We moved right after the Fourth of July of last summer. I had an interview 48 hours after we got into town, wearing shoes that were less than 12 hours old. Do not know if it was the shoes or the actual interview, but I got the job and started on August 8th. That means this week will be seven months!
I have avoided work talk on the blog, but only because I am not completely sure of the talking-about-work policy as it relates to the web. Bottom line, I work in healthcare. In the technology arm of the system. As the receptionist. Ours is a non-profit, Catholic health care system, so I am still free to live my faith in the workplace, something I have done for most of my working career, so that's a bonus! (Not that I am or ever have been the Bible-beating type, mind you.)
I am quite literally the furthest person in healthcare from the patient from what I can tell.
Technically I am an Administrative Assistant III with a main duty of reception. We have between ten and 40 visitors a day, so some days the bigger role is greeting, but often I have a hundred other things on top of that. It's perfect for me!
I have a big role in a few things - normal reception stuff like getting folks signed in and get them where they need to be, sorting mail and answering the phones. I also have a small but significant role in lots of things across the board - Human Resources and Accounts Payable and fun stuff like that. It fits my personality to have little bits of lots of stuff, plus I get lots (and lots) of interaction with lots (and lots) of people. I have responsibilities across the board, but few that are weigh-me-down hard.
One of the best parts is my co-workers. I know that if something falls through my fingers, there is a great safety net of folks who don't just help, they jump to help. I am grateful for that, and make that clear on a daily basis! They help me because they know that I go out of my way to help them, as well. I get regular feedback in a productive way from folks on my level all the way up to the Chief of the company. That feedback makes it absolutely wonderful, even on a hard day.
Another great thing is that there is never work to take home. When I clock out at 5 that is really the end of my work day. I rarely even have to think about work once I walk out the door. Because of my role I don't even get many emails over the weekend to make me dread Monday mornings. (I do get and send more email than I thought possible in a day, and I'm on the small side in that realm in my office!)
Anyway, I just wanted to let folks know that I am absolutely happy in my work life, and that is an awesome feeling.
(I do have a not-everything-is-perfect blog post in the works, because the reality is that life is hard no matter what your situation. If you are reading this you likely know that I am an optimist by default, so that tends to be what I blog about...)
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
March 05, 2011
July 11, 2010
Interview(s)
This week I had three interviews with the same company for the same position. I am hopeful to share with you soon that they have extended an offer of employment, but in case they do not and I want to apply for another position later there, I will withhold the company name.
The first of the interviews was REALLY fun! Strange, but fun. They went into strange office details, and even showed me a picture of a car that went through the glass about ten feet from where I would be sitting. I don't believe that it was intended to scare me, but it was clear that it is a significant part of the history of this particular building within the organization. Pretty crazy to see, though, considering the exterior of the building and the way the streets cross. Insanity.
The position that I have been trying for is as a receptionist. Several folks have pointed out that it seems a bit beneath my skills and history. That is, quite honestly, true. My priority right now is to secure a job and will work through advancing as I go along. Anny and I have talked about that, and it's a high priority for me that I be able to be around the house a bit more as we are getting settled into the new city/time zone/side of the Mississippi River. I don't want a high-stress, late nights job ever, but really do not want it at this time in our lives. The company has tracks for Admins (among others) to advance, and that knowledge is enough for me right now. Another huge bonus if I get this is that there is 100% tuition reimbursement. By golly, folks, I might be going back to school!
It would be a huge change for me to work at this place (sorry, the secrecy does indeed seem strange, especially for me!) in particular because of it's size. There are 400+ people working just in that particular facility. My last office had nine, and the one before that had three. Even combining both offices it would be about 400 short of the folks I would be working with! My extroverted side might just get completely giddy about this prospect! I would probably not see most of the folks most days, but wow, that is just a huge number.
I am hopeful, prayerful, that this job comes through. It's in a faith-based organization, which would make me happy. I am one that believes we work now for reward in heaven, or something like that. They did ask if I was comfortable with meetings that opened with prayer. I chuckled, since I have been leading prayer at meetings for 10+ years at this point!
The first of the interviews was REALLY fun! Strange, but fun. They went into strange office details, and even showed me a picture of a car that went through the glass about ten feet from where I would be sitting. I don't believe that it was intended to scare me, but it was clear that it is a significant part of the history of this particular building within the organization. Pretty crazy to see, though, considering the exterior of the building and the way the streets cross. Insanity.
The position that I have been trying for is as a receptionist. Several folks have pointed out that it seems a bit beneath my skills and history. That is, quite honestly, true. My priority right now is to secure a job and will work through advancing as I go along. Anny and I have talked about that, and it's a high priority for me that I be able to be around the house a bit more as we are getting settled into the new city/time zone/side of the Mississippi River. I don't want a high-stress, late nights job ever, but really do not want it at this time in our lives. The company has tracks for Admins (among others) to advance, and that knowledge is enough for me right now. Another huge bonus if I get this is that there is 100% tuition reimbursement. By golly, folks, I might be going back to school!
It would be a huge change for me to work at this place (sorry, the secrecy does indeed seem strange, especially for me!) in particular because of it's size. There are 400+ people working just in that particular facility. My last office had nine, and the one before that had three. Even combining both offices it would be about 400 short of the folks I would be working with! My extroverted side might just get completely giddy about this prospect! I would probably not see most of the folks most days, but wow, that is just a huge number.
I am hopeful, prayerful, that this job comes through. It's in a faith-based organization, which would make me happy. I am one that believes we work now for reward in heaven, or something like that. They did ask if I was comfortable with meetings that opened with prayer. I chuckled, since I have been leading prayer at meetings for 10+ years at this point!
July 14, 2009
Getting Settled In
Just some quick notes as I look back on my office's relocation during the end of June and beginning of July to share with everyone:
It was not helpful that:
It was really helpful that:
Since I have not actually arranged my book case and this is our third week in the office, I think I will tackle that first this this morning when I get to work!
And the office relocation accounts for why I have not been blogging for the last month - by the time I get home in the evening I'm doing my best to spend all of my time with my sweeties.
It was not helpful that:
- We had to move. We HAD to move, though, since our lease expired.
- I had to work Saturday. That's life, and an occasional Saturday is much better than my schedule was at Glenkirk!
- Instructions were not exactly right. The packers expected certain things that we did not anticipate. It happens.
- We hired movers. I "helped" get ONE file cabinet onto the dolly. I can not imagine how long it would have taken without professionals.
- We asked for only essential staff on Friday and Saturday, so there were not many people in the way.
- Labels - Labels - Labels! I was able to help someone at the new office find a box of cables that should probably have been hand carried over.
It was really helpful that:
- We moved over a weekend, whether I like it or not. Our office was down for two days instead of four.
- I got "old office" duties, so I got to leave earlier than the folks at the new place.
- I was able to access the internet through the wireless signal at another office. Just nice, I guess.
Since I have not actually arranged my book case and this is our third week in the office, I think I will tackle that first this this morning when I get to work!
And the office relocation accounts for why I have not been blogging for the last month - by the time I get home in the evening I'm doing my best to spend all of my time with my sweeties.
March 05, 2009
What's with the Weather?!
On Monday of this week we had a snow day at our house! Everything but the Federal government closed (they were delayed) thanks to the 4-9 inches of snow that blanketed our area. We decided to get some things done around the house, like mopping the bathrooms (fun, right?) and finishing Abby's play kitchen (posting this weekend, probably) with our extra free time.
Since we only get a really good storm like this every other year it seems, we wanted to be sure that Abby got out into the snow. It was clear almost immediately that she was not going to have anything to do with it. I cleared out an 18 in hole in the snow to put her in, and she cried the moment her feet hit the floor. As you can see below, we ended up putting her in her red wagon and dragging her through the snow, sled-style, and up the street once. In her defense, the wind was quite harsh...
With all of the snow and wind that we dealt with on Monday, with a bonus two hour delay on Tuesday, it's pretty amazing that we are currently planning on a trip to the National Zoo on Saturday! The weather at the end of the week is slated to be 60 degrees warmer than at the beginning! It's a swing from 8 degrees on Monday to a predicted 68 on Saturday!
How is your weather?
Since we only get a really good storm like this every other year it seems, we wanted to be sure that Abby got out into the snow. It was clear almost immediately that she was not going to have anything to do with it. I cleared out an 18 in hole in the snow to put her in, and she cried the moment her feet hit the floor. As you can see below, we ended up putting her in her red wagon and dragging her through the snow, sled-style, and up the street once. In her defense, the wind was quite harsh...
With all of the snow and wind that we dealt with on Monday, with a bonus two hour delay on Tuesday, it's pretty amazing that we are currently planning on a trip to the National Zoo on Saturday! The weather at the end of the week is slated to be 60 degrees warmer than at the beginning! It's a swing from 8 degrees on Monday to a predicted 68 on Saturday!
How is your weather?
February 12, 2009
Taxes are Done!
It's tax time here in the US. Anny and I finished up our taxes last night and filed electronically. (which means that I finished our taxes while Anny got Abby into bed.) I think it's the fastest we've ever submitted, mostly because I'm afraid of forgetting to do it later on! I don't think that I have ever waited until April 10th or later, but I've sure waited until the 1st before...
One year, when we lived in Manassas, we took our taxes to one of those use-us-in-the-K-Mart joints and ended up forking out $95 and sitting there for two hours or more while some guy who only does taxes as a hobby hunted and pecked into his trusty computer. When he left to use the telephone I took a glance at his computer screen only to see that he was
We're getting a sizable return this year, again. I guess when you fork out more than $15k each for childcare and mortgage interest the Feds look on you with some favor. (Though the childcare credit was only $600, which is a mere fraction of our output.)
We have gotten big refunds for the last few years, really, and that works for me. Anny has begun to ask me if we should change our witholding on our paychecks to have the money more consistently through the year or if we should continue to get the big refund at the end of the year. Really, she just brought it up and we haven't had time to discuss since then.
I know that there are two theories on taxation:
1 - Take a lot from my paycheck and I get a big refund in the spring
-or-
2 - Take less from my paycheck, leaving me more on a monthly basis, in exchange for a smaller refund, or even payment, in the spring.
I think that the reason I am okay with Uncle Sam having more of my money during the year is that I can do a little splurging once a year. I also figure that if my money is in "the system" it's being used for things much more important than me - the money is what is used to fund the programs and such that the govermnent is providing.
So - what do you do with your taxes? Are you in the keep-my-money or the take-my-money kind of planner? Why? (Have you always done it and just never changed, or do you have new reasoning for me to know?)
One year, when we lived in Manassas, we took our taxes to one of those use-us-in-the-K-Mart joints and ended up forking out $95 and sitting there for two hours or more while some guy who only does taxes as a hobby hunted and pecked into his trusty computer. When he left to use the telephone I took a glance at his computer screen only to see that he was
We're getting a sizable return this year, again. I guess when you fork out more than $15k each for childcare and mortgage interest the Feds look on you with some favor. (Though the childcare credit was only $600, which is a mere fraction of our output.)
We have gotten big refunds for the last few years, really, and that works for me. Anny has begun to ask me if we should change our witholding on our paychecks to have the money more consistently through the year or if we should continue to get the big refund at the end of the year. Really, she just brought it up and we haven't had time to discuss since then.
I know that there are two theories on taxation:
1 - Take a lot from my paycheck and I get a big refund in the spring
-or-
2 - Take less from my paycheck, leaving me more on a monthly basis, in exchange for a smaller refund, or even payment, in the spring.
I think that the reason I am okay with Uncle Sam having more of my money during the year is that I can do a little splurging once a year. I also figure that if my money is in "the system" it's being used for things much more important than me - the money is what is used to fund the programs and such that the govermnent is providing.
So - what do you do with your taxes? Are you in the keep-my-money or the take-my-money kind of planner? Why? (Have you always done it and just never changed, or do you have new reasoning for me to know?)
July 15, 2008
It's Been a While
Lots has happened in the last week. Some I can blog about, some I can not. Anny has already blogged about our visitors HERE, and all that I would add is that it was very nice to have them with us. (Editors note, though: I'm proud of Anny using links! She's learning quickly.)
I always forget how hard it is to take a few days off and follow it up by actually going to work for a day! Our whacky schedule has me off again at the end of this week and the beginning of next, so it's even more weird! Luckily not too much work piles up for me when I'm gone during the summer. I keep tabs on email just in case, but voicemail it out of the question. My office knows that they can get me by cell if they need something, but are always respectful of my time away.
The highlight of my time away was just plain old hanging out with the family. We had granduer ideas of going downtown and packing our schedule, but really just hung out a lot. I finally inflated Abby's little pool and used it as a great tool to wear her down a little each day so that bed time was easier for us all. :o)
Oh yeah, and we had a bunch of green beans from our garden with dinner one night!! We have a cucumber that's close and a bunch of flowers on our squash plants. I think our peppers got planted too late and might e useless this year. Oh well.
What have you been up to for the last week?
I always forget how hard it is to take a few days off and follow it up by actually going to work for a day! Our whacky schedule has me off again at the end of this week and the beginning of next, so it's even more weird! Luckily not too much work piles up for me when I'm gone during the summer. I keep tabs on email just in case, but voicemail it out of the question. My office knows that they can get me by cell if they need something, but are always respectful of my time away.
The highlight of my time away was just plain old hanging out with the family. We had granduer ideas of going downtown and packing our schedule, but really just hung out a lot. I finally inflated Abby's little pool and used it as a great tool to wear her down a little each day so that bed time was easier for us all. :o)
Oh yeah, and we had a bunch of green beans from our garden with dinner one night!! We have a cucumber that's close and a bunch of flowers on our squash plants. I think our peppers got planted too late and might e useless this year. Oh well.
What have you been up to for the last week?
June 29, 2008
I Like Blogger
I have to admit that I love some of the new Blogger features. (Still in Draft)
I would have to say that the feature I like the most is future-dating posts. I can blog
at work
Have you tried Blogger in Draft yet? You liking any of the features more than others? Anything you just hate?
I would have to say that the feature I like the most is future-dating posts. I can blog
at work
Have you tried Blogger in Draft yet? You liking any of the features more than others? Anything you just hate?
June 20, 2008
Married to a Institution Teacher
(Sorry for the silly title, I've been jealous of the strikethrough abuse over at Stark Raving Dads for a while and had to use it myself!)
The Summer officially begins tomorrow, but that is only according to the sun. According to our society it begins on Memorial Day, which is fine with me. According to my household, Summer began on Tuesday.
Summer is a different time of year, almost a different life, than the other nine months when you're in a relationship with a teacher. While your schedule stays the same they are able to sleep in and stay up late. They are able to lounge all day, or take a jaunt to have lunch with friends. You are stuck. In the same old grind. All. Day. Long.
There are many other things that are signs that the season has changed.
My office phone rings. Often.
When school is in session, Anny and I do not speak from the time she leaves for work until she is in the car on her way home. It's a bit weird, mostly because it ends up that I talk to my friend Bryan more than I talk to my wife some weeks. During the summer, though, I receive random calls throughout the entire day. First day out I got three. Thursday I received at least twice that many.
Things at home are relaxed.
With all of the extra time on her hands, Anny is much more relaxed in the evenings and that makes for a better day all around. It might have to do with the fact that there's more free time, but so far thissummer week I believe that it is the extra mommy-daughter time. I love that they get this time together, but I'm honestly jealous.
Things in my head are mixed.
Again, I'm jealous of the extra time that the girls get to spend together. I might have to steal Abby to myself one of these weekend days and send Anny packing.
The hours during the school year are penance for the summers free. Do not ever tell a teacher that they have it easy because they have the summer off. With the amount of stress and (sometimes) horror of teaching, this is well earned.
But I wish it was my schedule too....
The Summer officially begins tomorrow, but that is only according to the sun. According to our society it begins on Memorial Day, which is fine with me. According to my household, Summer began on Tuesday.
Summer is a different time of year, almost a different life, than the other nine months when you're in a relationship with a teacher. While your schedule stays the same they are able to sleep in and stay up late. They are able to lounge all day, or take a jaunt to have lunch with friends. You are stuck. In the same old grind. All. Day. Long.
There are many other things that are signs that the season has changed.
My office phone rings. Often.
When school is in session, Anny and I do not speak from the time she leaves for work until she is in the car on her way home. It's a bit weird, mostly because it ends up that I talk to my friend Bryan more than I talk to my wife some weeks. During the summer, though, I receive random calls throughout the entire day. First day out I got three. Thursday I received at least twice that many.
Things at home are relaxed.
With all of the extra time on her hands, Anny is much more relaxed in the evenings and that makes for a better day all around. It might have to do with the fact that there's more free time, but so far this
Things in my head are mixed.
Again, I'm jealous of the extra time that the girls get to spend together. I might have to steal Abby to myself one of these weekend days and send Anny packing.
The hours during the school year are penance for the summers free. Do not ever tell a teacher that they have it easy because they have the summer off. With the amount of stress and (sometimes) horror of teaching, this is well earned.
But I wish it was my schedule too....
March 27, 2008
p@Ssw0Rdd$$
It's way past time for us to chnge passwords in our house. We change every single password on a regular basis of every five or six months. Right now we're at.....eleven I think. Something happened about nine months ago that has put a hiccup into most of our plans. We love that kid, but keeping to task became a LOT harder!
We have used words and names that have meant something silly to one of us or the other. Anny's childhood cat Brutus was a password for a while. I saw a Maybach car on the road one day and loved the M logo, so Maybach became our password after Brutus. Before that it was Glenkirk, the place we met and the place we got married.
(Do not worry, none of these are passwords that we use now. Maybe "worry" is the wrong word. Don't try to break into my life, none of these are passwords we use now!)
We also always tag a number or two at the beginning or end, and always change the number at the same time that we change the word.
The fun time is the week after we decide to change it. We then have to systematically go through every vendor we use to change the password, even if we don't plan to buy from them until Christmas! There is nothing worse than the four attempt password entering to buy one toy because you can't remember when the last time you changed your info was!
At the office we've gotten even more complex. Here are the rules there:
Changes every six months - forced change by the server
At least eight characters (any number, letter or symbol)
At least one number, one letter, one symbol and one Capital Letter
Cannot be a simple word - so anything with "monroe" would be rejected
Luckily I have another three months to come up with a new one at the office!
Anyway - I'm thinking that we are going to move to a two-password system in the coming weeks. One password will go on things like email and blogs, and another to go on bank accounts and places that our credit cards are stored.
My questions for you are:
Do you and your spouse share one password for everything or have separate passwords for different accounts? (that's if you have a spouse, if not, ignore this one!)
How often do you change your passwords? (follow up, are we crazy to make the change as often as we do)
Do you use simple words or something more complex?
We have used words and names that have meant something silly to one of us or the other. Anny's childhood cat Brutus was a password for a while. I saw a Maybach car on the road one day and loved the M logo, so Maybach became our password after Brutus. Before that it was Glenkirk, the place we met and the place we got married.
(Do not worry, none of these are passwords that we use now. Maybe "worry" is the wrong word. Don't try to break into my life, none of these are passwords we use now!)
We also always tag a number or two at the beginning or end, and always change the number at the same time that we change the word.
The fun time is the week after we decide to change it. We then have to systematically go through every vendor we use to change the password, even if we don't plan to buy from them until Christmas! There is nothing worse than the four attempt password entering to buy one toy because you can't remember when the last time you changed your info was!
At the office we've gotten even more complex. Here are the rules there:
Changes every six months - forced change by the server
At least eight characters (any number, letter or symbol)
At least one number, one letter, one symbol and one Capital Letter
Cannot be a simple word - so anything with "monroe" would be rejected
Luckily I have another three months to come up with a new one at the office!
Anyway - I'm thinking that we are going to move to a two-password system in the coming weeks. One password will go on things like email and blogs, and another to go on bank accounts and places that our credit cards are stored.
My questions for you are:
Do you and your spouse share one password for everything or have separate passwords for different accounts? (that's if you have a spouse, if not, ignore this one!)
How often do you change your passwords? (follow up, are we crazy to make the change as often as we do)
Do you use simple words or something more complex?
March 03, 2008
Air Drumming
Quick post from the office (ahem) about the drive in this morning.
At a light behind the University I noticed this guy air-drumming in his big SUV. He was into it more than I have seen anyone before! In his mind, he was playing an entire set of drums, not just the steering-wheel-snare-drum that I prefer.
At the next light I noticed that he had gotten MORE into it - even picked up a REAL drumstick to rock out with! I gave up faulting his bad driving, because he was happy on his way to (I assume work) someplace on a Monday morning. I was struggling to keep my head up and he's rocking out.
At the NEXT light he went even further. He pulled out a second drumstick! He was rocking out, drumsticks in hand, over the entire dashboard of his car! It was hillarious!
Okay, I am going back to working. I just HAD to share this. (And who knows, maybe it's only funny in my head. You know, one of those "had to be there" moments.) Sure made my morning go a little smoother.
At a light behind the University I noticed this guy air-drumming in his big SUV. He was into it more than I have seen anyone before! In his mind, he was playing an entire set of drums, not just the steering-wheel-snare-drum that I prefer.
At the next light I noticed that he had gotten MORE into it - even picked up a REAL drumstick to rock out with! I gave up faulting his bad driving, because he was happy on his way to (I assume work) someplace on a Monday morning. I was struggling to keep my head up and he's rocking out.
At the NEXT light he went even further. He pulled out a second drumstick! He was rocking out, drumsticks in hand, over the entire dashboard of his car! It was hillarious!
Okay, I am going back to working. I just HAD to share this. (And who knows, maybe it's only funny in my head. You know, one of those "had to be there" moments.) Sure made my morning go a little smoother.
February 20, 2008
What You Say You Said
Trip to St Louis was incredibly great. Rightly timed time-away from home and downright relaxing time with Sarahlynn, Paul and the girls. Abby did not learn to crawl, but did pick up clapping! I even got to go to a Blues (pro hockey) game! Really, though, the best part was spending quality time with the family.
I planned to write two posts in the last few days, one about the trip and one to celebrate my two year blogoversary, which was Valentines Day. I have decided not to delve into either far enough for a full post. Instead I am looking to see if I'm the only one dealing with craziness.
I got an email from one of my supervisors: "Rob, I need your help writing this check request."
Let's break that down:
Rob - that's me
I need your help - we need to work together to get this done
writing this check request - with this mundane task
It seems that what she meant was: "Rob. Write a check request for this."
When I was ready to leave for the day, I asked what kind of help she needed for the (again, mundane) check request. An account number to charge it to? An address? A pen? She told me that I was to have written it on my own, and we had conversation about our roles in this relationship. She is the boss, I am the worker bee. Boss says "do this" and should expect it done. I think we're on the same page now.
At home the situation is similar, but different: "Rob, would you vacuum this weekend?"
Again, a breakdown:
Rob - That's me! People know my name!
would you - Please do this
vacuum - Get out the stupid machine, and do the deed
this weekend - 72 hours that begins roughly Friday at 5 pm and ends Sunday at bedtime
? - Implied option - yes or no.
What Anny means is: "Rob, vacuum this morning please."
Anny says that she does not want to be a nag. I keep telling her that she is not nagging, she is being direct. There is a difference to me.
Do you deal with issues like this? Am I not being perceptive enough, or should people be direct in what they are asking for?
I planned to write two posts in the last few days, one about the trip and one to celebrate my two year blogoversary, which was Valentines Day. I have decided not to delve into either far enough for a full post. Instead I am looking to see if I'm the only one dealing with craziness.
I got an email from one of my supervisors: "Rob, I need your help writing this check request."
Let's break that down:
Rob - that's me
I need your help - we need to work together to get this done
writing this check request - with this mundane task
It seems that what she meant was: "Rob. Write a check request for this."
When I was ready to leave for the day, I asked what kind of help she needed for the (again, mundane) check request. An account number to charge it to? An address? A pen? She told me that I was to have written it on my own, and we had conversation about our roles in this relationship. She is the boss, I am the worker bee. Boss says "do this" and should expect it done. I think we're on the same page now.
At home the situation is similar, but different: "Rob, would you vacuum this weekend?"
Again, a breakdown:
Rob - That's me! People know my name!
would you - Please do this
vacuum - Get out the stupid machine, and do the deed
this weekend - 72 hours that begins roughly Friday at 5 pm and ends Sunday at bedtime
? - Implied option - yes or no.
What Anny means is: "Rob, vacuum this morning please."
Anny says that she does not want to be a nag. I keep telling her that she is not nagging, she is being direct. There is a difference to me.
Do you deal with issues like this? Am I not being perceptive enough, or should people be direct in what they are asking for?
February 12, 2008
I'm Leavin, on a Jet Plane
Okay - we're not flying out until Friday, but I know that Thursday is a special day for my blog and I won't post properly about the upcoming weekend preview. Knowing where we are going, though, I am sure that I will post on my blog over the weekend.
Where-o-where might the Monroe's be traveling? Saint Louis, MO, of course! For the first time EVER Anny has conceded to taking a day off of school for fun purposes! If Anny can take a day off, I can certainly match that! We decided to head out of town on Friday morning rather than wait until the evening, which would mean really only one fun day out of town. Late Friday arrival and leaving Sunday after church is not nearly as fun as a full Friday and Saturday, with an afternoon return on Sunday.
When I was looking at a calendar, ready to press "buy now" on Southwest to confirm our reservations, I noticed a pretty long word on my calendar. H-O-L-I-D-A-Y. The Presidents are doing us a favor this year, we're making an even longer weekend out of it!
Another upside for me, not as up for Anny, is that we truly can make Friday into a full day. Yes, we ARE leaving at 7:00 am, thankyouverymuch. I'm so much of a morning person that I didn't flinch. Anny does not mind too much, but will admit that it will be hard to get to sleep early on Thursday. A big thanks in advance to Jason for getting up early to take us to the airport.
I'm excited to spend time just hanging out with the St Louis part of the family. Nothing scheduled - no baptisms or road trips - except hanging out.
On a completely different note - Abby is officially 8 months old today! I'm going to go wake her up to celebrate. (It's election day, so Anny and Abby have the day off.) WAIT - She is waking up on her own......Time to change a diaper and hug a baby!
Where-o-where might the Monroe's be traveling? Saint Louis, MO, of course! For the first time EVER Anny has conceded to taking a day off of school for fun purposes! If Anny can take a day off, I can certainly match that! We decided to head out of town on Friday morning rather than wait until the evening, which would mean really only one fun day out of town. Late Friday arrival and leaving Sunday after church is not nearly as fun as a full Friday and Saturday, with an afternoon return on Sunday.
When I was looking at a calendar, ready to press "buy now" on Southwest to confirm our reservations, I noticed a pretty long word on my calendar. H-O-L-I-D-A-Y. The Presidents are doing us a favor this year, we're making an even longer weekend out of it!
Another upside for me, not as up for Anny, is that we truly can make Friday into a full day. Yes, we ARE leaving at 7:00 am, thankyouverymuch. I'm so much of a morning person that I didn't flinch. Anny does not mind too much, but will admit that it will be hard to get to sleep early on Thursday. A big thanks in advance to Jason for getting up early to take us to the airport.
I'm excited to spend time just hanging out with the St Louis part of the family. Nothing scheduled - no baptisms or road trips - except hanging out.
On a completely different note - Abby is officially 8 months old today! I'm going to go wake her up to celebrate. (It's election day, so Anny and Abby have the day off.) WAIT - She is waking up on her own......Time to change a diaper and hug a baby!
January 14, 2008
Is "Green" Just a Fad?
I had an argument last week with a co-worker about the current push for Going Green. His opinion is that it's just a fad, and we won't care about it in two years. I think he's way WAY off, and that it's a movement that has been working for a while and is now getting to the front of people's thinking.
I know that there are some people that are making small changes now, and others that are changing the world. We can't afford hybrid cars right now, but we can switch to cloth diapers. Next car purchase, though, will probably go hybrid. (We're waiting on word about the rumored hybrid minivan!)
In his defense, we were talking about Green as it relates to churches. I don't think that any church has ever sought to work against the environment, but when all of your buildings are older than most of your members, it is often true that there is waste. A lot of churches, though, are replacing old, busted things with new, green things.
I don't believe that any church that is built from this point forward will have the same low-on-environment standards, either. As our church investigaed adding onto our building last year, there was clear committment to do as much as possible to reduce our environmental footprint. I was actually amazed that folks were thinking about these things, and my eyes were opened wide to the opportunities for churches to take real steps to be leaders in this movement.
What is your church (or work, or organization) doing to make itself greener?
Or, better yet, am I way off to think that this is more than a fad that will pass in a couple of years?
I know that there are some people that are making small changes now, and others that are changing the world. We can't afford hybrid cars right now, but we can switch to cloth diapers. Next car purchase, though, will probably go hybrid. (We're waiting on word about the rumored hybrid minivan!)
In his defense, we were talking about Green as it relates to churches. I don't think that any church has ever sought to work against the environment, but when all of your buildings are older than most of your members, it is often true that there is waste. A lot of churches, though, are replacing old, busted things with new, green things.
I don't believe that any church that is built from this point forward will have the same low-on-environment standards, either. As our church investigaed adding onto our building last year, there was clear committment to do as much as possible to reduce our environmental footprint. I was actually amazed that folks were thinking about these things, and my eyes were opened wide to the opportunities for churches to take real steps to be leaders in this movement.
What is your church (or work, or organization) doing to make itself greener?
Or, better yet, am I way off to think that this is more than a fad that will pass in a couple of years?
January 10, 2008
Three Weeks is Too Long
Not going to apologize for no real posts in what seems like forever. Kind of a lot has been happening, so I'm just going to do bullet points for now:
Abby has a full on tooth, and a second on the cusp!
Christmas was great. We got to spend time with family and friends alike. Some folks fit into both categories, which is even better!
We installed a new server at my office. It made it nice and quiet, as everyone else was basically out of the office. I got a good deal done, but not as much as I would like to have. I learned some stuff about servers, though!
New Years Eve we hung out with other parents of toddlers/babies for some fun times. We left at 8:30, but that was fine with us. Abby woke up in time to celebrate the time change in the mid-west.
On the other hand, she's slept through the night for a few nights.
Aunt Nadia (Abby's aunt, not mine) got to babysit while Anny and I headed different directions for meetings last week. Major downer is that Abby was tired and just mean about it. When she cries - she cries loudly!
I'm working on a presentation for church on Sunday. We're celebrating what happened last year as we continue to build excitement for what is coming. This is a completely new format (worship at tables so that we can transition into a pot luck lunch!)
What's new in your world?
Abby has a full on tooth, and a second on the cusp!
Christmas was great. We got to spend time with family and friends alike. Some folks fit into both categories, which is even better!
We installed a new server at my office. It made it nice and quiet, as everyone else was basically out of the office. I got a good deal done, but not as much as I would like to have. I learned some stuff about servers, though!
New Years Eve we hung out with other parents of toddlers/babies for some fun times. We left at 8:30, but that was fine with us. Abby woke up in time to celebrate the time change in the mid-west.
On the other hand, she's slept through the night for a few nights.
Aunt Nadia (Abby's aunt, not mine) got to babysit while Anny and I headed different directions for meetings last week. Major downer is that Abby was tired and just mean about it. When she cries - she cries loudly!
I'm working on a presentation for church on Sunday. We're celebrating what happened last year as we continue to build excitement for what is coming. This is a completely new format (worship at tables so that we can transition into a pot luck lunch!)
What's new in your world?
January 07, 2008
Trivia Question: Tired Daddy
Trivia question time!
Which of the following things would most likely have happened today due to a weird combination of lack of sleep and medicine for an oncoming head cold?
a - I left late for work
b - I put my boxers on backwards only to realize it at work
c - I somehow remembered to feed the dog today
d - all of the above
(hint: Daily Digesting of Dietary Delectables makes a Daddy Delightful.)
(And to answer your burning question, yes, I have left them backwards. How do you change that at work??!)
Which of the following things would most likely have happened today due to a weird combination of lack of sleep and medicine for an oncoming head cold?
a - I left late for work
b - I put my boxers on backwards only to realize it at work
c - I somehow remembered to feed the dog today
d - all of the above
(hint: Daily Digesting of Dietary Delectables makes a Daddy Delightful.)
(And to answer your burning question, yes, I have left them backwards. How do you change that at work??!)
December 06, 2007
November 28, 2007
Almost a Week Ago...
The last time I blogged appears to have been more than a week ago, and that post wsa mostly about shopping. Shame on me.
What's happened:
(Wednesday) We took Abby to a local Turkey (and Cow) farm to pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. From her school she can see the cows and turkeys from a distance, but she was really taken with all of the sights and smells at the farm. It was fun.
(Wednesday) We took Abby to her first hockey game! Again with the sights and sounds - she seemed to genuinely have a good time.
(Thursday) During the day we spent good quality family time. Playing with Abby and catching up as a couple. Good time together. During the evening we did Thanksgiving dinner with family and a few friends (who are genuinely extended family at this point).
(Thursday) (between dinner and pies) We got to give Abby her first "solid" food of cereal. (Yet another link to the other site) It was fun, funny and functional - Michael's Trifecta of a good gift!
(Friday) We did some sale-shopping for ourselves. We got essentials for each of us as the weather turns colder, and some just plain cute stuff for Abby.
(Saturday) My brother got two tickets to another hockey game, and I could not turn it down! The Caps actually won the game, which made it even better!
(Sunday) We played hookey from church to get some things done, and didn't get to any of them. Abby is cutting her first tooth and we decided to walk at the mall with her as a distraction. It worked for us all, and we didn't spend any money!
Last night was an evening Presbytery meeting. Fairly low key, but it makes for a long day when most of us get here by 7:30 and the meeting doesn't end until after 9pm. I don't see how people do that on a regular basis!
This post is a catch-up post. I hope to post something with substance tomorrow!
What's happened:
(Wednesday) We took Abby to a local Turkey (and Cow) farm to pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. From her school she can see the cows and turkeys from a distance, but she was really taken with all of the sights and smells at the farm. It was fun.
(Wednesday) We took Abby to her first hockey game! Again with the sights and sounds - she seemed to genuinely have a good time.
(Thursday) During the day we spent good quality family time. Playing with Abby and catching up as a couple. Good time together. During the evening we did Thanksgiving dinner with family and a few friends (who are genuinely extended family at this point).
(Thursday) (between dinner and pies) We got to give Abby her first "solid" food of cereal. (Yet another link to the other site) It was fun, funny and functional - Michael's Trifecta of a good gift!
(Friday) We did some sale-shopping for ourselves. We got essentials for each of us as the weather turns colder, and some just plain cute stuff for Abby.
(Saturday) My brother got two tickets to another hockey game, and I could not turn it down! The Caps actually won the game, which made it even better!
(Sunday) We played hookey from church to get some things done, and didn't get to any of them. Abby is cutting her first tooth and we decided to walk at the mall with her as a distraction. It worked for us all, and we didn't spend any money!
Last night was an evening Presbytery meeting. Fairly low key, but it makes for a long day when most of us get here by 7:30 and the meeting doesn't end until after 9pm. I don't see how people do that on a regular basis!
This post is a catch-up post. I hope to post something with substance tomorrow!
November 05, 2007
I'm Just....
I was complimented ths morning via email. It is always a little weird. I have some esteem issues and often refer to myself as "just an administrative assistant."
I think this comes from the fact that my wife and bunches of our friends are teachers. My brother and his wife are both on the verge of higher-higher ed degrees. My little sister has aspirations in the field of criminal psychology. I talk to higher-educated people everywhere I go. I just have an Associates. A four-year-to-get-a-two-year-degree Associates at that!
I'm just an administrative assistant. No - worse than that. I'm just an admin.
When we reviewed my job description earlier this year I was asked what I thought my job title should be, if different from "Program Assistant." I support seven other staff members either directly or one degree of directness, so maybe a new title would be good.
Administrative Assistant to all?
Office Assistant?
Office Grunt!
We stuck with Program Assistant.
Some people talk about being called to a particular field. Typically these people are teachers, politicians or people in the ministry. I have never heard anyone say that their call was to work in an office.
I truly feel like this is my calling. I like what I do and I'm good at it. Better than I let on, but don't tell anyone!
Anyway - All of that is to say that I came across a really great quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Actually, it was sent to me by a minister when I told him I was simply a messenger.
I think that I strive to be the best. I know my faults. I discuss them at the office openly, and will talk with anyone else about them if the need arises. I know what's wrong, and I work to fix it so that I can "sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry."
So, I leave you with that to Ponder and Comment on. What are you good at? What else do you read into this quote?
I think this comes from the fact that my wife and bunches of our friends are teachers. My brother and his wife are both on the verge of higher-higher ed degrees. My little sister has aspirations in the field of criminal psychology. I talk to higher-educated people everywhere I go. I just have an Associates. A four-year-to-get-a-two-year-degree Associates at that!
I'm just an administrative assistant. No - worse than that. I'm just an admin.
When we reviewed my job description earlier this year I was asked what I thought my job title should be, if different from "Program Assistant." I support seven other staff members either directly or one degree of directness, so maybe a new title would be good.
Administrative Assistant to all?
Office Assistant?
Office Grunt!
We stuck with Program Assistant.
Some people talk about being called to a particular field. Typically these people are teachers, politicians or people in the ministry. I have never heard anyone say that their call was to work in an office.
I truly feel like this is my calling. I like what I do and I'm good at it. Better than I let on, but don't tell anyone!
Anyway - All of that is to say that I came across a really great quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Actually, it was sent to me by a minister when I told him I was simply a messenger.
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.
If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.
I think that I strive to be the best. I know my faults. I discuss them at the office openly, and will talk with anyone else about them if the need arises. I know what's wrong, and I work to fix it so that I can "sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry."
So, I leave you with that to Ponder and Comment on. What are you good at? What else do you read into this quote?
January 25, 2007
That Song Makes Me Sick
I am an eclectic person, particularly when it comes to music. If I use the "shuffle" feature on my iPod, I have to be careful who can hear it, because I can easiliy slip from Tim McGraw to Snoop, back to Billy Joel and then something from System of a Down. (SOAD is definately not work apropriate!)
But on Sunday afternoon as we were driving home in the snow I had a surreal experience. I heard a song that made me sick to my stomach. I literally felt like I was going to throw up. Not a good feeling on a snowy Sunday afternoon.
The song was "Carlene" by Phil Vassar. The song was released in early 2000, and really is a song that I have enjoyed for many years. One of my closest friends is named Charlene, so we have always changed the words just a little.
So why would such a nice song make me sick? Mold. Lots of mold.
When I first bought the CD that has the song "Carlene" I just just been placed into a new building for the business storage company that I worked for. This were so disorganized that we literally shipped 2,000 boxes to a rented warehouse to be sorted and labeled. My job was to do the sorting and labeling. Alone. I worked in that building for four days a week, and worked one day a week at the main office/warehouse.
The company (which I assume is still around) is an Archiving facility. Your business would send non-urgent, but still necessary-to-keep files to our facility. We store it, for a monthly fee, and will deliver your box(es) to you in 24 hours, for a second fee. There was availability of 1 hour and 2 hour delivery, but it was much more expensive, and really only utilized by law firms.
There were some pretty cool companies that used the company to store their stuff. Two big law firms downtown stored thousands of boxes, but they were boring. No need to catalog their stuff, they had staff to do that for them. I did get to catalog x-rays and some other random files, though.
One of the storing companies was the Recording Industry Association (RIAA). They didn't store much, but one day my brother found an original of the Gold Record presented to Bob Marley for one of his records! Pretty cool.
Anyway - the building they stuck me in was disgusting. I assume that the smell was just mold, but it would not come off of my clothes no matter how many times they were washed, and I had to shower as soon as I got home every day, or I could not stand to be around myself. I only wore certain clothes there, and threw them out as soon as I left the company.
I don't know if it was a contributing factor, but just before I got the building that was my own was when I had my Kidney Disease diagnosis. It sure made the decision to leave six months later easier!
When I heard that song on the radio Sunday, it didn't just bring back the mental images of that time in my life, it also brought back to me that nausiating smell/taste in my mouth, and I really did want to throw up.
That's such a waste of a really good song.
Are there songs that you know that bring back other senses for you?
But on Sunday afternoon as we were driving home in the snow I had a surreal experience. I heard a song that made me sick to my stomach. I literally felt like I was going to throw up. Not a good feeling on a snowy Sunday afternoon.
The song was "Carlene" by Phil Vassar. The song was released in early 2000, and really is a song that I have enjoyed for many years. One of my closest friends is named Charlene, so we have always changed the words just a little.
So why would such a nice song make me sick? Mold. Lots of mold.
When I first bought the CD that has the song "Carlene" I just just been placed into a new building for the business storage company that I worked for. This were so disorganized that we literally shipped 2,000 boxes to a rented warehouse to be sorted and labeled. My job was to do the sorting and labeling. Alone. I worked in that building for four days a week, and worked one day a week at the main office/warehouse.
The company (which I assume is still around) is an Archiving facility. Your business would send non-urgent, but still necessary-to-keep files to our facility. We store it, for a monthly fee, and will deliver your box(es) to you in 24 hours, for a second fee. There was availability of 1 hour and 2 hour delivery, but it was much more expensive, and really only utilized by law firms.
There were some pretty cool companies that used the company to store their stuff. Two big law firms downtown stored thousands of boxes, but they were boring. No need to catalog their stuff, they had staff to do that for them. I did get to catalog x-rays and some other random files, though.
One of the storing companies was the Recording Industry Association (RIAA). They didn't store much, but one day my brother found an original of the Gold Record presented to Bob Marley for one of his records! Pretty cool.
Anyway - the building they stuck me in was disgusting. I assume that the smell was just mold, but it would not come off of my clothes no matter how many times they were washed, and I had to shower as soon as I got home every day, or I could not stand to be around myself. I only wore certain clothes there, and threw them out as soon as I left the company.
I don't know if it was a contributing factor, but just before I got the building that was my own was when I had my Kidney Disease diagnosis. It sure made the decision to leave six months later easier!
When I heard that song on the radio Sunday, it didn't just bring back the mental images of that time in my life, it also brought back to me that nausiating smell/taste in my mouth, and I really did want to throw up.
That's such a waste of a really good song.
Are there songs that you know that bring back other senses for you?
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