It is Labor Day weekend. I have always felt vaguely melancholy at this time of year. The official end of summer, the beginning of real work time, no more days off for months. It is about 9 AM, the Texan is still snoring in deep sleep, the dogs have settled down for the morning nap, and I have "nothing fun" planned for the day. Lots of housework ahead. Yecchh! OK, pity party time is now officially over.
1. Tell us about the worst job you ever had. The worst job I ever had was my first college job as a typist for the College of Engineering in an crammed-full of filing cabinets, 8x10 one-person office (me) far away from any human being, sitting there typing things that truly did not look like any language I understood. It was tedious and it was tortuous to have to be there for 4-6 hours at a time. It only lasted 1 semester and I found something else to do on campus to make money.
2. Tell us about the best job you ever had. It would be a tie between the job I have now, teaching young adults, and when I was a supervisor at CPS working with caseworkers who had lots of children whom we were able to place in adoption.
3.Tell us what you would do if you could do absolutely anything (employment related) with no financial or other restrictions. If I could do my full fantasy, it would be to go to Canada in time to see the trees change with the Texan who could walk and have fun with me as we meandered wherever we want. I would be able to go to Eastern Europe and work with orphanages to improve the lives of children in group care. Teaching English as a 2nd language has always been something I have wanted to do. I would also volunteer at a hospital taking care of and rocking newborn babies. In short, dear ones, all of my fantasy time and activities presume my being retired with enough money to do what I want to, with a fully healthy Texan either with me or at home, depending on his interests.
4. Did you get a break from labor this summer? If so, what was it and if not, what are you gonna do? I was able to spend some time visiting with family and dear friends in Arizona and Indiana. I came back refreshed and feeling deeply nurtured. Tex was able to have a little more energy this summer, so time with him was also more satisfying.
5. What will change regarding your work as summer morphs into fall? Are you anticipating or dreading? Although I really like the work I am doing, I am dreading the pace of the fall. I feel like I have to run to keep up with all the tasks. Please God, no more health issues for either Tex or me this year.
Bonus question: For the gals who are mothers, do you have an interesting story about labor and delivery (LOL)? If you are a guy pal, not a mom, or you choose not to answer the above, is there a song, a book, a play, that says "workplace" to you? I have birthed two children, and it was very hard work. The best part was falling so deeply in love with those babies in the most profound part of my being that I was forever changed, forever loving them for the rest of their lives.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
A Man's Definition of Love
Today is my first day back at work. I left early (7 am) to go to Arlington for the contract signing and orientation of students in the new semester. After my 2 week break out of the office I was willing for the new semester to start. Even though classes don't start until next week we always feel like it starts the week before. I feel much more relaxed after the two weeks, remembering that I always needed 3 weeks vacation from CPS in order to go back to work. If I had taken 3 weeks out from the University gig, I think I would be pulling out my hair trying to get back.
The Texan said the sweetest thing to me this morning when I gave him his goodbye kiss and hug, and said "I love you." He said, without opening his eyes, "I know." He said that he knows "because it is like when you know one friend says he is a friend but you can't count on him, but you know that another friend will be right by you if you get into a fight." Tex has been in a real fight for life and health these past 3 years. It is good to know he feels that I have got his back. (Of course he is right there for me whenever I am down or feeling hurt about something.) I think that is a wonderful description of love from a man's point of view.
The Texan said the sweetest thing to me this morning when I gave him his goodbye kiss and hug, and said "I love you." He said, without opening his eyes, "I know." He said that he knows "because it is like when you know one friend says he is a friend but you can't count on him, but you know that another friend will be right by you if you get into a fight." Tex has been in a real fight for life and health these past 3 years. It is good to know he feels that I have got his back. (Of course he is right there for me whenever I am down or feeling hurt about something.) I think that is a wonderful description of love from a man's point of view.
Friday, August 15, 2008
These are a few of my favorite things...
Things that I love:
1. Rainy days- spending significant growing-up years in the Arizona desert, I adore rainy days!
2. The Last Day of Vacation - knowing that I had better treasure it as I am today.
3. Traveling with my grown-up little brothers - find that I like who they turned out to be.
4. My cuddly and protective Llhasa doggies - all 12 lbs and 8 lbs of them.
5. Having a flexible work schedule so that I can spend lots of time with the Texan, even while I am working.
6. Child Welfare Workers - the most tough-skinned , most soft-hearted, most practical bunch of women (and some men) that God put on the face of this earth . There is nothing they can't handle at the time and then cry about afterward.
7. And, of course, at the beginning, middle, and end of the list, my wonderful family and friends, who have nurtured and do nurture my very being. They taught me how to love, to give and to receive love, and keep me surrounded in love. They are Grace personified.
1. Rainy days- spending significant growing-up years in the Arizona desert, I adore rainy days!
2. The Last Day of Vacation - knowing that I had better treasure it as I am today.
3. Traveling with my grown-up little brothers - find that I like who they turned out to be.
4. My cuddly and protective Llhasa doggies - all 12 lbs and 8 lbs of them.
5. Having a flexible work schedule so that I can spend lots of time with the Texan, even while I am working.
6. Child Welfare Workers - the most tough-skinned , most soft-hearted, most practical bunch of women (and some men) that God put on the face of this earth . There is nothing they can't handle at the time and then cry about afterward.
7. And, of course, at the beginning, middle, and end of the list, my wonderful family and friends, who have nurtured and do nurture my very being. They taught me how to love, to give and to receive love, and keep me surrounded in love. They are Grace personified.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I'm baack!
Hurrah! Hurrah! I finally got back into this blog! I have been shut out for almost a month now, but for some reason, it has let me back in. So I have changed the password and it worked!
I have spent a wonderful week with my brother the CPA in Indiana doing genealogical research on our Jessup family line. For the past several years I have been in contact with a 2nd cousin who has moved back to Indiana. She graciously invited the CPA and me to stay with her during our sojourn back through old homesteads and farms, not to mention numerous Quaker cemeteries. She was Hospitality Personified, lives in a Victorian home that could be a bed and breakfast because of its beautiful decor. The three of us had a fabulous time, located another cousin that none of us knew about, and just thoroughly enjoyed outselves. What a treat!
The Texan did very well while I was gone, thanks to his own determination and a cadre of friends and relatives who helped. All in all, this has been a very satisfying time for both of us.
I have spent a wonderful week with my brother the CPA in Indiana doing genealogical research on our Jessup family line. For the past several years I have been in contact with a 2nd cousin who has moved back to Indiana. She graciously invited the CPA and me to stay with her during our sojourn back through old homesteads and farms, not to mention numerous Quaker cemeteries. She was Hospitality Personified, lives in a Victorian home that could be a bed and breakfast because of its beautiful decor. The three of us had a fabulous time, located another cousin that none of us knew about, and just thoroughly enjoyed outselves. What a treat!
The Texan did very well while I was gone, thanks to his own determination and a cadre of friends and relatives who helped. All in all, this has been a very satisfying time for both of us.
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