictures of myself - and I was a cute little girl (I have pictures to prove that) but certainly not any more.  Double Sigh!!