This weekend, I realized my priorities and idea of time are quite different from other people's ideas. For instance, I had plans to attend a formal dinner after picking up my car the other night. So I got dressed and was ready to go, while hubby was relaxed though he needed to drive me to the dealership. He even found time to write out some bills. while I rushed around. We headed out the door and I asked him if he had everything he needed. He said he wasn't sure since I had rushed him out the door. Once in the car, I asked if he had his phone on him in case my car wasn't truly finished. He said no, cause he was rushed out the door. I asked if he had his wallet. He said barely as he was rushed out the door. At which point, my temper snapped, yet he had time to write out bills. Where were his priorities?
Once we got to the dealership, the man took his time explaining to me the work done on my car. Mind you, they had my car from 10:00-5:30. Plenty of time! I asked about my wiper blades and the guy told me they were fine. I asked if they'd been replaced. No, they didn't need replaced, was his response. What? They were shredded so bad, they were falling off. He patronized me, asking if I was confused over the windshield damage they had to fix. No, I know the difference between the windshield and blades. He said they could fix it now. I told him, I was on my way to a dinner and he said, they could do it in 3 minutes flat. When I made my way out to the car, 5 minutes later, two men were wrestling with the blades. Checklist, anyone?
Later in the weekend, we had friends over for pizza and movie night. It was planned down to the minute. Pizza ordered at 7:20, 45 minute delivery estimate, delivered by 8:05. Wait, the pizza was actually delivered at 7:40, though people wouldn't arrive until 8:00. How is that a 45 minute wait?
Thankfully, everything went smoothly with my weekend plans, though I do question how other people think.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
It's the Weather, Baby!
The weather has been a bit crazy around here. 80s then 60s then 70s then 60s. Rainstorms, hail storms, tornadoes, and crazy wind. When I look out the window in Indiana, it should not remind me of hurricane days in Florida. The weather craziness continues this weekend. The rain is supposed to finally go away, but the temperatures are going to go wonky. Yes, wonky! Mid 60s today, mid 70s tomorrow, mid 80s Saturday, ending in the 90s on Sunday. 90s in May in Indiana? What? Such drastic changes over a four day span. Wonky weather! What am I going to do all weekend without my weather guru? For those who don't know, that would be Kay, who tells me whether I require an umbrella on my lunch break.
On another note, the end of the month is arriving soon and I'm curious how our writing group is doing on our individual projects. This is only the mid-point since we decided to work on two month projects this time.
On another note, the end of the month is arriving soon and I'm curious how our writing group is doing on our individual projects. This is only the mid-point since we decided to work on two month projects this time.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Goals and Expectations
My colleagues are definitely giving me fodder this week. I was speaking with another colleague concerning the person's son's decisions involving marriage, having children, and switching careers midstream. I recognized these concerns because my parents had them over ten years ago as well. I truly believe there is a generational issue involved. My parent's and my colleague's generation married straight out of college and began their career path with the idea of a home and 2.5 kids within a certain amount of years. Their generation didn't expect to change jobs, much less careers, and many still felt marriage was the end goal in relationships. My generation is more fluid. I'm on my second career and my third employer within that career. I spent my early twenties completely lost and unsure, but going forward with "the plan." You know "the plan," to settle into a career, get married, etc., basically what I saw my parents do.
The problem is I followed "the plan." I had my bachelors in an industry that didn't appeal to me. I had debated changing majors in college, but my father repeatedly pointed out that I would never find real employment with those other degrees. The problem I ran into after graduation was I couldn't find real employment with my job-guaranteed degree. I got married and actually did plan to have children with the ex. I craved to have the security I felt in childhood.
After my divorce and its subsequent issues, I realized I couldn't live "the plan," not in this day and age. It didn't work for me. No employer was going to keep me permanently, much less I wouldn't be happy in the same job that I began when I was 22 because I didn't know myself then. I saw relationships come and go and knew that people changed over time and unless both people worked at the relationship, it was doomed to fail. No relationship survives laziness. I struggled to find myself and see what I had to offer myself, an employer, a significant other, or my children.
I think many in my generation feel this way. Don't get me wrong, I know not everyone falls into the same category and I'm generalizing here, but many of us have seen our parents suffer the recession in the 1980s, divorce, blended families, and jobs outsourced or eliminated. We've learned nothing in life is guaranteed. So we can't say where we'll be five, ten, or twenty years from now. We can only say what our current goals and expectations are and move forward, but we understand life may come along and alter those.
I have accepted my unconventional life. People say I'll change my mind about not having children. My response, "If you say so." People are shocked to discover I'm in a long-distance marriage and try to find a solution for us. My response, "We're making the best of the situation and have discovered a happy medium that most never find." Hubby had people question him marrying me since I was on my second marriage in my 20s. My current response, "We are celebrating a decade together this year." My parents questioned me leaving my management career to go back to library school. My current response, "An amazing career choice that has led me down some interesting paths and has given me more confidence in myself." People thought I was crazy to leave my family, friends, and a great career to move to the middle of Indiana and a part of me, at the time, agreed. My response now, "The best decision I've ever made besides marrying hubby."
So don't worry about your crazy kids making those crazy decisions. You never know where it might lead them.
The problem is I followed "the plan." I had my bachelors in an industry that didn't appeal to me. I had debated changing majors in college, but my father repeatedly pointed out that I would never find real employment with those other degrees. The problem I ran into after graduation was I couldn't find real employment with my job-guaranteed degree. I got married and actually did plan to have children with the ex. I craved to have the security I felt in childhood.
After my divorce and its subsequent issues, I realized I couldn't live "the plan," not in this day and age. It didn't work for me. No employer was going to keep me permanently, much less I wouldn't be happy in the same job that I began when I was 22 because I didn't know myself then. I saw relationships come and go and knew that people changed over time and unless both people worked at the relationship, it was doomed to fail. No relationship survives laziness. I struggled to find myself and see what I had to offer myself, an employer, a significant other, or my children.
I think many in my generation feel this way. Don't get me wrong, I know not everyone falls into the same category and I'm generalizing here, but many of us have seen our parents suffer the recession in the 1980s, divorce, blended families, and jobs outsourced or eliminated. We've learned nothing in life is guaranteed. So we can't say where we'll be five, ten, or twenty years from now. We can only say what our current goals and expectations are and move forward, but we understand life may come along and alter those.
I have accepted my unconventional life. People say I'll change my mind about not having children. My response, "If you say so." People are shocked to discover I'm in a long-distance marriage and try to find a solution for us. My response, "We're making the best of the situation and have discovered a happy medium that most never find." Hubby had people question him marrying me since I was on my second marriage in my 20s. My current response, "We are celebrating a decade together this year." My parents questioned me leaving my management career to go back to library school. My current response, "An amazing career choice that has led me down some interesting paths and has given me more confidence in myself." People thought I was crazy to leave my family, friends, and a great career to move to the middle of Indiana and a part of me, at the time, agreed. My response now, "The best decision I've ever made besides marrying hubby."
So don't worry about your crazy kids making those crazy decisions. You never know where it might lead them.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Making Cents
A colleague of mine was shocked the other day that we would send a bill for $0.40. The individual stated, anything less than a dollar should be waived. I stared at the person in shock, before raising my jaw off the ground and tried to explain the concept. If we waived any bills under a dollar, it would add up to thousands of dollars of lost revenues over a year. And in our world of constrained budgets, every cent counts. It was terrifying to me that this individual didn't understand this. The person thought I was just being overly conservative about money.
I remember the first time my father explained why every cent counts. I had questioned why he drove across the street to get gas for one cent less than the gas on our side of the street. To my childish mind, it made no sense. My father asked me to figure out how much money he would save over a month or year by saving that measly one cent and what I could buy instead with that money. It was a concept I learned rather quickly as a child.
I guess I should have used the same explanation to my colleague. If we receive a hundred research requests a week and thirty of those bills are less than a dollar, how much unrecognized revenue would accumulate over a month or year.
I truly hope this colleague never is placed in charge of our budgets because this is fiscally irresponsible in difficult budgetary times. But it does make me concern to think how many other people believe it's no big deal and to round up or down when it comes to cents. Don't get me wrong, I don't nickle and dime everything in my life, but I think this is a reasonable concept to use in a work environment. Has anyone explained this concept to the next generation who may not understand the idea of decimals and the importance of making every cent count? Just food for thought.
I remember the first time my father explained why every cent counts. I had questioned why he drove across the street to get gas for one cent less than the gas on our side of the street. To my childish mind, it made no sense. My father asked me to figure out how much money he would save over a month or year by saving that measly one cent and what I could buy instead with that money. It was a concept I learned rather quickly as a child.
I guess I should have used the same explanation to my colleague. If we receive a hundred research requests a week and thirty of those bills are less than a dollar, how much unrecognized revenue would accumulate over a month or year.
I truly hope this colleague never is placed in charge of our budgets because this is fiscally irresponsible in difficult budgetary times. But it does make me concern to think how many other people believe it's no big deal and to round up or down when it comes to cents. Don't get me wrong, I don't nickle and dime everything in my life, but I think this is a reasonable concept to use in a work environment. Has anyone explained this concept to the next generation who may not understand the idea of decimals and the importance of making every cent count? Just food for thought.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Smallville Finale
I proudly admit, I spent my Friday night at home watching the Smallville series finale. After ten years, the show ended on a perfect note of Clark Kent finally accepting he's a superhero and fulfilling his promise of becoming Superman. Smallville wasn't a show with twists, shocks, or riveting stories. It was very corny at times, but it was a steady show that had love of family and friends at its core. The whole series can be surmised in one word, acceptance.
The show never featured a highly dramatic villain or horrific evil that needed to be stopped, but instead our villains were characters we could like or understand, who unfortunately, in the end chose to be the villain. You may recognize a few of the actors who've played villains over the years, such as Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries), Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), James Marsters (Buffy), Sam Witwer (Being Human), Jane Seymour, and Callum Blue, to name a few. And of course, the exceptional Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, who returned for the finale and was riveting the entire time he was on screen.
The show's producers recognized their fanbase and brought in actors from the Superman lore, such as Teri Hatcher, Margot Kidder, Helen Slater, Annette O'Toole, and an emotional performance by Christopher Reeve.
So to the finale. Spoiler Alert! The finale was as steady and corny as the full ten years, but it had its deep emotional moments for the fans. It was a lovely farewell letter to the fans, while acknowledging the next step in our heroes journeys. Oh Papa Kent (John Schneider), you made us cry when showing Clark he can finally be a superhero. Lois (Erica Durance) standing at the chapel door, fearing Clark would stand her up at the alter was well done. Clark arriving at the chapel had to be one of the sweetest scenes on the show. The reading of their vows was emotional. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum in the final Clark/ Lex scene were riveting and harkened back to their original friendship and acknowledged their future as enemies. The montages used to show both these characters development were skillfully used and poignant. Tess' heroic death at the hands of a murderous Lex was shocking and left me spellbound. Overall an emotional and fulfilling episode for fans of the series, especially the end when our hero donned the suit and flew.
As for this fan, I'll miss the show for being my steady companion the past decade and look forward to seeing Henry Cavill as Superman in the movie theaters.
The show never featured a highly dramatic villain or horrific evil that needed to be stopped, but instead our villains were characters we could like or understand, who unfortunately, in the end chose to be the villain. You may recognize a few of the actors who've played villains over the years, such as Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries), Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), James Marsters (Buffy), Sam Witwer (Being Human), Jane Seymour, and Callum Blue, to name a few. And of course, the exceptional Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, who returned for the finale and was riveting the entire time he was on screen.
The show's producers recognized their fanbase and brought in actors from the Superman lore, such as Teri Hatcher, Margot Kidder, Helen Slater, Annette O'Toole, and an emotional performance by Christopher Reeve.
So to the finale. Spoiler Alert! The finale was as steady and corny as the full ten years, but it had its deep emotional moments for the fans. It was a lovely farewell letter to the fans, while acknowledging the next step in our heroes journeys. Oh Papa Kent (John Schneider), you made us cry when showing Clark he can finally be a superhero. Lois (Erica Durance) standing at the chapel door, fearing Clark would stand her up at the alter was well done. Clark arriving at the chapel had to be one of the sweetest scenes on the show. The reading of their vows was emotional. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum in the final Clark/ Lex scene were riveting and harkened back to their original friendship and acknowledged their future as enemies. The montages used to show both these characters development were skillfully used and poignant. Tess' heroic death at the hands of a murderous Lex was shocking and left me spellbound. Overall an emotional and fulfilling episode for fans of the series, especially the end when our hero donned the suit and flew.
As for this fan, I'll miss the show for being my steady companion the past decade and look forward to seeing Henry Cavill as Superman in the movie theaters.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Just Deal With It
FYI...this is a personal post.
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my hysterectomy. I struggled for almost a year with the decision of whether I should go forward with this surgery. A year later, I can truly say, it was a wise decision. At the time, I was dealing with a medical condition that seemed to worsen every month, a condition that forced my body to shun healthy cells and harbor diseased cells, and I had the dreaded c word looming in my horizon. I tried several treatments, hoping to extend my child bearing years, but finally had to accept it was not to be. I'm grateful that I underwent the hysterectomy since they discovered a massive amount of precancerous cells that had invaded my organs. The major drawback to the surgery was my bladder was accidentely knicked or punctured. The three specialists on my case have used either term.
My wound has healed, but has caused another condition to develop. I already suffered from an overactive bladder. Not an extreme one, just one that made car trips uncomfortable at times. Apparently aggravating the bladder with an injury similar to mine can cause someone in their thirties to develop conditions they would have experienced in their fifties or sixties. I've had every test under the sun done on my bladder, kidney, and renal functions. Trust me, I can tell you the inner workings of my system and where the breakdown occurs, down to the milliliters. Today was my six month evaluation concerning this condition, following two failed attempts with medications. The doc and I had an honest discussion that I knew was coming, yet I walked away near tears. There is nothing that can be done at this point. My body will not adapt to the meds and continues to have its meltdowns. In a few years, as the condition worsens, which it will, we can look at a surgical procedure that is available, but it would only relieve my symptoms back to my current condition.
So though I was prepared for the appointment today, I feel a major loss. I can continue on with my life, which is a blessing, considering the prospects I faced last year on this date, but I will never be the same. I have to continuously be cautious of my condition and manage it as best as I can, which I will. Eventually, I will fully adapt and this will become a routine portion of my life. It's a difficult prospect for someone who was once told, you'll always battle exhaustion or you'll have to be more mindful of your health. After hearing all that diatribe when I was a teenager and overcoming it, I feel frustrated to finally be truly bogged down with something.
On the plus side, I'm cancer free, the medical condition I faced a year ago is permanently gone, and after leaving the docs, I stopped for a coconut mocha frappucino at Starbucks. I'm determined to stay positive!
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my hysterectomy. I struggled for almost a year with the decision of whether I should go forward with this surgery. A year later, I can truly say, it was a wise decision. At the time, I was dealing with a medical condition that seemed to worsen every month, a condition that forced my body to shun healthy cells and harbor diseased cells, and I had the dreaded c word looming in my horizon. I tried several treatments, hoping to extend my child bearing years, but finally had to accept it was not to be. I'm grateful that I underwent the hysterectomy since they discovered a massive amount of precancerous cells that had invaded my organs. The major drawback to the surgery was my bladder was accidentely knicked or punctured. The three specialists on my case have used either term.
My wound has healed, but has caused another condition to develop. I already suffered from an overactive bladder. Not an extreme one, just one that made car trips uncomfortable at times. Apparently aggravating the bladder with an injury similar to mine can cause someone in their thirties to develop conditions they would have experienced in their fifties or sixties. I've had every test under the sun done on my bladder, kidney, and renal functions. Trust me, I can tell you the inner workings of my system and where the breakdown occurs, down to the milliliters. Today was my six month evaluation concerning this condition, following two failed attempts with medications. The doc and I had an honest discussion that I knew was coming, yet I walked away near tears. There is nothing that can be done at this point. My body will not adapt to the meds and continues to have its meltdowns. In a few years, as the condition worsens, which it will, we can look at a surgical procedure that is available, but it would only relieve my symptoms back to my current condition.
So though I was prepared for the appointment today, I feel a major loss. I can continue on with my life, which is a blessing, considering the prospects I faced last year on this date, but I will never be the same. I have to continuously be cautious of my condition and manage it as best as I can, which I will. Eventually, I will fully adapt and this will become a routine portion of my life. It's a difficult prospect for someone who was once told, you'll always battle exhaustion or you'll have to be more mindful of your health. After hearing all that diatribe when I was a teenager and overcoming it, I feel frustrated to finally be truly bogged down with something.
On the plus side, I'm cancer free, the medical condition I faced a year ago is permanently gone, and after leaving the docs, I stopped for a coconut mocha frappucino at Starbucks. I'm determined to stay positive!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wear Out Their Welcome
It is a two fold post today that also reflects my nerdiness. Becky and I were leaving the other day when ta-da, the new Charlaine Harris book, Dead Reckoning, loomed on the Express rack. Though we're both on the holds list, we grabbed a copy to check out, as we both wanted to read the latest excitement in Sookie Stackhouse's life. I finished my copy in two days, but this doesn't mean I enjoyed the book.
Here's my review of the book:
Better than the last book, which isn't saying much. I think the series is dying from longevity. The fae story is weird and rather uncomfortable to read. Eric has gone from rallying hero to possessive jerk. And we're back full circle to cheering on Bill, though Eric had a few brief moments of being our sick sadistic hero. And all the humor in the series has died.
Harsh words for a series I truly enjoy, but I think the series has run its course. Enough already! Don't ruin the series by riding the money train because the tv show is doing so well.
Many tv series have the same problem. They wear out their welcome. They don't end on a high note like they should. I have plans with my tv this weekend with one of these shows which is finally ending, though I think it found steam towards the end. (I'll write about this next week.) As I went through my DVD collection, I realized many shows have their best seasons between the 2nd and 3rd year then tread water the rest of the series, sometimes to the detriment of the show's integrity. That lead me to another thought. Are you familiar with any shows that have hurdled over the three year mark? That you can honestly say a season past the 3rd year was the best season. I actually can answer that one. I'm currently watching Supernatural, which I feel is a phenomenal show. Its 4th season was the best, but it's current season is going strong.
So do you have any shows you think should have ended early, rather than continuing on? Or any book series that has overstayed its welcome? Or any tv shows that you feel overcame the 3rd year hump? Please share. I'm always looking for another book or tv series.
Here's my review of the book:
Better than the last book, which isn't saying much. I think the series is dying from longevity. The fae story is weird and rather uncomfortable to read. Eric has gone from rallying hero to possessive jerk. And we're back full circle to cheering on Bill, though Eric had a few brief moments of being our sick sadistic hero. And all the humor in the series has died.
Harsh words for a series I truly enjoy, but I think the series has run its course. Enough already! Don't ruin the series by riding the money train because the tv show is doing so well.
Many tv series have the same problem. They wear out their welcome. They don't end on a high note like they should. I have plans with my tv this weekend with one of these shows which is finally ending, though I think it found steam towards the end. (I'll write about this next week.) As I went through my DVD collection, I realized many shows have their best seasons between the 2nd and 3rd year then tread water the rest of the series, sometimes to the detriment of the show's integrity. That lead me to another thought. Are you familiar with any shows that have hurdled over the three year mark? That you can honestly say a season past the 3rd year was the best season. I actually can answer that one. I'm currently watching Supernatural, which I feel is a phenomenal show. Its 4th season was the best, but it's current season is going strong.
So do you have any shows you think should have ended early, rather than continuing on? Or any book series that has overstayed its welcome? Or any tv shows that you feel overcame the 3rd year hump? Please share. I'm always looking for another book or tv series.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Chocolate State of Mind
Hubby and I attended the Chocolate Fair in Long Grove, Illinois over the weekend and it was delicious. Chocolate, chocolate everywhere. It was a chocolaholic's dream though by the end of the day, I finally agreed to regular food. The square in Long Grove where the fair is held is darling with it's intimate shops full of glassware, antiques, candles, wines, and cigars. It was the perfect spot with many intimate parks surrounding the square.Hubby and I each bought a ticket which allowed us to try six samples from among thirteen shops. We traveled around deciding which chocolate morsels we wanted to taste. I honestly thought six samples wouldn't be filling, but who knew. Some of the samples were regular sized bake goods. All around a great deal.
I did splurge and buy some chocolate covered strawberries, which were sold on a kabob. They were monstrous. As a Florida gal who grew up surrounded by strawberry fields, I had to question the pesticides they used to grow those gargantuan strawberries, but either way, I ate them. As you can tell by the pics, I couldn't get hubby to smile, though he was having a good time. He almost cracked a grin over his chocolate ice cream. Another enjoyable side trip!
Monday, May 2, 2011
April Writing Challenge
So how did we end the writing challenge after extending it for another month?
Kay was working towards 10,000 words and reached 7453.
Sarai was striving for 5000 words and dashed across the line with 5042.
Dawne was hoping for 750 pages and created an amazing number of 583 pages in her genealogy work.
Delia had the goal of 15,000 words and managed a whopping 14,779.
I struggled to complete my 20,056 which met my goal of 20,000.
We're all doing an amazing job and this challenge has kept us motivated. I've heard from several of you, who would like to continue writing. I've been told by Dawne that I'm the social coordinator, so I ask for your May/ June goals, since we seem to do better with a 2 month window.
The challenge is on.
Kay was working towards 10,000 words and reached 7453.
Sarai was striving for 5000 words and dashed across the line with 5042.
Dawne was hoping for 750 pages and created an amazing number of 583 pages in her genealogy work.
Delia had the goal of 15,000 words and managed a whopping 14,779.
I struggled to complete my 20,056 which met my goal of 20,000.
We're all doing an amazing job and this challenge has kept us motivated. I've heard from several of you, who would like to continue writing. I've been told by Dawne that I'm the social coordinator, so I ask for your May/ June goals, since we seem to do better with a 2 month window.
The challenge is on.
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